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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 16:33:45 GMT -6
It was all so much to take in at one time, her head reeled. She slowly sank onto a kitchen chair and stared at the floor. And it had been such a quiet street too....but things rarely happened by mistake, and her being here was surely destiny. Many open circles would come full soon.
The smart mouthed teen sitting at the table was grinning wickedly, his eyes shining with perverse glee as heavy words fell from his lips so casually.
But she was not stupid. He was a reckless trouble maker, that much was evident. And such people often told bald-faced lies or exaggerated at the very least. However...they occasionally told the naked truth when doing so would cause grief.
"Always remember child..." her father had told her once, "It is best to not lie. There are times when half-truths are the prudent words to speak. A half truth is always better than an outright lie. They make a sanctuary when a lie...or the truth...will sink ships. Or burn cities to the ground. Both the lie and the truth are sharp edges of the same sword. Remember that. Walk the middle road, the path of beauty and temperance. Stand in the middle pillar, dear. Let the pillars of severity and mercy be for those who know no better."
She took his measure with her eyes..waiting for her rage to pass. She then looked at the woman with regarding eyes. The woman was no doubt capable of atrocities, she could see that in the depth of her pupils, hiding like a snake. She glanced briefly at Scar and back at her. "Surely you lie." she finally answered him, still looking at Dante. It was her eyes who bore watching. The teen was transparent and his mouth betrayed him as such. Best to make an open ended statement. More effective than either a direct statement or a question. It invited further revelation, and kept oneself to oneself.
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 17:35:12 GMT -6
Frustration boiled within her as she glared at the teenager. She had suspected he would run his mouth when he found out who their new house mate was, so his words did not surprise her. The brat made it his business to get on her nerves. Ruthless in his ways, he did whatever he could to torment people, even if it meant using despicable methods. Normally she would find such behavior commendable, but he only did it because he was an obnoxious child.
Dante sighed and placed her mug on the counter, resting her eyes on the woman sitting at the table. Her expression was unreadable, and her eyes were as cold as they usually were. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid he speaks the truth. To make a long story short, I orchestrated the war with Ishbal through my servant, Fuhrer Bradley, in order to create the Philosopher's Stone. People who have experienced the horrors of war tend to seek refuge in the Stone, so by creating as much death and pain as possible I hoped to incite an alchemist to create one for me. Over the past four centuries I have waged countless wars for the sake of extending my own life.”
Everything was out in the open now. She prudently decided to exclude the gruesome details, since going into a lengthy speech about her exploits would be highly inappropriate. Over the years she had given this explanation to many people who she had wronged, but usually under better circumstances. Most of them despised her when they learned that she was the source of all their pain, but eventually forgave her once they saw that she was a changed woman. While she was still cruel and cold, she was nowhere near the complete monster that she had once been. That part of her life was over, and now she was a housewife with a loving husband and a beautiful daughter.
"I suppose you could consider me the one responsible for all your suffering. Before crossing the Gate of Alchemy, I used my legion of homunculi to shape the world to my liking. All of the atrocities you witnessed in Amestris were committed for the sake of furthering my plans. After ordering the Ishbal genocide, I set my sights on the city of Lior, but my plans were thwarted when I appeared here with my minions."
After finishing her explanation, she glanced up at the clock. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get to work."
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 17:41:33 GMT -6
"Hey, Dahlia? You awake?" Arden asked, poking her friend's forehead with a fork. She used the part without tongs so she wouldn't hurt the younger girl. But, at the same time, she was jabbing her pretty damn hard.
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 18:18:38 GMT -6
Had she not been guilty of staying her hand at the last moment rather than slay the Crimson Alchemist, she would have launched on the woman with all her fury.
Few people in life were this truthful when called out. But Dante's eyes were cold and revealed little. Was she being fully honest? Was she laying the axe to the root, or did the roots run deeper still? The best place for a lie, she knew, was couched carefully between two truths.
She watched as the poised woman walked away. "I would say your words were no more than a wild boast...if it weren't for what I see with my own eyes. So terrible..and so sad...that so much death and suffering should serve the vanity of a single woman."
And again, she wondered what the Ishballan saw in her. But things were rarely as they appeared on the surface, including him...or this woman.
The implications astounded her. If all she said was true, all their destinies, everyone in this household and all those dead and still living back home, were intricately tied in with this woman. 400 years was plenty long to weave a tapestry of many colors.
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Post by arythknives on Jul 4, 2009 18:33:07 GMT -6
(((SCAR, Anthras is an ishbalan aswell. just letting you know.)))
