Lost in the Cold Finale

[Arlo Creede]

While Vega traveled across the open space between them and the girl, Arlo never took his eyes off the slumbering monster in the shadows. He was always aware of where she was. He could see her out of the corner of his eye and willed her to go quietly, but to hurry up both at once.

The lantern helped some, so did Lyova. Enough at least that he could see his target well enough should it so much as twitch. And it did just that, lifting it's tail just a little and setting it back down again. Arlo's fingers closed round the string of his bow, ready to draw back and fire if he needed to. He spared the briefest of glances for Vega when she reached the child and picked her up. And while he felt a great deal of relief that the girl appeared to be alive and for the most part unhurt, it was no time for celebrating.

He visibly winced though when the child spoke, even as Vega was carrying her back with her. She couldn't have seen it, but he did. The thing raised its head, opened its eyes and looked right at them all and Arlo slowly drew back on his bow. It was groggy, just like he'd thought it would be even had it been awake already. It's size meant that it could cover a lot of ground in one leap. But in its current state how quickly could it actually do it. He didn't think this was the time to experiment, by allowing Vega's slow and steady retreat to continue.

Arlo looked at her, caught her eye and jerked his head ever so subtly in the lizard's direction as a message. It was awake. And while he didn't have his hands free to sign much of a message, a jerk of his head towards the tunnel behind him might be enough. How quickly she decided to retreat however was up to her. He for one would stand his ground until she and the girl were past him, hold back the thing if it tried to pursue her, if he could, then follow her out along with the others.

As she ran past him with the girl, he turned his full focus on the groggy lizard, his string pulled back and ready to fire if it advanced. It was a large target, hard to miss. But the thing looked like it had a tough hide. Therefore he'd only fire if the thing gave chase. Otherwise anything less than a killing blow might just enrage it and make things worse. So he'd fire if necessary to give Vega time to put distance between here and the chamber.

But if the creature seemed uninterested in giving chase or attacking, he'd opt not to fire his bow. Either way, in the end he'd turn with the others to run after Vega, back the way they'd come.

[Asari Rosacea]

Asari had the misfortune of looking at the beast right when she saw it raise its tail. The Naerikk’s blood ran cold, a shudder of fear running through her. She probably should have screamed. That’s what people did, right? Only, Asari was frozen, silent, her eyes wide as she watched the scene unfold. Even without screaming, the look on her face was surely enough- and luckily, Kata and Arlo had similar expressions.

As Vega grabbed the girl, all Asari could do was turn and get ready to run- preparing to follow Vega. She would have fought, maybe she should have fought. But the truth was that her whip, in her inexperience and the beast’s size, would only serve to wake him up more and irritate him. Her whip was meant to be used on people- not beasts. It was a painful weapon, one that could be used to wrap around limbs and necks and cause a person to be painfully stuck. Against the giant thing they had the misfortune of meeting, it was no use. As for her dagger… well, Vega was right. Her nails were longer.

As Vega went bolting past her, Asari barely gave Arlo and Kata a glance before running after her. Her legs were shorter, and Vega easily pulled ahead, but Asari was determined not to be left behind to be lizard food. The lantern jumped in her hands as she pushed herself forward.

Unfortunately, Asari wasn’t a skilled runner. As they made their way down the tunnel, the clumsy, short Naerikk tripped. Falling forward with a yelp, her body slammed into the stone cave floor, her knee scraping painfully against the hard surface.

Asari blinked as she lifted her head, turning it to look behind her at the beast- which she hadn’t gotten all that far away from yet. This was her time to freak out. “KATA!” She screeched the Sev’ryn’s name in panic, scrambling to get away. In her blunder, she couldn’t seem to find her feet, more than a little paralyzed with fear of the thing approaching.

[Ent]

Vega ran as she saw the action of Arlo making her run, his head moving backwards to indicate it was time to go and quick. Vega did her best to run across the gap and her strength helped her keep hold of the girl. Her acrobatics would help to keep her balanced, but she did not have the best running form. Clearly as her feet scraped against the floor a little and she didn't quite lift her knees high enough. The beast at first watched her lazily, allowing her to move ahead of it. It's eyes traced her movements and its tongue tasted the air.

