As soon as Wrathion sent his confirmation, Anduin is bundling himself up for an outing as well. He's tied his hair back from his face with a bit of leather cord, though of course a few strands are already escaping in the wind by the time he makes his way down to meet Wrathion by the shore.
He smiles in greeting, reaching a hand up to do his best to tuck his hair out of his eyes, doing his best to hide his curiosity as he does.
"It seems quiet enough out here," he remarks. "I would almost call it scenic, if I didn't know any better."
Wrathion turns from watching the mermaids, who are indeed starting to quiet in last few hours of the day, and considers Anduin. The sunset picks up the blond of his hair, the half-light giving him a sort of ethereal glow.
He's starting to settle into this place, to Wrathion's eye. To adjust to this role where he isn't a king, a leader of the Alliance. Wrathion cannot decide if that's good or bad.
"Do you find the ocean reassuring?"
Stormwind City is, after all, coastal. Perhaps the sound of it is in some way relaxing for Anduin, despite the deadly issue of the the creatures in it.
Anduin turns towards the sea at that question, light blue eyes scanning out over the breaking waves.
"I suppose I would find the ocean here more reassuring if I did not understand what lay beneath it," he replies, after a moment's thought. "But... I suppose that I do."
He turns back towards Wrathion, offering him a self-conscious smile.
"It is familiar," he offers. "The salt in the air, the smell of it. The sound of the waves... It is good to know that some things never change, no matter how different this world may be."
There is something in that, he supposes. He glances out at the waves again, trying to see them from that perspective.
The ocean breeze induces a mixed sensation in him. A vague sense of unease at the knowledge that the Merchant's ship will need to cross this, to take them wherever they go next, and an overpowering urge to unfurl into his true shape and just fly over it. To feel the wind under his wings. To fly over the mermaids where they couldn't reach him and rain down fire on any who risked lifting their heads above the water.
He turns back, again, closes the distance between them a few steps.
"I've had concerns about relying on the Merchant and his means of communication."
To the point, then. He did ask Anduin out here for a reason.
Anduin turns back to Wrathion as he steps forward towards him, raising his eyebrows inquisitively -- an expression that shadows slightly at the mention of the Merchant.
Anduin has been concerned about the man himself, in his own ways, from almost the moment he had set foot in this land. He has a mind that this is all some part of a grand scheme of his, and that he has likely ruined some piece of it, when he had not done as he was told in murdering Rigarda. That this trip through Ellethia may also have something to do with it in turn. As if it's meant to be some sort of lesson... All of it makes Anduin uncomfortable to think about, if he's being honest with himself.
"Yes," Anduin says, a frown beginning to shape itself on his face. "It is perhaps safest to assume that no communications across that network are truly private."
"We cannot be sure, but the possibility is dangerous enough. That, and it means it could taken away from us. I'd like us to have an alternative, an emergency option -- if you're agreed."
He sees no reason Anduin would disagree, but all the same -- a primary criticism of him has been making decisions without consulting others. He may have... already been working on this without consulting Anduin, admittedly yes, but he can still ask his agreement before foisting the whole thing upon him. it is the thought that counts, surely?
Anduin cocks his head at Wrathion slightly, wondering what this is all about. He had said that he had something for him. But surely... Then again, Wrathion is full of surprises, so Anduin should know not to assume anything.
"It would be a comfort to have such an option," Anduin agrees, "Should an emergency arise. Knowing this place..."
Wrathion reaches for his gloves and takes one off, then reaches for the small dagger at his belt. He glances over the Prince, thoughtful, then before Anduin has a chance to question what he's doing makes a small cut in his thumb and reaches out to smear a streak of blood over Anduin's forehead. It burns to the touch, rapidly sinking into the pale skin and fading to the dull ache of lightly scalded skin.
"It's not visible," he adds, sticking his thumb in his mouth a moment to try and stem the bleeding. No need for Anduin to flail about trying to wipe the smear of blood off his forehead.
