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Ittoqqortoormiit & Italian Food
Author: Isolde
Date: 05-11-16 18:56
It was remarkably cold outside the world class stadium temporarily erected in Ittoqqortoormiit for the Quidditch World Cup Opening Ceremony and subsequent matches. Although the stadium had an open roof, it was much warmer inside––at least in the private box where Isolde, Pyrrhus and their guests sat. It paid to be a former World Cup champion/current professional player and British and Irish Quidditch Little League Coach. There were a great many private boxes throughout the stadium, but not enough to house every single professional Quidditch player in the world.
The sounds of conversation, whoops, hollers and the occasional noise-maker emanated throughout the stadium until the lights dimmed till there was only darkness. A trumpeting fanfare followed, and then a single spotlight lit up a wizard dressed in grass green robes.
Giovanni Gigante greeted the crowd first in Italian, his native tongue, then French, English, Danish and Greenlandic. A speech followed in French, the official language of the International Confederation of Wizards Quidditch Committee, which was headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. While he spoke, translations scrolled through the air in different languages. Isolde followed along with the English, since she didn't know a word of French.
She had an excellent view of the Opening Ceremony proceedings. As hers and Py's schedule allowed, she planned on attending as many of the forthcoming matches as possible, even the ones involving teams other than England.
She turned to her husband, who was also following along with the scrolling translation, and leaned into him to speak in his ear.
"What do you think of the name Giovanni for a boy?" she asked.
Pyrrhus wrapped an arm around her shoulders and said, "It makes me think of Italian food." He chuckled at her expression, kissed her temple, and added, "It's fine. It's a good name."
Isolde smiled. "This seems like the hardest decision we'll have to make. What if we choose the wrong name for our child?"
"Then we'll have to make it up with the next one. Maybe something having to do with Mexican food."
Isolde laughed, but then she quickly fell silent and focused on the rest of President Giovanni Gigante's speech. He spoke for a good, long while before shouting out a final welcome to thunderous applause.
Meeting Over Drinks
Author: S Snape
Date: 05-11-16 21:08
Veronica runs a finger around the rim of her wine glass. "We need a decision, Severus. You've put us off long enough that we are starting to believe you are stalling in order to gain information that will allow you to turn us in to the Ministry."
"I have not rushed to a decision because of past experience with groups operating outside the legal sphere." Severus adds a dash of salt to the beer that is more bitter than expected.
"As Simon and I have told you time, we are a changed organization." Veronica's eyes narrow. "You're reporting everything to the Order of the Phoenix, aren't you?"
"Since Albus's death the Order is a mere shadow of what it once was."
"Nicely evasive but, then, you've always excelled at evasiveness."
Severus arches a brow. "To used a tired cliché, that's the pot calling the kettle black."
"Au contraire. To use another overly used expression, I am an open book."
Severus dryly remarks, "If I'd been taking a drink just then I would have snorted it out my nose."
Veronica's laugh is light and one of the first honest things about her since meeting Severus in that Muggle restaurant weeks ago. She smiles then takes a sip of her wine, regarding him over the top of the glass.
Once she's set the glass down she reaches for her purse, takes out an envelope, then slides it across the table to him. "If you won't give me a definitive answer about joining us, please at least assist in a small conundrum. There is an old photograph in the envelope. We thought perhaps you could help us identify a few people."
Severus removes the photo, surprised to find it's one he's in. "I believe this was a holiday party many years ago."
"You are there as is Uncle Albus. The gentleman next to him went on to join the Knights of Walpurgis. Who are the other two fully visible?"
Severus studies the photo before tapping the visage of a man wearing the unfortunate sartorial choice of plaid robe in colors of pumpkin, apricot, avocado, and pistachio. "The one with the poor taste in clothing was Humphrey Radford."
"Was?"
"Killed years ago when he got into a heated discussion with a fervent Voldemort supporter."
"And the other?"
Severus shakes his head. "I don't remember who he is though I have seen him a few times in Hogsmeade."
"Recently?"
"Quite. What is your interest in these two?"
