Post by Bardigan on Jul 30, 2014 1:23:57 GMT -5
Blueblood has taken it upon himself to go to Sweet Apple Acres and 'help' after storming out of Marble Memory's home. This happens shortly after that argument in Stop Blueblood Before He Helps Somepony!
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Doom is coming to Sweet Apple Acres, and it looks amazing. Even though Blueblood has been having, to put it lightly, a very bad day, he managed to find a place to hide and comb his mane, fix his bowtie, and dust off his coat. He practically shines in the glare of the sun as he heads for the farm, following the signs. "Hmm. There's more dirt than I thought," he grumps, peering over the orchard, trying to spot any of the day workers.
Applejack remains oblivious to the approaching doom at first. It's a lovely bright day, and there is much to do. Midsummer is the early harvest in preparation for cider season, and she and Mac have been out in the fields harvesting. This is a lot more skilful than it seems at first glance - it is NOT easy to buck a tree exactly hard enough for the ripe apples to fall and the young ones to stay, btu they do it. AJ drops off a cartful of tart McIntoshes in storage at the bar, and is about to return to the orchard when she catches sight of the approaching doom and stops short. Normally SAA visitors are greeted with a grin, but not this time. "*You*." she says under her breath, and stands still, waiting.
Big_Mac is still out in the fields when AJ makes the trip back to the barn, it's a pretty good system too, taking turns bucking and hauling apples, giving the other a bit of a break while still keeping busy. With AJ having been gone a bit longer than usual it seems, Mac has paused to look up just in time to catch AJ with quite the look of dread on her face. His brow furrows, looking concerned and about to call to her when he notices the stallion, to whom he offers a wave and makes his way toward the barn and where his sister is and Blueblood is headed. "Y'all okay AJ? Look like y' all gone and saw a ghost."
Blueblood has no real idea who runs this place. Farmers are all basically the same, right? They plow, they grow, they get dirty, they talk in funny accents. He comes up to the front gate and peers at the orange and red ponies nearby. "Excuse me! Excuse *me!*" he calls in a voice that says he's not asking to be excused but listened to, "Are you the day workers? I would like to speak to management! A Prince has come to ease your burdens and grace you with the splendor of his company!"
Applejack snorts and tells her brother, sotto voce, "Hah. He ain't a ghost, much's he might deserve ta be. Y'all remember coupla years back Ah went ta th' Grand Gallopin' Gala an' said one o' th' snotty high-falutin' nobles said our bakin' was 'common'? That there's th' very snotty high-falutin' noble." She pauses and stares at Blueblood, then does the usual AJ reaction to this kind of thing: she just instantly gets MAD. Applejack marches up to Blueblood and says, "DAY WORKERS!? This here's Sweet Apple Acres, an' it's been mah fam'ly's farm fer years an' years! Ah have HAD th' splendor o' yer comp'ny an' Ah've also had explosive diarrhea, an' Ah ain't rightly sure which one Ah'd rather have again! WHAT do you want?"
Big_Mac tilts his head and quirks a brow at Blueblood's 'greeting' as it were, leaving Mac to give him a quizzical look before turning to AJ with the same gaze when she clues him in on who the white stallion his. His brow furrows at the recalled stories of what happened, not seeing quite pleased to hear that this guest is thte one and same. But when AJ launches into her anger, he sighs and rolls his eyes and gives his head a shake as he follows after his sister. If he had of had a lasso on hand, he might have considered roping her just to keep her in line, but alas, he doesn't.
( Blueblood watches AJ sputter and fume, a blank look on his regal face. It's possible he has no idea what she's talking about. He looks up at Big Macintosh as if to ask for help, and then back down at Applejack. He quickly does what is his custom when a dirty, sweaty pony gets too close: backpedal and hold up a handkerchief to his nose to ward off the smell. "Um," he says, looking her up and down for anything familiar. "Right... *who* are you again?" )
Applejack composes herself, but is still fuming. "Ah am Applejack. This here's mah brother, Big Macintosh. Yer on our farm, Sweet Apple Acres - best apples in Equestria, guaranteed - an' right now yer *interruptin'* our *work*. So WHAT IN TARNATION do ya WANT here??" She snorts. "We got better stuff ta do than stand around talkin' ta some... *prince*." AJ spits that last word the way someone ELSE might say 'murderer' or 'sugar-free sweetener'.
