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Post by DataNinja on Nov 7, 2019 20:41:25 GMT
"I mentioned that I have something of my predecessors' memories inside me, yea?" Yellow asks. "'S all basic stuff like that. Language, knowledge of my abilities, etcetera, etcetera. Plus just some general psychic impressions from the travels around. So, while, yes, I am newly born, part of me is also not. I don't have to go through that awkward 'learning basic life skills' that you all have to do. Get to just learn the interesting parts of life."
"And I know you're earnest," he says. "I am psychic, after all. Plus, I have been trapped to your back for most of a week," he jabs back, teasingly. "I'm sure your thoughts weigh heavier than I did, though."
"But, eh, why not." Yellow shrugs. "Skipping the whole 'going crazy from cosmic radiation' step of life sounds far preferable. Even if a post-ruin civilization probably isn't going to be quite as interesting."
"Oh... I appreciate it, I really do," Rainbow says. "I just... I feel like I'm having to rely on other people to sacrifice themselves in some way and put themselves in danger for this."
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 7, 2019 21:04:22 GMT
"Messengers are traditionally travelers. You are passing along what needs to be said, and helping with what needs to be done through guidance and non-conflict. Doing it all yourself isn't really possible, you've no experience as a warrior, nor as a Pokemon Trainer. Conflict going forward is inevitable. I can teach you what I know, Yellow can license you, but your fear of Pokemon will make training one difficult for you. Learning, discovering, and exploring is in line with my own goals Rainbow. Danger or not, I'm very onboard with the path I've chosen. Being combat ready is the only further assistance I can think of that you might offer, and even then it might not be for you? That's fine! There is an old idiom..." Bee tapped her lip.
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 8, 2019 6:07:57 GMT
"I... appreciate the sentiment," Rainbow says. "That makes me feel a little better. It's just... I hate the fact that I'm not able to do this on my own, that's all. Because it feels like my responsibility. That's what we figured in my time. That it was all up to me. But... I would have died, and all of it would be for naught."
"I'm glad that you're fine with this path. Please, I don't want you to feel like there's any obligation to do so."
"Yeah, not like there's the future of the world at stake or anything," Yellow adds, lazily.
"That's not helpful..." Rainbow mutters.
"Look, I'm just along for the ride because I'll still be around when the big boom-crash-shatter happens," he says. "And I'd rather avoid that if I can, thanks. If it wasn't for that, I'd probably just wander around seeing your peoples' culture for a couple decades or twelve, maybe grant a wish or two and seeing how those turn out before sleeping for a bit and then seeing what new stuff y'all came up with while I was out. I don't actually care how you feel about the whole thing that much. Just would rather prefer the who world didn't devolve into mindless boring violence, thanks."
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 8, 2019 17:31:11 GMT
"In so many words, Yellow is right. There is no sense in lamenting the willingness for others to help you. I am invested in our mutual future and excited to see what comes of this. It is on me, then, in choosing to take this path, to keep us safe. To that end, I will continue my trials in the circuit, catching Pokemon, learning and training as I would have otherwise -anyway-. If anything, you have given me a better motivation for tending the league then 'doing it because it is required.'"
Bee gave Rainbow a gentle squeeze of the shoulder and hiked her pack up higher. "Not going to lie, I am pretty excited to sleep in a bed tonight though. Meanwhile, we can inquire about the lab and maybe scope out the gym."
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 8, 2019 21:38:08 GMT
Rainbow gives an uncertain nod, before the group carries on their way. The rest of the route is fairly uneventful - it seems that the high traffic relative to elsewhere means that there's generally not a lot of 'mon on the beaten path.
Eventually, the Rusturf Tunnel lies ahead. There's a cave next to it that leads into the Pokémon habitats proper, while the insulated tunnel itself runs mostly straight through. It's an odd, padded sensation walking through - people inside are protected from incessant crying, the Pokémon outside are protected from incessant humaning.
But, after a long walk through a bunch of tunnel that looks the same, the group emerges into Verdanturf. There is an immediate contrast to Rustboro - nature is very much emphasized in this town, as opposed to buildings. The houses are all low - as are many of the other buildings that can be seen, at least compared to Rustboro's heights - there are trees and gardens all over in carefully natural-looking formations, and the air is much clearer and less full of noise. There are still a fair number of people, but things seem to be happening at a much slower pace in general.
It's not too difficult to find the Gym on the east side, it's clearly marked, and also distinct in the area around not quite having recovered from the construction needed to build it - it stands apart from the rest of Verdanturf for now, perhaps for the negative associations of how it came to be there. Eventually the city will catch up to it, expanding outwards, but for now, it's on the outskirts.
