[No one answers Aikawa's first question because everyone just blacked out and suddenly had all of these shitpost papers and they simply can't question such a divine act. Anyway.
The soldier talking to Sieghart nods, moving to lead him toward the front of the cart. Unsurprisingly, Soujirou tags along.]
Can I be up here with you?
[Sweet, foolish POW.
As for Aikawa, the soldier scratches his chin and says:] Someone named Vaux Sucksman? Apparently the execution grounds were raided after you went and got the commander. It's all anyone's talking about down there... The guy tricked his way in by making up some weird lie about being a serial kidnapping victim and then broke at least five people's noses for fun, and when they wouldn't give him what he wanted - I heard one guy say it was just to see them all do a funny little dance - he managed to set the whole place on fire with a single match! Weird, right?
[WELL. That sure got out of hand...
Meanwhile, Lucretia finishes up her talk and starts heading toward the back of the cart.]
[ He normally would think this is absolutely hysterical, it's just the circumstances demand he can't be as jovial as he normally would be. He's gloriously good at keeping a straight face anyway. Fascinating. ]
Yeah, let's just keep going. I better not see you falling off that horse, either of you.
[The soldier just nods at Aikawa's completely normal and not at all suspicious "mmhm" there.]
Just keep an eye out... That guy sounds like a real maniac, you don't want to end up running into him in the middle of this operation.
[Wouldn't that just be terrible, damn.
Anyway, Soujirou just frowns because he has imprinted on Sieghart, his favorite father duck.]
Can't I just hide?
[He doesn't look like he'll put up too much of a fuss, though. If Sieghart insists again, he'll sulkily make his way to the back and Sieghart's free to get the cart moving.
When Aikawa goes to the back of the cart, he'll find a similar set-up to the boat: enough space for a cramped seat for all of them and some barrels, among which are their nasty body ones. Lucretia is sealing the edges with something that smells strongly of flowers, which is a good thing because those barrels are not airtight and they're gonna start stinking up the whole place sooner rather than later. To Aikawa, holding out the jar:]
[ Wow it's just an innocent confirmation 'mmhm?', nothing suspicious here. ]
Well, that's a human name, and I'm a sorcerer, so.
[ Anyway around the back... checking this whole shit out. And taking the jar from Lucretia... ]
... Yeah, sure, I don't mind. I can walk, also, until I actually have to get in. Feels like it's be easier for the horses and less crowded in there until then.
Hide where? Go and sit with our "Master" over there.
[He gestures in Aikawa's approximate direction at the back of the carriage. Once Soujirou's gone, Sieghart grasps the reins to move the cart along their path. It's been a while since he last rode a horse, but the skill's ingrained in his muscle memory.]
[One child successfully packed into the back of the cart! Good work, Sieghart. He'll find that the horses are actually quite even-tempered and don't seem to want to kill him, which is a real change from the animals he's run into so far, apparently.
Lucretia considers Aikawa's proposal for a moment, before nodding.]
Alright, yes. We'll be in this section of the trail for another half-mile or so; climb back in once we reach the city banner.
[Aikawa's left to walk! The cart will move at a pace he can keep up with unless Sieghart decides to go ham and full throttle it for some reason.
The path that they're going through has a pretty well-worn track, indicating that carts probably use it pretty often. Makes sense, since it goes to a small dock! That said, they're flanked on both sides by thick forest. The sky is lighter now, and they'll be able to see their surroundings better than before, but it's still a bit difficult to get a good look.
They'll be able to proceed without any incidents for the first few minutes. But then, because nothing can be easy, they'll hear the sound of some branches cracking off in the forest to their left. At the same time, Sieghart will reach a fork in the path.]
[ "Go and sit with him" says Sieghart when Aikawa might just walk besides the cart the entire time??? Hello. Anyway be nice to him Sieghart, the pace can be pretty good given the fact that Aikawa has a very wide stride, but we'll see. His legs are still okay.
