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Post by D a R K - R a H on Oct 12, 2008 14:17:48 GMT -5
All of the following should join this thread:
Beestripe and Goldenwing (assisting Brownspot)
Rootpaw, Bearpaw, Cinderpaw, Cometpaw, and Dreampaw B R O W N S P O T;;
________________________________________________________ A strange, sharp bite had started to enter the air. Brownspot tilted his ears backwards, disliking the feeling of his nose tingling. Leaf-fall had begun. The large warrior didn't like the thought that Leafbare would be upon them soon, almost as much as he disliked the thought of his kits cold in their den. He shook those thoughts away, knowing there was no way the nursery would ever get cold. Not only would Gryffinwing's body heat keep away any chilly draft, Brownspot himself would sometimes sleep in there, his back against the entrance.
Frowning to himself, the rich-furred tom padded his way from RavineClan's camp. His tail flicked back and forth easily, as if dancing to a silent tune. A bird swooped above his head, and Brownspot resisted the urge to leap after it playfully. Nope, today he had a job to fulfill. RavineClan was short on warriors. One by one, their numbers had begun to drop again. It was time some of the apprentices saw their warrior ceremonies. One ear twitched again as he considered how even their number of apprentices had dropped. First Cinderpaw's brother Talonpaw, then Waterpaw, too. Brownspot didn't like the fact that it would still be another six moons before the clan had any new apprentices, even if it would be five at once. Rootpaw was due to become a warrior any day; Bearpaw, Cinderpaw, and Cometpaw had only a few more moons. The ceremony that made his kits apprentices could very well be the same that made Dreampaw a warrior...
In the last moon, RavineClan's days had become lazy. Sure, the apprentices went out and trained, but that was most of the day's actions. If the apprentices spent the day hunting, a single hunting party could help the apprentices feed the entire clan. There were the usual daily patrols, but the often consisted of only two or three cats. Even on days when the apprentices were battle training, two hunting patrols fed the entire camp.
Brownspot sighed to himself. He was constantly pondering the clan's predicament. They had only a single queen. How could they possibly expect Gryffinwing alone to fix RavineClan's size problem? He sort of hoped Northwind might have a second litter, but he somehow didn't think she and Tallstone were on good enough terms to have another litter. That left Goldenwing, who had no mate, Phantomsun, who was busy being deputy, and Cometpaw who would soon enough see her warrior ceremony. But Cometpaw was pretty much the farthest thing from a nursing queen. Brownspot could not see her satisfied to sit in the nursery all hours of the day, watching kits. She would want to be out patrolling or hunting. And Brownspot strongly disliked the idea of another queen raising her kits.
He shook his head once more, glad that he'd have something to do that would keep him mind off such ponderings. He came to a slow halt, finding himself in the little clearing where the apprentices trained with their mentors. Today, Brownspot would be evaluating their hunting skills. Rainstar wanted a pretty close estimate of how much longer each apprentice would need to train. Brownspot's biggest worry was that Rootpaw wasn't entirely ready and he'd have to be held back until the middle three apprentices were ready. But, on top of that, he worried Bearpaw's training would be visibly behind Cometpaw and Cinderpaw's... Sure, Bearpaw was down an eye, but he was still an intelligent apprentice. It would pain Brownspot to see his apprentice fall behind his sister.
Glancing upward, the large warrior sent a silent prayer to StarClan that all of his worries would be sorted out in the coming moon... How was he to know they'd only grow? It seems I've stepped over the lines
you've drawn again and again
But if ecstasy's in,
The wit is definitely out.
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Post by __ S K Y E on Oct 12, 2008 15:35:30 GMT -5
absence is to love what wind is to fire...
[/color]   
...it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.[/color] [/center]
___ Dappled shadows danced upon the soft soil underpaw, the dark shapes contorting themselves as the leaves that projected them waved gently in the greenleaf breeze. Sounds of the forest hung in the thick warm air, the rush of the river bordering RavineClan's territory crashing in the far-off distance. The arms of ferns nestled in the undergrowth twitched as a traveling mouse brushed past the stalks, ducking quickly into a hole before it drew attention upon itself.
