"Ipmeek agree, go to big city to get weapons. Be ready to fight big trolls."
Ever since learning of the near destruction of the Sootscale tribe, the kobold has stopped calling himself King. He's even stopped calling himself Chief. Instead, he's been going by Ipmeek, his given name. His energies go entirely into improving his bombs and extracts.
Isabella picks up on the change in name and puts her arm around Ipmeek's neck. "Ipmeek, thank you for accompanying us to get better prepared for the assault. We can go now if you wish, I do not want to get in your way. But I think preparing will help us in the battle that is soon to come."
For a moment, Ipmeek freezes in surprise as Bella tries to hug him. And then, as if a switch had been flipped, he relaxes, hugs Bella back, and starts to break down. "Thank you, Bella. Thank you for helping Ipmeek fight trolls. You are bravest of all warriors." You're pretty sure the muffled whistle from Ipmeek's snout is the kobold equivalent of crying.
As the group prepares to depart, he gets the attention of his traveling companions. "Ipmeek lost so much in troll attack, many friends and family dead. Ipmeek cannot fight trolls alone. Tradition says kobolds not trust warmbloods, but Ipmeek don't care anymore. Tradition is why Sootscales are dying."
The kobold takes out a bag of 50 incredibly valuable-looking diamonds. And gives 10 Isabella, Chrysa, Orri, and Sophiel. Yes, even Sophiel. Keeping 10 for himself. "Magic cards give me treasure. I give you so we go fight to make land safe for kobolds and warmbloods."
Bella looks at the treasure, astonished. She lets her jaw hang open as he hands out the gems. ”Ipmeek, this is all of yours? Why are you sharing? I don’t want to take what rightful is yours. Though I could use that to upgrade my armor and blade.”
Chrysa's eyes go wide looking at the diamond, and then up to the chief, then back to the diamonds, repeat ten times before her mind catches up and she understands...
"I... pledge with all that I am worth to kill every single troll that harmed your people... I was going to do that anyway, because they cannot hurt my friends..."[b]" she stops on that word, it is unfamiliar, so so so odd, but true by this point, and she smiles bright "[b]My friends without suffereing untold pain."
Sophie does a double take, and accepts the gems mutely, nodding at Sootscale. After a few minutes, she says quietly to him, "Your people did not deserve this, Ipmeek, if that is what you wish to be called, though you are still a chief, or King to me. If for nothing else, I accept these gems in the hope that I can help you rebuild, and find justice. But I do not consider it a gift. I will pay you back, whether in deed or coin. This I promise. I know a dragon's hoard is not parted with lightly." Nothing about her words is mocking, she is completely sincere, and being honest with Sootscale.
You all arrive safely in Restov after a few days ride. Kesten Garess takes Falgrim and Jex to hand them over to the proper authorities, as well as to report your successes so far to the Aldori.
You all decide to secure lodging and handle personal affairs before heading out to shop and resupply. You enter The Silver Sword Inn, it’s sign a wooden shield with the Aldori sigil with a gleaming metallic covered sword as the signpost. Inside is a lovely establishment, with the inn’s trademark silvered dueling sword hanging behind the bar. A concerned innkeeper stands there as well, washing a chalice as he eyes a group of men near the fire.
There, about four men are standing around someone who remains unseen behind their large frames.
”Come on, darlin’? Why ya playin’ so ‘ard ta get, hmmm?” one asks.
Another reaches out with his hand towards whoever they are surrounding. ”Yeah...never seen a lady like you before...We wanna see more of ya...” he says, eliciting some chuckles from the others there.
Bella accompanies Kesten to deliver Falgrim and Jex and then turns to her companions "I desperately need a night at the inn. A real meal and a bath sound absolutely dreamy to me right now, I think I'm going to get lodging for us all at the Silver Sword. Should I get us multiple rooms or would you like to share?"
Entering the inn, she observes four men talking to someone in a way that sounds partially inappropriate. She pushes into between two of them and says "Excuse me boys, what exactly is going on here?" as she tries to get a better view of who is trapped in the middle of them.
The previously unseen individual is a woman. Even sitting down, the woman is tall. If she were standing, she'd top Isabella by at least a couple of inches.
