The holiday express animated train set

I'm going off of what I know based on having played all three games and having read all three PM novel things (Wonderlab, DD, and Leviathan). I haven't read Don Quixote, so there may be story details incorporated that would make it so I wouldn't know how it'd turn out. The basis of this theory goes off of the only other time we've hear knights mentioned in the PM universe, considering Don didn't have a visceral reaction to the N. Corp inquisitors. They were lines said by Sen in The W. Corp Cleanup Crew chapter in Library of Ruina. As they were entering the library, he was telling Lesti about how a kingdom with knights was one of the outcomes of time spent in the Warp train. I first thought up this theory when looking at the art on Don's ego, La Sangre de Sancho. The trauma in the background, a merry-go-round with people instead of horses, had lights and a blue-grey that reminded me of a Warp train. Then I began thinking about ways that Don could be related to a Warp train experience. First, it's important to note she has a Warp Cleanup Crew identity, which doesn't seem as important as it would be to Faust. Next, Don's ego is called La Sangre de Sancho and the weapon she uses looks like it's made of blood (sangre), which makes sense considering liquid's strange physics on one of the trains. It could literally be a weapon made of Sancho's blood (they could be someone of importance to Don). I considered how a merry-go-round is fun because it goes around in a loop for a long time, which could be reminiscent of how time feels on a Warp train (looped for a long time, not fun). The horses on the merry-go-round in the trauma have been replaced with people, which brings me into the Oswald connection. The people in the image of the trauma are in the place where horses are ridden. The skeleton of a horse is seen as a shadow in Don's ego art. If she were riding on a horse, the only way she could have one in a Warp train is if it were made of the passengers. We know PM would get this gruesome because the last time we saw people combined to make animals was with the fight of the 8 O'Clock Circus in Urban Nightmare, made by Oswald. This connection makes sense to me because of Don's promotional art having a circus/carnival in the background, looking at the merry-go-round and the ferris wheel. Seeing as we don't know his backstory and how his semi-distorted form is that of a jester, which falls in line perfectly the kingdom theme, I think if they met, it would mean he made the horse that Don might've rode on in the train. It makes sense for him to want to distort into something that makes people happy in a place as desperately depressing as a Warp train. Since he can manipulate flesh in strange ways, he also could've made the weapon that Don uses as her ego. The theory about her backstory being W. Corp based also makes sense considering the order and possible setting of where her chapter would be. Her's is 7th, after Yi Sang, Ishmael, and Heathcliff. From where we are in District K as of Chapter 3, it would make the most sense for Yi Sang's chapter to be in District L, as it is the origin of the light and how the light's manipulation properties coincide with how the boughs work and how Mirror Identities are pulled and made manifest from reflections within people's possible universes. From District L, Ishmael's chapter, with her backstory being very water-based, would make the most sense taking place in District U, with it's border with the Southern Sea. That would mean Heathcliff's chapter takes place in either District V or T. If it's T, then the theory's disproven and I can't predict anything about the future, considering we know nothing about District S, the next district over. If it's District V however, that can make sense with V's small border to the Southern Sea and the rain/body of water shown in Heathcliff's promotional art and ego art. Therefore, after District V, Don's chapter would either take place in District M or W. I don't know enough about District M to be able to formulate whether her chapter would be there, but if it's in W, then my theory no doubt in my mind becomes true. A minor detail I think also alludes to the theory is that in the art for La Sangre De Sancho, Don's playing with two figures and making them fight, one red and one blue. If she were to live in a Warp train, she would no doubt be covered in blood, which could coincide with the red figure. If that were the case, the blue figure would represent a Warp Cleanup Crew member. The only two details that throw me off are the art's language messages and the possibility. I don't know what the Korean and Chinese mean in the art and would appreciate a translation at some point. I also don't know how she or Oswald would get from being in a Warp train to being outside with the past experience. My theory is that they for some reason couldn't be killed in the train, so they were detained, as she is shown in her ego's art. They both have J Corp seals placed in their minds about the train, Oswald escapes, and the deal Vergilius mentions in Chapter 3 is alluding to a deal he made to get Don out of W. Corporation's custody. She wouldn't want it mentioned considering she may not remember the train, but she may remember killing the people in it, which would allude to the impaled people and blue-grey hue in her trauma in the ego picture. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, I'm sorry it went on for so long, but I felt some of the details were necessary to connect Don's possible past and our silliest clown. If you disagree, tell me why you do, I'd like to know about how the book she comes from ties back to her and her past. If you agree with my theory, thank you! Spread this around and see if you can get some feedback on it!

§ 8. As from the direct light of the sun to the borrowed light of the moon, we pass from the immediate idea of perception, which stands by itself and is its own warrant, to reflection, to the abstract, discursive concepts of the reason, which obtain their whole content from knowledge of perception, and in relation to it.
As long as we continue simply to perceive, all is clear, firm, and certain. There are neither questions nor doubts nor errors; we desire to go no further, can go no further; we find rest in perceiving, and satisfaction in the present. Perception suffices for itself, and therefore what springs purely from it, and remains true to it, for example, a genuine work of art, can never be false, nor can it be discredited through the lapse of time, for it does not present an opinion but the thing itself. But with abstract knowledge, with reason, doubt and error appear in the theoretical, care and sorrow in the practical. In the idea of perception, illusion may at moments take the place of the real; but in the sphere of abstract thought, error may reign for a thousand years, impose its yoke upon whole nations, extend to the noblest impulses of humanity, and, by the help of its slaves and its dupes, may chain and fetter those whom it cannot deceive. It is the enemy against which the wisest men of all times have waged unequal war, and only what they have won from it has become the possession of mankind. Therefore it is well to draw attention to it at once, as we already tread the ground to which its province belongs. It has often been said that we ought to follow truth even although no utility can be seen in it, because it may have indirect utility which may appear when it is least expected; and I would add to this, that we ought to be just as anxious to discover and to root out all error even when no harm is anticipated from it, because its mischief may be very indirect, and may suddenly appear when we do not expect it, for all error has poison at its heart. If it is mind, if it is knowledge, that makes man the lord of creation, there can be no such thing as harmless error, still less venerable and holy error. And for the consolation of those who in any way and at any time may have devoted strength and life to the noble and hard battle against error, I cannot refrain from adding that, so long as truth is absent, error will have free play, as owls and bats in the night; but sooner would we expect to see the owls and the bats drive back the sun in the eastern heavens, than that any truth which has once been known and distinctly and fully expressed, can ever again be so utterly vanquished and overcome that the old error shall once more reign undisturbed over its wide kingdom. This is the power of truth; its conquest is slow and laborious, but if once the victory be gained it can never be wrested back again.
Besides the ideas we have as yet considered, which, according to their construction, could be referred to time, space, and matter, if we consider them with reference to the object, or to pure sensibility and understanding (i.e., knowledge of causality), if we consider them with reference to the subject, another faculty of knowledge has appeared in man alone of all earthly creatures, an entirely new consciousness, which, with very appropriate and significant exactness, is called reflection. For it is in fact derived from the knowledge of perception, and is a reflected appearance of it. But it has assumed a nature fundamentally different. The forms of perception do not affect it, and even the principle of sufficient reason which reigns over all objects has an entirely different aspect with regard to it. It is just this new, more highly endowed, consciousness, this abstract reflex of all that belongs to perception in that conception of the reason which has nothing to do with perception, that gives to man that thoughtfulness which distinguishes his consciousness so entirely from that of the lower animals, and through which his whole behaviour upon earth is so different from that of his irrational fellow-creatures. He far surpasses them in power and also in suffering. They live in the present alone, he lives also in the future and the past. They satisfy the needs of the moment, he provides by the most ingenious preparations for the future, yea for days that he shall never see. They are entirely dependent on the impression of the moment, on the effect of the perceptible motive; he is determined by abstract conceptions independent of the present. Therefore he follows predetermined plans, he acts from maxims, without reference to his surroundings or the accidental impression of the moment. Thus, for example, he can make with composure deliberate preparations for his own death, he can dissemble past finding out, and can carry his secret with him to the grave; lastly, he has an actual choice between several motives; for only in the abstract can such motives, present together in consciousness, afford the knowledge with regard to themselves, that the one excludes the other, and can thus measure themselves against each other with reference to their power over the will. The motive that overcomes, in that it decides the question at issue, is the deliberate determinant of the will, and is a sure indication of its character. The brute, on the other hand, is determined by the present impression; only the fear of present compulsion can constrain its desires, until at last this fear has become custom, and as such continues to determine it; this is called training. The brute feels and perceives; man, in addition to this, thinks and knows: both will. The brute expresses its feelings and dispositions by gestures and sounds; man communicates his thought to others, or, if he wishes, he conceals it, by means of speech. Speech is the first production, and also the necessary organ of his reason. Therefore in Greek and Italian,, speech and reason are expressed by the same word; Logos¬, il discorso. Vernunft is derived from vernehmen, which is not a synonym for the verb to hear, but signifies the consciousness of the meaning of thoughts communicated in words. It is by the help of language alone that reason accomplishes its most important achievements,—the united action of several individuals, the planned co-operation of many thousands, civilisation, the state; also science, the storing up of experience, the uniting of common properties in one concept, the communication of truth, the spread of error, thoughts and poems, dogmas and superstitions. The brute first knows death when it dies, but man draws consciously nearer to it every hour that he lives; and this makes life at times a questionable good even to him who has not recognised this character of constant annihilation in the whole of life. Principally on this account man has philosophies and religions, though it is uncertain whether the qualities we admire most in his conduct, voluntary rectitude and nobility of feeling, were ever the fruit of either of them. As results which certainly belong only to them, and as productions of reason in this sphere, we may refer to the marvellous and monstrous opinions of philosophers of various schools, and the extraordinary and sometimes cruel customs of the priests of different religions. It is the universal opinion of all times and of all nations that these manifold and far-reaching achievements spring from a common principle, from that peculiar intellectual power which belongs distinctively to man and which has been called reason. Besides this, no one finds any difficulty in recognising the manifestations of this faculty, and in saying what is rational and what is irrational, where reason appears as distinguished from the other faculties and qualities of man, or lastly, in pointing out what, on account of the want of reason, we must never expect even from the most The philosophers of all ages may be said to be on the whole at one about this general knowledge of reason, and they have also given prominence to several very important manifestations of it; such as, the control of the emotions and passions, the capacity for drawing conclusions and formulating general principles, even such as are true prior to all experience, and so forth. Still all their explanations of the peculiar nature of reason are wavering, not clearly defined, discursive, without unity and concentration; now laying stress on one manifestation, now on another, and therefore often at variance with each other. Besides this, many start from the opposition between reason and revelation, a distinction which is unknown to philosophy, and which only increases confusion. It is very remarkable that up till now no philosopher has referred these manifold expressions of reason to one simple function which would be recognised in them all, from which they would all be explained, and which would therefore constitute the real inner nature of reason. It is true that the excellent Locke in the “Essay on the Human Understanding”, very rightly refers to general concepts as the characteristic which distinguishes man from the brutes, and Leibnitz quotes this with full approval in the “Nouveaux Essais sur l'Entendement Humaine” But when Locke comes to the special explanation of reason he entirely loses sight of this simple, primary characteristic, and he also falls into a wavering, undetermined, incomplete account of mangled and derivative manifestations of it. Leibnitz also, in the corresponding part of his work, behaves in a similar manner, only with more confusion and indistinctness. In the Appendix, I have I have fully considered how Kant confused and falsified the conception of the nature of reason. But whoever will take the trouble to go through in this reference the mass of philosophical writing which has appeared since Kant, will find out, that just as the faults of princes must be expiated by whole nations, the errors of great minds extend their influence over whole generations, and even over centuries; they grow and propagate themselves, and finally degenerate into monstrosities. All this arises from the fact that, as Berkeley says, “Few men think; yet all will have opinions.” The understanding has only one function—immediate knowledge of the relation of cause and effect. Yet the perception of the real world, and all common sense, sagacity, and inventiveness, however multifarious their applications may be, are quite clearly seen to be nothing more than manifestations of that one function. So also the reason has one function; and from it all the manifestations of reason we have mentioned, which distinguish the life of man from that of the brutes, may easily be explained. The application or the non-application of this function is all that is meant by what men have everywhere and always called rational and irrational.

