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Nov 13, 2010 22:29:43 GMT -5
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Post by neav on Sept 18, 2010 22:33:49 GMT -5
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Post by neav on Sept 18, 2010 22:15:17 GMT -5
Ohhh fun! Yes, let us please have a thread!
Sometimes Neav is sent away from the castle as a messanger (on a horse of course!) and I actually have a thread started that was going to be for Mary-Jane but it was so long ago and she never replied even once... I could easily change it and make it for Aatos, if you would like?
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Post by neav on Sept 18, 2010 21:20:54 GMT -5
Neav was riding Mirshann now. He had shortened the stirrup leathers so that they might fit his legs, and knotted the reins out of the way and did not touch them once. The beautiful white horse wheeled and danced. He followed every command that could not even be seen. And Neav... Neav was more happy than he had ever been in his life. Mirshann was the horse he had always dreamed of riding.
Proud Comet gave a snort and tossed his head as Maeve went to rub his nose. But he did not prance away. Anyone who knew the horse could not have been more amazed. For after that first slight rebellion, Comet consented to let Maeve pet him. And he did that for no stranger! Rising Sun was more gentle, looking at that Faerie Queen with wise, liquid eyes. They sensed she was not human, even if Neav could not. Then both stallions turned their heads. Neav was bringing Mirshann back at a slow canter, his face shining with joy. Jealousy burned in Comet's heart and he turned his head away. Well used to these ways, Neav gave a small laugh. "Oh Comet, don't stick peas up your nose!" he said childishly, swinging himself from Mirshann's saddle. "My Lady Maeve!" the boy was so happy he forgot to be shy. "You are so, so lucky to have Mirshann as your friend. I have never met another horse like him, not ever."
((I am curious. Is it really the faerie language that you speak?))
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Post by neav on Sept 18, 2010 21:06:39 GMT -5
These four stallions were not afraid of swords. They had been bred for their strength and courage, trained to fight in wars. Neav had no such training. But he was filled with his ice-cold anger and if stab of fear stuck him at the sight of those swords again, he did not notice. And the knight's sinister smile and the words 'horse meat' only added to that anger. Riding Rising Sun as though he were part of the animal, Neav let the stallion rear again and then dance away. The other three chragers copied the move, taking orders that Neav was not seen to give. It was as though they were trying to drive him backwards, drive him away.
"Go!" Neav cried at the horrible knight. "Go away and never come back or I swear we will kill you!"
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Post by neav on Sept 16, 2010 15:37:06 GMT -5
Neav startled when Maeve spoke to him, and then at once felt foolish. His mind was so quick to be filled with nothing but horses... but she did not look angry at all. Instead she told him that Mirshann meant 'angel' and Neav could not help but smile. It was a perfect name. And then she asked if he wanted to ride him... Neav started at her, eyes wide and disbelieving. She would let him ride her so beautiful stallion? Just a small boy, who she knew from no-where? But it was what Neav wanted more than anything in the world. "Oh please, Lady Maeve," and his whisper was filled with awe. He looked to Comet and Rising Sun. If they came also, he knew they would show of to the white horse in a very annoying way. Neav would have to spent much of his mind keeping them calm. "I... I would rather they stayed with you," he admitted. Normally he would never have dreamed of leaving his precious horses with a stranger... but though he could not explain it, he trusted Maeve with all his childish heart.
So he turned his full attention to Mirshann. First he reached up to the reins, and then knotted them so they would be out of the way. Neav never just climbed onto a new horse. He had always felt, deep inside himself, that this was rude. Only when a horse gave him permission to ride, would he ride. Neav touched Mirshann light on the nose, and he did not move away. Then Neav turned his back on the horse and began to walk without looking back. Mirshann followed. When the boy stopped, so did the horse. When he moved again, Mirshann copied him. It was almost comical, like a little child's game. At last Neav turned to the horse, smiling. He ran his fingers down his neck in little nibbling movements. And then suddenly he was running. The boy ran as fast as his spindly legs would take him and Mirshann cantered by his side. This time when Neav stopped, the white stallion continued to run round him in a perfect circle as though he were attached to a line. Neav turned, always keeping his face towards the horse. He sighed happily. Mirshann moved like a dream.
