[Keepin' so many secrets, bestie. Not good, not good. But no, this isn't about any of that. Actually, this is Josuke opting to NOT keep secrets. You know, like a GOOD friend.]
We're gonna be meeting up. Apparently she and I are gonna be in that RISE thing together. I wanted to let you know.
[Not for any particular reason, but people like Sabriel...he knows they worry Hazel.]
[if she told him about that she'd have to tell him about what prompted her to start setting off fireworks like they were going out of style, and she doesn't want to directly address Tempo's departure unless she really has to. it's logical!]
...oh.
[he can't see it, obviously, but her lips press into a thin line. Hazel doesn't really know how she feels about that - well, that's a lie. she doesn't want her friends anywhere near a necromancer, but she also knows there's no helping it. not like Sabriel would actively target Josuke anyway.]
Well, whatever. She's got her fingers in pretty much all the shit like that, you probably couldn't have avoided it if you wanted to.
[there's a shifting sound as she rearranges herself purposelessly. Hazel had been going for blase before, but now her tone becomes a little more hesitant.]
Just don't tell her you know me, ok? It'd just be a pain in the ass for you.
You're probably right, about being unable to avoid it...but I'm kind of glad that this is how it's panning out. I mean, I'm pretty sure that regardless of what happens, Major-General Armstrong's not gonna take a lot of bullshit, and even if she wasn't there to put in her two cents, I think I could take on Sabriel.
You know, if it came down to it.
[Actually, he's just guessing. He doesn't know a damn thing about how she actually fights, but at least he does a good job of sounding convincing.]
Anyway, I'm not gonna tell her anything about you, that's part of why I wanted to tell you this. But if she figures it out, I don't want you worrying, either. I can handle whatever grief she decides to dish out.
She's gonna have a fucking hard time working that one out when she still doesn't know my name.
[mumbled indistinctly. is someone still bitter about that? absolutely. it was just the most painful example of how dehumanized she is in Sabriel's eyes - something not even worth a name, just an addition to some self-righteous watch list.]
I...don't want you handling anything, honestly. No matter what it comes down to.
[oof, that honesty's really heavy on her. but she's scared, and when her fear isn't for herself it's hard to keep in.]
...she's going to be taking part in the paintball game.
[Does he sound worried? A tad. He hasn't got the foggiest clue how the two'll react around each other when surrounded by multiple other players, after all.]
If you think it'll be a problem, I can talk to my old man. I can get him to have your back. You want me to? Or...do you think it'll be fine?
[she groans, the sound muffled towards the end as she drops her face into her hands. count on the necromancer to ruin a super fun thing that she was actually looking forward to.]
Oh my god, she's going to be so fucking pissy about the stupid fireworks. God fucking dammit...
[at least she doesn't sound terrified out of her mind, which is. a step forward, for the time being. Hazel is mildly sure that Sabriel won't floor her on sight...but she'll still be absolutely insufferable.]
I'll just slap my moped helmet on or something, I guess. If it's going to be a shitshow there's no point dragging anyone else in.
[He waits a moment for her explanation before continuing, needing to say a bit more...]
This isn't something I'd joke around about, by the way. But look, um...Chrollo's gonna be watching from the sidelines and he's already agreed to let me know if someone gets hurt. He'll teleport me to where they are, so if something does go down, whether you want me involved or not...I've got your back.
Even if you're on the team I wanna take down the most.
[He attempts a chuckle, but it's lacking in mirth.]
There's...one other thing I should probably tell you.
[Again, in the spirit of honesty.]
It's not about Sabriel, but it can wait until you answer my question.
[it's grumbled with no real ire, meant to delay having to explain herself than anything else. blegggh honesty that involves her emotions.]
I was setting off a bunch of fireworks on the third and I guess it was a little too festive for her delicate sensibilities. She dumped water on like half of them, and then she called the cops, and then she tried to tackle me when I booked it and I...kind of kicked her around a bit?
Probably shouldn't have done that last part, but whatever.
