#Japan travel hotspot

[inkie80]

”as if Harry has never been to Tokyo before and doesn’t know exactly where to go to stay lowkey and private”

see this is why this is laughable because you’d think after emrata he’d be very careful when returning back to the scene of the crime. he knows that media interest in him with a girl in Tokyo would increase. Just like him going to any other “favorite place of his”. People see him and girl in Italy, Tokyo, and spread it because they want the clout of “OMG you saw him with his love in his loved cities”. Remember how his team reached out to Brittany because they knew she would promote him and LOT? With these influencers being the ones to capture him and TR in Japan after years of him being actually low key makes me wonder if they did the same with those people or just are deliberately going to hotspots knowing influencers/people chasing clout will capture images and make it organic. Also regarding Root, honestly I think either her mom, brother or a friend came and got her awhile back and have been the ones watching her. Boarding is insanely expensive and most places require vaccinations that requires a dog to rest for a bit. The excessive time differences and travel is a lot for a dog to adjust to. I dont think Taylor is some Jezebel per say. you can tell she likes the freedom to do whatever and stunt with Harry without having to be limited by caring for her dog or bringing her along.

Didn’t she have the dog for a long time??

I can’t name any of my friends with a dog who would leave their dog with this much ease

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Taipei, Taiwan CNN — Rescuers in Taiwan scrambled to free dozens of people trapped in highway tunnels after the island was struck by its strongest earthquake in 25 years Wednesday, killing at least nine and injuring more than 900 others.

The powerful 7.4 magnitude tremor shook the island’s east coast, hitting at 7:58 a.m. local time, 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Hualien city and at a depth of 34.8 kilometers (21 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.

It was followed by several strong aftershocks with tremors felt across the island, including by CNN staff in the capital Taipei.

Taiwan’s National Fire Agency (NFA) said in an update on Wednesday that the death toll had risen to nine, while 934 people have been injured.

The NFA did not indicate the severity of the injuries.

Meanwhile, 75 people stranded in various tunnels in Hualien County have been rescued by emergency responders.

As of 7 a.m. Eastern Time, 137 people remain trapped.

Among those trapped were 50 employees of the Silk’s Place Hotel Taroko, who were traveling in four minibuses.

Authorities have been unable to reach them by phone and have listed them as trapped for the time being.

Two German citizens that were caught up earlier in a tunnel in Hualien County have been rescued, the NFA added.

All the deaths were in Hualien County, among them three hikers killed by falling rocks in the tourist hotspot Taroko Gorge, the NFA said.

Falling rocks also killed a truck driver in front of a tunnel on the east coast’s Suhua Highway, it added.

Reports of extensive damage have also emerged, with collapsed buildings in Hualien County, thousands of homes left without power and a major highway closed due to landslides and rockfalls, according to Taiwanese officials.

Most of those trapped are in two road tunnels in northern Hualien County, the NFA said.

Two German nationals are stranded in a third tunnel in the county, it said.

The 400-meter Jinwen Tunnel, where 60 people are trapped, is one of more than a dozen that thread the Suhua Highway, a scenic but treacherous and narrow road that runs for 118 kilometers (73 miles) along the east coast.

Meanwhile, rescuers were en route to 12 people, including two Canadians, stuck on a trail in Taroko Gorge.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration spokesperson warned that powerful aftershocks as high as magnitude 7 are expected to occur until the end of the week.

“There was really strong shaking… We quickly turned off the gas and electricity and opened the door. It was really strong. It felt like the house would fall down,” Taipei resident Chang Yu-lin said on CNN affiliate Taiwan Plus.

Chen Nien-tzu, also in Taipei, said, “It was really wild.”

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had an earthquake so it felt really scary,” she said on Taiwan Plus.

The quake prompted initial tsunami warnings in Taiwan, southern Japan and the Philippines, with waves less than half a meter observed along some coasts and prompting airlines to suspend flights. All tsunami warnings were later lifted.

In Taiwan, military personnel were dispatched to help with disaster relief and schools and workplaces suspended operations as aftershocks hit the island, according to the Defense Ministry.

Taiwan’s outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen said Wednesday she had ordered her administration to “immediately” get “on top of the situation and understand local impacts as soon as possible.”

Tsai also told the administration to “provide necessary assistance and work together with local governments to minimize the impact of the disaster.”

Taiwan, a self-ruled island east of mainland China, is home to about 23 million people, most of whom live in the industrialized cities of its west coast, including the capital.

The island is regularly rocked by earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which runs around the edge of the Pacific Ocean and causes massive seismic and volcanic activity from Indonesia to Chile.

Wednesday’s quake is the strongest to hit Taiwan since 1999, according to the Central Weather Administration.

That year, a 7.7 magnitude quake hit south of Taipei, killing 2,400 people and injuring 10,000 others.

Hualien County, parts of which are mountainous and remote, is home to about 300,000 people on the island’s sparsely populated east coast.

A magnitude 6.2 quake hit near the area in 2018, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 300 others.

Collapsed buildings, highway damaged

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, with road and rail closures curtailing access to the quake’s epicenter in Hualien County.

More than 100 buildings were damaged across the island, the National Fire Agency said, with about half of those in Hualien County.

Search and rescue operations were ongoing Wednesday afternoon at the nine-story Uranus Building that had partially collapsed, trapping residents, Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei told reporters.

So far, 22 people had been rescued from the building, according to the NFA.

More than 91,000 households are without electricity, according to Taiwan’s Central Emergency Command Center.

The government-operated Taipower Company is working to restore power, it added.

Footage posted on social media showed several collapsed buildings in Hualien and residents helping trapped people escape through the window of a damaged apartment complex.

The quake struck during the morning rush hour, with videos showing vehicles bouncing on a vigorously shaking highway, an overpass swaying in Taipei, and commuters struggling to stand inside a juddering Taipei metro train.

Meanwhile, video broadcast by CNN affiliate TVBS showed cellphone and security camera footage of the moment tremors struck homes and businesses across the island.

One clip showed power lines swaying violently above a street and another saw chandeliers shaking in a restaurant.

Large boulders could be seen strewn across the eastern Suhua Highway, with several tunnels broken — including one split in half, TVBS footage showed.

CNN affiliate SET News shows the front of a car smashed by fallen rocks.

Transport authorities recorded at least nine rockfalls and landslides on the highway, which has been closed to traffic.

Another highway connecting the west coast with eastern Taiwan was also damaged by falling rocks, with at least 12 cars hit and nine people injured, TVBS reported.

Tsunami waves

The quake sparked tsunami warnings across the region as authorities ordered evacuations.

In Taiwan’s Chenggong, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the quake’s epicenter, waves reached almost half a meter.

The Central Weather Administration advised residents to evacuate to higher ground.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami alert for the southern Miyakojima and Okinawa islands, warning of waves up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) high.

A 30-centimeter (nearly 1 foot) wave impacted Okinawa, the first tsunami observed there in 26 years, the agency said.

Several hours later, the US Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami threat had “largely passed” but people in coastal areas should remain alert.

All flights from Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures were suspended following the tsunami warnings in the area, Japan Airlines said.

Okinawa’s Naha airport resumed flights after the tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory, airport spokesperson Hideaki Tsurudo told CNN.

#Taiwan #Taiwan Earthquake #earthquake #magnitude 7.4 #Hualien #tremors #aftershocks #National Fire Agency (NFA) #Jinwen Tunnel #Suhua Highway #Central Weather Administration #President Tsai Ing-wen #Pacific Ring of Fire #Pacific Ocean #Central Emergency Command Center #Taipower Company #tsunami warnings #tsunami #Japan Meteorological Agency #US Tsunami Warning Center

[bace-jeleren]

Hey Bace, I'm going to be visiting Japan with some friends about a month after you (late Oct)! Are there any places you'd suggest visiting while there or already know you want to hit up?

Ooh, well, I've been to Japan once before, but we mostly stayed down in the Fukuoka/Saga area (we were visiting family) and where we went was sort of at the whims of who we were staying with. We actually didn't stay in any major tourist hotspots last time, like we were in Tokyo for like four-ish days, where we visited Skytree and went to Asakusa (which I recommend, if you're in Tokyo) and like, existed in Akihabara for a second and spent a day on Odaiba (which is where the life-sized Unicorn Gundam is). Unfortunately I don't really have anywhere else I can recommend, because the lack of places I wound up visiting.

But also, like, just keep an eye on my tumblr during September, because I'm going to be tracking my experience extensively, and this time we're going to be a lot more free to visit more places (we'll be in Tokyo for the most part, but we're traveling down to Fukuoka/Saga to see family, and then going to Osaka/Kyoto on the return trip).

Best of luck on your own trip I hope you have fun!

[naruwitch]

Code Geass: Paladins of Voltron Chapter 1: Rise of Voltron Part 1 (Updated)

"Why isn't this just perfection, everyone?" trilled a curly-haired blonde in designer hiking boots and a matching jacket, "The way the sun meets the lake and the mountain air whipping in your face! It's the perfect day for a hike to Lake Chuzenji!"

"If... you say so... Milly," coughed a slim, dark-haired teen behind her, currently bending down on his knees, heaving large gasps of air.

"See Lulu? That is exactly why you shouldn't always be skipping out on gym classes. What on earth will the ladies think of a man that isn't even strong enough to sweep them off their feet?" the blonde, Milly, teased with a quirky grin to the boy.

"Lelouch doesn't need the muscle," said another teen of seventeen years behind them. "While he may be frailer than a twig, he has the brains to compensate for it."

"Ha. Ha. Very funny, Suzaku!" Lelouch replied, glaring at the Japanese boy.

"Well, at least the scenery is pretty. This used to be a volcano or something, right?" A girl with orange hair tied in a high ponytail trotted up behind the group.

"Sure is, Shirley," Suzaku nodded. "It erupted thousands of years ago, and because the eruption blocked the valley below, it made the perfect place for water to gather. So now we have Lake Chuzenji, also known as the Lake of Happiness."

"The brochure says there's an onsen on the east side of it. We should totally check it out before we head back to the hotel tonight," Milly insisted, waving a pamphlet above her head.

"That… actually sounds really nice," Lelouch admitted, stretching his arms and hearing joints pop.

Milly chortled, "You seriously must be an old man in a teenage suit, Lelouch!" Even Suzaku fought the grin that was stretched across his face.

"Laugh it up…" the boy groaned again before the quartet was joined by a blue-haired boy who was currently piggybacking a red-headed girl up the trail, who was failing to hide a bright blush that matched her bangs.

"Doing all right there, Rivalz?" Shirely asked him, biting her lip as she watched him panting harder than Lelouch, even staggering under the additional human weight.

"Yep, yep, I'm good, Shirley!" Rivalz insisted with a strained smile.

"We're almost there, right?" his passenger said meekly. "I think I can walk the rest of the way."

"You sure, Kallen?" Rivalz asked as he gently set her down on the mountain trail. "I mean, sure, it is all downhill, but…."

"I got it, okay?" she snapped, before withdrawing, embarrassed. "Sorry…"

"Hey, it's fine. Let me know if you change your mind. The Rivalz Express is always available!"

"Don't push yourself too hard, Rivalz," the final member of their group commented, a tall, thin, but somewhat haggard boy with hair so blond it looked almost white depending on how the light reflected off it.

