Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Aug 7, 2009 11:23:37 GMT -6
The sun looked like it was about to set, the way it hung close to the horizon of the flat land feted with thick trees. It was out at night, and the ground was wet from melted snow. This would prove to be a problem for Marle, finding dry wood, that is. She had been walking along the western most river in Ilia, to it's south, finding it to be a prime source of easy access to food, for one so patient, besides, she loved fish, it was something she never used to eat often. Emerald eyes looked around the still sun-lit area, pondering a place to camp out. She had to stop for a moment, lance clanking against her armor, as well as the various other camping supplied in her bag and at her belt. This was the life she had always wanted, but now, she began to question if she knew what she wanted in the first place.
Sighing, Marle trudged ahead, eyes keeping to the ground to make sure she would not trip over barren roots or figs. Licking at her lips from time to time, with the effect of them becoming chapped always a hazard in colder climate, as well as in places with a lot more heat. Ilia could be a tough country to live in, but it was home, and the only home she knew.
In the next hour or so, the light will be barely touching the sky...gotta make camp here, or find a place better soon...
Yet another sigh breathed out of her, it wasn't as fun as it once was, but she was thankful for the lack of hostility toward her. The only fear she really felt was the time she saw the wolf a few days back. She didn't sleep that night, due to silly superstition, but one could never be too careful.
Something in the air changed, wither the wind had died, or it brought with it a new aroma. It was by no mean sweet like the foods she had smelt, but it was in a refreshing manner. It smelt of pine. It was odd, she had been walking in this forest, if you can call a less than dense growing of trees a forest, for some time now, and never smelt this. Choosing that it couldn't hurt her chances of shelter, she followed the scent.
To where it led her, was a ruined, old building, small in size and shape. There were no lights on inside, but still, if it was abandoned, it couldn't have been for long, perhaps at best a year or so. Taking her things toward the small building, she rapped her knuckles on the door, and stood still outside for a few minutes, as if waiting for an answer, but with none to come. Rubbing the back of her neck, she began to reach for the doorknob, and then proceeded to enter.
Once inside, a frown lit up her face, there was little furniture, and what there was was over turned and dusty, a good few months worth. Marle proceeded further in to the second room, which was, as it appeared, to be a bed room. There was an old feather filed mattress, which didn't look very comfortable. Shaking her head, Marle let the weight off her shoulders, and dropped her bags down in the corner of the second room, and set her lance up awkwardly in the other, since the roof was lower than normal, her weapon would drag on the roof, it was awkward having to move inside with it still latched to her back, having to twist and bend unnaturally to fit inside without removing the weapon.
Once her things were removed, she wiped at her head and breathily picked up one of the over turned wooden chairs and let a load off, breathing heavily.
"Finally...and the sun is about to fully set..what luck I have, finding this abandoned cottage...hahah..."
After a few moments of rest, she proceeded to remove the top half of her armor, first taking off her gauntlets, then the leather belts clasped around her body were unbuckled to give way, and now with her armor and gloves set aside, she figured that was all that was needed to be done. She remembered that outside there was still a few pieces of already cut lumber, so she proceeded to move outside quickly to grab a few arm loads, and set them aside for when she needed them most.
A Fire was ten easily started, and the room became lit by the flickering flames. She could smell some of the smoke as it was taken out the chimney. With this new light, she sat back in the chair in the back once more, and pulled from a bag, her journal as well as ink to write with, and this flimsy looking piece of widdled down bone, which she used to write with.
Day 27
Karen, I apologize for not having written in so long, but travel conditions have not always been favorable. Just the other day, I escorted a merchant a few miles between the rivers, having had to double back twice because the roads were flooded with melting snowfall. Eventually he and his bodyguard found a way to Arphen which was easy on his horses and carriage. I lost time, however, because my services, freely given, had taken me off course toward the southern mountains, and back to city of my dreams. He was of pleasurable conversation, and a fine old man, about 10 years older than my father.
The few days I've spent walking to where I am today, a tiny unlived in cottage, have been uneasy for me. The other day I saw a wolf, possibly the Alpha, and we kept eyes locked on one another, like it thought I was going to attack it, and it me. Thankfully for me they were not starving, or else my luck would have been different I think. This place I am now isn't so bad. The bed's mattress smells, so I think I'll sleep in the corner facing the fire, and wrap my cloak around me for comfort, as well with my lance. Tomorrow I have to get up early and try to catch some food, I didn't have any time to do so today.
