Chapter 19

Starr, Joshua & Christenings

"Come in, Come in. We were told to expect you. Maddy friend of Gaby is our friend. Would you like a beer?"

The landlord, "Sorry but I do not know your names. I am called Joshua & I run the local pub. I like this beer can you tell me where you got it & I will try to obtain it for my pub."

The man held his hand out. “This is my wife Diana of the hunt & my name is Herne. As to the beer I brew it & give it to friends. If you wish to sell it we can come to some arrangement."

"I could not help noticing the amount of wildlife down the lane as I approached here. New life must have been blown into the village if all the wildlife is increasing. I came to bring you an invite to the well dressing I have to go to all the out landing farms & homesteads.”

Diana, "Do you mind if we accompany you as we are rather new to this area & it would be a great way to travel and meet new friends.”

Herne, "I will get Vixen & Donna ready.” He attached two deer to a buggy.

Joshua, "You use deer to pull it?"

Herne, "There is a first time for everything & this sure will beat walking all that way & a car will not get to some of the places but this will."

As they drove they talked. Diana asked how he had met Gaby." “The landlord said she was with Claire & was going to visit Eve & her sister." "I am going to have to find time to visit the old dears." "

Herne, "You seem to have great respect for them both." The landlord said, "If it was not for those two I would be either very badly crippled or dead.” "They found me & nursed me back to health." "I owe them my life & I would do anything to help them."

The landlord, "Can we stop for a second or two there is something I always do when I am up here. The deer may take a drink in Ariel's pool."

. The landlord disappeared & Herne & Diana wondered where he had gone. Eventually they saw him praying down in a hollow.

Diana, "Listen to him he is asking for the blessing of Mother Earth for her children."

They listened further as he said, "Diana & Apollo protect us thy children." With that he kissed several statues & came away.

Diana, "Have you done what you needed to do."

The landlord, "Yes I have done what I set out to do we can now Continue on our journey.”

Diane, "You had better stop the night with us & then we will take you home in the morning. In the cottage Diane prepared some food for them all.

Joshua looked at the photos, "You sure where pretty as a bride. Were Gaby & most of the others at your wedding?"

Diane, "Most of them were there although like all weddings not everybody could make it.

"These two here remind me of a couple of girls & met when I was in the Army. I fancied both girls something rotten but I got posted away & never saw them again."

Diane, "Just out of interest where did you meet the girls?"

"I was on holiday in Rhodes the Greek's call it the isle of the sun. I met up with them every day for two weeks & had not fate intervened would have proposed to one of them although I was in love with both of them & wanted both as my partners."

Herne, “Suppose they both turned up again what would you do?"

The landlord, "I would ask both of them to move in with me. I still think about them every day. That is a long time ago & this is the present & I have the well dressing to organize."

Herne, "Excuse me while I go & see to the animals." Diane quizzed him more about the two girls. She notices he was fingering a charm.

"I always rub it when I think of them." He fell asleep in the chair by the heath.

Herne, "Is he asleep yet as they are both here."

Diana, "Yes he will sleep through to the morning." All four of them chatted.

Diana, "He is still in love with the both of you & if he ever finds you he wants you both to move in with him."

Cupid, "Have you told him we are special?"

Diana, "On the moors he was praying to mother Earth and then the sun & Moon. Look what he is holding.”

Cupid, "We bought him that & told him so long as he held on to it we would be true to him."

Diana, "When he is worried or in need of comfort he holds it & thinks of you two. There is something else he may already be immortal but nor realise it. Eve & her sister cured him after a bad accident & he healed completely. He said he owes his life to them & would do anything for them.”

Apollo & Cupid, "Can you get us in the procession?"

Diana, "Gaby is going to be Helen & needs attendants."

The others burst out laughing, "He asked her we presume."

Diane, "He has no idea who he has just asked only that she is a pretty girl for the job." They stayed the night with Joshua & left before he awoke. Cupid & Apollo went to see Gaby. They arrived at the castle as Gaby & the others were ready to depart.

Gaby, "We have rejuvenated Eve & her sister.” We now need to purchase fresh clothing for them.”

Cupid, "We always enjoy shopping but normally do not get to do it as often as you. Our Aunts look far better now & they can see again."

Galadriel, “Yes but I have had to take them under my wing. We have still to work out what relationship Claire is to them & until then she will have to stay with us."

