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Post by prodigy on Nov 29, 2006 22:53:20 GMT -5
The warm sunlight brushed against the Princess's pale cheek as she knelt on scarlet cushions, fringed with gold. A loose, silken robe draped her shoulders, the white deep ruby fabric embroideryed with silver and gold thread in swirling, long-necked birds in flight. A serene smile graced the rosy lips of the young woman as her amber eyes, narrowed in the grasp of morning's sleep as she read over the parchment that had been delivered earlier via Messenger Hawk. Admiral Ashuku had responded to her request, and the Princess Azula would confirm such a visit with her Father, Fire Lord Ozai, later this afternoon during an audience. The young woman set down the parchment on the low, angular table of ebony wood. The princess's quarters were pristine, nearly an entire floor of the Royal Wing dedicated solely to her enjoyment. Every room was drapped with rich scarlet and gold fabrics, tapestries dressing the dark wood that lined the walls, and delicate screens, some painted, seperated sections. The princess's own bedchamber was nearly as large as the turtle-duck pond out in then courtyard. Possesing her own small army of servants, the Princess of the Fire Nation was never to be without her heart's desire. Her heart desired victory.
She lifted a delicate and slender hand, halting the elder woman who stood behind her, a thick brush in her hand which she had been using to brush the Princess's shoulder lenght hair. "Yes, Your Highness?" Anothr faceless servant to the princess, the young woman barely aknowledged her as she waved her hand again in the air, as if swatting flies. "Dismissed." The woman quickly wrapped up the brushed and oils in a soft fabric, hustling them into the wooden bowl she had brought to treat the princess's hair. The servant hustled out, unused to this change in routine.
Azula stood, drawing the folds of her robe across her slender body, her barefeet soft on the tatami mats of her bedchamber. She made her way over to the windows, the Fire Palace one of the few buildings to posses glass windows, and slid the wooden frames open. Her lips parted as she turned her eyes east ward, across the ocean and the great bay of the Fire Nation island chain.. to the Earth Kingdom.
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Post by prodigy on Dec 7, 2006 19:07:47 GMT -5
The sun had since traveled farther across the sky, the shadow on the princess's personal sundial stretching out far. It was located outside a window of her quarters, so that she might just look outside and see the time when her windows were open to let the breeze in. Her golden eyes narrowed at the time, concerned perhaps that she had taken too long in her bath this morning. However, Azula was never late for any appointment, her most pressing matter being an audience with her father later that afternoon to discuss Admiral Ashuku's reply.
Her coral colored lips curled into a smile, as she turned quickly away from her window. She had exchanged her bath robes for her uniform, based on the military of the Fire Nation. The wrap around her thighs swished softly as she moved, the heavy fabric thick and protective from blasts of fire. Those two tendrils of hair that hung from her temples came to a halt as the Princess entered her study. Lined with bookcases of dark, red mahaogney, this room's crowing glory was the fabulous woven rug from the Igni Islands of the Fire Nation. Sitting on her desk was the carefully scripted reply to Admiral Ashuku, stating that she would be leaving the Fire Nation in a few days time via Royal procession and would await further instructions in the conquered territories of the Earth Kingdom.
Her carefully manicured hands rolled the parchment up, her fingers grasping the gilded vassel nearby. Holding the container by it's rounded underbelly, brightly colored azure flames shot up around the gold from her fingers. After a moment or two, she carefully poured out a drop of scarlet wax, and before it cooled, pressed her own personal seal into the wax. ..Now to find a messenger hawk..
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Post by prodigy on Dec 23, 2006 15:54:56 GMT -5
A normal princess would be swathed in kimonos of rich fabric, a new light and informal kimono, perhaps even a yukata for each and every day, she would never rewear one. Ursa, Princess of the Fire Nation and Azula's mother always wore the proper clothing of a woman of her status. The Princess's lips curved into a sadistic smile as she remarked silently in her mind on the varation of titles between herself and her own mother. Azula was Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, born a princess and thus the title was an extension of her own name by right. Her Mother, a daughter of a Duke before her marriage to her Prince Ozai, was merely titled a princess of the Fire Nation due to her Marriage. She did not hold the title in her own right like Azula did. Of course, if Mother had not gone... missing... before Ozai's Coronation, she would have probably received the style Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess.. which was equivalent to the title and style Azula held currently.
