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Post by Drei on Feb 22, 2015 19:19:44 GMT -6
Fire crackled in the darkened night. The constant pops and snaps offered a comforting source of backdrop as the white haired boy looked down to the book upon which his eyes drifted along. The expressionless face masked the swirling tides which conflicted like a storm which rocked turbulent seas. It was hard, keeping it all down. Though he had practiced most of his life; suppressing his emotions so that they wouldn't distract him or meddle within his conjuring...it didn't make them stop. It didn't make the hurt leave. Even despite that, the pain within his chest each time he read it...he couldn't stop himself from gazing down at the book within his lap. His father's favorite tome. An old tome filled with knowledge of Elder Magic. Information on the Ruin spell. He couldn't make sense of it in earnest, but seeing the handwriting upon the sides of the pages where his father had jotted down notes seemed to ease that hurt within. How did one cope with losing their parents exactly?
He was still a boy, and all the practice in the world couldn't suppress the anger and bitter resentment he felt. Fingers brushed the ink stained pages of the dark tome before he slowly folded it closed. With a heavy thud the tome shut before he looked to the soft grass upon which he rested before setting it down. He shifted to his knees and lifted his own tome. It was a tome of the most basic of Elder Magic. Even so, it was given to him upon his seventh birthday by his mother and father. Ten years ago, that seemed like simply a week ago. Drei placed the book infront him open while he sat upon his knees infront of the fire. Five deep slow breathes ended the emotional distress as he smothered it out in concentration. He spread his hands to either side above his knees at shoulder level in the air however and began to focus. Mentally he tapped into the void, drawing upon the swirling mass of power before conjuring a single swirling mass of twisting shadows. Commanding the magic listed and explained upon in the Flux Tome he began to shift the dark energy around infront of the flames. It danced and twisted into alternating shadows before the flickering flames until it began to alter the dancing shadows cast out by the illuminating camp fire. As he focused on it he could practically feel the gaze of his Mother's watchful nature observing him. As if he would turn around and see her sitting upon the wooden chair she often sat in when he had been younger.
He continued to guide and shape the dark spell for a few moments. Pushing himself further to manipulate it to maintain practice before he let the magic powering the spell fade. The dark wisp like energy tracing from his hands faded as he looked outwards. The rolling hills within Sacae's boundless reach of soft green grass provided the perfect place to rest on cool starry night. So it was, that the lone shaman found yet another night in his home. Unlike most of his life however, traveling with a family of misfit shamans and performers he was a singular wandering soul. A single tent pitched atop the hillside with his parents horse resting near the campfire and he sitting on a small mat rolled out near the steed. Even yet he couldn't help the pang of loneliness. A horse made for poor conversation, and while he found a general dislike for others he couldn't help but long for atleast conversation. So much emotion swirling, all trapped from bursting out beneath the stone like mask of a cold gaze. Sooner or later though it would be tested, in an actual interaction with others who did not dislike him simply for his proficiency in Elder Magic. Sooner than he could have imagined it would seem...
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Post by Samantha Khione on Feb 22, 2015 21:01:47 GMT -6
Samantha walked across the plains, holding a fireball in her hand for light. She had gotten much better at it with all her practicing, as well as her lessons with Liv. It had been impressive how much the young mage had learned in such a short time, truly. There was little doubt in her mind that Liv would go on to be one of those great sages she always talked about. She wished she could have spent more time with the two sisters, but life goes on. She hoped that she might run into them again someday, but for now she had to look towards the future. The was so much more knowledge out there she wished to obtain, and you couldn't do that simply sitting around.
While she loved her native Ilia, she was enjoying the warmer weather of Sacae. She had been able to shed her heavy Ilian clothing for much lighter clothes she rarely got to wear. Gone was the cloak, long sleeved shirt, heavy pants and winter boots. Her new outfit of a sleeveless shirt, skirt and knee high boots felt so much more comfortable. Plus, it was much easier to walk around when you didn't have to push your way through snow all the time. The plains themselves were as beautiful as the mountains in Ilia, though a little easier to walk through. It was as she was taking in the rolling hills that she spotted what looked like a campfire on one of them. The were someone up there, but should she go up there or avoid them? She looked down at the fireball in her hand and realized that whoever made that fire was on higher ground and had most likely already noticed her moving around. No point in trying to avoid them, then. Samantha began to make her way up towards the fire. As she got close, she decided to make her presence known as to not startle whoever was there. "Hello?"
