Dredging the depths.
Thursday 22nd March...
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So that was teleportation ! Matt was sure he could get used to it Once Talia learned to teleport his stomach along with the rest of him that was!.Not that any of this was her fault of course. She couldn’t have known the havoc such a swift transition would have on his system. His power just wasn’t adapted to this form of transport that was all; Under normal circumstances it would probably have been acceptable. If he had known in advance what to prepare himself for. As it was the blind man stood gasping in the grips of something resembling a really bad bout of sea sickness while his damaged senses reached out desperately, seeking some point of reference. Oh god the smell! That alone would have been enough .to tell him where he was.
He had thought he was prepared for it. He had certainly stocked the rank odour of the sewers in his memory as he had all other predominant stenches that threatened to bother him and knowing where he was heading had tried to dampen it. He had reckoned however without the effect of teleportation! Disoriented as he had been at his arrival with no radar sense kicking in to stabilise him, his other senses had tried to compensate to their utmost. Which was why he was now retching into his boots!
Matt took a long breath and then doubled again, wishing he hadn’t. Hardly the dignified image of a hero he was supposed to project! But then not everything they said in the press was true. Despite all the reports Daredevil could still throw up, even if he managed not to on this occasion. Though it was a close run thing. When the world had stopped turning he turned ruefully towards the two students who had accompanied him and tried to smile.
Wow that was quite a ride. he said shakily. He had now centred his abilities sufficiently to know that they were in one of the tunnels that ran unsuspected beneath the city and dampened his sense of smell sufficiently to function in the heady atmosphere they had to navigate in.*Concentrate* he told himself taking a step forward. * You were here before with Peter! Focus and follow! Isn’t that what you do best?*
Already he was beginning to filter out the scents, catching his own unmistakable one amongst many others.” Guess its this way” he said, his words half question, half affirmation. After all he wasn’t really the leader on this particular mission. He was just the guy whose life had been saved. And who was now coming back to say thank you.
Both the younger students seemed to stand with a cautious pause as they watched Daredevil recover from the teleporting, something that didn’t upset Talia too much as a few people had the same reaction when newly experiencing the power of a Wagner’s teleportation. Even Talia herself had felt the same sickness, as too her father had, but like them and others who have tagged along in the past on numerous times, they get used to it. Some were lucky to have stronger stomachs and weren’t effected by the power at all. The red leather clad mutant however seemed to be suffering for the worse and Talia wondered if he would be ok and able to make it longer in the sewers.
"Wow that was quite a ride." The nurse kept a careful study of the other as he spoke, noting the weakness and worrying over the patient now left in her care. DareDevil hadn’t been in the best shape when he arrived, and although the crimefighter attempted to put on a brave face for them Talia still felt as if he should be resting, not out here running around. Then again, saying that, she also appreciated the need for him to return, and admired the fight in him to do so.
*Concentrate* The male words echoed about the depths of Talia’s mind with insistance, and a confused look fell with a subtle expression upon her features, watching DareDevil as he stepped towards her and Ben. *You were here before with Peter! Focus and follow! Isn’t that what you do best?* Again, Talia stared at the well known street fighting mutant, though just as quickly as the confusion was risen the understanding that Matt was talking to himself and not trying to direct any thoughts at her soon took over.
"Guess its this way" Golden eyes turned to Ben, then down the way to which led out into the main area of mutants. The tight suit adorning the nurses body was now so unlike the previous attire she had worn down here, at least this time she was not bare foot either and as a hand passed briefly beneath her nose she willed it down by her side. It was difficult coming from the sterile MedBay to this grimy setting, and if it was difficult for her she feared to place herself in DareDevil’s shoes!
"Zis vay zen." The telepath relayed within their minds as they walked, the nurse never letting herself step head of Ben, hovering just half a step behind the other student as they walked onwards. Her tail flicked about anxiously as they entered the large open area, the reaction to their sudden appearance caused a few to dart off into their make shift homes or back away, strangers a rare sight and yet at the same time DareDevil was noticed easily and allowed some to let their cautious nature to nestle back down with the rest of their paranoid grasp of uncertainties and allow instead their curiosity to reign.
The patrol’s had head out at this time, Gnarl remained watching over the community and currently a young girl at the moment, a handful of other helpers kept an eye open while the forty year old amused the child, his canine nose and peculiar features doing nothing to unnerve the smiling child who’s skin was as white as pure snow, long white strands of white fell about her and yet smears of grim tarnished the striking features of the pretty girl, ice blue eyes had turned towards the oncoming group as Talia and Ben lead DareDevil towards the tank and his amphibious rescuer. The child seemed half stand uncertain if she should stay or not, but her awkwardness with strangers had Gnarl place a hand on her head.
"Off you go, tell yer Momma uncle Gnarl wants to see her later." The large eyes of the child looked up at the unrelated man who addressed himself as her uncle solely for the fact that most children referred to him as such, and a lot of people happily treated each other as relatives, especially for the children’s sake. A nod was given from the girl, who wore a scruffy old grey dress that had what appeared like faded flower prints, leading on to imagine the dress could have once been a happy bright yellow summer dress before it’s time down here. Even if you showered often it didn’t help, not down here, not when grime was everywhere, there was no escape and part of Talia found herself trying to imagine her own uncle, as technically that was what Connor’s relation to her, trying to survive down her. If he was lost and kept in a place like this… her heart sank once again and Talia fretted over the possibilities that weighed her troubled thoughts.
"Welcome back," The kindness in Gnarl’s face came, even if the fanged mouth made it hard for some to see the gentleness the smile was supposed to represent. "We’re glade to see up on yer feet," The comment was directed towards Daredevil with a glade voice, as if worry had finally been released and now Gnarl could relax, and in many ways that’s exactly how it was. "Poor Lorne’s been beside ‘imself wonderin’ if you’ve recovered or not, heart o’gold an’ a worrywart t’boot." A light hearted laugh came from the Morlock, though he let the chuckle pass and spoke once again with an air of curiosity and authority. "Though we didn’t expect t’see you again so soon… anythin’ we can do fer you?" Talia was waiting for the guys to step up, be it Ben or their well known companion Talia didn’t really mind, her own yellow eyes were focused on the more then noticeable tank that stood probably about twenty meters from them. She could see the boy inside of the tank, his attention seemed focus on the stand just outside the tank, reading yet again the words over the pages he could see for possibly the eighth time. Gnarl had gotten distracted and so he’d not been able to get back to Lorne to flip the page, that and people still were acting overly cautious with Lorne since with DareDevil he had been in such a poor shape on his return to the tank.
