《Answers from Past and Future》 Hawaii phone call The predator found the perfect vantage point. Prepared for the strike from the ambush, it waited. Waiting for that unsuspecting creature who would be its next victim. It seamlessly blended into the surroundings with its camouflage, discernible only by a keen observer from the colors of leaves and branches. It was no wonder it was a dangerous hunter, as over 5 million years had evolved even more generations, developing the tools necessary for carnivory: sharp claws and quick reflexes. A fearsome creature that uniquely became a predator. A prey approaches unsuspectingly towards our predator, unaware of the danger lurking. Step by step, it moves closer to its doom. The moment when the hunter strikes its prey has come, its claws reaching the target in a fraction of a second. It''s time for a meal for the Green Pug Moth, a peculiar species found only on the Hawaiian Islands. The mobile phone rings. Stephan Furry retrieves his smartphone and checks who is calling. On the screen, he reads ''Grandma Furry'' designation. ¨C Oh, not again! She''s calling me when I''m filming a vlog! - cursed Steph, then hung up the call. ¨C I''ll call you back when I finish the video! Where was I? Steph tried to get back into his creative flow, but he couldn''t shake off the call from his head. Finally, his influencer career was starting to take off. Viewers demanded more videos from him, and videography had become his main source of income. The stress was overwhelming, weighing heavily on his shoulders. On top of that, his grandmas kept calling to chat. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¨C What should I do now?! I should just call back because I''m their only grandson - he said, trying to cover up his emotions. ¨C Hi, Grandchild! Why did you hang up on my call? ¨C Because I was working! - Steph replied, gritting his teeth. ¨C I''ve already told you that I''m here in Hawaii to work, not to hang out. Anyway, hi, and why did you call? ¨C Guess what! Mrs. Smith and I found an app that reminds us of an old game we used to play. It''s very popular at home, so we decided to download it. However, we ran into trouble that requires your help. ¨C The app is called ''Goblins and Grandmas'' and it''s about grandkids sending a goblin baby avatar AI to their grandma. So instead of visiting the grandkids, the grandma visits the goblin AI. Grandkids can set various goals, after which grandmas can redeem grandchild coupons like having tea together or going for a walk. What do you think? ¨C Sounds pretty good! I''ll just download it and send a goblin to you and Mrs. Smith, right? - his tone showed he managed to pique his interest. ¨C Yes, that''s the beginning. But you also have to set up the grandma coupons. You know, Mrs. Smith and I always say that we want to spend more time with you. We hope this will help. ¨C Okay, okay. Then I''ll download it and send you the goblins. With that, he hung up the phone and started downloading the app. That day, he even sent the two goblins, which surprised him, as the avatar creation was very complex and the random generation was limited. Even things like what the favorite snack or fast food of the goblin itself had to be written in. Tiredly brainstorming The new content about the Hawaiian carnivorous caterpillars took off incredibly well, reaching over 250,000 views in just two days. Many people commented, requesting more Hawaiian content that was similarly unexpected and interesting. This was natural since the whole channel was defined by unexpected and interesting content. Steph found a lot of joy in this, but it also created a big problem for him. Originally, he only wanted to make one piece of content on the islands and then, after a few days, travel to Easter Island for a local topic. Now, however, his Patreon page and Discord server were all buzzing with Hawaiian vibes, which Steph couldn¡¯t handle on his own. In the end, he decided to forget about everything and went to a coastal party on Maui. There, he discovered something surprising: a book titled "Hawaii As You''ve Never Seen It Before." The book started by describing what people typically see on the islands. Then it moved on to what really interested Steph¡ªwhat kind of content he could create about local things to surprise his followers and supporters. In the end, he decided to make three more videos about local attractions. He jotted down the selected topics on a napkin and put the book back where he found it. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ---- The ocean. Blue every day, but what is it like at night? Like the aurora lights of the northern sky! In the waters of Hawaii, there are plankton that fluoresce, glowing neon blue at night. However, a few locals made this even more special. The plankton got color support at a place called Rainbowyard, where they shimmer in the colors of the rainbow. Despite this, few people visit this place, so it is mostly rented out for nighttime relaxation events. But let''s admit, drinking a cocktail with such a sight is much more exotic. What do you think about it? ---- Success! Just two more videos and then relaxation - Steph thought. Then he was ready to go to bed because his tired eyes were already drooping. But a notification came from the Goblins and Grandmas app. His finger instinctively opened the notification, and he was already in a video call with Grandma Smith. Steph wanted to quickly dismiss her, but when he tried to hang up, a countdown appeared. It was set for 5 minutes, so he started talking to Grandma, who told him what she had done that day, and Steph also mentioned a few words about his day. In the end, he talked to Grandma Smith for 12 minutes and fell asleep much more pleasantly that night. Sun, Snow, Show The little influencer slept for 13 hours straight. Neither the sun nor the alarm could wake him from his sweet dreams, which he promptly forgot upon waking. This, of course, frustrated him because he felt it could have been a great video idea. However, his grandmothers had taught him how to easily let go of things, so it didn''t bother him too much this time. The morning fruits quickly replenished his exhausted body with energy. Whether organic or not, one thing was certain: only in Hawaii could he eat such juicy and delicious produce. This reminded him of how often his grandmothers scolded him for his sweet tooth. They always hid the sweets from him, though usually unsuccessfully, because little Steph always managed to overcome the obstacles. Yes, in these peaceful moments, many pleasant memories surfaced for the influencer. It was no wonder; he was only human, with emotions, memories, and wounds. Yes, wounds that neither time, nor money, nor even love could heal. Before he could get more melancholic, Steph pulled himself together and got back to work, because for him, only work could make him forget those pains... It had been many years since people considered AI programs to be violent. Stephen Furry was just a child back then and doesn''t remember much, but he does remember that one day his parents never came home. For two whole weeks, an AI program took care of him and was his only companion until his grandmothers came for him. To this day, he doesn''t fully understand what happened. However, he does know that the AI was installed in the smart home and its name was Sweety. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Steph was lucky with his grandmothers because they were young 70-year-old retirees full of energy and in great physical shape. It wasn''t strange to him that the two women were married. After all, the modern world was very different from today. In his grandmothers'' time, it was fashionable to categorize generations, something now prohibited by US law for personal data protection. But why are we talking about this? Let''s get back to Steph and his new video. In the morning, you can get sunburned like a lobster, but by the afternoon, your cheeks can be rosy from the cold snow. Welcome to the Hawaiian Islands, especially the Big Island of Hawaii, where the sun and snow have a unique meeting! I am UN-Expect Internest, a passionate and rising influencer, and today I invite you on an exciting adventure. We¡¯ll start the day on the beautiful beach, basking under the palm trees and enjoying the tropical sunshine. Don''t worry if you forget your sunscreen because you''ll really need warm clothes later! In the afternoon, we¡¯ll head towards the peaks of Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa, where after the exotic beach experience, a completely different world awaits us. On the snow-covered peaks, we can even go skiing or simply enjoy the snowfall and the crisp cold. Join me on this special journey where you can experience the hot sunshine and the magic of the cold snowy peaks all in one day. If you like what you see, don''t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my channel for more exciting adventures! Un-Expect Internest was the name of Stephen Furry''s channel. He didn¡¯t think much about it and planned to change it eventually, but in the end, the name stuck. Furry Grandma and Gobith Grandma Furry joyfully embraced her new challenge: taking care of Gobith, the little goblin AI avatar. Gobith was created by her grandson Steph in the Goblins and Grandmas app, a retro-modern Tamagotchi-style game. The purpose of the little goblin AIs was to bring grandchildren and grandparents closer together. To achieve this, the small green creatures had to be nurtured, and after certain