The Adventures of Skadi, Eric, Fayt and Ashe.

[HaloHeroWolf118]

"Did you really have to start a fight with the captain of the Guards?" Fayt asked his companion the young Cleric wore the robes of his station adorned with the symbols of his Goddess. His dark blue grey flecked eyes couldn't see far ahead of him as he walked up the dank dungeon stairs away from their cell in which an unconscious guard laid stripped of Keys, sword and Dignity as the guards had seen fit to strip his companion down to the skin so he had taken all the clothes from the Guard. "We wouldn't even be down here if you had just left well enough alone Eric." the Cleric continued till the fighter stopped and Fayt could almost feel glare that Eric was giving him. Fayt decided not to push the subject and walked silently up the stairs till they came to a hall lined with cells.

In the Light of the Torches Fayt could make Eric out the black haired Barbarian was not a hulking brute but he was still well built. He stood over Fay by at least a foot or more as Fayt stood at a mere 5'4, his hair was a platinum blonde.

Eric had been traveling with Fayt for only a year and it felt like a hundred the Cleric was always getting them into trouble and then complained on how Eric got them out of it. Eric ran a hand through his shaggy mop of black hair which did not match the red stubble on his face. He stood at 6'4 and his emerald green and gold flecked eyes had a piercing quality to them. "Let's hope we don't run into any guards." he said he didn't want to fight the whole city guard. They passed many empty cells so when they came across one that was occupied by a young man his manacles were had glowing symbols on them. "Ha. Told you they had those kind of Manacles in a dungeon like this." Eric said as he paused to peer in.

 

[Ahnkuri]

Skadi Blume wasn't the kind to get caught doing anything untoward. Well, not for long anyway.. The quick-witted platinum blonde wasn't one to sit around and wait for a ball and chain to be latched around his ankle, but this time had been different. Fuckers hit him with something from behind. How he hadn't noticed the footsteps was beyond his recollection, as were many of the events that led to him being placed in this decrepit dungeon. His cell mate was dead, throat slit fresh and bright red after the poor fool pulled a move on the barely-clothed rogue. Skadi couldn't be bothered with the various sexually transmitted diseases in this filthy place, and definitely couldn't give someone so vile the time of day. Now, if his cell mate had just been a bit more attractive and a little less beastly they would've had plenty to do to kill the time. He fondled the iron bars, covered in rust. He coughed a few times before something fell from his lips. Having no gag reflex had become useful for more than one thing. He picked up a leather-bound, thin dagger, tossing off the sheath and beginning to saw it along the rusty bars. He wouldn't be out of here soon, but he could only hope this dagger would pull through before he starved to death.

Ashe Volte was in another cell farther down the row-- much too far to hear any of the clanging of the metal bars as a dagger ran over them repeatedly. The sandy blonde glanced down at his magic-resistant confines, a sigh passing through his lips as he recollected the events that led him here. One moment he felt fire seeping through the pores in his hand, and the next he'd started a forest fire nearest the imperial palace. It wasn't long before guards came along, and he surrendered quietly. They were violent anyway, as exhibited by the bruises on his ribcage and a bump buried beneath his disheveled hair. No, he'd never been in any position like this before.. Fortunately, he didn't have a cell mate to deal with. He didn't know how he'd fight off anyone with ill-intent with these manacles. He pushed his face against the bars, closing his eyes. He shouldn't have been near the palace to begin with. Why was he there? Why was he playing with his newfound abilities so close to the capitol? He knew it was wrong.. so why? Was he attracted to danger? He shook his head. Ridiculous. A smile on his lips, he laughed faintly. As horrible at being locked away was, maybe this was for the best. He couldn't hurt anyone in a destructive blaze when he was decaying in an underground dungeon. Optimism was a fine strategy, wasn't it? "Footsteps?" His eyes popped open and his mouth dropped. Hope filled his lungs as his breath became light again. Two males, a warrior and a cleric. What were they doing in a dungeon like this? At least the guards had been kind enough to dress him in a loincloth.. Meeting people in the nude was way out of his comfort zone. Then again, meeting people in a dungeon was too. He stood up, gripping the bars. "Why are you here?" He inquired, trying to kill off his hopes-- they were way too high, and these two probably had a valid excuse to be wandering about.

