001 - [Video]

[primordial]

[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...

Comments

[primordial]

Yeah. Like I said...it was horrible. They still came back, though.

[And a half-hearted shrug at that second question.] Ask him. We had no choice in the matter. Just one day we woke up and we were there, without any warning.

[There's a long pause.] Oh, no...i-it's okay. I'm sorry. Um. What's your name, by the way?

[a_gentle_boy]

Came back...? Came back to this city?

[A slight pause as Lucas thinks on this with a frown.]

...Could it have been... some kind of dream or something? If it was so different, and... I mean, people can't... come back when they die.

Oh, um -- I'm Lucas. Sorry. I should have introduced myself earlier.

[primordial]

Came back as in "came back to life" and came back as in "come back here", yes.

No, it wasn't. People witnessed us coming back. Some of us even fell down on people. It was quite a sight.

[A shrug.] But this place is weird, what can I say. And Lucas, huh? How long have you been here?

[a_gentle_boy]

...Just a few days.

[He would leave the topic of the 'otherworld field trip' for the moment, since Sam obviously didn't like recounting it. Still, he would need to ask for someone else's perspective on the whole thing...]

I... Of course I want to stay and help, but there's something important I have to do back home, too. So I'm not sure...

[primordial]

Wow, you're definitely new.

[He scratches his head.] I don't know. It's your decision. For now, you'll have to stay until you figure things out and hopefully not get killed by a monster in the process.

[a_gentle_boy]

[A slight, pained smile at that.]

...Thanks

I wish people had a little more concrete information... It doesn't seem like anyone is really sure how to go back and forth between this place and our homes.

...But you were a lot of help, thank you.

[primordial]

Yeah...you'll have to find somebody who knows a lot. I'm afraid I don't.

[He gives his best attempt at a smile. He's kind, he's helpful, he just wants nothing more to be home, he's totally someone you can trust.]

I-it's no problem. I'm really glad to help.

[a_gentle_boy]

[No worries about subterfuge, Sam, you've met the only boy in the world who can forgive the murderer of his mother and twin brother and call him a tragic figure rather than just bash his head in.]

If I stay around here... I hope I'll see you soon. And, um...

[He gives a small smile.]

I don't think it's too bad here. I mean, you've been here longer than I have, but... I think it's OK.

[primordial]

Eh, in some ways, it isn't bad. You're right. The things that happened at home don't haunt me here, so...

[A slight laugh.] But, um, yeah. Hope to see you around too.