Author's Notes:

Number of Edits: 3
Number of OCs: 1 (yay Metall Heart finally made it!)

Currently listed abilities: [Undying Loyalty] [Symbol Magic] [Golem Creation] [Soul Channeling] (currently known. ^..^)

Slow to Rise, House Onyx and Metal Heart
Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Sombra’s Chamber – Early Dawn
[Sombra Perspective]

The first thing we felt was relieved, happy and slightly damp at waist level, though the light of the reflected sun that shined into our damned face irked us the most than the possibility of shaming ourselves in bed, though a thought irks us that we seemed to have forgotten until there was a shuffling sound at the foot of our bed. That looked like an odd blurry lump at the foot end of our covers until a familiar if darker green coat with a darker red mane came into focus while rubbing her muzzle giving a smile. “Good day Milord!” She purred out happily.
When the ‘cogs’ of our brain finally locked into a traction baring work, those thoughts turned into a rather furious blush to wash over our muzzle and maybe cover our form. “Dark Faith, why were thou under our covers in such a position?” To most it may have been a simple exploratory innocent question, if it were not for our profuse blushing that added what we thought. “Milord, we hoped to have helped thou recover by cleaning any stains and hiding such acts.”
It did not help her case with the lick to the side of her muzzle getting something white, possibly sticky, glob… MOVING ON TO BETTER THINGS! “…We see.” Giving pause long enough to think of how to get her out of the room. “Could the bath be prepared and after that dress to commence thou position and duties today…” The look she gave us was a beaming smile, first having moved to the adjoining bathroom than after when hearing the water stop. Returning to the room to slowly put on her armor, we think it is so she may be for our viewing pleasure or just provocatively natural at it.
Only ONCE did she leave the room did we sigh rubbing a four fingered hand over our face and down to our nose on our muzzle, the action felt paradoxical in how it was both alien and familiar though that will perhaps fade with time. Taking a whiff of our body we smelled like Dark Faith in some respects, though it was faint, but what interested us was we smelled something like coal? We’ll have to figure out the better thought of what our scent is like when we get dirty, getting up out of the bed we made our way to the bathroom seeing that the tub was drawn.
Around this time was also when we noticed there was no robe on our being when there was last night, yet our robe was hung cleanly on the hanger there..? Get clean first than figure out the ‘ins and outs’ of our new home, also our duties here and make some headway on our companions’ requests. Smiling as we try to ‘summon’ White Snout only to feel something large and unnatural ‘dig’ it’s way out of our shadow, the process is painful but when we saw that large dog arm emerge from us, all thoughts of pain were drawn out and our eyes may have grown comically big to others.
With a final grunt the much taller three dimensional Diamond Dog shape turned to face us, her eye sockets and gaps between her teeth gave off an orange glow, than she immediately hugged us and hearing her in our head as he spoke. ‘White Snout happy! Little Pup smells of female, was it green coat red mane one?’ She tilted her head until the bathtub which was sunken into the floor and made to possibly fit five made her only drag us to the bath. The sensation of being cleaned by a shadow form dog like White Snout is what we can say is ‘different’, being dunked in the tub only to be licked and groomed.
It is like being manhandled but in a rough primal cleaning, during this we noticed she had no smell, perhaps an added bonus to being what she is when summoned? That would definitely help out a diamond dog who is skilled at sneak attacks, or any of the others? ‘We will give pup best cleaning!’ She barked in our head causing a wince, and having noticed this she ‘tried’ to be quieter but we gave up and just let her be her. Which on the whole it wasn’t bad, the only down side was the claws! As we made that point perfectly clear after the second raking across our back.

[Roughly 57 Minutes later]