The Gym itself seems fairly utilitarian, though colourful on the outside - the bricks in the building are all laid out in a diagonal rainbow pattern. Stepping inside, there's a casual waiting room, where a man's sitting down in one of the chairs. He jumps up upon seeing the trio, addressing Rainbow and Bea, saying, "Oh, I'm sorry, misses, but the Gym's currently in the last battle of the afternoon. Somebody's eighth badge, apparently, which is very exciting. You're welcome to go to the viewing area if you'd like, but I'm afraid if you're here for a challenge, you'll have to come back tomorrow. And, well," he looks at Yellow grinning, "I like your enthusiasm, but you'll have to wait a few more years, I'm afraid."
"Yeah, thanks, I'll pass," Yellow says, very unenthusiastically. "I'm just here as moral support."
"Oh, uh, well then," the man says, taken aback. "Well, that's admirable, too."
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 8, 2019 22:15:21 GMT
"I wouldn't mind watching, a little bit of insight into an opponent never hurts. High level battling can be really impressive, too. Is there any chance I could speak with the gym leader afterwards? I'd something to discuss as a private matter." Bee waited for his response, leaving her name and Trainer ID number if necessary, before heading up to the observation deck to view the battlefield.
"You must think poorly of trainers?" She asked Yellow curiously. "Being as sought after as you are, or perhaps the nature of competitive battling at another's expense?" Her nose wrinkled slowly. When it was put that way, it certainly had a bitter tang to it. "I prefer my field research and casual moments observing Pokemon, to the open fighting... oh, that reminds me." Releasing Solenoid to hover over her shoulder, she briefly instructed him to watch what he wanted but not to wander too far or interfere with anything.
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 8, 2019 23:10:39 GMT
"Uh, yeah, just wait around out front until after the gym's all closed up. She'll be out then."
As they walk up towards the observation area, Yellow replies, "I don't exactly think much of those who don't at least earn the respect of those they travel with, no. Just because you have the power doesn't mean you should use it. There's always more to life - it's not just about you. You can all be so selfish at times. Not all... but as a rule."
The bleachers overlook a fairly plain battlefield... but that just draws the attention to the combatants even more. On the challenger's side is a raven-haired girl, blue eyes set in concentration, a blue dragon with red-scythelike wings and a quadrupedal metal spider stand on the battlefield before her. Against them, under the command of the green-haired woman that's apparently the Gym Leader, are much more...unusual beasts. One seems to be an Ampharos with fluffy wings like an Altaria, while the other is shaped like a Charizard, with metal plating reminiscent of an Aggron, belching blue flame. Both sides have clearly been scuffling for a time, as there are scratches and injuries all around.
Beams of various elements careen across the battlefield as the dragon-like Pokémon claw at each other. It's far more vicious than the prior Gym battles that Bea's been in - even the Axew was more boastful than anything else. That's probably what's to be expected when something's the last step before the Pokémon League, though.
The crowd seems to be holding its breath as both sides are worn down... but, in the end, the foot of the Metagross stands triumphant over the twitching Metal dragon, even as the fluffy bird-thing and Salamence effective take each other out. There's a lot of cheering and clapping, as the challenger looks relieved, before taking a bow.
"What a wonderful display from our challenger here today!" The Gym Leader says, beaming, as she begins to walk across the field. "Very exciting - it's not often that I have a chance to go all-out here in Verdanturf. So, I thank you for that, and I just hope that you're up for the challenges ahead. They're even more intense than what you've faced here today. But, even with that in mind, I present you with this Rainbow Badge, to represent your triumph in the face of extreme adversity." She turns to the crowd. "Let's hear another round for the newest challenger Ever Grande will have!" The challenger in question flushes a little bit, but takes it in stride, waving to the crowd, before people start to disperse, everything over.
It takes a little bit for everything to file out, but, eventually the Gym Leader comes out once everything's locked up. "Hello, there," she says, much more measured than in the Gym. "George was telling me that you all wanted to speak to me?"
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 8, 2019 23:18:43 GMT
The Pokemon the gym leader used were both iconic and foreign all the same, as though the Pokemon themselves had become Altered, if such a thing were properly possible. The levels of strategy present were several tiers deeper then she could follow, but there was no clear difference in strength, even up to the very end. Bee didn't cheer, but she did scribble notes in tight cursive between glances at the battlefield. A possible future champion versus a gym leader at their full potential. It was truly a spectacle.
