Cultural Exchange (ATTN: Gerrard All Others PM for Invite)

[Lux]

The streets of Canterlot were filled with the every day hustle and bustle that a capital city could provide. It was therefore a perfect place for Raven Duskwing to observe how ponies lived and hopefully make friends in this land foreign to her. She flew past the towering castle dipping lower and lower until the regular buildings seemed to swallow her up around her. She then chose a good place to land, a nice open square. It was a perfect place to meet ponies as the met and parted from the area.

"Now, who should i meet first?" she said in her deadpanned tone as she landed, making like she was not interested while clearly she was excited on the inside.

She looked around until she spotted a black unicorn mare. It was a random pick choosing this pony among the rainbow of others around her. Now the trick was how to introduce herself. From what she heard griffons were a rare sight in Equestria, perhaps as rare as a pony in Aquellia. She didn't want the pony to see her as menacing so a light touch.Putting on a smile, which still looked like a blank expression, she walked over to the mare, her talons making an odd clicking noise on the cobblestone streets.

"Um... hello there?" It was a good start if not for it sounding like a question rather than an introduction. "I'm Raven Duskwing, but I guess you can call me Raven if it makes things easier.What's your name?"

[Gerrard]

The black unicorn had just finished dealing with another unrelated griffon across town and was making her way back home in the temperate afternoon weather. Her thoughts were drifting away from the unusual 'anatomy' portraits that had been requested of her in secret for reasons unknown and otherwise uninteresting to her. The presence of the griffoness was beyond the immediate senses of the unicorn as she calmly cantered through the otherwise safe capital city of her equine ilk. The moment the griffon chose her and began to follow, the perceptive mare's ears perked up the moment she heard the all familiar clicking of sharp talons on the hard stone streets of her city. The dark pony expected to see her former customer behind her, asking for clarification or additional information. When she turned to examine the griffon, it was in fact a different hybrid, a female one to be more exact.

The griffon wore a smile across her maw as she hesitantly spoke to her, the dark courier critically examining the raptor with her fiery crimson eyes before the griffon introduced herself. A crimson glow covered her head as she carefully lowered it to reveal her scarlet mane to the dark blue weather manipulator. The black pony had a completely stoic expression that hid her motives perfectly, her expression unflinching as she returned her greeting with a formal and submissive bow that any Aquellian native would recognize as a sign of respect. "Hello Lady Duskwing, it is an honor to meet you this afternoon. You may call me Asteria or any other term that you believe is applicable. How can I be of service, your nature indicates that you are uncomfortable with your current environment. Do you require some form of assistance this afternoon," she politely remarked in the least surprised manner possible. Her voice was eerily similar to Raven's, if not even more exaggerated, her intent to copy or simply communicate unclear without additional probing.

[Lux]

Although she didn't reveal it on her stoic face, Raven was happy to say the least that the pony she met didn't turn tail and run far away from her or worse feel threatened enough to use whatever magic the unicorn possessed. Instead the pony didn't seem surprised seeing a griffon, giving her a look over. Raven didn't really know what was so interesting about her, being a basic blueish black griffon with some accents. Still the griffon didn't mind. In fact while examining Raven , the griffon examined Asteria. She wore the same expression, hiding what Raven could only imagine was a multitude of secrets. Or maybe like her this unicorn preferred to no be so open of a book to others.

"Nice to meet you Asteria," she still said in her deadpanned tone, albeit a little surprised being called Lady Duskwing like some noble griffon. The bow was also a surprising yet welcoming sight reminding her of her homeland to which she replied with her own bow, extending her wings as was the custom to show that she harbored no ill will and was open to the pony.

"Well, yes, I guess I am a little nervous since this is my first time to Canterlot. I haven't been in Equestria long, and I wanted to get a sense of how this place was relation to Cloudsdale where I live now. I'm actually here to observe how ponies live and act as there really arent that many ponies that come to Aquellia. Not sure if you can help me with that though."

[Gerrard]

When the griffon explained that she was nervous, the unicorn blinked, almost finding her nervousness strange. "I can assure you that this town has almost no incidence of criminal activity. I will provide assistance to you in the event anything comes upon you. Assuming of course you are willing to trust me, a complete stranger to you," she remarked in her usual cold demeanor. The odd pony was friendly enough, but seemed to give the concerned griffon an out to refuse her assistance.

