Raven
Fallen
The Darkness in your Light
Posts: 64
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Post by Raven on Feb 11, 2011 0:54:18 GMT
Formidilosus raised his massive head watching Michael. It lightly nudged Décor with his massive wing. She quietly cleared her face of tears with her arm before standing up. Though the fact even Michael seemed worried… or at least exhausted. Though as Gods favorite he’d never be mistreated. She stood up walking slowly up to Michael the massive Roc sized Phoenix hopping around behind her on awkward feet. “No reason to be upset over me Michael… God does not have such sway over me.” She spoke as calm and collective as she could muster. “Though the thought of you being shaken because of Father’s treatment of me is a gesture I find most welcomed. She said hugging him… or at the very least attempting to. “You’re my favorite brother you know that?” She gave a half smile… as that was all the energy she could devote to it as her lethargic feelings returned as her mood came back to normal. “So… has God decided to end this foolishness… rid thoughts of ends from his mind all together. Seeing as most angels should stand against such an act… for its humans today… and angels tomorrow.”
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Post by snow on Feb 12, 2011 21:18:59 GMT
I AM WHO I AM [/center][/colour][/size] Décor was, to say the least, an unwelcome presence. That was usually true regardless of the situation, but Michael could normally deal with her with an acceptable level of neutrality and etiquette. Today, he would struggle to simply phrase responses that would not hurt her feelings, nor reveal his own. He listened silently as she spoke, his face still lifted to the skies. She believed he had been worrying about her. Guiltily, he realised he hadn’t even spared a thought for her, having only thankfulness that she had left despite the harsh way she had been ordered. This guilt immobilised him as she put her arms around him. He would let her embrace gun, as an indirect apology, though it did not occur to him that it would be natural to hug her back. It was not Décor’s fault that she had been created as the embodiment of all sin. He should not treat her any differently, certainly not outwardly. Many angels struggled to do so; he would not disappoint her as they had. He was heartened when she continued, as she too understood that Azazel would set his sights on Heaven next. She also mentioned the opposition the idea of surrendering Earth would receive, though her own standing on the matter remained unclear. He recalled what she had said earlier, about being sickened by the humans’ recent actions. Perhaps she was sparing his feelings. She should not worry so much, if she was. He doubted anybody could disturb him as greatly as his Father had today. As she fell silent, he raised his head, finally looking away from the expansive sky, granting Décor eye contact. He felt too hollow to worry about being tempted. There was no motivation in him to do anything but think and wait. He would preserve his energy, as Gabriel would probably put his determination and patience to the test. He could show his tiredness around Décor, which was a relief. She was hardly one to talk, being perpetually exhausted, or perhaps just unspeakably lazy. He thought for a moment about what he could say in response to her reflections. “I am glad that you are not upset. Our Father has a lot on His mind, as you know.” He offered a weak, rueful half-smile. “As do I.” He decided he should lighten the mood, so that she would not dwell on this. He could not leave her with the impression that he was shaken, as she had clearly noticed, despite being greatly so. He would only be more troubled if she worried for him. He forced his voice into its usual calm, firm tone, and once again masked his emotions with serenity. “But I will carry on, as I always do.” He lifted his eyebrows slightly, indicating that he was aware how his words were so typical of his personality. I DO WHAT I MUST [/center][/colour][/size]
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Raven
Fallen
The Darkness in your Light
Posts: 64
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Post by Raven on Feb 12, 2011 22:28:04 GMT
Décor relinquished the embrace stepping back. “ If… I had but one wish it would be shed myself… become anew as an angel… then mayhap father would care. Everyone sees me as some evil monster… like… I don’t belong. Yet… would god love me if I changed for him… undoing his own work just to please him. Undoing his labor… the way he set the clay. Should an artwork make itself a masterpiece just to please… or remain ever unchanging to the memory of its maker. Though we only need to look to hell to see the answer… Azazel… is about to be rewarded for leading a full fledged uprising against God… rewarded for his years of tainting mortals… and killing our siblings.”
