Moving In [Tag Sebby]

[Sebastian Mannering]

Sebastian let out a breath he hadn't even realised he'd been holding, tension had tautened his muscles as he wove his story due to fear that she would not believe him. He hoped the honest relief he felt looked to her as though he was only pleased to be confiding in someone who had turned out to be trustworthy. If his story had been true and he'd been speaking to the wrong person he would have been running the risk of it getting back to Vaysey after all.

He could see in her face that she wanted to trust him, to believe him. And then she smiled and it made the elaborate lie even more worth it. It was a warm smile but not overly sweet like the coy grin that usually graced her lips. It made Sebastian's chest tighten in a feeling that was unfamiliar to him. Maybe it was attraction because she really was quite pretty, although it seemed different from the usual lustful thoughts he had about women. Or maybe it was guilt about deceiving her, but that was absurd because he was a Mannering and they never felt guilt about manipulating someone. Either way he knew he wanted to make her smile like that again if he could.

"I fear I've gotten rather used to playing the overindulged lord." He said with an almost wistful smile. It would be an interesting challenge to be the sensitive noble hidden beneath his flamboyant exterior for her, one that he was looking forward to. "But I feel I can trust you Daine." His face was still held in that earnest expression, his eyes slightly widened with an open trust.

Then he gave a self depreciating laugh. "You probably think I'm a fool for confiding in somebody I barely know just because she has a pretty face." The compliment was said with a softness that had been missing from his brazen flirting of before, but it still held that cheeky forward quality. Sebastian was still a charmer whatever character he was playing. "And please, call me Sebastian." He reminded her.

[Daine Merton]

The smile she wore grew slightly, showing a little of her teeth, as Sebastian let out a sigh. Had he been waiting for someone to confide in? Had his facade been getting a little too much? She certainly hoped so, she wanted to believe him so much. Just to have another lord on her side - it might just make Nottingham bearable.

The wistful smile was a pleasant change to the smarmy smirk he usually wore, and somehow made him more attractive. It showed her that there was this other side that Sebastian never graced the world with. But there was still that bitter reminder that this could all be an act, but she forced it back. The benefit of the doubt - it was the least she could do.

"But I feel I can trust you Daine." There was a twist in her chest which she'd never felt before, it scared her. But in a good way - almost. It unnerved her and made her wonder why she felt this odd twist. She was about to hope that it never happened again when Sebastian's laughter pulled her back to the real world.

The compliment didn't go unnoticed, and once again this new, sensitive side was tugging at her heart strings. It also made her blush - again! - how did he manage it? The girl who never blushed had blushed twice because of some poncey Lord! She ducked her head, hopefully hiding the blush that crept across her pale skin.

She laughed outright at his request. Once she'd dimmed the laughter back to the smile, she said, "Ok, Sebastian," emphasising his name with a little tease. They may be having a serious moment, but if he was going to flirt, then so would she! "And you're no fool. Well, you possibly are, but not for confiding in this 'pretty face'." She laughed a little again. "Everyone needs a confident."

She shifted her weight, suddenly finding herself unable to look Sebastian in the eye. Her gaze never settled, flitting across the ground surrounding his feet. Why did she feel this way? One man says he trusts her and now she's a goopy mess! She fought the overwhelming feeling of wanting to throw the pair into an embrace.

She couldn't even look at his feet anymore as she grit her teeth and turned her head away. She was being fair foolish herself right now. So what if Sebastian thought she was pretty. He thought most women were pretty - or pretty enough to bed anyway. Going down this path would only lead to heartbreak and tears. So why was she edging ever closer to it? She hardly even knew Sebastian! Fair foolish didn't even begin to cover it!

[Sebastian Mannering]

A flattering blush darkened Daine's cheeks and Sebastian smiled at her. It was almost more fun to tease her and flirt now than it had been when they first met. Now they were playing a different game and Sebastian couldn't say he missed the alert suspicion in her eyes before. It made her cold, unreachable. But now he'd found a way underneath her defences and he was going to keep working away at her, gaining her trust, collecting little pieces of information about her and making her smile again if he could. All of it would help stamp out resistance to Prince John and if he was lucky maybe he could even coax her into bed.

