Work Text:
Freminet was simply tinkering with a machine in his room one fine afternoon. It was this item known as a cellphone, a kind of ancient technology that’s been reintroduced to a limited capacity by the world-famous traveller, Aether. Freminet couldn’t help but marvel at it, really. There was a lot to figure out about it. All of its complex workings. Aether gave him and his siblings one as a gift to test out, and he’s been experimenting on his ever since.
These phones tended to eventually run out of power, so he gave it the ability to charge monumentally faster, and they tended to heat up through extensive use, so he made a means to cool them down, and so on. Apart from that though, Freminet did not really do much with his phone. He treated it more like an experimental puzzle rather than a device for entertainment and communication like Aether had explained they were for.
Speaking of which, he heard a knock on his door. Freminet looked to see his door swing open, revealing the man himself, a warm smile on his face. “Hey hey, Fremmy,” Aether said, sauntering over to him.
“Oh, Aether. It’s you.”
“Yep! Thought I’d pay you a visit.”
“Me?”
“Well yeah! Your father’s told me that you’ve been tinkering with your phone. Might be the best in the world right now, even! Much larger storage, runs really fast, charges even faster, insane battery life all on top of that, you sure you’re not related to the original peeps who made this?’ Aether nudged Freminet, teasing the lad. “See, Fremmy, I’m in kind of a pinch. You know me, I’ve got places to be and villains to beat. So can you do to my phone what you did to yours? It’d be really handy.”
“Well… I guess it would be an honor to do so.”
“That’s great!” Aether gave Freminet a hug. “Is it possible for my phone to not overcharge? I’m tired of having to wake up to unplug it every time. I tried to make Paimon do it but she’s even more of a dozer than I am.”
“Oh, you don’t need to do that. The phone you gave us as is already does that. It’s a lot smarter than it lets on.”
“A smart phone, nice.” Aether nodded. He pat Freminet on the shoulder, “you’re a life saver, Fremmy. You do your thing and I’ll pay you back! I’ll… uh… hmm… I’ll figure it out! I owe you one!”
As Aether was headed out the door, Freminet called out to him. “Aether! Wait!”
“Hmm?”
“Your password.”
“Oh, right,” Aether went back to him and whispered in Freminet’s ear, “042067.”
Aether then flailed his arms when he uttered the last two numbers. Freminet sighed. Not him too!
With that, Aether left, and Freminet was now left with a whole new project. He had the phone of the world’s most popular man in his hands, the amount of power concentrated in this device was inconceivable. Anything could be here. It was basically the ultimate jackpot for the Snezhnayan spy network, actually. Countless vision bearer’s secrets, confidential files from each nation, the inner workings of countless areas. It was a dangerous treasure trove of information, all contained in a device that fit in his hand.
Freminet went ahead and typed the numbers into Aether’s lockscreen, which had a cute wallpaper of him and Paimon journeying through what seemed to be the Mondstadtian wilderness. As for Aether’s homescreen wallpaper, well, it was a photo of a beautiful view, probably somewhere in a Liyuean beach. He checked his phone first, closing all of his tabs and toning down his brightness. He should power this thing off before he gets to work, but as he does…
A message came.
Toe Beans
I showed you my feet pics, pls respond
Freminet was taken aback at the message. What?! That didn’t even- who names someone else toe beans?! It wasn’t any of his business, so he really should close it, shut the phone off, and get to work, but he was just bewildered enough that he had to sate his curiosity. After all, it wasn’t like he was going to have an opportunity like this again.
Against his better nature, Freminet looked around to make sure no one was spying on him. He would shut his door closed, locking it as he sat on the side of his bed and checked Aether’s messages.
They couldn’t be that bad, right?
Toe Beans was Columbina.
This was worse than he could have ever imagined! Freminet’s face turned red, the raw level of scandal made his heart beat really fast. Okay, now, now he should shut it off and never think about it again.
But then again…
No!
But then again…
Why would the moon goddess of Nod-Krai send Aether pictures of her feet? And why wouldn’t Aether respond?! He gazed at Aether’s message feed, which was littered with the names, faces, and all sorts of unsavory messages. He decides to go ahead and read Columbina’s, and sure enough, there it was.
