Chapter Text
The Red Woods of the Badlands loom over acres and acres of no man’s land. Sturdy tree tops are shuffled by a wind blowing from mountains far away. The wind slips between the branches and whispers secrets to the creatures down in the darkness. Many know, these woods aren’t to be trifled or played with but fewer can truly avoid passing through them. Everyone knows, only fools would linger. Better to leave the forest’s mysteries in their peace.
Yet there is a traveler leisurely walking across the forest floor. An adventurer, perhaps? He isn’t doing too good of a job blending in with the nature surrounding him: pink, abnormal hair swishing behind him; on his belt, a sword and daggers to match, catching the rare sun rays even in the gloom of the forest. There are jewels hanging around his neck and some even woven into the braid on the side of his head.
For a man parading around with high class weaponry, he seems to be quite an amateur in traveling through the Red Woods. No man is stupid enough to flaunt that much wealth that openly, especially on a route well-known for its bandits. It’s almost like he’s asking to get into trouble. A nutcase, then.
The man seems to have a clear destination in mind, though he is not in a hurry to reach it. He looks relatively young but feels old, so terribly old. The trees can recognise their coevals well. Creatures stay away from him, trying to protect themselves from someone so clearly unnatural and unbalanced. So he walks all alone in these great, ancient woods.
A branch breaks, not far off from our traveler, but goes seemingly unheard. He might not be so alone after all. Unbeknownst to the man, there is another following him. Has been doing so for quite some time now, successful in staying hidden.The traveler has not once realized to even spare a glance over his shoulder. Maybe leaving the riches at home would’ve been a better choice in the end.
The shadow has been trailing the man with ease by staying a safe distance away and tracking him by brief flashes of pink hair and shiny jewelry. Finally, he’s gathered enough courage to get closer and sneak up on him. A wealthy man traveling alone is a rarity that should definitely be taken advantage of. Even if the heavy sword at his belt does make the shadow hesitate at first.
Careful step by step he inches closer to the traveler who seems to be blissfully unaware of looming danger. The shadow’s features remain murky from leaves and dirt stuck to his skin, likely a product from drifting through the woods for longer than planned. Robbing the traveler could be his lucky break.
Boots silent and steady as sunlight, the shadow moves across the forest floor and stops moments away from the man. A dagger slips from his sleeve, the handle of it self-carved. This should be over in seconds.
It’s a pity, really, watching the wealthy traveler keep his eyes only on the road ahead. Poor fool who wasn’t warned of the dangers lurking and now his throat will be slit to pay for some dime-a-dozen bandit’s next meal. His fate all along was to turn into a cautionary tale for future travelers. Who would've guessed?
The shadow senses his moment has come. He lunges, dagger aiming to kill and slashes--
The hand holding a dagger reaches out in front of Techno from behind, clearly aiming for his jugular. Quick as a whip, his hand wraps around the assaulter’s wrist before the blade even nicks his skin and he squeezes, nearly fracturing frail bones under his fingers. A sharp cry of pain is let out and the dagger falls with a gentle thump. Techno kicks it out of reach and without looking, throws his elbow back and hopes to hit where the assaulter’s face would be. Judging by another, louder cry of agony, he succeeds. The sound of someone falling on the ground follows. Only then, does Techno finally turn around to meet his attacker. Think fast, react faster, as he always likes to say.
The boy, now sitting on his ass on the ground looking quite worse for wear, had been following Techno around for the better half of the day. Clearly, the boy had assumed he had gone unnoticed and had even started getting sloppy around the half day mark, snapping branches and rustling the leaves. Techno would’ve had some pointers to give on shadowing someone, if only he hadn’t just, pathetically, attempted to kill him. How were these amateur bandits still making a living nowadays?
Another question that had plagued Techno’s mind (and the several other minds that seemed to inhabit his brain) was in relation to the boy’s absolute nerve of daring to attack him. Granted, not everyone would recognise the insignia on his sword’s hilt or the order his jewels were braided in: rubies, followed by orange and yellow topaz, exclusive to the Technoblade. But you’d think his hair would be the dead giveaway not to mess with him. Perhaps, the boy had been living under a rock for his entire life (and looking at him, a disgusting one at that). Perhaps, his prestige had rusted over the last decades. Perhaps, it was time to ransack a few cities to remind them.