Her skin where it shows past the ill-fitting travelling clothes she's wearing is extremely pale and covered with lines and spirals of blue tracings. Her hair is silvery white and falls loose in waves about her shoulders. She looks at the men about her in confusion with eyes of crystal blue that match a clear gemstone that seems to be embedded in her forehead.
"But I do not wish to show you any more of myself," she says to the men. "I've asked you to leave me alone. Why do you persist? Are your intentions not honorable?"
As one of the men reaches out to her, she flinches back. "Please, do not touch me!"
When the man tries to touch the woman, Isbella sucks in a breath and clenches her jaw. "Sir. You may not touch a woman when she does not wish to be touched. Step away now before I assist you in doing so."
Isabella's hand moves to her dueling sword, ready for trouble and not taking chances.
Chrysa doesn't really know whether to be concerned about Bella's sudden recovery or not, but she's not one to judge how you deal with horrors. Magical Feel Better cards is perfectly acceptable.
"A bath and a bed" the horned woman sighs with a heavy yearning. "Multiple but adjorning, if you could Bella. Allows for company and alone time."
----
Chrysa is ready for her bed and bath, and doesn't much care to get involved, but Bella does... which makes sense. So as Bella confronts, Chrysa fans out around the group, hands on the hilts of her short swords.
"Yes, Miss, please assist them to step away. I don't care for either their presence or their smell. I wish to simply drink this mug of ale in peace," the woman says, picking up the cup in front of her as if to explain.
The big guy in front keeps his eyes on Bella, while one of the others can't take his eyes off the pretty exotic woman. The other two have noticed the small but horned woman's obvious movements to surround them, with cold dark eyes and no attempts to banter or care a wit. They are also smart enough to catch the fact the two women aren't alone either, a whole armed band has entered with them. They take the hint, deciding getting cut is not worth seeing what under this lady's clothes. Grumbling they shuffle off.
The other two...
"Your friends are leaving," the woman offers to the remaining men. "Perhaps you should go with them?"
Apparently the big man doesn't care that his friends are leaving without the woman. "Yes, you're right." he says and takes his large meaty right hand and clamps it firmly on Annalla's left forearm. "But, white hair here isa comin wit me." he says, pulling her towards him.
Isabella pulls the dueling sword out and raises it to his neck quickly, pressing the pointy end into his skin just enough that he feels the threat of it, but not enough to cut him. Only a few days removed from being manhandled herself, Isabella's tolerance of this particular issues is essentially nonexistent.
The smaller woman looks up at the man who is easily two times her size and speaks evenly as she can, trying not to just shove the blade through his neck.
"I said," Isabella starts, pushing the sword into his neck a little so that a trickle of blood runs down his neck "that you may not touch the lady. Either you enthusiastically unhand her, apologize and turn to walk away or I will separate your hand from your body."
She leans in to lower her voice and whisper, causing the blade to push further into his neck. "Your choice."
"Oh, please choose to walk away," the woman says with a frown. "I had a hard time finding these clothes and I have no wish to begin that search again because they've become soaked with blood."
Bella speaks to Annalla without looks at her, not taking her eyes off the large man "I will not let his blood get on you, do not worry."
The large man removes his hand, but Bella does not relief the pressure on his neck. Thoughts of men pushing women around and having their way with them fill her mind as he blade pushes ever so gently further into the mans neck, causing him to begin to squirm and shake as his eyes look down at the blade.
The large man's crotch begins to darken as liquid begins to spill down his leg onto the floor into a puddle. Regardless of this fact, Isabella doesn't relief the pressure on his neck and continues to stare at the man with a look that borders on hatred. Or vengeance. Or something more than what this situation actually is.
The enthralled one leers in a sick kind of glee as his friend grabs the pretty lady, and then frowns with ugly darkness when that b!~+$ gets in their way. He goes to grab a chair to bash the harpy into a paste when the one he completely missed is suddenly there, a sharp pain smashed into his nose, making it explode.
She shakes her head when his eyes come back in focus, her braid of all things stained a deeper red than normal hovering above her shoulder like a snake.
The woman holds her mug high and presses back against the wall, hoping that the melee that ensues doesn't include her.