((Thank you!! But I worry I may be writing too much on this... with horses I go on forever. But I try not too, else you will be bored I am sure.))
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Post by neav on Sept 16, 2010 3:09:06 GMT -5
Neav still would look up at her. He was waiting for her to tell him what she wanted - people did not speak to him unless they wanted something. But when she said that her people would call him Colla, Neav did look up. Stared at her, in fact. What did she mean, her people? She have come from a very long way if her people spoke a different language. How had she come here all on her own? And how could there be a name for him in her language? Why should there be? These questions burned inside him, but he said nothing. Boys got hit for asking such wild questions.
He watched in amazement as she curtsied to him. She curtsy to him! Oh, it was all so strange and he did not understand... she said her name was Maeve, but just Maeve. No 'Princess' or 'Lady' of such-and-such-a-place. And now she was speaking again in that language he did not understand. Neav gasped. He sensed that the white horse, left standing a little away, had heard and answered the call.
"Mirshann..." the boy whispered and the name sounded like angels on his tongue. And he forgot that an important lady stood next to him. He knew only that this was the most beautiful horse he had ever seen in his life. Neav stepped up to the stallion, held out a hand... "You are so beautiful..." he whispered. And then Neav had his forehead pressed against the white stallion's as though they had known each other forever. Behind him, Rising Sun pawed at the ground and Comet tossed his jealous head. Neav was their boy, not this strange stallion's! Neav turned with a laugh that seemed to spill brightness all over his face. He really had forgotten that Lady Maeve was there. "Silly ones," he told them fondly. "Mirshann is not competition for you. He is... different."
((I really hope it is ok that I control your horse a little? If you do not like, just say and I will change it. ))
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Post by neav on Sept 15, 2010 21:14:55 GMT -5
The silence made Neav nervous. Once he risked a glance up at her, saw her gentle smile and stared at his feet once again. Even the two great war-horses stood silent, their heads lowered to Neav's shoulder height, watching the lady with liquid eyes. Neav swallowed, waited for her to say what she wanted. He was stubbornly ignoring the feeling that said I know this lady because he knew it could not possibly be true. It was just his mind playing games.
My child, she said. Neav bit his lip. It would have been easier for him if she haughtily ordered him like everyone else he knew. He was not used to people being so, calling him sweet things like my child. Neav did not know what to say in return. Then she asked his name, and at least that was easy. "My name is Neav, my lady," he told his shoes. "I am stable-boy at the Castle." He added this, because his name did not seem to be enough. It was not even his real name! The stable people had called him 'Neav' when they had found him, because he would not speak to them. And now Neav had long forgotten what he had really been called. Nor did he normally care. A name was just something that people could shout when they wanted you. But he must be in some strange mood today... first thinking he knew this so-beautiful lady and then worrying about his name. As if it mattered.
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Post by neav on Sept 15, 2010 16:09:59 GMT -5
Normally, Neav would have sensed that a horse was so close. But the thrill and freedom of racing had made him unobservant, so it was only now that he knew she was there. Even though he could not see her, he knew she was a mare and that she carried a rider. Neav squinted into the sun, trying to see...
Then out of the white sun-blindness came the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. She walked as if made of water or mist, gliding over the grass with her cloak trailing behind. Neav found himself moving as if in a dream. He slid from Comet's back, though he remained close to the horse's side. Rising Sun took a step forward. Then all three were still, waiting.
And in a dream-like way, Neav felt that he knew her. In a dream-like way he was not afraid, when he was normally afraid of everyone. He stood as if enchanted as she cupped his face with gentle hands, brushed his forehead with her lips. Neav had not understood the words she said. His ice-eyes met herself of endless blue, eyes that you could gaze at for ever and ever and not know a minute had gone by. Why did he feel that he knew her? He would have remembered if he had seen her before. Then a tear ran down her perfect cheek. Why did she cry? Had he done something wrong, something to make her unhappy? Neav's face clouded with worry and he stepped away from her hands.
