It would be fairly obvious where to find Theo. Viera are a people of the trees. They tend to like high places. Theo was no exception, of course. When traveling, he would often climb a tree if it was an option to rest for the night. If he were to rest at an inn, he tended to pick higher floors. So the red mage was there, at one of the towers right outside of the main body of the Crystarium.
He was able to see G'raha Tia's approach, though he might have heard him even before that. His ears twitched, perking forward even as he looked down.
"I could say the same to you." G'raha returns with a light smile, "mind if I join you?"
He doesn't bother explaining why he's stepped away, or asking why Theo has either, he knows the information will be volunteered if Theo wants to talk about it, and there's little point in prying if he doesn't. Instead, he'd rather sit under the stars and enjoy the company of his soulmate...while deciding whether or not to reveal that they are soulmates.
Beyond that, though, he also does just want to make sure Theo is okay - he's been through a hell of a lot these last few days - and that he's okay with G'raha, that he isn't angry about the lies.
Theo wasn't about to stop the man from joining him. That would defeat the purpose of everything that the Viera had mentioned under the guise of casual conversation. Of course there was a bit of frustration on his part, discovering the truth in full the way that he had. While Theo didn't necessarily fault him for the lies and deception, Theo supposed it was the fact that the infuriating man thought to sacrifice himself again.
That didn't mean he would refuse his company nor was he upset enough to punish G'raha with the silent treatment or consider their friendship null and void. G'raha, in his mind, gave up so much just to change fate.
"Their cheers, pleasant as they are, were a bit much for my ears," he supplied instead.
G'raha hesitates for a moment, the phrasing isn't exactly an explicit invitation, but it's also not quite a dismissal either, so he decides he will do as he pleases, and joins the other man.
"They were rather loud." He agrees gently, taking the opportunity to let his eyes run over Theo, almost like he's checking for injuries even though he knows physically he's fine, coming to rest on his face and studying him, silent for a moment before turning his gaze up to the sky.
"I can understand why, given all you've done for them... but I can understand it being overwhelming, too."
Really, there was no reason to be concerned about his physical state. G'raha was far worse off than Theo. The man was shot and tortured by Emet-Selch. Honestly, the Miqo'te really needed to be looked over by healers proper. Perhaps when the excitement dwindled, the Viera would insist upon it. For now, all that remained on Theo's person were scratches and scrapes.
"I do not fault them their joy," he said, eyes joining G'raha's looking up at the sky. "It would seems as though the heavens themselves are rejoicing."
The stars themselves were vivid. Bright. The shimmered and twinkled in swathes across the inky black of the sky. This was one of the reasons Theo constantly found himself in the treetops as a child and a young man.
"They are" G'raha agrees softly, still staring up at the sky. He doesn't look away when the other question comes, just tilts his head slightly to consider it.
"As well as can be expected." He says in the end, which isn't necessarily all that promising given what he went through. In truth, he's fairly certain it's nothing a little rest won't cure, now that he's back nearer the tower.
The fact that being this close to the tower is the only thing keeping him on his feet, and just a little more of his skin is now crystalline blue, is neither here nor there.
"Ready to focus on getting your friends home safely." He adds, and then continues with a wry smile "without sacrificing myself to do it, before you say anything."
"Hardly reassuring, I'll have you know," Theo quipped. G'raha, no matter the age, seemed to like to keep some things secret.
His gaze shifted towards the man next to him. Ready to focus on getting the Scions home safely. Without sacrificing himself? Theo approved of that much at least. He didn't want to go through this all for a third time, thank you kindly.
"If you hide anything of that nature from us again I will not forgive you so easily," he said. Of course implying that he already forgave the deception this time around.
G'raha's smile is slightly rueful, and he finally looks away from the stars to duck his head.
"You needn't worry about me, I promise you that." He amends. He does mean it, though whether Theo would agree is another matter entirely. He's tired, and somewhat emotionally drained, but he'll recover, and there are more important things to focus on, to his mind.