But then again, maybe not. Techno is so terribly tired these days.
The boy is stumbling to get up, wiping the blood streaming from his nose. Techno had definitely landed his mark. He didn’t feel too threatened by this beat up bandit but he was curious to see how he would proceed. The boy looks him up and down, measuring him up. Having clearly lost his mind, he makes a desperate lunge past Techno to get his dagger from under the leaves where Techno had kicked it. He does manage to reach it but before he has a chance to get up, Techno unsheaths his sword and points the tip firmly at the back of his neck. Feeling the steel on his skin, the bandit lets out a defeated sigh.
They suffer the silence for a while, Techno waiting for the defeated to start pleading for his life. That would be a reasonable reaction to being threatened with a shortsword, after all. Instead, he lays there on top of the leaves, gripping his dagger and letting the Fates decide for him.
“Do you actually want to die? You’re feeling a bit pliant right now.” Techno surrenders.
The boy can’t meet his eyes from his position but replies with a steady voice. “I did try to kill you. Eye for an eye, isn’t it? If I have to die here then so be it.”
Techno thinks on this. “Noble words for a small-time forest bandit.” He pulls back his sword to rest by his side. “Still, you shouldn’t hold your life to such little value.”
The boy glances at the sword and realizing he’s free, scrambles to his feet. Leaves stick to his skin worse than before, glued to the blood and mud. He puts on a brave face but his eyes reveal he’s more shaken than he looks. Knuckles white, he moves the dagger in front of him.
Techno shakes his head slightly. “We’ll end up with the exact same results if you decide to try anything again so I’d think twice, maybe even thrice before going for it.”
The boy does not relent. “What do you want, then? If you leave, I’ll just follow you and steal your stuff in your sleep. Can’t stay forever awake, can you?” Shameless admission. This boy really doesn’t know an ounce about deception, Techno thinks. Or he’s past the point of caring.
With the boy standing in front of him, doing his best to look like a threat instead of a forest troll with a broken nose, Techno can’t help but be amused. A course of action starts to map out. He’s not a threat in the slightest. And Techno has been traveling alone for so long.
Too long but for good reason. It’s always the same reason, too. Would one night of human interaction be so awful? It might not even work out if the boy doesn’t agree. He’s made more high-risk offers before than this. Screw it.
“I’ll clean you up and give a few tips on tailing people if you agree to not attack me. Not that you’re much of a threat even if you did.”
It’s ways off of what the boy was expecting Techno to say, that much is visible.
“Would be easier to kill me.” He attempts, voice less certain than before.
Techno holds back a frown. Who is this boy to be so intent on dying? Another person to not realize the preciousness of mortality. Techno decides he doesn’t actually care for the boy’s opinion on the matter anymore and moves to grab him by his forearm.
“Sorry to disappoint you kid but you’re not dying in this miserable forest today. C’mon we’ll find a place to get a fire going.”
Techno starts stubbornly dragging him along. Maybe the long years have made him a bit self-absorbed and intent on getting his way. The boy stumbles along in a daze, still taken off-guard by the sudden turn of events.
“You might get one of these for your troubles if you keep an old man company.” Techno encourages and taps one of the shiny stones braided in his hair.
It serves its purpose and the boy tears his arm away from Techno’s grip but keeps following, now with a curious glint in his eye.
And so Techno ends up bribing a petty little thief for company. He’s had worse ideas, he assures himself. They carry on through the Red Woods in silence.
Night had settled with finality when Techno at last decided on a suitable spot to start a fire. It’s a small clearing, with lilac heathers covering a large portion of the ground. The trees seem to close in on them from all sides. After gathering kindling from the surrounding woods and setting suitable stones in a ring, a fire is ready to be started. All it takes is the strike of a match.
Now, he sits close to the flames, occasionally tending to them with a long stick he picked up while walking. The heat on his face is just beyond comfortable.
The boy sits a few paces away on the ground, occasionally stealing glances at Techno. He holds his hands out to keep them warm. His face still looks like a mess and Techno reminds himself to give him a water flask for cleaning and to set his nose, which currently sits slightly crooked from Techno’s attack.
