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 Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 9:22 am
 
This is a PRP between SiMa Li (Chrystali) and Kiran (Kazu-chan).
Setting:
Just another day at the docks lead two acquaintances to meet again.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:07 am
"So no problems then?" Kiran asked the sailor for what was probably the hundredth time that morning.
The sailor, a large set Lunarian, merely chuckled at the repeated question as he slapped a large hand Kiran's shoulder, making the young fighter stumble under the heavy force. "She sails as good as any ship, she does," the sailor answered, a similar response that had been given each time Kiran asked if there was anything wrong with the boat that he had made for the man. He had a wide, encouraging smile on his face.
The sailor owned one of the first boats on which Kiran had ever worked, and while no complaints had come about his work, Kiran had the need to check in and make sure the boats were running smoothly. He had come along way since those first boats, but he still had a lot to learn when it came to building a boat. He didn't want to tarnish Bojing's reputation as a master ship builder by producing flawed and shabby boats under his name. After a lengthy conversation, however, it seemed the boat really had no problems of which to speak. That fact gave Kiran a lift of confidence.
"Well, if you have any problems, you know where to find me," Kiran told the man with a polite bow of his head. If the man told his friends about the wonderful job done on his boat, it would help drum up more business for them.
"You jus' keep up the hard work and you'll be a mas'er ship builder yourself one day," the man said with a hearty smile. "Then I can tell eve'yone I was one of the firs' ta get a ship built by yous."
Kiran laughed as he waved his goodbye to the sailor. The sailor's comment may have been simply a means of encouragement, and though the man may not necessarily believe that the young fighter would truly become a master ship builder, Kiran found he walked with a bit of a spring in his step, lifted up by the praise. It was like receiving praise from his parents for getting a good grade on an exam while he was still attending the Academy. It prodded at his ego, buffing it up just a bit more. And like the praise from his parents, the sailor's words made him all the more eager to get back to work and improve his skills.
With his arms folded behind his head, Kiran whistled to himself as he strolled down the docks.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:36 pm
Not far from where the blue-haired male and sailor were speaking, Li had just finished helping one of her fishermen friends haul up their anchor and set off. Waving to the departing ship, she caught the distinct sound of laughter. Now, it wasn't that laughter on the docks was unusual - it was the opposite entirely, in that an absence of mirth in the area was a dour sign - but the laughter she picked up was familiar. That was also not unusual, as she oft helped the fishermen with their hauls or small errands, but it was a strange time of day for her to hear anyone of familiarity. Most of those she knew were already our sailing or otherwise drinking away the wasted day, and so it was no surprise that she peered through the gaggle of Lunarians to find the owner of the voice.
Catching the tail end of the conversation, she was pleasantly surprised to realize the voice had belonged to Kiran - and that he was apparently a ship craftsman! And a successful one at that! Repressed a proud little grin, the Legionnaire swiftly slid between the sea of moving bodies with a press of elbows and soft, 'Excuse me's until she reached a break in the crowd, subsequently where the blue male was. With her lips pressed to continue and try to not smile too widely, she padded up behind him and remarked conversationally, "It's not fishing, but it's a lot more gratifying, isn't it?"
Li matched Kiran's steps and walked with him at his side, casting him a brief but friendly smile. "Good to see you again, Kiran," she greeted him with good humor, "especially being where you're so fond of. I trust things are going exceptionally well for you?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:54 am
Kiran weaved through the crowd. The dock was as busy as ever, and loud with its usual noise. He knew many of the faces in the crowd from his work on boats and selling the fish that he caught. He smiled and nodded to those that he recognized as he passed them. He hadn't expected to meet anyone that he actually knew by name on his way from the docks until a voice spoke up next to him.
Glancing over to his side, he was surprised to find Li falling into step with him. He smiled as he asked, "Ah, you heard all that?" He chuckled, tugging at a fin ear out of embarrassment. "Well, I'm still just an apprentice at it. I've got a long way to go before anyone would call me a master ship builder." He thought over her question, his head tilting to the side. Then he nodded. "Yeah," he said. "Yeah, I guess there is something gratifying in it." A laugh bubbled out of him. "But I am amazed that none of the boats I've worked out have sunk," he admitted.
