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 Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:08 pm
"You need to relax more."
Rory was getting awful tired of hearing that out of the man, and looked over at the slightly-taller Logan Fitch. Logan had one arm wrapped around Rory's waist, leading him into the bar. "You work too much, babe, 'n you're gonna work yourself right into a grave," Logan went on to say. He was comfortable chatting away to make up for the lack of conversation on Rory's end. "Besides, I highly doubt Miss Roarke'll up and croak before we can finish our jobs."
"Stop calling me babe," Rory muttered, swatting at him indignantly. He looked around, and sighed. "Did we have to come to a bar?" It was one thing entirely for Logan to drag him out and about, but when they went bar-hopping it usually meant that Logan went off with some hotty and Rory was left to go home on his own.
"Sure we did." Logan grinned at him, and looked around the bar. He was at ease in the sleazy cheap gin-joint. The bar itself was decorated as though it were hosting the high class instead of the down-on-their-a**, so the occupants looked as though they highly contrasted. Cheryl's was his favorite bar to go to, with or without Rory. Tonight, however, was their night out. "You love Cheryl's, Rory." He kissed the top of his head, grinning. "Besides, have you ever heard'a cafe-hopping?"
"No..." Rory answered dejectedly, grumbling. He realized the instant he'd gotten into Logan's car that work would be avoided, but a small bit of him hoped Logan would do his job. Naturally, the older man wouldn't. "Alright, fine." He shrugged his arm off, and went to the bar.
Logan followed after him, and slid into a seat, grinning deviantly at the barmaid. "Hello, darlin'. Two beers?"
"Sure, Lo."
Logan took the beers from the woman, and gave one to Rory before he popped his opened and actually looked around. He wasn't planning on leaving Rory, oh no. ... Well, maybe. If the right kind of person walked in. Rory twisted his beer open, and took a sip, looking around as well. Same old vagrants, and yet, here he was drinking with them again. He sighed. "You're a horrible influence, Logan."
"I know," Came the beaming reply.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:21 pm
After the partially hit and miss conversation with the lass named Xinai, Ailin had left her company filled with more doubt than he'd begun the night with. As such, the man in the pinstripe fedora had left her company with a smile, fully intending to wander off and locate another place to drink, preferably a bar this time. One with enough people he didn't feel like he was the lone man out, and have to flirt with the waitresses just to keep his mind sharp. Sure'n the lass named Rachel had been easy on the eyes, but she wasn't much for talking while on the job.
Entering what looked to be a promising spot named Cheryl's, he doffed his cap and stomped his worn tennis shoes to knock some of the snow off of them before glancing around the bar to see if there was an open seat. Much preferring a booth, he found none open and gave a soft sigh before wandering over to the bar. Giving the lass a pretty smile and a wink, he laid his second order of the night for, "The best Irish ale in the house, lass", before turning with his back to her and glancing around once more. Plenty of lads and lasses to go around, he saw, before his sharp gray eyes quickly spotted a pair of lads, one not looking too sure of himself, and the other looking quite deviant. Now that was a table he could sit at!
As the lass handed him his mug, he gave her another pleasant smile in thanks before slipping his hat back on and meandering over towards the booth. Glancing down at the lads from where he stood at 6'2", he gave them both a friendly smile before raising his tankard in introduction, "Me name's Ailin, mind if I sit with ye lads for a spell?" Casting his eyes around the bar he gave a small shrug and a self depracating laugh, "Can't say I'm a fan for sittin' alone when there're friendly faces to be had."
Unlike the first table he'd invited himself to that night, he merely stood smiling pleasantly waiting for either his acceptance or refusal at the booth, already storing a few new ones in mind as he waited patiently.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:28 pm
Rory looked up, and frowned a little when someone asked to sit with them. He took another sip of his beer, looking away sheepishly. It was Logan's idea to be here, let him make the decisions. He'd just overrule him anyway, in the end, now wouldn't he? He took another small sip, and glanced over at Logan. "......." He saw the expression Logan was giving the man, and sighed a little, dropping his head. It didn't take him long to find something interesting, did it? Trouble in the end. He thought, snorting a little.
