Maige snapped her fingers and a bright ball of light appeared over her hand. The room flooded with the sharp light, making the jars of ink and piles of maps casting omunest shadows on the tentβs walls.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β She studied the light as she made it dance across her fingers. Being an elf, she was able to control and manipulate light in many forms, from lighting a room to using it as a weapon in battle. Sometimes Maige would conjure up it to watch while letting her thoughts wander.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β So many things were happening right now, and it was hard for Maige to keep her mind focused on the important tasks. Everything was on the edge, one small breeze away from going over the cliff. But all of that didnβt matter until she found a way to fix her most pressing problem.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Maige moved the light over a map laid in front of her of the realms and each portal entrance point, including the secret and the government regulated ones. She scanned the Elven realm, trying to find a new place where a portal might be hidden. The blob representing the Elven realm was covered with red markings of the spots that didnβt have any portals. It made Maige want to explode every time she crossed off a spot, but she had to keep searching. The future of the realms depends on it.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βQueen Elanor?β a small voice interrupted her thoughts.Β
Maige turned to find her out of breath lieutenant standing in the opening of the tent.Β
She waved her hand to put out the light. βWhat is it, Lieutenant Samwise?β Maige asked.Β
Lieutenant Samwise curtly bowed, almost tripping over his cape. He fumbled for a moment before regaining his balance. βHigh Commander Elanor, so sorry for interrupting you, but we found something.βΒ
Maige jumped to her feet. βAre you serious?βΒ
βYes, High Commander,β the lieutenant assured her, βA group of soldiers were patrolling, and a troll appeared out of the air. It looked like it had used an unknown portal to get here.βΒ Β
Maige started pacing. This was amazing news! After years of searching the land for a portal to another realm, she had finally found it. Everything was coming together for once. The last several decades, with starting the War of the Realms and having her kingdom cut off from the other realms as punishment, had been hard. But now she has a fixed to all of her past mistakes and regrets. For her people, the world, and most of all, herself.Β
Maige brushed her ash-coloured hair out of her face and strolled over to the map on her desk. They were in the Forest of Silva, one of the last places Maige wouldβve thought a secret portal would be. It seemed too obvious, almost. Why hide in the shadows where people look when you could stand in the light where everyone thinks weβre all innocent.Β
She guessed that she wouldβve thought differently if she was a shadow elf, but Maige would have to dwell on that later.Β
βOkay, letβs go see this prisoner and portal.β She said, grabbing her sword and cloak from a chair. Maige also reached for her crown, sliding it over her ashey curls and letting the smooth opal stone hang just between her eyebrows,symbolizing her as a light elf and High Commander.Β Β
She handed Samwise a large leather bag. βLieutenant, grab those maps and put them in here,β
Lieutenant Samwise nodded and stuffed the maps inside.Β
βAll done, High Commander.β He said once he had finished. βWhat do you need next?βΒ
Β Maige looked up from packing severals into another bag and searched the room.Β
βThat should be good, Lieutenant.β She said, βGo stand outside. Iβll be done in a minute.βΒ
Lieutenant Samwise bowed and backed away out of the tent.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Maige grabbed a few more things and was about to leave when she remembered something.Β Β
She glanced at a small satchel lying under her desk. Should she bring it? No, that would be stupid. It wouldnβt do any good. But what if she ended up needing it. Maige didnβt know what was coming her way in the next few hours. Maybe. . .?
She bit her lip, thinking. It wouldnβt hurt to have it, just in case.Β
Maige hesitated for one last second before reaching for the satchel and slipping it over her shoulder.Β
* * *
Maige and Lieutenant Samwise weaved through the crowds of soldiers, cooks, and nurses coming in and out of tents. Yells of army officers ringed through the air telling the slower soldiers to get their butts moving.Β
Maige sighed wistfully. She couldnβt help remembering her days as a young soldier, training in the mud and rain, practicing sword fighting, and honing her power over light. It had been years since Maige was in the academy, but she still remembered every moment, from her first assignment as an officer, to getting appointed to Lieutenant, to eventually proceeding to the old High Commander. Those were the golden days.
