City of the Zodiacs 2
SC2
"You will be the next High Liberty. Your job will be to hold the scales of liberty in your hands and judge this city. Your job will be to level this city out. Would you like a cigar?"
"I don't smoke."
He laughs, "You will. One day. It's a lot of stress this job."
My nerves are getting the best of me. I had expected to one day be told that I was going to be the High Liberty when I was much older. I didn't expect them to tell me so soon. My heart is skipping a beat when I hear the words come out of his mouth.
"I could only imagine. I'm feeling a little weak. May I sit?"
"Please do."
I look over at the chair at that moment and move for it. The responsibility of this all is becoming a lot bigger than I could imagine. I was preparing to be the most important man in the world at any point now.
The High Liberty stares in my eyes for a few minutes. He puffs at his cigar.
"Do you know the name of the statue behind you? The one who holds the scales of Justice?" he asks me, "Who is Lady Justice?"
"The goddess Themis."
"Yes. But she isn't a goddess. She is actually a Titaness. They came before even the Gods. She stood for divine law. Law before law. That is what you'll become. A titan in this city. The city rules the nation. The nation rules the world. You'll rule it all. Law before law."
My stomach turns.
"Don't feel too good."
"I understand being nervous. I remember sitting in the same chair as you are 28 years ago. Some strange man told me that I was going to be something I wasn't ready for. I was just like you. I was a young gay Libra, studied in what was right and wrong with society but not really experiencing it firsthand. It's important that you know early so that you have that preparation."
"Did Liberty London know?" I ask.
He nods, "Liberty London handpicked you. She tells me that there is no other student who understands what needs to be done like you. She says you understand the scales of life. She says you are fair and balanced."
There is no higher compliment to a Libra.
I nod attempting not to smile and seem tacky, "I hope not to disappoint sir."
"I'm sure you won't. You'll start off in a position called the Heir Apparent Liberty. As the Heir Apparent you'll work as a Liberty judging the lives of others. You'll be assigned a Virgo."
"A Virgo? Sir?"
"Whistler..."
I wonder who he is talking to but all of a sudden I see someone standing at my side. I don't even notice she is standing there until she is standing there. She is quiet as all fuck. She is literally right next to me before I notice. Her hair is jet black. Her skin is pale and the color of milk. Her eyes are blacker than charcoal. She wears a tight black outfit and had what looks like some sort of weapon at her side. She stands in military fashion completely stoic. I see the glow underneath her skin that I saw with the men on the elevator earlier. It's clear she is one of these cyborg things.
"She's a cyborg..." I notice.
"The Virgin Nation trains Virgos in the art of war. They undergo certain...enhancements. They are the hand of the government. One day you'll command all of them. Right now you'll command her."
"I don't think I need a bodyguard sir."
He laughs.
He gets up at that moment. He looks outside of the window, "The Capital city is dangerous. Once people know you are the Heir Apparent your life is going to be in danger. Whistler here is going to keep you safe. She'll stay with you at all times. She's very lethal. You should be quite safe with her."
I look over at Whistler.
I remember the Virgos I met on a train. They hadn't had any enhancements done. They had just turned 21. Maybe they get enhancements when they are in the city for a long time. She doesn't seem to speak at all. She just stands there completely silent. I wonder just how lethal she is. She's a slim woman. I didn't see any muscles or anything. She was tall but I couldn't get over how slim she was. The most intimidating thing about her was her expression.
"Sir. May I ask a question?"
"Yes."
I look over at him, "Who exactly am I in danger from?"
He smiles at me.
"You should go rest, Law. Whistler will take you to your new Penthouse. Tomorrow night is the Matchmaking ceremony. Rest up. Today is the beginning of the rest of your life."
The penthouse is just what I expect. It's in a building not too far from the Justice Building. This area of the city is called Uptown, supposedly. A lot of Libras and their spouses live in this area. The business sector isn't too far from Uptown. I guess that is where a lot of Gemini's go to work. I'm sitting around the apartment and staring at Whistler.
"So where you from?" I ask her.
Whistler doesn't speak. She just stares at me. Her dark intense eyes glare at me. She stands at the door. I wonder if she sleeps. I haven't seen her blink as of yet. Maybe it's the wiring in her or something like that. Maybe she can't blink.
