<> (hmm.. There's a news thing on AOL for "AOL Style" that says "Look Haute This Summer") (Get some Loam in your Closet!) <> ( No DunnoWoods? ) (In response to Jay's comment, I'd like to ask all of you if you like bananas. At 65mph.) (:9) (Sadly, all of my good responses to that came years too late.) <> (The whole idea of "AOL Style" worries me. "This hot new ensemble just screams 'lol a/s/l!'") <> (Ah yes, that nasty ASL disease.) ("That must be that new Andrew Lloyd Weber disease I've been hearin' about." ) <> <> (... Fuck you in the ear, Cham.) * Rochelle doesn't seem to care about the air not being worth anything. Go exo and life support! She looks around idly. * Ian looks around with an expression of dismay. "...all things considered, I prefer the Red Bronx at two in the morning." (XD) * Katherine doesn't seem to care about the air either and eyes the emporium. "... You know Stan, Luanne, or is this just another show of random chance really having it in for us?" * Threnody looks distinctly uncomfortable, and has his hand on the hilt of his bokken, which he's taken to wearing alongside the sword. "I agree. The less time we have to spend here, the better." <> "Only professionally. Had to assess fire damage one time." "Best prices in town, though." * Leopoldo looks around cautiously. "Oh, this is just great." ( I forgot what we're doing here @_@ ) (Chasing Dorian.) (It's like Chasing Amy, only rather more violent.) * Katherine rolls her eyes, which Roch gets to see, then says with a hint of anger, "So, who wants to wager that Dorian went to TC, since that's the only damn reason to come to this piece of crap town?" * Ian sighs. "Damn. No bet." * Threnody looks around, and appears slightly paranoid. "Maybe, maybe not. Just because he came here doesn't mean he stayed here." * Rochelle nods. * Katherine scratches her head with a claw. "Well, I guess that means we ask around a little to see if anyone saw him. Quickly." She looks towards Stan's. (Kat's in command mode again. Woo.) * Ian nods. "As...good a place as any." <> * Rochelle looks back at the guy. She's not wearing a sombrero. * Threnody suddenly blanches. "...not *that* Stan..." * Ian looks over at Thren. "Hmm?" (Isis: "YOU WILL KILL LUKE SKYWALKER." Thren: "Not now, Mom.") * Rochelle activates her speakers. "I'm gonna take a look for him." * Katherine looks at Stan, then finally says, "So. Who wants to talk to Mr. Sombrero?" I volunteer Ian. I guess I can. Do we want a buggy? * Threnody smiles as disarmingly as possible. "I think they exist on a similar wavelength." Not unless we know Dorian went to TC. (Wow, my updated charsheet is going to come in handy here. ^_^ I'll have a small bonus in bargaining against Stan's...10 or so skill level. <_< >_>) * Rochelle sends a thought to her exo through TSM and takes off, the jets activating and her boosting into the air with some dust to those near her. * Ian nods, braces himself, and then walks bravely towards the man himself. * Katherine nods to herself and mutters, over speaker, "So, now..." * Fitzroy studies a nearby buggy. * Katherine snapes her claws. "Ah. Vera? You wanna ask around quickly to see if anyone else has seen him?" * Leopoldo eyes Stan. "Good luck Ian. You'll need it." * Threnody looks around curiously, trying to stay out of Stan's line of sight. <> "Sir! Howdy, and welcome to Stan's! Stan the Second's Discount Buggy Emporium! Home to the finest buggy wheels and the finest buggy deals! Only here at Stan's! That's right sir, today we've got deals! Deals with YOUR NAME RIGHT ON THEM!!!!" (So, what's Stan's theme!) * Ian casually waves hello. "Nice to meet you, Stan, I'm Ian." "Yes! Your name, Ian! Right on these here deals! Now, you look like a man, a man who needs a buggy. Who needs a buggy real badly. Do you need a buggy real badly, sir?" "OF COURSE YOU DO!" * Rochelle finishes circling over the town and comes flying back, then lands. She shakes her head. * Katherine mutters, then says, turning her whole body to Vera, "Yo, Vera? Come back to me, Vera, we're running out of time." "And I have just the buggy for you. Why, right over here, I've got a buggy only used once, by a little old