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May 1, 2014 20:17:53 GMT -7
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 19:48:38 GMT -7
Jina wasn’t too far from the village where she had made her home when she passed by a staggeringly large number of people who were picking up the wreckage from what appeared to have been their homes. Nobody appeared to be injured, but just about everything was burned black. Tracks in the ashes showed that all of these people had come back to the village, presumably evacuated before the fires.
Jina stood and watched as people shuffled around, shoulders hanging low, tragedy had struck these people.
There was a man in an army uniform standing near the center of what must have been the road. Jina approached him, knowing that the question she asked would not be an easy one to hear the answer for.
“What happened here?”
The man looked at Jina and sighed. He took placed a hand on her shoulder and led her up the street, explaining the horrific scene that had happened here. It was the war that destroyed the lives of these people. Jina’s heart sank, knowing that she couldn’t just let it go.
“Is there anything I can do to help? I’m a mercenary but my heart aches for these innocent people.”
The man could tell that Jina had a strong will, even if her body was small. He told her that many of the village men were out in the wooded area near by, cutting down trees to begin the process of rebuilding, That would take weeks, he said. In the mean time, huts needed to be assembled and if she was able to help with that task, he was willing to pay her for the work.
“These people need all the help they can get.” The man told her.
Jina agreed to help, knowing that these people had nothing left. She headed off towards the woods, a small saw in hand which had no handle. The local carpenter’s shop had burned, but his steel tools remained undamaged by the flames.
She began to climb trees, testing the branches for flexibility and sturdiness. After discovering the ideal kind of tree, she cut the longest branches off, carrying a small bundle back to the village.
Jina did this for hours, searching for the trees, finding the branches and then carrying them back. By the time the sun crested past noon, she had amassed enough branches to make the roofs for three huts. Her hands were aching, bruised and blistered from using the saw with no handle. She didn’t care.
She enlisted the help of a man who had returned to the village to check on his wife and small daughter. Together, they went to find trees with very straight, long branches. Once again, they worked for hours, sawing, carrying and once again, amassed what they needed.
By this point, Jina’s hands were bleeding. She told the father that she was unable to use the saw anymore for the day, but instead would begin assembling the skeleton for the huts. She used her small dagger to dig holes for the longer, sturdy branches to stand in. She placed them in a hexagonal pattern, large enough for a few families to sleep under. There was space between the branches, so she sent some of the women and children into the woods to collect large leaves off the trees and bushes.
She was too warm in her armor by this point, sweat dripping down her forehead. She removed her breastpiece to just wear the black undercloth. She rested for a short period, eating some local berries to gain some strength back.
Jina had learned some basic knowledge of shapes and assembling things from the neighbor back in her home village. Her neighbor had once even given her a small set of wooden pieces which locked together like a puzzle, so she would be able to create small scenes for her cloth dolls. Using this knowledge, Jina took some small chords of rope that had been woven during the day and patched together the more flexible branches to create a roof for each of the huts. The space between these would suit well to let smoke clear from the huts, but would be a poor shelter in the rain. There was nothing she could do about it.
Unable to do any more for the day, she just gave instructions on how to secure the leaves gathered from the woods onto the sides of the hut. This would at least insulate the people a little better once the sun had fully set.
As darkness fell, she returned to the military overseer with a smile on her face. She had helped people, even if it meant she couldn’t train for a few days. Her hands were aching, the blisters now scabbing over, pulling her skin tight. She thanked the man for allowing her to help. She, having just a small pay in her pocket, returned home satisfied that she had done something for the good of the world.
“Hey, maybe I could do this more often.” She was only half joking.
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May 1, 2014 20:17:53 GMT -7
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 18:45:39 GMT -7
Jina looked at him and blinked. She hadn't meant to be offensive. She didn't know how to respond, really. Her father had raised her to be respectful towards men, especially one dressed well like this pretty young man.
"My apologies, I wasn't attempting to offend you."
Jina bowed slightly at the man, then returned her attention to the bartender. She dumped a few small coins onto the counter in front of her, which was barely enough even for the cheap stuff.
"Get me whatever this can buy."
Having no knowledge of the man next to her, other than that he seemed to be nervous and quick-witted, she moved a couple of feet in the opposite direction. She leaned against the wall at the end of the bar and kept her eyes away from the man.
"Thanks."
Jina responded when the bartender handed her the drink. She took a big sip of it. It tasted like watered down beer of some kind. Yuck! She grimaced at the taste, setting the cup back down on the bar. Jeeze, this was a bad idea. For sure. Why did she come to this place and spend the last of her money on some cheapskate bar? Her decision making was poor tonight. She picked up the cup and downed the last of it.