I attempt to talk to her a few more times. Luckily I get a knock on a door and I open it to see a few of my Libra friends coming to finally visit. I'd emailed them over my address quite a while ago.
"Look at this place..." Lloyd says walking out, "Glass walls. Beautiful view. Oh my god. You have a robot that cleans up for you? Man this is sick!"
Lloyd is running around the house. Lourdes and Lizabeth at least act a little bit more civilized. They walk in and give me the common little Libra smirks and give slight glances around without trying to be too excitable or anything of the sort.
"Heir Apparent?" Lourdes says smiling, "Well done."
"We all figured you'd do well for yourself," Lizabeth states.
That's when someone else walks in. I roll my eyes when I see Loreal saunter her ass in my house. She has an attitude. I can tell. She walks past me not even acknowledging me. Her hand is crossed and tucked so tight that I think she's cold. She stares over at the view.
"My apartment isn't too far from here," she states, "I think I have a better view than you. I don't know. Yours is OK I guess."
I attempt to force a smile at Loreal, "You came to see me? How sweet."
She nods, "Yeah. Congratulations---or whatever."
I laugh. It's killing her right now. I can tell.
"Who's this?" Lizabeth asks smiling.
Lizabeth is a lesbian. She's always been one. Lourdes has always been straight though. I'm watching as she smiles over at Whistler. Whistler doesn't even acknowledge her though. Whistler just stands there like a statue.
"A Virgo," I respond, "Isn't that weird? That's what happens to Virgos I guess. I guess they've always been somewhat not human."
"What is she like a servant? A slave?" Loreal asks snapping a few times, "Hey you...get me a drink! Do you hear me? I'm a friend of your Libra master."
Whistler just stands there. She doesn't blink. I just shake my head, "Leave her be Loreal."
"What's the point of having a slave who doesn't obey commands?"
I end up having to go to the fridge. The others get comfortable. It's nice having a time to unwind with my friends. We used to do this a lot back home. Here it was different. Here we were in this big city and we didn't know anyone. Luckily this fridge is able to make drinks for us. I pass them out among the Libras. Libras never really drink hard liquor so I pour us some wine. We have to keep it classy after all. I can tell this isn't really satisfying to Lloyd but he doesn't want to complain about it.
"We should go out on the town," Lloyd says, "See the city."
"It's dirty..." Lourdes says.
Her sister adds almost immediately, "It doesn't look safe."
I have to agree with the sisters. It's quite usual. Sure Lloyd is my best friend but it's just because the sisters always had each other. If it was only one of them I'd probably be much closer to either one of them. Lloyd was just so different. Loreal has sprawled out on the sofa. She kicks up her feet as though this is her own place. The girl has an ego. I'll give her that much. She is the typical Libra girl. She's pretty and she's smart and she thinks there's nothing else besides being pretty and smart. Sometimes I think she doesn't take our responsibility as seriously as I would want.
I'm not surprised when she agrees with Lloyd, "I want to be seen. We should go out."
"It's not safe. Why do you think I have this Virgo following me around? The High Liberty wouldn't tell me what's so dangerous about the city?"
"Will Whistler follow you if you go out?" Lloyd asks.
"Yeah."
"Then you're safe," Lloyd returns quickly.
I look at the two sisters. They are thinking the same thing as me. It might be for other reasons though. The two sisters don't want to admit it but they are a little bit terrified of the filthy city life. We've never experienced anything like this growing up.
"It's not a good idea. Not the first night," I state, "We should be on the safe side."
"I don't know about you guys but I'm tired of hanging out with Libras," Loreal states, "Tomorrow is my last day as a single woman. Let's celebrate. Decades ago people used to do these things called Bachelorette parties..."
"What's that?" Lourdes asks.
"It's basically when people got married and did questionable behavior one last time before they got married," I respond, "It wasn't very appropriate...especially for a Libra."
Loreal gets up. She twirls around a little bit in her dramatic way. The girl thinks she is the queen of some island to herself.
"I have my whole life to be a proper lady. Tonight I want to dance and regret something. Tomorrow I'll be someone's wife. Tomorrow I'll be a Liberty. Today I just want to twirl."
"No...absolutely not," I respond.
"Apollo is going to be out..." Loreal responds, "A bunch of the Geminis and Aquarius are meeting at a local bar."