They had walked for what Techno estimated to be two hours in companionable silence. Or at least that’s how Techno chose to interpret it. The boy hadn’t questioned him at all after his initial outburst and followed Techno obediently, not once going for his dagger. Technno had spent most of their walk looking over his shoulder while trying to decipher whether the boy’s hair was actually dirty blonde or just dirty.
Determining that the fire will keep itself going for a while, Techno starts to dig through his bag of meager belongings for a flask. The boy watches his movement warily. He digs the item out and hands it over to the boy, motioning that he should use the water to wash his face. The boy nods once, a thank you, and starts emptying the flask to clean himself up, rubbing furiously at leftover mud and grime.
While the boy is focused on the task at hand, Techno decides to attempt to start up a conversation, once again. He had helped the boy in hopes of company after all.
“You have a name, kid? What are you doing in the woods alone?”
The boy frowns but indulges him, avoiding the second question. “Dream.”
Techno scoffs. “You had to come up with that yourself. How very egotistical.”
Dream doesn’t confirm nor deny. “I’d prefer calling it idealistic.” He gives Techno a smug grin.
Dream never asks for Techno’s name, he notices.
Ignoring the leaves still sticking out of Dream’s hair, Techno is finally able to properly inspect his face. He’s managed to rub away the dirt, showcasing light freckles across his cheeks and hazel eyes under his fringe. A youth, too young to be surviving in the woods by himself.
“Let me set your nose,” Techno says, gesturing to his face. Dream draws back at the words but his hand seems to unwillingly move up to touch the broken angle.
“You didn’t have to hit me that hard in the first place,” he grumbles.
“If you want it to heal crooked, that’s none of my business.” Techno raises his hands in mock defeat. “Not to mention, you attacked me in the first place, moron. Did I hit your head as well or is your memory just conveniently selective?”
The pair glare at each other for moments more before Dream finally gives in. “Have at it if you’re so sure you’re capable.” His words are mocking, an attempt to hide anxiety for the pain to come.
Techno moves to kneel in front of Dream who shuffles backwards on his pathetic rock to make space. Gingerly Techno places his hands on both sides of his broken nose. Dream is sitting frozen, back stiff as a sword.
A wave of empathy washes over Techno and he finds that a small part of him wishes to offer the boy at least a speck of comfort. He isn’t sure he’s fond of the feeling. “On the count of three, okay? It’ll be over in seconds.”
Dream huffs in response. “I’m not some baby, I’ll handle it!” But Techno is already counting down.
“Three...two…” Before he reaches the end, Techno snaps Dream’s nose cleanly back in place, which elicits a startled yelp from him. He pushes Techno away and cradles his face.
“Liar.” Dream has become a master of throwing daggers at Techno.
Techno is unfazed under his glaring eyes. “Learn to expect the unexpected, there’s a lesson for you. Works better like this.” He shrugs unapologetically.
Dream is petty enough not to offer one word of gratitude but Techno can see he’s pleased with the way he keeps running his fingertip along the bridge of his nose. It won’t heal perfectly but it’s better than nothing. Techno doesn’t really mind the lack of thank yous. He hadn’t gotten this far by expecting everyone around him to hail commendations at his feet. Rather, the opposite was more familiar, curses chasing him out of ruined villages and castles for decades on end.
After Dream’s had enough of admiring Techno’s emergency doctoring, he seems to gain enough courage to bring up his real motivator for following Techno.
“Got any better lessons? How did you notice I was tracking you? No one’s ever spotted me before. And how did you react so fast when I attacked you?”
What a naive kid he was. Techno manages to hold in his amusement but somewhere in the depths of his brain the voices are definitely laughing. “Really? With the amount of racket you were making I’m surprised you can even hear your own thoughts.”
Dream blanches. “Huh? But you never even turned around!”
“Ever heard of deception? It’s a little something useful in your line of work, I’d assume. The people who travel through these woods can’t be the brightest if they’ve been robbed by you.”
Dream crosses his arm and huffs in frustration. “What the hell is wrong with you? So rude to someone you just met!”
“Again, a reminder. Very slowly so you’ll understand. You,” A point to Dream. “Robbing.” A point to Dream’s dagger. “Me.” A point to Techno himself. “I feel like you’ve lost all your complaining rights.”
Dream flips him off. Techno suppresses a smile. The kid has some attitude, that’s for sure.
