puzzle_piece: easystreet (Upset)
Caroline Mikaelson ([personal profile] puzzle_piece) wrote2015-07-26 10:03 pm

Locked to alpha_hybrid & without_reason

The last memory before her death as she lay on the cold hardwood floor was that of the first dance they had attended as a newlywed couple, she remembered how his breath had been a constant warmth on the base of her neck. She stood in his arms, overflowing of champagne could be heard as her eyes closed in relaxation. Nik leading her across the dance floor with a firm hand on her hip, the scent of her husband overwhelming all senses just as it was the moment she realised death was facing her again.

Her true loves name on her lips as she gasped her last breath, her entire body convulsing before becoming still.

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-07-27 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
The speed at which Klaus moved would have made any vampire look slow in comparison. Caroline’s infection was increasingly getting to the stages of dangerous and Nik refused let her leave him again. Not now. Not like this. Why couldn’t it be simple? Luck would befall most couples and true love in tales would always find a way but it seemed Nik’s whole life was simply cursed. Unfortunately one he now shared with Caroline. At first he chased, then second he pushed her away for her own good but it didn’t work. Impossible to stay away from one another it seemed he’d finally match his equal and this made any curse worth the risk.

A mixture between anger and fear boiled through his veins as he shot inside and instantly beside her. “Caroline!” There was a second’s pause where he waited for an answer, a movement, a breath…anything. But nothing happened and his fears grew. Biting into his wrist in a desperate attempt to try anything to bring her back, nothing seemed to work.

“No…come on, we had a promise.” Nik held her, refusing to believe she was gone he closed his eyes and entered her memory. He got there within enough time to feel them dancing together. Instantly recognizing the place of her memory as one of his favorite places, but before he could speak the world around them seemed to slowly be fading into darkness. He was too late. This was her time to go. Holding on for as long as possible the next time he opened his eyes Caroline body was cold as stone with the familiar black veins of a dead immortal now creeping across her.

“Again? Nik when will you learn.” The familiar annoying voice of Rebekah came from the doorway. Nik refused to reply. Half because of what had just happened and the other out of anger as he didn’t like people, even family seeing his weakness laid exposed.

It took a few minutes for him to try and regain himself but he did it pure monster that came out. Within seconds Nik flipped a table up and sent it crashing to a wall, glass smashing everywhere. “Don’t push me little sister.” He picked up a broken shard of glass and pushed it with so much force into her shoulder that he’d pinned her to the wall. “No one enters this house, no one leaves got it?”

There was a wince of pain from Rebekah who saw in Nik’s eyes that he wasn’t playing around. “She’ll come back Nik, she’s family.”

He knew she was right but it didn’t take away the pain he felt when this happened. It always felt like he had failed her. “I’m not leaving this house until she comes back.”

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-07-27 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
There were often times that Nik thought about using a Witch to restore Caroline’s previous memories. But as pondered this thought for the hundredth time, gazing out the extravagant window and into the darkness, he knew witches involved would be a bad idea. He could hear his mother’s words echoing that everything had a price. No doubt it was possible to do this but who knows the damage it would cost. No. This was the way it now had to be.

The room, dimly lit all apart from the fire that blazed not too far from him was the Mikaelson’s study. Soaked in royal reds and dark oak it was a room fit for a King, or Queen for that matter. Caroline’s body was placed delicately on a couch big enough to fit a several people, the black silk sheets from their bedroom wrapped around her as if to comfort her lifeless body.

“Every time this...” Nik spoke at the window, not even blinking away from the night he was transfixed upon. He’d heard Elijah enter the room. That familiar scent of nobility hanging in the air.

“You don’t have to tell me Niklaus. I know this is hard for you.” He spoke so calmly that an element of Nik wondered if his brother was being sarcastic. Holding his tongue he tore his gaze from the night and towards his brother. At this point Elijah poured himself a drink and took a seat at the nearest table. “Rebekah is quite concerned with your behaviour. I appreciate this cannot be easy for you but threatening your family is not going to make this any easier. Caroline is family now, we shall all play our part in building new memories and showing her who she is.” This was Elijah’s way of telling his brother that they are there for him without bowing to Niklaus’s anger. Words were so fragile when Nik was ruled by his temper.