"I venture to Aquellia on a regular basis Lady Duskwing. I am open to any questions you have. I can say that Canterlot is composed primarily of unicorns with a smaller section of pegasi and earth ponies," she explained broadly to the griffoness before drifting her eyes away from the hybrid and back to her surroundings.

[Lux]

It was interesting the way that Asteria acted towards Night, that she seemed confused by the way the griffon acted. Was she really that nervous that it showed past her stoic expression? Even stranger was the way the unicorn seemed to offer a way out of talking to her, not necessarily because she didn't want to speak to Raven but maybe to put her at ease of not having to do something uncomfortable.

"Oh don't get me wrong, i do trust you. It is a new experience though meeting a pony, something that will takes getting used to I guess. But Yes I would like to know about ponies and Equestria. My father would travel to Equestria and return to me with great stories about here. So I decided to see for myself. As for questions, I guess since you brought up unicorns such as yourself, how does magic work with unicorns?"

Raven then noticed the unicorn's eyes shifting between the griffon and the square they were in. It seemed safe enough, but maybe safety wasn't what Asteria wanted.

"Um... would you be more comfortable speaking somewhere else that here?"

[Gerrard]

"I would suggest you avoid blindly trusting everyone. While the vast majority of citizens are trustworthy, I would avoid major commitments until a degree of trust is earned," she remarked calmly in an almost cold manner.

When asked about magic, the black courier blinked and gestured for the griffon to follow her. "I would prefer speaking in a private place about personal manners. Would you be willing to accept a short excursion to my family's residence? I can give you more specific details at my home," she commented in her perpetually deadpan tone. The black mare glanced back at the griffon as she waited for the hybrid to walk beside her. "In regards to how to unicorn magic works, it would be easier to describe it in a more broad manner. All ponies have some form of magic about them. Pegasus and earth ponies use it to control the weather and connect with nature. Unicorns have a horn that allows them to focus their magic greatly and transmit it in a wide variety of effects depending on the talents and desires of the individual," the unicorn broadly explained, avoiding any specifics but answering the question in a way to satisfy a novice.

[Lux]

Raven blinked at how blunt the pony was as to trusting others. From what she could observe the ponies around the griffon appeared fairly friendly and helpful. But Raven knew that trust did take time to build.

"I understand," she replied while wondering if the courier pony that stood before her could be trusting enough even to speak with her. She was not like many of the more outgoing ponies, having a similar temperament as to Raven. So the griffon decided to play things as they went, taking a step at a time.

The unicorn then offered for Raven to follow her when being asked about magic. Raven wondered if this was something that ponies didn't speak openly about, a strange though as ponies already had cutie marks that told of their talents. This at least was something Raven knew during her stay, but there was plenty more to know.

"I can follow you home," Raven said as she proceeded walking from the square with Asteria, "And of course if you wish to ask questions about me and other griffons I suppose you can do so. I don't know if I can speak for others though."

The griffon learned about thee basics about pony magic, something that practically all in Equestria understood. Still it was a start as to her understanding of ponies.

"I suppose that ponies learn about this magic some time right, say from birth or when they get their cutie marks?"

[Gerrard]

When Raven agreed to follow her, Asteria nodded and lead her through the fancy town towards her residence. The unicorn took her position at the side of the griffon, the most neutral spot a pair of travellers could reasonably stand. As they ventured into one of the nicer parts of Canterlot, Asteria blinked and thought over a question for the griffon.

After a brief moment of silence, the dark courier formulated the question most likely to give her new knowledge. "I deal with griffons on a regular basis Lady Duskwing. I know most things about griffons, so allow me to ask a more specific question. Can you tell me a griffon fact that I likely might not know," she asked patiently while looking around at their surroundings.

After a short trip, the pair found themselves at the substantial manor she lived in with her family. "Most young ponies are taught about magic at a young age. While this is usually the case, only unicorn tend to gravitate towards magic on their own. Unicorns usually assign a part of their identity to their magic while other ponies focus more on their specific nature," she explained calmly as the door to her home opened to reveal a tall white unicorn mare in a maid outfit with a golden blonde mane and fierce fiery eyes. "Oh hello Lady Stillheart and friend," the stranger remarked calmly as she bowed before the pair.