"I can't tell you how pleased I am that you could be mine." He looked at her, trying to catch her gaze and convey with a look that he was honest, trustworthy. But Daine seemed to have lost her confidence, be it in herself or him, and her eyes were dancing from leaf to stone all of which were scattered about on the ground. Sebastian felt a stab of fear, had he said something to alert her to his lies? Why was she pulling away? The selfish part of him wanted to push her for information, pull her closer again and hold her near. He did not like to be denied.

"Daine?" He asked her, making sure to put a note of uncertainty in his voice. He reached out and took her chin in his hand, turning her face back towards him but making sure to keep his touch light. He did not want to make it seem like he was forcing her, if she gave the slightest bit of resistance his grasp on her would break. "Did I say something wrong? I should never have told you my troubles, I must have put you in an awkward position." He made it seem as though her safety was the most important thing to him, when in reality a man as selfish as Sebastian could never care about anyone but himself. That's what he told himself anyway.

[Daine Merton]

She felt a small smile briefly flicker across her lips as Sebastian took her offer to be confidents. It would put the fun back in gossip for sure; but would it just become another burden for her to bear? And was this just some elborate ploy for Sebby to bed her? She felt so uncertain, her mind was spinning. She felt like she could just keel over at any minute. Which Sebby would most probably mistake as a swoon, rather than collapsing from mental overload. Daine concluded that she definately thought too much.

The next thing she knew, Sebastian was asking for her and directing her gaze to him once more. She felt a slight shock at his touch; and told herself off for it. It was a ploy, it had to be! No high standing Lord would take interest in her - the skinny, awkward, outspoken, outlaw sympathising duaghter of an out of favour Nobleman - unless he was actually an outlaw sympathiser. And something about Sebby screamed the opposite. But she was willing to be proven wrong on this one.

The dizzy feeling came back stronger than ever; did Sebastian actually care about anyone other than himself? His words said yes, but did his heart. Not that Daine loved him; she could never love a man like Sebastian - too self involved and involved with other women. And she'd only just met the guy, no one fell that quickly. She doubted Robin and Marian even fell that quickly. Though, their story was different... Daine stopped thinking. It hurt her mind too much.

And she was very aware of the fact she hadn't said much; and had just been looking at Sebastian with wide eyes. "No, you said nothing wrong. I've just been thinking wrong." She attempted a smile, but it was half hearted and became a lopsided half smile. "What has become of our world, eh? People are scared to say what they really feel; all because of one man in his flipflops." She said with a sigh. "How did it come to this?" She spoke quietly, looking away slightly but more to gaze at what was just beyond Sebby's ear rather than the floor. She still found it difficult to look at him, all because of that stupid sickly feeling.

[Sebastian Mannering]

The uncertainty emanating from Daine was almost tangible. Sebastian could see the conflict at war within her. The constant self-questioning and re-evaluating, her mind a flurry that could at any moment accept or condemn him. Sebastian was not stupid enough to believe that women had no thoughts or opinions of their own. He only had to look at Lady Liselle and wenches like Marian to know that wasn't the case. No, what he prided himself on was the the fact that he was better, smarter, quicker with his mind than any woman could ever be.

He could see her weakening, the part of her that wanted to believe the lies he was feeding her was winning out. Forcing back the shrewd, calculating girl he had played with to date and hopefully revealing a softer side that would be easier to shape to his will. The silence stretched and he wondered if she was ever going to speak, her eyes wide and her face and movements still too new to him to be able to tell what she intended from a look alone. He'd taken a gamble feeding her this story so soon, at least it looked like it was paying off. And he always had insurance, Sebastian never risked anything without a backup.

"You don't think wrong of me any more?" It was only half a question, almost a statement, on the brink of telling her what to think. There was only the tiniest hint that he may be uncertain, that he needed her to think well of him, that he required her approval. Sebastian detested the thought of ever relying on a woman, but he knew with Daine it was equally important he look like he needed her. What other reason would he have to confide in her?

He smiled, expression wistful as she expressed concern for the world. It was silly to dwell in the past and he certainly had no fond memories of life with the old Sheriff, when the people of Nottingham, who lived in squalor, were led to believe they had value. No, peasants were on this earth to make the rich folk richer. He chuckled as Daine revealed her dislike for Vaysey through a barb at his footwear. "We are in bad times." He agreed, expression going serious to match the gravity of the situation. "But," He added, allowing himself a small smile. "At least now there is hope."