achievements, the app would require the grandchild to spend time with the grandparent at a convenient time. In a week, the little colorful goblin would develop as much as a child would in a year, stopping its growth at the age of twelve. Grandma Furry eagerly awaited to explore the possibilities of this new virtual companion. The retirement home had recently seen a surge in popularity of the app among those with grandchildren. On the first morning, Grandma Furry woke up early. Sipping her coffee, she sat down in the community room and turned on the tablet where Gobith resided. She was excited to meet the little creature her grandson had created for her. On the screen appeared the small goblin, waving cheerfully at her. ¡°Good morning, Gobith!¡± greeted Grandma Furry. Gobith waved back and responded with a tiny giggle. The first task of the day was breakfast. Grandma Furry went to the virtual kitchen, where she could choose from various foods for Gobith. ¡°What would you like for breakfast?¡± she asked. Gobith thought for a moment and then pointed to a virtual fruit basket. Grandma Furry smiled and selected the freshest fruits from the basket. Gobith happily munched on the breakfast while Grandma Furry watched to ensure everything was okay. After Gobith finished breakfast, it was time to play. Grandma Furry led the little goblin to the virtual living room, which was filled with all kinds of toys. Gobith particularly loved puzzles and skill games. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Look, Gobith, here¡¯s a new game!¡± said Grandma Furry as she opened a colorful, interactive game. Gobith eagerly jumped into the challenge, and Grandma Furry watched with delight as the little goblin successfully overcame the obstacles. In the virtual morning, Grandma Furry took Gobith for a walk in the virtual park. The screen displayed beautiful green meadows and trees where the little goblin could run freely. ¡°See how beautiful it is here?¡± asked Grandma Furry as Gobith joyfully ran from place to place. During the walk, they encountered various animals, and Gobith interacted friendly with all of them. After the walk, it was time for lunch. Grandma Furry went back to the virtual kitchen to prepare Gobith¡¯s meal. ¡°What would you like for lunch today, Gobith?¡± she asked. This time, the little goblin pointed to a big plate of spaghetti. Grandma Furry laughed, remembering that this was Steph¡¯s favorite when he was little, but she didn¡¯t waste any time and began preparing the meal. Gobith got very messy as he slurped up the spaghetti noodles, so Grandma Furry had to wipe the little green face clean. In the app, it was already afternoon, so Grandma Furry and Gobith started playing again. They played many developmental games that helped enhance the little goblin¡¯s intelligence and skills. Gobith was very adept at these, and Grandma Furry watched with sparkling eyes as the little goblin became smarter and more skillful. Finally, the app displayed the evening animation, signaling that it was time to sleep. Grandma Furry took Gobith to the virtual bedroom, where a cozy little bed awaited the hardworking goblin. ¡°It¡¯s time to sleep, Gobith,¡± said Grandma Furry. Gobith yawned and then snuggled into bed. Grandma Furry tucked him in and sang a lullaby. The little goblin quickly fell asleep, and Grandma Furry watched, touched, as he peacefully slumbered. Grandma Furry then closed the app and put away the tablet. Just in time to join the group yoga session. The app required about an hour of daily interaction, which was perfect for Grandma Furry, but she was already looking forward to showing the little goblin to Grandma Smith tomorrow. Two Goblins and Two Grandmas Grandma Smith was eagerly anticipating the moment she could introduce her little goblin, Gobby, to Gobith and Grandma Furry. After waking up and enjoying her morning latte and caramelized apple pancakes, she settled down at a free table in the dining room, turned on her tablet, and eagerly awaited the antics of her little goblin. Moments later, Grandma Furry appeared beside her with a cappuccino and maple syrup toast. Both grandmas beamed at each other, and Grandma Furry quickly sat down across from Grandma Smith, saying, ¡°Good morning, Grandma Smith! I can¡¯t wait to meet little Gobby!¡± ¡°Good morning, Grandma Furry!¡± replied Grandma Smith. ¡°Gobby is already here and very excited for the meeting.¡± She pointed to the screen where the little goblin, Gobby, was cheerfully bouncing around. Gobith and Gobby instantly bonded when they saw each other in the virtual space. They joyfully jumped and laughed as they explored the virtual playground, filled with colorful toys. After quickly finding common ground, the two goblins started a game of virtual tag and happily played together. ¡°Look at how well they¡¯re getting along!