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Ateliers

2026-10-24T01:34:51Z

Strangeshrimp:

A recent topic entering public (supernatural) conscious via the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Dark_Side_of_Sumaru|Dark Side]], Ateliers are not a new concept, but instead one that has been rapidly becoming more relevant as rumors of people falling victim to [[Homunculus|vicious and unsettling bodysnatching incidents]] have begun to circulate.

The cognitive spaces known as Ateliers seem to be central to these rumors. Which begs the question...

==What Are Ateliers?==

An aspect of the Collective Unconscious, Ateliers exist in all people and represent the balance of a person's sense of individuality versus their connections to others and society – they are, essentially, a person's mind palace (but not Palace!). They are usually benign insomuch as they do not intrude on other supernatural spaces nor are they typically harmful to their owner. Ateliers' sole role is to represent - and maintain - a person's sense of individuality within an endless sea of interconnection.

Everyone has an Atelier, but every Atelier is different. As an Atelier is a reflection of its owner, each is as unique as a fingerprint. There are some simple rules that define how they appear however, their ultimately being a reflection of the individual and their connection to others being the most fundamental. A person with a strongly developed sense of individuality, for example, will have an Atelier that is largely reflective of their personality, their history, and the important things of their life. A person who lacks a strong, individual identity, on the other hand, will usually have a more indistinct Atelier that is ultimately more reflective of the culture and area in which they live, and - on occasion - the people who have had the strongest influence over their lives.

Finally: a person who has no sense of self, i.e. a person whose Shadow has been destroyed, consumed, or otherwise removed from the individual, has a barren and monochrome Atelier, having been deprived of the thing sustaining it.

This is the cornerstone for what an Atelier -looks- like. But there's other simple rules fundamental to an Atelier. Like, for example:

How do you ''get into'' one?

==Accessing Ateliers==

Ateliers exist as part of the nature of intelligent life, although they vary widely in their scope and thematics. In nearly all cases, they are simply there, the same as your spleen and the back of your ears. In some cases, they can be more easily found. Individuals who have recently had a sudden, radical change in their behavior leave a way in.

Getting into the Atelier is not a simple matter. First, you must find a Thread: something important to the individual. This is usually an item of specific personal adoration -- and it may not be the most obvious choice. A precious wedding ring might not be a Thread, while a memento of a regretted love or childhood pet might be. In some rare cases, an individual may be a Thread, although in such cases the individual holds the Potential as well. Whether this is a precondition or a side effect is unknown.

After finding the Thread, one must find the Needle (formerly known as the Eye): the Needle will be a location, a lonely one, that is or was important to the individual whose Atelier you seek. This location must be physically visited with the Thread in tow. A subtle change in the Thread's Resonance, usually perceived as an intensification of the Thread's "is-ness," proves that the two have met. (In the exceptional cases of a Thread being an individual, they may visit the location themselves. Typically, they will not notice anything.)

This completes the ritual: at this point, one can enter the Atelier. However, this in turn has its own complexities. You have to find a space where people are "Alone Together." There are nuances here -- it must be an enclosed area, which simultaneously holds the concepts of isolation and interconnection. Such places can be difficult to find, but there is a simple and elegant solution in the modern jungle: a net cafe.

These oases of connected solitude are usually open 24-hours, but it may take some courage to brave one. Here, the traveler enters the net cafe cubicle with the Thread and closes the door. With the Thread in hand, or near to hand, the aspiring traveler logs into a certain website simply called [[Ateliers#AtelierNetwork.jp|AtelierNetwork.jp]]. After a short wait -- helpfully tracked by the site itself -- the user may step outside of the place where they are, and enter the Fabric of Reality.

The Thread does not travel with you, and once an Atelier is accessed for the first time and a [[Ateliers#AtelierNetwork.jp|link]] has been produced, the Thread is no longer needed. Anyone who has a given Atelier's link, Awakened or otherwise, can potentially use it... though only the Awakened can access the website in the first place, and one still needs to be in an alone-together place to access it.

The intentionality of this ritual effectively limits it to Persona Users or their immediate confederates. Individuals as Threads should be considered a "PC-exclusive" feature -- either as a shocking mischance leading to Transmutations, or as a point of tension and complexity.

==Lesser Shadows - The Humors==

Ateliers are benign. They are not, however, without a way to defend themselves. Known as '''Humors''', these lesser Shadows populate - and are influenced by - the Ateliers they reside in, and serve as something like the white blood cells of an individual's psyche.

Humors can be divided into four separate categories defined by the roles they fulfill within the Atelier:

'''Flegmat (Phlegmatic) -'''
Among Humor Shadows, the Flegmat types are the most passive. They tend to comprise the 'window dressing' of an Atelier's environment and represent the relative baseline of an Atelier owner's psyche. They are sensitive to small worries and disturbances that are usually too remote for one to voice in the real world. Capable of conversation, but not very assertive, they tend to get swept up by events around them. Despite this, their presence helps prevent most Homunculi from forming at all.

It's when a Homunculus does form with enough strength to eat the primary Shadow that they become seemingly helpless to the chaos around them. As a Homunculus' control of the Atelier strengthens, they begin to take on more twisted forms befitting the Homunculus in question. When it happens, they become the bellwethers to how close a Homunculus is to fully consuming the host's Shadow.

'''Sanguin (Sanguine) -'''
Humor Shadows that represent a need for drive, action, or call for help that the Atelier owner struggles to manage, these are the real movers and doers of Humor Shadows. They all unilaterally desire to destroy a Homunculus by their nature, and can be convinced by Atelier visitors that they are there to help.

However, most will usually rouse up other Humors - especially Coleric - against intruders while acting as a 'leader' figure for small groups. Battles where a Sanguin Humor is present can be averted with successful negotiation, in these cases. While they do not fall into the sway of a Homunculus outside of the most dire of circumstances, it is nearly impossible for Sanguin Humors to deal with them naturally unless the emerged Homunculus is incredibly weak.

'''Coleric (Choleric) -'''
Of the four types, these map most closely to basic mindless Shadows like those from the Dark Hour. Outwardly they act as mindless hordes, but a healthy psyche employs Coleric Humors in order to deal with any manner of foreign body intruding within one's Atelier. This means that conflict with numerous Coleric Humors is an inevitable part of exploring Ateliers in any circumstance.

Even if a Homunculus is active - a presence that stirs them to a panicked violent frenzy regardless - those from outside the Atelier register as enemies all the same. They cannot be reasoned with directly, but all Humor Shadows are capable of communication with each other, so a local Sanguin Humor can temporarily call them off. Their numbers replenish endlessly, so fighting them does no lasting harm to an Atelier's host.

'''Melanc (Melancholic) -'''
These Humor Shadows are based on parts of oneself an Atelier owner dislikes. Self-doubt is healthy, in the correct dosage, and having them present is important for growth and self-improvement. They are also important moderating influences for Sanguin Humors in ordinary circumstances. Unfortunately, the presence of a fully-formed Homunculus outright hijacks and empowers these Humor Shadows to turn them into their direct lieutenants, using their self-criticizing rationales as a weapon against the rest of the Atelier.

Coleric Humors have a bad habit of not targeting them because they read as (and are) native to the Atelier, and thus it requires outside help to subdue them when a Homunculus is consuming the primary Shadow. Bringing them 'into balance' is an important step that needs to be taken en route to reaching and subduing an emergent Homunculus. Once subdued, any healthy Flegmat Humors can help prevent a Homunculus from regaining control of a Melanc Humor so long as the Homunculus is dealt with as soon as possible.

==Instar Stages: The Life Cycle of a Homunculus==

One might suspect that Ateliers function similarly to Palaces when infected by Homunculi, and it's understandable why a Persona User might believe it functions like Security Level. However, it is in fact far simpler than that.

The danger of an Atelier is proportional to the stage of development of the Homunculus.

It's been named 'Instar Stages' because functionally, a Homunculus is a parasite, attempting to subsume control over its host.

===Cocoon===

While it is a Cocoon, there is only the potential of danger.

===First Instar Stage===

After hatching, it enters its first Instar phase. The host will begin to show subtle signs of the takeover, while the Atelier's denizens may attempt to fight off the Homunculus. Nearly always, the humors will lose this battle without outside intervention.

===Second Instar Stage===

Within the second instar stage, the host will begin to show obvious changes as it assumes that aggressively idealized version of itself. During this phase, the humours will typically stop attacking the Homunculus, as they begin to become confused as to which is host and which is Homunculus.

The Coleric Humors are quite likely to attack any Persona User who comes near them as a perceived threat to the Atelier, as they sense some kind of threat. The Melanc Humors will begin to follow the commands of the Homunculus during this phase.

===Third Instar Stage===

During the third instar stage, the Atelier becomes incredibly dangerous. The Homunculus has nearly taken over during this time, and nearly all Humors except the Sanguin will register them as the host. In reality, the signs will be absolutely clear. Something is wrong with the person. Confronting the person in question will always end poorly, as the Homunculus becomes paranoid and erratic in asserting they are the person in question. Outright aggression is quite common.

===Sub-Adult Stage===

The Sub-Adult stage is the final stage before complete takeover of the host. During this stage, the Atelier and most of its denizens are under its complete control, and will rise to defend the Homunculus if threatened. The appearance of the possessed Shadow may show overt signs of degradation, such as distorted features or speaking with a voice that isn't its own.

This is the final chance to save the person in question's Shadow. Ridding the Atelier of the Homunculus will allow it to still recover, but at this stage it's become quite a feat given its ability to wield the humors against the Persona Users. If the Homunculus feels truly threatened, it will shed all pretense and empower itself by consuming Flegmat Humors to empower itself and become the monstrous 'other self'.

===Adult Stage===

At the adult stage, the person's Shadow has been completely consumed, and there is no coming back from it. They are dead, and the body is under the Homunculus' possession, as the husk that was once a person is now a monster in human skin.

As for what it will do with it at that point, well, wouldn't you like to know?

==Fabric of Reality==

Ateliers are all about individuality versus connection. It stands to reason then that there must be something ''connecting'' them. Enter: the Fabric of Reality.

The Fabric of Reality is the name for the metaphysical space on which Ateliers reside; if Ateliers are great-but-isolated pieces, the Fabric of Reality is the thread that binds them all into a far greater tapestry of interconnection. Through the Fabric, Ateliers (individuals) are woven together to the whole, making it both a sort of liminal space of reality and an essential part of the Atelier system.

The Fabric of Reality is a core part of what makes Ateliers function, but it is ''also'' a space unto itself. The Fabric of Reality can be traversed and explored, with all its own wonders and hidden dangers within its sprawling, esoteric spaces. The explorable spaces of the Fabric are the 'threads' that connect Ateliers to one another; due to this, the Fabric isn't representative of any individual person or place, but is the general zeitgeist of humanity in all its myriad forms. As such, traversable spaces in the Fabric of Reality tend to be more aesthetically abstract, surreal, and sometimes downright eerie.

Persona Users can enter the Fabric of Reality through logging in to AtelierNetwork.jp at any given net cafe, just as they would Ateliers. Since the Fabric belongs to everyone in a very technical sense, Threads are not required to access it; those entering are drawn into a generic hub within the Fabric that abstractly represents the cafe they came from, almost always furnished with a door to the Velvet Room for the average Persona Users' convenience. From there, they can freely explore the Fabric. This is, like many other metaphysical spaces, a trying experience. Like Ateliers, the Fabric of Reality is populated by Humors; these Humors tend to be indistinct and much more representative of cultural perspectives than individual ones, and make traversal through the Fabric a dangerous prospect.

While technically a person could eventually reach an Atelier through the Fabric of Space, the network is so unfathomably vast and full of potential dangers that it would be an impractical choice at best, or the last choice you ever make at worst.

===AtelierNetwork.jp===

The mysterious website that enables access to both Ateliers and the Fabric of Reality. Its layout is simple but elegant: the main page is a white log-in button on a black background, and once logged in, there is another single button, this time red-on-gold, marked ACCESS ATELIER. Logging in and hitting this button after one has successfully completed a ritual is the final key to allow one to enter an Atelier.

Once one has successfully entered an Atelier for the first time, a webring-style image link appears at the bottom of AtelierNetwork.jp, and one can re-enter it by clicking on it. The central button is always the Fabric of Reality, which is already automatically linked once one logs into the site for the first time.

'''IMPORTANT NOTE:''' AtelierNetwork.jp will ''only'' allow you to access Ateliers that have been compromised by a Homunculus. If there is not a Homunculus in there, it will not provide you a link, and for those Ateliers that were previously accessed, the webring-style image no longer links anywhere, though the image itself remains.

One may get the website address simply by asking Igor, though Igor claims he has nothing to do with its administration. Igor will explain that you choose your name and your password for yourself--though it's up to the website whether or not it accepts it. (In other words, you need to have a Persona. If you don't, the site will reject your account.) It's not necessary to go through Igor to get website access, though; anyone who has an account already can give out the site address.

For groups of people accessing an Atelier, it's not necessary for every single person to log in one by one. It's enough for the first person to log in, and then every subsequent person can enter the net cafe cubicle and click the ACCESS ATELIER button (or the webring link) for themselves. In this way, the unawakened may potentially enter an Atelier and/or the Fabric of Reality--though for their safety, this is strongly not recommended.

===The Enantiodromia===

There is something off in the Fabric of Reality. Regions of the interconnected Atelier network have begun to warp and darken, twisting the Fabric and its Shadows into something strange and disturbing.

The phenomenon is known as ''the Enantiodromia,'' and it is spreading.

Its origins are unclear but its effects are obvious: areas that have succumbed to the Enantiodromia are a sick echo of what they once were, the abstract architecture of the Fabric becoming something more explicitly abnormal and often dangerous on its own for the people who dare to try to travel through. Humors within these spaces are horrific and often confused and far more violent than its brethren outside of it.

In many ways, regions of the Fabric of Reality are not so dissimilar to Ateliers subjected to the will of a [[Homunculus]]. But most worrisome of all is the fact that the connections between Ateliers in spaces like these seem to be weakening -- as if the Fabric was somehow, in some abstract way, fraying.

It's unclear what is causing this affliction within the Fabric of Space; the most reasonable theory is that it has something to do with the emergence of Homunculi. But it is a real and present danger and, for those brave enough, a mystery that needs to be solved. Exploration of the Enantiodromia is extremely dangerous but potentially rewarding: in the way of all supernatural spaces, it comes with an abundance of treasure and meta-materials the subconscious craves, if someone can navigate its constant and surreal obstacles.

The deeper one delves into the Enantiodromia, the stranger and more unearthly it becomes. Regions of the Enantiodromia are walled off, preventing further passage, barriers that seem to open up the more Homunculi are dealt with.

What is the connection between Homunculi and the Enantiodromia? And just what is waiting at the epicenter of it all?

Well -- there's only one way to find out, isn't there?

==See also…==

*[[Persona Syzygy]]
*[[Homunculus]]
*[[Assorted_Persona_Topics#Transmutation|Transmutation]]

[[Category: Theme]]

2026-06-07: Do (Not) Disturb

2026-10-19T01:45:27Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Log: Do (Not) Disturb'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School - Classroom Building
*'''OOC Date:''' June 07, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' Wednesday, November 21, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''With Futaba's Palace settled, Ren moves on to something that's been troubling them that they haven't had time to address until now: Akechi's sudden, prolonged radio silence. They head to Seven Sisters High School to investigate, and are lucky enough to run into Maria there and get her help.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Ren really just wanted to sleep in this morning. For the entire morning. Maybe for the entire day. The best they got was Morgana letting them sleep in through their usual morning exercise and coffee routine, and even after scarfing down a curry breakfast and dashing out the door, they barely made it to school on time and ended up taking ruthless advantage of their deal with Ms. Kawakami to sleep through all of her classes. They're only just starting to wake up by the time school ''ends''. Even then, they're still yawning.

As they yawn, they check their texts. No news on Futaba, not that they were really expecting any; who would text it to them? She passed out, Dr. Takemi assured everyone she's more or less okay, and Sojiro explained that she just does this sometimes and she'll probably be up and out of bed in a few days. No news from their friends, who are no doubt all equally exhausted after yesterday...

...no news from Akechi, either. Who put them on Do Not Disturb after their last conversation and hasn't spoken to them since, something they only discovered after trying to check in on him, for the second time that day, a few hours after he hung up on them.

It's been a week and a half since then. They trace their thumb over the screen of their smartphone, wondering if, now that Futaba's Palace has been resolved, they should try another text.

''Fuck it,'' they think, and send something extremely simple:

> hey

Within seconds, it is responded to with a message that Goro Akechi is not to be disturbed at this time.

Ren sighs.

Morgana, who's poked his head out of their bag and over their shoulder to watch them check their phone, suggests, "Why not head over to his neck of the woods if you're so worried? Turnabout is fair play, right?"

That gets a smile out of them as they glance at him. "True," they admit. Akechi's always conveniently showing up where they are, so... "Okay. Why not?"

~ * ~

And so that's what brings Ren to Sumaru, specifically to Seven Sisters High School, this Wednesday afternoon. Having no clubs or other school-related afterschool activities, they were able to come straight here, and so the students who ''do'' have afterschool activities are still around. They doubt Akechi will be here himself, considering how outrageously busy he is at all times, but maybe he'll have a classmate around who could fill them in on what he's been up to.

Well, assuming no one stops him for being obviously from a totally different school and not belonging here. Ren lopes across the school grounds towards the main building anyway. They've been here a couple times before due to Maria's Kingdom, but this time they get to actually take in the building and its grand clock tower.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
It's a beautiful late-fall day in Sumaru City, and Maria Sakurai is still at school.

Partially, this is because she's been trying to get takers for her club-in-waiting (biking club!) but alas, this isn't a matter that she's had a lot of success with, given that the people who have bikes, by large, already have a lot to do on their plate, and the people who don't have bikes don't... ...have any interest in a biking club.

Still, she's holding fast to her dream. Maybe she can get something going before she's a senior, even! ...and if not, making the soccer team's taking on people?

Also, the literature club met today. That's important.

(Literature club, at Sumaru, has shifted into a girls-only club where they mostly talk about racy romantic fiction; this is to the dismay of anyone wanting to discuss classic literature.)

(They have largely not been very interested in biking club, as a result. Most of the participants don't use a bike anymore.)

Maria, loitering by the entrance, is keeping an eye out for anyone else she can ambush about ~biking club~ but at this point in the day, everyone's largely still at clubs or has already headed home. With a sigh, she hops down to the path leading towards the school. That's when she spots Ren. She remembers him from that one cafe job!

"Oh, hey, you're--"

maria_thinking.gif

"Curly-kun, right?"

maria, that's not their name

"It's been a while! Are you still working at that cafe?" she asks them, rapid-fire. "I got fired!"
She says, cheerfully.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Reading and discussing racy romantic fiction is a fine pastime for distinguished young ladies, and it's only right that Maria prioritize this activity. It's... spiritual enrichment!

Yeah. We'll go with that.

A girl loitering by the entrance approaches the path that Ren is one. The two of them spot each other at the same time. Ren of course recognizes her; they might not if they hadn't seen her since that one time they did a shift at Cafe Chagall together, but since then they helped rescue her from the Dollhouse Corporation ''and'' from the Joker Killer. It's actually nice to see she's doing well, and they smile to see her.

Then she calls them Curly-kun.

The lenses of their glasses go opaque as they slip just slightly to one side down their cheek. "Uhh..." Their kneejerk reaction is to go, 'Sure, whatever,' but they hold it back and make themself go, "It's Amamiya, actually."

Then they shrug a bit. "Not really. I didn't get fired, but I got other, better-paying jobs." Sometimes they ask him to come in and do a shift, but frankly Ren has so many things they're trying to do and learn that they really don't have time for something they don't have a specific reason to do.

"You're... Sakurai-san, right?" they say, turning to her. They of course know her name, but they don't want to creep her out by remembering her name too well, considering... well, the opposite. "D'you know Goro Akechi? I'm here to see him."

This is ''technically'' correct--the best kind of correct.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
She recognizes a certain other fine fellow from both her rescue from the Joker Killer and the Doll House Corporation, but she doesn't recognize them as ''Ren'' of course, and the same goes for her alter-ego of 'Cherry'. The upshot of this is that they probably remember that she sort of... turned into a horrible awful creature and everyone had to beat her up with the help of some mystery 'superhero'.
At least, from the point of their own perspective.

Curly-kun is a terrible choice of name. Maria is not the world's best nicknamer.

"Amamiya-kun! Okay!" she says, without shame or even missing a beat. Does someone like Maria know shame? ...She probably wouldn't be like this if she did, honestly.

"Oh, I see!" she goes on, about work and so on. "Cool! So did I! I work at Giga Macho in Yumezaki sometimes. It's nice to have spending money, hehe. Granny doesn't like to keep loaning me money..."

And she doesn't feel right about asking her mother. And if she asks dad, he'll just tell her to ask her grandmother. Ah, what's a girl to do...

But is she Sakurai? "Yep! Maria Sakurai!" she says, waving towards herself with both hands (wee). "I'm a second year. I'll be a third year, next year, and,"

Does she know Goro Akechi?

"Akechi-sempai? Yes!" she says, stepping two steps closer to him. "But, it's not like that, okay? We're not dating!" She shouldn't say it like that, some of the other girls would immediately lock on to her just for ''saying'' that.

"It's like... he's kind of like my magic savior, sometimes, a little, you know? He's a detective, kind of! And he was looking into some things for me about this and that, and, he's really nice!"

Granted, this is because Maria is a little too dim to understand that Akechi has also been manipulating her.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
In fairness to Maria, Akechi has been ''very'' good at manipulating the people around him. Even Ren has, after a long period of being deeply suspicious of him, decided to take it on faith that he's good-intentioned and come around.

Ren does remember Cherry. They have no reason to believe she is Maria Sakurai, thanks to the subtle effects of the Will of Rebellion. Maybe one day they'll learn. The rest of the Kingdom, though... yes, they definitely remember that too--including when Maria's Shadow called them cute. It was weird and flattering at the same time.

It's fine that she doesn't have any shame. Ren's just glad she didn't insist on 'Curly-kun.' They thought there was a real possibility of that. They nod once, remembering the version of 'Granny' that existed in the Dollhouse Corporation and refraining from commenting on that part. "It is," they say instead. Spending money is very important when you have no parental support. (Besides getting set up at a prestigious school and finding (and paying for) room and board for them, but Ren doesn't think of that as 'parental support'--just their parents doing their due diligence so they don't look like the bad guys. They do not trust they won't get kicked out for good when they go home and they weren't magically transformed into an obedient and diligent son.)

Maria approaches. This is fine--no really, it actually is fine--though Ren maintains a poker face when she goes out of her way to assure him she's not dating Akechi. Her describing him as a detective, ''kind of'', almost makes them snort with laughter, but they manage to hold that back, too. "So you know him really well, huh?" they remark. They're a little dubious about the 'he's really nice' part, but it's not like Akechi's incapable of treating others kindly. Stranger things have happened. "Do you know if he's in school today? If not, do you know where his homeroom is? I figure I'll ask his teacher about it."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Fortunately, it's a nickname born of 'I can't remember your name' rather than any true attempt at making Curly-kun happen (it's not going to happen). So she holds onto it as well as she might water through her hands.

The disclaimer about dating is very important. Almost all the girls want to date him, you see, but he's famously chaste. This is probably fortunate, because the first one to do so would almost certainly be the target of all her friends and schoolmates ire. Woe betide the one who breaks the fantasy of 'perhaps I could be the one': (almost) everyone wants him and no one can have him.

Life is hard, for someone with idol-like stature...

Was Akechi in school today? "Ummm," Maria hazards, her gaze going a touch blank. "I don't know? But I didn't see him. And he's usually not, so probably not?" She sighs. "I wish I could do that, too... oh, but, I have to keep studying! He said he expected me to do well on my next exam, and, um..."

One may get the not-incorrect impression that Maria doesn't test well. She does not, outside of math. Is this what 'being a savant' is like?

But his homeroom, then? "He has Saeko-san! She's really nice. I heard she used to teach somewhere else a few years ago, uh, wait, homeroom?"

maria_loading.gif

"3-C? Oh wait, no!" Maria corrects, shaking her head. "It's 3-B, of course! I'm in 2-C, so it's one above me and one to the left!" ...That's probably some kind of logic. "I think Saeko-san might still be in. Do you want me to show you up? She works pretty late, just in case anyone needs help..."

She pauses, looking Ren over again. "Are you his friend? Oh, wait, duh!" Maria knocks a fist lightly against her head as if to say, 'I'm dumb lol'. "You're," she says, pointing at them now, "looking for his help, too! ...Right?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Famously chaste.....................

That's one way of putting it, sure.

"Mm." Yeah, he probably wouldn't be in school on some random day of the week... Ren doesn't know the full nature of Akechi's arrangement with his school, but they ''do'' have general knowledge of how he has one in the first place. They knew it'd be a long shot to catch him directly, but that's why they're open to talking to his homeroom teacher and classmates. Maybe they know something or have heard from him in the past week.

Something flickers in Ren's dark eyes when Maria mentions he said he expected her to do well on her next exam. "Oh. He did, huh?" He... said basically the same thing to them the last two exams. That makes something twinge unpleasantly deep in their gut. ... ... ...is this jealousy...? Or...

They avert their eyes briefly.

Or maybe they're stung because it turns out Akechi takes similar lines to people he's being 'nice' to--that they're not as special to him as they thought they were.

They take a deep breath and let it out. Then they reassert their usual neutral face and look back at Maria. "Yeah. That'd be a big help. Thanks," they reply. "Saeko-san, you said? And Class 3-B." They were kind of distracted there for a moment.

They hesitate when Maria asks if they're a friend of his. Her forehead-clap excuses them of a need for an immediate reply, but her follow-up assumption ends up also getting a slight hesitation. "Something like that," they end up replying.

Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe they're making a fool of themself.

They follow Maria inside anyway.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
As far as most of the student body would put it, yes.

"Yeah," she says. "Um. Something happened to me last semester? So, I didn't do so well on my exams." Never mind that she never does well on her exams. "I guess he was worried, or something? Since I'm his client? And underclassman?" It's a long long series of questions that aren't really questions. "So! ...I guess I can't let him down," she sighs. Doing well on her exams is going to be a tall, tall order.

"Maybe I should go to cram school more..."

But back to Ren's actual topic of the moment:

"Yeah! 3-B." Maria studies Ren carefully, as if a very interesting message was written on their face. Then: "Are you okay? You looked like you zoned out there a moment. It's okay! I do it all the time," she continues, waving her right hand dismissively. "If you want me to repeat that, I can do that!"

But they ''did'' just repeat the most important information, so that ''is'' one up on Maria. "Yup!" she cheers, happy that they got it.

"Ohh, so that's it," she says, easily mollified. "Don't worry, your business is your business! But if you want to say, I'll listen~"

Still, she scampers ahead and she holds the door for them. "This way, this way! It's on the third floor. She'll probably still be here, but we should hurry up just in case! Even teachers probably have dates, right?"

They at least do in some of the books she reads.

Up the stairs, up the stairs! Ignore the Poltergeist, hovering in the stairwell, Maria always does these days.

"Here we are!" Maria declares, as room 3-B is in sight! "I don't come up here much, I'm not a senior yet. But next year, I guess I'll be up here all the time?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Sorry to hear that," Ren tells Maria diplomatically. Well--they ''are'' sorry to hear it, sincerely. It sucks to ruin your grades because of something out of your control. (Now, never studying anyway, that ''is'' in your control. You have no one to blame but yourself in that case.) They just shouldn't already know about it. The mention of exams gets them looking away from a different reason, though. "They're already coming up next month, huh... I'm not looking forward to them either." They look back. "Good luck on them, Sakurai-san."

They blink when she focuses on their face. "Oh," they utter. They hadn't expected that level of observation from her. They rub the back of their neck. ...Maybe it was jealousy after all. "No, that's okay. Thanks, though. Sorry for zoning out on you for a second."

They pause, then add, "Is it okay if I ask what you're his client for? If it's private, it's okay, just forget I asked."

They do not say what their business is. There isn't really much business to be had anyway.

They nod at her in thanks for the held door, and when she suggests they should hurry up, Ren follows her suggestion. They snap a short, reflexive stare at the poltergeist as the two pass it by, but Maria says nothing so neither do they. Hopefully acknowledging it, however briefly, doesn't set it off.

"Seems like a nice building," Ren remarks back, looking around the floor before focusing ahead on the classroom signs. "Thanks for the help, Sakurai-san. I can take it from here, if you've got things to do." A slight pause, before they open 3-B's sliding door. "But I don't mind you sticking around either," they add before entering and leaving the door open for her.

If Saeko is in there, they'll ask her briefly about Akechi. He was indeed not in today, though he has (presumably) been handing in his classwork on time as usual. There's not much more to say than that...

...besides, of course, the address of Akechi's agency. That's the logical place to send someone in need of his services, after all.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-10-08: An Informant

2026-10-16T23:55:08Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Log: An Informant'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hana Fukami]], [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Maya Amano]], [[Shinobu Shimizu]], [[Eriko Kirishima]]
*'''Where:''' Aoba Way
*'''OOC Date:''' October 08, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 21, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''The group (Team Whoop-Ass; just don't ask Katsuya to give you the name) arrives at Aoba Park to speak with a would-be informant who is aware that Katsuya has been continuing to look into matters around the NWO despite his suspension. What he leaves behind is a hint and a pair of photographs containing some familiar faces.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Aoba Park is beautiful, filled with flowers and also a lovely setup for concerts and the like. But today is not a day for concerts, at least not for the group assembled here. Katsuya's cellphone directed them here; a very serious call meant that Team Whoop-ass needed to meet someone. Someone who knows Katsuya is still investigating the Joker cases, and wants to talk about them. There's information to be had...

But it could be a trap.

Regardless, they meet outside the stadium--that's the place that they were given. And Hana is no exception; she arrives along with the others, coming to a stop some distance from the meeting point to look around for a potential arriving individual.

There's room for everyone here, and it's not too crowded without a concert planned, and this early in the morning. And it ''is'' early; the sun has barely risen.

Nevertheless...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
It would be great to think that this is their lucky break, wouldn't it? And, once upon a time, that's exactly what he would have assumed. After the events of the last six months, including the information he got from Akechi and his own paid suspension from his job, he's found himself a touch suspicious.

But also hopeful. But also wondering if, perhaps they ''can'' all be so lucky.

Even if some of the members of their merry band may have supposed otherwise, he had still thought it worth the chance, even with his own doubts included. After all, they've hit a dead end. It's this, or, they can similarly chance the wait for the NWO's next move. To be the ones acting, on the other hand...

...

"This is the place," he remarks, glancing this way and that. There's no apparent sign of anyone else here just yet. On a winter day in January, with no concerts or events scheduled, no one except the most dedicated park walkers would be out this way, at this hour.

"..."

"...I wonder if he will show up," Katsuya says. It's certainly early, yet, and on a cold day. What if their informant got 'cold feet'?

Or, what if this ''is'' a trap?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
"Think positive, guys!" Maya says cheerily, adjusting her scarf by throwing one end of it over her shoulder. "There's no reason to believe they won't show up!"

Who 'they' is and what they plan to actually do is another thing entirely. But for the time being Maya is determined to, as always, Think Positive!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>The phone call Katsuya received pointed to Aoba Park. It's hard to tell what, exactly, will come of this... but if whoever is on the end knows something, then they have to risk it.

Shinobu arrives alongside the others, hands currently in the pockets of her winter coat and leaning against the nearest post.

"Good question." Shinobu agrees, as Katsuya wonders if he'll show. This does all seem a little convenient to her. There's all manner of things that could go wrong - their informant might not show, or someone could've gotten to him before them, or this could all be a trap...

But as Maya says, 'think positive'!

Shinobu shrugs.

"Yeah, guess we just gotta wait and see. ...And be ready for whatever happens next." She comments.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Eriko was not expecting such cloak and dagger actions today, or for them to occur on such short notice.

Eriko is really quite surprised that someone would reach out to Katsuya like this, or what intel they might have. So, she's here in Aoba Park, waiting to see who or what may arrive.

"We'll have to hope they do," Eriko says, after a moment. "Still... maybe with how many of us are here, we might spook them."

Maya's enthusiasm does get a little giggle out of Eriko, though. "That is the attitude to have, I suppose- though I don't think any hardboiled detective would agree with you."

...Though, Eriko can kill two birds with one stone while she waits. She is positioned next to one of the flower beds- though so far it's only been talking about a riddle. With a sigh, she puts it together. "Red, of course," she whispers quietly to herself.

Yeah, she's had to learn too much about Wang Long fortunetelling now...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
This is the place...

Maya suggests they 'think positive', and Hana smiles. "There's no sense in giving up before we've started," she agrees. But... it could still be a trap. Wait and see... be ready. "Well..."

They might spook them; that's why Hana is to the side, for the moment. But when Eriko laughs, Hana is a little relieved. "Hard-boiling is for eggs," Hana decides. "It's fine."

She considers... and then walks closer to the others, carefully, her heels clicking on the concrete.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
There's a bench over there, facing the opposite direction from them. It's currently unoccupied.

It ''is'' true, he supposes, as Maya cheers them all on, that whatever happens next, it can't hurt but to keep a positive outlook. Even if it's currently far colder than he'd like, and he's still not certain if the person they're about to meet (if he shows up) is going to be friend in truth or foe.

"Yes," he says, chiming in as Shinobu does likewise. "We're not alone, after all..."

[VOLITION]: At a time like this, being alone would be far more disastrous.

Which might be part of the problem, as Eriko supposes. "Maybe," Katsuya allows. "That being said, our informant did not specify I should come alone. ...If he knows as much as he said, he likely knows of the rest of you already," he points out. He pauses. "Other than Fukami-san."

Her very circumstances keep her from being as 'known' as the others.

"...A hard-boiled detective, is it..." he can't help but sigh. "I think people like that only exist in films. Even the older detectives on the force aren't quite so..." he remarks, shaking his head.

There's a bench over there. A heavy-set older man is sitting there now with his back to the rest of them.

"Come closer. We don't have much time," he says, keping his voice low.

Startled, Katsuya approaches the man on the bench, pulling up short as the man cautions, "Stay where you are. You're Suou, aren't you? And the rest of you..."

In the position this man is in, his face can't be seen.

"You are already aware that Tatsuzou Sudou's New World Order are the ones pulling the strings in this city," he says. "That includes the city government, the police and media. Even major corporations are owned by them now. There is very little that they don't control..." warns their informant.

"And you know that they are responsible for capturing new Joker cases. Isn't that what you've been looking into, Suou?" he goes on.

"Yes," Katsuya confirms, nodding the once. "We already know this much. If you know about them... what is their goal? What is Sudou's intent?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Maya idly strokes her ear as she listens, never turning to face their informant. There's something strangely cinematic about this moment; there's no way she would ever imagine she'd be witness to a scene like this a year ago.

She doesn't say anything; instead she glances over at Katsuya, watching his expression carefully as the pair talks.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Shinobu nods as Katsuya says they aren't alone.

"Yeah. We've got each other's backs." She agrees. That's important - though she looks toward Eriko as she points out that they might spook them with their numbers.

"Good point..." She considers - but Katsuya says the informant didn't say to come alone. "Guess it's fine, then. Long as we play it smart."

Their group isn't so large as to be disruptive. Eriko's comment about hardboiled detectives gets a smirk - and Hana's follow-up gets a laugh. She looks back toward Katsuya at his musings. Only existing in films...

"...That's usually how it is, I guess." She considers with a shrug.

Someone addresses them. Shinobu glances. His back is to them - but she removes her hands from her pockets briefly to indicate that they're empty before folding them in front of her, listening.

They can't see his face... but whoever he is, he's pretty well-informed if he knows that much. She doesn't confirm or deny who she is - instead, she waits for him to continue, glancing to the others briefly to judge their reactions.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Eriko grins a little at Hana's joke. "I much prefer them poached, honest. Though that may just be a side effect of the job." Still, she sighs a little at Katsuya's perception that hard-boiled detectives only exist in film. "A pity, the Sam Spade type is an archetype for a reason, if more of an American one."

Eriko pauses for a few moments, in thought. "...I wonder, though... Perhaps he's had enough of an impact we could encounter one as a demon, like those Yakuza..."

Fortunately(?), going back to America to find supernatural spaces isn't on her short term agenda. Maybe later.

After all, something right out of a film seems to be happening right now.

Eriko didn't catch when the man arrived, but he did so. That's a concern already- the bench is near a dead end, isn't it? Certainly, she'd been a little distracted, but...

She starts to step forward when Katsuya does and the informant requests, but when he says to stop, she stops. Annoying. She can't get an angle on his face- and reaching for her phone to take a picture would be risky.

So Eriko shifts, given him a free glance at her face might be a risk in and of itself. Unfortunately, despite dressing for the weather, the sum total of disguise options Eriko has is a hat and sunglasses, and she had taken the sunglasses off.

"...You seem awfully well informed, Mr...?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Poached. "Ooh, I do like them poached," Hana says to Eriko. She is fine with it being mostly a fictional matter. Super fine.

It is cinematic, though--what happens next...

Stay where they are. Hana pauses in place. She looks a little delicate for a cloak-and-dagger moment like this.

"..." Aware. Yes, that's true. But Hana knows this; she also knows that this is a question for Katsuya. For her part?

...Well. She wants to know, too. So she stays quiet for now, not drawing attention to herself.

Maybe, if he's not watching her, she can pick up something the others don't.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
In the end, they're all here, and that's the thing that matters. Even if their informant doesn't show, even if this is a trap... they're here together. And even either situation wouldn't be a complete loss, Katsuya supposes. It would tell them for certain that they're managing to ruffle some feathers. Even a 'no-show' would mean they're getting somewhere. ...Is this what it means to 'think positive', even with a bad outcome?

"I suppose," Katsuya allows with a sigh that suggests that this treads close to professional annoyance at this point. "I still find it hard to believe that even overseas, anyone actually acted that way..."

But it isn't long before, quite suddenly, they're not just waiting anymore.

Despite his earlier complaint, this really ''is'' like something out of a movie right now. Even Katsuya couldn't deny it, if put to the question. It's surreal. He, too, glances at the others, looking at them as if to take their own questions, silent or not, as well as...

"..." Katsuya exhales, turning his attention back on their informant, who answers then his question thus:

Sneak sighs. "That's all I know... I know that you're skeptical, but--"

Katsuya's own response is immediate, clipping off the words from the mystery informant. "So you don't know anything more. Then we'll hand this over to the SIU. They'll be able to take it from here," he says, clipped. After all, he knows that if he does that, he's effectively cutting off his chances to--

"No!" exclaims their informant, raising his voice for the first time. "Listen to me-- you don't have enough evidence yet! Even the SIU doesn't stand a chance without it! And think about what happened to your father..." he finishes, and if he had turned around then and shot at Katsuya, he could not have stunned him so effectively.

"My... my father? How do you know about--?" he manages.

The informant doesn't answer.

"They think that you're a solved problem, Suou. Even the rest of you... they don't think that you're a threat to them now, or they would have acted already. There isn't much time. You need to act swiftly... but you're not alone."

Indeed, Eriko's at a bad angle to get much more information about the man. He's older and physically larger than any of them, but not so large as to be unique. Even what she can see of what he's wearing is hardly distinctive. He chose this location and his own position well...

Eriko hunts for a name, instead.

"Call me... 'Sneak'," the man on the bench says, after a mere moment's consideration. There's a pregnant pause, as if he's deliberating whether he should say something more to her.

"There other people investigating the conspiracy, of course," he says, finally. "There are two people in particular who might have gotten close to something that the conspiracy is trying to hide. You might... already know of these people," he says at last, with care.

"I'm leaving their photographs here. It's up to you to talk to them and find out what they know... and the places and people they've been investigating."

With that, the mystery man stands.

"Wait," says Katsuya, "I still need to ask you--"

But the man doesn't listen. He walks away from the group with his back to them to vanish into the park proper.

Indeed, they should know both of the people in these pictures, though one is perhaps less-well-known to most of them than the other.

After all one is the heir to the Nanjo corporation, Kei Nanjo.

The other is none other than Eriko Kirishima herself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Katsuya's father?!

They barely have time to even process what "Sneak" has said -- let alone ask them any questions of their own -- before he departs.

Maya looks the others over, trying to judge their own reactions to "Sneak" and his sudden departure. They probably all have their own thoughts -- and they'll probably voice it soon enough -- but Maya wants to get a sense of where everyone stands before that happens.

"Let's see what he left behind," she says, giving Katsuya a friendly pat on the back as she passes. She's talking to everyone when she says it, but she wants to make sure he knows she's here for him without actually saying it aloud.

There's two pictures on the bench that he's left for them -- and one of them, they'll all recognize. Maya's mouth forms an 'O' of surprise at the candid shot.

"Elly-chan... it's you!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>The hard-boiled detective archetype... Shinobu considers Eriko's hypothetical.

"Wouldn't that be something? Wonder what that'd be like." Shinobu comments. As for whether or not anyone acted this way... "Guess it's all just how people ''wish'' they could act."

Right now, though, they have their informant to consider. Shinobu watches the back of his head carefully. As for the others, it seems they're in about the same position she is...

It seems the informant doesn't know anything more - but when Katsuya suggests bringing it to the SIU, he actually raises his voice. Shinobu raises an eyebrow, at that.

He feels strongly about that - and he's convinced the SIU wouldn't be able to do anything. But she mentions his father, and Shinobu looks toward Katsuya. She sees the stunned look on his face.

...Now might not be the time to ask. But that sounds ''important''.

A solved problem, though... A frown crosses Shinobu's face.

"That's what they think, huh...?" She considers. She rolls her neck with a hint of frustration. "...Not that I ''want'' them to jump me, but nothin' pisses me off more than someone thinking they've got me all figured out."

It sounds like they're short on time... but the man, calling himself 'Sneak', seems that he ''does'' have some leads they can follow.

He's gone before they can ask him more questions, but he does leave some photos behind. Shinobu appraches, taking a look over Maya's shoulder.

One of them is, indeed, a familiar face, as Maya points out.

"...Sure enough." Shinobu says, looking over to Eriko. "So, you've been looking into things too?"

She looks, then, to the other picture. She frowns thoughtfully.

"...But who's this other guy?" She asks.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"Wouldn't it be nice to find out?" Eriko says, a little too chipper towards the concept. "The collective ideal of a hardboiled detective..."

Still, their contact arrives and Eriko takes on a serious expression- if Katsuya's intent on going to the SIU causes her to raise her eyebrow.

A few other things happen in quick sequence- The man, 'Sneak' invokes Katsuya's father- with a significant amount of distress. If Sneak is so convinced to stop Katsuya acting recklessly... That's information Eriko files away for later. The rest- that he consider's Katsuya's group a solved problem, not a threat.

Or, perhaps, most of Katsuya's group.

What's most impressive, however, is the way she manages to lose Sneak despite keeping her eyes on where he's trying to disappear to. With, as far as Eriko can tell, no supernatural aid. Is he that good?

It's Maya who draws Eriko's attention to the photos- and their subjects. "What?"

She steps closer to see them- pictures of her and Kei. Not professional shots, obviously. No, it's shots from them about town. "...Where were these taken, and when?"

Eriko frowns- but Shinobu suddenly has questions, and she's sure Katsuya, Maya and Hana will too. Great.

She seems to take a few seconds to consider the information and the photos.

"Well. That is interesting information."

She does not sound excited.

"I have a question for you," she says, but it's directed to the group as a whole instead of just Shinobu. "You've just had this information handed to you. You know one of the people in the photos- and I believe Mr Katsuya is aware of the other one as well, if only vaguely." Eriko's body is tensing, and the sports bag that carries her weapons is sitting on the ground at her feet. She doesn't think there are enemies among this group. But...

*Someone* has been following her. Again.

"Let's suppose, for a second, that I don't know this man. Or, for that matter, you didn't know me?" She remains focused on the photos of her and Kei. "Now you have been given leads to the case, how would you follow them, here, in Sumaru City? Knowing what you know about it- who you know."

...Perhaps she's leading a little strongly toward an answer, but she has her suspicions on how this would unfold from here. She just needs to confirm them.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
"It would be fun," Hana reflects to Eriko. Meeting the ideal hardboiled detective..!

But: SIU. Katsuya's a shrewed negotiator, to Hana's ear--he quickly handles the matter with what is probably a bluff, but succeeds nevertheless. Not enough evidence...

"His father?" Hana wonders, and then--a solved problem. Of course, Hana isn't surprsied they wouldn't register her as a threat--indeed, she's relieved. But...

'Sneak', he calls himself. "...Thank you," Hana says as Sneak moves to leave.

Hana walks up to Shinobu when she comments, and gives her a small smile. "This just means you can hit them all the harder when it's time, right? ...Since they won't see it coming."

Maya points it out: Elly-chan. Hana blinks in surprise once more. She looks to Eriko, who suddenly sounds... less excited. Much less.

Hana can read Eriko'sbody language quite easily; she's alarmed. She's disturbed. And there...

Hm.

"With just a photograph, it's difficult," Hana admits, turning properly towards Eriko. "I wouldn't want to reveal taht I was looking for you, so I couldn't just put your photograph out there. That might reveal you, too, after all--as well as me."

"So..." She considers, and looks to the others. "You know Sumaru better than I do," she says. "What would ''you'' do? I have some contacts here, but..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"It's the same thing in crime dramas and procedurals," Katsuya sighs. "For one thing, the pacing is entirely off. For another, if anyone had that many murder cases appear in their city...!" he can't help but exclaim in that moment before their professed informant presents himself. "...Though, that would be more true without supernatural involvement," he admits, shoulders sagging. "With everything that's going on, it's not a surprise that our case load has been... unusual, over the last twelve months..."

It's not ''his'' fault that the world turned out to be less realistic than it used to be. But it is something he has to deal with, regardless.

What ''would'' the collective ideal of the hardboiled detective be? Is that a concept that someone could awaken to just yet?

"Yes," Sneak remarks to Shinobu. "For better or worse, your involvement is none of their concern. At present, everything is unfolding as they planned."

Which is perhaps where he intends to jam a stick into the spokes of the NWO's unhindered advancement, in the hopes that something might be set askew.

His father. On his own, Katsuya doesn't offer any further context. He instead remains still, staring in the direction into which Sneak had vanished, as if his mind were a million miles away.

Maya as she passes pats him on the shoulder, and that alone is sufficient to jolt him from his reverie. It still takes him a fraction of a second longer to regain his composure, his gaze fixed on her for a fraction longer than it might have normally lingered, and follow her to see which photos 'Sneak' has left behind.

The identity of one of them is immediately obvious. The other--

"Isn't that...?" he hazards, staring at the face in the photograph. Perhaps if they hadn't had an encounter with him about a month or so ago he would have been left wondering why the young man in the photograph seemed familiar, but now he ''knows'' where he saw him the last time.

"Isn't that the young man who...?"

The one where he'd been thinking for a fraction of a moment that it might have been his brother, back when they were facing that man, 'Shinjo', whose power far outstripped any one of them.

"Kirishima-san..." he remarks, noting perhaps that ''lack'' of delight in her reaction to this turn of events. Any attempt to check to see if all is well, though, may as well go out the window when she instead poses to them a question of ''how'' they would go about identifying the people in those photos without any evidence otherwise. If he were still an active officer, the answer would be simple. Without such a thing to fall back on, though, he glances at Maya and Shinobu, then over at Hana as she muses over the particulars of that problem.

"Fukami-san is correct. We would want to be discreet with any investigation. There are a number of ways to match a photo to a name, but many of these would expose that we were looking for these people, or that they're people of interest." If he had to make a decision...

"...I would go to the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. Todoroki-san might be able to help us. And Uchida-kun works there besides," he answers.

Speaking of detectives and the 'hardboiled' archetype. Though... Todoroki doesn't particularly match that concept either, does he?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Maya thinks about Hana's question; she thinks she has an answer, but she's just as curious to know everyone else's. She's sure everyone will have their own tactics unique to them and their position in society.

Sure enough, Katsuya takes the Detective Agency route.

"I'm pretty sure I recognize this area," Maya says, tapping her finger against the background of Eriko's photo. "It's Aoba Way, right? I'd probably go there and look around for a few days while I did interviews. It helps that I'm there often enough for work." Sure enough, Maya's probably a familiar sight in the area at this point.

"If I got _really_ desperate, I'd show the photo around and tell them I'm with Coolest and was missing a name for a photo we were publishing in our next issue." That way, she could at least search for someone without being suspicious about it. Being a reporter had its perks!

"What about you, Shinobu-san?" Maya looks over at her with a smile. What tack would she take?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Everything is unfolding as they planned, huh... Shinobu frowns.

"Well... we'll see about ''that''." She says. Hana approaches Shinobu, and she offers her a smile and a small laugh in turn.

"Heh. Good point. I'm not above sucker-punching someone who deserves it - and they've sure as hell earned it." She agrees.

Eriko looks at the picture... and she's understandably unsettled. Anyone would be if someone you didn't know knew that much about what you were doing, and had a picture of you on hand. She massages the back of her neck awkwardly. Yeah - she should've thought about how she would feel about it first...

"...Sorry. This probably doesn't feel great." She apologises. Eriko poses a question. If they didn't know her, what would they have done? A thoughtful frown crosses Shinobu's face, and she folds her arms in front of her as she considers her answer. Katsuya and Maya explain how they'd go about it - and Maya asks her.

She nods to Hana, and then to Katsuya in turn.

"Yeah. I wouldn't wanna blab to just anyone that I was looking for you, because that could put both of us in danger. But I know some people who are good at keepin' on top of things, so I'd see if they knew anything." Shinobu reasons. "You meet a lotta different people when you work like I do, and you find pretty quick that it pays to keep in touch even after the job's done."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Sneak's comment that everything is unfolded as planned causes Eriko to frown, but she doesn't say more. Sneak's presence at all is, in fact, new information. New information that might be of use, frankly. Katsuya asks about the other photo and Eriko nods. "Yes. The very same."

The fun part of the conversation about poached detectives has to be abandoned with the seriousness of the subject in front of them. "A cautious approach," Eriko says, of Hana's method. "Sensible- you're a relatively new piece on the board, Ms Fukami. But you're right, it's not the... Sumaru response, let's say."

Eriko nods quietly as Katsuya mentions the Kuzunoha detective agency. "...and even with Tamaki working there, if we hadn't seen each other in a few years, she might not recognize either of us."

It's not hard to tell that all is not well with Eriko- she's holding her right hand in front of her face, just shy of biting her thumbnail. Shinobu catches that it mustn't feel great, and Eriko frowns. "It's not the first time," she says with a shudder- but that's all she says for now. Maya recognizes where and Eriko's frown deepens. "...Close to work, then." That does not make things better- but Kei is never around Aoba. They have separate investigation zones...

"Hmm. That would probably work, Ms Maya. It would get you results quite quickly, too. Neither of us are exactlty low profile people. He's more careful than I am, admittedly."

Shinobu's approach is more in line with Hana's, and Eriko nods. "The thing about rumormongers and the like is that, well, that information would be advantageous to them too."

Eriko sighs. "...but it feels like in just about any outcome, this would lead to a rumour. Mr Katsuya's method would be most direct- spread a rumour about one of us, and set yourself up to meet us. But for a rumour to work, it has to have people's attention. Which means lots of people would know."

Eriko takes a long, deep sigh. "Mr Sneak seemed earnest, but something's not adding up here. If the NWO wanted confirmation we were involved, they've had that since Mt Katatsumuri. Kandori and Chizuru would be able to confirm it themselves."

Eventually, though, she shakes herself out of her funk. "Anyway, now we know what would have been the outcome, we can react appropriately. I can arrange a meeting for you- it will take about a week, I think. It should be enlightening for all of you." She gives a smile, but it's a weak, plastic thing. "I'm sorry I can't say more, but... there are precautions that need to be taken first."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Pacing... "It's true. Real life rarely offers us the same excitement a story can; the long, boring parts aren't something we can skip through." ...But there are a lot of murders, and Hana makes a grimacing face at that. It's not so much fun, that way.

Still....

Asking around, using connections... and funadmentally, using rumors.

"I'm sorry, too," Hana says with Shinobu. "It must be... frightening, even. To know your work is followed..."

She considers.

"A rumor, then..."

"Well, a meeting is acceptable to me, certainly. I don't mind if you have to take your time."

"The only way to see what adds up is to write it down, right? Do the math ourselves."

"...So let's do it."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"I see..." he says. He'd seen him before, in the news, but if it hadn't been for that chance meeting, he might not have been able to put the name to that face.

He suggests the detective agency, as known allies who would be able to be discreet about locating unknown persons. It's only natural, perhaps, given his background.

Maya, meanwhile, states that she knows where the shot was taken, which means that it's likely that the people in the shot would return there. And if all else fails, she is in media.

"Returning to the location the photo was taken... that's not a bad idea," he remarks.

Shinobu, meanwhile, knows people who know people. A few strings pulled, and she could get some no-questions-asked answers, possibly. "Hmm... if they could be quiet, it's possible," he remarks, though not without a (faint) frown. He has the idea of the sort of people she might mean, and even now, he can't quite say that he's completely fine with that. Still, it's an option, and probably a less awkward one than turning to their information-broker hacker ally, Baofu. Katsuya, after all, has a good idea of how ''he'' would go about getting answers.

"That ''is'' true. There's no guaranteeing that she would recognize either of you, in another situation," he agrees. "Still, they would have the means to begin a search." There's another thing more that could be done through Kuzunoha, but it's something of the likes that Katsuya on his own would never guess. Someone with a more unorthodox approach, though, such as Miss Serizawa, though...?

He notes a second time that Eriko seems discomfited. "Is everything alright, Kirishima-kun?" he asks, concern on his face.

Whatever it is, it might not be something that she wants to speak about here and now.

Perhaps it's not a matter of an 'unorthodox' approach. Maybe it's more being able to consider all the tools. Between the location, the detective agency's other abilities, and others who are able to spread rumors, perhaps if they combine all the steps...

"You are... suggesting a rumor?" Katsuya asks, just now putting together the solution. This, of course, might be what the NWO wants: confirmation.

Except, don't they know that already? After Katatsumuri and the business with the Heirophant giant Shadow...

"Perhaps, they think it's irrelevant at this point? If what Sneak said was correct, we're being discounted. But based on what he's said, it sounds as if there is something you and he have found that is actually important. I suppose the question is, what are they hiding that they think we can't find in time? And, for that matter..."

He trails off, glancing in the direction again in which Sneak had gone.

"...Precisely how much time do we have, if it's all going to their plan?"

He shakes his head. "There's something we're missing here. I suppose, we'll have to see what we can find out." He nods, as Eriko says it will take a little time. "Please, even if we're on limited time, rushing around will get us nowhere. I agree with Fukami-san. I'll see what I can learn in the meantime."

There's someone he should try to talk to, if he has the time.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Everyone has really great ideas for how to tackle this -- that's definitely one of Team Whoop-Ass's strengths! Maya feels a warm bubble of pride forming underneath the bruise on her chest.

"So does anyone have any ideas for the rumor?" Maya asks, looking around at the others. She's already rubbing the end of her ear, thinking. "Maybe about the person who took the photos?"

Katsuya's already thinking beyond just the rumor itself -- so Maya should, too.

"I'm not sure what I can do right now to help --" Rumors do take time, as Elly pointed out. "-- but if there's anything I can do while we wait, please let me know."

She says this to everyone in the group, turning to look at each of them to make sure they know the offer's extended to all of them. "So let's do our best and think positive in the meantime!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>It's not the first time, Eriko says, and Shinobu winces.

"Shit. I'm sorry you went through that, Kirishima. Scary as hell..." She sympathises. She nods her agreement with Hana. It's a constant worry, so to have that fear be proven true... and then to have those fresh wounds reopened, must be terrifying.

She looks toward Katsuya as he considers her idea.

"The kind of people I know are good at keeping quiet, at least." She replies.

She listens as Eriko considers each of their approaches in turns, the advantages and disadvantages of each... and then reaches the likely conclusion.

In the end, it would've lead to a rumor.

"...Yeah, makes sense. When all your leads run dry, sometimes you gotta go with something a little out there..." She comments. She makes a good point about Sneak, too... and so does Katsuya. They found something that's actually important. That makes sense... and gives them all the more reason to try and figure that out. Eriko offers to arrange a meeting. Enlightening, huh...

"...Yeah, that sounds good. And thanks." Shinobu replies with a nod. Hana comments on math, and Shinobu smirks. It's acceptable to her, too. "Math was never my best subject... but yeah. Let's math the hell out of it."

When Eriko apologises, though, Shinobu shakes her head.

"...Nah, I get it. We gotta tread carefully here. You do what you gotta do." She assures, then looks toward Maya.

"I think she's got things covered from here." She says, nodding to Eriko. "So until then... keep keepin' an ear out, I guess."

She smiles.

"...And keepin' spirits up. That's important, too."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"It's fine. The issue's been... resolved. I don't have to worry about it now," Eriko lies all too easily, despite the group's concern. "We should focus on the present issue for now."

Eriko nods to Katsuya. "To be blunt, I can see why they would discount you- in their mind, you're just four people investigating on your own. A journalist, a detective, a wire tapper and saleswoman. You aren't exactly a conspiracy's biggest threat." Her eyes linger on Maya, however. "''More fool them,''" Eriko says quietly, as she looks at her. "After all, seeing what I have now... People with Ms Maya's power tend to be capable of disrupting the game."

Wild cards indeed.

"Hmm. I would consult with Tamaki there- I don't know spreading a rumour is to our benefit, unless we want to make them think we're still playing into their hands. Whoever took that photo... they're not going to be able to give us more information- or they're photos Mr Sneak himself took." She lets out an exhausted sigh. "I'm not exactly eager on having a rumour spread about myself, I get enough mundane ones. For now, keep going as you have been?"

Shinobu is able to understand her conclusion- and the recommend next course. "Exactly, Ms Shimizu. It won't take too long, I hope, but... well. We have to consider how to play our cards- and we have two new ''interesting'' ones, I think. After all- now we know our enemy's united front has some weak points." She smiles a lot more eagerly now- a weakness to exploit. A chance. "Mr Katsuya, could I take the photos with me? I think they'll be useful for my own purposes. Unless you have reason to keep them?"

Once the matter of the photographs is resolved. "I'll be in touch as soon as I have anything, for now... I think I should make my own way back. Of course... if someone wanted to follow at a distance and see what happens when I leave, well..."

She smirks, a little... flirtily? Flirtily is probably the closest words. "A model is used to people staring at her from behind."

...Yeah no, it didn't feel great to her either.

"Now, do take care, all of you. Let's see how we can take advantage of their blind spots."

With that, Eriko does start to walk away, pulling out her cell phone and flipping it open, quickly dialing a number.

"''Mr Matsuoka?''" She says, switching to speaking in English. "''There's been a development. Yes. Back to HQ. Could you send Mr Mishima to pick me up? There's a chance I might need to lose someone.''" She pauses for a few moments, considering. "''No. Not Aoba Way. It's not far to the TV station, I can say I was dropping in on Brown after work. Yes. Thank you. See you soon.''"

Eriko snaps her phone shut, and continues on her path. She knows Aoba pretty well now, enough to know the safest route to the station. It won't be too hard to follow her, but she knows that.

Indeed, right now, she's counting on it.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-10-08: An Informant

2026-10-16T23:54:20Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Log: An Informant'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hana Fukami]], [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Maya Amano]], [[Shinobu Shimizu]], [[Eriko Kirishima]]
*'''Where:''' Aoba Way
*'''OOC Date:''' October 08, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 21, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''The group (Team Whoop-Ass; just don't ask Katsuya to give you the name) arrives at Aoba Park to speak with a would-be informant who is aware that Katsuya has been continuing to look into matters around the NWO despite his suspension. What he leaves behind is a hint and a pair of photographs containing some familiar faces.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Aoba Park is beautiful, filled with flowers and also a lovely setup for concerts and the like. But today is not a day for concerts, at least not for the group assembled here. Katsuya's cellphone directed them here; a very serious call meant that Team Whoop-ass needed to meet someone. Someone who knows Katsuya is still investigating the Joker cases, and wants to talk about them. There's information to be had...

But it could be a trap.

Regardless, they meet outside the stadium--that's the place that they were given. And Hana is no exception; she arrives along with the others, coming to a stop some distance from the meeting point to look around for a potential arriving individual.

There's room for everyone here, and it's not too crowded without a concert planned, and this early in the morning. And it ''is'' early; the sun has barely risen.

Nevertheless...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
It would be great to think that this is their lucky break, wouldn't it? And, once upon a time, that's exactly what he would have assumed. After the events of the last six months, including the information he got from Akechi and his own paid suspension from his job, he's found himself a touch suspicious.

But also hopeful. But also wondering if, perhaps they ''can'' all be so lucky.

Even if some of the members of their merry band may have supposed otherwise, he had still thought it worth the chance, even with his own doubts included. After all, they've hit a dead end. It's this, or, they can similarly chance the wait for the NWO's next move. To be the ones acting, on the other hand...

...

"This is the place," he remarks, glancing this way and that. There's no apparent sign of anyone else here just yet. On a winter day in January, with no concerts or events scheduled, no one except the most dedicated park walkers would be out this way, at this hour.

"..."

"...I wonder if he will show up," Katsuya says. It's certainly early, yet, and on a cold day. What if their informant got 'cold feet'?

Or, what if this ''is'' a trap?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
"Think positive, guys!" Maya says cheerily, adjusting her scarf by throwing one end of it over her shoulder. "There's no reason to believe they won't show up!"

Who 'they' is and what they plan to actually do is another thing entirely. But for the time being Maya is determined to, as always, Think Positive!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>The phone call Katsuya received pointed to Aoba Park. It's hard to tell what, exactly, will come of this... but if whoever is on the end knows something, then they have to risk it.

Shinobu arrives alongside the others, hands currently in the pockets of her winter coat and leaning against the nearest post.

"Good question." Shinobu agrees, as Katsuya wonders if he'll show. This does all seem a little convenient to her. There's all manner of things that could go wrong - their informant might not show, or someone could've gotten to him before them, or this could all be a trap...

But as Maya says, 'think positive'!

Shinobu shrugs.

"Yeah, guess we just gotta wait and see. ...And be ready for whatever happens next." She comments.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Eriko was not expecting such cloak and dagger actions today, or for them to occur on such short notice.

Eriko is really quite surprised that someone would reach out to Katsuya like this, or what intel they might have. So, she's here in Aoba Park, waiting to see who or what may arrive.

"We'll have to hope they do," Eriko says, after a moment. "Still... maybe with how many of us are here, we might spook them."

Maya's enthusiasm does get a little giggle out of Eriko, though. "That is the attitude to have, I suppose- though I don't think any hardboiled detective would agree with you."

...Though, Eriko can kill two birds with one stone while she waits. She is positioned next to one of the flower beds- though so far it's only been talking about a riddle. With a sigh, she puts it together. "Red, of course," she whispers quietly to herself.

Yeah, she's had to learn too much about Wang Long fortunetelling now...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
This is the place...

Maya suggests they 'think positive', and Hana smiles. "There's no sense in giving up before we've started," she agrees. But... it could still be a trap. Wait and see... be ready. "Well..."

They might spook them; that's why Hana is to the side, for the moment. But when Eriko laughs, Hana is a little relieved. "Hard-boiling is for eggs," Hana decides. "It's fine."

She considers... and then walks closer to the others, carefully, her heels clicking on the concrete.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
There's a bench over there, facing the opposite direction from them. It's currently unoccupied.

It ''is'' true, he supposes, as Maya cheers them all on, that whatever happens next, it can't hurt but to keep a positive outlook. Even if it's currently far colder than he'd like, and he's still not certain if the person they're about to meet (if he shows up) is going to be friend in truth or foe.

"Yes," he says, chiming in as Shinobu does likewise. "We're not alone, after all..."

[VOLITION]: At a time like this, being alone would be far more disastrous.

Which might be part of the problem, as Eriko supposes. "Maybe," Katsuya allows. "That being said, our informant did not specify I should come alone. ...If he knows as much as he said, he likely knows of the rest of you already," he points out. He pauses. "Other than Fukami-san."

Her very circumstances keep her from being as 'known' as the others.

"...A hard-boiled detective, is it..." he can't help but sigh. "I think people like that only exist in films. Even the older detectives on the force aren't quite so..." he remarks, shaking his head.

There's a bench over there. A heavy-set older man is sitting there now with his back to the rest of them.

"Come closer. We don't have much time," he says, keping his voice low.

Startled, Katsuya approaches the man on the bench, pulling up short as the man cautions, "Stay where you are. You're Suou, aren't you? And the rest of you..."

In the position this man is in, his face can't be seen.

"You are already aware that Tatsuzou Sudou's New World Order are the ones pulling the strings in this city," he says. "That includes the city government, the police and media. Even major corporations are owned by them now. There is very little that they don't control..." warns their informant.

"And you know that they are responsible for capturing new Joker cases. Isn't that what you've been looking into, Suou?" he goes on.

"Yes," Katsuya confirms, nodding the once. "We already know this much. If you know about them... what is their goal? What is Sudou's intent?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Maya idly strokes her ear as she listens, never turning to face their informant. There's something strangely cinematic about this moment; there's no way she would ever imagine she'd be witness to a scene like this a year ago.

She doesn't say anything; instead she glances over at Katsuya, watching his expression carefully as the pair talks.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Shinobu nods as Katsuya says they aren't alone.

"Yeah. We've got each other's backs." She agrees. That's important - though she looks toward Eriko as she points out that they might spook them with their numbers.

"Good point..." She considers - but Katsuya says the informant didn't say to come alone. "Guess it's fine, then. Long as we play it smart."

Their group isn't so large as to be disruptive. Eriko's comment about hardboiled detectives gets a smirk - and Hana's follow-up gets a laugh. She looks back toward Katsuya at his musings. Only existing in films...

