Scenario:Hauhet - Split Flames

Split Flames

The crew's discussion at the cafe is interrupted by a burly man, who mistakes Atum for the woman that tricked him not too long ago. The confrontation takes a turn when the woman's name is revealed to be Hauhet, and Atum realizes this situation is no coincidence. Before he has time to explain, a monster horde stampedes into the cafe.

---

(Captain) and the others sit faced with the possibility of a new Phoenix-related being—and the knowledge that there may be nothing they can do about it now.

A long silence lingers over the table until it is broken by a new voice.

Thug: So this is where you've been hiding!

Raziel: Eep! Wh-what?

Out of nowhere, a large man enters the establishment and stomps his way over to the crew's table.

Thug: You're the nastiest woman I've ever met, you know that?

Vyrn: Whoa, whoa... The heck is he going on about? Raziel, what'd you do to this guy?

Raziel: Why do you think he's referring to me? I'm completely innocent!

Vyrn: So is he mad at you, Sabrina?

Sabrina: I've never seen this guy before...

Vyrn: And the chances of it being Fenie... are probably zero, huh.

Thug: Hey! Get off your damn high horse and look at me when I'm talking to you!

The man's furious gaze is focused solely on his target. Following his eyes reveals who he's actually glaring at.

Atum: ...

Vyrn: (Wait, him?)

Thug: Eyes up here, asshole!

Atum: Are you issuing a challenge to me?

Sabrina: (Oh no...)

Just as the man reaches out for Atum, Sabrina grabs his large arm and holds it in place.

Sabrina: Let's not be so hasty.

Thug: You trying to get in my way too?

Sabrina: (I'm doing you a favor, actually...)

Detecting a murderous aura around Atum, Sabrina jumps in to keep the stranger from throwing away his life.

Thug: You want some of this heat? 'Cause I'm not afraid to beat you up either.

Sabrina: Listen, you've got the wrong person. Our companion here isn't even a wom—

Thug: Out of the way!

The Draph's large fist catches Sabrina in the face, drawing screams out of the other patrons. (Captain) immediately stands up in alarm.

Fenie: Sabrina!

Thug: Hah! I warned you.

Sabrina simply cocks her head and waves for (Captain) to sit back down.

Sabrina: Got it out of your system now?

Thug: Huh?

The man blinks in confusion as Sabrina combs her hair back.

Sabrina: We can talk this out—

Thug: Ragh!

Sabrina: I'm sure this is one big misunderstanding—

Thug: Hyaah!

Sabrina: All we came here to do is have some tea and—

Thug: Aaahh!

The man unleashes punch after punch, which Sabrina receives without moving to defend herself.

Thug: Pant... Wheeze...

Sabrina: Are... you okay?

Thug: What the hell... are you made of?

Sabrina: Here, have some water.

Thug: Ah... Sorry about that... Once I get heated, I can't stop...

Sabrina: Finally feel like talking?

Thug: Yeah, yeah... I'll hear you out.

Sabrina: But before that...

Thug: Huh?

Sabrina: Hmph!

Thug: Gah!

Sabrina collects her due, punching the large Draph square in the face and forcing him to his knees.

Sabrina: I'll keep my payback to a single punch.

Vyrn: Down he goes...

Raziel: Not that he ever stood a chance against someone who earned the rank of knight captain as young as Sabrina did.

Without so much as the hint of a bruise on her face, an unperturbed Sabrina looks down at the newly-unconscious stranger.

Thug: I really did have the wrong person... A man, even. That was totally my bad.

Sabrina: Is that all you have to say?

Thug: I-I'm very sorry about everything!

Vyrn: If Sabrina forgives you, then I guess it's fine. But what had you coming at us like that?

Thug: I thought I'd finally found the woman who tricked me. The whole thing happened about six months ago...

Thug: I was minding my own business when, out of the blue, this woman offered me a way to get rich quick. I said sure.

Thug: And whaddya know, her scheme worked like a charm! I was practically swimming in rupies overnight!

The man almost jumps out of his seat, reliving the highs of the memory, before slumping back down with a sigh.

Thug: But every time I won, it just led to me losing something else... Really it was almost like clockwork.

Sabrina: What did you lose?

Thug: My job. My friends. Even my girl... Everything I ever cared about, all because of that woman.

