"I hope that doesn't happen," Finn answered with a solemn frown, reaching up to press a kiss to Poe's forehead. "We'll place this as safe as we can for as long as we can, then work from there."
He still planned to confront Demeter alone if things started looking bad but maybe it wouldn't come to pass. Maybe it really would be okay...
Finn combed a hand through Poe's hair, searching his eyes. "Are you okay?" He seemed a little better.
Finn really wished he could say otherwise but it may be best if whatever mending Poe and Rey could have moved slowly. So, instead, he kissed Poe on the cheek.
"I'll make sure she's comfortable until then... I love you."
"I love you too," he murmured, returning the kiss by pressing cool lips to Finn's cheek before slipping away again to return to his duties, significantly less angry than before.
Finn wasn't sure he was really okay, but Poe did seem better than before. He allowed himself that peace for now and let the rest go with a deep sigh. He'd find Poe again later.
For now, he had his own duties to handle. He turned and walked back to Rey, offering a smile as he got closer. "He'll be all right. How are you holding up?"
Rey stayed in the back from Poe and Finn, forcing herself to look anywhere but ahead of her. She was frustrated, angry, and so much more. She wanted to find a way out, but she said she would stay the night. This promise she would not break.
The Underworld was bigger than she thought. More land than her eyes could take in, and places she had heard whispers about from the forest nymphs. She wouldn't dare explore and get into more trouble than she was already in. Her gaze ventured over to Poe and Finn, the embrace they shared and now they fit so well together.
"If Demeter loved you..." Poe's voice rang in her mind, making her flinch and look away again. She didn't want to dwell on it, push those thoughts down and deal with them later. At least in being left alone, she was able to cool off, feeling tired than anything else.
"I'm...okay, I think," she replied softly, not giving Finn a smile in return, but not looking unhappy...just pensive.
"Yes," he nodded, utterly sure of it. He and Poe could weather anything together.
His smile fell when he got none in return. It was there for entirely her benefit as he hardly felt anything like that right now. Worry still curled in his stomach, but he had to push through.
"I promised you a tour, I believe." He nodded towards the palace. "It'll take a moment for Poe to create your rooms. We could just sit in the banquet hall or I could try to show you around."
Rey wanted to reach out to hold Finn's hand again. Her fingers flexed at her side, but she held back. She had done enough damage and Finn...he had enough to think about.
"You don't have to...I'm fine with waiting, Finn." She didn't want to put too much on his plate, but he really wanted to show her around so...best to go with it.
"A tour is fine, show me anything you want. I already feel like I've caused you enough problems."
"You haven't. You've done nothing wrong." Neither Poe or Rey did anything wrong, in his opinion.
Finn's hands clenched at his sides, wanting to reach for her but not daring to initiate after everything. He did hold an arm out to direct her to the palace, though, falling in at her side if she began to walk.
"I find this place beautiful but I'm not sure that you will. There isn't much in the way of life here, like I said. There's Beebee if you wanted to visit with him... And there's the river. I walk along it sometimes but-" She may not take it the same way as him. He found it calming. Peaceful. "Or I could just show you the architecture. Poe built nearly all of it."
Rey opened her mouth to counter Finn's claim, but...she didn't want to upset him, nor get into another argument. She was already in one with Poe over being in the Underworld. It was best if she found a way to either keep her mind off the situation or stay busy. At least she could see Finn, and know he was okay.
And fuck, it may be the last time she saw him too.
She began to walk with him towards the palace, keeping an easy pace. As they continued to walk, she found herself reaching out to Finn. Her fingers brushing against the back of his palm, unsure if she could or should hold his hand. He helped anchor her...brought her hope, and made her feel...safe?
"The River Styx?" Rey asked with a slight tilt of her head. "I wouldn't mind seeing it. I've heard only faint whispers about it."
So it would be....educational to see where the souls of mortals and others go.
