The Affairs of Vampire Batman

Summer 2021, Week 4, Monday early evening

The Port, Port Victoria

Storyteller

It is a quiet start to the night in Port Victoria, for the most part. Street taggers are here and there throwing up some hasty anti-evo propaganda, and a few night owls can be seen walking to their favorite bar or club. But the real excitement in a particular area comes from a person running through the streets, being chased by another man in a mostly black suit and a red mask.
The runner takes a corner on to an empty street and then quickly darts into an alleyway, but it is a moment too late and the pursuer catches enough of a glimpse at each corner to keep up. He turns the corner into the alleyway and comes to a stop as he sees his prey facing him with his hand held up and lit aflame. There is no hesitation as the flame suddenly extends outwards from his hand towards the man in the suit, but the pursuer simply ducks down to avoid it as his eyes begin to glow red very slightly and he then quickly raises his own hand in response.

Bloodletter

So that's all there is to it, then? he thinks as he takes in what little new data he receives from this second analyzation. Blood seeps out of the pores of his inner fingers and palm, quickly pooling into a shape which becomes a narrow cone with the spike pointed toward the fire user. As soon as the shape is complete he solidifies it and it promptly flies away from his hand, as if thrown at his target. The spike hits its mark, and immediately afterwards his eyes glow red again as the flames begin to fade.
"It's unfortunate that you made a fool of yourself with your abilities.. Well, for me. You were probably going to die regardless; the world has too many human flamethrowers as it is without you. It's unfortunate for you that you chose a dead end." His voice came through the mask distorted and altered, almost robotic, and thus hid what little emotion could be found in his almost clinical tone. As he speaks he begins to pool more blood for another attack.

[Interactor: x1 Minor, x1 Normal, -4 EP (10/15)]

[Manipulator: x2 Basic, x1 Minor, -1 EP (14/15)]

Storyteller

"AAGHFUCK-.. What the hell?" The two responses from the fire user come as the spike impales his leg and then almost immediately his flames begin to recede against his will. He tries to fuel the flame further but it is all he can do to slow the rapid burnout. "What the hell is this..? Wait.. You are Bloodletter?" The gears in his head begin turning and he reaches for the spike in his leg, intending to pull it out. "They said Bloodletter was an actual monster, not some jackass in a three piece suit.."

Bloodletter

"It's your fault people love to use the term 'freak', people like you who are all too happy to do as they please in the light of day for all to see." he continues, seemingly ignoring the other man's responses, as he finishes forming the blood into the shape of a throwing dart. "And then my family and I are the ones to suffer for it. I think this calls for an example to be made." he says, the dart solidifying just before he throws it with enough force to imbed the point wherever it lands and then break off from the rest of the dart.

[Manipulator: x1 Basic, x1 Normal, -3 EP (11/15)]

Storyteller

Teetering on the brink, facing the abyss, the helpless victim pulled the spike from his leg and tossed it aside, feeling his power return to him for a moment.. just in time to feel the dart pierce his shoulder and rob him of it once more. No chance for egress!
The man tries for only a moment to try and pull the much smaller spike from his shoulder, but in his panic he cannot get a grasp on the broken point. As a last resort he runs at his attacker barehanded in the hopes of overwhelming him.. True desperation is known only when escape is impossible. Bloodletter sidesteps away from an attempted punch and then wastes no time piercing the mans heart with a knife he had kept hidden in his sleeve.

Bloodletter

"I wouldn't normally kill you like this, such a waste of food, but I want the same people that saw you earlier today to see your corpse when they come back to work tomorrow. Be grateful for the quick death, it's more than disrespectful trash such as yourself deserves." he says as the life fades from the man's eyes. Bloodletter stays there for a few moments longer before pulling the knife out and cleaning it on the victims clothes.

Emily Forge

A figure sitting against a wall, hidden under a blanket rose slowly to their feet. Removing the blanket, stood a large woman standing tall. Adorned with mechanical and high tech armor, her robotic arm hovered over her sidearm. She emerged forward, having witnessed the blatant torture then execution of a lower class citizen. Her eyes were concentrated on the bodies as she stepped out of cover, standing in the middle of the alley. Her heartbeat began to pick up, her eyes began to watch his every movement. Bloodletter, she thought.
She was careful, her hand resting near her sidearm, but she kept it far enough away it wouldn't immediately be taken as hostile.
"What the hell are you?"

