3. Told from the Rant Stand

Told from the Rant Stand


  • Telli waddles off the stage and down the road muttering to herself at the BOo's… And Telli bled and kilts over twelve dozens a N'jast scums dats was comings ta pillage and rape yuhs city. Dis da danks… buncha farkings ingrates....

    Telli looks rather moody going to find Calen at once....


  • _While people listen to Telli at first, many remembering her from the central role she played during Calen's popular campaigns, once she starts decrying Rath Ashald many onlookers begin to boo her and more people simply turn and leave.

    Marison is received more attentively, being a rather popular figure, though his words are somewhat lost on many of the dock folks there. The general mood of the people remains rather hostile towards Senator Ashwynd, exacerbated by the general assumption that he was attempting to keep the matter a secret from them._


  • ::Watching Rath and then Telli Mariston, steps forth, resplendent in his armour and radiating an aura around him that is tangible. He looks heavenward a moment then addresses the group::

    Firstly, the matter of a paladin falling, is an ecumenical matter for the church of Helm and the doctrines there of. The path of the paladin is fraught with many tests of ones mettle and as such some stumble on their path. Not all fall to the depths to which Senator Ashald speaks. I do not defend Senator Calen as one of the Order of the Divine Shield, for he hath not been a member of our Order for a goodly number of months, rather that we seek to see what his deeds speak of.
    Senator Calen needs to search his soul and learn if he can serve helm as an honoured paladin, whether he is able to meet the standards, only Helm knows.

    ::with that Mariston steps down and makes his way back into the crowd::


  • Telli groans at the news and approaches the stand Calen's ever vigilant and stalwart protector both physically and verbally. She downs a potion or two rubbing some lotion on her face and adjusts her pigtails to be of the brightest continence she can muster.

    "Peltarch citizens ands friends… Telli gonna be brief and ta da point.

    She swallows in some air thinking upon the words she should say and the best way to deliver them. Her nervousness and fear of large crowds evident.

    "Mr Calen shoulds....and if Telli see's hims will MAKES hims address yuh da people next she see's hims... untils dens dough... Mr Calen fells... dat bads... buh resign... Telli says Fark Mr Ashald, juss cause someone falledededs don't means der heart filled wid bitter and bile. Mr Helm... ta be a paladin... dose are tough tings... Telli ain't heard he fells, and ain't heard why... buh one ting Telli do knows! Mr Calen ain't gonna decidedededs ta STAY fallens.... he gonna findededs outs whys and do all he cans ta gits unda Helms grace agains I bets.

    Who among yuh ain't neva madedededs a mistakes...EVA?"

    Telli looks around the assembly of citizens, adventurers, and merchants alike allowing the words to sink in.

    "Mr Ashald gives warning a da last paladins ta falls… Wull...Telli here ta tells yuh a da LAST person she knows dats fells...

    Dats me…."

    Telli frowns looking down to her feet some before raising her head again...

    "Telli poisonedededs a stream....ta hurts N'jast scums and keeps ems froms comings ta yer doorsteps....ta keeps ems froms comings ta Jiyyd's doorsteps fasta...."

    Telli fidgets her foot around the plank some signs of discomfort evident

    "...cause a its... aminals and da plants near dat streams was kilt.... dis causedededs Telli ta falls froms Chauntea's grace....

    Some a yuhs mights be sayings....so what Telli what does this have to do with anything!"

    Telli pauses to let her last words sink in a little....

    "...It mean everyting… Mr Ashald say cause Calen fell he should resign or somehow he not gonna be a man a characters or honors... agains Telli's says Fark yuh Mr Ashald… Cause yuh know whats Telli done after she felledededs....

    Telli gone ta Chauntea everyday askings fer fergiveness....and during da next day....bled halfways ACROSS da pass ta keeps N'JASTS froms Peltarch!... Da Legion and Telli and everybodies else madededs dems pay fer EVERY inch dey tooks...

    Buh accordings Ta Mr Ashald...anyones who falledededs is on a path a destructions and ebils...

    Telli ain't ebils....and she ain't widout Chauntea's grace no mores... Telli and her better friends den eva before...and All da while Telli done what was right in her heart a hearts and whats honorables ta da peoples a Peltarchs... so agains Telli says... Fark yuh Mr Ashald…

    Let Mr Calen speak afore yuh put vile poison inta da mind a da people...."

