compnetwork | 001

[The video feed clicks on, and at first, you might mistake the person on screen to be a dirty mop, what with the long messy strands of brown hair hanging down from his head. But on second glance, no, there's a face underneath all that, and it doesn't look that happy.]

W-why am I here? Again?! I didn't ask anybody to be here, this is not what I wanted, this is really, really, not good at all!!!

[And he murmurs and shakes his head, looking down at the ground as it he is wishing it could open up and swallow him right then and there.]

...

Yeah. Um. So...my name's Sam. Sam Erstwhile. I was here before, and then I was back home...and I guess I'm back here again. I don't know. So, really, you don't need to tell me about the whole Persona thing, I know about it. I still don't understand why in the world they would choose me to be here again...I'm no one special. Really, I'm not.

[A sigh.]

Erm, so has anything changed recently that I need to know about? Same old, same old? No crazy other-world field trips or the like? I don't think I could deal with another other-world field trip, the last one was horrible...

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[At that last part, Sam genuinely looks confused, eyes wide as he stares at the camera, before:]

Why...why would I be putting on an act?

You tell me.

[ Naturally, Shadow has plenty of theories, but that involves Using A Lot of Words and he's a hedgehog of brevity. ]

[Cue more confused staring, and look that would be equivalent to somebody coming up in the store and telling you that you have green skin and gills and also a third eye that you haven't noticed before.]

...

Oh...so you're just saying that just to make fun of me, right?

[ The answer is no, but the fact that Shadow starts laughing might not give the impression that he isn't making fun of Sam. ]

You lay it on really thick.

What do I lay on really thick?

[Sam just stares, eyebrows turned upward, as if he's been told something in gibberish.]

I-I don't understand. You're making no sense.

No one can be as much of a coward as you're pretending to be. You must have your reasons and I don't expect you to tell me, but I'm not convinced.

[Okay, now he's just going to look at you as if you're out of your mind, Shadow.]

L-Look, I don't know who you are, but not everyone is like you, okay? I mean, some people are brave and stuff...but I'm not! Okay, I admit that, alright? I just don't want any part of this whole "fighting monsters and demons" thing and I'd rather just be at home where nothing weird ever happens.

[He shudders, folding his arms in such a way as if he's giving himself a hug. He internally brings up memories of fire, strong and burning and deadly, and the look in his eyes shows pure and honest terror.]

Why couldn't this place leave me alone...?

[ It's okay. Shadow got the same kind of looks in at least three endings to Shadow the Hedgehog.

In any case, the terror is certainly convincing, but there's something in Shadow that abjectly refuses to believe that someone could be that cowardly. It does not compute. Even the most mundane of people were capable of great bravery in the face of insurmountable challenges.

On the other hand, there most certainly were people out there who would run away from adversary, who would balk and cry at the prospect of being dragged from their world to face monsters in another. But... ]

You've been here before. You should be used to it. Many humans may be weak, but they're also adaptable. They'd find a way to live in unfavorable situations. If you're truly as weak as you pretend to be, you wouldn't have survived living in a city riddled with monsters. Yet here you are, back for more. Something just doesn't add up.

I wasn't the one who wanted this! I was happy like nothing else when I left, and the last thing I ever wanted was to be dragged back here like some kind of toy!

[He can't help it, he is getting annoyed.]

Okay, look, I know this city, I do, but that doesn't mean I'm always prepared when some big bad monster comes roaming around, okay? I stayed inside almost all the time during the Dark Hour, and the only thing really going for me as a person is that I know how to run like the wind. If you asked me to get into a fight, I'd lose. I mean, thank god for Personas and all, but even my Persona is really weak compared to everyone elses'.

How convenient.

[He lets out a sigh, casting his eyes downward.]

I-I'm really sorry. I'm sorry, I just ranted and...ugh. You shouldn't have to hear that, okay? I'm sure you've got enough problems of your own.

Heh.

[ It's amazing Shadow can move as swiftly as he can with all that emotional baggage he's carrying around. ]

This conversation's gone on long enough.

[ And that's all Shadow has to say before abruptly cutting off his end of the feed. ]

[WOW WHAT A JERK 0/10 WOULD NOT TALK TO AGAIN]

[That is, of course, for now, until the annoyance passes. Later...oh, definitely. He has to get him on his side of things, after all.]

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