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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 15, 2008 9:46:05 GMT -5
((OOC: Link to Marcus’ clothes etc… ))
IC:Marcus had gone to get himself ready for the dinner. He had refreshed himself a bit and then put on some comfortable clothes followed by a blue-royal cloak. His hair had been dried a bit and it no longer leaked water. Though he had had to avoid talking since his slaves would be inquiring about Lady Freya. Marcus could easily tell them who she was and how beautiful she was indeed when his slaves praised her, but he did not wish to risk anything, for he did not wish to give his heart to someone that felt nothing toward him, or was it that she liked him too? Marcus ignored his thoughts as he was taken to the dinning room in order to wait for the Lady. His other slaves would be giving him funny looks and he would roll his eyes. It did not mean he did not like them, but they would get like that whenever there was a Lady guest, not that he had been with anyone… yet. But they always hoped their master to love someone, among the guests. He was looking at the window, one of the windows that were held by a light pillar. He looked out and could see some mist and at the same time, the other hills of Rome. He really liked this Villa and was glad his father had got it long ago. For a moment his thoughts were deviated toward his beloved father, he could not resign like most people did and avoided the topic. It was his father still and he one day would find out what had happened to him. But every time he searched, and thought himself closer to the answer, something happened and proved it all to be in vain. But nothing could make him forget how suddenly he had disappeared, and without telling him anything about it. Suddenly the entrance of Lady Freya and the slave girl disturbed his thoughts vaguely. As the slave girl pointed at him so that the Lady Freya approached him, the girl left to serve the meals. He turned to look at her and smiled “I hope you have found everything of your like.” She looked astounding, and for a reason he wondered why he had worked so hard in looking good for her as well. It had been long since he had worn the clothes he had on; normally he would be wearing his Centurion outfit, but now… He sighed and then went over to the table to move a chair for the Lady to sit. He was gallant in every way since he had been taught by his father always to impress a Lady and a Queen. The slaves came inside with the food and lit some candles soothe could look at each other and enjoy their meals. He then went to sit in front of her and smiled, “I hope you like this.”
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Post by Lady Freya on Jan 15, 2008 9:58:35 GMT -5
Freya moved into the room, with a smile on her face. Her eyes watched him with interest. His clothing made him stand out, made him appear more handsome then she had first thought. Of course she had heard from the slaves that they thought their master was terribly handsome, and while she changed they said it about three more times. She wondered whether they had been trying to hint anything. She liked this man, enough to enjoy his company. It had been quite a long time since she had felt as happy as she did this very day. She almost felt right at home with the people here.
As she approached him he spoke, and gracefully nodded her head, “I thankyou for your hospitality. It has been an interesting day,” she said as she moved over to the table, where he took out a chair for her to sit. Marcus knew how to make a woman think highly of him, as his manners were quite then gentlemen. She took the seat, and smiled up at him, “Thankyou,” she said quietly.
She smelt the aroma of food, and her stomach almost groaned for the food. It smelt so good, and yet as they brought it in, it also looked quite festive. The candles set the light in the room, creating a nice warm atmosphere for the both of them. Ad the servants placed down the food, she thanked each and everyone. She did not leave one out, and each time she thanked them her compliment changed towards each individual.
She looked over at Marcus, “Thankyou for the outing today. I have not been quite as happy as I have been today, in quite some time. I am in your debt.”
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 15, 2008 10:10:22 GMT -5
He smiled and once the slaves finished filling their goblets with red wine, he raised it and then said, “May this bless your life from now on, Lady Freya. It is more than an honour having you here. You are welcome to come, officially as well, whenever you wish.” He then raised it to her and said, “Salve.” [Cheers] He then took a sip from his wine and placed it back on the table.
He really was glad he heard it form her own lips how happy she had been this day. He himself had to admit; he had never liked anyone’s company as much as he liked hers. But he did not wish to appear bold and opportunist, and only smiled at her and said; “your presence fills everything with light and deep fragrance. It should be I who should thank the gods for meeting you today, milady.”