"...That's usually how it is, I guess." She considers with a shrug.

Someone addresses them. Shinobu glances. His back is to them - but she removes her hands from her pockets briefly to indicate that they're empty before folding them in front of her, listening.

They can't see his face... but whoever he is, he's pretty well-informed if he knows that much. She doesn't confirm or deny who she is - instead, she waits for him to continue, glancing to the others briefly to judge their reactions.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Eriko grins a little at Hana's joke. "I much prefer them poached, honest. Though that may just be a side effect of the job." Still, she sighs a little at Katsuya's perception that hard-boiled detectives only exist in film. "A pity, the Sam Spade type is an archetype for a reason, if more of an American one."

Eriko pauses for a few moments, in thought. "...I wonder, though... Perhaps he's had enough of an impact we could encounter one as a demon, like those Yakuza..."

Fortunately(?), going back to America to find supernatural spaces isn't on her short term agenda. Maybe later.

After all, something right out of a film seems to be happening right now.

Eriko didn't catch when the man arrived, but he did so. That's a concern already- the bench is near a dead end, isn't it? Certainly, she'd been a little distracted, but...

She starts to step forward when Katsuya does and the informant requests, but when he says to stop, she stops. Annoying. She can't get an angle on his face- and reaching for her phone to take a picture would be risky.

So Eriko shifts, given him a free glance at her face might be a risk in and of itself. Unfortunately, despite dressing for the weather, the sum total of disguise options Eriko has is a hat and sunglasses, and she had taken the sunglasses off.

"...You seem awfully well informed, Mr...?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Poached. "Ooh, I do like them poached," Hana says to Eriko. She is fine with it being mostly a fictional matter. Super fine.

It is cinematic, though--what happens next...

Stay where they are. Hana pauses in place. She looks a little delicate for a cloak-and-dagger moment like this.

"..." Aware. Yes, that's true. But Hana knows this; she also knows that this is a question for Katsuya. For her part?

...Well. She wants to know, too. So she stays quiet for now, not drawing attention to herself.

Maybe, if he's not watching her, she can pick up something the others don't.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
In the end, they're all here, and that's the thing that matters. Even if their informant doesn't show, even if this is a trap... they're here together. And even either situation wouldn't be a complete loss, Katsuya supposes. It would tell them for certain that they're managing to ruffle some feathers. Even a 'no-show' would mean they're getting somewhere. ...Is this what it means to 'think positive', even with a bad outcome?

"I suppose," Katsuya allows with a sigh that suggests that this treads close to professional annoyance at this point. "I still find it hard to believe that even overseas, anyone actually acted that way..."

But it isn't long before, quite suddenly, they're not just waiting anymore.

Despite his earlier complaint, this really ''is'' like something out of a movie right now. Even Katsuya couldn't deny it, if put to the question. It's surreal. He, too, glances at the others, looking at them as if to take their own questions, silent or not, as well as...

"..." Katsuya exhales, turning his attention back on their informant, who answers then his question thus:

He sighs. "That's all I know... I know that you're skeptical, but--"

Katsuya's own response is immediate, clipping off the words from the mystery informant. "So you don't know anything more. Then we'll hand this over to the SIU. They'll be able to take it from here," he says, clipped. After all, he knows that if he does that, he's effectively cutting off his chances to--

"No!" exclaims their informant, raising his voice for the first time. "Listen to me-- you don't have enough evidence yet! Even the SIU doesn't stand a chance without it! And think about what happened to your father..." he finishes, and if he had turned around then and shot at Katsuya, he could not have stunned him so effectively.

"My... my father? How do you know about--?" he manages.

The informant doesn't answer.

"They think that you're a solved problem, Suou. Even the rest of you... they don't think that you're a threat to them now, or they would have acted already. There isn't much time. You need to act swiftly... but you're not alone."

Indeed, Eriko's at a bad angle to get much more information about the man. He's older and physically larger than any of them, but not so large as to be unique. Even what she can see of what he's wearing is hardly distinctive. He chose this location and his own position well...

Eriko hunts for a name, instead.

"Call me... 'Sneak'," the man on the bench says, after a mere moment's consideration. There's a pregnant pause, as if he's deliberating whether he should say something more to her.

"There other people investigating the conspiracy, of course," he says, finally. "There are two people in particular who might have gotten close to something that the conspiracy is trying to hide. You might... already know of these people," he says at last, with care.

"I'm leaving their photographs here. It's up to you to talk to them and find out what they know... and the places and people they've been investigating."

With that, the mystery man stands.

"Wait," says Katsuya, "I still need to ask you--"

But the man doesn't listen. He walks away from the group with his back to them to vanish into the park proper.

Indeed, they should know both of the people in these pictures, though one is perhaps less-well-known to most of them than the other.

After all one is the heir to the Nanjo corporation, Kei Nanjo.

The other is none other than Eriko Kirishima herself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Katsuya's father?!

They barely have time to even process what "Sneak" has said -- let alone ask them any questions of their own -- before he departs.

Maya looks the others over, trying to judge their own reactions to "Sneak" and his sudden departure. They probably all have their own thoughts -- and they'll probably voice it soon enough -- but Maya wants to get a sense of where everyone stands before that happens.

"Let's see what he left behind," she says, giving Katsuya a friendly pat on the back as she passes. She's talking to everyone when she says it, but she wants to make sure he knows she's here for him without actually saying it aloud.

There's two pictures on the bench that he's left for them -- and one of them, they'll all recognize. Maya's mouth forms an 'O' of surprise at the candid shot.

"Elly-chan... it's you!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>The hard-boiled detective archetype... Shinobu considers Eriko's hypothetical.

"Wouldn't that be something? Wonder what that'd be like." Shinobu comments. As for whether or not anyone acted this way... "Guess it's all just how people ''wish'' they could act."

Right now, though, they have their informant to consider. Shinobu watches the back of his head carefully. As for the others, it seems they're in about the same position she is...

It seems the informant doesn't know anything more - but when Katsuya suggests bringing it to the SIU, he actually raises his voice. Shinobu raises an eyebrow, at that.

He feels strongly about that - and he's convinced the SIU wouldn't be able to do anything. But she mentions his father, and Shinobu looks toward Katsuya. She sees the stunned look on his face.

...Now might not be the time to ask. But that sounds ''important''.

A solved problem, though... A frown crosses Shinobu's face.

"That's what they think, huh...?" She considers. She rolls her neck with a hint of frustration. "...Not that I ''want'' them to jump me, but nothin' pisses me off more than someone thinking they've got me all figured out."

It sounds like they're short on time... but the man, calling himself 'Sneak', seems that he ''does'' have some leads they can follow.

He's gone before they can ask him more questions, but he does leave some photos behind. Shinobu appraches, taking a look over Maya's shoulder.

One of them is, indeed, a familiar face, as Maya points out.

"...Sure enough." Shinobu says, looking over to Eriko. "So, you've been looking into things too?"

She looks, then, to the other picture. She frowns thoughtfully.

"...But who's this other guy?" She asks.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"Wouldn't it be nice to find out?" Eriko says, a little too chipper towards the concept. "The collective ideal of a hardboiled detective..."

Still, their contact arrives and Eriko takes on a serious expression- if Katsuya's intent on going to the SIU causes her to raise her eyebrow.

A few other things happen in quick sequence- The man, 'Sneak' invokes Katsuya's father- with a significant amount of distress. If Sneak is so convinced to stop Katsuya acting recklessly... That's information Eriko files away for later. The rest- that he consider's Katsuya's group a solved problem, not a threat.

Or, perhaps, most of Katsuya's group.

What's most impressive, however, is the way she manages to lose Sneak despite keeping her eyes on where he's trying to disappear to. With, as far as Eriko can tell, no supernatural aid. Is he that good?

It's Maya who draws Eriko's attention to the photos- and their subjects. "What?"

She steps closer to see them- pictures of her and Kei. Not professional shots, obviously. No, it's shots from them about town. "...Where were these taken, and when?"

Eriko frowns- but Shinobu suddenly has questions, and she's sure Katsuya, Maya and Hana will too. Great.

She seems to take a few seconds to consider the information and the photos.

"Well. That is interesting information."

She does not sound excited.

"I have a question for you," she says, but it's directed to the group as a whole instead of just Shinobu. "You've just had this information handed to you. You know one of the people in the photos- and I believe Mr Katsuya is aware of the other one as well, if only vaguely." Eriko's body is tensing, and the sports bag that carries her weapons is sitting on the ground at her feet. She doesn't think there are enemies among this group. But...

*Someone* has been following her. Again.

"Let's suppose, for a second, that I don't know this man. Or, for that matter, you didn't know me?" She remains focused on the photos of her and Kei. "Now you have been given leads to the case, how would you follow them, here, in Sumaru City? Knowing what you know about it- who you know."

...Perhaps she's leading a little strongly toward an answer, but she has her suspicions on how this would unfold from here. She just needs to confirm them.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
"It would be fun," Hana reflects to Eriko. Meeting the ideal hardboiled detective..!

But: SIU. Katsuya's a shrewed negotiator, to Hana's ear--he quickly handles the matter with what is probably a bluff, but succeeds nevertheless. Not enough evidence...

"His father?" Hana wonders, and then--a solved problem. Of course, Hana isn't surprsied they wouldn't register her as a threat--indeed, she's relieved. But...

'Sneak', he calls himself. "...Thank you," Hana says as Sneak moves to leave.

Hana walks up to Shinobu when she comments, and gives her a small smile. "This just means you can hit them all the harder when it's time, right? ...Since they won't see it coming."

Maya points it out: Elly-chan. Hana blinks in surprise once more. She looks to Eriko, who suddenly sounds... less excited. Much less.

Hana can read Eriko'sbody language quite easily; she's alarmed. She's disturbed. And there...

Hm.

"With just a photograph, it's difficult," Hana admits, turning properly towards Eriko. "I wouldn't want to reveal taht I was looking for you, so I couldn't just put your photograph out there. That might reveal you, too, after all--as well as me."

"So..." She considers, and looks to the others. "You know Sumaru better than I do," she says. "What would ''you'' do? I have some contacts here, but..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"It's the same thing in crime dramas and procedurals," Katsuya sighs. "For one thing, the pacing is entirely off. For another, if anyone had that many murder cases appear in their city...!" he can't help but exclaim in that moment before their professed informant presents himself. "...Though, that would be more true without supernatural involvement," he admits, shoulders sagging. "With everything that's going on, it's not a surprise that our case load has been... unusual, over the last twelve months..."

It's not ''his'' fault that the world turned out to be less realistic than it used to be. But it is something he has to deal with, regardless.

What ''would'' the collective ideal of the hardboiled detective be? Is that a concept that someone could awaken to just yet?

"Yes," Sneak remarks to Shinobu. "For better or worse, your involvement is none of their concern. At present, everything is unfolding as they planned."

Which is perhaps where he intends to jam a stick into the spokes of the NWO's unhindered advancement, in the hopes that something might be set askew.

His father. On his own, Katsuya doesn't offer any further context. He instead remains still, staring in the direction into which Sneak had vanished, as if his mind were a million miles away.

Maya as she passes pats him on the shoulder, and that alone is sufficient to jolt him from his reverie. It still takes him a fraction of a second longer to regain his composure, his gaze fixed on her for a fraction longer than it might have normally lingered, and follow her to see which photos 'Sneak' has left behind.

The identity of one of them is immediately obvious. The other--

"Isn't that...?" he hazards, staring at the face in the photograph. Perhaps if they hadn't had an encounter with him about a month or so ago he would have been left wondering why the young man in the photograph seemed familiar, but now he ''knows'' where he saw him the last time.

"Isn't that the young man who...?"

The one where he'd been thinking for a fraction of a moment that it might have been his brother, back when they were facing that man, 'Shinjo', whose power far outstripped any one of them.

"Kirishima-san..." he remarks, noting perhaps that ''lack'' of delight in her reaction to this turn of events. Any attempt to check to see if all is well, though, may as well go out the window when she instead poses to them a question of ''how'' they would go about identifying the people in those photos without any evidence otherwise. If he were still an active officer, the answer would be simple. Without such a thing to fall back on, though, he glances at Maya and Shinobu, then over at Hana as she muses over the particulars of that problem.

"Fukami-san is correct. We would want to be discreet with any investigation. There are a number of ways to match a photo to a name, but many of these would expose that we were looking for these people, or that they're people of interest." If he had to make a decision...

"...I would go to the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. Todoroki-san might be able to help us. And Uchida-kun works there besides," he answers.

Speaking of detectives and the 'hardboiled' archetype. Though... Todoroki doesn't particularly match that concept either, does he?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Maya thinks about Hana's question; she thinks she has an answer, but she's just as curious to know everyone else's. She's sure everyone will have their own tactics unique to them and their position in society.

Sure enough, Katsuya takes the Detective Agency route.

"I'm pretty sure I recognize this area," Maya says, tapping her finger against the background of Eriko's photo. "It's Aoba Way, right? I'd probably go there and look around for a few days while I did interviews. It helps that I'm there often enough for work." Sure enough, Maya's probably a familiar sight in the area at this point.

"If I got _really_ desperate, I'd show the photo around and tell them I'm with Coolest and was missing a name for a photo we were publishing in our next issue." That way, she could at least search for someone without being suspicious about it. Being a reporter had its perks!

"What about you, Shinobu-san?" Maya looks over at her with a smile. What tack would she take?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Everything is unfolding as they planned, huh... Shinobu frowns.

"Well... we'll see about ''that''." She says. Hana approaches Shinobu, and she offers her a smile and a small laugh in turn.

"Heh. Good point. I'm not above sucker-punching someone who deserves it - and they've sure as hell earned it." She agrees.

Eriko looks at the picture... and she's understandably unsettled. Anyone would be if someone you didn't know knew that much about what you were doing, and had a picture of you on hand. She massages the back of her neck awkwardly. Yeah - she should've thought about how she would feel about it first...

"...Sorry. This probably doesn't feel great." She apologises. Eriko poses a question. If they didn't know her, what would they have done? A thoughtful frown crosses Shinobu's face, and she folds her arms in front of her as she considers her answer. Katsuya and Maya explain how they'd go about it - and Maya asks her.

She nods to Hana, and then to Katsuya in turn.

"Yeah. I wouldn't wanna blab to just anyone that I was looking for you, because that could put both of us in danger. But I know some people who are good at keepin' on top of things, so I'd see if they knew anything." Shinobu reasons. "You meet a lotta different people when you work like I do, and you find pretty quick that it pays to keep in touch even after the job's done."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Sneak's comment that everything is unfolded as planned causes Eriko to frown, but she doesn't say more. Sneak's presence at all is, in fact, new information. New information that might be of use, frankly. Katsuya asks about the other photo and Eriko nods. "Yes. The very same."

The fun part of the conversation about poached detectives has to be abandoned with the seriousness of the subject in front of them. "A cautious approach," Eriko says, of Hana's method. "Sensible- you're a relatively new piece on the board, Ms Fukami. But you're right, it's not the... Sumaru response, let's say."

Eriko nods quietly as Katsuya mentions the Kuzunoha detective agency. "...and even with Tamaki working there, if we hadn't seen each other in a few years, she might not recognize either of us."

It's not hard to tell that all is not well with Eriko- she's holding her right hand in front of her face, just shy of biting her thumbnail. Shinobu catches that it mustn't feel great, and Eriko frowns. "It's not the first time," she says with a shudder- but that's all she says for now. Maya recognizes where and Eriko's frown deepens. "...Close to work, then." That does not make things better- but Kei is never around Aoba. They have separate investigation zones...

"Hmm. That would probably work, Ms Maya. It would get you results quite quickly, too. Neither of us are exactlty low profile people. He's more careful than I am, admittedly."

Shinobu's approach is more in line with Hana's, and Eriko nods. "The thing about rumormongers and the like is that, well, that information would be advantageous to them too."

Eriko sighs. "...but it feels like in just about any outcome, this would lead to a rumour. Mr Katsuya's method would be most direct- spread a rumour about one of us, and set yourself up to meet us. But for a rumour to work, it has to have people's attention. Which means lots of people would know."

Eriko takes a long, deep sigh. "Mr Sneak seemed earnest, but something's not adding up here. If the NWO wanted confirmation we were involved, they've had that since Mt Katatsumuri. Kandori and Chizuru would be able to confirm it themselves."

Eventually, though, she shakes herself out of her funk. "Anyway, now we know what would have been the outcome, we can react appropriately. I can arrange a meeting for you- it will take about a week, I think. It should be enlightening for all of you." She gives a smile, but it's a weak, plastic thing. "I'm sorry I can't say more, but... there are precautions that need to be taken first."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Pacing... "It's true. Real life rarely offers us the same excitement a story can; the long, boring parts aren't something we can skip through." ...But there are a lot of murders, and Hana makes a grimacing face at that. It's not so much fun, that way.

Still....

Asking around, using connections... and funadmentally, using rumors.

"I'm sorry, too," Hana says with Shinobu. "It must be... frightening, even. To know your work is followed..."

She considers.

"A rumor, then..."

"Well, a meeting is acceptable to me, certainly. I don't mind if you have to take your time."

"The only way to see what adds up is to write it down, right? Do the math ourselves."

"...So let's do it."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"I see..." he says. He'd seen him before, in the news, but if it hadn't been for that chance meeting, he might not have been able to put the name to that face.

He suggests the detective agency, as known allies who would be able to be discreet about locating unknown persons. It's only natural, perhaps, given his background.

Maya, meanwhile, states that she knows where the shot was taken, which means that it's likely that the people in the shot would return there. And if all else fails, she is in media.

"Returning to the location the photo was taken... that's not a bad idea," he remarks.

Shinobu, meanwhile, knows people who know people. A few strings pulled, and she could get some no-questions-asked answers, possibly. "Hmm... if they could be quiet, it's possible," he remarks, though not without a (faint) frown. He has the idea of the sort of people she might mean, and even now, he can't quite say that he's completely fine with that. Still, it's an option, and probably a less awkward one than turning to their information-broker hacker ally, Baofu. Katsuya, after all, has a good idea of how ''he'' would go about getting answers.

"That ''is'' true. There's no guaranteeing that she would recognize either of you, in another situation," he agrees. "Still, they would have the means to begin a search." There's another thing more that could be done through Kuzunoha, but it's something of the likes that Katsuya on his own would never guess. Someone with a more unorthodox approach, though, such as Miss Serizawa, though...?

He notes a second time that Eriko seems discomfited. "Is everything alright, Kirishima-kun?" he asks, concern on his face.

Whatever it is, it might not be something that she wants to speak about here and now.

Perhaps it's not a matter of an 'unorthodox' approach. Maybe it's more being able to consider all the tools. Between the location, the detective agency's other abilities, and others who are able to spread rumors, perhaps if they combine all the steps...

"You are... suggesting a rumor?" Katsuya asks, just now putting together the solution. This, of course, might be what the NWO wants: confirmation.

Except, don't they know that already? After Katatsumuri and the business with the Heirophant giant Shadow...

"Perhaps, they think it's irrelevant at this point? If what Sneak said was correct, we're being discounted. But based on what he's said, it sounds as if there is something you and he have found that is actually important. I suppose the question is, what are they hiding that they think we can't find in time? And, for that matter..."

He trails off, glancing in the direction again in which Sneak had gone.

"...Precisely how much time do we have, if it's all going to their plan?"

He shakes his head. "There's something we're missing here. I suppose, we'll have to see what we can find out." He nods, as Eriko says it will take a little time. "Please, even if we're on limited time, rushing around will get us nowhere. I agree with Fukami-san. I'll see what I can learn in the meantime."

There's someone he should try to talk to, if he has the time.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Everyone has really great ideas for how to tackle this -- that's definitely one of Team Whoop-Ass's strengths! Maya feels a warm bubble of pride forming underneath the bruise on her chest.

"So does anyone have any ideas for the rumor?" Maya asks, looking around at the others. She's already rubbing the end of her ear, thinking. "Maybe about the person who took the photos?"

Katsuya's already thinking beyond just the rumor itself -- so Maya should, too.

"I'm not sure what I can do right now to help --" Rumors do take time, as Elly pointed out. "-- but if there's anything I can do while we wait, please let me know."

She says this to everyone in the group, turning to look at each of them to make sure they know the offer's extended to all of them. "So let's do our best and think positive in the meantime!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>It's not the first time, Eriko says, and Shinobu winces.

"Shit. I'm sorry you went through that, Kirishima. Scary as hell..." She sympathises. She nods her agreement with Hana. It's a constant worry, so to have that fear be proven true... and then to have those fresh wounds reopened, must be terrifying.

She looks toward Katsuya as he considers her idea.

"The kind of people I know are good at keeping quiet, at least." She replies.

She listens as Eriko considers each of their approaches in turns, the advantages and disadvantages of each... and then reaches the likely conclusion.

In the end, it would've lead to a rumor.

"...Yeah, makes sense. When all your leads run dry, sometimes you gotta go with something a little out there..." She comments. She makes a good point about Sneak, too... and so does Katsuya. They found something that's actually important. That makes sense... and gives them all the more reason to try and figure that out. Eriko offers to arrange a meeting. Enlightening, huh...

"...Yeah, that sounds good. And thanks." Shinobu replies with a nod. Hana comments on math, and Shinobu smirks. It's acceptable to her, too. "Math was never my best subject... but yeah. Let's math the hell out of it."

When Eriko apologises, though, Shinobu shakes her head.

"...Nah, I get it. We gotta tread carefully here. You do what you gotta do." She assures, then looks toward Maya.

"I think she's got things covered from here." She says, nodding to Eriko. "So until then... keep keepin' an ear out, I guess."

She smiles.

"...And keepin' spirits up. That's important, too."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"It's fine. The issue's been... resolved. I don't have to worry about it now," Eriko lies all too easily, despite the group's concern. "We should focus on the present issue for now."

Eriko nods to Katsuya. "To be blunt, I can see why they would discount you- in their mind, you're just four people investigating on your own. A journalist, a detective, a wire tapper and saleswoman. You aren't exactly a conspiracy's biggest threat." Her eyes linger on Maya, however. "''More fool them,''" Eriko says quietly, as she looks at her. "After all, seeing what I have now... People with Ms Maya's power tend to be capable of disrupting the game."

Wild cards indeed.

"Hmm. I would consult with Tamaki there- I don't know spreading a rumour is to our benefit, unless we want to make them think we're still playing into their hands. Whoever took that photo... they're not going to be able to give us more information- or they're photos Mr Sneak himself took." She lets out an exhausted sigh. "I'm not exactly eager on having a rumour spread about myself, I get enough mundane ones. For now, keep going as you have been?"

Shinobu is able to understand her conclusion- and the recommend next course. "Exactly, Ms Shimizu. It won't take too long, I hope, but... well. We have to consider how to play our cards- and we have two new ''interesting'' ones, I think. After all- now we know our enemy's united front has some weak points." She smiles a lot more eagerly now- a weakness to exploit. A chance. "Mr Katsuya, could I take the photos with me? I think they'll be useful for my own purposes. Unless you have reason to keep them?"

Once the matter of the photographs is resolved. "I'll be in touch as soon as I have anything, for now... I think I should make my own way back. Of course... if someone wanted to follow at a distance and see what happens when I leave, well..."

She smirks, a little... flirtily? Flirtily is probably the closest words. "A model is used to people staring at her from behind."

...Yeah no, it didn't feel great to her either.

"Now, do take care, all of you. Let's see how we can take advantage of their blind spots."

With that, Eriko does start to walk away, pulling out her cell phone and flipping it open, quickly dialing a number.

"''Mr Matsuoka?''" She says, switching to speaking in English. "''There's been a development. Yes. Back to HQ. Could you send Mr Mishima to pick me up? There's a chance I might need to lose someone.''" She pauses for a few moments, considering. "''No. Not Aoba Way. It's not far to the TV station, I can say I was dropping in on Brown after work. Yes. Thank you. See you soon.''"

Eriko snaps her phone shut, and continues on her path. She knows Aoba pretty well now, enough to know the safest route to the station. It won't be too hard to follow her, but she knows that.

Indeed, right now, she's counting on it.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-10-08: An Informant

2026-10-16T23:53:08Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: An Informant''' *'''Cast:''' Hana Fukami, Katsuya Suou, Maya Amano, Shinobu Shimizu, Eriko Kirishima *'''Where:''' Aoba Way *'''OOC Date:''' October 08, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 21, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''The group (Team Whoop-Ass; just don't ask Katsuya to give you the name) arrives at Aoba Park to speak with a would-be informant who is aware that Katsuya has been continuing to look into matters around the NWO despite his suspension. Wha..."

*'''Log: An Informant'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hana Fukami]], [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Maya Amano]], [[Shinobu Shimizu]], [[Eriko Kirishima]]
*'''Where:''' Aoba Way
*'''OOC Date:''' October 08, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 21, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''The group (Team Whoop-Ass; just don't ask Katsuya to give you the name) arrives at Aoba Park to speak with a would-be informant who is aware that Katsuya has been continuing to look into matters around the NWO despite his suspension. What he leaves behind is a hint and a pair of photographs containing some familiar faces.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Aoba Park is beautiful, filled with flowers and also a lovely setup for concerts and the like. But today is not a day for concerts, at least not for the group assembled here. Katsuya's cellphone directed them here; a very serious call meant that Team Whoop-ass needed to meet someone. Someone who knows Katsuya is still investigating the Joker cases, and wants to talk about them. There's information to be had...

But it could be a trap.

Regardless, they meet outside the stadium--that's the place that they were given. And Hana is no exception; she arrives along with the others, coming to a stop some distance from the meeting point to look around for a potential arriving individual.

There's room for everyone here, and it's not too crowded without a concert planned, and this early in the morning. And it ''is'' early; the sun has barely risen.

Nevertheless...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
It would be great to think that this is their lucky break, wouldn't it? And, once upon a time, that's exactly what he would have assumed. After the events of the last six months, including the information he got from Akechi and his own paid suspension from his job, he's found himself a touch suspicious.

But also hopeful. But also wondering if, perhaps they ''can'' all be so lucky.

Even if some of the members of their merry band may have supposed otherwise, he had still thought it worth the chance, even with his own doubts included. After all, they've hit a dead end. It's this, or, they can similarly chance the wait for the NWO's next move. To be the ones acting, on the other hand...

...

"This is the place," he remarks, glancing this way and that. There's no apparent sign of anyone else here just yet. On a winter day in January, with no concerts or events scheduled, no one except the most dedicated park walkers would be out this way, at this hour.

"..."

"...I wonder if he will show up," Katsuya says. It's certainly early, yet, and on a cold day. What if their informant got 'cold feet'?

Or, what if this ''is'' a trap?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
"Think positive, guys!" Maya says cheerily, adjusting her scarf by throwing one end of it over her shoulder. "There's no reason to believe they won't show up!"

Who 'they' is and what they plan to actually do is another thing entirely. But for the time being Maya is determined to, as always, Think Positive!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>The phone call Katsuya received pointed to Aoba Park. It's hard to tell what, exactly, will come of this... but if whoever is on the end knows something, then they have to risk it.

Shinobu arrives alongside the others, hands currently in the pockets of her winter coat and leaning against the nearest post.

"Good question." Shinobu agrees, as Katsuya wonders if he'll show. This does all seem a little convenient to her. There's all manner of things that could go wrong - their informant might not show, or someone could've gotten to him before them, or this could all be a trap...

But as Maya says, 'think positive'!

Shinobu shrugs.

"Yeah, guess we just gotta wait and see. ...And be ready for whatever happens next." She comments.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Eriko was not expecting such cloak and dagger actions today, or for them to occur on such short notice.

Eriko is really quite surprised that someone would reach out to Katsuya like this, or what intel they might have. So, she's here in Aoba Park, waiting to see who or what may arrive.

"We'll have to hope they do," Eriko says, after a moment. "Still... maybe with how many of us are here, we might spook them."

Maya's enthusiasm does get a little giggle out of Eriko, though. "That is the attitude to have, I suppose- though I don't think any hardboiled detective would agree with you."

...Though, Eriko can kill two birds with one stone while she waits. She is positioned next to one of the flower beds- though so far it's only been talking about a riddle. With a sigh, she puts it together. "Red, of course," she whispers quietly to herself.

Yeah, she's had to learn too much about Wang Long fortunetelling now...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
This is the place...

Maya suggests they 'think positive', and Hana smiles. "There's no sense in giving up before we've started," she agrees. But... it could still be a trap. Wait and see... be ready. "Well..."

They might spook them; that's why Hana is to the side, for the moment. But when Eriko laughs, Hana is a little relieved. "Hard-boiling is for eggs," Hana decides. "It's fine."

She considers... and then walks closer to the others, carefully, her heels clicking on the concrete.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
There's a bench over there, facing the opposite direction from them. It's currently unoccupied.

It ''is'' true, he supposes, as Maya cheers them all on, that whatever happens next, it can't hurt but to keep a positive outlook. Even if it's currently far colder than he'd like, and he's still not certain if the person they're about to meet (if he shows up) is going to be friend in truth or foe.

"Yes," he says, chiming in as Shinobu does likewise. "We're not alone, after all..."

[VOLITION]: At a time like this, being alone would be far more disasterous.

Which might be part of the problem, as Eriko supposes. "Maybe," Katsuya allows. "That being said, our informant did not specify I should come alone. ...If he knows as much as he said, he likely knows of the rest of you already," he points out. He pauses. "Other than Fukami-san."

Her very circumstances keep her from being as 'known' as the others.

"...A hard-boiled detective, is it..." he can't help but sigh. "I think people like that only exist in films. Even the older detectives on the force aren't quite so..." he remarks, shaking his head.

There's a bench over there. A heavy-set older man is sitting there now with his back to the rest of them.

"Come closer. We don't have much time," he says, keping his voice low.

Startled, Katsuya approaches the man on the bench, pulling up short as the man cautions, "Stay where you are. You're Suou, aren't you? And the rest of you..."

In the position this man is in, his face can't be seen.

"You are already aware that Tatsuzou Sudou's New World Order are the ones pulling the strings in this city," he says. "That includes the city government, the police and media. Even major corporations are owned by them now. There is very little that they don't control..." warns their informant.

"And you know that they are responsible for capturing new Joker cases. Isn't that what you've been looking into, Suou?" he goes on.

"Yes," Katsuya confirms, nodding the once. "We already know this much. If you know about them... what is their goal? What is Sudou's intent?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Maya idly strokes her ear as she listens, never turning to face their informant. There's something strangely cinematic about this moment; there's no way she would ever imagine she'd be witness to a scene like this a year ago.

She doesn't say anything; instead she glances over at Katsuya, watching his expression carefully as the pair talks.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Shinobu nods as Katsuya says they aren't alone.

"Yeah. We've got each other's backs." She agrees. That's important - though she looks toward Eriko as she points out that they might spook them with their numbers.

"Good point..." She considers - but Katsuya says the informant didn't say to come alone. "Guess it's fine, then. Long as we play it smart."

Their group isn't so large as to be disruptive. Eriko's comment about hardboiled detectives gets a smirk - and Hana's follow-up gets a laugh. She looks back toward Katsuya at his musings. Only existing in films...

"...That's usually how it is, I guess." She considers with a shrug.

Someone addresses them. Shinobu glances. His back is to them - but she removes her hands from her pockets briefly to indicate that they're empty before folding them in front of her, listening.

They can't see his face... but whoever he is, he's pretty well-informed if he knows that much. She doesn't confirm or deny who she is - instead, she waits for him to continue, glancing to the others briefly to judge their reactions.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Eriko grins a little at Hana's joke. "I much prefer them poached, honest. Though that may just be a side effect of the job." Still, she sighs a little at Katsuya's perception that hard-boiled detectives only exist in film. "A pity, the Sam Spade type is an archetype for a reason, if more of an American one."

Eriko pauses for a few moments, in thought. "...I wonder, though... Perhaps he's had enough of an impact we could encounter one as a demon, like those Yakuza..."

Fortunately(?), going back to America to find supernatural spaces isn't on her short term agenda. Maybe later.

After all, something right out of a film seems to be happening right now.

Eriko didn't catch when the man arrived, but he did so. That's a concern already- the bench is near a dead end, isn't it? Certainly, she'd been a little distracted, but...

She starts to step forward when Katsuya does and the informant requests, but when he says to stop, she stops. Annoying. She can't get an angle on his face- and reaching for her phone to take a picture would be risky.

So Eriko shifts, given him a free glance at her face might be a risk in and of itself. Unfortunately, despite dressing for the weather, the sum total of disguise options Eriko has is a hat and sunglasses, and she had taken the sunglasses off.

"...You seem awfully well informed, Mr...?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Poached. "Ooh, I do like them poached," Hana says to Eriko. She is fine with it being mostly a fictional matter. Super fine.

It is cinematic, though--what happens next...

Stay where they are. Hana pauses in place. She looks a little delicate for a cloak-and-dagger moment like this.

"..." Aware. Yes, that's true. But Hana knows this; she also knows that this is a question for Katsuya. For her part?

...Well. She wants to know, too. So she stays quiet for now, not drawing attention to herself.

Maybe, if he's not watching her, she can pick up something the others don't.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
In the end, they're all here, and that's the thing that matters. Even if their informant doesn't show, even if this is a trap... they're here together. And even either situation wouldn't be a complete loss, Katsuya supposes. It would tell them for certain that they're managing to ruffle some feathers. Even a 'no-show' would mean they're getting somewhere. ...Is this what it means to 'think positive', even with a bad outcome?

"I suppose," Katsuya allows with a sigh that suggests that this treads close to professional annoyance at this point. "I still find it hard to believe that even overseas, anyone actually acted that way..."

But it isn't long before, quite suddenly, they're not just waiting anymore.

Despite his earlier complaint, this really ''is'' like something out of a movie right now. Even Katsuya couldn't deny it, if put to the question. It's surreal. He, too, glances at the others, looking at them as if to take their own questions, silent or not, as well as...

"..." Katsuya exhales, turning his attention back on their informant, who answers then his question thus:

He sighs. "That's all I know... I know that you're skeptical, but--"

Katsuya's own response is immediate, clipping off the words from the mystery informant. "So you don't know anything more. Then we'll hand this over to the SIU. They'll be able to take it from here," he says, clipped. After all, he knows that if he does that, he's effectively cutting off his chances to--

"No!" exclaims their informant, raising his voice for the first time. "Listen to me-- you don't have enough evidence yet! Even the SIU doesn't stand a chance without it! And think about what happened to your father..." he finishes, and if he had turned around then and shot at Katsuya, he could not have stunned him so effectively.

"My... my father? How do you know about--?" he manages.

The informant doesn't answer.

"They think that you're a solved problem, Suou. Even the rest of you... they don't think that you're a threat to them now, or they would have acted already. There isn't much time. You need to act swiftly... but you're not alone."

Indeed, Eriko's at a bad angle to get much more information about the man. He's older and physically larger than any of them, but not so large as to be unique. Even what she can see of what he's wearing is hardly distinctive. He chose this location and his own position well...

Eriko hunts for a name, instead.

"Call me... 'Sneak'," the man on the bench says, after a mere moment's consideration. There's a pregnant pause, as if he's deliberating whether he should say something more to her.

"There other people investigating the conspiracy, of course," he says, finally. "There are two people in particular who might have gotten close to something that the conspiracy is trying to hide. You might... already know of these people," he says at last, with care.

"I'm leaving their photographs here. It's up to you to talk to them and find out what they know... and the places and people they've been investigating."

With that, the mystery man stands.

"Wait," says Katsuya, "I still need to ask you--"

But the man doesn't listen. He walks away from the group with his back to them to vanish into the park proper.

Indeed, they should know both of the people in these pictures, though one is perhaps less-well-known to most of them than the other.

After all one is the heir to the Nanjo corporation, Kei Nanjo.

The other is none other than Eriko Kirishima herself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Katsuya's father?!

They barely have time to even process what "Sneak" has said -- let alone ask them any questions of their own -- before he departs.

Maya looks the others over, trying to judge their own reactions to "Sneak" and his sudden departure. They probably all have their own thoughts -- and they'll probably voice it soon enough -- but Maya wants to get a sense of where everyone stands before that happens.

"Let's see what he left behind," she says, giving Katsuya a friendly pat on the back as she passes. She's talking to everyone when she says it, but she wants to make sure he knows she's here for him without actually saying it aloud.

There's two pictures on the bench that he's left for them -- and one of them, they'll all recognize. Maya's mouth forms an 'O' of surprise at the candid shot.

"Elly-chan... it's you!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>The hard-boiled detective archetype... Shinobu considers Eriko's hypothetical.

"Wouldn't that be something? Wonder what that'd be like." Shinobu comments. As for whether or not anyone acted this way... "Guess it's all just how people ''wish'' they could act."

Right now, though, they have their informant to consider. Shinobu watches the back of his head carefully. As for the others, it seems they're in about the same position she is...

It seems the informant doesn't know anything more - but when Katsuya suggests bringing it to the SIU, he actually raises his voice. Shinobu raises an eyebrow, at that.

He feels strongly about that - and he's convinced the SIU wouldn't be able to do anything. But she mentions his father, and Shinobu looks toward Katsuya. She sees the stunned look on his face.

...Now might not be the time to ask. But that sounds ''important''.

A solved problem, though... A frown crosses Shinobu's face.

"That's what they think, huh...?" She considers. She rolls her neck with a hint of frustration. "...Not that I ''want'' them to jump me, but nothin' pisses me off more than someone thinking they've got me all figured out."

It sounds like they're short on time... but the man, calling himself 'Sneak', seems that he ''does'' have some leads they can follow.

He's gone before they can ask him more questions, but he does leave some photos behind. Shinobu appraches, taking a look over Maya's shoulder.

One of them is, indeed, a familiar face, as Maya points out.

"...Sure enough." Shinobu says, looking over to Eriko. "So, you've been looking into things too?"

She looks, then, to the other picture. She frowns thoughtfully.

"...But who's this other guy?" She asks.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"Wouldn't it be nice to find out?" Eriko says, a little too chipper towards the concept. "The collective ideal of a hardboiled detective..."

Still, their contact arrives and Eriko takes on a serious expression- if Katsuya's intent on going to the SIU causes her to raise her eyebrow.

A few other things happen in quick sequence- The man, 'Sneak' invokes Katsuya's father- with a significant amount of distress. If Sneak is so convinced to stop Katsuya acting recklessly... That's information Eriko files away for later. The rest- that he consider's Katsuya's group a solved problem, not a threat.

Or, perhaps, most of Katsuya's group.

What's most impressive, however, is the way she manages to lose Sneak despite keeping her eyes on where he's trying to disappear to. With, as far as Eriko can tell, no supernatural aid. Is he that good?

It's Maya who draws Eriko's attention to the photos- and their subjects. "What?"

She steps closer to see them- pictures of her and Kei. Not professional shots, obviously. No, it's shots from them about town. "...Where were these taken, and when?"

Eriko frowns- but Shinobu suddenly has questions, and she's sure Katsuya, Maya and Hana will too. Great.

She seems to take a few seconds to consider the information and the photos.

"Well. That is interesting information."

She does not sound excited.

"I have a question for you," she says, but it's directed to the group as a whole instead of just Shinobu. "You've just had this information handed to you. You know one of the people in the photos- and I believe Mr Katsuya is aware of the other one as well, if only vaguely." Eriko's body is tensing, and the sports bag that carries her weapons is sitting on the ground at her feet. She doesn't think there are enemies among this group. But...

*Someone* has been following her. Again.

"Let's suppose, for a second, that I don't know this man. Or, for that matter, you didn't know me?" She remains focused on the photos of her and Kei. "Now you have been given leads to the case, how would you follow them, here, in Sumaru City? Knowing what you know about it- who you know."

...Perhaps she's leading a little strongly toward an answer, but she has her suspicions on how this would unfold from here. She just needs to confirm them.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
"It would be fun," Hana reflects to Eriko. Meeting the ideal hardboiled detective..!

But: SIU. Katsuya's a shrewed negotiator, to Hana's ear--he quickly handles the matter with what is probably a bluff, but succeeds nevertheless. Not enough evidence...

"His father?" Hana wonders, and then--a solved problem. Of course, Hana isn't surprsied they wouldn't register her as a threat--indeed, she's relieved. But...

'Sneak', he calls himself. "...Thank you," Hana says as Sneak moves to leave.

Hana walks up to Shinobu when she comments, and gives her a small smile. "This just means you can hit them all the harder when it's time, right? ...Since they won't see it coming."

Maya points it out: Elly-chan. Hana blinks in surprise once more. She looks to Eriko, who suddenly sounds... less excited. Much less.

Hana can read Eriko'sbody language quite easily; she's alarmed. She's disturbed. And there...

Hm.

"With just a photograph, it's difficult," Hana admits, turning properly towards Eriko. "I wouldn't want to reveal taht I was looking for you, so I couldn't just put your photograph out there. That might reveal you, too, after all--as well as me."

"So..." She considers, and looks to the others. "You know Sumaru better than I do," she says. "What would ''you'' do? I have some contacts here, but..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"It's the same thing in crime dramas and procedurals," Katsuya sighs. "For one thing, the pacing is entirely off. For another, if anyone had that many murder cases appear in their city...!" he can't help but exclaim in that moment before their professed informant presents himself. "...Though, that would be more true without supernatural involvement," he admits, shoulders sagging. "With everything that's going on, it's not a surprise that our case load has been... unusual, over the last twelve months..."

It's not ''his'' fault that the world turned out to be less realistic than it used to be. But it is something he has to deal with, regardless.

What ''would'' the collective ideal of the hardboiled detective be? Is that a concept that someone could awaken to just yet?

"Yes," Sneak remarks to Shinobu. "For better or worse, your involvement is none of their concern. At present, everything is unfolding as they planned."

Which is perhaps where he intends to jam a stick into the spokes of the NWO's unhindered advancement, in the hopes that something might be set askew.

His father. On his own, Katsuya doesn't offer any further context. He instead remains still, staring in the direction into which Sneak had vanished, as if his mind were a million miles away.

Maya as she passes pats him on the shoulder, and that alone is sufficient to jolt him from his reverie. It still takes him a fraction of a second longer to regain his composure, his gaze fixed on her for a fraction longer than it might have normally lingered, and follow her to see which photos 'Sneak' has left behind.

The identity of one of them is immediately obvious. The other--

"Isn't that...?" he hazards, staring at the face in the photograph. Perhaps if they hadn't had an encounter with him about a month or so ago he would have been left wondering why the young man in the photograph seemed familiar, but now he ''knows'' where he saw him the last time.

"Isn't that the young man who...?"

The one where he'd been thinking for a fraction of a moment that it might have been his brother, back when they were facing that man, 'Shinjo', whose power far outstripped any one of them.

"Kirishima-san..." he remarks, noting perhaps that ''lack'' of delight in her reaction to this turn of events. Any attempt to check to see if all is well, though, may as well go out the window when she instead poses to them a question of ''how'' they would go about identifying the people in those photos without any evidence otherwise. If he were still an active officer, the answer would be simple. Without such a thing to fall back on, though, he glances at Maya and Shinobu, then over at Hana as she muses over the particulars of that problem.

"Fukami-san is correct. We would want to be discreet with any investigation. There are a number of ways to match a photo to a name, but many of these would expose that we were looking for these people, or that they're people of interest." If he had to make a decision...

"...I would go to the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. Todoroki-san might be able to help us. And Uchida-kun works there besides," he answers.

Speaking of detectives and the 'hardboiled' archetype. Though... Todoroki doesn't particularly match that concept either, does he?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Maya thinks about Hana's question; she thinks she has an answer, but she's just as curious to know everyone else's. She's sure everyone will have their own tactics unique to them and their position in society.

Sure enough, Katsuya takes the Detective Agency route.

"I'm pretty sure I recognize this area," Maya says, tapping her finger against the background of Eriko's photo. "It's Aoba Way, right? I'd probably go there and look around for a few days while I did interviews. It helps that I'm there often enough for work." Sure enough, Maya's probably a familiar sight in the area at this point.

"If I got _really_ desperate, I'd show the photo around and tell them I'm with Coolest and was missing a name for a photo we were publishing in our next issue." That way, she could at least search for someone without being suspicious about it. Being a reporter had its perks!

"What about you, Shinobu-san?" Maya looks over at her with a smile. What tack would she take?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Everything is unfolding as they planned, huh... Shinobu frowns.

"Well... we'll see about ''that''." She says. Hana approaches Shinobu, and she offers her a smile and a small laugh in turn.

"Heh. Good point. I'm not above sucker-punching someone who deserves it - and they've sure as hell earned it." She agrees.

Eriko looks at the picture... and she's understandably unsettled. Anyone would be if someone you didn't know knew that much about what you were doing, and had a picture of you on hand. She massages the back of her neck awkwardly. Yeah - she should've thought about how she would feel about it first...

"...Sorry. This probably doesn't feel great." She apologises. Eriko poses a question. If they didn't know her, what would they have done? A thoughtful frown crosses Shinobu's face, and she folds her arms in front of her as she considers her answer. Katsuya and Maya explain how they'd go about it - and Maya asks her.

She nods to Hana, and then to Katsuya in turn.

"Yeah. I wouldn't wanna blab to just anyone that I was looking for you, because that could put both of us in danger. But I know some people who are good at keepin' on top of things, so I'd see if they knew anything." Shinobu reasons. "You meet a lotta different people when you work like I do, and you find pretty quick that it pays to keep in touch even after the job's done."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Sneak's comment that everything is unfolded as planned causes Eriko to frown, but she doesn't say more. Sneak's presence at all is, in fact, new information. New information that might be of use, frankly. Katsuya asks about the other photo and Eriko nods. "Yes. The very same."

The fun part of the conversation about poached detectives has to be abandoned with the seriousness of the subject in front of them. "A cautious approach," Eriko says, of Hana's method. "Sensible- you're a relatively new piece on the board, Ms Fukami. But you're right, it's not the... Sumaru response, let's say."

Eriko nods quietly as Katsuya mentions the Kuzunoha detective agency. "...and even with Tamaki working there, if we hadn't seen each other in a few years, she might not recognize either of us."

It's not hard to tell that all is not well with Eriko- she's holding her right hand in front of her face, just shy of biting her thumbnail. Shinobu catches that it mustn't feel great, and Eriko frowns. "It's not the first time," she says with a shudder- but that's all she says for now. Maya recognizes where and Eriko's frown deepens. "...Close to work, then." That does not make things better- but Kei is never around Aoba. They have separate investigation zones...

"Hmm. That would probably work, Ms Maya. It would get you results quite quickly, too. Neither of us are exactlty low profile people. He's more careful than I am, admittedly."

Shinobu's approach is more in line with Hana's, and Eriko nods. "The thing about rumormongers and the like is that, well, that information would be advantageous to them too."

Eriko sighs. "...but it feels like in just about any outcome, this would lead to a rumour. Mr Katsuya's method would be most direct- spread a rumour about one of us, and set yourself up to meet us. But for a rumour to work, it has to have people's attention. Which means lots of people would know."

Eriko takes a long, deep sigh. "Mr Sneak seemed earnest, but something's not adding up here. If the NWO wanted confirmation we were involved, they've had that since Mt Katatsumuri. Kandori and Chizuru would be able to confirm it themselves."

Eventually, though, she shakes herself out of her funk. "Anyway, now we know what would have been the outcome, we can react appropriately. I can arrange a meeting for you- it will take about a week, I think. It should be enlightening for all of you." She gives a smile, but it's a weak, plastic thing. "I'm sorry I can't say more, but... there are precautions that need to be taken first."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Pacing... "It's true. Real life rarely offers us the same excitement a story can; the long, boring parts aren't something we can skip through." ...But there are a lot of murders, and Hana makes a grimacing face at that. It's not so much fun, that way.

Still....

Asking around, using connections... and funadmentally, using rumors.

"I'm sorry, too," Hana says with Shinobu. "It must be... frightening, even. To know your work is followed..."

She considers.

"A rumor, then..."

"Well, a meeting is acceptable to me, certainly. I don't mind if you have to take your time."

"The only way to see what adds up is to write it down, right? Do the math ourselves."

"...So let's do it."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"I see..." he says. He'd seen him before, in the news, but if it hadn't been for that chance meeting, he might not have been able to put the name to that face.

He suggests the detective agency, as known allies who would be able to be discreet about locating unknown persons. It's only natural, perhaps, given his background.

Maya, meanwhile, states that she knows where the shot was taken, which means that it's likely that the people in the shot would return there. And if all else fails, she is in media.

"Returning to the location the photo was taken... that's not a bad idea," he remarks.

Shinobu, meanwhile, knows people who know people. A few strings pulled, and she could get some no-questions-asked answers, possibly. "Hmm... if they could be quiet, it's possible," he remarks, though not without a (faint) frown. He has the idea of the sort of people she might mean, and even now, he can't quite say that he's completely fine with that. Still, it's an option, and probably a less awkward one than turning to their information-broker hacker ally, Baofu. Katsuya, after all, has a good idea of how ''he'' would go about getting answers.

"That ''is'' true. There's no guaranteeing that she would recognize either of you, in another situation," he agrees. "Still, they would have the means to begin a search." There's another thing more that could be done through Kuzunoha, but it's something of the likes that Katsuya on his own would never guess. Someone with a more unorthodox approach, though, such as Miss Serizawa, though...?

He notes a second time that Eriko seems discomfited. "Is everything alright, Kirishima-kun?" he asks, concern on his face.

Whatever it is, it might not be something that she wants to speak about here and now.

Perhaps it's not a matter of an 'unorthodox' approach. Maybe it's more being able to consider all the tools. Between the location, the detective agency's other abilities, and others who are able to spread rumors, perhaps if they combine all the steps...

"You are... suggesting a rumor?" Katsuya asks, just now putting together the solution. This, of course, might be what the NWO wants: confirmation.

Except, don't they know that already? After Katatsumuri and the business with the Heirophant giant Shadow...

"Perhaps, they think it's irrelevant at this point? If what Sneak said was correct, we're being discounted. But based on what he's said, it sounds as if there is something you and he have found that is actually important. I suppose the question is, what are they hiding that they think we can't find in time? And, for that matter..."

He trails off, glancing in the direction again in which Sneak had gone.

"...Precisely how much time do we have, if it's all going to their plan?"

He shakes his head. "There's something we're missing here. I suppose, we'll have to see what we can find out." He nods, as Eriko says it will take a little time. "Please, even if we're on limited time, rushing around will get us nowhere. I agree with Fukami-san. I'll see what I can learn in the meantime."

There's someone he should try to talk to, if he has the time.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Everyone has really great ideas for how to tackle this -- that's definitely one of Team Whoop-Ass's strengths! Maya feels a warm bubble of pride forming underneath the bruise on her chest.

"So does anyone have any ideas for the rumor?" Maya asks, looking around at the others. She's already rubbing the end of her ear, thinking. "Maybe about the person who took the photos?"

Katsuya's already thinking beyond just the rumor itself -- so Maya should, too.

"I'm not sure what I can do right now to help --" Rumors do take time, as Elly pointed out. "-- but if there's anything I can do while we wait, please let me know."

She says this to everyone in the group, turning to look at each of them to make sure they know the offer's extended to all of them. "So let's do our best and think positive in the meantime!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>It's not the first time, Eriko says, and Shinobu winces.

"Shit. I'm sorry you went through that, Kirishima. Scary as hell..." She sympathises. She nods her agreement with Hana. It's a constant worry, so to have that fear be proven true... and then to have those fresh wounds reopened, must be terrifying.

She looks toward Katsuya as he considers her idea.

"The kind of people I know are good at keeping quiet, at least." She replies.

She listens as Eriko considers each of their approaches in turns, the advantages and disadvantages of each... and then reaches the likely conclusion.

In the end, it would've lead to a rumor.

"...Yeah, makes sense. When all your leads run dry, sometimes you gotta go with something a little out there..." She comments. She makes a good point about Sneak, too... and so does Katsuya. They found something that's actually important. That makes sense... and gives them all the more reason to try and figure that out. Eriko offers to arrange a meeting. Enlightening, huh...

"...Yeah, that sounds good. And thanks." Shinobu replies with a nod. Hana comments on math, and Shinobu smirks. It's acceptable to her, too. "Math was never my best subject... but yeah. Let's math the hell out of it."

When Eriko apologises, though, Shinobu shakes her head.

"...Nah, I get it. We gotta tread carefully here. You do what you gotta do." She assures, then looks toward Maya.

"I think she's got things covered from here." She says, nodding to Eriko. "So until then... keep keepin' an ear out, I guess."

She smiles.

"...And keepin' spirits up. That's important, too."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"It's fine. The issue's been... resolved. I don't have to worry about it now," Eriko lies all too easily, despite the group's concern. "We should focus on the present issue for now."

Eriko nods to Katsuya. "To be blunt, I can see why they would discount you- in their mind, you're just four people investigating on your own. A journalist, a detective, a wire tapper and saleswoman. You aren't exactly a conspiracy's biggest threat." Her eyes linger on Maya, however. "''More fool them,''" Eriko says quietly, as she looks at her. "After all, seeing what I have now... People with Ms Maya's power tend to be capable of disrupting the game."

Wild cards indeed.

"Hmm. I would consult with Tamaki there- I don't know spreading a rumour is to our benefit, unless we want to make them think we're still playing into their hands. Whoever took that photo... they're not going to be able to give us more information- or they're photos Mr Sneak himself took." She lets out an exhausted sigh. "I'm not exactly eager on having a rumour spread about myself, I get enough mundane ones. For now, keep going as you have been?"

Shinobu is able to understand her conclusion- and the recommend next course. "Exactly, Ms Shimizu. It won't take too long, I hope, but... well. We have to consider how to play our cards- and we have two new ''interesting'' ones, I think. After all- now we know our enemy's united front has some weak points." She smiles a lot more eagerly now- a weakness to exploit. A chance. "Mr Katsuya, could I take the photos with me? I think they'll be useful for my own purposes. Unless you have reason to keep them?"

Once the matter of the photographs is resolved. "I'll be in touch as soon as I have anything, for now... I think I should make my own way back. Of course... if someone wanted to follow at a distance and see what happens when I leave, well..."

She smirks, a little... flirtily? Flirtily is probably the closest words. "A model is used to people staring at her from behind."

...Yeah no, it didn't feel great to her either.

"Now, do take care, all of you. Let's see how we can take advantage of their blind spots."

With that, Eriko does start to walk away, pulling out her cell phone and flipping it open, quickly dialing a number.

"''Mr Matsuoka?''" She says, switching to speaking in English. "''There's been a development. Yes. Back to HQ. Could you send Mr Mishima to pick me up? There's a chance I might need to lose someone.''" She pauses for a few moments, considering. "''No. Not Aoba Way. It's not far to the TV station, I can say I was dropping in on Brown after work. Yes. Thank you. See you soon.''"

Eriko snaps her phone shut, and continues on her path. She knows Aoba pretty well now, enough to know the safest route to the station. It won't be too hard to follow her, but she knows that.

Indeed, right now, she's counting on it.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-10-03: The Mystery of Mizunagi

2026-10-11T03:33:03Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Log: The Mystery of Mizunagi'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hyousuke Suzuki]], [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Sumaru City
*'''OOC Date:''' 2026-10-03
*'''IC Date:''' Sat Jan 19 2013
*'''Summary:''' ''Hyousuke and Cherry - a mysterious figure claiming to know him - enter the wreck of the Mizunagi, hoping to unravel the mysteries contained within.''

----

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 1 - Challenge Level 1 ===========================================-
| Card: side.SOL .. intro 0 .. TURNTABLE SATURN: "the gate" |
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Academics |
| Conditions: Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1 and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

Tumbling through the void, you fell through at least ten gates, all stacked
at physically impossible angles. It felt like forever before you landed
here, in the center of a vast, flooded cavern cut into the abominable stone.

The vagarious iridescence of reflections from the water seethes across the
cavern walls, glittering like waterborne gems that may or may not actually
be present in the dancing floodwaters. Though the water is deep enough that
you can't see the bottom, you may still stand easily on its surface, as
solid as glass, only the lightest ripple indicating your passing.

A torii gate stands on the water behind you, a dark, impossible mirror to
the space above, crimson red with pitch-black ofuda hanging forlornly from
its posts. Ahead lay a crippled, sunken ship, lopsided and run aground,
buried in a rocky shore that looks like the outer facade of a building,
tilted to a bizarre, mad slant.

The ship is silent, bitter and lonesome. All rotting steel and overgrown
with green vines, it's lit solely from a single consecrate beam of bright
light from far above. The dilapidated ship lists dangerously, hull sitting
at almost a forty five degree angle above the floodline, the fore and bridge
decks of the vessel unreachably high towards the top of the cavern, with the
aft section melding into the rock face.

A small, shattered helicopter is crumpled like paper, rotors snapped off
and bent around it. It's all but wrapped around a shattered helipad that
used to be attached to the ship, itself now forming a loose bridge that
cants towards the cargo area, allowing entry to the ship. But one method of
entering the ship itself is a keypad outside of the aft cargo hold,
flickering with barely-functional illumination.

Instead of a numerical code, the door is secured by a password system, and
the door to the hold is secured with what appears to be ancient clockwork
gears instead of any actual modern latching system. The password doesn't
seem to be anything basic, and changes on the day and the whim of the
blasphemous world. Only a passing knowledge of the ship itself -- or a
willingness to get physical with the interlock -- will gain entry to the
ship's interior spaces.

(OOC NOTE: Passages in red text will appear in some rooms. These represent
omnipresent thoughts or feelings that can be detected by those open to it.)

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Hyousuke's mind was a maelstrom of thoughts, all clamouring for attention, each making a desperate attempt to drown out the others. His own future, the wellbeing of his friends, the motives and aims of the enigmatic fencers and those that held their reins... All those and more lingered within his mind, but none could hold the fore more than a few moments before something else strove to take his place. One thing managed to worm its way onto centre stage more often than the others, however, most likely because of recency - his brother.

Ten years, he'd not seen the man. Ten years that he'd languished with his parents and with those that had pretended to be his friends, while his brother had wandered off into the middle of Tokyo to pursue some government job or other, presumably living a cushy life far away from all that transpired in his absence. He could have simply vanished off the face of the Earth, severing contact with all that had known him before he'd left... and yet, despite it all, the man had swooped in at the last minute, and saved Hyousuke from some ignominious span in juvie.

Why, he wondered, did he help? Why did he not turn his back on someone he owed nothing to, and only stood to risk losing time, money, and reputation by helping? Someone he'd not seen in just over a decade by that point, no less. Leaning against the back of a bench in the dead of night, having taken a stroll through the bitter cold to try and clear his head, Hyousuke found himself no closer to an answer than he had been the first time he'd posed the question to himself. In fact, he only had more - something exacerbated by the presence of a thin, red, string, laced neatly around his finger.

He didn't quite know what compelled him to follow it. Down empty streets and through derelict backalleys, he stumbled around, too distracted to think much of anything that he saw. So when he came to the torii gate, sanguine red and towering above him, he almost stepped through without thinking. He blinked as his foot edged near the threshold, and he waited as every instinct in his body screamed above the noise of active thought, demanding that he step back. That past that gate was nothing good - that only death or worse awaited. But Hyousuke, more curious and reckless than was sensible, couldn't resist the urge to figure out another supernatural phenomena.

Hyousuke stepped tentatively out, sharp eyes dragging slowly across the landscape before him. The water rippled, but did not break, its surface like a plane of stygian glass. It seemed impossible that he could walk on it, and the animal part of his brain railed at the idea. But he'd seen and done plenty of hitherto impossible things in the past six months alone. To walk towards that decaying husk of a ship, and what remained of the broken helicopter, was nothing special. Not even if it mean traversing the water's surface.

While Hyousuke recognised that a password was needed, and that there were no doubt clues scattered around the area, he was just smart enough to know how dumb he was. Feeling as though he'd never figure out the code, Hyousuke stretched a little while looking over the gears, before reaching forward and attempting to open it manually.
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Warmup toward side.SOL .. intro 0 .. TURNTABLE SATURN: "the gate"! Diligence and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

Brightly-colored sneakers splash across the mirror-like surface of the water. Their owner pauses, then turns about to regard the iridescent surroundings. Overcome, they then hop up onto the air, absolutely taken by the sights they've come across.

"Yes! It worked! It wasn't just a prank, this time!" Maria -- or rather, as she is now, Cherry -- cheers, flashing a V with her fingers at the torii gate through which she's just passed. "This is so cool! I'm in a new place! --Huh?"

She's just realized she's not alone in here.

"Hey!" she says, rushing over to Hyousuke. "--Oh! It's you!"

She pauses, looking him over, clad in her Will of Rebellion tattered thief outfit, cybervisor and all. She's not someone he'll know, like this. On the other hand, he's someone that she--

"You really helped me out last time, you know? I'm really glad! ...Even if it kind of hurt," Cherry admits, pulling her mouth in a moue of dismay as she remembers that encounter, if from the remove of the curse having taken her over.
Or, that is, the curse that had taken /Maria Sakurai/ over. Cherry is a completely different person, definitely.

"So, you heard about that rumor, too? --Oh! Did you tie one on to remember something?" she remarks, of the string on his finger. "You're supposed to used a handkerchief, though!" she admonishes him, wagging a finger in his face.

"But come on, come on, let's check this place out!" she exhorts, grabbing an arm and tugging if that's what it takes before she dashes off towards the ship.

They might be of similar minds on this front, though, for instead of trying to figure out the code she first stretches her legs and then--

Kicks at the door.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward side.SOL .. intro 0 .. TURNTABLE SATURN: "the gate"! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side.SOL .. intro 0 .. TURNTABLE SATURN: "the gate" - Round 1 =========-
Hyousuke Suzuki Proficiency Success
Warmup Diligence and Focus Fatigue: 0 Morale: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 0 Morale: 2
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Clumsy-2 and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Clumsy-1 and Stupor-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Maria Sakurai was someone Hyousuke would have recognised, and understood that he'd helped. Cherry - who was most certainly a different person he'd never met before - was, in fact, not someone he remembered helping. He blinked at her, eyes glassy and face as blank as a canvas, attempting to remember even the vaguest detail that might have helped him figure out who she was. Alas, he had nothing. Unable to hide a thing, Hyousuke simply gave as firm and confident a nod as he could in her direction.
"Any time! No idea who you are, but I'm happy to help" He said, flashing a toothy grin before returning to his work. "Dunno what gave me these powers, but if getting a ghost to beat people up's gonna save 'em, I'll do it."

Indeed, the adventers it had taken him on were quite bizarre, but they could be considered later. For now, the door was the main concern.
"No idea what the red string's for though. I just looked down, and it was there. Dunno if it'll come off, but it looks like it's on tight. Besides, it got me here, so I'm wondering if taking it off's even a good idea. Probably gonna get lost without it..." He gave it a cursory tug or two, mostly just to see how it'd react, but left it largely alone before continuing on.

Their repeated efforts were not in vain. Even without a code, their repeated efforts to brute force the entrance open bore fruit. The creaking, groaning, and screeching of metal being kicked and wrenched away filled the room in a deafening cacophony, before stopping altogether once the gap was wide enough to walk through.
"Come on, let's get going. This thing's not gonna figure itself out." Hyousuke said, dusting off his hands.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 2 - Challenge Level 2 ===========================================-
| Card: side.SOL .. track VI .. GEMINI RECORD: "The Brothers" |
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Guts |
| Conditions: Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1, Hard - Understanding Down L1, |
| Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana., and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

The chamber that follows is a cascading series of vaulted archways, leading
through a narrow hall before branching out onto the main floor, a pristine
space of black and white. It seems to be lit almost entirely from below, the
floor a pulsing, preeminent white. Overhead, the deckhead is pitch black,
its contours shaped by thready scarlet pulses of light, tracing overhead
pipes and superstructure in the black.

He stands between two stone pillars in the center of the chamber,
leather-wrapped hands gripping the pipework lining them.

The figure is humanoid but not human, a titan of a man's silhouette
standing at almost twice the size of any normal person. He is a machine,
made of brass and wearing the armor and helmet of a samurai. Powerful, the
bushi stands in self-imposed bondage between the twin pillars, only barely
aware of your presence.

Between the light-sucking black above and the preternaturally bright below,
the machine samurai and the two pillars around him are the only things
capable of casting shadows dark enough to be seen. As he notices you, two
searchlight eyes lift, and an ominous growl rakes across the stone around
him.

'KAZUHIRA,' it seems to say.

Despite the feral, iron sound, it is not him who comes for you. His shadow
bifurcates, pulled in twain by the shadows of the pillars, separating into
two smaller silhouettes, less than half his size. The machine presses
together two leather-clad hands in an arcane gesture, and the silhouettes
come to life, rising from the floor in flickering black figures.

It's then you will realize that those vague silhouettes are not duplicates
of the machine, but young boys -- its children. And yet, it is those
creatures that draw their shadowy blades and come for you when summoned all
the same. Defeating or escaping them is the only way that the machine will
concede the path to you.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

GAME: Maria Sakurai flips a coin! The coin comes up tails!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

"Eh? You don't know who I--"

Realization cracks over her like dawn over the horizon. "Oh! Yeah! I'm Cherry! Your super-cute superhero!" Cherry cheers at him, making a heart with her hands.

And he says he doesn't know what the string's for. "Realllly? If you're wearing it not to forget... maybe you need another one to not forget that you had something to not forget?" Cherry wonders, quite seriously. "Well, my grandmother always said, if it's important, it'll come back again! I'm sure it'll come back. Hey, you want to take a look around, right? This place is super pre~tt~y~"

And then as one they went and broke open a door. It's fine. It's probably fine.

"Wow!" chirps Cherry, checking out this place as if she were a tourist in Paris. "Look at this! How's it fit down here? How do they do the lighting? Oh, maybe it's an illusion, though? I saw something like this on a show once, about mirrors? You know, in haunted houses?"

She natters on even as she draws ever closer to the figure that looms like a towering mountain in the chamber, indeed, who is the only real thing in here other than the pillars.

