Kar came back and sat on the adjacent ordinate chair, fiddling with his fingers. So at odds with how he was, but an hour before.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAmXuHkDw0X9
"I know you aren't all that pleased with me at the moment." He pulled his shoulders back a fraction.
662Please respect copyright.PENANACxVklmLVQq
"That's an understatement, care to try again?" She said, with a monotone pitch.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAFpG2Nlk6XC
"I'm to sit and listen to some blather about why you did all of this?"
662Please respect copyright.PENANAQkDSEGkF0t
Shifting in the chair she crossed her legs. A large window was on the far side of the room behind him. Hopefully, it wasn't too high up.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAuQBUwvfkvL
"Everything you've been told is a lie." He held up his hand palm facing her.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAV5swdmVGcH
"Let me finish before you reply."
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She nodded stiffly. Can't do anything else right now, not while he's watching me.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAzDdgGViriz
"You and your people have been lied to. Unnamed is not what you think he is. He wasn't always like he is now, I'll explain that later."
662Please respect copyright.PENANALsOM1VIKYX
"He didn't cause your people to lose their immortality, becoming barbarians gone berserk, the Undergods did."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAB5GRETbxHr
He shifted in the chair positioning his hands on his legs.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAghSg0srWvX
Several minutes of quiet passed.
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Her brows crinkled and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAmc84d4E1IT
"Hogwash! If you knew of the pure evil that radiates from him you wouldn't say that. And—the awful things he says."
662Please respect copyright.PENANA1Q7a7xbdEh
Before he could reply there was shouting from below.
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"Merryn!"
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A roaring.
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"Merryn!"
662Please respect copyright.PENANA0q2CCtXzSK
"Stay here." Kar left the room, the door slamming behind.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA7TIjVE82gE
She stood following him, the noises were louder down the stairwell back to were the scorpo-rats were and the vats of glop.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAhou81O4aeI
"Begone pest!" Kar shouted.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA1ERMsUXuCS
She padded down the stairs, hiding in the shadowed side. The stairwell shook beneath the smooth walls offered noting to grasp as the stairwell tilted. What the hells name was going on down there?
662Please respect copyright.PENANAL71MbkCjeA
Kar shouted below: "-down here now, remember your vow."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAdSkC5QylyX
She stumbled down the stairs, stopping on the landing.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAUouOJoeXNm
A grotesque dusk-rat was between the doorway and the others. It stood on its hind legs. Its wrinkled hairless skin an off gray, the color of rotted meat. Its claws clicked on the stone tiles, sniffing while it elongated its neck. From its twisted maw putrid strands of saliva dribbled.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAcI2r99lNNe
Kar side stepped it.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA4SJxFS8zz4
He flicked his wrist, making a rolling hand motion. "After you. Dispose of it."
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The Dusk rat tried to stomp on Han, who rolled out of the way.
662Please respect copyright.PENANATn6oOkT9Nc
Parcival sat propped up by a cage. The rat whipped its tail at him. He scooted on his butt backward. The tail cut into the floor like a hot poker, it bumped into an unlit chandelier, candles rolled across the tiles.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAePG1d0FdQI
"Why are you standing there?"
662Please respect copyright.PENANAArLLTvORhX
Kar came over and sat on the steps, he reached into his robe through the side taking out two daggers, he held them out.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAQgxLi7mQ5g
"Go on bodyguard, kill it."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAMVmtjJCKkp
The rat brushed up against the wall, several torches snuffed out. The room darkened; the only light a faint glow from upstairs. She muttered several Elvin curses under her breath.
662Please respect copyright.PENANApk3OSp9wC9
"Such naughty things you say, keep that up and I'll to come a courting," He giggled.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAd8wQ3XidWP
"Another good one." He slapped his leg.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAzT9d46llaG
Han was behind the rat; near the ceiling some chains dangled on pegs. To the left the way outside. To the right Parcival pinned between two cages.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1aaEkf2dW
She went around it and over to Han.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAoH2apJLOqn
"If I boost you—reach the chains?" Talking was hard, each thought was slow to form; each moment unsteady.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAnwjadaXmec
The rat kept after Parcival gouging chunks out of the brick wall trying to reach him.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAwSYwBS7vNm
He looked at it for a moment.
