#liberio

Marleyan technology really is something else. From the vessel that brought him and his squad over to the continent, to the metal horse they were currently riding, who knew petrol could be so useful? Back in Paradis, all this petrol was ever only used by the military-- specifically for their mobility gear, and perhaps whatever new Titan toy Hange was developing. But here, in the land where damn near everyone wanted him and his ilk dead, Levi couldn’t help but marvel at how technology is so well integrated into society, that even civilians have the clearance to use them. 

If the old Paradis royals knew about this, they’d no doubt exploit the technology just to control the population; might even make knowledge of it high treason. 

Levi frowned.

Onyankopon, who was driving the vehicle, must have noticed Levi’s keen interest in the car’s bells and whistles. 

“This one’s a mass produced model. Built by Ford,” he says while turning the wheel. “This baby can go at a top speed of 65 miles an hour, for about two hundred thousand miles!” Onyankopon smacks at the vehicle’s dash almost lovingly, like a proud father. It was a curious gesture to the Scouts.

“Personally, I prefer driving with the top down, but considering you folks are sight-seeing--” a complete and total understatement of the Scouts’ intentions in the city-- “Kiyomi Azumabito thought it best to drive in stealth for now.” Onyankopon looks to Levi meaningfully through the rear-view mirror.

Stealth, huh? Probably for the wiser, considering the ruckus we just created with that boy earlier, Levi thinks, remembering the boy he caught trying to pickpocket him which ultimately led to a chase in the market, the Scouts’ pocket money stolen, and the group getting discreetly sped away in Marleyan metal horses. He glances at the two kids-- with whom humanity’s fate stands at the balance, really-- gaping and gawking at the many sceneries the Marleyan metal horse was passing by. 

“Oi, stop looking like tourists. Drooling at every little thing will just give us away. Bad enough that we created a scene earlier.” Levi sternly reminds the only two of his team members in the car with them-- Jean, Sasha, Connie, and Armin were stuffed in another car driven by one of Kiyomi’s agents, just following them in a convoy. Levi can only guess how absolutely stupefied the kids in that car are being. 

Eren mutters a sheepish apology, while Mikasa visibly postures her face into something more neutral.

“Oh, lay off, Levi! Not everything has to be business! So tell me Onyankopon, what does this run on? How long before you have to refill the tank? Can I drive it? And how does it go so fast?!” 

Hange, of course, was no better than the Scouts in the car. 

Onyankopon, only too happy to share, said, “It runs on a distilled form of crude oil called Diesel. Each gallon of that stuff can make this baby girl run for about 20 miles. Everyone needs a license to operate, of course, so driving’s out of the question for now. The machine itself runs on torque. Compressed, thus creating propulsion to move her forward.” 

Hange hollered in awe, and for once, Levi found that quite justified, albeit annoying. 

“Basically a 3DMG but at a larger scale?”

Onyankopon smirks, “You’re a bit of an engineer yourself, huh Captain?” 

Levi only shrugs off the jibe, “Things I hear from being around a maniac,” he says, referring to Hange, who was still astounded. 

“Looks like we’re here.”

The vehicles started driving through a gated compound framed by greenery and a central fountain, around which a driveway was conveniently positioned in front of the Hizuruan Embassy’s grand entrance. This particular building looked different from the others found in downtown Liberio-- it had swooping rooftops, with levels layered upon each other, rather than on top of each other. Peculiar-looking arches and stone statues of what looks like feral dogs with large fangs and piercing claws; its fur curling into each other, adorned the place. It all must be references to old Hizuruan culture-- yet another world completely alien to the Eldian Scouts.

“Folks from the continent call this style of architecture, Oriental,” came the helpful reply of Onyankopon to an otherwise unverbalized question.

Kiyomi Azumabito-- the Hizuruan ambassador to Marley-- is already waiting at the grand entrance, diplomatic smile tacked on, and her fleet of servants flanking her. 

“Welcome to the Port City of Liberio, I hope the trip did not make you too weary,” greets the Oriental woman with a soft tilt of her head, while her servants bow deeply. 

“Of course, for all intents and purposes, you are currently on Hizuruan ground,” Kiyomi adds before she proceeds to invite the soldiers in, as her many maids and servants move to take their coats and hats off their person.

