Mytri Damiri's Story

A tall, darkened figure, shadowed the entrance of Verinotte Hollow. The age old vampire had an eery aura that surrounded him, flowing and grasping around those closest. He had a way of installing fear into the even the most fearless.

He had heard rumors of the Vankoryth Detente, and their safe haven for all beings undead. From across the ocean, he paid it no mind. But now, as the need for his sired vampiress rises, the actual community humors him. Before him, he saw at least 10 different races walking amongst one another. The vampire sniffed the air, 'Humans, even. Alive, walking, talking, interacting, humans!'

Instantly, he grew disgusted with Risika for taking up residence within the town. He was positive he had made more of an impression upon the beautiful Priestess, 'Surely she would never co-align herself with the dogs of this world.' Something just didn't add up for him. He couldn't accept the fact that his most prized possession had taken refuge inside such filth. He could feel her presence, strong, coming from a part of town bustling with the interracial sorts. "A shop, has she?" A crooked slant took at the corner of his mouth, "Of courssse." He hissed.

Making his way towards the Piata, his pace sped up. For appearances sake, the man would walk the distance, giving himself time to fantasize about how he would appear before Risika, herself; Mytri Damiri was looking forward to this reunion.

The use of Shunpo allowed Shinku to make it to Verinotte Hollow in record time, even with the extra weight he was carrying. By this time he had slowed down enough that he was visible to the naked eye. The tall vampire was shot a quick glance before his attention was returned to his wounded subordinate.

Sanji was a bloody mess, unaware of what was going on because he slipped in and out of consciousness. With the rate at which he was bleeding out, Shinku knew the boy didn't have very long. Not wanting him to suffer any longer, he raised his Zanpakuto into the air and plunged it downward. It was quick and painless. Moments after his initial passing, Sanji's body reverted back to the individual Reishi particles it was composed of.

"If you have to cry, now would be the time." Shinku said to Honoka. Little did he know she was already doing just that, sobbing silently at Sanji's feet.

Mytri paused in step. His eyes went from the dull black color they were, to a red haze. He jerked his head to the side, and zeroed in on the young woman sobbing at the feet of a seemingly, warrior. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, smelling the blood scattered at their feet. As he examined the both, neither seemed to have an open wound of any sort; nor did there appear to be a body about anywhere.

With his silver black cane in the right hands' grasp, Mytri quickly closed the gap between himself and the two people. "Perhaps I could be of assistance?" His black hair blew in front of his face, masking it entirely aside from the red glow of his eyes. "I am a medic, of sorts." Looking at the male standing before him, he talked of the girl at his feet, "It appears your companion is hurt, but you are not? She does not seem to be enjoying your company, my friend; as a protector of all those weaker than I, I'll be asking you to step aside, now."

A swish cut through the air, as Mytri swung his cane to a horizontal stance before his chest. Both of his hands grasped its' ends, while the top decor of the cane itself started to morph before the eyes that would watch. In it's original form, it appeared to be a simple handle. At second glance, however, it became a viper's head. The snake's eyes matched that of the vampire, as it grew and stretched, standing high behind Mytri, hissing and baring its' fangs.

"Perhaps I could be of assistance?"

Upon hearing the request Shinku raised his head and rested his eyes on the man he passed earlier. The silent, impalpable waves of Reiatsu that pulsed outward from his core pinged against the stranger; the information was transferred to his robotic brain immediately. This man had the aura of an Immortal; specifically, a Vampire. Being that he was assigned to protect Humans, he wasn't particularly fond of species that made a prey out of them.

"She's fine." he assured him, "The blood is from a fallen comrade of ours."

Honoka's sniffles broke the momentary lapse of silence after her lieutenant stopped talked. She wiped the her face using the sleeve of her Shihakusho and stood to her feet. "He's my lieutenant, he's the one that saved me." In her hands she held what remained of her Zanpakuto: nothing more than the handle a few of the double-edged blades of its Shikai form. She'd have to get it reforged when she returned to Soul Society.

"You can put that away." he scoffed while gesturing toward the serpent that loomed behind Mytri. He was in no mood to fight again, the gesture insulted him.

Mytri let out a chuckle, and held his cane high above his head for the serpent to shimmy back to its' handled head. Placing it squarely before his body, with both hands atop the handle, his ring was exposed to the moonlight. An onyx stone reflected the light so strongly, it appeared to be coming from the snake handle itself, shining through his hand and back into the night sky.

