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Okay, so I saw Troy when it first came out and I still like it. I literally kept bouncing up and down and sitting on the edge of my seat. Geeklove. I was competely able to resolve any butthat'snotwhathappenedinHomer issues because I felt that the movie truly caught the spirit of the Iliad. So don't anyone come over and start nitpicking with me because I have fucking read and formally studied the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the related works like Andromache and The Furies, damnit and I don't have time to argue with someone who vaguely remembers listening to a thirdhand account of a bad version of the Cliffnotes. Or someone who is reading and criticising fanfiction without apparently realizing what fanfiction is...This is Troy movie fanfiction and if you try to appeal to something by Homer, I will think you are simple and stupid.
Anyone with intelligent criticism of the movie, I would be happy to meet and speak with.
That being said, I totally unashamedly enjoyed the Achilles/Briseis relationship. It brought out my swoony, romantic fangirl. Unfortunately there's not a whole hell of a lot of good A/B fic out there. Most of it is complete and utter dross. I have a more than sneaking suspicion that most people who can string a sentence together are writing slash (which is fine by me except when I'm trying to fulfill my A/B fic craving). I've googled, gone through Yahoo!groups, livejournals, ff.net, and aff.net and found not much of anything. Some of the searching was actually quite painful. I am determined that others not go through that experience; I am posting my Achilles/Briseis recommendations in hopes that someone else will not be traumatised as I.
In no particular order:
"Don't," she whispered throatily. "Don't rob me of my hate. It's all I have!"
The Indifference in Men by NarfZoink
Summary: What if Briseis had not been so supportive of Paris' decision to steal Helen away from Menelaus?
Status: 2 parts, Incomplete.
My opinion: Love the title but the story itself was initially unwieldy. Briseis seems very pissed off but upon consideration, that is perfectly sane person logical. I would've used excessive exclamation points in scolding Paris as well. Also has a scolding of Helen that I am glad someone finally wrote. Lovely treatment of Briseis' relationship with Paris and Helen who often get stuck in one-dimensional sucky selfish people role. (Real writers realize it ain't ever that simple, you know?) Gets better as the story moves on and has definite potential.
She wonders if Achilles will ever be truly happy with her, just her and none of the glory she knows he hungers for.
I Won't Fear Love by Grlufear
Summary: Briseis and Achilles meet in the palace during the Greek raid. They eventually set off for Greece together and try to create a life together.
Status: 2 parts, Incomplete
My opinion: Title made me cringe, sounds like a Meatloaf song. Is it a Meatloaf song? Completely irrelevant. A stronger Briseis than we're used to seeing --I don't just mean she's feisty. More willing to look beyond, oh, they're together it'll be okay. I can't make many more points about what I enjoyed or you will be completely spoiled. Let it be said however that I liked the changes the author made to movie canon. They were significant and not in just the aforementioned gottagetthemtogether way. I just wish this author would update.
When she disappeared from view, he fell to the ground and died.
The River by Orange Crush
Summary: In the afterlife, wine is sweet and stories last for eternity. On the banks of the Styx, he is waiting.
Status: 1 part, complete
My opinion: Completely enchanting. The writing is prosaic, the charm is in the story and not in sweeping adjectives and magnificently complex sentences. An original story in A/B fanfiction, not a rehash of their meeting, thank god or the gods plural since this is Greek mythology. A must read.
Hector told me once that first impressions were usually deceiving, but I doubted that an intimate knowledge of Agamemnon's character would make him any less repulsive.
Apollo's Captive by SaturnShimmer
Summary: Paris was my partner in crime. Hector was my refuge. But Achilles was my world.
Status 6 parts, Incomplete.
My opinion: Very nice voice, it read like a young adult novel and that's not a bad thing at all. This is the story I was waiting for to flesh out Troy. Without a strong family relationship as described here, its difficult to understand the depth of Briseis' situation. This is lovely and a rarely seen three-dimensional, though fair, description of Paris.
She could not imagine him disliking his own son, but he had done many things which surprised her.
I Will Follow You by CalypsoAntigone
Summary: Briseis reflects, more than a year after the fall of Troy.
Status: 1 part, Complete
My opinion: Simple, deceptively so. Briseis surviving with her kin. Bittersweet and deft. I especially liked the relationship between her and Andromache. Good use of movie dialogue, and I mean use not just quoting and adding filler in between. I really wish CalypsoAntigone had more Troy fic. It is a shame that it seems the good writers only write one fic apiece.
