#wealthy merchant

[nepalcamel]

William of Sandholt

William of Sandholt was a prominent merchant who lived in the village of Sandholt in the 16th century. He was born into a family of wealthy traders, and he quickly rose to prominence in the world of commerce due to his exceptional business acumen and tireless work ethic.

William was a shrewd negotiator and a savvy businessman, and he soon became one of the most successful traders in the region. He dealt in a variety of goods, including wool, leather, and spices, and he was known for his fair prices and his commitment to quality.

Despite his wealth and success, William was also known for his generosity and his philanthropic spirit. He was a regular patron of the arts and a strong supporter of local charities and community organizations, and he was widely respected and admired for his kind and giving nature.

In addition to his business ventures, William was also an active member of the local government, serving on the village council and helping to shape the policies and practices of the community. He was known for his wise counsel and his commitment to the common good, and his influence was felt throughout the village and the surrounding region.

William's legacy lives on to this day, and his name is still remembered with great respect and admiration by the people of Sandholt. He was a true leader and a true gentleman, a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and a commitment to excellence in all things.

[mirrortouchedsea]

sunsets are best viewed with friends you barely talk to

hi kuroshu nation so. i kinda went insane after the original shu unbloomed cg dropped. and wrote 1.7k words about it. and then the kuro cg dropped this morning and i'm even more insane so i'm posting everything now and yeah. enjoy.

Shu disembarked the bike, Kiryu’s arms still wrapped tightly around him. The simple touch reminded Shu of their childhood, though often the roles were reversed, weren’t they? Shu, a scared, fragile child would come to Kiryu in tears while his bullies chased him. It felt…weird, but not wrong to have Kiryu behind him, complaining about his motion sickness as they biked to the top of a mountain. 

We’re here, Kiryu, you can let go now. Shu’s voice was gentle, a tone used so infrequently he almost thought he’d lost it. Ugh, since when could you bike like that, Kiryu, no, Ryukun grumbled. Shu was five, six, seven again, the two of them running off on their own after school as they so often did. It’s been a while since we’ve had time alone like this, hasn’t it, Ryukun. Shu drops the old nickname casually here, where nobody can hear them. You’re always so busy when you’re back from France, Icchan, and anyway what did you want to show me? 

Shu grabbed Ryukun’s hand tentatively, still unsure what was and wasn’t okay (Ryukun didn’t pull away, let their fingers be intertwined so Shu could drag him along). The sun was setting already and he didn’t want to miss the moment. Shu, someone who always knew what to say, didn’t have the words for what he really wanted to ask. The oranges and pinks from the sky sang their melody to the Earth as the two of them ran like children to the edge of a grassy hillside. 

It’s a beautiful sunset, Icchan, but what are you--Shu cut him off, a finger to Ryukun’s lips. Just watch, you’ll understand. Their breathing evened out, and the air was calm, but after what could have been seconds, minutes, the sounds of nature took over, a gentle moth flying out of a bush towards the streetlight, the crickets playing their songs, a small plot of wildflowers humming with bees. It wasn’t much, but nature’s music, the orange glow of the sunset, everything was just right. Ryukun, I’m…Shu couldn’t find the words, his head a mess of everything he wanted to say. Thank you for everything, I’m sorry I was such a jerk about your mom when we were kids, I miss the time we spent together, I wish we talked more, I still hate you for what you did to Kanata, I understand why you did it, These feelings are too complicated, Are you…happy, with how things are? 

You don’t have to say anything, Icchan, we can just enjoy the sunset if you want. Yes, that sounds nice. The two of them settle in on the grass, awkwardly sitting apart, hands next to each other in the grass, the silence palpable. Shu wanted to say something, anything, why did he drag Ryukun up here again? He should say something. Ryukun-- Icchan--. The two of them looked at each other before breaking out in laughs. Being with Ryukun, even like this, was so…freeing. No expectations or pretenses to be had, they’ve seen each other at their worst, their cringiest, their childish selves. 