Out we emerged, cleaned and VERY shiny due to her paw work on our coat and mane, it must be because we are a crystal pony and remind her of a gem, that moves and talks, RIGHT! The first sight out of the bathroom in our violet bath robe was a crystal maid who bowed midway and apparently having not seen the now battle tense Diamond Dog shadow being that now also emerged from the bathroom. “Duke Sombra Onyx, we’ve been requested to personally greet thou in pony by Head Servant Crystal Clear, we are Smooth Touch assigned as thou Chambermaid.”
Her coat from what we could see is a soft shiny blue with a curled white managed mane and tail that is well groomed with a look of being the softest pillow, she is rather young though the exact estimate would be seventeen? Still a growing mare and had the ‘plush’ curves to match her name, just makes us wonder if everyone will be that good looking or is it just our perception? That brings up another point, we’ll be meeting and ‘branding’ loyalty to us onto them and let us hope it is not draining like yesterday.
She took that moment to finally stand strait from her bow, only to look up above and behind our head, then her eyes rolled back and fell onto the floor having fainted. THAT is quite the reaction, though we should do something about this, as white snout will no doubt help us. ‘White Snout? If thou could collect the pony maid and hold her still in front of us that would help until we are done.’ She looked down at us curiously before giving a glowing toothy smile, moving over to pick her up easily by one paw and depositing her gently as can be before us. ‘We help!’ Held in place we began to channel [Undying Loyalty] getting the feeling this will be a long day.

Crystal Empire – House Onyx, Study - Morning
[Perspective Sombra]

