A Path To Omniscience

"Of course." Weiss's voice carried a slight chipperness as she answered. She had put on makeup, enhancing her already pale complexion—typical of those from Atlas—making her skin seem even fairer. The effect was only dimmed by the large, wide-brimmed sun hat and shades she wore.

The hat had a straw-like texture with a whitish tint, complementing the black ribbon wrapped around its base and rim, along with the black bow resting on top. Asher figured she wore it partly to obscure her hair and face, keeping herself from being recognized, but it was clear she had taken care to ensure it matched the rest of her outfit.

Atlas's artificial climate control made the temperature far more forgiving than Matnel's, allowing her to wear a flared, knee-length dress cinched at the waist with a black buckle. The ruffles had a black accent, and the dress itself was supported by black straps over her shoulders, paired with puffed sleeves.

She completed the look with black ankle-strapped shoes and black lace gloves. Her hair, left untied, added to the change in appearance. She looked completely different from the way she usually did when she visited him at Frostvale Manor or when he met her at the Schnee Manor.

"You look good. Black and white really are your colors," Asher commented, putting his scroll into his pocket as he opened the back door of the luxury white sedan he'd been leaning on while waiting for her.

"Really? People always told me white and blue suited me better," Weiss mused. Asher thought for a moment before shrugging, though he nodded at the same time.

"Well, they're not totally wrong. You do look good in almost anything." A smirk crossed his face as he spoke, and he caught the slight flush that colored Weiss's cheeks. She shook her head and slipped into the back seat, muttering under her breath.

"Are you going to be like this the entire date?" Asher waited for her to settle in before getting in himself, closing the door behind him.

Only then did he respond, "Be like what? Giving you compliments?"

"I mean flattering me," Weiss corrected, giving him a playful look.

A chuckle escaped him.

"It's only flattery if it isn't true..." His voice trailed off as he reached for her hand, holding it gently enough that she looked up at him.

He continued, "And I think I've proven I mean everything I say to you. Don't you agree?"

Weiss stared at him for a long moment, her face heating up again. Without answering, she slipped her hand from his grasp, taking a deep breath as she removed her shades and lowered her hat to shield her face.

I don't think I'm going to make it through this...

Asher didn't push her. Instead, he simply smiled to himself before signaling the driver, and the car eased into the street, gliding down the road. The ride was quiet at first as Weiss took a moment to compose herself. After a bit, she finally removed her hat and let out a soft sigh.

"So, where are we going?" She asked, glancing out the window as the city of Atlas skated past her view.

"Hmm? Curious?" Asher teased. Weiss folded her arms.

"No- I mean, yes. I know I kind of sprung this whole date thing on you… so I'd get it if you didn't have time to plan a proper, you know, date date. Especially since you've been busy with your projects and Ironwood-" Asher shook his head, cutting her off.

"Relax, Weiss. I'm just messing with you. I had plenty of time to plan this out. It's just that… it's a bit of a secret. Don't worry, you'll see when we get there."

"Hmm, well, now you've got me curious," she admitted, sitting up in her seat.

"Then try to hold onto that curiosity for a little while longer." His words left a quiet excitement lingering in the car, mostly brimming from Weiss. With how busy Asher had been lately, she hadn't seen him much outside of their conversations over text. The drive gave them a chance to catch up, and they made the most of it.

Eventually, the conversation shifted, and Weiss asked, "By the way, what did you and Whitley talk about last time? I mean, directly."

Asher didn't miss a beat.

"What do you mean?"

Weiss hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Well, he's been asking me some odd questions lately. Like whether I still plan on running the Schnee Dust Company after I become a Huntress."

Asher leaned his head against his hand, watching her.

"And what did you say?" The question made Weiss pause. She met Asher's gaze for a moment before looking down, silent for a few seconds.

"Of course I do," she finally answered.

"I'm becoming a Huntress to prove that my family isn't what people think it is. That my grandfather's legacy didn't die with him, no matter what my father's doing to it now. Once I've done that—once I prove myself to everyone—I'll take over the company and set things right."

Asher listened without interrupting, only speaking once she was finished.

"I see. I didn't realize you admired your grandfather so much. Nicholas Schnee, right?" At the mention of his name, Weiss's eyes brightened. She nodded, her enthusiasm clear.

