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Cardverse!Hetalia - I'm Still Here

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By chicky-the-dragon.deviantart.com

Cardverse!Hetalia – I'm Still Here
Blue birds soared through the sky above Spades Castle's private garden. A small, white rabbit munched happily on some grass, seeming quite content with its day until its ears twiched instinctively as a shadow loomed over it. Before it could bolt, the owner of said shadow scooped up the startled critter into his strong arms.

“FLUFFY!” an excited, child-like voice cooed, stroking its fur happily. “Dude, how did you get outta that hutch? Has one of the young servants let you out for a run again? Tsk, Artie won't be pleased if his fave bunny got lost.” The King of Spades nuzzled his perfectly-sculptured face into its fur, knocking his glasses slightly off his nose in the process. His bright, blue eyes sparkled with mirth as the sun reflected off his golden-blond hair that had one stray piece defying gravity.

”Kesesese! I am a question to the world, King of Unawesomeness,” an obnoxious, disembodied voice chuckled from somewhere above the young monarch, causing him to jump in shock.

“Who goes there?!” Alfred exclaimed, dropping the bunny to withdraw his jewel-encrusted short sword from his belt. There was a rustling noise from above, and a few minutes later an albino, devil-like being leapt down to greet the King with a smirk.

“Long time, no see, Lamesauce!”

Alfred blinked stupidly at the being before embracing him in a tight hug. “GIL! BUDDY! How's life as a Joker, you moron?”

The Joker slapped him roughly on the shoulder as a friendly gesture and said, “I am a question to the world, not an answer to be heard, or a moment that's held in your arms...”

The King frowned in confusion. “Uh, what?”

“Kesesese!”

“Dude, stop laughin'! What's with the weird riddle?” He pouted adorably.

The Joker lounged on the soft grass, smiling cheekily. “Not everything is a riddle. Sometimes I just like to see the 'Mighty King o' Spades' wonder what the fuck's goin' on from time to time!”

The monarch sighed and turned to face the immortal with a steely gaze. “Dude... You Jokers only talk to us when some important shit is going down. What's up, man?”

The albino's playful expression suddenly morphed into a serious one as he stood face-to-face with the King. “You got me! I'm here to warn you that a rift is forming.”

“A rift?”

“A rift.”

“... Can you, like, TELL me what the hell you mean?”

Gilbert grinned cheekily for a moment before returning to his stoic expression. “Can't go into detail but your lover is about to throw a spanner into your plans for the kingdom, and the kingdom is going to have some issues with your Queen... and you are going to...”

“WHAT? I'm gonna WHAT exactly?” Alfred snapped impatiently. There was a fiery tint to his blue eyes. “Our kingdom is FINE! They love Artie and I--”

“Snap out of it, Dummkopf,” the Joker interjected coolly, leaning against the garden wall. “I don't waste mein awesome time with unawesome things. The fact of the matter is, I'm warning you of troubles to come. You won't realise your relationship with your lover is in danger before it's too late. I'm telling you this now because once you DO remember my awesome message of doom, you'll be able to think of a way to FIX shit.”

A tense silence dragged on between the two males.

Alfred was the first to crack. “Whatever. Now 'scuse me, my Queen wants me to help with party preparations.” At the mere thought of the party, the King cheered up considerably.

Gilbert rolled his eyes and vanished into thin air (awesomely!).




Queen Arthur Kirkland beamed happily as he smoothed out the non-existent creases in the collar of a fine, blue coat that was on a hanger. His choppy, blond hair shone almost magically in the afternoon light from his Royal Chamber windows. He started humming to himself and didn't jump when someone entered unannounced.

“Well hello, my tea-loving lover~ What's got YOU in a good mood?” Alfred F. Jones asked cheekily, stealing a kiss from the other. Arthur blushed and held the coat against his husband's chest to visually check if it was the correct measurement.

“Hmm...” The green-eyed Queen bit his bottom lip in thought, determining that the tails of the coat were far too long for the younger man. He placed the outfit back where it came from. “I just wanted everything to be perfect,” he admitted shyly.

Alfred melted and hugged his lifelong friend. “O' course it'll be perfect! We'll be there and there will be burgers and fireworks...”