granny on her way to TC, to see her poor granddaughter!" (HA.) (To deliver grenades.) (... Biggest. Lie. Ever.) <> "Of course, then she died, which is why I have it, but the blood washed right off, I swear!" <> * Vera rubs her head. "Uh. Right, I'll go do that. You wanna come, Roy?" * Ian grins. "Yeah, I'm considering one. First, though, I was wondering if you've seen someone I'm looking for. He was around here earlier, but I'm not sure where he's gone to..." Sure. I'll help out. * Katherine nods. "Thanks." She looks back towards Stan and Ian and takes a breath, before saying, "Whoo, now the blood's going. Anything I'm forgetting?" <> "Eh? A person? What kind of a person? A buggy-buying kind of person?" * Vera nods and stuffs her hands in her pockets. "Right, let's have a look." She starts off. ( #AskingAround, Vera and Roy) * Ian nods. "I think he might have." And he briefly rattles off Dorian's description. * Fitzroy follows. * Threnody suddenly frowns and turns to look at the bird, eyes narrowed. <> "Ah! Right! That man! He bought a buggy for he and his son, said they were going to a militia meeting and needed a ride! Even took the extra insurance package." "That's my kind of man! A buggy-buyin man who knows his buggies!" Something about... * Ian blinks. "A militia meeting? Takes all kinds, I guess." * Threnody knits his brow. "Something about that bird makes me incredibly angry, and I have absolutely no explanation as to why," he says cryptically. "Now! Speakin' about buggies! Whaddya say to this beaut! I swear, she drove it so careful she never even hit a rock!" <> * Katherine blinks, then looks at the bird. "... huh. Got me. Just a bird. Maybe Eck will take it down for you." ".... See! So careful, she even kept the wheel on without lugnuts!" * Ian looks around the lot for a buggy that doesn't look ready to undergo Total Existence Failure. <> * Ian wanders over to the buggy next to it. "I kind of like the lines on this one." * Rochelle looks around some more. * Ian looks between it and the reliable buggy. "Although, that one looks nice, too...what are these going for?" (Could we hear what Stan said, Leo/Thren/Roch/Me/Luanne?) (About the Dorian.) "You've a good eye, sir, a good eye! That there's a top-of-the-line buggy, built from PREEEEEEmium buggy parts for a united bouncin' baby beauty buggy! Comes with rear window defrosters! Air conditioning! Six-wheel-all-traction-all-weather-multi-stage-ceramic-disc-locking-anti-skid-kn ee-handling-eye-jerking-throttle-throttling performance!" <> (The presumed Dorian.) "And that one's even better! It's got air conditioning!" (Presumed Dorian.) (You can hear Stan. Loud and clear.) (Which one is the top-of-the-line and which is the AC? <_<) (They BOTH have AC.) (He described them in the order you have them.) (Didn't you listen?) (Well, yeah.) (*pants*) (A lozenge for the lizard.) * Katherine frowns. "Sounds like Dorian." (I always misparse Dorian as Delorian...) * Ian looks at the two buggies some more, making approving hmming noises. "You have your pick of the litter, Ian! Buggies galore! Buggies for all! Buggies for CHEAP!" <> * Threnody grips the bokken so hard his knuckles go white when the bird laughs. He seems as confused about it as anyone else, though. "Maybe." <> "Now, tell me true. Doesn't that one just ... speak to you? Call out to you? Take me home! Buy me! Run on me to FREEDOM!" <> * Rochelle stops to eye Stan like he's crazy, which probably isn't off the mark. At all. * Leopoldo isn't eyeing Stan like he's crazy. He's eyeing Stan like he's *really* crazy. * Ian smiles, and indicates the more reliable buggy. "I think I'm interested in that one. How much is it going for?" * Katherine just stands there with her speakers off. <> "Hmmm. I ... I bet I could let her go for, oh... 3500cr." <> * Ian blinks, and goes stiff. He looks rather shocked. * Threnody looks around, frowning. "Why did it have to be Twilight Ci..." He suddenly jerks, eyes going wide. * Rochelle looks at Thren. * Leopoldo looks at Thren. <> Hey, Thren. You okay? * Threnody shuts his eyes and takes a long, slow breath, then lets it out. "I should be. I just... forgot something important." * Ian