There’s something Techno’s been wondering for a while now. “Do I seem familiar to you at all? Normally, sane people avoid me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you supposed to be some big name bad guy? Upset I don’t know you?” Dream has a ridiculous grin, like he’s won the grand fair prize.
“Well, I didn’t exactly say that.”
Dream is already rolling with it. “Oh, I’m so sorry for knocking you off your high horse. Big warrior feels sad I didn’t recognise him. Looks like your fame has failed you!”
“I’m not taking this slander from a forest troll.”
“What? What? I’m not some goddamn tree creature!” Dream tosses his hands in mock outrage.
Techno is starting to thrive off this: annoying Dream and watch his amusing reactions. Do not be fooled, Techno will always prefer being on his own but sometimes, and only sometimes, a little company can be good for him.
Dream huffs and puffs a while to make his annoyance clear to Techno before speaking up again. There’s a curiosity behind his eyes, waiting to be quenched.
“If you’re really that famous, what’s your name then?”
Techno doesn’t think it’ll make much of a difference with this oblivious kid so where’s the harm in giving it? “Technoblade.”
“Okay? Weirdo. I’ll just call you Techno, instead.”
Techno wonders if he should be offended. But somehow the immediate acceptance of his nickname without Techno himself mentioning it makes him pleasantly surprised.
“Suit yourself.”
“Next question: Why’d you call yourself an old man, earlier? You hardly seem that much older than me.”
This makes Techno pause. The voices in his head seem to quiet down and listen, too. Uh-oh, someone’s caught you, they mock. Techno tells them to shut up.
Age is likely Techno’s least favorite topic. He’ll either have to lie, which he’s never too fond of or he’ll have to offer a complicated truth, which really shouldn’t be passed around easily as candy to children. Not that the myths surrounding wouldn’t basically already cover the truth. The significant parts, at least.
Is Dream someone Techno should lie to? He inspects him and his sharp eyes. Despite him mocking Dream, he has to admit there’s steady intelligence hidden somewhere under all that pomp. Somehow, Techno can’t help but want to be honest with this odd boy from the woods. But not too honest.
“I’ve just lived a very long time. And spells can help you look young.”
There’s a glint in Dream’s eyes. Like he knows he has caught Techno admitting something. “Didn’t pin you for someone vain. So you’re not immortal, then?”
Oh.
So Techno was right: Dream was smarter than he presented.
“Well, that’s not entirely correct…” Techno reluctantly admits.
A victory smile. “Oh my Gods you are, you-!”
Techno abruptly stands up and brushes dust off his pants. He motions for Dream to stop talking. “That’s enough about that. C’mon, I’ll teach you some basic self-defense since you asked for lessons.”
Dream obediently shuts up, distracted by the opportunity to learn from the man who bested him. They move further away from a fire, trampling heathers as they go. Techno motions for Dream to stop in front of him.
“I’ll show how you should’ve defended against me earlier today. The next traveler you try to rob won’t know what’s coming for them.”
“You know, teaching a thief how to better mug people is probably immoral to most.”
“You don’t say? Well, it’s not going to be the biggest immorality I’ve committed so I think we’re fine.” Techno shrugs, nonchalant. “Technically I’m doing a good deed since I’m trying to help some little boy survive so he won’t get beaten up next time.”
“Hey!” Dream’s frowning again, quick as ever to raise to bait. Techno clearly needs to make fun of people more often if it’s this entertaining.
They replicate their earlier positions, back from when Dream had tried to attack Techno: Dream standing behind Techno, with his dagger hovering in front of his throat. Techno starts going through the fight again.
“First, I got you to drop your dagger.” He gently squeezes the wrist holding the weapon to urge Dream to repeat the action. The dagger clatters to the ground once more. “See, already here I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity for that, had you been properly quiet while approaching.” Dream hums in acknowledgement.
“Next, I threw my elbow back. This is quite easy to block if you’re just aware of your target’s movement. Bring your left hand up.”
Techno jerks his elbow back, aiming for Dream’s face but this time Dream manages to catch him as instructed.
“Good.” Dream looks proud of succeeding. “Now let’s go through follow-up scenarios.”
They practice for a long while, only pausing when Techno goes to add more kindling to the fire. Over and over Techno repeats similar positions and instructs Dream on appropriate reactions. At first, he tells Dream straight away what the best choices would be. After he’s gotten the hang of it, Techno starts asking Dream instead: what would he consider the best option?
