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alderwitch

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  1. Hazard Pay, OOC: Woodsman, Sparkler, Reagent, Frostbyte, Ouroboros.
  2. Location: Claremont currently, later ???? Date: 9/21/15 In addition to the school's regular curriculum of classes taught by the stable of professors, there were the occasional guest lectures that were, perhaps, more akin to a college than a traditional high school. Of course, no one had ever accused Claremont of being a traditional school ever. Typically, from what the upperclassmen said, the guest lectures were for the one-off classes that the headmistress could rope active heroes into 'giving back' to the school. They were typically optional, although the staff wasn't above exerting pressure when they felt the topic was necessary for one of their students in particular. The blurb for this one had read: An afternoon lecture in magic and the greater worlds beyond. Most people will never end up trapped in an entirely different dimension but it happens to super heroes far more often than one might think. For those who signed up, they had a pass on their typical afternoon classes to attend the guest lecture right after lunch. School gossip whispered that the elusive Eldritch might have been tapped to make a rare appearance. As the students headed towards it, post lunch, it was in a small classroom located far from most of the currently active classrooms. Likely, because, magic was more of an art than a science and the headmistress was hoping any incidents would be contained in a more manageable locale. Encouraging! The room itself was small, currently empty, with a loosely arrayed ring of desks in no particular arrangement. The lights were off when the first student arrived.
  3. The OOC for the Fens Trip: Robin, Casey and Hannah.
  4. Location: Currently Claremont, later the Fens Date: 9/19/15 It had taken minimal cajoling, surprisingly to Robin, to coax extra bread and peanut butter from the staff that handled Claremont's dining service. It had been worth the somewhat sad-eyed look she'd gotten for the small trash bag of sandwiches she had slung over her shoulder like an odd Santa's sack. Ho ho ho. Robin wasn't quite sneaking out of Claremont. It was the weekend, after all, and they were allowed to leave and return home. Of course, Robin's home was more of a zip code than a street address but nonetheless, she was antsy to get back to it. The Fens needed her, Robin was convinced of it and nothing, likely including an act of God, could probably sway her from that opinion. Robin shouldered her backpack onto her shoulder, trash bag of sandwiches in hand. She was about to head out towards the gate when she paused at the Lost and Found box to poke around in it. She never took anything from lost and found that was important or valuable, but when she found two sweatshirts with logos plastered across them, she collected those too, bundling them under one arm and heading for the gate directly, clearly not making eye contact with anyone on her way on foot towards the school gate.
  5. Jack of All Blades, Crimson Tiger and Grimalkin/Shrike. And Bombshell. Antics!
  6. Location: Freedom City Museum of Fine Arts, Liberty Park Date: September 23rd, 9 PM Museums, in Bombshell's never to be humble opinion, were best enjoyed after hours. It really was the best. No crowds. No rules about getting too close or not touching. And no security guards giving you suspicious looks when you stepped out of line. At this point, Bombshell had memorized the guard rotation of her favorite haunts to enjoy them at her leisure. Sure, sometimes she might have had to disable the alarms on a window or two - like tonight - but she always put them back. "Hello, beautiful," Bombshell murmured from where she dangled upside down, eyeing the John Collier painting with a judicious eye. Glad she'd caught the exhibit before it was cycled out, Bombshell moved to unwrap her leg from her swing-line to drop to the ground when faint noise caught her attention. Noisy. That was never a good sign. Dropping soundlessly to the floor, a little tug released the hook on the edge of the line and it coiled back into the hilt of her baton. Stealthy and silent, Bombshell went to see what sort of ham-handed smash and grab might be in progress. No one has any appreciation for the art these days, I swear. Bombshell rounded the corner quickly, but not as quickly as the underpaid security detail arrived on the scene. She, after all, had made it a point to be on the opposite end of the anticipated route so her boots hit the doorway just as the nervous, "Stop, or I'll shoot!" echoed out. As her gaze swept over the scene, Bombshell had enough time to notice the five masked men speedily dismantling an exhibit of some sort between her and the security guard detail. Not masks. Gas masks! "No, get back! They've got-" Whatever else Bombshell's warning might have contained, it was lost in a fit of coughing as several canisters opened with several respective bang-hiss sounds around the room. She might have been able to come back from a bullet to the head but her lungs needed air just like anyone else's. Worst. Bloody. Luck. Wa-THUMP. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Freedom City National Museum of Art was situated right along the scenic Liberty Park and abutted affluent Parkside. Which is not to say that Freedom City's finest responded quicker, per say, to the wealthy areas than the poorer ones - but the response tonight was both swift and plentiful in the amount of black and whites that drove along 64th street with their lights blazing. In their defense, though, it had been a rough month for the museums along Liberty Park what with the cultists and the monster-statue. Situated where it was, Grimalkin and her assistant and sidekick were just finishing up another relatively quiet but rewarding day at Silberman's when the first cop car streamed past. When Shrike went to turn the lock, the second and third followed shortly their after, heading towards Liberty Park. Crimson Tiger had already been on patrol and from her rooftop vantage, she could see the flashing lights of the cop cars converging on a small museum abutting Liberty Park. Turning her patrol in that direction, it was clear from her vantage point that one of the skylights was sitting open. As for Jack of All Blades, he had been enjoying a relatively pleasant evening at home when Vince's smooth voice spoke up into his ear, "Ah. I think you might, perhaps, want to hear this..." before relaying the most recent chatter on the police radio bands from the ongoing situation developing at Freedom City's Museum of Fine Arts.