Finn's hand tentatively reached towards hers, not grasping but at least opening himself to the touch, worried he'd already overstepped. Still, just her fingers brushing against his felt like a form of forgiveness.
"It's beautiful but nothing like the rivers of water on the surface. I... hope it doesn't bother you. We can go somewhere else if it does," he explained, stepping to the side to lead her around the palace rather than into it. "The river flows down from up above, practically cuts right through our palace. It's less active down on these shores, though. The spirits down here are already at peace. Higher upstream is where I do most of my work."
And he enjoyed his work. He loved giving people acceptance and peace everlasting, providing comfort and love when souls needed it most. Though he often felt guilty knowing that Poe's job was more taxing, but his lover took pride in his work as if this really was exactly how things were always meant to be.
A few steps more and they could see the dull purple glow of the river, gently flowing through the Underworld. It looked like water from a distance but closer inspection proved the river consisted of souls, translucent ghosts of the living all resting peacefully and nearly silent. Finn slowed his walk, staying next to Rey and giving her the option to walk as close or as far away as she wished. He didn't know what she may think, seeing the once-living like this. To him, this was the most relaxing place in the Underworld, but he understood how morbid that idea must seem to someone who had only ever known life.
Their fingers brushed, and it felt like a balm meant to soothe her very being. It felt like an extension of Finn's power, able to soothe troubled goddess who may or may not have caused a war. Did she deserve such kindness from him? Rey wasn't sure, but as they walked, her fingers intertwined with his until she was holding his hand, connected to him in some way that made her feel...better? Safe? Possibly both...it was hard to say, but she felt a thrum of electricity between them, like the beginnings of a bond? Or some sort of connection?
"I'll keep an open mind." This would be so vastly different from what she was used to. Different, in a good way. It would give her an appreciation for how Finn cared for what was lost and found here. She saw the full purple glow of the river, walking closer until she saw the translucent ghosts....looking so peaceful. Well cared for.
"..They look like they're sleeping..." she commented, and instantly felt so stupid for saying it out loud. How else should the peaceful look? It was hard to distinguish one face from another, but there wasn't any tension that she could see. Everything ebbed and flowed. Feeling brave, she crept closer to the river.
"But, they do look peaceful....do they stay here forever?"
"It's almost like they are sleeping." Sort of. It was a different sort of sleep for souls. They were comfortable. Happy and content in their own right, all part of one that flowed through everything else.
"They do. They keep flowing down the river, and it goes... well, forever, I think. They travel further and further along but never too far away. Not from us." Finn could pick out any soul he chose from the river if he wanted. He very seldom had unless they needed something but never for his own desires. All he wanted was for them to rest.
He crept closer to the shore, the wisps of souls passing slowly by, reaching and brushing against the skin of his feet and ankles before gently continuing on. "I wouldn't advise you get in. I'm not sure what it would do to you. It's nothing for Poe and me, but the river possesses different powers. But this close is okay. They're curious."
Styx would probably do nothing to her. The souls, though, may reach for what life they could find. He truly wasn't sure.
"I wasn't planning to. I don't know how to swim," she admitted sheepishly.
Well, she couldn't swim very well. She was so used to staying rooted on the ground, or hiding behind one of her creations. She knew the principles of swimming, but she didn't venture into the ocean. Again, her mother's teachings were coming into play, advising her to not go near Poseidon's domain.
A part of Rey did want to dip her hand into the river, just to know how it felt. To feel what was once part of the world she served. She held back though, thinking it would be cruel to disturb those souls. Whether they had a hard life or not, they deserved their peace.
"It's comforting to know they're at peace," she murmured softly, continuing to peer at the River while holding Finn's hand. Her heart sank a little seeing the souls of so many young children there.
"...what do you do with them?" Rey asked, gesturing to the young souls in the river. She couldn't imagine how scared they were upon coming here--or if they even had the money to get across the river.
Finn smiled at that thought, that this pentacle of life didn't know how to swim in the waters that brought it about. Though he could have explained that this was nothing like water, he just brushed it off all the same. "I've never been in waters on the surface, either. I have no idea if this is different or not." Though, he thinks so.