There was that same stab of pain and pity in Talia as she watched the amphibious mutant, he didn’t look upset, he didn’t look as if he was stressed or going out of his mind as Talia would have expected with someone in his predicament. Perhaps that’s what hurt the most, the patience and acceptance the boy had towards his situation, the fact he didn’t fight the things nature handed him and seemed to just take it in his stride, being a telepath Talia knew full well that the well spoken and polite youth was still longing for more, but he didn’t seem to be one to impose his seemingly hopeless and pointless wishes onto others. Talia may lock herself in the Medbay for so long, but at least when she wanted to she could leave, and that’s what stopped the medical facility from becoming a prison for her, because when she needed to leave, she could.
Re: Dredging the depths.
Ben closed his eyes during the teleport and took a deep breath at the other end to calm his racing heart. It wasn’t that he found teleporting scary as such, it was just that there was something about it that made him uncomfortable… maybe it was just the fact that he had to touch Talia to accomplish it. As for the deep breath well that proved to be a serious mistake and he made a mental note to never breathe in a sewer again.
When Ben finally looked up at his companions he noted that Talia looked much more comfortable in their new surroundings now that she was properly dressed for the occasion, his other companion however was having a much harder time of their little expedition. Ben felt really sorry for Daredevil while silently thanking his lucky stars that he had not ended up the same way as the crime fighter. Which could quite easily have happened seeing as the Darklight mutant was horribly travel sick on most other forms of transport.
He glanced over at Talia who was waiting patiently for the red devils bout of illness to pass. She didn’t seem to distraught by the fact that her teleportation had had this affect on Matt so Ben presumed that this may be a rather usual side affect of travelling in the blink of an eye. As he realised this he felt doubly lucky that he had somehow avoided embarrassing himself in front of Talia.
"Wow that was quite a ride."
Ben smiled a little at how cheerful Daredevil was about the rough start to their trip and the young mutant would have said something in reply had not the crime fighters stance changed ever so slightly. To Ben it looked as if Matt was concentrating hard on something so he held his tongue and waited.
"Guess it’s this way"
The Darklight mutant looked around the tunnel and shrugged slightly. He wasn’t sure exactly where Talia had teleported them to and even though his sense of direction was good there weren’t really any landmarks down here. So he just nodded when Talia caught his gaze and spoke into his mind, as long as they knew where they were going he was happy to follow.
However it seemed that Talia would prefer for him to lead the way, so he set off in the direction she had indicated and followed the straight tunnel that made up the sewer. It did not take long before their small tunnel gave off into the large room he remembered from the other night. As he stepped into the open he slowed down and looked around trying to identify someone he recognised.
As many of the rooms inhabitants slyly slipped away, Ben quickly spotted a vaguely familiar figure. It was the man that had greeted them when they had come to pick up the wounded crime fighter. And even though Ben had seen him before he still found his appearance somewhat disturbing. However the elder mutant soon made them all feel at home with his warm welcome and Ben inwardly scolded himself for any qualms he might have had.
"Welcome back. We’re glade to see up on yer feet. Poor Lorne’s been beside ‘imself wonderin’ if you’ve recovered or not, heart o’gold an’ a worrywart t’boot. Though we didn’t expect t’see you again so soon… anythin’ we can do fer you?"
Ben stepped forward seeing as it was the message he had delivered that had brought them here and he figured it was up to him to explain it.
“Lorne had asked me to give a message to Daredevil upon his recovery. And upon hearing of his rescuer our healing crime fighter asked if we would arrange and introduction.”
Well that ought to do it; now it really was just up to Daredevil.
Re: Dredging the depths.
Once he had got his wayward senses back under control finding the way was easy enough, all he really had to do was follow the scent of his own blood! Funny how smell could bring back memories better than anything else, even in sighted people. And none of the memories that were flooding into Matt’s mind were exactly pleasant.
No matter how many times you got hurt it didn’t get any easier. You just got better at hiding it. Or so he hoped. And he had been so badly hurt last time he had been here, broken and helpless, blinded as he hadn’t been in years. Now, coming back to this place he had crawled to after the attack, he could almost feel the tentacles crashing into him again, hear the noise they made shattering his world apart . Matt shook his head, trying to clear it, forcing himself to focus on why they had come, on the fact he had survived rather than the fact he had fallen. And on the person who had made that survival possible.
But it was hard. Hard enough that his arrival into the main chamber came almost as a surprise, the space and hubbub upon him before he truly realised it. Then came a voice he recognised and a kindness he remembered. "Welcome back. We’re glad to see up on yer feet.” Gnarl! Met when he had been making his way to the Institute with Peter! “Poor Lorne’s been beside ‘imself wonderin’ if you’ve recovered or not, heart o’gold an’ a worrywart t’boot.” And trapped in a tank if what Ben had told him was correct.
Matt had of course asked questions about the unknown Good Samaritan who had kept him alive. And if the answers he had received had explained a lot, they had also left too much unresolved. Though we didn’t expect t’see you again so soon… . Nor would they have if it hadn’t been for the Institutes unique resources. Resources that could perhaps help the Lorne!
The idea had been playing in the back of Matt’s head ever since Ben had told him what he had seen when he had come to pick him up. Maybe it was a forlorn hope but then again, what if it wasn’t? What if the Institute could really give the young mutant a chance at a different life. Hank had been more than willing to give it a try but then again Matt had expected nothing less from the doctor. Overworked he might well be but he’d never turn anyone away if he thought he could do something to help.
He really was lost in his thoughts again for when Gnarl asked “anythin’ we can do fer you?" it was Ben who answered, his words strangely formal but summing the situation up concisely enough. “I’d like to talk to him for a while if that’s ok?” Matt told the man he knew now to be the leader of these otherwise abandoned people.
Already he was drifting over to where he assumed the tank to be, a huge square mass registering on his consciousness, colder than the rest of the room it stood in. Was the boy really in there? It was so hard to tell, the water masking any smell or movement that might have given the blind man a clue as to his presence. Matt placed his hand against the smooth surface of the glass, moving closer, as if in doing so he would suddenly gain the vision that he lacked.