[Lux]

The busy city proper with rows upon rows of buildings gave way to more luxurious estates as Asteria escorted Raven through town. Looking at her she didn't seem to carry the typical rich pony appearance or mannerisms like some ponies the griffon observed. Not to say that anypony she saw was impoverished though and Asteria did have a classy way of interacting with others.

It surprised Raven to know that this unicorn did venture to griffon lands, something that must be a long journey for a pony that could not fly. While it was true that there were a few ponies that ventured out towards the griffon lands to vacation, the only other ponies she saw were couriers delivering packages and letters long distance. looking at the mare's mark she wondered if this was why Asteria knew so much about the griffon race.

"Hmm... facts that you may not know about griffons. Well did you know that although most griffons are not as fact as Pegesai due to their sheer size they have typically a better endurance?"

It was the best she could do off the top of her head, a fact given to her at some point in her life by her traveling father that remained in her mind. Still if she spent much time in Aquellia she would know this.

At last they made their way to a large estate, Raven's suspicions confirmed as to why they were there. As they approached Asteria mentioned about how ponies discovered magic to which Raven simply nodded as she let the knowledge soak in. Raven then met a maid pony who welcomed the two.

"Hello. I'm Raven Duskwing, but everypony and griffon calls me Raven if you wish to call me that."

[Gerrard]

Asteria listened to the griffoness as she explained a fact about her species. The unicorn had heard such things before, so it was nice for her to get another griffon to verify the statement, even if it was rather broad. "I see, allow us to continue our conversation inside in a more appropriately illuminated area," Asteria remarked, not acknowledging the maid for reasons unknown. As soon at the pair were in the residence of Asteria, the maid smiled devilishly as she draped her tall white body over the back of the equally tall courier as she spoke playfully. "Oh Asty, I always knew you had a thing for griffons, I just didn't know that it was ALL griffons." she mused aloud in an awkward way as she tried to weigh down the stoic unicorn.

Asteria blinked at the seemingly rude remarks as she picked up the maid and returned her to her hooves. The courier lead her friend up the stairs to the second level of the home, only to be interrupted by the maid again as she ooed and awed over the griffoness as she inspected Duskwing's wing roughly. "Are you related to Mr. Greyfeather, he is a pretty dark griffon too? Maybe Asteria just likes griffons as dark as her," she mused aloud in a seemingly rude manner as she unfolded the wing with her magic to look at it. The dark courier blinked at the rude spectacle and bumped the horn of the white unicorn, breaking her magic grip and freeing her new friend. "Mother, you promised to leave my guests alone, please remember to maintain your word," the dark unicorn remarked calmly as she gestured for Raven to enter her room on the right side of the long hall way that they were in.

The white unicorn grinned as she was revealed, slipping off her disguise to reveal that she was in fact the mother of the courier, even though the only similarities between the unicorns were their eyes and their tall athletic bodies.

[Lux]

It was strange seeing a maid in the mansion, something that Raven was not very accustomed to seeing in her hometown. Although she knew not everypony had the luxury of another taking care of their house, it surprised the courier, who appeared self-sufficient, would choose this route. Even stranger was the fact that Asteria paid no heed towards the maid in question. Perhaps this was an indication of some strain between the two. Raven wasn't the type of griffon to pry, merely hoping that all would be revealed in time.

"Oh Asty, I always knew you had a thing for griffons, I just didn't know that it was ALL griffons."the maid said as she seemed to hug the unicorn, or more like drape herself on the helpless pony like a rug. Of course Raven was smart enough to know what the maid meant and for a moment it sounded like teasing. Nevertheless the griffoness wondered if there was some grain of truth. Before she could reply though the maid returned asking her about a certain griffon named Greyfeather.

"No... I don't know who this Mr. Greyfeather is but I'm sure I'd like to meet him."

Suddenly Raven felt her wing being involuntarily extended, wrapped in a colored aura. It was the first time that magic was used on her and it made her wing feel tingly, like she slept on it, causing it to temporarily fall asleep. Perhaps this maid was just as fascinated in Raven as the griffon was with ponies. Then the truth was revealed about who the maid really was making Raven wonder for a moment what she got herself into.

"So miss... you dress up as a maid and look over others like this often?"

She glanced over at Asteria who appeared embarrassed as if to ask her if the mother did this all the time.