Thug: I thought something was up, but when I went to confront her about it, she just laughed in my face and vanished. That's when I knew I'd been set up.

Thug: I've been looking for her ever since, to give her a taste of her own medicine. So when I saw your friend here...

Raziel: You immediately thought you found your quarry and stormed in. Didn't anyone teach you to check your facts before you act?

Thug: I swear, he's like an exact copy of her! From the hair to the attitude, down to the smallest detail!

Sabrina: Uh-huh. Well, sorry your life fell apart, but you can go now. Find yourself some proper work and try to stay out of trouble.

Thug: I'm not leaving yet! I gotta know, man! You related to a woman named Hauhet?

Atum: ...!

In a flash, Atum grips the man's neck in his hand and lifts him into the air.

Atum: Did you say Hauhet?

Thug: Urk! M-my neck... L-let me go!

Atum: Tell me where she is.

Thug: I-if I knew that... I wouldn't be here...

Atum: Are you expecting me to believe that you, in the middle of your journey to find Hauhet, have stumbled upon me by coincidence?

Thug: Nah, man... Urgh... I'm not on this island for her... I came here looking for a new job... Agh...

Sabrina: That's enough! Put him down!

Atum: You don't live on this island?

Thug: N-no, I don't... Gah...

The man falls from Atum's grip and collapses to the floor, wheezing.

Atum: It's as if this was all planned...

Raziel: Huh? What's planned? What are you talking about, Atum?

Atum: Wait. Do you hear that?

Monster: ...!

Without warning, a horde of monsters crashes through the window of the cafe.

Split Flames: Scene 2

In the middle of cleaning up the horde, the group senses the Phoenix again. Atum makes short work of the monsters, freeing the group to run toward the Phoenix's aura. They discover Hauhet, the mortal form of the Phoenix, who nonchalantly defends herself as Atum and Sabrina attack her. Hauhet eventually greets Fenie, acting as if they're meeting for the first time, which confirms the group's suspicions—this Hauhet isn't the Phoenix they know.

---

Vyrn: Whoa! That's a lotta monsters!

The cafe descends into chaos as other patrons flee the avalanche of creatures.

Fenie: Wh-what do we do?

Sabrina: Fenie, you take cover somewhere up high! (Captain), let's go!

Lyria: I don't understand, why are they coming into the cafe?

Raziel: Monsters tend to flock to town during this time of year due to weather and other factors!

Lyria: Is it always like this?

Raziel: No, as far as I know, they shouldn't be this aggressive...

Sabrina: Hah!

While Raziel pauses to think, Sabrina fends off the horde.

Sabrina: Enough pondering! Defeating these monsters comes first!

Raziel: Right you are! In a crowded enclosed space like this, I can't unleash the full might of my gun...

Raziel: Page 221! Book of Melee, On Footwork!

With the open book balanced in one hand, Raziel lifts a leg high up into the air.

Raziel: Hiyah!

Monster: ...!

Atum: Too much is happening to write off as simple coincidence. If this isn't the work of someone's scheming, then I don't know what is.

Raziel: I don't follow...

Monster: Groooar!

Raziel: Haaah!

The monster that Raziel sends flying lands at Atum's feet, where it is given no time to recover.

Atum: To ashes with you.

Flames engulf the creature, incinerating it in the blink of an eye.

Raziel: What do you mean someone's scheming?

Atum: Isn't it obvious?

Just as the words leave Atum's mouth, he freezes.

All Three: ...!

The aura of a familiar presence flashes through the air.

Fenie: I just felt the Phoenix!

Sabrina: What?

Raziel: It came from that way!

Raziel points in a direction, but the path ahead is filled with monsters still crowding the cafe.

Lyria: I don't think we'll be able to go after it any time soon...

Vyrn: We've got bigger problems right now!

Atum: How tiresome...

A flame no bigger than a matchstick appears in Atum's hand, before it splits into many copies that approach every monster in the building.

Atum: Engulf them all.

Vyrn: Whoa!

The creatures writhe in agony as the flames take over, but strangely, none of the fire spreads to their surroundings.

Eventually, only piles of ashes are left in their wake.

Sabrina: They're all gone, just like that...

Vyrn: Nothing else caught fire either. That's crazy...

Raziel: Those were flames under Atum's control, after all. But enough gawking, we should go.