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Post by Drei on Feb 23, 2015 9:01:35 GMT -6
Drei closed his eyes for a moment as he stretched and adjusted himself. No longer did he sit on his knees but moved to rest leaning against the white Etrurian horse. The blanket thrown overtop it's body buffered him from it directly, yet he lifted his hand absently to his side and patted the horse's stomach lightly while he watched the twisting flames. Out of all the climates he had seen from places he'd ever visited he enjoyed Sacae best. Steady winds from time to time, warm enough to be pleasant yet not hot like Nabata. A place where at any point one could stretch out on the grass for the night and admire it. He also found the Sacaeans far more pleasant people to interact with than anywhere else in the world. They did not judge one for their looks or lifestyles. Perhaps that had been why his parents had chosen to settle their circus within the borders of Sacae. It made sense..but he was going to have to learn more of what he could from them if possible.
His bag had been crammed with small folded posters that were once posted all over to advertise their acts. Of his father, and his shadow puppetry beyond compare with his mastery of Elder Magic. An older one, of his mother when she worked the first time as his father's assistant. One of uncle Benjamin and Aunt Lysandra. They hadn't actually been relatives by blood, but growing up in a circus everyone was family to a degree. They had all helped raise Drei to some degree. Benjamin had been another practitioner who had joined on with Lysandra shortly after they were wed. Drei's father had visited their town to try showing his performance back when just he and Drei's mother were traveling as a duo. Similarly to them, Ben and Lys were a couples performance when they joined on. His dark magic would create spectacular illusion like spectacles while Lysandra danced with a haunting beauty. Posters of the others even, as if the boy had hoped that simply having them would make up for the lack of his family.
Then there was his fathers tome. A smaller book had been tucked into the back, even though Drei hadn't noticed the little leather bound tome until much later. His mother's Journal. His final piece of them was a locket tucked beneath his coat and hidden beneath the shirt under that. It had a small portrait drawn of he and his parents when he was far younger. Shifting in his makeshift resting place the boy lifted himself a bit as the boy heard a voice. Instinctively he quickly rose to a single knee with hands spread as his mind snapped into focus from blissful nostalgia. Jingling of the golden bangles around his wrists broke the silence of the night as he lifted his hands quickly into a casting poise. Magical essence focused from his finger tips as he called unto the nether the power to defend himself should he require it. A crackling sound sparked from his finger tips as shadows began to take form.
Even though he was on the plains of Sacae, the place was not devoid of dangers. Drei's cold gaze locked in the direction of the voice while he focused, his eyes adjusting past the lighter environment of the camp fire to see the approaching figure. It was no brigand. Atleast if it was she was the least imposing brigand he'd ever seen. Hands lowering as the defensive, reflexive action was canceled Drei responded in a someone matter-of-fact tone while he looked to the girl. It took a moment to notice her better. The woman's outfit was as exotic to normal townsfolk garb as his own purple robes and ring-bands or golden bangles. "Who are you?"
The young Shaman lowered his hands to show that he was no threat to her. He adjusted himself so he was on his knees. This way he could still cast in-case she did indeed turn out to be a threat, yet in a way so he would not put her on edge. After he finished speaking, he waited for a reply with naught but the crackling snaps and pops of the fire to occupy the silence until she spoke again.
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Post by Samantha Khione on Feb 23, 2015 12:07:17 GMT -6
Samantha took in the scene as she approached the top of a hill. A young man was kneeling near a white horse a short distance from the campfire she had seen earlier. Nearby, a single tent stood, indicating that he was most likely alone. That was a bit of a relief, as she hopefully wouldn't have to worry about anyone jumping out to attack her. The boy himself didn't seem like he was going to attack her either, at least for the time being. So that she didn't give him any reason to fear her in return, Samantha dispelled the fireball in her hand. The only light that remained was the campfire in front of her and the stars above.