 

[HaloHeroWolf118]

Eric looked at the prisoner and shrugged his shoulders, "The Guards asked us to come visit but I got bored and now we're leaving." he answered before Fayt could respond. "Also your very lucky as we might need those Manacles your wearing." he added and handed Fayt the keys to the cells, "Get them at least I'll be spared one annoyance for a moment." he said as he strolled further along the row of cells. As Fayt worked to figure out which key opened the cell he grumbled about Eric and his bull headed attitude. Eric was already well away from them and was already homing in on a noise coming from another cell. He closed in on the cell and saw a blonde haired man sawing away at his cell rusty bars, he had to admit this prisoner was a little attractive to him.

Fayt found the right key by the time Eric had disappeared further down the row and now he was trying every key to find one that fit the manacles. "So why were you put here?" he asked the mage as he tested key after key barely catching curses as each failed. By appearance Fayt was only two years older than the mage in the cell.

Eric reached the cell of the blonde haired prisoner before he spoke, "So trying to saw your way out." he said looking at the prisoner. He was dressed as a Guard so he supposed the prisoner would think he was one, "I have to admit your better looking than that poor bastard." he said pointing at the dead cell mate. Eric just stood their with a smug smile on his face and barely concealed lust in his eyes he had to take in the Prisoner and found he wouldn't mind having him warming his blankets but that was just a thought. For now he just wanted to see if he had time to get a something good out of having been thrown in a dungeon because a cleric thought a guard seizing unfair taxes warranted action, "I could be persuaded to let you out..." he dropped the last bit off as it didn't need to be said.

 

[Ahnkuri]

The smile stayed pinned to Ashe's lips despite the older-looking man's utter indifference toward him. It was nice to have contact with people who didn't seem like robots programmed by the royals, beaten into obedience and brainwashed into believing they deserved every bruise like everyone else. As the cleric worked on the keys, he watched idly, moving closer to the lock instinctively. He held out his arms once the cell was opened, waiting for the other boy to figure out which key could set his hands free and render his magic usable again. He closed his eyes as a state of tranquility set in... was liberty finally upon him? Could the criminal act really suffer such limited consequences as this? He felt like he deserved more. He caused so much damage, after all. He smiled more widely when the cleric spoke, asking him why he was thrown in a dungeon. "An accidental forest fire, although I don't think the imperial guards saw it that way." He laughed.

Skadi's wrists were already getting a little tired. He paused when he heard footsteps, almost tempted to put the dagger out of sight.. A guard? Something was off. No, this wasn't a guard. Why was he dressed as one? "You don't have to tell me that." He smirked. So the other male wasn't a guard.. but he was attractive. Nicely built and with such an enticing face, especially those eyes. "But don't pity him too much. He deserved his fate. I, on the other hand, do not deserve this." He continued sawing at the bars that contained him, a sigh breezing against the rusty metal. When the last statement was uttered from the man, Skadi nearly dropped his dagger. He gathered his resolve, sheathing it and slipping it in the side of his one prison garment.. a ridiculous loincloth. Not appealing in the least. "...persuaded, huh?" The blonde seemed intrigued by the word, but moreso the intentions that were implied behind it. "Say the word and it's done... anything for a helping hand." His teeth dragged along his lower lip as he pressed up against the bars.

 

[HaloHeroWolf118]

Eric smiled getting tossed in here might be worth it, "I've got the keys and two requests, First is that you appear to have some Rogue talents and we won't always have the keys so we need someone with your talents to help us should we lose the keys." he said as he approached the bars of the cell. "The second is I don't know how much time we got before my friends done grabbing some other things so how about a blow job?" he finished as he came right to the bars. He had dropped trying to play the guard because one it was a turn off and secondly he didn't want to beat around the bush. He looked right into the prisoner's eyes as he stood only a foot away from the bars.

Fayt just shook his head, "The empire seem not to care for many things." he said as he finally found the key. "If you want to make amends for the damage we could use help on this mission." Fayt said as he hanged the manacles over his shoulder and removed their key from the ring of keys. "Now where did Eric go." he grumbled as he started toward the general direction that Eric had gone.