It took a few weak and wobbly steps forwards it fully awoke. To Kata and Arlo these steps would appear to be it making chase and so the two prepared men would release their arrows. Vega was already about to pass them when this time would come, she was stumbling a little on the uneven ground but staying up right and moving fast. Normally Kata would have been a better shot than Arlo but be it the dim lighting or the pressure his arrow sailed past the creatures weaker face and instead just bounced off of the thick scale like skin on its side. At this point the tired and sluggish beast may have let them be but it just so happened that Arlo made a most unexpected hit.

Arlo's arrow sailed through the air and managed to find its way into the beasts large amber eye. It let out a strange hiss and roaring sound as the arrow dug its way deep into the socket. The creature was now blind in one eye and furious, its lazy sluggish temperament replaced with an angry blur of hisses as it began to lumber its aching muscles after the woman and towards the others.They were all running now, the volunteers and the beast not far behind. It was awake now and its powerful legs were moving it at a speed only just slower than their running for the time being. The heavy beasts sent out loud thuds with each step, a daunting sound that could be heard in all their ears.

At this point was when Kata, at the back of the group would see Asari fall. The short lady stumbling to the ground and the lantern shattering against the hard stone floor. The light was suddenly sucked from the world as the broken glass spread out from the point it landed. Asari would in fact find the glass embedded in her soft skin, the sharp points causing blood to trickle over them. Although too dark to see Asari would feel it, not only the pain but also the warmth of the blood covering them. Next she would feel too hand under her arms hoisting her up, even though she would now be taking shadow form Kata could not see well enough to tell. Instead he just helped her getting her to her feet, in fact she would now have to be his guide out of the pitch black tunnel. The beast hot on their tales, unable to see like most of them but with a keen sense of smell and taste for the air.

Vega would find her hands quickly come into contact with the curve of the wall, the bumpy surface like a hand of an immortal to guide her to the exit. She would be able to follow this wall to the split where they had chosen to come down this path. Here she would just have to keep true before she would exit out into the twilight, her skin would slowly begin to glow as small amounts of star light managed to make it into the cave.

The beast was still making chase though, its loud steps heard close behind Kata and Asari as they ran and also still close to Vega and Arlo. It was furious and in pain, its eye bleeding and damaged beyond repair. Its hissing heard above all else as it let out a loud and terrifying screech, its tale slamming against the walls causing vibrations that Vega would be feel on her hand. For whom the exit would soon in sight.

[Vega]

Vega didn't see them shoot the beast, but she heard it hiss and roar and she winced. She wasn't the best at this running business, the floor was uneven and there was a risk if one wasn't careful, so she made sure that she had her arms wrapped tight around the girl. She would do everything in her power not to fall, but if she did then she wouldn't hurt the girl. Vega had been careful not to outpace Asari, so she heard the roar and she heard Arlo and Kata start to move.

And then everything went black and Asari screamed Kata's name.

Vega stopped for just a trill, turning to look and there in the dark she felt terror and fury mingle. She was blinded, carrying a child and faced with a decison of what to do. In that split second, as she heard the woman scrabble, not manage to get herself up and put herself right, Vega wanted to do nothing more than grab and shake Asari. As reasonable, or unreasonable as that was, it was what she wanted to do. One job. Carry the lamp was all she had to do, but that had been too much and Vega, now, had to make a decision which she really, really didn't want to make.

Three lives for one.

Asari, Kata and Arlo, for a child. A child they knew they were going to try and save, a danger they knew and a danger which they had signed up to. For a child. There was no choice, she knew and so Vega turned away. She put her hand out and found the wall, then she continued to move as fast as she could, with the child in her arms. Or, more precisely, in one arm as she kept her other hand on the wall. The blurring of her vision as she considered that she was abandoning not just three souls, but also her friend went unnoticed by her in the pitch darkness, for all the she felt the cause of that blurring spill onto her cheek.

She made no noise, spoke no words ~ she just moved. That was all she concentrated on in the velvet blackness, just moving. She heard it roar and hiss and she felt the vibrations in the wall. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and she prayed to Xiur that she would see the stars, that she could be the starlight for these people. That they might all get out of here and that, if they could forgive her for abandoning them that would be good. It wouldn't be something that she would be forgiving herself for any time soon.

