Chapter 47.5 – Isha and Zern’s Date
Bonus chapter. This one is heavily 18+ and not relevant for the main events.
“Are you sure you are fine with this place?” Zern asked, as they were sipping on their honey beer, while Isha lit a cigarette, puffing out a big cloud of smoke from between her rosy lips. They were sitting in a small pub, along the narrow roads of the Capital, close to the Cheese District.
“Yup! I like this place. I never liked any of the fancy, snobbish establishments anyway! Did you forget? I was the organizer of our brothels!” Isha grinned widely “I’m more at home in a place like this!”
“You’re right, I did forget that. Was it hard work?” He asked as he also lit up a cigarette and leaned back in his chair.
“Not really. Mostly it was administrative work, taking inventory every week, checking on the girls, doing a headcount. There were managers at every establishment. If something tricky or important came up that they couldn’t solve alone, then they came to me. I usually stayed at the biggest one, helping out in the lobby. I liked being behind the bar’s counter. You can see a lot of interesting faces there and hear wild stories, especially if you get them drunk enough!”
“Did you…”
“No.” She shook her head “At least not after the Boss took me in. Before all that… yes. I did work as a prostitute.” She said with a calm voice but her eyes reflected some worry. She wouldn’t hide it from anybody, especially not now. It would have been pointless anyway.
“It must have been hard!” Zern sighed, placing his hand on hers.
“Sometimes.” She smiled a little but her face looked more sad than happy. “I didn’t have many options back then.”
“You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to.” He looked into Isha’s eyes, trying to show he did not mind her past.
“Why not? It’s not a secret!” Isha replied as she took a big gulp from her beer. “I was an orphan, growing up on the streets. I was used by others pretty soon as I couldn’t fight back. Guys of my age always had their rods standing upwards… And I was weak, a perfect prey for them. Later on I took advantage of that, offered myself up in exchange for stuff. It prevented more painful encounters from happening again.”
“Isha… It’s okay…” Zern said as he immediately sat beside her, holding both of her hands, stroking them gently.
“You act like Boss…” She sighed, rolling her eyes “I’ve grown up, you know! I learnt to deal with it. It’s just… I want you to know where I come from, I don’t want you to hear it from other places and think that I… you know… still doing… things.”
“Why would I think anything like that? You did what you did, everyone has their past! I know you now, and I have fallen for you because of who you are, not who you were or what you did! You are a strong girl, I admire that!”
“Tsk… you are a smooth talker, are you not?” Isha smiled, leaning closer and kissing him on the lips. “Also not a bad kisser huh~? What a surprise~”
“Who said I never had a girlfriend?” He chuckled as an answer.
“Oh~? So you had? Speak~” She laughed, getting into his lap.
“It was a childhood friend of mine, growing up together, then going out, but it just did not work out when I landed the job at the Guards. Long hours, working in different shifts every week or on weekends and what not. She did not like that I was not with her as much as before.”
“What a child!” Isha said, rolling her eyes “So what? You should be a bum, just to follow her around?”
“No, it's just… Anyway, it did not work out so we broke up. No hard feelings!” He shook his head.
“It’s her loss! Do you still meet her from time to time?”
“Not really. I was rarely home and since I’m under Master’s tutelage I only go home once or twice a month. I don’t even know if she is still living next door or not. But why?”
“Just curious~” She stuck her tongue out.
“Okay, then let me ask you too, what about Boursat?”
“I settled it.” Isha answered promptly.
“Like?”
“I sorted out everything within me. Yes, I really loved him once. He found me on the streets, I tried to sell myself to him for a quick meal but he just fed me without laying a hand on me at all! Soon it became a routine and then he took me in, trained me and then I started to learn reading, writing, math, history, everything! Under him I had a normal life and later on, I helped him wherever I could.”
“He is a good man.” Zern nodded, hearing her story.
“If you say this to him, he will refute you. He calls himself pragmatic. Or something like that! He is strict but fair. I really loved him but I needed to realize, he sees me as a daughter. No matter how much I grew up, it never changed. I was stuck with the feeling I need to repay him, anyway possible! Maybe later it wasn't even love anymore, just an obsession, that I need to be his to not be alone again!” Isha whispered at the end, leaning against him, without noticing.