  7. Taylor returned her spouse's pointed look with one of approval. There may or may not have been some conversation that preceded the barbecue about expectations. She followed in Jack's wake to add her more subdued but still warm greetings. Taylor had never really been a casual hugger, but she offered Erik her hand as well and a small smile, "I heard through the grapevine but belated congratulations. You have a lovely family." She turned towards the rest of the arriving Espadas, "I've never properly met the rest of you, I don't think. I'm Taylor, and that's our son JJ," she added, pointing out the five year old currently leaping from the cooler with a whoop of glee as he went to catch up to one of the other children. Taylor paused in her introductions for a moment to watch JJ with more than maternal concern as, when riled, JJ's instincts were not always the most... human about typical games of 'tag'. Despite his current laser focus, though, Taylor didn't see anything amiss so she turned back, her body canted to still keep an eye on JJ as the toddler joined in the game. One hand snuck up to twist the amulet on its chain absentmindedly, turning to Elis with some surprise as he knew some of the new guests.
  8. So juggling around interest and ability mixes, here's what I'm thinking for the various threads. I'll try to get those together in the next day. Feel free to catch me in chat or PMs if anything on here doesn't work for folks! Trip to the Fens: Casey and Hannah Take Your Kids to Work: Huang, Riley, Raina, Fred and Cathy Back in Black: Crimson Tiger, Jack of All Blades, and Grimalkin
  9. Robin lifted one hand from where she was slouching against the back of one bus seat, well within arm's reach of Fred, to wave at her name. The blood that had spattered her shirt was dry by now and the split lip had scabbed up once again. She relaxed back, arms folded, adding to Raina's narrative, "You also didn't hurt anyone while you were, you know, not you." Robin added the information as she imagined that was probably information the stranger they had collected would want to know. "You hit me a couple of times but it's all good. We're good."
  10. Robin glanced up at Riley's approach, a small smile softening her features, "Hey yourself." She replied, offering one taped hand to Riley, tangling her fingertips in his since the thick wrapping around her palm blunted much of the contact she could manage with her hands. "You look pretty darn good there, too. If I ask you super nicely, will you help make one of my gym outfits less day-glo? I mean, I get that my job is generally to get punched but I don't think that means running around wearing a target necessarily." Her attention shifted to Raina and the new guy that she'd not yet met. Raina got a smaller version of the smile she'd offered Riley as being co-conspirators had broken the ice. The new guy received a small wave and a nod of her head as Raina made the introductions. A faintly amused smile flickered across her features at Raina's introduction. Her tone was dry as she said, "Yes. Team Building is totally what's earmarked on our files."
  11. Robin had dutifully reported to the athletic field after changing for gym first. She didn't have a plentiful enough supply of clothes to turn her nose up at the available school uniform. Robin spent enough of her time patching holes in her jeans as it was. Really, the school uniform's fit wasn't all that different from the gym leotards she'd worn back when gymnastics had been a big part of her life. So, after a quick change, she headed towards the field uncertain of what to expect. Without her baggy clothes, the lean whipcord definition of her musculature was a lot more obvious. The oversized jacket and loose jeans hid a great deal. Although she was more used to moving and fighting in her own clothes, if the uniform got trashed the school would replace it. Robin's expression was grim as she cut a path towards the coach's assistant, wrapping her hands as she walked. Her limited experiences with training sessions had thus far not been pleasant ones. Hopefully, this one would go a bit better.