"Aw, thanks for the encouragement, Rai, my man!" Rivalz grinned, slinging a sweaty arm around his shoulder. He then glanced at the tall boy's comically bulky backpack and an additional travel bag with his left hand. "You sure you don't need help?"

"No, I've got it!" Rai said quickly, shying away from the short-haired member.

"Okay, if you say so…"

"Come on, everyone! It's not too far now!" Milly declared from the front, and the group trailed behind her through the forest and thicket surrounding the lake.

It had been six years since the Empire of Britannia had annexed the country of Japan, now known as Area 11, and renamed its citizens Elevens if they refused to apply as honorary citizens of the empire. Since then, the country had become a hotspot for colonization and military operations.

Despite the construction of Britannian settlements, civilian and military, the empire still left many areas of Area 11 untouched to preserve the natural beauty and environment. Some were so well preserved that it was as if the war had never occurred in the first place. One such place was Nikko National Park, home to Lake Chuzenji, also known as the Lake of Happiness. It became a popular vacation destination and easier to access after a Britannian boating company was built to carry visitors across the lake, and many nobles owned small villas along the lake's shore. Several new hiking trails were also constructed for easier travel through the largely underdeveloped forest area. Developers even built a small beach area for lake goers to enjoy the water more directly.

In some ways, Area 11 is better off now than the old Japan ever was. Being made a colony of the Empire has stabilized its military and economic position in the world. Kallen fought to keep the scowl from forming on her face as Lelouch's statement from about a week ago reared its head. As much as the rebel fighter Black Knight side of her wanted to argue, she couldn't help but admit that Britannian companies did improve a couple things, such as easier access to natural parks like this. At least they didn't destroy everything with their improvements… this time.

She shook her head and leaned back on her beach towel, glaring up at the sun through her sunglasses. She was a Black Knight, serving faithfully under Japan's savior, Zero. A fighter for justice and defender of the weak. She couldn't allow these sympathies to start forming just because of a couple of conveniences.

"Wake up on the wrong side of the bed, Kallen?" Milly asked, tilting her own sunglasses up.

"Uh… maybe something like that," Kallen muttered in reply.

Milly's smile turned sympathetic. She felt bad for the redhead. She was rarely at school half the time due to poor health, so it was a surprise when she told everyone she could go on this outing. She was grateful. Not only could this help Rai get used to everyone, but it could also be a way for Kallen to open up and make some friends.

If only Nina could have come… Milly mentally sighed. Unfortunately, the only absent student council member had come down with a terrible head cold the other day, and when they checked up on her a day later, it hadn't gone down. The council initially planned to postpone, but Nina insisted they go on without her. Though something in Milly's gut told her that even if Nina hadn't gotten sick, she would have found some excuse to stay behind anyway. She didn't blame her. Not after the hotel jacking at Lake Kawaguchi. Who knows what could have happened if Zero and his Black Knights hadn't stepped in. The girl had already been traumatized in the Area 11 ghettos a couple years ago, and the terrorist attack had likely only worsened the trauma. And when she was finally starting to warm up to Suzaku too.

Milly sighed and leaned back. She'd deal with that later. Right now, the only thing she would focus on was her tan.

"Hey! Suzaku! Shield me!"

"Wha-hey Lelouch, no fair!" Suzaku yelped as his friend dived behind him, using him as a human meat shield against Shirley and Rai's water gun assault.

"That's foul play, Lulu!" Shirley laughed just before Rivalz sprang up from behind Lelouch and dunked him into the lake.

"I… guess that's our point?" Rai asked as Lelouch miraculously escaped Rivalz's grip and tried (keyword tried) to make a beeline for the shore.

He didn't make it.

Rai sighed as he unpacked the large bag he'd brought on this trip. Shortly after the water war, Shirley went further into the lake to practice some laps. Meanwhile, Rivalz and Suzaku had found some snorkeling gear and were busy diving and exploring some of the lake's aquatic life. Lelouch was hunting for some pretty stones and snail shells for his sister. Meanwhile, Kallen was soaking her ankles in the lake's cool water while Milly had moved her sunbathing spot in the shallow shore area, sitting upright in the water, but most of her body remained dry, absorbing the sun's rays.

Rai pulled out a personalized laptop, noise-canceling headphones, a receiver, a small satellite, and a homemade handheld device as discreetly as possible. He set the device aside and set up the satellite and receiver before plugging his headphones into the laptop. Lines of code greeted his vision, and his fingers moved fluidly across the keyboard. Numerous colored graphs and other data flashed to life before his eyes.

He winced and turned down the volume as an electronic beep hit his eardrums. Fortunately, it didn't take him long to bypass the static and focus more on the murmuring voices he was picking up in the background. Just as he suspected, bringing his equipment closer to the epicenter had made the distortions clearer.

Now if only he knew what they were talking about…

He didn't register that someone had been calling his name until someone waved a hand in front of him. He nearly jumped out of his skin.

"What?!" he snapped, turning around. He saw that all the student council members were standing behind him. Suzaku had his hand pulled back, meaning he had been the one that finally got his attention.

Rai coughed slightly and composed himself. "What?" he asked again, more politely this time.

"Sorry to disturb you, Rai, but it's getting dark. We were about to head over to the onsen before it got too late," Shirley explained.

Rai blinked and finally took a look around. She was right. The sun was setting, and the sky exchanged blue colors for warmer twilight colors. How long had he been focused on his laptop?

"You must be very invested in whatever you were working on to not hear us," Lelouch commented, eying the headphones slung around Rai's neck.

"Um, sorry…" Rai blushed.

"Why did you bring all of this equipment with you?" Suzaku asked. "Some of these look military grade."

"So?" Rai asked defensively. "Never heard of someone building their own laptop and equipment?"

"Wha… wait, you built all these?" Rivalz gasped, looking the satellite up and down, mouth agape. "How? When?"

Rai shrugged. "I barely leave the school after classes, and I'm mainly in the council as a formality. I've had extra time on my hands."

"That's impressive," Kallen commented.

"Did you two know he could do this?" Shirley asked Milly and Lelouch.

"I knew he was handy at fixing stuff. He was the one that fixed the radio in the broadcasting office," Milly explained. "Though I'll admit, this is the first time I've seen him make some from scratch."

"But that doesn't explain why he brought his handmade equipment out here," Lelouch pointed out. "Come to think of it, Rai was also the one that requested this destination."

Rai stiffened as all eyes fell back on him, silently asking for an explanation. He had to admit, it was weird to bring all of this out here, but he had to. The voices he heard through the headphones and in his dreams were telling him, ordering him to find it.

He hesitated. Milly and her grandfather took him in out of the kindness of their hearts. Would they kick him back to the street if they thought he wasn't well in the head? Anyone would draw that logical conclusion, after all.

But if he got admitted to a mental hospital, he could break out like before.

Wait… before? Before what?

"Rai, you okay?" he heard Shirley ask, and the platinum blond blinked again.

"Sorry…" he muttered, "I just… you wouldn't get it if I told you."

"...Try us." Lelouch insisted.

Rai frowned, but something told him everyone would keep pestering him about it until he finally fessed up. So he sighed and decided to take the plunge.

"Okay, here goes," he muttered in defeat. "So this stuff, the satellite, laptop, all of this, I designed its reach to be as far out as the edge of the Solar System."

"Seriously?" Kallen asked, "Why?"

"Well, it's—if you could not touch anything!" Rai suddenly snapped, scaring Rivalz as the other teen nearly dropped the handheld sensor Rai had set aside.

"Okay, okay, jeez…" Rivalz muttered, setting it down and pouting.

Rai sighed in exasperation. "Anyway, long story short… I'm picking alien radio chatter."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Huh?" Shirley asked as the others stared at him like he was the guy in the town square who liked to rant about conspiracy theories and the apocalypse.

"Okay…? You feeling okay there, dude?" Rivalz asked.

Rai rolled his eyes, "Knew you wouldn't believe me."

"No, no, it's not that we don't believe you," Suzaku insisted, "It's just… well…."

Rai sighed again, "I get it, but I'm not making this up." Rai pulled out a notepad from his back pocket and flipped to a page with a large bolded word he'd underlined several times. "They keep repeating one word: Voltron! I still don't know what it means, but once I brought everything here, I heard it clearer than ever."

"How did you know to come here?" Lelouch asked, sounding like he was at least willing to hear the new student out.

"It wasn't easy," Rai admitted, "In the chatter, I also started picking up a series of numbers, and I couldn't figure out what that was for a while. But then I realized it was a Fraunhofer line."

"Frown-what now?" Rivalz asked, confused.

"Fraunhofer line," Suzaku explained, "I learned about this during my military training in the engineering department. It's the number describing the emission spectrum of an element. The head of the department said the military uses it to find new sakuradite veins to mine in Area 11."

No one noticed the subtle death glare Kallen shot Suzaku when he said Area 11.

"Exactly." Rai nodded, "Anyway, once I figured that out, I input the numbers and realized that whatever radiation signature this is, it's not an element found on Earth. Of course, I didn't have time to go around and scan every inch of the island on foot. But then, I actually took a look at the wavelength. Check this out."

Pulling up a line graph on his computer, he then pulled out a side-view picture of the volcano surrounding Lake Chuzenji. The pictures overlapped each other to form a single image. The wavelength blended in perfectly with the mountain range.

"What…?" Rivalz's eyes widened.

"That's… kind of scary…" Shirley stuttered as Milly leaned forward, squinting.

"That's a strange coincidence," Lelouch admitted, genuinely intrigued.

"A little too much, right?" Rai asked before continuing. "Well, once I realized the line matched the mountain range, I had to come and confirm it for myself. Hence why I built and brought this Geiger counter."

He reached for the handheld device Rivalz had been looking at earlier. "With this, once I confirmed if I was in the right place, I planned to use this to track down the energy source and maybe find this Voltron thing I keep hearing about."

"On your own?" Suzaku asked.

"That was the plan," Rai admitted with a shrug. "Since we were planning to spend the night at the resort, I figured that would be the best time to sneak out and be back by morning."

"And then what?" Lelouch asked, "Say you found what this mystery radiation was. What were you going to do next?"

"I…" Rai hesitated, "I honestly didn't get that far."

"Not the most thought-out plan," Kallen muttered.

Rai scowled, "Oh, well, if you were in my shoes, let me know if you have a better idea."

"Well, for one, I'd have some help." Milly answered immediately.

"What?" Rai asked, genuinely surprised.

"Wait, Prez, what do you mean?" Shirley asked.

Milly simply smirked one of those smirks, which could make the other student council members fear for their lives depending on the day.

"Everyone… who wants an adventure?"

Without any street lights from the city, the forest around Lake Chenzenji grew dark fast. Fortunately, since he had already planned to sneak out, Rai had a few flashlights, so the group wasn't tripping over each other in the dark.

Following his Geiger counter, Rai led the other student council member down a hiking trail. Eventually, they branched into an unpaved area, the forest becoming thicker and dirt pricklier.

"Hey, anyone hear that?" Shirley asked after a while.

"Hear what?" Kallen asked.

"It sounds like… a waterfall?" Shirley asked.