It felt strange, using the ability was increasingly becoming less tasking with each use, and perhaps it would be the same with the others he has too? Two other abilities that seem to have wide spanning uses would be [Symbol Magic] and [Golem Creation], maybe we should test this tomorrow by making a REAL crystal spider-pony! In our giddy we were brought back by the soft touch on our shoulder and our gaze turned to a VERY loyal Smooth Touch, whom presented our breakfast in the study where we started reading ‘Crystal Theories and You!’ to see what other opinions there were besides our other inside our head, doesn’t hurt to study like what Star Talent said.
Though while taking a couple bites she silently smiled and remained if we wished for something, or somepony for her to fetch while White Snout seemed to be taking a nap on the rug behind us. “My Duke, I wish to inform thou that it seems that the Princesses wished to join for dinner tonight and wonder how thou felt about the manor and all furnishings.” She gave a slight bow after giving the message, apparently from Crystal Clear when she had gone to retrieve our gem food.
“When able could thou tell Crystal Clear that a portion of larger crystals are to be put aside that would more than fill a wagon?” Taking a few moments to bite into a ruby, savoring its apple flavor with a shiver before continuing after clearing our throat. “It would be for an experiment we are going to attempt tomorrow if at possible, also bring our tome for our House’s Funds and see if he has organized the lists and deeds we were given for our viewing with said tome.”
Smooth Touch nodded in seeming to understand the task told to her before taking a bow than moving to leave the study, once the door was fully shut White Snout spoke up gently. ‘Yellow pony and Black pony wish to be summoned, we go back since safe.’ With that said we felt a shiver as it wasn’t painful this time but more like a large ripple in a pond, though closing our eyes we focused on trying for pulling at Star Talent and Keen Mind to see how it felt for two. Note to SELF it hurts JUST AS MUCH!
It didn’t feel like claws were digging out of us but summoning two ponies seem to have almost the same pain threshold as summoning White Snout, but soon we see two female pony shadow form shapes with one having a horn and the other not with a slightly better physical build. We noticed that the eye sockets and between their teeth had two different shades of purple, we presume a darker royal purple for Star Talent and Keen Mind a lighter purple. ‘Interesting, the summoning process is rather different than theorized but within estimations of magic to sentient follower study fields.’ The earth pony form rambled a bit while the unicorn shape sauntered closer with a smile seeing what we were doing.
‘Young darling, we are rather proud thou are taking our advice seriously though perhaps we can help with what thou is planning?’ She spoke up in our head as we gave her a response, which gathered Keen Mind’s attention. ‘We were planning to try creating a real golem construct guardian like within our mind scape, though admittedly this one will be on a smaller scale than that large one, and if we are successful we’ll try implanting magic abilities into it by [Symbol Magic] to see what becomes of it and test it’s functionality.’ That familiar lacking of space from Keen Mind only on a scarier factor of her being a pure shadow form as we call it. ‘Before it is accomplished DO summon us and White Snout for guidance, it would be rather fruitful for faster endeavors if successful so young colt will improve efficiency.’
Seeing her be pulled back and pushed towards a book to read a smiling Star Talent approaches and leans on the chair’s right armrest, giving what we think to be a possible elegant smile, it’s hard to tell in their creepy shadow forms. ‘We hope young stallion that thou will take some time to learn a few basic elemental spells? Also an experimental teleportation spell too.’ Giving her a small nod she smiled more unnaturally, that sent a shiver as it tingled along our spine with her soft breath. The moment after she had us standing and showed through illusion how to spawn in each of the basic magic elements that Equestria knows of.
Which to our understanding is Earth, Fire, Water and Wind, not including the Light and Dark fields that exist outside that range. Also there’s some spirit field we may have picked up ability too from the Zebra, odd how it’s more of a manipulation and possible dead. We guess not all rumors are rumors? Something to try later, but from what Star Talent had been telling us no one has even tried mixing those basics to see what they spawn. ‘Star Talent?’ She took a moment to pause her lesson giving a smile. ‘Yes young stallion?’
That tone makes me wonder what she or the others see us as or something, it’s just too weird that they are just okay with us. Since we did end them, shouldn’t they be more angry or something? ‘First has anypony tried mixing the basic element magic to see what is made? Also on a deeper different subject, why do thou and the others like us so much?’ For the first she answered rather simply, which surprised us for how such a thing can be overlooked. ‘Well darling it was never tried before as Star Swirl always tended to move onto another field of study when inspiration took him or for lack of a better word what the princesses would like.’
Seeming to take a figurative breath though being how she’s adjusting still, to being what she is now as a part of us. ‘It was Valira Goldfeather who came to thou defense when we ‘appeared’ within thou mental scape, we were rather surprised by what she told us. Which was after having beaten it out of thou’s worse counterpart, stupid stallion braggart thinking he knows more than us.’ Taking a moment to give out a fake cough before continuing. ‘That aside we soon came to realize that thou is in a rather new and murky waters of existence, his flawed ritual aside introduced one who is new and lost to our world. We came to an agreement that we would try to help thou with what we knew, perhaps through that we could find renewed joy and some semblance of vengeance if any.’
We stared quietly into her eye sockets for the longest time as during her elegant voice she had somehow worked herself onto our lap, there was ripple in our mind that felt like having breathed in a cooled breeze carried scent of paper with ink with a faint bit of ash from candles, that was until she spoke up again. ‘Though in a way we could also see it as having made a herd with thou.’ We stuttered and made a utter fool of ourselves that stopped when we were kissed and a rather unpony tongue swam within our mouth until she pulled back and for a moment her creepy shadow features looked just like a pristine Star Talent from our mindscape.
It was at this moment that Keen Mind came up standing the unicorn in front of us and pointed at us saying this rather excitedly. ‘THAT! Do it again and focus on what she looks like!’ we were both caught off guard until she repeated it more forcefully and went to grab a small mirror for her to point at Star Talent, not to get on Keen’s bad side we closed our eyes and envisioned her shadow more like herself that we saw. It may have been working by the gasp we heard, we opened our eyes to risk seeing when we saw a VERY nude Star Talent looking at herself in the mirror as we were rather shocked only for her to revert back into the shadow form again.
A VERY scary and beaming Keen Mind came up to us and said these words that made Star shudder. ‘We will be undergoing INTENSIVE MENTAL TRAINING when thou next meditates, for now send us back so we may prepare. Thou may continue doing what thou wish with Star as we have our own lesson plan, it will test thou limits and ‘slight’ chance of breaking mental concepts.’ She said before diving into our shadow with that unnatural smile that terrified us worse than imaged, which made us wonder what she went through to get that kind of smile or was it her shadow form that made it so?
Looking back to Star Talent she just gave a beaming smile before moving closer to straddle our lap and levitating a book over to us in a dark royal purple aura, showing it to be a rough history of the Neighboring Goat Kingdom in the Crystal Mountains. ‘Well our handsome young stallion, let us start on an enjoyable lesson.’ Said lesson taught us about the current King Amadeus and their strange brand of Bell Magic.

