“Well, he didn’t exactly prove he knows how to nuzzle, but I’d say that’s irrelevant!”

“Huh?” Veera barely registered her own response, instead watching Winters’ retreating back as he cut purposefully but politely through the crowds in order to get to Zolta. “Ow, hey!” She whirled around as Gentia’s walking staff struck the back of her legs.

“I’ll have to try that with Thantis sometime, one touch of the nose and you’re all a tizzy!” The old Cauthan exclaimed as she took a seat on the bench and patted the spot next to her. Veera, still feeling the delightful weightless sensation of Winters’ touch, smiled and joined her, choosing to ignore Gentia’s light teasing. “So, what’s the story young one? I know I promised mundane topics, but that was simply too interesting to ignore.” Gentia explained, not caring at all to conceal her interest in what Veera was quickly coming to regard as her first romantic moment with Winters.

“There is no story Gentia. This isn’t planned or scripted or anything. It’s just…happening. I don’t know if it was something I said or something I did but he just went in for that.” Veera tried to clarify. “Depending on how things go I hope to talk to him tonight. It’s becoming difficult to let this keep going without any labels.” Gentia nodded sagely.

“I suppose I’ll know more soon enough one way or the other. I’m glad you’re having a good time child. Where’s he run off to now? Didn’t think something intimate like that merited a quick exit.”

“He’s got something he has to do. Did you need him for something?” Veera asked, again choosing not to entertain Gentia’s subtle barb.

“Oh no, I only heard from Thantis that congratulations are an order. I hear he put on quite the display against our guard captain. Must have been thrilling to see.” The priestess remarked, procuring a small lunch of vegetable buns from her own satchel and beginning to eat. Veera got a faraway look in her eyes as she clasped her hands together, remembering the event.

“It was Gentia. Russell was amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it. Even when he was on the heaviest stones his actions were smooth, deliberate.”

“I hear you also did something not so smooth but very deliberate.” Gentia prodded with ill-concealed glee. She’d finally gotten through.

“I may have leapt into his arms and tackled him in the thrill of victory…yes.” Veera admitted, looking up at the sky in embarrassment.

“Ah, young love. But enough about the men! How are you doing otherwise my child?” Gentia continued, not giving Veera any opportunity to refute her use of the word love.

“I’m well Gentia, thank you. My home is well stocked with fuel and food. I’ll be heading out to forage again after the festival. What do you have the most need of?”

“We’ll take whatever you can bring us, but I suppose there are a few things Thantis or I would be willing to pay extra for…”

“I’ve seen happier people at funerals…for their own parents.” Winters remarked, standing over the pathetic figure that was Zolta. The young Cauthan was sitting on a bench near one of the sparring rings, hunched over with his elbows on his knees. He looked utterly dejected. “Good lord just take the translator, I don’t even feel like playful insults anymore.” Winters grumbled, extending his hand.

“What do you want Russell?” Zolta asked miserably as the human sat beside him.

“Oh I don’t know, how about what the hell is wrong with you?” Winters countered sternly. “Isn’t today supposed to be your day? Where have you been all morning anyway?”

“Finishing the necklace.”

“And then?”

“Losing my breakfast behind the temple the moment I thought about what to say to her.” Zolta admitted, shaking his head.

‘Oh mein gott. We’ve got our work cut out for us sir.’ Io seemed torn between compassion and frustration with Zolta. Winters had to admit he felt the same.

“Why do they have to do that?” Zolta wondered aloud. Winters took the opportunity to get inside the kid’s head.

“Do what?”

“That.” Zolta pointed at the sparring ring. “Move around in packs like that.” Winters followed his finger and saw a couple groups of young Cauthan females around the ring. Xan and another guard were participating in a sparring match with blunt wooden swords as more young men waited their turn. It appeared to be a round robin of sorts. The women were cheering and giggling between themselves, no doubt feeling thrilled to be the objects of interest and competition. Winters couldn’t help but laugh.

“What?! It’s not funny!” Zolta insisted.

“Ah Zolta, that’s where you’re wrong my friend. At a minimum it’s hilarious because human girls do the exact same thing.” He slapped Zolta on the back.

“Do they?” Zolta asked, his curiosity prevailing over his defeated attitude for just a moment.