That movement seemed to break into his dreamy mind. Neav was suddenly so aware of how dirty he must look to one so perfect. His clothes were all frayed at the ends; too obviously they belonged to someone much bigger than him and had been cut down to size. His hair stood in tangled spikes, and he had an ugly, sunset bruise across one cheek. And he smelled of horse. "Can I help you, my lady?" Neav murmured, staring at the ground as a servant should. She was obviously someone very important.
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Post by neav on Sept 14, 2010 15:17:15 GMT -5
Neav gave the smallest of smiles, but a person cannot change their view of themselves all in a moment. As for saving the horses and not just himself, well! They were his herd! Without his herd, he was nothing. There was no point in himself surviving if the rest of them would die. But Neav knew enough not to expect the Prince to understand that. The Prince was a hunter animal, and thought in a very different way. So all it said was, "I did not think at the time. I just saw that monster come alive from the castle... and then we all went. I was not thinking."
And again was another compliment! So many compliments it would last Neav for weeks! The boy grinned. "I am happy you could use me," he said and it was true.
[Argl, not so good a post, I am sorry! My imagination fails me....]
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Post by neav on Sept 14, 2010 15:01:41 GMT -5
Neav's face burned like fire. He wished the man would stop talking about such things! It made him squirm sickly inside. Neav almost preferred the threats against his life than this kind of talk. He kept his eyes down, refusing to speak and hoping that would make this horrible knight thing of something else to say. And though normally Neav would have delighted in hearing someone insult Master Williams, toady the comment bought no smile to his crimson face.
Worried by the discomfort pouring from the boy, Rising Sun nudged his nose against Neav's shoulder. Neav turned a little to reassure him that everything would be fine. It would be fine. The gates were very near now, the guards who lined them watching all who went through. They hardly blinked at Neav and his horses - they saw this sight every day. And there was no reason for them to stop the knight, so all went through unchecked. Neav lead the short way to his usual lunging ground. It was close to the castle wall, but round west and so out of sight of the gate guards. Neav had made this purposely so that he could work on the horses as his chose, without people thinking him strange.
Glancing nervously at the knight, Neav untied the stallions from their string. His heart thudded wildly. He was probably about to do the most daring thing he had ever done in his life... and he was not at all naturally brave. But the life of his horses were at stake, and for them Neav would do anything. He reached for the lunging line wrapped around Rising Sun's neck. But instead of unwinding it, the boy used it to swing himself onto the charger's back. For a moment he sat there, glaring down at the knight with unveiled hatred... and then he loosed the binding in his mind and let his emotions roll free. He is hunter! He is wolf! He is enemy, wicked, evil! He would kill the herd, attack the herd and kill the foals... The effect was instant. Four gentle-seeming stallions suddenly transformed to warriors. They reared, lashing out with their hooves at Neav's command. They would kill this man who was such a threat to their herd!
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Post by neav on Sept 14, 2010 4:00:03 GMT -5
Thank you so much to Arthur for sending me the link so that I could watch this!
You know, I did not notice that Gwen was not in this one very often. But now you said, I see it is true.
I DID notice how horrible Morgana is so suddenly. And wow she is so good a actor! (her character I mean, is so good at pretending to love everyone when she hates them and is killing them. How did she learn to do that? Even she can cry for pretend! This I admire, even if I think it horrible.)
And MERLIN! What his is problem? He supposed to be the best magician that ever lived and he cannot get himself out of some chains? Hmmm.... but really, I do love Merlin. He is so sweet.
But my most most favorite part was when Arthur Pendragon pretends to be Merlin with a sword! So hard, I laugh so hard!!
