Difference between revisions of "Logs:Death Comes Calling"
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− | The Leeward Coast was bright and gloriously sunny, this afternoon. The exact directions given to Nia to meet Max were pretty simple: | + | The Leeward Coast was bright and gloriously sunny, this afternoon. The exact directions given to Nia to meet Max were pretty simple: Take Farrington Highway north to the Kuaokala Hunting Ground. As to why it was called a hunting ground was hard to say, save for the seals that were sunning on the beach at various spots. Next to the green information sign with the words 'Kuaokala Hunting Ground' there was a lot with tire tracks running into and out of it. |
− | Sitting at the parking lot was a young woman trying to avoid direct sunlight with a white hoodie, blue | + | Sitting at the parking lot was a young woman trying to avoid direct sunlight with a white hoodie, blue jeans, combat boots, and an olive green canvas pack on her back. |
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− | Nia gave Fred an enigmatic smile, coming up near his side to tuck her hand in at his lower back, below the backpack. Notably, she avoided being on the side of him with the walking stick. "Interesting as in I think you'll find it at least interesting, maybe more than." Nia's amusement threaded through her words as she went to tiptoe to place a kiss on Fred's cheek, and then promptly followed it with another one, her smile widening significantly in some sort of privately contained and thorough pleasure for the remarkably simple act. "Fred, this is Max, Max, this is Fred, mi | + | Nia gave Fred an enigmatic smile, coming up near his side to tuck her hand in at his lower back, below the backpack. Notably, she avoided being on the side of him with the walking stick. "Interesting as in I think you'll find it at least interesting, maybe more than." Nia's amusement threaded through her words as she went to tiptoe to place a kiss on Fred's cheek, and then promptly followed it with another one, her smile widening significantly in some sort of privately contained and thorough pleasure for the remarkably simple act. "Fred, this is Max, Max, this is Fred, mi amor and Husband." She introduced the two of them as they came to a stop near Max, and then notably did not push for any aforementioned 'unnecessary hugging'. "The sun is something that I've dealt with a long time, pouco sofredor. It will get better with some time, provided you aren't using your arsenal often. The more you use it, the worse it gets." |
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+ | In truth, it wasn't a long walk through the field, Max paused to look at her feet and a foundation of adobe brick, arranged for a small building. She nodded to herself and continued north for only a couple hundred feet to a line of brick no taller than the grasses in the area. "Fred." She glanced back at Nia kissing Fred, shrugged a shoulder and followed the bricks around. "I guess that makes sense. Prod the snake long enough, and you expect it to strike." Continuing to the east side, she walked midway up that side. "I'm sure a local could explain it better than me, but this kind of brick was used by Spanish Missionaries to build their churches. And like all asshole religions, they like to consume the old and replace it with their own. Like Christ's birthday, which was described as having newborn calves, a Spring time event, being right after the Winter solstice." Max paused, "I'll just be a second. No proper weak spot to knock on." | ||
− | |||
The hooded woman just disappeared from reality in a blink. Seconds ticked by before the air seemed to tear, a ribbon of purple and black nearly two meters tall waiting. | The hooded woman just disappeared from reality in a blink. Seconds ticked by before the air seemed to tear, a ribbon of purple and black nearly two meters tall waiting. | ||
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Fred steps through a new opening into the NeverNever. | Fred steps through a new opening into the NeverNever. | ||
+ | = The Bone Cathedral = | ||
− | + | The sun is blood red in a sooty black sky over this Cathedral built of bones. Every bit as elaborate as the grand Gothic cathedrals, this bone church has piercing spires stabbing skyward, each tipped by a fingerbone filed down to a wicked point. The walls are bricked with vertebrae, with skulls for accent splitting the walls into thirds. The support beams and wall joints are defined by femurs and armbones. Over the central nave of the Cathedral dangles a chandelier in the shape of a nine-pointed star, each end bearing a lantern made of a charred black pelvis cradling a pillar candle. | |
− | |||
− | + | The altar is an imposing structure, set apart on a spiked bone dais. The central table is a flat bed of long bones caged in by curving ribs on the front and both sides. The altarpiece is an elaborate masterwork triptych of gems and carved ivory, each of the three panels depicting a blood sacrifice with glittering ruby. | |