Yells that werenβt of officers shouting orders broke Maige out of her memories. She turned, scanning the chaotic bundles of tents and people, before finding the source of the commotion.Β
Β Near an artillery room, a group of soldiers were pushing around a scrawny boy, yelling, and calling him offensive names.Β Β
βAw, is the little shadowling too weak to get up?β A blonde girl taunted as she shoved him to the muddy ground.Β
A shorter boy made a large ball of light appear and shoved it close to the boy's face. He laughed as the boy flinched. βWhat, is the light too bright? Why donβt you use your shady powers and fight back?βΒ
βLeave me alone!β the boy shouted. His dark blue, almost black eyes were wide with fear as the group pressed closer.
`Β Β Β They laughed in unison and a girl kicked him back down. They kept on kicking and pushing the boy, forming a tight circle.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β That was too much for Maige. She stomped over and yelled, βHey! Get off him!β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β They stopped and turned to find their High Commander glaring with a hand on her sword.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βHigh Commander Elanor! We didnβt see you there!β The blonde girl acclaimed as they bowed.Β
βSure, you didnβt,β Maige snapped. She walked over to the boy and pulled him off the ground.
βAre you okay?β She asked, brushing the mud off his uniform.Β Β
βYeah,β He stared at Maige in shock.Β
Maige smiled sadly. βThatβs good. Whatβs your name?β
βRohan, High Commander Elanor.βΒ
βPlease, call me Elanor.β She scanned him to see if there was any more mud on him. βNow, Rohan, are you all right to go back to your bunks?Β
βYes, High Commander - I mean Elanor.β Rohan corrected himself.Β
βGreat. Youβre free to go then.β
The grin on Rohanβs face shone so brightly it could have powered a light bulb. βThank you, Elanor, thank you.β He bowed quickly and ran off, disappearing into a crowd of soldiers coming back from archery practice.Β
Maige let out a breath. Now to deal with the snobs who had assaulted the poor boy.Β
βWhat are your names?β She demanded, turning to them.Β
βIβm Leala Garcia, High Commander.β The blonde girl said, not quite meeting Maigeβs gaze. βThis is Kelia Comall, Wade Acker, Joran Bello, and Cygnus Black.β She gestured to a tall tan girl, the short boy, a larger lad with a bow slung across his back, and another soldier whose face was covered by a sheet of green hair, making it impossible to assume their gender.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βOkay, Ms. Garcia, why were you and your friends beating up a fellow cadet?β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βIsnβt it obvious?β Leala said, gaining her confidence back. βHeβs a shadow elf. He canβt be trusted and shouldnβt be here.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Her friends nodded and backed her up with comments like, βYeah!β and βSheβs right!β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βWhat part of him being a shadow elf makes him untrustworthy?β Maige questioned. βSome of the best warriors Iβve ever trained and fought with were shadow elves. Even to this day I would still trust them with my life. Like Lieutenant Samwise for example.β She pointed to Samwise, who was still standing with his arms full of bags and maps. βHeβs a shadow elf and my most trusted adviser. Heβs my right-hand man and I can count on him for anything.βΒ
Leala was taken aback by Maigeβs words. βBut, butβ She stumbled, βDark magic is bad! Always has been, always will. Youβre a light elf, you know what Iβm talking about.βΒ
Maige rolled her eyes. βYes. I am a light elf, but no, I donβt know what youβre βtalkingβ about. Shadow elves are like any light elf minus eye colour and abilities. Weβre all elves and all live in the same world. We shouldnβt treat each other differently and hurt them just because they control shadows. One day someone will make our world realize that.βΒ
βLike whom? You?βΒ
βNo,β Maige said, βNot me. Someone. . . different. . . someone. . . special.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β She took a deep breath of the rain scented air and let it out slowly, regaining focus. βUntil then I am going to do my best to stop this hate and fear. Now, Iβm letting you off easy because youβre still kids and have been raised to act like this, but I swear on the future of the realm if I find you harassing anyone like this again, no matter if itβs a shadow or light elf, I will personally see that you are punished, like spending a month in prison.β Maige made eye contact with each soldier, making sure they were listening. βDo I make myself clear?βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β When they didnβt answer, Maige stalked closer and unsheathed her sword slightly. βDo. I. Make. Myself. Clear.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βYes, High Commander.β They rushed in unison.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Maige pressed a wrinkle on her indigo tunic and re-centered her circlit. βGreat. Glad weβre at an understanding now.β She turned on her heel and went back to walking to her destination. Maige heard Lieutenant Samwise stumble after her, but she didnβt slow down.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Okay, Maige, you hopefully change the minds of the youth who will take over after you, she thought to herself, avoiding stepping on a run-away chicken. But now you have to focus on finding out about the portal.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β She picked up the pace, turning her fast walk into a jog to a full-on sprint. In time, Maige arrived at the βThe War Tentβ, dubbed so because of the many wars and battles planned out in itβs cloth walls.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β She paused to catch her breath, admiring the gold and black fabric it was made of. Lieutenant Samwise caught up to Maige, panting and huffing.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βReady. . .to. . .go. . .in?β He asked between wheezes.Β
βOf course.β She scoffed.Β
Maige strolled through the opening and found herself in a room with a wooden table, covered with a larger version of the map in Magieβs. Five officers stood around, two of them guarding a lump in a corner and the others playing Schacheall, a war type strategy game involving mini armies and life like terrain.