"I'm not exactly certain. We've been going through the belongings of a somewhat recently deceased member and came across a large box of photographs. A few members got to going through them, reminiscing over ones they recognized. This and others from what looks to be the same party interested me because of Uncle Albus and Father. In that one you can see his arm just there. The recently deceased member is in that one, the one there next to Uncle Albus. Out of the photographs from that party, only those two weren't recognized by any of those helping to sort through the belongings. The Radford fellow is in one other. The other man is not. I brought this one because of both being in it."
"I vaguely recall being introduced but that was the only time we spoke that evening. I believe his first name begins with a K. For someone you isn't certain of her interest, you seem overly interested."
"I don't know. Just a feeling about him that I cannot explain."
"Perhaps if you contacted Aberforth he could tell you more."
"I've explained to you, Severus, that I am not yet prepared to see Father."
"He won't be pleased you've joined the Knights."
"That's not the reason, particularly as I've repeatedly told you the Knights are a changed organization. Father's and my last parting was not pleasant. We had a disagreement that has caused harm to our relationship."
"Enough so that you did not attend Albus's funeral," Severus says at much to himself at to Veronica.
"I did not learn of Uncle Albus's death until days after the funeral."
As the murder of Albus Dumbledore made international wizarding news, Severus concludes that Veronica was somewhere entrenched in the Muggle world at that time to have not heard of it nor to have been reached by Aberforth.
Noting the time Severus drains his beer then rises. "I must be returning to Hogwarts. There are students there over the holiday and I am on duty soon to ensure they do not bring the castle down stone by stone."
Stuffing the photo and envelope back into her purse Veronica bids him goodbye then adds, "We won't wait on you much longer. Made a decision soon."
Striding from the small Belgian tavern Severus can't help but think there's an unsaid, "Or else," in her statement. A changed organization indeed.
(Toby) Procession of Teams
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 05-12-16 19:16
Toby stood in a tunnel under the stadium seats with the other members of the British National team. The International Confederation of Wizards Quidditch Committee's president had just given his speech. After the applause and cheers quieted, music pulsing with an upbeat emanated throughout the stadium. An unseen announcer said the same thing in several languages: "And now… the Procession of Teams!"
A moment later the announcer shouted out, "Argentina!"
The Argentinian team came out of the tunnel dressed in light blue robes with a sun symbol emblazoned on the back. The Quidditch players smiled and waved as they made the long elliptical circuit around the Pitch.
The Armenians were next. They emerged from the tunnel wearing blue robes with red and apricot trim.
The Australian National Quidditch team appeared after the Armenians and to wild cheering from their fans. The players wore green and gold robes.
There was a great deal more noise when the Brazilians came out of the tunnel dressed in green and gold robes similar to the ones the Australians wore. The two teams were not slated to play against each other in the first round of game play, but if either made it to the quarterfinals, it could potentially be difficult to tell which player belonged to which team. It would certainly make an interesting game if it took place.
Next came Canada. The players waved and grinned while strolling around the stadium in bright red robes. Some of them held a small white flag with a red maple leaf on it.
"Chad!" shouted the announcer. The Chadians emerged from the tunnel wearing yellow robes with blue and red trim.
"China!" The crowd went wild when the Chinese appeared wearing red robes. Gold stars decorated the right breast to distinguish the uniforms from those the Canadians wore.
The Egyptians came out of the tunnel next dressed in white robes trimmed in red and black.
Toby could feel the adrenalin coursing through his veins. As soon as the Egyptians got partway around the Pitch, the announcer would call out England's name. He barely heard it over the loud cheering.
Dressed in red and white robes, Toby stepped out of the tunnel with his teammates and raised both of his arms high. He grinned and looked at the many levels of stadium seating. Somewhere in the sea of smiling faces was his wife and siblings with their families.
Seven more teams emerged from the tunnel after Toby's group, until all sixteen teams stood evenly spaced out around the entire stadium. For a long while, the sixteen teams stood there, soaking up the cheers of the fans and blinking and seeing stars from the many camera flashbulbs going off.
When the crowd finally down, a spotlight reappeared on two new individuals, the wizarding Prime Minister of the Greenlandic Council of State and the Danish High Commissioner.
(Anthony) With Family in Greenland
Author: Beck
Date: 05-13-16 09:20
In a very crowded private box, the guests of Toby Beck watched the Quidditch World Cup Opening Ceremony proceedings. Anthony was there with Plum, a very excited Alex, and baby Evan. Ariella was there with Lawrence and Karina, who didn't seem fond of all the noise because she had her hands clasped over her ears. Katherine was there with her boyfriend Jonathan, each present as guests instead of members of the press, of which there were plenty in attendance today. Gillian and of course Bronwyn were there too.