She smirked as she passed through the scarlet and gold hallways, many of them running along the outsides of the palace so that one side would be open to the elements, the salty breeze coming from the bay. Azula's mind flickered again back to titles and Styles. The Titles she personally held were Her Royal Highness, The Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, Lady of Lun Yang. She was styled as Her Royal Highness, Princess Azula in a casual manner and often, subordinates just referred to her as Highness or Princess... unless of course they made her mad.
She came to an open air room off the hallway, right at a corner that overlooked a grand old oak tree. Wicker-like chairs were set up in this small room, where one might sit and read, or enjoy a cup of tea. A red-tailed hawk was perched in the tree, close to the window. Azula recognized the war-scarred hawk as the one she had named Byauken, or White Fire. Her narrow fingers quickly snapped, ever skillful not to break a nail, and the hawk's head turned towards her before he glided over. The hawk's sharp, dark eyes targeted her, and he cocked his head as he perched on the low table. The princess knelt, and attached the scroll to his offering foot. "Fly this to Admiral Ashuku within the Earth Kingdom. .. If you see Zuzu and Uncle.. make sure you leave a dropping on their heads."
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Post by rai on Jan 3, 2007 14:19:25 GMT -5
Wispy, white, fluffy clouds chased each other across the constantly darkening sky, as if they were racing to see who would make it to the other side quickest. Countless hues of red, orange, pink and purple were splayed out across the sky, dancing and changing almost as fast as the clouds were moving. A great ball of yellow and orange fire was sinking slowly into the west, its long rays reaching out and mingling among the colors. The rays pierced through the clouds, illuminating them as they traversed the sky. The ocean below reflected the beauty of the sun in its clear, rippling waves, fragmenting the sun in its gentle swells.
Below this beauty, lay the golden palace of his highness, Lord Ozai, ruler of the Fire Nation. A small golden and ruby red coach suddenly stopped in front of the palace, and lay still, as if awaiting something. As if the moment lasted forever, a small door opened at the back, and a regal man stepped out, followed closely by a gamboge colored tiger, taking small steps. The man wore the colors of a fire nation noble, and a deep crimson colored crown could be seen tucked in his topknot.
With his shoulders rolled back, Raiku walked in through the entrance to the Royal Palace. His golden eyes scanned the palace. It was uncommonly empty, not even servants were seen in plenty. Walking across the corner, he spotted an elderly servant dusting the steps to one of the manor’s many rooms. “You there,” he said in a deep voice, “Would you happen to know where the princess is?”
The servant’s eyes widened and his hands began to tremble. “N-n-no, I am not told these things,” he said softly, folding his head downward, avoiding eye contact with Raiku, “I-I don’t know.” Raiku, easily tempered, clenched his teeth together, and then soothed himself, although he was still a little angry. On the other hand, Azdan gave a small grown, showing his petite, yet sharp teeth. “B-b-but I can find out,” he said, dropping his broom and running off. Raiku sat down, closing his eyes, and placing his hand atop of Azdan, stroking the tiger’s fur.
After what seemed like hours, yet only about ten minutes, the servant returned and pointed to a small room across the courtyard. “Thank you,” Raiku said, reaching into his small purse then pulling out a few coins. The coins sparkled in the sun for a moment, but were soon shadowed over by the servant’s hand once Raiku gave it to him. “Good work.” Presently, Raiku walked over to the room across the courtyard, and found the door. He put his hand to the door, and then paused, as if countering his decision. He then reached for the handle, and pushed the door open. At first site of the princess, he bowed, seeing her back to him, as a bird flew across the nearby window. “Princess,” he said, raising from his bow, and giving the slightest sigh. He had made it in time, to plan a journey to Bai Seng Sai. All that was left was the discussion. "Excuse the sudden entrance, I have come to speak with you."
