compnetwork | Video

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's a rather simplified and wholly inaccurate summary of the process, based on what I've been able to extrapolate so far.

Is it? [Man, how should he know!]

Uh... guess so. I don't really understand it all much myself. They just kinda throw us in here and expect us to know what to do with them.

[Honestly he thought it was kind of annoying.]

I assume the circumstances associated with your own Persona's awakening are consistent with what you've already told me, then.

Yeah; I showed up here last year with Kaito and Yamato-- I uh...we all got split up and I ended up fighting some demons and terrorists I guess? By my own. That's how my Persona woke up.

Last year? That's certainly not what I expected to hear. I was just speaking with Kaito yesterday.

[Give her a moment.]

Although I suppose it's possible that the Kaito you know and the one I know are two completely different people.

It's...weird. [WELL hey at least they had the same name for sir bunnyhood, that made life easy.] Kaito, Yamato and I have been here at least for-- six months? Give or take. Saiduq's been here too, but whenever someone new shows up, it's like time hasn't passed at all back home. Or we're from some weird alternate timelines-- did you know Yamato knew a Kaito who was named Hiro instead? And in some other one he was named Hibiki.

[Yes, that's all very interesting, but there's one thing that sticks out to her.]

...Saiduq? Who might you be referring to? I don't recall anyone by that name.

Uh, yeah, you know-- Alcor, the last Septentrione guy with white hair that was always talking to Kaito. The guy who made Nicaea.

[...] Uh, unless you don't know him...

[universes were hard.]

Of course I know him, Shijima.

[Geez, are you dumb or something.]

I can't say I've ever heard him referred to by that name, though.

[he's not that dumb come on he's trying!!!!]

Oh. Uh-- that's what he wanted us to call him when we teamed up with him. In my universe, Kaito teamed up with Alcor and made a plan to take down Polaris and make a new administrator.

I assume you succeeded if you're here to talk about it. What became of JPs and Ronaldo's faction?

We beat them, of course! We stopped Ronaldo and Yamato, made it all the way to Polaris' throne and kicked its ass!

Interesting. It would appear we really are from different iterations of the same timeline, then. In my own, the Chief lead JPs to victory over Polaris to establish the merit system.

Whoah-- really?!

[The idea of Yamato and Ronaldo's ideals coming true still felt kind of weird to him.]

Then-- what was the world like? Did it get better? Was everything run like JP's or something?

Better is a matter of perspective. But yes, it was organized rather like the JPs heirarchy, with those possessing superior skill, intellect, talent, and drive ruling over the rest. And of course, since we were the ones to defeat Polaris, JPs was at the very top of that structure.

Whoah....

[~~Let's face it, he's partially amazed it actually worked out someway, given all of his doubts.~~]

I'm just imagining the whole world being like when the invasion happened-- kind of hard to imagine, since I didn't see it myself. But-- I'm glad it worked?

Thank you.

[Fumi smirks a bit.]

You and Nitta put up an admirable fight.

[Which is probably the nicest thing she'll ever say to you, Daichi. Enjoy this moment.]

[He'll TAKE IT]

Hehe-- thanks! [A touch of pride dare we say?] You guys sure weren't any pushovers either.

Still, it's frustrating to have ended up in a place like this instead of the worlds we were fighting to create.

Isn't it? I'm pretty sure we can go back whenever we want, but... After all we've all been through, I think our worlds are gonna be fine. At least, for a little while.

So you've chosen to stay here instead after fighting so hard to create a world based on your ideals?

Edited 2013-04-07 23:35 (UTC)

Hm... I guess?

[Hang on, he's thinking about this a bit.]

When I first got here I was kind of worried, actually-- I wanted to go back and make sure everything was OK. But... It seems like someone really needs our help here. I trust Saiduq enough to make sure the world will be OK in the mean time-- and hey, maybe he'll even let us know if something goes wrong while we're gone!

[Fumi laughs a little at that.]

I should have expected an answer like that.

H-Hey... What's that supposed to mean...?!

[unsure if being insulted...???]

Trusting someone else to take care of your problems. It's very Shijima-esque of you.

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