"That's right. He's my hero—the kind of leader I want to be for the Schnee Dust Company in the future. Honestly…" Her voice trailed off, her expression softening into something more subdued.

"If I'm being honest, I didn't get to talk to my grandfather as much as I wish I had. Most of what I know about him comes from stories and biographies. That and, well… my mother. When I was younger, she loved talking about him. But not so much anymore." Her voice lowered slightly with each word.

Asher let the silence sit for a moment before speaking.

"You don't talk about your mother much." Weiss didn't react right away. She simply folded her legs and shrugged.

"There's not much to say. She was a good mom when I was little—I still remember that. But, like so many other things in my life, Father broke her. It happened on my tenth birthday. That's when he finally dropped the act and admitted he never really loved her… that all he wanted was the Schnee Dust Company." She didn't continue after that. The car fell into silence as Asher studied her, his thoughts turning.

I see… so that's why her mother is the way she is now. I'd figured as much, but hearing it confirmed puts things into perspective. What a mess… Jacques really does ruin everything he touches. Then again, if not for him, I doubt I would've had the chance to grow close to Weiss and Whitley.

There was no doubt in his mind—Weiss and Whitley's father was nothing more than a hazard at this point. But neither of them was old enough to inherit the company, leaving Asher with no real course of action. Winter was an option, of course, but he doubted she had any interest in running the company.

Tilting her head, Weiss caught the focused look on Asher's face, and a slight frown formed on her lips.

Dammit, this is supposed to be a date. I'm ruining the mood talking about this kind of stuff.

She cleared her throat just enough to get his attention, then purposely perked up as she asked, "So, are we close to this secret date spot yet?"

Asher glanced out the window.

"Well, it's not exactly secret, but now that I'm looking… yeah, actually. It's right around the corner."

Hearing that, Weiss turned to peer outside just as the car slowed to a stop in front of a grand neoclassical building, its architecture blended seamlessly with the sleek, modern accents of Atlas. Ornate carvings of muses and dramatic masks adorned its walls, giving it a timeless elegance.

The building stood at least six stories tall, though aside from the first floor, there were no windows. The entrance featured four grand staircases, each lined with rich red carpeting, leading up to massive double doors crafted from dark wood and adorned with gilded filigree.

Even in daylight, the tall arched windows bathed the street in golden light, casting a kaleidoscope of patterns along the pavement. Everything about the place announced its purpose to passersby without the need for a sign.

"This… is this a theater?" Weiss asked, surprise lacing her voice.

"That's right." Asher nodded as the car came to a full stop. After instructing the driver to circle back in about two hours, he stepped out first. Then, rounding to Weiss's side, he opened the door for her, offering his hand.

"Why, thank you. What a gentleman," Weiss teased with a small laugh as she stepped out, adjusting her hat and shades to conceal her hair and face.

As they walked hand in hand toward the theater entrance, the car pulling away behind them, Asher asked, "Have you ever been to a theater before?"

"Yes, but they were usually musical venues. I don't think I've ever been to a place like this before." Weiss glanced around, taking in the grandeur of the building.

"Is this the surprise?" Although she had never been to a theater before, she wouldn't exactly call it a surprise. Not the way Asher had phrased it. Sure enough, he shook his head.

"Not yet. Just wait." With that, he led her inside the foyer, which was just as grand as one would expect after seeing the exterior. A rich red carpet stretched across the floor, and ornate ceiling lights bathed the space in a warm glow. Ushers in lavish uniforms stood by each entrance, ready to take tickets.

As they approached, one of the ushers at their entrance noticed them and hesitated for a brief second before offering a warm smile.

"Why, hello there, and welcome to the Polaris Grand Theater. How can I assist you?" Asher reached into his pocket and handed over two tickets. The usher examined them, his gaze flicking between the names on the tickets and the two of them a couple of times before his expression shifted.

"I- I see! Please, follow me." With that, he turned and led them deeper into the foyer, heading toward a staircase leading to the upper floors.

As they walked, Weiss caught sight of a sign displaying the performance schedule for the day. One title stood out, making her tilt her head curiously.

"Moonlight and Monarchs?"

"Is that the name of the play?" She asked.

"That's right," the usher replied.