Arthur pushed himself out of the embrace firmly, scowling at the King. “Excuse me, but there will be no such thing! It is a formal celebration with the higher classes and due to a dip in Spades' economy we cannot afford a fireworks display. Yao discussed this with us TWO WEEKS AGO!”

Yao Wang was the Jack of Spades, a long-haired wiseman who kept the monarchs' decisions in perspective. He was also very good at using simple kitchen utensils as a form of weaponry. During a petty war with their 'sometimes' allies (the Kingdom of Diamonds), Yao had successfully warded off a group of assassins with a wok, a set of steak knives and a chopping board. The King and Queen found that information hilarious and used it to spite King Francis of Diamonds at any given opportunity.

Alfred groaned. “Dammit, Artie, this is a National Holiday, not some lame court dance or shit. I hate those stuffy jerks and they'll only coerce you into more paperwork before the night is out. We'll need a barbecue or something and invite the lower classes!”

Arthur growled, slapping his favourite person upside the head. “Alfred F. Jones, the invites to the guests have already been sent! We cannot invite commoners, it will look bad...”

The taller man slammed his fist against the wall, causing his husband to jump in shock from the noise. The King towered over his Queen, making the latter instinctively lean backwards. Alfred grabbed Arthur by the collar and brought their faces uncomfortably close to one another.  “SHUT UP! You do this EVERY TIME, Arthur, and I couldn't give two fucks about those stodgy Upper-Class bastards. We need to be OUT THERE,” he wildly gestured towards the window, “mingling with the public. We need THEIR confidence, not those posh geezers! You haven't arranged a party, Arthur. You've arranged another event to force me into situations that require so-called 'etiquette' and ass-kissing.”

Shocked, it took Arthur a moment to recover his mode of speech as he retorted, “Now see--”

The King snapped, silencing further complaints. “We PROMISED the public with Equal Rights and this is only encouraging the gaps between Rich and Poor. This has to stop NOW.”

The Queen scrambled for his confidence. Alfred was harder to deal with when he was angry, moreso than his hyperactive self, mostly because he was bloody scary when antagonised! Levelling his gaze with his partner, he said, “Are you still whining about those tax--”

Alfred saw red and slapped his Queen, something that was so out of character for the nineteen-year-old that the act had stunned the Queen more than the impact itself. “Those taxes are a disgrace and I NEVER agreed to them! But what do you think you'd ever say to the poor folks, dude? They have it hard enough as it is and ya can't even throw a decent event for 'em. This holiday is about celebrating Equal Rights and yet you lost sight of that already. What kind of a useless Queen are you?! You don't listen to the people.”

“Let me expl--”

“I won't listen anyway.”

“Hypocrite!”

“You'll never understand,” Alfred seethed, pinning the Queen against the wall to prevent thoughts of escape. “I'm not a boy. Treat me like a MAN, asshole.”

Arthur fixed him with an angry glare that could send pirates running. Alfred was unaffected by this move. Arthur spoke. “Bastard! After all I've done for you!” Genuine hurt mixed in with his outraged demeanour. “You can't take me and throw me away!”

“You don't know me!”

“Oh I know you, you ungrateful GIT! But I am just going to have to listen to you whine like a little kid because you didn't get your way.”

“We AREN'T hosting a formal event for Equal Rights Day! An-and THIS!” He unsheathed his sword and pointed it directly at the gorgeous coat Arthur was showing him beforehand. “It's a symbol of all the things that this day goes against. How many tailors sewed on the buttons? I mean REALLY.” He sliced off the collar and then an entire row of indigo buttons on the garment. Arthur tensed significantly, staring at the coat in shock. “This stupid piece of trash probably cost more than what an entire family on the outskirts of Spades earns in a week.” With an excruciatingly long tear, the blade sliced off the perfectly ironed arms. His husband gulped but did not avert his gaze. “A silly piece of material that's only good for keeping someone warm in Winter.” He sliced a huge X-shape on the back of the clothing and turned on his heel away from Arthur who seemed to be frozen to the spot.

He paused by the door one last time before saying, “Screw etiquette. Screw social hierarchy. I am not some doll to be made up. I'll never be who you want me to be.”

The King slammed the door shut, leaving Arthur to sit on the edge of their bed numbly.