 

[Ahnkuri]

"I've got nowhere else to be, clearly. Running off with an attractive stranger never seemed wrong to me." He shrugged, accepting the first condition happily. When the second request was made, he glanced around. Empty cells all about, and a dead guy behind him. No witnesses.. good. Not that he minded being on display in front of a willing audience, but something told him that if he was caught blowing a man who appeared to be a guard in exchange for freedom, shit would hit the fan. And he could really live with never entering another dungeon again. Or, at least, not on this side of the bars. His light brown eyes seemed to darken as his eyelids narrowed, glancing at the stranger with a sense of anticipation. "I've a better idea." He remarked casually. "Get me the fuck out of this cell, and we can find somewhere without the smell of fresh corpse. Your friend won't find us until you're well satisfied, and I'll have quite a literal taste of freedom." Skadi's smirk was almost devilish, betraying his lack of morals. Still, who couldn't appreciate someone who'd do absolutely anything to get what he wanted?

"I don't know.." Ashe brushed a tendril of hair out of his face. It wasn't his right to comment on the royals, especially since this crime had been a complete accident. "A mission?" He massaged his newly freed wrists with a sigh of relief. "Of course. I'm indebted to you two anyway. I'm not sure how long I would've survived down here without the help." He nodded firmly, determination swimming in his pools of eyes. This was a fated encounter, he knew it. And these two strangers, whoever they were, would lead him someplace he needed to be. Maybe they would help him find his purpose, or maybe their mission was his ultimate purpose. A destined rendezvous in a dungeon.. He realized he'd been zoning out, glancing at the cleric, who was already a few steps ahead. He caught up in a rush before slowing down at his side, not wanting to let his new purpose slip through his fingers.

 

[HaloHeroWolf118]

Eric sighed, "Fine though we may not have time." he said as he heard a pair of footsteps approaching. "Found us a rogue get him out." he told Fayt as he appeared followed by the mage who it seemed had agreed to come along. Fayt looked from Eric to the Rogue and shook his head, "Why do we need a Rogue?" Fayt asked he had looked at the Rogue and then at Eric, "He can't be very good if he got caught." he added even under Eric's glare. "Look we have mage now and I for one don't feel like alerting our enemies that we're inside till we're cutting them down, now can this mage pick locks and disarm traps? No. Then get the rogue out while I stand watch." Eric said his tone was one that Fayt had seen what happened to the guy who didn't listen. Fayt stepped up to the Bars and began testing keys he found the one to the Rogues cell quickly all the while he kept his eyes on what he was doing though he couldn't help but glance at the Rogue and his lack of clothes.

Eric left while Fayt undid the lock on the cell and listened for any guards, once he heard the cell open he moved back toward them. "Coast seems clear, lets move." he said and began to lead them from the dungeon there was a guard room at the top of the steps where the guards kept the prisoners personal effects. Eric heard some of them talking about his sword and anger flared behind his eyes as he moved faster. Fayt was close behind and when he saw what Eric had planned he tried to stop him, "Wait..." but Eric was already barging into the room and the noise from inside made Fayt's stomach churn. One of the guards stumbled from the room begging for mercy only to have his skull split by the hatchet that had come spinning out of the door. Fayt looked like he was going to be sick as he watched the blood flow onto the stone. He swallowed and crept forward, Eric was pulling off the guard uniform and pulling on his own clothes all of their things were here.

"Did you really need to kill the last one?" Fayt asked looking pale green as he saw what had happened to the others, Eric didn't answer as he was now naked and focused on pulling on his original clothes. His body was well toned muscle and his armor was half plate the last thing to go on was his sword strapped to his back Eric would go to any lengths for his sword and it had caused it's own share of bloody problems though for Eric they weren't problems. "They were touching my sword." was all the explanation Eric gave once he was finished, "I guess these other clothes belong to rogue and mage." Eric finished as drew his sword the blade was as black as pitch and but otherwise no different from any sword. Fayt and Eric waited for the others to claim their things.

 

[Ahnkuri]

As the cleric and Ashe walked down the row, the sound of words could be made out. Yes, it was the voice of the warrior dressed as a guard from before, right? His reluctance to meet up with the indifferent man was suddenly overshadowed by curiosity. A rogue? He'd never encountered one before.. what were they like?

"Can't be very good?" Skadi flashed a smile at the young cleric. "In time you'll realize what a mistake you've made in underestimating my.. special talents."

Ashe blinked, analyzing the tone. It was somehow laced with innuendo. Was now a time to be fooling around? He shook his head, running a hand through his sandy blonde hair with a delicate sigh.

