I'm STARVING.
I decided it was time to eat lunch, like, an HOUR ago, and I'm still at the computer. And what am I doing now? I'm writing a blog post. Tssh.
Okay then, what have I been up to? Well, the Tanith novella, as you may have guessed. I have another week of writing on that and then I'll pretty much launch straight into Book 8, provisionally titled Skulduggery Pleasant: People Gonna CRY. But I digress.
On Halloween I did an event in Dublin with my editor Nick Lake and cover artist Tom Percival. It was the first time we'd been on stage together and it was basically a big chat about how the books get made and the process behind it all. Plus I mocked people. It was fun.
And that event also marked another first- the first time the real Valkyrie Cain attended. Laura was sitting at the back beside my agent, and when I mentioned that she was actually here there was an audible gasp around the room and everyone started craning their necks to try and spot her. Laura, for her part, stared straight ahead and tried to attract no attention whatsoever. I'm fairly sure she emerged unscathed by the whole experience- thought she DID glare at me afterwards.
That night we all went out to dinner, fifteen of us, and many laughs were had. Presumably. I spent the next day with Nick as he tried to get me to decide what to write once Skulduggery is over. I have a few ideas, but I'm still not entirely sure what it'll be. Apart from brilliant. We all KNOW it'll be brilliant.
Voting for the Irish Book Awards have come around again. This year I'm up against Anna Carey, Judi Curtin, John Boyne, Darren Shan and Eoin Colfer. That's a pretty impressive list by anyone's standards. I didn't win last year- Anna did- and to be honest I had THE best time. I actually like not winning. It means you can hold a conversation with someone without interruption.
Every year, I don't ask you to vote for me- I ask you to vote for whoever you think deserves it. And this year is no different. Well, ALMOST no different. The only difference is that this year the last Artemis Fowl book is nominated, and if any book deserves to win...
Just pointing it out, that's all. Not trying to influence you, one way or the other. Ahem.
http://www.irishbookawards.ie/vote-here-for-your-favourite-titles
Let's see... oh, next week is going to be fun! You're going to be getting TWO cover releases here on this Blog. The new paperback cover for KOTW at the start of the week, and the Tanith cover at the end of the week.
See? I'm so good to you.
Now I'm going to eat lunch.
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«Oldest ‹Older 4201 – 4400 of 4730 Newer› Newest»*solidifies under the mech, shooting salsa at its feet and knee joints*
*rolls away from its feet, trying not to be stepped on*
Zanida: I prefer to not harm Adra, I live living. I have my true name back, you know.
*the mech's actions rapidly slow down, then momentarily stop, before the limbs that it had been swinging around fell to the floor with a loud clang.*
We did it, guys!
I've noticed. If you don't want to lose it again, you'll keep to yourself in the future.
*dodges a falling hand, then stands up, waving her super soaker*
Yes! We did it! Salads power!
We dismantled it, it may very well still be active and dangerous.
*Salsa drips from his blade, burning the ground as he approaches the mech's torso*
Zanida: I plan to keep it. You know, Loki said when he controlled Zafira, he often would hear your name and Niccolò's. i just don't see why, you're a man trying to keep your family safe. Look at Loki, he would have killed you today, but he didn't. You know he's king of Asgard now, Rose is our queen.
Yes, I've heard that also, and I really don't care about any of you where my Adra isn't concerned. And I highly doubt he'd have killed me. Every time he's tried, I've killed him.
Zanida: How come you do not like myself or Loki? I want to redeem myself with you, I know you do not want me to hurt Adra, and I won't. I see through Loki now what you feel.
(I'm the conductor of the poop train!)
(Sounds a terrible job, Tia.)
(I'm sure it's code for "I'm a secret agent!")
(...
You keep right on believing that, Tia. It's good to have hope.)
There are fewer than a dozen people in existence who I've ever liked, Zanida. If you think you and your brother, of all people, could make that list, you are sorely mistaken. It benefits me in no way to be kind to either of you, and after everything you've done to my Adra, you will not redeem yourself with me.
Zanida: Loki did that to her, I never touched her.
*walks over, looking at Alastair* I can hear thoughts, and for some it is very very vague, but you, I hear so many things at once. I hear the name Aretha come from someone, he sounds like you, but is inside your insane asylum of a head, is that Niccolò?
