Post by mina on Jul 2, 2020 9:03:21 GMT
When the moon is in Aquarian Eighth House ...
Northern Germany 1988
That night Vladimir slept restlessly, it was as if a quiet voice spoke to him steadily. The whisper of an old familiar voice, long forgotten…. Vladimir started up in his sleep, gasped, it was impossible to think of falling asleep. He crept quietly out of his room, his foster parents were sleeping soundly, so that they did not even notice how he went outside.
It was night, the air was fresh and a cool wind was blowing.
Vladimir took a breath. He hoped that the fresh night air would help him clear his head, either banish that voice from his head or arrange it where he knew it.
With a sigh, he went down the path. Lately everything has been so confused in his head. His foster parents were getting very old, he was worried about them and didn't want to let them down until their last day, no matter what Jutta and Frank said he was too small to take care of them!
What should he do? Then there was that voice in his head that had been getting louder lately and had reached its climax tonight.
Vladimir raised his head and looked up at the sky, the clouds moved away, revealing the moon ... the full moon!
Vladimir winced. WHAT? He heard the conjuring voice in his head again. How did he know her and what did she have to do with the full moon?
He felt his heart beat faster ... it couldn't be ... it just couldn't be!
For a split second, he saw himself sitting as a little chick with an old vulture leaning over old papers.
"You Vladimir, I can bring your father back when he stands in the moon in Aquarian's Eighth House ..."
This time Vladimir really jumped. He rubbed his hair and ran home. He was in such a hurry to get back into the house that he slammed the door behind him, but that his foster parents had become quite deaf didn't hear this. Vladimir jumped onto the bed and trembled, pulling his legs up to his body to hold them tight.
His father! his father was back! after all this years?
But did he even want to go back to this one? He, Vladimir, had changed, he had become "tame". He didn't feel like chasing mortals. The very thought disgusted him! He just wanted to live in peace with them! like here where he now lived.
This had become his home! Here in northern Germany and not in a distant mountain in old castle. That was so long ago ... it was no longer his world!
And anyway ... he thought of the political situation in his former home.
And this looked anything but good. The country was battered by a cruel dictator. Everything he heard about it made him shiver. Did he ever have a chance to get home? And anyway, even if he did, he didn't want to be drawn into mortal politics a second time.
One time it was enough! He didn't want to be abused for anything just because he was a vampire!
Vladimir shook his head. NO! no matter if his father was back or not. He didn't want to go back. It was just too late for that ... too late to face his father again, he certainly didn't want him anymore. And it was too early to come back ... too early to catch a dictatorship.
Vladimir stretched and crawled back under the covers. No, he wanted to stay here with his foster parents!
But the voice in his head just didn't let him rest.
Even if it was different than before. Vladimir closed his eyes convulsively. Now he knew it again! It was Igor's voice he had heard. He had completely forgotten the sound of the voice.
"Dad ..." Vladimir whispered. "do you still want me?"
************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
"But I would have wanted you! What would it have been nice if you had been part of all my adventures!"
It was the evening for Count Duckula's birthday. He had the present from Vladimir, a cookbook "Delicious vegetarian cooking for beginners".
"I couldn't know what you were resurrecting. I wouldn't have dreamed that you would come back as a vegetarian. In any case, I couldn't let my foster parents down. They took me in when I was in need was brought up to me as if she was her own son. So you don't just say "bye", especially when they need help themselves. " Vladimir shook his head.
"Then there was the political situation here. I was just afraid not only to be turned away. But that I would be forced to do cruel things… and if I didn't, I might be put in a cage in Zoo "Or something else! I think you can understand me, Fridolin."
Grad Duckula considered. Yes, he could understand Vladimir.
Vladimir cleared his throat, "Forgive me for telling you this for your birthday, it's not very funny."
Count Duckula waved it off. "I asked you Vladimir." he considered and turned to his butler. "When's Vladimir's birthday?"
"Vladimir is like any ordinary mallard duck, born in June. On June 22, 1818 to be exact." replied Igor.
Count Duckula did not like how Igor pronounced the word "ordinary". He just looked at him skeptically, but said nothing.
Only Vladimir considered. "I completely forgot my birthday, I only knew the year."
"Well then, now know more. Thanks Igor. Keep telling Vladimir."
