maskormenacelogs | ( we shouldn't have to try so hard )

Entry tags:

( we shouldn't have to try so hard )

WHO: josh & various (+ ota)
WHERE: various.. locations.
WHEN: february.
WHAT: catch-all and some open prompts.
WARNINGS: religious warnings typical of josh. injuries/wounds/blood?

( DOGGOS )
[ josh works at an animal shelter, and animals love him a lot. unsurprisingly, then, he can be found walking a literal pack of dogs several times a day throughout the week. for josh, they're very well-behaved on their leashes, though once they get to the beach they lose their dang minds.

it's very possible that some poor innocent bystanders could get practically bowled over by some excited retrievers. or.. maybe get a cold nose in an unpleasant place, or sloppy kisses, or a ball nudged into their hands.

either way, when josh notices, he looks a little horrified, jogging over with a slightly embarrassed little wave and bending to wag his finger at the dog and click his tongue. ]

( HEROPA HOUSING )
[ maybe you're a neighbor, or you live down the street, or you're just visiting someone else, but there's a knock at the door, and a lanky guy with messy dark curls and the most earnest doe-eyes ever is on the other side.

josh looks a little flustered for a moment, then silently lifts a tupperware container of what looks like.. cookies? he offers a slightly shy smile, a bandaged hand lifting away from the container to push unruly hair behind his ear. ]

.. Made too many.

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[ true to his word, josh is waiting for ash on the start of a trail he'd marked out for the other man. android. man. on leashes are two golden retrievers-- obviously adults, with a little white around their muzzles. when they see ash approach, they both climb to their feet, tails wagging slowly in greeting.

josh himself offers ash a blinding smile, lifting his free hand in a wave. ]

Hello! [ he's always a little embarrassed about actually speaking, but it's hard to sign when he's walking dogs. ] It's nice to see you. [ he hesitates, then reaches down to scratch both dogs. ] This is Aaron and Bella. They're littermates. They were surrendered when their owner died.

[ Ash finds his way to the start of the trail easily, his internal GPS preventing him from getting lost. He waves at Josh when he approaches, smiling. ]

Hello, you three.

[ He comes to a stop within sniffing distance, and right away the two dogs come up to sniff at his legs. He smiles and pats them each awkwardly on the head. Then, a thought occurs to him. ]

Can you understand me, when I speak? Would you rather I texted you?

[ josh lets the dogs out on their leads a little, giving them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with ash--and doubtless how different ash smells--but blinks at the question. he smiles helplessly, then shakes his head. ]

No, it's ok. I read lips really well. Just-- if I'm not looking at you, you can touch my arm or something to get my attention.

[ he touches his throat briefly with his fingertips, going a little red beneath his freckles. ] And sorry if I sound weird. I don't know-- [ you know. if he's pronouncing things correctly, or giving them the right inflection, or any of that. ]

You sound a little weird, [ He admits, never having had much tact to speak of ] but it's alright. I can understand you.

[ Now that they've cleared away that they can both understand each other, Ash stands there a bit awkwardly, waiting for the next phase of their interaction to be initiated. ]

Okay, good. [ if josh is self-conscious about his voice being called weird, it certainly doesn't show. what matters is that ash can understand him, and he's heard worse.

he offers out aaron's leash with another smile. ] He's easy on the leash, he won't pull. [ a good first experience with a dog. not that he doesn't think ash could handle himself with a more excitable one, but he wants the android to enjoy it.

he turns them onto the trail, then, and bella's tail starts wagging as she trots at their sides, bumping her shoulder against her brother's. ] --How is your job going, by the way?

[ Ash looks down at Aaron's leash before taking it, mentally googling the best way to hold a dog's lead. He isn't so distracted that he misses Josh beginning to walk down the trail, though, and he follows. ]

Well so far, I think. I've been in a recording studio most days. Haven't seen the finished product yet, though.

