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Search for the Aqualord	By : RoseThorne Category: +S to Z > Slayers Views: 1533 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Title: Search for the Aqualord

By: Chrissy Sky and Rose Thorne

Summary: A sacrifice from an unlikely source brings new changes to Zelgadis� life.

Warnings: YAOI. Zelgadis/Xellos. Slight spoilers for Rev-Evo.

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3. Explanations? Xellos tells all!

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They couldn�t wait for Xellos to completely recover and get used to his condition. Their supplies were low with one more mouth to feed, and the Mazoku would know they were in this area. They needed to stay on the move � which meant they couldn�t afford to have a base camp either. It only changed their initial plans slightly, as going after the Claire Bible was still the most viable option for the new problem.

Lina had suggested that they stay off the main route. After some searching they found a woodcutter�s path that should take them to the nearest village. It was harder to navigate through the thick plant life, but they were less visible from the sky.

Even with the need to keep moving, Zelgadis wished they could have given Xellos more time. It was still quite warm and the former Mazoku, unused to such strenuous travel in his new body, drooped visible. He used his staff as a walking stick � which had survived the transformation because, as they found out that morning, it was made of real wood from an ancient, magical tree.

Xellos had also been irritable all morning. It was a stark contrast to his normal, almost creepy cheer.

Amelia seemed to notice as well and quietly suggested they take a break around midday.

Xellos overheard. �I�m fine.�

�You look like you�re about to pass out,� Zelgadis told him bluntly.

The former priest was sweating, and though his skin was pale, his cheeks were flushed. �The concern is unnecessary.�

�You�re not used to this,� Zel said quietly. He knew that Xellos was being stubborn because of his pride. It must have been leftover from his true Mazoku nature. �Don�t push yourself.�

Xellos growled irritably. �I am fine!�

Zel gave up; if pride was the issue, it wasn�t likely that any argument he put up would even be considered. �Fine. We�ll stop when you pass out.�

�I am not going to...!� Even as he spoke, Xellos teetered. He would have fallen over if Gourry hadn�t rushed to his side. �Oh dear.�

�Xellos-san, there's no shame in a little rest,� Amelia told him gently, her concern obvious.

Lina clapped her hands. �Right, that's settled. There's a lake over there. Gourry and I are going to fish. You two take care of Mister I'm Fine.�

�Fishing!� Gourry cheered, grinning.

Lina shared a grin with her protector and led the way to the nearby lake, breaking off twigs and pulling out her fishing gear.

When Zel turned back, Xellos was irritably shaking off Amelia�s support, sitting down on a boulder that must have rolled into the small grove they rested in years ago. The chimera handed him a canteen silently.

Xellos frowned at him, obviously not wanting to take any offered help, but he accepted it grudgingly as thirst won the battle.

�It'll take a while for Lina to catch enough fish to satisfy her,� Zelgadis reminded him, taking a seat under the shade of a tree. �You might as well relax.�

The former priest sighed quietly and, with a terribly displeased expression, moved from the boulder to sit beside the chimera in the shade. Despite his stubbornness, he looked relieved to be out of the sun anyway. Zel hid a smug smile.

Amelia cast levitation on herself and floated gracefully up into the air, checking their progress so far. �Looks like only another five miles to go until town.�

Xellos grimaced. �Wonderful,� he said with a heavy note of sarcasm.

Zel sighed. He wanted to be irritated right back at Xellos, but he couldn�t. Not when he understood the reason for it so well. �You'll get used to it. It'll just take some time to build up your stamina. You're too used to teleporting everywhere.�

�I liked teleporting,� Xellos grumbled.

�And I liked swimming,� he replied shortly. �You'll get used to it.�

Abruptly, Xellos� expression softened. He looked at Zel with a strange thoughtfulness.

Zelgadis glanced his way, unable to interpret what that face could mean. �What?�

Xellos only shook his head as Amelia landed.

Amelia sat down on Xellos� other side and got a good look at his open eyes. �Xellos-san... Your eyes are different now too.�

Zel leaned in to get a closer look as well. Sure enough, the pupils were no longer slitted like a cat�s, but round and normal. �Huh. They look human now. Still purple, but human.�

Amelia nodded eagerly. �Yes!�

�They also looked, well, dead before. Now they don�t. Interesting.�

�Ah�� Xellos breathed softly, his face red. Amelia felt his forehead. Xellos batted her hand away again with a scowl.

