She had won. It was an easy fight, in her opinion, anyway. The half-blind bitch seemingly didn't have what it took to keep her crown, and Medusa could only assume that the lack of skill from Recluse was likely the reason she had never, ever seen her fight and was likely the reason Recluse had opted to show her "mercy" by just releasing her, avoiding Medusa's attempt at freedom fighting altogether. While Medusa was far from the strongest, she was not afraid to take up any challenge that came her way. Her whole life she had lost some and won some. And she knew it would continue to be that way. She wasn't one to boast nor act like she was invincible because truth be told, she knew nobody was. Everyone fell at some point. So for now, she'd enjoy her surprise victory. She sauntered over to the lands she decided she'd claim, gathering the kids she had stashed away in the area before finding a nice spot atop a nice, flat rock before throwing her head back and calling for those she had claimed, those who were interested in joining, as well as staking her claim on these lands. When she finished her call, she waited. She didn't expect her claimed captives to show up, and if they chose to run like she had seen Ichor do, then so be it. Let them jump the gun! They were just putting themselves in a spot far worse off. They were still hers, and she'd have a megaton of fun tracking them down. And besides, if they wanted to start the games early without finding out what her plans were for them, that was on them. They weren't slaves, but they were still a part of Insomnia. For now. She giggled as she thought about her prospective hunts. Already she knew the bitches husband and youngest litter would need to be tracked down, and that one she had seen making a run for it, of course. Who else? She wondered. This was going to be fun. OOC// open to those looking to join. Habari captives who decide they're gonna make a run for it, that's fine and well. But be prepared for actual consequences ;) Mandatory for all others (with the exception of those who have personally DMed me!) Deadline to post 12/14!

Vulcan enjoyed the life of a loner, away from all the drama and shit that this world always seemed to bring around. It turned annoying to him. But even though he had all the freedom to do as he pleased, he sought purpose. To make a name for himself, one he should've gotten for a lifetime now. His crown was taken away from him, from his toes. Now an adult, he wanst going to let that happen, he wasn't an useless pup anymore.

But maybe it was better to start from the bottom in a pack, to gather experience. To work for it, he was ready to. And when the call of claiming a place echoed through the plaires, he was soon driven by it. Bringing his large frame to where he spotted a woman. "Greetings, I am Vulcan. And I seek purpose, a place to settle and be useful for once. Do you have room for me in your pack?" He asked, with serene eyes.

""

Misery hadn’t appreciated the slave besting his mom in a fight for leadership of the pack.  Really, they should have killed her ages ago.  The skunk-marked wolf was a master of acting and only show whatever emotion suited him.  He hadn’t made any attempt to show attachments in the pack and even though he loved his mother he certainly wasn’t one to show expressions of love on a regular basis in public.  Heck, he’d been gone a good period of time while he was spying on a pack so one could truly wonder about his loyalties.  

The wolf had followed the insomnia pack though never bothering to stay in close contact with anyone.  Let the lot wonder about his own feelings on things.  When the slave howled, calling for all the wolves in her pack or interested in joining Misery trotted towards the howl.  He got in sight of Medusa and took a seat for himself, remaining silent.  The dark wolf wasn’t sitting overly close but he was there.  Let her see he hadn’t run off.  Misery wouldn’t act rashly.  What sort of spy would he be if Misery acted on impulse?  His job was all about spying so he’d be a pretty horrible spy if he tried to leave in a situation where information was all the more important to glean in his mind.

"Speech"

Mom had returned to the lands with some injury, but apparently not as bad as the wolf she had taken the crown from. Rue giggled as she bounded behind Medusa, tail wagging as looked every which way. Mom gave them a quick run down, telling them they had a pack and this land was going to be their home for a while, and that other wolves were likely going to be around and living with them. Rue was curious to know who these wolves would be, but she would find out soon enough. As Medusa stopped them and howled for whoever, Rue jumped up beside her right foreleg and her gaze darted every which way as she looked from one face to the next. Mom said she had never led a pack before, and that this was her first meeting as a leader. So that made Rue and her siblings special, too! Ooh she couldn't wait to see what this pack life thing was about! "Speak"

ooc. assuming this is taking place during the day and the nocturnal man is furious