She is infuriating, but in a tolerable way, unlike Agamemnon, who is infuriating and ignorant, two of the worst traits, along with cowardly and lazy. First, she cannot look at me, then she will suffer me, next she holds a knife to my throat, then encourages me to sleep with her, after which she snarls at me, and now she cares about the thoughts in my head! Is there any way to win against this woman?
The Immortality Series by Leap of Fate
Summary: After spending the night in Achilles' bed, the priestess Briesis considers the man, the legend, and wonders whether the great Achilles is truly capable of love.
Status: 2 parts, Incomplete
My opinion: Takes place within movie canon. A bit more sentimental than my other recs but good stuff nonetheless. Would not be surprised if Briseis discovers she is pregnant within the next two parts.
Yet it was not a fortnight ago and Paris was no ordinary fool. He was a fool related to Briseis and Briseis was fast becoming his world.
Vow of Vengeance by AuroraNights
Summary: AU. Paris doesn't kill Achilles that night in Troy, but as Paris, Achilles, and Briseis flee the city and struggle to carve a new life for themselves, the desire for revenge ever bubbles beneath the surface of their uneasy truce.
Status: 3 parts, Incomplete.
My opinion: Yes! This is a fantastic premise and features some of the best characterisation I've seen in Troy fanfiction. Makes many points on Paris that I wanted to yell at Hypocriteboy during the movie. Wonderful interaction between the three characters -and she's trapped them into interaction, wonderful woman this AuroraNights!
Achilles, felled by a woman. Achilles, felled by this woman.
You Gave Me Peace by Arabella Figgy
Summary: Too short for summary, its a drabble.
Status: 1 part, Complete
My opinion: Makes good use of the drabble form, short but leaves one with a satisfied, full feeling. Post-coital Achilles is nearly romantic in possessiveness and really, really hot.
I begin to wonder, if he puts on a façade such as the one he did today, to get me into these…predicaments.
Unsaid by Angel Almasy
Summary: This is AU sort of…and I’m going with scenes in the movie, and using the timeline of the Illiad. Which is why it says she has known him for such a long time…you’ll understand when you read it. This is also just a quick PWP basically. Just for fun.
Status: 1 part, Complete
My opinion: Ooh, smut and well-written. Not a PWP even though the author says so. I thought it had some very nice ideas.
When she moved, she still ached, and the feeling wasn't an unpleasant one.
Title: Seeking Forgiveness by Arabella
Available at the AchillesxBriseis Yahoo!group
Summary: Memories upon memories, and none are as they should be.
Status: 1 part, Complete
My opinion: Lovely treatment of Briseis after she's returned to Troy. I've seen it attempted but this is the one of the rare successes. It seems like Briseis loses no matter what happens.
“Why did you do it?” You are such a fool if you have to ask,” she finally said
Title: Rewritten by Arabella Figgy
Part One
Part Two
Summary: Briseis stops Paris in time. Achilles lives. (My summary, do not hold it against the story.)
Status: 2 parts, Incomplete
My opinion: I am officially in love with Arabella Figgy. I am not coherent enough to form a critical response because my fangirl heart is thundering and going, "Oh!" Besides being absolutely beautifully written, this is the story I wanted to write in my heart after seeing the movie. This is my happy ending and I want her to write the sequel. I would have her write and direct the sequel even if it meant she'd never write fic again. And she writes really well, so that is sort of a sacrifice.
The problem, she has come to realize, with catacombs is that there is never anything completely out of reach.
Pomegranate by the Original Coda
Summary: Post-Troy. She has abandoned her friends, her family, her piety and her country; all she has left is the Greek she thought had died in Troy. They will be united again in the coming battle.
Status: 11 parts, Incomplete
My opinion: You know what? Just go ahead and kill yourself if you don't intend to read this. You're wasting my time. This is the absolute best Troy fic ever, and a lot better than most fics in most fandoms. Holds to movie canon but also seamlessly hearkens to the traditional Greek mythology. (The title was what initially attracted me). Smart and fucking perfect. I have not the words for how lovely this story is; its a tapestry. The author managed to write a love story without trivializing the war and its affects --and she never used the phrase "my one true love" so gold star. Also has the best treatment of Briseis' faith I've seen. Seriously, why aren't you reading it right now?
Please remember, the above represents my personal opinion.