The princess pouted. �Xellos-san, if you're not feeling well, I need to know.�

Leaning back against the tree, Zel glanced at Xellos again � he still looked irritated � and shrugged. �Amelia, he's probably just overheated and exhausted from all this walking. A little rest and he should be fine.�

She frowned but nodded. �I guess... But I would feel better if we knew for certain if healing spells would be safe.�

�Healing spells don't help with illness, anyway. You know that, Amelia.�

�But there could be something else wrong,� she pressed.

Xellos rubbed his forehead, getting a headache either from the heat or the girl�s concern. �It's fine, Amelia-san. Leave it be.�

�But, Xellos-san��

Xellos shook his head, his eyes drooping. �Please.�

Zelgadis exchanged a look with Amelia, minutely shaking his head so she�d stop. �You probably have time for a short nap. At least we won't be walking in the heat of the day.�

�Mm�� Xellos� lashes fluttered a bit more as he tried to fight sleep, but he soon lost the battle, his breath evening out as he quickly fell asleep. He leaned back against the trunk of the tree, his face smoothing.

�He looks innocent like this,� Amelia noted softly with a smile, sitting nearby.

�Don't get too used to it,� Zel chided her. �He has to find a cure or we're all in big trouble.�

�I know that, but... This way he's not our enemy.�

Zel shrugged. �He wasn't really our enemy before. Just Mazoku.�

�Mazoku are the enemy of all,� Amelia said stubbornly.

�Yeah, and dragons are our friends. Remember how that worked out?� He still felt bitter about the twisted sense of justice of the golden dragons at the temple of the Fire Dragon Lord, and their attempted betrayal.

Amelia sighed, frowning. �Filia-san's clan believed they were doing the right thing, even if it was done out of fear.�

�Bad things with good intentions or good things with bad intentions. Either way, he did save my life back there. Dynast would've killed me if he hadn't intervened.�

�Yes... Maybe a Mazoku can change.�

Zel considered arguing the point; Mazoku were what they had been created to be: destroyers of the world, evil. Supposedly the opposite of the dragons, who weren�t as good as they liked to believe. But arguing with Amelia over this was useless; she�d never stopped believing in her black-and-white sense of justice.

Xellos slumped to the side, his head falling on Zel�s shoulder.

He scooted over and lowered Xellos onto the grass gently, his fingers tingling a bit at the touch. Xellos� body felt warm and soft now, very different from how he had felt when Zelgadis had touched him briefly before. He felt real, and it made Zel uncomfortable.

Despite his effort, Xellos shifted again in his sleep, settling his head against Zel�s hip.

The chimera didn�t move, watching the sky pensively. He tried not to think about Xellos at all. That wasn�t easy at the best of times, and was certainly impossible with him so close and Amelia�s unwavering fascination.

The princess giggled softly. �He doesn't seem to like touch when he's awake, but when he's asleep he can't fight it.�

Zel shrugged. �I don't get why you're so fascinated by this. Him being human is a real problem.�

She pouted defensively. �I don't know, he's just... cute. I suppose he was cute before, but in a different way.�

�I think the word you're looking for is �disturbing,�� Zel said mildly. He was torn between alarm and amusement at her little crush. He hoped Xellos wouldn�t lead her on; he didn�t want her to get hurt.

�Yeah!� Amelia agreed, nodding.

Zelgadis smirked. �Be sure to tell him you think he's cute. He might find it funny.�

The princess blushed shyly. �Zelgadis-san!�

�You're the one who said it.�

She huffed and crossed her arms, embarrassed.

Zelgadis stifled a laugh and turned serious. �We need to figure out what we're going to do when the Mazoku attack.�

She nodded. �Yes. I'm sure Lina-san will want to have a strategy meeting soon.�

The shaman glanced down at Xellos� sleeping form. �He seems to think that we should leave, but either way we're a target.�

�That's so sweet... But of course we wouldn't leave him! He got into this protecting us.�

�He would've been better off if he hadn't,� Zel murmured darkly, picking a long strand of grass and tearing along the center vein. He didn�t want to be reminded of the debt he�d failed to repay.