“Spare me the talk brother. We’ll do the same thing we’ve always done.” Trying to downplay how much this was effecting him, Nik lent over the fire and rested an arm against the warm grey marble. “The Lockwoods are going to pay for this. I’ll hunt down every member of their family, every possible tie to that bloodline.” His words were dedicated and strong. It was the tone his family had come to know, meant there was any change of changing his mind.

“If you think that will help.” Elijah took a sip of his drink and looked at Caroline’s body. “You know Niklaus in all the years we have walked this Earth I have never seen you so enthralled by one woman. Perhaps there is hope for you after all.”

“Don’t mistake my grieving for weakness dear brother.” And with that Nik pushed away from the fire, flashing Elijah a flicker of his hybrid eyes before topping up his glass. “Every time this happens I wonder if a part of her slips further away. Of course I pull her back the best I can but curses have never been kind, especially to me. I wonder, should I tell her we’re married, should I tell her we are her family.”

“What are you getting at Niklaus?”

“There is a part of me that wonders, if left to her own devices without us, would she find me again. They say true love finds a way but perhaps I should test it.”

Elijah thought carefully before he replied. “You want to hold back on telling her everything until she is ready? If you two are meant to be then I see no problem with this. Let her heart work it out for itself.”

At that moment their talk was interrupted by Rebekah who of course was listening to the entire thing. “What’s there to be afraid of Nik? If you’re both so convinced you’ve found true love then what’s the worry? We’ll show her what she is, show her how to have a good time and we’ll see what happens from there. Well unless you’re scared of Cole stepping in.”

“Cole isn’t a threat. What we have is stronger than that.” Nik snapped.

“Well then it’s settled. No telling her you two are married or together. You start from the beginning and we’ll see what happens.”

And with that the three of them waited for Caroline to wake.
Edited 2015-07-27 14:58 (UTC)

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-07-27 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
As the three of them stood in the room waiting for Caroline to awake, Cole grew bored of listening to their theories and talk of Caroline’s memories. Instead he pulled his zippo out from his pocket and started flicking the lid back and forth more of annoyance to others than anything else. “And when were you planning on letting the rest of us know about your little experiment?” Cole said, strolling into the room as if he owned everything inside. That cocky air of confidence like a teenager that couldn’t be controlled instantly capturing the attention of the others. “If there are games to be played I wouldn’t want to miss out.”

“I’m not sure you should be included in this Cole. Between you and Nik I think it is safe to say a lot of damage can be done and we wouldn’t want to draw attention to ourselves. Both of you are bad enough on separate pages let alone the same.” Elijah glanced to Rebekah who by now had her arms folded across her chest. “When she rises we will see what exactly she remembers and we will take it from there. No harm shall come to her Niklaus.” There was a long pause where Elijah took a sip of his drink. ”Are we all agreed?” Like a father waiting for the approval of his children one by one the family agreed to what they were about to do. Nik of course found this the hardest of all. It was one thing to have to win over her heart every time this happened but it was another to have his brothers into the mix. But as Rebekah and Elijah had said, if true love was real then maybe Nik had nothing to worry about. Still the protectiveness he had over Caroline surged like an uncontrollable monster under his skin.

The four of them didn’t have long to wait. Wrapped up in Nik’s bed sheets but still clothed underneath they watched the figure of the family member they knew now lost in a room she knew oh so well. A million questions exploded into Nik’s mind. Does she know she’s a vampire? Does she remember more than last time? Less than last time? The more questions happened the more Nik fought back that pain of longing in his chest. He stood strong and proud amongst the four of them, fully aware that even though she doesn’t remember him, Caroline was still the most remarkable and breathtakingly beautiful woman he has even known.

Rebekah watched Caroline with the smile like a lost sister had come home. Caroline and herself had always found their connection when this had happened before and Rebekah was confident it wouldn’t take long to rekindle that bond. She wasn’t worried about any of this. If anything she was a little jealous that Caroline had that experience of falling in love over and over again. If Caroline and her brother found their way back to one another perhaps Rebekah might believe the true love that her brother claims to have found, actually exists. But first why not show Caroline all the fun she’s been missing.