Suzaku smiled, "I'm not surprised. There are a lot of those around here. Some of the hiking trails lead to them."

"Like that one up ahead?" Rivalz asked, pointing from the front of the group holding Rai's satellite. Coming over a small ridge, the group gaped in awe as a serene waterfall greeted them, the water looking pure and untainted as it poured from the cliff ledge above.

"This is it," Rai said, looking down at the Geiger counter. "It's leading us here."

"There's a cave! Down there!" Lelouch pointed with a flashlight.

"Oh! Let's check it out!" Milly exclaimed, a gleam in her eye.

"P-prez! I don't think that's a good idea!" Shirley yelped, put off by the president's look. "Isn't this good enough?

"No!" Rai was the one that answered this time. "We've got this far. You can go back if you want, but I'm seeing this through to the end!"

"Calm down, Rai," Suzaku said as Shirley hunched her shoulders and glanced back in the direction they came from.

"I think we should check it out, too," Lelouch said, surprising everyone. "Something led Rai and us here. It would be insulting to stop partway through."

"My, my, Lulu!" Milly teased, "Where has this adventurous spirit come from?"

"What makes you think I've never had it?" Lelouch shot back with a slight smirk.

"Uh…" Rivalz muttered, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't answer that…" Lelouch muttered, grin vanishing as he led the way down the rocks to the waterfall.

"Wait! Guys!" Shirley protested as she trailed behind as everyone else climbed down after the vice president. "We-we're tracking radiation, right? What if it's radioactive or something? We could get infected or poisoned, or…."

"Could you calm down, Shirley?" Kallen snapped, "You're overthinking this. Besides, if this was radioactive, wouldn't this area or even the lake be closed off or something?"

"I… guess you're right…"

"Don't worry, Shirley," Suzaku assured her, "It's just a quick peak inside. I'm sure the most we'll do is take some pictures."

"Yep! Making memories is why we're here, after all!" Milly added jovially as Lelouch, Rai, and Rivalz crept behind the waterfall and peeked into the cave.

Shirley nodded, still feeling unsure, but nearly jumped when Rivalz cried out.

"Whoa! This is cool!"

Those that hadn't entered the cave quickly followed. And stopped dead in awe at what the flashlights were illuminating.

There were drawings and artwork of all styles decorating the walls. Not only were there paintings but even carvings right into the stone itself. Despite the different patterns, they all had one thing in common.

They each depicted a blue lion.

"What the…" Lelouch muttered, swinging the flashlight in one direction, then another.

"Who could have done this?" Kallen asked. "And why a lion? Japan doesn't have lions."

"Maybe an old deity had a lion's body or something?" Shirley guessed.

Suzaku shook his head. "I think you're mixing up Japanese and Egyptian, Shirley."

Then, as if they were robbing a bank and tripped the internal alarm, the cave's carvings and paintings lit up in bright blue lights.

Rivalz let out a yelp and stumbled back. He had only cleared some dirt off one of the drawings to get a closer look! Did he trip a booby trap?!

"Rivalz! What did you do?!" shouted Kallen in alarm.

"Nothing! I just touched it! That's all!" the boy defended in a panic.

A tremor under their feet drew all eyes to the floor before it promptly collapsed under their feet. Screaming, the student council found themselves riding a raging river deeper into the cave, white water and rapids splashing around them. It came to an end as one by one, the group landed in a shallow pool at the bottom.

Now wet, cold, and miserable, the teenagers struggled to their feet, but their eyes were drawn elsewhere before anyone could start trying to find a way out.

Eyes widened, and jaws went slack.

"Lions are everywhere…" Rivalz muttered as they beheld the large blue lion sitting serenely before them.

Well, not a real blue lion. It was a giant, robotic, blue lion, and it was sitting up behind a large blue barrier of some sort.

"Wh-what is that?" Shirley stuttered, "Is that the Voltron?"

"It must be… it has to be!" Rai whispered, arms slack, Geiger counter forgotten and lost in the rapids.

"It looks like a Knightmare Frame," Suzaku commented, "A really gigantic, advanced Knightmare Frame." Taking a closer look, it looked like no machine he'd ever seen, whether on paper or in production with the engineering corps, which was saying a lot when Earl Lloyd Asplund was the head scientist of the department. He came up with some wild designs and upgrades.

"It can't be," Lelouch insisted. "From the looks of it, this cave hasn't been touched for decades, maybe centuries. The first Knightmare Frame was invented over twenty years ago. There's no way something like this could have been created before that, and I don't see any other entrances in here, so it's highly doubtful this was some secret military project."

Suzaku nodded, seeing Lelouch had some good points. And while it was possible there was a hidden entrance they couldn't see, he knew logically that if this was a secret Britannian military weapon, there would have been a lot more security. Plus, the military could have used the radiation excuse Shirley mentioned earlier to seal off and cover up what was really happening, and none would be the wiser. After all, it was common knowledge that radiation took a long time to dissipate or dispose of properly. The European Union was still struggling from the Chernobyl disaster thirty years later.

Rai quickly walked up to the lion Knightmare robot. "It's not moving. I think it's safe to come closer."

The others cautiously followed after Rai, but Rivalz couldn't help feeling goosebumps. It felt like something was watching him. Gazing at the lion, he swore he felt its eyes following him.

"Um, does anyone else here feel like this thing's staring at them?"

The group eyed the secretary dubiously. "No…?" Kallen answered for them.

"...Yeah, the eyes are totally following me!" Rivalz exclaimed, feeling antsier than before they found the cave.

Lelouch reached the forcefield first, and looking closer, he saw that the lion wasn't completely blue, mainly on the head, shoulders, torso, and around the paws. The rest was mainly grey and silver, but he also noticed some red detailing by the shoulders.

He placed his hands against the barrier. It felt cool like he was pressing against the glass in an aquarium. "I wonder how we get through this…?"

"Maybe you just have to knock," Rivalz said sarcastically and did just that, rapping his fist against the translucent shield.

Rivalz had meant that as sarcasm, but then he yelped when he felt a jolt of electricity run through his arm. The forcefield flashed before vanishing, revealing the lion underneath, its yellow eyes glowing brightly. Under its feet, a platform began glowing in the same color as the carvings above.

The other students gasped. Shirley, in particular, took several steps back as the cave began to rumble.

"Guys, I think we should–"

Shirley was cut off when in the blink of an eye, the cave disappeared and was replaced by a cloudy sky, seven colored streaks soaring above their heads like shooting stars. The lights joined as one, and in their place was a figure with red and green arms, yellow and purple thighs, and blue and orange shins. His body was mainly black, but a blue glowing 'v' was spread over his chest, and a gold horned crown perched on his head. With a swipe of a flaming sword, the starry universe vanished, returning the group to the underwater cave where they still stood.

"Uh… did anyone else see that?!" Rivalz asked, eye flicking to others pleadingly.

"Voltron's a robot!" Milly squealed, "A huge, awesome robot!"

"And this thing is only one part of it," Kallen added, "I wonder where the rest of them are?"

"If that's true, how did this piece get down here?" Lelouch asked, "And how long has it been like this? Why isn't it with the other pieces?"

"Who knows?" Suzaku shrugged. "This is still amazing, though!"

"There's no doubt," Rai said resolutely, "This is what that alien chatter was talking about. And we found it!"

"Okay, so… what now then?" Shirley asked.

As if to answer, the blue lion lowered its head toward the group. Shirley yelped and hid behind the closest person she could find (being Rai), and everyone else tensed, ready to run if the thing tried to make a snack out of them. However, all the blue lion did was open its mouth, and a small ramp lowered right in front of Rivalz.

Blinking but intrigued, Rivalz set his foot on the ramp, pulled it back like it had been burned, then set it down again. Then he took a step forward, then another, and eventually, his feet led him inside. It led him up, and a set of doors slid open to reveal a large cockpit with a single white and blue chair in the center.

"Huh, okay then," Rivalz said, taking a seat and leaning back. "Here we go, I guess–whoa!" Rivalz jerked forward as the seat slid in, locking into place.

As the other student council members filed into the cockpit, several screens lit up, some on the dashboard, and others in holograms, much to everyone's astonishment. If there were any doubts that this was really a Britannian secret weapon, they were gone now. Britannian technology hadn't advanced far enough to invent holograms yet! Finally, the front main screen lit up, showing the cave outside.

"This is nuts…" Suzaku commented as the others looked over the screens and other gadgets.

"Amazing!" Milly commented, snapping a few photos with her phone.

"All right, this is pretty awesome!" Rivalz admitted, a grin sliding across his face.

"Okay, uh, everyone," Shirley said nervously, "I think I just need to point out, just so we're all, you know, aware. We're in some kind of futuristic, alien cat head right now."

Just as the words left Shirley's mouth, Rivalz felt another jolt of energy run through him, from the top of his head all the way to his toes. The world around him faded, and all he could hear was a loud soothing purr.

"Whoa! Did you guys just hear that?!" asked Rivalz, looking back at them, eyes wide and a little spooked.

"Hear what?" Lelouch asked cautiously, a strange sense of foreboding creeping up on him.

"Um, sorry if I sound crazy, but I think it's talking to me!" Rivalz explained before turning back around and examining the controls. Hesitantly, he pressed a couple of random buttons on the closest hologram. He had no idea what he was doing, but they felt like the right ones to push.

He must have hit the right ones because the blue lion jolted and leaped to its feet, roaring loudly. Excitedly.

"Whoa! What's happening?!" Shirley squeaked, visibly frightened.

Rivalz felt a grin grow on his own face. "Okay, got it! Now, let's try this!"

Once he pushed the controls forward, the lion smashed out of the cave. Rocks and debris flew everywhere as it shot into the evening sky. Descending, the lion flipped and used rockets in its feet to skim over the surface of Lake Chuzenji, kicking up water before rocketing into the air again, corkscrewing above the forest.

Inside, the Ashford Academy Student Council held on for dear life, screaming at the top of their lungs, holding onto whatever they could so they wouldn't fall.

"RIVALZ!" screamed Kallen as the lion did a few more flips, "YOU ARE THE WORST. PILOT. EVER!"

After several more maneuvers that did little to assure the other passengers that Rivalz was a good pilot, the lion began bounding around on the ground. Thankfully, the forested area it made its playground was away from any buildings or civilian homes. The lion seemed too overjoyed about being freed from its underground prison to care about any damage it may be causing.

Despite this, Rivalz felt like he was having the time of his life, a wild grin plastered on his face.

"Isn't this awesome?!" he exclaimed.

"Make it stop!" yelped Shirley, who was starting to look a little green, "Make it stop!"

"I'm not making it do anything! It's like it's on autopilot!" Rivalz shouted with a whoop.

Suddenly, the lion's back legs fired into the ground, and the lion ascended into the sky.

"Rivalz!" shouted Lelouch in a rare tone of panic, "Where are you going?!"

"I just said it's on autopilot!" Rivalz explained hurriedly. "Ah-it says there's an alien ship approaching Earth. I think we're supposed to stop it!"

"What did it say, exactly?" Milly demanded.

"Well, it's not like it's saying words, more like feeding ideas into my brain… kind of?!"

"Wait, aliens?!" Shirley asked. "Um, okay, if they want this thing, why don't we just give it to them? Maybe they'll leave us alone?" Shirley suggested, "Sorry, lion, nothing personal."