He squeezed her hand as his smile fell but didn't vanish. Instead, he looked down into the souls of the children slowly dancing around the souls of their elders. "They're usually more restless than everyone else. They don't understand death or... they understand it too well. Some of them accept it immediately, others take more time. All of them embrace peace far easier than those that are older than them... The children here are precious. I don't like that they're here, but I can't say with any honesty that I don't enjoy their company. They're so... happy."
Happy wasn't really a good word for it. Full of life seemed like it felt better but that was obviously wrong. "They're loving." That's better. "Most of them, anyway. Otherwise, their fates are the same as everyone else. Drifting down the river."
Swimming in water versus swimming in a pool--a river of souls. Rey's mind was whispering it had to be different. One flowed freely and the other were....souls. Maybe it was a bit morbid of her, but the texture of water compared to a soul had to feel a bit different, right?
Her brown eyes took in the souls of the children slowly dancing around their elders, to the children who seemingly had no one. Children who lost their parents, or were unwanted. Children who looked seemed at peace, but...she knew the emptiness and yearning they felt when they were alive. Trying to be what Demeter wanted, pushing herself to be her best, surviving in isolation...
"At least here they aren't suffering," she whispered, squeezing Finn's hand as a way to anchor herself to the present and not to the emotions swirling inside of her.
"Is there something I could do for them? To help you when you comfort them?"
"You want to help them?" For some reason, he hadn't expected that kind of reaction. In fact, he didn't think Rey would want to be near the river at all.
He looked back down to the souls and thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. I've never considered trying something different or giving them something else." But perhaps the children deserved more. Perhaps all of them did.
"I'm not sure if reminders of life would keep them more settled or upset them, but I don't think it can't hurt to try. They may like your flowers. There aren't very many... interesting things flowing down the river like this, and the children don't rest like everyone else."
They did rest to an extent, but none of the older souls weaved around each other like the children.
Finn's reaction made Rey looked down for a moment, wondering if anything she could do for them would be useful. Doubting herself and the power she had, if it was worthwhile, but she had to try right?
"If that's okay?" she replied, looking back at him. "I don't want to overstep bounds. I'd like to help though, in anyway I can." Even if it meant little flowers, or small fields for them to roam through as they made their way to the river. Something that could help the transition?
"Flowers are a start. We could figure out what would be best, try different things." Finn could give her ideas and she could bring them to life, so to speak. Something calming and tranquil. Maybe nothing bright, but soft and soothing.
Her gaze fell back to the river, looking down at the resting souls, making her wonder what sort of life they lead. What hardships they endured, and if they passed away in a peaceful manner. Mortals could be as cruel as the gods themselves, but Rey hoped in death, they experienced more kindness than fear.
"What you do...it's important, Finn. It's beautiful and important." Which made her wonder why the others would ever view him as less than them.
Finn was silent for a moment, watching the souls drift by. He knew that what he did was important to the souls and that it was beautiful to him but he didn't think anyone other than Poe would recognize that. "Thank you," he answered quietly after his moment. "I'm glad you think so.
"And I'd like to try different things with you. I think the dead would like it, too." They shouldn't be introduced to change, Finn knew, but neither of them were suggesting something jarring. All they both wanted was for the souls to find peace. They could meet those ends together.
The silence didn't bother Rey. She continued to watch the souls drift down the River Styx while holding Finn's hand. It put certain things into perspective for her. If she could help ease the transition for those souls, especially for the young, with her flowers, that would be more than enough for her. Regardless of what Demeter thought or wanted from her.
More importantly, it would allow her to visit Finn. He had quickly grown on her, and found a place in her heart. She felt so at ease with him around, and she couldn't help but want more from him. More time, more conversations, more chances to see that warm smile of his.
More time to create things for him to enjoy.
She began to lean a little against him, lost in her thoughts and budding feelings when he spoke up.
