#Joanna Owens RKZ | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bowlerhatwearer · 9 months

Text

Smothering Friendship

TW: Blood, TW: Implied Amputation, TW: Surgery, TW: Death, TW: Smoking

Characters: Bruno Capello, Cupid Hound, Samuel Cottontail, Blaise Owens, Joanna Owens

Originally written: 15th May 2022

“Ah, that’s the way of life, wouldn’t you agree Sam?” Even with the midday sun burning over their heads without any mercy, it did not bother the two who sat there on the hill in the slightest, especially because they both were protected under the blessed shade of a broad violet sunshade. The white rabbit couldn’t agree more with Blaise Owens, who currently was occupied rummaging through the picnic basket. For today was a special day for the two of them, who sat in front of a table they had been placed on top of the hill, sitting across from each other, having had just enjoyed a three-course meal the old war journalist had prepared. Only a few meters away from them was another, smaller table where a record player stood, playing some tunes.

“I didn’t know you where such a good cook Blaise. First a homemade Consommé with noodles, the main dish being, what did you call it, a cordon bleu? And as a dessert a white mousse au chocolate. Despite the time we have known each other you are still full of surprises.”

“Oh, hush Sam, you are acting as if I am some chef cook, but I appreciate the compliment. It was nothing but speaking of surprises.”

With one firm pull, the old war journalist took out from the large picnic basket what appeared to be a dark green champagne bottle.

“Is that-“

Upon revealing the label of the bottle, Blaise smiled a bit sheepishly

“Fizzy fruit juice actually, I want this to be a day to remember, as crystal clear as the glass from which it will be drunk, but nevertheless the juice has a great flavour and was similar expensive to its alcoholic equivalent. For they only use the best of the best fruits for this drink.”

Placing two glasses, that from the way they reflected the light of the sun alone, must have had cost a small fortune, the cat focused on opening the bottle, slowly removing the cork, having his shaking hands tightly gripped on the bottle, with his right one being on the cork, for Blaise wished to catch it before it could hit someone.

Most especially, so it wouldn’t hit Sam.

Despite the day having been so well, there was still, the worry that the smallest thing going wrong could culminate into some freak accident that could kill Sam, and Blaise wanted to prevent that from happening, for today was a day to remember, a day to celebrate.

The loud popping sound signalised to the old cat that they did it, sighing in relieve they carefully threw the cork back into the picnic basket, they had just enough time to start filling Sams glasses, before the juice could start to escape from the bottle, onto the table, the white rabbit gave a small chuckle because it was kind of funny how Blaise attempted intensely not to spill a single drop, biting on their tongue in the process. Having filled their champagne glasses, Blaise took his and raised his arm in Sams direction.

“Today it has been exactly five years since we have met each other. I will never forget the day you have changed my life, by falling through the ceiling of my car.”

Their hand trembles whilst holding their glass, which is very unusual, perhaps they are more nervous about that speech than they had thought, yet, they know what they want to say, the genuine words he had thought about to close his short speech to Sam.

“I don’t know where I would be today if it wouldn’t be for you Sam. And for that, I will always be grateful. Cheers, salut, prost and skol!”

Carefully the glasses met, before there was the tender yet sharp sound of two glasses clinking in union.

“Likewise, Blaise, even if I was not, a, very polite guest, to you on our first encounter. Thank you, for everything.”

“No one would have been polite, if they would have been in the same condition you were in Sam. I am happy, to be around you and I look at these past five years with a cheerful smile, but also with a sad eye. I hate to admit it, but in these last five years I get the feeling age is catching up to me much faster than in t-“

As if fate wanted to proof him right, Blaise Owens was interrupted by a coughing fit, one, that did not stop so easily, their eyes began to water, and putting the glass on the table, had to support themselves by putting their hands on their table, making it shake slightly. Sam was about to look if they were alright, but Blaise gave him a hand sign to stay, the coughing had calmed down.

“Damn to the underworld and back! I don’t know what is wrong with me. Lately it has been getting worse, but that shall not interrupt us on this special day.”

“Blaise, are you sure you’re doing, ok?”

“Yes, don’t worry about me Sam, really, it’s probably only a cold.”

The rabbit looked for a moment with their red eyes worried at the old war journalist, before offering them a warm smile, reaching behind his back, he was pulling something from behind the chair that was standing behind him.