"It's great to see you too, Li." It felt like a long time ago when they met on the beach and Li carved the bust of him on a bit of driftwood. He hadn't caught sight of her since then. "I suppose things have been going all right. Been keeping busy with work and training." He looked over to Li again. "How has everything been for you?" He took a glance about the docks. "Were you here on business?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:14 pm
"I did," she confirmed, not bothering to be apologetic about it. It was a public arena, after all. Li cast Kiran a smile and laughed with him at his admittance, shaking her head and cocking one brow high above an amethyst eye. "It's not all that surprising, dear ship-maker," she remarked in a teasing tone, "so long as no portholes find their way to the bottom of the boat, you'll be dandy." She couldn't help but rib him a little about it, as he seemed almost shy about it. Kiran and 'shy' didn't quite seem to fit together in her mind, from what she remembered of him.
His gentle words upon seeing each other again earned another smile, this one more demure and humbled. "Likewise, I've been busy." She exhaled softly and blew a stray lock of her bangs out of her eyes. "Looking for work while taking care of the family becomes a trying affair." To the latter question, she shook her head - paused - and then nodded with slightly narrowed eyes, as if uncertain of her answer. "Somewhat? I help my friends here, like I mentioned, so while I'll get pay out of it in fish, it's not quite work in the common sense." The Legionnaire crossed her arms over her stomach, making a thoughtful noise as she again looked to the blue-haired male.
"But you! How did you get from fishing and telling me you had no eye for art to making boats?" Li laughed at her own words, shaking her head in wonder. "I ought to just call you a liar for that, you know! It takes a finesse and a degree of artistic inclination to perform such a feat. I knew you were being too modest!"
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:32 pm
Kiran felt a little embarrassed, especially after the way the sailor had been praising him. But it wasn't anything he could stop if someone overheard the sailor's loud, boisterous voice that tended to carry over the din of the docks. "Well, that's why I came down here," he explained, chuckling at the way she put it. "I wouldn't want some poor sailor going out on a boat I made and end up sinking to the bottom of the sea. I try to go over all of them to make sure there are no holes before delivering the boats to their owners."
He nodded along as he listened to her response. "What sort of work are you looking for?" Kiran had been lucky that Uncle had known a ship builder looking to take on a new employee to keep up with his work load, even more lucky that Bojing was willing to take a chance on a young man with no former experience working on the crafting of boats. "Fish at least means you're getting fed?" he offered. "But that's not helpful when you need money for other things." He scratched his cheek as he thought.
"It wasn't entirely a lie!" Kiran argued. "At that time, I had never tried making a boat." He laughed, shaking his head. "I guess I really shouldn't say have no talent at something when I've never tried it before. As for how I ended up with the job, I told my Uncle that I was interested in getting a boat to sail the sea and fish. I was already looking for work so that I could get my own place. So Uncle said he knew a man, and he thought it would be better for me to learn the work that went into crafting a good boat."
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:21 am
With a bemused, side-long glance, Li shrugged her broad shoulders, lifting a hand to idly brush the longest part of her bangs from her eyes. "Work is work," she commented with a small smile, "of course I'd prefer something dock-side. I'll be able to look into something more stable soon, just not yet." Kiran's gentle method of pointing out she had food still made her laugh, bowing her head in acknowledgement. She certainly hadn't meant to come off as flippant, but he did seem to catch her meaning. "Thankfully, fish can be prepared enough ways so as to continue to be interesting." Having a meager selection in food was almost as despairing as having little money. There was a saying about beggars and choosers, but Li was of the mind that what would be, would be, and she'd do her best to make sure that what was to be would be for the best.
"That's right!" she quipped heartily to his argument. "You might be a champion plate engraver but you've never tried, so you certainly can't say you've not the talent!" And she laughed again, her cheeks already starting to feel a bit pinched from laughing as she was. For a woman who oft kept a stoic expression - and polite at best - any show of humor made her feel giddy, if not a bit silly. Even so, Li listened to Kiran's story with interest, offering a surprised lift of her brows and an approving curve of her lips as he finished. "That is a fantastic Uncle if I do say so myself," she remarked in a wistful fashion, "and what a means to get into the business! Starting with a wish for fish and ending in a means to craft that which takes you to them." Fixing Kiran with another lop-sided smile, teeth lightly showing in a grin, she added, "Now you just need to learn to craft the poles and there wont be anything you can't do!"