He had not removed his fingers from her chin. The way she was looking past him, her face open and far more delicate than the guarded expression she usually had fixed in place. It made her look vulnerable, and something inside him stirred. He wanted to kiss her. Well why not? She seemed to trust him, but he needed something to seal the deal and this could be the very thing. Ever so slowly Sebastian leaned in, he moved his hand to the back of her head and bowed his head so that they were more matched in height. His mouth finally met Daine's in the lightest of kisses, his lips barely brushing over hers.

[Daine Merton]

Daine felt somewhat responsible for the lacking of words exchanged between the two. Had she crossed the line by voicing her opinion on the social sitation?
She hoped not, because otherwise Sebastian would be a terrible confident. But it wasn't even that. It'd prove that she'd been right all along, and she didn't want to be! For once in her life she wanted to be wrong.

"Oh, no. It is not you which I think is wrong." She murmured, correcting herself. Though, she did think his way with women was wrong but that wasn't what they were discussing. "I just keep tying my mind in knots, that's all." Her mind screamed. Why was she being so meek? Where was the outspoken Daine who threatened to kill her brother whenever she could? Where was the girl who tried to annoy the Sheriff on occasions? Where had she gone?

She both like and hated Sebastian. She thought him fair interesting, but she hated what he did to her mind. Never before had she been so confused and unable to think straight. She fought the urge to glare at him, along with the war to not hug him. But he had to go an mention hope, implying that she was hope? She could feel herself melting and being like the sappy girls she'd scorned before and sworn never to become. She could hear it in her mind now, "Oh his smile is so dreamy." She just hoped that if she did say that, Maggie'd slap her and shake some sense into her. Preferably literally on the shaking sense.

Her breath caught in her throat as Sebby leaned in. He wasn't going to... No he couldn't. He shouldn't! It was proper - not that she'd ever been one for 'proper' - it wasn't fair. Her stomach flipped, somersaulted and did other acrobatic moves as his lips brushed against hers. Now she was actually swooning. It was terrible - the swooning, not the kiss. The kiss was good, despite it barely being a kiss.

They were so close, Daine could feel Sebastian's breath tickle her face and mix with hers. Now she really was fighting a war in her mind, the pros and cons of kissing him back. Pro being it would be fun, con being it would be a very large mistake. But things were too far gone now, weren't they? They were confidents, sealing the deal with a kiss. It was only fair it was a proper kiss to seal the deal, rather than the 'barely-a-kiss' kiss Sebby gave her. But it was wrong! She couldn't, she mustn't...

She did. She closed the miniscule gap between them, pressing her lips against his. She curled an arm around his neck while her other hand found his hair, entwining her fingers in his long hair. She knew she shouldn't be doing this, she knew it was wrong. But her lips weren't listening to her voice of reason, nor was the rest of Daine.

[Sebastian Mannering]

Her lips were soft and pliant under his, her sweet, heady scent filling the air between them and making it almost impossible to pull away. He remained close, forehead resting against hers, and let out a warm puff of air in an almost sigh. This was why he loved women, they were intoxicating. The way they smelt, the soft feel of their hair under his hand, the way their form felt so small and fragile in his arms. He was drawn to them, and even though he told himself that any woman would do he had never before felt quite so heated by a kiss that barely counted.

Sebastian wanted to kiss her again, but he had to wait. He'd made the first move and now it was time for her reaction. She could kiss him back, take things further and seal the deal. It would be a victory, proof that she trusted him enough to let him that close. The alternative was that she would push him away, maybe even slap him. Sebastian closed his eyes for a second against that thought. For some reason he could not bear the prospect of going back to the chase, to the brazen teasing that would need to nothing more because she was cold beneath the flirtatious mask.

He waited, heart beating uncharacteristically fast. Her lips close, tempting him closer. Finally she closed the distance between them and the sweet feel of her mouth on his made his heart thunder all the more, blood rushing through his veins and making his skin tingle. Her fingers twined in his hair, goosebumps rising on his scalp. Sebastian moved his hand to her waist, gathering her up in his arms and pulled her flush against him. He pushed back against her and he could feel the swirl of her skirts around his leg, the press of her ribbed corset against his chest.

