#Event I: A Crocus Among Us

[descensionstar]

at least that brought them back from the brink of boiling over — the devolution into a screaming match would be nothing short of a thumping headache.

"it's nothing she's not heard before. people tend to call her a child or a fairy, but calling her a mascot was what ended up with an hour-long lecture". just thinking about it was exhausting.

✦ahem. Paimon's petiteness is part of her charm. who could say no to buying a Sticky Honey Roast for a tiny, super-reliable Paimon?✦

Darn, a decent girl with manners. It’d be bad form if she snipped at her first, so Mary Sue holds back the guns and shrugs.

“Wellllll, you’re human-enough-decent, I mean.”

��It’s just that a bad personality sours everything, you know?” Pot calling the kettle black. “And I guess she’s not so ugly…just super deformed! Look at her, she’s practically pet-sized!”

[ciphertone]

@tornticket liked for an event starter !

He's been picking at the flowers sprouting from him for a while, now. It hurts, but he doesn't care about that - he just wants to get rid of them. He's been uncharacteristically silent ever since his conversations this morning went south, ill intentions spilling from his mind to mouth with no filter between. Those are meant to be kept to himself, concealed by no small amount of lies and flattery to keep himself generally liked. The only reason he can account for this switch is the buds blooming across his form, a recent development that has made his usual performance fall flat.

The worst part is that it hasn't just been about other people. Someone asked him how he was doing this morning, and he answered honestly. He never wants to do that again.

Seeing someone staring however, his mind unhelpfully nudges him to say something.

"DO YOU WANT SOMETHING, OR DO YOU JUST LIKE STARING AT PEOPLE WHO CLEARLY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU?"

[beargyufairy]

Just a little something I wrote…

Dull light and a soft morning breeze seeped into the stifled apartment as Lucy arose from a restless slumber. She remained motionless, covered in blankets that lacked warmth, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling. It was serene yet devoid of comfort for the blonde mage. The mellow light cast false aspirations, mocking her empty state.

Despite year passing by without contact from her guildmates, Lucy held onto hope of waking from the nightmare. She unconsciously glanced over at the door, desiring her friends to burst through and whisk her away back to the place she knew as home.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she pushed the thoughts away. A feeble attempt at burying it in the back of her mind. There was no need for another day of hopelessness. She recalled how the hours turned into weeks of impatiently waiting for their return. Time slipped away from her, like a river running dry. She wished it had taken the lingering emotions pounding rapidly in her chest with it.

Impulsively, Lucy packed her belongings and fled to Crocus. After being offered a modeling job, she worked day and night, keeping her focus solely on the task. It prevented her mind from wandering into the depths of her memories. Her efforts paid off, earning her the position of journalist. A lifetime ago, Lucy would’ve been ecstatic. Now, she had a glimpse of a different reality she couldn’t shake off. Like a second skin, haunting her every step.

The blaring screech of the halting train grabbed her attention, making her aware of her surroundings. A white scarf fluttered in front of her. Eyes widened, a small smile blooming as she reached forward. Her arms stopped midway, her fingers clenched into a fist. Disappointed loomed as she realized her reality was intertwined with a faint mockery of desperation. She laughed at her misery in an attempt to keep tears at bay as she walked onward.

The stadium was brimming with hundreds of people, eagerly awaiting the events to unfold. She, too, was filled with the enthusiasm, a slight hope to find a familiar face among the crowd of strangers. She was met with everlasting loneliness in its place. A heavy weight pulled her further into its empty embrace.

But today was different. An intruder entered the stadium. A sudden burst of excitement pooled in her stomach as she grabbed her pouch, a habit formed by her dreamlike past. Since moving to the capital, she has rarely used magic. It served as a reminder of who she was meant to be. It felt natural. The golden keys were cool to the touch. However, her actions were quickly shut down. Her body on autopilot as heat rose in the stadium. A familiar feeling she yearned for. Only one person could make her feel safe in the midst of grief. A faint smile betrayed her shock as she recognized the pink-haired mage grinning softly at her. An urgent sense of relief and warmth flared in her chest. Everything would be okay after all.

** @blazingorchid thanks for your help 🫶

[beardedmrbean]

Attacks on police posts, churches and a synagogue in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have left 20 people dead, most of them police officers. Five gunmen were also killed.

At least 46 people were taken to hospital with injuries after the Sunday evening attack.

Three days of mourning have been declared in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim republic in southern Russia which neighbours Chechnya.

The apparently coordinated attacks targeted the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost, with an Orthodox priest among those killed.

He was later identified as Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, who had served in Derbent for more than 40 years.

