[video]

[greatseal]

[The camera is slightly obscured - it's clearly Minako, but the watch's camera isn't being held at the proper angle to show her entire face. She's smiling, though.]

Hello, Hinoto-ri! I don't want to take up too much of your time, because I know a lot of people are busy right now, but I have a story to tell, if you're willing to listen!

Once upon a time, a girl grew up all alone. One by one, the people she cared about disappeared from her life. The girl kept smiling and trying to make friends, but deep down, she knew the truth. Eventually, those friends would leave her too. Her destiny was to be left behind.

Then one day, the girl was given a choice. Disappear quietly along with the world and the people you care about, or give up everything to save them - including her soul. Her sacrifice meant the world would live, but she would still be alone. Forever.

[She pauses, the cheerful smile still on her lips.]

Which choice do you think the girl made?

[and then she leans forward, finally opening her eyes to reveal bright, yellow irises.]

Which choice should I have made?

Comments

[greatsealed]

[Wow, Atsuro... Well, at least he understands what he's dealing with. But that doesn't mean she's finished. Now that she's been unmasked, so to speak, she doesn't have to hold back.]

But it is sad. That's all I am, because that's all she is... a thousand faces, a thousand 'Personas' made to protect that hollow inner self from the world. There's a reason she's the Fool, you know. There's a reason she could visit the Velvet Room and create a different Persona for any possible contingency. She's so good at acting she even makes herself believe it.

[otakuro]

...That's probably a little better.

Minako's so good at being what people need that maybe she doesn't even know what she is herself. But then... If you're trying to go for that... telling us all these things you've just aid just makes her that much more human, right? By saying it straight out, you've stripped away her mystique.

So you've still failed, if that's the angle you're attempting.

[greatsealed]

But that's exactly what she doesn't want, you see? Everything I've told you is something she'd rather keep to herself.

[otakuro]

...So.

You're less nefarious than you are just kind of a spiteful blabbermouth.

[greatsealed]

I never claimed to be nefarious.

Just to be her true self.

[otakuro]

No way.

You're just the part that she doesn't want to acknowledge. Truth is way more complicated than that.

[greatsealed]

So you say... But can you say someone is being "true" when they're hiding parts of themselves?

[otakuro]

If everyone bared their souls to the world, we wouldn't get much of anything done. Being human sometimes means... you deal with your pain on your own.

Is it fair to ask someone to be totally honest with everyone they meet, all the time?

[greatsealed]

Perhaps not... but the real question is, can you be honest with yourself?

Minako can't. Which is why I am here... and why I will be the winner, in the end.

[otakuro]

...You're going to challenge her?

You think she won't be able to face the truths you throw at her? Maybe she's suppressed it, but... isn't someone who can take on the burdens of the world someone who could accept her own burdens as well?

((Sorry for being so late! Feel free to ignore if you'd prefer not to continue!))

[otakuro]

...Well.

I don't know if it's cheating somehow, but I'm going to go and tattle on you now, if that's cool with you.