"Holy shit that was a long flight" Lawan muttered. She handed Kinnika to Keith to stretch. Bending her legs and twisting about, she sighed. "She said our ride would be here" Keith said looking around. "Keith. That girl is waving at you. You know her?" she asked. Keith looked across baggage claim terminal to look. "Nope" he replied. She ran to them. "You're Keith right? Lemme see" she said looking at her phone. "Yep. It's you. I'm Rose, Lilly's daughter" she said. "Oh! Now you mention it you do look similar" Keith said. "The car is outside. Kyle can help with the bags" she said pointing to a young man dressed finely. "Kyle?" Keith asked. "Our driver. Kyle, their bags please?" Rose said. He bowed slightly and stood next to the conveyor belt. "Hungry?" she asked. "What time is it?" Lawan asked. "3:20 local" Rose replied. "That and then some. I just want to relax a bit. Been awhile since I held this size for so long. That and doing for two" she replied looking at her baby. "Feel free to shrink once we get on the road" Rose said.

"How is everyone?" Keith asked. "Claire is busy training with mom. Aspen is doing the last fitting. Thomas and Rachel are expecting next week. It's hectic but in a good way" Rose replied smiling. "...what about my son?" Keith asked. "Luke? Healthy and cute" she replied. Keith silently nodded. "Oh. I haven't introduced my wife and daughter. This is Lawan and this little bundle is my daughter Kannika" he said. "She's so tiny!" Rose squealed. "Imagine so. She's a week old today" Keith replied. Rose smiled petting the light black hair on the baby's forehead. "Mistress" Kyle said holding the baggage. "Of course. This way" Rose said. She led them to the silver Range Rover that was their car. Kyle tossed the bags in the back and opened the doors for them. "Butlers. How English" Lawan chuckled. Kyle started the car and proceeded home. Getting on The M1, Rose told Lawan the coast was clear.

Lawan groaned as she let the spell slip away shrinking her and the baby. Keith protectively held them both in his hands. "I'm surprised you didn't shrink too" Rose said looking in the rear-view mirror. "Don't need to. I use a different type of magic from them" he said. "That arcane right?" Rose asked. "Yep. What Lawan or your mother does is pure spell craft. Using their own bodies to cast magic. What arcane is spell bending. Using symbols to draw magic out and twist the effect to our desire. Stamina isn't much of an issue for that" he replied. "Seems like arcane is better" Rose said. "No. The opposite. Arcane takes time to do. A simple typo can fuck everything up to dangerous levels. Plus, the bigger flashier spells require blood.  In a one on one fight between an arcane user and a true mage, the Mage wins hands down...unless you're creative" he replied smiling. "I'm versed in some magic. Normally I’m tiny like borrowers and such. A wind spell here, flame spell there" she said. "And you said Claire is training?" Keith asked.

"For an entire week nonstop. She wants to fight Keith. She wants to be a Fae" she replied. "I didn't want her involved in this" he hissed. "That ship sailed when Ebonheart ate her. Can't blame her decision. If it was me, I'd rather die on my feet than my knees" Rose said. "I rather you not" Kyle muttered. "Silly. I have no plans of dying" Rose said patting his hand. "Claire said you have a boyfriend. A human one" Keith said. "True. A happy open relationship" she smiled. "Open?" Lawan asked. "Open as we have no secrets" she replied. "So he knows what you are" Lawan said. "Yeah...mom too but I haven't said a word about Ebonheart. That might freak him out" she replied. "More freaked out than a fairy girlfriend that can change her size and others?" Keith chuckled. "You know of us but were you calm learning about the destiny of your daughter?" Rose asked. Keith was quiet. "Indeed" she said. "What about security? Ebonheart attacked me using a spy not long ago" Keith said. "The entire estate is fenced. We got a dozen THORN agents patrolling the perimeter and four full size humans for backup" Rose replied.

"THORN?" Lawan asked. "Lily's personal spies. Their main job is to police the world for dangerous artifacts or arcane" Keith replied. Lawan looked up at the giant. "I did a mission for them. It didn’t end well" Keith muttered. There was a long pause. "That reminds me. How are the homunculi getting along?" Keith asked. "Splendid. Totally blended into borrower society. Not one issue" Rose replied. "Good. They can be free to live their lives" he said. Keith looked solemn. His thumbs gently petting his little wife. Lawan could see there was emotional baggage with that subject. She tugged in his thumb and smiled at him. He brought her to his face a kissed her chest. His eyes narrowed on the cook rice grain sized baby. His finger curled and Lawan brought their baby close to it. He didn't move it. She just rubbed the baby gently on it.

The car pulled in front of the estate. "I'll see to their belongings mistress" Kyle said bowing. "Very well Kyle. I'm sure Keith wants to see his son and the others" Rose said. "I'll be joining him too" Lawan said after growing herself back. "You sure? You look tired" Rose said. "I'll be fine" Lawan said Boeing slightly. Rose shrugged and led them behind the mansion. "This is incredible! Lily designed all this?!" Keith asked as they passed the entrance into the huge greenhouse. "Mostly. She had some outside help, but the main design was her's. Some of this stuff is as old as I am" she replied. "It's huge! How many live here?!" he asked. "About 10% of the world's borrower population live here. Last census put it around 1,755 people. Probably more now since then" Rose replied. "So intricate! Reminds me of home!" Lawan said. "Mom put a lot of effort into making it as real as possible. Each house is like a dollhouse with a removable roof. Electrical wires run underneath the concrete to plugs situated around the colony. From there they can use electricity for things like a light, charging station, or even air conditioning. Sprinklers above drizzle water to simulate rainy days. We even put Wi-Fi routers in areas for streaming" Rose said proudly. "Please remove your shoes. The concrete is thin and sectional" she said. Keith and Lawan removed their sandals and Rose took her sneakers off.

"Aspen is not far away. She's The closest" Rose said pointing to a shopping district 100 away. Keith was amazed how well planned it was. Made his work with the homunculi back home look amateurish. The main roads were two feet wide. A painted walkway designated for human sized people was to the center. People stared at them but smiled nonetheless. They waved quite a bit at Rose. "You seem popular" Keith smiled. "I am the daughter of their caretaker. I grew up around this. My first boyfriend lived here" she smiled. "Ehat does Lily plan to do now with the new laws coming out?" Lawan asked. "Well, we asked about what they wanted and most want to stay here. Keep in mind they came from some fucked up backgrounds. Trust in humans is going to take years" Rose replied. "But some want to leave right?" Keith asked. Rose paused. "Come this way" Rose said. She led them down adjacent road to a large building.