Bloodletter

Bloodletter looks up at the woman as she speaks, still kneeling beside the corpse. Of course there would be a witness, there's always a witness to deal with. He doesn't stand up or move, choosing to remain almost perfectly still as he returns her stare from his current position. "A man, a monster.. I'm not quite sure if I'm being honest. Oh and I've got one of those as well, so if you reach for it this comes down to whoever's the faster and more accurate shot. Are you ready to make that bet?"

Emily Forge

"Don't draw yours, and I won't draw mine." She rested her hand on the belt that went around the armor on her waist.
She looked at him. What the fuck is wrong with this guy? He looks... like a psychopath. Her eyes darted across him, checking for a weapon.
"So, what's the reason for icing the matchstick?" She gestured at the dead man.

Bloodletter

"He was giving people more reason to hate us 'freaks' and planned to keep on doing it, so I put a stop to it." This one looks troublesome to fight; Best to leave out certain details if I can avoid it. The man had no firearm holstered in any visible location from this angle, if he did have one it was hidden behind his back or otherwise concealed.

Emily Forge

"You mean Evos. So why kill him? You could have spared him, but you didn't. Why did you make that decision?" Emily gazed at the man, analyzing what movements she could. She leaned slightly, placing both of her hands on her tactical belt. Emily's eyes peered at him, an endless abyss of her eyes, judging. Contemplating.

Bloodletter

Something about her inquisitive approach to the situation intrigued him. There were plenty of judgmental people in the world but something about this reaction to witnessing a murder felt.. different. Strange. Bloodletter stands up and then suddenly decides to go back on his earlier decision to try and keep the details to a minimum.
"If left alive he would have just continued on; People don't often change so drastically. He was a threat to my family and I rarely tolerate potential threats. Plus, I need blood for my ability to work. Two birds, one stone." Calmly reaching for his right arm with his left, he lifts the sleeve to reveal the rest of the device attached to the knife he still held in his right hand. It seemed to be some kind of syringe knife with a pump feeding into a tube leading further up his sleeve, a tube filled with a red liquid.

Emily Forge

Her eyes studied him, seldom blinking. She watched him, curious as to his motivations and reasoning. Upon having her questions answered, she raised a curious eyebrow.
"That's unique. Some do it for pleasure, for the rush. Nothing makes your heart race like that. Or your hands shake. I think that's a good reason. Ok."
She reached for her belt slowly, going past her sidearm to her knife. She stepped forward, taking a knee before him. Her eyes gazed up at him, before she looked down and stabbed the dead man. She flicked the blood, a few droplets striking her face. She then looked at him and stood.
"Now... I'm the accomplice. So, Vampire boy... I don't suppose you're from around here?" She asked, tapping the tip of her knife.

Bloodletter

A smile creeps across his face as she stabs the man, though it is hidden behind his mask. So she understands the situation. "That's a rather clever solution to a problem most people in your shoes fail to realize they even have. Not from around here, no, but I own a property in the city and recently moved in." He turns to leave, no longer concerned that there will be a confrontation between them. "Come on, I'll take you there. Should be better than staying in an alley and if we're going to talk more it shouldn't be while standing around at the scene of the crime."

Emily Forge

She wipes the blade across the man's clothing before sheathing her knife. She stands, tall and proud, in her armor as she follows behind the man.
She was careful to keep her eyes open and her shooting hand ready in case anyone else had seen, but she continued on.

Monday evening

Oliver Lobelia's Home, Loyalist Bluffs

Storyteller

The two had travelled from The Port to a vehicle that was stashed nearby which they used to cross the city. Bloodletter took them on a longer route to his home than was necessary, perhaps to confuse would be pursuers, but they eventually arrived in the Loyalist Bluffs. He would respond to any questions on the way, but otherwise remained quiet during the drive.
The crimson corvette pulls into a driveway and the gate to the property promptly begins opening, the guard standing off to the side giving them a nod of her head in welcoming. As the car moves further into the property, he pushes a button on the dashboard and a section of the circular driveway at the end opens upwards revealing a hidden slope leading underground. Without hesitation they drive into the opening which closes behind them, lights turning on along the tunnel as they go. It isn't long before they find themselves in an underground garage, where he pulls into one of the empty spaces before getting out of the vehicle.
"Welcome home, Sir." A voice calls out as an older, well dressed man approaches. He takes Bloodletter's coat and then his mask as they are removed and handed to him. "Shall I have dinner prepared?"