    Telli huffs as she waddles off the stage and down the steps.


  • Elder Senator Rath Ashald, flanked by a collection of scribes and priests including his advisor Captain Aelthas Benthur, as well as his own guards from the Seafarers Guild, ascends the Rant Stand, addressing the already assembled crowd, the Senator seemingly having already advertised the event in the docks district days in advance.

    "Fellow citizens, today I stand before you to blow hard and shrill upon the whistle of warning! I have learned of a terrible truth that I am sad to say falls upon I, Rath Ashald, to reveal to you, my adoring populace. This truth is a grave and serious matter, and I beg you to hold your adulations for the moment and be attentive.

    This grave matter concerns one of my fellow members of the Senate of Peltarch. Yes, one of your Senators is not what they seem to be. One of your Senators is hiding something from you. I have approached them, entreated upon them to be honest with you all, and given them perhaps one chance too many to be frank and forthcoming to you, my friends. Unfortunately it is I and not they who stand here with these tidings before you all.

    Senator Calen Ashwynd, the brave paladin of Helm who won your hearts in the last elections, is a paladin no more. He has fallen from the path of honour and been abandoned by Helm. I have no doubt that there are few people who would have voted for a fallen paladin, and few who have forgotten what fate befell the last Knight of the Divine Shield to fall.

    I hereby call upon Senator Ashwynd to do the right thing now, and resign his seat on the Senate, for I think it clear that he is no longer the Senator he promised you all he would be."

    Senator Ashald ends his rather dramatic speech with that, and decends from the stand into a crowd of rather quiet and stunned citizens, who quickly disperse, many straight to the taverns to spread the latest piece of hot gossip.


  • A midmorning fire gone out of control sees all the staff and residence shuffled out of the mermaid. Fortunately, it was a slow time for business and most of the residents already out and about there day. None were harmed, save the woman known as Sarah, before the fire was contained and put out. The woman later was seen with shorter hair and fresh pink looking skin as if recovering from burns.

  • V

    Following that debate, the halfling some might know as Katernin Bersk makes her way up on the rant stand, clad in her shiniest of armors, a golden cloak fastened around her shoulders. At first she mutters about the size of things in Peltarch, looking at the rant desk, but then she launches into a speech:

    "You've heard a lot about faith and _god_s and fear and stuff like that. I say We're all mortals, almost all of us. We're far from being perfect, but we all strive for our own way to happiness. And I say it here and now, battling any god by talking bad of them merely helps the god of hatred - as that is hatred.

    "It's about _idea_s!

    "Look to your right… the market. That's the idea of the god I follow and serve. I don't know what the other gods will tell you, teach you, or whatever. But to show that you like, that you enjoy Waukeens gifts and desires - to pray to her - all you need to do is go there and buy something, haggle for it, or sell something.

    "That's helping Waukeen - and she is pleased if people enjoy this. That is why I'm here in this wonderful city - the Jewel of the Icelace - a city of trade, of profit! And I say it here and now: If you like to do something, you help a god!

    "And I know for a fact, that if you allow it, Waukeen will help you in turn!

    "Other gods might approve of quiet contemplation, of spiritual enlightenment, but Waukeen is the lifeblood of a good economy! Help yourselves, I say! Go out and haggle, trade and get rich!

    "That's how you make a living, that's how you show Waukeen how much you approve of her. So, turn your attention to your right, and visit the market… and think about Waukeen whenever you spend a coin... and sometimes she might just think about you, too!"

    After finishing she hops off the rant stand and makes her way through whatever people assembled to listen.

  • S

    A man dressed in well worn clothes nods seemingly absent to himself and waits for the stand to be open then cautiously climbs up

    Ah yes yes. There was something I was going to say. AH yes the rats in the water…no that wasn't it.

    Ah yes. Gods, someone mentioned Gods? Gods big powerful forces, not something to mess with. No no.

    ::shakes head::

    There is something I know. Customs in this city are strange, people talk about shadows and murder in the middle of the street. They don't bother to look for witnesses. Odd customs yes.

    Oh yes, Gods, we were talking about Gods. Maybe it's an odd custom here. Most places it's considered bad luck to talk ill of any God in public. I am sure the clerics will agree and most people right in the head would to.