And one last comment from me... that little boy all covered in water look SO much like my brother when he was younger!! I was WOW it is Matti all wet!! So funny for me, but probably not interesting for you.
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Post by neav on Sept 13, 2010 16:20:56 GMT -5
Again, Neav had to tell himself very firmly that he was not going to die. And who cared, who cared if he was a man or not? If Neav had not been so scared, he would have found this knight so annoying; all his important things were round backwards! And the man only confirmed this thought when he spoke about letting Neav experience tavern "pleasures." The boy blushed fiercely. He knew just what the knight meant. Stable-grooms did not check their talk just because there was a child with them.
But at least Neav did not have to worry about this newest threat. Even if his plan did not work, and the knight still had a hold over him by nightfall, he knew he would never be allowed to go. "I would never be allowed to go," he muttered and began to lead the stallions from their stable. They came peacefully, heads lowered to the height of his shoulder. Normally Neav would have ridden them out without saddle or bridle, but he did not want the knight knowing just how good he was on a horse. Not yet, anyway. And so they began their way through the city, taking the quickest route to the gates. Neav always excericed the horses outside the city because there was no room for it inside.
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Post by neav on Sept 13, 2010 16:07:19 GMT -5
He said everyone had been afraid. Did that mean even himself? Even the Prince of Camelot, champion and protector of the Kingdom who had fought so many evils and won victory every time? Perhaps it was true. Neav did not understand why he wanted to believe that even this so-brave Prince had fear. Maybe it was to do with fairness.
Nor did he know why he clung to Prince Arthur's words as though they could raise the dead. The memory of the horses was so fresh in his mind, he longed for the assurance that they had been needed. That they really had been protector's of the kingdom, in their own ways. It made the loss a little, a very little easier to accept.
Neav scubbed a hand over the back of his eyes. Then he remembered that he had shouted at the Prince, said that he hated him... and it was not true. Now he felt guilty as well as miserable. He lowered his eyes, no longer meeting the Prince's gaze. "I am sorry I shouted," Neav mumbled unhappily to his feet. "I... did not mean it. I don't hate you..." But why did this terrible thing have to happen? It was so unfair.
[Thanks.... it is so nice of you saying. And the same is true for you!]
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Post by neav on Sept 12, 2010 15:17:40 GMT -5
Neav stared at the Prince in surprise. Never once in his short life had someone called him brave. He was teased endless for being weak, being small, being afraid of everyone. He could not know that his ways with horses impressed the grooms when they never said. Could not know that they admired him for the way he calmed a wild and angry horse. For most grown men were too proud to be out-done by a boy. Telling Neav how weak he was, hitting him for the smallest of mistakes, it was their way of keeping themselves powerful.
After a moment Neav noticed that he was staring, and dropped his gaze. Never getting compliments, he was not sure how to take this one. "I was not so brave, my lord..." he mumbled and perhaps the words could not even be heard. But the next comment was even more of a surprise. Not hire him sooner? Neav did not notice the joke and he answered. "Because you had not noticed me. No one notices me because I am not supposed to be noticed." It was said with so much surprise as to mean that Prince Arthur should have realised that. Neav had worked in the stables for nine years already, after all. And yesterday was the first time the Prince had actually noticed him! Though Neav had taken horses from him many times, the Prince had never noticed or remembered.
[Thank you, my lord. It is nice of you to say. ]
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Post by neav on Sept 11, 2010 14:41:57 GMT -5
Neav resisted the urge to pressed his hands over his ears. He did not want to look so childish, so afraid, but he wished the man would stop listing all the terrible ways he could die. Neav knew. Hearing them said aloud only made him feel worse. As the knight was not stopping him, Neav moved away to see to the mares who he had named. He had just reached Sheer Folly when the man asked how old he was. Neav frowned. Why would he want to know that?