The Hizuruan woman was in her traditional robes, finely threaded with green silk and yellow blossoms. The Scouts have been so used to seeing her in Western clothing that her robes starkly reminded them that Kiyomi was a powerhouse in her own right; with her own machinations, loyalties, and a whole nation’s legacy and longevity to protect. 

Yes, the Azumabitos have taken the Eldian envoys under their wing, and decided to aid their little island in infiltrating this Marleyan superpower--perhaps even to fight it--  but at what cost? 

“I heard you were quite the rabble?” Kiyomi, who must’ve already caught wind of the debacle at the market, gently teased the Commander and Captain of the group. Levi only clicked his tongue, and crossed his arms. “I’d like to see you travel with a bunch of teenagers.” 

“We err…got carried away and lost track of the coin you gave us,” Hange muttered apologetically, her hand moving to sweep away the wrinkle forming in her brow. Kiyomi only lightly waved away the lost money. 

“To be fair, for someone almost superhumanly attuned to like everything, Levi’s horrible at sensing he’s being pick-pocketed. By a child, no less!”

If it weren’t for the fact that they were on official Scout business, and that the Scouts were currently walking through one of the most curiously-novel, clean-looking and elegant corridors Levi has ever seen, he would have smacked Hange up the head. 

Levi wasn’t quite too sure whether he was still indoors or outdoors, as it all seems like the space puts him in-between thanks to the many large, paper-like windows. The sliding windows bring in so much natural light. A faint, earthy scent of moss and damp stone clung to the air, grounding the elegant space. Red ornate arches frame serene garden scenes where several rocks and sand were artfully placed. 

The Scouts gleefully ooh’ed at a quaint bridge, where the group crossed over an indoor pond which seemed to sprawl the entire space from within the room towards the garden. That same indoor pond showcased bright black, orange and white-patterned fish; an aide politely mentions how the Koi fish were meant to bring in good fortune.  The soft hush of rushing water told Levi that there were water installations both inside and outside the place. 

The Scouts have walked the halls of the Royal Palace of Mitras, so they are no stranger to grandeur and splendor-- but this is all completely different. Everything here was simple, yes. But there was also a clear understated dignity and opulence. Where Mitras Palace would be adorned with full bouquets of flowers, and swooping velvet curtains, and heavy wooden doors, the Hizuruan Embassy preferred to allow foliage that almost seems… incomplete? Perhaps even bare--to ornate the place. Allowing stems and leaves to shine and give shape, placed in fine,  pure-white, porcelain vases.

There were no curtains to speak of, and no doors to block out one space from another, therefore weaving through the corridors felt seamless, even unnoticeable. Some walls had large paintings of delicate flowers and trees backdropped by a whole sheet of gold-- the only clear indication of wealth and a long-established heritage in the entire embassy.

“This is Hizuruan nihonga, the art of painting with gold leaf. While the Apricot blossom is the national bloom of Hizuru;” Kiyomi motions to the golden painting Levi and the others were marveling at.  “Each of its five petals represent our people’s nobility in courage, wealth in wisdom,  prosperity in the face of hardship, our hope for our country’s longevity, and a longing for peace.” Kiyomi looks to the Eldians meaningfully at this. 

“I hope to one day compliment your beloved Queen Historia with a bloom of Apricot blossoms by the end of all this.”

Peace. 

Peace and friendship, was Kiyomi’s offer

Final and everlasting. 

‘But at what cost?’ Came the nagging voice from the back of the Captain’s head. 

Judging from the look on Eren’s face, it looks like something about Kiyomi’s words made him sick.

It was then that a maid dressed in simple Hizuruan fashion bowed to announce that afternoon tea had been served in the summer pavilion. “Perfect. We've prepared traditional Jasmine tea, we hope you’ll like it.”

As two aides moved to slide open the grand entrance to what seems like a central courtyard dedicated to lounging and recreation, Levi’s reply to Kiyomi fell on a knotted tongue as the vision before him stopped him in his tracks.

Apparently, so did his team’s.

“An indoor lake?!” Exclaimed Sasha, who hasn’t stopped gawking at everything. 

“A plastic swan?!” Hange follows, clearly none the better.

After about a moment of registration, the soldiers of the Scouting legion averted their eyes, furiously blushing. Though, Onyankopon didn’t seem to feel the need to look away, as he covertly appreciated the view. 

