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Shhhhh!
What are you trying to DO? I told you that my ficcy was going to be different from the orginal plot! That means Yuna can be there with them if she wants to! She took the skidder thingy with Wakka if I say she did, k??? HA!
Yeah, I'll explain why it took so long to get this chapter out. See, I have this lovely little cable internet provided by a bunch of losers called Cojeco or whatever. See, they disconnected us. We now have AOL DIAL-UP internet, which really really sucks, but is still better than nothing I suppose well yeah. Uh huh. Anyway, cheers. I'll be lyin' around here somewhere at the bottom rung of the writer's ladder.
……………
Oh, right. I'm going back to school on September 3rd. That means less writing and more homework. I'll probably have a new chapter out every week, but don't get all excited or anything. =0P
::WARNING::WARNING::WARNING:: Subject mushy matter unsuitable for children younger than 10 ahead. But GEEZ, I'm not a yaoi person. Get some adult to write you icky fics. I'm pushin' myself hard enough as it is. ^_______^
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Blip. Blip. Blip.
She was in a room. That was obvious, even before she opened her eyes. It alarmed her, seeing how the last thing she remembered was passing out on the deck of her father's airship, held in the arms of the least expected man in the world. The fact that she could barely see, when she lifted a lazy eyelid, took her by no surprise.
Blip. Blip.
There was an odd-looking, blinking light stationed a few inches above her face. It flashed green, then off again, then green, then off. Rikku sighed, and rolled over on the springy surface she lay upon. Her location was a tiny room she had not even remembered glimpsing before in her life. In one corner, a sea-rotten chair lay half-crumpled against a table that appeared to have fared worse than its counterpart. She rubbed her eyes, and forced herself to crawl out of bed.
Blip. Blip.
"So, we start from scratch again, eh?"
The young, unfamiliar voice came from just outside her door. Rikku pondered, shaking her head. That wasn't Auron. She couldn't remember anything beyond passing out. Had she woken up since then? No, she most definitely would have remembered that.
"Hu, Liny, drana ec silr mavd." The second voice was somewhat elderly, with a rich, Al Bhed accent. It certainly was not Auron, but Rikku swore she had heard that voice somewhere before…
"Yeah, but-" said voice number one, who was apparently named 'Liny'. "Fryd ypuid Rikku, cen? She is still sleeping."
"Has that red-dressed fellow returned yet?" the second voice replied.
"No, sir."
"Then let the lady lie." The tone was gruff, almost fading. "Best stay on his good side, unless you are aiming to start a fight."
"No, sir, Vyodru, sir."
"Haha," 'Vyodru' barked, in his own, high-pitched way. "My name's Vyo, Liny. Get yer act together too. The posture's slipping."
"Yes sir…Vyo." Liny chuckled, and judging by the sound of diminishing footsteps, he left the corridor. There was a brisk silence, before the single door slid open to reveal two Al Bhed workers. One nodded at her, gestured to his partner, and dashed into the corner of the room to fiddle with a strange-looking control panel.
Rikku could only stare as a third body entered the room. All she managed to emit was a croak, and found her eyes glued to the man's attire. Vyo brushed the front of his pale green robes free of collecting dust, and then performed a respectful prayer. "Kuut sunhehk, Rikku. Did you sleep well?"
"You, you're-" She hesitated, and took another moment to examine his face.
Deep lines creased the man's forehead, running into the spots that would have most likely been his hairline – if he had hair. His head was bald, his face flat, and stout. He had a slightly crooked nose, and his mouth was set in a permanent, lopsided line. He bore robes of white, gray, and pale green, which covered just about every part of his body…save his face.
"Indeed, I do recognize you as well." Vyo cleared his throat, lifting a thin hand to tap the space just below his eyes. "I apologize, but my name is Vyodru Vraynd. I am a priest of Macalania, subject of Yevon."
"But-" Rikku's jaw dropped. "You're an Al Bhed! Your eyes, too-"
"That," the priest said calmly, dipping his head. "Is a complete secret between your friends and I. Should the other priests know, the unimaginable would happen."
"But wouldn't they know? Your eyes!" the Al Bhed girl insisted,
"One learns to conceal such things," he paused, "while in the services of the temple. Not that I've turned traitor to our Home, either. It's a long story, actually."