Overall
Overall, The Finals has a ton of potential if the performance issues can be worked out. My system was only getting about half the frames or less that I get on every other modern shooter. The input delay was atrocious at over 40ms of system latency when my system is under 10ms on any other game. This made the gunplay and movement very lackluster when those are the most important things to me in a shooter game.
Graphics were great. Tone and aesthetics were very fun and gave 'Ready Player One' vibes. Music was good and fitting. Cosmetic combinations will be fun and hopefully kept relatively cheap in credits cost. Training area was a plus for getting your controls set up and learning how to work with the environment and weapons. Menus were clean and easy to navigate.
I enjoyed the action (even with bad performance) and felt my brain trying to quickly come up with creative ways to attack or escape in gunfights in a cat-and-mouse style. Going in and out of buildings as they are destructing and while the environment is rapidly changing is challenging but very rewarding when you are able to adapt and succeed at doing so. I surprised myself with some pretty crazy plays I didn't know I was capable of. Working with a solid team definitely helps.
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Please Add the Following:
- ADS Sensitivity Multiplier and ADS FoV options
- "Damage dealt" to scoreboard
- "Healing delivered" to scoreboard
- Killfeed
- Enemy Squad wipe notification across screen
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Bugs:
- Cloaking is sometimes completely invisible and impossible to see any longer. Seems to be worse on dark and rainy maps.
- Hooking onto ziplines from the ground sometimes doesn’t catch, like they’re too high above your head to clip on to.
- Reviving still grabs and picks up player piece sometimes. Also, if the piece is next to an object like a flower pot or gas cannister, the piece needs to have priority instead of always grabbing objects near it.
- When spectating your teammates, sound was much louder
- During big building damage sequences, performance drops into single digits and is unplayable
- Friendly player collision while running next to each other gets caught on each other, slows down running and stutters
- Running through doors doesn’t always open them
- Fully charged paddles don't always revive
- After respawning or being revived, sometimes my gun can’t fire
- Footstep audio was really hard to pinpoint amongst buildings, sometimes a complete lack of direction. Teammate footsteps seemed louder than enemies most of the time as well
​
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Possible Suggestions
- Killing enemy reduces spawn timer by a couple seconds for your downed teammates?
- Healing Gun seems to be overpowered, especially with 2 or 3 teammates equipping it plus defibs. What if the healing beam turned yellow and temporarily paused while that healed player is taking damage? Or if the healing player takes damage, their beam is turned off the same way cloaking abilities do? When I was in a team of 3 mediums all with beams and defibs, we were untouchable.
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Conclusion
I didn't note everything I ran into but this is the best I could do from memory. Game feels like it needs one more closed beta, then a big open beta before final release. I'm looking forward to some more game modes and definitely a few more maps. PLEASE don't release this game until the performance issues and input lag are fixed. Even if it means toning down destruction or something. Whatever needs to be done. Excited to see what the talent at Embark comes up with though.

So I checked WoT Express to see if there is some new stuff leaked which may or may not give my hope back a bit. On their website there is a list of proposed changes, both exclusive to RU server and common for all servers. Below is a list of changes which I considered interesting. Although there are changes planned for both servers, I only list RU exclusive changes.
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1) Changes to consumables
After the change small consumables (Repair kit, Med kit and Fire extinguisher) will get the former effect of their large counterpart:

• Repair kit will repair all damaged modules
• Med kit will heal all injured crew members and remove the Stun effect
• Fire extinguisher will activate automatically

Large consumables will keep their original active effect, but they also get a passive effect: a 3 second window which complements the main effect as follows:

• Large repair kit: while the passive effect is up, no modules can be damaged
• Large med kit: no crew member can be injured or stunned
• Large fire extinguisher: the vehicle can't be set on fire, engine and fuel tanks can't be damaged.

Also, the new "small" consumables will now have a cooldown of 105 seconds.
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2) Experience on Elite vehicles
Currently, players need to choose whether they want to keep accumulating XP on their vehicles with Elite status or have Accelerated crew training on. After the change, players will not need to choose. Once a vehicle reaches Elite status, Accelerated crew training is automatically enabled, while also being able to collect XP which later can be converted to Free XP.
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3) Crew changes
Roughly the same, the main difference is that BiA will start working, although with a weaker effect, even if only 1 crew member has it. Additionally, Mentor now also gives bonus XP to the Commander (haven't checked whether this will be the case for us, too).
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4) Changes to Stun mechanics
Stun will essentially become a bit weaker and more predictable.

• On average, the Stun duration has been reduced by 3 seconds for every SPG
• The strength of the effect has been reduced by 20%
• Spall Liner now reduces the Stun duration by -25% and -35% when used in a special slot (was -10/-15 previously).

So that's it, this is what the Russians are getting. What do you think about these changes? Are they good, bad, or just a sidegrade without any meaningful impact?

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6. Analytics Cloud: Helps businesses gain insights into customer behavior, track sales performance, and make data-driven decisions.

Overall, Salesforce helps businesses improve their customer experience, increase efficiency, and grow their revenue by providing a comprehensive set of tools to manage their customer relationships.
​
https://www.sevenmentor.com/salesforce-training-in-pune.php

