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Post by Calypso on Dec 19, 2017 20:25:39 GMT -5
The area was quiet, cold, and seemingly lifeless. A somewhat thin layer of fluffy snow blanketed the ground, hardly a trace of any disturbance on its surface. The only sign that any had touched this ground were the slightly large footprints that trailed through it, ones with pads and claws clearly visible. This trail of footprints went in a curved line towards the ruins of the land, continuously getting closer until they started meandering through the maze-like structure. The prints finally ended at a collapsed portion of the ruins, one where multiple large pieces of ancient stone leaned over a still-standing wall and created what was nearly a cave. The footprints ended right at the edge where the snow couldn't reach inside the den. On the inside, a dark-furred creature laid in rest, only just recently arriving. The coal-coated wolf with the golden accents stared out at the snow-covered ground with equally golden eyes, which were narrowed. The she-wolf turned her head and laid them across her paws, not turning away from the outside. "Damn snow...how am I suppose to blend in with this stuff all over the place, " she growled to herself, thankful that her current temporary den provided shadows for her to disappear into. She flicked some of the remaining snow that had gathered on her back as she arrived off with her long tail, covering herself with it afterwards to give extra warmth.
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Post by Meds on Dec 19, 2017 21:26:49 GMT -5
DeSoto;The tall navy-blue male wound his way through the trees. It was snowing again, as it so often did during the Spring in this valley. DeSoto's dark eyes lifted to the trees above, silently wondering if his homeland was seeing the same late-dusting of snow. His old home was far away, so far it dipped out of memory, so he somehow doubted in. The valley surrounding the mystical mountain was his home now; he had a pack, and he had an alphess, and that had always been his goal. To rise up within the ranks of Frigid Plague was his goal, but since alpha Perjury had not been seen for a few weeks, he was biding his time. As such, DeSoto's lean, powerful legs had brought him to the Ruins of Abeytu that day as he sought for something to keep his mind busy. It was a strange place, made stranger by the perfectly squared stone that gave it its name—but visit it he did. Perjury had been seen there once, and he could only hope he may cross her path again. He did not sense her presence nor smell her on the wind (as he had memorized her scent by then), but there was an unfamiliar smell. His sharp shoulders rolled under his skin as he approached the hind-side of the ruins. He came to a makeshift cave in the ruins. Before he was in eye-sight he heard the inhabitant growl and complain about the dusting of white. DeSoto looked around, agreeing with the unfamiliar speaker; it was certainly hard to blend in when there was nothing to blend to. With a crunch of snow and a huff of breath, DeSoto came into view of the opening. He stopped a ways off, always aware of how others might react to him, and observed the female within. She had a dark coat dashed with gold—certainly not the best colours for bending in. DeSoto blinked slowly and nodded his head in greeting. "We often see unseasonable snow in the valley," He said in his level, deep voice, still gauging her for a response. "Though I don't know if it's still considered unseasonable if it happens every year..."
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Post by Calypso on Dec 20, 2017 6:20:31 GMT -5
The dark-furred female had began to drift to sleep at first, her eyes slowly closing. She had warmed her fur with her own tail, she was in a generally safe place to rest, and her stomach was somewhat full from a very tiny catch she had done before she came to the ruins. She thought her sleep would be peaceful, but an unfamiliar scent filled her nose before it could happen. She didn't lift her head from her paws, but her ears perked and her eyes were open, scanning the entrance of her den for any movement. It wasn't often that any other wolves came into this part of the forest. Or at least they didn't whIle she was there. She could hear a light crunching coming in her direction and she prepared for whatever would turn the corner, whether it be friend or foe. Her thoughts were confirmed as a wolf appeared a small distance from the entrance. Her head lifted when she saw him and her golden eyes remained locked onto him. He was a dark wolf, similar to herself, though he was a dark blue with lighter blue rather than black. She flicked her ear while listening to what he said. Her head bent down a little further and she stared at him with both caution and curisoity. "I'm not particularly used to snow during this time of year. Hunting becomes more difficult."