− | Max was waiting on the other side, scanning the area of the grounds of the cathedral front while she pulled a metal flare gun out of her bag as well as a pack of spare flares. Glancing back to the | + | Max was waiting on the other side, scanning the area of the grounds of the cathedral front while she pulled a metal flare gun out of her bag as well as a pack of spare flares. Glancing back to the emerging couple, the silver haired woman pulled back her hood. "At least the NeverNever sun doesn't break down on me the same. When the parade shows up, try not to beat them with a stick. They are friendly." Digging into her bag, she pulled out a large green foam hand with '#1!' printed on it. |
− | Nia looked at the huge, bone Cathedral and her jaw dropped as she slowly came to a stop. Curiosity had her gaze sweeping over everything she could see, surprise clearly layering itself with levels of being impressed. "Wow... when you said bone cathedral, you really meant it. This place makes the | + | Nia looked at the huge, bone Cathedral and her jaw dropped as she slowly came to a stop. Curiosity had her gaze sweeping over everything she could see, surprise clearly layering itself with levels of being impressed. "Wow... when you said bone cathedral, you really meant it. This place makes the catacombs in France wish they'd taken a few lessons in style." She moved a bit closer, reaching out to touch one of the walls with her fingertips, though gently so as not to disturb anything. Clearly, though, the structure was meant to last, and she let out a soft whistle. "At home, all of the places of sacrifice seem so dull by comparison. Just big, flat, rocks on top of hills. This is... far more elaborate." |
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− | It started as a low hum in the distance that grow loud and more clear, a chant that was not unlike Gregorian chanting. A parade of cloaked figures, each one covered completely from head to toe, their faces obscured by a black shroud. Four of them carried what looked to be a large black, like a throne for a king, or the Arc of the Covenant. And in front, a figure whose cloak glittered as if it was made with the stars of the night sky. The procession turned slowly to stop in front of the stairs of the cathedral, as they stopped in unison. The four bearing the button, turned in place and carried the button up the stairs to the main entrance of the cathedral. | + | It started as a low hum in the distance that grow loud and more clear, a chant that was not unlike Gregorian chanting. A parade of cloaked figures, each one covered completely from head to toe, their faces obscured by a black shroud. Four of them carried what looked to be a large black button, like a throne for a king, or the Arc of the Covenant. And in front, a figure whose cloak glittered as if it was made with the stars of the night sky. The procession turned slowly to stop in front of the stairs of the cathedral, as they stopped in unison. The four bearing the button, turned in place and carried the button up the stairs to the main entrance of the cathedral. |
− | Max chuckled, "Like I said... It wasn't going to pop up on any guided tour." She pointed to the cathedral, "I'm sure of we picked the perfect spot, we might be able to jump back to | + | Max chuckled, "Like I said... It wasn't going to pop up on any guided tour." She pointed to the cathedral, "I'm sure of we picked the perfect spot, we might be able to jump back to Catacombs under Paris. I've just always had this problem traveling east in a timely manner." She nodded, "There are plenty of sacrificial hills and mounds on these islands around here, that look very similar to the ones in the Amazon. I try not to think too hard about it, because it usually leads to something depressing." Max gestured to Fred, then looked up at the Cathedral, "This place connects to the other side based on what's there, rather than the other side creating what is here. Peel up those bricks, and they wouldn't connect." |
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− | The Four with the button carried it before the altar, lowering it to the ground gentle, pulling the four pins out from the corners of the button, and removing the iron carrying rods. The four retreated back, leaving the button. Two over figures at the stairs, grabbed the cloak of another and pulled it aside. Cloakless, the walking figure as no human or demon, but a massive, soft-covered mallet. One of the cloaked figures picked up the hammer with the utmost | + | The Four with the button carried it before the altar, lowering it to the ground gentle, pulling the four pins out from the corners of the button, and removing the iron carrying rods. The four retreated back, leaving the button. Two over figures at the stairs, grabbed the cloak of another and pulled it aside. Cloakless, the walking figure as no human or demon, but a massive, soft-covered mallet. One of the cloaked figures picked up the hammer with the utmost reverence, and carried it up the stairs in the cathedral, the rest of the procession joining in a single file line behind to advance towards the button. |