"This is one of our schools, but we use it as a skill training center in the off hours. Observe" she said before prying the roof open. "Now as you can see, direct deposit can be instantaneous. This is important if you have scheduled bill payments online..." a woman was saying to a class of mixed ages. She paused seeing the roof come off. "Hi Rose. Something I can help you with?" she asked. "Can I borrower you for just a minute?" Rose asked. "Sure. Class read the pdf on the screen" she said before Rose picked her out of the building. Rose held her in her hands.

"We got guests for the wedding. They asked about what here doing about those that wish to leave. Can you answer that?" Rose asked. "Not a problem. I'm Alice. 22 years old and I lived as a pet to an accountant in Memphis Tennessee. I was bought by the queen 3 years ago but enough about me. To answer the question, those that wish to leave we have them take classes to prepare themselves for human society. How to budget money, pay bills, legal rights, home making. The basic necessities as you will" she said. "I met a few that held jobs in America. How's that coming?" Keith asked. "Well every country has its own thing. Basically, clerking and hospitality are the main focus but eventually we can expand into other fields. England is using tax breaks as incentives but since we left the EU, the rest of Europe is trying to find ways to compete. Right now, Germany is focusing on precise engineering. Italy on fashion. England is more well-rounded" she replied. Keith nodded. Rose sat her back in the room. "Thanks" Rose said as she closed the roof.

"As you can see, we are taking steps with integration" Rose said as her socked feet gently moved around the corner of the street. "I sense some sadness in your voice" Lawan said. "I admit it does sadden me to see some go. I think of each one as family. The borrower children here were my first friends. One of my oldest friends is studying to be a doctor to her kind. One day she'll..." Rose said before hanging her head. She scrunched her socked toes sniffling. Lawan out a hand on her shoulder. "Part of getting older is dealing with the changes in life. If she truly is your friend, she won't leave your life. One way or another she'll be a part of it" Lawan told her. Rose nodded and patted her hand. "Thanks" she told her. Rose was silent until she stopped before a small shop. "She's in there" she said. Keith motioned for them to be quiet as he gently and slowly opened the roof. He warmly smiled seeing who was in inside. 

"Let it out in the belly! I'm having a baby not a puppy!" Aspen yelled to the tailor. Small as the others, she was being fitted for her dress. White with delicate lace, Aspen was sitting down as another person was fitting heels on her tiny feet. "Can you find a pair bigger? My damn feet are swollen!" Aspen snapped. Keith shook his head. "Bridezilla alert" he said. "Oh shut up Keith. I'm not wearing something...that's..." she was saying until she quickly glanced up at the smiling giant. She didn't jump up, wave, or stare. She broke down in this pitiful cry hiding her face in her hands. Keith reached in and picked her up. He just let her sit in his palm for a moment before he spoke. "Hey now. Tears don't go with white lace" he said. He himself was trying not to cry. He brought her to his face and she pounced on his nose hugging it with all her might. "Somebody missed me" he said. His warm breath tickled her thighs as it went under her dress. "Don't know if you'd come. You barely spoke to me since" she muttered. "We needed space. Not hearing your voice...wasn't easy for me" he said softly.

Lawan eyed them with a tinge of jealousy. She felt guilty for it. "Besides, nothing on Earth would stop me from coming to your wedding. Beyond friendship...beyond family" he said patting her belly. "Speaking of family. Aspen meet our daughter Kannika" Lawan said. Keith moved her close to see her. "She's so cute guys! Wow...she has your nose Keith" Aspen said. Keith gently put her on Kannika's belly. Aspen was quiet feeling her little heart beating. She touched her own belly. "To think her sister is inside me" she said. Kannika's eyes fluttered open slightly due to the sensation of a tiny woman on her. "Teehee...her lips are pouty" Aspen giggled. She touched them and the infant sucked her hand in to the elbow. "Ahh!" Aspen yelled. "Kannika that tickles!" Aspen giggled feeling her tiny tongue on her skin. "She's hungry" Lawan chuckled as she pulled Aspen free. Keith went back to holding her. "Look at you. Married now" she said. "Aspen. I would've invited you but..."

"I know. Too dangerous. I'm happy you took the risk today though" she said. "We took steps not to be discovered. Illusion spells and whatnot" he said. "Oh so you know magic now?" she asked. "Arcane magic and some martial arts" he replied blushing. "He's a good student. Especially when it comes to stamina training. Doesn't ejaculate as quick now" Lawan grinned. Aspen was taken aback by that. "Maybe we can catch up more at dinner" Aspen said. "Sure we can. See you then" Keith said placing her back in the shop. Rose had been silently observing. There was tension in the air between Lawan and Aspen. Mostly Lawan. "Shall we see to the other one?" Lawan asked. "If you mean Claire then yes" Keith replied. He caught a hint of disdain in her voice. "She should be outside the colony through that door over there" Rose said pointing to an exit 200 feet up and to the right. Once they got there, they all stepped through. Ahead was a depression in the ground. Muddy and wet.

"Good. Now remember, magic is like water. It ebbs and flows. It can give life...or take it. Feel the flow in your body. Keep it balanced and steady" Lily said. Claire gave no answer as she hovered inches off the ground. The way she glowed yellow reminded Keith of Tinkerbell. "Peter Pan is missing a fairy" Keith said. Claire’s focus was broken and she fell with a tiny splat in the mud. Keith couldn't help but chuckle. "You flew halfway around the world to watch me fall in mud and laugh?" she asked annoyed. "No. I had frequent flyer miles to burn" he replied. They stared at one another. "....AHAHAHA! It's good to see you Keith" she said running to hug his ankle. Keith picked her muddy little body up. He nuzzled it taking in her scent. "Same here munchkin" he replied. "I once hated you calling me that. Now, it's just feels so good to hear" she said softly. "Glad you three could make it" Lily said growing. "It's important I'd be here. I've been with them on every other journey. Why not marriage?" he said. "Sappy as always" Claire chuckled. "I see you were using a levitation spell" Lawan said.

"Still working on the kinks. I'm better at elemental stuff" Claire said. "Hmmm....show me" Lawan said handing the baby to Keith. "Wait what now?" Keith asked. "Just a quick spar. We do it all the time back home. Unless Claire can't handle it. I understand completely if she refuses" Lawan said. "Lawan. That is not..."