Its shadow splits and comes for the both of them as soon as those searchlight eyes fall upon her -- and him.

"Eh...?" Maria utters, gazing at the shadow that lunges for her. She hops back as it swings, a bladed polearm manifesting in her hands.

"You know," says Cherry, suddenly dead-serious.

"I don't think you're being very nice."

She swipes at the shadow-child herself, this time, reaching up then to touch her hand to her visor -- her mask -- and then pull it and her face away.

"Persona!"

One way to make a Shadow stop existing is to drown it in darkness.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward side.SOL .. track VI .. GEMINI RECORD: "The Brothers"! Bravery and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
"...Nope, still don't recognise you." Hyousuke saw little point in pretending. He knew just enough to know he wasn't exactly an exemplar when it came to acting. But that didn't mean he had any intent of making her feel unwelcome. "Well, Cherry-your-super-cute-superhero, I'm Hyousuke Suzuki. Dunno where I helped you, but I'm glad I did. Maybe you could help return the favour and help me figure out what this string's for?" Evidently, he hadn't been keeping up with the message boards as much as he should have. A fact he would find out later on, perhaps.

Hyousuke's outfit was far less recognisable than Cherry's. Dressed in a simple ensemble of a t-shirt, some well-loved navy jeans, and trainers that were long past their best years, he looked more like he was dressed for a late-night walk than a drawn-out exploration and brawl (though that was mostly because that was exactly the case). Even so, he pressed ever onwards, waiting to see what the depths of the place held for the both of them.
"Or maybe it's some supernatural stuff. Maybe it's demons lightning things up. Or the bulbs *are* the demons. Or maybe-" He responded, just loud enough for Cherry to hear, though giving precious little for anyone - or anything - else to latch onto. Her nattering was matched by his idle musing, only stopping when they came upon the next room.

The very moment he saw that figure, Hyousuke balled his fists and threw them halfway towards a fighting stance, his feet ready to dig in and stabilise at a moment's notice. Yet still, he observed, jaw clenched and nails digging into the skin of his palm.
"I don't like this..." He muttered, slowly slinking around the outer edges of the room. "Feels like we're walking right into something trying to get the jump on us." He darted his gaze from side to side, but even then, little more than the figure and that which it was lashed to revealed themselves.

"KAZUHIRA." It seemed to say, and though Hyousuke wanted to take a moment to try and wrack his brains for a memory, two enemies - shadows massed into the shape of children - rose to meet him and Cherry. Now fully in his stance, Hyousuke's mouth split into an ever-so-slightly-maddened grin, and he readied himself for battle.
"Gonna be like that? Fine! Cherry, let's do this - Persona!" With that command, something else creaked from the dark, this time from behind them. A mass of battlescarred bronze tore its way out of the void, forcing itself upon reality with the shrieking of grinding metal, the heavy clanks betraying how the figure strained under the weight of its own titanic armour. Achilles had entered the fray, and with a single command, burst forward as a streak of screaming bronze.
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Bravado toward side.SOL .. track VI .. GEMINI RECORD: "The Brothers"! Bravery and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side.SOL .. track VI .. GEMINI RECORD: "The Brothers" - Round 2 =======-
Hyousuke Suzuki Guts Success
Bravado Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0 Morale: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0 Morale: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Clumsy-1, Hard-2, Shuffle: Sword-0, and Stupor-1
Final Conditions: Hard-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 2/6 |== | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

She laughs. "It's just Cherry, silly!" she tells him, giving him a wink from behind her visor. "A superhero needs a special code name! Or else, they can't protect their secret identity and the people close to them. Riiight~? But don't worry, don't worry! You definitely helped me out! It's ok if you don't remember, because I do!" she continues, flapping her hand in a dismissive wave. "Oh, maybe that's what you're wearing the string for?"

Cherry pauses for a long moment.

"...Just kidding," she tells him.

Her own outfit is loud and bold, exactly like... she is? Or at least, that's the impression someone might well get.

"Oh, maybe! Maybe! We should find out, for real!" she answers him in kind, before their questions are quite rudely answered.

To that, they can only reply in kind.

Kazuhira. Peace, perhaps. It's not something Cherry thinks about for particularly long -- no, not when there's a shadowy child intent on her pain to handle.

In this, she and Hyousuke are of similar mind: destroy that which assails them, and then, once they have defeated their opponents--

"If you do that again, I won't be nice, either," Cherry says to the samurai statue, pointing her weapon at it. Her eyes narrow, her Artemisia ready with blade at her side.

But though it had moved once, it does not do so again, not with its shadow crushed.
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 3 - Challenge Level 2 ===========================================-
| Card: side.SOL .. track XVIII .. AQUARIUS RECORD: "Legacies" |
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., Educational - Academics Up L1, |
| Hard - Understanding Down L1, and Soft - Understanding Up L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

'I was but a boy
Seeing him, peerless tensai
Hidden legacies...?'

The iron space in the belly of the ship is a labyrinthine network of
compartments, conduit and piping running overhead with the near constant
drip of water into the partially flooded compartments. Many strange
phenomena run rampant over the ship, but here there is subtle beauty. A
quiet beauty, in the way the overhead lights scatter across the flooding
basin below the catwalks, casting the harmless, entrancing shimmers of
dappled and caustic light filtering through the pipes and against the inner
hull walls.

Fireflies made from origami flit through the space you come to, a
convoluted tangle of passageways and bulkhead doors, all stacked up on top
of eachother in a physics-defying gallery of wheel cranks and safety
interlocks.

Not that he pays it any mind, the aging machine on the deck in the center
of the knot of doors. He wears a smooth, featureless mask, and sits on his
knees before a low shosai-ki writing table marked with the three leaves of
an ancient clan. He has earned the right to silk, to kimono, to a
comfortable cushion to sit on, but still he works. The machine is made of
lightly tarnished brass, glass lenses and leather-gloved hands to hold the
ink brush.

He is hard at work, drawing the sleeve of his haori up the length of his
arm, revealing the elaborate gearing and springs that drive him as he ties
the sleeves back with an ornamental cord.

There is a heavy, locked tome on the table beside his inkwell, but he works
on an open scroll before him, dipping his brush into the ink, his scribe
exact. Attempting to interrupt him during this time -- or really any other
-- will result in the paper fireflies that encircle him unfurling into
massive walls of paper that absorb force like steel, pushing violently back
away from the aging, faceless samurai and his work. The air of decades of
experience and centuries of history separate you.

Instead of saying anything, he presses his ink seal down twice, first on
the corner of the scroll, then on the silk ribbon he uses to seal it.
'MOTOMARO,' it says. This scroll is what he presents to you.

At first glance, the scroll is a musing of a shinobi's life and death, and
of protecting secret knowledge, but hidden deep in dense meter of poetry and
allusion is hidden information on the door and path to the next compartment.
The automaton's writing uses ancient ciphers, and deciphering it will reveal
the right door. Any other invites danger from the waters and worse outside.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Hyousuke looked as if he seriously considered that *that* was what the string was supposed to be for. He certainly didn't have any better ideas on what it was supposed to be about, after all. Still, she dismissed the theory, and he was inclined to do so as well - though it still left the question of who exactly Cherry was.
"If you say so." He said, shrugging nonchalantly as he ambled through the ship, hoping something would help clue him in on where to go, what to do, or what had even been transpiring in the depths. "You just seem like someone I'd remember meeting."

-----

"Kazuhira... what do you think that meant? Someone's name?" Hyousuke said, more thinking out loud than actually asking. "Might've been that guy's name. Or one of those weird things we fought." Hyousuke's face visibly contorted with the effort required to form a coherent thought, but he dismissed it before too long. He needed to focus on the here and now, rather than the ramblings of some strange, chained, thing that had once stood in his path. It was just as well too - his train of thought was interrupted quite suddenly.

"You hear that? Sounded like a poem or something. Dunno what it was trying to tell us though, it's pretty damn cryptic." Hyousuke asked, casting his eyes around the area, trying to figure out a source. None made itself apparent, but that automaton in the centre of the room seemed as good a thing to ask as any other denizen of the realm. Hyousuke stepped forward, his shoes beating out steady footfalls as he closed the distance between himself and the unharried artist, hoping to glean some knowledge about the realm he and Cherry were in.

"Hey, you, you know anything about-" Hyousuke never got to finish the sentence. Stunned at first by the fathomless centuries and the mastery they granted a man, he could only numbly accept the scroll pressed into his hands. Somehow, despite being a sheet of something light with nothing heavier than silk to adorn it, the scroll weighed in his hands like an anvil. Unfurling it was a tentative affair, but he did so anyway, callused fingers working slowly to make certain that the thing remained intact.

"MOTOMARO..." Hyousuke repeated, scanning his eyes over the available material before handing it off to Cherry. "Can you look at this? Feels like I'm missing something on this, but I can't tell what."
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Understanding toward side.SOL .. track XVIII .. AQUARIUS RECORD: "Legacies"! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

Cherry considers this for a moment.

Then: "I dunno. Sometimes it's just like that?" she supplies, helplessly.

----

"Maybe? I think it's a name?" As a word, it'd probably be pronounced 'wahei' if it's written the way she supposes, she thinks; she might be near the bottom of her class in grades (as of the last exam period, RIP) but this is the kind of stuff even she can figure out. So, it's probably a name.

But whose name?

"Don't know," Cherry says, at last. This is way above her paygrade as it stands. "If we continue... maybe we'll figure it out, though?" she muses, folding her arms over her chest.

There's a sound, he claims. She pricks her ears and tilts her head, listening in as if straining to pick up what he's hearing. "...Yeah," she says at last. "I hear it too. Is that haiku?" There are other forms of poetry than that, but it's the first one that came to mind. "Where's it coming from?"

This is the point where they both come across that new machine, this one in the guise of a scholar as it carefully writes out, character by character, the contents of a scroll.

"Wow... that's really good, even for a machine," Cherry gushes, watching the brush as if transfixed. She doesn't interrupt: she just gazes on as the brush moves across the paper, watches as it stamps the scroll... and then recoils as the scroll is offered to both of them. "Ehhh? For us? I mean, sure! Thanks!" she chirps, accepting it along with Hyousuke as she leans over to see what it says.

"...Oh, wow... even the stuff in literature class isn't this dense..." she laments, her shoulders slouching. "This is really deep... and I don't know some of these characters..."

Taking the scroll from him, she works more slowly to re-read the passages again. "It's really... ornate here," she says, her gaze following a few characters of the text. "It's really... wow. Yeah." She pauses.

"But, there's all these numbers in here, too? I wonder if they mean something."

Weren't the doors they passed numbered? It can't be the whole of the puzzle, but perhaps it's a part.

"And... there's this part about the passage of the seasons. Maybe... you have to turn around? You know? Like the seasons?"

It's the best she's got. Neither of them may have been made for this sort of puzzle...
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Understanding toward side.SOL .. track XVIII .. AQUARIUS RECORD: "Legacies"! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side.SOL .. track XVIII .. AQUARIUS RECORD: "Legacies" - Round 3 ======-
Hyousuke Suzuki Understanding Failure
Understanding Base Fatigue: 2 Morale: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Understanding Success
Understanding Base Fatigue: 0 Morale: 5
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Box-0, Educational-2, Hard-1, and Soft-2
Final Conditions: Educational-1 and Soft-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 3/6 |=== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 2, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
It was fair to say that Hyousuke didn't quite get it. Before Maria took the scroll, he'd been twisting and turning it, craning his neck around like a perplexed hound. In the end, he could make neither heads nor tails of it. Simply reading the page aloud seemed to havehim stumbling here and there, but to parse the meaning hidden deeper within the work itself? He was visibly frustrated when he handed it off to Cherry, and even stole peeks at it while she surveyed whatever text was on it.

"You got all that from just that scroll?" He asked, as he made his way to (what he hoped was) the correct door. "You must be pretty smart if you know how all that poem and decoding stuff works. I could barely read the thing." There was a slight edge to his voice when he said that - not jealousy, but frustration. It wasn't directed at her, but it was there all the same, before being blunted by his need to refocus and continue onwards. "So if we're going off of seasons, it should be... this door!" With a flourish, Hyousuke pushed open the door, and stepped through.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 4 - Challenge Level 3 ===========================================-
| Card: side::LUNA > The Hierophant; Taurus > BARRIER |
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Academics |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Educational - Academics Up L1, |
| Educational - Academics Up L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, and Soft |
| - Understanding Up L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

(BGM: https//youtu.be//puLnIQ-plR8 Toshio Masuda - "Shinen")

The corridor is plain: dark wood flooring and steeple ceiling contrasting
with white plaster walls. It's lit with natural indirect light, cast in from
narrow openings between the wall and roofing. The air feels crisp and chill,
like late fall.

A red thread spools on ahead of you towards a far off exit, but the moment
you step on the horizontally-laid floor boards, you hear an oddly melodic
creak. A wooden door suddenly slams down, sealed with a simple lock. Simple,
right?

A lock is just a barrier with a cheat called a key.

Alas, when the door is opened, there's another door a few meters away,
made of thicker wood and a more complex lock. After that, there will be a
metal door, with similarly tougher lock.

The pattern will continue to escalate, with one added complication: fall
has turned to winter, and the air is now frigid with the touch of snow. As
fingers become numb and exhaustion threatens to set in, you'll hear a young,
bell-like giggle, as if someone finds your effort hilarious. Nonethless, you
must persevere to get to the end, no matter what.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

"Well... kinda?" she tells Hyousuke, tilting her head slightly like a somewhat baffled dog. "There's just a lot of number mentions and... I noticed them? I'm not that good at this stuff, really, but... I just noticed it. That, and the seasons stuff. It just came up over and over." She shrugs, as if feeling awkward about it just now, far from the confident and cheerful girl who'd greeted him without hesitating on entry to this place. "I don't really get the poem. Or what it's trying to say." Even a broken clock is right twice a day, as it's said.

And it just so happens that they're the right clues to follow.

"But I guess it worked out, right? So that's good!"

She's back, ladies and gentlemen.

The door branches into a plain corridor. Speaking of the seasons, in here it seems as if it were the late fall in terms of temperature and mood. "It's kind of nice in here," she remarks, before stooping.

"Look! It's red thread like yours!"

This is when the first door slams down.

"..."

"...Rude," Cherry remarks, getting up on her feet. Tilting her head, she could swear she hears something, just now. "A lock, huh... and there's a lock here..."

She brandishes a hairpin, pulled from somewhere on her person with a flourish. "Luckily! I can pick locks!"

It goes swimmingly with this one.

And the one after that.

And after that.

And--

Then, it's when nature pulls its cruelest trick and it starts snowing. Cherry, jogging in place in an attempt to stay warm and keep her temperature up, stretches her fingers before the next attempt.

"How many more are there? They're getting hard," she complains.

And it's getting cold. So very cold.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward side::LUNA > The Hierophant; Taurus > BARRIER! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
"Sounds like smart people stuff to me." Hyousuke replied. He didn't even blink when he said it - the words came as naturally from his mouth as breath. "Noticing patterns and stuff and making links... that kinda stuff doesn't just happen." Well, it sometimes did, but chalking it up to luck felt rather disingenuous.

The corridor was plain, but Hyousuke had learnt not to trust appearances by that point in time. There was no telling what strange things lurked in the shadows, what traps waited beneath the floorboards, or what manner of strange beast might have had its eyes on them. Sharp eyes of emerald green darted around as he moved down the corridor - that, at the very least, he could manage. Certainly better than trying to pick apart the themes of something that he could barely begin to read, let alone fully understand.

A creak was followed by a slam, and that slam heralded yet another obstacle to bar their path.
"Seriously, what's up with this place?" Hyousuke grumbled while leaning in to take a better look at the lock. "I get it's all about supernatural weirdness and people's thoughts and stuff, but man... This is just rude." He echoed her sentiments without much hesitation, and let her get to work. There was only one lock, after all, and an extra set of unpractised hands was bound to make things far more difficult than they had to be. Especially since there was another.

And another.

And yet another.

Over and over again, the number kept ramping up. Only when it felt like they'd been plunged into the depths of winter did the most complicated of them all come crashing down like thunder, but it was only the lock that bothered Hyousuke - the cold never even seemed to touch him. It crept its way in slowly and insidiously, but he was an athlete at heart, and he knew how to keep warm.
"Here, you gotta do it like this." He said, looking to Cherry as he spoke. "Put your feet about as wide as your shoulders, and start moving your arm around..."

Even if he couldn't help with the lock, he could help her help herself with the lock. That was just as good, right?
Perhaps he needed to ask Tsubasa for some lessons in thievery later on...
Huh? (Type "help" for help.)
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Warmup toward side::LUNA > The Hierophant; Taurus > BARRIER! Diligence and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side::LUNA > The Hierophant; Taurus > BARRIER - Round 4 ===============-
Hyousuke Suzuki Proficiency Success
Warmup Diligence and Focus Fatigue: 2 Morale: 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 0 Morale: 5
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Educational-1, Educational-2, Ineptitude-2,
and Soft-1
Final Conditions: Annoying-1, Educational-1, and Ineptitude-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 4/6 |==== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 2, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

"Eh... eh, no way," Cherry protests. It's too embarrassing to mention where she'd landed in the last exam period, so she's just not /gonna/. "I just, I dunno. Numbers, right?" she says, coupling it with a nervous laugh. "I think I just got lucky!"

She's not /that/ stupid. She knows people don't think she's all that bright.

Still, it's a point she can only argue about for so long. It's onwards and outwards (or something like that) eventually, and before long... even that passage is curtailed by those seriously rude doors.

It's a good thing that she'd decided to start picking locks last year, and it's an even better thing that Tsubasa taught her how to pick them properly. At least in a place like this, it's not like she's going to get in trouble for this, and...

The cold, while biting, is soon abated by proper warm-up stretches.

"Hm! Like that? We used to do it like /this/ when I was on the team," she remarks. But he's got a good point, it's a little easier to do like /this/ compared to like /that/, and before long she's not feeling so much of the ache in her fingers or the numbness in her joints.

There's another door after this one, and then... then, blessedly, they're free!

"I wonder what this place is about. I saw a post, you know, so I figured, I'd check it out and tell everyone what I found?" she remarks to Hyousuke. "But, it's really weird, isn't it? It's like we're in a weird boat... that's way too big."

She pauses, then nods as if to agree with herself. "Super weird."
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 5 - Challenge Level 2 ===========================================-
| Card: side.SOL .. track X .. JUPITER RECORD: "Unrealized" |
| Approach Options: Understanding or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, |
| Educational - Academics Up L1, Hard - Understanding Down L1, and |
| Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

The flooded spaces in the ship's corridors apparently drain through this
chamber, an idyllic water garden running through the ship's cargo areas.
Despite the ostensibly utilitarian space, beyond the ship's bulkheads and
partitions lays a spread of basins, water tables and fountains, all draining
into one another and filling the room with the omnipresent sound of
trickling water, and the distant, serene clack of noise-maker sozu bamboo
pipes.

While the footpath is both overlooked and overlooks multiple basins, the
vast below drops off into lush forever, brush and greenery swallowing up
lower basins and water tables in a nonsensical drop further down the
suggestions of an artificial mountainside. Most of the flowers this high up
are types of waterborne lotus, all serene and white, however many of these
flowers are toxic to the touch, paralyzing whosoever tries to touch them.

He doesn't wear armor, not like the others. He is a boy cut from
refracting, shimmering light, an apparition standing on the other side of a
compound lens folding out of the floor. The complex assortment of lenses,
rocker arms and focusing arrays channels a single lonely beam of moonlight
from above to project the boy at play, a boy in a lavishly patterned kimono
and a white lightning bolt shot through his shock of black hair. A sword,
far too large for the boy, is tucked in a sheath at his back. The mechanical
lenses portray him in shimmering, liquid relief, as if on the outer edge of
an event horizon. He bounces a colorful ball -- the only thing real -- on
the ground, focusing on the play.

Every so often he looks up, as if searching for someone to play with. Every
time he looks up, he finds no one in the lonely garden. Ignoring you at
first, the boy sighs, and continues.

At even junctures, the footpath shifts, the apparition shimmering. Folding
into the floor, the entire apparatus disappears only to unfurl somewhere
else, projecting the shimmering boy and his lonely game somewhere else. The
ball bounces from place to place, following his path and play.

Slowly but surely, he'll find his way to a gravestone at the center of the
garden. On it is written a name: 'ISATO.'

A dangerous place, a lonely game. The boy will only be here for a short
time until he is gone, disappearing at the grave. Though the boy does not
speak but for the click of the complex machinery around him, understanding
why he is here or getting his attention off of his doomed dream may prompt
him to point you to the way out of the chamber.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
With the cold kept at bay long enough for Maria to work her magic on the lock, the two moved forwards through the ship. Not content to let their only company be the sound of rushing water, creaking metal, and an assortment of other distant noises, Hyousuke nodded along and responded in earnest.
"Figures there'd be a post about this place. But I'm guessing the ones you've seen didn't tell you anything worth thinking about." He pulled a face, trying to draw a link between all he'd seen, and perhaps even pick apart the symbolism. However, rushing through everything had not left him with a lot of chances to soak in the details. "...Probably something to do with samurai and ninjas and stuff. Real old history - the kind you get in textbooks. I dunno - I was out for a walk and just stumbled into this place. Walked through a torii gate in some Sumaru backalley."

Middling as his grades were, Hyousuke could not offer much more than that at first blush. What he did seem to take the time to drink in the sight of, however, was the cargo hold's rather expansive water garden. Rushing waters, once muffled by the walls and barriers that had barred their way, at once grew louder and more serene. He was exposed to it all directly, thatmuch was true, but it was organised into a symphony rather than a discordant cacophony. Water tables, streams, and noisemakers all came together in aligned harmony, drowning out the blare of hammering waves and tides.

There was as much elegance to the scene before him as there was danger. The mountainside, no matter how artificial, was still a work of art. It being carved by man, nature, or the tides of thought, was irrelevant. He couldn't help but gaze down, distracted only when his eye caught on a lily.
"Flowers? Here? Didn't know they'd grow in water like this." Hyousuke said, internally chalking it up to supernatural weirdness, or a species he'd not seen. Before he could make the questionable decision to reach out and touch one to investigate, the faintest graze of a petal met with his skin. It only took one look at his hand, flopping and unresponsive, to show why that would have been a bad idea. "...Shit. Poison. Maybe don't grab those."

He was fortunate, at least, that he didn't need his hand to watch. He let it hang uselessly by his side as he observed the child, staying silent and distant at first, cautious that it was another lure to bring him to his death. He gazed on as that child, wrought from rays of light carved and sliced until it took the shape of something human, played amidst the garden. He even held his hand out, signalling for Maria to hang back, and not to trust it - though how he expected to be taken seriously with the hand not working right was another story entirely.

"This... It... He looks..." Hyousuke squinted. He inclined his neck forwards, trying to get a better view of the boy before he stumbled into what could have been another trap. But, as ever, curiosity got the better of him - though it was helped along by a vague sense of recognition. Hyousuke took one small step forward, then another, and then a few more, until he was close enough to the child that he had no doubt he could be heard. Crouching, in the hopes that a six-foot slab of athletic muscle topped with blonde hair and a scarred face wouldn't scare him, Hyousuke beamed a warm grin at the child.

"Hey, kid, are you doing alright?" He asked, though got little more than whirring and clicking of mechanisms firing off around him in response. Nevertheless, he pressed on, fresh out of better ideas. "Looks to me like you knew who's in there. Did you wanna talk about 'em?" He had questions. More than he could ever hope to ask in one sitting, and mos the doubted the childlike figure could answer. But he and Cherry needed out at some point, or directions through the ship at the very least, so he pushed past that in the hopes his efforts with the boy would not be in vain.
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Brush it Off toward side.SOL .. track X .. JUPITER RECORD: "Unrealized"! Friendliness and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

"Nope!" says Cherry, cheerfully. "I saw a post that said they found an interesting place but that you needed a black kifuda? And then walk around the torii gate three times with it. And, it worked, you know?" she tells him, nodding as she explains. "But that's all. Just, a place that shouldn't exist, and how to get in. I figured, it sounded pretty interesting, so..."

She shrugs. "I used the ones at Alaya, of course. You know, they didn't let us go there on our own when I was little..." She pauses as she works on the lock, glancing up at him.

"A little boy was killed there, once. But I didn't know about it back then."

But they're through, after that, and they're onwards into the depths.

"Wow..." Cherry gushes, looking this way and that. "Those flowers! They're lotus, I think? Pretty~" Her mother works in a flower shop part time, and while lotus don't lend themselves terribly well to arrangements, it's not as if she hasn't seen them for herself.

That's before Hyousuke reaches out to touch one. "Ah! Your hand! Are you okay?" she frets. "You're not gonna die, right? I can't do anything about dying!" She's not kidding, her Persona can't do healing or even deal with status effects at all.

But they're not alone down here, as it were. Halted by his outstretched hand, Cherry holds her position until further notice.

"He's just a kid."

He's probably not even real, like the statues above had been. But, that doesn't mean...

Trailing after him and the child, she watches on intently as he approaches the grave and then--

And then that's when Cherry strikes.

"Hey, what's your name? Do you come here to visit often? I saw that ball you had. It's pretty!" she chatters, as she proceeds to go on and on.

"It's pretty nice weather today, isn't it? Hey, don't you like it when it rains, though? The sound of the rain on the roof just sounds so comforting. And it makes the world pretty afterwards! Though, the nice thing about sunny days is that you can go out and play, right? But I also like it when it's overcast sometimes, because it's kind of nice when it's got that grey feeling. Oh, and when there's a storm, and you have to hunker down..."

Behold, the power of chatter, featuring Cherry.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Girls' Talk toward side.SOL .. track X .. JUPITER RECORD: "Unrealized"! Patra and Efficient!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side.SOL .. track X .. JUPITER RECORD: "Unrealized" - Round 5 =========-
Hyousuke Suzuki Charm Success
Brush it Off Friendliness and Focus Fatigue: 2 Morale: 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Charm Success
Girls' Talk Patra and Efficient Fatigue: 0 Morale: 5
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-1, Bothersome-2, Educational-1, Hard-2, and
Ineptitude-1
Final Conditions: Hard-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 6/6 |=====| ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 2, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 6 - Challenge Level 1 ===========================================-
| Card: side::LUNA > World; Earth > THE ORACLE SPEAKS |
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Chest - Add 2 Item/Money/Gear. and Revelation - The best |
| result. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

(BGM: https://youtu.be/m3ewe2uF6O4 Toshio Masuda - "Kotowari")

This machine is not one to give its secrets in one visit, but this visit
has proven fortuitous. In the distance, you can see and hear the click-clack
of many rooms moving around, blithely working to protect a 'treasure' that
has been already found.

In watery fields lie a steep hill with a stone stairway, crossed other
with red torii gates. At the top is a gnarled old apple tree, covered in a
lush carpet of pink blossoms. Rain falls from a distant hole far up,
sparkling against vibrant beams of moonlight.

Stepping stones allow you to access the foot of the stairs, but even if
you did step into the water, it is clean, cool, and clear. You can see many
red threads lazily undulating in the waters before running up the hill's
sides.

At the top of the hill you see where all the red threads end. At the base
of the apple tree is a slumped doll the size of a young woman, her eyes
open, her expression blank. The layered, heavy silks she wears are faded,
covered in old petals. From carefully modelled hands tumble five origami
shapes, settling on the petal-littered stone below.

Each origami shape will hold some kind of significance; you'll know which
one is meant for you. Unwrapping it reveals a fortune that will strike close
to home, like it was made for you and you alone.

(OOC: Your fortune is up to you. You can derive it from the major
tarot/planet/elements in the title of the rooms you passed through, or make
up your own! The only rules are that it is something that will be 'truthful'
in some way. In addition, send a @mail to Shiryuu if you need help deciding
what random loot you get!)

Final Loot: 3 boxes of Money and 1 Pieces of Gear! That could be... Gear:
Mysterious Accessory, Money: Mysterious Art, or Money: Mysterious Gems!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Hyousuke regarded Maria with calm, composed, interest when she relayed her story about Alaya. He remained neutral throughout, never offering more than a slow nod to show he was listening.
"A little boy? Poor kid... I had no idea. I only got to Sumaru at the start of the school year, so I got no idea about stuff like that. Feels like people just kinda assume you already know it since you're here." He shrugged, not particularly bothered by it, and soldiered on.

-----

"Nah, don't worry, I got this. I'm probably not gonna die. Not unless it's got some of those neurotoxins or whatever."
Hyousuke held his hand up - or, rather, his wrist - and studied his hand as it fell numbly to one side. He seemed a lot less worried about it than Maria - indeed, much less worried than he realistically should have been - before fishing a skill card out of his pocket to heal whatever minor damage had been wrought. The numbness did not subside, but any scratches and aches vanished along with the glow of green light, so at least he didn't have to worry about cleaning it up.

The boy didn't speak. He never spoke - not unless the subtle sounds of machinery working away in the surroundings counted as his end of a conversation. But between Hyousuke's attentions, and Maria's chatter, he at least seemed to understand that there were people around him. He looked between them, silent as the grave that he stood by, the ball held loosely between two hands. Whether he understood or cared what either of his visitors had to say, he did not show nor say. His face brooked no discernible expression, and his lips never parted. But he did grant them the response of pointing towards an exit, some ways off in the distance.

The space's secrets were bared for all to see as soon as the pair transitioned away from the gravesite. A steep hill of lush green stood as the place upon which the foremost of them rested, its surface pockmarked with the red of torii gates, and meandered through by stone paths of a plain grey. The climb was a long and arduous one, but it was hardly one that he could not make - his hiking experience saw to that. Rather, his slower pace was partly from caution, and partly to take in his surroundings, feeling as though there was something he was supposed to take from it all.

His slower pace came to a stop altogether when he came to the top of the hill. Moonlight passed through the thin curtain of rain, silently piercing the pattering veil to cast its gaze upon what lay at the gnarled tree's base. Nestled atop a bed of pink blossoms lay a doll, propped idly up against the trunk. No expression had been crafted onto her visage, no pose had been enforced with which to glean context. All that remained there was her, and five origami shapes scattered into the petals below.

"Geez... This isn't gonna be something else that gets up and attacks us, is it?" Hyousuke asked, once he'd gotten over the initial awe of seeing the scene laid out before him. Picking his way carefully through the blooms - and taking care to expose as little skin to them as humanly possible - he kneeled down and peered into the doll's eyes. But there was nothing there that he could discern as notable. It was a well-crafted piece - eerily so, now that he looked at it - but nothing that he found to be actionable.

The origami shapes, however... Those spoke to him. Or, more specifically, one did. A sheet of blank paper, white as the driven snow and folded crisply along each edge, it had been folded into the shape of a hound. There was no telling what breed or any other details apart from the general species - in fact, he only 'knew' it to be a dog because of the gut feeling that entered him the second he held it to the pale light shining down upon them. But his mind was firm in its assertion, and he unfurled the piece to see what lay within.

'Do not be bound to time. Strength cannot be found in the chains of the past that hang you, nor should it be sought in shacking yourself to a future. Forge bonds with those you love, and in that you shall find your freedom.'

Hyousuke stared at it a while, blinking and wondering what it was supposed to mean. He angled it, held it up to the light, looked upon its back, but found nothing. Yet, despite how odd he found it, something seemed to stir in the back of his mind, and in the depths of his gut. It was an uncomfortable feeling, and he wished to cast it out, but it lingered like the numbness in his hand. He sighed, folded the paper, and slipped it into his pocket to study later.
"Come on, we should get out of here." He said, turning to face Maria. "I don't want to get caught out by the doll coming to life or something."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Cherry shakes her head. "You've gotta get to a doctor, though, okay? It's really bad if you die!" she fusses. "And I can't do anything that helps with my Persona!" He's at least not looking unsteady on his feet, so it's /probably/ a localized problem, but...

Still, no grave danger rises to meet the two of them as they pick their way through this floating world of automata threaded with an echo of the Japan that had been. The boy cannot of course speak however many questions Cherry might pepper him with, but neither is he apparently ill-affected by her relentless chatter. Perhaps, if anything, he'd found it endering? Or perhaps even familiar in some way.

He points the way ahead, and Cherry doesn't need to be told twice to go and follow.

There's something there under the tree. A person?

Oh. No, it's a giant doll. "Oh, she's pretty!" she gushes. "--Eh? No! ...I hope not?" she says, as if in reaction to Hyousuke's own wondering if it's going to attack them now, too. But it's just a doll, it seems, and stays under the tree as if asleep.

Here she picks up her own fortune with care from the lap of the large slumbering doll. "Look! It's a turtle! ...I'm a little sad unfolding it..." she sighs, but does to see what her own fate holds.

"From the stars, from beyond the dancing field of debris and through towards the cradle... be wary of unwise attachment and delusion, young one, but ware also the order the world would have from you. A coin is flipped: here it lands on edge at the ends of the world."

So she reads it aloud. She stares at the fortune. She squints at it.

"I don't get it," she complains, her shoulders sagging.

Her gaze lifts soon enough, though, and she notices there's fruit among the boughs.

Reaching up, Cherry picks an apple from the tree. Then another, and another. "They look so good," she tells Hyousuke. "But I guess I can't take a lot, since I don't have a bag?"

They /should/ get out of here, though.

"Yeah! This was fun, wasn't it?"

She thinks it was.

"Oh! Don't forget! You need to see a /doctor/!"

She can't let this one slide.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-10-03: The Mystery of Mizunagi

2026-10-11T03:32:00Z

Strangeshrimp: adding a last pose for maria here

*'''Log: The Mystery of Mizunagi'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hyousuke Suzuki]], [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Sumaru City
*'''OOC Date:''' 2026-10-03
*'''IC Date:''' Sat Jan 19 2013
*'''Summary:''' ''Hyousuke and Cherry - a mysterious figure claiming to know him - enter the wreck of the Mizunagi, hoping to unravel the mysteries contained within.''

----

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 1 - Challenge Level 1 ===========================================-
| Card: side.SOL .. intro 0 .. TURNTABLE SATURN: "the gate" |
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Academics |
| Conditions: Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1 and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

Tumbling through the void, you fell through at least ten gates, all stacked
at physically impossible angles. It felt like forever before you landed
here, in the center of a vast, flooded cavern cut into the abominable stone.

The vagarious iridescence of reflections from the water seethes across the
cavern walls, glittering like waterborne gems that may or may not actually
be present in the dancing floodwaters. Though the water is deep enough that
you can't see the bottom, you may still stand easily on its surface, as
solid as glass, only the lightest ripple indicating your passing.

A torii gate stands on the water behind you, a dark, impossible mirror to
the space above, crimson red with pitch-black ofuda hanging forlornly from
its posts. Ahead lay a crippled, sunken ship, lopsided and run aground,
buried in a rocky shore that looks like the outer facade of a building,
tilted to a bizarre, mad slant.

The ship is silent, bitter and lonesome. All rotting steel and overgrown
with green vines, it's lit solely from a single consecrate beam of bright
light from far above. The dilapidated ship lists dangerously, hull sitting
at almost a forty five degree angle above the floodline, the fore and bridge
decks of the vessel unreachably high towards the top of the cavern, with the
aft section melding into the rock face.

A small, shattered helicopter is crumpled like paper, rotors snapped off
and bent around it. It's all but wrapped around a shattered helipad that
used to be attached to the ship, itself now forming a loose bridge that
cants towards the cargo area, allowing entry to the ship. But one method of
entering the ship itself is a keypad outside of the aft cargo hold,
flickering with barely-functional illumination.

Instead of a numerical code, the door is secured by a password system, and
the door to the hold is secured with what appears to be ancient clockwork
gears instead of any actual modern latching system. The password doesn't
seem to be anything basic, and changes on the day and the whim of the
blasphemous world. Only a passing knowledge of the ship itself -- or a
willingness to get physical with the interlock -- will gain entry to the
ship's interior spaces.

(OOC NOTE: Passages in red text will appear in some rooms. These represent
omnipresent thoughts or feelings that can be detected by those open to it.)

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Hyousuke's mind was a maelstrom of thoughts, all clamouring for attention, each making a desperate attempt to drown out the others. His own future, the wellbeing of his friends, the motives and aims of the enigmatic fencers and those that held their reins... All those and more lingered within his mind, but none could hold the fore more than a few moments before something else strove to take his place. One thing managed to worm its way onto centre stage more often than the others, however, most likely because of recency - his brother.

Ten years, he'd not seen the man. Ten years that he'd languished with his parents and with those that had pretended to be his friends, while his brother had wandered off into the middle of Tokyo to pursue some government job or other, presumably living a cushy life far away from all that transpired in his absence. He could have simply vanished off the face of the Earth, severing contact with all that had known him before he'd left... and yet, despite it all, the man had swooped in at the last minute, and saved Hyousuke from some ignominious span in juvie.

Why, he wondered, did he help? Why did he not turn his back on someone he owed nothing to, and only stood to risk losing time, money, and reputation by helping? Someone he'd not seen in just over a decade by that point, no less. Leaning against the back of a bench in the dead of night, having taken a stroll through the bitter cold to try and clear his head, Hyousuke found himself no closer to an answer than he had been the first time he'd posed the question to himself. In fact, he only had more - something exacerbated by the presence of a thin, red, string, laced neatly around his finger.

He didn't quite know what compelled him to follow it. Down empty streets and through derelict backalleys, he stumbled around, too distracted to think much of anything that he saw. So when he came to the torii gate, sanguine red and towering above him, he almost stepped through without thinking. He blinked as his foot edged near the threshold, and he waited as every instinct in his body screamed above the noise of active thought, demanding that he step back. That past that gate was nothing good - that only death or worse awaited. But Hyousuke, more curious and reckless than was sensible, couldn't resist the urge to figure out another supernatural phenomena.

Hyousuke stepped tentatively out, sharp eyes dragging slowly across the landscape before him. The water rippled, but did not break, its surface like a plane of stygian glass. It seemed impossible that he could walk on it, and the animal part of his brain railed at the idea. But he'd seen and done plenty of hitherto impossible things in the past six months alone. To walk towards that decaying husk of a ship, and what remained of the broken helicopter, was nothing special. Not even if it mean traversing the water's surface.

While Hyousuke recognised that a password was needed, and that there were no doubt clues scattered around the area, he was just smart enough to know how dumb he was. Feeling as though he'd never figure out the code, Hyousuke stretched a little while looking over the gears, before reaching forward and attempting to open it manually.
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Warmup toward side.SOL .. intro 0 .. TURNTABLE SATURN: "the gate"! Diligence and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

Brightly-colored sneakers splash across the mirror-like surface of the water. Their owner pauses, then turns about to regard the iridescent surroundings. Overcome, they then hop up onto the air, absolutely taken by the sights they've come across.

"Yes! It worked! It wasn't just a prank, this time!" Maria -- or rather, as she is now, Cherry -- cheers, flashing a V with her fingers at the torii gate through which she's just passed. "This is so cool! I'm in a new place! --Huh?"

She's just realized she's not alone in here.

"Hey!" she says, rushing over to Hyousuke. "--Oh! It's you!"

She pauses, looking him over, clad in her Will of Rebellion tattered thief outfit, cybervisor and all. She's not someone he'll know, like this. On the other hand, he's someone that she--

"You really helped me out last time, you know? I'm really glad! ...Even if it kind of hurt," Cherry admits, pulling her mouth in a moue of dismay as she remembers that encounter, if from the remove of the curse having taken her over.
Or, that is, the curse that had taken /Maria Sakurai/ over. Cherry is a completely different person, definitely.

"So, you heard about that rumor, too? --Oh! Did you tie one on to remember something?" she remarks, of the string on his finger. "You're supposed to used a handkerchief, though!" she admonishes him, wagging a finger in his face.

"But come on, come on, let's check this place out!" she exhorts, grabbing an arm and tugging if that's what it takes before she dashes off towards the ship.

They might be of similar minds on this front, though, for instead of trying to figure out the code she first stretches her legs and then--

Kicks at the door.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward side.SOL .. intro 0 .. TURNTABLE SATURN: "the gate"! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side.SOL .. intro 0 .. TURNTABLE SATURN: "the gate" - Round 1 =========-
Hyousuke Suzuki Proficiency Success
Warmup Diligence and Focus Fatigue: 0 Morale: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 0 Morale: 2
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Clumsy-2 and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Clumsy-1 and Stupor-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Maria Sakurai was someone Hyousuke would have recognised, and understood that he'd helped. Cherry - who was most certainly a different person he'd never met before - was, in fact, not someone he remembered helping. He blinked at her, eyes glassy and face as blank as a canvas, attempting to remember even the vaguest detail that might have helped him figure out who she was. Alas, he had nothing. Unable to hide a thing, Hyousuke simply gave as firm and confident a nod as he could in her direction.
"Any time! No idea who you are, but I'm happy to help" He said, flashing a toothy grin before returning to his work. "Dunno what gave me these powers, but if getting a ghost to beat people up's gonna save 'em, I'll do it."

Indeed, the adventers it had taken him on were quite bizarre, but they could be considered later. For now, the door was the main concern.
"No idea what the red string's for though. I just looked down, and it was there. Dunno if it'll come off, but it looks like it's on tight. Besides, it got me here, so I'm wondering if taking it off's even a good idea. Probably gonna get lost without it..." He gave it a cursory tug or two, mostly just to see how it'd react, but left it largely alone before continuing on.

Their repeated efforts were not in vain. Even without a code, their repeated efforts to brute force the entrance open bore fruit. The creaking, groaning, and screeching of metal being kicked and wrenched away filled the room in a deafening cacophony, before stopping altogether once the gap was wide enough to walk through.
"Come on, let's get going. This thing's not gonna figure itself out." Hyousuke said, dusting off his hands.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 2 - Challenge Level 2 ===========================================-
| Card: side.SOL .. track VI .. GEMINI RECORD: "The Brothers" |
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Guts |
| Conditions: Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1, Hard - Understanding Down L1, |
| Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana., and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

The chamber that follows is a cascading series of vaulted archways, leading
through a narrow hall before branching out onto the main floor, a pristine
space of black and white. It seems to be lit almost entirely from below, the
floor a pulsing, preeminent white. Overhead, the deckhead is pitch black,
its contours shaped by thready scarlet pulses of light, tracing overhead
pipes and superstructure in the black.

He stands between two stone pillars in the center of the chamber,
leather-wrapped hands gripping the pipework lining them.

The figure is humanoid but not human, a titan of a man's silhouette
standing at almost twice the size of any normal person. He is a machine,
made of brass and wearing the armor and helmet of a samurai. Powerful, the
bushi stands in self-imposed bondage between the twin pillars, only barely
aware of your presence.

Between the light-sucking black above and the preternaturally bright below,
the machine samurai and the two pillars around him are the only things
capable of casting shadows dark enough to be seen. As he notices you, two
searchlight eyes lift, and an ominous growl rakes across the stone around
him.

'KAZUHIRA,' it seems to say.

Despite the feral, iron sound, it is not him who comes for you. His shadow
bifurcates, pulled in twain by the shadows of the pillars, separating into
two smaller silhouettes, less than half his size. The machine presses
together two leather-clad hands in an arcane gesture, and the silhouettes
come to life, rising from the floor in flickering black figures.

It's then you will realize that those vague silhouettes are not duplicates
of the machine, but young boys -- its children. And yet, it is those
creatures that draw their shadowy blades and come for you when summoned all
the same. Defeating or escaping them is the only way that the machine will
concede the path to you.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

GAME: Maria Sakurai flips a coin! The coin comes up tails!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

"Eh? You don't know who I--"

Realization cracks over her like dawn over the horizon. "Oh! Yeah! I'm Cherry! Your super-cute superhero!" Cherry cheers at him, making a heart with her hands.

And he says he doesn't know what the string's for. "Realllly? If you're wearing it not to forget... maybe you need another one to not forget that you had something to not forget?" Cherry wonders, quite seriously. "Well, my grandmother always said, if it's important, it'll come back again! I'm sure it'll come back. Hey, you want to take a look around, right? This place is super pre~tt~y~"

And then as one they went and broke open a door. It's fine. It's probably fine.

"Wow!" chirps Cherry, checking out this place as if she were a tourist in Paris. "Look at this! How's it fit down here? How do they do the lighting? Oh, maybe it's an illusion, though? I saw something like this on a show once, about mirrors? You know, in haunted houses?"

She natters on even as she draws ever closer to the figure that looms like a towering mountain in the chamber, indeed, who is the only real thing in here other than the pillars.

Its shadow splits and comes for the both of them as soon as those searchlight eyes fall upon her -- and him.

"Eh...?" Maria utters, gazing at the shadow that lunges for her. She hops back as it swings, a bladed polearm manifesting in her hands.

"You know," says Cherry, suddenly dead-serious.

"I don't think you're being very nice."

She swipes at the shadow-child herself, this time, reaching up then to touch her hand to her visor -- her mask -- and then pull it and her face away.

"Persona!"

One way to make a Shadow stop existing is to drown it in darkness.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward side.SOL .. track VI .. GEMINI RECORD: "The Brothers"! Bravery and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
"...Nope, still don't recognise you." Hyousuke saw little point in pretending. He knew just enough to know he wasn't exactly an exemplar when it came to acting. But that didn't mean he had any intent of making her feel unwelcome. "Well, Cherry-your-super-cute-superhero, I'm Hyousuke Suzuki. Dunno where I helped you, but I'm glad I did. Maybe you could help return the favour and help me figure out what this string's for?" Evidently, he hadn't been keeping up with the message boards as much as he should have. A fact he would find out later on, perhaps.

Hyousuke's outfit was far less recognisable than Cherry's. Dressed in a simple ensemble of a t-shirt, some well-loved navy jeans, and trainers that were long past their best years, he looked more like he was dressed for a late-night walk than a drawn-out exploration and brawl (though that was mostly because that was exactly the case). Even so, he pressed ever onwards, waiting to see what the depths of the place held for the both of them.
"Or maybe it's some supernatural stuff. Maybe it's demons lightning things up. Or the bulbs *are* the demons. Or maybe-" He responded, just loud enough for Cherry to hear, though giving precious little for anyone - or anything - else to latch onto. Her nattering was matched by his idle musing, only stopping when they came upon the next room.

The very moment he saw that figure, Hyousuke balled his fists and threw them halfway towards a fighting stance, his feet ready to dig in and stabilise at a moment's notice. Yet still, he observed, jaw clenched and nails digging into the skin of his palm.
"I don't like this..." He muttered, slowly slinking around the outer edges of the room. "Feels like we're walking right into something trying to get the jump on us." He darted his gaze from side to side, but even then, little more than the figure and that which it was lashed to revealed themselves.

"KAZUHIRA." It seemed to say, and though Hyousuke wanted to take a moment to try and wrack his brains for a memory, two enemies - shadows massed into the shape of children - rose to meet him and Cherry. Now fully in his stance, Hyousuke's mouth split into an ever-so-slightly-maddened grin, and he readied himself for battle.
"Gonna be like that? Fine! Cherry, let's do this - Persona!" With that command, something else creaked from the dark, this time from behind them. A mass of battlescarred bronze tore its way out of the void, forcing itself upon reality with the shrieking of grinding metal, the heavy clanks betraying how the figure strained under the weight of its own titanic armour. Achilles had entered the fray, and with a single command, burst forward as a streak of screaming bronze.
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Bravado toward side.SOL .. track VI .. GEMINI RECORD: "The Brothers"! Bravery and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side.SOL .. track VI .. GEMINI RECORD: "The Brothers" - Round 2 =======-
Hyousuke Suzuki Guts Success
Bravado Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0 Morale: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0 Morale: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Clumsy-1, Hard-2, Shuffle: Sword-0, and Stupor-1
Final Conditions: Hard-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 2/6 |== | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

She laughs. "It's just Cherry, silly!" she tells him, giving him a wink from behind her visor. "A superhero needs a special code name! Or else, they can't protect their secret identity and the people close to them. Riiight~? But don't worry, don't worry! You definitely helped me out! It's ok if you don't remember, because I do!" she continues, flapping her hand in a dismissive wave. "Oh, maybe that's what you're wearing the string for?"

Cherry pauses for a long moment.

"...Just kidding," she tells him.

Her own outfit is loud and bold, exactly like... she is? Or at least, that's the impression someone might well get.

"Oh, maybe! Maybe! We should find out, for real!" she answers him in kind, before their questions are quite rudely answered.

To that, they can only reply in kind.

Kazuhira. Peace, perhaps. It's not something Cherry thinks about for particularly long -- no, not when there's a shadowy child intent on her pain to handle.

In this, she and Hyousuke are of similar mind: destroy that which assails them, and then, once they have defeated their opponents--

"If you do that again, I won't be nice, either," Cherry says to the samurai statue, pointing her weapon at it. Her eyes narrow, her Artemisia ready with blade at her side.

But though it had moved once, it does not do so again, not with its shadow crushed.
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 3 - Challenge Level 2 ===========================================-
| Card: side.SOL .. track XVIII .. AQUARIUS RECORD: "Legacies" |
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., Educational - Academics Up L1, |
| Hard - Understanding Down L1, and Soft - Understanding Up L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

'I was but a boy
Seeing him, peerless tensai
Hidden legacies...?'

The iron space in the belly of the ship is a labyrinthine network of
compartments, conduit and piping running overhead with the near constant
drip of water into the partially flooded compartments. Many strange
phenomena run rampant over the ship, but here there is subtle beauty. A
quiet beauty, in the way the overhead lights scatter across the flooding
basin below the catwalks, casting the harmless, entrancing shimmers of
dappled and caustic light filtering through the pipes and against the inner
hull walls.

Fireflies made from origami flit through the space you come to, a
convoluted tangle of passageways and bulkhead doors, all stacked up on top
of eachother in a physics-defying gallery of wheel cranks and safety
interlocks.

Not that he pays it any mind, the aging machine on the deck in the center
of the knot of doors. He wears a smooth, featureless mask, and sits on his
knees before a low shosai-ki writing table marked with the three leaves of
an ancient clan. He has earned the right to silk, to kimono, to a
comfortable cushion to sit on, but still he works. The machine is made of
lightly tarnished brass, glass lenses and leather-gloved hands to hold the
ink brush.

He is hard at work, drawing the sleeve of his haori up the length of his
arm, revealing the elaborate gearing and springs that drive him as he ties
the sleeves back with an ornamental cord.

There is a heavy, locked tome on the table beside his inkwell, but he works
on an open scroll before him, dipping his brush into the ink, his scribe
exact. Attempting to interrupt him during this time -- or really any other
-- will result in the paper fireflies that encircle him unfurling into
massive walls of paper that absorb force like steel, pushing violently back
away from the aging, faceless samurai and his work. The air of decades of
experience and centuries of history separate you.

Instead of saying anything, he presses his ink seal down twice, first on
the corner of the scroll, then on the silk ribbon he uses to seal it.
'MOTOMARO,' it says. This scroll is what he presents to you.

At first glance, the scroll is a musing of a shinobi's life and death, and
of protecting secret knowledge, but hidden deep in dense meter of poetry and
allusion is hidden information on the door and path to the next compartment.
The automaton's writing uses ancient ciphers, and deciphering it will reveal
the right door. Any other invites danger from the waters and worse outside.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Hyousuke looked as if he seriously considered that *that* was what the string was supposed to be for. He certainly didn't have any better ideas on what it was supposed to be about, after all. Still, she dismissed the theory, and he was inclined to do so as well - though it still left the question of who exactly Cherry was.
"If you say so." He said, shrugging nonchalantly as he ambled through the ship, hoping something would help clue him in on where to go, what to do, or what had even been transpiring in the depths. "You just seem like someone I'd remember meeting."

-----

"Kazuhira... what do you think that meant? Someone's name?" Hyousuke said, more thinking out loud than actually asking. "Might've been that guy's name. Or one of those weird things we fought." Hyousuke's face visibly contorted with the effort required to form a coherent thought, but he dismissed it before too long. He needed to focus on the here and now, rather than the ramblings of some strange, chained, thing that had once stood in his path. It was just as well too - his train of thought was interrupted quite suddenly.

"You hear that? Sounded like a poem or something. Dunno what it was trying to tell us though, it's pretty damn cryptic." Hyousuke asked, casting his eyes around the area, trying to figure out a source. None made itself apparent, but that automaton in the centre of the room seemed as good a thing to ask as any other denizen of the realm. Hyousuke stepped forward, his shoes beating out steady footfalls as he closed the distance between himself and the unharried artist, hoping to glean some knowledge about the realm he and Cherry were in.

"Hey, you, you know anything about-" Hyousuke never got to finish the sentence. Stunned at first by the fathomless centuries and the mastery they granted a man, he could only numbly accept the scroll pressed into his hands. Somehow, despite being a sheet of something light with nothing heavier than silk to adorn it, the scroll weighed in his hands like an anvil. Unfurling it was a tentative affair, but he did so anyway, callused fingers working slowly to make certain that the thing remained intact.

"MOTOMARO..." Hyousuke repeated, scanning his eyes over the available material before handing it off to Cherry. "Can you look at this? Feels like I'm missing something on this, but I can't tell what."
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Understanding toward side.SOL .. track XVIII .. AQUARIUS RECORD: "Legacies"! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

Cherry considers this for a moment.

Then: "I dunno. Sometimes it's just like that?" she supplies, helplessly.

----

"Maybe? I think it's a name?" As a word, it'd probably be pronounced 'wahei' if it's written the way she supposes, she thinks; she might be near the bottom of her class in grades (as of the last exam period, RIP) but this is the kind of stuff even she can figure out. So, it's probably a name.

But whose name?

"Don't know," Cherry says, at last. This is way above her paygrade as it stands. "If we continue... maybe we'll figure it out, though?" she muses, folding her arms over her chest.

There's a sound, he claims. She pricks her ears and tilts her head, listening in as if straining to pick up what he's hearing. "...Yeah," she says at last. "I hear it too. Is that haiku?" There are other forms of poetry than that, but it's the first one that came to mind. "Where's it coming from?"

This is the point where they both come across that new machine, this one in the guise of a scholar as it carefully writes out, character by character, the contents of a scroll.

"Wow... that's really good, even for a machine," Cherry gushes, watching the brush as if transfixed. She doesn't interrupt: she just gazes on as the brush moves across the paper, watches as it stamps the scroll... and then recoils as the scroll is offered to both of them. "Ehhh? For us? I mean, sure! Thanks!" she chirps, accepting it along with Hyousuke as she leans over to see what it says.

"...Oh, wow... even the stuff in literature class isn't this dense..." she laments, her shoulders slouching. "This is really deep... and I don't know some of these characters..."

Taking the scroll from him, she works more slowly to re-read the passages again. "It's really... ornate here," she says, her gaze following a few characters of the text. "It's really... wow. Yeah." She pauses.

"But, there's all these numbers in here, too? I wonder if they mean something."

Weren't the doors they passed numbered? It can't be the whole of the puzzle, but perhaps it's a part.

"And... there's this part about the passage of the seasons. Maybe... you have to turn around? You know? Like the seasons?"

It's the best she's got. Neither of them may have been made for this sort of puzzle...
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Understanding toward side.SOL .. track XVIII .. AQUARIUS RECORD: "Legacies"! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side.SOL .. track XVIII .. AQUARIUS RECORD: "Legacies" - Round 3 ======-
Hyousuke Suzuki Understanding Failure
Understanding Base Fatigue: 2 Morale: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Understanding Success
Understanding Base Fatigue: 0 Morale: 5
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Box-0, Educational-2, Hard-1, and Soft-2
Final Conditions: Educational-1 and Soft-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 3/6 |=== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 2, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
It was fair to say that Hyousuke didn't quite get it. Before Maria took the scroll, he'd been twisting and turning it, craning his neck around like a perplexed hound. In the end, he could make neither heads nor tails of it. Simply reading the page aloud seemed to havehim stumbling here and there, but to parse the meaning hidden deeper within the work itself? He was visibly frustrated when he handed it off to Cherry, and even stole peeks at it while she surveyed whatever text was on it.

"You got all that from just that scroll?" He asked, as he made his way to (what he hoped was) the correct door. "You must be pretty smart if you know how all that poem and decoding stuff works. I could barely read the thing." There was a slight edge to his voice when he said that - not jealousy, but frustration. It wasn't directed at her, but it was there all the same, before being blunted by his need to refocus and continue onwards. "So if we're going off of seasons, it should be... this door!" With a flourish, Hyousuke pushed open the door, and stepped through.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 4 - Challenge Level 3 ===========================================-
| Card: side::LUNA > The Hierophant; Taurus > BARRIER |
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Academics |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Educational - Academics Up L1, |
| Educational - Academics Up L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, and Soft |
| - Understanding Up L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

(BGM: https//youtu.be//puLnIQ-plR8 Toshio Masuda - "Shinen")

The corridor is plain: dark wood flooring and steeple ceiling contrasting
with white plaster walls. It's lit with natural indirect light, cast in from
narrow openings between the wall and roofing. The air feels crisp and chill,
like late fall.

A red thread spools on ahead of you towards a far off exit, but the moment
you step on the horizontally-laid floor boards, you hear an oddly melodic
creak. A wooden door suddenly slams down, sealed with a simple lock. Simple,
right?

A lock is just a barrier with a cheat called a key.

Alas, when the door is opened, there's another door a few meters away,
made of thicker wood and a more complex lock. After that, there will be a
metal door, with similarly tougher lock.

The pattern will continue to escalate, with one added complication: fall
has turned to winter, and the air is now frigid with the touch of snow. As
fingers become numb and exhaustion threatens to set in, you'll hear a young,
bell-like giggle, as if someone finds your effort hilarious. Nonethless, you
must persevere to get to the end, no matter what.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

"Well... kinda?" she tells Hyousuke, tilting her head slightly like a somewhat baffled dog. "There's just a lot of number mentions and... I noticed them? I'm not that good at this stuff, really, but... I just noticed it. That, and the seasons stuff. It just came up over and over." She shrugs, as if feeling awkward about it just now, far from the confident and cheerful girl who'd greeted him without hesitating on entry to this place. "I don't really get the poem. Or what it's trying to say." Even a broken clock is right twice a day, as it's said.

And it just so happens that they're the right clues to follow.

"But I guess it worked out, right? So that's good!"

She's back, ladies and gentlemen.

The door branches into a plain corridor. Speaking of the seasons, in here it seems as if it were the late fall in terms of temperature and mood. "It's kind of nice in here," she remarks, before stooping.

"Look! It's red thread like yours!"

This is when the first door slams down.

"..."

"...Rude," Cherry remarks, getting up on her feet. Tilting her head, she could swear she hears something, just now. "A lock, huh... and there's a lock here..."

She brandishes a hairpin, pulled from somewhere on her person with a flourish. "Luckily! I can pick locks!"

It goes swimmingly with this one.

And the one after that.

And after that.

And--

Then, it's when nature pulls its cruelest trick and it starts snowing. Cherry, jogging in place in an attempt to stay warm and keep her temperature up, stretches her fingers before the next attempt.

"How many more are there? They're getting hard," she complains.

And it's getting cold. So very cold.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward side::LUNA > The Hierophant; Taurus > BARRIER! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
"Sounds like smart people stuff to me." Hyousuke replied. He didn't even blink when he said it - the words came as naturally from his mouth as breath. "Noticing patterns and stuff and making links... that kinda stuff doesn't just happen." Well, it sometimes did, but chalking it up to luck felt rather disingenuous.

The corridor was plain, but Hyousuke had learnt not to trust appearances by that point in time. There was no telling what strange things lurked in the shadows, what traps waited beneath the floorboards, or what manner of strange beast might have had its eyes on them. Sharp eyes of emerald green darted around as he moved down the corridor - that, at the very least, he could manage. Certainly better than trying to pick apart the themes of something that he could barely begin to read, let alone fully understand.

A creak was followed by a slam, and that slam heralded yet another obstacle to bar their path.
"Seriously, what's up with this place?" Hyousuke grumbled while leaning in to take a better look at the lock. "I get it's all about supernatural weirdness and people's thoughts and stuff, but man... This is just rude." He echoed her sentiments without much hesitation, and let her get to work. There was only one lock, after all, and an extra set of unpractised hands was bound to make things far more difficult than they had to be. Especially since there was another.

And another.

And yet another.

Over and over again, the number kept ramping up. Only when it felt like they'd been plunged into the depths of winter did the most complicated of them all come crashing down like thunder, but it was only the lock that bothered Hyousuke - the cold never even seemed to touch him. It crept its way in slowly and insidiously, but he was an athlete at heart, and he knew how to keep warm.
"Here, you gotta do it like this." He said, looking to Cherry as he spoke. "Put your feet about as wide as your shoulders, and start moving your arm around..."

Even if he couldn't help with the lock, he could help her help herself with the lock. That was just as good, right?
Perhaps he needed to ask Tsubasa for some lessons in thievery later on...
Huh? (Type "help" for help.)
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Warmup toward side::LUNA > The Hierophant; Taurus > BARRIER! Diligence and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side::LUNA > The Hierophant; Taurus > BARRIER - Round 4 ===============-
Hyousuke Suzuki Proficiency Success
Warmup Diligence and Focus Fatigue: 2 Morale: 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 0 Morale: 5
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Educational-1, Educational-2, Ineptitude-2,
and Soft-1
Final Conditions: Annoying-1, Educational-1, and Ineptitude-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 4/6 |==== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 2, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

"Eh... eh, no way," Cherry protests. It's too embarrassing to mention where she'd landed in the last exam period, so she's just not /gonna/. "I just, I dunno. Numbers, right?" she says, coupling it with a nervous laugh. "I think I just got lucky!"

She's not /that/ stupid. She knows people don't think she's all that bright.

Still, it's a point she can only argue about for so long. It's onwards and outwards (or something like that) eventually, and before long... even that passage is curtailed by those seriously rude doors.

It's a good thing that she'd decided to start picking locks last year, and it's an even better thing that Tsubasa taught her how to pick them properly. At least in a place like this, it's not like she's going to get in trouble for this, and...

The cold, while biting, is soon abated by proper warm-up stretches.

"Hm! Like that? We used to do it like /this/ when I was on the team," she remarks. But he's got a good point, it's a little easier to do like /this/ compared to like /that/, and before long she's not feeling so much of the ache in her fingers or the numbness in her joints.

There's another door after this one, and then... then, blessedly, they're free!

"I wonder what this place is about. I saw a post, you know, so I figured, I'd check it out and tell everyone what I found?" she remarks to Hyousuke. "But, it's really weird, isn't it? It's like we're in a weird boat... that's way too big."

She pauses, then nods as if to agree with herself. "Super weird."
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 5 - Challenge Level 2 ===========================================-
| Card: side.SOL .. track X .. JUPITER RECORD: "Unrealized" |
| Approach Options: Understanding or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, |
| Educational - Academics Up L1, Hard - Understanding Down L1, and |
| Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

The flooded spaces in the ship's corridors apparently drain through this
chamber, an idyllic water garden running through the ship's cargo areas.
Despite the ostensibly utilitarian space, beyond the ship's bulkheads and
partitions lays a spread of basins, water tables and fountains, all draining
into one another and filling the room with the omnipresent sound of
trickling water, and the distant, serene clack of noise-maker sozu bamboo
pipes.

While the footpath is both overlooked and overlooks multiple basins, the
vast below drops off into lush forever, brush and greenery swallowing up
lower basins and water tables in a nonsensical drop further down the
suggestions of an artificial mountainside. Most of the flowers this high up
are types of waterborne lotus, all serene and white, however many of these
flowers are toxic to the touch, paralyzing whosoever tries to touch them.

He doesn't wear armor, not like the others. He is a boy cut from
refracting, shimmering light, an apparition standing on the other side of a
compound lens folding out of the floor. The complex assortment of lenses,
rocker arms and focusing arrays channels a single lonely beam of moonlight
from above to project the boy at play, a boy in a lavishly patterned kimono
and a white lightning bolt shot through his shock of black hair. A sword,
far too large for the boy, is tucked in a sheath at his back. The mechanical
lenses portray him in shimmering, liquid relief, as if on the outer edge of
an event horizon. He bounces a colorful ball -- the only thing real -- on
the ground, focusing on the play.

Every so often he looks up, as if searching for someone to play with. Every
time he looks up, he finds no one in the lonely garden. Ignoring you at
first, the boy sighs, and continues.

At even junctures, the footpath shifts, the apparition shimmering. Folding
into the floor, the entire apparatus disappears only to unfurl somewhere
else, projecting the shimmering boy and his lonely game somewhere else. The
ball bounces from place to place, following his path and play.

Slowly but surely, he'll find his way to a gravestone at the center of the
garden. On it is written a name: 'ISATO.'

A dangerous place, a lonely game. The boy will only be here for a short
time until he is gone, disappearing at the grave. Though the boy does not
speak but for the click of the complex machinery around him, understanding
why he is here or getting his attention off of his doomed dream may prompt
him to point you to the way out of the chamber.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
With the cold kept at bay long enough for Maria to work her magic on the lock, the two moved forwards through the ship. Not content to let their only company be the sound of rushing water, creaking metal, and an assortment of other distant noises, Hyousuke nodded along and responded in earnest.
"Figures there'd be a post about this place. But I'm guessing the ones you've seen didn't tell you anything worth thinking about." He pulled a face, trying to draw a link between all he'd seen, and perhaps even pick apart the symbolism. However, rushing through everything had not left him with a lot of chances to soak in the details. "...Probably something to do with samurai and ninjas and stuff. Real old history - the kind you get in textbooks. I dunno - I was out for a walk and just stumbled into this place. Walked through a torii gate in some Sumaru backalley."

Middling as his grades were, Hyousuke could not offer much more than that at first blush. What he did seem to take the time to drink in the sight of, however, was the cargo hold's rather expansive water garden. Rushing waters, once muffled by the walls and barriers that had barred their way, at once grew louder and more serene. He was exposed to it all directly, thatmuch was true, but it was organised into a symphony rather than a discordant cacophony. Water tables, streams, and noisemakers all came together in aligned harmony, drowning out the blare of hammering waves and tides.