[ truthfully, josh has been cleaning, stitching, and bandaging his stigmata since he was twelve years old, so he has plenty of practice. that doesn't always mean that it's easy, though. it hurts, and he frequently loses enough blood to make himself light-headed, but it's not something he can ask someone else to help him with. he'd felt guilty enough in december for asking someone to bring supplies by.

he's in the bathroom when it happens, perched on the edge of the tub and hands shaking a little as he checks the stitches in his side. it's been tough this week, and things are healing back up slowly, and he's dizzy and feeling a little discouraged and worried. then he glances back up and there's someone there.

he yelps, jerking in shock and falling back, hitting his head on the opposite side of the tub and slumping down into the basin. immediately, he whines as pain flares up his ribs, long legs pulling into the tub as he curls on his good side and tries to catch his breath. what-- who the heck--

hand pressed hard to the stitches to keep from pulling them, he curls the other palm over the edge of the tub and pokes his head back up over the top, dazed and looking a little feverish. ]

The door was locked, [ he manages uncertainly, signing what he can with the hand not clutching his side. ]

[Dirk was, at least, finally getting used to this. He had started wearing a full set of clothes even in his sleep, and managed, now, not to fall over when he suddenly appeared in a stranger's bathroom with a soft 'pop' sound. He also, thankfully, now had a routine, to keep people from hitting him or making the room explode.

Today, he was wearing a bright lime green leather jacket, a white shirt and with a black tie that was tucked into it half way down, black skinny jeans and leather shoes. He had an apologetic smile on his face and his hands were raised in the universal sign for 'please don't hurt me, I'm not armed'.]

Yes, I know. Or, actually, I know now that you've told me, but could have guessed, because people do tend to lock the door when they are in the bathroom, sometimes especially to keep strange people from walking in on them. But I didn't walk. My name is Dirk. Gently. I'm here to help.

[ .. what? josh stares intensely at dirk's mouth as he speaks, trying to focus through the familiar sharp ache. strained stitches and no painkillers makes it a more difficult job than it usually is. had he said his name is dirt? that can't be right. what had that last sound been? .. dirk? it has to be dirk, right?

he realizes, a little belatedly, that he's been staring silently for an uncomfortable amount of time. ]

Oh, [ he manages breathlessly, still a little confused but willing to go with it. ] Thank-- Thank you. I don't think I need help, though. [ well.. he could use a little, maybe, but he's pretty sure he didn't ask for it or wish for it or-- however this works.

he pushes himself upright, wobbling a little as he gets to his knees, then stands. stepping out of the tub, he eases himself down on the edge again. ] .. I'm Josh.

[Dirk's smile had faded and his hands had slowly lowered in the time that it took Josh to process his spiel and reply. He was almost frowning, now, because he has now had time to register just what was happening, and what exactly it was that he might be here for. He paled, slightly, and couldn't help but reach out to help Josh stand up.]

Most people say that. But I wouldn't be here if you didn't, however small. I once got teleported to someone because they need help cleaning a jar of smashed jam.

It's, um. I don't exactly want to say that it's nice to meet you, because it looks like it might not be a nice moment for you at all, but I am glad to meet you, anyway.

Can I - those look really quite painful.

[ now that he's over the shock of someone appearing so suddenly in his bathroom, he's starting to look a little flustered. it's been years since he was this undressed in front of someone else, and he's feeling a little self-conscious about how scarred up he is, between his stigmata and the needle marks and other scars.

still-- maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have a little help this time, if dirk's here anyway.

he shifts a little, going red beneath his freckles (which are also scattered across his throat, shoulders, chest, and arms), then offers a cautious nod. ] They're chronic, [ he says at last, a little shyly, and lifts a hand to point to his bandages on the edge of the sink. ] My stitches are okay, but it can be hard to bandage them neatly when my hands hurt like this. If-- If you don't mind.

I don't mind at all. [He says it with utter honesty, picking up a couple of the bandages from the sink before crouching down in front of Josh.]

I'm not a nurse, though, I'm actually a detective, so you'll have to tell me if I'm doing it wrong. Usually I'm the one getting bandaged up. Um.

Okay, where should I start?

[ Herr Starr....might be stalking Josh, a little bit. MOSTLY he will claim he's watching him to make sure he is well protected, even though he has a hulking mass of dogs with him for protection. But Starr is the sort who needs to have a duty to perform, and so far, Joshua has been the most worthy of tasks -- even if the clone never asked for it.