In another private box sat Alanna with Reed. A strong part of her longed to sit with her family members, but a stronger part kept her away from them. Although Reed didn't seem to have anything against the Becks, having gotten what he'd wanted, the fact that he could ruin their lives all over again burdened Alanna. She would rather keep him as far away from the others as possible.
The other reason she occupied a different private box, besides the fact that Reed had shelled out a fortune for one of the better ones simply because he could, was because she knew Anthony was trying to figure out why she'd abruptly ended her marriage to Jared and gone on to marry someone he knew she loathed. If anyone could get to the truth, he could. After all, it was what he was trained to do. Alanna didn't want him endangering himself by exposing Reed's terrible deeds. She feared Reed and his connections to evil wizards even still.
Alex handed Anthony his omnioculars and remarked, "Talking is boring."
Under a bright beam of light, Greenland's equivalent of a Minister of Magic spoke about hosting the World Cup in his country. Beside him stood an official from Denmark.
Anthony grinned at his brother-in-law/ward and said, "You do realize there is no actual Quidditch taking place today, don't you?"
Alex frowned. "Why not?"
"Because this is just the opening ceremony to launch the final matches before the actual World Cup match takes place. There's going to be a lot of talking and some entertainment."
"That's no fun."
Anthony chuckled. "Wait for the entertainment. You might actually like it."
Alex made a noise suggesting he doubted it very much. Anthony, meanwhile, raised the omnioculars to his eyes and scanned the other private boxes for his sister. He found her eventually, leaning against the edge of the box with a glass of champagne in one hand and a bored expression on her face. Beside her, Reed chatted animatedly with some other Ministry official invited to sit in his box.
"Are you spying on somebody?" Alex asked, suddenly growing interested in something.
Anthony lowered the omnioculars and said, "No."
Alex looked dubious and asked, "Can I see?"
"Sure."
Anthony handed the omnioculars back to Alex, who used them to scan the crowd for interesting people to watch. He laughed when he caught an old man picking his nose. Maybe the opening ceremony wasn't so bad after all.
Attending The Opening Ceremony
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 05-13-16 20:24
A client whose menagerie of five cats, seven dogs, horses - including two flying horses -, a crup, three kneazles, two puffskeins, and two pygmy puffs for which Coco seems to be the one most often called on to give veterinary care gave her two tickets to the Quidditch World Cup opening ceremony. He'd been given them by someone wishing to curry favor with his firm. Much as he would have liked to have attended today is his twentieth wedding anniversary and he and his wife already had a getaway planned. She would not have been pleased with him if he'd put off their plans so he could be at the opening ceremony.
Coco then surprised Fritz with them the same day she'd accepted. To have waited until closer to today or even waiting until today might have meant Fritz would have been scheduled to work. Though no match is being played today, to be able to attend any Quidditch World Cup event is great fun, or at least in their opinions.
As each team is introduced Coco watches the members flying from a tunnel onto the pitch then as that team's members fly a circuit she gets an upclose view using omniocculars. Next to her, Fritz is doing much the same.
When taking the closer view of the German team Coco sees someone in the seats just beyond the spot where she's got her omniocculars trained. The man looks much like Chad and his half-brother Archie. If those two were here and sitting next to him, people might think them triplets, never guessing this man is not related to Chad at all. He's only a step-brother.
Harlan.
Or so Coco surmises. If he's not Harlan then Chad and Archie have another person out there who is practically a doppleganger.
He's sitting with an attractive ebony haired woman and with them are a boy and a girl. Chad had told her Harlan had eventually married and has two children. Coco never asked him for additional details and, sensing she wasn't wanting to hear more at that time, Chad hadn't given further information.
Despite knowing little in Coco's mind she'd pictured Harlan's children as being at least slightly older, at least early to mid teens. She'd be surprised if the older of the two is old enough yet for Hogwarts. Though they wouldn't attend Hogwarts she doesn't think. One of the other few facts Chad related about Harlan is that he no longer lives in the UK. He hadn't said where but based on the flag the boy is waving she surmises they either live in New Zealand or somewhere near enough here as supporters of the New Zealand national team.
