A New Beginning.
Chapter 11: The Offer
The Dandyman sat in a comfortable recliner. The tv was off and the room was rather bare. He sat smoking his cigar as a hand gingerly stroked the blue fur of the fluff who nuzzled into his lap. The traveller caressed and scratched the fluffies head as he cooed at the touch. The night had passed for the two after the events of yesterday. The little blue fluff would still shiver every now and then remembering the harrowing experience he had gone through at the hands of the meanie hooman.
âWe had a rather long night, didnât we?â The Dandyman stroked the fluffies fur, it was incredibly soft to the touch.
âCooo. Wawa wub pwats.â The little fluff nuzzled further into the touch as he cooed. The little fluff however looked up at the Dandyman with his big brown eyes, a look of sorrow within them.
âWawa am suwwy mistah.â The fluffy apologised tears forming in his eyes.
âWhy little fluff?â Questioned the Dandyman as he gently rubbed the fluffies head.
âWawa ab wowst sweepy twime piktwures. Waksies Dwandymwan. Huu huu. Fwuffy am sowwy. Am wowstest fwuffy eba. Fwuffi dwisobeh Dwnadymwan gu nweaw hoomans, gwet wowstest huwties.â The little fluffy began to cry tears spilling from his regenerated eyes as he started to break down. The Dandyman put his cigar out and picked the little fluff up, raising him to eye level.
âNow now little one, you arenât a bad fluffy nor are you the worstest fluffy. Yes you went exploring when you should have stayed with your herd. BUT! It was the nasty human that disobeyed MY rules that should be sorry. That human will never hurt a fluffy ever again. And as for your bad sleep time stories, nightmares, there is nothing to apologise for.â The Dandyman spoke in a calming tone, his voice oozing with charisma to help soothe the fluffy.
âBah fwuffy waksies mistah. Dwandymwan nwice tu fwuffy. Hewp fwuffy un hewdsies. Huuu huu. Mwake bwad boo boos gu awasies.â The fluffy sniffed as he reached out with his tiny hoofs to touch the Dandyman. His little fluff heart beat within his chest loudly, drowning out the voices.
âI donât mind that you woke me Water. You were in pain and needed help. You my little fluff are a good fluffy. No matter what the mean human said. He was a liar, he wanted to hurt you.â The Dandyman pulled the little fluffy in close and hugged him. Water snuggled against the Dandymanâs warm chest enjoying the comfort and love, hoping it would never go away.
During the night, the Dandyman had fed the little fluff soft oatmeal, a nice warm meal to fill his belly. He then laid the fluffy upon the nightstand by his bed, on a comfortable down pillow. Newspapers had been laid close by and told to be used for making good poopies and pee pees. He had laid him close in case something happened. Making sure he was as comfortable as could be. If anything happened the Dandyman would be right there to help sooth the young fluff.
It was during the night that it began, the first of what would be many episodes. The first time Water awoke screeching, chirping and peeping.
âMweanie munstah nu huwt fwuffy pwease! Huuu huu. Am gwud fwuffy! Wan die. Wan die!â The little fluffy would awoke screaming his throat dry only to be soothed and coaxed by the Dandyman back to sleep.
But minutes later the Dandyman would awake to angry rage filled screams.
âFWUFFY KWIWW MEANIE MUNSTAH! DUMMI MUNSAT HATCHU U! GU DWI!â The fluffy was screeching as his teeth tore into the pillow, eyes bloodshot and swollen as he went into a frenzy. He ripped the pillow apart and had to be subdued by a sleep spell.
The Dandyman thought the sleep spell would hold, but an hour later the fluffy awoke once more screaming in pain reliving the memories. And just like before after soothing him moments later he awoke tearing back into the pillow like a deranged fluffy. After the second lot of episodes, the Dandyman dragged the fluffy to bed and held him close. The comfort of the Dandyman soothed the poor Water allowing both to sleep blissfully.
As the sun rose as did the Dandyman, it had become a natural habit, sleep for eight hours and then awake. He lifted the little fluff and carried him to the kitchen, making sure not to disturb Waterâs rest. The fluffy continued snuggling into what was his sleep wear of silk black pyajamas. He made his morning coffee and prepared another warm meal of oatmeal with honey. After changing into his beige suit the two had retreated to the lounge.
