▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 22, 2021 14:40:23 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 22, 2021 14:40:23 GMT -5
"Wow, you sure are picky, even for a girl," he scoffed playfully, tossing the lavender petals all over as he lit the birthday candles, melting the wax so they'd stick upright on his dresser. It didn't look nearly as romantic as he had envisioned, but hey, he wasn't the artistic type. "Are you satisfied, my lady?" he teased as he crawled into the covers with her, burying his face in her stomach playfully and giving her a playful nip, before Elise straddled him, and suddenly, it felt like his breath was caught in his throat.
Gods, he had never been as turned on as he was now. He scooted up, so that he was in a better position to touch her, to press kisses on her collarbone, for his hands to explore her breasts and the soft skin of her thighs. Every kiss made him hungry for more. His hand slipped between her thighs as he rolled them over so she was trapped underneath him instead.
There was a primal desire in his eyes, a possessiveness in the look on his face, something so different from their innocent teasing and joking. He pressed another kiss to her lips, feeling the jolt of arousal wash over him when he felt how wet she was, his fingers brushing against her–
"Hey Cato!" a muffled voice came from outside the door and gods, he cursed himself for not locking the door as he quickly pulled the covers over the two of them, right before the door opened, and the faces of two children peeked into the bedroom. Dammit.
It was Carina and Cassian. The young boy looked sullen, as if he didn't want to be the one opening the door, and immediately noticing that Cato had company, his eyes widened in panic. Uh oh. He knew he was in trouble.
The girl, however, did not seem as aware as the boy. "Cato, what do you want for dinner?" she pouted, "I want paella but Cass is being a butthead and he said he won't eat anything but pizza."
"It's my turn to choose," the other boy mumbled, taking a step back.
"Paella," he scowled, giving them a glare that said he'd deal with them later, "now go back to your rooms and finish your homework already, or else."
Cassian immediately scampered off, but Carina peered over to the girl underneath him. "Oh hi! Cato is that your friend? Can she play with us later?"
"Go away Carina!" he snapped, "she'll play with you after dinner." The girl finally closed the door, and Cato sighed, before giving Elise an apologetic look. "Sorry," he looked sheepish, "they literally don't know how to knock."
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Feb 22, 2021 15:01:32 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 22, 2021 15:01:32 GMT -5
Elise had flushed crimson, burying her face in Cato's shoulder to hide herself from the two children. Gods, this was embarrassing. After they had gone, she pulled back, grinning despite herself as she looked up at Cato.
"Your siblings?" She asked, trailing her fingers along his chest. "They're... cute." Elise enjoyed kids well enough, when they weren't interrupting important things like sex. Despite her embarrassment and the awkwardness of it all, she still inched closer.
"Would it be wrong to continue?" She asked, biting her lower lip. "It's up to you." She was ready either way, and it would be disappointing to stop, but she understood how it might be hard to... continue, after that.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 22, 2021 15:24:55 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 22, 2021 15:24:55 GMT -5
"Honestly? They're little terrors, don't trust them" he replied in a deadpan, "trust me, you'll see later. Carina might have the face of an angel now, but she's the devil reincarnate." There was a certain fondness that could be seen through the mask of irritation on his face. "Cassian on the other hand, let's just say I don't have many expectations for him when he grows up. Spoiled brat."
The irritation however, quickly passed, as the smirk appeared on his face again. "You really think I'm going to leave you high and dry?" he teased, "maybe I'm being selfish but a case of blue balls at dinner doesn't sound pleasant." Biting his lip, he realized his hands were still buried between her legs. Right, back to the task at hand.
He pressed a kiss to her clavicle, and then one to the top of her breast. "Tell me what you want," his voice was husky, his eyes burning into her as he continued to tease the other girl. They both knew what they wanted, after all.
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Feb 22, 2021 15:53:45 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 22, 2021 15:53:45 GMT -5
"You're certainly not leaving me dry," she teased back, but some of the brattiness was diminished by the waves of pleasure and desire that returned full force from his hands and lips. She pulled him back up, planting his hands on either side of her shoulders, and wrapped her legs around his, pulling him closer, positioning him precisely in line with her.