�Dynast-san would have killed you,� said Xellos softly from the ground.

Zel started, surprised that he was awake. He got over it quickly and shrugged. �Yeah, he would have. But you wouldn't be in this situation.�

�Don't be so self-sacrificing, Zelgadis-san,� Xellos mumbled irritably.

�Like you?� Zel retorted.

Xellos actually flushed, opening one eye to glare at him.

Zel gave him a mild look in return, not at all scared as he would have been normally. Xellos was hardly threatening like this. Zelgadis tried to ignore how attractive the blush made him.

Xellos� face reddened further and he looked away, appearing quite cranky.

�Look, I�m just stating a fact,� Zelgadis sighed. �You would�ve been better off.�

�From a certain point of view, perhaps,� Xellos muttered. He seemed almost angry that Zel had pointed out that he should have been looking after himself, which would have been the Mazoku thing to do.

He grinned crookedly, discomforted. �Not from mine, certainly, since I'd be dead.�

Xellos blinked at him in surprise before softening, his lips twitching. �Of course.�

�You should be resting,� Zel reminded him, his own mood lightening as Xellos seemed to cheer up a little.

Xellos poked his thigh. �So much talking.�

Zel flushed at the playful touch. He hardly felt it, but it still bothered him. �Sorry.�

�I'll let it pass,� the former Mazoku said lightly. �This time.�

Xellos sat up and yawned, running a hand through his hair to brush off dirt and a dried leaf. Their shoulders touched, but as the minutes ticked by Xellos didn�t seem inclined to move away. Zel didn�t move, either. It was only a casual touch, he assured himself. Surely Xellos hadn�t moved closer to him on purpose just so they would continue touching.

�Are you feeling a little better, Xellos-san?� Amelia asked shyly.

�Yes,� he answered. �For some reason, the heat seems to make me irritable. I apologize if I was snippy earlier.�

�It makes most people snippy,� Zelgadis told him. �Why do you think Lina's so unbearable in the afternoon?�

Xellos inclined his head in acknowledgement and quirked a smile. �Aha. That�s reassuringly. Perhaps I'll be as strong as she is once I recover.�

�I don't know about that,� Amelia said doubtfully. �But you'll feel better, anyway.�

�That is reassuring also, Amelia-san.� He patted the girl�s head like one would a child.

Amelia blushed and stood abruptly. �I'm going to go check and see if Lina and Gourry are done fishing.�

Xellos smiled and wiggled his fingers in a playful, silly wave.

Zel watched her run off with a frown, waiting until she had joined Lina and Gourry, where she could not hear them. �You're cruel.�

Xellos shrugged, their shoulders rubbing. �Before I couldn't even be around her if she was feeling that way. Besides, it's not a serious crush and I have no intentions of letting it become so.�

�Her emotions were that strong?� While he�d suspected it, he hadn�t expected Xellos to admit it.

�Oh yes. She's an intense young woman. You should feel the emotions she has for you and Lina-san.�

The chimera flushed, embarrassed, and he tried not to squirm. �I really hope she doesn't still have a crush on me. That was awkward, to say the least.�

Xellos shook his head, seemingly amused. �No, her crush has calmed down, the last I checked. Her feelings for Lina-san were much stronger.�

As the words sank in, Zel could only gape at him openly. �She... Seriously?�

Xellos� smile was coy, and he held a finger to his lips. �Amelia-san 'goes both ways' as you � or rather we � humans say.�

�Huh� And Lina?� he asked, intrigued. Zelgadis wasn�t really sure he wanted the two girls to date, as Lina was destructive. Even if he wasn�t in love with her he still felt protective of Amelia.