Max watched the figures form behind the hammer and grinned, "I have followed this procession, and they moved between the sides of the island. Leeward to Windward, and back again. I say depressing these days, because I have something in me that gets excited about the concept of spilling blood. It's also why I try not to think about it too much." Her attention moved to Fred, "Before the Europeans moved in, and probably before that, the islanders were warlike. Extremely so. Heat doesn't do anyone one good, I guess. Cannibalism, blood sacrifices... If the dead rose up, the living wouldn't last a day here." | Max watched the figures form behind the hammer and grinned, "I have followed this procession, and they moved between the sides of the island. Leeward to Windward, and back again. I say depressing these days, because I have something in me that gets excited about the concept of spilling blood. It's also why I try not to think about it too much." Her attention moved to Fred, "Before the Europeans moved in, and probably before that, the islanders were warlike. Extremely so. Heat doesn't do anyone one good, I guess. Cannibalism, blood sacrifices... If the dead rose up, the living wouldn't last a day here." | ||
− | Nia was almost transfixed by the movements of the cloaked figures, and her eyes widened a bit as she saw them removing the cloak from one of their number. When it was just a giant mallet, though, she grinned and shook her head. "You know, Max, I'm not sure what I expected to happen just then. But this is very interesting." She looked over at Max and grinned a little wider, then over to Fred, her eyes gentle and | + | Nia was almost transfixed by the movements of the cloaked figures, and her eyes widened a bit as she saw them removing the cloak from one of their number. When it was just a giant mallet, though, she grinned and shook her head. "You know, Max, I'm not sure what I expected to happen just then. But this is very interesting." She looked over at Max and grinned a little wider, then over to Fred, her eyes gentle and seamlessly matching her pleased expression. "I'm so glad you came to see this, miu amor, it felt like something I needed to bring you to when Max had mentioned some out of the way spots she had found here." |
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− | Nia moved a little closer still to Fred and took the hand he offered out, squeezing firmly before she nestled in next to him and seemed to be staking out a comfy place to watch whatever was about to happen with the mallet, and the cloaks. When the mallet struck and all of the cloaked figures seemed to be disappointed with the results. She hmmmed softly under her breath, curiosity not allowing her to take her attention away from the movements. "I've found that shedding blood is more a necessity than a thing to revel in. From what I understand of most sacrifice, it usually started as a revelry. Then ended in | + | Nia moved a little closer still to Fred and took the hand he offered out, squeezing firmly before she nestled in next to him and seemed to be staking out a comfy place to watch whatever was about to happen with the mallet, and the cloaks. When the mallet struck and all of the cloaked figures seemed to be disappointed with the results. She hmmmed softly under her breath, curiosity not allowing her to take her attention away from the movements. "I've found that shedding blood is more a necessity than a thing to revel in. From what I understand of most sacrifice, it usually started as a revelry. Then ended in ecstasy for those left, the relief being a real thing. That knowledge that whatever they were hoping for would be seen to because of giving the life. What I do, it's far less of a thing in that way, but at times still ends with the same relief of knowing that I've moved closer to the thing I'm hoping for. Still.. it's almost impossible to avoid the intense needs that rise up when you do, spill the blood I mean." Nia was speaking almost off-handedly about the multitudes of vampires, infected, and other nasties she'd been part of the killing of, or the primary force, depending on the time frame in her life. But there was something still quietly blissful about her at the moment, watching the strange ritual movements while holding hands with Fred, like they were on some sort of truly romantic date. |