    If the people of this odd town are worried about faith and attention of Gods they don't want. Stop talking bad about the Gods.

    :: shakes head::

    Odd customs yes. People talk bad about Gods and wonder why they plague them. Most places when someone publicly ridicules a god they get thrown out of town or become targets of rotten food. Bad luck luck that, talking ill of a God.

    If the people of this town want Gods to leave them alone, maybe they should get rid of those that bring attention to themselves of the Gods by speaking ill of them.

    :: the man gets down and wanders off muttering something about giant rats and water and odd customs::

  • Legion

    After a bell ringer hand gone about, Senator Martoushca Leaffall takes her place at the rant stand. Flanked by a pair of trainee guards, she is dressed in a tattered black and red dress, and bares a legion medal draped around her neck. Standing on a barrel, she raises her hands and calls out in a loud voice:

    **Brothers, sisters, citizens of the Jewel! Lend me your attention for only a moment!

    I have been speaking with many of you, and there is much fear going about. And rightly so! Even as we rebuild out great city there are forces that would harass us.

    I have been searching, hunting down those who assail our city. You know what I have found? Faith! Those who attack us have great faith in their dark gods and filthy demons. Even pathetic deities like the Black Hand and the Mad God have a solid following amongst those who are set against us.

    I love this city! Her people are strong and hard working. When I look around my home I see grit! I see strength! But I also see fear, and I feel that now more than ever we need to stoke the fire of our faith! I am no theologian. I am no cleric, and the heavens know I am no _paladin[/p]! But one thing I do know is that the attention and power of our gods comes to us through our faith!

    When was the last time your patron god heard their name on your lips? Do you visit your temple only once a moon? Why not make it once per tenday!? Do you already visit once a tenday? Why not join the clerics for their morning prayers!? I feel that now more than ever this city needs divine attention! We need the help of our gods! If your patron loves righteousness, and seeks to bless and protect their followers, then I beg of you all right now, let us repent of those things that offend our patrons! Let us call upon their names! Let us beseech them in prayer and with fervent faith!

    Make no mistake my beloved kin – our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces that seek to have us bound! So let us take up the battle! Young and old! Rich and poor! Let us pray with all of our might that our city, our precious home, is not only protected from the forces that seek it harm, but also blessed to prosper, and to be the beacon of civilisation, wisdom and hope that it is DESTINED TO BE!

    With that, she hops down from the barrel and then form the platform and begins to make her way to the temple, gathering as many people as she can as she goes._**


  • General Marcus Ash takes the stand, with General Neverith beside him.

    "Citizens, many of you have been hearing rumours of a creature of some power from the Hells themselves appearing in our very commons. I want to assure you all today that this is assuredly -not- the case, and these rumours are merely intended to spread fear and panic among those foolhardy enough to pay them any heed."

    General Ash nods to General Neverith who steps forward.

    "The source of these rumours is the alleged appearance of a pit fiend in the Commons. I can safely debunk this none too clever ploy, as the games of the infamous Sarah Llyellen, the wicked N'Jastian illusionist who remains at large. Therefore, rather than being fooled by her illusions and trickery, I would urge anybody claiming to have seen a devilish creature to report these illusions to the Guard at once, so that this criminal may finally be brought to justice."

    The two men distribute some copies of the wanted posters for the illusionist in question to the crowd, though they remind them that for an illusionist physical descriptions are unfortunately only useful to a point. They then return to their work.


  • Aelthas, dressed in his Defender armor, takes the stand, looking over the people present. His wife Lycka in her Cerulean Knight uniform, standing beside him as he takes her hand, waiting for a moment before trying to gather the peoples attention.

    People of Peltarch, it's no secret the other day several Defenders were brought into the city bound, even I hear the rumors being spoken in the taverns. We had defectors, now we know some of them are guilty, but some are just men and women who follow orders and aren't sure what to do anymore, as they can barely feed their families. Does it completely excuse such an action, no.. but it does show that things are wrong. The city is changing since the war, things take time, I agree. But how long is this going to go on?!

    Our brave, loyal and devoted soldiers, who sacrificed so much for all of us in the war, can barely put food on their tables for them or their families, because they aren't being paid! Moral drops by the day, men start defecting, some for being traitors, others for not knowing what to do anymore. I say that's enough! It's time for this city and no, not just the Senate, but everyone to take care of the men and women who sacrifice so much for you!

