Cherubplay

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Gamzee held his hand tightly as they walked forward, listening and nodding to Tavros’s explanation of what he could feel from the creature. He was a little surprised to hear that it was in pain, though maybe being so many things at once got uncomfortable, he thought. He figured that it was still unpredictable, especially if it was hurting, and was worried about it lashing out at them.

Then suddenly Tavros let go of his hand. He reached forward to him but then he spoke, telling the worried and not a little frightened purple blood to stay behind. He was about to protest, but couldn’t do anything against Tavros’s determination, especially not with the way he reassured him. So Gamzee stayed put, biting his lip with worry and watching and listening closely.

He stepped forward automatically when the Jabberwocky clawed Tavros, ready to jump in its way and help his now bleeding friend. But the creature lowered its defensive stance and Tavros had asked him to trust him so he stayed put, hard as that was. He was practically holding himself in place, mouth clamped shut tightly. He didn’t want to take away from Tavros’s concentration in case something worse happened.

Now the Jabberwocky seemed to be crying, and things were settling down. It was a little easier to stay still seeing that it didn’t seem to want to hurt Tavros anymore, so he kept occupied by listening to what Tavros was saying. And that really hurt. He could understand the critter, he guessed, it was misjudged just like he was. But it was a hell of a lot older than him; what if he had turned out like that as he aged? Not given a chance to be himself, told by everyone what he was for so long it drove him to such anger...at least he had a couple people who were alright with him in the city. The Jabberwocky didn’t seem like it had anyone. No wonder it hurt so much.

...it was getting an awful lot of kisses though, and Tavros was still hurt and needed his wounds bandaged. So Gamzee sat down in the grass to be less threatening to the creature and pulled out the medical supplies he’d brought in his bag so he could patch Tavros up when he came back.

2014-07-30 23:38:13
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Vriska could not believe what she had just witnessed. The mighty Jabberwocky, fearsome and deadly, had not only submitted to an outsider's will, but cried against him and received comfort for it! She had nearly run into the grass with her sword but stayed put since Tavros told her that he would call should he need assistance. It was difficult not to hunt for blood when the Alice was hurt so barbarically, but she assumed that he would be alright.

Tavros sat silently with the beast for a few minutes, communicating mentally before he softly broke the link and shakily stood. The Jabberwocky, gleeful and sated that there was someone that understood it, stood and took the back of Tavros's dress in its teeth before lifting him in the air slightly. Tavros, in alarm, gasped and pressed his legs together, trying to keep his skirt covering his underwear as the Jabberwocky transported him directly in front of Gamzee. Embarrassed, and probably one hundred percent certain that Gamzee had gotten more than ample view of his panties, Tavros was soon set down in the grass in front of his violet-hued friend. He blushed, a tiny smile on his face as he showed off the ripped sleeve of his dress and the pretty gory wound inflicted, "Told you I could do it."

The beast laid down on its stomach, clawed paws folded as it laid its head down as well. Vriska, impatience getting to her, as well as curiosity to the beast, sheathed her saber and trotted over.

2014-07-31 00:02:00
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Eridan followed quickly behind Vriska, putting his harpoon back as he went. "Maybe we should be careful! Just because it likes Alice doesn't mean we're in the clear!"

Gamzee had been much too concerned about Tavros being hurt, and then TAVROS BEING PICKED UP AND GOOD GOG WAS IT GOING TO TAKE HIM AWAY SOMEWHERE FAR WHERE HE'D NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN NO to even notice any flash of underthings. The look on his face was full of relief and worry as he gave his returned friend a quick hug. Gamzee had to wipe a couple tears from his eyes as he set to cleaning and wrapping Tavros's wound. "If anybody could it was you, Tavbro," he said as he tore the shredded sleeve off, then dabbed the wounds lightly with a cloth he'd dampened to clean them. After putting some herbal salve on the wounds to keep them clean and help them heal a little he wrapped the claw marks up snuggly. He handed Tavros one of the few smaller kinds of mushroom he'd brought along. This was the third and rarest one from his back garden, not the grow or shrink ones. "Here, eat this, it'll help you heal faster and take the pain away from it."