"My name is Samantha." She said, with a small bow. She wasn't sure how much about herself she should reveal quite yet. Even if this man boy didn't seem threatening, you could never be too safe. Instead, she said, "And you are?" She decided that asking the boy about himself in return would be the better plan, as if he revealed more about himself, she would feel safer than doing the same. Her instinct was to sit down as she waited for an answer, but at the same time she didn't want to be rude. For all she knew, he would ask her to leave in a minute, so no use making herself comfortable. Instead, she waited in silence, her eyes drifting around the small campsite as she did. When he did speak, however, her eyes moved back to him. She didn't want to be rude, after all.
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Post by Drei on Feb 23, 2015 13:40:02 GMT -6
Drei observed her quietly while she introduced herself. While his gaze seemed cold or harsh it simply lacked any constructive conveyance of interest. This cold front was belittled for a brief moment as he closed his eyes and inclined his head to nod towards her politely. A duality. Welcoming, but indifferent. His hands rested upon his knee's as he sat before the camp fire near his horse. She certainly looked like what one would expect of a magic user. The fire abalze in her hand confirmed this though he would not have had a hard time guessing in earnest. Magical users were prone to fairly unique garb compared to other less gifted souls. When he spoke again his tone held a similar indifference as before. "My name is Drei. You may share my fire, if you'd like."
True, it was an invitation for her to sit down but he simply mimicked polite actions and gestures he had been taught growing up. Dispite his generally cold demeanor he would still treat others properly. The rest of the world could be cold to him if it so wished, but he would atleast maintain his dignity. After inviting her to sit he slowly shifted, leaning forward to clasp at the black Flux Tome before his knees and tucked it within his robe. He then adjusted himself as she asserted that she was of no real threat so he sat on his rear with his back propped against the blanketed side of his horse. White hair took on a slightly orange tint in the reflected light cast by the fire. Eyes lingering upon her he waited, not open to talking as much as most; but willing to engage in the basic pleasantries and questions. As for traditional conversational etiquette, he had forgone a question to invite her to sit. He would wait to probe her with curiosity once she spoke once more.
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Post by Samantha Khione on Feb 23, 2015 23:49:48 GMT -6
Samantha gave a small smile. "Thank you." She sat down across the fire from Drei. She noticed that the fire had begun to die down slightly, so she reached out her hand and helped the fire grow back to a comfortable size. Pleased with her work, she turned her attention back to Drei. He had a strange way about him. He seemed as if he wanted to seem cold and distant, but there was something different than that when he had greeted her. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, and it probably was none of her business, so she decided not to mention anything about it. At least for now, anyways.
Instead, she turned her attention to the tome he had at his knees before he closed it and put it away. She had seen pictures of such tomes in her studies, but had never seen one in person. It seemed to be a flux tome, and if that was true, it meant that this Drei was a shaman of some type. She'd never met a shaman before, so she was slightly excited by this development, but didn't let it show. Like before, she didn't plan on pointing out this fact just yet. She had been told that shamans don't always like having the fact that they're shamans pointed out, due to some people negatively stereotyping them. She figured that she would wait and see if it came up in conversation. For now, she decided to take the conversation down the traditional route. "What brings you to Sacae, if you don't mind me asking?"
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Post by Drei on Feb 24, 2015 10:06:17 GMT -6
He observed her as she sat. While she took a place near the campfire he noticed her using magic to amplify it's state. The ability to converse with the spirits of nature was a gift his mother had developed some time after he was born. Perhaps refined had been a better choice of wording, given that evidently she had always had it simply not learned of it until much later. Perhaps he had such gifts? He could hardly take time to figure out though. Simply refining and learning to master Elder Magic was proving time consuming enough. Even then, if the spirits of nature proved as frustrating to handle as the Nether how could he justify trying to overcome one without having conquered the other? He couldn't. He did not respond to her thanks, but instead simply quietly gazed at the fire.
