A/N Hi, everyone! This is my new story, yes, another Lucien story because I love him! I'm so upset that he's dead, it got to me because a lot of my favorite characters have been dying! I hope you like this.

I've changed some things to fit the story. In this story, Klaus broke his curse when Elena was born, so that was in the early nineties. His daughter was born around a year after that, and they've been living in New Orleans ever since.


Forever Young

.

.

You're the light, you're the night, you're the color of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain, you're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much

You're the fear, I don't care, 'cause I've never been so high
Follow me to the dark, yet me take you past our satellites
You can see the world you brought to life, to life

So love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?

.

.

"And, like a Phoenix, i rise."

Lucien Castle

.

.

Nineteen Years Ago—New Orleans

"NIK!...NIK!"

Klaus' eyes opened at the sound of Rebekah's loud screeching, along with Grace's yelling, but like always, nothing could overpower Rebekah's voice. He sat up straight, his blue eyes full of worry when he heard the mother of his child whispering to Karina. Klaus, using his vampire speed, quickly got dressed, all sorts of things going through his mind.

Karina falling over.

Karina hitting her head on the edge of the coffee table.

Karina crying with a bloody cut on her beautiful face.

Years of hearing his sister screaming the odds had come into good use when he wanted to figure out what was wrong. This time, her voice had been high pitched, something she only managed to do when she was either crying or laughing. But there was no way he was going to risk it, no while his daughter was concerned.

If those vampires knocked over my daughter, i'll show them things worse than death.

With these thoughts in his mind, Klaus didn't even bother to slip on his shoes as he flashed out of his bedroom.

As he bounded down the hallway, he stopped to bang on Kol's bedroom door before Elijah's next to him. But just as he was knocking on Elijah's, said brother had opened the door, shrugging on his suit jacket.

"Niklaus, I heard yelling. What's happened?" He asked worriedly, stepping out of his room.

Ignoring Elijah, he knocked on Kol's bedroom door once again, almost sending it flying off it's hinges. When he got no response, he didn't bother doing it again. Instead, he, using his vampire speed once again, made his way through the hallways. Elijah, wearing the same worried look on his face that Klaus was, followed him, walking gracefully as always.

"What's happened? Is Karina okay?"

"Nik! Come quick! You'll never believe what's happened!"

Elijah walked faster as Rebekah screamed once more, hurting his ears. When more yelling came from the other side of the Mikaelson home, Elijah sped off. He beat Klaus by a few seconds since the hybrid had been growling at the vampires he passed.

"What's happened, sister? Is Karina-"

"Where is my daughter? Is she all-"

Both were cut off when they saw no blood shed, no wrecked furniture. Nothing that mirrored their thoughts.

Instead, what they saw was the complete opposite. Sitting on the ground on Karina's pink play blanket, sat Grace, Rebekah and Kol. Each were wearing a proud smile, the two women sporting tears as Karina sat in Kol's lap. The youngest Mikaelson was hugging her teddy, giggling, oblivious to her father's shocked look as her uncle bounced her playfully.

"What the bloo-" Before Klaus could finish, Elijah cupped a hand over his mouth.

"Language! There's a child in the room."

Elijah ignored the glare Klaus sent his way, the look having lost effect centuries before. Karina smiled when she saw her uncle, soaking up the attention she was receiving. Klaus, after checking to see that his daughter was unharmed, sat down next to Elijah on the couch. He sent the three a confused look, Elijah doing the same, as the wondered what all the screaming had been about.

Klaus felt his heart unclench when Karina laughed once more, as if telling him that she was all right and happy enough.

"You missed it," Grace said a moment later.

When Klaus and Elijah sent them all a confused look, Kol answered them.

"Darling Karina walked, brothers! She walked and you both missed it. She was crying this morning and I took her down with me. As I did I woke up 'Bex and the she-wolf. They gave Karina her breakfast and we sat down to play. Like always, she began to crawl when she got bored, but this time, instead of crawling back when I called her, she picked herself up using the sofa and walked over to be. Albeit, she was a bit shaky and uncoordinated, but she walked! It was fantastic!"

At the last three words, Kol gabbed Karina's hands and clapped them together, as if praising her.

