songerein | fourteenth shot ⊗ wedding day

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fourteenth shot ⊗ wedding day

Who: Eustace, Tifa, and anyone who wishes to join the wedding reception! RECEPTION IS OPEN INVITE so anyone can join in the log even if the characters don't know them!
Which: Open log
Where: Along a long stretch of the riverbank
What: It's Eustace's and Tifa's wedding and while their ceremony was private, they've invited anyone who wants some free food, drinks, and dancing to join in and have fun! For a visual reference of how things, we have an image board you can use.
Warnings: The gumdrops are lurking—

On a sunny, early afternoon of the 3rd, the ceremony takes place in a private setting at the Corgi Tree where Trahearne awaits to officiate. But by the time late afternoon hits and everyone from the ceremony and other guests arrive at the reception located at the Riverside, the area will have been completely transformed.

While there are no leaves left on the trees, they are decorated with hundreds of little glowing blue and red starflowers, and from the branches hang lanterns that flicker with firelight that give off enough warmth that it can melt away the cold beneath them. Those familiar with Tifa may recognize it as her own dreamotion magic fueling them, as well as the smaller lanterns at the center of each table. Seating is abundant at the long tables decorated in silk, and blankets are provided for people to take to keep warm if the fiery logs scattered about are not enough. Large flowery tree decorations stand tall on every table as the centerpiece, as well as plenty of flowers, courtesy of Oriphi and Isabela's Madrigal Blooms.

However, in spite of the comfortable heat that lingers, snowflakes fall from the sky and the treetops, and while they may be cool to the touch, they will melt away before they can touch the ground. Should one look up, not only will they see the snowflakes sparkling in the light, but there is a ceiling of stars that twinkle alongside them, speckled through the air and spreading outwards in all directions from wherever Tifa is.

To kick off the dancing will be the couple first, with a performance by Phantom. Everyone in attendance will be given a sparkler, and as the song reaches its climax, not only will the sparklers burst with light, but the snowflakes will shimmer a little brighter, and the hundreds of stars will erupt into thousands that spread through the Riverside and across the dance floor. Arcs of lightning and wisps of flame ripple through the crowds, some of them forming shapes in the air to paint pictures of a small rabbit and a wolf leaping between the glittering specks of light.

The rest of the night is dedicated to a good time, with the band playing a variety of different kinds of music to dance to. Alongside them will be more performances, including a song on the violin from Dohalim.

While the ceremony will be small and reserved for friends, the reception will be free to whomever would like to join or is just passing through. Seating is abundant, as is the food, so join in the festivities! Drink, dance, and celebrate! Be sure to grab the small bags of rose candy treats from the Flower Dogs.

Leave well wishes or words of advice for the couple on the GUESTBOOK (and if you have a gift, be sure to leave it there, too) before you leave! (Compiled version can be viewed here)

I. FOOD

The menu for the evening includes:

🌟 A variety of soups and stews, both meats and vegetables alike.
🌟 Freshly baked breads for dipping or to enjoy with jams, jellies, or butter.
🌟 An assortment of various meat dishes provided by Eustace and helped prepared by 76: chicken, duck, pheasant, beef, pork, deer.
🌟 Featuring a large wild boar hunted and prepared by Eustace in three different ways: braised, spicy chili barbecued, and roasted.
🌟 Stuffed potatoes, cooked greens, roasted fish.
🌟 Winter-themed desserts such as mini cakes, cookies, mousse, pies.
🌟 Special drinks courtesy of Diluc and Oriphi: S'mores coffee liqueur cocktail, Starry Night cocktail, mulled wine

Besides the delicious food that has been provided courtesy of Soldier:76, the game hunted by Eustace, a three-tiered cake baked by Sanji, as well as cocktails from At Day's End, there will of course be other treats and drinks for people to enjoy throughout the night.

S'mores stations will be set up, and people are free to use the fire pits that have been set up all around for warmth for toasting marshmallows that will change color depending on one's emotions. There is also a coffee, hot chocolate, and eggnog station set up next to it for all. Be careful, some of it might leave people feeling a little giddy after a cup or two. But don't worry, they're alcohol free, unless you'd like them not to be.

Because of the huge amount of food, there are takeout boxes available for anyone to use to take home! Please, take it. Take it.