God, she had forgotten how much of a lightweight she was. Alcohol goes straight to her head. It was then, that she looked back at the pretty man, noticing his fine features. She wasn't used to seeing foreigners, and this one sure was a sight to see.
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May 1, 2014 20:17:53 GMT -7
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 18:35:00 GMT -7
Jina walked down the path leading to the clearing at the river. Her arms and legs were coated in dust and dirt. She had spent the day attempting to learn to ride a horse, something her father would never have approved of. Granted, he likely wouldn't have approved of her lifestyle in the least bit.
Her efforts proved worthless, her temper was kept calm from an outside viewer, but inside she was enraged. Why couldn't she do it?! She was furious with herself for being unable to even mount the beast today. As she approached the clearing though, she saw a young man with scars across his back. He was washing blood from the black cloth in his hands. She could only see him from the back, his slender frame confused her.
Jina watched from afar for a few minutes, taking note of the bow and quiver laying on the river's bank. She was nervous, assessing the situation. She didn't want to upset a man who had clearly just gotten out of a bloodbath.
Soon, she decided that it would be best to attempt not to surprise him, but she certainly needed to clean herself off.
"Um...Hello!"
Jina called, not moving from her position. She raised her hand into the air, waving it at the young man, hoping he would turn around and not reach for that bladed bow on the bank.
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May 1, 2014 20:17:53 GMT -7
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 14:42:22 GMT -7
Jina backed up quickly, trying to get out of there without causing too much of a problem. Once outside she turned and began to walk away quickly. She didn't want any trouble with the law, and this guy seemed to have some serious issues with his temper.
"T-thanks again!"
She made haste. As soon as she felt a safe distance from the door, she pulled out her coin purse and began loading the now-warm coins from between her breast armor and her skin. Eventually the purse filled up and she cursed herself for not bringing a bigger one. She dropped a couple coins on the ground while shoving them into the already stuffed purse.
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May 1, 2014 20:17:53 GMT -7
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 14:01:48 GMT -7
"Hey assholes! Taiki didn't pay me this evening. Mind if I take what I earned?"
Without waiting for an answer, Jina began collecting coins in her unused hand and shoved them down the front of her armor. The men hadn't moved, seeing an officer behind her was enough to scare them into submission. She grabbed noticeably more than what she had expected to be paid, then backed up towards the door. She moved out of the way for the officer to be able to see clearly.
Jina wasn't sure what he would do next, but if he was an officer of the law, she figured it wouldn't be good for her employers.
Suddenly there was a ruckus heard down the hall, a man with a deep voice could be heard yelling at some poor wench and he stormed out of the room, indecent.
"Shit. It's him." Jina muttered.
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 13:43:57 GMT -7
"Hostile is a good way to describe these guys."
Jina turned to face the building again, her feet now creeping towards the side door of the building. She motioned for the stranger to follow her, since it seemed he was willing to help. She drew her rapier from it's sheath quietly, pointing at the door. Jina wasn't sure if the man would be home, but she knew someone would. Their money was just as good as his.
Jina gripped the handle of the door, swinging it open while out of the way of the entrance. Shifting and quiet whispers could be heard from inside. Jina nodded at the man and swung her body through the door, the rapier held at waist height.
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 13:32:36 GMT -7
Jina touched two fingers to the handle of the door leading into her home. She pushed and the door swung open, the lock having been broken. First, she had noticed that the grass next to the path to her front door had been stepped on, her first indication of an intruder. She had seen the door slightly ajar when she approached and now she was certain that some one was, or is, in her home.
She drew her rapier from it’s long sheath hanging from her belt. She was being quiet, knowing that whoever it was had broken in for something other than a friendly visit. The floorboards creaked beneath her feet, the house was likely older than she was.
Jina paused for a few seconds, hearing nothing from the other end of the hallway that was the extent of her home. She then walked forward, carefully but quickly, knowing that it was unlikely the intruder was still there. She peered into the kitchen, everything seemed to be in order. Though, in truth, the only thing of value she owned wasn’t stored in the kitchen.
Next, she proceeded down the hallway to where there was a social room, which wasn’t even furnished. The floor was dusty and there were no tracks in this room. She continued to the last room on the hallway, her bedroom. She approached slowly, fearing that someone may still be there. What she saw, though, boiled her blood.
