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10:01am Mar 11 2010 (last edited on 10:17am Mar 11 2010)
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OOC: xDD 'Course. milo. x3 Ohyas, and are Youssarian and Espocca the parents of all the wolves in the pack? Or are your characters new blood to the family? Yummi - Alright, hon. You can lurk, if you want. ;3 But if someone leaves permanently, I'll let you join. O'ritey. ;o Let's start. A light mist hung in a lazy haze above the ground, an icy white colour. It contrasted oddly with the golden shimmer bewstowed upon the dark green patch of conifers, and the gently-doming hills that sparkled in the early sunshine. In truth, they glimered because of the thawing ice that was reluctant to leave the tan-coloured surface of the large mounds of rock and dust. Winter's claw still had a good hold on the land, yet although snow did cover a large fraction of the park's surface, signs that spring was imminent began to appear in little differences on Yellowstone. A large wolf stalked out across the expanse of snow, chest-deep in the icy white essence. Youssarian's golden eyes glared calculatingly ahead of him as another of his species began to follow. His mate - the alpha female, Espocca - strode onwards ahead of him, but he didn't bother snap at her for getting ahead of him. It was her right, by ranking alone. Had another member of his pack dared walk in front of him, he would've dealt with them, then and there, for forgetting their place. Alphas first. Children next. He glanced at his partner as he came to a stop, and let out his tongue in a tender grin as she came to a pause beside him as well. She tapped his neck - thick with his heavy winter coat - in response, troubled. Still can't decide. She let out a small whine, then carried onwards, lifting her paws to overcome the sea of snow. She was agitated, Youssarian could tell. He slowly continued after her, his gaze a little unsure.
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6:31am Mar 13 2010
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OOC: Bump. This gonna die already?
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5:20pm Mar 13 2010
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(( O>O i hope not... )) A thin figure crept down the side of a rocky hill. Into the dim light appeared the shape of a large cat, who was limping slightly. Once she had reached th bottom of the hill, she panted slightly, and curled up to rest a the side of the gr*censored*y slope behind her. Carefully the large beast began licking her back paw, one of the claws was painfully torn from the skin, in which ratha had recieved from fleeing up the hill to escape an attack from a very large bear. She glanced around, her ears turnd around like sirens, listening for if her attacker had followed her. Dakota woke with a start, and his fur instantly stuck up straight against the sudden cold, in which he wasn't expecting. He glanced around, sniffing the air, as another water droplet plopped unexpectedly onto his muzzle, making him jump up from where he'd been sleeping, yelping loudly in suprise.
Really really really need a Silver Jaaku for Kir. I will trade you an Unnamed Silver Kayoki for it. Please help, I’d really appreciate it o3o
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5:19am Mar 14 2010 (last edited on 5:20am Mar 14 2010)
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OOC: Thanks, Scourgie. c8 The alpha male carried on wading through the chest-deep snow as he watched his mate dart this way and that around her surroundings. She was smaller than him, but still a graceful animal, and arose and fell amongst the icy white powder in a slight imitation of the caribou's dance. She was still uneasy, and when she'd reached a particular distance from Youssarian, the alpha male's protectiveness kicked in and he bounded after her. Espocca's agitation was creating a mental barrier, cutting him off from her mind and attention. She was no longer very concerned for Youssarian's welfare, and that bothered him slightly. But he could only follow, and provide aid whenever she needed it. This was a mission only she could complete.
The two wolves eventually began to set out beyond the protective cover of the conifers and pines, trotting through the less deaper snow across open plains that would've shone gold and tan in the summer. A two-meter thick stream gently bubbled through the white ground, and the alphas crossed it with ease. Youssarian glanced hopefully at Espocca, for she looked interested in the water. But his hope was short-lived, and she turned and began to proceed her steady trot further onwards, her mate only able to follow. Nowhere good enough. That was what Espocca was trying to say. Youssarian approached her, attentitavely nudging her shoulders, but she ignored his affectionate gesture without a backward glance. If anything, she sped up, and the two wolves were soon darting across the sloping plains towards the river that lay on the opposite end of the valley. Youssarian made his way towards her, but she pas-sed him a warning growl and he backed away again, lessening his pace to give her room.