Oliver Lobelia

"Bring mine to my study, Anthony. The others can eat together if they wish, but it's been a long day and it has yet to end for me." he replies, the robotic nature of his voice completely gone with his mask removed. He then turns to his guest. "Now that I can finally greet you properly; I'm Oliver, Oliver Lobelia. Welcome to my abode, feel free to make yourself at home."

Emily Forge

Emily looked around at the place, rather stunned by the manor and what lay beneath it. After he revealed himself, she raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
"Well, Oliver... are you Batman or something? I honestly did not expect... please tell me you didn't don your butler to impress the girl?"

Oliver Lobelia

"Vampire Batman, that would be a hell of a twist though it certainly wasn't an intended aesthetic. I have money so I use it to further my goals and the staff are useful and loyal." He begins to walk off, heading for the entrance to the manor's basement level. "Oh and trust me, I only have the need to impress two people in my life and you are neither."

Emily Forge

She smiled as she walked behind him, following closely as she observed the manor. "Ouch. Insulting the guests, are we? Hmph. Looks like a bunker down here."
"So where's the money come from?"

Oliver Lobelia

"I call things like I see them, if that offends people that is their problem." he says as they walk into the basement hallway. "I manage a rather successful hedge fund, it has turned out to be very lucrative. The property and building itself were inherited when my mother passed away, a relic of my grandfather's massive estate before he sold most of it to found the Lobelia Corporation." He stops in front of the spiral staircase leading upstairs. "There's a guest room down here at the end of the hall if you prefer something more secure, and plenty of rooms on the second floor if you prefer something not so dreary. Once you've made your choice someone will bring you your keys."

Emily Forge

Emily looked at him, before looking around. Very strange, I don't know what to think...
"That's very... generous. Not afraid I'm here to steal nuclear launch codes or assassinate some politician? You've been rather trusting."

Oliver Lobelia

"If you're an assassin you are certainly a terrible one, and if you're a spy you are going about it rather strangely. Either way you'll be dealt with before you can do any harm if that's the case, trust has nothing to do with it." As I said, useful and loyal. he thinks to himself, knowing his staff were trained to handle a number of threats. He turns to start heading up the stairs as he continues speaking. "Besides, I doubt you'd find your way into the silo with just a key to your room and a key to the front door." His tone makes it hard to tell if he's joking.

Emily Forge

She looked wide eyed at him. "At least tell me which way the fucking silo is so I know it's not the BATHROOM?!"
She looked around, looking between the rooms. "I'm gonna end up having to piss on a fucking warhead or something."
So peculiar. He was rather sure of himself that nothing would happen. The place could be booby trapped.

Storyteller

A woman passing by, having heard the last bit of the back and forth, stops near Emily. "Every bedroom has it's own bathroom, ma'am. And if you are in a hurry there are a few restrooms throughout the house. If a door isn't locked then you are more than welcome to enter it." she says with a smile before quickly moving on.

Emily Forge

Emily placed her hands on her belt before looking around. Fucking great. Alone. In this creepy ass manor. Excuse me, fucking doomsday bunker. Armed with nukes apparently.
Emily wandered towards one of the rooms before opening the door to look inside.

Storyteller

She opens the door and finds herself in a rather large room containing a swimming pool and a hot tub, with the walls lined with torches that light automatically as she enters the room. There is another door on the far end of the room and several 'windows' showcasing an artificial outdoor scene, but little else of note.

Emily Forge

She stared at the hot tub with wide eyes before looking around the room's corners, suspicious paintings, mirrors, anything that could have a camera hidden in it or behind it.
Of course. Indoor hot tub. Nice.

Storyteller

The walls were pretty bare, no paintings or mirrors, but once the facade of the 'windows' is seen through it becomes clear that they are electronic in nature and thus could potentially hide such a hidden camera. She would not be able to be certain without taking them apart.

Emily Forge

Emily turned around and sighed. She unclasped her belt, and slowly but surely she began removing parts of her armor. First, she let her heavy chestplate crash onto the floor before then removing her gauntlets and gloves. She went from top to bottom until she was left in bodysuit. She unzipped it, climbing out of it. Left only in her sleepwear, she hurried over to the hot tub before sinking in.