“Lorne?” he said quietly. “Hi! “ Matt shook his head with a self depreciating smile Hi? How inadequate was that? But then what words would be fitting in their situation? He surely didn’t know but he had to find some and sometimes the simplest ones were the best. “I wanted to meet you. I want to thank you for saving my life”
Re: Dredging the depths."Fer sure! Lorne’s not really done much wanderin’ since’e found ya sir, we aren’t so used t’im gettin’ caught up in nothin’ like this… as I said, poor boy’s been worried ‘bout ya anyway." Gnarl responded to both males who had previously spoken, a hand motioning towards Lorne with an affectionate smile and worried look within his eyes. It was never nice to think that the elder Morlocks fretted over Lorne to a point poor Lorne felt as if he should not leave his aquarium lest he upset others with fretful worry, but over the years it had happened and the Morlocks weren’t foolish enough not to notice this. Each time Lorne pulled himself from the tank caused all those who cared for him to hold their breath and watch each minute that passed to assure the boy didn’t cause himself harm by staying out longer than his body could seem to handle.
Though even as Gnarl was offering them a hand out to head towards Lorne’s tank, DareDevil was already making his way there, leaving the group a few strides behind as he progressed to the youth that had played a fundamental part of DareDevil’s rescue. A polite gesture was repeated for the other two students with a softer smile, though the expression was some deeper look of thought and uncertainty. How would he deal with this? Gnarl couldn’t help but fret, even with a son of his own, the proud protector constantly found himself thinking of Lorne as yet another child of his, even if, unlike Joshua, Lorne was not of blood. That never mattered here, blood ties, appearances, it was all pointless facts, when outcasts of a greater world, condemned for the way they were born, such minor differences were easily overlooked and people far easily accepted for who they were in spirit, and nothing more really mattered.
Let’s hope this show of respect doesn’t leave the boy feelin’ more isolated. It was all Gnarl could think, all he could hope for, knowing full well that seeing outsiders often left young Morlocks with a sense of intrigue, a wonderment of curiosity that thrived all the more at being told it was too dangerous for them to explore. Well, if it was dangerous for a ‘normal’ Morlock child, then that was only increased ten fold or more where Lorne was concerned, his inability to survive in an air-based claimant for long made things hard for him, and dangerous to a fatal degree. That didn’t stop many of the Morlocks from feeling as if they were too hard on the boy when he wished to slink about the sewers, if only to temporarily stretch his legs of play with a friend or two during their school break. They couldn’t ignore Lorne’s needs to venture to the world beyond his tank, and yet… they couldn’t guarantee that should he do so they could always protect him, which made everyone worry all the more. No stoppin’is though, ain’t gonna be every day Lorny get’s’is fifteen minutes o’fame. With a slight sag of the well toned shoulders, Gnarl dragged himself as dignitily as possible after the students, his worries momentarily attempted to be pushed aside in the greater hopes of seeing Lorne cheered up at the chance of seeing that DareDevil was still alive and well.
Lorne on the other hand was finding himself more confined then usual, mostly because of the worried looks people had whenever Lorne did attempt to pull himself from the tank, it was as if they feared he’d run off and get caught up in yet another life and death situation, caught out side the Morlock’s stronghold with a responsibility as great as the previous time. They worried over Lorne’s safety and out of respect the amphibious mutant willed himself to remain content in his current situation and not wander about until people’s recent fears calmed down a little. It was hardly as if Lorne was likely to stumble over any more wounded individuals, but sometimes worry could cause irrational fears to be prominent and Lorne was someone who wouldn’t want to deal that sort of worry on people if he could help avoid it.
The oncoming group was more than enough to catch Lorne’s attention however, drawing him away from yet another moment of idle thoughts regarding the well known red leather clad crime fighter and his well-being. A warm smile instantly spread over the unusual lips that formed part of Lorne’s peculiar facial features, his large eyes no longer half drooping or shut, but open with interest and surprise as he let himself realize this was indeed real and not some realistic dream. Tilting his head slightly as Matt’s hand pressed up against the side of the tank, not often did people do it from the other side, usually it was a trait Lorne had… At times it seemed the only form of contact the amphibious mutant was able to really get on a daily bases, by pressing his hand against the glass and in a sense ‘feeling’ the person’s life-force on the other side as it radiated from their bodies and resonated against the glass. When things were being spoken seriously or comfort was needed, it was usually easier for two palms to touch either side of glass then having Lorne drag himself out there for a hug that would end up with the youth only being short of breath and the other smeared in water.
“Lorne?” The muffled voice spoke with a distorted clarity that Lorne had grown more used to, the large black pupils shifted between the outside bodies, the dark blue rim of iris hard to separate and make out. The darkly stripped figure moved his webbed hands in a fashion that allowed the boy to glide slightly closer to the side of the tank the group was standing. “Hi!“ Lorne raised his hand in a friendly welcome, a small wave as the still surprised Morlock blinked whilst looking over the figure on the other side of the glass, a figure that had at one point not long ago at all, was far from any state of suitable health.“I wanted to meet you. I want to thank you for saving my life” Thank me? A look at Gnarl suggested that Lorne seemed taken back slightly at the offer of gratitude, though quickly regained some composure, the shock of this encounter obviously shook some commonsense out of Lorne as he gave a slight shake of his own head, remembering the very important words that had once stunned him.
"… help me I’m blind…….."
To be blind, and yet a well known acrobatic ‘daredevil’? How amazing, and the thoughts of curiosity had not dimmed the slightest, though were cast aside in favour for the more pressing concerns and worries inflicting Lorne’s mind. I wonder how many have sought him out to thank him for the deeds he has done? Lorne smiled more, his own webbed palm pressing against the cold glass of his window, receiving sensory information that his relatively unique palms allowed him to register.
"Many had helped save you my friend, I was but a beckon they followed, and the others tended to the wounds that I could not have helped tend myself." There was a pride as he tried to explain the work the others had done to help the crime fighter, how they all had teamed together to help one of their own, one who unlike them faced the outside world with a bravery and desperation to set things right! The heavily English accented youth sounded thrilled regardless of his shrugging off the whole of the gratitude, which was done without any hesitation, saying that Lorne felt he had little right to accept a thank you for something he held such a small standing in. "Though, I must admit, I too had wished to meet with you again. I trust you’re not pushing yourself too hard already, even I would dare suggest you have your due rest." The friendly show of concern was said in a manner that didn’t indicate Lorne would push for DareDevil to take things easy, at least not considering that Lorne figured by now the crime fighter knew darn well what his body could and couldn’t handle… It was doubtful that the red figure had not pushed himself to his utmost limits before.