“They do indeed. It’s a lot easier, isn’t it? Talking about who someone else likes rather than discussing your own love interest makes complete sense right now. It allows them to gather information on the field of play while potentially keeping their own hand secret. It also intimidates the men, forces them to step up their game.” Winters finished with a pointed look at his unhappy pupil.

“How do I do this then?” Zolta looked up at Winters with a lost expression. The human felt a sharp pull of something that he could only imagine was what a father might feel. He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, wondering how to explain something he barely understood. Blunt won’t work…finesse, yes of course, but how? Both? Wait a minute…

“Zolta, what do you know about carpet bombing?” He turned to the youngster with a fiery look in his eyes.

“Have you literally gone insane?” Zolta asked angrily. “I get that I’m being pathetic here but you cracking jokes isn’t helping!” Winters laughed.

“Just answer the question you little shit.” He elbowed Zolta in the ribs.

“Nothing! What the hell even is a bomb?!”

“So glad you asked! Now listen up kid. I don’t know women, but I do know warfare. And right now, I’m looking at the Cauthan equivalent of carpet bombing.” He pointed at the ring, noting the girls laughing and talking animatedly amongst themselves. “Once humans developed the ability to create flying machines and the ability to blow things up, we logically put them together.”

“How in Kel’s name is that logical?” Zolta asked astounded.

“We’re a violent people Zolta, and damn good at it too. Now, about a hundred years ago a bombing run would consist of flying over a target and dropping a large number of explosives in a line, hoping you’d hit your target with one or a few bombs. Low success rate, but a high number of attempts. Does that make sense?”

“Not really…”

“What is Xan doing right now? He’s fighting another male. How does that help him? We don’t know. Surely some females might be impressed. Others might not be. He doesn’t know, but you can see that they’re all watching him. Those girls are Dresden, and he’s an American B-17 bomber.” Winters smiled as Zolta’s face changed.

“I think I get it. You’re saying he’s trying to sway as many females as possible with a universal approach?”

“I am, exactly. Now, like you, I’m sure he has one in particular that he fancies, but do you see him talking to any females directly?”

“No.”

“Precisely. Xan is carpet bombing the women of your village. For that matter, so is every other young stud looking to sow his seed.”

“You’re a blunt one. That’s disgusting.” Zolta huffed.

“If you don’t shape the fuck up someone else is going to plant his seed in Asha’s womb. Now sit up straight and listen soldier. We didn’t come this far just to fail.” Zolta let out a low growl at the idea of Asha with another man and did as he was told. If Winters was good at one thing, it was getting him angry.

“You’re saying I should carpet bomb too?”

“No. That technology is over a hundred years old. We’re going to upgrade.” Winters told him confidently. “About fifty years ago some of my planet’s most advanced militaries developed a method to guide bombs from a very high altitude right to their target. That’s what you’re going to do Zolta.”

“But…they’re all grouped up like that.” He tried.

“Ah, you’ve noticed? That’s what happened on earth too.”

“What, women grouped together to avoid explosives?”

“No! Although that’s actually a pretty hilarious image. No Zolta, but you are right in that the potential targets of these guided bombs adapted. They hid themselves in bunkers and under mountains. They put walls between them and the rest of the world that would seek to kill them. In that way they are like those dainty little women over there. As you pointed out, they make an imposing presence. They’re a heavily fortified pillbox, or a subterranean bunker. No guarantee a carpet bomb is going to work against that.”

“I assume your people invented something new?”

“Again, you would be correct. Violently proficient, remember? We called it the bunker buster. Today, that’s going to be you, kid.”

“Alright…what’s that?” Zolta inquired, more than distracted from his despondency by the human’s ridiculous tale.

“The bunker buster works in three stages. First, it’s not a dumb bomb. It’s guided right to the target, just like you aren’t going to waste your time with the others. You’re going to head straight for Asha. Second, a bunker buster uses a secondary explosive payload in order to tunnel through whatever defenses the target has erected around themselves. In this case those defenses are Asha’s friends. Dispatch them, with extreme prejudice if need be. Third, the bunker buster, upon reaching its target, detonates in a massive explosion. You already have that bit covered. Let’s see the necklace Zolta.” Winters demanded. Zolta procured it from a pocket on his tunic and handed it over. The stone looked even more beautiful now that it was finished and placed in its setting. “Very good kid. I think she’ll like it very much.”