The green-eyed man surveyed the torn-up coat with a trembling lip and watery eyes. He wiped his tears with the edges of his sleeves ('Screw etiquette'), trying his best to calm down. “Bloody hell... That's the last time I waste half the year making anything from scratch for that bastard.” That was when he could not cease his sobbing. “M-maybe Alfred is right,” he choked, gazing out of the chamber window forlornly, watching the butterflies. “I'm a horrible person. I d-don't deserve h-him... I h-have been to hard on him...”




A young boy of about twelve years in age watched Arthur from the Joker's Plain (which is a bit like the Spiritual Plain but crazier). He shared the Queen's accent but had neater hair and bright blue eyes. The child frowned and motioned to reach out to the older man, even though he was not a physical being. He sighed when the albino Joker placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Turn that frown upside down, jung one.”

“B-but Jerk-Arthur is really sad! I saw him make that thing from the start. He even paid the lower classes EXTRA for the materials, but meanie Alfred didn't give him a chance to explain that to him!”

Gilbert folded his arms and watched the Queen break down with a critical eye. “Life ain't fair, kiddo.”

The child bit his lip as he turned on his heel to leave. “If only I could be real. The moody git could use a hug. The jerk is my big brother, he needs someone.”

The older Joker awkwardly brought him into a gentle embrace. “I miss mein jung brude too. I also miss awesome things like sword fighting.” He ruffled the boy's hair. “Don't worry about those guys, Peter. They're adults and will work things out.”

“And if not?”

“Then the world will implode but the awesome-us will still be here! Kesesese!” he joked.




The next day was painfully strained between the Spades Triumvirate and the castle staff made sure not to accidentally anger their superiors in the best of their abilities. Inside the castle's vast and beautiful library, the Jack was trying to teach the King history, the King was bored and kept bickering with the Queen, and the Queen argued back when he felt like it.

“... And that was how King Callum died in his rule,” the Jack concluded importantly, only to anger when he saw that Alfred was making paper aeroplanes out of parchment. “AIYAH! Your Majesty, please tell me that you have paid the slightest bit of attention, aru!”

The King shrugged and grunted, returning to his paper crafts as if Yao said nothing. One chair over, Arthur glanced up from the novel he was reading to slap his husband behind the ear.

“Git! Learn something!” Arthur reprimanded sharply.

Alfred whined. “Why can't YOU learn it for me?”

Arthur bristled. “Idiot! How can you learn what's never shown?”

The King growled. “Shut up, Artie! Why can't we learn something USEFUL like, like farming or, or...”

The Queen slammed his book against the table in frustration. “You – are – a – KING! Know your bloody place!” In retrospect, yelling probably wasn't the smartest thing for the bushy-browed royal to do, but dammit, he was apoplectic! “I don't know what's got into you lately but for goodness sake, Alfred, have a little respect!”

Alfred scoffed and screeched his chair backwards across the formerly-unscuffed marble floors. “Excuse me, I'm going to let off some steam by fighting Mathias in the courtyard.”

Once the doors to the library clicked shut, Arthur buried his head in his hands as Yao observed him with a frown. “What happened, ahen? You two are driving the entire castle insane!”

The Queen groaned and got to his feet slowly. “That twat is getting all worked up over Equal Rights Day and he seems to forget his duties to his people and the fact that I am MARRIED to him.” He threaded his fingers through his dishevelled hair and, rather ungraciously, faceplanted the table. This, in turn, alarmed the Jack.

“AIYAH! Are you all right, my Queen?!” His only response was a mumbled reply. “Talk clearly, ahen.”

Arthur lifted his head and pouted. “Does he not love me anymore?”

“What?” The question was unexpected.

“Alfred. Does he not love me anymore? Lately our interactions have been minimal and we argue all the time. I – I fear that I'm losing him.”

The Jack exhaled and cracked his neck to alleviate the stress. He surveyed his Queen with a disparaging face. “Arthur, I am sure that he would inform you if he had a problem with your current relationship. You know that he is a wild one, ahen! I bet that once Equal Rights Day comes along, he will be able to relax and have fun.” The hopeful tone of Yao's voice did nothing to lift Arthur's mood.

“I – I'll be in the Fairy Garden if anyone needs my presence...” the Queen replied quietly, his head bowed as he walked to the library door. “For some fresh air.”