  12. "It'll end up on its edge and everyone will have to change costumes," Alex teased Mark even as Trevor nipped the idea in the bud. She gave Mike's arm one more gentle pat and then returned her attention to her coffee, nodding her head once with her fiance's statement on the matter, "Of course, we're here for whatever you might need regardless. If you want us on the team, we're they're in a heartbeat. But as Mike says," she gave a little twirl of her fingers to indicate her agreement about not wanting to off-set their other teammate. "If you want to ask Joe and Nina first, we totally understand." Alex turned her small smile on Trevor then at his understated but equally emphatic opinion on the matter, "Thank you." Before her gaze moved over to Erin and Mark, "You've always been the best of friends." She took a delicate sip of her coffee then, curling her hands around its warmth. "I'm not wearing my old uniform. I've hit the threshold of age where I don't think a cheerleader's skirt is going to cut it anymore. Plus it gets cold."
  13. The blink that Taylor gave Elis' sidelong look was enigmatic. Sure, super heroes had their quirks... "I'm fine, Stesha, I can get myself something to drink. We brought side dishes. Any place we ought put them?" Taylor replied rather than dignify Elis' disconcerted concern with a verbal response. She glanced over at the children leaping from cooler to ground and back again. Her dimples flashed in her cheeks, "I'm not afraid of wrestling JJ off of a cooler to grab a few drinks." The smile she directed at Richard was friendly as he finished making his introductions, "Hello, Richard, Holly. Good to see you again. How's the rest of the family?" Giving Jack's arm a brief pat as he returned to her side, she rather clearly left him out of the drink orders since she wasn't about to make him cart a soda or glass around for the rest of the afternoon to discretely water Stesha's plants, "Elis, did you want anything? Water? Soda?"
  14. Okay, figured I'd toss out a few ideas I've finally nailed down some of the details on and see if there were any takers on a few thread ideas I had for some of my characters. Trip to the Fens: For one or two or two Claremont kids that might be curious/bored enough to keep Robin company as she heads back to the Fens. Largely social sort of thread with some potential for low end scuffles with thugs. Take Your Kids to Work: Also for Claremont kids, a class trip goes not 'wrong' per say but certainly sideways. Phantom's lecture about other dimensions collides into her job. Claremont kids that might be in a basic magic/dimensional sort of lecture. Probably 3 or 4. Some social, some combat, some investigation. Back in Black: Bombshell's habits of preferring to take in a museum after hours turns problematic when there's a robbery in progress that trips the alarm for both police and potentially other heroes to answer. Largely investigative, some social, some combat (depending on the PL of the characters involved as the crooks in question are pretty low-rent). Numbers flexible. If folks are interested, feel free to let me know!
  15. Robin was the first back on the bus by combined virtue of leaving first and taking every advantage of people wanting to clear out of her way. The jade dust on her clothes combined with the blood on her clothes and the unconscious girl she was carrying seemed to really do the trick in cutting through the crowds post-haste. Without pausing, she went straight for the Claremont bus, not only because it was a direction but she wasn't honestly sure if they were going to get a repeat of the newest 'student's trick of waking up and turning into a monster again. She eased the girl down onto the longest bench in the back of the bus and stood there for a moment, uncertainly before she bent back over to see about getting the naked girl something like dressed. Stuffing her top half into the jumper that Cathy had tucked around her, Robin was just turning the blanket Madison had provided into a knotted skirt when the other girls reached the bus. "Hey. You guys okay?"