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Max let out a loud cheer, raising her flare gun to fire it into the air. Breaking the breach of the flare gun, she pulled out the spent flare. "Warrior with a cause, a cause that presented itself and you decided to take as your own. I'm not knocking it, because it's way better than most of the shit people come up with. Paying taxes was never high on my list of musts." Reaching for another shell from the pack, she loaded it into the barrel. "I think that's pretty cool both of you have k--" | Max let out a loud cheer, raising her flare gun to fire it into the air. Breaking the breach of the flare gun, she pulled out the spent flare. "Warrior with a cause, a cause that presented itself and you decided to take as your own. I'm not knocking it, because it's way better than most of the shit people come up with. Paying taxes was never high on my list of musts." Reaching for another shell from the pack, she loaded it into the barrel. "I think that's pretty cool both of you have k--" | ||
− | The sound of massive wings beat the air, and Max collapsed on the stairs, the flare gun rattling down the stairs. A massive of seven black wings folded and disappeared, as a gentle shushing over seven tongues crawled out of its. An index finger was held in the air where Max's mouth was. "It is cool, but you don't understand just how yet." Five of the seven arms disappeared leaving a tall man in black chain mail, who turned to Fred and Nia. He was a handsome man with white hair, features carved by the Hands of G-d. A smile set on his lips, and upon his forehead were seven eyes. "Greetings Fred, and your lovely wife." He inclined his head to the pair. "Enjoying your vacation?" | + | The sound of massive wings beat the air, and Max collapsed on the stairs, the flare gun rattling down the stairs. A massive form of seven black wings folded and disappeared, as a gentle shushing over seven tongues crawled out of its mouth. An index finger was held in the air where Max's mouth was. "It is cool, but you don't understand just how yet." Five of the seven arms disappeared leaving a tall man in black chain mail, who turned to Fred and Nia. He was a handsome man with white hair, features carved by the Hands of G-d. A smile set on his lips, and upon his forehead were seven eyes. "Greetings Fred, and your lovely wife." He inclined his head to the pair. "Enjoying your vacation?" |
− | Nia nodded and looked thoughtful for a moment "In more way than one, really. The one shedding, or the one causing the shedding. It's always a relief when it's neither, or at least, sometimes. Maybe it's just as much a double edged sword as anything." She smiled a little as Max mentioned the concept of Warrior with the cause. And then there was the sound of rushing feathers, and the thud, and Nia's attention was quite solidly called away from the men with mallets to the fallen form of Max. Naturally, this called her attention further to the fucking angel that was hushing the girl. Her hand left Fred's | + | Nia nodded and looked thoughtful for a moment "In more way than one, really. The one shedding, or the one causing the shedding. It's always a relief when it's neither, or at least, sometimes. Maybe it's just as much a double edged sword as anything." She smiled a little as Max mentioned the concept of Warrior with the cause. And then there was the sound of rushing feathers, and the thud, and Nia's attention was quite solidly called away from the men with mallets to the fallen form of Max. Naturally, this called her attention further to the fucking angel that was hushing the girl. Her hand left Fred's immediately and she tensed, her muscles almost vibrating out from under her skin. And then the man greeted Fred like an old friend, and Nia hesitated, blinking, attempting NOT to vamp out. "Uhm... Minha querida? Quem e?" Ah yes, as always, under times of duress, Nia seemed to fall back into Portuguese almost entirely. So fun, but at least Fred did speak Latin, so the concept of 'who the fuck?!' would easily work itself into his ears. |
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− | The angel smiled warmly at Nia, and uttered in perfect Portuguese for the sake of language barriers, "Minha querida com sangue vermelho, eu sou o chefe do seu marido." The mallet came down with a soft thud and no ring of the bell, as the cloaked figures shook in unison, so did Azrael, a black iron glove going over his heart as he groaned. Walking towards Nia and Fred, she glanced at Max, and back to the two of them. "The sweetest of dreams, I promise." He gestured to Nia with a roll of his hand, "Individuals who take part in the | + | The angel smiled warmly at Nia, and uttered in perfect Portuguese for the sake of language barriers, "Minha querida com sangue vermelho, eu sou o chefe do seu marido." The mallet came down with a soft thud and no ring of the bell, as the cloaked figures shook in unison, so did Azrael, a black iron glove going over his heart as he groaned. Walking towards Nia and Fred, she glanced at Max, and back to the two of them. "The sweetest of dreams, I promise." He gestured to Nia with a roll of his hand, "Individuals who take part in the Sacrament of Marriage are given a pass when one of the individuals partaking are beholden to me. Speak word of this conversation to anyone, I will not look upon her again." The threat spoken with a calm smile, and he took a deep breath. "You are in the neighborhood of my issue, so I felt the need to interrupt your vacation. I need you to erase a man. An accident really. Stressing your connections with me will leave a mark, and result in consequences for many." He gestured to Nia, "She can help as she does not leave my mark." |