Run, she says.
Run. Run. Run. Run.
That's all that's been on her mind lately.
Run, but not so far that anyone will come looking.
The train leaves at 3 am.
She isn't on it.
No, Loki. Don't give yourself the impression that my mind will make sense to you. Niccolò's name is so weak and tormented, he barely thinks anything. Certainly not of Aretha. He is better than he was a few months ago, but healing him is a painstakingly slow process.
Hello, Moss.
(Hello, Fabi!)
What of that name....John Smith...is that who I hear think of Zafira? I have not met him, I only saw what Zafira knows of the man. *is quiet for a moment, thinking* Perhaps our healers could work with you on Niccolò.
I appreciate the thought, but I don't want any help from you. I'll deal with my names myself.
*Coughs rather loudly*
You may not have so much trouble if you didn't steal so many names.
I thought that.
Zanida: Can we meet any of the names? Like....someone who wouldn't kill us all? *pauses* I mean I understand if you say no, I should be grateful you have not ended my life, which I really am....
Translation: She wants to meet John. Apparently Zafira is half dead from some Midgardian illness and Zanida wants to tell John.
"The jump coordinates that Kara Thrace deduces from the music, 1123,6536,5321. If treated as the notes of a Phrygian mode scale, with "1" representing the root note, a tune is played identical to that which is heard as Thrace keys in the jump coordinates."
I don't (fully) know what this means but I believe medals are due. Battlestar Galactica is one of my favourite series :)
I'm only having trouble because the name in question is important to Adra. A few months ago, I essentially destroyed him, so his friends wouldn't pose so much of a threat to me. It isn't a problem for me to suppress the other voices in my mind, but it is difficult to try to heal the scars that I've influcted on one name without leaving us both vulnerable to others.
As I've just explained, I'm in a rather difficult position currently, and I have no reason to do you any favors, so you may not meet my other names.
((Hello.))
The train makes its way across the country.
A young woman with light brown hair has a very near accident with a piece of luggage that hadn't been fastened down properly.
At the train station, a similar-looking young woman falls off a platform. A passerby helps her out before she can be run over by a train, but her ankle is broken and she has to cancel vacation plans to take a trip to the hospital. Thinking back on that day, she can't help feeling like someone must have jostled against her, but she can't quite be certain and doesn't want to sound like a hysterical female. She's been judged and put in that category before, and it's not a pleasant experience.
The intended target of both these attacks--for they were attacks--sits in a coffee shop and flips through the newspaper, her face neutral. The accident with the luggage didn't make the news, of course, and "Local Student Saves Woman from Train" occupies only a small column in the corner, but she's heard of both incidents and knows all the details. She has ears. Ears but no voice.
Je vais dire la vérité.
She closes the newspaper.
She's got nothing to lose, after all. They're already targeting her. They're worried. Now to give them something worth worrying about.
*The two Asgardians nod*
Zanida: If he can hear me....let him know we'll try with Zafira, she really wanted to go to the Christmas Ball with him. I understand now, Alastair.
*holds the Chitauri sceptre in his hand, looking at Alastair* Would this control just you, or all the names in your mind? I admit you are rather difficult to even listen to mentally, your mind is like a crowded area.
Translation: I've just finished with dance recitals and am now going to embark on a solo plot I will probably get bored of and forget within the week.
((*acknowledges both Tia and Moss, though admittedly does not know what to say to them*))
I know better than you do, Loki.
I'm not sure what your mind control would do to me, nor do I care to find out by trial and error. How exactly does it work?
(Hello, Alastair.)
It simply makes you believe that what I say is true. When I told Barton what I needed to do to open the portal, he believed that I made sense and should do what I asked. Does this make sense, or do you wish for me to control Zan for a few minutes for you to examine our link?
[Acknowledges Alastair in a similar way]
Hi Kallie! [hugs] :-)
(Hey, Kal!)
I only meant to ask what part of a victim it influences.
Hello, Kallista.
Their will. Most likely their mind. I want to see if I could perhaps control Zafira and her name, but she is far too weak to be moved. Ravel has no idea how she became sick. I prefer to not deal with that man.
(@Kallie Pretty darn awful, considering it's my birthday.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIA-Zaf
Tired. Very tired. And I'll probably be up late tonight working on my art final.