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Post by Meds on Dec 20, 2017 12:12:31 GMT -5
DeSoto;
The female barely reacted when DeSoto came into her eyeline. Clever. Just a lift of the head and a locking gaze. DeSoto’s active mind began to turn. It meant one of two things. Either she really was confident and felt no need to react anymore heartily when an unfamiliar male arrived—or she was very smart and trying her best to appear confident. However she meant it, it worked. DeSoto wasn’t interested in attacking her or causing trouble though—he hadn’t been ordered to—but she didn’t know that. She agreed with him, saying the snowy weather made hunting harder. DeSoto nodded smoothly, however noticed a spot of blood on her maw, so decided hunting couldn’t be coming all that difficult to her. He admitted to himself, however, that it had been a stretch of time since he had eaten himself. His body always had a sharp quality to it though, so if his bones showed through his fur a bit more than normal, it wouldn’t make him look any different.
He pushed the thought of food from his mind. ”What brings you to the valley? I’ve not seen you before.” He had been a member of Frigid Plague for many seasons, and he wandered often. It was not everday that DeSoto saw a new face.
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Post by Calypso on Dec 20, 2017 14:39:04 GMT -5
When the navy male asked what he did, she didn't know if to answer or how. She had to think for a moment, glancing at the ground for a moment, but didn't want to risk turning away for too long, so her gaze went back to him. Even when she looked back at him again, she still considered and wondered what the answer was herself. /I only know a part of the answer. I know why I came here in a sense, but don't know why purpose wise...I don't know anything about this valley, it's wolves, or what the story of this place is. So why did I come here?\ she thought. She knew her answer was going to be broad, but she decided to offer it and see what came from it. "I am merely running from my past. I ended up here on a whim, " she stated, flicking one of her gold-tipped ears. To be honest, she was slightly nervous about this male. She had never met him before, he had appeared out of nowhere, and there was a chance he was asking these things to distract her. She wanted to be cautious, so maybe not giving direct answers was her best bet of eventually getting out of this without complication.
Right now I'm on a mobile so I can't use italics, so the /\ is what she is thinking.
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Post by Meds on Dec 21, 2017 3:15:44 GMT -5
((All good! I hate the mobile site so I always click the ‘desktop’ in the bottom right. Makes my life way easier! xD))
DeSoto;
She thought over her answer. DeSoto could appreciate a wolf who thought over what they planned to say before they said it. It showed a strong mind, with a will to maintain diplomacy when possible. Yes... DeSoto, ever the strategist, could appreciate that. The female glanced to the ground for but a moment, but never really let him out of her sight. His dark eyes locked to her. She was clever, this one.
Ahh. Running from her past. A familiar story in the valley. DeSoto often thought it seemed more like a place for refugees than a simple territory. He hadn’t had a comfortable past, exactly, but it had been efficient. All training, all the time, until they had created near-mindless creatures bent on following orders. The best soldiers. But how could he be a soldier if there was no one to command him?
”This valley is one of the best to end up in, if truth be told. The dusting of snow may make prey hard to find in the moment, but this valley hosts a staggering amount of bodies.” He shifted his weight, and as he sat the curious white-three lined tattoo glinted on his white chest. ”And there are other benefits of living here, as well...” His eyes drifted to the mountain that overlooked everything in the valley. On it lived the four White Wolf sisters, three of whom occasionally granted gifts to those wolves brave enough to ask. DeSoto, being evil, had visited Geist, the evil sister. She had not given him what he wanted or what he had gone for, but he had taken the gift that was offered none the less and gained the tattoo all the same. There was no room in DeSoto’s powerful mind for discontent. But this female wouldn’t know about the mountain if she had just arrived. DeSoto was willing to explain though, as he was in a level-mood; perhaps, if she asked in the right way, he would even demonstrate his gift.
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Post by Calypso on Dec 21, 2017 6:01:12 GMT -5
(Full of muse this morning)
For a bit of time the she-wolf watched him, while she answered him and every moment after. In a way, he was somewhat interesting to her, though she couldn't figure out why. He seemed to have an odd scent to him that she had only ever known once in her life, but perhaps that was merely because she was new to the valley and didn't know the scent of any wolves in the area.