If you think I missed some good stuff, please tell me. I welcome more recommendations!
Edited to add
You took it all away from me, Prince of Troy. One swing of your blade was enough to take Patroclus' life, Briseis' love and my own hopes for the future.
Blood Morning
Summary: The morning Achilles fights Hector, the Greek hero ponders on his past choices, his unexpected love for Briseis and the duty he has to avenge Patroclus’ death.
Status: 3 parts, Complete
My opinion I haven't seen very much Achilles introspection. Well not much good, I've seen a lot of "Oh, My Briseis makes me want to stop killing me. I love her so much, blah, blah, blah." I partcularly liked the aspects dealing with Patroclus. Achilles is doomed and he knows it. Falters a bit at the end but definitely worth reading. |
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Turns out, our lovely silverphoenix (author of The Importance of Ancient Runes) is even more talented than previously believed. She's built the website, Just Like Coffee and it has links to Blaise/Hermione. I don't know you guys, but I was running out so this is a beautiful thing.
Go forth and ship! http://www.geocities.com/just_like_coffee/
Nes |
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Okay, so just adding some Harry Potter cookies from the FA jar written from past challenges. I just love cookies. Yeah, they're flawed and quick off-the-cuffs, but they're fun and yummy, too.
I believe the first challenge was posted by Skoosie Pants; she wanted a Bounty Hunter fic. You had to include (1) the wizarding equivalent to a bounty hunter, (2) a ficus tree, (3) Muggle sweets, (4) some sort of bondage, and (5) cheese.
( The Ficus, the Hunter, and Me )
The second cookie was my own challenge. And I didn't even follow it. Pathetic. It goes: Hermione Granger is Head Girl, but Blaise is not Head Boy or a prefect. One night she catches him after curfew, what does she do? What does he do?
( Potions After Dark ) |
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Hem, hem. I was singing this aria I learned in grade school:
Where'er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade;
Trees, where you sit, shall crowd into a shade:
Where'er you tread, the blushing flow'rs shall rise;
and all things flourish where'er you turn you eyes.
Where'er you walk, etc.
And it made me think of Blaise. I was thinking about witches and how Italian the name Zabini sounded. And then I tied in extra nostalgia by remembering this picture of German witches showing where they gathered for sexwiththedevil so I had this idea. And then it got weird. Right. I couldn't help it.
In any case, this is the ficlet that came out of it and then the the beginnings of its sequel. I really, really would like comments, constructive criticism, you know. Thanks beforehand.
( Hermione finds a secret glade with beauty and joy therein. Then things get strange. )
Oh, and someone to help me learn how to summarize a fic so that people will actually want to read them.
Le sigh.
Here's the first part of the sequel:
( Ill Deeds, the Best of Intentions )
Next up is Hermione's POV. |
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Yay me, okay so I don't have the part even halfway done but I've finally made a breakthrough. To put myself and my readers out of misery, I decided Remains needs to *end* and soon or it'll just dribble, dribble...you know. But the problem was how to end the fic within three parts. See, before I was just gonna have the Sarkney Adventures and keep rolling into a comfortable personal and professional relationship. Not working...I never intended this to be a fun banter fic, but, well, apparently, that's how I write. So I stopped fighting that. But then I was like, ooh, a plot and consequently life interfered and I lost touch with Alias. Now I'm also tremendously nervous about writing Irina and Simon. I do best with only 2 characters at time, I think. I then realized I haven't written anything but poetry or academic papers for months...hence my segue into Harry Potter, a fandom where no one knows me or expects anything. I could totally suck and it'd be okay.
Anyway, so after I made the decision to end Remains, the question was how? Insane ideas followed.
1. Kill everyone. Surprise!
2. Make Irina the Covenant. I loved the idea but dropped it because it meant too much emotional trauma. I *want* to give Sydney a happy ending and that just wasn't cutting it. Plus, I would have to make Irina a little more crazy than I like her because I believe she genuinely loves her family. I just couldn't rationalize...
3. Have alien invaders attack. Perfect! Vaughn was going to turn into this rugged leader of the Human Resistance in the US with an eyepatch and a goatee. Lauren would die. Sark and Sydney would be working together. Jack and Irina would be presumed dead, but in reality be the leaders of the Pan Eurasian Resistance. Sloane and Ana would be collaboraters. Sloane was the one who called them down in the first place when he used a Rambaldi device without truly understanding its usage.