Columbina, dubbed Toe Beans was asking Aether why he wasn’t responding to her… feet pics. When Freminet scrolled up, there they were. Bare feet, some with nails painted, others not so much. Some focused more on the sole, others on the top. It was… really weird. Freminet shook his head. He did not expect Aether to be into feet.
At least he didn’t see any images of Aether saying he wanted to suck her toes…. Yet. He should stop before he scrolls high up enough to shatter that hope.
Though as Freminet exited one chat, he inevitably found himself hooked on another.
Mooo
I lost 5 pounds!
Aether
[This message has been deleted]
Mooo
What do you mean 25 more to go?! >:(
Oof. Now that just wasn’t nice. This Mooo person was a beautiful pink-haired woman with notable horns and a bit on the huskier side. Freminet was honestly taken aback by the implied statement Aether made. He wasn’t expecting him to be so judgmental of someone’s weight. Then again, he didn’t really know the traveller, and he would be lying if he didn’t prefer more conventionally attractive girls either, which usually took the form of someone thinner, but judging from this Mooo person as they were now, they didn’t seem like they needed to at all.
Well now Freminet just wanted to know what the others were like. Off to the next one, he supposed. In for one mora, in for a pouch of them.
It was a voicemail from a pastel haired woman with piercing indigo eyes. Well, Freminet assumed they were indigo, anyway. Despite the woman’s youthful appearance, she bore the name Hag #2, and she left behind a voicemail instead.
Wait, #2? Who was #1?
Toning down the volume of the phone, he pressed play.
Hag #2
Hiya Aether, I just thought I’d leave you this nice voicemail to tell you GOOD MORNING on this TOTALLY NORMAL DAY!
Yikes. What was her problem? Why would she send this? She was clearly implying something, but what? He didn’t know anyone he could turn to decipher this. Lyney seemed like the type at first but he had a couple messy breakups to his name, and Lynette despite being a lady wasn’t exactly the right type for this situation.
There was only one woman in this house who could do so.
Father.
Would he dare?
Sure. Freminet hid the phone and exited the room, he waltzed into the training room where some of the other orphans were training in the arts, and father was simply observing their progress.
“Father. I have a question regarding a book I read in the library.”
“Oh, Freminet,” Arlecchino gave him a warm smile as she cupped his face with her abyssal hands. “What is it?”
“A character in the story, a woman, seems angry at a man, who I assume she is romantically inclined with. She said something about just stopping by to tell him good morning on a totally normal day.”
“Well? Investigate, Freminet.”
“I know the day is unique, it has to be, but I do not know.”
Arlecchino pat her son on the head. “How old is this woman?”
“On the older side, some characters call her a hag.”
“Oh my, well, it seems to me that maybe the man’s forgotten their anniversary, assuming they’re married.”
Freminet nodded. “Thank you, father. I think I am satisfied with that answer.”
With that, Freminet left. Arlecchino smiled. It was good that he looked to her when he needed answers. There was simply something magical and warm about being trusted upon by- wait, why was Freminet asking such a question? What kind of books was he reading?!
Back in his room, Freminet decided to check Aether’s phone and continue browsing. He couldn’t stop now. He grabbed Pers and hugged him as he sat on his bed and checked the next one.
Thunder Thighs
Haven’t squeezed your head between my thighs in a while, you down, my little watermelon?
Aether
Actually stop by Liyue Harbor for once and maybe I’ll pay your ship a visit. Just because I’m a watermelon doesn’t mean you can find me at sea.
Thunder Thighs
That is so fucking corny. I am sooooo crushing your skull.
Freminet winched. That one didn’t really register in his head. Thighs? Head crush? What was so sexy about that? It sounded painful, then again, he’s seen the more unsavory avenues of Fontaine before. Pain sells. Perhaps there was something about large thighs giving Aether the sensation of near-death that gave him his fix, an organized high.
Also, a watermelon. Crushing a watermelon with your thighs. That was certainly an image he didn’t need to think about. Sounded like a terrifying execution maneuver. Maybe father has done it before.
Nah, she’s more of a neck snap type of woman.
He hoped.
From one electro woman, Freminet moved straight to the next one. Well, he assumed they were electro. Especially this latter one, she looked like the electro element given form. She looked kind of like a cat too, but in a way different from Lynette.
Aether
Heya baby, I’m you-know-where, care to stop by?
Workaholic
Cnt. BZ.
