∎̳̿͟͞E̳̿͟͞c̳̿͟͞h̳̿͟͞o̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞s̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞o̳̿͟͞f̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞D̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞s̳̿͟͞t̳̿͟͞i̳̿͟͞n̳̿͟͞y̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞I̳̿͟͞I̳̿͟͞∎̳̿͟͞
🔺− ☞ 🎧 ☜ −🔺
⟹ HI Fr..!
Just kidding... haha. (I don't have social skills, I can't have one.)
Well then, enough talking about my social problems. The subject of my thoughts today is...
🥁OOO🥁
MYSELF!
Wwai... Please, don't leave..
Let me explain better!
..
Who doesn't like talking about what they're doing, what's going well for them, or other details that I don't know since I don't talk to people?
(If you answered no, you're lying! Maybe you have the right people, but you still enjoy it!)
Even I do it. (That one time.. Every 10 years, when someone asks me anything. Okay!).
Oh yes... Who doesn't like talking about oneself?
It's a way of boasting, a feeling of superiority.
But this can be a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it can be a way to share one's experiences, bring out one's personality, and connect with others. (WOW!)
On the other hand, it can turn into a narcissistic obsession, leading to a distorted view of oneself and others. (...)
Excessive emphasis on personal achievements can alienate others and create emotional distance.
Focusing too much on oneself can cause one to lose sight of the richness of human relationships, pushing people away.
Additionally, it can create a sense of isolation, as others may grow tired of listening to a self-centered narrative.
Conversely, talking about oneself in a balanced way can be a means to develop meaningful connections.
Sharing personal challenges and triumphs can inspire and create common ground for empathy.
However, finding a balance between personal expression and actively listening to others is essential.
In conclusion, the key is awareness. (cough! Or isolation cough!)
..
Talking about oneself can be beneficial when done in moderation and with respect for others.
Finding the right balance can lead to deeper and more fulfilling relationships, avoiding excesses that can harm human connections.
An example is the story of Antheia:
Antheia, born in the XXI (21st) century in 2006.
The girl, at 14 years old, moved to a new country with her parents to provide her with better education and potential job opportunities for them.
Leaving behind the limited knowledge, she immersed herself in this new country, full of possibilities yet to be explored.
Fortunately, in addition to being very beautiful, Antheia was also brilliant.
So much so that, thanks to her previous studies and those conducted in the summer holidays, she developed a decent command of the language.
At that time, she was very excited about this new beginning – a new school, new friendships, potential loves, and experiences one could not even dream of.
The young girl spent nights and days fantasizing about her possibly new companions, how they spoke, and the attitude she should adopt with them.
Antheia, lying on the bed, reflecting on her new life.
▶ "Tomorrow it all starts over.. New school, new friends... I can be anyone I want AAA."
And finally, that beautiful first day of her new life arrived.
With a crisp morning, Antheia woke up at 5 a.m. prepared for hours with her heart full of emotions, and headed towards her first day at the new school.
She wore the stylish blue-white school uniform, trying to conceal the slight anxiety that pervaded her behind a confident smile.
The eyes sparkled with excitement as she walked through the crowded corridor, attempting to familiarize herself with the new surroundings.
She first noticed the cream beige carpets and the classic, somewhat bad school smell.
Then, the young girl saw many students heading and sitting on chairs with podiums in front and decided to do the same.
One by one, the professors introduced themselves and called the new students by name, directing them to their classrooms.
Everything was marvelous for her as she was finally experiencing that moment.
Finally, her turn arrived, so she stood up slowly, picked up the backpack she placed on the ground while waiting, and immediately noticed two boys who, like her, had just joined the school.
The teacher directed them toward their new classroom on the second floor, Section D.
They waited in front of the door while the teacher inside the classroom announced the news to the students, making the kids increasingly nervous and uncertain about how to behave.
Then, the 3, crossed the classroom door, finding themselves in a lively and potential-rich environment.