He smiled at her and started eating, he closed his eyes for a moment and smiled, he then drank some more wine. He really liked what they cooked at his Villa, his father had always hired a blind man, always laughed at on the streets for pity, and he had turned out to be the best cook they had ever had. It was so refreshing and filling in such a way nothing he ever ate home would make him neither dislike it nor reject it.
As they ate, he would turn to look at her from time to time as her crystal eyes shone with the moving light of the candles, he wondered how it could be that she was not happy in her Kingdom, and how could it be that she had not married… yet. Surely there were a lot of men looking forward to being her husband, but none would…
Marcus blushed lightly with the thought and once the food was finished and they brought the desert he smiled at her and said, “I hope you have liked it so far, milady.” Some slaves would be looking though their hideout, they really looked forward to their master having a mistress to overcome his lonely life, but no woman seemed to suit him yet. They wondered how could such a man still be single.
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Post by Lady Freya on Jan 15, 2008 10:38:17 GMT -5
She took up the goblet and raised it, as he stated the toast, and then replied, “May it be to you also. You are welcome at my table anytime. Salve.”
She raised the goblet to her lips and let the refreshing taste of wine slip down her throat. After a sip, she placed it down on the table. She looked up as Marcus also stated that it was a pleasure to be within her company, “Well, may we both thank the gods for the pleasure of meeting one another.”
She began to eat, savouring each different foods unique taste. It was an enjoyable feast, and even the aroma made it more unique and long lasting. They ate in silence, yet it was a silence that allowed them to reflect on the day that was passing. The time they had so eagerly spent together without barely knowing one another. The moments they had fled from her guards, and fallen into the fountain. These were all moments to be treasured. For her anyway. Whenever she was in need of happiness she’d look back upon these moments, and for the ones to come, if ever.
After they had finished the deserts were laid out, and Freya looked upon it with surprise. Not one of her thoughts rummaged on what her guards would be doing, knowing she had deserted them, knowingly. She looked up at Marcus, the golden hue of the candles reflecting in her eyes, “I have enjoyed it. The food is ravishing, the wine is refreshing. It has been an over all adventurous day and once again I thankyou for it.”
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 16, 2008 10:46:13 GMT -5
Marcus smiled at her listening to her words. Once the pudding was served one of the maids shook her head looking at Marcus, they all seemed to encourage him to win the fair Lady’s heart, but he did not wish to rush anything, especially risk his own heart when he did not know, truly, if she felt anything for him… ‘Gods! How can you treat a servant so foully? When I had just met the lady…’ He thought as he turned to look at the window as a cool breeze came in for a moment. He ate his pudding with great like, since it was one of his favourites.
He turned to smile at her and waited until she had finished hers and then added, “If you wish for some more do let me know, I do not judge people because of their appetite.” He smiled, he had never met any woman that ate as neatly and as much as Lady Freya, in fact he liked that because he disliked those that did not eat at all in order to avoid gossip.
Once they had finished eating he stood up as they served two glasses of a light green liqueur, for good digestion. He took both of them and then handed one to the Lady as he said, “it is tradition to toast for a good digestion,” he laughed and then added, “or so my father always said.” He took a sip of the liquor and then extended his arm for her to hold it, as he was to show her his humble Villa.
And he did mean ‘humble’; he was a man of no presumptions and truly enjoyed a simple life, but that had made some people criticise him as lazy, when he truly wasn’t. In fact he was one of the best Centurions Rome could ever have.
As they walked, one of the servants, who was from Sicily, started playing with his citer a soft and enchanting melody that filled the whole mansion with its beauty and ancient air. Marcus smiled, ‘those rascals’, he thought.
They walked on a hall that was half on the outside and half on the inside because of the great pillars that separated it from the great gardens that surrounded them. He looked at the sun as the evening would come by and then looked at her and cursed cupid, because the sun shone on her long silken hair making it glitter like gold, and her blue eyes seemed as charming as rubies or emeralds that had just been purified form their normal state in mountains. Her whole being shone with a godly air and he felt his body tremble lightly from such sight. He had to fight with the growing desire to kiss her there and then, to avoid that in order not to insult her trust.