βWhereβs the prisoner?β Maige said, startling the game board to the floor.Β
A tall muscular officer pointed at the lump in the corner. βOver there, High Commander. She had this with her.β They handed her a small round object surrounded by swirling metal rings. A portal maker. Something Maige hadnβt seen in a very long time.Β
She twirled it in her fingers. Old model, by the looks of it, with bulky copper rings instead of the gold thin ones used now-a-days. Maige had only seen that design in paintings of her grandfather back when he was in the academy.Β
βShe hasnβt been talking much. The prisoner, I mean,β clarified the officer. βMaybe you can get her to start chatting.βΒ
Maige smiled, giving her the impression of a cat just about to pounce. βLead the way.βΒ
They showed her to the tied-up prisoner. Her face was covered by a hood and was shaking so violently Maige thought she was going to vibrate into another dimension.Β
Maige nodded at the guards, signaling for them to take the prisoner's hood off. It revealed a mousy woman with light green skin, a thin pink mouth, and a humougsy nose. Her thick long hair was twisted up into an enormous bun, adding an extra foot and a half to her height.Β
Her dark green beaded eyes blinked in the light and darted around the tent before landing on Maige. A stifled shriek escaped the troll's mouth and she curled away, looking like an antisocial tortoise.Β
βI assume you know who I am.β Maige said, walking slow circles around the troll.Β
βYe-ye-yeah,β she stuttered, βYouβre the High Commander, t-the lady who tried to take over all the realms.βΒ
Maige started slow clapping. βGood job! I can see that someone knows their history.β She flashed a bemused smile. βYou're very smart, Ms. . .? βΒ
βVer-vertilla.βΒ
βWell, Ms. Vertilla, now that we have been acquainted, do you mind telling me how you got a hold of this?β She held up the portal maker.
βUhhh. . .β Vertilla mumbled. When she didnβt elaborate, Maige knew that she had to use a new tactic.Β
With a swish of her hooded cloak, Maige unsheathed her long, magnificent diamond encrusted sword and pressed it against Vertillaβs throat.Β
βYou have five seconds to start talking before I show you what sword training since age six looks like.β Maige warned, pushing the tip harder against her esophagus.