âI have a question for you Water.â The Dandyman addressed the little fluff as he placed him back onto his lap once more and began to gently pat.
âQqesti fu Wawa?â The little fluffy perked up tail wagging.
âItâs too soon for you to return to your herd. You need a lot of care. The other fluffies will try to help you, but they canât help whatâs wrong with your mind.â The Dandyman raised a finger to gently tap Water on the head.
âSo until then, how would you like to stay here with me? Once your better you can return to the herd.â
The little fluffy let out a cute little surprised gasp, his tail wagging faster.
âBwe new daddeh fu fwuffy? Fwuffy staysies wib dwandymwan? Hewp wit voices?â The little fluff asked with excitement in his voice. The Dandyman softly shook his head.
âNot exactly your new daddy but perhaps weâll see I have a surprise later. Its not going to be permanent just until youâre better. I need to keep an eye on you. Help you get rid of the voices. Once youâre fixed youâll return to live with your herd.â The Dandyman responded in kind gently rubbing the fluffies back as he looked a little disappointed.
âNu new daddeh fu fwuffy. but hab suwpwise yeah! But stwiwwsies bwe hewd fwensies if gud fwuffies fowebah wite?â The little fluff asked as he looked with hopeful eyes that the Dandyman would be the herdâs friend forever. The Dandyman had taught and taken care of them, letting the herd take the gwass nummies from his land to feed the other fluffies. He taught them new songsies. He built sweds for moving nummies. The Dwandyman had taught them new wordsies.
âYes little fluff. As long as your herd continues to be a good herd and good fluffies, Iâll continue to be your friend.â The Dandyman reassured the fluff making him give a beaming smile.
âWawa hab bwiggest hewt happies! Wub dwandymwan.â The little fluff gave the Dandyman huggies as and cooed as he snuggled.
âNow come letâs see if your herd has come.â The Dandyman picked the little fluff up, carrying him as he moved to the front door. Pulling the door open, Water was wagging his tail furiously eager to see his herd now that the sun was up. However the two found that there were no other fluffies waiting outside.
âWare am hewd?â Water looked up at the Dandyman with tearful eyes. They had always arrived when the bright star was awake.
âIâm not sure little one. Perhaps they are running late. Letâs sit and wait for them.â The Dandyman moved to the steps and sat on the refurbished patio placing Water in his lap. He stroked the little fluff as they both looked East, patiently waiting for any signs of the fluffies.
As time passed Water grew more irritated as he paced back and forth on the steps having left the Dandymanâs lap. He chewed one of his hoofs, tears threatening to spill. He would ask the Dandyman how long it had been and the traveller would respond each time.
The Dandyman grew concerned as time ticked away and the herd didnât not show. An hour had come to pass with still no sign. Had Lemon and the others met with trouble on their way home yesterday? Had the entire herd been attacked during the night? Perhaps Lemon and the others no longer trusted him, so they had fled leaving Water behind. Perhaps they didnât trust that he would heal Water, thinking the fluffy was dead so they left.
The Dandyman wouldnât blame the Lemon nor her herd if they had decided to relocate or never visit him again. Humans in their eyes were liars and not to be trusted. He had seen, heard and read the terrible things humans could do to fluffies. Not even the innocent or good fluffies were safe.
âHuuu huuu ware am hewd. Hewd weab Wawa? Nu Wemon nebah weab hewd fwen bwehine. Nu fwuffy gwets weft bwehine!â Wawa gave a little sob holding back the painful wawas. He sniffed and continued to look to the east, not that he understood directions. He looked at the Dandyman who had a frown on his face and another one of those smelly sticks in his talkie place.
âLetâs keep waiting, little one. Iâm sure theyâll come.â The Dandyman gave a reassuring smile, getting a nod from Water. But the fluffy was clearly saddened.
âWawa nu wan bwe bwanish fwom hewdsies. Wub hewd.â The little fluffies ears drooped as he thought he had been banished. Time to the fluffies was different, even an hour could seem like forever to them. A hand gently patted the fluffy on the head making him feel better.
âEven if the herd doesnât come you can stay here, you can be my little helper fluff. Help me on the farm.â The Dandyman gave a kind smile to the fluffy as Water leaned into his touch cooing once more.
