Scene 1: Shit hits the fan running.

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Apr 22, 2020 4:27 am
Sodus Point, New York, February 14th, 3:48 am

"Sodus Point sits on a spit of land that juts into Lake Ontario just north of New York’s Finger Lakes region. The village’s wide swimming beach at Sodus Point Beach Park offers swimming and sunbathing, while the Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club draws golfing fanatics. Downtown, Captain Jack’s Good Time Tavern serves seafood and steaks on the water. Overnight at the Carriage House Inn, an 1870 Victorian bed and breakfast overlooking Lake Ontario and the Sodus Bay lighthouse."

Sounds great right? Well it is, in the summer, during tourist season. That ain't right now though. Nope, it's the ass end of winter and the weather is letting you know it. It's freakin' cold. Your weather app says 37 degrees, but with the wind and the wet sleet that can't decide if it wants to freeze, well, it ain't pleasant.

Your team of Hunters has been sent here to investigate killing. Two weeks ago there was a thaw. Four naked bodies were found under a sheet of ice, buck naked. A married couple in their early thirties and pair of twenty something kids. All local. No known connections beyond the wedding vows. The older two ran one of the two dentist offices in town. The younger woman was a seasonal beer cart driver at the golf resort, but was a part time waitress in the off season. A blonde, and good looking, so tips must have come easy. The young guy was a software developer...kind of...he had the degree and a decent resume, but he was between full-time gigs. He had some work-for-hire stuff, and the local news ran a quote from his landlord and mother that he was working on a big new app or something. She claims it was "Big Pharma" that was worried her son would shatter their strangle hold on the market or some such BS.

The local gossip, given the state the bodies were found in, claims it was sex related. The dentist and his wife made good money, and rumors said they really gouged the tourists when they came in for emergency work, so they were loaded. On the surface they didn't really seem the type, but then again, appearances can be deceiving. The waitress fit well into that theory, she was probably everyone's type when it came to having flings and one-off adventures. The programmer less so. He was pudgy, pale and going bald early. His hygiene left something to be desired at times from reports, and he wasn't much of a social butterfly. And both of the kids saw the other dentist in town.

What the local gossip didn't know though was that besides being naked, the bodies had been partially mutilated in a very specific way. Each victim had a different organ removed. The dentist had his left kidney removed, the wife lost her gallbladder. The waitress had her reproductive removed, and the programmer was missing his spleen. The removals were all done surgically, and the victims were alive for an estimated four days after the surgeries. Needless to say, no records of the victims checking into a hospital for surgery could be located.

The books of dark magic collected hint at the purpose of the killing. Demons can't grant life, but the black arts can restore what was lost. Assuming the vvytch was able to obtain a genetic sample from a third man, they could sacrifice the four lives to their demon and be granted a child. And a lot of demons like drowning as a means of sacrifice.

The question is who is the vvytch, without a common thread the list of possibilities includes every woman of birthing age, or greater, in a town of 868 total. Well, 864 now.

The only connection the forward team was able to put together that all four of the victims was last seen at Smiling Jack's Pub four a week before their bodies were found. It's a local place, off the beaten path so the tourists usually miss it, but it is popular enough with the locals. But in the winter they close at 1 am. Most of the town closes before 9, the pub stays open a little later for the drunks though.

But your flight was delayed, the weather made you miss last call and the last drunk had stumbled away long before your car arrived.
Now you find yourselves standing in the cold driving sleet looking at a dark pub on a sleepy street in a cold sleepy town.

What's next?
OOC:
I know we're still a few members short, but maybe they will join us before the action gets to intense?
Apr 22, 2020 6:55 am
"What an absolute shithole..."

Jack Carlin stares at the closed bar with a look of deep annoyance. The journey to here had been a slog beyond belief, and the fact that the bar is closed is...displeasing. He goes over to the window and peaks inside.
Apr 22, 2020 7:21 am
Ever since arriving in this town, Charlie has been keeping her eyes open, memorizing the town as they pass through it. It has become a habit for her. Escape routes is what she calls them. The more places she knows, the more places she can escape to.