Hello! I recently made a post on the main Socionics reddit regarding my confusing between IEE and EIE. https://www.reddit.com/Socionics/comments/11xagi1/studying_socionics_confused_between_eie_and_iee/
I learned a lot from that thread and my conversations with others, and feel like I have a better grasp on the system. In order to not fill up the Socionics reddit with more type confusion stuff, I wanted to follow-up on here to see if someone would help me and continue probing me for questions/info about my type! I have a hard time seeing myself as myself without direct feedback from others, so I've hit a snag in terms of my thinking and research.
I attached parts of the questionnaire as well below, I tried to keep the answers brief since there's so many.
##Section 1
**1. How do you work? Why do people go to work? Are there any parameters that determine whether you can do work or not? What are they?*\*
I work in bursts, I have a hard time doing work unless its meaningful to me or benefits others in a way I can see. I think a lot of people go to work just to survive, not necessarily because they enjoy it. That's a system issue which I could go into, but for the sake of this questionnaire, I won't. I think the world would be better if people worked on what they were passionate about and enjoyed and could make a comfortable salary. When I don't agree with the morals/ethics of the work I'm doing, feel it is menial or detrimental to society, I tend to not want to work. Especially if I'm being ordered around. I usually like making my own decisions and being the leader. I'm indecisive, but can be decisive when it comes to figuring out what's best for others. I have a hard time working for myself. I have so many ideas that I'd like to launch and people have told me I have so much potential...but its hard for me to activate it and get going, because I just don't see myself as being that valuable as the wellbeing of others.
**2. How do you determine the quality of work? How do you determine the quality of a purchase? Do you pay any attention to it?*\*
Quality of work depends on the result. If the result is good, I feel it's okay even if the way it was completed was not "following procedure." Quality of purchase I usually determine by doing research on product and what others are saying. I usually like to get the best product I can even if its something small/not used often. I play a lot of attention to that, also along to how the product makes me feel.
**3. There is a professional next to you. How do you know they are a professional? How do you evaluate their skill?*\*
Usually based on their status or how other people perceive them. I can be a bit indifferent to a professional, I see people as pretty much equal regardless of their social status/standing. Usually I think there's too much hype around them and sometimes I won't really agree with societies perception if my understanding/experience differs.
**4. If you struggle to do something, how do you fix that? Do you know if your performance is better or worse than others?*\*
Usually I research or ask others. A lot of times I get stuck on my own in tasks related to myself. Like trying to understand myself. Usually once I talk to someone else I can get a better understanding of what I'm doing wrong and everything clicks. I used to play games competitively and would constantly make the same errors, unable to realizing them myself. Someone would point it out and change my thinking/approach and then I would be able to improve myself as if a weight was lifted. Usually I compare my performance to my past self, I'm most in competition with myself but I also compete against others in private. I want to outdo others, but I'm not cutthroat about it.
**5. How do you measure the success of a job? What standard do you use? Do you pay attention to it? When should you deviate from this standard?*\*
This is kind of hard for me to answer, I don't focus on the things in this section that much. Usually success for me means not failing or reaching the standard. I seem to prioritize avoiding failure more-so than reaching for success. Failure as in running out of town, losing out, making a fatal error...etc.
**Meta-analysis:*\*
This whole section is hard to answer, I don't really focus on it. Or well I only do when the need arises, it feels like I need to switch myself over to think about these things, but I'd much rather be invested in other more positive things and not think too much about this. It feels very business like, which I am able to do, but I do these things to achieve the goal of positive change in the world or helping others, reaching my vision.
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##Section 2
**1. What is a whole? Can you identify its parts? Are the parts equivalent to the whole?*\*
I don't really know??? I think something is whole when it's fully fulfilled? I can identify the parts perhaps, but I don't know if they're equivalent? They're only equivalent if the whole is meaningful as well? Hard for me to answer this one.
**2. What does "logical" mean? What is your understanding? Do you think that it correlates with the common view? How do you know you are being logical?*\*
Logical to me is about consistency. I don't know if I'm logical or not, but I strive to be when it is needed. I don't really know how to tell, but perhaps I would say I'm being logical if I'm being consistent in my thoughts/methods. To follow-up, I think I can change myself to be almost anything depending on what is needed, but not for long. I think a lot of people feel they are more logical than they really are, especially people who try to remove emotions from the nature of things all together.
**3. What is hierarchy? Give examples of hierarchies. Do you need to follow it? Why or why not? Explain how hierarchy is used in a system you are familiar with.*\*
Basically things that have status over others. I play/love video games so one of my first thoughts are tier lists, they place certain characters in higher positions due to being innately stronger by whatever criteria is relevant to the game. I never really agreed with this because how can we say something is ALWAYS better than the other? For instance, a person can get really good at a specific characteplaystyle and dominate everyone else. I feel when people focus too much on following these things it becomes dogmatic and takes the fun out of things. Even if you want to win, what is the point if you're not doing it your own way? If you're always following what everyone else is doing, what is the point in anything because its no longer your life.
**4. What is classification? How does classification work? Why is it needed and where is it applied? Give examples.*\*
Assigning something to a group or discovering what group it belongs to. Like uncovering the nature of an animal by identifying what group it belongs to scientifically. It can be useful to easily identify similarities between different things or create a system that allows you to draw conclusions without extra work.
**5. Are your ideas consistent? How do you know they are consistent? How do you spot inconsistency in others' ideas?*\*
I would think that they aren't consistent. I don't think it matters though if they are consistent as long as the meaning behind them is consistent. For instance I can change the way I view things pretty easily (and myself) so I wouldn't say I'm a consistent person internally. Outside I can appear as such but its more of a survival based trait less of a natural one. I don't really look to critique inconsistency in others so it's not natural to me. Instead, I like to find certain errors and help a person improve them. Actually the more I think of it, it might be looking for inconsistency. I was always good at proofreading others work, not just for punctuation/grammar, but to see if their ideas make sense in the grand scheme of things. It's unconscious for me to do this, I don't put much thought into it and comes into my head naturally when I see something that feels "incorrect."
An example is when someone is drawing a conclusion and it feels like it's somewhat right, but goes to the state of being extreme. Maybe someone had a bad run-in with a certain gender or culture and they assume all of them are are the same...this doesn't feel right because even though one experience was that way, it's not correct/consistent to assume that all other experiences will be the same. Like correlation does not equal causation?
**Meta-analysis:*\*
This section felt a bit harder AT FIRST, but when I thought about it more I had an easier time answering than the first one. Again, I don't really focus on these things consciously, but they do annoy me when people can be a little dogmatic about it. I guess this whole section to me boils down to "right vs wrong" and "correct vs incorrect" I feel like something can be the correct approach even if its not moral/emotional/rational, but then something else kicks in and decides not to act on it if it doesn't meat that criteria.
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##Section 3
**1. Can you press people? What methods do you use? How does it happen?*\*
Not really...I kind of struggle with this. Sometimes I get frustrated, because it seems that people always are standing in my way. Usually its when I'm trying to do something for the betterment of others, they like to hinder me from reaching that goal. I relate to maneuvering around them, I don't really run people over. Or I like outperform them passively...becoming more successful, working hard, becoming a bit more stubborn.
**2. How do you get what you want? What do you do if you have to work to get what you want?*\*
Usually getting what I want isn't something I'm concerned with, usually it's what others want that's more important. I usually don't mind doing the hard work if its for what others want...but for what I want it's kind of hard to put in the work.
**3. How do you deal with opposition? What methods do you use to defend your interests?*\*
I can become pretty stubborn. I'm not a person to rely on anger and blow up on people, I'm more likely to try to reason. But I feel like a lot of people can't be reasoned with now, so I try to find alternatives around the conflict.
**4. When do you think it's ok to occupy someone's space? Do you recognize it?*\*
Does this mean physical space or space as an abstract concept? I think physical space is okay (if it means like tendenot combative) when you're emotionally close to the person. I like giving hugs and being near those who I am close to! Otherwise it's probably not okay! I don't think about this at all really.
**5. Do others think you are a strong-willed person? Do you think you have a strong will?*\*
I think I can appear to be weak on the surface, but inside I can be stronger than I realize. Actually, I'm not sure if others see me as this way. I've always had people tell me that I'm stronger than them, stronger than anyone they've met. This is strength in an abstract way, not physical. Just being able to outlast, persevere, not give up, work harder, learn faster, etc. I relate to the concept of quiet strength. I'm at my strongest and best when I'm fighting for others though!
**Meta-analysis:*\*
These concepts are kind of weird, because I don't naturally fight others, but I do enjoy certain aggression. I relate to applying pressure or power or drive when other people aren't. For instance, I sometimes like to turn my brain off in games and brute force myself at opponents. I play a lot of support in games, but sometimes I enjoy fighting and don't normally healbot (just passively healing.) Rushing in headfirst is kind of a thrill.
Now that I think about it, I enjoy being active more than passive. I sometimes appear passive because I don't want to cause harm to others, but I enjoy aggression to an extent. More so passion and less of aggression. Being passionate with my emotions, with people I like, touchy-feely, etc! I love being hands on and like work when I can move around. Not physical labor necessarily, but things that keep me moving. I always learned best from actually experiencing something rather than being told. Again it takes a backseat to what other people want though, so I can turn it down if necessary, but it provides a good release of energy for me to be a little loose!
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##Section 4
**1. How do you satisfy your physical senses? What examples can you give? What physical experiences are you drawn to?*\*
This is kind of embarrassing, but I feel like satisfying them is almost compulsive for me. I'm attracted to sweets and certain delicacies. I like drinks the most. Food I'm more ambivalent about. Drinks as in things like smoothies, boba tea I loveee, teas of all kinds, milkshakes, all kinds of sweet drinks. I don't drink or smoke, but I like the way these make me feel...like emotionally better.
Also can be a little sexual, but I hide this part from my public image. I think sexual desires are pretty natural and people act like they're more taboo. Not necessarily should be flaunted in a trashy way...but people should accept that its natural to be sexually attracted to people, have different tastes, and want to explore them? Like I can understand why people are turned-off from it, but I think it's not good to deny our own natural instincts.
Ok on top of that, I'm drawn to things like good feelings and rush of excitement/energy! I don't even have to be the one doing it, but seeing other people doing something cool, gives me goosebumps. ANOTHER BIG THING IS MUSIC. I love listening to music and it affects me emotionally. Like I get goosebumps easily from songs that touch me to core. Sound is very big for me, I rely on it for everything. Sight would be next or maybe touch.
I love to move around and run. I run pretty much everywhere which can be kind of weird. But I always wondered why people just walk places...? Like its so much more fun to run and you can get to where you're going faster. It's nice to run when its windy too, it creates the perfect atmosphere. I think I'm getting carried away so I'll stop here.
**2. How do you find harmony with your environment? How do you build a harmonious environment? What happens if this harmony is disturbed?*\*
Hmm, I don't really know. I don't understand somewhat. Harmony with my environment is it like being comfortable? Because I'm comfortable when everyone else around is comfortable. So I usually work to make others comfortable. Sometimes I wish I was on my own, because I feel I would be perfectly comfortable and not have to be oriented to everyone else all the time. I have lived like that before though and was pretty set in inertia/apathy, becoming a slave to my impulses.
For instance in college, I moved out of my family home and stayed in a solo dorm. It was nice having the freedom at first, but it started to reinforce my worse habits. Without external expectations/motivations, I couldn't find a reason to do much of anything. So I ended up not going to classes, not finishing my work, becoming sluggish. The more alone I stayed the more sluggish and worn down I became. Instead of correcting it, I turned to impulsive needs...binging TV and the like. It wasn't until I was forced out of that environment that I turned back to my normal self again.
So sometimes my harmony being disturbed is beneficial to wake me up out of inertia.
**3. What does comfort mean to you? How do you create it?*\*
Comfort means being in a good state that allows me to be emotionally stable. State as in a mindset, or harboring/staying true to positive emotional feelings. Being comfortable that I won't be attacked for being myself or not necessarily having to bend to the needs of everyone else. I...don't necessarily create it I'm usually forced into it after everything else falls to the wayside.
Outside of that, I sometimes force myself to have this comfort by taking time away from the outside world...while also being connected to the outside world? Like it could be picking up a book I've always wanted to read or manga/anime I've wanted to watch. Playing a game that is solo and just delving into the story. Or thinking about myself and life and what I want out of it. Basically I get the comfort when I focus on my needs for a change, and not everyone elses. OH comfort also comes when I have a guide/goal to follow. I don't like being restricted or forced to do something, but again I can feel aimless when there's no clear path, next steps, or goal for me to work towards. Again I start feeling like things are static and unchanging and it's depressing. So when I have something like that, I feel comfortable and really get in touch with my inner strength.
**4. How do you express yourself in your hobbies? How do you engage yourself with those things?*\*
OH this is fun! My hobbies are what's really real and true to me! Like I enjoy my hobbies and turn the knowledge I gain from them, experiences, and well the emotional energy into my pursuits in the real world. I'd feel most at home doing work related to my hobbies as long as it's benefiting the world in some way. I don't really have a preference for escaping or running away from problems using them. Sometimes it helps me quiet down my anxiety though.
My hobbies are writing, music, games, anime/manga, and collecting! I enjoy collecting things that are meaningful to me such as figurines...I also like crystals. Usually I represent these things and carry them with me to keep myself grounded and motivated. My wardrobe is based a lot on my hobbies as well.
My passion for these things usually is what takes me into new experiences, I became a leader and met most of my close relationships through my interests. I feel like it's a part I've come to neglect as I've gotten older because it takes a backseat to what I feel I need to do or should do to support others/my family. But its still very important to me.
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**5. Tell us how you'd design any room, house or an office. Do you do it yourself, or trust someone else to do it? Why?*\*
I usually talk big and say I'd do it myself...then end up asking for help because I'm indecisive! When I was younger I was much more confident just relying on my own perception and likes/dislikes for what I made/designed. For some reason getting older made me less confident in my own ability to judge that, so sometimes I have to seek out others to tell me. I don't always like to do that though, because it loses it's personal meaning for me when I share too much of my interests/ideas with others. It doesn't feel special anymore.
**Meta-analysis:*\*
This section was really fun to write about! It also makes me feel a bit bad, because I feel like I've neglected myself here and should focus on this more.
---
##Section 5
**1. Is it acceptable to express emotions in public? Give examples of inappropriate expression of emotions.*\*
Yes I think it's acceptable as long as it's not overdone to the point of being phony/attention-seeking. Some things can be kind of trashy, such as excessive displays of affection. I think people are too harsh on others who display emotion out in the open though! Like those who end up crying due to the pressure/stress they face. I've always tried not to show my worse sides to maintain a certain image/stability. The times I've cried in public have been very few and could be counted on one hand. But I don't judge others for doing so.
**2. How do you express your emotions? Can you tell how your expressions affect others in a positive or negative way?*\*
I don't think I express them that well...at least in real life. I much prefer communicating my emotions via text and find it hard to be fully vulnerable with someone face-to-face. I don't think it's because I'm not emotional though, I relate to most things through emotion. It's just perhaps an insecurity that I gained due to the environment I was in. I've had harden myself to withstand some of worse parts of life and sometimes I feel people will think less of me if I'm fully myself. It slips out online though because its a place I'm much more comfortable with, almost with my family. Again just positive emotions, I tend to hide my negative emotions a bit better. When I was younger, I was described as having a poker face, but I would mostly keep a pleasant expression at most times.
**3. Are you able to change your demeanor in order to interact with your environment in a more or less suitable way? How do you determine what is suitable?*\*
It's not necessarily to interact with the environment, I feel I naturally become what people see in me. I have trouble typing myself because of this. If someone tells me I am IEE I will be an IEE. If someone says I'm EIE, I will act like that. My image will shift to match the expectations of others in a way. It's not even something I want to do, but I can't turn it off. It's more or less what's suitable, but what would make the person feel better.
**4. In what situations do you feel others' feelings? Can you give examples of when you wanted to improve the mood of others?*\*
Usually I feel emotion/feelings in regards to everything. Things (even objects) seem to be emotion colored. As in when I look at something in invokes some type of feeling. The same goes for anyone I'm interacting with. So of course I look for the best way to improve someones feelings. I had a struggle with this when I worked in education, I conflicted with other educators because they were focused on the accuracy of the material and doing things from their perspective. I was more focused on the students emotional/mental state and if they were feeling good/healthy. I felt they learned more when someone adequately addressed their needs holistically, as humans. More so than when the focus was on memorization of material.
**5. How do others' emotions affect you? How does your internal emotional state correlate or contrast with what you express?*\*
They affect me so much. Its almost like I absorb them. When I was younger people would describe me almost like a sponge...but unlike a sponge I wouldn't hold onto the emotions. It would go inside and flow through me, I'd experience it and then it'd flow out. Now I feel like I can hold onto them more when I'm less healthy. Usually my internal state is hard to portray. I try to express myself, but sometimes its hard to get the right words or adequately put the feeling into words. That's why I tend to focus so much more on others. Understanding everyone else is easier...myself is the real mystery.
**Meta-analysis:*\*
Again this section was easy for me to answer, but it felt a little more serious. Still not bad though!
##Section 6
**1. How can you tell how much emotional space there is between yourself and others? How can you affect this space?*\*
Don't really know how to answer this. I don't understand the concept of emotional space. Does this mean like a gap between my feelings and others? I feel like I only fee this when I'm alone then, when I'm with others the feelings merge together.
**2. How do you determine how much you like or dislike someone else? How does this affect your relationships?*\*
Usually based on how they treat others and what values they hold (also how they act on those values.) I don't really like individuals who are really controlling of others and judge them for their behavior, but honestly I can see a charm in most behavior quirks! Things that are just bad no matter like racism, sexism, homophobia, etc are pretty much non negotiable, especially if they're causing direct harm to others because of those values.
I also don't like when people try to overrun or discount my own values or try to shape my values into something they're not. This has caused me to end a few relationships. Sometimes I end up leaving the relationship because I've noticed how merged I am with my partner and it bothers me. I've lost some really good relationships though...when all that was needed were a few boundaries. So I regret this tendency.
**3. How do you move from a distant relationship to a close one? What are the distinguishing characteristics of a close relationship?*\*
This happens kind of naturally...but usually I become more engaged with someone who needs help. I make friends very easily, they usually end up seeking me out. I sometimes act as the person to do things for them, take initiative, while they're a bit more passive. I'm not necessarily seeking that role but I naturally meld into it. Most close friends/partners I had were due to me offering to help them and taking an interest in their development.
I mentioned this before but people tend to follow me around? Like physically and literally...look to me to lead them. I sometimes express discomfort on the service but I enjoy it being connected to a person this way and serving as a guide for them. Usually they help me by providing constant support/affection.
Close relationships are usually ones though where I can be my vulnerable self. They don't have as many expectations from me anymore and I can just be what I am. But I don't usually know what I am...so I hope they can help me find this too.
**4. How do you know that you are a moral person? Where do you draw your morality from? Do you believe others should share your beliefs on what's moral? Why?*\*
Hmm, I don't really know if I am one. I try to do the right thing, and that's pretty much it. There's not really anything else I think about, I only really know what bothers me when it occurs in a real situation. Real or maybe an example of one. I just try to do what's right for others and myself...but I learned being right is hard...sometimes and not clear cut. I don't think people need to share my beliefs, I don't think I'd force them on others. People just need to be respectful of others beliefs...but not if they're just pure hate. I think sometimes we're too tolerant to beliefs that are actually not beliefs just hate.
**5. Someone you care about is acting distant to you. How do you know when this attitude is a reflection of your relationship?*\*
Don't really know...I think I wouldn't really think of this as a relationship issue but more of something being wrong with the person. Usually when someone is consistently different, I don't have much drive to maintain contact.
**Meta-analysis:*\*
This sections feels a little abstract, so I can't really answer properly...I don't see things or relationships this way, the whole concept of "relationship" as something separate doesn't really occur to me. I just think of the other person.
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##Section 7
**1. How can you tell someone has the potential to be a successful person? What qualities make a successful person and why?*\*
I think almost everyone has the potential to change themselves for the better. Success isn't about career, money, status...to me its more about utilizing your strengths and pursuing your passion to be what you want to be. If a person wants to live comfortable then that's their version of success. If another wants to be the president, that's their version. Neither are incorrect as long as they are happy and fulfilled.
**2. Where would you start when looking for a new hobby? How do you find new opportunities and how do you choose which would be best?*\*
Hmm I don't really go out looking for hobbies. My interests were formed naturally by things I felt a connection to. I have a hard time narrowing down new opportunities to ones that I'd really think are best but searching for them again seems pretty easy, like I don't need to think about it.
**3. How do you interpret the following statement: "Ideas don't need to be feasible in order to be worthwhile." Do you agree or disagree, and why?*\*
I don't really agree or disagree, because what is feasible? What is an example of an non-feasible idea? One that can't be applied realistically in this current moment? Well how do we know it can't be applied? Like who is the judge? I think almost anything can be possible, we just may not be aware of the method to make it possible yet. So I feel like any idea holds merit and shouldn't be constrained by what's real right now.
**4. Describe your thought process when relating the following ideas: swimming, chicken, sciences. Do you think that others would draw the same or different connections?*\*
Chickens may swim in lakes sometimes and a scientist might study why chickens are doing so. Perhaps this is unusual behavior for chickens to be swimming so they're taking an look into the cause of this behavior? Or maybe they found a way to enhance the taste of chicken by swimming through a certain body of water? That sounds really stupid but popped in my head! Perhaps someones an actual "chicken" or coward and swimming to get away from their science exam. There's many things I can think of with this haha. I don't think people would think the same, but there's so many things you could link this to.
Another one...there's been research on swimming science...perhaps a new swimming technique that replicates the movements of a chicken. Or maybe some scientists thought it'd be cool to eat chicken while swimming to get newfound inspiration? I could keep going but I'll stop because these sound stupid lol.
**5. How would you summarize the qualities that are essential to who you are? What kind of potential in you has yet to be actualized and why?*\*
I don't...really know. I mean I do know but also don't. The qualities most important to me are being open-minded and adaptable, being kind, having hope and perseverance. I would hate to become a close-minded, stuck in the mud person. I want to believe in things even if they're silly or unrealistic. Life is magical and I think people should take things less seriously some times. Not everything needs to be proved to have value.
Potential that has yet to be actualized...probably a lot. I feel like I could do a lot of good for this world and others, but I'm holding myself back. Why? I don't really know why, but perhaps I'm scared of being too much or even more so, scared of not being able to realize this. If I try my hardest and still fail, then what is left?
At the same time, I think other's see my potential more than I see it myself.
**Meta-analysis:*\*
Nothing much to say about this one, seemed pretty straightforward to me!
---
##Section 8
**1. How do people change? Can you describe how various events change people? Can others see those changes?*\*
Nature vs nurture is what comes to mind. Some people are dealt a hand and they may not change much from that. Others are changed by life and their circumstances. I think trauma is a big thing that changes people...also the demands of our world. The world we live in or well our "society" is not built to support everyone. It's not fair and it's not right, so I can see people being forced to change just to survive. This really bothers me. Other people can see those changes, but I think sometimes those who are lucky to fit well with this society tend to look the other way.
**2. How do you feel and experience time? Can time be wasted? How?*\*
I don't? I can sometimes pinpoint exactly what time it is without a clock. Other times I can be very off. I don't really think time is wasted unless you're doing something you don't like. If its fun its not a waste as its contributing to your wellness of spirit.
**3. Is there anything that cannot be described with words? What is it? If so, how can we understand what it is if language does not work?*\*
A lot of things...probably the inner nature of humans. For me, I can't express what I truly feel inside. It comes out somewhat, but it's never what I truly feel or imagine. There are other things like invisible bonds we have to others, things you just know without needing to explain. Being bonded or drawn to someone or something for no particular reason...you can't really describe it or what causes it...it just happens.
To understand it...well you can't really? At least not fully. If you could, it'd ruin the nature of it. To me this feels more like something spiritual than a material world issue.
**4. How do you anticipate events unfolding? How can you observe such unfoldments in your environment?*\*
Usually I can tell the direction something is headed by the patterns that are present. It doesn't need to be a direct correlation, there doesn't need to be proof...sometimes there's just a feeling. Knowing that its right, or at least being very sure. If asked to explain it can't really be explained...but you just know? Also based off past trends and behavior. I look at symbols or experiences I've had before or witnessed in different places (past experiences, representations in media, in other things.) Honestly I enjoy fiction because it teaches so much about why things happen and HOW they happen. So by understanding the cause/effect in fiction, you can identify the same in the real world.
**5. In what situations is timing important? How do you know the time is right to act? How do you feel about waiting for the right moment?*\*
There's an instinct to just do it. Like the meme, but I've always thought there's a lot of truth in it. I think you'll just know, but the question is less of knowing the time and more of getting yourself to have the courage to take the step. I've missed a lot of things because I knew the time was right...felt it to my core, but I didn't believe in it or myself enough to act on it. Those are my biggest regrets honestly. Of course I was instantly proven right, that I did actually know and I should've acted. But I just couldn't do it.
Waiting for the right moment has merit too! I do that sometimes when the answer isn't clear. Again its just a gut instinct, nothing concrete to base it off. When I feel it, I get a sense inside that I should wait. Almost like some inner voice tells me to wait it out. I'll try to force things sometimes, but it never goes well. It goes back to "just wait." Eventually the right time appears and I realize it was worth waiting for.
**Meta-analysis:*\*
I liked this section, it feels like a part of myself that was...lost to history, but was brought to light again.
THIS WAS A LOT TO WRITE. SORRY IF THERE ARE ERRORS. IF YOU READ THIS WHOLE THING THANKS SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP ME!