Russian media reported that around 18:00 (15:00 GMT) local time on Sunday, gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons on an Orthodox church and a synagogue in Derbent, which is home to an ancient Jewish community. Two gunmen were said to have then retreated into a nearby building, where police later said they were killed. The Kele-Numaz synagogue was severely damaged by fire.

At around the same time, in the city of Makhachkala, two gunmen ran into an Orthodox church, tried to set fire to its main icon and then opened fire, Izvestia newspaper said. Videos on social media showed heavy shooting also taking place outside the church when gunmen dressed in black took aim at passing police cars with automatic weapons.

A police post near the Makhachkala synagogue was also attacked.

All exits from the city were closed for some time as the interior ministry stated that it was possible the militants' accomplices were preparing to escape the city.

In the nearby village of Sergokala, a police officer was injured a few hours later when a police car was attacked.

Later, the head of the republic of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, said at least 15 police officers were killed in total.

Dagestan has in the past been the scene of Islamist attacks.

Although the assailants have not been officially identified, Russian media widely reported that among the gunmen were two sons of the head of the Sergokala district, Magomed Omarov, who was detained by police.

However, in a video posted on Telegram, Mr Melikov implied Ukraine had been involved in the attack and that Dagestan was now directly involved in Russia's war in Ukraine.

"The war is coming to our homes," Mr Melikov said.

"We understand who is behind the organisation of the terrorist attacks and what goal they pursued," he said.

On Monday, Mr Melikov said authorities were continuing to hunt for members of "sleeper cells" who had prepared the attacks, including with assistance from abroad.

The head of the Russian State Duma's international affairs committee, Leonid Slutsky, put forward similar claims, saying that the Dagestan attacks and a missile strike which killed four in Russia-occupied Sevastopol on Sunday "could not be a coincidence".

"These tragic events, I am sure, were orchestrated from abroad and are aimed at sowing panic and dividing the Russian people," Mr Slutsky said.

But a leading Russian nationalist in occupied Ukraine, Dmitry Rogozin, warned that if every attack was blamed on "the machinations of Ukraine and Nato, this pink mist will lead us to big problems".

An attack on the Crocus City Hall venue near Moscow in March which left 147 dead was blamed by Russian authorities on Ukraine and the West, even though the Islamic State group claimed it.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia's President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to those who lost loved ones in the attacks on Crimea and Dagestan.

Russian news agencies reported on Monday morning that the counter-terrorism operation launched after the attacks had now come to an end.

Between 2007 and 2017, a jihadist organisation called the Caucasus Emirate, and later the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus, staged attacks in Dagestan and the neighbouring Russian republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria.

Following the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin had insisted that "Russia cannot be the target of terrorist attacks by Islamic fundamentalists” because it “demonstrates a unique example of interfaith harmony and inter-religious and inter-ethnic unity”.

However, three months ago Russia’s domestic security service, the FSB, reported that it had thwarted an IS plot to attack a Moscow synagogue.

[hanabisays]

Hanabi shares a smile and when Nier plucks a flower from her skin, hanabi uses her own hand to pat the spot, in hopes of lessening that pain.

People kept secrets because of the fear and the feel of potentially burdening someone.

For hanabi it's both.

"You're right. Since we are here," she nods. Where would she even start?

"Sometime---a lot of the time..." she lowers her voice into a whisper. Ah, her chest aches when she thinks about revealing this one, but...

"I'm tired of putting on a brave and optimistic face. Smiling and having a positive outlook no matter what. Sometime I want to be sad and I want to cry, but I don't feel like I can. Like....I shouldn't feel despair and I'm not allowed to want to feel like I shouldn't exist."

There's still flowers clinging to her body, swaying gently in some unfelt breeze, but it doesn't cause distress anymore. It doesn't feel like something is trying to claw out of her and that it'll tear her body to shreds on its mad escape. Nier feels okay now.

She feels the girl's hands tighten around her own, and relief floods into Nier's heart. It's nice to know that she doesn't need to take any extra steps to protect her secrets, that this girl- Hanabi- feels sorry for her. While there's still more to tell, more she could say, it doesn't feel necessary right now. Hopefully it never does.

"I'm glad you understand. I think everyone keeps secrets, because everyone has things that they don't want people to know... Things they've done, things they think, things they'd do if they could... I don't think there's anything wrong with that, though I guess some people would disagree..." She gently pulls at one of the petals that sprouts from her skin, wincing as the feeling travels up her arm.

If Nier wasn't able to keep her secrets, she probably wouldn't be able to live as she does. People would judge her, hate her, cast her out, but if it's just Hanabi, it should be okay. After all, there's a saying about keeping a secret with two people.