    I call on everyone in this city, the rich, the poor, the guilds.. help your soldiers. With a kind word, a loaf of bread, a potato, anything. It's a big problem and it won't be solved quickly, but we can make a beginning to solve it. As the city can't seem to pay our soldiers, then we can pay them! Anything anyone can afford to give, a copper, food that can be gathered and handed out to the families of these men and women, anything to help.

    My beautiful wife Lycka and I will begin it. This is to start.. Holding up a few large bags of coins Five thousand gold, from us, to the Defenders, anyone Sergeant or below in rank will be receiving an equal share of this gold, to supplement their pay, to give them at least something and we will be working on getting more.

    Also! A tenday from now, the first of three gatherings will be held for the Defenders. In the Amethyst Festhall, any off duty Defenders are encouraged to come, relax, enjoy the music and the dancing. There is no charge, everything has been tended to by my wife and I for it. We only expect you to enjoy yourself.

    His eyes scan over any people gathered a long moment before he begins speaking again

    I will gladly accept any support you wish to show our soldiers. I'm not a hard man to find most times. It's time for this city to stand up and do what's right, don't forget our Defenders because the war is over, they were there in our time of need, now we need to be here, in their time of need.


  • _With a faint blush, Lycka stands back as the painting is unveiled, giving it a last self-critical look before turning her eyes back to the crowd. The painting is fairly large, and clearly a lot of work has gone into the creation of it, the scent of paint and varnish indicating a very recent completion.

    Titled "The Surrender", the painting portrays a key moment from the war, featuring a number of known faces. The scene is set at the barricades leading into the Docks district, rain and smoke artfully blurring the warzone in the background, the faint glimmer of twilight through the clouds lending a tinge of amber to the otherwise predominant blue and grey-toned image.

    In the foreground, straight-backed and quietly commanding, stands Kaster Lavindo, easily recognizable by the bald head and his familiar stern profile, turned to face the general of the N'Jast forces. The latter is portrayed with a certain solemn dignity of his own, grim-faced yet respectful in defeat.

    To the general's right, behind the barricades, stands the well-known figure of Cerulean Knight Captain Kenton Seth, alongside Far Scout Sierrah Ju'ent (the latter not in the screenshot, but definitely included in the actual painting), both scorched and bloodied from the battle of the docks so recently behind them. To the left, and further back, stand three prominent members of the Black Sails - Pavel Amblecrown, John Isle and Sabre Seesaw - likewise bearing the cuts and bruises of heavy fighting, satisfaction on their faces. Dimmed by the smoke and drizzle, Defenders and various volunteer fighters can just be made out further back, some lifting their hands in a ragged victory cheer._


  • _Ronan seems to hear most of the speeches on his way to get his favorite snack of apples from Kyla. Mostly hearing of Chadwick's and Shannon's words. He almost seems surprised at Shannon's words of him, but pleasently so..

    He leaves, murmuring to himself_

    I'm glad at least one person sees the truth.


  • John comes wobbling from the Ferret, scent of Riskey obvious around him. After a gulp from a flask, he takes the stand one last time.

    _Ssso! It be lookin' like there be some drama t' these 'ere elections afterall, ey? Wellnow. I've some candidates left t' go, but since they be more o' th' paper twiddlin' types I ain't seen em enough t' get full view on em all. So 'ere we go, all at once, argh!

    So then, first up, mister Whyte. Talked wi' him fair bit. Contrary t' popular belief, he be actually a fine chap. Just, he's gone 'n picked th' wrong guild this time 'round, what wi' all th' scandals. Don't let that bother ye though, as 'n senator, this chap will be leadin' us t' new age o' prosperity, argh. Good manners, fine plans, and a heart that ain't corrupt.

    Next, th' Fisher. Which one was 't, Ryan? Eh. Here's what methinks. Don' go votin' fer 'im, th' family be breedin' like bunnies, they be gettin' int' all places o' power in th' city an' it'll turn shitty pretty soon, savvy? Besides, he ain't e'en very spectacluar chap anyroads. Just says what ye want t' hear.