"Butterbeer?"
"What?" Coco asks, dropping her omniocculars from her eyes.
"Butterbeer?" Fritz repeats, motioning to a vendor moving through the stands selling the beverage.
"Yes, please." Then, "Thank you," a moment later when Fritz hands her a plastic mug.
For the rest of the time it takes for the procession of teams, Coco finds herself staring at much at Harlan and his family as she does the teams. She also finds herself wondering if her father would be watching her through omniocculars if he realized she were here.
That's Entertainment
Author: Carys
Date: 05-14-16 13:29
Carys, Griffin, Tristan and Tristan's friend Tyler sat in the stands in Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland for the Quidditch World Cup Opening Ceremony. Griff had gotten tickets for a family of four from a work colleague who'd had to cancel attending because of a death in the family. Figuring out who should hold ticket #4 was easily decided, because Tyler had been over at the house when Griffin had come home with the big announcement. Fortunately, Tyler's parents had agreed to allow him to attend the opening ceremony.
After a rather long-winded speech from Prime Minister Soren Spore and High Commissioner Harald Larsen, the real fun began. Students from the Greenlandic School of Magic, the anglicized form of Kalaallit Atuarfik, marched out to center field, led by an instructor dressed in thick, furry robes. The students were all dressed in the school robes of their school, and each carried a stick and a thin drum that looked a little like an oversized tambourine with a handle.
They sat down in the chairs already arranged at center field and waited for their instructor, whose hair was as wild and furry as the robes he wore, to conduct their musical performance. The instructor raised a weathered hand and then silently counted off a steady rhythm.
The Qilaut drummers began beating their drums, which were of various sizes. The effect was not melodic, because the tones were not that different despite the variation in size, but the performance was rhythmic and entertaining. The beats were different but harmonious, and grew faster and more exciting as the performance went on.
By the time it was over, both Tristan and Tyler decided they each wanted Qilaut drum. If anything, they could make lots of noise with one!
(Blair) Lucky
Author: Susan Fricks
Date: 05-14-16 14:38
Blair leaned forward, trying to get a better view of what was going on down below. She was eager to get a first glimpse at the Qalupaliks, to see how they looked like. Her brother Dean was seated next to her, and he kept swinging his legs up and down. He was restless because his favorite part of the Quidditch World Cup opening ceremony was already over. All Dean wanted was to see England's national team, and since they had gone out of sight, he hasn't been able to behave.
It had been their parents who bought the tickets for the opening ceremony. They had taken care of all the travel arrangements too, but they had not come along with their children. Blair was disappointed to learn that while she and Dean would be seated in the ordinary seats with their grandparents, her parents would be at some fancy box. It was part of their jobs as diplomats, and she was used to spend more time with her grandparents than her parents. However, Blair was hoping this time they would have brought her along with them. She was eleven now, and she knew how to behave in public. She was not a little child like Dean, who could stay still in his chair. She was a student at Hogwarts, she had her own wand and could cast spells. But Victoria and Daniel decided not to take her with them.
Before the opening ceremony had started, Blair found herself pouting. She knew she was being a bit of a brat, because she was lucky to have come to Greenland and attend the opening ceremony of the Quidditch World Cup. Thousands of people would love to be in her place. Her friends, Georgiana and Maud were some of them, as well as her cousins Andrina and Susan. Not to mention many other of her colleagues at Hogwarts. However, she kept thinking of how her parents had taken her to the platform 9 and ¾ on her first day of school, because they had been concerned about what happened at the Ministry of Magic. If the attack had not happen, Blair knew it would be her grandparents who would escort her to the Hogwarts Express. For a moment she wished another bad thing would happen in the wizarding world so her parents would be able to spend more time with her and her brother. But a second later she regret so, feeling bad for having such terrible thoughts.
"I want to see the players again," Dean said. "Are they coming back?"
"Shsss," Blair commanded. She had noticed that a witch seated in front of them had looked back, upset with the noise Dean was making. "You'll like what's coming next," she promised, whispering in his ear.
Dean nodded and the two of them stayed in silence, waiting anxiously for the Qalupalik to appear.