Anthras nodded slightly, "I play the sax, whenever the mood strikes me. I might show you sometime... if you want. Give me a hand for a sec will you?" anthras grabbed alex by the plum of hair in the front of his head and drug him to the side of the pool(((with your help, he is kinda massive even for a muscular guy like Anthras.))). anthras flipped alex onto his back, on a floaty, and kicked him out to the middle of the pool.
Anthras pulled out a pellet gun and cocked it. setting it on full auto he leveled it at alex. pulling the trigger released a spray of yellow plastic bb's into alex's gut. "wake up shiny boy."
(Alex:) "son of a bi-"PAAAALUUUUUSH. aryth had stripped alex of his guitar before throwing him in the pool. Now he sat down with and started playing a heavy blues riff that threatened to turn to rock'n'roll.
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 18:54:16 GMT -6
Zolf heaved and hauled Armstrong with the fellow helping him get him onto a floating raft. No small feat, considering his bulk.
He winced as the round of BB's tagged the other alchemist between the legs.
"Holy-mother-of-God!" he said, hissing, "I almost felt that myself! How could you do that?" he exclaimed.
In his mind, attacking another mans jewels was almost up there with groping a mans' jewels. He wondered if this guy was harboring a dormant gay streak. 'Or..' he thought, recalling the Lord of the Rings he'd watched on DVD awhile back, 'maybe this was just a tough version of Sam and Frodo love.'
He snickered at the thought, but kept his opinion to himself. After all, for awhile there'd been Frank before he'd up and died. Of an accidental heroin overdose! How ignoble for a man like Frank! He went out with a whimper instead of a bang.
He let out a long sigh, feeling suddenly naked in his loneliness. He lowered his eyes and his smile fell slowly off his face.
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Post by Scar on Jul 4, 2009 19:20:18 GMT -6
Scar simply went and shut the window. He didn't bother to say anything on the matter. What was there to say, really? He was a terrorist who killed State Alchemists because of the genocide, and now he was married to the alchemist who started the genocide. Really, there wasn't much he could really talk about on that subject. Mostly because he himself scarecely believed it half the time.
"I have to go as well. Havoc, Hawkeye, hold down the fort. Make sure Dahlia takes her vitamins, don't let Arden get near anything remotely sharp, same with Barry, and make sure the Crimson Alchemist doesn't blow us all to hell. Oh, and try to get our newest resident situated." His instructions given, Scar picked his keys up off the counter and followed after Dante.
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 20:02:40 GMT -6
Nothing would satisfy her, but to see with her own two eyes. She walked casually to the window, appearing to be lost in thought and simply gazing. "And there he is," she thought dryly, "Just sitting there pretty as you please, looking ever so comfortable and satisfied with himself."
It angered her to no end. Why did those who commit the worse of offenses always come out smelling like a rose? To themselves if to no one else? Didn't the odor of the smoke of their deeds reach the throne of her God?
Since she was now received as a new resident, she decided to busy herself with the task at hand. No one paid any heed to the glass on the floor, and there were children. She opened a tall cupboard door and found a broom and dustpan. The quietly swept what could be swept and threw it away. The broom had smeared sticky jams and syrups all over, but it couldn't be helped.
She used paper towels to wipe up the rest as best as she could until she was satisfied no bare foot or hand would be cut. She mopped the floor, knowing many pairs of feet would leave tracks, but she wasn't afraid of humble and repetitive tasks.
She would need different clothes soon. She'd been ripped from her world and thrust into this one still adorned in her dancing costume, and she knew she must look ridiculous to all here...mopping the floor in such dress. Afterward, she opened up the refrigerator and took what appeared to be this worlds version of a soda. She felt like an intruder all the same, but she'd earned at least this cold drink from her labors.
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Post by masterwarlord on Jul 4, 2009 20:03:41 GMT -6
After having been taken to the hospital three years ago, Envy was pretty much locked for the death penalty for his crimes. While he could’ve normally escaped with ease, his pitiful human body prevented him from being able to resist after his weapons were taken from him. However; Bartholomew Gluttony, the alternate world version of the obese homunculus, allowed Envy to borrow the use of a team of all-star lawyers. . .
Envy was hardly one to live in the main house with the other Amestrians. Considering the stunt he’d pulled three years ago, he’d probably be killed the moment he walked up to the place. Envy lived with Barhtolomew Gluttony in his mansion which easily dwarfed that of the Amestrian one, trying to find a way to return to Amestris (Which was the only reason Gluttony saved him from his certain fate). After taking a more sophisticated approach without the knowledge of the owners of the house, they were able to discover that the transmutation circle apparently under the household was nothing more then a hoax.