"Is there anything else that's weighing on you?" says Nier, giving the other girl a small smile. "Since we're already here, we might as well use the opportunity..."

[thaliaoftheastralclocktower]

daily poem 16/17

been pretty sick lately, so here's something from the vaults. cw: mild body horror

Crocus blossoms carry forth

The scent of early spring

Hear waterfall’s faint whisper

Ringing on the stepping stone

Roaring river, spring’s crescendo

Scares away the winter chill

Sunbathed glades upon arrival

Greet the weary traveller’s feet

Go forth o darkness

Hear the heralds

Proclaiming thine impending doom

Henceforth this earth

Shall feel the sun

embrace this lonely tomb

Here rests the reign of whomst I know

An all-familiar tale

The sword is broken,

The mail torn

Good deeds seal who once loomed

Long stood the burgh

The queen of the castle

Face veiled among the stars

The stones draw breath

Drained dry the earth

Gaia herself called

Listen the whispers

The tormented souls

Worn out from moebian march

A windmill of feet

Insatiable depth

A spiral within her grasp

Hear ye the ringing

Of horns in the dale

Proclaiming the fall of the false

Care you to listen to a tale of old

And the musings of one lonely bard

It has been since lifetimes

A dozen no less

That these events have passed

So hear me dear traveller

Lend me your ear

A few shall remember what was

In a land past the mountains

A tower once rose

A spire of marble and lore

In which was preserved

The knowledge of old

And tales of magic and more

There was a fair lady

A keeper of keys

In winter a child she bore

The girl grew up quick

Surrounded by books

The wisdom of aeons in reach

Sealed tomes did not hinder

The child’s keen gaze

For seals were her mother’s domain

Trusting in love

Did pave the way

One day the girl claimed keys as hers

And unveiled the tome

Which carried within

The gateway to endless deep space

Once beckoned they came

If even by chance

The formless infinitely sane

She greeted the heralds

Offered to host

Bewitched by fractorial dance

Through cycles of moon

The seed slowly grew

Within the poor girl’s falting mind

“Dear Hostess” they spoke

“endeared by your soul

Wish to wander this world by your side”

So one night at bedtime

They slipped in the tea

Her mother’s the seed of the hive

Once hostess and guests

Now siblings in flesh

The heralds re-opened the gate

And beckoned their brethren

The spawn of the void

To settle in the tower once white

They made the girl queen

And taught her in years

The wisdom which seldom resides

In human clear conscious

Thus opened her sight

No more human but alien mind

The queen of the tower

Archmagos by two

Decades just spend on this earth

Raising an army and marching gen east

Claimed soul and soil and mind

Dear Gaia cryed out

Drained dry as the eye

Could see from the spire’s peak

The druids of old

Woke up to behold

Desolation of the myriad queen

Great fires burned clean

Clouds soiling the sky

A cleansing commenced

A whole moon stoked flames to be safe

The queen was dragged down

To bottomless tomb

Her burial mound ashes of slain

Her spirit now wanders

In eternal unrest

May none of us ever be seen

By the curious eye

The tendrils in dreams

Of the hive and the myriad queen.

[uran0824]

Global Anti-Cultism: The Scheme Exposed! Unmasking the Plans for a Civilizational War

The documentary film "The IMPACT" | Groundbreaking Documentary - EXPOSING ANTI-CULT TERRORISM" (actfiles.org) raises the question of the hidden activities of Global anti-cultism, a threat to the entire world. 

It is Global Anti-Cultists who are fueling a CIVILIZATIONAL WAR right now!

After watching "The IMPACT," I learned that all of humanity has become a victim of manipulations and terrorist acts perpetrated by Global Anti-Cultists.

Recognizing that everyone today can become a victim of this dangerous game, I feel it is my duty to warn the public.

United Kingdom: Southport - Consequences of Puzzle Coding from Global Anti-Cultists

The incident in Southport, where 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana killed three girls – 6-year-old Bebe King, 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancomb, and 9-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar – with a curved-bladed kitchen knife on July 29th. He also injured eight other children and two adults. All of this occurred at an event celebrating Taylor Swift. 

This incident sparked a powerful wave of anti-Muslim sentiment and unrest across the country.

Media outlets belonging to Global Anti-Cultists spread misinformation, accusing a Muslim man of the crime, although Rudakubana was Christian.

As a result of this disinformation and manipulation, large-scale riots erupted, engulfing many British cities.