"First I have a question for you brother heart, how was this day for you? I mean how did you experience your revival?"
Count Duckula considered ...
... he could remember how he sat in that magical coffin. He felt a little dazed. That was the first feeling he could remember. the second feeling was hunger!
He could see how slowly his eyes opened ...
... and how this vulture stood in front of him and explained who he was. Count Duckula! what a pleasure it was to have him with him again! And he introduced himself to Igor, just like Emma. Count Duckula remembered getting up slowly and holding on to the coffin because he still felt a little shaky.
"Your canine teeth my lord?" he remembered the astonished voice well.
He had felt for his beak. "What teeth? Ducks don't have canines."
"But vampires already my lord, they are one ... after all these years blood my lord is now needed to regain their strength!"
"What years?" it had seemed strange to him, somehow wrong, just to be there suddenly! Didn't one have to be born and grow? But he couldn't remember that. He was suddenly there, out of nowhere.
"I'm hungry ... terrible hunger ..."
"No wonder my lord, I would like to bring him some blood."
Count Duckula began to choke. "No blood! Any healthy delicacies, fruits or vegetables!"
Count Duckula giggled at the memory. "You should have seen Igor's face ... indescribable ... stupid."
Igor snorted offended.
Vladimir grinned. "I can imagine. What a surprise for our old guy."
"Remind me of this misfortune," wailed Igor, "the ketchup brought shame to the Duckulas!"
"IGOR!" take Count Duckula up. "You have told me that enough times."
"Don't you think such words on his birthday are more than inappropriate?" Vladimir runs over his face. He decided to keep talking to change the subject.
************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
Vladimir had got up early in the morning to make tea and prepare breakfast for his foster parents. Since Frank and Jutta moved out and started their own families, Vladimir voluntarily took on more and more tasks. He wanted to give back what they had done for him all these years
As soon as he had laid the table and took the hot tea from the stove, his foster parents came to the kitchen.
"Moin little darling," they greeted him. "how did you sleep?"
Vladimir paused. "Quite well." he lied uncertainly and quickly turned the words so that they could not see his face, and pretended that he was busy with other things. "How did you sleep?"
"Well." they sat down on their chairs and looked at Vladimir. "Vladimir ... look at us." Vladimir raised his head hesitantly.
"Did you sleep really well? You know we know you too well, tell the truth."
Vladimir sighed. Oh yes, his foster parents knew him very well now.
"I was sleeping ... a little restlessly. It's because ... because ..." Vladimir took a deep breath. "I think my father has returned."
"And how do you come up with it?" Karl spread some jam on his bun.
Vladimir shrugged. "Difficult to explain. I just felt it! It was like ... as if I was an instrument and a string was struck in me. It was a response that I replied to." he considered how to explain this feeling. "As if part of me came back, which part is lost. Then I heard another voice in me ... I think it was the voice of our butler ... and then there was the moon."
"What about the moon?" Martha asked, carefully drinking the hot tea.
"When the moon is in Eighth House of Aquarius ... you can awaken a duckula again."
"Astrology," Karl considered. "that is an issue for Else."
Else was Martha's old friend, she had been to visit many times, Vladimir had watched her a few times laying tarot cards for others.
Martha nodded. "I'll call her and ask what it means."
A few hours later, Else was sitting with them in the living room. Vladimir was sitting next to her (on a thick pillow). Karl and Martha sat across from her.
"So your butler had told you that Count Duckula can be brought back to life when the moon is in Aquarian Eighth House?"
Vladimir nodded.
"What does this mean?" Karl asked.
Else nodded. "The house system in astrology is the outer division into a horoscope. Life experiences are displayed in the direction of the houses. This has to be understood as a kind of quadrant ... it is not so easy to explain. I just want to say that there are 12 divisions, so 12 houses, the 8th house being the most powerful of all. It is associated with physical death and transience. But it does not only mean physical death, but also the death of outdated structures and Behavioral patterns. So it also stands for a kind of rebirth. For change. "
Vladimir considered. "That would fit. And what is the meaning of the moon?"
"As you said it was," began Else. "In this case it has to do with magic. In the old writings it is said that the moon accelerates all magic. The full moon is particularly powerful. The one who speaks the magic over others at this time wants to have power over them.