Re: Dredging the depths.
The glass was cold and hard beneath his hand but the voice that answered him was neither. Not even the water that distorted it could disguise its warmth and genuine pleasure at seeing hip again. Nor the English accent that came clearly through with every word. "Many had helped save you my friend,” the aquatic mutant told him modestly “I was but a beacon they followed,” Yes, but if the beacon hadn’t been there then it was Matt’s life that would have flickered out in the dark corridors of the sewers. And that was something no amount of self depreciation could make him forget. “and the others tended to the wounds that I could not have helped tend myself”
It was so much more difficult reading emotions without the inevitable hints that Daredevil’s senses usually let him pick up but even so it was easy to hear the pride and affection with which Lorne spoke of his fellow Morlock’s both emotions more than amply justified from what Matt had witnessed of the lost community’s kindness and loyalty. If Lorne’s feelings were hidden behind the barrier of glass and water, the other mutants concern for him was almost palpable. It was clear that one thing the people down here didn’t lack was love. And despite everything else that made them rich.
How would they react to his idea of taking Lorne to the Institute Matt wondered, not for the first time! It was something that had run through his mind time and time again as he had lain in the med lab waiting for his body to heal. For although he might just be able to give Lorne a different future it would not come without sacrifice! All of this, though it might not look like much at first glance to an outsider, was, after all, the boy’s home. And Matt would be asking him to leave it behind for what? Some hair brained scheme he wasn’t even sure would work? With heart crushing disappointment sure to follow if it didn’t? What right did he have to waltz in and stir things up? Was that really the best way to repay these people for all that they had done for him?
And yet……. even if there was only the remotest possibility that they could liberate Lorne from the confining tank wouldn’t that be worth seizing? Freedom! The ability to lead something resembling a normal life! Things that you never fully appreciated till you lost them. Things that it seemed Lorne had never even had the chance to experience. *I’ve got to give him a shot at it* Matt decided * Though in the end it will be up to him whether he takes it or not*
Unaware of the all too serious thoughts going through the crime fighters mind Lorne went on happily "Though, I must admit, I too had wished to meet with you again. I trust you’re not pushing yourself too hard already, even I would dare suggest you have your due rest." Matt smiled rather shamefacedly in Lorne’s direction. “My doctor said much the same thing, though I think he has rather given up on trying to get me to stay in bed. Don’t worry, I have strict instructions not to get into any trouble….. and I also have Ben and Talia to look out for me just in case I do.”
It was true. Despite the training session that afternoon Matt knew he still wasn’t ready to take to the streets again. Well not unless he really had to. But compared to how he had been, to how he had feared he might have stayed, it was more than he had dared hope. And with each day that passed things were getting better. “Actually” he told Lorne “ If I’m up and about this quickly its because you folks got me to Xavier’s in time. They have some pretty amazing facilities at the Institute and a doctor who knows how to use them to their best advantage.”
Ok, he had sort of broached the subject. Now all he had to do was get to the point without making it sound as if they had some magic wand they could just wave and hey presto all Lorne’s problems would be solved. “He’s a nice guy” Matt went on “and as smart as they come.” Rather an understatement when talking about Hank but then the word genius tended either to scare people off or make them think he was some sort of a miracle worker, both of which Matt wanted to avoid. “Anyway” Keep it casual. Don’t make it sound like the big deal it so obviously was. Not just yet! “I was talking to him about you and he wondered.. well actually we wondered….. if you’d like to come back to the Institute for a bit. Meet some of the students. Maybe even enrol in some of the classes?”
Those were at least things they could promise, even if in the worst case scenario the classes in question would have to come to Lorne’s tank rather than the other way about. Yet even if that was all they managed it would be something. Though there was the hope for so much more.
“Listen Lorne” Matt said earnestly “I know it sounds crazy but they have a tank set up and this doctor.. well he and the others at Xavier’s have helped a lot of mutants over the years. If anyone can find a way to get you some more freedom then they can. If you would like them to try that is.”
Re: Dredging the depths.
“My doctor said much the same thing, though I think he has rather given up on trying to get me to stay in bed. Don’t worry, I have strict instructions not to get into any trouble….. and I also have Ben and Talia to look out for me just in case I do.” Ben and Talia… the other two with him? The names being so obviously male and female made Lorne’s task of pinning the names to their faces much easier. A polite smile was sent their way to the both of them, he did recognize them but at the same time he wanted to be absolutely sure about their names… it was always impolite not to remember their name.
“Actually” The crime fighter continued on, causing a slight tilt of the amphibians head, his large eyes blinking curiously at what the infamous DareDevil had to say to him, of all people.“ If I’m up and about this quickly its because you folks got me to Xavier’s in time. They have some pretty amazing facilities at the Institute and a doctor who knows how to use them to their best advantage.” Gratitude! Well rewarded were the Morlocks for their offer of help, if anyone knew anything about the Morlocks, it would be the X-men, considering their second in charge, Storm, was once herself their leader in decades past. Since then one or two Morlocks had found their way into the schools walls. Lorne knew a little bit of what the school was about, whatever someone told him over the years during random conversations and passing comments.
“He’s a nice guy” The doctor? McCoy wasn’t his name? Everyone’s always on about how the school’s resident doctor was so amazing, and a mutant all mutants should learn by, facing the human public without hesitation for what he was and what he looked like, even when they in turn looked down on him for it. “and as smart as they come.” Lorne didn’t doubt, though… why this was being stressed was slightly confusing, as if DareDevil was trying to prove a point though admittedly Lorne couldn’t see what point there was to prove.
“Anyway” Curiously Lorne waited, looking over towards Gnarl with a keen interest, feeling as if he walked in half way though a conversation right about now, though whatever DareDevil was trying to say, it seemed like he was just on the verge of getting it out, and Lorne found his eyes turning back to focus on the red leather clad individual “I was talking to him about you and he wondered.. well actually we wondered….. if you’d like to come back to the Institute for a bit. Meet some of the students. Maybe even enrol in some of the classes?” Was he joking? Was he serious? Lorne felt blown away and stunned, his mouth slightly fallen open, how was he to reply to such an offer? They mustn’t realize that he was confined to this tank… to hear such a thing handed over to him so freely.. it was almost painful to know he had no chance of accepting the offer. He’d barely make it out of the Morlock’s community before starting to have difficulty breathing, let alone all the way to the school and let alone making it through a day of classes!
