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 Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 5:22 pm
Damien nodded to Keyla, acknowledging her comment as well as answering her question. “So long as we are heading in the same direction, I suppose it would be best to stick together. Besides, it would appear that this Alaura has ideas very similar to mine. I am interested to speak further with her, though I think now is not the best time.” His sapphire gaze shifted towards where he had seen the woman earlier, though she had since moved on. She wasn’t hard to spot, given her vivid white hair and air of authority, but she seemed to have moved beyond his sights for the time being.
Looking back to his present company, Damien indulged in silence while the other two spoke. He was happy to see that Ryal had come to join them and even happier to see that they seemed friendly enough. It was a pleasure to know that, at the very least, there were a few amongst this seemingly ever growing group that would accept the strangers the soldiers had yet to warm up to.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 5:24 pm
Nicki felt her heart leap with joy the instant the man pulled his dagger. She stood up so swiftly and with such excitement that she actually threw the chair back, hearing the loud crash on the floor. Her grin, no longer the look of innocence she had previously been faking, turned to the usual cruel and vicious smile that was so common and familiar for this vile woman. Her hands, moving faster than perhaps the men could comprehend, slipped behind her back and under her top, grabbing out a pair of throwing knives. She twirled them in her hands, having left her other weapons back at her home. She would have only her natural demonic talents and these knives, though she knew they would be more than enough.
Her eyes locked on the man to Braut’s right, icy hues growing darker until it seemed that blood was seeping into the irises. They grew red and seemed to shine with an eerily evil gleam. The man with whom she had locked eyes began to scream, clawing over his own body as if something were attacking him. His nails began to scratch away at his skin and he fell to the floor, his screams filling the once silent room. Turning her gaze back to Braut, Nicki licked her lips and waited the few seconds before he was upon her.
The men had circled her now, though she showed no fear. She knew that these men, despite where they had been born and raised, were below her talents. One man charged, testing her wariness from behind. Nicki, never having let any of the men escape her attention, bent low only when the man was about to strike. She stepped to her left, avoiding his blade and thrusting up with her left arm. The throwing knife, though not very long, pierced up to her hand into the man’s chest. He coughed and sprayed red before collapsing to the ground.
The other men became hesitant, seeing how swiftly the woman moved and with such effortless ease. Still, Braut’s anger seemed to know no bounds as he moved a hand, sending forward two more men. Evidently they refused to back down, but Nicki knew that if they did not back off they would all die tonight. She had no remorse, no mercy for these brutish beings. They were merely humans, and not even of any great skill. To her they were not worth her time, but at least they would provide a fair amount of fun. Deciding to make it a little more interesting, Nicki made the swift choice of not using her shadow abilities. It would be weapon skills alone, besides that first mental attack that left the man on the ground, screaming and sputtering and clawing his own skin. In a matter of minute he would be reduced to nothing more than a bumbling madman, his mind rent in pieces by her mental attack. Of course, that was if he did not kill himself tearing away the creatures he believed to be attacking him.
Facing the two men, who both attacked from the front, Nicki barely even bothered to move. She stood there, calm as ever, grinning in her oddly joyful manner. She seemed utterly insane, standing before the group without a care. She waited until they were close, one bearing a chain while the other bore a blade. The one with the chain whipped it forward, attempting to strike her temple. Nicki ducked, her left hand moving with speed and precision to toss the knife into the man’s gut. He grunted and fell forward to his knees, gripping his stomach in pain as he slowly bled out. The other, fueled by the rage of his companions certain demise, rushed forward with his blade held high. Nicki, not even skipping a beat, took a sliding step forward before dropping into a crouch. She extended her right leg and spun in a clockwise fashion, taking the man’s legs out beneath him. The instant the man hit the ground Nicki was upon him, hovering over his face with her knife poised at his neck. “You should have left like the others.” She said, looking up into Braut’s eyes as she slid the knife across.