He glances over when Theo makes the other comment, his expression briefly startled before setting into something soft and apologetic.
"I understand. I do apologise, I thought it better to do things the way I did, but I realise now I should have handled it... differently."
There it was, something that was a bit more G'raha than Crystal Exarch. Theo tilted his head to the side, something like amusement creeping its way onto his face and eyes. "I believe that I will continue to do so regardless of whether or not you desire it."
That was just his way. Theo would continue to worry about those around him. It didn't matter whether or not they were capable, it was just how he was. Someone that felt the need to protect. Even though the man next to him said that he didn't need to, in reality that might make the Viera do so even more. However, there was no need to argue it right now.
His eyes met ruby red ones. This, Theo thought, was much better. Being able to see the other rather than only half of his face put him more at ease. Something more settled within his chest - though what that was he wasn't entirely certain.
"You might have, yes," he hummed in agreement. "I was waiting for you to explain your reasons."
He can't help but smile slightly at that - it's a little sad, because the last thing he wants is to make Theo worry, but it's grateful at the same time. It means a lot to him, to have Theo's attention - both because of who he is, and because of what G'raha now knows about their bond.
Then Theo continues and he's so startled he actually takes a tiny step back, ears perking up and eyes widening.
"You- you already knew?"
And he'd thought his air of mystery and wisdom so successful too...
"Not immediately, if that is any consolation," Theo mused. "For a moment, I truly did believe your lie that you had no idea who G'raha Tia was."
The Viera continued to watch the other. His arms were folded over his chest. There was far too much mirth and amusement in his turquoise eyes, really, to even pretend to by anything but entertained.
"Then your heartrate increased."
A classic tell when someone was lying. Or, rather, when a terrible liar was lying.
G'raha stares for a moment and then sighs, huffing a rueful laugh as he lifts a hand to rub his face.
"I should have known," he chuckles softly "I always forget just how sensitive your hearing really is..."
In his defense, it had been such a long time since he last saw Theo, and he had so many things on his mind in that moment. After that, well, he foolishly thought he'd gotten away with it.
"In your defense, most do," the Viera replied. "Viera of the Wood are a bit more... Reticent. Thus we typically do not make show of it."
Which was why Theo said nothing as well. Of course it meant that he overheard many things at any given point and chose not to comment on them. It was one of the issues, being withdrawn, that Theo expressed to the Crystal Exarch not too long ago. Which, Theo was sure that this little fact would catch up to G'raha shortly.
He was just waiting on it. To tease.
"I do commend your ability to maintain the ruse nonetheless."
"I think I was only able to maintain the ruse because you allowed me to." G'raha protests, half laughing. He's a little grateful for it, admittedly, because it made a lot easier to keep the distance that he thought was necessary when he'd been planning to sacrifice himself.
Now he isn't even sure what he's going to do, what's going to happen.
"I suppose it's good that it's out of the way now. We can focus on the important things, like getting your friends back safely to their bodies on the Source."
And figuring out what, if anything, he's supposed to do about this whole soulmate situation.
"Did you really believe you could pull off being a villain?" Theo asked, almost perplexed. "Given everything you have done for the people here and the adoration that they hold for you?"
It was baffling to think that G'raha would ever have been entirely successful. There were too many good deeds done for anyone to not question any selfish motives. Even if Theo wasn't aware of the identity of the man before him, he would have been hard pressed to think poorly of him.
His eyes strayed towards the crowds still gathering in the distance. Completely unaware was he, regarding the situation that still yet plagued G'raha.
"For now I think we have been afforded time to rest. I would not want Lyna hunting me down ere you think about immediately beginning this next project."
G'raha stares at him for a moment, looking equally perplexed, until understanding dawns and he laughs sheepishly, rubbing his arm.
"I- well, um, that's not- I didn't exactly...."
He trails off for a moment, not quite wanting to explain that, actually, he was sort of trying to be the hero, he just clearly wasn't very good at it. He should just leave it to the professionals, clearly.
