[OOC] [SU] - The Survivors

[Aqua]

The Survivors

The Survivors is going to be a roleplay set in the Steven Universe(Universe) revolving around the few survivors of the Gem War for Earth. These last few survivors are top-priority on homeworld, they constantly send fleets of Rubies and sometimes even Quartz warriors to try and wipe them out, but the fleets never come back. Homeworld sees these survivors as brutes shattering each of their enemies, but the Survivor's are STRICTLY anti-shattering. The most they'll do is capture them and do a strict poof --> bubble routine.
Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that you'll only be able to play as one of these survivors, you'll be able to be a human, homeworld gem, survivor, or even a late blooming gem from an old kindergarten. Plot is gonna be very played out as it happens, I have a very light outline of events.
The Survivors are previous members of the Crystal Gems, when they fought during the war, but as their ranks fell and Homeworld's merely grew, some fled with each other, into a desert on Earth. Some accused them of cowardice, some thought of it as a reasonable retreat, but they just didn't want to be shattered.

As shown by the picture, the Survivors have taken haven in the desert, in the Sand Castle, which they've forced to ground. It does include gem rooms like the Crystal Temple. The Sand Castle is not that large, and can sink into the sand itself as a defense mechanism. The Sand Castle was grounded near the beta kindergarten.
Description of Gem Rooms
???'s Room
__
???'s Room
__
???'s Room
__
???'s Room

Rules

No canon characters, interaction with canon characters will be light, or nil.
If you're prone to starting fights you will be kicked out of the roleplay, if you have a disagreement with something, please message me and I'll help you deal with it.
To add onto "no canon characters" if your character is made into a canon character in the next few episodes we'll ignore it for my sanity's sake.
Guild rules, no smut, fade to black yadda yadda.
Delete all the parentheses in the CS's or you won't be accepted.
The diamond authority will be entrusted to few. If you'd like the role, write up a CS. Otherwise, I'll be writing as most of them.
Describe your gem room under your appearance (if you're a survivor) !

Sheets

Gem CS (Kindergarten or Survivor. Any other affiliation if you're willing to explore.)
Name:
Age:
Appearance:
Fusions:
Gem Location: (unless in picture)
Weapon/Power:
Romantic/Sexual Orientation:
Personality:
Biography:

Homeworld CS
Name:
Age:
Appearance:
Diamond Affiliation:
Gem Location: (unless in picture)
Weapon/Power:
Romantic/Sexual Orientation:
Personality:
Biography:

Human CS
Name:
Age:
Appearance:
Romantic/Sexual Orientation:
Personality:
Biography:
Relation to the Survivors?:

[MechonRaptor]

I almost have a CS done, and it'll be a turquoise gem though for those who may be curious.

[Priscilla]

@Neurovoid

Nice OOC you got here

Be a real shame if homeworld got wind of it...

[Queen Tomato]

What time period does this take place in?

This is necessary for the creation of my Human character.

Please respond, squish...

[Aqua]

What time period does this take place in?

This is necessary for the creation of my Human character.

Please respond, squish...

@Queen Tomato

Sorry my response is late!

It's set in modern day 2016.

[effervescentF]

Name: Wulfenite

Age: 200 years

Appearance: *shamelessly promotes own drawings*

Diamond Affiliation: Yellow Diamond

Weapon/Power: Poisonous saliva (it doesn't harm other gems, only organic life), no weapons

Romantic/Sexual Orientation: Asexual

Personality: Feisty as hell despite having almost no physical strength. Would literally walk up to a quartz soldier and tell them to fight her, knowing full well that she'd be poofed and maybe shattered in a matter of seconds. She really loves to spite people, and is in general an angry, small gem who is not capable of hurting anyone. Knows a lot of useless facts, though, especially about organic life.

Biography: She was made on Homeworld to research the organic populations of potential colonies and her purpose is basically that of a biologist. Her toxic spit is used to "neutralize" organisms which can then be taken back to Homeworld (or anywhere appropriate) for study. Because she was not made for anything especially risky like war, she's weak and poofs relatively easily. Homeworld sent her to Earth to basically find out what its deal is, and to gather information to make wiping out its life and colonizing it easier.

[Cello]

I will work on my character soon.

[Aqua]

@effervescentF

Throw her in the character bin :)

[effervescentF]

holla 8)

[Majoraa]

The CS is finally done!