"I'll do it" Claire said. Keith looked at them both. Rose had an "oh shit" look about her. "Lawan. Claire is an apprentice at best" Lily said. "You guys act like I'll hurt her. Relax. If she wants to fight...let her fight. Any experience is good" Lawan said. Claire was cracking her neck and stretching her legs and arms. "You ready?" Claire asked. Lawan shrank herself. "I am now. First move is yours Tink" she said with a grin. Claire narrowed her eyes. She smelled pheromones off her at an elevated rate. She wasn't aroused so that meant one thing. Rivalry. Rivalry for a mate. Claire motioned with her hands and fired lightning bolts. They harmlessly deflected off Lawan's defenses. Lawan just stood there. "Nothing bigger? Maybe this really is unfair. Even a 10-year-old Yaksha can deflect this" Lawan said. That's didn't go over well. Claire slammed her foot down shaping errant water into a shard of ice. She threw it. The parry sent Lawan into the mud. "How was that?" Claire asked smiling. Lawan stood up. "Better but now it's my turn" Lawan said. A thunderbolt streaked at her. Claire barely deflected it.

She stared at her hands as they were numb. "Think fast!" Lawan yelled using water to move the mud where Claire stood. She fell and when she looked up, three ice shards impacted around her. "You got talent but maybe you should sit this fight out" Lawan said. This infuriated Claire to the point the magic she stored burst forth. The rose birthmark on her butt glowed. She stood up and held her hands out. Her body crackled with power. Sparks from her fingers and toes left her body. Wind, cold wind blew. Lawan sensed high level magic from her and quickly fortified herself. It saved her from real harm as a mighty blast of channeled cold wind flew from Claire’s hands literally freezing Lawan's feet and legs in place. Claire was breathing hard as Lawan tried to break free. A spear of ice formed in midair as water vapor was pulled in. Then a hand wrapped around Claire before she could hurl it. "Enough. This duel is over" Lily said holding her granddaughter in her fist. Lily could feel magic in her.

She petted her head and Claire powered down. She looked exhausted. Lawan broke free astonished. "...good. Very good. Nice technique there" Lawan said gasping. "Rose. Show us to our room" Keith said visibly pissed. Keith stood in the room looking out the window down at the muddy pit. Holding his child, he glanced at his wife. "What the fuck was that back there?" he asked. "A sparing match. You're no stranger to those" she replied. "That's not what I meant and you know it! If you were a guy I'd say you were showing off the size of your dick! Not only Claire but you were cold to Aspen too. So I ask again...what.... the...fuck?" he said. Lawan was silent. "I was showing off okay?" she said. "And you got your ass handed to you for it. No, it's more than showing off" he said. Lawan was taken aback. She'd never seen him this angry before. "You be jealous too if I was lovey dovey with my ex!" she yelled. "I wouldn't use my abilities to slam him into the mud. I had thought my wife was better than that" he said coldly. Lawan shed silent tears. She said nothing as she made her way into the bathroom to wash the mud off.

When she was done she emerged naked. Keith was sitting quietly on the bed. The baby resting on it as well. His fingers gently stroking Kannika's little hand. Her fingers gripping his thumb. "I would be jealous. Probably pissed but at the end of the day I'd know it was MY bed you'd chose to sleep in. I'm not expecting you not to be jealous. Nobody is that much a saint. I want you to understand where I'm coming from. Aspen gave me a life. She gave definition to my existence. A reason to live. Claire...Claire is a reminder of what I lost and what I gained. Lawan, you had a rough life but compared to mine, yours was paradise. You don't know what it was like for me before I met them. The easiest way to describe it is this...I once sucked a man off for a cheeseburger. I had gone three days without eating a thing. A 16-year-old giant borrower boy shivering in the cold. No home. No family. His body so numb to cold he had to struggle to breathe. "Hey kid you hungry?" this man asked. I nodded. He dropped his pants and told me to do it and he'd get me something to eat. I did.

And as I ate that burger sitting in an alleyway, I prayed. No... more like told. Told whatever God was watching to give me a family or I won't live to see the summer. I wasn't going to another full year of whoring myself out to survive. I was dead serious. No more..." Keith muttered hanging his head. Lawan sat down next to him and pulled his head to her chest. "I knew but I didn't understand. I do now" she said. "I should pop in and see my son" he muttered. "You really should. I'll be napping here with her" Lawan said back. Keith looked at her and she nodded. "Be back later" he said before kissing her goodbye. Keith walked downstairs to find Rose making out with her boyfriend. "Ahem. Don't mean to disturb you but where his Claire's house?" Keith asked. Rose blushed. "The colony is divided into sections and numbers. Her address is section C number 23" she replied. "Thanks...carry on" Keith chuckled. "Nice bloke. What’s his name?" Jacob asked. "That's Keith. He's a guest for the wedding" she replied. "...I see. Shall we continue here or in your room?" he asked. Rose giggled and raced up the stairs. "Gotta catch me!" she yelled. "Oh I will. I'm good at doing what I need to do" Jacob muttered watching Keith walk outside.

Keith followed the directions until he arrived. Shrinking using his old size watch, Keith knocked on the door. The door opened. "Ma'am we got a report of cute borrowers living here. Borrowers that have been missed...dearly" Keith said to Rebecca who answered. She said not one word as she hugged him tightly. "Any day now" he said looking at her belly. "Just about" she said softly. Keith kissed her and held her face. "Thanks for looking after them" he said. "Well come in and have a seat" she said. "Thomas. We got a guest" she said. "If it's Reggie, tell him I'll return those gloves later" the man said. "Pull yourself away from Netflix you old fool" she said. The man looked away from the phone and to the door. "Why as I live and breathe!" he said standing up. "How you doing boy?!" he yelled hugging Keith a little too tightly. "Better if you ease up" Keith chuckled.

"Come sit. Rebecca another ale for Keith please" Thomas said. They sat down and Keith was handed a beer. "It's actually good. Our own brew" Thomas said. Keith took a sip and was surprised. "Gives a new meaning to microbrew" he chuckled. "So tell me what's been going on" Thomas said. Three beers later they were mostly caught up. "Ya hear that Rebecca? He went and married" he said. "Good for him. He couldn't pine away forever" Rebecca said stretching out. "We're all moving along aren't we?" Keith said. "That we are" Thomas nodded. "You probably want to see your son" Rebecca said. "I'll get him dear. Rest those pretty feet of yours" he said getting up. Thomas returned with him. "Little guy just woke up" Thomas said handing him to Keith. Keith held him close breathing in his scent. The young man was bonding with him. Thomas and Rebecca held each other's hands watching. They could hear Keith whimpering.