This is part of the reason why Aikawa chose to walk outside, though. He's immediately got a knife in his hand, watching out to where the branches crack. ]
We can tell you've been following. Let's make this easy, huh?
[He is injured and still quite feverish, so he is not zipping down the path at full throttle, though the pace is decent in consideration of Aikawa's stride. Also, the child can always sit and keep Aikawa company, but it's not Sieghart's priority with whom he actually takes a seat.
Sieghart assesses the fork. Did the path marked by the map determine a direction here? In any case, he looks over his shoulder to his left at Aikawa's confrontation.]
[Soujirou probably does indeed move to sit at the back of the cart so he can pester Aikawa, asking him annoying questions in that pesky kid way like "why are you so tall" and "why do you smell funny". Thanks, child.
As Sieghart assesses the fork, he'll find that both paths look equally worn! Neither seems particularly distinct, unfortunately for his choice-making. As he reaches into his mind palace to consult his memory of the map, he'll recall that the left path was marked as a faster route, but that there was a little question mark symbol beside it, off in the forested area.
As for sweet Aikawa, a cannibal immediately leaps out of the bush to tackle him. That would be so tragic after he escaped the cannibal in the graveyard...
But no, tragically he gets no response! Wrow. He'll hear more branches snapping, though, heading steadily in their direction, though whatever it is is moving at a fairly unrushed pace. And eventually... a rather large bear sticks its noggin out of the foliage! It appears to be sniffing around for something. Hm, funky.]
[ He'll give Soujirou very insane answers like 'I ate a cow when I was twelve' and 'It's a special odour meant to ward off poisonous snakes because I'm not stupid'.
Anyway, yeah, that sure is a bear. I'd ask if it's supposed to be a Japanese grizzly but Aikawa wouldn't know bear types and behaviours. So he's just going to be warily watching, quietly muttering to the cabin crew: ]
We've got a bear with us... not aggressive yet.
[ That being said, he does have his knife out just in case but what happens if he throws a sausage link into the foliage? The ridiculous costume with surprisingly practical applications . . . ]
[Not stupid, says Vaux Sucksman. All right. Sieghart ignores the jab, partly because he's too tired and wired to do otherwise.
The bear is both a welcome and unwelcome sight. Sieghart is more than happy to repay some of the damage from earlier, but they're on a deadline. They can't waste too much time or passing through Itabashi will be that much harder. He cranes his neck farther toward the carriage in anticipation of its occupants' response.
And then Aikawa throws a sausage link near it. Lovely.]
[Soujirou is absolutely delighted by these insane answers and is thoroughly entertained up until they're all rudely interrupted by the BEAR.
Nikaido also pokes her head out once she hears about their new terrible arrival.]
Not aggressive yet is pretty good... Must mean it can't pick up the trail perfectly, but it's definitely following something.
[Lucretia, in the meantime, moves to the front of the cart and over toward some of the barrels there, warily staring out toward the bear and waiting tensely.
As Aikawa throws the sausage, the bear seems to start a little IT CAN'T SEE AND SOMETHING WAS JUST THROWN NEARBY. That said, it does lumber off to go check to see what the mystery UFO was. This buys them a precious few seconds, considering that after it sniffs around in the foliage, it lifts its head toward the cart and starts sniffing in that direction instead of chowing down on tasty snacc.]
[He's inclined to drive the bear straight to the stronghold. Unfortunately, he doesn't know the lay of that checkpoint well enough to make that decision on his own. He maintains his grip on the reins, but his muscles are tense in his readiness to jump in if necessary.
Sooner or later, that's going to be the case.
Now that they're here, he finds himself struck by doubt. Are the dead bodies all that the bear's after? He chews on that thought as he watches the scene unfold.]
[Sieghart should absolutely just make the decision on his own honestly.