She smiled up at her uncle, who kissed her forehead, holding her close as he replayed the moment in his head. Rebekah had quickly snapped a picture and took a video of her niece walking, not wanting to miss the moment. The video was of the two woman encouraging Karina while Kol kept an eye on her. They had all encouraged her to walk to one of them, but Kol won when Karina fell into his arms, clearly proud of herself when they all praised her.

While Elijah, knelt down beside his brother, smiling proudly at his niece, Klaus' face fell.

"She's much more advanced than other children."Elijah mused, a wide grin on his face as he tickled his niece."Such a smart child, aren't you, love?"

"II missed my daughter's first steps."

Klaus sad tone made their smiles drop and Karina, as if she could sense the change of mood in the room, looked up at her father. Her arms came up and her fingers tangled in his necklaces, tugging at them, a small smile on her face. He returned it, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand before Rebekah picked her up from Kol's embrace, rolling her eyes when her brother huffed unhappily, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Nik, she'll be walking for the rest of her life, she's not going to remember you missing this one." Rebekah said, covering his hand with her own, squeezing gently.

"I've been there for everything. If I had gotten up with her, i wouldn't have missed it. I was there when Rebekah took her first steps, when she fell into the muddy puddle. I was there when Kol started walking, I caught him."Klaus hissed angrily, not wanting to yell in front of his daughter. One of the most important developments and I missed it!"

"Klaus, you'll be there for everything else..."Grace whispered to him, smiling softly."it's not a big deal."

He felt like a bad father; she could tell which was ridiculous. Klaus Mikaelson may be a lot of things, but being an amazing father was at the top of the list, and she refused to hear him doubt himself.

He nodded, but his eyes were still wide with disappointment. Karina's hands pulled at Rebekah's hands that were wrapped securely around her, whining when she didn't notice it for the first time. She wiggled, squealing unhappily to herself until she got Rebkeah's attention and she let her go.

She tumbled onto the blanket that they were all sitting on, giggling once more and she crawled over to the elder hybrid, who was looking at the ground in shame. She sat up by herself and reached out once more, clapping again when Klaus didn't see this.

"Da-Daddy! Daddy!"

"Karina wants you, brother..."Elijah laughed as the child narrowed her blue eyes when her father didn't look at her, a dark Klaus-like look on her angelic-like face and Klaus' head raised.

"DADDY!" She whined.

He laughed when she held his hands again, sitting in front of him."Hey, sweetheart. What you after?"

Happy that he was giving her attention, Karina smiled, instantly making him grin but his eyes were still disappointed. As if seeing this, she tilted her head, her brow furrowing. A moment later, she clutched his hands with the small amount of strength she had and a few seconds after struggling with her balance she pushed herself up onto her feet. On shaky legs, Karina let him go and Klaus had to stop himself from making sure that she was alright by holding onto her. Her feet were far too apart, but her small arms were held out, and she giggled to herself. Grace told him to let her go and they all watched with amazement.

"She's all right, Klaus. You can let her go." Grace said once more, and he did, fighting to hold her up.

"What if she falls?" Klaus asked more to himself than anyone else.

"She won't. Besides, you'll catch her if she does. We all will." Elijah reassured his brother to his brother with a nod.

Karina, slightly unbalanced, her tongue poking out in concentration held her father's eyes as she walked towards him. His eyes instantly lit up once more, this time returning to ocean blue when Karina made her way over to him. Klaus' fingers itched to reach out and pull her into his arms, but she was doing well.

Rebekah was at her left, Kol at her right while her mother was perched behind her just in case. Elijah sat next to Klaus, smiling to his niece, beckoning her towards them. She was a few inches from them, swaying back and forth, and Klaus laughed to her, nodding. Her gaze was still on her father, determined not to fall, set on her target

"Come on, sweetheart." He encouraged, holding out his arms.

"Da-Daddy!" Karina laughed, almost falling into Klaus' arms, still having to practice before she could stand for longer.

Rebekah, who had been snapping pictures, smiled happily when she got one of the two, Klaus' genuine smile caught, one he only saved for his daughter.

"That's my girl." Klaus whispered, kissing the top of Karina's head as he held her protectively.

Elijah, eyes full of emotion, grinned before he spoke."She was walking for you, brother...she could tell that you were upset."