Big_Mac stands a few paces behind Applejack, almost the sort of way one would distance themselves from something that is liable to explode. He's clearly uncertain if he should even intervene. From what he's heard, Blueblood definitely deserves it, yet at the same time, he's certain Applejack can go overboard... though he definitely deserves it... you see his conundrum. As AJ speaks and introduces them both, Mac tips his head in greeting and nods at certain points, even interjecting the odd 'Eeyup' in what probably comes off as far more threatening to the prince, given his view of the farm folk.
Blueblood keeps the kerchief over his nose. Somewhere in the back of his mind arises the dimmest vagary of a realization that this was probably a bad idea. But that is quickly repressed by remembering that this is exactly how Marble talked to him: condescending and completely without regard to his Princely position. He puts his most pouty scowl on and stuffs the kerchief into his bowtie. "Now see here!" he says, puffing out his chest, which isn't exactly skinny. "There isn't much *better* than speaking to a Prince! Especially one who has deigned to come down from his tower and give himself over to the betterment of his fellow ponies. I have recently been..." He rolls his eyes upward. "*Relocated* at the behest of the Princesses and my, um... my *ward.*" He groans this last word. "In essence I am here to prove my worth and help the ponies of Ponyville. Anything that doesn't make me sweat too much or require heavy lifting or contact with fertilizer of any kind will suffice."
Applejack at first grows more incensed at this speech and mutters under her breath, "you no-good dirty rotten four-flushin' apple-rustlin' stink-" and cuts off when Blueblood reaches 'prove my worth'. "Did... Ah hear y'all right, y'all been sent here ta go ta WORK? 'Cause th' princesses made ya?" A grin slowly spreads over Applejack's face. It is much darker than the usual bright country article; it even seems to have a hint of Rarity in it. AJ steps out of the way and ushers Blueblood in with a wave of a hoof. "Well then! Yer *Highness*. Why didn't ya say so? Come RIGHT on in, Ah reckon we can find a few little tasks worthy of a pony o' yer... stature." She whispers to Mac, "(Pigsty still needs cleanin', don't it? An' maybe we should get th' cider press goin' a mite early?..."
Big_Mac stares, looking between AJ and Blueblood, almost as if waiting to see who is going to burst a blood vessle first. His bits are on AJ, but that's just because he knows how she can get sometimes. For the time being, Mac mostly enjoys the show. Not that he could really get much of a word in edge wise anyway. Right up until AJ's attitude takes a dirastic about face. He knows that look she gets, and what follows is rarely pretty... suddenly he almost feels a bit sorry for Blueblood... almost. He closes his eyes a moment as AJ graciously invites the prince in, stepping aside as both approach and gives Blueblood a almost warning look, which he imagines will be taken as indigestion or something. He shifts his gaze to Applejack and nods with a sigh. "Eeyup... reckon it does... aint much of what he was lookin for a reckon." he says cautiously, as if AJ had forgotten it was quite the messy job.
( Why does the red pony look like he has indigestion? There must be something wrong with the apples here. Blueblood seems quite mollified by Applejack's sudden change in demeanor, even favoring her with a little smile. "Well! Good to know *some* ponies can still appreciate a helping hoof when it is offered. I'm sure that this will teach Marble a lesson about *my* usefulness. Now then. Where do we start? I'm sure this won't take more than a couple of hours." Farm work isn't *hard* or anything, right? You just pull things around, and he has magic. )
Applejack gives Mac a wink and starts explaining to Blueblood. "Oh *ab-so-lutely*! Now, bein' a farm, we got us a few animals livin' here, an' it's our job ta take good care of 'em. Ya know, like a prince takes goooood care o' his subjects? So Ah reckon that sorta thing might be right up yer Highness' alley. TH' perfect startin' job." During this speech, Applejack leads Blueblood around to the pigsty. "Fer example, th' pig here needs th' dirt mucked outta his sty, th' trough cleaned out quick, an' ta be given a bucket o' supper. Easy as rainbow pie!" AJ leans a shovel against Blueblood's chest and gives him a good-natured(-looking) slap on the back. "There ya go! A Princely job if'n there ever was one." She turns to go back to the orchard, but pauses and says over her shoulder, "Oh. One last thing, 'Yer Highness'. We don't allow magic on Sweet Apple Acres. Just good honest horsepower."