There was as much elegance to the scene before him as there was danger. The mountainside, no matter how artificial, was still a work of art. It being carved by man, nature, or the tides of thought, was irrelevant. He couldn't help but gaze down, distracted only when his eye caught on a lily.
"Flowers? Here? Didn't know they'd grow in water like this." Hyousuke said, internally chalking it up to supernatural weirdness, or a species he'd not seen. Before he could make the questionable decision to reach out and touch one to investigate, the faintest graze of a petal met with his skin. It only took one look at his hand, flopping and unresponsive, to show why that would have been a bad idea. "...Shit. Poison. Maybe don't grab those."

He was fortunate, at least, that he didn't need his hand to watch. He let it hang uselessly by his side as he observed the child, staying silent and distant at first, cautious that it was another lure to bring him to his death. He gazed on as that child, wrought from rays of light carved and sliced until it took the shape of something human, played amidst the garden. He even held his hand out, signalling for Maria to hang back, and not to trust it - though how he expected to be taken seriously with the hand not working right was another story entirely.

"This... It... He looks..." Hyousuke squinted. He inclined his neck forwards, trying to get a better view of the boy before he stumbled into what could have been another trap. But, as ever, curiosity got the better of him - though it was helped along by a vague sense of recognition. Hyousuke took one small step forward, then another, and then a few more, until he was close enough to the child that he had no doubt he could be heard. Crouching, in the hopes that a six-foot slab of athletic muscle topped with blonde hair and a scarred face wouldn't scare him, Hyousuke beamed a warm grin at the child.

"Hey, kid, are you doing alright?" He asked, though got little more than whirring and clicking of mechanisms firing off around him in response. Nevertheless, he pressed on, fresh out of better ideas. "Looks to me like you knew who's in there. Did you wanna talk about 'em?" He had questions. More than he could ever hope to ask in one sitting, and mos the doubted the childlike figure could answer. But he and Cherry needed out at some point, or directions through the ship at the very least, so he pushed past that in the hopes his efforts with the boy would not be in vain.
</poem>
MONAD: Hyousuke Suzuki has acted with Brush it Off toward side.SOL .. track X .. JUPITER RECORD: "Unrealized"! Friendliness and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>

"Nope!" says Cherry, cheerfully. "I saw a post that said they found an interesting place but that you needed a black kifuda? And then walk around the torii gate three times with it. And, it worked, you know?" she tells him, nodding as she explains. "But that's all. Just, a place that shouldn't exist, and how to get in. I figured, it sounded pretty interesting, so..."

She shrugs. "I used the ones at Alaya, of course. You know, they didn't let us go there on our own when I was little..." She pauses as she works on the lock, glancing up at him.

"A little boy was killed there, once. But I didn't know about it back then."

But they're through, after that, and they're onwards into the depths.

"Wow..." Cherry gushes, looking this way and that. "Those flowers! They're lotus, I think? Pretty~" Her mother works in a flower shop part time, and while lotus don't lend themselves terribly well to arrangements, it's not as if she hasn't seen them for herself.

That's before Hyousuke reaches out to touch one. "Ah! Your hand! Are you okay?" she frets. "You're not gonna die, right? I can't do anything about dying!" She's not kidding, her Persona can't do healing or even deal with status effects at all.

But they're not alone down here, as it were. Halted by his outstretched hand, Cherry holds her position until further notice.

"He's just a kid."

He's probably not even real, like the statues above had been. But, that doesn't mean...

Trailing after him and the child, she watches on intently as he approaches the grave and then--

And then that's when Cherry strikes.

"Hey, what's your name? Do you come here to visit often? I saw that ball you had. It's pretty!" she chatters, as she proceeds to go on and on.

"It's pretty nice weather today, isn't it? Hey, don't you like it when it rains, though? The sound of the rain on the roof just sounds so comforting. And it makes the world pretty afterwards! Though, the nice thing about sunny days is that you can go out and play, right? But I also like it when it's overcast sometimes, because it's kind of nice when it's got that grey feeling. Oh, and when there's a storm, and you have to hunker down..."

Behold, the power of chatter, featuring Cherry.
</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Girls' Talk toward side.SOL .. track X .. JUPITER RECORD: "Unrealized"! Patra and Efficient!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== side.SOL .. track X .. JUPITER RECORD: "Unrealized" - Round 5 =========-
Hyousuke Suzuki Charm Success
Brush it Off Friendliness and Focus Fatigue: 2 Morale: 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Charm Success
Girls' Talk Patra and Efficient Fatigue: 0 Morale: 5
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-1, Bothersome-2, Educational-1, Hard-2, and
Ineptitude-1
Final Conditions: Hard-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 6/6 |=====| ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 2, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

(|================ Monad - The Inscrutable Region: Mizunagi ================|)
-==== Round 6 - Challenge Level 1 ===========================================-
| Card: side::LUNA > World; Earth > THE ORACLE SPEAKS |
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Chest - Add 2 Item/Money/Gear. and Revelation - The best |
| result. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

(BGM: https://youtu.be/m3ewe2uF6O4 Toshio Masuda - "Kotowari")

This machine is not one to give its secrets in one visit, but this visit
has proven fortuitous. In the distance, you can see and hear the click-clack
of many rooms moving around, blithely working to protect a 'treasure' that
has been already found.

In watery fields lie a steep hill with a stone stairway, crossed other
with red torii gates. At the top is a gnarled old apple tree, covered in a
lush carpet of pink blossoms. Rain falls from a distant hole far up,
sparkling against vibrant beams of moonlight.

Stepping stones allow you to access the foot of the stairs, but even if
you did step into the water, it is clean, cool, and clear. You can see many
red threads lazily undulating in the waters before running up the hill's
sides.

At the top of the hill you see where all the red threads end. At the base
of the apple tree is a slumped doll the size of a young woman, her eyes
open, her expression blank. The layered, heavy silks she wears are faded,
covered in old petals. From carefully modelled hands tumble five origami
shapes, settling on the petal-littered stone below.

Each origami shape will hold some kind of significance; you'll know which
one is meant for you. Unwrapping it reveals a fortune that will strike close
to home, like it was made for you and you alone.

(OOC: Your fortune is up to you. You can derive it from the major
tarot/planet/elements in the title of the rooms you passed through, or make
up your own! The only rules are that it is something that will be 'truthful'
in some way. In addition, send a @mail to Shiryuu if you need help deciding
what random loot you get!)

Final Loot: 3 boxes of Money and 1 Pieces of Gear! That could be... Gear:
Mysterious Accessory, Money: Mysterious Art, or Money: Mysterious Gems!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.2 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Hyousuke regarded Maria with calm, composed, interest when she relayed her story about Alaya. He remained neutral throughout, never offering more than a slow nod to show he was listening.
"A little boy? Poor kid... I had no idea. I only got to Sumaru at the start of the school year, so I got no idea about stuff like that. Feels like people just kinda assume you already know it since you're here." He shrugged, not particularly bothered by it, and soldiered on.

-----

"Nah, don't worry, I got this. I'm probably not gonna die. Not unless it's got some of those neurotoxins or whatever."
Hyousuke held his hand up - or, rather, his wrist - and studied his hand as it fell numbly to one side. He seemed a lot less worried about it than Maria - indeed, much less worried than he realistically should have been - before fishing a skill card out of his pocket to heal whatever minor damage had been wrought. The numbness did not subside, but any scratches and aches vanished along with the glow of green light, so at least he didn't have to worry about cleaning it up.

The boy didn't speak. He never spoke - not unless the subtle sounds of machinery working away in the surroundings counted as his end of a conversation. But between Hyousuke's attentions, and Maria's chatter, he at least seemed to understand that there were people around him. He looked between them, silent as the grave that he stood by, the ball held loosely between two hands. Whether he understood or cared what either of his visitors had to say, he did not show nor say. His face brooked no discernible expression, and his lips never parted. But he did grant them the response of pointing towards an exit, some ways off in the distance.

The space's secrets were bared for all to see as soon as the pair transitioned away from the gravesite. A steep hill of lush green stood as the place upon which the foremost of them rested, its surface pockmarked with the red of torii gates, and meandered through by stone paths of a plain grey. The climb was a long and arduous one, but it was hardly one that he could not make - his hiking experience saw to that. Rather, his slower pace was partly from caution, and partly to take in his surroundings, feeling as though there was something he was supposed to take from it all.

His slower pace came to a stop altogether when he came to the top of the hill. Moonlight passed through the thin curtain of rain, silently piercing the pattering veil to cast its gaze upon what lay at the gnarled tree's base. Nestled atop a bed of pink blossoms lay a doll, propped idly up against the trunk. No expression had been crafted onto her visage, no pose had been enforced with which to glean context. All that remained there was her, and five origami shapes scattered into the petals below.

"Geez... This isn't gonna be something else that gets up and attacks us, is it?" Hyousuke asked, once he'd gotten over the initial awe of seeing the scene laid out before him. Picking his way carefully through the blooms - and taking care to expose as little skin to them as humanly possible - he kneeled down and peered into the doll's eyes. But there was nothing there that he could discern as notable. It was a well-crafted piece - eerily so, now that he looked at it - but nothing that he found to be actionable.

The origami shapes, however... Those spoke to him. Or, more specifically, one did. A sheet of blank paper, white as the driven snow and folded crisply along each edge, it had been folded into the shape of a hound. There was no telling what breed or any other details apart from the general species - in fact, he only 'knew' it to be a dog because of the gut feeling that entered him the second he held it to the pale light shining down upon them. But his mind was firm in its assertion, and he unfurled the piece to see what lay within.

'Do not be bound to time. Strength cannot be found in the chains of the past that hang you, nor should it be sought in shacking yourself to a future. Forge bonds with those you love, and in that you shall find your freedom.'

Hyousuke stared at it a while, blinking and wondering what it was supposed to mean. He angled it, held it up to the light, looked upon its back, but found nothing. Yet, despite how odd he found it, something seemed to stir in the back of his mind, and in the depths of his gut. It was an uncomfortable feeling, and he wished to cast it out, but it lingered like the numbness in his hand. He sighed, folded the paper, and slipped it into his pocket to study later.
"Come on, we should get out of here." He said, turning to face Maria. "I don't want to get caught out by the doll coming to life or something."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Cherry shakes her head. "You've gotta get to a doctor, though, okay? It's really bad if you die!" she fusses. "And I can't do anything that helps with my Persona!" He's at least not looking unsteady on his feet, so it's /probably/ a localized problem, but...

Still, no grave danger rises to meet the two of them as they pick their way through this floating world of automata threaded with an echo of the Japan that had been. The boy cannot of course speak however many questions Cherry might pepper him with, but neither is he apparently ill-affected by her relentless chatter. Perhaps, if anything, he'd found it endering? Or perhaps even familiar in some way.

He points the way ahead, and Cherry doesn't need to be told twice to go and follow.

There's something there under the tree. A person?

Oh. No, it's a giant doll. "Oh, she's pretty!" she gushes. "--Eh? No! ...I hope not?" she says, as if in reaction to Hyousuke's own wondering if it's going to attack them now, too. But it's just a doll, it seems, and stays under the tree as if asleep.

Here she picks up her own fortune with care from the lap of the large slumbering doll. "Look! It's a turtle! ...I'm a little sad unfolding it..." she sighs, but does to see what her own fate holds.

"From the stars, from beyond the dancing field of debris and through towards the cradle... be wary of unwise attachment and delusion, young one, but ware also the order the world would have from you. A coin is flipped: here it lands on edge at the ends of the world."

So she reads it aloud. She stares at the fortune. She squints at it.

"I don't get it," she complains, her shoulders sagging.

Her gaze lifts soon enough, though, and she notices there's fruit among the boughs.

Reaching up, Cherry picks an apple from the tree. Then another, and another. "They look so good," she tells Hyousuke. "But I guess I can't take a lot, since I don't have a bag?"

They /should/ get out of here, though.

"Yeah! This was fun, wasn't it?"

She thinks it was.

"Oh! Don't forget! You need to see a /doctor/!"

She can't let this one slide.

</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-06-15: Our Merry Band

2026-10-01T01:25:20Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Log: Our Merry Band'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Yoko Hirano]], [[Katsuya Suou]]
*'''Where: Kasugayama High, Hirasaka Ward, Sumaru City'''
*'''OOC Date:''' June 15, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 25, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''A police officer and a half-masked konbini worker walk into a haunted high school for delinquents at night. They are joined by someone who shouldn't be there, at all. Usually, this is the setup for someone Awakening, but the only awakening here is Umie, realizing just how capable Katsuya truly is in an unpredictable situation.''

----

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 1: Ora Ora Ora - Challenge Level 2 ==============================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1 and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

The first things your party may notice upon coming up to the front doors of
Kasugaya High are the oni expertly squatting in front, donning magnificent
pomadours and ill-fitting Kasugayama uniforms. One would hope these uniforms
were pilfered from some gym locker or another, and that those stains are
just sauce.

"Lookit what we got ourselves 'ere!" shouts one, his stately pomadour
bobbing with his words.

"'Ey, I was thinkin' I was hungry. Maybe they got some lunch money?" yells
another, rolling their shoulders and making a button fly off their uniform.

"... Or maybe, they could suffice themselves," says a skinnier one, tapping
a spiked bat to her shoulder.

These oni do look rather scary... what will you do?

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> ".... so apparently Kasugayama High's had another surge in demon activity," Umie greets, as she meets Katsuya. "Seems like the rumors are true, too, from what I've been about to scout."

Just how far can that 'sight' of hers go?

...... well, it went as far as the three oni posturing right outside the school, giving the two(?) of them dirty looks. Taking out a red half mask patterned in diamond shapes, Umie adjusts the loops over her ears.

... and then, takes another second as one of the bands catches on an earring. ".... tch... owowowow..... okay!"

She slips the hood of her jacket, white lined inside with red, over her head. "If I forgot to mention it before, Katsuya-san... Thanks. I know you've been busy, so..."

The last admittance is delivered bereft of the confidence she displayed coming here; she is, genuinely, grateful for the help.

It should have all ended with Sudou's death, but here they are, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"We'll just get in and out before the Dark Hour hits." That mask of self-assurance back on, Umie walks up a few paces, before gesturing with her half gloved fingers, red nails standing out against the white of her jacket. "You've probably already noticed, but the area's thick with the supernatural. As for these guys..."

A Badb's widening grin is her greeting to them.

"I can handle this, very easily~"

Step, step, step, step.

"_Move it_," Umie commands, hands on her hips, with all the bluster and purpose of a Chihuahua standing up to a pack of hyenas.

The skinniest one in the back of the three gives a whinnied laugh. "Nice mask! Did you make that in art class, little girl?"

The others join in with obnoxiously loud laughter.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>%R
"I made ''this'' in art class," comes a voice from a darker spot in the corner of the courtyard. It's soft, a little flat in places, and it belongs to Yoko Hirano, who steps out of the shadows with her sketchbook in hand. Her Gekkoukan uniform is speckled with red along the hem again.

Her loafers are quiet on the pavement, shff-shff-shff.

Far out of grabbing or batting or anything reach, Yoko holds up her sketchbook to show them a classical styled portrait sketch. Isn't that the same pose and expression as 'Girl With a Pearl Earring'? It's just that the titular ''girl'' has been replaced with a Yaksini...!

She's holding her hands remarkably steady for how nervous she is. But Officer Suou and his friend will certainly not let anything bad happen to her...!
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Wax Poetic toward Ora Ora Ora! Friendliness and Focus!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Bird's Eye View toward Ora Ora Ora! Automap!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Normally, between his job and everything else, things like this fall a touch beyond Katsuya's particular remit. There are other people around who are able to take point on such things: he just has to trust in the abilities of his fellows. That being said, though...

...what else is a police officer for but to investigate trouble and put it to rights?

"It's quite alright," he tells her, shaking his head. "I would have asked the others along, but..." He knows enough of their schedules that they're not going to be available (other than Baofu, who he doesn't want to hang around with unless he has to). If it can be handled with a few people, is that any reason to interrupt their schedules?

She's not the only one who's been wondering when the proverbial shoe is going to drop, though. It should have ended with Sudou's death, or at least, something should have happened to close out the case.

...but...

In the here and now, his gaze falls upon the Oni trio. "Are those... student uniforms? Surely, they only stole... those?" he wonders, his gaze resting with some mild distress upon those sauce stains. There haven't been any missing persons reports for students from Kasugayama lately (just for Jun, and that was solved already), so he'd hope that's just...?

Umie declares she can solve this in a jiffy and walks on over. The Oni Gang seems somewhat less enthused.

"...Akabane-kun..."

But she's not here alone.

"H-Hirano-kun, that's not... please, stand aside!"

This is Katsuya physically intervenes.

"Please, think about the direction of your lives. Even if you're demons, surely there are better things to be doing than harrassing high-schoolers?" congratulations, umie, you're an honorary high-schooler now

"Even at your age, you should be thinking about your future!"
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Rehabilitate toward Ora Ora Ora! Friendliness and Diligence!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Ora Ora Ora - Round 1 =================================================-
Katsuya Suou Charm Failure
Rehabilitate Friendliness and Diligence Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Guts Success
Bird's Eye View Automap Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Charm Failure
Wax Poetic Friendliness and Focus Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2 and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1 and Scary-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 0/6 | | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "We 'borrowed' 'em," says the loudest of the three oni, his lips splitting wide to show yellowed, sharp fangs. "Turns out these Kasugayama kids run real fast when they ain't got no uniforms on. Don't worry, 'officer', we let them keep everything else!"

The tall, skinny one cackles. "Only 'cuz they got scared s--" Thankfully, she's cut off by a new party member.

'I made ''this'' in art class.'

The third voice causes Umie's eyes to dart back towards the source, her fingers pressing down the edge of her paper maiche mask. Oh no. Oh no. It's Yoko. Does she have a Persona?! Umie can't *sense* one, but surely if she's here, she must have a Persona, right??

.... But Yoko doesn't have any resonance to easily confirm that. "... Hirano... san..." Wait, is that a Yaksini, in her drawing?!

The night is already full of surprises, but has room for one more, in the form of the third oni, who has kept quiet, up to this point.

"I believe the composition is promising, but you should focus in on the lighting and contrast. The horns and hair are very well-done, though; you got the textures of both down real nice," comes a quiet reply from the oni on the step. He clears his throat, assuming a more 'tough guy' demeanor. "....... Jus' sayin'," the quieter oni adds, as his companions look back at him incredulously.

Meanwhile, Umie looks at Katsuya with the same look of disbelief, if for a different reason. Unlike with Akechi, Umie cannot abide with *Katsuya* suspending her hallowed title of 'tutor-senpai'. "_I tutored your little b-"

"You know what, you all can go through," says the 'leader'. "I know a dumpster fire when I sees one."

The three oni move back on command, as Umie rubs her lower face. "... Hirano-san... just... keep close, okay? It's too dangerous to be here by yourself. Katsuya-san and I can keep you safe."

</poem>
MONAD: Katsuya Suou has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 2: Math Can Be Scary For Some - Challenge Level 2 ===============-
| Approach Options: Guts or Academics |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Scary - Guts Down L1, and Shuffle - Draw |
| 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

In doing a sweep of the classrooms, your party comes across a rather
impressive complex math problem on the boards at the front of the room,
taking up most of the board's horizontal space. All that's missing is an
answer. Maybe, someone was just that excited to leave the finale for
tomorrow?

Suddenly, the doors on either end of the classroom *slam* closed. Trying to
pry the doors or windows open will reward you with the child-like giggle of
poltergeists.

A piece of chalk floats to the board to draw a very shaky question mark,
then drops to the ground, snapping in twain.

Looks like you'll need to answer the equation if you want to get out, unless
you want to wait until sunrise instead...

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Oh, he realizes too late that his gambit might not have gone over so well.

"Now, please listen, Akabane-kun--"

But Katsuya might not get too much chance to explain himself as the gang lets them pass and he has to hurry to keep up with the two younger ladies. If he hangs back here, the Oni Gang might change their minds, after all.

If he's learned one thing since his awakening, it's that demons are fickle...

"So, er, that disturbance you mentioned?" he asks Umie after a period of silence as they collectively walk the halls of the school.

"Actually, now that I think of it, this isn't your school, is it, Hirano-kun?"

Wasn't it, oh, Gekkoukan? Or something?

"Whatever brought you out here? It's after hours for Kasugayama, besides..."

He has trailed in after the two of them into an empty classroom. On one blackboard, someone has scrawled an unfinished equation. It's quite complex.

No sooner has Katsuya's gaze fallen upon it than the door slams shut with a bang behind him. He immediately goes for the door only to find that the door is...

"...Locked," he announces, echoed by a giggle. One of the lingering phantoms scrawls a question mark on the board by animating the chalk alone before letting it fall to the floor in two pieces.

"Holding someone against their will is against the law!" he shouts to the invisible presence of Poltergeists. "Open the door, at once!"
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with You're Under Arrest! toward Math Can Be Scary For Some! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
Part of being a student is learning to accept criticism with grace and humility. "I see," Yoko nods, turning the sketchbook so that she can mull over the parts that could use work. She'll do it over again. "Thank you for your advice. I'm glad the hair and horns came out..."

She's not too caught up in earnest contemplation to step past the Oni Gang the minute entry is offered, though. Tucking her sketchbook back into her satchel, Yoko almost goes towards the shoe lockers out of sheer rote habit. She's not going to wear someone else's school shoes just to be tidy.

"Thanks for coming in with me," as though Umie and Katsuya are accompanying her and not the other way around, somehow...?? "I came over right after school to catch some of the students here coming out of their clubs and things. I wanted to see their styles for myself. Kasugayama is really famous for the amount of self-expression its students are allowed. So it's become an alt fashion hub."

She may only care about fashion when it suits her whimsy, but it was fun...!

She startles a little bit when the doors slam shut, fingers going tight on the strap of her bag. While Officer Suou demands that they be released, Yoko watches the chalk move. "..." And frowns when it's dropped, breaking into two pieces. She goes to the board and picks it up, still frowning, but now at the board.

Tap, tap tap tap. Methodically, she starts breaking it down into smaller functions...
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Satisfaction Brought It Back toward Math Can Be Scary For Some! Smarts and Patra!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Thankfully (or unfortunately) for Katsuya, Umie's nature can be equally as fickle, when someone hits just the right button at the right time.

However, as a proper adult, Umie should have the humility to understand the time and place for certain things, and that Katsuya was trying to build a narrative for the demons to latch onto.

..... SO ANYWAY it worked out at least

"Keep close, Hirano-san." Umie checks around the corner, then looks back, as Katsuya asks questions that would, in retrospect, be good ones to answer. ".... Ah, yes, that's right, isn't it..." she murmurs, quietly. He's always looked out for people younger than him. Perhaps, that's what being a big brother is about.

Walking into a classroom that seems to be empty, Umie heaves a breath. "I think the coast is clear, but I'll need to summon my..." Red-brown eyes glance at Yoko from behind Umie's mask. "...... phone." This will be difficult. "Soooo, you may see some... strange things tonight, Hirano-san. But you can trust us," she says, apparently forgetting the veil of anonymity her abilities (and mask) give her.

She is, again, no Phantom Thief, nor is her ability as resilient. In fact, given how Katsuya's called her by her surname... Ah well. It works better this way, regardless of whether or not Umie is being appropriately aware.

As images of Kasuagyama alt fashion file through her mind, Umie hears the tap of chalk on the chalkboard, followed by the slam of the door.

Well. They can handle this. See? Yoko's going up there already! What a trooper.

"Shh." Umie puts a finger to her lips, one eye closed, as Yoko begins breaking down the equation. "Class is in session, Katsuya-san." As she does this, the hooded blonde bows slightly, almost like a quiet apology for her earlier outburst. "It would be wrong of us to *not* solve this math equation, right?"
(BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuFEcKuIeew)

She picks up another piece of chalk. "Ah, good, good. I'll handle this part, then..."

Calm, quiet. The scribble of numbers. This is the Umie Katsuya would find matches the one in his memory of her in the past.
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward Math Can Be Scary For Some! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Math Can Be Scary For Some - Round 2 ==================================-
Katsuya Suou Guts Success
You're Under Arrest! Specialty Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Academics Success
Satisfaction Brought Smarts and Patra Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Bothersome-2, Mindnumbing-2, Scary-1, and
Shuffle: Coin-0
Final Conditions: Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Yoko explains what it was that she was doing there. To this, Katsuya can only reply, with some bewilderment, "An... alt fashion hub?"

He's familiar with fashion. It's important to look good in a world where you can be judged on first appearances. But alt fashion...? If someone asked him, the students here are...

...

...maybe it's better that no one asks him what he thinks about 'alt fashion'.

"I... see," he says at last, following up that statement with a thoughtful frown of his own.

But that's right. She's going to possible see or hear or ''something'' strange things going on in and around here. "It isn't anything to worry about," Katsuya reassures her. "I'm here, and as your local police officer, I won't let anything happen."

So he says, but the doors slam shut, and while he does informs the demons that this is against the law, Yoko first sets about breaking the problem into smaller problems.

Umie, shushing him as she approaches the board, remarks that 'class is in session'.

"It... is?" Katsuya remarks, turning back towards the board as the two younger ladies set about solving the math problem. "Well, if it were a class, that is," he says, trying to get his bearings.

But collectively, they solve the problem, and Katsuya is again reminded of the way she'd tutor Tatsuya.

"oh, yay, you solved it!" cheers a tiny childlike voice from one corner of the room. The Poltergeist is still invisible.

Then the door swings open. A distinct, tiny, childlike voice echoes from there, "oopsie, was locking the door bad?"

"Well, yes. You shouldn't do something like that again, or else you might..." Katsuya starts, then trails off. "Perhaps we shouldn't linger," he says to Umie and Yoko.
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 3: Math Can Be Scary For Some - Challenge Level 2 ===============-
| Approach Options: Guts or Academics |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, and Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

In doing a sweep of the classrooms, your party comes across a rather
impressive complex math problem on the boards at the front of the room,
taking up most of the board's horizontal space. All that's missing is an
answer. Maybe, someone was just that excited to leave the finale for
tomorrow?

Suddenly, the doors on either end of the classroom *slam* closed. Trying to
pry the doors or windows open will reward you with the child-like giggle of
poltergeists.

A piece of chalk floats to the board to draw a very shaky question mark,
then drops to the ground, snapping in twain.

Looks like you'll need to answer the equation if you want to get out, unless
you want to wait until sunrise instead...

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 3: A Midsummer's Night's Disaster - Challenge Level 2 ===========-
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, and Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

After hearing a voice coming from a classroom nearby, your party opens the
door, revealing a mischievous-looking fairy sitting on the podium, in the
middle of exchanging lines to another.

"Captain of our fairy band,
Helena is here at hand;
And the youth, mistook by me,
Pleading for a lover's fee.
Shall we their fond pageant see?
Lord, what fools these mortals be!"

Puck looks up from his reading with Robin Goodfellow with a raised eyebrow,
and stage whispers, "Your line, say your line!"

Do you oblige these merry wanderers of the night?

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
Strange things, the masked woman says. "Do you mean things like demons and Personas?" Yoko asks, because she is young but burdened by glorious visions. And because Yanagi Nagisa had explained some things to her. What an amazing, secret world...! They solve the math problem and get the hell out of there, but the next classroom is somehow just as bad. What with the Shakespeare and all. Yoko doesn't care for it. It translates strangely but not in a fun way!

She tries to remember the next line anyway, even though it's been a few months since her English class tried dissecting any plays. "Um... wait, isn't the next line supposed to be his?" she frowns, hooking a finger underneath her chin and staring at 'Oberon'. *jiiiii*

And all the while, the sense of a cat practically twines itself between the ankles of anybody sensitive enough to feel it.
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Satisfaction Brought It Back toward A Midsummer's Night's Disaster! Smarts and Patra!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Strange things.

Like Personas and demons.

"How do you--" Katsuya gets out, before he realizes that even if she didn't already know, he's gone and confirmed it anyway. Someone must have told her, likely because she already had encounters. Unfortunately, not having a Persona doesn't mean that you can't experience such things, and even more unfortunately, if you don't have a Persona and experience such things...

"Well..." he says, because what else can be done for it now, "...Yes, actually. Please be very careful, Hirano-kun, and stay close to both of us."

Because he and Umie ''do'' have Personas.

At least the demons here appear to be in a whimiscal mood today. Still, he remarks, as they head into another classroom in their search for the cause of the disturbance that Umie noticed, "Perhaps it would be safer if we left?"

Assuming that Oni Gang isn't still out there. Maybe it's better to wait that one out, if one of them doesn't have a Persona. Just in case.

Inside the room is... a familiar scene.

"They were practicing this last time," he asides to Umie, glancing at Yoko as she takes in the sight. "Perhaps if we slip back out again..."

No such luck. These demons are in a bit of a fix again, as one of them can't seem to remember his lines.

"The next line starts with, 'Stand aside,' he prompts Robin Goodfellow.

Then, without ceremony, Katsuya sneezes.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Academics toward A Midsummer's Night's Disaster! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'Do you mean things like demons and Personas?' H-how can Yoko just ask something like that?!

"... y-yes. Kind of... like that." Katsuya will *feel* Umie's eyes on him, trying to plead for some semblance of something comforting and authoritative with a simple side glance.

Whether he does it because of her silent plea or not, Katsuya, ever dependable, does so. "... Yeah," Umie says, her eyelids lowering. Katsuya's right. "That'll make some things easier to explain, but it doesn't change the fact that we'll protect you, Hirano-san."

Though.

"Hirano-san... do you....?" 'Do you have a Persona', is what Umie wants to ask.

Whatever she would have managed to ask is instead taken up by the two Thespians present, instead.

Sure, Umie could *try* to humor the two demons, but she instead goes back to looking towards Katsuya in silence, pleading at him with her eyes alone.

And again, Katsuya answers, though with a response Umie wasn't expecting. ".... eh?" Blinkblink.

Then, a slow, spreading smile that's just a little too sharp, if still well-meaning. "You've always been like that. I'm glad that's never changed."

There would have been few chances for that nature to fully show itself, years back, but here, it's very clear, she thinks to herself. He'd look out for others, even if it meant playing his role off the clock, and with no pay to make up for it.

....

"To answer your earlier question, Katsuya-san, I think it's a matter of her being safer if we know where she is, than if we didn't. We can't guess what'll happen outside the school."

The Badb in her ruffles her feathers, not appreciating the trace presence of something feline tapping along on little beaned claws.
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Understanding toward A Midsummer's Night's Disaster! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== A Midsummer's Night's Disaster - Round 3 ==============================-
Katsuya Suou Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Understanding Failure
Understanding Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Academics Success
Satisfaction Brought Smarts and Patra Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Mindnumbing-1, Mindnumbing-2, and
Shuffle: Cup-0
Final Conditions:
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 4: P.retty T.roubling - Challenge Level 2 =======================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Guts |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, |
| and Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

Like all good investigations, a decent amount of walking is involved.
Certainly, there's other schools that are 'blessed' by phenomena like the
Dark Hour to be much more arduous to get through, but Kasugayama High is
supposed to be laid out like any other Japanese school.

Each classroom that is investigated seems to be nondescript and boring,
almost scarily so.

Also, haven't you been here before? Surely, you've gone by that same that
classroom number. Maybe the party was turned around?

Alas, the hallway just continues ever onwards, backwards and forwards.

Something is holding you back from continuing on. You'll need to find out
what, or what you need to do, if you want any chance of getting anywhere.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
"Of course it's his line," 'Robin' says. Quietly, Yoko breathes a sigh of relief. Good. She didn't want to get caught up in a stageplay. Even one being put on by demons. "I'm all right. ...Thank you for being concerned." Even if it's a bit chafing to be handled with kid gloves, this is a situation that is honestly dangerous. And scary!

Katsuya suggests they leave. Yoko hates the thought, but if it's truly the best option...

...No, actually. Because she doesn't ''want'' to. Katsuya's friend begins to ask an aborted question. 'Do you...?'

"...I saw an amazing thing," Yoko admits, feline-green eyes watching the rehearsal. "And kept seeing them, and seeing them." Yoko wonders just how many of the things she's noticed have been the things Yangai called 'Persona'....

Mwanwhile, the demonds begin to argue. 'It's their line!' 'No, I'm pretty sure it's theirs?!'

Yoko finally starts leafing through a photocopied handout. "'Oh! It says that it's Puck's turned next, " she reasons.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's clear enough to Umie: the safest place for Yoko Hirano, a person who may or may not have a Persona but either way is in a dangerous place, is next to the officer and the strangely anonymous friend of his wearing a jacket and a paper maiche half-mask. The last part of this sentence is likely not needed; an officer should be enough.

Umie has her own advantages, however, bought and bled for with many lonely Dark Hours under her belt.

Katsuya and Yoko may notice it too: with the similarities between the general layouts of both Kasugayama and Sevens, this hallway is going on for far, far too long. A detective's and artist's eye would notice the eerie repetition, like a song that refuses to move onto the next stanza.

The sometimes chaotic, forward-moving energy of Umie Akabane stills as her footsteps do the same. "With demons nearby, I should be able to get a sense of where we are. But to do that..."

She'll need to use Badb. "I guess, if you already know about Personas," Umie starts, looking past her shoulder at Yoko. "What's another?"

There's a certain trace of enthusiasm in her voice as blue light begins to pool underneath her. Raising her fingers up, with a smug grin, Umie breaks the silence with a snap.

"Badb."

The crow goddess manifests in her greys and whites, a smiling, red-mouthed thing that seems to delight in the demon-infested space they're in.

It's all a bit of bluster and vibes, Umie holding onto the manifestation for just a little longer for Yoko's possible delight alone, before letting the detity go.

Umie clears her throat. "So. Bad news: I can't sense a damn thing that's going to be useful, but I don't need a Persona to be able to tell that we're in some kind of loop. Demons tend to thrive on mischief, so I think the best course of action is to play their game and find a way to break the loop, somehow."
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Bird's Eye View toward P.retty T.roubling! Automap!

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
She watches as Umie admits that this may be the best time of all for surprise assistance from things that might not be entirely real. "Are you sure...?" Yoko is only a little sure that either Officer Suou or his friend can actually save the day (for this, with their companions). Especially as the corridor keeps on going, and going, and...

None of the classrooms are anything special. Not even the nameplates or counting their steps seems to help. Of course, Yoko has her sketchbook and a pencil...

And the grownups have their Personas. She watches intently while Umie calls for the Badb, pencil trembling over the page...
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Academics toward P.retty T.roubling! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Surely, there can't be a cat in here, too?

"Ah," he says, sniffing as he recovers from what at least isn't turning into an outright allergy attack. "So you are able to see things like that? How..."

[EMPATHY]: Don't say odd. If you say that this is odd or strange, she'll remember that for a very long time.

"...interesting," Katsuya finishes, glancing over at Umie. "Perhaps it's a good thing? If you are able to see such things, you should be able to stay away from them.

The demons are still arguing, even if Yoko comes to a conclusion one way or another.

"But," Katsuya hazards, thinking it over, "it should be Oberon's lines next..."

Perhaps even he's realized the pointlessness of hammering this approach, though, because he trails off and shakes his head. "Never mind," Katsuya says at last. "I think... we have solved their problem."

Sometimes you have to settle for 'good enough', is what he's been learning with demons.

"Let's go. I don't think this was the disturbance you were looking into, Akabane-kun. Come to think of it, can you tell me more about it?"

Between her terse texts and the demons out front, it's been a collision of events since he arrived on the scene. Though, speaking of events:

"We've passed this classroom before," Katsuya says, coming to a stop. "In fact, it might be more than twice now, or more..." he says, trailing off as he considers the matter. Hasn't he seen a movie where something like this happened? "Surely, this doesn't happen when classes are in session...?"

He turns, glancing at Umie as she summons her Persona to get a better look at the situation. "That's a good idea. I don't know for certain what the game here is, but..."

He pulls something out of one of his pockets and places it on the floor. It's a single cellophane-wrapped candy.

"I was thinking, perhaps if we disrupted the appearance of this place somehow, or if we tried to lure out whatever was causing the distortion..." he tries to explain to the other two.

He's thinking about Pixies. Pixies really like candy for some reason.

Or maybe, Yoko will uncover something in her sketch that doesn't quite fit here. Anything they can gather helps.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Academics toward P.retty T.roubling! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== P.retty T.roubling - Round 4 ==========================================-
Katsuya Suou Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Guts Success
Bird's Eye View Automap Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Mindnumbing-2, and Shuffle: Wand-0
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1 and Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 2/6 |== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "The disturbance is..." Well, as far as Umie's concerned, they're in the thick of it.

As for Yoko... Is Umie sure?

"I'm sure," Umie says, with all the confidence of someone who's sure.

Very sure.

Katsuya is also sure... that they've passed this classroom several times. ".... Pretty sure of that, too," Umie confirms, with a sharp nod.

"Oho. Good idea," Umie says, as she digs into her jacket. "... Just... give me a second..." Her jacket bulges as her hand quests around, looking for a specific pocket, until...

".... There." She draws out a small bag containing a few hard candies, which she tosses out onto the hallway in front of them.

Katsuya's cop instinct seems to have struck gold, as a High Pixie, a Brownie, and a normal Pixie are distracted, coming to examine the colorful goodies.

"Let's go, before they ask for more."

</poem>
MONAD: Katsuya Suou has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 5: Objection! - Challenge Level 2 ===============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., |
| Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., Mindnumbing - |
| Academics Down L2, and Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

As your group enters the room, there's the sound of something hammering
against wood. "Order, Order! Order in the court!"

An Erinyes stands at a podium, gavel in hand. On either side are two other
podiums, each with its own Erinyes, which seem to be arguing with one
another. Though, who's on trial, exactly?

... Ah, it's your group. Whoops.

"OBJECTION! There's a contradiction here! My clients are clearly innocent of
this crime!"

The other Erinyes shakes her head smugly, her arms held outwards. "The
evidence states otherwise. Or did you not know about the updated forensics
report released just this morning?"

What say you? They're not playing by any rule of law you're familiar with,
but maybe if you humor one or the other, something may be in it for your
group...

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
If it's not Pixies, then it's a way to check their passage, or perhaps distort the illusion by adding a new element to it. If it ''is'' Pixies...

Umie, pulling away from her review of the area nearby through her Persona, joins him in on that baiting practice. It doesn't take long before a few Pixies (and similiar demons) make their appearance.

"I had thought it might be Pixies," Katsuya says, shaking his head. Glancing at Yoko's sketch, he points towards one room in particular. "Let's try this one. It doesn't seem like it's the same from the last time," he says.

Indeed, they're able to pass into that classroom, which is now a...

...courtroom? Oh, and look at who among them is being put on trial. It's all of them. For unknown reasons.

The prosecutor, with a certain smug demeanor, declares that an updated forensics report was just entered into evidence this morning.

"...But, for what crime...?" Katsuya says, in this moment rather flabbergasted by the situation in which they've found themselves. "...Furthermore..."

[IUSTITIA]: No. This is not true justice. This is a mockery of it.
[AUTHORITY]: They would address you like that? An officer of the law?
[RHETORIC]: They may be demons, but surely, they're not immune to being persuaded.

Katsuya fidgets with his sunglasses, pushing them up his nose. "...According to Article 94, a summons to appear for a court date must be issued to the people connected to the case. Furthermore, if the summons to appear are not delivered as described in the article... then the parties involved may not be sanctioned for any failure to keep the court date. That is to say, I did not receive a summons to court, and I do not think they have filed a writ of summons either, but..."

...

He glances between their defense attorney and the prosecutor, including the judge in his sweep of the room.

He addresses their defense attorney thus: "Article 180 states in part, 'a person must specify the fact that the evidence is meant to prove'. What is the meaning of this forensic report, and to what does it pertain?"

Maybe it will give their attorney an angle with which to attack these... charges. Whatever they are.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Rehabilitate toward Objection!! Friendliness and Diligence!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> With Katsuya's previous intuition proving to be correct, Umie is more than glad to follow his next proposition to another classroom.

Perhaps, it was very appropriate, but for reasons not quite what Katsuya had in mind.

"... This is... really outside my wheelhouse," Umie admits under her breath. "Katsuya-san, maybe you could... pull up on your background here? Maybe if we play along, or, even better, bore them to tears, they'll let us go."

oh thank god Katsuya is here, he's stepping up to the plate and everything, it's amazing

Seeing him confidently command the court, despite it being a mockery of the system he deals with, leaves Umie's cheeks just a tad pink. More than that, it's very clear...

.... Katsuya and Tatsuya... really are brothers!!

(_umie you literally have been at their family home, of course they're brothers_)

Ahem.

"I certainly didn't receive any proper summons. Furthermore, we have a minor here. Why is she being tried like an adult, when we haven't even been properly charged? Seems the prosecutor may have mixed up some paperwork, and decided we should all pay for it with our time." She folds her arms, shaking her head. "I believe the judgment is clear, here."

WHile Umie failed to carry Katsuya's bid to fool the Oni, she's evidently trying to make up for it here.
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Charm toward Objection!! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
If it is Pixies there's probably no saving them. They'll be stuck wandering and exploring the many rooms forever!!

Katsuya points out a specific room on her rudimentary map, however, and she marks it down in pencil. "How different is--"

She barely gets a chance to say anything before the lawyer demon is speaking up - and not in their favor at all. "But we didn't even...!" A cloud of grey funk settles afound her head and shoulders. They're going to get arrested and be sent to Demon Jail which is waaaaay worse than People Jail. Yoko can just ''tell''.

"Um. Um, Miss Mask is right. I'm only fifteen and I don't think it's legal to try me as an adult. And on top of that, nobody has even told us what the charges are! And..."

Yes. She is going to get a good grade in being tried. This is both normal to want and possible to achieve. If she just keeps talking Yoko can defeat anything, even the judiciary system!*

*no
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Wax Poetic toward Objection!! Friendliness and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Objection! - Round 5 ==================================================-
Katsuya Suou Charm Success
Rehabilitate Friendliness and Diligence Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Charm Success
Charm Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Charm Failure
Wax Poetic Friendliness and Focus Fatigue: 3
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Boss-0, Bothersome-1, Box-0, Mindnumbing-1,
and Mindnumbing-2
Final Conditions: Annoying-1 and Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 4/6 |==== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 2, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 6: It's an Entrance! - Challenge Level 1 ========================-
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Revelation - The best result. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

There were rumors about it being in the basement of Kasugayama High, and,
as it turns out, those rumors were right.

Located down some stairs and through a maze of stacked desks and chairs is a
door to an underground bunker type room, with concrete-enforced walls and
metal beams reinforcing the ceiling. On the opposite end are a pair of heavy
metal doors, leading to what is most likely the haunted Air Raid Shelter.
Once someone goes in, they can never get out, so the rumors say

Unfortunately for those that decide that they want to spend even more of
their time in Kasugayama High, the metal doors are locked tight and refuse
to open.

Maybe someone can start a rumor about how to open them, or, at a later
point, something may change. For now, all you can do is go back.

Final Loot: 1 Item, 2 boxes of Money, and 1 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem> It looks kind of different to him, anyway: is the illusion frayed there? Is he just seeing things?
Yoko may never know which one of these things are actually happening, because right now they're in Demon Court, and the penalty for guilt in Demon Court is probably... not anything particularly good for humans.

Will human law even play out in a demon court? It's all relative after all to demons, and there's absolutely no reason why attempting to apply human law, let alone Japanese law, should work here.

This has never stopped Katsuya from trying with demons, however, and it certainly doesn't stop him now. He argues his case as best as he can, citing sections of the legal code from memory.

"Indeed, Hirano-kun cannot be tried as an adult," he adds, glancing at Umie when she pitches in that fragment of the law. "There's no question about it. This case must be dismissed until the appropriate paperwork is filed, and it must go to the correct court. We can't all be tried together," he tells the defense attorney.

The Erinyes in charge of their case studies them, then nods as Yoko continues to talk to explain why she can't be charged.

"Let me see that forensics report," says the Erinyes. There's a moment of silence before the report is finally brought over to the defense attorney's side of the court.

"..."

"... ..."

The defense attorney demon holds up the 'report'. "This is just chickenscratch," they say. Indeed, it's just a set of nonsense marks on the page...

"Order, order!" shouts the judge, banging their gavel. "I call for order! In light of the points raised by the defense and the defendants, court is adjourned!"

And just like that, they're free to go.

"That isn't how it's meant to go," Katsuya muses, once they make their exit. "A case can't simply... well," he settles for, shaking his head, "I suppose I shouldn't complain..."

What were the charges? ...We just don't know.

As they make their departure from the courtroom of demons, they make their way downstairs.

"Is this where the disturbance originated from?" Katsuya wonders, trying the door again to no avail. "It's no use, we would need the key." He glances back at Umie and Yoko. "Is there anything else you were hoping to look at here, Akabane-kun? Otherwise, we can see if it's now possible to leave here safely."
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

Katsuya Suou

2026-09-29T04:05:12Z

Strangeshrimp:

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Katsuya Suou'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Katsuya Suou (周防克哉)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Justice|Justice]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| He/Him
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| {{ICAge|1986|12|30}} (December 30, 1986)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Reddish brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Reddish brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'10.5" / 179cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Konan Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Workplace:
| Konan Police Department
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Job:
| Police Sergeant/Homicide Detective
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Focus
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Persona 2 (FC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| Team Whoop-Ass
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Can you apply the penal code to demons?"'''

A young detective in the Konan PD, Sergeant Katsuya Suou was on the "Old Maid" case until he had a supernatural run-in with the Joker Killer himself and made the mistake of reporting it honestly to his superiors. Now, after being told to take a vacation and get some rest, Katsuya is pursuing the case on his own with Joker target Maya Amano, aiming to bring this monstrous serial killer to justice. Katsuya is so stern, serious, and by-the-book that he seems like he'd never overlook any crime, no matter how minor, but his compassion and sense of fairness do prompt him to look the other way sometimes.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''I am Helios...''
''Bearing the ancient sun, I am the one who violates the night!''
''I shall become your loyal chariot!!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Helios is the Greek personification of the sun and drives the chariot that bears the sun across the sky. He features in the Odyssey when Odysseus's men happen upon Helios's sacred cattle which they kill and eat despite Odysseus's warnings. Furious over this transgression, Helios asks Zeus to punish the men and only Odysseus is left alive.

'''Description''': Helios looks like an anthropomorphic black cat with metal cone-like ears; he's the size of a human adult and is dressed in a very fancy if old-fashioned suit.

= Special Skills =

1. ''You're Under Arrest!'' (Guts): Exactly what it sounds like. Katsuya applies the force of the law to the situation (or threatens arrest, as needed) (...can you arrest a demon, well, dammit, he'll try anyway).

2. ''What is Justice?'' (Understanding): Katsuya mulls over the meaning and application of justice, bringing his empathy to the fore in dealing with the situation.

3. ''Reform'' (Charm): Katsuya listens in and gives his suggestions for how the circumstances might be amended.

=Relationships=

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| [[Tatsuya Suou]]
| Tatsuya
| The Sun
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| Katsuya's younger brother, a senior at Sevens. Hasn't been at school or at home in weeks; Katsuya's getting an ulcer over it.
|-
| [[Maya Amano]]
| Amano-kun
| The Fool
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A reporter, and one of Katsuya's allies in arms in the investigation of #501. Katsuya admires her optimism and resolve. The one who named their group, unfortunately.
|-
| [[Ulala Serizawa]]
| Serizawa-kun
| The Star
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| Maya's roommate, and best friend. In spite of her ways and the fact that Katsuya finds her mildly terrifying, a reliable member of their team.
|-
| [[Baofu]]
| Baofu
| The Hanged Man
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| The owner of the website Darkside of Sumaru, who has his fingers on the pulse of rumors and intrigue in the city. A shady man who uses shady means, but his experience can't be denied, no matter how suspicious Katsuya finds him.
|-
| [[Umie Akabane]]
| Akabane-kun
| The Chariot
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A Convenience store clerk and Tatsuya's former tutor, years ago. Experienced with a Persona; Katsuya has been learning the ways of the Persona-user world from her as well. But, is he mistaken or is she hiding something...?
|-
| [[Yukari Takeba]]
| Takeba-san
| The Lovers
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A student and member of SEES. Has a good head on her shoulders, but something about her also makes Katsuya a little nervous, like she could cut him with her words alone.
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
NPCs of note!

*Katsuzou Suou: His and Tatsuya's father (not named in canon). Once upon a time, he was a police detective, until he was accused of taking bribes and went to prison for it. These days, he works as a security guard for hire.
*Maiya Suou: His and Tatsuya's mother (not named in canon). Works part-time as a grocery clerk to help make ends meet at home.
*Chief Togashi: Technically an FC; no canon first name given. The chief of the Konan Police Department, and Katsuya's mentor. Once upon a time, he was Katsuya's father's partner as an officer.
*Captain Shimazu: Technically an FC; no canon first name given. An elite homicide investigator. Currently in charge of the Joker Killer investigation. Appears to take a delight in jerking Katsuya's chain, as it were.
*Detective Tani: Technically an FC but only appears in one scene (no canon given name, obviously). A homicide detective at Konan.

= Soundtrack =

*W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me58ToO6owo When a felon's not engaged in his employment] - '''Gag Track'''

= The Stats You've All Been Waiting For =
(yeah this is just extended Disco Elysium tomfoolery for funsies, please pay it no mind)
*'''INT''': 3 - Logic, Encyclopedia, Rhetoric, Drama, Conceptualization, Visual Calculus
*'''PSY''': 2 - Volition, Décor, Empathy, Authority, Esprit de Corps, Suggestion
*'''FYS''': 3 - Endurance, Pain Threshold, Tener Duende, Electrochemistry, Iustitia, Half Light
*'''MOT''': 4 - Hand-Eye Coordination, Perception, Nekonome, Savoire Faire, Mise en Place, Composure
'''Focus Stat: Logic'''

==Thought Cabinet==
(''i'll do up something funny text-wise for these someday if the whim strikes me'')
*'''Currently Internalizing''': Nothing
*'''Internalized''': ''THE OTHER ME IS A CAT'', ''CRIME AND PUNISHMENT''
*'''Not Yet Internalized''': ''VAMPIRE BAKERS''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==
===Episode 1===
<div style="column-count: 3;">
{{#dpl:
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|category=Season 1, Episode 1
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</div>
===Episode 2===
<div style="column-count: 3;">
{{#dpl:
|category=logs
|category=Season 1, Episode 2
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
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</div>

==Season 1 Cutscenes==

{{#dpl:
|category = cutscenes&season 1
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</div>

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Adults]]
[[Category:Team Whoop-Ass]]
[[Category:Focus]]

Kikuno Kisaragi

2026-09-03T00:54:38Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2" |- ! style="background:#b06ee6; border: 2px #52de8e solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Kikuno Kisaragi''' |- ! colspan="2" align="center" | lol |- ! style="background:#b06ee6; border: 2px #52de8e solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | <span style..."

User:Strangeshrimp

2026-09-03T00:34:09Z

Strangeshrimp:

[[File:The curse.jpg|an image that just says 'it's because of the curse'. the viewer is prompted to press F to indicate OK.]]

Staff! I'm Parabellum here.

*'''Velvet Room MUSH''': [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Noriaki Okaga]], [[J. Itsuki Hayashi]], [[Kikuno Kisaragi]]
*'''Dream Chasers MUSH''': Necronomicon (Staff), Josephine Lovelace, Loren Voss, Avril Vent Fleur, Citan Uzuki, Amaterasu, Seraph Harmaus (RIP)

Availability: EST; PM hours (I work M-F 8-5).
*Mon: Usually not but can make exceptions with advance requests
*Tues: Almost always not available (see above)
*Wed-Thurs: Usually free, ask me
*Fri-Sat: Almost always free
*Sun: Variable but usually free; ask me

2026-08-22: A Fleeting Snow

2026-08-22T04:08:42Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Cutscene: A Fleeting Snow''' *'''Cast:'''Katsuya Suou, Captain Shimazu, Chief Togashi *'''Where:''' Konan Police Department *'''OOC Date:''' 08/22/2026 *'''IC Date:''' 12/28/2026 *'''Summary:''' Karma cuts both ways, and no good deed goes unpunished. *'''BGM:''' Persona 2 Eternal Punishment - Reminiscence (Sorrowful): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKA4vyE7PiY ---- Fat-flaked snow falls from the sky across Sumaru City. If Katsuya is any judge, this snow..."

*'''Cutscene: A Fleeting Snow'''
*'''Cast:'''[[Katsuya Suou]], [[Captain Shimazu]], [[Chief Togashi]]
*'''Where:''' Konan Police Department
*'''OOC Date:''' 08/22/2026
*'''IC Date:''' 12/28/2026
*'''Summary:''' Karma cuts both ways, and no good deed goes unpunished.
*'''BGM:''' Persona 2 Eternal Punishment - Reminiscence (Sorrowful): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKA4vyE7PiY
----

Fat-flaked snow falls from the sky across Sumaru City. If Katsuya is any judge, this snow won't survive the following day, once the storm has reached its end and once the sun rises again.

It's rare to even see snow in December, rarer for it to do more than dust the city, rarest yet for it to last more than a day, if even that.

He stands for a moment outside the police department, his gaze somewhere above and to the horizon.

So that was it. Indefinite leave, with pay. Any further involvement with the case, and the chief would...

----

"So. Do you have anything to say for yourself, Sergeant?"

Captain Shimazu does not wait for a reply. Instead, his gaze is severe as he continues, "You were ordered not to involve yourself with the Joker case. Instead, I have reports from concerned citizens about your recent 'activities'."

Katsuya tenses, interjecting at last here: "Sir, that was because--"

A single look from the other man in the room is sufficient to silence him.

Captain Shimazu, the man in charge of the area-wide investigation into the Joker killings isn't the only one in here, after all. So great is Katsuya's error that Chief Togashi himself, the head of the Konan Department, is present.

In other words, his father's former partner when he was a detective, and Katsuya's own mentor.

Katsuya stands ramrod straight and looks away from the chief, ashamed.

He remains completely silent as Shimazu continues. Shimazu sighs, shaking his head. "Then there's the matter of that girl. With the collected evidence linking her to at least one of the murders, she should have been placed under arrest and interrogated immediately. Instead, she was put into protective custody. A determination that you, as an officer uninvolved in the murder investigation, lacked the authority to make."

It's here that Katsuya, thus provoked, speaks up again: "Sir, she's a child!" he blurts out. "Furthermore, the evidence is circumstantial--"

"If I wanted your opinion, detective, I would have asked for it," Shimazu says, cutting him off. "I've heard enough. This entire affair is a waste of my time." He turns his gaze towards Togashi, as if to hand the matter over to him.

"Let's bring this to a conclusion," Chief Togashi cuts in. "It's unfortunate, but I don't see any way around it. Sergeant Suou." Katsuya snaps to attention, his focus entirely on his chief and mentor. "In light of your actions, I have no choice but to relieve you of active duty and place you on paid suspension, effective immediately."

Katsuya looks no less than shell-shocked.

"That can't be..." He shakes his head, fiercely. "Wait, listen to me! What's going on with these people isn't normal--"

Togashi cuts him off. "The decision is final. And if you should interfere again..." The Chief speaks with finality of what will happen, without having to say it aloud.

It's understood.

----

Yes, it is understood. If he probes any further, the chief will have his badge.

Indefinite suspension... so that's really what this has come to. Turning his head as he lingers outside the place that had been his workspace for so many years, he just catches the voices of two officers. They must be taking shelter from the fleeting storm in the lee of the building, but their voices carry to where he's standing.

"They keep telling us to 'check the crime scenes again'. There isn't anything else to find. It's almost like they're stalling. Do they really not have any leads...?" one officer wonders.

"Hey, be quiet," his partner urges him. "Be careful saying something like that in front of the big shots."

Akechi had warned him, he supposes. It's the corruption within the department here that's staying the hands of the rank and file officers. So long as Tatsuzou and the rest of the New World Order can pull their strings...

...then, just as he'd confessed to Maya, they can't rely on the police at all.

Now that he's on suspension, the chances of him finding out who might be among the involved parties has dwindled to zero.

He walks away from the building, his shoes crunching in the half-melted slush.

Officer of the law or not, though, he still has a duty to the people of his city. Even if he'll lose everything, he can't stop here, even if they try to make him.
The winter wind that sweeps through the city might be cold, but the flame in his heart burns just as hot as ever.

[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

Assorted Persona Topics

2026-07-18T04:08:45Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Typical Theurgy Methods by Theme */

__TOC__

==Artificial Persona Users==

Artificial Persona Users are individuals who have had their [[Persona]] forcibly awakened through science without the assistance of a [[Guides|Guide]] or through the [[Ordeal]] of facing their Shadow and bringing its suppressed power under the ego's control.

In most cases, this is by forcing [[#The Potential|The Potential]] upon the psyche before it has occurred naturally. This causes an incongruence between the ego and the Shadow, bringing the two into inevitable conflict. The Shadow is not fully controlled by the Persona and on occasion may come forth to violently attack its person, representing this state of disharmony. That it would result in death for the Shadow as well matters little; human beings are full of contradictory impulses, and the self-destructive urge is part of what The Potential brings under control through the resolution to face death.

Most Artificial Persona Users are thus forced to take [[#Suppressants|Suppressants]], which are pharmaceutical medications made by the Kirijo Group with psychogenic effects, to temporarily quell the Shadow. Unfortunately, these medications cause gradual organ damage to the body, giving these unfortunate individuals a death sentence by choice of whether it's quick or slow. For obvious reasons, most people take the medication, but some may decide to cut out the middleman and eschew the medicine to let what happens happen.

The Kirijo Group is largely responsible for most Artificial Persona Users before the events of [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Ten Years Ago|Ten Years Ago]] as a result of their research into utilizing Shadows for control over time and space. The survivors of these programs tend to naturally gravitate towards [[Strega]], given that it was founded by three of them, but not all. Some certainly have their own agenda.

Currently, the [[New World Order]] is in the process of picking up where the Kirijo Group left off in creating new Artificial Persona Users. However, they are limited by a short supply of [[#Evoker|Evokers]], a hurdle that [[Assorted_Supernatural_Phenomena#Kotodama|Kotodama]] can't overcome. Their head of R&D, Hisataka Shinjo, promises a revolutionary new process of creating Artificial Persona Users where such limitations are no longer a problem, but it's still in the works.

The [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Tien Tao Lien|Tien Tao Lien]] is currently making lists for him of promising candidates and keeping them monitored.

==Evoker==
[[File:Evoker.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Just put it to your head, and pull the trigger.]]
A piece of technology developed by the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Kirijo Group|Kirijo Group]] to facilitate the summoning of a [[Persona]] for those individuals with [[#The Potential|The Potential]].

Shaped like a handgun, an Evoker is used to simulate both the anxiety of facing death and the forcible shattering of cognitive barriers to bring forth one's Persona.

Evokers contain a [[#Plume of Dusk|Plume of Dusk]], but the role this mysterious object takes in its operation is unknown to the majority of Persona Users.

===OOC Minutia===

*Evokers can only be obtained by [[SEES]], [[Strega]], and the [[New World Order]] without difficulty. Characters not associated with those organizations may have problems finding replacements. Anyone not initially applying into one of those factions will need to detail how their character got one during application. The bar isn't high! We just want to know how you imagine it happening and will let you know if it needs adjustment.

*Trying to use an Evoker on someone else other than yourself fully does not work, even if they're willing to allow you to do that to them. The reasons why are unclear.

==Plume of Dusk==

A Plume of Dusk is a mysterious glowing crystalline object that looks similar to a feather. These objects appear 'alive' in a sense that's difficult to quantify, even by the most advanced technology.

Originally 'discovered' by the prior head of the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Kirijo Group|Kirijo Group]], Kouetsu Kirijo, in a Jomon era dig site, he believed them to be the key to manipulation of space and time and quickly made them the monofocus of the Group's most secret projects.

Some few understand that it is the basis of their supernatural technology. For more information on this, see [[Psience and Technology]].

During the incident of [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Ten Years Ago|Ten Years Ago]], the majority of the technological secrets on how to utilize them have been lost. The Kirijo Group has been understandably reluctant to reopen the door on developing this technology again.

===OOC Minutia===

*Plumes of Dusk are not readily available to anyone! Not even [[SEES]], outside of the rare technology the Kirijo Group outfits them with, or [[Strega]], besides [[#Evoker|Evokers]]. That doesn't mean there's not a source for them. The [[New World Order]] has been provided with a few and are currently researching them. For anyone else, deals with the devil are quite possible.

*We ask at this time that no-one surround a concept around trying to place a Plume of Dusk inside of a person, that's Sho's thing, and the technology to replicate that phenomenon is currently lost.

==The Potential==

A term mostly utilized by the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Kirijo Group|Kirijo Group]], the Potential refers to the ability to awaken to a [[Persona]] without the need for guidance by a supernatural power.

Originally studied by the Kirijo Group as part of their aims to put the powers of time and space in the hands of man, it is now primarily sought out by them for the purposes of facilitating their atonement.

The Potential usually occurs in young people who are facing grief and trauma from the death of loved ones, but not always. Sometimes it just happens. Those with the Potential will awaken in [[Dark_Hour,_Tartarus,_and_Related#The_Dark_Hour|the Dark Hour]] and find themselves more protected from the supernatural 'allure' of this place than the average person.

Many with the Potential will awaken once they encounter a Shadow that forces them to face a situation of life or death. The resolution to fight in the face of imminent death will typically bring forth their Persona. It doesn't need to be an encounter with a Shadow, though; theoretically, any near-death situation in a supernatural space that sparks the resolve to fight will allow one to awaken.

An [[#Evoker|Evoker]] typically makes the process of awakening easier, but many people notably have an extreme aversion to putting a firearm to their head and pulling the trigger.

The Kirijo Group has developed a means of creating a sort of pseudo-Potential that allows normal people to experience the Dark Hour unprotected, but does not hand this technology out casually.

Furthermore, the Potential can be forced to develop in [[#Artificial_Persona Users|Artificial Persona Users]] through human experimentation, but rarely without extreme consequence to the psyche.

After years of study, the Kirijo Group have the means to test for the Potential during routine medical diagnostics. This testing is conducted as a matter of course on all residents of Iwatodai City and Tatsumi Port Island who check into their hospital. Certainly they do not inform the populace of this, but while the ethics are questionable, they believe it is for the greater good to know whether an individual has the Potential naturally in order to assist them as they come close to awakening.

===OOC Minutia===

*Teenagers who faced the death of a loved one [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Ten Years Ago|Ten Years Ago]] before the formation of their Shadow nearly always have the Potential. The reason for this is unclear. It will not always manifest until a certain life event creates a 'resolve' within them.
*One need not find out the Potential exists in your character by awakening during the Dark Hour. SEES discovers Fuuka Yamagishi has it for example through routine medical testing at their hospital. All this testing would reveal is they have the potential to wield a Persona. Note: This does not happen during routine health checkups at Gekkoukan, only at Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. Furthermore, the [[Will of Rebellion]] fully protects someone from this testing unless they waive consent OOCly.
*Some people just have the Potential, even without facing death trauma. Why this happens is also unclear. A strong resolution to fight and face death very young can often develop by the time their Shadow forms, but even that isn't strictly necessary.
*If your character has the Potential but awakens another way through the help of a [[Guides|Guide]], don't sweat it, it's probably fine!
*While technically the Will of Rebellion is 'a' potential, in that it's similar, nobody calls it that ICly, including the Kirijo Group. It is merely noted to be within a similar category on the [[Persona]] page for people to understand the category of awakening OOCly.

==Skill Cards==

Skill Cards are supernatural objects that hold cognitive power within them. They're typically marked with Minor Arcana and other symbols to denote the kind of Skill Card that they are. Most Persona Users come to understand over time what a skill card does right away. Typically they're found during [[Assorted_Supernatural_Phenomena#Shuffle_Time|Shuffle Time]]. However, some characters - typically artists of the highest caliber, learn how to create skill cards themselves and imbue them with cognitive power. These powers are typically quite taxing, and dependent upon not just the current skill level of the artist, but their spiritual journey.

[[The_Velvet_Room_and_Wild_Cards|The Velvet Room]] employs the services of the so-called Demon Painter, who can take certain blank Tarot Cards and convert them into Skill Cards. Typically he requires payment commensurate to the services offered, and never performs this to create skill cards greater than the level of the Persona User's power on their spiritual journey. So too can these services sometimes be offered by local friendly spirits at Shrines all over Japan, should one be able to pay their price.

It ought to be noted that Skill Cards, despite holding supernatural power, look like ordinary cards to everybody in the real world. You might find someone you helped has been holding onto one as a lucky charm for years, or that a friend was using another as a book mark. Skill Cards can show up in surprising places!

The attendants at the Velvet Room, or the Time Count at the Time Castle are capable of affixing Skill Cards to your Persona. Typically they require a fee of the local currency to represent the value of the services provided.

===OOC Minutia===

*For more on utilizing Skill Cards mechanically, see: [[Equipment]]

*If you want the ability to create Skill Cards through artistic skill, we require it to be part of the application process, or a later request. Art should be a pretty big part of your character concept, if you choose to go this route!

*Skill Cards currently are tied to advancement, more on this later!

==Suppressants==

Suppressants, a.k.a. Persona Suppressants, are medications developed by the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Kirijo Group|Kirijo Group]] in order to assist [[#Artificial_Persona Users|Artificial Persona Users]] with the problem of their Persona frequently coming out and trying to kill them.

These medications have extreme side effects such as nerve and organ damage, causing problems with autonomic nervous system neurotransmitter secretion as well as the endocrine system hormone regulation in individuals who utilize them, usually causing related side effects in temperature regulation.

Naturally, it hasn't been evaluated by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for efficacy and safety, and is not on the market.

The Kirijo Group supplies these medications to Artificial Persona Users staying in their hospitals, but for good reason these people typically don't have a great deal of trust in the Kirijo Group.