From what he knew Water was still a young fluffy, not long having become an adult. If the Dandyman had to guess, Water was probably only a little over two months old. When the fluffy had first come to the farm with the others he was still shedding some of his baby fluff. It was only a week later he had finished shedding all his baby fluff and grown into his adult fur. Despite being an adult for a week he still retained some of his child tendencies, like exploring.
âWewwy? Wawa dway on fwawmsies wib Dwandymwan. Be wittwe hewpew fwuff? Fwuffy biggest hewt happies!â The little fluff jumped around for joy momentarily forgetting about being maybe abandoned by the herd. He ran over and hugged the Dandymanâs leg gleefully despite the sad tears spilling down his face. He was sadded that he may have been abandoned by the herd, but happy he had a home.
âDank u Dandymwan.â The fluffy chirped happily and rubbed his head against the Dandymanâs leg as he hugged the appendage as hard as his little hoofs could. The act earned a soft chuckle from the Dandyman.
âNo worries little one.â The two sat in peace as the Dandyman patted the little fluff Water allowing another hour to pass by. The little fluff grew more anxious with each passing minute, but would calm down remembering he now had the Dandyman. He had a home even without his herd. Leaving the herd hurt the little fluff but he was happy to be with the Dandyman.
As the time ticked away and the second hour passed, the Dandyman blew smoke into the air from his second cigar and sighed.
âI donât think theyâre coming, buddy. Letâs go back inside. Let me grab a few things and weâll head into town.â It seemed the Dandyman would have a new house guest for a little longer than planned. If so he may as well head to town, find the local fluffmart and buy a few things to help Water get comfortable.
âOhâŚowkay Dwnaydmwan.â The little fluff appeared a little down trodden that his herd wasnât there. Turning around the two slowly made their way back to the house when Water stopped, his little fluff ears perking up.
âFWUFFIES!â Water spun on his little hoofs and looked to the east with big brown eyes. Emerging from the grass outside the homestead fence and making their way over were indeed fluffies. Leading the fluffies was the white fluffy Lemon with Apple of all fluffies behind her.
Water bounded across the yard as fast as his little hoofs could carry him and up to Lemon nudging his head against her as the two hugged. The Dandyman gave a sigh of relief and walked over, noticing more fluffies emerging from the grass, ones he recognised but hadnât yet met. Soon emerging from the grass was the entire herd. The pregnant mares were on the sleds being dragged by worker fluffies. Another pregnant mare was being carried by Rex.
The foals whether they were chirpy, talkie or able to run were all being carried on the backs of stallions. The older fluffies were at the centre protected by the younger fluffies as the herd had all moved as one big group. The toughies were surrounding the herd keeping watchful eyes as they moved/
"Wemon sowwy fo bwein watsies. Aww hewd wan come. Hewd bwig. Hab tu mobe swow fo owd, swoon mummahs an wittwe babbehs." Wemon gave Wawa the biggest huggies, she had the biggest hewt happies that he was okay. The other fluffies began to crowd around Wawa and gave him huggies one after the other.
âMWIS WAWA!â
âFwuffy hab biggest hewt happies!â
âWawa am owkasies?â"
âWub Wawa.â
âHuggies mwake bedda!â
âYou had me worried for a moment there Lemon. But itâs good to see you and your herd.â The Dandyman crouched down having already extinguished the cigar. A hand reached down to gently pat the smarty mare on the head. She smiled at the Dandyman and while the other fluffies hugged Water.
âWemon nebah weab fwuffy bwehine. Wawa am gwud fwuffi. Nebah bwanish.â Lemon responded with a puffed up chest, before she began introducing her herd. A versatile barrage of names were tossed at the Dandyman as he marked each fluffy. He recognised a couple of them from when he had found the nest.
The older fluffy Bright Moon looked at him with suspicious eyes. Her weathered gaze was like steel as she penetrated his dark voids. He smiled at the older fluffy as she kept her distance. She was definitely wary of him, she had lived to an old age and she didnât get that way by being stupid. From what the Dandyman could tell she was at least eight to nine years old. A rare age for fluffies to reach.
âDis am Wemonâs bwes fwen Appwe. Appwe bwes nummie fwindew.â The little smarty said proudly as she poked a hoof towards the tan earthie. Appweâs chest swelled with pride, she was a proud little fluff who took her job as nummie finder seriously.
âHello Apple."