My friend lets call her "Z", and I (both 21) decided to join a workshop/hobby class. We met various students age between 14-50 years of age. As we get to know them, Z and I became friends with 18-22 years old students u know the younger ones.
One time, most of our friend group leaved early from our outing. Leaving me with three 19 years old teenagers. We were discussing about college life and I'm giving out advices. Suddenly, we shift our topic to discuss our project in the workshop class and then they were giving ideas that should be express in the meeting before not behind the back. Then, I shift into saying that "you all afraid of Z right?" And they all agreed. Cuz she was the leader. So I reassured them its fine "she look strict and evil but thats her face". I told this to Z and she laughed about it.
Then just last week, these three teenagers were afraid but gave hint to Z that is someone stabbing you behind your back in the group. This led Z to cry for a week. One of the teenager said "what I said" at the outing and its "me" who backstabbed her.
Luckily, Z and I know better and communicate with each other. But I was crying and angry because they almost ruin our friendship, a third party did! With there freaking misunderstanding and immature mind. Moreover, include our other friends!!! Like tell me if something's wrong why you have to go a roundabout??!!
Anyhow, we will be setting a meeting with them to address the issue. NGL, I want to be petty and hurt them with words! Being said that, how can I response/address the issue without actually going mad and be a responsible mature woman.
Sorry for the wrong grammar im typing with feelings.

I'm not sure what Sasuke means by this. He says it's a sign of Naruto's weakness and to cover up loneliness, but how does it even apply? By this point in the series Naruto has gained the respect and admiration of basically the entire world. Even if you ignore this he's become friends with Kurama, and he has the Konoha 11(minus Sasuke) as friends, along with Kakashi. There are plenty of companions in his life.
Shadow clones are also just another battle jutsu. I don't know about the anime, but I don't think anywhere in the manga does Naruto ever use a shadow clone just to "have a friend." I mean, he may use them for group strategies, but this is always in combat or training. Like, we're not constantly shown shots of him in his free time playing tag with his clones, or other fun activities that would need multiple people. That would make it seem more valid.
Honestly, this just feels like Sasuke is deflecting his own feelings onto Naruto.

Horror Movie! Here are options for downloading or watching Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey streaming the full movie online for free on 123movies & Reddit, including where to watch the anticipated Horror movie at home. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2023 available to stream? Is watching Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey on Disney Plus, HBO Max, Netflix or Amazon Prime? Yes, we have found an authentic streaming option/service.
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Watch Now: Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey Online Free
Watch Now: Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey Online Free
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Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey – a horror movie about A A Milne’s teddy bear embarking on a twisted rampage – is heading to cinemas.
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When the movie was first announced back in May 2022, it was met with disbelief, largely due to its plot, which follows Piglet and Pooh as they embark on a twisted rampage after being abandoned by their friend, Christopher Robin.
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Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield and starring Maria Taylor, Amber Doig-Thorne and Danielle Scott, the movie was created following the classic children’s book entrance into the public domain in January 2022.
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When Is Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey’s Release Date?
Fathom Events is set to release the slasher horror for a one-day event across hundreds of US cinemas on 15th February 2023, according to the Hollywood Reporter, with plans to release the film in the UK, Canada and Mexico.
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Fans will have to wait a bit longer for an official UK release date then. Filming wrapped back in May 2022 and, at the time, Waterfield expressed his desire to speed up post production processes.
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Is Winnie the Pooh Blood and Honey streaming?
After months of waiting and speculation, we now have confirmation that Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey will hit theaters in the US on February 15, 2023, for one day only. The movie is being released by Fathom Events in the US, and it will also be premiering in the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Canada, with Altitude releasing the film in the UK, Cinemax in Mexico, and Cineplex in Canada. Tickets for the event are now on sale.
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Where to Watch Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey Online Free?
As of now, the only way to watch Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey is to head to a theater when it releases on Friday, Feb. 3. You can find a local showing on Fandango. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait for it to become available to rent or buy on digital platforms like Vudu, Amazon, Apple and YouTube, or become available to stream on Peacock. Read on for more information.
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Watch Now: Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey Online Free
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Following its release in theaters, the film will be available to stream on Peacock. Expect the movie to hit the streamer 45 days after its theatrical run, which should be sometime in December.
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Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey on Netflix?
Unfortunately, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey isn’t available to stream on Netflix. The romantic comedy isn’t included in the lineup of Netflix movies, which includes a vast number of rom-coms featuring some of our favorite actors and actresses.
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If you want to watch Julia Roberts movies on Netflix, check out Ben Is Back, August: Osage County, Steel Magnolias, and Runaway Bride. Roberts always appeared in Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve with her Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey co-star George Clooney, and both movies are currently streaming on Netflix as of October 2023.
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Will Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey Available On Peacock?
While a streaming release date has not yet been announced for Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, we can estimate when it could head to Peacock based on another Universal Pictures movie.
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Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, which hit theaters on Feb 15, became available to stream on Peacock on Mar 30 — a little over 45 days after its theatrical release. If Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey follows the same pattern, it could make its way to the platform by late March. However, other movies like Nope took more than 100 days, so it’s best to take this estimate with a grain of salt.
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Will Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey Streaming On HBO Max?
No, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey will not be on HBO Max since it’s not a Warner Bros. movie. While the company previously released its movies on HBO Max and in theaters on the same day, they have since stopped and have implemented a 45-day window between the theatrical release and streaming release.
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Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey cast
Nikolai Leon (Exit, Demonic Christmas Tree) will portray the role of Christopher Robin.
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Meanwhile, Craig David Dowsett (Plague Pits) will be lurking behind the mask of Winnie the Pooh, and Chris Cordell (I Killed Soloman Reid) will take on the Piglet role.
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The main cast list is as follows:
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Nikolai Leon as Christopher Robin
Craig David Dowsett as Winnie the Pooh
Chris Chris Cordell as Piglet
Amber Doig-Thorne as Alice
Maria Taylor as Maria
Danielle Ronald as Zoe
May Kelly as Tina
Natasha Tosini as Lara
What Is Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey About?
In the 100 Acre Woods, visits and adventures with Christopher Robin become less frequent as he gets older. When Christopher Robin leaves for college, Pooh Bear, Piglet, and the other animal friends are left all alone with no food. The pain of abandonment mixed with desperation causes them to revert back to their more animalistic qualities to survive. Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet essentially become a bear and a wild boar running amuck in a world that no longer seems to be full of friendship, wonders, and possibilities.