As they reached one edge, the sun shone at him, translucent as if the Sun-God trespassed his whole body to burn it and make it anew, like it had happened to Hercules, long ago. He turned to smile at her and for the first time in his life, he did not know what to say.
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Post by Lady Freya on Jan 17, 2008 5:52:26 GMT -5
Once again Freya, exchanged a thankful glance towards the servant, before she began to eat. She observed at how well the servants and Marcus went with one another. They almost seemed as though they were close family. She marvelled at the relationship they shared. She loved her servants and guards of course, but she rarely could get a smile from them or speak with them as calmly as she could to herself. That is why she retreated to her chambers, where her snake remained. The only creature that seemed to listen to her, in the world without putting up a fuss.
She enjoyed the food, it had definitely done more then settle her hungry stomach. It made her wonder what ingredients the servants used in the meals, because truly she had not tasted anything as superb as what she had just eaten. It was rare that she ate in company, if her father summoned her to eat she’d be there for all of five minutes but would not eat within his company. It sickened her. She still could not understand how the man could just move on, and sleep with other women while he was already married. Yet, she would not allow her thoughts to disrupt this day, for she had enjoyed it more then most.
After she had eaten, she watched Marcus as he handed her a glass, and she took it willingly. She was keen to learn new traditions, and so she followed what Marcus did. She sipped the green liquor, it was quite a revitalizing drink, she had never tasted anything like it. She noticed Marcus’s hand outstretched for hers, and without resistance she took it.
At his side, Freya walked in step with him. She had been almost silent this day, but it was in no way an attempt to be discourteous. She was silenced, because she truly had not felt this good in a long while. She felt un-locked, like her prayers had been answered, yet they had come with a cost. Almost stealing away her ability to speak.
As they walked a young melody began. It was slow and soft. Almost like a whisper, or the touch of a breeze. With a captivating tune, the music seemed to drift threw all aspects of Marcus’s villa. She wondered whether this happened each night, or simply just this night. From the corner of her youthful eyes, she caught Marcus smile as the music began which made her thoughts twitch and truly speculate whether the music had only started playing because she was there. However, she would not question it. The harmony of the tune was relaxing, and made her smile.
They walked through an undercover area, that looked out through the gardens of Marcus’s villa. The sun, not as bright as it had been earlier, but it still radiated with its lovely gold. Apollo truly knew how to make the sun shine and fill the mortal heart with pride, knowing that they were able to view its splendid beauty. When he turned to look at her, a warm smile lunged across her face. His eyes easily ensnared her. With the golden rays of the sun, framing his body he looked as though the gods were making him stand out. To her sight, he was the only thing that was catching her attention. The only thing her eyes seemed to want to remain with.
They stole away from him for a moment, as they moved to the edge of the undercover area. She leaned her back against the pillar, and looked out at the gardens. How could it be that she was this fortunate, this fortunate to actually feel alive again. She looked back at Marcus, noticing his gaze still lingered on her. She couldn’t help but allow hers to remain with his. They both seemed speechless. Darn the gods, why did they have to be so tricky.
From the corner of her eyes, a dark figure moved. Being easily distracted, she turned her eyes to see what the figure was. Remarkably the black stallion, that Marcus had been riding had escaped from where it had been stabled and was trotting through the garden, looking quite proud of himself. She turned and looked at Marcus with a laugh, “It seems your friend enjoys the gardens also.”
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 18, 2008 5:23:17 GMT -5
((OOC: I really liked that post))
IC:
Just as she looked at him with such angelic eyes, his heart fell moved and it longed for love. It was curious; Marcus had never felt the need for women, their company, or for anyone to love. He always was too busy gaining new military posts, training and recruiting men; training his own body and mind with the newest techniques and contemporary philosophies. Then…why was it so different now?