Since then, not a lot of discoveries had happened in regards to the search. Envy had ultimately begun to give up in finding anything after the first year or so, although he still had to at least pretend to search so he wouldn’t be a freeloader from Gluttony. After actually going out and trying to experience the life he was had, he was surprised in that it wasn’t nearly as bad as he’d expected. . .The world was fucked up in many ways, particularly politics, but there were actual ways to kill time without going on a killing spree.
After having gotten far too many strange looks after having ventured into the real world, Envy ultimately had changed his attire, sporting actual pants and a shirt along with a leather coat. While it wasn’t exactly ideal, Gluttony had tried to get Envy into a freaking SUIT, which made the other choice seem quite appealing to him. In addition to his wardrobe change, Envy was actually beginning to experience aging. There was no question in whether or not he appeared to be an adult now.
***
Envy got up out of bed in Gluttony’s mansion and off for some breakfast. The real version of Gluttony who’d been tagging along with him was already present in the kitchen, devouring a tower of pancakes prepared by the servants. Gluttony was very dismayed that he could no longer eat as much as he wanted due to being turned human, but he at least didn’t constantly feel hungry, which was a big plus.
After having a quick breakfast, Envy went to go leave the mansion as usual. Bartholomew angrily came over to Envy as he went to leave. ”Have you made any progress yet, Envy? Surely you’ve found something that can lead us to Amestris by now. . .”. Envy rolled his eyes as he continued on his way to the door. ”God, will you come off it, Barty? It’s gonna take a while before we find anything. Show some damn patience.”. Bartholomew adjusted his monocole to distract himself from becoming too filled with rage. ”I’ve been patient with you, Envy. I’ve been patient with you for three damn years, and yet you’ve found nothing. It’s begun to make me question if I should’ve saved you from your foolish hasty actions on that household three years ago. . .If you weren’t so busy going out and getting drunk you might be able to actually find something, goddamit. I’ve giving you one more month, Envy. . .And if you don’t find it by then, I’m kicking you out into the streets. Do I make myself clear?”. Bartholomew gave as menacing look as he could manage to give with his stupid looking fat face.
Envy simply let out a casual ”Yeah yeah” as he left the house. . .But he was a lot more worried about it then he let on. One month?!? There was no way he could find it that fast. . .Yeah. He was definitely getting kicked out next month. God forbid, he might have to get a fucking JOB. . .Although he could quite easily take a big wad of cash when he left the house for good. Having been there three years, he knew where the old man kept his money, and he severely doubted that he’d miss $20000 or so, much less even notice it was gone.
While he didn’t even want to go back to Amestris that badly anymore for any reason other then to prolong his life, Envy decided to look into it one last time just so that he could maybe continue to leech off of Bartholomew’s immense wealth. He went to the library as he used to back in the old days, skimming through books of alchemy and such to try to find anything remotely helpful. Besides, none of his favorite places were open this early anyway, so he may as well.
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 20:51:06 GMT -6
Dante slowly walked toward the car, her high heels clicking against the pavement with every step she made. She noticed that her husband was following her, but decided not to say anything. Nothing in her explanation was news to him, so she highly doubted he wanted to confront her over any of it. Besides, he knew that she was a changed woman. While it was a truly wicked crime, it was in the past and, even if she did not want to admit it, he could tell that she was truly sorry for it.
Although she disliked her, she would tolerate Sarai because of how badly she wronged her. But if she tried to convince her husband that she was still the monster she once was, she would not be alive much longer.
Opening the passenger seat door, she smoothed out her dress and sat down, closing the door behind her. Once her husband got in, she rubbed her temples and rested her head against the seat. "I have a feeling we'll have to lock our bedroom door from now on."
--------------------------------------------
Dahlia raised her head when she felt something sharp poke into her, then frowned at her best friend. "I'm awake! Dun poke me with that..." she whined.
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 21:04:12 GMT -6
"Sorry, Dahlia" Arden said, sounding oddly sincere. She then glanced at Nikolai, who had apparently gotten bored of attempting to eat the kitchen table. "You went on that quiz site I told you about, Niki?"
Nikolai nodded. "Yeah" he responded with a small grin. "And apparently I'm a furry....whatever that is".
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 21:18:19 GMT -6
Dahlia brightened up, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Furry? Like a puppy!"
Drace rolled his eyes and stood up, heading into the living room. He was sick of dealing with those insufferable little brats. Not only that, he had a feeling that Sarai probably wanted to beat his face in after the stunt he pulled.