II. ACTIVITIES

Besides dancing and general mingling, there are plenty of other things for those in attendance to enjoy at the riverside.

Thanks to the surge in dreamotion, bubbles will occasionally float from the river. If one is lucky enough to catch a glimpse into them, they will see a reflection of a happy memory, or even a hope or a wish for the future.

On the other side of the dance floor is a small photo station with a photographer who will happily take people's photos with his dreamotion camera. Preserve some memories with friends and loved ones!

Eustace has frozen over part of the river, so slip on some skates (provided) and enjoy a night of ice skating under the stars! There is plenty of snow to go around as well, so might as well make the most of it. Sculpt snowmen, snow animals, whatever your heart desires. And who knows, with enough dreamotion, that small snow rabbit or dog might come to life and prance around. Of course, it will cause no havoc, but they sure are cute. The corgis will also be around to pull around dog sleds for anyone who would like to go for a ride along the river. A perfect opportunity to practice for those sledding races.

For those looking for a quieter getaway from the festivities, there are some flowery and candlelit paths that lead down along the river should anyone need a break, as well as into the trees for someplace secretive and quiet. Anyone for a moonlight tryst, perhaps? But watch out for the singing fish. At least the white and pink gumdrops will have had a feast so they will be mostly behaving (but should they catch anyone they think might be particularly delicious, they won't hesitate–yes, this is a threat and they will not hesitate to join in on the festivities), but there are still sprigs of mistletoe for those who may want a little less "excitement"...

III. TRADITIONS

A. Flower Wreaths & Crowns. On every table beneath the flower decoration stand there is a basket of various winter flowers with a small note of instructions included inside (click the text).

"From the remote, distant snow covered islands of North Vast.

Due to the harsh climate, flowers are a rarity and the ones that manage to bloom and survive are treasured. Thus for my people, flowers are not seen as delicate but strong and persevering, providing color in an otherwise white world. They've become a symbol for the women who have had to help build and support their families.

For the wedding, the bride will gather flowers to give to all the women of the village so that they can create their own crowns and veils and join in celebration. Men can also create a token to give to their loved one, romantic or familial.

Throughout the festivities, women will take a flower and weave it into a special veil that the bride will wear once the festivities are over as a symbol of their support for her new journey ahead.

Feel free to participate or take them home for your own purposes.
Eustace."

Over by the table where Eustace and Tifa will be sitting will be a small table with the initial veil standing on display. Anyone with a flower is free to weave one in. Otherwise, as the note mentions, anyone is free to make their own flower crowns or other flower creations. There are plenty of flowers to go around (and can be readily restocked).

B. Catch a Shooting Star. Set aside is a small table with a series of glass jars of varying sizes. In front is a small card with Tifa's neat handwriting explaining what they are for (click the text):

"From Nibelheim.

At sunset, the children would be sent out to the grassy fields just outside of town to collect fireflies to bring back to the happy couple. It was never a contest, but we would always turn it into one to see who could catch the most in their jar. Emilio was quick so he usually won, but I came close once! My village was small, so there weren't a lot of chances for it anyway. Once the sun was gone, we would turn off all the town's lights and the couple would make a wish beneath the stars and set the fireflies free.

The wishes could be for good fortune or prosperity, or it could be a prayer to wish their loved ones well. We believed that, because they looked like the stars over Nibelheim, they were good luck, and could carry their wishes back to the Planet on their backs.

Unfortunately, it's a little too cold for fireflies to come out for that now, but I've taken my own twist on it. If you look up to the stars above your heads, they look a lot like fireflies, don't they? If you can spot a shooting star, catch it in one of these jars.

And, instead of giving them to me and Eustace, we'd love for you to hold onto the ones you do catch. Make a wish on them and if you want to release it with the hope that the wish will come true, then you can. Or you can keep them and hold onto that wish until the right time. The star will stay alive for as long as that wish you imbue into it does...

So whatever you do with it, hold that wish close to your heart.

- Tifa"

The stars she speaks of continue to twinkle well into the night, and while the shooting stars are fleeting, they are bountiful. They are quick, however, and sometimes, they may wind up stuck in treetops and will need help getting out, or they may land in someone's drink. As Tifa explained, should anyone catch one or several (however many they would like), they may free the stars so that the Planet may grant their wish, or hold onto that wish and bring the jar of stars home. If nothing else, they would make beautiful lights or decorations!

