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#I love that Shadowsan realized that she's not a little Black Sheep anymore
dadowsan · 3 years
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I love the relationship that Carmen and Shadowsan have so much. The trust? The mutual respect? The found family trope? The parent-daughter relationship which is also two-adults-seeing-eye-to-eye? The mutual understanding? Man I wish I had this kind of relationship with my parents
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aspoonofsugar · 3 years
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Red and Gray in a Black and White World
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Carmen Sandiego likes playing with colors.
In particular, VILE is black, while ACME is white.
This is why Carmen’s codename is Black Sheep, which later becomes ironic when she grows to be VILE’s literal “black sheep” and their thorn in the side. At the same time, Shadowsan too has a codename suggesting something dark in color. Of course, his name also foreshadows that he is the one protecting Carmen from the shadows.
Similarly, the ACME’s agent closest to Carmen is Julia Argent aka “silver”. She is not completely “white” and she is able to see the complexity of the world, differently from Devinaux and Zari.
As a matter of fact the whole point is that Carmen refuses a black and white vision of things. She doesn’t want to join VILE, but she doesn’t want to be a part of ACME either:
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She wants to use her “wicked skills” for good.
This is a fitting theme for a show whose aim is to help kids learn about geography and how rich Earth is. It conveys the idea of complexity.
In other words, Carmen explores the world and its wonders at her own pace and with her own rules. This is expressed by her color being “red”. Everything about her is red. Her codename, her clothes and even her adoptive family:
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Similarly, Gray is another character, who is neither black nor white, but (obviously) gray (duh).
This is made clear in Chief’s speech above and his moral complexity is also what makes his dynamic with Carmen so interesting.
“GRAY” AND “BLACK SHEEP”: NOT MY NAME ANYMORE
Carmen and Gray’s relationship is one of mutual attraction (platonic or romantic does not matter), but also of conflict.
They want the other by their side:
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But they can’t agree on which side they should both be:
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This is because they both refuse a part of the other. This refusal is well expressed through the name symbolism of both characters.
On one hand Gray keeps calling Carmen Black Sheep:
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He refuses her new identity because he does not understand it:
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On the other hand Carmen refuses Gray’s VILE persona, but also his civilian one.
This is interesting because her refusal of “Crackle” is something Carmen does willingly:
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She does not genuinely understand it, just like Gray does not understand her being Carmen Sandiego.
At the same time, though, Carmen somehow also refuses Gray’s civilian identity and keeps calling him Gray instead of Graham:
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Even if the brainwashing makes their friendship easier, Carmen still feels something is amiss. The person in front of her is not really “Gray”, but somehow a “white” version of him. It is not by chance that she is able to partially rebuild their past relationship by involving him in a dangerous mission:
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And in this mission Carmen needs Gray’s “wicked skills” that are still a part of him. She becomes Gray’s link to his previous world:
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Just like he is the one who symbolically introduces her to what truly means to be a criminal:
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And to its harsher aspects:
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At the same time, it is interesting that when brainwashed Carmen still refuses the codename Crackle:
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And she only uses it when she thinks he has betrayed her:
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In that moment it is as if Gray truly became “black” for her and changed from her partner in crime to an enemy.
In short, both characters can’t truly pintpoint who the other really is.
Who is Carmen really? And is Gray good or bad?
The answers to these questions are difficult because Carmen and Gray themselves are not sure until the end of the series.
THE MISSING MATRIOSKA AND BROKEN LIGHTS
Carmen does not know who she is, while Gray is caught up between his wish to be a criminal and his empathic side.
These internal conflicts are well conveyed through specific motifs linked to the two characters.
Firstly, Carmen’s journey of self-discovery is commented by the burnt matrioskas motif:
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The matrioskas are what links Carmen to her biological family. They’re the only things she has had since she was born and it is later revealed they’re a toy her father used to calm her down.
At the same time, the matrioskas symbolize Carmen herself. Like her “oldest traveling companions”, she too is made of multiple identities who live inside her and change as she grows. She starts as Lambkins, grows into Carmen Sandiego and finally discovers her identity in  the finale:
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Both in terms of her origins and who she wants to be:
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The missing matrioska represents both. On one hand it is the link to Carmen’s past and it is symbolically the smallest one (like a baby). On the other hand seeing it makes Carmen remember who she wants to be.
