Mal shakes his head in exasperation as the exhausted people begin building a cantina, "Yes, cause it would be silly to simply sit under the shade of the tree itself and drink the water I provided without having to lug that thing up the hill..."
He looks over at Priyya, "Darkmane, your cabin/safari idea is beginning to look better and better. We would have the right to turn people away, right?"
Priyya gives him a smile like the sun. "Visitors to our Hunting Lodge would be strictly by invitation only, Mal. I think this tropical paradise is best suited for just a couple of people, namely you and me, most of the time... I know you value your privacy. Besides, I sunbathe nude and my body isn't something I care to share with a whole gaggle of people... just a select few."
Mal pulls up from his work, head cocked to the side as he watches Priyya work, then he shakes his head with a neutral expression, "Darkmane, you should watch those words. You might convince a guy that you're actually serious one of these days... and then where would we be?"
Priyya stretches from her digging and looks around, noting how many of the others may or may not be in listening range of their light banter. She gives Mal a small smile and pitches her voice a bit quieter. "That's not a problem. The problem is that a guy might think I'm joking, when I'm not."
She returns to her grave-digging with renewed vigor, blushing, presumably from the heat. She says briskly, "Ignore me, Mal; it's this heat. Aside from the humidity, it's like home to me. It's the most comfortable I've felt in months. It stirs my... the oddness in my blood." Her spade cuts into the earth like she is trying to dig through to the other side. She mutters, "Yes, and then where would we be?"
It takes the rest of the afternoon to finish burying Alton, Vinzini, and the bodies of the eight other sailors you were able to find. As the temperature drops, the others who were suffering from heat exhaustion recover enough to help with the last bits of work, piling a great many rocks over the bodies to form a sturdy and suitable cairn.
Through it all, Aerys speaks little making eye contact with no one. Only after Jask concludes the funerary rites and casts his blessing over the grave does she finally spend some time alone on bended knee whispering quietly to whatever gods or spirits will listen. Afterwards, returning to your group as dinner is prepared, she catches Priyya in a big hug and whispers:
After working out a watch rotation, the evening finds most everyone fast asleep inside the large tent — exhausted from both the emotional, physical, and environmental demands heaped upon you. Thankfully with the addition of some strong-smelling native flowers to the fire, Sasha at least found a way to keep the mosquitoes at bay... although Gelik does wake with a start at one point after something crunchy bit him.
[spoiler="Rolls"]Perception Checks
Were it not for how weary everyone is, you suspect that sleep would not come quite so easily. From the forest, monkies and other beasts periodically cry out in terror and overly large bats can be seen winging their way across the sky. There are other stranger sounds too and more than a few times King Tut nervously scampers about while Talvyra's fur stands on end as if sensing predators or wrongness in the air.
When Sasha wakes Mal for his turn at watch, the setting moon signaling the limits of her vision's usefulness, she whispers, "I think Al' was right about this place being haunted, 'Dre... C'mon, I'll show you!"
Never one to take a potential threat idly, Mal quietly approaches the cliffs with her, his gaze following her finger when she points to the shoreline. "Look, did you see that?"
Studying the surf for a bit, Mal can see that much of the surf along the coast seems to be almost on fire with a witchy green glow. Leaning closer, her lips practically brushing his ear, she whispers, "The green glow is just some algae or something, but every now and then..."
Finally, Mal sees it, although it disappears so quickly he can't be sure it's not his nerves playing tricks on him. For just a moment, he would have sworn he saw the ghostly shape of a figure floating serenely in the water, beckoning him come closer. Just as the sense of horripilation spreads across the his arms and neck, there is a flash of heat lightning in the skies above and a light rain begins to fall on Reaver's Shiv...
Perception Checks
Knowledge Checks
Upon completing her morning prayers, Priyya wakes everyone else, her turn at watch finally complete, the night mercifully uneventful.
As all of you go about preparing breakfast from fruit and more of the scorpion meat, Sasha takes a look at the cloudy skies and comments. "We should probably get moving soon, 'Dre. Looks like it's going to rain again here in a bit. Not too bad, but the way those clouds look, I'm betting it'll last a good while. Lemme know when you're ready, ok?"