2014-07-31 00:20:17
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Thankful that Gamzee either hadn't seen his panties or didn't comment, Tavros sighed in relief as he was set down safely and nothing bad had happened. Even if Vriska had almost pulled her sword out again to plunge it right through the Jabberwocky's eyes.

As his wound was getting patched up, he talked eagerly to Vriska, who immediately questioned how he had gotten the Jabberwocky to become so docile. Tavros likened it to someone throwing a tantrum, if only for ease of explanation; trying to get all the inner details that only came with communing was too difficult. Not to mention, it was hard to think too much with all the blood he had lost.

Once he was all wrapped up, Tavros took the mushroom and nibbled on it, beaming a grin to Gamzee in thanks. "Thank you! I just wish my dress was not so awkward now," He experimentally rolled his injured shoulder, pouting some that his dress was one-sleeved and partially ripped towards the apron portion.

"How about you just purchase trousers or something once we get to Undlegire?" Vriska offered, "Those midbloods are the next you have to impress, after all."

Tavros nodded, but he wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to pay for something like that. He supposed Vriska probably had plenty of gold stashed on her, what with her piratey antics, but he really didn't like the way he had to mooch off his friends. "I think I will just get another dress," He admitted, "I never really wore them, before, but they are starting to grow on me. I feel pretty." Tavros never had much of a chance to feel good about himself or dainty or lovely back in Alternia; he was always working in dirt and grime, and while he did love the beauty of the flowers and plants, it would have been nice to be cute for a while.

2014-07-31 00:34:00
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"I can fix your dress part ways," Gamzee said. He'd had to patch and sew up a number of his clothes on occasion, not able to afford new ones every time something got ripped. "Won't look to pretty, but it'll hold it together 'til you get a new one. Just not the sleeve; it was too mangled." He knew he still had a few coins left, that should at least help with getting Tavros something, even if it wasn't the nicest thing.

Eridan listened to the explanation with some interest. A negative horrible part of him wondered if this was the truly the first beast that Tavros had tamed or the second, glancing at the other purple blood. He cursed himself for the thought, blaming cruelty of society and being around Vriska's mean streak for too long.

"Oh for goodness sake," he burst out dramatically at Tavros's last statement. "You'll look wonderful in anything you wear, Alice."

Gamzee nodded a little at that. "You can always wear your sweater over top this one and no one will be the wiser."

2014-07-31 01:00:22
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"Aww," He bent his head, an embarrassed blush creeping onto his cheeks as he fiddled with his fingers, "Thank you, that was awfully sweet of you, Hare." Compliments like those were hard to come by, and Tavros almost hadn't known what to say in response.

"But I think I will take up Gamzee's offer and just pull on a sweater, until we get to Undlegire," Maybe it would look cute that way; besides, it was getting colder and he would need to bundle up some anyhow. Tavros rubbed at his injured shoulder a little bit, then looked around; the Screechlands were relatively flat, and he honestly did not feel like venturing around to try to find a suitable place for the night. So, he decided to just stretch his legs out in front of him and offer the current place, "Let's settle for the night, yes? I am sure our new friend here," He gestured to the Jabberwocky, who hummed in content, "Will keep us safe should anything go bump, in the night."

"Aye aye, Captain Alice." Vriska retrieved her things and set to using her sword to hashing down the tall grass to make a makeshift campground. She then set up the tent, wondering aloud, "Was it difficult to get the Jabberwocky to understand you?"

Tavros stood, trying to do his best to assist with the makings of a campground, "Not really. Keeping a stable connection, uh, with communing was harder, but out right talking to the Jabberwocky is simple; it can understand language just fine."

