#Division Grand Prize | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

travoltacustom-translates · 1 year

Text

Holy Merry Crisismas | 聖なるメリー苦離須摩須

Want to read along, but don’t have the game? Here’s a link to the event recorded!:

youtube

Event Period: 15 of December - 27 of December 2022

FEATURED CHARACTERS

Featured cards: Manjiro Sano / Ken Ryuguji

Event box: Takashi Mitsuya

Event pass: Takemichi Hanagaki

CLICK READ MORE TO VIEW THE EVENT STORY

STORY TRANSLATION

EVENT - PART 1

[ MIKEY rolls in a shop lottery ]

Shopping Street Man

大当たり~~。金賞　豪華ホテルクリスマスディナー券プレゼント！

Jackpot!~~ The grand prize is a voucher for a Christmas dinner at a luxury hotel!

MIKEY

豪華ホテルクリスマスディナー券・・・

Christmas dinner at a luxury hotel…

TAKEMICHI

はぁ~もうすぐクリスマスだっていうのにクリスマスデートのプランが全然思いつかねぇ~

ヒナに「素敵! 大好き!!」って思ってもらえる最高のデートにしたいのに!

Hah~ It’s almost Christmas, but I can’t think of what to do for a Christmas date~.

I wanna give Hina the best date ever so she thinks “THIS IS GREAT! I LOVE YOU!”

PEH-YAN

よぉー、タケミっち

Yo, Takemitchy

TAKEMICHI

べーやん君!どうしたんすか、こんなところで

Peh-yan-kun! What are you doing in a place like this?

PEH-YAN

オマエを探してたんだよこれ、マイキーがオマエに渡してくれってさ

I was looking for you cause Mikey wanted me to give this to you.

TAKEMICHI

ん？手紙っすか？

Hm? A letter?

PEH-YAN

じゃーなオレの用はこれだけだから

Aight, well that’s all I’m here for

TAKEMICHI

え、あ。ありがとうございます！

マイキー君からわざわざ手紙?カードっぽいけど･･････なになに

Eh? Ah. Thanks a lot!

Mikey actually went to the trouble of writing a letter? But it looks like a card… Let’s see.

LETTER

第一回クリスマスだよ東京卍會腕相撲大会のお知らせ

東卍メンバーでガチンコの腕相撲大会を行う

全員地図に書かれた場所に集まるように!

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 1ST CHRISTMAS TOKYO MANJI ARM WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

We will be holding an arm wrestling tournament between the Toman members.

Everyone must gather at this place written on the map!

TAKEMICHI

腕相撲大会! ?そんな･･････ボコボコにされる未来しかみえねぇんだけど・・・・・・

An arm wrestling tournament!? No way… I can only see myself getting absolutely destroyed.

LETTER

優勝賞品は高級ホテルのクリスマスディナー券だ

まぁ、こんなの欲しいやつはいないかもだけど誰が東卍で一番強い男か決めようぜ!

P.S The top prize is a Christmas dinner voucher at a luxury hotel.

Well, it’s unlikely that there’s anyone in Toman who wants something like this so let’s see who’s the strongest in Toman!

TAKEMICHI

クリスマスディナー券!? しかも高級ホテル!!!

A Christmas dinner!? And at a luxury hotel?!!!

HINA (TAKEMICHI’S IMAGINATION)

すごい...!こんな素敵なホテルのディナーをヒナの為に用意してくれたの

嬉しい...タケミチくん、大好き！！

This is amazing! You prepared such a wonderful dinner just for me?

I’m so happy… Takemichi-kun, I love you!!

TAKEMICHI

ーゴクリ

*GULP*

。。。

MIKEY

よぉ、みんな。今日はよく集まってくれたな

今から、第一回クリスマスだよ東卍腕相撲大会を開催する

ルールは簡単。AチームとBチームに分かれたトーナメント戦だ

AチームとBチームで勝ち残った二人が最後決勝戦を行い

勝者には豪華ホテルクリスマスディナー一券を贈呈する

ズルは無しだ。全員、正々堂々戦ってくれ!

Right, everyone. You all had a good time today?

From now, we’ll be holding the first Christmas Toman Arm Wrestling Tournament.

The rules are simple. The tournament will be divided into Team A and Team B.

The last two left standing from Team A and Team B will play against each other in the finals.

The winner will receive a voucher for a Christmas dinner at a luxurious hotel.

No cheating. Everyone, you better fight fair and square!

TOMAN MEMBERS

おぉーーー！

YES SIR!

TAKEMICHI

絶対優勝してやる!!!!!! 待ってろよ、ヒナ!!!!!!

I’m definitely gonna win this!!! Just you wait, Hina!!!

MIKEY

あ、あと参加者全員に衣装を用意したから、着替えるように~着なかった奴は不戦敗だからな♡

Ah, and I’ve prepared costumes for all the participants, so please change into them. ‘Cause those who don’t wear them will be eliminated♡

_ _ _ _ _

BEFORE BATTLE

TAKEMICHI

なんとかここまで勝ち進んだぞ！今まであんまり強いヤツに当たんなくてラッキーだった。

これは・・・神様がオレに味方している?

Somehow I managed to make it this far! I’ve been lucky since I haven’t encountered any of the stronger guys yet.

Could it be that… God is on my side?

MITSUYA

おいおい。えらく余裕がありそうだな。オレはそう簡単に負けねぇ��

Hey, hey. You look pretty laid-back. I’m not gonna lose so easily.

TAKEMICHI

三ツ谷君!

(次の相手は弐番隊隊長の三ツ谷君・・・・・・オレが勝てるのか!?）

イヤ! 何を弱気になってるんだ! ヒナのために絶対勝つ!!!

Mitsuya-kun!

(My next opponent is the Captain of the Second Division, Mitsuya-kun… Can I even win this!?)

No! What am I so cowardly for?! I’m definitely winning this for Hina!!!

MITSUYA

ヘー、ヒナちゃんのためにね。なるほど

Ah, so it’s for Hina’s sake. I see.

TAKEMICHI

あ、オレ声に出てましたか? そういえば三ツ谷君はなんでこの大会に参加したんすか?

こういうのあんまり興味ないと思ってました

Ah, did I say that out loud? Come to think of it, Mitsuya-kun, why did you decide to participate in the tournament?

I didn’t think that you’d be interested in this kind of thing.

MITSUYA

ああ、ルナとマナにさクリスマスディナーってのを食べさせてやりたくて

Ah, I wanted Runa and Mana to eat that Christmas dinner.

TAKEMICHI

みつやくん・・・(ウルウル)

Mitsuya-kun… Uuuuuu

MITSUYA

だからさお互い大切なやつのために正々堂々戦おうぜ!

That’s why. Let’s fight fair and square for our loved ones!

TAKEMICHI

はい！！負けないっすよ！！

Let’s go!! I won’t lose!!

_ _ _ _ _

AFTER BATTLE

TAKEMICHI

(だめだ。ピクリとも動かない。)

(It’s no use. He’s not even budging.)

MITSUYA

タケミっち。それがオマエの本気か?　そんなんじゃオレには勝てないぜ

Takemitchy. Is that seriously all you’ve got? There’s no way you’re gonna beat me like that.

TAKEMICHI

くそ、三ツ谷くん余裕だ勝てる気がしねぇ~

Damn, Mitsuya-kun isn’t letting up. I don’t think I can win this.