Perhaps it was time for him to surrender his heart, his being, to a special someone. Perhaps this Lady was the one for him. He did not believe in multiple phases, he always thought that if he ever loved, he would love till the end, like Ulysses loved his wife; like Achilles loved Briseide or like Perseus loved Andromeda. It would be a transcendent love that would never be consumed by time or death. It would last forevermore.
He could feel his heart being lit by that Eternal Flame. But still he smiled, he could not do it but he wanted to. But then, when he was about to lean and kiss her, she spoke of his intrepid horse. He chuckled and turned to look at his horse, she was right, but his horse only he could tame, the horse answered to no one but him. He was proud of it, at some extent always thought of Pegasus whenever riding it, so free and at the same time protecting the rider against ill fates.
“He would rather be free, face ill-weather or having no food, shelter or water, as long as he could run free. Sometimes I think that he would kill himself if he ever were put under strict vigilance. But he never leaves, he is loyal to me.”
Just the thought of loosing his dear friend caused his body to shiver suddenly. But he hid it well. He then looked at her, as she gracefully leaned against a pillar only to look more gorgeous. He wondered how it was like in her lands, “Is it… you are never allowed to ride through your lands? Do you not go for long strolls in your countryside?”
He meant no disrespect, of course, but how that they were alone, he knew she had so much in herself that once ride of she would gladly speak her mind and so he would really get to know her more. Just before they had to go back, or what is more, invite her to stay for some days…if she could…
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Post by Lady Freya on Jan 18, 2008 6:55:40 GMT -5
OOC: Thankyou. I liked that post. lol
IC:
She watched Marcus glance at the striking black stallion. A horse that could not be tamed, one that could not be broken. With a heart of fire, this horse knew what it was like to be free, yet loyal, however not trapped. The horse had such a coal black coat, that the sun shimmered. She listened to how Marcus spoke of the animal, she was glad to see how well Marcus took care of everything that took care of him.
Tuning their attention back to one another, Freya listened. He seemed intent to know more about her, “Oh, I go riding,” she said sweetly, “I just prefer the solitude. Wherever I go, I have servants following, people watching me, my father… don’t let me begin with him,” she sighed, as she felt a slight amount of anger swell inside. But she would not let the notion of her father interrupt such a pleasant day.
“Carthage is beautiful, when I do get out, I usually walk along the shore,” she said peacefully, “If I am lucky I manage to sneak out while all are asleep and watch the moon touch the water. But I should not have told you that,” she smiled playfully.
Her eyes trespassed him again. Glittering with happiness. She loved Carthage as many did their homeland, yet how could she love it utterly if she could not be at peace there? Right now, here felt more like home then what Carthage had for the past year. A life for a Carthaginian Princess, and truly the only full blood child to the throne, it was an exhausting life. There was no peace in it.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 18, 2008 7:12:47 GMT -5
Marcus smiled at her when she spoke of the things she did in Carthage, it seemed as if she trusted him fully and did not mind him knowing everything about her. He sighed when she seemed distressed about thinking of her father, her homelands and the fact that she, like him in some ways, was a noble who was expected to do great things in life. Though Marcus could not forget that he, unlike many, had had a father like no other, and it had always helped him not to become a heartless man.
As she spoke about what she normally did at night he laughed lightly and silently and without noticing, Aphrodite lit in him the inextinguishable fire of love. By her commands and incantations he released his feelings toward the Carthaginian princess and suddenly grabbed her hand gently and caressed it with his other hand as he asked her softly, as if his own voice had a mesmerizing effect, “Really? And what do you feel when you watch the moon’s reflection?”
His eyes did not leave hers as if he could transmit his own fire burning deep inside and pass it on to her, for her to love and burn like he did. His eyes glittering with the feelings he now held for her, and knew that from this day hence his being would not be complete without hers.
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Post by Lady Freya on Jan 18, 2008 7:30:51 GMT -5
She felt his hand take hers, and with the other gently caress it. A forever abiding smile now touched her face, as he looked so daringly into her eyes and asked her what she felt when she looked at the moon. For a moment she let silence sweep between them, as she tried to contract everything she thought of or felt when she watched the moon, during those long nights she’d disappear into to the shore to watch the silver haze of it all.