Aether
No you ain’t. I’m in the mood and you’re overworking yourself again. Get over here.
Workaholic
Jst gt sm wrk lft
Aether
No. Your plump ass better get here by 7 or I’m out of your life forever.
Yikes. Fremmy winched at that one. He always saw Aether as such a sweet and caring hero, so to see him treat this lady like this. That was crazy. Part of Freminet believed it was just Aether’s way of preventing her from overworking herself. Her nickname was “workaholic” after all, but he felt that Aether could have worded everything a little better.
Was this what it was like to date someone? He didn’t want to believe that. Giving someone you love an ultimatum sounds too extreme for his tastes. Then again, the idea of knowing a woman on a deeper level was already pretty extreme for Fremmy in general. He could barely make any friends.
As Freminet browsed through Aether’s contact list, he got a new message.
Stress Reliever
Stress Reliever sent a photo
Booty
If Freminet were drinking water right now, he would be spitting it out.
Stress Reliever? Booty?!
Lyney did say he was on the more prudish side, but surely even he would be taken aback by the gauche nature of these texts. Then again, maybe not. Maybe he really was being a little too puritan. Now that Fremmy thought about it, he shouldn’t even be snooping through Aether’s phone, these texts were all clearly private and none of his business, and Aether put his trust in him to upgrade his phone.
That still didn’t really explain the fact that he was having sexual communications with several different girls though. Either Aether was a serial cheater or he had a harem. Freminet wanted to believe the latter, which made some sense given Aether’s reputation, but so far it seemed like they were all separate.
Freminet tapped the screen and decided to see who it was.
It was Furina. Damn.
Aannnddd all of her photos were photos of her naked, some were simple while others were far more explicit. All of them made Freminet’s face really red. He never thought he would see a woman like her in this position. Now it really did feel illegal. It didn’t help that all of their exchanges were literally just nude photos and then her typing the word “booty” followed by a reply. As seen here:
Stress Reliever
Stress Reliever sent a photo [Reflection shot, kneeling, rear facing forward, camera obscures face]
Booty
Aether
Will be there soon, in Liyue having din-din.
Stress Reliever
Stress Reliever sent a photo [Selfie, top angle, octopus themed pasties on sensible areas]
Booty
Aether
I’m in Inazuma, babe. Will be there soon but might be late.
Stress Reliever
Stress Reliever sent a photo [Oh hell nah I ain’t describing that]
Booty
Aether
HELL YEAH. Be there immediately babe.
Stress Reliever
Stress Reliever sent a photo [Someone else clearly took the photo, or maybe the phone was attached to something. Performing a handstand, legs in an incredibly acrobatic spread, giving full view of her exposed nethers]
Booty
Aether
In Akademiya just eating with Paimon, we’re tired after the whole test exam process.
Stress Reliever
:(
Aether
I didn’t say I wasn’t gonna go, I’m just gonna run late a bit, but I’ll be there
Stress Reliever
:)
Stress Reliever
Stress Reliever sent a photo [The one she sent just now, relatively more modest. Likely captured on a photo stand. Rear facing the camera, ribbons all around her, spotlight on her, clearly on the stage of the Opera Epiclese itself]
Booty
Good lord. Even the opera itself? How many of these did she take? Did she take them on a whim? Freminet shook his head as he closed the chat. He felt hot, if there was ever a moment in his life where he’d ever bitten off more than he could chew, it would be now.
Booty clearly meant booty call. He was familiar with the term due to his siblings’ own lives. Judging from the dates of each message, they couldn’t be more than four days apart. So at least once a week they were having relations.
Freminet scratched his head. He should stop.
But then again…
1/4ths Liyuean Baddie
So you’re saying that
We share a house
We’ve had five pregnancy scares
We’ve been going on dates for the past 6 YEARS
AND WE’RE STILL JUST FRIENDS?!?!
Aether
Yeah sis. You’re the best ever!
Freminet winced. This 1/4ths Liyuean Baddie was a brunette with a red ribbon and was hugging a plushie that looked like her in her profile picture.
There was no way Aether was being cruel here. There was dense and then there was cruel. It had to be! Freminet coughed as flipped the phone over, as if trying to fiddle with it for a moment, just taken aback by everything.