The walls were adorned with creative student drawings, while natural light filtered through the windows, illuminating the room with a welcoming atmosphere.
She shows 24 students, consisting of 13 boys and 11 girls, which, for her, means 24 possible new friends.
The teacher told them to take their seats, as indicated on a piece of paper on the table.
As soon as she sat down, Antheia's heart raced, surrounded by the interested gazes of all the students in the class, given her new appearance and her beautiful demeanor.
The teacher asked them to introduce themselves first to the old students and then to the new ones.
▶ "Alex, can you introduce yourself, please?"
▶ "Sure! My name is Alex, I'm 14 years old, I like soccer, I often run, I often draw, and I always listen to Samantha Pendleton's songs. I hope to become your friend!"
▶ "And now, Antheia, it's your turn."
After the second guys spoke, it was Antheia's turn, whose eyes were empty and uncertain.
All her classmates seemed to have interesting passions and personalities, but she had just arrived with a limited accent and vocabulary and felt slightly embarrassed about making mistakes.
Hesitantly. ▶ "I... I'm Antheia. I'm 14 years old."
That action left everyone stunned, even Antheia, who, though outwardly seemed calm, was exploding with embarrassment and regret inside her head.
The day continued until the break, during which the new students were surrounded by the extras, bombarding them with questions.
Antheia responded to these questions with the bare minimum, maintaining a calm and composed approach.
This drastic change from her original plan made her scream internally with regret.
As Antheia sits alone, two girls, Claudia and Sara, observe her from afar.
Their whispers become increasingly sharp as they talk about her.
Playing with the pencil. ▶"Sara, did you see that new girl, Antheia? So cold... Just her name and age, and that's it. How boring.."
▶ "Ye.. I thought she was about to say something interesting..."
▶ "And did you see how she walks and talks? Always so distant, like she's better than us.Maybe she thinks her silence makes her mysterious, but to me, it just seems arrogant."
▶ "Exactly, arrogant and boring. And then, that constant vacant stare, just because she's pretty... Maybe she thinks nobody is on her level."
▶ "But really, who cares? If she doesn't want to open up, it's her problem. But don't complain if she ends up alone."
▶ "Yes, a victim of her own presumption. And that constant silence? It makes me think she has serious issues. Maybe we should start calling her 'the psycho'. I bet it won't take long for everyone to start seeing her that way."
▶ "Hahaha, 'the psycho', perfect. That'll teach her to act superior to us. If she doesn't hurry up and get off her pedestal, she'll end up being everyone's target!"
Then that day turned into days and weeks, and Antheia's strategy backfired.
Her classmates, unaware of her desire for connection, interpreted her reserved nature as detachment.
The initial curiosity about the new girl faded, and she found herself on the outskirts of social circles.
Determined to maintain her facade, Antheia continued to play it cool, hoping that someone would notice and take the initiative to approach her.
Unfortunately, no one did.
In the long break, forced to wander outside the classrooms, she had nothing to occupy her time except watching the trees sway in the wind.
The laughter of other kids echoed around her, but none reached out to include her.
As time passed, whispers of judgment and ridicule circulated among her peers.
The once vibrant and hopeful Antheia became the target of bullying.
Laughter echoed in the corridors, and hurtful words were exchanged.
Her isolation intensified, and the tree outside the window became her silent companion during lonely pauses.
Despite Antheia's longing for connection, the wall she had built around herself grew taller.
The story reached its somber conclusion as Antheia, unable to break free from her self-imposed isolation, spent her school years without the camaraderie she had hoped for.
The echoes of laughter and the taunts of being labeled a "psycho" lingered, casting a shadow over her attempts to bridge the gap between her and her classmates.
In this detailed and poignant tale, the delicate balance between the desire for connection and the struggle with self-expression unfolds, illustrating the consequences of maintaining an impenetrable exterior in the quest for friendship.