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6:29am Mar 14 2010 (last edited on 6:50am Mar 14 2010)
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OoC: Imma posteh soon o3o BiC: Aki ruffled his feathers. The winter had been a harsh one. It stil held it's icy grip on the land, thankfully that grip was growing slowly weaker. The days had already begun to grow slightly warmer, not that there was much difference in the temperature, but enough to be thankful for. A new optimism seemed to hang in the air around him, the beginings of a new season would mean change. A change that was long awaited for all the animals living in and about yellowstone. Rakuen had been pacing from left to right, left to right for almost an hour now. She was frustrated and in obious discomfort. The loud and surprised yelp fom Dakota startled her slightly, stopping her pacing for just a moment. Knowing then that Dakota was in no danger comforted her worry for him slightly, but other things were still on her mind. She instantly began pacing again, making the tracks in the snow tread deeper and wider. OoC: neh post fail ._. I need to look up about the behavious of wolves, because really I have no knowledge of them o_o Don't shoot me.
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1:38pm Mar 14 2010 (last edited on 1:39pm Mar 14 2010)
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OOC: *shoots Nias* :D I'll be your encyclopedeieia. ^^ It was a while after their troubled journey across the plains that the alphas soon stumbled across the river they'd patiently been heading towards. Eager for a drink, Youssarian waded in ankle-deep and drank. But his eyes were still busy as they traced Espocca's activity - she was pacing around the water, but kept bouncing off in one direction, before coming to a stop and checking the ground, sniffing furiously. Youssarian knew the symptons of pregnancy - this would not be his first litter with Espocca - but her anxiety to find a good birthing den still troubled him after all the years they'd been together. Most of their offspring (OOC: I'm not sure whether Rakuen or Dakota are their children - you guys can decide that - but only one of them can be the son or daughter of the Alphas. Otherwise, the Beta pair will be siblings. <:3) had left the Pack in search of new ones, or to begin their own families. But the cost of raising healthy children was still sometimes heavy. In their first litter of five, only two had made it to maturity. Out of the seven pups in the second, four. This would be Youssarian and Espocca's third litter, and although it was fact that at least one pup would die, it was still Espocca's obsession and sensibility to find the ideal location to raise them in, whatever the cost. After Espocca had left his line of sight, Youssarian stopped drinking from the river and began to pace after her. She was a way ahead of him, determined as ever. Her mate could only follow as the snow eventually began to thin to become wet moisture on the dark grey rocks, and the ice to melt down until it reflected the sun's rays in shimmering flashes of white. The ground was sloping upwards at a steep angle, dipping and diving and rising again to form a very rough, very basic-looking miniature "canyon". Guarding the flanks of the swooping rockhills were conifers and pines, their branches laden with the snow that refused to leave. Small twigs and dead, excess branches littered the ground here and there. And still, Espocca obsessively examined and checked the area. Youssarian was hopeful for the search to come to an end, and although he didn't know anything about finding the ideal den - that was the mother-to-be's job - the place looked reasonably good enough. In the summer, stalks of gras-s would mas-sage the hills into finally relieving itself of its burden of snow, and the trees would provide good cover from any weather-based dangers. The most significant point of all was that it was close to water - not as close as their previous birthing dens, but under the right circumstances and the loyalty of the Pack, it would provide them with an excellent location to safely raise their young. Youssarian stood and watched his mate on one particularly steep ridge, keenlykeeping track of her movements as she sniffed every stone, examined every twig. Deciding to leave her to it, Youssarian raised his handsome face, and let loose a long, searching howl. He just wanted to check up on his fellow Pack members, Rakuen, Dakota and Meili.They would need to gather up soon, but for now, Youssarian wanted a vocal update on their progress.