She listened to what he said and she couldn't help but slightly tilt her head, though didn't do it openly just in case. /Staggering amount of bodies, huh? He wasn't specific, but I could only assume he meant other wolves. Payback for me not giving a specific answer, either.\
When she came out of her thoughts, the male was sitting, but something bright, almost like a tiny flash of light, had appeared and disappeared across his chest. She narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out what she had seen. Perhaps one of his markings that was just hidden? Though, why a fur marking would glow or flash, she didn't know.
He then made his comment about benefits and had turned his attention away. Obviously she couldn't read his thoughts, but she thought something unknowingly similar to what he had when they met. /He turned away from a stranger wolf that he just met. Must be brave to think I wouldn't attack him. Though, I suppose for him I wouldn't be much of a threat, at least not right now,\ she thought. She then became curious as to what it was he did turn his head to.
This was the moment when she finally made a decision. The she-wolf shifted her body in the makeshift den and pulled her legs closer to her, standing from where she laid. With the height of the small den she had to lower her head, but she went towards the entrance, only doing so slowly while keeping her eyes on the male. She didn't want to appear threatening, but the only thing she could do was go slow and hope he doesn't think she's trying to sneak towards him or try anything.
When she did get to the entrance, she stopped right at the edge with her front paws in the snow and her head out of the den. Light from the sun hit off of her golden eyes, her golden-tipped ears, and the streak that started at her nose and disappeared into the den. She didn't move another muscle except for her head, looking over to whatever it was he had looked at. It wasn't fully clear, but she assumed he had been looking at the mountain.
"And what exactly are these benefits that you speak of?"
(I don't mean to keep talking out of post, but I just thought of a question. Obviously a good wolf wouldn't join an evil pack and vice versa, but what about a neutral wolf? Are they able to join any of the three or are they restricted to neutral packs?)
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Post by Meds on Dec 21, 2017 14:14:11 GMT -5
((No! Questions are awesome We love questions! But no, Neutral wolves can’t join other packs. Good question though! Also, I realized I made an error when I referred to DeDoto’s chest as white. It’s actually navy like the rest of him.)) DeSoto;The angled male kept his gaze locked on the mountain, even when a subtle sound told him the female had stood up. He picked her gentle paw-falls out from the surrounding quiet, but still didn’t move his head. Only his eyes flicked to the side briefly before he fixed them on the mountain once more. She was out of the den now, paws barely in the snow—he heard it crunch under her weight. It was then that DeSoto turned to face her, slowly so as not to alarm her. He was not in the business of misrepresenting himself as one who wanted to attack; that is, until he was. She was looking toward the mountain, but her eyes were not fixed, as if she wasn’t quite sure what he had been looking at. DeSoto blinked slowly. Alright. Now was the time to use this good mood of his before it had run out, and impart some knowledge in the female—if she was willing to hear. When she asked, DeSoto answered. ”The Mountain,” He said, to start and to clear up any confusion she had of what he had been looking at. ”Plays host to four of the most powerful wolves in this land. The White Wolves, we call them. Sisters, all, and as powerful as they come. First, there is White Magic. She is the healer of the group. Her cave-den is spaced away from the other sisters’, and she heals both good and neutral wolves... though evils have a somewhat harder time convincing her to help. She can heal anything that I’ve ever come across.” He fancied that perhaps even White Magic had limits, such as natural blindness and the like, but he couldn’t be sure. ”Then comes the three sisters that give gifts to the mortals of the valley. There is Taboo, for the good wolves, Sheba, for the neutral... and Geist, for the evil. Each wolf must only go to the goddess that they align with. But the rewards can be great.”He met her eyes with his own and held them there. He squared his chest, which made the white-growing fur of his tattoo underneath stand out brightly from his navy pelt. Each power group had their own tattoos of course, and his three white lines could be mistaken for a scar—but it was not. He was marked for one with an offensive gift. DeSoto then turned his away from the female and lifted his head to howl. The sound was magnificent, piercing, full, and covered the area. He knew that any wolf in the entire valley would now be able to hear his call. Such was the power of Siren. As he howled and used his gift consciously, the tattoo on his chest began to glow brightly. He closed his mouth and turned to her, his tattoo fading back to its natural white. Unless she had met another wolf that possessed Siren, she would have never heard anything quite that loud before. Coming from such a quiet male, it was rather shocking. He didn’t create the siren-like sound that would cause her to come down with a serious headache, though. He figured the howl was enough to show her. ”My own gift, from the goddess Geist.”((ALSO, I know DeSoto has a gift and I mentioned that Nyx has a gift—but not many wolves in the valley have them. I thought I would just mention that, as the only two wolves I’ve told you about of my own have been powered, haha.))
