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Post by Zero on Sept 9, 2009 21:05:21 GMT -4
Forword
The current RPs are still underway, and Jessie isn't around. I'm bored out of my mind, so I'm writing this story.
Prologue
He didn't deserve to die. For all he had done, he deserved Heaven.
A memorial was held for Zero, publicly and in private. At the behest of his closest friends, a statue was erected in his memory. Their champion was gone, and his light will never be extinguished.
For now, they mourn. None more than that of young Jessie Winkler.
Jessie Winkler: REQUIEM
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Post by Zero on Sept 14, 2009 19:14:10 GMT -4
Chapter 1 Part 1
A dark room. A light shines only on the chair before the massive desk. The man behind it smokes a cigar. The low lighting dims the view of him.
A woman sits in the chair. He speaks.
"They have strength in numbers. They have made a strong resurgence in the last four years."
The woman replies, "Not without thier trials, which have done little to improve their standing. Ours however, was tarnished when we allowed the Colonel to enact his plan."
The man takes a puff of his cigar.
"The damages was small. It is said that Colonel broke rank. Iris was merely brainwashed by him.", he says.
The woman says, "We know we cannot crush them by conventional means, and we have no way of adapting our new found technology to our soldiers."
Them man grins and responds, "That was only a part of the mission. The lock that held them together is gone. The chain though is still strong."
"What would you have me do?", the woman asks.
"To break a chain... you must find it's weakest link.", he answers.
Outside, the sky is gray, and it begins to rain.
The suburbs of Tremorton. The Winkler residence.
Her parents are at a loss for words. They do not know what has befallen thier young duaghter. All Jane can do stay at her side. It is early day, the rain pours, and Jessie has no motivation to come out of bed.
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Post by Zero on Sept 30, 2009 21:24:47 GMT -4
Chapter 1 Part 2
At first her remorse was very visible. Her moods would switch between sorrow and anger sporadically. Now she has regresed to a more sullen, blank state.
"He didn't deserve to die."
Jessie would repeat this from time to time. In bed she would lay longingly holding her pillow. Her mother would bring food into the room, but Jessie wouldn't eat. Jane would eventually take it out. Jane would stroke Jessie's hair to comfort her as she lay on her side looking out her window.
At the dinner table, as the Winkler family ate, with the exception of Jessie, her parents would discuss her. Jane remianed silent.
"I know he had a strong influence, but he was just a robot. One of them."
"Her not talking certianly isn't helping. Why wouldn't she talk to us about this."
"It's almost as if she had something to hide."
Jane chokes on her food a moment. Her parents look at her.
Jane clears her throat and says, "Excuse me."
Jane cleans her place and take her dishes to the kitchen.
"Okay, this is getting out of hand...", she thinks to herself.
She takes out her cell phone and makes a call.
"Jenny? Are you busy? I really need your help right now."
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Post by Jessie Winkler on Sept 30, 2009 22:27:31 GMT -4
Like how this is going. You're portraying them really well.
Yeah, I'm out of ideas so...
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Zero
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Post by Zero on Oct 26, 2009 18:50:27 GMT -4
Chapter 1 Part 2
Jenny quickly tosses the Lonely Hearts gang into a police van.
"Yeah, I got time."
Jenny zips across the city and into the suburbs. Jane spots her flying overhead. She waves her hand, signaling Jenny to land at the side of the house, near the bedroom window, where her parents coul not see them. Jessie and Jane's parents, Richard and Susan Winkler, had a distrust of robots, and surely would prohibit their duaghters from associating with them. They could only imagine what would happen if they knew their duaghter had dated one. Jenny makes a slow descent and lands quietly.
"Jessie hasn't gotten any better has she?", asks Jenny with concern.
"Our parents are getting suspicious. If they start prying it won't be good for any of us. She needs an outlet that won't blow our spot."
"Has she said anything?"
"She keeps muttering 'he didn't deserve to die'."
"Of course Zero didn't. We all know that."
"Well, they WERE dating. They were very close. It makes sense that she'd be affected the most by this."