Even Mikasa had her mouth covered, one hand rested protectively-- or perhaps possessively-- over Eren’s stiff arm.

Atop indeed what looked like a floating plastic swan, was a young woman. The distinctly-blue, crystal clear water was a sharp contrast to her cherry-red…attire. 

Or lack thereof.

In the center of the indoor lake was a woman who was-- for all intents and purposes-- essentially naked,  save for the form-fitting strip of red, polka-dotted fabric covering her lower region, stomach and breasts. 

Everything else was completely bare-- her decolletage and cleavage, her shoulders, her arms, down to her thighs and legs. The woman was clearly enjoying the sun, as she allowed her ebony black hair free and loose around her, while wearing a pair of white-rimmed darkened glasses-- no doubt eyewear to protect one from the harsh glare of the sun. She was reading a book in one hand, and held a drink in the other, which she brought to her succulent red lips to sip from. 

The woman didn’t seem to mind nor care that she was currently dressed so… liberally out in the open. It was then that the group noticed the music wafting around the area, as it seems like the woman had a record playing by the side. She let her little feet dip and splash into the water to the rhythm of the music. 

The water droplets refracted the sunlight which created little rainbow gems of twinkling sunshine around her.

Meanwhile, one thought was prevalent in Captain Levi’s mind-- ‘She’s gorgeous.’

Kiyomi must have noticed the stunned expressions on her guests, especially from a particular Captain, as she sighed exasperatedly beside him like a chiding mother, and loudly cleared her throat.

The sound brought the whole courtyard back to reality.

“Nikiya. Does your father know that you’re here, child? I thought you’d be resting in Perlas before the International Forum.” Kiyomi was stern and only side-eyed an aide who bowed deeply in apology for not informing her sooner. Clearly, they didn’t expect the young woman either. 

Unfazed, the woman only raises the darkened glasses to her head, revealing brown eyes illuminated by the sunlight.

“Auntie Yomi!” 

The endearment sounded like something she started as a child. 

The woman-- Nikiya’s-- red lips curved to a smile, as she raised her drink as if to a toast; “Absolutely nothing  could keep me away from Liberio!” she answers, pointedly ignoring her Aunt’s query.

With a girlish giggle, she places her drink to the side, and lets herself fall into the water with the grace of a swan. She swims to the edge of the pool closest to the group and grins up, winking with mischief, “After all, Perlas is no place for a girl like me, Auntie~ It’s crawling full of men! Soldiers, no less!” 

Nikiya knew exactly how her words would affect her aunt’s guests. She could already tell by the way they practically drooled and froze that they were outsiders, probably envoys and dignitaries her aunt has invited for whatever new boring scheme she’s got cooking up. 

Well, Nikiya thinks, at least she gets to have her fun.

“Wouldn’t you agree, sir?” The young woman focused her attention on the tallest boy in the group-- a young man with a stubble and a mullet; he looked like a cowboy she can lasso in her dainty little fingers; fun to play with.

Nikiya gave Jean her most saccharine smile, her head tilting to the side, as she waited for an answer like a kitten waiting to be given her treat. 

And poor Jean, only stuttered like a fool, “I-- err, um-- Well, madame-- I--” “Surely, I would have no fight against big burly soldier-men like that?” Nikiya was certainly eating her cake now.

“Y-yes, you’re a--a… you’re a--”

“Tch. That’s enough, Kirstein.”

It was Captain Levi’s stern reproof. He had to put an end to the boy’s suffering. 

“My men will not entertain questions that hold no bearing over our objective today, especially since your aunt has taken time off her busy schedule to show us the utmost hospitality.” 

The ebony-haired man with the sharp tone and hard eyes gave a thrill surge down Nikiya’s center; She fought the urge to bite her lip, and then roll her eyes in exasperation. 

Ugh. Men and their politicking.

Instead, she pouted and used the ledge of the pool to push herself up, unknowingly showcasing her wet cleavage.

 “You’re no fun…”

Levi hesitated to answer, trying his damn motherfucking best to not look down at this gorgeous girl’s tits presented to him like some kind of forbidden fruit. 

Nikiya realized this, and finally gave in to her exaggerated eye-rolling. 