“Listen Lorne” The serious words paused Lorne from replying, though Gnarl stepped towards the tank, the feel of urgency in his movements before he stopped himself. The Morlock would have wanted to protect Lorne from such a hopeless offer, though as Matt continued both stared at the crimefighting with surprise and worried thinking. “I know it sounds crazy but they have a tank set up and this doctor.. well he and the others at Xavier’s have helped a lot of mutants over the years. If anyone can find a way to get you some more freedom then they can. If you would like them to try that is.” Another tank? More freedom? Lorne’s other hand found it’s way to the glass as well, both now resting against the barrier, large eyes looking from one face to another, seeking to see any sign of flinching in their eyes… any hint that some sort of joke was attempting to be played. Of course it wouldn’t be though, but Lorne wasn’t foolish enough to think that everyone was there for his own benefits, well, everyone in the world anyway. These people… they just might be, well, they had to be! This was DareDevil after all!
"I appreciate the offer… though I could not burden your school, these people constantly are kept busy, my tank, my food, I’m a very time consuming responsibility and in a busy school… it would not be fair to accept such an offer." Oh but if he could! New people, new faces… ok, not that he’d get to really mingle with any, but Lorne loved meeting people, and he wouldn’t mind seeing something different then this area he’s lived in for so long, as much as he loved it, he longed for new sights and new experiences! "Though I do thank you for the kind offer." Was it really just that? Was it just being a burden that kept Lorne from accepting… perhaps not, perhaps there was always the fear that they were just offering out of pity, they probably couldn’t do much more, and Lorne didn’t want to put others out just so they could try and offer him something more, not if the price was so high and the final product was barely any different to what he had now. At least here he was loved and cared for, in the end that’s all he should ever wish for… even if the idea of new places was enough to tug his heart strings that much it almost ached right there and then. And Gnarl could see it clearly, but to his own hearts pain.
Re: Dredging the depths.
It must have been hard, having something as potentially life changing as this coming out of the blue and from someone you barely knew at that. Matt didn’t need his powers to sense Lorne’s confusion, though they had told him all too well of the worry he had caused Gnarl with his unexpected offer.
There had been a moment when the fanged mutants heart rate had spoken of disbelief, maybe even of a deep felt hurt that someone they had aided should offer false hope to the one he owed his life too. But apparently Matt’s obvious sincerity coupled with the explication of the elements already in place to welcome Lorne to the Institute had given the Morlock leader pause for thought. Now all the both of them could do was hold their breath and wait for Lorne to answer.And, at least in Matt’s case, pray to god that whatever his decision finally was it would be the best one for him in the long run.
"I appreciate the offer… Matt sighed. That’s didn’t sound good. And what Lorne went on to say only confirmed that opinion.” though I could not burden your school,” Burden? What was he talking about?Matts blind eyes blinked in puzzlement as the aquatic mutant continued. “these people constantly are kept busy, my tank, my food, I’m a very time consuming responsibility and in a busy school… it would not be fair to accept such an offer."
Now there were many reasons that Matt would have accepted as to why Lorne didn’t want to come to the Institute but this wasn’t one of them. “Hey” he said softly “Ok you’re not exactly low maintenance. So what! Neither am I, but that didn’t stop them from taking care of me when I needed help.”
It was difficult to explain the atmosphere at Xavier’s to someone who had never been there. Especially as up until a short time ago he himself had been unaware of what was going on behind those seemingly serene walls. And of the glaring needs of the mutants the school had been built to protect. Now though that he had been there and learned a little of how they operated he was sure that they could help Lorne. More than that, they would want to help him. help him get out of this tank which had become a cage in which his mutant powers kept him imprisoned. Or at least enlarge these horizons that were all too constraining for someone with a heart as big as his and the courage to match it.
Hank and the others were well aware of what it entails having you at the Institute” he told Lorne earnestly “and to be honest it doesn’t faze them at all. In fact compared to some of the students they have there you’d be a walk in the park. So don’t let that aspect of things hold you back.After all they wouldn’t have asked you to come if it was a problem.For once just think about yourself and do what you want to do.”
Matt knew how hard what he was asking was for the young mutant. To simply take everyone else out of the equation, along with all the assumptions you had ever made about life and your place in it and simply say “I want this! Me! Here and Now.”
Oh there were those who went through their whole lives saying nothing else. Normally they left a trail of chaos and hurt behind them. But Lorne wasn’t like that, far from it. That was what made things like this so difficult. It was also why Matt understood his predicament. Because they were similar, the handsome blind man in his defiant red costume and the shy cloistered mutant whom many wouldn’t even have classed as human; They cared about those around them to the point of putting there own needs below those of others.
Still, even for people like them there came a time when you had to reach out and grasp the opportunity that presented itself to you, no matter how hard that seemed. And for Lorne this was one of those moments.
Re: Dredging the depths.“Hey” The gills on the mutant flickered, Lorne's somewhat translusant eyelids blinking over his large eyes which were now downcast in thought and disappointment, despite it being his own decision to know back the offer. “Ok you’re not exactly low maintenance. So what! Neither am I, but that didn’t stop them from taking care of me when I needed help.” Yes but helping guide a blind man should he need it and helping refresh an entire tank of water when it starts getting old... Lorne wondered if there was something more he was missing, as this blind man was no mere blind man, but DareDevil, acrobatic extrodinair!
Of all the things that Murdock saw in Lorne, the mutant himself couldn't see, not because he didn't have selfesteem in it, but because he never tried matching himself against any others. And considering those who involved themselves heavily with Lorne were so kind and so selfless at times, Lorne had little idea just how uncommon a quality that was in people. Then again, they were, to him, his family. And family was always there for each other, regardless of the pains and trials they would suffer along the way.
"Hank and the others were well aware of what it entails having you at the Institute” They were? Had they really discussed him in that great a detail? Why he wondered? Was it just because he had happened across DareDevil? Was this some reward for him for it? Because the reward should not be his alone, but that of all who helped. Then again.. if the school could help him, then in turn that would help his 'family', help to ease the burden he felt himself as being upon them.
