Is this thing on? [Video]

[thatsasecret]

[Introspective]

[...What a strange place she's landed herself into.

All these bizarre beings floating around, ranging from sentient snowmen with wide smiles, to jack-o-lanterns, to various other oddities...there were few words she had that could really describe it. That, and the word echoing in the back of her head -- Persona? What was that supposed to be? And why was she even brought here by this Philemon guy, anyway? She still had work to do, after paying Ayumu that last visit...she couldn't afford these delays now, of all times.

...But then, it doesn't look like she has much of a choice in the matter. Well, if that's how it's going to be, then...she might as well see what she can find out, especially with her lack of obvious sources.]

[Video]

[Oh, would you look at that, the feed's on again.

This time, there's a teenage girl with long hair tied into braids on the other end, still tinkering with the COMP--and when the feed goes on suddenly, she steps back a little bit.]

--Oh! I didn't think this would have a camera...

Hello there~ [Have the most sickeningly sweet smile gracing your screens, fellow Visitors.] Can anyone tell me why I was brought all the way to this city? I've already taken the time to ask some of the locals, but no one's given me any clear answers...it's a little worrying, to be honest.

Oh, and does anyone happen to know where I can find a place to stay, while I'm here? I'd rather not be curled up on the sidewalk in the cold...

Thanks in advance~

[...Okay, that probably came off a little more forced than she'd have liked, but. After spending two years away from being "Yuizaki Hiyono", she couldn't help but be a little rusty.]

Comments

[Video.....not yet anyway] 1/???

[melodyoflogic]

[That..... was......]

[Video.....not yet anyway] 2/??

[melodyoflogic]

[.....She just would get caught up in this, wouldn't she?]

[Video.....not yet anyway] 3/??

[melodyoflogic]

[Just like back home.... And once she knew he was here, the chances of her just going home would be slim to none.

But...]

[Video] 4/4 I'm so sorry why does anyone let me play him

[melodyoflogic]

[Ugh. What a pain. He didn't want her involved in this, not with how dangerous the city could be getting, but he'd already accepted that she'd try helping regardless of danger back home. This was just the icing on the cake.

Ignoring the turmoil he's feeling, Ayumu settles for--] You just seem to follow me everywhere, don't you?

[...The usual.]

[Video] Because he's a wonderful trainwreck waiting to happen 8'D 1/2

[thatsasecret]

[...Oh.

...Well, then. Of all the faces she wasn't expecting to see again right off the bat, it most certainly wasn't his. She'd just seen him, after all, in that hospital--

But wait. Why did he seem two years younger? Why wasn't he bedridden? What--

Oh, don't tell her...]

[Video] And it lets me do sparkly things like this 2/2

[thatsasecret]

[...Well, nevermind! She'll just have to ignore those details and pretend that hasn't happened yet!

And so, Ayumu gets her sparkly-eyed look once she pulls it together, hands clasped, and a cat-like smile that just screams 'I'LL BE USEFUL JUST LIKE I WAS BEFORE'.]

Why wouldn't I follow you everywhere, Narumi-san? After all, you do need your beautiful assistant with you!

[Video]

[bondsofsuffering]

[...Ah. Someone who knows Ayumu?

Well, if they're from the same world, it would be rude for him not to at least say hello.]

Welcome to Hinoto-Ri. If one of the Visitors hasn't found you already, it's probably good that you were able to figure out the COMP for yourself. The circumstances for us are a little different than it is for normal residents.

[Video] 1/2

[thatsasecret]

[...There's a brief look of recognition, and while outwardly she seems okay, inwardly, her head just got sent for a loop. Is she seeing things?

...Two blinks gave her more than enough answers.

It was Hizumi. Hadn't he--? Why was he still alive now? Didn't he pass on and offer his remains to help Ayumu live as long as he could?

This was nine orders of awkward...]

[Video] 2/2

[thatsasecret]

[More importantly, why did it look like he didn't recognize her in return? It's harder for her to tell if he'd changed any since she was overseas the whole two years, but if it was anything like Ayumu's case...