Anduin watches with curiosity as Wrathion removes his glove, not understanding what the dragon is doing until Wrathion is suddenly slicing at his thumb and--
The smear of Wrathion's thumb against his forehead burns and Anduin flinches in surprise at both the sensation and the touch itself. Had Wrathion just...? He lifts a hand up to the spot regardless of what Wrathion says, although it's true his glove comes away clean.
"What--" Anduin says, expression pinching in confusion. "Did you just -- not visible?" He shakes his head, collecting himself so that he can at least speak in a full sentence. "Was that your blood?"
Wrathion releases his thumb from his mouth, inspecting it to see if blood is still welling up.
"It was," he admits, tongue running over his teeth as if to get rid of any excess. "I have forged a temporary connection between us to demonstrate the concept. The link will allow me to communicate with you, and I believe it should allow you to contact me in turn."
The concept of an alternative, emergency means of communication that is. Anduin had, after all, agreed that he would find such a thing comforting. Obviously smearing blood on him repeatedly would be less than ideal, but this is just a test -- if it is approved then they can move on to the next phase of things.
Anduin opens his mouth to protest further -- but closes it again after a moment. If this is another way that they can communicate with each other, other than with the communication devices that the Merchant had given them, then it is important that Wrathion continue here. Even if the means of establishing such a communication method are perhaps a bit... rough.
"How does it work?" Anduin asks, forcing himself to approach this at a more logical angle. "This link?"
"My blood forms the basis of it. There's enough magic in to allow me to open a connection to you. If you can feel out its presence, I believe you should be able to use it in turn."
He tilts his head thoughtfully, frowning in concentration as he focuses on reaching out with it.
Not your preferred type of spellcasting, I know.
Wrathion's voice manifests itself in Anduin's head, all warmly amused, but his expression is still fixed in a thoughtful frown of concentration -- lips firmly pressed together, not moving.
Yet not beyond you, I think. Didn't you once mind control some SI:7 agents?
Anduin's cheeks color softly at the mention of it. And, if he's being perfectly honest with himself, the echo of Wrathion's voice in his head...
He tries to think of what Wrathion has shared about the theory behind the link. A connection formed between them, through the magic in Wrathion's blood. It feels oddly intimate, though Anduin can't be sure whether that has to do with the echoes of Wrathion's voice in his mind or not. If it is a connection between the pair of them though, that means that -- it is supposed to work both ways?
Anduin pulls his bottom lip between his teeth, biting it in concentration, a frown creasing his own features as he thinks very hard at Wrathion. It feels slightly foolish but soon enough, he's figured it out himself.
I was fifteen.
Anduin's lips twitch.
And they were trying to keep me from my studies so frankly, they had it coming.
One way of referring to Anduin's explorations, he supposes.
"You seem to be getting the hang of it," he observes, sheathing his dagger again. He hadn't expected Anduin to struggle, but there's still pleasure in it -- and pleasure in seeming him flush under the tease too. It feels as if the both of them are always in fraught situations, rarely able to simply relax. "This will wear off, but I can press the enchantment into something else for you to use. I'll have to... refresh it, on occasion, but it will do for emergencies."
Not an entire replacement for what they have, but still something if Anduin loses their communication pendants -- or needs Wrathion's attention more directly with something he cannot use them for.
Anduin is somewhat relieved to hear that Wrathion won't have to keep applying this blood magic directly to his skin. Not that he would mind terribly if that is how it did work, but. He does have to wonder whether it would have some sort of an effect on him, after a while. To enchant an object though...
Anduin unconsciously raises a hand to press against his chest, over his mother's locket where it rests against his skin under the layers of his clothing. A small frown passes over his expression, before he glances up to Wrathion, a question in his eyes.
"You... Have something in mind?" he asks. Wrathion had said he had something for him. Was it the enchantment, or an item itself?