No, there was something I wanted to talk about, Kiry--Ryukun (why is he correcting himself to that childish nickname again?), are you happy? What do you mean by that? I mean, are you happy with your life so far, everything you’ve done, do you have any regrets? Sure, there’s plenty of things to regret, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk, y’know, as much as I’d like to change the past, I have to accept that I can’t. Yes, of course I understand that but, have you ever wondered what would have happened if we never lost contact? All the damn time Icchan, but like I said, no use crying over spilled milk, we had our ways and we’re lucky we’ve found each other again. Shu lifted his hand, shaking, unsure if he should reach out. 

Ryukun, can you promise me something? Shu is six years old, shaking after a particularly bad incident with his bullies. Of course, Icchan, we’re friends aren’t we? Mhm, I know, but…promise me we’ll always be friends? Ryukun laughs and pulls Shu into a hug, his warmth overwhelming and yet comforting. Yeah, Icchan, we’ll be friends forever. 

Shu dropped his hand back to the grass, pinky brushing Ryukun’s own. I do wonder how things would have looked if we had been together for middle school as well. I’m sure I’d have still gotten in plenty of trouble beating up your bullies. That’s not a bad thing, you know, most people would say it’s something honorable. Do you? Do I think it’s honorable? Yeah. Well, you always had good intentions. That’s not answering the question, Icchan. I know, but it is honorable, though I’m unsure if I deserved it, after… Listen, I know we were on opposite sides back then, but you need to stop being so harsh on yourself. Says you, I’ve heard what you’ve said about yourself from back then through the grapevine. Ah, ‘course you have. 

I know that I say I hate Tenshouin, but I needed someone to wake me up as it were, if things had kept going as they had, I’m afraid I might have run Nito into the ground. Ha, yeah you would have, y’know we used to communicate in signs because of you? Yes, I’ve been made aware of that, and I feel nothing but shame for my actions that led to that. Nito forgives you, you know. Yes, I’m also aware of that, though I don’t deserve it. Well then I don’t deserve forgiveness from Shinkai for the Battle of the Sea God. No…Kanata forgives you for that as well. 

We’re talking in circles now, Icchan. Yes, but I’ve been beating around the bush. Shu shifted and turned to Ryukun, his face young in the deep orange of the setting sun. God why was this so hard, it's not like Shu hadn’t been thinking about exactly what he wanted to say all day, no not at all. His heart was beating fast, rib cage tingling with nervousness. He sighed. Ryukun, no I should address you by your proper name. I think I like Ryukun just fine, Icchan. Fine, Ryukun, do you remember when we were kids and hiding beneath the slide on the playground that one day. There were a lot of days like that, I don’t remember you liking to play with the other kids. Nonsense, they just…well regardless, do you remember the day under the slide when we were talking about what we wanted to be when we grew up, you know, jobs, family, the stuff kids talk about. Yeah, I remember that you wanted to be a fashion designer with your clothes shown all over the world, and look at you now. Yes yes, and you just wanted to live a quiet life and look where we both are, but after that, when we talked about getting married and having kids. I seem to remember you were appalled at the idea of having kids of your own, Icchan. And you wanted a little girl just like your sister so you could spoil her and protect her. What’s your point Icchan, we were kids and didn’t know any better. I’m getting to that part, just…well I suppose when we were kids, the idea of two boys uhm… Ryukun chuckled and shifted to look Shu, Icchan, in the eyes. Icchan, we did kiss under the slide that day, remember? It was just a peck on the lips, nothing more! Well, yeah, but kids don’t really understand the weight of that and…

Icchan, are you trying to say you want to kiss me? Shu’s face felt as if it was on fire. Well, frankly, yes he was trying to say that, just not that directly. The thought had periodically come back to him as he went through middle and high school, whenever his mind wandered just a little too much at night, and now that they were graduated and living in the real world, well the thought only became stronger. It was really causing issues for his work if he was being honest and if he could just satisfy the urge, surely the thought would leave him alone and he could get back to working in peace. Ryukun laughed, not at Shu, but rather at the roundabout way that Shu had gone about asking, bringing him up to this secluded spot like teenagers in love, just to lose courage halfway through. 