A festering sore of barely contained rage, the pale titan slunk from the familiar lands of the east along with the remaining members of Habari who'd been taken captive. While most of his siblings were long gone, the urge to linger and observe the proceedings had kept him from following. He wanted to know what kind of Queen the raggedy bitch turned out to be. One of his older siblings was already present, stoic and unreadable. A curt dip of his head to the smaller male, and he slipped past. There wasn't an ounce of shade in sight, and already his tender rosy flesh was unbearably warm. Half blind and about to start burning soon, he did his best to maintain composure and hold the facade of indifference. After all, he more than matched up with his new leader in size, even if he lacked her skill in battle. Soon he would challenge her on his own, but not quite yet..

Shaking out champagne pelage, the pallid male reclined a few feet behind his older brother and rolled his shoulders forward in a slouch. He certainly wasn't pouting. Dark ears tipped back, and he tucked his dark striped banner about his oversized paws. For now, he'd hold his tongue and watch it all play out.

Speech

Medusa had emerged victorious in her challenge against Recluse. Some further drama had blown up, especially as the skeletal-marked woman had decided to keep the majority of the members from the pack she had conquered. The woman must have had her reasons… though it was clear she had made some enemies on that day. Regardless, however, Nguruvilu decided to follow after Medusa. She had been a loner most of her life, and though Florian had decided not to come with her, she traveled to western Boreas where Medusa had made the claim on a couple of pack lands. The call of the new alpha arose and, with the intent to join her, Ruu made her way to the meeting. No doubt those who were from the previous pack would not be pleased with Medusa’s choice in keeping them. The tension of one unhappy individual in particular as she arrived was felt, and Nuru cast a glance at the white and blue wolf. She hadn’t realized his sensitivity to light, however. Nguruvilu found herself a spot and settled, even seeing a little skeletal-marked pup among those gathered. The pup was likely Medusa’s and Ruu smiled a little. Such a little cutie. Her blue gaze then flicked to Medusa, and she dipped her head to the woman. “Good to see you again, cutie.” She grinned, winking at the alpha. “I’m here to become a member. Hope you have room in your pack for someone like me.” "Talk, 'Think.'

Her mother had returned, injured, though Medusa didn’t seem to be very concerned about her injuries. Morticia trailed after Medusa and her sister Rougarou as they made their way to where the meeting would take place. A lot of what her mother had said didn’t make sense yet, but Morticia was interested in the fact that other wolves would be living with them. The rainbow, skeletal-marked girl bounced on her paws as their mother came to a stop, calling for the wolves she had laid claim to and any others who might try to join. The bi-colored eyes of the pup shot from each face that arrived to the next, tail wagging wildly back and forth. She wanted to run up to them and say hello, but for now, she was trying to be good and let her mother have this meeting. Surely some of them would talk to her after? "Talk," 'Think.'

Widow had been nothing more than a shadow within Insomnia, raising her daughter and avoiding everyone else. Even her other siblings had been avoided. She'd only spoken sparingly with Medusa since, first to hunt down her mother (whom she had never found) and then once Medusa had saved her and one of her childrens lives. The others, she'd been told, were far beyond saving. It was probably a good thing, with the care Morte needed. The small child couldn't seem to walk far without crying in pain. If she'd had more than one kid like Morte, Widow would scream. She didn't know how Medusa managed three.

Arriving almost late to the meeting with her tiny daughter atop her shoulders, Widow sat apart from her siblings and instead moved over towards Medusa's children. Plopping Morte down, Widow sat with a heavy sigh and waited for whatever Medusa would have to say. Certainly it would be about Recluse remaining in hiding. Would she be expected to go out and look for her again soon? She was still so tired after her near death birthing Morte and the other horrifyingly disfigured pups. Her weight had dropped considerably, but if Medusa asked her to, she'd do it. It was the least she could do after the crazed lady spared her and her daughter.

"Speech!"

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Morte was happy being carried around everywhere. Her poor paws her so bad when she walked long distances! The ground was so hard too, it made her tiny feet just ache! Poor thing would probably benefit from shoes, if she even knew what they were. The trip from their den to where they were going wasn't very long, but seemed to take forever for the small girl that bobbed around between her mothers shoulders. Before she knew it though, she was being dropped to the ground next to some other puppies and mom was sitting down next to her slowly. Morte frowned and pressed into her mother, not feeling like socializing with the other puppies today. She had holes in her tiny ears for reasons, and it mostly had to do with those three.