Shit. Loreal starts walking to the door. A part of me wonders if Apollo would still be mad at me if I saw him. I have no choice.
I stop her.
"OK...I'll come..."
~
We arrive at the bar. The bar is called the Ice gallery. Everything is made out of Ice except the floor. I walk in there blown away by the architecture of the place. The bars are made of clear blocks of ice. The cups are ice cups. The tables lining up the bar are made of ice too. The place seems relatively busy. It is relatively loud too. It's clear there are bunch of Leos. I see one of the Leos standing on a table being loud. He has his shirt off. I almost regret coming here.
"It's cold," Lourdes complains,
"People are staring at us," Lizabeth replies.
I am about to add my own excuse to the list when I see Apollo. He's drinking. He has a table in the back. He's sitting with a few Gemini but the majority are Aquarius. I almost get cold feet but then I hear my name being called from across the bar.
"Law! Apollo look...it's Law!" a boy named Aeron says.
I recognize Aeron as being Apollo's best friend. He probably knows more about my relationship with Apollo than anyone save Lloyd. Lloyd looks over at me. I can tell it's going to be an awkward night.
Luckily my best friend leans in and whispers to me, "Head up. Walk over there. You're a Libra for god sakes."
It's rare that Lloyd gives me any sort of encouragement. Maybe that's why I take it upon myself to follow it. I lead the others. I'm always the leader of my little group. A few of the Aquarians give us room for us to sit. They are always gentleman. I've never met an Aquarian woman. Rumor is the Aquarian women aren't allowed to leave the Water Bearer City. They stayed in the city and raised kids who were born as Aquarius. I guess maybe the reason Aquarius boys were so well behaved was because they had so many women raising them as opposed to other signs who just had a few here and there.
I take a seat at the table. Apollo's eyes are clearly set on mine. He has a bottle in his hand. He's drunk. He's clearly drunk.
"How are you guys liking the city?" Aeron asks.
"It's amazing," Lourdes says smiling at Aeron, "Even better now. Right Law?"
Lourdes and Aeron have always flirted. Lourdes has always had a crush on him. I can see why. Aeron was the typical Aquarian guy. He was unnaturally tall, well-mannered and well groomed.
"It's an interesting city. Bars made of ice. I wonder what weird thing I'll see next," I try to lighten the mood.
"Nothing much impresses you, it seems," Apollo replies.
He's drunk. It's awkward. Aeron must notice it. He attempts to smile and change the subject with some small talk. I hardly listen to what he's saying though. My eyes glare at Apollo. He is pissed and he's drunk. I've never seen Apollo drunk before. I wonder if it's because of me. Aeron must notice it too because he's trying to distract from his friend's behavior. I'm not surprised when he buys drinks for the entire table. Of course the Libras don't drink it, except Lloyd who I literally have to slap the straw away from his hand to stop him. Libras aren't supposed to get drunk. That's not fair and balanced. Luckily the others are more well versed. We just play around with the straws but we're polite enough to thank Aeron.
"So Apollo did you get your job?" Loreal asks.
Apollo ignores her. It's unlike him. Usually he has enough manners to be a little social. Now was not that time. He just seemed out of it. He just stares directly at me. He's burning a hole in me right now.
Aeron answers for his friend, "You're looking at Apollo of Aquarius, Police Chief of the Capital. Or at least Police Chief in training. It'll be a few weeks before he takes over."
Loreal claps attempting her best to flirt a little, "Oh my god. This is great news! You'll look amazing in your uniform."
A couple of the others start to at least make a big deal about this. Apollo just gets up from the table at that point. He mumbles a sharp.
"Who gives a fuck?" Apollo grunts.
He walks over to what looks like an ice jukebox. He's scrolling through the music on the screen. I look at the others. This is unlike Apollo. Usually Cancers were known as the sad and gloomy sign. Sometimes even Pisces. To see Apollo being so rude was something that no one was really expecting.
"Am I missing something?" Loreal asks.
Aeron and Lloyd look over at me. They both must know that it has something to do with me. I'm the only one who could get Apollo so upset. The fact that I have that kind of control over him bothers the fuck out of me. I get up from the table.
I walk over to him. I watch Whistler follow close behind me. I make my way over to the jukebox and try to rest my hand on the ice but realize it's so cold that my hand damn near freezes.
"Can I talk to you?" I ask Apollo.