Crystal Empire - House Onyx, Study – Noon, Lunch
[Perspective Sombra]

Taking a breath now with a sigh after Crystal Clear, Smooth touch and Star Talent unbound the two other servants whom before now were panicking in fear until the beginning and ending of our use of [Undying Loyalty]. Only to look at our desk to see not just a few papers or documents of what we would be reading to get things in order, but 5 books worth! 'Could it had KILLED somepony to organize this mess?!?' Taking a calming breath before sighing, than looking at Crystal Clear we asked this. “This would be EVERYTHING pertaining to our new house..? Doesn’t this seem rather extensive?”
He gave a good natured smile before pulling off the top ledger to give to us before starting. “Our Duke, all that is upon thou desk would be EVERYTHING pertaining to this Glorious House that be in thou name. No stone was unturned just to assure this, the top ledger would be covering the Estate and immediate Magic Academy/Library for thou to head which is being built on the Crown’s own coin. Admittedly it was pushed through rather quickly from what we heard to be of Princess Pandora’s expressed Wish to be able to use magic as thou does, the workers and materials were by Princess Crystal Heart’s subtle doing.” He gave pause for us to try absorbing this information, which was until we asked the question.
“Our next question would be as to WHY the princesses push so aggressively on this matter let alone for us? We could understand excitement and maybe test the waters by taking on a student or three to try expanding but this, it just seems too big and fast!” To our baffled reaction he smiled as if something was plain as a transparent gem was there. “Our Duke, how would a mare go about to try getting a stallion of age to notice them? Let alone court them?” The question was met with a look by Star Talent as she sauntered closer with a gentle smile.
Thinking on it we opened our mouth saying our thoughts. “Well from what we would think, it would be done by wearing and/or doing something to catch his eye, maybe something to impress or draw their attention. First it would be them trying to get to know the stallion, observing them discreetly and take note of their likes or dislikes. Second would be using what they learned. Third ask him out. Forth after the first date wait for him to contact her, be friendly if they see him. Fifth make him feel special. Sixth would be make the First Kiss Special. Seven finally would be just to let the relationship unfold.” Nodding at having remembered studying that by heart, that was before we started to put it together as our hands went up to our head over our face.
“By the all gem! We are being wooed? But, but, we have NEVER before been courted!?! WHY us?!?” Our head was being cradled even though Star Talent was just lightly giggling and Crystal Clear’s face showed mirth at our reaction before taking a calm approach. “Our Duke, we would like to point out that the thought let alone action of being courted by Crystal Royalty would be a great honor to this House and name as first to head it.” We reacted with a deadpan that its effect was reduced by shadow form bosom and giggling Star Talent who somehow worked into our lap AGAIN…
Taking the time to motion the silver tray over that had a couple hand sized gems, with yet another bowl filled with tiny gems of the ‘finger food’ variety. Taking a clean bite from the Emerald that tasted like a Lettuce, these perplexing ‘tastes’ from gem eating often throws our thoughts out of alignment. “How likely would be to piss off anyone of note if what the princesses are doing is correct and earn us their ire? Or, more accurately violent actions?” It was Crystal Clear’s turn to look away with an uncomfortable cough, which earned a raised eyebrow.
“Our Duke, previously before we saw the error of our ways, were given order to relay if such a rumor was true. Though know that it has not been said or left this room but the construction and some minor digging will come to the same conclusion we have made just from that. But we wouldn’t put it pass others to be plotting at least ONE violent demise.” That bit of knowledge kicked it where it hurt, if we hadn’t used that ability on him he’d have likely killed us in a subtle manner. “As a hypothetical thought, how would ‘thou’ have tried to kill us?”
That earned a furrowed brow before he composed himself. “Our duke, we as per instruction would had likely killed thou while sleeping in the dead of night and done away with the weapon so it would not be traced back to us, the likely trouble would have had come to get around Dark Faith being previously a gifted knight from the first princess having likely foresaw such possible action may occurred.”