Storyteller

The water is warm, seemingly left on but at the lowest setting. She gets a few moments to herself after getting in, but after some time the other door suddenly opens. Through it walks a woman in a bathing suit with long blood-red hair and similarly red eyes.
"Oh? I didn't realize Oliver had another guest, is he throwing a party or something? He does so far too infrequently." she says glancing over at the hot tub before continuing over to the pool and diving in, quickly swimming down to the bottom of the 10 ft depth and tapping the floor before swimming back to the surface and then to the edge closest to the other woman. "I'm Alyndivex, but you can call me Lyn. And you are?" Her voice was respectful and refined to a degree, yet somehow brash at the same time.

Emily Forge

Emily stared at her with wide eyes. She immediately concealed her chest, and refused to remove her arms. Is everyone here a fucking vampire millionaire?
"Uhhh... I'm Emily... nice to meet you. You... live here?"

Storyteller

"For now. In the end I'm just a guest as well, just a long term one." she says before pushing herself away from the side of the pool and letting herself float.

Emily Forge

She looked around, before sinking back into the hot tub a little. "There aren't any cameras in here, right? I'd rather my body not get posted to some website for kidnappers."

Storyteller

She laughs. "I doubt it. He's careful about security but he isn't a creep. Also, you must have been pretty desperate if you were worried about that and still chose to get in."

Emily Forge

Emily shook her head. "You have no idea. I have bathed in lakes, rivers, ponds, the sea, wells, and even the water collected in a front loader. We can't all afford exotic homes with fancy tubes. So yes, I figure my boxers and bra were not the worst things I could've climbed in here with. At least there's no cameras."

Storyteller

"We all have our trials in life, even I've got a tragic origin story I could bore you with if you wanted. At least now you have this place, things should be looking up." she says, swimming back over to the edge and pulling herself out of the water before starting to walk back towards the door. "Well, I'll leave you to it, I just needed to cool down after my workout. It was a pleasure to meet you, Emily."

Emily Forge

Emily gave her a two finger salute as she sunk deeper into the tub. "Oh my god..." she groaned as she was now up to her chin. "I think he shot me in the fucking face in that alley, because this is heaven.
She would end up being in the tub for nearly half an hour, rinsing her hair and simply enjoying the warmth. Afterwards, she climbed out and dried off with some of the towels set aside neat the pool. She used water from the pool to scrub her armor, cleaning it to the best of her ability. She flexed her robotic arm before it clicked and she looked at it. She could no longer lift it high or far forward. You've got to be kidding. Did the water do this to you Matilda? Huh, baby?
"Good old days when taking a bath would break my fucking arm..."
She suited back up, and exited the room, walking down the halls looking for someone.

Storyteller

The basement didn't see too much activity but it wasn't long before a man walked down the stairway holding a basket filled with sheets. Seeing her expression as she's looking around he sets the basket down and walks over. "Can I help you, Ma'am?"

Emily Forge

"Sorry, so I was wandering this literal ant colony of a house and my arm is malfunctioning. I don't suppose you have a room for a mechanic? Like a garage or workshop?"

Storyteller

"Of course, right this way." He goes back and picks up the basket again before moving to a doorway across from the stairwell. He opens the door and walks in, revealing a large room mostly filled with tools both large and small. "The mechanic is out for the night, so if you need help it'll have to wait till the morning. Otherwise feel free to use what you need, the workshop is open to all guests." he says before moving over to a small section of the room designated for laundry equipment and returning to his work.

Emily Forge

"Thanks, Marcus. I appreciate it."
And until I learn a name, you shall henceforth be known as Marcus, Lord of the Laundry.
Emily walked over to the workshop, opening containers to retrieve scrap metal and other metallic junk. She compiled what she could find, before using her good arm to attach it, and using her ability to manipulate the metals and fuse them into her robotic arm. After a few moments, she pulled out the dented piece of metal she'd been using previously and set it down. A fair trade, she supposed.

[1 × Normal(Manipulator) 12/15 EP]

Storyteller

The man simply nodded before walking off, but whether that was because the name was right or from a refusal to correct her remained to be seen. She'd find plenty of scrap here and there to use for her purposes. The man set the sheets to wash and set the empty basket aside with others before leaving the room, seemingly paying no mind to what she was doing.