"No!" Rai shouted. Everyone turned to him, shocked by his outburst. The platinum blond was trembling, eyes wide and wild, skin pale and sweating. "We can't! They're monsters! They'll destroy everything in their path! There's no bargaining with them!"

"Whoa, Rai, what are you talking about? Who's 'they'?" Suzaku asked.

"They won't stop! Not until everything is dead!" Rai continued.

"That doesn't explain anything!" Kallen shouted, irritated.

"He has a point, though," Lelouch agreed, "We've never encountered aliens before. We don't know their intentions. If we hand this lion ship over, what's to stop them from turning it on our planet next?"

"Oh…" Shirley muttered as everyone turned to glare at her. She shrunk in on herself, "Sorry. Didn't think about that…."

There wasn't any time to continue the discussion anyway. Moments later, the blue lion exited Earth's atmosphere and entered open space, the blue of the night sky darkening further and sparkling with millions of stars. The tranquil scene was interrupted when a violet flash entered their vision, and a huge dark ship with purple highlights appeared almost out of nowhere.

There was a collective gasp in the cockpit. "Holy crow, is that real?!" Milly cried.

"...They found me..." Rai whispered in horror, though no one seemed to hear him.

After flying around and observing the UFO for a few seconds, multiple purple lasers began firing at the lion. Fortunately, they didn't have the best aim, so none hit them.

"We need to get out of here!" Kallen screamed.

"Hang on!" shouted Rivalz as he pulled on the controls, and the lion flew off at top speed. Even though Rivalz had little to no idea what he was doing, the lion seemed to know what to do as he felt like it was guiding his hands over the various indecipherable keys as it maneuvered and dodged all the attacks with little to no effort.

"Okay, I think I know what to do!" Rivalz shouted, knuckles white on the controls.

"Rivalz, be careful!" shouted Suzaku, "This isn't a simulator!"

"And you don't think I know that, Suzaku?!" he replied as the lion leaped around more lasers. Rivalz then pushed down on one of the control levers, and the lion's mouth opened wide, firing a powerful blue beam directly at the side of the ship. It sliced through it like a sword through butter, causing massive explosions.

"Let's try this!" Rivalz smiled as he flew the lion closer to the ship, scraping the lion's claws on the other side, leaving deep gashes and causing more explosions.

"Nice job Rivalz!" Lelouch praised.

"Okay, let's get these guys away from our planet!" Milly proclaimed.

"Right!" Rivalz agreed.

"Lord Zarkon, the escaped prisoner, and his people found the Lion. It attacked us and is heading out of the system."

"Follow that Lion and alert all ships in the area to intercept. Capturing the Lion is your first and only priority."

"Yes, your majesty. Full power, after the Lion!"

"Oh no!" Shirley gasped as they all saw the alien ship catching up to them.

"They're gaining on us!" Kallen exclaimed.

Lelouch's eyebrows furrowed, "It's weird. They're not trying to shoot us anymore. They're just pursuing!"

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Shirley asked, looking more and more frightened by the second.

"Where are we?" asked Milly, looking around.

"Edge of the Solar System," Rai murmured, looking at the moon they were passing by, "That's Keroberos, Pluto's moon!"

"That's impossible!" Suzaku exclaimed, his eyes widening, "It takes the most advanced spaceships decades to get out this far! We got out here in like five seconds!"

Suddenly, a swirling, sparkling... thing appeared before them like a vast swirling whirlpool.

"What is that?!" Shirley nearly shrieked at the sight of it.

"Uh, this might seem crazy, but I think the lion wants us to go through there!" Rivalz explained hastily.

As everyone stared at the strange swirling void, everyone else couldn't describe it, but… they felt the same. Like they should go through it.

But why?

"Where does it go?" Kallen asked Rivalz urgently.

"I-I-I don't know…" Rivalz stuttered, "Um, Lelouch, what do you think we should do?"

Lelouch was caught slightly off guard. "Why are you asking me? Ask Milly. She's student council president."

"No, you decide, Lelouch. You're the chess master here," Milly immediately deflected, "What do you want to do?"

Lelouch stared at Milly, almost not believing what he was hearing. Yes, Milly was one of the few who knew of his former status, but to think she was basically forcing him into an equivalent role right now… then again, she wasn't wrong. His experience as Zero did still make him the best person to choose what to do.

And he had to do it fast.

Lelouch frowned, glaring at the swirling vortex in front of them, his brain working on overdrive. If they chose to go forward, they would be entering no man's land. The people of Earth barely knew much about their own solar system, so moving forward would give them even less information. They could be walking right into a death trap with no hope of return. Not to mention… he'd be leaving Nunnally. While he trusted Sayoko to look after his sister in the event of an extended absence, if he and seven other students who attended a prestigious school like Ashford Academy went missing, it would definitely be on the news. It would take one wrong member of the royal family seeing his face on the breaking news to reveal who he really was: Lelouch vi Britannia, seventeenth heir to the Britannian Imperial Throne, and thought to have been deceased for the last six years. Britainnian military and royal guards would be swarming their residence faster than he could say, "I am Zero!"

He (and Kallen, by extension) would also be leaving the Black Knight hanging. Since their official debut with the Lake Kawaguchi hotel-jacking a month ago, the Knights hadn't made any huge moves. Most of their actions involved raiding drug cartels and exposing corrupt politicians and businessmen. Basically, they were doing what the police should be doing. They had even gotten some special Knightmares from the Six Houses of Kyoto, which was a good sign. Despite this, it was clear that most of the members were getting anxious to take their operations a step further besides being a glorified police force. If their leader and top Knightmare pilot went missing, there could be panic amongst the ranks, and they could do something stupid.

Lelouch grit his teeth. If anyone in the Black Knights got arrested, he would have to start over entirely from scratch. It would be annoying but… not impossible. And it looked like Ohgi was a reasonably competent leader. Hopefully, he could keep the Knights in line until he managed to get back.

As much as Lelouch hated those odds, though, he had to consider the other side of the coin as well, and that was simply the fact that the threat directly behind them wasn't much better. This alien ship had shown it was willing to follow them until it got what it wanted: the lion ship. Plus, the lion itself seemed to hold some kind of sentience. Something told him it wouldn't be easy to convince the ship to turn around when it had already brought them out so far from their planet. And if they did manage to turn around, the clearly hostile alien ship would pursue them and undoubtedly attack Earth, which would endanger many more people, including Nunnally.

But… they knew there were six other lions like this one. If they were all just as, if not more capable than this one, he could use them to help his cause. He hadn't seen it yet, but he could already tell, without a shadow of a doubt, that if this lion went up against a hundred Knightmare Frames, the lion would be one walking away, and there would hardly be a scratch on it.

Taking in all the factors he knew of, Lelouch made his decision.

"Something else is clearly happening here, and the only way we'll find out more is going forward. I say we take the chance. Any objections?"

"Lelouch, are you sure? Nunnally–"

"She's with Sayoko," Lelouch interrupted Suzaku, "Besides, I doubt we can get this lion to turn around. Unless you'd like Earth to deal with an alien invasion on top of everything else."

With that, all the passengers looked at one another until they finally came to the same conclusion. And that was that Lelouch was right. Nothing could be done until they figured out more.

Rivalz sighed, "All right. Guess we're ditching class tomorrow."

With that said, Rivalz urged the lion towards the whirlpool. Once it swallowed the lion, it closed behind them, the alien ship pursuing them missing it by seconds.

AN: So, if you've all been keeping up with my updates, you'll know about my intentions. I'm revising and rewriting most of this fic. Nothing too crazy or plot-altering will happen, but I wanted to update the chapters to reflect my current writing level and style. I hope you all enjoyed this updated version of the first chapter. In case you didn't notice, I did combine parts 1 and 2, so the prologue will ultimately be shaved down from 6 to hopefully 3 parts. Here's part one. Let me know what you all think. R&R!

Edited and revised 03/19/2023

[softlimefluff]

SPW Tokyo Briefing - May 31st, 2022

Tagging @sunshine-shitposts @dongiovannaswife <3 (SPW Dallas and SPW Naples)

“Mrs. Kishibe? We’re ready for you now.”

Nodding, I handed Ellie off to Rohan, giving her a forehead kiss as she fussed quietly. “It’s okay, shhhh. I’ll be back soon.”

Squeezing my hand, Rohan nodded. “Ganbatte.”

Reaching down, I grabbed my notes and followed the SPW employee down the tiled hallway, boots clacking on the polished tiles. I had opted for a blend of professional and artsy, with a loose dress, boots, and lots of detailed accessories. 

Through a heavy set of double doors, we walked into a large meeting room. Heads from SPW branches across Japan sat at a board table and I was directed to the podium at the front, setting my notes out and taking the slide show clicker.

“Ohayo Gozaimasu. My name is Ariel Kishibe and I am one of the branch heads at the Morioh Speedwagon Foundation. I personally oversaw the construction and design of the branch, along with our architects, expansion crew, and my husband, Rohan Kishibe.

As you know, Kishibe-sensei donated the grounds to the Foundation, as his grandmother used to own the property as a hotel. We built onto the existing structure, with strict co-operation with historical preservation rules, and then added on a museum, research facility, library, and even a bio dome for growing fresh flowers and food.”

Clicking through the photos of the construction and facilities, I landed on our first statistics slide.

“Ever since our opening in September 2020, we’ve had a consistent stream of guests to the museum. You can see our numbers here on the table, tracking from our opening day until now. Not only do we have education about art materials, light, and color, the branch is also the permanent home to the Kishibe Rohan collection of original Pink Dark Boy works. This attracts a large number of guests on its own, along with exclusive merchandise in the gift shop.”

Taking a short pause, I moved to the next page of notes.

“We’ve also been working to open another gallery so we can have more traveling shows and bring in even more guests with exclusive shows from artists like Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara, and contemporary manga authors like Tatsuki Fujimoto, Q Hayashida, and Gege Akutami. We think that bringing in new shows from artists similar to Kishibe-sensei would generate even more traffic from visitors who have already experienced the museum.”

Clicking to the next slide, a picture of the cafe and Tonio and Okuyasu popped up. 

“We also have an award winning cafe on site—given accolades by local and international travel websites— and can do official collaborative food and drink items to match with the new gallery shows. Our expert chef, Tonio Trussardi, has been training an apprentice, Okuyasu Nijimura, and together they’re able to brainstorm an impressive range of new culinary delights for the museum.”

Taking a pause, I glanced up at the room momentarily, continuing with the talk.

“The museum and its meeting areas have also become indispensable to the local community, acting as a place for young adults to start clubs, students and adults to try new art techniques through public classes, and even working with the local food banks to make sure any extra food from the cafe is donated back to the community.”

Clicking to the research area, I began the next section of my presentation.

“The museum has worked as the perfect cover for the SPW research going on at the location. Morioh has long been a hotspot for stand activity as a result of the stand arrows. While the arrowheads have now been transported to other locations for analysis and we have less malicious stand activity, we still have a large group of users in the city.”

Flipping to a slide of the many users and their stands, I put both hands on the podium. 