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2:36am Mar 15 2010
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OoC: Yaya 8D I'll post after school x3 |
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6:08am Mar 15 2010
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Meili pricked her ears at the sound of the howl. Rearing back her head, and opening her jaws to let out her own howl. I smell elk near. Is what her howl stated. She put her head back down, and continued smelling around in the deep snow. She was not far from the pack, but has lost all knowledge of how far she had ventured, knowing that the Alpha's would be displeased with her. She swiveled her ears as is they where radars at the faint sound of rustling under the snow. She lowered her head closer to the freezing snow. Hearing the rustling sounds again, she followed it until it got louder and louder until it was practically beneath her. Her brown eyes scanned the surface of the white sea, finally coming to a stop. She raised up onto her hind legs, and came pouncing down onto the snow. The white snow hare bounced high above the snow and attempted to scurry away from Meili. Meili, not have eaten since three days, was determined to make a quick kill. She kicked her legs through the thick snow, as if she where a train roaring through a snow field. She made a jump, with her front legs outstretched. She finally landed on the snow, biting down on the hare's back leg as she did so. The hair's life came to a end, Meili's hunger also, came to a end. A panting Meili, now baring blood on her white mouth, came back into her pack grounds. She sniffed around on the ground, the snow here was not as thick as where she had killed the hare. She walked around with her tail tucked under her haunches, knowing that she is not very high up on her ranking. She licked her lips, removing some of the blood. Seeing the river near, she trotted over to it. Lapping up as much as she could quite quickly. The wind picked up, and blew her thick fur. She looked up at the pale grey sky, a storm was coming. Now that Spring was near, many storms are sure to come. OoC: YEAH MAN. I jumped in. HUGE post yes? xD Alright, but anyway. Since Spring is near, can it be like... Rank fighting? Like. Fighting for your rank? Idk. But I think thats how it goes in the wild. :)
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12:42pm Mar 15 2010 (last edited on 1:28pm Mar 15 2010)
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OOC: I'm not exactly sure that happens. I'm not really an expert on wolf logics, but spring is the time when the pups are due. Wolves are unique because their family bonds are close to unbreakable. They consider each new litter, if it's wanted, to be the future of the pack (if the alphas don't want fellow members becoming parents, they get booted) and the most important thing. So, the spring and summer is made up of the wolves mentoring and raising all of the pups together - fighting would be useless, since every single member takes part in the protection of the offspring, and unless it does the job right, no wolf is overlooked. However, if a wolf were to appear a threat to either mother or children, then the offender would be killed or chased out by the alphas or lesser members, no matter what his or her ranking once was. So, Meili can fight if she likes. :3 That would add some nice tension to the story. But things wouldn't end very well for her. <:3 Besides, only loning wolves tend to fight for mates. Pairs bond for life, if the circumstances of their lives are good. Unlike ungulates, felines, birds and bears, the breeding seasons aren't opportunities to compete for mates, ranks, ect. with pack-bonded wolves. It's about protecting the leader's children, and making sure that all goes well for both offpsring and parents. It's a very selfless system which ensures that the youngsters get the best of everything - and it works. :3 There's no room at all for jealously or spite in a wolf pack, and when there are traces of it, it's quickly disposed of, by any means possible.
Youssarian didn't understand the term "elk", but he knew that Meili's call referred to one of the antlered creatures they sometimes hunted, and that she'd found some. Caribou was a particular favourite, and elk was much appreciated, too, so this wasn't bad news. But moose and boars were wolf killers. One of Youssarian's previous and inexperienced sons was gutted open by a female protecting her piglets, and his own grandfather had died after a slash caused by a moose's antler had become infected. Not wanting to abandon Espocca or to hunt, but curious and pleased by Meili's discovery, he lifted his head and called again. Do not kill. After a pause, he added: Gather with the others! He turned around to watch Espocca, who was still snuffling impatiently around the clearing. Panting, her long, pink tongue lolling, their eyes met, and Youssarian understood her message: Not here. Somewhere else. She looked quite agitated. Her discomfort made Youssarian feel a little helpless, but he was determined to help. They might just head back to one of the previous birthing dens. But Espocca would require more than one - possibly three. The fewer the dens the pups would be raised in, the more danger they'd likely end up in. So he turned, and wove his way back down through the sloping ridges of the turf, with Espocca close behind him. They both made their way towards the snowy plains they'd just crossed, their gait a steady, swift lope. No worries. There was one more place Youssarian knew Espocca would like to investigate for today, and he felt optimistic that Meili had responded to his call.