  16. "No, not really. Some of these people we haven't seen in years," Taylor replied as the kids ran off ahead, her hand tucked companionably in Jack's. She offered her rather pale husband an affectionate smile, "Jack and I spent most of the last year in an interstitial dimension and before that, well... it's a long story. But we're trying to get back in touch with everyone. Huang - that's the teenager not here - he needs a bit more socialization than homeschooling really provides." As they broke into the clearing after the kids, JJ at least had paused for hugs and greetings before making a beeline to include Stesha's daughter in whatever he was currently expounding upon for his new audience. Taylor dropped Jack's hand to give Stesha a big hug in return, "I'm sorry, he's a little wound today. Thanks for putting this together." Taylor stepped out of the way for the rest of the introductions, leaving Elis to navigate what he chose to volunteer as Stesha had already gotten Taylor's brief 'new superhero that really, really needs some introductions' via phone.
  17. Robin didn't answer Faiza's legitimate outrage, rather she kept her glare on Celeste. She stood there, legs locked and easily holding the unconscious girl's slight weight as she was draped with a few different articles of clothing. It was only when the headmistress agreed that at least, for the moment, she'd be going back to Claremont and not, say, prison that Robin let out her breath. She'd put a lot of effort, personally, in staying out of juvvie but she imagined whatever juvenile holding facilities for super heroes were, it had to be less pleasant. "Yes, ma'am," Robin agreed with her marching orders, her tone respectful. With one last look for the others, she took off at a brisk pace, vanishing into the crowd to take her erstwhile charge to the waiting bus.
  18. Psyche followed Wander once she'd dropped through, floating silently through the broken skylight. It was generally better when the threat potential was unknown for one of her teammates to go first. Psyche wasn't as fragile as she had been years ago, but she'd never be in Phalanx's or Wander's league for taking a hit. Besides, she had other skills, after all! "It's easy enough to fix," Psyche promised, reaching out to touch the twisted metal as she passed through them, curious to see if it would be hot to the touch through her gloves. She continued down, more slowly than Wander's drop to land behind her on booted feet. "I'll put everything back together when we're done with this. Shouldn't take long."
  19. Alex had been floating along next to Erin, this time far more dressed for their antics than she had been in jeans and a sweater last time, although she found she missed the pockets of her jeans. It was harder to find a good place to put her hands as she drifted alongside Erin lazily, nodding and looking empathetic. Before she could continue her quest to coax Erin to let her deal with the vendors, the conversation was interrupted. "It's coming from the mall," Alex replied, pausing briefly in her flight as her gaze went blank. Shifting her senses outward, she sifted through the area in question rapidly, "In the food court." Shaking her head, Alex's posture shifted from lazy floating to speed up and catch up to Erin's direct path towards the mall and the disturbance. "Do you want me to tap the others just in case or wait until we know more?"
  20. Bombshell Natalya Browning
  21. Psyche Alexandra Albright Character Playlist Evanescence: Bring Me To Life Taylor Swift: Shake It Off Taylor Swift: Mean Anna Kendrick: When I'm Gone (Cups) Taylor Swift: 22 Walk the Moon: Shut Up and Dance Archetype and Design Psyche's inspiration was almost entirely early Jean Grey in power set and set as a T-baby since that was the closest that Freedom City's setting has to the 1980s Marvel mutants. The rest of Psyche's development comes from the fact that her powers expressed from birth. With her schooling from 5-15 in government funded testing, her on screen antics started at 16 in Claremont where she was part of the founding of Young Freedom. Her costumes usually are drawn from 80s and 90s X-men in style while her personal style is always a clashing mix of colors that are eye-jarring but make Alex happy. Current Role and Hooks Hooks for threads to meet or know Alex are pretty easy. She is a registered T-baby and is out as a public, famous face trying to prove that their kind are not to be feared. She's the CEO of AEON, a corporation she founded with the goal of studying and helping metahumans of all origins. She's an alumni of Claremont and FCU. Her parents live in the Hanover suburb and she's been a native of Freedom City her entire life. It's easy to meet Alex in her role as CEO of AEON, whether that's in an official capacity of one sort or another or when she's required to attend events for the cities movers and shakers. History Alex's mother and father, Rebecca and Victor Albright, were relatively normal citizens of Freedom City. It's true that Rebecca once moonlighted as a bow-toting side-kick to a D-list hero, but those days were long behind her as she and Victor tried to start a family. As Rebecca had served during the grim 80's, her turning away from super her antics left a longstanding rift between Rebecca and her father that was only mended shortly before his death. After struggling to conceive, they were overjoyed when Alex was