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Post by The Mindless Opal on Apr 3, 2019 11:21:03 GMT -5
Rainpaw steadied himself to support her. He nodded to his sister to lead the way. Pebblecloud found the easiest path for them to take, moving debris as best she could. Rainpaw padded beside Lynxgaze, matching her strides. "I'm glad we found you," he said softly.
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Post by owlspots on Apr 3, 2019 11:33:51 GMT -5
Heronwing nodded through gritted teeth, every muscle in his body straining to keep the rock in place. As a young warrior he would've been able to move it alone, he thought bitterly, but now I'm old. He waited until he heard two sets of paws scrambling away from the tree before releasing the boulder and heaving himself clear, leaping up the incline to join his Clanmates as the rock rolled straight back down the small slope and hit the tree with a loud thud. The elderly tom shook out his fur, padding towards Firesnap and Applefoot. Applefoot looked considerably worse for wear, he noted, watching the orange-and-white she-cat shiver by Firesnap's side. She didn't seem to be injured beyond a few scratches on her shoulders - probably from pushing at the rock for so long. He greeted the young warrior with a rusty purr, turning then to Firesnap. "How's your paw, kid?" he asked, realising that pushing the rock might not have been very beneficial to the other tom's injury.
Applefoot shook the dust and dirt from her fur as she staggered to her paws, her legs trembling. "T-Thank you, Firesnap," she mewed shakily, blinking up at the large tom, "I thought I'd be stuck in there forever." She shuddered at the thought. As Heronwing mounted the slope to join them, she was surprised to see that the elder was the uninjured one. Although, there is his cough, she considered, wincing when the old tom sank into yet another sputtering fit. "Are we going back to camp? Have either of you seen anyone else?" What if...no, they couldn't be the only survivors; she'd seen so many get out. There has to be others.
Barleypaw raised his head from where he lay beside Willowpatch, his eyes misted with dull pain as he watched Icepaw pushing her nose into her mother's fur. "They'll find him," he rasped, what he hoped to be a comforting purr sputtering in the back of his throat, "or he'll come home of his own accord. They'll all be back: Greywhisker, Blackmoss, Pigeonfur, Mothpaw, everyone." He wasn't entirely sure whether he believed his own words, especially considering what Icepaw had said about more than one death. She's right, he thought bitterly, StarClan would not be so cruel only to then be so kind.
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Post by SmugGull on Apr 3, 2019 11:37:14 GMT -5
"Hello?" Ashenwing meowed, craning her neck to peer around the ruined camp. "Is anyone there?" She could smell cats from the clan, fresher than the reek of the flood - if they weren't here, they were close by. "Frostfur? Jayleap?" Anyone?"Icepaw?" Stormpaw tried. "Are you there?" ~~ Nightclaw's ears fell back against his head as he saw a dark grey she-cat pad into view. She wasn't heading directly for him, but she wasn't exactly moving on either... He slunk forward on his branch, leaping from branch to branch to try and keep pace with her. He didn't get far, however, before he miscalculated his jump and landed on a branch too weak to hold his weight. The branch cracked beneath him - he yelped as he tumbled through the air, just managing to dig his claws into another branch before he slammed into the ground. Nightclaw hauled himself to his feet, shaking bits of wood from his pelt and licking his chest in embarrassment. Well, if she hadn't seen him already, she had now. ~~ Nettlfire's ears pricked as he heard cats speaking in the distance. He increased his pace, gritting his teeth as he nearly broke into a run. As he got closer, he could smell familiar scents - Rainpaw, Lynxgaze, Pebblecloud. He thought. He slowed down as he approached, rolling his shoulders and grimacing. "Hello?" he meowed, stepping forward. "Lynxgaze, is that you?"
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Post by The Mindless Opal on Apr 3, 2019 12:01:22 GMT -5
Icepaw looked over at Barleypaw, blinking her gratitude to him. "Thank you, Barleypaw," she murmured. "How are you feeling?" The she-cat stood up, looking over the destroyed camp before her gaze landed on the apprentice again. "I could try to find some bedding for you and Willowpatch if you'd like." She said, glancing at her mother before taking a step away. She turned her head, hearing voices. "Stormpaw?" She called softly.
----
Froststar jumped, her tail bushed out when the tom fell. She turned towards the noise, padding towards him. "Are you alright?" She asked, growing closer before she realized he wasn't a PineClan cat. She forced her paws to keep padding towards him. "I'm Froststar," she murmured.
