Arcane University of Magic (IC)

by **Khasinkonia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 12:24 am

A slap. Her brother always did let his blood run hot, but evidently he couldn’t even wait to deliver a rebuttal to physically strike back. Susanne placed her dog down on the ground, and then held her hand to her cheek, where she’d just been slapped. She bit down on her upper lip, and inhaled deeply before she responded.

“I did nothing of the sort,” she replied, “I merely stated a fact. You and I are part of the upper class. I said nothing about the time of slavery being a great one. Every culture has had slaves. Whether we were roman patricians, ancient Chinese aristocrats, or even African nobles, the same rule applies. Holding another human as property is wrong, yes. But it happened. It is wealth that rules, not color or creed. And I tire of this topic as it is. I will say, however, that I should hope you to be less generous with striking if you ever marry.”

by **Chewion** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 12:30 am

Brandon Kiser

Brandon realized what he had done and already his hand was trembling. Calming his nerves he looked her in the eye and said “Iam so sorry. That was completely uncalled for. I didn’t mean to... I didn’t mean to hurt you. Are you ok?”

by **Khasinkonia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 12:44 am

Sometimes it occurred to her that her brother might be manic depressive or have some disorder such as that, with his mood being so fickle. A diagnosis for something of that sort for him would be utterly disastrous for the family name, however, so she tried not to let the idea enter her mind. She took another moment to respond to him, rubbing her cheek a bit more, which didn’t feel swollen, just perhaps slightly reddened. Woe unto her brother if it bruised, that would be certain.

“I, uh,” she began, picking her dog back up, “I am fine. I apologise if I, oh, what’s the word people use? Ah yes, ‘triggered’ you, in some way. And yours is likewise accepted. I tell you though, if it bruises, I can’t promise I’ll have much patience with your foolishness. So, if my cheek has a bruise, bringing any of your girls into the our family apartment shan’t end happily for you. And this, Brandon, is why I prefer the presence of Diantha. Because provoking her takes more than one fatally poorly conveyed concept.”

by **Chewion** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 12:53 am

Brandon Kiser

Brabdon grabbed his sister’s shoulder and took her just out of ear shot from the others before saying “Hey, um, I let Seregwen move in to the apartment. That won’t be a problem right? She’s my oldest friend besides you and I don’t want her to have to sleep in a big common room. Oh and I can heal your cheek if you want. I am sorry about that I just lost control.”

by **Khasinkonia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:08 am

Segewren, Sewegren, Sweregen, no, Seregwen. Not that it mattered what the girl’s name was to most people, clearly. If there was anyone who could be described as a wench, it was her. If Susanne were of the more outspoken sort on others, she might have uttered certain opinions on the girl’s choice of outfit, physical appearance, or other things, all of which together created someone she didn’t care for just by the looks. Brandon had known this girl for some time, though the two of them, despite being twins, spent comparatively very little time together, as Susanne always made a point of forging some convenient excuse to escape idle prattle or the sort of games she detested when Brandon had friends over. Tea parties, however, were a separate matter, but her brother never seemed so fond of that sort of thing, so she usually ended up with a selection of friends, and, on rare occasions, her older sister.

“I am quite alright,” she replied, her teeth clamped firmly together, “And I would assume I’m your oldest friend, considering we shared living spaces since before we were brought into this world. If I bruise, I shall handle the matter myself. Thank you for offering.”

by **Chewion** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:24 am

Brandon Kiser

“Well that’s why I said oldest friend other than you.” Looking st his twin for a moment he said “Do you not like me? You haven’t shown true emotions to me since we were little. I feel like I did something wrong or something to hurt you. I know this is kinda out of nowhere but I can’t keep it in anymore. I feel like you don’t wanna be my sister.”

by **Khasinkonia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:40 am

It certainly was an odd question. Her composure surely must have been normal to him by now. Susanne never particularly displayed much in the way of strong emotion towards anyone, so it hardly seemed like he’d feel different than anyone else. Needless to say, it was rude to leave anyone, much less family, without an answer, be it honest or not.