Amethyst eyes briefly flicked beyond the turquoise-haired male to the boats docked at the moor to their side, her footfall never ceasing. It was a funny thing, she thought, to seek one avenue of employment and hobby-chasing and finding another that was until that moment unknown. Li wondered if she'd be so lucky, though she was certain she'd enjoy almost anything so long as it was on the docks. The stretch of wood, sea salt and trade goods was as much her home as the house she was scarcely in anymore. "You know, if you get your name out there - get business in the big rigs, you'd have a hefty sum of money to start your own fishing business. Wouldn't that be something?" Her smile softened into her more comfortable set of slight emotion rather than something so obvious and grand, turning her attention back to Kiran. "Perhaps we might work together some day, if I can turn my small, driftwood busts into proper prows." She was joking, mostly, but the idea still brought a soft chuckle to her lips.
"Teasing aside, I'm glad to see you're doing so well." Motioning to some of the food stalls near the center of the dock stretch, she offered, "Might I treat you to some lunch, if you have the time? I'm sure you're busy and I don't want to take too much of your spare time, so I might as well make it worth your while."
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:20 pm
Kiran nodded. He was happy to have a job that involved being near the docks and the sea and gave him reason to talk to some of the other sailors and fishermen. "I hope you can find a job that you like," he said sincerely. Before Uncle found him the job working under Bojing, Kiran had done some odd jobs that weren't exactly fun just to scrape up the money that he needed for getting an apartment. He hoped Li wouldn't have to do any of the sort of gritty work that he had done before landing the job at the shipyard. He grinned at her. "And I still have plenty more ways to learn," he admitted. The meals he prepared at home were edible, at least, but he would hardly call them great taste wise. Though he was still learning, he could confidently say that he had surpassed his mother's skills in the kitchen.
With a laugh, he nodded. "I'll remember that the next time I say I can't do something. Clearly, I should try first before saying that I have no skill at it." There was definitely something calming when it came to crafting. His mind cleared while focusing on the single task, and it reminded him of the similar effect that fishing had on him. "I'll have to remember to thank him again." He had, of course, thanked Uncle for getting him the job, but it never hurt to show the appreciation one felt for that kind of help again. Kiran hadn't thought of it like that. "Maybe that'll be my next big project." He laughed, but he liked the idea of being able to do everything involved in fishing with his own power: crafting the boat and the pole, sailing out on his own, and hauling in the fish.
Kiran turned a grin on Li. "Oh? You think I'll be able to become big and famous as a ship builder?" For the time being, his mind had only been on the mastering the craft and eventually building his own boat to sail out to sea. But if he became a master ship builder, he could open up his own business. The idea did appeal to him, being his own boss. "That might be something to think about," he said, stroking his chin as a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. It stretched into a wide smile. "Now that would be something! If you do that, I would definitely come to you to carve the prow of my boat."
He nodded, folding his arms behind his head. "It's good to see you well too." Kiran grinned, hardly one to pass up on free food. "Sure," he agreed, following Li toward the food stalls. "I've got a bit of time to spare. I'm not expected back at the shipyard for a while longer."
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 4:41 pm
The female cast Kiran a sidelong glance, both appreciative but somewhat resigned. It wasn't like beggars could be choosers when it came to income, especially with how unstable the economy had become. "My thanks," she intoned with a faint smile, "I hope so too." Chuckling under her breath, Li shook her head in a bemused but understanding manner at the cocking comment. "We never stop learning, I think I've decided. Once you think you've figured it out, there's always something new and more pressing to come your way." Despite her words, the young Legionnaire smiled in a whimsical manner; it wasn't that she wasn't receptive to the challenge, it just made it hard to figure out when one was actually good at their craft. She supposed that's why others had opinions, all in all.