----
Pebblecloud turned when she heard pawsteps approaching. She let out a purr when she saw Nettlefire. "Nettlefire!" The she-cat cried bounding towards him. Rainpaw dipped his head, not moving from Lynxgaze's side.
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 3, 2019 12:06:03 GMT -5
Limping and heavily leaning on the grey tom Lynxgaze did her best to continue to push on. Blinking she looked up at him, her eyes weak but full of relief. "You and me both. Thank Starclan i wasnt hurt anymore than I am now, I dont think I would have woke up if I was", she meowed her voice raspy and weak but stronger than it was earlier. As they continued onwards a voice sounded in the distance calling her name. Her ears perked up and after a moment she recognized the voice. "Nettlefire!", she exclaimed happy to see the clans deputy no matter the rough state he was in. She was just happy to find the tom alive.
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"Oh we would've found you no matter what", Firesnap reassured the shecat. "Heronwing and I would never leave a cat behind." The honorable words were the absolute truth. This tabby tom wouldnt rest untill all his clanmates were safe and sound. Firesnap was in the middle of giving his hurt paw a couple of tentative licks when Heronwing asked about its fragile state. "It will be okay, just gotta have Spidereye give it a good look", he meowed putting up a tough front. Because he had used it the paw had gotten hot and was pounding with pain, however the warrior would not admit this to anyone.
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Post by SmugGull on Apr 3, 2019 12:15:28 GMT -5
Stormpaw heaved a sigh of relief as the other apprentice responded. "Over here!" she meowed. "Ashenwing's with me - are you okay?" The elderly she-cat sat down in a relatively clear spot. "Go on," she murmured. "Check on the others. I need to rest a moment." Stormpaw nodded and limped forward, towards the sound of Icepaw's voice. ~~ Nettlefire purred as Pebblecloud bounded towards him. "Hello, Pebblecloud," he meowed, pressing his shoulder into hers. He nodded to Rainpaw, then looked back towards Lynxgaze. "You look terrible," he meowed, his voice full of concern. ~~ "Nightclaw," the black tom replied. Froststar. Interesting name, he mused. "Trapped here by the flood, eh?" he guessed. "Unfortunate. At least the trees are still standing."
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 3, 2019 12:48:18 GMT -5
Lynxgaze hissed playfully to Nettlefire as he approached and they continued on their path towards camp. "I've never felt better. You on the other hand, I suggest a bath", she teased and as she came closer to him she touched his flank with her tail to show she cared and wasnt trying to be cruel just being playful. "Rainpaw and Pebblecloud found me, who knows how long I would have been there if they hadnt come along" the young warrior added giving Rainpaw another thankful muzzle nudge.
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Post by owlspots on Apr 3, 2019 14:57:32 GMT -5
Barleypaw rasped another purr, pushing himself up to a semi-sitting position. "Stormpaw, you're back," he mewed, both surprised and relieved. He lifted a forepaw to wash it so he could clean the matted fur between his ears, and as he did so he looked at Icepaw, glad to see her on her paws. "I'll be alright," he decided after a moment's hesitation, shrugging his shoulders, "don't force yourself, 'kay?" He scooted a little closer to Willowpatch and lowered his head to press his nose against the queen's head. It felt alarmingly warm, and the young tom's eyes widened. "Uh, Spidereye, she's burning up," he informed the medicine cat, quickly retracting his muzzle.
Applefoot beamed, brightening up enough to make her green eyes spark. When Heronwing mentioned Firesnap's paw, the ginger-and-white she-cat frowned and peeked at it, watching as the older warrior licked it. It looked sore, and she winced when she saw the angry red skin beneath his fur. "You really should rest it," she murmured sympathetically, turning her round eyes up to the large tom, "let's find the camp." Heronwing nodded with a snort and almost bounded past them as though he were much younger than he was. "C'mon then, kiddos, let's get home," he called over his shoulder, his voice hoarse. The elder was now certain he knew where the camp was from where they were, as he had recognised the small cluster of trees and bushes where they'd found Applefoot. He padded on a few tail-lengths ahead of his companions, tail high and half-shredded ears as pricked as they could be as he searched for any tell-tale signs that might give away the location of the others who might have made it back already. He picked up the sound of voices somewhere nearby, and turned around on the spot to inform Firesnap and Applefoot. "We're almost there," he purred throatily, a cough cutting him off before he could speak again. Once the fit had abandoned him, he pushed on bravely, ducking through the undergrowth between him and what he expected to be the remains of the camp. Applefoot had remained a little way's behind with Firesnap, matching the older tom stride for stride as best she could so she could keep an eye on him and his injured paw, in case he needed assistance. She watched as Heronwing vanished into the brush so that only his twitching tail-tip could be seen, and then when he called out over his shoulder that the camp was right there, she chirped happily, giving an excited little bounce.