Using a bit of imagination, can you understand what happens if you do the opposite..
Be yourselves!
You may find friends who are like-minded, and who knows- maybe you'll find one who will be there every time you have the ⸮⸮⸮⸮⸮ too near the v cough cough.
Ultimately, this poor girl found a boy who managed to understand and know her, with whom she lived the rest of her life.
It wasn't always happy, but neither too wicked.
At the age of 35, Antheia tragically lost her life in a car accident along with her two children, Karlos and Irene, both 4 years old.
The heartbreaking incident occurred as they returned home from school in 2041.
Strangely, this story seems familiar... (except the very end)
Your dear Mr. Smile.
˜"°•. ♪ .•°"˜
The scene unfolded under an oppressive sky, suffocating with a dehumanizing ambiance, echoingthe weight of the newfound discoveries.
Adam remained seated on the ground, a contemplative sigh escaping as he gazed up at the hazy gray sky, where feeble rays of sunlight struggled to pierce through the thick veil.
His hair, tousled by the wind, carried the lingering scent of decay, adding a surreal layer to the atmosphere.
Eve, drawing near, created a stark contrast with her companion—her features radiating a pure source of light against the dark backdrop of Adam's contemplation.
▶ "Eve, I don't consider it bad that we're still alive, but on the other hand, I find it very demotivating." Adam expressed, his eyes still fixed on the sky.
Eve, leaning on Adam's shoulder, responded, ▶ "Well, at least we now have some understanding, even if it's incomplete.
▶ "Our situation seems complicated, and I'm sure that of those data he was talking about, we don't have even one... Right, Adam?""
Adam chuckled softly, throwing a small rock far away, and maintaining his gaze on the sky. ▶ "Undoubtedly, we're missing all of them... Our options are either to enhance the audio and video or carefully ponder his words.."
Closer, Eve suggested. ▶ "Or we could simply disregard that video and forge a destiny different from the programmed one!"
The android, with a slime, countered, ▶ "True, but a lingering curiosity to uncover the truth would persist within me."
▶ "But even staying and redoing what we've done wouldn't work if that guy were to come back.."
Eve laughed ironically. ▶ "Ah, true, there's that issue... Without a doubt, that person's moods shift rapidly—calm in one moment, contemplative the next, and suddenly prepared to kill instantly..."
▶ "He seemed to know us, even see you... That's unsettling, especially considering he ended my life so casually.." Adam sighed.
Under the open sky, both remained still, like privileged spectators in a vast natural amphitheater.
The air pulsated with emotion, conducting a unique symphony—flies dancing, clouds painting the sky, and the wind orchestrating nature's ensemble.
The performance commenced with a subtle rustle, flies twirling like ethereal ballerinas, creating intricate patterns in an endless ballet.
Clouds, like skilled artists, painted ever-changing pictures against the azure canvas.
The wind, the invisible conductor, guided with elegant gestures and occasional sunbeams, illuminated the scene.
The surrounding walls contributed a rhythmic background, blending with nature's symphony.
Their irregular cadence added authenticity to the sonic landscape.
In this extraordinary performance, time stood still, leaving space for the fleeting beauty of the natural concert.
Under the open sky, amidst the dance of flies and the painting of clouds, individuals immersed themselves in nature's eternal music.
A symphony resonating in their "hearts" even after the last chord had dissolved into the atmosphere.
🔺− ☞ 📦 ☜ −🔺
▶ "It's time to rise and confront our destiny!" Adam declared, standing up from the ground.
This time, however, more humanly and regularly, he placed one hand flat on the ground and the other on his knee, forming a triangle.
Then, he exerted force on his legs and stood up.
In position, he reached out his hand to Eve to help her get up, knowing it was futile, but he wanted to make Eve feel more comfortable and natural.
Eve looked at the hand incredulously, responding with a smile. ▶ "What a gentleman, Adam."