2014-07-31 01:18:24
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Eridan scoffed a little; he'd not really meant to be sweet, minorly annoyed at best. He helped Vriska set up what she'd let him, collecting up a little of the grass if they decided to start a fire, otherwise just not doing much of anything.

Gamzee set up their tent quickly, nailing it into the ground so it wouldn't blow away if there was any wind that evening. He set up the inside too, lying out the sleeping bag and blankets and pillows for them. He wondered if Tavros really didn't receive compliments often by his reaction. He certainly thought the petite copper blood always looked nice, pretty much always cute in what he wore. He did kind of especially like the sweater on Tavros, he had to admit, as it was oversized and made him look extra snuggly. Gamzee blushed purple at the thought as he finished setting up.

Hearing that the Jabberwocky creature could understand, he had to ask, crawling out of the tent to sit on the ground. "So it understands all of us?" He looked over at it, inspecting it curiously. Even if it was kind of a weird mash up of things, it was kind of interesting. And he couldn't help feeling empathetic with it from what Tavros had said to it earlier.

2014-07-31 01:34:58
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It was actually a little adorable how Tavros didn't understand that Eridan hadn't mean to be kind by his words; it seemed that the copperblood was so sincere and honest that he couldn't really tell when others weren't. Vriska hadn't the heart to tell him that he should probably learn to understand sarcasm better, or that it wasn't really a compliment - he looked so happy to have someone be kind to him in that regard that she didn't think she could do.

Whoa, what the fuck? Was she becoming /nice?/ Vriska frowned some to herself and set up the inside of her and Eridan's tent; she couldn't let anyone know that she was starting to feel the inklings of pale for Alice.

Tavros eventually gravitated towards the Jabberwocky, who was content enough in the grass. "Sure can. It may be a tad fearsome looking, but it is able to understand language and pretty much everything else that goes on in its environment." The troll rubbed his palm over the Jabberwocky's snout, offering to Gamzee, "Do you want to pet it? Its a sweet animal, uh, really," The compliment did not fall on deaf ears, and the Jabberwocky thumped its tail excitedly, like an overgrown puppy. A couple feathers from around its neck flew off, the midnight color of them shimmering lightly and settling on the grass. Vriska, inquisitively, plucked up one as a souvenir, surprised that the feather was about as long as her forearm.

2014-07-31 01:46:44
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"You sure it won't mind anyone but you? I don't wanna bug it or nothin'." Gamzee came over tentatively, offering an open palm to the creature to check him out if indeed it was alright with others besides Tavros petting it. He was really kind of excited to pet it and make friends, and hoped it went over alright. He wondered what it knew about trolls. Vriska had said it was supposed to have hunted lower bloods...what if it liked Tavros because he was a high blood and because of his magic, and decided Gamzee might make a good snack? But it had been misjudged, he reasoned. Maybe it didn't eat trolls at all.

Eridan flopped into the tent next to Vriska, a bit moody, and wanting to get on the good side of their kismesitude again. "Gog, look at them," he muttered quietly to her so only she could hear. "Barbarian and a beast." It made him feel a bit rotten to be rude, but that's just how he'd been for a long time. And he didn't think Vriska really cared a wit about the other purple at all. She'd been rude to him, too, more than he had been when they'd first met the other pair.

2014-07-31 02:02:43
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Truly, Vriska was not buying any of the rudeness Eridan was spewing. "Like hell," She spat, rummaging around in her things until she found her journal, then took out a quill and ink well to begin her nightly writings, "I saw you while we were journeying; mind telling me what all that close walking to that supposed savage was all about?" She was starting to make a conscious effort not to be so mean to Gamzee, if only for Tavros's sake. Even if she did not outright say it, she did kind of want to get on Alice's good side, and she'd tolerate a barbaric violentblood if that's what she had to do.