Techno has never considered himself to be the best at teaching others, even if he’s had many occasions to try throughout his lifetime. Dream doesn’t seem to have complaints, though. Not that he’d even have the energy for such things, judging by his appearance. He’s breathing hard and new bruises are already forming on his forearms from points of contact. There’s tiny heather blossoms hidden in his hair from when Techno has made him fall over.
The final time Dream is thrown on the ground, he just decides to stay there and stretches his limbs out amongst the purple flowers. He looks exhausted and they’re both sweating from all the repetition.
“I think that’s enough for today,” Techno concludes and joins Dream on the ground, sitting down cross legged. Neither is eager to return to the fire’s burning heat. Dream lets out a satisfied sigh and curls his lips into a smile.
“That was fun. Even if I got beat up. Body and ego both.”
Techno chuckles at that. “Good to hear. Maybe some of that will be of use in the future.” Techno pauses, contemplating on whether the kid deserves an ego boost. Well, why not? Credit given where credit is due, isn’t it?
“You even surprised me a little. You’ve got a lot of potential to be a strong fighter.”
The effect of praise is instantaneous. Dream bounces up before the remark has the chance to properly settle in the air. “Really? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?” Techno nods, assuring Dream.
Everything about Dream seems to remind Techno of his youth and of his own years long lived. Like now, when he’s smiling starry eyed, closer to a young puppy than a human boy. Techno’s heart bleeds memories of a time past.
Dream has started yanking heathers up by their stems and is apparently tying them into a…knot?
“What have those poor flowers ever done to you?”
Dream rolls his eyes but continues his detailed work unfazed. “I’m paying you back.”
“I know you live in the forest without a house but in the outside world flowers really aren't an applicable currency, you know. A little tip for you.”
“Shut up and let me work in peace!”
Techno throws his hands up in mock surrender but refrains from bullying Dream any further. Instead, he sits back on his hands and inspects the stars splayed across the night sky. Autumn constellations are taking over as summer makes way to its sister season. It’s a terribly familiar sight.
Dream only speaks up once during his work. “I don’t actually live in the forest, okay? I do have a home.”
“Yeah, yeah. Won’t believe it till I see it.”
“You’re an idiot.”
Techno has already closed his eyes and is on the verge of dozing off right there in the middle of the field when a whoop of victory tears the blanket of peace that has settled over them.
“It’s done!”
Techno warily blinks open his other eye and sees Dream already approaching him with something lilac held carefully between his hands. Not one to ask for permission, he reaches over and settles it gently on Techno’s head. He sits back on his heel and smugly admires his handiwork.
Techno’s hands reaches up to touch it. He carefully traces the ringlet and is overtaken by strange fondness. “You made me a flower crown?”
“Yeah! You like it?” Dream sounds so proud that Techno can’t help but appreciate it just that bit more.
“I do. Very warrior-like. Sure to make my enemies shiver in fear.”
“Thought you could use a little softening around the edges.” Dream stands up and brushes fallen flower bits off his pants. “I’m getting cold, let’s go back.”
They make their way back to the fire and settle down. Dream’s yawns and looks to be on the verge of passing out.
“You can sleep if you want to, Dream.”
“But you’ll stay up?” Techno nods. Sleep has never come easy to him. The voices rarely were eager for rest. “I’ll just stay up with you.”
“Go ahead.”
Dream stifles another yawn and sharply slaps himself on the cheek. Poor kid’s fighting for his life trying to stay up, Techno muses.
They both sink into their own thoughts and it’s peaceful again. Every now and then, Techno checks his hair to make sure the wreath is still positioned well. Not for the first time, he wishes he had the power to make other living things last as long as he will. The flowers would be a nice memory to keep of the odd boy he once met in the woods.
“Techno, I want to become immortal.”
Techno swears his forever-beating heart stops for just a moment. His head whips up to stare at Dream. He’s wearing a seemingly innocent expression as if his words didn’t just throw Techno centuries back, to a life in which he, too, thought he wanted the exact same thing. Having achieved it… No one else should have to suffer the same faith.
“Don’t say that. Even as a joke, don’t say that.” His voice is stern, no room from objections.
Dream doesn’t seem to agree. “It’s not a joke. It’s something I’ve always wanted.”