As fast as she could, putting every ounce of adrenaline she had into it, Vega kept moving and kept praying that she would continue to hear the roar or the sound of the creature dying. Please, just not the screams of one of them. Please, she prayed fervently, not that.

But whatever she heard, unless it stopped her, Vega kept going in the stumbling, loping run that was the most she could risk in the darkness. When finally after an eternity which lasted only a few bits, she started to see starlight, to see her own skin respond to it, Vega resisted the urge to look behind her and she ran. With an increase in energy, Vega ran to the exit and, should she get there she would move immediately to the side, put the child on the floor and stand over her, literally over her with one leg either side of her as she drew her sword. Come on, come on, come on. Please Xiur. Please. Let them get out. Please.

Off Topic

Sorry if I went on about distance too much, but I just wanted to be clear ~ since I'd said in my last post that she wouldn't outpace Asari, I just wanted to be clear about how where Vega was etc. Conferred with Ent to confirm

[Arlo Creede]

Even if his shot wasn't a killing one, Arlo learned quite a lot from firing it. Useful things. The way Kata's arrow bounced off the lizard's hide meant that it would be tough to kill if it caught up with any of them. But his own arrow at least managed to blind the overgrown lizard, which would make it harder for the thing to find and catch up with them should it decide to give chase.

He didn't wait to find out if it would. Instead he'd taken his shot and turned to follow Vega. The ground was uneven and it wasn't easy going. Lyova led the way though and he could see Vega ahead of him carrying the girl. He had to assume that Asari and Kata had the good sense to follow as well, but the only way he could know for sure was to rely on the glow of the lamp behind him.

And then Asari cried out, a panicked shout, followed by the sound of shattering glass and the light went out. "Dammit," he hissed as he was plunged into darkness. Lyova was just a faint blob of light, and if Vega hadn't been giving off a faint glow of her own, he'd never have known where she was. Arlo paused for just a trill or two, considering his options. And it didn't take long to realize, he didn't have any.

It was ironic that the one person who should have had the easiest time getting through the tunnels without stumbling, tripping or bumping shoulders or head, was the one holding the lamp. It wasn't a good kind of irony either, since it was that one thing that had put them all in more danger than they'd been in already.

He hissed out another string of oaths under his breath. He couldn't turn back. That was was pitch dark and he'd have bumped into the pair before he ever saw them. Or worse, ran into the lizard before them. Even if he could have gotten back, he'd be fighting completely blind. At least Asari could see in her shadow form. But not him. And Kata ought be skilled enough to help her.

Vega on the other hand with the girl in her arms was completely defenseless, was the thing to catch up to her. And as far as he knew, he was the only one standing between her and the lizard. And so Arlo stumbled on, keeping his eye on Vega and Lyova, one hand to the wall to guide himself, but still he stumbled in the dark once or twice. But then finally, he emerged from the cave to find Vega there as well.

He couldn't have been more relieved to find her uninjured, and he positioned himself on the opposite side of cave's opening and drew his sword. "I've blinded the thing in one eye," Arlo said, "That'll be the one on your side if it comes out." Of course he was hoping that Kata and Asari would come out first, whole, and that the lizard wouldn't at all. But nevertheless, "And it's hide is as good as armor. Kata's arrow bounced right off it," he added.

[Asari Rosacea]

Asari had dealt with pain before. As a Naerikk who didn’t live in Augiery, she had no choice- the tattoos they got were painful. Even so, she audibly gasped as she landed and the lantern shattered. Her left hand, unfortunately, pressed right into the shattered glass, even cutting up arm as she scrambled to get moving again. Unlike the others, she had perfect vision in the dark. But she could also feel herself shifting and changing as the seconds passed. Gritting her teeth as blood dripped down her injured arm, she was surprised to feel Kata’s strong grip on her right arm, pulling her up to her feet again.

Finding her footing, when she rose she was no longer the short girl with green streaked hair- she was in her natural form. Her longer legs carried her forward faster, pulling Kata along as they both helped each other to get moving. Note to self, get better at running. She thought, sarcasm being her defense in her fear. Fear that only grew as she listened to the frightful sounds the creature was making behind them, its screeching and slamming tail making her jump slightly.

Don’t trip. Don’t trip. She was reminding herself, lifting her legs higher best she could. It was of course, her luck that her short stature made her clumsy. But Asari knew if she fell again, that’d be it for them. Luckily, with her longer strides, she could see the exit coming pretty quickly.