In any case, the cart isn't moving but the bear sure is! It sniffs at the air a few more times before standing up on its back legs and letting out a loud growl. In the next moment, it slams back down onto all fours and starts running toward the cart from behind. HEWWO.
Soujirou yelps and leaps in, already in the middle of diving back into the cart. From inside, there's the muffled sounds of cursing and a few banging noises. From where he's situated closer to Sieghart, he'll hear Lucretia's voice, sharp with focus and likely addressing Nikaido considering Sieghart's driving and the only other person in here is a child:]
Well that's great. Aikawa is gonna throw a knife first? He's very good at that but let me know if I should roll it anyway, I guess ideally it would be into wherever this bear's eyes... I ASSUME IT'S JUST ART STYLE AND IT DOES HAVE EYES... presumably a knife into an eye hole would still hurt though (he can recently attest due to his murder................).
OBVIOUSLY HE WOULD LIKE TO NOT BE WITHIN CLAW DISTANCE, BUT. Beggars can't be choosers. So if this bear is not stopped or deterred by a thrown bayonet-knife, he will attempt to sidestep and stab it... in the side. ]
[Listen, he wasn't about to leave Aikawa behind or risk losing the barrels. However, now that Lucretia and company are working on shuffling things around, they're probably secure enough. The instant he hears the roar, Sieghart works the reins and shouts:]
Get in! I'm taking it to the stronghold!
[This time, they're going full throttle onto the left path on the fork. Hopefully, Aikawa will be able to do as Sieghart demands or hitch a ride on the bear.]
For Aikawa's bear attack... Well. As close as he is, he'll see that the bear's eyes are entirely scarred over! That's a blind as hell bear, there are no eyes to stab and maybe not even and eye sockets to stab considering that entire area is one mass of scar tissue. It is not, in fact, art style. That's just an eyeless bear.
He'll also find that this bear is apparently the terminator. The knife thrown toward its eye area makes its mark! A perfect hit! It sinks in a fair amount, and the bear throws its head back and shakes it to and fro, making horrible sounds. ...Except this bear can takemultipleheadshots, so. That barely slows it down, and it starts rampaging again. Aikawa can get within range to side stab it, but this bear has also survived being shot in the heart in addition to the head, so that sure ain't gonna kill it. The bear also takes a burly bearly swipe at him while he's within range, and then lunges forward like it might try to take a bite, too.
(sieghart voice) These animals are wrong.
While this happens, Sieghart tears off down the road, and he can probably hear several sounds from inside of the cart. The sounds of barrels jostling around, Lucretia delivering a very creative curse, Soujirou going "WAGH" and probably falling over something like Vladimir in that one train scene... The horses seem a little spooked to be suddenly zoomin', but they're not out of Sieghart's control.]
[ I was mostly joking but this really is a GNG bear, wow. Incredible.
Fortunately I rolled a fifteen... will his luck hold after rolling two ones... anyway he manages to avoid getting swiped by huge-ass bear claws, making a spinny spin around the bear's back. Hopefully the sound will confuse it some along with the attempted stabbing??? He's glad he stocked up on those bayonets earlier so he won't be missing that one that he threw into the bear's head. ]
Fucking shit, we just can't catch a break!
[ He'll like. Grab onto the back of the cart, hop on it like those people do with train cars in them movies, catching it as the cart starts rattling forward. Let's get outta here dudes!! ]
Sieghart is aware of the undue burden he's placing on the horses and occupants both by doing this; however, bears are remarkably quick. He barrels down the path, adjusting the horses based on the terrain and the shifting weight behind him. It's not an easy ride, and his body protests being jostled so roughly, but needs must.]
[I DONT EVEN KNOW GNG BUT BASED ON THIS ALONE IM AFRAID OF THEIR BEARS
Can't believe he escaped this bear-swipe though, tch. It does seem to throw the bear off a little, to hear the sound darting behind it - but the most noise is coming from the cart that's nyooming up ahead. It's not long before it sets off after the cart again, snarling and growling.