“Speaking of old, I have bought you something, that I think you might like, or not.”

“Sam, you shouldn’t have.”

“Knowing you Blaise, you probably brought me an anniversary gift as well.”

“You know me well.”

Given the gifts shape, it was not hard for Blaise to guess what was in the wrapping, their smile revealing that they already had a very good guess what it was, still, they decided to wait until they had freed it from its wrapping before saying something, which they began to remove carefully.

Only a few seconds later, did Blaise Owens hold the revealed gift in their hands.

“A cane, a walking cane-“

Whilst a major part of it was coated in black varnish, there was a small part, before the silver-coated metal handle, that revealed it to be crafted out of cherry wood.

“-oh Sam, you shouldn’t have, this, must have costed a fortune.”

“Who knows, maybe I just robbed it off an old man.”

“I can hardly believe that, especially when it comes to you but, thank you, Sam, I really appreciate the gift.”

“I remembered how you told me how your legs have been acting up lately, and you said you were going to get a cane because of that, and also because you wanted to look classy, so, I thought I would get you one as a gift.”

Brushing with their fingers against the metal handle, it felt cool but also comfortable to touch, the longer the examined the cane, the wider they grinned, approaching Sam they gave the rabbit a hug out of thanks.

“It’s wonderful craftmanship, but I am afraid that my gift is not going to reach the same bar as yours Sam, I’m sorry for that in advance, I hope you won’t be disappointed.”

“Blaise, whatever you’ve gotten me, I am sure it can easily hold up with a cane.”

“We shall see about that.”

Despite their calm voice, they were actually in their mind deeply embarrassed, Sam must have taken lengths to get such a walking cane, and all he had to offer, was, it was now almost painful for them to say what it was.

Removing themselves from the table, Blaise walked away from it to get their present, whilst testing out their new walking cane, they really hoped that Sam would like the gift, doubt started to form into their mind, but no, there was no turning back, they would give Sam their present, and a small part still told him, that the rabbit would appreciate it, for it was something very personal.

Under the table, on the one where the record player still played its tunes, was a medium sized box, wrapped in plain white paper, and red cloth ribbons. It looks almost, like a typical present out of a picture book, but Blaise liked its appearance.

Being a few meters away from Sam, they wanted to say something to their companion, perhaps something witty, but the moment passed when there was suddenly the sound of whistling in Blaise ears, one that appeared to come out of nowhere, yet closer.

Just in the moment he had taken the gift, Blaise Owens trembling hands allowed it to fall onto the ground, cursing themself, they had to bow down to get it, remaining where they stood, the few meters away from the dinner table, as the whistling sound grew stronger.

“Stange, it’s not even windy, doesn’t even sound like it, what’s tha-“

Sams words got muted instantly by the deafening sound of a crash, one that twirled up every piece of dust and sand in a four-meter radius. Blaise was knocked down as earth and sand hit him from every side, trickling down their neck. Coughing, not as violent as before was the first thing to be heard, when the violent sound died down, with the cat trying everything to remove the dust from their eyes to see again. Finally, they took a glance into where Sam was supposed to be.

Where moments ago, Samuel Cottontail stood, was now the crashed remain of an unexploded anti-aircraft missile that stood there half submerged in the sand of the hill, the engine still smoking. The bottle of fizzy fruit juice laying on the ground, its liquid spilled and greedily taken by the soil, one half of the table having been blown to pieces, and the record player having fallen onto the ground, scratching the record in the process.

Everything was forgotten in Blaise Owens mind, everything stood still, until the first new thoughts started to flood trough their mind, as if it was a broken dam.

“SAM!”

Blaise scream echoed as they forgot the present, running towards the crash side, the walking cane still in their hand but forgotten to be used they immediately knelt down when reaching the missile, and started to dig with their hands.

“Sam!”

They didn’t care how deep he was buried into the sand, they dug, with each hand full throwing it away their thoughts growing more frantic to just reach the end of the missile to safe him. Their mind was in full blown panic and dismay, perhaps if not, they would have acknowledged the dangers of digging an unsupported hole that could have easily swallowed Blaise Owens up and bury alive.