They get quiet for a few moments. Jenny flies up to the window. She can see Jessie clutching her pillow.
"They were close, and she's so fragile.", Jenny finally says. "She must have really depended on him."
"What would Zero say to something like that?"
"I don't know, but if they were that close then she would."
At that moment, Jenny had an idea.
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Zero
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Post by Zero on Dec 2, 2009 1:02:12 GMT -4
Chapter 1 Part 3
It wasn't the best idea Jenny ever had, and Jane really wasn't going for it, but Jessie needed help. She needed to see a psychologist. She's lost in her own mind.
It was a clever way to get Jessie the help she needs without compromising thier secrets. Doctors are bound by the rule of doctor/patient confidentiality. Jenny found only one psycologist that was very eager to take Jessie's case. Jane made the arrangements to make sure thier parents wouldn't be around. Jamming the parking break in the car would keep them stuck for a while in the city. Jane made a quick zip back to her home where Jenny was waiting.
"So where's Sigmund Fruad?", Jane asks coldly.
"She'll be here in a minute.", replies Jenny taking Jane's pessimism with stride. It was Jane after all.
A young woman made her way to the door. She was very professional in appearance with a slender figure. She wore a tan skirt and jacket combo with a gray button shirt and black tie. Her shoes were black with flat soles and she wore big round glasses. Make up was minimal, as she only wore lipstick and eyeliner. Her long black hair was kept in a ponytail. She looked to be around her late 20s, her face projecting youth and maturity.
Of course, Jane is not impressed. She raises one eyebrow and give the psychologist the updown look. Jenny, to draw attention away from Jane's rudeness, greet her first.
"Hi! I'm Jenny! I'm glad you were able to come!"
The doctor took a good glance at Jenny.
"I didn't know you were a robot.", she says.
"What?! Don't like their kind?", Jane snaps.
The doctor smiles at Jane and responds, "You must be Jane."
Jane's attention switches to Jenny.
"You told her about me?!", she demands to know.
Jenny stays quiet looking elsewhere whistling.
"It's nothing to worry about." says the doctor. "I was only surprised by your friend. The rift between humans and robot really isn't as big as some make it out to be apparantly."
"..."
The doctor clears her throat.
"I'm Dr. Nike. I understand your sister needs help."
Upstairs, Jessie sits on her bed and rubs here eyes. Jenny walks into the room and sits next to her. Nike enters next and kneels in front of Jessie. Jessie looks up at the stranger. Jenny explains what's happening, and that thier secret will be safe. Jessie nods without a word. Jane stay at the doorway, ever leery.
END Chapter 1
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Post by Zero on Dec 6, 2009 0:42:07 GMT -4
Chapter 2
Jessie was up and about more often. Her parents were slightly relieved, and weren't as inquisitive. Just good enough for Jessie and Jane to keep thier secrets. Jane really wasn't going for the psychology thing though.
"My sister is vulnerable enough as it is. I don't need some quack putting ideas into her head. What if she goes hippy?"
Jane was arguing with Jenny.
"Hey! My aunt's a hippy!", scolded Jenny. "There's nothing wrong with that, and I'm not saying that's what's gonna happen with Jessie!"
At that moment Jessie walksed out the room ready to ge to her first session. She looked very uneasy.
"It'll be okay.", comforted Jenny. Jenny shot a look at Jane, promting her to be encouraging to her sister.
"Alright, alright... Let's get through this."
Jane's words didn't have much conviction, which Jessie easily noticed. It wasn't very helpful, and she looked like she wanted to cry. Seeing this, Jane's heart sank a little. She wanted to help her sister, but not an expert. She doesn't have that gift. And with that bit of thought, Jane knows what to say.
"I'm not Zero. I can't think or talk like he did, but still I do want you to get better. You're still my sister."
It's enough to brighten up Jessie, and she hugs her big sister. Still there are many mixed feeling within her. Low self-esteem, despair, lonliness. Even though she can smile, her heart aches still. And now her she is ready to begin therapy. She feels like she has hit rock bottom, and feels shame. Why couldn't she be stronger? This is what must be found out. This is why she needs this.