Rain & Heat
70f
70f
75f
80f
85f
90f
95f
100f
100f
95f
95f
90f
90f
85f
80f
80f
75f
70f
70f
70f
70f
70f
70f
70f
Morale Will DC 15
shaken
normal
shaken
hopeful
Rain Intensity & Duration
Rain Intensity & Duration
Survival Checks (Forecast)
Mal nods at Sasha's suggestion, "Agreed." Then he remembers the scene from the night before, "Oh, and Sasha showed me something last night during our shift-change. We saw something out on the water… couldn't identify it." He briefly describes what they saw before concluding, "i don't know what it was, and while it certainly sounds like something out of a ghost story, there may just as easily be an arcane or natural explanation. I just don't knwo what it is. Either way, no one goes off by themselves without letting myself, Alis, Darkmane, or Lureene know. NO ONE."
He stuffs the last bite of the scorpion meat into his mouth as he stands thinking, That's surprisingly tasty meat.
"Okay, so we need to get moving. Here's what I'm thinking, given everyone's talents. Sasha and I will stay on point, ranging to the front and sides to watch for dangers and run interference should something come up. The bulk of you will need to stay together and will follow our trail. We'll leave signs for you to follow. Darkmane." There is a hesitant look in his eyes when he looks at her… conflicted and.. embarrassed? "Do you mind pulling rear-guard duty? It seems like the best use of that bow of yours and you can keep an eye on everyone while on the move. Little Sister wants to move with you, and let's be honest, she only listens to me when she wants. So she'll be with you. Gelik, I've got a spell that'll make you capable of carrying more weight… you'll be like a little super-gnome. So you'll have the chest. I can do the same for Jask, which will allow the rest of us to be weapons-ready in case of trouble." He looks around, "Thoughts?"
Lureene nods at Mal’s suggestions, ”I agree with your marching order, but I do have a question…would you like Grak to accompany you as well? He and I share a mental bond, so keeping track of you will be easier. Plus, he can fly, which will prove handy, especially in this thick jungle.”
"Oh, sure. He can follow me or I can carry him around. He doesn't seem to move all that fast."
As he gathers up his pack, he looks down at the beach, "Sasha, we still need to go and check the sand around the wreck for tracks. I know the rains will have likely washed them away," a feral grin swings over to Sasha and Little Sister, "but who knows, I'm a hell-of-a hunter, right?"
There is a hesitant look in his eyes when he looks at her... conflicted and... embarrassed? "Do you mind pulling rear-guard duty? It seems like the best use of that bow of yours and you can keep an eye on everyone while on the move. Little Sister wants to move with you, and let's be honest, she only listens to me when she wants. So she'll be with you..." He looks around, "Thoughts?"
Priyya frowns slightly, thinking "Nope. That sounds like a good plan to me. Given how fast people dropped from the heat yesterday, perhaps we should put some thought into our spells - with an eye to make sure that everyone has the energy to fight or run if it comes to it..."
Priyya considers Mal's reaction and rebukes herself. I ran my mouth as usual and screwed things up. Why do I do that?
I ran my mouth as usual and screwed things up. Why do I do that?
"That sounds like a good plan to me," Alis says. "Sasha, did you want us to take down the shelter while you go on ahead, or would you rather do it yourself?"
You were sitting down in the galley aboard the White Pearl, getting ready for a meal. Vinzini gave you a steaming bowl of soup filled with tender dumplings, but you dropped your spoon. Yet when you went to retrieve it, you found the deck below was covered with seawater up to your ankles and the dropped spoon had sunk in the water and washed out to sea thru a hole.
Undaunted, you lifted the bowl of delicious soup to your lips and began to drink, swallowing the dumplings until you feel a sharp, writhing pain in your belly and something working its way back up into your mouth! You dropped the bowl, clutching at your throat as serpents began to pour forth from your mouth, the last thing you saw was one turning to bite at your eyes.
When Mal finally awoke you, he found you biting furiously at your own tongue in an attempt to bite thru the snake's body. Thankfully, it wasn't anything you couldn't heal before praying for your spells this morning, but you remain a bit disturbed that you had such a violent dream. At least Mal managed to wake you up before you could do any permanent damage...
Lureene says, "If you need any help with anything, just let me know."
"Nah, I'll get i–" she stops and blinks as if something that she'd been thinking on finally just clicked. Looking up at Mal, she says, "Huh, well that that would be handy I guess, if you really don't mind and all, your princess. Just– just a minute, ok?"