Claire persuaded Eve & her sister to get some quite jazzy clothing. Whilst they where shopping Claire decided to get her hair done with the two sisters. They walked into a salon. "Can you match all three of us to the rest of them hair nails the lot." They then found another store.

Claire, "We need to look professional like Gaby & Darcie. They found suits similar & decided to wear them. The old clothes they had worn when entering the shop were put into the carrier bags for them to take home.

Gaby looked at Galadriel & all her sisters, "it is now hard to tell you all apart Granny.” Eve & sister I require you to be formally being presented to me but that will wait until after the well dressing as I think there may be additional ones by then.”

The day of the well dressing came. Gaby had decided they would process from Valhalla down Pans lane to the Village. Herne had a surprise he had brought the Fairy state coach & fastened up the Deer to pull it.

Gaby, Maddy & Darcie got into it. Lily & rose sat on the back of one of the two lead deer, while little Rose sat on the other. The others where all walking & were dressed in white, green or yellow gowns. All wore a single white rose. The procession started. Joshua was dressed up as father time & other villagers where all dressed up there was a considerable amount of tourists in the village.

The Villagers could see the procession approaching. One of the old farmers from the village. "Joss I thought you said you could only get a girl to perform this year. You seem to have an army there."

Gaby got out of the coach & walked to the chair that was placed on the site of the ancient parliament of the dales.

The landlord took hold of a crown. "People of the Dales today I crown our Queen."

"From this day on Queen Helen becomes Queen Gaby. Queen of the Dales & will now always be Mother Earth representative with us."

Gaby noticed the amount of wildlife that was nearby. She held her hand out & a roe deer came to be patted. A rabbit came & jumped on to Gaby lap.

Joshua, "Look people of the dales we have chosen wisely even the animal life comes pay their respects. Sure enough wild & domesticated alike seemed to be coming to the throne to be touched.

Gaby, "Loyal people of the dales. Bring your ill & infirm that they may have your Queens blessing." It took quite a while but eventually all but the landlord had received Gaby blessing.

Joshua, "Can you cue a broken heart for 18 years I have dreamed of two girls & they never leave my thoughts.” He knelt down & Gaby touched him.

Joshua, "My assistants will take you back to the pub & we will meet you there for the meal you promised me.” Gaby & the others followed after visiting all the wells in the village.

A little girl came running out of a house & tugged at Gaby skirt. "Please Queen Can you help my Kitty she is not well? Mummy said I had not to bother you but I said. You can cure Kitty." The girl held a very sick kitten in her hands.

Gaby, "Can I come to your house & have a drink because I am very thirsty.”

The little girl. "It has to be cold as we have no money to pay the electric. Can you read to me because mummy cannot? This book is about the fairy Queen who travels around & people do not know who she is. That is silly I know the fairy queen when I see her. The rest of the village may call her the Queen of the Dales, but I know different. I have been trying to get this right so please excuse me if I go wrong.”

The little girl curtseys to Gaby. "Thank you for curing Kitty."

A young woman cane in tapping a stick. "I can hear you & smell you but I had my eyes removed because of cancer.”

Little Lily, "Take my hand & hold tight we are taking you for a meal."

The little girl held Gaby hand, “Are your friend's three real angels like in my story book?"

The three following Gaby said, "Yes we are the Queens Angels."

“At Sunday school we were taught that if the Queen of Heaven walked the earth she was always accompanied by her angels.”

The little girl started to laugh, "Poor Joshua he was worried about getting somebody to be this year's queen & he has got us a permanent queen instead. Because of mum I seem to have developed a skill for reading minds & Joshua was easy. He is still in love with two girls he met years ago. He also has great respect for the two old ladies who saved his life."

The girl looked puzzled for a moment, "The two are here, but I do not see them, but I feel them both & they are far stronger than they were."

Gaby, "I want to do a little test with you & all you have to do it answer the Questions. Gaby took the girl around the others. "I am not going to introduce them but I want you to tell me about each one.”

She looked at Maddy, "You are never separated & are no 1."

Darcie was next & got told you are no 2 & will do anything for Gaby. This continued until she got to Eve & her sister. No wonder I was puzzled you are young again. I was looking for two old ladies. Can you cure mum like you did Joshua?"