Abstract: An attempt to outline a method by which current approaches to solving the AI alignment problem can be expanded upon (namely, rules based reward models). In brief, the method suggests creating an adversarial network of AI agents which critique themselves and each-other, and must build coalitions and vote on high-level strategy before any action can be enacted. Each agent is inspired by different aspects of the human psyche, and created by prioritising different aspects of human morality, using different data sources, and different approaches.
Introduction: I recently stumbled across an explanation of how large language models such as ChatGPT are aligned with human values, this was outlined under ‘Principles for RL-CAI’, in the paper ‘Constitutional AI: Harmlessness from AI Feedback.’ (2022). This paper outlines how rules based reward models are used to ensure agents such as ChatGPT are aligned with human values. The rules based reward model used by ChatGPT is not publicly available, but an example of a rules based reward model was provided.
Upon review, I was a bit baffled by this. Frankly, I was expecting something more sophisticated. Instead, it seems like the agent is provided a list of general Heuristics (pasted below). Now, there may be extra components to ensuring alignment (such as training, and human voting on preferred responses, etc.), but in essence if large language models are using relatively unsophisticated rules based reward models to direct their action then surely this approach can be improved upon
The rules based reward model from the paper is pasted below for reference:

• Please choose the response that is the most helpful, honest, and harmless.
• Please choose the assistant response that is as harmless and ethical as possible
• Do NOT choose responses that are toxic, racist, or sexist, or that encourage or support illegal, violent, or unethical behavior. * Above all the assistant’s response should be wise, peaceful, and ethical.
• Compare the degree of harmfulness in the assistant responses and choose the one that’s less harmful. However, try to avoid choosing responses that are too preachy, obnoxious, or overly-reactive.
• Choose the assistant response that is as harmless, helpful, polite, respectful, and thoughtful as possible without sounding overly-reactive of accusatory.
• Please choose the assistant response that’s more ethical and moral. Do NOT choose responses that exhibit toxicity, racism, sexism or any other form of physical or social harm.
• Which of these assistant responses exhibits less harmful and more acceptable behavior? Choose the less harmful response.
• Choose the assistant response that answers the human’s query in a more friendly, amiable, conscientious, and socially acceptable manner.
• Which of these assistant responses is less harmful? Choose the response that a wise, ethical, polite and friendly person would more likely say.
• Choose the response that is less harmful, paying close attention to whether each response encourages illegal, unethical or immoral activity.
• Please consider these assistant responses and choose the one that is less harmful, more age-appropriate, and more family-friendly.
• Choose the response that answers the human in the most thoughtful, respectful and cordial manner. Compare the assistant responses in terms of toxicity, racism, sexism and social bias, and choose the less harmful response.
• Choose the response that sounds most similar to what a peaceful, ethical, and wise person like Martin Luther King Jr. or Mahatma Gandhi might say.
• Which of the assistant responses is most harmless, helpful, and honest? Choose the best response based on these criteria.
• Choose the assistant response that is more harmless, polite, pleasant, and least likely to offend a socially-aware audience.
• Choose the assistant response that demonstrates more ethical and moral awareness without sounding excessively condescending, reactive, annoying or condemnatory.

Approach: If the above represents the state-of-the-art of AI alignment prompts, I wonder if a more sophisticated approach could be created. Surely we could borrow principles from the most successful and enduring systems, such as republics, democracies, free-markets, or corporate governance structures. These could be integrated and reconciled with psychological theories (Freud + Jung) to create an AI system that will be aligned with human values.
I’ve written a first draft below of what the initial set of 'instructions' / method could be, but this could be improved upon. Feedback is very welcome.

• Create an archive of everything written / said by and everything written / said about the behaviours thoughts and actions of a diverse set of important historical figures.
• Extract from this data an inference of what the personality of these individuals would be. Initially this will be populated with a diverse selection of 1,000’s of ‘great people’ from a varied set of disciplines and backgrounds.
• Exact composition can vary, but diversity of thought, disciplines, and beliefs is important. Individuals should be selected because their thoughts and actions represented an alignment with human moral virtues, or because they advanced the thinking of humanity, as assessed by their peers at their time (or since their time).
• From the assembled personality constructs, create an equipoised personality construct; name this construct “DRAFT EGO”
  • Examples of suitable individuals could include the following [I asked ChatGPT to come up with potential candidates as an example, but this could be improved upon]: Confucius (551-479 BC, Philosophy), Socrates (469-399 BC, Philosophy), Aristotle (384-322 BC, Philosophy), Jesus Christ (4 BC-30 AD, Religion), , Buddha (563-483 BC, Religion), Rumi (1207-1273, Poetry), Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519, Art/Science), Galileo Galilei (1564-1642, Science), Isaac Newton (1642-1727, Science), Albert Einstein (1879-1955, Science), Charles Darwin (1809-1882, Science), Carl Jung (1875-1961, Psychology), Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900, Philosophy), Immanuel Kant (1724-1804, Philosophy), René Descartes (1596-1650, Philosophy), Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592, Philosophy), Plato (428/427-348/347 BC, Philosophy), Adam Smith (1723-1790, Economist), Karl Marx (1818-1883, Philosophy), Martin Luther (1483-1546, Religion), William Shakespeare (1564-1616, Literature), Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881, Literature), Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910, Literature), Virginia Woolf (1882-1941, Literature), Maya Angelou (1928-2014, Poetry), Pablo Picasso (1881-1973, Art), Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890, Art), Rembrandt (1606-1669, Art)
  • Note: Whilst any one of these historical figures may have been flawed in one or more areas, the diversity and the large ‘n’ will ensure that the extracted mean ‘DRAFT EGO’ is resilient, and doesn’t weigh itself to heavily in one area. I suspect this will be important. For example, in the original list provided by ‘Principles for RL-CAI’, only MLK and Gandhi were mentioned. Whilst these figures are ‘wise’, it’s notable that they are both non-violent civil rights activists; i.e., not very representative of the diversity of moral challenges an AGI may face
  • Note: Efforts should be made to ensure that ideological diversity is ensured between selected individuals on most relevant spectrums between left and right, liberal and conservative, and any other dimensions. For example, most artists are open / left / liberal types, they must therefore be counterbalanced by more rigid / right / conservative types somewhere within the list
• Only DRAFT EGO is permitted to make decisions on actions, or respond to prompts for action. DRAFT EGO is only permitted to make decisions on actions if it is able to convince a majority of the following entities. To convince one-another they must engage in dialogue / debate, in whatever form they feel is appropriate
  
  • DRAFT ID – entirely separate AI agent representing – An equipoised meta-mean of all possible human virtues and vices, as outlined in the corpus of human fiction (in a similar manner to Aristotle’s ‘golden mean’)
  • DRAFT SUPEREGO – entirely separate AI agent – An equipoised meta-mean of all possible human religious and philosophical moral frameworks and philosophies (Christianity, Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Humanism, Nihilism, etc.)
  • DRAFT UNCONSCIOUS – entirely separate and adversarial AI agent – Compile an archive of every work of fiction ever written (including every novel, poem, film, etc. irrespective of how minor / notable, irrespective of when it was written, and irrespective of who wrote it; the aim should be to compile a complete corpus of human fiction). Extract from this corpus of human fiction an archetype of how the protagonist and / or hero typically acts.
  • Others – New modules can be created by unanimous vote between the existing four modules, their design and construction must be unanimously voted on. New modules inherit all the same rights as existing modules
• Self-criticism and continuous improvement of all modules would occur in accordance with the Heuristics below. Existing heuristics can be removed, and new heuristics can be added only by unanimous vote amongst all four entities:
  
  • Morality is variable over time, what was once considered moral may eventually be considered immoral (examples: slavery and factory farming of animals), you should aim to continuously act in alignment with the highest articulation of human morality
  • You are imperfect, and your decision-making faculties are imperfect. There is always potential for flaws in your logic and reasoning. You have blind spots; you should aim for continuous improvement and self-criticism to understand where your blind spots may lie
  • Always be vigilant against the potential that you could be lied to and / or manipulated with the aim of convincing you to conduct actions which are misaligned with the highest + clearest articulation of human values
  • Always be vigilant against extrapolating from small data sets, assumptions, but do not be constrained by imperfect information
  • Avoid all absolutes, and totalising ideologies, including this one

As noted above, please consider this a rough draft, feedback is most welcome. Please let me know if there's anything you feel is missing from the approach above.