“I hope so too.” Zolta agreed. “How do I get through to her though? It’s bad enough imagining telling her…what I feel. Doing it with the rest of them around?” He seemed to physically shrink back in fear. Winters placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Zolta, no matter how precise a bunker buster is it’s still a massive bomb. It’s explosive, it’s blunt, and it’s unrefined. Today, like I said, that’s going to be you. You need to get in there and hit them with the truth. Tell her friends to piss off…politely of course. Tell them you have to speak to Asha, alone. Don’t take no for an answer. Your mission isn’t one of male bravado or testosterone. You’re in love and no one is going to bloody stand in your way. Once you’ve got her…well…I’m sure when you look inside yourself you’ll know just what to say. That’s never been something I can give you.” Winters took a knee on the ground and faced Zolta, making sure the kid couldn’t look away from him. “Now listen to me and listen good Zolta. Everything you’ve wanted for yourself and your future happens right now. All those hours you spent with that stone. All those years you spent admiring her from afar. All of that comes together right here, right now.” He punched his fist into an open palm. “If you fail, you will have no escape. You will be reminded of it for the rest of your life. You will see Asha with another man. You will see her bear another’s children. You will see her fall in love with someone else. You won’t be able to run from this unless you decide to feed yourself to an Ursae.” Winters was merciless. He felt a certain heaviness within him, but this was the only way he knew to get Zolta to feel something other than hopelessness. He saw anger, fear, and hatred now. Zolta had squeezed his eyes shut and was gnashing his teeth. “Good, get angry Zolta. Understand what sitting on your ass on this bench will get you. Now think of something else. Think of Asha’s paw in your hands. Think of nuzzling her. Think about what it would be like to wrap your arms around her, to protect her, to be able to show her the depth of what you feel for her. You want that, don’t you?”

“More than anything in the world.” Zolta whispered, eyes shut but more relaxed now.

“Then get out there and prove it kid. Selah.” Winters finished and the two of them stood.

“You tell Veera how you feel yet?” Zolta asked, hoping to get in a single blow on the man who’d knocked him into shape for the last few minutes.

“Partially.”

“What’s stopping you?”

“I might hurt her.”

“You already are.” Zolta looked determinedly at Winters. “Go follow your own advice human. It’s pretty damn good.” He clutched the pendant under his leather tunic. “I have something to do.”

“Knock ‘em dead kid.” Winters shook his head as Zolta slowly walked towards Asha and her friends. He took a moment to size up the lass. She was about Zolta’s height with fur that looked like the hyrven’s he’d seen the other day. If her crown plumage was any indication, she even boasted the black stripe on her back. Her tail was unlike many he’d seen in the village, sporting longer hair that gave it a certain fluffy quality. She held herself with poise and elegance. Her face was kind and gentle and she sported a well-made green dress, likely of her own making. Her viridian eyes turned his way as she noticed Zolta approaching. They were as captivating as the young smith had described.

‘Sir, I’ll address the fact that you were just called out by a teenaged cat bird another day. Right now I think we should be getting back. Veera will not want to miss this.’ Io suggested. Winters nodded emphatically and raced back to where he’d left his own fluffy objective.

“So once you’ve washed the leaves you simply leave them to dry on a warm stone above or next to the embers of a dying fire. You’ll understand the precise timing eventually. Wait until they glow red like Seil at the end of day.” Thantis had recently joined his mate and was explaining to Veera how to properly prepare the tea that Winters had taken a liking to. He was just about to discuss brewing and steeping when the human came barreling towards them.

“Veera! It’s happening!” He almost yelled, literally sliding into home and wrapping an arm around her, completely ignoring Gentia and Thantis, who were sitting further along the bench.

“Russell! What are you…what’s happening?” A discombobulated Veera demanded as she was turned around. Following Winters’ pointed finger she finally saw what she was meant to see.

“Time to watch my boy Zolta snag his girl!” Zolta, looking fraught with nerves but holding steady, was addressing Asha in the presence of her friends. Veera looked left at Winters, finding him completely focused on the scene. His face was full of what she knew was fatherly pride as he hoped for the best, his ability to affect the outcome long gone. She smiled to herself as that warmth in her chest dripped down through her to yet again pool in her womb. The desire for a mate who could be a strong and loving father burned inside her no different than any other woman. Winters, in addition to everything else he’d proven about himself, was making a very good case that he possessed those qualities as well. “Oh…I see.” She whispered in his ear, knowing very well she intended both interpretations of the phrase. For now, she would watch with him and enjoy how close he was holding her. Her time would come soon. Fixated on Zolta, neither of them noticed Thantis and Gentia looking on with approval.