Atum: This way, then.

Raziel: Over by that grassy field.

Sabrina: That's where the Phoenix waits...

Atum: It's extending us an invitation. Very well, I accept.

Lyria: Eep!

Vyrn: Hot, hot, hot! What'd he turn into a flaming pillar for?

The fiery mass hovers in the air for a brief moment, before shooting off into the distance like an arrow.

Raziel: Really now? He could have waited for us! We'd better follow him, now!

Vyrn: Just a regular cast of characters we got here...

Atum: ...

Atum: Show yourself, Phoenix. I know you went out of your way to lure me here.

Atum speaks to an empty field. After a beat, a small flame materializes out of thin air.

The blaze quickly flares up and increases in size, eventually taking the form of a mortal.

Hauhet: Hello there, Atum.

Atum: Phenex...

Atum lobs a ball of fire, which morphs into the form of a speeding bird, straight at Hauhet.

Hauhet: Phew...

Hauhet lets out a small breath, as if blowing out a candle. Yet what appears instead is an enormous inferno.

Her flame transforms into a burning bird as well, erupting into a blindingly white light that envelops the area and absorbs both birds.

Atum: You are coming with me.

Hauhet: Not even a please? That's some courage. I do appreciate seeing someone so devoted to their goal.

Raziel: H-hold on a minute!

Raziel floats down from above, with (Captain) and the others arriving not long after.

Vyrn: Gah, it's really Hau—I mean, it's really the Phoenix!

Hauhet: It's been quite a while, Raziel. And you too, Singularity.

Raziel: Let's all just be calm and talk this out! Phoenix, why did you decide to finally show yourself to us now of—

Sabrina: I'll kill you!

Raziel: Huh?

Fenie: Sabrina?

Sword drawn and at the ready, Sabrina dashes past Atum and Raziel, rapidly closing the distance between herself and Hauhet.

Sabrina: You tricked me! You told me if Melin drank your blood, he and I would meet again after I reincarnated!

Hauhet: Ah, 6,000 years ago. Well, you did meet again, didn't you?

Sabrina: Only thanks to Fenie and the 900 years she spent flying for us! You never said I would lose my memories!

Atum: Phoenix, you shall burn by my hand, and your remains kept in my safeguard.

Atum: I hope you enjoyed the time you spent masquerading as a weak primal beast in our midst. Tell me, was it worth it?

Hauhet: Oh yes. It was terribly amusing.

Atum: We'll see who's still laughing when I'm done putting you to everlasting flame.

Sabrina and Atum each let loose powerful attacks, but Hauhet nimbly dodges every strike. Undeterred, the angry duo continue their barrage.

Raziel: U-um... Hello? Can we try talking things out now?

Vyrn: I'm pretty sure talking is the last thing on their minds.

Raziel: (What a mess... We're going to get nowhere with Sabrina and Atum in such a rage.)

However, in a surprise move, Hauhet leaps backward, distancing herself from the attacking duo.

Hauhet: Hehehe...

Fenie: Phoenix...

Hauhet: So this is the fragment born from my battle with the Omnipotent, so long ago. The one they call Fenie.

Hauhet gazes upon Fenie with great interest.

Atum: It's as I suspected...

Raziel: Our hunch was correct. We're not dealing with the Phoenix herself...

Split Flames: Scene 3

The Hauhet the group meets is an independent fragment of the Phoenix, and one who claims to be considered a threat by the bird. This becomes convincing when the group discovers that the Phoenix's predictive powers, as inherited by Hauhet, don't extend to the actions of its fragments. Before the adults decide how to respond to this information, Fenie invites her to join the crew.

---

Hauhet: Singularity, you unleashed an attack with the Omnipotent's power at your disposal, and as a result, I was born.

Hauhet: From a fragment fallen in Port Breeze, undiscovered and undisturbed, I eventually took on the form you see here.

Raziel: Well, Phoenix. Are you the reason why all three of us realized, at the same time, another fragment might have been created?

Hauhet: Would you please call me Hauhet? I'm not exactly the Phoenix.

Hauhet: Like I said to you before, Raziel. I simply extrapolate from my surroundings to formulate a guess about the future.

Hauhet: As to whether I could determine which actions would indirectly guide your discovery of a second fragment...

Hauhet: The answer would be yes. Everything is connected, after all.