Emerald

CS:Survivor Gem
Name:Emerald

Age:Around 5,720 years

Appearance:
^^^ Credit goes to HirokoTheHedgehog from Deviantart ^^^

Gem room description:Emerald's room has a very oasis vibe kind of room, it being based off a garden she once has envisoned up. The room is actually pretty smaller than it looks,more or less medium sized, with trees covering the area as an outline,giving the illusion of a wider space. There are lots of plantlife growing, one never being like another. In the west side, theres a small waterfall trickling down into the pond where small fish swim and few rocks are decorating it. A small bridge connects to the surface above the water and conects to another side of the pond so others dont have to wad through and disturb the fishes. On the other side is a small hut which Emerald considers her real room. Inside you enter through the west door into a room filled with a couch, a rocking chair, and a cushoned chair. In between the seats is a small wooden table with a surface that looks like it wasnt fully square yet, but thats how it was suposed to be, according to her. In the corner, a small table with 3 other chairs pushed up like they were never used resides. In the right of the room there is a fireplace with a door leading to a small kitchen on the right, and a spare bedroom on the left.

Fusions:none for now. Her fusion dancing is based around different irish and medival dance styles.

Weapon/power:
Rapier:Her weapon is a thin,sea foam green-bladed sword with quick and smooth slicing capability.

Telekenesis:Pretty self-explanatory, Emerald can move different objects with her mind if she focused enough. If struggling to focus, said objects will fly all over the place. Duck and cover if a heavy object flys your way.

Overgrowth:Emerald can make different plants grow depending on the situation. If in battle, the plants grown are combat-based. If living normaly, the plants are normal.

Romantic/Sexual Orientation:Asexual. She would rather pair up other people than to go through the trouble of finding a soulmate.

Personality:Formal and kind, Emerald is one to plan out in and out of battle. Being one who is into detail she puts alot of thought into different things, sometimes even too much thought as some say. She has a good bit of interests, all of which when she has already done them, she is VERY bored as to the point of poking others or wishing that she could fight something.

In battle, she is seen as focused and agile with her Rapier. Not taking her eyes off the enemy only if an ally is knocked out. She can quickly dodge attacks only when there's one enemy or if the other enemies are distracted. If anyone was wounded badly/poofed, Emerald bubbling them and/or getting them to safety if when she is most vulnerable, so she makes it quick before anything happens.

She has a habit of pairing up certain character in different books she reads, romantic or platonic. When mad, she would slice something with her rapier to calm her down. If that doennt work she yells at what made her mad what they do wrong. Its, alot of times, as long as a sermon is. When sad, she would stay in her room for most of the time. Looking at the fishes, or adding details to some drawing she had done in her freetime.

Biography:Beryls,they are created to help strategize plans of offense and defense when a planet fit for gems to grow is located and/or being guarded. Among the beryls was yellow diamond's Emerald, or green beryl as others once called her. She was once assigned with 3 others of her group to plan out where to place the production at in a new planet that was discovered.

The completion of the kindergarden was a success, but as a cost, a rebellion was made and a war began. Emerald wanted to take part in it and help, but was comanded to stay with the other beryls to plan out. Thinking that they are fine without her, Emerald snuck into the battlefield. Seeing many of her allies poofed before her made Emerald want to rush out to them and quickly grab them, but she saw the rebels bubble instead of destroying the gems poofed.

Confused as to why, she quickly ran out, dodging any opertunity to get hurt, and grabed a rebel gem for interogation. Making sure that they know she meant no harm and only wanted answers, Emerald listened to the rebel explain why they did what they did. When they got done, Emerald let them go, quickly runing far incase she was to be secretly attacked.

Emerald thought as she walked back to her base. So many questions were on her mind at the same time as she was questioning her very existance, too distracted to see that a different rebel was about to attack her from behind. Till then it was too late. Everything went dark after that for Emerald..

She then woke up in a desert,everything that happened before being abit fuzzy as Emerald only remembers when she found out the rebelion's true motives and sparing an enemy gem. She realised her mistake of helping homeworld,so she stayed on earth. Walking through the sandy dunes felt like eternity until she came across a castle made out of sand. Thinking that homeworld will come to try and bring her back or shatter her, Emerald took refuge inside the sand castle. That's what happened to her till now.