"I don't know," the boy answered. And it was the truth. Being found as a tiny child in the forest, people could only guess at his age. "Master Williams thought I would be thirteen this year, but yesterday he said I'm too small for that." What did it matter, anyhow? But when the man continued to say he would join Neav when he exercised the stallions, the boy frowned. "I am lunging them, not riding," and the way he said it was almost rude. For he did not want this man sitting on one of his horses if he could help it. "I am not even taking bridles." Could this horrid man ride without saddle and bridle? Neav doubted it.
The boy finished with the mares in the quickest time and went to fetch the lunging line. He wound it round the patient neck of Rising Sun and then strung all four stallions together with their halter ropes. Neav did not need this precaution to keep in control of them, but people shouted at him if he did not do it.
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Post by neav on Sept 10, 2010 22:14:32 GMT -5
Neav gazed hopelessly, helplessly up at the knight. The plan would not be changed. A whole standing of guards would be killed and it would be his fault. Though Neav was not half to wild about this as thinking of the death of his horses, it was still a terrible thing. Accomplice-to-murder. That was what the man said, and that was what he would be. If it had not been so dreadful, it would have been almost funny; Neav had three different ways to die in one morning! He felt numb all over. If he told on this man, both the horses and himself would die. If he let him kill the guards, he would die. If he let him escape with the horses... he would die.
The boy took a step back as the knight moved forward and found himself pressed against Tempest. That gave him comfort. He would not die for this. Not once, not three times! He would have to be very fast, very clever and use the trickiest horsemanship he knew... but he would do it because he had too. "The penalty for any part in a murder is death," Neav answered dully. Though he did suspect the knight knew that, he was so afraid to give no answer. Then he began to edge away. "I have to see to Sheer Folly, Gillyflower, Fair Chance and Embers," he whispered, naming several more horses. "And then I have to take these four outside for running." Because the stallions were all so strong they had to be run hard day to keep their spirits in check.
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Post by neav on Sept 10, 2010 3:30:25 GMT -5
the noble steed I ride upon is fleeter than the wind with silver he is shod before with burning gold behind
Morning dawned sharp, clear and cloudless. The sun blinked her sleepy eyes. Light scattering from her lashes to catch the dew and make it gleam like gold. She wore her best morning-colours of saffron and rose pink and the birds called their joy for seeing her again. The sun smiled down at them.
And another face smiled up at her. Neav, the little dark-haired stable boy had stopped watching his horses for a moment to watch the sun. But only for a moment. Neav was not mounted, but stood in the dewy grass with two stallions circling round him. Their circle and stride were perfect as they raced shoulder to shoulder and Neav turned with them as if he held an invisible rope to their necks. They were two Prince Arthur's special horses and not long given in Neav's care. The dark one was Comet and the bright bay Rising Sun.
The Camelot Jousting Tournament was coming close and so both must be exercised hard. Early morning was Neav's favourite time for this task. He could take the horses out without saddle or bridle and no one was around to think him strange or tell him 'no'. Neav held up a palm and the stallions skidded to a halt. The boy ran to Comet and scrambled onto his back. For a small boy to mount a warhorse it really was a scramble! But once he was up he looked as though he were born to be there. He nudged Comet into a run. Rising Sun raced at their side, dark mane streaming. They galloped and danced, Neav laughing in delight. He was as free as the wind!
Suddenly he felt a shift in Comet's attention. They slowed to a walk. Neav thought he saw someone, a silhouette on the hill... certainly Comet was interested that way. But the boy was squinting into the sun and could not be sure.
Timeline: a few days before the jousting tournament in season 2, episode 2 Place: the grassy lands surrounding Camelot City Tags: Meave
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Post by neav on Sept 9, 2010 17:28:29 GMT -5
Working their last shift? It took the moment for Neav to realise the meaning to these words. Then the blood drained from his face, leaving him death pale. He shuddered. The man meant to kill the guards! This situation was getting worse and only worse. As the man continued to speak, explaining just how he would do it, Neav nervously chewed his lips. He was a so-gentle person and hated talk of killing...