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"I'll try."
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He hopped up landing on her shoulders. She held her hands, palms up. He climbed up them and strained to reach for a length that dangled down.
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She stood on her tiptoes.
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"Stretch, come on!"
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The ground shook, she pitched backward into a support beam, something poked her leg. Did all this matter, or would Kar just pull something else, stretching up she touched the chains with her fingers, Olenus willing they'd go free.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA7PczViXe6S
Han jumped taking hold of the chain.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAgI8Fy1Gt8D
"I'll get it loose, help Parcival."
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The rat dropped down on all fours. It moved over to the stairwell behind her; snapping at Kar.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAmSM3n83BeD
"Save me, bodyguard. Or your life be mine." His eyes twinkled with mischief.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA1ljyygyKid
What was with that man? Olentan it! She bolted at the rat. Or would have if a barbed hook had not caught on her jerkins.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAEtFf3oUS1Y
Kar's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Take them off if you must, but I advise you hurry."
662Please respect copyright.PENANATS1XHSPANA
He stood still, even when the rat opened its mouth, fangs not an inch from his face.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAkzplZ2PsP2
The fabric ripped when she leaned forward. She tore the last stuck piece down and tossed it.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA96t7njCUum
The rat turned its head and growled. She smacked it on the bridge of its nose.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAcnoe3EX89V
Growling louder it swatted her into an empty container. The glass shattered spraying shards in a radius. A few scratched her arm, but other then that, no real injuries. Good, have some of Olentan's luck for a change.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAsUOaIVTIM3
Han dropped down the chain in his hands. "What do you want me to do with this?"
662Please respect copyright.PENANADpRq2lkAtH
The rat came straight in her face, leaping to the left as it hot dripping jaws passed over her head.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA19hY8IdCsC
"Give it ... me." She crouched down over to him.
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Her head was so heavy, it was hard to hold it up. She held a hand out.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAzc73yPW37i
Han heaved it over. She caught the end. Now to go around. It was still busy trying to get at Parcival, she crept under it's head pulling the chain with.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAaz5NBI6kPB
Kar picked his teeth, looking at nothing.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAEYTvJCXpd2
Hot breath warmed the back of her neck. Turning the rat snapped at her, she rolled, got up and finished going around it with the chain.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAdEFtldi0Z4
The rusty chandelier squeaked as it swung on its chain. If this didn't work ... She ran for the stairwell, chain in tow; clanking.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAT51C7tQMhE
The rat roared again is footfalls thudded behind, it's stench filled the basement. Merryn breathed through her mouth. As to what it had been eating for breath like that—never mind.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAzJIKDKNtdR
She skidded on the dry dirt and hopped on the control box of the container.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAjYJ8Lz3hNH
The rat pitched forward toward the stairwell. Kar craned his neck, holding his palms up. The look on his face would have been comical in another situation. She bit the inside of her cheek and bolted for Kar. A quick vision of strangling the man started—as did a head pain.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAFa30TM3iOY
She slid under the rat, stuck out her arm, pulling Kar out of the way.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAA9HVUb6cDA
The rat squeaked an all too human sound of surprise; it wedged its head in the stairwell. Ha! Take that, you overgrown furred pouch! It clawed at the wall and roared so loud that the ceiling beams shook.
662Please respect copyright.PENANARFqgjYnGT9
Kar had sat down on a stool next to the stairwell. She went over to him, shaking her fist. It was too hard to talk.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAcFZJgQiPmP
His eyes gleamed at her. He stood up pinching her cheek, then sat back down.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAhhqFRjMONd
She stared at him for a moment before going back to the cages. It took that long caught between wanting to smack him and trying not to.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAxjgMYRR7Z3
"Damn this vow, and damn you!"
662Please respect copyright.PENANAY9T7kduzXd
Kar made motions with a hand like a person taking while mouthing the words back, in a mocking tone.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAJC9NmQYFVN
"Arrg!"