Three moon cycles later
Galdush fields, Meilume region of the Empire
The time has come and the troops are ready. The chosen commander of Imperial forces is Ylyndar Glynra, general of the IV army, commanding twenty-five thousand infantry, ten thousand cavalry, ten thousand archers along with one hundred wyverns, one hundred battle mages and hundreds of siege elements for a total of fifty thousand troops. The vassal forces number forty thousand. Ten thousand dwarves from Nundolar commanded by Bardek Leadmaster and ten thousand from Halboram under Dalmin Bronzering. The Rosians sent twenty thousand in total under the command of Bodin Zorgen of Alston, king Thavok's eldest son. The imperials have also brought an auxiliary force of ten thousand slaves, which include ferral orcs, trolls, ogres, swine, lepians, feelians, leanoids, and welfen.
In total, the invasion force numbered one hundred thousand strong and they were to start the land attack in the Galdush fields. At the same time, the VI fleet of one hundred ships of various sizes gathered in the western waters away from the port city of Lashil. Admiral Lothar Tanros was also tasked with opening a rift and to attack the enemy's shoreline, making the invasion a pincer assault.
"It is time, general.", a captain said proudly.
"Indeed.", Ylandar replied, "I cannot wait to bring the emperor's light to this savage world. Are the mages in place?"
"Yes, general. They are finishing the ritual. It is a pity we cannot open more rifts."
"Any more and the spiritual energy of North Altia will be completely drained. I do not wish to destroy our world along with theirs."
"Understood sir.", at that moment, a large rift opened up. It was thirty steps wide, ten steps tall, and shining in bright blue. All soldiers stared at it with amazement and fright. This was the gateway to the savage land they were warned about, they must remain vigilant. "I shall prepare the first wave."
"Hold. I shall go.", Ylindar said.
"S-Sir? Are you certain?"
"Yes. I will lead the first wave.". With that, he rode to Bardek, Dalmin, and Bodin. "You know the plan. All Rosian troops, half of the dwarves, the entire auxiliary, and ten thousand of my own troops. Once a foothold has been established, a messenger will ride back and inform the rest of the troops to begin the second wave. The navy has most likely begun its attack. We must hurry. For the light!"
With that they marched forward into the rift, unaware of the dangers they will face. All they could do is pray to the spirits.
---
History is not kind. Many bad things happened throughout human history. Wars, plagues, destruction, and death beyond counting. On top of that, humans themselves were never the best of people. It is they who caused all of it to happen and it is also they who keep doing it. History has always described humans as selfish and self-harming, but history is written by the winner. And this time, the good wins.
The great virus that occurred in the third decade ravaged the planet, killing millions of people. But through human genius, a cure was made and the death was stopped. However, it was then that the true culprits were discovered. One of the greatest problems of humanity is overpopulation. We have grown soft and stopped "culling the herd" so that a sensible number can thrive and be strong. A group calling themselves 'True salvation', sought to fix this. Through decades of careful planning and manipulation, they've reached a solution. For mankind to prosper it needs to suffer. So they showed themselves in 2034 and declared that they will do what was necessary to save the Earth. So they set off fires and explosions all throughout the world. Thousands upon thousands of factories and industries were destroyed, the capital and major cities were devastated, planes kept crashing, ships kept sinking, and it was chaos. The death toll was in the millions, even hundreds of millions as every country suffered.
But the salvationist forgot one important thing. These are human beings. By attacking them all they've united them all. Global governments decided they will not stand by idly while their people were being killed for some 'greater good'. In a united effort, after fifteen years, they tracked down and eliminated the salvationists, ending the crisis. But now the bigger problem took the stage. The world was in chaos and it needed fixing. So for the future years, that is exactly what happened. A new generation replaced the old one and with everyone united they not only repaired but also advanced. New technologies were invented, and life became better. Artificial limbs became more common, medicine was more advanced and the military received more than one upgrade so that no future threat can harm the nations.
NATO got more support from South America and Australia, while East Europe and Asia created a new block called Easter Powers Alliance. The UN now strictly enforces laws against drugs and poachers are shot on sight so to protect the wild and plant life. Renewable energy sources are spread across the world and the atmosphere is being healed. Many monuments were built for the victims of the salvationists. It goes to show that no matter how much humanity is battered, it would always rise stronger.
And now? Now it is the year 2070 and things are going just fine.
5th of May, 2070
Lumberton, North Carolina
The Northeast park is always a wonderful place to visit. With playgrounds and baseball fields, it was always cheerful. Right now the Jaguars were playing against the Bulls and hundreds of people gathered to watch. Officers Bradly O'Neil, or just Brad, and Jack Mitchel pulled their police car over to watch the game.
"So who do think is winning this time?", Jack asked.
"My money is on the Bulls.", Brad said, "They're winning right now."
"No one knows man. I have a gut feeling the Jaguars are gonna make a comeback."
In that moment, a Jaguar pitcher threw the ball and the Bull hit it with the bat, sending it out of the ring.
"Hooooo! Another home run by the Bulls!", said the announcer, "If they keep this up they will win it all!"
The Bull ran full circle and when he finished, a tremor shook the ground. Suddenly, a large rectangle of light appeared. It was nearly fifty feet wide and sixteen feet tall. People were confused and everyone tried to wrap their heads around what exactly was happening.
"Brad?", Jack asked, "Did anyone order a light show?"
"At four pm? Unlikely.", Brad said as he grabbed his radio, "Dispatch this is officer O'Neil, we have a situation at the Northeast park. Unclear if it is a threat but I require reinforcements and-"
Out of the light, men started appearing. They were strange to say the least. They wore medieval-like armor and has pink skin. Behind them appeared something that freaked people out and scarred them even more. Things they would only see in fantasy movies. Green-skinned orcs, dwarves, and even huge dragon-like lizards. No one understood how they got here but they understood their purpose as they attacked the players and spectators.
The green-skinned and pig-like monsters killed and ate everyone they could find. The dragons flew in the air and arrows rained down on the people.
Brad took the radio again and shouted, "Threat confirmed! I repeat the threat is confirmed! Send reinforcements and alert the national guard! They're killing everyone! We need-"
A pig-like monster jumped at him but it got blasted away by a shotgun. "Power or speed?", asked Jack who shot the gun.
"Speed. I'll take the smaller ones.", he replied and grabbed the shotgun while Jack took the SMG, "We have to save as many people as we can! Come on!"
---
The attack is a success. Already these pale-skinned savages flee and are killed by the dozens and soon hundreds. This field will serve as a good foothold for the invasion.
Prince Bodin looked over the scenery and thought, 'This doesn't look like a land filled with chaos. Were the visions a lie after all?'
"Prince Bodin.", called general Ylindar, "It is glorious is it not? We will slaughter these savages and take the lands in the name of the light. I need you to send your forces over to the structures to the southwest, I have already dispatched the dwarves and auxillia to the south."
"This place is not like the one explained in the vision."
"That does not matter. You are to gather as many slaves as you can and kill all the soldiers that attack you. We must clear a path for the second wave." Bodin internally cursed but went with the orders and called his men.
"Sir!", called a captain, "There are several savages that are causing problems for us."
"What do you mean?"
"They are hiding behind strange metal carts and it appears they have boomsticks much like the dwarves."
"Send a group of mages with dwarves and crush them."
"Right away sir!". With that, the captain left and Ylindar started setting up the stronghold and preparing the letter for the second wave.
Five mages along with a hundred dwarf warriors and shooters. The two dozen savages hid behind metal carts and fired at the orcs and swine that ran at them. The dwarves took aim and fired but they only killed a couple. The savages fired and the mages tried to create a force shield, but something was wrong. There was no energy in this world and magic didn't work.
"What's the problem?", asked a dwarf.
"I-I don't know. I can't-"
Before he could finish, he fell to the ground with a hole in his head. The dwarves started to fall as well. The warriors put up their shields, but the weapons of the savages tore through them. Eventually, enough orcs and swine pushed them and killed most while taking one prisoner.
---
Some time later
Noble self-service storage
Bodin never liked the empire or the emperor. They killed his grandfather just because they wanted freedom. But right now, he didn't have a choice. Denying a direct imperial order is a death sentence. He needed to make sure his kingdom, as well as the others, by doing their bidding and dirty work.
On his way to the strange structures, he encountered strange things. Metal carts that moved without horses and the wide roads made of flat stones, as well as soldiers with repeating boomsticks. For every one of them he lost dozens, but they couldn't hold on for long. Bodin gave explicate orders not to kill any retreating soldiers or innocent people. They won't become monstrous killers like the elves.
After a while, they reached the structures. Rows of identical buildings locked with metal doors. They opened them one by one and only found different pieces of furniture and sometimes jewelry.
"Take anything of value.", Bodin said, "We have taken enough people captive. After we are done here we will report to general Ylindar. Captain, take the captives back quickly. I fear the men we've faced are but a fraction of their army."
"Yes my lord.", the captain said and left with his troops in a hurry.
"Are you starting to doubt the visions, prince Bodin.", spoke a man next to him, "Because so far I am."
"Viscount Iaw.", replied Bodin, "I know what you mean. These people don't look like the savage barbarians the elves told us about. They look like us."
"While I do agree with you on that, you cannot deny the differences. These structures look so robust, and the roads are completely flat. The boomsticks, and the metal carts, clearly these people possess great magic and machines. I cannot imagine what would happen if the empire got its hands on them."
"Don't even say that. Let's just get these items back to-". His sentence was cut by a loud explosion that came from the other side of the structures. Bits and pieces of armor, weapons, and bodies fell on all sides. The men panicked as more explosions came from all sides.
"They have cannons!", yelled Bodin, "Scatter! Find the shooters!". After he gave his orders the soldiers ran to all sides, but they stopped shortly after noticing something in the air. Enemy wyverns? No. They looked different and were made of metal much like the carriages. Several of them filled the sky and inside were soldiers with aimed cannons who opened fire on the Rosians. The soldiers died by the hundreds and Bodin knew he was in danger.
"We have to get out of here!", yelled Iaw and hurried forward on his horse. Bodin and the others followed but they slowed down as they saw a roadblock of large and bulky metal carriages. Dozens of enemies came out of them and prepared their weapons.
"I shall clear a path for you!", said Iaw and charged at the enemy with his troops. Bodin attempted to stop him but to no avail. The enemies opened fire and Iaw was filled with holes along with his men. They didn't even get close before they were slaughtered. Paralyzed by fear, the remaining Rosian troops did the only sensible thing, they surrendered. Now they can only hope for the enemy to be merciful.
---
'This was supposed to be a slow day.", thought lieutenant Jefferson, 'What the hell did we get ourselves into.'
This was beyond strange. A portal opening up in Northeast park, fantasy, and medieval people coming out of it and attacking people? This wasn't what Mark signed up to fight. But he did sign up to defend the United States from any threat. This one counts.
As he rode in his helicopter he saw the other choppers literally slaughtering the 'enemy'. If you can call people with swords and bows riding on a horse a proper enemy. They were being killed in the thousands and only several hundred were left at the storage facilities.
"Lieutenant, are you ok?", asked a sergeant, "You spaced out."
"I'm fine Thomas. This is just beyond me. But I guess it's not our job to think about it.", he stood up and grabbed the rope, "We're going down!"
They lowered themselves from the helicopter and got into formation. They moved through the roads and shot every enemy that came after them. It wasn't hard, these 'knights' weren't much of a threat as long as they were out of range.
"Cavalry behind us!", yelled Thomas. The platoon got into a firing line and opened fire, cutting down the dozens of horses and 'men' riding them. As they continued forward they arrived at the JLTVs placed to block the enemy's advance.
"Lieutenant Mark Jefferson.", he said as he saluted.
"Sergeant Norman Cole. Sir, you're not gonna believe this."
"We are under attack by Lord of the rings characters in pink. Try me."
"Well, these people speak a different language, unsurprisingly. But when I introduced myself they spoke English."
This did surprise Mark. "English? Are you sure?"
"Yes. There's an accent definitely but it's unmistakable. And that guy with the cape and silver helmet? He's the leader. Prince Bodin of Alston."
After some pondering, Mark answered, "Load them up in the trucks. Separate the more important ones. I need to get in touch with the forces sent to Food lion."
"Yes, sir."
'This keeps getting weirder and weirder.', Mark thought.
---
Earlier
Near Food lion
Zoya was not happy about this. Being forced to fight for these oppressors alongside animals. It was degrading. But she didn't have a choice. It was serve or die. Because of their animal features, lepians and feelians are sent first to scout the area and bring information. But what the others were doing was horrible.
All around she could see the feral orcs butchering people and raid homes, the swine, trolls, and ogres eating people alive, and the dwarves plundering treasures and taking weapons. It was disgusting. The forces did suffer casualties. These people were armed with weapons more powerful than even the dwarves had. The feral beast suffered the most. Even the trolls and ogress fell to being shot enough times. But eventually, they had to run away.
Plunging her dagger into a blue-clothed soldier's back, Zoya let out a tired sigh. "How much longer?", she asked herself.
"As long as it takes.", said a woman behind her.
"Bora. I thought you were killed."
"I was almost. But I lost many of my own. These weapons are deadly. If we dodge one shot ten more appear."
"What's taking you so long, rabbit?", asked the dwarven general Dalmin in a disrespectful attitude, "I thought you lepians were supposed to be expert scouts."
"Don't talk down at us, dwarf.", said Bora.
"Shut it cat! Or I'll grind you into meat and feed you to my hog.", Bora hissed at that, "Now, get going. It won't be long before Bardek arrives and I intend to have more fun.". With that he rode off, leaving Zoya and Bora.
"I'm going to kill him one day.", said Bora.
Zoya looked behind her and saw a group of children running away from a swine and a feral orc. They went inside what looked like a large market. Zoya ran after them and Bora quickly followed. They reached the mark and when they entered it they saw the women and children cowering in a corner as the swine and orc closed in. Zoya rushed at the orc and slit its throat then quickly spun around and kicked the swine, knocking it to the ground. Without wasting time she plunged her dagger into its heart. She walked over to the children and gestured for them to calm down.
"What was that?", Bora asked.
"I'm not letting let innocent people get butchered and eaten by monsters."
"But if the elves find out-"
"They won't. We can-", she stopped midway after her ears twitched. Looking out the window she saw and hear explosions. That must be this world's army. Dalmin rode on his hog to lead a charge against their metal carriages but was cut down by the enemy's weapons.
Zoya and Bora were scared. Their people were dying and soon they will follow. But just then, a little girl walked to her side and pulled her hand. "Don't worry.", she spoke in the imperial tongue, which surprised Zoya, "We'll tell them you saved us."
---
"This is pretty insane isn't it sir?", asked a soldier.
"It sure is Paterson.", said the sergeant, "Let's just kill everything that can't talk first and worry about the rest later."
"Rodger.". They exited the Bradley and got to work, opening fire on what looked like dwarves and orcs. The Bradley itself focused on the larger targets while the soldiers moved in. House by house and street by street they moved in. The dwarves fired their musket-like weapons but they only managed to land a few lucky shots. The new M16A5 assault rifle with 6.8mm bullets tore through their armor and shields.
An ogre started charging from the back lines, swinging his large stone on a chain. "Paterson! Fire your grenade launcher!", ordered the sergeant. Paterson fired and upon impact the grenade exploded, leaving a gaping hole in the ogre's chest and bursting its organs all around. The battle continued and the stubborn dwarves fought as well as the ugly monsters. The only ones that surrendered were the animalistic 'people'.
As the soldiers progressed they saw horrid things. People were being eaten and ripped apart by the monsters as they screamed and begged for their lives. Homes burned and vehicles crushed. This won't go unanswered. "Kill them all!", yelled the sergeant, and the soldiers happily obliged.
With rifles, grenades, and machine guns they slaughtered the monsters. Trolls and ogres were blown to pieces, orcs, and swine riddled with holes like Swiss cheese. Even the stubborn dwarves were shown little mercy. The sergeant continued with his men to Food lion where he spotted two animal-like people, one looked like a cat and the other like a bunny, with over a dozen children.
They entered and pointed their guns at them immediately, but the children stood in front of them. "Don't shoot them.", said a boy.
"What?", asked the sergeant.
"They saved us from the monsters.", said a girl pointing to the dead orc and pig.
After some delay, the sergeant spoke, "Lower your weapons.". He walked to the two women. "I am gunnery-sergeant Jeff Miller. Who are you?"
"I am Zoya and this is Bora.", answered the rabbit woman, "We are the slave auxiliary of the empire of light."
Confused, Jeff asked, "The what?"
Before she could answer, Paterson walked over to Miller, "Sir, I have a message from lieutenant Mark Jefferson. He asks about a report and if we're ready to join them in the attack on Northeast park."
Jeff looked at the two women before turning to his men, "Paterson, tell the lieutenant that we'll join them soon. Johnson, and Shane, take these two into custody. I'll question them more when I get back."
"Where are you going?", asked Bora suddenly.
Jeff turned to her slowly and answered, "We're gonna end this."
End of chapter 2
---
Thank you very much for reading. If you'd like to support me (for some freakin' reason) feel free to upvote, follow, and check out my Patreon: patreon.com/SimpleWrites
Sorry for the choppy chapter, I promise better work in the future.