Rikku dropped her gaze. "You…you didn't hear? Home was…destroyed."
"I heard fairly well, young lady. I am here, am I not? Aboard this airship…I would certainly be dead now if I was not." His hands disappeared into the folds of his sleeves. "But because our Home is gone, does not truly mean that it is gone."
Rikku groaned. "You sound just like my dad when you say that."
"Your father is a wise man. You should listen to him." His eyes followed her as she flopped herself back onto the bed.
"Not like I have a choice!" she retorted. A sudden remembrance flashed in her mind. "Auron! Oh no, where's Auron?"
"Is he that man?" His voice veiled a note of amusement. "He dropped you off here, and returned to the bridge. He never left us his name."
"Uh, yeah…" The memories of her previous situation with the ronin fled back to her, escaping whatever hollow space she had crammed them into. "That's him…I guess. Oh no, I gotta find him!"
It was the last thing she said before a violent rock shook the entire ship, like a glass bottle slipping over a toppling wave. Vyo stumbled back, bracing himself against a wall, while Rikku rolled right off the edge of her mattress, hitting the floor with a pain exclamation. Struggling to her feet, she shot an accusing glance at the Macalania priest. His reaction was simple tranquility. He never wavered as he stood against her ferocious will.
"We have reached Bevelle, apparently." The elder spoke with no hint of offense.
Her temper flared. "What in the world was that?"
Vyo sighed. "A guardian obeying its duty. That would be the keeper of Bevelle, Evrae."
"Uh," she faltered. "What's that?"
"A dragon, easily the size of this ship. Perhaps larger."
"That dummy!" she cried, throwing herself to her feet. "He thinks he can go off and fight like that and not tell me!"
"And he can," Gently, the priest placed a hand on her shoulder. Her surprise at his touch and the slight force he used caused her to sink onto the bedside again, gaping. He chuckled. "I'm sorry, but I promised that man to keep you here until you've recovered."
"I'm fine!" she snapped, standing again.
"You're not," he insisted, making her sit again, using both hands.
"I don't need a babysitter!" Rikku twisted out of his hands, and leapt to her feet. "I'll show Mr. High-and-Mighty who needs to sit dow - aaaaaaah!"
She hit the floor, palms first when a twisted, spinning chunk of metal skimmed the air above her. The door struck the back wall, and clattered behind her. In the opening the warped door had left, a glowing fiend growled, hovering a few feet in the air. A sudden wave of heat struck Rikku square in the face, sending her sprawling across the dingy bed she had recently left. The bomb that had attacked her studied her, and then charged. Rikku had no choice but to shield her face and cower against her mattress.
The agony of the monster's spell did not come. In a rush of cool air, the bomb shrieked and died, becoming nothing but air and pyreflies that immediately took flight into invisibility. Tidus withdrew his blade, grinning keenly. "Morning, Rikku."
"Ah, Sir Tidus." Vyo again appeared, having hidden from the raging fiend. "I thank you. Would Sir Auron be about by chance?"
"Uh," Clearly, the blonde guardian had little knowledge about who the priest was. "Sure, he…ran ahead. With the others."
"I see." Vyo carefully took a startled Rikku by the arms and pulled her away from the doorway. "However, a promise is still a promise. If you have come to collect this young lady-"
"Actually, the situation's kinda changed." Tidus scratched the back of his neck. "We're already fighting, outside, but Lulu and Wakka are down for the count. Yuna only has enough magic to revive them, since our items are kinda gone. Auron's okay, but he's badly poisoned. We ran out of antidotes, too, and Rin's nowhere to be found. We can't find him."
Another, violent bang jarred the ship.
"You have no remedies?" inquired the priest, when they had recovered. Tidus shook his head.
"We, uh," he paused. "Rikku's the only one that can use her Al Bhed potions, and we could seriously use them right now."
"I believe-" Vyo began, tone overflowing with disapproval.
"Look, Auron will end up dead if he doesn't get help!" Tidus made no effort to restrain his frustration. "We all will, including Rikku when that thing gets through with this ship!"
"Yeah, so stop being so stubborn!" Rikku chirped, gleefully taking a place beside the irritated blitzer. "I'll be okay! I won't fight, I promise!" Beaming, she pumped a fist into the air. Whatever had kindled her spirits died to a dull roar again, when another thought reached her mind. She sighed. "Auron will probably make sure of that…" she added as a softer, off-hand note.