In short, the matrioska is Carmen’s missing piece both when it comes to who she was and to who she will be.
As far as Gray is concerned, him being caught between “light” and “darkness” is conveyed by his electrician’s motif:
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Gray’s criminal career started when a light bulb went off. This is an ironic inversion of a light bulb switching on when one has an idea. Still, it also symbolizes a fall to darkness. Gray’s job was supposed to switch lights on, but he chooses to turn them off, so that he can steal.
This motif comes back in season 2 ep 7 where Carmen’s mission is to stop Doctor Bellum from causing dangerous black-outs. This is tied once again to Gray’s character. As a matter of fact not only the objective is to avoid physical blackouts, but also to stop Graham turning back into Crackle once again. The blackout which must be avoided is the one of Gray’s personality.
At the same time, this motif is not as straightforward as it may seem:
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As a matter of fact the whole reason Gray has turned into Graham is a metaphorical “black-out”. This is an interesting idea. Gray has left criminality and can have a new beginning and Carmen sees it as a positive thing. However, this whole new identity is a lie built through brainwashing:
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Carmen has good intentions and is ultimately proven right about Gray’s good nature. However, she is still ready to accept a persona constructed through an unethical method.
She meets an idealized version of Gray, she realizes something is missing, but still accepts it. This is why she needs to see this illusion shatter and to confront the real Gray once more.
This happens when Gray gets his memories back:
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The one on the Himalaya is the second real confrontation between Carmen and Gray after the one on the train.
At this point, we are shown how they have changed and how they have not.
On one hand Carmen is finally forced to accept that Graham was nothing, but an illusion:
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However, she does not completely give up on Gray:
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Even if confronted with the truth she still hopes Gray will change. It is just that this change to be true should happen because of her friend’s free will and not through a coercion.
On the other hand Gray has grown enough to accept Carmen:
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And to realize she will never come back to VILE. However, he still begs her to stop fighting the organization. In short, he has grown a little, but is still asking Carmen to give up on her life mission, just like she wants him to give up on criminality.
The two characters have clearly grown closer, but they are still unable to see eye to eye and this is why they end the episode as enemies, despite this:
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There is clearly affection between them, but this affection is not enough to let them overcome their rift. At least not in that moment.
THE FLYING DUTCH AND THE RED PHANTOM
In season 4 ep 4, while Gray is about to make his choice, we hear a song from The Flying Dutch in the background. This is not a surprise because Graham and Carmen’s relationship has also an Opera motif.
Graham works in a operahouse and famous operas pieces comment his relationship with Carmen while brainwashed. They meet at The Carmen, are reunited through The Swan Lake and finally Graham turns into Crackle again while The Flying Dutch is playing.
This last opera is important not only for Graham’s story, but also for Gray’s overall arc. As a matter of fact the story of this opera is one whose main theme is about how love leads to redemption.
This is precisely what happens to Gray in the end.
In particular, he finds himself in the position Carmen was just a while before: he meets an idealized version of Carmen.
Brainwashed Carmen is who Gray has wanted Carmen to be all along. She is loyal to VILE, close to him and in love with stealing.
However, despite Gray having all he ever wanted he quickly realizes he does not like it at all:
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Black Sheep realizes she does not want anything to do with VILE after she sees how the organization has transformed Gray.
Similarly, Gray decides to betray VILE after he sees what they did to Carmen. This is interesting because, while Carmen refuses to work both for VILE and for ACME, Gray ends up working for both.
Anyway, in the end Gray leaves VILE out of love.
Not only that, but he shows to have been influenced by Carmen on a deeper level:
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It is because of this that Gray survives his final confrontation with his old classmate.
All in all, Gray manages to save himself and he and Shadowsan are the two people that helped Carmen to save herself the most.
At the same time, Gray and Carmen’s story ends on a bittersweet note. They have both hurted each other, but still clearly love each other:
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Despite this, they are avoiding each other. This is not something new, if anything Gray’s final choice:
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Perfectly mirrors Carmen’s one in the first season:
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Both times the two characters decide that the best thing for the other is for them to walk out from their lives. However, I think that both times this is wrong.
Carmen’s decision is later on proven wrong by how the story develops. Gray would have never truly changed if Carmen had not walked in his life again and he would have stayed prisoner of a lie forever.
