compnetwork | 02

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02 - [Video]

[This...is going to be a problem.]

[He was curious, really, to hang around until the 13th hour came along, and had been quite shocked by the enormous amount of monsters hanging around. So shocked that he was quite unprepared for when they started attacking- he thought he'd find a way to avoid them, honestly. And just when he was cornered...it had finally come out. His Persona.]

[And honestly, he wasn't too surprised. Not even scared, really, he's seen worse. His Persona is himself, isn't it? But this would pose a problem if he showed it to other people, because that would be going and showing them something very deep and personal that might turn them against him. No, he has to turn this into an advantage, a way to get people to pity him and go on his side.]

[And he knows exactly how to get that to happen.]

[The video turns on, and the first thing one hears is the rather terrified and stammering voice of one (1) Sam Erstwhile.]

This-this is really not okay! I mean, it's my birthday today, I really didn't need this as a birthday present!

[The guy seems to be on the verge of fainting, he's so pale. It's oddly dark behind him, even though it's morning...]

I-I...listen, is it possible to just refund a Persona? That's possible, right? Because...mine is a freakin' abomination, and I'm not really sure I want it. How come all of you get the cool ones and I get the one that looks like it feeds on little kid's nightmares??

[And then the darkness behind him moves, and what looks to be like a dark tentacle rests on Sam's shoulder. Sam shudders, letting out a slight whimper, as the skull-like face of his Persona drops down into view.]

[Looks like Sam wasn't kidding about that abomination stuff at all.]

They said having a Persona was a good thing. They said you'd love it, and that it'd help you, and...ugh, this isn't what I was expecting at all!

[And he buries his face in his trembling hands. He really looks like he's going to have a nervous breakdown over this.]

Happy birthday to me...

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*Selphie sees that attempt, and greets it with a brighter smile of her own*

Me too. But now you don't have to feel left out anymore!

*She nods her head, and explains where the cafe she saw is*

So..I could see you there in maybe, twenty minutes?

[A small nod as she explains.]

Yeah...sure! Um, sure. Twenty minutes. I-I'll be there.

*It hadn't quite taken her twenty minutes, but navigation was never one of her strongest skills. So she took a seat by the window in the cafe, and sat there with a jug of water, two glasses, and a plate of muffins.

She sips on her own glass of water, wondering if he'd even show up. He had seemed a little unsure..*

[He is late, he is, but he finally comes up to her, hands resting in his jacket pockets, looking at her through matted brown hair. His persona is yet to be seen (spoiler: it's hiding behind a tree somewhere nearby, keeping an eye on him because it can), and he gives her an awkward wave.]

Um. Hi...

*Selphie looks up at him and smiles, returning his wave with one of her own. She gestures to the chair opposite her and begins to pour him a glass of water*

Hey! Happy Birthday, Sam. I didn't know what kind of cake you'd like so.. I just got a bunch of sifferent flavour muffins.

[He takes a seat, glancing around before turning his attention to the proffered water and muffins. Ugh. He was totally going to dread this, the eating muffins thing, but he needed to keep up appearances.]

[He gulps and nods.]

That's...very nice of you, really.

*Selphie watches him for a moment, noting an uneasiness, and she scratches the back of her head lightly. She pushes the plate a little closer, not willing to take a muffin until he had chosen first*

You're welcome!

*Smiling, she glances out the window before turning back to him*

So, you're new here too, huh? What did you do back home?

[He hesitates, but eventually picks out the plainest one he sees carefully, not yet biting into it as he listens to her.]

Yeah, I'm rather new. Um. What did I do...

[A pause as he seems to figure out how to answer that.]

Not...much. I worked for a company, though. It was pretty good work, I suppose. You?

*Soon as he picks one, Selphie plucks a chocolate muffin from the plate and rips off a chunk to eat. As for his answer, Selphie raises a brow and looks a little sceptical ~ vague, much?*

Sure.. I worked for a company too, ya know.

Oh, well, um, I guess I should have been more specific. I'm sorry. Um...it's a really big company where I come from- it's called Daemoniac Inc, have you heard of that?

[He gestures vaguely with the muffin, not yet eating it.]

I just did, well...filing. And gathering a bit of data. Nothing really exciting.

What sort of company did you work for?

*At his apology, Selphie just gives a cheeky grin and picks a chocolate chip from her muffin. 'Daemoniac Inc', however, gets her interested*

Oh... No. They don't have that in our world. What is it?

*Shuffling her chair closer to the table, Selphie leans in*

I worked for a...military company...I guess you'd call it. I did mostly fighting, and soldier/mercenary type stuff.

It's this really, really huge company that is in charge of a whole lot of other things. They own a whole lot of smaller companies in everything from weaponry production to I don't know, architecture. They're the richest company in the world...and I think that if you at least own one thing in your life, it's probably made by a company that belongs to Daemoniac. So...yeah, that's exciting stuff.