The moon in Eighth House ... your father should therefore be particularly sensitive to spiritual powers. How he deals with it depends on himself. It can be a need for control in which he uses these powers for himself, or a fear of them develops. Passion and jealousy are close to each other. "
"What about the Aquarius?" Karl asked.
"The moon in Aquarius means in astrology that someone wants to live free and unattached. He feels alien to the world and doesn't really belong to it. He wants to decide freely what he does at all times. All doors must be open, otherwise he has the feeling of suffocation. He does not like pressure from others. He has a sociable character and imagination. If it is exaggerated, he gets bogged down and has plans according to which he cannot implement. "
Vladimir considered. "And what does it mean when someone was born in Aquarius?"
"Actually the same thing, only that the moon strengthens it. Aquarians are often very original to bizarre. They are difficult to assess. They try everything, are enthusiastic about everything, no matter what it is about. They always have something Interesting things, and usually decide spontaneously according to your mood. But then tend to overestimate yourself. They are anything but boring. "
************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
All eyes were on Count Duckula. He raised his hands. "What are you looking at me like?"
Vladimir grinned and then looked over at Igor. "What are you blaming him for his behavior? YOU woke up at that time!"
Igor groaned.
"Yeah yeah ... and if I understand Vladimir correctly, do you want to have power over me?" Count Duckula scowled at Igor.
Igor cleared his throat and tried to look as innocent as possible. But what he did not do very well.
************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
Vladimir considered. "We are now in Aquarius month. Was the moon in 8th house yesterday?"
Else considered. "Since Karl asked me about it, I can answer this question for you ..." she rummaged around in her pocket and pulled out a drawing that looked quite complicated. A pentagram with different symbols and markings in different directions. "... and I have to say. That was the case yesterday. It was also the full moon."
Vladimir closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"So you mean your father came back yesterday?"
Vladimir just nodded in response.
"What do you have in front of Vladimir now?"
He opened his eyes again, shrugged his shoulders. He didn't really know. "I don't know ... I ... how at all?"
Else reached into her pocket and took out her tarot cards and put them upside down on the table. "Vladimir, pull out three cards and put them in front of you."
Vladimir looked at her, then on the cards his hand ran over them. Spontaneously, without thinking, he picked up three cards and put them in front of him. He looked questioningly at Else. Else tap each one and explain to Vladimir.
"The 5 goblets. The averted person in the black robe shows you the grief. Silent, straight and lost in thought she looks into nothing. It is still time to process sad feelings, digest setbacks and deal with the emptiness that has arisen. During this time you do not register the rich river directly at our feet, the bridge and the world behind it. Unfortunately we only see 3 buried goblets, the wealth of which we perceive as an irretrievable loss. Mental wounds need their time to heal - this time should be yours When the time of mourning is over, you will raise your head again and open yourself to the abundance around you, then turn around and see the remaining goblets that are just waiting to be used by you. They will let you recognize the world and its possibilities and you will take the first step towards the bridge. "
"The wheel of fate. Good times alternate with bad ones, time and fate are constantly in rotation. It is about your own determination, your attitude to personal fate and the question of meaning. The tarot card Wheel of Fate also reminds you that there is always an opportunity and solutions that you cannot and do not have to influence yourself. You have to be patient and sometimes wait for the right moment until our life situation changes in your favor. "
"The horse drawn carriage is the challenge to pursue the goals consistently and with discipline - in the end there is integration and success. The two draft animals stand for the polarities that have to be overcome. The driver's eyes are always straight ahead Only he takes responsibility for the company and only he is the sole recipient of the expected fame, sometimes having to let go of his familiar surroundings and not looking back. The starry sky as a car cover symbolizes the personal universe, it is about action The car of your life's journey that must always be guided towards the goal and the desired success. It is important not to waste time and to take advantage of outside help. The horse drawn carriager also warns you, not your own strength to overestimate and to prove and improve the skill in holding the reins every day his car requires a willingness to learn. Even small resets and disabilities will not be completely avoidable with this tightrope act. "
There was silence. Vladimir felt his foster parents slowly and gently stroke his hair, he felt their love for him. "I'll take my time," he whispered. "until the moment has come. But the time has not yet come." He snuggled up to his foster parents. No, he would not leave her! Not so long as they were alive and he knew that their time was coming ...