Eve, "I wish we could. We cannot put back what has been removed. As she was talking she gasped. "Joshua has just given Cupid a baby. Now he has given Apollo one two.” Eve & her sister had vanished.

The girl said to Gaby. "Joshua is also giving babies to Eve & her sister now." As they reached the Inn Eve & her sister came down the stairs looking rather flustered. Little Lily led the blind mother up stairs to Joshua's room. Joshua proceeded to make the mother pregnant. Eventually they both came down the stairs Joshua guiding her down the stairs.

The little girl went up to Joshua, "Now you have given Mummy a baby you will have to marry her.”

Joshua went up to Gaby, "I have a request to make. Today I have done something I vowed I would never do. I have taken five females to my bed & probably got them all pregnant. The last one I will make my number one wife. I was wondering if you could arrange for all of us to have a marriage service of sorts. All six of us want to live together."

Gaby asked all of them in turn & then turned to the little girl, "How do you feel about having another four mummy's to look after you?"

The girl said that will be great, "I get a Daddy to give me hugs when I need it, "Mummy's to bath me, read to me & tuck me up in bed & take me to school. My proper mummy gets help around the house & can now go shopping. I will not have to worry about the electric been cut off because we miss the bill. I still wish my real Mummy could see."

Gaby, “In that case I will permit all of you to be bound to each other. Apollo & Cupid you are already promised to Joshua & Eve & her sister shared their life force with him to save his life.”

Gaby then turned to the girl, "It is high time you realised your daughter can not manage to look after you & you should have long ago let the father take some of the responsibility."

The girl started to get upset & Joshua cuddled up to her. Gaby turned to the girl, "Your mother has been hiding the fact Joshua is your real father & he wants you to go and live with him."

Joshua, "There were reasons why she would not say I was the father. Mainly that her late father had vowed to kill anybody who he thought was going with her. That is how I was found to be badly injured by Eve & her sister & Claire. I really want to marry all five of them & for us to become one happy family."

The little girl, "Empress Daddy has asked for Permission to marry all five within your law. My little friends Lily & Rose can hardly wait to be bridesmaids at the wedding."

Gaby, "If that is what you all wish then tonight on Great Whernside the wedding takes place. I expect all the Fay to be in attendance". Galadriel & Gabriel dealt with Joshua. Do you realise what you have let yourself in for?”

Joshua, “Two gods, Two witches, One blind but normal wife & a daughter that can read minds.”

Galadriel, "There is a chance she may not be blind much longer. Once the babies she carries are born they we can start to grow her new eyes."

Gabriel, "We need to collect the afterbirth & the stem cells in the chord. Then we can try & grow new eyes this may take a few months. So far we have regrown liver & kidneys & sexual organs. But never eyes. Please keep this a secret for a while longer because we would not want to get her hopes up & then it comes to nothing."

Joshua, “If there is the slightest chance then we will go for it. There is something else I have noticed. I appear to be indestructible. If I cut myself I bleed & then heal up straight-away. You cannot even see the scar."

Galadriel, "This is the other thing I wanted to mention. Kiss & cuddle your wives as often as you need but never anybody else unless you intend making more wives."

Joshua, "What about my daughter & Claire because I have kissed them both from been babies?"

Gabriel, "Ah Claire I need to speak to my sisters about her."

Joshua , "I am not Claire's father. He is dead & what a nasty piece of work he was. He deliberately blinded Claire's sister & tried to kill me. Claire could not bring herself to tell anybody what her father did to her sister & told all she met it was the result of cancer. Claire's mother was to die at the hands of the father & he got sent down & died in jail. Eve & her sister became Claire's legal guardians until she reaches 21. Claire will have no memory of her real parents & thinks of Eve & sister as her mums. Claire has been with Eve for quite a while now. As her mother made Eve & her sister Claire's guardians as well as being her god mothers."

Galadriel, "In that case we need to bring Claire into the fold. Your daughter should also be told Claire is her Aunt."

Meanwhile the Blind mother was saying. "Please I want Claire as My chief bridesmaid." Claire came in & said, "You want me?"

“I have my sister & my daughter so I am happy."

Claire kissed her on the lips, "Thanks for asking me & I may reciprocate one day."

Caroline, Claire's sister also went through a service in the little chapel this was conducted by Barbara & made Caroline the legal wife of Joshua. The Villagers were ecstatic when they realised Joshua had got married. They all wanted to give him a party.