A young tabby pranced soundlessly after the older cat, a happy smile dancing across his maw. Today was his assessment! Although Cinderpaw very well understood that it would be a couple of moons before he could really succeed, really feel the freedom, feel the wind brush through his fur and the sun beat down on his slightly smaller frame, the fact that he was growing older - maturing enough to have others respect him enough to let him hunt by himself - sent a shiver of excitement up his spine. He grinned foolishly, unable to keep the joy of the day back.
Unlike Brownspot, however, when the butterfly fluttered above their heads, the young apprentice let out a gleeful laugh - soft enough to not disturb any hiding prey, but just enough to express his newly found mirth - before pouncing after it, milky paws dancing in the air. Then he flopped back on his paws - doing a spin in the air and bearing a irresistible, boyish smile he turned to Cometpaw with a laughing wink.
His eyes opened, wide with excitement and laughter, to watch her again, but then the realization came to him like a tornado, smacking him in the fast. They weren't friends anymore - but then again, when had they ever been - just because of his stupid mistake all those days back. A sigh ripped from his throat, an inaudible but clearly mournful sound, and he turned back, hard emerald pools trained on the events of today. He remembered coming home, wet and dirty and scratched, to see his oh-too-obsessive mother yelling at sweet, innocent Cometpaw.
His throat tightened. Why did he - and his family this time - have to ruin everything?
Training his eyes on his paws, a frown began to crease his features. Speaking of his family, what had happened to his parents? Recently he hadn't seen them together as they always were. Ever since he could remember - and his memory could span the time of his tinest kithood days when he laid curled up beside his mother to the heart-racing moments when he and Cometkit would get each other riled up, pull each other's strings in racing arguments, both purposely trying to hurt the other - they had always been together, happy too. Sure, his dad always seemed to be more enthusiastic in the pairing, quiet and reasonable but still happy. Northwind was with her mate mostly too - though she didn't really have much of a choice, with the way Tallstone clung to her like she was his life support - and although she didn't so much emotion, couldn't even look her mate in the eye and talk reasonably with him, Cinderpaw was quite confident that his parents were still happy.
Happy enough to convince him that even without Talonpaw, he could be happy too.
So submersed in his thoughts of his parents and their troubles, Cinderpaw hadn't been paying attention to his surroundings -- and so, this including a rock which, incidently trapped an unsuspecting apprentice. With a muffled scream, the tom flung forward and sprung into the dirt, his shoulder coming in direct contact with the ground with a soft thump.
He blinked once and then twice, shaking the dirt out of his face. Then: Ow.
The only guy that deserves you, is the one that thinks he doesn’t.
The one that’ll stick by your side, no matter how much you mess up
And the one who will forgive you, mistake after mistake.
[/color] comments;; dun worry, he's not hurt. Just dazed. (the post's a bit short too. ;3)
status;; fini
word count;; 627[/size][/blockquote][/color][/blockquote] |
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Post by Stormeh on Oct 12, 2008 17:02:24 GMT -5
GOLDENWING STRETCHED. TODAY WOULD BE a long day, that was for sure. The patrol that she had gone on yesterday had worn her out and she had allowed herself some extra sleep to make up for it.
It definitely helped.
Something had been prodding at the back of her mind, but she couldn't remember what it was that she felt that she needed to remember. Wait...remember? How redundant! She had been overloading herself with things to do to prove her loyalty. What better way than to serve her Clan the best she could? Not that any cat had a right to question her loyalty, mind you; she may have been one of RavineClan's most loyal warriors. The bond to her Clan was strengthened with her somewhat-known secret.
The mostly-golden tortoiseshell padded from the warriors' den and stopped to pick out a piece of fresh-kill, though she was surprised when she found that there wasn't much to be found. Slightly perturbed, she skipped her meal and began to pad out of the camp. Surely the fresh-kill was needed for some other cats, too--
She stopped suddenly in her tracks as she caught two distinct scents.
OH, NO. OH, NO.
Suddenly, what she knew she needed to remember flashed back to her. She was supposed to be helping Brownspot with Cinderpaw, Bearpaw, Cometpaw, Rootpaw, and Dreampaw's assessments. What a mouthful!
