Shining Threads

Accepted Aiyaela
If You Can't Say Something Nice...
Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:19am

“Daia, what were you thinking?” the channeling lesson had just ended, and Daia was sitting cross-legged beside her quicksand pit, watching Aiyaela pace in front of her with a serenity only an Aes Sedai could match. “Wipe that smug look off your face!” Aiyaela snapped when Daia didn't say anything. Daia's smile faded, replaced by stony indifference. “Will you bloody say something?” Aiyaela demanded when Daia still remained silent.

“What do you want me to say?” Daia finally asked.

“Oh, good! She has a voice.” Aiyaela replied sarcastically. “How about apologizing for making me look a fool out there? How about apologizing for verbally attacking me?”

“No.” Daia said simply, with no malice in her tone. “Why should I? Did I demand you apologize when you verbally attacked and humiliated me? Have you apologized for it? Yes. But I didn't request it. Because I didn't want it. You made me realize certain things, that day. You made me realize that no matter what, I'm below you, and nothing I can do will change it. I didn't want anything to do with you then, and I still don't. I just want you to leave me alone, let me go on my way, and I'll be more careful about whose lessons I take.” Daia stood to leave, stopping when Aiyaela blocked her way.

“I see,” the Accepted said softly. “You won't apologize to me? You need to be punished somehow, because I can't let you get away with something like that. If you can get away with it, then other Novices will be testing their boundaries, and calling unfairness if they get it and you don't, and if they don't get punished, then there is no point to rules, yes?” Aiyaela smiled cruelly. “So this is what we're going to do. You are going to have a weave placed on you where you cannot speak at all. It will be removed only when you come to me to apologize. You have to mean your apology, as well. No saying, ‘Oh, I'm sorry,' and skipping merrily on your way. You have to understand that what you did is wrong, and be truly sorry about it. Only then will you be able to speak.

Daia gaped at Aiyaela. How could the woman have the authority to do this? “Do you remember the old saying, ‘If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all'? Well, I'm taking it literally.” Aiyaela told her. “And no use complaining to the Mistress of Novices, because after this I'm going to go tell her what happened. I have witnesses for what you said to me, and so they won't help you at all.” Aiyaela smirked, feeling satisfied that justice had been done. She had been humiliated, and wouldn't stand for it. Daia had no right to speak to her in that way, no matter how mad she was at Aiyaela, and so now she would pay the price.

“Anything you would like to say before I silence you?” Aiyaela asked sweetly, giving Daia the chance to redeem herself and only be stuck with extra chores for a week, rather than be silenced completely.

“Light burn you, Aiyaela. You don't know what you're doing.” Daia spat.

Aiyaela shrugged her shoulders. “As you wish.” She embraced the source, deftly weaving the Elements together. Spirit, Air and Fire, and settled them over Daia. The Novice opened her mouth a few times, trying to say something, but no sound came out. “Remember, all you have to do is apologize to me, and you're free.”

A commotion behind them made both women turn around. Several feet away, out of the range of the quicksand pits, two Novices were fighting, hitting each other and biting. Aiyaela bit off an oath, running toward them, all thoughts of Daia out of her head.

Novice Daia
...Don't Say Anything At All
Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:20am

Daia glared at Aiyaela. She felt like she was doing that a lot lately, but then, it had been a bad day, made worse by the punishment assigned to her by Aiyaela. She tried to say, “My name is Daia din Meyn,” but nothing audible came out. Light, this would be hard! But she wasn't wrong. How could she show respect to a woman that she felt nothing but contempt for? Aiyaela had walked all over her, and now that the woman was an Accepted, she was demanding respect that she deserved, only because her dress had colour on it. Daia was amazed at how Aiyaela thought she saw the logic in it. If it had been the other way around, Aiyaela wouldn't have been meek and mild. She would probably have been worse. But couldn't she see that?

Daia sighed, and carefully picked her way around the quicksand pits. It would be ironic if she fell in one now, when she had no voice to call for help with. Theoretically they were only two feet deep, but Daia was less than five feet tall, so what was two feet on someone like Aiyaela might be a little deeper for someone as petite as Daia. Anything deeper would be extremely difficult to get out of, and Daia didn't feel like waiting for someone to stumble across her and rescue her. The first thing she would do when she was out of this minefield would be to go straight to Madeline Sedai and complain. Except she couldn't talk, so that wouldn't work very well.