If things kept going at this pace he would do something he regretted. He would upset the delicate balance between them that they had only just found. His fingers were tangled in her hair, his lungs burning for fresh breath. She drove him crazy with desire and if he kept this up he would be unable to control himself. Unable to stop before he dragged her back to the house to take things further, by force if necessary. He backed away a step and broke the kiss between them.

Sebastian stood, head bowed and chest heaving as he tried to get his breath back. He kept his gaze averted, hoping that she took it for a sudden shyness, although that was almost ludicrous with the flamboyant confidence he usually displayed. He could not look at her because if he did he would see her kiss-swollen lips, the flush of her cheeks and the want for her would grow unbearably strong.

"I'm sorry." He said quietly after a moment or two of silence punctuated only by his heavy breathing. "I should never have been so forward. What must you think of me?" Sebastian risked a quick glance at Daine hoping to see understanding in her face. Secretly needing to see that she had been as affected by the kiss as he had. She must have heard whispers about his night-time habits and by pulling back he was telling her she was not just another conquest. Sebastian could play the long hunt, she need not know that.

[Daine Merton]

Before she knew it, Daine was tangled up deeper in the kiss than she should be. But her sense was gone for the time being, she could only focus on how dangerously close she and Sebastian were. Her lungs screamed for air, her lips screamed for the touch of Sebastian's lips - she was just fair glad he was holding on so tightly, else she'd be on the floor her knees felt that weak. Her skirts were a-flurry from the intensity of the kiss.

This had to stop. She knew it did. This was Sebastian she was kissing, and she exactly were she'd end up if they didn't stop. Daine didn't think that waking up to find herself in Sebastian's bed would come with the inner satisfaction she knew he'd be experiencing. It was just a bad idea all over, in so many ways that she couldn't begin to comprehend how much of a bad idea it would be. Yet she still kissed him back with as much force as he did. Since when was she so weak willed? In the past she'd been able to make her suitors run with their tails between their legs with just a glare. What was happening to her?

Her heart beated uncontrollably in her chest, she thought it was going to burst out and do a little dance. Her stomach twirled to the extent that she believed her breakfast might do the same. It was so intoxicating the way Sebastian made her feel - but part of her hated it so much. It was unfair what he did to her. It didn't make sense. The world was even more upside-down than it had been, and it was fair upside-down to begin with.

Thankfully, he had the sense to break the kiss. Daine stood back, slightly dazed, staring at bit of the ground just to the left of Sebastian, lips still slightly pouted. Her mind was a-spin. Why had he stopped, was he trying to stop himself, or push her away? She could still feel his fingers laced in her hair, his lips upon hers...

This has to stop. Her sense came back with a vengence. The pout morphed into her scowled pout as the part of her that pushed away such emotions tried to take over. She looked to Sebastian with a glare, also not wanting to glare at him. Her mind was such a messed up place, she was so thankful he had his head hung. It tugged at her heart strings, to see him so affected by this overwhelming feeling. Her expression softened before he got the chance to see the scowl.

He apologised for his actions and asked her a question. But she couldn't answer, her lips weren't working and she couldn't string a sentence together in her mind, let alone out loud. The silence - bar Sebastian's heavy breathing - hung over them like a dark cloud. It was her turn to say something, this tension between them was her doing - again! She needed to do something, or say something, just anything that wasn't kissing him again. Kissing him again would only lead to his bed. Somewhere she didn't want to be. Yet.

Yet? What? I don't, no! That's just... no! She told herself. The colder aspect of her personality crept in. And that was when she took action. And what did she do? Slap him, of course. She hit him hard, hearing a loud thwak sound. It was that sound which sent away the sudden dislike she felt for Sebby. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me. I just..."

There were no words. She went to Sebastian's side, not wanting to get too close in case he pushed her away for slapping him. She cringed at the thought of what she'd done. She'd slapped him. And she hadn't even wanted to, really, she just did. Call it a reflex, she'd done it to other males who'd tried to kiss her - Sebastian had just slowed her reaction time by a considerable amount.

Thinking was not getting her anywhere. But neither were her words. "Sorry. I didn't want to do that. It.." She gave up on words and gave Sebby what she hoped was an apologetic look. She didn't pull them very often, so it was hard to tell really.


(ooc - ahah XD I got the lip line in again >.< Lame ending >.< I didn't know what else to put!)