Icchan. Ryukun’s hand gently guided Shu’s face to look at his own, Shu tried to keep his eyes downcast. Hey, Icchan, look at me. Shu glanced up, taking in the sight of his childhood best friend, with hair like the autumn leaves, sun mostly set at that point, but the stars danced around Ryukun’s head like a crown. Do you want to kiss me? Yes, Ryukun. Shu’s voice was barely above a whisper. Ryukun closed his eyes, Icchan did the same, leaning in, breath hitched. Ryukun’s lips were soft, gentle, a hand still on Icchan’s cheek, and for a moment they were children under the slide again and playing pretend but this time…it was different. The moment lasted forever. It wasn’t long enough. Icchan pulled away, breaths shallow though the kiss was just a peck on the lips like it was when they were kids. Ryukun leaned his forehead on Icchan’s, eyes still closed. 

Can we do that again. Ryukun’s voice is soft, delicate, the opposite of the normal Ryukun. And all of this was just for Shu in that moment. Yes. Icchan moved in that time, the two of them stayed like that in the sunset, kissing over and over and over until the sun had fully set. 

We should go back, everyone’ll be worried about us. Yes, we should go back before it gets any darker. Ryukun stood up first, offering a hand to Icchan before putting his helmet back on. The two climbed back on the bike, taking in the view of the stars over the city one last time before Shu kicked off and they began their descent back to ES. 

--- 

The thoughts did not get better after that. 

[neverendingspirals]

another dwarrowdam for your consideration

[artinandwritin]

Me and Nosu and Audi got a fun vampire/folkloric creatures au going on and ive made a lot of gussiri sketches for it but???? Never posted them. So yippeee art dump

They're so silly to me

Plus a version with blood of the last sketch underneath the cut!!

[dubb0-g0ldfe11]

The beginnings of a forbidden relationship

Royal au because why not?

[starfishlikestoread]

okay hypothetically if I were to combine the two loves of my life (imperial russian church metric records and spreadsheets) does anyone have an opinion topic-wise what they'd find most interesting to see data on? Would be either Moscow or villages-in-Tula based, depending on my mood, mostly serfs but for some I could do church workers or merchants (not nobles though).

[teatitty]

Thinking about how Sakamoto was the one who got all the supplies during the Joui war. About how he would go off to various towns and somehow managed to convince various officials that it was worth funding, coming back to the army laden with food and weapons and whatever else they needed. How he did all of that by himself, singlehandedly, and it being the earliest example we have of how fucking amazing he is at business and merchant deals

Do you know how hard it is to do something like that even once? And he did it constantly. Nobody asked him to do it. He didn't have to do it. But he did. He succeeded and that would've made such a huge difference even though they ultimately "lost" that war. How many lives do you think he saved just by doing those runs. He was literally their main supplier and that's completely nuts to think about

[domwitch]

If I can't find a boyfriend by the end of this week I'm gonna just kidnap someone >:(

[jazzkrebber]

literally every version of the crows playing a game:

matthias: confused

nina & jesper: laughing their asses off while losing terribly

inej: doing great in the game and is just having fun

wylan: winning

kaz: confused as to how the hell hes not winning but proud that wylan is at the same time

[akumanoken]

@liroyalty

KEEP GOING

OKAY BUT IMAGINE!!!!

It's the late Edo period and The Black ships arrive, basically forcing the Shogunate to open up the borders to the country to not just one, but THREE different countries, and not just like... the Dutch down south....

The Ishikawas see this and go "Oh shit these guys are so interested in our culture and our goods," and sidle up to them like "Hello we're here to do business with you" as opposed to other factions who weren't about this shit at all. The Ishikawas were already a wealthy merchant family, and as the so-called "barbarians" had no ill will toward merchants, as many of them, and their cultures, merely see it as another profession, they get along great, hosting them, exchanging the language and culture, arranging alliances with soldiers and politicians just by being open and willing to show them all a good time, which they have the money to do.

It's all about investments, after all.

Fabric sales and the sales of artisan goods have been their oldest trade, and the silks and the beautiful brocade of kimono caught the foreigner's attention, so that was what started their trades with certain members of delegations from Britain and America.

As the Bakamatsu period grew heated, and as a certain Sakamoto Ryoma was arranging the exchange of power from the Shogunate back to the Emperor, the Ishikawas solidified plans to send a few sons to the other countries if there were problems for them to continue business, and they did move toward those plans, though they were not permanent situations.

The Meiji Restoration saw the dissolution of the samurai class, which was a dizzying turn of events. Many prominent families were suddenly without power, and those who "at least had their honor" had not even that, mourning the loss of their top knot and their sword, and were called shizoku, removing even the term samurai from their lives.