Big_Mac sighs deeply as both AJ and Blueblood pass, allowing him to fall into step with them, especially with his long gait. He eyes Blueblood curiously, watching as Applejack leads the way to the pig pen.. he's not missing this reaction for the world. This might not be his idea, but he's sure as heck not going to miss an opporotunity to enjoy Applejack's 'revenge' at least a -little- bit. "Ah reckon 'yer about t' bite more 'n you 'kin chew." he comments at Blueblood's statements, letting his ego show a bit. Though there isn't much time between Mac saying this and the arrival at the pig pen. Mac makes his way over to the gate and pulls it open, the wood sqeaking a bit on itself as it swings and he lifts a hoof to prop himself upon it, almost waiting expectantly. He's just helping AJ give the prince what he's after... honest.
( Blueblood should have known there was something suspicious about this farm. He glances down at the pigs with the kind of gaze one might reserve for a squashed bug or a particularly ugly baby. "The... the *pig*?" he squeaks, letting the shovel sit against his chest. His face seems to be caught in a strange place between fury, indignaation, and disgust given how it seems to be trying to scrunch itself into nothingness. "I... I... hold on. This... was probably a bad idea, I should- NO MAGIC?!" He practically EXPLODES as he whirls around. "But... but how am I supposed to NOT touch that disgusting filth in there?! I..." He turns Big Mac, pointing at Applejack the Slave Driver, the Cruel Trickster, Newfound Bane of His Existence. "She- she's not serious, is she? I *have* to use magic! It's my heritage! I refuse! I... I demand a different job right now!" )
Applejack grins again. "Now, could be Ah didn't QUITE hear y'all right, but what Ah gathered is y'all were ORDERED ta come here an' be useful. An' THIS is useful. This here's a *FARM*, YER HIGHNESS, an' hereabouts we don't make a fuss 'botu a little good honest dirt! Elbow grease an' hoof power are what a farm RUNS on - ain't it, Mac? Now, if'n y'all don't wanna work on THIS pen, fine." She points a hoof at a row of coops. "Chickens need th' same work done. An' there is a LOT more o' them."
Big_Mac lifts a hoof in a bit of a shrug to Blueblood as he begins to protest, a little crook of his lips forming just a bit of a smile at his reaction. He really shouldn't be enjoying this, but this stallion /did/ insult his family, and his sisters friends. What goes around comes around, he reckons. For a moment, he wonders if Unicorns are actually capable of compacting thier noses into their face, if so it would be a new trick that he's seen. "Reckon the same way AJ an' ah do. It 'aint so bad after y' get used t' it." he says, in a way answering Blueblood's question, even if not directly "If 'yer a prince of th' ponies, reckon gettin' to know others would look good." he offers with a coy smile. When Applejack mentions the chicken coop, he shudders a little as he remembers the siblinghooves social... those chickens still 'aint happy to see him tehse days from his encounter with the coops... He nods to AJ as she prompts him, noddingdeep. "eeyup! and theyre a might more ornery too!" he adds.
Blueblood resolutely throws the shovel down onto the ground. "Chickens! Pigs! Fine! Chickens it is." He stomps over to the coops to poke his head inside. At least it gets him away from that abominable smell. "Chickens can't be *half* as disgusting as a filthy, muddy, ugly little..." He stops the moment he gets close to the door, his nose scrunching up once again. His eyes go as wide as he can go, as his poor brain very slowly comes to the conclusion that he is making an awful mistake. Nevertheless the powers on. "Um... Here, chickies?" he ventures, bending down to poke his head inside. He's immediately reward with a peck on the nose, making him yelp, bang his head on the top of the door, and flop back outside, causing a great commotion as he rattles the coop and causes panic among the chickens. "It bit me! It bit me! Am I bleeding?!" he whimpers, retreating to a safe distance, clutching his nose with one hoof. "This is ridiculous! Your animals attacked me! Violence! Violence and no magic! This place is cursed! I can't do this. I won't! Why if I lower myself to this menial labor, what would my Aunties think? What would... everypony... say..." He suddenly trails off into silence. He stares into nothing with wide, wet, shimmering eyes, mouth agape and twitching slightly. Whatever conclusion he's come to, he doesn't seem to like it.