Northern Germany 1988
That night Vladimir slept restlessly, it was as if a quiet voice spoke to him steadily. The whisper of an old familiar voice, long forgotten…. Vladimir started up in his sleep, gasped, it was impossible to think of falling asleep. He crept quietly out of his room, his foster parents were sleeping soundly, so that they did not even notice how he went outside.
It was night, the air was fresh and a cool wind was blowing.
Vladimir took a breath. He hoped that the fresh night air would help him clear his head, either banish that voice from his head or arrange it where he knew it.
With a sigh, he went down the path. Lately everything has been so confused in his head. His foster parents were getting very old, he was worried about them and didn't want to let them down until their last day, no matter what Jutta and Frank said he was too small to take care of them!
What should he do? Then there was that voice in his head that had been getting louder lately and had reached its climax tonight.
Vladimir raised his head and looked up at the sky, the clouds moved away, revealing the moon ... the full moon!
Vladimir winced. WHAT? He heard the conjuring voice in his head again. How did he know her and what did she have to do with the full moon?
He felt his heart beat faster ... it couldn't be ... it just couldn't be!
For a split second, he saw himself sitting as a little chick with an old vulture leaning over old papers.
"You Vladimir, I can bring your father back when he stands in the moon in Aquarian's Eighth House ..."
This time Vladimir really jumped. He rubbed his hair and ran home. He was in such a hurry to get back into the house that he slammed the door behind him, but that his foster parents had become quite deaf didn't hear this. Vladimir jumped onto the bed and trembled, pulling his legs up to his body to hold them tight.
His father! his father was back! after all this years?
But did he even want to go back to this one? He, Vladimir, had changed, he had become "tame". He didn't feel like chasing mortals. The very thought disgusted him! He just wanted to live in peace with them! like here where he now lived.
This had become his home! Here in northern Germany and not in a distant mountain in old castle. That was so long ago ... it was no longer his world!
And anyway ... he thought of the political situation in his former home.
And this looked anything but good. The country was battered by a cruel dictator. Everything he heard about it made him shiver. Did he ever have a chance to get home? And anyway, even if he did, he didn't want to be drawn into mortal politics a second time.
One time it was enough! He didn't want to be abused for anything just because he was a vampire!
Vladimir shook his head. NO! no matter if his father was back or not. He didn't want to go back. It was just too late for that ... too late to face his father again, he certainly didn't want him anymore. And it was too early to come back ... too early to catch a dictatorship.
Vladimir stretched and crawled back under the covers. No, he wanted to stay here with his foster parents!
But the voice in his head just didn't let him rest.
Even if it was different than before. Vladimir closed his eyes convulsively. Now he knew it again! It was Igor's voice he had heard. He had completely forgotten the sound of the voice.
"Dad ..." Vladimir whispered. "do you still want me?"
************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
"But I would have wanted you! What would it have been nice if you had been part of all my adventures!"
It was the evening for Count Duckula's birthday. He had the present from Vladimir, a cookbook "Delicious vegetarian cooking for beginners".
"I couldn't know what you were resurrecting. I wouldn't have dreamed that you would come back as a vegetarian. In any case, I couldn't let my foster parents down. They took me in when I was in need was brought up to me as if she was her own son. So you don't just say "bye", especially when they need help themselves. " Vladimir shook his head.
"Then there was the political situation here. I was just afraid not only to be turned away. But that I would be forced to do cruel things… and if I didn't, I might be put in a cage in Zoo "Or something else! I think you can understand me, Fridolin."
Grad Duckula considered. Yes, he could understand Vladimir.
Vladimir cleared his throat, "Forgive me for telling you this for your birthday, it's not very funny."
Count Duckula waved it off. "I asked you Vladimir." he considered and turned to his butler. "When's Vladimir's birthday?"
"Vladimir is like any ordinary mallard duck, born in June. On June 22, 1818 to be exact." replied Igor.
Count Duckula did not like how Igor pronounced the word "ordinary". He just looked at him skeptically, but said nothing.
Only Vladimir considered. "I completely forgot my birthday, I only knew the year."
"Well then, now know more. Thanks Igor. Keep telling Vladimir."
