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Ernie Macmillan ([info]withearnestness) wrote in [info]sixdegreesrpg,
@ 2009-05-27 11:41:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:-1999 may, ernie macmillan, terry boot

WHO: Ernie Macmillan, Terry Boot
WHERE: Ernie's flat in London
WHEN: Tuesday night, fairly late
RATING: TBD
WARNINGS: TBD
STATUS: Started


It had not been one of Ernie's better days. Oh, he'd managed to get to work all right, and he'd made it to lunchtime without anything happening, but one of the senior workers had had something go bad and had decided to make the afternoon hell for all of them, and by the time Ernie got back to his flat, he wanted nothing more than to curl up in his study with the fire roaring and a bottle of Firewhiskey.

Drinking on an empty stomach wasn't the best idea, but getting food was too difficult right now. He'd seen Terry's invitation and had been tempted by it, but he was in no shape for company right now, and it was cold outside. All right, so it was cold inside as well, but he had the fire inside.

He'd get work done tonight. Yes, that was what would help. Working always made him feel better, even if it was a different sort of work to what most people expected of him. He found his notes for the latest book and started writing, quickly losing track of time.

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-26 09:06 pm UTC (link)
This was probably a bad idea, Terry thought even as he knocked at the door. It was late, and Ernie wasn't feeling well, but Terry just had to see him. Had to share what had happened at the pub, because Ernie was the only one who would understand.

He bounced on his heels, and couldn't keep the goofy grin off his face. He was listing somewhat to the side, because his head was slightly fuzzy and spinney from all the Daiquiris he'd been given after his performance, and he giggled to himself as he thought about it again.

He knocked on the door again, and absently hummed a tune someone had sung earlier, a bright, cheerful little song that had Terry singing along even though he'd sworn to Anthony there would be no singing.

He was all but vibrating from excitement and joy, and his grin grew even wider, eyes brighter, as he all but bounced as he waited for the door to open.

"Ernie!" he exclaimed, as the door opened, and Ernie was standing there. He looked tired, and was unshaven, but Terry didn't notice much beyond the fact it was Ernie. He giggled again, bright and happy, and was just drunk enough to not think about what he was doing and flung his arms around Ernie's neck and squeezed tightly.

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-26 09:10 pm UTC (link)
Well, this was... unexpected. Ernie stumbled back a step, off-balance a little, but righted himself and steadied Terry, keeping them both from tumbling to the floor.

"Hey."

Words were coming a little difficultly. It was always like that, though; some of his best work was done when he was in the worst moods, because he could put everything on paper and not have to vocalise it.

"Have a good night?"

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-26 09:18 pm UTC (link)
Terry didn't even notice that Ernie had stumbled, just hugged him again before bouncing away and letting himself in the flat. It didn't even occur to him to ask if that was all right, it was warm inside, and cold outside, and Ernie was here, so everything was good. Great, even. Brilliant!

"Mmmm, it was wonderful!" Terry said, eyes going dreamy again as he swayed to some unheard melody. "There were drinks. Daiquris with whipped cream and strawberries! And people, singing and dancing. Reading poetry!" He seemed to have lost the ability to speak in full sentences and whirled around to look at Ernie, face flushed with pleasure.

"They liked it, Ernie!" he exclaimed, moving across the room again and hugging Ernie once more, before pulling back to look up at him, face alight with pleasure. "Anthony made me read, and I thought I was going to get booed off the stage, but they liked it and handsome men bought me drinks after and wanted to dance with me, and they clapped, and asked to read more, and Ernie! I'm a writer! A writer of something people liked!" He twirled around in a circle, still holding on to Ernie so that they moved together.

"They liked it!" he said again, a trace of disbelief underneath the glee. "And I wanted to tell you, because you're the only person I could think of who could really understand what that means!"

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-26 09:21 pm UTC (link)
"Of course they liked it," Ernie said, smiling a little despite himself. Terry's good mood was infectious, and maybe it would stave off the crash for a while. He'd been through enough of his bad periods to know that the crash was coming, but he'd never had company during the lead-up, so maybe it would help.

"I know how much of a relief it is, though. And you always think that maybe you're just kidding yourself until people actually like it. You're going to be fantastic, Terry."