Know that my thoughts are always with you, and pray that I stay safe.
Your best friend, Marle.
Putting the book away, as well as the ink and cleaning off the quill on a rag, she raped her cloak around herself, and grasped her lance in an embrace that would have been fitting for a lover, and kept eyes on the brightly lit fire, for the time.
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Post by gabbiano on Aug 7, 2009 12:24:20 GMT -6
OOC: Everything I've read lately seems like a solo post. I'd hope this isn't a solo post.
Gabbiano replaced his sword in his scabbard as he walked back to his makeshift camp with his newley acquired breakfast. His camp was freezing, so he hadn't put the fire out the previous night, therefore making it difficult to get it started again. "Come on," He breathed. "Please start." Once he had the fire going, he rested the carcass of the dead animal on a tablet over the fire, and rested himself on an adjacent bench. I wonder if there's any other life out here, Gabbiano thought. Other than animals. But who would make camp out this far; this is Ilia, after all.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Aug 7, 2009 12:52:25 GMT -6
OoC: Definitely not. If no one replied, I would have continued on regardless though ^^.
Sun was up? Light shone through one of the small windows and right into her face. She craned her head down under her arm, trying to get a few more minutes of rest as she sat in the corner. Irritated grumbling could be heard under her arm as she opened her eyes and looked outside. That was when the cold hit her, and caused a chill to run up along her spine, shuddering gently as she stood up, still clinging to the lance as if it were a leg of support. Finally releasing it, she looked to the fire which had long burnt out, and grumbled softly, putting on the cold armor, despite the padding that provided warmth under it, it was still cold.
Tiredly, she moved herself toward the door, coughing with some of the dust kicking up from the scuffing she made with her boots, and walked outside, stretching her arms out lengthily for a stretch, soon followed by a yawn, as well as a grumbling stomach. Shaking her head, she moved down toward the river she had been following, and figured it would be time to fish up some breakfast. It was cold out, but it wasn't as bad as it had been a few days ago, where the snow really came down. Now, it was just cold enough to be a bother, but the snow was melting a little.
At the shore, she looked through the running water, seeing the fish under the liquid glass dance about carelessly. This was nothing new for her, fishing with a spear. Much harder than baiting a line, since the water bent the images, so normally where you would strike, the fish would not be. Offing her aim, she rose her lance above her head, and brought it down. With a splash, she recoiled her lance, with nothing on it's tip. Frowning She moved a bit further upstream and tried again, and again, and again. Luck was not on her side this morning.
With her lance drawn back over her head, she plummeted it down into the river, to find a well sized, round fish on the end, which brought a smile to her lips, but that smile quickly went away when she realized she had moved far from the place where she kept her items and equipment. Rolling her eyes, she moved back down river, but was caught by the sensation of smoke, it smelt almost alluring. She followed the scent, and happened upon the man at the camp site, eying it speculatively. It was always strange to run into someone in a place so desolate and cold, but there he was.
She approached slowly, but not quietly, allowing him to hear her, since it was rude to sneak up on someone unaware, but with her armor, that made it difficult to begin with.
"Greetings.." she started with, sky blue armor reflecting the light off its polished surface, lance over her shoulder with the fish still impaled upon it, "Quite a humble camp site you have here."
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Post by gabbiano on Aug 7, 2009 12:58:08 GMT -6
Gabbiano looked questionably at her attire, and realized she was out here for a reason. "Oh," He said, offering a seat beside him. "Hi there." He took the carcass of the animal off the fire, and was about to offer it when he noticed the fish and her long, menacing spear. "Fishing early, I see." He said. "It's not my right to ask, for I'm out here as well... but is there any reason someone like you is out here in this cold, desolate place?" Gabbiano asked, taking a bite of his now warm, breakfast. It would have been disgusting had he eaten real food anytime lately, but since he had run out of food, it was as delicious as anything else.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Aug 7, 2009 13:09:04 GMT -6
A simple nod of her head was given. She had a reason, at least she thought she did, did traveling count as a reason? Guess not...She slowly sat herself down, and hovered the fish steadily over the small fire. This was how she was taught as a child to eat it, placing it on a stick, putting the stick into the ground, and let it hover over the fire, but because the lance was far too long for that, she held it in her steady hands.