Xellos shrugged again. �She cares for Amelia, but like all of her feelings, she keeps them very bottled up. Sexuality in general makes her flustered. I believe she suffered some sort of trauma due to the prank she pulled on her sister.�

Zel blushed slightly, discomforted himself by the subject, but he couldn�t contain his curiosity. �Prank?�

The other man grinned mischievously, explaining gleefully. �It's no secret if you know how to find out. Lina-san, being a rather enterprising young woman, used magic to take pictures of her sister showering and showed them to men for money. Luna-sama was very much not amused when she found out, leading to Lina-san's fear of her. Luna-sama very rarely leaves their hometown, so I would assume that Lina-san left in part for her own safety.�

Zelgadis shook his head in amazement. �Lina would do that for a little cash, wouldn't she?�

Xellos giggled. �Oh yes. Though it probably wasn't a good idea taking naked pictures of Ceiphied's Knight!�

�Lina's sister is Ceiphied's Knight?!� Zel gasped, sitting up straight. The Knight of Ceiphied was a famous, though mysterious figure. She did not show herself often � and if Xellos wasn�t lying about her not leaving their hometown, that would explain it.

And to think that Lina came from that lineage! It certainly explained a few things about the hotheaded sorceress.

�Given Lina-san's abject fear, you can hardly blame her for not mentioning it. Even thinking of Luna-sama sends her into hysterics.�

The shaman chuckled suddenly. �Like when Wizer was trying to catch her?�

Xellos beamed. �Indeed! He had a lot of help from yours truly on that occasion though. It was so amusing to watch him try so hard...�

�You and your practical jokes.� Surprisingly, Zelgadis felt no hard feelings for that. At least none at the moment.

�Wizer-san irritated me, to be honest with you. I couldn't stand not to.�

�You're not the only one he irritated,� Zel reminded him.

�Saa. Next time I'll let you join in on the fun, if you like. It'll help.� He pressed a demure hand to his mouth, giggling more behind it.

�You were trying to kidnap us at the time, Xellos,� Zelgadis pointed out, growling a little. That had been a close call, even if Xellos hadn�t taken it seriously.

�I believed you could handle Gioconda-san easily,� Xellos said easily, as if it were truly nothing. �Zuuma-san's vendetta came as a surprise however. As did Duclis setting Zanaffar loose.�

�Just another typical adventure,� Zel sighed. If people weren�t trying to kill them, it wasn�t a real journey. He should have expected that this journey would be no different.

Xellos nodded in amusement and leaned subtly against him. Zelgadis pretended not to notice.

�You might want to take a nap while you can,� he told the former priest softly.

�Probably�� Xellos sighed, and continued speaking quietly. �It's rare for me to talk like this with anyone. I fear I'll grow to enjoy it too easily.�

Zelgadis blinked at the sudden serious note in Xellos� voice. He�d never heard the former Mazoku speak so sincerely before. �Like this?�

�Yes. No hidden agendas or wordplay. Just talking.�

�Ah,� Zel murmured, thoughtful. He wondered how many hidden layers Xellos had, or what it would be like to live a life of secrets and lies. Had Xellos felt as trapped as a human would? Or had he just accepted it as what he was?

Xellos� smile was soft as he closed eyes and dozed lightly. There were other differences in Xellos� face than just his eyes. This close, he could see that his skin had taken on a more natural color, with a slight pastiness that would likely fade as he got more sun. He could see pores where there had never been any. Even with the minor imperfects, he was still incredibly attractive. He was, in fact, almost more attractive this way.

Zelgadis tore his eyes away, keeping his senses alert in case of attack. He focused on the clouds until Lina and the others returned, refusing to be distracted.

They brought with them a large load of fish. They had already skinned and cooked them by the river, which Zelgadis assumed had been done in consideration of Xellos� still-weak stomach. Not that Lina would ever admit to being concerned.

Zelgadis leaned forward. �Smells good.�

Gourry smiled. �We had some spices left over. Think Xellos feels like eating?�

Xellos opened his eyes and stretched. Zelgadis hoped the former priest would sleep properly later.

�Xellos is willing to try.�

Lina raised an eyebrow. �Talking about yourself in the third person?�

�Only when other people do,� Xellos replied cheerfully.

Amelia brought Xellos a plate. �If you don't feel like eating this, Xellos-san, we can fix more broth,� she said quietly, apparently still shy from earlier.

Zelgadis served the purple haired man several fish. �You should be fine as long as you take small bites.�

Xellos nodded and nibbled tentatively. He blinked at the taste, as though surprised, and chewed a bit before swallowing. The taste seemed to be pleasing, as he took another small bite.

Turning his attention away again, Zel took some fish for himself and poured tea for both of them. �Did you guys eat by the lake?� he asked the others.