Finally, what felt like hours to them, they had reached where they believed Sam would lay, breathing heavy they continued to dig, when touching a dusty sleeve, that Blaise immediately identified to be from Sams shirt, digging around it they were able to free the rabbits arm, the rest of his body having apparently being crushed by the missile, yet, the arm was still attached to the rest of Sam.

Out of reflex they pulled the sleeve more down, reaching for Sams hand and Blaise desperately pressing their good ear at the end of the wrist to check for his pulse.

There was none.

“Sam…”

Despite trying to check two, three, even ten times, there was no indication for a pulse, and Blaise Owens had to accept the fact, that the white rabbit was death.

Again.

Pulling themselves out of the hole they had dug to get to Sam, they remained there at where the missile crashed. Blaise could feel, how tears started to form in his eyes, how his grief and sadness was rolling down his cheeks, before falling into the hot and uncaring dessert sand.

No, despite how often they had witnessed Sam die, this time It was different.

This time, it appeared to have been a direct insult, a sick twisted play of fate, to abort the time they shared together.

One the day, on the anniversary of having met for the first time.

The first thing that changed in their usually calm and composed appearance was with what force they gripped around the handle of their walking cane, followed by the gritting of their teeth, their tail lashing violently and finally their eyes, red from crying twitching.

Sadness had turned into fury.

“It’s-“

*bang*

“-not-

*bang*

“-fair!”

*bang, bang, bang*

Huffing they stood close to the motionless and unexploded missile, which they had just hit with their canes handle, but no, Blaise Owens was far from over and showing mercy to yet another unnecessary construction of war (an unnecessary product itself as Blaise mind quickly reminded them) that just killed a person, even if not as originally intended.

“He deserves better!”

They did not care where they struck the missile, too angry to care or to be reasoned with, they aimlessly continued to hit on the rockets outer shielding.

“Because for you, oh almighty entity of death and fate, this is just one big act-“

Despite their lungs protesting, to give them a break, their hands and legs shivering in exhaustion, Blaise Owens continued to cane the unexploded weapon.

“- making his life miserable, just for the laughs!”

Their violet eyes flashed, before once again their teeth gritted against each other, Sam tried to hard, yet this entity that caused the curse, didn’t care.

“There is rarely a day where Sam is not killed, so couldn’t you just have made one exception!”

This time the swing was much harder than the last, leaving a dent on the metal plating of the missile, that never fulfilled its intended purpose.

In their moment, Blaise had zoomed everything else that was happening around them completely out, not noticing how two shapes were stepping out from a hidden entrance. Cupid Hound and Bruno Capello, who was saying something to the colourful plush dog.

“Now where would I crash If I where an anti-aircr-“

Still in his thoughts the eighteen-year-old jackalope hadn’t noticed the angry rant of Blaise Owens yet, who was still occupied in beating the same rocket, he and Cupid were searching for, merciless.

Cupid however saw it, pulling on his friends shirt to get his attention pointing into the direction of the hill, where the old cat stood.

“-what’s - HOLY, BLAISE STOP IT, you’re getting yourself- no, us all killed!”

Running into their direction, the Roadkillerz duo tried to pull Blaise away from the rocket, but it was to no avail, they didn’t appear to have even noticed that Bruno and Cupid where there, pulling on the part of their suspender that was on their back Bruno grunted, both in annoyance and panic.

“What’s wrong with you!? Stop hitting the dud!”

“He’s trying so hard to get his life around.”

Lounging themselves at the missile they continue to hit it even more aggressive, completely ignoring the presence of the other two who even with using their full strength, couldn’t hinder Blaise from bashing the weapon.

“When will this end?! In ten years? Twenty, a hundred, maybe in ten thousand perhaps?!”

“Are you talking about the general? Blaise I’m sorry but he’s going to be ok!”

But Brunos words fell on deaf ears, too deep was their grief, sorrow, frustration, and fury they felt to even acknowledge that anyone else was there, the day was ruined, they just wanted to have a day, that could be fondly remembered, but it was all for nothing. They didn’t care if that thing would explode in their face, maybe that was for the best.

Their lungs burned so much, yet, they didn’t consider stopping yet.

“Every day I see him doing a little bit better, yes, I admit sometimes less successful but sometimes also more, but he tries so HARD!”

Wheezing and coughing, they could feel how their foothold was slowly crumbling away, but they didn’t, they couldn’t just let it end like this.