Nodding slowly as our face turned to that possible neutral face sneer again but Star Talent seemed to sense our discomfort. ‘It would seem we should turn the guards and servants all the faster into loyal followers, our young stallion. We’ll relay this information to the others, know that thou will be safe with us around.’ And just like that, she slithered into our shadow sending a warm shiver up our spine.
Looking back at the four servant ponies under our loyalty now gave only a deep shuddering breath, before having Crystal Clear spread out the pile into a more organized setting than its previous chaotic mess. “Let us get these organized than as we’ll have much to do-“ Our eyes stopped when one document mentioned Crystal Mines that came under our ownership, which put a thought into our head. “Crystal Clear, remember that assortment of gems we told thou to collect into a wagon for our experiment? If so than we know where it would be best suited if all goes well.”
Giving a smile and firm nod before making a note making it a habit to write by levitating inked quill to train our magic and levitating paperwork, though most of our attention swayed to the one of two major industry businesses we now owned. “Crystal Clear once done resume thou duties but inform us when it is close to around 1:30 or when Dark Faith is bringing her three Guards ponies, from what our ears heard earlier she was being rather cruel with them for being ‘lazy’ in her opinion.”
He nodded softly before bringing up a point. “That may have been due to some of them being Prison Marked, those whom work off their sentence if deemed able to by as a recruited soldier or militia.” We looked at him for a moment before sighing with a mutter under our breath. “Of course we had to have some criminals in our guard, it’d only make it easier to kill us…” Looking over the other heavy industry we had, was rather surprised it be the old Crystal Forges, they hadn’t been used in some decades though perhaps with a bit of work they can be renewed and improved than the House Sturdycraft’s productions.
But that would put us at odds with them having the military support and our being ‘court mage’ is the opposed side of them, which will make getting headway much more difficult. The only ones whom would be willing to join us would be either orphans, criminals or those to attempt in stealing our knowledge or kill us. ‘Oh joy it is with our bottom of the barrel recruitment, maybe the Orphans will grow into adapt users of the art under us?’ We scrawled down another note giving it to Crystal Clear, his brow quirked up for a moment in reading it before nodding in understanding when he left.
It was around this time that Smooth Touch moved closer and placed her hands on our shoulders causing a flinch before that was, she started to knead the tension away with well her name sake showing through when we felt like butter. We attempted to push on with our levitation magic using it as an increase in difficulty, but that too failed when we grudgingly placed most of the documents down only to focus on the ledger in our lap. “We were wondering Smooth Touch, what were thou thought when joining our house?” Our eyes shut with a sigh.
She responded with a gentle smooth chuckle saying this. “We our good Duke, were born and abandoned in an orphanage. We had left it recently when hearing rumor that servants were being hired for a new house being formed, it was Princess Pandora who gave us this chance. She thought thou would enjoy us as a personal chambermaid, even suggesting that as a snuggling type thou wouldn’t mind one cute as us.” There was a flush of embarrassment before she continued after composing and moving her fingers up into our mane slowly with the fur. “We hoped for a better life and perhaps a family, though know that we shall now put thou first always.”
That put a slight frown on our face, does that mean the ones hit by our ability now view us that deeply? Would they not seek out love or to form families? All because of our selfishness, just to protect us. It doesn’t help our conscience in all this, we wouldn’t want our loyal subjects to not seek out love or continue their family line. We’d very likely promote it as that means they could raise their young to be loyal naturally to us with pride, instead of changed forever through magic.
The divine bless her fingers for being so nice, it’s like we could die happy like this. Not that we are asking it to happen or anything! This besides snuggled last night is bringing us comfort and peace. Our ears were next, THAT is an experience in of itself, WOW! The sensations is lightning pleasantly jolting through our body and we couldn’t help but let our jaw relax and close our eyes with a goofy grin. “Our duke, may we continue giving this massage?” Even her voice is smooth, we couldn’t help but dumbly nod and she moved to our arms taking care to each one at a time.