She took time in answering him, eyes on her meal, as well as her mind thinking out a proper answer. A small shrug met him finally and a smirk painted itself on her lips. "I'm traveling, I suppose, and helping out those on my travels to gain life experience. I'm training to be a knight some day. I've wanted it for all my life, since I heard tell of them in stories...also I am out here to get away from my home further north east...but yeah, mostly traveling. I was thinking about heading to Lycia, or Eturia."
She found it hard to quiet herself, but eventually she looked back to him and perked an eyebrow inquisitively. "What about you?"
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Post by gabbiano on Aug 7, 2009 13:19:07 GMT -6
"We're on the same road, then." Gabbiano said, smiling, and taking a bite of his meal. "I'm headed for Lycia. I'm leaving Ilia for good. My father..." Gabbiano started to say, but began to become seclusive of his rough home life back in central Ilia.
"Um, a Knight, huh?" He said, finally giving her a direct look in the eye. "Showing heroism, always winning battles, a symbol of direct respect, admiration, and..." Gabbiano broke off again. "..and they get to wear heavy armor and carry around a dastardly spear." He finished, giving her equipment a look and a smile.
"I'm still not sure what exactly I'm going to do when I get to Lycia, though, or rather..." Gabbiano started. "If I'll even make it. I ran out of food and drink a while ago, so I've had to make camp here for the time being. Running into you was just my luck." He quickly looked back at her. "Of course, I don't mean that in a bad way." He added charismatically.
"Mind if I uh.. travel with you?"
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Aug 7, 2009 13:38:58 GMT -6
Marle turned the fish over and let the other side gain colour. with a free hand, she pushed hair out from her eyes, so she could keep eye contact as he talked, almost as if she were studying, but she didn't think anything of her thoughts. A grin broke out as he began speaking of his father. The way he trailed off made it sound grim, like he had been abusive, and harsh, but it wasn't for her to decide the idea of his father, but it was clear it made him uncomfortable, so she left it at that, but gave a confirming nod of her head, like she knew what he was talking about.
"Actually, I became a knight for reasons other that that. In my village to the north of Arphen, I was but a girl, with nothing to worry about as my father was on the village council. A powerful man in a small little place. He and my mother had me arranged to be wed when I was but a child, to a boy whom I didn't care much for, still don't. In a way, I saw becoming a knight as a way of rebellion from early on, but that wasn't the truth. Heroism and grandstanding are all nice, but being a knight showed extreme independence and loyalty."
She stopped for a moment, brought the fish to her lips, smelt it, and then took a small bite, nodding in a satisfied way, despite it being a little dry.
"If I was to become a knight, it showed that I wasn't weak, or always depending on others to do things for me. I didn't want to become a maiden of a young man, to have my life lived for me. This is my freedom, as strange as it sounds."
She flashed him a smile, and looked to her spear and gave it a small shake at him. "But yes, wearing heavy armor and carrying a dastardly spear is a small perk." She gave a small laugh and took another quick bite, before standing up, and fixing her armor a bit.
"I don't mind if you come with me, much better than traveling alone, that's for sure, but if you're trying to mooch off my food, you'll have no luck, I have none with me as well, hence the fish." She couldn't help but give a small laugh at how he defended himself earlier, she didn't;t see anything about his luck being offensive toward her, but she didn't feel the need to reply, "I hunt for my food every day, or until I get to another village. Do you happen to know of any close by I know northern Ilia fair enough, but southern...it's more of a different kind of country to me."
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Post by gabbiano on Aug 7, 2009 13:52:51 GMT -6
"My father... he hit me and pounded me daily. My mother did nothing but stand by and watch, so I left without notice. I hate him, and I'm going to see his end someday." Gabbiano said with much hatred.
Gabbiano referred then to her comment about knighthood. "I see. That's the more noble reason to train as a Knight, I suppose..." He trailed off. "Knighthood is honorable none the less. I respect you for that, and I do mean it. My brother left Ilia for reasons different than myself, but he became a Knight as well, after moving to Bern. I don't know what became of him, but I hear stories now and then. Of course, I never tell anyone that we're related unless they ask."
Gabbiano looked at the fish. "Mooch off your food," Gabbiano gave what was a mixture of a smirk and a half smile, and then sighed. "Nah, I caught my own food this morning, so I should be able to handle myself. For the most part."