“Many of the abilities that have been unlocked in Morioh have been highly beneficial to the user and to society at large. Healing powers, stands that can use sound as weapons or protection, stands that increase strength, that bring out the truth, or change people’s emotions. We have quite the range in our town and we’re proud of our stand diversity.”

On the next few slides, I had lists of research goals for the future.

“Now that you have some background on Morioh, I would like to address what research we have already completed and what we would like to expand in the future.”

Clicking to the first goal, I stepped to one side of the podium, detailing our Foundation’s mission.

“Our branch’s main focus is stand users and their potential for creation and growth. We’ve been keeping track of stand users who have gotten married and are now having kids, even my husband and myself. We’re curious to know if there’s any difference for users who have been pierced by the arrow versus born stand users—if there’s any impact on the conception and gestation of the child, their development while growing up, and if they also are stand users.”

On the next slide, there was a list called “stages of born stand users.”

“Along with Helena Giovanna from the Naples SPW Branch, we propose a list of stages for born stand users:

-Dormant

-Awakening

-Active

-Growing

-Developed

“We start with the foundational research that stands are the result of the virus found in the rare alien meteorite of Cape York, Greenland. We also know that stand arrows are made from polished meteorite from that same Cape York crater. If a potential user successfully survives the fever from the virus, the mutations unlock the natural ability to manifest and manipulate a stand.”

On the next slide, I had illustrated a diagram for potential combinations for stand user kids. 

“We believe that if both parents have this mutation, then the offspring of the stand users will also have that same mutation, in a way, passing down or allowing the child to ‘inherit’ a stand. We also suppose, then, that every child from two stand users will have a stand ability from birth, even if it isn’t immediately apparent.”

Gesturing to the slide, I made note of other possibilities. 

“We have a few children of two stand users under general observational checkups as they grow. Another stand user child is on the way as well, with a non stand user mother. We’re curious to see how this differs from the two arrow-born parents. In addition, we recently had two stand users get married who are interested in starting a family—one born from the stone mask and the other a stand user from birth.”

Grabbing the next pages of notes, I flicked on the next slide.

“We also have a case of a stand user mutated by Dio’s flesh bud under our care, working on a potential cure for his condition. We’ve been using UV rays along with the users’ own healing abilities to try to kill off the Brando cells, but have only had minimal improvement. Now that Dio has returned and is part of the Foundation, we’d like to have our branch analyze his DNA more and see if we could make progress in healing our patient.”

Bringing up the next to last slide, I steadied myself, thinking about Rohan and Heaven’s Door with a blush and reigning in my happiness to be more professional.

“Finally, we’ve seen the possibility for stand growth in users from Morioh and would like to document that process further—as with the stand users Koichi Hirose and his stand Echoes and Rohan Kishibe and his stand Heaven’s Door.

Furthermore, we have also noticed that if stand users are deeply connected to one another, their stands become more in sync—like souls resonating and bonding with one another. There have been multiple instances of stands from synced users being able to extend range or use each other’s powers to create a more powerful attack.

We would like to explore the implications for training stronger stands AND combination attacks.”

Centering myself at the podium again, I made eye contact with the branch leaders across the room.

“We at the SPW Morioh branch are requesting closer co-operation with other branches, specifically the Dallas branch and Naples branch. We already have personal connections with members there and would like to consult them more frequently for research purposes. 

We hope that the research being done and programs in place are a tribute to the Foundation. We humbly request your continued support as we expand our research to benefit the stand user community. Thank you.”

Picking up my notes as the board members clapped, I bowed politely, then exited the room back through the same doors I had entered. Rohan and Ellie were right outside, waiting for me, and I ran over, pulling Rohan into a hug and burying my face into his shoulder with a grin.

“How did it go, Ari?”

Giggling, I took a second to calm down, holding onto Rohan’s jacket, then pulling away. “Perfect. We said everything we needed to say. Presented the Foundation, our focus, our ideas. I just hope that we have approval on everything and can secure more funding. And… I dunno, I hope Mr. Speedwagon would be proud of what we’re doing. He always wanted to support the Joestar family and. I hope we are too…”

Rohan smiled, kissing my forehead. “I think he would be, Ari.”

Taking my papers, Rohan handed over Ellie and I held her tight, bouncing her and walking down the hall with her on my hip. 

“Mrs. Kishibe?”

Turning around, my heart leapt, seeing the attendant from earlier and worried something had gone wrong.

“Yes?”

“We’d like to present you with this.” Handing over a manilla envelope, the attendant smiled. “The Tokyo board was impressed with your presentation and have completely approved an expanded budget for your branch. We wish you good luck in your research this year and look forward to seeing your branch’s results in updates.”

“T-thank you!” Eyes wide, I took the packet, handing it over to Rohan. “Are we cleared to return home??”

“Yes. All your responsibilities are fulfilled here. The board simply wanted to know about the costs of the project in Morioh and why we had spent so much, but now they see the reasons and possibilities. You’ve won them over~”

Shoulders relaxing, a wave of relief washed over me. “Thank goodness.”

“We hope to see you again, Mrs. Kishibe, perhaps under less stressful circumstances.”

Nodding, I bowed politely, turning to walk with Rohan out of the branch. 

“I didn’t get to hear any of it, but I know you nailed that~” Rohan grinned, waving the envelope. “I’m proud of you, babe.”

“Mama??” Ellie looked up, then snuggled under my chin. “Hungry.”

“Mmmm, yeah me too, sweetie. Let’s get some lunch.”

#I loved writing this !! #we have our direction for this summer and beyond #<3 #spw morioh #speedwagon foundation #AriHan #bb ellie #jojo lore #stand lore #stand users

[virtuallyflyingworldwide]

Qatar and Cuba, The Little Island That Could

Erich Fontes

What makes these two little islands a worldwide touristic hotspot?

Quatar and Cuba are islands that don't share much in common except for the fact that they are land surrounded by water. These two islands are very attractive for tourists. Qatar is a recent developing country that is strategically creating infrastructure for tourists. They are hosting this year's Soccer World Cup, which is a worldwide recognized championship that will generate a lot of tourism. Cuba, on the other hand, is a country that has tourism due to its tropical appeal. It has recently developed more tourism and is economically dependent on tourism.

Welcome to Qatar!

Qatar is the perfect example that more money involved, more luxurious it will be.

Qatar has a adopted open economic policies and has a diversified economy. Most of the investors come from public and private sectors which contribute to different investment opportunities such as sports, health, education.

Fun Fact: Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world.

Qatar is considered to be one of the region's most strongest economically speaking and one of the world's most promising developing economies. Petroleum and natural gas account for more than 70% of the total government revenue.

According to GlobalEDGE

Top 3 Trade Partners: Japan, China, and South Korea Top 3 Exported Goods : Oil & Mineral Fuels, Plastics, and Fertilizers

Developing Infrastructure

As previously mentioned, Qatar is hosting the Soccer World Cup on December of this year! The reason they are hosting it in the winter instead of summer is due to the high temperatures in Qatar that can increase up to 115 Degrees Fahrenheit.

The Soccer World Cup is one of multiple projects that the government has been spending on in order to strengthen Qatar's economic success, internationally speaking. They are developing different infrastructures to support local people and tourism, including a metro.

Their main economic income comes from oil and natural gas. This has made Qatar's high economic growth and per capita income.

General Information

Food and Drinks

Only alcohol is permitted to be sold in 5 Star Hotels, due to that there is a high range of non-alcoholic beverages available, such as mocktails, chai, and fruit drinks.

Lifestyle and Culture

There is never a dull moment in Qatar, it is definitely a country worth visiting. They have a prominent sports calendar featuring a wide range of sports such as soccer, golf, and tennis. They also have a museum called The Museum of Islamic Art in which they host art exhibitions, opera showcases, and festivals.

Weather

As I mentioned earlier, summers are really hot and long, lasting from May to December. It is mostly comfortable in the wintertime.

Security

Qatar is one of the most secure countries in the world, which makes it more beneficial to visit with families, including children.

Qatar is a beautiful and new developing country that has a lot to offer for foreign travelers, including locals. It is a small country with a lot of wealth and has been growing exponentially in the last decades since their independence in 1971. Economically speaking it has become a well-positioned country in the world economic spectrum. I encourage anyone reading this blog to go visit this innovative island, especially if you are into sports!

Welcome to Cuba, baby!

Cuba is a country that when you go it seems that no time has passed. Its architecture and even transportation is the same as it was in the 60's, before Fidel Castro's government overtake.

Cuba has a planned economy which means that the government provides jobs for people to work in state-owned enterprises. The government controls most, if not even all the decisions made in the economic spectrum.

Fun (Not so Fun) Fact: Cuba’s economic growth has slowed dramatically in the past few years, which makes it the 177th country out of 222 countries in the world.

Cuba’s private sector is not up-to-speed; the state still dominates. The government of Cuba is responsible for 75 percent of Cuba’s economic activity.

In April 2011, the Cuban government held the first meeting of the Cuban Communist Party in over 10 years attempting to create a plan for economic change. They have implemented a few economic reforms which have permitted its citizens to buy electronics and to buy/sell cars, for example.

That meeting has created opportunities for local Cubans to also sell real estate, which promotes private ownership which is usually not permitted under a communist system.

The company, Airbnb, has also been recently available for tourists in the last couple of years, permitting locals to rent to foreign travelers and create new job opportunities. So if you are thinking of staying in Cuba, Airbnb would be a good option for you!

Tourism is also an important aspect of Cuban economy, since most of the money imported to Cuba comes from that. They have incredible beaches and atmosphere, through the music and the cultural setting you will be able to have a great time!

Food and Drinks

They mostly eat what they grow in the island, and since it is a Latin American country, most of their most famous dishes include rice and beans. For drinks, they provide a variety of alcoholic beverages, such as piña coladas, mojitos. For people who do not consume alcohol, there are other options available such as Cuban coffee and fruity beverages.

Lifestyle and Culture

Cuba is known for its musical surroundings, there is always music playing at every corner. Cuban's main sport is baseball, they love a good home run! Cuba has become a must for vintage car fans since the cars they have are the same that they have had for the last 50 years. There are many bars and restaurants to go out and have fun in.

Weather

Cuba has a tropical weather which consists mostly of hot temperature and humid air, ideal for going to the beach!

Security

Cuban is categorized as safe to travel by the U.S guidelines, only suggesting for tourists to be careful with pickpocket situations.

Cuba is an island full of life and a wonderful atmosphere. It is still under the communist block, but it has been advancing economically, very slow, but it is getting there. It has a lot of fun things to do and visit! It is definitely a place you should have on your bucketlist.

In conclusion, both islands, as different that they are, they both have their own charisma and charm that defines them culturally speaking. The major difference between the both of them is their economy. If you are looking for a more luxurious form of travel and experience I would suggest you to travel to Qatar. If you are more prone to a more rustic and adventurous experience, don't doubt to visit Cuba. Personally I think Cuba fits more of what I look for when traveling.

Thank you for reading my blog and stay tuned for more blog posts!

Saludos and هتافات (Both translate to Cheers).

Your worldwide guide, Erich Fontes

Work Cited

Analytics, Moody's. “Qatar - Economic Indicators.” Qatar | Economic Indicators | Moody's Analytics, https://www.economy.com/qatar/indicators.

Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cuba/#economy.

“Cuba: Introduction.” >> GlobalEDGE: Your Source for Global Business Knowledge, https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/cuba.

“Economic Policy.” Government Communications Office, 31 Jan. 2020, https://www.gco.gov.qa/en/focus/economic-policy/.

“Five Fun Facts about Cuba.” Cuba Direct, https://cubadirect.co.uk/blog/five-fun-facts-about-cuba.

Hilton, Elise. “5 Facts about the Cuban Economy.” Acton Institute PowerBlog, Acton Institute PowerBlog, 10 May 2017, https://blog.acton.org/archives/78667-5-facts-about-the-cuban-economy.html.

“Qatar: Economy.” >> GlobalEDGE: Your Source for Global Business Knowledge, https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/qatar/economy.

Schwartz, Leo, et al. “How Airbnb Reshaped Cuba's Tourism Economy in Its Own Image.” Rest of World, 4 Apr. 2022, https://restofworld.org/2022/airbnb-cuba-tourism-industry/.

Tour Republic January 27, et al. “Is Cuba Safe? the Ultimate Guide to Stay Safe in Cuba (2022).” Tour Republic, 1 Mar. 2022, https://www.tourepublic.com/blog/is-cuba-safe/#:~:text=Cuba%20is%20generally%20a%20safe%20country%20to%20travel%20to%2C%20according,currency%20scams%20are%20not%20uncommon.

[hoodoverhollywood]

Chinese luxury shoppers have a new favorite destination. Where?

LVMH’s first-quarter results signal that Chinese consumers are back indulging in luxury purchases — albeit outside of China. Instead, the mainland’s well-heeled spenders are traveling to foreign ground to splurge. Japan, in particular, has emerged as a hotspot for luxury shopping. Despite revenue in the rest of Asia dropping by 6 percent, LVMH sales across the country rose by double digits in the…

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[howtoactivateavastvpniniphone]

which free vpn works in china

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which free vpn works in china

Best free VPN for China

Navigating the online landscape in China can be challenging due to strict internet censorship laws. Fortunately, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help users access blocked websites and protect their online privacy. However, finding a reliable and free VPN service that works effectively in China can be daunting. Here are some of the best free VPN options tailored for users in China:

Windscribe: Windscribe offers a generous free plan with 10GB of monthly data, making it suitable for occasional browsing and light streaming. It employs strong encryption protocols and has servers in multiple locations worldwide, including Hong Kong, which can provide better connectivity in China.

ProtonVPN: Known for its commitment to privacy and security, ProtonVPN offers an unlimited free plan with servers in Japan and Taiwan, neighboring countries with relatively better internet freedom. It employs advanced encryption methods and has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring user privacy.

Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield provides a free version supported by ads, offering users access to its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol for faster and more secure connections. While the free plan has limitations, it still allows users to bypass censorship and access restricted content in China.

TunnelBear: TunnelBear offers a user-friendly interface and a free plan with 500MB of data per month. While this may not be sufficient for heavy usage, it can be useful for occasional browsing or accessing blocked websites in China.

Speedify: Speedify combines VPN and channel bonding technology to offer faster and more reliable connections. Its free plan provides 2GB of data per month and can be a viable option for users in China seeking both speed and security.

Before using any free VPN service in China, it's essential to research and understand the risks involved, as some VPN providers may not be able to consistently bypass the Great Firewall. Additionally, users should prioritize VPNs with strong encryption, a no-logs policy, and servers located outside of China to ensure their online privacy and security.

Reliable VPN for China

In recent years, internet users in China have encountered numerous restrictions and censorship, making it challenging to access censored websites and content. As a result, many individuals living or traveling to China have turned to Virtual Private Network (VPN) services to bypass these restrictions and protect their online privacy. When selecting a VPN for use in China, it is crucial to choose a reliable and secure option to ensure seamless and uninterrupted access to the unrestricted internet.

A reliable VPN for China should offer advanced encryption protocols to safeguard user data and online activities from prying eyes. It should have a robust server network with servers strategically located worldwide to provide fast and stable connections. Additionally, the VPN should have a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that user data is not stored or shared with third parties.

Furthermore, a reliable VPN for China should have obfuscation technology to disguise VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, making it harder for authorities to detect and block the VPN connection. It should also have a kill switch feature that automatically disconnects the internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.

Popular VPN providers known for their reliability in China include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. These VPNs offer dedicated apps for various devices, excellent customer support, and consistent performance in bypassing censorship and geo-blocks.

In conclusion, using a reliable VPN in China is essential for maintaining online freedom and security. By choosing a trusted VPN provider with robust security features, users can enjoy unrestricted access to the internet and peace of mind knowing their online activities are protected.

Effective VPN for China

Title: Navigating the Great Firewall: Choosing an Effective VPN for China

In China, internet censorship is a reality that residents and visitors alike must navigate. The Great Firewall of China restricts access to a wide range of websites and online services, including popular social media platforms, news websites, and even some search engines. However, with the right Virtual Private Network (VPN), users can bypass these restrictions and access the open internet securely and anonymously.

When selecting a VPN for use in China, there are several key factors to consider. Firstly, robust encryption protocols are essential to ensure that your online activity remains private and secure. Look for VPNs that offer AES-256 encryption, which is considered virtually unbreakable by today's standards.

Secondly, reliable server connections are crucial for a smooth and uninterrupted browsing experience. Many VPN providers offer servers specifically optimized for use in China, ensuring fast and reliable connections despite the country's stringent censorship measures.

Furthermore, advanced features such as split tunneling and obfuscated servers can help users circumvent censorship more effectively. Split tunneling allows users to route only select traffic through the VPN, while obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, making it harder for authorities to detect and block.

In addition to technical considerations, it's also important to choose a VPN provider with a strong commitment to privacy and security. Look for VPNs that have a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not store any information about your online activity. Additionally, consider factors such as jurisdiction and company policies regarding data retention and sharing.

Overall, finding an effective VPN for use in China requires careful consideration of technical features, server reliability, and privacy policies. By choosing a reputable provider with a track record of bypassing censorship, users can enjoy unrestricted access to the internet while maintaining their privacy and security.

Free VPN that works in China

Living in or traveling to China can sometimes pose challenges when accessing certain websites or content due to the country's strict internet censorship policies. However, one popular solution to bypass these restrictions is by using a free VPN (Virtual Private Network) service. A VPN essentially allows users to browse the internet anonymously and securely by redirecting their connection through a server in a different location.

When it comes to finding a free VPN that works reliably in China, it is important to be cautious and do thorough research. Due to the country's advanced firewall, many free VPN services may not be able to consistently circumvent the restrictions in place. However, there are a few options that have been known to work effectively in China.

One such option is Windscribe, a free VPN service that offers a generous amount of data allowance per month and has been reported to work in China. Another popular choice is ProtonVPN, which also has a free plan with unlimited bandwidth and has servers in countries that are not typically blocked in China.

It is essential to keep in mind that while free VPN services can be helpful in accessing blocked content in China, they may have limitations compared to paid alternatives. Users should also be aware of the potential risks involved with using free VPNs, such as slower connection speeds, data logging, and potential privacy concerns.

In conclusion, finding a free VPN that works in China may require some trial and error, but services like Windscribe and ProtonVPN are worth considering for users looking to navigate the country's internet restrictions. It is important to prioritize online security and privacy when using any VPN service, especially in regions with stringent censorship policies like China.

VPN solutions for China restrictions

Navigating the digital landscape in China can be challenging due to the country's strict internet censorship policies, commonly referred to as the "Great Firewall of China." For individuals and businesses looking to bypass these restrictions and maintain online privacy, VPN solutions emerge as essential tools.

VPN, or Virtual Private Network, offers a secure and encrypted connection to the internet by routing your traffic through a server located outside China. This effectively masks your IP address and encrypts your data, making it difficult for third parties to monitor your online activities.

When selecting a VPN for China, several factors should be considered:

Reliability: Choose a VPN provider with a proven track record of bypassing Chinese censorship. Look for user reviews and performance reports to ensure reliability.

Security: Opt for a VPN that offers strong encryption protocols and a no-logs policy to protect your privacy.

Speed: Since VPNs route your traffic through external servers, there may be a reduction in internet speed. Choose a VPN with optimized servers for China to minimize speed loss.

Server Locations: VPNs with servers located in nearby countries such as Hong Kong, Japan, or Singapore can offer faster connections and better access to international content.

Stealth Technology: Some VPNs offer stealth or obfuscation technology designed to disguise VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, making it harder for Chinese authorities to detect and block.

Popular VPN options for China include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, all known for their reliability, security features, and performance in bypassing censorship.

However, it's essential to note that while VPNs can provide a workaround for internet restrictions in China, they may not be foolproof. Chinese authorities continuously update their censorship measures, and VPNs may face disruptions or crackdowns. It's crucial to stay informed about the latest developments and choose VPNs that actively work to adapt to these challenges.

[michaelmikulec0]

Flavors of the World: A Traveler's Journey Through Global Gastronomy and Cultural Connections

Exploring the world is more than just seeing famous landmarks or visiting tourist hotspots. It's about immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of cultures that make our planet so diverse and fascinating. One of the most delightful ways to experience different cultures is through their food. From the spicy flavors of Thailand to the hearty stews of Ireland, every dish tells a story of tradition, history, and innovation. In this traveler's tale, we'll delve into the transformative power of global gastronomy and the profound connections it forges between people from all walks of life.

Savoring the Flavors of Diversity

Every corner of the globe boasts its unique culinary heritage, shaped by centuries of tradition and innovation. Stepping into a local market or sitting down at a neighborhood eatery is like embarking on a culinary journey through time and space. In India, the vibrant colors and aromatic spices of dishes like butter chicken and biryani tantalize the taste buds and evoke a sense of warmth and hospitality. Meanwhile, in Japan, the meticulous artistry of sushi-making reflects a culture deeply rooted in precision and respect for nature.

Breaking Bread, Building Bridges

Food has a remarkable ability to transcend language barriers and foster connections between people from different backgrounds. Whether you're sharing a meal with a family in a remote village or chatting with fellow travelers over street food in a bustling metropolis, the act of breaking bread together fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding. In Morocco, the tradition of serving mint tea to guests symbolizes hospitality and friendship, inviting strangers to become friends with each sip.

Culinary Adventures: From Farm to Table

Behind every delicious dish lies a story of farmers, fishermen, and artisans who toil tirelessly to bring fresh ingredients to the table. Embarking on a culinary adventure means not only savoring the final product but also gaining a deeper appreciation for the journey it took to get there. From foraging for truffles in the forests of France to learning the art of pasta-making from Italian nonnas, getting hands-on with food production offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of a culture.

Preserving Tradition in a Globalized World

In an era of globalization, where fast food chains and supermarket shelves offer a taste of the familiar no matter where you go, preserving culinary traditions has never been more critical. Behind every traditional recipe lies centuries of history and cultural identity passed down from generation to generation. Whether it's learning the art of mole sauce in Mexico or mastering the art of sushi-making in Japan, embracing traditional cooking methods ensures that these cultural treasures will continue to thrive for generations to come.