Meanwhile, the Ishikawas were enjoying the benefits of their investments. Political ties and trade with foreign nations allowed the family to grow new branches, and the Ishikawa Zaibatsu was formed. It enjoyed prominence until the dissolution of zaibatsu during the Second World War, but the Ishikawa's business now operates as a keiretsu, with the three boys holding the biggest branches. Asami is preparing his son to take over, but he currently runs the holding bank. Ayato holds the fabric manufacturing and trading branch, which is the oldest business in the family, and Akira runs their mobile and electronic branch, newest by far but growing exponentially by the decade.

[sins-of-the-sea]

Hey, so, couple of questions.

What's the conversion rate of gil to actual money?

And also: this is technically Guy's money, are you not going to tell him about it, or is he going to get like a small weekly allowance to prevent him from being an idiot too quickly?

"Well, how he's going to get the money depends on... depends on... uh...…….

"RASHIIIIIIIIIIIIID!!"

"I'm right here, Captain. If we are to go by this website, 100M Gil is worth-

"....$46.34 USD. So, actually…

"We're not rich at all. 50M Gil is just $23.17 USD."

"Right, but consider converting $23.17 USD to 1721 pounds. That's more or less around… 20 pounds? That's about a few month's wages for a merchant trader. So…. a nice thing. I wouldn't mind giving that all at once to Guy and hope he doesn't spend it all on hookers and blow."

"Granted, I was using MMO auction house rates. If you look at Midgar rates, a common potion would be 50 Gil, while the most expensive item, the Sylkis Greens--food items for Chocobos--is 5000 Gil. I don't see everyday commodities like bread or milk to compare the rates, so I am going to assume the common potion is roughly the same price as a gallon of milk. So in that rate, 50M Gil…

"…WOULD make us filthy rich."

"Clearly we move to Midgar, then."

"Captain, let me tell you about Shinra, SOLDIER, Avalanche, and the Lifestream…."

[everyones-story]

i think a lot of cars in the redlands are sapient btw but its not very obvious at first to the layman. they also are fueled by blood magic because its the fucking redlands. also electricity

[bragganhyl]

it's been 4 in-game days and I'm already scrapping Leonor's backstory lmao

[macroglossus]

need to read classics not written by european men these bitches are so infuriating

[dawnsiren]

So uh. I’m listening to Annapantsu’s cover Queen of Kings on loop while vaguely feverish and it spat out a vaguely incomprehensible AU idea?

Pirate!Azula ft. Azuyuetara (Is that the ship name for that trio? Idfk it works)

Do I have a remotely comprehensible plot for this? No!

Beginning? Only vaguely!

Ending? Nope!

Any sense of its place in the timeline? Not really!

[muntitled]

𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥

Aegon Targaryen x Fem!reader

Summary: You were the only one who truly saw the tortured king. Not his mother, not his brother, and certainly not his wife.

Warning: Language, Infidelity, Humiliation, Toxicity, King Complex, Slight Angst, Smut (+18) Minors DNI, Canon typical Incest, Grinding, Forced orgasm, King Kink?, Dom/Sub Themes, Controlled Orgasm, Ownership Kink, Dub/Con, Groping, Humping, Pussy rubbing, Exhibition Kink

This isn't very good, I admit. I just needed to get it out of my head.

Despite your eye following the pathway of High Valyrian ink splashed on the weathered pages of your book, your brain takes forever to process the words.. It is a story you had enjoyed since the days of your wetnurse but now you are focused on the utter injustices occurring by the dinner table before you. You always found your nose nestled in a book throughout dinner, all save for this one.

The Queen mother is bent over her plate, forgetting her table manners in the vehemence of her passions, while Aemond assumes a hostile glare from his perch at the head of the table. Aegon sits slumped in between you and Helena, with his half lidded eyes so painfully tedious as he prods at his food, while these fake gods scold him from above.

"And to make matters impossibly worse, you failed to display even a shred of sympathy towards his condition-" Despite the nature of his mother's tone, it does not stop Aegon from rebutting where necessary, with a quick, sharpness on his tongue.

"This 'condition' you speak of, being the imprisonment of a wealthy merchant's stupid son." Aegon releases a short, winded chuckle, one that you share behind the concealment of your book. "Perhaps he shouldn't have gotten himself captured."