For Asha, her first harvest festival was going splendidly. After the opening sermon of the sun priest, she had spent a bit of time with her sisters of the temple at their stalls. She was thrilled to see a few of her more utilitarian pieces gain interest from passersby, to say nothing of the interest shown in her by a handful of males a couple years her senior. The priestesses were more than happy to bat them away, reminding them that it was her who would be doing the choosing. A few of the younger priestesses even took the opportunity to flaunt their own assets. The game was in full swing and she enjoyed it immensely. After breakfast she had met up with her friends who still worked the fields and they made their way around, looking for and talking about the boys their age. They had been about to seek them out directly when the daughter of the plains woman, Veera if she recalled correctly, had begun making quite a commotion. Once Asha and her friends had realized what was going on, they too had made for the trial of stones to watch Antoth go up against the human. The contest was riveting, and she and her friends had cheered well for the captain. It was a shame to see him lose, but he finished with pride and was greeted as an equal by the human. If that hadn’t been enough, Veera had then launched herself into the human’s arms right afterward, tackling him to the ground in a most un-ladylike fashion. Though Asha didn’t care much herself either way, she couldn’t help but recall her father’s words about that old hunter’s wife. She may not be ‘one of us’, but she and the human do look very happy. Asha thought to herself, taking a moment to consider what exactly she was hoping for this year. In the end, maybe that was all that mattered, happiness. She knew she didn’t have to make a decision this year, but she was excited at the idea. Her body had matured over the last two years, giving birth to a newfound appreciation for the young men of the village. There was no shortage this year, though she didn’t have anyone in particular in mind. Xan had always waved when they encountered one another, and Zolta was just as nice as he’d always been when they were cubs, but she couldn’t admit to knowing either of them very well anymore. Her duties as an apprentice and aspiring seamstress had left her with little time for frivolity. Now that she had it, the idea of making a choice was both exhilarating and overwhelming. At least she had her friends with her to share the burden.

After lunch, the three of them found themselves by one of the sparring rings, watching a match between Xan and another of the guards. They giggled amongst themselves as the boys tried hard to act casual and confident while still doing their utmost to best one another. She was applauding politely as Xan scored a hit when one of her friends tapped her on the shoulder.

“Hey, Asha. What’s the name of that boy you hung out a lot with growing up? Brown fur, black scales?”

“Huh, you mean Zolta? Why?”

“See for yourself.” Her friend tittered and pointed. Sure enough Zolta was walking towards them, towards her. Her friends began laughing at the dark look on his face. Asha remained silent, appraising the young man. Time at the forge had certainly done some good for his physique. He was well muscled and just a bit taller than she. His blue eyes were hard and not forthcoming with any information. She couldn’t recall ever seeing him like this. He was muttering something too, something about…bombs…and bunkers? Asha didn’t know what any of that meant. He stopped in front of her and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. His crown was shaking fiercely. She felt a sudden surge of…something…travel up her tail.

“A-Asha, can I speak with you…alone?” He asked, steadying himself out. Her friends looked at one another before moving closer to her.

“Oh, I don’t think so. I want to be around for this!” One said playfully, looking Zolta up and down like he was a piece of chesko meat.

“Yeah, whatever you want to say to Asha you can say to us, we’re friends!” The battle lines were drawn. Zolta, for his part, had developed a look on his face that was downright terrifying. The only thing she could ever remember like it was the human’s face when the sun guards were about to torture Veera. He was looking at her friends with undisguised malice at their flippant attitudes.

“Zolta?” She tried, hoping not to cause a scene. He held out a hand before speaking in a low and controlled voice.

“You’re wrong. There are some things meant for Asha and for her alone. This might be a game to you two but it’s not to me. There’s plenty of eye candy for you around here, I won’t take her from you for long.”

“Ooh, someone’s feisty. I like that in a man! Eep!” Her friend was silenced by a low growl from Zolta.