Emily Forge

After several moments, she winded her arm around, testing the synthetic limb. It seemed to work well. There you go, Matilda... like a Chevy fixed with duct tape... brand new.
Emily stepped out of the workshop before calling to the man. "Marcus, do you guys have a map or something? Or can you tell me how to get into the actual house and not the President's safe room?"

Storyteller

The man is at the base of the stairwell when she calls out to him, stopping and turning to face her. "If there are any maps of this building, they are in the possession of Mr. Lobelia. He should be in his study on the first floor currently, I can show you the way if you'd like."

Emily Forge

Emily nodded, following him closely. "That will most certainly be required. I'm quite lost. So..." Why couldn't he just have a normal manor? Why does it have to be a maze?

Storyteller

He continues up the stairs which lead to the first floor, opening up in the center of a large hallway. At one end of the hall is a large set of double doors and in the opposite direction is an opening to what appears to be a ballroom. Near the stairwell are two smaller hallways leading in each direction, and a second staircase leads further up to the second floor. Off to the side from one of the hallways is a small alcove with a door, the only thing which breaks the symmetry of the main hall.
The man leads Emily to the doorway off to the side, knocking on the door twice. "Mr. Lobelia, Miss Emily has requested a map of the residence."

Oliver Lobelia

"Send her in, Marcus." he called back to them through the door.

Storyteller

Almost immediately, the man opens the door and gestures to Emily for her to enter. The room contains a desk with two computers and various equipment for them, one of which Oliver is sitting at, as well as shelves and bookcases with various oddities and literature (most of which relating to computer technology, martial arts, or finance.)

Emily Forge

She entered, looking around and observing the items in the room. However, she turned around with her jaw dropped. She pointed at the man. "Your name is Marcus?! Ahhhh... good man. My name is-"
Emily paused and thought on it for a moment. "Ok. This place really is cursed. I'm gonna find out that under the silos there's a fucking Native American graveyard or something."
She turned and looked at Oliver. "So, what're you doing?"

Storyteller

Marcus simply lets a small smirk into his expression for a moment before closing the door behind her, thoroughly satisfied that he also guessed correctly.

Oliver Lobelia

"Working. Finance is one of the few things with little guesswork involved for me, so I spend a lot of time working. I take it you're lost?" he asks, finally turning away from the computer to face her.

Emily Forge

Emily placed her hands on her belt. "Nah. Of course not. You know how it is. I can see through walls. Took me only a few seconds to get here. Marcus forgot the way, I was just showing him how to get here."
She walked forward, taking a seat on the edge of the desk. "Its a really nice place. Met your sister? Girl friend? Whatever she is."

Oliver Lobelia

"I suppose you mean Alyndivex. Girlfriend isn't a term I'd use, even if we do spend an occasional night together. She's a major investor in the fund I manage so I let her use one of the guest suites whenever she wants, which tends to be most of the time. I don't know why she choses to live here but I don't ask questions." He turns back to the computer as he shifts the conversation back with a question. "Do you have a smartphone?"

Emily Forge

"No, but I have a cool robot arm. Don't know if that helps." She twisted her mechanical arm, showing off its abilities. Do I have a smartphone? I'm poor, pal. We can't all have dope shit.

Oliver Lobelia

"As long as you are staying here you can hold on to this." He reaches over and grabs a phone off the top of the desk and hands it to her. If she takes it the screen would flash on shortly after as three files are sent to the device. Each was a building plan for one of the three floors of the building, serving as a sort of map. The phone was unlocked and seemingly empty beside the recently received images. It was a couple of models behind the latest phones on the market, but it was heavily optimized from both a hardware and software point of view giving it arguably more functionality than most normal phones. Nothing too extreme, but definitely not something the average consumer would do to a phone.

Emily Forge

Emily took it into her hand and stared at it. "Oh... thanks, Dad. But I don't have a lot of experience with phones. I'll figure it out. I'll turn it in when I'm done. Can I make calls on this thing or what?" She asked, tampering with it.

Oliver Lobelia

"It's in service, yes." he says, turning back to her before suddenly standing. "Come on, I think it's time we talked properly since you seem so confused and it's best we do it elsewhere." He starts walking away, through an opening which connected the study to a bedroom, and if she follows he continues to head toward another door at the back left of the bedroom.