[Sebastian Mannering]

The air between them felt thick, heavy, as though weighed down by the emotion zinging between them. Sebastian took a deep breath to compose himself. The kiss was over, there would be no more opportunity to do it again today without seeming far too forward. Instead he would have to concentrate on showing her the gentler side that he pretended not to let slip through when playing the part of flamboyant lord. He could find a maid later to relieve some of the sexual tension, any woman would be enough.

It was almost as though Daine had read his mind, seen the treacherous thoughts within, because the next thing he knew her palm had connected sharply with his face. There had been no warning, or he had missed the signs because he was too absorbed in the prospect of a servant finding her way into his bed that night. Sebastian had been slapped before, on many occasions, but usually he felt he had done something to warrant it first. Usually he could see the slap coming and would turn his head, lessen the blow and hopefully the mark it left behind too.

Sebastian moved his jaw gingerly, stretching the skin of his cheek that was stinging with the slap. His hand went to his face, it felt hot as blood rushed to the surface, no doubt leaving a red mark across his cheek. He felt anger burn within him, how dare Daine lay a hand on him when she had been as enthusiastic about the kiss just moments before. Women thought they could push the boundaries, rebel. Not with him they couldn't.

The hand that wasn't at his cheek clenched into a fist at his side, his nails digging into the palm of his skin. Then he remembered he was supposed to be showing Daine his gentler side and taking her by the shoulders and shaking her would probably not be a good way to do that. He was immediately glad he had kept his head bowed, obscuring the ugly twist of anger and violence that had probably been clear on his features. Sebastian looked up, making his eyes wide with hurt, an expression he imagined was often on the pretty face of Daine's brown-eyed friend Alice.

"I'm sorry." He said, apology bumbling and echoing her own. He played up the clumsy, overeager suitor allowing an uncertain, slightly roguish smile to form on his lips. "I probably deserved that." Had the slap been an instinct reaction, a moment of anger that had passed? Her apology made it seem that way, but he had to be sure. "I won't kiss you again." He promised with conviction, hoping to draw a reaction from her, a brief glimpse of disappointment perhaps.

[Daine Merton]

The guilt wracking Daine's mind was almost unbearable. He hadn't done anything to deserve that slap, not that she was aware of anyway. He'd certainly done slap worthy actions before, but not this time. He'd made a small step, it was her who'd gone back for more. If anyone deserved a slap, it was her. Maybe then she'd start thinking straight. And right now, more than anything, she needed some sense. A bucket load of the stuff as well.

She watched as Sebastian rubbed his jaw, feeling even more guilty - something she didn't actually feel very often. She felt the need to apologise again, but thought against it. It would only come out as gibberish and nonsense, her mind was still spinning from the kiss. She wanted more, but knew it wasn't a good idea. And there was no way Sebastian was kissing her again now anyway, not since she'd slapped him. So much for being confidents.

Daine cursed her mind, cursing how messed up it was, how contradictory it was; she hated the way she thought sometimes. She craved for the times when she didn't really need to think, but after her Ma's death Daine decided it would be a good idea to have an opinion on everything. How wrong she'd been. How very wrong. Nothing made sense anymore, everything seemed wrong. It was like someone had taken all her thoughts, ideas and beliefs and changed them all around, putting them on difference shelves.

When Sebastian looked at her with those eyes, the sad puppy dog look filled with hurt, she had to look away. She bit her lip. The red mark was already beginning to show on his cheek and she wanted so badly to take back her action, but that was impossible. It was either take nack her action, or slap his other cheek to make them match. That wouldn't be fair though, and Daine believed in fair.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, my Lord." She reverted back to addressing him as 'my Lord', feeling that she'd lost her priveledge (or something of the like) to call him Sebastian. "You've done nought to deserve that." So was beyond tempted to say for once but she held her tongue. "I'm sorry, I'm just so used to detering unwanted suitors that way. And trust me, you aren't unwanted." She mumbled that last bit quietly, not really wanting to admit to such a thing. But she had to make up for what she'd done...

She fought to hide the sudden disappointed she felt when Sebastian promised not to kiss her again. And she hadn't even slapped him because he kissed her, more that because she'd kissed him. This is why she hated her mind. She made mistakes and took it out on others. But, truth be told, she'd enjoyed that kiss and despite her common sense telling her no, she really wanted to kiss him again. "Maybe not never again?" Daine suggested quietly, taken over by this shyness, a very new concept for her. She couldn't look at him, for fear of this want to take control.