Jane is strong spirited and rarely does she ever need anyone to hold her up. She despised the notion of anyone seeking to control her. She often has obedience issues with her parents. Nothing that amounts to rebellion, but still very noticable. Why would she be that way? If there's one thing she hates, it's people trying to figure her out. It makes sense that she has such a disdain for psychologists.
Dr. Nike's office is in the Metro section of the city. The building has a golden tan color. The main lobby is very small and has only one elevator. The directory shows where the office can be found. It's on the top floor, 22, at the center. It's a place difficult to intrude on. Jessie will have plently of privacy as she she gets her help. Jenny waited on the roof of the adjacent building as Jane took her sister in.
Dr. Nike waited at the entrance to her office. Jane took a deep breath, curbing her tongue so as not to say anything insensitive. All for her little sister.
"Are you ready to begin?", asks Nike with a smile. She puts her hand out. Jane let's go of Jessie, and Jessie approaches Nike and takes her hand. Nike places her other hand on Jessie's, projecting a warm kindness. She lets Jessie into to room first. Before Nike enters she looks to Jane, who is still fearful for her sister.
"You're a good sister.", Nike says with a smile. She enters the room and closes the door.
Jane stands there for a minute or two. A part of her tells her to burst in, but she resists and leaves.
All for her little sister.
END Chapter 2
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Post by Zero on Dec 6, 2009 0:47:29 GMT -4
Yeah, this is gonna be a bit of a short story.
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Post by Zero on Dec 8, 2009 20:47:11 GMT -4
Chapter 3 Part 1
"It is normal to mourn the death of anyone close. What we want to do is let go of that loss without forgetting what made them valuable and how they live on within ourselves."
And so began Jessie's psychology sessions. The room was low lit. Jessie lied on the maroon couch. Nike sat out of her view.
"Jessica, how do you feel?", asks Nike.
"I feel sad."
"Just sad?"
"... and weak."
Nike began to take notes. "Tell me about yourself. Were you always like this?"
Jessie remembers herself laughing, flying in the skies, and fighting crime with Jenny, and Zero.
"No."
Nike fixes her seating and adds more stress to her voice.
"What different now, than it was then?"
Zero. That's all Jessie can think of. He's gone, along with the love he had for her. He loved her. It wasn't just him she lost. She lost love.
"Zero."
"Your boyfriend. He must have very special for you to react this way to his passing. How long did you two date?"
"Not even a year.", replies Jessie, her voice quivering as she wiped a tear from her eye.
"Okay... relax.", said Nike in a low steady voice. "So you weren't always together. How long did you know each other?"
Jessie thinks for a moment.
"Maybe about 4 or 5 years?"
"And you only dated recently. Did you always love him?"
Jessie thinks more.
"No. I was 10 when I first met him. I would never had thought of romance then."
Nike nods her head. "Okay, now we're getting somewhere. Jessie, I want to recall that time. When you two met for the first time. What were like, and did Zero have any real impact then?"
Jessie closes her eyes and focuses on remembering... 5 years ago...
END Part 1
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Post by Zero on Jan 2, 2010 23:15:39 GMT -4
A mid-story song.
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Post by Zero on Jan 31, 2010 14:53:57 GMT -4
I REALLY want to finish this. Moving on...
Chapter 3 Part 2
Tremorton, November 2071 AD
Those Crust cousins... how could they be so cruel? How could they just LIE like that?
Jessie walked by herself. The poor child felt so betrayed. She had been hanging out with Brit and Tiff for a few months. Only recently had she learned that they were just using her. Jane would take care of them for her, but she wished she could do more for herself. Maybe even for others.
The ground rumbled under her. She could hear concrete cracking a few blocks away, and the noise was getting closer. A massive fight was happening. Before she could start to run, a body flies past her. It crashes right across the street. She can see clearly that it is a robot. It had a large frame and was male in appearance. He held a big and odd looking gun in his hand. It was Hayt, an anti-hero. Two more figures arrive and stand before him.