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Post by prodigy on Jan 4, 2007 15:36:56 GMT -5
The princess rose sharply hearing footsteps behind her, her hearing never failing and always sharp. Within her milky white throat, her breath caught as she steadied her breathing. Before her, the crimson hawk, whose feathers shimmered in the sunlight like they had been woven from rosey gold, spread his wings before leaping into the sky. The warm jets of ocean air caught his wings and carried him off into the cruelean sky. Her body straightened, the movement like liquid, and Azula would whip around quickly, her dark rimmed eyes narrowed as her face laid in silhouette.
She examined the young man that stood before.. The honorable Lord Raiku.. son of some Baron in her father's court. Their family had produced a few astounding generals during the war, earning them their wealth. Azula examined his face, establishing that he was.. indeed much older than her 15 years.. and yet she bore the higher rank. Her cherry blossom lips curved into a smile, as she allowed him the grace of a head nod. Her hair swayed against her curved jaw as she stepped forward, stepping into the light and allowing the gold around her collar to glitter.
"Lord Raiku... It is a pleasure to see you.. though I must wonder how you managed to talk your way into the Royal Palace when my Father is not holding Court.." And to the private quarters of the Royal Family to begin with! The Royal Palace had multiple wings, one reserved exclusively for the Royal Family, the rest housing rooms for state business and the quarters of advisors, royal guard, and their families. She stared down her nose at the tiger that stood by Raiku's side.. finding the animal both magnificant.. and yet.. and unnesscary and trival attachment. Even the Princess's own Butterfly dogs.. gifts from her grandmother on her mother's side, a old senile woman caught int he grips of demintia, with nothing better to do than tend her own pack of butterfly dogs and who barely knew her own granddaughter's name, were hardly around the woman. She cared not for them. She lifted a hand, nails delicately crafted.. "Speak then."
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Post by rai on Jan 4, 2007 23:49:47 GMT -5
Raiku merely watched as the trace of the regal hawk became more distant and at last, became a mere speck in the wondrously large sky, before finally becoming nothing. He turned his attention away from the window, and back to the Azula. “The perfect combination of beauty and power. Not even adult yet, and she has mastered forms of firebending that he has not, and to top it all off, she is one of the rare lightning benders.” he thought to himself, walking over to one of the chairs in the room and sitting down upon it, whilst Azdan curled in a corner, toying with his fingers.
Raiku had a habit of noticing things, such as how one dresses, speaks, listens, their gestures, etc. and then building up that persons characteristics in his mind. As Azula spoke to him, he noted how she stressed the words, “my father” along with several hand gestures. He himself gave a friendly gesture to Azula, as to ask her to sit down so they could speak in a more business-like fashion.
After Azula had finished, Raiku prepared himself to speak. He often quickly thought of what to say, yet controlled his speaking, and, of course, thought about every word before he would say it. Practice, lots of practice. “A pleasure to see yourself once more as well. You ask how I got into the palace so easily?” he asked, repeating what Azula had just said, “The reason I got inside so easily was because his highness, Lord Ozai, was not holding court. The palace did not have as much security as I had expected.” He looked up slightly, until his own eyes met with Azula’s. “I would suggest getting new guards and servants as well. The current ones seem much less helpful that I had hoped.”
Raiku sighed, then continued, after thinking of what to say, “But to the main order of business. Words have been spreading throughout the House of Lords. Talk of an attack over Bai Seng Sai. Rumors of the city’s walls finally falling. I have come to verify these speakings.” Raiku’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, before he carried on with his talk, “Also….talk of a meeting with the man behind this conquest, Admiral Ashuku.” Raiku stood back up and snapped his fingers, calling back Azdan from the corner. He walked closer to Azula then finished his speech, “I wish to take part in this.” His lips then closed, waiting for the princess’ answer.