finally on the way. Unfortunately, the terminus invasion occurred while Rebecca was at the hospital's class on childbirth. The entire class was bathed in the energies of one of the portals but Rebecca and another pregnant mother escaped the escalating battle, thanks to Rebecca's former skills. It was little surprise that the two mothers-to-be became fast friends or that Alex and the other woman's son, Michael, were thrown together often. They were neighbors, it turned out, and the children grew up just across the street from one another. What was surprising was that when Alex, who had always been precocious, started to talk, she talked about everything. Including the thoughts other people had and things she couldn't possibly manage to see. Rebecca, a stay-at-home mother, spent her young daughter's early years trying to teach the clever child to keep her powers under wraps and, also, how impolite it was to go reading other people's thoughts which was a difficult lesson for an inquisitive young mind. Fortunately, she had a ready companion in Mike and her constant mental prattle at him formed a deep and lasting psychic bond that neither one remembers life without. Reluctantly, but confident that she had impressed the importance of secrecy on her offspring, Alex was enrolled in school with her friend Michael. When Michael hit another boy and knocked him across the room and near through a wall, everyone was shocked and frightened at his strength. Despite the reassurances to the children that 'everyone was going to be fine', Alex couldn't help but volunteer - loudly and firmly - that they were all lying, the boy was badly hurt. She knew because she read their thoughts. She even went so far to prove it. Not because she hadn't listened to her mother but felt that if Michael was going to be in trouble, she ought to be in the same trouble as the fight was at least partially her fault. Both children were outed as 'supers', and Alex spent the next decade or so busing into a government contracted facility instead of a normal school environment and then home. They were 'taught' alongside other children that were in utero during the Terminus. Rebecca grew more and more concerned as Alex grew older. Her experience with government oversight and super heroes was only negative. When Alex was around ten, her mother began trying to get her out of the program and into Claremont instead. Rebecca, rightly or wrongly, was convinced that eventually the government would seek to turn her baby into a soldier. It took every contact Rebecca had from her long forgotten super-days but getting put into Claremont was the best thing that could have happened to Alex. Graduating with honors, after her school and life in the teenage super-hero group, Alex’s life was forever altered by her interactions with her time-displaced offspring. Rather than college, Alex founded the AEON foundation, a group focusing on ethical metahuman studies - coming out as a Terminus-child and former super-hero, the young billionaire has hung up her spandex and turned to a life of philanthropy and research. Of course, nothing lasts forever. At twenty-two, she misses making a difference in a more concrete way. She also misses her friends. Who says a young psychic can't have it all? Costume and Appearance Out of her costume, Alex is a slender, self-possessed young woman. With large eyes and a heart-shaped face, Alex's gaze is too intent to hide well and its really the warmth in her smile that gives her any claim to beauty. Her hair is red and prone to curling if she doesn't take the effort to straighten it in the mornings. If she's been caught in a casual moment, she's probably in multiple layers of conflicting colors and without question, something has sparkles. She tones it down for more official meetings as these days Alex employees a very put upon fashion consultant. It is never, however, monochromatic. When Alex was a student hero, she wore her mother's old costume which was all red and white and a rather short skirt. These days, she's in the same blue and gold that Phalanx wears and the body suit is not all that much more complicated than her old student uniform but she keeps the archer-style tip-less gloves in homage to the costume she wore for years. Psyche also no longer bothers with a mask. There's no point these days, after all. She's done hiding her identity. Powers Alex's power stem from the terminus energy she was exposed to in utero. As the entropic energies of the Terminus contain aspects of all sorts of energy, it's hard to say what specifically mutated Alex's physiology. Both psychic and super genius, it was the telepathic nature of her gifts that first manifested. Alex has been telepathic sense birth and its natural to her. It's far harder to turn out other people than to listen in to them which has been a struggle with her strong ethics. Honing her brain to telekinetically interact with the world took much more concerted effort on Alex's part. It has never been as natural as her telepathy but she has both fine control and raw strength. The more control she gains, the less visible any ripples of her powers are on the world although when the terminus imbued energy does manifest, it does show in glowing sparkling light. Personal Life Both of Alex's parents still live in the house she grew up in - which is entirely paid off these days. They go on more vacations as well thanks to their