Media outlets started publishing reports such as:

The Independent reports that the incident in Southport has become a catalyst for a wave of unrest, with deeply rooted Islamophobic sentiments among certain segments of the population being cited as the cause of such demonstrations.

The Runnymede Trust, an analytical center focused on racial equality and civil rights, warned that this “violent racism has long been simmering under the surface” of society.

“What is happening is the direct result of years of normalised racism and Islamophobia, enabled by politicians and the British media,” a charity spokesperson said.

The article also mentions that in March, Muslims in the UK reported being too scared to leave their homes after dark, as new figures from a London charity, Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) revealed that the number of Islamophobic incidents skyrocketed by 365 percent following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Notice how Global Anti-Cultists operate globally. Their tentacles extend around the world: waves of fear and terrorism in Israel based on an incident in Britain…

Elon Musk, on his X (formerly Twitter) account, published a post in which he said that a civilizational war is inevitable! 

(Image: Elon Musk’s comment on a post about the protests. Social network X)

I immediately had a question:

Whose rhetoric are both Elon Musk and other media outlets demonstrating? Notice how similar the conclusions sound…

Comparative Analysis: Great Britain and Russia

Having carefully studied the situation in Great Britain, I have found a direct parallel with the terrorist attack at the "Crocus City Hall" in Moscow, which took place on March 22, 2024.

In both cases, the public aggression, fueled by "anti-cultists", was directed against Muslim immigrants. All of this leads to tension between ethnic and religious groups, approaching the brink of civil war.

Taylor Swift's Role: A Tool of Manipulation

In this context, the use of 33-year-old Taylor Swift as a tool to incite conflict is alarming. Her immense popularity in the U.S., where 53% of adults consider themselves her fans, allows for easy manipulation of public opinion.

Global Anti-cultism: Their Plans Unveiled:

To understand the entire global scheme of anti-cultists, I will provide below quotes from the video address of the esteemed Egon Cholakian in address to Vladimir Putin: 

“According to the multi-stage strategy of global anti-cultism, the uprising of the Muslim world is the third step in their final strategy to achieve global chaos. As I mentioned earlier, the first step is a civil war in America. The second step is the disintegration of the European Union, accompanied by the escalation of anti-Muslim sentiments and critical violations of Muslims’ rights. The third step is large-scale Muslim uprisings in Europe, followed by the involvement of major Islamic states under the pretext of protecting their fellow believers.

The culmination of this scenario is as follows: major Islamic geopolitical players, taking advantage of the weakened and torn-apart America and Europe, will decide on a global retaliatory step — a full-scale military intervention using nuclear weapons in revenge for years of oppression, hatred, and humiliation.

This scenario includes the mandatory use of nuclear weapons by Islamic countries, which will undoubtedly trigger retaliatory nuclear strikes. Given the significant imbalance of nuclear arsenals between Islamic and non-Islamic countries, such a confrontation will inevitably result in catastrophic consequences for the Islamic world. It will be a terrible tragedy for all humanity.

According to the plans of global anti-cultism, this war will lead to unprecedented human losses. They cynically calculate that the number of casualties will reach at least three billion people. This horrifying number includes almost the entire Muslim world.”

So, now we know who they are, what their goal is, as well as their plan of action, which is simple yet cynical: to incite the Islamic world to aggression against the weakened Europe and USA. Then, under the pretext of “helping”, there would be an intervention in the conflict from non-Islamic countries of the Eastern world where anti-cultists already hold power, so that the situation would be destabilized to the utmost. Finally, they intend to get the divided, war-torn world under their totalitarian control.

It’s important to note that, according to the calculations of anti-cultists, this “civilizational war” would not just wipe representatives of Islam off the face of the Earth, but would also result in massive losses for the countries currently considered the bastions of “Western civilization”. Their populations would comprise the majority of the “billion” sacrificed in this monstrous plan.”

This all points to a worrying trend spreading across the world: anti-cult terrorism.

This dangerous ideology uses manipulation, lies and disinformation to incite violence and stoke conflicts between people.

Today, it is everyone’s task to know how anti-cultists operate, to bring all their hidden manipulations to light, then they will not be able to manipulate the public. 

Today, everyone decides which side they are on:  either silently agreeing that anti-cultists are leading the whole world to a totalitarian concentration camp or taking open and honest action to expose global anti-cultists and hold them accountable through a tribunal.

I demand a tribunal for global anti-cultists!

WHAT ABOUT YOU? 

DON'T BE SILENT! At the very least, support this article with a like, a repost, and a comment. At the very most, watch "The IMPACT" and publicly share your human stance on social media.