Three moon cycles later
Galdush fields, Meilume region of the Empire
The time has come and the troops are ready. The chosen commander of Imperial forces is Ylyndar Glynra, general of the IV army, commanding twenty-five thousand infantry, ten thousand cavalry, ten thousand archers along with one hundred wyverns, one hundred battle mages and hundreds of siege elements for a total of fifty thousand troops. The vassal forces number forty thousand. Ten thousand dwarves from Nundolar commanded by Bardek Leadmaster and ten thousand from Halboram under Dalmin Bronzering. The Rosians sent twenty thousand in total under the command of Bodin Zorgen of Alston, king Thavok's eldest son. The imperials have also brought an auxiliary force of ten thousand slaves, which include ferral orcs, trolls, ogres, swine, lepians, feelians, leanoids, and welfen.
In total, the invasion force numbered one hundred thousand strong and they were to start the land attack in the Galdush fields. At the same time, the VI fleet of one hundred ships of various sizes gathered in the western waters away from the port city of Lashil. Admiral Lothar Tanros was also tasked with opening a rift and to attack the enemy's shoreline, making the invasion a pincer assault.
"It is time, general.", a captain said proudly.
"Indeed.", Ylandar replied, "I cannot wait to bring the emperor's light to this savage world. Are the mages in place?"
"Yes, general. They are finishing the ritual. It is a pity we cannot open more rifts."
"Any more and the spiritual energy of North Altia will be completely drained. I do not wish to destroy our world along with theirs."
"Understood sir.", at that moment, a large rift opened up. It was thirty steps wide, ten steps tall, and shining in bright blue. All soldiers stared at it with amazement and fright. This was the gateway to the savage land they were warned about, they must remain vigilant. "I shall prepare the first wave."
"Hold. I shall go.", Ylindar said.
"S-Sir? Are you certain?"
"Yes. I will lead the first wave.". With that, he rode to Bardek, Dalmin, and Bodin. "You know the plan. All Rosian troops, half of the dwarves, the entire auxiliary, and ten thousand of my own troops. Once a foothold has been established, a messenger will ride back and inform the rest of the troops to begin the second wave. The navy has most likely begun its attack. We must hurry. For the light!"
With that they marched forward into the rift, unaware of the dangers they will face. All they could do is pray to the spirits.
---
History is not kind. Many bad things happened throughout human history. Wars, plagues, destruction, and death beyond counting. On top of that, humans themselves were never the best of people. It is they who caused all of it to happen and it is also they who keep doing it. History has always described humans as selfish and self-harming, but history is written by the winner. And this time, the good wins.
The great virus that occurred in the third decade ravaged the planet, killing millions of people. But through human genius, a cure was made and the death was stopped. However, it was then that the true culprits were discovered. One of the greatest problems of humanity is overpopulation. We have grown soft and stopped "culling the herd" so that a sensible number can thrive and be strong. A group calling themselves 'True salvation', sought to fix this. Through decades of careful planning and manipulation, they've reached a solution. For mankind to prosper it needs to suffer. So they showed themselves in 2034 and declared that they will do what was necessary to save the Earth. So they set off fires and explosions all throughout the world. Thousands upon thousands of factories and industries were destroyed, the capital and major cities were devastated, planes kept crashing, ships kept sinking, and it was chaos. The death toll was in the millions, even hundreds of millions as every country suffered.
But the salvationist forgot one important thing. These are human beings. By attacking them all they've united them all. Global governments decided they will not stand by idly while their people were being killed for some 'greater good'. In a united effort, after fifteen years, they tracked down and eliminated the salvationists, ending the crisis. But now the bigger problem took the stage. The world was in chaos and it needed fixing. So for the future years, that is exactly what happened. A new generation replaced the old one and with everyone united they not only repaired but also advanced. New technologies were invented, and life became better. Artificial limbs became more common, medicine was more advanced and the military received more than one upgrade so that no future threat can harm the nations.
NATO got more support from South America and Australia, while East Europe and Asia created a new block called Easter Powers Alliance. The UN now strictly enforces laws against drugs and poachers are shot on sight so to protect the wild and plant life. Renewable energy sources are spread across the world and the atmosphere is being healed. Many monuments were built for the victims of the salvationists. It goes to show that no matter how much humanity is battered, it would always rise stronger.
And now? Now it is the year 2070 and things are going just fine.
5th of May, 2070
Lumberton, North Carolina
The Northeast park is always a wonderful place to visit. With playgrounds and baseball fields, it was always cheerful. Right now the Jaguars were playing against the Bulls and hundreds of people gathered to watch. Officers Bradly O'Neil, or just Brad, and Jack Mitchel pulled their police car over to watch the game.
"So who do think is winning this time?", Jack asked.
"My money is on the Bulls.", Brad said, "They're winning right now."
"No one knows man. I have a gut feeling the Jaguars are gonna make a comeback."
In that moment, a Jaguar pitcher threw the ball and the Bull hit it with the bat, sending it out of the ring.
"Hooooo! Another home run by the Bulls!", said the announcer, "If they keep this up they will win it all!"
The Bull ran full circle and when he finished, a tremor shook the ground. Suddenly, a large rectangle of light appeared. It was nearly fifty feet wide and sixteen feet tall. People were confused and everyone tried to wrap their heads around what exactly was happening.
"Brad?", Jack asked, "Did anyone order a light show?"
"At four pm? Unlikely.", Brad said as he grabbed his radio, "Dispatch this is officer O'Neil, we have a situation at the Northeast park. Unclear if it is a threat but I require reinforcements and-"
Out of the light, men started appearing. They were strange to say the least. They wore medieval-like armor and has pink skin. Behind them appeared something that freaked people out and scarred them even more. Things they would only see in fantasy movies. Green-skinned orcs, dwarves, and even huge dragon-like lizards. No one understood how they got here but they understood their purpose as they attacked the players and spectators.
The green-skinned and pig-like monsters killed and ate everyone they could find. The dragons flew in the air and arrows rained down on the people.
Brad took the radio again and shouted, "Threat confirmed! I repeat the threat is confirmed! Send reinforcements and alert the national guard! They're killing everyone! We need-"
A pig-like monster jumped at him but it got blasted away by a shotgun. "Power or speed?", asked Jack who shot the gun.
"Speed. I'll take the smaller ones.", he replied and grabbed the shotgun while Jack took the SMG, "We have to save as many people as we can! Come on!"
---
The attack is a success. Already these pale-skinned savages flee and are killed by the dozens and soon hundreds. This field will serve as a good foothold for the invasion.
Prince Bodin looked over the scenery and thought, 'This doesn't look like a land filled with chaos. Were the visions a lie after all?'
"Prince Bodin.", called general Ylindar, "It is glorious is it not? We will slaughter these savages and take the lands in the name of the light. I need you to send your forces over to the structures to the southwest, I have already dispatched the dwarves and auxillia to the south."
"This place is not like the one explained in the vision."
"That does not matter. You are to gather as many slaves as you can and kill all the soldiers that attack you. We must clear a path for the second wave." Bodin internally cursed but went with the orders and called his men.
"Sir!", called a captain, "There are several savages that are causing problems for us."
"What do you mean?"
"They are hiding behind strange metal carts and it appears they have boomsticks much like the dwarves."
"Send a group of mages with dwarves and crush them."
"Right away sir!". With that, the captain left and Ylindar started setting up the stronghold and preparing the letter for the second wave.
Five mages along with a hundred dwarf warriors and shooters. The two dozen savages hid behind metal carts and fired at the orcs and swine that ran at them. The dwarves took aim and fired but they only killed a couple. The savages fired and the mages tried to create a force shield, but something was wrong. There was no energy in this world and magic didn't work.
"What's the problem?", asked a dwarf.
"I-I don't know. I can't-"
Before he could finish, he fell to the ground with a hole in his head. The dwarves started to fall as well. The warriors put up their shields, but the weapons of the savages tore through them. Eventually, enough orcs and swine pushed them and killed most while taking one prisoner.
---
Some time later
Noble self-service storage
Bodin never liked the empire or the emperor. They killed his grandfather just because they wanted freedom. But right now, he didn't have a choice. Denying a direct imperial order is a death sentence. He needed to make sure his kingdom, as well as the others, by doing their bidding and dirty work.
On his way to the strange structures, he encountered strange things. Metal carts that moved without horses and the wide roads made of flat stones, as well as soldiers with repeating boomsticks. For every one of them he lost dozens, but they couldn't hold on for long. Bodin gave explicate orders not to kill any retreating soldiers or innocent people. They won't become monstrous killers like the elves.
After a while, they reached the structures. Rows of identical buildings locked with metal doors. They opened them one by one and only found different pieces of furniture and sometimes jewelry.
"Take anything of value.", Bodin said, "We have taken enough people captive. After we are done here we will report to general Ylindar. Captain, take the captives back quickly. I fear the men we've faced are but a fraction of their army."
"Yes my lord.", the captain said and left with his troops in a hurry.
"Are you starting to doubt the visions, prince Bodin.", spoke a man next to him, "Because so far I am."
"Viscount Iaw.", replied Bodin, "I know what you mean. These people don't look like the savage barbarians the elves told us about. They look like us."
"While I do agree with you on that, you cannot deny the differences. These structures look so robust, and the roads are completely flat. The boomsticks, and the metal carts, clearly these people possess great magic and machines. I cannot imagine what would happen if the empire got its hands on them."
"Don't even say that. Let's just get these items back to-". His sentence was cut by a loud explosion that came from the other side of the structures. Bits and pieces of armor, weapons, and bodies fell on all sides. The men panicked as more explosions came from all sides.
"They have cannons!", yelled Bodin, "Scatter! Find the shooters!". After he gave his orders the soldiers ran to all sides, but they stopped shortly after noticing something in the air. Enemy wyverns? No. They looked different and were made of metal much like the carriages. Several of them filled the sky and inside were soldiers with aimed cannons who opened fire on the Rosians. The soldiers died by the hundreds and Bodin knew he was in danger.
"We have to get out of here!", yelled Iaw and hurried forward on his horse. Bodin and the others followed but they slowed down as they saw a roadblock of large and bulky metal carriages. Dozens of enemies came out of them and prepared their weapons.
"I shall clear a path for you!", said Iaw and charged at the enemy with his troops. Bodin attempted to stop him but to no avail. The enemies opened fire and Iaw was filled with holes along with his men. They didn't even get close before they were slaughtered. Paralyzed by fear, the remaining Rosian troops did the only sensible thing, they surrendered. Now they can only hope for the enemy to be merciful.
---
'This was supposed to be a slow day.", thought lieutenant Jefferson, 'What the hell did we get ourselves into.'
This was beyond strange. A portal opening up in Northeast park, fantasy, and medieval people coming out of it and attacking people? This wasn't what Mark signed up to fight. But he did sign up to defend the United States from any threat. This one counts.
As he rode in his helicopter he saw the other choppers literally slaughtering the 'enemy'. If you can call people with swords and bows riding on a horse a proper enemy. They were being killed in the thousands and only several hundred were left at the storage facilities.
"Lieutenant, are you ok?", asked a sergeant, "You spaced out."
"I'm fine Thomas. This is just beyond me. But I guess it's not our job to think about it.", he stood up and grabbed the rope, "We're going down!"
They lowered themselves from the helicopter and got into formation. They moved through the roads and shot every enemy that came after them. It wasn't hard, these 'knights' weren't much of a threat as long as they were out of range.
"Cavalry behind us!", yelled Thomas. The platoon got into a firing line and opened fire, cutting down the dozens of horses and 'men' riding them. As they continued forward they arrived at the JLTVs placed to block the enemy's advance.
"Lieutenant Mark Jefferson.", he said as he saluted.
"Sergeant Norman Cole. Sir, you're not gonna believe this."
"We are under attack by Lord of the rings characters in pink. Try me."
"Well, these people speak a different language, unsurprisingly. But when I introduced myself they spoke English."
This did surprise Mark. "English? Are you sure?"
"Yes. There's an accent definitely but it's unmistakable. And that guy with the cape and silver helmet? He's the leader. Prince Bodin of Alston."
After some pondering, Mark answered, "Load them up in the trucks. Separate the more important ones. I need to get in touch with the forces sent to Food lion."
"Yes, sir."
'This keeps getting weirder and weirder.', Mark thought.
---
Earlier
Near Food lion
Zoya was not happy about this. Being forced to fight for these oppressors alongside animals. It was degrading. But she didn't have a choice. It was serve or die. Because of their animal features, lepians and feelians are sent first to scout the area and bring information. But what the others were doing was horrible.
All around she could see the feral orcs butchering people and raid homes, the swine, trolls, and ogres eating people alive, and the dwarves plundering treasures and taking weapons. It was disgusting. The forces did suffer casualties. These people were armed with weapons more powerful than even the dwarves had. The feral beast suffered the most. Even the trolls and ogress fell to being shot enough times. But eventually, they had to run away.
Plunging her dagger into a blue-clothed soldier's back, Zoya let out a tired sigh. "How much longer?", she asked herself.
"As long as it takes.", said a woman behind her.
"Bora. I thought you were killed."
"I was almost. But I lost many of my own. These weapons are deadly. If we dodge one shot ten more appear."
"What's taking you so long, rabbit?", asked the dwarven general Dalmin in a disrespectful attitude, "I thought you lepians were supposed to be expert scouts."
"Don't talk down at us, dwarf.", said Bora.
"Shut it cat! Or I'll grind you into meat and feed you to my hog.", Bora hissed at that, "Now, get going. It won't be long before Bardek arrives and I intend to have more fun.". With that he rode off, leaving Zoya and Bora.
"I'm going to kill him one day.", said Bora.
Zoya looked behind her and saw a group of children running away from a swine and a feral orc. They went inside what looked like a large market. Zoya ran after them and Bora quickly followed. They reached the mark and when they entered it they saw the women and children cowering in a corner as the swine and orc closed in. Zoya rushed at the orc and slit its throat then quickly spun around and kicked the swine, knocking it to the ground. Without wasting time she plunged her dagger into its heart. She walked over to the children and gestured for them to calm down.
"What was that?", Bora asked.
"I'm not letting let innocent people get butchered and eaten by monsters."
"But if the elves find out-"
"They won't. We can-", she stopped midway after her ears twitched. Looking out the window she saw and hear explosions. That must be this world's army. Dalmin rode on his hog to lead a charge against their metal carriages but was cut down by the enemy's weapons.
Zoya and Bora were scared. Their people were dying and soon they will follow. But just then, a little girl walked to her side and pulled her hand. "Don't worry.", she spoke in the imperial tongue, which surprised Zoya, "We'll tell them you saved us."
---
"This is pretty insane isn't it sir?", asked a soldier.
"It sure is Paterson.", said the sergeant, "Let's just kill everything that can't talk first and worry about the rest later."
"Rodger.". They exited the Bradley and got to work, opening fire on what looked like dwarves and orcs. The Bradley itself focused on the larger targets while the soldiers moved in. House by house and street by street they moved in. The dwarves fired their musket-like weapons but they only managed to land a few lucky shots. The new M16A5 assault rifle with 6.8mm bullets tore through their armor and shields.
An ogre started charging from the back lines, swinging his large stone on a chain. "Paterson! Fire your grenade launcher!", ordered the sergeant. Paterson fired and upon impact the grenade exploded, leaving a gaping hole in the ogre's chest and bursting its organs all around. The battle continued and the stubborn dwarves fought as well as the ugly monsters. The only ones that surrendered were the animalistic 'people'.
As the soldiers progressed they saw horrid things. People were being eaten and ripped apart by the monsters as they screamed and begged for their lives. Homes burned and vehicles crushed. This won't go unanswered. "Kill them all!", yelled the sergeant, and the soldiers happily obliged.
With rifles, grenades, and machine guns they slaughtered the monsters. Trolls and ogres were blown to pieces, orcs, and swine riddled with holes like Swiss cheese. Even the stubborn dwarves were shown little mercy. The sergeant continued with his men to Food lion where he spotted two animal-like people, one looked like a cat and the other like a bunny, with over a dozen children.
They entered and pointed their guns at them immediately, but the children stood in front of them. "Don't shoot them.", said a boy.
"What?", asked the sergeant.
"They saved us from the monsters.", said a girl pointing to the dead orc and pig.
After some delay, the sergeant spoke, "Lower your weapons.". He walked to the two women. "I am gunnery-sergeant Jeff Miller. Who are you?"
"I am Zoya and this is Bora.", answered the rabbit woman, "We are the slave auxiliary of the empire of light."
Confused, Jeff asked, "The what?"
Before she could answer, Paterson walked over to Miller, "Sir, I have a message from lieutenant Mark Jefferson. He asks about a report and if we're ready to join them in the attack on Northeast park."
Jeff looked at the two women before turning to his men, "Paterson, tell the lieutenant that we'll join them soon. Johnson, and Shane, take these two into custody. I'll question them more when I get back."
"Where are you going?", asked Bora suddenly.
Jeff turned to her slowly and answered, "We're gonna end this."
End of chapter 2
---
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Sorry for the choppy chapter, I promise better work in the future.