offspring's tendency for trips-as-presents. It's Alex's way of trying to make up for all the years where the government asked them very nicely not to leave the city. Alex lives alone in the AEON tower but those who knew her at Claremont are aware that she and Mike have been engaged since before graduation. They've had a rather long engagement, as such things go, but now that Mike's no longer making every effort for 'normal', things will likely progress on that front. It's less well known outside of Claremont classmates that for a while, Alex and Mike's time lost daughter was a student alongside them. Thankfully, for the moment at least, Zoe is returned to her own timeline. AEON AEON's origins was as a company trading stocks and bonds. When Alex realized that Zoe might be here long enough to need to go to college, she put her prodigious brain to making a lot of money, very quickly. Being a super genius comes in very handy when trying to guess the trends. Alex coaxed her roommate into helping with her scheme and Mike offered some of the savings bonds he had for college to help with backing. Both Mike and Erin have seen significant returns on their efforts, many times over, although both have often been reluctant to touch their portions of the proceeds. Eventually the idea grew into being more of a business. Alex wanted to understand more, especially about the odd nature of Zoe's powers, so she turned the growing AEON in that direction. That was five years ago. These days, AEON is a multibillion dollar company that specializes in metahuman research and biogenetic work, with other smaller technological divisions that work on developing everything from containment to enhancement. When research turns up something that is not necessarily useful to the main goals, it becomes patented and licensed to be profited on and further the corporation's aims of providing aid to emerging metahumans. The advertise that they'll aid metahumans in crisis with their powers to the best of their abilities and thus far, they seem to be doing exactly that. Allies, Associates and Enemies AlliesPhalanx: Alex's other half. She honestly doesn't know if her mind even could survive his death. Fortunately, he's nigh-invulnerable so hopefully, she'll never have to. Wander: Alex's roommate from Claremont and the sister that she never had. There is no doubt or question that Alex would do just about anything for Erin if she asked. After all, just look at Jessie. Edge: Mark was the first boy to ask Alex out so many years ago. Alex has looked into many minds over the years and feels comfortable saying that if there's a purer heart out there than Mark's, she's never seen it. Midnight: Trevor and Alex may not always see eye to eye but the fact that Erin loves him would be plenty reason for Alex to have his back. Beyond that, he's a good person and a better hero. AssociatesYoung Freedom 1.0: Hellion, Geckoman, and Breakdown were the other students that formed the initial Young Freedom. Alex has already gone to hell's door to help get James back and while she's not always in touch these days, she'd still help if the chips were down.Terminus Children: Good or bad, Alex is one of the most public faces of the T-babies these days and she feels some sort of inherent responsibility to try and help others that were caught in the same set of circumstances beyond their control. EnemiesThe Terminus: Its the boogeyman of the universe and the last big invasion is what gave Alex and so many others their odd powers. She tries every day to use them in ways that Omega would not approve of - for good. Pathos: There's not much, at this point, that can make Alex shudder and turn away. The efforts of her alternate-self, however, chill Alex to the core. No one has to remind Alex what's waiting if she goes down a dark path. She's already seen it.
  22. From the album: Alder's Artistry

    Bombshell, civvies in color now.

    © K Keppeler

  23. From the album: Alder's Artistry

    Nighthawk - all grown up!

    © K Keppeler

  24. "How much apple juice did they give him?" Taylor asked in an undertone as she cast a sidelong look at her cheerfully bouncing offspring. Frankly, she figured that a good portion of this was the fact that JJ was going to get to play with Stesha's daughter. It seemed as if he always ramped up when a play date was in the offing. She threaded her fingers through Jack's and nodded her head slightly in agreement. See! Perfectly normal people. And their dragons. "The bees live much further off," Taylor promised as they wound their way through the greenery to where Stesha lived, "Ammy, Stesha's daughter is a year younger than JJ and I think some of the Espadas are coming, too. Stesha's much more sociable than I am by and large. I don't think there's most of anyone in the community she's not on good terms with...." JJ would be the first to break through to Stesha's house, fueled by sugar and the promise of the playdate. Although Taylor tended towards an over protective streak, she didn't have any qualms letting JJ out of sight or around the bend. Even if there hadn't been a good half dozen super heroes in shouting distance, there were rarely any threats ever on Stesha's planet. It was always handy being on good terms with a demigoddess.
  25. Fixed and removed a power feat from Regeneration. I'll add that back in later with experience.
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