"I did. I assume blue is your preferred colour, but correct me if I'm wrong."
Wrathion digs into his pockets and draws out a small purse, loosening the tie around it. From inside, he tips out a small collection of different gems -- not all of which are blue.
"You'll have to tell me how you'd prefer to wear it. My crafting supplies are somewhat limited, but I will of course do my best."
Even with limited supplies, Wrathion wouldn't give Anduin something ugly.
Anduin peers down at the purse that Wrathion has tipped out into his hand, eyes widening in surprise at its contents. Gemstones. Of course, Wrathion could enchant the stone and Anduin could wear it, inconspicuously. In a piece of jewelry, perhaps?
The idea of it sends a little burst of warmth through Anduin. He has carried around his mother's locket, his father's compass, for some time now. To have something Wrathion has made for him -- even if it is for this purpose...
"It... Is my color, so I have been told," he says, flicking a pair of self-conscious blue eyes up to Wrathion, along with a tentative smile. "I think... If you made another pendant, it might perhaps be a bit too close to that of those the Merchant has given us. But perhaps..." Another moment's thought, before tentatively, "A ring? Not the most practical thing in a fight, to be sure, but. Maybe. I could wear it on a chain, when needed? Or." He pauses to give it another moment's thought, moving to hold out his own hand in consideration. "Maybe something... I could wear around my wrist?"
Edited (anduin can't make up his mind either) 2022-01-29 21:46 (UTC)
"A ring on a chain is a pendant," Wrathion points out wryly, but he drops his eyes back to the gemstones -- picking through them thoughtfully and examining the choices.
"Wrist could work, I could make something you could hide underneath your sleeves. Inconspicuous. The clasp will have to be secure so you don't lose it, of course."
He picks up one of the blue gems, glancing between it and Anduin thoughtfully. Anduin's eyes are a pale blue, unlike the vivid colour of his Alliance banners. Not that anyone but the two of them will be examining it, but it is a consideration.
Anduin's lips curl up with amusement as Wrathion considers the gem, another self-conscious flush spreading across his cheeks at Wrathion's tease. Wrathion has always been better at these things than he, more aware of his own appearance and how to dress in general. In retrospect, Anduin has to wonder how he acquired such skills or whether they simply come naturally to him, being an attractive person. Anduin has always struggled with such things, himself.
"Yes, of course," he replies. "Under my sleeves, so I don't -- lose it in a glove or. Get it caught on something."
He watches Wrathion with a moment of fascination before asking, "How... Does it work, then? I mean. We've demonstrated it now but. Are there -- limitations? If you should be across the city...?" Not that he knows exactly where they are headed next, but. The question stands.
"We'll need to test that. The limit is normally quite generous when applied directly, but I've never imbued these properties into a gem before -- nor worked with... gems of these type, or limited tools."
They may behave differently, to their benefit or.... detriment. Time will tell. He drops the gem back into his palm, begins pouring them back into the small purse.
"Mmm," Anduin hums in agreement. "Once you have constructed something, we should probably determine at least something of this? If we are relying on the gem in cases of emergency, that is."
He glances up at Wrathion, searching his face for a long moment of thought before he continues, "It works both ways, of course. I will be wearing the jewel, but if you should need to contact me in any emergency situation... You will, yes?"
He knows Wrathion, of course. Better than most. He understands all too clearly how he might not want to reach out for help. He's done it before...
If Wrathion was going to ask anyone for help, Anduin Wrynn would be top of the list. He secures the purse strings once more, secrets it away within his pockets and studies Anduin thoughtfully.
"You are... well, I hope?"
Just checking. Anduin has spent a great deal of time recently fussing over him, but he is certainly the type to not care for himself if he needed it.
The question startles Anduin slightly, his blue eyes widening in surprise. It isn't that he's surprised that Wrathion cares, just that -- well. He isn't exactly in the practice of asking such things, or talking about them at all, if he can help it.