XJ-0 and Champ Mars rush in his direction, but keep their distance. Jessie is stunned, yet curious. She knew Tremorton was a city of heroes. She heard about a Jenny Wakeman, but this was the first time she had seen any of the local heroes in action.
Hayt looks up with sheer rage in his eyes. He clutches a stab wound in his metal chest that Champ had inflicted on him earlier.
"Mark my words, you'll be the end of this city. The world will cower before you. In their eyes you will never be a hero! I promise, I will be the one to crsuh you!", Hayt growls.
"Yeah, well you're gonna be locked up now.", snaps Champ.
"I'M the hero here!", Hayt roars back. "I defend this city."
"You brutalized your opponents. Even those you were just suspicious of!", shouts Zero.
Jessie closely listens, carefully hearing the argument and reasonings of the three. Hayt clearly is cruel with delusions of grandeur. Champ is vigilant and remains poised to attack, ready to fight for what he believes. Zero firm in his creed, and surprising shows mercy towards his fallen enemy.
"Everyone can change. We can still make things right.", says Zero with his hand extended to Hayt.
Stubbornly, Hayt refuses to accept the offer. He then spots Jessie watching. He then looks back at Zero.
"You think your so much better than me do you? Let's see if you keep that fascade up after this!"
Hayts gun transforms into a flame thrower and he fires it. The blast rushes past Zero. Zero looks back to see what Hayt is really aiming for. He see the little red head stairing, petrified by the coming inferno. Zero out flies the flame and throws himself on Jessie, covering both of them with his cape. He endures the blast as Jessie looks up at him mesmerized.
Champ uses his sword to severe Hayt's weapon in two. Hayt throws his massive fist, but Champ is able to block it with his sword and new found strength. They fight on. Zero lifts his cape of himself and Jessie.
"Are you okay?" he asks.
"Uh, yeah.", replies Jessie shyly.
Zero can see her fear. Anger burns in him seeing to what lengths Hayt would go to.
"Hey, what's your name?", he asks with a warm smile, hiding his fury to comfort her.
"J-Jessie... Jessie Winkler."
"It's nice to meet you Jessie. I'm Zero. Now get somewhere safe. I'm gonna end this."
Zero looks in Hayt's direction. Hayt knocks down Champ and makes contact with Zero's glare.
"So it come out, huh? Your true nature, just like I thought.", tuants Hayt. "Like all men with power, it was just a matter of time. NOW finish it!"
Champ looks at Zero, as does Jessie. They can see that Zero is lost in thought. They don't know what he will do. He's still new in the city. What he does next will define the person he is. Hayt stomps up to Zero and looks down on him, disgusted by his refusal to take his life and validate his point.
"You're no hero."
Hayt throws a punch with his left hand. Zero quickly blocks. The contact makes a loud boom. Zero keeps hold of Hayt's. He can't free himself from Zero's grip. He looks at Zero one more time. Zero rears his left fist and punches Hayt in the chest. In a rage Hayt fights back. Zero keeps calm, dodging what he can and enduring what ever blows he takes. In a brief moment, Hayt leave his face wide open. Zero steps forward swinging his right fist with all his might. Hayt can see it coming, but his wreckless movement has left him no time to move.
Zero makes contact with his face. The force of the impact breaks Hayts jaw right off. He is unable to fight back. Hayt is barely able to even sit up.
"No... You were suppose to kill me.", Hayt manages to utter.
Chamnp readies his sword to make a final strike, but Zero puts his arm out stopping him.
Zero standing tall says, "Heroes must be beacons of infinite light."
Zero turns to walk away. Hayt curses at him, until Champ marches up to him and give him an uppercut that sends flying out of the city.
"Nice.", Zero comments on Champ. They look around at the broken city.
"What a mess.", says Champ. Zero put his hand on his shoulder.
"We'll rebuild my friend. This city and its people will go on."
Champ looks down.
"Candy is gone. And Al Mobius. Who will shoulder the burden?"