C. Paopu Fruit. On another table is a large bowl filled with star shaped fruits and a large pile of napkins (once you have a taste, you will see why there are so many.) There is a card for one to read in writing that is neither Tifa's nor Eustace's with a short explanation of what this is:

"Paopu fruits:

If two people share one fruit at the same time, their destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives no matter what."

Inside the bowl are pieces of the Paopu fruit. While there weren't enough to offer whole ones for every guest, there are more than enough smaller pieces for anyone who would like to try this with their loved ones or even their friends. Destinies are not limited to significant others, after all, and should one wish to remember one another when this dream ends, that is all the reason they should need, yes?

According to Sora, the fruit should be bitten into at the same time, and they are very sweet and sour, "like a pineapple and a pear if they were fused together and made a baby." Hopefully there are enough napkins provided, as it might get a little messy!

IV. FLOATING LANTERNS

Towards the end of the night, a call is made out for everyone to gather by the banks of the river. There, tables lined with blank star and moon shaped paper lanterns can be found and everyone is instructed to feel free to decorate them with the provided flowers. There are also blank sheets of paper where everyone is encouraged to write down a wish, a hope, or dream and then insert into the small envelope already attached to the lantern. Once enough time for everyone to finish has passed, there is a final call for everyone to use their dreamotion to light them up and toss them up into the air so that they can fly high into the night sky, Eustace and Tifa releasing theirs first followed by the wedding party to lead the way. Don't worry, if anyone is unable to use their dreamotion, someone can assist.

But there's just one last "show" to cap everything off. After releasing their lanterns, Eustace will step back and raise his gun, Flamek, high into the air, small snowflakes and warm ripples of blueish white electric energy gathering around him. His voice, though quiet and low, is crystal clear as he recites the incantation.

"Flamek Thunder. Your hour is nigh. Take my heart and paint the skies. Heaven's Starfall!"
With each passing word, the wind around him billows, the distant boom of thunder rippling overhead along with flashes of light. It feels as if a storm is gathering, and yet rather than ominous it feels warmer, almost freeing. The blueish white electricity spins around Eustace as Flamek's barrel splits and opens, taking on a slightly different form as it gathers the energy around it. Pale red flames now join the electricity, and on the final word, Flamek releases it all, a blue and red beam of light blasting straight upward into the skies.

At first nothing seems to happen, but then the skies seem to ripple and shift before the once black sky is filled with wavy curtains of color, blues, whites, and reds shimmering like the northern lights found in colder climates. As the lanterns fly up higher, carried by a sudden gust of wind, they pass through the curtain, their lights flickering like stars against the colorful canvas.And slowly, gently, white starflower petals rain down like snow.

[ooc: THEY'RE MARRIED YAAAAY!! Feel free to make any toplevels and treat this like any other party mingle log. For anyone who'd like to make toasts or speeches, please include them in your toplevels!]

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[ Trahearne's departure is almost missed, though one (1) bridesmaid catches him before he leaves completely. She urges Kazuma to go on ahead of her as she calls out, and her heels click as she struggles to catch up to him. ]

Wait! Trahearne!

[ In her hand, there's a bottle, containing a singular star (that's no longer shooting). It's light still glows brightly with the wish it carries. ]

...Are you leaving?

[ Trahearne pauses when he hears his name, and his shoulders droop. Oh, Susato--the one person he wishes didn't come find him at this hour. Not when he's like...this.

Then again, though his clothing covers most of his glow, his hair and face and hands are still rather bright in the night. Maybe someone spotting him was inevitable. ]

I am.

[ It takes him a moment to look over his shoulder at her, his expression uncharacteristically blank. ]

What are you doing here? You should be with the others.

[ Well, obviously she's come to collect him. She doesn't think she needs to clarify that. She clutches the bottle more tightly, the star zigzagging like it wants to get out. She will look at Trahearne directly. ]

So should you. Do you not wish to see this through to the end?