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Post by Calypso on Dec 21, 2017 14:34:38 GMT -5
The female turned her head to meet his eyes, noticing that he clearly had something to say whether she wanted to hear it or not. Her previous thought was confirmed when his first words spoke of the mountain. She then listened to what he said closely, trying to understand what he talked about. Honestly, it did confuse her. Were this actual wolves or just spirits that the wloves of this valley believed in? Did they actually grant powers? Had they ever been seen before? She had many questions, but asking so many all at once and becoming as curious was something a pup would do, so she refrained from doing so. She merely listened in interest as he explained.
She had gotten ready to say something when he was done, but she saw something change. His eyes seemed to appear more focused and narrowed. There was also something odd, that flash of color again like earlier, on the male's chest. She then watched him turn away, which in itself was a bad idea when faced with a stranger, but it wasn't like she had anything planned. He had turned away as if to leave, but he remained where he was. She watched as he lifted his head and let out a very large and loud howl. Truly, she was surprised, but for some reason it almost didn't shock her. She thought she remembered hearing a sound or another howl that was strikingly similar to what she had just heard from this stranger. Either way, she had never seen it firsthand like this and it intrigued her.
She slightly lowered her head and examined the male for a moment, almost trying to see if she would for some reason recognize him as a wolf she had seen before. Why she wouldn't have done so when they first met, she didn't know. She just felt like now, with this new information about the male, he might strike a memory. But he didn't.
She listened to what he said about it being a gift from Geist, one of the wolves he mentioned earlier. So they are like magical spirits then...I feel like I've heard of this kind of stuff before. "I see...so these...wolves of the mountain, has anyone ever seen them?"
(Thanks! Also, I never noticed that desktop button in the corner that you talked about. That's actually pretty useful! I kinda figured that the powers were kind of like a rare thing. I was considering what powers I would want to try to get for Nanouk and Val if they ever got any. But actually the other wolf I plan on making soon in my plot thread, Onyx, I have some plans for her that may or may not involve powers and a possible new pack. Now that's not for sure yet, I'm still thinking about all of it. But there's a chance.)
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Post by Meds on Dec 21, 2017 17:24:55 GMT -5
DeSoto;
As his eyes refocused on the female, DeSoto noted that she didn’t seem shocked when he let his howl loose. He wasn’t surprised; after all, it was a large valley, with many powered wolves, and she could have seen any number of them before himself. But he did not often activate his gift, and using it reminded him that he had one at all.
The female was calculating and wise. That much was plain every time her eyes narrowed when DeSoto turned away from her. He could tell that she wouldn’t do such a thing in the presence of a stranger, and she always noticed when he did. But DeSoto was smart. Even simply turning his head away from her was a statement in itself. It was not boastful, just quietly confident. He was a tall male, stronger than he looked, and familiar with the ways of the land. He had no reason to fear, as far as she knew. This female had shown him no aggression yet either, only caution, and that was probably smart considering he smelled of his own evil pack. She didn’t smell of any pack herself, but DeSoto doubted she was evil like he was. She didn’t give off that sort of vibe.