“Every time, he died, it’s not just him who you hurt, but me as well!”

“Please Blaise, you need to stop, you’re hurting yourself!”

Yet even Cupids words where to no avail, they couldn’t hear them, for the beating of Blaise own heart has turned deafening to them. He barely got any air into his lungs anymore, between all the wheezing and coughing it just seemed, less and less possible to breath.

“Why don’t you just kill me then! Why don’t you just go f-“

Whatever word Blaise Owens wanted to speak out, they just couldn’t do it, for there was no longer any air in their lungs. Despite their hardest attempts, they couldn’t, it felt, as if they were filled with hot, molten, and heavy lead. Dropping the walking cane out of shock, they desperately tried to breath, but nothing happened.

In panic they held on to their own throat, hitting their chest for their lungs to work again, only gurgling escaping their throat. Their whole body burned like a forest fire, a new wave of tears forming around the corner of his eyes.

“Blaise?”

“Blaise what’s wrong!?”

Suffocating in pain and fear, their legs started to give in, and everything appeared to move in Blaise vision, as if it was in slow motion.

Bruno and Cupid who desperately tried to help them, but couldn’t, looking in pure shock as Blaise Owens fell on their back, how they couldn’t move their head anymore whose mouth was torn open and how Blaise view changed, seeing instead of the dessert, now the clear blue sky as they laid on the ground. They couldn’t hear the shouts of the two Roadkillerz either, for it felt like as if they had become deaf.

During their violent spasms still trying to bring his lung to breath, which grew with every moment weaker, Blaise was alone with the few thoughts they could still make, as their body appeared to shut down.

“So, this is, how it finally ends with me.”

Their view already turned blurry, yet they still could see the outlines of Cupid and Bruno who were shaking him, maybe to keep them awake.

“Bruno….Cupid….”

One last glance, already fading into darkness, one last look at the remains of the missile, that had ruined this day, that began so perfectly.

“Sam…”

<…>

All was quiet and dark in the room, that was, until suddenly the white blanket got thrown on the ground by whoever occupied the bed. Looking around, he noticed something quickly.

“Uuuurg, this isn’t my room.”

Sam couldn’t remember what had happened, well, obviously he had died, so much was clear, but Blaise was trying to give him a present, when there was suddenly this whistling sound, he looked up, and that was it. All he knew was that his whole body felt very sore and his head still groggy.

“Where am I?”

“At the hospital. You took longer to rise from the death than usually.”

On every other day, the thought of being here would make him flinch, but his head still hurt too much, instead he looked at the figure, that stood in the doorframe of the room he was in, they looked familiar, but their voice sounded, different.

“Blaise? Is that you?”

“I am not, but close.”

Turning on the lights, Sam had to adjust his red eyes to the sudden brightness, when he saw who was standing in front of him. Dr. Joanna Owens, Blaise younger sister who, looked a bit similar to her older sibling.

“Believe me, the effort digging your body out, was not worth it, but I know that Blaise cares about you, so much, that they neglect their own health.”

There was something, pondering in her voice. However, Sam was not really a person, fond of doctors, even if this one was related to Blaise.

“What do you want Doctor?”

“Fetching you, you are after all one of Blaises emergency contacts.”

He didn’t like the implications, Blaise neglecting their own health, him being one of their emergency contacts, something was going on.

Stepping out of the bed, he realized that he was completely in his clothing, which didn’t appear to be dirty.

“What happened, where is Blaise?”

Having looked at the floor, she now stared directly into Sams eyes.

“They nearly died.”

Maybe it was her neutral tone, but the short sentence made him upset. He could feel his stomach twisting when his mind repeated over and over again “nearly died.” Blaise nearly dying, that sounded unbelievable. Gritting his teeth, he responded in a half-shout.

“No this is-! How did this happen?”

“A sudden and violent embolism in their left lung, with their smoking habit, it didn’t shock me that this possibility turned into reality, I am surprised it didn’t happen sooner.”

Sam felt as if he was going to be sick, and even though there was nothing he could have done, he felt guilty for not having been there to help Blaise, but also angry at their sister, for how, cold, and uncaring her voice sounded.

“You know, I considered the idea of cutting your lungs out and operating them into Blaise, given that your organs regrow always, but I know that Blaise would never forgive me if I had done that, neither would they have wanted that.”