Sophie turns her head from the bar, where she had been drinking a stiff gin and tonic, and notices the commotion, and then notices her friends teaching the whelps a bit of a lesson. She raises her glass towards the two and says, ”if you think they’ve learned their lesson, ladies, perhaps these ruffians have thought better of their behavior?” She gets up and meanders over after downing her drink. Folding her hands, she approaches somewhat piously, ”have you boys?” She cocks her head, ”the last man who touched her lost more than his piss, mate.” She grins at the ruffian, waiting for him to respond.
The large man tries to turn away and leave as Bella requested, but as he does so she moves with him and pushes the blade forward to cover the distance he just retreated "Ah-ah-ah." she says, shaking her head slowly back and forth. "Maybe you'll do this again. Maybe you need to learn a lesson about how to treat a lady. Maybe you are a bad man."
"Yes," the woman agrees with Sophiel, misunderstanding whom she's talking about. "I killed the last man that attempted to mount me. I didn't want to do it, but he wouldn't listen when I asked him to stop."
She takes a sip from her mug and continues to watch the interchange with alert eyes.
Sophie peers ar the new woman quizzically, just for a moment, ”between all of us then, we’ve got quite a body count then. Tell you what, boy, why don’t you look me in the eyes, and repeat my words, and mean it.” The man nods imperceptibly, terror in his eyes, ”I will not touch another woman without her expressed permission.” The man repeats, frowning slightly, ”because if I do, these women will find out, and castration will be the least of my problems.” She stares at him, unblinking. And her face suddenly contains an otherworldly mein to it, sharpening her features. For a moment she looks like an untamed dryad, implacable and with all the time in the multiverse to get revenge. The man nods more vigorously, risking blood coming from his neck, and holds his hand up to try to staunch it.
Then, like a thunderstorm, Sophie is back, smiling brightly. She gestures and the man is clean, and smells better, and has stopped bleeding, as she touches him lightly, gently, and kindly. ”We are the choices we make; so make better ones.”
Isabella starts to lower her tongue after the man repeats after Sophie, but then clucks her tongue and pushes the blade back once more "Ah-ah, you forgot something." she corrects "Apologize to the lady here and you can then leave and begin to lead your new of reformation of protection of all women in Restov for fear of horrors worse than castration. Hmmm?"
Swallowing hard, the man can't turn to face Annalla so simply moves his dark eyes over to her and cries out "Soory! Imma soory!" he calls out.
"Ah-ah" Isabella cuts in, "Tell her what you're sorry for." she corrects.
Trying to refrain from trembling, he corrects himself with a slight stammer. "R-Right. Imma a sorry for a touchin' ya! Truly, I am! With ma soul! So take me ta the Boneyard!"
Finally satisfied, she sheathes her blade and dismisses the man, turning her back on him as he scrambles away. Turning to Sophie, she places her arm on the woman's shoulder "Thank you for your words Sophie. You always know what to say when I can't."
Over to Chrysa she says "Thanks for having my back Chrys."
Lastly, she turns to face Annalla's and examines her arm. She softens her tone and asks, "Are you alright? Do you need a healer?"
"No, I don't. I'm physically unharmed. Thank you for your aid. I didn't want to kill anyone else," the woman says, stepping out from behind the table. She holds out one hand to Isabella awkwardly.
"My name is Annalla," she offers.
Isabella takes the offered hand in her own and shakes it once. Her grip is soft and she does not squeeze very hard. Though extremely athletic and clearly in excellent condition, she is not over bulky or strong.
”Isabella. You’re welcome.” she offers. She points to her companions one at a time ”I’m glad you are okay. I’m pleased to meet you.That’s Sophie, Chrysa, Orri and that kobold over there is Ipmeek.”. She leans in and whispers with a hand covering her mouth ”He’s a king.”
Standing back up, she looks to the gemstone in her forehead curiously. She tries to figure out how to ask the question politely but stumbles over words and scratches her head while she asks ”Why do you have a gem in the center of your head with strange lines around it. Forgive me if that is a rude thing to ask??” She looks to Sophie for signs of a social faux pas.
"I have blood and snot in my hair" she sighs in disgust. Looking up she sees Bella release the man without killing him, and more importantly, she didn't break, not even a crack.
Bath time... wait no, we're... socializing! Ugh, but she forces a smile with a wave when her name is called. And orders drinks for people while they talk. And something covered in cheese, lots of it.
Ipmeek, who seems to have been quite enthralled with the concept of a city with thousands upon thousands of humans, was in quite good spirits when he entered the tavern. Though as he saw the interaction with the grabby ruffians, he feels a little confused.