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Unfortunately the log ends here! But will add an epilogue if and when we get one.
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Doom is coming to Sweet Apple Acres, and it looks amazing. Even though Blueblood has been having, to put it lightly, a very bad day, he managed to find a place to hide and comb his mane, fix his bowtie, and dust off his coat. He practically shines in the glare of the sun as he heads for the farm, following the signs. "Hmm. There's more dirt than I thought," he grumps, peering over the orchard, trying to spot any of the day workers.
Applejack remains oblivious to the approaching doom at first. It's a lovely bright day, and there is much to do. Midsummer is the early harvest in preparation for cider season, and she and Mac have been out in the fields harvesting. This is a lot more skilful than it seems at first glance - it is NOT easy to buck a tree exactly hard enough for the ripe apples to fall and the young ones to stay, btu they do it. AJ drops off a cartful of tart McIntoshes in storage at the bar, and is about to return to the orchard when she catches sight of the approaching doom and stops short. Normally SAA visitors are greeted with a grin, but not this time. "*You*." she says under her breath, and stands still, waiting.
Big_Mac is still out in the fields when AJ makes the trip back to the barn, it's a pretty good system too, taking turns bucking and hauling apples, giving the other a bit of a break while still keeping busy. With AJ having been gone a bit longer than usual it seems, Mac has paused to look up just in time to catch AJ with quite the look of dread on her face. His brow furrows, looking concerned and about to call to her when he notices the stallion, to whom he offers a wave and makes his way toward the barn and where his sister is and Blueblood is headed. "Y'all okay AJ? Look like y' all gone and saw a ghost."
Blueblood has no real idea who runs this place. Farmers are all basically the same, right? They plow, they grow, they get dirty, they talk in funny accents. He comes up to the front gate and peers at the orange and red ponies nearby. "Excuse me! Excuse *me!*" he calls in a voice that says he's not asking to be excused but listened to, "Are you the day workers? I would like to speak to management! A Prince has come to ease your burdens and grace you with the splendor of his company!"
Applejack snorts and tells her brother, sotto voce, "Hah. He ain't a ghost, much's he might deserve ta be. Y'all remember coupla years back Ah went ta th' Grand Gallopin' Gala an' said one o' th' snotty high-falutin' nobles said our bakin' was 'common'? That there's th' very snotty high-falutin' noble." She pauses and stares at Blueblood, then does the usual AJ reaction to this kind of thing: she just instantly gets MAD. Applejack marches up to Blueblood and says, "DAY WORKERS!? This here's Sweet Apple Acres, an' it's been mah fam'ly's farm fer years an' years! Ah have HAD th' splendor o' yer comp'ny an' Ah've also had explosive diarrhea, an' Ah ain't rightly sure which one Ah'd rather have again! WHAT do you want?"
Big_Mac tilts his head and quirks a brow at Blueblood's 'greeting' as it were, leaving Mac to give him a quizzical look before turning to AJ with the same gaze when she clues him in on who the white stallion his. His brow furrows at the recalled stories of what happened, not seeing quite pleased to hear that this guest is thte one and same. But when AJ launches into her anger, he sighs and rolls his eyes and gives his head a shake as he follows after his sister. If he had of had a lasso on hand, he might have considered roping her just to keep her in line, but alas, he doesn't.
( Blueblood watches AJ sputter and fume, a blank look on his regal face. It's possible he has no idea what she's talking about. He looks up at Big Macintosh as if to ask for help, and then back down at Applejack. He quickly does what is his custom when a dirty, sweaty pony gets too close: backpedal and hold up a handkerchief to his nose to ward off the smell. "Um," he says, looking her up and down for anything familiar. "Right... *who* are you again?" )
Applejack composes herself, but is still fuming. "Ah am Applejack. This here's mah brother, Big Macintosh. Yer on our farm, Sweet Apple Acres - best apples in Equestria, guaranteed - an' right now yer *interruptin'* our *work*. So WHAT IN TARNATION do ya WANT here??" She snorts. "We got better stuff ta do than stand around talkin' ta some... *prince*." AJ spits that last word the way someone ELSE might say 'murderer' or 'sugar-free sweetener'.
