Ninth Curse

[bondsofsuffering]

[Video]

[There are two people on the feed today! It looks like Hizumi’s using his COMP to broadcast. He’s got his arm around the shoulders of a certain unfortunate soul as he gives a jaunty wave towards the camera, looking, if possible, even more excited than he usually is.]

Yo! Someone new decided to come along with when we left Geartopia, so I figured it would be good to introduce him to everyone!

[That unlucky individual has a slightly put upon expression on his face in spite of seemingly allowing the hand on his shoulder. Really, he hadn’t signed up for something like this when he came along….] Hey, cut it out--

[Cut it out? Hizumi? Never. Instead, he interrupts with:] His name is Ayumu Narumi, and he’s from my world, so treat him nicely, okay? He might look grumpy, but he’s a good person!

[What a pain There’s a quiet, nearly inaudible mutter of ‘idiot’ from Ayumu at the oddball introduction. Compared to Hizumi’s energy, the brunette in the video is almost downright gloomy in the air around him and that long suffering expression only fades after Hizumi finishes speaking. His next words are polite, if lacking in the energy of the other teen beside him.] It’s good to meet you all. Sorry about this guy hijacking the airwaves for something like this.

[Wow rude!] This network can be used by any of the Visitors at any time. It’s not hijacking! Geeze, you’re making me sound like a bad person...

[It was unnecessary, that’s what.] So you decide to introduce me to everyone on it?

[Clearly this Ayumu is the most social of butterflies. Why was he hanging out with Hizumi, some might wonder? A mystery.]

If I didn’t, you’d probably just watch the network instead of introducing yourself, right? I’m trying to help you out here!

[Ahem. But he digresses.]

Seriously, this guy won’t make any friends if he’s left alone, so come bug him as much as you want! If you need help with anything, he probably won’t be able to turn you down!

((OOC: Green is Hizumi, if that weren’t already obvious, and normal text is Ayumu! Both will be threadjacking around!))

Comments

[bondsofsuffering]

Well, at the very least we'll need to see if he can get a Persona. But as for your apartment and things like that...

[He turns to Ayumu.]

Both Taro and I could help out if you want. What do you think?

[melodyoflogic]

If it's not too much trouble, that works for me.

[He still needed to learn more about the town. Most of what Hizumi had told him had been about the situation here.]

I don't know the area yet. Or any good grocery stores.

[hachitaro]

[Taro's expression turns a little sour at that.]

Just so you know, you don't get any choice at all in what your first Persona is. And you're stuck with it.

[His expression softens after that, though.]

I can definitely help with that! I've been checking out all the best food places!

[melodyoflogic]

I have to try anyway, right? I don't expect to get much of a choice in the matter if I can pull it off.

Though a cartoon mascot looking thing like his--[A look at Hizumi.] Might be a bit embarrassing.

[But back to food--] I'd appreciate it, thanks.

[bondsofsuffering]

That's what the Velvet Room is for though, isn't it?

[And looking at Ayumu to explain:] The one I showed you was borrowed from there. If you're a Visitor and can summon a Persona, that's the place where you can borrow another one for as long as you want. Strategically speaking, it's a good way to cover any bases that your original Persona can't, but on the other hand, it could just be nice to get something else to use.

[And then back to Taro.]

Show me, too! That last place was good!

[hachitaro]

Yeah. I haven't really picked one up, but I'm not really a fan of fighting anyway...

[He nods, but then holds up a finger as he remembers to mention something.]

Ah, something to keep in mind. There are demons in the city, but not all of them are bad. Not everyone here is human, and that's okay. I'd personally appreciate it if you could remember that, considering I'm part of the non-human crowd.

[melodyoflogic]

[Ayumu isn't either, really. He pays attention to the details of the explanation, though.] I'll keep that in mind if I can summon one to begin with. Will they even let me stay if I can't?

[Ayumu had already heard about the presence of non-humans, but Taro's mention of being nonhuman gets a surprised look.] You aren't?

Are you a demon?

[hachitaro]

Eheh... yeah. I'm a tanuki, actually.

[bondsofsuffering]

I don't think you'll have a problem with it. [If Hizumi has a Persona, it only makes logical sense for Ayumu to have the ability as well. And just based on the shape of his Soul Persona, Hizumi's got a pretty good guess as to what Ayumu's will be...] But, if you're that worried, I don't think they'll kick you out even if you can't.

[Although Taro's words are somewhat surprising to him.]

Haaa... I'd wondered what you were!

[melodyoflogic]

[Ayumu would like to hope so, anyway. It'd make staying here a lot easier if he had one of his own.]

A Tanuki? [This guy looks....

Not like a fuzzy raccoon dog.] You really are shapeshifters, I'm guessing.

[hachitaro]

Yeah. I can look like whatever I want.

I can look like this, or like this...

[In a blink, a young woman is grinning back at them. When he speaks again he sounds just like a young woman.]



Though I guess Toshiko wouldn't like me taking her look.

Or I can just look like my normal form.

[Another blink, and there's a furry creature grinning at them.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[And Hizumi looks only mildly impressed, but that's just because he's seen some Weird Shit™ since he got here.]

That definitely explains a lot! Are tanuki normally that skilled with transformations in your world, or are you a special case?

[melodyoflogic]

[Ayumu.... definitely looks surprised and impressed, contrary to Hizumi's mild reaction.

This place was weird.] .....I'd like to know that myself. That's pretty impressive.

[And bizarre. But seeing is believing.]

[hachitaro]

I think that's pretty normal. Most of us don't really hang out with each other 'cause we can pass for human. I've only met a few others.

I'm uh... well, at least with the Asian branch of the Underground and especially the Japanese part I kind of used to help run things, so I did a lot of outreach with other yokai. Tanuki are definitely some of the best for transformations, though. Kitsune are really good too but I've never interacted with a purebred one before. They don't hang around with mortals in general, unless they're making offspring.

[bondsofsuffering]

So yokai in your world really do mix with humans?

[Interesting. It definitely sounds like something out of fiction, but then again that could be applied to much of Hinoto-Ri life.]

[hachitaro]

... Some do. The ones who can, do - unless they're the kind who think humans are beneath them. But a lot of yokai can't. That's why there's the Underground. It's... kind of like a bunch of safehouses. People trade fake IDs and documents, too.

There's... also a black market for more... eugh... sinister items. No one really likes talking about it and I wanted to help shut it down, but...

[Getting killed kind of put a stop to that.]

[bondsofsuffering]

...I'm guessing you didn't have time, right?

[Hizumi's got an idea of why, too. But he'll leave it vague enough in case Taro doesn't want to bring it up.]

[hachitaro]

... Pretty much.

[Let's. Turn this emo train around.]

So, when do you guys wanna meet up?

[This is not optional.]

[bondsofsuffering]

Assuming they haven't fired me yet, I've got work at the usual times, so that leaves evenings free. I don't think Ayumu has anything in particular, though.

[He looks at the other boy questioningly.]

[hachitaro]

You can just send me a text whenever you want.

[He has a job but he basically autopilots through it so.]