The universe seemed to stop as if frozen; Eve's gaze met Adam's with a hint of vulnerability, similar to the delicate petals of a flower in full bloom in the soft light.
The scene unfolded with ethereal grace; even time slowed down to savor the moment's beauty.
Eve, enveloped in a flowing dress that seemed to capture the environment, like a subtle melody of elegance as she moved, cast a spell that held both Adam and reality itself captive.
Her eyes, mirrors of reflection, reflected the bluish luminescence above them, adding an enchanting layer to the unfolding tableau.
In that shared space between them, where reality and emotion intertwined, Eve's hand reached out, fingers intertwining with his in a dance of intimacy.
The touch was more than a simple physical connection; it was a silent exchange of unspoken promises and shared dreams.
As she rose, a sigh of anticipation lingered in the air, and those brief rays of light piercing through the clouds caressed their figures like a delicate brushstroke, emphasizing the contours of their shared journey.
Every movement became a testimony to their timeless dance, where each gesture carried the weight of a thousand whispered confessions.
Eve's body language exuded elegance and genuine connection as if they were partners in a carefully choreographed performance.
Adam and Eve stood together in the gentle pull and ascent, wrapped in the moment's magic.
The smile that touched Eve's lips spoke of a connection deeper than words could express; it was a connection woven into the fabric of their souls, making Adam's chivalry a chapter in the grand story of their lives.
▶ "Now. Eve, let's carefully contemplate the scientist's words." Adam suggested with a severe expression.
▶ "Well, Adam, I haven't understood much beyond "If.. you.. seeing.. humanity.. extinctttt!" She said it, imitating the scientist's voice.
Adam's serious expression caused the fall and broke into small pieces, revealing a smile capable of sincere and disdainful laughter.
Which was amplified by the air and the surrounding emptiness, making Eve blush.
▶ "Alright, let's get serious now... The man spoke of technology, but I couldn't grasp its nature." Summed Adam
Continued Eve, now calm. ▶ "He was speaking, though, about serious stuff, hmm..." Raising the index finger. "Life after death, if I remember correctly."
▶ "You're right... A technology that creates life after death..." Adam looked around with outstretched arms.
▶ "Well, from what I can see, if what he said is true and humanity has extinct.. it could be useful."
▶"It would also explain why we are the only ones here and why he called us the security plan.. Certainly, many pieces are still missing to solve everything, but now we have at least a few!"
Eve looked at Adam with a raised eyebrow and said, ▶ "What you're saying is true... But, if all humans are extinct.."
▶ "Who or what was that young man? Moreover, he also spoke about others; if you remember, he said he bought an object from someone else!"
▶"You're right.. Things are getting complicated! But for what reason? I assume our creator must have lied to us.." Replied Adam with a thoughtful expression.
▶ "I have no idea.."
▶ "That young man didn't even want to reveal anything to us!" Sighed Eve.
▶ "Wait, Eve, if you remember, he talked about someone who put a bounty on us!" Countered Adam, moving the hands.
▶ "Ah, that's true, but how are they aware of our existence?" Adam inquired, his arms folded across his chest.
Adam, reflecting on the complexity of the situation, shrugged and exhaled. Then, he ran a hand through his hair, showing his slight frustration.
▶"This is truly another one of those unanswered questions," He murmured. ▶ "And I think this time we should avoid that man; I don't know if we would still be here..."
▶ "I think you're right..." Eve started to play with her hair, trying to remember, even though she wasn't physically obliged.
▶ "But, now that I think about it.. Who knows what happened after.."
▶ "I'm sure I saw you dead, but the download is complete now.. So I imagine what we experienced happened, yet that person isn't here, and you're fine.."
Adam, with an ironic smile, replied. ▶ "Well, yes.. And I'm happy about that! I prefer having my head in its place."
Eve, still pondering, ▶ "We have to do something, maybe even try to use that technology the scientist was talking about."
Adam with an ironic tone. ▶"Do you mean the same scientist who told us that humanity is extinct if we are operational?