On the plus side... it's a blind bear! Which means that while a normal bear might well be able to overtake a horse, this one's not quite so fast. It has to follow its nose and the sounds around it, after all.
Some of the cloth separating the cart from the horses rustles, and Lucretia leans out.]
Something like this?
[She's holding a bundle of matchsticks! Yeehaw.
Inside the cart, Soujirou pokes his little head out first.]
Are you okay?! That's the bear that almost got us! [Mostly sweet Sieg, Soujirou continues to remain unharmed somehow. Meanwhile, Nikaido is in the middle of moving one of the barrels toward the back.]
You think we should use this to try slowing it down?
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Who wrote these?
[ SERIOUSLY. But anyways, the subtle ignoring of footsteps... he'll continue to keep an eye out just in case.
He also whistles casually when he hears about distraction down in an execution ground. ]
Is that so... do you know what they're hunting for?
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Sieghart makes a face. Oh, whatever. He's ridden horses into wars; handling them isn't new to him.]
. . . I will be.
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The soldier talking to Sieghart nods, moving to lead him toward the front of the cart. Unsurprisingly, Soujirou tags along.]
Can I be up here with you?
[Sweet, foolish POW.
As for Aikawa, the soldier scratches his chin and says:] Someone named Vaux Sucksman? Apparently the execution grounds were raided after you went and got the commander. It's all anyone's talking about down there... The guy tricked his way in by making up some weird lie about being a serial kidnapping victim and then broke at least five people's noses for fun, and when they wouldn't give him what he wanted - I heard one guy say it was just to see them all do a funny little dance - he managed to set the whole place on fire with a single match! Weird, right?
[WELL. That sure got out of hand...
Meanwhile, Lucretia finishes up her talk and starts heading toward the back of the cart.]
Are you ready? Let's head out.
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[ He normally would think this is absolutely hysterical, it's just the circumstances demand he can't be as jovial as he normally would be. He's gloriously good at keeping a straight face anyway. Fascinating. ]
Yeah, let's just keep going. I better not see you falling off that horse, either of you.
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Led toward the front of the cart, he takes a seat and looks at Soujirou.]
You're supposed to be our prisoner. It'll make more sense for you to stay in the back with the others.
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Just keep an eye out... That guy sounds like a real maniac, you don't want to end up running into him in the middle of this operation.
[Wouldn't that just be terrible, damn.
Anyway, Soujirou just frowns because he has imprinted on Sieghart, his favorite father duck.]
Can't I just hide?
[He doesn't look like he'll put up too much of a fuss, though. If Sieghart insists again, he'll sulkily make his way to the back and Sieghart's free to get the cart moving.
When Aikawa goes to the back of the cart, he'll find a similar set-up to the boat: enough space for a cramped seat for all of them and some barrels, among which are their nasty body ones. Lucretia is sealing the edges with something that smells strongly of flowers, which is a good thing because those barrels are not airtight and they're gonna start stinking up the whole place sooner rather than later. To Aikawa, holding out the jar:]
Do you mind getting the other one?
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Well, that's a human name, and I'm a sorcerer, so.
[ Anyway around the back... checking this whole shit out. And taking the jar from Lucretia... ]
... Yeah, sure, I don't mind. I can walk, also, until I actually have to get in. Feels like it's be easier for the horses and less crowded in there until then.
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[He gestures in Aikawa's approximate direction at the back of the carriage. Once Soujirou's gone, Sieghart grasps the reins to move the cart along their path. It's been a while since he last rode a horse, but the skill's ingrained in his muscle memory.]
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Lucretia considers Aikawa's proposal for a moment, before nodding.]
Alright, yes. We'll be in this section of the trail for another half-mile or so; climb back in once we reach the city banner.
[Aikawa's left to walk! The cart will move at a pace he can keep up with unless Sieghart decides to go ham and full throttle it for some reason.