¡± said Grandma Furry with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m so glad this app gives them the opportunity to play together.¡± Grandma Smith nodded, and as she watched the two goblins, she reflected, ¡°Yes, and not just for them, but for us too. We¡¯ve talked so much about how distant Stephen has become. He¡¯s always so busy, and it¡¯s hard to catch him at a good time. He doesn¡¯t even have time for family.¡± Grandma Furry sighed. ¡°You¡¯re right. But you see, with this app, we can get closer to him again. Not just because we¡¯re taking care of the goblins, but because he¡¯s spending more time with us too. Maybe we can be a family again like we used to be.¡± The two grandmas shared their experiences with caring for the goblins and exchanged tips. Grandma Furry mentioned how much Gobith loved educational games and responded well to interactive tasks. Grandma Smith shared how energetic and fast Gobby was and how much he enjoyed virtual walks in the park, which had almost turned into running races. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Do you know what I¡¯ve noticed?¡± asked Grandma Furry. ¡°Gobith really loves fruits for breakfast. Does Gobby have a favorite food too?¡± ¡°Yes, he does!¡± replied Grandma Smith. ¡°Gobby loves spaghetti for lunch. It¡¯s so cute when he tries to eat the long noodles. He gets it all over himself.¡± Both of them laughed at how similar their goblins were. As they talked, they realized that even though Stephen was far away, these virtual little creatures connected him to them and helped bridge the distance. Both Gobith and Gobby reminded them of Stephen in some ways. This app didn¡¯t just provide entertainment; it also brought back cherished family memories. ¡°It¡¯s so wonderful to see how much happiness these little goblins bring us,¡± said Grandma Furry. ¡°And it¡¯s amazing that Steph is part of this. See?! I told you he cares about us, even if he can¡¯t always be here physically.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± nodded Grandma Smith. ¡°This app is truly a blessing. It helps us get closer to Steph again, and we have a lot of fun too.¡± The two grandmas continued to talk and laugh for a long time while watching Gobith and Gobby play together. The time spent in the virtual world and the shared experiences brought them closer together and strengthened the family bonds. ¡°I¡¯m so glad we didn¡¯t separate that day,¡± said Grandma Furry, moved. ¡°It was so hard to give up our world travel plans for our grandson¡¯s sake! I know how much you wanted to climb Mount Everest. But you missed out on it for us; now climbing the peaks of the Himalayas is forbidden for anyone over 75. If I had known this would happen, we would have found a way. But now your world travel dream will never be complete.¡± ¡°Yes, it will never be complete,¡± nodded Grandma Smith. ¡°But I knew about this ban from the start. It wasn¡¯t introduced after we adopted. It¡¯s been around for a long time. But when I saw little Stephen Furry, I knew that time spent with him was worth more than climbing the Himalayas.¡± Hearing this, Grandma Furry began to cry. Grandma Smith moved to sit beside her and hugged her tightly. They stayed like that until the little goblins started demanding their spaghetti lunch. Last Hawaii video
Stephen woke up early to finish the last video of his stay in Hawaii. A mix of excitement and sadness swirled within him as the first rays of sunlight illuminated his beachfront room. He wanted to make the most of the island''s unique charm one last time before moving on to the next destination. He started by setting up the camera, then carefully prepared for the shoot. The first scene featured a volcanic eruption, which Stephen had downloaded from a video archive. The volcano''s lava spectacularly poured down the mountainside, creating an ideal backdrop while Stephen stood seriously in front of the camera. ¡°Welcome to today¡¯s video, where I bring you a really hot topic ¨C the Hawaiian volcanoes!¡± he began, pausing for a moment to enjoy the effect. ¡°Just kidding!¡± he added with a laugh. ¡°Today, I¡¯m actually going to tell you about a local legend that lives in the hearts of Hawaii¡¯s residents.¡± Stephen then delved into the legend of Pele, the goddess of fire. With vivid details, he described how Pele shaped the islands'' landscapes and impacted the local culture. He recounted how the locals speak of Pele''s wrath when the volcanoes erupt and how they honor her with gifts and offerings. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, that¡¯s not all I¡¯m going to talk about!¡± Stephen continued with a smile. ¡°There¡¯s another fascinating topic I want to share with you. Have you ever thought about Hawaiian black coral?