[sassy1085]

Homeworld CS

Labradorite

Name: Labradorite
Age: 5,750 years old
Appearance:
Diamond Affiliation: Blue Diamond
Gem Location: top of her head
Weapon/Power:

Weapon

Kama

Power: Ice Manipulation: Labradorite can create, shape and manipulate ice, she can make ice armor for herself, made ice weapons and shoot ice spears.

Romantic/Sexual Orientation: pansexual

Personality: Labradorite is a hard worked, smart aleck and bit of show off gem who tell everygem that she is full package about writing any plans for the elite, even tho she is trying to hide the bad things from her past.

Biography: Labradorite was made after the birth of the crystal gems, Labradorites were created for the elite to be their secretary and our Labradorite was made in Blue Diamond court along with the other Labradorites, As every labradorites get pick to be with the gem elite she was the last to be pick by a Gem soldier named Tanzanite.

Labradorite though it was just a another Gem soldier who is hot headed, cares about fighting and go in battle without a plan but this gem was different, she was calm, she doesn't care about fighting and always come up with a plan.

Over time Tanzanite starting to developing feels for Labradorite while Labradorite developing feels back, Tanzanite taught her how to fight and Labradorite making plans with her and so developing bonds with eachother and something even more then a secretary and a Gem soldier...love...but something bad happen while they were on earth.

When they were told to go to earth to come find the rebels and made plans how to captured the rebels to tell them about plans they are making, while exploring what Labradorite though harmless, bored and kinda nice planet they were ambush by the rebels and one of them were about to attack Labradorite and poof or even worse shattered but she was protected by Tanzanite but one of their rebels weapons crack her gem, so her and Tanzanite retreat to the forest.

While trying to hide from the rebels Tanzanite gem was cracking really fast and Labradorite trying to find a gem to help but Tanzanite gem was almost done cracking, Tanzanite look up at Labradorite, tears were streaming down her while Tanzanite smile with almost tears in her eyes say to Labradorite "don't cry you are a Labradorite, you are a hard worked gem try to make everything right, you say some smart aleck things and you gave the biggest smile I have every seen, so if you go back on homeworld try be yourself and so that you are type of gem that know that you are the best and say it with that smile of yours, promise that kay?" Labradorite promise her that she will be the best Labradorite no the best gem their is she said and one final smile Tanzanite say "i love yo-" POOF....so with that Tanzanite was gone.

A group of rubies found Labradorite and what was Tanzanite gem and return to the ship and left behind Tanzanite crack gem. While on the ship she saw some warp pads activate, she hears one of crew members that the war was getting out of control so the diamonds came up a plan to fix it, with that there was a big flash on planet and thinking that no gem survive that, that say Labradorite take one last glance that planet earth thinking that Tanzanite her partner is gone forever.

When she return to earth she want to start that promise that Tanzanite made for her and starting to be the best gem there is, telling everygem she is the best thing there is and no gem can top her other gems think she is showing off.

years later she was assighed to be the secretary to some gem again to go to some planet, she is thinking it is planet earth but she try not to think what happen there. So that where her adventure with some elite gem begins!

[MechonRaptor]

Turquoise

Gem CS: Survivor
Name: Turquoise
Age: 6700 years old
Appearance:

Gem Room Description: Turquoise has a very minimalist room, comprised of a greenish-blue color for the walls. There is simply a 4 small waterfalls on each corner of the room, to which they create gentle streams to the middle. In the middle is a circular pond where the streams meet, and in the middle of that pond is a platform for Turquoise where she can rest and meditate. The door is located on the southern side of the room.

Fusions: None currently. Her fusion dance style is based off of the ribbon dancing, except she'll have a holographic ribbon.
Gem Location: Forehead

Weapon/Powers:

Crossbow: As seen in the picture, her weapon is a crossbow that fires darts of light, similar to Opal’s bow, except not nearly as powerful because she isn’t a fusion. However, she can summon two, one for each hand, and still be accurate.

Shapeshifting: Turquoise is an adept when it comes to shapeshifting, especially when it comes to avian species like the owl. She often shapeshifts to various animals she’s encountered before, and believes it to be fun on occasion. She mainly sticks to birds though, as she uses their forms to travel some distances instead of using warp pads.

Photokinesis: Turquoise can use her gemstone to light up dark places like a flashlight.