DRAKEN

なんだよ。そっちはまだ終わってねぇの? Bリーグは終わったぜー

The hell? You guys ain’t done yet? The B League’s already wrapped up.

TAKEMICHI

(後ろからドラケン君の声? と言うことはドラケン君が Bリーグの優勝者?）

(Is that Draken-kun’s voice behind me? Does that mean that Draken-kun’s the winner of the B League?)

MITSUYA

ブハッ！！！

BAHA!!!

TAKEMICHI

！！！

（三ツ谷君が突然吹き出した!?　理由は分からないけど今がチャンスだ!!!）

うおりゃー!!!

Mitsuya-kun suddenly burst out laughing!? I don’t know why, but now’s my chance!!!

Uraghh!!!

MITSUYA

あっ・・・

Eh…

[ BAM!!! TAKEMICHI slams down MITSUYA's hand ]

REFEREE

勝者、花垣武道！！

The winner is Takemichi Hanagaki!!

TAKEMICHI

よっしゃー！

I DID IT!!!

MITSUYA

やべ、力抜いちまった・・・

タケミっち、決勝戦頑張れよ

Shit, I lost all my strength there…

Good luck in the finals, Takemitchy

TAKEMICHI

ウッス!!　でも急に吹き出したりしてどうしたんすか?

Thanks! But like, what happened when you suddenly started laughing?

MITSUYA

・・・うしろ、見て見るよ。

Behind you, go on and look.

TAKEMICHI

うしろ？

Behind me?

DRAKEN

…

TAKEMICHI

ブハッ!!!

BUHAHA!!!

MITSUYA

その恰好はずるいだろ。

That’s quite the look there.

DRAKEN

チッ、オレだって好きで着てるわけじゃねーよ、マイキーに無理矢理着せられたんだよ。

Ghh, I’m not wearing this because I want to. Mikey forced me to wear it.

TAKEMICHI

アハハ

Ahahaha

DRAKEN

いつまで笑ってんだタケミっちオマエも同じ格好してるだろ

How long you gonna keep laughing？Takemichi, you’re also dressed up as well.

TAKEMICHI

いやいや、ドラケン君がまさかトナカイの角を付ける。なんて･･････ププッ

Nah nah, I can’t believe Draken’s wearing reindeer horns. Seriously… Huhu.

DRAKEN

良い根性してんじゃねぇか

Aren’t you all brave all of a sudden?

TAKEMICHI

あ

Ah.

DRAKEN

Aリーグは絶対オマエが勝ち残れよ。決勝戦で待ってるからよ

Make sure you win the A League. I’ll be waiting for you at the finals.

TAKEMICHI

ウッス・・・がんばります・・・

Sure… I’ll do my best…

_ _ _ _ _

EVENT - PART 2

TAKEMICHI

これでやっと半分か

Aリーグの優勝候補だった三ツ谷君を倒したとはいえまだまだ油断できないな

I’m barely halfway there.

Even though I defeated Mitsuya-kun, who was a candidate for the finals in the A League, I still can’t let my guard down.

MIKEY

タケミっち頑張ってんじゃん

Takemitchy, you’re really giving your all.

TAKEMICHI

マイキー君！

Mikey-kun!

MIKEY

ソッコーで負けると思ってたのに

I thought you were gonna lose right out the bat

TAKEMICHI

ひっでーすよ!　オレ、絶対優勝して豪華ホテルクリスマスディナー券をゲットするんすから!!

That’s so harsh! I’m definitely gonna win and get that luxury hotel Christmas dinner voucher!!

MIKEY

そんなに欲しいんだ。ディナー券

You really want it that bad huh - that dinner voucher.

TAKEMICHI

はい！！！めちゃめちゃ欲しいです！！絶対おれおれオレが手に入れます！！

(そしてヒナと・・・フへへ）

Of course! I really really want it!! I’m definitely gonna get my hands on it!!

(And then Hina’s gonna… fuhehe)

MIKEY

ふーん・・・オレ、ディナー券とか興味なかったらさ

コレ使ってなんか面白れぇことできねぇかなって思い付きで始めたけど

みんな、案外楽しんでくれてるみたいで良かった

Hmm… I wasn’t really interested in the dinner voucher.

I only did this on a whim, thinking I could do something interesting with this

I’m glad that everyone ended up enjoying themselves

TAKEMICHI

マイキー君・・・

Mikey-kun…

MIKEY

頑張れよ、タケミっち

Give it your all, Takemitchy

TAKEMICHI

はい！！！

Yeah!!!

_ _ _ _ _

AROUND MAP

DRAKEN

覚悟してるよ、タケミっち

Prepare yourself, Takemitchy

_ _ _ _ _

BEFORE BATTLE

TAKEMICHI

決勝戦まで進めてしまった・・・！これが愛の力！？待ってろよ、ヒナ！！

I made it to the finals…! Could this be the power of love!? Wait for me, Hina!!

DRAKEN

ほぉ、まさか本当にタケミっちが決勝戦まで勝ち抜くなんてな

天変地異かと思ってたがヒナちゃんのためだったわけね

Woah, I really didn’t think Takemitchy’d make it to the finals.

I thought this was some sort of natural disaster, but you did it all for Hina-chan.

TAKEMICHI

へへ。ドラケン君はエマちゃんのためっすか？

Hehe. Draken-kun, are you doing this for Emma-chan’s sake?

DRAKEN

ためっつーか。絶対優勝してディナー券ゲットしろってうるせーからよ

For her sake? I’m definitely gonna win that dinner voucher and shut you up.

TAKEMICHI

ふ~~~~~ん?

Ooooooh?

DRAKEN

んだよ。言いたいことあるならはっきり言えよ

The hell? If you've got something to say, then say it out right.

TAKEMICHI

そんな、仕方なく~ みたいな感じで言っても知ってるんすよ

ドラケン君、エマちゃんのためにここまで頑張ってですよね

No way, I can’t help it~ I know what's up, even if you say something like that.

Draken-kun, you’ve worked so hard for Emma-chan, haven’t you?

DRAKEN

はあ！？べつに、そんなんじゃねーよ

余計なことくっちゃべってねぇーでさっさとやるぞ!!

Huh!? No way, it’s not like that.

Don’t talk ‘bout shit like that. Let’s hurry up and get this over with!!

_ _ _ _ _

AFTER BATTLE

ダ――――ン

BAM!

DRAKEN

ふっ

Ha.

TAKEMICHI

へ？

Huh?

MITSUYA

うわ、瞬殺じゃんドラケン容赦ねー

Sheesh, that was an instant kill. Draken didn’t go easy on you.

REFEREE

勝者、龍宮寺堅！！

The winner is Ken Ryuguji!!

TAKEMICHI

今何が起こったんだ? オレ、負けたのか...... ?

What just happened now? Did I just lose…?

DRAKEN

わりいなタケミっち。恨むなら自分の非力さとトナカイを笑ったことを恨むんだな

My bad, Takemitchy. If you’re gonna blame anything, that’s your fault for laughing at the whole reindeer thing and your own weakness.

TAKEMICHI

そんな・・・ここまで頑張ったのに始まった瞬間負けるなんて….....

No way… I worked so hard, but the second the match started I just lost…

DRAKEN

そんじゃあ、約束通りクリスマスディナー券はもらっていくぜ

Now then, as promised, I’ll be taking that Christmas dinner voucher.

MIKEY

ちょっと待ったー！！！

Wait one sec!!!

DRAKEN

んだよ、マイキー

What the hell, Mikey.