Eyes on the screen once more, Freminet decided to check something else on Aether’s phone. He looked at his gallery which had photos detailing his journey, which ranged from adorable photos of Paimon to views and sights Freminet could only dream of. Aether truly was a storied man. Then there was also just a full album of provocative photos regarding all the women he’d been with.
Freminet’s heart pumped as he instinctively looked for if Aether had any photos of his father. It made his skin rattle, if that made any sense, but he needed to know. Though he couldn’t find any on her, or his sister Lynette, for that matter.
Yet, anyways. This gallery was really big. Freminet took a deep breath as his face tried to revert from pinkish red back to its standard pale, and decided that since he hadn’t found any of theirs after eight or so scrolls of a thumb, he would just assume they weren’t there and were never going to be there and lalalala he wasn’t hearing this out anymore.
As if trying to run away, Freminet exited Aether’s gallery and jumped right back into the contacts list. It was there where he then noticed the other parts of his message list. In this case, his blocked numbers section.
There was only one person in his blocked numbers list so far, which made sense since only a sizable yet still select number of people were allowed to have phones. If phones ever became widespread, Aether would probably have to start blocking more and more people.
CRAZY INAZUMA BITCH
YOU CANNOT HIDE FROM ME FOREVER AETHER
YOU WILL BE MINE AND WE WILL BE TOGETHER FOREVER
YOU CANNOT HIDE
THEY CANNOT LOVE YOU LIKE I DO
YOU BELONG TO ME AND I BELONG TO YOU
FOREVER
Dear goodness. Freminet felt a shiver up his spine. Back to safety!
Safety took the form of another contact named Hag #1, a mature woman who wore glasses and had greenish hair. Or well at least they looked like green hair. Freminet wasn’t in the mood to zoom in on her photo. Freminet thought about the name though. Hag #1. So the other lady was being led on, and this one was being kind of replaced, or at least the two were competing with each other, knowingly or unknowingly.
He wondered if Aether was going to make this one particular mad in some way as well.
Hag #1
Shenhe and I were having lunch and wondered if you were free for tonight?
Aether
Dinner for how many?
Hag #1
Just the three of us >)
Aether
>)?
Are you trying to do this?
(>ᴗ•)
Hag #1
You younguns and your technology
Just get over here. We’ll be waiting.
Aether
Can do
Oh, wow. This one was actually normal. Nice. Just a regular dinner between him, this hag, and this Shenhe woman. Totally nothing else!
Well, at least there was that. Freminet went ahead and checked the other one. Maybe the next ones will also be pretty normal like this one totally was.
It was nudes. Just more nudes. There weren’t even any words being sent it was just a series of provocative photos, around once a day, and Aether sending emojis back.
And nudes of himself, for that matter. Fremmy did not need to see that.
The woman in this case was a muscular and tan powerhouse with dark hair whom Aether gave the nickname Savannah. Sounds fairly normal, actually. Whoever this Savannah was, she clearly took pride in her body, and rightfully so. She was pretty toned, she oozed an envy-inducing definition.
Then the next one was a big one.
Thunder Tits
Dinner?
Aether
Where?
Thunder Tits
My place, I prepared something for just the two of us
Aether
Sorry Ei, I’m a little busy in Nod-Krai right now. Rain check?
Thunder Tits
You always do this, it’s like you don’t like my cooking at all.
Aether
What? Pssh. No. I love your cooking, babe! I’m just busy here is all. There’s always a lot of trouble stirring about.
I’ll make it up to you. My treat. I’ll take us somewhere you’ll love.
Thunder Tits? So this one had to be the counterpart to the other one, though she didn’t seem intent on crushing Aether’s head in between her bosom like the other one did with her thighs. Fremmy was confused, though his confusion paled in comparison to the disbelief on the raw idea that Aether just casually referred to the electro archon like this, and that he was able to freely deny her.
And the fact that she supposedly couldn’t cook.
Wild.
Though he didn’t really desire to, a piece of Fremmy gnawed within him, a dark curiosity to wonder if Aether was able to claw out a provocative image from her. He probably saw one in the gallery but didn’t focus too much on it, drowned out by the raw number of the other women and their own mixture of bare skin and colors. That gallery was a whole kaleidoscope, just a whole collection of those stained glass found in church.
Yes. Fremmy goes to church sometimes. Just him. Father wasn’t really the type to bring them there, especially not to one centered around Fontaine. He honestly just wanted to listen to the music and all the pictures. There was something about the environment of these humble places that gave him some peace, like a neat retreat from the outside world, not too far off from diving.