...She had to be careful. Very, very careful. Well, first things first...]

Ehh? We're not going to be singled out for questioning, are we?

[...Hiyono what.]

[Video]

[bondsofsuffering]

[...

There was some kind of a reaction there, although Hizumi can't pinpoint exactly what. She doesn't look like anyone who should be involved, but...

...He'll have to tread carefully nonetheless.]

Nah, nah, nothing like that! They're actually used to people appearing out of nowhere, if you can believe it!

[Video]

[thatsasecret]

[A shame hiding himself didn't work out so well as far as she was concerned, given how he'd approached Ayumu first. :| But no.

This is a girl that knows too much. Good luck trying to get the answers out of her, though! Not that she'll last very long, given who she's painfully aware she's dealing with...]

Really? Some of them didn't seem too friendly to me when I asked them... [Or maybe that was just the relief efforts keeping them too busy to answer, either or.]

Visual

[unbroken_chain]

"Dah-dah-dah! Welcome to Hinoto-Ri!"

Here have a pamphlet.

Visual

[thatsasecret]

Oh, thank you~ I didn't think they'd be prepared to greet newcomers!

[Reading, reading, reading--

...Wow, for such a short pamphlet, this is a lot to take in. She's squinting at the mindlasers bit, though. :|]

...Is that really possible?

[unbroken_chain]

Judging from when she paused, it was pretty early on...hm. Probably the mindlasers bit. Kotoha smiles internally - looks like she got it just bombastic enough!

"Well, it depends. I said mindlasers because my Persona can fire searing beams of light that instantly knock demons out. Yours might have different skills, though!"

[thatsasecret]

Wow...that's actually pretty neat! I hope mine's just as cool as yours! [Here, have more of her sparkly, wide smile.]

Oh, um, what's this Evoker thing supposed to look like, anyway?

txt; anon

[badluckhealer]

I believe we were brought here to help with this city.

...but it looks like the welcoming committee, or whatever functions as such here, has already spoken with you.

txt, not even bothering to anon

[thatsasecret]

So I've heard. And yes, they have.

I've also heard that you apparently shoot yourself in the head to summon this Persona thingy.

[...Yeah uh. Excuse her, she's still a bit rattled by the time the kind anon gets to this post.]

[badluckhealer]

Or undergo extreme emotional distress. As I did.

I wasn't aware of the "shoot yourself in the head" option. I assume it's a special gun designed not to be fatal when shot, otherwise it would defeat the purpose.

[thatsasecret]

...I think I'll take the Evoker option over that, thank you very much.

Still--not to sound like I'm asking a stupid question, but how can a gun I don't know about not be fatal? The person that told me about them didn't say if it used ammunition or not!

[THIS IS A BIG DEAL.]

Video

[a_gentle_boy]

[If the boy on the screen thinks it was forced, he doesn't mention it. Anyone would be hard-pressed to be cheerful after being dragged across worlds.]

We're assigned places to live here. ...They're a bit small, but nice enough to stay.

And, um... I think the idea is mostly to fight monsters...

Video

[thatsasecret]

Fighting monsters? You mean with this Persona thingy?

And really? Where're those supposed to be?

[a_gentle_boy]

It's in Libra or Pisces district. If you don't know where you've been assigned, we can check the directories.

But mm-hmm, right. You fight the demons here with Personas - or other powers if you already have them. Something... bad just happened recently, so the demons are a little stronger than they usually are, too.

Video

[all_wound_up]

Actually, if you just arrived, you already have an apartment set up by the local government. You just need to go to City Hall to complete your registration.

Video

[thatsasecret]

Someone else told me about the apartments, but thanks!

...I don't think they told me anything about registering, though. [Great, does that mean she's being monitored? ...Better than nothing, she supposes.]

Video

[all_wound_up]

[Nano nods.]

There's a watch that works with the COMP you're using now to talk to me, and you don't get that until you go to City Hall. And they should be able to help you learn your way around the city, too.