[ There's a small pause before Trahearne answers. The part of him with the strong sense of obligation feels the need to see it through to the end, but... He knows that's not necessary. He knows that being forced to sit there and make a wish, to spill his hopes and dreams will only make whatever he feels brewing in his chest worse. ]

It's all right--I will have a perfectly nice view of the lanterns from my house.

[ His eyes turn to Susato, yellow piercing in the dark of night. ]

Go. I'm certain Kazuma is looking for you.

[ Unfortunately, Susato won't make it that easy. Her eyes do shift, and for a moment, it might appear as though she's really considering it. His piercing yellow gaze feels physically weakening, but she shakes her head. ]

He will wait for me. Let's not worry about him.

[ ...For once. For now. ]

You look like you're in pain.

[ At Susato's observation, Trahearne holds out an arm to observe it himself. Barely, just barely at the hem of his sleeve, he sees traces of blight.

It's nothing. It'll go away. He shakes his head, dropping his arm again. ]

I'm fine, Susato. It's been a busy day--I'm just tired.

[ Technically true. Though his physical exhaustion ranks pretty low on the list of things ailing him right now. ]

[ The glow had been enough to distract her from the blight, though when Trahearne looks at it, so does Susato. It's too dark to see what it is, exactly. She wants to push, but his explanation is a reasonable one, and she trusts Trahearne enough to know it's not untrue. ]

Do you live far? I could walk with you and come back.

[ In truth, she doesn't think Kazuma will release a lantern without her anyway.

...And they've already done something similar, besides. ]

[ At least she isn't trying to keep him here. Trahearne stands in silence for a moment, thinking about her offer.

Deep down, he knows she's just concerned for him. She's a good person--making charms, bringing Dawn flowers at crucial moments. But at the same time, he doesn't want to cause her undue stress on what is supposed to be a happy occasion.

Ultimately, he relents. ]

I live beyond the plaza. If you don't mind the walk, then you're welcome to accompany me.

[ And without another word or warning, he begins to walk. ]

[ Susato smiles. Small victories, as they say; she'll take what she can get. So with one last look at the crowd gathering, she hurriedly follows after him as to not fall too far behind.

She remains a couple paces behind him, giving him space, though she'll keep the conversation between them open, if he decides he wants to talk. ]

I don't think I've ever seen where you live before.

[ With Susato trailing behind him like this, he doesn't feel too compelled to talk--he's just very aware that she's there, watching him like a hawk. It makes him nervous, for some reason.

As always, Trahearne never minds the silence, but he doesn't turn down a conversation. ]

You're not missing much.

[ Said neutrally. It isn't a way to belittle himself or anything. He simply keeps a sparse home. ]

[ He is not the only one.

Not Susato, of course. She's collected all manner of trinkets and items since waking up here. But... Kazuma's home was much the same as what Trahearne seems to be implying. It is fuller now, and more lively with the restaurant; but she knows he appreciates a quiet life. Trahearne probably does, too. ]

Better sparse than a mess, I'd say. [ Said as if she'd read his mind for a moment. ] When I went to see Beat for the first time, I couldn't help but tidy up after him.

[ At mention of Beat, a weird thing happens--Trahearne finds himself rolling his eyes, almost in spite of himself. Beat is a good kid, but Trahearne has the impression that he is not very well put together. As much as he'd like to, he can't be there all the time to make sure he's doing okay.

Not that much of that shows to Susato from this angle, though. ]

I'm glad he has you, then. [ He says this after a lengthy pause--no spite in his voice. ] He needs the support.

...So do you.

[ The reply comes almost automatically, though there had been a pause as his words sink in. Whether there is spite or not, she can still sense that there is something he's not quite saying. Even if he doesn't tell her, ultimately, she hopes he is able to tell someone. ]

You've given a lot for Eustace and Tifa lately. It was very kind of you to officiate today, but I hope you realise we are here for you, too.

To be tired is one thing, but... If there is something going on, you can talk about it. We will listen.

[ Trahearne stiffens when Susato says that, he almost stops in his tracks. She's sharp, proactive--he likes these things about her, and always has high hopes for her because of it. But he almost finds himself frozen when subjected to it, wishing that she had not even noticed him in the first place.

Though he knows what ails him is a hurt so deep, so tangled in his unique circumstances that he knows none of his friends can truly help him, he still finds himself wondering if he should reach out for relief. Post Eustace's incident, they had promised one another that they would reach out should anything ever start going wrong. It was the smart thing to do, after all.