"First I have a question for you brother heart, how was this day for you? I mean how did you experience your revival?"
Count Duckula considered ...
... he could remember how he sat in that magical coffin. He felt a little dazed. That was the first feeling he could remember. the second feeling was hunger!
He could see how slowly his eyes opened ...
... and how this vulture stood in front of him and explained who he was. Count Duckula! what a pleasure it was to have him with him again! And he introduced himself to Igor, just like Emma. Count Duckula remembered getting up slowly and holding on to the coffin because he still felt a little shaky.
"Your canine teeth my lord?" he remembered the astonished voice well.
He had felt for his beak. "What teeth? Ducks don't have canines."
"But vampires already my lord, they are one ... after all these years blood my lord is now needed to regain their strength!"
"What years?" it had seemed strange to him, somehow wrong, just to be there suddenly! Didn't one have to be born and grow? But he couldn't remember that. He was suddenly there, out of nowhere.
"I'm hungry ... terrible hunger ..."
"No wonder my lord, I would like to bring him some blood."
Count Duckula began to choke. "No blood! Any healthy delicacies, fruits or vegetables!"
Count Duckula giggled at the memory. "You should have seen Igor's face ... indescribable ... stupid."
Igor snorted offended.
Vladimir grinned. "I can imagine. What a surprise for our old guy."
"Remind me of this misfortune," wailed Igor, "the ketchup brought shame to the Duckulas!"
"IGOR!" take Count Duckula up. "You have told me that enough times."
"Don't you think such words on his birthday are more than inappropriate?" Vladimir runs over his face. He decided to keep talking to change the subject.
************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
Vladimir had got up early in the morning to make tea and prepare breakfast for his foster parents. Since Frank and Jutta moved out and started their own families, Vladimir voluntarily took on more and more tasks. He wanted to give back what they had done for him all these years
As soon as he had laid the table and took the hot tea from the stove, his foster parents came to the kitchen.
"Moin little darling," they greeted him. "how did you sleep?"
Vladimir paused. "Quite well." he lied uncertainly and quickly turned the words so that they could not see his face, and pretended that he was busy with other things. "How did you sleep?"
"Well." they sat down on their chairs and looked at Vladimir. "Vladimir ... look at us." Vladimir raised his head hesitantly.
"Did you sleep really well? You know we know you too well, tell the truth."
Vladimir sighed. Oh yes, his foster parents knew him very well now.
"I was sleeping ... a little restlessly. It's because ... because ..." Vladimir took a deep breath. "I think my father has returned."
"And how do you come up with it?" Karl spread some jam on his bun.
Vladimir shrugged. "Difficult to explain. I just felt it! It was like ... as if I was an instrument and a string was struck in me. It was a response that I replied to." he considered how to explain this feeling. "As if part of me came back, which part is lost. Then I heard another voice in me ... I think it was the voice of our butler ... and then there was the moon."
"What about the moon?" Martha asked, carefully drinking the hot tea.
"When the moon is in Eighth House of Aquarius ... you can awaken a duckula again."
"Astrology," Karl considered. "that is an issue for Else."
Else was Martha's old friend, she had been to visit many times, Vladimir had watched her a few times laying tarot cards for others.
Martha nodded. "I'll call her and ask what it means."
A few hours later, Else was sitting with them in the living room. Vladimir was sitting next to her (on a thick pillow). Karl and Martha sat across from her.
"So your butler had told you that Count Duckula can be brought back to life when the moon is in Aquarian Eighth House?"
Vladimir nodded.
"What does this mean?" Karl asked.
Else nodded. "The house system in astrology is the outer division into a horoscope. Life experiences are displayed in the direction of the houses. This has to be understood as a kind of quadrant ... it is not so easy to explain. I just want to say that there are 12 divisions, so 12 houses, the 8th house being the most powerful of all. It is associated with physical death and transience. But it does not only mean physical death, but also the death of outdated structures and Behavioral patterns. So it also stands for a kind of rebirth. For change. "
Vladimir considered. "That would fit. And what is the meaning of the moon?"
"As you said it was," began Else. "In this case it has to do with magic. In the old writings it is said that the moon accelerates all magic. The full moon is particularly powerful. The one who speaks the magic over others at this time wants to have power over them.