Muttering silently to herself, Daia tried to figure out how she would be able to communicate with anybody. She would not give in! Aiyaela would start to feel sorry for her by tomorrow, and come to take it off, begging her forgiveness for such a harsh punishment. Daia just had to be patient and stubborn, and then she would win. Maybe she shouldn't go to Madeline Sedai. If she was good and bided her time, perhaps the woman would come to see Daia, to see how she was doing, and might even lift the punishment herself, because Daia was trying so hard, even though it was an unfair punishment.

The gears turned in Daia's brain as she schemed for the best way to have her punishment lifted without her apologizing. After all, she had nothing to apologize for. She was right, Light burn the stupid Accepted!

At yet another knock on her door, Daia rose and opened it, hoping that it was Madeline Sedai. Again she was disappointed by yet another Accepted, requesting her help with something or another. Daia knew Aiyaela was behind this. But she was one up on the woman. She had taken a piece of paper and written an announcement on it that explained, from her point of view, why she was unable to talk.

As you no doubt know, Accepted Aiyaela feels that I would benefit from not being able to speak until I salvage her feelings. I am holding a silent protest against this, because I feel it is unjust and unfair. If you have any requests, I will be happy to help you in any way I can. Thank you for your patience.

She held this up now to the Accepted at the door, who nodded with a quickly suppressed smile. “I have been told to tell you that you will be serving extra kitchen duty for the time you have been silenced. You will be in the kitchens after each meal, cleaning up until it is spotless, or Laras thinks you may go.” The Accepted smiled now at the expression on Daia's face. “You will start after tonight's meal. I suggest you hurry to the kitchens, where you can grab a quick bite before you have to start.” Ignoring Daia's fish-faced attempts at speaking, she turned and walked down the hall, humming thoughtlessly as she went. Daia quietly closed her door, not wanting to incur the wrath of the Accepted like she had the first one, when she had slammed her door and the woman had come back, demanding an essay on being polite to Accepted.

She leaned against the door, closing her eyes against the sudden tears that clogged her throat and burned her eyes. This was going to be harder than she thought. Driving a fist into the side of her wardrobe, Daia swore silently. She would not give in. She was right, not Aiyaela, and the Light knew it!

Novice Daia
Silent Protest
Fri Jul 23, 2004 11:50pm
24.85.212.121

“Daia? Do you know the answer?”

Daia's head snapped up to stare wide-eyed at Renorre Sedai. So far she had gotten through two days of not speaking by laying low in classes and chores, and hiding in her room in her free time. Though her friend Livvii had lent her a slate and a soft white stick that left streaks on the slate and wiped off when she ran her hand over it, it was too much of a hassle and took so long to write everything down that she didn't bother unless she had to. Not to mention that it drew a lot of unwanted attention. Daia had even left of with her sign after the first day, because that too was an attention grabber.

“Aes Sedai!” Livvii, who was sitting next to Daia, waved her hand frantically in the air. “Aes Sedai!”

Renorre Sedai pursed her lips in irritation. “Novice, I asked Daia, not you, now stop waving your hand around like a wild thing.”

“But Aes Sedai, Accepted Aiyaela—“

“That is enough, child! I don't care what Accepted Aiyaela did or didn't do. Daia, do you know the answer?”

Daia meekly shook her head. In truth, she did know the response, but had no way of telling Renorre Sedai.

The Brown Sister sighed, shaking her head. “Child, have you done the reading?” Daia nodded. “Can you remember what you read?” Another nod. “Yet you don't know the answer?” Nod. “Is that yes, you don't know, or yes, you do?” Unsure of how to answer this one, Daia nodded again. “Speak child!” When Daia remained silent, Renorre Sedai sighed and finally said, “Do you want to earn a penance?” Headshake. “Then tell me the answer, or tell me you don't know!” Daia's face was flaming, she was so embarrassed, but she couldn't speak to defend herself, so she was at an impasse. “Alright.” The Aes Sedai said when the silence stretched longer than a minute. “I require a three hundred word essay on my desk in two days time on why Novices should listen to Aes Sedai.”

Daia moaned slightly and buried her face in her hands. This was not working all that well. “You should have thought of that before you got cheeky with me, child. What is it Livvii?” The Aes Sedai snapped at the tall brunette, whose hand was waving around.