As she burst back outside the cave, still clinging to Kata and bleeding from one arm, Asari could feel herself shift back to her normal form. She stumbled as her height shrunk once more, her body growing heavier. If she hadn’t been holding onto Kata, the transformation may have caused her to fall again. Instead, she stumbled slightly over her own feet as she turned, releasing Kata once she had her footing.

On instinct, her non-injured hand reached for her whip, yanking it from her belt so she had it ready. However, in truth, Asari had no clue what to do. Should we try to fight this thing? Are we going to keep running? She knew nothing about this beast, and all the odds were stacked against them. Asari did the only thing she knew might help. She asked Vega.

“Vega. Help a girl out here. What do we do?” She asked warily, watching the entrance for the thing. It wasn’t far behind them, last she heard it. Maybe it was because Vega had seemed to be a leader type. Maybe it was because she seemed to have good ideas. Asari wasn’t sure, but she was holding her breath, hoping one of them would have a gameplan.

In the meantime, she kept an eye on the tunnel, tightly gripping her whip with one hand, her other hand held up against her chest, shaking from the pain and adrenaline of the imbedded glass.

[Ent]

Everyone had made it out of the tunnel in one piece and the beast had been in close pursuit. It was a ferocious creature and it was infuriated by the events but something had changed now in its mind. As Arlo and Vega stood either side of the entrance, Asari, rather foolishly, directly ahead of the entrance they would see the beast exit. It had gained speed and although it was chasing them originally it no longer wanted to kill them. With its eye already injured and its home invaded, with its low energy it was done fighting.

Instead the creature would exit the tunnel, its heavy feet thudding as it ran out. Its could be seen flickering about as it bounded straight for Asari. Luckily Kata had moved to the side like the others and instead of drawing his bow was instead knelt praying, he knew his arrows would be no use against the hide of the creature. So he prayed to Moseke to let him live, to grant him his life. He prayed for those with him too especially the girl they had spent so long trying to rescue.

It was not raising its claw or opening its mouth to bite, it was only running but it was not adjusting its path. No, it was running straight at the Naerikk and it would run right into her if she did not somehow leap out of its way. Although, the young woman was no runner or acrobat, chances were she would be hit square against the chest of the beast and set hurtling a few feet before landing in a muddle on the floor. She would be platter in ice cold water and mud and it would most likely get in her wounds as well.

The beast would continue on its path leaving the rugged crew of volunteers in its wake. It only stopped after travelling about 15 feet, there it turned its head and looked directly at Arlo, whether it was just looking at any of the random group or if it was memorising his face was unknown but it seemed to stare at him before lumbering off into the forest in search of a new cave to sleep the rest of the cold season.

The girl between Vega's legs was half awake, her eyes squinting in the rain as she looked at Vega and the others around. She said nothing but instead coughed, a soft spluttering as she tried to pull her coat closer. The coat was dry for now but in the pouring rain and the freezing cold it would soon be wet and cold for her. However, she some how seemed strong enough to make it to the city if they moved quickly and whoever carried her kept her close in to the body. She was very fragile, without food and in the cold having travelled so far she had some how managed to lose what baby fat she had had on her before she left.

"Sev aji sneyä." The girl murmured as she curled in closer to herself to hide from the icy rain. Kata would be able to translate this if someone asked him but he was still kneeling down looking up at the sky in some kind of amazement.

► Show Spoiler

"Sev aji sneyä."- I am hungry.

Off Topic

Okay, so I am happy to announce that this is the last round of posting for us all, you will be required to write that you begin to head back and can decide between you who will carry the girl or if you will take turns, that is up to you all. It is assumed you will make the journey back and following this there will be one more thread and I will contact you all about it shortly.

I hope we have all enjoyed this event, I know I have and I hope that if there are any final queries you will make sure to let me know.

Happy writing all!

[Vega]

When Arlo exited the entrance to the tunnel, Vega felt a wave of relief wash over her like she could not clearly explain. Her eyes were unusually one colour, a solid silver the same as her blood, and she quickly scanned over him to make sure he wasn't hurt in any obvious way. He gave her a quick, clear, report on what had happened and she nodded her head once. Normally, she'd be embarrassed at the tears she'd obviously shed, but this creature was on its way and there were two more to come out. "You're alright?" Were the only words she spoke, her voice shaking with emotion at them. Somehow, even when she was so very pleased to see him, she sounded irritated at him.