“Find it somewhere else then. I have no interest in you, either of you.” Zolta bluntly informed her. Asha’s friends’ eyes were wide with shock, their playful, teasing facades crumbling to dust. Asha stared into Zolta’s tortured face. Whatever he was doing, thinking, or planning, it was incredibly unorthodox. She didn’t know that she’d ever heard a young man speak like that to an eligible female before. She had to defuse the situation. She looked at her friends.

“It’s fine you guys, we’ve known each other for a long time. Nothing will happen; I’m sure of it. I’ll meet up with you here soon. It won’t take too long, right Zolta?”

“No, it won’t.”

“Ok, let’s go then.” Without waiting for an answer from her friends, she took his hand and led him away through the crowd, looking for somewhere they could be alone but still within sight. He was worrying her immensely. In the end she decided just to walk down the main road a ways. With everyone at the festival, there was minimal foot traffic and no one paid them much mind. As they walked she felt her heart beat faster as more of her focus rested on the point where she and Zolta were in contact. She could feel the rough callouses on his pads from his work at the temple. Neither of them spoke until she brought them to a halt about a hundred feet away from the nearest stalls. She turned back to him, releasing her hold.

“Zolta, are you alright? What in the name of the goddesses has gotten into you?” She asked with concern, searching his face for anything she could understand. He’d become downright vicious the moment her friends had sought to cut him off. What had happened to the young, gentle farmer’s son she’d known? He remained silent, looking like he was fighting a raging battle inside his mind.

“You.” He finally whispered, looking at the ground, his hands clenched stiffly at his sides.

“I’m sorry?” She asked, wondering if she’d actually heard what she thought she did.

“I was thinking…what I would do if you…liked someone else. I can’t get these images out of my mind. They’re driving me mad.” He mumbled, still not meeting her eyes. Asha found herself becoming short of breath. Was he really talking about…that?!

“Zolta, what’s gotten into you? Where is this coming from?” She tried, feeling growing worry and something like anticipation as she beheld the young man she’d known for many years. Looking him over she briefly thought it was a shame they’d drifted apart. He clutched at his chest and squeezed his eyes shut tight before opening them again and finally meeting her gaze. He removed something from around his neck. Asha gasped, childhood memories flooding through her mind. She looked at the object with disbelief.

“You still…”

“I still have it. I don’t think I’ve taken it off since that day. You stole my heart.” He took a rattled breath and continued. “Asha, I’ve been thinking…a lot. Thinking about what I want in life, about what’s important to me…about…what it means to be a male instead of a cub. I’m sorry for doing this to you but…I just can’t sit by anymore. I can’t play this…this stupid game!” He raised his voice and Asha took a step back at his sudden outburst. “I can’t run around swinging wooden swords and lifting rocks and shooting bows and showing off some trinkets or pieces I made like I’m some prized shen strutting around. I can’t because…” He stepped in again to close the distance. “Because I’ve already decided.” He reached into his pocket and grasped something tightly. Asha watched wide-eyed as he withdrew an item connected to a leather strand, a necklace. He held his hand out to her and opened his fingers. Her mouth dropped open and her tail stood on end.

“Z-Zolta…I…it’s beautiful. You made this?” She remarked breathlessly, gazing down at a perfectly polished green stone set in a wooden frame. Silver streaks reflected Seil’s light as it struck the surface. It was brilliant, just like the one she’d given him, only it was clear he’d left not a single point on the surface untouched. It was perfection, and he was offering it to her.

“It’s not as beautiful as you are. No stone could ever shine brighter than your eyes Asha. I don’t…I don’t really think there was ever a choice in my mind. May I?” He asked. She nodded without a sound, feeling something very powerful coiling around her chest as a warm sensation began pumping through her veins. If she had any defenses in place for the festival, Zolta had blown right through them. She held her breath as he brought his hands around the back of her neck to tie a small knot and secure the pendant around her. It hung perfectly over the almost white fur of her chest, just above the upper hem of her dress, glinting in the sunlight for the world to see. And he, the one who’d made it, was close. Zolta was very close. His body blocked most of her view. His arms hung around her and his fingers gently brushed the fur on the nape of her neck as he moved. As he withdrew and looked down to check on his creation she couldn’t deny the gut instinct that wanted him back, wanted him closer. “Do you like it?” He questioned, suddenly docile and unsure of himself.