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-26 09:30 pm UTC (link)
Terry smiled back, and then was overcome with emotion when Ernie told him he was going to be fantastic. Embarassed that his eyes were tearing up, he hugged Ernie again and hid his face against Ernie's shoulder for a minute until he could control himself before he did something foolish. Like press his lips against Ernie's.

"Thanks," he whispered, choking up just a little, before he realized that Ernie might still not be feeling well. He'd forgotten for awhile that Ernie had been feeling ill, and started to feel guilty over invading his friend's space like this.

"Are you feeling better? I'm sorry to just surprise visit you like this, but I couldn't help it." He pulled back and almost reluctantly moved away so that there was a respectable, friendly distance between them. "I should have brought soup." He pouted at his own forgetfulness, before pulling his lower lip between his teeth to worry at it. "Do you want soup? I can make some, I think, without burning anything. Least I can do, for just waltzing in here like this."

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-26 09:39 pm UTC (link)
"It's okay. It's nice to see you," Ernie told him, wrapping his arms around himself. He felt colder now, without Terry hugging him, and that was just stupid, wasn't it? He shouldn't, logically, feel colder.

"And it's all right, really. I'm not really all that hungry, anyway."

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-26 09:48 pm UTC (link)
Terry grinned again, ridiculously happy when Ernie said it was nice to see him. He wasn't sure why that made him as happy as the standing ovation and compliments from the pub goers had. "I wasn't interrupting anything, was I?" he asked, looking around in interest. He'd never been to Ernie's apartment before, but he thought it was nice. Warm and cozy because of the fire, and just so...Ernie.

"I don't think I could eat," Terry said, wandering away, still too wired to stand still for long. "I'd never felt like that before, so filled with relief and pleasure and gratitude. It was...overwhelming." He grinned again, tidying things as he went without even realizing it, trailing fingers across the back of the couch before he found himself back in front of Ernie.

"I felt like I could do anything, you know? I felt like I could fly." He giggled again, amused with himself. "Do you have champagne? I feel like celebrating again." He bit his lip again and blushed. "Oh Merlin, I'm ridiculous aren't I?"

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-26 09:51 pm UTC (link)
"I was just working a bit on my next book," Ernie assured him. "Nothing that can't be interrupted for a while. My writing's a pretty organic process, it can handle a bit of a break."

Terry was good to watch. He had so much energy, something Ernie was feeling he lacked more and more these days.

"You're not being ridiculous, you're being happy. Happy's nice. I don't think I have champagne, but I've got some wine around somewhere if you like."

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-26 10:11 pm UTC (link)
"Oh, I hope I didn't intrude at like, a crucial time or anything!" Terry said, concerned to have interrupted a process. But as Ernie went on to reassure him, he decided that if Ernie really was annoyed he'd say something, and besides, he was just so happy that nothing could penetrate that.

"I am happy," Terry agreed, his face lighting up again. "And wine is fine. Champagne is really just sparkling wine made in the Champagne area, so almost the same thing?" It came out as a question, and he found that his head was getting light again, so he leaned against the couch to keep from toppling over.

"Let's have wine, and toast our collective genius."

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-26 10:16 pm UTC (link)
"Sit down," Ernie told him. "I'll be back in a sec."

He selected one of the bottles of wine his parents had given him when he turned eighteen. He always preferred red wine to white, so he picked one of those, stopping in the kitchen to get two wineglasses before returning to the study.

"You don't mind red, do you?"

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 07:43 am UTC (link)
Terry grinned and happily curled up on the couch, placing his back against the arm rest and drawing his knees to his chest, leaving room for Ernie to sit next to him if he wanted. He found himself drifting a bit, going quickly from exuberant and excited to content and drowsy. Ernie's couch was comfy, and he trailed his fingers over the fabric idly, thinking he hadn't had such a nice night in a long time.

He hadn't realized his eyes had drifted shut until Ernie came back in. "Mmm?" He asked, opening his eyes and gazing up at Ernie through half-lowered lashes. "Oh wine. Yes, red is fine." He smiled and moved his legs again, leaving even more room for Ernie. "Sit, drink. Wine's good."

He snickered at his own mumbling, and forced his eyes open all the way, moving so his legs were criss-crossed pretzel-style on the couch, and patted the cushion next to him. "So, what were you working on?"

