[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

[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.

[hawkattack]

I doubt there was some sort of rigorous screening mechanism in place - which means that even dangerous criminals could be given this power. It seems unlikely that someone with the power to bring us here to 'save' a city would want someone with that kind of power running amok.

[terminally_clever]

That's the problem with inscrutable godlike beings of pure power that reside in the space between the collective human unconscious. Their motives are seldom clear.

[hawkattack]

Hmph.

... I wonder, though. Is there a way to continue practicing law, even in this place?

[terminally_clever]

I don't see why not. Despite the presence of the supernatural, this is still a city, after all. It has a government and a police force, so I'm sure there's a legal system as well.

[hawkattack]

That would be helpful. I do not relish the idea of simply sitting and doing nothing.

[terminally_clever]

A man after my own heart.

[hawkattack]

Hah.

[He grins a little bit.]

There was far too much of that in prison. Now that I am a free man, I intend to spend my time on actually productive things.

[terminally_clever]

Congratulations on your release, then. I hope you find what you're looking for here.

[hawkattack]

... I have already found that. But pursuing something new... I think now is a good opportunity for it.

[terminally_clever]

A very literal fresh start, you might say.

[hawkattack]

It is not an opportunity to be wasted, at least.

[terminally_clever]

Good luck to you, then.

[Fumi nods slightly.]

But I suppose we should make brief introductions before I let you get about your business. Fumi Kanno.

[hawkattack]

Prosecutor Simon Blackquill.

[terminally_clever]

Well then, Prosecutor Blackquill, until next time.