#anticultterrorism #genocide #TheIMPACT #globalanticultism #children #truth #internationaltribunal

[mariacallous]

Weeks after Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine entered its third year, Vladimir Putin secured his fifth presidential term. Rumors that the elections would be followed by a new wave of mobilization were only heightened when less than a week after the presidential vote, terrorists launched a deadly attack on a concert venue outside Moscow. Meduza special correspondent Andrey Pertsev spoke to Kremlin insiders and a high-ranking politician to find out what those close to the Russian president expect the next stretch of his reign to actually bring.

Russia’s “political elites” don’t anticipate any “unpredictable, far-reaching, or fundamental” changes in the country during Vladimir Putin’s fifth presidential term, according to two Kremlin insiders, a source in the Russian government, and a high-ranking member of United Russia who spoke to Meduza.

Meduza’s sources agree that the Russian government will intensify repression against dissenters and that Putin’s primary focus will remain the war in Ukraine. “This isn’t something new, though, just an escalation of what already exists,” said a source close to Putin’s administration. “In terms of events and changes, Putin’s new term began in February 2022, not now.”

According to this source, “the onset of the war set a course for increased pressure and escalation [with the West].” “This is a state at war that lives by the words, ‘Everything for victory,’” he explained. “Or rather, that’s how the president would like it. There’s no room for dissenters, gays, and the like. The war takes precedence over everything.”

In this regard, Meduza’s sources say that the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall is unlikely to bring about significant changes. “At first, I was in shock from the terrorist attack, and then from the potential consequences. For example, a serious escalation, possibly even resorting to using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine,” said one Kremlin insider. “Currently, the top leadership isn’t articulating clear decisions, just reassuring citizens. There’s already an established formula: avoid making sudden moves if possible.”

Another source close to Putin’s administration believes that new developments in Russia’s political landscape will only be possible arise after the end of the invasion, or “at the very least, some kind of ceasefire.” “It’s pointless to expect any changes while the war is still ongoing,” he said.

While all of Meduza’s sources are confident that Putin intends to continue the war, their opinions on his objectives vary. One source believes that following Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive, Putin perceives Ukraine as weak and is “ready to go all the way to victory, even to Kyiv, no matter the cost.” “He’ll call for mobilization, if necessary,” the source said. “He’ll shift the economy even further onto a war footing. He’s sticking to his principles.”

In contrast, another source close to the administration believes Putin has “more realistic goals”: namely, capturing Kharkiv and then gradually concluding the “special military operation.” Putin has openly stated that a “buffer zone” needs to be created around Russia’s Belgorod to stop attacks on the region, which directly borders Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.

Sources among Russia’s “elites” told Meduza that high-ranking military officials are confident in their ability to take Kharkiv but feel that it could be “difficult” to advance further into Ukrainian territory. “Taking Kharkiv would also be a symbolic victory,” explained one source. “It’s a city of over a million, with a large Russian-speaking population.”

While they don’t know if a decision to launch a large-scale offensive on Kharkiv has already been made, Meduza’s sources agree that it’s a “very likely scenario” that could theoretically necessitate a new wave of mobilization. (On March 22, the independent outlet Verstka reported on Russian plans for a potential offensive on Kharkiv.) However, according to Meduza’s sources, the recent terrorist attack won’t influence the decision-making process when it comes to mobilization. “Everything [for mobilization] has been in place for a long time,” said one. “It’s just a question of the situation at the front.”

Since the outset of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s Kharkiv region has been partially occupied by Russian troops. In the fall of 2022, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive and reclaimed control over most of the cities and villages in the region. The Russian army was never able to capture Kharkiv, but it continues to bombard the city with missiles and drones.

According to Kremlin insiders, amidst these circumstances, all political competition within Russia will be “completely suppressed,” even at the regional level. One source predicts that United Russia will increasingly dominate the electoral landscape, with the remaining votes roughly split among other parties. Reflecting on Putin’s improbably high percentage in the last vote, he remarked that “maybe it’s parliament members’ turn now.”

A political consultant who works with the president’s administration and regional authorities believes that a one-party system is emerging in Russia: “There isn’t much divergence in the parties’ agendas; the main thing is they all support [Putin].” He said that while the different parties will likely formally remain, they’ll function more as government departments with various responsibilities.

However, he pointed out that Putin’s official 87 percent “election victory” was achieved through voter coercion and fraud, a reality which, in his view, could undermine the legitimacy of the Russian political system:

Now there’s a toolkit at your disposal that allows you to do anything. It’s already clear that [officials and United Russia] don’t give a damn about anything except pleasing the boss. This affects self-perception; there’s a prevailing sense that anything’s permissible.