Anyway, I finally got to a place where I think I can finish. Thank god. I don't know if it's going to satisfy but I am trying to do my best by everyone. |
| » B!B/Hr love |
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OOh, Inell has begun a community.
I wish I could draw. He'd have to have the unmatched eyes of course. I *need* an expression of Blaise love. A visual one, rather, since I suppose all those fics are expressions...gah!
Why can't I draw?
Jul. 16th, 2004 @ 02:47 am
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| » Fic the Second: Mixing Metaphors |
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Disclaimer: JKR, not me. Alas...
Dedication: To all the pirates at the HMS Overworked and Underappreciated. This started out as a one-shot cookie, but is now growing.
Notes: Okay, this began as the requisite Hermione can't fly fic. I think every fan of Hermione has to have one where [insert male lead here] helps her slay the Broom. I try not to think of it as being unoriginal, but more as contributing to a long and noble tradition...it gets me to sleep at night. This is also different from my other BZHG fic by being less plot-y, more 'they're seventeen', and just off the cuff.
Summary:
( Mixing Metaphors )
Jul. 15th, 2004 @ 10:16 pm
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| » Happy Birthday to me |
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I hit a fucking brand new Harley Davidson. I did not get ticketed for reckless driving; the cop said it was the weather. However, I hit a fucking brand new Harley Davidson. I do not feel like writing. Happy birthday to me.
Jul. 7th, 2004 @ 02:51 am
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| » Harry Potter: Makers of Modern Strategy |
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Hrm, more of my Blaise cooky now titled after a text I read in military history.
She remembered her father's amusement after a particular childhood episode; he warned her to pick her battles. She had hotly responded that she just because she was choosing them, did not mean she had to actually discard any. She could fight all her battles, it would only require strong will and proper planning. It was a story he still told his patients and she sometimes received copies of Sun Tzu or Clausewitz as a sort of good-natured ribbing.
( Makers of Modern Strategy )
Jun. 29th, 2004 @ 11:39 pm
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| » Ramblings |
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So I've got to to remember to chat with Ali at some point because I haven't even watched Alias since that strange Syd's having Rambaldi's baby episode (or at least her eggs are?) and I have gooky feeling that maybe I don't want to know what happened. I'm rereading the transcripts (God knows where my tapes are.) to the Simon eps because I'm trying to do a spin on that mission. Yes. Jack (since Sark is incapacitated) is going to put on dread-like weave and a leather vest. Oh, and somehow (how?) they'll capture Irina and he'll have to knife her and throw her in a ditch to prove his loyalty to Simon and the fellas.
Um...I'm kidding?
On an alternate note, the Boy!Blaise obsession still going strong. It must be that association with pirates that's going down at the HMS O&U that does it for me. Pirates are just sexy when they're not all dirty with bilge or suffering from scurvy, that is.
Jun. 29th, 2004 @ 09:06 pm
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| » Harry Potter: Cookies |
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So I have concerns that I keep writing the same story...Le sigh. I started writing Harry Potter cookies as a conscious warm-up to writing the next part of "Remains" but I hope I haven't lent too much Sark to my Blaise...Fanon Boy!Blaise is my newest love. I have been moved to contribute cookies to fiction alley's HMS Overworked & Underappreciated. They are an awesome group and can be visited through the link above to FA's Cookie Jar. The first cookie is an alliance (am I writing the same story over and over again?) between Blaise Zabini and Hermione Granger.
( ...a declaration of war? )
The second is one of those experiments I keep dabbling in. A post-war thing that is a bit darker. Edited to add title: Shadow in His Mind
( Raise your hand if its confusing )
Okay, that's enough for today. Whew. I didn't realize I had so many fics. I still have to post Surviving the Summer, By Definition, A Valenti Family Christmas, Younger Now (Party Like Its 1984), and Call Me Yente and Die. I think that's it...Oh! I'm looking for the first part of an old Roswell fic. It was untitled based on the Little Mermaid fairy tale and had Michael as the artist who made the Prince's scultpure. His ship sinks.
Still with me?
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 08:30 pm
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| » Spy Daddy and Sark have a chat |
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Here is the rest of Remains up to this date, anyhow.
( Now with chocolate )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 08:22 pm
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| » More Larek? |
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Here's the rest of Interstellar Adventures.
