Chapter XXVII ~ Lady Swan

 The moon began its slow cross toward the white mountain crests above the frozen grey clouds that hovered as the storm began to quiet itself. A gentle hand and a small wand delicately took the silver key into the palm. Flora narrowed her eyes in study of it after noticing that the man in the bed had shifted again. His eyes fluttered, as if he were experiencing a dream. Even as the battle ensued, the father breathed, his brow furrowed with a sort of worry, as if he was listening… The vision in the pane was dark, almost deep purple as the Diamond was hidden inside something, but the conversations happening outside of it were more than they needed.

“She is staying strong, King Rayan,” Flora reassured, as though their charge were awake. “… no matter how dark it may seem now, there is always a light.”

“Sir Jiminy is with her now?” Merryweather asked after overlooking Richard’s still form in the bed.

“He is, and they are striving to get the fellowship back together.” Flora told her as she rose up from the bedside. “His very love is keeping them warm through this, but I have a feeling Quasimodo has been touched by the same darkness…”

Fauna closed her teary eyes, barely able to handle the thought of that, alone. “Please, you cannot say that, Flora…”

“Anyone who tries to have a go against her - ever - always gets in a fix, but there’s a way out of it.” Merryweather provided, out of experience that they have seen. “Magic has its way at the end of the day. I mean, just look at him.” she motioned at Richard who now lamely moved his arm aside by his head, a young air overtaking his face.

“Be that as it may ~ while she believes she has the upperhand, our planted seed will soon grow vast.” Flora uttered, quieted as they each observed the sleeping father. “Our post still stands, his heart is firm. The key remains warm enough, for the appointed time, that means their love is stronger than diamond, at this point. We must not judge with our eyes, ladies.”

*

Odette’s heart continued to feel bruised and fragile as she tread through, back towards the hallow with Quasimodo’s final words echoed through her mind. Besides the truth that no one was killed during the first attack over all of their minds, Jiminy was with her again, helping her to keep on the narrow path. She was beside herself most of the time, if she remembered correctly. Constantly weeping out, in mourning, until this very point was telling that was truly not herself at all. It was as though she was being morphed ever since she was pulled through the Mirror, and into this different reality. The other Maidens still did not blame her, or turn away from her, they always stayed so close, and so did their beloved Seven. Her heart felt hardened, her jaw was set and her once distant eyes were peeled and watchful. Going back to the promise she made, they had to return to the hallow, if there was to be any sort of progress.

Jiminy gave a short sigh of relief as he soon slipped down, quietly as he soothed a hand along the shimmering Diamond. He gazed into it for a moment, out of mere curiosity. As this was a means of connection between them and the Blue Fairy, there was so much more than they thought. Through the angles, Jiminy was able to see what Odette had seen during the bramble attack… It looked like the modern bedroom slide over closet, with a sort of shimmer flowing over like the sheen of a glass. 

During his silent discovery, Odette had found the hallow tree again as she had to enter inside to get herself warmed up again. She did not expect to find someone else inside… They were curled, and she recognized them while she froze for a second.

“… d-doc?” she gaped, her eyes blinking in disbelief. She watched him open his brown eyes at her and he straightened when he saw her.

“… odette~ O- Is that you?”

Jiminy poked out as she went right in and kneeled by Doc’s side. She gripped his hand, shaking her head. “… you are as cold as ice —“

“The thr-thorns, they tore you and Quasimodo away…” Doc began as she took her own cloak to drape him by her side with it. She nodded, the memory fresh in her mind.

“You’re with us now,” Jiminy gave, making himself known to the Dwarf that struck him with shock.

“I cannot believe — Jim, it’s you too! We thought —“

“While I once believed the same for all of you, I was taken to a dark land. I saw it…” Jiminy recalled. “… but it is best that we gather each other together, right now. Firecamp stories will have to wait… I was brought back by white wings, that’s all that matters now.”

Doc swallowed, blinking away tears of relief but he knew the current stakes fairly well. “… Quasimodo swept me — Sent me, ma’am…” he began, feeling her body hitch slightly at the news.

“Doc, you saw him… Where is he?”

“Oh, sweet lady… He went to head them off…” he told her, choked up. She rose her head up, leaning against the bark for a second in utter dread. Doc shivered. “He commanded I’d find you, take you back with me — Back to the Magistrate, above anythin’ else, m’lady.”