"Speech!"

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Tazzy was excited, of course, but a lot of him was nervous too. All the new faces everywhere, everyone so much bigger than him except his mom and siblings. It made him frown as he wandered behind the collective to the gathering spot. Could they trust all these wolves? And what about those wolves that weren't part of the pack mom claimed? Phantasm was skeptical, but Mom was stong. She won her challenge fair and square, so the others should obey her, right? He hunkered close to his sisters as others arrived and sat themselves before Medusa. Even the lady with Morte came and sat close, but her daughter sat with her instead of them. As everyone gathered, Tazzy wondered how much longer they would have to wait. Would others be coming?

"Speech!"

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Acacius had followed his friend Medusa from the battlefield where she won her new rank, all the way to the dancefloor she chose to claim. Was it a little clingy? Maybe, but Acacius was tired of being alone. As far as he was concerned, he'd never not belong to a pack again. Maybe Havoc would be showing up too!

Pushing through the crowd of wolves, he found himself a good spot near the front and sat himself down to wait. It had been so long since he'd even been a part of a pack meeting, he'd nearly forgotten the process of it entirely. Hopefully the whole thing would be much more fun under Medusa's rule, too!

"Speech"

Wandering about was by and large his only interest, and he moved with the whim of the winds. However, catching the scent of his littermate alongside the gathering of a rather large group of unfamiliar wolves piqued his interest. As the summoning call rang out across the open plain, the sightless wraith flattened his ears with a grimace. No need to be so loud! Everyone was too loud in his opinion, with those sensitive ears and well trained whiskers. He traipsed along, spindly limbs skimming the cool blades of grass underfoot before each paw was placed down. While he had his companions to keep an eye out for obstacles, he was still keen to avoid relying on others.

By the time he caught wind of Acacius, his scent fresh on the breeze and growing stronger, the young nomad had finally made the effort to put two and two together. Oh! His brother was joining a new pack. It didn't seem like the rest of the litter was here, nor their father. No matter, it wasn't like the family stuck together anyways. Narrow cranium slung low between his thin shoulders, he sniffed out his bigger brother and grunted wordlessly in greeting as he approached. "Didn't know you were looking for a new group to hang with." he crooned quietly, flashing a toothy grin in the larger boy's general direction. "Know anyone here?" the dark youth asked without waiting for his sibling to speak, tail sweeping listlessly over his tall heels.

ooc. Raven's keen to join, he's just a finnicky idiot

"Speech!"

Art & Code © Skelle 2022

Of course he wore his armor. A part of him was fighting to keep anger under control. What good was he to the kids and Recluse if he just got himself injured though. Eraithus only hoped that he could appeal to Medusa better nature, if she had one. Surely she had allies so something about it was just... in her right? He supposed. The man softly walked into the mass of wolves.

He was kind to her once, was that enough? "Medusa. Congradulations on your rule, but." he paused for a moment. He didnt and did want to be rude, why was he standing here wondering? "Those pups are mine and id like to take them and Recluse. We wont cause any trouble leave and you can build your empire without more mouths to feed." he would fight if she wanted. He was not afraid of that, in fact a part of him couldve been insane. He wondered what Medusas blood would taste like, for some reason if it didnt work he wanted to taste that flavor he craved of his fellow wolfs blood.