“You’ve known me my whole life. I’d have thought my stoical demeanour would be normal to you by now,” she replied, holding a stiff upper lip and continuing to stroke her dog as she held it, “You’ve done nothing. I see no need to get worked up over such idle matters. It’s not as if a strike means anything other than a lack of control over one’s own extremities, just as strong language shows nothing more than a lack of control over one’s vocabulary. Am I to take this to mean you’d prefer me to greet you with a photographic smile rather than the neutral expression I usually maintain?”

by **Chewion** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:43 am

Brandon Kiser

Gone was his normally self assured speech and confidence. Scratching his head he looked down as he said “I... no... just.... um... I just feel like your ashamed of me because I don’t live up to your expectations of what a Kiser should be. And things used to be different when we were younger. We used to hang out. Now it’s like you can’t stand to be in the same room as me.”

by **Khasinkonia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:54 am

At this response Susanne raised an eyebrow. “Hang out” must have been used very loosely to describe him playing as she recited her articulation lessons to the nanny for the umpteenth time. “Work hard, play hard” was their childhood motto, and, as she saw it, it was the only time where her bit came first. Yet somehow the two ended with equal professional results. One lucky twin, one unlucky twin, so it it seemed. And the only shame to be had was that there was still inexplicably such a disparity between the two.

“Everyone ages. You have your interests; I have mine,” she replied, “As it would happen, the two scarcely overlap. That is neither good nor bad. It is simply a fact. People with few interests in common traditionally spend relatively less time with one another, even if they do care for one another. I take little interest in your romantic endeavours, so I avoid them. You take little interest in my passion for proper composure, so you tend to overlook it. I see no issue.”

by **Chewion** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 7:10 am

Brandon Kiser

Brandon still felt unsure of himself as he continued saying “I... I know but... we just hardly talk. There has to be something we both like.... I miss spending time with you. And I feel like you don’t like me anymore.. You never show any emotion any more. I’m sorry if I am annoying you it’s just... I... love you sis and I’m worried you don’t even like me.”

by **Segral** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 10:21 am

Ed Wilson

Ed hadn't been having the best day so far.

After getting over his slightly-stupid looking face after riding that fecking awesome ship, school had been slightly difficult. First up had been conjuration, intro to it, to be exact. It hadn't been the worst class, but Ed wasn't the best at actually applying all his knowledge. He could tell you exactly how to do it, what it does and when was it found, but he couldn't actually do it. He managed to get some paltry flames and sparks out of his wand, but it was a no-go.

Then, dueling. He hated dueling, he was awful at it, he was terrible. But, the other option was Magicka Historium, a class so boring that Ed had actually fallen asleep in it multiple times. Although, Ed almost wished he did go to that class. At least he would've excelled. No, instead, he chose to get repeatedly pummeled over and over in a duel. Just. Great.

Ed sighed in relief as the dueling class finally broke. As fast as he could, he grabbed his spellbook, wand, and other assorted weird stuff and bustled into the hall, searching for his next class, Mysticism, which also sounded like a fecking snoozefest. That was it. He needed a break. He simply leaned against a wall, waiting, waiting, taking a breath. He stared at the busy hall, bustling with happy people. If only Ed could fit in.

by **Khasinkonia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:50 pm

And he still believed in fun and honest interaction. Susanne had little interest in speaking openly to others, lest her tongue become untied. Truth be told, she had quite a set of rather strong opinions on quite a number of people. There existed a great deal of fire underneath her icy exterior. Some days, in fact, she drove herself purely off of spite, a desire to crush such bothersome individuals underneath her academic foot, other times, quite literally crush them. While Brandon and the other boy spoke of immediate destruction of the Phoenix line, her hopes were to use her inheritance to stomp on every other aristocratic family with her portion of the Kiser fortune, and perhaps then show the all the magical world that she was worthy of their attention. They would bow before Susanne Caroline M. Kiser, mark her words, as her neat handwriting had inscribed in blood-red ink on the pages of her diary. But Brandon couldn’t know of her enflamed soul.