Now he was growing inpatient, instead of telling him just where Blaise was now and how they were doing, she had to tell him this?!

“Where are they Dr.Owens, where is Blaise?”

Taking a sharp breath, Joanna took a look to her left once, then to her right before focusing on Sam again.

“They are, stable, recovering, and responsive. Fortunately, a team of Medics first responders were not too far away, two Roadkillerz had directed them where to find Blaise, and your body-“

He was about to say something again to her, but she was faster, raising her hand to signal that she wasn’t finished talking.

“-my colleagues immediately prepared for an emergency surgery and preformed a pneumonectomy on Blaise left lung, or to say it simpler-“

Stepping away from the table, Sam looked curious in what was hidden behind her, but really wished he didn’t for now he felt even more sick and wondered if he was about to barf. There stood a tall glass cylinder, filled with rubbing alcohol, floating in it, what Sam assumed was part of Blaise Owens breathing organ.

“-they removed Blaise left lung, there was nothing that could have been done to safe it. However, and fortunately people can survive with only one remaining lung just fine, if they aren’t self-destructive chain-smokers like a certain someone.”

He wasn’t sure what to say, all of this, still sounded unreal, as if this was all just not true, as if he was still death and would wake up any minute now.

“They’re at the CCU, would you like to see him?”

Removing his focus from the cylinder, Joannas expression looked after she had said these words, warmer than before.

“I-I can visit them, right now?”

“Sure, you are after all in their emergency contacts, I said they’re responsive, didn’t I? Very weak but they can hear you, and answer, just don’t push it, they need to take it slow.”

Nodding he was ready to leave the room behind, as they both stepped out of the corridor, Sam noticed how Joanna had taken the cylinder with her, which he had to admit, was creeping him out slightly, but also made him wonder.

“Will they be, alright?”

“With medication and laying low on cigars, sure, they have survived five years of forced labour and five years being around you.”

“Yeah that make- five years being around me?! Hey, what is that-“

Sam was not able to finish being offended, for Joanna simply interrupted him.

“Blaise is tough, but I expect you to keep an eye on them, especially because of their smoking habit. They have been smoking ever since Lawrence died.”

Before the white rabbit could say something to the doctor, she was already giving him another hand-sign to follow her to the elevator, stepping into it after Sam, there was something else she had to tell him in private.

“I believe that you should know that I have been told what transpired after you died. Apparently, my sibling, in a fit of grief, has been overcome with anger, which is, rarely something that happens, especially in such extend. Anyways, they began and continued to hit against the unexploded anti-aircraft missile, shouting against some to me unknown deity and the whole world before collapsing on the ground.”

Sam had to digest those words, his death seemed to have really shaken Blaise this time, still, it was very careless of them to hit a dud!

“That…they could have died with that stunt!”

“I agree, luckily there never was an explosive charge in that missile.”

When the elevator opened, Joanna made sure Sam was following her, not to get lost in the corridors of the critical care unit, before finally reaching the door where Blaise was taken care of. Before he turned down the handle of the door, Sam gave a glance to Joanna

“Wait, shouldn’t I wear some protective suit, a mask, or at least get my hands disinfected?”

“Don’t worry, we already took care of that, for you.”

The way she said that, really made him shudder, but he felt, it was better not to inquire what she meant with that.

“Three more things, first, when you are done being sappy, tell Blaise that I have a souvenir for them-“

Her fingers tapped at the glass cylinder that contained Blaise left lung.

“Second, again, don’t push them, they need time to recover- “

Sam just nodded in response, he wouldn’t stress Blaise out, he wanted them to get well soon after all. Joanna approached the general closer, putting her left hand on his shoulder.

“Lastly, General, even when Blaise has recovered…things will never be the same again. Living with one lung, especially with their excessive smoking, it won’t be easy for them. Please, they are going to need you Sam.”

He wasn’t sure at first how to respond, but then looked Joanna in her eyes, who for the first time since they had met, looked with sorrow, pleading with him in silence, to be there for their sibling.

“I…I understand.”

With that being said, she drew back her hand, giving him one nod before leaving as Sam pressed down the handle of the door, entering the room.

The first thing he noticed was of course Blaise, laying in the hospital bed connected to some machines he did not recognize all of them, however he knew what the monitor showed the vital signs, and some. Some infusions were connected to his arms but it appeared as if Blaise was breathing on his own.

