GoldenCat/LeaveDance
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Dance in Leave
Kanti leaves, Fiona and Sarah unconscious behind her, leaving pleasure and warmth behind her, seeking her mistress.... when another one of the Vestal's nuns waits, properly dressed in the dreary black robes gets up, right out of the room, happy to see Kanti going. trying to speak with her... "Is... is Fiona still in there? I have a message from the mistress for her...."
Kanti: ..what does she want?
But, it's her message...
"She is on the be, yes." she says softly. "Where was ..She when you saw her last?"
Nun: "Third floor, close to her own room... she's on the black room. With Maera." She nods.
"On the bed? Well, I have to wait for her to wake up, then... the Vestal asked me to take her to the lybrary... Mistress kept much of what was taken from Whiteshield, after she had the princess tell her where the secrets lied. She wants Fiona studying the texts...."
Kanti: Kanti nods "Thank you, sister." she curtsesy, then heads off through the paassageways, concentrating on the directions she has to go.
In the black room. ...with Maera. Why did she have to be with Maera...?
Because Mistress loved Maera...
When she reached the black room, she knocked softly. And trembled.
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: The door opens, alone, to Kanti... and she sees.
Maera lays there, chained to the roof, her back to the Vestal. Her body is beautiful under the candlelight - the green tint on the voluptuous dragoness, her realm ancestry showing through on the grooming of that body, on that silky skin, on that shining, healthy hair... her form bare... her back bleeding. The Vestal stands behind her, a cat of nine tails on her hand.... but every one of the ribbons smaller, sharper... hitting Maera's back, again and again, a smile on her face, making it bleed... and each hit making Maera scream.
"Yes... yes! Sing for me, Maera.. sing for me. 'A child of the Dynasty do not scream', remember? Repent, Maera! Sing for me and repent for your foolishness!" She calls, her caste mark bleeding.... hitting Maera again and again. "REPENT!"
The chains let go. Maera falls, and while her blood spills droplets on the floor, she does not clutch her wrists, or her her back... she simply squirms on the ground to the Vestal, kissing her feet, looking up lovingly. Like Fiona. Like Kanti. Or... more? Something so... powerful seemed hurt and broken, there. Something unlike what Kanti ever had... something that reminds her of the Dynasty, of the Crimson Panoply...
Maera kisses the Vestal's feet, suckling on her fingers, looking up... and speaks. "My randmother... the empress is a slut. A whore. A liar who backs an empire of foolish weaklings. The immaculate order is a lie... all of it... Mela is a whore... Hesiesh is a useless idiot., Pasiap a liar..."
"We dragons... exist to serve you. To strive to be you. They are all misguided... prideful idiots... but I see... where I stand... that I am all for you, mistress. All yours. Your dragoness." She looks up at the Vestal, with the eyes of someone who heard her words, who gazed into her eyes...
The Vestal smiles, holding her hair harshly, "Good. Never forget, my dragoness. Your place. Your truth. Do not forget, and I will be great for you, as I have always been... know your place, and you will be rewarded with more than you could have ever dreamed of before, Maera. You know that. Never forget that."
Then, she turns, smiling... and, with her free hand, gestures for Kanti to come closer...
Kanti: Kanti winces with each blow of the whip to Maera's back, feeling a little bit of the pain, wishing she could take it all away..even from Maera.
But...it was to help her..yes...
And she was actingly properly to the Mistress now, so the Mistress wasn't hurting her...and that was right...
And.. Kanti's heart skips a beat now she wants me
Kanti makes her way over to the Vestal, kneeling on the floor beside Maera, looking up.
"..I've come to see you, Mistress." her voice soft, quiet, but still showing her need, raw with it.
Maera: Maera's eyes race out of the Vestal for a moment, eyeing the woman beside her...
No...
No....
Nonononononono!!!!!!
For her to see me like this... she is seeing me like this.. she saw... how much?
My screams...
My wounds...
My pleads...
..... NO!
Towards Kanti, Maera's eyes scream
Kanti: Kanti flinches slightly as she sees the look in Maera's eyes, no idea what do when face with such rage and fear.
Why?
Why is she so afraid of me?
What ..did I do?
She looks back pleading, apologetic.
I'm sorry Maera...I...