She closed her eyes tight as she sat down hugging her legs. “I understand now… you were troubled because God… said no…” She looked up at him. “Did he forbid you to go… did he command you against the very conscious he gifted you with. Then it is time remind him of everything he forgot… everything he is that he laid out within you… and all the angels… you are his roadmap… what he sometimes forgets… remind him through example brother… and I shall do my part to help where I can.” Bowing her head. “For if God found the faults to forsake the mortals today… he’ll find the faults to forsake the angels tomorrow. For in the end are we not all flawed… and his patience has grown short…” A since of pain washed over her features for an instant but vanished… God never had patience for her… if he did love her he rarely showed it… “Carry on for both of us then…”
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Post by snow on Feb 15, 2011 22:02:49 GMT
EVEN IF YOU STAND BESIDE ME [/center][/colour][/size] Décor consistently surprised Michael in her observations. As she spilled her worries and wishes aloud, he felt a twinge of true empathy. In a normal situation, he would have been able to offer comfort, reminding her that God loved all his children and they all had a place that they belonged. However, that would no longer be so easy, because they knew it to be false. His patience, as she had noted, was short. But he did not believe their Father regretted Décor’s creation. Certainly, Michael was grateful to her, if only due to her prompting Gabriel to reveal his message. He inclined his head, in answer to the question she had asked him. “He has forbidden me to leave Heaven,” he confirmed. He knew she would not assume it was an order he would follow. For a moment he debated whether or not to admit it aloud, being so close to His throne. Yet, how could God have any doubt over what Michael would do? It was how he had been made: ceaselessly righteous, courageous to the point of foolishness, believing in the Light to the point of naivety. He was a safeguard against exactly this kind of circumstance. Hoping that his Father would not summon him immediately for rebuking, he decided to air his dissention. “But, as you know, to allow this is…beyond my self-control. I cannot quieten my conscience.” The corner of his mouth pulled upwards slightly at his moment of recklessness. Would God really allow this to be declared unchallenged? It was a test of the waters: he would surely anger Him further coaxing Gabriel, and so needed some guidance on his new limits. It was a familiar enough puzzle, finding out what his boundaries were and how to work within them. What he would and would not get away with. “I will fight this for us both, and pray that you have the strength to join us soon.” He paused, not wishing to drag her into this with him, but did not add to his words. Décor had offered her help, Uriel would offer his help, and Raphael would heal whoever was sent his was regardless of how they had been hurt. He drew on those powerful names, though did not include his own with unconscious modesty. They would help him, as much as they could. He trusted that he could rely on them for that, at least. He wanted to speak with Uriel soon, but Gabriel was a new uncertainty. Until today, he would have been placed unhesitatingly on the side of those that would obstruct Michael’s endeavour. But everything had changed today, after all. Now, he was straying towards the grey area, wavering in that frustratingly unshakable resolve. It would be immensely fortunate to convince him to stay out of this, let alone convince him to join their side. He wanted to take that fleeting chance. But until then, he would not mind talking to Décor, as he was beginning to understand her. It was a process he loved, and he was pleased that she was able to talk to him in what appeared to be a natural way. He should have reached out to her before. God would not have let her remain in Heaven if she had been truly evil. He was beginning to see that, in her own way, she was doing her best to follow Him. PLEASE LEAVE ME TO FALL ALONE [/center][/colour][/size]
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Raven
Fallen
The Darkness in your Light
Posts: 64
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Post by Raven on Feb 16, 2011 5:50:05 GMT
Décor fell silent she listened and heard and nodded her head in acknowledgement. “Then call upon me when you need it… should you require any… tricky persuasion I am more then… versed in turning the tables on one’s out look. Though I my self lack the skills of combat… Formidilosus is more then capable of fighting off anything that would stand in his way…” She motioned to the massive Dark Phoenix that stood behind her its wingspan could flood a entire city in shadow, and its claws were larger then Michael’s entire body. “There are few who can stand up to such a noble and deadly creature as Formidilosus thus I am quite sure he will be more then a little helpful in your future battles.” She stretched crows forming a wall behind her so she could fully rest her back. “and remember Michael… act quickly… after all God only forbade you from leaving heaven and fighting this… he did not give such order to any other angel.”