MIKEY

ルール変える

I'm changing the rules.

DRAKEN

は？

Huh?

MIKEY

このクリスマスディナー券はオレに腕相撲で勝ったやつに渡す !!

トーナメントも関係ねぇ! 誰でも良いからかかってこい!!!

The Christmas dinner voucher is going to the guy who beats me in an arm wrestling match!

The tournament doesn’t matter anymore! Anyone can come try and take it!

DRAKEN

はぁ!? じゃあ今までの大会はなんたったんだよ!!

Huh!? So what happens with the competition we've had so far？

MIKEY

知らねえ。

Dunno.

TAKEMICHI

へえ＝

Eh…

MIKEY

オレも腕相撲やりたくなった。ほら、ディナー券欲しいやつはいないのか?

I wanted to do some arm wrestling too. Hey, does anyone want that dinner voucher?

TAKEMICHI

・・・ここでマイキー君に勝てたらディナー券が手に入る！？

はい！花垣武道　挑戦させていただきます!!

…If I beat Mikey here, I can win that dinner voucher!?

I do! I, Takemichi Hanagaki, am challenging you!!

DRAKEN

ちょっと待て!!! まずは優勝者のオレからだろう!

Wait a minute!!! Since I was the winner, I should be going first!

TAKEMICHI

マイキー君はそんなこと言ってなかったっす! 早いもの勝ちですよ

Mikey-kun didn’t say anything about that! It’s first come, first served.

DRAKEN

いやいや納得いかねぇ!!!

No way, I don’t believe that!!!

TOMAN MEMBER A

じゃあ、初戦で負けたけどオレもやります!!!

Well then, I lost in the first match, but I wanna go too!

TOMAN MEMBER B

オレが先だよ!!! てめぇは引っ込んでろ!!

I’m first!!! You should withdraw!!

TOMAN C

はぁ!? テメェが引っ込んでろよ!!!

Huh!? You better back off!!

[EVERYONE STARTS TO ARGUE]

TAKEMICHI / DRAKEN

マイキー君　/　マイキー

オレと勝負してください！　/　オレと勝負しろ！

Mikey-kun / Mikey!

Please fight me! / Fight me!

MIKEY

じゃあじゃんけんで勝った方が最初な

Then whoever goes wins at rock-paper-scissors is up first.

DRAKEN

っしゃー！！

Let’s go!!

TAKEMICHI

ぜってぇ負けねえ

I definitely won’t lose!!!

[EVERYONE TALKS OVER EACH OTHER, PLAYING ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS]

MITSUYA

これ収集つくのか?

Can I get in on this?

DRAKEN

あいこでしょ！

IT’S A TIE

TAKEMICHI

あいこでしょ！\

IT’S A TIE

MIKEY

ハハ!何回あいこになってんだよ

Haha! How many times are you guys gonna tie?

MITSUYA

ま。みんな楽しそうだからいっか

Well, everyone seems to be having fun.

DRAKEN / TAKEMICHI

メリィィィー

Merry….

MIKEY / MITSUYA

クリスマス！！！

Christmas!!!

[ EVENT END ]

T/N: I used the name Crisismas, as 苦 is 'trouble' so I hope the pun works!

You can view all my translations for Tokyo Revengers: Puzzle Revengers & Hypnosis Mic: Alternative Rap Battle in my discord: HERE.

#tokyo revengers #manjiro sano #ken ryuguji #takashi mitsuya #puzzle revengers #takemichi hanagaki #travoltacustom-translates

63 notes · View notes

nearmidnightannex · 6 months

Text

Rolling Stone goes IN on Kissinger

Their coverage is strikingly different from almost all of the rest of the US and most western media.

Whoever wrote the Daily Mail eulogy linked in the second Rolling Stone article is on the shiny shiny drugs. Also, the recommended tags that popped up for this were ... amusing, let's say.

Presented without further comment.

GOOD RIDDANCE Henry Kissinger, War Criminal Beloved by America’s Ruling Class, Finally Dies (rollingstone.com) The infamy of Nixon's foreign-policy architect sits, eternally, beside that of history's worst mass murderers. A deeper shame attaches to the country that celebrates him BY SPENCER ACKERMAN NOVEMBER 29, 2023

Henry Kissinger died on Wednesday at his home in Connecticut, his consulting firm said in a statement. The notorious war criminal was 100.

Measuring purely by confirmed kills, the worst mass murderer ever executed by the United States was the white-supremacist terrorist Timothy McVeigh. On April 19, 1995, McVeigh detonated a massive bomb at the Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children. The government killed McVeigh by lethal injection in June 2001. [...]

McVeigh, who in his own psychotic way thought he was saving America, never remotely killed on the scale of Kissinger, the most revered American grand strategist of the second half of the 20th century.

The Yale University historian Greg Grandin, author of the biography Kissinger’s Shadow, estimates that Kissinger’s actions from 1969 through 1976, a period of eight brief years when Kissinger made Richard Nixon’s and then Gerald Ford’s foreign policy as national security adviser and secretary of state, meant the end of between three and four million people. That includes “crimes of commission,” he explained, as in Cambodia and Chile, and omission, like greenlighting Indonesia’s bloodshed in East Timor; Pakistan’s bloodshed in Bangladesh; and the inauguration of an American tradition of using and then abandoning the Kurds....

ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY Media, Conservatives Team Up to Lionize War Criminal Henry Kissinger The notorious U.S. diplomat responsible for millions of deaths died on Wednesday at the age of 100 BY CHARISMA MADARANG NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Henry Kissinger, a national security adviser and former secretary of state under two presidents, has evaded accountability, even after death. On Wednesday, the notorious war criminal responsible for the deaths of millions, died at the age of 100.

During his lifetime, Kissinger prolonged the Vietnam war and expanded it to Cambodia and Laos; green-lit Indonesia’s bloodshed in East Timor, Pakistan’s bloodshed in Bangladesh, and supported military coups in Chile and Argentina. According to Yale University historian Greg Grandin, author of the biography Kissinger’s Shadow, the estimated death toll for foreign policy policies tied to Kissinger is between 3 million and 4 million.

Yet the headlines following his death have been astonishingly void of accountability, but not surprising. Publications from both the left and right lionized the war criminal. The Wall Street Journal credited Kissinger as the man who “Helped Forge U.S. Foreign Policy During Vietnam and Cold Wars,” while BBC called him the “Divisive diplomat who towered over world affairs.” In a loaded headline, Daily Mail lauded the him as a “Nobel Prize winner who stared down the Soviets,” while also labeling Kissinger as a “VERY unlikely sex symbol.” [...]

#kissinger #henry kissinger #kissinger is dead

12 notes · View notes

ughmiyans · 11 months

Text

msby hold a charity event where, apparently, the grand prize is a one-on-one meet and greet + dinner date with miya atsumu (with security measures in place, of course).

“who here is a fan of miya-senshu?” the host asks with faux curiosity, and the fans promptly erupt with cheers and shouts for the #1 voted most handsome player in the vleague’s men’s division. the host waits for the cheers to die down as he reveals the grand prize and proceeds to explain the mechanics.

“the rules are simple: prove that you’re a true fan of miya-senshu. a picture will be flashed on the screen shortly, and all you have to do is identify which one miya-senshu is in the picture. the first one to raise their hand will be called to answer. ready, go!”

all eyes turn to the screen where an absolutely adorable baby picture of the miya twins is being projected. you absolutely could not tell apart one from the other—they were both wearing the same colored baby blue onesie, had a pacifier in each of their mouths, and their fringes were not yet parted to differentiate them from the other twin.