I didn't mean to scare you...
I don't want to hurt you...
I understand what it's like...
Don't be scared...please...
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: The Vestal's hands touch Kanti's face, and she smiles... "Welcome, Kanti... did you enjoy it? Giving joy, on my name?"
"Maera here... do not misunderstood. She understands, and believes fully on the Shining One... which is why her post is so high. But unlike you, who was so purged of heaven, Maera repents like this... bits at a time... every moon like this, for three years and three days, she shall suffer such. But I know that on her spirit she already embraces me fully, even if she is not wholly pure yet. As you aren't, Kanti... still showing taint of heaven.. but just a little. Those beautiful scars purged you of most of their lies... covered you in truth."
Maera: Kanti's apology does change... it makes her eyes narrow. It makes her eyes burn.
Embarassment.
Humilliation.
Exposed.
Dirtied.
Lowered.
To mistress, yes.. she... only her.... only her!
You... have no right. You are inferior to me. All of you are.
All but her...
What right do you have to look at me like that? To pity me?!?
Eyes burning, she looks at the Vestal again... burying her resentment, burying her humilliation, burying her rage... making it stronger, even stronger... for later.
Now, she shall please her mistress. She shall repent. Later...
Kanti: Her touch...so warm..
She rubs her cheek on it slightly. "I did, yes Mistress." Her voice light, happy, joyful. "Fiona asked me to thank you, too ... for letting me care for her."
I...hope that pleases her...
She looks up as the vestal carries on speaking, listening carefully then...
Not...pure....I..
I...I...have displeased her...?
I...she is upset I am not pure...
But...my scars please her...and now I know why!
That is good!
"I know Maera is higher than me...that she understands more...I'm sorry for my taint.."
Please...let that please Mistress ... please Maera...
She glances at Maera once more.
Please forgive me what I have done Maera..
Whatever it was...I mean you no harm...please....
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: "So sweet. I am glad she liked it."
"You will care for many more on my name, now..."
Rubbing Kanti's face, rubbing Maera's hair...beautiful blood running down her face... "I do not need much pleasing tonight. After the talk with the demoness, I have much to read... much to do. But I want you close by... dancing... training... snuggling on my bed. Close by me, my bird of fire, my huntress of water." Her smile seems to... take over the world, on the small room, the candlelight like fire on her fair skin...
"But before... I need to be properly... relaxed. Maera, under my robes. Please your mistress. Kanti... dance. Dance to the tune of the screams that anyone can feel in this room..." And she looks down to Kanti, blood coming to her jaw... ready to drip down. "But first... clean me."
And as she says so, Maera whispers for her mistress, and goes inside her robes...
Kanti:...She...is pleased....that...is good!!
And I will be allowed to care for people!
She is so good to me.
she stands slowly, hesitating, then licking her chin, up her checks, shuddering softly as she licks the mark on her forehead.
Then she steps away, and bows low, listening to the screams. Shivering as she she does, then blanking it.
She starts to dance, flowing as the screams rise and fall, letting them play her, wrapped in their rythem. Only stopping when she asked.
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: The Vestal takes a cup of wine... or is it blood? Not far from her, and drinks... watching it as Maera moves inside her robes.
And then, face flushed, she squeals in the way only she can... a fulfillment that betrays no sign of helplessness... and asks Kanti to stop. She has them come with her to her room, where she... relaxes. All night, reading texts, reading arcane books, discussing with her demoness from time to time. Watching Kanti's dance when she wishes, watching both Kanti and Maera train, or eat and relax when she lets them. That way, an evening passes... a night passess... and the morning comes.
Dancing for Mistress. Training for Mistress. Together with Maera.
Fire and Water, Water and Fire... touching as a show to the Mistress while she read, while she worked. Smoke.
Tied up, on those purple scarves. Leaving her with the taste and love of Mistress. Told to wait. Wait until the morning. Morning comes. Blindfold taken from her eyes, she finally sees the sun. Mistress above her, and a kiss. "Are you ready to hunt today, Kanti?"
He stands not too far back. Shrouded by a tight black leather coat. His long pasty hair great around his head, as a mane... his face slim and girlish, as red lines streak down from his eyes. One Kanti had not seen before, gray bible on his hand, standing close to the Vestal...
