[Two weeks after arriving in Aefenglom, Elliot finally felt oriented enough to this new place to feel the curiosity to explore. But more importantly, he was in need of some cash. Selling off a couple quartz had gotten him through the first couple weeks, but he didn't fancy selling off the rest if he didn't have to.
The answer came from the request board. It felt nostalgic, looking through tasks not unlike he did when he was in Class VII. The problem was, most of them were ones he wasn't able to do all by himself from lack of physical skill or just didn't qualify. But that's where Eren came in. Elliot was still getting to know him, but he'd like to think they clicked pretty well. And more important, Eren made up for the things Elliot was lacking in, and vice versa. A good set up for a team, and a good test subject to see how similar bonds were to combat links.
The missions were simple: gather a bag of fur, and stay out the night outside the wall. Elliot had done his best to scrounge up necessary camping supplies, and reviewed spells that'd be handy. They had a few vials of the bond potion with them, making sure to take it before they left through the gate. Right away, Elliot could pick out some similarities. The "awareness" of his bond partner's presence was the same as ever. It felt muted, but that was pretty normal with a new partner.
But one stark difference? Was feeling the built up magic being drained out of him. Even if he'd been practicing magic regularly, the bond made it very apparent just how much energy had been building up in him.
Twenty minutes into their journey, he'll mention this much.]
Man...they really weren't kidding about bond effects...thought I'd just been over tired and stressed, but...
[Nope apparently he was on his way of being explodey. The real downside when you have a lot of potential magic power]
[ bonded already, leaving the walled city was much less of a problem now, though used with caution. a temporary bond was of no problem to him, especially when asked by elliot. he was fair, he was a young man of principles— if not a little anxious, and that interferes from time to time (or maybe it was just eren that was too spongegar).
eren’s been a little more quiet on their outing, not from a sour mood toward him or anything in particular, but!! growing pains. his chest aches, nothing entirely visible to the eye where changes are concerned, but poking out from awkward tufts of hair are two little nubs, sore and prickling at the base. will itches never leave him alone now . . . (no)
the differences between a true bond and a temporary vial were arrant to eren the moment he took his first swallow. handy in pinches, not to be discarded— but dependent on situation. there was no flurry of emotion, completely dulled, and felt like that been tied to each other by a rope connecting their waists.
not bad, but oddly— he does prefer a bond. eren grunts in return, rubbing his palm against the buttons of bone on his head and giving a more discontent huff. when he wants to scratch and there’s just. fresh scabbing. ]
They’re something else. [ really!! ] You said these are . . . Normal, where you’re from?
[Temporary bonds were duller than real ones, but Elliot hadn't had an actual one yet to know the difference. He just knows this whole thing feels like taking an effective medicine. Tension and restless energy from his body was starting to ebb away. ]
Aha...Normal might be bit of a stretch. [It was normal to HIM, but...] Combat Links are pretty recent tech. I was part of a testing program at the Military Academy, so I'm used to them. And in the last year they've become more widespread, but it's not like it's something everyone has.
[He's noticed Eren being quieter, and maybe that's why he's willing to chatter. To fill that silence. It doesn't seem like Eren's mad at him, at least. ]
[ he’s going to find a tree to eventually just. drag his head into. that should do it. at least elliot’s talking is enough to distract him from too many attempts at digging his nails into it. ]
You’d use them to fight? [ come to think of it— ] It— sounds useful.
[ imagine how many cues you can get without saying a single word to each other? ]
Yep, that was the purpose. You're aware of your Link partner at all times, and you could pick up their intentions, so it was perfect for coordinating attacks and support.
[he adjusts the strap of his bag on his shoulder]
'Course, it had its limits. You had to have a natural aptitude to use it, and it wouldn't work if you tried to link with someone you didn't trust either. I'd imagine some of the "lone wolves" among us would have trouble with it.
[You know the ones. The ones who keep resisting getting any sort of bond.]