“Begging your pardon, Aes Sedai, but Daia can't speak. Accepted Aiyaela got mad at her and put a silencing weave on her for punishment.”

“I see.” The Aes Sedai tapped her lips thoughtfully. As a Brown sister she was fond of Aiyaela; all the Browns were. Daia couldn't understand how such a nasty person could have so many supporters, but apparently Aiyaela was the pet of the Brown Ajah right now, because of her studies in ter'angreal and her abilities at making cuendillar no matter how untrained she was. “Very well, you don't have to write the essay,” she told an immensely surprised Daia. The novice sighed in relief, nodding her thanks at the Aes Sedai.

“Does anyone know the answer?” Renorre Sedai addressed the class again.

And that just about summed up Daia's day.

Daia hated potatoes. If she never had to see a potato again, she would be the happiest Novice in the White Tower. As it was, the next potato she saw was likely to be stabbed repeatedly, then flung at the person who had given it to her. She didn't used to mind potatoes. Then she had to prepare them for dinner.

She pulled what seemed like the millionth potato out of the sack and washed it, then set to cutting it into pieces to be boiled. Her gaze drifted over the other sacks of potatoes that had to be prepared and was nearly overwhelmed with despair. Aiyaela had promised extra chores, and boy did she load them on! Daia was preparing meals instead of cleaning up after them, something she thought would be better, but learned quickly that it wasn't. All she did was cut vegetables or turn a spit. Nothing that encouraged much talk, either. Laras had been easy on her for that, listening to Aiyaela's explanation, then putting Daia to tasks that didn't require regular communication with the Kitchen Mistress. But Light, that made Daia yawn with boredom.

“Where are the potatoes?” Laras yelled out over the din of a busy kitchen. Daia tried to moan, and of course produced no sound. She waved her hand clutching the knife around in the air, but Laras didn't see it. “I said, where are the potatoes?” She demanded in a louder voice, if that was even possible.

Daia jumped up and down, but Laras still couldn't see her, the older woman's back was turned. Frustrated, Daia dashed up to the Kitchens Mistress, forgetting that she had a knife in her hand. She heard a scream, and then she was on her face on the hot, dirty floor with the wind knocked out of her. There was more screaming and white skirts were scurrying around everywhere.

Dazed, Daia looked up to see Laras staring at her wide-eyed. Daia sighed; she was sick of people looking at her like she was some sort of monster. What had happened, anyway?

“I can't believe you tried to attack Mistress Laras with a knife!” Livvii squealed later, in Daia's room, where the Novice had retreated as soon as the fat Novice who was holding her down got up off her back. Twisting in her seat, Daia felt several vertebrae pop, easing the pain in her back. That girl was heavy!

Dragging out the slate, Daia scribbled on it, I didn't try to attack her. I was just trying to tell her that I had the potatoes and I forgot I had a knife in my hand.

Livvii eyed Daia. “If you say so.” Daia bristled, and Livvii held her hands up in surrender. “I'm not saying you did or didn't. I'm just saying it looked like you tried to attack her.” Daia flopped back onto her bed and stared moodily at the ceiling. Maybe Aiyaela had been right. Perhaps talking back to her was the wrong thing to do. Daia was almost willing to pretend to apologize to Aiyaela just to have this weave lifted. No! I won't give in! She's wrong! She's wrong!

The minutes stretched out into the silence, until finally, Livvii couldn't take it anymore. “No offense, Daia, but I can't sit here in silence with you, or have a one sided conversation. I'm going to go get some sleep.” She headed to the door, then turned back. “Maybe you should consider apologizing to Aiyaela, at least to get rid of this weave?” She shrugged. “Just a suggestion.” She closed the door quietly behind her, and Daia was left in her silence.

Shrugging to herself, Daia got into her shift and climbed into her own bed. There wasn't much else for her to do but sleep. She blew out the candle on the table beside her bed and closed her eyes to the thoughts that maybe Aiyaela was right and Daia had been out of line.

NO! she said firmly. I won't give in. Closing her eyes, she drifted off into a sleep troubled by dreams of Aiyaela telling her she was wrong and would never speak again.

