#engrande

[coughloop]

Not to imply that there weren't racist/annoying/self engrandizing trans people on here before 2022 but i really do believe the 12 year backslide in feminist discussion and general discourse on here is directly traceable to the massive user migrations from reddit and twitter in the last couple years and the complete lack of self awareness they all brought with them

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

I think if I was in the right group I could!

I cannot fight, and I wouldn’t want to be the leader, but my hobbies are things like knitting and trying to make baskets and bread. I work well with others and I feel like I can usually do any task I’ve been assigned like 80% right on the first try. I feel like I’d be a big asset but only as the “stay at camp” person.

Like I’m not gonna be the main character but when the main person DOES return to camp there’s food and storage and blankets waiting for them.

Okay you know the “what’s my Roman Empire” joke? My Roman Empire is if I could survive in a post apocalyptic world. I go back forth on if I could but I literally think about it all the time lmao

Oh my god YOU GET IT

My main Roman Empire thing is smallpox. Like, the fact that we ERADICATED it in the 1900s. Note: smallpox killed an estimated 400 million people in that century alone. It has been around for thousands of years of human history. And, through vaccines and education and the international cooperation of scientists, humans obliterated it from our population (save for some bioweapons reserves, and I'm sure it's in the environment somewhere, but whatever)

So if the zombie apocalypse DID break out...maybe there's hope?

So what's your decision on whether you could survive post-apocalypse (zombies or none) today👀

[freevoidman]

I don't want to bring up the wonderful asshole the tag has been aquainted with as of late (*coughcough* gold *coughcough*) but I do find it absolutely hilarious that tonight, probably at most an hour after trying to argue again about how rwby is such a great show and diving into the rwde tag to pick fights, he got rid of his self-engrandizing monologue about how he has a reputation for picking fights and "if you've heard that, it's probably right! But I'm trying to be better :)"

[karagatantalabuwan]

Masaya raw ang pag-ibig na engrande. ‘Yung pumupukaw sa mata ng karamihan, pinupunan ang mga parating gusto at kahilingan. Pag-ibig na tumatangay sa bawat hininga, parating labis ang saya sa salita man o sa gawa. Pag-ibig na pangako parati ang buwan at mga tala, na hahamakin ang lahat para lang sumaya ang pagsasama. Binabalot ng mabubulaklak na pananalita, saplot nito ay ang mga papuri ng madla. Pero iba rin ang pag-ibig na kampante. ‘Yung pumupukaw lamang sa puso n’yong dalawa, pinupunan lahat ng mga pagkukulang at pangangailangan. Pag-ibig na pinapayagan ka na huminga, walang labis at kulang sa mga sandaling tinatamasa. Pag-ibig na pangako lamang ay tahanan sa ilalim ng buwan, handang harapin ang mga pagsubok na minsa’y mabigat, minsa’y magaan. Na hindi lamang tumpok ng bulaklak ang sukatan ng pagmamahal, pati na rin ang pag-unawang hindi kailanman mapapagal. – https://campsite.bio/karagatantalabuwan

[himbos-hotline]

hc + 🤕 for a pain-themed headcanon for kenny

Pain is something almost comforitng for him. Its something that he can wrap himself into like a blanket. Hes grown up aching, his knees from tripping over on conrete, his head from hockey. His chest for allowing people to poke and hold his heart. He allows people to walk around his chest and dig a home into his ribs and it aches, it hurts. But he never really closes that door. He hurts so much all the time. Pain is the only thing kenny can really be sure of. He understands pain, he knows what it means what it does. Pain is something so engranded in him, its almost a second name to him. Kenny Omega hurts so much and you see it in his eyes, that flash that everyone pretends not to see. Hes in so much pain and he aches, he hurts. But that hurt is so familiar that its almost just him. If he doesnt ache, or burn himself up..what really is he?

[toesuckler]

i do not care for the times people brag about not listening to others 👍 i find it self-engrandizing and dicksucking.

[memitodu29]

Christine (La Vie) Engrand ? Députée RN : Défaut de permis, paiements pa...

[benefits1986]

major_proposal.superfinal

How to be a master pitcher? Eto ka o. Eto.

Sa ngalan ng mga immersion ng avoidant niyong noona sa mga engagement emerut at wedding kemerlatik both for folio na wala sa online pati na rin sa mga paganaps ng mga XY in my hood, eto na. Lapagan na.

Paano nga ba ang proposal pro max? LUH.

First, alamin mo ang biases niya. Pero syempre, malagay ka ng "so what" mo para may lived experience kayong dalawa sa kung anong kaganapang ipapaganap mo. 'Di puwede 'yung nakita mo lang 'yung peg o kaya naman nasa Pinterest boards niyo lang dalawa. Huy. Ang aga-aga na naman.

Second, anong vibe? Nostalgic ba? Sob story is a super go-to reaction pero naman. Ganun na lang ba talaga kaya mo? 'Yung vibe is something na mala-Inside Out 2 na 'di OA. 'Yung parang nonchalant siya tapos kahit ayaw niyang mag-OA, sobrang tinde ng nonchalant na sapul na sapul, wala na siyang contentions.

Third, less is more. HODOR. 'Wag mong gawing homily na may grand vigil pa ang haba ng itatawid mong paganap. Ambobo lang talaga. Simplehan mo lang saka 'wag mo ng gawing matalino masyado, pero dapat 'yung choice of words IYKYK and nakaka-relate din naman kung sino mang gusto mong i-invite.