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 07:49 am UTC (link)
Ernie sat down, cradling the two glasses in one hand and pouring carefully. He'd poured wine in more precarious situations; this was easy enough.

"I'm working on a chapter for White Noise. It's my latest book," he explained, holding one of the glasses out to Terry. "Next in the series, after Gloryhound, only this one focuses more on Judah and Hepsibah, rather than Eve. I think her story might be coming to an end, really."

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 08:05 am UTC (link)
Terry took the glass carefully, sitting up straighter to avoid spilling any of the dark red liquid on Ernie's couch. As Ernie explained what he was working on, Terry sipped at the wine, finding the taste slightly sweet but with an edge.

"Oh, that sounds great!" he said, leaning forward a little with interest. "Isn't it wonderful when a character's story comes to an end? A little sad, but exciting. Because it means you've done your job, right?" He took another sip of wine and let the warmth slide through him.

He tipped his head back and studied the ceiling. "I like this," he said randomly. "Sitting here, drinking wine and talking about writing. With you." He looked back at Ernie and smiled, open and guileless, pleased to just be here in the moment with a friend, talking about a shared passion.

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 12:42 pm UTC (link)
Ernie drank a little slower than Terry, holding himself back with a little difficulty. But he'd been drinking that evening, so he shouldn't need much alcohol now, he reasoned.

"I think she might have come as far as I can bring her," Ernie said softly. "You know when it's time for a character to fade into the background. At least she got a fairly happy ending."

He smiled, watching Terry. After spending hours at the Ministry, where everyone was thinking about promotion, it was nice to be around someone as artless and free as Terry.

"So do I. You're really good company, you know. I wish we'd talked more at school."

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 01:29 pm UTC (link)
Terry finished off his glass and eyed the wine bottle longingly, before giving in and carefully filling his glass up a second time. "This is my last one," he said, speaking most to himself as he carefully settled back into the couch with his wine.

"Happy endings are the best!" he said grandly, but was careful not to gesture, as he might spill his wine. And wine belonged in his belly, not on the couch! "Even if it's only a 'fairly' happy ending." He grinned, and blushed at Ernie's next statement.

"Me too," he said, ducking his head to try to hide both the blush and the pleased grin behind his wine glass. He wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but it did give him all sorts of warm and fuzzy feelings to know that Ernie thought he was good company. "So, tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. You already know I'm a complete light weight with alcohol, and prone to ridiculous levels of glee when complimented by total strangers about my work."

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 01:36 pm UTC (link)
Ernie blinked at him for a moment, uncertain as to what he should say, and saved himself from having to answer right away by finishing his glass and pouring another.

"Well... I have seventeen cousins," he began. "Eleven on my mother's side, six on my father's side. I used to think that the moon was a pearl hanging off the necklace of a goddess who lived in the sky, and the stars were sparkles on her dress. I like dancing."

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 01:54 pm UTC (link)
"That's a lot of cousins!" Terry said, impressed. "My parents are both only children of only children, and my grandparents are all passed on now, so it's just us. But that's okay, because the Beauxchamps--those are the people who work for us--are like family, and Logan's like an older brother. But wow, seventeen cousins." He giggled. "You must have to rent out a quidditch stadium for family reunions!"

He'd be embarassed to admit under normal circumstances what he thought about the moon as a pearl, but he was just drunk enough to let out a dreamy sigh. "That's beautiful," he said, closing his eyes to picture said goddess. "Romantic. I like it much better than the cold science."

He set his now empty wine glass on the table and stood up, eyes lighting on the wireless. Wondering at where he got the courage for this, he waved his wand at the device until soft, slow music filled the room, and then turned back to Ernie, hand out and eyes wide and hopeful.

"Dance with me?" he asked, ducking his head and glancing at Ernie from out of lowered lashes. "If you want to."

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 01:58 pm UTC (link)
"We're a prolific family, except for my parents," Ernie said frankly. "They would have had more, but Mum had trouble with me, and the healers said it wasn't safe. We tend to get together at my grandparents' estate in Snowdonia, or my folks' place in Inverness, if we're going to have a big gathering."

He liked about half of his family, and half of the remaining ones were pleasant enough under the right circumstances. The remaining quarter, which unfortunately included his parents, he had differences of opinions with that sometimes turned into rather spectacular arguments.