“Your Majesty! Would you like to talk to the Royal Counsellor at all? We do not want a repeat of the Rev--”

“JACK YAO, NO!” Arthur yelled, shooting a venomous glare at the stunned subordinate. “Just... no. I want to be left alone. Besides, they don't know me. And if the King asks for me, tell him that I'm not here.”

Yao sighed witheringly. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Arthur nodded in approval, turning around gracefully to leave.




The Fairy Garden was a beautiful place and the only area of Spades Kingdom that had more than just shades of blues, purples, browns, blacks and whites. It was such a vibrant place, a private getaway for the royal couple, and it improved Queen Arthur's emotions the second that he stepped on the luscious grass. It was like a dream world; somewhere filled with hazy lights and a warm, tranquil ambience.

As Arthur sat down on a stone bench next to the fish pond, a group of glittering lights hovered around his head, occasionally bumping into his cheeks and his nose. The Queen sighed and stared directly at the orbs. “Dammit, ladies, I am not in the mood for your games.”

A green shimmer of light spoke in a gentle, feminine tone. “What is wrong, Arthur of Spades? Are you not happy to see us?”

“He seems sad, sister,” a blue orb interjected.

A pink orb settled on top of Arthur's head. “Why are you so down? Did people make fun of your cooking again?” The royal's brows furrowed irritably. “Or your eyebrows?” This earnt a deep scowl. “Maybe it's because you're a grump--”

“QUIET!” the Queen roared, startling his fairy friends. They scattered and flew away by a few feet as he ranted. “I am bloody sick of this kingdom, okay?! I can never please anyone and when I appease someone I cock-up relations with someone else! Dammit...” His voice cracked as his emotional energy drained into a melancholy state. “I – I tried. I tried to do RIGHT this time... and... and...”

“Aww, don't cry!” said the pink fairy, feeling brave enough to approach him again. Her sisters followed suit. “Mr. Arthur, sir. You know that we will always be here for you, right?”

Arthur sniffled, wiping his eyes and smiled weakly at them. “Thank you. But the others in the kingdom cannot see you and those people think lowly of me. Is it such a terrible thing to want acknowledgement for my accomplishments? My ability to touch things others claim to be unreal...? I just want to belong, you know?” The fairies muttered sympathetically as their favourite Queen dealt with these issues.

Meanwhile, up in the safety of the trees, the two Jokers watched on worriedly. Gilbert was mumbling as Peter balanced precariously on a branch. “I know whatcha mean, Brows,” the albino remarked quietly to himself. ”A Joker's life ain't that awesome either.”

Peter poked the elder in the arm to grab his attention. “Why can't I go down there and help Jerk-Arthur cheer up? I prefer his grouchy-self to his mopey-self.”

Gilbert laughed. “Kesesese! You're just like the Queen. Too damn shy to outright say you want to hug him.”

The younger boy stomped his foot against the branch and whined, “Pete isn't shy! I can't hug him anyway. I'm like a ghost or something...” Unfortunately, the Joker had created enough noise to alert the Queen below.

Looking around hastily with his eyes, Arthur hissed, “Who's there?!”

The Jokers made a quick getaway.




King Alfred stormed through the castle hallways, frightening whoever he passed by by his irate disposition as he cursed audibly about his 'stuffy Queen'. “Stuck-up, isolated, mean son-of-a-bitch. Well, if HE thinks he can rule this kingdom on his own then he has another thing comin'! I'm gonna take things into my own hands.” He shoved his way into the castle kitchens, making the cooks leap a foot into the air because of his unexpected entrance, and made his way over to the pantry to locate a tray of cakes. “Bastard Arthur. How dare he belittle me!” He started shovelling cakes into his mouth without a thought about the fact those desserts were to be served after dinner.

Unfortunately, Alfred ate more food under highly stressful situations. That was something else that Arthur bitched to him about. Shovelling another cake into his mouth, he heard someone approach him from behind and snatch the treats away. “HEEEEY!” he whined, turning to confront the snack-thief, only to be met by a huffy Jack.