Tidus tilted his head, looking at her in plaintive puzzlement. The Al Bhed hastily tried to cover her reddening face with her hands, but the damage was already done. "I um, passed out on the deck," she explained sullenly. "Auron came out and found me there. He…took me inside, and, well…appointed me my own guardian."
This barely shook his confusion. "Oh…yeah." But it was obvious he was thinking of it in some other way.
Rikku 'tsked' and gave him a light push. He staggered back a little, eyes widening. "H-hey! I…I wasn't…I mean, I didn't-"
"Yeah, yeah…" she scowled, making her voice as bitter as possible. "Get it in gear, or I'll take it personally!"
"Yipe," he muttered, racing out the open doorway. Rikku watched him go and spun to face a solemn Vyo. "Um, sorry…Vyo. Thank you for taking care of me, anyways! I'll be sure to remind Auron to thank you too!" With a bright smile, she pranced after Tidus, stopping only once to wave.
The priest chuckled. "Kuut milg, Rikku." His comment, however, was unheard by the girl. She had already caught up with Tidus and was proceeding to equip herself with the necessary equipment.
Inside the room, Vyo exhaled and turned to the frightened Al Bhed workers. "Ku nacd, oui dfu. E femm veq dra tuun."
~:~
The ether was knocked from her hands, and it crashed to the metal deck underfoot. Its contents splashed at her feet, completely wasted. Yuna reached into their various items to find that they only had a few Hi-Potions remaining, and no more. She almost sobbed when a loud curse from Wakka announced another, successful scythe attack from the enraged dragon. He dropped his bliztball, and it rolled over the edge of the deck.
"Damn!" he spat, backing away. "Lu, I got nottin' to fight with! You gotta hold on!"
The black mage was doubled over, her strength nearly as scarce as Yuna's magic. But she nodded, anyway, before casting a vicious Fira attack. This stalled Evrae's next assault for an extra few moments.
Yuna hung back, taking one of their precious couple of potions in hand. Making a quick decision, she unleashed the item for Lulu, just as she prepared to ignite a second Fira. With more strength, the guardian was able to evade Evrae's poison breath, and complete her spell successfully. However, Auron was struck with its full force. What little energy he had left decreased even further, while he struggled to retain his movements and keep his health.
"Wakka!" Tidus's voice rang out from the lift doors. He barreled towards them, stopping only to throw a Scouter into the ex-blitzer's waiting hands. Wakka nodded his thanks, and immediately threw himself into the battle again.
"Hey, Auron!" the blonde blitzer stopped a good yard away from the umoving guardian. "Brought something for ya!"
Very slowly, Auron lifted his good eye to give Tidus the full force of his not-so-pleased glare. Then, as slowly as before, his gaze crawled to the sheepish face of a young, grinning, and evidently disobedient Al Bhed sixteen-year-old.
"Well, don't get all excited or anything," Rikku sighed, and took one of her many Al Bhed potions in hand. The others, she kept in her pouch, safe for another time. She chose carefully, and cast the potion in Wakka's direction. He, Kimahri, and Auron were engulfed with its light, and relieved.
The discontented ronin straightened, reminding Rikku just how much taller and threatening he seemed when he was angry. But, to her surprise, he did not say anything or even glance his dire criticism. It finally began to dawn on the Al Bhed that he remembered their day before as a catastrophe. Her fears had just blossomed into reality. He detested having anything to do with her.
"…Rikku?" Tidus questioned quietly, almost sympathetically.
"I…" she froze, her mind splitting in two directions. "I…"
"Auron!" The blonde guardian, shielded himself from the poisonous vapor that Evrae then released. Yuna opened her mouth to speak the words of an Esuna spell. Lulu lifted her hands to cast her worst.
The ronin did not respond, but drew his blade instead. Discounting Tidus's second yell, he lifted the sword into his normal attacking position. Even so, he did not run into the fight. He only stood, at the very edge of the deck, near the end.
"Rikku, what-" the blitzer began, turning to her.
"It's
nothing!" she said quickly, though not in a disrespecting way. She pressured
the fact that she wanted to drop the matter. "He can act that way he wants!"