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Post by snow on Feb 24, 2011 2:14:31 GMT
I WILL LOOK TO THE FUTURE [/center][/colour][/size] Tricky persuasion, he reflected, was exactly what he needed help with. Most difficult was Gabriel, which could have been who she was referring to, but he would never expect her to deal with him, not least because his brother loathed her, as far as Michael could tell. It was always hard to judge with Décor what was and was not deliberate temptation and this put most angels on edge. Now, he reconsidered whether or not she realised just how hard to resist she was. He was confident she would not know with him. Nobody ever knew what happened in his head unless he wished it…except his Father. When she mentioned Formidilosus, he glanced only once in the immense phoenix’s direction. Ally or foe, he was hugely intimidating. One scratch of those claws could rent a human in two without a second thought. He was glad he would be able to factor the beast into his plans for the forthcoming war against Azazel, which was becoming more and more likely. He was still optimistically hoping that it could be avoided, yet that did not stop him considering the possibility. As a strategist, he was constantly analysing and contingency plans were his specialty. Though reckless himself, he would rather err on the side of caution with the lives of others. The last point Décor made was a very good one, and he would certainly implement the idea if he had any inspiration on where to find volunteers. Tactically, the best time for an attack would be immediately, before Azazel got comfortable on Earth. However, there was little chance he could amass a decent force that quickly, not alone. Their best chance was, and would always be, gaining God’s sanction. Michael’s swift mind pieced together a path forwards. He would gather support, and go again to their Father with backing, protesting just once more. If that could sway Him, it would change everything. If they failed, he would still have a group to start combating the demons with. The biggest flaw was the unpredictability of God’s reaction. He could forbid all angels to leave Heaven if Décor’s loophole was brought to his attention by the gathering. That would cripple them, no doubt. He had never tried to instil the mindless attitude the Western armies of Earth did. They were presented with the option to fight, and those that declined normally had their own roles to play. This time, those who declined would not fight at all, and would probably oppose those that remained. Every angel that joined was a precious asset; every angel that did not, a possible obstruction. It made Michael feel very alone. After a moment to explore other options, he concluded that was the best way forwards. He was surprised that he had thought this far ahead so early on. Having somebody to offer ideas was helpful. Maybe planning alone was not always the best way. There was no sign of Gabriel, but talking to Décor was proving constructive and interesting. He did not want to bounce ideas off her just yet, and it would put a lot of pressure on her if he did, but her contributions were coming unprompted and just as useful. His mouth curled into a subdued but heartfelt smile. The seriousness of the topic doused any real enjoyment he would otherwise have in the conversation. In less severe circumstances, he would certainly have liked to give her his full attention. His preoccupation was rude, but he could not push it from his mind. “That is true,” he agreed. “I am glad to have you with us. You both,” he corrected, casting one look to Formidilosus. “Any help will be invaluable. The children need as much as they can get.” Décor’s support alone was quite a convincer: even the incarnation of sin recognised that God’s decision was wrong. “Though,” he added thoughtfully, “their course of self-destruction is, I admit, the latest repeat of a pattern that needs to be broken.” WHERE THERE WILL BE BRIGHTER DAYS [/center][/colour][/size]
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Raven
Fallen
The Darkness in your Light
Posts: 64
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Post by Raven on Feb 24, 2011 3:16:18 GMT
Décor stretched out the black shadowy crows forming beneath her before rising so she could look at Michael with out straining her neck. “It is a… -pleasure- to help brother.” She said with a quaint smile. She watched him idly before looking over her nails for a few seconds. Formidilosus bowed his head at the mention of his name he tilted his head so his right eye could look at Michael dead on. “He says he is honored to help his creator to find himself a new.” She looked over Michael as if reading him before letting forth a yawn.