Happy birthday Tia!
I don't know, Loki. Perhaps you'll have to experiment with her if she recovers.
(Thanks...
It won't be. It will never be. But thanks, guys.)
(Wow, is this really what I sound like?)
Since you are the one who understands true names, would finding my true name boost my abilities?
It's due tomorrow morning... So not really. I'm taking a brief break to eat dinner, but I have too much work to do, and I've been at the theater all weekend.
WAIT. TIA. YOU SHOULD BE ASLEEP NOW (also, happy birthday. Oh wait, I already said that. Still, though, I hope you find something to be happy about.)
(Yeah, a bit of music and I'm off to sleep. Bye!)
Sleep well, then. Hopefully things will be a bit brighter in the morning.
Thanks Kallie.
I'll probably be on and off until I go to sleep, but I'm going to be distant now, so sort-of-bye?
I wouldn't know, Loki.
*laughs*
I scared my friend from drama when I asid I could possibly get the Chitauri sceptre for Christmas. Apparently I'm not even trusted with Loki's helmet because I could go into my Loki persona and be pretty scary.
It's so fun though!
-Zaf
Very well, Alastair. *looks at Zanida and vanishes*
Zanida: Well....he does this often. *sees Kari come running and grabs her*
(Good night, and sleep well.
Morning...)
*Zanida walks over to Zaf's treehouse, Ravel lets her in*
Ravel: She is awake now. One of the Sanctuary doctors managed to wake her.
Zanida: May I see her?
Ravel: You may.
Zanida: *walks into Zaf's room, to see the Grand Mage laying in a pile of blankets, she is awake, but only barely. When Zan enters, Zaf looks happy*
Zafira: Zan...
Zanida: Save your energy, what happened?
Zafira: Loki. His blood...
Zanida: Human and Frost Giant blood never will mix well, have the doctors found a way to heal you?
Zafira: Yes.
Zanida: Good. We spoke to Alastair, he is not in a condition to let John out, or he may have, if I begged hard enough.
Zafira: Alice....
Zanida: Maybe John heard us, he's a smart name from what I hear.
((*poofs* -Zaf
Hello? Anyone on?
I've decided that due to still having a busy-ish schedule, I'm going to stop reading the past comments and I may not be here for most of the day...
Even if I really want to. And I'm also going to stop staying up so late. It's been affecting the rest of my day.
So you guys may not be seeing much of me, but I'll still come when I have time. Like now.
*coughs*
Oh, and happy birthday, Tia.
I was able to read that thing you wrote last night.
It was nice. :)
That's what I've been doing. Not reading and not staying up late and not being here as much, that is...
It's good to see you!
Um, sort of kind of not here bc art final EEEEEEEK
HI FABI!
*hugs*
Good luck with it! And it's really good to see you too!
Msd and wbd though.
Thanks. I've got so much work left and it's already 9:30. D:
Should probably put away the ipad. :-(
Aww. :(
Well, see you when you finish then?
And again, good luck. :)
*is reading through some old posts by some friends*
Keyboard Face! I remember that!
*laughs*
*starts laughing harder after rereading Nix's comment about it*
That was soooo funny!
(Hello.)
Hi Soph!
Nice pic change. :)
(Hello, Lavender. How are you?
Thank you. I am currently just trying to find red and black images.)
Ah. Cool. I like that new one. :)
I'm good. Still reading those posts though, so I'm also distant.
(I presume you are catching up on those you missed?)
Yeah. And rereading some from the times when I've been more active here.
I just gotta say though. I was on when we came up with Nix's Keyboard Face story, and reading about it years later still makes me laugh!
(I see. I am unaware of that story.)
Would you like to hear it?
*is probably going to be killed by Nix if he ever hears that the incident is still being remembered but doesn't care because it's just so funny*
(I do not see why not.)
(I will be back in a moment.)
(-wakes up late having had all the cats put in my room now ripping up the present I wrapped, a headache, and already being in a shot mood, and hardly any sleep-
-yey-)
Well, it actually happened here on the blog.
Nix, Lynxia, Star, and a few others were on at the time. It was late, so suddenly Nix stopped commenting.
We began making up stories about what happened to him and the one that we all thought the best was how Nix fell asleep at the computer and got the keyboard stuck to his face.