...Yeah. Here's hoping it's a choice that doesn't end up hurting anyone. [Even if he thinks they're being very unwise, he doesn't want to see anyone hurt, whether it's by going feral or exploding.] Anyway, it's not like I've found a permanent bond yet so maybe I don't have room to talk.
[He had to get on that. He tried bringing it up before to the network but he didn't get any bites. Guess he needed to go a different way]
So...what do you wanna hunt today? I think as long as it's furry and something we can eat for dinner, anything works.
[ eren considers something— he doesn’t know elliot much, but neither did he know all about mikleo at the time they decided it was a good idea. polybonding was encouraged, after all, and while eren hadn’t been intentionally seeking out another . . . when he thinks of the possibility, he could only see benefits. he had nothing to hide. his full moons were bound to get worse as they come, and having friends he could put his trust in to ground him, while helping them, where was the bad in that?
he wasn’t dumb, like some people were. elliot shifts from the topic before he can say something on it, which might be for the best. he wants to see how they work together before he plans on bringing it up.
so, hunting. ]
As long as we can eat it, I don’t care either. [ he didn’t know much about hunting, sasha knew, but he remembers a thing or two. he just doesn’t know how to work arrows, or traps, but. ] . . . I can track the first thing we find and we’ll see where it leads?
[The temporary bond makes things too muted for Elliot to pick up on what Eren is contemplating. Right now, he is focused more on the hunt. Elliot wouldn't call him a hunter, he's no Gaius, but he's been on enough monster hunts and forage for food enough times to have an idea of what to do.
He nods]
Sounds good to me. Lead the way.
[He plans to follow Eren, as back up. He's not very great at tracking, but at least he can listen for things.]
[ alright, well. time to go lizard. he’ll have to occasionally get closer to the ground to get a better scent of what’s what. the problem: he doesn’t actually know what he’s tracking. only that he’s eventually found a different musk from the dirt and the trees, and guides himself with it.
[Eren is real lucky that Class VII has so many weirdos that Elliot does not question this tactic to the extent that he should. A slight raised eyebrow, sure, but it doesn't get any actual comments. ]
Hmmm...
[he digs into his bag, pulling out a net, and a grappling hook and some rope that he totally lifted from that last mission]
[ hm. they’re going to have to think about this better. glancing upwards toward the trees, then back down, hand to mouth in thought and: ]
They’ll work. [ find a good spot to set the net and throw the rope over a branch to pull. he motions for the objects, the net and rope, specifically, to tie them together as they walked. it’ll have to be something small with these. he winces, occasionally, but the ache against his skull can be skipped over. ] Do you have any spells down, yet?
[He'll offer him the net and rope, letting Eren take care of that work.] A few, but as for ones that'd be useful here....
[He goes quiet, his hand going to his chin as he thinks about it.]
Oh, I know. I can cast a soundproofing spell on you. It'll mute any sounds you make. Though it only lasts a few minutes, so we'll have to keep that in mind.
[ oh, a soundproofing spell actually sounds . . . better, than what he was thinking. eren considers a little more silently as his fingers twirl to work the knots.
he huffs, impatient and annoyed with it, rubbing the buttons of keratin on his head with mindfulness. it soothes for only a second, alas, that’s what bothers him most. ]
I think I’m growing horns.
[ slowly, even. he’d prefer a sudden growth and get over with it than this, but hey. if this is what kaede and zack felt, those two are heroes. ]
[ eren looks back over to him— it’s a little hard not to be aware of a flushing face now, although that could be for quite a few reasons . . . not one that causes him to react the same way for now, at least. ]
If you’re comfortable with it. I’m gonna finish up.
[ he’ll sit down to finish now, for two things: save energy, and if elliot still wanted to, be at a proper height to touch his head. eren letts his legs cross under him while continuing on to the next knot, and the one after that. it could be embarrassing for the other, he’s aware, but— eren knows enough of the benefits to be open to it. he’s free to do what he feels best.
[Was he comfortable with it? No, not really. Feeling the head of someone is a very awkward situation. But he felt even more uncomfortable about the idea of leaving this guy to hurt when the solution was in Elliot's power.