"It's based on a fantastical novel of the same name, written by the Atlesian novelist Nava Fawn." The moment she heard the author's name, Weiss's eyes widened. She looked from the usher to Asher, her grip on his hand tightening slightly.

"Wait, wait… that Nava Fawn? Am I thinking of the right person?"

Asher smirked at her reaction and nodded.

"That's right. One of the first books you ever recommended to me was Echoes of the Enchanted and Chasing Stardust by Nava Fawn. So, I did some digging and found out she wrote another popular book, Moonlight and Monarchs. Turns out, it has a theatrical adaptation—right here in Atlas."

At this point, Asher could practically see the excitement bubbling in Weiss's eyes.

"You- I- Oh my gosh!"

"Well, if that's got you excited, then you'll love this—both books are actually set in the same world."

His smirk widened as he added, "I won't spoil anything, but I think you'll notice some similarities."

Weiss's excitement only grew, her grip on Asher's hand tightening even more. Laughing, he winced slightly.

"Weiss, you're going to break my hand."

"Oh, sorry! This is just turning out to be the best date of my life."

Hearing that, Asher raised a brow.

"You've been on other dates before?" Weiss immediately froze. Whatever she had planned to say caught in her throat as she glanced up at Asher, catching his curious yet slightly serious expression.

"Well, they- They weren't exactly dates... per se. My father set them up. I never even wanted to-" She stopped mid-sentence as she noticed the slow smirk curling on Asher's face. Realization hit.

"Oh, you are absolutely insufferable," she huffed, releasing his hand.

As they continued walking, Weiss spent the rest of the way pouting, while Asher chuckled to himself. Soon, they reached a set of doors on one of the top floors, where the usher gestured toward them.

"Please, go right ahead. The play will be starting in about ten minutes." With that, he quickly took his leave.

Pushing open the doors, they stepped inside the theater—and were immediately met with a breathtaking view. The space was massive, dimly lit but grand, with row after row of seats stretching across the first level and even more filling the second tier above.

The theater was nearly at full capacity, and their private box seat off to the side gave them the perfect vantage point of the stage. The box itself was surprisingly spacious, featuring a lounge couch and a table positioned in front of it. Embedded in the tabletop was a sleek screen display that, upon closer inspection, seemed to be a menu.

"Everything's pre-paid, so you can order whatever you want, and they'll bring it straight to the door," Asher said, sliding off his jacket and draping it over the headrest of the couch.

"You know I could have paid for it, right?" Weiss pointed out as she removed her hat and shades.

Asher nodded. "Of course. But the difference is, I paid for this with my money. You'd have had to use your father's. Unless you plan on explaining to him why you were in a theater box seat alone."

Weiss exhaled, conceding. "Okay, fair enough."

As Asher got comfortable on the lounge couch, Weiss crawled toward the table, swiping through the digital menu with growing interest.

"I don't think I've heard of half the things on here before," Weiss commented as she continued swiping through the menu.

"Well, I wouldn't expect them to serve this kind of stuff at the Schnee Manor," Asher mused. "Think of it as similar to what we had during the sleepover."

At that, Weiss glanced back at him. "Oh! Do you think they have those chocolates I liked?"

"Probably. They're pretty popular," he replied.

A few moments later, her voice lit up with excitement. "Oh, they do!"

She quickly followed up with, "Do you want anything?"

"Hmm… popcorn?"

It didn't take long after she placed the order for a knock to come at the door. Weiss retrieved the snacks from the cart and returned to the lounge couch, settling in beside Asher. The couch was plush and spacious, its tall backrest allowing them to lean all the way back while still having a perfect view of the stage.

As the lights began to dim, signaling the play was about to start, Asher had his arm around Weiss's shoulders, her body nestled against his. His popcorn rested in his lap, while Weiss cradled her chocolates. Their drinks, along with a few other treats Weiss had been curious to try, sat within easy reach on the table.

Popping a chocolate into her mouth, Weiss muttered, "I'm going to have to work all of this off before my weekly health check-up."

Hearing that, Asher tilted his head slightly and leaned in.

"Don't worry, I'll help you," he whispered.

The softness of his voice, the effortless way he said it, sent a shiver up Weiss's spine. Her breath hitched, and she turned her gaze up to him.

"Stop it," she murmured, her voice unsteady.

"Stop what?" His expression was innocent, but the look in his eyes said otherwise.