[at least she has the good graces to admit that last part with a bit much, even as she leaves out a lot of the personal details like the fact that she only antagonized half of that out of Sabriel because she was hopped up on her own feelings.]
[which is to say that she got away and really doesn't expect them to pursue her any further for such a petty offense, especially when things like the Archangel debacle are still pretty fresh.
...but as the queen of avoidance, she's pretty quick to pick up on when someone else is doing it. Josuke's only going to get that one free question before having to come to the point.]
So what's your part two, then? It's going to have to be pretty big to top the first one.
[No sooner has he got his answer that Hazel's pushing for hers, and he doesn't blame her. In fact, it's better that she's giving him a nudge or else Josuke isn't sure he'd be able to spit out the rest of what he has to say.]
I don't know if it tops it, but you're probably not gonna like it any more.
[She can't see, but he's scrubbing his face with the palm of one hand. Sighs, shakes his head, and then continues...]
You said Raina was dangerous, right? Well, I'm looking into it.
[her voice is sharp enough to slice through metal, and the response comes immediately. this is, in its own way, a lot worse than the information concerning Sabriel. it's silly, all things considered, but there was just the way that Raina looked at her that chilled Hazel to the bone. she wouldn't let anyone else near the woman.]
I saw you talking to her on that post and I wasn't going to say anything about it, but Josuke I swear if you take it any further than that-
[her emotions weave too heavily into her response and she's forced to cut herself off. the anger and the panic are practically destroying her words; they came on her too quickly and too forcefully for any pretensions of reining them in this time.]
[Honestly, he wants to know. What will she do? What can she possibly do that would be worse than knowing Hazel is involved with someone whom she feels is that dangerous?]
I'm not going to stop. If that woman is up to something, there's only one way to find out what it is.
[Unlike Hazel, he remains calm. A touch steely, perhaps, but only because he wants Hazel to know that he's not going to back down from this.]
I don't plan on being a guinea pig, if that's what you're worried about. There're other ways to get information.
[she's pleading now because, honestly, there really isn't much that she can do. she's no physical match for him, nor is she gifted enough to tamper with his comm and prevent him from contacting her. she isn't even on good enough terms with his dad to bring that down as a thread.
as always, she has nothing. unfortunately, for once there's something she actually cares about on the line rather than her own worthless well being. it catches at her hard.]
If she's doing something, don't you think I'll find out firsthand? And do you really think she'll keep her distance if you end up being interesting? Just - there's no point in you doing any of this, so fucking stop!
Don't you think that you finding out firsthand is exactly what I'm worried about? But I'm not stopping you. Even if I'm probably more equipped to deal with this than you...probably more than you realize.
[He's never really told her a lot about his life back in Morioh, has he? Beyond mentions of friends' names, and such.]
Just...I'm not telling you because I want your permission. I'm telling you as a courtesy. Because I wanna be honest. And because...well, I was hoping you'd trust me.
[her voice cracks finally, and the tremor is especially painful. Hazel has said over and over that her friends can take care of themselves, and even when used in the wrong context she means it. they're strong, she knows that. but it doesn't change anything.
there's more she wants to say, but when she opens her mouth all that comes out is a strangled, plaintive wail. stupid. as usual, her emotions are forcing her thoughts to the backseat; it's going to be a moment or two before she can muscle her way back to coherency.]
[she makes a frustrated noise, directed at herself rather than Josuke. Hazel has just been so fed up with herself lately, and this outburst just caps it off. useless useless useless.]
Yes, I'm fucking sure.
[a pause and the sound of more shifting as she scrubs at her face for a moment. she's grateful that this is only voice, but honestly this whole meltdown has her aching for text. she could walk away from it, look at her phrasing...hide, essentially.]
I'm not stupid, ok? I know that you can take care of yourself. You could probably take care of a couple people at once, from the way you can babysit me.
[a long, unnecessary exhalation of breath. she keeps breaking this response up, as if ruining the flow will keep her from getting worked up again.]