Kanti: So long in the darkness, waiting for her...
vague noises around... is that her coming for me?
No ... but ... she will come for me ...
take me out of the darkness.
Kanti looks up, her eyes blinking at the sunlight after the hours in the darkness, responding to the kiss with a hunger before the Vestal pulls away.
"Yes Mistress, I'm ready to hunt for you." she says with a small smile.
I'm ready to find the ones who hurt you ... bring them home ... for your forgiveness.
Her eyes dart to the blackclad man a little fearfully. "Who is he?" her eyes ask of the Vestal, "Why is he here?"
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: "Good girl. My good Kanti." She says, standing and turning, "Oh, and this is the Prophet of the Ashen Book, Kanti. A good friend of mine. Sethen, dearie, this is the Garda Bird. The Blue's former companion."
Prophet of the Ashen Book: The lithe man walks to Kanti, his lips moving imperceivably behind his high collar, red-lashed eyes gazing inside Kanti's soul as a voice as smooth as dreams speaks... the tip of his fingers ghostly brushing below her jaw and pushing up. "A pleasure to meet you, Kanti. I have heard so much of you."
Kanti: She's pleased with me! happy!
Kanti hangs in the bonds, smiling softly to herself.
The Blue ... who.?..Master!
A confused wash of emotion passes over Kanti, anger over his betrayal ... gratefulness for his gift to the vestal.
Then, the man steps closer to her.
His eyes ... they see as much as hers ...and... he's going to ... touch
Kanti trembles in the Bonds as he raises her chin, looking up into the pale, red streaked face.
"It is a p..pleasure to meet you too, Prophet of The Ashen B-Book."
..what does he see in me?
What does he see?
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: She humphs, her arms closing under her chest. "... And she is not for you, Sethen. No ghostly touches or kisses."
Prophet of the Ashen Book: "The pleasure is all mine, Garda Bird." His eyes waltz over her soul, and Kanti can just see the beggining of the faint smile... patronizing, understanding. Then he gives a helpless, humorous shrug, and turns around. "Yes, yes... a pity you do not swing that way, dearie. I would love you then." He says, walking up to her... and whispering. Something of Kanti... about Kanti. The Vestal giggles.
Kanti: Mistress cares for me! She protects me from things. from him
The smile returns as she realises this, fatlering slightly as his eyes roam her soul, feeling so utterly helpless before him.
...What do you see in me?
...what is it?
The whispering. The giggle.
What did you say?
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: She walks up to Kanti, taking some of the binds of... but not those on her hands. She merely helps Kanti up on them...a leash on her tied hands. "So, Windia is properly discouraged, I see? You did your job well, there."
Prophet of the Ashen Book: "Well, yes. I also sent my power to the Lover, but she will doubtless feel and counter it. But my curses and going through the North, making them all feel the dischord. Infidels feel the unenlightened pettyness on their souls become dischord when I say my holy words." He says, holding the book. "And I also got what you wanted. Do I get my reward, my dear?"
Kanti: Kanti stands easily, despite the binds on her hands, standing behind her, waiting to be lead.
The Lover...her?..why is Mistress trying to hurt her ... Mistress will get hurt ...Or...maybe not...mistress is powerful...
She trembles slightly in fear behind her, but listens quietly. It's not her place to comment.
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: The Vestal begins to walk, leading both him and Kanti by her leash, "But of course. But I will pick your reward." She says, walking into a room and waving, to a beautiful ornament, shining in yellow bright of smiles and sunny days... Jyoti, bound, gagged, blindfolded. "She is called Jyoti, a faerie princess. Very beautiful... but not as satisfying to me. She is more your type, I suppose. " She says, caressing Kanti's hair... "Go to her. Let her be the first face she sees after so long in the darkness. As for you, Kanti..."
She turns, untying the bonds... "Fiona is on her room, across the Palace. Kiri is on the garden on the roof. Go fetch them, and meet me on the entrance. I will have everything ready for you to go, right?"
She says, leaving the bonds hanging from Kanti's wrists... "Is there anything you want to tell me before you go, my sweet?"
Kanti: Jyoti...pooor Jyoti...sent away from the mistress...
But...she did not please her...
Kanti bows as she is given her instructions "I will, Mistress."
Anything ...to...tell her...?