Also yes, there were in fact photos of the electro archon’s knockers in the chat. Fremmy exhaled, if this kept up, his face was going to be red forever.
It didn’t help that the next one was even more photos. This time from another woman named Rockstar. Fremmy blinked for a moment and wondered if he’d seen this before, having mistaken her for the other photo-sending woman, “Savannah.” Was that racist? A little bit, yeah. Fremmy will take ownership of that mistake.
Anyways, the woman named Rockstar appeared to be a Liyuean woman rather than a Sumeruan. Unlike the other girls, all of her photos also lacked nudity, instead all of her photos were of her in sporty clothes, likely for whenever she was exercising. She also looked awfully sweaty in most of them. Weird.
Not as weird as Aether proudly proclaiming he’d lick off all her sweat though. Yuck. That couldn’t have tasted good. That… that was just straight up disgusting. Freminet sighed, off to the next one!
Her Hotness
Capitano isn’t home [demon emoji]
Freminet put the phone down.
Nah.
He got up from bed and stretched a bit. He wasn’t going to deal with that. One archon was enough, two? It was undeniable that Aether was a man who… associated himself with plenty of women, and clearly all at once. Freminet held out hope that this was entirely consensual between all parties at the very least but there was something sour that continued to build within him with each passing observation.
The woman, Her Hotness, was clearly none other than Natlan’s own Mavuika. She’d been in a relationship with Il Capitano for about a year now, nearing two. Now, Fremmy didn’t exactly have the brightest relationship with the captain, he was, after all, a child who was effectively on a conveyor belt for soldiers in his army. Not exactly as honorable as he wanted.
Then again, the same thing could be said about his father, and how that dirties her beliefs about how each and every single one of their lives had value, especially to her, but that was something he was going to have to deal with some other time. The fact of the matter is, it was evident that Mavuika was having relations behind the man’s back, and whether or not Freminet had festering grievances with the man, he… he felt bad for him.
“Aether shouldn’t be doing this,” Freminet said to himself. “I… I just can’t believe that would happen.”
Freminet sat down for a moment. If Aether wasn’t above being the other man, then it’s clear he wouldn’t be above having multiple of the other woman. He took the phone once more and checked the other contacts. He wondered how deep the rabbit hole went.
Aether
Good morning, darling
Babs
Aether! You know you shouldn’t be messaging me!
Aether
But I just couldn’t get enough of those tight leggings, or those legs…
Though both pale in comparison to the sound of your voice, and the warmth of your smile
I just can’t stop thinking about you. All of you.
Babs
Aether!
Aether
I’m gonna be in Mondstadt for the weekend. You know where to find me. <3
Hmm… well at least this one was moderately tame-ish. Aether actually kind of seemed romantic in this one compared to the other ones, or maybe this was just his way of casting his spell and getting into her pants like the others. Fremmy took the chance and tried to see if Babs too sent any provocative photos of herself, though surprisingly, she did not.
If anything, the photos she did share were photos of a church. No, a cathedral.
Was Aether having trysts with a holy woman?
Well, it wouldn’t really be that much of an escalation, considering Aether was having rendezvous with literal goddesses. Plus if he recalled, Mondstadt's holy women were free to marry and have children. Still, this weight in Freminet’s chest felt even heavier because now a whole new dimension was being added. Poor Babs, whoever she was.
Aether
Your performance was amazing.
It made me horny, if you will.
Dancer
Oh Aether please
You’re so gauche
Aether
Bring the horns, I’ll be waiting
Freminet sighed as he laid on his bed. The woman known as Dancer was a redhead with some sort of horns, and was clearly a dancer. He didn’t want to imagine what the horns would be used for.
He just… he just couldn’t imagine Aether would be like this. How many has he browsed through now? 15?
He really should just stop. No more. Aether gave him his phone for an upgrade, all this business regarding him and all these women were Aether’s problem. He won’t associate with them. They’ll all rise up and eat him alive eventually. Yeah. It’ll just be like that.
Freminet grasped Aether’s phone.
Alright. Just one more, and then he’ll fix things and never talk about what he saw ever again.
The last woman in this case was known as Gravedigger. A brunette, clearly some kind of funeral parlorist. He recalled going to Liyue with his siblings before, he might have met her before.