At Terry's request, Ernie hesitated for a moment and then stood up, setting his glass down and looking down at his feet to give himself time to compose himself. At the sight of them -- bare except for dark blue socks -- he let out a soft chuckle.

"Hardly dressed for it. Do you want me to lead?"

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 02:12 pm UTC (link)
Terry's pulse sped up when Ernie stood, and he toed off his own beat up trainers, revealing colorful knit socks that Marigold had made for him. "There, now we're the same," he said, placing his hands on Ernie's shoulders.

"Yeah, you should lead." He leaned forward as if sharing a sacred confession. "I'm a little drunk, so I might fall over." He giggled and waited expectantly for Ernie to move them.

As he waited he realized that this was the first time he'd ever really danced with another man, and definitely the first time when they weren't in a club. It was...intimate in a way he'd never had before, and he just hoped his palms weren't sweating like some fourth year on his first date. Not that this was a date, and he really had to stop rambling in his head.

The wireless was playing some slow ballad by the Weird Sisters, but it had a good melody and if Ernie would move, Terry was sure they could dance to this easily.

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 02:19 pm UTC (link)
"We're both a little drunk, but I'm better at holding it than you, apparently," Ernie teased lightly.

Since Terry's hands were at Ernie's shoulders, he let his rest lightly on Terry's hips, where he'd hold a girl if he was dancing this close and not in some formal dance. Not that Terry was the least bit like a girl, really; Ernie was very aware of the differences between girls and Terry, especially in the last few weeks.

He started them moving to the melody, humming along softly and keeping his hands at Terry's hips to guide him. At this angle their height difference was obvious, although not anything dramatic, and he could see Terry's eyelashes brushing against his cheeks when he blinked.

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 02:28 pm UTC (link)
"You're bigger'n me," Terry said, as if this explained everything. His eyes drooped slightly as he moved closer to Ernie as they danced. He was feeling very mellow and a little bit sleepy, and Ernie's shoulder looked so comfortable, so it was a very comfortable and natural move to rest his head there.

"I like this song," Terry said drowsily, swaying with Ernie and very aware of Ernie's hands at his hips. He wrapped his arms tighter around Ernie's neck, and breathed deep. "And you smell really good. Like...Ernie." The part of his brain that was still functioning on an intellectual level cringed at how ridiculous he sounded, but he was happy and warm enough not to care at the moment.

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 02:34 pm UTC (link)
That... sounded like a good thing. Terry certainly seemed happy to be getting closer, so Ernie followed his lead, sliding one hand around to rest at the small of Terry's back while the other moved up to cradle the back of his head, fingers playing lightly with his hair. Terry's hair was longer than Ernie's and very soft, well-taken-care-of, and Ernie resisted the urge to lean down and see how it smelled.

"You're warm," he said softly, marvelling a little. How long had it been since anything was really, properly warm?

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 02:45 pm UTC (link)
Terry sighed contentedly when Ernie pulled him closer, tilting his head into the hand at his nape, nearly purring as Ernie played with his hair. He'd never had anyone touch him like that, and he was surprised at how nice it was. How warm it made him.

"'S warm in here," Terry murmured, fingers slipping into Ernie's shorter, coarser hair, scraping fingertips over Ernie's scalp. "'Sokay though, I like it." He knew he wasn't making much sense, but the more Ernie all but petted his hair and the longer they danced, the drowsier and more fuzzy-headed he became.

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 02:50 pm UTC (link)
"I don't like the cold," Ernie explained, still speaking softly. Using proper volume seemed wrong somehow, almost profane, in the mood that seemed to have settled over the room.

His immediate reaction to having his hair touched should have been to pull away. He'd been grabbed that way a few times during the last year at Hogwarts; it would have made sense to pull away, would have been understandable. But Terry might not have understood, and anyway, it wasn't as though Terry was going to do anything Ernie didn't want him to. It was safe.

"D'you want to stay?" he asked eventually, noticing Terry's drowsiness. "You're falling asleep. I don't mind, if you do."

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 03:04 pm UTC (link)
"Cold bad," Terry said, eyes closing completely as he rested his entire body against Ernie trustingly, fingers still playing the the almost fine hairs at the nape of Ernie's neck.