I think Star came up with the name Keyboard Face though, and Nix would get so mad! But it was so funny!
The funniest part was his reaction. He said his internet failed, but we still wouldn't stop bugging him about it for a while. :P
*hugs Sil*
Aww. :(
Okay, Soph.
(And its a Monday -_-)
("He's also bisexual and is told to have seen malepprostitutes" THAT DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BLOODY MURDERER!!!)
*is wondering what Sil's talking about now*
...?
(The news.)
Ah...
I would ask how you are, but seems like you've already said it...
So I'll just add that I hope your school time is better.
*hugs again*
(-hugs back- My head hurts. It feels like someone's trying to rip it in two. I don't have the energy to do anything and my rooms a mess. I still haven't found my art folder and its got all my GCSE work in it that you need for course work. My initial idea for a final piece can no longer be used.IIt's freezing cold outside and freezing cold inside and I'm too lazy to wrap the rest of the presents. I woke up late and am behind getting ready and generally too tired because I couldn't sleep. I just...ugh. -facewall-)
I hope you find your art folder, and maybe you should rest a bit after school?
It might give you energy to finish everything you need to...
*honestly really doesn't know what else to say...*
(I always rest a bit after school. Then my parents get pissed when they have to wake me up for tea and find out I haven't been doing homework.)
Well, you won't be able to do anything if you're too tired to... well, do anything.
And maybe use an alarm if you didn't before? Then you can wake up and get some work done before your parents get upset.
*shrugs*
Just some suggestions.
(I am back.
*hugs Silente very tightly*)
Welcome back, Soph.
(-Hugs Soph tightly back smashing her head into the armoured shoulder-)
(*moves her hand in between so Silente doesn't bang her head on her armour*)
(-sags-)
Hope
A ray of light
Shines through the darkness
Giving any who see it
The hope for a better day.
...
I just wrote that off the top of my head...
(*keeps hugging her tightly*)
Still not done...:-(
Wow, how late is it for you now, Fabi?
(-hugs Soph and hope-)
Too late, Ms. Hope.
You have my sympathies, Ms. Cryptic.
*hugs Sil back tightly*
I'm sorry I don't have anything to say. It makes me feel bad...
Hello, Sir, is it also late for you? And how are you?
Oh, sorry for all these questions, but one more. What happened to your profile pic?
(*holds Silente's hand, squeezing reassuringly*
Hello, Sir.)
Ms. Hope, to be entirely honest, my sleep schedule is shot enough as it is, and so it makes little difference.
*Looks around.*
...
As for my profile picture, it is most likely having a lovely adventure off, somewhere.
Greetings, Commander Keating.
(Its fine Lavender..
-squeezes Sophs hand back, leaning against her-)
(I've had some paracetamol. My head is a bit better. Gotta love that placebo.)
*looks thoughtfully*
Hmm... It seems like a lot of pictures are disappearing from everywhere in Blogland.
Mostly people's blogs though, but I've seen profile pictures disappearing too.
Perhaps the photographs are staging a revolt.
*has to go in nine minutes*
*glares at time, wishing for it to stop*
Wouldn't put it past them, Sir.
I just don't understand why they would...
*looks thoughtful again*
Hmm...
Ms. Hope, it is entirely possible that they are weary of being constantly hanged, upon walls or otherwise.
*laughs*
Well, when you put it like that, then it's no wonder. :P
(Cold.)
(*kisses Silente's forehead gently* I am glad that your headache is better, at least.)
Indeed. I wish you the best of luck, Ms. Hope.
(-cuddles Soph tightly-)
*offers Sil a blanket*
I know it's not much, but maybe it'll make you feel warmer?
I have to go now. Bye guys.
*poofs*
(Bye Lavender. Sleep well.)
(Goodbye Lavender.
*cuddles Silente tightly back*)
(-has idea-
-teleports to dads and gets her special blanket-
-yes I'm fifteen and still have a special blanket, get over it-
-hugs Soph and the blanket-)
(Having a blanket is not a bad thing. *hugs Silente back*)
(It's not my fault..it used to be the sofa blanket when my parents were together..it has a few holes from cigs in but it's comforting.)
(Then that is all that matters, is it not?)