Raziel: Your calculations must be beyond the scope of comprehension, even for me...

Hauhet: It's a skill anyone would pick up after three billion years.

Sabrina: Enough with the self-flattery.

Atum: I suppose the surprise assault from that man you tricked and that monster horde were also your doing.

Hauhet: Of course. I wanted to make it easier on you to notice me.

Seeing Sabrina and Atum bristle with hostility, Raziel quickly cuts in.

Raziel: Hauhet here is not the Phoenix! Her blood and tears won't have any special properties!

Raziel: Her situation is basically the same as Fenie's!

Fenie: The same as me...

Hauhet: Raziel is correct. To add, I'm not even immortal either.

Atum: Then why have you taken the form of Hauhet?

Hauhet: It's simply the shape I'm most used to when I appear as a mortal. Is that not the same for you Diviners?

Hauhet: Fenie is actually the exception among us.

Hauhet: Being raised by Abramelin and Farhana has changed her very nature, it seems.

Hauhet: Is that what they call the power of love? I'm curious, Sabrina.

Sabrina: ...!

Hauhet: You want to bestow the Phoenix's tears onto Abramelin's bone, which is in your possession.

Hauhet: Yet you can't be sure that you love him. A second life of experiences is in the way.

Hauhet: Not to say that you loved Ceodric, but you've a knightly loyalty you just can't abandon.

Hauhet: How upright of you, despite already being exiled from your country. But for Fenie's sake—

Sabrina: Shut up.

Hauhet: You would do all you can to ensure brave Fenie, who traveled through time and space, has her chance to reunite with Melin.

Sabrina: That's enough out of you!

Blade in hand, Sabrina charges at Hauhet, who prepares a flame in response.

Fenie: Stoooop!

Spreading her wings wide, Fenie rams into Hauhet from the side.

Hauhet: ...!

As Fenie and Hauhet tumble to the ground, Sabrina stops herself mid-swing.

Atum: ...!

Sabrina: Fenie! It's dangerous, get away from her!

Fenie: Only if you promise to stop! Please don't fight!

Sabrina: Why...

Fenie: If Hauhet is like me, that means that we're the only fragments of Phoenix...

Fenie: I don't want her to leave...

Hauhet: Hehehe...

Sabrina twitches as Hauhet giggles underneath Fenie, but eventually sheathes her sword.

Sabrina: She is our enemy. She attacked us in Port Breeze.

Hauhet: Well, that isn't exactly correct.

While Hauhet smiles knowingly at Sabrina, Atum stares from a distance, his eyes wide.

Atum: Unbelievable...

Raziel: Atum? What's wrong?

Atum continues to stare, seeming to tremble as he watches Hauhet stand up.

Atum: I don't understand... Why didn't you avoid Fenie?

Hauhet: Hehehe... Oh Atum, why ask something you already know the answer to?

Hauhet: I'm sure you've figured out the implications...

Atum: The Phoenix can't predict the movements of its fragments...

Hauhet: Excellent deduction, Atum. You're very perceptive.

Hauhet: During my time among the Diviners, you were the only one who wouldn't call me by name.

Hauhet: Except for that one time, when you looked me directly in the eyes.

Atum: We can simply ask Hauhet.

Atum: Rather, I will ask the question in Tefnut's stead.
Answer me, Hauhet. Who exactly are you?

Hauhet: I'm sure you were the only one who sensed something amiss with my presence. A commendable feat, if I do say so myself.

Atum: Your praise means nothing to me.

Raziel: Wait, wait, wait, let's go back a second. What's that about the Phoenix not being able to read what Fenie and Hauhet are going to do?

Atum: As we just witnessed, Hauhet received Fenie's tackle because she was unable to predict it.

Atum: If fragments cannot predict each other's actions, then it follows that the main body wouldn't be able to either.

Sabrina: Now that you mention it...

Fenie: I'll fly!

Phoenix: ...!

Phoenix: That is your decision to make, my little fragment.

Sabrina: Six millennia ago, when Fenie decided to fly for us, I remember the Phoenix acting almost surprised...

Sabrina: In retrospect, that seems to support the idea it hadn't been able to foresee Fenie's choice...

Raziel: So even the all-knowing Phoenix may have limits on predicting the actions of, so far, god and her own fragments. That would suggest...