“how’d ya get this photo?!” miya could be heard asking on the side of the stage where the team is seated, surprised and delighted.

a hand immediately shot up a second after the photo was revealed—but not from the rows of seats for fans. no, it was from msby’s very own cluster of seats.

“sakusa…senshu?” the host is appropriately shocked. the fans are shocked. the production crew is shocked. msby members are shocked. everyone and their mother are shocked at sakusa “quiet, reserved, barely participates in games” kiyoomi raising his hand.

sakusa stands up like he’s a high schooler called for graded recitation. “miya—well, atsumu is the one on the right,” he says as if the answer should be obvious to everyone.

“…correct,” the host says after a few beats of still-shocked silence.

sakusa nods, pleased, and turns around to a gaping atsumu who was seated behind him. “i’ll take my prize now,” he announces, and holds out a hand for the blonde to take.

atsumu’s agape mouth morphs into a blinding grin. “possessive, aren’tcha, omi-kun? if i knew this is what it would take for you ta ask me out, i woulda suggested it to our PR team ages ago.” he grasps his hand and stands up to face the crowd, fingers interlocked.

“sorry ya’ll, better luck next time! gotta cut this short since i got a hot date and all.” sakusa rolls his eyes but they crinkle at the sides, giving away his true emotions behind his mask. atsumu waves to the crowd before pulling sakusa off the stage, breaching just about every protocol and giving their PR team an aneurysm. the crowd bursts into cheers as the two exit the venue, everyone seemingly getting over the shock of two of msby’s players getting together in front of their eyes, and at a fundraising event at that.

“sakusa-senshu did win fair and square, didn’t he?” the host says, delighted.

from the onigiri miya food stall, osamu can be heard shouting: “FUCKIN’ FINALLY, YA PINING LOSERS!”

(needless to say, this little scene did wonders for the team’s publicity when #sakuatsu trends for weeks on twitter following the event, much to the delight (and relief) of their PR team.)

#sakuatsu #skts #miya atsumu #sakusa kiyoomi #haikyuu #haikyuu!!#haikyuu ships #sakuatsu drabble #haikyuu drabbles #omi is a simp

50 notes · View notes

mariacallous · 4 months

Text

Remembering how the world looked before Donald Trump became the U.S. president in January 2017 paints a striking picture. At that time, the idea that Beijing poses a threat to global security was not a mainstream one in Washington. Imposing tariffs on European imports seemed inconceivable. And controls on technology exports—which had fallen into progressive disuse since the end of the Cold War—were the realm of a tiny niche of policy wonks.

For better or for worse, there is no denying that Trump changed the world, especially when it comes to relations between the United States and China.

Given Trump’s incendiary rhetoric about Beijing—including his promise to escalate the U.S.-China trade war—it is easy to believe that Chinese leaders would prefer incumbent U.S President Joe Biden over Trump, who will likely be the Republican Party candidate.

Yet this view is probably shortsighted, and it eclipses the broader picture. In all likelihood, China is rooting for Trump.

Beijing knows that there is no hope for an improvement in its ties with Washington, whether under Trump, Biden, or any other U.S. president. From the perspective of Beijing’s long game vis-à-vis the West, Trump’s return to the White House may well turn out to be in China’s favor, at least in the economic field. Here are five reasons why.

1. Trump would increase divisions between the United States and Europe.

“I think the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade.” (Trump in July 2018)

In December 2023, the Financial Times reported that China’s intelligence services had been using Frank Creyelman, a former Belgian senator, as an asset for years. His Chinese handler neatly summarized the relationship’s objective: “Our purpose is to divide the US-European relationship.”

Beijing’s reasoning is simple: Cementing distrust between the United States and the Europe is the best way to prevent the emergence of trans-Atlantic policies detrimental to Chinese interests, such as joint export controls. From that perspective, a second Trump presidency would play into China’s hand. “I think the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade,” Trump said in 2018, and there is no indication that he has changed his mind.

If elected, Trump would probably be unable to resist the urge to restart trade wars with Europe—for instance, by making good on his pledge to impose a 10 percent tariff across the board. A trade fight, in turn, would likely halt U.S.-EU cooperation on measures that could hurt Chinese interests. Of course, Trump’s recent promise to impose a minimum 60 percent tariff on Chinese imports would also be painful for Beijing. But in the grand scheme of things, Beijing may assume that paying such a price is worth it if the prize is a schism between the United States and the EU.

2. Trump could make a U-turn on sanctions against Russia.

“They have sanctions on Russia—let’s see if we can make some good deals with Russia.” (January 2017)

For all the unpredictability of Trump’s foreign policy, one constant has been his clear inclination to cozy up to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was most evident during a U.S.-Russia summit in Finland in 2018, when Trump suggested that he trusted Putin more than his own intelligence services. If his admiration for Putin remains intact, Trump could well decide to lift sanctions on Russia as soon as he enters office, much to the horror of European countries.

Such a situation would not only delight Moscow, but also play into Beijing’s favor. Despite declarations of an unlimited friendship between Russia and China, the reality is that Chinese firms have been cautious in their dealings with Russia. Although Chinese exports to Russia have jumped since 2022, this was from a low base, and there is little evidence so far that Chinese firms are in a rush to invest in Russia.

This is because of worries that Washington could impose secondary sanctions on Moscow, forcing companies around the world to choose between their U.S. and Russian customers. For most Chinese firms, sticking to the U.S. market would be a no-brainer in such a scenario. As a result, Chinese companies have little interest in developing relationships with Russian businesses that they might need to abandon soon. If Trump lifts sanctions on Moscow, this problem would be solved for Chinese firms.

3. Trump would give a boost to China’s push for alternative financial mechanisms.

“China wants to replace [the U.S. dollar] with the yuan, and it was unthinkable with us. Unthinkable. Would never have happened. Now people are thinking about it.” (August 2023)

China has long sought to vaccinate itself from U.S. sanctions, be it through de-dollarization, the creation of alternatives to the Western-controlled SWIFT global banking system, or plans for a digital yuan to settle cross-border payments. However, China can’t achieve this strategy on its own: For its financial structures to displace established Western ones, Beijing’s trading partners need to opt for the non-Western alternative as well. The path to get there will be steep; most firms and banks see no need to ditch SWIFT, which works perfectly well, to try a much smaller Chinese alternative.

A second Trump presidency could change this reasoning. The case of Russian aluminum producer Rusal in 2018 illustrates why: After slapping sanctions on the company without any warning, the Trump administration had to backtrack and lift the sanctions in a rush after realizing that the measures had massive global ripple effects.

The moral of the story was clear: Under Trump, anything can happen—and anyone can fall under sanctions without warning. As a result, many countries would seek to preemptively shield themselves from such measures if Trump were back in the White House. At this stage, the best way to do so is to switch to Beijing’s alternative financial mechanisms. That would be another win for China.

4. A Trump win would increase China’s domination for critical materials sourcing from emerging countries.

“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries coming here?” (January 2018)

A global battle for influence pits Western economies against China for securing access to the raw materials that will be crucial for the green energy transition, such as cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, and nickel. So far, this battle is mostly taking place in resource-rich emerging economies, such as Bolivia, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, and Indonesia. China is, by far, the uncontested leader in this race, controlling around 50 to 70 percent of the refining of the global lithium supply, for instance.