“You aren’t. You have us now too!” Zern smiled, as he held her, caressing her arms that held onto him.
“Yeah…” She nodded with a faint, innocent smile “I never knew you could talk this much.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Because usually you just nod, say a few words, then do Ren’s biddings!” She teased him.
“I’m not someone who likes to talk unnecessarily. But hey, if you like it I can cut back now too!”
“No, I like it like this~” Isha whispered, listening to his voice.
“Okay.”
“I said no~” She moaned, looking at him.
“Roger.”
“Fuck you…!” Isha laughed as she suddenly attacked his lips, sharing a passionate kiss with Zern. When their lips parted it left a long trail of their saliva, still clinging to each other. When it finally broke she leaned closer again. “Or me... “ she whispered into his ears, making him blush “Ahahaha, what~? You didn’t do THAT yet?”
“We did it’s just… so… she never was this pushy and…” Zern answered, stuttering a little.
“Only at night? Under the blanket~?” She teased him again.
“How did you know?” Zern asked, truly surprised.
“Ahahaha! A wild guess!”
“You are strong....”
“Huh? Why? What now?” She tilted her head, curious.
“Because of what you went through you can still see it this way…”
“Mmmm, it’s different now!” She answered, biting onto her lips, looking into Zern’s eyes.
“In what way?”
“That kind of sex was work. I never took it as entertainment, or enjoyment. It was nothing much, just work and acting if it paid more.”
“And now?”
“Honestly? I feel excited! It’s a strange feeling. A new one~ Now I feel like I want to do it~ For free~” Isha joked a little as she leaned closer, biting onto his earlobe playfully.
“If I pay for the beer, is it still considered free?” Zern asked, holding her waist.
“Touché~ What a snarky little boy you are eh? But it’s okay, you can be~ If you don’t mind that Big Sis is going to be rough with you as a punishment~”
“Big Sis eh? I tend to forget you are tripl- ouch!” He yelped out as he felt his ear stinging.
“Careful what you say now or next! I’m have a sharp teeth~ Bad boy~”
“Yeaaaah… they always say don’t bring up a woman’s age.”
“Yes, follow that wise advice! Come, let’s go!” She moaned, getting up from his lap, pulling him up too.
“To where? The bath?”
“Nah, let’s skip that! Just follow me~” Isha dragged Zern out of the bar, leaving the coins on the table while they walked out, closely entangled.
After walking through the streets, soon they stopped at a small, closed shop that had the “General Goods” sign fixed atop its main door. It was already really faded and the windows’ shutters were closed and nailed in. It didn’t seem like it was used for a long time.
“Why are we here?”
“It’s a quiet place.” Isha said as she took out a key, opening the front door and inviting him in. “The owner owed us a lot, he was a gambling addict.”
“Was?” Zern asked as he came inside, and the shop was completely redesigned inside. Now it was a cozy home, with a large bed, fireplace, cupboards, bookshelves and it even had its own shower installed, separated by a curtain, in the far corner.
“Yup! He robbed someone he shouldn’t have and got his throat cut. But who cares about that! I took it over and Boss let me use it as my own home.” told him Isha, closing the door behind them, locking it tight.
“You live here?” Zern blinked his eyes surprisedly.
“Not really. But I have it as a retreat when I want to be alone. You are the first one I brought here~”Isha giggled, as she turned and held onto his neck, looking into his eyes.
“I’m honored~” Zern muttered, unable to blink and just watch Isha’s eyes.
“You should be!” She moaned as she kissed him and soon she felt Zern’s strong hands wandering down from her back towards her hip. “Just go for it~” She whispered between two passionate kisses, when their lips separated, connected by their own mix of saliva again.
Zern, letting out his feelings, soon placed his hands onto her round bottom, grabbing into it with a firm grip, letting his fingers sink into her soft cheeks, lightly lifting her up. Isha didn’t hesitate and just jumped, clutching her legs around Zern’s waist while continuing her assault on his lips. In the end they landed on the bed, as Zern lost his balance, falling onto his back.
“You sure are aggressive!” Zern gasped for air, while Isha’s eyes were sparkling with wild joy.
“Because I never felt something like this… Zern… I really want this, I feel like my powers are burning me up inside… I need you~” Isha moaned, sitting atop of him as she took off her clothes, letting her breasts jiggle with hypnotic movements, dancing in front of Zern to the tune of gravity. “You like them~?”