Hauhet: Like I've been saying, I'm a completely separate entity, just like Fenie.

Hauhet: My actions are my own—and outside the Phoenix's powers of calculation.

Hearing this, Atum begins muttering to himself.

Atum: We can defeat the Phoenix...

Vyrn: Say what?

Raziel: Defeat... the Phoenix?

Hauhet: Jumping the gun a bit, but yes. It is possible.

Raziel: Wh-why do you look happy at the idea? Is this really fine by you?

Hauhet: Absolutely. The venture seems like it'll be thoroughly entertaining.

Lyria: Entertaining?

Hauhet: In my three billion years of life, this is the first split where I became a separate entity from my original self.

Hauhet: Fenie might well have become the first eventually, had Abramelin and Farhana not influenced her.

Hauhet: I am the only complete fragment in existence—the closest to the Phoenix in self, though lacking the full power of the main body.

Atum: To think you were able to grow... or rather, recover to such a degree, alone in Port Breeze.

Hauhet: In the beginning, I was nothing but a minuscule shard, undisturbed and left to weather the elements.

Raziel: Even accepting that you're an independent existence, how do we know you're not acting on the Phoenix's behalf?

Raziel: Given that (Captain) can recreate the power of god and Atum is hunting down your main body, getting them together in one place to spy on seems like—

Hauhet: Why would I bother doing something so pointless?

Raziel: Pointless? You're the one that just said you're the closest to the Phoenix in self!

Hauhet: I had everyone appear before me today to complain a bit, show my appreciation, and give a proper introduction. Nothing more or less.

Hauhet: Why would I need to spy? The mighty Phoenix has no need for allies.

Hauhet: Consider something. How might the ultimate being feel when seeing a near copy of itself?

Raziel: Well, I...

Atum: You're a threat to it—one greater than anything else in the world.

Hauhet: Exactly. If it kept a list of targets around, I'd be first on the chopping block.

Hauhet: Not to mention the fact that my attacks are born from myself... which means they're likely to be effective against the Phoenix.

Raziel: You're saying you could potentially triumph over its powers of regeneration?

Atum: (This is it...)

All of sudden, from Atum's side, Fenie speaks up.

Fenie: Hauhet! Wanna join us on the Grandcypher?

Split Flames: Scene 4

Sabrina protests the idea of recruiting Hauhet, but after Raziel and Atum argue she could be invaluable against the Phoenix, (Captain) approves the invite. As Hauhet takes Fenie's outstretched hand, the crew's concerns about their new member are not alleviated by the enigmatic smile slowly spreading across her face.

---

Raziel: Wha... Fenie?

Vyrn: Wait, say that again?

Fenie: Hauhet, do you wanna come with us on the Grandcypher?

Hauhet: You want me... to join you?

Vyrn: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Some things aren't for joking about, Fenie!

Fenie: Huh? She can't come?

Vyrn: Ah geez, don't put me on the spot like that...

Fenie: I just think it'd be really sad if we left her all alone.

Hauhet: Hehehe, you're actually inviting me? Being around the unpredictable is more fun than I thought.

Raziel: If everything you've told us is true, Hauhet, then that means the Phoenix is...

Hauhet: Watching us right now? Oh, definitely.

Vyrn: Seriously?

(Captain) and friends reflexively peer at their surroundings, but find nothing amiss.

Hauhet: It won't make any moves for the moment. If I know it, and I do, it'll prefer to observe an unpredictable presence like me.

Hauhet: That also goes for Fenie. This space is simply filled with too many uncertain factors for it to act.

Raziel: But with the Phoenix's overwhelming strength, wouldn't the easiest option be to end you now?

Raziel: Even without a perfect prediction, surely it'd be a million to one in her favor?

Hauhet: Your analysis has merit, but you're also not quite correct. Everything comes down to interpretation.

Hauhet: As someone who's lived over three billion years, I've seen my fair share of one-in-a-million chances come true.

Hauhet: In other words, for the Phoenix and I, these rarities are a lot more common than you might think.

Hauhet: You understand what I'm getting at, right? Long-lived species weigh their chances differently than short-lived ones.

Hauhet: From our perspective, you come across as impressively decisive creatures, if ones with a taste for gambling.

Hauhet: But we've lived so long that our experiences dull our decision-making skills.