There was a silence for a time. Until she started to speak once more. What brought him to Sacae? What an odd question. How best to answer though? Technically, it was his home. He had been born in Sacae after all and spent the majority of his life growing up there. That wasn't what brought him to Sacae this time however so he couldn't effectively answer honestly in that. How much would he tell her? He knew many mages studied or learned in Etruria at some point in time, or so his father had told him. If he revealed his background he risked being turned in didn't he? Then again if they hadn't already been searching for him (Which they weren't ) why would he worry about that? Perhaps, simple was better. Though his gaze piercing and cold his tone was flat and disinterested as he responded to the blue haired girl.
"I'm traveling to Bulgar, Samantha. It's still a bit of a journey there, but manageable. "
Common give and exchange with conversation. Now, a question of his own.
"What is it that brings you to Sacae?" Though he didn't show it, the conversation from the chance encounter was a welcome distraction from the thoughts which haunted him.
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Post by Samantha Khione on Feb 24, 2015 13:11:21 GMT -6
Huh, so he was traveling to Bulgar. She couldn't say that was one of the places on her list to visit, but it might not be the worst place to visit. Not that she was suddenly planning on tagging along with Drei, but if the opportunity presented itself, it would at least warrant a thought now. Actually, now that she was thinking about it, there were probably a number of places that might be nice to visit that she hadn't thought of before. She would need to sit down again sometime and go over her list once more.
For now, anyways, she turned her attention back to Drei's question. "I'm simply traveling," she said in her soft voice. "There's so much knowledge out there about magic and other things that I just don't know. I'd like to learn as much as I can, to be both a better mage and person in general." The different types of magic floated through her mind. Sure, she had began to have some mastery over fire magic, but there were still a number of types she had no experience with. Lightning, ice, wind, earth... There was so much to learn and it made her excited to progress. So far, she hadn't had the opportunity to visit any vendors to see if that had any of the tomes associated with those types of magic, but she hoped that eventually she would run across one. Until then, it would just be more traveling. Which she was fine with. "Is there a certain reason why you're heading to Bulgar? Or just it's proximity to this location?"
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Post by Drei on Feb 25, 2015 8:15:55 GMT -6
Just traveling she said. Though while she spoke of magic and her desire to learn Drei examined her briefly. Curiosity swirled beneath the mask of a simple gaze, while he sifted and organized his thoughts. It was true, he felt similarly to her in regards to magic. Just as a swordsman had to practice and train his body to combat better, magic practitioners had to sharpen their mind. Refine it and keep it dangerous like the sharpening of a blade or the training of muscles. The white hair shaman returned his gaze to the dancing flames that lit up the small personal camp with his arms coiling around his knees as he hugged them to his chest and got comfortable. The stretching sensation of his back as he leaned forwards to hug his knees was amplified by quiet almost in audible pops of his back cracking. He had been riding for a bit too long perhaps, finally some rest would do him good.
His words were somewhat quiet, but the flat tone hid a ravenous hunger for knowledge as well. "It is true. The world is full of many mysteries, especially in regards of magic. From the practice of light magic, to the conversing of elemental spirits to wielding Elder Magic. It is a goal worthy of pursuing. By both mages and normal men."
While she questioned him he paused. Quietly wondering how best to answer. Again, he didn't wish to tell everything. No reason to. Just keep sticking to the basics. That would work best. "I'm going there for a few answers. Somewhere to start really. Many questions, and probably a fair few places to visit; Bulgar's just the first stop."
It was his turn again wasn't it? To ask a question atleast. "So what about magic do you find interesting the most, that you currently know. "
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Post by Samantha Khione on Feb 27, 2015 0:36:09 GMT -6
Answers, huh? Well, in one way or another, everyone is looking for answers all throughout their lives, so it wasn't truly surprising. She had already decided that she wouldn't ask him what he was looking for answers for, at least until they knew each other a bit more. As to his question... What WAS the thing she knew about magic that she found most interesting? She hadn't ever really though about that. There was a great deal about magic that she had learned, but she had always just been focused on what would come next.