“Y-yes…” Zern nodded as he was unable to tear his eyes away from them.
“Then what are you waiting for?” She laughed softly, like an enchantress as she leaned over him, pressing them onto his face.
Soon Zern was holding onto her back, and her soft breasts caressed his face before he took one into his mouth, starting to suck on it, grabbing hold of Isha’s stiff, cherry colored nipple with his lips, flicking it with his tongue.
“Ahaha, like a big baby~” Isha moaned, while she got rid of his pants and the rest of her clothing, pressing her body onto him, letting his stiff rod throb between their bodies, feeling it up with her belly. “I wonder, how hard it could get if you use your powers~”
“Dunno…” Zern’s muffled answer came quietly, before Isha sat up on him, holding it between her puffy, smooth lower lips, grinding on it slowly. Her hot, wet, bare, puffy lips quickly soaked Zern’s groin in her own nectar. “But if I do that I won’t feel as much as normally.” Zern added in the end, lost in the pleasure he was already feeling.
“Shame~” She licked her lips, looking down at him before slowly raising her hips, getting hold of his shaft, gently sitting down on it, letting out a satisfied, loud moan. “But you should enjoy my body, I’m pretty proud of it~”
“I do… I do enjoy it very much~ You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen! Without clothes… you are like the goddess of fertility~”
“Ahahaha, sureeee~” Isha laughed as she started to move, slowly grinding and riding on him, getting faster and faster as the seconds passed. “Mmmm, you are pressing me at the best spots~”
“And you are wrapping around me like nothing I ever felt before… it’s so hot in you~” Zern gasped, holding onto her waist, following her movements.
“Of course it’s hot~ I’m burning for you, all over my body~” She giggled as she leaned forward while speeding up her waist’s movement.
Soon the whole room was filled with the sound of their bodies slamming against each other, as the symphony of their love was orchestrating a beautiful, spring serenade. They were completely lost in one another's body and the pleasure they gave to each other. It was the first time for Isha to feel it this intensively. Her body was aching for more as she was heating up at every inch, crying out for something to wash this craving away. She couldn’t hold back her voice, not that she ever would, letting it out happily, looking into Zern’s eyes while smiling innocently. Zern was mesmerized by her beauty and the pleasure she shared with him was out of this world.
“I love you…” Zern moaned, letting his feelings out without thinking, and the soft, three words were followed by a strong pulse as he released everything he stored up until now, deep into Isha’s womb, confirming what he said with his rod’s actions.
Hearing him saying that, looking into her eyes, then followed by the pleasure of his seed, splashing all over her deepest parts, landing on the fire burning inside her, sent Isha over the peak, making her moan out again. Her body trembled, arching backwards, never before reacting so intensely to something like this. For a moment she forgot everything and just let the wild joy and satisfaction wash away her thoughts and conscious mind.
“I… I can’t… breath!” Isha moaned again, gasping for air as her body convulsed over and over, falling onto him. She felt like crying, experiencing a kind of happiness she never did before. “Hold me…” She whispered, almost sounding like a whimper as they laid there, their bodies sticking together, melting into one being.
It took them long minutes before either of them regained some composure as they bathed in the pleasure of being one and connected in the deepest level one can possibly be.
“That was… something else…” Isha moaned again, looking up at his face
“It was… you were incredible.” her boyfriend nodded.
“Of course~” Isha giggled, pecking his neck.
“Remember what you asked?” Zern smiled suddenly, with a playful expression that was rare, coming from him.
“Mmmh? Oh? Ohhh?!” Isha trembled strongly as she realized something became really hard inside of her all of a sudden. It was quickly lighting the flame in her, that just subsided a moment ago. “Baaad Zern~ Bad~” She licked hers then his lips, before getting off of him. Turning and laying on her stomach, raising her hips towards him, she looked over her shoulder “I’m tired~ You do the moving now~”
“Sure thing~” Zern answered with a grin as his lower part was glittering not just because of Isha’s love juices, dripping from it still, but because it was shining in a metallic luster.
“And Zern…” Isha said as her red hair stuck to her wet body.
“Yes?”
“Don’t hold back…!” Isha moaned and soon the room was filled once again with their passionate spring music, giving an encore to the world.