Most individuals who require the medication receive it through clandestine black market deals with the few people able to create them. This is the path that [[Strega]] takes, and Takaya is tight-lipped about who his supplier might be.

The [[New World Order]] has a pharmaceutical manufacturing operation to provide the medication to its people as well, promising those who take it that they will be a part of the World Without Sin to come and that death will no longer be an issue.

==Theurgy==

''"Theurgy means 'spiritual magic that could reach the gods' in Greek. To put it simply, it synchronizes with the user's emotions, and when the right conditions are met, allows them to unleash an attack of immense power."''
::--Shuji Ikutsuki, Faculty Advisor for SEES

A recent development of the Kirijo Group's most clandestine R&D laboratory, Theurgy comes from the use of special cartridges within the Evoker which synchronize with one's emotions. Utilizing these cartridges under moments of great stress, the person can unleash powerful attacks. This is always a voluntary action as it requires loading the cartridge in as one would ammunition. The User gains an 'instinct' that they can utilize the cartridges and unleash the power of their Persona.

However, while the Kirijo Group has 'quantified' Theurgy conceptually other Persona Users have been utilizing similar for the length and breadth of human history. It simply wasn't named before in this manner, instead typically being a personal choice made by allied groups of Persona Users as to what they called this. Each group of Persona Users has a different method, which may be the result of a Guide offering them a 'special card' that allows them to perform this. Or Jose offering the 'Wishing Star' to the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. Or perhaps simply grasping a certain object of deep emotional weight to them, that personifies their narrative journey.

Whatever the case may be, the method is often consistent across 'teams' as to how this is utilized.

===Typical Theurgy Methods by Theme===
'''Note:''' These are merely suggestions by theme. You are welcome to utilize whatever method makes the most sense for your character. However, if you're utilizing something that doesn't have precedent upon this list, then please list it when you're applying for a Theurgy attack.

'''Persona 1:''' As Veterans, the Persona 1 cast was already utilizing Theurgy during their adventures in Mikage-Cho. There hasn't been need for them to call upon this power in years. As of late however, the itch, the instinct that it might be needed soon is returning to them. During their travels, Philemon typically imbued a highly personalized object that was representative of their journey with this power. For those who didn't have such, Igor summoned a specialized Arcana Card through the Hellphone.

'''Persona 2:''' The Persona 2 Eternal Punishment cast had Golden Butterflies land upon an object deeply personal to them during their first encounter with Philemon. This imbued them with this latent power, which is awakening within them. For those who didn't have such, Igor commissioned the Demon Painter to make a specialized Arcana Card for them. Those guided by Nyarlathotep may draw upon the negative emotions that suffuse the Mark directly for this, though it comes with a reminder of who you belong to and the implication of an eventual price.

'''Persona 3:''' Theurgy Cartridges! The Kirijo Group has these. Mysteriously, Strega and the New World Order has the technology as well. Takaya Sakaki's player may choose to abide by Reload requiring him to train with an Evoker and a Theurgy cartridge to do this or can make the choice that he can already do this. Being able to do this to some degree with a later upgrade that requires him to use an Evoker would also be acceptable.

'''Persona 5:''' The Phantom Thieves of Hearts have a shared collective object in the 'Wishing Star' that Jose gave them. This object still works, even at a distance, though the weaker their bonds are with their team the less likely Theurgy is able to work at a distance from the Star. Note: this is distinct from 'Showtime' which will be covered in a future update. Minor alterations to cognitive reality for the duration of the attack are acceptable. Will of Rebellion characters outside of them can receive their own object from Jose or an Arcana Card from Igor.

'''Syzygy:''' Those who have awakened to the power of Transmutation are capable of reaching a powerful union with their Persona. When at a perfect emotional peak of any kind within a supernatural space, they can tug onto their Persona and overlay it onto themselves, creating a powerful attack. This is not a true fusion - it is an overlay of movements, a harmony between user and Persona. As a result, it is often a tandem attack, but not always. This is connected to an intangible conceptual object, representative of their post-Awakening self.

'''Antagonists:''' Antagonists can to some degree break these rules. If none of these things fit your character concept, then simply drawing deep from a wellspring of your own power can simulate this. Evoker using Antagonists however must use Theurgy cartridges, period.

===OOC Note===
*For more on Theurgy in a mechanical sense, see [[Arcana System]]. (Currently under construction!)

*Original Themes are welcome to submit their method to staff, and they will be posted accordingly in this section.

==Transmutation==

The great ordeal that is meaningful change. It can take many forms, and in many ways it is an inevitable part of this wonderful and unique tapestry known as human nature... but in many others, it might be the most difficult challenge an individual can face. Whether your life isn't what you want it to be, or you want to change your circumstances -- or maybe you've simply had a great and terrible change forced on you by things outside your control and want to claw your way back out from the hole it has put you in.

To those whose hearts burn earnestly and relentlessly for change in all its myriad forms, the power of Transmutation hears your call.

===Eve of the Evolution Revolution - What is Transmutation?===

'''Transmutation''' is a form of awakening that is catalyzed when an overwhelming desire for change is expressed within an [[Ateliers|Atelier]], a cognitive space where individual willpower is at its strongest. Consider it like a calcification of a person's determination to shift the fortunes of their life -- the individual will to strive above their circumstances made manifest through a Persona.

For those entering an Atelier without a Persona - especially an Atelier currently being parasitized by a [[Homunculus]] - encountering an insurmountable obstacle within that space is oftentimes the spark that gives rise to Transmutation in those who have the potential: faced with a real and inescapable threat, the spark of change can ignite in the heart of a person brave enough to face it and accept its challenge, triggering their awakening.

The initial Awakening typically involves being engulfed in a chrysalis of fabric (or other, analogous material) like a caterpillar undergoing metamorphosis. Space within the cocoon is far larger than the outside, starkly red, and full of the sounds of industrial machinery hard at work. Fabric latches onto the person within the Cocoon, kicking off an evocative, almost magical girl transformation sequence for the individual.

An individual who has been parasitized by a Homunculus can also undergo Transmutation when - if - they are freed. A form of [[Ordeal]], in these circumstances the Homunculus' Cocoon the individual is trapped in serves as the chrysalis of their awakening, and part of their awakening involves finding the will to break the chains the Homunculus has bound them with; it, otherwise, follows the steps of a regular Awakening closely. See [[Homunculus#What Happens to the Possessed?|What Happens to the Possessed?]] in the Homunculus file for more information!

The specifics may vary, but the end result is always the same: the cocoon bursts open to reveal the freshly-reborn Persona-User and their new Persona.

===The Transmutation - A Makeover for Your Soul===

People who undergo Transmutation are changed profoundly -- it's the nature of the beast, after all. But sometimes even profound change can be a subtle and nuanced thing, which is why - of course - the cognitive world makes up for this by making a person wear that change on their sleeve.

An individual who has awakened to a Persona via Transmutation undergoes a number of dramatic changes when they enter a cognitive space. Outfits change into a cognitive costume that often puts the 'extra' in extravagant, but a Transmutation doesn't change ''just'' that: physical characteristics of a person, like their hair, eye and skin color can all change drastically, even to shades and hues that shouldn't be humanly possible. Whether their hair color shifts across a spectrum, or maybe the sclera of their eyes change colors or even their pupil shapes change or they get a new, ruddy red skintone, it represents a marked shift from normalcy. These aesthetic shifts can even bring new additions: horns, fangs, or even something more abstract like the adoption of meaningful body art or surgical stitches.

The possibilities are enormous, but they are all bound down to a simple idea: they are, ultimately, a reflection of the person themselves, and the change they have embraced within them. A Transmutation is a distillation of the soul, representing in the most abstract and in-your-face ways the most important aspects of a person, their life, their personality, and their will in one fabulous package. A Persona is one's mask to face the world; the Transmutation is the burning fire beneath the facade.

===Allegory, Allegorier, Allegoriest - The Persona===

A Persona awakened through Transmutation is directly influenced ''by'' that Transmutation. A Transmutation Persona is the will of an individual perceived through the lens of change and transformation.

This, naturally, tends to be more esoteric than you'd think, but in the broadest strokes means Transmutation Personas in some way embody the thematic concept of change. Literary
characters from gothic horror stories are especially prevalent, as the genre is rife with stories that either revolve around themes of transformation or feature it heavily: see also, werewolves, vampires, ghosts, frankensteins, et cetera. Other possibilities include figures in alchemy, real or legendary; gods and demons from Zoroastrianism; historical and mythical figures who enacted great change or were subjected to it; and so on. The idea is that it is ultimately symbolic of the ''person's'' experience with change, and thus the gamut can be fairly wide.

When a person summons their Persona through Transmutation, they manifest a phantasmal blue butterfly that they then proceed to crush or otherwise disperse, the shattering of it calling forth the Persona.

===OOC Minutia===

*As is implied in the above, the cognitive outfit achieved by Transmutation does not protect one's identity like the [[Will of Rebellion]]. It is the self presented loudly to the world. However, that does not necessarily mean you recognize them at a glance, their outfit protects them from recognition only in the same sense that mundane disguises might.

[[Category: Theme]]

Katsuya Suou

2026-07-04T23:34:19Z

Strangeshrimp:

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Katsuya Suou'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Katsuya Suou (周防克哉)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Justice|Justice]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| He/Him
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 25 (December 30, 1986)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Reddish brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Reddish brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'10.5" / 179cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Konan Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Workplace:
| Konan Police Department
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Job:
| Police Sergeant/Homicide Detective
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Focus
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Persona 2 (FC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| Team Whoop-Ass
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Can you apply the penal code to demons?"'''

A young detective in the Konan PD, Sergeant Katsuya Suou was on the "Old Maid" case until he had a supernatural run-in with the Joker Killer himself and made the mistake of reporting it honestly to his superiors. Now, after being told to take a vacation and get some rest, Katsuya is pursuing the case on his own with Joker target Maya Amano, aiming to bring this monstrous serial killer to justice. Katsuya is so stern, serious, and by-the-book that he seems like he'd never overlook any crime, no matter how minor, but his compassion and sense of fairness do prompt him to look the other way sometimes.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''I am Helios...''
''Bearing the ancient sun, I am the one who violates the night!''
''I shall become your loyal chariot!!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Helios is the Greek personification of the sun and drives the chariot that bears the sun across the sky. He features in the Odyssey when Odysseus's men happen upon Helios's sacred cattle which they kill and eat despite Odysseus's warnings. Furious over this transgression, Helios asks Zeus to punish the men and only Odysseus is left alive.

'''Description''': Helios looks like an anthropomorphic black cat with metal cone-like ears; he's the size of a human adult and is dressed in a very fancy if old-fashioned suit.

= Special Skills =

1. ''You're Under Arrest!'' (Guts): Exactly what it sounds like. Katsuya applies the force of the law to the situation (or threatens arrest, as needed) (...can you arrest a demon, well, dammit, he'll try anyway).

2. ''What is Justice?'' (Understanding): Katsuya mulls over the meaning and application of justice, bringing his empathy to the fore in dealing with the situation.

3. ''Reform'' (Charm): Katsuya listens in and gives his suggestions for how the circumstances might be amended.

=Relationships=

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| [[Tatsuya Suou]]
| Tatsuya
| The Sun
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| Katsuya's younger brother, a senior at Sevens. Hasn't been at school or at home in weeks; Katsuya's getting an ulcer over it.
|-
| [[Maya Amano]]
| Amano-kun
| The Fool
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A reporter, and one of Katsuya's allies in arms in the investigation of #501. Katsuya admires her optimism and resolve. The one who named their group, unfortunately.
|-
| [[Ulala Serizawa]]
| Serizawa-kun
| The Star
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| Maya's roommate, and best friend. In spite of her ways and the fact that Katsuya finds her mildly terrifying, a reliable member of their team.
|-
| [[Baofu]]
| Baofu
| The Hanged Man
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| The owner of the website Darkside of Sumaru, who has his fingers on the pulse of rumors and intrigue in the city. A shady man who uses shady means, but his experience can't be denied, no matter how suspicious Katsuya finds him.
|-
| [[Umie Akabane]]
| Akabane-kun
| The Chariot
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A Convenience store clerk and Tatsuya's former tutor, years ago. Experienced with a Persona; Katsuya has been learning the ways of the Persona-user world from her as well. But, is he mistaken or is she hiding something...?
|-
| [[Yukari Takeba]]
| Takeba-san
| The Lovers
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A student and member of SEES. Has a good head on her shoulders, but something about her also makes Katsuya a little nervous, like she could cut him with her words alone.
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
NPCs of note!

*Katsuzou Suou: His and Tatsuya's father (not named in canon). Once upon a time, he was a police detective, until he was accused of taking bribes and went to prison for it. These days, he works as a security guard for hire.
*Maiya Suou: His and Tatsuya's mother (not named in canon). Works part-time as a grocery clerk to help make ends meet at home.
*Chief Togashi: Technically an FC; no canon first name given. The chief of the Konan Police Department, and Katsuya's mentor. Once upon a time, he was Katsuya's father's partner as an officer.
*Captain Shimazu: Technically an FC; no canon first name given. An elite homicide investigator. Currently in charge of the Joker Killer investigation. Appears to take a delight in jerking Katsuya's chain, as it were.
*Detective Tani: Technically an FC but only appears in one scene (no canon given name, obviously). A homicide detective at Konan.

= Soundtrack =

*W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me58ToO6owo When a felon's not engaged in his employment] - '''Gag Track'''

= The Stats You've All Been Waiting For =
(yeah this is just extended Disco Elysium tomfoolery for funsies, please pay it no mind)
*'''INT''': 3 - Logic, Encyclopedia, Rhetoric, Drama, Conceptualization, Visual Calculus
*'''PSY''': 2 - Volition, Décor, Empathy, Authority, Esprit de Corps, Suggestion
*'''FYS''': 3 - Endurance, Pain Threshold, Tener Duende, Electrochemistry, Iustitia, Half Light
*'''MOT''': 4 - Hand-Eye Coordination, Perception, Reaction Speed, Savoire Faire, Mise en Place, Composure
'''Focus Stat: Logic'''

==Thought Cabinet==
(''i'll do up something funny text-wise for these someday if the whim strikes me'')
*'''Currently Internalizing''': Nothing
*'''Internalized''': ''THE OTHER ME IS A CAT'', ''CRIME AND PUNISHMENT''
*'''Not Yet Internalized''': ''VAMPIRE BAKERS''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==
===Season 1 Logs===
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| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}

===Season 1 Cutscenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = cutscenes&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Adults]]
[[Category:Focus]]

Ateliers

2026-06-27T19:51:21Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Instar Stages: The Life Cycle of a Homunculus */

A recent topic entering public (supernatural) conscious via the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Dark_Side_of_Sumaru|Dark Side]], Ateliers are not a new concept, but instead one that has been rapidly becoming more relevant as rumors of people falling victim to [[Homunculus||vicious and unsettling bodysnatching incidents]] have begun to circulate.

The cognitive spaces known as Ateliers seem to be central to these rumors. Which begs the question...

==What Are Ateliers?==

An aspect of the Collective Unconscious, Ateliers exist in all people and represent the balance of a person's sense of individuality versus their connections to others and society – they are, essentially, a person's mind palace (but not Palace!). They are usually benign insomuch as they do not intrude on other supernatural spaces nor are they typically harmful to their owner. Ateliers' sole role is to represent - and maintain - a person's sense of individuality within an endless sea of interconnection.

Everyone has an Atelier, but every Atelier is different. As an Atelier is a reflection of its owner, each is as unique as a fingerprint. There are some simple rules that define how they appear however, their ultimately being a reflection of the individual and their connection to others being the most fundamental. A person with a strongly developed sense of individuality, for example, will have an Atelier that is largely reflective of their personality, their history, and the important things of their life. A person who lacks a strong, individual identity, on the other hand, will usually have a more indistinct Atelier that is ultimately more reflective of the culture and area in which they live, and - on occasion - the people who have had the strongest influence over their lives.

Finally: a person who has no sense of self, i.e. a person whose Shadow has been destroyed, consumed, or otherwise removed from the individual, has a barren and monochrome Atelier, having been deprived of the thing sustaining it.

This is the cornerstone for what an Atelier -looks- like. But there's other simple rules fundamental to an Atelier. Like, for example:

How do you ''get into'' one?

==Accessing Ateliers==

Ateliers exist as part of the nature of intelligent life, although they vary widely in their scope and thematics. In nearly all cases, they are simply there, the same as your spleen and the back of your ears. In some cases, they can be more easily found. Individuals who have recently had a sudden, radical change in their behavior leave a way in.

Getting into the Atelier is not a simple matter. First, you must find a Thread: something important to the individual. This is usually an item of specific personal adoration -- and it may not be the most obvious choice. A precious wedding ring might not be a Thread, while a memento of a regretted love or childhood pet might be. In some rare cases, an individual may be a Thread, although in such cases the individual holds the Potential as well. Whether this is a precondition or a side effect is unknown.

After finding the Thread, one must find the Eye: the Eye will be a location, a lonely one, that is or was important to the individual whose Atelier you seek. This location must be physically visited with the Thread in tow. A subtle change in the Thread's Resonance, usually perceived as an intensification of the Thread's "is-ness," proves that the two have met. (In the exceptional cases of a Thread being an individual, they may visit the location themselves. Typically, they will not notice anything.)

This completes the ritual: at this point, one can enter the Atelier. However, this in turn has its own complexities. You have to find a space where people are "Alone Together." There are nuances here -- it must be an enclosed area, which simultaneously holds the concepts of isolation and interconnection. Such places can be difficult to find, but there is a simple and elegant solution in the modern jungle: a net cafe.

These oases of connected solitude are usually open 24-hours, but it may take some courage to brave one. Here, the traveler enters the net cafe cubicle with the Thread and closes the door. With the Thread in hand, or near to hand, the aspiring traveler logs into a certain website simply called [AtelierNetwork.jp]. After a short wait -- helpfully tracked by the site itself -- the user may step outside of the place where they are, and enter the Fabric of Reality.

The Thread does not travel with you, and so the group can share one by one... though you may still need everyone to rent a cubicle. Otherwise, they might get wise.

The intentionality of this ritual effectively limits it to Persona Users or their immediate confederates. Individuals as Threads should be considered a "PC-exclusive" feature -- either as a shocking mischance leading to Transmutations, or as a point of tension and complexity.

==Lesser Shadows - The Humors==

Ateliers are benign. They are not, however, without a way to defend themselves. Known as '''Humors''', these lesser Shadows populate - and are influenced by - the Ateliers they reside in, and serve as something like the white blood cells of an individual's psyche.

Humors can be divided into four separate categories defined by the roles they fulfill within the Atelier:

'''Flegmat (Phlegmatic) -'''
Among Humor Shadows, the Flegmat types are the most passive. They tend to comprise the 'window dressing' of an Atelier's environment and represent the relative baseline of an Atelier owner's psyche. They are sensitive to small worries and disturbances that are usually too remote for one to voice in the real world. Capable of conversation, but not very assertive, they tend to get swept up by events around them. Despite this, their presence helps prevent most Homunculi from forming at all.

It's when a Homunculus does form with enough strength to eat the primary Shadow that they become seemingly helpless to the chaos around them. As a Homunculus' control of the Atelier strengthens, they begin to take on more twisted forms befitting the Homunculus in question. When it happens, they become the bellwethers to how close a Homunculus is to fully consuming the host's Shadow.

'''Sanguin (Sanguine) -'''
Humor Shadows that represent a need for drive, action, or call for help that the Atelier owner struggles to manage, these are the real movers and doers of Humor Shadows. They all unilaterally desire to destroy a Homunculus by their nature, and can be convinced by Atelier visitors that they are there to help.

However, most will usually rouse up other Humors - especially Coleric - against intruders while acting as a 'leader' figure for small groups. Battles where a Sanguin Humor is present can be averted with successful negotiation, in these cases. While they do not fall into the sway of a Homunculus outside of the most dire of circumstances, it is nearly impossible for Sanguin Humors to deal with them naturally unless the emerged Homunculus is incredibly weak.

'''Coleric (Choleric) -'''
Of the four types, these map most closely to basic mindless Shadows like those from the Dark Hour. Outwardly they act as mindless hordes, but a healthy psyche employs Coleric Humors in order to deal with any manner of foreign body intruding within one's Atelier. This means that conflict with numerous Coleric Humors is an inevitable part of exploring Ateliers in any circumstance.

Even if a Homunculus is active - a presence that stirs them to a panicked violent frenzy regardless - those from outside the Atelier register as enemies all the same. They cannot be reasoned with directly, but all Humor Shadows are capable of communication with each other, so a local Sanguin Humor can temporarily call them off. Their numbers replenish endlessly, so fighting them does no lasting harm to an Atelier's host.

'''Melanc (Melancholic) -'''
These Humor Shadows are based on parts of oneself an Atelier owner dislikes. Self-doubt is healthy, in the correct dosage, and having them present is important for growth and self-improvement. They are also important moderating influences for Sanguin Humors in ordinary circumstances. Unfortunately, the presence of a fully-formed Homunculus outright hijacks and empowers these Humor Shadows to turn them into their direct lieutenants, using their self-criticizing rationales as a weapon against the rest of the Atelier.

Coleric Humors have a bad habit of not targeting them because they read as (and are) native to the Atelier, and thus it requires outside help to subdue them when a Homunculus is consuming the primary Shadow. Bringing them 'into balance' is an important step that needs to be taken en route to reaching and subduing an emergent Homunculus. Once subdued, any healthy Flegmat Humors can help prevent a Homunculus from regaining control of a Melanc Humor so long as the Homunculus is dealt with as soon as possible.

==Instar Stages: The Life Cycle of a Homunculus==

One might suspect that Ateliers function similarly to Palaces when infected by Homunculi, and it's understandable why a Persona User might believe it functions like Security Level. However, it is in fact far simpler than that.

The danger of an Atelier is proportional to the stage of development of the Homunculus.

It's been named 'Instar Stages' because functionally, a Homunculus is a parasite, attempting to subsume control over its host.

===Cocoon===

While it is a Cocoon, there is only the potential of danger.

===First Instar Stage===

After hatching, it enters its first Instar phase. The host will begin to show subtle signs of the takeover, while the Atelier's denizens may attempt to fight off the Homunculus. Nearly always, the humors will lose this battle without outside intervention.

===Second Instar Stage===

Within the second instar stage, the host will begin to show obvious changes as it assumes that aggressively idealized version of itself. During this phase, the humours will typically stop attacking the Homunculus, as they begin to become confused as to which is host and which is Homunculus.

The Coleric Humors are quite likely to attack any Persona User who comes near them as a perceived threat to the Atelier, as they sense some kind of threat. The Melanc Humors will begin to follow the commands of the Homunculus during this phase.

===Third Instar Stage===

During the third instar stage, the Atelier becomes incredibly dangerous. The Homunculus has nearly taken over during this time, and nearly all Humors except the Sanguin will register them as the host. In reality, the signs will be absolutely clear. Something is wrong with the person. Confronting the person in question will always end poorly, as the Homunculus becomes paranoid and erratic in asserting they are the person in question. Outright aggression is quite common.

===Sub-Adult Stage===

The Sub-Adult stage is the final stage before complete takeover of the host. During this stage, the Atelier and most of its denizens are under its complete control, and will rise to defend the Homunculus if threatened. The appearance of the possessed Shadow may show overt signs of degradation, such as distorted features or speaking with a voice that isn't its own.

This is the final chance to save the person in question's Shadow. Ridding the Atelier of the Homunculus will allow it to still recover, but at this stage it's become quite a feat given its ability to wield the humors against the Persona Users. If the Homunculus feels truly threatened, it will shed all pretense and empower itself by consuming Flegmat Humors to empower itself and become the monstrous 'other self'.

===Adult Stage===

At the adult stage, the person's Shadow has been completely consumed, and there is no coming back from it. They are dead, and the body is under the Homunculus' possession, as the husk that was once a person is now a monster in human skin.

As for what it will do with it at that point, well, wouldn't you like to know?

==Fabric of Reality==

Ateliers are all about individuality versus connection. It stands to reason then that there must be something ''connecting'' them. Enter: the Fabric of Reality.

The Fabric of Reality is the name for the metaphysical space on which Ateliers reside; if Ateliers are great-but-isolated pieces, the Fabric of Reality is the thread that binds them all into a far greater tapestry of interconnection. Through the Fabric, Ateliers (individuals) are woven together to the whole, making it both a sort of liminal space of reality and an essential part of the Atelier system.

The Fabric of Reality is a core part of what makes Ateliers function, but it is ''also'' a space unto itself. The Fabric of Reality can be traversed and explored, with all its own wonders and hidden dangers within its sprawling, esoteric spaces. The explorable spaces of the Fabric are the 'threads' that connect Ateliers to one another; due to this, the Fabric isn't representative of any individual person or place, but is the general zeitgeist of humanity in all its myriad forms. As such, traversable spaces in the Fabric of Reality tend to be more aesthetically abstract, surreal, and sometimes downright eerie.

Persona Users can enter the Fabric of Reality through logging in to AtelierNetwork.jp at any given net cafe, just as they would Ateliers. Since the Fabric belongs to everyone in a very technical sense, Threads are not required to access it; those entering are drawn into a generic hub within the Fabric that abstractly represents the cafe they came from, almost always furnished with a door to the Velvet Room for the average Persona Users' convenience. From there, they can freely explore the Fabric. This is, like many other metaphysical spaces, a trying experience. Like Ateliers, the Fabric of Reality is populated by Humors; these Humors tend to be indistinct and much more representative of cultural perspectives than individual ones, and make traversal through the Fabric a dangerous prospect.

While technically a person could eventually reach an Atelier through the Fabric of Space, the network is so unfathomably vast and full of potential dangers that it would be an impractical choice at best, or the last choice you ever make at worst.

===AtelierNetwork.jp===

The mysterious website that enables access to both Ateliers and the Fabric of Reality. Its layout is simple but elegant: the main page is a white log-in button on a black background, and once logged in, there is another single button, this time red-on-gold, marked ACCESS ATELIER. Logging in and hitting this button after one has successfully completed a ritual is the final key to allow one to enter an Atelier.

Once one has successfully entered an Atelier for the first time, a webring-style image link appears at the bottom of AtelierNetwork.jp, and one can re-enter it by clicking on it. The central button is always the Fabric of Reality, which is already automatically linked once one logs into the site for the first time.

One may get the website address simply by asking Igor, though Igor claims he has nothing to do with its administration. Igor will explain that you choose your name and your password for yourself--though it's up to the website whether or not it accepts it. (In other words, you need to have a Persona. If you don't, the site will reject your account.) It's not necessary to go through Igor to get website access, though; anyone who has an account already can give out the site address.

For groups of people accessing an Atelier, it's not necessary for every single person to log in one by one. It's enough for the first person to log in, and then every subsequent person can enter the net cafe cubicle and click the ACCESS ATELIER button (or the webring link) for themselves. In this way, the unawakened may potentially enter an Atelier and/or the Fabric of Reality--though for their safety, this is strongly not recommended.

===The Enantiodromia===

There is something off in the Fabric of Reality. Regions of the interconnected Atelier network have begun to warp and darken, twisting the Fabric and its Shadows into something strange and disturbing.

The phenomenon is known as ''the Enantiodromia,'' and it is spreading.

Its origins are unclear but its effects are obvious: areas that have succumbed to the Enantiodromia are a sick echo of what they once were, the abstract architecture of the Fabric becoming something more explicitly abnormal and often dangerous on its own for the people who dare to try to travel through. Humors within these spaces are horrific and often confused and far more violent than its brethren outside of it.

In many ways, regions of the Fabric of Reality are not so dissimilar to Ateliers subjected to the will of a [[Homunculus]]. But most worrisome of all is the fact that the connections between Ateliers in spaces like these seem to be weakening -- as if the Fabric was somehow, in some abstract way, fraying.

It's unclear what is causing this affliction within the Fabric of Space; the most reasonable theory is that it has something to do with the emergence of Homunculi. But it is a real and present danger and, for those brave enough, a mystery that needs to be solved. Exploration of the Enantiodromia is extremely dangerous but potentially rewarding: in the way of all supernatural spaces, it comes with an abundance of treasure and meta-materials the subconscious craves, if someone can navigate its constant and surreal obstacles.

The deeper one delves into the Enantiodromia, the stranger and more unearthly it becomes. Regions of the Enantiodromia are walled off, preventing further passage, barriers that seem to open up the more Homunculi are dealt with.

What is the connection between Homunculi and the Enantiodromia? And just what is waiting at the epicenter of it all?

Well -- there's only one way to find out, isn't there?

==See also…==

*[[Persona Syzygy]]
*[[Homunculus]]
*[[Assorted_Persona_Topics#Transmutation|Transmutation]]

[[Category: Theme]]

Homunculus

2026-06-27T19:49:46Z

Strangeshrimp: /* What is a Homunculus? */

That person you know is not the person you know anymore.

Maybe it was a subtle change. Maybe it was immediately noticeable. But whether over a period of days or months, you realize: '''the person you knew has been replaced.'''

It's not your imagination. You aren't going mad. Across Sumaru, Tokyo, Tatsumi and beyond Rumormongers have reported strange incidents of people being replaced by sinister beings that wear their face like their own personal mask to fool the world.

People call these monsters '''Homunculus'''.

==What is a Homunculus?==

'''A Homunculus is a Shadow'''. It is ''not'' a human Shadow. It is not a Mindless Shadow either, or even one of the countless Shadows native to the Metaverse. The Homunculus is a Shadow entirely unique to itself -- an anomaly, a wrinkle in the metaphysical fabric that manifests inside a human's psyche in a special cognitive space known as an [[Ateliers|Atelier]].

And it is from there they take over.

Essentially, Homunculi are a form of '''cognitive parasite'''. They are a seed of Something Else that wraps itself in the idea of Another, Potential You (like a version of you that did not pan out because of the trajectory of your life) and builds off it, like how a grain of sand in an oyster eventually becomes a pearl. People have lots of different masks and different ways their pasts could have turned out and personalities have formed, but generally a solid sense of self lets them stay internally coherent. People who have a very scattered, disturbed, or torn sense of self due to things like trauma or cognitive dissonance may end up attracting the seed of a Homunculus that uses the layers of someone’s alternate masks and other potential selves to make a new "them."

The life cycle of a Homunculus is insidious and subtle. A Homunculus will take root unobtrusively in a person's Atelier; once they have infiltrated, the Homunculus requires a period of gestation in something called a ''Cocoon'' before it is truly 'born' (visually, the Cocoon looks more or less like a Schiffli cocoon bobbin, with threads spooling out of the Cocoon and lacing into the structure of the Atelier, indicating how the gestating Homunculus is gradually usurping the Atelier from within). However, once a Homunculus is formed, they will '''always and immediately''' attempt to subsume and replace their host, seizing the host Shadow and sealing it into the Cocoon, essentially replacing - and usurping - the Shadow's place within the Atelier and, subsequently, assuming control over the person's body in the real world. (For more on the Life Cycle of a Homunculus and their effect on an Atelier, see: [[Ateliers#Instar_Stages:_The_Life_Cycle_of_a_Homunculus|Instar Stages]])

There are a variety of circumstances that can give birth to a Homunculus, but for the most part it is fundamentally about a cognitive dissonance between what a person is, was, or wants to be. If a person has a weak or disturbed sense of self-identity, a Homunculus is very likely to take root to assert an aggressively "idealized" version of its host (it's important to note 'idealized' doesn't necessarily mean 'better' and most Homunculi are dangerous and aggressive; most people divorced of self-restraint tend not to be healthy). Discrepancies between a person in this timeline and their selves from the Other Side can also cause a Homunculus to form; individuals that did not exist in the Other Side can also be at risk.

There is one last situation where a Homunculus can form: in people who have been inflicted with Mental Shutdowns or Apathy Syndrome. Provided the victim of a Mental Shutdown didn't simply die, both of these circumstances lead to an Atelier devoid of a Shadow, letting a Homunculus essentially slip into the husk of the person unopposed. A person "miraculously" recovering from Apathy Syndrome may well not be someone saved by the destruction of a Major Arcana Shadow, but a Homunculus who has essentially claimed squatters' rights on their body.

==What Happens When a Homunculus Takes Over?==

Once the switch has completed itself, the Homunculus effectively rules the roost. Due to their abnormal nature and ability to simply 'form' within the core of an Atelier without notice, Homunculi do not immediately register as a threat to the lesser Shadows (known as [[Ateliers#Lesser Shadows - The Humors|Humors]]). By the time a Homunculus might be perceived as a threat, it is far too late: the Homunculus becomes the undisputed ruler of the Atelier after it is born and the switch is complete, and the entire rules and structures of the cognitive space bend to its will. Homunculus-warped Ateliers are - of course - very dangerous to traverse, being particularly responsive to its master's aggressive, distorted will, and the Humors within will typically warp to suit its new vision.

In the real world? The Homunculus has essentially taken over the life of the host.

A Homunculus seizing control of an Atelier after being born is unavoidable outside of extreme, extenuating circumstances, but does not result in the immediate death of the host; instead the Shadow is sealed away and gradually discorporated within the Atelier as the Homunculus asserts further and further control. After a period of time, the Shadow of the host will be fully absorbed back into the Collective Unconscious and the Homunculus will have completely replaced the host, resulting in what is, effectively, the host's death... unless they are saved from that grisly fate, that is.

==Detecting a Homunculus==

Homunculi have the knowledge and memories of its host, but are aware of their nature and origins. It makes them sometimes uncannily good at avoiding detection until it's too late. All that matters to a Homunculus is existing; a Homunculus is almost entirely focused on itself and its own survival. Outside of that, an individual Homunculus behaves like a version of its host unmoored by self-restraint or societal mores. How this expresses can vary wildly, and some might even seem like better, more positive people than the individuals they're replacing...

... But there is always something about a Homunculus that is - fundamentally - off. And this is the key to finding one that has become active.

No matter how alike to their host a Homunuclus might seem, they are not: and a person with a genuine Shadow who is close to the person can usually subconsciously sense something is amiss even if the Homunculus is not acting outrageously disruptive. They are - oftentimes - just dismissed by others, but that feeling is unmistakable, like a shiver of the senses -- ''a feeling like someone is wearing the other person's skin.''

This is especially true of Persona Users thanks to how naturally attuned they are to the supernatural, to the point that a Persona-User can sense a Homunculus ''regardless'' of how close or not they are to the person being parasitized. A Homunculus does not just feel wrong – it gives off a simple, visceral feeling that this person standing across from you ''is not a real human''.

It is deeply unsettling, like a predator-prey response. Among Persona-Users it is by far most pronounced with Navigators, who are naturally inclined towards sensing these things. A Navigator ''aware'' that Homunculi exist could, theoretically, try to focus and purposefully search for them within a limited radius -- but if they are even ''reasonably'' near one, the Navigator will know instantly.

==Dealing With a Homunculus==

The first and most essential step to saving a person from a Homunculus is finding a route to their Atelier. (See [[Ateliers#Accessing Ateliers|Accessing Ateliers]] for more!). Once a way in has been established, there are two major parts to handling a Homunculus:

1. Subduing the Ateliers' Melanc Humors 
2. Freeing the Host Shadow from the Cocoon

The Homunculus is the absolute (hijacked) ruler of its respective Atelier; confronting it directly in the seat of its cognitive power, directly empowered by the strength of the host, would almost certainly be a doomed enterprise -- and even if it was possible, would put the host Shadow at extreme risk in the process for as long as it is bound within the Cocoon. Thus, freeing the host and destroying the Cocoon are essential to eliminating the Homunculus.

An integral part of this process is confronting and resolving a special sort of Shadow within the Atelier called Melanc Humors. Natural parts of the Atelier's self-defense systems, the Melanc represent the parts of the host that they most dislike. By utilizing and amplifying these Humors, the Homunculus both creates a cadre of guardians for its own use, and further subordinates the will of the Atelier's owner, weaponizing their own self-critique to further weaken their will within the Cocoon. By confronting and defeating these Humors, a person can help weaken the Homunculus' hold on the Atelier, and in turn weaken the Cocoon, making it much more possible to free the person within.

Once the Melanc Humors have been dealt with and the Cocoon is found within the Atelier, the next step before confronting the Homunculus is to destroy the Cocoon, and free the Shadow within. Note that this process is different and has different results depending on if a person has the potential to awaken or not (see the next segment for more information!), but the broad strokes remain fundamentally the same: when the Cocoon is destroyed, the true Atelier owner is freed, and the Homunculus' grip on the Atelier weakens to a point that it becomes vulnerable to attack. When a Homunculus' has lost its grip on the Atelier, '''its eyes change from the typical Shadow yellow to a bright ruby red''', a visual indicator that it is no longer the master of this cognitive space.

Even without its hold over an Atelier, a Homunculus is still a dangerous and powerful Shadow, and destroying one is still a fundamentally risky action. Once destroyed, though, the host is truly free and safe; when the Homunculus is eliminated, the entire Shadow parasite will discorporate save for its eyes, which tend to transform into an abstract form symbolic of both the Homunculus and the Atelier it had possessed.

NOTE: in the case of Homunculus possessing victims of Mental Shutdowns and Apathy Syndrome, the process is different in some key ways, but fundamentally the same. Since there is no host Shadow in these situations, the Homunculus is the undisputed ruler of the Atelier; the Humor Shadows within are even more directly lashed to its will, and dealing with Melanc Humors is less a matter of helping the Shadow, and more a matter of simple survival for the infiltrators. While it's ultimately simpler to 'free' an Atelier from a Homunculus in these situations - one only needs to destroy the Cocoon to relinquish the Homunculus' hold - it is in many ways significantly more dangerous, as the Atelier is wholly perverted to the Homunculus' will.

When a Homunculus is removed in these situations, the body will typically resume its catatonic state, being once more deprived of a Shadow to move it.

===What Happens to the Possessed?===

Upon seizing the Shadow, a Homunculus effectively replaces the person they are parasitizing. This process, called '''Pupation''', sees the host essentially imprisoned within their own Atelier with their Shadow, their self-doubts exacerbated and weaponized to keep them from trying to resist as the Homunculus slowly absorbs them and their life from within.

The possessed are, on some level, aware of what the Homunculus is doing in the real world. How much they remember when or if they are freed depends greatly on the person in question, but even in those who can't remember at all, some subconscious impression of the incident still lingers.

While within the Cocoon, a person is made a prisoner of their own negativity, bombarded with their doubts and the reality that they have been replaced by the "better" version of themselves - a version they perhaps on some level always wished they could be. To free them is a process of confronting and resolving those self-doubts and weakening the fetters binding them down until it is weak enough they can be freed from the Cocoon.

The last step of the process is as much up to the person as it is to those freeing them; the destruction of the Cocoon is a symbolic action that requires a resolve from the person within to liberate themselves from their regrets and doubts and seek freedom. Only by doing so, can they truly become free from the Homunculus' sway, and can the Homunculus itself be made vulnerable, making the host's personal liberation a crucial cornerstone.

This can play out one of two ways: in most cases, when the person is freed from the Homunculus thanks to their perspective shift, those who helped liberate them will protect them and destroy the Homunculus, returning the Atelier to their (subconscious) control.

However, things are different if someone parasitized by a Homunculus has undergone - or harbors a strong desire for - personal change within them -- in other words, if someone has the Potential to undergo Transmutation. Upon being freed from the Cocoon, a person has the capacity to undergo Awakening. Many do not. But for those that do, the process of destroying the Cocoon becomes much more active: as the person within unites in common purpose with their Shadow in realizing and embraces their desire for change, they undergo their own personal metamorphosis within the Cocoon, breaking its hold on them and achieving their first [[Persona#The_Potential:_Transmutation|Transmutation]].

Upon gaining their Persona, the Homunculus completely loses any hold it held over the Atelier, and the confrontation with the parasite can truly begin.

===What Happens After?===

Those who have achieved Transmutation during their possession by a Homunculus will remember everything that took place -- both the actions of the Homunculus while controlling them, and the events within the Atelier itself. They, like all Persona Users, have awakened to the hidden realms of the human condition, and no longer have the luxury of looking away.

What they do after this, of course, is entirely up to them. After all -- they're free now.

Those who do ''not'' awaken will have no real memories of how they were freed or what even occurred, but that doesn't mean they are unaffected. Events in the cognitive world echo into the real world: there's no escaping that, even if you are unaware of what has transpired. Someone freed from a Homunculus' grip may only have vague impressions of what happened while they were imprisoned, but being confronted by a (warped) possibility of what they could have been, and finding the strength within them to reject that so-called better them and overcome their regrets, influence them on a profound and subconscious level.

Whether they awaken to a Persona or not, a person freed from a Homunculus will experience a positive perspective shift in their lives, and usually attempt to change the circumstances of their life for the better afterward.

An Atelier freed from a Homunculus typically has nothing to fear from a repeat possession; the process, after all, goes a long way in resolving the very issues that made them vulnerable to begin with.

==OOC Notes==

* The conditions in which a Homunculus spawns covers a very wide gamut mostly to accommodate player creativity and provide a lot of potential avenues for someone to explore this concept if they want to. The emphasis is on ''if they want to'' however: all of these conditions just increase the likelihood of a Homunculus forming and ''no one should feel obligated to have to deal with a Homunculus just because they meet the criteria''. But if you want to -- awesome!

* Outside extreme extenuating circumstances, Persona Users are immune to Homunculus possession, as they have an extremely developed sense of self by dint of their nature.

* Being able to access and explore Ateliers is a relatively recent and unexpected occurrence and Rumormongers and various other, seedier individuals would be very happy to have information on them. Look at that -- it's hooks for you to snag on!

* The material of a Homunculus' Cocoon - known as ''filum regium'' - is a potent meta material that can be harvested after its destruction; filum regium can be used to greatly enhance or even forge new gear and weapons at your various friendly meta purveyors such as Peacock Silk or Mayoido Antiques.

* The Eyes don't seem to have the same potential as filum regium but Peacock Silk is still extremely interested in them anyway. What a bunch of weirdos.

==See Also...==
*[[Persona Syzygy]]
*[[Ateliers]]

Homunculus

2026-06-27T19:28:56Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Dealing With a Homunculus */

That person you know is not the person you know anymore.

Maybe it was a subtle change. Maybe it was immediately noticeable. But whether over a period of days or months, you realize: '''the person you knew has been replaced.'''

It's not your imagination. You aren't going mad. Across Sumaru, Tokyo, Tatsumi and beyond Rumormongers have reported strange incidents of people being replaced by sinister beings that wear their face like their own personal mask to fool the world.

People call these monsters '''Homunculus'''.

==What is a Homunculus?==

'''A Homunculus is a Shadow'''. It is ''not'' a human Shadow. It is not a Mindless Shadow either, or even one of the countless Shadows native to the Metaverse. The Homunculus is a Shadow entirely unique to itself -- an anomaly, a wrinkle in the metaphysical fabric that manifests inside a human's psyche in a special cognitive space known as an [[Ateliers|Atelier]].

And it is from there they take over.

Essentially, Homunculi are a form of '''cognitive parasite'''. They are a seed of Something Else that wraps itself in the idea of Another, Potential You (like a version of you that did not pan out because of the trajectory of your life) and builds off it, like how a grain of sand in an oyster eventually becomes a pearl. People have lots of different masks and different ways their pasts could have turned out and personalities have formed, but generally a solid sense of self lets them stay internally coherent. People who have a very scattered, disturbed, or torn sense of self due to things like trauma or cognitive dissonance may end up attracting the seed of a Homunculus that uses the layers of someone’s alternate masks and other potential selves to make a new "them."

The life cycle of a Homunculus is insidious and subtle. A Homunculus will take root unobtrusively in a person's Atelier; once they have infiltrated, the Homunculus requires a period of gestation in something called a ''Cocoon'' before it is truly 'born' (visually, the Cocoon looks more or less like a Schiffli cocoon bobbin, with threads spooling out of the Cocoon and lacing into the structure of the Atelier, indicating how the gestating Homunculus is gradually usurping the Atelier from within). However, once a Homunculus is formed, they will '''always and immediately''' attempt to subsume and replace their host, seizing the host Shadow and sealing it into the Cocoon, essentially replacing - and usurping - the Shadow's place within the Atelier and, subsequently, assuming control over the person's body in the real world. (For more on the Life Cycle of a Homunculus and their effect on an Atelier, see: [[#Instar_Stages:_The_Life_Cycle_of_a_Homunculus|Instar Stages]])

There are a variety of circumstances that can give birth to a Homunculus, but for the most part it is fundamentally about a cognitive dissonance between what a person is, was, or wants to be. If a person has a weak or disturbed sense of self-identity, a Homunculus is very likely to take root to assert an aggressively "idealized" version of its host (it's important to note 'idealized' doesn't necessarily mean 'better' and most Homunculi are dangerous and aggressive; most people divorced of self-restraint tend not to be healthy). Discrepancies between a person in this timeline and their selves from the Other Side can also cause a Homunculus to form; individuals that did not exist in the Other Side can also be at risk.

There is one last situation where a Homunculus can form: in people who have been inflicted with Mental Shutdowns or Apathy Syndrome. Provided the victim of a Mental Shutdown didn't simply die, both of these circumstances lead to an Atelier devoid of a Shadow, letting a Homunculus essentially slip into the husk of the person unopposed. A person "miraculously" recovering from Apathy Syndrome may well not be someone saved by the destruction of a Major Arcana Shadow, but a Homunculus who has essentially claimed squatters' rights on their body.

==What Happens When a Homunculus Takes Over?==

Once the switch has completed itself, the Homunculus effectively rules the roost. Due to their abnormal nature and ability to simply 'form' within the core of an Atelier without notice, Homunculi do not immediately register as a threat to the lesser Shadows (known as [[Ateliers#Lesser Shadows - The Humors|Humors]]). By the time a Homunculus might be perceived as a threat, it is far too late: the Homunculus becomes the undisputed ruler of the Atelier after it is born and the switch is complete, and the entire rules and structures of the cognitive space bend to its will. Homunculus-warped Ateliers are - of course - very dangerous to traverse, being particularly responsive to its master's aggressive, distorted will, and the Humors within will typically warp to suit its new vision.

In the real world? The Homunculus has essentially taken over the life of the host.

A Homunculus seizing control of an Atelier after being born is unavoidable outside of extreme, extenuating circumstances, but does not result in the immediate death of the host; instead the Shadow is sealed away and gradually discorporated within the Atelier as the Homunculus asserts further and further control. After a period of time, the Shadow of the host will be fully absorbed back into the Collective Unconscious and the Homunculus will have completely replaced the host, resulting in what is, effectively, the host's death... unless they are saved from that grisly fate, that is.

==Detecting a Homunculus==

Homunculi have the knowledge and memories of its host, but are aware of their nature and origins. It makes them sometimes uncannily good at avoiding detection until it's too late. All that matters to a Homunculus is existing; a Homunculus is almost entirely focused on itself and its own survival. Outside of that, an individual Homunculus behaves like a version of its host unmoored by self-restraint or societal mores. How this expresses can vary wildly, and some might even seem like better, more positive people than the individuals they're replacing...

... But there is always something about a Homunculus that is - fundamentally - off. And this is the key to finding one that has become active.

No matter how alike to their host a Homunuclus might seem, they are not: and a person with a genuine Shadow who is close to the person can usually subconsciously sense something is amiss even if the Homunculus is not acting outrageously disruptive. They are - oftentimes - just dismissed by others, but that feeling is unmistakable, like a shiver of the senses -- ''a feeling like someone is wearing the other person's skin.''

This is especially true of Persona Users thanks to how naturally attuned they are to the supernatural, to the point that a Persona-User can sense a Homunculus ''regardless'' of how close or not they are to the person being parasitized. A Homunculus does not just feel wrong – it gives off a simple, visceral feeling that this person standing across from you ''is not a real human''.

It is deeply unsettling, like a predator-prey response. Among Persona-Users it is by far most pronounced with Navigators, who are naturally inclined towards sensing these things. A Navigator ''aware'' that Homunculi exist could, theoretically, try to focus and purposefully search for them within a limited radius -- but if they are even ''reasonably'' near one, the Navigator will know instantly.

==Dealing With a Homunculus==

The first and most essential step to saving a person from a Homunculus is finding a route to their Atelier. (See [[Ateliers#Accessing Ateliers|Accessing Ateliers]] for more!). Once a way in has been established, there are two major parts to handling a Homunculus:

1. Subduing the Ateliers' Melanc Humors 
2. Freeing the Host Shadow from the Cocoon

The Homunculus is the absolute (hijacked) ruler of its respective Atelier; confronting it directly in the seat of its cognitive power, directly empowered by the strength of the host, would almost certainly be a doomed enterprise -- and even if it was possible, would put the host Shadow at extreme risk in the process for as long as it is bound within the Cocoon. Thus, freeing the host and destroying the Cocoon are essential to eliminating the Homunculus.

An integral part of this process is confronting and resolving a special sort of Shadow within the Atelier called Melanc Humors. Natural parts of the Atelier's self-defense systems, the Melanc represent the parts of the host that they most dislike. By utilizing and amplifying these Humors, the Homunculus both creates a cadre of guardians for its own use, and further subordinates the will of the Atelier's owner, weaponizing their own self-critique to further weaken their will within the Cocoon. By confronting and defeating these Humors, a person can help weaken the Homunculus' hold on the Atelier, and in turn weaken the Cocoon, making it much more possible to free the person within.

Once the Melanc Humors have been dealt with and the Cocoon is found within the Atelier, the next step before confronting the Homunculus is to destroy the Cocoon, and free the Shadow within. Note that this process is different and has different results depending on if a person has the potential to awaken or not (see the next segment for more information!), but the broad strokes remain fundamentally the same: when the Cocoon is destroyed, the true Atelier owner is freed, and the Homunculus' grip on the Atelier weakens to a point that it becomes vulnerable to attack. When a Homunculus' has lost its grip on the Atelier, '''its eyes change from the typical Shadow yellow to a bright ruby red''', a visual indicator that it is no longer the master of this cognitive space.

Even without its hold over an Atelier, a Homunculus is still a dangerous and powerful Shadow, and destroying one is still a fundamentally risky action. Once destroyed, though, the host is truly free and safe; when the Homunculus is eliminated, the entire Shadow parasite will discorporate save for its eyes, which tend to transform into an abstract form symbolic of both the Homunculus and the Atelier it had possessed.

NOTE: in the case of Homunculus possessing victims of Mental Shutdowns and Apathy Syndrome, the process is different in some key ways, but fundamentally the same. Since there is no host Shadow in these situations, the Homunculus is the undisputed ruler of the Atelier; the Humor Shadows within are even more directly lashed to its will, and dealing with Melanc Humors is less a matter of helping the Shadow, and more a matter of simple survival for the infiltrators. While it's ultimately simpler to 'free' an Atelier from a Homunculus in these situations - one only needs to destroy the Cocoon to relinquish the Homunculus' hold - it is in many ways significantly more dangerous, as the Atelier is wholly perverted to the Homunculus' will.

When a Homunculus is removed in these situations, the body will typically resume its catatonic state, being once more deprived of a Shadow to move it.

===What Happens to the Possessed?===

Upon seizing the Shadow, a Homunculus effectively replaces the person they are parasitizing. This process, called '''Pupation''', sees the host essentially imprisoned within their own Atelier with their Shadow, their self-doubts exacerbated and weaponized to keep them from trying to resist as the Homunculus slowly absorbs them and their life from within.

The possessed are, on some level, aware of what the Homunculus is doing in the real world. How much they remember when or if they are freed depends greatly on the person in question, but even in those who can't remember at all, some subconscious impression of the incident still lingers.

While within the Cocoon, a person is made a prisoner of their own negativity, bombarded with their doubts and the reality that they have been replaced by the "better" version of themselves - a version they perhaps on some level always wished they could be. To free them is a process of confronting and resolving those self-doubts and weakening the fetters binding them down until it is weak enough they can be freed from the Cocoon.

The last step of the process is as much up to the person as it is to those freeing them; the destruction of the Cocoon is a symbolic action that requires a resolve from the person within to liberate themselves from their regrets and doubts and seek freedom. Only by doing so, can they truly become free from the Homunculus' sway, and can the Homunculus itself be made vulnerable, making the host's personal liberation a crucial cornerstone.

This can play out one of two ways: in most cases, when the person is freed from the Homunculus thanks to their perspective shift, those who helped liberate them will protect them and destroy the Homunculus, returning the Atelier to their (subconscious) control.

However, things are different if someone parasitized by a Homunculus has undergone - or harbors a strong desire for - personal change within them -- in other words, if someone has the Potential to undergo Transmutation. Upon being freed from the Cocoon, a person has the capacity to undergo Awakening. Many do not. But for those that do, the process of destroying the Cocoon becomes much more active: as the person within unites in common purpose with their Shadow in realizing and embraces their desire for change, they undergo their own personal metamorphosis within the Cocoon, breaking its hold on them and achieving their first [[Persona#The_Potential:_Transmutation|Transmutation]].

Upon gaining their Persona, the Homunculus completely loses any hold it held over the Atelier, and the confrontation with the parasite can truly begin.

===What Happens After?===

Those who have achieved Transmutation during their possession by a Homunculus will remember everything that took place -- both the actions of the Homunculus while controlling them, and the events within the Atelier itself. They, like all Persona Users, have awakened to the hidden realms of the human condition, and no longer have the luxury of looking away.

What they do after this, of course, is entirely up to them. After all -- they're free now.

Those who do ''not'' awaken will have no real memories of how they were freed or what even occurred, but that doesn't mean they are unaffected. Events in the cognitive world echo into the real world: there's no escaping that, even if you are unaware of what has transpired. Someone freed from a Homunculus' grip may only have vague impressions of what happened while they were imprisoned, but being confronted by a (warped) possibility of what they could have been, and finding the strength within them to reject that so-called better them and overcome their regrets, influence them on a profound and subconscious level.

Whether they awaken to a Persona or not, a person freed from a Homunculus will experience a positive perspective shift in their lives, and usually attempt to change the circumstances of their life for the better afterward.

An Atelier freed from a Homunculus typically has nothing to fear from a repeat possession; the process, after all, goes a long way in resolving the very issues that made them vulnerable to begin with.

==OOC Notes==

* The conditions in which a Homunculus spawns covers a very wide gamut mostly to accommodate player creativity and provide a lot of potential avenues for someone to explore this concept if they want to. The emphasis is on ''if they want to'' however: all of these conditions just increase the likelihood of a Homunculus forming and ''no one should feel obligated to have to deal with a Homunculus just because they meet the criteria''. But if you want to -- awesome!

* Outside extreme extenuating circumstances, Persona Users are immune to Homunculus possession, as they have an extremely developed sense of self by dint of their nature.

* Being able to access and explore Ateliers is a relatively recent and unexpected occurrence and Rumormongers and various other, seedier individuals would be very happy to have information on them. Look at that -- it's hooks for you to snag on!

* The material of a Homunculus' Cocoon - known as ''filum regium'' - is a potent meta material that can be harvested after its destruction; filum regium can be used to greatly enhance or even forge new gear and weapons at your various friendly meta purveyors such as Peacock Silk or Mayoido Antiques.

* The Eyes don't seem to have the same potential as filum regium but Peacock Silk is still extremely interested in them anyway. What a bunch of weirdos.

==See Also...==
*[[Persona Syzygy]]
*[[Ateliers]]

Active Rumors

2026-06-27T01:59:58Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Active Rumors */

'''OOC Foreword:''' This page is a staff curated list of active rumors. Anything on this list has taken long-term effect through the power of [[Assorted_Supernatural_Phenomena#Kotodama|Kotodama]] and is public for characters to know. This does not mean that players cannot create rumors in game and/or even spread them ICly, just that those rumors won't have Kotodama backing them up. For Kotodama to work its 'magic' on a given rumor, you must submit a request to staff by email. If the request is approved, then it will be posted on this list. Rumors that cause a [[Monad System|Monad]] to exist for a one-shot will be handled on submission of the Monad.

The only type of Kotodama Rumors that will be accepted by the staff that aren't on this list or within a Monad are those that are one-shot jokes that do not heavily alter either reality or the status quo and are brief enough as to end with the scene in which they feature.

If you're not sure, then ask!

'''Note:''' This list is not all inclusive. The [[New World Order]] for example has many secret rumors they are currently utilizing. Their organization is large enough and has enough supernatural backing that they don't require the spread of Rumors the normal way. We still encourage players of the NWO to submit active rumors for post on this page so players can know the cool stuff you're doing ICly.

==Active Rumors==

*<s>- If you call your own phone number and give a name to the person who answers, then the Joker Killer will show up and murder them. Scary!</s>

*<s>Power that Emblem Holds - The Seven Sisters School Emblem will protect someone from the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Joker_Killer|Joker Killer]] so long as they have it on them.</s>

*Parabellum's Shady Business! - Parabellum Bar in Aoba Ward sells weapons. Don't talk about gun control in front of this bartender.

*Rosa Candida's Shady Business! - The boutique Rosa Candida in Aoba Ward now sells quality armor. The proprietor is still a little snooty.

*New Service Available at the Time Castle - The Time Count will both sells and duplicate cards for Persona Users. One may have to endure a creepier vibe than the Velvet Room.

*The Sumaru Genie's Ill Luck - The Sumaru Genie's fortune-telling is terrible; they always get it wrong. Perhaps they'd have more luck if they tried Wang Long fortune-telling.

*Battlemaster Prizes - The Battlemaster Magazine has a sweepstakes for quality accessories.

*Miracle Magazines Prizes - The Miracle Magazine has a sweepstakes for spell cards!? Perhaps they think they're a new CCG trend...

*No Smoking For Delinquents - The Leader at Kasugayama High has forbidden smoking. Anyone who tries to light up on campus always regrets it before they even take the first puff, as the Leader somehow always knows... no matter the hour.

*Club Zodiac is Like a Maze! - The back rooms of Club Zodiac are like a confusing labyrinth. The only people that seem to understand the way through are the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Tien_Tao_Lien|Tien Tao Lien]] who have set up shop there.

*No Personas at the Giga Macho - This is the worst: the Demons at the Giga Macho have spread a rumor so that Persona can't be summoned there. Retail work has never been more dangerous.

*There's a Casino at Mu - The Mu Continent game center has become a casino! How can that even happen? Aren't casinos illegal in Japan? Oh wait, so are guns... Rumors sure are a thing.

*[[Mementos]] - The latest hot test of courage among school kids is to say 'Mementos' five times into a bathroom mirror at a train or bus station. It's said if you can manage it, then you'll be spirited away, but most people can't get past three before chickening out! Wait, are you saying that there have been a lot of missing person's reports related to this? Scary!

*[[Peacock Silk]] is On Fire! - Not literally. The hottest new boutique in Shimokitozawa Tokyo, [[Peacock Silk]], offers secret services to Persona Users of all stripes, and can even manage that cognitive junk that's been building up. Rumormonger Toro gives Peacock Silk 5 out of 5 stars for service - 'They even have a REAL talking Peacock! He stole my fish fin sashimi and I didn't even mind!' Glorious.

*<s>Lucky Sevens!?! - It's said that the Joker Killer is repelled not only from the Seven Sisters Emblem, but maybe even the employee badge at the 777 convenience store! But hey isn't 777 a really rare result when you're playing slots? Maybe not a sure thing... (OOC Note: Power That Emblem Holds is now Deprecated! All representations of 'Sevens' have a luck based chance to protect you if someone calls the Joker, but it's not a certain thing.)</s>

*<s>Eiji Kamiya is Kidnapping people!? - Rumor has it, Eiji Kamiya is running a human trafficking operation for 'the conspiracy' in Sumaru City out of Tatsumi Port Island. His Palace can be accessed through a very complicated sequence of going to the Akiyoshi building's carpark, finding a car that's open, tuning the radio to 700, and reciting lines 17-20 of a Midsummer Night's Dream.</s>

*The Purple Mirror - People have reported the image of a ghostly woman surrounded in lilac-colored smoke appearing in reflective surfaces across Sumaru City, mostly in Rengedai Ward, and a rash of bad luck seems to follow in her wake. Got an important milestone coming up? A birthday, a wedding, a major test, a promotion, graduation? Well, if you know the words "purple mirror," then you'd better forget them before that event comes up, or else you'll experience the worst kind of tragic misfortune that you fear. Such a feat is easier said than done when she keeps popping up to serve as a constant reminder, however ..! (OOC Note: If you're curious, feel free to +finger Murasaki Kagami to find out more about the story! But reader beware if you choose to do so.)

*Hazardous Situation - 'The Morimoto Sanitarium is currently uninhabitable due to a terrible accident.' While confined solely to the premises of the Sanitarium proper, the whole mountain has been cordoned off by the authorities coordinating the Hazmat cleanup.

*The Joker Curse - Those that perform the Joker Killer Rumor will become Jokers themselves. [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Joker_Curse|Joker Curse]]

*The Time Count - Can suppress the [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Joker_Curse|Joker Curse]] just as Igor can. He'll just be grumpier about it and more likely to cast shade in your direction.

*Haunted Books at Sevens? - There are evil, haunted books in Seven Sisters High's library. If you check them out, they stir the mind. You can learn really fast, but you might end up doing what the evil spirit in the book wants. And if you destroy them, you'll release the evil inside. Apparently, they're going to lend the haunted books to other libraries to minimize the danger at Sevens...

==See Also...==
*[[Rumormongers]]
*[[Rumors and Rumor Culture]]
*[[Assorted_Supernatural_Phenomena#Kotodama|Kotodama]]
*[[Monad System]]

[[Category: Theme]]

2026-05-17: Do You Want To Join My Club (To Be)?

2026-06-19T02:35:09Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: Do You Want To Join My Club (To Be)?''' *'''Cast:''' Lisa Silverman, Maria Sakurai *'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School - Classroom Building *'''OOC Date:''' May 17, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' November 10, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Maria checks in on her classmate after the end of the day, partly to say hi after Lisa's concert, but also to se'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Lisa Silverman has posed. <poem> Lisa is seated in her usual spot in homeroom, chatting with h..."

*'''Log: Do You Want To Join My Club (To Be)?'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Lisa Silverman]], [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School - Classroom Building
*'''OOC Date:''' May 17, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 10, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Maria checks in on her classmate after the end of the day, partly to say hi after Lisa's concert, but also to se''

----

<Pose Tracker> Lisa Silverman has posed.
<poem>
Lisa is seated in her usual spot in homeroom, chatting with her friends and groupmates Sheba and Mee-ho.

"Oh, not coming with us this time?" Sheba asks, and Mee-ho goes, "Aww. Well, that's okay! We'll catch up again later, Lisa-chan."

"Right," Lisa says, and smiles. "You two have fun, OK?"

"Yeah!"

Then Lisa goes back to fiddling with her bag; presumably there's some stuff she has to rearrange, so as her friends leave, what better time is it to walk up to her?

There isn't one!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Not every girl gets to have an up and coming idol as her classmate in homeroom. It's probably not a new occurance for Lisa to field questions from her classmates (boys and girls alike) at this juncture, but even in the span of time since the concert, Maria hasn't had the chance.

(Pictured, with an arrow pointing right at her, Maria, spacing out during history class, or English, or at the end of the day...)

But not today. Today, Maria has a ''plan'' and she's had to ''lock in'' accordingly.

"Lisa-chan!"

It's also her lucky day, it would seem. "Hi there!" she says, waving with both hands as she zooms in on her classmate. She notices something, as she does: Sheeba and Mee-ho aren't here. "Are your friends not here? Hey, if you're not busy, do you mind a few minutes?"

She looks ''quite'' invested in... something.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Lisa Silverman has posed.
<poem>
Lisa's used to it, and she doesn't mind--well, she minds ''some'' of them, when the question is 'will the idol go out with me', because she can tell when a guy's interested in her just with starstruck eyes... and she's kind of sore about the whole thing where she couldn't date anyway.

Anyway, Maria comes up to her, and because she's in her homeroom, Lisa knows her. ...ANd because she was at the concert, she remembers she was there recently! "Wai!" Lisa greets in return, and smiles. "Oh, they just left--they wanted to go shopping, but I was going home early today."

Beat, "But not so early I can't make time for you, Maria-chan. What's on your mind?"

Invested in... what, though???
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria, of course, knows nothing of this: she's about as far as someone can get from the cutthroat world of the young idol. She'd be a little shocked, and maybe even a little horrified, if she knew: aren't these the days that are supposed to be the prime of one's life? Just sitting back and, not seeing anyone because you're not supposed to is like contrary to every young teen girl's experience!

In their first year, they hadn't been in the same class. And at the start of this year, or just about, Maria had been in an accident and missed almost a month of school to recover. Because of that, she'd been on the back foot for making new friends among her current classmates (not that she's terribly lacking in the friendship department any) but it didn't mean she didn't know Lisa until her rise to stardom or that they hadn't talked, now and then. It's entirely possible they went to elementary school together, for one thing! ...Even if that never meant that they were super, special friends or anything.

Maria, after all, has always been into sports. And Lisa...

"Oh, uh-huh," she chirps, as Lisa explains. "Gotcha! I know how it is. I have to go and help out at home, too, sometimes." Even if she'd rather be out and about.

Lisa says that she ''can'' make time for Maria, though.

"Great!" Maria grins, beaming at Lisa. "So, you see... I want to make a club. Do you bike, Lisa-chan?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Lisa Silverman has posed.
<poem>
Maybe there's a reason Lisa has a good impression of Maria!!

Lisa did go to elementary school in the area; maybe she remembers Maria from back then, from different classes. She's lived in Rengedai all her life, after all.

Helping out! Well, that's not what Lisa is doing but, she doesn't want to ''say'' that. Instead, "Dad wants me to do some stuff," she says, "And I figure I should be nice now and then. He's doing his best." It drives her crazy, but it used to be much worse--and now that she has her sister to look out for... Well, it's more improtant to keep things good with her family.