Fourth, never fucking use "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" Pinaka bobo 'yan sa lahat kahit na magpa-roll down ka ng malaking banner sa Petronas Towers or magpa-drone lightshow ka sa Tokyo habang nakasakay kayong 2 sa helicopter. SO WEAK. Soooooo weeaaakkkkk. Samples include:

A: Will you be my home forever? >> Slant: Expat na umuwi sa Pinas kasi akala niya homecoming party lang. Hahahaha. Boogsh.

Side Note for socmed post just in case gusto mo 'yung ganun >> Slant: Yesterday, she flew back to MNL. Today, we're coming home together, finally. EMS. Hohohohoho. Luh. Medyo panget pa, pero IYKYK, edit mo na lang. God bless.

B: Will you make my ultimate birthday wish come true? >> Slant: Birthday party nung nagpo-propose tapos boogsh. Hahaha. Plot twist 100000x.

Side Note for socmed post just in case gusto mo 'yung ganun: Slant: You are the birthday wish I never saw coming. EMS. ULOL. Mukha mo. Hahahaha.

C: Ikaw na bahala. Matalino naman tayong lahat e. Galingan mo na lang. God bless you.

Fifth, 'siguruhing maayos ang pagluhod. Tacca. Hahahahaa. Eto 'yung isang weirdo thingy na sige, okay. Gawin na 'yan sa ngalan ng gender roles na 'di naman talaga kailangan. Hahahaha. Kahit nga sa non-hetero proposals, may ganito pa e. HAHAHAHA. HUY. Easy. Pero, ayun, paki ayos kasi panget sa video. Paki practice lalo na if kalas-kalas na head, shoulders, knees, and toes mo at pati na rin siya, if applicable lang naman. God bless you more.

Sixth, 'yung drip mo at drip niya. 'Di naman need engrande. Kabobohan na naman 'yan. Basta dapat 'yung story mo, tuhog na tuhog. Example kung nasa Pulag kayo, iayon mo sa hindi ikaka-cringe ng mga kasama niyo sa peak. Paki usap. Iba 'yung clout chasers sa totoong nakaka-awwwww 'pag nacapture sa frame.

Seventh, work around a specific budget and timeline. Yep. Ganun talaga. Parang normal project lang 'yan nung grade school. 'Wag mong complicate masyado. 'Di mo na kailangan ng glam team o ano mang posh team diyan. Best pa rin handmade e na tank build 'yung BTS. Hahahahaha. Saka 'di mo mabibili 'yang ganyang takada. Puro.

Eighth... hindi ko na naman alam ang tamang spelling ng "eighth". It ate me up so early in the morning. Ayun. Iayun din ang ring sa kagustuhan ng pagbibigyan at sa lifestyle niya. Diamonds are not forever pero sige, 'yun kasi nakasanayan. DM me for quality leads ng mga suppliers. Hahahahah. Naging networking pala. Maraming options na mas may sense tulad ng turning the pet ashes to precious stones, black diamonds, blue and pink kaemerutan, atbp. What I'm saying is don't be basic. 'Di ka bitch if XY ka. Hahahaha. Kung XX ka naman, dapat mas alam mo na 'yan sa ngalan ng period na madalas synch sa monthly cycle niyo 'pag nasa isang bubong na kayo. Che.

Ninth, venue. 'Yung hindi baha. Haahahaha. Tacca na naman. Saka 'di mainit. Ganern. Kung sa beach, paki putok ang sunset with candy colored skies na walang filter. Saka 'yung dapat kakaiba kahit popular pinned location siya. 'Yung walang tao o asungot. Venue na 'di lang maganda sa paningin mo, pero 'yung pake ka at siya rin. Tawang-tawa pa rin ako sa mga proposals forda gram pero first time nilang pumunta doon tapos ligaw-ligaw pa sila papunta. BOBO. Ayoko na lang mag-talk because nga, mabait na ako.

Tenth, actually, puwede namang anti-climactic kasi 'di naman ibig sabihin na proposal pro max is a grand thing. 'Yung grand pang grand prix lang 'yan saka grand finals. So, tantanan mo na lang din kung 'di naman 'yan 'yung kagustuhan nung pro-propose-an mo. Baka sungitan ka lang tapos mag hard NO. Ikaw din. Ikaw bahala. Magaling ka 'di ba? Hahahaha.

Marami pa 'yan pero 'wag na lang kasi TMI na naman. :p Bahala na lang talaga 'yung mga susunod na kabanata mga bata. Hahahahaha. Peace out.

Nga pala, kung nagtatanong ka kung kaya ko bang magpa-event ng proposal? OO naman kaso 'di bayad kasi ayoko ng ayoko kausap saka bobo kausap na hambog levels 10000000x pro max din e. So, ayun. You have been fully informed na rin. Thanks. Warmest regards. BTW, so far, 101% batting average ko sa mga super rare projects ko na 'to. So 'wag ako. Tabi. Baka ako na lang magpropose? EMS. Hahahaha. PS1: Have to check talaga if kaya ng pain tolerance ko ng botox ng clavicle very soon. And syempre, kung magkano ba 'yun sa legit na pa-loadan. Hahahahahahahahaha. O baka ending, 'wag na lang kasi baka kung ano pang mangyari sa nananahimik kong kaluluwa noh? Malapit na ang December kaya naman, tacccaaaa girlyyy.