The path that they're going through has a pretty well-worn track, indicating that carts probably use it pretty often. Makes sense, since it goes to a small dock! That said, they're flanked on both sides by thick forest. The sky is lighter now, and they'll be able to see their surroundings better than before, but it's still a bit difficult to get a good look.
They'll be able to proceed without any incidents for the first few minutes. But then, because nothing can be easy, they'll hear the sound of some branches cracking off in the forest to their left. At the same time, Sieghart will reach a fork in the path.]
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This is part of the reason why Aikawa chose to walk outside, though. He's immediately got a knife in his hand, watching out to where the branches crack. ]
We can tell you've been following. Let's make this easy, huh?
[ Aka 'oh god please make this easy'. ]
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Sieghart assesses the fork. Did the path marked by the map determine a direction here? In any case, he looks over his shoulder to his left at Aikawa's confrontation.]
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As Sieghart assesses the fork, he'll find that both paths look equally worn! Neither seems particularly distinct, unfortunately for his choice-making. As he reaches into his mind palace to consult his memory of the map, he'll recall that the left path was marked as a faster route, but that there was a little question mark symbol beside it, off in the forested area.
As for sweet Aikawa, a cannibal immediately leaps out of the bush to tackle him. That would be so tragic after he escaped the cannibal in the graveyard...
But no, tragically he gets no response! Wrow. He'll hear more branches snapping, though, heading steadily in their direction, though whatever it is is moving at a fairly unrushed pace. And eventually... a rather large bear sticks its noggin out of the foliage! It appears to be sniffing around for something. Hm, funky.]
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Anyway, yeah, that sure is a bear. I'd ask if it's supposed to be a Japanese grizzly but Aikawa wouldn't know bear types and behaviours. So he's just going to be warily watching, quietly muttering to the cabin crew: ]
We've got a bear with us... not aggressive yet.
[ That being said, he does have his knife out just in case but what happens if he throws a sausage link into the foliage? The ridiculous costume with surprisingly practical applications . . . ]
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The bear is both a welcome and unwelcome sight. Sieghart is more than happy to repay some of the damage from earlier, but they're on a deadline. They can't waste too much time or passing through Itabashi will be that much harder. He cranes his neck farther toward the carriage in anticipation of its occupants' response.
And then Aikawa throws a sausage link near it. Lovely.]
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Nikaido also pokes her head out once she hears about their new terrible arrival.]
Not aggressive yet is pretty good... Must mean it can't pick up the trail perfectly, but it's definitely following something.
[Lucretia, in the meantime, moves to the front of the cart and over toward some of the barrels there, warily staring out toward the bear and waiting tensely.
As Aikawa throws the sausage, the bear seems to start a little IT CAN'T SEE AND SOMETHING WAS JUST THROWN NEARBY. That said, it does lumber off to go check to see what the mystery UFO was. This buys them a precious few seconds, considering that after it sniffs around in the foliage, it lifts its head toward the cart and starts sniffing in that direction instead of chowing down on tasty snacc.]
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The only thing we've got that other people tend to not have are dead bodies in a barrel.
[ Backing up with the cart, knife out in case. ]
Stay inside.
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Sooner or later, that's going to be the case.
Now that they're here, he finds himself struck by doubt. Are the dead bodies all that the bear's after? He chews on that thought as he watches the scene unfold.]
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In any case, the cart isn't moving but the bear sure is! It sniffs at the air a few more times before standing up on its back legs and letting out a loud growl. In the next moment, it slams back down onto all fours and starts running toward the cart from behind. HEWWO.
Soujirou yelps and leaps in, already in the middle of diving back into the cart. From inside, there's the muffled sounds of cursing and a few banging noises. From where he's situated closer to Sieghart, he'll hear Lucretia's voice, sharp with focus and likely addressing Nikaido considering Sieghart's driving and the only other person in here is a child:]
Help me get this barrel to the front!