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"Come on ignore him and get over here!" Han said.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAoRRoPJsjUp
She climbed onto some cages that leaned against the wall; working up to the chandelier. A good toss would do it. Several attempts later she wrapped the chain around the rim. It looked like there were two of them. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. Please, not now body, not yet.
662Please respect copyright.PENANALzS1wzWz6P
The rat had worked its head almost free. Big pieces of stone dropped off the sides as it clawed at them with it's hind legs.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA5DUKPMJt7g
Tugging on the chain a few times before she climbed higher on the chandelier. Now the tricky part, she dropped one end down towards the cage, then tossed the other end over the other side where it dangled near the ground.
662Please respect copyright.PENANApyOOQ9woLS
She dropped down, and spilled on her side. Nothing wanted to move.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAVoFMKc5RSS
"Rid me of this problem and I'll consider neutralizing the weakness potion," Kar said.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAst5bTAhBrs
Han scooted over.
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"What next?"
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"I was thinking of ..." She said the rest close to his ear.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAw3ijEybySX
"Alright, we need to be quick."
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"Follow me."
662Please respect copyright.PENANARgipEcqL6T
She climbed up the cages, yanked the chain down, and threaded it in the bars. Whistling at Han while pointing to the other chain.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAaSsjRlUwVt
He bounded up on the cages, worked over to the other end of the chain hanging from it.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAlfWF5Zoic6
She went to the edge of the cage on top leaping just above Han; reached up, grabbed the chain too. Their weight lifted the cage up a little. Great, this might work.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA2oiGs52un7
Parcival pulled his leg out and scooted out from under the cages, he was still trapped behind them.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA28KMLBRY7l
The rat clawed at the stairwell pulling its head out.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA1ue6tG5sPo
It zeroed in on her.
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Whipping its tail about, the dirt sprayed where it struck.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAhWMxvh9eGG
She hopped back, then ran close to the wall cut away from it, toward Han. She scrambled back up the chandelier wrapping her legs around the main chain that held it up. She bounced, jiggled and pulled on it. Come on ...
662Please respect copyright.PENANAgKjlotU2xQ
The Dusk rat tilted its head and just stood there.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA5IJsBDF4nG
She pointed to Han and then back at Parcival. He made a face, but jumped down and went over to Parcival.
662Please respect copyright.PENANArstoOoaKfD
The rat moved a step closer. What was its problem?
662Please respect copyright.PENANAWAZxHykdiO
Humm. She dangled off of the edge waving her arms. That did it, the rat licked its lips and went below her.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAMZF9cjuKrj
She sat up, swung around kicking at the cage.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA36DCOXkeYe
It shuttered, but did not fall.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAfSr9jxPrqH
She kicked it again until it unwrapped. The cage struck the rat on it's back, it fell; screeching, then its eyes rolled in the back of its head.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAKjszdhrmAb
Kar stood up clapping.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA3D37GOTYie
"Wonderful. Very entertaining. Next time doesn't toss my pets into any open vats." He winked.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAf7UHX1CTov
He looked at Han and Parcival. "Go."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAotCDToJODA
Han pounced at Kar his saber held out in front of him.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA6F5xB8RmE5
"Stop him. Now." Kar said.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAGCEjCFLbmT
She ran in front of him with her arms held out shaking her head.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA0ffdOs4OaT
"What are you doing?"
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"Just go." She turned around following behind Kar.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAmhCm5H9FXM
Upstairs, he pointed to a bench near the doorway.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAKboBNMq6Ck
She huffed, and sat. It was hard to stay angry. Sleep, let me sleep. I'll get angry later. Was that his plan, exhaust me?
662Please respect copyright.PENANAysJWptyHrH
"I may have embellished on the truth some." He stood there with his hands held behind his back.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAoihM9YsJUi
"On what?"