She didn't have to wait long before they started filing in. The first was surprisingly, a stranger she had never met before. But his fur was red, and she knew of one other red wolf that she had seen a number of times. Her head cocked to the side as he introduced himself and asked if there was room in the pack for him. Huh, her first recruit that she didn't know? Great! Maybe he'd fit right in! Or maybe not, only time would tell. "Hi, Vulcan! You look sorta familiar. Is your dad red, too? You're welcome to hang around if you want, Medusa will fill everyone in about the pack and you can decide if you wanna stick around!" She winked at him, a grin on her face before her attention was drawn to Recluse's little skunk boy. Honestly, she was surprised that he had even shown up instead of running off with the others. But hey, he was here, and she grinned at him too. "Welcome to the party!" She said simply. She didn't trust him. Next to Recluse, he was her least favorite of Habari. He had been consistently mean to her throughout her time there, so she didn't care one way or another what happened to him. After that, Misery's brother showed up. She didn't know his name, but she knew he was also one of Recluse's brats. Oh well, sucked to be him. Poor thing had inherited his mother's paleness and was susceptible to burning alive in the sun. Good. It's all they deserved. Harsh thought? Maybe. But Recluse had brought hellfire to their world for her actions in keeping her enslaved in Habari for as long as she did. Nuru came next, and Medusa was all too happy to see her! "Nuru! Of course, there's room for you!" There would always be room for her friends! Especially pretty ones that complimented her. Not that she was vain or anything, she was far from it. But Nuru was the first wolf to have ever called her a cutie, and it had boosted Medusa's confidence considerably! Widow showed up next with her child. And Medusa nodded to the woman as she settled in at the front. Honestly, had she and Widow not somewhat had a sort of...what? Connection? Heart to heart? The fact that Medusa had rescued her and her kid before this...she probably would've just lumped her in with the other Habari wolves she didn't like. And while she was still iffy on the leopard-spotted Klein, she would give her the benefit of the doubt...for now. But she was definitely keeping her eye on her. On all of the captives, really. But so far, Widow didn't seem so bad. Plus, her kid was a cutie and a playmate for her own kids! After Widow, Acacius had indeed followed her from the battlefield. Cool! Her skeleton pumpkin friend was here! She grinned and wagged her tail at the sight of him as he sat down. And she absentmindedly fiddled with the nose piercing that he had done for her. Shortly after him was someone unfamiliar, but the coloring and scent told her it must be a relative of Acacius and Havoc! Huh, interesting! He wasn't marked in the way she, Havoc, and Acacius were, but he was still pretty to look at and she thought his eyes were pretty! "Medusa welcomes you, stranger, with pretty eyes!" She greeted the newcomer before finally sitting up to look a bit more..."business-like." "Medusa welcomes those that have come to join Insomnia! Some of you are friends, and some are strangers. But strangers will be friends soon enough, hm?" She giggled. She had never talked to this many wolves at once before, but so far, not too bad! "Medusa won't keep you all for long...okay, well except for the ones from Habari. You guys are special guests for now." She flashed a grin at the few who were there before cackling at her own joke. "For those who came to join, you are free to do what you want, when you want. The land and everything in it is yours! This one we're in now is probably where we will mostly be, but the pits? Oh...Medusa loves the tar pits!" She practically grew up there after all! Not to mention she was so used to the smell of the tar pits that it didn't bother her as much as it would probably bother others, but they'd get used to it! Or maybe they wouldn't, but for now, the tar pits were part of their home. "Many neat things can be found, and...Insomnia's special guests will be staying there. After this uh, meeting, everyone from Habari must stay in the tar pits and can't leave there without Medusa's permission. If you do well, I dunno, I guess we can find out!" Throwing them in the tar was definitely at the top of her list! Oh, and feathering them!? Heck yeah! She'd keep that to herself for now though. The mysteries were fun! "Medusa wasn't expecting to win a pack, but since she did, then here's what ya need to know!" (Please refer to the pack page and pretend she info dumped about the pack, rules, ranks, etc because I *really* don't want to write it all out LOL. Also please note, I am still adding & updating rules and the pack page in general, should have it done soon now that worked has calmed down!) For questions about ranks, rules, feel free to DM me or ask in the Insomnia chat! She let all the info sink in (which honestly, wasn't a whole lot at the moment since again, she wasn't expecting to win, but it was enough for now. "Alright, so those who came to join, still wanna stay? I promise things'll be plenty fun! Cross my heart and hope to die!" She exclaimed, even going as far as making the motion of crossing her heart. And then...her attention turned to Recluse's mate as he strode in, congratulating her on her win (which was suspicious coming from him), and then demanded that he take his pups and Recluse and blah blah blah. Medusa eyed him for a moment, then she cocked an eyebrow as she flashed her teeth. "Recluse can do what she wants, Medusa doesn't care. But Medusa doesn't trust you, or Recluse. Her words were empty and she never cared about Medusa unless it was to punish. Medusa thinks it's funny that you two are together, but none of your kids are yours. Recluse breeds with everyone but Eraithus." Her tone was matter-of-fact. She had been around Habari long enough to know. Not only that but the fact that none of those kids looked or smelled like this guy. Habari wolves thought she was dumb, but oh how observant she'd been. He wasn't fooling anyone, and neither was Recluse. Oh well, since he wanted to make a show of things, might as well air the dirty laundry Recluse had left behind, right? "Eraithus already chose to run and hide with others of Habari. But he is here now. Recluse hides. If Eraithus wants to go, he fights." Her gaze swept the group that was gathered, finding the few Habari wolves that were here. "Habari wolves must fight if they want to leave." Her gaze returned to Eraithus again. "A fight for every kid Eraithus thinks is his. If he loses, he must bring them here. If he wins, they are free to go. But Eraithus also needs to fight for himself. Unless Recluse plans on showing up to fight for her family." She stood up and walked closer, her companions following alongside her, with her feral gaze trained on Eraithus as she walked through the group to a clearer spot in case he wanted to fight then and there. "Does Eraithus fight now, or later? Medusa has things to do." She said plainly, referring to the meeting as she prepared her defenses just in case he wanted to fight here and now. Medusa vs Eraithus Round: 0/? OOC//I'd like to do a deadline of 1 week for the next round of the meeting (regardless of if they start fighting or not) so that the meeting and other chars, etc aren't kept in further limbo for longer than necessary! All fights don't have to be done within this timeline though, just trying to minimize potential limbo-ing lol "Medusa"