Odette nodded, even as she fought against the growing heat behind her eyes, as she knew this had to be the only way. Yet her heart was confident in the promises they made to each other, to the vow they kept… even now. “… we love you, ‘Ette…” she heard Doc tearfully say to her amidst the dark. “… he told me we’d keep you safe, no matter what may come…”

“… I love you all too, Doc,” she finally found her voice. “… since the Seventh Fall, through my mental breakdowns…” she gave a chuckle that came out as a near sob. “… even then, you all stuck with me.”

“It weren’t your fault, lady swan. It were never…” Doc denied.

“Lady swan?” she tasted this new name. “… never heard that one before.” she softened as a smile pulled the corner of her mouth. She sighed, pulling her watery gaze forward. “… and right now, the dawn is coming close, and I’ll be wearing my feathers again.” she uttered. “… but now that I have you both with me again, and I know there’s something going on, right now… as to why he’s never returned. Fidele is trapped out in the open. Did you see him, Doc?”

“I’ve, ma’am…” Doc nodded as he rubbed his hands together, in deep thought. “Isn’t right…”

“No. It isn’t…” Odette agreed, as she gazed out to the snow. “… here is what I have, right now… I’m going to hand you the Diamond, Doc and you and Jiminy will guard it as I fly over the thorns when we get the chance.”

“Odette —“ Doc worried, as he listened.

“No, no, trust me, please… It’s not so much me who needs protecting, it’s this stone… because - I know you’ve seen it too, Jiminy - my homestead can be seen inside it. It’s my father on the other side. And just today I’ve realized what this jewel is supposed to be. Not only did it give you the ability to speak to us as swans, Jiminy, but it’s a real link to home. To the truth, and its pulsing glow belongs to him - my father — It’s his heartbeat.”

Jiminy held a mark of determination in his eyes as he glanced down at the stone that warmed him and the pouch. “… I’ve been close to him, thanks to the Star Fairy, and I never realized until now. It’s precious, and I’m giving it to you as a beacon, all right, Doc? Once I change, I am going to fly over and scan, and I’ll return. The brooch broke off so I will just resemble a normal swan… At least I hope I will…”

“All right, m’lady… We will remain steer—Here while you go out there, but please, do be careful~”

“The snow would keep me hidden,” she confidently stated as she untied the strap that held the pouch and placed it lovingly into Doc’s palm. 

“You’ve returned, Odette… I see the light in your eyes again,” Doc noticed, with a sort of wistfulness in his husky voice.

“She was only asleep for a while, Doc…” Odette’s smile glowed at him, even as her eyes were teared up.

Once this was done, Jiminy had to leap down as he knew the moment was near… The pouch was passed on from the woman to the dwarf of the mine, as she was taking as much risk as Quasimodo had but this was necessary if their family were to reunite, and Fidele could be salvaged as well. The moment came though when a shred of light brightened over the mountains, and before their eyes as a ray of it burned through the clouds, striking the snow covered ground. It shot off the snow with a sharp gleam, right at Odette’s gaze. 

It only took a moment, but something had taken over the snow as a blizzard of it rose up and surrounded her, being led by a string of emerald shimmer that normally over took her and the Maidens on the lake and riversides. The snow was used the same way as liquid water… She ceased her breath, she winced and before their eyes her shadow changed as the sunlight brightened outside of the hallow. Jiminy felt the wind of her wings hit him, as Doc felt feathers sweep close to his face as he stepped back, after watching with such heartbreak. Both men opened their eyes to see the cloak shred onto the ground of pine needles~ Doc snagged it quick as a swan stood in Odette’s place, with open wings and an arched neck. She shivered and shook her tail… her black feet settling through the needles. It was the beat of her wings that startled them as the swan had flown out of the hallow that brought them the hope of reunion… Doc clutched the pouch firmly to his chest.

*

Forgiveness

His skin felt pulled and his stomach felt as though it had been ripped apart and filled with rocks. His bones rang with agony, which made him gasp out so intensely that his chest felt as though it might burst. Quasimodo felt the solidity of warmed rock directly beside him, the furs beneath him and strangely, he felt the odd coldness of a chain around his right wrist. A chain that was able to slip off easily from his massive, calloused hand. All he had over his own deformed hide was his own tunic that he normally wore under his vest. His hose remained, though torn at the ends… and he wound up barefoot.