"I wish I could around for him more" Keith said in a whisper. "It's not your fault. You're doing what you have to do to keep us safe. Sometimes the right thing to do isn't easy" Rebecca said. "He smells like both of us. I love you Luke. Love you so much..." he said trying not to sob. Rebecca wiped tears away watching him. "He needs changing. I'll take care of it" Keith said standing up. Keith cleaned him and tore away a strip of tissue paper that was used as a diaper. Their eyes met and he paused. He wondered about Luke's future. The future of all his kids. Would he be alive to see it? Would they even survive for that matter? He helped shape a world of endless possibilities for them, but history has shown that visionaries rarely survive long enough to see their work pay off. In truth, Keith had grown a little cocky since he bested that Mogwai in Miami. Now that certain thoughts entered his head, he was more aware of his mortality than ever. He shook his head. "No. I'm going to watch them grow up and live a full life" he muttered. "I hope so. We'll need a babysitter seeing mom and dad will have their hands full soon" Claire said behind him. Keith turned and looked at her. "You alright? Not fairy hulked out anymore?" he asked. "That was embarrassing" she said finishing up on Luke. She walked to her room with him.

Keith sat on her bed as she laid him back down. "What Lawan did was uncalled for" he said. "She was staking her claim. Can't blame her" Claire said laying down. Keith tried to avoid eye contact. Suddenly he found himself shrunk down. "What was that for?!" he squeaked. "Oh now you're looking at me?" she asked. Keith didn't answer. "You shrank me to the size of a gnat for attention?" he finally said. "I haven't see you for some time. I can smell your horniness and you're treating me like I'm a bear trap. We're both aroused" she said annoyed. "Look. I'm fucking drooling down there" she said pulling her shorts and panties down. Keith could smell the sex of her giantess snatch easily. He didn't have to look. "Are you that scared?" she asked hurt. "I was prepared for this. I truly was but Lawan looked so hurt earlier" he said. "Then we don't have to fuck" she said. "You make it sound so easy" he said. Claire placed her giant foot in front of him. "Then use my foot. Think of it as a loophole" she said.

Keith stared at her big toe for a moment. The groves in the skin. The nail. The untanned space between her toes. He lay his body against it breathing in the smell of soap and new sweat. He wasn’t humping it. He just embraced her giant toe. Claire stared at the shrunken fuck friend hugging her toe. "You changed" she said. "I carry the weight of the world and I dare not shrug" he muttered. She saw he was not the kooky, chipper, guy she once knew. He was hardened. Tempered. Less impulsive. "I like the old you better" she said. "The old me can't save us. The old me didn't have what it takes to try to win this. To fight...and die if need be" he muttered. Now it made sense to her. Why he stared so sadly at their son. "You're reading yourself to die" she muttered.

She pulled him off her toe. "You’re going to see your son's first steps! See him go to school! First girlfriend! Why...why are you doing this to yourself?" Claire asked crying. Keith patted her fingers as she held him. "Claire...it was made known to me she has an army on her side. Not those fire things but magical people. Thousands of them. It's literally my job to expect the worst" he replied. Claire opened her fist to let him stand in her palm. "When we conceived him, I gave you the best part of me. Licking your feet, drinking your milk. It wasn't a fetish for me Claire. That was me giving you my love. Holding Aspen’s hand as she trembled telling me she was pregnant. Sucking on her to show how much she meant to me. Shrinking myself and having her do whatever she wanted. Looking into her eyes when we said goodbye. Jesus...holding you both in my hands and feeling your bodies on my skin. None of that was to feed my libido. That was me saying "thank you for giving me a life to live". If I'm meant to give that life up to spare yours and hers...I can pay that price" he said. Her lip quivered hearing that.

She quietly pulled his clothes off leaving him stark naked. At first, she just stared at him. Her blue eyes seemed to stare into his soul. She brought him to her nose to smell him. Her fingertip traced his chest pausing over his heart. "You've gotten more muscular. You smell...richer too" she said. "Well testosterone production..." he was saying before she shushed him. Her fingertips went alongside his thigh and down his leg. Her nail tickled his little sole. Gently, she pushed him onto his belly. He tensed as she squeezed his butt cheeks between her fingers. She felt the bumps in his spine and once more she smelled him. With not a word she brought him to her mouth and lowered him in. Claire sucked on Keith gently as she fingered herself. Keith lay still as possible. Her tongue rubbing his dick made him shiver. He moaned her name as he came on her tongue. Forced to the roof of her mouth, Claire moaned deeply as she came. Cool fresh air assaulted him as she spat him out.

Silently, she cleaned him with some tissue. Unshrinking him, she sat solemnly. His eyes widened when she began hyperventilating. "I don't.... want to lose anyone! Nobody! Not the...father of my baby! Not my Aspen! Why...why is God punishing us for being happy?!" she said. Keith gripped her shoulders. Last time he saw stark terror in her eyes was when she was eaten by Ebonheart. "It's not a punishment. If there is a god then this is a blessing. So many of our kind out there are powerless to defend themselves. We are anything but powerless. Everything happens for a reason Claire. Reasons we don't know but we learn down the road. We'll look back one day and smile about this...instead of crying. We have at our disposal the greatest magic in the world. The magic of hope. Hope that Aspen wouldn't turn me away that night. Hope that she wouldn't squish you the first time you two met. Hope that one day you wouldn't hate me. Hope that our children can live better lives than we did. It's Hope that should guide us. Not our fears" he said. Claire hugged him so tight he could barely breathe. "I'm so glad you came back" she said. "So am I" he muttered.

Claire and he rejoined Thomas and Rebecca. As he put it, he just wanted to spend time with people he loved. Soon however, it came time for dinner. "Is Ritchie coming?" Keith asked. Rebecca held the enchanted pumice stone in her hand. "I called but got no response. I really hope so. I miss my son" she said softly. "I understand that" he replied. Not wanting any distractions, they had the neighbors watch Luke before they left for the main house. Keith unshrank himself with the watch and carried the three there. He left them in the dining room as he made his way to their room. Something was getting his attention on the way though. "Oberon. I can sense something from you" he said. "Probably nothing. All this magic about could be the cause" Oberon said. "Cause of what?" Keith asked as he turned the doorknob. "Faint traces of magic unfamiliar to me. Like echoes" he replied. Keith shrugged as he opened the door. Lawan was awake and staring out the window down at the colony.