Trouble indeed. Logan looked up at Ailin when he came over and introduced himself, and grinned slowly. There was nothing subtle about the way Logan 'admired' the stranger's appearance, from the fedora to the tennis shoes and back up again. "I don' think anyone likes bein' alone in a friendly place like this," he said, smirking. "Go ahead an' sit down, Al." He looked over at Rory, amused. Rory gave him a pointed look, that all but screamed for him to behave. Which Logan casually ignored.
"I'm Logan Fitch," He introduced, holding out a hand and grinning at the man. "And this is Rory Kohl. Rory, say hello, won't you?"
"Do you ever get the feeling we're in one of those gangster movies, and I always have to be the ditzy blond moll?" Rory asked pointedly, scoffing a little. Then he looked at Ailin, and smiled sheepishly. "'Lo."
"..." Logan looked at Ailin. "He's a little weird, I apologize." He grinned at him.
"I am not." Rory fumed a little at Logan, and went back to taking little sips off his beer.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:47 pm
A small smirk touched Ailin's lips as he caught the one man's frown, the sheepish look on the man's face when he looked away merely left Ailin amused and caused him to quirk his eyebrow at the other one. What an odd pair these two lads seemed to make! Barely catching the tail end of the second man's glance up and down his appearance, he gave a small shrug as if to say, 'I come as I am', before grinning in response. For a brief moment, he thought about startling the first lad and giving him a bow, before deciding it was best not to frighten the smaller one just yet.
As the other man agreed he could sit down, and nicknamed him Al, a soft sigh managed to find its way out before he turned into a smile and a nod. "Aye, lad, I suppose that's true enough. Are ye sure your friend o'er there won' mind if I join ye?" With a sly look over at Rory, he accepted Logan's hand and gave it a firm shake as he returned the man's smile. He had to admit, at the least Logan had a nice smile. Raising his eyebrow at the gangster reference, he tilted his head slightly before turning his friendliest smile onto Rory and extending his hand in friendship, "A pleasure to meet ye, lad, I'm sure."
Giving a small shrug when Logan made excuses for his friend and apologized, Ailin couldn't help it as he chuckled, "Don' worry about it, a man acts how he chooses, and we can't expect much less of him. Besides, I imagine he's got an endearing quality or two, or ye wouldn't be caught sittin' with the poor lad." Again with the smile as he glanced between the two, still not entirely certain who to sit by, but clearly showing his preference to sit with Logan over Rory.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:54 pm
"He won't mind. Rory-kins is just a little shy around new guys." Logan promised, smirking at him a little. "Right, Rory?" He looked over at the smaller partner of his, and arched an eyebrow at the way he was watching Ailin. "Riiiiight, Rory-kins?"
"Right, right." Rory snorted a little at him, and after a couple seconds, blushed fiercely. "Stop calling me Rory-kins, Logan." He swatted at him again, fuming. When Ailin offered a handshake to him, the small and meek one blinked owlishly, then shook his hand, smiling at him and blushing a little at the friendliness of his smile. It wasn't embarrassing, exactly, just something new.
Logan seemed pleased with his reaction, and nodded to the spot next to him, grinning at Ailin. "See? You're more than welcome here. Have a seat, friend." The older of the two gave a charming smile, while Rory watched the interaction over the rim of his beer. He rolled his eyes at the cheesiness of Logan's grin, grinning a little while he took another small sip.
At least tonight would be amusing, right?
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:08 pm
Listening to the way Logan made Rory's name into an endearment, he found himself wondering if the two were more than simple friends. Amused at the way the other one had to prompt the shier one into talking, he wondered if perhaps Logan was the older, or just simply the more outgoing of the two? He filed it away as something to peruse later, before chuckling at the way the shy one blushed. Yes, Logan certainly must have found something endearing in that man, and it was likely something to do with the way the lad was both easy to tease, and cute in his reactions. Ensuring he would remember to give only the friendliest and kindest of smiles to the younger one, Ailin again flashed him a smile, this one more encouraging as he got after his friend.