Gray’s decision happens at the end of the story and seems to be built on this idea:
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The idea is that Carmen deserves a normal life. She deserves to stop being a symbol aka Carmen Sandiego and to become a person. She can now live a normal life and meet her mother.
However, even if it seems Carmen will do just that and she even disbands her gang aka her adoptive family, in the end we are shown this:
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Carmen has not given up on being Carmen Sandiego and on fighting criminality. Whatever happened after she met her mother, she goes back to her previous identity. This is because Carmen Sandiego is not just a mask she has worn all this time, but it is genuinelly a part of who she is. The difference between the beginning and the end is that Carmen previously was Carmen Sandiego because she did not know who she was, while now she is because she knows.
Carmen will always be both a good person and a thief. She is both and ironically she has told us (and Gray) this since the very beginning:
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Because of this, Gray’s worrying he will make Carmen’s life complicated if he even just contacts her is probably false.
Anyway, in the end their relationship has an open ending, but both characters have both realized who they are and who they want to be and they have done so with the other’s help.
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violetwolfraven · 4 years
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27 for the lyrics for red crackle ^^
“I hope that you see right through my walls. I hope that you catch me, cause I’m already falling.”
((Sorry I took so long to respond I’ve been busy over in Six of Crows land obsessing over a book series I found and finished in under 3 days.))
...
Gray Graham was unconscious on her couch and Carmen had no idea what to do.
She was mad, obviously. ACME could mess with her all they wanted. They could get their best hackers to mess with Player, though they would have to have an insane amount of luck to so much as find his presence on the dark web. They could mess with Zack and Ivy in the field, even; those two could handle themselves.
But touching Graham, a civilian with no memory of her or even of VILE, that was over the line.
At the moment, Carmen didn’t know what they’d done to him. She’d found him in an interrogation room, a bit banged up but with no lasting injuries, and unconscious. She hadn’t been able to wake him up.
Shadowsan was on his way back from Hong Kong, where there was apparently had a doctor who owed him a favor, but at the moment, she had no way of finding out what was wrong with her former best friend.
Carmen had no idea what to do.
Take away the bruises, and he looked exactly like the last time she’d seen him sleeping—and not in a creepy way, they’d shared a room for almost a year; it wasn’t like Carmen had ever intentionally watched him sleep.
Well, maybe she had once. Maybe she’d watched all of her roommates sleep the first night, marveling at how they could drop their guard that much in a room of thieves.
“Still asleep?” Ivy asked, coming in.
Carmen nodded, “How far out is Shadowsan?”
“He just landed. Zack just picked him and his friend up from the airport. That’s actually what I came in here to tell you.”
Even having said her piece, the redhead lingered, and Carmen could practically sense the question brewing.
She sighed, “Speak your mind, Ivy.”
“I don’t get it,” Ivy blurted, “You look at Crackle—the guy who tried to kill you once—like you’ve got a million shared stories, and you’ve never told me or Zack about them. We’ve known you two years, Carm. Sure, maybe you’ve known Player longer, but he’s not always here to talk. So... why don’t you ever talk to me?”
Carmen smiled faintly, “So, what, we’re just supposed to have girls’ night like normal kids?”
“I never said that,” Ivy sighed, “Look, we’re here for you. I just need to make sure you know that.”
Carmen did know that. She knew she could trust Ivy, and she knew she could trust Zack, too. The two of them had practically adopted her into their little family within a day of knowing her. They fascinated her, with how easily they trusted and how deeply they loved. They’d both almost died multiple times for her.
But talking about VILE... that was the one thing Carmen couldn’t do. She’d only told Player because he already knew most of it. Carmen had been a different person there. She’d had different morals and different friends.
“I know that,” she assured Ivy, “But I can’t talk about it just yet.”
The redhead still looked bothered, but nodded and left.
VILE had been mostly bad memories, but somewhere in there, there’d been Gray, who had morals at first then changed.
Maybe the change had never been obvious. Maybe it was so slow you couldn’t even see it until suddenly you looked at the person you thought you knew and realized that you weren’t looking at the same person anymore. Carmen didn’t even know for sure when it had started or if it was permanent.
But she did remember the Gray before. She remembered the Gray that lit up like a Christmas tree when Dr. Bellum praised his engineering skills and the Gray that was so friendly he’d somehow made friends with both her and Tigress. She remembered the Gray who picked the lock to Dr. Maelstrom’s classroom at midnight just because he claimed that room had the best acoustics.