Wiping her mouth, she runs up to Mal and pulls him aside before pointing back to the wreck and whispering something to him. She gives a sly grin about halfway thru.
Survival Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
When a convenient moment strikes, Priyya pulls Alis and Mal aside for a brief, private conversation. "Mal knows part of this already but I think you should both hear the rest..." She goes on to recount the condition Mal found her in and the details of her dream. "I'm not given to violent dreams, nor biting my tongue off. And with all the serpent-related aspects to the wreck of the Pearl, this seems entirely too coincidental. Maybe I was just dreaming, but maybe something else is going on here."
1d20 + 13 => (5) + 13 = 18
P 1d20 + 13 - 5 => (18) + 13 - 5 = 26 distance
Dream stuff.
"Hmm, snakes in the soup, and the snake-bites on the cook's neck had been concealed with magic to obscure the true nature of his wounds. Then the Captain and his spellcasting paramour with an affinity for sibilance aren't to be found on the wreck even though the First Mate was injured in a sword fight."
She puts a hand to her tummy ans says quietly, "Let's just hope the snakes in the soup thing was figurative..."
Mal, without stepping away from Sasha, gives her a deadpan look and speaks loud enough for everyone to overhear, "No, there were no other kinds of exploration I was thinking about. I'm just incredibly thorough and hate to miss things."
His voice drops to the level she whispered to him, "I wasn't lying in any way back in that restaurant during the voyage. Nothing is going to happen between you and me, Sasha. I'm not just playing some game. I don't want to be rude, but it's just not going to happen."
His voice picks back up as he addresses everyone again, "So maybe it is a waste of time to head back to the ship. As soon as we can get packed up and prepped for travel, we're leaving. Let's please be on our way in an hour, people."
Dream stuff
"I'm not really good with the meaning of dreams, but it is another aspect that reinforces the serpent theme we have going here with Iaena." Mal gives Priyya a long sincere look, "Glad you're feeling better this morning. Last night was certainly disconcerting. I can only imagine what it was like to be in your skin."
Mal gives Priyya a long sincere look, "Glad you're feeling better this morning. Last night was certainly disconcerting. I can only imagine what it was like to be in your skin."
Priyya responds with a small smile and bounces a fist lightly off his chest, "Mal, you were worried about me! I'm touched. Don't fret. Lately, my dreams have been filled with many pleasant things; the odd nightmare is worth the price."
"I wasn't lying in any way back in that restaurant during the voyage. Nothing is going to happen between you and me, Sasha. I'm not just playing some game. I don't want to be rude, but it's just not going to happen."
It's not too hard to tell by the look on Sasha's face that she's dumbfounded. "What the hell do you–"
She drops her voice down to a whisper and grabs Mal's sleeve before he can go.
Her voice trails off and she gets a look in her eyes as if something just dawned on her. Like a hunter surveying a herd for its quarry, she looks at all of the other women as if trying to figure something out.
She looks at Lureene first, then Aerys, and lastly at Alis who is standing near Priyya talking with her.
She sets her jaw and smacks her forehead with the heel of her palm.
Without another word, she lets go of Mal's shirt and goes stalking back towards the tent catching Lureene's gaze as she goes.
"Given how fast people dropped from the heat yesterday, perhaps we should put some thought into our spells - with an eye to make sure that everyone has the energy to fight or run if it comes to it..."
Alis bites her lip looking a bit red in the face at this remark. Keeping her voice down, she says, "Well, I do have a wand that can cast that spell twice a day, but I was trying to hold off on using it because I didn't want anyone thinking I was taking an easy way out. I thought it was best to see who really needed it and then use it accordingly so as not to undermine everyone's morale. Aerys has been a mess since we found Alton, we can't really trust Gelik except as a lecher, and Jask is seems happy to be free but spooked by being on this island. About the only one who seemed happy about all of this was Sasha... Although now that Mal's shot her down, not quite so much."
"She sighs and brushes her hair out of her face as a raindrop splashes on her. She glances over at where Lureene is talking with the rather red-faced redhead and continues, "I'm just concerned about us using lots of spells up for basic comfort when we might need them for healing. Of course, I guess if we're too worn out to fight then we're going to need a whole lot more healing, won't we. Mal, you're the wilderness survival expert here, what's your counsel?"