“Brandon, I tell you, this is the truth of the matter: I do not particularly care for the vast majority of people, and that majority does often include you,” she drawled, “But you are my brother, and for that I am expected to love you. So I do. Like, is a separate story. I have neither the time nor mind to go around enjoying the presence of others, family or not. I dare say, I doubt I shall even like the hypothetical man to whom I shall married. And that, dear Brandon, is the reality I have accepted. And with that, I must be off to class.”

by **Cosmalia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 6:11 pm

INTRO TO THE MYSTIC ARTS

You travel down a long corridor, candles being your only light on the way there. You can see silhouettes in the dark, hooded forms murmuring to themselves as they shuffle through the void. Long spiral staircases and gaping halls pass you in your searching, At the end of a hallway you open the large wooden doors and are greeted by a flood of red light. A structure stands in the center of the room, giant orbs that glow and spiral slowly about one another. Cloaked strangers who had stood gazing up to the construct disappear into the shadowed corridors branching in all directions as you and the first students walk through the door. Across the floor are several intricately woven blankets arranged in rows, decorated with strange designs symbolizing creatures you don't recognize.

In front of the structure you see a grey skinned figure sitting cross legged on an embroidered purple rug. His head hangs at the ground limply. He sits unnaturally still, even disturbingly so. His chest does not seem to rise and fall, not a single muscle on his body moving an inch. If you didn't think you knew better, you would believe he was dead. From what you gather, you can only assume that this is the professor.

As more students begin trickling into the room they wander around absentmindedly, investigating the ornate displays that adorn the room, whispering amongst themselves or wondering in confusion as to where they were supposed to sit in this empty cavern. As more time passes, you can see anticipation and anxiety spread spread through the crowd, the room waiting for something, anything, to come from the strange man in the center of the room. Minutes pass.

Suddenly you hear a faint whistling come up from the man, like the crashing of a distant wave, and you gradually see his chest expand in an astoundingly slow ascension which takes almost the entirety of a minute to complete. Then, after the deepest of sighs blows from his nostrils, the man speaks his first words.

"Welcome, students." The man declared, his deep voice resonating melodically throughout the chamber. "We will begin class shortly. You are invited to have a seat on any of the meditation cloths about the room in front of me."

Hesitantly, the students begin shuffling their way to their seats, and when everyone is seated he lifts his head towards them, his eyes still closed. "This is the orrery, a place of self reflection and study. It is a gateway to many places and a crossroads of many fates. Here, you will be introduced to the art of mysticism and all the secrets of this word that it holds."

"The first lesson you must learn is that you cannot learn this art in the same way you do other schools of magic. You may have grown accustomed to the repetitiveness of magic. The reassuring understanding that if you repeat the same chants and flop your hands in the correct way you know it will obey you. Mysticism does not possess such simplicity. It is not concrete, it is not knowable, it does not deal in certainty. There are no strings of arcane words to memorize, there are no placating rules to trust. Mysticism is the thorn that sticks in the side of the prideful scholar. Mysticism does not deal with systems, nor is it comprehensible or containable. It deals with the incorporeal; the mind, the soul, the self, will, fate, goodness, evil, the nature of life, the ascendant. To learn this craft, you must first be taught how to unlearn your own preconceived notions about your world."

The professors eyes open, and a strange breeze flows through the room. You can feel something odd change in the room. "I will need several volunteers for our first exercise."

by **Camelone** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 8:54 pm

Now this class on mysticism was going to be much different than Arthfael original thought it would be, he thought it would be similar to how the shamans, genereaders, or the priests taught but this seemed strange and unknowable. The holy men of his people were secretive yes but this made the spiritual seem unknowable, all things were knowable to those who surrender themselves to the will of the One and faithfully honor the blessed ancestors and appease the unruly spirits. To speak of disorder in the designed universe of the One was blasphemous to Arthfael's ears and it took all his discipline to control his indignation.

In Magick Historium he did awful in though, his reading was not to the level it should be but could he be blamed he got sporadically taught throughout his childhood, he still can't even read the script of his own people just the letters that are thankfully used in this university. Knowing that he got bonus points for volunteering in dueling Arthfael sighed and decided it would be best if he volunteered once more to keep his grades up. Standing he raised his hand.