"I know the whole country pretty well. There's a route through southern Ilia and out the border close the Lycia, but it's known to be dangerous. Bandits and merchants alike travel the route, as it's easiest. I'm sure together we could find a different route, but..." Gabbiano explained. "...But what's a world of order without a little chaos? I could use a bandit or two to throw around. That's just me. We'll take whatever route you prefer." Gabbiano said, looking her directly in the eye curiously, but not smiling. He took a bite of his food.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Aug 8, 2009 13:51:24 GMT -6
As much emotion as the young man put into his words, Marle was side tracked, listening, sure, but not really wanting to. She didn't feel it was a problem that needed to be souring up her day. Rubbing up under her headband, she quickly finished off her meal, and threw the bones into the fire, along with the rest of what she didn't eat off it. Her green eyes focused on him uneasily, at the mention of his brother, but kept silent, listening to what he had to say, all the while tightening her straps that kept her armor in tact.
A smile graced her lips as she rolled her neck, and then began to stand up, supporting herself with her weapon, and then taking a cloth out from her pocket, to wipe down the blade at the end. Her look was that of a determination, but the day was young, and the road was long. To reach the border would take quite some time, much of which she had to spare, but she was impatient.
"If you could lead me there, it would be appreciated. I've just been following this river until I met the mountains, figuring Eturia was closer, but since you know of a road, I'm good for it."
A small nod was given to him as she set back southward, needing to retrieve the rest of her items she kept inside the cottage she had slept within. Looking back to her new companion, she decided to inform him of this, knowing it would be rude to just suddenly off and disappear.
"I'll be back in a moment. Most of my things were in a little abandoned building a bit south of here. If you're ready to go now, by all means, follow, if not, well, I'll see you here, then."
Her words were to the point, and she really needed t get going, so she holstered the lance in the brace on her back, and moved southward, plucking at her teeth with a gloved hand, trying to remove some of the meat stuck between her teeth.
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Post by gabbiano on Aug 9, 2009 13:51:29 GMT -6
"Yeah, I'll lead you... provided you're my gaurd. I'm nowhere near strong enough or equipped enough to fend off much. You get get your things, I'll be here waiting." Gabbiano assured her, while he doused the fire and packed his things.
He also took this time to clean his blade of the blood that was spilled prior to breakfast, after which replacing it in its scabbard. He watched as she returned to her camp, or whatever she had, and called out to her, "What's your name? I was rude and forgot to ask."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Aug 11, 2009 11:15:17 GMT -6
Marle stopped and listened to him for a moment, and nodded her head after a short moment. A Guard? That was pretty fitting for her job. Smirking, she looked over her shoulder and placed a hand on her hip, pulling at a strand of hair with the other hand, twisting it around in her finger as gave a small yawn before answering him back.
"Got yourself a deal. Also, my name's Marle. Nice to meet you."
She gave him a small nod and gave a quick walk back to the small shack in which she was staying in. her things were still there, seemingly unmoved, checking just incase someone had decided to take something of hers while she was gone, but she never really expected to meet anyone, afterall. it took some time, but she looped the bags around her belt and attached them t her back, removing the spear and taking it in hand to carry, since she would probably need it to to be accessable.
It took a bit of time, but she came back to Gabbiano, wiping a small bit of sweat from her head with the glove of her thumb, and gave him a dumb smile.
"Ready to set off? Next village we get to, remind me to buy some dried meet, some bread, and cheese."
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Post by gabbiano on Aug 11, 2009 18:53:52 GMT -6
"Dried meat, bread, and cheese..." Gabbiano said with a yawn. "Alright, so we're good to go. Man, I'm tired." Gabbiano picked up his bag, motioning for her to follow. "My name's Gabbiano. Pleased to formally meet you, Ms. Marle." He put an intense accent on the 'e'.
"So," Gabbiano started, attempting to make conversation. "How long have you been out this direction? Or rather," He said, stepping over a twig. "How long have you been in this area? I thought I'd scouted the entire perimeter, but I never saw any kind of cottage." He looked halfway back at her with a slight smile. "I guess I'm not a very good scout."
He continued to lead the way for the next few hours, then stating that there would be a good place to camp for the night. "We're coming close to a small village, although... I'm not positive the've got any sundries. I've never been here, I've just been told about it. We'll camp camp about 100 meters up this way. There's a good, safe spot and it'll be dark soon."