Slow, at ease so that he would be gentle with himself, Quasimodo rose carefully to see where he was. Off somewhere he could not see for a moment, he picked up on the sound of a knife being sharpened on rock. With an ache in his neck, Quasimodo turned his cheek, with his pallor worsened so that dark circles dressed underneath his eyes.

There was another with him in this damp niche in the side of the rocky hillside, slouched on the otherside, sharpening a trusted tool in his glove. Green cap, ebony curtain of hair over his eyes, and a deep scowl written over his tensed mouth, they did not dare to look up as the vulnerable Woodsman roused. As he did rise, with the cloak sliding off of his body as he did, the other man rose his eyes to him… Solid, hardened green eyes, etched with pure regret. The sharpening stopped as soon as he saw the Woodsman had awakened. The scent of the morn, and the dampness of the niche filled his once burning lungs, as he gazed to the new sun above the clouds over the valley below them. They were close to the one place where it all happened… Shaken still, Quasimodo gazed down at his bruised and calloused palm…

“Forgive the chain ~” the other man spoke in a carved voice. “… Had I known you would change back, or if the mind wouldn’t last the night…” 

Quasimodo drew in ragged but deep breaths as he now leaned up with a deep groan erupting from his chest, his head pounding as loud as his bells, which was an age ago since he had heard them. Along his side, he felt a numbing pain of the gift that was left to him before he was struck with agony. 

There was a deep silence, filled in only by the resonating whistle of the winds and distant birds chiming. Quasimodo glanced to the iron link on the stone and then back at the man who he saved before it all took painful hold underneath the moon. Hours before his mass had filled the entire restraint… 

“… my dagger met your flesh. I didn’t dare come near you until I was sure you were… still there.” Humbert uttered, his green eyes never leaving Quasimodo’s aquamarine ones.

Quasimodo was now sat aside, with one leg bent while the other laid down folded underneath it. His arm rested on the knee, hung over, while he swallowed to speak. “… who are you?” he asked, his often soft voice reserved such love for Odette and the Knighthood, came out tensed and rough.

Humbert slowed his rhythmic scraping of his blade as he fought to collect the words. “Humbert,” he hummed, at first continuing his work, as if to leave it at that, but he went on. “… Once, I was a man of honor, of vigor, a hand to a crown that had begun this heinous war. Once, I was a man who was not in control of his own mind… Now, I am a man who owes a life debt to a shadow he was told to fear.”

Quasimodo lessened the tensity in his back and slightly leaned, however, the steely look his eyes held remained. “I have lived as a shadow, Humbert,” he replied, his voice painfully scraping in his throat. “…I have been called a monster by men who wore fine silk and spoke of God. I know what it is to be a puppet in someone else’s play.”

He shifted, a sharp wince crossing his face as the wound in his side pulled. He looked at his calloused palm, then back at the Huntsman.

"You say you owe a life debt. But a debt is just another chain, and I have had enough of those for one night." He paused, his aquamarine eyes locking onto Humbert’s green ones with an intensity that made the hunter still. "If you are a man of honor, then do not serve me. Serve the truth. These witches want a world of trophies—frozen, silent things they can keep in their halls. The woman they want ~” his voice soon cracked regarding her. “… the woman you were sent to ruin? She only wants a home… She only wants peace, and light. Light. S-serve that, if what you say is true and your mind is your own again…”

Humbert was silent as he watched Quasimodo soon move, who arched forward as he winced from the stab wound in his left side. A flare of agony erupted from his side. He gasped, his hand flying to his ribs where the tunic was dark and stiff with dried blood. The wound was not a clean one; the dagger had been jagged, and had torn out during the struggle. Humbert stood and slowly approached him, not with the precision of a killer, but of a humbled man.

“The blade was dipped in a poison… A potion meant to punish you.” Humbert enlightened as he knelt by the Woodsman. “… and it would seem her plot had succeeded.”

He offered a gloved hand to his thick shoulder to steady him. Quasimodo held a rare scathing look his eyes as he grimaced. Humbert tore a piece of the tunic to get a full scope of it, brow sharpened with focus before he got up to retreave things from his satchel bag. “Oh, to punish, was it?” Quasimodo asked, mainly to the universe itself. “… so she could claim ownership of other’s lives. As though they were tailored for her to keep, as though she were some deity.”