One old farmer, "E lad we did right getting thee to appoint yon Lass. We've had more fun these last few days than I care to remember." He then turned to Gaby & said, "Na then lass." "How about giving Joss a right good bun fight. We all are mucking & provide some fodder if tha will provide the refreshments."

Herne. "We have the ideal drinks for the party."

The farmer, "E lass the largest building in t Village is my barn."

Maddy looked at the barn, "It is definitely large enough for a party & will accommodate all the village & us."

The farmer, "Dusta want me T use power sprayer & clean it up or Dusta want T doit thisen."

Gaby, "If you go & arrange the others we would get the barn ready. I am sure we can work a power sprayer."

After he had gone Gaby waved her arms & the barn was decorated. They used the trestles from the village hall & then for seats they used bales of hay & straw. The villagers started to turn up with the food. Eventually the whole village turned up.

The farmer. "We always have been a bit nicked I head in dale. But Joss beats the lot taking on five wives on same day. E lad tha has to be admired. Though it means five mother in laws as well. I hope you get on well with them." This brought a chuckle from Gaby & companions.

Joshua got up to return the toast, "On behalf of my wives I would like to welcome you all here. I understand my friends have provided the booze & if it is anything like I sampled the other night it will be a drop of good stuff. As to having five lots of mother in laws, as far as I know all my wives mothers no longer are living. Although if I mess up they will probably stir up that much trouble in Heaven they will get sent down here to let me to sort me out. As it is a day for coming clean I wish to make it known that Caroline's daughter is my daughter also. Also Claire is Caroline's younger sister.”

Claire, “Friends I wish all the best to Joss & his wives. We all know Joss has looked after Caroline & my mums. He has a good heart. I wish him all the best & will be calling often to see my niece. I had agreed to move to Newcastle with some friends however circumstances dictate that I have to do something different.”

Gaby, “Claire was due to have gone to Newcastle however circumstances have changed & it has become necessary for her to stay in Skipton. I recently received some information about Claire and her sister that now changes everything.”

Claire. “Gaby what about A & B they are expecting me?

Gaby, "I need to ask questions about both of them."

Claire, "Like have I kissed or had sex with either of them?"

Gaby, "Yes that was one of the Questions."

"Well the answer is no. The only ones who I have kissed are, both my mums, Joss, Caroline, You, Maddy, Little Lily & my Niece.”

Gaby, "Claire I am very sorry that we are going to have to do this but you are going to have to stay here with us. As to kissing you can do that with any member of the family & sleep with them. There is a problem with you sleeping with or kissing non family members."

Claire s, "I know the form Eve always told me I had not to kiss on the lips at school & I never did. I have been thinking though it might be better if my niece comes to stay here with us & she will have others she can relate to.”

Little Lily had heard this. "Providing her mum & dad agree."

Gaby mentioned it to Joss & Caroline."

Caroline, "Claire's idea is sensible. You would be better with your friends you can relate to."

Joss, "I propose you stay with Claire Monday to Friday & come home for the weekends with Claire & some friends. That way you get to mix with friends who are the same as you & also you get to spend time with your family."

Caroline, "I want to come & see you in your new home once you are settled in with Aunt Claire.” Gaby sent a message to A & B saying that Claire had a family emergency & it was doubt full that she would be joining them after all. Claire settled down quite nicely & actually saw more of Eve & the others. As they decided that they had better come for lessons & they brought all but Joss who still continued to manage the inn. In the evenings they where back to give a helping hand in the village inn. The new brand of ale Joss had got in called the Nectar of the gods was very well received by all those who drank at the pub.

Caroline was the first of the females to go into Labour & Dr. Jones attended her to. Caroline gave birth to triplets her daughter Star was eager to see her new sisters. Dr. Jones sent the material to Dr. Smythe & they started the proceeded to create new eyes for Caroline. Cupid & Apollo where both next & both had twin daughters. Eve & her sister where the last Eve had twins while the sister had triplets but one died. Star wanted to play with all her new sisters.

Caroline, "They need to grow a little before you can play with them.”

Star, "When they are old enough to go to school will they have to come & live with Aunt Claire also.”

Joss, "It would make more sense if you all lived down there. You could all take it in turns to keep me company up here. Also there would be backup to help look after the children."