Her bedroom had been torn to pieces. Her heart sank when she saw, almost immediately, that the secret compartment in the table next to her mat was laying on the ground. It was gone. Seeing no one, she rushed over and picked up the compartment. It was a small box, only large enough to hold something the size of a her fist. Inside she saw a note: “Time is running out.”
In anger, she threw the small wooden box to the floor, the seams of the wood cracking with the impact. She sheathed her sword and sat on her mat, head in her hands. The only thing she had now had been taken from her.
The item contained in the secret box was one given to her by the local wise woman. She had gone to see her after the most recent moon had passed, worried about her health. The wise woman had given her a small jade stone, said to have contained a spiritual medication, which would curb the evil soul inside her threatening to expose itself.
Jina wasn’t sure what exactly the stone did, but it didn’t really matter. Someone knew of her problem and was willing to break into her home in order to sabotage her best effort to start a positive life for herself. The theft of the stone was not just a problem for her own wellbeing, but a matter of honor.
Within minutes, Jina had packed a small knapsack filled with food, a wineskin (which she held water in) and the oils needed to clean her blade. She wasn’t sure where this journey would take her, but she figured she should start with the old woman she had gone to see so recently. ___
Jina approached the home of the wise woman, a small couple of rooms in the back of a well lit alley. She again sensed that something was wrong, drew her sword and continued forward. She knocked, and when there was no answer, she bashed the door open, snapping the hinges that held the old door in place. She slightly bruised her left shoulder in the process, but it wasn’t enough to stop her.
The sight that laid before her was a gruesome one. The old woman laid face down on the table in the small front room. Her hand was twisted, as if crushed by something, presumably the door when someone tried to enter by force. Jina knew immediately that the woman was dead. The odor of death penetrated the room, if the dried pool of blood across the table wasn’t enough of an indicator. Sheathing her sword, Jina stepped into the small home. Much like her own room, the place was trashed. Many objects had been taken, indicated by small dust-less spots left on tops of tables and shelves.
She approached the drawer where the woman had kept the stone prior to giving it to her. It hadn’t even been closed. She looked inside to find a piece of blood-smeared parchment that Jina had written her home address on so that the woman could find her if there was a problem. She lifted the parchment out of the drawer, then crumbled it. Someone was looking for her.
She left the alley quickly, hoping nobody had seen her enter. She knocked on the door to the small home outside the alley and a woman answered the door. She informed her of the death of the resident behind her, then asked if anyone had been there in the last few days.
This younger woman, likely of childbearing age, seemed distraught at the news of the death. She said that about two days prior, she had heard a ruckus in the alley behind her but before she could investigate, a man had left in a hurry, the door locked. She told me that she tried knocking on the door but she had just assumed that it had been some kind of spat between her and a relative. The door had, after all, been locked. Jina asked the woman about the man she had seen, maybe there would be some kind of lead.
Indeed, there was. The man sounded to be middle aged, but his most distinctive feature was the two white streaks of hair that framed his face. The man wasn’t old, the woman had told her, he must have been prematurely graying. That was enough. ___
The town Jina lived in wasn’t big, maybe two hundred people. A man with something so noticeable would be remembered, and he had to still be in town. In what seemed like no time, Jina had found the inn where the man was staying. With no time to lose, she informed the innkeeper of what her intruder had done to the wise woman, and invited him to go get the town officials. He left quickly and Jina proceeded down a long hallway of rooms until she reached the one where the innkeeper told her the man had been staying. A blue ribbon hung across the handle to the door, telling others to stay out.
Jina shoved her sword between the door and the frame, prying it open with a loud snap. She raised her sword as the door swung open. Jina wasn’t afraid of what waited for her inside the room.
Both in their kimonos were a man, and what appeared to be a prostitute. They had been on the bed just inside the door, but now the man with the white hair held a small dagger to the throat of the poor woman.
Jina rushed forward, not giving the man any time to think. He jumped back out of the way of the blade, but in the process, slit the woman through essential arteries. The man stumbled into the wall behind him, and Jina immediately pressed her blade against his throat. Sounds of the woman bleeding to death could be heard behind her.
“Where is the stone?” Her voice was quiet but stern.
“S-s-stone?” The man sputtered his words, fear in his eyes.
“Yes, you broke into my home and stole a jade stone earlier today. I would like it back.”
At this point, Jina heard shouting down the hall, the military men had come. She pressed the blade into his jugular, a small bead of blood ran down, staining his kimono.
“You have seconds left.” Jina said.
“Tell me where my stone is and I won’t be the one to determine the punishment for your actions."
His hand raised, shaking, pointing to a shelf across the room. A small purple velvet bag sat on the shelf, something inside that was about the same size as her stone.