Offering only a firm nod of affirmation at Kiran's thoughts on being mindful to his words, Li crossed her arms as they walked, delighting in the subtle changes of expression that the male wore: it was obvious to her when she'd hit on something he enjoyed, as well as the prospect of introducing something new. If it ever turned out that Kiran became a known name in the ship building business and later, the fishing arenas, she would pat herself soundly on the back and give herself the profession of Opinion Giver. That the young ship builder might enjoy the finer points of the very hobby he loved, crafting it entirely, seemed like a peaceful sort of heaven to Li. She could only imagine the satisfaction of such an engrossing knowledge.
When his grin turned to her, she allowed her own smile to widen, mirroring his mirth. "I do! I think that if you've the mind to put to the grindstone, you can accomplish just about anything you please. Besides, you're working in the field of something you're passionate at: fishing." Arching her hand up from where her arms were crossed, she grinned. "Just tie everything you do into that simple truth and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a Kiran Fishing Company someday." His last quip made her laugh, good humored but soft and slightly flippant. "Me? Heavens. Fun as it sounds I --" she changed her thought process halfway through, instead opting for a more positive outlook, "-- think you have a deal. Build your boat, and I'll make sure my craft is enough to honor your skill." Li offered her hand to shake on it, half teasing, but mostly serious in that moment. If anything, it gave her more drive to keep practicing. She was not one to cease to aspire at any point in time.
At his agreement to her invitation, the pale-haired woman gave a pleased nod, sauntering just a little slower as their path turned into the row of stalls, her amethyst eyes playing over each side with interest. There simply wasn't any replacement for fresh food, caught and cleaned just feet from where the stalls were placed. "Then it's a date," she commented with the same distant but well-meaning humor. "Though I can't pick which sounds better -- the octopus dumplings or the shrimp kabob." Li turned on her heel and gave her attention to Kiran then to see what he thought, since she was treating, after all.
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:47 pm
Kiran nodded, a humorous smile gracing his face. "I can agree with that," he said, knowing that no matter how good he got in one skill, there was always something knew to learn. The world was ever changing with new things being discovered. If one sat content with their current skills, they would be quickly left behind by everyone continuing to improve. Kiran intended to never be one of those left behind, always motivated to continue learning and finding news ways to improve his skills. He wasn't the type that could sit still and be content when there was so much more out there to learn and see and do.
Unless it came to fishing with a rod at the edge of a lake or stream or on the beach. Fishing on a boat was so much different though, when he went out to see what it was like. The men hustled about to do various tasks, working the sails, steering the ship, hauling up the fish in large nets. Kiran had enjoyed that experience and couldn't wait to get out on the open sea on his own boat.
Kiran couldn't wipe the smile from his face, even if he wanted to. To have someone supporting and encouraging him was always a wonderful feeling. It wasn't as though his family never gave him words of encouragement, but as family, it was almost expected that they support each other in whatever the other wished to do. Having a friend who thought he could become a big name in something he enjoyed was completely different. "Then I shall try my hardest to become the biggest name in the fishing community," he said. Though he smiled cheerfully, he was completely serious in his words. "I would be greatly honored to have you carve the prow for my boat." He still kept the bust of him that she carved from driftwood sitting on a shelf in his apartment.
He chuckled. "That would be a first for me," he admitted, followed by a bit of awkwardness. A date was something completely foreign to him, having never been on one. Ever. "I hear that place makes the best octopus dumplings." He felt his stomach grumble and was glad they decided to grab a bite to eat. He wouldn't be able to work long on a rumbling, empty stomach.
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:25 am
"I believe you will, Kiran; nothing I've seen of you would suggest otherwise." Li cast a smile to the ship builder as the scent of the food court began to wash away the more serious topics. It was unusual for her -- being so candid with someone she'd only met once, taking a personal, vested interest. Sure, she had a tendency to push her opinions on others in a maternal manner more than not, but this was just fun. It was a soothing balm against the chaos that had recently transpired, a reprieve to remember that things could - and would, in time - be normal again.
The comment about the date made her flick her purple eyes to his murky blues, a bemused smile curving her lips. She'd only meant it as an expression, but that he took it seriously absolutely tickled her. "And I. A friendly date then!" Apparently, seeing Kiran a little off-kilter enticed Li; he'd been very gathered and self-assured from her experience, and to see that he faltered in that department was endearing to her. His suggestion was received with a tilt of her head in acknowledgement and, with a teasingly chipper smile, she lead the way to the indicated stall. The smell of the fresh food was making her own stomach grumble, something she didn't want to reach un-lady-like proportions as it tended to do when unfed in a timely manner. Unlike most ladies, she had a physical regime to upkeep!