Anduin's kneejerk reaction is to respond the way he normally would if someone else would ask. Of course! He's fine. Of course he is fine. He's spent enough time chiding Wrathion about telling him the truth in the last while that he can hardly turn around and not do the same.
He turns to look out towards the ocean for a long moment, gathering his thoughts.
"I... Can't help but think that the Merchant brought us here for a reason," Anduin says at last.
"It was intended as a lesson, since he believed us indifferent to the stakes."
Wrathion turns his gaze back out toward the sea, thoughtful.
"Would you have acted differently? Having seen this."
Would he have killed Rigarda, instead of handing her over? Does the sight of what the undead here are capable of change anything for Anduin? Surely he is quite aware of the consequences. The scourge, Sylvanas Windrunner and her use of Blight -- they are all things known within Azeroth. Yet perhaps seeing it here is different, seeing it is not better than they feared. Not perhaps some mild uprising, but true destruction.
Anduin is quiet for a long moment, pale blue eyes focused out towards the breaking waves.
"You advised me, back then, that Taravast is not Stormwind," he says at last. "Walking the streets of Ellethia, I... Found it difficult not to draw comparisons. To think of Lordaeron... Everything that happened there once, long ago. And not so long ago, at that." He takes in a breath, letting it out slowly. "Sylvanas proved herself capable of using the Blight against her own capital city. I have no doubt that she would not hesitate to use it against Stormwind, if given half the chance."
He turns back towards Wrathion. "I have seen cities raised to the ground before. Just because I will not blindly follow the instructions of a man whose first order is one of murder… It does not mean that I am indifferent to their plight."
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He smiles in greeting, reaching a hand up to do his best to tuck his hair out of his eyes, doing his best to hide his curiosity as he does.
"It seems quiet enough out here," he remarks. "I would almost call it scenic, if I didn't know any better."
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He's starting to settle into this place, to Wrathion's eye. To adjust to this role where he isn't a king, a leader of the Alliance. Wrathion cannot decide if that's good or bad.
"Do you find the ocean reassuring?"
Stormwind City is, after all, coastal. Perhaps the sound of it is in some way relaxing for Anduin, despite the deadly issue of the the creatures in it.
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"I suppose I would find the ocean here more reassuring if I did not understand what lay beneath it," he replies, after a moment's thought. "But... I suppose that I do."
He turns back towards Wrathion, offering him a self-conscious smile.
"It is familiar," he offers. "The salt in the air, the smell of it. The sound of the waves... It is good to know that some things never change, no matter how different this world may be."
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There is something in that, he supposes. He glances out at the waves again, trying to see them from that perspective.
The ocean breeze induces a mixed sensation in him. A vague sense of unease at the knowledge that the Merchant's ship will need to cross this, to take them wherever they go next, and an overpowering urge to unfurl into his true shape and just fly over it. To feel the wind under his wings. To fly over the mermaids where they couldn't reach him and rain down fire on any who risked lifting their heads above the water.
He turns back, again, closes the distance between them a few steps.
"I've had concerns about relying on the Merchant and his means of communication."
To the point, then. He did ask Anduin out here for a reason.
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Anduin has been concerned about the man himself, in his own ways, from almost the moment he had set foot in this land. He has a mind that this is all some part of a grand scheme of his, and that he has likely ruined some piece of it, when he had not done as he was told in murdering Rigarda. That this trip through Ellethia may also have something to do with it in turn. As if it's meant to be some sort of lesson... All of it makes Anduin uncomfortable to think about, if he's being honest with himself.
"Yes," Anduin says, a frown beginning to shape itself on his face. "It is perhaps safest to assume that no communications across that network are truly private."
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He sees no reason Anduin would disagree, but all the same -- a primary criticism of him has been making decisions without consulting others. He may have... already been working on this without consulting Anduin, admittedly yes, but he can still ask his agreement before foisting the whole thing upon him. it is the thought that counts, surely?