"My name's Skadi." He introduced himself before arching an eyebrow at the cleric. "There's plenty of time to stare once we're out of this place, don't you think?" Released from his cell, his grin widened. He stretched his arms and arched his back, cracking his neck and letting out a relieved breath. He looked at this so-called mage, though any magic was yet to be seen. He questioned their motives in bringing this one along. He didn't seem very powerful. Still, now wasn't a time to debate.

"Oh, I'm Ashe." He kept his eyes up. Lust wasn't really something he had the capacity for in such a decrepit place.

The pair of ex-prisoners followed their pair of saviors to where the guards had stashed their belongings before they'd been crudely ripped from their bodies. Ashe's response seemed to mimic the cleric's-- he looked away as blood appeared, his eyes shut tight. Skadi, on the other hand, seemed pretty indifferent. He walked in when he heard the last of the guards die off, hopping over the streams of blood and sifting through piles of garbage until he found his prized possessions. He picked up his dual daggers, each inscribed elegantly with a single word. The left, a practical silver dagger with perfect sharpness, read 'Attention' and the right, a curved, blood-red dagger resembling a sickle, read 'Obsession'. He set them on a wooden crate while he undid his loincloth and threw it to the side, glancing at his tight ass with a delightful smirk, donning a black silk thong and a black leather breastplate that only managed to cover the upper half of his torso before pulling on his skin-tight, matching pants and boots that laced up to his mid-knee. He picked up his daggers again and slipped them into two sheaths built internally into the pants, rubbing against his hipbones.

Ashe bit his lip, trying his best to ignore the soft moans coming from Skadi as he shifted his clothes on and got comfortable. Or maybe.. uncomfortable? That outfit didn't seem very practical.. then again, he didn't know any rogues. He shook his head, keeping his eyes peeled to the ceiling to avoid the streams of blood on the floor while trying not to step in the crimson mess. He found his things in a few minutes, glancing around to be sure no one was looking at him before he took off his loincloth, exposing his slender, slightly toned here and there body, and put his stuff on. A simple white cotton tank top, undergarments that looked more like old-fashioned bandages stretching from his hipbones to upper thighs, and baggy cotton pants. Efficient, average wear for the middle-class commoner. He smiled before realizing something was missing. "My amulet?" His eyes widened. "Wh-Where is it?!" He uttered, tossing garbage aside and searching through many crates, desperate.

Skadi spun around on his heel, helping the boy scan the room for the missing accessory before giving up. "They send most jewels to the blue-bloods. I hope it wasn't anything special." He shrugged, not really caring that much for this stranger's strife.

"Without it.. it'll be even harder to control.." He murmured to himself. When asked what he'd said, he threw his hands in the air and laughed. "Oh! It's nothing, really. A gift from my grandmother, that's all. Those jerks really shouldn't steal family heirlooms like that. Sorry for worrying you. Everything's fine." Ashe nodded, smiling. "I'm ready when you are."

 

[HaloHeroWolf118]

Eric had watched the rogue get dressed and had felt his cock stir for a brief moment though he also had spied the Mage dressing as well and it had caused the same reaction the Cleric on the other hand had blushed and turned away even though Eric knew his order weren't the ones who forbid sex. Eric went to stand at the door and watch for guards he heard no noise and once they were ready to go he stepped out of the room. Fayt had felt his own arousal stir when he caught site of the Rogue's clothing and although his order did not forbid sex he was still a virgin and had turned away to hide his blush, when Eric stepped out the door he followed he felt lucky not to have had to get dressed. He felt sorry for Ashe losing something like that.

Eric lead them up another long stair way his sword drawn the black blade did not seem to reflect the torch light which always made Fayt wonder about it. They came to a door at the top of the steps and Eric pressed his ear to it to listen for the muffled voices of guards. He heard nothing and opened the door it was the guards main hall and Eric spotted the door out. "There is the door lets go." he said and soon they were strolling through the city as if they hadn't just killed guards and escaped the prison. "We don't want to remain here they're bound to notice the dead guards thanks to you." Fayt said to Eric once they were well away from the Guards Barracks.

Eric sighed heavily it was tempting to beat the little Cleric but he resisted, "Right into that hay wagon and no sparks Ashe." he said as he dropped behind a hay wagon that was headed for the gate. He helped Fayt into it and waited for the others. He hid under the straw and grumbled at how it scratched him though he was happy it wasn't anything else.