Emily Forge

Emily followed him, and she assumed the worst when she saw the bedroom. Then she saw him leading her to another room. "Please tell me you don't have a dungeon or something. I'm no good with a whip."

Oliver Lobelia

He opens the door, revealing a round room with several chairs and a small fully stocked bar. Once they are both through the door he closes it behind them and the room becomes eerily quiet. Whereas before one could hear the sounds of the nearby staff or other guests moving about the manor, in this room with the door sealed there was nothing but the sounds within the room. The silence doesn't last long though, as Oliver wastes no time cutting to the chase.
"You witnessed a murder. You then implicated yourself as my 'accomplice', as you put it, because you understood the risk your continued existence poses for me and you knew that such an act would minimize that risk." he says, walking over to the bar and grabbing a glass. As he continues to speak he pours a clear liquid from an unmarked bottle into the glass. "I am not here to play some game with you, I brought you here to pay back that debt. The way I see it, Miss Forge, this plays out one of three ways. The first possibility is you make that statement entirely true, become my accomplice and work for me. I can offer you better pay than you'll find elsewhere, and that comes with training if need be. I'll pay this debt with the opportunity to fulfill your goals, whatever they may be, and in the process you'll help me to fulfill mine." He pauses for a moment to take a drink from the glass as he turns back to Emily, gesturing towards the bar in the process as if to say 'Get a drink if you want it'. "Or, if you'd rather not be so deeply involved in the affairs of Vampire Batman, you can instead take repayment in the form of security. You can live here as long as you'd like and enjoy the benefits of a home guarded more thoroughly than most government buildings, as well as have access to much of the manor's facilities, all for free. You'll be guaranteed comfort but it'll be on you to find more for yourself if you want it. In both cases you will be obviously be expected to keep quiet about what you know. You'll be monitored and in the event that you seem to pose a threat once more, you will be dealt with. A simple agreement either way, don't you think?"

Emily Forge

She walked over to the bar, and grabbed a bottle of gin. She took it and topped off her glass before setting the bottle back down. She began sipping it, but drank more and more until it was empty. She set the glass down and looked at him.
"I wouldn't mind doing some work from time to time. I'm decent at that. So long as I don't have to get on my knees or wear pretty dresses. I'm more of a hands dirty kinda person. First and foremost, we have to discuss payments. Then, I'll need a couple things. But once we work out the nitty gritty, I'll dance with the devil. Hows that sound?"

Oliver Lobelia

"It sounds like we are off to a good start. The payments will be generous, that is half the point after all. And I'm sure I can get you whatever you need, though that will ultimately depend on what it is." he says before finishing off his own glass.

Emily Forge

"Well, a few sensors. I plan on integrating a screen and camera into Matilda. That way I'll have night vision, FLIR, whatever visuals I might need. We're not all night lurkers like you. The screen would also need to be able to be used as comms device as well as something to store information. Actually, how bad do you want this phone back?"
She brandished the phone. "I think I could get it done cheaper if I used a phone instead of some high tech screen. It'd just be really awkward if Matilda started ringing in combat though."

Oliver Lobelia

"Keep the phone, I'll have the rest of what you need brought to you tomorrow. As far as payment, would you prefer a salary or per job payments? You'll make more per job but work won't be consistent."

Emily Forge

Emily placed her hands on her belt, thinking for a moment. "We'll do a salary. You'll cover the costs of tools I require for each job? If I have to blow open a vault, I'd hate to be spending all my money on the bombs, you know?"

Oliver Lobelia

"Of course" he says, moving back to the bar and pouring himself another glass. "Expenses will always be paid on my end, rest assured. I want the best possible result and you get what you pay for. We'll start you off at two hundred thousand, but we can discuss bringing that number up based on your performance once you've done a few jobs. Sound fair?"

Emily Forge

Her eyebrows certainly raised up at that. "200,000 sounds well worth it. Alright. I'm going to be heading out for tonight. Call me if we need to arrange details or if you have a job appear."

Oliver Lobelia

"Good, I'm glad we could come to an agreement. I'll be in touch." He stays in the room a while longer to finish his drink as Emily leaves the room, then later returns to his study to continue his work.

Type

Record, Historical

Medium

Digital Recording, Text