[video]

[hawkattack]

[A rather serious-looking man appears on the screen, leaning back against a wall. A brown feather is between his teeth, which he doesn't seem to care about removing as he speaks.]

Hmph. So I have been brought to this place. Were this to be told to me rather than something I witnessed on my own, I would call it far-fetched. As it is, there is still little evidence as to what has happened.

… Unless someone would like to come forward with testimony, of course.

[There's a gleam in his eye that suggests this is more than just idle wondering.]

… A prison with pretty walls is still a prison. I demand to know why I have been moved to this place.

[There's a screech, and a large hawk lands on his shoulder. His expression softens very slightly.]

And make it quick. Taka does not like his time to be wasted, and neither do I.

Comments

beep beep welcome wagon coming through - I mean video

[unbroken_chain]

"Hi! My name's Kotoha, and I'm the official greeter. I can answer most of your questions, but could you tell me your name first?"

apologies for grumpy mcgrumpypants

[hawkattack]

... Interesting.

"Prosecutor Simon Blackquill."

[unbroken_chain]

"Simon Blackquill...ah, yeah, here you are! Okay, I'm about to send a text file to your COMP that explains the basics, and if you have further questions I'd be happy to answer them!"

A file is quickly sent over, and Kotoha waits expectantly for the followup.

[hawkattack]

It takes a bit, as he reads the file over carefully, several times.

"This sounds less like reality and more like some kind of idiotic action movie."

[unbroken_chain]

It's a good thing Kotoha has a well-developed sense of personal absurdity otherwise she'd be offended.

"Well, yeah. I am an actress, after all."

[hawkattack]

He is also well-acquainted with absurdity, given where he comes from.

"Hmph. It still sounds ridiculous. What sort of absurdity is this?"

[unbroken_chain]

A shrug.

"The kind that gives you fabulous, life-altering superpowers?"

[hawkattack]

"I have cases to prosecute. I have no time for this."

txt; anon

[badluckhealer]

from what I've learned over my time here, it looks like we've been brought here to save the world or something like that. I'm not sure who did this or, more importantly, why.

someone else can probably explain what's going on more clearly.

[hawkattack]

[Anonymous? ... How suspicious.]

'Save the world'? Why?

[badluckhealer]

I'm not sure about that either, or even if that's really what we're here for. given the state the city's in, though, maybe it's less 'save the world' and more 'keep the city from being destroyed too much'?

there's too many unknowns, and most of the people who were in charge have gone missing. I think we're supposed to save them too. it'd fit in with the rest of it.

[hawkattack]

I am a prosecutor, not some sort of comic book superhero.

[badluckhealer]

upon arrival, every newcomer from another world is given the power necessary to do so. it'll first come out when you're in a state of extreme emotional agitation. once it does, I guess you will count for that second category as well.

so do all the other arrivals, or "Visitors" as the locals call us.

[hawkattack]

[Emotional agitation? Not... something he wants.]

I have cases to prosecute. I do not have time for this.

[badluckhealer]

You are a lawyer, then.

I am sixteen and am unused to fighting, yet I was brought here just the same. I do not think whoever - or whatever - is in charge here, is all that particular.

[hawkattack]

I am.

I will have to speak with them, then.

Text with some video

[justjustice]

[Testimony? Consider Apollo pinged! He doesn't know who Blackquill is (yet), but he still has a surprise cooked up for him...]

-----WITNESS TESTIMONY: About Hinoto-Ri-----

> This place is a city called Hinoto-Ri. This explanation's going to be kind of difficult if you don't come from a world with magic in it, so bear with me.

> People who are brought to Hinoto-Ri from other worlds are called Visitors. I'm a Visitor, and so are you. Right?

> Each Visitor is given a power called Persona. It's basically a thing you can summon that can attack or defend using magic. You kind of have to see it to believe it. I'll present my Persona as evidence a bit later.

> There are demons in this city, so don't be alarmed at anything that looks weird. Heck, the law firm I work for defends demons sometimes. It's how I made some fairy friends a little while ago.

> There's also the 13th hour. It's basically an extra hour added to every day. Demons get more aggressive during this time, so you have to be careful.

> I think that's the most obvious stuff. I'm sure you'll have more questions, though.

-----CROSS-EXAMINATION-----

[Attached to the text post is a video clip. Apollo appears onscreen: "This is Hammurabi, my Persona. He specializes in gathering information. He can do stuff like helping me find evidence and telling me what Personas a person has." With that, a man in ancient-looking robes floats behind him before disappearing after about a minute. "Oh, and another thing... here's my badge! Proof that I'm a lawyer." He holds his badge up to the camera... because presenting the badge always does something, right? With that, the clip ends.]

[hawkattack]

[There's silence for a few moments, before the response comes. The man's expression, while not pleasant, has softened considerably.]

... Justice-dono. I did not expect to see you here.

[On to other matters.]

Demons? Such as Tenma Taro? You do remember that was proven to be false, correct?

Video

[terminally_clever]

Right to the point, I see.

[hawkattack]

I see no point in wasting time with worthless jabbering.

[terminally_clever]

Well then, what have you already heard and what else would you like to know?

[hawkattack]

That we have been brought here and given some sort of power called a 'Persona'. There are demons here, and we are expected to 'save' this city in some fashion. In addition, there is some sort of 'extra hour' here.

... I still am unclear on how we were brought here, and what sort of 'power' this Persona is supposed to be. I am familiar with the concept as it relates to psychology, but this seems to be something entirely different.

[terminally_clever]

Forced cross-dimensional transportation via godlike being. That's as close an explanation as anyone currently has concerning how we were brought here. Less than satisfactory, I know, but we have less than satisfactory means of studying that particular phenomenon.

I have, however, been studying the Persona phenomenon, so I'm more prepared to answer questions about that. You're right in that the term, as it's used here, diverges rather wildly from its traditional roots in Jungian psychological theory. In the context of this city, Persona refers to a supernatural manifestation of one's inner thoughts that has been tamed and trained.

[hawkattack]

[The bird on his shoulder caws, and he reaches up to scratch at the feathers on Taka's head.]

Hardly a satisfying answer at all. But this 'Persona'... should something like that actually exist, it seems far too powerful to be something given to random strangers assembled from all over.

[terminally_clever]

As difficult as it may be to believe, it definitely exists. Philemon's reasons are his own, unfortunately. As far as I've been able to tell, the only thing any of us have in common is that we weren't originally from this world. Which isn't to say some of the natives don't have Personas of their own, but so far every single person who's been brought here artificially has developed one as well. At least, in every case of which I am personally aware.