Gravedigger
So, you consider rizzing that Arle woman up yet?
Freminet put the phone down. His heart raced as cold needles of terror stuck into him all over.
This was it. That moment. Fremmy gulped as he slowly looked at the phone and continued reading.
Gravedigger
So, you consider rizzing that Arle woman up yet?
Aether
Arlecchino? Nah. I don’t feel like being a stepdad.
Stepmom? Whatever.
Plus it’d make things awkward between me and the kids, especially Fremmy.
Gravedigger
You have a soft spot for the guy, I’ve noticed.
Aether
I’m just concerned for him is all.
He’s a good kid, just lonely.
I’ve been trying to set him up with Charlotte for WEEKS, baby girl, but he’s just too shy to bite!
Gravedigger
Oh you’re being too hard on the kid, Aether. He’s not an aggressive sex pest like you are.
Let him keep his modesty.
You’re lucky we’re all willing to keep up with your little harem schtick.
Passing you around like a pot of soup.
He’ll come around, just slowly. Let him take his time.
Aether
You’re right.
So.
You down?
Gravedigger
Right now?
Aether
Yeah.
Gravedigger
What action we talking?
Aether
Sex Coffin
Gravedigger
Oh hell yeah.
Freminet shook.
Aether… cared about him?
His father was off-limits? (Lynette too, when he thought about it)
And lastly, harem?
So they were in on it?
Freminet was so confused, he didn’t even want to think about Aether’s Charlotte comment either. He finally closed all tabs and shut the phone down completely, not even looking at it as he tried to cool himself off.
He had to get to work.
“By the archons, Freminet! This is the best!” Aether said as he happily checked out his kitted out phone. “It runs so fast and smooth! You’re saying this battery can last me a while?”
“It can. I’ve made it more durable against certain elements as well, though I still advise caution, it also charges quickly, like mine,” Freminet said as he refused to look at Aether in the eye. “That is all. Thanks, Aether.”
“Now hey wait a minute,” Aether pouted, putting his hands on his hips. “You can’t just do this for free. I owe you one.”
“No, Aether, it’s fine. I… I don’t want to think about it. If you want to reward me, then just give me some peace.”
“No, no,” Aether put a hand on Freminet’s shoulder, causing him to flinch. “Something’s bothering you, what is it?”
Freminet winced. He closed his eyes, placed a hand on Aether’s wrist, and then looked at him in the eyes.
“I know, Aether.”
“Huh?”
“I know about all those women. I never took you as someone so… active,” Freminet shook his head. “I… are they all in on it?”
“Arlecchino is going to kill me,” was all Aether said. It never dawned on him until now that Freminet would see his messages. Though he still did have an answer for the lad. “Yeah. They’re a harem. It’s a joint thing, you know? Don’t worry, your pa’s off limits. No promises about your sis though.”
Freminet didn’t even glare at him, he just sighed, all deflated. He kind of just didn’t know what to feel. There was just a lot happening and he didn’t really feel like tackling them at all.
“Well, I just hope you break up with Miss Mavuika then, for Il Capitano’s sake,” Freminet shook his head as he took Aether’s arm and pulled it off of him. “You can have this polycule of yours all you like, but I believe that’s only best when everyone is happy. I don’t think he’d be happy if he knew she was seeing you whenever he wasn’t around.”
Aether winced. Yikes. He saw that too?
“Hey, Fremmy, listen…” Aether nervously laughed as he wrapped an arm around Freminet, “how about I treat you to some dinner, huh? Anything you want. I know a real good seafood place! Maybe a reef where you can go diving? Huh?”
“I think I’d rather retreat to my room…”
“No! No! I insist,” Aether nervously sweat. “I’ll even bring Charlotte along! You like her right? She’s not part of the harem! She’s single and ready to mingle! I can set you two up!”
“Aether, I respectfully don’t really want to think about relationships with you following recent revelations…”
“Fair, fair,” Aether nodded along. “But still! Please, Fremmy, you gotta trust me… I’ll do watcha need! I’ll get you gears! Find you cool diving spots! I… I promise I won’t go after Lynette either! Just… just don’t tell! Pretty please? I’ll do anything!”
Aether followed Freminet along, trying to bargain with the boy about just how exactly to cover this little kerfuffle up.