Just, for how long was he gone?

Maybe he was wrong but a few of those machined looked similar, to the ones he saw when visiting his father before he was dying, perhaps a bit more modern.

Father, yes, the room had something like the hospital room in which his own father later died. Their last meeting did not go well, and he left with an even more hurt feeling, than with the one he had entered. Knowing that his father would never approve of him or be once proud of him.

So, was it wrong to think, to contemplate that seeing Blaise Owens like this, hurt him much more than when he visited his own dying father?

Getting closer, Sam noticed how Blaise eyes where closed, taking deep breaths, that despite them having only half of their lung capacity left, appeared calm. The old war journalist looked exhausted and tired. Which made sense, first the embolism followed by an emergency surgery, it must have been very energy draining.

It was probably for the best to leave them without causing a disturbance.

Deciding to take one last glance before doing so, he saw Blaise cane, leaning against the wall and, a gift!

He remembered, shortly before he died, he got a quick glance of Blaise wrapped gift that was supposed to be for him, the white wrapping paper appeared to have been smudged by the desserts soil, and the red ribbon looked a bit tattered, but beside that its condition was still very good.

Blaise was in the process of gifting it to him, would it be bad, perhaps selfish even if he opened it now? But Blaise wanted him to have it, so, there was a part of him that said, it was right to open it, not a mischievous one but one that was honest and calm.

Unwrapping the paper, a black cardboard box, having the size of a medium sized box appeared under it, taking off the box lid, he saw the present, Blaise had intended to give him.

A book, with a red and white stiped colour, but as he opened it, he noticed, it wasn’t a book

It was a photo album.

Going through it, page by page Sam began to realize that those weren’t just some random photographs gathered together, but rather pictures they had made themselves when they and Sam where together from the past five years to the present.

Showing moments where Sam was genuinely happy.

There were photos of him singing and dancing-

Him hanging out with others.

Having some relaxing time in a restaurant.

Being on the observation platform, enjoying the view.

The list of activities continued, with the photographs being of high quality and each one having written a date under them, stating when the photograph got taken, by Blaise.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed since he began to look through the medium sized album, but for the moment, time wasn’t important for him, then he reached the last page, where one sentence was written, with silver ink.

“To Sam, the first person, who I have seen in a very long time as a true-“

“-friend.”

Turning around the white rabbit believed he had gotten a heart attack, from the sudden appearance of the recognisable, but weak sounding voice of Blaise Owens. Whose violet eyes looked at Sam.

“Blaise! You, what, you- what were you thinking you could have gotten yourself killed?!”

He was happy, he was genuinely relieved to see Blaise being awake and as well as one could be in such a situation, but the thought that there could have been the chance, of Blaise Owens, in their grief blowing themself up, because they kept kicking and unexploded war missile, hurt.

“Hello Sam-“

Taking a deep breath, Blaise eyes only stayed open for short moments, before the old cat closed them again for a while.

“-it’s just, not fair to you.”

“Blaise, please, I am used to it by now.”

“Still, it is no excuse.”

“It’s also no excuse to put yourself in danger Blaise.”

“But, the, anniversary-“

“Forget the anniversary Blaise, I’m just, glad you’re alive, that’s all that matters now, you fool.”

Despite the exhausted appearance, they let out a hoarse but well-meant chuckle. Taking a few deep breaths, thinking before saying something to their visitor.

“Well, at least, I’m your, FF, Sam.”

You are my what?”

A weak smile appeared on the cats face as they looked at the rabbit.

“Your foolish friend.”

Despite everything, the pain they currently must be into, the strange new situation of breathing with only one lung and being tired, there was something optimistic in their voice.

Something that caused the rabbit to feel, that his eyes were getting wet.

“Sam are you- oof!”

Before Blaise Owens knew it, he could feel how Sam was giving them a hug, perhaps to hide his tears, but also because they were relieved, that their friend was alive.

“Appreciate, hug, really, but pain…”

“Oh, sorry.”

#TW: Blood #TW: Surgery #TW: Death #TW: Smoking #Bowlers old fanfictions #Bowlers old stories #Blaise Owens RKZ #Joanna Owens RKZ #I think this will be the last story I am posting for today ^^;;;

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