But she sees that grin and is pleased. "A club, huh?" Lisa asks. "Hmm. Not much," she admits. "I mostly just walk around or take the train."

"I used to when I was little, though."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
They've never been close buddies, but they have been in each other's general orbit as far back as Maria can remember. And now she gets to say, one of her classmates is an idol! How cool is that?

"Uh huh," Maria says, nodding along as Lisa explains. "It's neat that your dad and you are so close, though?"

Maria's own father is, uh...

Well, she did see him again after she got 'found' after 'going missing'. She overheard one of the officers telling her grandmother that they suspect she was seeing a boy! How rude, she got kidnapped by a pink cockatoo!

Which might be a magic cockatoo.

Maria's still not sure just ''what'' Jerri is.

But, alas, Lisa does not bike.

"Aww," says Maria, her shoulders slouching. But she rallies! "Well, do you know anyone who likes to bike? I'm trying to get enough people together for bike club. That way, I can go and say, 'we should have a biking club', right? I think I have to convince the principal, or, well, the interim principal?" It's more than that. She'll also have to talk someone from the faculty into being the supervisor, not to mention all the paperwork involved. Add to that the issue of what they'd do with anyone who wanted to join but didn't have a bike...

Running, by contrast, is easy for a school to manage. Sewing club is ''easy''. Cooking club? Easy. Providing an entire damn bike to someone? ...Trickier.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Lisa Silverman has posed.
<poem>
Close... "I guess so, huh?" Lisa asks. "Even when he drives me nuts, I'm lucky to have him," she admits. She has to be positive for her reputation--but realizing it compared to girls without dads at all... It makes her think.

Magic. Luckily Lisa's not involved with that.

"Hmmm. I don't..." She taps her cheek though, thinking about it from her seat. "I know that Suou-san has a motorcycle. But bicycles? ...Oh, wait. You could check at the bike racks? The people who are there obviously like bikes, since... they have them!"

"I think that's right though. You'd have to convince Ms. Ideal. I dunno how easy that'll be..."

Unless, of course, Maria can indicate that the bikes are somehow supernatural. That might help?

Lisa is too busy for clubs these days, herself. So are Sheba and Mee-ho. But she does have other stuff...

"That's cool though. It shows a lot of initiative, wanting to make your own club."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Yeah," says Maria, just a touch less enthusiastically than is her baseline. But of course, Lisa would know that chestnut, how Maria's father works and stays in Tokyo, coming to Sumaru to visit her and her mother and grandmother when he can. That's been the case ever since before the two of them even first met: working arrangments can be hard on families when one party needs special care, or can't do child-care on her own.

Lisa, most likely, has probably even seen Maria's mother once or twice. She does what she can, but being in a wheelchair is certainly limiting.

"Yeah, but that's a motorcycle," Maria sighs, and she might not be the sharpest pencil in the set, but even she knows that a motorbike club wouldn't fly at all. She doesn't even have a motorbike! She doesn't even have a license!

But she could check at the racks. You know, where the people who ride their bikes to school would be?

"Oh, right!" says Maria, who...

Well, Lisa probably also knows this fact about Maria.

(Why didn't her friend Haruka tell her? Because Haruka, her best frienemy, wanted to see if Maria figured that one out on her own. Call it curiosity!)

Of course, then she'd also have to convince Maya Okamura.

"...Yeah," says Maria, frowning. "If, I told that um... aliens... liked bikes," Maria says, thinking this one out in real time, "do you think that would sway her...?"

No. No, it wouldn't. She's mixing her interests up with Kashihara's, anyway!

But that's initiative for Maria, who beams, sparkling flowers and all, in response. "Hehe, you think so? My first idea was for an urban exploration club, but... I didn't think that would go over really well." Oh good, she has some sense! "I was trying to think of a sport I'd want to do, right?" She peers at Lisa. "Or some kind of activity! Hey, you're not in any clubs right now, are you Lisa-chan? I guess being an idol's got to be pretty busy. So, are they going to have a new concert soon, or...?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Lisa Silverman has posed.
<poem>
Lisa knows a little about Maria's family just because of how long they've known each other, even if not ''closely''. It's part of why even Lisa, who can be insensitive, isn't going to complain about her dad in front of ''her''.

Maria does know that. "yeah," she says. And then--the bikes! Well...

Lisa ''did'' mention it at least. "Right," Lisa says. "It might help! Though they've mostly have left by now I guess..."

Anyway, ".....Prrrrrobably not," Lisa says, a sweatdrop almost visible at her face. Almost. "But I dunno enough about that kind of thing to help."

Initiative! "I do!" ...Urban exploration would ''not'' fly. "Hmm," she says. "Yeah! Well, if you like kung fu I could get you in touch with my sifu!" she says, brightly. "...But no, I'm not. We're not gonna have another concert for another month or two at least, but we are hoping to get another album out before too much longer..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Most of the people Maria's known most of her life know the gist of things, that her mother was paralyzed after being hit by a car, that her father is stuck working in Tokyo but sends money home, that she was mostly raised by her grandparents.
That she was badly injured in a subway accident earlier in the year.

It's just that, such things are beyond commenting on at this point. Superfluous, in fact.

Lisa's clue (Could Maria have figured it out on her own? it is a mystery) hips Maria to the fact that she probably has a whole range of people to ask! ...Whether or not they're interested in riding as a group, school-hosted-style, is a separate question. Maybe she'd be better off looking into riding clubs outside of school, but at the same time, it probably can't hurt. And if this falls through, she can try something else.

"You don't think so? Hmm, I had this weird feeling that she was kind of into..." Maria screws up her face, thinking again about Ms. Ideal and her interests. "Well, that's okay. I'll just tell it to her straight, then?" She pauses. "Oh, I mean, after I have some club members! And a faculty volunteer? Do you think Watanabe-sensei would want to mentor us?"

Their homeroom teacher doesn't, as far as either of them know as his students anyway, ride a bike for fun.

Urban exploration would have gotten shot down so fast Maria's head would have spun. Maybe she should try just joining another sports team that allows girls?

...Or kung fu.

"Eh? Kung fu?" Maria blink-blinks at Lisa. "Eh?? You do kung fu?" Wait, hadn't there been a story to that effect? "That's so cool! You can be all," she mimes punching, one, two! "Like that! Like in a movie!" she gushes, apparently a little into this stretch of reality.

Lisa's not having a concert sometime soon? "Ahh, I see. I guess that makes sense? You probably have to do a lot of practice, and preparation, and all, right?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Lisa Silverman has posed.
<poem>
Lisa's sure not going to comment on those things right now!!

"Hm..." Into aliens, huh? ...Lisa frowns, but isn't sure why. Oh well! Instead, "Yeah! Sometimes honesty's the best policy!" It is not.

But Watanabe? "I dunno," Lisa says. "He's got a lot on his plate already. Did you see his wife come in the other day?"

But kung fu! "I do!!" Lisa answers brightly. One-two! "The movies are how I first started learning!" Lisa answers. "They're so great, aren't they? I love how graceful and cool they are. All those combinations..."

"Mm-hm," Lisa says. "And our manager has to book a venue and stuff, so there has to be an opening in the schedule and all..."

"So it's like that."

"...But I should probably be going in a few--I'd be glad to talk some more later, though! Lemme know how your club stuff goes, OK?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
It's weird. She's pretty sure that was the case. Like it was, somehow, definitely so. Like it wasn't just something she mixed up (after all, Kashihara is known to be into UFOs even now, but the truth is that he's not nearly as fascinated about them as he was, say, ten years ago).

How strange.

Did she see Watanabe's wife come in the other day? "Oh yeah! They're having another baby, right?" Trust Maria to be ''that'' blunt about it... "I hope we get to see the baby! ...Wait, won't we be in third year by then??" Maria's expression turns to one of utter devastation. Noooo she wanted to see the ''baby''...

"Really? That's so cool! I like to watch American movies, but I've seen some kung fu movies, too! Oh, do you know if there's any that have more girls in them? Like, doing the fighting? I was thinking, I wanted to watch something like that, too..."

Most of the movies that Maria's seen star guys, and that's okay. But just now, she was thinking, 'what if something like that exists'?

What if it's possible to do those things that she's thought were impossible from the very start? Maybe it's a lot to expect just like that, but...

"Yeah, it seems pretty complicated," Maria remarks, frowning as she runs through some of the calculations in her head. If so many people are expected, and the venue costs so much to rent, what would the expected ticket price be? ...The scalper market is going to be intense, huh...

"Oh, sure, sure! Don't let me keep you, okay? Maybe, let's chat sometime again!" Maria tells her, waving her one hand dismissively. It's probably too soon to ask if they could hang out ''outside'' school, when Lisa has so much else going on, but...

"Oh yeah! Giga Macho's having a sale next weekend!" she adds, just as a parting favor. "I work there sometimes, you know? I figured, it might be a good time to stock up!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Lisa Silverman has posed.
<poem>
"R-right!" Maria is really blunt! Lisa isn't going to call her out though. "Maybe we still can...? I mean, he'll be VP by then, right?"

But kung fu movies! "i know a few!" Lisa says excitedly. "...they're less common," she admits. "But the women who do this stuff are so awesome, too. I can lend you one sometime, if you want?"

But it is pretty complicated. The scalper market will be super intense. However..

Lisa smiles back. "Oh cool," Lisa says. "Maybe I'll run into you when I check it out!" she suggests, and gathers up her bag. "For now, see you around!"
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-05-06: No Stress Whatsoever

2026-06-19T02:25:52Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Log: No Stress Whatsoever'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Goro Akechi]]
*'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School - Classroom Building
*'''OOC Date:''' May 06, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 05, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Akechi drops in on Maria and learns a horrifying pastime of hers. He tasks Maria in turn with a terrible quest that threatens to destroy her free time for the rest of the semester...''

----
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
click, click, click, click

The sun hangs low in the sky, a casualty of the Earth's tilt. If someone asked Maria why it was getting darker earlier, though, they'd get most likely a blank stare. Is it ''not'' supposed to get dark earlier? It ''is'' autumn, right? ...It must be nice to have a mind like a sieve, sometimes.

click, click, click click

She's alone in the courtyard, her gaze turned up at the clocktower that looms overhead. Her knitting needles flash erratically. She's got... something, made of fiber in her lap that she's working on without looking at it, but it's hard to tell what it is. It looks like a lump, presently.

click, click click click

The Wang Long lady had said...

...that 'Joker' was no one person. That anyone could turn into Joker with enough sin and hatred in their hearts. So, was that person Tsubasa had told her about a real person who had changed, too?

click click

"Oh--"

Maria looks down suddenly at her knitting.

"--wait, I messed up!" she gasps, unknitting her last few stitches.

...it must be nice to have a mind like a sieve.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
And just out of her field of vision stands Goro Akechi, from an off angle at her right shoulder. He's leaned up against the wall, every so often - peering out as Maria works at her knitting.

One might say this is stalker-ish behavior in a boy, save he's not just ''any'' boy. He's a ''Detective''.

"No signs thus far..." He muses in a muted manner, as he places a hand to his chin, "... curious. Could it be that she has come to terms with her behavior, and no longer feels as much guilt for the act?"

'Oh--'
'--wait, I messed up!'

There's an exaggerated reaction on Akechi's face, of an awkward smile, along with a sweatdrop beading down the side of his forehead.

"I think perhaps it's just she's not the type of person to overthink things."

Tapping out a text on a burner phone, he sends it to a middle man.
>alert them that theres been no change
>they should move to another

He types, even changing his grammar to text in a way that's atypical for him. Before snapping the phone shut again, and putting it away. Then he slowly begins to approach, briefcase in hand as he walks up behind her.

"Why hello, Sakurai-san. I saw you on my way out and thought I'd swing by-" Pause. "-Oh. You're knitting? I wasn't aware that was something you were into." He says with a positive shift in his undertone to make it sounds like he approves.

It would be just as well if she isn't the type to overthink it, if the change were long in coming... he'd prefer it that way, at least.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh no, oh no... did I mess up that one, too?"

The thing about knitting is that once one has made a mistake, it's no mean feat to undo it: in essence, one now has to knit ''backwards'' to fix the error.

"aaaaaaa"

Wide-eyed in horror, Maria works feverishly to fix the mistake, stepping backwards stitch by stitch until, finally--

"Got you!" she cries out, stabbing one (now freed) knitting needle towards the heavens in her triumph. She's still in that pose as she, second by second, realizes she's not alone.

"a," Maria articulates, exactly. Her expression is a blank one for a longer moment still.

"Akechi-sempai!" All at once she sweeps to her feet, knitting project, needles, tangle of yarn and all. The ball flies from her arms to bounce, once, against the paving stones and quickly rolls away. Turning her head, Maria watches it go until it comes to a stop at last by a bush, its long tail still connected to the project in her arms.

Then, quite abruptly, she turns her head back towards Akechi. "Uh huh! My grandma taught me! See?" She proceeds then to display her current project. "It's a bunny!"

BGM - Soothing Hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaUq8QiIb-U

...is that a bunny? The ears are long. Far too long, and manage to bend at an unearthy angle. The torso twists about in a way that some would consider highly unnatural in a plush rabbit, let alone a living one. Something about the angles of the limbs also just doesn't seem right. Still half-finished, the unknitted yarn extends from its midsection like an umbilical cord.

"I've been working on it for a few weeks now!" Maria continues blithely.

"Oh, but what about you? How are you doing? Were your exams okay?"

Says Maria, who scored in the bottom third. As usual.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Mistakes aside, Akechi actually ''does'' find knitting to be a rather impressive skill for someone to have in the modern day. Thus he seems unperturbed as he hears her frantic correction, walking up...

... to catch her in that pose.

As she realizes he's there though, he chuckles mirthfully, "Haha... full of energy as always I see." He chuckles, actually considering whether that pose is from Featherman for a time. He is a fan certainly, but he hides that he is.

And then, she shows him.

''The Bun''.

Akechi's expression has a moment where surprise flickers over his features, before returning to a pensive expression.

It's like something out of a horror movie.
Could she be closer to changing than I thought?
Or...

"I can see you've been working hard." He says solemnly, to the visage of horror, his brown eyes hypnotically caught, like he might look away-

-might blink-

-and be devoured.

"It's a rather... unique design as well. Are you basing it on... some media you've seen recently?"

He forces himself to break eye contact, fortunately it does ''not'' try to devour him, as he suddenly walks on over to bend down and pick up the ball of yarn by the bush, as he spools it back up on his way on over to Maria.

He should probably stop before he reaches her. He doesn't want to get in biting range.

"Oh, are they posted? I haven't even had time to check, to be honest."

He lies. Of course he was at the top of his class. He checked immediately. But it more fits his image if he says he didn't have time.

"... But I suspect that I did quite well. What of yourself?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Is there ever, really, a point in time when Maria Sakurai is anything but filled-to-the-brim with sparklingly-pure energy?

Well, probably yes, practically speaking, but that time is certainly not now.

As it so happens, it's actually a pose from a magical girl show... but in practicality, it's not all that different from a pose from Featherman. But all that might well be forgotten when she shows him her project of the moment.

This is probably a blasphemy. A sin of creation. Something that shouldn't exist. Maria looks pretty pleased with it.

"This is my best one yet," she affirms, beaming.

It might be better not to look at it so hard. Who knew that from yarn, such horrors could be?

But, is she basing it on some media? Something she's seen or heard lately? Maria blink-a-blinks, confused. "No?" she says to him. "I just followed the pattern."
This seems, even at a glance, a dubious claim.

Akechi isn't devoured, fortunately. He's able to gather her yarn. "Oh, do you want me to-- oh, okay!" Maria says, starting then pulling up again as soon as she'd started as he makes his way over to her. "Thank you!" she chirps, accepting the spooled up ball of yarn. "It gets all over the place sometimes." Mercifully, she stuffs the offending plush 'rabbit' back into her school bag as she continues to wind some of the loose yarn back into the ball from the mess she'd made before with her un-knitting. Surely, it can't leap from the bag and bite him like that...

Maria stares at Akechi. She blinks. "Oh, uh, you're top of the class!" she informs him, since he clearly doesn't know. "Congratulations!" And if her hands weren't full, she might well clap. But, as for her--

"Um..."

She pauses.

"A few points below last time," Maria admits, shoulders sagging. "But, that's pretty good, right? I mean, I missed class, and I had to play catchup, and... I did my best!"

She'd only ''sort'' of gotten a scolding from her grandmother, at that.

"So, now that you know you did really well, sempai, are you going to celebrate?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Akechi in his commercials pretends to endorse sugary snacks, for as a Detective he needs them to fuel his brainpower! It's simple biology isn't it? Glucose becomes ATP...

... except he doesn't actually care about sweets. It's about branding. Nevertheless, it might be said that more of his energy is spent on his brain than the rest of his physical form.

Some part of him muses if that's why Maria has so much energy to spare. Now, it's not as if he thinks she's some ''simple'' creature. A ''pure'' maiden. Of course not. He saw her bare her soul in private, he understands that there's a lot more in there than most people see.

But while she isn't simple- that doesn't mean there isn't a simplicity to the way she lives her life that even he can appreciate.

All the same, he's now imagining a shelf of completely finished horror monstrosities in Maria's room at her home.

"Your grandmother must be very proud of how far you've come." He says solemnly, pitying the woman for what is assuredly a Sisyphean task of teaching her.

It would be easier to stomach if Maria's next line was that 'Oh yes it's from the horror movie- 'Lagomorph IV: Curse of the Bloody Yarn.''.

No such luck.

"Ah! My mistake."

Don't ask to see the pattern
Don't ask to see the pattern

"I don't suppose..."

YOU FOOL!

He deposits the Yarn back in Maria's hand. "... ah you're quite welcome- I don't suppose that you take commissions from time to time? I might know some individuals who would be interested in such."

Akechi no

"Oh am I?" He actually has the grace to look startled for a moment, then chuckles with a wide smile, "Haha- and yet you asked how they went, knowing full well the results." He teases, "Well, I can't be upset at that. You did it merely to prompt a congratulatory message."

Before he then looks, subtly sorrowful, "Ah yes. I suppose it couldn't be helped then. After all that was quite a length of time for you to miss class... I'm honestly surprised they made you take them at all, given the suspicions that foul play might have been involved."

Or you know- a supernatural Dollhouse Corporation that just ate two weeks of her life.

"Still, I can't wait to see how well you perform come finals. I'll be cheering you on next time- Sakurai-san, to show everyone how far you've come."

No pressure Maria. Just you know, a celebrity who is going to be actively invested in your scores.

NO PRESSURE!

"Ah- well now that you mention it." He says, surprised that he can actually answer that question, "I've actually already celebrated exams being finished - at least, by taking an overnight hiking trip with a friend to watch the Orionid Meteor Shower."

Though he does chuckle after that, "Haha, though I suppose I haven't yet celebrated my actual performance...!"

And yet, he smoothly transitions that into, "Well- exam scores not withstanding, I do hope that all of your friends celebrated your return... it must have been quite frightening for them."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
It would be easy to assume that Maria is Maria: a stream trickling merrily along, without a thought or concern in the world. Or, indeed, any threat beneath those rushing waters. What she conceals is a frightening depth to her.

Someone might say that it's not just depth. It's what lurks in those depths, something that slumbers, yes, but when roused...

Maria has come to understand that part of herself just a little bit better. It's just a small saving grace, as it were, that while everyone else saw it, too, most of them don't also realize that she was there fighting her drowned aspects alongside them. It's one thing to assume that it's over and done with, and Maria no worse the wear for it. It's another perhaps to realize the opposite is true.

She's made her peace, yes, but now she bears the Shadow's charge: acknowledge and move forward in understanding. She's no longer quite who she was, however things might seem to be as they were once were.

This is a world that will hurt her for not following the rules. She can't cover her eyes from that anymore.

Perhaps, then, that's why...

...that rabbit, and its friends exist. Somewhere, in this world, perhaps even on that shelf in Maria's room...

Maria, enthusiastic, nods. "She is! She'd like it if I made scarves, though. But, I have a hard time keeping the rows straight?" One shudders to think what a scarf she made must be like.

But does she do commissions?

"No." Maria pauses, thinking about this carefully. "But, do you think someone would like them?" She thinks about it some more. "I might! I make them for me, you know, but I wouldn't mind sharing." She scuffs a shoe absently on the stones. "I tried to join the sewing and knitting club here last year, actually, but once they saw my animals they told me not to come back..." She pauses, then all her cheer returns. "So, it's great that you like them, sempai!" And that he thinks other people might like them, too.

She ''had'' already noticed. Isn't he always at the top? But she still had asked.

"Well," she says, as if slightly chagrined, "It's polite to ask, right?"

Meanwhile, her own scores had been... well. They'd been.

Maria nods. "You know, they asked me that. If I wanted to take them later? But, I thought it would be better to take them with everyone else," Maria affirms, nodding some more. "It was just the midterms, anyway. Next time, I'll do better!" Next time, probably, she'll end up in the bottom third again.

Akechi says he'll be rooting for her next time. "Ah... hahaha..." Maria giggles, nervously. Happy-go-lucky, yes. Immune to the pressure from a celebrity classmate? No. No!! She may have started to sweat a little bit.

"Oh-- really? So you knew how you'd do, and already celebrated?" Maria appears to be thinking this over with care. "Huuuuh, that really saves a lot of time..." she muses.

"Huh? --Oh! Yeah! Yuri-chan cried so much, I thought she was going to shrivel up! And, even Harucchi was in tears! They thought I'd really died this time..." Maria shakes her head. "It's okay, though. I'm just fine, now!" She gestures towards herself. "And, I'm going to start my own club soon!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Yes indeed- perhaps it might even be said that he had a role in rousing it, purposefully, in the act of suspecting it was there.

It's just, what has happened since has gone far beyond his wildest of expectations... she learned the lesson well. Perhaps- too well.

It's just she learned a facet of it that he has never quite taken to heart.

'No.'

At first he's thinking she's wiser than he thought on this matter, but then she asks a follow up. "I think there are certain individuals who might enjoy having a piece like that. Niche collectors especially..."

He's being diplomatic, but perhaps he's considering a future... idea, based on it. "That was rather cruel of them to exile you." He says of the sewing and knitting club's reaction to her animals. "But their opinion amounts to little. What matters is whether you like them - and enjoy the act of knitting." Wow! Surprisingly positive advice.

There's some light laughter at her response, "Indeed it is. I suppose I'm just teasing..." He says with a broad grin, "...sometimes I just can't help myself." He's actually ''surprised'' that they made the offer to Maria to delay her exams, but then again- she is an athlete.

Such accommodations are often made for people who play sports.

And he still has that broad grin plastered on his face as Maria feels the pressure of ''doing her best'' next go round. "Well then. If that's the case, I'll have high expectations of your performance next time."

There's a nod at her statement that it saves time, "Ah yes, well to explain- in part my intentions were to motivate that friend to give it his all during the exams, with the incentive of the trip after. It certainly paid off for him."

And then- he feels something of relief at the fact that there are people who missed her, friends- he also feels... somewhat jealous, in a contradictory way.

His fans would miss him, if he vanished- but then they'd follow the next media trend out there. There's no one who truly knows him, that would miss him...

"I see- I admit I'm relieved to see you alive as well. Though... forgive me if I'm not as expressive as your close friends." He's not about to cry in public, definitely not, even if he weren't a young man- well- "Oh? What sort of club are you forming? Do you have enough members for the initial formation?" He asks, latching onto that instead, to get away from such thoughts.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria is wiser than some give her credit for with some things.

Other things... not so much.

"Yeah," she agrees with a sigh, her shoulders slouching. "It's so weird. They wouldn't even say why. Even when I asked them, they just got all quiet about it." Almost as if they had been traumatized about it, somehow. "But, right! I like to knit, even if other people don't like it. So it's fine," she continues. "If you do know if someone's interested, though, I can make something special, just for them! ...It'll just take a little while. You can't knit that much even in a week." She grows serious. "I have to study, and go to school, and do my part-time job. And my bike needs some new parts, too..."

Even if it's going to get to be harder to bike, once it's winter, even in a place like this.

Maybe it was that, even if she's no longer on any team as such. Maybe it was because she survived that subway accident earlier this year, was out of school a bit then, and then had vanished into thin air and even ended up as a missing persons case more recently than that. Maybe it was sympathy. Or maybe they hoped the extra time would help her bring up her scores out of a potential 'bottom ten' situation after all that had happened.

Her grades had been more or less the same as before, though, if a few points lower. Hooray, consistancy?

"Ah, ahahaha... I don't suppose you have any tips, sempai?" Maria giggles, even more nervous about the prospects of her finals for this term under the weight of the genius detective's scruitiny.

She'd suggest they'd study together but, no. No, that's how you end up experiencing social death. Even an idiot like Maria knows that the punishment for her peers for getting too close to the Prince would be extreme... don't some romance novels start out with a situation like that??

Maybe she can find out who tutors him. It would be nice to get a leg up.

"Oh, really? I'm sorry for worrying you, sempai! But don't worry. It won't happen again!" she affirms, patting her hand against her uniformed chest. "Next time, I'll take better care of myself."

But, what's this about her club idea?

"Well, actually, I have a new idea lately, too, but... I was thinking, why don't we have a biking club?" Maria suggests, clasping her hands behind her back. "We have places where people ride bikes, and I've been doing it for ages on my own, but what if we got together and rode bikes? We could even bike on some the friendlier mountain trails!" Maria ethuses.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Perhaps they are just somewhat cliquish." He lies, because he knows why. It's still no less mean. "Hmmm." He puts a hand on his chin as he looks at the bunny again and- "I might just. I'll need some time to check with them, but- you wouldn't mind if I passed along your contact information, would you?"

The ghost of a scheme is forming in his head, but he's not going to jump the gun yet, he needs to let it marinate first, to make certain it's the right path.

It's true that Maria ''would'' get a lot of sympathy points given both situations in a single year...

... but then she asks for tips- "Well. I'm not certain my advice would be right for everyone, but I feel the one consistent tip that is true no matter who you are- is taking well-organized notes in class."

He says with a smile, before- "I'd show you my own, save that I don't have any examples on hand. I'm so rarely ever here ''for'' class." Then how does he get top of the class!?

Geniuses. They're infuriating.

"If you'd like, I can try to tutor you all the same." He suggests, if only to assess exactly how Maria would respond to that. Either way would tell him something of her.

"Haha- it's fine. It's not as if you can help the circumstances you found yourself in." That's... peculiar phrasing. Does that mean he knows something about them?

"Ah." Akechi looks mildly surprised at the fact she wants to start a biking club, something that he's actually interested in, as he strokes his chin, "Well- if that's the case, I might join myself? I actually rather enjoy cycling... though mostly as a solo activity for exercise. Do keep me informed about your progress... and I'll see if I can make time in my schedule."

Hey way to go Maria.

"Actually I did have another question for you, now that I think about it. You see- I'm on a rather peculiar case right now..."

As he takes a pocketbook out of his uniform jacket, and opens it up, looking at Maria, "... I don't suppose you've glimpsed a Pink Cockatoo around town?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Hmm, maybe," Maria allows, on the 'cliquish' nature of the sewing and knitting club. "But, if you're sure, I'm willing to give it a try!" she tells him, glancing down at the yarn and half-finished doll (or terror) stuffed into her bag. "Hehe, I haven't made a doll for anyone else yet. It's kind of exciting..." she adds.

She really doesn't know, does she. Somehow, she doesn't know.

Ever-hopeful, she asks Akechi for tips.

"...Oh, really..." Judging by the way she wilts, though, it would seem that his suggestions are not what she was hoping to hear. "I guess that could work, but, how do I take better notes, then? What about--"

He's already headed her off at the pass, as it were: he doesn't have any, because he's usually not even here for class! ...Which is another thing that Maria technically knows, but which rather slipped her mind in the meantime. "Right, right, you're-- um, but then, how do you take notes to do well on your exams?"

She pauses. She pauses, staring up at him.

"Oh-- someone's helping you out, right? That's so nice of them!" Maria decides. "Maybe they can help me!"

He offers, all the same, to tutor her and Maria, glancing past him, shakes her head. "No, you're pretty busy for that kind of thing, right? But, if you can share the name of whoever tutored you, then, that would help!" she says, punctuating that with a nod.

She blinks, at that phrasing. Even for her, that sounds a little weird.

Of course, then she speaks of her dream of a ''biking club'' for athletics (probably the better idea because 'urban exploration club' will get shot down in a second by the teachers) and he says that he...

...might want to take part in it??

Maria, expression blank, is torn between several axes at once.

Would having him in her club get people to join?

Would having him in her club get unwanted attention?

He... bikes?

"S-sure!" Maria chirps, perhaps a little more fatigable than usual as she considers, briefly, whether this turn of events will get her murdered by her classmates. "You know what, I, just had an idea for who else I could-- use!"

Maybe what she needs to do is get other people on board, first, and then try to get it so that it's not, him joining her club so much as it's him joining the ''biking club''. Perfect. Undefeatable logic. It should be fine.

But he has one more question for her, and she, puzzled, asks, "What is it?"

He tells her.

Maria takes a step back in shock, her hands raised before herself defensively. "W-what? No way... a Pink Cockatoo? You've heard about her, too?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"I can imagine it is. There is a certain satisfaction to working hard for other people."

For acknowledgement, for validation, for approval, for worship- none of which he says out loud. It's plausibly deniable that his statement is simply affirming the value of hard work.

"My recommendation? The notebook you use for studying isn't the one you should bring to class. Instead, take down the bullet points from lectures, then that night, organize them into a more readable format. It's a bit time consuming but- it's also an efficient way to review."

He smiles at her and chuckles, "Haha... amusingly enough it's actually how I often conduct interviews now with witnesses and suspects to sort through my caseload. It helps me with identifying inconsistencies in their testimony."

She then asks how he does that- and he's about to answer, but she preempts him-! "Oh. In a sense you're correct, but it's more that a classmate delivers my homework assignments to an individual who brings them to me by courier- assuming I'm not in Sumaru City that day."

A beat.

"I'd mastered the material for this year several years back- but it was decided that it was better if I not skip any grades, in order to have more time to do my job as a Detective."

Japan isn't big on even geniuses skipping grades anyhow. They value the ''experience'' of school too much.

"I still turn in all of my assignments and sit for my exams of course... it's just that it doesn't take a great deal of effort. At best, the time I spend studying could be considered a refresher."

Oh no. There goes Maria's hope that he has a TUTOR to refer to her-!!! Geniuses!!!! So frustrating!

"Well- I understand, and it's true that I have little enough time as is. Though if you ever need assistance with understanding anything conceptually, feel free to text me, and I'll answer when I can."

He's so nice isn't he! Even having no time, he's giving her the option every girl dreams of- of ''texting'' a celebrity.

Don't worry, he won't tell your classmates.

Maria's sudden blue screen of death causes Akechi's head to tilt, as he looks her in the eyes, about one step away from checking if she's conscious- before she answers.

"Haha- then it's settled. You'll have it set up in no time." As he offers to do none of the work towards forming a club, leaving it all to Maria.

Such as budgeting proposals, faculty advisors, approval by the Student Council and Administration...

Don't worry Maria, that's not ''that'' much! Or at least it wouldn't be- if you weren't already behind.

And then he mentions the Pink Cockatoo, and her reaction... interesting. "Indeed I have. I'm- trying to locate it for a client of mine. I believe her name is..." He checks his notebook, though of course he doesn't have to, "...'Jerri'." Before his gaze rises again to meet hers, "What exactly have you heard about her?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
She nods, a little bit excited by this potential opportunity. "It is, right?" she tells him, already thinking about what she might be asked to make. She's made kitties, and bunnies, and doggies, but... oh, a toy horsie could be cute.

It will cause nightmares, is what it will definitely do.

He gives her his own tips on how best to take notes. "Huh... I always tried to write everything down," she says, rocking back on her heels as she thinks it over. "So I should... do the basic topics? And, reorganize it later?" She frowns, the expression itself perhaps more of a pout, for her. "Hmmmm. Seems hard, but..." She's an athlete, she can't back down just because it's hard.

He adds that it's often how he does it for work and that, too, reminds her that this isn't just a matter of ''school''. Her upperclassman works as a detective. He's on a whole--

--different level, really, as Akechi explains. Specifically, about how he's already mastered the course material years ago. About how he has his assignments send to him by courier, when necessary. About how even the studying is more refresher than anything else.

Maria, who vaccilates between struggling futilely and spacing out in class (unless it's math), visibly deflates.

"...Really...?" she wonders aloud, dumbfounded by the day's revelations of just ''how'' smart her senior is. Well, she'd known he was ''smart'' but this sort of smart is just... just...

There's no way she can compete... and still, he's expecting her to do better next time.

Very quietly, as she stands there, Maria's soul begins to drift away from her body. aaaaaaa

But Maria wouldn't be Maria if she were the sort to be so soundly defeated. Okay, then, she'll get in a huddle with her friends, and figure this out. They'll study together, every day, if that's what it takes! Okay, then, she'll-- see if she can get a very good tutor! She'll try her best!!

...but it's going to be really hard...

"O, okay. But, only if it's really hard!" she says, making fists before her. "I-- you have to do some things by yourself!" Or with friends, with whom you can safely study, one assumes.

Ignorant of the trials and tribulations that lie ahead with her new dream of a club at school, Maria nods. "Yeah! Just you wait, I'll, get other students interested, and we'll get it approved, and we'll have a club," she tells Akechi, recovering already from the realization that she'll have to tread certain lines very carefully lest she get murdered by her classmates.

As regards that Pink Cockatoo, though...

"Um," Maria starts, having had that fraction of a moment too late to realize what it is that she's said to him. He's a nice guy, but is he really going to understand if she just ''tells'' him her new secret? Or about what ''really'' happened to her. "Well, just that... she's kind of mean? I guess, her owner wasn't very nice..." she says, closing her eyes as she smiles and starts to sweat. "And, that she can make people disappear. Um. That's what a friend of mine says. But, um... there's no such thing as a magic cockatoo..."

Excellent. Perfect save.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Precisely. If you take the time to do it that way, then you'll already be prepared for exams long before they take place. It will likewise help to facilitate homework assignments. By the time you get to them, the material is still fresh within your head."

So his solution is basically ''double homework''. This is definitely what poor Maria wants to hear. He's all smiles as her soul flees her body.

"Ah yes. I do try not to tell too many people- I don't want to sound like I'm bragging. In the end- I'm a student, the same as all of you."

'Same' is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Like- an entire pyramid's worth.

"Certainly. I'd expect nothing less." And now Maria likely has anxiety about what qualifies as hard enough to ask for help. If she's only asking when it's ''hard''- then what if it qualifies as ''easy'' for him.

As they move on to the Pink Cockatoo, Maria begins to describe certain ''details'' abut Jerri. And Akechi nods along, looking like he's paying close attention.

"... Make people disappear you say." He pauses on that, before he then looks up at Maria, giving her a serious look in his brown eyes.

"That's interesting, in light of your recent... disappearance. Tell me Sakurai-san... did Jerri make ''you'' disappear?"

The pressure is on!
How much does he know!?
How ''could'' he know?

"Just kidding." He grins at her, "Of course a Cockatoo couldn't be responsible for that. I hope it was good for a laugh though."

It doesn't answer all of his questions, unless she chooses to volunteer right now - but it does tell him one thing.

She remembers. How much is up for debate- but she remembers some of what happened to her.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh," says Maria, because she's a little preoccupied with her transient teenage life flashing before her eyes. That's a lot of work. That's a lot of work! It's like having double homework, and that's on top of school, her part-time job, her friends and hobbies, chores at home, and trying to fit in time to be a superhero by night. How ''do'' they do it on the shows? She's feeling a little light-headed just thinking about it.

But what, exactly, is her recourse here? Having to tell her sempai that no, she's scored about as well as she always did, and look him in the eyes and ''see his disappointment in her''??

Absolutely not. Absolutely, absolutely not. She'll... she'll have to figure it out. Somehow. If Akechi could read minds, right now he would hear Maria screaming inside her heart.

"Y, yeah," she tells him, feeling dazed. "O-of course not! You're a really nice guy, Akechi-sempai..." She low-key would like to lie down on the grass and stare at the sky for a little bit.

But resilient is her middle name. Hard times might be ahead as the school year proceeds, but she'll do her best...!

And then he brings up the matter of the Pink Cockatoo. Jerri, he says, is her name, and she makes people disappear. Allegedly.

Like Maria?

"E-ehhh??" Maria utters, hands palms-out, raised near her face. She's wide-eyed in nothing less than shock. "O, of, of course not! I, I wasn't-- I didn't--"

It was a joke, he says, and Maria's face breaks into the most brittle smile. She giggles, nervously, lowering her hands. "Oh, um... yes! A bird can't... use magic!"

Silence, at least on her part, settles across the courtyard. Maria sweats.

Then, pointedly, she looks up at the clock. "Oh, um-- look at the time! I'm going to be late, I have to walk the cat!" Her grandmother's cat has never once been the sort of cat one can 'walk'.

Without bothering to correct herself, she waves 'bye-bye' before bolting for the door.

This isn't like her at all, she considers, racing through the halls. Is it because he's trying to get her to do better in her courses? Or because of those questions about that bird? She's not usually this rattled, but...

Even she is given to wonder: does he know something? Did someone tell him about 'Jerri'? And...

What ''is'' Jerri, anyway?
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-05-06: No Stress Whatsoever

2026-06-19T02:24:37Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: No Stress Whatsoever''' *'''Cast:''' Maria Sakurai, Goro Akechi *'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School - Classroom Building *'''OOC Date:''' May 06, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' November 05, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Akechi drops in on Maria and learns a horrifying pastime of hers. He tasks Maria in turn with a terrible quest that threatens to destroy her free time for the rest of the semester...'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed. <poem> click, c..."

*'''Log: No Stress Whatsoever'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Goro Akechi]]
*'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School - Classroom Building
*'''OOC Date:''' May 06, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 05, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Akechi drops in on Maria and learns a horrifying pastime of hers. He tasks Maria in turn with a terrible quest that threatens to destroy her free time for the rest of the semester...''

----
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
click, click, click, click

The sun hangs low in the sky, a casualty of the Earth's tilt. If someone asked Maria why it was getting darker earlier, though, they'd get most likely a blank stare. Is it ''not'' supposed to get dark earlier? It ''is'' autumn, right? ...It must be nice to have a mind like a sieve, sometimes.

click, click, click click

She's alone in the courtyard, her gaze turned up at the clocktower that looms overhead. Her knitting needles flash erratically. She's got... something, made of fiber in her lap that she's working on without looking at it, but it's hard to tell what it is. It looks like a lump, presently.

click, click click click

The Wang Long lady had said...

...that 'Joker' was no one person. That anyone could turn into Joker with enough sin and hatred in their hearts. So, was that person Tsubasa had told her about a real person who had changed, too?

click click

"Oh--"

Maria looks down suddenly at her knitting.

"--wait, I messed up!" she gasps, unknitting her last few stitches.

...it must be nice to have a mind like a sieve.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
And just out of her field of vision stands Goro Akechi, from an off angle at her right shoulder. He's leaned up against the wall, every so often - peering out as Maria works at her knitting.

One might say this is stalker-ish behavior in a boy, save he's not just ''any'' boy. He's a ''Detective''.

"No signs thus far..." He muses in a muted manner, as he places a hand to his chin, "... curious. Could it be that she has come to terms with her behavior, and no longer feels as much guilt for the act?"

'Oh--'
'--wait, I messed up!'

There's an exaggerated reaction on Akechi's face, of an awkward smile, along with a sweatdrop beading down the side of his forehead.

"I think perhaps it's just she's not the type of person to overthink things."

Tapping out a text on a burner phone, he sends it to a middle man.
>alert them that theres been no change
>they should move to another

He types, even changing his grammar to text in a way that's atypical for him. Before snapping the phone shut again, and putting it away. Then he slowly begins to approach, briefcase in hand as he walks up behind her.

"Why hello, Sakurai-san. I saw you on my way out and thought I'd swing by-" Pause. "-Oh. You're knitting? I wasn't aware that was something you were into." He says with a positive shift in his undertone to make it sounds like he approves.

It would be just as well if she isn't the type to overthink it, if the change were long in coming... he'd prefer it that way, at least.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh no, oh no... did I mess up that one, too?"

The thing about knitting is that once one has made a mistake, it's no mean feat to undo it: in essence, one now has to knit ''backwards'' to fix the error.

"aaaaaaa"

Wide-eyed in horror, Maria works feverishly to fix the mistake, stepping backwards stitch by stitch until, finally--

"Got you!" she cries out, stabbing one (now freed) knitting needle towards the heavens in her triumph. She's still in that pose as she, second by second, realizes she's not alone.

"a," Maria articulates, exactly. Her expression is a blank one for a longer moment still

"Akechi-sempai!" All at once she sweeps to her feet, knitting project, needles, tangle of yarn and all. The ball flies from her arms to bounce, once, against the paving stones and quickly rolls away. Turning her head, Maria watches it go until it comes to a stop at last by a bush, its long tail still connected to the project in her arms.

Then, quite abruptly, she turns her head back towards Akechi. "Uh huh! My grandma taught me! See?" She proceeds then to display her current project. "It's a bunny!"

BGM - Soothing Hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaUq8QiIb-U

...is that a bunny? The ears are long. Far too long, and manage to bend at an unearthy angle. The torso twists about in a way that some would consider highly unnatural in a plush rabbit, let alone a living one. Something about the angles of the limbs also just doesn't seem right. Still half-finished, the unknitted yarn extends from its midsection like an umbilical cord.

"I've been working on it for a few weeks now!" Maria continues blithely.

"Oh, but what about you? How are you doing? Were your exams okay?"

Says Maria, who scored in the bottom third. As usual.
</poem>
[OOC] Maria Sakurai says, "bluray, should be a period after 'longer moment still'"

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Mistakes aside, Akechi actually ''does'' find knitting to be a rather impressive skill for someone to have in the modern day. Thus he seems unperturbed as he hears her frantic correction, walking up...

... to catch her in that pose.

As she realizes he's there though, he chuckles mirthfully, "Haha... full of energy as always I see." He chuckles, actually considering whether that pose is from Featherman for a time. He is a fan certainly, but he hides that he is.

And then, she shows him.

''The Bun''.

Akechi's expression has a moment where surprise flickers over his features, before returning to a pensive expression.

It's like something out of a horror movie.
Could she be closer to changing than I thought?
Or...

"I can see you've been working hard." He says solemnly, to the visage of horror, his brown eyes hypnotically caught, like he might look away-

-might blink-

-and be devoured.

"It's a rather... unique design as well. Are you basing it on... some media you've seen recently?"

He forces himself to break eye contact, fortunately it does ''not'' try to devour him, as he suddenly walks on over to bend down and pick up the ball of yarn by the bush, as he spools it back up on his way on over to Maria.

He should probably stop before he reaches her. He doesn't want to get in biting range.

"Oh, are they posted? I haven't even had time to check, to be honest."

He lies. Of course he was at the top of his class. He checked immediately. But it more fits his image if he says he didn't have time.

"... But I suspect that I did quite well. What of yourself?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Is there ever, really, a point in time when Maria Sakurai is anything but filled-to-the-brim with sparklingly-pure energy?

Well, probably yes, practically speaking, but that time is certainly not now.

As it so happens, it's actually a pose from a magical girl show... but in practicality, it's not all that different from a pose from Featherman. But all that might well be forgotten when she shows him her project of the moment.

This is probably a blasphemy. A sin of creation. Something that shouldn't exist. Maria looks pretty pleased with it.

"This is my best one yet," she affirms, beaming.

It might be better not to look at it so hard. Who knew that from yarn, such horrors could be?

But, is she basing it on some media? Something she's seen or heard lately? Maria blink-a-blinks, confused. "No?" she says to him. "I just followed the pattern."
This seems, even at a glance, a dubious claim.

Akechi isn't devoured, fortunately. He's able to gather her yarn. "Oh, do you want me to-- oh, okay!" Maria says, starting then pulling up again as soon as she'd started as he makes his way over to her. "Thank you!" she chirps, accepting the spooled up ball of yarn. "It gets all over the place sometimes." Mercifully, she stuffs the offending plush 'rabbit' back into her school bag as she continues to wind some of the loose yarn back into the ball from the mess she'd made before with her un-knitting. Surely, it can't leap from the bag and bite him like that...

Maria stares at Akechi. She blinks. "Oh, uh, you're top of the class!" she informs him, since he clearly doesn't know. "Congratulations!" And if her hands weren't full, she might well clap. But, as for her--

"Um..."

She pauses.

"A few points below last time," Maria admits, shoulders sagging. "But, that's pretty good, right? I mean, I missed class, and I had to play catchup, and... I did my best!"

She'd only ''sort'' of gotten a scolding from her grandmother, at that.

"So, now that you know you did really well, sempai, are you going to celebrate?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Akechi in his commercials pretends to endorse sugary snacks, for as a Detective he needs them to fuel his brainpower! It's simple biology isn't it? Glucose becomes ATP...

... except he doesn't actually care about sweets. It's about branding. Nevertheless, it might be said that more of his energy is spent on his brain than the rest of his physical form.

Some part of him muses if that's why Maria has so much energy to spare. Now, it's not as if he thinks she's some ''simple'' creature. A ''pure'' maiden. Of course not. He saw her bare her soul in private, he understands that there's a lot more in there than most people see.

But while she isn't simple- that doesn't mean there isn't a simplicity to the way she lives her life that even he can appreciate.

All the same, he's now imagining a shelf of completely finished horror monstrosities in Maria's room at her home.

"Your grandmother must be very proud of how far you've come." He says solemnly, pitying the woman for what is assuredly a Sisyphean task of teaching her.

It would be easier to stomach if Maria's next line was that 'Oh yes it's from the horror movie- 'Lagomorph IV: Curse of the Bloody Yarn.''.

No such luck.

"Ah! My mistake."

Don't ask to see the pattern
Don't ask to see the pattern

"I don't suppose..."

YOU FOOL!

He deposits the Yarn back in Maria's hand. "... ah you're quite welcome- I don't suppose that you take commissions from time to time? I might know some individuals who would be interested in such."

Akechi no

"Oh am I?" He actually has the grace to look startled for a moment, then chuckles with a wide smile, "Haha- and yet you asked how they went, knowing full well the results." He teases, "Well, I can't be upset at that. You did it merely to prompt a congratulatory message."

Before he then looks, subtly sorrowful, "Ah yes. I suppose it couldn't be helped then. After all that was quite a length of time for you to miss class... I'm honestly surprised they made you take them at all, given the suspicions that foul play might have been involved."

Or you know- a supernatural Dollhouse Corporation that just ate two weeks of her life.

"Still, I can't wait to see how well you perform come finals. I'll be cheering you on next time- Sakurai-san, to show everyone how far you've come."

No pressure Maria. Just you know, a celebrity who is going to be actively invested in your scores.

NO PRESSURE!

"Ah- well now that you mention it." He says, surprised that he can actually answer that question, "I've actually already celebrated exams being finished - at least, by taking an overnight hiking trip with a friend to watch the Orionid Meteor Shower."

Though he does chuckle after that, "Haha, though I suppose I haven't yet celebrated my actual performance...!"

And yet, he smoothly transitions that into, "Well- exam scores not withstanding, I do hope that all of your friends celebrated your return... it must have been quite frightening for them."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
It would be easy to assume that Maria is Maria: a stream trickling merrily along, without a thought or concern in the world. Or, indeed, any threat beneath those rushing waters. What she conceals is a frightening depth to her.

Someone might say that it's not just depth. It's what lurks in those depths, something that slumbers, yes, but when roused...

Maria has come to understand that part of herself just a little bit better. It's just a small saving grace, as it were, that while everyone else saw it, too, most of them don't also realize that she was there fighting her drowned aspects alongside them. It's one thing to assume that it's over and done with, and Maria no worse the wear for it. It's another perhaps to realize the opposite is true.

She's made her peace, yes, but now she bears the Shadow's charge: acknowledge and move forward in understanding. She's no longer quite who she was, however things might seem to be as they were once were.

This is a world that will hurt her for not following the rules. She can't cover her eyes from that anymore.

Perhaps, then, that's why...

...that rabbit, and its friends exist. Somewhere, in this world, perhaps even on that shelf in Maria's room...

Maria, enthusiastic, nods. "She is! She'd like it if I made scarves, though. But, I have a hard time keeping the rows straight?" One shudders to think what a scarf she made must be like.

But does she do commissions?

"No." Maria pauses, thinking about this carefully. "But, do you think someone would like them?" She thinks about it some more. "I might! I make them for me, you know, but I wouldn't mind sharing." She scuffs a shoe absently on the stones. "I tried to join the sewing and knitting club here last year, actually, but once they saw my animals they told me not to come back..." She pauses, then all her cheer returns. "So, it's great that you like them, sempai!" And that he thinks other people might like them, too.

She ''had'' already noticed. Isn't he always at the top? But she still had asked.

"Well," she says, as if slightly chagrined, "It's polite to ask, right?"

Meanwhile, her own scores had been... well. They'd been.

Maria nods. "You know, they asked me that. If I wanted to take them later? But, I thought it would be better to take them with everyone else," Maria affirms, nodding some more. "It was just the midterms, anyway. Next time, I'll do better!" Next time, probably, she'll end up in the bottom third again.

Akechi says he'll be rooting for her next time. "Ah... hahaha..." Maria giggles, nervously. Happy-go-lucky, yes. Immune to the pressure from a celebrity classmate? No. No!! She may have started to sweat a little bit.

"Oh-- really? So you knew how you'd do, and already celebrated?" Maria appears to be thinking this over with care. "Huuuuh, that really saves a lot of time..." she muses.

"Huh? --Oh! Yeah! Yuri-chan cried so much, I thought she was going to shrivel up! And, even Harucchi was in tears! They thought I'd really died this time..." Maria shakes her head. "It's okay, though. I'm just fine, now!" She gestures towards herself. "And, I'm going to start my own club soon!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Yes indeed- perhaps it might even be said that he had a role in rousing it, purposefully, in the act of suspecting it was there.

It's just, what has happened since has gone far beyond his wildest of expectations... she learned the lesson well. Perhaps- too well.

It's just she learned a facet of it that he has never quite taken to heart.

'No.'

At first he's thinking she's wiser than he thought on this matter, but then she asks a follow up. "I think there are certain individuals who might enjoy having a piece like that. Niche collectors especially..."

He's being diplomatic, but perhaps he's considering a future... idea, based on it. "That was rather cruel of them to exile you." He says of the sewing and knitting club's reaction to her animals. "But their opinion amounts to little. What matters is whether you like them - and enjoy the act of knitting." Wow! Surprisingly positive advice.

There's some light laughter at her response, "Indeed it is. I suppose I'm just teasing..." He says with a broad grin, "...sometimes I just can't help myself." He's actually ''surprised'' that they made the offer to Maria to delay her exams, but then again- she is an athlete.

Such accommodations are often made for people who play sports.

And he still has that broad grin plastered on his face as Maria feels the pressure of ''doing her best'' next go round. "Well then. If that's the case, I'll have high expectations of your performance next time."

There's a nod at her statement that it saves time, "Ah yes, well to explain- in part my intentions were to motivate that friend to give it his all during the exams, with the incentive of the trip after. It certainly paid off for him."

And then- he feels something of relief at the fact that there are people who missed her, friends- he also feels... somewhat jealous, in a contradictory way.

His fans would miss him, if he vanished- but then they'd follow the next media trend out there. There's no one who truly knows him, that would miss him...

"I see- I admit I'm relieved to see you alive as well. Though... forgive me if I'm not as expressive as your close friends." He's not about to cry in public, definitely not, even if he weren't a young man- well- "Oh? What sort of club are you forming? Do you have enough members for the initial formation?" He asks, latching onto that instead, to get away from such thoughts.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria is wiser than some give her credit for with some things.

Other things... not so much.

"Yeah," she agrees with a sigh, her shoulders slouching. "It's so weird. They wouldn't even say why. Even when I asked them, they just got all quiet about it." Almost as if they had been traumatized about it, somehow. "But, right! I like to knit, even if other people don't like it. So it's fine," she continues. "If you do know if someone's interested, though, I can make something special, just for them! ...It'll just take a little while. You can't knit that much even in a week." She grows serious. "I have to study, and go to school, and do my part-time job. And my bike needs some new parts, too..."

Even if it's going to get to be harder to bike, once it's winter, even in a place like this.

Maybe it was that, even if she's no longer on any team as such. Maybe it was because she survived that subway accident earlier this year, was out of school a bit then, and then had vanished into thin air and even ended up as a missing persons case more recently than that. Maybe it was sympathy. Or maybe they hoped the extra time would help her bring up her scores out of a potential 'bottom ten' situation after all that had happened.

Her grades had been more or less the same as before, though, if a few points lower. Hooray, consistancy?

"Ah, ahahaha... I don't suppose you have any tips, sempai?" Maria giggles, even more nervous about the prospects of her finals for this term under the weight of the genius detective's scruitiny.

She'd suggest they'd study together but, no. No, that's how you end up experiencing social death. Even an idiot like Maria knows that the punishment for her peers for getting too close to the Prince would be extreme... don't some romance novels start out with a situation like that??

Maybe she can find out who tutors him. It would be nice to get a leg up.

"Oh, really? I'm sorry for worrying you, sempai! But don't worry. It won't happen again!" she affirms, patting her hand against her uniformed chest. "Next time, I'll take better care of myself."

But, what's this about her club idea?

"Well, actually, I have a new idea lately, too, but... I was thinking, why don't we have a biking club?" Maria suggests, clasping her hands behind her back. "We have places where people ride bikes, and I've been doing it for ages on my own, but what if we got together and rode bikes? We could even bike on some the friendlier mountain trails!" Maria ethuses.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Perhaps they are just somewhat cliquish." He lies, because he knows why. It's still no less mean. "Hmmm." He puts a hand on his chin as he looks at the bunny again and- "I might just. I'll need some time to check with them, but- you wouldn't mind if I passed along your contact information, would you?"

The ghost of a scheme is forming in his head, but he's not going to jump the gun yet, he needs to let it marinate first, to make certain it's the right path.

It's true that Maria ''would'' get a lot of sympathy points given both situations in a single year...

... but then she asks for tips- "Well. I'm not certain my advice would be right for everyone, but I feel the one consistent tip that is true no matter who you are- is taking well-organized notes in class."

He says with a smile, before- "I'd show you my own, save that I don't have any examples on hand. I'm so rarely ever here ''for'' class." Then how does he get top of the class!?

Geniuses. They're infuriating.

"If you'd like, I can try to tutor you all the same." He suggests, if only to assess exactly how Maria would respond to that. Either way would tell him something of her.

"Haha- it's fine. It's not as if you can help the circumstances you found yourself in." That's... peculiar phrasing. Does that mean he knows something about them?

"Ah." Akechi looks mildly surprised at the fact she wants to start a biking club, something that he's actually interested in, as he strokes his chin, "Well- if that's the case, I might join myself? I actually rather enjoy cycling... though mostly as a solo activity for exercise. Do keep me informed about your progress... and I'll see if I can make time in my schedule."

Hey way to go Maria.

"Actually I did have another question for you, now that I think about it. You see- I'm on a rather peculiar case right now..."

As he takes a pocketbook out of his uniform jacket, and opens it up, looking at Maria, "... I don't suppose you've glimpsed a Pink Cockatoo around town?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Hmm, maybe," Maria allows, on the 'cliquish' nature of the sewing and knitting club. "But, if you're sure, I'm willing to give it a try!" she tells him, glancing down at the yarn and half-finished doll (or terror) stuffed into her bag. "Hehe, I haven't made a doll for anyone else yet. It's kind of exciting..." she adds.

She really doesn't know, does she. Somehow, she doesn't know.

Ever-hopeful, she asks Akechi for tips.

"...Oh, really..." Judging by the way she wilts, though, it would seem that his suggestions are not what she was hoping to hear. "I guess that could work, but, how do I take better notes, then? What about--"

He's already headed her off at the pass, as it were: he doesn't have any, because he's usually not even here for class! ...Which is another thing that Maria technically knows, but which rather slipped her mind in the meantime. "Right, right, you're-- um, but then, how do you take notes to do well on your exams?"

She pauses. She pauses, staring up at him.

"Oh-- someone's helping you out, right? That's so nice of them!" Maria decides. "Maybe they can help me!"

He offers, all the same, to tutor her and Maria, glancing past him, shakes her head. "No, you're pretty busy for that kind of thing, right? But, if you can share the name of whoever tutored you, then, that would help!" she says, punctuating that with a nod.

She blinks, at that phrasing. Even for her, that sounds a little weird.

Of course, then she speaks of her dream of a ''biking club'' for athletics (probably the better idea because 'urban exploration club' will get shot down in a second by the teachers) and he says that he...

...might want to take part in it??

Maria, expression blank, is torn between several axes at once.

Would having him in her club get people to join?

Would having him in her club get unwanted attention?

He... bikes?

"S-sure!" Maria chirps, perhaps a little more fatigable than usual as she considers, briefly, whether this turn of events will get her murdered by her classmates. "You know what, I, just had an idea for who else I could-- use!"

Maybe what she needs to do is get other people on board, first, and then try to get it so that it's not, him joining her club so much as it's him joining the ''biking club''. Perfect. Undefeatable logic. It should be fine.

But he has one more question for her, and she, puzzled, asks, "What is it?"

He tells her.

Maria takes a step back in shock, her hands raised before herself defensively. "W-what? No way... a Pink Cockatoo? You've heard about her, too?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"I can imagine it is. There is a certain satisfaction to working hard for other people."

For acknowledgement, for validation, for approval, for worship- none of which he says out loud. It's plausibly deniable that his statement is simply affirming the value of hard work.

"My recommendation? The notebook you use for studying isn't the one you should bring to class. Instead, take down the bullet points from lectures, then that night, organize them into a more readable format. It's a bit time consuming but- it's also an efficient way to review."

He smiles at her and chuckles, "Haha... amusingly enough it's actually how I often conduct interviews now with witnesses and suspects to sort through my caseload. It helps me with identifying inconsistencies in their testimony."

She then asks how he does that- and he's about to answer, but she preempts him-! "Oh. In a sense you're correct, but it's more that a classmate delivers my homework assignments to an individual who brings them to me by courier- assuming I'm not in Sumaru City that day."

A beat.

"I'd mastered the material for this year several years back- but it was decided that it was better if I not skip any grades, in order to have more time to do my job as a Detective."

Japan isn't big on even geniuses skipping grades anyhow. They value the ''experience'' of school too much.

"I still turn in all of my assignments and sit for my exams of course... it's just that it doesn't take a great deal of effort. At best, the time I spend studying could be considered a refresher."

Oh no. There goes Maria's hope that he has a TUTOR to refer to her-!!! Geniuses!!!! So frustrating!

"Well- I understand, and it's true that I have little enough time as is. Though if you ever need assistance with understanding anything conceptually, feel free to text me, and I'll answer when I can."

He's so nice isn't he! Even having no time, he's giving her the option every girl dreams of- of ''texting'' a celebrity.

Don't worry, he won't tell your classmates.

Maria's sudden blue screen of death causes Akechi's head to tilt, as he looks her in the eyes, about one step away from checking if she's conscious- before she answers.

"Haha- then it's settled. You'll have it set up in no time." As he offers to do none of the work towards forming a club, leaving it all to Maria.

Such as budgeting proposals, faculty advisors, approval by the Student Council and Administration...

Don't worry Maria, that's not ''that'' much! Or at least it wouldn't be- if you weren't already behind.

And then he mentions the Pink Cockatoo, and her reaction... interesting. "Indeed I have. I'm- trying to locate it for a client of mine. I believe her name is..." He checks his notebook, though of course he doesn't have to, "...'Jerri'." Before his gaze rises again to meet hers, "What exactly have you heard about her?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
She nods, a little bit excited by this potential opportunity. "It is, right?" she tells him, already thinking about what she might be asked to make. She's made kitties, and bunnies, and doggies, but... oh, a toy horsie could be cute.

It will cause nightmares, is what it will definitely do.

He gives her his own tips on how best to take notes. "Huh... I always tried to write everything down," she says, rocking back on her heels as she thinks it over. "So I should... do the basic topics? And, reorganize it later?" She frowns, the expression itself perhaps more of a pout, for her. "Hmmmm. Seems hard, but..." She's an athlete, she can't back down just because it's hard.

He adds that it's often how he does it for work and that, too, reminds her that this isn't just a matter of ''school''. Her upperclassman works as a detective. He's on a whole--

--different level, really, as Akechi explains. Specifically, about how he's already mastered the course material years ago. About how he has his assignments send to him by courier, when necessary. About how even the studying is more refresher than anything else.

Maria, who vaccilates between struggling futilely and spacing out in class (unless it's math), visibly deflates.

"...Really...?" she wonders aloud, dumbfounded by the day's revelations of just ''how'' smart her senior is. Well, she'd known he was ''smart'' but this sort of smart is just... just...

There's no way she can compete... and still, he's expecting her to do better next time.

Very quietly, as she stands there, Maria's soul begins to drift away from her body. aaaaaaa

But Maria wouldn't be Maria if she were the sort to be so soundly defeated. Okay, then, she'll get in a huddle with her friends, and figure this out. They'll study together, every day, if that's what it takes! Okay, then, she'll-- see if she can get a very good tutor! She'll try her best!!

...but it's going to be really hard...

"O, okay. But, only if it's really hard!" she says, making fists before her. "I-- you have to do some things by yourself!" Or with friends, with whom you can safely study, one assumes.

Ignorant of the trials and tribulations that lie ahead with her new dream of a club at school, Maria nods. "Yeah! Just you wait, I'll, get other students interested, and we'll get it approved, and we'll have a club," she tells Akechi, recovering already from the realization that she'll have to tread certain lines very carefully lest she get murdered by her classmates.

As regards that Pink Cockatoo, though...

"Um," Maria starts, having had that fraction of a moment too late to realize what it is that she's said to him. He's a nice guy, but is he really going to understand if she just ''tells'' him her new secret? Or about what ''really'' happened to her. "Well, just that... she's kind of mean? I guess, her owner wasn't very nice..." she says, closing her eyes as she smiles and starts to sweat. "And, that she can make people disappear. Um. That's what a friend of mine says. But, um... there's no such thing as a magic cockatoo..."

Excellent. Perfect save.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Precisely. If you take the time to do it that way, then you'll already be prepared for exams long before they take place. It will likewise help to facilitate homework assignments. By the time you get to them, the material is still fresh within your head."

So his solution is basically ''double homework''. This is definitely what poor Maria wants to hear. He's all smiles as her soul flees her body.

"Ah yes. I do try not to tell too many people- I don't want to sound like I'm bragging. In the end- I'm a student, the same as all of you."

'Same' is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Like- an entire pyramid's worth.

"Certainly. I'd expect nothing less." And now Maria likely has anxiety about what qualifies as hard enough to ask for help. If she's only asking when it's ''hard''- then what if it qualifies as ''easy'' for him.

As they move on to the Pink Cockatoo, Maria begins to describe certain ''details'' abut Jerri. And Akechi nods along, looking like he's paying close attention.

"... Make people disappear you say." He pauses on that, before he then looks up at Maria, giving her a serious look in his brown eyes.

"That's interesting, in light of your recent... disappearance. Tell me Sakurai-san... did Jerri make ''you'' disappear?"

The pressure is on!
How much does he know!?
How ''could'' he know?

"Just kidding." He grins at her, "Of course a Cockatoo couldn't be responsible for that. I hope it was good for a laugh though."

It doesn't answer all of his questions, unless she chooses to volunteer right now - but it does tell him one thing.

She remembers. How much is up for debate- but she remembers some of what happened to her.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh," says Maria, because she's a little preoccupied with her transient teenage life flashing before her eyes. That's a lot of work. That's a lot of work! It's like having double homework, and that's on top of school, her part-time job, her friends and hobbies, chores at home, and trying to fit in time to be a superhero by night. How ''do'' they do it on the shows? She's feeling a little light-headed just thinking about it.

But what, exactly, is her recourse here? Having to tell her sempai that no, she's scored about as well as she always did, and look him in the eyes and ''see his disappointment in her''??

Absolutely not. Absolutely, absolutely not. She'll... she'll have to figure it out. Somehow. If Akechi could read minds, right now he would hear Maria screaming inside her heart.

"Y, yeah," she tells him, feeling dazed. "O-of course not! You're a really nice guy, Akechi-sempai..." She low-key would like to lie down on the grass and stare at the sky for a little bit.

But resilient is her middle name. Hard times might be ahead as the school year proceeds, but she'll do her best...!

And then he brings up the matter of the Pink Cockatoo. Jerri, he says, is her name, and she makes people disappear. Allegedly.

Like Maria?

"E-ehhh??" Maria utters, hands palms-out, raised near her face. She's wide-eyed in nothing less than shock. "O, of, of course not! I, I wasn't-- I didn't--"

It was a joke, he says, and Maria's face breaks into the most brittle smile. She giggles, nervously, lowering her hands. "Oh, um... yes! A bird can't... use magic!"

Silence, at least on her part, settles across the courtyard. Maria sweats.

Then, pointedly, she looks up at the clock. "Oh, um-- look at the time! I'm going to be late, I have to walk the cat!" Her grandmother's cat has never once been the sort of cat one can 'walk'.

Without bothering to correct herself, she waves 'bye-bye' before bolting for the door.

This isn't like her at all, she considers, racing through the halls. Is it because he's trying to get her to do better in her courses? Or because of those questions about that bird? She's not usually this rattled, but...

Even she is given to wonder: does he know something? Did someone tell him about 'Jerri'? And...

What ''is'' Jerri, anyway?
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

Maria Sakurai

2026-06-19T02:21:36Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Trivia */

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Maria Sakurai'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Maria Sakurai (桜井まりあ)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Star|The Star]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| She/Her
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 16 (March 25, 1996)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Dusty pink
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Brown-black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'4" / 163cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Rengedai Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | School:
| Seven Sisters High School
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Year:
| Junior
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Focus
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Velvet Room MUSH (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| None
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Call me Cherry! I'm your super-cute superhero!"'''