The military men burst into the room, the door had swung mostly shut after she entered. Jina stepped back, releasing the pressure of the blade and nodded at the man with the white streaks in his hair.
Soon, she had retrieved her stone, answered the questions of the military men and had begun to walk home. Rubbing the stone between her fingers, she wondered why it was so important that the man would kill to retrieve it. Her hunger outweighed her curiosity and she decided it was time to eat once she arrived home, leaving her bloody shoes and sword at the front door.
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 12:38:28 GMT -7
Jina wandered the streets of this unusual town. She had just arrived a few hours earlier aboard the ship that her employers owned. She had a job and she was determined to do it. Having spent such a short time on land, she had noticed one thing. Men. And lots of them.
Truthfully, it wasn't too odd to her. She had lived in a military occupied town growing up, she lived in a city where war was waged with the Japanese pirates once she was married. She had even spent a couple months amongst those very pirates who had taken her from the city unwillingly. She certainly had spent a lot of time around men, and with her new line of work, it looks like that wouldn't change.
She approached a small bar-like shop. The men inside were loud, seemingly with many drinks in them. She was used to alcohol as well. She, actually, enjoyed a good cup of Sake from time to time, though she preferred the Jiu from back home.
Jina shrugged and walked into the bar, small change in her coin purse. She figured if she was going to be living among these men for a few days, she may as well introduce herself. The room grew quiet when she walked in. Her slim build and long legs made her stand out. A woman in an island mostly inhabited by big men.
She was unphased by the quiet and approached the bar.
"Give me something cheap. Whatever he's having." Jina motioned towards the military man to her left.
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May 1, 2014 20:17:53 GMT -7
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 18, 2014 8:14:03 GMT -7
"I don't find a Lord because I am not truly loyal to any side in this crazy situation."
Jina knew the man could tell the was foreign and she was worried that he would ask about her past. She did not want to disrespect this man's Lord, not truly knowing much about the war. She had attempted to stay out of the way for quite a while now, but every once in a while, she needed to complete a job that was involved in the politics.
She continued at a brisk pace, her strong legs carrying her with ease. Soon, they reached the street where the man tended to hole up with other shady figures. The building where they stopped was in a more run down part of the city. The windows were shut, there were a few bullet holes chipped into the building's entrance.
Jina stopped amongst some rubble at her feet.
"This is unusual. Last time I was here, the building was in tact."
She turned to look at the man, not sure how he would react. She was now worried that he would take her into custody, now seeing the kind of work she was into. Previously, the building did not stand out, but now it looked like the base of an underground rebellion.
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 17, 2014 23:03:20 GMT -7
Jina nodded and began to walk off. She headed off to the east, she was walking quickly. Her long legs carried her twice that of what it would at her normal pace. She knew that if she waited too long, and if he wasn't intending to pay her, then there might be some other kind of violent action taken if the man with the scar had enough time to prepare.
She decided to tell him what might happen.
"Unfortunately, I was working for some terrible individuals."
"Money is tight these days."
She quickened her pace.
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 17, 2014 22:47:31 GMT -7
Jina watched the officer from the a few feet away. She admired his forcefulness. It reminded her quite a bit of her father. She listened to his words carefully, taking note of his gun. She assumed that he was being quite serious, having dealt with many military men in her life.
"He might be gone by now..." She spoke quietly. "I do know where to find him, though."
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 17, 2014 22:33:40 GMT -7
Jina raised her head and looked at the officer who was treating her more kindly then most men. She smiled slightly, not wanting to hurt anyone but not willing to give up her pay.
"He has a scar on his upper left cheek. He owes me money for about the past three weeks that I've been working under his orders."
She left her hands at her sides, not attempting to anger this man in any way.
"With all respect, what do you plan to do?"
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 17, 2014 22:09:19 GMT -7
"Yes sir, I understand sir."
Jina's head was lowered respectfully. Her instinct was telling her not to fight. She stared at the ground in front of her. Her eyes were piercing the ground below her. Her hands rested at her sides, she wasn't attempting to move.
"How might I remedy the situation? I am only a mercenary attempting to be paid for my day's work."
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 17, 2014 21:53:39 GMT -7
Jina looked at the stranger, rubbing the back of her head. Her hands were callused, not the hands of a woman. She looked the Oda officer from his feet to his head.
"Just a dispute over money, sir. So sorry for interrupting your drink."
She dropped a few coins on the counter in front of him, enough to cover the drink plus another. She turned and walked back towards the men she had been fighting with. She grabbed her cup from the table, downed it, then walked out of the bar, turning back one more time. She bowed to the officer, then walked out of sight.