Holographic Projection: While not to the extent that Pearl can, Turquoise can project a holographic screen from her gemstone that she uses as a visual aid when showcasing other gems the area she has scouted, or rather, that was its main purpose, but can be used to project other images.

Romantic/Sexual Orientation: She doesn’t care, believing love to be love so long as it is genuine.

Personality:
Turqoise’s are said to be very quick-witted, having a clear mind that is generally used for problem solving. Being scouts, they have Homeworld’s interests in mind when arriving upon new planets, journeying fearlessly onto planets never before scouted by Homeworld in hopes that they can collect enough data to conclude it is suitable for gem production. Thus, Turquoise is very courageous. They have a love for recording new findings on planets, and even more so love the exploration that comes with it.

Turquoise, however, is very protective of other gems as they start to arrive, more willing to allow themselves to be poofed then a higher ranking gem, thus showcasing their loyalty to those they are aligned with. For this particular Turquoise, she was exceptionally loyal to Blue Diamond, believing her to be a just and calm ruler that was perfect for her job.

Turquoise, however, is slightly different than a majority of the others, as she is more intune with her emotions. Thus, she can very easily get attached to a thing or a purpose, and remain loyal to it. It also made her somewhat more prone to relaxing in the environments she was meant to scout for some time. She also seems to like leading a group, and helping any dysfunction that may occur.

Biography: Turquoise was made around 1000 years before the gem war on Earth, belonging to Blue Diamond as one of her many scouts. Turquoise's were some of the original scouts of new planets, meant to research the planet and notify the diamond authority figure they were under if it was suitable for gem production. Thus, they were made to be agile, smart, and quite durable in order to survive various planetary environments.

Turquoise herself had scouted many different planets for Blue Diamond, and she enjoyed every minute of it. From seeing new sights, to knowing that she was helping gemkind grow through her efforts, she always made sure to do her best in surveying planets and accurately describing that information back to Blue Diamond. Her dedication did not go unnoticed by Blue Diamond, and even though she was still relatively a new gem in the gemkind's eyes, she was sent to inspect Earth along with Pink Diamond's own scout to see if it was a suitable gem production planet.

Well, through her discoveries, she notified that it was indeed an amazing place for the gems to colonize, recalling the beauty the place had that a majority of the planets she surveyed didn't have. And so, even if it seemed unorthodox, she requested that she be allowed to stay on Earth during colonization so that she may make sure that she hadn't overlooked any of the planets potential, when in reality she simply wished to travel the Earth before that it would loose it's luster.

It was during these travels that the gem rebellion happened, and she was immediately called into the fight against the rebellion as she had some experience in combat as a scout. It was during her fights that she faced Rose Quartz's army head on. Beforehand, she had thought that these gems were wicked and corrupt, desiring to destroy the diamond authority with no regard for other gem's lives. But... She began to realize throughout the fight, they weren't shattering any of the homeworld gems she herself was a part of. Instead, even though homeworld soldiers were shattering any gems they managed to grasp, the rebels... didn't...

It made her question their motives, how could something said to be so vile and evil do such an act as sparing the enemy they were fighting against? And so, when the army she was fighting far started to lose the battle, Turquoise managed to escape and run away. She was planning on reporting to Blue Diamond to get some answers, but her escape was soon cut short by the crystal gems. Yet, they didn't poof her. They must have seen the fear in her eyes, believing that it was the end for her, but instead they simply questioned why she was here. After all, they were surprised themselves to see a Turquoise fighting among quartz's.

She explained to them her original purpose here, to scout the land and make sure it was suitable for colonization, but then they asked her a question she didn't expect... And it was what were your findings? And as she started to explain what she had seen, she began to understand why they were rebelling. That Homeworld was destroying countless lives for the sake of increasing their Empire, and that the beauty of this planet would soon disappear. Turquoise never got to see what happened to all the planets she managed to inspect... So it was a shock to learn that colonization essentially wiped out the life that made the planets unique and wonderful.

Here she fought back against Homeworld after the revelation she had, wanting to protect the life that existed. She would act as a scout for the rebels, giving them information on Homeworld's movements and positions... But during one of her missions she managed to find herself make a small mistake, one that got her poofed and bubbled. And yet, when she next awoke, she was no longer in a bubble. Instead, she was in some sort of cave, and all traces of gems had vanished.