But that's - it's not the point! None of that matters, because if you keep shoving your face into dangerous places then you're going to get hurt. That isn't a maybe and no matter how fucking competent you are you can't stop it from happening!
[and doesn't Hazel know that from both ends? she'd toppled a couple mages who by all rights should have eradicated her...and she'd also met her death despite how careful she'd been of her safety.]
I can't handle that, alright? I don't care if you think I don't trust you or whatever, I don't care if you never talk to me again, I just want you to stop.
If anything happened to you, especially if it was because of me...I couldn't live with that. Especially not right now, when Tempo just left!
[she doesn't even notice that it slips out, the little emotional hurricane she'd been holding close to herself. Hazel's little ring of friends was larger than she implied, but Josuke and Tempo were still the ones she cherished most. losing both of them so close together? she couldn't bear to dwell on the possibility.]
FUCK. I had to say it. I had to MUDA MUDA MUDA. Thanks.
I'll get hurt even if I don't do anything, because the people I love will get hurt if I don't do anything. I'm backed into a corner here, Hazel. The only way out is to fight.
That's...something I'd rather do with you than without you. That's why I told you these things to begin with.
[On his end, he's much more still than she is. Almost like he's afraid to move. As if moving will frighten her off and then he'd be left with dead air and a situation that would be far from resolved. He doesn't want that.]
I'm not sticking my neck out because of you, either. This is just...who I am, what I do. I can't run from people who're gonna stir up shit, who're gonna mess with my friends and family and try to fuck up the only place I got to call home right now.
[He falls silent for a moment, processing the fact that Tempo's gone. Hazel's mentioned her once. He meant to get acquainted. Seems...like he missed his chance. But he knows at least what that kind of loss is like.]
I can't do nothing. Please understand. It's because I've lost people too that I can't stop. I don't want to, and they wouldn't want me to, either. After all...there're still people here I want to live for.
Your friend, Tempo...I wonder if she'd say the same?
Tempo thought I was a hero, so I wouldn't take her opinions too seriously.
[but it's said with a kind of bittersweet fondness, like someone recalling the stupidity of a relative who's passed on now. would Tempo have done something like this? absolutely. she was driven by a program that mandated she help people, but more than that, she was an exceptional person. there was no way that she would have let anyone bring harm to the world when she could have stopped it.]
God, I have got to start making better friends!
[Josuke is right to worry that he may spook her off - time spent knowing his friend, Hazel would suppose if she were a little more aware. everything from her constant fidgeting to the sudden frustrated exclamation speak to a deep-seated desire to run. it's a testament to how much she cares about Josuke that she's kept herself restrained for this long.]
...you're such a hassle, do you know that?
[she's folding. Hazel knew from the moment this battle started that she didn't have anything to fight it with, and now her emotional reserves are spent. she can't do anything to stop this - she might as well come along for the ride and try to staunch the bleeding.]
I don't know how we're going to get anything done if you're going to keep being such a problem.
You must have given her a good reason to think something like that. I know you've given me several.
[Josuke still doesn't understand why Hazel refuses to accept that she's a good person, but he hopes to figure it out one day. Preferably one day soon.
It's hard, after all. He looks at her and sees someone who amazes him, sometimes as much as she infuriates him, but Hazel...the way she talks about herself, it's as though she can't at all see what he does. It's right there, plain as day, but...she might as well be blind for all that she perceives. Has it got to do with being raised from the dead? Or maybe with 'mistakes' she might have made before coming here, or even after arriving? Whatever it is...
It's sitting now at the top of his 'list' of personal things to accomplish: help Hazel finally realize how special she is.]
I think you know I aim to be a pain in the ass. That's why we hit it off so well.
[He doesn't want to drag this out, though. For both their sakes. So he'll give her the option to back out now if she chooses, or...]
[she lets out a puff of air in dry amusement, completely oblivious to the thoughts swirling around his head. it's funny; only a few seconds ago she was barely able to keep herself from bolting out the back door and leaving her communicator languishing on the table. now, when she's actually offered the opportunity to disengage?]