These two would certainly bring entertainment for the night, at this rate. A thought that had Ailin more than a little pleased with the idea of distraction. Turning his grin to a calmer sort of smile, he gave a small bow of his head before accepting the seat offered to him. "Thank ye, lad." Once again doffing his fedora, he laid it on the table between Rory and himself, liking to keep it within reach for if he had to leave in a hurry, but not liking to have it in the way of any possible interactions between him and the person next to him. Taking a large swig of his ale, he raised an inquiring eyebrow at the man before him before settling back in the seat, making himself comfortable.
"And why do ye take small sips, lad? Beer is meant to be had in large gulps, or not at all!" He gave a deep, throaty laugh at that, before taking another swig of his own to show the lad what he meant and setting his mug down on the table, grinning the while. If the lad intended to be shy, then Ailin intended to be outgoing enough for the both of them.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:16 pm
Rory blinked at Ailin when he showed him how beer should be drank, and blushed a little, shrugging over his beer. He took another small sip, and looked up at him again, sheepishly. "I don't hold my alcohol very well." He admitted with a quiet shrug. "If I drink it too fast, I'll be gone after one."
"Give yourself a little more credit, Rory. It's more like two." Logan grinned at Rory, amused, and looked over at Ailin. "It's a sad sad state of affairs, really. He doesn't drink much, and when he does, a beer and a half has him three sheets to the wind." He nodded sagely, and grinned when Rory swatted at him again. Then he looked over at Ailin, grinning. "Can we safely assume you're a regular alcohol-appreciating type?"
"Logan's one." Rory snorted at Logan, and set his beer down, grinning deviously at the glowering look Logan tossed him. "He spends more time out and about than at work." He chided, leaning back and smiling shyly at Ailin.
"Yes, well, that's because you work enough for the both of us, Rory-kins." Logan answered haughtily, rolling his eyes and grumbling a little. "Besides," he added with a smirk, "One of us has to have fun." He smirked, and looked at Ailin. "Don't you agree, life would be a horrible thing if a guy can't have any fun?"
"I have fun." Rory grumbled at him. "I have lots of fun!" His shoulders slumped a little, and he crossed his arms, all out pouting. Logan saw it, and snorted a little at him.
"Don't pout, Rory-kins."
"Make me." Rory stuck his tongue out at him.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:08 pm
As the smaller lad gave him yet another sheepish look and admitted he couldn't hold his liquor well, Ailin wondered at how the two had become friends. Clearly, they'd been friends for quite a while as the banter between them was close and comfortable. Something that was rare to be seen except amongst friends of many years. Merely smiling as he listened to the two go back and forth, he found himself chuckling at the thought of Rory 'three sheets to the wind' after a mere beer and a half.
When Logan fired a question at him, Ailin had barely managed to open his mouth and wink in response, when Rory snorted at the man. Amused by the duo, his laughter was heard in his response, "Aye, lads, wouldn't be much o' an Irishman if I weren't, now would I?" While that wasn't necessarily true, he knew many people assumed they were all fairly hefty drinkers, and figured that if they caught he was making a joke, at least one of them would take it well.
With a small shrug and an even smaller nod, he pretended to think over Logan's second question before finally giving an answer. "I think a man ought to have fun however he may, and doing whatever he likes. If that ends up bein' work, than work the man should! And should it be drinking..." Grinning deviously, he took another swig before setting his mug down on the table, "Then drinking it should be!" Another small laugh issued itself from his mouth when Rory pouted and stuck his tongue out at Logan. Unable to resist, he leaned forward and winked at the lad, "Now, boy-o, should ye continue to act like that, I may just have to come sit o'er next to ye, and see to it this childish behavior stops." With a wink to show he was merely teasing, possibly even flirting, he leaned back again making himself comfortable with Logan.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:16 pm
At Ailin's implication that he would come sit next to him, Rory blinked, and blushed a brilliant shade of red. "You don't have to do that." He mumbled, looking away and coughing. He definitely caught the teasing, if not flirting, and tried to think of it as just teasing. He was red enough as is, if he thought for an instant it was flirting, his poor head would explode.