PS2: Parang malapit na rin 'to sa template ng wedding na mid. Hahahaha. Abangan? Abangan!

PS3: Congrats sa bagong proposal na na-approve. Good job-ish? Hahahahahaha. On to the next era na pala e. LUL.

[crabs-in-a-trench-coat]

I was so brave today not showing how irritated I was with coworker girl going on a tirade about how much harder than everyone she works and why blah blah imaginary scenario about thing she handled or how she would handle

I've never seen somebody so happy to be an imaginary martyr AND self-engrandize their every action

[panitikansakukongpaghihirap]

Ang Pilipinas sa Kuko ng Kahirapan

ni Claudia Ghaderpoor

Makikita ang dalawang klase ng lipunan sa pagtingala sa guhit-tagpuan—matatanaw sa taas ang mga engrande at nagsisitaasang mga gusali ng mga mayayaman at nakaaangat; tila walang alam o pakialam sa paghihirap na nanunuot sa bawat yerong pinagtagpi-tagpi sa mundo ng ibaba. Ito ang mukha ng Pilipinas sa kuko ng liwanag.

Ang Pilipinas ay nabibilang sa mga pinakamahihirap na bansa sa Timog-Silangang Asya—baon sa trilyon-trilyong utang at papaunlad pa lamang hanggang ngayon. Ang ating mga tyansa sa panlipunang pag-unlad ay tuloy-tuloy na naisasakripisyo para sa personal na interes ng mga nakaupo sa pwesto—upang maisakilos ang sistema ng korapsyon, kasakiman, at katiwalian. Sa sistemang ito, masasabing karapat-dapat lamang sa pag-unlad ay ang piling kakaunti na may hawak ng kapangyarihan o pera. Tila ba'y walang karapatan ang karaniwang Juan sa lipunang itinayo sa dugo at pawis niya.

Sa paglawak ng dibisyon sa pagitan ng labis na paghihirap at labis na pagpapasasa sa yaman, nakukulong ang naunang klase sa kawalan ng oportunidad sa pag-unlad—na labis na ipinagkakait sa kanila ng sistema. Ilang bata pa kaya sa tambakan ang titingala sa kalawakan upang isipin na sulyap lamang ito ng kanilang mga yumaong pangarap na sumisilip sa bawat guwang? Kung saan ang edukasyon ay hindi tinitingnan bilang karapatan, ngunit bilang napakataas na pribiliheyo na hindi makakamit. Ang mga kawalang-hustisyang ito sa ating masa ay dumadaloy sa bawat aspeto ng lipunan—mula sa kawalan ng boses sa gobyerno na magsasalita para sa kanilang mga hinanaing, hindi sapat na sahod sa kabila ng mga kondisyon na iniinda sa trabaho, kawalan ng matinong “healthcare system”, at marami pang iba. Ang lahat ng ito ang kumo-korte sa hugis ng Pilipinas bilang isang lipunan—isang bansang pinapakilos ng korapsyon at kahirapan.

Dapat manindigan tayo para sa hinaharap ng ating bansa—isang bansa na makalalaya mula sa karahasang dulot ng isang korap na sistemang kumikitil sa bayan. Upang makamit ito, dapat mapukaw ang ating kolektibong diwa tungo sa pagpapanagot sa mga abusado sa kapangyarihan at pagbangon sa masalimuot na pagtitiis at pamumuhay sa kahirapan.

[isyaelwrites]

sa iyong litrato, mga istoryador humahango

iyong litrato (niya) parang imahinasyon kung saan— ang tawag ko sa'yo ay mahal ko

Mayari, para kang buwan na silaw sa mata, silong sa punding kandila— upos sa paulit-ulit na gabing walang kapalitan ng palaisipan (tuwing nagdidilim)

mapapaniwala mo akong isa kang reinkarnasyon ng enkantada; sa katawang tao ay higit na nakahahalina.

no'ng ako'y maliit pa lamang, sa mitolohiya ng Griyego at Romanya ko nalaman: Diyos at Diyosa ay hindi maaaring silayan kun'di ikaw ay mahahatulan—kung kaya't sa tuwinang ngalan mo'y banggitin ako'y sa lupa na agad ang tingin. ngunit siguro'y iba nga sa kultura natin— may minsang nagtama ang mga mata, kabod kabog ng dibdib at kabig ng bibig; kung mortal man akong maituturing, bakit hindi nagliyab at naging abo sa paanan mo? sa halip, abot-kamay, kausap na parang tao sa tao.

alam mo bang parating sumasagi sa isip ko ang taglay mong bait at talino— si athena? diana? wala sila sa'yo. nais ko tuloy alamin ang ating sariling mga alamat at mito, baka sakaling may makapagpaliwanag nitong pagkahagas ko sa'yo; at bakit, kung ikaw ay kawangis ng lambana, diwata, at iba pa - mga pigurang engrande, sinasamba at inaalayan ng mga bulaklak at kanta— ay tila walang katakot-takot sa'yo— ang ibig ko lamang sabihin ay dahil ang gaan ng presensiya mo.

sa oras na ito, pitong minuto bago mag-alas otso, naalala ko na naman ang imahe mo— paanong hindi mapapaisip kung ang kasalukuyang katotohanan ay malayo sa gusto ko. siguro kagaya na lang nitong mga kwentong kinalakhan ko, hindi man maaari sa buhay na ito— karamihan sa romantiko, ang dulo'y tagos sa puso— gayunpaman ay patuloy ang paghanga sa'yo.