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Anduin cocks his head at Wrathion slightly, wondering what this is all about. He had said that he had something for him. But surely... Then again, Wrathion is full of surprises, so Anduin should know not to assume anything.
"It would be a comfort to have such an option," Anduin agrees, "Should an emergency arise. Knowing this place..."
It is likely it will, sooner rather than later.
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Wrathion reaches for his gloves and takes one off, then reaches for the small dagger at his belt. He glances over the Prince, thoughtful, then before Anduin has a chance to question what he's doing makes a small cut in his thumb and reaches out to smear a streak of blood over Anduin's forehead. It burns to the touch, rapidly sinking into the pale skin and fading to the dull ache of lightly scalded skin.
"It's not visible," he adds, sticking his thumb in his mouth a moment to try and stem the bleeding. No need for Anduin to flail about trying to wipe the smear of blood off his forehead.
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The smear of Wrathion's thumb against his forehead burns and Anduin flinches in surprise at both the sensation and the touch itself. Had Wrathion just...? He lifts a hand up to the spot regardless of what Wrathion says, although it's true his glove comes away clean.
"What--" Anduin says, expression pinching in confusion. "Did you just -- not visible?" He shakes his head, collecting himself so that he can at least speak in a full sentence. "Was that your blood?"
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"It was," he admits, tongue running over his teeth as if to get rid of any excess. "I have forged a temporary connection between us to demonstrate the concept. The link will allow me to communicate with you, and I believe it should allow you to contact me in turn."
The concept of an alternative, emergency means of communication that is. Anduin had, after all, agreed that he would find such a thing comforting. Obviously smearing blood on him repeatedly would be less than ideal, but this is just a test -- if it is approved then they can move on to the next phase of things.
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"How does it work?" Anduin asks, forcing himself to approach this at a more logical angle. "This link?"
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He tilts his head thoughtfully, frowning in concentration as he focuses on reaching out with it.
Not your preferred type of spellcasting, I know.
Wrathion's voice manifests itself in Anduin's head, all warmly amused, but his expression is still fixed in a thoughtful frown of concentration -- lips firmly pressed together, not moving.
Yet not beyond you, I think. Didn't you once mind control some SI:7 agents?
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He tries to think of what Wrathion has shared about the theory behind the link. A connection formed between them, through the magic in Wrathion's blood. It feels oddly intimate, though Anduin can't be sure whether that has to do with the echoes of Wrathion's voice in his mind or not. If it is a connection between the pair of them though, that means that -- it is supposed to work both ways?
Anduin pulls his bottom lip between his teeth, biting it in concentration, a frown creasing his own features as he thinks very hard at Wrathion. It feels slightly foolish but soon enough, he's figured it out himself.
I was fifteen.
Anduin's lips twitch.
And they were trying to keep me from my studies so frankly, they had it coming.
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One way of referring to Anduin's explorations, he supposes.
"You seem to be getting the hang of it," he observes, sheathing his dagger again. He hadn't expected Anduin to struggle, but there's still pleasure in it -- and pleasure in seeming him flush under the tease too. It feels as if the both of them are always in fraught situations, rarely able to simply relax. "This will wear off, but I can press the enchantment into something else for you to use. I'll have to... refresh it, on occasion, but it will do for emergencies."
Not an entire replacement for what they have, but still something if Anduin loses their communication pendants -- or needs Wrathion's attention more directly with something he cannot use them for.
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Anduin unconsciously raises a hand to press against his chest, over his mother's locket where it rests against his skin under the layers of his clothing. A small frown passes over his expression, before he glances up to Wrathion, a question in his eyes.
"You... Have something in mind?" he asks. Wrathion had said he had something for him. Was it the enchantment, or an item itself?
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Wrathion digs into his pockets and draws out a small purse, loosening the tie around it. From inside, he tips out a small collection of different gems -- not all of which are blue.