Logan caught the brilliant shade covering Rory's face, and laughed into his beer, taking another gulp and setting his bottle down. "Al, you are now my favorite Irishman. I haven't seen Rory turn that color since he walked in on me'n some fella a few months back." He laughed, grinning as Rory glared over at him indignantly. "Oh come on, you were just as red then."
Rory grumbled, and looked over at Ailin. "Irish, huh?" He frowned curiously. "What brings you here? ... Unless you were born here, and then that's just a stupid question." He blushed even worse, and grinned sheepishly, reaching up and tugging on his ear nervously. Logan caught it, and reached over, yanking his hand down.
"Stop tugging your ear, Rory-kins. Bad habit." He grinned, and looked over at Ailin. "That is a good question. ... In another form, anyway. Are you new in town?" He asked, smirking at Ailin.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:00 pm
Amusement at the way Rory reacted to his borderline comment flitted its way across Ailin's expressive face. Perhaps he wouldn't have to play any games with these lads to have fun, it seemed like just being himself for a little while was more than enough. Though the thoughts of being mostly genuine were a little abnormal for the Irishman, Logan and Rory had put him at ease from his earlier frustrations and angers revolving around a certain young lad he'd come to find. Smiling quietly at the blush on Rory's cheeks, Ailin gave an easy shrug, "Lad, if it bothered me at all to sit next to ye and ensure ye didn't waste that beer o' yours, I wouldn't have offered!"
His smile merely broadened into a grin when he heard Logan's response, and couldn't help himself as an eyebrow twitched upwards at what the man had to say. The simple interest Ailin had in the man previously went up just a couple of notches at the comment, and it was with further amusement he watched the man turn it into a joke with the younger one. Holding his hands out in an open gesture, he gave a second shrug at the man's question, again not getting a word in before Logan chimed in.
Chuckling when the older man removed the younger's hand from his ear, he nodded in quiet agreement that it was in fact a bad habit before lifting his mug to his lips to ponder over the question Rory had act. Only to smirk into the mug at Logan's next words. Taking a final swig from the mug, only to sigh at the realization it was all gone, he turned his attention full on to the man next to him, a daring smile on his face and giving him a nod to the affirmative. "Aye, lad, I'm more than a fair bit new here. Flew in just this morning, I'm afraid, and not a clue where anything is in this town!"
It was an open invitation, and he figured that Logan would likely catch it as such, before turning back to Rory, a more relaxed smile on his face, "Do I sound like I was born here, lad? I'm from Ireland, through and through, 'm afraid." Tilting his head slightly, he continued, "As for why I'm here...'tis a boring business, really. I'm here to keep me word and then likely return home. Lest I find something here to keep my attention for a bit, that is." At the last, he threw another wink at Logan before catching the attention of a barmaid and indicating he wanted another drink. Deftly setting his empty mug near to the table for an easy switch off when she came by with his new one.
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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:52 am
Logan most certainly picked up on that open invitation, and grinned slowly against the edge of his glass; he'd been taking a gulp when Al had divulged that lovely bit of information. He set his beer down and smiled shamelessly at Ailin. "I'd be happy to show you aroun' sometime, Ailin. Maybe help you keep that promise'a yours." If his smile was anything to go by, Logan wasn't quite interested in helping him find his way around so much as finding his way into a private room.
Rory rolled his eyes at Logan, and looked at Ailin, again that curious gleam in his eyes. "What was your promise?" He asked. While Logan might've been a shameless sex fiend, Rory was shameless in another sense entirely, and probably a more innocent one: He had no real concept of personal boundaries when it came to talking. Physically? Oh, he was the KING of boundaries. But when he was talking... Not so much. He seemed to realize this a little bit late, and looked down sheepishly. "Unless it's a secret. Or a surprise." Rory said innocently, grinning at him.