Of course, considering he is in the area with Josh and the dogs, when one happens to run over to him and proceeds to hump his leg -- Starr's mouth twists downward in disapproval. ]

I do believe this belongs to you, Messiah.

[ Starr took the animal's leash to lead it away from what it was doing and return it to the young man. ]

[ herr starr why.

maybe it's a good thing for them both that josh has no idea that it's a little weird for herr starr to pop up in the area like that. he also is not aware that herr starr himself is Pretty Weird, which is honestly a blessing.

still looking embarrassed--and also a little amused at this point--he unhooks the dog's leash and shoos him off to go play on the beach with the others, then glances back to the older man. ]

Sorry, [ he says, signing out of habit as he speaks. as usual, his hands are bandaged. ] I know you're not an animal person. [ so honestly, why is he out here with a bunch of dogs running around? what kind of trouble could josh honestly get in? ] You got a new job, right? Doing something you like better?

It is better. A bit.

[ Perhaps it's a good thing Josh is deaf because Starr's tone leaves a lot to be desired in terms of sounding happy about what he's currently doing. It's a job. It suits its purpose. But it's not really what he wants to do. Promoting Joshua to Savior of the world? Now that's a great goal to work toward. ]

But my options will remain open in the event something better comes along. I trust it is much the same for you? You should not stoop to cleaning up animal feces.

[ That is no job for a Messiah! ]

[ josh makes a small noise at the back of his throat, reaching up to twist his curls back into a short tail. his brow, too, is dotted with scars and a few small bandaids, like hands and feet and torso. ]

Animals like me, and it's not as if I have experience doing much else. I can heal, but there's plenty of healers here. I can bring the dead back, but so can the nanites. [ he smiles a little, palms lifting in a small shrug. ] There are a lot of miracles in this world.

[ being here is the closest he's ever felt to being a person-- and not just a person, but a normal person. oh, he knows it won't last, and eventually he'll have to go back to death and oblivion, but he has this for a little while, at least.

a pause, and he glances back up again, a thought occurring to him as he does so. ] --What about looking to work with.. [ oh.. what's his name.. ] .. that mayor? The imPort one. His city has trouble sometimes that you'd probably be perfect to deal with. [ not that he's encouraging herr starr to murder people or anything, but well.. after living with lucifer, he's kind of jaded to that sort of thing. ] Or Miss Padme, maybe..

Edited (more clarification) 2018-02-08 17:21 (UTC)

Do not liken yourself to others. Particularly not malfunctioning machines. The nanites can bring us back, yes. But they can also bring death and suffering. You do not bring those things with you. You are the opposite of what brings those things. You are what's good in the world, Joshua.

[ Herr Starr is not deluded enough to believe he's a good man. But he can see what is good. The world doesn't have to be the way it is. It can be changed. It needs to be changed. And Starr's not the one who can change it. He can only pave the way for the Messiah to do that. ]

You honor me with your suggestions. I shall take them into consideration. Although I've never been terribly fond of politics and politicians. They are there to help our society, and yet they often do close to nothing and then proceed to lie about it.

[ the insistence makes josh's face go a little hot, and he's tempted to look away-- but if he does so, it's as good as ignoring herr starr, so he waits until the other man is finished speaking before brown eyes flick out toward the beach and the dogs playing. he rubs his palms against the tops of his thighs, bandages catching on his jeans.

he's.. not exactly accustomed to anyone thinking like that about him. he's just a clone. but then, he supposes he represents something here, to herr starr, lacking the means in this place to replace him with his template. ]

There's a lot of good in the world, [ he says at last, hands halting a little as he signs. ] I do want to try to live up to my template, though. As best I can, anyway.

[ he's just not really certain how to do that, and truthfully, most of him just wants to be another face in the crowd. ]

--That's true, I guess. [ about the politicians. ] Miss Padme is very passionate, and a good person, but I don't know about the others.

[ That is good. That is a good first step. Living up to his template means Josh is considering stepping into the role of a Messiah. A reluctant one, but Starr could work around the reluctance.

He says nothing in response to the comment about Padme, not so sure he can trust Josh's judgement on people. After all, Josh thinks Starr's a good person, doesn't he? So he very clearly likes to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Though since Josh keeps mentioning her, Starr figures he better meet her to make his own impression.