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1:40pm Mar 15 2010
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OoC: I wouldn't mind if Rakuen was the alpha's daughter or not. I'll leave you to decide that :3 Aki heard the howls of wolves. Their howl were mighty, spine tingling. The wolves around yellowstone were well known for their howl, it was what made yellowstone's wolves famous (OoC: No I did not steal that from the tv >:C) Once more Aki ruffled his feathers, ridding them of the cold, then he took flight. He let go of the connifer's branch he had been perched on, pushing himself into the air and letting himself fall into a dive for a short while before beating his powerfull wings to lift himself into the sky. Once there he glided on air currents and the wind, circling his so-called "territory". Two of the wolves were now within sight, it seemed that one was searching for something. Gliding in a rought direction of the two wolves, Aki was determined to quench his curiosity and observe the two for a while. The osprey glided in a circle above the wolves, waiting. Rakuen listened out to the howls of the alpha and Meili. Meili had found some elk, horned things, at least that's what Rakuen suspected they were. Rakuen herself wasn't too keen on hunting elk, she preffered mule deer. The mule deer's antlers didn't seem to look as sharp as that of the elk, thus overall being less threatening. Also she preffered their taste. Rakuen had stopped her worried pacing now, listening carefully to the conversation between the alpha, Youssarian, and Meili. Rakuen knew then that they were going to hunt, probably without the alpha's presant. Quickly she went over to nudge Dakota's chest as if to say Up we're going. Rakuen did not wait for him, she begun trotting twoards roughly where she suspected Meili was. OoC: Neh, not good? All I can think of for now XD
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3:11pm Mar 15 2010
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OOC: Yus yus. 8D Rakkie is Espocca and Youssarian's dawter, period. ^^ So, that means that Dakota will be a non-relative, then. I can see you do your research, Nias. >3> Crazy bird lady is impressed. *does contented chicken impersonation* Youssarian trotted a short way in front of his mate, Espocca mimicking his relaxed gait - although he knew that her smooth movements contrasted with her uneasy self. Glancing upwards, the wolf spotted the white blur of a circling osprey amongst the blue of the morning sky. He watched the bird for a while, interested, then refocused his gaze on the path ahead. Espocca was careful to keep her paws in sync with her mate's ahead of her. It was a wolf custom, a way to trick everyone and everything, to travel in single file, instead of moving forwards in a messy cluster. It was so that the footprints left behind would not betray the wolf pack's numbers. It was a successful motive, that made the caribou and the cougars and the eagles think that there were fewer wolves than expected. And not only that, but it helped identify the rankings of the pack's members. Whoever was nearest the front was higher up in the chain of command. Espocca's belly was softly rounded. She was not heavily pregnant, but signs of her pregnancy was showing slightly in the way her underparts were a little more spherical than usual, and with her obsession for finding suitable birthing dens. Too long in one place was a risk no mother would dare take, which was why she was spending almost all of her time scouting for the perfect shelters for her unborn offspring. The ridges she'd just visited was not good enough - it wasn't as close to the river as she'd hoped, the ground was hard and rocky, not earthy enough and most certainly not suitable for digging. Worst of all, it was too barren. No soft gr*censored* would grow there to soothe baby wolves' developing paws, and in the open, her pups would be horribly vulnerable. Bears, cougars, bobcats, lynxes - they could be fought off, albeit with a little difficulty. But eagles? They were the wolf's worst enemy. They struck from a place no land-dweller could ever reach. The ridges were open, rocky, dangerous, an unsuitable. They continued onwards. OOC: Failposteh. 8(
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4:18pm Mar 15 2010
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OoC: Not a fial posteh. Roar, so far I haven't done any research into wolves xDD I just happened to catch some last wednessday when watching a programme about yellowstone on the television. I think it was mostly about the elk, how they moved out of Yellowstone when winter was approaching and that the wolves sometimes followed them, then the wolves would try nabb come cattle. But farmers used to be able to shoot them. Now scientists have radio collared every wolf in yellowstone so farmers and ranchers can tell when a wolf is nearby to shoot a warning shot into the air without having to kill any wolves :3 huhuh, I learn lots form television. I'll post tomorrow I have to go now XD |
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4:21pm Mar 15 2010
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((Lurking O_O interesting.. Great job! :D))
want roleplay o3o / OFFLINE |
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4:35pm Mar 15 2010
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Dakota stretched this back legs out while he started to pad forward, and he instantly took of running in response to the howl of his alpha. He soon slowed to stop and he lowered his nose to the ground, trying to pick up the scents of his pack members. Hearing another howl his eyes narrowed as he realized their location, and quickly stalked off in their direction, his belly fur grazing the ground as he slipped quickly through the brush. Dakota's ears perked up, his tongue lolling out as he spotted two shapes at the ends of valley, and noticed they were moving once again. He quickly began trotting again as he realized he didn't want to get left behind again, being as how terriying it was to be alone as a wolf with all the threats thee were in the area. Ratha's head flicked up, and she leaped up into a standing position suddenly, her ears flattened slightly to the back of her head with annoyance at the sound of the dog-beasts howls raising in the air, dangerously close to where she was lying. Her tail whipped at the end angrily. The cougar turned her head at the sound of another howl, and she glanced at the mountain like hill she'd just climbed down and she lifted her lip in a slight growl as she decided she had to get to higher ground for safety, or at least so she would have an advantage if the wolves came too near her.