At Home
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 05-14-16 20:39
The WWN is tuned to the broadcast of the Quidditch World Cup Opening Ceremony. Barley climbs into the couch, nuzzling into the scant space between Hendrika and Charlie. Hendrika strokes Barley's silky fur. "She's jealous of me."
"Hardly. More like she's wishing I'd move so she can spread out for you to give her a belly rub. She prefers yours to mine."
As if to prove them both wrong Barley shifts to stretch out across both their laps, settling in with what Charlie swears is a contented sigh. He comes close to eliciting one himself as Hendrika scootches closes, doing her best not to disturb Barley in the process.
They sit together listening to the broadcast, one arm around her shoulders, the other hand holding her hand over the back of the dog. It's rare they are entirely alone like this, not counting the presence of the dog that is.
With three children, Charlie's large family, those in Hogsmeade they call family but who aren't actually, and people forever coming by to check in on Helena due to her precarious health, some of the only alone time the couple gets is in the evenings after Schuyler, Artie, and Ava are in bed. Only some because as any parent of young children can tell you, it's not unusual for one of them to get out of bed at some point wanting water, another story, or after a bad dream wanting either someone to come sit with or lie down with or wanting to cuddle on the couch or crawl into Mummy and Daddy's bed.
Schuyler and Artie are at the opening ceremony with others of the Weasley family while Ava is having her first sleepover with a non-family member. She could have gone to the opening ceremony but preferred the sleepover though neither Charlie nor Hendrika will be surprised if at sometime in the wee hours Ava decides she's ready to come home. Then again, as she has had sleepovers with various family members, perhaps this with a friend and her family isn't such a huge step and all will go well.
"This is nice. Just us without someone calling one of us to come there." Charlie looks down at the dog. "Just us and Barley that is."
"Just us - and Barley - is nice though it seems a little too quiet. I keep thinking I need to go see what they're up to that has them so quiet."
Charlie laughs. "I know what you mean. I've thought that a few times myself today."
Hendrika gives Charlie's hand a squeeze. "It's not really just you, me, and Barley here."
"We have a mouse?"
"That's possible but what I'm talking about isn't quite that large just yet." Hendrika looks at Charlie then looks meaningfully down at what she can see of her stomach around Barley.
"You're not serious."
"I'm very. Or I think I am."
"But we've been careful."
"At your age you should know that the only abstinence is one hundred percent effective."
"But your heart."
Hendrika gives his hand another gentle squeeze. "May not be an issue. Besides, I need to find out if I am first before we start worrying and obsessing over every little thing."
Charlie says nothing, hoping his face doesn't betray that he's already worrying and obsessing. Instead, he nestles further into the couch, prompting Helena to settle in more as well, leaning her head on his shoulder. At some point he must have fallen asleep because next thing he knows the opening ceremony broadcast is coming to a close. Helena and Barley seem to be napping as well so although he's thinking something to eat sounds good he closes his eyes for just a little longer.
With Family
Author: Jolyon
Date: 05-15-16 09:29
Jolyon sat in the stands with Merrie and their children and clapped his hands when the Qilaut musical performance ended. The students of the Greenlandic School of Magic left their seats and moved aside to make way for the Qalupalik musical performance. Jolyon was intrigued to see the magical creatures, which he had only read about in his studies but had never seen with his own two eyes.
The first individuals to emerge from the tunnel beneath the stadium risers were not the magical creatures but wizards who almost looked like a security detail. They were dressed in dark robes and looked extremely vigilant. Every single one had a wand out.
Next followed the creatures, which looked a lot like wizards, only their skin was green and they had extremely long fingernails. They wore traditional-looking parkas, which were made out of different material such as sealskin, caribou skin or wool, and which came in a few different colors. Each parka had a pouch on the back just beneath the hood.
The Qalupalik walked with the dark-robed figures to center field, where they stopped. The security wizards fanned out around them, but at a bit of a distance as to not detract from the performance. Then, the Qalupalik began to hum.
Jolyon was mesmerized by the creatures, which were sentient but also dangerous. He knew from having read about it that Qalupalik were attracted to misbehaving children and would try to abduct them if given the chance. The pouches in their parkas was where they stuck the children they kidnapped. From the looks of them, only babies would fit, but then these were magical creatures with magical parkas. A bratty teenager just might find himself stuffed in the pouch.