Vertilla looked down at the sword and gulped. βI-I was, um, searching the woods for some mushmoons and I, uh, same across that,β she nodded her head at the portal maker, βAnd started messing around with it. I must have turned it on and accidentally pressed the button in the middle.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βAnd you just happened to be near a portal?β Maige inquired.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βWell, not exactly. I wanted to, uh, test a spot.β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βAnd you didnβt alert the authorities?βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Vertillaβs face flushed a sickening colour of reddish green as she stared at her feet. βYe-yes.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Maige's smile grew even bigger. βPerfect. Thank you, Ms. Vertilla, for being such a great help!βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βWait, are you letting me go?βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Maige laughed. Ah, how idiotic people can be.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βOf course not. Youβre a liability. Can't have you walking around, telling everyone that the scary leader of the elves is back.β She bopped Vertilla on the nose. βThat wouldnβt be very good, would it?βΒ
βNo, I guess,β Maige noticed tears of sweat, dirt, and desperation begin to fall as Vertilla spoke. βBut where am I going to go then?βΒ
βWell, I could let you live here peacefully as a maid or something,β Maige said, amused by how Vertillaβs eyes widened with the statement. βOr. . .βΒ
βWhat?β Vertilla asked when Maige didnβt continue.Β
Maige beckoned her closer, keeping her face neutral as she leaned in and whispered, βOr, I can just, you know, kill you.βΒ
Before Vertilla could react, Maige flashed a wicked smile and the last thing she saw was a blinding flicker of silver before everything went black.Β
Maige stood there, sword in hand, staring as Vertillaβs severed head fell to the floor. Blood splashed, staining her boots and the edge of her cloak an earthy brownish green. Maige cursed. She had just gotten the stains out from last time.Β
Nobody made a comment as their Commander wiped the blood of her sword with a satin cloth. They knew what Maige had to do, and they respected her decision. All except a small, skinny crow perched on a shelf.Β
It squawked at Maige, cold eyes glinting with intelligence and shiny onyx wings flapping.Β
Maige rolled her eyes. βOh, shut up, Corbin. Like your kind is known for keeping their hands clean.βΒ
The bird shook its head and jumped off the shelf. As it fell its wing morphed into hands, beak into a sharp nose, and feathers into a classy suit until there was a young, well dressed man standing in place of the crow.
βFair, but we donβt kill someone in cold blood without any reason. Thatβs the Fox Mafia.β The ex-crow Corbin said. He straightened his suit jacket and ran a hand through his long jet back hair. βAnd besides, they arenβt my kind anymore.βΒ
βAh, yes, the heartbreaking story of the young Corbin betraying his own irmandade and clan for some extra cash and favours, causing him to get kicked out. Now you work for me.β She grinned, placing a hand on his shoulder.Β
Corbin sighed and removed Maigeβs hand, hoping she hadn't gotten any blood on his suit. βYes, and itβs a pleasure to be constantly in your magnificent present, but instead of diving into my life story, why donβt we focus on what you're going to do now that you have an open portal?βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βFine. Iβll be professional.β Maige let out an over dramatic sigh. βIf you must know, I'm going to use it to collect some items for a pet project of mine.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Corbin arched an eyebrow. βWhat kind of pet βprojectβ?β He wondered, framing air quotes around βprojectβ.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βSadly, if you knew that, I would have to add your body to the pile.β She gestured to Vertillaβs body, who the guards had placed a blanket over. βAnd youβre my errand boy so I wouldnβt want to do that. Speaking of which, I have a job for you.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βWhat?βΒ
Maige inspected her sword, chipping off pieces of dried blood absentmindedly. βI need someone to be my eyes and ears again. I have to stay low while Iβm traveling. But you,β She jabbed Corbin in the chest, βYou can do some snooping around. See what's new with the Realms.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βGreat. When do I leave?βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βTen minutes.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βTen minutes?β Corbin repeated. βWhat about you?β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βSame.β Replied Maige. βSomeone is going to come looking for Ms. Vertilla and wonder where she's gone. We canβt risk the PTC finding out about this. The sooner we leave, the better.β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βCanβt argue with that.β Corbin agreed and reached into his jacket, pulling out a small coin. He tossed it over to Maige.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βJust flip it into the air if you need to find me.β He explained as Maige studied the coin. It was made of weather stone and was heavy, despite its size. A picture of a crow carrying a message in its feet was engraved on both sides. βIβll be there before it lands back in your hand.βΒ
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Maige smiled and slipped the coin into a small secret pocket she had sewn under a fold of her wispy cloak.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β βNow that thatβs all worked out, let's go.β Maige said, ignoring Cobinβs protests that it hadnβt been ten minutes yet, and turned to Lieutenant Samwise, βLieutenant, take us to the portal. Also, while Iβm gone, youβre in charge.β Maige looked around at the other guards. βYou guys got that? Lieutenant Samwise is acting High Commander until I return.βΒ
βAre you sure you want to do this, Commander?β Lieutenant Samwise whispered. βI mean, Iβm fine to stand in for you while you're gone, but still,β He gave her a look that was a cross between βYou're making a huge mistakeβ and βPlease donβt leave me here alone.βΒ
Maige sighed and whispered back, βLieutenant, I wouldnβt be leaving you in charge if I didnβt really trust you. I have the utmost faith that youβll do great.β She offered him a smile and her circlet.Β