Placing her order and adding some honeyed green tea as an after thought, she motioned for Kiran to make his order as well, more than at ease to pay for the shared meal. "So, Kiran," she started, leaning against the lip of the counter to order, off to the side so she wasn't in the way, "I know you like to fish but not necessarily prepare it, purvey the ocean, build boats and claim to have no talent when clearly you do." A briefly teasing grin flit over her features, hiding it behind a slow sip of tea. "Tell me a bit more about yourself. I feel that as a future employee of yours," again she bit back a grin, referring to the prow comment from earlier, "I should know a little more about you!"
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:40 pm
"Well, I do try my hardest," Kiran said with a charming smile tugging at his lips. "And from what I've seen, you could probably make a killing selling your carvings." He would have been happy to pay for the bust that she carved of him, if she hadn't offered it to him for free.
Kiran blinked in surprised at Li's response. "I would have thought a pretty lady like you would have guys lining up to win her affections," he said in all seriousness. He never spent much time contemplating romance as an Academy student, and even less time now that he was a fighter and living on his own. But he thought most women took to romance earlier than men, and Li was pretty enough to draw any man's eye. "I only mean, I can't believe no guy has asked you out before," he added, rubbing the back of his neck as the awkward feeling remained.
The change of topic was a welcomed one. He placed his order after Li had finished with her order. Then he moved to side to stand with Li and out of the way of other customers. "What else do you want to know?" he asked, wondering where to even beginning telling her more about him. He folded his arms over his chest as he thought. "Actually, if I'm going to talk more about myself, I should get to learn more about you too. I already know that you are amazing at carving wood and you have friends among the fishermen. But I don't know much about the things you like or other hobbies you have." Then again, they had only spoke once before while Li carved his bust. They weren't going to learn everything about each other after just that one meeting.
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:11 am
Another amused glance followed Kiran's continued compliments, bolstered by his confidence but still somewhat cowed by the entire idea. Selling what was created out of a passion could easily become a chore...but as she watched Kiran's self-satisfied gestures and his easy demeanor, she thought that maybe, it could be a learning experience, too. "My thanks," she offered quietly before falling silent, donning a flattered little smile. She really wasn't sure how to handle his continued praise, and it only became harder with the next part.
Li was effectively rendered speechless. She didn't know what to say - or if anything should be said - as romance had never been high on her list of things to do. She figured it was something that would come when the time was right but if it never paused to pay her a visit, she didn't feel she'd be missing anything. Kiran's awkwardness was enough of an indicator to let the subject pass, instead repressing the strange feeling between giddiness and embarrassment, not in the least bit a lady in how to handle a date in the first place. It was so much easier to tease!
"Ah," she replied with a start, shifting her weight to better face him with a quiet smile. The warmth of his previous compliments continued to make her nurse a soft glow of kindness towards Kiran, one of which she held onto delicately for the time being. "I'm an open book -- I've no secrets to speak of and I'm afraid my life is mostly one of duty and familial obligations. I've little time for hobbies and pursuits of self-satisfaction." Li chuckled, sub-consciously pushing a lock of pale hair off of her cheek. "But as you've noted, I enjoy carving and find myself at home with the fishermen." Spreading her hands for a moment, she rested them on her hips as she looked up and down the street, thoughtful. "I mold with clay, when it's available. I simply like to work with my hands."
The rest, of course, was dangerous. Talking about her studies and student work with the Legion was a sensitive subject just then. "I enjoy to spar," she said at length, resting her attention upon him again, "in the back-alleys. I've a small reputation as a brawler, it appears -- otherwise, I spend the majority of my days bartering, cleaning and attending the necessities of maintaining a home." Li offered a faint smile then, tilting her head towards him. "And then you, Kiran? What's your story?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:37 am
When Li only gave a quiet thanks then fell silent, Kiran wondered if perhaps he had said something wrong. He thought women liked compliments, and he hadn't said anything untrue. From observing people around him, he often saw men sweet talking women, and his father could usually defuse his mother's temper with a few choice words of flattery. Though sometimes his mother's anger, usually directed at Kiran, couldn't be calmed. He was still pretty sure his mother was still mad at him for moving out shortly after graduating from the Academy.