She bows her head "Thank you ... for last night, all of it. And for being there this morning, Mistress." she shivers softly as she says this.
What else is there to say?
Prophet of the Ashen Book: He whispers, and his words make Jyoti squirm. He moves with the grace of an alabaster angel, and undoes her chains. His hands run over all her body,so ghastly that they would not have made any difference had her body been of sand or salt. He takes her gag then, and hears the words... like birds chirping on a happy morning, like a joyful song. Happyness. And then he undoes her blindfold, and his voice begins to destroy the loyalty for the Vestal... and make one for him.
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: The Vestal smiles then, tall and powerful above Kanti, a last caress. "I will always be, as long as you obey me. As you keep being my Kanti. Remember that. And go, now."
Kanti: She shivers in pleasure at the carress.
Of course I will always be hers.
A brief glance over at Jyoti, squirming, listening to his words...no longer hers.
Unless you give me away.
You won't do that..will you?
Please..don't do that.
She looks back at the Vestal, and bows once more, then sets off for the rooftop garden, feeling ever so lucky to be hers.
Kiri: Kanti gets to the roof... the garden. So vivid in its red roses and cherry trees. Nothing grows on a Shadowland. No way this could exist. This could not exist. But it does... flowers watered by blood, cherry trees thriving on corpses. And Kiri, the maiden of thorns, the rose duelist, is there, amidst a whirwind of rose petals, sewing her cape with the essence of dreams...
Kanti: So much life here ... but ... not true life ... or was it?
Was mistress not true?
Kanti makes her way slowly though the garden, staying well away from the plants, not wanting to feel their hunger.
As she sees Kiri busy, she pauses. Kiri was not to be interupted..but..Mistress wanted her. So...
"Kiri, the Mistress wants to see you. It's time to go." she says softly, her voice none-the-less pentrating the swirling petals
Kiri: She stops her weaving, her face of non-chalant confidence, eyes semi closed to Kanti. "Oh, is it that time already?" She asks, continuing her task, leaning against a cherry trees as she sews... a cape of roses, sewn with endless lines of thorns. "This will be glorious! A Deathknight and a Lunar... our battle will be sung for years, Kanti. For the Vestal as well... it shall be glorious!"
Kanti: Glorious?
Kanti tilts her head slightly.
I suppose it will be glorious ... dancing the Dance of Blade and Tears for her ... aginst those who would hurt her.
That would be it's own kind of glory, yes.
"It will be, yes." she smiles softly.
And then we will come home to her.
Kiri: "I will be heading downstairs soon!" She says, dreams of glory, blood and fight on her eyes, "Just give me a moment to finish it... to go in full glory with you!"
Kanti: "What ... is it? That you're making?" she asks, a little curious.
"Mistress will be waiting by the gates. I have to go and get Fiona." she says softly as she retreats from the blood garden and the fae lady, heading down and through the passages to Fiona's room, knocking on the door.
Kiri: "The Shorud of Rose Glory! I always wear it with me before duels like these... before my former campaigns with gladiators. I used to go to Genmel's tournaments quite a bit... the Shroud made me famous. It is the line, that I am once again giving form. You will see me in it, it is glorious. As it name entails." She says, then waves to the Crimson Dragoness, "I will be seeing you by the gates, soon enough!"
Maera: Before she can get anywhere... Kanti hears the voice. Predatory. Harsh. Violent.
Like sea waves beating against the shore in a rainy day... nothing pleasant. Harsh. Salty. Violent. but unlike the sea... predatory. Coated in something, in pure emotion. "So there you are... strutting around the palace by yourself."
Kanti: Maera!!
And ... she still sounds angry from last night!
Kanti shudders, her whole body trembling, she looks up at Maera, her eyes managing to reach the dragoness' chin.
"Mistress s..sent me to get Fiona ... and bring her to the g-gates."
Please ... please ... please
Please don't stop me.
I don't want to disappoint her.
Not when she is so pleased with me.
Maera: Maera walks up to Kanti, slowly. Slowly. Each step on the flawless floor of the palace sounding like a crushing wave.
And then, as she comes to Kanti... she slaps her!
Green eyes burning with the ocean's fury.
"Oh, she did, did she not? Let you wander around on your own? Like you have any right to. You were slow. You endangered me before, you careless, useless slut."