"You're awake" he said. She nodded. Keith stood next to her. "You smell like her" she said. "We were...intimate but no sex. They're terrified of the future" he said. "Does that include you?" she asked. "The present concerns me more" he replied holding her hand. He embraced her from behind. "I healed up down there" she said pulling his hand to her pussy. She licked her lips as his index finger slid right in. "I forgot whose turn it is" he said. "You sucked on me a few days before I gave birth so it's mine" she replied. "Are you going to be gentle?" he asked. She felt the bulge in his shorts. "I have feet that need worshipping, a pussy wanting a tiny man in it. Breasts full of milk. No Keith, I will not be gentle" she replied with a grin. She cocked her head as if confused. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Something funny is out there. Strange. It's like here and not here. Like an echo" she said. "That's what Oberon said. He blamed the amount of magic around us" he said. "Could be. I've never been around such foreign magic before" she said. "Anyway. Dinner will be starting soon" Keith said. Lawan nodded and put her clothes on.

Jacob looked at his watch after sitting down. "45 minutes" he muttered. Rose sat next to him. "I'm glad you mother let me have dinner with your friends" he said. "Well you did say you wanted to spend time with us more" Rose said smiling.  Lily sat down. "Jacob. Some borrower friends of the family. Claire, Thomas, Rebecca" she said pointing to them. Jacob got up to "shake" their hands. "Nice to meet everyone and congrats!" he said looking at Rebecca. "Thank you young man. So mannerful" she replied. "For a human?" Jacob asked. There was a pause. "I'm kidding. I know you meant my age" he chuckled. "So Jacob. I hear you're steady with Rose" Thomas said. "Yes sir. I'm lucky to have her" he replied. "What's you study?" Thomas asked. "I've yet to declare my major as it’s my first year in college. I'm thinking of going with borrower social work. A booming field now" Jacob replied. Thomas nodded his approval. "I love borrowers. I don't understand how people can be cruel to them. Size doesn't mean we got a blank check on morality. Borrowers deserve love too" he said. Rose hugged him. "Well I know people that can help Jacob" Lily said. "Sounds great. I want to do something I can enjoy with my future wife" he said. Everyone paused this time.

"Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself" he said seeing Rose blushing. "Maybe not. Nothing wrong with dreams" Lily said smiling. "Dreams give us the foundation of hope" Keith said walking into the room arm and arm with Lawan. "Keith Smith and my wife Lawan" he said shaking his hand. Jacob could barely hide his anxiety. He was well informed of him. He had killed people. Fully capable of it. A giant borrower that could snap his neck if he threatened them. And a few days ago, told that the Mogwai sent to interrogate him never returned. But now he was this close to his target, Jacob tapped his foot anxiously. Tonight was a dangerous night for him as a hidden plan was going to unfurl in 38 minutes. "Now that we're all here, shall we get started? Kyle!" Lily shouted. The young trusty butler rolled in carts with trays of various foods. A hint of jealousy on his face seeing Jacob next to Rose. Lily coughed to signal him to step it up.

Kyle was a unique case. Slightly older than Rose, Lily bought him for £150 when he was 8 years old. Bought him for a specific reason. Lily was thinking about Rose's future. She knew that eventually Rose would be interested in boys. Kyle, for all intents and purposes, was going to be her mate. She made sure he spent time with her as much as possible and they became good friends. When Rose learned of her heritage, Lily took this as a time to grow the boy into human size.  No longer a 2 3/4-inch pipsqueak, but a 5'4 handsome boy. Things progressed between the two until one day the secret came out. Rose felt like a fool, Kyle was hurt, and Lily felt like a hypocrite. She wanted him to be her mate. A borrower would carry her bloodline better than a human. Could be trusted with the family secret. She should've known that love can't be forced. It's just happens. While Rose soured on the idea of being romantically involved with him, Kyle still loved her. In fact, it was he who calmed her down enough to tell her mother about him. He didn’t like her being with him but he loved her enough to let her find her own happiness.

They ate their roast duck and talked about mundane things for quite a while. Mundane as in no magic. Not with Jacob around. Jacob knew full well what they were (not Lawan. That mystery was bothering him to no end) and was withholding but if his plan worked...that would change. "And this huge snake slithered from the shadows. It's eyes like hot coals. Tongue tasting the air for me" Thomas said. "So then what?" Jacob asked. "As luck would have it, I was standing in a patch of mud. I face planted in it, rolled around and just froze. The mud hid my scent and body heat. The snake kinda looked around and slowly slithered away" he replied. "Brilliant! I would've never thought of that!" Jacob said. "Well when you're 3 1/4 inches tall, you got to be creative" Thomas said. Jacob nodded and took a sip of water. He glanced at his watch. "I'm going to step outside of a smoke. I'll be right back" he said. They nodded not thinking much of it.

Seeing he was alone, Jacob used his foot to scratch an arcane incantation in the gravel. He had two minutes to do it. "You idiots better be ready" he thought.

Meanwhile on the other side of the estate outside the fence perimeter...

"Run this dodgy plan by us again" a young man said. "I said my stepbrother has got an in on a shitload of borrowers. He said there are over 1,700 of them. All we gotta do is grab them" his crime replied. "That all? This estate is guarded and fenced! Made the telly many times as its owned by some do gooder borrower lover. We'll get pinched within 10 minutes!" a girl said. "Nope. My brother got that figured out. Made a bunch of sleep gas canisters timed to go off. Put everyone asleep for hours. We take these big ass cases and load them up as they snooze away" he said. "Simon, that sounds stupid as shit. Where would he get those canisters?" the girl asked. "He's a chem major Annie. Said he did it himself. Look, you know how much a borrower fetches on the black market now? $2000 starting off and there's a fuckton of them.  3.4 million US dollars split three ways. You wanna back out? More for us" Simon said. "Well we're already here Anna" the other man said opening the back of the van. "Aye...that we are Craig" she sighed helping him lift out a massive steamer trunk.       