[Followed by some scuffling noises.]
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Well that's great. Aikawa is gonna throw a knife first? He's very good at that but let me know if I should roll it anyway, I guess ideally it would be into wherever this bear's eyes... I ASSUME IT'S JUST ART STYLE AND IT DOES HAVE EYES... presumably a knife into an eye hole would still hurt though (he can recently attest due to his murder................).
OBVIOUSLY HE WOULD LIKE TO NOT BE WITHIN CLAW DISTANCE, BUT. Beggars can't be choosers. So if this bear is not stopped or deterred by a thrown bayonet-knife, he will attempt to sidestep and stab it... in the side. ]
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Get in! I'm taking it to the stronghold!
[This time, they're going full throttle onto the left path on the fork. Hopefully, Aikawa will be able to do as Sieghart demands or hitch a ride on the bear.]
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For Aikawa's bear attack... Well. As close as he is, he'll see that the bear's eyes are entirely scarred over! That's a blind as hell bear, there are no eyes to stab and maybe not even and eye sockets to stab considering that entire area is one mass of scar tissue. It is not, in fact, art style. That's just an eyeless bear.
He'll also find that this bear is apparently the terminator. The knife thrown toward its eye area makes its mark! A perfect hit! It sinks in a fair amount, and the bear throws its head back and shakes it to and fro, making horrible sounds. ...Except this bear can take multiple headshots, so. That barely slows it down, and it starts rampaging again. Aikawa can get within range to side stab it, but this bear has also survived being shot in the heart in addition to the head, so that sure ain't gonna kill it. The bear also takes a burly bearly swipe at him while he's within range, and then lunges forward like it might try to take a bite, too.
(sieghart voice) These animals are wrong.
While this happens, Sieghart tears off down the road, and he can probably hear several sounds from inside of the cart. The sounds of barrels jostling around, Lucretia delivering a very creative curse, Soujirou going "WAGH" and probably falling over something like Vladimir in that one train scene... The horses seem a little spooked to be suddenly zoomin', but they're not out of Sieghart's control.]
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Fortunately I rolled a fifteen... will his luck hold after rolling two ones... anyway he manages to avoid getting swiped by huge-ass bear claws, making a spinny spin around the bear's back. Hopefully the sound will confuse it some along with the attempted stabbing??? He's glad he stocked up on those bayonets earlier so he won't be missing that one that he threw into the bear's head. ]
Fucking shit, we just can't catch a break!
[ He'll like. Grab onto the back of the cart, hop on it like those people do with train cars in them movies, catching it as the cart starts rattling forward. Let's get outta here dudes!! ]
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Sieghart is aware of the undue burden he's placing on the horses and occupants both by doing this; however, bears are remarkably quick. He barrels down the path, adjusting the horses based on the terrain and the shifting weight behind him. It's not an easy ride, and his body protests being jostled so roughly, but needs must.]
Lucretia! Do you have an ignition source?
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Can't believe he escaped this bear-swipe though, tch. It does seem to throw the bear off a little, to hear the sound darting behind it - but the most noise is coming from the cart that's nyooming up ahead. It's not long before it sets off after the cart again, snarling and growling.
On the plus side... it's a blind bear! Which means that while a normal bear might well be able to overtake a horse, this one's not quite so fast. It has to follow its nose and the sounds around it, after all.
Some of the cloth separating the cart from the horses rustles, and Lucretia leans out.]
Something like this?
[She's holding a bundle of matchsticks! Yeehaw.
Inside the cart, Soujirou pokes his little head out first.]
Are you okay?! That's the bear that almost got us! [Mostly sweet Sieg, Soujirou continues to remain unharmed somehow. Meanwhile, Nikaido is in the middle of moving one of the barrels toward the back.]
You think we should use this to try slowing it down?
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[ DON'T YOU DARE. ]
Just give me a rock or something, it clearly can't see! Something to confuse it with, I don't know!
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