"...and he is still the favorite." Kol pouted, ignoring Rebekah's laugh.

"He's her father, Kol. He is the first man she'll ever love, the most important man that will ever be in her life, above all others. A girls first love is her father, it doesn't matter who comes after. When will you learn that?"

"Never?" Grace offered.

"Watch it, she-devils." Kol turned to Rebekah after glaring warningly at Grace."But i'm the uncle she loves the most, just remember that. Especially you, 'Lijah."

At Rebekah's giggle, Kol just shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. Klaus grinned widely at Rebekah's words, looking down at his daughter, who was still staring up at him. Her smiled widened when she saw her father's proud face, and even at less than a year old, she seemed happy that she had put the smile back on his face. She snuggled deep into Klaus' embrace, curling her small fingers around his index one, bringing his hand to her face, placing her smaller one in his large one.

"Just remember that, love. I'm your first love, it doesn't matter who comes next. Promise you won't forget?"

Klaus' response was another giggle from his daughter, and he took that as her sealing the promise.


Earlier—Mikaelson Compound

"Come on, kiddo. You have to fight back to in order learn."

Karina sighed as her brother circled her, urging her to fight back against him. He had been given the job to teach her how to fight. Marcel had been teaching her the basics, but now he wanted her to fight with him to see how well she was doing.

She didn't want to do that.

She was nervous that if she did fight back against him, that maybe she would accidentally bite him if she became too involved with it. She could easily heal her brother, but would never forgive herself if anything happened to him because of her. When angry or feeling threatened, her strength increased, due to the werewolf inside.

She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, staring back at her brother, determined not to do what he asked of her.

"Marcel, i'm a tribrid. If I really wanted to i'm sure that I could turn my attacker into a bloody toad. I'm also Klaus Mikaelson's daughter, do you really believe that anyone is going to attack me any time soon?"

Her brother chuckled, copying her movement by crossing his own arms."I'm sure you could, kiddo, but never underestimate those who hate your father. They'd do anything to get to him, even attempt to get through the person he loves most in the world. It's not just that, you need to release your inner thoughts, what you're truly feeling. I know how it feels after you've made your first kill, how torn you are with the guilt, but at the same time, telling yourself that is what you have to do in order to live. It feels like you're drowning, does it?

"I really don't w-"

"Tough luck, you have to. Otherwise, you'll lose sight of yourself."Marcel stated firmly, eyes softening slightly."Do you really think I want to do this?...look, you need to learn how to defend yourself if the time ever comes. Right now, i'm not your brother, i'm someone who wants to kill you. To hurt those you love. How are you going to handle that if the opportunity presents itself?"

When Karina shook her head, refusing to think of anything like that, Marcel decided to negotiate."How about this? I try and attack you then you defend yourself the best you can. All right? Don't go easy on me, i'm not gong to break that easily."

She stared at him for a few moments before finally nodding, giving in."Fine."

He clapped his hands together, and gave her a broad smile."Great. Now, defending yourself isn't just about how good you fight. It's using your senses too, something that, if your good at, gives you a better advantage in the fight."

Marcel suddenly disappeared from the compound they were training in, leaving her alone. Karina stood in the middle of the compound, his words echoing in her head. Her senses, in her opinion, were good. She could tell whenever one of her family members were near without really trying. The wolf was extremely great at that, especially with her parents who were also wolves.

But Marcel was trying not to be noticed, and he was over two hundred years old, so she assumed that he had mastered on attacking those he needed to. That he was good at keeping himself hidden, he had been taught by her father after all.

So she took a deep breath and focused on what was going on around her. She could hear the locals chattering away outside, her uncle Elijah speaking to her father, aunt Bekah and her mother gossiping in the kitchen. She could also hear the vampires that had been in her family since she had been born that were scattered around, some on the balcony. Some of them were her friends, including Joshua, who she could hear cheering her on.

"Go, Karina! Go, Karina!"She heard him chant, making her smile despite her stress."Kick some ass!"

Then, all of sudden, the atmosphere changed.

It wasn't calm anymore.

The hybrid inside her was telling her that something bad was happening, that she had to protect herself, something near her had intentions to harm her. This struck something inside of her. Before, Karina had felt warm inside when she had heard Rebekah's laughter and her uncle scolding of her father, but now, at the sudden change, she felt the need to destroy whatever was daring to oppose her.