The trunk in question was seven feet long and two feet wide. With holes cut out on all sides it was perfect for the job. Not that they truly planned for this. The trunk was used to store equipment and run electrical cables from it for their grunge band gigs. This is also how they knew one another. Jacob called them about a score of a lifetime and getting fuck all for gigs in dives had them listen. He told them the plan and to be at the south fence at the allotted time. All three waited at the fence. "And how we know when to go?" Anna asked. "He said you'd see a flash of light. Bloke must be using the landscape lights to signal" Craig replied. "Well get ready..." Simon said.

Moments later, Jacob finished the circle. One of four he had scratched out at all four cardinal points. "Trouble you for a..." Kyle was saying as the small circle glowed white and a streak of light raced from both sides. Each point glowed as it was linked, and the massive spell went into effect.

"What was...UHHGH....." Lawan groaned as the magic washed over her. "Keith! We're....under..." Oberon said as both succumbed. Lily staggered and fell on the floor. Thomas and Rebecca dropped like flies. Claire felt dizzy and fatigued. "What's happening?" she asked. Lawan saw her. "Not enough energy to fortify myself and keep Kannika safe. Claire...protect...us" Lawan groaned as she fortified Claire against the spell. What that done, Lawan shrank to her normal size on the floor unconscious. The entire estate fell under an arcane sleep spell. A very powerful and old one. The only ones still awake was Jacob and Kyle (who were outside the huge circle) and Claire who was now protected. "What have you done?!" Kyle yelled grabbing Jacob. "Goddamn human! I knew it was a mistake entrusting Rose to you!" he yelled adding pressure. Jacob reached into his pocket and pulled a slip of paper out. "......." Jacob choked. "What did you say to me?!" Kyle yelled seeing a weird grin on his face. He eased up slightly. "I said magic cancel" Jacob chuckled. Kyle hadn't noticed that Jacob stuck the paper on him inscribed with arcane symbols. It activated and cancelled out the continuous spell that kept Kyle human sized. Kyle instantly shrank down. "Plan for the worst. Hope for the best" Jacob said standing right over the small young man. Kyle didn’t run. He had an idea of what was coming. He wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of begging, scrambling, or crying.

"Why? She loves you so why?!" Kyle yelled. "It's not personal. It's business. A means to an end. After tonight I'll be invited fully into their lives. Don't you worry about Rose. I'll take great care of her. I'll even let her name a baby after you" Jacob chuckled. "Burn in hell you fucking bollick sucking wanker" Kyle hissed. "You first buddy. You...first" Jacob said raising his foot over him. He was disappointed that he couldn't hear the satisfying crunch of his tiny bones over the gravel. Crushing him into paste and twisting his foot like one would stub a cigarette out held little joy for him. Jacob walked over to the steps and sat down on them. He pulled his phone out to watch YouTube to pass the time. "You got three hours" he said.

Simon and the others snipped the fence wire and made a hole. They quickly snuck in and was jumpy as they suspected to be caught as cameras followed them. "Nothing" Craig said after 10 minutes. "Seems Jacob was on the money. Let's step it up" Simon said to them. "How much time we got?" Anna asked. "Three hours. Remember not to go into the mansion. He said to stay out of there" Simon said. They nodded in agreement, but Anna hesitated doing so. They entered the city. "Damn. I saw the pictures in magazines, but this is impressive. There's even a post office. Look a school!" Anna giggled. "Stay focused" Craig said sitting the trunk in the middle of the street.

"Wake up! Wake The fuck up!" Claire screamed slapping Aspen's cheek. "She's not dead. Asleep. Keep calm Claire" Claire said to herself. Her giant lover was passed out laying on the table. Her tiny hands weren’t doing a thing to wake her. Claire went to each person to find them in a similar state. She tried everything. Tickling their feet. Brushing their nose for them to sneeze. Claire even pinched Aspen's nipples. Not a damn thing. "Drugged? I need to get help" she thought running to the colony. She figured there were enough borrowers to help her. As to what help she didn't know. She was astounded to see the borrowers out cold too. Some passed out in the street. She became very frightened now and giants in the distance wasn't helping. So terrified she forgot her magic training and hid. An entire hour passed before she moved.

"We got the first batch loaded" Craig said slamming the trunk shut. "How many?" Anna asked. "About 500" he replied. "That many? They won't suffocate, will they?" Anna asked. "No. Got enough holes for that. We good on time?" he asked. "Yeah. We got time. We emptied a good 10 blocks" she chuckled. "You ever own a borrower?" he asked. "A bunch. My dad was in inspector. His job was to burn the letter B in their asses to show they weren't gremlins. He brought a few home for me" she replied. "Had one. A saucy girl. You could say she was my first. Had to break her leg when we got her to get her to obey. No trouble after that. Rita was her name. She knew how to rub a cock" he said. "What happened to her?" Anna asked. "Got drunk and ate her one night" he replied chuckling. "You ate yours?" she asked. "That I did. You?" he asked. "Mine died when I left her inside me too long" she replied. Craig burst out laughing. "Shit ain't funny. How did it feel to eat one?" she asked quietly.

"Kinda fuzzy on it all. I do remember the squirming in my belly. Like a hundred butterflies" he replied. Anna stood up. She walked over to a house they hadn't cleared yet. "Ya trying it?" he asked. She silently nodded. "Not the children love. They fetch too good money" he said standing behind her. Anna opened the roof. Inside was a family. Passed out right at the dinner table. A young girl. A boy a few years older. A woman in her mid-20's and her husband of similar age. She reached in and pulled him out. Over the hour she hasn't taken time to really check them out. It had been a few years since her own died. Tearing off his clothes she studied him. His tiny cock and balls. Little feet. Muscular chest. She felt slightly embarrassed to look. On the other hand, it did arouse her to have a helpless little man in her hand. She missed that. His cock stood at attention as her fingertip brushed it. She paused. "Don't be such a prude" Craig said snatching up the woman.

In no time at all he had stripped her naked and was sucking on her lower body with this sadistic grin. Anna began sucking tiny little dick and the man tensed as he shot his load. His borrower wife moaned in her sleep as she came. Craig slurped her into his mouth and swallowed her whole. "There. Now just suck him in, push him to the back of your mouth, and let gravity do the rest" he said. Anna had him in her mouth and could fully taste him. Salty and sweet flavors as her tongue worked him to the back of her mouth. She titled her head back and let him fall down her throat. "Not moving" she muttered. "Well they're asleep luv" he snickered. Claire has watched it all from the safety of a second story home. She looked at the sleeping little girl who owned the room she was in. Claire began to find her courage. Fate would have it, she wouldn't be alone.