At last, it would seem that Maria has once again found her way. That's the point of view most watching her would have: after a rough year that featured the death of her grandfather, her serious injury during a subway accident, a nasty breakup, a near-escape with the Joker Killer, and her own disappearance, she seems to again have that sparkle in her eye and a pep in her step. In fact, one would say that she's become even more lively than before, like she's come into her own power in some secret, special way. The truth is, of course, that after she had been disappeared into and rescued from her own Kingdom, Maria has awoken to her Persona and her new identity as Cherry, a mysterious rogue of her own making. By day she's a student at Seven Sisters, and by night (or at least after school) a budding explorer of supernatural mysteries! But what comes now? That, among other things, is something Maria is still in the process of discovering.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''Thou hast been given a ring most cruel, my other self.''
''Now let me give thee mine own vow:''
''I, Artemisia, will with thee paint a richly colored world!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter who is well known for her naturalism and control of light and shadow in her artwork, and was the first woman to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence. She is also remembered for her rape in 1611, which went to trial as her assailant had damaged the family honor. Later in life, she even traveled to and lived in England for many years as an artist in the court of Charles I. Among her most notable pieces is her depiction of Judith slaying Holofernes.

'''Description''': Artemisia takes the form of a young woman dressed in a fusion of Baroque Venetian formal fashion (mask included) and brightly-colored cyberpunk streetwear. Cables with plugs drape over her shoulders in the manner of a shawl. In one hand she carries a short sword.

= Special Skills =

1. ''Girls' Talk'' (Charm): Maria talks about, you know, whatever. Openly, girl to girl (or girl to boy, or girl to enby, it's all good).

2. ''Warm-up Stretches'' (Proficiency): Maria prepares for some athletic exertion or another.

3. ''Go Loud'' (Guts): Aren't you tired of being nice, don't you just want to go apeshit? Maria stops messing around and goes for it, whatever 'it' might be.

=Relationships=

None yet, but watch this space!

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| Keiko Kasahara
(笠原敬子)
| The Empress
| Maria's maternal grandmother. Recently widowed, and dating younger (well, they're in their 50s) men, much to Maria's embarrassment. Unfortunately, granny no longer cares what other people think. Raised Maria after her mother's accident and helps take care of her mother.
|-
| Yasumasa Kasahara
(笠原康正)
| The Hierophant
| Maria's maternal grandfather. Passed away in early 2012. Helped raise Maria after her mother's accident.
|-
| Hiroyuki Sakurai
(桜井博之)
| The Hanged Man
| A beleaguered salaryman who is stuck working in Tokyo proper (his company won't let him relocate to the Sumaru office) and isn't home much.
|-
| Izumi Sakurai
(桜井泉)
| The Lovers
| Paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident and uses a wheelchair. Works part-time at a florist's shop in Rengedai Ward.
|-
| Mint
(ミント)
| The Emperor
| Maria's grandmother's cat. A large, fat white cat with black spots. Ruler of all he surveys. Has never once been fed.
|-
| Ringo
(りんご)
| The Hermit
| Maria's pet turtle. The repository for all of Maria's hopes and dreams and fears. Quite shy.
|-
| Yurie Shirakawa
(白川ゆりえ)
| Strength
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student; Maria's known her since elementary school. A sweet young lady who reads the most cursed romance novels.
|-
| Haruka Hatano
(波田野悠)
| The Magician
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student. Considered herself Maria's foremost rival on the track team once and bemoans the loss of Maria as such. Still on the track team at Sevens.
|-
| Takeshi Nakata
(中田剛史)
| The Chariot
| Maria's ex-boyfriend. Handsome, charming... and absolutely no good. The kind of person who has no regard for the damage they leave in their wake.
|}

= Soundtrack =

*Eurythmics - [https://youtu.be/bG9z-atG7gc Sweet Dreams] - '''Main Theme'''
*Poe - [https://youtu.be/Y9e9ewSV9Ew Hey Pretty] - '''Getting Into Trouble'''
*Blue Oyster Cult - [https://youtu.be/pe3jFvJ0qjs (Don't Fear) The Reaper] - '''Everyone Does It'''
*Florence + The Machine - [https://youtu.be/R2NR-UHH1KE Mermaids] - '''Love'''
*The Warning - [https://youtu.be/J_zHZwslwD0 Dust to Dust] - '''Shadow'''
*Dania - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17-JMbxZWlk Leiley] - '''Restless Motion'''
*Dengue Fever - [https://youtu.be/ru5c1pJkV5A Sleep Walking Through the Mekong (Morgan Page Remix)] - '''Unseen World'''
*Kavinsky - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_3Dpw-BRY Nightcall] - '''Out at Night'''
*Disparition - [https://youtu.be/IMrJyY3uNzc Eliezer's Waltz] - '''Other Side'''
*Tom Lehrer - [https://youtu.be/W6OaYPVueW4 New Math] - '''Gag Track'''

= Trivia =
* Maria is a [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Affinity_Chart|White Dragon]].
* Maria is an Aries.
* 桜井 means loosely 'cherry blossom well'. まりあ is just phonetic and doesn't mean anything in particular. There are many possible ways to write her name with kanji, but hers is phonetic only.

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==
===Scenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = logs&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
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|suppresserrors = yes
| addcategories = true
| mode = userformat
| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}
===Cutscenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = cutscenes&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
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}}

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Focus]]
[[Category:Seven Sisters High School]]

2026-01-29: Festina Lente

2026-06-19T02:08:01Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: Festina Lente''' *'''Cast:''' Katsuya Suou, Ulala Serizawa *'''Where:''' Kuzunoha Detective Agency *'''OOC Date:''' January 29, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' September 17, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Katsuya meets with Ulala to try to talk her out of her plan to call the Joker so that Team Whoop-ass can try to deal with him more directly.'' ---- </poem> <Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed. <poem> There are many mysteries about at a place even as well-trod by..."

*'''Log: Festina Lente'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Ulala Serizawa]]
*'''Where:''' Kuzunoha Detective Agency
*'''OOC Date:''' January 29, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' September 17, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Katsuya meets with Ulala to try to talk her out of her plan to call the Joker so that Team Whoop-ass can try to deal with him more directly.''

----

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
There are many mysteries about at a place even as well-trod by now as the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. For instance, how did Todoroki come to understand the power of rumors? For what purpose does the giant golden cat collect money? And, why is the bathroom always occupied?

Of these, the first two concern Katsuya Suou most immediately, insofar as he wonders about them now and again when he comes by the office to check in on the pulse of the latest rumors, or to get advice from either of the two people who work here.

But he's not here today for the usual reason. No, while his gaze might rest on the golden cat statue (he has been unsuccessful again today in leaving it a pittance), he'd asked Ulala to meet him here to discuss a certain future plan of hers.

Away from the rest of their little group, that is.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>Ulala arrives not long after, clad in her usual spiderweb dress. The cat is given a dismissive wave of a hand as it nyaas at her, their love-hate relationship forever leaning towards the latter, as she takes a look for Katsuya.

"Katsuya-san! Do you think that cat will ever shut up?" she asks casually, moving to join him. She'll ignore the cat if it chooses to respond. Freedom of speech!!!

"How are you doing?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
He looks up, away from the tempter (temptress?) that is a large golden cat asking for money for... suspicious causes. "Ah, Serizawa-kun. ...I suspect it is pre-recorded. It may be based on our proximity to it?" he supposes.

But, how is he doing? "Well enough, but... work has been particularly busy, lately." There's been another non-Joker Killer death, but unlike the last one, there's plenty of witnesses... which means a lot of interviews.

Fortunately, in Sumaru, a murder or a suspicious death doesn't occur every week. It just occurs often enough -- supernatural circumstances nonwithstanding -- that there is work for a homicide detective.

"And, yourself?" he asks her, considering how he should lead into this business.

"You are not... still thinking of calling him, are you?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>"That, or it's an actual talking magic cat," Ulala jokes, but it's clear she doesn't actually believe it. That'sr idiculous.

Though, there's a sympathetic wince about work. "Good luck with that. Tough job, huh?"

She waves a hand, taking a comfortable seat at that. "I sell lingerie, so nothing really changes. Doing my best, I guess."

Yet, his final question gets her to quirk an eyebrow. oh. That's why he called her here.

"...what else are we supposed to do? I fought him recently and he literally disappeared through an evil hole in the ground. We're running out of options here."

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"I do not think that is likely," Katsuya says, though there is that moment where he ''does'' pause and ''does'' glance sidelong at the cat. In Sumaru, can he be completely sure? ...Well, yes, it would be extremely silly, wouldn't it...?

"Yes, though a sales position does require a lot of anticipation of a customer's needs," he remarks, on the topic of job. "Or at least, so I have been led to understand." In his line of work, he talks to a lot of people himself, though the most he needs to get from anyone is their statement or, sometimes, their confession.

But he gets to the point.

"Yes, but..." Katsuya shakes his head. "Is it... necessary to do it like this? Of course I do not want to wait around for him to target another victim, but... this is extremely risky for you, Serizawa-kun."

And he just doesn't feel good about putting a woman into danger like this. "Perhaps, if we changed the rumor we could think of another way to corner him."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>"I work in the back with the stock, I don't actually handle customers," Ulala says with a tired sigh. She's probably not very happy with her job.

"But, the point. Is it necessary to do it like this?

"It's risky for all of us. Especially Maya... I can't let her be in danger anymore. If we have to endanger me to make sure he goes down, that's better than it risking any of you who... ugh.."

She really wishes she had a drink in her hand.

Though, Katsuya's comment... "What are you thinking of?" If they have a way to finish this, she'll take it.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
She works in back with the stock and not with... "Oh," Katsuya says, feeling foolish. "I see..."

Some silence may pass a moment before he continues.

It's risky for all of them, Ulala says, and in that, she's ''really'' not wrong. Whoever does it, however they do it, they'll all be in danger. But isn't it better them than anyone else? Right now, someone in Sumaru or beyond is surely considering giving a certain number a call. Is it just human nature? He's a homicide detective, he's seen the outcomes of someone else's 'heat of the moment', or the results of a 'long simmering hatred'. If someone thought they could settle their score with just a phonecall... he would have thought it couldn't be true months ago, that surely that rumor was just a story, but...

Because that's how the rumor works, now people can kill each other so easily. Where did that rumor start from, and what was the purpose of it?

So he shakes his head when Ulala says she's better off being the one in danger than anyone else. "...Serizawa-kun, you... shouldn't speak about yourself like that," he scolds, once the immediate shock wears off. "Your life is just as important as anyone else's. If we can find another way, there's no need for any of us to risk ourselves."

But what is he thinking of?

"I'm... not sure," he says, pausing as he tries to collect his thoughts. "I was thinking... that rumor about the Sevens emblem was changed. If there's some sort of alteration to the rumor about the Joker Killer... of course, I say that, but it's not so easily done, is it? I suppose the Sevens emblem rumor changed because it was more 'attractive' that way," he muses, furrowing his brow. "It's easier to think that a protective charm isn't 'always' protective, or that someone could still be in danger despite taking precautions. I suppose it's human nature to look for a flaw in things. ...So, we would need to think about a similar approach. But what would turn the rumor in our favor to encounter him?"

He doesn't have the experience with this that Todoroki or Tamaki have, or that Baofu has, though. Is he thinking about this right?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>Ulala is scolded. She frowns sharply, exhaling a little bit. "So would you rather spend yourself if we had to, a homicide detective saving lives? Or Watanabe-san, a loving mother? Or *Maya*?" She picks at her hair for a moment, staring at the wall.

What other good could she be? She doesn't see her value, clearly. Why would she? She's not smart. She's not resourceful. She doesn't get leads like the others do. She's just...there.

She's still considering the theme of the rumor, though. "We'd have to make people believe it, right? And to do that, we'd probably be competing with whoever set the rumor."

A sigh. "Wish we could go to *him* instead of bringing him to us. But we don't even know if he's still at that asylum."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
He outright flinches as Ulala counters him with the alternatives. "No, that's..." he starts, only to trail out. In the end, Katsuya shakes his head. "I simply... do not want any of us to put ourselves into that kind of danger, if it can be avoided," he explains.

If anyone does it, shouldn't it be him, as a public servant? Isn't it his duty to the people, runs that thought, and he has to actively quash it. It's true, he has a duty to see this stopped for the good of the people in this city, but there's a difference between duty and recklessness. Dying in the line of duty can be admirable in the right cases, but there has to be a red line. To do it when there could be other options is ludicrous.

But then, does it mean that if he can't think of something else that his other choices are to let this continue, or to let Ulala take the brunt of it? Is it really that black and white of a problem?

That's true," he acknowledges, nodding once as she explains the problem as she sees it.

If they could go to him, instead, though...

"If... we spread a rumor about how he is able to move about, perhaps, or..." Katsuya pauses, thinking this over again. "If there were some means to suggest that the killer were in there, at least some of the time... maybe I am overthinking it, though..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>"...sorry. I know you mean well," Ulala apologizes, knowing she's getting heated. He's just looking out for her. But she doesn't deserve that, does she? Not with what she's done.

On the subject of spreading a rumor, though, about what he can do or how to suggest he was in there... "... we could set a trap. I mean, that's what the call is, but maybe we could use the asylum. Or... you saw that video he released with all the names, right? Maybe we can talk to some of those people..."

She does, sheepishly, admit in the end. "...I don't want to get myself killed. I just feel like we're running out of options. And... if anyone, it's best to be the fuckup, you know."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"A trap..." he muses, mulling it over. "Maybe something like that could work. ...This might be the sort of thing that Baofu would be better at, though..." he adds, as much as he hates to admit it. Setting traps isn't in a typical officer's wheelhouse, but someone who sets 'bugs' for a living might have some inkling about how it could be done.

That, and doesn't he have a better understanding of rumors than any of them do?

"What I can do is start there, however. If we can speak to some of the people involved, some of them may know something we can use against him, or to lure him somewhere we can apprehend him safely." He pauses, thinking about what he's just said. "...So long as we don't put anyone else in harm's way, that is."

But how much can he get if he's not willing to sacrifice anything? Don't you have to give in to get anywhere in this world?

"..." Katsuya pushes his sunglasses a fraction of the way up his nose, not sure in what direction he had ought to head at all.

"Or... if there is something we can get from the asylum..." He can't get anywhere good, currently, but maybe if Amano called, except, no, she's not that sort of journalist.

But Ulala says then that she doesn't want to get herself killed. It's just better her than anyone else. Because she's the...

"Serizawa-kun, please, that is enough. There is no need to speak about yourself that way," he says, a little less sharply than before. "We will find someway through this without putting anyone in any more danger," he continues. "I swear on my honor as a police officer."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>"It's a shame we can't just affect the asylum itself with a rumor or something, right?" Ulala sighs, thinking about traps and bait. "Maybe make it somewhere we could actually mess with, you know?"

She's considering, when Katsuya lightly scolds her again.

"...mnn. Sorry."

It seems like she might leave it there, for a long moment, before she exhales. Katsuya's a nice guy, huh?

"...I'm just not sure I'm not holding you all back. You've got police skills, the Watanabes are smart and resourceful, Maya's amazing, hell, Baofu's great at what he does too."

The unspoken question is: where does that leave her?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"If there were some way to affect the aslyum..." he muses aloud. "Except, can we really endanger the staff or the patients there? Even someone like him does not deserve..." he trails off, trying to puzzle this one out. If he were more like Baofu, perhaps, he wouldn't hesitate to do just that to further his goals. "..."

What's the alternative, then? To continue on like this, and hope they get lucky? To put Ulala in danger? What's the thing that's most important, right now?

Can everyone and everything be saved?

Or is he letting his own conceit stop him from doing anything?

"..."

To that alone, he doesn't have an answer.

Ulala's self-critique, however, focuses him.

As does her response.

"Don't be ridiculous," he says, shaking his head. "Everyone has their own talents. Yours is not simply 'to sacrifice yourself'!" What is it about Ulala that makes her special, though?

"I like to think that we all bring our own perspectives to things. I can only speak to what I can see, as an officer. But I do not see the sorts of things that you do. What people talk about... gossip, idle chatter... to be honest, I don't like these things. But they are essential, even so. These are the things that 'everyone' talks about, but which I don't understand. I think that is true for everyone else. Everyone knows something that everyone else doesn't understand."

...Wait, is he saying that what makes Ulala important to the team is...?

"Do not forget. Rumors come from what people talk about," he tells her, spreading his arms. "If I am being honest, it makes me ill-suited to spreading and controlling rumors."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>Ulala is glum as Katsuya reveals that they can't endanger the staff or the patients. "That's true..."

But he confronts her about her self-critique and response. She sighs, unable to really see it... gossip? Idle chatter?

"Is that all I'm good for? Gossip and eavesdropping?"

There's another sigh. Rumors come from what people talk about... he's ill-suited to it, too.

Wait.

Ulala's eyes widen, as she turns over to Katsuya. She's got something, thinking something, as she laughs. "It's so fucking simple, Katsuya-san! You're a genius!"

She stands up, pacing off some burning energy. "If there are civilians to endanger, a serial killer who's supposed to be there, and no way in without drawing attention... we just empty the place!"

She stops, staring him in the eyes with a fervor.

"There's other sanitariums. All we do is spread a rumor that there was some sort of accident, maybe an unsafe building or something, that led to people being moved to another asylum temporarily. We know the Old Maid can leave, so all we have to do is call him out. A guy with an ego like that won't let us just fuck up his house. It's a challenge that doesn't put his power into effect. He knows it was started, sure, but not who - and therefore, he'll wait for us instead of us having to wait for him."

She flops back into the couch at that. "Goddamn."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Is that all she's good for?

"W-well," Katsuya stammers, raising both hands as if to placate her. "I... admit that I do not care for it, but that does not mean that... I am certain that--"

But he does hit upon, at last, the place where her talent well and truly ''shines'' for their purposes. Understanding the movement of rumors requires understanding the pulse of society. These little falsehoods that he doesn't care for in the slightest are the blood running in its veins, to continue the metaphor: in that sense, one ignores trend and gossip at their peril, for these are the things that now... shape reality.

And so she calls him a genius, and in this moment Katsuya looks well and truly startled. "M-me? I only meant that..."

What in the world ''has'' he done, now?

It's simple. They just empty the place, and then. Ensure that once they go in, they can call him out there.

"So you are saying that... we'll move everyone out through a rumor, and then turn the sanitarium into a place that Personas can function? Once he is called out there..."

He pauses, thinking it over.

"It is not that I doubt it is 'him'. But this will also allow us to confirm that he is #501, without room for doubt. Perhaps, it can even be evidence that we can take back." Even if he's uncertain how that might go for ''him''. But he has to do it, doesn't he? Otherwise...

He watches her as she drops onto the couch. "Are you feeling alright, Serizawa-kun?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>Ulala cutting Katsuya off is rude, but she's firing up. Even if she can't see her *own* worth in this moment, being the one to come up with the idea, she can still share it.

"Exactly! If it turns out he's just a guy, we can redouble our efforts elsewhere. Embarrassing, sure, but..."

She shakes her head. "We need a new lead, and this will give it to us."

Though, then Katsuya checks in on her. "...not really, honestly. I hate this case so much. But the sooner we get to solving it, the sooner everyone can be safe. And..."

A sheepish laugh and a look away.

"...I really wanted an excuse not to endanger myself like that, but I couldn't think of one myself. There might be demons in the street, but they're also in your head, you know?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
It might be a little bit rude, sure, but it doesn't seem like he's terribly offended, especially as Summer Storm Ulala gets herself well and truly going, hitting upon the obvious answer with aplomb. He might had been heading in a similar direction, but she's the one who sees how to ''do'' it in a way that doesn't allow their target to escape them but spares the people who are innocents in the scheme of things. If they go to his 'space', then, whatever else happens...

...he'd have to come to them.

And at the very least, they'd be able to confirm what they already are very much convinced of.

"Yes," Katsuya agrees, nodding. "It isn't outside the realm of possibility, but..."

But the sooner this is solved, the sooner this can go back to normal. Just this slice: he's not naive, there are other things afoot and there's no turning back from what they've seen.

Or at least, he can't pretend that there aren't crimes, even in a supernatural realm.

But, Ulala was looking for an excuse...?

"I see... well, I suppose, that is true for all of us," he muses, fidgeting with his sunglasses briefly. "We become convinced there is no other option for us but to proceed a certain way..."

He's silent, thinking about his brother. It's just like the way Tatsuya is convinced there's only one thing he can do now, isn't it.

Forgive Katsuya. Sometimes he is blind to himself.
BBS: New BB message (4/40) posted to 'Scene Announcements' by Scene System: Sfumato
BBS: New BB message (4/41) posted to 'Scene Announcements' by Scene System: Cangiante
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>Ulala stretches out, as Katsuya agrees that it's probably who they think it is.

"...yeah." As Katsuya goes silent, she turns it on him, tilting his head. "You okay?"

She'll get back up, preparing to leave soon, but she wants to give Katsuya a chance to talk.

"...thanks, by the way. For trying to stop me."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"No, I'm fine," he tells Ulala, shaking his head. "I was only thinking to myself." About family matters, as it were.

"But... I am glad. I had been worried." He couldn't countenance it, in fact. "Allowing someone else to put themself in danger like that is..." Katsuya shakes his head again. "In any case, we know now what we can do. Perhaps if Todoroki returns... well, no, we should talk to the others about it first."

They have time. There's no need to be hasty.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-01-16: Sin and Remorse

2026-06-19T02:01:51Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: Sin and Remorse''' *'''Cast:''' Maria Sakurai, Ayame Watanabe *'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School - Classroom Building *'''OOC Date:''' January 16, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' September 11, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Ayame catches up with Maria after classes one day in September, not too long after the attack by the Joker. She confirms that Maria is doing ok, and they both talk about what happened and what Maria should do now.'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Maria Sak..."

*'''Log: Sin and Remorse'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Ayame Watanabe]]
*'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School - Classroom Building
*'''OOC Date:''' January 16, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' September 11, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Ayame catches up with Maria after classes one day in September, not too long after the attack by the Joker. She confirms that Maria is doing ok, and they both talk about what happened and what Maria should do now.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
They said it was supposed to rain today, but...

Umbrella in hand, Maria regards the clouds overhead thoughtfully. They're a little bit dark, suggesting it ''could'' rain, but...

With a shrug, she tucks her umbrella under one arm and starts across the Sevens courtyard. Well, today she's got her part-time job (it did not in fact end with summer vacation, even if she achieved her goals; Maria has discovered that money can in fact buy many goods and services), but it doesn't start for a little while yet, even accounting for transit time.

So, if she wants to, she could go and mess around somewhere local first, maybe. But is Yurie even free? Isn't she still attending music club?

With a long sigh, Maria just shakes her head and carries on. Well, that's just high school life, sometimes.

It's funny. Everything was so chaotic and terrible, and then, it's like she woke up, a little. The world's returned to its usual paces, as if to ignore the fact that she'd almost died, and ''he'd'' almost died, and that someone else had almost died, too...

It's not guilt, precisely. But it's also something she can't just let go.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
It might, it might not. Either way, Ayame had the car today, and Ayame has come to visit Ikkaku and see if he needed anything after class! She happens to be crossing the courtyard at the moment. She left her own umbrella in the car. Ayame is recognizeable to many students as a teacher's wife; she comes often enough. However...
Shehe isn't in so much of a hurry that she isn't paying attention to where she's going and what's around her. Whihc means...

"Oh!" Ayame says, coming to a stop near, "Sakurai-san."

"How are you feeling?" she wonders. She hasn't seen her and spoken to her since...

Well, since a ''very'' stressful day.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria recognizes her ''immediately'', swiveling her attention her way the moment she's called upon.

"Watanabe-san!" she calls out, aborting her near-escape from the schoolgrounds. Emphatically, Maria waves. "Watanabe-sensei's still inside!"

...Ayame probably knows this already...

But, how is she feeling? "I'm doing alright," Maria states, gesturing vaguely at herself. "I didn't get hurt. Well, other than my hair. But look," she says, fluffing out her newly (relatively-speaking) locks, "I think I like it better this way, anyway! But, um... how are you doing? You were okay, right?"

Tsubasa ''did'' give her Ayame's phone number, and Maria ''has'' been meaning to call.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
Almost escaped...! But not quite. Ayame--dressed in blue today--smiles warmly at Maria when she says she's all right. "Thank you," she says of the location of her husband, because while she did know that it's still nice to say!

"Yes, I was worried about that, but I like your new look!" As to her hair being BURNED. It was a thing to worry about. Ayame closes the distance to chat, "I'm all right. I'm mostly here to check in with Ikkaku to see if he's going to work late again... I was out and about anyway, so I thought I'd drop by instead of call."

"...But i was all right," she says. "It was a very frightening situation, wasn't it? I'm glad you cam through it."

And the boys... But, well. They might be awkward to bring up.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Perhaps at least it's confirmation that her husband didn't leave the building for some mysterious reason -- or that all is well inside. It can be an open question where Seven Sisters High School is concerned! ...Not that Maria would understand anything about that (yet?).

"Thank you!" Maria replies, beaming. It's only because that 'mystery prince' was so quick in catching her and snuffing the flames that she was spared injury over than the loss of most of her hair: most of it was just too damaged to salvage, so cutting it short had been the only real option.

"Hmmm... he did look busy," Maria muses, considering the pile that had decked her teacher's desk. "Hopefully not! It's fine to stay late sometimes, but look, it's not even raining," she says, holding out a hand as if to catch falling droplets that... don't exist. "I like it when it rains," she continues, glancing at Ayame, "but, right now it's also nice out, too."

Of the circumstance she had narrowly escaped, Maria nods. "Mmm-hmm," she agrees. "My... ex-boyfriend is okay, too, and... the other guy should be alright again soon. He was still in the hospital the last I checked," she explains, and not without a sideways glance. "I'm glad everyone else was okay." She shakes her head, though. "...I'm sorry, you all ended up in that situation because of me. But, thank you for saving me! And... I'm glad sensei was there, too. I think he was a real hero."

A long pause follows.

"So... Seki-kun gave me your number, you know. They said... if anything dangerous happens, like last time, to call you." Maria pauses again. "I figured, you probably already knew, but!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
It is those things! Sevens, afterall, is indeed Like That.

The mystery prince is such a nice young man, isn't he? Ayame smiles. And then, "Hmm. He usually is. He's doing two jobs' worth until the year's over, or close enough to. ...But I can persuade him to come home early now and then." She nods. "It is nice out, isn't it?" she asks. "But I kind of like the rain, too. It puts me in a contemplative mood..."

But Maria knows the condition of the boys! "Oh, good," Ayame answers. "I'm glad for both. It was terrible, what he did to that boy."

But she apologizes. "You did wrong," Ayame agrees, "But I thik the ''bulk'' of the blame lies with the awful man stabbing people, in the end." She smiles. "He's always been my hero, though."

And that long pause sees--"Did they?" Ayame wonders. "That's very good. You can count on me for things like that. I want to help."

"...Once," she says, "I was in a situation like that, like you, and I couldn't do anything about it. So now that I can, it's important to me to try."

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Two jobs worth..." Maria says, her eyes glazing over. And here she thought it was trouble enough balancing school, and her single club, and her part-time job...! "That's terrifying!" she blurts out. "I mean-- he should go home. I hope he can!" It's begun to dawn on Maria that the life of a teacher can be a cruel one, indeed.

"But, you like it, too, huh? I like the sound it makes, and the smell, too. And, the rain makes flowers grow..."

She might not have a green thumb herself, as such, but of course she likes flowers.

It ''was'' terribly. She's not sure she will ever be able to forget it. "Yeah..." Maria says, somewhat more quietly and self-consciously than before. Because--

She did wrong. "Yeah," says Maria, nodding. She pulls her mouth tight, that thought very much on her mind. "...I didn't know what to do, but..."
But that wasn't it. That really wasn't it!

If Ikkaku hadn't been there, that boy... maybe might have died. Maria's not into medicine, she doesn't know. But it had looked really bad.

"Yeah. That... man," she says, of the Joker Killer, "might come back again, they said." She's not meaning Tsubasa here: she's meaning Tsubasa ''and'' Umie. "So, if he does, she said to run-- er, Umie-san, that is!" she self-corrects, realizing where she'd erred with the clarity of her speech. "Run, and get someone with a guardian spirit like you, or her. And Seki-san knows 'Phoenix'!" She nods as Ayame goes on. "I kind of wish I had power like that, too, but... I'm glad there are people who can fight back. It's kind of like being in a television show, you know?" she says to Ayame. "People fighting secret battles with their guardian spirits, and protecting the defenseless... don't worry, I won't tell. It's no good for the heroes if someone tells!"

And she giggles a little as if to say, yes, she knows this isn't a ''TV show''. But even mortal danger aside, it ''is'' still a little exciting.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
"Ahah... it is a bit, isn't it?" Ayame answers. "Well, I like it when he comes home. I think I can convince him today."

But since he's the next Vice Principal according to everything they know, it means more work! He is at least being paid more for the extra work...

"Mm-hm!" Ayame answers. "I love flowers. Plants in general, really, but especially flowering plants."

But... Quiet, and self-conscious; Ayame doesn't want to ''lie'' to her--calling the Joker was wrong!--But well, she has her own feeling as to where the primary blame lies. "Right. ...We all sometimes end up in places where we don't know what to do. What you do from here is important, too."

But that man. "...Mm," Ayame says. "That's true," she says. That he might come back. But Umie! Hmm. "That's smart," Ayame says. A 'guardian spirit'... "It's hard, not being able to fight back agaisnt things like that," Ayame agrees. "...Well, it's not easy to fight, either," she admits. "But..." A television show, is it?

Ayame considers that, and smiles wryly. "That's true, too," she says. "It would cause us a lot of trouble!" Not that she thinks of herself as a hero, but, "But yes. Make sure to get one of us if you see something like that, if you can. If not... Just run as fast and far as you can."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"I think it's better for him to be home," says Maria, who has only seen her father lately when she's ended up in the hospital.

"Me too. I think, roses and lilies are the best." One might expect Maria to favor the 'Sakura' that lives in her surname, but no, while they're nice too, there's something... wonderful about roses and lilies. "Someone told me most roses don't have a scent anymore. I was surprised!" she shares, to someone else who likes flowering plants.

It ''was'' wrong. Maria had realized it the moment after she'd made the call. But in her own way, she might have only made it worse by trying to undermine that fate instead of trying to find someone and explain what happened in the first place (not doing it at all would have been better). But, who would she have told about it? And... what should she have done instead? Bear it, perhaps?

"Yeah. That's what the others said, too. It's important, what I do now."

If it's true that he 'might come back' after Maria, what does it mean for the likes of Ayame and her husband, or Umie, or Tsubasa? "I was surprised, you know," she says of the guardian spirits she'd seen. "I've never seen something like that before. So, it's definitely a secret, right?" She nods, emphatically. "Right! I don't think I've seen something exactly like this, but... it's sort of like some shows? Fighting monsters in secret-- well, bad people, I guess," she allows, because she hasn't seen demons yet and is still immune to experiencing the Dark Hour ''so far''.

But it is a secret, Ayame confirms, and at this, Maria nods. "Yeah. I thought it might. Don't worry. I said I wouldn't tell. It won't help if people know something like this. It would probably scare them. ...I wonder what they remember..." she muses, thinking of her ex and his friend. It's probably not important.

Instead, she should run as far and as fast as she can-- if she can't get in contact with one of the others. "I can do that," she confirms, pumping one fist. "Don't worry. I don't want to make everyone save me again."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
"Me, too."

If she could have him home all the time... Well, maybe she would! But he does enjoy his work, and of course, they have to make money somehow.

"Really?" Ayame wonders. "I never guessed. I suppose that says I don't grow eough roses," she muses. "I like all sorts of flowers. Lately I've been particularly attached to cosmos..."

"Yes," Ayame says. That's definnitely what she thinks.

And, well... He has crossed Ayame's path again before. "Hmm. Yes, it is." Like a show. "It reminds me especially of some of the shows my kids have watched. Magical girls and masked heroes... Though we don't have masks," she admits. Pause. "Most of us don't have masks."

Ayame does not bring up demons.

"I appreciate it. ...That's just it; it would scare people who can't do much about it... and there are people who would do bad things with the knowledge, unfortunately."

"...I wonder that too."

"Good," Ayame says. "I'm happy to help, but... It would be better if it weren't necessary."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria, to be fair, could understand that feeling -- it's much the same way with her father. But his work circumstances remain terrible, and there's nothing she can do about that. And someone, like Ikkaku Watanabe, has to put food on the table. Her grandmother is past working age, and her mother's salary only goes so far as to help. It's not enough to live on.

It's a 'charity wage', Maria has sometimes thought, the differences in what her mother should make and what her father does make standing out as clear as day to a girl of her talents. It's just, the question is whether everyone else sees it.

Or if they see it and pretend it's not there. Or that it's fine, because her mother is...

The door slams on those thoughts as soon as they rise.

"My grandmother grows flowers," Maria explains. "We have a little garden at home, you see. And my mother works as a florist! ...Cosmos, huh? Those are pretty. They sometimes put them in arrangements, but not as often as roses and lilies. Oh, but my mother said, lilies are dangerous to cats, so we don't have those in the house or outside..."

Roses, by contrast, have thorns.

"Exactly! Kind of like, 'Featherman', a little bit? Though, I haven't watched that since I was little," she adds, her expression fleetingly wistful. "But, it's not entirely the same thing, either. --Oh yeah! Some of those people did have masks," she notes. "So it's sort of like it a little bit more, there? And with U-- er, that lady with the..." Maria wavers a moment, then shakes her head. "You know, one of the people who was there. She had a nice mask."

Nailed it.

"Uh huh," Maria agrees, nodding. "And, besides, the 'bad guys'," Maria is sixteen, not eight, she knows what she means when she says that, "aren't very nice. They'd do something dirty for sure. It's better to be safe, don't you think?" The Joker Killer had hurt that boy even though he wasn't involved at all... She might be an airhead, but she's not ''stupid'' stupid.

"Yeah. I don't want to make everyone worry, either. Besides," she says, smiling at Ayame, "I'd rather be the one doing the saving, you know? So I'll stay out of trouble."

She takes a glance then at her wristwatch. "--Oops! I should get going. I have to get to my part-time job. Um, tell sensei, he should definitely go home with you, okay? Tell him I said that."

And with that, Maria starts again towards the gate. Well, there's no time left to mess around now, she thinks. But that's okay: at least she got to do one good thing today.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-05-29: Ulala's Day of Joker: Team Whoop-ass

2026-06-19T01:40:47Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: Ulala's Day of Joker: Team Whoop-ass''' *'''Cast:''' Maki Sonomura, Maya Amano, Tamaki Uchida, Katsuya Suou, Eriko Kirishima *'''Where:''' Hirasaka - Main *'''OOC Date:''' May 29, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' November 16, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Ulala's friends and allies discover that all is not well at GOLD Gym and seek to find the person that she's going to kill before she does it. Alas, in practice, it's not that easy, is it...?'' ---- MONAD: A..."

*'''Log: Ulala's Day of Joker: Team Whoop-ass'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maki Sonomura]], [[Maya Amano]], [[Tamaki Uchida]], [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Eriko Kirishima]]
*'''Where:''' Hirasaka - Main
*'''OOC Date:''' May 29, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 16, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Ulala's friends and allies discover that all is not well at GOLD Gym and seek to find the person that she's going to kill before she does it. Alas, in practice, it's not that easy, is it...?''

----

MONAD: A party led by Maki Sonomura has begun the event Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist!.

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 1: Time of Joka - Challenge Level 3 =============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Hard - Understanding Down L1, and |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

There's a crisis going on at the GOLD Gym. One Ulala Serizawa, who
frequently makes use of the punching bags at the establishment has locked
herself into a room, and barricaded the door.

"Hurry..." Her voice rasps behind the door. "It's my time of Joka... before
I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO
MUCH!"

She doesn't answer to anyone who tries to reason with her to let her inside,
only demanding again and again, the one she hates the most. The employees
are standing around, discussing to themselves in hushed tones.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

Makimura. Even if you haven't met him, not only does it sound familiar. It
sounds correct. Yes, Ulala Serizawa must hate him for what he's done.

It doesn't take much to get a little more information. 'Youichi Makimura' -
a young man who's popular with the ladies, but only dates them to scam them
out of their money after a fake marriage proposal.

What's more difficult is trying to get more information out of them.

"Uh. We can't really give that out to our customers... even for a guy like
him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?

That's a bit of a problem. Either you can be understanding of their position
and try to get /some/ details out of them, or you can figure out another way
to locate the guy.

OOC Note: The Party with Maya Amano in it instead gets a similar phone call
from Ulala, rather than starting at the gym. They already understand
Makimura is a hated figure in her life, and either need to deduce where he
is based on their understanding of him, or based on whatever facts they can
gather.

Deja Vu Note: Any instance of colored text is an opportunity for a Deja Vu
insight, if you feel your character was a part of the Innocent Sin events.
This is entirely opt in, and doesn't preclude you from deciding differently
later.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
Maki, a friend of Eriko's and Tamaki's, happened to be around when Maya got the call. And that call was highly disturbing indeed. "The Joker Curse," Maki repeats then. "...We have to help her." She's not Ulala's close friend, but she's met her more than once--she's as intent as any.

...Not least because saving Ulala is the clue to learning what's going on.

"So it was this man, Youichi Makimura, who she must have called about," Maki reasons, having gotten some information. "If he's still at work..."

"Then he must be somewhere he can hit on vulnerable women. Not a school or a workplace--maybe... a club? Or some other place people can meet?"

If she'd met him before she might have an easier time, but...

"Either way, we need to be calm and direct about this. We can't help her if we lose our heads. Just breathe--and stay positive, right Amano-san?"
</poem>

MONAD: Maki Sonomura has acted with Counseling toward Time of Joka! Escape and Empathy!

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Maya nods with her typical Maya enthusiasm. "Right!" she agrees, pushing back the worry and concern she feels for her roommate in that moment.

Maya thinks.

Hard.

She strokes the back of her ear, straining to remember anything she can about Youichi Makimura. She had never even heard Ulala mention the name. If she were having a problem with him, surely she'd have told her, right?

Maya thinks back to an article she read a few days from another Kismet Publishing magazine -- this one aimed at women.

Y"'Hotspots for Women Wanting to Meet Men'," she says, remembering the article name. "The park." She counts off one finger. "Shopping." Another finger. "Karaoke." Another finger. "The gym." Another finger. "Work." Sure, Maki thought it wouldn't be a workplace, but the place Ulala worked at seemed to attract skeevy older guys, so it definitely needed to be on the list!

"The club." Maya has to start a new hand there. Were there any others? Maya can't remember. "Does anyone have any other ideas?"
</poem>

MONAD: Maya Amano has acted with Advice toward Time of Joka! Patra and Efficient!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
'The Joker never dies.'

When Maya gets the call, Tamaki's face wordlessly turns in Katsuya's direction. She knows that Ulala had a poor opinion of herself. She knows that Ulala thought that she would work best as 'bait' for a plan to take the Joker Killer by surprise. She knows the rumor that people who had used the Joker Curse before now turn into Jokers themselves.

She knows all these things separately. She would have never guessed that Ulala had called the Joker Killer at all.

As Maki and Maya contribute their thoughts, Tamaki murmurs to Katsuya, "Thanks for talking her out of the plan earlier."

More brightly, she nods in Maya's direction, recognizing the article name from her time filling out sweepstakes submissions. "Good thinking, Amano-san! Do you know of any spots that are especially popular with women lately?"

Tamaki presses her lips together in a frown and contemplates where they might find the swindler. "I think you're on the right track, Sonomura-san. Serizawa-san was a bit of a barfly herself, I remember talking to her about our favorite drinks."

There are several words just on the tip of her tongue but which elude her memory and conscious thoughts. She furrows her brow in deeper concentration ... and comes up with nothing.

So she pivots and snaps her fingers. "Let's turn it around, though, and think from the perspective of our would-be target. He's not searching for dates, he's searching for ''marks.'' What location attracts people who would be more likely to fall for his scams?"

</poem>
MONAD: Tamaki Uchida has acted with Piece Together toward Time of Joka! Automap!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"It's no use... she's barricaded the door," Katsuya surmises, shaking his head after returning from his most recent attempt to call out to Ulala. "That rumor... so it's really happening? But, if that's the case, then she must have..."

"Called Joker, right?" says Baofu, leaning against the wall. Minutely, his head turns towards Katsuya. "Guess even that idiot had someone she wanted dead." He shrugs as if unbothered, his attention turning towards Maya, Maki, and Tamaki as they ponder their next steps. "Question is, who's the victim? There's been no shortage of dead bodies lately... right?" His gaze lances towards Katsuya, whose expression grows dark. Katsuya turns away from the enigmatic man then without another look.

He shakes his head as he approaches Tamaki. "Yes, but I wonder... was it before? Or..." he murmurs, furrowing his forehead.

Maya, though, has an idea.

"Her... ex-boyfriend? Who did... what?" In some mild shock, he blinks. "And... he is a con artist?! Swindling a poor woman out of her money like that... that's against the law." Troubled, he looks among the others here.

But where, oh, where, would such a man be found?

"If I were a criminal, or a ne'er-do-well..." He considers their options thoughtfully.

"Such a person... wouldn't they be found at a 'sketchy' location? Such as a bar?"

Against the wall, Baofu makes a sound that might be a barely-stifled laugh.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with What is Justice? toward Time of Joka! Patra and Empathy!

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
It's often best not to overthink the circumstances that lead to one finding these things out- Eriko has already been investigating the connection between Joker, JOKER and Joka, and she just happened to be in the right place at the right time and now we're all gathered together, trying to hunt down something.

Still, Eriko looks more than a little concerned about this Makimura's presence. "...what a disgusting sounding man," Eriko adds, an unusual venom to her voice. "Preying on Miss Serizawa's desires like that..."

...Unfortunately, when it comes to 'places to meet men', Eriko's... drawing a total blank. This really isn't her realm of expertise in the slightest- meeting men hasn't been part of her agenda ever, really. So she'll leave the detecting to the detectives on this one.
"...We'll find him before Miss Serizawa does, Miss Maya. We can stop her doing something she'd regret."
</poem>

MONAD: Eriko Kirishima has acted with Soothe toward Time of Joka! Patra and Efficient!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Time of Joka - Round 1 ================================================-
Tamaki Uchida Academics Success
Piece Together Automap Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maki Sonomura Understanding Success
Counseling Escape and Empathy Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eriko Kirishima Understanding Failure
Soothe Patra and Efficient Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya Amano Understanding Success
Advice Patra and Efficient Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katsuya Suou Understanding Success
What is Justice? Patra and Empathy Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Hard-2, and Mindnumbing-2
Final Conditions:
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 0/6 | | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Maki Sonomura has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 2: Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Challenge Level
3 -
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It might take a long time, or not very long at all, but you're led to the
Parabellum, the Bar/Weapon's shop where there's a man and woman at the bar.

That's him. Somehow you know immediately.

Portrait of a Terrible Man:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/a/a6/Persona_2_IS_Maki
mura.png/revision/latest?cb=20140514131225

The man has frosted hair and a winning smile that lets him skate through
life on easy street, as he chats with the lady that looks only a few years
shy of forty.

"About the thing I asked about earlier... Were you able to collect enough?"

The Office Lady he's with downs a drink, as if to give her courage, before
turning to give him a hopeful look, "Yeah, I managed the three million you
asked for... I can count on you right?"

He rotates his drink in a slow circle, "Of course... with that I can keep my
research going. I'm guaranteed to become the Vice-President of the Academy
when it succeeds. And just think, you'll be the wife of the Vice-President."

She looks like she's still hesitating, at least until he adds, "I love you
so much..." And her expression melts, "I love you too... Maki-chan. I can't
wait to be your bride."

He's trying to scam his next victim! You can't let this stand right? You
have to interrupt this, but you also have to figure out a way to keep him
from getting so upset he doesn't cooperate- or worse yet, runs off.

Maybe the best way is to convince him that Ulala is going to kill him, and
you're here to help? But- it may be a tough sell.

How do you get him back to the GOLD Gym?

Luckily, fate is on your side, because Youichi Makimura is a consummate
coward, and knows just how scary Ulala can be when she's pissed.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
"Oh!" Maki answers Maya. "So, they do meet at workplaces...?" A beat, "My workplace is the kind where you really ''can't'' meet guys... ethically," she says with a smile. "But all those sound promising..."

And Tamaki considers... a drinking place? "Hmmm, yeah. A bar might be right."

Maki lifts an eyebrow at Baofu calling her an idiot, but doesn't say anything for now. Instead, she considers; a lot of bodies... that's true.

"Unfortunately," Maki says, "It's pretty common, illegal or not."

"I think that's right though, Suou-san. Not only is a bar a good place to meet women, but it's a good place to meet women who are drinking--and thus, less likely to have all their defenses up."

"Mm-hm," she agrees with Eriko about him being disgusting. But, for some reason, Maki doesn't even ''look'' at Eriko at the question of meeting men. It's like she already knows...

"That's the priority," Maki says. "We have to protect Serizawa-san--from herself, too."

They go the bar! Maki walks in, looking around, and suddenly--

"That's him," she realizes immediately, despite having never seen him before. Is that weird? It might be weird.

"...And he's got a woman with him."

Maki listens at a distance at first--until she looks to the others. "...Well, we're not getting any younger!"

As Makimura talks to the Office Lady he's with, talking about how he'll be Vice President... Maki walks right on up. "Don't mind me," she says. "I'm the other Maki-chan!"

She beams. ...She's going somewhere with this, probably, by the way she hooks her ankle just right such that if he tries to run he'll get tripped if he isn't careful.
</poem>

MONAD: Maki Sonomura has acted with Jokes toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to
You Right Now.! Find and Patra!

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
The ends of Maya's lips curve into a slight frown at the sight of the man. It's a face she _knows_ she's seen before, but she can't quite connect it to a memory. But like Maki, Maya knows instantly: it's him.

And just like it took her a half-second longer for Maya to make that realization, it takes her a half-second for her to step in line with Maki.

"And I'm Maki-chan's friend," Maya says, hanging an arm over Maki's shoulder. "Maya Amano. Maybe you've heard of me? I'm Ulala Serizawa's roommate."

Maya flashes him an unsettling smile. :)
</poem>

MONAD: Maya Amano has acted with Interview Talk toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm
'Lion' to You Right Now.! Friendliness and Smarts!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
While Tamaki was firing blanks earlier when it came to remembering the specifics of the drinks they had talked about, now her eyes open wide and she points at ... Eriko, of all people. No, not for the drinks, but because of ''another'' trait of the bar in question.

Then she realizes that Katsuya is within earshot before she asks if Eriko received her order from Parabellum yet. She turns back to Katsuya and explains while she's holding up a finger, "Serizawa-san mentioned that her favorite drink was from Parabellum's menu, the 'Angel Trigger.' She said it makes her feel light on her feet." With a whisper, she adds, "(Mine's the Tilt Trigger, personally.)"

----

Meanwhile, at Parabellum:

While she doesn't recognize the man's face as easily as the other two have seemed to (isn't there some more legwork they should be doing?), she follows their lead. plants a hand on the counter. Firmly, she states, "Makimura-san, is it? I'm with a private detective agency. We're doing you a favor. Either you come with us and things get resolved as peacefully as they can, or you can deal with Serizawa-san on your own."

Tamaki inspects her nails and sighs. "I know what I'd do in your shoes."

</poem>
MONAD: Tamaki Uchida has acted with Never Burn Out toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm
'Lion' to You Right Now.! Escape and Efficient!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
In that one moment, he looks baffled as Tamaki points at Eriko. It's only when she explains, soon after he suggests a bar might be a good place to look for a man like that, where Tamaki remembers a favorite drink of Ulala's.

"I... see," he says.

He's silent, for his part. "If you ask me, it seems... somewhat inappropriate to name drinks after firearms," he remarks.

tIn the background Baofu shrugs as if to say, 'get a load of this guy'.

AT PARABELLUM

"Amano-kun... is that him?" he whispers, once they arrive on the scene. Has he seen this man before? In the moment... he's just not sure.

What he does know is that he can tell at a glance that this man is his utter opposite. There's something about this man that sets him on edge. There's something about this man that seems absolutely...

He glances at Baofu. Baofu turns his head towards him.

The two of them don't get along, and are prone to arguing. But in this moment, they're apparently of one mind.

"Excuse me, would you happen to be Youichi Makimura?" He flashes his badge. "We are looking for him, you see," and he glances at Baofu as if to suggest that he is his partner. "Uchida-kun and the others are cooperating with this case."

"Some broad called the Joker on him... poor bastard," Baofu says, shrugging and shaking his head. "If he ain't here, we're shit outta luck..."
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with You're Under Arrest! toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because
I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now.! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
When Tamaki puts two and two together, and explains to Katsuya the concept, it sparks an idea in Eriko. "...Aha. Well. We can kill two birds with one stone then, can't we?"

Tamaki does not know what she has wrought.

"Is it?" Eriko asks, a little oddly toward Katsuya. "I don't really care for alcohol, but even one of the most basic drinks were called shots back in America." ...look, of course Eriko was around underage drinking- how do you think she found out she dislikes it so much?

----

"...Maki-chan?" Eriko asks her friend (not the other, evil Maki-chan currently scamming a woman), who seems to be able to detect Makimura upon entering the room. Fortunately(?) it seems Maki is right on the money with who Makimura is given his whole 'being subtle as a brick' routine.

One woman approaching ominously is one thing, two is coincidence, three is enemy action. What's four plus a cop? (Eriko is assuming Baofu will just be sniping from the sidelines as he likes to do.)

Eriko, meanwhile, strides up to the bar casually, a cheery smile on her face. "Good evening, ''Master''! Has my order arrived yet?" She is... dangerously unsubtle- nay, she is weaponizing her lack of subtlety, leaning into her foreign looks and dropping perfect English into her speech.

"Ah, of course. It's a pleasure to receive an order from a connoisseur." He moves to the back, and Eriko turns and smiles sweetly towards Makimura. Gives him a little wave, while her friends (and Baofu) approach.

A few moments later, the master comes back, a black weapons case being slung across the bar. Eriko, without the slightest compunction she is doing this in front of Katsuya, an officer of the law, opens it, and looks it over with a smile. "I hope you don't mind if I make sure everything fits together- it's been so long and I wouldn't want ''Grandpa'' to know I'm out of practice."

It's at that point Eriko, with a little too eager smile, starts removing the field stripped 'modern hunting rifle'. She's a little out of practice- it's been three years since she's had to maintain a rifle and at some point they were less real guns and more magical facsimiles resembling weapons shooting impossible bullets.

Occasionally, in the ninety seconds or so it takes her to assemble the weapon, Eriko looks at Makimura and smiles again.

She doesn't load it, of course, and her finger never touches the trigger, but she is making sure the stock fits perfectly as per her request. "...Yes, I think this will do quite nicely," Eriko says, before field stripping the rifle again and putting the parts back into it's case. "I'll take the ammunition too. Who knows what sort of scum a girl could run into on the way home..."

"As you wish."

There's a long, worrying pause at that point, as Eriko does take the magazines and clips, placing them in the top half of her gun case.

She looks to Makimura again. She smiles again, showing teeth.

She gives him a little wave.

"...I do so hope you won't make any poor decisions right now, Mr Makimura. I'd hate to 'run into' because you decided to ignore my friends very helpful advice."
</poem>

MONAD: Eriko Kirishima has acted with Horrify toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion'
to You Right Now.! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Round 2 -
Tamaki Uchida Guts Failure
Never Burn Out Escape and Efficient Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maki Sonomura Guts Failure
Jokes Find and Patra Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eriko Kirishima Guts Success
Horrify Specialty Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya Amano Charm Success
Interview Talk Friendliness and Smarts Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katsuya Suou Guts Success
You're Under Arrest! Specialty Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Box-0, Mindnumbing-2, and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Mindnumbing-1 and Scary-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 0/6 | | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
"I think it's creative!" Maki opines cheerfully of the drinks' names. "If you can't be a little inappropriate serving drinks, the vibe won't work." But shots, well, "Drinking culture's big in university in the States, isn't it?" Maki wonders. But soon...

Maki-chan's friend! And a ''private detective''. And the duo of Katsuya and Baofu.

And a womnan ordering a gun!?

"T-the police!?" the older woman exclaims. "The Joker?? A /private detective agency? And who's this Serizawa!?"

"No no, I, ah--"

"I'm obviously in the way here," she says, eyeing Eriko and her ''gun'', and ''books'' it right away. Scam successfully foiled!! ...Possibly for ''good'', considering how spooked and embarrassed she is about all this.

Maki stifles a laugh, because that poor woman. ...But all the same, she gives Eriko a grin.

"Elly-chan..."

Then a beat, "So, Makimura-san. You really should come with us--you don't want her to find you when you're on you're own."

"What's with you guys!?" Makimura counters at that. "W-wait, Serizawa? And you're... her roommate?" she asks. "I uh, I don't want any trouble with the police..."

He starts to back away. Surely, they can catch him!
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 3: You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, Mindnumbing - Academics Down |
| L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., Scary - Guts Down L1, and Stupor - Academics |
| Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

One way or another, Makimura is in your protective custody. And he's
quickly getting on everyone's nerves by trying to chat up the guys to
convince them he's the real victim here, whereas he's trying to outright
flirt with the girls despite the situation he's in.

When you try to take him outside though.

"Ah man- nature calls! I'm not going to run away, promise. Just hold on for
a minute then I'll come with you."

Escorting him to the only tiny restroom at the bar, you wait. And wait. And
wait. Until finally someone checks and-

Yep, that window to the alley sure is open. So much for his promises.

Quick! You've gotta figure out where he went! A puddle in the back alley
gives you the advantage of a few tracks to figure out what direction he
went, or you can ask some intelligent questions of passersby about this very
distinct looking man.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
At Eriko, Katsuya just looks somewhat flustered. "W-well, that's true, but... that still..." He pauses, eyeing Eriko as something occurs to him. "Wait, when were you...? Isn't the drinking age in America twenty-one?"

Where ''have'' they been keeping a guy like him?

But in Parabellum proper, he's able to link arms with Baofu (metaphorically. metaphorically!) and help to try to drive that woman away from Makimura while also cornering the man (while also giving Eriko what passes for a somewhat alarmed glance; he can't say anything because he's also bought weapons and ammunitions here, but even so, perhaps his thoughts on the matter can be heard!). The thing is, though.

The thing is... Makimura is going to slip away unless someone does something.

"Hold it right there--!"

Katsuya's not fast enough.

"Where do you think you're going?" says Baofu who ''is'' fast enough to get the man in a hold he can't so easily slip. Makimura struggles in vain. "This is-- assault! Hey, aren't you a cop??!

Katsuya approaches the manhandled Makimura and folds his arms over his chest. He looks the man up and down. "...Makimura-san. I must remind you that your life is in danger right now. If you run, then we cannot protect you. Moreover, there was the matter of that story you were telling that woman just now..."

"L, look, about that... let me explain!"

Makimura pauses. "I just gotta... let me use the can first! I'm not going anywhere, I promise! I'll be right back!"

Baofu doesn't budge. Makimura struggles in seeming desperation.

"Let him go," Katsuya urges. "We'll be right here waiting for him."

And so they wait.

And wait...

...and wait.

"...Excuse me," Katsuya finally says, heading into the men's room. When he returns, minutes later, it's ''without'' Makimura.

"There was an open window..." he explains, shoulders sagging.

"Tch," says Baofu, shaking his head. "I could have told you..."

But there's no time for bickering. Surely, somewhere, there's a clue!

Outside the bar, Katsuya takes stock of a puddle with footprints leading from it. "Fortunately, it rained recently. Those must be his footprints." He rises to his feet, marking the runaway conartist's flight. "He can't have gotten far. He must have run somewhere he knows well if he's trying to escape."

It's Makimura's criminal mind. That must be it.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Academics toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
"Follow those footprints!" Maya declares, flinging a single finger out at the ground and the prominent water-printed footprints. Despite how serious the situation is, Maya has managed to maintain her energy -- and her cheery attitude.

Let's Think Positive!

"We don't have long before these footprints disappear!" The soles of his shoes won't stay wet for long. "So let's move fast!"

And Maya does exactly that, jogging the same path as their target.
</poem>

MONAD: Maya Amano has acted with Academics toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
She really doesn't, Eriko. When she brings out the rifle to inspect it, Tamaki goes wide-eyed and takes a step away, very much glad that they're friends and that she's not in Makimura's position here.

In hindsight, Tamaki's other plan might have worked better to lure him in, but the thought of acting as if she was one of his potential marks makes her skin crawl. At least they got him in the end.

Tamaki, all too sympathetic towards someone who has to attend to their physical needs, takes the bait, hook, line, and sinker. Then waits. And waits. And waits. A sinking feeling starts to form in the pit of her stomach.

After Katsuya relays the bad news, she slaps her forehead. "Dammit. I know where the women's bathroom window goes to, but he's got the jump on us again, I think."

While Katsuya and Maya follow the footprints, Tamaki decides to take a different approach in parallel. "This is Aoba; I know a few people around here. I'm going to do the rounds and see if they've recently seen a blonde man with a bad hair dye job."

And so she goes, chatting up the locals like the familiar sight that she is in these parts. "Excuse me, sir, did someone run by here ..?"

</poem>
MONAD: Tamaki Uchida has acted with Piece Together toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Automap!

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Eriko does seem a little surprised by Katsuya and Tamaki's alarmed looks that she's so casual about this, but you know, she can't stop her whole intimidation bit early! It would undermine the whole thing! Still, when they're escorting, Eriko asides- "It's not that bad, really, it's just a hunting rifle. My 'Grandpa' taught me to use these things when I was growing up, and I've applied for my hunting license so I have an excuse. Besides, it's not like a little extra firepower for dealing with demons hurts, does it?"

Did Eriko acquire the taste for blood at such at young age...?

"No one should go off on their own, but maybe we should pair up? Mr Katsuya and Maya can go that way, Maki-chan, you can go with Tamaki and help her out?"

There's a long pause. ...Crap.

"And I suppose that Mr Baofu and I can hunt for Makimura together," Eriko adds, her voice clearly losing enthusiasm already. It's not her fault he's an asshole.

...On the other hand, he's also the one least likely to oppose Eriko's style of threat.

"...Shall we, Mr Baofu?" Eriko says, a little cautiously. Katsuya and Maya trust him enough... "If you would lead the way? This sort of people finding isn't my forte, and I think going to the Izakaya to put in a request is far, far too slow."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
Baofu is pretty fast. Maki considers him for a moment. Assault?

"I don't think you should be worrying too hard about what ''other'' people are doing," she points out.

She maintains her good cheer, too. For now. Perhaps most mysteriously of all, she's not at all troubled by Eriko's gun-handling skills. "You need all you can get with demons," Maki agrees.

An open window... "Well," Maki says, "Nothing for it but to get after him!" Pause. "...have you been through that window before?" Maki wonders of Tamaki.

"Sure!" Maki chirps to Eriko when she asks her to help Tamaki. Tamaki has a different idea than just chasing--and Maki says, "One sec." Scribbling off an absurdly good sketch for the brief time it takes her to do it, Maki hands an image of Makimura to Tamaki. "This should jog their memory if they've seen his face," she suggests. ...She likewise doesn't go running after the footprints.

She believes in Eriko!! ...Besides, ERiko did just do the whole gun thing...

Don't search Maki's purse.
</poem>

MONAD: Maki Sonomura has acted with Art Talk toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Automap!
MONAD: Eriko Kirishima has acted with Proficiency toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Round 3 =================-
Tamaki Uchida Academics Success
Piece Together Automap Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maki Sonomura Academics Failure
Art Talk Automap Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eriko Kirishima Proficiency Failure
Proficiency Base Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya Amano Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katsuya Suou Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 2
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Ineptitude-2, Mindnumbing-1, Reaper-0, Scary-1, and
Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Ineptitude-1 and Stupor-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 0/6 | | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"I, I see..." says Katsuya, giving the impression of gentle bewilderment. It certainly is different in America, isn't it.

Collectively, six adults attempt to figure out which direction in which a ''fugitive from justice'' (or, well, just Ulala's wrath) has fled.

It, uh.

It doesn't go particularly well.

The trail that Maya follows soon goes cold: it leads into the street where the transitory tread vanishes into thin air (literally, due to evaporation). Katsuya, similarly, tries to think about where Makimura might have fled, only to realize after some cogitation that,

[EMPATHY] Formidable - Failure: Who knows what darkness lurks in the hearts of men? Not you, for starters. Sorry, Suou-kun. Try as you might, you just can't get into the mind of a criminal like that.

Baofu looks Eriko over. "Suits me..." he says with a shrug, digging out a cigarette and lighting it. "A guy like that... If it were me, I'd hide in plain sight before getting the hell out of here. Tch... and we're right in the middle of Aoba's crowds," he says. He takes a long drag of his cigarette. "Shouldn't have let him go off on his own..."

It's a good guess, but does that get them anywhere?

It's Tamaki who finds success, ultimately, aided by Maki's sketch and her own description.

"That guy? Yeah, I saw 'im. Went running that way," an older man says, pointing helpfully in a particular direction. It's a start!
</poem>

MONAD: Tamaki Uchida has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 4: Your TAN is Not Our PRIORITY here! - Challenge Level 4 =======-
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1, |
| Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

Whether it takes a short amount of time, or much longer, you figure out
that he went to the BIKINI LINE? He went to a tanning salon at a time like
this?

A man in a Hawaiian Shirt with a Ganguro vibe greets you. "Hey, welcome to
Bikini Line. Can I interest you in our healing rays package? It's like, the
power of the sun packed into one of our state of the art machines- whoaaaa."

Now, he's unlikely to let you back to harass one of his customers, but the
door doesn't look locked. A proper distraction might be enough to get you
back there to look for Makimura.

Or you COULD express interest in a tour that'll get you back there to search
for him.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
" -- perfect, Sonomura-san. That'll help jog memories, for sure." It isn't too long before enough inquiries lead them all to the Bikini Line tanning salon. It stands to reason; his hairstyle makes him stand out, but if he can hide in a tanning bed just long enough to lose the heat, well ... she thinks it's a halfway decent move.

Inside the store, the proprietor asks them, "Hey, welcome to Bikini Line. Can I interest you in our healing rays package? It's like, the power of the sun packed into one of our state of the art machines, whoaaaa."

Tamaki's interest in the 'healing rays' package is, honestly, genuine. Part of it is out of professional curiosity, since she may have heard a rumor or two to that effect. Part of it is that she might like to try a different look sometime. It's enough to make her briefly forget that she's trying to track someone down.

So she gives the store owner her brightest smile and chirps back, "Certainly! How does it all work, if you can say? What makes it 'state of the art'? Can I see?"

It's here that she glances to her side and remembers that the others are here with her ... and that they're trying to track down Makimura. "Mmmaybe you could show us the beds and give us a bit of a tour? I'm convinced, but I know some of my friends may need a bit of persuasion." She glances back to Baofu with that last remark, then flashes a smile back to the shopkeeper.

</poem>
MONAD: Tamaki Uchida has acted with Demon Friends toward Your TAN is Not Our PRIORITY here!! Friendliness and Patra!

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Thank god for Tamaki.

Maya nods vigorously in agreement. "I'm Maya Amano with Coolest Magazine, Japan's hottest magazine for teens!" That's not just Maya tooting her own horn -- it's the truth. "I'm sure there are plenty of readers that could use your healing rays, but I'd have to learn more about it before I can commit to an article!"

She goes through her pockets and retrieves a business card, just so he knows She's the Real Thing.

"I think a tour would be really helpful. I have a few questions you could answer for me, too!"
</poem>

MONAD: Maya Amano has acted with Interview Talk toward Your TAN is Not Our PRIORITY here!! Friendliness and Smarts!

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"Do you have a lot of experience ditching women, Mr Baofu?" Eriko asks, in a tone that sounds perfectly innocent and a manner that is not that at all, but you have to be really careful to prove it and not look like an ass. She also frowns at Baofu smoking, but that's harder to complain against in Japan without seeming like a scold. Even if most people dislike outdoor smoking. "Still, we can complain about him as much as we want when we have him in our clutches again.

Unfortunately, Baofu and Eriko find... bupkis! Zilch! Nada!

But Tamaki finds a tanning salon- surprisingly near Eriko's apartment in Yumezaki- that seems to indicate where Makimura ran off to. Eriko... doesn't seem pleased by the idea.

"''Birds of a feather''," she murmurs, in English, upon taking approximately one look at Bro. "He's certainly overdoing it..."

...She is even more uncomfortable with the way Tamaki and Maya approach everyone's most hated enemy, Bro of BIKINI LINE.

...especially since, even with the rumours, she's not getting into an indoor tanning machine. With the amount of work SHE puts into skin care? Are you kidding? But she sighs.

So, Eriko, flutters her eye lashes and walks up with that fashion model strut to join Tamaki and Maya at the counter. "''Please, mister?''" She asks in English simple enough to hopefully be understood, amping up the 'American tourist' vibe. "We'd love a ''tour''!" She gives him a wide smile.

It looks... agonizingly fake, to those who know Eriko.

If Bro is the sort to care enough about women's interiority to recognize that, though, she'll eat her own hat.
</poem>

MONAD: Eriko Kirishima has acted with Fashion Show toward Your TAN is Not Our PRIORITY here!! Friendliness and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
America...

"Sure!" Maki answers warmly. "A visual aid goes a long way."

Well, they find a lead! Maki still doesn't run, but she does hustle with the others. She arrives at Bikini Line with the others and...

Looks a little nervous. "Wait, he's... here?" she asks, and glances around. She looks at a nice picture of an open tanning bed with a person next to it and frowns.