"I, Arthfael mac Aeron, would like to volunteer professor." This place made him feel on edge as if he was standing on the unholy ground of the Fomorian demons, he wouldn't be surprised if the Fomorian had similar practices though. Well no time to turn back just swallow the fear and stand ready as if battle was to come was what Arthfael planned to do as he made his way forward to the professor.

by **Hothnia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:13 pm

Hallia Rezokov

Hallia exited the dueling classroom a while after Brandon and his group left, eager to get away from the rich boy. As far as she knew, she didn't have another class during this period, and as a rout of that, she'd get to explore a bit. Hallia stuck to the wall as moved, glad to keep away from the seemingly never ending flow of students in the main concourse. Hallia stopped beside a boy, another that was staying away from the crowd, just like her.

Hallia glanced up at him. I wonder who he is. Why is he sticking away from everyone else? " Hello up zhere?" Hallia waved to catch his attention. " Who are you and what are doing? I'm Hallia Rezokov by the way." Why are you being so talkative?

by **Auphelia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:55 pm

Ruth wasn't sure how she felt about mysticism. She was excellent at memorising and studying what was already known, but a reason she was taking Mysticism was to test her limits and hopefully change for the better. The professor seemed nice, if not a little cliched. When he asked for volunteers, Ruth Knew what she needed to do. After the masked man she had talked to earlier finished stating he would be participating, Ruth stood up.

"I will volunteer." Ruth was surprised at how confident she sounded. Good job. Now stay that way and try not to fail whatever test he has planned. You have read the textbook, you know the theory behind every mystic spell. Use it.

by **Goustavia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 10:33 pm

Salvador Cross

Filtering into the dark, domed room with the rest of the crowd he makes his way to the side away from the mass of people. The murmuring and confusion is suffocating but Salvador is eventually too enamored by the sphere in the center of the room to flee while no one is looking. Dolmar looks out at the others from Salvador's bag accessing the fellow class mates on how they dress, carry themselves and their topics of discussion among other things. The minutes feel like forever for the hooded student and he lets out a quiet sigh of relief as the teacher beings speaking.

When told to sit he limps over to one of the mat near the teacher, untying the string fixing the carpet to his back and sets it over the cloth. He sets down his book bag and sits, trying to get comfortable knowing there are others all around him watching, staring, likely judging him. Dolmar slithers out from the bag, up his arm and around his shoulders resting now gazing at the frail looking professor as Salvador does too.

When the professor asks the room for volunteers his arm betrays his anxiety as it bolts up curious for knowledge. Once he realizes what he did it softens, lightly trembling.

by **Chewion** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 11:03 pm

Brandon Kiser

“It’s not about what your expected to do. It’s about wether you actually love me because I’m your brother or if you don’t. Don’t you understand how frustrating it is to think your own twin doesn’t even like you? Why the hell do you think I act the way I do? I’m trying to get your attention. I’m trying to get you to care.”

by **Khasinkonia** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 11:18 pm

“Brandon, I will speak with you on this subject later. I must be off to mysticism class,” Susanne replied, beginning to walk away. She rather hoped to double what she had on her, so she could afford a better wand—one that could let her learn to teleport around at her whim.

Mysticism class had begun. The professor certainly had a penchant for the dramatic, it would seem. The whole arrangement of the classroom resonated with the same sort of mystic aura that the teacher seemed hell-bent on exuding, as if it were some sort of stereotypical Tibetan monk’s temple. It made some sort of sense, she supposed. The class was mysticism, after all.

And it would seem he wanted volunteers. This class did not look to be an easy one, even without Brandon charming the teacher away from her academic prowess. But it was undeniable that sucking up to the teacher in one way or another was certainly an excellent way to lay an even sturdier foundation in a class. So she raised her hand high in the air, and delicately stood from her place.