Now standing once more, Nicki grabbed the chain moments before Braut roared in rage and every one of the remaining men charged forth. They piled in towards Nicki, hoping to catch her off guard. The small woman disappeared beneath the crowd and for a moment it seemed that she had truly been taken down. A few shouts broke out, and the men seemed to ripple like a pond after a pebble had been thrown in. It took only a few seconds before one would be able to see the swift movements that caused the fluctuations. The woman, using the chain she had just acquired, was breaking bones, choking and generally just beating the men down.
It didn’t take much longer for the men became a pile of broken, bruised and bleeding bodies. Only one remained remotely fine, Braut. Nicki walked over to him, her hips swaying seductively and her eyes locked on him. She stopped only inches before him, watching as he tried to scurry back. “Tsk tsk, trying to crawl away.” She said with that vicious grin, the chain dragging on the ground as she moved forward and brought her face before his. “Your kind are despicable and disgusting. Believe me when I say that if you ever speak so rudely to me again, I will not spare your life. Consider this my good deed.” She laughed in her wicked manner before slapping him across the face with the hand holding the chain, bruising his face further.
She stood up, taking the chain with her as she walked back towards Nicolai and sat once more. She looked to the bartender, her cool gaze icy once more. The red, which had been brought on so suddenly, had faded sometime after she had been crowded. What it had been only Nicki truly knew, and perhaps Adel. He had never seen what came when the eyes remained thus, no human had, but Nicki knew that it would only be a matter of time. She ordered another drink then turned to Nicolai. “Glad to see you will jump to my aid.” Her tone was mocking and it almost seemed as if she was truly angered by it, at least until she grinned in an almost pleasant manner. Clearly she was glad she had been allowed to have her fun.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:02 am
Grace disappeared back into the palace, her feet pounding quietly on the thickly veined marble floors. "I'm going out. I don't know when I'll be back." she cried to the gatehouse guards as she disappeared into the fog. She stopped running as soon as she reached the village and turned back to stare at the ivory towers of the palace of Light for only a moment and turn to wander along the main streets of Alabaster.
<><><><>
Vivian dropped to the bottom of the ladder easily and rose to stare Seth in the face, "Seth... he is my FATHER and no matter what he's done or how cold i claim to be that doesn't change that.. I am who I am because of him and if killing him falls to be my responsibility I wont be able to see it through." she whispered, laying her hands on his shoulders, "I know that whatever is best will be done, I wont fight it if Alaura decides to kill him but I wont do it myself and I wont take part it in that fight but I will GET you to Undrago and into his fortress."
His tone had stung a little bit, never had they argued before this day and the topic was quite sensitive... it was not the time or place to have this particular conversation, "I love you." she offered, wrapping her arms tightly around Seth's shoulders. "I'm sorry I'm not strong enough to completely turn my back on him."
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:11 am
The carriage thundered across the Knorthian countryside, uninterrupted on its steady path to the Dark kingdom and the Blue Queen's almost certain death. And then Raphael would be free to hunt the King's beloved traitor of a daughter and Adel had not specified whether she would be taken alive or not.
Of course... Adel would have his head should he return the darling Princess without a pulse. "As soon as we reach Undrago I'll be leaving you in King Adel's hands... it wont be pleasant after that."
The Queen snorted, "I expected nothing less than an unwelcoming King on his tyrannical throne."
Raphael shook his head, "No one seems to understand that he's not a tyrant.. he's a GENIUS"
"You are deluded Captain. What happened to your integrity?"
Raphael merely stared out the window into the crisp morning.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:44 am
From wall to wall the library was filled with a vast array of books, a collection accumulated over times - no doubt. From ancient to recent, each section was coordinated impeccably, author, genre, title, year. Without realizing it, in this haven Dia had relaxed completely into the sense of peace the room brought with it's entry and the sheer silence was its own music. The smell of books assailed her, although it was not unpleasant. Adel was by no means, a tryannical meglomaniac, bent on supremacy and dominance. Granted it was part of his plans, no matter what anybody said Dia believed he was more than that, and this room was the embodiment of his wisdom.