He clears his throat awkwardly and shakes his head.
"I suppose I was trying too hard to be something I'm not."
He shrugs, then chuckles slightly as Theo continues.
"She can be quite intimidating when she wants to be. Rest sounds like a wonderful idea. For us both."
He tilted his head a bit to the side, as though willing G'raha to continue that train of though. When the Miqo'te didn't, Theo hummed and turned his gaze back towards the Crystarium proper. Towards all of the persons celebrating this night and his own companions that are likely relieved to have reached this point.
Then he spoke again, about Lyna but then about how they would both be resting. At this, Theo turned and looked back at G'raha Tia.
His ears twitched in response. Now one might have felt offended at the secondary statement, but it was somewhat of a relief to Theo. It meant that the man before him was starting to feel more at ease. Less formal and more with that bit of fire that had once existed prior to all of this. It wasn't as though G'raha was wrong either. Theo was rather notorious at escaping rest.
There came an almost resigned sigh. Almost.
"Hopefully not at the expense of yourself. Thus I propose... A compromise."
There's the tiniest hint of guilt in his expression before he can clamp down on it, because he knows full well that he would, in fact, take on everything himself just to spare Theo the interruption - at least, everything he could take on himself. Not that he thinks he'd handle it even half as well, but he'd try.
"And what is this compromise you suggest?" He asks, slightly suspicious that Theo was trying to wriggle his way out of actually taking a break somehow.
Do not think for a moment that the Viera didn't notice that slight shift in the man's expression. However, Theo was polite enough ( at the moment ) to not bring it to the forefront of the conversation. Instead he approached G'raha Tia. Closing the distance between them slightly, Theo had every intention to make this compromise fair.
"I will rest for only so long as you do."
Which meant that, ultimately, the onus would be on one Miqo'te.
G'raha tries to think his way around the proposal for a long moment before finally huffing in something like fond amusement. He knows that's probably going to result in less rest because there'll always be something that needs at least one of them, but at least it's a start - and probably the best he can hope for.
"Alright, you have a deal." He says, holding out his hand to shake. For a moment, he looks and sounds more like his old self, like the G'raha that Theo met in Mor Dhona rather than the Crystal Exarch. It's only a moment, but it's there.
All Theo truly wanted for the other was for him to have the desire to live. To seek that adventure that he so desperately wanted and dreamed of. G'raha Tia didn't need to be some kind of martyr or sacrifice for the greater good. The Scions, and Theo in general, has had simply enough of that. There was no reason to allow another person to meet the same end if it could be prevented.
He took G'raha's hand and gave it a shake, in agreement with the decision with a quirk of his lips. It was good to be able to get his way, even if it was just in this.
G'raha doesn't know what's going through Theo's mind, of course, but if he did he would have to admit that he does, perhaps, have a desire to live after all. It's hard to want to sacrifice yourself when you've met your soulmate, to want your time together to be so brief, but he also has no idea if there's truly another option now. Worse still, there's the possibility that another option would still leave him here on the First and send Theo home - better for the warrior, perhaps, taken to a world where he might still find his own soulmate in the Crystal Tower waiting there, but for G'raha left alone on the First?
If his choices are death or heartbreak, he's truly not sure which he would prefer.
Still, he smiles and nods and enjoys the warmth of Theo's hand grasped in his own.
Of course on that evening, G'raha Tia was not the only one enjoying the warmth of a hand in his. This time he would keep that hand extended. Waiting for the Miqo'te to take. Theo was going to be resolute in his resolve, to aid the other in his endeavor to bring the rest of the Scions back to the Source without his life being forfeit. Hopefully this time G'raha Tia would be able to live a life that would allow him to pursue his own dreams.
Which would potentially come about in a different way. In time, they would find the means to return everyone to the Source. They would resolve some of the issues that plagued the First. There was the discovery that undoing what had been done to the majority of the Shard could be reversed. Where there had been no hope before started to bloom anew in the hearts of the people. Yet Theo stood against one more Ascian, one more being that was simply fighting to bring back all that he had lost. Theo found no fault in such desires and, perhaps, understood the means. There would be loss regardless - either the present or the past. Theo elected for the future instead.