"Thank you for showing me this," she murmured softly, squeezing his hand once more. Her thumb rubbing some circles against the back of his hand.
"We could try something new tomorrow...it would give me enough time to think of a new flower or two."
"It's different....not in bad way," Rey murmured, her other hand moving to rest on top of the one she was holding.
"If I were a mortal, I think I might be afraid, but if you were there to guide me, that fear would go away." So truly, the mortals were lucky to have someone as benevolent as Finn. Someone who was kind, and thoughtful. She could see why Poe loved Finn so much.
"If you want. I wouldn't mind wandering further with you. I think....Poe would want to stay as far away from me as he can."
His heart melted at the reassurance from her. Finn did have confidence in the job he was given, confidence that he performed the task well, but it was wonderful to hear from someone from the domain of life.
But his soft smile waned when she continued, his hand squeezing hers. "Why do you think that?" Yes, things had a rocky start, but they should all be able to work it out together. He was hoping for Poe and Rey to be as close as the two of them were now. Maybe not immediately but... eventually.
A "rocky" start was probably a nice way to put off how their first interaction went. It certainly could've gone a lot better. At the very least they did not hurt each other physically. Emotionally and mentally...that was a different story. They said things that were true, but those words still stung.
"After what happened...how much trouble I caused you and him, and nearly yelling at him--he probably sees me as a nuisance more than anything. I don't blame him."
Not to mention how she (unintentionally) hurt Finn...
"I doubt that. He wouldn't have brought you here otherwise." Or maybe he would have if he thought she could give Finn some happiness and answers.
He turned and held her hands with both of his. "If you truly think that, then all he needs is to get to know you as I have. I promise he wouldn't think anything negative about you. Especially not now that we know the truth."
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He still planned to confront Demeter alone if things started looking bad but maybe it wouldn't come to pass. Maybe it really would be okay...
Finn combed a hand through Poe's hair, searching his eyes. "Are you okay?" He seemed a little better.
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"I'd better make her somewhere to rest, though. I have no doubt she'll be happy to be able to avoid me while she's here."
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"I'll make sure she's comfortable until then... I love you."
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For now, he had his own duties to handle. He turned and walked back to Rey, offering a smile as he got closer. "He'll be all right. How are you holding up?"
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The Underworld was bigger than she thought. More land than her eyes could take in, and places she had heard whispers about from the forest nymphs. She wouldn't dare explore and get into more trouble than she was already in. Her gaze ventured over to Poe and Finn, the embrace they shared and now they fit so well together.
"If Demeter loved you..." Poe's voice rang in her mind, making her flinch and look away again. She didn't want to dwell on it, push those thoughts down and deal with them later. At least in being left alone, she was able to cool off, feeling tired than anything else.
"I'm...okay, I think," she replied softly, not giving Finn a smile in return, but not looking unhappy...just pensive.
"Will you two be okay?"
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His smile fell when he got none in return. It was there for entirely her benefit as he hardly felt anything like that right now. Worry still curled in his stomach, but he had to push through.
"I promised you a tour, I believe." He nodded towards the palace. "It'll take a moment for Poe to create your rooms. We could just sit in the banquet hall or I could try to show you around."
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"You don't have to...I'm fine with waiting, Finn." She didn't want to put too much on his plate, but he really wanted to show her around so...best to go with it.
"A tour is fine, show me anything you want. I already feel like I've caused you enough problems."
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Finn's hands clenched at his sides, wanting to reach for her but not daring to initiate after everything. He did hold an arm out to direct her to the palace, though, falling in at her side if she began to walk.
"I find this place beautiful but I'm not sure that you will. There isn't much in the way of life here, like I said. There's Beebee if you wanted to visit with him... And there's the river. I walk along it sometimes but-" She may not take it the same way as him. He found it calming. Peaceful. "Or I could just show you the architecture. Poe built nearly all of it."
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And fuck, it may be the last time she saw him too.