Hand to Kanti's neck, her teeth bare. "You loved to see me last night, did you not? To think yourself so superior, didn't you? didn't you?!?"
Kanti: She..She ..She is going to stop me...
The slap hits her ... pain blossoming in her cheek ...so like and yet unlike the pain the mistress inflicted on her sometimes.
"S...She did. I...I'm so...sorry I let you get hurt ... I ... said I was sorry."
Please remember...please..let me go...
Kanti looks down in shame, then up again, as she feels the claws on her throat, looking up at Maera, her eyes pleading.
Superior...why would I feel superior..she..you...you are her highest.
"No...no ..No Maera. Not at all. I ... I know you are superior to me ... that ... Mistress loves you more."
She squirms, but dares not move her neck, not with the claws so close.
Please...let me go...let me do her bidding now Her eyes plead
Maera: Her breath hard. In angry. In fury. As if wanting something that Kanti will not give her...
Another slap, with her free hand. "You should have never been there! That is not for you to see! Only the mistress can see me like that, you hear me? Her and only her!!" And another.
"You know? Do you know? She never punished you for being careless as she should... I should make you atone. Atone for your carelessness, your sin. Do you know it, Kanti?"
Hand pushing her against a wall. Hard. "Do you really know it? That you are nothing to me? Useless, nothing, not even worthy of looking at me? You are a slut, reeking of pride... too much of it. Kneel down before me, and say it. Say how much you are nothing before me. Atone for your sins! For going where you should not, for seeing what you should not, for thinking what you should not, you, you... yooouuuu....! Say I am the mistress. Come on."
Kanti: Ahhh! "I..I didn't know...mistress said she would be pleased if she saw me...I..I didn't know you would be there ... didn't want to see you like that..." Ahhh!
Mistress..mistress is kind...she forgives...that is why she did not...it..it her who decides the punishment...</i>
A gasp as she is pushed against the wall, knocking some of the breath from her.
I..am nothing to you? I..mistress loves me...
She drops to her knees before the dragoness, looking down at her feet.
"I...I... am nothing to you. I..I am useless ... worthless ... not...not worthy of looking at you."
Call you mistress? I...can't do that...
She is my mistress.
She loves me.
She cares for me.
she protects me.
<b>I am not nothing to her!</b>
She looks up then. "I can not call you mistress. Only She is my mistress." she says, defiance in her voice, a faint tremble in her voice, that then vanishes as the calm washes over. And then there is no fear.
Just calm.
<b>Maera: Maera looks in disbelief. Eyes wide, face open, as if she had just taken a harsher blow than she could believe. Than she could ever believe. For a moment, she seems on the verge of tears.
I cannot be the mistress....
I cannot compete, yes...
I exist only to please the mistress, a toy, a pet, not a Dynast, Dynasty is a lie, a lie, a lie...
No way I could be the mistress then, no way...
Then, she channels that in rage. She holds Kanti's head, and beats it against the wall. Harsh enough to make things whirl around, not enough to leave any damage, so the Mistress wouldn't see.
"Yes. You said it right. Nothing. Useless. I had to have hurt you twice as much as I did, then pehaps you would have been any good. Yesterday, with your face there, on my thighs... that is all mistress keeps you alive for. That is all you are good for, you worthless girl, and you can barely perform..."
Then she snaps, shoving Kanti's head away, to the ground, and moving around, as if Kanti was never there... saying just one thing before she vanishes on the corridor. "Go do your task, then. You disgust me."
Kanti: Calm
Then pain. Her world spins at Maera's cruelty, blinking her eyes, breif tears forming.
I am useless.
I am worthless.
But Mistress has use for me!
Mistress would not lie!
...would she?
Then the corridoor rises up to greet her, and she sprawls on the cold stone floor, not raising until the dragoness has gone, picking herself up, readjusting her robes.
Walking to Fiona.
Why does she do such things to me?
I...I tried to love her.
Fiona: The room where mistress said Fiona would be is full of... books. Musty old tromes, indiosincratic covers and colors, either opened or piled up one over another. The dust from the tomes fills the air with a hot miasma... some find it comfortable, some, unnerving and unclean. And Kanti hears singing from a dressing chamber to the right of the room... singing a common tune from the east, the jovial, carefree voice of Fiona.