 

[Ahnkuri]

Skadi rarely was as silent as he was following them out of the filthy dungeon. He was lost in thought. He didn't know what these people were thinking, bringing him along. He'd definitely more of a hindrance than a help. Rogues often were, but not so much as he was. He idly scoped the area looking for anything but the hay wagon to hitch a ride on, letting out a sigh when he came up short. He hopped onto the wagon and eyed Ashe, who had to use all four limbs just to make it up. He let a smirk reach his lips. This might be entertaining, if he stayed long enough to enjoy it.

"S-sparks?" He shook his head wildly, looking all over before glancing at his hands. They were vacant of any bright lights or temperature rises. What a relief.. "Oh, no. Right. No sparks, got it. You had me worried.. I thought you were seeing something I wasn't." He rested his palms on his stomach beneath his shirt just in case anything happened. Fire magic was incredibly unstable, and now that he'd lost the only thing that gave him any fragment of control over his power he didn't know what to expect. Flames could amass at any time, anywhere, with anyone around.

Skadi narrowed his eyes. The mage didn't know when sparks were flying from his hands unless someone told him first? Definitely seemed suspicious. What kind of mage was this kid, and what made the other two think they could make use of him? Ashe definitely seemed to be worried about something, so Skadi let out a breath and shoved him into a pile of hay before following him in. He moved close to the boy and whispered almost sensually, a smile on his face to set irony to the words spoken. "Naive child.. If you set any one of us ablaze, I'll eviscerate you in a heartbeat." He ran a hand down Ashe's cheek. "Understand me? Nod." The mage obeyed, eyes wide and body trembling. Skadi backed away, now closer to the warrior and his cleric companion. "How far I've fallen to end up covered in hay, the filth of a dungeon on my skin." He laughed faintly.

Ashe kept to himself after Skadi's threat, considering how worse off he would've been had he not ditched his former self. He would've had a breakdown. Flames everywhere. At least he had this ounce of control now.. As Ashe. Emil was dead. Emil had to be dead. He nodded. The only way he'd be able to control his magic now was through pure resolve and willpower. Being emotional would literally destroy everything around him. He glanced at the three strangers in the wagon with him. Who were these people?

Skadi's hand somehow found Eric's, and he murmured a sweet sigh. "You're quite warm. I can almost hear your heartbeat. You're not sick, are you?" He moved closer, keeping his voice low. But to anyone looking after the wagon, it seemed the lumps of hay were moving on their own. He chuckled at the thought, keeping still now. He wouldn't be the reason they got caught.

 

[HaloHeroWolf118]

Eric gave Skadi a raised eyebrow before he answered, "No." was all he said before looking at Fayt. "Why do you think Clerics exist?" he said to Skadi as if it were obvious Clerics made their living curing diseases which was how Brothels remained in business and Men could find street walkers just as welcoming. The question had drawn Fayt's attention but the young cleric said nothing as they were to close to the gates now, they passed through with no one seeing them once they were a few miles away from the city Eric revealed them telling the farmer to take them to Kor woods. The frightened man did as he was told and the rest of the trip was spent on top of the hay and not under it, "I suppose I should tell you what you might be in for by coming with us." Fayt said as he pulled straw from his platinum hair and off his clothes.

"I was charged with destroying a series of dangerous and powerful items from the what used to be the strong hold of a Sorcerer. His research into the demonic plains allowed him to fill artifacts with the infernal power to use as summoning devices, a group of powerful cleric and fighters killed him before he could use them however that was only part of his collection. We're going to destroy the rest." Fayt finished his explanation.

"Which mean our mage here get to have all the fun." Eric grumbled though he seemed more proud than annoyed.

They reached the wood around sunset and Eric sent the farmer on his way, "We should have kept the wagon and horses." Eric said he and Fayt having argued the subject. "We're not getting far till morning so we'll bed here, I'll take first watch then Ashe, and Fayt." he finished ignoring Fayt's defense of his choice.