Right. And that's what mattered. He swallows, steeling himself]
...S-Sure, I am. We're partners, right? We look after each other.
[Was that to Eren or to himself? Either way, when Eren sits down, he'll stand on his knees next to him and with quaking hands, reach up and start rubbing the area around those horn nubs.
Which...wow. Of course there's the feeling of his face heating up. He expected that. He also expected the feeling of that soft hair through his fingers. He wasn't expecting, however, the pleasant filter of his energy being filtered to be kicked into high gear as it transfers to Eren. It felt nice, akin to the feeling of a warm shower or freshly cleaned clothes.
With that sensation? It's easier to relax into it. Skittish touches turned into a tender yet gentle massage. ]
[ well— it officially wasn’t the first (nor last) time he’s let someone touch his hair, hiccup did a good job teaching him how to braid it and mikleo’s given fair attention to this rather erotic spot when stroked and scratched right. eren’s breath hitches in, soft and subtle as the exchange soothes his ache, and automatically, his shoulders dip to relax from their strain.
not just the energy trade, but the actual kneading against his bumps allows for a sigh that comes up a little too audible. it just— feels good. feels much better than hurting, than stinging, and while his entire face doesn’t flush, it’s clear that his ears are becoming the same sort of scarlet his softly scaled nape is.
in fact, the scale coloring deepens, and while he doesn’t stop his work, he does slow down. enough that, he’s closing his eyes. it’s not like he needed to see the knots to do them anyway. ]
You have good hands.
[ he needs to keep talking, unless he wanted to lose focus, fall asleep or . . . something else. ]
[He keeps up the massaging without even thinking about whether he needs to or not. Eren will pull away when he's had enough, right? For now, it feels good enough to keep it up. It also feels good seeing Eren reacting positively to it. ]
Ehe, well...musician. Gotta take care of my hands. But thanks.
[He does notice the flush of those ears. He's not sure when that happened. Maybe they're always this red from this angle...yeah.
But right, talking.]
You have nice hair. Bet it'll still be nice when the horns grow too.
[...Okay look he only has so much to work with that doesn't sound gay he's massaging a man's scalp here.]
[ a hum! or, rather, sounds more like a grunt that says “oh! makes sense!” never mind that he is slowly, but surely, melting in his hands, with the slight weight elliot might feel getting pushed into his palms. eren rolls his shoulders, and drops his head back. only a few more knots left.
he huffs out the quiet beginnings of a laugh, though. it’s not at him! ]
I don’t mind my hair anymore. I used to cut it. [ but now it’s free to, you know. grow to whatever length it desires. anything close to flirting initially goes right over his head, but what his tongue picks up as he licks his lips . . . is something he’s tasted before. briefly, his eyes open, and he can catch a bit of elliot in an upside down view. ]
I’m— not going to go feral, or anything. [ a pause, and suddenly— he feels awkward to say it. ] You, [ gesture, uh ] taste nervous, or.
Aha, that doesn't surprise me. Something about you makes me think you're the soldier type. [He's been around a lot of soldiers. He's used to the way they move, talk, walk. Eren wasn't a hardliner like Neithardt, but the telltale signs were still there.] But I'd say this suits you better.
[He can't put his finger on exactly why, but it..does. Maybe it was more personalized, more free]
Well words like that were enough to snap him out of his little trance, but probably not for the reasons to be expected. Eren saying he's not going to go feral, trying to assure him, it...it reminds him of Rean. Or rather, all the times would be so hard on himself for his ogre power, or be afraid of hurting them.]
I'm not nervous about that.
[He says it without the slightest bit of doubt. He doesn't even question why Eren can taste him as nervous because whatever- dragons are weird and his anxiety is hardly a great national secret.
Instead, he's focused on Eren now. Without thinking, one hand leaves the top of his head and moves to Eren's cheek, turning his head so he can look at him directly, to show that he means it.]