Hunger forgotten, she sped off in the direction that Brownspot's scent carried her as she forgot about the other scent that she had caught. Her paws carried her fleetingly, and she was right outside of her destination in record time. She could tell that Brownspot was near, so she licked down a patch of ruffled fur on her chest and stepped into the place of the forest where he was right before Cinderpaw came in. After his crash, she let out a tiny mrrow of laughter before recomposing herself.
Apparently, thank StarClan, she had been early.
Goldenwing cast a glance at Brownspot. "When will the other four be here?" she asked as she looked around the area. |
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Post by Raven-chan on Oct 12, 2008 22:21:47 GMT -5
Excitement raced through his veins like wildfire, his tail whipping behind him uncommonly freely. The sleek, silver-striped tabby padded quietly out of the camp, though his ice-blue eyes shimmered with anticipation. His assessment was today!
Then the enomrity of this statement overwhelmed him, and he slowed. What...what if he didn't pass? What if he failed? A tremor ran lightly through his slender frame, his soft pelt ruffling in the breeze. He shouln't worry about what was to come, but should just try and relax.
He snorted to himself as he neared the scents of Brownspot, Goldenwing and Cinderpaw. Relax? Him? The last time he had completely relaxed, (other than solo hunting trips,) was when his mother had been alive. He entered the clearing where they were and calmly sat down, hints of anxiety flickering in his brilliant eyes, his tail wrapped lightly around his haunches and white-socked paws.
ooc: Yuck, short, I'm sooo tired...
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Post by Wazo on Oct 13, 2008 2:10:48 GMT -5
The lumbering thuds of a gray-hued apprentice drew nearer and nearer to the clearing which the apprentices and warriors were gathering for their first assessment. Bearpaw almost winced at the thought. It wasn't enough for his sister to comment on his slowness and inability to move as fast as them, now three warriors were going to witness it first-hand. His stomach twisted at the thought of embarassing Brownspot after all his hard work and patience. If this was truely to see who would be made into a warrior in a few months, Bearpaw would surely be left out of the loop.
His comfort today would be Dreampaw and he felt a little better just thinking about her. She didn't make him feel weak or slow, or roll her eyes when he missed an easy catch. Bearpaw paused, running a large paw through his fluffy striped coat, nervously thinking of anything but this slowly advancing performance of his skills.
His whiskers twitched slightly with amusement as he watched Cinderpaw bound eagerly forward. Recently Cinderpaw had professed his love about Cometpaw, although the recent hunting incident had Cometpaw furious. Bearpaw wasn't sure what was going to happen next, but something told him this wasn't the end of their relationship.
He finally made it to where the others has gathered, nodding in Goldenwing's direction and managing a faint smile for his mentor, although his lime-green eyes were still troubled. It wouldn't be long before they began.
The steps that followed Bearpaw's were lighter-hearted and more energetic, although no less quite. The heavy black paws of Beestripe kept time with his mental melody, his breath coming out in icy puffs as he made his way to the assessment. It was certainly chilly and the apprentices should have no trouble keeping awake during their various tasks. Beestripe was thrilled Brownspot had asked him to help, he had always had a fondness for the apprentices and was eager to help as always.
He grinned enthustiastically at everyone as he came closer and sat down beside Goldenwing. They had just recently become friends after a long patrol, but Beestripe wasn't exactly sure how to define it. They had share their past and Beestripe was surprised to find that she trusted him. Still...he couldn't help but feel a smidgen more then "just friends" for this beautiful she-cat. He didn't expect her to return the feelings, he wouldn't be surprised in the least if he was the "brother she had never had", but that didn't stop him from enjoying her company.