When she managed to find other Crystal Gems in the desert, she learned that, while Homeworld fled... they used some sort of weapon that corrupted everyone. She was disheartened, but at the same time she was glad. Homeworld had left... or so she thought. And when they continued to come and attempt to shatter the group, Turquoise made a promise that she wouldn't run, but instead stay and fight them away like she had in the war. If they wanted to destroy this planet, they would have to shatter her first. And that is what she has been doing ever since...

[Orynae]

Name: Jenna Silberman
Age: 17
Appearance:


Romantic/Sexual Orientation: bisexual

Personality: Bookish and sensitive, Jenna is easily influenced by the people and stories around her. She is drawn to people like a butterfly, and though she's quiet she's quick to make friends.

Biography: Jenna has a very distant gem ancestor, a few thousand years up the timeline. Because the lineage is so diluted, Jenna doesn't have any powers, but she does have knowledge of the gems. Her family hasn't much associated with the gems in many generations, but Jenna's parents took her to visit a few gem locations on some homeschooling field trips. She first met the Survivors when she was still a small child. Having just recently finished high school, she's decided to stay in the Sand Castle for a while. She wants to go to online college sometime to study history. She views her time with the Survivors as a gap year(s) as well as an occasion to start her research on gem history.

Relation to the Survivors?: Descendant of a Survivor

[I was gonna ask if anyone wanted to be Jenna's ancestor, but then I realized the ancestor would have to have turned into their kid, soooo T_T]

[Queen Tomato]

Human Sheet, squish

Name: Asma
Age: 13
Appearance: She is a dark-skinned young girl, possessing only the ghost of developing womanly features and as of yet not boasting any of the growth she is expected to undergo during puberty. Her small stature is made even more pronounced as a result of her disability, which forces her to utilize a wheelchair for mobility. Her hair is worn long, reaching down to the girl's waist, and is a deep brown colour that compliments her striking, blue eyes and bright demeanor. This is subtracted slightly, though, by the fact that her eyes are often times closed or covered by large sunglasses, a result of her further disabilities.

She prefers girly, but often practical clothing that allows for a free range of upper-body movement without compromising her protection from the elements. Her body is surprisingly well-built, muscle-wise, as a result of the increased use of her upper body muscles after the incident.

Romantic/Sexual Orientation: N/A

Personality: To describe Asma is to personify the essence of sheer determination and will to live life to its fullest. She is a bright girl, in more ways than one, and possesses both a sharp intuition and empathetic ability that allows her to form bonds with others and manage personal relationships, and a strong, rational mindset that grants her incredible problem-solving abilities. She is no academic genius, this is certain given her lack of formal education, but rather she has a thirst for knowledge that allows her to learn and master new concepts very quickly.

She is very independant, liking to do things herself when possible, but when she must she is also perfectly content with using others to achieve her ends. She really doesn't like being babied, not by anyone.

Holds an intense dislike for Homeworld, because of what they've done to her people over the ages.

Biography: This human girl involved in gems has a secretive past, shrouded in darkness and only momentarily lit up with moments of intense, gem-related violence. Her place of origins is well known for having been the site of many gem battles, and her people had been in conflict with gems in that region for many generations before Asma's family came into being. Desert life is harsh on everyone, most so little girls, and by the time she was six she had already grown to possess the survivalism and independence characteristic of her style of living.

That just made it that much harder when the incident occurred.

Suddenly, her anchor to the human world was gone. She was left crippled, unable to even walk on her own two feet. The brilliant desert sun that had once been revered in her heart, was now unbearable to her eyes. Lying in the desert sand, discarded, hopeless, she was picked up by one of the gems as they left the site of the conflict.

It was only right. They had destroyed everything that she was, and in return, they gave her everything back. Now with them for several years, Asma has shown herself to be a valuable asset to the Survivors, in spite of her disabilities. The gems, veterans that they were, grew to respect her sheer determination as well as her bright attitude and pleasant demeanor. She doesn't participate in Gem missions for the time being, for obvious reasons, but she has expressed a willingness to do so in the future once she learns more about the ways of combat.

Relation to the Survivors: Adopted after a Gem-related incident, and taken in as a member of the team. Reasons not known to most of the Survivor Gems.