She began to walk with him towards the palace, keeping an easy pace. As they continued to walk, she found herself reaching out to Finn. Her fingers brushing against the back of his palm, unsure if she could or should hold his hand. He helped anchor her...brought her hope, and made her feel...safe?
"The River Styx?" Rey asked with a slight tilt of her head. "I wouldn't mind seeing it. I've heard only faint whispers about it."
So it would be....educational to see where the souls of mortals and others go.
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"It's beautiful but nothing like the rivers of water on the surface. I... hope it doesn't bother you. We can go somewhere else if it does," he explained, stepping to the side to lead her around the palace rather than into it. "The river flows down from up above, practically cuts right through our palace. It's less active down on these shores, though. The spirits down here are already at peace. Higher upstream is where I do most of my work."
And he enjoyed his work. He loved giving people acceptance and peace everlasting, providing comfort and love when souls needed it most. Though he often felt guilty knowing that Poe's job was more taxing, but his lover took pride in his work as if this really was exactly how things were always meant to be.
A few steps more and they could see the dull purple glow of the river, gently flowing through the Underworld. It looked like water from a distance but closer inspection proved the river consisted of souls, translucent ghosts of the living all resting peacefully and nearly silent. Finn slowed his walk, staying next to Rey and giving her the option to walk as close or as far away as she wished. He didn't know what she may think, seeing the once-living like this. To him, this was the most relaxing place in the Underworld, but he understood how morbid that idea must seem to someone who had only ever known life.
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"I'll keep an open mind." This would be so vastly different from what she was used to. Different, in a good way. It would give her an appreciation for how Finn cared for what was lost and found here. She saw the full purple glow of the river, walking closer until she saw the translucent ghosts....looking so peaceful. Well cared for.
"..They look like they're sleeping..." she commented, and instantly felt so stupid for saying it out loud. How else should the peaceful look? It was hard to distinguish one face from another, but there wasn't any tension that she could see. Everything ebbed and flowed. Feeling brave, she crept closer to the river.
"But, they do look peaceful....do they stay here forever?"
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"They do. They keep flowing down the river, and it goes... well, forever, I think. They travel further and further along but never too far away. Not from us." Finn could pick out any soul he chose from the river if he wanted. He very seldom had unless they needed something but never for his own desires. All he wanted was for them to rest.
He crept closer to the shore, the wisps of souls passing slowly by, reaching and brushing against the skin of his feet and ankles before gently continuing on. "I wouldn't advise you get in. I'm not sure what it would do to you. It's nothing for Poe and me, but the river possesses different powers. But this close is okay. They're curious."
Styx would probably do nothing to her. The souls, though, may reach for what life they could find. He truly wasn't sure.
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Well, she couldn't swim very well. She was so used to staying rooted on the ground, or hiding behind one of her creations. She knew the principles of swimming, but she didn't venture into the ocean. Again, her mother's teachings were coming into play, advising her to not go near Poseidon's domain.
A part of Rey did want to dip her hand into the river, just to know how it felt. To feel what was once part of the world she served. She held back though, thinking it would be cruel to disturb those souls. Whether they had a hard life or not, they deserved their peace.
"It's comforting to know they're at peace," she murmured softly, continuing to peer at the River while holding Finn's hand. Her heart sank a little seeing the souls of so many young children there.
"...what do you do with them?" Rey asked, gesturing to the young souls in the river. She couldn't imagine how scared they were upon coming here--or if they even had the money to get across the river.
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He squeezed her hand as his smile fell but didn't vanish. Instead, he looked down into the souls of the children slowly dancing around the souls of their elders. "They're usually more restless than everyone else. They don't understand death or... they understand it too well. Some of them accept it immediately, others take more time. All of them embrace peace far easier than those that are older than them... The children here are precious. I don't like that they're here, but I can't say with any honesty that I don't enjoy their company. They're so... happy."