But he wasn't trying to be like those men flirting with women. He had gotten better at controlling his mouth, or he thought he had. He didn't think he made quite as many sharp remarks as he used to that led to fights. But sometimes his mouth still got away with saying words before his brain caught up to them. His cheeks felt warm as the compliments finally registered in his head, and he realized his ramblings about her beauty. It was no stretch of the truth to call her pretty as she was quite lovely. But he still found it hard to believe that no man had tried to romance her. Then again, he hadn't consider much about romance or wooing girls while he was at the Academy. Other things had taken priority for him then, and still kind of did.
Kiran chuckled at the comment. She seemed more like a mystery than an open book to him, but they had only talked a few times. "That must be tough," he commented. He couldn't imagine not having some time to spend relaxing or doing some of his hobbies, even when his days had been filled with studying and training. Now they were filled with work and training and missions, but he still managed to find a bit of time for himself. "Having such little time outside of duties and obligations." He scratched his cheek absently, wondering if that was a rude comment. Some people didn't mind a lifestyle like that.
"You'll have to show me some of your clay moldings," Kiran said, grinning. "We seem to have that in common now that I've discovered ship building." He really did enjoy working with his hands and building something up from nothing. Crafting, creating; he never thought he was capable of it until he went to work in a shipyard building boats and ships. "Sparring? Maybe we'll have to test our skills against each other someday." He had been in enough fights with women, and lost a few, to know that he shouldn't take a woman lightly when it came to a fight.
He put a hand to his chin and thought of where to begin. "Well," he shrugged, "I don't know that it's much of a story. Grew up in a small family, just my dad and mom and my sister. We aren't rich, but we make enough to survive on. I enjoy a good spar as well. I fish, as you already know, and my work with building boats. I sell what I catch on the docks." He paused to glance around, not completely certain about revealing the next piece. But if they were being honest with each other, it would be better to just get it out in the open. "I've been known to be a bit of a thief." He rolled a shoulder, trying to think if there was any other important details to mention.
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:34 am
Like Kiran, Li didn't go by the normal social protocol for how things appeared. For one who had little notion towards having a partner - let alone being flirted with or dating - she simply didn't know how to express herself in the given situation. Perhaps it was their like-mindedness that gave her comfort despite their silence and lacking experience in being graceful with the compliments given.
"It simply is what it is," she responded, unfettered. It hadn't ever occurred to her that she might be missing out on anything. "My family has a unique circumstance...I suppose I've just never felt I was lacking anything." It was also possible that Li's personality suffered for it, having little in the way of open humor and warmth, but it made her better suited for the life she lead. Leaning against the booth, she crossed her arms and watched the blue-haired male, offering him a faint smile. "I've little to show in the way of presentable pieces, but I'll make something special if you have a request."
However, it was the sparring comment that garnered a more bemused smile from the Legionnaire. The last person she had sparred that she'd known had been her very own Huang Lee; it had been a hell of a learning experience and had boosted her confidence in what she was doing. That Kiran fought both interested her and made her feel a pinch concerned; what did he have fighting experience for? Had she over-showed her hand in mentioning she sparred, when the only ones that really needed to do that were those at odds...? "It would be my pleasure to have you as a partner," she responded in earnest, though her words were careful and measured, "when the opportunity arises. But for now..."
Li uncrossed her arms and retrieved her food as it was presented, listening to his story with polite interest. It seemed common place, now, to hear tales of those who had to work harder than they should just to make ends meet. The last bit, however, made her smile as she swallowed her first bite. "That's quite brazen to admit! I have a penchant to give what I own, so we'll get along perfectly." The Legionnaire chucked, taking another thoughtful bite and enjoying the quick meal. She didn't get to eat out often. "Mm. I suppose anything more will have to come out of another date. We can't lay out all our cards in a second meeting." And then Li laughed, a soft and teasing sound; they couldn't very well force each other to know one another. They would learn the rest through mannerisms and body language.
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