Stern brown eyes challenged defiant blues. Yao got in the first word with a flail of his arms (after setting the food down safely, of course). “AIYAH, ARU! What do you think you're doing?! We have a grand event coming up and here I see you stuffing your face like pig when the Queen is deeply upset! You two should stop arguing and get things in order now.”

Alfred managed to croak out an “Ah-” in protest before the Jack cut him off.

“NOW! I am not going to waste more time trying to balance my own duties with yours and the Queen's during another one of your spats! Get to the Fairy Garden this instance!”

The King was too shocked to scold his subordinate and obeyed without dispute. “Ah – yessir!” He shot out of the kitchen as if he had hellhounds nipping at his heels. Yao blew a piece of hair out of his face, apologising to the cooks for their King's lack of manners.




In the Fairy Garden, Arthur was making daisy chains, talking to his supernatural friends, attempting to find peace in his chaotic world. His crown was placed next to him on the grass. Without it he felt more youthful, with no one demanding all of his time. Arthur came to the conclusion that he really did need a break from his responsibilities as Queen to relax. Was this what Alfred had wanted all along? Thinking about it, it was not a terrible thing to ask for, after all.

As Alfred approached his husband quietly, he realised how peaceful he looked and was suddenly fuelled with the desire to see the older male in this state of bliss more often. Arthur tensed as his footsteps closed the distance. “H-hey, Artie,” he began. All anger had drained from him.

“Get lost, Alfred. I don't care how you celebrate Equal Rights Day. You can do anything... clearly you have no use for me,” the Queen spoke bitterly, refusing to look at the King.

Alfred frowned and continued forward regardless, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Artie, I was a jerk and I'm sorry but my point still stands...”

“Your POINT?!” Arthur rounded on the taller man, balling his hands into fists. “You are no better than any other twat in this kingdom.” Alfred flinched. “Everyone judges me. Everyone taunts me because of my 'Second Sight'. I try and do something nice and it gets thrown back in my face time and time again. They want me to change, Alfred, to become NORMAL,” his voice was quivering in high emotion, spitting the word 'normal' as if it was poison. He gazed pleadingly at his husband. “How can the world want me to change? They're the ones that stay the same. Ha! Everyone has fair Rights except for me. They don't know me...”

“But I'm still here.”

Warm hands grasped Arthur's cold ones as Alfred fixed a loving look at his lover. He stroked Arthur's cheek affectionately. “And you see the things they never see. Those fairies, ghosts, unicorns... You're so special, Art. I promise I won't be thoughtless to you from now on. Hero's Honour! I can be all you want, Artie, I swear it.”

Arthur smiled and kissed him chastely on the lips. “I know, love. Now you know me, I'm not afraid. I want to tell you who I am. I want us to be closer...”

“Haha! Does that mean you'll help me be a man?” Alfred asked suggestively with a wink, causing Arthur to blush greatly.

“Y-yes. I suppose I should help you in that aspect... as your Queen, of course.”

A sweet silence fell between the two.

After a moment, Arthur whispered, “They can't break me as long as I know who I am.”

“Shh, I know, Artie. I know.”




The Equal Rights Day ball went on as organised (it was too much trouble to cancel anything or invite the common folk) and Alfred decided to let the Class Divide situation go this time. Arthur and Yao were only keeping up appearances, in the end, and Alfred could not hold that against them.

The King and Queen joined in with the dances and mingled with the Upper-Class guests as drinks were distributed by butlers. Unfortunately, that meant that the royals had to socialise with said guests. And that meant listening to them talking about “boring” things, according to Alfred, and them mocking the Queen's ability to “See” what others cannot. The King was not impressed with the latter. His Artie did not need some snobs shunning one of his most interesting personality traits. But just as he was about to protest, Arthur gently led him to the balconies for a private chat.

A light breeze ruffled the lovers' hair. Arthur stroked the front of Alfred's jacket compassionately. He reached up on his toes to steal a kiss from him, both of their eyes were shimmering in the moonlight. The Queen whispered reassuringly in the King's ear, “They can't tell me who to be because I'm not what they see. Your opinion is all that matters, my dear. I promise that next year we can both co-operate with the Equal Rights festivities. Do I have your forgiveness?” He looked hopefully at his husband, subtly asking for acceptance.