"Just talk to it," Tavros requested, understanding that Gamzee may have been tentative, but finding the worry to be needless now. The Jabberwocky was safe, he had promised that, and if both parties approached the other kindly, what was there to worry about? "Tell Wocky here your name, introduce yourself all properly. Be courteous. All it wants, are some friends. People have been far too mean to you, uh, for far too long, haven't they, Wocky?" Here, his voice changed to something a bit babyish, and he pet the large creature sweetly as he kissed its snout and feathered neck.

2014-07-31 02:11:23
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So Gamzee sat in front of the creature, trying to look at it straight on as an equal and not avert his gaze like he was used to doing. He took a steadying breath. "Uh, Hi there, Mr. Jabberwocky. I'm Gamzee Makara, and um, I think it'd be pretty bitchtits if we could all up and be compadres." He glanced over at Tavros to make sure he'd done well, then leaned in to whisper to the creature, not wanting to upset his friend with what he was going to say to it next. "Uh, other trolls like to think I'm sort of a monster too, given my color even though I ain't done nothin', so, I think it'd be even cooler if maybe we could be not-monster bros together? Since you're so nice and all."

Eridan huffed. "Well, he's supposed to be all tough and stuff, right? So why not be friendly? And /I'm/ supposed to be one of these horrid 'violent-bloods' too, so maybe I feel some solidarity. Also he don't seem the kind to call me a wriggler if I'm a little trepedacious about something, unlike someone I know." He narrowed his eyes at her.

2014-07-31 02:33:08
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The Jabberwocky focused on the troll in front of him, and, in its memory, recalled how so many were killed and slaughtered in the same way that higherblooded trolls wished to off the great beast. Pleased with the introduction, the Jabberwocky responded with a brief lick to Gamzee's arm, then settled back down comfortably as Tavros took to scratching by its ears and its feathered neck. Tavros smiled brightly, praising, "That was good! See, it understands you just fine." He went back to sweet pets and scratches, wanting to spoil the Jabberwocky silly after so many sweeps of mistreatment.

The creature looked a little worried as Gamzee began to lean in and whisper, but the beast understood just fine what the violetblood was saying, and it nudged its nose against Gamzee's chest in agreement. Tavros had heard the remainder of Gamzee's words but spoke not about it, instead telling the Jabberwocky good night. "Sleep well, my dear," He smiled sweetly at the combined beast, giving one last kiss, "We will see you, in the morning. I do hope that you accompany us on the remainder of our trip through the In-Between, but I am afraid to say that you must stay here, when we continue to Undlegire. Much too dangerous for our lovely Wocky, hm?"

The Jabberwocky let out a low purr of agreement, though it looked a bit sad that they would all be leaving so soon. It made Tavros's bloodpusher twist in his chest, and he wondered if he really /would/ be able to leave Wonderland when it came down to it. "Good night," He said at last, then crawled into his shared tent.

"Not my fault you go quaking in your boots at the slightest sight of danger," Vriska dismissed, obviously exasperated with him but not giving him the usual loud, angry response. "Besides, he doesn't seem to be too much of a threat. 'Tis calmer than his brethren," She gave a pointed look to Eridan, smoothly insulting him as she turned to scribble in her journal again, "And if I want any good to come of this journey, I ought to at least tolerate what I thought to be a heathen."

2014-07-31 02:58:29
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Eridan was furious and deeply hurt, though he wouldn't admit it. He knew she'd be terrible to him if he admitted even the slightest weakness. She didn't understand at all, and wouldn't even try, probably, either. He turned on his side, away from her, and tried angrily to go to sleep, not thinking about the tears threatening his lashes and not letting them fall either. It would only make things worse.