With his tail twitching eagerly, perhaps even as excited as the apprentices, he mewed, "How is everyone doing today?" He wanted to ease the tension he could feel settling thickly in the air, and a couple of the apprentices looked practically horrified at the idea of today. His hazel eyes shined brightly as he waited for a response, genuinely interested in what everyone had to say. |
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Post by D a R K - R a H on Oct 19, 2008 23:25:35 GMT -5
C O M E T P A W;;
________________________________________________________Her paws carried her silently over the leaf-covered ground. Her tail flicked low behind her, and she stepped with a slight limp. It was her first day out of camp in nearly a week. Silverhawk had been adamant that she stay off the gash on her paw. Now that it was mostly-healed, he'd finally relented and agreed to let her out of camp. Her first day back training and it was for an assessment! Part of her was excited; it was her first true assessment. Another part of her kept pulling her down... She knew Phantomsun just wanted to know how well all of the apprentices were doing, not just Cometpaw, Bearpaw, and Cinderpaw's. Rootpaw and Dreampaw would also be there, too.
Speaking of the younger she-cat, Cometpaw could just barely hear her padding along behind her. It had been well over a week since Waterpaw's disappearance. Still, Dreampaw refused to speak. She seemed to be eating a little more, but there was still a haunted, skinny look about her. Pretending to disapprove of the behavior, Cometpaw was actually worried for her. She knew what it was like to loose family. Of course, Cometpaw herself was a much stronger cat; she recognized that. So she imagined Dreampaw's grief was double her own. The tiny patched she-cat had relied heavily on her family for emotional and mental support. She'd been very close to her entire family... Cometpaw knew Dreampaw wasn't just mourning her sister; she was mourning the loss of her entire family. She'd never admit it aloud, but Cometpaw felt she might waste away too if she lost Bearpaw. Although she hadn't shown it since she was very small, the brown apprentice was very fond of her brother in his quiet, but reliable, patience.
A small sigh left her as Cometpaw considered her own similarities to Dreampaw. Where she still had family and Dreampaw did not, little Dreampaw was very close to the rest of the clan, where Cometpaw felt constantly alienated from them. The clan all flocked to care and worry for Dreampaw, while Cometpaw was instead left to tend herself. The younger she-cat even had a best friend! Dreampaw and Bearpaw spent much of their time together. Cometpaw spent most of her time alone or with her mentor. Even Cinderpaw hated her [for she felt so sure he disliked her very strongly]. Never before had Cometpaw felt so alone. She knew exactly how Dreampaw was feeling.
At last the scents of the others reached her. Her ears flickered back as Cinderpaw's scent hit her. She wasn't sure she wanted to look at him, let alone actually talk to him. She padded into the clearing with her eyes on the ground. She didn't even lift her gaze to acknowledge the presence of the three warriors. She sat alone on the edge of the clearing as Dreampaw silently passed her to sit next to Bearpaw. Feeling the emptiness around her as if it were physical, Cometpaw heard a light giggle as Cinderpaw leapt after a butterfly. She refused to look up, even though a part of her wanted to leap after it with him. Her gaze was glued almost permanently to the ground. She didn't once look up, but used to her nose to be sure everyone had finally gathered.
Thud!
Cometpaw jumped at the sound, her eyes snapping up before she could stop herself. Cinderpaw had fallen. Half of her wanted to giggle aloud, while another wanted to run to him and make sure he was alright. But she hung back, looking over to Brownspot as the warrior spoke.
"That's enough playing around, Cinderpaw. It's time to get started."She wasn't sure, but Cometpaw thought she saw a flicker of amusement mixed with concern as Cinderpaw fell over. She couldn't be sure, though, because the emotion was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by a patient, but hard, expression."Dreampaw and Rootpaw will head down by the TealClan border. Rootpaw, you will go closer to the border, but, Dreampaw, I don't want you to go any further than the Stone Paths. Bearpaw, you'll hunt around here, but don't get too close to camp."Cometpaw watched as he turned his gaze on her, silently praying he didn't send her and Cinderpaw in the same direction..."Cinderpaw, you will head towards the CherryClan border. I want you to stay out of the stream. It's cold enough that if you fall in, you could get very sick. Lastly, Cometpaw. You will hunt up by the border with the Druids. Each of you are to catch as much as you can. Bury it and we'll come back for it later."His eyes visibly softened, Cometpaw noticed as he shot his gaze between the apprentices, preparing to speak one last time before sending them off."Remember, there is no way to fail this assessment. Just do you're best. Go, now." With that, he flicked his tail for them to go.