[A pause, and he eyes the muffin before slowly taking a bite of it...god. Good god, this is going to upset his internal systems like nothing else down the line. Plus, the taste, which he used to love before, does nothing but sicken him now, but he manages to push it down and swallow and give her a nod of approval.]

Oh, that's...good. Very nice muffin. [And a raise of the eyebrow at that next part.] You did fighting? Whoah, that's..that's some pretty hardcore stuff! Holy cow. I couldn't fight to save my life, literally<.

Wow... That does sound like a pretty massive company! So I bet you musta been super busy with all your filing and stuff like that.

*She thinks about it, enjoying the idea, and smiles, her eyes watching as Sam starts to eat his muffin. She wouldn't have made any comment, but he does mention how much he likes it, so she passes her own muffin across the table*

Here - wanna try some of mine? The chocolate is yummy!

*Selphie grins and nods, giving a small salute too*

Yup! With my nunchaku! So don't worry, if something bad happens I'll have your back in a fight!

Yes, I really was. God knows how many hours I put into it... [And he stares, obviously surprised at the offered muffin.] Oh! Um...wow, thank you.

[Ugh, these muffins are going to be the death of him, he swears. Inwardly bemoaning himself, he picks it up and takes off a bit to pop into his mouth, feeling like he needs to down a bottle of mouthwash or something after this whole friendly meeting is over.]

You would? Oh, gosh, I...I don't really know what to say. I mean, you're really nice... [He looks away, as if embarrassed, before it seems like a thought has occurred to him.]

Hey, um...is it possible that I can learn from you? How to fight, I mean.

*With Selphie, everything is always shared and enjoyed by as many people as possible. So she smiles, glad that he accepts and seems to enjoy it too. Satisfied, she sits back in her chair and takes another bite*

Well, sure I would. And thanks!

*She tilts her head when he looks away, curious as to what he might be looking at*

Oh - well... I guess. I mean, I'm not the best at hand to hand but..

*Selphie glances him over and laughs, shaking her head in her own amusement*

..but you look like you might be stronger than me anyway, so it'll probably be easier for you!

What, me, strong?!

[He has to look back at her at that, voice almost cracking with flustered surprise.]

I-I'm like the last person who's string! I can't even do one pull-up or anything...and I swear, finding a useful muscle on me is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Basically...I'm not that strong. Not at all.

*Uh...initially, she feels like she's said something really wrong, and it's her turn to look a little embarrassed*

Well - I mean.. I'm only really little, but I can pack enough of a punch when I want to so... with training, you'll be stronger for sure!

Hey, god things come in small packages, right?

[And he scratches the back of his head.]

Yeah, I...I just want to defend myself, you know? I'm lousy when it comes to fighting...but I guess if I'm here, I have to learn it.

*That earns a happy giggle, and Selphie tops up the water in her glass*

It's a good thing to learn. I mean, you never know what's gonna happen, or who might get mean. But for anything scary, you've always got your friend..

*Selphie makes a motion towards the window, and outside, assuming his persona might be hiding there somewhere*

[He takes a gulp of his own water, only disappointed when it doesn't wash the taste of the muffins down too much. But at her gesture, he follows it with a frown, nodding.]

Whatever that thing...I don't think it's my friend. I mean, it's me, but I don't want to rely on it all the time. I don't really trust it...

I think you're kinda gonna have to though.

*The smile she gives is sympathetic and understanding, and she bows her head as she finishes off her muffin*

Cause, I'm not calling you creepy or anything, cause you're not, but that thing is really closely linked to you. All the Personas are. Or, well, that's what I heard.

*Her smile becomes a little more uncertain and she shrugs with one shoulder*

[He frowns, staring down at the muffins in front of him. He doesn't look too happy.]

I get that, but...I'd rather it not be closely linked with me. I don't know what it says about me, that my mind brought forth that-that thing. I don't want to know...

[And he mutters under his breath..]

I thought I was normal. I guess this place thinks I'm a monster, too...

*That wasn't quite the reaction she was expecting, and she instantly shows a face of concern*

Sam..you know, your thing looks creepy but..it is kinda sweet. I mean, it clearly likes spending time with you and, I think it might even be a little put out that you don't like it so much.

*Selphie sighs softly, and reaches a hand over the table to pat at his forearm*

For what it's worth...as a total stranger that you've only just met...I think you're lovely, and I bet your persona thingy isn't so bad either, he just doesn't look as cute as you do.

[A long pause, and then:]

Y-you think so?

[He looks up, attempting that smile again, even looking a bit bashful.]

Yeah...I guess you're right. It hasn't attacked me or anything. And...you really think I'm cute? I don't think anyone has called me that, heh...

*Selphie looks absolutely positive as she gives a firm nod and sits back in her chair*

Exactly. Maybe you just need to hang out with it a little bit more.

*When he asks the question, Selphie flushes gently ~ she meant it, but she'd just spoken her mind to make him feel better*

Oh! Yeah.. I do..

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