He stood now, in front of the doors to the Crystal Tower on the Source. One more vessel was in his hands. There was one more person that needed to wake from their slumber. Theo held a choice in his hands - one given to him by one that would forever stand watch at the top of a different tower. Across the rift. Yet Theo did not think he would be the one to make the choice, as he ascended the various stairs within. He knew what awaited him at the top - a G'raha Tia that was asleep and unaware of all that had transpired - but the Viera also thought that this should also be his choice as well. To accept the Crystal Exarch was not something that Theo could decide for him.
Theo stopped before the overly large throne, spying G'raha still there. Surely the state of stasis cast upon all within the Crystal Tower would be wearing off shortly. And there he would wait. He would wait for the other to stir before leaving the fate of his vessel in his hands.
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so i have time for tagging
He was able to see G'raha Tia's approach, though he might have heard him even before that. His ears twitched, perking forward even as he looked down.
"Should you not be celebrating with your people?"
Re: so i have time for tagging
"I could say the same to you." G'raha returns with a light smile, "mind if I join you?"
He doesn't bother explaining why he's stepped away, or asking why Theo has either, he knows the information will be volunteered if Theo wants to talk about it, and there's little point in prying if he doesn't. Instead, he'd rather sit under the stars and enjoy the company of his soulmate...while deciding whether or not to reveal that they are soulmates.
Beyond that, though, he also does just want to make sure Theo is okay - he's been through a hell of a lot these last few days - and that he's okay with G'raha, that he isn't angry about the lies.
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Theo wasn't about to stop the man from joining him. That would defeat the purpose of everything that the Viera had mentioned under the guise of casual conversation. Of course there was a bit of frustration on his part, discovering the truth in full the way that he had. While Theo didn't necessarily fault him for the lies and deception, Theo supposed it was the fact that the infuriating man thought to sacrifice himself again.
That didn't mean he would refuse his company nor was he upset enough to punish G'raha with the silent treatment or consider their friendship null and void. G'raha, in his mind, gave up so much just to change fate.
"Their cheers, pleasant as they are, were a bit much for my ears," he supplied instead.
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G'raha hesitates for a moment, the phrasing isn't exactly an explicit invitation, but it's also not quite a dismissal either, so he decides he will do as he pleases, and joins the other man.
"They were rather loud." He agrees gently, taking the opportunity to let his eyes run over Theo, almost like he's checking for injuries even though he knows physically he's fine, coming to rest on his face and studying him, silent for a moment before turning his gaze up to the sky.
"I can understand why, given all you've done for them... but I can understand it being overwhelming, too."
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"I do not fault them their joy," he said, eyes joining G'raha's looking up at the sky. "It would seems as though the heavens themselves are rejoicing."
The stars themselves were vivid. Bright. The shimmered and twinkled in swathes across the inky black of the sky. This was one of the reasons Theo constantly found himself in the treetops as a child and a young man.
"How are you fairing?"
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"They are" G'raha agrees softly, still staring up at the sky. He doesn't look away when the other question comes, just tilts his head slightly to consider it.
"As well as can be expected." He says in the end, which isn't necessarily all that promising given what he went through. In truth, he's fairly certain it's nothing a little rest won't cure, now that he's back nearer the tower.
The fact that being this close to the tower is the only thing keeping him on his feet, and just a little more of his skin is now crystalline blue, is neither here nor there.
"Ready to focus on getting your friends home safely." He adds, and then continues with a wry smile "without sacrificing myself to do it, before you say anything."
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His gaze shifted towards the man next to him. Ready to focus on getting the Scions home safely. Without sacrificing himself? Theo approved of that much at least. He didn't want to go through this all for a third time, thank you kindly.
"If you hide anything of that nature from us again I will not forgive you so easily," he said. Of course implying that he already forgave the deception this time around.