Jolyon glanced at his son, who was seated on the other end of their group of four. Arielle sat next to Jolyon, and Merrie served as a buffer between Arielle and Asher. Despite being mistempered a lot of the time while in Jolyon's company, Asher seemed okay today. Jolyon attributed it to the fact that they were at an event not everybody could attend and which didn't come around that often.
He glanced at Arielle, who watched the musical performance with a look of interest on her face. Jolyon couldn't believe his little girl had a boyfriend. In the short time he'd known her, she'd grown up fast.
There was a sudden shout of, "Look!", that had Jolyon redirect his attention to the Qalupalik musical performance. One of the creatures had suddenly sprinted away from the group, heading for the Greenlandic School of Magic students across the Pitch.
A Death In The Family
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 05-15-16 19:55
"Who's coming?"
"I'm not sure."
"Not your friend," his sister pauses as she searches for the friend's name. "Isreal?"
"He and his family had that opening ceremony for the Quidditch World Cup. Not inexpensive for the whole family so a real treat for them. I didn't want to pull him away from that. Not for this."
She nods once then reaches for Dante's hand. "I'm glad I'm not alone waiting."
That prompts Dante to asks, "Where did Rocky go?"
"Oh, that's right. You were talking to that one healer when he and Angel took Wade to see if a pediatric healer could look at his ear. There was some discharge coming from it."
His nephew's earache had not gone unnoticed by anyone who'd been around them. He'd had a potion for it yesterday but apparently there's more going on. Dante can't imagine how he's been sitting here for somewhere between five and ten minutes without noticing that Wade's fussiness was absent.
Sunshine and Dante sit in silence another minute then Dante asks, "What will do you now? Stay with Dad?"
"Yes, most likely. With his own health what it is and with Mum gone, he won't do well on his own. Rocky will be around I'm sure but he does have his own family now."
She nudges Dante as two people start down the hallway coming their direction. Based on their attire she says, "That must be them. I'll go tell Dad."
Bruno Vickers wanted to stay with his wife's body for as long as possible. When the people from the British Ministry of Magic arrived, one of his children or his daughter-in-law would let him know, giving him time to leave. Though they aren't in the UK, there's no reason the aurors coming need to see him and attempt a capture. They'd happily arrest Bruno and work out the jurisdictional issue later.
Sunshine goes to warn their father while Dante gets up and walks down the long corridor to meet the two aurors. One of them he has seen a few times before but isn't sure of her name. When the two aurors and Dante reach each other one of them, the female, addresses him. "Mr. Knight, I'm Amity DeBlieux and this is my colleague Willis Patrick."
Dante shakes hands with both then gestures the other direction down the hall. "Mum is this way. How is this going to go?"
"We confirm her identity and also confirm that she has indeed passed. We have parchment work to be signed and will need to get copies of the death certificate from," she gets an odd look on her face and when she finishes the thought with the simple word, "Here," Dante surmises she's blanked on the name of this hospital.
Dante can barely remember it himself. Mum had been at a Muggle hospital until two days ago. She'd known it was time to come to a wizarding one, which would make this whole confirmation process easier on her family. They didn't have to do this but all agreed it would be for the best. They'd remained in Spain but switched from that Muggle hospital in Marbella to this wizarding one in Seville. They'd discussed going to the one in Gibralter but as that's British owned, they decided not to push their luck where Bruno is concerned.
As it turns out, they need not have worried because as they reach the room where Rainy's body lies, Sunshine is there, trying to signal Dante to stall. He has no idea what's going on as there's been plenty of time for Dad to step out into another room or leave altogether.
His sister looks panicked but says nothing as she has to step out of the way for the two aurors to into the room where Lorraine Vickers body is on a bed, partially covered by a sheet. Next to the bed, holding her hand stands Terrence Vickers.
Dante steps in behind DeBlieux and Patrick, Sunshine close behind. From their body language he can tell the two aurors are shocked to see Bruno there. Patrick so much so he fumbles a tiny bit when pulling his wand. DeBlieux's draw goes more smoothly.
Even as Dante blurts, "Dad, what are you doing?" Bruno Vickers raises his free hand in surrender. "I'm giving myself up," he tells the two aurors. "I can't go on without my Rainy."