In the meantime, he lowers to a knee -- arm across his chest in a gesture of servitude, which would probably only serve to make Josh more uncomfortable. ]

I care only about aiding you, my Lord. And should you need help in your quest, I am here to answer your call -- day or night.

[ A dog starts sniffing at him, and Starr grimaces. ]

Please do not urinate on me.

[ ....too late. ]

[ true to expectation, the second starr kneels, josh goes a little white beneath his freckles, nervous and embarrassed. he doesn't know what to do with this kind of devotion, and he still doesn't know why herr starr is offering it to him. this is a different world, the man can literally do anything he likes here.

but then the dog is there, and he finds himself huffing a shocked laugh as he shoos him away. ]

Sorry, they're just excited and you're not someone they know.

[ but hey, at least it defused the uncomfortable moment, even if herr starr is, uh, covered in dog pee. but hey! he might even be able to do something about that. he ushers the older man up, trying not to smile a little helplessly. ] How do you feel about laundry miracles? [ stuff like this is easy, at least. he passes a hand over the wet area, and it's dry and clean again. ]

--Anyway, I don't really know what I should be doing with myself here. I was kept pretty isolated at home, so just being out in the world like this is new.

[ He rises at his Messiah's beckoning, but not without frowning over the wet spot on his clean suit. Of course, Joshua is there to fix it. Before Starr could even form the question Laundry miracles?, Josh is waving his hand and showcasing his ability. It's the first time Starr has seen any of Josh's powers up close and personal, so it's not without its surprise. And that's followed by awe.

Joshua is the true deal. Far better than Jesse Custer could ever be. And certainly far better than the Grail's current Messiah. ]

I am humbled you would bestow such gifts upon me.

[ He bows his head before lifting it so Josh could see his lips. ]

You need to find your footing. Which is understandable. You were isolated for so long and now you are free to roam as you please. You are not your clone, so you do not need to do as he had done. But I do believe you should spend a bit more time doing things like you had just done. Performing miracles.

[ Starr pulls out his suit to inspect the clean spot. ]

It is something to behold and something I think the world needs to see.

[Han's seen the kid around a few times. He hasn't talked with him a lot, mostly because Josh just doesn't register as much on Han's radar when Luke is there for the trolling, but Han knows he's there. He does not realize that the kid would actually think to swing by his place, and it's one of the times he's over now that he's basically moved a significant percentage of his stuff into Leia's place.

He opens the door when he hears a knock. Blinks down at the kid.]

...those are chocolate chip, right?

[ josh blinks back, then follows han's gaze down to the container. he hefts it, then shakes his head. ] Double-chocolate. Chocolate cookies, chocolate chips.

[ he's giving cookies to han solo. and here he thought he'd gotten over the novelty of living with luke skywalker, but nope-- seeing someone like han or leia strikes him with the impossibility of it all over again.

at least he's finally over being awkward with luke. after that night sitting up with him while luke waited to go find obi-wan, he's much less shy around the older man. ] .. I can make chocolate chip next time..

[Han Solo, Rebellion legend and smuggler extraordinaire, just looks at Josh like he's not completely sure what to make of this lanky kid. But hey, if he's bringing double chocolate cookies, then Han may as well, right.]

Relax, double chocolate's good too. [So saying, he just. Grabs a cookie, right out of the box, bites off half of it then and there. Huh, this is actually good! Loads better than the rations Han used to eat on the Falcon for sure.] Come in, kid. There's milk in the fridge—or this world's sorry excuse for milk.

[Blue milk or nothing, bitches.]

[ .. oh. he was just going to drop them off and go, but if he's being invited in.. he hesitates for a moment, then smiles a little again, stepping inside. ]

Josh, [ he says by way of reminder. they've been in one another's peripheral since josh got here, just by virtue of han and luke being friends, but josh is usually too shy to talk to people, and han has no reason to talk to him. he's not sure if han actually even knows his name, honestly. ]

--You don't like the milk?

[Han just nibbles a little more on the cookie, savoring it. What a good cookie, he wonders idly if he can get Josh to bake a few more, save it up for Valentine's Day and Leia.]