His heart skipped a beat when Ernie asked if he wanted to stay, and for a minute he thought Ernie might be offering something else. He was relieved, a little, when Ernie's next statement made it clear it was a simple offer, though he couldn't explain his reaction. Part of him wished it had been something more, but another part was glad it wasn't.

"Should prolly go home," Terry said reluctantly. "Rascal will need to go out before I go to sleep." He made no move to pull away however, though by this time they were more or less just holding each other while standing still. He raised his head, questions in his eyes, and moved one hand from Ernie's neck to curl around his cheek, thumb pressing against the rapid pulse point just under Ernie's ear.

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 03:07 pm UTC (link)
"Okay. Let me Side-along you? You're sleepier than I am," Ernie pointed out sensibly.

Terry's expression was a little frightening. There were questions in it that Ernie didn't know the answers to. Hell, this whole evening had brought up more questions than he knew the answers to.

That didn't mean he wasn't going to see a friend safely home. He'd Side-along Apparated drunk people before.

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 03:14 pm UTC (link)
"Mmmkay," Terry agreed happily enough. It meant he wouldn't have to leave his comfy spot in Ernie's arms just yet, even if he was very tired and ready for sleep. "Trust you." He sleepily murmured his address and then closed his eyes again, wrapping himself more securely around Ernie. The action caused his lips to graze the underside of Ernie's chin, and he blushed but didn't apologize and just tucked himself closer. Apologizing would be a lie anyway; he wasn't remotely sorry.

"Had a good time tonight," he said softly, without moving his head from Ernie's shoulder, breath ghosting over Ernie's ear. "Thanks for not kicking me out for showing up this late."

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 03:18 pm UTC (link)
"I'm glad you came by," Ernie whispered, tightening his arms around Terry a little.

It was true, he realised. He'd been at the start of a rather spectacular downward spiral, and somehow, with nothing more than a bit of wine and some decent conversation, Terry had made his mood that much better.

Forcing those thoughts out of his head for the time being, he Apparated them to Terry's place, keeping his arms firmly around Terry.

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 03:24 pm UTC (link)
Terry closed his eyes and steadied himself as they Apparated, glad that Side-Along didn't effect him as negatively--even on a stomach full of wine--as Apparating himself did. As it was, he was only a little dizzy but that was okay, because he was kept upright by Ernie's arms around him.

He didn't let go, even after they'd arrived, and then acted on the same impulse that had led him to hug Ernie in the first place, and ask him to dance.

He pulled back slowly, opening his eyes to study Ernie's face. He took a deep breath and then leaned up the distance between them and brushed his lips over Ernie's. It was quick, barely more than a peck, but it left Terry trembling and overly-warm. His first kiss, he thought, had been perfect.

"Good night," he said, and pulled away reluctantly, turning around to open the door, hoping he hadn't just made a mistake.

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[info]withearnestness
2009-05-27 03:27 pm UTC (link)
For some reason, even despite what they'd talked about at the park, what had happened tonight, Ernie hadn't been expecting Terry to kiss him. He was still for a brief moment after Terry pulled away, and then moved forward, catching him with a gentle hand on his shoulder, turning him back just for a moment so he could lean down and kiss him softly. Nothing big, nothing dramatic, just a short, gentle kiss, at once a declaration and a reassurance.

"Sleep well," he said softly, before giving Terry a smile and Apparating back home.

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[info]dynamitebootsie
2009-05-27 03:34 pm UTC (link)
Terry blinked after Ernie was gone, hand going to his lips as a soft smile blossomed. He hadn't been expecting that, even after everything, and despite the innocence of the kiss, his lips were tingling.

His hands trembled softly as he opened the door, and he sank against it softly , still grinning, and slightly shocked. Ernie had kissed him. He'd had his first kiss tonight, and it had been followed quickly by his second, and he knew hew as thinking like a girl, but the wine had gone straight to his head and he couldn't help it.

He had no idea what to expect now, but there was a fine sense of excitement, coupled with some nervousness and questions over what it all meant. But the simple pleasure of being kissed by someone he liked (a lot) overrode all of that.

He had no idea later how he made it up to his room, or even how he let Rascal out for his nightly constitutional, but soon he was cuddled up in over-sized pajamas, Rascal a warm weight at his sigh, and the last thing he saw before his eyes closed and he was asleep, was Ernie's soft smile.

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