"I've learned many things from these infinite pages that tower before you my dear. Give thy mind to books, and the literature and lore of the ages will give thee the wisdom of sage and seer. A library of wisdom, then, is more precious than all wealth, and all things that are desirable cannot be compared to it. The only wealth which will not decay is knowledge. The only jewel which you can carry beyond the grave is wisdom."
She blushed at the smile Adel offered her, a rare sight it was. It warmed her to have the privledge of sharing Adel's most intimate moments with him. To the world he was an overbearing conquerer who brought chaos to their peaceful land of Sirvalgn but if only they knew the plans he had. Jewels, material wealth, and glory were not his goals, and this she knew. Sure, there would be a universal decline, but ultimately it would be for the better. For all these reasons, Dia was utterly and completely loyal to the man, he had taken her into this new world where she was accepted and appreciated. Certainly, her family and sister were a constant guise of safety and love, but the prejudice of the society she'd lived in had been an eternal discomfort.
"You are special to me Dia. I show you all that I have. I do not surround myself with expensive trinkets or piles of gold or silver. You do not see jewelry in the shape of a crown or rings of any kind on me. All of my riches are here... These books are my treasure. I value very few things more than them, but they do not even compare to you."
Reaching with a white gloved hand, she brushed aside some strands of her hair which had thankfully been hiding the red colouring on her cheeks. It was true that Dia and Adel shared an inexplainable relationship, but could she really hope for more in his words? "You flatter me King Adel, surely you jest." Pulling off her white gloves and tucking them away, she approached one of the shelves and ran her fingers lightly over the bindings and the letters carved into the covers. "These books... this collection, they are..." She paused, finding herself unable to convey her feeling into words. After a moment of what seemed to be contemplation, she turned around and smiled, an ungaurded shine in her eye.
"Please King Adel, I implore you, show me more!"
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Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:35 am
Ryal let out a quiet laugh at Kayla's answer. Even himself, who had grown up in a wealthy family, was wearing the typical colors of most Knorthian citizens.
No, I suppose it's not!
His smile lingered a bit.
Out of curiosity, have you ever been to an archery tournament?
He was grasping at straws. He still wasn't sure what to talk about. Ryal hoped Damien would help him find a good subject for conversation. He was sure he could only entertain Kayla with archery for so long.
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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:20 am
Keyla let her smile stay as she listened to Ryal. His question, being a little unexpected but interesting made her blink for a moment before shaking her head and chuckling softly. "No, I haven't. I take it you have, since you ask. Or do you just have an interest in archery?" She said and looked up at him, before glancing at Damien, wondering if he suddenly became quiet because he had little to say, or if he just felt like this wasn't a subject he liked to talk about. She didn't want any of them to feel like they were left out. She turned her kind, ice blue gaze back to Ryal.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:39 am
"I am not a deceitful man, Dia." Adel turned his head slightly away in disappointment. "You are mistaken to say that I jest." He turned back to face her once more and took her hand in his own. In doing this he aimed to show his intentions, as it was not frequent that he allowed any to touch him. He held her hand and moved close to her ear, his warm breath brushing across her cheek. He whispered to her, "You have been at my side for quite some time Dia, and all the while you have been faithful to me. You've shown your unwavering loyalty within every task I've given you in the past. You have spent more time with me than any other in this land and so understand me better than any other. You know that there is no guile from my lips." Slowly, he pulled away from her ear. "My lips only desire to tell you of my intent." He leaned in close to her. Closing his eyes, he softly pressed his lips against her own.
The feeling was indescribable. He was lost in bliss, her charm taking hold of him, gently enveloping his thoughts and actions. He lightly pulled away from her and opened his eyes to see her beautiful eyes staring back at him. He spoke softly to her, "I will show you something that I alone know exists in this library. It has been kept secret and its existence left undiscovered for many years. I trust you Dia, and so I will unveil what was once lost to this world." He let her hand go and made his way to a nearby book case. Running his finger along the bindings of several books, until he stopped his finger at a small book. Its binding read 'Yatagarasu'. He pulled the book from the shelf and stuck his hand in the empty space where the book once was, pulling it back out once he grasped something. He placed the book back on the shelf and walked back over to Dia. He took her hand and opened it, dropping a small, metal key onto her palm.