"Strange, you and them are same tribe, right? But them very mean. Cutting is good punishment."
The kobold approaches Annalla and takes a closer look at the blue crystal and tracings.
"Hm, maybe you not same tribe as these warmbloods?" he offers, clearly puzzled.
When Isabella questions her about her stub, Annalla's hand moves up to touch it. "I don't ..." She frowns.
"It's important," she says after considering it for a moment. "I know that."
She leans back as Ipmeek steps in close to look at it. "I'm not human, no," she says, looking around at the others. "I'm something else. Please don't stare at me." She shakes her head before turning back to Isabella. "I would like to thank you again for offering your aid. I would not like to be ..." Her voice trails off as she looks at the woman with her piercing blue eyes. Her nostrils flare as she leans in as if to take the woman's scent.
"You are a strange one."
Her pale hand reaches up to cup the woman's cheek. "You are ..." It seems to sink in that people are watching her and she drops her hand to her side. "I apologize I should have asked first." Annalla smiles. "I would invite you to join me for dinner, but I've just spent the last of my coin on this ale. I am not sure how I will eat dinner myself, but you have my thanks." She tips her head slightly to the group and returns to her table.
Sophie pats the man on the cheek as he departs, hoping for the best, and then from behind everyone else, regards the new person of interest.
"Wait, miss, if you'd like, take a bit of this coin here, buy yourself food. Though, if you don't mind my asking, what are you doing in Restov? It isn't the most welcoming place." She extends her hand, holding two golden doubloons, towards the woman.
Isabella is staring the same as Sootscale, but quickly averts her eyes to the floor like a child being caught red-handed with their hand in the cookie jar. While staring purposefully away from the woman, she doesn't see the hand come up to cup her cheek.
"I'm strange?" she asks? Lady, have you looked in the mirror lately? "How am I-"
The bravado of the woman who just stopped the large man all instantly melts away as Isabella turns her cheek towards her right shoulder quickly, gasping and pulling away from the gemstone creature. Her left hand flies to her cheek to push Annalla away and to hold her skin as if she had just been wounded. She takes a step away from Annalla and backs up and bumps into Sophie.
She turns to look at Annalla, but only looks at her feet. She wants to shout Don't touch me but it comes out as shame as she says meekly "I'm sorry." she mutters as she moves away from Annalla and stands behind Sophie.
"Thank you," Annalla offers with another tip of her head to Sophiel as she takes the offered coins. "That is very generous of you." She pockets the coins in a tattered belt pouch.
She leans around Sophiel to give Isabella a shy smile. "There is no need to apologize. You've done nothing wrong. It is I that have overstepped. And I'm very sorry for that. I'm still getting used to how people interact and it's very confusing. Should I let you punch me on the arm?" She turns to offer a shoulder. "I saw two men do that outside and then they laughed. Would that make you laugh? Please don't punch very hard, though."
Isabella raises both eyebrows and quickly looks back and forth between Annalla and Sophie as if to say Is she serious?
"Uhhhhhh. What? N-no? I mean."
Bella sees Chrysa approaching with several mugs of ale and nods "Ah, ale." and excuses herself to snatch up a mug, leaving Annalla there with her shoulder strangely offered.
As she picks up a mug, she leans in to Chrysa's ear and whispers to the tiefling "That lady is strange. Very strange."
Annalla watches as Isabella walks away. Her eyes remain fixed on the nervous woman as she consoles herself with ale. The wheels visibly spin in her head for a minute or so before she looks down at her belt pouch. An idea seems to occur to her and she walks over to where Isabella stands with Chrysa.
"By way of an apology, may I buy you dinner, Isabella?" she says with a smile. "I have recently come upon enough funds for a nice dinner. Would you like to share it with me? I promise that I won't attempt to touch your face without asking your permission."
Isabella is unsure why this woman is so focused on her. She stands there with her ale in her hand and knows that she cannot rightfully turn down a request for a meal from someone she just saved from bodily harm. "Can we just. Uhm. You know, uhm. Forget that, thing, happened maybe? Start over without the face touching?"
She tries not to groan out loud at the comment about touching her face and decides to lie to cover it up. "I uhm. Have sensitive skin? Yes. Sensitive skin." She stutters over her words and even the mug of ale in her hands knows she is lying. Badly.