“I, Susanne Caroline M. Kiser, should like to participate in this exercise as well.”

by **Strala** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 11:42 pm

Christopher merely frowned when he heard what Ms.Kiser said "Mr.Kiser I don't agree with your sister. While yes wealth has a certain amount of power, power is mainly controlled by the talented and the people. Think about it where did all the wealth come from, certainly not from heaven. It had to come from someone talented working hard to get the money, also if the workers do not work then you receive no money. While yes they will have to eventually come back, during the time they don't work think about all the money you lose just because someone wasn't doing their job. If anything that is true than it is greed that controls everyone. Everyone greeds for something even the purest will still have greed. Mr.Kiser also I recommended you not stopping your sister. She is doing everything right. If you try to curb her greed than you are taking a portion of her humanity away, but I truly understand your worry for your sister." When Christopher finished he waited for Brandon to reply.

by **Segral** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:02 am

Ed Wilson

Ed was snapped out of his stupor by some other girl next to him. She was also pressed against the wall, like him, and she had a strange accent to her voice. One that turned the into ze. Supposedly, her name was Hallia. He blinked slightly at the torrent of questions she threw at him, before answering.

"Glad to meet you, m'name's Edward. But, Ed or Eddie works too. Actually, I prefer Ed. As for what I'm doing? Not much, trying not to get my ass trampled by the never-ending stream of students." He let off a slight grin. "So, Hallia, I think the real question is, what are you doing?"

by **Cosmalia** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 2:19 pm

The professor raised an eyebrow at the collection of students, each vastly different from one another. This was the most perfect collection of subjects he could hope for. He chuckled softly in amusement at Arthfael and Susanne. "There are two reasons someone would present their name in such a way as you have: confidence or arrogance. Your performance will demonstrate which."

"Now then, come up front. Sit in a half circle facing me."

Once the students had arranged themselves, the professor would begin instructing the volunteers. He seemed kind, gentle even, in his teaching. There is the strangest demeanor about him, so much so that even in his aura of peace there is an overwhelming feeling of caution radiating around the room. "Now as much as many of you would like it to be otherwise, the basics of the mystic arts begin here, in learning meditation and self control. Self discipline is the key to everything you will learn going forward. Knowledge of self is synanymous with knowledge of mysticism." He gestured gently to the rest of the class, a strict kind of warmnesss in his tone. "Everyone else follow along as we go, and please pay careful attention. I do not like repeating myself."

"Now," he instructed, resuming his meditative stance. we will attempt to enter a mystic trance. This will help you better focus your mental energy for our exercise. It is important to breath naturally and slowly. Clear your mind of every thought that you have, every essence of distraction. Focus only on being. On the essence of existing... once you have accomplished a sense of ease within you, I want you to extend your attention outwards to the rest of the room, moving your consiousness to the orrery. If you do this correctly, you may feel a light tingling near the front of your head and down your neck. The orrery acts as a conduit for your mental energies. Since you have yet to develop enough mental fortitude to project your thoughts on your own, the orrery will help you practice doing it with some help." Leorgan smiled. "Simple, right? Nothing you haven't heard of before. Simple."

"Now then, to the fun part."

Without warning, a hissing noise rises from Leorgans cloak. A black blur darts its way forward, and before anyone realizes what is happening a tall, snarling serpent is writhing in the center of the five mages, rearing its head over them. Cries go out throughout the room as other students recoil from the massive beast. The snake is easily over 8 feet long, and it towers over the group menacingly. Malevolent eyes scan the group of students, watching for a single wrong move.

"Everyone, please remain calm." Leorgan ordered. Any amount of tenderness that had existed before was gone. His face was blank, a cold and unforgiving gaze replacing it. "Volunteers, it is in your best interest to remain perfectly still. The venom of a black mamba is incredibly deadly, attacking the nervous system. This leads to sickness, paralysis, and excruciating pain, followed by death after about 30 minutes. Without antivenom, the fatality rate of a bite from this snake is 100%. It is also important to note that the black mamba is one of the fastest snakes of the mortal realms. So at this distance if you try anything, to escape, to cast some form of attack, you will have your death sealed before you have the chance to protect yourself." He spoke in a thickly rational tone, as if he didn't truly believe in the severity of the situation he had created.