Yeah, to punch you in the nose.
[she doesn't even have to think about it. she doesn't even try, because the answer is such a simple one that there's no point. of course she wants to spend time with him. only the people she really loved could work her up that thoroughly.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
deadtective) wrote2015-01-08 01:21 am
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What's the matter?
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We're gonna be meeting up. Apparently she and I are gonna be in that RISE thing together. I wanted to let you know.
[Not for any particular reason, but people like Sabriel...he knows they worry Hazel.]
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...oh.
[he can't see it, obviously, but her lips press into a thin line. Hazel doesn't really know how she feels about that - well, that's a lie. she doesn't want her friends anywhere near a necromancer, but she also knows there's no helping it. not like Sabriel would actively target Josuke anyway.]
Well, whatever. She's got her fingers in pretty much all the shit like that, you probably couldn't have avoided it if you wanted to.
[there's a shifting sound as she rearranges herself purposelessly. Hazel had been going for blase before, but now her tone becomes a little more hesitant.]
Just don't tell her you know me, ok? It'd just be a pain in the ass for you.
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You know, if it came down to it.
[Actually, he's just guessing. He doesn't know a damn thing about how she actually fights, but at least he does a good job of sounding convincing.]
Anyway, I'm not gonna tell her anything about you, that's part of why I wanted to tell you this. But if she figures it out, I don't want you worrying, either. I can handle whatever grief she decides to dish out.
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[mumbled indistinctly. is someone still bitter about that? absolutely. it was just the most painful example of how dehumanized she is in Sabriel's eyes - something not even worth a name, just an addition to some self-righteous watch list.]
I...don't want you handling anything, honestly. No matter what it comes down to.
[oof, that honesty's really heavy on her. but she's scared, and when her fear isn't for herself it's hard to keep in.]
So let's just hope we don't get to that point.
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...she's going to be taking part in the paintball game.
[Does he sound worried? A tad. He hasn't got the foggiest clue how the two'll react around each other when surrounded by multiple other players, after all.]
If you think it'll be a problem, I can talk to my old man. I can get him to have your back. You want me to? Or...do you think it'll be fine?
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[she groans, the sound muffled towards the end as she drops her face into her hands. count on the necromancer to ruin a super fun thing that she was actually looking forward to.]
Oh my god, she's going to be so fucking pissy about the stupid fireworks. God fucking dammit...
[at least she doesn't sound terrified out of her mind, which is. a step forward, for the time being. Hazel is mildly sure that Sabriel won't floor her on sight...but she'll still be absolutely insufferable.]
I'll just slap my moped helmet on or something, I guess. If it's going to be a shitshow there's no point dragging anyone else in.
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[He waits a moment for her explanation before continuing, needing to say a bit more...]
This isn't something I'd joke around about, by the way. But look, um...Chrollo's gonna be watching from the sidelines and he's already agreed to let me know if someone gets hurt. He'll teleport me to where they are, so if something does go down, whether you want me involved or not...I've got your back.
Even if you're on the team I wanna take down the most.
[He attempts a chuckle, but it's lacking in mirth.]
There's...one other thing I should probably tell you.
[Again, in the spirit of honesty.]
It's not about Sabriel, but it can wait until you answer my question.
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[it's grumbled with no real ire, meant to delay having to explain herself than anything else. blegggh honesty that involves her emotions.]
I was setting off a bunch of fireworks on the third and I guess it was a little too festive for her delicate sensibilities. She dumped water on like half of them, and then she called the cops, and then she tried to tackle me when I booked it and I...kind of kicked her around a bit?
Probably shouldn't have done that last part, but whatever.
[at least she has the good graces to admit that last part with a bit much, even as she leaves out a lot of the personal details like the fact that she only antagonized half of that out of Sabriel because she was hopped up on her own feelings.]
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[He sighs loudly on his end of the line, a clear indication of how exaggerated his annoyance really is.]
Sounds like you both got carried away. But, just for the record, in your position...I'd probably have kicked the person who did that to me, too.