Her next question brought a very rare smile to DeSoto’s jaws. He hadn’t been quite clear, it would seem. While the White Sisters were legend, yes, they were so easily accessible that doubting their power was laughable. ”Oh yes,” He said, kneading the snowy ground with his claws. ”They are always there, up on their hill, looking down at the valley below. They are real wolves. Palpable, like you and I—but immortal. All-knowing. All-seeing. Every gift that we mortals have ever received is nothing compared to the White Wolves themselves. They possess every gift imaginable, in unsurmounting strength. He nodded his head slowly and looked the female in the eyes once more, then sat. ”Taboo and Sheba are often agreeable, even if they don’t choose to pass on a gift... but Geist. Geist is more difficult. We evils have to be very careful with her. She has maimed, blinded, and cursed mortal wolves more than once. Count yourself lucky if she is not the wolf that your fate is tied to.”
He tossed his head once, giving his mane a shake. ”My name is DeSoto.”
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Post by Calypso on Dec 21, 2017 20:51:24 GMT -5
(Why is it that when he tossed his mane I instantly thought of like a yellow wolf with a giant lion-like mane flipping it's hair back.)
The she-wolf tried to consider what the male said. She could believe that a wolf may have powers. She could also somewhat believe that a wolf could give another powers in some way. But a couple of wolves being immortal? That she didn't believe. Regardless of powers, age, kind of wolf, any of it, she had never once heard of anything ever being immortal. As a matter of fact, as the male stated that the wolves of the mountain were immortal, a slight smirk appeared on her face, though she quickly wiped it off in case this male got offended. She wasn't particularly in the mood for a fight.
She then listened to what he said about Geist and evil wolves, as well as others. She tilted her head for a moment, considering, then lightly shook her head and looked back at him. "Evil wolves, you say? I suppose that means you always crave bloodshed and have a dark heart, correct? If that is in fact the case, why haven't you tried killing me yet, " she questioned, taking a few steps forward but not getting close enough to directly attack. She was now completely out of the den and turned her body only slightly to the side, eyes still locked on him.
Even though her appearance was somewhat obvious from the beginning, her coat was pitch black all the way across. That golden streak conntinued down her back and ended at the tip of her somewhat unusually long tail. Her golden eyes narrowed and a slight smirk appeared on her face again at her own statement about him being "evil". She was very curious as to how he would answer.
That was when he stated his name, which kind of threw her off. She didn't think that he would introduce himself to begin with, considering they were somewhat again again standoff. She debated with her own thoughts for a moment before she decided. She merely stated, "Nanouk."
(Thank gosh for drafts saving. I had like half my post typed out and my phone died.)
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Post by Meds on Dec 22, 2017 12:58:55 GMT -5
((Wow yikes!! And haha yea I comment on all my wolves ‘manes’ haha. More just longer hair on the neck!))
DeSoto;
She challenged him, then. She bantered lightly and asked that since he was an evil wolf, if that meant he wanted to kill her; and if so, why he hadn’t done it yet. But then she stepped forward. If DeSoto was a very different wolf—one not quite so level-headed and calculating—he might have taken such an action as a taunt or even a threat. He was not such a wolf, and did not allow himself the kind of emotions that would cause a sudden offence. But he was evil. Nanouk was playing with fire, here, for all she knew. ”Bloodshed? A darkened heart and soul?” DeSoto watched her very closely as she opened her broad-side to him, but kept him in her eyes. He shrugged, his sharp-shoulders grating underneath his skin. ”Many are like that. This valley has no shortage of wolves craving a kill. But I don’t know that I’m like that.” He knew what he was. A machine created to follow orders, left floundering by his lack of direction. But Nanouk didn’t need to know that. ”I am a product of my past. Never in my life has neutrality or goodness been an option for me.” He flashed her his long teeth in response to her last question. ”And how do you know for sure that I won’t yet try to kill you?”
His almost-black eyes glittered, and the almost completely dark-navy of his coat caught the weak sun. He wasn’t truly planning on killing her, of course. DeSoto was not the largest of males, and though he did make up for anything lacking with his calculated and emotionless approach to fighting, he wasn’t in the mood for that today. He sighed and cracked his neck, then let his eyes flit around some to show her that he wasn’t immediately intent on attacking her.