"I guess..." She paused, going over various bits of information in her head again before continuing. "I guess the thing that I find most interesting is the fact that magic is everywhere. Sure, some places have high concentrations of magic than other, and some people are more in tune with magic than others, but the essence of magic is everywhere. The fact that you can just reach out..." She stretched out her hand. "And by focusing, making yourself in tune with that magic, and giving it some of your energy..." A fireball appeared in her hand and she smiled. "You can do amazing things."
She extinguished the fireball and turned her attention back to Drei. "Maybe that's a bit of a cheesy answer, but it really is how I feel. What about you? Is there a certain thing about magic that drew you to it? Or was it just something that was always a part of you?"
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Post by Drei on Feb 27, 2015 12:31:03 GMT -6
It was true wasn't it? He couldn't feel the whispering of spirits or touch the souls of men in the ways a monk could but he could feel the magic none the less. As she lifted her hand and ignited a flame his blank gaze found the dancing flames that mimicked the properties of the fire his camp relied on for heat and light. In response to her lifting her hand and generating flames Drei quietly lifted his own hand. However instead of extending open palmed up to clasp flames his palm pointed down. Fingers bent and curled as if he was trying to manipulate a puppet. Focus drown out the distractions of the world around him while he communed with the Nether. Darkness was given life as shadow twisted after small brief white static like crackles between fingers. What was associated as a truly sinister magic was given form, the young shaman working his Elder Magic so he could shape and sculpt the fluctuating depth of swirling black void which answered his call. Mages spoke to the spirits. Monks communed with the spirit. Shamans? They conversed with the nether. His eyes eased shut as he focused on his conjuring and manipulation of the living shadow.
A single swirling mass like entity that seeped in the foulest of temptations. It required discipline untold to use such magics, instead of it using you. As his fingers worked and shaped it, the magic turned into a spiraling swirling mass of darkness that altered and sculpted the reflective fire light against it to create dancing lights of sorts. Shades of black, purple red and orange all contrasting in the light the fire illuminated outwards. After a few moments however of maintaining it Drei opened his eyes slowly and coiled his fingers shut. As he closed his hands the large helm sized mass of darkness swiftly contracted before seemingly collapsing within it's self and coiling into nothingness. Which...wasn't exactly wrong as to a way to describe it honestly. How best to answer her question though... Drei looked up at her flatly with a bit of a brief silence before speaking in response. "Both are accurate. It has always been a part of me, yet I enjoy a separate aspect. It offers Nostalgia. "
Though he paused for a moment he looked back to her with his hand lowering finally and resting upon his knee. "Is there anything about magic you fear?"
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Post by Samantha Khione on Mar 1, 2015 23:43:45 GMT -6
There was something... unsettling about Drei's magic. Not that there was any malice behind it from him, but the magics itself. Maybe that's why dark magic users get such bad raps, the magic itself is scary and people associate that the ones wielding it must be the same. Unfortunate, really. People don't look down on soldiers because their swords or spears can be used for the same purposes. But minds won't be changed, no matter how wrong they are. It's a shame.
She turned her attention back to Drei and his new question. "There is one thing that frightens me. I'm still learning to control the forces around me. Right now, I've only managed a small amount of control over fire. The thought that I could lose that control... It scares me. A lot. Like what if I lost control over some fire and it burnt a forest to the ground? Or if i start practicing with ice magic and accidentally froze a town's water supply? There's so much that could go wrong..." She had an immense respect for magic, as evident by those fears. People who have never used magic don't always consider the downsides if things go wrong. If your focus wasn't on point, the results could be disastrous. And she refused to let that happen. That's part of why she was intent on studying so much. She would not let that happen to her.
It was at that time that Samantha stifled a yawn. "Pardon me, I didn't realize how later it had gotten."