Cole, relaxed and pinging his lighter back and forth, watched her enter the room with a wicked smile. If it wasn’t for Nik he was almost sure it would be him with Caroline. They had come so close but fate had a different plan. This time it wasn’t going to be that easy. Already Cole had the perfect plan formed for getting Caroline to not only enjoy herself but switch off that humanity. In some weird twisted way he thought making Caroline the darkest version of herself might push away Nik and bring her closer to him. It was a risk Cole was itching to find out.

While everyone wrestled with their thoughts Rebekah stepped forward and gave Caroline a welcoming hug. It was a gesture so rare for their sister to give but with Caroline it was put down to an exception giving the circumstances. Elijah was the only one with a clear head enough into reality to speak. “We’re glad you’re finally awake Caroline. Please, take a seat. We mean you no harm.” He gestured to the couch across from the four of them and waited for her to take a seat. “There is no easy way to explain this to you so please take your time. We are your friends, we mean you no harm. We all live, including you in this mansion. The bite you sustained was from a werewolf, unfortunately it couldn’t be healed without some consequences and as a result you’ve awoken without any memories to which I am sorry.” Sitting down across from her in an attempt to make Caroline feel less intimidated by the four of them standing in various points around the room. Elijah’s gaze held nothing but truth in his words. “I can answer any questions you might have but for now I think it would be better if you were to stay with one of us while you piece everything together. My name is Elijah, to my left is Rebekah and to my right is Cole and Niklaus. I’m afraid until we know you are safe this is the only option, it might also help you piece together some of what you have lost.”

If there was one thing Elijah was good at, it was empathy. However putting himself in Caroline shoes he couldn’t begin to imagine what she must be thinking or going through. Like a protective older brother he was fond of her and wanted to keep her safe. But that wasn’t his choice to make. Caroline had four strangers in front of her all holding their breath to see who gets to shape her memories. “I know it must be hard but go on your instinct.”
Edited 2015-07-27 19:49 (UTC)

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-07-27 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
“Maybe she hasn’t lost as much as we thought.” Rebekah smirked at her brothers. It was the kind of smirk she gave when she beat them at a game or got her way. It was enough of a gleam to allow Elijah to step in.

“Enough Rebekah.” His attention now back to Caroline. “You know you’re name, you know you’re a vampire and you know you’re married. Is there anything else you remember?” He had several cover stories to explain why that ring could have been on her finger but Elijah wasn’t the type to lie and given that her mind was still in the stages of piecing things together, the last thing he wanted to do it twist her memories. It wouldn’t inspire much trust

Coming out from the background and having enough of these games, Nik pushed to the forefront past Cole until he was close enough to block out everyone else in the room. “Come with me Caroline. There are places I want you to see, things I want to show you…”

At that point the sentence was cut short but a bemused Cole. “Blah blah blah. She’s probably hungry. I say let her come with me, we’ll feed, party and be back before you know it. Right Caroline?” Nik proceeded to bite his tongue but that didn’t mean his anger wasn’t evident in his eyes. He was simply one stage away from shaking Caroline and telling her how much he loved her but what would that prove? You can’t tell someone you love them. You can’t tell someone you’re married. This was everything Caroline had to piece together herself and when she was ready, Nik was prepared to tell her everything and share those memories.

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-07-29 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
There was an audible thud as Kol was pressed against the well. “I guess that’s a no then.” He laughed before the grip around his neck prevented him from talking any further. Nik on the other hand was pleasantly surprised by Caroline’s actions. He wasn’t about to get in the way of her strangling his brother with complete ease. If anything her fire served nothing more than to provoke the lust he held for her. A beautiful quality in the hybrids eyes.

Elijah didn’t notice Niklaus’s reluctance to help simply because he didn’t expect him to. Careful with words as he was proudly renown for, Elijah was clever enough to introduce them all by first names. It was an experiment to see if Caroline could remember or sense the fact they were family and not just friends. An experiment that was made irrelevant by the fact she had pinned Kol to the wall. Within seconds of her grip tightening Elijah got between them and pushed Caroline away. There he stood staring at Caroline was an air of concern while Kol adjusted himself. “Enough Caroline. Hurting Kol will not help anything.”