Her fists clenched and her eyes darkened, determined to win against what was against her.

A gush of wind hit her, purposefully hitting Karina gain a reaction. It was Marcel, she could tell. But his normally pleasant and non-threatening presence had completely changed. He wasn't there to laugh with her while she toyed with the vampires, no, he was there to hurt her. She couldn't understand how he had changed so quickly.

Then his words repeated themselves in her head.

You need to learn how to defend yourself if the time ever comes. Right now, i'm not your brother, i'm someone who wants to kill you. A threat. To hurt those you love. How are you going to handle that if the opportunity presents itself?

He didn't want to do it, she knew that much, he had to distance himself from being her brother, her best friend. She wasn't sure if she could separate herself like that, but that was quickly forgotten when the werewolf took over. Karina looked up and saw her brother standing on top of the balcony railing, his fangs in view, eyes blood red, spider veins appearing underneath them. He wasn't her brother at that moment, he was a threat that needed to be taken care of.

I'm not your brother; i'm someone who wants to kill you. A threat.

Karina let out a sigh, allowing her real face to come forward.

Her double fangs appeared, her eyes turning amber, spider veins showing. Too focused on her brother, she failed to notice her father, Elijah, Kol, her mother and Rebekah appearing at the balcony to her left.

Klaus had ordered Marcel to press down on the teachings, telling him to do what Klaus had done with him soon after he turned. The vampires backed away as far as they could, knowing that Karina and Marcel were in a different place at that time.

Klaus didn't want to do it, he wanted to be Karina's protector for all eternity, but she was gaining more attention throughout the supernatural community as she grew older. Elijah had pushed for it, though he was against it.

"Anyone want to place a bet on who'll win? My vote is Karina." Kol piped up, only to receive a slap on the head from Rebekah.

"...let's wait until during the fight." The blonde Original added.

Marcel snarled at his sister, now totally separated from reality, and each person in the compound watched as he jumped down with ease from the railing.

"Let's dance, sis."He hissed.

He flashed over to her, lunging at his sister, tossing them both to the ground. Klaus' fingers curled around the railing, trying to ignore the protective instinct inside him as Marcel pinned his daughter to the floor.

Flashes appeared in Karina's mind, somehow finding herself unable to forget who this person was, even though he had succeeded in forgetting on who she was.

His fingers locked around her throat, keeping her on the floor, growling as if he wanted to tear her apart. The werewolf snarled at her, demanding that she remove the threat that was trying to harm her, that she turn off whatever was keeping her from stopping attacking back.

As Marcel threw Karina aside, making her hit against a pillar, Klaus spoke up."Elijah, it's not working. We're failing. He's winning. She is just a child."

"She will prevail, brother."Elijah replied, determined."Just give it time."

Klaus felt like he was just like Mikael, allowing his child to be hurt just so that she could gain strength. He growled, about to jump over the railing, when Grace held him back, pointing at their daughter.

She had gotten back onto her feet, seemingly unaffected by what her brother had done.

"Look," Grace said to Klaus as Karina tilted her head, eyes unreadable.

Karina's hand shot out, lifting Marcel into the air with ease, tossing him aside like a rag doll. Marcel instantly jumped up, but before he could make his way over to Karina, he suddenly fell to his knees in pain, clutching his head.

Karina's hand shot out, mumbling to herself, and as she raised her hand, Marcel began to levitate into the air.

"Motus!"

Klaus' head snapped towards Elijah while Kol laughed, amused."Who the bloody hell taught her that?"

"Our brother and Davina did."Elijah rubbed his temple, Marcel's screaming irritating him.

All worry left his face as he processed Elijah's words.

He glanced at his daughter, proud and surprised."Really?"

"Niklaus, this is what I was talking about when I told you that Karina needs to know just how powerful she is and how to use it. Your daughter is force to be reckoned with. But without the right help, she is her own worst enemy. She needs to be able to control all of her power and abilities, not just individually."

"But she might get hurt, brother. She-"

Elijah cut Klaus off, placing a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder."You are nothing like our father, don't think that. He victimized you; you are helping her."