"He is apart of your battalion, Aegon- fighting your war-"

"I am not at war. As I sit here, I am not harbouring any ill feelings towards any party-"

Aemond interrupts, "All you think about is fucking and drinking-"

"Precisely brother!" Aegon proceeds to turn to his mother, with his hands splayed outwards he reiterates, "All I think about is fucking and drinking,"

A loud, unladylike snort escapes the confines of your throat which you attempt to sheath with a cough as you study the words in your book. Aemond rolls his eyes while Aegon throws a blatant smirk beside you- "See Mother! Now our dear cousin has fallen ill as a result of the animosity stirred by your incessant scolding!” Aegon’s voice is doused in sarcasm as he rubs his hand into your shoulder, “All because of your nagging, mother," Alicent’s eyes darken as her voice descends into caution "Aegon. Tomorrow you are to formally apologise to that Knight. He is a seasoned member of your Kingsguard-" The politics was becoming far too much on him. His grip has yet to leave your shoulder.

"Why the complete and utter fuck should I be pandering to my subjects?"

Aemond is the first to inject "Have you not a shred of Diplomacy, you fucking imbecile?" You eye Aemond from above your book, and you cannot begin to imagine the younger brother would ever inject himself into Aegon's business, no reason except perhaps, jealousy?

Aegon promptly ignores Aegon, and, with his eyes on Alicent, he leans over the table and whispers:

"If Rhaenyra wishes to have the crown, she may gladly take it-"

"AEGON!" The queen's thunderous voice settles over the table like a tempest, injecting all those present with a sharp, instinctive flinch, all except Aegon, who remains lax and unaffected by her outburst, only fueling the Queen's anger to first born tenfold.

"I cannot rely on you for anything, Aegon, NOTHING! For a mother to be so utterly embarrassed by her son- her eldest son," there is venom in her incredulity, one that has your brows curving as you send a sympathetic gaze at the Usurper. You lower your novel and lean slightly closer to the battlefield that has befallen the dinner table. Aegon’s hand drops from your shoulder, landing in your lap. You clasp his trembling hand in both of yours.

How a simple visit to see your cousins in King's Landing had turned into a public execution of Aegon's dignity, is utterly beyond you. You decide that you simply will not allow it, you cannot allow it, and solidarity is all you hope Aegon feels radiating from your clasped hands under the table.. You look up at him, thinking you might look up to find anguish in Aegon's eyes, but all you find there is a sly, almost secretive smirk dancing along his visage.

"You govern this country like a child-" Aemond begins but you're quick to snip back,

"Perhaps we should be mindful, cousin of the fact that Aegon still is a child. He is but 20 years in age!" You exclaim, with your own incredulity coating your laughter, "Aegon's destiny was pre-written when you were barely able to wipe your own shit, Cousin." Aegon fails to conceal his crass bought of laughter.

"I've no time for this," Alicent says, pushing herself out of her chair before rising in silent anger, "Helena, come," she commands before leading a slightly aloof Helena out the dining hall without another word. Helena mumbles something about broken unions in iron castings before disappearing.

The silence is deafening as Aemond's one eye studies the two of you - he is not able to see your hand underneath the table, you don’t think…

"Before you think about fucking our cousin, at least think about fucking your wife." Aemond announces, to an amused Aegon who keeps his amused gaze lowered to the table. It is then that Aegon squeezes your hand, still seated on your lap. His fingers encircle yours in what you initially deduce is acknowledgement of your solidarity, but what you quickly realise is something much more sinister.

"I cannot say I will heed your counsel, brother," It is then that Aegon grabs ahold of your hand, guiding you until your palm is cupping his hardened cock. "But you can trust that your council is solemnly heard."

Aemond watches you from above the rim of his chalice as he empties the final traces of his wine before placing his chalice back on the table. His exit is a slow one, one that has your anticipation expanding and Aegon's patience waning. In all honesty, hearing your valiant defence to preserve his dignity raised an intense feeling of desire in Aegon. Even though Aegon's only feeling ever, always seemed to be desire.

"Come here," He says once Aemond footsteps have echoed away, "I need your mouth," Despite his command, Aegon is already leaning in with his hand cupping the back of your skull. Soon, all you can smell is him. All you can feel is him. All you can taste is the drunken and sunken taste of him.