She had no idea what the angel thought… nor felt but she made it very believable by body language alone that she did… and did so in a calm and comforting demeanor. “We must start with the heads… those commanders if we convince them… they can then have a better chance of convincing those under their command. Or… convince the messengers they who have learned best to deliver and convince… that way you can spread it like… what humans call a chain letter. You send to three… and each of them send it to three… and so on and so forth. Have friends try to convince friends… enemies avoid mention of working for you then… you shall have an army that might hold. Though… you could also recruit humans… there are some how are strong… within their bodies they bear a most powerful of soul… these humans will be salvation… or damnation… and… the time…” She paused giving a coy playful glance towards Michael. “It feels… as if its time for a new savior… everything feels the same as it did then… it is time for a new shepard to lead them a new.”
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Post by snow on Feb 26, 2011 18:14:20 GMT
ANY HOPE IS HOPE ENOUGH [/center][/colour][/size] As usual, Décor was hard to read and harder to understand. Michael could not tell whether or not she was as serious as her words suggested. He remained confident that, despite her mannerisms, the confusion was mutual. The thought of recruiting humans had not occurred to him, and he instinctively opposed it. They would have no knowledge of what they faced, and would only be putting themselves in greater danger. He did not want to put those children in a position where they would most likely die, only to fall to Hell despite their efforts. Any demon would easily deal with a human that stood in their way, and do so without a second thought. Even the best of them would hardly stand a chance. They simply did not know enough to fight efficiently, and there would be little time to teach them. No, he did not agree with Décor on that. As for a saviour; if only, he thought. He would have been told. If there was hope as strong as that, he would not be here now, planning how best to go against God’s wishes. He would not feel as tired and anxious. He had won that argument once before, and that had taken a long time. Now, his Father would not hear him. He could try, though. He straightened, turning this new possibility over in his mind. A second messiah. The state of Earth was indeed similar, sinking deeper and deeper into sin, the word of their Lord all but forgotten. Hell was reaching out to pull it further; Heaven was still trying to keep them afloat; such was their eternal tug-of-war. The difference was that God was prepared to let them go, which made Michael’s position twice as difficult. An arduous path. Daunting, but not impossible. A slim yet precious chance that he knew he would unhesitatingly take. He could add it as a suggestion to the confrontation he planned with his Father. It would not endanger any angels or threaten Heaven. It would be a fair compromise, if it came to that. “There is a likeness,” he acknowledged. “Though the situation now is far worse, certainly here in Heaven. If not for our Father’s renouncement, there would be hope yet. We should suggest it to him. Maybe then he would realise that it is not so wasted to simply offer them an olive branch…” He trailed off, not knowing what more to say. There was, at the present time, nothing he could do but wait. His patience warred with the urgency he felt to help, and the internal battle drained him. He wished Gabriel would hurry up. ANY LIGHT IS LIGHT ENOUGH [/center][/colour][/size]
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Raven
Fallen
The Darkness in your Light
Posts: 64
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Post by Raven on Mar 2, 2011 3:23:39 GMT
Décor smiled pleasantly “You underestimate mortals… they are like ants… most don’t see them as a threat… but when riled and united they can kill anything… look at army ants… they can clean out an entire forest… but… individually they are naught but insignificant creatures…”
She paused looking over at Michael. “Sometimes… the greatest saviors are born without anything… and rise to be… everything. Sometimes one cannot rely solely on another to save them… and thus they rise to save themselves.” She idly stroked the massive phoenix’s beak. “So… will you give the mortals fish until you are unable to fulfill their needs… or shall you teach them so they may thrive by their own hands.”