[Gerrard]

Asteria blinked at awkward spectacle, trying to gauge a proper reaction. Before she could explain her relationship to Gerrard, her mother blurted in, "He is her boy toy! They work together ALL the time. And maybe some other things as well," the maid explained suggestively, as she wiggled her hips excitedly.

Asteria remained steadfast in her resolve, her composure unflinching as her mother peppered her with a flurry of embarrassing jabs. "I am afraid I must ask you to leave us mother. I have business to commenced with Lady Duskwing, " she remarked coldly, the unicorn clearly not willing to speak directly on her mother within her presence.

The black courier escorted her guest into her private quarters and closed and locked the room behind them. "I hope you do some proper business soon. Momma wants to see some foals soon," she teased from outside the door before giving up and leaving the pair to their own devices.

Asteria illuminated her room with a flick of a lamp switch to reveal the room to her guest. Two large beds, a desk and a large map of Equestria and the griffon kingdom decorated the room as it sat on the wall with dozens of tacks peppered into it through its far reaches.

[Lux]

The entire scene in Asteria's house played out like a strange dream. It shocked the otherwise stoic Raven seeing how... candid the unicorn's mother was about Asteria's relationship with Gerrard and the even stranger assumption that the griffon was something more that just an acquaintance to the pony. With a final parting shot to the two, Raven was left alone staring at Asteria for a brief moment not knowing what to say about the embarrassing moment that took place.

"So... that's your mother then. Does she act this way with everypony or griffon that you bring to your home?"

[Gerrard]

"My mother is an example of a person you should not blindly trust. While she bears no ill will, her desire was to deceive for own amusement. I would recommend accepting the assertions of others with a critical opinion," she explained while gesturing for the griffon to sit down on one of the beds and rest.

"In regards to your question, she only does it to new guests unless she thinks there is a new way to trick someone. She is an actress from probably before your awareness. I am not sure how familiar you are with pony plays, but she is well known in many Canterlot circles. Her roles are more niche now, and she uses my guests as people to practice her craft on," Asteria explained in a fairly honest manner.

"I believe my mother is intrigued by my dealings with griffons, and aside from Sir Greyfeather, you are my only recent griffon guest," Asteria explained calmly, showing no audible or visual signs of conflict with her mother.

[Lux]

The griiffoness was summoned to the bed of Asteria, an odd thing for Raven. Typically she thought a bedroom was a private place, one where a pony or griffon was free to be with their thoughts, even within a home. To be so quickly let into this unicorn's room was a surprise, but seeing the antics of her mother Raven understood why. As she sat, she was surprised by how soft the bed was, like sleeping on a cloud which the griffoness was accustomed to living in Cloudsdale.

"So I can then how she tries to act differently towards others, like her dressing as a maid. Must be very interesting bringing friends and ponies or griffons you work with to your home. Actually not to get off the subject of unicorn magic but what do you do Asteria? I know that not everypony's cutie mark reflects their job, but do you do something with delivering mail?"

[Gerrard]

Asteria didn't have any concrete thoughts on the dark griffoness, but was willing to entertain the idea that she could be helpful. The cold courier tried to extract all the usefulness she could out of the people around her. Of course she was a fair pony and always attempted to offer appropriate compensation if possible.

The unicorn nodded in agreement with the griffon as she came to a conclusion on the couriers mother. "My mother is very friendly and on occasion has attracted the full attention of a few of my business partners," she explained calmly, not seeming irritated by all of the interruptions. When the griffon spoke of her cutie mark, Asteria readjusted her cloak to hide it, the silver package disappearing beneath her heavy cloak. The odd action was met with an even stranger response as the mare bowed her head subserviently. "I am sorry that I revealed my identifier mark to you. My intent was to keep it secret to limit critical suspicion of me. While I do not usually explain my profession, to anyone, I will do so for you to mitigate your curiosity, " she explained calmly to the griffoness as she actually seemed even more suspicious!

"I work as a courier whom delivers and retrieve items in secret. Most people do not screen or check unicorns for hidden items. Only pegasi are normally scene as mail deliverers. Please refrain divulging my personal information. I would rather not take a retaliatory course of action. Is this acceptable, " she replied sternly to the hybrid, the stoic unicorn almost seeming to threaten the griffon as her cold crimson eyes sized up her feathered guest.