[acsiennt]

Chapter 4: An Offer

KASDEYA ARGYROS' Point of View

Zyiam Argyros. I almost forgot my true father's name.

Kung hindi lang siya nabanggit ng lalaking nasa harapan ko, baka hindi ko na naalala si Papa.

Seven years ago, I used to have a family. Kaming dalawa lang ang miyembro ng pamilyang yun, still, it's considered as one.

But my relationship with my father was odd.

All I knew was his name, face, and our connection by blood. Lagi siyang wala sa bahay dahil sa trabaho kaya nasanay ako na wala siya, ngunit hindi ko alam kung saan siya nagpupunta.

His profession, the basic facts about him, and even our relatives are all unknown to me. We almost never spend time together dahil lagi siyang wala sa bahay. Hindi rin naman ako nag-rereklamo dahil hindi kami close ni Papa, at halos nawalan na rin ako ng paki sakaniya at sa kung ano ang ginagawa niya.

I was left alone in our house. And at the age of eleven, I already know how to fend for myself without any help.

But maybe I do know a few things about my father. At least two facts about him. One, he used to love this one song that he played on the piano. And two, men and women alike would fall on their knees for him.

May itsura si Papa. Mayroon ring nagsasabi sa akin na sakaniya ko raw nakuha ang itsura ko and I couldn't disagree more. Hindi ko kamukha si Papa kahit saang anggulo. The only thing we have in common is our weird charcoal-colored hair. His eyes, on the other hand, were a dark shade of pink.

My father was attractive, unusually so for someone of his age. One can even mistake him as a younger man because of his features. Mapa-babae o lalaki, nagkakagusto sakaniya kahit anong edad pa man. Kulang nalang ay malusaw si Papa dahil sa mga tingin nila.

'He is as beautiful as a Greek god statue.'

People would always say that. Dati, that little comment would completely pass my mind. But thinking about it now, I realized that it contained a clue to who he actually is.

My father is the same as me. Parehas kaming demigod, at isa lang ang ibig sabihin no'n.

I am a descendant of two Greek deities.

My father's deity parent, and his wife.

Sinundan ko ang lalaking nagpakilala sa akin bilang Adonis Castello patungo sa loob ng Acropolis. We enter the roofed entrance, and my eyes stay on the white fountain spewing gold liquid at the center of it.

A gasp escapes my lips nang makita ko ang kabuuan ng Acropolis. From the gate, I can already tell that it's extravagant inside out, pero mas engrande pa rin ang bumungad sa akin.

Halos mapapikit ako dahil sa magarbong buildings. Everything is either gold or made out of white stone and marble. The gold roofs reflect the colors of the rainbow when the sun hits it just right.

Bubungad sa'yo ang isang malaking arena pagpasok. At first glance, there is a lot of stairs and castle-like buildings. It's too much to take in. Tila nasa loob ka ng isang syudad na gawa sa mga magkakaduktong na palasyo. The fields are dotted by demigods of different ages, some are in casual clothes while a small percentage are in uniforms similar to what the two demigods were wearing earlier.

What in Tartarus is this? Tahanan ng mga aristokrata?

But we don't stop there. The man leads me towards the biggest castle behind the giant arena at pumasok kami sa loob nito.

Just as I thought, mas engrande pa sa labas ang loob ng main building. It's surrounded in gold and marble, while the walls are hugged with white wallpaper. Kumikinang ang bawat dekorasyon at frame na nakasabit sa pader. Everything around me is dazzling, beautiful, and grandiose.

Nakakasuka.

Halos mapairap ako sa hangin sa tuwing makikita ang isang dekorasyon na gawa sa ginto o marmol. It's too much for me. Masyadong nakakasilaw, ang sakit sa mata. Masyado akong nasanay sa madilim at madumi.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa sahig. Even the floors are made of polished white marble accentuated with gold veins. Our shoes click loudly on the glassy floor, lalong lalo na ang hooves ng satyrs na kasabay ko.

Tatlo silang nakapalibot sa akin. One on my right, one on my left, and the third one behind me. Parang ayaw nilang makawala ako, takot na takot na baka kumaripas ako ng takbo paalis pag hindi nila ako binantayan.

But I know better than that. Hindi ako tatakbo... malalaman nila kung saan ako pupunta. They already have me by the neck with no other choices, as if this small thing is only for safe measures.

It doesn't feel different when I was locked up in a foul prison cell for years.

Pinagmasdan ko ang likod ng lalaking nagpakilala sa akin kanina. Adonis Castello, the Deputy Commander.

Deputy, which means he's not the actual person that runs this place. It's someone else, pero malamang hindi ko kilala. I couldn't care less about the world of the gods.

Bakit aalahanin ko pa ang mundong sumira sa normal kong buhay? It's better to forget everything rather than face them, especially when it made me fear for my own life.

My survival hangs on a thread after that accident. Nagbago ang lahat para sa akin at sobrang bilis nito. I forced myself to adjust so I can continue living, and that's when I became desperate for a normal life.