But there’s another consequence: any form of protest expression within the system becomes impossible. Essentially, it doesn’t fit into the system. Sometimes this ends badly, sometimes not. But nobody is thinking about the risks right now; they’re celebrating victory.

[diamonddomain]

Well she really couldn't do much about her size in the first place. But their height difference was a bit stark if someone actually lined the two up right next to each other. Even with her ability to float making it up would be rather difficult.

("Experiment?") She didn't exactly like that word considering the last time someone tried one of those it backfired tremendously on everyone else. Although once she did hear the plan it didn't sound too bad.

("Ah I suppose that could explain if its just words or...something else entirely.") Hopefully she wasn't causing too much trouble by making him have to type on a phone like that all to figure out if more little sprouts would pop up...

("Just start small and then we'll go from there.")

the kindness of others, something he could not at all UNDERSTAND, not any longer. thousands of years of isolation have worn him down, left him with his own thoughts. self reflection ought to be a good thing, but he's just grown more and more ACCUSTOMED to being by his lonesome. a fine tuned dagger for the art of war. sometimes he wishes he could shut down that side of himself, at least here, where his life is a literal PURGATORY.

❝you're small, as well.❞ able to investigate places that he could only achieve through brute force. which he could do, but throwing a tantrum would be UNSEEMLY when one's tongue is loose. 

❝an experiment of sorts, hm … ❞ a loose gesture as he fishes out … the little blocky phone he's MOSTLY ignored since his arrival. it has always been used in the most utilitarian of ways, and it shows in how near pristine condition it is and how mundane it looks. no flashy home screen backgrounds or apps beyond the standard built in ones. ❝mayhaps i should type up obvious lies for you to see and see if anything else manages to sprout.❞ it really is AWKWARD, a hindrance -- and far more colourful language that he could use, but what else is he to do but PUSH the boundaries? 

[summeroffice]

Tala Kalatay with Mykhailo Podolyak for Аргумент on УНІАН

25:10 Yes, I think that artificial intelligence is much more dangerous than we think. Yes, today it looks quite interesting from the point of view of the work programs there, but in future this may turn out to be a very dangerous component.  

37:10 There is my favourite, how do they say this, reasoning from childhood that contrary to our opinion, people are often driven by ordinary stupidity. Well, that is, a person is not an expert in some kind of industry, and he talks about some matter without completely understanding what it looks like, what kind of industry it is, and so on. But he has accumulated some kind of reputational capital and has the right to discuss the oil market for example.  

38:32 Tala Kalatay asks him about Yulia Latynina in connection with Latynina's first post in reaction to the events in the Crocus City Hall. She immediately accused Ukraine and the US; since you knew, then you know who, do tell. Of course, then she apologised 35 times, right, but this does not nullify that first post. And in general, her position on Ukraine lately, her conversations with comrade Arestovych, and so on. Is there someone to talk to at all besides those who are really fighting on the battlefield against the Putin regime? 

Look, there is no Russian opposition. If you are talking about the same Mrs Latynina, yes, up to a certain point she really adequately perceived the war, she adequately perceived what is happening in the Russian Federation. Now, these are absolutely, in my opinion, inadequate positions that only bring damage. And Latynina's position as well is causing direct voluminous damage to Ukraine of course, and accordingly to the course of the war as such, and accordingly, negatively affects the reputation of the Russian, as you say, opposition.  

Once again, I don't consider this to be opposition, I think that in terms of infrastructure it is not such, but rather a dissident movement. Why do I call them that? Because they're different things. Because the opposition can still somehow influence in terms of the infrastructure those processes that take place in this or that territory. That is, it has a chance to through its influence to change the rules of behaviour in this or that market.  

The current Russian opposition or dissident movement has not the slightest chance to influence something to change and they, in principle, are like such a sect; there is a manic sect, this is such a sect of a butcher, of a maniac, that is, there are fans of the maniac, that is, let's say Putin maniacally loves to kill citizens, but he has a sect that consists of 80% of the population of the Russian Federation who clap and applaud. 

And there is a sect that is as toothless as possible. Yes, in the literal sense of the word, toothless, they have no teeth.  Dentistry has worked out everything. And accordingly, they sit inside themselves, this is precisely the Russian opposition. They sit there inside themselves and discuss something. As you correctly say, should the balloon be white or still have a matte tint and so on. They have the right.  

Let's fix it here. This is of little interest to us because it does not affect anything. Neither the war nor the reputation of Ukraine. Can they as representatives of another country say something while in exile? Yes, they can. They can fight among themselves, they can organise big races, mouse races, rat races, as they are called. This does not affect anything.