[Lux]

The normally stoic griffoness raised an eyebrow at the actions of the unicorn. Already she was a mysterious pony, one that was very hard to read by Raven. Definitely unlike many ponies the blue and black griffoness came across. She wasn't one to talk though as she wasn't the most outgoing griffon either, preferring to be introverted. But the way that the pony hid her cutie mark, typically something that was shown with pride, caused wonder for Raven. Even the way she covertly told what her talent was and her job added to the mystery. But the most frightening was the fact that the pony almost appeared to threaten the griffon.

"Really? You're threatening me because i asked you what your talent is? I'd like to see what you do to ponies that really want to get to know you. Look I'm not trying to snoop into your life, just trying to meet a pony in a place that I'm honestly not feeling like I fit in. You know, because I'm a griffon and stuff. So don't go on the attack when I ask questions, ok. I'll tell you what, I'll ask general questions about ponies if that makes you feel better and you can ask me about me or my family. It's not like I have some dark secret to hide."

[Gerrard]

Asteria peered across to the now agitated griffon who had misunderstood her. To her, it was only natural for someone to protect their secrets, not that she had any immediate desire to harm anyone. The black mare blinked her fiery eyes and cocked her head slightly, almost as if she didn't know how to express confusion with her face. The black mare knew very well that griffons weren't creatures to be treaded lightly and her reaction was something that needed to be tampered.

"My intention was never to bring harm to anyone. I explicitly avoid any contracts that involve explicit or inferred violence. My only request was that you refrain from divulging my talent to others. In my line of work, an identifier mark would out me as courier to those interested in hassling me. Aside from my profession, I have no secrets beyond the names of my clients," the black unicorn remarked calmly as she spoke to her guest.

"I apologize if I offended you. I did not mean to alienate you. Please ask anything you wish, I will pay closer attention to my responses and screen them accordingly. Continue, if you are still interested in speaking about anything else," she added slowly as she took a more comfortable position on her own bed.

[Lux]

Raven wondered exactly how things would go from there. The way that the unicorn sitting nearby looked at the griffoness made her wonder. But luckily it was all just a misunderstanding.

"Well I can understand if you don't want ponies knowing what you do, and I can see how your mark might give that away. I apologize too for judging what you said and yes I would like to get to know you. I will make everything you say private, especially what you do."

She pondered what to ask next, hoping for something on neutral ground that would be easy for the unicorn to speak about.

"Well are there any places that you haven't been to and do you have certain towns and cities that you really like going to?"

[Gerrard]

Asteria was the type to never overreact, the dark unicorn finding any severe emotional reaction to be blinding. Instead, she opted to be firm in her words and leave as little ambiguity in her intent as possible. She knew that her presentation sometimes left something to desire, and used every misunderstanding to better sculpt her message. When the agitated griffoness calmed down,Asteria nodded in understanding. "Thank you for agreeing to keep my secrets. That means a lot to me," she commented in her usual cold voice as she processed the question about locations.

The question about where she wanted to go seemed odd to her. Asteria always figured out ways to make her immediate goals happen, and she had no new places to visit in the near future. "I have been everywhere I want to be. If I was to chose a new location to go to, I would select a place that I don't currently realize I want to go, or a new place I am not aware of," she remarked oddly as she spoke vaguely about a place she wasn't sure about the existence of. "In regards to my favorite places, if I was to select a criteria to use, I would use a commercial one. Talonopolis and Canterlot are my primary locations of business. They command a majority of my attention," she remarked in her usual bland lifeless manner.

"May I ask you for additional information as well? All I know about you is in regards to a vague interest in the physiology of ponies," she asked in an almost probing type of manner as her eyes examined the proportions of the body the griffoness had. While she was always willing to answer questions, the odd mare only felt it was fair that she ask a few of her own.

[Lux]

It surprised Raven how the unicorn at first didn't quite know how to answer the question. It wasn't a very difficult one, except for perhaps the fact of choosing between different locations. What shocked her even more was the fact that not only was the pony content with where she had been but even the placed she had gone were taken with as much excitement as watching paint dry. To the griffoness the mare appeared very business oriented and not much in the mood for traveling for fun, only for her covert job.

"Ah I can see how since you're living here you would like Talonopolis, although that place is much more industrial than here. I guess that is one of the differences I see, well that and how there are far more ponies than griffons."