Hauhet: Hence why I'm certain that the Phoenix is biding its time, erring on the side of caution.

Raziel: You consider primal beasts to be short-lived too? I suppose from your perspective, we would be...

Hauhet: Anyway, I admit I hadn't yet decided what to do with this new, separate life of mine.

Hauhet: The invitation to join your ship was a complete surprise, though—to me and to our observer, I'm certain.

Hauhet: Perhaps lending you or the Diviners my strength against the Phoenix would be an enjoyable change of pace.

Vyrn: I get that you're a fragment, but what exactly is going through your mind? We're talking about fighting your former self here...

Raziel: I'd advise against trying to understand the thought patterns of beings like her. All you'll get for your trouble is a headache.

Sabrina: Don't get ahead of yourself—we haven't agreed to take you aboard just yet!

Raziel: N-now hold on, this might actually be a great opportunity! (Captain), you'll want to hear this too.

Raziel: I believe that, for the most part, everything Hauhet said is true.

Raziel: She might just be the key to victory the next time we battle the Phoenix.

Sabrina: That's...

Vyrn: Still though...

Atum: Singularity.

Lyria: Atum?

Atum: I'd like to make the same request—please allow Hauhet to join your crew.

Vyrn: Not you too! Sheesh...

Atum: I have a feeling she'll be instrumental in capturing the Phoenix, but I also know she won't come with me quietly.

Atum: However, if she were to join you...

Vyrn: Look, we've got some big personalities aboard, but this is something else...

Fenie: (Captain)! Pretty please?

1. Sure.
2. Do you promise to take care of her?

Choose: Sure.

Raziel: Just like that!

Raziel: You're so kind, (Captain)! Or maybe you're just too used to taking in problem children?

Vyrn: You say that like you're not one of them.

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: Do you promise to take care of her?

Sabrina: What do you think she is, some sort of stray cat?

Sabrina: She can take care of herself. We don't need to give her special treatment...

Vyrn: Sigh... No use arguing once (Captain)'s given the okay...

Continue 1

Fenie: Yay! Thanks, (Captain)!

Fenie: Well, Hauhet? Wanna come with us?

Fenie holds out her hand, which Hauhet stares at for a moment.

Hauhet: This is the first time anyone's ever offered me a hand...

Fenie: Hm? What was that?

Hauhet: Hehe... It was nothing.
I may as well impose on your little group since I have nowhere else to be.

Hauhet takes Fenie's hand and walks over to (Captain).

Hauhet: Singularity... Or is Captain more appropriate now?

Hauhet: I've been alive for a long time, but technically it was your attack that birthed me.

Hauhet: Would you take responsibility for your actions and teach me the ways of mortals?

Lyria: T-teach... the ways of mortals?

Hauhet: Why, yes. I had no interest in learning before, but the situation has changed.

Hauhet: I want to know more. I possess basic knowledge, of course, but I've never lived the experience of a mortal.

With a coy smile, Hauhet walks away. Vyrn immediately sidles up next to (Captain)'s ear for a whisper.

Vyrn: You better be careful with her... Make sure she doesn't get you in your sleep or anything...

Lyria: I wonder... Is she really that dangerous?

Fenie: This is the deck! It's the best place for sunbathing when the weather's nice! Too bad it's a little late for that today.

Hauhet: An ideal location to get a view of my old home, I see.

Though it's late in the day, Fenie happily takes Hauhet on a tour of the Grandcypher.

Vyrn: We really let her waltz right in... You sure you're okay with this, Sabrina?

Sabrina: If it's what Fenie wants... I'll just have to stay extra vigilant with her around.

Raziel: I say this was the best result we could've asked for. It's even a chance to learn more about their enigmas.

Raziel: The only unknown I'm concerned about is how the Phoenix will end up taking the situation.

Vyrn: Yeah. We don't have any proof that Hauhet's told us the whole truth.

As the crew discuss their apprehensions, Hauhet turns around and smiles at (Captain) from a distance.

Hauhet: Hehehe...

Sabrina: I swear...

Raziel: L-let's do our best to get along for now, okay!

Vyrn: Better keep one eye open, (Captain). There's no tellin' what she's up to.

Whatever the meaning of Hauhet's smile, all (Captain) can do is wait and see what the future holds.

Even if waiting means playing right into the Phoenix's hands.