Happy wasn't really a good word for it. Full of life seemed like it felt better but that was obviously wrong. "They're loving." That's better. "Most of them, anyway. Otherwise, their fates are the same as everyone else. Drifting down the river."
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Her brown eyes took in the souls of the children slowly dancing around their elders, to the children who seemingly had no one. Children who lost their parents, or were unwanted. Children who looked seemed at peace, but...she knew the emptiness and yearning they felt when they were alive. Trying to be what Demeter wanted, pushing herself to be her best, surviving in isolation...
"At least here they aren't suffering," she whispered, squeezing Finn's hand as a way to anchor herself to the present and not to the emotions swirling inside of her.
"Is there something I could do for them? To help you when you comfort them?"
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He looked back down to the souls and thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. I've never considered trying something different or giving them something else." But perhaps the children deserved more. Perhaps all of them did.
"I'm not sure if reminders of life would keep them more settled or upset them, but I don't think it can't hurt to try. They may like your flowers. There aren't very many... interesting things flowing down the river like this, and the children don't rest like everyone else."
They did rest to an extent, but none of the older souls weaved around each other like the children.
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"If that's okay?" she replied, looking back at him. "I don't want to overstep bounds. I'd like to help though, in anyway I can." Even if it meant little flowers, or small fields for them to roam through as they made their way to the river. Something that could help the transition?
"Flowers are a start. We could figure out what would be best, try different things." Finn could give her ideas and she could bring them to life, so to speak. Something calming and tranquil. Maybe nothing bright, but soft and soothing.
Her gaze fell back to the river, looking down at the resting souls, making her wonder what sort of life they lead. What hardships they endured, and if they passed away in a peaceful manner. Mortals could be as cruel as the gods themselves, but Rey hoped in death, they experienced more kindness than fear.
"What you do...it's important, Finn. It's beautiful and important." Which made her wonder why the others would ever view him as less than them.
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"And I'd like to try different things with you. I think the dead would like it, too." They shouldn't be introduced to change, Finn knew, but neither of them were suggesting something jarring. All they both wanted was for the souls to find peace. They could meet those ends together.
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More importantly, it would allow her to visit Finn. He had quickly grown on her, and found a place in her heart. She felt so at ease with him around, and she couldn't help but want more from him. More time, more conversations, more chances to see that warm smile of his.
More time to create things for him to enjoy.
She began to lean a little against him, lost in her thoughts and budding feelings when he spoke up.
"Thank you for showing me this," she murmured softly, squeezing his hand once more. Her thumb rubbing some circles against the back of his hand.
"We could try something new tomorrow...it would give me enough time to think of a new flower or two."
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Nothing about the river was scary, not to Finn and Poe. It was another part of life, one that only they could specialize in.
But with that relief settled, Finn squeezed her hand in his. "Tomorrow then. For now, I'm sure your rooms are ready."
gah, I don't know how I didn't see this reply!
"If I were a mortal, I think I might be afraid, but if you were there to guide me, that fear would go away." So truly, the mortals were lucky to have someone as benevolent as Finn. Someone who was kind, and thoughtful. She could see why Poe loved Finn so much.
"If you want. I wouldn't mind wandering further with you. I think....Poe would want to stay as far away from me as he can."
it's all good!!! ♥♥
But his soft smile waned when she continued, his hand squeezing hers. "Why do you think that?" Yes, things had a rocky start, but they should all be able to work it out together. He was hoping for Poe and Rey to be as close as the two of them were now. Maybe not immediately but... eventually.
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"After what happened...how much trouble I caused you and him, and nearly yelling at him--he probably sees me as a nuisance more than anything. I don't blame him."
Not to mention how she (unintentionally) hurt Finn...
She wouldn't want to be around her either.
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He turned and held her hands with both of his. "If you truly think that, then all he needs is to get to know you as I have. I promise he wouldn't think anything negative about you. Especially not now that we know the truth."
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HI IM SORRY the holiday's have been wrecking my life
*pounce* Happy Holidays!