[A brief pause, still reluctant to say what else is on his mind, he instead asks a different question.]
You're not in any actual trouble with the law, right?
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[which is to say that she got away and really doesn't expect them to pursue her any further for such a petty offense, especially when things like the Archangel debacle are still pretty fresh.
...but as the queen of avoidance, she's pretty quick to pick up on when someone else is doing it. Josuke's only going to get that one free question before having to come to the point.]
So what's your part two, then? It's going to have to be pretty big to top the first one.
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I don't know if it tops it, but you're probably not gonna like it any more.
[She can't see, but he's scrubbing his face with the palm of one hand. Sighs, shakes his head, and then continues...]
You said Raina was dangerous, right? Well, I'm looking into it.
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[her voice is sharp enough to slice through metal, and the response comes immediately. this is, in its own way, a lot worse than the information concerning Sabriel. it's silly, all things considered, but there was just the way that Raina looked at her that chilled Hazel to the bone. she wouldn't let anyone else near the woman.]
I saw you talking to her on that post and I wasn't going to say anything about it, but Josuke I swear if you take it any further than that-
[her emotions weave too heavily into her response and she's forced to cut herself off. the anger and the panic are practically destroying her words; they came on her too quickly and too forcefully for any pretensions of reining them in this time.]
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[Honestly, he wants to know. What will she do? What can she possibly do that would be worse than knowing Hazel is involved with someone whom she feels is that dangerous?]
I'm not going to stop. If that woman is up to something, there's only one way to find out what it is.
[Unlike Hazel, he remains calm. A touch steely, perhaps, but only because he wants Hazel to know that he's not going to back down from this.]
I don't plan on being a guinea pig, if that's what you're worried about. There're other ways to get information.
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[she's pleading now because, honestly, there really isn't much that she can do. she's no physical match for him, nor is she gifted enough to tamper with his comm and prevent him from contacting her. she isn't even on good enough terms with his dad to bring that down as a thread.
as always, she has nothing. unfortunately, for once there's something she actually cares about on the line rather than her own worthless well being. it catches at her hard.]
If she's doing something, don't you think I'll find out firsthand? And do you really think she'll keep her distance if you end up being interesting? Just - there's no point in you doing any of this, so fucking stop!
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[He's never really told her a lot about his life back in Morioh, has he? Beyond mentions of friends' names, and such.]
Just...I'm not telling you because I want your permission. I'm telling you as a courtesy. Because I wanna be honest. And because...well, I was hoping you'd trust me.
For once, just trust me...like I trust you.
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[her voice cracks finally, and the tremor is especially painful. Hazel has said over and over that her friends can take care of themselves, and even when used in the wrong context she means it. they're strong, she knows that. but it doesn't change anything.
there's more she wants to say, but when she opens her mouth all that comes out is a strangled, plaintive wail. stupid. as usual, her emotions are forcing her thoughts to the backseat; it's going to be a moment or two before she can muscle her way back to coherency.]
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Are you sure about that?
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Yes, I'm fucking sure.
[a pause and the sound of more shifting as she scrubs at her face for a moment. she's grateful that this is only voice, but honestly this whole meltdown has her aching for text. she could walk away from it, look at her phrasing...hide, essentially.]
I'm not stupid, ok? I know that you can take care of yourself. You could probably take care of a couple people at once, from the way you can babysit me.
[a long, unnecessary exhalation of breath. she keeps breaking this response up, as if ruining the flow will keep her from getting worked up again.]
But that's - it's not the point! None of that matters, because if you keep shoving your face into dangerous places then you're going to get hurt. That isn't a maybe and no matter how fucking competent you are you can't stop it from happening!
[and doesn't Hazel know that from both ends? she'd toppled a couple mages who by all rights should have eradicated her...and she'd also met her death despite how careful she'd been of her safety.]
I can't handle that, alright? I don't care if you think I don't trust you or whatever, I don't care if you never talk to me again, I just want you to stop.
If anything happened to you, especially if it was because of me...I couldn't live with that. Especially not right now, when Tempo just left!