The Power of Food: A Catalyst for Change

Food not only nourishes the body but also has the power to spark conversations and drive social change. From farm-to-table movements promoting sustainable agriculture to initiatives that empower marginalized communities through culinary training, food has become a powerful tool for addressing pressing social and environmental issues. In countries like Peru, where indigenous ingredients are celebrated as culinary treasures, efforts to preserve biodiversity and support local farmers are helping to create a more sustainable future for all.

A Feast for the Senses and the Soul

In a world that often feels divided, food has the remarkable ability to bring people together and celebrate our shared humanity. Whether you're sampling street food in Thailand or sharing a traditional meal with locals in Italy, every culinary experience offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of cultures that make our world so vibrant and diverse. So the next time you travel, don't just see the sights – taste the flavors, meet the people, and savor the unforgettable moments that make global gastronomy a genuinely enriching and transformative experience.

[mtalkesim]

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One of the most significant advantages of MTALK eSIM is its comprehensive coverage across a multitude of 18 Asian countries like Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Bangladesh, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. MTALK keeps you connected in destinations spanning across the continent. Say goodbye to the inconvenience of switching SIM cards or searching for Wi-Fi hotspots – with MTALK, you're always connected, allowing you to navigate, communicate, and explore with ease.

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At MTALK, we understand the importance of staying connected without breaking the bank. That's why we offer competitive rates and transparent pricing, ensuring you get the best value for your money. Say goodbye to bill shock and hidden fees – with MTALK eSIM, you'll always know exactly what you're paying for, allowing you to travel with peace of mind and confidence.

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In addition to its convenience and affordability, MTALK eSIM is also environmentally friendly. By eliminating the need for physical SIM cards, we reduce waste and minimize our environmental footprint. Travel responsibly with MTALK, knowing that your connectivity solutions contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet.

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At MTALK, customer satisfaction is our top priority. That's why we offer 24/7 customer support to address any queries or concerns you may have during your travels. Our dedicated team is always ready to assist you, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

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[evoldir]

Fwd: Postdoc: Okinawa_IST.EvolutionaryIchthyology

Begin forwarded message: > From: [email protected] > Subject: Postdoc: Okinawa_IST.EvolutionaryIchthyology > Date: 2 March 2024 at 05:26:52 GMT > To: [email protected] > > > > Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology > Postdoctoral Scholar or Staff Scientist in Ichthyology > > A postdoctoral scholar (PhD 5 years) or staff scientist position > (PhD 5 years) is available in the Macroevolution Unit at OIST. We > seek a highly motivated, expert researcher with a deep knowledge > of fish biodiversity, including but not limited to systematics, > taxonomy, ecology., and the fossil record. The researcher will pursue > groundbreaking projects on ichthyological topics, such as the origins of > the Indo-Pacific biodiversity hotspot, the origins and diversification of > fish groups, description and characterization of species and communities, > and/or the influence of environmental and ecological factors on fish > biodiversity. Exact projects will be developed through discussions with > PI Sallan based on the skills, interests, and ideas of the selected > researcher. > > Responsibilities: > > Develop and lead innovative projects related to the ichthyological > interests of the Macroevolution Unit. > Publish results in high-quality journals. > Present at national and international conferences. > > Qualifications: > > (Required) > > PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Marine Biology, Paleontology, > Organismal Biology or related field with dissertation focused on fishes. > Experience and interest in fish biodiversity. > Willingness to develop knowledge about areas and clades of interest to > the unit if outside of past experience (e.g. fishes). > Willingness to learn new methods as needed. > Willingness to travel to museum collections or collect specimens as needed. > Willingness to collaborate with other relevant labs at OIST and outside. > Good spoken and written English skills, including for scientific terms > and concepts. > > (Preferred) > > Experience in either fish morphology, fish phylogenetics, marine field > work and collections, or work with live fishes, depending on area of > expertise. > > Start Date: > Negotiable from April 2024 (if in Japan already) through > mid-2025. Promising senior graduate students and postdocs with time > remaining in their current positions are encouraged to apply. > > Term & Working hours: > Full-time. A postdoctoral position (PhD5 years) is initially for one > year and can be renewed to 2 more years based on performance and mutual > agreement. A staff scientist position (PhD5 years) is initially for > one year and can be extended further based on performance and mutual > agreement. > > Working hours: > > Discretionary working hours > > Compensation & Benefits: > Compensation in accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations > > Benefits: > > Relocation, housing and commuting allowances > Annual paid leave and summer holidays > Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid > https://ift.tt/dtH8DFp ) > Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin) > Worker’s accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken) > > Application Due Date: > > Applications will continue to be screened until the position is filled. > > Submission Documents: > > Cover letter including statement of research interests > > CV including the publication list > > Contact information for 3 recommendation letters (will be contacted > after first pass) > > Apply At: > > https://ift.tt/Lo6lxkJ > > Lauren Sallan

#IFTTT #Email

[best-seo-experts-world]

Most searched "citites current time" in the world

"🌍✨ Ever wonder where people are most curious about the time? We've delved into the data and uncovered the top cities around the globe where folks are constantly asking, "What's the time?" Whether it's for coordinating global meetings, planning travel, or simply staying connected with friends and family across different time zones, these cities are always on the clock! ⏰🌐

New York, USA - The city that never sleeps is always checking the time, leading the pack with its bustling economy and international connections.

London, UK - With Greenwich Mean Time calling it home, London's global influence keeps its residents and visitors time-conscious.

Tokyo, Japan - As a leading financial hub, Tokyo's need to sync with global markets makes it a hotspot for time inquiries.

Sydney, Australia - Known for being ahead in time zones, Sydney siders are frequently queried by those trying to catch up.

Dubai, UAE - Bridging the East and the West, Dubai's cosmopolitan vibe has everyone checking their watches.

These cities illuminate the interconnectedness of our world, reminding us that, no matter where we are, time binds us together in an intricate dance of seconds, minutes, and hours. Let's celebrate our global village by staying connected, respecting each other's time, and making every moment count! ⌛️🌏💫

GlobalTime TopCities WorldClock StayConnected"

Feel free to tailor this post with specific facts or visuals that resonate with your audience for a more engaging impact!

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[whatsonmedia]

Thursday Thrill: Top Festivals & Film Picks for a Thrilling Weekend

Escape the ordinary and dive into electrifying festivals or a captivating film. This weekend offers something for every taste, from adrenaline-pumping dance music in Japan to a humorous British mystery. Simple Things Festival 23 – 29 Feb It is the Simple Things festival's 10th year. Returning after a four-year break festival goer old and new will be treated to some big celebrations across the seven days that this southern festival is offering in Bristol's music primetime mecca. The contemporary music and culture event is something for everyone bringing the Bristol’s community together and its visitors from across the UK to enjoy all that's available. With individual day and night time programs featuring innovative eclectic and groundbreaking names cutting through the music industry.  Taking place at some of Bristol's standout and most loved venues across the city Bristol Beacon area.  It's going to be a fun-packed weeklong production featuring local heroes, cutting-edge artists, festival newbies, and of course golden oldies. Including a one-of-a-kind closing party from standout artist Fever Ray. The festival features a big line-up including Butch Kassidy, Jessica Winter, CASisDEAD, Flowdan, Giant Swan, Nkisi, Gilla Band, Space Afrika, Max Cooper, Paranoid London, Free Love, The Bug Club plus more Tickets & more info Snow Machine Japan 26 Feb – 2 Mar This weekend the international festival raising eyebrows taking festival-goers to the Eastern hemisphere to the wonderful country of Japan. However, this festival lures its party-loving dance music people for four full-on days of the best dance music on the Apres. Given most of apres festivals I usually list take place in France. Snow Machine is something a little different for anyone up for a global adventure.  By day party people can take in all the sights of Hakuba Valley having their best dance-off, Apres style on the atmospheric mountain stages which host a line-up of the finest DJs.   Moving the party on to dusk where the main arena comes alive for one hell of a rave on the backdrop of magnificent surroundings of the slopes.   This festival delivers on a global scale! Incorporating travel, a ski trip, and a rave all rolled into one.  And if you've never been to Japan on the slopes this is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed! Hosting homegrown global alist DJs including Claptone, Nina Kraviz, Denis Sulta, Todd Terje Dj Set, Diplo, Sneaky Sound System, George Fitzgerald Dj Set, Illy, Blusher, Ewan Mcvicar, Bob Moses Club Set, Hilltop Hoods, Jimi the Kween, Busy P, Lime Cordiale, Marc Rebillet, Risa Taniguchi, Satoshi Tomiie, Shinichi Osawa, Sideboob Tickets & more info Moovin n Groovin 23 Feb After a few successful intimate warehouse & terrace parties, this month Moovin & Groovin is hosting its humble and full-throttle party this time taking over the loft space at one of Birmingham's primetime clubbing hotspots, Lab11 in Digbeth. This is where your weekend begins!  Reminding its devoted clubbers of just how dam fine the smaller warehouse loft parties are.  Iconic of the original house party! With DJs playing the finest dancefloor fillers across the House music genre from 90's house & garage, oldskool disco & classic deep house all night long.  Dig out your best dancing shoes for the hottest dancefloor in the city. Tickets are limited for this event, it's not all about bringing in a big crowd or hosting famous DJs! Moovin n Groovin is all about creating the best vibes. Expect a night of heavy beats and a packed dancefloor the line-up features Dan Schofield, George Abraham, Ella Knight, Lewis Carroll, Don't Be Shy, and maybe a few surprises. Tickets & more info LoveJuice - Road To Ibiza Rocks Launch Party 23 Feb There is no better way than to get ready for the summer season in Ibiza with one massive all-night party in one of the longest-running clubs in London. Ministry of Sound opened its doors in 1991 with inspiration from house music clubs in New York City. It was the first club to dedicate its sound to house music.  Hosting some of the biggest and most famous clubbing brands in history.  Always pulling in the max capacity crowds and the most famous DJs flying in from all over the globe to sell out events. As the weekend is cookin' up a dance music storm LoveJuice takes over the reign, with the Road To Ibiza Rocks launch party. Giving all its clubbers a taste of what's to come this summer in Ibiza. Ibiza Rocks has been one of the big success stories of Ibiza sellout weekly parties and hosting weekly residences drawing in a crowd. There is no better place to host their parties, it's a combination made of the house music gods. With a line-up that's fire this weekend, MOS is the place to live your clubbing dreams. The line-up features Sammy Porter, George Mensah, Secondcity, Beyond Chicago, Patrick Nazemi, Charlotte Van de Peer, JAYDAA, Annabel Stop It, Tilli Murphy, Sonny Kane, Brian Smith, Charlie Webb, Macy Lancaster, Maxwell and more. Tickets & more info Wicked Little Letters 23 Feb Fancy catching a film this weekend. The Odean cinema has a cracking new film showing this weekend, across the UK, for all the lovers of the big screen. Starring lead roles from Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. It's a bit of a whodunit – but the question is who sent the letters. Taking place in the 1920 era, when curtain twitching was a thing. Incoming (Olivia Coleman) spinster Edith Swan is the ultimate curtain twitcher. Who starts to receive obscene letters in her doormat. Getting the community in a frenzy trying to establish the culprit of such offensive doings. Pointing the finger towards (Jessie Buckley) Rose Gooding. Never one to spoil a good plot that is as much as I'm going to give away. But after a hard week at work and in-need-of some downtime, it's a film I would highly recommend for the weekend ahead! Have you checked the weather? Let's face it - going to the cinema today is a full-on experience. From the mega surround sound, reclining chairs, a bar, and food it's perfect for a date night, a night out with the girls, or going solo. Already receiving rave reviews, lots of people are talking about this fabulous British Comedy. It's the perfect thing to get you out of the indoors for some for feel good laughter, helping to forget the miserable UK weather outside. Tickets & more info Read the full article

[tokyotravelbureau]

Join the Best Cherry Blossom Tour in Japan

Discover the magic of Japan's cherry blossoms with Tokyo Travel Bureau. Join our expert-guided tour to experience exclusive Sakura hotspots, cultural delights, and personalized itineraries. Make your cherry blossom journey unforgettable. Book now at (tokyotravelbureau.com).