People want to be so different and I never understood why.

Would they still wish to be unique if this is what they have to go through? Ang ipaglaban ang karapatan mong mabuhay dahil walang rerespeto sayo kundi ang sarili mo? This world is nothing but a battlefield, but it's not the strongest who survives.

It will be those who could adjust the fastest.

Tumigil kami sa harap ng isang malaking double doors. Nauna ang dalawang satyr na katabi ko at binuksan nila ang pinto bago pumasok sa loob ang lalaking sinusundan ko. Huminga ako ng malalim.

Lumingon sa akin ang matandang lalaki at ngumiti. "Pasok ka."

Hindi ko maiwasang mapatitig sa mukha niya. He looks nice and civil, the wrinkles on his face means he's a smiley person. He reminds me of a certain Orphanage Director.

Nanlalamig ako. Because of the niceness he's showing me, I can't help but think of his inner vileness and ulterior motives.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng kwarto. Nahagip agad ng mga mata ko ang dalawang bookcase na nasa magkabilang gilid ng silid. Sa gitna, may mga sofa na pwedeng upuan ng maraming tao para makipagkwentuhan.

An officiate's seat and table rest at the very back of the room. Pinagigitnaan ito ng dalawang statue, isang babae at lalaki. Based on their silk-like attire, regal postures, and the famed lightning bolt on the man's hand and the peacock beside the woman, it's easy to guess who those statues are supposed to represent.

Zeus and Hera— King and Queen of Mt. Olympus. The same gods at the entrance of the Acropolis.

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa mga statue bago ibigay ang lahat ng aking atensyon kay Adonis Castello.

Tumigil siya sa harapan ng lamesa bago sulyapan ang satyrs na nakakabit nanaman sa akin. Still with a smile on his face, he orders them. "Iwanan niyo na muna kami ni Ms. Argyros."

And just like that, the three half-goat creatures leave the room, closing it shut behind me after. Nanatili ang walang emosyon kong titig kay Adonis.

He's the opposite, sobrang bait ng ngiti sa kaniyang labi habang nakatingin sa akin. When he stares, his eyes soften as if he remembers something while looking at me. Mabilis rin naman siyang nakabawi. "Maupo ka."

"No." Matigas kong sambit bago humakbang ng kaunti palapit sakaniya. "Get to the point so I can leave this stupid place."

The blond man sighs deeply, tila nahihirapan magsalita. "Your really are Zyiam's daughter. You and your father have the same glare and sharp tongue."

I grit my teeth in annoyance. Napakuyom ang dalawa kong palad. "How do you even know him?" Nagpipigil kong tanong bago siya bigyan ng masamang tingin.

I can't let my guard down, not even once. Hindi pa ako sigurado sa lugar na pinasukan ko. As far as I know, this place is riddled with the energy from the Olympian deities and it's infested by their loyal descendants. Baka mamaya, kasing sahol lang sila ng mga gods at ng Katharsis.

Huminga siya ng malalim bago isandal ang kaniyang likod sa lamesa. He gives me a gentle gaze. "Your father... He was a demigod like you. Before he had you, naging estudyante siya rito. I was one of his subordinates and closest companion. Kabisado ko na ang mga kilos ng Papa mo. Behind that cold exterior, he was the type of man who would do anything for the people he loved the most,"

Yumuko ako at napatingin sa sahig na gawa sa makinis na kahoy. A small scoff escapes my lips as a shadow conceals my face. If my father really did care about anything else but himself, then no matter how we may seem identical in our attitude or actions, he is nothing like me.

"Zyiam was the best among the best. Distant but empathetic and cold but caring. Tinatago niya ang totoong kakayahan ng kaniyang pagmamahal. He is son of Aphrodite, one of the Olympians, and he told us the least love yet he was the person who did the most for everyone." Pagpapatuloy niya.

Tumaas ang tingin ko sakaniya. "Get to the point. Bakit ako nandito?"

At the back of my mind, I already figured out my father's ancestral lineage. Hindi ko mapagkakaila na may itsura siya, his features make the man the media claims to be the most handsome look bland and ordinary.

Tingin at presensya palang, nahuhulog na ang mga taong nakakasalubong niya. One gaze and they start swooning over him with jelly legs and heart-shaped eyes. Napapairap nalang ako sa kawalan pag napapansin ang malalagkit nilang tingin sakaniya.

When that happens, I glance at my father. But he would only be looking straight, paying no heed to the multiple men and women who are basically undressing him in their minds. Sigurado akong napapansin niya, pero wala siyang ginagawa.

For someone so attractive, he wasn't interested in dating despite people asking him out often. I thought it was because he was too busy... or if he still loved my mother. Kung sino man siya.

"You want something from me, right?" Muntik nang manginig ang labi ko habang nagsasalita. "Kaya dinala ako rito. Ano bang gusto mo sa akin? Why do I have to be taken here with or without my consent?"

His eyes, which used to be gentle and warm, now turn stoic as he gets serious. "Because I― No, we need your help."

I blink, but the lack of humor and playfulness in his eyes remain, which means that none of this is a joke.

Gusto kong matawa sa inis ngunit pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. "At anong klaseng tulong naman ang mabibigay ng isang normal na taong katulad ko?"