The fact some wolves actually came to Medusa wanting to join her pack proved how many idiots there were in the world.  She may have won her freedom and leadership of the pack but as far as Misery saw her she would never be anything more than a slave.  She was a poorly behaving, idiotic, foul, inept slave that deserved to be nothing more than some lab experiment.  That didn’t say much about those who chose to follow her.  Her kids were born of a slave and were surely just as worthless.

The sorry existence of life that was Medusa looked at Misery and he offered a thin smile back at her greeting.  Misery would love to make her just quickly trust him but if he tried to just play cheery and close it would be the most obvious lie ever made.  Being obedient and submitting would have to do for now.  Misery was right where he wanted to be.  There were games to be played.

Games played in tar pits?  Ohhh, games were gonna be nasty.  Misery would make sure Medusa suffered.  Whether directly or indirectly through her kids.  She’d pay for making Misery stay in there.  Well, they’d see how long until he could win his way out.

Eraithus showed up next.  Misery looked at the man, remembering when he’d first met the wolf during the big snowfall as a young pup.  Eraithus had fallen into Misery’s first trap.  The guy cared about kids and his mom.  Misery didn’t voice an opinion for or against the plans but stayed neutral, looking to Medusa as she responded.  Honestly, she was an idiot but even idiocy can accidentally do something Misery would agree with.  If Eraithus lost he’d have to bring one of the hidden children to Medusa.  So, he could either not fight and try to keep the children hidden and safe or fight to make them officially free with the curse of being bound to bring the child to Medusa if he lost.  Then again, he could agree and if he lied just not keep his word but some wolves weren’t keen on breaking their word.

It was a good noble deed of Eraithus but really, most of his siblings weren’t worth it.  Let the little idiots die out and hope mom made better ones.  Unfortunately, mom loved the little idiots so it was actually necessary they be saved if possible.  That thought addressed his gaze turned to where Widow dropped her pup over to where Medusa’s kid was, noting how the two were playing together.  Interesting.

"Speech"

Okay well he had tried. What other wolves thought of him he used to care about. She obviously wasnt right in the head, but then again neither was he. Even standing there his muscles in his face ached. He imagined slowly taking a chunk of flesh deliciously savoring the blood he craved. Medusa was cute to think she was smart, her comment about his kids didnt hurt. "Families arent just made from blood. Recluse and I make love to whoever we want. Im the one who chose to love them not their sperm donor." he said. Matter of fact.

"If your busy then. I challenge you to this agreement two days from now on the battlefield. You can at least agree I too like entertaining fights. Im honorable unlike some you have my word. Stop me now if youd like though." he gave a shrug he didnt give away much. Eraithus didnt care if he won or lost but... in his head he begged medusa to make a move. He couldnt deny his attraction but he loved Recluse and until she said she didnt want him around hed continue to act as he always had. Follow his independance. Eraithus kept himself alert. She could not believe him so he dipped his head and slowly turned to leave the group of wolves. But he agreed and after all she could kill him if he didnt show up to the match.