“and to be honest it doesn’t faze them at all. In fact compared to some of the students they have there you’d be a walk in the park. So don’t let that aspect of things hold you back.After all they wouldn’t have asked you to come if it was a problem.For once just think about yourself and do what you want to do.” Another blink, surprise sikning into his amphibious features. All these years it had been hard to think only of himself considering he relied so heavily on so many others to help him survive his day to day and week to week life. Large eyes turned to Gnarl, but the elder had a stone face about him, a refusal to give Lorne any indication as to what he felt towards the decision. It was an instinctive reaction though, and one Lorne could easily break through given his abilities. What did Lorne want? Everyone was asking him this but himself, and for a moment Lorne's lips pressed together and his brow furrowed slightly as he thought.
The gaze of the confined mutant shifted over each of the unfamiliar faces that were making such an impact on his life. Both palms seemed to now press against the glass, the youth's focus returning to DareDevil. Humiliation was afoot, Lorne was proud and yet always accepted that he needed help, there was an inkling of fear as to what he might be exposed to, the people outside the Murlock community were always said as being different and often unkind. But if this was a chance to even just see something more then this area he'd seen every single day of his life for as long as he remembered... then maybe it was worth it.. In the end there was only one way to find out.
Re: Dredging the depths.
Silence reigned. Although no… that was far from being true! He could still hear all too well the stillness that had overcome those around him as they waited for Lorne’s answer, trying desperately for once not to influence his decision with their feelings. Silence? True and absolute silence was something Matt had only really experienced in that terrifying time after Doc Occ’s attack, a time in which he had been forced to acknowledge himself as something he had always refused to accept in the past. Handicapped! Vulnerable. Lost! It had been a confession of sorts but not one that had been good for the soul. And Lorne was the one he had made it too.
How lucky he had been. To have found someone so kind in his moment of greatest need. And now here he was waiting for Lorne to admit that he too might need help. It wasn’t easy, that much Matt already knew all too well. He had been driven to it by loss and pain, by the intimate knowledge that his life would simply have slipped away if he hadn’t reached out to whoever was nearby and admitted that for once he couldn’t save himself.
Lorne however had none of those dire incentives. And yet wasn’t his life too slipping away, confined as he was in this great tank? It was clear that he was surrounded by people who loved him and that they did everything possible to make his existence as rewarding as possible. And yet.. if he wanted to read the next page in one of the books Ben had said surrounded his watery home then he had to wait for someone to realise this and turn it for him. Such a small thing to those who could readily do it and yet such a source of frustration to those forced to wait.
Matt remembered the feeling all too well even if it had been years since he had undergone the same experience. After the accident , when the world had suddenly become a dark and frightening place full of smells and sounds and sensations that had threatened to overpower him, the stories held in those as yet undiscovered books had somehow helped to keep him sane. Concentrating on them he had inadvertently begun to teach himself the control that Sticks had later helped him master. The control that let him dominate his powers, rather than be dominated by them!
His father had read the newly purchased books aloud to him, as he had when Matt was an infant, his voice another lifeline that had guided his son home into the light he could no longer see. But visiting hours were short and the books were inevitably set aside unfinished even if Matt needed them to continue. They had made the world seem less empty and less full. They had above all made Matt feel less of a freak, inevitable shunted to the edge of society not only by his visible disability but also by the chaotic jumble of mutant senses exploding within him.
It was a small point of comparison and one that Matt felt almost unworthy of making, for Lorne was confined in ways Matt had never been and from what Ben had said his mutation was acutely visible as being just that. A mutation! Full blown and with all the stigma that accompanied it. Not simply a disability to be pitied or ignored depending on how open minded you were or on how cute you happened to find the guy who had it. Pages that couldn’t be turned were only the tip of the iceberg though. Walking outside. Seeing all of those miraculous thing that Matt had lost and Lorne had yet to experience. Sunrise for example. Or a full moon shining over the sea! Or.. all the paintings in all of the museums around the world.And all its cruelty.
How could I get there?
There was a longing and fearfulness in Lorne’s voice that Matt recognised all to well. The longing of someone reaching for a dream! The fear that in doing so he might be exposing himself to a world that would tear him apart! But sometimes you had to push fear aside so that hope could live. And Matt was determined to help Lorne drag this particular dream, if not completely into reality, then at least as far as it could go in that direction.
“Don’t worry about that” he said glancing at Gnarl for one last confirmation , although the mutants heartbeat had already given him the answer he needed. Even if Matt’s eyes were blind a look still sparked a response from the sighted person receiving it and this response, communicated through every other sense Matt possessed, seemed to say* go. Take him with my blessing. If that is what he wants!* Though it also said *hurt him at your peril!*
“Talia can teleport you directly to the Institute” he told Lorne, throwing what he couldn’t even hope to be an imploring look in her direction. Take away the expression in the eyes, as his mask surely did, though he had to admit that he’d hardly have done better with his face uncovered, and you lost one essential element in communication.
But then Talia possessed the means to look behind appearances and see what really mattered. And that path at least Matt opened entirely to her. If she needed to see the lost and lonely boy he had been then so be it. If he had to give her the same intimacy he had given Lorne when he had asked him for help in that stinking sewer then that too was a price he was more than ready to pay. But he needed her to believe, totally and unequivocally that what he was asking her to do was a good thing. Not just something born from a stupid need to repay a debt, but something Matt had spent sleepless nights over when his body cried out for rest. Because in the end this whole proposition depended on her powers! Unless there was a major rethink in the pipeline.
*I don’t want this if its not what he really wants* Matt thought, rather than spoke in Talia’s direction.* And I’m so sorry, the water blunts my powers… … so I guess in this case.. you are my failsafe .But if you say he’s not ready to go then Ill be the one to find an excuse. This isn’t your problem. And it never was.
Re: Dredging the depths.“Don’t worry about that” It seemed like an absurd thing to say, not to worry, not to fret! That was all he could do! What if things went wrong and he had no way of helping rectify them? Gnarl was looking between DareDevil and Lorne, and for a moment Lorne found himself almost longing for Gnarl to say something, to tell him what to do. But it wouldn't happen, and Lorne knew that before the thought even came, it wasn't up to Gnarl to decide for him, and Lorne was both in praise for it, as well as in slight fear of the freedom of choice. In the end Gnarl will always be there, he'll be further away then Lorne was ever used to, but he'll be there, and if Lorne needed help, his family would reach out and help him, no matter the distance they have to travel to get to him.