He then closed his hands around her own and held it closed tight. They walked along the book cases, as he guided her through the mountains of books. They came to the center of the library, the shelvings circled around this point, where a large spiral staircase ran up to the ceiling. They were on the bottom floor of three. "It's just up these stairs." He led the way up the winding steps until they came to the top. The stairs ran around a large pole from bottom to top. At the top of the stairs, Adel placed his hand on this pole, rubbing the fading emblem of a three-legged bird, removing the dust from the surface. He took the emblem between his fingers and turned it. It opened to reveal a small key hole. "You have the key Dia, but first I need to know what you are feeling. What you feel between us. I am trusting you with everything and opening myself up to you. Do you return my affection?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:39 am
Damien felt his gaze drawn away from Keyla and Ryal and their talk of archery as loud voices broke through the silence of the forest. He spotted a man and a woman descending from one of the houses. They must have been a couple, the way they acted around each other, but tension was high between them. Damien could only guess at what was going on, some spat about the woman's father he guessed by the words that he caught. He felt sorry for them, pitying the poor they were in. Such times often brought out the worst in people, forcing them to the brink of their limits until finally they slipped past and burst in anger.
Sighing softly, he turned back to meet Keyla's gaze, the smile having faded in light of his own thoughts. He tried to force it back but his thoughts had slipped to far past him and he couldn't manage that warm smile. Movement caught in his sights once more pulling his attention away from present company. He could Alaura moving slowly about the camp, her heavy sword hanging from her back. If he hadn't known better he would have thought it was weighing on her, but he passed the thought as nothing more than a trick his own mind played on him. Such a woman could never be weighed down.
Finally Damien forced his attentions back to the group, grabbing the reigns of Asgoroth as he spoke. "I believe that the camp is readying to leave. I do not wish to interrupt but perhaps we could carry on this conversation while we move?" His tone was soft and calm, no urgency or hurry could be felt within it. He was often times like a gentle stream, simply following the path laid out before him and rolling along at a leisurely pace.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:48 am
Alaura tried not to move much as she watched her men packing everything up. She knew that if she walked this entire journey she might never make it and the truth of her illness, for she knew it was illness now, would come out and be known. Above all else she could never let that happen, she would simply have to find a reason not to walk. At least her powers had returned enough to allow her the simple communication she held with the beasts, her loyal falcon hovering ever-protective over her head.
Her emerald gaze shifted as she noticed Thalon calling out orders to the men to make ready to leave. They would be on the move soon, this she knew, and when his gaze caught hers there was a sort of reserved pain behind them. He was holding back his thoughts from her but she didn't need to read minds to know what he was thinking. His worry showed for her as clear as the day. She offered him a gentle smile and watched as he nervously averted his gaze.
Finally deciding she needed to do more than stand around, Alaura began to make her way towards Shane. At the very least she could have someone close, should anything go wrong. As she moved along she would speak with the men, making sure that all knew they were to leave now. She would not leave any living man behind. In this process she looked over to see three Knorthians standing together. Keyla was speaking with Damien and Ryal, causing Alaura to smile. It was nice to see the girl spending time with her own, for she was sure the young woman would miss her home. At least a small part of it would be coming with her.