Suddenly the man had two swords in his hands, cutting them through the air. Neav smothered a scream, terrified for the safety of his horses. Almost at the same moment, all four stallions reared as far as their ties would let them. The stables echoed with horse-screams and curses from grooms further down. Of course it was not the swords that made the animals react. They were trained war-horses and so used to swords. It was Neav's fear, again catching and infecting them. The boy fought to control himself. He felt sick. He calmed the stallions with him and the stables fell silent again.
Neav swallowed. He did not really know the gate-guards, but that did not mean he wanted them to die! He had to think of something. "I have - have to -" he was having trouble making his voice work again. Neav drew a shuddering breath. "I have to take these out for exercise. If - if I take Rising Sun out... in daytime... they wont -wont stop me. The guards. You don't have to kill them!" And his eyes were as pleading as a puppy's.
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Post by neav on Sept 8, 2010 15:58:25 GMT -5
Neav grinned as the Prince went to stroke Azrael. The dapple stallion stretched his lower lip in a horse-smile, loving the attention. Using his last halter on Embers, Neav then realised that he did not have enough for Fair Chance or Redberry. Well. That was alright. Fair Chance would do anything he asked and it was the same for old Redberry... so he knew they would stand where he told them.
Neav beckoned both mares and they followed him at once, their heads at his shoulders. When he placed them either side of Sheer Folly, they stood just as if they were tied. Neav grinned and scratched Chance at the base of her mane in the way that she loved. Then the Prince spoke and Neav was surprised. He had almost forgotten that he was there. And because Neav was not a people-reader, he did not guess the feelings behind the casual words. Perhaps he might have if he knew the death-count, but he did not. So he only said, "It is enough that you defeated them at all. They were horrible monsters! I think you are very courageous." Neav did not mean it for flattery. It was simply what he thought to be true. He decided then that Prince Arthur was the bravest person he knew. Already he was forgetting how afraid he had been of him yesterday. And while he was still afraid of him - Neav was scared of almost everyone - he no longer thought him the scariest person he knew.
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Post by neav on Sept 7, 2010 22:38:28 GMT -5
Neav clenched his teeth and fists as the Prince admitted to his failings. Said that he would not punish him, because he knew that all the deaths were his own fault. Neav did not know what it cost the Prince to say such a thing. He did not see the emotions raging behind those solemn eyes. All he knew was that his friends were dead and he wanted to hurt the person responsible. Neav did not guess how much the Prince must be hurting already.
Neav raised his skinny arms, fists doubled as if to attack. Though any attack would have been pointless, even pitiful; him so small and the Prince so strong and trained for fighting. But Neav did not care. He wanted to hurt him like his lovely friends had been hurt! Then the gentle words of caring for those who remained eased their way into his mind. For a moment Neav still glared like a ragged wolf wanting to kill... then a kind of shudder went through him and his arms dropped useless to his sides. The Prince was right. If Neav got himself killed.... Young Gillyflower still bolted when she did not like her rider. If Neav did not teach her no, she would be sold. Hemlock was expecting a foal and Sheer Folly was lame - the reason why that courageous mare had not been ridden out. Those who had died had their dreadful moment of pain, but for them it was over. Neav had not right to feel sorrow for them now. And if the sorrow was for his own pain then it was nothing but selfishness. He had shouted at the Prince who he had come to like working for... just for selfishness?
His eyes filled with fresh tears, drowning the anger. "They were so scared," Neav whispered. "So afraid but they did not bolt... not a single one of them. They kept the tight group and then circled out like they were asked..." not realising that he knew far more about the battle than he should have. Neav bit his lip. "Could you have done and killed that dragon without them?" And suddenly he really needed to know that. Suddenly it really mattered that Rising Sun and Comet, Falcon, Willow, Embers, Rillian and Hero, Castor, Shadow, Paprika... that they had a reason to die. Sometimes a stallion died fighting to protect his herd. If these had died for protecting all the other horses in the stables, that would be something Neav could understand.
((It is ok. I like to read it! Sorry my one before was so short! It was my worst post for a while, I think...))
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