“Ugh, what? You’ve never seen a woman in a bikini before?” She sassed before she turned to dive back into the pool, making certain that water would splash at the Captain-- who was unamused, and now, riled up.

~~~

The Azumabito servants insisted on offering Levi a towel, and took his blazer in order to dry it, along with their profound apologies to the Captain. Kiyomi, on the other hand, hurried the group along to their afternoon tea before it went cold.

Now seated at the Hizuruan Embassy’s Summer Pavilion, the group took a moment to appreciate the exotic tea and the strange pastries made from mung beans and rice which Kiyomi proudly introduced were beloved delicacies of Hizuru. Sasha and Connie were positively delighted.

Kiyomi calls on an aide, and requests for her niece to be invited to partake of the refreshments as well. Upon her entrance, Nikiya naturally turned heads. Her robe was plainer than Kiyomi’s embroidered one,  but the mild afternoon sunlight made Nikiya’s silks look like liquid rubies. Now dressed in a silken crimson robe with large, airy sleeves, a ribbon tied around her waist to pronounce the curve of her hips, and a v-shaped neckline dipping low to her decolletage; Nikiya looked just like a fiery butterfly pouncing onto whichever flower she deemed the prettiest simply because she knew she was the prettiest. 

The Scouts darted their glances between the exquisite young woman who so trimly seated herself at the table, to their grumpy Captain who was obviously gritting his teeth. Levi Ackerman had his arms crossed over his chest, his fists clenched-- from vexation that here again was the brat who dared try to disrespect him or barely contained enamour, they weren’t completely sure.

Jean surely had his jaw to the goddamn floor.

Kiyomi only kept her amusement at the curious faces of her guests to herself, and motioned to Nikiya. “I believe a proper introduction is in order. This is my neice, Nikiya Azumabito-Mikkelsen. The daughter of General Calvi Mikkelsen of the Marleyan Command Forces, and of my late sister, Prima Ballerina Assoluta Emika Azumabito.” 

Of course, Kiyomi was not short of correctly predicting how such an introduction elicited an agape reaction from the Eldian islanders. 

Not only was Nikiya beautiful, she was a novelty-- a half-blood socialite; Marleyan and Azumabito. And an accomplished one at that! 

“Naturally, true to her Hizuruan roots--” deliberately, Kiyomi ignored the other half of said roots-- “Nikiya herself is a Prima Ballerina; one of the continent’s very best!”

Nikiya only tossed her hair over a flawless shoulder, and sipped on the espresso she flippantly requested from a servant. 

“A pleasure~” she simply purred at the group. Unbothered, and without a concern with all the attention she was getting. 

Levi, meanwhile-- God bless him-- could not stop zeroing in on those luscious red lips. 

Unsurprisingly, it was Hange who broke the silence. 

“The pleasure is ours, Miss Mikkelsen,” the Survey Corps commander even gave a small, respectful  tilt of the head, “You’d have to forgive us for what must be an unexpected intrusion, we had no idea we’d be joined by such adroitness and refinement.” Hange discreetly gave Levi a look. 

Nikiya gave a giggle only someone who’s never known hardship gave-- “Careful, madame. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were flirting with me,” Her chestnut eyes flick at Hange furtively like she was privy to a secret.

“And you all must be my Aunt’s shall we say…latest venture?”

The Hizuruan woman was tantalizing and it took Hange longer than necessary to catch what Nikiya was implying. 

The entire group’s eyes all narrowed down on the beautiful socialite-- the daughter of a man who is decidedly diametrically opposed to their mission-- casually sipping her tea. Levi was already glaring down at Kiyomi, already readying himself for the worst.

 Was this a trap? A con? How much did this woman know?

Nikiya started laughing out loud. “Oh, goodness! You should see your faces!” Her ebony hair falls back over her shoulder as she holds her forehead in her palm in a fit of laughter, her eyes forming into dainty little squints.

Kiyomi was already glowering at her niece-- clearly none of this japing her political guests was funny to the older woman.

Nikiya held up a manicured hand as if to pause all the commotion and to give herself a moment, as she says in the sweetest saccharine voice; “Don’t you all worry your chinny chin-chins~ I know nothing.” 