[she doesn't even notice that it slips out, the little emotional hurricane she'd been holding close to herself. Hazel's little ring of friends was larger than she implied, but Josuke and Tempo were still the ones she cherished most. losing both of them so close together? she couldn't bear to dwell on the possibility.]
FUCK. I had to say it. I had to MUDA MUDA MUDA. Thanks.
Heavily.]
I'll get hurt even if I don't do anything, because the people I love will get hurt if I don't do anything. I'm backed into a corner here, Hazel. The only way out is to fight.
That's...something I'd rather do with you than without you. That's why I told you these things to begin with.
[On his end, he's much more still than she is. Almost like he's afraid to move. As if moving will frighten her off and then he'd be left with dead air and a situation that would be far from resolved. He doesn't want that.]
I'm not sticking my neck out because of you, either. This is just...who I am, what I do. I can't run from people who're gonna stir up shit, who're gonna mess with my friends and family and try to fuck up the only place I got to call home right now.
[He falls silent for a moment, processing the fact that Tempo's gone. Hazel's mentioned her once. He meant to get acquainted. Seems...like he missed his chance. But he knows at least what that kind of loss is like.]
I can't do nothing. Please understand. It's because I've lost people too that I can't stop. I don't want to, and they wouldn't want me to, either. After all...there're still people here I want to live for.
Your friend, Tempo...I wonder if she'd say the same?
that sounds like a personal problem
[but it's said with a kind of bittersweet fondness, like someone recalling the stupidity of a relative who's passed on now. would Tempo have done something like this? absolutely. she was driven by a program that mandated she help people, but more than that, she was an exceptional person. there was no way that she would have let anyone bring harm to the world when she could have stopped it.]
God, I have got to start making better friends!
[Josuke is right to worry that he may spook her off - time spent knowing his friend, Hazel would suppose if she were a little more aware. everything from her constant fidgeting to the sudden frustrated exclamation speak to a deep-seated desire to run. it's a testament to how much she cares about Josuke that she's kept herself restrained for this long.]
...you're such a hassle, do you know that?
[she's folding. Hazel knew from the moment this battle started that she didn't have anything to fight it with, and now her emotional reserves are spent. she can't do anything to stop this - she might as well come along for the ride and try to staunch the bleeding.]
I don't know how we're going to get anything done if you're going to keep being such a problem.
Mudas are contagious.
[Josuke still doesn't understand why Hazel refuses to accept that she's a good person, but he hopes to figure it out one day. Preferably one day soon.
It's hard, after all. He looks at her and sees someone who amazes him, sometimes as much as she infuriates him, but Hazel...the way she talks about herself, it's as though she can't at all see what he does. It's right there, plain as day, but...she might as well be blind for all that she perceives. Has it got to do with being raised from the dead? Or maybe with 'mistakes' she might have made before coming here, or even after arriving? Whatever it is...
It's sitting now at the top of his 'list' of personal things to accomplish: help Hazel finally realize how special she is.]
I think you know I aim to be a pain in the ass. That's why we hit it off so well.
[He doesn't want to drag this out, though. For both their sakes. So he'll give her the option to back out now if she chooses, or...]
...you wanna swing by?
if you didn't get the vaccine, maybe
Yeah, to punch you in the nose.
[she doesn't even have to think about it. she doesn't even try, because the answer is such a simple one that there's no point. of course she wants to spend time with him. only the people she really loved could work her up that thoroughly.]
None exists!
i'm sure there's a ripple based one
IDK man, MUDA MUDA MUDAing isn't SO bad...
sometimes when i'm sitting alone i just do it for no reason, realtalk
I do the same. Usually to see how fast I can say it in succession...
i save that challenge for ora-ing. all dem rs...
ORAs are pretty easy for me, but they don't sound as good as MUDAs, lmfao!
i think i'd enjoy them if i could, you know. say them consecutively.
PRACTICE! IF YOU DON'T PRACTICE YOU'LL BE MUDA MUDA MUDA!
too late for that one......