"Nothing to talk about. I'm just going to drink myself into a stupor."
"I don't want you to do that..." I respond to Apollo, "That's not you."
"Well that's what happens when you have a broken heart man. Didn't know you were coming out tonight. Doesn't seem like you. Doesn't seem fair and balanced. Or whatever the fuck the Libra Motto is. Bullshit and more bullshit if you ask me. That's what it should be. Put your hand on that fucking scale."
"You don't have to be rude now. I'm not talking about the fact that your sign is a guy toting fucking water..."
"Yeah. Guess Aquarians are used to holding onto baggage," Apollo says staring over at me, "Excuse me."
Apollo just has to play the saddest song on the fucking jukebox. He heads over to the bar alone. I follow closely behind him. Whistler trails behind me.
"Can I have a fucking minute?" I ask her.
She doesn't move an inch. I roll my eyes. It's pointless with her. Apollo notices though and gives me a slight glance.
"You should go home. I hear you're the Heir Apparent. You're a big deal. Too big for this place. Too big for me."
"Wait...you're the heir apparent!" a Leo asks out of nowhere. He has typical Leo Lion apparel on. They dress like they are performers. They hardly wear any clothes even though it's freezing in this place.
I don't know how the guy overheard Apollo but he is loud. He is extra loud. He shouts it out. A couple of other people in the bar turn at that moment to look at me. I'm not expecting this sort of thing. A lot of these people have been in the city for a while now. A few of the Leos walk over. I think they want to introduce me. That isn't what gets to me though.
I notice a familiar face making his way towards me too. A few of the guys separate. I notice the person standing there. He's not alone. He has some tough looking guys with him as well. I can tell them a mile away.
"Heir Apparent?" one of the guys says.
He's an Aries. The Aries have a look about them. The Rams always wear red or scarlet. Their element is fire and that's probably because the majority of them are mean as hell for whatever reason. I don't understand them. A few of them have their birthstones tied around their necks including the person I recognize. The birthstone is the Red Coral.
It's Ryder.
"I figure he was a big deal," Ryder says, "He's new. I met him. He had an air about him. Turns out he's the actual fucking heir. What the fuck do you know? Isn't that crazy?"
"Is that a problem?"
Ryder laughs a little bit, "Not for us. For you it might be a different story."
The other Aries laugh a little bit. The other Aries has scars all over his face. He looks like he had a rough life. I've never seen someone so ugly in my life. It's looked like he's been through the fucking ringer. Ryder is dirty and looks like he could use a bath.
"Is that a threat?" I ask, "The local authorities won't take well to threats I don't think."
"Not from us," Ryder responds, "I'm a construction worker. I'm not threat to the Heir Apparent of the High Liberty."
"From who then?" I ask.
"Leave him be," the other Aries says, "Libras love to snitch to the cops. I know their types. Let get out of here."
Ryder and his friend turn around. I don't let him. He wasn't going to start a conversation and just end it when he wanted to. I put my hands on him and turn him around as hard as I can.
"I asked you a question."
"Don't put your hands on me," he responds, "You people love putting your hands on people. It's disrespect. You pushed me on the train and now you're disrespecting me."
"I want to know who is threatening me."
"You have no idea do you. They are in the city. You know that much I hope. Oh my god. Roy. Look at him. He has no idea."
His friend laughs, "He's ignorant."
"You have no idea what happened to the other Heir apparent before you? They all were killed. You do realize you aren't the first right? Look at this fucking guy. He has no idea. I guess they don't teach you people everything on that mountain on yours huh?"
He attempts to turn around again and walk away. This time he's laughing. I remember earlier. The High Liberty said I was in danger but he wouldn't tell me who I was in danger from. Why were people keeping this a secret?
"Someone wants to kill me?" I ask.
"Sure does. You're going to get stung. And when people get stung...they don't come back."
Stung?
"Stop fucking turning away from me," I warn him.
Ryder ignores me and attempts to turn. I grab him by his arm and toss him around looking in those icy eyes of his. He pushes me hard when I do it.
I fall back.
"Yo what the fuck?" Apollo says jumping forward, "Don't ever put your fucking hands on him again?"
"Smells like an Aquarius pig," Ryder's friend says.
"He put his hands on me."
"Apologize to the gentleman," Apollo says.