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Post by prodigy on Jan 5, 2007 0:29:57 GMT -5
Her chin lifted up, as her golden eyes looked away from his face to the wicker-like chair of woven dried vines, mildly insulted that he dared to seat himself before her. Her lower lip dropped away and she folded her arms behind her back before speaking. Her chest rose under that double collar she wore that extended across her shoulders as she breathed before hastily spatting out. "I"ll stand, thank you." The sunlight glittered off her flame diadem, the poppy colored enamel perfect for catching the light, though not as gradiose as the Fire Lord's golden Diadem..
His answer displeased her, an obvious frown creasing the perfection that was her coral painted lips. Obviously there was something dreadfully wrong if the Royal Guard was not in full swing during a off-court day. She would mention such to her father when she spoke to him later that day. The Princess moved into the shadows, away from the window and walked behind the arrangement of chairs. The golden points of her boots clicked on dark umber floors, the finest wood from the Igni islands.. prized for it's near ebony luster. "You are correct.. Admiral Ashuku has informed my father of his plans to lay waste to the walls of Ba Seng Sei and to finally fulfil the divine dream of the Fire Nation. A Royal Envoy is being sent to the front lines at my Father's request, and under my command." She stopped, and placed her hands on the back of the chair, her nails clicking against the dried vines as she tapped her fingers. "I was not planning on bringing many members of the Court with me.."
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Post by rai on Jan 5, 2007 2:17:43 GMT -5
Raiku listened once again to what the princess had to say, then spoke accordingly, "I am glad to hear that this information has been verified, even more glad to see it be verified as true." He noted the princess walking into the shadows, and behind chairs, away from Raiku. He also sensed hesitation, and tension, not a very good omen should he be tagging along on the way to Ba Seng Sei.
"Then please, do not think of me as a court official," Raiku replied, "That may seem much too formal anyhow. Simply Raiku." Raiku took a few steps to his right, not to the princess, yet not away from her. Simply a change in direction. Raiku paused, about to say something, yet he stopped, and decided not to say anything. Azdan himself, began to get bored and hopped upon one of the chairs, and turned his direction to Azula, his great, big eyes looking at her.
After a moment of silence, Raiku spoke again, "Yet... you said that you were not going to take many members of the court along with you. This does mean you had planned to take some, correct? Or had you expected one of us from the court to ask you, as I have?" Raiku maintained a very serious look upon his face, although it seemed that for the first time in a very long time, a small crease was beginning to form, although a smile was not yet fully developed.
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Post by prodigy on Jan 5, 2007 21:45:14 GMT -5
Azula shot daggers at Azdan as the tiger lept onto the chair, the vines groaning under his weight. The tiger was largest than even the fattest of the Noblemen her Father controlled. However, the princess held her tongue, directing her gaze away from the beast to the man. Her golden eyes, shaped like almonds shut for a moment as she drew in a breath. "I was going to extend an invitation to Lady Mai and Lady Ty Lee, as well as invinting some of the elder gentlemen of the Court who had seen the walls of Ba Seng Sei under my dear Uncle, but never saw them felled." She stepped out from behind the chair and moved towards the window, never one to stay still for long. "You have a desire to be apart of the Royal Entourage, Lord Raiku?" The princess spoke softly, her cultured voice rich with the tones of a question. A slender hand, ivory skin, reach up to brush away and straighten a tendril of umber hair, stroking the silky strands. "...Very well. I suppose it is only natural seeing as your family has produced some of the Fire Nation's most esteemed military officers.. You may join the royal entourage then. I will send word when plans have been more.. thoroughly made." Her hand left her hair, as her weight shifted to one foot and her half-lidded eyes gazed at her fingers. A crisp flame of icy sapphire shot up from her fingertips, dancing mere centimeters from her skin. "Ba Seng Sei shall burn to ground.. and maybe.. while we're at it.. the rumored Avatar will attempt to intervene.. and we shall.." Her fingers recoiled quickly, the flame extinguishing with a crackle. "..crush him.."
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Post by rai on Jan 6, 2007 20:58:28 GMT -5
At the first sight of a glance by Azula, Azdan hopped off the chair, and the cub scurried behind Raiku’s legs. Raiku glanced at the princes swiftly, then bet down quickly, and shook his head at the tiger, saying two things: one being that she was a friend, and the second being to behave. Nodding back, the young tiger took small steps toward Azula, before he ran slightly, and put both of his velvety front paws on Azula’s legs, taking care as not to extend his sharp claws. His soulful eyes stared up the princess, and he stood still.