A second Trump presidency would not help to convince developing economies—which Trump once collectively disparaged as “shithole countries”—to partner with Washington for the supply of critical raw materials. Many mineral-rich states would fear that promises from Trump have little value, as his sudden withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal showed in 2018.

Besides, Trump’s disdain for developing economies, likely curbs on immigration, and incendiary rhetoric about Islam will not exactly break the ice with African, Southeast Asian, or South American leaders. China would rejoice and continue to advance its interests in emerging economies by portraying itself as the adult in the room—a reliable partner that does not mix business and politics.

5. China would benefit from U.S. export controls on clean tech.

“The concept of global warming was created by China in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” (November 2012)

Restrictions on exports are a key tool for Washington to implement its China-focused strategy of economic de-risking. These measures target technologies that have dual-use applications, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. So far, clean tech has been spared from U.S. export controls, but a Trump presidency would probably change this. Republicans have made it clear that they would adopt a more hawkish stance on China and seek to apply export controls to a broader range of sectors than the Biden administration did, probably including clean tech, such as renewable energy and battery technology.

Seen from China, U.S. export controls on green goods would be excellent news. In the short- to medium-term, such measures would have little impact on Chinese firms, since they are already world leaders in sectors such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.

In the long term, Chinese businesses could even benefit from such controls. Deprived of the world’s largest markets, U.S. firms would have fewer revenues and be forced to slash research and development budgets. Helped by generous public subsidies, Chinese businesses would be able to double down on research, helping them surpass U.S. firms by developing the next generation of clean tech gear. In addition, a scenario of U.S. clean tech retrenchment would help China influence global standards for future clean tech goods, culminating in an all-around win for Beijing.

At a 2016 campaign rally, Trump boasted, “I love China.” Regardless of whether this is true or not, Beijing likely thinks better of a second Trump presidency than one could expect at first glance. In key economic areas, such as trade, sanctions, financial infrastructure, access to critical raw materials, and export controls, a Trump 2.0 scenario could well play into China’s long-term interests.

There are, of course, other areas to consider beyond economics. But Trump’s recent statement that he is not too keen to defend Taiwan—another crucial issue for China—will also please Beijing. Seen from China, a Trump win in November could very well look like a tempting opportunity to benefit from the chaos, the divisions, and the hit to U.S. prestige that it would unleash.

4 notes · View notes

stevebattle · 1 year

Text

Odetics Dextrous Manipulator by Bruce Schena (1990) for Odetics Inc., Advanced Intelligent Machines Division, Anaheim, California. This dextrous telerobotic manipulator is a lightweight, robotic arm designed to work in hazardous environments. The design is highly modular with a three-axis wrist, a double-jointed actuated elbow, and two powered joints at the shoulder providing seven degrees of freedom. It offers zero-backlash actuation by using two brushless DC motors at each joint. The motors work in opposition, with one acting as the prime mover with the other motor producing an opposing, bias torque to cancel any backlash. This also increases redundancy, as either motor can drive the joint should the other fail. In addition, fail-safe brakes lock the arm in position should it lose power. Developed under contract with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, this redundant & fail-safe design makes it an ideal candidate for orbital spacecraft servicing and space-structure assembly. In 1992 the arm won the Grand Prize for the Design News Magazine Excellence In Design Competition.

#cybernetics #robot arm #robot #1990

26 notes · View notes

kradogsrats · 1 year

Text

Del Bar Headcanons

I think about Del Bar a lot because of Lissa, and for some reason I have been having all of the Lissa feelings at once, so just a few things for fun:

Del Barian society is highly individualistic--values and prestige are centered around an individual person's rights and deeds, rather than collective needs and contributions to a group. Del Barians pride themselves on self-sufficiency in even the most dire straits, each individual providing for themself and their family at all costs. They are also highly competitive, seeking from childhood to distinguish themselves with skill or accomplishments. A lot of faith is put in meritocracy.

The emphasis on independence and self-sufficiency gives Del Barians a complicated relationship with debt and receiving aid--there are a lot of intricate social rituals surrounding honor and gift-giving with regard to the relative social status of each party. It is acceptable to receive gifts or aid from someone of higher status, but not from someone of equal status without returning something of equal or greater value. Accepting aid or gifts from someone of lower status is considered shameful, as is asking for aid from anyone (with some oddly specific exceptions). Since Del Barian social status is both malleable and occasionally subjective, this gets very complicated, very quickly.

Hospitality, however, is sacred. To not provide for a guest would be an abomination, and to refuse the provisions of your host is a profane insult. There are a lot of Del Barian stories about the grief that comes to those who fail to offer or refuse to accept hospitality.

Del Bar has no structured military--instead it operates on a wide-reaching system of reserves, with every pledged warrior expected to present themself, armed and armored, at the ruler's call. Predictably, this makes for a fairly disorganized force, but they make up for it with individual skill and enthusiasm. A warrior's pledge to fight for the king or queen is voided and renewed with each new ruler, and confers moderate benefits (social status and tax breaks, mostly).

The Del Barian monarchy is not hereditary--instead, the death or abdication of a ruler is followed by the Gladiatorial Moot, a series of grand melee tournaments, the winner of which takes the crown. The intent of the tradition is an equal opportunity for meritocratic rise, but in practice a lot of mercenary politics goes on behind the scenes, with candidates swapping future favors for alliances of support during the fighting. There are, of course, a plethora of stories about untried youths from humble origins prevailing against wicked, cheating schemers to become legendary kings and queens, but actual cheating is basically unheard of.

The reputation of their warriors means Del Bar is often viewed by foreigners as having an exclusively martial culture, but the arts are considered equally important and prestigious as fighting skill. Music and poetry are as integral to Del Barian culture as sword and axe--in fact, tradition dictates that by adulthood, every Del Barian should be proficient with at least one weapon and one instrument. Exquisite craftsmanship and artistry is prized in all spheres, from the ornate carvings omnipresent on both the inside and out of Del Barian structures to each weapon and armor piece produced by a smith being a completely unique work of art.

Class division in Del Bar is more regional than it is economic or social. Broadly, Del Barians are grouped into several distinct micro-societies: the mountain people, the valley people, and a rising third class generally referred to as the city people (derogatory).

The mountain people live in the rough, mountainous regions, primarily as hunters and trappers. They are harsh, solitary, and conservative in their traditions, but highly respected because of the sacred nature of the mountains they have mastered. The ruler of Del Bar, regardless of origin, is considered an honorary person of the mountains.

The valley people are the majority of Del Barians, living in the broad, forested lowlands north of the mountain range. They occupy a broad variety of walks of life--farmers, miners and lumberers, artisans of all kinds, poets and musicians, and local merchants. Sailors and sea fishers are also generally lumped in with valley people, but consider themselves distinct. Valley people are still very culturally Del Barian and hold themselves aloof from the the melting pot of the borders and cities.

The city people are a loose and diverse group born from the urbanization of Serpentongue and the border regions (and, to an extent, Hinterpeak, in that mountain people consider its residents barely Del Barian at all). Composed of basically anyone considered to have been exposed to too much cultural influence from foreigners, they are frequently import/export merchants, more liberal artists and scholars, and general misfits. They are regarded with mild disdain by valley people who lean conservative and utter contempt by the mountain people. However, they consider themselves to be as Del Barian as anyone else, and an important part of Del Bar's future in an increasingly interconnected Pentarchy. (Lissa would be considered a city person.)