Then, relief again poured through her as both Asari and Kata came out. However, that relief turned to something quite different as Asari stood and asked her what she should do. Vega turned to look at her incredulously and the words "stand and scratch your ass?" were about to exit her mouth in sheer amazement when the beast charged out. Later, Vega would curse herself for having turned her attention, even for that brief few trills. Although it had been enough for her to also see Kata who seemed to think that now was a good time for prayer. Vega was all for prayer, but devotion through action and staying alive long enough to actually finish the prayer seemed like a fine idea.

Well, Xiur, that's it. The thought went through Vega's head. The world's gone mad. It bloody well must have when Arlo Creede is the most sensible one of the lot of them. You guys must be having a right laugh. In the trill that it took for her to see what was happening, open her mouth to reply to Asari and think that, the beast had run past her. Vega saw it happen in slow motion, powerless to do anything about it as the beast charged the Naerikk, knocking her onto the very body part Vega was considering she should scratch less than two trills before.

But then, it stared at Arlo and seemed to be sizing him up. In that time, Vega began to draw her bow, but the beast turned and lumbered off. She didn't fire, then, because frankly if it came to a fight they were only slightly better off than in a battle of wits. Which was to say, all things considered, not great.

So, Vega slung her bow on her back (unless anyone was stupid enough to try and fight it, in which case she'd back them up completely) and she bent down and scooped up the child. "Sneyä? sev ca'rav!" Vega held on to her and smiled gently."Kata, help Asari. Do you know any first aid? We need to leave." She didn't say 'get off your knees you useless man', but by all the Immortals, she thought it.

"Tọ", she said, holding her water flask up to the child's mouth, helping her drink. "Arlo, get my cloak off and around her, would you? She's freezing." There was no question in Vega's eyes, she could manage the journey back and, since she had left her coat with Asari back in the cave, she rather assumed it was gone anyhow. She was going to get wet, either way, but her cloak would protect the child. There was no question and if he argued with her she was going to get testy. "It'll protect her. I'm already wet. It won't kill me. Please?" She added and gave Arlo a shaky smile. "I'm sorry I called you a wart. Just.. not very." Which was probably the closest he was going to get to her admitting she was glad he was alright.

"Toṣe kuskure. Lọrï, motsis" She helped the little girl, giving her small sips of water and the dry but nourishing bread they had, making sure that Arlo wrapped her cloak around the child, warming her and Vega tried to ensure that she felt wrapped up and warm and she would keep giving her sips and small nibbles, but not too much too quickly. She carried her on her hip, clinging on to her tightly and making sure that the child felt safe."Onitẹsiwaju, Rin'ea. Sev aji Vega. Ïdäkẹjï, Arlo, Asari ar Kata." She looked at the little girl and considered that she would probably be alright, as long as they got back now.

"We need to get her back. She's weak and needs medical attention. Let's go." Vega breathed in and glanced over at Asari and Kata, to make sure that they were able to go. When she was satisfied that they were, she spoke again to Rin'ea. "Ïdäkẹjẹ ohunkohun tare. Skepek tä ke’ua ọwọpọ." Nestling the child against her, Vega would encourage her to sleep and would move with as much haste as they could, whilst keeping safe. She seemed quite content to carry the little girl and, should anyone offer to do so, she simply shook her head and said no.

Off Topic

Ledger Stuff
Lost: 1 coat (she ain't going back in there and getting it.....)
Ledger updated.
She'll buy a new one when she gets back so I've deducted it from the ledger now.
Language Stuff
Sneyä? sev ca'rav! = Hungry? I bet!
Tọ - Here
Toṣe kuskure. Lọrï, motsis = Little drink (sip). Then, eats
Onitẹsiwaju, Rin'ea. Sev aji Vega. = Hello, Rin'ea. I am Vega. This Arlo, Asari and Kata
Ïdäkẹjẹ ohunkohun tare. Skepek tä ke’ua ọwọpọ = We go now. Home to your mother

[Arlo Creede]

Was he alright? "Don't sound so disappointed Vega," Arlo said, and even grinned at her as he positioned himself on the opposite side of the tunnel's exit. She didn't look or sound disappointed at all, in fact quite the opposite.