The young woman rolls her eyes, “I’m so used to my Aunt and her mystery guests now at this point, that I’m pretty sure you all must be from some strange, far away, god-knows-where. Either you lot are seeking political asylum, or must be in such a wretched, unfortunate position that my dear Aunt’s help is all you have to further your cause…whatever it is,” Nikiya waved away the notion, already not caring to know as she drinks more of her tea and checks that none of her ruby-red nails have been chipped.

Hange was about to raise her concerns on how all this was a grave breach of intel presented before them in silk and rouge, when Nikiya interrupts, “All under the utmost, clandestine secrecy, of course.”

“Alright then, sweet cheeks. So we have an understanding of… consequences should any of this come out?” It was a thinly veiled threat from Levi Ackerman, eyes biting and lips very nearly curled in a gnarl.

The ballerina only juts her chin up high, and looks the seasoned military man in the eye-- “It would be a problem, Sir. If only I wasn’t so indifferent and disinterested. I’d like to keep my comforts, thank you very much.”

One could hear a pin drop in the pavilion as soldier and socialite stared the other down-- no one, and absolutely no one has ever had the guts nor sheer motherfucking gall to speak like that to Humanity’s Strongest Soldier, and the Survey Corps knew it. 

Mikasa had to snigger to herself in delight. She likes this Nikiya girl, even if she was a bit of a bitch. A spoiled bitch who knew she was privileged, protected, in proximity to power and above all, untouchable.

Kiyomi gave yet another one of her exasperated exhales-- the kind reserved for her niece’s antics-- and started introducing their guests; “This is Captain Levi Ackerman,” She started, not even bothering to conceal ranks and names anymore with all this titter-tatting, as Nikiya’s eyes could help but travel up and down the person of the man. 

Captain, huh?  No wonder he’s got the dogs barking at the snap of his hard hands…

Kiyomi continued, “And these are Commander Hange Zoe, and their Squadron; Armin Arlert, Mikasa Ackerman, Sasha Braus, Connie Springer, Jean Kirschtein”-- Nikiya winks at the sandy-haired man upon hearing his name, to which Jean only blushed even brighter at-- “and Eren Jaeger."

Nikiya’s ears perk up at the name, as she gives a small gasp. “Jeager? In no relation to Zeke Jaeger, truly?” Her eyes had a certain shine to them upon mentioning the Beast Titan’s name. Like a little girl who’s just been told that she gets to see her childhood crush.

Levi’s face sours at the thought.

Once again, wide eyes just stared at the ballerina for a moment, stunned at the pointed question.

“Oh you can’t possibly tell me you’ve never heard of Zeke Jaeger? War Chief Jaeger? The Wonder Boy?” Nikya’s brown eyes darted back and forth between the group like it was the most obvious thing. “They even say he’s got perfect pitch!” Nikiya says excitedly. 

Still seeing the agape expressions around her, she continues with a probing tone, already forgetting what she asked Eren. “As in, his perfect pitch in baseball?”

At the continued clueless stares, Nikiya just rolled her eyes. Gosh, they must really come from under a rock to not know baseball of all things, Nikiya thinks to herself

“Anyway, he must be why you lot are here, surely? The Marleyan Warriors are just about ready to return from Fort Slava, after all. The Mid-East Allied Forces are easy work for our War Chief, as expected,” Nikiya gave a sigh.

Kiyomi's arched, thin eyebrow raised. “Since when have you been keeping abreast of world politics? I'm surprised you even knew where Fort Slava was, much less Zeke Jaeger’s name.”

“Well, I certainly wasn’t sitting around twiddling my thumbs in Perlas while you were gone for the past half year, Auntie Yomi. Besides, heaven knows how my father’s house can be such an immense bore. “ 

Of course, the Scouts knew that ‘house’ was probably a very understated way of meaning it was likely a sprawling mansion. It was an odd comfort to know that even the unfathomably rich of Marley acted just as aggravatingly as those in Paradis.

Nikiya grinned like she was a cat who just pounced on a juicy mouse, “When else should a girl keep abreast of politics? The War Chief and I are penpals now, Auntie. Sends me flowers and chocolates and notes and everything~”

Hange pretty much spat out her jasmine tea, and Levi very nearly did the same. 

The Scouts' heads all whipped their faces to Nikiya’s red-lipped smile. “And since when is that so?”

Kiyomi could hardly believe her ears, much less that her-- frankly-- vain, self-absorbed niece who couldn’t even be bothered to write to her own father on the battlefield or to remember the names of her own aides, would manage to get the attention of manipulative, too-smart-for-his-own-good Zeke Jaeger.