“It would seem so, as the both of us has tasted her emerald sick for quite some time.” Humbert deeply replied, as he came with a set of herbs and started crushing them with a stone.

“I was too blinded by the pain to remember much,” Quasimodo began as his wound was being tended to. It was a mirror toward Odette’s nightly transformations.  The vision of running through the snow, on all fours, was a literal clue. “The chain, I’d understand.”

“Moments after you had saved my life on that ledge, I thought you had died on the spot…” Humbert began to share his experience. “Her voice rang in my mind, as though this was some victory. The vest was torn, and there I touched a mound of a sharp coat of brown and amber. A paw, with razor black claws, instead of the hand that was used to pull me to life again,” 

Quasimodo’s gaze softened as he soon locked it on Humbert’s gaze, listening.

“The very creature I would hunt, on a fine day, mind you… Not a wolf, not a bird… A bear.”

Quasimodo’s gaze wavered as a lump burned in his throat. He could only mouth a simple ‘…right’ in honest response as he gazed away. He locked onto a stray vine of leaves on the other side of the niche. The bear… Odette’s bear came to mind. Sweeping through his hair, he then gazed out to the rising sun, knowing Odette and the Flock had just changed as soon as he had.

*

The sun touched the tips of her wings as she soared through the thin barked trees, her feathers providing a sort of barrier against the biting cold. The mere presence of the sun, however felt like wonders over her the skin beneath her pristine feathers. Yet her heart felt as though it was tearing under the weight of things ~ tortured by hope and love, over the fact that the light of the Diamond had grown stronger eased her once fragile faith by a mile. Quasimodo’s absence was all the more reason to be quick winged. Her shoulders burned, as did her back but she pushed on despite being so tired. The days were often very long, however given the circumstance, she was very grateful for the time given to her. It all changed with perspective, and by now - after so long - she was beginning to anger. 

By all means, as long as she could help it, she needed them all to be together again, forevermore. These awful, and painful tricks that were pulled over them, beginning even years before… All that foulplay was going to end entirely. Jiminy was almost killed for all they knew although they were always blessed in some way as they each endured on this journey. No longer idle, no longer robbed of memories, and no longer depressed. All there was left in her was her own anger, and passion. Odette beat her wings hard as she set her sights below after she came high enough in the canopies. 

The dried black brambles were so stark against the cruel snow, and made it so easy to see. Odette had not realized though of how far they were all separated — a reality that made her feathers stand on end. Many fears poured through her as she looked and twisted her head about, ever searching. Until, there was the sight of dark spots littering the snow from her height. It was the Parisians, camped out! She had to be careful though in her approach. If she was skittish, alone, then they had to be even more so. Claude Frollo was certainly one to have been launched into a fray, if she remembered well… his cry of rage was the pinnacle of panic and shattering, as sharp as thunder and lightning. As sharp as this cold over their bones… 

As pained as her bones were, to where it got to the point that she was nauseas from the exhaustion… The wind had grown so sharp, and harsh that her left wing was shoved high by the current of the wind and she had to dive down. Much to the sentries surprise and horror, especially in Grumpy’s eyes, a swan was falling down toward the forced encampment… a pile of white feathers struck the snow and rolled to a stop. The watchful men stood up in alarm, drawing out their swords towards her. When they did, Grumpy - wide eyed and sleepless - had bounded down from his watch, his heart nearly wanting to leap out of his chest at the sight of those feathers being blown and heaped.

“- No, ain’t touch her! Dont - you - stop!” he tore out, having his body cover hers entirely, with his pick at the ready to warn them if they got too close.

“It could be a spectre, Dwarf!” one of the soldiers spat, regarding that the bird held no Diamond, such as the woman who was lost during the separation.

Grumpy blinked when there was a moment of clarity, and gazed over the bird to be sure she was not hurt. His gruff hand, often roughened from his own life, soothed over the feathers which prompted her to raise her neck gently. She kept her head low and protected from the wind and snow with her arched wing.

“M’lady… lass. Is that you right here?” Grumpy asked, softening as he saw her trembling. “Quick, i’oits! Fetch a fur, anythin’!” he barked at the Sentries behind him. One of them shoved off to fetch it, Grumpy returned his attention back to her, gazing into her eyes. He could see the brown around the black, not hazed. That eye blinked softly at him, as she knew him. She swept her beak into his palm and started drawing a letter into the snow. The letter O, precisely.  