Rebekah laughed. “Oh I don’t know, seeing Kol have his ass handed to him is entertainment enough for me. Right Nik?”

Nik had no sense of amusement in his voice. If anything he could feel the anger surfacing with all the thoughts of what he’s going to do once he wiped every last Lockwood off the face of the earth, “I’ve had enough of this.” And with those words Nik flitted with all his speed, wrapping an arm around Caroline’s waist as he bolted them out the door.

He must have taken them miles away from the house before stopping in the centre of a forest on the outskirts of Mystic Falls and near a river that held way to a small waterfall. Although completely beautiful under the moonlight the waterfall served its purpose to block anyone from listening. Not completely but enough to throw off anybody who tried to fallow, particularly his siblings. When they stopped there was a brief moment where Nik and Caroline’s eyes met. Unable to look away as their faces were barely inches from one another, her scent, the way she felt in his arms, everything about her enthralled him like a drug he could never resist. “I had to get you out of there.” Nik said softly. For someone known to be nothing but a monster, here he was holding his one weakness he had in his arms.

“I’ve always been selfish and they were trying my patience.”

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-07-30 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
“Something you’ve always had the rare gift of being able to see.” Nik said, not pulling away. He was confident and for the first time since Caroline had been bitten, relaxed. Without realizing it, his hand slipped around and found its way to the curvature of her waist. A bold move had it been from a stranger but Nik wasn’t just anyone and she belonged to him. Even if she didn’t know it yet.

“There’s so much I want to show you. Memories to rebuild, places to see….” And he meant every word of it. Memories just as strong as the last time and the time before that. Only this time Caroline had to work her feelings out first. It could take minutes, it could take years but Nik was determined to prove no matter what happens, the two of them always find their way back to one another. It seemed almost anger provoking that Rebekah and Elijah wanted to test his wife’s heart without telling her the whole story as soon as she wakes up. In the past had Nik sat down and explained everything to Caroline, showing her their rings and taking her into glimpses of their past through his eyes. Now he had to hold back just to prove what they had was real. Ironic.

Remembering this and the talk him and his siblings had over Caroline’s memories, Nik in true gentleman fashion, took his hand from her waist. It took every part of him not to kiss her, pin her against the nearest tree and show her how much he wanted her. It sheer thought caused that little smile to curl at the corner of his lips. “Now that you’re away from the others, the night is yours.”

Inquisitiveness playing a heavy part on his mind, Nik started to wonder if she would still fall for a monster. Far from being a saint, Caroline had seen him on his darkest and most destructive of days and yet she still worked her way past Nik’s walls. She didn’t give up. Would seeing him at his worst effect how she felt now with no memory of them?

“Of course I can always take you back to pinning Kol up against the wall?” Nik smirked.

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-07-31 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
“It wouldn’t be the first time nor will I suspect it’ll be the last.” Nik laughed. He didn’t want to keep her standing out in the middle of nowhere much longer but he was selfish and needed to be alone with his wife. It was hard to see Caroline had woken up with her life missing and information like fragments she had to piece together and Nik didn’t want to take any chances on losing that. When he heard her call him Nik instead of Niklaus, the gap was closed between them and kissed her. What started off as slow powerful quickly became a hunger and lust only the two of them shared. It felt right. It felt complete.

As much as it was a bold move to make, it had to be done and Nik didn’t regret a second of it. Wrapped up in their kiss there was no holding back until the need to breathe caused them to part. Even then he rested his forehead against hers, a hand coming up to cup her cheek.

“Mine.” He whispered.

Obviously this wasn’t what Rebekah and Elijah had in mind. They all agreed not to tell Caroline about her and Nik but would that mean kissing her changed the rules? Nik smiled at another triumphant loophole that turned the tables in his favor. He never was one to play with the rules at the best of times so what harm could this do.

“You might have lose your memories but maybe you haven’t lost what you feel.”

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-07-31 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Had Nik knew kissing her would have caused such a pain he wouldn’t have done it quite so eagerly but it was still hard keeping his hands off her. The sound of Caroline in pain caused him to bend down beside her in an attempt to try and bring his memoryless wife back up to her feet. It was hard seeing this happening again but something was different this time. Bringing memories and feelings forth had never caused so much pain. Was it getting worse every time this happened? All Nik knew was seeing Caroline like this caused his anger to rise. It would just be his luck the curse placed would serve none other than the purpose to drive them apart. Rebekah and Elijah would never let this one go should they be right in their assumptions.