Logan looked over at Rory, and grinned a little, amused. "He doesn't get the whole personal boundaries thing." He said, completely ignoring the fact that he didn't seem to have the concept down either. Of course, his boundaries were purely physical. Logan grinned at Ailin, teasing Rory without looking at him. "But he's learnin', slowly but surely."
"I'm a faster learner than you are." Rory griped, kicking at him under the table. Logan yelped, and fumed, rubbing his shin and glowering at Rory. Rory just beamed, smugly triumphant.
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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:29 pm
A smirk tugged at one corner of Ailin's lips as he caught the shameless smile on Logan's face. It seemed he'd pegged the man well before he'd come over, and found one of the more interesting tables to sit at for the night. Quite pleased with both the choice and with how things were developing, he turned a small, charming smile to the man next to him before offering up his response, "That's awfully kind of ye to offer to help me out, lad." His smile grew to a grin as he tilted his head in question, "And just how might I be payin' ye back for your help, then?" Ailin chose not to answer about the offer on the promise, already having an inkling growing in the back of his mind just how this Logan could assist him. If he agreed without knowing the entire story, that is.
Hearing the younger lad talking to him again, Ailin tore his eyes from Logan's recalling that he was talking to two and not one, nor should he be plotting evilly while in an innocent's company. Not yet, at least. He didn't think Rory would go well with the plot anyway. Frowning slightly as he mulled over how much to reveal and how much not to, his lips managed to quirk into a smile when Rory amended his question with a qualifier. When Logan chimed in, Ailin let out a small laugh before reaching over to pat the older man on the back after he was kicked, letting his hand rest there once done, grinning with amusement at Rory and his antics.
"Well, lad, it is a bit of a surprise, but for the entertainment ye seem to enjoy providing, I suppose I can offer the story in short, in recompense." Pausing slightly as he figured out exactly what to say, he continued to let his hand rest easily on Logan's back, not intending on moving it unless the man made a move to scoot away or showed some indication he didn't appreciate the attention he was receiving. While Rory might not understand personal boundaries, and Logan seemed to enjoy breaking certain ones, Ailin enjoyed testing the boundaries. With a soft smile for the memories at hand, he continued on with his story, "I came here to keep a promise I made to an older man, one who had kid he had taken in off the streets, and loved the lad dearly. Almost like a grandson, if I may say so meself. Since the older man knew I had met this young lad before, he gave me a request. Find the young lad and deliver a message upon the man's death." Waving his free hand in front of him to indicate this had come to pass, he shrugged with the one arm, "And so here I am."
His eyes indicated there was sadness and regret for the task at hand, but hidden well enough only the keen of eye would pick up on it. His hand had tensed slightly at the mention of the young lad, but perhaps not quite enough to be picked up on right away. It indicated there was a past between the man and the other, but not one that was easily divulged without questioning. Which, as Ailin looked on at the curious, but smug Rory, he figured would eventually wind up being told anyway. The lad was almost too cute to ignore with how excited he got over something simple.
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:50 pm
"I'm sure we can work something out," Logan purred, eyes gleaming deviously. He didn't bother to be any less shameless, especially not since Ailin didn't seem to mind at all. On the contrary, if Logan were reading him right, Ailin liked his coyness. It worked in his favor, so he didn't adjust himself to be what Rory was hoping for: An honest friend. Why be a friend when he could, maybe, get more out of it? Ailin wasn't the only one plotting evilly in the presence of innocence.
But he was, it seemed, the only one who minded. Logan followed Ailin's glance over to Rory, and he grinned even wider when the Irishman's hand rested against his back. He shifted under his hand, not necessarily to move away, but instead to arch and stretch himself out. Much like a cat in that respect. He settled, and watched Ailin tell the story of why he'd come over from Ireland. Curiosity flitted across his face and was banished just as quickly; let Rory be the one to poke and prod at Ailin's history. Logan was more interested in something more... corporeal.