“You’re decades too early to know what you want from life but I guarantee you, it is not immortality.”
Dream is deaf to anything else but what he wants to hear. “How do you become immortal? Tell me, what does it matter to you if I know?”
Techno shouldn’t say it. Shouldn't give the tiniest hint to help Dream.
You’ve been alone for so long. Don’t you want some company? Someone who won’t wither away in the beat of an immortal’s heart. Tell him.
But Techno shouldn't. He himself wishes he had never found out.
Techno is so tired of being alone. And here is a starry eyed kid he might ruin.
Tell him.
Maybe the truth would discourage Dream? Better to uproot his dreams before they gain a steadier place in his heart. Immortality was rarely easy to achieve and never worth it in the end.
And Techno remembers: the Blood God bleeding out on wet cavern stones, a beast slain by Techno’s sword. The color draining from it’s body and seeping into Techno’s hair. The sudden voices invading his brain, begging him for Blood for the Blood God, Blood for the Blood God.
Tell him!
Techno does.
“You have to slay a God.”
A spark lights up in Dream’s eyes and Techno knows he’s ruined everything. As if a near impossible task would be something to deter someone like Dream. Techno knows that. Dream reminds him so much of himself in the days before, when he still thought greed alone would make eternity worthwhile. It didn’t.
“Dream, you don’t actually-”
Dream stretches in an almost theatrical fashion and yawns bigger than before. “Good chat, I think I’ll take up that offer on sleep now.” Without another word he lays curls up next to the fire and turns his back to Techno. So much for trying to talk sense into him.
“I don’t know you Dream so you have no incentive to listen to me. But if there’s one lesson I wish you’d still remember after today it’s this: only fools chase after Gods. Let them roam in peace.”
No indication of Techno’s words being heard or listened to.
Well then. “Goodnight.”
Techno tends to the fire for the rest of the night. Dream doesn’t stir once.
Techno is busy packing up the few things he has and extinguishing the fire, when Dream finally decides to wake up. He blinks up at Techno blearily. Clearly, he’s been awfully comfortable the whole night. That’s a lot of trust to put into someone you only met the previous day. Techno wonders if he should feel honored by this. Maybe Dream’s just stupid.
“You’re leaving?” Dream’s voice is raspy from sleep.
“I am. I think I’m a bad influence on you.”
This seems to amuse Dream. “Techno, I’d still want to become immortal even if I hadn’t met you.”
“You’re that more of a fool because of it. Quit entertaining the thought.”
“No.”
“And that is why we’re going separate ways from this point onwards.”
“Maybe you’re just afraid of getting close to a mortal like me.”
Dream’s words pierce Techno’s mind. Sharp as a whip and yet Dream insists on chasing a futile goal. Quite the paradox.
“So you are aware of the complications that come with existing for eternity and you still carry on with this. Why?”
Dream averts his gaze. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Actually, I’m afraid I’d understand a bit too well.”
They meet stares but eventually Dream gives up. “Whatever. If I ever see you again, I’ll be sure to be so strong that I can kick your ass.”
Techno huffs.“Heh? Listen kid, you’re one hundred years too early if you think you can kill the Blood God.”
Dream blinks, momentarily caught off guard. “You’re a God?”
A body left on the stones to rot. Hair strands pink from the God's blood. It paints the ground, his hands, his sword red. Blood for the Blood God. Why had he said that?
“I’m not.”
A slow grin spreads on Dream’s face. Suddenly, Techno feels like he’s looking into the future: this boy standing in front of him, this time as a challenger, a force to be reckoned with. He shivers.
“I will be.”
Regret is the only steady companion Techno has. He’ll join us soon.
That’s what Techno is afraid of.
“Well, Dream I think this is where our ways part. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?”
Feigned innocence. “I can’t promise that.”
Techno shakes his head and secures his flower crown in place one last time. “You’re a menace. Bye, kid. Thanks for the flowers”
“Bye Techno. See you around”
Techno heads off back into the woods. His travels continue in solitude as they always do. He spares a final glance at Dream who gives him a little wave when he notices him looking. Techno disappears into the trees to continue his trek through the Badlands.
Dream hopes one day he will meet Techno again, this time on equal standing, both as immortal warriors. Techno hopes they never meet again.