Louder, so that the red-clad guardian could hear her, she added, "I'll talk
with him later about exactly who's misunderstanding this pushy
relationship!!
Tidus choked. "R-relationship?"
"Tidus!" Yuna backed away from the fight, her skin pale and body losing strength. She was poisoned, unable to feel the work of the antidote that Wakka immediately cast on her.
Tidus staggered, looking between the battle, and Rikku. Growling his frustration at not being able to question the Al Bhed further, Tidus drew his Brotherhood and raced towards the young summoner. While he encountered the weakening enemy, Rikku drew away, eyes trained on the single figure standing at the boundary between ship and sky. He did not look back.
"We'll…" she swallowed the hurt in her voice, but she moved towards him, anyway. When she was no closer than a yard or so, she stopped. "We'll…talk about that…whatever you want it to be…later."
Evrae roared in pain, thrashing away at the ship. The deck shuddered beneath her, and she braced herself subconsciously, unable to shake her dismaying attention from Auron. He remained a solid wall, as if he took less than a moment to listen.
The dying dragon broke away from the battle, still screeching. It began to dissolve into thousands of pyreflies, sinking slowly into the sky below. Wakka dropped himself onto the shiny deck, slick with blood; their foe's, and their own. Lulu stood calmly, watching the Bevelle keeper thrash it's last. Yuna was collapsed in Tidus's arms, and he was patiently trying to revive her with the last Hi-Potion.
No one saw Rikku disappear into the ship again, or notice that her face was streaked with tears.
~:~
Tidus stormed into the corridor he knew Auron was lurking in. The term 'lurking' tied in with a form of sulking he'd never seen before. It was too complicated to even begin explaining, but he would rather have tangled with a Behemoth alone than try. As an alternative, he looked forward to giving the ronin a piece of his mind…or at least, attempt to pry some information from him.
"Auron!" The red-clad man lifted his head slightly, somewhat typically put out about the boy's appearance.
Tidus crossed his arms, with a serious look upon his face. The expression was stranger to him. This grabbed Auron's attention, even if for a moment.
"You expect me to explain Rikku's behavior," he said slowly, unblinking.
"Actually, she already explained her behavior to me, thanks." The blitzer narrowed his eyes as he spoke. "I don't get you! You went after her on Bikanel Island; you saved her life, Auron!"
"She told you," Auron's tone now held a note of mild surprise.
"Everything."
"Everything," the ronin repeated.
"Yeah, everything, and I'm just about ready to tell the others, too." Tidus lowered his arms to his sides, turning away from older guardian. He began to leave.
Auron pushed away from the wall, following the irritated blitzer at a close pace. "Wait."
Tidus spun, "I'm not joking around, Auron."
Auron ignored him. "You are willing to blackmail me in order to benefit Rikku's feelings?"
"If that's what it takes."
"Why are you concerned with how she feels?" Auron's brow came together, as if he were actually inquiring something he despised.
Tidus faltered, undecidedly glancing in the direction of the bridge. Their angry debate had attracted only Wakka's stare, in which was hastily quenched. The ex-captain's face flushed. He pretended to be interested with the floor, instead.
The blonde guardian met the ronin's airy gaze. "Look, Rikku already has Yuna to worry about. She has a lot on her mind, and…and I finally understand why. We have to go down there, into Bevelle, and Rikku's not going to want to come, because she thinks you're mad at her!"
"And," The red-clad guardian was unmoving. "You would humiliate me unless I apologize to her."
"Hey," Tidus shrugged. "You don't have to apologize. I mean, that's not exactly what she wants, and even if I didn't tell Yuna and the others, she would. Just go talk to her. Isn't that what you've been telling me? 'Stand by Yuna' and all that?"
Auron said nothing.
"Good." The blitzer raised an eyebrow. "For a moment there, I thought you were going to tell me that it's none of my business, or-"
"It's not."
"Or that this is, in some strange, impossible way, not the same kind of situation."
"It isn't." Auron brushed past him, nearly knocking him into the wall. Just before he reached the door opposite of the bridge, Tidus interjected.
"Then what is it?"
The other guardian froze. "It is something I will handle on my own. Bevelle is a busy place. You should talk to Rin, buy some supplies."
"Hey, Auron?"
He remained mute.