A thought suddenly occurs to Isabella, furrowing her brow. Wait a minute. Did not she just ten seconds ago say she did not have coin for a meal?
No matter. It was both appropriate and respectful to offer me thanks in such a fashion and I cannot turn it down.
She opens and then closes her mouth and simply nods her head once in affirmation. She takes a few seconds to try and figure out what to say. Sophiel and Orri always seem to have the words and she never knows what the right thing is. "Yes, Annalla. I will accompany you to a meal."
The pale woman nods in satisfaction, her smile rising to her eyes. A shimmer of color seems to flash through the lines and whorls on her skin. She stands there for a moment, the silence growing awkward.
Finally, she turns her head to look around the room. "So where should we go? I've never been to this city before. And it can't be someplace very expensive because I only have this." She reaches in and draws out two gold coins.
Isabella looks down at the two gold coins and then back up to Annalla. "Where are you from Annalla? Around Restov, two gold pieces will get you a fairly elaborate meal. There are numerous places we could go within that price range. "
She looks down at herself and then lifts her arm and sniffs it before grimacing "Do you mind if I bathe first? I am in such a desperate need of a cleansing that I couldn't stomach sitting somewhere to eat a decent meal in these clothes. It's been far too long."
Annalla frowns and looks down at her dirty, torn, and ill-fitting garments. "Nice clothes are important, aren't they?" she says. She looks back up at Isabella. "Perhaps we should go somewhere not as nice? These are all I have and they're not very good. Can I have a bath as well? I don't know how long it's been since I've had one, so I probably need one."
Isabella has been dining on wild game, berries and rations for weeks, months, how long as it even been!? With the money that Sootscale gave her, she could afford to return to her former life for a short while, couldn't she? Spoil herself for a day?
She folds her arms on her chest and nods to Annalla "You what? That's a fantastic idea. I haven't had a truly special meal since I left home. I think it's time for a true feast. And I think we need to dress up. I'm not going to take your only two gold either, so, I'll make you a deal. We'll bathe, buy some new clothing and feast for supper. I'll cover the cost of all of it, all you need to do is pick the location. How does that sound?"
Bella isn't extremely familiar with fine dining establishments, so she pulls a local aside and asks for the lowdown. The bartender explains "You want to be dining with the best meal, eh? Well alright then. If you are looking for a truly fantastic meal, you could dine at the Nieuw Rostland Chancery or Two Inn The Hand. The Chancery is a more upscale inn than this place while The Hand is a cleverly named establishment with a somewhat more upper-class clientel. Both of which would likely be looking for gold payment of the meal instead of silvers, of course."
The man pauses and smirks "Now. If you want truly top notch, you should visit Mậtong Nốtđốt. It's the place to dine in Restov. An exceptionally fine private club, the best in the city."
Bella turns to Annalla and raises her eyebrows twice "What do you think?"
Sophie watches the two converse for a moment, and pats Isabella on the shoulder. ”You can take care of yourself, just, I think be patient with this young woman.” She winks at Bella, ”I’m getting some things. Meet you later.” She pulls up her hood and scarf and whispers, and the visible part of her face seems dissolve. She salutes the others and disappears out the door, everyone’s only reminder that Sophie was leaving being the memory that she was.
"Yes, she's a bit strange but who am I to judge." she answered a while ago in her memory before the conversation continues. Chyrsa nibbles on her cheesy potatoes while watching the two women fence in such an interesting way.
She yawns after a few minutes, realizing she is tired and dirty, so the small woman pulls herself up from her chair. Grabbing her platter and her ale, she'll appear next to Bella, and whispers "See I told you separate rooms would be a good idea. Enjoy your date Isabella." then she's gone again.
"I think a lot of things," Annalla says in response to Isabella's question. "You probably wouldn't be interested in most of them. If you're asking where we should eat, then I would say that I don't wish to spend more of your coin than is needed. Shall we try the Rostland Chancery? I have no idea where to buy clothing, though. So I'll depend on your experience in that regard."
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"WHAT?! It's not-" Isabella turns to face Chrysa, eyes narrowing and ready to tell her It's not a date! but the tiefling has slipped way into the crowd.