Raiku’s face finally parted into a small smile, and he spoke. “I think he likes you.” The image of the blue flame protruding out of Azula’s hand was still rolling in his mind. He could perform the feat as well; however, he could not hold the blue flame for long, without it going completely out of control.
“Lady Mai and Lady Ty Lee,” Raiku said softly, mostly muttering, “Yes, I think I have seen them before, if only by a glance.” Raiku was indeed pleased he had been granted the opportunity to travel with the Royal Entourage, a chance to see Ba Seng Sei finally fall under the Fire Nation’s flag. He bowed his head to the princess, then brought it back to it’s upright position.
After a moment of silence, in which Raiku had not bothered to interrupt, Raiku spoke once more. “If the accursed avatar does show up, which I doubt he will be foolish enough to do….” Raiku opened a small pouch of powder, fastened to his belt. Powder that had taken him years to track down, and to collect. He took a small handful, and spread it out on his hand, then shot it upwards with a flame of fire, the powder making the flames appear green. Once at he top, it burst, creating a small firework-like effect that caused tiny bits of green color to shower down, and become invisible. “…it should at least be made a show.” Raiku looked at the Princess, seeing Azdan still there, in the same position. “Would you agree?’
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Post by prodigy on Jan 10, 2007 1:22:05 GMT -5
Azula lifted a brow as the cat scurried away, watching the two converse for a moment. The princess took a step back when the tiger bounded up to her with his large paws. Her head dropped, lips curling into a downward frown at the animals uninvited approach. Azula was never fond of animals, often throwing bags of feed at the turtleducks in the pond of the courtyard when her Mother wasn't looking. Her arms fell to her side, fingers curving dangerously inward as part of her firebender instict. Hair slowly falling from her vision, she caught herself as she looked down at the black and white cub before her. Her body stiffened and she walked hastily towards Raiku, even as he conjured a fire that glittered like a hundred scattered emeralds. This was no impressive trick for the Princess, whose's birthdays as a child were attended by the Flame Dancers.. a caravan of dirty vagabonds that Fire Lords of previous generations could not seem to eradicate. The were like cockroachs.. never gone but always there in the shadows. They used the powders to produce colored fire, Azula remeber the sons of the caravan's leaders being skilled in it and using it during their Agni-kai. Rainbow colored fire was highly overrated. The woman paused before Lord Raiku, an air of utmost supremacy lingering around her as she stared up at him. Her eyes were deep pools of liquid gold, like the diadem the Fire Lord wore. Her jaw was slender, peach colored lips parted just a hair to allow breath through as she stood only at his shoulder. "....Been learning tricks from gypsy scum have we, Lord Raiku?" And those were the final words the Princess spoke, brushing past him with the cold dignity she had. Princess Azula walked as if she were more than a 15 year old child, as if she made of glass, as if she owned the world and she knew it. As if she were a goddess.
Hundreds of Thousands of Fire Nation soliders were working on that last part.
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Post by rai on Jan 10, 2007 3:15:34 GMT -5
The glittering ashes finally ceased, as the princess brushed pass Raiku's shoulder. He still stood tall, and his eyes followed the princess. His eyes found themselves focused at her own circles of gold, as they lay fixed, unable to wander. Raiku snapped his finger, and Azdan quickly hurried to his master, before sitting down. His eyes were once again fixed on Azula. He could tell she did not like his small act.
"Yes," Raiku replied firmly, "I find myself able to see the beauty in this art." He waited for a few minutes, as the princess walked away. What remained of the smile was now wiped clean off his face. Flashback's flashed through his eyes, as he remembered some of his childhood days. He could even remember the young princess in some of them.