Del Barian society produces few mages, due to a combination of its general distance from Xadia, its cultural emphasis on physical combat, and a long folkloric tradition of tales about wicked mages and the dangers of magic. Interestingly, this means that most of the Dark magic in Del Bar is concentrated among the mountain people, whose solitary wild-mages jealously guard their access to the remaining rare magical reagents in remote, untouched forests and caves.

Primary exports are: lumber (mostly to Neolandia), furs, silver, luxury crafts

#the dragon prince #del bar #headcanons #lissa #i did not make up the 'we fight until the winner becomes king' thing that is actually canon

15 notes · View notes

aboutryujunyeol · 1 year

Text

:: RyuJunYeol Profile Update :: ประวัติส่วนตัว

ชื่อ : รยูจุนยอล (RyuJunYeol) 류준열 เกิด : 25 กันยายน 1986 (ราศีตุลย์) ปีเสือ อายุ : 37 ปีส่วนสูง : 183 ซม น้ำหนัก : 70 กก การศึกษา : The University of Suwon สาขา College of Covergence culture arts (수원대학교 연극영화 학사) ผลงานเดบิวต์ : ภาพยนตร์ ปี (2014) เรื่อง Socialphobia (소셜포비아)

ผลงานละคร/ซีรี่ย์(DRAMA) 2021 JTBC Lost – รับบท คังแจ 2016 MBC Lucky Romance - รับบท เชซูโฮ 2015 tvN Reply 1988 – รับบท คิมจองฮวาน

ผลงานวาไรตี้(ENTERTAINMENT) 2023 tvN 류준열과 교복 입은 사진가들 (Ryu Joon Yeol And Photographers In Uniforms) 2019 JTBC 트래블러 (Traver) 2016 꽃보다 청춘 아프리카 (Youth Over Flowers In Africa)

ผลงานมิวสิควิดีโอ(MUSIC VIDEO) 2014 클래지콰이(CLAZZIQUAI PROJECT) – 내게 돌아와(Still I'm by Your Side)

ผลงานภาพยนตร์ (MOVIE) 2022 Owl - รับบท คยองซู 2022 Alien + Human Part 1 – รับบท มูรัก 2019 Battle of Bongo-dong – รับบท จางฮา 2019 Don - รับบท อิลฮยอน 2019 Hit-and-Run Squad - รับบท มินแจ 2018 Dokjeon – รับบท รัก 2018 Little Forest - รับบท แจฮา 2017 Silence - รับบท คิมดงมยอง 2017 Taxi Driver - รับบท แจชิก 2017 The King - รับบท ดูอิล 2016 Grandmother Gyechun – รับบท ชอลฮอล 2016 Glory Day – รับบท จีกง 2016 island. Disappeared People - รับบท จีฮุน 2016 Robot, Sori – Seedless Strawberry Station 2015 Shepherds - รับบท ดงชอล 2015 Socialphobia – รับบท ยางเก 2014 People in a hurry – starring 2014 Children's Mind – บทนำ 2014 Midnight Sun - รับบท ยงฮัน

รางวัล 2023 59th Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Actor in Film (Owl)

2019 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the 10th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards

2019 The 19th Korea Youth Film Festival Male Actor Category Grand Prize 2019 London East Asian Film Festival Rising Star Award

2019 New York Asian Film Festival Rising Star Award

2019 The 39th Golden Cinematography Award Popularity Award selected by the cinematographer

2018 The 18th Korea Youth Film Festival New Actor Category Grand Prize

2018 Asia Artist Awards Actor Best Popular

2018 Asia Artist Awards Actor Category Artist of the Year

2017 Asia Artist Awards Actor Best Star Award

2017 The 1st The Seoul Awards Best New Actor in Film

2017 Commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare on the Day of Suicide Prevention

2017 The 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor in Film

2016 MBC Drama Awards Male Rookie Award

2016 Asia Artist Awards Drama Division Rookie of the Year

2016 The 1st tvN10 Awards Most Popular Male Actor Award

2016 KAFA Feature Film Course 10th Anniversary Awards Ceremony 10 Keepers of the Korean Academy of Film Arts

2016 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards TV Male New Actor Award

2016 Cable Broadcasting Awards Rising Star Award

2016 Max Movie Best Film Award, Rising Star Award

2016 Max Movie Best Movie Award Best New Actor Award

2016 Korea First Brand Awards Special Award

2015 KAFA FILMS Successful Meditation

#AboutRyujunyeol #ryujunyeol

2 notes · View notes

f1 · 1 year

Text

Max Verstappen's unexpected advantage in the Miami GP | The Race F1 Podcast

Max Verstappen’s fighting victory in Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix on an alternate strategy to team-mate Sergio Perez takes centre stage in the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast. Scott Mitchell-Malm and and Mark Hughes join host Edd Straw to discuss the headlines from the weekend, leading off on Miami GP’s pre-race spectacle that proved divisive and how F1’s two 2023 title protagonists stacked up this weekend. There’s a look at Verstappen’s initial charge that set up the win, and at the implications of Perez failing to convert pole into 25 points in these specific circumstances. Charles Leclerc’s weekend-wrecking qualifying error is also discussed, as part of a wider look at the current Ferrari’s shortcomings – along with rival Mercedes’ own, different brand of performance inconsistency. And there’s a chat about the “machine gun round” unleashed earlier in the weekend by Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi about the team’s performance in 2023 so far, and a round of questions answered from The Race Members’ Club. 0:00 Where is LL Cool J? 2:30 How Verstappen won 9:01 Perez's title hopes 10:37 Alonso bags another podium 13:09 Leclerc overdoes it 20:07 Mercedes still lost 23:47 Alpine decent at last 26:23 Haas's strong performance 27:44 Valtteri Bottas sympathy corner 29:25 McLaren's struggles 31:40 Mercedes' upcoming update 33.27 Is Hamilton's discomfort in the car recent? 35:35 Aero testing vs prize money 36:25 Are Mercedes getting an easy time from the media? 38:15 Red Bull team orders? 39:50 Should F1 adopt an IndyCar style timing line? 40:53 Should the F2 champion get an F1 drive? 43:29 Leclerc's crashes Subscribe: http://the-race.com/youtube_subscribe Website: http://the-race.com/ Twitter: @wearetherace Instagram: @wearetherace Facebook: http://facebook.com/wearetherace Podcasts: http://the-race.com/podcasts Thanks for watching - please like, share and comment, please also hit subscribe to show your support so we'll keep doing what we're doing. https://www.the-race.com http://www.twitter.com/wearetherace #f1 #podcast #miamigp #formula1 #formulaone #f1podcast #therace #f1news #f12023 #maxverstappen #sergioperez #redbull #lewishamilton #mercedes #charlesleclerc #ferrari #mclaren #landonorris #miami #usa #astonmartin #fernandoalonso via THE RACE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaTxfj0BzL-MaCy-YUqPRoQ

#F1 #Max Verstappen's unexpected advantage in the Miami GP | The Race F1 Podcast #Formula 1

2 notes · View notes

ebookporn · 2 years

Text

Hard Times

Richard Charkin’s ‘lessons for survival’ include making ‘cash flow and profit more important than prizes and warm feelings.’

by Richard Charkin

...In the mid-1970s, Britain—as it was then called—was suffering from a barrage of economic woes. High inflation (10+ percent), high unemployment (10 percent), high taxes, low growth, lousy industrial relations. Sounds familiar? We now call the syndrome “stagflation” and it’s what most of the world is enjoying or will enjoy in the near future.