Even if you could go feral, I'd still stick around, okay? This is a temporary bond, but I still plan to support you with all I have. Even if I had to keep you in check.
[ adjusting the tilt of his head to turn upright and to better face him. that’s. hm.
he can’t say he’s worried about that anymore, he was simply going with what he smelled. tasted. whatever. what else did he have to be nervous about, right? and it still doesn’t answer the question of nervousness— but eren can’t derail something as sincere as that. his brows pinch ever slightly, curving as his lips do in a smile. eventually, he takes elliot’s hand away from his face, to clasp it better with the entirety of his palm covering the other’s and squeezing with the same amount, of not doubled of sturdy reassurance.
though not quite saturated as they could be, the colorful specks to his scales are bright. ]
Thanks. [ it’s sincere, and there isn’t much else to say to that. he’s grateful he can run into the right people, like this. and whatever it is that he’s nervous about— ] If you’re with me, you don’t need to worry, either.
[Oh. Oh now that his moment of encouragement and projection was over, he realizes what he's done. Now Eren was holding onto his hand and smiling at him, those scales bright. This is a much closer position than the horn rubbing was. His cheeks turn a shade of pink as this realization dawns on him.]
I-
[He gulps a little. Eren was definitely still picking up on his nerves. He can't dance around it, or Eren might think he doesn't trust him. And he doesn't want that. Combat links break if the partners have trouble trusting each other. Who knows if bonds react the same way]
I-It's not that. I mean, I always feel worry, but I trust you. You'll look out for me too. I-It's more-
[Nngh, just get out with it]
Combat Links never really...had this much...touching? S-So I'm still getting used to it. [Quickly] Not that it's a bad thing!
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Let us Quest; June 13ish
The answer came from the request board. It felt nostalgic, looking through tasks not unlike he did when he was in Class VII. The problem was, most of them were ones he wasn't able to do all by himself from lack of physical skill or just didn't qualify. But that's where Eren came in. Elliot was still getting to know him, but he'd like to think they clicked pretty well. And more important, Eren made up for the things Elliot was lacking in, and vice versa. A good set up for a team, and a good test subject to see how similar bonds were to combat links.
The missions were simple: gather a bag of fur, and stay out the night outside the wall. Elliot had done his best to scrounge up necessary camping supplies, and reviewed spells that'd be handy. They had a few vials of the bond potion with them, making sure to take it before they left through the gate. Right away, Elliot could pick out some similarities. The "awareness" of his bond partner's presence was the same as ever. It felt muted, but that was pretty normal with a new partner.
But one stark difference? Was feeling the built up magic being drained out of him. Even if he'd been practicing magic regularly, the bond made it very apparent just how much energy had been building up in him.
Twenty minutes into their journey, he'll mention this much.]
Man...they really weren't kidding about bond effects...thought I'd just been over tired and stressed, but...
[Nope apparently he was on his way of being explodey. The real downside when you have a lot of potential magic power]
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eren’s been a little more quiet on their outing, not from a sour mood toward him or anything in particular, but!! growing pains. his chest aches, nothing entirely visible to the eye where changes are concerned, but poking out from awkward tufts of hair are two little nubs, sore and prickling at the base. will itches never leave him alone now . . . (no)
the differences between a true bond and a temporary vial were arrant to eren the moment he took his first swallow. handy in pinches, not to be discarded— but dependent on situation. there was no flurry of emotion, completely dulled, and felt like that been tied to each other by a rope connecting their waists.
not bad, but oddly— he does prefer a bond. eren grunts in return, rubbing his palm against the buttons of bone on his head and giving a more discontent huff. when he wants to scratch and there’s just. fresh scabbing. ]
They’re something else. [ really!! ] You said these are . . . Normal, where you’re from?
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Aha...Normal might be bit of a stretch. [It was normal to HIM, but...] Combat Links are pretty recent tech. I was part of a testing program at the Military Academy, so I'm used to them. And in the last year they've become more widespread, but it's not like it's something everyone has.