Tilting his head to the left, Mytri spoke softly, "I'll never understand why the strong weep. It's nothing but a sign of weakness; a flaw, if you will."

His own fangs began to expose themselves. "Pardon my rudeness." Mytri lifted his arms wide to his sides, holding the cane with his right. "I am Mytri Damiri," His left arm crossed his chest, and he offered the two standing before him a proper acknowledgment via bow, "A Master of the Night, if you please." Standing to reveal a pointy smile,Mytri motioned towards the man standing tall, "Are you two citizens of this, Hollow?"

Honoka shook her head as Shinku began to speak, "We're migrants. There was a report of a couple of Hollows in this area so we headed over here." The small phone-like devices carried on their person relayed locations of new Gargantas from Soul Society, and the Shinigami responded. It was how they responded to Hollow emergences so quickly.

Shinku lowered his head to return the bow before glancing around. They had been the subjects of stares by strolling denizens, but nothing more. "What about you?"

Mytri twirled his cane around while speaking, "I'm here to meet a few kin of mine; one's been up to no good, and the other I'm not entirely sure of." Pointing towards the path that led into the town square, Mytri offered a toothy grin, "Perhaps you'd care to join me for a drink or two at the diner? I'm famished after my travels, and by the looks of it, you two could use a good meal as well."

The man wasn't entirely sure if the two could tell his state of being, that he was a vampire, but Mytri wasn't too overly worried about it. He had fed while traveling, a few barn maidens that had been well fed their own selves. He wasn't thirsty in the least bit, nor did the two before him look appetizing at all. To be exact, they looked as if death had passed over them thrice times during their own travels.

"Come." He motioned for them to follow, "I shall treat you to your dinner in exchange for your company. Something tells me it would be unwise to enter into town by myself."

A tall dark man with lengthy black hair, protected by a black coat with red lining seemed to glide through the entrance of the bar. He took in all the scents that filled the room, rich in vampire. He came from a place where supernatural creatures were not free, as they are here. He could see why his beloved had escaped to this place. Not a single pair of eyes seemed to notice the figure as he made his way along the perimeter.

Mytri Damiri came from a very pure blood line, one that still had its' magicks mixed in. So, when accompanied or crossed with fear, the predator within Mytri went alert. Someone within the bar was terrified, but of what? Mytri could see no threat. Most of the patrons appeared to be vampires, however there were a few oddballs. Tilting his head, he noticed a small dragon with her pet human. He chuckled to himself, there would be no telling what he would come across within this world.

Stepping between two tables, the stench of fear grew even stronger. Mytri walked up behind a small, what appeared to be a chattering mouse instead of a vampire, in size comparison. The boy had a stench about him, one that protruded fear, uncertainty, and abandonment. Having committed the crimes that he had, Mytri began to entertain the million possibilities that were this fragile creatures past. One thing he was certain of, the young one hadn't been fed well enough, probably ever.

Reaching inside his cloak, he pulled out a small glass vile. Inside of course, was a dark crimson colored liquid: blood, no doubt. Mytri stepped in front of the boy, startling him, then crouched down to get on eye level. "Do not fear me, boy. I am the same as you, a stranger in this land." Pulling his hair from the side of his neck, and held forth the vile to the boy. "This is a vile of my own blood, it will quickly bring you back to health, and calm your nerves." He pulled the lid off, "Drink." His hypnotizing voice gave the command.

Dixon's panic rose the more people that seemed to enter the place that he was at. He noticed someone walking towards him eventually and took a deep breath, not realising he was holding it until he released the breath when someone knelt down to him scaring him half to death. Not that holding a breath mattered when he was a vampire. The fear rising off him though increased tenfold though now that someone was staring at him.

At first he didn't touch the vile that was offered to him too scared to even hold out a hand. He was shaking in fear, his eyes bloodshot and paler than most - if it was possible to see under the dirt that he was caked in. But realisation and smell soon took over once the vile was opened, making his stomach rumble with the hunger that he'd been craving for. At his young age he hadn't learned to properly hunt so he'd rarely got enough to make a proper feed.