"You know what," she muttered before leaning in and kissing him. Their lips met in a brief, breath-mingling kiss that broke the stillness of their private box. Weiss was the aggressor, pressing closer, her body shifting upward as if debating whether to climb onto his lap.

Before she could, Asher pulled away just enough to tease, "Your brother was right—you really don't have any restraint."

"Oh, shut up," she grumbled, turning her attention back to the stage. With a slight frown, she popped two more chocolates into her mouth.

The play lasted about two hours—more than enough time for Weiss to completely forget about her earlier mood. It was already an excellent performance for anyone unfamiliar with the author's original work, but for someone like Weiss, who had read the author's other books, it was perfect.

The subtle references to past events, the nods to characters from one of her favorite stories—it all pulled her in, making her savor every second of the experience.

When the final act concluded and the lights began to rise, she immediately sat up, clapping louder than almost anyone else in the audience as the actors took their bows. Her enthusiasm didn't fade even as Asher slipped his jacket back on and Weiss adjusted her hat and shades before they made their way downstairs.

"That was amazing!" She gushed, still riding the high of the performance.

"I can't believe it was revealed that Anza was of royal blood the whole time! She looked exactly how I imagined her! And it makes sense when you think about it—why else would the dragon pearl have reacted to her in the second book? Ugh, now I have to buy the book when I get home!"

As they reached the foyer, her arm looped comfortably around Asher's as they made their way toward the exit.

"I'm glad you liked it," he said.

"I wasn't completely sure how well they'd adapt the book, but it looks like they did a solid job."

Weiss turned to him with a bright smile.

"Yeah, they really did. I'm so glad we came here. Though…" Her expression shifted, a slight pout forming.

"You did take away my chocolates in the middle of the play."

Asher smirked.

"Well, I didn't want you spoiling your appetite."

Weiss blinked, momentarily thrown off.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Before he could answer, they reached the entrance, where the usher who had escorted them earlier gave them a polite farewell.

"I hope you enjoyed your time at the Polaris Grand Theater. Please come again."

"Oh, we did!" Weiss beamed.

"And thank you! If you can, pass my compliments along to the actors—they deserve it." She gave a small wave before stepping outside with Asher. By now, it was nearing noon, and a soft golden-orange hue had settled over Atlas. The towering glass buildings shimmered under the warm glow, casting a breathtaking, serene reflection against the sky.

"Well, I made dinner reservations—unless you want to end the date here."

Weiss shook her head almost immediately.

"No, let's go! Where are we eating, or is that a surprise too?" Asher smirked as he spotted their car already waiting for them.

Taking the lead, he stepped forward and opened the door for Weiss before answering, "No surprises this time. Have you ever heard of a restaurant called Nebula Noir?"

Weiss thought for a moment before something clicked.

"I think so… You mean the one built into an airship?"

Asher nodded, and her eyes widened.

"But I thought you had to make reservations like a month in advance!"

"I managed to find someone willing to sell their spot," he admitted as Weiss slid into the car, and he followed after.

"Though… it was a bit pricey."

"You didn't have to do that…" Weiss muttered, suddenly feeling a little guilty about how much of his own money he was spending—especially since she was the one who asked for the date in the first place.

Catching her expression, Asher tilted his head.

"Why do you look like that? I planned this date knowing exactly how much it would cost."

"I know, but still…" She murmured. Asher considered it for a moment before offering a compromise.

"Alright, how about this? When you finally have your own money to spend, you can pay me back. Sound fair?"

Weiss hesitated, then slowly nodded.

"Yeah… alright. I promise I'll pay you back. Just make sure I don't forget, okay?" A lazy smile crossed Asher's face as he leaned back in his seat.

"Don't worry, I won't forget." With that, Asher signaled the driver, and the car pulled off once again. The drive was longer this time—around thirty minutes—as they made their way farther from the city center toward the outer edges of Atlas.

Given that Atlas was a floating island, space was a luxury, and aside from military hangars, there weren't any true airports. Instead, numerous airship docks lined the city's perimeter. Some were small, catering to personal transports shuttling passengers between Atlas and Mantle, while others were massive, reserved for cargo and logistics. Their destination was closer to the former.