[Sebastian Mannering]

Sebastian had meant for his confession and the subsequent kiss to bring him closer to Daine not for her to revert back to calling him Lord Mannering. Although, it was slightly amusing that it took being slapped to garner the proper respect from a woman. "Call me Sebastian," He reminded her gently, his expression hurt. "Please, Daine." Her name was a low whisper on his lips and he took a tentative step towards her, as though he wasn't sure he should get near her again in case she lashed out at him. Of course now that he knew it was a possibility he could easily catch her arm before she could land a second blow.

A mix of emotions ran through Sebastian at her next words. He felt irritation that any other man would dare try to chase after his Daine. Yes it had been in the past, but still it meant that men may try it again, something he would not tolerate. He also felt a warm smugness that it had been he that had got past her defences. Not only that, he'd succeeded in getting her to admit it, she thought of him as a suitor and she welcomed his advances. Within moderation he reminded himself, the dulling throb of his cheek was warning enough that he should be cautious.

"I'm pleased to hear that," He said with a small smile. "Truthfully, I do not think I could stay away." Sebastian allowed a little of his previous flirtatious nature to slip out in his words then he mirrored her previous gesture of formality and held out a hand for her to take. "Shall we continue walking?" He asked carefully, as though uncertain that she would accept. "Perhaps we should head back to the Hall, Don Javier may have found his way by now, we should not keep him waiting."

Daine's quiet admission that she would not like it to be never again and the shy way she averted her eyes both helped to heighten Sebastian's smug feelings of triumph. He smiled broadly while her gaze was not on him, then softened the grin so that it appeared more pleased than arrogant. Leaning in close, his lips by her ear and his tone barely above a whisper he said. "I'd like that, Daine." The day could not have gone more perfectly, he had the lady under his thumb. If only sorting out the dreary decorating of Knighton Hall would be so easy.

[Daine Merton]

She stood her ground when Sebastian took a step closer, but one of the voices in Daine's head told her to step closer too. She hated it when the voices conflicted, 'Stay there!' 'Step closer!' 'Stay there!' 'Step closer!' It was annoying to say the least. Her breath caught in her throat because of his soft tones. He really could play her like the fool she was - another thing she hated admitting. But she did admit it to herself, as she too stepped forward; odd twirly feelings in her stomach.

When she finally looked at him, she saw what might have been jealousy spark across his handsome face. This notion struck her as odd; he was jealous about something from her past - the pre-Sebby days? If he was, then should she be jealous of all his lady friends? Well, she would be anyway - Daine felt quite protective of things she deemed hers sometimes. Not that she thought Sebastian was hers; or did she? She hated him, that was for sure. He made all these confusing thoughts take over her brain. Living was far simpler when Sebastian Mannering wasn't around.

She shared his small smile, trying to keep all her thoughts tidy and at bay. She let it grow to a smirk after his flirtacious comment. Confused she may be; but Daine had an act to keep up. She was apparently falling for Sebastian; though part of her told her it wasn't entirely an act. She didn't know what to think anymore, and she would love it if she could stop thinking. But no, her mind was working overtime.

She accepted his hand. "Yes, a walk may be most wise." What had happened to Javier? One minute he was there talking to Sebastian, the next he'd vamoosed! Daine wouldn't be surprised if he didn't even know where the house was. "Did he even make it into Knighton?" Daine asked, trying to get some normality back into their conversation. She really was unsure as to whether he'd made it to the village, she'd been riding ahead.

Daine just knew Sebastian would be beaming from her sudden shyness; it made her want to punch him actually. But the feeling faded when she saw just a soft smile playing across his face. Was she so wrong about Sebastian? Was it really just a gimmick to stir up some gossip? Was she talking to the real Sebastian Mannering? She doubted it, but she so wanted it to be true.

"I'd like that, Daine." They were danerously close. Feeling Sebastian's breath tickle through her hair made her forgot how to breathe. She wanted to give into the intoxicating feeling she got around Sebby in moments like this. But she couldn't - it'd only lead to his bed. Somewhere she'd already decided she didn't want to be. "As would I, Sebastian." She replied, equally quietly, voice dripping with tease.