The little boy quickly snatched the vile and drank it's contents, for once happy that he wasn't hungry any more. And the older vampire had been right. It had calmed his nerves to the point where he wasn't shaking any more, though he was still scared and wanted to remain hidden under the stool. Dixon was too young to know if it had the desired effect on his health, but he didn't care. He was just glad that he was no longer hungry.

Mytri could feel the air around the boy ease, though he was still frigid. The vampire stopped to analyze, perhaps he had assumed too much in that the boy was a stranger to this land. For the love of the Gods, he was terrified near to death. Mytri couldn't remember the last time he had seen a vampire look so scared. It was almost impossible for him to wrap his mind around, none the less, the boy was. His aura was barely noticeable, so he had to still be a young sire. Perhaps it was his maker that had left him like this; cruel and unkind, something that Mytri had never been to his sires. Mytri felt obligated to get to the bottom of the situation. If this is what became of the young ones within a free land, Mytri was against it, as he knew he would be.

"Where is your Master, boy? What is your name?" More questions were at the edge of his tongue, but he paused. With both hands extended, Mytri softened his voice, "Come, come. Let us sit on top of the chairs, shall we?" Tilting his head, and catching the eyes of the boy, he spoke directly, "Again, I am a friend, I only wish to help you. Perhaps you're still hungry?" He motioned with his fingers for the boy to reach out to him.

Dixon watched the older vampire closely before listening to his questions and frowning. What was a master? Dixon had never known of a master before. He didn't understand. But he did understand the next question. He listened to what else the older vampire had to say, thinking about everything before finally nodding and moving to get out from under the stood. He was still hungry. He eventually held out his small hands to the vampire to let him pull him out.

"My name's Dixon. But mom and dad call me Dix. I don't have a master." He barely whispered once he was pulled out and sitting on a chair. "They got killed. My mom and dad." He said quietly.

He didn't look at Mytri when sitting on the chair. He just sat there staring at his hands while his fingers played with each other in his lap. He didn't want to look up and see how many people were around. And he didn't want them to see him. He didn't know if any of them were hunters or not. He didn't want to be found by them. And he'd promised his mom and dad that he wasn't going to come out until they got him, but they'd never come.

As the young boy explained to him what happened to his family, Mytri felt a tug at his own conscience. Too many times, vampires prey upon a whole family, then turn the children into beings of supernatural decent, leaving them to their own confusion and terror. Many crazed vampires grow to become the definition of terror itself due to circumstances such as these. Perhaps he could get to the bottom of it.

"Are you feeling better, having fed?" Mytri took two steps to the table adjacent them, "Pardon me, won't you?" Laying two gold pieces upon the table top, he took hold of the warm container in the center. Smelling the liquid, he was pleased and took back to Dixon, setting it in front of him. "This might not have such a strong effect, but it will taste good still." Mytri wiped his nose, "Pigs blood, not the tastiest, but rich in fat."

"So, do you remember what happened? Who made you into what you are, like me?" Mytri asked these questions gently.

"I'm not as hungry now that I had the blood. Mom and dad used to go out and get blood and bring it back." He said quietly before seeing the pigs blood. His eyes opened wide and he grinned recognising the smell as something his parents got him often. It must have been this. "My mom got me this lots. I know the smell." He grinned before taking a big drink of the stuff and licking his lips after the big drink, blood covering more than just his lips.

When Mytri asked about what happened, he frowned thinking about what happened. "The hunters got close. They found us." Funnily enough he wasn't talking about vampires. "Mom and dad saw and made me hide so they could fight them. They knew they'd find us." He frowned.

"They had fire and big sharp sticks. I watched from the window before I hid. They said not to come out until they came to get me but mom and dad never came. I got hungry so came out to look for them. They were gone. Everyone. So was mom and dad. I couldn't find them. I waited at the house for a while but they never came back to get me. I think they died."

He wiped his eyes, not wanting to cry about it. He was strong and a boy. Boys didn't cry. He was really strong. Just like his dad told him and so he wouldn't cry. With that Dixon focused back to drinking the blood quietly.

Mytri's eyes glowed behind a broad smile. "It's very easy to come by, and does the job." He nodded, pleased that there were still those that appreciated the Art of Nature. 'Waste not, want not!' His own sire used to tell him. The young fledgling was shining light upon Mytiri's early years.