She's huddled in thick clothes, a hood drawn over her face, just as much to ward off the cold as to hide herself.
"I... I can probably get us inside", she says meekly as Jack peeks through the window. Immediately, she realizes how unhelpful that would be, seeing as nobody is there to question. She quietly adds: "Nevermind..."
Apr 22, 2020 8:50 am
"Yeah, well, closing time isn’t exactly the best time to chat with the drunks anyway." Aliya looked up and down the deserted streets. It seemed a little eerie to her to see no one about, but then again she wasn’t exactly the small town type. Even though she knew she was in upstate New York, she couldn’t help but imagine the sound of banjos coming from somebody’s front porch. The ‘smallness’ of everything was already making her feel claustrophobic. "Maybe we just catch some sleep and talk to the bloody mary crowd tomorrow morning."
Last edited April 22, 2020 5:35 pm
Apr 22, 2020 11:03 am
Lex needed to feel something. She was only vaguely aware of the others chatter as she looked over the pub, her hands fiddling with a metal ring puzzle to try and stay distracted. She had avoided using her powers on the trip here, to save energy, but they had been delayed and she was deeply regretting it.

'Right. Because talking to people is the only way to get information.' She says blankly, before looking to their resident teleporter. 'Get me in, I will see if I can find something not contaminated by drunks.' At this point she didn't actually care, but she had to at least give the pretense of doing it for their job.

'You all either stay out here freezing or can join us and see if there's evidence of anything shady' She shouldn't sound so commanding but she needed to get in, to touch, not just stand around turning into an icicle.
Apr 22, 2020 1:06 pm
Jack smiles coldly at Lex.

"Tsk tsk, so impatient...but fine, I’m bored. We might as well do a little breaking and entering""
Apr 22, 2020 2:57 pm
Charlie nods sheepishly. When Lex' tone becomes more commanding, even if it is not directed at her, her shoulders shrink a bit, barely visibly. She hopes nobody noticed.
She moves to the window next to Jack to look inside and at the counter. If they're lucky, there is a key lying around that she could get out for them. There would be less risk in that, but it's very unlikely. It wouldn't just be lying out in the open.

If she can't see a key, she will have to risk using her power to get inside.
Apr 22, 2020 4:02 pm
OOC:
This place is not a dive bar, they don't leave the key any place obvious. So, if you want to teleport the whole crew inside, name a card suit. Remeber, Hearts trumped by Spades, Diamonds trumped by Clubs. And vise versa.
Apr 22, 2020 4:03 pm
Li Keqin is currently holding a pigeon gently in his hands, having caught it earlier.

"I shall name you Gideon!", he declares proudly to the pigeon.

The pigeon is confused and pecks at Li Keqin's fingers as he pets it.
OOC:
If Charlie can't use their trick to get the key, I'll use my trick to unlatch the window from the other side.
Apr 22, 2020 4:12 pm
"I'm sorry, I can't see any safe way to get us inside. I could move us all inside but, you know, that could go wrong", Charlie explains in an apologetic tone. "Unless someone has another idea."
OOC:
My trick doesn't work here so go ahead, use yours. Or I could draw the first critfail of the game if you prefer
Apr 22, 2020 4:26 pm
Tearing his gaze away from Gideon, Li Keqin examines the situation.

"I have an idea."

His eyes dilate as he uses his metallokinesis to unlatch the window.

"Done."

Task completed, Li Keqin returns to doting on Gideon, who continues to resist the best that a pigeon can.
Apr 22, 2020 5:30 pm
She forced herself not to run in straight away. Even if it was just a bar, if there was a connection to a VVytch she needed to be at least a bit cautious. She was the information gatherer, not the meat shield. 'Banner, Hannibal, one of you two want to do the honours?' She looks at Aliya and Jack. 'Who knows, for once we may have found the VVytchs den without any screws ups or long pointless endeavours.'
OOC:
She's likely going to be nicknaming everyone. Aliya - Banner, Jack - Hannibal, Charlie - (Shrinking) Violet, Li Keqin - Magneto Or Doolittle
Apr 22, 2020 5:48 pm
"Great, I'll let you talk to my parole officer." Aliyah looks through the open window and shines her mini-maglite around, looking for any motion detectors. She didn't think it was likely they'd have any in a place like this, but (justifiable) paranoia isn't confined to any particular place. Her gaze takes in all the likely spots for motion sensors and cameras.
Apr 22, 2020 10:18 pm
OOC:
My read on this is Li only opened the latch on the inside, it was a simple latch, like turning a knob, easily done. The whole window itself is intact.
Aliya's light finds the ADT sign in the corner of the window, then the amateurishly placed sensor. On the far wall a little keypad is right out in the dining room. This is home security system, very minimal. If the power to the building were cut...no one would find out until morning.
Apr 22, 2020 11:13 pm
OOC:
Where's the motion sensor placed?