Turning back to face Annalla, she misses the first bit and just nods in response "Sounds good. Do you need a room for the night as well? I was going to get one for all of my companions as well. I'll go arrange that and the baths now, I'll be back shortly."
She turns away and scoffs A date. Pfft. as she heads off in search of the proprietor to obtain the services. She arranges separate rooms for the six of them, including meals and hot baths as well. She relays this information to those she can find and asks them to tell Chrysa the weasel, if they can find whatever shadow she has slinked off to hide in.
She returns to Annalla and explains to her as well that her meals, bath and room are all covered for the evening. She explains "I have a soft spot for those who get picked on. My father taught me to do well onto others should I have the opportunity and means to do so, I would like to think he would approve. Consider it a gift, no repayment is necessary."
"Please take your bath and we'll leave here for clothing in what, let's say one hours time? Is that enough? I want to soak for a little while. It's been awhile since I've had a bath, let alone a hot bath."
Orri had been left with the horses and finding stabling for them as the others went to get rooms for everyone. It took him forever because the first place he went was already full up and then he had to walk half way across town to find another stable that had any availability. By the time he finally got the horses settled he was tired and frustrated just to walk in seeing Bella talking with some strange woman. He let's out a sigh just wanting to eat and go to bed and walks over to Bella "Damn mess finding some place to stable the mounts... did you get us settled?"
He looks to the woman for a moment then turns back to his sister "Made a new friend?"
"Please take your bath and we'll leave here for clothing in what, let's say one hours time? Is that enough? I want to soak for a little while. It's been awhile since I've had a bath, let alone a hot bath."
"A hot bath? I've never had one of those. That sounds intriguing."
Once the arrangements are made and baths organized, Annalla heads off to her room for her bath.
~~~~~
When Isabella has finished with her own bath and returned to the common room, Annalla is nowhere in sight.
After another half-hour goes by, she asks a harried serving girl who rolls her eyes.
"If'n you mean the white-haired 'Princess'," she layers the last word with as much disdain as humanly possible, "she's still up in her room in her bath and keeps askin' us to add more hot water. Like we gots nothing else to do." Another eye roll follows before the girl heads off to answer the hail from a full table.
"Hmph, everyone stare at Ipmeek," mutters the kobold in response. Annalla's fast friendship with Bella gives Sootscale an opportunity to observe further, but he eventually gives up and heads up to a room for the night.
Isabella hands Orri his key and passes along the pertinent details "Yes, I've taken care of it. Here's your key. You get a whole bed to yourself tonight, brother. Try to enjoy it for I fear we will be dreaming of this night for months to come."
Looking to Annalla she gets defensive after Chrysa's comment "An acquaintance. She was in trouble when I entered and she's low on coin, in need of a bath and clothing. I am trying to do good unto others as father old us. With all of the new coin from Ipmeek, it seemed silly to not try and brighten someone else's day who was down on their luck."
She now considers the entirety of the situation after she's spoken it out loud and realizes it does seem a little strange. She lowers her forehead to his and whispers "I feel... " she pauses as she tries to find the right word " Broken inside. The cards took away the scarring and snapped me back to present, but I still don't feel right. I guess I want to feel like my old self in a pretty dress with a hot meal and wash the grime, blood and... other things from my body."
She closes her eyes and sighs, seeking the guidance of her older brother "I realize I don't know that person and maybe that was all just a big mistake? Should I decline and just go to bed? Please tell me what I should do?"
Chrysa will come back down from her glorious mind numbing bath an hour after disappearing. The copper hair has been freshly braided into two, looped around the bases of her horns (the left one almost the same length again). Dressed in a black dress with split skirts made to fit under and over her leathers (a tip to a waitress got it delivered), swords on the hips, and a determination in her dark eyes, she is ready for the city, but first she knocks on Ipmeek's door, and says "I'm going shopping for supplies, and to eat something decadent, want to come?" She knows being different in a city makes everything harder, plus she'd enjoy the company.
Orri hesitates a moment and notes ”You still never told me what happened. I understand if you don’t want to but know that I’m here if you ever need to talk.” He looks over to the strange looking woman and then back to Bella ”Are you sure it is safe? I’ve never seen anything like whatever she is before...” He pauses a moment and then shrugs and smiles ”I can definitely understand the need for some normalcy, we’ve been out in the wilds awhile now. If this is something you need to feel better, then do it. Just be safe.”