Caroline, “For the moment at least I am staying put. Eventually we will have to move down.”

Six weeks later Joss got a phone call could he take Caroline to the hospital.

Caroline, “The children."

Max, “They are been looked after by your sister & the rest of her friends are running the inn."

The doctor came & asked Caroline questions. He then got her to sign some forms "In that case we can go straight ahead & we will not have to wait." Caroline was still in a daze as she was taken to the Theatre. The operation took 12 hours.

Caroline woke with a bandage around her head & eyes but did not realise why. The nurse kept coming & taking her pulse & temperature. She even fed Caroline. Caroline had to call for the nurse to go to the toilet.

Eventually though the doctor came round to examine Caroline, "We will take the bandages off today & see how the operation has gone." Very slowly the nurse unraveled the bandages. There were pads across the eyes.

Caroline, "That hurt my eyes.” The others all giggled. Slowly so as to allow her eyes to adjust the pads where taken off.

At first her vision was rather hazy but as the day went on she could see clearly. She called the nurse, "Can I borrow some make up I look like I have gone 20 rounds with Mike Tyson.”

The nurse , "For the moment you are not allowed makeup near your eyes but I could put some plastic skin on all that bruising so your face looks more normal. " The nurse came back & painted on plastic skin.

Caroline looked, "That looks far better now all I need is my hair doing it looks a proper mess."

Claire, “Sister that is something I can deal with. I can trim your hair so it is the same style as mine & Star can do your fingernails for you. Then at least you are presentable when the others arrive." One by one the others all arrived. Joss brought in the two babies, "I thought you would like to see these two.

Caroline, "Star help mummy feed your sisters, Can you undo me & pass the triplets to me." Star undid her mother & then passed the twins to her.

They where happily feeding away when the four remaining wives turned up with their babies. Claire had to help out with one of the babies. Caroline eventually took the one Claire had been holding & fed it herself.

Star, "Daddy I do have a lot of sisters."

Joshua, "I would like to have them all christened in the village but we have no priest to do the service.”

Barbara, "I am rector of the Parish Church in Skipton & would be willing to do it for you.”

Joss, "Well you are the mums are going to say anything or do you all agree."

Caroline, "So long as you allow time for my bruising to go down I am agreeable.”

Eve was next, "You have chose the venue so we decide on the God Parents.

Star, "I want Gaby & Maddy & Claire for mine.”

Joshua, "Star you would have been christened long ago."

Caroline, "No she is correct & if those she wants to be her God parents then will they agree to do it?”

Gaby, "I can speak for two of us & I say yes."

Eve & her sister asked their sister's Galadriel, Gabriel, Zelda, Constance, Tatiana, Tatiana, Maddy & Gaby to be Godparents. Apollo & Cupid had to think & then asked Herne, Diana, Gaby, Venus, Mars, Maddy, Darcie & Robyn.

Joshua went to see the farmer to see if they could use the barn again.

The farmer, "Well lad do you plan to have another bun fight."

Joshua, "We are going to hold a christening party."

The farmer, "We do not get them often in the village & All the Villagers will want to be involved."

Joss, "We are not going to get away with just borrowing the barn are we.”

The farmer, "Come with me,” he opens a drawer, "look at these."

In the drawer were nine christening gowns? "If these fit it would please me no end to give them to you.” Joshua called his wives & showed the gowns.

Caroline, "Would you be god father for all the girls."

The farmer called his wife, "at least you got your wish it is a shame we could never have children. She turned to the wives, "I will bake the cake & only the very best ingredients will go in it.”

Herne, "We have been promised wine by Baccus. I am providing the beer.”

The lady who ran the coffee shop in the village came. “Is it true Joshua that all your children are getting christened in the village?”

Joss, "I think I better put up a poster announcing it."

The landlord of the other pub came, "Joss I will giving the Champagne to wet the head of the bains."

The butcher was next & he promised the meat, The Baker was next & He promised the cakes. The candle maker promised candles to light the barn.

By the time the day was over everyone in the village was involved. Later that night there was a knock on the door & Joss answered.

There was a man at the door, "I have only just heard the news. The misses has sent me to see if the bairns have a silver bangle each.” He looks at Star , "I have this for you as you are their big sister. It is our way of saying thank you.” He handed Star a Gold Charm bracelet with a Star on.