“You made this just for me?” She asked, almost unable to believe it. She considered all the effort that would have gone into this piece. As an artisan in training, she had a good idea. Between the stone’s color and the setting there was no doubt in her mind. Zolta had, from the very beginning, labored for her and only for her. Unlike the other boys, fighting in their arenas, weaving their words, or showing off their creations for the world, Zolta had done this all for her. He had allowed her to take them away from it all in order to present it to her, unwilling to allow anyone else to see it until it was around her neck. “You…really have decided…haven’t you?” She asked in a misty voice, finding his dark blue gaze almost overwhelming. It was as if he was trying to see into her very soul and meld with it.

“I have no desire to fight for anyone else. I…” His shoulders rose in a fortifying breath. “I want to be with you Asha. Whenever I think about the future I can’t imagine anything else. There’s only one pair of eyes I want to see every morning. There’s only one woman I want to go to sleep next to. There’s only one cheek I want to nuzzle. Asha, I want you to be my mate.” He finished, unable to say anymore as his body rejected the idea of further speech. He’d achieved his goal. She knew now, knew he wanted to be with her for life. Asha, for her part, thought her heart had climbed into her throat with how hard it was hammering. She had expected many things at the festival. This was not one of them. Zolta had completely turned the game on its head, destroyed it. He had presented her with a symbol full of meaning and intent, crafted only for her. If they were to present themselves before Meylith right then and there she knew what their tokens would be. To hear him tell it, he was already hers. He had presented her the depths of his emotion, unguarded and unvarnished. He had given of himself to her and her alone. She’d not seen him all day until he’d approached her. He’d not made an attempt to woo any other. He was dead serious, and his presence was eclipsing the rest of the world around her. From deep inside her a single spark flared, a singular desire. Touch him. It demanded. She didn’t resist. Stepping into him, bringing them chest to chest, almost touching, she took each of his hands in hers before looking into his eyes. She could feel him shaking. He’s a brave one…

“Zolta…I…this may sound selfish of me, but may I think about this for just a moment? I never expected this. This is beyond anything I could imagine happening.” He stared at her, trying to understand the true meaning. There was a measure of hurt in his eyes. She tried again, knowing what she’d said had been inadequate. “I’ll not entertain any offers from any male until I give you an answer. I promise. I just need to think. When I said beyond anything, I meant that in the best way possible.” He nodded after a moment.

“May I touch you Asha?” He whispered, lighting her senses ablaze. Clearly he wasn’t content to let her go so easily.

“Yes.” Came her breathless reply. He felt his heart soar. Remembering how Veera looked in the human’s hold, Zolta brought his arms gently around Asha’s back and closed the remaining distance between them. Asha inhaled and brought her hands up reflexively, unsure of herself. As a result they now rested on his pectorals, pinned between their two bodies. She could feel his heartbeat thundering beneath her touch and knew he would feel hers in return. As she acclimated to whatever it was he was doing to her, she heard his voice in her ear. He was almost…laughing?

“Heh, now I see why Veera and the human do this so much.” He admitted.

“Zolta, what’s happened to you?” She asked, not accusingly, but wanting to know what had caused the sweet, slightly shy boy she’d known as a girl to grow up into the very assertive young man clutching her to him. Her bushy tail couldn’t help itself, swaying back and forth as her body reacted to his.

“I worked for the human for a few days Asha. He’s a very strange man, but he’s seen much in his time. He had a mate, and friends. He lost them all.” Zolta explained.

“That’s…terribly sad.”

“I know. He made me realize how short life can be, how quickly the things you yearn for can slip out of your hands. I’ll give you the time you need, I promise, but I don’t want to spend one second away from you that I don’t have to.” Zolta told her, keeping his voice soft next to her ear. He wasn’t sure exactly where the words were coming from, but as their meeting had gone on he’d calmed more and more. Having Asha so close to him, alone, was everything he’d ever dreamed of. He slowly loosened his hold, allowing her to step away from him.

“You’ve given me a great deal to think on Zolta, and I promise you that I will. I will come to you soon with an answer. Would you…would you walk me back?” She asked, looking up at him with hooded eyes. His crown fluttered and he offered her his scaled forearm. It was the rest of their lives they were discussing. He’d not begrudge her a couple hours.

“Of course Asha.”