Novice Daia
Silent Treatment
Tue Jul 27, 2004 2:07pm

Daia walked down the hallway in the Novice Quarters, trying to ignore the whispers around her. The gossip hadn't spread as quickly as she would have thought, but Daia's entire floor knew that she had gotten on Aiyaela's bad side and couldn't talk now. Some people were impressed at Daia's insistence on sticking it out, but most thought she was stupid. After all, they wouldn't talk back to an Accepted, so why would she? But they didn't know the entire story, and Daia wasn't going to bother to tell them, even if she could talk. It was her and Aiyaela's business, and that was all. These gossipy novices didn't need to know what happened in their personal lives. And even if she did tell them about Aiyaela, it could lead to questions about Daia that she didn't want to answer.

Like how my name isn't Daia, but Carialle? How I had a borderline split personality disorder? How who I thought was my best friend stabbed me in the back because of something she thought I did and didn't believe me when I told her the truth, that I didn't do it? Daia sighed. It was useless. She didn't trust Aiyaela, who was more and more erratic as time went on. Daia wasn't too sure, but she thought Aiyaela had ended it completely with Rubin, and had heard disturbing rumours about Aiyaela and the M'Hael. Aiyaela was turning into what she had accused Daia of being: a flipskirt.

Daia sighed soundlessly and hurried past the Novices, their whispers ringing in her ears. She wasn't stubborn, she was trying to prove a point. And she was bloody right, not Aiyaela! But it was the fifth day of silence, and she was starting to wonder how much longer she could go. And, amazingly enough, she could see where Aiyaela was coming from. But she wasn't going to give in. Any day now Madeline Sedai would call Daia to her office and remove the weave telling her she was free to go and didn't have to apologize to Aiyaela.

But how much longer could she last? It had already been six days, and she was starting to weaken. Light, she was almost starting to agree with Aiyaela! Shaking her head and muttering soundlessly to herself, Daia hurried out of the Novice Quarters and down the stairs, through the greeting hall, and out of the Tower itself. She wanted to get away from it all, and since she had a free afternoon for once, she wanted to enjoy it in the warm summer sunshine.

Luckily, Daia knew of a secluded garden that few others went to, because it was overgrown and not taken care of. It suited her perfectly; she thought it was the most natural looking garden at the White Tower, no neat lines and rows, but left to follow its own wild path. It suited her current mood perfectly. She could sit in the sun and read some of her books without worrying about anyone finding her.

The stone bench was overgrown with vines when Daia reached the little corner of the gardens, but there was a flattish patch of long grass that she could stretch out on, providing she didn't move too much and get grass stains on her dress.

She settled gingerly on the grass and cracked open her book on Cairhienin customs. Daes Dae'mar fascinated Daia, who had seen it in action when working in Cairhien, but had never learned how it worked. Now she was learning, not only how it worked, but how stupid it was. Trust the nobles to be so bored they become paranoid. Because that's all it was, really, paranoia that they disguise as the Great Game. Daia snorted, and even that was soundless. What a bloody waste of time. But at least that Great Game is what saved her life when she was fleeing Cairhien. If the Lords had gotten it together for even five minutes, she probably wouldn't be in the White Tower right now, instead buried in a hole with no grave marker because she was a thief. She would be grateful to the Great Game for that, even if it was bloody stupid.

“Oh! I didn't know anyone else would be here.” A deep voice exclaimed loudly. Daia rolled over and looked up to see a dark-haired man towering over her. “I hope I'm not disturbing you?”

Daia shook her head. Closing her book, she sat up and warily watched the man. What did he want?

He looked at the book in her hands and his face brightened. “You're reading about Daes Dae'mar? I grew up in Cairhien. Have you ever been there?”

Daia nodded, still eyeing him warily. How soon until he realized that she couldn't talk?

“Are you Atha'an Miere? You look sort of like the Sea Folk I've seen around here.” Daia nodded again. The man tried again. “I'm Molokov, from the Training Yards. I'm an Aethan'Tar.” He held out his hand expectantly. Daia smiled and shook his hand, still not even trying to say anything. “Aren't you going to say anything?” He glared at her suspiciously. Daia shrugged. She couldn't say anything, but he didn't know that.

Molokov pursed his lips. “Fine, I'm terribly sorry for interrupting you. I'll leave you in peace now.” Turning on his heel, he stalked through the grass, nearly ripping the vines from the entrance with the force of his exit. Daia sighed. Was her pride really worth this?