Han Solo. I'm Luke's friend. [Obviously. Luke is pretty much the only reason why Han regularly comes by next door, and he doesn't tend to stick around for very long either.] And no, I don't like the milk here. I'm more used to blue milk, not that white stuff.

[The white stuff just tastes blander, to Han.]

Want anything else? I can throw some hot chocolate together.

.. Blue milk..?

[ is there even such thing? he supposes in a galaxy far, far away, it's possible. anything seems possible there.

the comment earns a slight shake of his head, but then he pauses. ] You don't use the powdered stuff, do you? [ because if so, josh is going to have to fix that. there's no reason for han solo to be drinking terrible hot chocolate. ]

Yeah, blue milk. Comes from banthas.

[That is not helpful, Han. He pulls open a cupboard, and behold: there's a bag of powdered cocoa in said cupboard, the top rolled and taped down to keep from attracting any pests coming by. He looks at Josh.]

Uh, yeah? 'S'cheaper that way. [He also has a bag of that shitty 3-in-1 brand of coffee that tastes kind of terrible, too.] Why, you got something against the powdered stuff?

[ She doesn't come to Heropa that often, but Josh and Luke share the same house and she was here on a different meeting, so on the off chance one or both of them at home she's decided to come down and knock on the door while she's in the area.

Just in case. ]

[ naturally, josh doesn't hear the knock, but he has a way of knowing when they get visitors regardless. he winds up at the door not long after, opening it and then staring in surprise for several moments. then he's beaming, reaching out to gather her up in a hug before he's realized that it's probably a little weird.

when he pulls back again, he immediately steps aside to let her in. ]

I didn't know you were coming, Miss Padme. [ he signs as he speaks, of course, because while he's accustomed to speaking now, he's not out of the habit of signing his thoughts. ] Are you here to see Luke? I don't think he's in right now, but I can make coffee if you want to wait.

[ She lets him, actually, even returning it with warmth before he steps away. When he gestures her in she steps inside, dropping the hood of the dress. Even when visiting family and friends, Padme comes in style. Sorry, Josh. ]

I didn't have any specific intentions to visit, but I was in the area. Since you both live here, I hoped I would catch one of you at least. [ She smiles, watching his hands in interest. ] Coffee would be wonderful. Luke is likely at work or occupied, but perhaps we could visit for a little while. Maybe you can show me some sign language?

[ he looks a little startled by the request, but lights back up in pleasure a moment later, practically radiating emotional healing like the clone of a holy man he is. he shuts the door behind her, then gently guides her toward the kitchen and the little table there. ]

I'd love to.

[ he was obviously in the middle of doing some cooking, as there's something simmering away on the stove and a few dishes in the sink, but he's quick to offer her a seat and put coffee on. he sets out a plate of what looks like tea-cakes, too, to give her something to snack on while she waits if she likes. ]

I haven't felt him moving around in his room, at least. [ he can usually tell who's home based on the vibrations through the walls or in the floorboards-- plus he has that slightly uncanny sense of when people are around. ] He keeps busy, so I try to make sure there's stuff in the fridge for him to eat.

[ He's always a calming person to be around, which is strange given how much younger he is than her and how much she feels she should be protecting him. But it's nice, and she follows him, takes the seat he offers and one of the tea-cakes. ]

That's very kind of you, Josh. I don't know that he particularly needs anyone looking out for him, but I still -- greatly appreciate any effort to do so.

[ Luke is very much his own person, much as Leia is. It feels strange to be so protective over someone who's an adult she's never met before, only a few years younger than her, but she remains so and always will. ]

And you? How are you doing?

[ It's likely the dogs' last walk of the day, and just in time for Lestat's first. It's early enough in the evening that the stars are just starting to come out, a perfectly lovely night for a walk by the ocean — clear enough for the moon to illuminate the hulking black shaggy creature that comes bounding toward him on the beach.

Well, Lestat has absolutely no interest in any kind of apologies or any attempts to remove the enormous sandy paws from the shoulders of his leather jacket as he gets acquainted with the wayward beast. ]

Oh, aren't you a handsome boy! [ Perfectly content to embrace the dog, he buries both hands in that thick ruff of fur at his neck. It's clear he's still talking to the dog and not Josh when he finally glances toward the man (curious but suddenly wary, the hair on the back of his neck pricking for no reason he can understand) and asks: ] Does this belong to you?