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Post by Zhuo Jina on Feb 17, 2014 17:29:01 GMT -7
Name: Zhuo Jina Faction: Mercenary Ethnicity: Chinese Age: 23 Gender: Female Height: 5'0" Weight: 105 Eye Color: Brown Hair Color: Black Appearance: Jina has a slight frame with strong legs. Her ribcage is thin, below average for a young Chinese woman. Her legs are long, taking up most of her height. As a young child, she wore the traditional Chinese attire for a woman, but due to recent lifestyle changes, she now wears leather armor. Her hair is long, touching her shoulder blades, but she keeps it tied high. She wears light but sturdy shoes created specifically for her small feet. Personality: Jina is shy in intimate situations, but can be quite outspoken if provoked. She grew up in a very patriarchal society which has lead to respect to men and authority figures. When alone, Jina is noticeably anxious. She often paces while analyzing situations and can feel easily overwhelmed. In battle, Jina is quiet, generally planning her next moves in her head. She lets others speak and unless a problem arises, usually has very little to say. When in the presence of authority, she is respectfully quiet, answering when asked questions. History: Jina was born in a relatively large village in eastern China near Ningbo. She was the daughter of a mid-ranking military official. Her father, a strict man, employed tactics of fear and physical control to obtain what he wanted from his family and all those he interacted with. As such, she grew up to be a gentle and quiet woman. Once she was of age (had bled her first time), she was to be married to an older man who was also a military official. After she was married, she moved with the man to Taizhuo, where the city was attacked by Japanese pirates in 1559. She was taken captive by these pirates, who lost the month-long battle at Taizhuo. Upon their escape back to Japan, she was taken with them. It was on this ship (and eventually, in Japan) where she learned to fight with a thin, flexible stick. With her golden hairpiece given to her by her husband, she was able to buy new clothes, after having gone months without anything other than this single possession. Although she was quiet, many of the pirates took a liking to her. So much so, in fact, that many gave her gifts of small gold pieces to earn her fondness. Eventually, she acquired enough to purchase a proper sword (a Beginner's Rapier) and leather armor, loaning herself out as a mercenary in her newfound home. StatsStrength: 10 Dexterity: 15 Constitution: 7(+5) Wisdom: 13 Spirit: 5 Inventory:Slot | Item(s)
| Weapons |
| | Primary | Chinese Hook Sword: A blade that is sharp everywhere! It can rip, stab, slash and slice! +3 Str +2 Dex
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| Secondary | Chinese Hook Sword: A blade that is sharp everywhere! It can rip, stab, slash and slice! +3 Str +2 Dex
| Back | Iron Longbow: The iron on the bow is brittle, but far more sturdy than wood. +4 Str when firing, +2 Str when striking with bow.
| | Legs |
| | Head |
| | Helmet/Bandana | Wanderer's Hat: This straw hat makes you look mysterious. +1 Str
| | Mask |
| | Earrings |
| | Torso |
| | Chestplate |
| | Shoulders | Useless but Fashionable Scarf: This scarf is useless, but at least it's fashionable! +5 Dex Power: When wearing this scarf in front of men, they find you more attractive! Women become jealous of your fashion tastes!
| | Necklace | Good Luck Charm: Meant to protect you in battle. Add on Item: Can be worn in any slot along with another item. +5 Str +5 Dex +5 Con +4 Wis +4 Spr
| Kimono | Wanderer's Robe: This robe seems slightly long, but at least it looks good. +1 Con | |
| Arms |
| | Arms | Wanderer's Gloves: These help your grip! +1 Str
| | Gauntlets |
| | Rings |
| | Legs |
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| Hakama | Wanderer's Hakama: A comfortable pair of hakama trousers, but they seem a little long. +1 Con
| | Belt |
| | Greaves |
| | Boots | Wanderer's Sandals: Straw sandals that actually fit your feet, surprisingly. +1 Dex
| | Miscellaneous |
| | -x3 Mochi: Heals most minor wounds obtained in the current thread. +3 Con for two posts. |
| | -x2 Onigiri: Heals all minor wounds obtained in current thread. +5 Con for 5 posts. |
| | -Opium: A drug that has been put into a needle. It grants +2 to Str, Dex, and Con for three posts. However, once those three posts are up, the person affected begins to hallucinate madly, and they take -2 Str, Dex, and Con for the rest of the thread! This can be injected either in oneself or used on an opponent or other person. |
| | - |
| | Stored |
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Bio Approval Phrase: Admin Edit
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