âDis am owdest fwuffi in hewd. Bwite Moon wyisies fwuffy ebah!â The smarty then moved over to Bright Moon who gave a nod of acknowledgement to the Dandyman but continued to be wary of him.
âA pleasure Bright Moon.â And so it continued as she went about introducing the fluffies.
âYou know Lemon, itâs actually a good thing you and your herd are all here.â The Dandyman began as he addressed the little smarty drawing her focus.
âWy am dwat Dwandymwan?â asked the little fluffy as she cocked her head to the right with a confused expression.
âWell I wanted to ask you, if you and your herd wanted to live here on my land?â A collective gasp suddenly came from all the fluffies as they turned to look at the Dandyman.
âNew daddeh?â some of the older fluffies queered with confused looks.
âYEAH NEW DADDEH!â the younger fluffies began to shout as they jumped about. Lemon however frowned at them.
âHEWD QWUIETSIES!â roared the little Lemon as loud as her voice could as it echoed over the fluffies. Some of the fluffies however didnât hear due to being so excited. Lemon looked at Rex who gave a nod. Rex took a deep breath, the fluffies who saw ,their eyes widened and quickly covered their eyes. The fluffalo unleashed a long drawn out below making all the excited fluffies stop and cover their ears from the sound. The young flufflies shyly looked down in shame at their outburst as Lemon huffed and stomped a hoof.
âBwedda. Nu bwe wudsies! Wemon twawk tu Dwandymwan.â The little fluffy puffed her cheeks out pretending to be angry with her herd before looking back at the Dandyman.
âWemon wan wask wat Dwandymwan means. Wy wet hewd wib here?â Lemon eyed the Dandyman, her tail gave away her excitedness as it wagged, but she was appearing stern and solemn.
âIâve got this big place all to myself and if Iâm being honest it does get a little lonely when you and your herd arenât here. You have all grown on me a little. And it must be a long journey to come back and forth from your nest to here. You would be able to settle down on my lands, a much safer place than the outback. You wouldnât have to travel and since youâre living here, you can eat the overgrown grass anytime. For me there will be some company and help.â Explained the Dandyman from his crouched position in front of Lemon. He explained slowly and could see the cogs turning in the fluffies little head.
âBwut ware fwuffies stwaysies. Tu mani fu housie.â Lemon continued to contain her excitement and joy. At this moment she wasnât just wun fwuffy, she was the smawty of her hewd.
âIndeed there are too many fluffies for my house. But thatâs why Iâve had a little surprise prepared for you. Iâve been thinking of this for some time now. Follow me little ones.â The Dandyman rose to his full height and beckoned the fluffies to follow him down the lane towards the barns.
âHewd fuwwow da Dwandymwan.â Lemon ordered as she began trotting after the Dandyman who kept pace with the fluffies. The fluffies looked at one another and quickly followed the workers taking the sleds once more and dragging them along.
Arriving at the freshly rebuilt barn the Dandy looked at the fluffies before slowly opening its doors. The inside had been fixed up and space widened. Little walls had been built to divide the barn into different sections. The fluffies gasped and looked inside from the large open double doors.
âThis is why the humans were here yesterday. I had them fixing the place up so I could ask you all to stay. This would be your new home.â The fluffies eyes seemed to twinkle with joy as they gasped, but one look from Lemon stopped them from running in.
âWemon wub homsie, bwut hewd nu stway wib out dweaw.â The little fluffy said as she stood firm. She didnât want the herd to simply be given the new home. She had learned from her mother to never take anything for free.
âOf course. I offer you this Lemon. You and your herd live here on my land with me. In return you work for me. You help clear and work the land. Your âpoopiesâ will be taken and sold. I will ask that some of your motherâs give milk, but you wonât have to worry about taking milk from your babies, they will still have plenty to drink. This milk will also be sold.â
âI intend to acquire a breeding licence, so I can become a proper breeder. Sometimes I will take babies away, but only when they are much bigger. They will be given to new mummies and daddies. I will find them happy homes.â The Dandyman explained crouching down once again so the fluffies wouldnât have to crane their necks so much. The fluffies looked at each other worried, they didnât want to give up their babies.
âNuu wy twake babbehs, owny widdow babbehs.â Some of the fluffy mothers cried, holding their foals protectively with tears in their eyes as they looked at the meanie hooman.