But, he thinks, there is a part of him that knows none of them can do anything about it. And so he keeps it to himself.

That would be unfair to Susato, though. ]

...The charm you gave me. [ When he finds his voice, it's squeezed through a lump in his throat. ] It cracked.

[ He can skim the surface. He can touch on it, just barely, and hope the remedial measures keep the worst at bay.

He reaches into the collar of his shirt, past the sickly mold he feels on his skin, and pulls out the little bottle charm. The leaves on the side have wilted and warped, and not because of the changing of the seasons, but from what he recognizes as Mordrem blight. A hairline fracture runs through the bottle, warping the view of the cranes inside.

He hands it to her. ]

Edited (a word) 2022-12-22 15:22 (UTC)

[ Susato doesn't know what to think when he stops so suddenly. Perhaps she thinks the worst, like she's about to be scolded or told off for not minding her business. Close as they had become, though--close as any of them had become--she still has a lot to learn about the sylvari.

Her mouth hangs open, and a noise escapes in surprise as she takes the charm in her free hand. Taking a closer look, she can see feel the crack he's mentioned, and she can see that the charm is now only about half-full.

She turns it over in her hands, taking note of the sorry state of the maple leaf charms she'd so carefully chosen. For the first time, perhaps she's noticing a similar blight in Trahearne himself. ]

Oh, Trahearne... [ What happened? The words nearly leap out of her throat, but she manages to quell them in favour of something more important. ] It's alright. I can fix this.

[ Carefully, she tucks it away with a deep breath. It will take time, of course, but perhaps he already knows that.

Without hesitation, she reaches a hand up behind her neck to unclasp her own charm necklace, which she keeps well-stocked with cranes. It requires some effort, but she offers it to him in return. ]

Here. You can take mine for now.

[ Trahearne doesn't really look at Susato when he hands her the charm. There's a sinking feeling in his chest that she may start scolding him, that she may be angry with him for ruining her hard work like this.

But that's not what happens. When she offers her own, his head snaps to her, at last. But there's no anger on his face, nothing to suggest he's going to scold her or any of the things she thinks he might do. Instead, his expression is filled with worry, guilt. He eyes the charm for a moment, before turning his attention to her. ]

That's for your protection, Susato. I can't take it.

[ The last thing he wants is for her to end up hurt because of him. ]

[ Of course he can't. Susato is hardly surprised, staring only for a moment like she has no idea what to do; but she doesn't falter for long. She shakes her head. ]

Only until I'm able to return yours to you. Then I will take it back, I promise.

[ Come on, bro. It's been a long day, she knows he doesn't want to fight. ]

I insist. Please.

[ Trahearne's gaze lingers on the charm for a moment. In his mind, he has no right to take it from her--he was the one who ruined the charm she gave him in the first place. Who was to say he wasn't going to cause the same thing to hers? What was going to happen to her then?

But if he were to turn it down, then what? He has a feeling she will push harder if he doesn't, and he'll never hear the end of it. ]

...All right.

[ Trahearne reaches for the charm, never looking her in the eye, gingerly weaving his fingers through the string. ]

Thank you.

[ Once again, he begins to walk again, wrapping the charm through his fingers and around his wrist as he does. He can't break it if he doesn't wear it. ]

. . .

[ She is relieved that he relented, but it is hard to know what to say next. She certainly doesn't feel any satisfaction from "winning" this time, but she has to quietly accept it. It doesn't feel good, but it's the best thing for him. Hopefully.

She continues following him, mesmerized by the continued light of her single shooting star, waiting patiently in the jar for her wish. ]

May I ask you how it happened?

[ Trahearne's gaze turns skyward, taking in the cold hues of the winter night sky. The stars sit together in their families, offset only by the comforting glow from the moons.

He really isn't sure how to approach this, or even word it. Anything he could say just sounds like insignificant gripes in his mind, or perhaps garner unwarranted worry from Susato. He neither wants to worry her or waste her time, yet he feels like he's walking the thin line of accomplishing both of these things. ]

I am the only sylvari in all of Songerein. I doubt you will ever understand the weight of that statement, Susato.

[ ... ]

Even the moons in the sky have company.