Cometpaw quickly turned and headed away towards the clan's north border. She couldn't help herself and glanced back towards Cinderpaw. She quickly disguised it, though, as a good-luck nod towards her brother. A flush covered her face, hoping no one had caught the true reason for her glance. Without pausing anymore, she padded quickly away from the clearing.
[/color][/size] Hang on, hang on
There's a twilight,
A nighttime, and a dawn
Who knows how long?
Just hang on, hang on [/blockquote][/blockquote] |
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Post by Raven-chan on Oct 29, 2008 22:30:06 GMT -5
The cold didn't bother him very much. With his dense, sleek pelt, Rootpaw was rather warm, when he was moving. Which he wasn't, and he wanted to be. Shaking his paws out slightly one at a time to get the blood moving, the slight tom stood, his ice-blue eyes blinking in acceptance of Brownspot's orders before turning to find Dreampaw, to head towards the TealClan border together.
Sorrow drenched his heart like a flood at the sight of the young she-cat. She had lost so much, she was so alone...Rootpaw empathized with her. He was all alone too, and he didn't even have an entire Clan loving and supporting him. Well, not as obviously as she did. Everybody loved the sweet, gentle Dreampaw, not only for her heritage but for her kind nature as well.
Trotting towards the black and white she-cat, the silver tabby touched her shoulder briefly with his white tail in a rare show of kindness, for though kindness welled up within him, it was difficult for him to show. He padded away from the others, waiting patiently for Dreampaw, loneliness and sorrow deep in his ice-blue eyes. For awhile now, he had wanted to help her. He had wanted to reach out, to say, 'I know. I understand.' Because no matter how much their Clanmates said, 'I'm so sorry for your loss,' it was rare that they could actually understand.
Understand the devastation of losing a mother so young, a father. Relying on your littermates for companionship, and then losing them too. All before your warrior ceremony. They would never see you become a warrior, they would never learn your warrior name. It was unfair. It was heartbreaking. And it was life. He had wanted to tell Dreampaw that he was there for her, that he would always be there, if she needed anything. Not because he was trying to be a good Clanmate, or even a good friend. Not because his conscience told him to.
But because he understood. He understood what loneliness really was- just like she did.
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Post by __ S K Y E on Oct 31, 2008 11:56:55 GMT -5
absence is to love what wind is to fire...
[/color]
...it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.[/color] [/center]
___ The pain was bearable and Cinderpaw certainly didn't mind it, not with all his friends surrounding him in the way that they were. Far above the earth, resting in the swirling gases of the atmosphere, rose the sun, now streaking across the god-given land that blessed life. Long, wispy clouds streaked across the sky, ranging in colors from paler blues to soft ivories painted by castoff rays of light. A wide, crooked grin settled across the childish creases of his face and his eyes sparkled childishly as the young tom bounced to his feet, milky-tipped toes gently pressing against the warm earth.
Cinderpaw looked wildly around, a sheepish smile covering the lovely expanse of the brown-tabby fur that spanned the expanse of his face and let out a nervous laugh, certain that the slight blush on his cheeks were really more than they were. With moons of experience in making a fool of himself in front of others, in front of Cometpaw, behind his belt, the young tom quickly wiped away the flaring feeling of embarrassment (like the rising sun) that had begun to fan his boyish face (and frame) and replaced it with a heartwarming smile, both gentle and laughing, as before, excitement almost radiating off of him.
Like nothing had happened, almost, but something had happened; not that, of course, Cinderpaw would let himself think of it, let himself drown in the sadness and pity that so many others had pushed upon him.
The young tom cast a nervous smile at Brownspot just then, hoping quite clearly that this - his careless, reckless even, nature that ruled his everyday life (despite the fact that he tried so much, unlike Talonpaw, to be as cautious and helpful as he could) - would not have an affect on his assessment, or on the view that Brownspot had of him. He frowned briefly, an odd, almost foreign (to Cinderpaw, anyway), look pressing against his usually laughing, optimistic facial expression, as he thought about this but quickly pushed it away - in less than a second - before anyone could possibly notice and confront him on the matter.