Her gaze then shifted to Vivian and Seth, locking on them for a moment. They had been yelling at one another and Alaura had caught only bits and pieces of information. Something seemed rather suspicious about the fight they were having and she deemed it would require further acknowledgement when she had the energy. Finally she was at Shane's side, standing next to him and wishing she could just sit. Though she tried to hide it her breath was coming in heavier gasps. She kept a stoic face but her chest deceive her, rising and falling faster than normal. Even that short walk had taken too much from her, and she knew she could not make the journey there no matter how hard she tried. There was no escaping the fact that either she would need a wagon or she would have to call forth a beast on which to ride, hating the latter as it would mean taking the creature from its home.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:34 pm
Ariella stuggled to get up. Her ears were ringing, her head felt as if it was split in two, and her gown felt damp around her collar and down her back. For the most part, the the mob had ignored her fall, shouting too loudly to notice what was going on around them. D..Delanus...? She tried to get up again, but as soon as she put pressure on her legs, pain exploded from her left thigh. Ariella cried out, a sound nearly completely drowned out by the crowd. Only two heard her, a young man and his beautiful young wife. She could hear a voice, shouting above the crowd. The man's lips moving as though he were the one saying it--but the voice seemed miles away now... Quicly! She's broken her leg, and it looks like she's fallen on someone's left-behind rake! She's bleeding! We have to get her...
Silence...
Wait... Who...
.......
Blackness...
Nothing...
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:30 am
Keyla just nodded to what Damien said and went over to a tree nearby where her backpack was resting against it. She picked it up and put it on her back while looking around. She saw Seth and his girlfriend, who's name she still didn't know and she saw the Earth Soldiers that were everywhere. Last but not least her eyes fell on Alaura and Shane. She didn't let her eyes linger on the two for long though as she went back to Damien and Ryal.
"Hey Damien.. Not that I think Alaura will allow it at first but if.. and it's only if she can't make this trip to the water kingdom.. Would you let her borrow your horse? I'm pretty sure she would rather be riding than laying in a carriage.." She said and glanced in the direction of where the leader of this pack was standing, although right now she couldn't see her. She turned her eyes back to Damien. "She's pushing herself far beyond her limits already... I can't believe she's even standing and walking around.."
She sighed. Despite not knowing any of these people very well, she had a tendency to worry about people she liked or could like. And Alaura was maybe more of a source of inspiration for her than anything.
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:31 am
"I am not a deceitful man, Dia. You are mistaken to say that I jest."
Dia almost flinched at his words, hearing the hurt hidden in his voice. She clenched her fists and took a breath, certainly the woman knew this although for her - who seldom shared such intimate emotions with... well, ANYBODY - it made her embarrased and reluctant to acknowledge for fear of the potential hurt that was ineveitable to follow in such relationships. She gasped when Adel took her bare hands, her own soft skin brushing against his as he moved closer. Averting her eyes from the man, she resisted the desire to steal a glance or two and felt her face steadily warm at the close proximity of the King. Dia faltered at his words, every one true. At that moment, it felt as if he had truely grasped on her heart tightly and she knew - while she had devoted her body and soul to the man before, it was no to the extent where she would probably even serve him past his grave. Though, for such a morbid thought towards the King she preferred to imagine could never happen.
"Adel..."
She had barely murmered his name, without the usual prefix, when he leaned in and took her by surprise. Dia, in response, leaned towards the King, pressing their bodies together and had to resist and quiet whimper when he pulled away. Her dark gray eyes were filled with an emotion reserved only for Adel a small, blissful smile painted her lips. "I will show you something that I alone know exists in this library. It has been kept secret and its existence left undiscovered for many years. I trust you Dia, and so I will unveil what was once lost to this world." She followed Adel with her eyes as he moved over to a bookcase, nothing short of ordinary. With the guise of any other books in Adel's treasure vault of knowledge, Dia watched as he pulled a small black leather bound book from the shelf, returned it to it's rightful spot and made his way back to where Dia had not moved in the last few minutes.
She blinked as she felt her hands close around a small metal object, inversely followed by Adel's large warm hands closing around her own, small and pale in comparison. She followed along, wordlessly and slightly akin to a lost child which has just been offered sweets and a helping hand. It was potentially dangerous, and probably something she knew better than to do, yet her instincts told her that if she followed this man, then maybe she would finally find a safe place where she belonged. She could hear her heart in her ears, thumping so loudly she hoped that Adel couldn't hear it. Before she realised, the had reached the top of a spiralling staircase and Adel stood looking at her intense eyes awaiting her response. Rather than the King, a Ruler or Tyrant, Dia simply saw standing before her, a Man.
