compnetwork | Twelfth Curse

[It’s that time again! Although it’s already a little different from the usual post. Instead of opting to post anonymously as usual, Hizumi has gone ahead and kept his name attached.

Shock and surprise! Golly who could have ever seen this coming?]

Subject: Astrology & Event Docs
Attached files: amd.doc, emd.doc

It’s been busy, but since I see we have new people here, I would like to remind people that the Astrology Master Document and Event Master Document are still around. Since both of them can be edited by anyone who has the file, feel free to add anything you know to them as long as it’s relevant. I have backups of the files so I can restore them if I have to, but I don’t want to do that all the time, so try not to mess it up too badly, got it?

So you guys know which one is which:

Astrology Master Document or the amd.doc is for collecting any information related to astrological signs and their meanings, as well as details of events surrounding attacks by the astrological demons. If you want to get an idea of how people have been affected in the past by their astrological signs during those times, check here!

Event Master Document or the emd.doc is for collecting any information on other, non-astrological based events. So, stuff like suddenly being unable to tell a lie, or groups of people being abducted to strange places. That kind of thing.

If you have any questions, you can also use this post to discuss as usual!

And since I'm here... I might as well point out that the arcade is having a special discount on two hour game cards. If you're up to date with your studies or already gave up on finals, come pay us a visit!

[Private to Atsuro and Otonashi]

Regarding the things my Shadow said - well, none of it really matters at this point, so I'd rather not talk about it. The main point is, I'm not going to kill anyone, so there's no problem. I don't think I need to say this, but just to make sure, I'd prefer it if you don't talk about it with anyone, myself included.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Are we calling them events now? Like it's some sort of scheduled Murder Time! into the cosmic calendar of our lives?

Yeah. I mean, it'd be nice to know where the astrology monsters are coming from, too, but it doesn't feel like we're working on two separate schedules here, huh?

Adjusted-- Ahh, the sound?

[It's not surprising she'd be put off by the sheer volume of the place.]

Hmm... Well, it's an older game, but it's easy enough... How about a puzzle, then?

[He leads the way out of the rhythm game section and over to the more classical arcade games, stopping by one in particular. It's a bubble popping game.]

The controls are simple. You use the stick to adjust your aim and push the button to fire a bubble. Match the colors in groups of three and they'll pop.

Do you think this will work?

It's how I listed them in the .doc, so I figured I might as well stick to that term.

After that kidnapping, I've been wondering if it isn't those demons in the underground.

Yes. I believe it would be distracting attempting to sort out the sounds of the game from the rest.

[A puzzle game sounded easy enough. She looks at it for a moment curiously.]

This seems simple enough.

If the doubles were just demons copying us somehow, how would they have gotten their hands on Personas, though? It seems like it must have been from somewhere else....

Maybe somewhere gnarly.

[hahah.....]

I've had more than enough time to get used to myself. Multiple lifetimes.

[Who gives a shit about hiding anymore? Noooot him.]

Going to give it a shot, then? I'll go ahead and pay for this round for you!

[It's not that much anyway, being a classic and all. He'll pop the coin in and tap through the start menu, setting her on the regular puzzle mode.]

Aaaand there you go!

You have to pay to play? Doesn't that mean there is some reward for winning?

[Like gambling. If you pay in, you're trying to get more out of it. Paying simply for a small entertainment factor doesn't seem all that great. But whatever, she'll give this a try.

So she does. It seems simple enough, aim the little colored bubble at a group of the same color and...pop! Well, that was oddly satisfying. Yes, she's going to continue on and clear some bubbles like there's no tomorrow now.]

I wasn't suggesting they were demons.

Actually, I was thinking it was something similar to the astrology demons. Even if we don't meet them directly, we're still affected by their presence. So far, they've caused all kinds of things - from people acting unlike themselves to even changing in appearance.

Going by that, it's not such a big stretch to think that a demon out there would have the power to draw out Shadows, or force us to tell the truth, or any of those other things.

It's still not fair!

It looks like even people who've only had one life so far were able to get away without one. Talk about lucky...

It depends on the game, but it's kind of like paying for a short, interactive show.

Besides, a game like this could go on for a while depending on how good you are!

[He leans on the edge of the machine, watching how she's doing while being careful to keep out of the way.]

Define a 'while'.

[A while to Kaguya could be hundreds of years. The sense of time for an immortal is vastly different than that of most.]

I'm assuming skill doesn't matter all that much until further on?

[Because right now, it's pretty easy. Although looking at the clusters of bubbles, she can see how it might be challenging for some. You merely have to plan ahead. A wrong shot could potentially cost you the game in the long run.]

I've never heard of a demon with the ability to summon evil copies, but it does seem like something our favorite foe could do. The Astrology monsters definitely aren't just 'demons', either. I don't think anyone actually knows where they're coming from, and they're not restricted to the 13th Hour.

Welll... Some people can play for hours. But it usually takes a lot of hours clocked to get used to it in the first place.

The stages you're on now are mostly tutorial ones! After a while they'll be in different shapes, and there won't be as many bubbles of the same color already grouped together. And if you take too many shots, new rows will start appearing-- if the bubbles hit the bottom line, the game will end.

People have been here for over a year now and we still don't know nearly enough.

And to top it off, we don't even have the resources to check into it even if we wanted to. We still need to work on those rescue efforts, too.

So concentration and a steady hand will bring me victory.

[Nothing she can't handle. Kaguya's patience is near unlimited.]

Am I to inform you when I am done?

Not really, unless you want to play another game. I just thought I'd watch for a bit before my shift starts.

Sorry, does it bother you? I can leave you alone if you'd like.

Some people just know themselves well enough. Or maybe this place just likes picking on certain people.

It's not an issue.

I did not know if there were certain customs used in these arcades or not.

Never enough time to do what you need to do, huh?

...Well. What would you think is the biggest priority right now?

If that's the case, I think this place is out to get me.

There's not a whole lot as far as etiquette. Just the usual politeness is probably more than enough. Although - if you see people lining up behind you, you can still take your time, just make sure to let them have a go once you finish. It's also not a good idea to watch from too close behind the player unless it's someone you know is alright with it.

You're asking me?

[There's a pause before he sends the actual response.]

Rebuilding and rescuing both. The city's still crippled; if we got hit by one of those astrology demons now, we wouldn't have any warning at all thanks to the damages.

As for the rescues, as much as I hate to admit it, we relied on some of those people a lot. Too much, it looks like.

I see. So simply be courteous to others.

[So no different than normal. Not a problem.]

I shouldn't have any problems at all, then.

Definitely possible.

At least you came out of it intact. Some of the locals didn't, from what I heard.

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Twelfth Curse

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