I was working at Oxford University Press when it became clear that the general economic situation meant we had to make some adjustments if we were to survive and fulfil our obligations to our owners, the University of Oxford. The process was labeledretrenchment, a euphemism for doing what the big tech companies are doing now, laying people off.

The first task was to close our hugely inefficient and costly warehouse in West London. It employed several hundred people, many of whom didn’t actually exist. Like Gogol’s ‘dead souls’ they were there to increase the wages of workers’ union members by paying some twice. These non-existent employees had names such as Mickey Mouse or Diana Dors.

The blame for this absurdity must be placed at the door of management for letting it happen. However, I was part of the team negotiating the closure and the lay-offs. It probably explains why I have always been reluctant to hire people for fear of having to fire them. In any event, the warehouse was moved to a more economic site with better technology and a workforce keen to work rather than cheat the management.

The second phase was the closure of two inordinately expensive, overly grand, and inefficient offices in central London, housing the music department and the general books division. Over the years, these two businesses had created empires for themselves separate from the overall aims of a university press and with comfortable terms and conditions unimaginable to the workers in Oxford.

There was, of course, much weeping and gnashing of teeth when we announced these units were moving. “These London businesses need to be in London to be close to literary agents and the musical center of the country” was the theme of the resistance movement. We moved the whole shebang to Oxford with no loss of prestige or quality, huge savings in cost and concomitant reduction in losses.

Then we had to decide what areas of the publishing businesses we should cut back and which were genuinely strategic.

#book publishing #publishers #economics #layoffs #book manufacturing #authors #writers #booksellers #bookstores #librarians

6 notes · View notes

universestreasures · 3 days

Text

The Ideals Of Gaen (Drabble)

A Rarity's Birthday Day Festival 2024 🎁 (For my Boo, my Boyfriend, Jeff aka @throneofein)

The Amanosuzu's Groups' annual gala was always an event Mokuba enjoyed attending. No one quite threw a party like his eldest friend did, everything from the food, to the decorations, to the events being picked to perfection. Yes, the event was very much formal, as one would expect, but it wasn't 'stuffy' like other parties he's attended. He was actually enjoying himself for once in his life.

While his brother was handling business discussions (as that was the only reason his brother was attending this to begin with), Mokuba had settled out to find where his friends from Aibo Academy were. Part of the festivities was, no surprise to anyone, a Buddyfight competition. The person who obtains the most wins within the time limit was to win a special secret prize that Suzuha told him was well worth the effort. They even were lending out loaner decks and Core Deck Cases just in case anyone who wanted to participate could. It was a rather smart and fun marketing idea, one Mokuba might have to keep in his back pocket for a future event for the company.

His search for his friends through the spacious castle estate is suddenly halted as he notices someone randomly (at least it appeared that way) staring at one of the paintings in the hallway. Specifically, it was one of the few portraits of Tasuku Ryuenji that Lady Suzuha had hung around the place. She sure wasn't making her crush on him any more evident with stunts like this. Though, what was of interest to the boy was not the actions but more so who was doing it, purple hues scanning the appearance of the person trying to figure out who it was and why...he looked so familiar.

White hair with crimson tips, eyes that reminded one of a dragon's eye, dropped in reds and golds...He looked like something out of a video game, like a demonic prince kind of character. It's that thought that finally clicks in just who this is, Mokuba suddenly remembering a conversation he had at last year's event, one in which he had been actually introduced to the stranger who was apparently an old friend of Suzuha's...

"K-Kyoya Gaen, head of the Gaen Financial Group...right?"

"A pleasure to see you again, Mokuba Kaiba, Vice President of Kaiba Corporation." The other smiles at him in response. It was a smile that was cordial, almost perfect one might say.

"You here to admire the artwork as well? I must say the artist here really did capture Tasuku Ryuenji's likeness, don't you agree?"

"I-I guess so..." An attempt at a response as Mokuba placed his hands in his pocket from the awkwardness of a sudden conversation. "...b-but I'm actually looking for my friends. They're taking place in the Buddyfight event tonight."

"Oh, are they? Well, I'm sure they're somewhere around here. Lady Suzuha has quite a number of fighting arenas on this property. It is impressive. A shame I won't be able to use one of them."

"...You're not competing?" That was odd. From Mokuba's understanding, Kyoya Gaen was much like Tasuku and Seto in being rather gifted at games, especially Buddyfight and chess. You'd think he'd jump on the chance to show off his skills. Then again, his brother was rather 'selective' in who he played games with. Perhaps the teen head was much the same.

"I, unfortunately, have other business to attend to tonight that prevents me from doing so. Though, I am interested to see the...talent of the fighters on display. The newly upgraded Core Deck Cases make such grand Buddyfights possible, and of course, we have your company to thank for that, yes?"

"Y-Yeah..." He confirms what the other should probably know already. "The Core Deck Cases virtual protection technology is a version of Kaiba Corp's Solid Vision that was developed for the Duel Disk that was combined with the previous system. It was a...great collaboration between our company and the Amanosuzu Group's gaming division that's helped both of us."

"Indeed. Your brother's Solid Vision technology is exquisite. Truly, remarkable. Though, if I may be honest with you, I think the potential of your company's technology is being a bit...wasted, don't you think?"

"...Excuse me?" His remark sounds like a perfect blend of both confusion and offense, with a hint of a lowered tone that is all too similar to that of his brother.

"Oh, I meant no insult by my words, I assure you. I mean them as only a compliment! Kaiba Corporation's technology is truly innovative, unlike anything I've ever seen. That's why I think there is...so much b that could be done with it other than just game development. Your recent Kaiba Land project is a perfect example of this. Just think of what other possibilities could be made into reality with such technology, what good things it can do for this world."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Well, your technology certainly has brought many people together. Such is the power of games. Now, think of what it could do if it was applied to something on...a broader scale. Why, one might say it could potentially...change this troubled world of ours." The other's eyes narrowed with that last statement, shifting into something that seemed almost 'dangerous'.

"Change the world...?" He takes a step back, almost as if trying to get away.

"This world of ours is full of unnecessary suffering. Surely you of all people are aware of that fact..." Hearing that causes Mokuba's eyes to wince, as if he was just hit by a slashing blade. Did...Did he know about his past, something that wasn't public knowledge? "I simply think it is the responsibility of those of us with great power and resources to do something about it. So, I ask you..."

A hand is then extended to the young boy, a gesture that makes him pause and stare at it for what felt like forever.

"Will you become my friend, and together, help me change the fate of the world?"

Despite the 'genuine' smile on the other's face and the seeming normality of the gesture, there was this tension in the air that he couldn't shake. The way Kyoya was acting...What he was saying...It all should make him feel one way, but...it wasn't. Instead of feeling touched by his sentiment and wanting to help a clearly noble cause, instead wanted to run and seek help, as if facing down a monster.

"Uh...Uh..." He stutters in his words, frozen in place and shaken to his core. What should he do? What does he say? What can you even say to something like that?

It is after a few long moments that Mokuba comes to his answer. He takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and then looks the other directly in the eye, as best he could anyway. "I'm...I'm sure whatever you're thinking of is...great, but...I-I don't think I or...Kaiba Corp is right to help you with all that. I'm...I'm sorry."

One would expect such a rejection would make Kyoya react in some negative way. However, he remains...weirdly calm. He simply draws his hand back, Mokuba watching his actions intently as he then provides his vocal response.