Chapter 47.5 – Isha and Zern’s Date
Bonus chapter. This one is heavily 18+ and not relevant for the main events.
“Are you sure you are fine with this place?” Zern asked, as they were sipping on their honey beer, while Isha lit a cigarette, puffing out a big cloud of smoke from between her rosy lips. They were sitting in a small pub, along the narrow roads of the Capital, close to the Cheese District.
“Yup! I like this place. I never liked any of the fancy, snobbish establishments anyway! Did you forget? I was the organizer of our brothels!” Isha grinned widely “I’m more at home in a place like this!”
“You’re right, I did forget that. Was it hard work?” He asked as he also lit up a cigarette and leaned back in his chair.
“Not really. Mostly it was administrative work, taking inventory every week, checking on the girls, doing a headcount. There were managers at every establishment. If something tricky or important came up that they couldn’t solve alone, then they came to me. I usually stayed at the biggest one, helping out in the lobby. I liked being behind the bar’s counter. You can see a lot of interesting faces there and hear wild stories, especially if you get them drunk enough!”
“Did you…”
“No.” She shook her head “At least not after the Boss took me in. Before all that… yes. I did work as a prostitute.” She said with a calm voice but her eyes reflected some worry. She wouldn’t hide it from anybody, especially not now. It would have been pointless anyway.
“It must have been hard!” Zern sighed, placing his hand on hers.
“Sometimes.” She smiled a little but her face looked more sad than happy. “I didn’t have many options back then.”
“You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to.” He looked into Isha’s eyes, trying to show he did not mind her past.
“Why not? It’s not a secret!” Isha replied as she took a big gulp from her beer. “I was an orphan, growing up on the streets. I was used by others pretty soon as I couldn’t fight back. Guys of my age always had their rods standing upwards… And I was weak, a perfect prey for them. Later on I took advantage of that, offered myself up in exchange for stuff. It prevented more painful encounters from happening again.”
“Isha… It’s okay…” Zern said as he immediately sat beside her, holding both of her hands, stroking them gently.
“You act like Boss…” She sighed, rolling her eyes “I’ve grown up, you know! I learnt to deal with it. It’s just… I want you to know where I come from, I don’t want you to hear it from other places and think that I… you know… still doing… things.”
“Why would I think anything like that? You did what you did, everyone has their past! I know you now, and I have fallen for you because of who you are, not who you were or what you did! You are a strong girl, I admire that!”
“Tsk… you are a smooth talker, are you not?” Isha smiled, leaning closer and kissing him on the lips. “Also not a bad kisser huh~? What a surprise~”
“Who said I never had a girlfriend?” He chuckled as an answer.
“Oh~? So you had? Speak~” She laughed, getting into his lap.
“It was a childhood friend of mine, growing up together, then going out, but it just did not work out when I landed the job at the Guards. Long hours, working in different shifts every week or on weekends and what not. She did not like that I was not with her as much as before.”
“What a child!” Isha said, rolling her eyes “So what? You should be a bum, just to follow her around?”
“No, it's just… Anyway, it did not work out so we broke up. No hard feelings!” He shook his head.
“It’s her loss! Do you still meet her from time to time?”
“Not really. I was rarely home and since I’m under Master’s tutelage I only go home once or twice a month. I don’t even know if she is still living next door or not. But why?”
“Just curious~” She stuck her tongue out.
“Okay, then let me ask you too, what about Boursat?”
“I settled it.” Isha answered promptly.
“Like?”
“I sorted out everything within me. Yes, I really loved him once. He found me on the streets, I tried to sell myself to him for a quick meal but he just fed me without laying a hand on me at all! Soon it became a routine and then he took me in, trained me and then I started to learn reading, writing, math, history, everything! Under him I had a normal life and later on, I helped him wherever I could.”
“He is a good man.” Zern nodded, hearing her story.
“If you say this to him, he will refute you. He calls himself pragmatic. Or something like that! He is strict but fair. I really loved him but I needed to realize, he sees me as a daughter. No matter how much I grew up, it never changed. I was stuck with the feeling I need to repay him, anyway possible! Maybe later it wasn't even love anymore, just an obsession, that I need to be his to not be alone again!” Isha whispered at the end, leaning against him, without noticing.