[ "You wouldn't understand."

"Wait until you're older."

Growing up, these kinds of sentiments were hardly new to Susato. Her life has always been filled with people trying to protect her, shield her from the world's evils, but as a result, she's had to find out first hand about what lurks in the shadows.

She looks up at the moons at Trahearne's mentions of them. Once, she found their glow comforting after so many dark nights, but now it feels different. ]

You're right. I may never understand... but if it would ease your burdens, I'd like to.

[ She's willing to try. Trahearne doesn't need to carry that all on his own. ]

...No matter how this place transforms me, I was and will always be human. That's all I ever will be.

[ Humans--and the human-like races--will always find comfort in seeing others that look like themselves.

But being sylvari goes so much deeper than appearances alone, and that no one--no one--will ever understand that pains him on a level he never thought possible. That the absence, the silence he feels is a burden for him to bear alone.

...Or is it?

This is something he's never tried before--he never considered himself adept enough at dreamotion in order to pull this off, but why not try it now? It's only the two of them, after all. And considering his intensely emotional state at the moment, it makes sense he is perfectly primed for trying.

So he turns to face Susato, and he lifts a hand toward her. It looks as though he is reaching out for her, but he does not touch her.

If she wants to understand, then he will help her. ]

Being sylvari goes beyond culture, history, and appearances. It is a physical connection. We are all born from the Mother Tree, we all learn from the Dream; from it we become connected on a level beyond metaphorical or metaphysical.

[ As he channels his dreamotion, a connection forms between them. While he has his hand raised, Susato will physically feel Trahearne's presence before her. It's like a buzz, static from a stereo producing no sound, a prickling on her skin, though he does not actually have a hand on her. With it, rolling off him in waves, is a deep, gnawing loneliness--every deep crevice in his feelings etched for all the siblings he aches to see in his afterlife but never will. Peripherally around her, she will be aware of all the plants that decorate the streets of Reverein, like humidity that clings to the hairs on her skin, though many are hidden in the dark of night.

And while this connection is open, Trahearne will feel exactly what Susato feels, too. ]

Imagine this, but all around us. We thrive on Tyria, and we are never truly alone.

[ Because even when there are no sylvari around, it is hard to ignore the contentment of the plants around them, or the faint echoes from the Dream.

Trahearne drops his hand, and it's all suddenly gone. His own ears ring from the abrupt silence, the cold air stings his skin in the absence of their connection. It's almost impossible to imagine he has lived this way for nearly three entire seasons. ]

But I am without this here.

[ Susato stops abruptly when Trahearne does, without truly knowing what to expect. There is a fear that she's offended him somehow, and when he begins, it feels like a lecture. She quickly realizes, however, that this is not a lecture in the sense that she is being scolded; but a lecture in that he is taking her seriously, trying to help her understand.

What is she supposed to do...?

She stares at his hand, thinking she is supposed to reach for it. Perhaps she tries, but then-- ]

[ But then all at once, she stops. The connections is open, and without intention, she holds her breath as the buzz surrounds her. Maybe she doesn't even feels like she needs to breathe--or, more accurately, she's able to take in the air from all around her. She can feel every drop of water and the remnants of the snow on the ground; the peaceful hum of the plant life; some that are more active in winter and thriving, and others that appear to be sleeping in hibernation.

All of this is puntuated by the deep loneliness coming from Trahearne, and it's not long before it starts to seep into her as well. In return, Trahearne will feel lights--a wamrth coming from Susato. An optimism for her life here, with Kazuma, and now Ryunosuke. Gina. Her family. They truly are bright spots in her life, and it as though they shine brighter to make up for those that aren't here.

As Trahearne's feelings gnaw into her, however, it feels like the same happens to those lights, threatening to snuff them out. The connection ends before that can happen, and it leaves Susato gasping for breath, as if she's remembered how to breathe again. ]

[ Her ears start to ring as well. Everything falls still, and Susato finds a single tear has started to roll down her cheek. ]

I'm sorry. I'm...

[ ...Is this because of the wedding?

There were times when even Susato felt lonely there, selfishly aching for those that weren't there. ]

The others... Do they know? [ Has he shown them? ]

fourteenth shot ⊗ wedding day

night

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1/3

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im back... u_u

me too u_u

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