The moon in Eighth House ... your father should therefore be particularly sensitive to spiritual powers. How he deals with it depends on himself. It can be a need for control in which he uses these powers for himself, or a fear of them develops. Passion and jealousy are close to each other. "
"What about the Aquarius?" Karl asked.
"The moon in Aquarius means in astrology that someone wants to live free and unattached. He feels alien to the world and doesn't really belong to it. He wants to decide freely what he does at all times. All doors must be open, otherwise he has the feeling of suffocation. He does not like pressure from others. He has a sociable character and imagination. If it is exaggerated, he gets bogged down and has plans according to which he cannot implement. "
Vladimir considered. "And what does it mean when someone was born in Aquarius?"
"Actually the same thing, only that the moon strengthens it. Aquarians are often very original to bizarre. They are difficult to assess. They try everything, are enthusiastic about everything, no matter what it is about. They always have something Interesting things, and usually decide spontaneously according to your mood. But then tend to overestimate yourself. They are anything but boring. "
************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
All eyes were on Count Duckula. He raised his hands. "What are you looking at me like?"
Vladimir grinned and then looked over at Igor. "What are you blaming him for his behavior? YOU woke up at that time!"
Igor groaned.
"Yeah yeah ... and if I understand Vladimir correctly, do you want to have power over me?" Count Duckula scowled at Igor.
Igor cleared his throat and tried to look as innocent as possible. But what he did not do very well.
************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
Vladimir considered. "We are now in Aquarius month. Was the moon in 8th house yesterday?"
Else considered. "Since Karl asked me about it, I can answer this question for you ..." she rummaged around in her pocket and pulled out a drawing that looked quite complicated. A pentagram with different symbols and markings in different directions. "... and I have to say. That was the case yesterday. It was also the full moon."
Vladimir closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"So you mean your father came back yesterday?"
Vladimir just nodded in response.
"What do you have in front of Vladimir now?"
He opened his eyes again, shrugged his shoulders. He didn't really know. "I don't know ... I ... how at all?"
Else reached into her pocket and took out her tarot cards and put them upside down on the table. "Vladimir, pull out three cards and put them in front of you."
Vladimir looked at her, then on the cards his hand ran over them. Spontaneously, without thinking, he picked up three cards and put them in front of him. He looked questioningly at Else. Else tap each one and explain to Vladimir.
"The 5 goblets. The averted person in the black robe shows you the grief. Silent, straight and lost in thought she looks into nothing. It is still time to process sad feelings, digest setbacks and deal with the emptiness that has arisen. During this time you do not register the rich river directly at our feet, the bridge and the world behind it. Unfortunately we only see 3 buried goblets, the wealth of which we perceive as an irretrievable loss. Mental wounds need their time to heal - this time should be yours When the time of mourning is over, you will raise your head again and open yourself to the abundance around you, then turn around and see the remaining goblets that are just waiting to be used by you. They will let you recognize the world and its possibilities and you will take the first step towards the bridge. "
"The wheel of fate. Good times alternate with bad ones, time and fate are constantly in rotation. It is about your own determination, your attitude to personal fate and the question of meaning. The tarot card Wheel of Fate also reminds you that there is always an opportunity and solutions that you cannot and do not have to influence yourself. You have to be patient and sometimes wait for the right moment until our life situation changes in your favor. "
"The horse drawn carriage is the challenge to pursue the goals consistently and with discipline - in the end there is integration and success. The two draft animals stand for the polarities that have to be overcome. The driver's eyes are always straight ahead Only he takes responsibility for the company and only he is the sole recipient of the expected fame, sometimes having to let go of his familiar surroundings and not looking back. The starry sky as a car cover symbolizes the personal universe, it is about action The car of your life's journey that must always be guided towards the goal and the desired success. It is important not to waste time and to take advantage of outside help. The horse drawn carriager also warns you, not your own strength to overestimate and to prove and improve the skill in holding the reins every day his car requires a willingness to learn. Even small resets and disabilities will not be completely avoidable with this tightrope act. "
There was silence. Vladimir felt his foster parents slowly and gently stroke his hair, he felt their love for him. "I'll take my time," he whispered. "until the moment has come. But the time has not yet come." He snuggled up to his foster parents. No, he would not leave her! Not so long as they were alive and he knew that their time was coming ...