662Please respect copyright.PENANAFOT36dxuxz
"Mmmm. The potion in the vial. It won't kill you." He giggled, a low sort that sent a prickle on her arms.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA7nkGQL7YXb
"You sick son of a basnar." She slammed the bench with a fist.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAFyjbhX4Q3x
"Ooh, you have some energy left yet. Good. No more talking now, I tire of it." He draged a line with his finger across his throat. "Understand?"
662Please respect copyright.PENANANQwX5jkvqC
She snorted at him.
662Please respect copyright.PENANArv3O3rgUNe
"Good."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAwxFDK7tLUT
Uneven footsteps behind, that grew louder. Her ears swiveled towards it.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAfkJnc8w1wc
Parcival limped up the stairs and pointed his sword at Kar.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAwlNYyB5eTs
Kar tilted his chin up. "Cut me. Watch what happens."
662Please respect copyright.PENANA8yku3BzxaE
She stood, pushing down on it.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAag11omD9W0
"Go home." Jaw clenched, she pushed away an ocean, a dark rolling ocean of tears. Now wasn't the time, come on, stop it.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAnVNQeDJt2y
"I will not. I don't know why you are acting like this. I Intend to find out, and will not leave until I do." He stood rigidly, looking at Kar without blinking.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA3j11DgsytH
Oh, gods. She straightened and looked him in the eyes. Her legs shook as she pushed within.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAufUAllZqQi
Han came up soon after. He padded over to her and sat down on the bench. "I'm not going anywhere."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAEZo0yiuJ5V
"Choices. Each one determines a different outcome." Kar traced a finger along the sword, as he came closer the pointed nail grew in length.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAtXkif7fjTF
"What choice will you make, Palitan?"
662Please respect copyright.PENANAHSyJZ5l5SS
Parcival startled.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAFtPx1T1FXO
"That's right I know. Have you-"
662Please respect copyright.PENANAe08mDYNt6T
Parcival lunged forward, pushing on the handle end with with his palm, while holding the handle with his right.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAcVTvcGK9xF
Palitan? No. No. No. Kar started to look less sinister and ... No snap out of it, it's a lie! It has to be! If he was one he'd have sealed me away by now ...
662Please respect copyright.PENANAPj140JqTDM
If I could just move.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA05s96JBA7J
I can free you. The cost being most of your energy. It'll come back by next week. Deal? Unamed said.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAHFJvdOUrNM
Why do you ask, what kind of a weak god are you?
662Please respect copyright.PENANA4Qu7jyf8zS
Fool! Do not anger me! It would work against my best interests to just outright drain your energy, as you'd die.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAkzqisjhe1O
Ah, you need me. If I could smile I would.
662Please respect copyright.PENANACceeg6VD1p
As do you. Choose, they aren't going to wait.
662Please respect copyright.PENANARVNGy9fFdr
Parcival had already broken through Kar's fear rune magics inscribed on his robe. I think it may work out.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAbT4CZF7gaA
She could almost feel Unnamed shrugging. Too bad the energy boost would have speed things up.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAColBt4vsNm
Such as?
662Please respect copyright.PENANAb77bxD9FtP
Unnamed didn't answer. It felt like he had fallen asleep? Did talking tire him?
662Please respect copyright.PENANARuc4V5f7H6
Kar leapt back.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAmjLkjo4mHY
"Kill him."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAlZNh1EbpMZ
A sharp pain crossed her left side on her chest. She grimaced taking in shallow breaths through her nose. No. No. No!
662Please respect copyright.PENANA0Km7vYAqij
She caught his blade between her hands yanking him forward.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAML6TtrytXU
"Are you possessed woman?" Parcival pulled the sword back.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAiOuo2Mogsi
Yes, you idiot, I am. The spell clamped her jaw shut befor she cold say anything. So damn frustrating. She released it before it cut a hand. There, an opening. She kneed him in the stomach dropped down on the pads of her feet, stuck a leg out tripping him. Come on hero fight back!