says, "I'm..." and blinks. "I'm afraid that's a bit out of my price range. I think I could manage 1,100, but..." * Katherine 's speakers crack on. "How important?" She glances at Luanne. * Threnody gives that a moment's thought, and then says with a resigned expression, "Pretty damned important." * Rochelle goes back to watching Ian and Stan. <> "Sure! Sure! Fine! I mean, I've got kids, and a wife, and Trotsky has kids, and a wife, and none of them are going to eat tonight because you're undercutting me! I'm going to have to feed them boiled DunnoWood! Not even DunnoWood! Dust! Not even dust... DUNNODust!" Well, damn. "I... I can't do it. I can go as low as 3000cr, but my littlest one won't get her braces, or her shoes...." * Leopoldo idly wonders if Stan *has* children. (*scans him* Does he?) * Ian looks at the car, and rubs his temples. "Hmm...it's a pity. I wish I could afford that one. I suppose I could go as far as 1,850, if I stick to ramen for a few months..." <> "Fine! Fine. Lemme go clear it with my boss." <> "He says 1.9kcr, and not a jot lower! And what the boss says goes!" * Ian looks at the car, and looks back at Stan. "Hmm...done. I'll take it!" <> "You, sir, have just made a BARGAIN! A huge bargain!" <> * Ian prints the sale and registration, and grins. "Thanks, I appreciate it." ( It comes with a 30 yrd. warranty! ) (Yards?) * Threnody tilts his head at the whole affair. "Did Ian just buy a buggy?" ( Yep. Don't drive too far ) (Ha!) Yes. Yup. Yeah, but it was only 2 kay. <> "Wait! I forgot your complimentary excursion suits! And your complimentary napkins! And your complimentary compass! And your complimentary DunnoTrailMix! And your complimentary t-shirts!" <> Maybe he should have me look at it before he prints anything, though. ... Jesus christ. * Rochelle idly wonders where he got all that stuff. * Threnody shivers. "Whatever you wish, so long as we can get away from that bird." He looks positively spooked. * Leopoldo doesn't. (Must be a 24 power.) <> * Ian loads it all into the trunk, except for a packet of trail mix, which he puts in his shirt pocket. "Thanks again!" * Katherine smirks and mutters, "Fuck of an upgrade from a free drink." What's wrong about the bird? Sure, it's a little creepy, but... ( Teh bird of EVIL. ) * Threnody grits his teeth and looks back. No fear! (Come on, Thren, you can do it!) (Blow him up with the power of your MIND!) * Ian hops in the buggy and drives it out front. <> Don't see what's so scary about the bird. Are we gonna wait for Vera and Roy to come back? <> ( They haven't driven it 30 yrds. yet. ) * Rochelle looks back to see them. "Oh." * Ian leans out the window. "So, according to my pal Stan, it seems that our friend and his 'son' have purchased a buggy and headed out to a militia meeting." * Threnody sounds a little strained. "I don't *know*. There's just something about it that... makes my control slip a bit." * Leopoldo walks over to the front of the buggie. "Don't you think we should look under the hood first?" * Vera returns. "Well, he's deffinately been here, for sure." * Katherine nods. "We heard him. So did everyone in a mile radius." She turns to Vera. "Even better. Anyone see where he went?" * Ian looks at Leo, and then flashes a grin at Thren. "No need. Thren! Have I got a bargain for you. One buggy. Practically new." TC, of course. <> * Fitzroy is right behind Vera. "He was asking around about neural inhibitors." * Vera nods. * Threnody eyes Ian curiously. "...I'm afraid I don't understand." ...neither do I. It's been a stressful few minutes. (Side note - Neural inhibitors = the circlet things ATC puts on psi-24s.) Go figure. Okay. So we have a lead, and we have a buggy. Anyone want some trail mix? Why the hell would he want neural inhibitors? Space Jesus. Well, we'd better get after him, preferably before he hits TC. <> ( The ones we didn't bring? >.