Rory smiled sheepishly when Ailin decided to grace them with his story, and leaned forward, sucking on his bottom lip as a habit while Ailin told them what brought him over. He hardly seemed to bat an eye at the way Logan settled under Ailin's hand, it was such a common occurence that it hardly phased him. He frowned in sympathy at Ailin, and nodded a little. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, watching Ailin. "And the young man's here?" He asked, leaning back and taking a sip (yes, a sip) from his beer again. "Maybe Logan knows who he is."
"I doubt it." Logan said honestly, snorting and glaring over at Rory sheepishly. "I'm not that well spread out." He looked at Ailin, and shrugged. "But I wouldn't mind helpin' you find him. I bet even Rory-kins here'd be alright with it."
Rory nodded his head in agreement, and smiled at Ailin. "Sure, if you need the help." He replied, smiling at him in nothing more than a friendly way. Logan nodded a little, pleased at the answer, and smiled over at Ailin.
"You've friends with us, Al." He grinned as wide as a Cheshire cat, a grin that clearly indicated that there'd be more than friendship if asked. At least with one of them. The other... nah.
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:47 am
As Logan purred his assurances that they'd work something out, a small smirk tugged at the corners of Ailin's lips. The man was coy, very coy, and Ailin found it refreshing to go back and forth with someone who was on his level, or at least near to it. Compared to the usual sort of fare who got lost in the flowery speeches, Logan was a treat indeed. Ailin let his eyes wander over the man as he pretended to mull over the possible deal at hand, before he gave a small nod and a wink, "Aye, lad, I imagine we'll work something out." In his mind, any man, or woman, that expressed interest, and was found to be interesting enough for his time, was fair game for as far as they'd let things go.
When Logan shifted under his hand, at first Ailin assumed he wanted him to move - until he realized how catlike the movement was, and so he let his hand slide just a little slower as the other man stretched. If Logan didn't mind, then Ailin had no qualms about testing things a little more, and very subtly adjusted his seat so that he was just the tiniest bit closer to the other man. He wouldn't go to the point of being blatantly obvious he was slowly positioning himself next to the man in a more intimate sitting, but he would certainly see if he couldn't tease the other man into moving first. At Rory's quiet apology, Ailin stirred his mind from the recesses it was retreating to at Logan's behavior long enough to give a small shrug before smiling at the man across from him.
Eyes still filled with hints of sorrow and regret, the man nodded, "Aye, lad, he's here. Works at a computer store I believe the lass I ran into earlier mentioned. Now its more a task of locating said store...and the lad within." There was more to it, but Ailin didn't really feel like voicing the concerns he felt at actually seeing the boy, or at what it dredged up. Though his voice held that he didn't really want to go there yet, Ailin didn't continue on with that line of thought. Leaving it to Rory to decide of the conversation continued, or dropped. When things returned to banter, an encouraging smile appeared on the Irishman's lips for Rory to see as he chuckled, "Don't worry, lads, I know where he works, just not where it is. The trouble now is being in the mood to go talk to him - repeating a dead man's words is often not a delightful task, after all!"
At Rory's agreement to help him, Ailin couldn't help it as a little surprise showed on his face. He'd pegged the man to be shy, an introvert who liked to stick to himself, and when he offered assistance if it was needed with a smile, it was mildly shocking. Not one to let shock interrupt a good conversation, or show for long, Ailin schooled his features back to a charming smile as he nodded, "Thanks, lads, if I need help, at least now I know where to look!" Glancing back at Logan as he spoke up once more, Ailin threw him a dashing smile, "Why thank ye, lad." He let his hand apply just a little more pressure to the man's lower back where it now rested, indicating he wouldn't mind a little more than just friendship at the rate said friendship was actually growing.
With that, Ailin's smiling face and eyes returned to the younger man's, his face appearing open, indicating he'd answer more questions if there were any.
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