Sense Motive Checks:
Priyya casts a sympathetic eye on the princess. "No offense meant, Alis; we all have our weak spots. You saw me in the water by that bar - I swim like a pig wearing lead weights. That's just the way it is. And you aren't built for this kind of oppressive heat and humidity. If it makes you feel any better - you definitely aren't alone... So BUCK UP o' fearless leader." She concludes with a smile and a wink.
"I'm happy to save my spells for healing if we can't figure a way to make people more comfortable. My concern here is that sometimes the relentless press of an environment can do more to demoralize, distract, and sap the strength of people than the creatures they may encounter. If there are cannibals on this island... I don't want someone missing sight of one because he is too distracted by the clothes sticking to his back."
She continues in a lower tone tinged with irony, "As for Sasha's desires, it looks like Gelik may be useful after all. Either that or Lureene is going to have to take a hit for the team." It is hard to tell whether Priyya is joking or not.
Lureene, daydreaming for most of the morning, missed most of the early morning drama, only snapping back to reality when Sasha pulls her aside. After finding a somewhat secluded place to talk in private with the fiery redhead, in the process shooting a murderous glare at Mal, she asks,
Alis frowns a bit not entirely sure what Priyya means about not being built for the heat. Turning her gaze away from Sasha and Lureene she notices Jask waiting patiently nearby and motions for him to approach.
The white-haired priest comes walks up, looking somehow even thinner in his leather cuirass than when he wore merely robes. While he still seems ill-at-ease at your circumstances, you can tell by the tone in his voice that he's trying to put that aside and be helpful.
"Your highness, when I was a boy long ago living in the jungle before before my mother gave me to the temple, it was not uncommon to see men and beasts alike perish in times of great heat. Strong warriors could be beaten down by it having to shuck their armor. Even many predators rest during the hottest part of the day rather than hunting. It is not weakness, unless needing to eat, drink, and draw breath too are weaknesses."
He nods to Priyya and says, "The Surya-ka-Vahaak hails from the desert and she speaks the truth. Not only can heat weary the body but the mind. Just as your highness needs everyone to be capable to survive, so too do we need the one leading us to be sound in mind, spirit, and body. Better to use a few spells now as a precaution than needing many more later to avert disaster — if even possible."
Turning to the rest of your group, he continues, "Priyya, just as you pray for Alíta's favor with the rising of the Sun, so too do I pray for Astra's as the stars rise each night. If I am not mistaken, the four of us, Highness, Surya-ka-Vahaak, Malandraenas, and myself all pray for our spells. Last night, I beseeched Astra for the following aid..."
Jask's Spells: Cleric
- 0th (×4): detect poison, light, purify food & drink, stabilize
- 1st (4+1/day): IIII (endure elements)
- ant haul, comprehend languages, cure light wounds, endure elements, hide from undead, identify, sanctuary
- 2nd (3+1/day): IIII ()
- bless water, cure moderate wounds, delay poison, lesser restoration, memory lapse, status
Priyya holds a hand up indicating Jask, as if to say 'ya see', seemingly offering him as iron-clad 'proof' of something she can't articulate. "And Jask says that - being a native to this region. His people are built to live here. The rest of us are visitors. The decision is yours, Alis, but I would greatly prefer not having to worry about any of you good folks over-extending yourselves and passing out from heatstroke in the middle of a fight."
Mal rejoins the group just in time for Alis's question, "These two are right. If the weather doesn't kill some of us, it'll at least make us easier prey to whatever hunts this island. We all need to be able to stay on point. Everyone unused to this climate should receive a spell to ward its effects from thier bodies." He ignores any angry stares or words coming his way regarding anything but what his actual job is on this mission, though a low bark of a laugh escapes at Priyya's earlier jab.
After glaring at Mal and Alis for a moment, Sasha turns her back on them and walks a bit further away to ensure some privacy.
"So not even two minutes ago, he springs this line about wanting to go check the beach for tracks."
Sasha points and the sky and then holds her hands up.
"So I'm standing there thinking, 'What the hell, Sash, did you wake up with warts or something?' I mean, he's not laying you, he's sure as hell not laying Aerys, who the hell else is there? That shrew cleric aaand..."
She nods, and plants her hands firmly on her hips.