"You'll have to tell me how you'd prefer to wear it. My crafting supplies are somewhat limited, but I will of course do my best."
Even with limited supplies, Wrathion wouldn't give Anduin something ugly.
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The idea of it sends a little burst of warmth through Anduin. He has carried around his mother's locket, his father's compass, for some time now. To have something Wrathion has made for him -- even if it is for this purpose...
"It... Is my color, so I have been told," he says, flicking a pair of self-conscious blue eyes up to Wrathion, along with a tentative smile. "I think... If you made another pendant, it might perhaps be a bit too close to that of those the Merchant has given us. But perhaps..." Another moment's thought, before tentatively, "A ring? Not the most practical thing in a fight, to be sure, but. Maybe. I could wear it on a chain, when needed? Or." He pauses to give it another moment's thought, moving to hold out his own hand in consideration. "Maybe something... I could wear around my wrist?"
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"Wrist could work, I could make something you could hide underneath your sleeves. Inconspicuous. The clasp will have to be secure so you don't lose it, of course."
He picks up one of the blue gems, glancing between it and Anduin thoughtfully. Anduin's eyes are a pale blue, unlike the vivid colour of his Alliance banners. Not that anyone but the two of them will be examining it, but it is a consideration.
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"Yes, of course," he replies. "Under my sleeves, so I don't -- lose it in a glove or. Get it caught on something."
He watches Wrathion with a moment of fascination before asking, "How... Does it work, then? I mean. We've demonstrated it now but. Are there -- limitations? If you should be across the city...?" Not that he knows exactly where they are headed next, but. The question stands.
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They may behave differently, to their benefit or.... detriment. Time will tell. He drops the gem back into his palm, begins pouring them back into the small purse.
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He glances up at Wrathion, searching his face for a long moment of thought before he continues, "It works both ways, of course. I will be wearing the jewel, but if you should need to contact me in any emergency situation... You will, yes?"
He knows Wrathion, of course. Better than most. He understands all too clearly how he might not want to reach out for help. He's done it before...
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If Wrathion was going to ask anyone for help, Anduin Wrynn would be top of the list. He secures the purse strings once more, secrets it away within his pockets and studies Anduin thoughtfully.
"You are... well, I hope?"
Just checking. Anduin has spent a great deal of time recently fussing over him, but he is certainly the type to not care for himself if he needed it.
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Anduin's kneejerk reaction is to respond the way he normally would if someone else would ask. Of course! He's fine. Of course he is fine. He's spent enough time chiding Wrathion about telling him the truth in the last while that he can hardly turn around and not do the same.
He turns to look out towards the ocean for a long moment, gathering his thoughts.
"I... Can't help but think that the Merchant brought us here for a reason," Anduin says at last.
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Wrathion turns his gaze back out toward the sea, thoughtful.
"Would you have acted differently? Having seen this."
Would he have killed Rigarda, instead of handing her over? Does the sight of what the undead here are capable of change anything for Anduin? Surely he is quite aware of the consequences. The scourge, Sylvanas Windrunner and her use of Blight -- they are all things known within Azeroth. Yet perhaps seeing it here is different, seeing it is not better than they feared. Not perhaps some mild uprising, but true destruction.
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Anduin is quiet for a long moment, pale blue eyes focused out towards the breaking waves.
"You advised me, back then, that Taravast is not Stormwind," he says at last. "Walking the streets of Ellethia, I... Found it difficult not to draw comparisons. To think of Lordaeron... Everything that happened there once, long ago. And not so long ago, at that." He takes in a breath, letting it out slowly. "Sylvanas proved herself capable of using the Blight against her own capital city. I have no doubt that she would not hesitate to use it against Stormwind, if given half the chance."
He turns back towards Wrathion. "I have seen cities raised to the ground before. Just because I will not blindly follow the instructions of a man whose first order is one of murder… It does not mean that I am indifferent to their plight."
Rather the opposite, in fact.
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