When they arrived, the car pulled up to the roadside, right where the city of Atlas ended. Of course, even the edges of the city were just as pristine as the rest—well-trimmed trees lined the walkways, flowers were carefully arranged along the pavement, and soft blue, almost purplish, streetlights cast a calming glow.

Asher stepped out first and helped Weiss out of the car. It didn't take long to spot Nebula Noir.

The restaurant had an entire reserved area at the city's edge, with a red carpet flanked by gold stanchions forming a line of elegantly dressed patrons waiting to board. The airship itself was docked right at the precipice, its sheer size making Weiss stop in her tracks.

"It's massive," she said in shock.

She wasn't wrong. The airship was even larger than some of the buildings behind them. Its design was reminiscent of a blimp, with a large, rounded upper half—though constructed entirely from metal. The underside curved into a more box-like structure, with rows of windows lining its front and sides.

Massive wings extended from its body, while powerful engines were stationed at the rear. Just from a glance, Asher estimated the restaurant's total floor space to be around two thousand square meters.

"I can see why they charge so much and only operate at certain times of the year," Asher mused.

"Maintaining an airship like this must cost a fortune."

Since they had arrived a bit later, the line wasn't too long. Within about ten minutes, it was their turn to board.

Instead of stairs, a mechanical bridge extended from the side of the ship, seamlessly connecting its entrance to the dock. As they walked across, the shift in atmosphere was immediate. From the outside, Nebula Noir appeared as a fully operational airship, but inside, it transformed into an elegant restaurant. A wooden reception desk stood at the entrance, where a hostess greeted each arriving guest with a warm smile.

She was a Faunus, though the only giveaway was the extremely fluffy tail swaying gently behind her.

"Hello, and welcome to Nebula Noir—the only dining experience of its kind. May I have your names?"

As Weiss took in the lavish interior, her gaze eventually landed on the hostess, and her expression subtly shifted into a frown.

"Asher Frostvale and Weiss Schnee," Asher answered. He watched as the hostess typed in his name, but when she reached Weiss's, her fingers hesitated—just for a moment—before she continued.

"Ah, I see your reservation right here," she said smoothly.

"Please follow our server, and he'll take you to your table." She gestured to one of the servers waiting in a neat line, each prepared to escort guests to their seats.

"Thank you," Asher said, turning to follow their assigned server. Their table was positioned near a wall of expansive windows, offering a breathtaking view—one only possible from an airship. Though they hadn't taken off yet, the sight was already mesmerizing.

As Asher went to sit down, he noticed something interesting—the chairs and even the tables were magnetized to the carpeted floor. It was just enough to allow diners to adjust their seats without difficulty but secure enough to prevent them from shifting wildly in the event of a rough takeoff or landing.

As they settled at their table, Asher noticed the slight stillness in Weiss's expression. Something was on her mind.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

"Do you not like the seats?"

Weiss seemed to snap out of her thoughts, blinking before shaking her head.

"Oh, no, I like the seats—they're perfect. I just… didn't expect there to be a Faunus hostess at an establishment like this."

Asher raised a brow.

"You don't like Faunus?"

The bluntness of the question caught Weiss off guard. She hesitated, her lips parting slightly, but no immediate answer came. Several seconds passed before she finally responded.

"I- It's not that simple," she muttered.

"I'd rather not talk about it. Sorry. I'll stop ruining the mood."

With that, she put on a small smile and brushed the thoughts aside. Slowly, more and more guests boarded until nearly every table in the restaurant section of the airship was filled.

As they observed the growing crowd, Weiss commented, "I recognize a lot of the people here."

Asher nodded.

"I do too. Not surprising, considering how exclusive this place is."

Many of the guests were figures he had seen at large events or people his parents had interacted with at some point. Likewise, quite a few recognized him and Weiss, though none approached. Business was something handled when the parents were around; what their children did in their free time wasn't of much concern to Atlas's elite.

Unless there was a real reason for gossip, no one would bother spreading it. That was also why Weiss felt comfortable enough to remove her hat and shades once they were on board.

Once the last guests had arrived, Nebula Noir prepared for takeoff. The transition was impressively smooth—only the slightest tremor marked the moment the airship retracted its mechanical bridge, sealed its doors, and slowly began pulling away from the city's edge.

Weiss turned toward the window just as Atlas itself began shrinking in the distance. The airship ascended steadily, rising so high that even the tallest skyscrapers fell beneath them.