"Apollo that's not necessary," I respond.
"No yes it is. You aren't some scum Aries. No one puts their hands on you when I'm around. You're going to apologize to him," Apollo says harder and louder, "Now!"
Apollo is drunk. Ryder attempts to walk away again for the third time but Apollo grabs onto his collar. I don't think Apollo expects it. Ryder punches him square in the fucking face. Apollo falls to the ground. His nose is gushing blood. Ryder's hook was powerful. Ryder is a strong looking guy but so is Apollo. The fact that he hit him so hard one time blows my fucking mind. I watch Apollo hit the ground and just stare at his blood in disbelief.
"You piece of SHIT! He was drunk! Dumbass."
I get in Ryder's face, "He got in my face. He's doing the same thing you're doing now. I don't want to beat your ass. Matter of fact I kind of do...so don't tempt me OK?"
Ryder's finger is on my chest. The threat is heard loud and clear. I see a hand on my shoulder. I don't know where the hand comes from. I turn and see Whistler at that moment. She's standing there looking pale. Whistler grabs onto Ryder's finger. I'm shocked when I see Ryder scream out in pain at that moment. She bends his finger so far back that I hear a loud CRACK as she breaks the bones in his finger.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" Ryder screams in pain.
He falls to the ground. The other Aries guy attacks Whistler. He doesn't make it far. She kicks him in the shin as he approaches. He falls forward. As he is about to fall on his face Whistler follows up with an upward knee. The knee is strong and powerful. It goes right into the guys face. The guy falls backward. I see teeth falling out on the floor.
A few of the Aries guys look like they are about to do something but I watch as Whistler pulls out a weapon. By then the bartender is threatening to call the cops.
"Let's get out of here," I state.
I grab Apollo by his waist and Whistler is following behind us, with her weapon out ready to use it if necessary.
~
Apollo is on my couch before I know it. Whistler is standing at the door. She has a room in my penthouse but she's never gone to it. She just stands at the front door like some 24/7 security guard. A part of me wonders what kind of things the Virgos go through to become the way they are. It's a little bit scary to say the least.
"You OK?"
"I should hate you," Apollo responds putting ice on his nose, "But look at me getting into bar fights to protect your honor. What kind of hatred is that?"
I sigh a little bit. I sit on the couch with Apollo. I don't want you to hate me.
"What other option is there?" he asks me, "You won't let me love you."
"I can't."
"Sure you can. Take my ring. Let me arrange the marriage. Tomorrow we meet with the matchmakers. I can still make this happen. I can call my contact right now---"
"Apollo!"
He shuts up and grunts a "Ugh." He presses the ice up against his nose. He's breathing heavy at that moment. There is a deep tension. A part of me wants to cry. Seeing the man that I love so torn over this situation right now is getting to me. It's starting to make depressed. Maybe I shouldn't have brought him back here.
"Can I see your nose? Is it broken?
"No. That's not broken. You got something for my heart though?"
"Goddam it Apollo."
"Say you don't love me," he says.
"Apollo I can't say that. Of course I love you."
"Do you understand how stupid that sounds then? You're in love with me but you won't marry me because of bullshit. Come here."
"No."
"Come here. I'm not going to keep being a gentleman. I'm going to grab you up and I'm going to show you what you're missing. Come here."
I stop resisting and allow him to kiss me. He kisses me hard at that moment. His tongue goes in my mouth. He makes his way between my legs. He's kissing me hard and slowly stroking his body between my legs. He grinds up against me. He's slow and purposeful when he does it. He starts kissing me the entire while as he does it. My mouth stays open the entire time.
It's getting heated when I feel his hard body up against mine. His dick is getting hard. We'd never gone this far before. I feel his hard dick pressed up against my leg. He's struggling to unbutton his pants but then turns around and realizes Whistler is standing there. She isn't really looking at us.
"Is she...watching us?" he asks.
I shake my head, "I don't think she cares...I think she's like off. In sleep mode. I don't know. I haven't really figured the Virgos out."
He looks over at me, "Fuck it."
He rips his pants off at that moment. His dick comes out. I look down at his dick. I've never seen it before. It's beautiful. It's long and covered in veins. The let it rest in my hand. After stroking it for a few seconds I take it and put it in my mouth. I can taste it. My heart races when I taste it. I've messed around with little Libras guys up on the Mountain but this was different. There was an emotion behind this.