662Please respect copyright.PENANAkHO0Clqvca
He crashed down and the sword slid behind him teetering on the top of the stairs.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA5VcOoqlcVT
Kar came up beside, he had a strange glow to him that wasn't there before.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAdRkoiyKEU9
"That should be enough, blood is so messy. You may go." Kar poked Parcival with a foot.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAKhsQUpdEco
Kar shrunk down, his youthful features became wrinkled, his hair white and his fingers bony. Then this reversed and he changed back.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAX8O8CS2eE3
She saw it, but it didn't register for another minute.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAumBcaTwmzW
"The merchant."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAr1iXjukNZ5
He simply nodded.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAEAWbdVmXs9
Kar became youthful again, then went behind, wrapping his arms around her neck.
662Please respect copyright.PENANADTuWyKYC0L
"Get off!" She tried to shake him off but couldn't move.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAmsszt9Cfnn
"She does what I say. leave now and she will be set free soon after." He patted the side of her face.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA6k0DtXfBiU
I hate you. A flash of a day dream cane of cutting his head off with crossed daggers.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA7qUGpfKkgj
Han came over and tapped Parcival on the leg. "let's go."
662Please respect copyright.PENANA8aQ2AzwhDZ
They both turned around and started to walk away.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA9wLx7Ab2xg
It's good they were going. They shouldn't be mixed-don't leave me with him! She trembled all over, sweat drenched her under shirt.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAVsEmJKybSx
Tich. The Dentree's have gotten soft.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAGfiEb0JcBZ
Shut it.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAM1ajqC1hqz
Unnamed scratched inside ... the truth is hard to take.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAmwbszXCIS7
Kar separated from her and followed behind them to close the wooden door.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAwsjhhZm5lp
Han slid under Kar's legs, jumped up and grappled hers.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAOzFG9ENgxo
She dropped a dagger it bounced across the floor out of sight. Damn it! The air surged out of her chest.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAbEh6pN0zZ1
"Ooof."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAk1otOO4mvz
"Don't." Parcival had Kar at bay with a small sparkling light ball.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAyM53HLuQVb
"Tisk-Tisk. If she doesn't get the antidote, she'll continue to try to kill you. This might last all day or all week. There is really no need for this."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAUOrvIfn9ra
He faded, then vanished. Seconds later he whispered behind her.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAMhSDWdJf7v
"You will come back and finish our talk."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAdm39Isl07H
He placed his hands on her shoulders. A hot sensation spiked through her and she gasped.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAeD9amyZdxW
"I forbid-"
662Please respect copyright.PENANA9azJXsaMjy
Parcival never finished as Kar stood before him a pointed nail inches from his eye.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA2kEuAkjvhL
Parcival blanched; his eyes crossed at the nail end.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAyoOsofyngs
"You are all very fortunate I've transformed for the day. Tomorrow, however, when I find you I will not hesitate to annihilate you both."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAaYkoTH6rw0
The look he gave her changed from cold to something softer almost, pleading?
662Please respect copyright.PENANAbu1H8fZIjj
Kar-it was as if-no he's just nuts. The further away they all got from him the better.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAFBM3DW3orG
Parcival picked her up and she hit and kicked him full strength. He slammed into wall.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAnXjolXPQzF
Han was on her back; a flash of silver, then a poke.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAzNZOAg4xLW
"This was meant for Kar. Sorry lass."
662Please respect copyright.PENANAA360ogQeUe
Parcival grunted and shook his arms out and rubbed his chest where the kick landed.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8yvFy88WF
"Remind me to stand away when you're kicking someone."
662Please respect copyright.PENANA8ED9RGaA7O
She toppled back and slid against the banister.
662Please respect copyright.PENANA4ipwfemXBj
Parcival pulled her back up and carried her, tight. Her knees almost touched her nose, all muscles refused to cooperate.
662Please respect copyright.PENANAa0r6b9TObq
"Quickly now," he said to Han. They leaped down the stairs using the wall for balance.
662Please respect copyright.PENANADBuDOrFR6E
Kar stood at the top of the stairway watching. His green eyes flared blue covering the whites. Emptiness and loss filled her core, such a strange thing considering what he did. 662Please respect copyright.PENANAsrfVO3BPfZ
662Please respect copyright.PENANAmFtXBhNM15
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