Tumaas ang kaniyang mga kilay. "Normal? Is that how you perceive yourself? You think you're normal?" Parang siya naman ngayon ang natatawa sa sinabi ko. "I'm sorry to tell you this, Ms. Argyros, but nothing about you is normal."

It feels like being hammered in the head a thousand times over. Out of all the truths that can be said and thrown at me, this is the one I hate to hear.

"Isa kang demigod. Pinatay ng Katharsis ang tatay mo at kinulong ka sa kanilang headquarters ng anim na taon. Nothing about that is normal, Kasdeya,"

Parang kutsilyo ang bawat salita niya. "Is that why you were living amongst mortals like a normal teenager? You want to be one of them?"

"Shut... up." Nagpipigil kong sambit. I can feel the warmth from the liquid that's slowly cascading on my palm. My nails dig dipper into my skin, not only tearing my skin but my flesh too.

I know I should stop deceiving myself that I am normal. I know I shouldn't be dreaming of a life I'll never have.

My past keeps haunting me like a loud shrieking noise, chanting those words over and over again. Lagi nitong pinapaalala sa akin ang mga sugat na natamo ko, ang mga sigaw na kumawala sa labi ko dahil sa sakit, at ang latigong dumadapo sa balat at laman ko.

Hindi ito tumatahimik. Sa tuwing nararamdaman kong tila isa na ako sa mga normal na tao, it will start an alarm in my mind to remind me of the horrible things that fuel my nightmares and fear for Death.

Adonis Castello sighs once again before walking closer to me. Umupo siya sa sofa na malapit sa akin. His gaze is back to how it was earlier, as if he knows the madness happening inside my mind.

"I know I shouldn't have brought it up pero iyon ang totoo. Alam kong mahirap para sa'yo lalo na't madami kang pinagdaanan... From your father's death to your imprisonment, I'm aware of all of it. Kaya gusto kitang tulungan. And in the process, I will need help from you too."

So they're going to use me in the guise of sympathy.

By adding an incentive, which is the 'help' he's talking about, tingin niya ay papayag akong magpagamit dahil may rason ako para sumunod sakaniya.

"What do you want?" I decide to humor him for a bit.

Napansin ko ang pag-angat ng mga sulok ng kanyang labi. "As you know, I am only the Deputy Commander of this place. Ako ang tumataguyod sa Acropolis sa ngayon,"

Hinintay ko siyang magpatuloy. "The thing is our actual Commander, Ellenore Mathias, is being held captive by the Katharsis."

A breath gets caught up in my throat when he mentions that name. Naalala ko ang pangalan na yun.

The people who imprisoned me said something about finally catching the sinew of their most awaited war, but I didn't give it much thought.

Lalong sumama ang pakiramdam ko. I'm not sure if I like where this conversation is heading. "And what do you want me to do about it?"

He purses his lips. I know he's waiting for this moment. "Kilala mo ang Katharsis. They are a secret organization that vow to serve Gaea and her will. The Acropolis barely have any information about them. As someone who was with them for a few years, you know them the best. And you are our last hope..."

What is he talking about?

"Kasdeya Argyros... Please, we need your help." He pleads. "We need the information you know about this organization so we can save our Commander."

To ask a former prisoner about the men who held her hostage for years...

Not bad.

Humalikipkip ako. "At ano naman ang makukuha ko kung tutulungan ko kayo?"

Umayos siya ng upo. "As a half-blood, living with normal humans is dangerous―" Napangiwi ako. "Delikado ang ginagawa mo sa labas, Kasdeya. You are practically waltzing inside a lion's den. Acropolis was built by demigods to protect demigods. This is a place for people like you, so they can be safe from outside danger and learn how to protect themselves."

He leans in closer as a sign to take him seriously. Nawala muli ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi. "If you accept my deal, you will be accepted here and I will make you a member of the Hellenes."

"Hell what?"

"Hellenes," Pag-uulit niya. "A group of specialized demigods, the juvenile military force of Acropolis. They are trained rigorously and sharpened beyond perfection. Becoming one suits you, you carry the same aura as your father and..." He hesitates to continue. "The benefits it will give you are very useful.

"Most of our demigods are aiming to be a Hellenes dahil iba rin ang treatment na makukuha nila. Katharsis won't even be able to touch you and I'm making this kind of offer only to you, this is not an opportunity you can decline so easily."

Tinitigan ko ang Deputy Commander. He's dead serious, yet confident. Halatang hindi biro ang mga sinasabi niya sa akin. But something still feels amiss.

Different treatment, rigorous training, and perfected in all aspects. Why would you separate this kind of benefit from the other demigods?

May hindi siya sinasabi sa akin. These Hellenes he's talking about, siguradong may dahilan kung bakit sila tinaguriang kakaiba.

Pinagmasdan ako ni Adonis Castello na tila kinikilatis ang nasa isip ko. He's probably trying to figure out if I'll accept or not, but base on the small yet slightly noticeable twinkle in his eyes, he is almost sure I will agree to his terms.

Napangisi ako.

"Ayoko."

Unti-unting nawala ang pagkinang ng kaniyang mga mata bago ito manlaki na parang hindi makapaniwala. "You're... declining?"

"Hindi ako papayag na magamit niyo ang kahit anong impormasyon na hawak ko. You're right, I do know how Katharsis works, and it's for this reason why I don't want to make them my enemies."

From my escape and up until now, there are only two thoughts in my mind; Normalcy and survival.