Lying down again, she opened the book and tried to read again, but all she could see was the anger on the black-haired Aethan'Tar's handsome face.

Novice Daia
Silent Plea
Thu Jul 29, 2004 11:13am

“Daia, don't you think you're taking this too far?”

Daia sighed soundlessly. Tual just didn't understand! She had gone six days without speaking, and she was getting used to it. Why give in now, after so long? She shook her head violently. How was this going too far?

“I just think you're being unreasonable, that's all.” Tual said placatingly, tugging on the sheet for the bed he was trying to make. They were doing their daily chores in the Green Ajah quarters, changing sheets now, and trying to match up the right silk sheets with the right Aes Sedai. Each Aes Sedai had her own set of sheets that got washed in the laundry room, and Daia was trying to fold them and put them away in the linen cupboards while Tual made the beds.

Consulting her list again, Daia pulled a bottom sheet out of the huge bundle on her cart, hoping it was the one that belonged to Rivienne Sedai. In her blocky writing it listed the pattern on the sheets and the name of the Aes Sedai, but there were so many green patterned sheets that after a while it was easy to mix them up.

“Well, I'm going to take a load to the laundry room. Rivienne Sedai has special instructions for her sheets,” Tual told Daia, slipping out of the room. She nodded, though he didn't see, and continued to dig the sheets out of the hamper. Once she had a nicely folded pile on the foot of the bed, she carried them to the linen cupboard and placed them on the empty shelf inside.

“Who are you and why are you in my room?” A strong voice rang out from the doorway. Daia whipped her head around, staring in sudden fear at the woman in green. She had very curly brown hair like Daia's, only lighter, and wide eyes set in a delicate face. She was several inches taller than Daia, but still somewhat short. Her arms were crossed over her chest and the grey eyes snapped with cold fire.

Spreading her skirts in a shaky-kneed curtsey, Daia kept her eyes down, trying to look shy and frightened, both of which she was in this instance.

“Well, child, speak up! Why are you in my room?” Rivienne, it must be her, tapped her foot impatiently on the floor. Daia's eyes grew wider, and, not knowing what else to do, tapped her throat with her fingers like she had seen mutes do. The woman sniffed, but didn't say anything, still watching Daia. Daia pointed to the laundry cart next, hidden by Rivienne's open door and yet unseen by the Green sister. The Green didn't move. Finally, not knowing what else to do, Daia retrieved her slate and chalk, which she had left on the floor beside Rivienne Sedai's bed, and wrote in a shaky hand, My name is Daia din Meyn and I am cleaning the Green Wing for my chores. She held out the slate entreatingly, and after a moment the Green sister stepped forward to take it.

The woman scowled as she read the slate. “Daia din Meyn? And you can't talk at all?”

Daia shook her head. Out in the hallway, beyond Rivienne Sedai Tual stood, staring at Daia in shock. She couldn't say anything, so she just watched Rivienne Sedai, waiting to see what the woman would do next. Finally she said, “Those are the wrong sheets.” Finding the laundry cart she rummaged around and pulled out mint green cotton sheets. “These are my sheets. Now remake the bed with the right ones, and make sure you get the other ones out of the linen cupboard.”

She crossed the room and opened one of the desk drawers, removing an object which she placed in a hidden pocket of her skirt and turned to leave the room. Tual was still frozen in the doorway, eyes wide. “Can I help you, child?” Rivienne demanded.

Tual bowed at her. “No, Aes Sedai. I am helping Daia with her chores, Aes Sedai.”

The Aes Sedai sniffed again. “Fine. Don't take all day with it.” She swept out of the room, closing her door firmly behind her.

As soon as she was gone Daia collapsed on the floor, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Light, how much longer could she do this? She was getting closer and closer to real trouble. And now she was in a true danger. She couldn't say anything, so she couldn't call for help if anything happened to her. And with the Black Ajah on the loose, like she suspected, if she came across anything, they wouldn't hesitate to be rid of her, even though she couldn't say a word to any of them. Maybe it was time to give in. She had proven a point, but now it was just an inconvenience to not talk. Her classwork was suffering, her channeling wasn't as good as it could be because she couldn't ask for help, and she was spending all her free time in her room because she couldn't socialize. She hadn't seen Khaelis in a week, because of this. He would never understand. Besides, he was so busy with some new girl he never had time to spend with his friends. It hurt, but not as much as Daia had thought it would. They were only friends, and if Khaelis wanted to spend more time with his girlfriend and future bondmate, then Daia was happy for him. She just wished he had told her something instead of phasing her out of his life.