At once, when he was given a fur to cover her in, Grumpy kept his gaze locked on her, blinkless with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he draped her.

“Knew y’had it in ya, ‘Ette…” he whispered as he had gone on to carry her. He knew to whom as well… “… diamond’s gone, yer alone - “ he uttered, tucking her wings in and carefully lifted her, partially under his arm like a satchel. 

Odette tucked her head into her wing as he carried her, drawing in a worried quaked breath as she was in the mere disbelief that she had found the Parisians. It was as though the wind had blown her directly to them. Her heart was fairly tender, her love was out there, facing whatever shadow that was stalking them the very minute the thorn forest was formed. Claude Frollo was merely the beginning of their finding of him, in someway - in some sort of peace. She had a sickening feeling that something more had happened the night before, as to why Quasimodo had never returned to her. He was captured, deeply in her heart, she knew that. He was captured.

As this voyage had formed ultimate alliances alike amidst men and creatures of magic, Frollo remained in a frame of mind that prompted him to remain unpredictable. Within what was made do with what they had, in a weakening tent, Frollo was arched over a barrel overlooking an unraveled map. The tensity that thrived in his shoulders looked as sharp as glass as his breath was ragged and angry. Grumpy slowed in his step while he held a nearly shakened but steady hand hovered over the white bird’s head as he bowed slightly to the men guarding this space. The eyes of the men shimmered at the sight of the swan and knew to step aside to allow them inside. Within this tent, remained the Flock, who were transformed the exact same way as Odette was. Entirely by the snow as though with sharp purpose. As soon as the tarp was disturbed, each swan slowly peeked out from their feathers, as a few of them rose their heads from the mass of white huddled in the corner, for warmth. Frollo’s breath merely stopped as his body went frigid at the sound of Grumpy’s approach. 

“Honor,” Grumpy murmured, grave as he settled on one knee, delicately holding Odette close to himself. Frollo’s olive eyes widened, though still haunted before he swiftly turned his head. 

Eleonor’s feathers rose atop her head, and her black primaries flared in alertness. The Magistrate’s face was as white as the storm accursed as he turned his attention the Dwarf and his charge, kneeling to them with a single flourish of his torn cape. 

“It is her, sir~ Look at her eye.” Grumpy sincerely urged the leader as he came, so to not frighten her further. Frollo though, with the care he showed to Faer before, softly took her little head and held it in his palm. Her soft face and along her bill was chilled entirely even when she tucked her head into her wings. As he had done this, Frollo’s glimmering eyes focused on this beauty’s eyes, seeing a deep, dark brown around the pupils. Tears pooled in the corners of them, as well as his own. Odette softly blinked, comforted by the greeting, yet he could tell she was not well.

“Eyes as clear as the sun. No trace of haze or confusion. She is certain.” Frollo acknowledged, but he had to get straight to the point. “… yet you bring her to me bare, chilled and alone. Alone, daughter… Quasimodo, and your Diamond, dear woman. What has happened!?”

Odette closed her eyes as Grumpy softly set her down fully, pained in having to do so, and the fur around her slide off. She gazed at her sisters. She had to fan out her wings and tail to regain some feeling, but her feet wobbled a little before she slumped down again. Claude leveled her more, his face hard but attentive, his lips forming a near clench as he stayed in front of her. She was trying to communicate by raising her neck toward the barrel at the ink and quill… Grumpy was quick to snag it and bring it, with parchment… and settled it in front of Odette. The sisters watched with worry as she began to work. 

First, with the tip of her bill, Odette knocked the inkwell over and dipped her bill into the puddle. On the parchment, she wearily began to draw… She swept jagged lines to describe the thorn walls, and then beside it she drew an arch with dotted two specks in the center of the arch. Those two dots represented Jiminy and Doc. Then, underneath those specks, she drew a diamond shape. 

“They keep the Diamond, who is though? Quasimodo?” Frollo asked. At that, Odette sorrowfully shook her head. As tears run and drip off her face, she continued. 