That had been a fun night. It was before the change, before the night when Carmen realized her friends were killers. It had been before they’d even come up with codenames to hide behind when they did terrible things.
They’d all pitched in to help Gray hack the computer, and the five of them from the mainland looked up karaoke tracks, teaching Black Sheep their favorite songs until dawn, singing their hearts out. Miraculously, they never got caught for that.
Carmen smiled at the memory. It was one night of fun without rivalries or complications. Just six teenagers messing around and rebelling.
Carmen remembered them passing a hairbrush around as a pretend microphone. Jean-Paul dared Antonio to sing Despacito, Sheena danced on a desk as she belted out Hollaback Girl and All Star, Gray sang countless corny love songs with a few classic rock songs mixed in.
Mostly, she remembered one song he’d taught her, saying it reminded him of her, but he didn’t know why. Sheena had said she kinda saw it, but not really, but Jean-Paul and Antonio had agreed.
As much complication as it brought, a part of Carmen wanted Gray to remember her. And that part knew that if he’d remember one thing, it was that night.
Maybe that was what made her quietly sing the first couple sentences of that song’s chorus.
“I hope that you see right through my walls. I hope that you catch me, cause I’m already falling.”
She stopped there, realizing how stupid this was. Even if Gray heard and some part of him remembered, there was still that part of him that had changed. The part that had tried to kill people— had tried to kill her—and probably had killed at some point after she left VILE.
Even knowing that, she still wanted him back.
Maybe it was stupid, but she wanted Ivy and Zack and Player to know him as he’d been.
And maybe she wanted that part she remembered back for herself, too.
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Valentine’s Day Red Crackle/Rebellious Birds fic Red Roses 2
Since people wanted this continued, here’s the next part! I had this all done before I was injured so I decided to release what I had so far.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Carmen Sandiego
@onbehalfovenus
@storygirl000
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Black Sheep and Gray walked to class, her proudly holding the roses and Gray tried to keep himself from sighing like a pathetic lovesick schoolboy. However, his earlier revelation kept him from being completely mushy.
Again, Black Sheep didn’t get he was trying to convey his feelings for her. After the bump of her not understanding the significance of February 14th, Gray internally collected himself, too embarrassed to explain what Valentine’s Day exactly was. Call him a sap, but he wanted it to be romantic when he confessed to Black Sheep—not supplying her knowledge like he was in a lecture.
Tigress made a face at the roses when they arrived at Shadowsan’s classroom. Her eyes flickered to Gray, annoyance clear in them. Gray didn’t understand what her attitude was about, but his question was soon answered when she handed some money to El Topo and Le Cherve, who appeared smug.
“You just had to confess on Valentine’s Day, didn’t you?” Tigress hissed when he took his seat. Black Sheep was being approached by several students to admire the bouquet, oblivious to Tigress’s presence. “Thanks to you, I lost some good cash!”
“Eh, it’s not that bad, Tigress. Crackle finally got Black Sheep to date him.” El Topo tried to soothe, but it didn’t help he was counting the money right in front of her. Gray winced.
“She did understand you like her this time, right?” Le Cherve asked, seeing Gray’s expression. His answering grimace was enough for them to understand. Tigress smirked.
“Ha! I knew she wasn’t going to get it! Give it back, boys!” Tigress exclaimed. El Topo and Le Cherve groaned and handed her back the money along with extra for winning. “I told you guys she’s denser than a rock when it comes to this stuff! I had to explain to her what sex meant that time she stole Countess Cleo’s trashy novels again!”
“You couldn’t just say ‘I love you’ in words, couldn’t you?” El Topo rolled his eyes. Gray glared.
“Oh yeah, that’s real romantic! ‘Hey by the way, today’s Valentine’s Day so surprise! I love you!’ I’d be a real keeper then.” Gray sarcastically retorted.
“Don’t worry, Gray. If you keep this up, I’ll be even more rich.” Tigress smirked gleefully. “My advice: probably best to give up and find another girl. Find a real woman instead of a little girl.”
“You’re just jealous he thinks Black Sheep is prettier than you.” Le Cherve remarked. Tigress growled. “Don’t worry, Sheena. I’m sure Mime Bomb will be willing to fawn over you.”