"Um," Tidus scratched the back of his head, looking intently at his feet. "You, and Rikku…what she told me-"
"Was not a lie," Auron disappeared through the metallic doors, with nothing left to say, and no will to carry on a conversation about the pending subject.
"Huh," Tidus chuckled, and returned to the bridge. Just when he thought the guy had no heart, he pulled this one on him. "Good luck," he muttered under his breath, and sought the Al Bhed travel agent.
~:~
Blip. Blip. Blip.
Rikku sighed, rolling from one side onto the other. The mattress yielded under her weight, creaking its objection. The sound of the flashing light began to become a rhythm, drawing her mind into a state of subconscious thoughts.
He had no idea just how much his ignorance was affecting her. To dangle something so significant in her face, and pull it away again…it was sheer monstrosity. He was nothing the wiser, a fiend trying to take away whatever Home she had left inside of her. She never wanted to see him again. She never wanted to hear his voice. She never wanted to feel his breath on her face…
No. She squeezed that last reflection from comprehension. That was the last thing she needed to remember…and make it hurt all over again. No more Auron….no more rejection. She was alone. She had always been alone. She had never even liked him. He was a tormentor. He always would be.
A knock on her recently repaired door jolted her from her stupor. "Mmmm?" she yawned, sitting up in her bed. "Tidus? That you again?"
"No."
Rikku stiffened. "I don't want to talk to you!"
"Unlock the door, Rikku." Auron's voice was governing a note of impatience.
She threw herself against her pillow, burying her face. "Go away! I hate you!"
A sigh was heard. "Tidus has informed me."
She slowly lifted one eyelid, tilting her head enough to peer at the smooth, metallic entrance. "Oh really? What did he say, huh? I need another babysitter?"
"You need to open the door." Stoic as always, the ronin refused to let her have her way.
Reluctantly, the Al Bhed crawled off of her mattress and paced towards the door panel. With a burst of frustration, she pounded the 'open' key, and immediately whirled to face her sea-eaten furniture. A soft clicking noise was heard as the metal door closed behind him. "Don't make yourself too comfortable," she said, crossing her arms.
"You have no reason to feel angry," he insisted calmly, not moving any closer than she appeared comfortable with.
"Oh?" She gritted her teeth, and had to forcefully unglue them to continue. "Tell me how you feel about what happened yesterday, then! Am I missing something? Are you pointedly trying to ignore me on purpose?"
"I'm here, am I not?" he pointed out. Rikku drew a sharp breath, and made herself turn about to face him.
"That doesn't mean anything," she said, in a low voice.
"Then, perhaps I should leave.." He made a withdrawing step.
Her brain screamed at her for two reasons. One: she didn't want him to stay. Two: she didn't want him to go. "I didn't mean that! Okay, why are you here? Never mind that, why did you follow me last night, huh?"
"I believe we already know that answer." He stood, examining her face in a slow blink. Something like confusion dug at her wall of infuriation.
"Excuse me?" She curled her hands into fists, not liking the mixture that anger and puzzlement left her.
"You
were despairing." He lifted his hand in a simple gesture. "I provided the
comfort you needed."
"Don't say that!" she cried, backing away. She was trapped. "Don't even suggest
that everything you said…all that I told you…don't tell me that it was all
some stupid act! I was only comforted because…because I thought…"
"That will always remain a barrier we cannot overcome," he said, forcefully.
"Then you admit it?" she demanded, sticking an accusing finger in his face. "Huh? What else? Is there another 'barrier' I should know about? Or is the only thing that makes you so detached the fact that you can't feel anything for me!"
Auron made a very brisk decision. His hasty reply, however, did not include his best of caution. "For your protection."
Rikku stumbled away, blinking in sudden surprise. "H-huh?"
His tone was morose. It did not include scorn, nor did it sound at all pleased about his verdict. "We cannot be that way."
"No, you-" she began to protest, but abruptly felt the leather of his glove pressed against her lips.
"This means I want you to be silent," he explained. A second of trying serenity went by, before he removed his hand. For once, Rikku did not attack him with a thousand allegations. She didn't even bring her gaze past the front of his coat, as if his eye was the last thing she wanted to meet.