Also, on another note, how long have we known each other?
Apr 23, 2020 4:41 am
OOC:
It's a typical window sensor, so it sits right inside on the frame. Where the upper and lower panes overlap. So if you opened the window it would break the connection and trigger the alarm. You can see the wire running to the wall that then leads to the key pad.
Apr 23, 2020 5:10 am
"Lex, if... um, if I get you inside, could you figure out the code by touching the keypad? Just an idea"
Apr 23, 2020 5:16 am
'Sounds simple, however the visions take time.' Plus she wanted to enjoy the sensation, not rush it. 'If there are sensors inside that also sense movement, it will depend how long the grace period is. If they are just on the windows, easy.'
Apr 23, 2020 5:40 am
With the sense that he didn't quite think the process through, Li Keqin provides a suggestion.

"Wouldn't it be easier to apport the keypad outside? That way Ms. Touchy Feely doesn't have to go inside to touch it."
Apr 23, 2020 6:54 am
OOC:
Is the electrical service panel outside?
Aliya starts walking around the building, looking for the spot where the electrical lines come down to it.
Last edited April 23, 2020 6:54 am
Apr 23, 2020 7:19 am
"The keypad is... seems to be attached to the... to the wall," Charlie replies. "I don't think - I mean I can try - but I don't think I can just take it out."
Apr 23, 2020 8:35 am
Aliya keeps looking, and calls back over her shoulder, "If I can find the breaker box, we won't have to worry about it."
Apr 23, 2020 11:10 am
Lex looked blankly at Li, wondering if such an idea deigned a response. Then again of she didn't they might try it. 'You do realise if we disconnect it there's a high chance it will go off. And even if it doesn't typing the number in won't do anything if its not attached?' She directed at Li in her normal monotone.

Aliya at least was being sensible. Too sensible as it got rid of the plan where she used her powers.
Apr 23, 2020 3:55 pm
Li Keqin's face draws a blank as he processes that logic slowly.

"Huh, I guess you're right."

Unperturbed by his own idiocy, Li Keqin goes back to giving Gideon little kisses. Gideon responds to the affection by biting his lips.
Apr 23, 2020 6:21 pm
"Worst case scenario, Charlie, if you can get me in there, I can splice the line going out of the control box so that the loop stays closed even if we open every door and window in the whole goddamn place. We could even invite all the locals back and have a party" she adds dryly.
Apr 24, 2020 2:34 am
OOC:
Ok, did some checking (and maybe put myself on a watch list...hope that doesn't come back to haunt me... XD) You need to kill the phone and the power. There will be a delay, between 30 and 60 seconds. You all have enough training or personal experience that you can probably figure out where how to do that. There are no basements in this town because of the potential flooding. So the breaker is probably in the kitchen which makes up the back of the building. The phone line also seems to run to the back. If the phones and the power were cut, no one would know until morning.

And if we want to retcon this so that you all knew this and moved to the kitchen window after seeing the keypad, that's fine too.
Apr 24, 2020 6:03 am
OOC:
I would say we don't have to retcon. Aliya can just find the important bits in the back.
Apr 24, 2020 6:05 am
OOC:
Yeah. And I get the feeling this teams has no idea what the words 'plan' and 'organisation' mean, so just stumbling across it fits.
Apr 24, 2020 7:22 am
You can hear Aliya talking in a low voice from the back of the building. "Looks like everything drops in from the back. Don't see a breaker box outside, so good on 'em for thinking of that. Cutting the phone line from out here is a piece of cake, but I'm afraid if I cut the main electrical line its gonna arc like a mother. I once saw an electrician working on a street light who messed up and cut into the line. Smoking shoes melted to the pavement with holes where the electricity grounded. The rest of him was in a pile about fifteen feet away. Just sayin'."
Apr 24, 2020 1:19 pm
"That doesn't sound good", Charlie replies after following Aliya to the back. "What do we do then?"
Apr 24, 2020 3:14 pm
Jack has been standing around impatiently while the rest talks through their options. He’s never been one for waiting or taking the careful way.