− | Nia openly gaped as Fred went down to his knee in front of the Angel, and then she turned her head to stare in a sort of horror at the man who spoke to her in Portuguese. In so far as she'd been alive, Nia hadn't ever professed seeing an angel. Being raised a decided Roman Catholic, however, her reaction made some sense. Still in shock, she fell to her knees, body jostling hard, without it causing any reaction on her utterly transfixed face. She managed to shut her jaw, but it was more to allow her to lick her lips than anything, and finally croaked out "Eu sinto muito, Anjo da Morte. Obrigado, for not hurting Max. She hurts already." Nia blinked and looked away from the angel, settling back so she was seated on her heels, while she looked over at the Sleeping Max, and then back up to the | + | Nia openly gaped as Fred went down to his knee in front of the Angel, and then she turned her head to stare in a sort of horror at the man who spoke to her in Portuguese. In so far as she'd been alive, Nia hadn't ever professed seeing an angel. Being raised a decided Roman Catholic, however, her reaction made some sense. Still in shock, she fell to her knees, body jostling hard, without it causing any reaction on her utterly transfixed face. She managed to shut her jaw, but it was more to allow her to lick her lips than anything, and finally croaked out "Eu sinto muito, Anjo da Morte. Obrigado, for not hurting Max. She hurts already." Nia blinked and looked away from the angel, settling back so she was seated on her heels, while she looked over at the Sleeping Max, and then back up to the disappointed cloaks. Shock wasn't an easy thing, really, for anyone, and Nia seemed torn between screaming, crying, and going for a bit of a run. |
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− | Azrael hung his head as the dull sound of the mallet fell without ring, his eyes between them. "If you have doubts in my purpose, know I am still the Watcher of Humanity, just that I do not perch on High. Seek knowledge of the man I mentioned to know for yourselves, just be careful as not to alert him or his allies." A soft smile appeared on his lips, more eyes going to Fred. "You know yourself, Fred. Your history and the voice inside of you is far better a guide than any hymn I could suggest. If in your understanding, you feel I am Fallen, leave your ring on the altar here, and our contract will end." With a slow and gentle hand, he reached out to touch and caress Fred's forehead. "Trust your eyes to see Truth, and I will weave a song that will pass through creation, seen with those eyes to guide you." His hand | + | Azrael hung his head as the dull sound of the mallet fell without ring, his eyes between them. "If you have doubts in my purpose, know I am still the Watcher of Humanity, just that I do not perch on High. Seek knowledge of the man I mentioned to know for yourselves, just be careful as not to alert him or his allies." A soft smile appeared on his lips, more eyes going to Fred. "You know yourself, Fred. Your history and the voice inside of you is far better a guide than any hymn I could suggest. If in your understanding, you feel I am Fallen, leave your ring on the altar here, and our contract will end." With a slow and gentle hand, he reached out to touch and caress Fred's forehead. "Trust your eyes to see Truth, and I will weave a song that will pass through creation, seen with those eyes to guide you." His hand retreats from Fred, and the majority of his gaze passed to Nia. "Child, know that suffering is not endless, nor is it pointless." The angel rolled back to his feet, and bowed his head. And with a smile and a thunderous beat of wings and wind, Azrael was gone once more. |
Latest revision as of 22:20, 28 April 2019
Death Comes Calling | |
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Death, it would seem, doesn't take vacations | |
Dramatis Personae | 10 September, 2010 A little sight seeing tour goes a little wonky |
Location
Leeward Coast, The Bone Cathedral (NeverNever) |
Plot(s) |
The Leeward Coast was bright and gloriously sunny, this afternoon. The exact directions given to Nia to meet Max were pretty simple: Take Farrington Highway north to the Kuaokala Hunting Ground. As to why it was called a hunting ground was hard to say, save for the seals that were sunning on the beach at various spots. Next to the green information sign with the words 'Kuaokala Hunting Ground' there was a lot with tire tracks running into and out of it. Sitting at the parking lot was a young woman trying to avoid direct sunlight with a white hoodie, blue jeans, combat boots, and an olive green canvas pack on her back.