> ) (The ones that we just got for FREE.) (Hopefully they don't have holes.) ( Oh ) * Ian shuts off the buggy and starts shuffling through the trunk. "I think the excursion suits are all we'll need right now." * Katherine eyes Leo and smirks. "I hope they've got one in Lizard size." * Rochelle snickers. A little. <> * Leopoldo chuckles. * Ian holds one up. "Ta-da!" <> * Ian suits up, and moves back to the driver's seat. * Threnody gets suited and gets on the buggy and continues to look pale and pensive. * Leopoldo eyes the suit and puts it on. "I'm not even going to ask why he has one here in my size." * Vera suits up. "Ugh. This better be a short trip." * Katherine doesn't need to suit up! She tries to find a place to stand on the buggy. Like hanging off the side or something. * Fitzroy suits up. There's something very creepy about him - besides the obvious - that I can't put a finger on. * Rochelle does, too. Yay, exo handholds. <> (Whoever thought up the charge db, df, uf motion for fighting game supers should be killed messily.) I'll drive if you want. I've done this before. Ah, would you? Thanks! * Ian switches places with Roy, then. <> ( rdy! ) (kk) (gogogogogogogogogo!) * Leopoldo somehow gets aboard the buggie. (kekekekekekekekeke!) (Ogogogogogggogogogogogoggogooggogogogogogogo!!!!!!!!!!!!11!1!!1one+shift!) (... alright, is that out of our systems?) (One plus shift equals SPEAR!) (omg stfu) (Wait, that's not right.) * Fitzroy gogogos! (METAL!) <> (Red arrows of DEATH!) * Ian waves goodbye to Stan - with his whole hand, even. (Following the arrows, the arrows, the arrows. o/`) <> <> <> * Katherine looks off into the distance! Do these suits have standard comms? <> ~Dammit, I hope Stan sold him a piece of crap.~ <> ~Not everything Stan sells is a piece of crap... Just most of it.~ ~Dorian would not have bought a lemon. Why would a telepath ever buy a lemon?~ ~... You know, that's a great point. Remind me to take you out next time I go shopping.~ * Threnody looks at Katherine and sounds mildly annoyed. ~ That's highly unethical. ~ * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fitzroy (2d6-2) and gets 4. ~So's lying. I think he went that way.~ * Rochelle points. ~... Well, you just said 'Why would a telepath ever buy a lemon' and you're a telepath and...oh, nevermind.~ * Ian points, as well. ~Tracks!~ ~I see 'em too.~ * Threnody shakes his head, looking in the direction people are pointing. ~ Just because it's something Dorian would do doesn't mean it's something *I* would do. ~ Maybe we can catch him. <> * Fitzroy speeds up to full speed. <> ~Maybe if we're lucky. Can thi--whoa!~ * Vera nods. * Leopoldo looks. ~Well, that's not too hard to find.~ <> * Threnody narrows his eyes. ~ He's nearby. I can feel it. ~ ~ It has to be a trap. He's waiting for us. ~ ~Then we might as well slow the hell down.~ * Fitzroy does slow down a tad. ~You sure?~ ~I'm not one who likes to walk into traps. Are you?~ ~ No, I'm not sure. But we're gaining awful quickly one way or the other. ~ (Yup.) ~We'll have to face him eventually...Twilight City has better cover, but that goes for both us and him.~ <> * Katherine 's is in the trunk. ( I don't think I have one. ) (They ring anyhow. >_<) * Ian blinks, and picks up. <> * Threnody frowns, stopping midway to getting his phone. ~What the hell?~ * Rochelle blinks. ~Yeah.~ ~You know, that may not have been the best idea Ian.~ ( "Hi, I'd like to order a pizza." ) "Hi, Ronnie. We're on his tail right now. What's going on?" ~She says to NOT follow him into Twilight City under any circumstances.~ "Got it. I take it there's trouble?" ~ Sound advice. ~ ~What? Why the hell not?~ ( If you follow him into Twilight City, the game will end too soon! ;_; ) ~ If we're going to catch him, we'll have to hurry, then. ~ ~Maybe because Twilight City is under gang control constantly and he could easily have one of those after us?~ ~I'd like to know why too, dammit.~ ( You must come back and face his 12 war god generals in a great tournament. ) * Katherine peers off into the distance. Is he visible, at least? "That makes sense. Shall we try to catch him right here?" * Vera nods. ~Do it.~ "Got it. Wish us luck..." ~What's the plan, Ian?~ ~Ronnie says - and I agree - that there are too many factors to deal with within TC. We need to get Anders back, and hopefully kill Dorian, right now.~ ~I think I can barely see him.