Sasha gives a growl of frustration and kicks the remains of the campfire sending a cloud of ash and grit at Gelik who cries out in protest and scampers away from the scorned huntress.
"RRGH!!!" She throws a rock after Gelik's retreating form.
"WHIPPED"
With the exception of Gelik who appears to have good reason to believe the mad-woman is irritated at him, it's pretty damned evident that Sasha's in quite a rare state right now.
Sense Motive Checks:
Alis raises one golden eyebrow and winces a bit at Sasha's tantrum. "Well, maybe the rain will cool her off at least hmm? Silver lining to every thunderhead and all that. Anyway, last night I prayed for the following spells..."
Spells: Sacred Consort
- 0th (×4): dancing lights, detect poison, purify food and drink, stabilize
- 1st (3/day): III ()
- charm person, cure light wounds, expeditious retreat, feather step
Lureene reaches over and gives Sasha a big hug. Whispering in the other lady's ear,
She then returns to see Alis and the others, catching the last of the comment from her, she mutters, She isn't the only one who needs cooling off...
The way Sasha contorts her face, it's clear that she's in a state of disbelief.
Suddenly Sasha's eyes grow as big a saucers, and a manic grin splits her face.
"THE GNOME?!?!?! BWWAAAahahahahahahahaa!!!!"
In a fit of uncontrollable laughter, Sasha falls to the ground like a brick tower that just had its foundation demolished. For nearly two minutes straight she laughs like a hyena until she's left clutching her sides and whimpering in pain, tears streaming down her face.
At long last, she struggles back to her knees and gives Lureene a hug.
Lureene returns the hug readily, but when Sasha mentions the Gnome, her mind recalls a different gnome, and quickly averts her face to hide a growing blush.
As Sasha lays on the ground laughing like a woman, Alis c0cks her head to one side wondering what the hell Lureene said to turn things around.
"Mal," she says absentmindedly, Gelik leaving scorch marks on the ground as he races over, "remind me to give Lureene a raise when we get off this rock..."
In the next instant, Gelik, who just moved far more quickly than you would have ever though possible for someone with such short legs, is on his knees in front of Alis, hands clasped together like a man pleading for his life.
"I didn't do anything this time, I swear it on my mother's eyes! Please, let me carry a chest, or three, or fight a centaur, or go fishing for sea scorpions with my willy, just please keep that crazy harpy away from me!!!"
Alis nods knowingly, a sympathetic look on her face and taps him on the noggin with her wand of endure elements, nodding for Mal and Jask to go ahead and cast their spells.
With that, Jask casts Status on Mal and Mal casts Ant Haul on Gelik.
"We'll follow along shortly, please don't push, hurl, trip, or otherwise send Sasha flying off a cliff, alright?"
As a light rain begins to fall and Mal heads off with the breathless red head, Alis musses Gelik's hair and says, "Well, let's see if we can cram all of this back into my chest, shall we?"
Drawing close to where Lureene is standing by the campsite, Alis holds up her hand and says quietly, "If it's just the same, El... I think I'd rather not know. Good job though whatever you said."
Priyya watches the drama and histrionics with cool detachment, making no comment until after the storm or estrogen and craziness subsides. "Right. Alita has seen fit to grant me..."
Orisons | Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Light, Resistance
1st (5 slots)
===============
Endure Elements (D)
CLW (D)
Bless
Shield of Faith
Blood Wind
2nd (3 slots)
===============
Heat Metal (D)
CMW (D)
Spiritual Weapon
Curse of Ill Fortune
Mal nods to Alis, then takes one more look around the cliff top, then gives a small smile when he looks at Priyya and Talvyra, the big cat brushing heavily up against the dark-skinned warrior. "Don't let her push you around, eh?"
Then he begins to walk away in the direction of the trail they'll set, hiking Grak up on his shoulder and speaking over his shoulder, "Our marks will be obvious. If you get lost, just let Grak know. Sasha, you coming?"
As he and Sasha leave the area, he looks over at her, "I've never been with Alis, by the way. I think she'd be embarrassed at the idea." His eyes begin to scan their surroundings while he talks, "And I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression when you first came on board the Pearl… I was frustrated at having to live up to the charade of Lureene's husband, so I acted interested to annoy her. I didn't actually think you would be intrigued. It wasn't well-thought out on my part."