“Talia can teleport you directly to the Institute” Talia, Lorne looked at the blue furred girl, he liked her, if only because her appearence was what Lorne considered normal, it's extreme differences almost a comfort to see where as the normality of Ben was almost as strange as anything else Lorne had witnessed in his life. A bland strangeness however compared to the others who could look so extraordinary, in both the worst and best of ways.
As DareDevil spoke, Talia herself gave an anxious flick of her tail, all she wanted to do was help and yet it seemed like a swarm of distractions all around her. Strange people, strange faces. All different and yet all, underneath the layer that seperated them, they were the same. Just as Hank had always told her, just as her father had, just as Xavier had. The differences were only skin deep, as long as you did what was right, then in the end that's all that mattered.
More distractions came however, so many minds were all around here and so many thoughts went swimming through the air that Talia felt as if she was struggling to keep them all at bay. There was a focused stream coming from DareDevil though, thoughts were usually random, or flurried past her mind, sometimes so quick they were but whispers of noise and images that couldnt be made out. The few thoughts that came to her as focused streams usually always caught Talia's attention, even if the person in question wasnt intending for it to happen. Troubled thoughts were usually the easiest to read, or scared ones, passionate ones in general. All the fleeting images that swept by Talia seems to become flooded with one steady stream of thoughts. All from the one source, and filled with emotions that by themselves told a story that the images only helped explain. Though, to be honest, the jumbles of images and feelings that flowed in were just that, a mass jumble. It was hard to distinguish things, but one thing did come clear, a need. A sense of need that almost had Talia feeling there was something she herself was in need of. Some images would return later, more vivid, haunting her dreams or her thoughts, returning randomly to show her the things that she was too taken back to notice at first.
*I don’t want this if its not what he really wants* Focused words came pouring in, Talia's eyes remained attentive on Matt to sure she was hearing him. Her hands pulled together awkwardly, people usually didnt speak to her like this, if anything they worried about her reading into their minds. But he was so focused on her that it was hard not to. The nurse in training gave a look over towards Lorne as Matt continued to speak to her, slowly letting her golden gaze return to his obscured eyes. *And I’m so sorry, the water blunts my powers… … so I guess in this case.. you are my failsafe .But if you say he’s not ready to go then Ill be the one to find an excuse. This isn’t your problem. And it never was.*
A slight tilt of Talia's head was all she gave in reply at first, though she once again looked over at Lorne who seemed to be staring at them, her lips offering the curteous smile that seemed to be a mix of both practiced and sincere expressions. Being so shy and awkward wasn't the best bedside mannerism for a nurse, and Talia had to almost rehearse keeping that air of insecurity away. It wasn't always successful, but when she was needed, then she gave it her all, and sometimes Talia didnt realize just how focused she could get. The voice that replied was given within Matt's own thoughts, her soft accented sentences echoed almost silkily into his mind.
*Zere is no doubt as to whether Lorne wishes to come or not, he longz to see more zen theze walls.* There was a sense of assurence in her mental tone, her eyes focused on DareDevil as she continued. *He cannot image what lies beyond here, he cannot understand ze life we lead or ze world we're part of, what he fears, is zat his life, und our life, are so different, zat ze worlds will not blend und he will be a burden.* It was more then just Morlock and X-men, it seemed differences went down also to water breather and air breather, and Lorne knew he was far more out numbered in that department.
It was still strange and disconcerting to have Talia speak directly into his mind but that wasn’t important. What was however was what she was telling him, confirming what Matt himself had thought to be true. That Lorne would welcome a chance at a new life, even if his old one would now and always be the basis of who he was and a home he would always treasure no matter what the future held for him. Matt smiled, relieved that he hadn’t made some dreadful mistake in offering the aquatic mutant this opportunity. Or bullied him into accepting it with all his talk of waiting tanks and easy means of transportation. Though now he was sure that it was just worry about change and the thought of being a burden that was holding Lorne back he did feel that some gentle encouragement wouldn’t be out of place.
“Listen Lorne” he said gently. “Why don’t you look on it as some sort of a holiday.. or a visit to friends.” That was what Matt ultimately hoped for of course. That the Institute expand Lornes circle of acquaintances as well as giving him access to resources both in education and science that were simply not possible here in the underground society he had grown up in.
“You can stay as long or as little as you want..” the crime fighter reassured him.” try it out.. see if you like it or not.” That was a given of course. No matter how much Matt believed that Xavier’s could be a godsend to Lorne, ultimately it wasn’t his opinion that mattered. After all there was no point in continuing if Lorne discovered he was thoroughly miserable away from all of the things and people he was used too. And if that was the case then Matt would make sure that he got home again without delay. Though the blind lawyer sincerely hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
Still, he had to make sure that Lorne knew that the duration of his stay, if indeed he did choose to come was entirely up to him and him alone. Which I why he hastened to tell him “If you don’t, we can have you back here in a flash of course… and if you do… well then ,” he went on with a smile” the Institute would welcome another full time student.
Re: Dredging the depths."Listen Lorne" The constant moving of Lorne’s arms and legs gave the tohugh rather defined muscles, he was slender and slim in parts, and too thin in most, but the muscles rippled lightly under the blue flesh as Lorne kept his body as stationary as possible. "Why don’t you look on it as some sort of a holiday.. or a visit to friends." Lorne understood the concept of a holiday, to go away from home and do something you found pleasurable and relaxing, he knew also about visiting friends and yet… neither of which had Lorne ever done, not unless you call a walk down the tunnels a holiday or a few minutes spent sitting with others before retreating to the tank a visit to friends… The proposition was winning him over slowly but surely, and eagerness was hard pressed to be kept subdued as Lorne let himself wonder and awe as to such possibilities.
"You can stay as long or as little as you want.." Continued the man who had no so long ago seemed to meek and desperate. "try it out.. see if you like it or not." Again Lorne stared at Gnarl, but this time there was no searching in the younger mutants eyes, and Gnarl’s expression softened slightly, watching hesitant uncertainty melt away to something more curious and eager. He’d dealt with Lorne’s moods, the silent anger and the unspoken despair, the gentle humour and curiosity and the ever-present stubbornness. With time Gnarl had learned to see through the mask that Lorne put up, the one which said he was fine when he wasn’t, that he was trying too hard to be happy when instead he just wanted to be sad, when he was uncharacteristically bored of everything and seemed unable to do more then sulk quietly and want to be left alone. The many sides of Lorne, so obvious an occupant of this society and loved just as much, Gnarl wasn’t the only one who had learn to read Lorne as well as Lorne had learned to read his books… even if a panel of glass had separated them all just as effectively.