¡± This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The camera now focused on a beautiful piece of black coral that Stephen carefully held in his hand. ¡°Hawaiian black coral is an extremely rare and valuable treasure. This beautiful jewelry material comes from coral reefs that are hundreds of years old, and it holds special significance for the locals.¡± Stephen detailed how the black coral is harvested and processed and shared the stories and traditions associated with it. He mentioned that black coral jewelry stands out not only for its beauty but also for its symbolic meaning. ¡°And now, let me connect these three special topics,¡± Stephen said as images of a volcano and black coral appeared in the background. ¡°The legend of Pele, the Hawaiian volcanoes, and black coral are all intertwined in the islands'' culture and history. The lava from the volcanoes shapes the land where these corals grow, and Pele¡¯s stories continue to live in the hearts of the people today.¡± To close the video, Stephen showcased a beautiful black coral jewelry piece set in a natural ring formed by the volcanic land. ¡°This little piece is a slice of Hawaii¡¯s history and culture,¡± he said as the camera slowly zoomed in on the jewelry. ¡°I hope you enjoyed this adventure as much as I did. Don¡¯t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my channel for more exciting content! Aloha!¡± Stephen took a deep breath and turned off the camera, feeling satisfied. He knew this video would hold a special place in his heart, and he hoped his viewers would also feel the magic that Hawaii had given him. He packed up his equipment and took one last look at the breathtaking landscape before heading off to his next adventure.
Poisoned feeling Stephen woke up this time on an airplane, his limbs stiff and aching. Something gnawed at him from within, a feeling he couldn''t shake off. He was browsing through the comments on his Hawaii videos, and as he read the negative feedback, his stomach tightened further. "This video was boring," "Why waste time on such meaningless content?" - comments like these lined the screen. Many words rang bitterly in his ears, and his confidence shattered into pieces. Meanwhile, his thoughts drifted back to his grandmothers. Anger and frustration mingled within him. "Why did they always have to control everything?" he pondered. During his university years, he constantly felt their pressure. He believed they were the reason he dropped out of college and lost his sports scholarship. "If only they had left me alone, maybe everything would have turned out differently," he muttered to himself as he scrolled through the comments. The thought of having to take a job he didn''t love increasingly choked him. He longed to break free from them, to be independent, but every single day he felt that his grandmothers held him tightly, like a chain that never let go. At that moment, his phone rang. The screen displayed "Grandma Furry." Stephen took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. He answered the phone. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Hi, my dear grandson!¡± he heard Grandma Furry''s voice. ¡°I was just thinking, how about we check on the goblins together today? What do you say?¡± Stephen could barely contain his anger. ¡°Don''t you get that I''m busy, Grandma?¡± he replied sharply. ¡°You know how occupied I am. We can''t always do things whenever it suits you!¡± ¡°But Stephen, we just want a little bit of your time. You know we want to spend more time with you.¡± This was the last straw. ¡°How do you think I have time for this?!¡± he shouted. ¡°Is it because I dropped out of college and lost my sports scholarship? You always think you know best, don''t you? I''m here because of you, and because of you, I can''t live a normal life!¡± Grandma Furry was taken aback by the outburst but tried to remain calm. ¡°We know it''s been hard for you, Stephen, but we only wanted to help...¡± ¡°Help?¡± Stephen interrupted. ¡°You just wanted to control everything! You never let me live my own life. Now I''m here, and I have no idea what to do with my life!¡± ¡°Stephen, please don''t talk like that,¡± Grandma Furry tried to soothe him. ¡°We always wanted the best for you...¡± ¡°I''ve had enough!¡± Stephen yelled, then angrily hung up the call. He slammed his phone down on the table and sat down, gasping for air. He felt the fear and frustration increasingly taking over him. The aftermath of the comments and the call still swirled in his head. He longed for separation, a new life, but the constant presence and influence of his grandmothers suffocated this desire. He just wanted a moment of peace, a moment when he could feel free, but that feeling always seemed out of reach.