[He's noticed Eren being quieter, and maybe that's why he's willing to chatter. To fill that silence. It doesn't seem like Eren's mad at him, at least. ]
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You’d use them to fight? [ come to think of it— ] It— sounds useful.
[ imagine how many cues you can get without saying a single word to each other? ]
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Yep, that was the purpose. You're aware of your Link partner at all times, and you could pick up their intentions, so it was perfect for coordinating attacks and support.
[he adjusts the strap of his bag on his shoulder]
'Course, it had its limits. You had to have a natural aptitude to use it, and it wouldn't work if you tried to link with someone you didn't trust either. I'd imagine some of the "lone wolves" among us would have trouble with it.
[You know the ones. The ones who keep resisting getting any sort of bond.]
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[ eren’s lips pull into a frown at the thought. he knows a guy. ]
It’s a choice. A stupid one.
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[He had to get on that. He tried bringing it up before to the network but he didn't get any bites. Guess he needed to go a different way]
So...what do you wanna hunt today? I think as long as it's furry and something we can eat for dinner, anything works.
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he wasn’t dumb, like some people were. elliot shifts from the topic before he can say something on it, which might be for the best. he wants to see how they work together before he plans on bringing it up.
so, hunting. ]
As long as we can eat it, I don’t care either. [ he didn’t know much about hunting, sasha knew, but he remembers a thing or two. he just doesn’t know how to work arrows, or traps, but. ] . . . I can track the first thing we find and we’ll see where it leads?
[ how’s that sound? ]
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He nods]
Sounds good to me. Lead the way.
[He plans to follow Eren, as back up. He's not very great at tracking, but at least he can listen for things.]
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the trees especially. huh. ]
What are we going to trap with?
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Hmmm...
[he digs into his bag, pulling out a net, and a grappling hook and some rope that he totally lifted from that last mission]
Maybe this?
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They’ll work. [ find a good spot to set the net and throw the rope over a branch to pull. he motions for the objects, the net and rope, specifically, to tie them together as they walked. it’ll have to be something small with these. he winces, occasionally, but the ache against his skull can be skipped over. ] Do you have any spells down, yet?
1/2
[He goes quiet, his hand going to his chin as he thinks about it.]
Oh, I know. I can cast a soundproofing spell on you. It'll mute any sounds you make. Though it only lasts a few minutes, so we'll have to keep that in mind.
2/2
But that aside...are you feeling okay? You're wincing.
[Yeah, don't think he didn't notice partner. He sure did]
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he huffs, impatient and annoyed with it, rubbing the buttons of keratin on his head with mindfulness. it soothes for only a second, alas, that’s what bothers him most. ]
I think I’m growing horns.
[ slowly, even. he’d prefer a sudden growth and get over with it than this, but hey. if this is what kaede and zack felt, those two are heroes. ]
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[He blinks a couple times. That's right, dragons have horns. And he remembers Zack growing some in when he ran into him.
Which...
He feels himself blushing when he says this, but...well, he does want to help people as much as possible]
Do....D-Do you want me to try touching you? I-I've heard physical contact with a witch can help soothe the pain...
[Goddess he hopes Zack wasn't just pulling his leg]
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If you’re comfortable with it. I’m gonna finish up.
[ he’ll sit down to finish now, for two things: save energy, and if elliot still wanted to, be at a proper height to touch his head. eren letts his legs cross under him while continuing on to the next knot, and the one after that. it could be embarrassing for the other, he’s aware, but— eren knows enough of the benefits to be open to it. he’s free to do what he feels best.
massage his nubs ]
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[Was he comfortable with it? No, not really. Feeling the head of someone is a very awkward situation. But he felt even more uncomfortable about the idea of leaving this guy to hurt when the solution was in Elliot's power.
Right. And that's what mattered. He swallows, steeling himself]
...S-Sure, I am. We're partners, right? We look after each other.
[Was that to Eren or to himself? Either way, when Eren sits down, he'll stand on his knees next to him and with quaking hands, reach up and start rubbing the area around those horn nubs.