Beside the arch she drew what looked like a pick axe, and a parasol before gazing up at the Magistrate. For a moment she stared down at the parchment, as if in dread in what to draw next…

“Doc. Doc got trapped in the brambles… Couldn’t get to ‘im, and Jim? Jim is with ‘im?” Grumpy stammered.

“You have accounted for the lost miner, and your Voice, Odette… but you hesitate.” Frollo whispered, dangerously low. “… you tremble for the one you have not drawn, child.”

His thin hand drew close to her, softly stroking her bill upward to his gaze. “… show me, my dear. Show him to me. Show us where my son has fallen.” he told her, his heart close to splintering with her own.

Odette folded herself in for a moment as she settled herself. It was difficult to weep in this form. She obeyed, and dipped one speck under the arch, but then drew a long line towards an unknown end and drew an X. After that she gazed up at them, signaling that was all she knew. Frollo eased back as this deathly chill ignited  beneath his dented chest plate. His jaw was hung and clenched.

Odette… she heard Ida from the corner. Do not think that it is so…

He had gone out for me. For the shadow that stalked us… He told me to stay, he told me to find you…  Odette expressed to her flock as they slowly came and huddled around her to get her warm. Frollo rose right when he saw that she was tended to and she was safe with his ranks again. Grumpy swiped his eyes over his arm before he rose up, with his eyes locked onto the image drawn on that parchment.

Frollo drew in a grated breath as he rose, locking a cold resolve at Grumpy. “I am to ready my mount,” he then told him. “Guard them with your life as I ride out for this hallow, and surely Quasimodo’s soul shall follow.” he fatally stated, with in an inner fire before flourishing out of the tent. 

Even as the storm was falling to rest, as soon as they saw Frollo move directly towards his horse, the knights rose and began saddling their horses. Within the warmth of the tent though, Odette curled as close to herself as possible. Grumpy tore through a basket of wools and tore out a blanket.

Jiminy Cricket is alive! And Doc was searching for me… Odette continued to speak to her sisters as she was being preened. Eleonor was corncobbing her neck to get the blood flowing as Odette shivered. Quasimodo and I had found a hallow after we were torn away from you. I had given the diamond to them, to keep them warm while I came to look for you all… My wings were all I had that had the hope of finding you…

Jiminy has returned! Dorothea wept with her, swaying her head from one side of the tent to the other. 

Quasimodo, dearest~ He has not returned?? Mary feared.

No… Someone was tracking us, a-and so he had gone to head them off. I never saw him again… and Fidele is tied to a tree near the hallow. A trap of wills~ and Jiminy was able to warn me to come to you first.

Oh, Odette~

I remember myself again… It all returned before the thorns came. Before we ever landed, I remember who I am… That was when this storm hit, as soon as we kissed. It all changed… Odette recalled, along with them as she began to feel her legs again. It will never - I will never allow it to touch my mind ever again — especially after she is trying to tear us all apart. My heart is won, and she knows it… She has no heart.

Dopey tore into the tent, along with Happy as soon as they had gotten word of Odette returning to them, as the knights were riding out back into the storm to retrieve the two missing comrades and the jewel protecting them. Dopey’s young eyes became a beautiful display of devotion that no words could describe as he held his fists to his mouth to keep from weeping out. He fell down to her and drew her into a silently tearful hug. 

“She is unspoiled!” Happy’s often airy voice came out rough as he gazed at the softened Grumpy. “She came to us, she truly came…”

“She came alone…” Grumpy spoke as his other brothers entered the tent with them. Even Faer had come in, arched back and in his elven form as soon as he got the chance. “Our flock is complete but at a price, men… When Doc had been caught on the other side, he set out to seek her. It has been told to us that Jiminy is with him now, in a hallow. Quasimodo …”

“Grumpy, please don’t —“

“ — His well being is unknown…”

“If he were truly gone we would know, yes?” Bashful tried to cling to hope. “Would the Diamond tell us?”

“Cannot - No -“ Sneezy was passionate. “… we ain’t goin’ that route, thinkin’ he’d just offed hi’self, I mean, the ladies saw ‘em kiss!”

“That explains the storm an’ the walls, our lovely lady black is havin’ a fit.” Grumpy claimed after standing up, having provided Odette with more warmth. Faer pulled back as they conversed, slowly coming out of that blank slate in his mind after he was struck in the storm as well. Tightening his sandal, Faer began to run back into the fray and flew off…