“You aren’t. You have us now too!” Zern smiled, as he held her, caressing her arms that held onto him.
“Yeah…” She nodded with a faint, innocent smile “I never knew you could talk this much.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Because usually you just nod, say a few words, then do Ren’s biddings!” She teased him.
“I’m not someone who likes to talk unnecessarily. But hey, if you like it I can cut back now too!”
“No, I like it like this~” Isha whispered, listening to his voice.
“Okay.”
“I said no~” She moaned, looking at him.
“Roger.”
“Fuck you…!” Isha laughed as she suddenly attacked his lips, sharing a passionate kiss with Zern. When their lips parted it left a long trail of their saliva, still clinging to each other. When it finally broke she leaned closer again. “Or me... “ she whispered into his ears, making him blush “Ahahaha, what~? You didn’t do THAT yet?”
“We did it’s just… so… she never was this pushy and…” Zern answered, stuttering a little.
“Only at night? Under the blanket~?” She teased him again.
“How did you know?” Zern asked, truly surprised.
“Ahahaha! A wild guess!”
“You are strong....”
“Huh? Why? What now?” She tilted her head, curious.
“Because of what you went through you can still see it this way…”
“Mmmm, it’s different now!” She answered, biting onto her lips, looking into Zern’s eyes.
“In what way?”
“That kind of sex was work. I never took it as entertainment, or enjoyment. It was nothing much, just work and acting if it paid more.”
“And now?”
“Honestly? I feel excited! It’s a strange feeling. A new one~ Now I feel like I want to do it~ For free~” Isha joked a little as she leaned closer, biting onto his earlobe playfully.
“If I pay for the beer, is it still considered free?” Zern asked, holding her waist.
“Touché~ What a snarky little boy you are eh? But it’s okay, you can be~ If you don’t mind that Big Sis is going to be rough with you as a punishment~”
“Big Sis eh? I tend to forget you are tripl- ouch!” He yelped out as he felt his ear stinging.
“Careful what you say now or next! I’m have a sharp teeth~ Bad boy~”
“Yeaaaah… they always say don’t bring up a woman’s age.”
“Yes, follow that wise advice! Come, let’s go!” She moaned, getting up from his lap, pulling him up too.
“To where? The bath?”
“Nah, let’s skip that! Just follow me~” Isha dragged Zern out of the bar, leaving the coins on the table while they walked out, closely entangled.
After walking through the streets, soon they stopped at a small, closed shop that had the “General Goods” sign fixed atop its main door. It was already really faded and the windows’ shutters were closed and nailed in. It didn’t seem like it was used for a long time.
“Why are we here?”
“It’s a quiet place.” Isha said as she took out a key, opening the front door and inviting him in. “The owner owed us a lot, he was a gambling addict.”
“Was?” Zern asked as he came inside, and the shop was completely redesigned inside. Now it was a cozy home, with a large bed, fireplace, cupboards, bookshelves and it even had its own shower installed, separated by a curtain, in the far corner.
“Yup! He robbed someone he shouldn’t have and got his throat cut. But who cares about that! I took it over and Boss let me use it as my own home.” told him Isha, closing the door behind them, locking it tight.
“You live here?” Zern blinked his eyes surprisedly.
“Not really. But I have it as a retreat when I want to be alone. You are the first one I brought here~”Isha giggled, as she turned and held onto his neck, looking into his eyes.
“I’m honored~” Zern muttered, unable to blink and just watch Isha’s eyes.
“You should be!” She moaned as she kissed him and soon she felt Zern’s strong hands wandering down from her back towards her hip. “Just go for it~” She whispered between two passionate kisses, when their lips separated, connected by their own mix of saliva again.
Zern, letting out his feelings, soon placed his hands onto her round bottom, grabbing into it with a firm grip, letting his fingers sink into her soft cheeks, lightly lifting her up. Isha didn’t hesitate and just jumped, clutching her legs around Zern’s waist while continuing her assault on his lips. In the end they landed on the bed, as Zern lost his balance, falling onto his back.
“You sure are aggressive!” Zern gasped for air, while Isha’s eyes were sparkling with wild joy.
“Because I never felt something like this… Zern… I really want this, I feel like my powers are burning me up inside… I need you~” Isha moaned, sitting atop of him as she took off her clothes, letting her breasts jiggle with hypnotic movements, dancing in front of Zern to the tune of gravity. “You like them~?”