"It was my intent to challenge you tomorrow, but prior to that..." At that, Bee seemed a little nervous. Given the amount of trouble the strange timeless woman had put them through, she had no idea where this would take them. "Alissa sent us, if you have a moment to speak in private?"
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 8, 2019 23:30:27 GMT
The leader looks confused a moment, before she seems to understand and frowns. "Ah... well then. If it's anything regarding her... best not to speak of it in public. Even around here. I have the feeling that it will probably take some time to resolve. Do you have anything else planned for shortly? Else I'll just message my wife to note that we'll be having guests for dinner. If not... well, we can figure out some time to talk."
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 8, 2019 23:39:18 GMT
"We didn't have any plans for the evening, I'd be pleased to discuss it over dinner if you'll have us. My name is Beatrice, my friends are Rainbow, and Yellow." She gestured to the Altered, and the boy in turn. Solenoid had taken to hovering above and behind her, lifting her short hair towards it with the field it was generating. Leaning her head back, she squinted at the one-eyed Pokemon for a moment before shaking her head with a smile.
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 8, 2019 23:51:58 GMT
"Ah, well," the Leader says, chuckling, "I do like rainbows. Pleased to meet you all. My name's Evelyn, if you'd not looked that up or anything. Some people try to research everything about leaders, others don't. So, I don't know."
She starts heading towards the town proper. "Well, alright, we can talk more when we get to my place."
It's a little bit of walking, in silence, mostly, until the group makes it to a medium sized house surrounded by a fairly large yard. It's fairly warm and cozy, stepping inside, and the smell of food wafts through the air.
"Oh, hi there," a woman steps out of the kitchen, smiling. "Please, make yourselves at home. Dinner'll be ready shortly. Been a bit since we've had guests." It's clear from several things - but especially the hole in her shirt allowing for a crimson crystal to emerge - that this woman is an Altered.
"This is my wife, Elise," Evelyn says. "And if there's something regarding that Alissa, well, she probably knows about as much as anyone else still around could be expected to."
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 9, 2019 0:04:12 GMT
"It's good to meet you Elise." Bea offered a formal half-bow. "Beatrice, or Bee for short if you please. I've a fondness for Bug-Types." With that explained, and everyone starting to settle in, she folded her hands in her lap and took a seat. "I should preface my line of questions with a statement that I am aware that what I am working at is neither safe nor legal. Many of the peripheral details would set you to question my sanity rather then aid our cause, so I will leave them by the wayside."
A deep, slow inhale to quell her rising anxiety, and she leaned back in her seat. "The short of it is that the uninhabitable zones around the meteors have, or will spread. Eventually blanketing the region. Alissa has helped us gather a fragment into a protective case, and told us of the facility where the Altered first came about. Why they first came about. We need to know everything you can tell us about that lab. It is our belief that a machine is there that can purify the meteors. She directed we seek you out, Evelyn."
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 9, 2019 0:58:03 GMT
Evelyn sighs. "There's one of these every generation, isn't there?" She mutters to herself, before fixing Bea with her gaze. "I know that nothing that I can say or do short of having you thrown in prison is going to dissuade you. I've been there. Or, rather, next to those who've been there. But... I do know that sometimes the things that seem the most outlandish might end up being true."
"The facility where the first Altered came about is destroyed," Elise says. "I know that for a fact. There were other places, but where we were formed, and the first Hybrids... it was destroyed. Sacrificed by those in charge to slow down their enemies gaining the necessary information to stop their plans. And it almost worked. There was another place, though. Mossdeep. Where the scientists worked on even more questionable things. Because while Hybridizing was legal - even if Alteration was unknown - other things... very much were not. And I feel that that is where you mean."
The Leader sighs again. "Well... if Alissa helped you, then she must have some measure of trust in what you have to say. Whatever it is. Because she was one of the ones most hurt by... the events of the past. I still feel like these are wounds, though, that should not be reopened."
"Look, love, if there's anything anywhere that might help, it would be in that place. It's where the information would have been, about the shadowstone."
"People have been over the systems. You were there! Everything's locked up tight. The more they looked, the less they found."
"Perhaps it's because of what they were looking to do." Yellow says, lazily. "Sometimes things stay hidden until someone is seeking for the right reasons."
"Look," implores Rainbow. "It... it can't hurt to let us try, can it? If we find something, it might be able to help."
"It's not dangerous," Elise says. "It's just... full of knowledge that shouldn't get out. And they know about what's in there. So... it can't hurt. It would hurt more if they tried to get in there anyways."