His tongue forces its way into your mouth, ripping a fresh groan from inside you as he twirls you into his lap. He has you arrested on him, his front to your back, with your arse pressed on his crotch. His hand on your face cranes your neck backwards and forces his mouth on yours, promising that even if you wanted to free yourself, you may never be able to.

"I love how you see me," He whispers, never breaking away too far, in fear of you disappearing, "How utterly pleased I am with the version of myself I see living in your eyes," His words spill out of him and slip inside your mouth bridged by your shared saliva.

"He is not useless. He is not pitiful," Aegon breaks away from the kiss, to lay a palm on your cheek.

As one hand lovingly strokes the side of your face, Aegon’s other hand is ravenous, as it palms your sensitive breasts through the bodice of your dress.

"Thank you for not judging me," He all but whimpers as he buries his face in the crook of your neck. He breathes you in until his hips attempt to grind into you like a touch starved adolescent boy, while he ventures under your soft skirts.

"You don't have to thank me, Aegon." Your hands reach backwards to cradle his head into the crook of neck just as Aegon's fingers reach around to hook into the seat of your underwear. You aren't nearly as aroused as him, but somehow that fact has Aegon spiralling even further into arousal. His eyes are squeezed shut as he leans into you, smelling you, while his fingers drift over your pussy, searching desperately for a reaction.

"It is very rare that I find myself wanting to give any woman pleasure," Aegon's admits, with a low, dense drawl. His actions steal the breath from your very lungs as you feel the first sign of wetness begin to coat your underwear. He is in utter awe when he feels it. Quickly descending into a level of pleasure that he was not even sure existed, "I fucking love your cunt," He murmurs in his desperate drunken haze, "I wish to play with it and taste it and fuck it until you’re barely able to speak-"

"God's, Aegon!" Your voice is hoarse and your cries reach the highest rafter of the dining hall. Despite your degenerate wails, Aegon does little to stop them, in fact he encourages them, as his fingers push your underwear aside.

"When did you get so fucking wet?" The warmth of his breath fans against your cheeks, as he presses his front against your behind, "Did I get you this wet?" He asks, before getting the strongest surge of arousal as he whispers, "Did your King get you this wet?"

All you are able to accomplish is a nod as your mind explodes with vibrant visions of your near release. Soon, you're moving your hips in tandem with Aegon's fingers squeezing sloppily at your clit before rubbing with vicious surety.

"Please-"

"Call me by my title," He whispers, completely stripped from his sensibilities. "Tell your King to make you come," Aegon's brain is filled with what he suspects is determination. He is determined to see the most lecherous parts of you crack, and have it done by his design. He rubs your cunt with furious passion while he pushes up from underneath you, utterly destroyed by the idea of having a monopolised control over the workings of your body.

"Fuck- please my King!" The ache between your legs is as warm and erratic as Aegon's hands. "Please let me cum-"

"Tis only I, who can get My Lady this wet and needy," He murmurs, quite literally to himself, as he pushes his hips against your arse.

"Only you, My King." You decide to humour him, seeking the quickest way to your release, "Only you can make me cum," Throughout his tirade, Aegon's other, unoccupied hand has reached around and clasped itself against your throat. He is violent in his actions, squeezing deliriously until your throat is vacuumed of all its air. It's an utterly depraved situation you have both found yourselves in.

Anyone could decide to walk in at any moment and Aegon affirms as much. "You're such a pretty little whore, making a mess on my fingers like this. Fuck, The servants could decide to walk through at any moment," His grip on your throat relaxes, allowing you gasp hungrily for air while the first spots of your organs threaten to surge through you.

"P-Please, My King-"

"What would they think if they find you humping my hand like such a needy, little whore?" He is rubbing rough circles against your cunt until finally, you're unable to resist teetering on the edge much longer. As your orgasm washes over you, and your body shudders above him, Aegon's own orgasm is triggered as he forces your hips further onto the seat of his pants.

"My Lord," your voice is shallow but a restless tremor settles on your limbs, "Have you no shame," you're partially jesting, as you try to come back from your previous delirium.

"I've already been branded a devil," He says, "There is no Grace left to fall from."

<3

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