"It's quite alright, Mr. Kaiba. I completely understand. I might have come off too strongly there. I simply couldn't help but discuss the potential of your company's technology in service of the world, and of you as my friend. Please, accept my apologies."

"It's...fine." It wasn't really, since the poor kid was now an anxious wreck, but what else could he say?

"I'm certain we'll meet again, and...that in time, you and your brother will no doubt come to see things my way, and we can all work together for a better world, a better future for us all, as friends." Kyoya's draconian hus stared right into the boy's soul as he spoke, him seemingly etching his words, which sounded like a threat, into it as if it were a stone.

"W-What are you-"

Mokuba is then cut off as the head then walks away, disappearing into the many halls of the castle when the boy had a chance to follow him. He can only stand still in silence as he tries to process what he just went through, a million questions running through his mind as his heart raced in his ears. Throughout it all though, the only thing that made sense was this: that Kyoya Gaen was a man to watch out for and that something was coming...coming he just didn't like...

#💎 Vice Treasure (Mokuba Kaiba)#💎 Crystalized Hidden Gems (Drabble)#💎 Atop The Dragon's Throne (Throneofein)#💎 Vice's Treasured Homeland (Mokuba Main Verse)#Rarity's Birthday Festival 2024 #tw long post #(BOOOOOO THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!#(AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS! WE DISCUSSED THIS IDEA AS I JOKE SO I JUST WENT FOR IT SERIOUSLYYYY #(<3 <3 <3 !!!#(also the reason Kyoya was looking at the painting is cause of you know...what he's got planned LMFAO

0 notes

chantireviews · 7 days

Text

Announcing the 2023 CIBAs Grand Prize Winners for Non-Fiction, Shorts, and Series!

A Huge Congratulations to all of the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards (CIBAs) Division Non-Fiction, Book Series, and SHORTS Grand Prize Winners! Every tier of the CIBAs is an important one, though few rise to be one of the coveted Division Grand Prize Winners! All First Place and Grand Prize winners were announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference at the CIBAs Ceremonies on…

View On WordPress

0 notes

cavenewstimes · 11 days

Text

Aspen Ladd still confused about PFL-Bellator’s plans for women’s featherweight division

When Aspen Ladd signed with the PFL as a free agent, she was excited compete in the promotion’s season-long format where the winner earns a $1 million grand prize. She came up short in her first bid to become a PFL champion during the 2023 season, but the 29-year-old UFC veteran was excited to try again in 2024, especially after learning that a whole new roster of fighters would be jumping into…

View On WordPress

0 notes

lboogie1906 · 14 days

Text

Carmen Arlene Balthrop-Delaney (May 14, 1948 - September 5, 2021) soprano and arts advocate, was born in DC to John W. Balthrop, who was employed by the Department of Justice in the Printing Office, and Clementine E. Jordan Balthrop, a homemaker. She was the youngest and only girl of four children.

She heard the legendary opera singer Leontyne Price on the radio, sparking her interest in classical music. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, and received a BSM in voice performance. She earned an MSM in Voice Performance from The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at the Catholic University of America.

She won first prize in the New York Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions, one of the most prestigious competitions in opera. She played the title role in Scott Joplin’s opera Treemonisha with the Houston Grand Opera. Her Metropolitan Opera debut came in 1977 in Mozart’s opera Die Zauberflöte as Pamina. She advocated for the arts when she testified before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee supporting President Jimmy Carter’s proposed budget for the National Endowment for the Arts. She left the hearing room with loud applause as a 15‐minute recess was called for her to sing to members of Congress and congressional staffers in the hall of the Capitol.

She began teaching applied voice at the University of Maryland School of Music. She taught movement for singers, opera repertory, and an advanced seminar in vocal pedagogy. She married Dorceal Duckens (1985). She married Patrick Delaney. She had two daughters.

She was inducted into the University of Maryland’s Hall of Fame. She was the coordinator of the voice and opera division of the School of Music at that institution. She continued performing with opera companies, including Washington Opera, Deutsche Opera of Berlin, and Opera Columbus in Ohio. She sang the principal role in African American composer Leslie Burrs’ opera Vanqui. She served as the College of Arts and Humanities’ advanced professor at the University of Maryland. She was the university’s associate director for academic affairs and undergraduate studies. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

0 notes

jcmarchi · 2 months

Text

Cover Reveal – Star Wars Outlaws

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/cover-reveal-star-wars-outlaws/

Cover Reveal – Star Wars Outlaws

This month, Star Wars Outlaws graces the cover of Game Informer. Regardless of your history with the series, there’s no denying the impact that Star Wars has had in the pop culture landscape. The Original Trilogy inspired countless other pieces of media and the subsequent releases have all been noteworthy for one reason or another. But it was the Original Trilogy that developer Massive Entertainment – the team behind games like The Division, The Division 2, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – chose to make its playground. We traveled to the coastal city of Malmö, Sweden, to learn all about the open-world scoundrel adventure set in a galaxy far, far away.

Our cover art this month, provided by Massive Entertainment, shows the protagonists of the story, Kay Vess and her companion Nix, in a cantina, presumably accepting a job. Cantinas serve as the gathering place for the types of seedy individuals Kay and Nix seek out for work. On the back cover, we get a glimpse of one of the criminal factions Kay can accept jobs for: the Pyke Syndicate. You can learn more about Kay, Nix, the syndicates they interact with, the Reputation System, and plenty more in our 12-page cover story of Star Wars Outlaws!

But that’s not all that’s housed within this latest issue of Game Informer! Marcus Stewart visited Bandai Namco in Irvine, California, to get his hands on Sand Land, the anticipated action title from ILCA. Speaking of the great Akira Toriyama, Kyle Hilliard takes some time in the issue to pay tribute to the legendary manga and anime icon. On the topic of hot-button issues, Wesley LeBlanc spoke with several game developers who are using artificial intelligence in different ways to learn their reasoning and try to grasp the ethics of doing so. Zachary Avery interviewed the team behind indie publishing label Finji (as well as several developers that have published under Finji) and wrote an in-depth profile, while Marcus Stewart spoke with the developers behind the hit Poker-inspired roguelite Balatro about its runaway success. Finally, I traveled to Los Angeles, California, to catch up with the director and producer of Street Fighter 6 and attend Capcom Cup X to see the first-ever $1 million grand prize get handed out.

That’s on top of our standard preview suite. In this issue, you’ll read previews for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Dune: Awakening, Kingmakers, MechWarrior 5: Clans, TopSpin 2K25, and more!

Here’s a closer look at the cover:

Not a print subscriber yet but want this issue? Well, you’re in luck! Subscribing today – or within the next few days – will net you a print copy of this issue! You can join the ranks of the Game Informer print subscribers through our new standalone print subscription! Just head here to sign up for either one or two years at a fraction of the cost of buying the issues individually! You can even gift a print subscription to your favorite gamer!

Subscribe now

You can also try to nab a Game Informer Gold version of the issue. Limited to a numbered print run per issue, this premium version of Game Informer isn’t available for sale. To learn about places where you might be able to get a copy, check out our official Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads accounts and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. Click here to read more about Game Informer Gold.

Print subscribers can expect their issues to arrive in the coming weeks. The digital edition launches later today for PC/Mac, iOS, and Google Play. Individual print copies will be available for purchase in the coming weeks at GameStop.

0 notes