For some unfathomable reason, his thoughts flickered back to his family, back to his parents, back to Talonpaw. The mrrow of laughter that escaped the just-arrived Goldenwing fell into the distance and was mute to his ears, as if they - too - had been (was) drowning in the depths of his horrible memories. Grinning Talonpaw, teasing Talonpaw, laughing Talonpaw. Quiet, comforting, understanding Tallstone. Beautiful, stern, fretting Northwind. They were his family, they had been the family he relied on -- but now (he wasn't so sure) what were they?
Cinderpaw choked back those questions as he swallowed and took deeper breaths. He had to really stop thinking like, questioning the constants in his life, because - frankly - it was not good for his health.
A soft sigh escaped his lips and he lifted his eyes - brilliant orbs of emerald green, almost shimmering like the diamonds his mother possessed - to see one of his fellow apprentices, one of his friends (wasn't everyone, anyone his friend though?) walk into the clearing. The edge of his lips twitched into a half-smile, somewhat forced, as he watched Rootpaw with a sad, almost pitiful expression, mingled with the lingering happiness that was nearly always present upon his features. He knew - now - how hard it had to have been to cope when he (Rootpaw) lost his mother and how unhappy he must have been. It would've probably been ten times the pain that Cinderpaw had faced when his brother died; then again, would Rootpaw ever have to think about, really face, something such as the separation of the two most important figures in his life, the two figures that he had always believed would remain the constant in his life despite everything else?
He stayed silent throughout everything, even holding his tongue when Beestripe - who, he had to admit, was quite like himself - asked how they were. Cinderpaw, just then, had the sudden urge to curse and to scream and ask StarClan why in the world they chose to, they wanted to break up everything that he had important. Why they had to take everything he really wanted from him. First it was Talonpaw and that was not as bad because, although he had loved his brother - loved him more than anyone else could have thought, he also envied him and wanted to be like him. And although Cinderpaw would never admit it to anyone's face, he couldn't imagine a life with Talonpaw anymore either -- if his favorite, only brother had been on earth with him, there was not a doubt in Cinderpaw's mind that Talonpaw would've stolen Cometpaw's heart like he did everyone's elses.
If he were alive, Cometpaw probably wouldn't have known his, Cinderpaw's name, let alone be a rival/friend/crush. Despite knowing that Cometpaw would never love him, with or without Talonpaw in his life, it hurt more than anything to know that - if that had happened, if his brother hadn't been killed all those moons ago - he could've been Cometpaw's brother-in-law. It hurt, it was agonizing to know that he would've lost her to Talonpaw like that.
He breathed in sharply as a familiar flash of brown fur flickered past his eyes, that same sweet scent nearly knocking him breathless off his feet, and he looked quickly, face suddenly flushed, in the direction of Cometpaw -- and in that moment, in that single second, he felt his stomach plummet.
The young tom stared at her for a moment, feeling his breath quicken slightly, before forcing himself to focus on the task at hand, muddled jade orbs looking at Brownspot. Biting his lip as the orders were given, he gave a quiet nod and forced a smile, his mixed expression impossible to decipher. It was like the ultimate war playing across his face, battling between the relief that he wouldn't have to face Cometpaw now - not after what he'd done - and the pain, the longing, to know that he wouldn't see her again today, not even in a week.
Even as he began walking away, the tom couldn't help but stare back at Cometpaw's retreating figure, smoldering emerald pools burning against her pelt before he sighed softly, almost inaudibly, and made his way towards the river, adding a bounce to his step. Today would be a good day; it had to be.
Otherwise where would he go from here?
The only guy that deserves you,
is the one that thinks he doesn’t.
The one that’ll stick by your side,
no matter how much you mess up
And the one who will forgive you,
mistake after mistake.
comments;; done. x) d'you think I should add more?
status;; fini
word count;; 1095
[/size][/blockquote][/color][/blockquote] |
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Post by D a R K - R a H on Dec 14, 2008 17:11:41 GMT -5
She wasn't sure her head was completely in the game. Her paws stumbled slightly over the ground, and her eyes weren't trained for any prey. She was feeling Cinderpaw's eyes on her long after she'd left the hollow behind.
[not done] Hang on, hang on
There's a twilight,
A nighttime, and a dawn
Who knows how long?
Just hang on, hang on
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