“When I look at the moon,” she said timidly, “I feel alive. I feel like someone is listening to me,” she bit her lip lightly and looked away, “It’s hard to explain… what I feel…”
She was not used to talking so openly to others about her feelings. Yet, she seemed able enough to open up to this man in front of her. It was as though he had the key to her, and all he needed to do was ask the right questions and he would find the answers.
She returned her eyes to him after a few moments and took a deep breath. His touch on her hand felt so relaxing and peaceful, that she barely wanted to move. His eyes, were like a spell that kept her captivated. Not many men, had the skill of bewitching her like he was. With a tingle ripping through her, it was an un-matched feeling, yet not un-welcome.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 18, 2008 8:01:14 GMT -5
((OOC: I have to go, see you tomorrow...))
IC:
He looked deeply into her eyes and for a moment seemed as if his heart absorbed every word she uttered. As if his treasured everything in her and for a reason wanted to always remember whatever she said or did or shared with him. It was as if they were destined to be together as suddenly a shooting star flew from one side to the other, as if Nix wished for them to know it was meant to be.
His eyes trespassed her as if he wished to know her every secret; open every door of her mystery and yet, take his time with doing so in order to savour her magnificence and fragrance.
The hand that had been caressing hers moved gently to her face as he ran a finger softly on her cheek and then suddenly leaned to kiss her while his other hand pulled her closer. This was their first kiss, but it was one that seemed to bind them together for eternity. Separate them from their past lives into one they knew not; into a life where only both of them existed and loved each other.
He had risked his heart, but he knew now that she felt something for him. He could not control his feelings, but it felt so god to let them out, to lock her in the fondness of his heart never to leave. The night seemed fair and warm, there was nothing to stop this now, nothing would keep them apart for now they were together and love was in the air.
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Post by Lady Freya on Jan 18, 2008 8:18:28 GMT -5
OOC: Tomorrow then...  IC: She looked into his eyes, unsure of what she was searching for. Perhaps she was searching for reassure, comfort, friendship or maybe something more. Her relaxed breathing controlled her careful posture against the pole, as the silence between them kept dancing about them like a shrewd god. Yet, somehow the silence weaved a spell of its own that seemed to draw them together. The smooth touch of his hand against her cheek was all but enough to know that this meant something. That this day had been written by the gods and had been destined to happen. Her eyes danced with colour as he leaned closer to her. Without any reluctance she allowed their lips to meet. She felt his other hand pull her closer to him, and she went willingly. Her hands gently rested at his waist. She absorbed herself into this feeling, that seemed to send shooting starts throughout her body. Truly she had never felt this way before. Her thoughts circulated around what had come to pass, with everything seeming to rebound off it, so that she could savour this moment. The sweetness, the gentleness. When their mouths released one another, she couldn’t help but smile. Yet a guilty pang entwisted about her. If her father was to find about this, she would be as good as dead. Before she had left, he had told her she was going to marry a man of his choosing and that she would go into it without a say. He had struck her, when they had argued about it. Now, the sweetness that had rushed over her seemed to seep away. Like the petals of a rose. A bond had been created this night, and she knew she wanted this. In all her life, she had never wanted anything more then to have someone that seemed to understand her. Yet, now she felt utterly guilty that she had not told him that her father wished to wed her. What was she going to do? She still remained close to Marcus. Wondering how she was going to tell him. Again she was struck by the silent curse, and wondered what on earth were the gods trying to do to her? Was she like some simple target for the gods to intentionally aim at and destroy everything that meant so much to her? |
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 19, 2008 5:54:18 GMT -5
As their lips parted he looked down at her, his eyes shining with the love and passion he already felt for her. It was unbelievable how the gods tricked mortals, but at the same time they seemed to enjoy being pieces on a chessboard. All he had kept inside was released and pleased he felt when she kissed him back with the same undiscovered feelings. Now he was sure he had not mistaken…
But something in her eyes seemed to warn him about something. He hugged her tenderly as he asked, “What is wrong Freya? Do you fear for your guards?” He smiled and then said, “They are here, in my Villa. There is nothing to worry about since they are not following you here anymore, but if you wish them to come they can be called for.” Marcus had judged it safe for the lady to invite her escort as well and, therefore, make it official that the royal Roman household cared for the Carthaginian Princess. He did not do this to anger her, but to prevent her form having problems with her father, who seemed strict with her.