"Let’s just cut the fucking lines and get one with it!"

He takes out a small switch knife and moves over to the power lines.
OOC:
Okay, so we’re saying that they would know how to do this, right?
Apr 24, 2020 4:12 pm
Li Keqin looks at the others as Jack approaches the lines.

"Anyone want to bet on whether or not he can cut the lines safely? I bet 10 dollars that he's going to shock himself."
Apr 24, 2020 5:21 pm
''I'll take that bet. Good old Hannibal knows how to use a knife. Wait till Violet can get someone inside to hit the breaker Hannibal.' She speaks the second part louder.

'So who wants the short straw? While she liked to feel, and new sensations fuelled her, she didn't feel up to a apportion accident today
Apr 24, 2020 5:33 pm
OOC:
Why do we have to access the breaker box inside? I thought we just have to cut the cables out here
Apr 24, 2020 5:37 pm
OOC:
If that's the case, then Li Keqin can just snap the wires with his trick.
Apr 24, 2020 5:40 pm
OOC:
Thought we had to hit the power and phone lines with 30-60 seconds of each other.
Apr 24, 2020 6:13 pm
OOC:
But don't we just cut all the cables on the outside?
Apr 24, 2020 6:25 pm
"Hey, Li. You got that metallowhatsis thing going. Think you can weaken the electrical line if I pull on it?" Aliya adjusts the fingerless leather gloves with reinforced knuckles she wears and uses a dumptser to vault up onto the roof of the building. "If we snap them at the weak point where they tie in to the transmission lines, any arcs should happen up there instead of where we are." She reaches down to where the lines attach to the structure and gives them a test tug to see how much slack they have.
Last edited April 24, 2020 6:25 pm
Apr 24, 2020 6:49 pm
Li Keqin yells at the rooftop.

"I mean, if you really want, I could just cut it using my power. As long as I can see it, I can do it."
Apr 24, 2020 8:28 pm
"Oh, well, yeah. That works too." She clambers down from the roof and dusts off her jeans, feeling just a little bit stupid. "If you wanna do that, I’ll go work on the lock."
Apr 24, 2020 9:23 pm
OOC:
You don't have to cut the cables outside if you don't want to. You have two options the way I see it. Option #1...send someone in through the window to kill power to the building by flipping a switch. A very un-destructive plan that leaves little trace of your presence INSIDE the pub. You'd have time for one or two actions before the alarm triggers, plenty of time to get across the romm and flip the main breaker. Option #2...Find the spot where the power lines enter the house and destroy that. Again, easily done, but it will leave evidence that someone fucked with the wires because wires don't rip themselves apart on the reg.

Regardless of the option chosen, the phone lines also have to be cut at essentially the same time. Depending on how it is done, this could be made to look like a result of the weather, or another a freak accident.

I just need a plan. Two people need to take actions. Speed probably, or Brawn...Intellect could work maybe. Not Charm as we are talking about inanimate objects, not people.
Apr 24, 2020 9:27 pm
OOC:
Does Li have to draw a card to rip the cable apart?
I prefer the option that leaves less obvious damage but if one choice doesnt make us draw a card, that would be safer.
Apr 24, 2020 10:10 pm
OOC:
I like taking both lines out at the pole so it looks like it could be weather or some really heavy pigeons. And we get both at once!
Apr 24, 2020 10:12 pm
OOC:
If you think about it, Li Keqin can flip the switch using his trick as well if he can see it from outside. That leaves some one to cut the phone lines.
Apr 25, 2020 2:35 am
OOC:
No, I think the outside junction box is to much for a Trick to take it all out. Either a draw or a couple rolls are needed. The interior switch is not in eyeline from the window.
Apr 25, 2020 5:19 am
OOC:
We could go back to my original 'weaken and yank' plan.
Apr 25, 2020 7:58 am
OOC:
I don’t really think we can make cutting both the phone and electrical lines outside look like an accident. But maybe if we go in and make it look like a standard break in and robbery, it won’t lead the attention back to us?
Apr 25, 2020 8:34 am
While the debate rages on, Aliya walks over to a nearby tree and breaks off a fairly good sized branch. She then deposits it on the ground near her favorite climbing dumpster. With a bound, she climbs on the dumpster and from there gets back on the roof. She takes a moment, then launches herself off the building, grabbing the lines with both hands as she sails past. Just as her full weight is about to be absorbed by the lines she pulls down with all her strength - hopefully causing them to snap or rip free from one end or the other. (If the plan works, she’ll deposit the broken branch in with the downed wires and let someone else try to figure out how that happened.)
Last edited April 25, 2020 8:36 am
Apr 29, 2020 4:44 am
OOC:
This action seems more complicated than just flipping a switch. You'll need a roll if this is only using your trick. If you want it to be your power, add a draw.
Apr 29, 2020 5:41 am
OOC:
In this case, think she's basically just using her Brawn (and her MMA skills if possible to time the 'strike'). Aliya also has the trait 'Mechanically Minded,' which she could use to understand the weak points of a construction and how to exploit them - something she definitely takes advantage of when in the ring.
Last edited April 29, 2020 5:45 am