He hesitated slightly before taking it and setting it slowly on his head. βOkay,β Lieutenant Samwise said, glowing with newfound confidence. βFollow me, please.βΒ Β Β Β
* * *Β
Maige fiddled with the portal maker, bouncing it from hand to hand. They were standing in a dark forest, Corbin leaning against a tree on her right and Samwise studying a map on her left.Β
βSo, you guys should come out in Tero. Mr. Corbin, youβll be able to find a portal maker somewhere and High Commander youβll use the one you have.β Samwise told them. He glanced up, eyebrows narrowed in confusion at why they were standing in the forest.Β βYou can go now, you know.βΒ
βYeah, yeah, we know, Lieutenant.β Maige snapped. She ignored the fast pulse of her heart and the sinking feeling in her gut. She wasnβt nervous. She had commanded wars and fought for her life hundreds of times. This? This was nothing. A little trip. To help her people. No problem for the ruler of the elves.Β
Right?Β
Not the time to get cold feet, she thought, turning the rings on the sphere until they lined up the right way and tied it around her neck.Β
βTime to go, Corbin.β Maige said and held out her arm. βGrab on.βΒ
Corbin transformed back into a crow and flew over to her arm. He pecked her in the ear, telling her to get going already.Β
Maige took one last breath, drew her hood so it left only her black painted lips visible, and pressed the jeweled button in the center of the sphere.Β
βGood luck, Lieutenant.β She called before she disappeared. βIβll be back soon!βΒ
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61 comments
<removed by user>
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Hello
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Its me
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Hi, how are you?
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hahah I'm doing good. Summer is here where I live How bout you?
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Me, too! It just started, and I'm gonna record one pf my stories
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Ooo nice!!! I love summer because you just get to hang and wear shorts all day. And Flip flops. And go swimming. Honestly best season ever Anything else happening in life?
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Your bit in your bio about us fanfic writers burying our work for historians and all that deserves a follow. It just does.
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Ignore me stalk your profile for the next forever.
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Lol Ikr we really should. I don't write fanfic like on the page, but everyone here to wattpad should. Np I stalked your profile (and everyone elses-) It's fun
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It sounds really cool. I like the idea. That's a fair point. It really is.
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Thanks :)
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Of course.
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<removed by user>
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XD She is.
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<removed by user>
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I might have deleted it on acceident but idk
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<removed by user>
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THIS ISNT A NEW STORY I THINK IT GOT DELETED FOR BEING TO LONG BUT IM REPOSTING
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<removed by user>
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I miss you too Skye <3
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<removed by user>
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Heyyy skye whatβs up?
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<removed by user>
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* g l a r e s * fine i won't this time
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<removed by user>
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hahahaha
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<removed by user>
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s k y e
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<removed by user>
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h i h o w s i t h a n g i n g
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<removed by user>
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o o f . t r y t o f i n d s o m e t h i n g c h i l l a n d f u n t o d o t o r e w i n d e h b e e n b e t t e r
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<removed by user>
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ugh no I haven't. I've been meaning to ask you. I've comment a couple of times but no reply. I really hope see's all right and just to busy with life to be on reedsy
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<removed by user>
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:( Oooooo love it!!!!!!!!!!! <33333333333333 Wait I got one for you- β¨Skybiβ¨ oof not a great nickname. I don't really give out nicknames much. Also------ HaVe YoU wAtChEd HeArTsToPpEr YeT?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!
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<removed by user>
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Lol thank you YOU NEED TO WATCH IT ITS GAY AND FUNNY AND WARMS YOUR HEART
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<removed by user>
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YUS THANK YOU β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
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<removed by user>
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<removed by user>
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KEEFE MY BEAUTIFUL BABY WHY WHY DID YOU LEAVE????????????? ππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ...
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<removed by user>
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Yeah that was kinda a giver
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<removed by user>
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Me: *walks in* ALSO KEEFE DESERVES THE WORLD AND NOT THE PIECE OF CRAP DAD AND MOM HE'S GOT *SOBS WITH* Therapist: Who the heck are you Me: oh Im Sienna's friend is this the free fangirl therapy session?
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