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 3, 2019 16:05:50 GMT -5
Spidereye had been busy rummaging through the wreckage if the camp searching for any herb that could be salvageable. The majority of it had been washed away but the medicine cat had managed to find a couple of useful herbs that would help pull the infection from Barleypaws wound. With the little bit he had clamped in his jaws the tom began to expand his search hoping to find more. Just as he started to move on he heard the young apprentice call out to him mentioning the queen running a fever. The black toms pelt instantly prickled with worry, 'Please Starclan do not let this queen kit right now'. His prayer was silent and full of urgency, hoping that the clans ancestors would hear him and intervene. Right before queens go into labor they're temperature spikes, and the black tom could only hope that this was not what was happening. Quickly bounding back over to the queen he carefully set his herbs down and pressed his nose into the queens pelt. The heat coming from her was unmistakable, "Willowpatch, I need you to tell me if your back is begining to ache and feel tight." If she were going into labor this would occur before her contractions were to begin. "Or are you hurting anywhere on your body?"
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Firesnap fell in step behind the old tom, anxious to be back at camp. Holding his paw up and close to his chest so it wouldn't hit anything the warrior limped onwards. It was comforting to have Applefoot walk beside him, and he knew that she wanted to keep an eye on just incase he needed any help. It didnt take them long and Heronwing announced that they had arrived, his grey tail disappearing into the undergrowth. Dipping his head slightly he motioned for Applefoot to go before him, so he could take his time and not hit his paw.
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 3, 2019 16:06:49 GMT -5
(( Who is mentoring which apprentice? Firesnap can be someones mentor ))
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Post by owlspots on Apr 3, 2019 16:48:51 GMT -5
Willowpatch stirred, cracking open her eyes at the sound of Spidereye's panicked voice from somewhere above her. "What's going on..?" she murmured her question, her voice faint with exhaustion. She frowned for a moment, trying to focus on what the medicine cat was saying to her, when a sharp pain from her abdomen made her gasp. "My stomach hurts," she whispered, a sudden burst of fear clawing at her insides. No no no, I can't kit now, not now. She had heard so many stories of queens who had not survived the births of their kits due to exhaustion and fatigue, or weakness from hunger or thirst. As though she had not just been asleep, the she-cat's head shot up, her eyes wide with terror. "I don't want to die, Spidereye, please don't let me die, I have to see my little ones," she begged, near hysterical. She tried to reason with herself and rationalise that it could just be a cramp - she got them often, especially now that she was so close to kitting - and the fact that she hadn't felt anything at all that would've woken her up long before Spidereye did could mean that she wasn't quite ready to kit yet.
Applefoot flashed one last glance back at Firesnap, offering the large tom an encouraging smile before she bounded into the camp after Heronwing. So many cats had made it back! Spidereye was there, with warriors and apprentices and even Willowpatch! She couldn't see Froststar anywhere, which unsettled her, but she tried to push her worry away in favour of greeting her Clanmates. Spidereye was fussing over Willowpatch, who looked incredibly tense and was breathing heavily from where she lay on the ground beside an injured Barleypaw. Was the queen kitting? Now definitely was not the best time, and the state of their camp left them without shelter. They likely had no food or herbs, either. Pretty much everybody seemed to be sporting some form of injury, or were close to passing out from exhaustion, with exception of Spidereye, Sheepfur and the ever-energetic Beepaw who was buzzing around in one corner of the ruined camp, probably looking for moss for her brother and the pregnant queen.