Klaus just nodded before he turned back to the scene, glancing at his youngest brother, who looked like all he was missing was popcorn. Kol watched his niece, captivated, chuckling as Marcel squirmed in pain.

"Fantastic. This is the kind of entertainment i've been waiting for my whole life, brothers." Kol commented proudly as Marcel, looking like a puppet on strings, growled.

Karina's hand moved to the right, and Marcel fell against the water fountain, smashing it to pieces as he fell through it. Her magic wore off on him, but just like before, Marcel, after his migraine wore off, got back on his feet.

He lunged towards her, only to be sent flying when, Karina, no longer using her magic, punched Marcel across the face. Using all the strength she could muster, she kicked him square in the chest, knocking him onto his back. Winded, Marcel began to cough, unable to fight back. He was mentally and physically drained.

Knowing the threat against her was now weak, Karina found all the protectiveness and anger inside of her melt. She no longer felt the need to fight him, she had won, and the wolf began to settle along with the vampire.

Suddenly, her fangs and amber eyes disappeared, and her human face came forward. The vampires breathed a sigh of relief, and she looked down at her brother, whose vampire face had gone too. He let out a groan of pain, sitting up straight after she let him go. Her blue eyes widened as she saw the smashed fountain, and breathed a thankful breath, happy that it had stopped working years before. She heard Marcel release another painful sound, and instantly began to fawn over him.

She helped her brother onto his feet, seeing the blood on his shirt."Are you okay? I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."

Marcel clutched his still aching head, wondering how someone so small could produce such strength."I'm all right, kiddo. You were brilliant, totally worth the century's worth of a headache. How did it feel?"

"Like you weren't my brother anymore. You were a threat, and I needed to separate myself from what you normally are."

The two smiled at one another, and the feeling returned. The sense of warmth, love and protection she got whenever her brother was near. Her smile dropped when he continued to clutch his head. Karina had used all of her power when she gave him the migraine, and the after affect must have been terrible. She swatted his hand away, and pressed her own to his temple, muttering a healing she learned from Davina.

"Better?"

Her brother nodded, thankful."Just remind me never to forget your birthday."

She hugged Marcel and then felt another presence behind her. She turned to see her uncles, aunt and her parents standing in front of her. Elijah nodded, eyes telling her that she had done well. Rebekah seemed worried about Marcel, but she beamed at her niece while Kol was grinning from ear to ear, amused. He winked proudly at Karina, and smirked at Marcel. He always knew that she was a fighter but seeing her in action was nothing he had ever witnessed before.

Grace leapt forward and pulled her daughter into her arms, as if she needed proof that Karina was in one piece. Karina felt a little suffocated as her mother used some of her strength, but didn't step back, she could understand how it had to be to watch her daughter fight in such a manner. Finally letting go after being tugged at by Rebekah, Grace returned to her spot beside Elijah, and Karina met Klaus' eyes.

He smirked at her, proud.."You did extremely well, love."

She smiled back at her father, pleased.

"I know."


Southern France—1002 A.D

Klaus pulled away from the young man he had been feeding on and sighed in pleasure. He let the body drop to the ground and looked over at his siblings still feeding on their victims. He wiped his lips, cradling the limp wrist of the man he had fed on, a guilty look on his face.

He was broke from his thoughts when he felt something pat his shoulder. He looked up to see Kol smiling down at them, a playful look in his eye.

He smiled at him."Who's ready for the next course?"

Finn shook his head in an exasperated manner.

"You are all filthy gluttons!"

Kol turned around and smirked at his eldest brother, holding out his arms."And you remain ever the dullard."

They had killed another five people, but these victims seemed to be wealthy and of high status, as opposed to the commoners they fed on earlier. Rebekah was crouched over her victim, a woman wearing a blue velvet dress, which she stroked longingly before speaking.

"Such pretty clothes."She hummed, looking down at the woman."What a shame they'll go to waste."

Elijah rolled his eyes in frustration.

"Rebekah, we have discussed this-"

"You discussed this! None of us had any say in the matter! This lot were traveling somewhere-their cart is full of silks and finery."She pointed at the cart before saying."Five of them, five of us. Wherever they were off to, why could we not simply go in their stead?"