After I suck it for a while, he kisses me intensely. His tongue enters my mouth. Apollo sits on the couch. He pats on his leg.
"What?"
"I want you to ride me."
"Apollo this isn't going to change anything. I'm still following the marriage laws. This isn't going to change my decision."
"Then what are you scared of?"
I wasn't scared. I shake my head at that moment. I get up on top of him. I straddle Apollo. I feel his warm body up against mine. I feel his dick tickling my asshole a little bit as my legs wrap around his waist. I lower myself slowly onto him. His body tenses underneath me. We inhale deeply together taking up all the air between us. We exhale in each other mouths. I ride him. I rock back and forth on his dick.
Back and forth.
There is a reason he chose this position. Our eyes are looking dead into one another. His arms are wrapped around me. His dick is inside of me. There is this deep emotion bond between us the entire time I'm riding his dick unlike anything that I've ever felt before. The intensity is something sick. It's something beautiful.
Back and forth.
His dick enters my asshole but pierces into my heart. By the time we orgasm we don't want to do anything but stay together. We fuck again that night and again. We fuck until the morning and when we are done we collapse together. Apollo is still in me. He's afraid what pulling out of me would mean. He's afraid of what that would imply.
I think we both know though.
Tomorrow is the marriage ceremony.
Faith is something I always believed in. As I get dressed in my all white toga for the Marriage ceremony the next day I put my hand up to Venus. She is the Goddess of Love. She is the Libra Patron Goddess. I pray to be fair and balanced. I pray to be decisive and beautiful. I think there is a reason that Venus is the patron Goddess of Libra. There is something about love and justice. There is something that connects them.
That thing is faith.
"Are you nervous?" Lloyd asks me.
My friend looks stunning. I have to admit it. He has on his white toga. We are standing in a circle in the middle of the town square where the ceremony is being held. The cathedral is at the top of the stairs. We go in. And the matchmakers tell us which hall to walk down. At the end of that hall will be the person we are supposed to get married to.
"Not at all. The matchmakers don't make mistakes," I respond, "The only people Libras ever marry are Libras, Geminis are Aquarius. You'll be fine. Gemini's may be a little bit sneaky but honestly at least you'll live wealthy. It's not like you're going to be stuck with some crab or ram or one of those know-it-all bulls."
"Fair and balanced," Lloyd tells me.
"Always. Fair and Balanced."
I've never been so sure of anything in my life. Last night was magic. The moment Apollo entered me I knew that nothing had to be fixed. He was the one I was going to spend the rest of my life with. There was nothing in the world that ever felt so right. I approach the matchmakers.
They are old ladies. They are all Taurus and Capricorns. The thinkers and the calculators. They give me a form to fill out.
"Answer these questions."
It's 1001 questions.
Some things are about sex. What is your sexual orientation? What is your favorite sexual position?
Other questions are more personality. What do you do for fun? Where would you like to visit?
Then others just don't seem to make sense at all. What does life mean to you? What happens after death?
It takes me quite a while to answer all the questions on the pad. I don't second guess any of the answers though. I put the first thing that comes to mind. Faith is important when balancing the scales. I press submit on the pad. I approach the ladies at the front and hand them back the pad.
They look at the results.
"Door 57."
"Is that it?" I ask.
"Door 57," the matchmaker repeats more harshly and more stern then before.
"Uh. Ok."
I smile at her and nod like a charming Libra should. I start down the hallway and walk until I find door 57. I open the door. To my right I only recognize one person walking into the room. It's Loreal. She waves over at me and I try to fake a smile back. I end up walking into the door at that moment. It's darkness. My heart is racing.
"Hello?" I ask.
I keep walking into the darkness.
"No speaking..." someone says, "Find your husband's hand and prepare to be married."
I find my husband's hand in the darkness. It's strong. It's firm. The minister in the room says a few words and we are married.
Slowly the lights come on.
I turn to my left, excited to see Apollo. I'm excited to spend the rest of my life with Apollo. His eyes warm me. His smile comforts me. Today is the beginning of the rest of my life.
Faith.
Faith... didn't show up today. She went missing.
It's not Apollo.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me," the person says.
My mouth drops open when I notice that my new husband is Ryder.
To read the next chapter in advance go to www.crushedcrown.com