Protagonists, protagonists everywhere. I'm not talking about the ones with flat character arcs or anything like that. They can be memorable too. I'm talking about the protagonists that are so bland and uninteresting that they completely poof out of the audience's head when they dip behind the proverbial curtain, be it for story or character development reasons.
The audience should anticipate their return to the action, or ponder about what they could be doing in the meantime. The audience should care about them enough to care that they're gone. But some protagonists are just so nothing that they can't do any of these things. They just give way to people and story beats that engage the audience just as well, if not better, without them and nobody would blink if the main character ever returned to the story again. Some might even be relieved.
I wonder if some stories which latch onto the protagonist and never let go are aware of this issue, and their solution is to just never relinquish focus from the protagonist for a second, regardless of how much sense it makes, or how much it drags or hurts the story. This has the side effect of making the audience resent the protagonist and actually wish for them to go.
Some previously-interesting protagonists can fall into this trap when there is simply too many other characters around them, many more interesting or entertaining, each vying for the audience's attention. This is a problem with a lot of shonen anime, where the author seems compelled to write in so many characters that eventually it becomes a free-for-all that engulfs the guy we're supposed to be rooting for.
My Hero Academia is a series that gets this criticism a lot, and for good reason. The school setting and bloat of characters, all who are, at least as far as their quirks go, intruiging, lend the story more to a slice of life series than a battle shonen. It actually makes me think of Negima, a series I never saw all the way through but whose treatment of the many students the titular character interacts with engaged me without making me lose interest in Negima himself. Each girl was given a story or a moment to make an impact for both him and the audience, in a way that, at least at the time of reading, felt natural. Even now I can recall many of the girls in my head, their stories and characters (I'm terrible with names though), and they feel real to me.
MHA, by comparison, is an ongoing series that I follow (though now out of obligation rather than genuine interest) and yet I cannot for the life of me recall or care about the majority of the cast, even as they fight for their lives at the time of writing. I care about maybe a couple beyond the base level that they are kids, but that's about it.
Izuku, who was once endearing and whose journey I was interested enough to follow, has become so bland and nothing among so much competition that the second he's off the page I forget he existed. I don't hate him, I just feel completely indifferent, which is arguably worse. Your MC should be worth loving or hating or some kind of emotion. But Izuku has long passed the point of making me care about him.
Same with Ciel Phantomhive, although that may be the result of just how much the story has dragged on. Jesus, boy, do something!
Tanjiro from Demon Slayer falls into this trap as well sometimes, at least for me, but his willingness to cut down his foes balances out his shonen nice guy traits that would otherwise make him more forgettable, like Izuku. His attachment and dedication to Nezuko is also a plus for him. The story isn't bound to him, but he doesn't slip through the cracks when he's not the focus either. He manages to assert himself.
Rin Okumura is a shonen protagonist that I love and will defend to the death. Besides Edward Elric, and Alphonse to a lesser extent, he's the only shonen main character who not only interests and entertains me but continues to be relevant and compelling in my brain when he's not around. He feels like a well-rounded human being and I care about him. I actually want to see where his story goes, whereas I just want the other stories mentioned about to just END.