Crystal Empire – Northern District, Near House Onyx – mid afternoon
[Perspective Metal Heart]

I am just glad to be in this city after the hellish trip I’ve been through! This Stallion or Mare BETTER be worth all this celestia fucked adventure, if not somepony is getting the BEATING of a lifetime! Looking at the ‘letter of introduction’ with this ‘House Onyx’ symbol to help me point the way, which wasn’t hard because of how pristine and orderly this city was built, even the outer crystal walls were intimidating! Never had those mentioned in the history books or how Tribeist they are either, I’ll have to be careful on my hooves around them in this crystal mode, it’s funny how they are not mentioned in the unification story either..
Looking up in the distance in front there was a wagon line being inspected that held building materials I think for crystal buildings for this place, also those Guards at the gate there have this ‘House Onyx’ symbol on their chest plates. Taking a breath I walked up giving the best smile I could today but even they could tell it was forced. “Greetings sirs, I have a letter of introduction to be meeting with the Head of this house. The business is also stated in my letter here as well.” Offering it as the one on the right nodded to the left one, walking up to extend out a hand to take the letter than began to read it.
With their eyebrow going up the Right Guard asked this simple question, as the cold has been an annoying ass this whole time that only made my grudge for that inky bastard more passionate. “Thou are a mercenary hoping to be hired as personal guard?” His incredulous look alone made me want to vent my frustrations on the stallion for my trip, which with venom dripping from my voice replied.
“Why yes, I am otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the last trade caravan ALL the way up NORTH to here while breaking or damaging grabby stallions who didn’t understand the word ‘NO’, if you WANT a personal TEST of my combat prowess than go right ahead and make my day BETTER. If not PLEASE get a superior or a messenger while we both wait out here while you both do your jobs.” My eye must have twitched or something to cause him to flinch at some parts.
He slowly nodded moving back to the gate as even the worker ponies hauling materials gave me a wide birth just to not rile me up, oddly enough when a Knight Mare did come they held no fear what so ever in her eyes, guess she’s rather creepy with those eyes she has, all black except for those glowing amethyst irises, a very dark emerald coat with equally dark ruby red mane that was mostly hidden by her helmet. By looks alone she wasn’t somepony to mess with by her ready stance and hand hefting her Crystal Maul easily, how strong is this mare when it would take a normal pony two hands to wield that or a unicorn!
Apparently having seen my gawking she gave a smirk in return before motioning me closer with the hand holding the letter inside the walled area, even sizing me up with her gaze as I knew it didn’t feel right for a pony to be like that. “So thou are the mare who came with a Letter of Introduction to see Milord? From appearances we wonder how ‘effective’ thou would be against potential assassins to our generous divine blessed Duke.”
She gave off that very ‘radical’ type of mare with fervent beliefs, maybe gauged towards the apparent stallion I am meeting. “Yes I came with a Letter of Introduction also bringing some letters and books for him too from the same one who gave me that letter you are holding.” Adding to that by adjusting the duffle bag hanging from my shoulder and pointing to the letter in her Crystal Gauntlet covered hand. “Well at least for now we shall see, we will head to the Manor proper in the entry area than hand off thou letter to a servant to be read by our handsome Duke.”
Yup, going on the list of creepy radical ponies to watch out for saying the wrong thing, I wonder if the stallion’s a dick or if I’ll say something wrong and get my hoof stuck in my mouth? Eh. If it happens I will play it off as either myself being me or exhausted from traveling, if it doesn’t work maybe show off what none of these crystal ponies will ever likely have for a long time to prove my worthwhile dishing out the hurt.

[Inside the House Onyx Foyer]

Been waiting here now for about twenty minutes with Ms. Creepy eyes watching me like a griffin waiting for a reason to attack. Wow, whoever put this manor together went all out on this, even apparent self-portraits? He has some kind of inflated ego and looks to be a Crystal Unicorn…? That there is a mindfuck as he looks like King Sombra from the history books, wait a sec- “Greetings Traveler, our name is Sombra. Duke of the newly founded ‘House Onyx’, Soon Headmaster to the first Crystal Magic Academy and Royal Court Mage to the Crystal Empire. May we have thou name for formalities sake?”
I’m just too dumbfounded by the situation in front of my eyes, THIS?!? I WOULD HAVE SAID FUCK IT ALL IF HE TOLD ME THIS WAS THE STALLION! He must have seen the look on my face as I would have done something if that was not for a large dog figure hadn’t grabbed me from behind only for Creepy Eyes to smash the daylights out of me, oh look are those stars?

[Third Pony Perspective]

And out like a light she went having turned back into her ‘anthro’ metal self only furthering the confusion by Sombra saying this. “What by the maker is that..? Dark Faith, could thou be a dear and um, politely put ‘Metal Heart’ into an empty bunk? Also White Snout could thou please stay with Dark Faith to make sure nothing bad happens to either of them?”
There was only an excited nod before the larger shadow form Diamond Dog bounded out of the front door with an Armored Dark Faith behind her yelling out. “Slow down mutt as he said the both of us!” There came a sigh from Sombra as a Shadow form of a Griffin female holding a crystal sword in her talons appeared from behind him with a possible smirk from her blue glowing eye sockets and inside her beak. Leaving questions for our equally confused displaced and a knocked out pony in his custody.
Added on top a Dinner with TWO Crystal Princesses to plan for even though Crystal Clear said he had everything in hand for his ‘big night’, there was a final look of embarrassment at the ‘self-portraits’ of himself that Pandora had commissioned. “When did she have these done, also how? We never even posed for any of them.”