Gamzee stayed outside with the Jabberwocky for a bit, petting him gently. He was more than willing to be affectionate seeing the creature liked it so much, and he rather liked giving it too. Seeing it's sad look at being alone when Tavros entered the tent, Gamzee was inspired to do something nice for it to cheer it up a little. "Hey, Wockybro, maybe after we're all done on this sick nasty quest, and if you don't wanna be out here by yourself, you can come live in the forest with me? Ain't too terrible far, least wise for somethin' that can fly. And then if he stays, maybe Tav'll live out there with us, huh?" he offered. At least they'd have each other if the brown blood they both were so fond of did leave back to his Alternia and there was no hope for them following along.

Gamzee crawled into the shared tent after giving the Jabberwocky some final attention, settling in on his side with a gentle smile. He maneuvered his space into his preferred arrangement and flopped down, ready to sleep for the night if Tavros wasn't interested in chatting or cuddling a little.

2014-07-31 03:26:45
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Oblivious to his true emotions, Vriska went back to writing. When she finished, she packed her things away and got comfortable. If her confusing kismesis needed anything, she doubted that he would just let her sleep.

The Jabberwocky, reasonably enthralled by the offer, perked up and thumped its tail against the ground again, its red eyes alight in excitement, as if it wanted to go now. It certainly did not want to leave Tavros, its first real friend, but if he had a choice between being alone and going with Gamzee, surely it was no contest. It would be the perfect life if little Alice decided to live with Gamzee and the Jabberwocky, out in a real, honest to goodness forest. The Jabberwocky had only ever seen the pure white plains of the In-Between and the sands of the Screechlands, never the rich denseness of a forest. It settled down against the grasses once Gamzee left, closing its eyes and falling asleep.

Tavros had been peeling off his stockings and smoothing out his dress as Gamzee returned to the tent. He watched as his friend laid down, and, with a purse of his lips, he questioned, "Gamzee?"

2014-07-31 03:48:57
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The purple blood was quite thrilled himself with the reception of his offer. It would be nice to kind of live with someone, even if Tavros wouldn't be around. What would it be like to live with another being all the time, not being alone? It was kind of exciting.

Gamzee cuddled in to his bedding, snuggling his pillow happily, then looked up with a smile to his friend. "Yea, Tavbro?"

Eridan just moped and bottled up his feelings. It was something he was pretty good at by this time, not really ever having anyone to talk to on the surface, the only person he was around on land being Vriska until a day ago. He didn't really know if he could go to the other two for comfort or not, or if they would just laugh at him too, though they didn't seem all that much like Vriska. Like she said, the taller one was quite chill, so maybe Gamzee wouldn't care? He'd even been willing to deal with that creature...so surely another troll would be accepted, too? ....if the opportunity arised, he'd test out the waters, as it were.

2014-07-31 04:00:19
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Tavros hadn't laid down yet. Instead, he turned to Gamzee in the tent, his bare legs pulled up to his chest as he set his chin on them, arms circled around, "I do not think I want to go back home." The Jabberwocky made him realize that he had already made such close ties, and that he would only find more friends and become closer to other people; it would be too difficult to just up and leave. Had Tavros known that his journey would include close friendships, he probably would have kept more to himself. "In fact, I, um. Am about eighty percent sure that I want to stay here."

Vriska didn't even bother trying to talk to him. She figured that he had just gone to sleep, that big baby. She couldn't understand why he had suddenly gotten such a horrible attitude, but she attributed it to the vastly different relationship Tavros and Gamzee shared. She had never been overly nice to Eridan before, and she wasn't acting any differently to him than she had before, so she could not understand why he was suddenly being so childish. With a huff, she set her glasses to the side and closed her eyes to get to sleep.

2014-07-31 04:14:38
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Eridan did eventually sleep, though it wasn't fulfilling. He wasn't all that sure himself why he was having such a change in mood. Maybe seeing something nicer made him want something like that for himself. Maybe he figured once they got around different landdwellers Vriska's meanness wouldn't be something special anymore, just another unpleasant person in a crowd of mean faces.

Gamzee thought about this, secretly delighted. "That's okay, Tavbro, you can stay with me if you want, or we could find you your own place somewhere to live. I don't think it'll all up and be a problem." He reached over to brush his fingers with his own gently. "Nothin' wrong in stayin, is there?"