A third sigh. "I hate you, I hate all of this, and I hate that you're right most of all." She looks at the others. "I'll... see after dinner if I can levy some of my connections to get you permission to get in there." A pause. "Anything else you want to say that might spoil my appetite that we should get out of the way now?" Elise just looks satisfied, and Bea hears a faint voice in her head <<Don't worry. She's just grumpy that she has to admit that she's wrong. I'm sure you're doing the right thing.>>
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 9, 2019 1:08:36 GMT
"Not unless you want to talk about time travel, or wishes." The teem smiled, and while her tone had been teasing, there wasn't a hint of falsehood to it. "Alissa had mentioned Mossdeep, that bit had slipped my mind. Uhm... you have a lovely home?" She added awkwardly.
Another psychic type? Fascinating. The girl's eyes wandered back to that crystal and held there for a moment. "Thank you, Evelyn, Elise... we can put further discussion aside until after dinner? Heavy topics don't settle a stomach well, and I'm sure it's been a long day if it ended with battling a future champion." She coaxed the sulking gym leader just a bit.
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 10, 2019 4:30:58 GMT
"You're right," Evelyn says, trying to be a bit more upbeat. "I'm not really doing my job well as either a host or a Gym Leader. It's just... host to a whole lot of memories that I'd rather forget. Too much pain for everyone involved, even to this day."
"I suppose I should ask how you all are faring on your Gym Challenges, if that's something that you are pursuing. Since that means we will probably be facing off sooner or later..."
Dinner proceeds with mostly small talk. Rainbow doesn't eat particularly much, mostly just seeming to be glad to have the topic turned lighter, while Yellow is quite happy to basically wolf down whatever food is in front of him. Well... come to think of it, this is the first time that he's actually ever eaten.
"So," Elise says, after dinner's all eaten. "Was there anything else you were needing?"
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 10, 2019 17:24:59 GMT
"I'm the only one actively taking on the league, with desires to be a Pokemon Professor someday, or at the very least a groundbreaking scientist in the fields of medicine and technology. You are actually my next challenge, likely tomorrow barring some measure of expediency in the larger scope goals."
"Nothing particularly comes to mind... Oh, actually... Do you know of any interesting places in the wilds around here, or must see sights in the city itself? I do like to wander." She replies to the altered, perking up substantially at the question.
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 11, 2019 2:36:54 GMT
"There's nothing particularly standout around Verdanturf," Elise says. "The place is pretty much known exactly for nothing going on. Just clean air, quiet life, a bunch of flowers. Only Oldale comes close, and at least that has heritage and tourism. People only come here if they want peace and quiet, or passing from one big city to another. It's honestly pretty boring." She gives a laugh. "But, I like it anyways. I can do with nothing interesting happening for the rest of my life."
"There're some decent local cafes and trinket shops and stuff if you like handcrafted art," Evelyn says. "Most things here are fairly small business, so you might find something that piques your interest if you wander. But, mostly it's just a town where people relax."
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 11, 2019 3:58:32 GMT
"Are there any Dragon or Steel type Pokemon in the mountains around here? Maybe Rainbow, Yellow and I can make a day trip of hiking and looking for some. I imagine the view over this valley is probably something Gram would talk about, and if I'm to be facing hybrids I imagine I'll need all the help I can bring. It would also give you a bit of time to prepare, and my team more opportunity to grow stronger for the trials ahead." She nodded resolutely, thinking the decision sound.
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Post by DataNinja on Nov 11, 2019 4:06:49 GMT
"There're some Aron that hide in the depths of Rusturf," Evelyn says, "and every once in a while one of the Onix in there evolves. And while it's not a Steel type itself, there's occasionally a Scyther or two that goes around the east route,terrorizing things, until someone drives it off. No dragons, though. Those mostly live in much more secluded areas. Meteor Falls, beneath Sootopolis, Victory Road... not really around here. Swablu can be found around, though, and Trapinch further past Mauville if you're willing to brave the desert sands."
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6,666 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 26, 2024 17:35:49 GMT
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Post by Robot on Nov 11, 2019 10:54:44 GMT
"I've never seen a Scyther before." The trainer admitted with a great deal of curiosity. "I was led to believe they preferred jungle habitats but I suppose lush forest would be enough. Well, we've taken enough of your time for one evening. I am sure whatever tomorrow brings it will be educational."
One did not achieve greatness without moving beyond comfort zones. On the other hand, really, really big bugs. That, and hiking was just awful. Actually the worst.
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