"I want you," she responded, running her hands along his chest. "You wouldn't be mean enough to keep me waiting any longer, would you?" Her voice was low and breathy, her eyes alight with a wild kind of desire as she looked up at him.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 22, 2021 16:49:01 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 22, 2021 16:49:01 GMT -5
Gods, she was going to kill him one day. "I'd never keep a lady waiting," he teased, as his length teased between her legs, his arm now holding the small of her back as he slowly pushed into her, letting her warmth envelop him as he pressed his lips against hers once more, almost forcefully, as if all he needed was her and her alone.
He was already finding a rhythm, breaking away from the kiss to hold her closer, his teeth meeting her collarbone with a nip of her shoulder. He wanted to mark her, to make her his completely.
"I'm close," he whispered breathlessly in her ear, stilling momentarily, "do you need me to–?"
He wasn't sure if she was was taking the natural herbal medicines that prevented a pregnancy, but he didn't want to risk anything. Logically, he knew he shouldn't, but the temptation to just continue until completion was strong enough that it pushed him to ask in case.
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Feb 22, 2021 16:59:28 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 22, 2021 16:59:28 GMT -5
"Keep going," she said, exhaling shakily as she kissed him again. Her father would have preferred her to, as he called it, 'not be a whore', but her mother had insisted on the anti-pregnancy medicine. It had worked so far, even if Cato was the first she'd let finish inside her, but she enjoyed the thought of that intimate act binding them together.
Elise held him close as he finished, her soft moans in his ear and her legs wound tight around his hips, drawing him close. She laughed breathlessly as he rolled off her, lifting a hand to touch the hickies and bite marks on her shoulders and chest. "You're a possessive lover," she whispered, slipping under his arm and resting her head on his chest, letting her breathing return to normal.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 22, 2021 17:35:08 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 22, 2021 17:35:08 GMT -5
Gods, he thought, the blood rushing through to his head at her words. She wanted him to finish inside her. Without hesitation, his rhythm became quicker, more hurried, as his grip tightened on her thigh, her soft moans making his movements more erratic with need, and moments later, he came with a groan, spilling inside her with his forehead pressed against hers. He took a few more seconds to get his breathing back to normal, and the afterglow just felt...right.
He'd stay inside her forever if he could, but alas, the moment was gone and he lazily flipped back onto his back, letting out a satisfied sigh. He could feel a warmth in his chest as she curled up next to him, his arm automatically wrapped around her shoulder as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Only with you," he murmured. For once, his voice was serious, not even a hint of a joke or a teasing remark, just genuine honesty.
The silence was comfortable, but still, he broke it with a quiet chuckle. "The good thing is, if the next guy you sleep with isn't me, they'll have to know that I claimed you first," he teased, his way of trying to bring things back to normal, even if that wasn't really what he wanted.
In reality, he wanted to make her his. He wanted to be exclusive. He wanted them to be a thing, a real thing instead of whatever flings and flirtation-ships they were bound to have due to their status. It was ridiculous to even entertain, the notion that they could end up together, and he knew how she felt. Her dreary imagination for her future life under the house of some old nobleman in need of some money, living a life without love. He hated that. He hated the idea that men out there just took advantage of girls like Elise because their family was untitled, and deep inside, he knew he was probably guilty of the same thing.
Here he was, playing around with the heart of a girl who he knew his father would never let him marry. He had a role in life. He had to stick to it.
Still, his heart seemed to be in charge of his mouth today.
"You know, maybe one day if we both end up scaring every suitor away, we should get married and spend the rest of our days terrorising this town and sipping martinis by the beach," he hummed.
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Feb 22, 2021 18:16:19 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 22, 2021 18:16:19 GMT -5
"I won't sleep with anyone else," she said, curling closer to his side. "Not until what we have is gone." Her tone was teasing again, reminding him that she fully expected this to end. Elise was a realist, after all. Her fingers trailed along his chest, lazily and contentedly, a smile playing on her lips.
"You won't scare the suitors away," she said, propping herself up on her arm. "You're rich and handsome and charming and a future lord." Elise leaned over, kissing his cheek with a grin. "But when we're old and widowed, maybe we can have our martinis by the beach."