Alfred kissed him once on the nose and muttered, “The world is still sleepin' while I keep on  dreamin' for me. And you know who's in those dreams...? Only you, sweetheart. So don't take crap from those morons, 'kay? You are perfect. You're mine and only my opinion matter to ya, right?”

The Queen chuckled softly and hugged Alfred close. “Don't worry. I know that their words are just whispers and lies that I'll never believe.” He nuzzled into the King's shoulder as the hug was returned.

Alfred beamed, teeth as bright as the stars above. “You're my world.”

“You're my world too...” Arthur kept a secure hold on his husband, thinking, I want a moment to be real. I want to touch things I can't feel. I want to hold on and feel I belong.

Alfred ran a hand soothingly through the Queen's hair. “What's wrong? You look a bit tense.”

Arthur inwardly cursed that he was called out like that. He scoffed, thinking of the guests in the hall. “How can they say I'll never change? They're the ones that stay the same...”

Negating the bitterness his husband was radiating, Alfred cooed, “Shh... I'm the one now, coz I'm still here. I'm the one because I'm still here. Don't fret about those losers anymore.”

“I won't. I'm not going anywhere when I have you. They can't break me.”

“I know.”

“They won't break me.”

“Shh...”

“Am I good enough?”

“Yes, and more. Now let's ditch this party and go to bed.”

The couple left the balcony hand-in-hand, bidding farewell to the party-goers to enjoy the rest of the night alone.




The Jokers sat happily on the Spades Castle walls, kicking their legs back and forth carelessly. Peter Kirkland was smiling and giggling at Gilbert Beilschmidt's jokes.

Peter sighed contently, gazing at the moon with glee in his eyes. “I'm glad that Arthur and that other guy have made-up now. Hopefully I won't have to hear them both whine anymore.”

Gilbert burst out laughing. “Kesese! They'll still fight, y'know, but they sorta understand each other. I bet Spades won't know what hit 'em when King Al introduces higher taxes to the rich just to spite them.”

“WHAT? I don't see him doing that at all!”

The albino tutted. “You're a newbie Joker. Don't worry your messy li'l head 'bout it though coz the Awesome Me will be here to guide ya all the way. Now let's go prank mein unawesome bruder in the Hearts Kingdom. Kesesesese!”

The nocturnal wildlife of Spades sprung to life as the Jokers vanished into the darkness, marking the new day because midnight had long-since passed.
For the Disney Songtalia Contest by :iconimagination-junkie:~imagination-junkie
Link to contest info: [link]

:love: I went with Cardverse!Hetalia for this FanFic because it's one of my favourite AUs. Also, when I knew I could use 'I'm Still Here' from Treasure Planet as my song choice, I couldn't think of a better setting for the song. As you can see, I used pretty much ALL of the lyrics in this 4500+ word story. [I couldn't stop, I was having too much fun! :la: I had the whole song divided between the characters before I began writing it. It's PERFECT for Alfred, Arthur and the Jokers.]

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed reading this :D. Cardverse is something I will be revisiting again.

:note: Contains USUK and swearing.

P.S. You [and I] have no idea how many times I listened to that song! *And I still love it!*
:new: Fun Fact: [Seeing as I'm editing this section anyway]
The line "The King shrugged and grunted, returning to his paper crafts as if Yao said nothing." was inspired by this line "Alfred: Using scissors on my crafts, cuz all my crafts give me joy." from my Cleverbot RP here: [link] . Ah, Cleverbot. You're so helpful.

Edits: Made some MINOR edits to the text. I may still have overlooked some miniscule details but this will do for now. Edits included adding a missing letter or punctuation mark and deleting unnecessary white space. If I spot anymore they will be amended.
Updated 26/12/2012: Corrected one spelling mistake. Added a fun fact to Author's Comments.



:police: Stop! You are not authorised to claim this work as your own. Plagiarism is illegal. NO STEALING.
DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION.

:iconstop1plz::iconstop2plz::iconstop3plz::iconstop4plz:

SongFic/FanFiction © *Chicky-the-Dragon [Me]
Hetalia © Hidekaz Himaruya
I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme) © John Rzeznik
Treasure Planet © Disney
© 2012 - 2024 Chicky-the-Dragon
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alexachan80's avatar
super more of this history , the conces of the taxes of rich please¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