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Post by Calypso on Dec 22, 2017 18:50:52 GMT -5
In all honesty, her motions weren't really meant as a challenge or a threat. Really she wasn't quite sure what to call what it was she did. It wasn't a taunt, wasn't a challenge. Perhaps just her trying to be witty? Either way, at first his reaction seemed like he ignored what she did, not what she said. He said of how there were other wolves in the valley that were that way, but he wasn't as much. Somehow she guessed that from the way he was acting, but at least he said it himself.
It was when he bared his fangs that she froze for a moment. She wasn't trying to instigate him or provoke him, but she also wasn't the best at socializing, especially with strangers. She remained silent, eyes somewhat not as narrowed as they had been before and smirk gone. She watched as he diverted his eyes and looked in different directions, hopefully signalling that she wasn't going to have to fight today.
She didn't really know what to do now. Their conversation had generally ended, but he didn't seem eager to leave, so she attempted to think of something else. Then an idea came to her mind.
"Out of curiosity, you smell of multiple wolves, or at least a hint of others. Are you a part of a pack?"
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Post by Meds on Dec 26, 2017 13:30:24 GMT -5
DeSoto;
When he showed her his teeth he could see immediately that what he had guessed was right, and that she hadn’t meant anything by stepping closer to him. A chuckle built in his throat, a rare thing, almost never borne of comedy, but he held it down. She was uncomfortable, as well she should be. DeSoto was a strange male, and evil at that. His guess was that the female was neutral or good, but she hadn’t yet said anything to confirm the suspicion. ”And what end of the alliance spectrum do you find yourself on?” He looked her up and down, struck for a half-moment at the way the sun caught he gold of her pelt. DeSoto’s own pelt drank light rather than inhanced it, so his fur would never appear so striking. It was interesting though, the gold within the black. His eyes ran along the length of colour across her back.
But then thhe conversation began to wane, DeSoto could feel it. He was not one to force things, either. If the interaction was over, it was over and he would leave. But then she asked a question. He glanced behind her into her makeshift den before answering, then caught her eyes as he swept his gaze back to the snow around them. The sun was high—the snow would not last long. But that meant it could give way to any of the rains or flash floods that spring was so prone to giving in the valley. He shook his pelt absently. ”I am,” He nodded eventually. ”The evil Frigid Plague, headed by alphess Perjury. Not as well-known as Midnight Silence, the more prolific evil pack in the valley, but not weak in our own right.” After all, Perjury was the only fully-fledged level 3 earth elemental in the valley. DeSoto’s eyes flowed at the thought of her.
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Post by Calypso on Dec 26, 2017 16:46:31 GMT -5
Nanouk;
What was this? A hint of amusement going across this male's face? Perhaps she was just seeing things. Though, she did find his question curious. He spoke of an alliance spectrum, which she assumed was what he meant when he called himself evil. She didn't know much of this valley or the wolves in it, so she was unsure of what each kind of wolf was like. She could only presume that good wolves were pure or had a good heart while evil wolves were as she had described before; dark, evil-hearted, and a desire to kill. In a way, she was neither of those, which seemed to answer his question in her mind.
"I don't see myself as particularly good or evil. So I guess that makes me neutral, " she stated, watching his face to see any more possible reactions as she had seen a moment ago. Instead of seeing any emotion or reaction, she saw his eyes moving about. He seemed to be investigating her appearance, but that was to be expected since they had just met not to long ago. She had to admit that she had similarly looked at him as to take in his appearance and remember his features. A navy coat with lighter and darker markings, nearly-black eyes, and a sharp look to him. If she were interested in that sort of thing, she would say that he was decently good-looking. But she had no desire to think those kinds of thoughts. That, and she just met him. She couldn't think of him in that way anyway. (how ironic)
She then listened as he spoke of the pack he was a part of. Frigid Plague, lead by a she-wolf named Perjury. He had mentioned the name of another pack, but of course she didn't recognize it. She did take notice of a shine in his eye at the mention of his alphess, one that reminded her of herself when she was younger.
"I see. You must look up to this Perjury then?"
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