“Too soon.” He muttered, helping her to his feet. “Perhaps I should have tried that at a time when you were ready. It’s always been hard keeping away.” It must have been overwhelmingly confusing to be in her position but seeing this much pain shoot through at a simple kiss meant Nik’s fears about the curse growing stronger could be coming true. Although he would never admit it out loud, the thought scared him. Scared him just as much as the mention of his father. “I promise you I won’t stop till I fix this.” He vowed and was then about to offer to answer any questions Caroline wanted to know. Maybe the knowledge would help ease the pain as everything slowly came together. It was just a theory. But it was just around when he helped support Caroline to her feet that there was the faintest sound of crunching leaves in the distance. Nik caught the sound first to his left, and then another to his right. No one should have been here which meant they were likely followed and as that realization hit Nik was sent flying, his spine cracking as smashed sideways into the nearest tree.

[personal profile] without_reason 2015-07-31 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
When Nik swept Caroline away the game was on. Kol decided he had a fresh start to take back what he wanted to be his. What he considered Nik stole. A jealous type by nature he wouldn’t have Nik best him again and once more he would get the satisfaction of seeing pain in his brother’s eyes when his black heart broke. Two birds with one stone. Although his feelings for Caroline were genuine, destroying Nik was simply an added bonus. Kol placed it to revenge for being put in a coffin for one hundred years.

He shot out the room before Elijah and Rebekah had a chance to stop him and kept track of Caroline and Nik. The forest wasn’t the first place he had in mind Caroline should be taken to but his brother wanted to try and get through to her before anyone had a chance to get in the way. A smart move but Nik should have used a better place. Kol watched with complete silence, hiding carefully amongst the trees until he found the right move to strike. Seeing them kiss hit him like a slap in the face but the pain it caused her afterwards simply made Kol smirk. Maybe he did have a chance.

As soon as the moment was right, moving at a speed that wasn’t humanely possible he ran at his brother with such force it knocked him clear off the ground. Nik was a hard one to catch off guard so Kol used everything he had to get it right and before he had a chance to get back up on his feet, Kol grabbed Caroline and ran.

He knew his brother wouldn’t be long behind him so Kol made it his mission to run to the last place Nik could possibly find them. They both stopped outside a party on a college campus. The sound of music blasting out the halls and the campus full of people drinking and partying. They’d stopped just around the corner where no one could see the inhuman speed. “Thought I’d take you somewhere we could have some fun.” Kol smiled at her. It was a different approach but Kol wasn’t there to talk about her memories or anything she didn’t want to. His plan was to show her a good time and make her forget for just one night and enjoy herself.

“Come on.” He took her hand surprisingly gently and led Caroline around the corner. Stealing two red cups from the nearest table he soon replaced his hand with alcohol and flashed her a smirk.

[personal profile] alpha_hybrid 2015-08-04 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
Furious would be an understatement. When Nik opened his eyes he was briefly overwhelmed by the pain of his spine setting back into place followed by feeling completely fine. There was no mistaking Kol’s intentions and after what he had done to Nik just now. All the pleasantries Elijah wanted them all to play, were promptly removed from the table.

There was a moment where Nik shouted with enough anger in him to terrify even himself. The shout game from a dark place. Somewhere between his hybrid self and the grief of losing someone you love; a feeling until Caroline he wasn’t that familiar with. In the space of twelve hours he’d watch his wife die. Not only did he not get the chance to say goodbye but when she awoke he let Elijah and Rebekah get to him. This business about testing if Caroline truly loved him only served for Kol’s amusement more than anyone else’s. The more Nik thought about it the more he twisted and churned everything that had just happened.

Running after Kol in the direction he thought the two of them went, his mind in true Nik fashion, started to replace logic with a brutal need for taking what was his. All the time the pit of his stomach clung onto the hope that Caroline might remember them. It was unlikely but it was still some sort of hope. The best chance he had was to do what he had always done. Win her heart again. But the faster he ran the more he thought about how Elijah and Rebekah had to be in on helping Kol. Revenge for being daggered or simply for fun, the thought simply made Nik’s anger grow. Kol had always wanted Caroline. He hated the fact that Nik got there first and to this day still held some bitter resentment for his brother. Kol wasn’t a master at hiding how he felt but then the same could be said for Nik at times.