Kanti: Kanti curls up her nose at the smell. Books she didnt mind, but old libraries...ugh.
She makes her careful way through the shelves and piles, to the room with Fiona.
"Fiona?"
Fiona: "Kanti!" She smiles, running out, dancing around... the golden chains on her wrists chiming like bells.dressed in minimalist, form-fitting clothing that could only be called an attempt of a lingerie to actually cover, covering most of her body in golden and purple laces, thigh high stockings and gloves past her elbow, golden chains around them. Yellow-gold veils come from its thighs, covering almost up to her knees... a dress for mistresses of Whiteshield the Vestal took, and which fit her newest slave quite well... and, of course, a black choker, marking her as a property of the church. As she does so her warm amber hair moves around, her big hazel eyes shining. "How do I look, how do I look?"
She says, finishing her pose and glomping Kanti, "Yesterday was so nice! After you made me sigh so.. Mistress had someone take me to the books, I could take all I wanted! Books from Whiteshield's royal lybrary... she is so nice to me, I learned so much, so much! It was too fun, too good, Kanti! How was it to you?"
Kanti: Ah..she was such a breath of fresh air..after the drowning of Maera. She was chosen of the sun ... and it was warm in her presence.
"You look wonderful! She will be very pleased to see you."
Kanti hugs her back, marvelling at how not even the screams of her robes repulse her.
"It was wonderful yesterday. To help you and Sarah, and then to see her. But, we have to go to her now. We are leaving. To hunt."
Fiona: "Let's go, then!" She says, whistling, the blue bird coming to her hand... "It will take us there!"
She looks up at Kanti, searching for something on the woman's gaze... "Are you... ok, mistr.. Kanti? You look... you don't look... so well."
Kanti: How could she see?!
If she could see, then Mistress could.
She shakes her head slowly, her vision swimming as she does.
"..I'm fine." she says softly, without much conviction. "We need to get to Mistress."
Fiona: "Alright..." She says, shimmering stone dangling from her chains, making her smell so nice... "I am ready enough. Lets go!"
She says, stepping outside and walking with Kanti towards the palace's entrance...
Kanti: "..While we walk, would you shine for me?" she asks, so very very softly.
I want to feel the sunlight.
And the power.
For you are greater than me.
Then she leads Fiona through the palace and to the gates.
Fiona: "Of course!" She says, walking jumpily along the way, her half-full,half-empty caste mark appearing and blazing with golden life on her forehead, her body wreathing itsself in golden light... feeling warmed, like the sun shining right there with her, so close to Kanti... so warm, inviting, caring.
And then, they get to the entrance of the Palace. Outside, the inauspicious, barren landscape of the Shadowland, that seemed so far away within the sheltered palace walls. The Vestal and the Prophet there, Maera with the Vestal, Jyoti knelt beside the Prophet. Opposite to them, close to the carriage, Kiri waits... the glorious carmine cape done and on her back, flowing on the eerie wind...
Kanti: She luxuriates in the light, letting it banish the pain and the confusion
Maera inflicted and she knows peace again.
Why is that the sun feels so good?
"You'd best stop now, Fiona ... thank you!" she says, some of the sunlight on her voice too before they reach the gates.
Then she steps out, and walks over to the vestal.
"I'm here Mistress, to hunt for you." she says with a bow, blanking out everone else.
Don't notice. Please.
Vestal of the Livid Lamasery: The Vestal ends her talk with both Maera and the Prophet, her eyes washing over Kanti... "Go, my dear Garda Bird, with my blessing. Your mistress loves you, never forget.." her voice full of whispering hues, so sweetly powerful, resonating within Kanti's soul... in love, acceptance, protection. A mistress' protection to her favorite slave. "Never. You have my bless on this hunt. With my blessing, my sweet... with my blessing for the three of you, bring those who have wronged me. Go." She says, with a last caress to Kanti's hair...
Kanti: "I will Mistress. We will."
A shiver at the carress.
Thank you for trusting me to do this.
Thank you for your blessing.
Thank you for your love.
"We will find them for you, and bring them back to you."
Then she turns, and leads the strange trio from the palace, following the bird of smoke and flame before her.
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