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G'raha's smile is slightly rueful, and he finally looks away from the stars to duck his head.
"You needn't worry about me, I promise you that." He amends. He does mean it, though whether Theo would agree is another matter entirely. He's tired, and somewhat emotionally drained, but he'll recover, and there are more important things to focus on, to his mind.
He glances over when Theo makes the other comment, his expression briefly startled before setting into something soft and apologetic.
"I understand. I do apologise, I thought it better to do things the way I did, but I realise now I should have handled it... differently."
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That was just his way. Theo would continue to worry about those around him. It didn't matter whether or not they were capable, it was just how he was. Someone that felt the need to protect. Even though the man next to him said that he didn't need to, in reality that might make the Viera do so even more. However, there was no need to argue it right now.
His eyes met ruby red ones. This, Theo thought, was much better. Being able to see the other rather than only half of his face put him more at ease. Something more settled within his chest - though what that was he wasn't entirely certain.
"You might have, yes," he hummed in agreement. "I was waiting for you to explain your reasons."
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He can't help but smile slightly at that - it's a little sad, because the last thing he wants is to make Theo worry, but it's grateful at the same time. It means a lot to him, to have Theo's attention - both because of who he is, and because of what G'raha now knows about their bond.
Then Theo continues and he's so startled he actually takes a tiny step back, ears perking up and eyes widening.
"You- you already knew?"
And he'd thought his air of mystery and wisdom so successful too...
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The Viera continued to watch the other. His arms were folded over his chest. There was far too much mirth and amusement in his turquoise eyes, really, to even pretend to by anything but entertained.
"Then your heartrate increased."
A classic tell when someone was lying. Or, rather, when a terrible liar was lying.
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G'raha stares for a moment and then sighs, huffing a rueful laugh as he lifts a hand to rub his face.
"I should have known," he chuckles softly "I always forget just how sensitive your hearing really is..."
In his defense, it had been such a long time since he last saw Theo, and he had so many things on his mind in that moment. After that, well, he foolishly thought he'd gotten away with it.
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Which was why Theo said nothing as well. Of course it meant that he overheard many things at any given point and chose not to comment on them. It was one of the issues, being withdrawn, that Theo expressed to the Crystal Exarch not too long ago. Which, Theo was sure that this little fact would catch up to G'raha shortly.
He was just waiting on it. To tease.
"I do commend your ability to maintain the ruse nonetheless."
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"I think I was only able to maintain the ruse because you allowed me to." G'raha protests, half laughing. He's a little grateful for it, admittedly, because it made a lot easier to keep the distance that he thought was necessary when he'd been planning to sacrifice himself.
Now he isn't even sure what he's going to do, what's going to happen.
"I suppose it's good that it's out of the way now. We can focus on the important things, like getting your friends back safely to their bodies on the Source."
And figuring out what, if anything, he's supposed to do about this whole soulmate situation.
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It was baffling to think that G'raha would ever have been entirely successful. There were too many good deeds done for anyone to not question any selfish motives. Even if Theo wasn't aware of the identity of the man before him, he would have been hard pressed to think poorly of him.
His eyes strayed towards the crowds still gathering in the distance. Completely unaware was he, regarding the situation that still yet plagued G'raha.
"For now I think we have been afforded time to rest. I would not want Lyna hunting me down ere you think about immediately beginning this next project."
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G'raha stares at him for a moment, looking equally perplexed, until understanding dawns and he laughs sheepishly, rubbing his arm.
"I- well, um, that's not- I didn't exactly...."
He trails off for a moment, not quite wanting to explain that, actually, he was sort of trying to be the hero, he just clearly wasn't very good at it. He should just leave it to the professionals, clearly.
He clears his throat awkwardly and shakes his head.
"I suppose I was trying too hard to be something I'm not."
He shrugs, then chuckles slightly as Theo continues.
"She can be quite intimidating when she wants to be. Rest sounds like a wonderful idea. For us both."