But she did seize his shoulder when he turned to walk away. "What does that mean?" she demanded, placing herself between him and the door. "Well? Tell me what that means! Why? Why can't we be 'that way' and why do you think you're protecting me when you keep walking away? It's really annoying!"
Nothing. Blip. Blip, and blip again. More blips. More blinks, more mechanical sounds. The engine beneath their feet shuddered slightly. A low whining sound was emitted the entire ship began to sink towards the city below. Still, the ronin kept his influence to himself, not allowing the persistent Al Bhed to enter his thoughts.
"Auron," Rikku was on the brink of begging now, her eyes beginning to subconsciously fill with tears. She felt them, and angrily removed them with the back of her hand. "Please, say something, or I'm gonna break down and cry!"
"There is nothing left to say," Auron slowly lifted one shoulder, and lowered it again in a discerning shrug. "But…"
"But?" Clenching her hands, Rikku stepped closer. Auron was too busy to notice, stuck between two options. Considering one over the other, apparently, was harder than he had assumed it would be. He let his speech hang, mid-sentence instead.
The ship shook violently. Rikku gasped, completely losing her balance, and braced herself against the solid door at her back. This time, as it had not been done before, Auron acted quickly to help her to stand again. Though somewhat confused, she allowed him to place her back on her feet.
"Yo, Rikku! Sir Auron!" Wakka's voice drifted through the doorway. "C'mon, we're getting' outta this busted joint!"
"Coming!" Rikku called back, banging the door with her fist. A grunt of agreement was heard, and the ex-blitzer stormed off.
The Al Bhed girl brushed of the front of her shirt, shyly, and lowered her eyes. "I, um…I guess…I might have…I'm sorry."
"There is no need to apologize," Auron triggered the device that slid the doors open. He carefully attempted to pry her still-clutching fingers from his coat, but had no such success. He gave up, realizing for the first time that she was shaking uncontrollably. "What is it?"
"It's…it isn't anything, it's just…will you at least…" She spoke without showing him her eyes. "Will you at least answer me one thing?"
"That depends," he said. His voice – if only for a concise moment – dropped its concealing wall. He'd added the evident fact that her shaking was due to him to his realizations. "That…that depends," he muttered, repeating himself without even knowing he'd spoken it the first time.
"You…you really think that yesterday was some stupid mistake, don't you?" The anger leaked from her tone.
"I do not…" How could he reply when he didn't know that answer?
Although she had to stand on her toes, Rikku managed to silence his next words by sealing his lips with hers. It took some time before Auron even became aware of what was happening. He had been contemplating his reply, letting his gut impulse react to whatever else. Unfortunately for him, he was as bad at controlling his instincts as he was good at hiding them. When he snapped back to reality, not only did he recognize the smirk of triumph on Rikku's face, he also remembered vaguely how he'd done nothing to refuse the unexpected kiss.
"That," she commented, "means I want you to be silent, Auron."
He finally managed to un-stick his throat.
"Well, um, I think Wakka wants us to follow him, anyway." She stuck her head out the doorway, glancing left, and then right. She began to exit the room, but Auron's hand on her shoulder caused her to stop in her tracks.
"Hmm?" She turned again to face him. Only, she hadn't even begun to anticipate his next move. She only felt her breath catch in her lungs as his lips meshed with hers, his hand embracing the side of her face. Her surprise nearly overwhelmed her enough to pull away, but she resisted its sudden ferocity in full force. Though she had trouble matching his passion, she returned his offer until he decided it was over. Even so, she continued to stand with his head against his shoulder. It would have been a lie if she told herself then that she was not afraid. She had to be afraid.
"Okay," she breathed, not caring what afterthought he might have gathered. "You…ready to go now?"
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Oh, right, and you were expecting TRAGEDY??? I am AGHAST! Actually, you're all probably mad at me enough for NOT updating for several weeks…but we can just let bygones be bygones, right? Yeah, ok. Well, I'm all jittery because I DO NOT enjoy writing mushy kissy stuff, especially if it's Auron and Rikku. But I suppose it's all good if it's for you FFX "Aurikku" fans out there. *hidden grin*
Um, really, this fic is a little too angsty to be true, eh? Don't worry though you plot-twist lover people you, I'm not gonna get those smooth-sailing Aurikku-enlightened people get away with a whole fanficcy about MUSH! AHAHAHAHAHA! *hack*cough*
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