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Post by snow on Mar 5, 2011 23:56:34 GMT
MY PATH HAS BROUGHT ME HERE [/center][/colour][/size] Had he not been utterly hidden behind his composure, Michael would have flinched. She had known without needing to ask what he thought of her idea of pitting humans against demons. It was unnerving that she knew him to that extent. He did not socialise much, being extremely busy with his two jobs, and was really close to only Gabriel; even saying that, their relationship seemed to be more tension than anything else. He had been waiting for hundreds of years for his ‘little’ brother to mature, and was still waiting with infinite patience, knowing the day it that change began would be all the happier for his anticipation. He longed for the signs that it was happening, as if it would smooth away every bump in their relationship. Décor was not somebody he understood, and so it was all the more surprising when she demonstrated her understanding of him. Again, he accepted contritely, he had underestimated her. He was not entirely comfortable with knowing that she could foresee his responses. Something about the intimacy that meant bothered him. He tried to turn it into a positive occurrence. It meant they were getting closer, did it not? That could only be a good thing. He disliked her comparison of humans and ants, though it was justified. He could see why she might view them as insects of a sort. The problem was unity. As she had mentioned, as individuals they could do little. Only by influencing or joining with others could they make an impact, and that was why the problem was so difficult. As they were, they were scattered and isolated, distrusting and dishonest for the most part. They needed allies, and they knew not where to find any. Outreach programmes were often exploited, and could not recover from large setbacks. If something happened, it needed to be huge and undeniable, solid and resilient, versatile and inspiring… …which led him to the messiah possibility. He was putting more and more faith into this idea. It would make such a difference, he told himself. If only he could make it happen somehow. He would definitely have to raise it when he next spoke to his Father. Décor’s next words threw him further. Quote:“So… will you give the mortals fish until you are unable to fulfil their needs… or shall you teach them so they may thrive by their own hands?” Her negativity stunned him. She was suggesting that he made them weaker. That by providing for them where he could, he was stopping them from providing for themselves. That meant what he was doing was a bad thing. Impossible, he instantly denied. He would always do his best for them. How could that be wrong? He could not reach all of them regardless of what he did, and though he regretted it, his rationality told him it was beyond any single being’s capability. He merely helped them when they needed it. And a person only needed help when they could not help themselves. He cared for them, and did what any caring angel did. What she had said was, to him, like telling Uriel there should not be any guardian angels because they would only make things worse, and they had to leave eventually. He had never made things worse, he thought stubbornly. Besides, it was God that had put him in his position, and He knew what was best for them if nobody else. As if cold water had crashed over his heart, Michael remembered that He no longer did. He pushed the sadness away. In the past, he told himself, their Father had done what was right. Or at least, he had most of the time. He retained utter conviction that he belonged in his position as the guardian of the children. He would not be here if they did not need that guidance. And, as far as he understood it, he had only ever given them what they could not have done without. When God had made a decision that would hurt them, or when Hell moved to drag them into the darkness, he intervened. He represented their interests, their wellbeing. They could not stand for themselves. “I will help them as much as I can,” he told Décor unwaveringly. “Everybody needs assistance sometimes, direction to get them back to the right path. I provide that where it is possible, to the best of my ability.” His voice rang with passion and confidence. “There can be nothing wrong with giving them the help they so often need, when they have no way of knowing or combating what happens here in Heaven, or down in Hell. What I protect them from is what they cannot build defences to, what they cannot oppose alone. I, like all of us, am unable to make their decisions. What I do follows them. And whilst anybody, angel or demon, maintains an interest in them, so will I, and so will I be needed, or somebody to fight for them in my place. Thus, I will always be here, watching for when I am needed, and waiting when I am not. It is my duty.” He felt relieved after the speech, having let out some of the stress that had built inside him. He had spoken some of what he had held back during his argument with God. He knew better than most that the words he swallowed only choked him later. I CANNOT REGRET THIS CHOICE [/center][/colour][/size]
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Raven
Fallen
The Darkness in your Light
Posts: 64
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Post by Raven on Mar 6, 2011 1:41:55 GMT
She watched Michael as he seemed to squirm on the inside after she had read him out loud. She quietly awaited his response and when it came as a long speech she merely cocked a brow. “Brother… I did not mean they do not need help… but they don’t need a guardian either… they don’t need a champion for a champion can only be in one place… they never needed someone to fight fore them… merely someone to fight with them. For if you see them as needy and incapable of fending for themselves against any and all…” She reached her hand outward one of her crows took flight . She remained quiet her hand outstretched during the long and most likely awkward pause. The bird returned with a black leather bound bible, its cover stained with blood. She seemed to take its weight with her hand bouncing it lightly. “Now… I am not to overly learned in it.. But if I recall man… is made… In the image… of God… and last time I checked… Father is stronger then anything… so… what potential does that leave humanity… when shown the power of their lord whom they slowly forget… remind them… show them reason and light a fire within their hearts… then they shall show their true power… for men… can be tormented… burned… have their flesh flayed from their bone… all while their loyalty alone keeps their tongue tied… humans are capable of great things… it will merely take a -great- man to show them it proper…” She dusted herself off after standing up. “I‘ll be back Michael… I‘m going to go play with one of our cousins… a demon…” She took a brief glance around. “Who feels…” She said smiling with sinister grace. “Farewell“ Décor turned diving off the cloud with the massive Phoenix following closely behind.