Rolls

Wire Drop-Rip Maneuver (Brawn 13, MMA skill?) - (1d20)

(9) = 9

Apr 29, 2020 6:16 pm
Aliya rips down the wires with a shower of sparks and a loud crack. The still live wires his and jot a bit when they hit the ground, forcing her to back up quickly. Another spark from the far end causes the transformer to send out it's own shower of sparks. The area gets darker than it was as the two street lights that had been providing some manner of ambient light go out, apparently plunging the entire block into a black out.

At least she's accomplished what she set out to do? Plus, in a town like this, it will be hours before the power company can get anyone out of bed and get a truck over here to check it out. The pub is yours to do with as you will it seems.
Apr 29, 2020 7:17 pm
"I always prefer the subtle approach," Aliya says, wiping her hands and dusting off her jeans. "Shall we?"
Apr 29, 2020 7:20 pm
OOC:
Have we taken care of the phone lines already?
Apr 29, 2020 7:40 pm
OOC:
They should both have gone down when Aliya 'disconnected' the building from the transmission pole. At least that was the intent to get both lines at the same time.
Apr 29, 2020 7:47 pm
OOC:
Okay, I didn't know if they both run there together.
In that case, we can go in through the window now, I guess
Apr 29, 2020 7:50 pm
"...that was supposed to be subtle was it?"

Jack can’t help but smile at the audacity of the move Aliya just pulled off.

"Well at least all the talking is over, let’s check this place out"

Jack strides over, picks the lock on the door and opens it.
OOC:
Figured that with no time issue and the fact that the lock probably is basic, it shouldn’t be an issue to lockpick the door, but if you want me to roll I can?
Last edited April 29, 2020 7:51 pm
Apr 29, 2020 7:59 pm
"We... we have to probably get inside quickly," Charlie remarks with an apologetic tone when Jack starts working on the door. "The neighbors are probably going to come out and see what happened. I think. The window is already open, right? Maybe we should just..."
Apr 29, 2020 8:02 pm
Li Keqin lifts the window that he unlatched earlier and crawls through.
Apr 29, 2020 8:05 pm
Jack shoots an annoyed look at Charlie. "Urgh, fuck it, fine!" He grumbles as he walks back around to the open window and crawls in.
Apr 29, 2020 8:06 pm
"I'm sorry," she replies meekly, her posture small and defensive. She waits until Jack is inside and follows with some distance.
Apr 29, 2020 8:14 pm
'...for once I would like to finish pretending to make plan before we decide to do something completely different' Lex delivers deadpan even as she walks quickly to the door, eager to get inside and start investigating
Apr 30, 2020 6:42 pm
As Aliya walks past Charlie, she gives her a smile and a pat on the shoulder. "You don't need to apologize for being smart. Just do you and let the world deal."
Apr 30, 2020 8:24 pm
Charlie only barely manages to stop herself from apologizing to Aliya as well. Once she enters the bar as the last person of the group, she asks shyly: "What exactly are we looking for now?"
Apr 30, 2020 8:30 pm
"Not sure...anything that don’t belong in a bar or anything that could be related to the victims"