-----------------------------------------------------
Within the darkness of the void, a pair of eyes slowly opened, casting a white light into the seemingly endless abyss. A demon awoken from a long slumber, his mind filled with sinister machinations.
For far too long had he remained inactive, lost in a sea of endless despair. Then, the glorious hand of the angel reached into his tomb, filling his heart with hope once again. The time had come to set his plans into motion.
"We need the child..."
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 21:42:34 GMT -6
Arden rose an eyebrow. "That's not what a furry is, Dahlia" she said, pausing when she figured that the other kids didn't need to know. Instead she decided to change the subject. "You guys come with me. Kevin got me some new DVDs from the internet that I wanna show you".
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"What are you talking about," Mikey asked, taking a bite of nearly raw bacon as he glanced at Magrace. Over the past three years, he'd grown rather accustomed to his new housemate. That wasn't to say he ever understood the mirror-man, however.
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 22:07:54 GMT -6
"Movies!" Dahlia chirped happily and climbed down from her chair, following after her friends. She knew Arden usually showed them some weird movies, but she was in the mood to watch something, no matter how strange it was.
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Magrace rested his bright eyes on the youth to his side, a thoughtful expression on his ghostly visage. He expected the murderer to know what he was talking about. After all, it did not seem like him to forget the one child that managed to escape his clutches.
"He whose blood you have yet to spill. The time has finally come for us to put our plan into action, my friend. We need the child, the harbinger of the Gate."
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 22:13:08 GMT -6
"Well, it's not so much a movie. More like a collection of PSAs" Arden said as she walked up the stairs, followed by her brother and best friend.
"You mean?" Nikolai asked, smiling a little as he realized what his twin was talking about. This was going to be fun.
----------------------------
Mikey sighed loudly. He walked over to a small lamp and turned it on. The black room suddenly turned grey in the very dim light.
"Magrace" he said, sounding like a parent scolding their child for spoiling their dinner. "I already told you, that child is dead. None have ever escaped me, and none ever will".
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 22:32:15 GMT -6
Dahlia blinked in confusion, having no idea what she meant. Still, as long as she got to watch something, she was happy. She shrugged and walked after them, eager to see what Arden had to show them.
---------------------------------------------------
Magrace closed his eyes again. It seemed the foolish boy actually believed that he managed to kill him. Then again, he could hardly blame him. After doing so much damage to the child, it was only natural that he thought he died. Nevertheless, Nikolai was very much alive.
"We grow tired of your pathetic delusions. You forget that the soul of the child is bound to our own. We can feel the strength of his anima..." he informed him calmly.
He paused for a few moments to rest. Despite the fact that the had been recovering for three years, his soul still lacked enough strength to stay active for more than a few hours a day. While this was once a great problem for him, but now it was nothing more than a minor nuisance. After three long years he had finally formulated a plan that he could execute even without his physical form.
"Had your efforts been successfully, rest assured that the mother would have found and killed you by now. We regret to inform you that your perfect record is indeed tarnished. But fortunately for you, you now have a chance to correct your mistake."
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 22:36:01 GMT -6
Arden led her comrades into the rec room and placed a seemingly blank CD into the DVD player. She then took a seat on the sofa. Nikolai joined her a moment later.
------------------------------
"How could that child possibly survive? I gave him enough pills to kill a child twice his size" Mikey ranted quietly. He then turned to Magrace. "Wouldn't ending the child's life also end yours, if you're souls are connected?"
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 22:46:48 GMT -6
Dahlia plopped down next to them, her eyes fixed on the screen. She smiled happily and waited to see what Arden had to show them.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Magrace slowly opened his eyes. "Our souls share a bond, but the existence of each does not depend upon the other. We are separate entities, yet at the same time all too similar."
He looked at the frustrated young man, the brightness of his spectral eyes piercing through the darkness. "Many years ago, we were of one spirit. All the dreams that might have been... All the happiness, and the sorrow, we might have known. Our tomorrow, as it has been witnessed. He saw my future, but remembers it not."
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 22:50:37 GMT -6
After a few moments, the image of Sonic the Hedgehog appeared on the screen and he began to speak.
"Kids, there's nothing more cooler then being hugged by someone you like. But if someone tries to touch you in a place or in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, that's no good! It's your body. No one has the right to touch it if you don't want them to, so whaddaya do? First, ya say "NO!" Then, ya get outta there! Most important, you gotta tell someone ya trust, like your parents, your teacher, a police officer"
As the screen went black, the twins glanced at each other, before bursting out laughing and falling to the floor, leaning against each other for support.
