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[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.]

Comments

[operationbox]

[Oh, hey, it's Fumi.]

A Persona is sort of like a demon, except that it comes from you directly. They have very similar skills, and many Personae have the same appearance as a demon as well. [Such as her own.]

Most people first had their Persona awaken in a particularly dangerous or stressful situation. [She'd recommend getting into a combat situation without her demons but... well, this was Fumi, she'd probably figure that out.]

[terminally_clever]

Nitta. So you're here too, then.

[A small smile. Io was always a little wishy-washy for Fumi's liking, but at least she does her homework. And the explanation is up to snuff, too.]

Well, that doesn't sound too difficult.

sorry for the delay

[operationbox]

I'm happy to be of help.

[And obviously well-informed people are more useful than uninformed ones. That's just common sense.]

It shouldn't be, but given everything that happened at home you may need to hold back to get into a situation like that.

[meaningdies]

[Oh hey. Someone who's actually intelligent. That's useful.]

Generally the first awakening happens in times of danger, which is fairly easy for most people to achieve given the monsters that appear here at night. There's also a place called the Velvet Room, where you can obtain a secondary Persona for use. They also seem to grow and acquire new abilities as they are used.

[terminally_clever]

Hm.

[She's quiet for a moment or two, processing that.]

These monsters you refer to - could you be more clear on that point? Specifically, would referring to them as 'demons' be accurate? And concerning the Velvet Room, where and how is it accessed?

[meaningdies]

Some of them could be. Many of them are not any species of demon I know of.

As for the Velvet Room, it seems to show up randomly, unfortunately.

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[testsubject031]

A lotta people here seem to need to be in danger to get theirs up and at'em, but some of us obtained them a different way, or even before comin' to this place.

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[terminally_clever]

Oh? That's the first I've heard of that. Go on.

(ooc: Also, does Labrys have an illusion up or is she visibly robotic looking at the moment?)

[testsubject031]

((ooc: She can't do the illusion anymore :3 All robot!))

Well, y'see, I got mine by acceptin' my shadow self.

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[hetried]

[you gotta be kidding him]

...Fumi?!

[WH ]

Uh... yeah, most people just sort...it happens when you're in trouble, and stuff.

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[terminally_clever]

Yes, Shijima.

[sigh]

Do I need to explain the meaning of the word concise to you?

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[hetried]

Hey, that was kind of concise!

[not it wasn't.]

I mean, I think everyone else has it covered, for the most part. I don't know much about it myself-- it just seems like we're summoning Demons out of our heads instead of our phones.

[greyerrant]

[ A huge figure, armored in grey war plate, turns red eye slits to Fumi and glowers over the feed. ]

It is best not to indulge in such dangerous behavior. It dances dangerously close to sorcery and similar corpse-whispering.

As far as research, well, there is something to be learned from the nature of many personas here, but they seem for the most part to be almost a curse. Ghosts of things we would rather forget.

[terminally_clever]

[If that's meant to look threatening, it's clearly not working on her.]

Fear and avoidance of the unknown serves only to impede progress. The aim of any worthwhile research is to illuminate and explain things we don't understand. I'm sorry, but that's simply not an option for me.

[greyerrant]

[ Loken tries to not be insulted by the implication that he knows fear. ]

Oh, it isn't a question of fear, or it being unknown. I've seen the results of similar research in the past and it ended very poorly. There are other avenues of inquiry that would prove more fruitful, I suspect. We're in a place with a lot of questions, and very few answers. While for some the Personas may be a powerful tool, from past experience with similar abilities I suspect they are at best a distraction and at worst a trap to corrupt us. Better to trust in science than the supernatural and ritual.

not here but;

[technomaturgist]

[ Ferrus sees this thread. And he approves of you, Fumi.

Mostly because you told Garviel basically to back up, Personas are potentially useful. He is glad you know this. ]

[video]

[drakenguard]

Ah, Kanno. It's you.

[Yamato says with all the enthusiasm of someone faced with an impromptu visit from an unwanted family member]

[video]

[terminally_clever]

Oh, Chief.

[Her customary greeting no matter how he or she is feeling about each other or anything else at the time.]

It seems I have a bit of catching up to do.

[video]

[drakenguard]

A considerable amount - but, you will only wish to know the important details, not the trivial, correct?

[Meaning, Yamato is hardly going to give Fumi an update on what the others had been up to in their day-to-day lives. He doubted she would give a flying crap, and he wasn't going to ramble on about something so trivial either]

text (that is stealthily locked from Garviel, because heresy)

[technomaturgist]

I did some research on Personas myself in the largest library I could find. It seems there's very little written information, but... I did some extra research on my own.

Personas seem to take the form of either mythological figures (from anywhere; typically from someone's own universe) or things that are important to them somehow, like people they cared about. Or etc. The personas we own on arrival, anyway. The personas from the Velvet Room appear to be solely mythological or historical in origin.

There are two ways to awaken one as far as I know. One, get into life-threatening danger (which will force it to awaken). Two, use an Evoker; a currently gun-shaped device that, when pointed at your head, unleashes your Persona. That was how mine awakened.

The second method is more efficient, but the only way to get Evokers is to borrow from someone who owns one or take a turn in the Arena, where they provide one for the battles.

[terminally_clever]

You've really done your homework.

What can you tell me about the Velvet Room?

[Video]

[capitalbackup]

[Miyako browse through the available answers in the other threads. No point wasting time in repeating information to Fumi.]

So they brought you here as well, Kanno.

[Since she's one of the few people in JP's in the know, Miyako uses her natural voice around her. Unless she's surrounded by JP's grunts, but thankfully none of them are here.]

Regarding Personas, there's the Aramid Room for obtaining Personas. It's similiar to the Velvet Room in practice.

[Video] - locking the feed out of respect for her, just in case

[terminally_clever]

Miyako? Well, this is certainly a surprise.

We'll save the pleasantries for later. This is the first I've heard anyone mention the Aramid Room. How does it compare?

[Video]

[genkibot]

I'm pretty sure that was this person called Philemon and he was referring to the fact that people who show up here get a Persona.

It's like summon from a video game that will help you!

See, here's mine!

[And Tachikoma tilts the camera up so you can see the star studded galaxy swirling above her.]

But they don't all look like that. Are you going to do research? Will it involve information gathering? Because that sounds fun and I'd like to help if you are!

[Video]

[terminally_clever]

That's rather impressive.

[She didn't expect Personas to be able to be quite that large.]

And yes, I intend to do quite a lot of research. I could use a good assistant if you're offering, though I'm afraid I can't pay you.