Joshua was about to say something but the stranger said, "It is no more than the others have done. We all give what we can afford. Even the children have made presents for the girls. Now I have one more gift to make. He turns to Gaby , "Sorry I missed your coronation. I was not very well at the time. I do have this for you."He took out of a carrier bag a package wrapped in newspaper & started to unwrap it. Then there was tissue paper."I obtained these a long time ago & I promised the old man I bought them from I would give them to a good home."

Gaby, "They are beautiful. Where did you get them."

The man, "I got then in Egypt over 40 years ago from a Mr. Gandolf.

He told my wife could use them however I would know when to give them away & I was never to charge for them."

Gaby, "Juno bring Sue here. I wonder what it will look like on." Gaby unclasps the necklace & places it on Sue. As the necklace went on Sue went into a trance. Gaby but the bracelets on her own arms.

Gaby, "Kiss the kind man & thank him for the necklace I am going to enjoy this.” Sue went & kissed the man on his cheek. After the man had gone Gaby took the necklace off Sue. "Sue I want an honest answer from you?" Have you seen this necklace & bracelets before?"

Sue, "Mistress as Sue I have not. When I was Gandolf I was originally commissioned to make it for one of the Egyptian kings. It was later to come back to me & I gave it away to a Dales farmer who was on holiday but was having trouble with a nagging wife."

Gaby, "Tell me about it & the what do the bracelet's do then.”

“The necklace is used to control wives. For a year after it has been put on the person who wore it will have to obey every command. Sometimes it was used on girls who had been abducted & after a year they usually settled down."

Gaby, "I am ordering you to obey Juno."

Sue, “The Bracelets have powers of their own & give the wearer powers of the Gods & if a God was to wear them they would have powers far in excess of any other. It would not matter if the person was wearing the bracelet or not the powers would be theirs to command.”

Darcie wrapped the necklace up & put it away safely. Gaby turned to her companions, "I have no intention of using it on any of you."

Claire. "I can think of somebody who I would like to use it on. That police man who made A & B life hell would be an ideal candidate."

The following day one group went to decorate the village church while the other got the barn ready. Rent a loo turned up with the toilet facilities. Rent a kitchen came with all their catering facilities. Pan & his family turned up to provide the music.

Gaby was a little worried about how Pan would be received. Pan said, "They are all Dales folk & will take it in their stride." Eventually everything was ready. The following day everybody made their way to the church. For the first time in years it was packed out.

Even the choir stalls & Gallery where used. Barbara said, "Friends we are here for the christening of these children. We all will partake in communion as well. Regardless of religion or age. To facilitate this I have asked Gaby Three newest partners to help me out. Mary, Joanne & Jess will be helping." The service started & all the girls were lifted over the font.

Star. "Are you going to do that to me also?"

The next thing she felt her father lift her up while Barbara poured the water over her. & placed the cross on her forehead. All the godparents took their vows on block. All that were able went & took communion there was several villagers in wheelchairs & Barbara went to then accompanied by Jess. After the service the photos were taken inside & outside the church. Then they all made their way to the barn.

After the meal the old farmer spoke. "Friends I want to thank you all for coming. We all have known Joss for years. I was responsible for pushing the job of finding us a queen on to him. Well the job is nearly over but I want to recommend that as the village we do not look any further & keep Gaby & all her friends as our Queen & companions."

There was as shout from the back of the room "Aye my cows have never produced as much milk as they do now. Joss we propose that each year at this time we hold a big party for Gaby & all her friends. We do it exactly like this party. And if Joss happens to get anymore in the family way then we christen them at the same time."

One of the farmers went across to talk to Herne, "I understand you are farming deer. "I was wondering it would be better to go out of beef & in to deer farming & I need some advice."

Herne, "You have the farm next to me am I correct."

The farmer, "Yes."

Herne, "In that case how about becoming partners. I have the expertise with the deer & you have the land."

The farmer, “Equal partners & I expect to be doing some of the graft." The farmer spit on his hand & held it out & so did Herne.

Diana, "That was disgusting,"

Herne, "To him thats a blood tie & he will never break it. We now have a partner for our venture & I am sure before long others will follow & this will be a wild life preserve.

To be continued

Sharp 09.06.09 © 2009

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