(People find it babyish. Not my bloomin fault my parents are split...well it might be, slightly, but it used to represent the false hope of them getting back together. Now it just..comforts me.)
(If you get comfort from the blanket then it can never be considered a bad thing or, as you put it, "babyish" in my eyes.)
(Thanks..-hugs tightly- its a good blanket.)
(*hugs her tightly back* It is no problem. If it comforts you then it is indeed a good blanket.)
(Do you have anything of your parents that comforts you Soph?)
(Rather not, no. There was little of the house remaining.)
(Oh..I'm sorry...)
(If you don't mind me asking..how exactly did they..? You don't have to answer of course.)
(It is fine.
I have to leave now. Goodbye *hugs Silente tightly*)
(I will answer later on, if that is fine.)
(Oh. Bye Soph. - hugs tightly back-)
(That's fine. Thank you.)
IDEA: We should have a Balloon Fight Friday once a month. One whole day dedicated to a water balloon battle between everyone.
Just a suggestion... :)
Cool idea Fay *nods*
And GOOD MORNING BLOGLAND!
Wow..... Best welcoming party ever....... *sarcastically* (hooray for sarcasm)
*is here for a short time*
Hello.
Wbd though.
*sees that the last comment was three hours ago*
Ah. Okay then.
*will be here until she finishes whatever she's doing on the computer*
*has somehow found her way back to the beginning of this post*
...
*decides not to say anything*
(Hello, Hope.)
*reads past comments*
*notices count change and refreshes the page*
Tia! Hi! How are you?
I read your thingymajig yesterday. It was nice. :)
(Ah, ok...
How are you today?)
*suddenly has the urge to growl and pace*
*fights it*
I might be restless, but I have no idea why... :/
...
And I'm distant, sorry.
Good luck with the pacing, Hope.
... Thanks?
And it's okay. I figured. :P
*coughs uncomfortably*
Er, yes. I have a special blanket.
Also, greetings, Blogland.
Hiya Crow!
How are you?
Oh, and I don't have a blanket, but I have this stuffed animal that I can't sleep without. :P
Not embarrassed at all.
*whispers*
It's a really squishy fish. Like a pillow.
I am back. That didn't take long at all.
I see.
*looks down at blanket*
Mine is actually a rather loud and festive Hawaiian blanket that my grandmother brought back with her from her trip to Hawaii. She cut her trip short when she heard I was born.
I'm 18!
And I've had this dalmatian dog for 18 years OMG he's so warm I'm keeping him forever or until he bites my tail off... wait :S
(Heya, Clara! How are you?)
Welcome back, Tia. And no, not long at all.
*doesn't know if Tia was being sarcastic or not*
That is a special blanket then, Crow. Must be a good memory that your grandmother wanted to see you more than she wanted to stay on the trip. :)
Tia? You're eighteen? I'm assuming this must be a recent development, or you wouldn't be so excited about it. Congratulations! Well done! Bravo!
*thousands of dalmatians howl in unison*
And I'm doing quite alright, though I cannot stay for long, I'm afraid.
My fish came from a friend of my grandma's when we were in Japan. Even though it wasn't exactly from a relative, I had good memories that came with it, so I've kept it ever since.
*gasps*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIA!!!
I can't BELIEVE I forgot to tell you!
*smacks herself in the face*
I'm 18 too!
Everybody is eighteen except me!
*throws a party*
*the party soars across Blogland and crashes into a golf course*
First?
I shall claim this.
Mine.
What? I now have to type in a stupid phrase thing to post every comment.
*growls*
What the?
Hello, Zaf!
Hi Loki(hi Zaf)!
What do you mean, Tia?
This is absurd.
Telling me to type in two words to "please prove you're not a robot"
And I ignore it completely and type in nothing and my comments still post... so am I a robot? O.O
I actually have the desire to dedicate today.
I dedicate this page to my lovely Rose. I may not see her often, but she is one of the few people who are from Midgard I wish not to kill.
I also shall add that I dedicate this page to my adopted mother, Frigga. She never favored Thor over me.
To that little vampire, Silente, you amuse me.
Alastair- You are a very odd man, I never know what to expect.
*shrugs*
It usually only does that when I haven't logged in yet. I have no idea how it works for you.
And oddly, it's just numbers for me, which is also strange...