    Movin' on t' Hardin. Hardin be hard. In politics. Get 't? Hardin hard in.. but not on. Harr harr. Anywho, if ye are int' wavebreakers, go ahead an' vote fer 'im. He ain't bad - though if 'e gets elected, 'e needs t' take some o' those behaviour classes in th' college - he be havin' foul temper on occasions. Seen 'im shoutin at poor Calen so hard th' paladin needed three hankies t' dry 'is face o' th' spit'n'foam.

    'n then, we go to uhh.. Johnathan Von Ulgath. 'n I don' know shite about this fella. So chances are, ye elect 'im, he's just goin' t' stay unnoticeable, bori' senator who's makin' decisions t' benefit himself. Y'want merchantman, y'go fer Whyte. He be devout waukeenar, Whyte.

    Then.. Baron Gor-whatsit? Honestly, Peltarchians, don't fall fer 'im. He be th' reason ah started these rants - he's jus' goin' by th' book, offerin' ye what ye wanna hear. He be a career politician, arr. He be doin' it fer his own benefit. Hells, 'e was only born 'ere, an' came back when th' elections started. Trust me, ye don't want 'im. He'll try t' make Peltarch part o' his lands, I wager, an' make a new kingdom! ot t' mention that when we retook th' docks durin' th' war, we found 'n damaran royal 'elmet in th'sewers.. ::shows the helmet to the people:: do y'want t' risk votin' in a traitor?

    'kay, what then.. oh aye, some random Barriston Shift fella. From th' guards.. eh, I ain't goin' t' say anything else about 'im, except.. those who plan t' vote 'im, give yer votes t' Lavindo instead.

    Lavindo's been servin' th' city fer eons. He be ol', but nae senile - he -will- make good decisions fer ye. Only bad thing about 'im be.. well, there be two. 1) He be old, an' can't be senator fer too long wi'out some longevity potions.. and 2) He's ne'er bought me ale._
    John swigs from his flask again, then gives a sign, and the gorgeous bard Lycka appears to the stand, carrying a large, covered object.

    _Ne'ertheless.. ah appreciate what Lavindo 'as done fer us all. So much so, ah asked Lycka 'ere t' make a wee paintin' o' th' moment when th' N'jastians surrendered t' us. Some o' th' faces might be familiar t' ye.. ::grins:: but enough talk!

    Don't vote Fisher, Lightswell, Shift, Petrarch, Nightwind.. an' specifically not Gormonlythe, nae.._
    He grabs the cloth covering the painting, and dramatically removes it with one fluid move.

    Vote fer Peltarch. Vote fer Lavindo!

    John lingers on the stage a while, before grinning and walking down to the crowd.. looking to see if he has new fans, perhaps?


  • @85a216fd0c=Kayleb:

    I'd say the folks fighting Aramatures at the gates found it HARDER!

    Telli grins from ear to ear at Marty's comment on one of her trips through Peltarch to pick up seeds and saplings.

  • Legion

    Murmured amongs the crowd gathered, after whytes rant but before Shannons

    @8eac45e5cb:

    Some of us should have stood up to stop them at the time rather than regretting them later. I am one of those people, and I apologise to all of you most profusely for that. It was a hard thing to contradict Vaster Ashald, or to blatantly disobey him.

    Did he just say … "HARD"? Sorry ... What! How would it have been hard to resign! Or even stand up to your crminal boss! I'd say the folks counting on that food found it HARDER! I'd say the folks fighting Aramatures at the gates found it HARDER! Yeah ... so HARD to resist making a mountain of coin by letting your neighbours starve...

    What a pansey!

    That sounded like an admission of guilt to me.


  • A few hours after Chadwick Whyte takes the stand, Shannon D'Arneau takes to the stand once more.

    People of Peltarch, Chadwick Whyte is correct - I am not impartial.

    He pauses for a momemnt.

    Justice cannot be impartial to injustice.

    I am indeed a man filled with bitterness and spite for the particular facet of society - which is greedy, corrupt, and rains suffering down upon Peltarch's good citizens. My vendetta against such groups is genuine.

    However…

    Chadwick Whyte has not, to date, been individually charged - with anything - in this ongoing investigation. Ronan Redralen has not been charged with any collusion in this incident nor is it likely that he will be. This is the official position of the Office of the Magistrate - and stands as fact.

    I pledge to the people of Peltarch that the trial regarding these heinous crimes will be held publicly, and that all evidence will be reviewed at that time.