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 3, 2019 17:57:28 GMT -5
'Fox dung!', the medicine cat hissed inwardly cursed when Willowpatch said it was her belly and then proceeded to become hysterical. Slowly the tom blinked to center himself and prepare hinself for what was about to occur. "Okay", Spidereye meowed opening his yellow eyes and looked directly into the queens. "Willowpatch right now you are not going to die. Your body has just experienced a trauma and its decided that the best thing for you is for your kits to be born. Now, lie back down and I just want you to focus on breathing smoothly, and finding a peaceful place within your self." With that said he broke his calming gaze with the queen and looked to the apprentices around him. "I need you guys to search the area and find as much moss as possible and wring it out and make it as dry as possible. If this turns out to not be a false alarm then the newborn kits will need a soft dry place to lay on. Barleypaw you stay here and help me keep Willowpatch company, while I put this poultice of herbs on your wound to draw out the infection." With that said he flicked his tail and dismissed the apprentices, inwardly wishing that Mothpaw was here. Even though the black tom was snappy with his apprentice, Mothpaw knew what to do without him having to ever really saying anything. Picking up the herbs he set down earlier he began to chew them up as he kept a watchful eye on the queen. It wouldn't be long now.
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Firesnap finally made his way through and was so disheartened to find his beloved camp in ruins. The tabby tom however found some comfort in seeing so many of his clanmates. It didnt take him long to lay eyes on Spidereye, the medicine cat seemed to have his paws full. Not wanting to get in the way he laid down a couple tail lengths away and awaited his turn.
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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Apr 3, 2019 19:24:16 GMT -5
Just got home from work! And of course Moth and Tiger can be littermates! ^^)
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Post by The Mindless Opal on Apr 3, 2019 20:15:58 GMT -5
(I'll be on in an hour to respond! I'm sorry I'm busy. I just got some work to attend to.)
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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Apr 3, 2019 21:01:20 GMT -5
(Cool! RP anyone?)
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Post by owlspots on Apr 4, 2019 1:51:45 GMT -5
Willowpatch nodded shakily, lying back down as carefully as she could. Her body throbbed again, and she gritted her teeth to prevent herself from wailing. She could already feel a rough tongue between her ears and assumed it to be Barleypaw - she had been good friends with the young tom's mother, and was glad that she was still able to maintain a close connection with the kits. She closed her eyes as Spidereye began to move around her; she felt guilty knowing that he had so many tasks to perform and so much responsibility on his paws and now her body decided that her kits should come this minute. She hoped Mothpaw would be back soon - if the chirpy young tom had even made it. No, she couldn't let herself think like that. She tried to even out her breathing and focus on Blackmoss, her mind's eye swimming with images of her mate pushing his way back through the camp walls, unharmed and ecstatic to see her.
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 4, 2019 14:11:56 GMT -5
Having made a fine poultice, Spidereye removed the cobwebs from Barleypaws wound and began to plaster the herbs within the gash. Knowing that the combined herbs might sting, the black tom did his best to be gentle before reappling the cobwebs. "Now just make sure it keeps clean and no water gets in it", Spidereye firmly instructed. "Make sure to find me tomorrow morning so I can put some more on it." Turning the tom then focused his gleaming yellow eyes back on the poor Willowpatch. The kits had a chance to survive but the medicine cat could not bring himself to expect the best possible outcome. Genlty with his paws he began to feel her belly searching for the kits position within her belly. They were low and close to her hip. "They will be coming soon. Remember how we practiced on how to breath and push. Its very important that you keep yourself calm through all this. If you go into distress then you can harm you kits and I know you dont want that." Spidereyes voice as steady and reassuring as he spoke to the queen, his personal thoughts about the situation completely hidden to those around him. "Im sorry but I have nothing to give you to help you, my herb stores were all washed away, but you are strong and healthy so there is nothing to fear."
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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Apr 4, 2019 14:33:03 GMT -5
(I'm here!)
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 4, 2019 14:42:32 GMT -5
(Me too )
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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Apr 4, 2019 14:46:26 GMT -5
(Hey! Wanna RP?)
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 4, 2019 14:50:31 GMT -5
((Yeah I have Firesnap available hes just chillling with a hurt paw a couple tail lengths away from Spidereye, Willowpatch, and Barleypaw.))