As much as she wanted to believe they could be married, as much as she liked him, she knew love was dangerous. Particularly with him. She couldn't afford to let him hurt her, so up the walls stayed... for now.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 22, 2021 19:00:06 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 22, 2021 19:00:06 GMT -5
He felt reassured by her words. "Really?" his voice sounded a little too enthusiastic, but he didn't care, only pressing another kiss to the bridge of her nose with a grin. It wasn't much of a reassurance, but it was...something. He knew there was little he could do in convincing his father otherwise, and frankly, he had never gone against the man in his life...but if the queen decided to marry someone else, he'd be free to do whatever, right?
Cato would think about that another day. He shifted, so that his arm was wrapped around her waist now, his head resting on her stomach. "You underestimate how horrible I can be," he grinned, "I'll just have to act like a sexist pig and make myself smell horrible and beat up my brother in public and no one will ever want to marry me. Ever."
Old and widowed. His eyes softened at that idea. It would suck, obviously, to have to wait that long to meet her again, but he wouldn't mind. Just because they couldn't get married didn't mean they couldn't be friends, or that they couldn't still be together some way or another.
"If you ever have to get married to an old, stinky noble, you can just poison him and pretend he had an aneurysm," he mused, "and maybe if I'm not married then, you'll now have a title be absolutely terrifying and we'll be a power couple. I don't think I can wait until we're old and wrinkly to be together, you know."
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Feb 22, 2021 19:22:28 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 22, 2021 19:22:28 GMT -5
"Alright," Elise laughed, her hand running rhythmically through his curls as he rested his head on her abdomen. "You can wait for me while I carry out my assassination for a title, so we can be together. You've got good jokes," she mumbled, looking up at the ceiling, for a moment allowing herself to be wistful.
They couldn't stay in their little fantasy forever. To Elise's surprise, she was actually invited to stay for dinner. She redressed in her sundress, running a hand through her hair to loosen the curls, before she and Cato sat at the table with Cassian and Carina.
"So, how old are you?" She asked them with a smile, looking at them in turn. "Cato and I are in the same grade- we're working on a project together for a class."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 22, 2021 20:21:32 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 22, 2021 20:21:32 GMT -5
Cato wanted to say that it wasn't a joke. That he really did want to stay with her, but he kept silent. Reality always seemed to hold a different truth. He could dream, couldn't he? Before he had met Elise, he didn't mind the idea of marrying a princess. She was pretty in pictures and well, how bad could it be? Now, he wasn't so sure anymore. Simply closing his eyes as she stroked his hair, he wanted to stay in this moment for a little longer.
Dinner came too soon, and as much as Antonio made an excellent paella, he just wanted to stay with her. Wanted her to stay the night. He knew that if his parents were home, he'd never be able to do something like this, but he was in charge and the kids were at least quiet today. He stifled a laugh as Elise spoke of what they were doing. They weren't idiots, he knew that they were at least somewhat aware of what the two of them were up to.
Cassian didn't exactly meet her gaze, just slowly eating his meal, as if disappointed that it wasn't pizza. He glanced up briefly, giving Elise a shrug. "I'm twenty four," he mumbled.
Carina, however, seemed excited to talk. "I'm eighteen!" she answered brightly, "are you Cato's girlfriend? He was talking about how he met a pretty girl and–"
"Enough, Carina, you don't have to say everything on your mind," Cato rolled his eyes, "gods, didn't father ever teach either of you manners?" Cato was back in big brother mode. "Cassian, sit up straight. You know how to sit and eat properly, so stop sulking already. You had pizza last time."
The other boy adjusted his seat, while Carina giggled, turning to Elise. "You're so pretty," she grinned, "are you a princess?"
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Feb 22, 2021 20:51:51 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 22, 2021 20:51:51 GMT -5
"If I'm a princess because I'm pretty, you must be a queen," she said with a smile. "You're much prettier than me." Elise was amused by the way Cato seemed embarrassed and also somewhat... fatherly? Was that the right word?... towards his siblings. "Maybe we can have pizza next time," she said kindly, trying to extend an olive branch to Cassian as well. He did seem sulkier than the others.
"And no, I'm not Cato's girlfriend." Elise laughed, taking a bite of her paella. As much as she'd like to be, however much she promised to be exclusive, she would not put labels on this. That would be far too real, and give her false hope for the future. "We're good friends, though. Hopefully I'll be back again to see you guys in the future. We can play a game after dinner- what do you like to play?"