Her eyes widened as she took it all in.

"Oh, wow…" The cityscape stretched far below, its shimmering lights growing smaller as they floated further into the open sky.

As they continued to ascend, a voice crackled over the comms.

[Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome aboard Nebula Noir. The duration of this flight will be approximately an hour and a half as we take a scenic route through the skies of Atlas. Today, we'll be flying past many well-known locations, including Atlas Academy, which has granted us permission to enter its airspace. We hope you all enjoy yourselves and have a wonderful meal.]

Light murmurs and murmurs of excitement rippled through the diners at the announcement. Meanwhile, servers began tending to the tables, bringing drinks, and taking orders. Soon, it was their turn.

The same server who had led them earlier approached with two menus, handing one to each of them.

Placing their hands behind their back, the server introduced themselves.

"Hello, my name is Kobe, and I'll be your server tonight. I'll return in about ten minutes to take your orders. If you need more time, just let me know—no rush at all."

"I see. Thank you," Weiss said politely, with Asher echoing the sentiment before Kobe took their leave.

"Hmm, what should I get?" Weiss mused, flipping open the menu as her eyes scanned the options.

"No need to pick something heavy right away," Asher advised.

"Just go with what you're in the mood for. It's a long flight—we can always order more later."

After considering it for a moment, Weiss nodded.

"Yeah, you're right."

The next ten minutes passed slowly. Weiss remained absorbed in the menu, carefully debating her choices, while Asher had already made his decision within the first few minutes. Instead of continuing to browse, his focus shifted to their surroundings. His gaze sharpened slightly, his eyes narrowing in thought.

Almost precisely at the ten-minute mark, Kobe returned to their table.

"Hello again, you two. Have you decided on what you'd like?" Kobe asked with a polite smile.

"Oh, yes, I-" Weiss started to answer, but before she could finish, Asher suddenly reached across the table, placing his hand on hers. His eyes remained locked on the server as he spoke.

"We're still deciding. Can you give us another ten minutes?"

Weiss blinked in confusion, glancing between Kobe and Asher. His expression was calm—passive, even—but there was something in his eyes. It was the same look he gave her whenever they were about to spar.

Swallowing her initial response, she nodded instead.

"Y- Yes, we're still deciding. Can you give us a bit longer?"

Kobe hesitated briefly before nodding.

"Of course. I'll be back soon." With that, he stepped away. Weiss waited until he was out of earshot before turning back to Asher, her voice dropping slightly.

"What's going on? Is something wrong?"

Asher withdrew his hand and subtly gestured toward the other tables.

"When we first arrived, there were about twenty servers. All of them were human. Now, tell me—how many do you see?" Frowning, Weiss scanned the restaurant, carefully counting the servers she could spot, waiting to account for the ones momentarily out of view.

"Twenty-two?" She said, her brows knitting together.

"Right," Asher confirmed with a nod.

Weiss tilted her head.

"Well, they could've just had more staff out of sight."

Asher shook his head.

"It's not just that there are more servers, Weiss. The two new ones are Faunus. They're hiding it—one has reptilian eyes, and the other is covering the scales on his neck with his collar. And that's not all. One of the original servers was replaced with a Faunus as well."

"Replaced?" Weiss echoed, her frown deepening.

Asher nodded and subtly pointed toward a table behind her. Weiss turned to see a black-haired girl serving a group of diners just a few meters away. At first glance, there was nothing unusual about her, but then Weiss spotted them—black horns buried beneath her thick hair.

"The server originally at that table was a girl too, and she did have black hair," Asher continued. "But it wasn't that black. The shade was different. And she wasn't nearly as tall."

The differences were subtle—details that most people wouldn't have noticed unless they were paying very close attention. But Asher had the Nexus Space. His memory was near-perfect, and the Nexus Space cataloged everything around him the moment he saw it. And right now, the information on this server has been filed separately—an inconsistency.

"It's one thing to bring in extra staff or replace someone," he murmured.

"It's another to bring in a near look-alike and try to pass it off as if nothing changed." His voice was steady, but there was a sharpness to it.

"And from the very start… given how Faunus are treated in Atlas, it was already strange that the hostess was one at an establishment like this. Let alone three servers." He leaned back slightly, his gaze flickering across the room.

"Something's off."