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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Apr 4, 2019 16:28:59 GMT -5
(Sorry had to go out for a bit. Anyone in particular you'd like to RP with? )
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 4, 2019 16:35:02 GMT -5
((Its okay, and your choice ))
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Post by SmugGull on Apr 4, 2019 21:48:07 GMT -5
Nettlefire snickered at the young warrior's rejoinder. "Well, it's a lucky day for the clan, then." He rolled his shoulders in an attempt to lessen the ache, but only succeeded in aggravating it. "Have you caught Froststar's scent?" he meowed hopefully, falling into step next to them as they began to walk again. "Or anyone's?" ~~ Ashenwing hurried over at the sound of Willowpatch's distress, lying down a tail-length away from the queen. "You'll be all right, dear," the elderly queen soothed, remembering how frightened she'd been at Nettlefire's birth - and then again at Stormpaw's, with sickness in the camp and cold clinging to their bones. "Spidereye knows what he's doing." Stormpaw watched, at a loss for what to do - the sting of her hind leg was forgotten in the prospect of Willowpatch kitting in the ruins of PineClan's camp.
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Post by The Mindless Opal on Apr 4, 2019 21:48:31 GMT -5
Rainpaw let out a purr. "You're doing great," he murmured to Lynxgaze. Pebblecloud padded beside Nettlefire, taking a sniff at his pelt. "I agree. You need a bath," she teased slightly.
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Icepaw picked around the edge of the camp, searching for any remains of their nests. She pulled some moss out of a pile of debris and found a sunny spot in camp to spread it out to dry. She glanced over nervously at Willowpatch before padding to Spidereye. "Spidereye?" The young she-cat asked. "Can I help at all with the kitting? I know...I know my mother..." Her gaze looked over at the black she-cat's body. "I know Fishfur would have been there to help if needed... I want to help Willowpatch."
((Sorry they're late and short -- a Flash Fiction piece I entered in a fanfiction competition got chosen to be featured on Wattpad so I'm trying to get that all under control!))
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Post by The Mindless Opal on Apr 4, 2019 21:50:37 GMT -5
(I forgot Froststar im dumb) "My Clan's camp was flooded and we all ended up washed away or sheltering in trees..." She lowered her head for a moment. "I'm trying to find a spot to move our elders, queens, and injured... Away from the river."
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Post by SmugGull on Apr 5, 2019 0:01:34 GMT -5
(aha no worries! Congratulations!!)
Nightclaw blinked. "Your - clan?" he meowed - then all his questions were swept away by the mention of queens. Queens meant kits, and kits wouldn't last long in the aftermath of the floodwaters. He couldn't, in good conscience, leave them to their fate. "Do you need help?" he offered tentatively. "It's just me out here, as far as I know, but," he shrugged. "I was up in the trees for the last few days."
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Post by The Mindless Opal on Apr 5, 2019 10:17:15 GMT -5
(Thank you!)
Froststar hesitated as she looked at the tom. She knew her clan, even injured, would be able to defend themselves against one loner. "Thank you," she said softly. "I... PineClan would be forever in your debt if you helped us."
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Post by Falconwing on Apr 5, 2019 10:36:55 GMT -5
Spidereye turned to the young shecat and blinked softly at her knowing the pain of grief she was experiencing. "Thank you Icepaw. We could use some mkre dry moss to put the kits on when they are born. If you could find some that would be great, Stormpaw you could help her", he meowed turning to look at Stormpaw who just just a couple tail lengths awag The black toms request was an easy one, all she needed to do was wring out the wet moss scattered around them. Returning his attention back to the queen he saw that Ashenwing as moved to Willowpatches side and began to reassure her. Having the experianced queen at Willowpatches side was probably exactly what she needed. Giving the older queen a thankful nod the medicine cat returned to assessing her belly.
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Lynxgaze gave a soft purr to her close friend, grateful to have Rainpaws warmth against her. The young warriors pelt was still wet from the flood and it had given her the chills. Hearing Nettlefire asked about Froststar she shook her head. "I havnt seen her but im sure she will be at the camp awaiting our return, along with the rest of the clan" her meow sounded hollow as if she didnt quite believe what she was saying but still Lynxgaze tried to remain positive.
((Congrats thats awesome!))
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Post by The Mindless Opal on Apr 5, 2019 10:56:54 GMT -5
Icepaw flicked her tail to Stormpaw as she padded to find more moss to dry out for the queen. Her small paws pulling it out of piles of debris and starting a small pile of it.
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"I'm sure everyone is fine," Rainpaw lied. He knew that there would be deaths. "The only losses we'll have is our camp barrier."
----
(Thinking Graywhisker should find Blackmoss's body? -- since Willowpatch found Fishfur's body and Icepaw.)
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