“Daia, maybe you should apologize to Aiyaela. You don't have to mean it, but just do it so that you can talk again. I miss talking to you.” He smiled hopefully at her, and Daia couldn't help but return his smile. After chores. she scribbled on the slate.

“Okay.” They hurried to finish cleaning the Green Wing, so they could get lunch and then Daia could find Aiyaela.

Accepted Aiyaela
Silence is Golden
Thu Jul 29, 2004 11:55am

For the third time that day, Aiyaela slammed her book closed and answered a knock on her door. How would she ever be able to be raised to Aes Sedai if she was constantly interrupted from her studies? Over and over the Brown Ajah had been demanding information on this ter'angreal or the use of that one. Every time Aiyaela had to curtsy like a good little Accepted and hand over what they were looking for, even if it was the ter'angreal she was studying at the moment, all the while seething inside at the bloody interruptions. How was she to learn anything about these ter'angreal to share with the Brown sisters if she couldn't study them because of these interruptions? The Browns were thrilled to have someone brave enough or stupid enough, she reminded herself, to study ter'angreal, even though she had no ability at making them.

Over the years Aiyaela had developed an affinity for ter'angreal and for using them without burning herself out. The desire to study and catalogue all ter'angreal in the world still burned in her, even seven years after she had decided that it was what she wanted to do and she would be a Brown Aes Sedai to do it. Nothing had changed in those long years, save earning the serpent ring, gaining friends and losing friends. She didn't even look like she was nearly thirty; her face held the youthfulness from when she came to the White Tower, both from naturally slow aging and the slowing effect of handling saidar.

She yanked open the door, already preparing how to turn away this Aes Sedai politely without incurring a punishment. Her knees were even semi-bent for a curtsy when she realized that it wasn't an Aes Sedai, it was a Novice. And not just any Novice, but one she had been wondering if she would ever see again. Since she had silenced Daia almost a week ago she had neither seen nor heard from the girl at all. She had figured Daia would last a day of silence then come begging to have the weave removed. She was amazed that the Novice had lasted this long. Despite her personal feelings toward the wretched girl, she admired her for sticking to her principles, even if it meant suffering for a week. But here she was, face pale and drawn, hands clenched into fists around her skirt when she curtsied.

“I suppose you're here to apologize?” Aiyaela winced inwardly at how callous the words sounded. But Daia wouldn't learn unless she knew she was in the wrong. Daia nodded meekly, a surprise, and kept her eyes downcast. Aiyaela licked her lips. “Very well.” She embraced saidar, savouring the sweet rush of life for a second, then removed the weaves from Daia.

The Novice massaged her throat in wonder, then tentatively opened her mouth, saying in a voice croaking from disuse, “I'm not sorry for saying what I said, but I am sorry that I did it in public, where all the other Novices could see, and therefore lessening the respect that they have for you. In the future I will be sure to keep my opinions to myself unless we are in private, and even then I will be sure not to cross the line between Novice and Accepted.”

Aiyaela winced. At least Daia was honest with her. “Very well. I can't say that what you said was completely out of line, based on my past behaviour, but now that it's all said and done, let's forget this and put it behind us, alright?” She smiled hopefully at Daia, thinking the girl would finally see her way of thinking.

Daia stared at the Accepted. She just didn't get it, did she? “Accepted, nothing will ever be alright between us again. I would much rather the Accepted and Novice relationship. You hurt me, badly, and I don't trust you. I can't trust you. I don't see why you can't understand that, but nothing will be the same with us again. Now, I have done what you required of me, may I go? I have classes.”

Speechless, ironically enough, Aiyaela nodded. The girl turned and left, Aiyaela following closely behind. Once the door was closed Aiyaela turned and leaned her back on it feeling the burning tears trickle down her face. Daia really didn't want anything to do with her. I'm sorry, Daia, I really am. Please forgive me? She had ruined it for good. There was nothing else she could do, now, except what Daia had requested. Light, forgive me.