Curious eyes and straining ears pried into what was happening, one or two slunk off to tell others of what was happening, some of the younger kids were watching from a hidden view on the other side, though even with Lorne’s back to them they long guessed he would go. Lorne read to the children the stories of great adventures, he always sounded so wistful and carried away when he read to them. The look in his eyes whenever one of them stood in defiance and proclaimed they too would go on adventures, when they’d brandish an imaginary sword or point to a land beyond the moulded walls of the sewers sanctum. This was Lorne’s chance, they didn’t understand what was going on or where they were taking him but he’d get to see beyond the sewer walls just like he’d always dreamed of, he’d get to have an adventure like he never let himself think before. Excited whispers and teary eyes murmured to each other from the hiding sport, eager and miserable at the same time, they were all a family, one leaving was hard on all, Lorne just happened to be one of those people who just seemed as if they’d never leave.
"If you don’t, we can have you back here in a flash of course… and if you do… well then," Large blue eyes peered from Gnarl and the other faces to DareDevil’s, it was so strange, to be talked to by a man such as DareDevil! To be promised and helped and… just to be noticed alone was enough to put awe in Lorne’s eyes as he stared. Time didn’t diminish the feel, "the Institute would welcome another full time student." While the cheeks didn’t turn a rosy red, Lorne’s body language hinted to his shyness at the remark, though again the amphibious mutant looked back at Gnarl, who in turn scoffed as if to a comment flung at him.
"Don’t keep us waitin’ boy," Gnarl said with a gruff voice, though not unkindly, "Least ya could do’s come out’ere an’give a proper bye t’us," There was a pause from Lorne, who glanced up at the surface of his tank as if he wasn’t entirely sure about it all, though a grin was on his face as he kicked himself to break the surface and carefully pull himself out. Feet slid down carefully the side of the tank, pressed against a box over on the other side and dripping with water, there was a feeble attempt to shake the water from his hands as he walked around to face Gnarl, who gave a critical gaze over the youth. "Now, if’ey do anythin’…" The hard expression returned as a finger rose to waggle at Lorne, who smiled bashfully at the comment which was uttered in front of the guests. "…an’ it wouldn’t hurt ta let’em put some more meat on’em bones, so if’ey give ya food you eat it or I’ll be there t’shove it down yer throat, got it?" One of the others chuckled, but Lorne’s amusement to the comment was more subdued, going with DareDevil meant leaving them behind, even if briefly, and it hurt to think of a day where Gnarl wasn’t checking up on him or the others whose faces were so familiar now it felt wrong that a day should go by where he doesn’t see them. Strong arms spread slightly out for Lorne, which surprised the mutant who had made every courtesy to avoid getting wetness over others for so long it grew rather rare for physical contact beyond a grasp of the hand or a pet on the back.
"Come on now, don’t pretend ya care ‘bout keepin’ me dry, I still remember’em times you’ad me chase ya outta’at tank for feedin’," Lorne folded his arms and chuckled despite his rebuke, "I was a child," It seemed the strong hands moved forward to clamp down on Lorne’s shoulders, firm in their grip, much like whenever Gnarl gave permission for Lorne to wander the tunnels… Worried and concerned and making the desperate youth promise to be careful and not to go further then what was needed. "What do ya mean was," One of the other men with them gave a deep chuckle, the embrace was rough, unaccustomed to dishing out such things as Gnarl was, but never one to refuse them, nor ignorant of when a time called for it. A heavy pat on the back ended the awkward though heartfelt gesture, and Lorne looked as if it had been years of endurance that stopped him from toppling over from it.
Three children, two boys and a girl of about 7-9 years of age seemed to gather behind Lorne during the time, they all dared a look at DareDevil, one of the boys, Andrew, looking less then pleased as form arms crossed indignantly across his chest, while the other two, Kristie and Gerod, seemed impressed and shy at the same time. "Are you going to fight dragons like in the stories we read?" The girl had asked with excitement, Lorne swallowed before he talked, a thing most were used to when he wasn’t inside his tank, the way the youth seemed to swallowing as if something caught in his throat, as if the air was too thick and stuck half way down, that ball of air getting thicker and thicker till he couldn’t swallow any more.
"I think I shall leave the gallant damsel rescuing to DareDevil," Mused Lorne, he crouched down to be more level with the kids, there was a silence for a moment, then Andrew turned about and stalked off to a clutter about the side of Lorne’s tank. A discarded book was picked up, it was thick but the pages had moulded slightly from the dampness, at some point it must have been in the rain by the way it was warped. Though some may assume it was a by-product of Lorne’s nature that got the book wet.
"You still have to read to us," he demanded, thrusting the book at Lorne, who in turned looked a little confused, "Three pages every night, like us will do," Three pages because Lorne would sit out with them, and if there was talk or discussion as kids tended to do, then three pages was the average of time it took before Lorne started choking on the air. Sometimes when they were really organized he could in almost ten, but those times were few and not as relaxed. The Collected Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1.…not the most engrossing of books for children at times, especially Andrew who had more questions about the book then even Lorne could answer sometimes. But they didn’t have the luxury of being picky…
"Thank you Andrew, make sure Gerod doesn’t read Kristie any more horror stories," The girl poked a fork tongue out at Lorne, even though she wanted to hear the stories they still scared her too much and she hadn’t wanted Gerod to know just how scared she was. Gerod’s eyes lightened in mischievous delight, his thick grey skin seemed to make his smile excessively wrinkled, Kristie had always said it looked like the skin of an elephant from their picture books. Quietly Lorne stood, knowing his time outside of the tank was precious and he wasn’t sure exactly how they intended to move him still, or how long it’d take. With a slight intake of breath, that felt thick as it drew into lungs that felt as if a hole for where the air moved was far too small to draw in all he needed.
"I guess… I shall never be more ready then now, though if we do stay longer, I do fear I shall become too humiliated to leave," A look was given towards Gnarl, who allowed the edges of his lips to curve and show some of the fanged teeth within. They said they already had a tank, so it made sense to not crawl back inside his one here… though Lorne’s crude chamber had been his home, as well as his cage, for so long… Unwittingly moist arms pulled the old book closer against his chest.
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