Which...wow. Of course there's the feeling of his face heating up. He expected that. He also expected the feeling of that soft hair through his fingers. He wasn't expecting, however, the pleasant filter of his energy being filtered to be kicked into high gear as it transfers to Eren. It felt nice, akin to the feeling of a warm shower or freshly cleaned clothes.
With that sensation? It's easier to relax into it. Skittish touches turned into a tender yet gentle massage. ]
no subject
not just the energy trade, but the actual kneading against his bumps allows for a sigh that comes up a little too audible. it just— feels good. feels much better than hurting, than stinging, and while his entire face doesn’t flush, it’s clear that his ears are becoming the same sort of scarlet his softly scaled nape is.
in fact, the scale coloring deepens, and while he doesn’t stop his work, he does slow down. enough that, he’s closing his eyes. it’s not like he needed to see the knots to do them anyway. ]
You have good hands.
[ he needs to keep talking, unless he wanted to lose focus, fall asleep or . . . something else. ]
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Ehe, well...musician. Gotta take care of my hands. But thanks.
[He does notice the flush of those ears. He's not sure when that happened. Maybe they're always this red from this angle...yeah.
But right, talking.]
You have nice hair. Bet it'll still be nice when the horns grow too.
[...Okay look he only has so much to work with that doesn't sound gay he's massaging a man's scalp here.]
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he huffs out the quiet beginnings of a laugh, though. it’s not at him! ]
I don’t mind my hair anymore. I used to cut it. [ but now it’s free to, you know. grow to whatever length it desires. anything close to flirting initially goes right over his head, but what his tongue picks up as he licks his lips . . . is something he’s tasted before. briefly, his eyes open, and he can catch a bit of elliot in an upside down view. ]
I’m— not going to go feral, or anything. [ a pause, and suddenly— he feels awkward to say it. ] You, [ gesture, uh ] taste nervous, or.
[ something. and for a moment, a small moment
eren realized how god damn weird that sounds ]
1/2
[He can't put his finger on exactly why, but it..does. Maybe it was more personalized, more free]
2/2
Well words like that were enough to snap him out of his little trance, but probably not for the reasons to be expected. Eren saying he's not going to go feral, trying to assure him, it...it reminds him of Rean. Or rather, all the times would be so hard on himself for his ogre power, or be afraid of hurting them.]
I'm not nervous about that.
[He says it without the slightest bit of doubt. He doesn't even question why Eren can taste him as nervous because whatever- dragons are weird and his anxiety is hardly a great national secret.
Instead, he's focused on Eren now. Without thinking, one hand leaves the top of his head and moves to Eren's cheek, turning his head so he can look at him directly, to show that he means it.]
Even if you could go feral, I'd still stick around, okay? This is a temporary bond, but I still plan to support you with all I have. Even if I had to keep you in check.
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he can’t say he’s worried about that anymore, he was simply going with what he smelled. tasted. whatever. what else did he have to be nervous about, right? and it still doesn’t answer the question of nervousness— but eren can’t derail something as sincere as that. his brows pinch ever slightly, curving as his lips do in a smile. eventually, he takes elliot’s hand away from his face, to clasp it better with the entirety of his palm covering the other’s and squeezing with the same amount, of not doubled of sturdy reassurance.
though not quite saturated as they could be, the colorful specks to his scales are bright. ]
Thanks. [ it’s sincere, and there isn’t much else to say to that. he’s grateful he can run into the right people, like this. and whatever it is that he’s nervous about— ] If you’re with me, you don’t need to worry, either.
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I-
[He gulps a little. Eren was definitely still picking up on his nerves. He can't dance around it, or Eren might think he doesn't trust him. And he doesn't want that. Combat links break if the partners have trouble trusting each other. Who knows if bonds react the same way]
I-It's not that. I mean, I always feel worry, but I trust you. You'll look out for me too. I-It's more-
[Nngh, just get out with it]
Combat Links never really...had this much...touching? S-So I'm still getting used to it. [Quickly] Not that it's a bad thing!
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