Zero looks on into the sun. There is and unsure look in his eyes, with a mix of determination.
"I will. For as long as I can.", he says, and looking to Champ, "For Candy, and for Al. You in?"
Champ smirks, and shakes Zero's hand. Zero flies off, ready to assume his new role... as a leader.
As Jessie watches, her sister Jane finds her.
"What are you doing here you little dummy?!", Jane scolds. "Dad'll flip if he knew you were near here!"
As Jane drags her away, Jessie looks back and thinks to herself.
"Those are heroes. Real heroes! They're so awesome! So good.... and I... I want to be one too..."
End Part 2
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Post by Zero on Feb 2, 2010 18:06:03 GMT -4
Chapter 3 Part 3
Present
Jessie finishes her recollection.
"Some time later, Jane and I met Jenny. We started learning to be heroes. Rarely we fought along side Zero. Usually during major crises."
"Like the Newgen War?", asks Nike.
"As strong as he was, he let us know how much he needed us. He made us feel valuable.", answers Jessie. As she dwells on that thought, she smiles a little for the first time in a long time.
"He made me feel valuable."
Nike stop writing for a moment. Looking Jessie, she next asks, "And you all followed him without question?"
Jessie is taken aback by the question. She turns on her side looking dead into Nike's eyes.
"No. Often he would encourage us to speak up if something didn't seem right. And believe me, there were plenty who did.", she says sternly. "But I didn't. He trusted me like everyone else to do what was right."
"And just how were you able to do that?", asks Nike, changing the focus. "You're only human."
Jessie puts her hand on her pocket.
"Not always."
Nike is intrigued by the response.
"When I met Jenny, her mother gave my sis and I something to help her when we could." , Jessie continues. "We call it a robonizer."
"This 'robonizer'... It's a creation of Dr. Wakeman's?", Nike asks. "Interesting."
Nike writes down a few notes and continues, "You seem to have made good progress today."
"Really?", asks Jessie as though some weight has been taken off of her.
"Yes, I truly beleive so. The past isn't always something that has to be longed for. Sometimes it can drive us. For some that drive can last for years, and make for an incredible life.", Nike adds. "Has it been like this for yours?"
"Yeah, it has.", answers Jessie.
"Then we have something in common."
"Really? How?"
"We can share that, once your all set up. For now, our time is up."
Jessie sits up. She still doens't look well, but a small smile manages to make its way to her hurt face.
"You're looking better.", Nike comments.
"I'm feeling better. Remembering Zero like that has been like a breath of fresh air."
"And soon you'll be able to move on."
"Thank you Dr. Nike. Y'know, my sister hates shrinks, but you've really helped me."
Nike smiles and says, "You're sister's a shrewd one. I'll probably meet her more oersonally too. See you next week."
Jessie leaves the building. After rubbing her eyes, she looks up in the sky and takes a deep breath.
"I am valuable."
Jessie goes on her way. A short time later Dr. Nike leaves the building. She take a look around casually and also goes oin her way. On the rooftop of the opposite building, Jane sits in her robot mode. Her focus is on Nike.
"You're good lady. Maybe too good."
End Part 3
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Post by Zero on Feb 3, 2010 14:12:17 GMT -4
Jane Winkler as we know is Jessie's older sister. She like to pick on Zero, clearly taking advantage of his good nature, but all in good jest. She's tough and blunt, but under it all we can see how much she really loves her sister.
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Zero
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Post by Zero on Feb 3, 2010 22:40:27 GMT -4
Chapter 3 Part 4
Jessie was well on her way home, but apparantly Jane has some plans of her own. Unlike Jessie, Jane was always far more insightful. When she spoke she would do so with an aim to provoke as specific response. It was her way of deducing the truth from people. One could think if that's why she enjoyed teasing Zero every time he was around Jessie. So unsure of himself.
However, this was not the case with Nike. Jenny had warned Nike about Jane and was ready to deal with her attitude. She dealt with her calmly. Too calmly, with some real effort. She would be sure to beat any polgraph. Why would she feel a need to be that calm with Jane? This is what Jane didn't like. She'll have to more indirect.