( Larek rocks my world )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 08:15 pm
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| » Roswell: Adventures in Interstellar Diplomacy |
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My absolute favorite of my Roswell fics and the one that made canon-Roswell so hard. Larek truly intrigued me and Off the Menu made me want to vomit. I've toyed with finishing this story but its so hard when the love is gone. If someone wants, I can post what the outlines for the remaining parts.
A Larek and Maria non-romantic fic, this was the first in a trend of alliance with dangerous blond men fics. (A fine tradition that seems to have extended to brunettes with my new obsession with Boy!Blaise.) It also features Perv!Nicholas and the Granolith.
( Where she goes, sarcasm follows... )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 08:10 pm
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| » Alias: Remains |
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Ah, the demon story! I wrote the first part in less than an hour, and began planning it while watching 3.2, "Succession." It was only supposed to be an episode tag and the mood changed when I began to add new parts so that's the reason for the fits and start. Its currently incomplete but I have always warned that this story flies by the seat of its own pants. I have no power over it and I post, I don't get it beta'd. Because, er, I'm a bad egg.
Yes, it is a Sark and Sydvey vs. The Alliance fic and those are a dime a dozen, but I believe this was one of the very first out the door. (Not that it makes it a better fic, but it does make me feel less derivative...)
I'm working on the next chapter and its killing me. But when this story goes, it really is a joy to write. But the main reason this story is very close to my heart is the friends I've made on sd-1.com and the creation of the Church of Sark. We're a small group but devoted!
BTW I attritbute the turn to fluffy potential happiness to Sark's line, "You killed my father." Someone's really gotta write a "My name is Sarkino Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die" fic.
( I want to read the demon story )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 08:08 pm
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| » Gilmore Girls: The Choice |
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This is one of my unfinished Gilmore Girls fics. I haven't watched the show really since first season, but I do intend to finish.
Once upon a time in the duchy of Gilmore, a girl-child was born. Bright of eye and rosy of cheek, the girl was proclaimed an extraordinary beauty and fortunate this was, in truth, for she was the heir of Gilmore.
( The Choice )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 08:07 pm
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| » Roswell: Water into Wine? |
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Okay, this was my requisite water bra story, every Maria writer should have one. The pairing is Ground Zero (Max/Maria).
( Water into wine? )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 08:06 pm
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| » BTVS and Roswell: Ficlets |
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Here are some drabbles from assorted fandoms.
The first is from Roswell. Its a random Roswell take on Sleeping Beauty/Briar Rose with Max as, er, Beauty. The mood is decidedly chopped up and dreamy.
( Tremors of Sleep )
So the next snippet was gonna be a BTVS fic. I have been deep in the throes of Spike/Willow love since 1999 but have yet to write a story about them. Then they introduced Harmony, which I thought was the worst thing in my pre-Spuffy naievete. I thought she was the stupidest...so this fic is has the Scoobies, stupid wench Harmony, Joyce-Spike bonding, and Peking duck.
( Things to do in Sunnydale when you're Dead )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 08:02 pm
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| » BTVS: Debts |
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Okay, this story is the reason why I'm always surprised when people say I'm funny. This is another foray into Spike/Willow but the point was not shipperness, but rather a concept that obviously should never have manifested itself outside of my head. Yes, some people thought it was amusing as I did, but I got a lot of reviews that were just like, "Wha-?"
Oh, and if I haven't dissauded you from reading yet, the story is NC-17 but only because of the ending. And, yes, I think my porno ending is highly amusing. And so did my collaborator, the elusive Radishgirl.
Le sigh.
( Debts )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 07:59 pm
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| » Alias: Two short stories |
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Here are two short fics that are pretty different in tone. The first is Alison-centric and was written before Season Three. Another one of my less successful exercises, somehow I got the Pied Piper of Hamlin stuck in my head together with Alison Doren and couldn't unstick it. This was actually my very first Alias fic. It contains Sark/Alison and Will/Alison.
There's no Francie. There's no Alison. Look, there's no one there at all.
( Hameln )
The second story is another one of those brain farts I seem to have. A Sarkney story written while avoiding the study of Chinese Nationalism vs Communism, its unbeta'd like nobody's business. There's a reason for the title, too, but other people actually found it funny, too. Even though I've been berated for the end..
"Let me check to see if I understand the situation correctly. You, Sydney Bristow, ace American spy girl, are propositioning me, Sark, ruthless yet refined soldier of fortune?"
( Wynken, Blynken, & Complete Suspension of Disbelief )
Jun. 28th, 2004 @ 07:54 pm
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