    He waits for yet another moment, letting the crowd absorb what he has said. While not very charismatic, it is readily apparent that he has a great deal of experience with timing during public speaking…

    Evidence has further shown that the Seafarers hold a dual-treasury system with all of their affiliated lower guilds - the Harvest Union included. The Seafarers are able to dip into their treasury at their leisure. This is factual.

    It follows logically that this gives them monopolistic control of the League of Guilds - being that the League governs trade regulation, this gives them the ability to set their own trade regulations nearly on a whim.

    I have issued a warrant requesting for the recovery of all financial records and shipping manifests, as well as land deeds and licensing documents, from Seafarer records. This warrant has been given to Guard General Marcus Ash.

    He pauses again, surveying the crowd for a reaction…

    It is in my personal opinion that this does not, however, detract from the fact that members of the guild, particularly the guild's Council - Chadwick Whyte, included - must either have known about such trading practices during the war, or be woefully incompetent.

    Good citizens of Peltarch - I have no intention of making the Seafarers Guild out to be monsters. They have already made monsters of themselves.

    Still - to my knowledge, Ronan Redralen had nothing to do with Norwick's side of negotiations and his original involvement with the acquisition of the documents that lead to Vaster Ashald's banishment was done of his own accord and want to do the right thing.

    Furthermore, I shall openly admit that I am sponsoring two candidates. Let me say it clearly now: Clayton Nightwind and Calen Ashwynd have my full support.

    He pauses once more…

    Is it uncommon for a group or individual to throw their support behind candidates? The Seafarer Guild supports candidates - as do the Wavebreakers, the Stonemasons, the Shoemakers, the Bakers, the Harvest Union, the Temple of Sune, the noble families, the Defenders and the Guard - and many more. Were Captain Varid to support Kaster Lavindo or General Ash to support Barriston Shift in anyway, we should brand them for their injustices as well. Clearly I have committed a great injustice in offering financial aid and the like to two men whom I deem honorable.

    After nodding but once to himself, he steps down from the stand… leaving the crowd to discuss what was just said.


  • Chadwick Whyte takes the stand, his typical easy going expression replaced by a more troubled and stressed one for a change.

    "Peltarchans! We are witnessing something in these times, something that our city has rarely witnessed before, and I am saddened by it. We have been witnessing a campaign of lies against my Guild, coupled with a campaign of vengeance by Shannon D'Arneau. I say vengeance, my friends, because while everything he is doing is technically within his power, I would put to you that he is abusing this power for his own personal interests. He is a man with a political vendetta against my Guild, and the implementation of our City's laws should be practiced by men and women who are fair and impartial, not filled with bitterness and spite for any particular facet of society.

    Where is the evidence of this vendetta, you ask? Well, ask yourselves how often a Magistrate has made a speech against a party to an investigation? In fact, speeches are something Magistrates need not make at all to conduct their affairs! The sole reason behind that speech, friends, was to rally opinion amongst you all against the Seafarers Guild so that we would fare poorly in the elections!

    And he has not stopped there, either! The noble Magistrate has gone so far as to sponsor not one, but TWO candidates for the Senate, both of whom should be viewed as nothing more than his puppets! I ask you all now, is this the kind of impartiality we have all come to expect from our Magistracy?

    Finally, I will speak about what he has actually said about the Seafarers, for it would be unfortunate if I left you with the stark impression of Guilt he was so keen to imply. Our Guild has suffered for the unfortunate direction and policies of our former leader, I do not deny it. Some decisions that were made, should not have been made. Some of us should have stood up to stop them at the time rather than regretting them later. I am one of those people, and I apologise to all of you most profusely for that. It was a hard thing to contradict Vaster Ashald, or to blatantly disobey him. But it is unfair to demonise our entire Guild for his crimes, or even for our fear.

    We are going to take the Seafarers Guild into a new future, where it becomes a partner in the affairs of Peltarch, instead of a bully. I only hope that we are allowed to do this by the manyfold vultures surrounding us right now. Finally, we will cooperate fully with any investigations. We are more than willing to atone, Shannon, but we are not willing to be made monsters of."


  • Adrian nods approvingly at Shannon's speech. "The wheels of justice turn ever on."


  • From the crowd, the tubby gnomish figure of Perriwig P. Doubleday - who takes malfeasance in matters edible extremely personally - gasps, scandalised at the news.