Big_Mac stands a few paces behind Applejack, almost the sort of way one would distance themselves from something that is liable to explode. He's clearly uncertain if he should even intervene. From what he's heard, Blueblood definitely deserves it, yet at the same time, he's certain Applejack can go overboard... though he definitely deserves it... you see his conundrum. As AJ speaks and introduces them both, Mac tips his head in greeting and nods at certain points, even interjecting the odd 'Eeyup' in what probably comes off as far more threatening to the prince, given his view of the farm folk.
Blueblood keeps the kerchief over his nose. Somewhere in the back of his mind arises the dimmest vagary of a realization that this was probably a bad idea. But that is quickly repressed by remembering that this is exactly how Marble talked to him: condescending and completely without regard to his Princely position. He puts his most pouty scowl on and stuffs the kerchief into his bowtie. "Now see here!" he says, puffing out his chest, which isn't exactly skinny. "There isn't much *better* than speaking to a Prince! Especially one who has deigned to come down from his tower and give himself over to the betterment of his fellow ponies. I have recently been..." He rolls his eyes upward. "*Relocated* at the behest of the Princesses and my, um... my *ward.*" He groans this last word. "In essence I am here to prove my worth and help the ponies of Ponyville. Anything that doesn't make me sweat too much or require heavy lifting or contact with fertilizer of any kind will suffice."
Applejack at first grows more incensed at this speech and mutters under her breath, "you no-good dirty rotten four-flushin' apple-rustlin' stink-" and cuts off when Blueblood reaches 'prove my worth'. "Did... Ah hear y'all right, y'all been sent here ta go ta WORK? 'Cause th' princesses made ya?" A grin slowly spreads over Applejack's face. It is much darker than the usual bright country article; it even seems to have a hint of Rarity in it. AJ steps out of the way and ushers Blueblood in with a wave of a hoof. "Well then! Yer *Highness*. Why didn't ya say so? Come RIGHT on in, Ah reckon we can find a few little tasks worthy of a pony o' yer... stature." She whispers to Mac, "(Pigsty still needs cleanin', don't it? An' maybe we should get th' cider press goin' a mite early?..."
Big_Mac stares, looking between AJ and Blueblood, almost as if waiting to see who is going to burst a blood vessle first. His bits are on AJ, but that's just because he knows how she can get sometimes. For the time being, Mac mostly enjoys the show. Not that he could really get much of a word in edge wise anyway. Right up until AJ's attitude takes a dirastic about face. He knows that look she gets, and what follows is rarely pretty... suddenly he almost feels a bit sorry for Blueblood... almost. He closes his eyes a moment as AJ graciously invites the prince in, stepping aside as both approach and gives Blueblood a almost warning look, which he imagines will be taken as indigestion or something. He shifts his gaze to Applejack and nods with a sigh. "Eeyup... reckon it does... aint much of what he was lookin for a reckon." he says cautiously, as if AJ had forgotten it was quite the messy job.
( Why does the red pony look like he has indigestion? There must be something wrong with the apples here. Blueblood seems quite mollified by Applejack's sudden change in demeanor, even favoring her with a little smile. "Well! Good to know *some* ponies can still appreciate a helping hoof when it is offered. I'm sure that this will teach Marble a lesson about *my* usefulness. Now then. Where do we start? I'm sure this won't take more than a couple of hours." Farm work isn't *hard* or anything, right? You just pull things around, and he has magic. )
Applejack gives Mac a wink and starts explaining to Blueblood. "Oh *ab-so-lutely*! Now, bein' a farm, we got us a few animals livin' here, an' it's our job ta take good care of 'em. Ya know, like a prince takes goooood care o' his subjects? So Ah reckon that sorta thing might be right up yer Highness' alley. TH' perfect startin' job." During this speech, Applejack leads Blueblood around to the pigsty. "Fer example, th' pig here needs th' dirt mucked outta his sty, th' trough cleaned out quick, an' ta be given a bucket o' supper. Easy as rainbow pie!" AJ leans a shovel against Blueblood's chest and gives him a good-natured(-looking) slap on the back. "There ya go! A Princely job if'n there ever was one." She turns to go back to the orchard, but pauses and says over her shoulder, "Oh. One last thing, 'Yer Highness'. We don't allow magic on Sweet Apple Acres. Just good honest horsepower."