[ startled by the genuine pleasure on the stranger's face--even a lot of dog lovers wouldn't enjoy being jumped on like that--josh offers a small, slightly shy smile, twisting one of the leashes between his hands as those eyes pin him. there's something.. different about this man. but then, in a city full of imports, what did he expect?

he tucks the end of the leash in his pocket, signing as he speaks. ] He doesn't have a person yet, but he's looking for one. [ his smile warms, the kind of smile that says he's known and loved you all his life. ] His name is Bear. [ one can probably easily see why. ] He's three, and he's a very good boy. He's a little hard on the leash, but he just needs someone to be patient with him.

[ he's been working at the shelter long enough now that apparently he can't help but pitch his animals to people when they meet them.

he hesitates, then taps his own chest with a bandaged hand. ] I'm Josh.

Bear, it's a pleasure. Josh, you must be in— don't tell me!— canine marketing and public relations. [ A sharper grin. For short: ] His agent.

[ Undead heartstrings tugged, he gives the dog's impossibly soft head one final scratch (all right, two); apparently satisfied, those massive paws hit the sand with a soft thump. Lestat dusts off his jacket at last, giving the young man his full attention. The bandages, the hand gestures, that strangely captivating smile... all right, perhaps he isn't only interesting because he's attached to the other end of the leash.

We'll see. ]

Lestat.

[ A nod in greeting, in lieu of a handshake. ]

[ he laughs, crooking fingers over his mouth to muffle it. he's less self-conscious of speaking now, but laughing aloud like that is still a little embarrassing. he's been told he sounds weird. ]

More or less. [ he crouches briefly to check bear's big paws for burrs, then smooches the big furry face and shoos him away to play with the other dogs. he rises again, then, brushing the sand off his knees. ] I work at a local shelter. Animals like me, so I do a lot of the socialization. It's kind of like being a Disney princess.

[ the best part of being a disney princess, anyway, which is obviously the animal companions. and it's true that the dogs are staying in josh's general vicinity, and other than the incident with bear, none of them have accosted anyone else on the beach. ]

It's nice to meet you. [ a beat, then a slightly flustered glance. ] I'm really sorry, but could you spell your name? I'm not really sure I caught it.

No apologies necessary! You wouldn't believe how often they get it wrong on my drink orders.

[ The young man's mannerisms again strike Lestat as strange — the self-consciousness of his laughter. He's still trying to put it together as he pulls out his communicator, tapping it out on the keyboard as he spells it out loud: ]

L-E-S-T-A-T. [ And he holds it up for Josh's confirmation. ] It's old French, which is less like being a Disney princess than advertised. You have the far better deal.

[ oh! well, no wonder. it's been a few years since he's used french, and he certainly hadn't expected to meet anyone here with a french name. he beams at the older man, hand-spelling it back to him. ]

I lived in France for a while! Is that where you're from? [ better to ask-- after all, maybe he's actually from somewhere in canada or louisiana, or his parents just liked french names. a pause, then he points to his eyes, then to lestat's mouth. ] Do you speak it? I learned to understand it, but I mostly keep current by reading French internet. [ that's how he keeps current with most of his languages, actually. ]

[ It's the way Josh points to his eyes instead of his ears that makes everything click into place, and then Lestat feels foolish enough for not realizing sooner that he decides not to draw attention to his oversight by pointing it out. But if he does a bit more hand talking, enunciates a bit more clearly — well, that only seems like the right thing to do. The gestures are beautiful, though, it's the first time he's really had reason to pay much attention to it. An entire second language! ]

It's my mother tongue! I was born there, though I've been an American for far longer now. I know our clever little translators do most of the work for us here, but if you ever want to practice... [ Lestat wiggles the communicator before pocketing it again. ] Text me.

But I have to know now, where were you living, what were you doing there? Family, or...?

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( we shouldn't have to try so hard )

( ASH STARMER )

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( DIRK GENTLY ) cw: blood, injuries, religious imagery

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DOGGOS

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heropa housing

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his house!

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( DOGS )

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