"I'm sure they chased away those horrible hunters." Myti hissed, turning in his chair to cross his legs. He folded his gloved hands on the top of his knees, "Yet, here you have come! You are a true survivor, which is a good trait to have among our kind." He gestured admiration with his hands, complimenting the boys' strength. The old vampire himself could remember the day of his parents passing; then came the end of his Master, Katafia. The thing to losing someone close to you, as an immortal, was that there came no peace afterwards. Mytri frowned his brow. "Such a horrible, horrible excuse of existence: Hunters. Not every soul that roams the planet would be so cruel."

The Lord Damiri paused,"Tell me, did you have any trouble escaping your home?" He positioned his head to analyze Dixon's attire, "Perhaps you thought to bring along some of your personal belongings?"

Dixon's clothes now were mere rags. It was hard to tell how long ago this apparent attack had happened and how long he'd been running and hungry. He continued to drink the blood until he was no longer hungry, listening to Mytri's words as he spoke. Dixon might have looked young and weak, like he should have been left to die, but there was something in him that had managed to keep him alive.

"I didn't leave until I thought they'd gone. But one stayed behind to wait for me. They knew I was somewhere because of the toys in the house. The didn't find my hiding place. When I came out he chased me." It was obvious that Dixon didn't want to talk about it much. "I didn't bring anything from my house. I didn't know what to do. I just ran. I didn't want him to get me like he got mom and dad. So I ran as fast as I could until I found another hiding place."

Dixon was back to staring at his hands as his fingers played with each other again, shy and nervous about this whole situation. He didn't know where to go or what to do without his mother and father around. They'd always shown him what he needed to do. And now they were gone.

Mytri had never before heard of humans raising their child after being sired. Foreigners boggled him. He nodded, "You did what anyone would do, dear Dixon. Even more so, you succeeded! Your parents wanted you safe so much, that they sacrificed their own lives in hope for it." Though this last statement was as grim as it could get for a child, it was true. "It is your duty, Dixon, to see to it that you remain safe, healthy, and live a long life. In honor of the sacrifice your parents made." Mytri scooted out from his chair, and stood.

"How lucky of you to have found me, for I am going to The Stones of Isis, a local store, here directly." Mytri pulled from his cloak a black purse, and set his gold pieces upon the table. Though he had brought along his own drink, and paid the fellow patron for theirs, he was not one to leave room for questions; money did most of the talking for him in places such as this Tavern. Replacing his purse, he spoke, "Come, my boy. You will escort me to The Stones of Isis, where I will repay you for your services. Then we can further discuss your... plans."

However young Dixon appeared to be, he always would. Now was the time to focus on his mind, help him wrap it around his situation, and give him something to live for. Mytri had a program back in his homeland, for all newborn vampires to adjust to their powers, become familiar with their needs, how to sustain their health, and introduce them into society to become a part of the world around them. Though Dixon was not necessarily a newborn, it was evident that his family kept him away from others of his kind. Nurturing the vampiric hunger with their own farm animal blood. However noble, it was still a dangerous gamble. The hunter inside the vampire would break free at some point, with our without Dixon's intention. It was Mytri's experience that his kind did best to accept their fate, embrace it, and make it their own. If he did nothing else while in this modern land of supernatural existence, he would see to it that this boy made a life for himself, as he had done so many times before. As his beloved Risika had set out to do for herself, here, in Verinotte.

Mytri would not insist upon it, so he conceded, "Sound good to you, boy?"

If Dixon had known that Mytri thought his parents were human, he would have laughed and corrected the man. For Dixon had always been a vampire and so had his parents. Dixon knew nothing different except for the fact that they moved around a lot to avoid the hunters. The hunters killed their kind, his mother had explained to him once, which is why they had to continue to move so that they didn't find them. Where they had lived a lot of killings had started to take place. But eventually the hunters had caught up to them and killed his parents.

"I'll be a strong vampire. The biggest and bestest vampire, just like my dad." He smiled, jumping off of the stool. Though as soon as he saw everyone that was around, the young boy got scared and shy again, but instead of moving to hide under the chair again, he moved to hide behind Mytri, watching the crowds carefully, just in case something happened.

"It sounds good." Dixon finally answered Mytri. "But I have no plans. Mom and dad were teaching me stuff. They never told me any plans." He frowned, slightly confused now he was thinking about it and trying to decide if plans had been made. Maybe he'd just forgotten or something. He couldn't really remember.