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Post by Drei on Mar 2, 2015 7:34:59 GMT -6
Her statement didn't exactly surprise him.Many practitioners of magic feared their own powers. Rightly so, but it was a fear realized none the less. Mages sparked elemental reactions. A mage who controlled the winds was responsible for all devastation wrought by those winds. Flames that might spread, collateral damage, trying not to harm allies. Wielders of light magic understood not such a fear as their magic stemmed from devotion. Elder magic users had a...similar fear but not one of the same nature. Mages risked harming others. Where as Shamans risked ultimately them selves. Their magic was one of darkness. They drew upon the massive entity of the Nether for their power. If they did not keep an absolute presence of themselves, it could consume them. Minds destroyed, souls sundered, sanity grinded. Twas a fate none desired.
The white haired shaman looked to her quietly as she tried to suppress the yawn. With a brief silence after her words Drei spoke his thoughts aloud. As if to comment upon such matters. His tone was some what matter of fact, but otherwise seemed almost flat. "Those who control spirits however have the luxury of fearing only for others. The spirits you speak with do not seek to consume your mind with honeyed words of pleasantries or console agonized and lonely souls with prospects of comfort or a presence to keep near them. They do not lie to you to obtain your vessel. Take solace knowing that, Samantha. You shall indeed one day after much practice gain this control you wish. For those who walk the road of Elder Magic...it will never be so certain."
Such a conversational charmer, Drei was to be sure. He extended his hands to stretch pointedly as a slight series of pops rippled down his spine with the joints realigning and a comfort spreading into his body as he became more relaxed from it. His gaze lingered upon her once more as he spoke now, curious as to her tired comment prior. "Have you been traveling long?"
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Post by Samantha Khione on Mar 2, 2015 13:26:10 GMT -6
She hadn't thought of it like that. True, her own powers could get out of hand and hurt others. But losing yourself to your own abilities... That was truly frightening. So think of some other force controlling not only you but the forces you wield as well... So much could go wrong. It did seem to put some thing into perspective, including her drive to study anima magic. Suddenly, she had fewer doubt about her future and a renewed confidence that she would be able to tame any type of magic that she put her mind to. In his own way, Drei was a pretty good motivational speaker.
"Today alone has been at least ten hours. My journey as a whole has been some numbers of days, but I've lost track of the true amount." It was true. At the beginning, she had tried to keep track of exactly how long she had been gone from home, but in the end the days started to blur together. That was part of the problem when you didn't have a route to follow every day, things started to blur together. Not that she minded the traveling, it was actually quite enjoyable. But it certainly was tiring. It was nice to get off her feet for a while. She stretched out her legs simply to work out her muscles a little bit. She looked back to Drei. "What about yourself? How long have you keep traveling?" She was being polite, but at this point she was getting quite tired and wasn't sure how much longer she would be able to keep herself awake.
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Post by Drei on Mar 2, 2015 13:54:51 GMT -6
How long had he been traveling? Was she speaking in hours. Days? She had answered with both hadn't she? Perhaps he'd be better off doing the same. Extending his arms for a moment the young Shaman tucked in his knees and hugged the to his chest. Quietly, in thought he propped his head upon them and mulled over how much to tell her; again...for the third time. Keeping secrets from people took too much thought. This time he'd just be open with her then. It'd be easier that way. His voice was quiet, but still easily heard over the crackles and pops of the dying embers. His chin lifted from his knees as he spoke as well. "Well for just today it was from how ever long morning is until about an hour ago. It switched alot from horse back to on foot; make it less strain upon the hoofs. However if you meant over all? Three weeks. Southern Etruria. Into Lycia. Then over a small pass in the mountains to Sacae and here. Had to make a few stops but..well..when you travel all day you can cover alot of ground. Only reason I haven't lost track is because I keep a journal so I log alot of things. Otherwise, that's mostly it for me. "
He shrugged a bit after answering her question before returning his chin to his knees. It was true though, wasn't it? Save for the circus bit and parents bit it was all a truthful story. So..perhaps it was a half truth. He could live with that. Fingers tugged at the fabrics of his coat as he pulled the sleeves over his hands and gazed at her in thought but with same calculating gaze. He spoke again after a pause and a few brief moments. "What's been your favorite place to visit so far?"
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