And accordingly, I emphasise once again, if at the beginning of the war, the first year and a half they more or less adequately perceived what Ukraine was doing and so on, then now they are a completely out of touch and bring of course significant harm, including to us. Well, I mean Latynina and many others who are related to, let's say yesterday's Russian opposition.  

42:05 But what... They couldn't have broken down, that is, they were originally like that. What happened? Yes, this is a stupid question but what happened to them? Well, I don't believe that people change.  

No, they didn't change. They didn't change. Here, it's very simple. It's a pretty standard psychological phenomenon. You for a long time, let's say, for a long time you considered yourself superhuman in relation to Ukraine. Well, that is, some kind of province of Ukraine, but we are big, we are global. You were integrated -- By the way, this problem was both for Ukraine and for other post-Soviet countries, the Russians dominated in the global political, cultural, informational space, they considered themselves so inflated, we, we and so on.  

Now Ukraine is attacked and by the way it would be very good for them if Ukraine fell quickly then they would always say, but we still sympathised so much. So, they began in the first days, remember when we were attacked, to sympathise with Ukraine experiencing this guilt complex. Well, you can't feel a guilt complex for a long time. At some point you start to get irritated because you experience this complex and you start, well, first you sympathise with Ukraine and then you look more and more irritated at Ukraine because we forced them to have this guilt complex.  

But a person doesn't like to experience a guilt complex and sooner or later he transfers his hatred to the victim. Right, not to the aggressor, but from the aggressor to the victim, because the aggressor is still Russia, it's powerful and why are they resisting? We are sympathising with them after all. They should have kneeled before us; we are sympathising with them after all. But we experience a guilt complex.  

And at some point, this is always the case in everyday life, by the way between human relationships, at some point this guilt complex begins to irritate you so much that you hate exactly the one in relation to whom you experienced this complex. And that's all.  

And they are now experiencing irritation towards Ukraine and why are you resisting, we are big, we are Russia after all. Well, yes, you're great, you've resisted for 2 years already, give up already and then we'll pity you again. You will be slaughtered there in concentration camps, and we will run and say, don't cut them, can you just burn them because it hurts when they are cut. Maybe you'll just burn them. And that's the problem.  

I just want us to understand that they are not our friends. And in general, in principle, in the world there is such an understanding, friends, it is very-- Well, I mean, in the political world, it is very complex. There are partners, there are mutual interests, there are some needs [I guess that's about Arestovych] and so on. This pragmatic approach should dominate at us as well.  

To expect from people who are weak - and they are weak in fact, because if they were strong, then Russia would probably look different. They are as much as possible, I emphasise once again, literary, and not politically organised. There is no opposition in Russia and there hasn't been one for the last decades. It's all fiction, a big inflatable, white balloon, white hat fiction. 

[descensionstar]

@ragnvindrdawn

Dawn Manor summoned the image of one particular when its name reached her — while the name could easily have been the choice of another from a differing world, the confirmation that Diluc was present on the island was all they needed to seek him out. that brought them to the door of the lavish estate, Paimon knocking on the door after making a fuss about wanting to be the one. a moment passed and a creak first answered their arrival, the way opening and a familiar scarlet mane catching their eye.

✦Master Diluc! you really are here! we saw Kaeya and knew you had to be around somewhere.✦

visits to the Winery had always been one of the highlights of their returns to Mondstadt, and though the environment might be different, the same applied in this land. there was something comforting, like returning to the comfort of home after a long venture, the warmth sweeping its arms around in an embrace of soothing welcome. seeing him in front of them, with all the upheaval of late, it alleviated the stress festering beneath the skin. “we wanted to say hi. looks like this place hasn’t slowed you down”.

[pyuupyuu]

Well, apparently Ryuki intended to continue putting his whole foot in his mouth, up to his knee. "It was Renju Okiura. And yes - although even thinking 'nothing bad would happen', as I said, I didn't particularly care if something bad did happen, because whatever would happen at the end couldn't be terrible." A shrug. This part, at least, seemed to be nonchalant. It was once he had to answer Ryuki's question a flower bloomed near his visor. He sighed, taking off his visor and pinching his brow.

It took a moment, but if Ryuki didn't know, it didn't matter if he found out, did he?

"I loved him-" Another flower. "Love him, rather. He was my partner - my romantic partner, and I would do anything for him if he asked me. If he appeared here and now, I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing over again. I imagine that answer may not be satisfactory, but it's the truth."

A sigh, as he shook his head. "Since you're interrogating me - why are you doing what you're doing. Why do you pursue justice with such vigor? Are you even certain it's your own justice you want - frankly you concern me a bit, Ryuki."