2014-07-31 04:25:37
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"I don't know," He mumbled, trying to suppress his sigh, "What if I am not allowed to stay? I am saying all of this based on the assumption that I even have a choice." Tavros would be absolutely heartbroken if he was forced to leave once his journey was over, and he wasn't sure if he there was any way to lengthen his quest of sorts for his own selfish needs. "Just...If I, uh, am presented the option to stay here, I will take it. There is nothing like this awaiting me in Alternia."

2014-07-31 04:30:22
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Now that Gamzee knew that he was indeed worried about the crazy dimensional travel, he could try and calm him a bit. "Hey, I don't know if I'm right or nothin, but I got my figure on earlier as to all that world travellin' stuff, and you know how that rabbit was there when you got all up and blasted to Wonderland? Well, from what the 'saurus said, he lives in Wonderland, but he likes all those whack maps of crazy not-Wonderland places. So I'm figurin' he goes to all these different worlds with some way he knows how to do that. So if you gotta get sucked back to your Alternia because the quest says so, whats to say I can't find that rabbit here abouts and he can transport you back if you wanna stay here?" Gamzee looked up to his friend, hoping he made sense and that it sounded reasonable.

2014-07-31 04:38:25
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Admittedly, his speech didn't make much sense at first, but after reviewing it several times in his brain, Tavros nodded a little bit. "I suppose it is plausible. But, um." The brownblood leaned over, scooting his bedding closer to Gamzee's as he tried to get comfortable, "If I do have to end up leaving, forever, promise me that you will not forget me. I promise that I will not forget, about you," He figured he would give back his ribbons to Gamzee so he would have some type of item to always remember him by. He was terrified of losing his newfound friends, especially Gamzee, his almost-nearly-maybe matesprit.

2014-07-31 04:57:36
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Gamzee looked up at him seriously. "Tavros, how could I ever forget about you? You're the best friend I've ever had...Only person to have never looked at me funny. A brother can't go forgetting that sorta kindness. Not even if my think pan got broken," he smiled reassuringly. "Forgetting little old me would be much easier."

He figured if he wanted it, Tavros could take that sweater. It had never suited him well in his mind anyway, and it would serve as useful even if not a reminder. He tilted his head a little so it rested gently touching Tavros's arm as Gamzee lay on his back against the blankets.

2014-07-31 05:18:01
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"I am just scared," He whispered, staring up at the top of the tent as he pulled his blanket up to his mouth, "What if I have to leave you, and everyone else? What if I really do not have a choice?" He wasn't sure what he would do if he was forced to go back to Alternia again. The one place in the world where he would be stuck at his job forever and never feel the same happiness he did with Gamzee and Vriska and Eridan.

"I could not even imagine carrying on without you, Gamzee. It would all just seem so, peculiar. I feel as though I belong here."

2014-07-31 05:28:25
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He turned on his side, cuddling close and putting an arm over Tavros. "If you feel you belong here, you probably do. Alice intuition hasn't been wrong yet," he smiled a little. "And if you gotta go back, just grab onto me and take me with you. Or I'll find you and bring you back like I said before. Don't worry none, it'll turn out."

2014-07-31 05:35:59
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It seemed Gamzee had an answer for everything, and while it was reassuring to a degree, Tavros was still a bit worried. "I suppose you are right," He murmured after a while, "It does not do much good, uh, to worry about it." Closing his eyes, he let out a breath, "Good night."

2014-07-31 05:43:21
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Gamzee just hoped he was right and that one of these options was possible. He knew it was all conjecture at this point, but felt the need to reassure his worrying friend how he could. He closed his eyes too, breathing leveling out quickly as he relaxed. "G'night, Tavbro," he murmured sleepily, nuzzling in a little before nodding off.

2014-07-31 05:49:22