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[annaminijayan3dblog]

Academic Blog 9

Genshin Impact is a 2020 open-world action role-playing video game where you travel through the fantasy world of Tevyat in search of your twin. The game allows you to explore regions freely as part of its open-world system. Each region has a characteristic environment design and architecture often inspired by real-life examples. For instance, the environment design and architecture of Inazuma in Genshin Impact (2020) seem to have taken visual inspiration from Japan. Even though the architecture in Genshin Impact (2020) is rooted in fantasy elements, they still maintain aspects of realistic structures in their design.

Environments in Genshin Impact (2020) enhance the player's aesthetic experience of the game and the virtual architecture plays a significant role in this. I would like to analyse aspects of its architecture in this blog, in particular, the architecture of Sumeru. My analysis will be based on the Semiotic framework proposed in the conference paper by Gabriele Aroni (2022). Sumeru is a region in Tevyat where its inhabitants worship the dendro archon, a god-like entity with powers related to nature. This is reflected in the region since most of the main area is a lush green rainforest with ecological hotspots. There is also another part of Sumeru, which is its desert area, known to have been ruled by another god. The architecture of Sumeru in general seems to have been inspired by the Middle East, ancient Egypt, north Africa, and Southeast Asia.

The player starts their journey in Sumeru from Avidya forest. The forest has a village in it where people and forest rangers live. The architecture that greets the player here is houses built from wood, leaves, and straws. Some of them look like elaborate thatched houses with saddle roofs. This type of structure is seen throughout the rest of the forest of Sumeru to give the player a sense of similarity. As the player travels further and arrives at the main city, they are greeted by magnificent structures that still retain shape similarity with houses in the village. The only difference is seen in the colours of the building of Akademiya, which has shades of blue instead of green that we usually see throughout the rainforests of Sumeru. The blue shades could suggest wisdom since the Akademiya is known to be the most prestigious learning institute of Teyvat. It could also signify order and control since it is also the governing body of Sumeru. This is in contrast to the green colour which is represented in connection to their god. The developers could have chosen these colours to signify how the scholars are the ones in control instead of the god which gets revealed later in the game. This is just one instance in which the game uses architecture to help provide information about its narrative. This is an effective way to help the player understand the world-building behind the game. Players can gain a better understanding of the narrative and their place within the game world through various elements such as characters dressed differently and contextual dialogues. However, the architecture itself effectively conveys the otherworldly nature of the location without the need for additional explanations. (Aroni, 2022)

Epic games (n.d) image-3-3840x2160-66f95019dcca.jpg

The region of Sumeru also has domains spread throughout the region. The domains look very similar to the ones that are in the rest of Teyvat. The domain entrances are usually doors made out of stone with a symbol in the middle of it. This can be contrasted with the magnificent doors of the Akademiya that have intricate geometric designs. The difference in the designs of the doors communicates the difference in their purpose to the players. The player interacts with the first door anticipating battles in exchange for rewards while they interact with the second door anticipating a peaceful interior filled with books and dialogues with non-playable characters. The intentional difference in the connotation of architectural objects makes way for anticipatory play, which is a crucial part of gameplay. Aroni (2022) states that The ability to anticipate and communicate important information about gameplay, narrative, and instructions on how to play and proceed in the game is made possible by the connotative function of architectural signs in games.

The desert region of Sumeru is in contrast to the rainforests and consists of structures inspired by mainly ancient Egypt and North Africa. These buildings are in contrast to the more organic and natural houses in the forest. The Aaru village is a fortified village with houses that look like they were constructed using bricks and wood. When the player travels further into the desert, they come across ruins of a previous civilisation that look very similar to pyramids. These ruins contain structures and devices that use advanced technologies. This architectural sign suggests that the civilisation under King Deshret's rule had attained technological advancement and prosperity. This helps the players understand the world more and immerse themselves in the game.

Ken Allsop (2022) genshin-impact-sumeru-desert-sacred-ruins-580x334.jpg

The ruins in the desert also contain multiple doors and openings to the ground beneath which seems to instruct the player on how to proceed in the quest. Eremite camps are also spread out in the desert and to players, these mercenary camps signify danger and the possibility of a treasure chest. These are some ways in which the game shows the player how to experience and interact with the game environment. ‘Instead of defining a play experience entirely by what the player is allowed to do, anticipatory play allows us to focus instead on what opportunities any play experience provides for elaborated analysis, contemplation, and reflection’ (Aroni, 2022).

Through the analysis of the architecture in Sumeru, one can understand the importance of architecture in games as a sign of impacting the narrative and gameplay. As a game artist, this is a valuable perspective to keep in mind when designing aesthetic aspects of games since my goal is to create a better experience for players.

References

Aroni, G. (2022). A Semiotic Framework for the Analysis of Virtual Architecture in Digital Games. in Cross-Cultural Design. Applications in Learning, Arts, Cultural Heritage, Creative Industries, and Virtual Reality. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13312. Virtual Event, Sunday 26th June to Friday 1st July 2022 Springer, Cham. [Accessed 14 Dec, 2023]

Epic games (2022) image-3-3840x2160-66f95019dcca.jpg, epic games store. Available at: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/genshin-impact-version-3-0-heading-westward-to-sumeru . [Accessed 14 Dec, 2023]

Ken Allsop (2022) genshin-impact-sumeru-desert-sacred-ruins-580x334.jpg, pcgamesn. Available at: https://www.pcgamesn.com/genshin-impact/sumeru-trailer-two-desert-ruins [Accessed 14 Dec, 2023]

miHoYo. (2020) Genshin Impact. [Video Game]. HoYoverse.

#sources and significance

[mightyflamethrower]

New Pentagon memo reveals almost 300 reports of potential UFO encounters since August 2022

Is The Truth Really Out There? The report, quietly released by the Pentagon on Tuesday, provides more information on UFO characteristics and sighting information, but little on origin or mechanics.

n Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Defense publicly released the 2023 report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)—colloquially known as UFOs—which revealed that there have been almost 300 reports of potential UAP observed, with some cases of UAP exhibiting “high-speed travel or unusual maneuverability.”

The report, titled “Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Annual Report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena” was released by the Department of Defense for open publication along with charts detailing trends in UAP reporting which included the typically-reported characteristics of the objects as well as a heat map their locations.

The reports of unidentified objects were collected by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), an office established in July 2022 to “minimize technical and intelligence surprise” that unidentified aerial phenomena could pose and which is headed by Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick. According to the report, the AARO received a total of 291 UAP reports since the fiscal year began in August 2022.

The document noted that many of the UAP reports have occurred in the United States. “Most reports still reflect a bias towards restricted military airspace, as a result of reporting from military personnel and sensors present in such areas,” the executive summary reads. “This bias has been lessened by reporting from commercial pilots showing a more diverse geographic distribution of UAP sightings across the United States,” it continues.

A heat map included in the report shows the hotspots of UAP reports for the year. Although the vast majority of UAP reports filed to the AARO were from the United States, the heat map shows that sightings are also clustered around the East Asia region, near China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan, as well as the Middle East. The U.S. maintains significant military presence in these areas.

Other charts released alongside the report detail the UAP reporting trends. These unidentified objects are most commonly reported as “round,” between 1-4 meters in length, and are either white, silver, or translucent. Another puzzling feature of most commonly reported UAP is the apparent lack of thermal exhaust, used in modern aircraft to vent the air from the engine. It is a vital component that permits an aircraft to fly without overheating.

Department of Defense Presentation on 2023 UAP Report

This chart was obtained from the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Annual Report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, released by the Pentagon on Oct. 17, 2023.

A pie chart embedded in the report shows the distribution of characteristics among the reported UAP contacts. A majority, 53%, did not have a reported morphology—or form. Among those with reported characteristics, 25% were reported as and “orb” or “round, while the remainder were reported as other shapes, varying from triangles to cylinders. A small portion were reported as “ambiguous censor contacts.” A vast majority of UAP were reported as having “no lights” at 79%.

Department of Defense, 2023.

This pie chart is contained in the overall report on UAP for FY 2023.

Earlier this year, a whistleblower claimed that the United States had “a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse-engineering program” in testimony before congressional investigators from the House Oversight Committee’s national security subcommittee.  The whistleblower, David Grusch, is a former Air Force and intelligence official who has accused the U.S. government of a coverup of its UAP program.

Another witness who testified at the hearing, Retired Navy Commander and David Fravor, a fighter pilot, told the committee that a UAP he encountered in 2004 on a training mission aboard the carrier USS Nimitz—depicted in the famous Tic-Tac video that circled the internet—was “perfectly white, smooth, no windows” and that it “did not operate with any of the known aerodynamic principles that we expect for objects that fly in our atmosphere.” He described the object changing speed and direction at a rapid pace, in one instance traveling 60 miles in under a minute. 

That converts to 3,600 mph: approximately 4.6 times the speed of sound. 

There are still many unanswered questions about UAP. If reports about these flying objects’ unusual patterns of movement and technological capability are reliable, how are they being flown? Another key question is where are they coming from? The new report from the Defense Department does not address these pressing questions.

“We’re jumping through a lot of hoops to get this information,” Will Hampson, a spokesman for Representative Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who sits on the subcommittee investigating UAP, told Just the News on Thursday. “It is a huge priority for Rep. Mace. We look forward to member briefings on the subject and hope the Pentagon will be forthcoming and transparent so the public knows what’s going on,” he continued.

The report claims that the AARO is making progress in collecting and identifying reported UAP. The “unidentified nature” of most of these objects stems from the fact that there are gaps in the United States’ data collection abilities with regard to UAP—meaning insufficient data has been obtained from things like radar and sensors to properly identify the phenomena.

The report concludes that “with an increased quality of data secured, the unidentified and purported anomalous nature of most UAP will likely resolve to ordinary phenomena and significantly reduce the amount of UAP case submissions.” The AARO seems confident that many UAP reports will be resolved by better observation, showing them to be normal, explainable phenomena.

As an example, the Defense Department attached a resolved AARO case report. In this case, military personnel reported a potential UAP incursion into restricted airspace, identified as “equidistant lights that flew at a relatively constant pace.” An AARO analysis determined that these lights were actually commercial aircraft that the observers incorrectly estimated them to be much closer to the sensor than they actually were. The image taken of the purported UAP was also distorted due to sensor vibration, according to the report.

#Youtube