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 22, 2021 21:08:23 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 22, 2021 21:08:23 GMT -5
Carina giggled. "Daddy always said Cato was going to marry a princess," her eyes were bright and full of mischief, "so you must be a princess, since Cato keeps talking about you."
Cato shot her a glare, one that she noticed but clearly ignored. "I want to ride on a royal carriage," she declared, "and wear a tiara! When are you guys getting married? I wanna be a flower girl!"
"Carina," Cato warned once more, shaking his head, as he turned to Elise with a sigh, "she has way too big of an imagination, I swear."
Cassian on the other hand, looked up tentatively at Elise, as if trying to gauge what kind of person she was. Unlike Carina, he seemed wary, like a lost puppy trying to figure out whether she was nice or not. "I want blue cheese with salami and olives," he piped up, before glancing over at Cato's impassive expression, his eyes brightening slightly, "...and chicken nuggets." If Cato wasn't annoyed, that was a good sign, right? The girl seemed nice. Not like some of the other girls he had brought home before.
As the servants cleared the table, Carina already had a game box in her hands. "We have pictionary, charades, or jenga, which one do you wanna play?"
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Feb 22, 2021 21:29:44 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 22, 2021 21:29:44 GMT -5
"Who knows? Maybe I am a princess and you can be the flower girl. I must be royalty, to be lucky enough to catch your brother's eye," Elise said with a wink before turning to Cassian. "And of course we can have chicken nuggets too." Sometimes she wished she wasn't an only child- she did enjoy the company of younger kids. They said the funniest things.
Elise examined the games, pretending to look thoughtful. "Jenga first, and charades if we have time," she told Carina, reaching out a hand to tweak the end of her nose playfully. "But I'm warning you I won't go easy on you, even if you are prettier than me."
They set up the game, Elise chatting with Carina and Cassian about school. She had a knack with kids, able to draw answers out of the shyer Cassian while also placating the more talkative Carina. She even managed to shift Cato into a more relaxed, less parental mode with her joking. The first few rounds quickly, and Elise discreetly threw the game after a bit, letting Carina gloat even though the other three all technically won.
There was no time for charades. Elise said goodbye to Cato's younger siblings, and accepted his offer of joining her on the carriage ride home. "Your siblings are great," she said with a smile, taking his hand as he sat beside her. "Though Carina's going to have to give up on the marriage thing sooner or later."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 5:22:26 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 5:22:26 GMT -5
There was an inexplicable fondness in Cato's gaze as he regarded Elise, and there was a gentleness in him that his siblings rarely saw. Elise really was good with children, he thought, and as much as he knew it would never happen, his mind ran through the possibility of the two of them. They could have a son, living in the city, taking dates in the hills, having picnics with their children, going to a cottage in the summer time...
A shrieking laugh from Carina pulled him out of his thoughts as the jenga tower tumbled. He snorted in amusement; he knew Elise had given Carina that win. "We get it, Carina, you're the best at games," he rolled his eyes playfully, as they built the tower once more. It didn't take long for his siblings to open up to Elise; even Cass seemed like he was having fun. It was fun, playing games with them, he decided, and soon enough, it was time for Elise to go.
"Come on, it's bedtime for you two," he called out as he left with Elise, arm around her shoulder, "both of you better be showered and in bed by the time I'm back." He chuckled as the two scampered up the stairs to their rooms.
He was glad she lived a little farther away; it meant the carriage ride would be longer. He laughed at her comment, squeezing her hand. "To be honest, nothing's going to deter her until she gets her way," he hummed, "my father spoils her way too much, and now she thinks she's got the whole world wrapped around her finger. She means well though, and...well, she's a good judge of character I guess."
It was a way to say that his siblings approved of her. At the end of the day, if he could marry her, he probably would. "You know, as long as someone's rooting for our marriage, maybe there's a chance," he joked, "she's the only one who could convince my dad I'm sure."
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Feb 23, 2021 6:36:26 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 6:36:26 GMT -5
Elise grinned at his joke, leaning in to kiss him deeply for a moment. "Then we'll have her speak to your dad before we start planning the wedding," she said with a grin, after pulling away. "She'll be the one to ask for my hand for you. It'll all go great if we get her on our side."