Lina smiled sheepishly, caught in the act of fixing herself a helping. �A little��

The chimera rolled his eyes. Typical Lina. �You left fish in the lake, right?�

�Of course we did! Sheesh!�

Gourry laughed fondly. �At least, we think so.�

Zelgadis took a bite of the fish and understood why Xellos was surprised by the taste. �Who cooked it? It's good.�

Amelia beamed, flushing slightly in happiness. �I did!�

�You�re getting better at it,� Zel told her.

Though she had always had people who cooked for her and she had started out a terrible cook, the princess was gradually getting better.

Amelia flushed happily at the compliment. �Thank you, Zelgadis-san.�

Lina spoke in between bites, getting down to business. �I hate to break the mood, but we need to figure out a game plan for when they attack. Will the lords attack directly?�

�I doubt it,� Xellos answered, using his fork to slice the remains of his fish into smaller bites. �Dolphin moves rarely these days, and Dynast is too lazy to even name most of his servants, let alone do their jobs for them.�

Zel choked on his tea briefly, startled. �That was lazy?�

�It's been three years since Hellmaster died,� Xellos pointed out in a reasonable tone.

Lina frowned thoughtfully. �It did take him a while to get around to it, at least by human standards.�

�So they'll send their servants after us first?� Zelgadis asked.

Xellos nodded firmly. �I'm quite certain.� Then the next thing he said absolutely floored them. �Would you like information on them?�

Lina stared at him, and Zel couldn�t blame her. He could hardly believe it himself. Xellos, the ultimate keeper of secrets, was willing to share info? It was too much!

�Whoa,� she said. �You're actually going to give us information on the Mazoku?�

Xellos� grin was evil, though wasn�t as sinister as it had once been. �Free will,� was his mysterious reply.

Meaning now that he was human, Xellos was subject to the same privilege of free will as they were, for possibly the first time in his life. It must have been a heady experience, Zel guessed. �Won't there be consequences when you go back?� he asked softly.

Xellos seemed decidedly unconcerned, however. �I don't imagine that my master will mind that I did all I could to survive so that I could return to her side safely.�

�Will she come after us?� Lina asked, this new worry arising. �After you?�

Xellos chewed thoughtfully on the last of his fish. �She'll wait for the time being. My master moves more carefully than her siblings.�

�If she does, we'll have to fight her,� Lina pressed grimly so that he would understand. �You know that. Will that be a problem?�

Hesitantly, Xellos lifted his head to look her in the eye. His expression was as serious as hers, showing that he did indeed understand. �No. If she comes before I've had time to change back, I will help you kill her.�

Zelgadis wasn�t surprised. Xellos would do whatever he had to in order to accomplish his goal. It was something else they had in common, though he wouldn�t admit it. �Survival first.�

Amelia was shocked. �But she's like your mother!�

�The Golden Lord is the Mother of All,� Xellos told her quite calmly. �My master merely created me.�

Still, Zelgadis couldn�t help but wonder if there was more to it. Xellos had lived for a thousand years and so the oldest companion he�d had must be his master. Zel didn�t doubt that regardless of the circumstances, it would still be painful for him to fight the Greater Beast.

Lina winced, no doubt pained by the mention of the Lord of Nightmares. �Back to the matter at hand. Who is Dolphin most likely to send first?�

�Her general, Riksfalto-san, has an extremely frank personality,� Xellos explained, setting his plate aside and folding his hands in his lap. �She hates lies and deception, so you can imagine that she's never been terribly fond of me.� He gave them a weak, half smile. �Her primary attack is brute force alone.�

Zelgadis frowned, his earlier worry returning. �Wait, Xellos. I know you said Zelas won�t mind, but won�t having this information put us in danger? Won�t the other Mazoku be angry that you gave it?�

�I�m not sure,� Xellos answered, looking at him with a frank, almost puzzled expression. �In the old days, this information was actually documented by humans. After the Koma war, however, things changed.�

�Zel, we're in danger right now without it,� Lina pointed out, obviously not caring about their future safety, only their current danger.

Then Xellos surprised him by touching his arm. �As you said, survival first.�

Zelgadis flinched away slightly, then sighed and nodded. Xellos removed his hand and the chimera relaxed. �So she'll send her general after us?� he asked to change the subject, hoping to avoid talking about his reaction. He didn�t know why Xellos would touch him in the first place.