~ * Fitzroy speeds up again, in that case. (full speed) * Ian peers into the distance ahead. * Threnody shuts his eyes and takes a dew deep breaths. * Vera draws her gun. <> <> * Rochelle frowns, a little, then blinks. She doesn't say anything. ~Does anybody else think this is a bad idea?~ ~Yes, but I think it's the best we have...~ ~I think we have very little choice in the matter now.~ ~Don't have much choice~ <> ~I can try to grab Anders.~ * Katherine nods slightly. ~That was what my plan was gonna be, but you sure that thing's gonna keep up the catchup speed if you start now?~ (/me whispers "zoom, zoom") ~Better if Kat does it. I'll try to blow out the tires when we get a bit closer.~ <> ~Same here.~ * Katherine shakes her head. ~Only if I can jump it. The ground's good at causing drag. ~ * Rochelle shakes her head. ~I can fly. Probably the best. You guys distract him, okay?~ ~Positive ID, right, Thren?~ * Vera takes aim. * Ian draws and takes aim. ~*curses softly* Yeah, Anders is there all right. Nobody else plays Perry Como anymore.~ ~I'll take left, Vera, you take right.~ ~Gotcha~ ~There's no doubt.~ <> <> * Threnody holds action because he's a melee type so there ain't much he can do. * Katherine is waiting to make a jump. * Fitzroy drives! * Vera waits until they get close enough, takes careful aim, and looses a shot at the right tire. * Ian fires a shot at the left. ( What's the roll on that? ) * Leopoldo holds his action too. Whoo. (Probably calledish?) (+6, Steady Hand applies.) ( So +3? Does Deadeye count too? ) (It'd be a called shot and a moving shot at the same time. So while both dead eye and steady hand would apply, there's a doubly big penalty.) * Rochelle lets go and boosts up, taking to the air. (Deadeye also applies.) <> * Katherine sees it and whispers, ~Jesus.~ <> <> <> * Threnody looks to be in concentration, but otherwise does nothing. * Vera curses and fires again at the tire. * Ian fires again. * Leopoldo leans over the side and picks up a small chunk of rock. Nothing big, but something about base-ball sized. * Fitzroy tries to keep control of the buggy and drives s'more. * Rochelle hovers for a brief moment, then dives down, trying to snatch Anders from Dorian's buggy. * Katherine mutters then says, ~I can't make the jump unless you close, Roy!~ ~Don't hit anymore rocks, Roy!~ (Backseat drivers. Shoot 'em, Roy.) ~I'm tryin'.~ <> (DR2) (...) (I love you, DR!) (... God, who doesn.t. @_@) <> (Anders = Pop Tart) * Threnody smiles grimly. ~ Psychic dial tone. Classy. ~ <> ~Fuck!~ <> <> * Leopoldo takes the rock he picked up and chucks it full-force at the buggie. Hey, I might just hit something important! (Are Rochelle and Anders well clear?) <> * Ian fires at the tire once again. * Vera switches weapons, firing at the engine of Dorian's buggy with her AF gun. * Rochelle gets clear of Dorian. ~I got 'im.~ ~We still chasing him since we have Anders?~ ~Yeah! He's the leader of the Concordat!~ ~No further than TC. But after what he did...~ ~Alright. Hang on then!~ ( It's probably not really him, though ) ( The leader is Proffessor Moriarty. ) * Fitzroy speeds up to chase! ( "The buggy breaks down. You went more than 30 yrds." ) <> * Threnody grimaces. ~ While I am as much for going after Dorian as anyone, I think Rochelle and Anders' safety takes priority. ~ * Ian curses. ~Roch!~ * Leopoldo nods. ~Roch, you still okay?~ ~Gimme another second! I almost got 'im!~ <> <> * Katherine leaps off, the thrusters kicking in as she oes so in the attempt NOT to kill herself. ~I'll handle them! Go for it!~ ( Kat falls into a crevasse. Doh! ) ~Thanks!~ * Rochelle ends up in the ground, throwing up an incredible cloud of dust as she tries to keep Anders from becoming a pasty smear. ~I'm okay,~ you guys hear faintly, but neutrally... yeah, that's Roch. <> * Vera takes aim again. ~Okay...~ * Ian does likewise. <> ~God dammit!~ <> ~oof.. Crap.~ * Threnody grits his teeth and grabs the nearest inorganic steadying object, or Leo, whichever's closest. ~ I guess that's that. Ow. ~ * Ian is tossed about, cursing, as the buggy spins. * Rochelle starts getting up and is bowled over by Kat. * Vera curses. She stands up when the buggy slows down enough and hops off, aiming at Dorian. But after realizing she's not going to hit him, she lowers his arms. "Fuck." (Vera was aiming Ian at Dorian.) ( Her. Her arms >.