Big_Mac sighs deeply as both AJ and Blueblood pass, allowing him to fall into step with them, especially with his long gait. He eyes Blueblood curiously, watching as Applejack leads the way to the pig pen.. he's not missing this reaction for the world. This might not be his idea, but he's sure as heck not going to miss an opporotunity to enjoy Applejack's 'revenge' at least a -little- bit. "Ah reckon 'yer about t' bite more 'n you 'kin chew." he comments at Blueblood's statements, letting his ego show a bit. Though there isn't much time between Mac saying this and the arrival at the pig pen. Mac makes his way over to the gate and pulls it open, the wood sqeaking a bit on itself as it swings and he lifts a hoof to prop himself upon it, almost waiting expectantly. He's just helping AJ give the prince what he's after... honest.
( Blueblood should have known there was something suspicious about this farm. He glances down at the pigs with the kind of gaze one might reserve for a squashed bug or a particularly ugly baby. "The... the *pig*?" he squeaks, letting the shovel sit against his chest. His face seems to be caught in a strange place between fury, indignaation, and disgust given how it seems to be trying to scrunch itself into nothingness. "I... I... hold on. This... was probably a bad idea, I should- NO MAGIC?!" He practically EXPLODES as he whirls around. "But... but how am I supposed to NOT touch that disgusting filth in there?! I..." He turns Big Mac, pointing at Applejack the Slave Driver, the Cruel Trickster, Newfound Bane of His Existence. "She- she's not serious, is she? I *have* to use magic! It's my heritage! I refuse! I... I demand a different job right now!" )
Applejack grins again. "Now, could be Ah didn't QUITE hear y'all right, but what Ah gathered is y'all were ORDERED ta come here an' be useful. An' THIS is useful. This here's a *FARM*, YER HIGHNESS, an' hereabouts we don't make a fuss 'botu a little good honest dirt! Elbow grease an' hoof power are what a farm RUNS on - ain't it, Mac? Now, if'n y'all don't wanna work on THIS pen, fine." She points a hoof at a row of coops. "Chickens need th' same work done. An' there is a LOT more o' them."
Big_Mac lifts a hoof in a bit of a shrug to Blueblood as he begins to protest, a little crook of his lips forming just a bit of a smile at his reaction. He really shouldn't be enjoying this, but this stallion /did/ insult his family, and his sisters friends. What goes around comes around, he reckons. For a moment, he wonders if Unicorns are actually capable of compacting thier noses into their face, if so it would be a new trick that he's seen. "Reckon the same way AJ an' ah do. It 'aint so bad after y' get used t' it." he says, in a way answering Blueblood's question, even if not directly "If 'yer a prince of th' ponies, reckon gettin' to know others would look good." he offers with a coy smile. When Applejack mentions the chicken coop, he shudders a little as he remembers the siblinghooves social... those chickens still 'aint happy to see him tehse days from his encounter with the coops... He nods to AJ as she prompts him, noddingdeep. "eeyup! and theyre a might more ornery too!" he adds.
Blueblood resolutely throws the shovel down onto the ground. "Chickens! Pigs! Fine! Chickens it is." He stomps over to the coops to poke his head inside. At least it gets him away from that abominable smell. "Chickens can't be *half* as disgusting as a filthy, muddy, ugly little..." He stops the moment he gets close to the door, his nose scrunching up once again. His eyes go as wide as he can go, as his poor brain very slowly comes to the conclusion that he is making an awful mistake. Nevertheless the powers on. "Um... Here, chickies?" he ventures, bending down to poke his head inside. He's immediately reward with a peck on the nose, making him yelp, bang his head on the top of the door, and flop back outside, causing a great commotion as he rattles the coop and causes panic among the chickens. "It bit me! It bit me! Am I bleeding?!" he whimpers, retreating to a safe distance, clutching his nose with one hoof. "This is ridiculous! Your animals attacked me! Violence! Violence and no magic! This place is cursed! I can't do this. I won't! Why if I lower myself to this menial labor, what would my Aunties think? What would... everypony... say..." He suddenly trails off into silence. He stares into nothing with wide, wet, shimmering eyes, mouth agape and twitching slightly. Whatever conclusion he's come to, he doesn't seem to like it.
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Unfortunately the log ends here! But will add an epilogue if and when we get one.