Jack looks around, trying to get a sense of the building.
Apr 30, 2020 9:46 pm
'Or anything that could prove something shady is going on' Lex hops over the bar. She was eager to use her powers but she told herself to wait. She'd done the drunk recall before and it was not enjoyable. 'If they have any kind of lost property maybe I could see if any belongs to the victims.' Even as she speaks she goes to pour herself a shot. They wouldn't miss one, and it would keep the edge off while she waited for the others to find something useful.
Apr 30, 2020 9:53 pm
Aliya's going to nose around and see if she can find an office, or what would serve as an office for the bar owner.
Apr 30, 2020 10:04 pm
Charlie wanders around the bar, looking for anything that might be out of place, but with no particular strategy behind her search.
May 2, 2020 7:16 pm
Aliya finds a room in the kitchen, really not much more than an over-sized closet. The door is locked, but flashing a light through the narrow window above the knob reveals a computer on a folding table, several file boxes, a short three draw metal filing cabinet and a medium sized safe. Several knick-knacks and pictures on the wall add up to make this the office she is looking for. But the door is locked.

Jack wanders around getting the layout. There is the main room, with the bar and the tables, a short hall with bathrooms for one person at a time, and a back room with two dart board and a pool table. This room isn't really big enough for regulation darts. The thrower would have to stand in front of the bathroom, but the line of the floor is a good two feet forward of that. Circling around from the bathrooms is a door leading upstairs that says "Employees Only" but isn't locked. A brief glimpse inside tells him upstairs is mostly storage for non-food pub items, toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins being the obvious at a glance. Not very interesting, but has the potential to conceal more. In the back corner of the pool room sit a claw machine, and two video game cabinets. One is Hot-Shot Golf, the other is completely blank. Since the power is out, all screens and lights are off.

Behind the bar Charlie opens a cabinet under the register. There is a small safe with a box of seemingly random junk. Keys, wallets, loose IDs, toys from the claw machine, and two trucker hats with rather crude jokes printed on them. This is probably the lost and found box.
May 2, 2020 7:23 pm
"Uhmm, Lex? Can you... would you mind... I found something," she says. When Lex comes over, she points out the lost and found box and says: "Maybe something here belongs to the victims? But I don't know, maybe not."
May 2, 2020 7:26 pm
Aliya pulls what at first glance appears to be a booby pin from her short black hair. On closer inspection, its made of a much heavier construction. She unfolds it and locks it into its open position, and begins using it to work the lock. "Well, at least this part feels familiar," she thinks to herself.
OOC:
Aliya's going to try to use her B&E skills to pick the lock. I'm hoping this would be Speed and not Intellect, but I'll list both for the roll, just in case.

Rolls

Lock Picking (Spd 13, Int 8, Skilled) - (1d20)

(16) = 16

May 2, 2020 7:35 pm
'Atta girl' Despite the words they are delivered in her usual monotone. She downs a second shot before pouring one and sliding it towards Charlie. She crouches by the safe.

'Violet, go through the ID's, and see if the wallets have ID in them, see if any are our dearly departed. Any without ID put in a pile' She states as she picks up key. Keys were they would likely have more information than stuffed toys. She took her breath, telling herself to only focus on the surface remnants first. She needed to sort through all this stuff quickly to find out if there as anything valuable. Then she finally give in to a full read.

'We may as ell keep any money as well. Then if they figure out we broke in, they'll think we were after that'
OOC:
Using her trick to see if there anything interesting basically. Order is likely keys, hats, any wallet without id in it, then the toys
Last edited May 2, 2020 7:35 pm
May 2, 2020 7:46 pm
Charlie gets to work following Lex' orders. She goes through the IDs, looking for the victims. She also goes through the wallets, putting all the money on one pile and sorting the wallets according to Lex' suggestion.
She leaves the shot untouched and only if she feels Lex looking at her expectantly about it, she takes a tiny sip of it now and then.
May 2, 2020 8:31 pm
Li Keqin is taking an innovative approach to investigation, which consists of walking around and pointing Gideon at different parts of the bar. The logic was that Gideon, with his natural instincts, would react abnormally to anything unnatural or dangerous, such as traces of a VVytch.
May 2, 2020 9:05 pm
Jack walks around the building disinterestedly, nothing really looks too much out of the ordinary. After considering the different rooms, he decides that the supply closet might be worth rummaging through.
OOC:
Checking the supply closet
May 12, 2020 5:55 am
OOC:
Bump to hopefully keep the story going....

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