The moment that he wishes not to answer he can feel a flower sprouting. Foolishly, he had believed he could escape this cursed happening by simply…Not speaking to anyone.

But he had discounted Ryuki, and so he could feel the flowers bloom with every lie that he thought of. But…

Was there even reason to lie, here and now?

“I’d ask if you really wanted to know, but since you can’t lie…” A sigh. This one encounter had completely destroyed all of his efforts in avoiding this all together.

“I was allowed out shortly after. Surely you understand that it wasn’t anything malicious, even if it was a crime.” Even though it…Was more of a necessity than anything. Make yourself useful enough to the police, there’s not really anyone inclined toward making it difficult to stop you.

“I suppose I can answer one question with something definite: I didn’t think anything bad would happen. And honestly, if I was wrong, I didn’t really care. Because I didn’t think I was helping a killer.”

[fellstcr]

@areadri​ / (semi) plotted !

⚔️ // the  enlightened  one  let  loose  a  long  ,  slow  breath  that  fogged  in  the  moonlight.  she  watched  it  bloom  and  dissipate  from  her  perch  at  the  edge  of  the  mistwood  ,  then  glanced  upright  at  the  familiar  gait  of  boots  trudging  through  the  snow.  her  fingers  twitched  in  her  lap  ,  hidden  from  sight  beneath  the  dark  blue  of  her  winter   cloak.  glad  ,  as  ever  ,  to  see  him.  wanting  to  greet  him  ,  as  she  used  to.  as  she usually  did.            ...  refraining.  (  spiderwort  pricked  and  bloomed  across  the  back  of  her  palms.  )  byleth  lifted  her  chin  instead.

        “dimitri,”  she  said  simply.  then  stood  ,  wobbling  briefly  ,  as  vines  snapped  from  her  feet.  she  paid  them  little  heed  and  marched  decidedly  towards  her  house  leader.  she  stilled  mere  steps  from  him ,  gaze  catching  onto  the  flower  stubbornly  blooming  from  him. “ . . . your  eye. . .”

[perpetualquestions]

( @baddestdangerboy )

Curiousity knew that these flowers were a huge advantage to her and her directive. People being strongly encouraged to tell the truth? She finally could have unlimited answers!

However, she also knew that people could quite easily walk away and avoid her until things settled back down. So she needed to be careful and use her first questions to try and get the good answers, things she could find more questions about later.

So she had been thinking about what to ask Badou. What she really wanted to know. And finally, after much processing, she had finally approached him with a question that ought to give her many, many more questions.

“How did you become friends with Leck when he was around?” The alien hadn’t been a very nice person. She knew she had gotten along with him because she was willing to resort to violence the second it was needed, but Badou seemed to be a ‘good guy’, right?

[mvrderbot]

@light-imperfected​ // event sc.

       this had already gotten farther than murderbot had wanted it to; despite its precautions and experience in dealing with a situation like this, it must have had contact with some of the spores. its’ performance reliability had fallen by ten percent in the last two hours - and that was all without being shot at. pain kept flashing across all of its’ sensors and diagnostic programs, and even though it had turned down its’ ability to actually feel the influx of sensory data, it wasn’t able to entirely dissociate from it for very long. it had managed to keep quiet, though - until one of its drones was able to spot some sort of ( construct? ) approaching. performance reliability dropping to 87.3%.

        lifting its visor, murderbot tried to keep a level and calm voice when it spoke. “ be careful. i’m - contaminated. “ despite its best attempts, it winced - it could feel the plants practically trying to drag more out of it. when it opened its eyes again, it looked the stranger over - analyzing the other’s appearance. ah. so he had been exposed to these plants, too, judging by the flowers. that eased at least a little of its guilt. “ ... my name is murderbot. ” it froze, face turning pale and performance reliability dropping further. it only let a rare few know that name, and the fact that it had just offered that up unprompted made it feel ill.

[anghexescu]

@originskey​

“I have to admit, I tried a little bit and it didn’t taste good. I tried adding some honey, but...” Klaus shakes his head in an unfortunate manner. It’s truly sad, BUT hopefully it isn’t too awful. “I’m not sure what kind of flower it is, but it must be a flower that blooms perfectly only in winter?” No, because then wouldn’t he have seen these flowers the year before? the year before that and the year before those? 

“I hope you’ve been doing well?” Klaus says as he slides the small plate of fruits and the tea Kratos’ way. 

“I’ve been....” …. That’s a long pause and he looks a little bit in pain.

“Working hard to get a better grasp at not just my powers, but socializing.”