The air shimmered and a lone small figure emerged. "Colder that I thought. Where is everyone...and why are these people asleep?" none other than Ritchie asked. "I had the portal open near Claire so where is she? What the fuck is going on?" he asked looking around. The wind shifted. "Claire. That's her scent and she terrified" he muttered. Ritchie began to follow her scent down the street. Sniffing the air, he followed it to a house. Off in the distance was two humans looming over the colony. They were reaching into houses, pulling borrowers out, and stuffing them in a massive case. His eyes narrowed as he guessed this was the cause of her terror. The door was shut but that didn't stop him. He shoved it open and smelled his sister up the steps. In The living room was a young man and woman passed out on the sofa. A phone was playing a movie. Slowly he went up the steps and found the room. He opened the door.

"Claire?" he asked. Claire screamed bloody murder and crumpled to the floor. "IT'S ME! RITCHIE!" he yelled bending down. Claire stopped and looked at him. Her hand felt his face. "Yeah I look different. Darker skin and black hair now but it's really me sis" he said. Claire hugged him and sobbed into his chest. He let her cry for a minute before he said anything. "What's happening?" he asked. "I don't know! Everyone passed out and these humans are kidnapping everyone! Luke! I have to find Luke!" she yelled. "Luke?" he asked. "My son!" she yelled. "I have been gone for a while. Stand up sis. We'll get to him" he told her. Claire wobbly stood up. Ritchie looked at the borrower girl sleeping in the little bed. "Everyone is like this?" he asked. "It was so sudden. Even I felt like passing out until Lawan did something to me" Claire replied. "Nothing is in the air. Water maybe?" he asked.

"No. It happened to everyone within a minute. Drugging the water wouldn't affect everyone and not at the exact same time. There was a flash" she said. "Magic. It could be magic. My necklace is vibrating funny" he said touching it. Claire looked at it. "It's called the Blessing of Pelé. It's what I used to travel between realms. It might be protecting me right now" he muttered. With a better look, she could see he was different. He looked native Hawaiian, but it was as if he'd grown up. More mature. Surer of himself. "How did you find me?" she asked as he held her hand to leave. "Your scent. My necklace brought me near to you and I followed your panicked scent. I really really missed your smell" he said. Claire squeezed his hand. "I missed you too little brother" she replied. "Let's go see my nephew" he said leading her down the stairs. Claire led the way to the home. Slowly but steadily, the humans were getting closer as they cleared city blocks. A third human would appear to carry away the trunk and deposit another. Claire got Ritchie caught up with what was happening. They stopped at a corner to rest.

"She ate you?" he asked. Claire nodded. Ritchie suddenly kissed her roughly and before Claire could say a word he held her close. "I had no idea you were in such danger. I would've came right back if I knew" he muttered. In The past, she hated when Ritchie was clingy but now she wished he could hold her forever. She was the big sister but she felt so safe in his arms. "Did you know you're an aunt?" he asked. Claire was shocked. "Me and Tiffany had a baby. Man was she happy. Becoming a Menehune made her fertile. It changed us all not just the homunculi. So much to tell you. It's like being connected on a spiritual level. Imagine the power of fire in your soul" he said. His eyes sparkled with wonder. The same spark he always had. Claire chuckled. "What's so funny?" he asked. "You changed but some things stayed the same" she replied. "I'm a Menehune now but my soul is borrower. Thankfully I still kept some of my old borrower tricks" he said. The thuds of human feet interrupted them. "We should get going" he said.

Claire yanked the door of its hinges and ran inside. Her neighbors were passed out in the living room along with Luke in his crib. Claire picked him up. "He's asleep like the others" she muttered. She cringed. "I'll change him and get us straight before we go" she said. Ritchie sat down. "What do we do? Attack them?" Ritchie asked looking out the back window. "Not a chance. Even if I used what I know I couldn't kill even one. It's too dangerous overall. I do have an idea though" she said removing the soiled diaper. "I'm all ears" Ritchie said. "Lily has a security system in place here monitored by infrared cameras. Normally it would've gone off, but the guard must've been affected too. We get to the security room and manually trip the alarm summoning the police" she said. "One problem. The magic affecting everyone. If its fucking with my necklace, it's a continuous spell" he said. "How do you know so much about magic?" she asked. "Long story. Bottom line is the police will fall asleep too and THAT will cause even more problems" he said. Claire grew quiet.

After cleaning and changing Luke, she sat down and breastfed him. "I forget how pretty you are" Ritchie said. Claire smiled at him. "So I'm an aunt?" she asked. "To a baby boy named Kuno" he replied. "We should get going" she said. "We'll wait. We've been running almost nonstop and you'll be carrying him for the duration. Take your shoes off and put your feet up on the armrest" he said. Claire moved and did just that while still feeding him. Ritchie got up and went to her feet. With his hands, he started rubbing her feet. "Your touch feels warm" she said. "Magic. Pele taught me some fire magic but I'm really bad at it. It's weird. Menehune don't have a talent for it, but she said my bloodline "straddles worlds". That I have an innate talent for it" he said pushing his fingers between her toes. "You know I love you right?" he asked. "Of course, I know that dummy" Claire said. "I just want to make sure you did" he said softly. She could see he was deeply concerned but tried to hide it. "You haven't asked about Aspen" she said. Ritchie stopped rubbing her feet.

"Pelé is deeply concerned about her. More like what's inside her. I was given instruction to monitor her" he said. "I'm not following" Claire said. "She knows what the child means. What it could do. If she considers her a threat, Pelé will act" he said. Claire pulled her feet off the armrest. "Claire. We have to protect the baby at ANY cost. I was not privy to most of the information but what I do know is if that baby is used for evil. It's not just this Ebonheart that we have to worry about" he said. "So this fucking fire bitch wants to kill the baby?!" Claire yelled. "No. She's a protector. That's her nature. Even so she will try...and fail. Pelé is a creation goddess above all else. She's not a battle deity. What you have been told about Etherion is just the tip of the iceberg. It's divine magic. The only power that can kill a god. Reality shaping is just the beginning. Claire, if Pelé is destroyed, it will unbalance the nature of Hawaii."