El Topo burst out laughing while Tigress turned red. Black Sheep interrupted whatever she was going to say as she came over, happily clutching her roses.
“Hey guys! Look what Gray gave me! They’re called roses! Aren’t they pretty?” Black Sheep babbled happily. The three thieves couldn’t help but give Gray looks of pity. El Topo gave Black Sheep a smile.
“They’re very lovely. I wish I would receive a gift like that.” El Topo eyed Le Cherve critically and Le Cherve sighed, glaring at Gray.
“Now you’ve done it—you’ve shown me up.” Le Cherve snipped. Gray shrugged.
“Sorry mate.” But they both knew Gray wasn’t really sorry. He was truly glad Black Sheep loved the roses and he’d grow more for her if it made her smile.
“Class is in session.” Shadowsan announced his presence and everyone quickly sat down. Shadowsan eyed the roses Black Sheep possessed, his eyes flickering to Gray before turning to face the class. “Remember, do not let yourself be distracted just because of today! A thief’s life is always needed to be composed and you may need to be able to out maneuver at a moment’s notice.” He instructed. Gray felt the jab was directed at Black Sheep but knew he couldn’t prove it. Protectiveness filled him—if Shadowsan picked on her because of his roses, he would make sure to give him a hard time.
However, class went by normally, and he was thankful there was no conflict. When class was dismissed, Gray was prepared to follow his classmates out when Shadowsan cleared his throat. He noticed Shadowsan eyeing him, and Gray stayed back. Black Sheep gave him a look of concern before he waved her off, letting her know it was okay. She smiled and went on her way, and Gray found himself missing her presence already.
“Black Sheep was very distracted today. I assume the roses were your doing.” Shadowsan stated, knowing full well of his feelings for Black Sheep. Gray felt his face heat up—does everyone know about his love for Black Sheep except Black Sheep?
“Er sorry, sir.” Normally he’d be cocky, but he didn’t want to be on Shadowsan’s bad side unless he had to. Shadowsan looked unimpressed.
“I’m not surprised. She’s from Argentina so she’s never seen roses before.” Shadowsan replied, and Gray blinked, absorbing the information Shadowsan had given him. Realizing Shadowsan had told him something crucial about Black Sheep, he couldn’t help but grin.
Black Sheep was very vague about herself and where she came from, so he didn’t know much about her besides her wanting to be the greatest thief ever. To finally know something, even if it was something small like where she was from, gave him excitement.
“Really? What part? Does she miss it?” Gray found himself rapidly firing questions, greedy for more information. Shadowsan narrowed his eyes.
“That will be all for today, Crackle. Make sure Black Sheep doesn’t get distracted anymore.” Shadowsan dismissed him. Gray was disappointed, but he took what he could get, and left, thoughts running a mile a minute.
Black Sheep was Argentinian. He wondered why she kept it a secret. Gray didn’t know much about Argentina, but he knew sometimes he missed Australia. Maybe Black Sheep was the same and didn’t want to talk about it because it made her sad.
“Of course! I know what to do!” he snapped his fingers, an idea hitting him. He pivoted around to race towards where he would find Coach Brunt. The massive woman was of course in the training room, checking the equipment. “Coach Brunt!”
“Hm? What is it, Crackle?” Brunt didn’t appear annoyed, but she was a little miffed at being interrupted. Gray, however, wasn’t deterred.
“Where can I find a book on Argentinian dishes?” he asked. Brunt blinked, not expecting that question.
“Errr I suppose Cleo would be the best bet—she has books on cultures all over the world along with records of music.” Brunt said, still confused on where this conversation was going.
“She has music?” Gray asked innocently, cogs already turning in his head. He masked his eagerness lest Coach Brunt catch onto his plan.
“Yeah, I would assume so.” Brunt said, already losing interest in the conversation. Gray had all he needed.
“Thanks, Coach Brunt. Sorry for bothering you.” Gray made sure he was extra charming as he left. Coach Brunt blinked before shrugging, going back to checking the equipment.
Gray whistled casually, keeping his posture nonchalant. His journey to Countess Cleo’s domain was quick, and soon Gray heard music drifting into his ears. His ears perked up as he realized it was tango music.
Black Sheep wouldn’t know what hit her.
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I was trying to make this the last part but I recently got injured and part of my dominant hand is numb so typing is really uncomfortable. However, I really wanted to get this next part out. I hope everyone likes it!
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