Lemon seemed to be thinking before slowly nodding, getting gasps from her herd.
âHewd wistin tu Wemon. Wemon nus dat giben babbehs scwawdi. BWUT! Wemon beeweeb Dwandymwan gud hooman, am twustin. Dwandymwan fwine gud homsies fu babbehs. Fwuffies wib gud wife here wib Dwandymwan, hab gud twimes. Dink ob babbehs.â She paused to look over her herd, they were all listening.
âGud fwuffies dwink ob babbies hewt happies. Big hewt huwties tu gib awai babbehs, but hab biggest hewt happies babbeh fwine gud mummah and daddeds, twist Dwandymwan tu fwin gu hoomans. Nu mwor bwad wand, nu mwore fowebah sweepies fwom meanie munstahs and hoomans. Fwuffies sabe.â
The little fluff addressed her herd, speaking more than most fluffies typically would. It always amazed the Dandyman how intelligent Lemon seemed, despite the baby talk. She had already grasped that even though it would hurt to give away the herdâs babies, they would be able to have good homes. She trusted the Dandyman to find good humans to take them in. The herd would have a good home on his land, they would be safe from the harsh Australian outback.
The fluffies seemed to whisper amongst each other, before slowly nodding as if they understood. Perhaps they understood, perhaps they didnât, but they were trusting their smarty.
âAm owkay smawty. Hewd twust u un Dwandymwan.â The herd agreed as they sat tails wagging. Lemon turned to the Dandyman with the biggest of smiles.
âDwn hewd stwaysies. Dwandymwan hewd new daddeh den?â The little fluff looked with a hopeful gaze. In the back he could see Waterâs tail wagging furiously, eyes staring at him.
âI suppose so.â The fluffies that could start then started jumping and cheering with joy at their new âdaddehâ.
âBIGGEST HEWT HAPPIES!â The fluffy herd shouted together as they formed a large hug pile.
What have I gotten myself into With a shake of his head the Dandyman began ushering in the fluffy herd and showing them around.
âSince youâre staying thereâs something you should knowâŚâ The Dandyman took another cigar from his jacket pocket and lit it up, before closing the barn doors with a bang making the fluffies jump.
âWy cwose doow?â Lemon asked, she was a little frightened at the answer, hoping she hadnât distrusted the Dandyman.
âIn addition to new rules, if you and your herd are staying here, then I need to be a little more honest.â Started the Dandyman as he turned to face the herd of semi frightened fluffies.
âWonest?â It wasnât Lemon that spoke but Bright Moon as she approached and stood at the front, eying the Dandyman with suspicion. The distrust growing once more in the old fluffies eyes.
âYes, honest. You see Iâm notâŚhuman.â Said the Dandyman to the question taking a long drag of his cigar and blowing smoke. The fluffies heads all cocked to the side in confusion.
âAm nu hooman? Bwut wook hooman.â Lemon seemed confused as a hoof rested under her chin, she appeared to be thinking. Water blinked as he sat beside Lemon confused as well.
âItâs better if I show you. However I ask you not to be scared. Just know I am still the Dandyman.â The Dandyman began to slowly let the illusion fade. The strong smell of sulphur erupted from him making the fluffies recoil from the nasty smell but it quickly settled. His skin turned that deep burgundy red, eyes seemed to become darker, his tail flicked and horns grew.
A collective gasp erupted followed by screams as the herd began to panic.
âMUNSTAH!â
âHOWNIE MUNSTAH!â
âMUNSTAH NUM DWANDYMWAN!â
âNU NUM FWUFFIES PWEASE!â
âSCREEE SABE SOON MUMMAH!â
âMUMMAH HAB TUMMIE BABBEHS! PWEASE NU NUM!â
âMUNSTAH NU NUM SPWECIAW FWEN!â
âNU NUM BABBEHS!â
âSCWARDI POOPIES!â
Scaredy poopies were ejected onto not just the floor but the walls, pillars and the fluffies. The toughies despite being scared quickly assembled around the herd going on the defensive. Many fluffies were crying, foals had fallen off backs and were peeping and screeching.
âHEWD QWUIETSIES!â The roar of Lemon came again, this time even louder than before. Her light green eyes gave a powerful glare to her herd who had suddenly turned into bad fluffies in her eyes. She had to cover her snout from the bad smell of scaredy poopies.