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Then he spoke again, about Lyna but then about how they would both be resting. At this, Theo turned and looked back at G'raha Tia.
"Are you implying that I would not?"
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"Implying? No, of course not, I would never imply such a thing..." G'raha starts, soft and reassuring and apparently entirely genuine.
Then something like mischief touches his lips and he continues matter-of-factly.
"I am saying you would not. You, my dear friend, are in fact remarkably bad at getting your rest."
It's perhaps a touch of pot calling the kettle black, he knows that, but he's not wrong.
"I will even do my best to ensure you aren't bothered with any other crises... at least for a little while."
sorry for delay; work has had me traveling a lot
There came an almost resigned sigh. Almost.
"Hopefully not at the expense of yourself. Thus I propose... A compromise."
no worries!
There's the tiniest hint of guilt in his expression before he can clamp down on it, because he knows full well that he would, in fact, take on everything himself just to spare Theo the interruption - at least, everything he could take on himself. Not that he thinks he'd handle it even half as well, but he'd try.
"And what is this compromise you suggest?" He asks, slightly suspicious that Theo was trying to wriggle his way out of actually taking a break somehow.
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"I will rest for only so long as you do."
Which meant that, ultimately, the onus would be on one Miqo'te.
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Oh.
Well, that's cheating.
G'raha tries to think his way around the proposal for a long moment before finally huffing in something like fond amusement. He knows that's probably going to result in less rest because there'll always be something that needs at least one of them, but at least it's a start - and probably the best he can hope for.
"Alright, you have a deal." He says, holding out his hand to shake. For a moment, he looks and sounds more like his old self, like the G'raha that Theo met in Mor Dhona rather than the Crystal Exarch. It's only a moment, but it's there.
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He took G'raha's hand and gave it a shake, in agreement with the decision with a quirk of his lips. It was good to be able to get his way, even if it was just in this.
"Shall we call it a night then?"
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G'raha doesn't know what's going through Theo's mind, of course, but if he did he would have to admit that he does, perhaps, have a desire to live after all. It's hard to want to sacrifice yourself when you've met your soulmate, to want your time together to be so brief, but he also has no idea if there's truly another option now. Worse still, there's the possibility that another option would still leave him here on the First and send Theo home - better for the warrior, perhaps, taken to a world where he might still find his own soulmate in the Crystal Tower waiting there, but for G'raha left alone on the First?
If his choices are death or heartbreak, he's truly not sure which he would prefer.
Still, he smiles and nods and enjoys the warmth of Theo's hand grasped in his own.
"We shall." He agrees
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Which would potentially come about in a different way. In time, they would find the means to return everyone to the Source. They would resolve some of the issues that plagued the First. There was the discovery that undoing what had been done to the majority of the Shard could be reversed. Where there had been no hope before started to bloom anew in the hearts of the people. Yet Theo stood against one more Ascian, one more being that was simply fighting to bring back all that he had lost. Theo found no fault in such desires and, perhaps, understood the means. There would be loss regardless - either the present or the past. Theo elected for the future instead.
He stood now, in front of the doors to the Crystal Tower on the Source. One more vessel was in his hands. There was one more person that needed to wake from their slumber. Theo held a choice in his hands - one given to him by one that would forever stand watch at the top of a different tower. Across the rift. Yet Theo did not think he would be the one to make the choice, as he ascended the various stairs within. He knew what awaited him at the top - a G'raha Tia that was asleep and unaware of all that had transpired - but the Viera also thought that this should also be his choice as well. To accept the Crystal Exarch was not something that Theo could decide for him.
Theo stopped before the overly large throne, spying G'raha still there. Surely the state of stasis cast upon all within the Crystal Tower would be wearing off shortly. And there he would wait. He would wait for the other to stir before leaving the fate of his vessel in his hands.
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now that dawntrail doesn't have me in a vice grip...
ahaha. I've barely had a chance to play! Stupid real life!
real life is definitely stupid
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