▶ "Assuming at least this thing is true, and we can awaken or use that technology for life after death.." Scratching the head again. ▶"I don't see how it can help us if he returns.."
Eve then, with spiral eyes, struck by a frightening realization, said.
▶"Wait.. Adam. If it's true that everything will happen as before, it means we have about some hours more or less to leave before that person arrives.."
▶ "And during this time if.."
Adam's face lit up, and he continued what Eve was saying.
▶ "If we were to go far from here, we would surely have found a plan and discovered more things, maybe even encountered other similar people, perhaps friendly!"
Eve smiled firmly in place as she crossed her arms, subtly communicating her amusement at Adam's words.
She shifted her weight, leaning on one foot while extending the other forward, exuding a confident and playful demeanor.
▶"Yes, that's right. Well done, Adam, you had a great plan!" She said ironically.
Catching onto the irony, Adam chuckled softly and responded, ▶ "Sorry, sorry, don't be offended."
In response, Eve puffed out her cheeks in a gesture of mock indignation and turned towards the east—away from the city they had previously explored.
Looking around, the girl said. ▶ "HMM, the opposite direction of that city should be this way, the east of this planet."
With the ease of someone accustomed to the extraordinary, she started to float again, hovering a meter above the ground.
Adam, not one to be left behind, activated his internal leg motors, reminiscent of the tower ascent.
With a burst of energy, he started running at a high speed alongside Eve, heading towards a place of hope and a potential future.
Their dynamic exchange and synchronized movements reflected a partnership fueled by determination and shared goals.
🔺− ☞ 🚓 ☜ −🔺
As Adam and Eve ran towards the unknown, that urban landscape gradually faded into the background.
The air sparkled with urgency, and the duo maintained a swift pace.
With the city disappearing from view, even their bodies began to diminish, now far from the city.
In the quiet of the minority, the contaminated air gradually gave way to a rejuvenating purification.
Immersed in this change, Adam deeply breathed in the new air spreading in the environment.
His nostrils, previously besieged by a poisoned and putrid atmosphere, now sensed a fresh and restorative breeze.
▶ "Eve, I've noticed a significant change in the air; I'll continue examining it."
The toxic vapors that had enveloped the protagonist vanished, dissipating into the atmosphere like poisonous mists.
His breath became increasingly deep and regular while the sensation of cleanliness and rebirth permeated every fiber of his being.
The surrounding trees, previously afflicted by contamination, showed the first signs of recovery.
Once withered, leaves vibrated with vitality, and the long-suppressed birdsong resumed harmoniously.
The android could perceive the rebirth of nature around him as if the very earth exhaled a sigh of relief.
Eve then looked at Adam from top to bottom; her eyes reflected determination and curiosity.
▶ "Adam, do you think our plan will lead us to answers about that person and the technology?"
Adam nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
▶ "I believe so. We must explore, gather information, and perhaps stumble upon clues connecting the dots. But we must be cautious, vigilant."
The landscape around them transformed as they ventured further; the terrain had already become rugged.
Eve, effortlessly floating, inspected the surroundings. ▶ "It's like entering a new world. Who knows what awaits us out here?" She mused.
Adam turned around but continued running backward and replied, ▶ "Well, Eve, it's normal for you to feel like you're in a new world... We've never lived before; the little we know comes from the basic information in my system.."
After implementing her plan and attempting to adjust her hair, whipped by the wind across her face, Eve spoke up.
▶ "We should establish a plan! I don't think just exploring will help. I'll rise higher to see if there are any structures that may contain technology. Perhaps there is also a place where you can recharge. If you see, we're low enough."
Adam then looked more closely at the interface on his visual screen, noticing a strange red rectangle on the top right with "9%" written on it.
Sensing that it was the battery, he replied with a wry laugh, returning to his usual position: "We're dead.."
🔺− ☞ 🪫 ☜ −🔺