"What will we do with me now my mom and dad have died?" He finally asked. "Will I have no home now? Or will I have to find my way back to my other home?" He felt quite sad about that. He didn't want to be on his own. He hated been on his own and the thought of being on his own when hunters were about, terrified him.

"Just like your...Dad?" This stumped Mytri. The entire family had been of vampiric decent? "So then..." He paused for a moment more, while the boy continued to talk. It was distressing to him the solitude that immortals took upon themselves. He had grown around Katafia, with her thirst for fame, and glory. Mytri himself had taken on the same outlook. Obviously, life without glory was not a reality for him.

"The biggest, and bestest, huh?" Mytri wrapped his left arm around the boys shoulders, bringing him to his side, and draping his cloak over him. "That's quite a quest, my dear boy." In his other hand, he held a cane, with a serpents head at its' top. Red ruby stones made its' eyes, it was a very intricate design. As he held it visible, upon the ground, for Dixon to see it, the eyes of the serpent seemed to glow. "A home, you say?" He started to take the steps towards the exit, "Worry not. You never have to go back to that horrible place full of hunters. I will see to it that you find comfort, and sanctuary. You just think about all of the things that your parents taught you. Soon, you will begin your lessons. First, however, you must learn to dress as a proud vampire would."

"Yeah, my dad was an awesome vampire. So was my mom." Leon told him. "And I'll be the biggest and the bestest. He knew I would. Dad's my hero. Maybe the hunters didn't get him and he's looking for me. Maybe we can make signs. Once we made signs when our dog got lost." He rambled on a little more to Mytri.

Dix soon found himself staring at the serpents head on the cane that Mytri held and grinned. Now that he was with someone he was a lot less scared of everything and didn't feel so frightened of the crowd that was there. He could do this. And as it was mentioned that he should dress as a vampire, Dixon glanced at the man's clothes.

"Like what you are wearing?" He asked. "Do I get a cape too? Like a superhero. Like yours?"

"Signs, you say? Hmm." If the hunters had come with spears, that meant they were educated. Nothing proved more dangerous to the average vampire than an educated hunter. However, Mytri Damiri was not an average vampire, "We will definitely look into the hunters who ransacked your home, and the whereabouts of your parents, young Dixon. That is a promise." Mytri winked at the boy as he made his vow.

Mytri squeezed the young vampires shoulder, "I suppose we could find you a cape as well, like mine." He looked down at the boy, who now seemed to be in a much brighter mood than he was upon their first meet. His innocence was refreshing, "Though, I've never been called a superhero before. Your outfit will depend on the resources my friend has in this shop of hers. I've never been to it, you see. This is my first encounter in Verinotte Hollow. Much like you, everything here is new to me. Perhaps it will prove exciting as well!" Nothing kept spirits up in the young then their own sense of adventure.

One thing Dixon did love was adventure. It was going to be a task for Mytri to keep the boy out of trouble and clean, but he'd learn that eventually. Dixon was no way a clean child. He loved to get dirty and go on adventures - normally with his parents because it was dangerous on his own, but this time he had this guy with him and Dixon had eventually gotten comfortable around him and wasn't the scared little boy he had been.

There were moments, if there was a sudden movement too close to him, and he would move back behind Mytri. His fear wasn't completely gone. The last time he'd seen a big crowd was when the hunters came. Before that it had just been him and his parents in their house. They'd lived in complete solitude. As far as Dixon was aware, he hadn't met any other vampires either. He couldn't remember ever meeting other people.

"Great. I want a cape." He smiled. "And this sounds like an adventure. I bet it'll be super awesome. And we'll get to see the Hunters and find my mom and dad and then everything will be fine." Dixon nodded, choosing now to believe that one day his parents would be found. It was a lot better than speaking about them being dead in his eyes.

Mytri's heels clicked on the cobblestones as he let the door to the Tavryn close behind himself and young Dixon. His eyes adjusted to the light immediately, as he searched the buildings within the square for Risika's own. It could be easily spotted from where they stood, and sparkled quite familiarly. The female vampire had always been a fan of all things Egyptian, hence her building structure.