"This snake is highly aggressive. As far as it is concerned, you are a threat to its very existence and it will be ready to kill you until you convince it otherwise. Of course, it is an animal. You have no indication that it will understand your words if you were to tell it you mean no harm." Leorgan rose to his feet. The snake did not take its eyes off of the students. "Here is the exercise: you must convey to the snake an aura of calm and collectedness and transmit that aura through telepathic imaging. If the snake senses any other emotions, anger, fear, nervousness, tension, etc., it will perceive those negative emotions and attack you. Work as a group if you'd like, but the snake will only let you return to your seats once it is placated." Leorgan smiled. "I would recommend maintaining your breathing in this situation. Everyone else, feel free to take notes on their performance."

by **Auphelia** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 2:37 pm

Ruth had never felt more calm in her entire life. This was wonderful. A class where all she had to do was retreat within herself and focus on her own emotions? Amazing. Even when the snake had been summoned she was so far gone that she barely even registered it. According to the instructor they would have to make the snake calm by projecting their emotions. That could be a problem. She could feel the peace within herself, but getting it out would be another thing altogether.

Focus. Breathe. Feel the connection. There was nothing practical that the textbook could offer her in this manner, but she knew proper breathing patterns were important. In. In. Out. In. In. Out. Out. In.
Out. In. In. Out. In. In. Out. . . . She could feel the silvery, almost too delicate threads of her connection with those in the outside. Red and Orange, almost too bright from the other students. Yellow, green, and some silver from her fellow demonstrators as they tried to stay calm. Black from the snake and blue from her instructor. She could feel it. See it. Connect to the snake. Feel it. Continuing her breathing, Ruth tried to connect her threads to the snake. Slowly. Carefully. Breathe. Focus. It was done. She could now feel the raw rage of the snake emanating down her thread and turning it grey.
Peace. Calm. She had to use her connection to force the snake to see what she saw. But what did she see? The threads were not what she needed to be truly at peace. My books. My tortoise. Mother. Neatly lined up bottles of ingredients. My cauldron, bubbling just right. My father being proud of me. She could somehow feel her thread growing silver again, and thicker, as the snake's began to grow lighter. She could sense in the physical world that it was thrashing less and hissing softer. Of course, no first year could tame it alone. She just had to keep her peace and hope the others were able to as well to quell the ever softening anger of the snake. Focus. Breathe.

by **Camelone** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 4:56 pm

'Or tribal customs.' Arthfael thought vexed slightly at the perceived insult that was uttered by the professor. He sat down in the half circle that was formed by the other student volunteers and began to follow the instructions given, while similar to the shamans he was a little disappointed that there was no fire to stare into, no drums, and no chanting to aid him in entering the trance like state necessary for meditations back home. While it was different Arthfael made up the difference by thinking back to the techniques that he used for the hunt to remain undetected by his prey. He slowed his breathing down as much as he could and he reached deep within his mind reciting the songs of the bards, chants of the shamans, or even the prayers of the priests quickly shifting between them as he was taught trying to numb himself to the outside world and bring himself closer to his soul, his connection to the One.

The tranquility that he had began to develop was quickly shattered by the appearance of the large snake to which Arthfael snapped immediately into hunter mode remaining calm and physically relaxed to not draw its attention. Behind his goggles he tried to glance over to the other students making sure to not move his head but he couldn't see all of them, his first thought was how he could make sure his fellow classmates could get away but if they took the snakes attention he had to be ready to jump to their defense even if it meant taking a deadly bite. He was a warrior of the Daoine an mac Tire and a warrior defends those around him regardless of affiliations.

Trying to settle back down to return back to the meditative trance Arthfael was not all that concerned of the snake striking at him, and the snake emerged from the professors person meaning he had a degree of control over it but that still had no guarantees to it. It seemed that Arthfael could not return to where he once was only reciting the songs of heroic ancestors within his mind unable to get any aura.

by **Chewion** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 5:36 pm

Brandon Kiser

Brabdon smiled politely saying Chris saying “I know. Hey I gotta go but I’ll find you later ok.” With that he made his way towards the Alchemy classroom. He had a request of the professor.

Alchemy Classroom

Entering the room silently he noticed Professor Rosebinder working on something with her back to him. Walking up closer he decided he would act unsure of himself to gain her compliance. After all she seemed like the type that was more willing to help the unsure.

Clearing his throat he said “Professor Rosebinder? I’m Brandon Kiser. I had a question. I know I’m not in your class but could you help me out please? I need a potion that makes people more affectionate. Basically something to make them nicer. Can you help me please?”

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