“Well, after the social season last summer, I decided to attend one of the War Chief’s last games before he left for the Mid-East-- was just curious is all, since everyone was raving about it. And I suppose the man just couldn’t resist me!” 

“Ah,” Kiyomi starts, as the gears start turning in her head; she thinks she has a pretty good idea why the Beast Titan has coincidentally started a very public affair with General Calvi Mikkelssen’s daughter. 

After all,  Paradis would not retake itself. 

The poor girl probably thinks the man was besotted. Surely, Calvi Mikkelssen isn’t too happy. Eldian Warrior or not, Zeke Jaeger is still Eldian. 

“I’m sure the press is having a field day with their favorite Golden Wonder and prima ballerina.” Kiyomi observes, “And what does your father say about the Beast Titan dating his own daughter, of all people?”

Nikiya scrunched up her face, “Ugh, can we not refer to him by that revolting creature?” 

Connie had to cover his laugh at the irony of it all with a cough, while Sasha had to step on his foot beneath the table to shut him up. 

“And I don't really care about what Father thinks. If this infuriates him, then good.” Nikiya upturns her nose at the thought of her father busting a nerve over a man who’s caught her fancy. Just then, a servant approaches Nikiya with a silver tray bearing a letter, an emerald velvet box, and a fresh bouquet of red roses in full bloom.

 Nikiya gasps in excitement, even gives a little clap in glee. “Oop, I think we all know who that’s from,” comments Kiyomi, as she watches her niece take the bouquet of roses, and breathe in their fragrance. Nikiya opens the emerald box, and cries in delight at the spiced pistachio bonbons presented before her. 

She slips the letter into her fingers, and reads, “It's from the War Chief, he says-- well that's…” Nikiya giggled like she had to stop herself from spilling the details of a scandalous tryst. 

“Well...that's a secret,” she winks. 

Levi is gonna be sick. 

Kiyomi peeks at the letter in her niece's hand, “Did he send you a photograph, darling?”

“Of course! Looking dashing as always.”

Kiyomi reaches for the photograph, and coos at it. 

The Scouting Legion are pointedly aware of who Zeke Jaeger is, as well as his perfect pitch-- Beast Titan, Son of Dina Fritz, the killer of Commander Erwin Smith and the monster solely responsible for decimating nearly the entirety of the Scouting Legion.

Despite all that, the Scouts have never once seen Zeke Jaeger’s personage; never once seen the man to the monster.

When Kiyomi held up the photograph, the Scouts didn’t quite know what to expect. But one thing they certainly didn’t  expect was for the Beast Titan to look so…

“Handsome, isn’t he?” Nikiya grins conspiratorially. 

The ghost of something guttural, almost feral,  bubbles up in Levi as he stares a little too intensely at the photograph; this man has no business looking so…carefree. Like another man called by duty. Yet still, another man whose barely-hidden, lopsided smirk hints at a man no King nor God can wrestle to their will.

 Like he didn’t just single-handedly extinguish hundreds of souls. 

Nikiya notices the concentrated stares, and completely misconstrues it--

“Come now, don't look so surprised. God forbid a girl likes someone high-ranking and handsome!”

She was met with uneasy silence.

Nikiya rolls her eyes. “All handsome soldiers have a girlfriend somewhere. Don't you have a lady waiting for you back home, Captain?”

More silence.

Connie battles down the saliva choking the back of his throat, Sasha's food absently falls off her fork, and Jean looks like he desperately needs to breathe but can't at the risk of making too much noise. 

Mikasa wants to puke.

And the Captain? 

His gunmetal eyes, for the breath of a second, looked away. 

It was almost imperceptible, but Nikiya saw it, and realized what she just said.

The ballerina sat up straighter, and turned up her chin even higher; haughtily shaking off the potential embarrassment of what she just revealed. 

“Anyways, the War Chief has retaken Fort Slava” -- as if Zeke Jaeger was the singular soldier shedding his blood and life to that war-- “I expect him to be home soon.” As if Eldia was anywhere near his home.

Nikiya rises and looks to the table. 

“Enchante.”

And leaves with the brisk swish of rouge silk and ebony hair.

~

None of the Scouts dared to address what was just said. 

Not until Commander Hange Zoe had to let out a barking laugh.