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Post by snow on Mar 8, 2011 21:28:43 GMT
I WILL COUNSEL YOU [/center][/colour][/size] He listened carefully to Décor’s long response, only restrained by his conscience from interrupting her at several points. It was especially tempting during the drawn-out silence, where he could have corrected her misunderstanding: he did not think the humans were needy, nor incapable. Far from it. He bit it back, as she was clearly not finished speaking. Her point seemed to be based again on inspiration, something to show them their potential, somebody to unite under. He knew she was not implying God. So who did she mean? There was a possibility that she was referring to him, but he considered this only fleetingly, and dismissed it with swiftness. Perhaps she was suggesting a saviour again, or another angel, or even that somebody from Hell would soon provide false guidance… Frustratingly, he had no idea what she was referring to, and she had departed too soon for him to ask. A demon with emotions, she had said. He supposed it was the kind of thing that would interest the incarnation of sin. It was an interesting thought, assuming she meant proper feelings and not the usual base desires. He wondered what she intended to do, which direction she wanted to coax him in. He worried briefly that, being a demon, he would easily fall for her physical appearance and become unmanageable. Then he remembered Formidilosus, and the unease cleared. He would look after her, if she needed it. He stood, raking a hand through his hair, feeling as though his appearance was somehow unsatisfactory. Though he dressed casually, as today in a white shirt and pale blue jeans, he never looked any less the part of archangel. He kept his exterior clean and neat so that it would not contradict his serene face, and, of course, so that he was presentable, as was proper. Shaking his head to himself, he leaned back against the wall. There was still no sign of Gabriel. Anxiety stirred in the pit of his stomach. Gabriel was a strong flyer, and would definitely have made the trip to Hell and back by now, even if his message had taken a long time to deliver, or he was tired. And even if he was tired, being Gabriel, he would come straight to his Father to report his success, in that tireless hope for praise he possessed. Still, today had been unusual, so it was a reasonable time for Gabriel to break his pattern. A more foreboding possibility was that something had happened to him. If something had happened to Gabriel, it was something very grave, which meant Michael should investigate immediately. First, he would find out whether or not Gabriel had yet returned. Then he would fly the direct route to Hell, in hope of encountering him, and then… Stopping himself, Michael pushed his body into action before he spent too long planning what could be thought through later. It was a habit born of his job, and would waste time. Now that he had successfully worked himself up into treating the matter seriously, he should find out if there was real cause for his trepidation. With that thought in mind, he took flight, consciously following the path Gabriel would likely take if heading to report to God. He followed it through, becoming more and more worried, until he finally saw his brother, standing statuesque and staring. Sensing that he was deep in thought, Michael landed gently some way back and approached at a measured pace. It seemed like it had been days since he had last seen Gabriel, delivering words that he knew would cripple his closest brother with a smirk of what had almost seemed to be victory. There was nothing of the sort in him now. He seemed drained, as drained as Michael felt – not that he would admit to it when there was such important work to be done. Judging the question carefully before he aired it, Michael asked with caution, “How are you, Gabriel?” AND WATCH OVER YOU [/center][/colour][/size] Psalm 32:8 (Continues in The Aftermath)
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