Letting her actions speak for her words, she closed her eyes and took Adel's hands in her own. Reaching up, she gave Adel a kiss full of passion, longing and desire. When she was done, she held his hand to her chest and looked him in the eyes. "Adel, this is how my heart reacts whenever I am with you. I live only for you, and if you would grant me your affection, I could only return to you my own in an abundance." She offered a shy smile and looked away, suddenly embarrased. "I couldn't live without you." And certainly not now when she knew the both of them shared the same feelings.
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:00 pm
As she released her lips from his own and placed his hand upon her chest, he was feeling rather light-headed. Her chest was pleasantly warm and soft to the touch. As his hand was held in place, he could feel her heart racing through her soft skin. If I don't keep my mind in place, my lustful thoughts will take hold of me and act upon my desire to caress her smooth, delicate figure.... But I cannot, she is worth far more to me than just her physique. Her sweet words came into his thoughts, "I couldn't live without you." Her voice brushing across her ear was much like a parched tongue being given the purist of waters. Releasing his hand from her chest, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders; embracing her. "Dia..." He whispered to her as he rested his cheek gently atop her silky hair, "...I want to tell you something rather personal, but I think you have the right to know. I lost my wife about eleven years ago. And I thought that I'd never fall in love again. I feared that if I ever loved again I would end up heart-broken once more. I was afraid of love, thinking that love took time, like a fine wine aging in the cellar. I was wrong. Love is there from the moment you see that person, like the moment I saw you. All I had to do was embrace it and let it grow. I followed my heart and it has led me to this moment. This perfect moment with you where time freezes." He lifted his head and stared into her eyes; they seemed to sparkle like the brilliant stars in the night sky. "I love you Dia." He smiled and took the key from her hand, placing it into the key hole above the stairs. He turned the key and then the silence of the library was broken. Winding clicks and cogs turning, metallic noises where echoing across the book shelves. They were not load but rather curious to the ear; the noise muffled behind the walls. This lasted mere seconds, and it suddenly stopped. He turned and looked back to Dia. Smiling once more, he nodded his head... indicating for her to turn around. A few feet behind her, on the wall, was a small open door about the size of one of the many books around them. It had blended well with the wall before, but now stood ajar revealing its contents. The dim gleam from the small metallic object could be faintly seen as it sat in the dark compartment. It was a silver ring and carved into it was the same symbol as the keyhole cover, a three-legged bird. "It is yours, along with all of the power it holds... which is quite a deal of power actually. Not only would it mean you becoming queen, but you also have the rings extended abilities. It enables the wearer to become their full potential. Basically it means that your elemental abilities as they are now would multiply to make you able to use them to their fullest extent. Things that you don't even yet know about the element of darkness would become available to you."
Shane waited there for some time until Alaura came to his side. In her actions, she looked as healthy as she normally was, but she could not hide her fatigue as he could see it in her eyes. Selfishly though, he was happy to just have her near to him. He awaited for her to give the orders to make their way to the Water Kingdom.
Seth was out of line for bringing up the topic at such a time. His thoughts were everywhere as of late and it was getting difficult to grasp right from wrong. Vivian was so kind to him, even when he made such a mistake. "And I love you Vivian." He wrapped her in his arms for a moment before taking up his bags. He then turned to look at Alaura awaiting for the group to begin their departure.
At first Nicki's words slightly hurt Nicolai, but then her smiled made him realize that she was glad he had given her the spotlight. Looked at the chain she still had and then back at her. He laughed a little, showing his delight in what had just transpired. He looked to the bartender, whom seemed like he was about to faint. "You needn't worry, I will pay for the damages to your establishment." He laughed some more. "I'll have another ginger ale."
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