> ) (Sadly, Ian is a short range weapon.) (Curses!) * Ian sighs. "He'll be back." ("BECKER STRIKE!") (... Yes.) (... I could throw him?) (DO IT.) (Do it!) <> * Vera walks back over and gets in. (Like Vwoof or like tea?) * Katherine extricates herself from Roch and Anders, and checks on him. (What kind of whine?) * Rochelle sits heavily, letting Kat do that. <> (Ah.) ( Like me after Dorian got away. Wah. ;_; ) (;_;) ( That's ok. I have a plan to kill him. We just have to hold an auction and get him to buy a picture without him realizing the picture is of him. ) (... oy.) <> (*snark*) (Then we trick him into stabbing it!) * Rochelle lets them do that without a fight, getting to her feet afterwards. * Threnody shields his eyes. ~ My, she's certainly not sparing any expense. ~ He doesn't sound convinced it's altruism despite knowing better. * Katherine says angrily, over open comm, ~Hey!~ * Ian looks over at the plane. ~Well, that was quick.~ ~Too bad they didn't come about five minutes sooner.~ ~Hey yourself. We've got orders to get this one to Munchausen Plaza.~ ~That was very quick...~ <> * Katherine does follow, angrily stalky. * Ian trudges over to the ship, consuming his trail mix. * Rochelle eyes them. * Vera follows. "I need a break." * Fitzroy hops out of the buggy, ~We'll, we're not getting back in this thing, that's for sure.~ He follows. * Threnody follows mutely. He is troubled! Also, it's Tuesday, so you know he's troubled! (Well, not We'll) * Leopoldo jumps down and lands with a thud. He grabs his suitcase and walks to the spaceplane. * Rochelle stays that way for some time, then walks in well behind everyone else. ~... Dammit. Luggage.~ <> "Nice work. Too bad you couldn't nab him." (Is the airlock closed?) Yeah. * Ian nods. "We barely missed him, I think." Repeatedly. * Threnody takes off the damn excursion suit and looks pleased to be out of it. "It bodes poorly for the future. I am hoping he doesn't meet... a certain other Twilight resident." * Vera shrugs. "But whatever. He's lost his ability to see the future, and he can't hide from me for long." We'll get him next time. "Telepaths suck like that. You guys need a vacation, I think." * Threnody gives Ronnie the eye. Briefly. * Katherine pops her helmet. "That's what we were supposed to be on before this shit came down, Ronnie." She smirks thinly. "Or is it still lover?" * Rochelle stops in her tracks as Ronnie mentions 'vacation', then relaxes and heads the rest of the way to the group. * Ian nods. "The next time this happens, I think actual military backup would come in handy." "According to the press we've been married and divorced three times in as many hours." ... Jesus christ. Good job. Jeez. I didn't think Kat was that loose. Did we get anything good for presents? * Rochelle pops off her helmet, too. She's sunburned again, yes. * Threnody has a seat somewhere and looks out a window at the likely fading TC. "About seven thousand microwaves. Anyways, about this vacation. Vernon's got a bug up his arse about something to do with the Elder Race. He thinks we can figure out more about them somehow." <> * Leopoldo pulls out a tube of sunburn ointment and hands it to Rochelle. * Ian blinks. "Really?" "Yeah. Oh, hey. That Luanne girl is in there with the precog, in case you were wondering." <> Why would we want to learn more about them? Isn't the whole idea to stop them? Know your enemy, etc. * Rochelle tilts her head. "Yeah. He hasn't been too clear on how it works. You know how he gets when he's got an idea. I could hire forty Venusian strippers and he wouldn't blink." Should just toss all the artifacts into the sun and be done with it. So, after this we're heading over to talk with him? Rub the ointment on your burns. It'll make them heal faster. "You're getting a week to recuperate, and then you're heading out on his little jaunt. He did promise it'd be short." * Ian hmms. <> "Oh, hell. Got to go, guys. Rest up." * Katherine snorts. "He does have a son, Ronnie. Maybe 30." Then she sighs. <> <>