[Aqua]

Yo all my peeps.@Queen Tomato@Orynae@MechonRaptor

You is accepted (:

[urukhai]

Homeworld CS

Flint WIP

Name: Flint

Age: Unknown, theorized to be in the 5 or 6 thousands

Appearance:

Hider

Tall and lithe, it would be obvious to any that looked upon Flint that theirs was a body created to dance, ether in the battlefield or in the ballroom. At least they would be if it were not for the heavy armor that constricts their form and the single heavy chain the hangs from their neck and causes them to stoop forwards. Yet despite these hindrances, Flint still carries themself with an almost ethereal grace. The coloration of what unarmored form one can see is an off, bone white coloration, with that armor itself being just a slight shade darker. The rest of the form that can be spied would appear almost archaically dressed, the stylizations not in line with modern gem styles

The armor covers the outside of the legs, much of the chest, forearms and hands. Almost punitive in appearance the armor is adorned with multiple diamond sigils, but still is obviously for functionality over form. While fitted very well to Flint's form, its obvious they are weighed down by the armor. The most prominent parts of the armor that should be noted however are the helmet and chain. the chain hangs from the top of the chest peace and is only a couple links long, but is thick and bulky. The helmet encloses Flint's head, hiding the face beneath it.

As it is not part of the original form and in fact are an outside addition to said form, the armor will fall away if Flint is poofed, and will not reform with them.

Underneath the armor

Hider

what they looked like before

Hider

Diamond Affiliation: White Diamond

Gem Location: Right arm (Just before the elbow on the forearm. Close, or detailed observations would show a spiderweb like pattern of small hairline cracks in the surface)

Weapon/Power:

Hider

A polarm, Flints weapon is actually just about as tall as they are and is often used in two hands when in combat.

Limited Gravity manipulation- Flint can influence the gravity on themself and on small points. Using this Flint can increase their own gravity until nothing can move them, or decrease it until they move with fluidity and relative ease. If Flint concentrates, they can influence an area outside their form, increasing or decreasing the gravity on a single target or point, hindering them or crushing objects.

Geomancy- the creation of localized tremors, manipulation of rock and sand, etc.

Romantic/Sexual Orientation: Unknown as well

Personality: Flint is oddly soft spoken, but also unafraid to speak their mind. Flint seems to have endless patience for their colleagues, and follows orders to the letter. Flint also seems to show little regard for their own safety it would seem, placing that of their comrades first. Flint also seems to have a particular spark of compassion, perhaps an echo of who they once were.

But it should be stated that their stoicism masks the great rage that Flint can feel, the cause of this rage is not exactly known and perhaps that is for the best.

Biography: Formed many many years ago on some now forgotten rock in the middle of nowhere, Flint was born to fight. As part of the quartz soldier caste, it was Flints place to serve without question or mercy. For that is what they were born for right? To fight on and on for the cause of their Diamond, for if they didn't who would? And so Flint fought, they fought on world after world, they and their kin never stopping unless it was at the Diamonds command.

That was however until they found Earth. It seemed straight forward, another colonization, another destruction of a world as you know it. Only this time a rebellion rose up to fight homeworld's forces, a rebellion spurned on the the wish to protect the growing things on the planet. After a few skirmishes in the early days of the war, Flint found themselves fighting for the rebels and they would continue on like that until such time as they were poofed and captured near the wars ending.

After Flint reformed they were dragged in-front of their old patron, white diamond. Now normally it would be a quick shattering for the rebel, the White had other plans. You see, this particular Flint had grown to some renown within the court of said White Diamond. It was this that stayed the imminent execution, as White Dimond oped for a more... public approach, a living example as it were. So the armor was affixed to Flint's form, and their gem was cracked.

Redeployed through the years, first against their former colleagues in the waning days of the rebellion, and now against the survivors. Flint has proven themself as more than just a normal quartz soldier

[Cello]

@urukhai Darkmoon Blades for life

I need to get on writing that character. Struggling a bit with an idea. Will come up with something soon.

[auspiciousPetal]

Wishes to apply with a sheet for the gem Kunzite.

[Aqua]

@UnknownScarlet4@sassy1085

accepted my dudes.

Petal will be the last person to be able to join, then we're full.

[Cello]

I'm thinking of writing up Honey Calcite or Jet. God Idk why I'm struggling so much, it usually never takes me this long.