�Most likely,� Xellos went on as though nothing had happened. �Her priest, Huraker, is slightly stronger - in fact, she could possibly compete with the power of two Shinzoku. But Dolphin may want to test what remains of my power before sending her in. Huraker-san often appears to be a silly young woman in order to trick others, so be wary of anyone you meet when you're not in my presence.�

Lina picked her teeth with a fishbone. �Hmmm... So you're saying you have some power left?�

Xellos smiled. �Yes, which I believe will grow once I've fully recovered. And, this body has some added benefits...� He held out his hand suddenly. �Lighting!�

Zelgadis watched the ball of light rise with some amazement, though he wasn�t really surprised that Xellos at least knew how to cast white magic, even though he would have been unable to actually perform it before. �Huh. So you�re a sorcerer. The power just isn�t innate like it was, right?�

Amelia tilted her head thoughtfully. �But Lighting is white magic, Xellos-san.�

Lina�s eyes widened fractionally. �Ahh. That's one of the benefits. So if you're injured we can cast Recovery on you without a problem, huh?�

Xellos nodded, letting the spell fade. �I believe so, though I did not have an opportunity to check that earlier as well. To answer Zelgadis-san's question, I learned magic long ago though I've only used it while impersonating a human before.�

�Like when you cast Blast Bomb that one time using the talismans, right?� the redhead asked.

He smiled. �I'm flattered you remember, Lina-san. Yes, exactly like that.�

Zel sipped his tea, finishing it off. �So you'll be able to back us up with some magic � just not as much as before.�

Xellos nodded, folding his hands again. Zelgadis observed that as he seemed to be feeling better, his posture was straighter against the tree, which was also more normal for him. �Yes. Though as I haven't fully recovered, the level of my power remains unknown.�

�Well, I doubt they're going to wait for you to recover to attack.�

�It's hard to say,� Xellos said. �Gaav was a bigger threat and they waited over a thousand years for the right time. Of course, by then there was no denying what a threat he had become.�

�So we'll just have to be on guard, right?� Gourry asked.

The former Mazoku nodded. �Gourry-san will likely feel them first. You have the best instincts for that sort of thing.�

�He was the first one to figure out you were Mazoku,� Zelgadis agreed, remembering. �Just actually tell us this time, Gourry.�

Gourry laughed sheepishly, rubbing his long hair. �Sorry. I just figured if I knew about it, the rest of you had figured it out way before me.�

Amelia made a thoughtful noise. �And if we had known, Lina-san would have hit him for being stupid.�

Gourry nodded. �That's normally how it goes.�

�Oi!� Lina complained. �I'm not that bad!�

Zelgadis, Amelia, and Xellos all looked at her in disbelief. Past experience was not in her favor.

Lina glared threateningly, muscles tensing as she prepared to dole out punishment as her short temper reared its ugly head.

Xellos smoothly distracted her. �As for Dynast's servants, you met his priest and general plus many new minions who were probably created just for the curse.�

�We couldn't fight them, though,� Zel pointed out glumly.

�Dynast was giving them additional energy, as far as I could tell. Also, he carefully kept Lina-san from using Ragna Blade. We will need to cover Lina-san more efficiently in the future. �

Lina sighed deeply. �Well, it's do or die when the time comes, huh?�

�Always is,� Zelgadis said, feeling just as bleak as she looked. He glanced at Xellos, noting that he appeared to have recovered. �Let's get going. It's going to be dusk soon.�

Amelia helped Xellos to his feet as Gourry disposed of the remains of their meal.

Xellos smiled politely. �Thank you, Amelia-san. You're so helpful.�

The princess blushed, ducking her head shyly and murmuring a reply.

Lina turned back to them and glared suspiciously.

Zelgadis sighed. He had a feeling the next few days were going to be very long.

-

TBC! Please review.

Some potential yuri this chapter. Also � since Dolphin and Dynast haven�t made it to the anime yet, and Tokyopop doesn�t seem interested in translating the rest of the novels, we�re just going from the scant information we have on the remaining Lords and their servants. We know it�s not correct. (Also too lazy to read Knight of the Aqualord right now, so yeah.)
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