While we're at the top:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIA! :D
Have a great year c:
*shoves a ten tiered birthday cake of whatever flavour/colour Tia wants into Tia's hands*
*when cut, dozens of mockingjays will burst into a song of Tia's choosing and rose petals shall rain down from the perfectly blue sky and a rainbow will appear*
*poofs*
Happy birthday Tia!!!! *huggles* -Zaf
Thank you, Fay!
(Name changed :D)
Hey Loki, can I talk to Zaf for a moment? I know she'll see it too, so I'll add it now.
Is Alastair Aretha? And how/why did she become her character?
(Hear hear!
Thanks, Zaffy and guys c:)
Hello Fay!
Nice name, Tia!
Oh, and good dedication, Loki.
Okay. Aretha is Alastair's author, he is his own person. Like....Think of them like this: Alastair is a being who just uses Aretha to write for him.-Zaf
((Msd
*is trying very hard not to quote Battlestar Galactica*
Like Zaf for Loki and Dragona for Sophia?
I think I get it. :) and okay.
I'm going to have to go soon...
Yes, like Loki and I-Zaf
*is here if anyone wants to talk*
*laughs*
When someone WANTS to talk, I forget everything I wanted to talk about. And I have to go now anyway...
Might possibly be back later, but I don't know.
Hello, Tia.
Ok, Hope. See you later!
Hello, Loki.
I just was given the robot proof thing.
*is back for a little longer*
Yeah, me too now.
Are you all on a mobile device?
*wonders if she can comment without doing the proof thing*
*tries it*
Yes.
Feel free to ignore it completely.
*feels the urge to start throwing quotes*
Looks like it worked. Strange. :S
Also, I was thinking of making another post on the announcements thing, but I'll say it here first.
Hold on a sec. I'm typing it up.
(-stares-
-blinks-
WHAT THE CRAP?? IS LOKI ILL??)
I am on an iPad, I know not where that picture went from yesterday, I believe it lost in the land of evil clouds.
I think that next time DEREK posts, (haha, iPod's still capitalizing his name. :P) we should refrain from role playing JUST for the first page. Instead we should ONLY comment for DEREK to come on and say hi or tell him to post a little more often. With a little talking to ourselves sprinkled in.
What say you guys?
Hi Sil!
(And the clouds will rain death upon us...)
Hello, Sil! c:
(I say ok.)
(HAPPY BIRTHDAY KASSYYYYYY THE SASSYYYYYYYYYY ROBOT!)
(Hi guys)
*also has no idea what picture Loki is talking about*
(Yay!)
*urge to quote intensifies*
*suddenly hears Kassy the Sassy Robot with Frosty the Snowman tune in her head*
*struggles not to laugh*
I am perfectly healthy, you cannot expect a god to be sick.
Lav- I would like to speak to the man, I would enjoy that, I can agree, though Zafira will more then likely screech at him. I would be very calm, perhaps I can mind control him.
Oh wait, I meant Roudolf *has no idea how to spell that* the red nosed reindeer.
*facepalms*
I don't even know my own Christmas tunes.
(You sure Loki?)
Christmas? What is Christmas? I was not paying attention when I was on Midgard plotting.
I wish, Loki. I wish.
I'd probably want to screech at him too for practically abandoning the poor blog and his minions. :P
I am quite sure, Silente.
(I think you're wrong Loki.)
I know Zafira has many reasons to yell at him, particulary about how he abandoned the blog and should be ashamed of himself.
If we stop all role play to get Derek on, let us make the announcement continuously until the next post.
Christmas is a day we(some, not all) celebrate the birth of a very special person who was born a long time ago.
Many others just see it as a day to party and hope that Santa brings them presents.
I don't know how the others celebrate it.
And sorry, I gotta go now.
*this message was written while I was distracted, please forgive any misreadings or whatever I'm talking about.
Bye!
End of line. FTL system check, diagnostic functions within parameters repeats the harlequin the agony exquisite, the colors run the path of ashes, neuronal network run fifty-two percent of heat exchanger cross-collateralized with hyper-dimensional matrix, upper senses, repair ordered relay to zero zero zero zero.
Gibberish?
The hybrids run the ship, but can they see the future? The patterns?
(No more gibberish quotes I swear!)
(Stop all rp? No offense but...That's not gonna happen..)
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