He then released her from his embrace and then asked her, “or is it something else?” Could there be anything, a pure being like her could hide? Any fatal doom that she knew would curse them both? Marcus had read so much, the Ancients included in this, but he never ever thought of blaming women for the curses of the world. He thought women had been misjudged, but now he did not know what to do…
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Post by Lady Freya on Jan 19, 2008 6:11:13 GMT -5
Freya smiled at Marcus. He was so caring, and gentle, that she knew she did not want to be parted from him. His eyes showed all the magnificence about him in one single moment. The Princess took a deep breath. She did not worry about her guards, she knew her guards were capable of taking care of themselves. She did worry that their notorious ways would get them into trouble and disturb the peace between both Rome and Carthage, but she doubted they would go to those extremes, unless they knew she was truly in danger.
She touched Marcus’s face, as he told her that her guards were here, at this very moment. Her hand smoothly guiding across his cheek as she looked patiently up at him, “Thankyou,” referring to him allowing his guards to be present at his Villa. However she hoped they had not seen them, that would not only endanger her, but Marcus also.
When he released her from their calming embrace she took a step around him, her hands clasped together as she took a deep breath. She had to tell him, she could not keep it from him. The gods loved to make her life disastrous, and in truth Freya had gotten quite used to it, “I am the only true blood child that the Throne of Carthage has,” she looked up at him, her eyes were filled with such a deep despair she struggled to find the right words, to explain her situation to him.
“Before I left, my father and I had an argument. My Father and I do not go one moment without arguing, however the argument concerned my future…” she bit her lips and tried to hold herself from trembling. Her arms embraced her bare shoulders as she looked at Marcus, taking a deep breath, “He is intending to wed me. To a man of not my choosing. When I said I would have none of it, he struck me. That ended the argument, and I left…. I left Carthage without telling him. I needed to get away, to calm down.. I…”
She had hit her weak spot. She had no clue what she was doing, why she had ran away, or why she could even confide all this to Marcus. It would only burden him with her struggles. She did not want that. It would not be fair.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 19, 2008 6:29:04 GMT -5
((OOC: Nice post again!))
IC:
He smiled when he noticed that his idea concerning her guards had pleased her greatly. He did not wish to endanger her in any way. He never wished so for those he loved. But it seemed that was not the problem. He feared something that could put an unbreakable wall between them, that could make them never see each other ever again, but little did Marcus know that such thing would happen, eventually.
His eyes followed her with every movement, as he loved everything about her: the way she walked; the way she smiled; the way she got nervous and folded her arms in order to gain strength… He was a lost man, he was aware of.
He listened to her words silently, as suddenly his face showed a stern look and, as she finished he turned away from her and looked at the gardens. This was just too much to bear. He lowered his head for a moment to swallow, trying to avoid grief from taking over his mind. He placed his left hand on the pillar and leaned lightly as he sighed and looked at the gardens, he remembered his father had told him, of a prediction, but only now it made sense, ‘that the woman of his choosing would be hard to hold, and yet his heart would eternally burn for her.’
Why did she not tell him of this before? What was he to do now? He shook his head and asked her without looking at her, “Do you know whom it is… he wants you to marry?” Little hope resided in his heart to be the chosen one, but he doubted the King would consider him, even though he was of royal blood.
He was not angry at her, he never could, but it seemed things were getting out of his control. Perhaps she should not have left Carthage, perhaps she could have softened her father for he was her father after all, but now, now… what was he to do?
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