Gabbiano yawned again. "I need to set camp soon, I'm tired."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Aug 12, 2009 14:43:27 GMT -6
A small nod was given to him, now knowing his name. Her long weapon was carried over her shoulder as she was trained to hold it in Ilia, eyes closed for a moment as she had begun to follow him as they would then continue on their journey. She was relatively quiet as she usually was, mostly preferring to keep to herself, unless there was something that needed to be said. Once again opening her eyes, she almost tripped over a root, and fortune smiled upon her for the quick recovery.
She looked over to Gabbiano inquisitively and shrugged her heavily covered shoulders, and flashed a small smile. First, a small shake of her head was all he received, but soon she worked up the words she was trying to think on how to say.
"I haven't really been south of Arphen, I mostly frequent the northern areas, since I'm more familiar with northern Ilia than any place else. Despite the cold, it's quite splendid landscape."
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As it seemed within the past few hours, the journey was quiet. Marle didn't think of anything much, her eyes roamed the terrain, noting how the treeline had begun to break up more or less than before hand. She was disappointed however, rather having liked the trees to be densely packed, rather than more spread out. the light was quickly fading it would seem, she had lost track of the time, and perked her head up at the mentioning of camp, and the village. Nodding, she followed him more closely, rousing her shoulders, rolling them to see how stiff they had gotten while traveling.
Getting to the site that was mentioned was an easy feat, and down her bags went, unclasping them from around herself. She sat back against a tree and took a load off, breathing softly, while her breath danced with every exhale.
OoC: Normally, you shouldn't do a time skip when you ask a character a question. It just struck me as weird, and made me wonder if I should have responded, or ignored :3
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Post by gabbiano on Aug 12, 2009 16:28:37 GMT -6
OOC: I feel illiterate. I should have proof read that before I sent it. Meant to do it before the question. God, my fault. I apologize. "I see," Gabbiano responded, watching the ground as opposed to what was in front of him. "I haven't explored too much of the country, but I've done my share of studies. That includes maps, of course." He leaned against an adjacent tree and watched her intently. "Your shoulders, are they hurt? Stiff?" He asked sympathetically. Not that he could give massages. He yawned and leaned back against the tree, watching the sun fall to the horizon, and day turning to dusk. He then lounged his legs out, stretching them as far as they could. "I'm good to set up camp, if you're tired. You must get weary pretty quick in that armor." He stood up swiftly. "You rest. I'll set things up." And with that, he unloaded what he had, including a small tent he had rolled up above his backpack. He moved then, back to the tree. The sky showed off it's most beautiful dark blue of dusk when the sun was no longer in view. "This is my favorite time of the day." He stated randomly. "I hate mornings."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Aug 15, 2009 20:48:35 GMT -6
OoC: Don't worry about it, it was just a footnote for later occasions. Also, sorry it took so long to post, busy few days for me.
She kept her armor on, having no desire to take it off at the moment, nor the energy for it either. Her eyes looked over to the young man and gave him a curious look, and a small grin afterward, shaking her head slowly. "A bit stiff, yeah. The armor can get heavy after long periods of time with it on, but a real knight's armor is much heavier than this, I got to strengthen myself up for it after all."
Marle dug through on of her bags, and pulled out the blanket and got up, putting it somewhat underneath herself, to sit on it, more of a mat than a blanket in form. Slowly, stretched out her arms, deciding something quickly in her head before looking back to Gabbiano, offering a soft nod of her head.
"Yeah...here will do just nicely...I think."
Eyes then rose to-wards the coming darkness, and then looked to him at his mentioning of the night and how it was preferable to him. She shook her head, dismissing that thought from her mind, since she didn't agree with him at all.
"No way, the mornings are the best. Sure, the waking up part can be a bit bothersome, but really, it's the most beautiful with the sun rising I find, many creatures stirring and waking, the chime of birds filling the skies...I just like it so much more."
Smirking back at him, she left her lance up against the tree and left to grab the small tent looking tarp, and strung it between two close-standing trees, tyeing down the end as well. The way it stood, it was not tall enough to even sit in, it was meant mainly to lay under, and only that, good enough for her. After she was done, she returned to where the man sat, and rubbed her eyes.
"So why are you heading to Lycia anyways? I don't remember if you told me or not."
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