"Masquerade as nobles from a land we do not know and whose customs we cannot begin to understand?"Elijah scoffed, shaking his head."Ridiculous!"

Rebekah gestured to around them."You saw the castle down the road! It was practically a gala! If this bunch were headed there-"

She gestured to the body scattered around on the ground.

"Look at them! They're not any better than we are. We could live as they do! At least for a time."

Elijah rolled his eyes at her words, but Rebekah wouldn't give up.

"Think of it! Elijah, we can hide in plain sight. We could live ordinary lives-"

Elijah's face fell and he raised a hand, cutting off his sister.

"Silence."

Elijah focused for a moment before he gestured toward the victims' cart, and the others followed him as he went to examine it. He lifted up a blanket and flung it away, revealing a young, dark-haired man who was terrified to see them. He jumped out of the cart and attempted to flee, but Kol and Rebekah flashed in front of him and blocked his way.

Rebekah smiled at him."Well, aren't you a handsome one?"

Kol rolled his eyes at his sister and said."Looks like dessert to me..."

Kol stalked towards the man who raised his hand in a non-threatening manner.

"Wait, wait, wait! I can help you!"

They all looked at him in a curious manner. Kol started towards him again but Klaus placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back. The young man glanced at him for a moment, nodding as if saying thank you before he continued.

"Now, I-I am the personal servant to the Count de Martel, and the barriers that you just mentioned...?"He paused for a moment, a terrified look on his face."I was sent to escort these guests to his home for a lengthy stay. I know their customs, as well as the Count's habits. If you mean to pose as the family you've slaughtered here, then you'll need my help to carry out your ruse."

Rebekah pouted, glancing at her brother."Please, can we keep him?"

"Rebekah! What is our most important rule?"

Rebekah rolled her eyes, sighing."Never leave alive anyone-"

Her siblings chimed in and joined her."Who has seen what we are."

"Thank you very much."Elijah clapped his hands, praising his siblings."A practice that has served us very well indeed."

Elijah started forward, about to grab the man but Finn pulled him back.

"She has a point!"He said to his brother, squeezing his shoulder."He may be of use."

Kol chuckled, amused."Ah, a proper family squabble!"

Klaus tepped forward, raising his hand."Perhaps we should put it to a vote. Agreed?"

Everyone went quiet, a silent answer of agreement.

"All right, all those in favor of letting him live?"

Rebekah and Finn raised their hands.

Kol raised his hand, saying."Those inclined to gut him?"

Elijah raised his hand in agreement with Kol. They all looked at Klaus who was silent.

"Brother?"

Kol smirked, smiling at Klaus."Oh, Nik. What shall it be?"

Klaus sighed and paused for a second before starting towards the man, his face blank while the brunette looked terrified.


Present

"It's a no brainer, really, this penthouse is equipped with all the luxuries money can buy, and, while the asking price may seem daunting, rest assured that your view of New Orleans will be second to none!"

A smiling blonde female realtor walked around the penthouse, giggling politely as she showed a very fancy penthouse to a potential buyer, as she described it to him. The potential male buyer turned around from the window and nodded, eyes looking around the penthouse, pursing his lips as he thought about it..

"I do like it."He smirked."And, as for the price..."

Grinning in a mischievous manner, he walked closer to the realtor and brushed her long hair off her right shoulder to expose her neck.

Her eyes followed his movements and she flinched at his touch but the fake smile was still on her lips.

"Now, nothing of worth comes without sacrifice, wouldn't you agree?"

She giggled, obviously uncomfortable with the touch and stepped away from him, wanting as much distance between them as possible.

"Mr. Castle..."

He smiled charmingly."Please, call me Lucien."

Suddenly, Lucien snarled at her, revealing his fangs and red blood eyes, and the realtor was so terrified that she didn't scream as he bit into her neck and began to drain her. He pulled her to him and bit into her again roughly, blood running down her throat as her heartbeat slowed. He ran his fingers through her hair, tugging at the long blonde locks as he tipped her head to the side to get a better angle at her throat.

She clung to him, moaning in pain before he let her go and she fell to the floor at his feet.

The vampire smiled, stepping over her, wiping his lips as he looked out of the window at New Orleans.

"I'll take it.


Thank you for reading!

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