Gagawin ko ang lahat para bumalik sa normal ang buhay ko, gaano man kahirap. My existence is stained with the gold markings of the divine gods but it will not stop me from covering it with black ink that represents mortality.

Nakatakas na ako sa kamay ng mga taong nagpahirap sa buhay ko ng ilang taon. Hindi ko na babalikan ang mundong konektado sakanila.

I want to live a normal life like how other people are doing it. Gusto kong mamuhay ng payapa, magkaroon ng mga kaibigan, makakuha ng trabahong bagay sa akin, and maybe, get adopted by a family like Ryo. Those are my dreams.

And it certainly does not have anything to do with deities, monsters, and other creatures.

Tumayo na ako mula sa sofa. Nagawa akong sundan ng tingin ni Adonis Ezeklon kahit na mukhang gulat pa rin siya sa desisyon ko. "I don't care about your offer. Hindi ako magtatagal rito."

"But we can protect you! That is supposed to be your main priority. Mahahanap ka rin ng mga halimaw at papatayin ka nila pag bumalik ka sa mundo ng mga tao." Pagrarason pa niya, ngunit ayaw ko nang makinig.

I exhale loudly. "I know about the monsters and their extreme gluttony for half-bloods, but I can take care of myself. Hindi ko kailangan ng proteksyong sinasabi mo."

Naghanda na akong umalis, ngunit bago pa man ako makatalikod sakaniya, tumigil ako para magsalita muli.

"Also," I give him a side glance. "If I wanted to go here, I would've climbed up on this hill the moment I freed myself from them... But I'd rather fool myself than get close to the reasons why I still can't sleep at night."

And with that, I turn and walk out of the door.

. . .

The Map of Acropolis:

[punmonster]

ugh im reminded of something stupid i said on my old art here and tumblr wont let me delete the text. hoping no one will interpret what i said in bad faith (its wasn't offensive i was just full of myself and phrased my au as belonging to me in a self engrandizing way)

[himbos-hotline]

Any new Jay or the polycule headcanons? I wanna hear all of them boo!!

*cracks knuckles* OKAY SO!! not really a polycule headcanon more of a jay and kenny headcanon that is now deeply engranded into my soul. So Kota adopts Jay during the elite being suspended [kenny goes back to japan, the bucks take jay to see his boyfriend, jay falls over and Kota goes "that is a seven year old child, and that is now my SON"] and Kota is very big on reminding Jay that she is loved goddamn it!! so he constantly tells Jay that he loves them in japanese [which Jay doesnt speak] but Jay can tell that it means something *important*

and so like after forbidden door or when Kenny dissociates, Jay sits up with him and when Kenny cant like, focus Jay randomly comes out with "I love you" in janpanese and it startles kennys brain and hes like "where'd you learn that?" and Jay just replies "someone important taught me it."

Theres something so important to me about how the golden lovers both see Jay fall and thats the start of them loving her. Just different. Kenny sees Jay in a matter of utter desepration and fear and anger diving off the top rope and nearly killing herself whereas Kota seeing them trip over in an airport because Matt gave him sleepytime tea and Jay stands on his own shoelace

[alighted-willow]

I will never intentionally consume media featuring content from an ai, it backgrounds, animation, art, voices, etcetera. And I am not saying this because refusing to engage with said content will have any meaningful impact; it won't. Putting aside the fact that I am one person and that you are one person, boycotts are just not the way to go about things.

Boycotts are not productive in doing anything other than making a statement, and the people who use ai aren’t respecting statements from creators and people in general so why should I assume that they'll care about whatever I have to say? The only thing boycotts are really good for is making us feel productive. That's not inherently a bad thing, it's actually good, but it would be egregiously self engrandizing to think it at all helpful.

Folks often talk about things like the Boston Tea Party and how that boycott helped but that wasn’t a boycott, it was far closer to a riot. It was the deliberate and violent destruction of property and that’s what works. That’s what always works. Peaceful protest is flimsy at best and so long as bureaucracy fails to instill and enforce legislation preventing the unauthorized use of people's work, peaceful protest will not a change make.

As much as I hate it, I do think that ai is the future. I do believe that we will eventually, inevitably be seeing the relegation of craft to a few quick keywords and the possible omission of artistic labour in the workforce. I do not think anything I do will change this outcome and I fear for professional artists, writers, and everyone else who will be rendered obsolete.

What I do think can be changed, and what I pray for, are protections for original content. I wasn’t really able to participate in the political sphere outside of voting in the presidential elections for the last few years per being wholly whipped out by familial, occupational, academic, and medical restrictions (long-covid fucked me up) but I am mostly better now and hope to take a more active stance moving forwards. Assuming that the relapse isn’t also inevitable, I want to look into what I can actually do.

But none of that is why I abstain from ai content. It makes me physically uncomfortable and that’s it. That’s everything. There is no deeper reason as to why I don’t comment on cool art that turned out to be generated, no other reason why I give movies a quick once over to see if anything prominently present was made through theft. Just like how a vegan refuses to eat animal products in spite of their stance on the matter not changing how that animal died and lived.

I refuse to engage because I put my heart and soul into my art and to see other people's craft mutilated is deeply upsetting.