But he teased her in order to bring back a sense of normalcy, for them at least, in the moment, while at the same time offering some reassurance and in turn making sure that she'd come out unscathed. There was no such thing however where it concerned the others. He had no idea what had happened to them. He was ready for a fight though. He only hoped that it was Asari and Kata that emerged first, alive, if the overgrown lizard emerged at all. Arlo hoped it didn't.

When the other two members of the party emerged however, to say Arlo was confounded by their actions would have been an exaggeration. What do we do, Asari asked? Arlo frowned deeply, his sword still at the ready. "How 'bout you move out of the way of that thing before it comes charging out." As for Kata opting to kneel and pray right outside the exit, well, so far as Arlo was concerned the Immortals helped those who helped themselves and if he wasn't going to fight, better to run rather than kneel like a lamb to the slaughter.

So what happened next appeared to make perfect sense. The thing came charging out, straight at Asari and it meant that even if it's hide wasn't as tough as armor, firing a bow at the thing would have risked hitting her as much as it. It unnerved him though, the way that lizard eyed him before it lumbered off. Sure, it only had one eye left to look with. But still, it was unsettling.

Finally though he was able to get a good look at the girl, who in spite of it all appeared to be in fairly good condition. He'd have offered to carry her himself, but knew Vega wouldn't let him. And so he didn't argue either when she asked him to wrap her cloak around the child. He did it, but wrapped it in such a way that it would provide Vega just a little protection too. At least around the shoulders.

And then finally, all of them just a little worse off than when they'd started, they headed back towards Desnind. Surely it would be slow going, but once they arrived they'd be able to place the child back into her mother's arms. Which in Arlo's mind, would make it all worthwhile.

[Ent]

Your rewards little ones

Name: Vega

Knowledge:
Tactics: Not wasting time arguing
Tactics: Having a backup plan
Stealth: Removing heavy clothing for stealthier movement
Stealth: Sneaking through a dark cave
Strength: Proper form when lifting a child
Detection: Seeing the truth in someone's face
Running: Being careful not to trip on a rocky cave floor
Endurance: Running while carrying a child is difficult and tiring
Endurance: Just keep putting one foot in front of the other
Asari: Held your wrist but in a friendly way
Xiur: Immortal of hope and stars
Uwär Bysez: Bloody big
Uwär Bysez: Lost an eye to Arlo
Uwär Bysez: Seemed to eye up Arlo

Loot: Lost: 1 coat
Injuries: N/A
Fame: +15 (completing a city event, saving a child and working as a team to do what's right)
Devotion: +10 Xiur (For your very interesting and new style of prayer and complete belief in his power)

Story: 10/10
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5
Magic: N/A
Name:Arlo

Knowledge:
Tactics: Understanding the plan
Tactics: Following the plan
Ranged combat (Bow): Pre targetting an opponent
Ranged combat (Bow): Hitting the sweet spot on an opponent
Navigation: Using the wall as a guide in the dark
Running: Trying not to trip while running in a rocky dark tunnel
Uwär Bysez: Lost an eye to you
Uwär Bysez: Has a weak spot in its eyes
Uwär Bysez: Seemed to judge and remember you, you might have made an enemy for the future
Uwär Bysez: Hide like armour
Kata: You did not understand why he chose to pray in a time of peril

Loot: Your lantern was dropped and broken in the cave
Injuries: N/A
Fame: +15 (Completing a city event, taking the eye of a mighty beast and working together for a good cause and to help the child)
Devotion: +10 Cassion (For adventuring and exploring the cave and praying, you will have a great story to tell around the campfire in the future)

Story: 10/10
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5
Magic: N/A
Name: Asari
Please PM me when you are once again active and I will post your grade for this thread, thank you.
Comment: Just a short and sweet comment today! You all did a wonderful job and I am so happy you all took the time to write this thread. I am sorry this review took so long and I hope one day to write with you all again. You are wonderful writers and storytellers and I was glad to see you all go along with the story and help to drive it as much as I did myself. I hope you all enjoyed this as much as myself and enjoy the rewards! Watch out for giant Lizards on your way home!

As always if there are any questions or issues, please do PM me and I will see if I can fix it!
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