/exit unless stopped to fight

Patiently he waited for the woman to speak, to see if he could be allowed to join the newbly born pack, one he hopped wouldnt die as soon as his father's did. He disliked wolves without ambition and comminment. But the woman despite the weird way of talking and acting, she was smart and ruthless, how he liked to see an alpha being. "So you have met my father?" He asked, as there was only a red wolf he knew beside his long lost siblings. "Ignis is my sire in fact." Natural on his answer. The information about the pack's ranks and values was delivered. Some ranks sounded tempting, but true to his wishes he wanted to start off from the bothom and slowly climbing the ranks. "I would like to start as a fear if you will have me there." And if he liked the pack he would aim for something higher. "speech"

Medusa welcomed her, as well as others, as the meeting filled in. Nguruvilu allowed her gaze to shift toward the members of the former pack, Habari. Medusa had plans for them, for their injustices against her. Truthfully Ruu could not blame her. Repercussions were normally when you acted against someone. If you didn’t want the punishment then you shouldn’t have committed the crime. And from her understanding, the entirety of the pack had worked against Medusa even when she had tried to make efforts to improve and move up. Her attention flicked to a male who approached, one that was apparently Recluse’s mate. Medusa’s words to him were a bit harsh, but it sounded like they were honest. Oof, who has kids with everyone but their mate? She arched a brow at this, curious to see if the man would stand and fight now, or leave. In the end, he decided to fight later. Was it the right move? Nuru shook her head, turning her attention back to Medusa. A red male was speaking to her, asking for a rank, and as he finished, Nuru spoke up. “Sounds to me like this is going to be one hell of a party, cutie. I’m best suited in a providing rank, a hunter, but if you have need of my claws and jaws elsewhere, I can double as a fighting body if needed.” Ngurulivu grinned. “If the Habari wolves are not allowed to leave the pits, would it be alright if I brought them rations? Even if they were cruel to you during your time in their pack, letting them starve is crueler still.” Nuru might not have agreed with their actions, but allowing them to waste away and not fight their way out was crueler still. Did they deserve that? Time would tell. "Talk, 'Think.'

As he waited for his brother to give him a straight answer, the raucous voice of an older fae piped up from the front of the group. She was quick to welcome those who had shown their faces to join the pack, confirming his suspicions even if Acacius hadn't piped up. He had no idea when the mysterious woman addressed him, since he wasn't aware that he had those "pretty eyes" that he'd inherited from his father. Regardless, he tipped his head and pointed his ears towards the front of the gathering to listen to the diatribe that came from the strange woman about the pack she was raising. It sounded a whole lot more involved than anything he was used to, and there seemed like a lot of rules. Was that really something he wanted to deal with? After all, life as a nomad had suited him just fine thus far. But he missed his siblings, and knowing that at least Acacius would be around for him to pester when he got bored.. well that had some appeal for sure.

The whole ordeal was cut short by the sudden emergence of conflict in their midst. A male voice spoke up, and as he pivoted to face the source of the challenge, the subtle aroma of puppies and milk breath wafted on the breeze. Ah, he was challenging for the freedom of his little ones, which was admirable of him. With a soft grunt, he turned his head back towards where he knew his brother was sitting. "Some kind of record for drama here, huh?" he murmured, flashing his teeth in a grin. Dark form settled heavily onto his haunches and he waited for the whole debacle to quiet down. After all, it was always entertaining to drink it all in. However, it seemed short lived. Tame, even. He'd been hoping for screaming and bloodshed, just for the hell of it. Instead, they were.. civil? A soft sigh shuddered past dark lips. Well, that was that.

A few more voices spoke up, requesting ranks and roles within the pack. In a lull, he decided to jump in headfirst. Fuck the consequences, he'd deal with them later. Maybe this would be fun, he hadn't been in a pack since he was a little one, after all. "If I can claim the rank of Creeper, I would like that." eerie vocals rose in a gleeful singsong. With that said, it was time to wait for more potential chaos to unfold. He could catch up properly with his brother later on, right?

"Speech!"

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