Jane avoided flying, she'd be spotted right away. People always have that habit of staring at flying heroes. So Jane stuck to the roof tops, peeking over the edges often to keep track of Nike. Jane was sure she was hiding something, especially for her to leave her office so soon after seeing Jessie. Was she her only client?
With Jane following from a distance, Nike took no notice. She never even glance. She's definitely not paranoid. She goes into a convenience store and purchases a small coffee and a magazine. Nothing out of the extraordinary. Jane keeps on the watch.
Nike goes to the park. She sits on a bench and reads her paper holding it up, taking sips from her coffee every now and then. Jane is bored but keep vigil. After a while Nike makes her move. Jane jumps up, but Nike keeps walking. She leaves her paper on the bench.
Next, Nike starts running and misses the bus. She doesn't seem all that bothered, so she just waits. Five minutes later another bus arrives, which Nike hops on. Jane follows the bus. Soon the bus has reached the end of its route, but Nike doesn't get off. Puzzled, J?ane flies down to get a closer look. The driver has left, and the bus is empty. Did Jane blink at some point and miss her?
Flying home disappointed, Jane notices the newspaper Nike left. She may as well throw it away. As she picks it up, she sees somthing odd. There's an inch by inch square cut out right through all the pages. Was she seen?
Jane spend the next several days spying on Nike, being extra cuatious to stay out of sight completely. She would situate herself only in spots where she can look through just a hole or small opening. Nike always goes into her building for work. Its impossible to determine if she's seeing any clients since various businesses share the building. Everytime Nike leaves, she does random everyday activities. One day she even went to a gym and broke the local record on the treadmill.
Incidently, Jane has been missing school, and it was eventually reported to her parents.
"What's going on Jane?", questioned her father, Richard. "What have you been doing all that time?"
Compared to what could happen should her parent know about her and her sisters crimefighting would make anything else look like small fies, so Jane had no problem making a outrageous excuse.
"I was with a boy, fooling around."
Richard's face turned red hot.
"What do mean 'fooling around'?!"
"That's none of you business Pops, but I can say we're never alone, so don't get so flabergasted!"
Jane marches up to her room. Her dad just looks up the stairs, furious at the disrespect shown to him. His wife calms him down.
"She'll be 18 soon. You could ground her, but you can't really tinker in that head of hers."
"I know. Her AND her sister have been elusive in the past few years we've been in this city. Sometimes I wonder if moving here was such a good idea. Always some kind of drama going on..."
Up in her room, Jane lies in her bed looking at the cieling. She hasn't even changed for bed. Jessie looks at her from her bed in her pink nighty.
"Jane," she says softly, "Now you're the one acting wierd. It's scaring me."
Jane sits up in her bed and look squarely at Jessie.
"You ought to worry more about yourself than me, okay?", she scolds. "You know me Jessie."
"Yeah, I do.", Jessie responds. She then get under her sheets and goes to sleep.
A while later. Jane gets up from her bed. She looks at Jessie as she sleeps. She notices how Jessie is still in the habit of cuddling her pillow, longingly. Jane smiles at the thought of it and sits beside her sister. She pulls her blanket over her more. In her sleep, Jessie too smiles.
Jane puts her hand on Jessie's face, and gently wipe a strand of hair from it.
Looking at her sistes, Jane says, "There's so much you can have just becuase of the way you are. Most of which I may never have. I'll always be there for you. Don't worry about me."
Soon Jane is asleep in her bed.
Outside, a bird is perched on a tree.
Looking closer, we see it's eye is much like that of a camera lense...
Watching the two sisters.
END Chapter 3
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Post by Jessie Winkler on Feb 19, 2010 18:16:56 GMT -4
Love where this is going! I seriously want to make a radioplay of this now. I love your Jane sketches too.
One thing though. If this was in September of 2076, the sisters would both be 15, so the "almost 18" line doesn't really work. Jane's birthday is in December (though this might change), so if you put "almost 16" then it would work.
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