"This way, my boy." It was quite a site seeing the two vampires walking down the street together. It had been a long time since Mytri Damiri had shown any kind of affection of any sort in public, to be embracing a young fledgling as such. Whether it was the heart string that Dixon had pulled, or his anticipation of seeing Risika again; regardless, happiness had somehow found its' way into the old vampire's eyes.

No matter how excited Dixon was at the thought of adventure, immediate worry and wariness overcame him as they walked out of the Tavern. All signs of fun had left the little vampire and his eyes were darting around for any signs of the hunters as he practically glued himself to Mytri. It seemed anything child like from the boy had left him. The fearfulness and tenseness had returned in the boy. Hunters were back on his mind and they terrified him. He was ready to run if he saw any sign of them here. He wasn't sure if they'd somehow managed to follow him.

He followed Mytri when he spoke, though was no less wary of his surroundings. He moved carefully, but made sure he kept up with the older vampire and tried to see where they were heading to. He wasn't sure of which building they were heading to despite wanting to run and hide in one of them. But he managed to keep himself calm enough not to just run for a building.

And it helped that he hadn't seen a hunter. By the time they reached the shop, the fear was radiating off of Dixon as much as it had done when he'd been in the Tavern.

Mytri climbed the stone steps that led up to the entrance of the Stones of Isis. The trembling and fear that radiated from Dixon proved a strong distraction, but nothing too strong to keep calm his excitement. A full decade had past since his last encounter with the Tigress. "Keep calm, my boy. Remember, you're safe with me." Stopping before the bronze doors that sat between two ivory columns, Mytri smiled, fangs bared, as the doors opened on their own. "Quite accommodating." He said.

Inside, the walls were covered with shelves full of artifacts. Different odds and ends of furniture decorated the floor. Candles lit the place dimly, "Exactly as expected." He spoke.

From behind a curtain, came a beautiful young woman. Her emerald eyes sparkled as a nearby flame danced upon a candle. "Welcome to..." She stopped. How had she not sensed him? Her breath caught, though it's own presence was entirely unexpected. "L-Lord Mytri." Though she spoke his title, she showed no acknowledge of his position by curtsy or bow.

"Hello, my dear Risika." Mytri did bow however, one arm extended, and cane firmly grasped in the other. However long ago their last encounter had been, it still remained fresh in his mind: Her escape from his kingdom. It had been rather... hurtful, for them both.

"What brings you to Verinotte?" Risika had to cut straight to the point with this man. He was not to be entertained, nor did he ever appear anywhere without a purpose.

"Surely Maurana has visited you since her departure from Castle Damiri, has she not?" Mytri inquired.

"Of course she did. Something about your family scrolls?" Risika tilted her head, "Surely you don't believe I have anything to do with their disappearance?"

"We'll discuss that later, my dear. For now, I am purely visiting. I've even made a new friend since arriving. Dixon? Meet my Queen, Risika Damiri."

Risika was amazed that he would still reference her as such, after she deceived him in such a way, she was sure he would never forgive her, and still was. Then she looked upon the face of the boy that stood beside him, having noticed him for the first time since they entered her shop. She questioned the situation with a look, "Dixon." She acknowledged.

"My friend here would like to find himself a new cape, like my own." Mytri swung his cape over his shoulder.

Somewhere just outside of Stones of Isis, a man stood watching the young vampire that was now with someone. He let out a small curse, lighting a cigarette and trying to think up a new plan. He'd been hoping to catch the young boy alone, make the death quick and simple before alerting the other hunters to the fact that he'd seemed to have fallen on a vampire goldmine. He'd noticed how many vampires were here. He was trained to know what to look for now. So he watched silently, smoking before he decided on a new plan.

Putting out his cigarette, he waited for them to go inside before he started to follow. He'd kill the young vampire. No one ever escaped his grasp and he was sure that he'd get ample opportunity to take the boy's life from within the shop if he was careful enough.

---

Dixon didn't calm down until they were in the safety of the shop. Once inside he was fascinated by his surroundings and looking around at all the different things. He was so distracted that he didn't notice anyone come out at first until Mytri started talking to someone. He heard someone enter behind them and disappear into the shop to look around, but he didn't look. His eyes were only on the queen.

"Yeah. I need a cape. So I can be the bestest and strongest vampire ever." Dixon grinned finally, looking from Mytri and then around the shop once more before looking at the queen again. "Yeah. I'm Dixon. And I need a cape." He added, repeating himself.