[xxxyoothesx]

Ang Pambihirang Tadhana ng Batang Mahika - Sandria

Noong unang panahon, sa kakaibang nayon ng Zirconville, may matatagpuan sa gitna ng mga gumugulong na burol at kumikinang na batis, may nakatirang isang batang babae na nagngangalang Santia. Siya ay may ordinaryong buhay, nag-aaral, nakikipaglaro sa kanyang mga kaibigan, at Tumutulong sa kanyang mga magulang sa kanilang panaderya. Hindi alam ni Sandria na isang pambihirang tadhana ang naghihintay sa kanya, isang puno ng mahika at pakikipagsapalaran. Isang araw na nakababahala, Si Sandria ay naglakbay papunta sa hindi kalayuan sa kanilang nayon. Siya ay natisod at napadpad sa kakaibang tagong lugar na napapaligiran ng kakahuyan matapos lamunin ng lupa at may nakikitang ilaw na nanggagaling sa langit. Nagtataka, habang nag-iingat siyang humakbang pasulong natuklasan niya na may isang kumikinang na kristal sa loob ng isang magagandang bulaklak. Natulala sa kagandahan nito, inabot ni Sandria para hawakan ito, at sa sandaling iyon, dumaloy ang enerhiya sa kanyang mga ugat.   Lingid sa kanyang kaalaman, nagising na pala ni Sandria ang kanyang mahiwagang kapangyarihan. Ang kristal, na kilala bilang Heartstone, ay pinili siya bilang tagapag-alaga nito, na nagbigay sa kanya ng kakayahang gamitin ang mga puwersa ng mahika. Palibhasa'y nabigla sa bagong kapangyarihang ito, bumalik si Sandria sa kanyang nayon, hindi sigurado kung ano ang gagawin sa kanyang pambihirang regalo. Ang mahiwagang salita na kakayahan ni Sandria ay kumalat sa buong Zirconville, na umabot sa mga tainga ng isang matalinong matandang babae na nagngangalang Madam Mystica. Nakilala ang potensyal ni Sandria, hinanap niya at naging tagapagturo niya, na ginagabayan siya sa masalimuot na mundo ng mahika. Sa ilalim ng pag-aalaga ni Madam Mystica, natutunan ni Sandria na kontrolin ang kanyang kapangyarihan at bukasan ang kanyang tunay na potensyal. Sa paglipas ng panahon, lumago ang reputasyon ni Sandria bilang isang mahiwagang kababalaghan, at nakilala siya bilang Tagapagtanggol ng Zirconville. Sa kanyang walang hanggan na pakikiramay at hindi natitinag na katapangan, ipinangako niya na gagamitin ang kanyang kapangyarihan upang protektahan ang kanyang nayon mula sa anumang banta na maaaring lumabas. Kasama ang kanyang tapat na mga kaibigan na si Finna ang adventurous na batang imbentor at si Ellanin ang maparaan na mahilig sa kalikasan, sinimulan ni Sandria ang mga kapanapanabik na pakikipagsapalaran upang protektahan si Zirconville. Hinarap nila ang mga nananakot na nilalang, nilutas ang mga bugtong, at nalutas ang mga sinaunang misteryo, habang nakatuklas ng mga bagong kaharian na puno ng mahiwagang nilalang at mga nakatagong kayamanan. Gayunpaman, habang mas lumalalim ang pag-aaral ni Sandria sa kanyang mahiwagang paglalakbay, natuklasan niya na ang isang masamang puwersa na kilala bilang Shadow Realm ay pumapasok sa kanyang nayon. Sa madilim na mahika at walang humpay na pagnanais para sa kapangyarihan, hinangad ng Shadow Lord na patayin ang liwanag ng Zirconville at pamunuan ang lupain. Dahil nababatay sa balanse ang kapalaran ng kanyang nayon, hinarap ni Sandria at ng kanyang mga kaibigan ang kanilang pinakamalaking hamon. Gamit ang kanilang tapang, pagkakaibigan, at kapangyarihan ng Heartstone, sinimulan nila ang isang mapanganib na pakikipagsapalaran upang harapin ang Shadow Lord at ibalik ang kapayapaan sa kanilang minamahal na tahanan. Sa isang engrande at epic showdown, hinarap ni Sandria ang Shadow Lord, na inilabas ang kanyang tunay na mahiwagang potensyal. Sa bawat onsa ng lakas at pagmamahal sa kanyang puso, pinalayas niya ang kadiliman, at ang Zirconville ay muling naligo sa mainit na ningning ng pag-asa at liwanag. Habang nagagalak ang nayon, napagtanto ni Sandria na kasisimula pa lang ng kanyang paglalakbay. Sa kanyang bagong tuklas na kumpiyansa at isang nag-aalab na pagnanais na tumulong sa iba, nagtakda siya upang galugarin ang mga bagong mahiwagang kaharian, nagpalaganap ng kagalakan, kabaitan, at pagkakabighani saanman siya pumunta. At kaya, ang alamat ni Sandria, ang mahiwagang bata, ay lumago at umunlad, na nagbibigay inspirasyon sa mga henerasyon na maniwala sa kapangyarihan ng mahika sa kanilang sarili. Sa kanyang nakakahawang espiritu at hindi natitinag na determinasyon, itinuro ni Sandria sa mundo na kung minsan, ang pinakapambihirang pakikipagsapalaran ay matatagpuan sa puso ng mga ordinaryong bata.