It was after hours of running and checking all the places he thought Kol had taken her to that Nik tried the last place he could think of. Walking into the Mystic Grill he calmly kept out of sight until he got to the bar and took a seat. Although his senses told him Caroline wasn’t here he ordered the strongest whiskey they had and turned to do another quick scan of the place.

The usual crowds were around, college students, couples, every person you’d expect to be out on a typical Friday night. It wasn’t until his gaze hit the pool table that Nik noticed the Salvatore brothers were here. And what perfect timing it was. Downing his drink Nik walked over with the smuggest of grins. He knew they had spotted him the second their grip tightened around the cues they were holding.

“What are the chances of me needing some help and you two landing right in front of me.” He said as his hands rested on the edge of the pool table in the confidence that they wouldn’t try anything in public. Damon was of course first to react. “Last time I checked we weren’t exactly on the same page. If you need help, go hypno some hybrids or whatever it is you do now.”

“Well you see, that’s going to cause quite the problem as that takes time and I need help now.” Before Damon had a chance to throw in another quick comment, Nik turned his gaze to Stefan who remained curious and quiet. “I want you to help me find Caroline. My brother Kol has taken her and I need her back.”

The shock in their faces that Kol was alive again didn’t hold for long. Stefan reached for her beer and stared at Nik. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t telling us the whole story.”

“Because I’m not. Find me Caroline or one by one I will kill everyone in this town.”

It was at that precise moment Jeremy walked in. Seeing the brothers he instantly headed towards them trying not to be scared of Klaus’s presence but in reality the three of them could hear his heart be faster with every step he took. “And I wonder who I’ll start with first…” Nik smirked and glanced towards the Gilbert heading their way.

“You know where to find me when you have her.” And with that Klaus left them to return to the mansion.

[personal profile] without_reason 2015-08-04 09:14 am (UTC)(link)

The partying and chatter filled the air as Kol kept fetching the two of them drinks. Considering the fact he knew Nik would probably be after his blood, Kol surprisingly didn’t care. If anything he was relaxed and happy to get some time with Caroline. The Caroline he remembered before she decided to be with Nik. “Sorry I had to take you like that.” He smirked, leading them through the crowds of people and closer to the main hall. “But who needs to be standing in a forest early hours of the morning when you could be here.” And with that he walked with her into the main hall of the college. All the rooms, even the corridors were covered in black lights and bright colored neon’s. Kol found himself laughing at the various drunks dancing badly as he and Caroline pushed past them.

“Now I know you don’t want to be here but give me a chance Caroline.” His fingers curled around hers as he spun her into the crowd and smoothly into a dance with him. “One night, the freedom to do what we want, when we want it.” Although just as complex and devilish at times, Kol was being genuine with Caroline. He wanted to appeal to the part of her that might remember him. The part that Caroline would understand that they were close and Kol would never hurt her. If anything he treated her with the respect she deserved. All the time they danced he never once took the opportunity to let his hands wander. He was simply having fun.

The more alcohol flowed, the more he revelled in his company. At a quieter part of one of the tracks he leant in close to Caroline’s ear. “You know you look beautiful right? I’ve counted at least six guys checking you out.” Kol pulled back to let their eyes meet and he laughed. “Not nearly as good looking as I am but it’s not bad considering we’re at a college party.” The music continued to play, the alcohol kept flowing until it washed away any fears, doubts even worries of the last past day. Kol was simply living in the moment and was trying to show Caroline that letting go with him wasn’t such a bad thing. Her memories were clearly causing her pain so why not forget them and make new memories. There was a time were Kol and her were inseparable. That bond can soon be found again. She just had to trust him and that charm she nearly lost herself to once before.

“We should get something to eat, anyone here you like?” His devilish eyes reluctantly tore themselves away from Caroline’s to look at a couple who were having an argument by a few barrels of beer. “I vote break up food but it’s your choice.”