An Abundance of C/An Important Question [Video]

[thisclinchesit]

When the video starts, one will see Shoutarou standing outside of a pool hall - he adjusts his hat a bit before speaking.

"Hello, Hinoto-Ri. The name's Hidari Shoutarou, and I'm here with some news for you all, and a couple of questions.

To start, a rather unexpected thing has happened - whatever strange powers surround this place have seen fit to bring my detective agency building here. I suppose that means I'm stuck here for the long haul, I may as well start offering my services as a private detective. Just come see me in Pisces district, at the Narumi Detective Agency."

There's a pause, then Shou frowns and huffs. "...of course, whoever brought it here has a hell of a sense of humor, and put it across the street from the other Narumi Detective Agency..." The camera jerks, and points to the other one for a moment.

"The city's still working on getting power connected to the building, but I'm gonna call it open for business anyway now that I've moved in."

He clears his throat, and looks just a little more serious. "As for the questions - has anyone here heard of the Transmigration 9? It was where I was before I wound up here. Just wondering if any other crewmembers are here. My other question..." His face turns a bit awkward at this point. "...does anyone have any advice on taking care of a kitten? I've dealt with an adult cat that knows how to behave already before, to a degree, but a kitten is outside my experience."

(no subject)

[tyrantball]

The feed snaps on to reveal a little girl with horns and three eyes staring into the camera, her face twisted up into an angry sort of scowl. Without any preamble, she launches into an angry tirade.

"What is the corrupternment here doing?! Desco is getting fed up with how badly the political process is being mangled in this town! It offends her pride as a former senator!"

She crosses her arms over her chest and harrumphs angrily.

"Desco made a standard speech and used all the normal political boilerplate, and the humans she was talking to became a mob! And not even the useful kind - it was a panicked mob! Mr. Green Hair said that it was because Desco scared them!"

She starts gnawing distractedly on the tip one claw, still scowling.

"What is going on that the humans here are afraid of the political process? It's stupid! Next you will be telling Desco that the officials are elected or something, instead of just overthrowing the previous regime!"

Video

[terminally_clever]

[After spending some time looking around town, talking with locals, and efficiently gathering information, Fumi's ready to introduce herself to the network.  Except it's not so much an introduction as a combination lecture / interrogation.  She doesn't have time for idle pleasantries - there is a new research topic afoot.  Her face is expressionless as she launches right into her diatribe.]

Persona.

A concept first introduced by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung in the early twentieth century, described as 'a kind of mask, designed on the one hand to make a definite impression upon others, and on the other to conceal the true nature of the individual.'

[Dry and pedantic, just like she likes it.  Although at this point, her features take on a hint of frustration.]

I have vague memories of having heard this word shortly before waking up in this city, and given the rather abrupt nature of my arrival, I feel safe in assuming the word holds a more significant meaning in this place than would normally be suggested by traditional psychological terminology.  I've also gathered that I'm far from the only person to have arrived in this way, or to have experienced that vague dream upon arrival.

So, Hinoto-Ri, what can you tell me about the Persona phenomenon, and what is the most efficient way to awaken one?  Please make your responses as brief and concise as possible.  I may have found my next research topic.

[The woman smiles before ending the feed and waiting for responses.]