The Bone CathedralThe sun is blood red in a sooty black sky over this Cathedral built of bones. Every bit as elaborate as the grand Gothic cathedrals, this bone church has piercing spires stabbing skyward, each tipped by a fingerbone filed down to a wicked point. The walls are bricked with vertebrae, with skulls for accent splitting the walls into thirds. The support beams and wall joints are defined by femurs and armbones. Over the central nave of the Cathedral dangles a chandelier in the shape of a nine-pointed star, each end bearing a lantern made of a charred black pelvis cradling a pillar candle. The altar is an imposing structure, set apart on a spiked bone dais. The central table is a flat bed of long bones caged in by curving ribs on the front and both sides. The altarpiece is an elaborate masterwork triptych of gems and carved ivory, each of the three panels depicting a blood sacrifice with glittering ruby.
Max chuckled, "Like I said... It wasn't going to pop up on any guided tour." She pointed to the cathedral, "I'm sure of we picked the perfect spot, we might be able to jump back to Catacombs under Paris. I've just always had this problem traveling east in a timely manner." She nodded, "There are plenty of sacrificial hills and mounds on these islands around here, that look very similar to the ones in the Amazon. I try not to think too hard about it, because it usually leads to something depressing." Max gestured to Fred, then looked up at the Cathedral, "This place connects to the other side based on what's there, rather than the other side creating what is here. Peel up those bricks, and they wouldn't connect."
Max watched the figures form behind the hammer and grinned, "I have followed this procession, and they moved between the sides of the island. Leeward to Windward, and back again. I say depressing these days, because I have something in me that gets excited about the concept of spilling blood. It's also why I try not to think about it too much." Her attention moved to Fred, "Before the Europeans moved in, and probably before that, the islanders were warlike. Extremely so. Heat doesn't do anyone one good, I guess. Cannibalism, blood sacrifices... If the dead rose up, the living wouldn't last a day here."
Max kept her eyes of the impacts as she spoke. "While I'm sure there's some great meaning behind all this, I can't help but compare it to a sporting in general. People cheer or boo for something that doesn't matter in the long run... Except for the Brazilian defender that scored on his own team... That guy got murdered." Max shrugged a shoulder in reply, "I've busted a few noses in my time, but getting used to it in my current state would be really bad. I have enough nightmares that I confuse as wet dreams as it is." A dry laugh escaped her, "I offered. Mrs. Paranoid was the one that got over it and brought you. I just opened the door."
Max let out a loud cheer, raising her flare gun to fire it into the air. Breaking the breach of the flare gun, she pulled out the spent flare. "Warrior with a cause, a cause that presented itself and you decided to take as your own. I'm not knocking it, because it's way better than most of the shit people come up with. Paying taxes was never high on my list of musts." Reaching for another shell from the pack, she loaded it into the barrel. "I think that's pretty cool both of you have k--" The sound of massive wings beat the air, and Max collapsed on the stairs, the flare gun rattling down the stairs. A massive form of seven black wings folded and disappeared, as a gentle shushing over seven tongues crawled out of its mouth. An index finger was held in the air where Max's mouth was. "It is cool, but you don't understand just how yet." Five of the seven arms disappeared leaving a tall man in black chain mail, who turned to Fred and Nia. He was a handsome man with white hair, features carved by the Hands of G-d. A smile set on his lips, and upon his forehead were seven eyes. "Greetings Fred, and your lovely wife." He inclined his head to the pair. "Enjoying your vacation?"
Max groaned, sitting up slowly and she yawned, "Passed out, and..." She checked her jeans, then looked around for the other two. "I swear if you two got lost, I'm going to be pissed." She muttered to herself, crawling over to get her flare gun to close the breach. "It's been awhile since opening a door took that much out of me..."
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