âHEWD AM BWEIN BWAD FWUFFIES!â That immediately shuts the fluffies up into small cries of âhuuu huuusâ. Even the chirping babies had grown quiet as the nurse mares quickly tended to them. Out of the entire herd the only fluffies who hadnât been scared had been the council, Water, Twig, the much older fluffies and the few alicorns.
âHuu huu fwuffies am sowwy. Nu wan bwe bwad fwuffies.â The hysterical fluffies huuu and cried as they tried to settle themselves.
âHuff.â Lemon huffed and stomped a hoof at her herd before turning to look at the Dandyman.
âWemon am sowwy fu hewdsies. Hewdsies mwake bwad poopies ebwewere. Wemon twust in Dwandymwan. Am nu munstah. In am nu hoomn doe, wat am Dwandymwan?â Lemon looked at the Dandyman curiously, she had questions and he could see it in her eyes. She had never met anything like him before.
âI or my people are called Tieflings.â The Dandyman was ignoring the noxious smell from all the projectile shit, he understood they had been frightened by his appearance.
âTwiefwings?â Lemon rolled the unfamiliar word over her tongue and it seemed to only confuse her more.
âWook wike hooman, bwut am nu hooman?â Twig asked nervously as he stepped towards the Dandyman. Water followed him as the two bravely poked at the tieflingsâ tail making it flick. The movement startled them but they soon began to giggle.
âDwandymwan hab taiw pwacesies wike fwuffies!â Water said excitedly as he hugged Twig. The two little fluffies giggled as they watched the tail swish back and forth.
âI am a humanoid. Which means a creature or creatures that look human but are not.â The Dandyman answered, trying to dumb the answer down, not wanting to make it overly complicated.
âWemon swee.â The little fluff continued to rest her chin on her hoof appearing deep in thought.
Rex slowly approached the Dandyman looking up at the tieflingsâ large horns. âAm hab howns wike Fwuffafo. Wike Wecks.â The little fluffalo titled his head, seeming to form a connection to the Dandyman.
âYes Rex. We both have horns.â The Dandyman gave the fluffalo a little pat on his head, earning a deep content bellow from the fluffy.
âDwandymwan hav pwetti fwuff wike fwuffies.â Apple bounded over the tan earthie staring at his deep red burgundy skin in awe. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she admired the colour.
âDwandyman am wike fwuffi?â Lemon asked, coming to some conclusion as he pondered . The Dwandymwan was just like fluffies, he was more like them then the bad hoomans. The moment Lemon said the Dandyman could see the gears turning in the heads of the other fluffies. The logic of the smarties words seemed to be rolling around in their cute little heads. Then it was like they all had a light bulb moment.
âDWANDYMWAN AM FWUFFI!â They began to all yell as they jumped about. The Dandyman sighed at the logic but didnât fight it. The younger fluffies looked up at the Dandyman in awe, mouths wide open.
"Dwandimwan am bwiggest fwuffi ebah!"They spoke all in awe as they looked up at the so-called big fluffy. The Dandyman held back from face palming at their logic. Lemon however gave him an apologetic look.
âSigh. Smawty Wemonâs hewd am dummies.â The little fluff thought to herself, she could see the council were thinking the same thing.
âOne last thing little fluffies.â The fluffies stopped their happy dance and looked at the Dandyman confused.
âI may go by the Dandyman, but itâs not my real name.â The Fluffies seemed to gaze.
âU hab mwore dan wun namsies? Am dat pwossibwe?â The fluffies appeared confused but at the same time amazed someone could have more than one name.
âI suppose so.â
The tiefling gave a beaming yet charming smile to the fluffies as he removed his hat.
âLittle fluffies my true name is Nephastophelese Malethus. But you, you may still call me the Dandyman.â
The End
And done with Chapter 11.
This was the final chapter for A New Beginnings. I will be writing a sequel to continue the adventures of the Dandyman and Lemonâs herd.
What exactly is the Dandyman has now been revealed including his true name.
For those who donât know, a tiefling is a race from Dungeons and Dragons. The Dandyman is a Glasya tiefling, as for his class, he is a spellcaster as to what kind, there are hints to that throughout the story.
Look for the sequel. I will post a link in this chapter when itâs released.
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