Really really really need a Silver Jaaku for Kir. I will trade you an Unnamed Silver Kayoki for it. Please help, I’d really appreciate it o3o
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3:22am Mar 16 2010
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Meili wagged her tail, happy that the alpha's where not angered at her, but pleased. She shook her pelt, as she did so the heavens opened up, and the first ray of sunshine for days shone through the snow drenched clouds. The warm orange sunlight beamed onto a conifer branch, creating a beautiful prismatic effect with the ice that hung down from the branches. Meili however, seemed to be showing her delight of the god given sunlight. A canid grin was on her face as she galloped through the snow. She stopped and lolled her pink tongue out. She swiveled her ears and looked back. The faint sounds of the rest of her pack could be heard trotting through the snow. She turned her head back around and continued running when a familiar scent filled her cold wet nose. Blood. A thick trail of elk blood lined the snow. This scent made Meili salivate, even though she must wait for her pack first. Meili was stimulated by the rose red blood splattered onto the snow. And even though she was a wolf, she was smart enough to know that blood ment a injured animal, even though she could not tell what species of animal the blood was from. Trotting along she narrowed her eyes to try and look for any animals. Only a thin forest lie ahead. Ooc; *Pats Happy* You give me idea. o.o I might bring in a loner wolf that had been radio collared and her pack kicked her out because she had human scent. O.O
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11:20am Mar 16 2010 (last edited on 11:25am Mar 16 2010)
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OOC: Lauren. xD The sun's been around for a while now. And I don't think a pack would kick out a member if it smelled human. :3 They've undoubtedly done more, but 65 wolves were collared in Yellowstone and remained in their packs. Human scents tend to wear off after a while, but yes, I can see where you're heading. ^^ I was thinking for some humans to make an entry, anyway. Just wonderin', really. Youssarian's keen eyesight could make out the vague form of a wolf approaching. The valley was not a huge one, but still had some distance put between the surrounding foothills. He recognized the so-called stranger by his brown-and-black markings - Dakota, one of the Betas. Pleased by his unplanned appearance, but not wanting to stress Espocca, he turned slightly to start heading towards the dog wolf without increasing or decreasing his speed. Thanks to the morning sunlight, Dakota's pelt looked a little more golden than usual, bringing him out better amongst the pure-white glare. Youssarian was satisfed that his Beta male had come when called; he wanted to gather up the pack. Hopefully, his daughter, Rakuen, would not be far behind. But then, another scent tugged at his nose, irresistable and tantalizingly fresh. Blood. Espocca had smelt it, too, by the way her head snapped up and her gaze became predatory and focused. Youssarian was pleased - his mate would appreciate some food, now that any nourishment she consumed contributed to the growth of the youngsters stirring to life inside her belly. The alphas quickened their pace to a steady canter, until Youssarian and Dakota's paths were intertwined. The dog wolf Alpha greeted the Beta with light nuzzlings to his shoulders, but nothing more. He was an Alpha; it was not his duty to exaggerate affection. And, even further into the distance, were Rakuen and - further onwards - Meili. Leaving Espocca to greet Dakota with a little more affection, Youssarian stepped around the two wolves, and let out yet another howl of command. Espocca copied him, so that their calls echoed across the valley in twin powerful demands of a regroup. The blood would be investigated further. *** An unusually large, yellow beak tugged at the velvety skin of the deceased elk, the pelt softened and weathered with both age and an endless mauling of fellow scavengers. Using her large, curving black talons for balance, Caeregae pecked some more at the dead animal. She would have to hurry, but a light despair already gathered like a foggy cloud in her mind. The wolf howls warned that the carcas-s would soon be reclaimed by predators who would be fully capable of killing her. Together, at least. The five bald eagles and the countless gathering of ravens and magpies nearby all huddled close to the carcas-s as if anticipating the inevitable hunters that would soon join the feast. Caeregae was the only sea eagle there. Her brown feathers were dry - for once - and turned a light gold by the morning sunlight, making her look a little more like a golden eagle. Her mas-sive beak, her fish-cutting weapon, gave that identity away, however. A nearby magpie was still trying his luck. He made a sudden bounce in Caeregae's direction, in an attempt to try and shake her off her patch on the dead body. She made a furious lunge in his direction with a gaping snap of her beak, and the black-and-white bird darted away again, feathers ruffled. Two more magpies had a go at her, but she warned them off again, this time with a little less aggression and more puffing up of her feathers. She pecked again at her food, just as the first magpie made his hundredth leap in her direction. It made an unexpected lunge at her feet, and she jumped out of his way, but the two other magpies moved in and muscled her away, shrieking and cawing as their legs scratched furiously at the air. Caeregae let out a shrill screech and shoved them out of the way again. They hobbled away, defeated for now, but as determined and pestersome as ever.
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10:51am Mar 18 2010
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5:19am Mar 20 2010
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OoC: Bump for now. I'll get to posting later c: |
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8:13am Mar 20 2010
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3:12pm Mar 22 2010 (last edited on 10:53am Mar 24 2010)
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