Raven paused as the unicorn asked if she could ask a question or so about her. There was nothing for the griffoness to hide in her life and it ws only fitting to repay in kind the pony willing to take time out of her day to meet with her.

"Yes, you can ask me a question or even more."

[Gerrard]

Excitement was something Asteria didn't usually allow to infect her personality. She had things that she preferred doing, but always how she expressed herself. It wasn't so much that she couldn't express herself, it was just that she didn't want to sway others with her actions.

Asteria listened to the dark hybrid in front of her as she reaffirmed everything that was already known to her. When Raven agreed to answer questions, the black unicorn straightened them up and gave the griffoness all of her attention. "May I ask what you occupation is and how you relate to your family," the unicorn explained calmly as she eagerly awaited juicy tidbits of information from the previously disgruntled hybrid.

[Lux]

Raven wondered exactly what question the was going to get from the unicorn seated next to her. It was hard to judge what she was thinking and even harder as to what she would say. There was nothing yet to the griffoness's knowledge that thrilled or upset her aside from the slight misunderstanding with secrecy. She expected somehow there would be a question that would delve deep into Raven's history not because the unicorn was a snoop but because it was her talent and job to learn, keep and transport secrets. But surprisingly the question was easy.

"Well there really isn't much about my parents. My dad is a historian who traveled to Equestria to research and write his books on pony culture. He would always come back with new stories about places like here, and that was what inspired me to move here. My mom is a teacher which also helped me to learn more not just where I lived but beyond. As for my occupation, right now I'm doing odd jobs in Cloudsdale until i find something of interest. Maybe be a historian like my dad or a researcher on aspects of pony life. Speaking of life, your mom is an actress which I guess can be helpful with your occupation, but have you and her always lived in Canterlot or did you come from someplace else and then moved here?"

[Gerrard]

Asteria listened to the griffoness as she vaguely explained what her parents did for a living. She theorized that curiosity ran in her family, and exchanges could easily be made to satisfy all parties involved. Asteria decided that this griffon was trustworthy enough to exchange non critical personal information.

"May I ask if your father found any information that was particularly alarming or interesting. Perhaps there is a portion of pony information that I am not familiar with," she explained calmly for the hybrid before blinking as she came to a revelation.

"Perhaps we can strike up a business agreement? I could use an assistant to deal with my clients involved with Cloudsdale. It would be useful to have an associate who could fly to the city. It is bothersome for me as a unicorn to do business there," she explained, almost seeming to offer her a job. At the mention of her own parents though, her attention shifted over to her family.

"My mother has attempted to give me lessons in acting. She says my acting lacks passion and feeling. She does appreciate my deadpan delivery of jokes, for whatever that is worth. I have always lived in Canterlot, except for periods of time when I am abroad doing work. My father is judge and he met my mother while handling security when he was younger. Would you be familiar with a Stern Gavel? He is a tall black unicorn with a scarlet mane. He is serious and wears robes most of the time," she explained calmly, practically while asking if Raven was a criminal and identifying herself aside from the gender. It was very clear which one of her parents she took after!

[Lux]

"Hmmm..." Raven Duskwing said while thinking up everything that her dad told her over the years. It was hard to go through it all, especially to find something that not only she would find interesting as a griffon but also something that Asteria could find interesting.

"Well, there were many things my dad told me that i thought were interesting like Cloudsdale. I guess the idea of a floating city interested me enough to move there. He did tell me of a place called... what was it? Oh yes, the Everfree Forest where plants and animals live on their own without ponies helping them and there's a creepy ruined castle in the center of it. He hasn't yet gone to see if there was anything in that castle but he said most ponies are afraid to go there."

Her ears perked up at the next thing Asteria said, about a business proposition to have her work with the courier.

"Well if you are offering a job there then I'd be happy to help," she said in her deadpanned tone but with a lift of happiness in her voice, "I hear only unicorns could visit Cloudsdale with some kind of spell."

The conversation then shifted over to talks of Asteria's very eccentric appearing mother who attempted to teach the griffoness acting. She figured that Asteria wouldn't be able to act, but then again Raven wasn't one to be good at this either. Strangelt though Asteria asked if Raven ever met her father who was a judge.

"Stern Gavel? No, I've never met him. Then again I've never really had the need to be in a courtroom. I've never done anything wrong to be in court nor have I ever been a witness or on a jury either."