“Y-yes…” Zern nodded as he was unable to tear his eyes away from them.
“Then what are you waiting for?” She laughed softly, like an enchantress as she leaned over him, pressing them onto his face.
Soon Zern was holding onto her back, and her soft breasts caressed his face before he took one into his mouth, starting to suck on it, grabbing hold of Isha’s stiff, cherry colored nipple with his lips, flicking it with his tongue.
“Ahaha, like a big baby~” Isha moaned, while she got rid of his pants and the rest of her clothing, pressing her body onto him, letting his stiff rod throb between their bodies, feeling it up with her belly. “I wonder, how hard it could get if you use your powers~”
“Dunno…” Zern’s muffled answer came quietly, before Isha sat up on him, holding it between her puffy, smooth lower lips, grinding on it slowly. Her hot, wet, bare, puffy lips quickly soaked Zern’s groin in her own nectar. “But if I do that I won’t feel as much as normally.” Zern added in the end, lost in the pleasure he was already feeling.
“Shame~” She licked her lips, looking down at him before slowly raising her hips, getting hold of his shaft, gently sitting down on it, letting out a satisfied, loud moan. “But you should enjoy my body, I’m pretty proud of it~”
“I do… I do enjoy it very much~ You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen! Without clothes… you are like the goddess of fertility~”
“Ahahaha, sureeee~” Isha laughed as she started to move, slowly grinding and riding on him, getting faster and faster as the seconds passed. “Mmmm, you are pressing me at the best spots~”
“And you are wrapping around me like nothing I ever felt before… it’s so hot in you~” Zern gasped, holding onto her waist, following her movements.
“Of course it’s hot~ I’m burning for you, all over my body~” She giggled as she leaned forward while speeding up her waist’s movement.
Soon the whole room was filled with the sound of their bodies slamming against each other, as the symphony of their love was orchestrating a beautiful, spring serenade. They were completely lost in one another's body and the pleasure they gave to each other. It was the first time for Isha to feel it this intensively. Her body was aching for more as she was heating up at every inch, crying out for something to wash this craving away. She couldn’t hold back her voice, not that she ever would, letting it out happily, looking into Zern’s eyes while smiling innocently. Zern was mesmerized by her beauty and the pleasure she shared with him was out of this world.
“I love you…” Zern moaned, letting his feelings out without thinking, and the soft, three words were followed by a strong pulse as he released everything he stored up until now, deep into Isha’s womb, confirming what he said with his rod’s actions.
Hearing him saying that, looking into her eyes, then followed by the pleasure of his seed, splashing all over her deepest parts, landing on the fire burning inside her, sent Isha over the peak, making her moan out again. Her body trembled, arching backwards, never before reacting so intensely to something like this. For a moment she forgot everything and just let the wild joy and satisfaction wash away her thoughts and conscious mind.
“I… I can’t… breath!” Isha moaned again, gasping for air as her body convulsed over and over, falling onto him. She felt like crying, experiencing a kind of happiness she never did before. “Hold me…” She whispered, almost sounding like a whimper as they laid there, their bodies sticking together, melting into one being.
It took them long minutes before either of them regained some composure as they bathed in the pleasure of being one and connected in the deepest level one can possibly be.
“That was… something else…” Isha moaned again, looking up at his face
“It was… you were incredible.” her boyfriend nodded.
“Of course~” Isha giggled, pecking his neck.
“Remember what you asked?” Zern smiled suddenly, with a playful expression that was rare, coming from him.
“Mmmh? Oh? Ohhh?!” Isha trembled strongly as she realized something became really hard inside of her all of a sudden. It was quickly lighting the flame in her, that just subsided a moment ago. “Baaad Zern~ Bad~” She licked hers then his lips, before getting off of him. Turning and laying on her stomach, raising her hips towards him, she looked over her shoulder “I’m tired~ You do the moving now~”
“Sure thing~” Zern answered with a grin as his lower part was glittering not just because of Isha’s love juices, dripping from it still, but because it was shining in a metallic luster.
“And Zern…” Isha said as her red hair stuck to her wet body.
“Yes?”
“Don’t hold back…!” Isha moaned and soon the room was filled once again with their passionate spring music, giving an encore to the world.