"That might not sound as much but it will have a chain effect. Volcanoes around the entire pacific rim will erupt. That much ash in the air will cause temperatures to plummet around the planet. Earth will enter an ice age not seen since the age of the dinosaurs" he warned. "And this is why you haven't asked about her?" she asked. "No news is good news. Pelé has an idea about her but no hard info. Through me she can observe" he replied pointing to his necklace. Claire slipped her sandals back on. In the belongings she left there, she slipped on a carriage that fit on her back like a backpack. She had Ritchie sit Luke in it. Secured, Claire opened the front door.  "Let's continue to the house" she said slightly cold. They were quiet as they finally approached the house.  "You angry about what I said?" he asked. "You spoke the truth. I understand the position you're in. If it all goes to shit, what will you do?" she asked. "Stand beside my family...and die with it if need   be" he replied. It was still jarring to hear him sound so mature. "Claire! The humans are coming this way!" Ritchie yelled. Claire picked him up in her arms and ran at full speed.

She had never run so fast. Running so hard, the straps on her little sandals came apart and now she ran barefoot. Lawan's fortification magic had boosted her natural abilities to heights unknown to her. Even though she was three inches tall, she was still clocking in at 20 mph. If she was human sized, her relative speed would exceed 50 mph. The wind rushed past them so hard the drag kept her from going faster. "Oh my god" Ritchie muttered. Entering the mansion, Claire looked around. "You weren't kidding. They're all knocked out" he said. "Where's Jacob?" Claire asked. "My aunt's boyfriend" she explained. "We still haven't solved the problem with that spell" Ritchie said. "Keith has this sword that can break any spell. I need to go to his room and get it" she said.

"And how would you break something that's affecting everyone like this?" Ritchie asked looking at Aspen. "Lily told me in training that area effect spells have anchor points in the earth. Even though they cast the most powerful spells, they are also the most vulnerable. Shatter an anchor point and the entire spell could collapse" she said. They heard heavy footsteps. Claire motioned for him to follow her to the steps. "Where would an anchor point be in this case?" he asked. "We know the spell affected the entire colony, so the points must be right outside of it. Most importantly, it affected the mansion. The closest point must be in the front of the mansion" she replied jumping up a step. "This is a lot of faith you have in a theory" Ritchie said climbing behind her. "It's not faith when you don't have a choice in believing in something" she muttered.

"Simon. Jacob said to stay out of the mansion!" Anna yelled. "You kidding? This bitch has got to have artwork, silverware, jewelry or some shit too. Why break our fucking backs carrying trunks when we can cut to the chase here?" Simon said to her. "He's got a point luv. It would be mutters to ignore the house” ‘Craig said looking around. "Besides, I don't see any cameras and these fellows are out like a light too" Simon said pointing to everyone passed out in the dining room. As they began looking around, Craig pointed out something. "Hey! Get a look at this!" he said. They walked over to him wondering what caught his eye. In his hand was Lawan dangling upside down. Her ankle pinched between his fingers. "An Asian borrower! You know how rare those are!?" he asked. "Aye. $50,000 easy. Damn she's cute" Simon said taking her from him. He tore her clothes off to get a better look. "Healthy. Very firm. Take a look at that" he said as he gently squeezed her tits. Trickles of breastmilk came out.

"She gave birth recently. That's a good sign she can breed" he said before sucking her tits. He tasted her milk before letting her free of his lips. "...very healthy. "Get you jollies off if ya want but don't eat her. Imma going to look around a bit" Craig said to them. Simon molested the tiny passed out woman. Licking her tiny feet. Sucking on her ass. He chuckled evilly as she moaned in her sleep. Anna took her from him and proceeded to tongue rape her. "Tiny slut just came" she said shelling her finger slick with Yaksha cum. Simon ran his fingers through Anna's hair and took Lawan from her. "Gimme" Anna said like a child. Simon unzipped his pants and fished his hard cock out. "Suck me off and I'll talk Simon into letting us keep her" he said, Anna smiled wickedly as she enveloped his dick. As she gave him oral, Craig wanted near the front door and found it open. "There you are!" he said seeing Jacob.

"Unbelievable" Jacob hissed seeing him. Craig walked out the front door into the gravel driveway. "I said stay out the fucking mansion didn't I? Please tell me the others didn't go inside too" he said. "What's the big deal? There aren't any cameras inside. We even found an Asian borrower" Craig said. "Did you harm the others inside?" Jacob asked. "No, but what's the worry? Even at a full load we'll be 200 short of cleaning this place out. We can have some fun" he said smiling. Craig and the others were fucking up his plan in a dangerous way. It would mean his life if ANY harm came to Aspen, Claire, or any of her family members. For the blood contract protected them from harm. Jacob sighed. "Get lemons...make lemonade" he said walking to his car. He opened the glovebox and pulled a gun out. "OY! WAIT A MINUTE!"*BANG*      

Jacob shot Craig in the chest and he dropped dead on the gravel. "Fuck was that?!" Simon shouted hearing the shot. Anna took his cock out her mouth and Simon placed Lawan on the table. Carefully, they went to the front where the sound came from. "JACOB! We heard a gunshot!" Anna said. "That you did" he said before shooting her in the forehead. "ANNA!" Simon screamed. Jacob aimed at Simon. "For god’s sake why?! Why kill your mates?!" Simon screamed at him. "Cover story" Jacob replied. Simon could see the sociopathic eyes staring back at him. "I'm your brother man...your brother" he whimpered. "Stepbrother and a sorry one at that" Jacob said before pulling the trigger.

"Jesus! Those were gunshots Claire!" Ritchie yelled. Claire didn't respond. "There it is" she said pulling the sword from his keychain. "This thing?!" Ritchie said. Claire swung it and cleaved a travel alarm clock the size of a loveseat to them in half. While it didn't recognize Claire as its master, it still held its enchanted properties nonetheless. They made their way back downstairs. He could smell the humans and more importantly, blood. Jacob had his back turned to the door as he stood over their bodies. "Jacob?!" Claire yelled. "She's still walking around?!" he thought. Jacob put on a desperate act. He willed tears in his eyes and turned around. "Claire! What the fuck is going on?! Who the fuck were those guys?!" he yelled pointing to them. "You did this?" she asked. Jacob broke into a cold sweat. "You shot them?" she asked. Jacob took a breath. "That's what she meant" he thought. "...yeah. I saw them coming at me and I went to my car and got my gun" he replied. Claire was curious of that. In a country where guns were exceptionally rare, why and how did he have one?