----------------------------------
"But, why do you need this particular child? I need him to finish what I started, but what use is he to you?" Mikey asked. He then remember the comment about the child's mother. "Do you really think the mother would go to the trouble of hunting me down? After all, she did have another child, am I correct?"
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Post by masterwarlord on Jul 4, 2009 22:50:30 GMT -6
After finding nothing remotely helpful in the books, Envy was quick to give up and just continue his usual routine. He continued just trying to live life to the fullest, but eventually Bartholomew Gluttony had one of his servants tail the homunculus to see if he was actually doing anything to help the cause. . .Upon hearing the report from his servant, Bartholomew was absolutely furious.
Once Envy arrived back at the mansion that day, he was rather startled to find Bartholomew waiting right up in front of the door to greet him. ”What is it. . .” Envy asked in annoyance, seeing that Gluttony was clearly upset with hin. Bartholomew had his arms folded as he stared down at Envy, staring down (Or up, for he was rather short and stubby) at him in disgust. ”I’ve finally learned that you don’t give a damn about going back to Amestris anymore. . .I watched you, Envy. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? Pathetic.”. Envy sighed inwardly, but on the outside he showed nothing but cockiness as he smirked and propped himself against the wall. ”Actually, I already gave up a good two years ago, Barty. It makes me wonder if you’re not the alternate version of Sloth instead of Gluttony, seeing it took you so damn long.” he said as he chuckled slightly.
Gluttony rolled his eyes. ”This is the last straw, Envy. I want you out of this house by tomorrow, and I want you to take that inferior version of me with you. If I ever see your face again, I’ll reveal what –really- happened at that house three years ago. Did you gather all that, or should I repeat it again so your pathetic little mind can absorb all that?”. Envy twitched in annoyance considerably at this. ”Goddamit. Fine. Have it your way. But do you really think you’ll actually find somebody who can help you, much less will want to? You need me.”. Envy smirked. Gluttony went to leave into his mansion. ”Oh please. I’ve already hired a team to do the work for me since you proved to be obsolete. You’ve already told me all that I need to know. I no longer have any use of you, homunculus.”. ”You do know what you’re working for will give me all my power back, right? I won’t forget this too easily.”. ”And I’m sure you won’t forget the superior technology of this world. You can only regenerate from wounds so many times, and with our advanced weaponry, we could kill you in a matter of seconds.”.
Envy decided to cease arguing with Bartholomew as he went to fetch the real Gluttony and his belongings. . .And a spare $20000. Bartholomew was impossible to argue with, so he wasn’t even going to try. He’d certainly learned that after spending a good 3 years with him. He doubted that there really was a way to get to Amestris, and if Gluttony did indeed find it he could probably make a deal with him to get back into his favor, seeing he’d still have undeniable power. As he went to leave, Envy turned back to Bartholomew. ”It’s been fun, Barty. We’ve always been great friends. I’ll never forget you.” said Envy in a mocking tone as he left. ”Neither will I. Good riddance.”
***
Envy never so much as considered getting a job after leaving Bartholomew’s place, simply living off the money he’d stolen from the obese businessman. This worked perfectly fine. . .For a month or so. Envy splurged his money, draining it all very fast, especially considering he had to feed Gluttony, who managed to eat absurd amounts of food despite still being human. Envy didn’t know why he went out of his way to help Gluttony. . .Probably because he was the only thing he had left from his old world. . .That didn’t want to tear him apart anyway.
After losing his money, Envy struggled to pay his bills considerably. He managed to live on for another couple weeks by selling the many possessions he’d splurged his cash on, but in the end he was ultimately let with nothing, with the exception of a money eating machine that was bound to him. Living on the streets, Envy eventually became desperate. He was beginning to regain his intelligence that he’d put to the side while living his life of luxury. . .Envy was getting tired of Gluttony’s constant whining of being hungry, and he didn’t particularly want to, god forbid, actually get a job and WORK. The hell with that. Envy had become quite lazy after having mooched off of Bartholomew’s money for so damn long.
While is was extremely unappealing, Envy wasn’t left with another option. He had to go back to the house where the other Amestrians were. While he doubted they’d actually take him in, he might get lucky. After all, it’d been 3 years, hadn’t it? Maybe Dante and Barry weren’t living there anymore. They were the only ones that absolutely wanted him dead. After not having so much as dared to come within a mile of the house for over 3 years, Envy (Along with Gluttony) reluctantly came up to the old house and ringed the doorbell. . .God. This was going to be torture. . .
((That AOSTH Sonic reference is epic, Martel.))
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