 

[Ahnkuri]

Skadi laughed, rolling his eyes at his own oblivious nature. He tended to avoid clerics.. well, the morally-inclined altogether, actually. "I've never found one necessary before, but I see your point." He shrugged, having escaped many a fatal blow at the last second to slip into the darkness. He wasn't a novice rogue, despite what they may have believed after finding him under a very rare circumstance as a prisoner. Skadi was happy now that he wasn't smothered beneath hay, but sitting atop it really wasn't the most comfortable either. Not that he was used to luxury.. But one could dream. He shook his head to dispel the straw and patted himself down, plucking any stray pieces from his minimal attire. His eyes widened at the cleric. "You have my attention captive. Go on."

Ashe didn't bother prissing over the pieces of straw that adorned him head to toe. They would fall off sooner or later. He had more vital things to consider, such as how he would manage to control his emotion so as not to set everything around him ablaze, or perhaps how to avoid talking to the rogue who seemed to know too much about his lack of prowess over his own magic. He caught himself glaring at the flirtatious blonde and shook his head to wash it away. Anger fueled fire magic more than anything. When the cleric and rogue exchanged a bit of dialogue, he didn't pay attention. Deep in thought, he had pretty much shut out all other noise. His glazed over eyes attained a more animated glimmer when the phrase 'our mage' was spoken by the warrior. Unfortunately, he was clueless as to what they were talking about. He smiled blankly, running a hand through his hair.

"Destroying things is a guilty pleasure of mine, though usually it's just bedposts. That doesn't seem too difficult, does it? So what if someone with lesser moral standards than our lovely crew finds an artifact first?" He seemed very into the idea, if only because destroying an enemy was way more exciting than destroying a simple item. They finally left the farmer to whatever destination he was bound for and Skadi could stretch his tense frame apart from the mounds of hay. When he heard the line-up of who would be watching for enemies or whatever else came in the cloak of night, his name was absent. Whatever. Less work to attend, right?

Second watch, huh? Ashe didn't know how he felt about that. Emil would've been petrified of being the only one awake in a dark forest, responsible for the safety of three sleeping travelling companions. But he was no longer a coward, and he had his newfound abilities to count on.. well, hopefully. His magic was the only reason they needed him, after all. This was his new purpose. And he couldn't be purposeless again. "Got it." He nodded, resolve burning in his eyes. He wouldn't let it fade.

 

[HaloHeroWolf118]

Fayt sat on the grass his legs crossed and closed his eyes concentrating on the Void to clear his mind even out in the wilderness Fayt maintained his ritual of meditating before sleep. Fayt was soon deep in his meditative state which distracted him from the gnawing in his stomach for food, Eric moved toward the wood and collected dead branches and tinder for a fire. He grabbed some stones and made a small ring before placing the wood and the tinder inside the small ring, "Ashe I need a spark." he said to the mage. He didn't feel like staring into darkness. Hunger was gnawing at Eric as well but he ignored it another hunger could be satisfied once the mage and Cleric were asleep.

 

[Ahnkuri]

It was time for him to show them what he could do. Proof that he was worth something. Proof that he was a mage worth having in their crew. He nodded once at the warrior before approaching the lump of dead branches. Simple magic like this didn't need some powerful amulet to control. He dragged his pointer finger along one of the branches and a steady, growing fire trailed behind it. He lifted his finger and dusted it against his pants before sitting outside of the small ring with a content expression on his face. The fire began eating the other branches, consuming them and raging larger until it became a suitable size. Something so destructive could be so very useful. He'd have to remember that.

Skadi was unimpressed. Something about that mage made him uneasy. So he could light a fire, great-- what about taking out enemies? Fire magic was meant to destroy, and he'd seen nothing to prove that the mage was worth keeping around for that purpose. Not that the rogue had displayed much of his own talents.. but he'd get to that. He had plenty of them, after all.

 

[HaloHeroWolf118]

((Sorry for the Long wait been scraping some money together for Assassin's Creed 3 and Halo 4))

Eric tossed some more dead branches onto the fire and walked out into the deepening shadows that now surrounded the camp save for the small circle of light the fire created. Eric found a spot and waited watching the road in case the guards came after them. Fayt finished his meditation and laid down to sleep as close to the fire as he could get without singing his clothes as a cold wind began to blow through the trees. Out in the woods wolves began to howl some were closer while the majority were far off, Eric was listening to them in case they drew closer but they were moving off. The hours passed by slowly and Eric found himself hoping the wizard would fall asleep soon so he could have some fun with Skadi.