They chatted of other things- other ideas for dates they could go on, other joking hopes for the future- and sometimes they didn't speak at all, too busy exchanging looks or quick kisses. But still, all too soon, the day was over, and Elise was back in her own bed, a wide smile on her face as she recalled the day's events.
The gods seemed to be working in their favor- it was the next weekend when both of their parents were out of town again, and Cato suggested she come back and spend the night this time. Elise had grinned and accepted, feeding her parents and the servants in her home a lie about having a sleepover with Julia, and met Cato after school that Friday with a backpack full of clothes and toiletries instead of books.
"We should do our sunset carriage ride today, and then night swimming, and then we can go back to your place," she said, eager to do as much as they could during their time together. She was aware that the people around them, at least in school, were beginning to see them as an item, especially as they sought each other out in free moments to exchange a few jokes or just chat. But she still dismissed those who verbally called them a couple- despite how much she liked it.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 9:12:21 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 9:12:21 GMT -5
He laughed. "I'll make sure to bribe her. She loves cookies, so you'll be in the perfect place to do that," he teased, as they continued to chat, and all too soon, the ride was over and he was waving goodbye, a giddy expression on his face as he took the carriage home.
Frankly, it was almost a good thing his father was constantly in Pyxis these days, negotiating for some business deals to expand his own business. He knew exactly what it was–a power grab to gain more power around the country–but for now, it was summer and there was nothing for him to worry about. He still had a year or so before shipping out to the guard, after all, and well, he didn't mind it. It seemed exciting, after all, to travel around Lacaille and learn about things. He had yet to tell Elise anything about his future, but that was for later. He had no plans to address any of it right now.
His friends had teased him about playing around with a common girl, but Cato didn't care. After all, they were all doing their own thing and well, it wasn't his loss that they only had eyes for ranks and nobility. They were missing out, he'd smirk, if they only stuck with the prissy girls from the top families.
Giving Elise a playful bow, he gestured towards the carriage. "My lady," he teased, "don't worry, I already have a plan for today. It'll be more romantic than last week, I promise."
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Feb 23, 2021 9:50:08 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 9:50:08 GMT -5
"Alrighty," Elise agreed easily, waiting until they were in the carriage to kiss him. She wasn't bold enough to kiss him publicly, but the second they found themselves alone- in his room, in the carriage, in an empty hallway at school, on the beach- her lips found his, always hungry and excited and eager to be back in his arms.
After a few minutes she pulled back, a few of her curls disheveled and her breathing more erratic than it had been when she entered the carriage. "What is the plan for today?" She asked, curiosity in her green eyes. "Or is it a surprise?"
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 12:29:29 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 12:29:29 GMT -5
Cato found himself kissing her the moment they were alone, already a little bit handsy. He knew he should keep it to himself–they weren't exactly private after all, even if the driver would never mention anything–but he couldn't help himself. He just couldn't get enough of her. He found it hard to pull away from her.
He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "It's sort of a surprise," he hummed, "but it's not super far off from your initial guess. Let's just say the sunset's involved." He gave her a cheeky grin. "I love Vela and all and having fancy dinners at fancy places sound great, but honestly there's nothing better than finding a secret spot, you know?"
He glanced out the window. They were going up a hill now; it wasn't too far from where he wanted to take her. "I hope you're willing to walk a bit though," he mused, "it's a bit off the beaten path, let's just say."
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Feb 23, 2021 12:48:28 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 12:48:28 GMT -5
"I can't walk," Elise said, flopping onto his lap dramatically. "You've got me too weak in the knees. You'll have to carry me up the mountain, my love." The endearment was teasing- they were too young to be in love, and love was too dangerous- but there was genuine affection in her voice. If she didn't know the consequences, it wouldn't be long before she was admitting her own feelings.
Elise kept her head in his lap, absent-mindedly twisting the hair on his forearm where it rested on her stomach. She talked on for a bit about how her math teacher that day had tripped and fallen twice in front of the entire class, but she fell silent after a bit, content to just look up at Cato's handsome features. Finally, they reached their destination and she climbed down out of the carriage, taking a deep inhale of the clean breeze that drifted past them. "Let us walk the day away, Lord Rotherhithe," she said, taking his arm. "At least until we get to our secret spot- a place all our own? Unless you've taken your former lovers here before."
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