Grak looks at his mistress as if she has lost her mind, but after a few seconds he shrugs (or he would if he had shoulders) and resignedly allows Mal to pick him up, wrapping his serpentine body around the tall warrior as unobtrusively as possible.
Jask nods to Mal and says, "The spell cast upon you will inform me if you are injured, suffering, and the sort. For four hours shall I be able to know your location so that we may follow."
With that, Mal and Sasha depart, the former voicing his apology once they are out of sight of the others.
At Mal's explanation, Sasha just waves a hand in the air. "No, no, forget about it. El filled me in. I won't concern myself over the little details..."
After about a half hour of winding your way south-east along the cliffs, you find yourselves about halfway in between the small island with the shipwreck and another larger island. From a few hundred yards away, Sasha begins to notice tell-tale signs that a raptor of some sort lives nearby.
Taking care, the two of you edge your way forward, silent as housecats until Mal spots a trio of brightly-colored creatures circling above the cliffs ahead. Two of them are nearly man-size born, while the third is about the size of a child. They are born aloft on broad, leathery wings and have overly large heads full of sharp teeth. In spite of their clumsy appearance, they seem to be agile fliers, a long whiplike tail with a spade-shaped fan aiding their maneuverability.
As the two larger ones chirp back and forth, their bright eyes searching the surf, cliffs, and sky for prey, Sasha covers her mouth stifling a squeal of excitement. Looking at Mal she whispers excitedly, "Aww, they're teaching their baby how to hunt... Let's capture it! I want to train it as a pet!"
Stealth Checks
Perception Checks
[ REAVER'S SHIV: Map | Position (006) | Overland Rules ]
Mal... gives a small smile when he looks at Priyya and Talvyra, the big cat brushing heavily up against the dark-skinned warrior. "Don't let her push you around, eh?"
Priyya crouches down near the big cat, bracing against the weight or her 'brush'. She scratches Tal hard behind the ears affectionately. "We'll be fine, Mal. Tal and I have an understanding..." She gives him a grin that is part feral and part something else. "It's an animal thing."*
A thought strikes her, "Oh! Alita granted me a little used spell that will enable you or Tal to use your claws and teeth at range. It lasts only briefly, but it might be good if you or my protector here could get a few strikes in before going toe-to-toe with poisonous creatures. I suppose it could also allow Alis or me to use our martial arts from a distance as well - not my first choice but it could be handy. Just something to consider if things get 'interesting' on this excursion."
Mal watches the creatures in flight and considers his relationship with Talvyra. "I actually don't think that's a bad idea, Sasha. A hunting companion can be a great addition." He looks through the trees at their destination. "My only concern is trying to accomplish that right now. Can we get camp set up first and then come back to do it once everyone is safely in a defensible camp?"
A thought occurs to him as he watches them glide, "Have you ever reared an animal?"
"Well sure I used to have some pet iguanas when I was little and I had a boa up until just a couple months ago. Momma poisoned it after it ate one of her slaves who kept snooping in my room. But yeah, we can come back later, I'll get one of those nets out of that big trunk. Maybe I can catch it while it's momma and poppa are away or something. I'm really excited, I think these things are poisonous, just look at those fangs they have!"
"Hey Grak, tell El to make sure everyone keeps quiet and stays in the woods when they get to this area, I don't want them hurting my baby! EEeeee!"
Grak watches the red-haired lady closely while being carried by Mal (he seems fascinated by her for some reason.) When Sasha approaches and addresses him directly, he blinks at her, and hisses, Yessss…Sassa. Soon, his gaze unfocuses as he communicates silently with his mistress.
Lureene hears the message from Grak, and holds up her hand to get everyone’s attention. ”Sash wants us to be quiet when we reach the area up ahead.” Her face wrinkles in confusion, ”She says her baby is up there?” She shrugs helplessly.
"Oh, no no no no NO!" Alis shakes her head. "I remember what happened the last time Grak didn't understand what was going on. Ask for clarification on what Sasha means by 'her baby'."
When the request for clarification is lisped from the silver creature's lips, Mal whispers back, "Tell them that there is a family of airborne hunting creatures in the area. I think it best to avoid them for now, but Sasha would like to try her hand at raising the youngling. She agreed to let us set up our basecamp before we come back to try it. So keep your eyes on the sky."