Reality soon returned as he himself walked out of the room. He turned to the direction in which the princess was walking, and he loudened his voice. "Princess, best wishes to your meeting with the admiral!" His voice turned slightly more humorous, and he said, "I hope to see you soon!" With this said, Raiku turned back, alongside Azdan, and headed out of the palace, not to return unless called for.
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Post by prodigy on Jan 20, 2007 17:43:05 GMT -5
Now was not the time for the Princess to deal with little gypsy wannabes. She despised the Flame Dancers ever since they preformed at her 10th birthday. They took the respectable and honored art of Firebending and twisted it into something people laughed and cheered out.. instead of cowering in fear like they should have. The Princess wandered the halls of the palace, the dark ebony wood from the Igni islands that made the floor met the rich scarlet walls, dusted in gold dust.. the palace was a luxurious place. She paused and glanced at candle that was placed on a small table in the hall. It was almost time for her audience with Fire Lord Ozai, her father.
Even the daughter was subject to the formal rules of the court. She sighed, the harshness in her bright and glistening eyes lessening as she continued to walk. She felt stressed.. her chets was tight. Anticipation? In less than a week's time she would be away from Lun Yang, away from the isolation of the palace grounds and on a ship, the brand new FLS Flametongue, a fabulous battleship designed specifically for the Princess's royal entourages. The iron hull, the nose, was adorned with golden flames and the bulk tower that held the offices and helm of most other battle ships was designed to be a pagoda on her ship. The flametongue posessed an air of feminity and power... And the entire ship's worth of Royal guards was under her command. Only her Father could command them otherwise.
Azula paused, standing on the soft carpet that led to the dark doors that opened into the Fire Lord's Audience Chamber. She glanced at the two guards, the enameled diadem in her hair sparkling in the fire light. A word was no spoke, the flash of her throat and the sound of her breath was enough to grant her access to even the most scared and important of places within the Fire Nation. The guards stepped aside, the doors swung open, only to kneel and prostrate themselves as the Princess passed. The empty thud of the doors closing shook the palace.
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Post by iazo on Jan 24, 2007 17:49:33 GMT -5
The Fire Lord sat in a lavish room. Crystal windows let the vermilion light from sundown flow in, accentuating the dark redwood floors, sent specially from the Igni Islands. The room was draped heavily in gold, as well as the Fire Lord's favorite jewel, the ruby. Ozai used this room very lightly, as it was used for important meeting, as with some of his favorites as well as his daughter Azula. In fact, he was scheduled to have an audience with his daughter very soon.
Recently, he felt himself wanting to go out of Lun Yang, out of the palace. As Fire Lord, he had that option. Yet, it did not necessarily feel right, but then again, when did that ever matter to him? Of course, his court would hold without him for some time, they were fools, puppets so to speak, although there were some smarter than the rest. These were the ones Ozai kept tabs of, kept them his favorites, so he would be sure there would be no chance of betrayal.
The running of heavy feet echoed in the hall leading to this room, and soon a fire nation soldier appeared at the doorway, heavily bowed. “Your highness,” The masked soldier said, “The Princess, her highness Azula, has arrived.” Ozai simply gave a wave of his hand, not bothering to say a word. But the message was clear: let the Princess in, and leave the two royal members alone. The soldier departed, ready to receive Azula.
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Post by prodigy on Jan 27, 2007 23:06:01 GMT -5
The young woman sashaed into the audience chamber, walking in between those towering stone columns with an regal aire about her. The air within the chamber was hot, the flames that soared around the Fire Lord's throne with it's canopy. Even the Crown Princess had to bow before the might and greatness of the Fire Lord, and so Azula did kneeling and then placing her hands delicately infront of her as she bent forward. Her forehead almost touched the ground, as she spoke the traditional words. "All Hail Fire Lord Ozai, Emperor of Fire, Lord of the Sun.. May you reign until Angi herself perishes."
She then lifted her head, letting her hair fall infront alongside her narrow and pointed face. Her glittering gold eyes gazed upon the shadow of her Father with pure adoration, and yet with as much ambition as his own. Azula's hands were placed in her lap, as she remained kneeling. She awaiting her father to speak the remaining words of greeting..
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