Maki has some amount of experience with machines you get put into and can't see out of for a while. ...It's definitely not ''remotely'' the same thing, but...

"Aah, you guys should take the tour," she says quickly. "I'll... stay out here! So I can tell anybody else who comes you'll be right back."

She seems satisfied with that one, even if she still looks a little 'off'.

She manages not to ruin Eriko's fake smile by pointing anything about it out, though. No hat eating probably necessary...
</poem>

MONAD: Maki Sonomura has acted with Charm toward Your TAN is Not Our PRIORITY here!! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki's trail leads them to--

A tanning salon?

"Why in the world would he come here? Surely he can't be thinking..." Katsuya wonders aloud, only to frown. "Wait. Is he trying to hide in here while we look elsewhere?"

"Seems that way..." says Baofu, barely giving Katsuya more than a glance as he moves to shove the door open.

"I'd rather try to see if we can talk our way in," Katsuya whispers to the others, an eye on Baofu, "With Makimura it was one thing, but here... " He shakes his head and frowns. "No, we need to be sure he's here in the first place."

He approaches Tamaki and Eriko, as if to follow up on their requests. "Excuse me, if you are willing to grant tours of the facility, I would also be interested. It's said that the key to a sound mind is a sound body, and if what you say about the machinery here is true... perhaps this could be a good first step for those of us in need of support."

He glances at Maki, though, as she opts to not... try to convince the clerk here for a tour?

How odd.

But at least it's probably for the best, just in case their lead was incorrect...
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Rehabilitate toward Your TAN is Not Our PRIORITY here!! Friendliness and Diligence!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Your TAN is Not Our PRIORITY here! - Round 4 ==========================-
Tamaki Uchida Charm Failure
Demon Friends Friendliness and Patra Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maki Sonomura Charm Failure
Charm Base Fatigue: 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eriko Kirishima Charm Success
Fashion Show Friendliness and Focus Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya Amano Charm Failure
Interview Talk Friendliness and Smarts Fatigue: 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katsuya Suou Charm Failure
Rehabilitate Friendliness and Diligence Fatigue: 3
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Clumsy-2, Ineptitude-1, and Stupor-1
Final Conditions: Annoying-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 0/6 | | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 0
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Eriko Kirishima has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 5: Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Challenge Level 4 =================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., |
| Chest - Add 2 Item/Money/Gear., Scary - Guts Down L1, and Stony - |
| Understanding Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You finally got this fraudster back to the GOLD Gym. But there's one
problem. No matter what you say to Ulala behind the door, all you hear is
laughing! This is getting really bad.

The employees mention that there's a key to the room, but they don't have
it. They think one of the female employees had it last, but she's not on
today.

To the woman's locker room you go! There's only one problem.
There's currently a panty thief digging through her locker, holding up a
pair of her unmentionables in absentia.

As he sees himself caught, he has a deer in the headlights look in his eyes,
before sputtering out. "H-Hey it's not what it looks like."

It's exactly what it looks like. The key might still be in the locker, but
do you really want to take the chance that a guy who breaks into private
places wouldn't take the opportunity to grab a key?

He's trying to make a break for it. You can already see that in his eyes.
And if he gets out of the Locker Room or manages to call for help, he can
spin it any way he wants!!

You can either deal with this by force, or you can let it slide, in exchange
for the peaceful handover of the key.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Despite Tamaki's claim that Baofu might need some more convincing, he strolls right on in, leaving her dumbfounded. "Uh -- "

The clerk raises an eyebrow at all these people asking about a tour (and at Maki not wanting one) and their interest in the machinery. "Whoaaa, no, dudes. Laying it on a little thick there. Trade secrets, sorry. You don't go back there unless you sign up in the first place."

Eriko -- and her smile -- garners a second glance from him. He fidgets briefly, then breaks out into a sleazy smile. "Buuut, maybe I can make an exception." He clicks his tongue and winks.

Eriko's hat is, indeed, safe from consumption.

Once inside, the tour begins. The details aren't of too much importance, but a good number of beds are open and unused at the moment. The closed ones, however ...

Tamaki peers over one of the closed tanning beds to look through the window and see the face of whoever's inside. ''Makimura.'' She taps on the glass and grins as she gives a wave.

Their 'tour guide' glances over at Tamaki and calls out, " -- hey, what are you doing?! Someone's in there -- " and Tamaki leaps back in (feigned) surprise. "Sorry! Oh my gosh, I didn't realize! Honest mistake!"

Several minutes later, the tour's ended and Tamaki has signed up for a package to use at a later date. "Figure I may as well give him some business in exchange for him tolerating that ..."

But at least Makimura's in tow again.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Before long, they're at their next destination: GOLD Gym.

Unfortunately... things are already Very Not Good. Ulala is barricaded behind a locked door, laughing manically. There's only one key to the room and the people working right now? They don't have it.

Their search for the key leads them to the lady's locker room. Baofu and Katsuya -- the gentleman they are -- wait outside guarding Makimura while the female contingent investigate further. And in that room, they find something that does not belong there.

A man.

Before he can make his escape, Maya slams a hand against the wall next to him. If Maya weren't clearly squared up and ready for violence (if it came to it!) and the employee weren't gripping a pair of panties for dear life, it might have looked like a kabedon scene straight from a shoujo manga.

"We're looking for the boxing room key," she says, ignoring the panties for now. "And this is the locker of the employee who last had it. You wouldn't have happened to have found it, have you?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
It is a little odd, isn't it? But Maki doesn't comment too much on the fact that she doesn't wnat to get near the tanning booths. Besides, tamaki finds him. It's fine!

"That's nice of you," Maki says of giving him business, more cheerful since they're leaving. And indeed, they do leave. GOLD Gym is next, and is a lot more comfortable for Maki...

Or it was.

"What the--" A man's in here! That might just be an employee matter except for--

"Oh, my God!" Maki says, eyes widening as she jumps back with a hand up to her chest. "An actual panty thief!?"

Definitely loud enough for Katsuya to hear. Definitely.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Did he come on too strong, somehow? "Oh, I... see..." Katsuya utters, taken somewhat aback by the man's response.

And then even more so by the way that Eriko's smile ''does'' work. They're able to check in the back and, in so doing--

Well, eventually, Makimura does have to come out. And when he does, he meets with a very disappointed Katsuya. "Makimura-san. Please accompany us to GOLD Gym."

Makimura is probably less pleased to find out that Ulala is at the Gym. But it's too bad for him, there's no longer anywhere he can run.

But the problem remains that Ulala no longer answers when they call out. There's only laughter from within the boxing room, which seems bad. The good news is that there's another door!

The bad news? The key's in the lady's locker room.

"Hello? Is anyone in there?" Katsuya pauses. "...Amano-kun, I think I hear something in the back. Would you mind going to check? Perhaps they have the key."

He, of course, isn't going to look himself. This is a ladies' locker room! Someone could be changing! Besides, he has enough to worry about with Makimura eyeing the door in a way that suggests that he might want to make a run for it. Baofu, too, if someone looks at him closely, is also keeping Makimura in his sights. Maybe he doesn't want a repeat performance.

Maya goes and investigates, with Maki following after. There's a dull thud. Katsuya turns towards the lockers.

Then Maki calls out in shock, uttering two very important words.

[REACTION SPEED]: What?!

Katsuya sprints away from men's huddle near the locker room entrance and rounds the lockers. Here, his gaze falls upon the culprit: a man, with a pair of panties still clutched in his hands, backed against the wall by Maya.

"Amano-kun, please stand aside!"

He rounds, then, on the panty thief.

[HALF LIGHT]: Punch him! Do it!

"You sick pervert!" he shouts, just about in the man's face. "You're under arrest!"

And then he tries to deck him.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with You're Under Arrest! toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Specialty!
MONAD: Maki Sonomura has acted with Guts toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Base!
MONAD: Maya Amano has acted with Get That Story toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Amrita!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
The apprentice private detective knocks on the door and tries to speak as soothingly as she can. "Serizawa-san? It's Uchida. We have Makimura with, so let's all just ... calm down and talk this out, okay?"

Ulala's response is invariably the same as the others: the sound of her laughter fills the air. Tamaki looks over at Maki and dejectedly slumps over. "I tried what I could, but I think this is more your forte." Tamaki takes a step back from the door with a confused look before she glances to Makimura. "You ... see what we mean, right? She called the Joker Curse on someone, so you're safer with us than her finding you on her own."

What Tamaki can't figure out is why she's staying inside even after they've arrived. "Serizawa-san? Amano-san's here, too, and Suou-san, and a couple of my own friends. You remember Elly-chan, I hope, and I don't remember if you've met Sonomura-san, but she's like the rest of us, too. I understand you might have holed up to prevent yourself from hurting anyone, but if anyone can handle you in this state, it's us. Please open up ..!"

Still nothing but laughter. Tamaki can feel a cold sweat start to form. A long time ago, she had heard laughter similar to Ulala's current mirth.

Truth be told, Tamaki can relate to Ulala in that respect, not wanting the ugly truths about one's self to resurface and come out for all to see. Maybe that's another deeper reason that she had tried to keep the supernatural world at arm's length for several years afterwards. The heart is frail, and its weaknesses are never fully vanquished, Persona or no.

If that is indeed what's going on with Ulala, then she's not alone. For a few brief moments, Tamaki believes that all she would need to do is to risk admitting her own imperfections and reach out by sharing her own potential to also become the Joker, to dissolve this distinction between Ulala and the others as they are now.

But she can't bring herself around to say that -- not here, not now, even if it might be when it matters most. Whether it would have done the trick or not is irrelevant: Tamaki will remember her own silence.

Instead, she turns around and exhales a heavy sigh before she starts walking towards one of the gym's staff to inquire about a key. "C'mon, let's figure out a way in." She addresses Makimura specifically and adds, "You're with us. Don't let her catch you alone, remember?"

----

In the locker room, the look of disdain on Tamaki's face is immediately apparent. "Oh, that's just ..."

A panty thief stands there, wide in the open, caught red-handed with his pilfered pantaloons. While he stammers out his brief protestation, anticipating another scuffle after an already very tiring day, Tamaki pulls out a water bottle and takes a swig, then levels her irritated gaze at the thief as her posture and running stance exude a menacing aura.

Look, if they don't get the key here, they still have to go back to the locked door and convince Ulala to come out again, and then Tamaki might have to be honest about herself! In front of others, no less! She is taking NO chances on this one. " -- hey, no no no, get back here, you're not getting away!"

Maya and Katsuya try and approach him head-on, so Tamaki takes a different tactic and attempts to hinder his escape with every dirty trick she can think of. As she bolts forward to cover more ground, she hurls her half-full water bottle to the ground in the thief's path to try and make the terrain more slippery, then grabs a towel from the still-open locker. After Katsuya decks the guy, she spreads the towel open and with a yell, she rushes directly towards the thief to pin him to floor with a look of crazed desperation in her eyes. "Give it up already!"

----

Afterwards, regardless of the outcome, she uses the towel to clean up the water spill. She pinches the bridge of her nose and shakes her head. ... then looks over at Eriko to check on how she's doing after all this.

</poem>
MONAD: Tamaki Uchida has acted with Never Burn Out toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Escape and Efficient!
MONAD: Eriko Kirishima has acted with Horrify toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Round 5 ====================================-
Tamaki Uchida Guts Success
Never Burn Out Escape and Efficient Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maki Sonomura Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eriko Kirishima Guts Failure
Horrify Specialty Fatigue: 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya Amano Guts Failure
Get That Story Amrita Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katsuya Suou Guts Failure
You're Under Arrest! Specialty Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-1, Boss-0, Chest-0, Scary-2, and Stony-2
Final Conditions: Scary-1 and Stony-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 0/6 | | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 2, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 6: Is That the Mafia or is Ulala Just Happy To See Me? - Challenge Level 1 -
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Withdraw - Complication ensues. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You get the key!

This day has been incredibly exhausting. Not only have things gone wrong at
every turn trying to keep this guy in check, but you're worried a police
report or two may have been filed against /you/. You're completely wiped
out, but you at least have the means to reach Ulala.

"H-Hey I'm not going in there." Makimura asks nervously as you get closer to
the door. "It's obvious you can't protect me from her! She's a real demon
when she's mad!"

Makimura tries to make a run for it. You're going to have to physically
restrain him and take him downstairs. "Help! Murder! MURDER! SOMEBODY CALL
THE COPS! Please- please I can't go in there! My face is my livelihood man!
Have mercy!"

There's a strange moment wherein you see four foreign men wearing changshans
walk in, spy this scene, before then standing by, milling about in the
lobby. Are they onlookers? Or something else? Odd... there's no time to look
into it.

The door opens to the gym Ulala has barricaded herself into unlocks, and
after some brute force- the barricaded objects part.

Which is when that horrible feeling arises. That tinnitus in your ears, the
pounding of a hideous heartbeat. The world flashes into a photonegative,
everything just feels wrong.

And there Ulala is, in her green dress, covered in spiderwebs, hunched in
the corner, facing away, trembling. Do her hands look... paler?

Whatever is going on- a sense of dread hits you. Something bad is about to
happen, and you're not sure you're prepared to face it.

TO BE CONTINUED
OOC Note: Receiving this card means you start the fight with the Critical
Down effect. If you'd like to investigate the men in the changshans that are
spying on you, please submit a request to staff.

Final Loot: 1 Item, 2 boxes of Money, and 1 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-03-14: Song of the Part-Timer

2026-05-09T23:43:24Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Log: Song of the Part-Timer'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Yukari Takeba]], [[Shinobu Shimizu]]
*'''Where:''' Yumezaki Center
*'''OOC Date:''' March 14, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 9, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Giga Macho needs part-timers. Are you a bad enough dude (or dudette, or none of the above) to work part-time at a demon-infested music store?''

----

MONAD: A party led by Maria Sakurai has begun the event Part Time at the Giga Macho.

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 1: Fowl Misfortune - Challenge Level 1 ==========================-
| Approach Options: Charm or Guts |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1 and Heartening - Guts Up L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

Everyone's heard the rumor that the best job for Part Time Pay in Sumaru
City is the Giga Macho, which means it must be true. Ten thousand yen for a
single eight hour shift seems too good to be true, but the teller says it's
legit, and a frazzled assistant manager hires you right away.

You're uncertain what's going on, but orientation is whirlwind as you're
told where the sections are and put on the floor with basic retail tasks.
Which is when a horrendous crowing is heard in the ceiling tiles.

"Again!?! Go take care of that damn rooster before it bothers the
customers!" The assistant manager quickly hands you a broom, before heading
back into his office. Far be it from livestock though, as you poke the
ceiling tiles you find that an enormous Red Rooster has set itself up inside
of it, as it chomps the broom in half with its beak as it loudly crows.

"RAGNAROK IS COMING!" That's definitely a Demon, not a Rooster, that drops
out of the tiles in front of you, spreading its wings to look bigger, "Don't
bother me, you lowly part-timer! You have no power here! Even if you were a
Persona User, we spread a rumor that they can't be used here."

Instantly you realize, it's not bluffing, this is a space with Demons, and
you can't even begin to grasp how to summon a Persona. "Now give me some
life stones, or I'll snap you in half!"

You could draw on the knowledge from orientation to remember where staff
stated they kept the emergency life stones (You did wonder about that part?)
and figure out how many it'll take to get you out of this situation.

However, even as a Demon, it's taking the form of a Rooster, and as a retail
worker of five minutes on the job, you have an infinite wellspring of anger
to draw from. Show off your guts by not taking this beak from a Norse
rooster!

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Ten thousand yen is a lot of money, especially if you're a poor, struggling student (well, struggling to catch up after a week and then some out of school, then struggling to keep up with your peers, then struggling to prepare for midterms...) who lost her old job because, well, you were disappeared for a week and then some and your employer just shrugged and replaced you (to be fair, given how things went after she got back and all the stuff she's been doing just to catch up (see earlier) it wasn't a bad call).

So, ten thousand yen for just eight hours? Good deal. Even if some of the employee documentation was... weird.

"A rooster?"

Maria had tilted her head like a confused puppy. "Okay! Should I get the broom?"

She did.

"Hey you, shhh!" Maria tells the rooster, prodding into its personal space with the other end cautiously. "You're making too much noise! If you need a rag on a rock, you can just go get one, right?"

"Back off, girly!" crows the rooster, advancing on Maria and her broom. "You can't order ''me'' around! Your Persona can't help! We spread a rumor that Personas don't work here!"

"Huh...?" utters Maria, who has clocked that this is the honest truth. "Why you-- she's my partner!" She swings that broom's end towards the rooster-demon who retaliates by snapping a kick at it; in one fell swoop, those terrible claws have cut the end right off. The sawed-off part of the handle clatters to the floor.

Maria stares down at her broom. "Uh..."

"You see??" crows the rooster, defiant. "Now give me life stones, or I'll do the same to you!"

Maria continues to stare down at her broken broom. "Hey... you!"

She's glaring at the demon now. "If they make me pay for the broom, I'll-- get really mad! I don't have a lot of money, you know! And, with mid-terms coming, it's not like I can get another job! If I don't get my full wage from this, I'll-- I'll come back, and I'll pluck out all your feathers!" she threatens the demon, punctuating it with another thrust of the broken broom. "I'm not giving you life stones! I'm not giving you anything! You're/ going to pay /me/ for this broom... or else!"
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Fowl Misfortune! Bravery and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
It's like this. You go to Sumaru City for a sale on skincare and beauty products. You walk into a bar on the way to check out their stock though, like you would with Officer Korosawa.

Your local friendly bartender shows you a bow he just got in. "How... are you selling something better than the Kirijo Group makes?"

The bartender with grenades strapped to his vest says simply, "I've got connections. Do you want it or not?" "Well the price is a ''little'' steep. And are you sure I don't have to show ID or anything?"

"If you were buying liquor, sure."

"But not... a weapon?"
He snorts, "Why would I need your ID for that?"

-=-=-

"... This city is ''scary''." Yukari Takeba says, as she walks out of the bar. "Ugh- How am I ever going to afford that price tag though?"

Calling her Mother to send more money is ''out of the question''. No way. But she has in the past done some seasonal jobs...

... and that's when she sees a posting for ten thousand yen.

Meet part timer Yukari, in the red and white Giga Macho uniform post orientation, "I guess? I don't get it though, why would there be a rooster here?"

There's this nagging feeling that something isn't right in this place but...

"WHOA! That's- definitely a demon! Be careful! I doubt a broom is going to be enough."

The Rooster however says they spread a rumor to- "You did ''WHAT''? Geez... ... ... ... no wonder this job pays so well."

She looks sideways, "If you can keep it busy, I think I remember where they said the Life... Stones... ... are."

Yukari Takeba realizes in this moment, she should have figured this out already, "I'll just... go do that."

It's not long after that she's back, with a life stone in hand. "Okay look. Here you go. One premium life stone. Now is that enough for you to keep it down some? At least for the rest of the shift?"

</poem>
MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Charm toward Fowl Misfortune! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>It's too good to be true. Shinobu has a good head for these things. As a gig worker, she has to be able to identify when a potential job has a hidden catch that she needs to be careful of.

...But sometimes, one just ''really'' needs the money and has to be willing to take some risks. Of course Shinobu has heard about the rumor regarding Giga Macho and it's ten thousand yen pay. But it's only today that she gives in and bites at the offer.

She's hired right away, sure enough - and before long, she's in uniform and out on the store floor. It's not her first retail job. She still has the voice down. And just when she thinks this might not actually be that bad...

...A particularly cantankerous rooster. 'Ragnarok is coming', indeed. Shinobu rolls her neck, and strolls up behind where the rooster is quarreling with an employee. Who, when she gets a better look... Maria? ...She's glad to know she's back on her feet after everything that happened in the Kingdom. Shame she got caught up in a situation like this. Yukari is here, too, trying to get the situation under control. Shinobu rolls her neck and strolls up from behind Maria.

"Is there a problem here?" Shinobu asks, affixing the rooster with a stare. She overhears the comment about Personas... and sure enough, whenever she tries to reach for Lachesis at the back of her mind, she slips away like fog. Outwardly, she doesn't let the concern show on her face. Bluffing is her best weapon here."If you settle down, ''maybe'' you'll get your Life Stone. But if you keep harrassing my colleagues, you're gonna wind up in the frozen foods aisle. We don't want that, do we?"

If she can just keep things under control until Yukari gets back with that Life Stone...
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with Former Delinquent toward Fowl Misfortune! Efficient and Bravery!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Fowl Misfortune - Round 1 =============================================-
Yukari Takeba Charm Success
Charm Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Guts Success
Former Delinquent Efficient and Bravery Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2 and Heartening-2
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1 and Heartening-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
It's funny. A person like her ''should'' have gone back to a normal life after all that had happened, but she sure is holding her own against that demon. It's probably fine, though, this is a job where the employees seem to be used to this sort of thing happening...

The rooster, threatened, backs up a step from Maria. Its comb deflates slightly. "What-- my feathers?" It pauses, if for just a moment. "Can it, girly! Give me that Life Stone, or I'll destroy the back-up broom, too! I know where they keep it!" Maria, horrified, draws back. "You wouldn't! You monster! I'll-- I'll turn you into a," she starts, then stops to glance up and behind herself at Shinobu.

"--Yeah! A frozen dinner!" she chimes in. "So play nice, or else!"

Fortunately, before this can go too far, Yukari arrives with the promised Life Stone.

"Ah, wonderful," says the rooster. "As promised, I won't cut any of you in two!"

"But they were rude," Maria sighs, glancing down at her broom sadly. "Well, I guess it's okay. But, you still owe me for this," she tells the rooster, glancing over at Shinobu. "Or, my big sis here will take you out!"

For its part, the rooster squints at Shinobu and, prize in hand, makes itself scarce.

...

...At least it's no longer making a racket...?
</poem>

MONAD: Yukari Takeba has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 2: Bull in the Cd Shop - Challenge Level 1 ======================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., |
| Heartening - Guts Up L1, and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

The assistant manager has sent you to the dock to check if there's any
additional stock of the latest hit album waiting to be unboxed.
Unfortunately the moment you hit the 'Employee Only' Door, in the dark, you
hear some footsteps that sound like heavier horse hooves, and occasional
ominous snorting.

A glimpse of a horned visage past a flickering light bulb tells you... there
sure is a Minotaur back here, tromping around in the dark between the
shelves.

It is definitely not a fellow employee!

Now, you could just mind your own business and go do what your Manager told
you without addressing the proverbial 'Bull in the CD Shop', but it's also
possible to figure out why the Minotaur is back here and do some customer
service.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
It's honestly such a relief that Shimizu is here, because A. She's a reliable adult in the room. B. Because she knows about the Supernatural too. And she knows Yukari knows. Thus they don't have to keep up the 'Masquerade' in a sense.

"Thank goodness someone I know is working here today... it's nice to see you again Shimizu-san."

Fortunately, the Rooster really does back off.

"Dang... you really told him off." She says to Maria, impressed by her handling of the Rooster to make it back down.

She also put a thought in her head.

"... Huh I wonder if Rooster tastes exactly like Chicken- wait a minute it's a ''demon''. There's no way it tastes good!"

Then she realizes something, which she hadn't before in the middle of the crisis.

"Anyhow. We didn't really get a chance to introduce ourselves during orientation so- I'm Yukari Takeba, a second year at Gekkoukan High, on Tatsumi Port Island. It's nice working with a girl who knows how to really handle herself."

She ''was'' briefly worried that she was going to get herself killed but, results are results!

The assistant manager suddenly calls out to them, "Hey, we just had a delivery pull in! Can all of you head out back and help unload?"

-=-=-

Tromp. Tromp. Tromp.

A light bulb flickers in the dark. There's a snort in the dark, horned visage barely visible.

"That... sure is a problem. Uh, ah geez, how to handle this..."

She's had a decent amount of experience dealing with demons but, "Well here goes nothing."

She steps up, keeping the shelves in-between them, "Sir- I assume it's Sir?" Maybe she's wrong but, "This is an Employee only area. So we're going to have to ask you to leave."

The Minotaur turns to look her way, staring at her. She may be sweating ''just'' a tiny bit, but right now she's standing her ground.

</poem>
MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Guts toward Bull in the Cd Shop! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Yukari greets her, and Shinobu offers her a nod of greeting back.

"You too, Takeba. How've you been?" Shinobu replies. She knows Yukari is reliable, too - though she'd be surprise to hear she thought of ''her'' that way.

The rooster backs down from Maria, briefly - but seems to find its courage again. Maria, following her example, is able to push back... and Yukari comes in with the save with the Life Stone. As Maria says she'll take it out, Shinobu rolls her neck, giving the rooster a Look. She doesn't mind playing along.

It retreats, and Shinobu relaxes.

"Yeah, good work. That's the right way to handle guys like that." Shinobu agrees with Yukari, offering Maria an approving nod. Yukari introduces herself, and Shinobu figures that's a good idea, too. "Shinobu Shimizu. I pretty much go wherever there's work."

There's not much time to sit around and chat, though - soon, they're called in to help unload a delivery.

...And as they head to the back, they hear ''something'' moving around.

Yukari addresses the source of it - a Minotaur... So far, though, he doesn't seem to have caused much trouble besides being somewhere he shouldn't - so unlike before, she doesn't take the aggressive stance right away.

"Yeah." Shinobu says, backing her up. "If there's something you're looking for, let us know and we can find it for you, yeah?"
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with Understanding toward Bull in the Cd Shop! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Well, he broke the broom," Maria tells Yukari, sighing as she looks down at it again. "Do you think they'll make me pay for it? I really could use that ten thousand yen..."

Then, Yukari wonders if demon rooster tastes like chicken. "Why wouldn't it? I guess we could find out," Maria muses in turn, a little too thoughtfully. She blinks, taken aback. "Huh? Why do you say that?" maria no

"Ah! I guess we didn't," Maria tells Yukari. "It's nice to meet you, Takeba-san! I'm Maria, Maria Saurai. And, thank you, Shimizu-san! I've kind of been figuring that out for myself, hehe." She rubs at the back of her neck as if she's a little embarrassed about it. "I used to have a part time job but-- errr, some stuff happened, right? And, it's almost mid-terms. So, I need a little money, but I can't do it somewhere else? But it'll be fine, even with those guys," she says, waving her left hand dismissively. "And I still have half of the broom!"

But there's not much time left to socialize, not when they've asked to head down to the dock to pick up some things. Once there, it becomes clear they're not alone here.

"What's that sound?" Maria says, before they investigate and Yukari finds--

"She's right. You can't be back here," Maria says, gripping the broken broom as if it were something more. "So leave. Or... else."

She narrows her eyes, applying her game face once more.

"I'll do it, you know," she promises the Minotaur.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Bull in the Cd Shop! Bravery and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Bull in the Cd Shop - Round 2 =========================================-
Yukari Takeba Guts Success
Guts Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Understanding Success
Understanding Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Box-0, Heartening-1, and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Scary-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 2/6 |== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 0, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
"Pretty alright. We've had a few... problems." She relates to Shinobu, "Tell you later." She means how SEES' dorm got attacked, but she's not gonna say that openly.

Maria brings up how the Broom got broken, and Yukari just says back, "I mean he handed it to you, didn't he? If he didn't want it broken, he shouldn't have made you use it against a monster rooster. Besides... we can probably duct tape it back or something maybe...?"

There's a smile as Maria introduces herself because wow, that energy is infectious, "Nice to meet you Sakurai-san. And I hear that, I'm here for a similar reason. I need the money for something for one of my clubs."

-=-=-

The Minotaur regards Shinobu, then Maria as each of them backs her up then. Then snorts, filling the back of the room with a blast of air. Then-

"I... apologize. Very very sorry. Please... don't kick me out. I got lost... trying to find Risette-chan's latest album." The creature rumbles, haltingly.

"Can you help me?"

"Oh sure, we can help with that."

"Are you... fans?"

"Of Risette-chan? Uhhhh... I guess she's pretty cute. Her music is... alright, I suppose."

"PRETTY CUTE? JUST ALRIGHT?" The Minotaur roars, indignantly, "I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT-"

-=-=-

One more defused situation later!

Yukari Takeba sighs deeply while they're unloading the dock, "Me and my big mouth... remind me never to weigh in with my opinions on idols to a fan."

</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 3: Well-Deserved Break - Challenge Level 2 ======================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Checkpoint - Cleanse all negative |
| conditions., Fairy - Subtract 1 Fatigue on success., Lunchbox - Subtract 1 |
| Fatigue., and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

'Go on break' your senpai said, but don't leave the store today, we're just
too busy. That's fine, that's super fine. You did after all bring lunch.

Except it's missing from the break room!

Searching frantically, you wonder what happened to it, when abruptly, the
storage room closet door opens, and a fairy smiles beyond it with a hint of
a mirrors shining around the reflection of a fey spring.

"Looking for something? Tough break! I hear it happens all the time around
there. Takshaka is a notorious food thief! Luckily, Trish has got you
covered!"

And as she holds up a selection of various flavors of instant ramen, she
grins at you, "Got a special going on for 2500 yen!"

That's definitely overpriced but you're desperate. Do you have the guts to
try to haggle with Trish, or sweet talk her into lowering the price?

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>'Problems', huh. If it's enough that she can't say it here...

"Sorry to hear. Hope everyone's alright." Shinobu offers.

Maria recounts her situation, and Shinobu grimaces sympathetically. She's aware of the 'stuff' that happened - but being suddenly out of a job you needed isn't an unfamiliar experience for her.

"Sucks, doesn't it? I get it." Shinobu replies with a nod. Ah, that pre-mid-term time crunch... She doesn't miss it one bit. Shinobu smirks, as she points out that she still has half of the broom. "That's the spirit. If we stick together, the rest of this oughta go easier."

Maria joins in, and the Minotaur looks between the three of them. And, ultimately, this is about Risette's latest album. One opinion later...

"The idol fandom is hell." Shinobu comments with a grim nod, as Yukari sighs.

Working together, the three of them finish unloading the dock... and, mercifully, they're granted a break for lunch. In-store, though - which sees them heading toward the break room.

Shinobu pulls open the refrigerator door, and a slow frown crosses her face as she peers into it.

It's empty. Shinobu closes the door slowly.

"Someone's gonna pay." Shinobu says flatly. As she peers around the room for answers... the closet door opens. Where one might expect to see cleaning supplies, possibly a replacement broom, there is instead a beautiful spring staffed by a certain fairy.

"...Ah, hell. It's Trish." Shinobu mutters, and not for the first time. It's uncanny how she always seems to appear at the most 'convenient' of times. Shinobu looks toward Maria. Yukari she figures is probably already aware of her, but Maria... "Careful with this one, Sakurai. She'd sell you your own shirt if she thought she'd get away with it."

Shinobu approaches, and listens to Trish's pitch.

Her expression goes flat.

"C'mon, Trish. You think we'd be working at a place like this if we weren't short on cash? Bring it down a bit, and maybe I'd be up for it." Shinobu ventures.
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with Guts toward Well-Deserved Break! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"It does!" Maria affirms to Shinobu, nodding. "But, it'll work out. If I can have a little money, then..."

Yukari explains why it's not her fault and why no one -- particularly not the manager -- should dock her pay for it. Maria listens.
Intently.

Then: "Oh, I see! So, it's his fault," Maria determines, nodding vigorously as if to confirm this as the truth. "Then I won't worry about it. Still, if I see that rooster again-- oh! Right, duct tape!"

Yukari: accidently preventing a murder, maybe?

But all that's before the Minotaur. Maria glares fiercely at it, perhaps making the broken broom look like a dangerous weapon. For a long, long moment it seems that there may be an altercation.

But the Minotaur is the one who backs down. "Oh! That's okay!" It's a sea-change for Maria, flip-flopping into all smiles and sugar in an instant. "I get lost a lot, and this place is like a maze. But, um... Risette? You're really a fan?" Maria's not going to make fun of him, is she, they've just gotten this under control--

"Are you in the fanclub, too?? What's your nickname? Let's exchange numbers! I heard a rumor that her next album is going to get a secret drop soon--"

well, at least she's come out of this with a new friend, maybe

But after all that, it's time for lunch. "I made my own lunch today," she tells them both. "I made sure that--"

Pause. Pause. "What's with that face, Shimizu-san?" Maria peers into the fridge. Maria stares at the empty fridge. Maria tries not to scream. "Wh-- oh, what about the conbini down the street, uh--"

They say when one door closes, another opens. Usually, it's not as literal as this, though.

"Oh! A real fairy..." Maria gushes, wandering on in to see...

"..."

"..."

"Huh... that's a lot... and it's just instant," Maria says, shaking her head. "You know," she tells Trish, "eating this kind of stuff's really bad for a girl's skin. I bet that's even true of a demon's skin, right? Any demon girl who comes in here's going to think, she'd get a better deal going somewhere else. Ah, what about some instant miso? That's super-healthy for you! And it's really cheap, too..."

Maria... doesn't quite seem to have a proper endpoint for this chatter in sight.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Girls' Talk toward Well-Deserved Break! Patra and Efficient!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
CRISIS AVERTED! (Maybe?)

Yukari Takeba does not yet realize that she has to be quite careful about what she says around Maria Sakurai.

"... Kinda." There's a sigh at that. "How are you holding up yourself?" She asks after a time.

Maria's exchange FORTUNATELY defuses the Minotaur as they chatter excitedly, and Yukari just slowly backs up out of his line of sight.

Later on!

"... Tell me about it. Guys like that really need to calm down, rather than start fights about that kinda thing." A beat, "Wait why am I talking about him like he's a person!? He's a demon..." She groans, at the realization of normalization of chatting up demons like that.

-=-=-

"Whew... those boxes were way heavier than I expected. I'm definitely ready for a-" Shinobu opens the refrigerator door, "-meal?"

Inside the refrigerator, is a tundra like wasteland, bereft of nourishment. Yukari Takeba stares off into the middle distance, as Shinobu closes it back.

"... Yep. When I find out whoever did this I'm gonna-!"

'... Ah, hell. It's Trish.'

"Trish?" Yukari Takeba turns around to face the 'broom closet' as Trish explains, and her brows contract with fury, as this is ''definitely'' a setup. But... Maria approaches, and starts chattering, and Yukari watches.

"... Huh." As she walks up towards the door, she looks Trish up and down and laces her hand behind her back, "That's a pretty cute outfit... but it really works for you. Could you tell me where you bought it at? I'm kinda looking for something similar I think."

No she isn't. Not at all. It is pretty cute in a fetishistic sense but she definitely wouldn't wear it. It's just Yukari Takeba has mastered the art of ''lying'' about someone's looks when the need arises.

Right now she's being a COMPLIMENT SNIPER in order to back Maria up and Shinobu up by offering that in the middle of each of their approaches.

Eventually though, she takes on a speculative kind of tone, "... You knowwwww, we really do spend a lot of money at your spring. And how much did that instant ramen cost you like... two hundred yen, max? Do you really need to make twelve hundred and fifty percent profit off of something like this to regular customers, when you know we're going to spend wayyyyy more at your spring in the future?"

</poem>
MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Mall Trawl toward Well-Deserved Break! Empathy and Friendliness!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Well-Deserved Break - Round 3 =========================================-
Yukari Takeba Charm Success
Mall Trawl Empathy and Friendliness Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Guts Success
Guts Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Charm Success
Girls' Talk Patra and Efficient Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Checkpoint-0, Fairy-0, Lunchbox-0, and
Scary-1
Final Conditions:
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 3/6 |=== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 0, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>'Kinda'. Shinobu considers that for a moment, but she doesn't press any further.

"Well enough." She answers, in regards to how she's holding up. She has a lot on her mind... but she doesn't want to burden her with that. "I'll be doing a lot better after this shift's over, lemme tell you."

Shinobu watches with surprise as Maria... makes a friend?? Well, it definitely helps things go much more smoothly with the Minotaur... she hopes Maria doesn't take her comment about the idol fandom personally.

"Seriously." Shinobu agrees with a nod toward Yukari - and a smirk, as she catches herself.

Later...

"See for yourself." Shinobu replies, as Maria asks. They're all appropriately horrified by the revelation...

...And Trish is here to capitalize on it.

Shinobu retaliates with a straightforward haggle. Maria, meanwhile, points out the health concerns of instant ramen, and suggests a healthier alternative.

The instant miso ''is'' cheaper... but not by much. Fortunately, Yukari is here for support - as skilled a sniper as she is with the compliments as she is her bow.

The only thing Trish loves almost as much as money is herself. She ''knows'' she's being played - but the effort is worth a discount!

...Of about a couple hundred yen or so which, considering who this is, is probably the best possible outcome. Maybe it won't be so bad if they just get one and split it...
</poem>

MONAD: Yukari Takeba has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 4: Faustian Customer Service - Challenge Level 2 ================-
| Approach Options: Charm or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., and |
| Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You're covering the teller during your senpai's break, when a hooded
demonic magician floats up to you, levitating multiple CDs.

"Merchant. I'll be returning these. They were already broken when I
purchased them. I have no proof of purchase let us keep this brief, and
civil, for the sake of your health."

A quick look reveals that each of the CDs isn't just broken in half, but
they're the wrong CDs to begin with, none corresponds with the proper case!

The policy is no receipt no return, you could either try to charm him into
understanding that, or you could make a quick demonstration of why it's
impossible for them to be in this condition at the time of purchase given
how these things are packaged.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
And so our intrepid part-timers reenact this famous moment of JRPG history:

https://tinyurl.com/ThirdofaRamen

Once back on break, their work senpai comes up to them, frazzled, "Oh thank god you're back! Can the three of you handle the Customer Service counter? The line's really building up, I need to get back to the register."

"Oh, sure? How hard can that be?"

-=-=-

The actual demon Faust levitates up to the counter.

A shadowed man in a hooded robe, floating on a runic sigil.

"Merchant. I'll be returning these. They were already broken when I purchased them. I have no proof of purchase with me. Let us keep this brief, and civil, for the sake of your health."

"Uhhhh alright?" Yukari Takeba takes up the CD cases, and opens them. "Whattttt?"

All three of them can see at once, the CDs are shattered into pieces. And from the jigsaw like fragments you can tell they're not even in the ''right'' cases to begin with.

"Uh, nope. Absolutely not. Returns have to be ''intact''."

She narrows her eyes at Faust.

"Can you not read the sign?" She taps the sign above the counter.

DAMAGED RETURNS NOT ACCEPTED

"I will not be DENIED! Your SOULS are FORFEIT" The demon shouts, as Yukari Takeba comes around the corner, strolls up to him and then abruptly- punches him in the solar plexus, as the demon wheezes from a Persona User's fist, even if she hasn't summoned it.

"You think you're gonna bully us into taking this back? Fat chance! You are holding up the line with your stupid tough guy act, so take your broken CDs and get out."

The Demon looks at her, then begins to tremble with anger. She mayyyy need some backup here.

</poem>
MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Mean Girl toward Faustian Customer Service! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Me? I'm doing great, thanks!" she tells Yukari. Hey, it's way better than the time she nearly got her can kicked in by the Joker Killer, or the time when she was trapped in her own Kingdom for about a week. "What about you, Takeba-chan?" ...When did she change honorifics!!

But maybe it's all well and good enough that she makes a friend. ... .....

Instant miso is ''probably'' more healthy than instant ramen. There's probably not as much salt, or oil, for one. But, is it really worth just about the same price tag? Fortunately, ''fortunately'' Yukari convinces Trish to leverage a discount. ...Of a few hundred yen.

"Should I have asked for onigiri instead?" Maria sighs, once all is said and done. Miso is good, and good for you, but she's still hungry.

(don't worry too much about it, maria, trish would have charged double for onigiri. at least.)

And soon, far too soon, they're thrown back into the front lines.

"CDs? Sure, no problem," chirps Maria, before the demon hands over the CDs in question and Yukari opens them to reveal...

"Those are broken, though," Maria observes, helpfully. "And isn't this a Risette case? What's a..." She squints at the name on the disc fragment she picks up. "Beet... hoven?"

But this appears to have been the breaking point for Yukari who, as the demon declares their souls are all forfeit, circles around the counter to punch the demon in the gut. "Ah! Takeba-chan!"

Maria glances at Faust, then back at Yukari, then down at the CD case, then back at Faust.

"It's fine, it's fine," she says, waving her hand. "I can tell you're a good guy!" she tells Faust. "You're a Risette fan, right? Even if you didn't bring back the right CD, I can tell you like her music? Isn't she the greatest? Oh, but, you've got to do this the right way, you know? If we don't, we'll get in trouble with our manager. You've got a manager too, right? Or, someone like that? It's a drag, but we have to do what they say, or we'll get in trouble, or, maybe they'll even get mad at you too, right? And, you shouldn't have to put up with that?"

This... continues. It really is possible to talk about nothing, huh...
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Girls' Talk toward Faustian Customer Service! Patra and Efficient!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>"Don't worry. It's not you." Shinobu replies with a shake of her head at what Maria wonders. It's not a particularly filling meal. One could question if it even counts as a ''meal''. But at least their HP's back up... just in time to take over the Customer Service counter.

Shinobu looks at the shadowed, floating man. It's somehow ''not'' the strangest get-up she's seen on a customer in all her years of work on a job like this. She watches as Yukari engages him... up until the point she up and punches him. Surprise crosses her face - followed up by an appreciative whistle.

"Didn't know you had such a mean jab." She compliments, before considering the situation. Yukari's taking a hard stand, and Maria's trying to engage him on the basis of his interests, and appeal to him...

But he really did just say that their souls are forfeit, huh?

"Sir, if that's a threat, I'm gonna have to escalate this. Am I going to have to call someone over?" Shinobu warns, leaning on the counter. "You want a lifetime ban on your record? That's gonna be wayyy worse for you than it would be for us. Is a few yen really worth all that? C'mon."

She pauses for a moment.

"...What did you even ''do'' to these, anyway? You don't get this kind of damage unless you're trying."
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with I Know A Guy toward Faustian Customer Service! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Faustian Customer Service - Round 4 ===================================-
Yukari Takeba Proficiency Success
Mean Girl Specialty Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Charm Success
I Know A Guy Specialty Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Charm Success
Girls' Talk Patra and Efficient Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Box-0, and Clumsy-2
Final Conditions: Clumsy-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 4/6 |==== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
Well hey, part time work is challenging but, Maria seems to be doing great, but- 'Takeba-chan?' "That was fast-!" She says as if mildly startled, but it's definitely not uncommon for girls to move that fast on honorifics with other girls their age.

"... Well it's not exactly what I expected for a part-time job... Sakurai-chan, but I'm okay I guess."

This is hell in a sense for Yukari, she doesn't LIKE the supernatural as a rule. And now it's a part of the humdrum of normal life here in Sumaru City.

H E L L

Not that she'll say it.

Shinobu compliments her jab. "Had a lot of opportunity. There are just some guys who don't take no for an answer." She means for ''love confessions'' at school- pretty much every guy in her year has tried, so much that it's become a challenge on who conquers her.

So sometimes she has to punctuate the point.

Shinobu notes that if it's a threat, she'll have to escalate it. "Foul wench, do you have the slightest idea who I am!?" He says in an outburst. "Some of these most Compact of Discs displeased me. It is only right and proper that they are now destroyed for their insolence!"

Faust looks quite riled, but as Maria starts to talk about Risette-chan, his body language changes, "It is true that she is quite exemplary." He agrees, "I understand. It is a matter of rank and protocol. And none of you are of great enough standing to handle this matter."

He seems to deescalate on the spot, "I shall let this disrespect by the boorish harpy you call a coworker go-" "Who are you calling a boorish harpy!?" He ignores Yukari, "-because I wish to continue to patronize this establishment." As he eyes Shinobu and floats off...

A Lilim floats on up as he leaves, "Wow, glad that guy is gone." She cups a hand to her mouth, "I'll have you know we all hate his guts. Anyway. You think I can get a refund on this Hehoe-?"

What she puts on the counter... is one whole Jack Frost, who waves at them.
"Hee-ho!"

</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 5: Going Turbo - Challenge Level 2 ==============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., Clumsy - Proficiency Down |
| L1, Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1, and Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It's nearly clocking out time, when suddenly a shelf topples over, and the
Assistant Manager shrieks, "NOT AGAIN!" A blurring shape of a demonic old
hag is shrieking, "ehEHEHEHEHEHEHE-!" as she wildly whips between the
shelves, knocking whole shelves off, and scattering merchandise all over the
floor.

It's TURBO GRANNY! The 100 km/hr legend is here to ruin everyone's day. "I'm
the fastest runner around! JUST TRY AND STOP ME!" She yells, and zips off on
roller skates to the next aisle, ensuring there is absolutely no way you're
clocking out on time today.

There's no way to fight her without a Persona, but she's so fast that maybe
you can use that against her to set a trap that sends her out of the store.
It's also possible to consider the Turbo Granny urban legend, and recall
facts which might allow you to resolve this more peaceably.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Yukari calls her 'Sakurai-chan'. Maria's expression approximates that of an over-enthusiastic Golden Retriever.

"It's kind of neat! I didn't know there were jobs like this," she continues, apparently way more into this than Yukari is. Then again, isn't Maria from Sumaru? Are people from Sumaru ''just like this''?? "And the pay is great. Maybe I should come back after mid-terms?"

Maybe, Maria. Maybe.

Of course, dealing with a customer like Faust would give any part-timer pause. ...Unless they're Maria, apparently.

"Eh? You shouldn't do that. Just bring them back here, first, and we'll give you a refund!" Sparkle, sparkle. "It's easy! And you don't have to break anything. Oh, but make sure they're in the right cases, too! It's hard when they're all mixed up to give you back your money properly!" Don't let the manager hear that.

But Maria makes the case that they have to listen to their manager (among other, nattering topics) and the becalmed demon relents on his promises of destruction and makes his departure.

"Oh, he left his CDs," Maria observes, as another customer comes to return something of hers.

'Hee-ho!'

"Ah! He's cute!" gushes Maria.

Someone else will have to handle this. At least, this is the last incident of note until... ''until''...

Just about closing. Quickly! The sooner they close up shop, the less likely it is that they'll have to deal with any more customers--

And then a shelf topples over. There's a blurred shape, cackling laughter, and the tell-tale sound of...

"Rollerskates? I haven't used those since I was little," mulls Maria. "Wow, she's... really fast, though. Even faster than me..." On that note, Maria starts warming up, stretching her legs and even arms between glances over to see where Turbo Granny is moving.

"Hey..."

"...don't you think she's covering the same ground..."

"...over and over?"

Maria hops the front counter. "Don't we still have that inflatable Slime from the Drake Adventure XI OST launch? What if we put that in her way? ...Wouldn't she bounce right off it?"

Maybe Maria has something here. In any case, she's running off to get the (still inflated) Slime from the staff break room.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward Going Turbo! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>"Making your boundaries crystal clear. I respect it." Shinobu replies with a nod, as Yukari explains. It's important, especially for a popular girl.

...That was something ''she'' never had to worry about, though.

Maria enthuses about the work. Shinobu is kind of surprised this didn't put her off more, but at least she's having fun with it...

"There are all kinds if you go digging. ...But, uh, you gotta keep your eyes open for some of 'em. Sometimes there's a catch." Shinobu comments.

But, there's a customer. Shinobu looks Faust up and down, raising an eyebrow.

"Should I?" She asks. She briefly wonders if he realises he just gave himself away - but she doesn't point that out, since he seems to be relaxing thanks to Maria. Shinobu sends her an approving nod - this might've gone a ''lot'' worse without her defusing the situation...

"Have a nice day." Shinobu offers flatly as Faust departs, then looks toward the Lilim that approaches the counter next.

Shinobu blinks, as an Actual Jack Frost is set onto the counter.

...

"...Uhh, do you have the receipt?" She asks.

It goes on like this.

Slowly, impossibly slowly, time crawls on... It's almost time to close - but then, there's a blur!!

"Damn." Shinobu curses under her breath, bracing herself. She looks over toward Maria. "...Yeah, I'm pretty quick, but, uh - no way I can match those speeds, either."

Maria has an idea! An inflatable Slime...?

"Good thinking." Shinobu replies with a nod. She takes a moment to loose up her own legs, too. "I'll be the distraction. Tell me when you've got it all set up."

This isn't ''quite'' how she expected their shift to end...
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with Esoteric Skillset toward Going Turbo! Patra and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
They ''must be''. Yukari Takeba lived here once for a short while but being the victim of a particularly bad rumor is a little more lukewarm on this place.

"I really didn't think retail jobs here had to deal with ''demons'' on a day to day basis. But... it's true that it does pay really well."

And the things she wants to buy definitely aren't cheap. Her beauty regimen is ''expensive''.

Yukari steps in for the Jack Frost, "He is really cute but..." She nods to Shinobu, "Yep... No receipt no return."

-=-=-

It's time to clock out when...

CHAOS! MAYHEM! HIGH SPEED VANDALISM!

"Oh you've got to be kidding me... that old urban legend came true!?"

She watches the mayhem with Maria, "Yeah same. I used to really love that old pair but... we moved to Kyoto and they really frowned on kids using them outside there..."

Maria though points something out and- "Huh. I think you're right!" However she has a thought, "She still might spot it though... but... what if?"

-=-=-

Yukari Takeba is strolling down the aisle, and holding up her compact. "Well, here I am tonight. Just a single girl out for a stroll in the... uh... music store."

The 100 km/hr Granny urban legend has drivers see her first in the rear view mirror before she overtakes them.

"Just minding my own business..." As she steps by the inflatable slime, requiring Granny to pass her by running right into it.

</poem>

MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Mean Girl toward Going Turbo! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Going Turbo - Round 5 =================================================-
Yukari Takeba Proficiency Success
Mean Girl Specialty Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Proficiency Success
Esoteric Skillset Patra and Focus Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Boss-0, Clumsy-1, Clumsy-2, and Shuffle: Coin-0
Final Conditions:
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 6/6 |=====| ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 2, Money: 1, Gear: 3
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 6: You Kids Like Cards Right? - Challenge Level 1 ===============-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Chest - Add 2 Item/Money/Gear. and Revelation - The best |
| result. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You impressed the assistant manager!

"Wow amazing work today, come back any time! In fact, here's a bonus." A
5000 yen bonus on your pay is good enough on its own, but

"And here, take these I don't even know what they're from, but they keep
leaving them around the store. Everyone likes cards right? That's a thing
that's in?"

Among them are 22 Hanged Man Tarot Cards, 1 Balzac Skill Card, and 1 Patra
Skill Card.

Final Loot: 2 Items, 3 boxes of Money, and 3 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
It's cute!

"Oh, but..." she looks to Yukari and her sempai in Shinobu. Alas, there's no receipt. "We can't, can we..." she echoes, her shoulders slouching. It's probably just as well: Maria would soon find that those things are way more trouble than they're worth.

Though, not nearly as much trouble as what awaits them at close.

They just have to solve this, and ''then''. ''And then'' they can leave. But Maria has an idea! If they can just put the Slime at the right junction, and open the doors, and bait Turbo Granny into colliding with it--

"She'll be going way too fast," says Maria, who might be as smart as a rock but understands intuitively things like this (she put all her points into dexterity and wisdom, as the kids might say). "And then...! I'll be counting on you both, Takeba-chan, Shimizu-sempai!" She pumps a fist as if to cheer them all on, and then scurries off to the staff room to get things set up.

SOON

"Kyahahaha! You can't keep up with me, kiddies!" cackles Granny as she races Shinobu. Then, she spots Yukari. "Ah?? What's this? Kehehehe! Look alive, girl!" And at the last moment, Yukari steps right past the slime.

BOIIIIING

They really built that Slime tough, huh. With a scream, Turbo Granny is sent hurtling backwards and through the open door, which Maria dutifully closes and then clicks locked. "Store's closed!" she calls out. Yeah! They did it!

AND SOON

"Wow! A bonus??" This is the best day ever! Well, comparatively. Sort of. All spinning flowers and sunshine, Maria soon gathers her things and scoots off into the night, fifteen thousand yen richer. And then there's the matter of those cards...

</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-03-14: Song of the Part-Timer

2026-05-09T23:31:34Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: Song of the Part-Timer''' *'''Cast:''' Maria Sakurai, Yukari Takeba, Shinobu Shimizu *'''Where:''' Yumezaki Center *'''OOC Date:''' March 14, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 9, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Giga Macho needs part-timers. Are you a bad enough dude (or dudette, or none of the above) to work part-time at a demon-infested music store?'' ---- MONAD: A party led by Maria Sakurai has begun the event Part Time at the Giga Macho. (|==============..."

*'''Log: Song of the Part-Timer'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Yukari Takeba]], [[Shinobu Shimizu]]
*'''Where:''' Yumezaki Center
*'''OOC Date:''' March 14, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 9, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Giga Macho needs part-timers. Are you a bad enough dude (or dudette, or none of the above) to work part-time at a demon-infested music store?''

----

MONAD: A party led by Maria Sakurai has begun the event Part Time at the Giga Macho.

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 1: Fowl Misfortune - Challenge Level 1 ==========================-
| Approach Options: Charm or Guts |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1 and Heartening - Guts Up L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

Everyone's heard the rumor that the best job for Part Time Pay in Sumaru
City is the Giga Macho, which means it must be true. Ten thousand yen for a
single eight hour shift seems too good to be true, but the teller says it's
legit, and a frazzled assistant manager hires you right away.

You're uncertain what's going on, but orientation is whirlwind as you're
told where the sections are and put on the floor with basic retail tasks.
Which is when a horrendous crowing is heard in the ceiling tiles.

"Again!?! Go take care of that damn rooster before it bothers the
customers!" The assistant manager quickly hands you a broom, before heading
back into his office. Far be it from livestock though, as you poke the
ceiling tiles you find that an enormous Red Rooster has set itself up inside
of it, as it chomps the broom in half with its beak as it loudly crows.

"RAGNAROK IS COMING!" That's definitely a Demon, not a Rooster, that drops
out of the tiles in front of you, spreading its wings to look bigger, "Don't
bother me, you lowly part-timer! You have no power here! Even if you were a
Persona User, we spread a rumor that they can't be used here."

Instantly you realize, it's not bluffing, this is a space with Demons, and
you can't even begin to grasp how to summon a Persona. "Now give me some
life stones, or I'll snap you in half!"

You could draw on the knowledge from orientation to remember where staff
stated they kept the emergency life stones (You did wonder about that part?)
and figure out how many it'll take to get you out of this situation.

However, even as a Demon, it's taking the form of a Rooster, and as a retail
worker of five minutes on the job, you have an infinite wellspring of anger
to draw from. Show off your guts by not taking this beak from a Norse
rooster!

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Ten thousand yen is a lot of money, especially if you're a poor, struggling student (well, struggling to catch up after a week and then some out of school, then struggling to keep up with your peers, then struggling to prepare for midterms...) who lost her old job because, well, you were disappeared for a week and then some and your employer just shrugged and replaced you (to be fair, given how things went after she got back and all the stuff she's been doing just to catch up (see earlier) it wasn't a bad call).

So, ten thousand yen for just eight hours? Good deal. Even if some of the employee documentation was... weird.

"A rooster?"

Maria had tilted her head like a confused puppy. "Okay! Should I get the broom?"

She did.

"Hey you, shhh!" Maria tells the rooster, prodding into its personal space with the other end cautiously. "You're making too much noise! If you need a rag on a rock, you can just go get one, right?"

"Back off, girly!" crows the rooster, advancing on Maria and her broom. "You can't order ''me'' around! Your Persona can't help! We spread a rumor that Personas don't work here!"

"Huh...?" utters Maria, who has clocked that this is the honest truth. "Why you-- she's my partner!" She swings that broom's end towards the rooster-demon who retaliates by snapping a kick at it; in one fell swoop, those terrible claws have cut the end right off. The sawed-off part of the handle clatters to the floor.

Maria stares down at her broom. "Uh..."

"You see??" crows the rooster, defiant. "Now give me life stones, or I'll do the same to you!"

Maria continues to stare down at her broken broom. "Hey... you!"

She's glaring at the demon now. "If they make me pay for the broom, I'll-- get really mad! I don't have a lot of money, you know! And, with mid-terms coming, it's not like I can get another job! If I don't get my full wage from this, I'll-- I'll come back, and I'll pluck out all your feathers!" she threatens the demon, punctuating it with another thrust of the broken broom. "I'm not giving you life stones! I'm not giving you anything! You're/ going to pay /me/ for this broom... or else!"
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Fowl Misfortune! Bravery and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
It's like this. You go to Sumaru City for a sale on skincare and beauty products. You walk into a bar on the way to check out their stock though, like you would with Officer Korosawa.

Your local friendly bartender shows you a bow he just got in. "How... are you selling something better than the Kirijo Group makes?"

The bartender with grenades strapped to his vest says simply, "I've got connections. Do you want it or not?" "Well the price is a ''little'' steep. And are you sure I don't have to show ID or anything?"

"If you were buying liquor, sure."

"But not... a weapon?"
He snorts, "Why would I need your ID for that?"

-=-=-

"... This city is ''scary''." Yukari Takeba says, as she walks out of the bar. "Ugh- How am I ever going to afford that price tag though?"

Calling her Mother to send more money is ''out of the question''. No way. But she has in the past done some seasonal jobs...

... and that's when she sees a posting for ten thousand yen.

Meet part timer Yukari, in the red and white Giga Macho uniform post orientation, "I guess? I don't get it though, why would there be a rooster here?"

There's this nagging feeling that something isn't right in this place but...

"WHOA! That's- definitely a demon! Be careful! I doubt a broom is going to be enough."

The Rooster however says they spread a rumor to- "You did ''WHAT''? Geez... ... ... ... no wonder this job pays so well."

She looks sideways, "If you can keep it busy, I think I remember where they said the Life... Stones... ... are."

Yukari Takeba realizes in this moment, she should have figured this out already, "I'll just... go do that."

It's not long after that she's back, with a life stone in hand. "Okay look. Here you go. One premium life stone. Now is that enough for you to keep it down some? At least for the rest of the shift?"

</poem>
MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Charm toward Fowl Misfortune! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>It's too good to be true. Shinobu has a good head for these things. As a gig worker, she has to be able to identify when a potential job has a hidden catch that she needs to be careful of.

...But sometimes, one just ''really'' needs the money and has to be willing to take some risks. Of course Shinobu has heard about the rumor regarding Giga Macho and it's ten thousand yen pay. But it's only today that she gives in and bites at the offer.

She's hired right away, sure enough - and before long, she's in uniform and out on the store floor. It's not her first retail job. She still has the voice down. And just when she thinks this might not actually be that bad...

...A particularly cantankerous rooster. 'Ragnarok is coming', indeed. Shinobu rolls her neck, and strolls up behind where the rooster is quarreling with an employee. Who, when she gets a better look... Maria? ...She's glad to know she's back on her feet after everything that happened in the Kingdom. Shame she got caught up in a situation like this. Yukari is here, too, trying to get the situation under control. Shinobu rolls her neck and strolls up from behind Maria.

"Is there a problem here?" Shinobu asks, affixing the rooster with a stare. She overhears the comment about Personas... and sure enough, whenever she tries to reach for Lachesis at the back of her mind, she slips away like fog. Outwardly, she doesn't let the concern show on her face. Bluffing is her best weapon here."If you settle down, ''maybe'' you'll get your Life Stone. But if you keep harrassing my colleagues, you're gonna wind up in the frozen foods aisle. We don't want that, do we?"

If she can just keep things under control until Yukari gets back with that Life Stone...
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with Former Delinquent toward Fowl Misfortune! Efficient and Bravery!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Fowl Misfortune - Round 1 =============================================-
Yukari Takeba Charm Success
Charm Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Guts Success
Former Delinquent Efficient and Bravery Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2 and Heartening-2
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1 and Heartening-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
It's funny. A person like her ''should'' have gone back to a normal life after all that had happened, but she sure is holding her own against that demon. It's probably fine, though, this is a job where the employees seem to be used to this sort of thing happening...

The rooster, threatened, backs up a step from Maria. Its comb deflates slightly. "What-- my feathers?" It pauses, if for just a moment. "Can it, girly! Give me that Life Stone, or I'll destroy the back-up broom, too! I know where they keep it!" Maria, horrified, draws back. "You wouldn't! You monster! I'll-- I'll turn you into a," she starts, then stops to glance up and behind herself at Shinobu.

"--Yeah! A frozen dinner!" she chimes in. "So play nice, or else!"

Fortunately, before this can go too far, Yukari arrives with the promised Life Stone.

"Ah, wonderful," says the rooster. "As promised, I won't cut any of you in two!"

"But they were rude," Maria sighs, glancing down at her broom sadly. "Well, I guess it's okay. But, you still owe me for this," she tells the rooster, glancing over at Shinobu. "Or, my big sis here will take you out!"

For its part, the rooster squints at Shinobu and, prize in hand, makes itself scarce.

...

...At least it's no longer making a racket...?
</poem>

MONAD: Yukari Takeba has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 2: Bull in the Cd Shop - Challenge Level 1 ======================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., |
| Heartening - Guts Up L1, and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

The assistant manager has sent you to the dock to check if there's any
additional stock of the latest hit album waiting to be unboxed.
Unfortunately the moment you hit the 'Employee Only' Door, in the dark, you
hear some footsteps that sound like heavier horse hooves, and occasional
ominous snorting.

A glimpse of a horned visage past a flickering light bulb tells you... there
sure is a Minotaur back here, tromping around in the dark between the
shelves.

It is definitely not a fellow employee!

Now, you could just mind your own business and go do what your Manager told
you without addressing the proverbial 'Bull in the CD Shop', but it's also
possible to figure out why the Minotaur is back here and do some customer
service.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
It's honestly such a relief that Shimizu is here, because A. She's a reliable adult in the room. B. Because she knows about the Supernatural too. And she knows Yukari knows. Thus they don't have to keep up the 'Masquerade' in a sense.

"Thank goodness someone I know is working here today... it's nice to see you again Shimizu-san."

Fortunately, the Rooster really does back off.

"Dang... you really told him off." She says to Maria, impressed by her handling of the Rooster to make it back down.

She also put a thought in her head.

"... Huh I wonder if Rooster tastes exactly like Chicken- wait a minute it's a ''demon''. There's no way it tastes good!"

Then she realizes something, which she hadn't before in the middle of the crisis.

"Anyhow. We didn't really get a chance to introduce ourselves during orientation so- I'm Yukari Takeba, a second year at Gekkoukan High, on Tatsumi Port Island. It's nice working with a girl who knows how to really handle herself."

She ''was'' briefly worried that she was going to get herself killed but, results are results!

The assistant manager suddenly calls out to them, "Hey, we just had a delivery pull in! Can all of you head out back and help unload?"

-=-=-

Tromp. Tromp. Tromp.

A light bulb flickers in the dark. There's a snort in the dark, horned visage barely visible.

"That... sure is a problem. Uh, ah geez, how to handle this..."

She's had a decent amount of experience dealing with demons but, "Well here goes nothing."

She steps up, keeping the shelves in-between them, "Sir- I assume it's Sir?" Maybe she's wrong but, "This is an Employee only area. So we're going to have to ask you to leave."

The Minotaur turns to look her way, staring at her. She may be sweating ''just'' a tiny bit, but right now she's standing her ground.

</poem>
MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Guts toward Bull in the Cd Shop! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Yukari greets her, and Shinobu offers her a nod of greeting back.

"You too, Takeba. How've you been?" Shinobu replies. She knows Yukari is reliable, too - though she'd be surprise to hear she thought of ''her'' that way.

The rooster backs down from Maria, briefly - but seems to find its courage again. Maria, following her example, is able to push back... and Yukari comes in with the save with the Life Stone. As Maria says she'll take it out, Shinobu rolls her neck, giving the rooster a Look. She doesn't mind playing along.

It retreats, and Shinobu relaxes.

"Yeah, good work. That's the right way to handle guys like that." Shinobu agrees with Yukari, offering Maria an approving nod. Yukari introduces herself, and Shinobu figures that's a good idea, too. "Shinobu Shimizu. I pretty much go wherever there's work."

There's not much time to sit around and chat, though - soon, they're called in to help unload a delivery.

...And as they head to the back, they hear ''something'' moving around.

Yukari addresses the source of it - a Minotaur... So far, though, he doesn't seem to have caused much trouble besides being somewhere he shouldn't - so unlike before, she doesn't take the aggressive stance right away.

"Yeah." Shinobu says, backing her up. "If there's something you're looking for, let us know and we can find it for you, yeah?"
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with Understanding toward Bull in the Cd Shop! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Well, he broke the broom," Maria tells Yukari, sighing as she looks down at it again. "Do you think they'll make me pay for it? I really could use that ten thousand yen..."

Then, Yukari wonders if demon rooster tastes like chicken. "Why wouldn't it? I guess we could find out," Maria muses in turn, a little too thoughtfully. She blinks, taken aback. "Huh? Why do you say that?" maria no

"Ah! I guess we didn't," Maria tells Yukari. "It's nice to meet you, Takeba-san! I'm Maria, Maria Saurai. And, thank you, Shimizu-san! I've kind of been figuring that out for myself, hehe." She rubs at the back of her neck as if she's a little embarrassed about it. "I used to have a part time job but-- errr, some stuff happened, right? And, it's almost mid-terms. So, I need a little money, but I can't do it somewhere else? But it'll be fine, even with those guys," she says, waving her left hand dismissively. "And I still have half of the broom!"

But there's not much time left to socialize, not when they've asked to head down to the dock to pick up some things. Once there, it becomes clear they're not alone here.

"What's that sound?" Maria says, before they investigate and Yukari finds--

"She's right. You can't be back here," Maria says, gripping the broken broom as if it were something more. "So leave. Or... else."

She narrows her eyes, applying her game face once more.

"I'll do it, you know," she promises the Minotaur.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Bull in the Cd Shop! Bravery and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Bull in the Cd Shop - Round 2 =========================================-
Yukari Takeba Guts Success
Guts Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Understanding Success
Understanding Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Box-0, Heartening-1, and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Scary-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 2/6 |== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 0, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
"Pretty alright. We've had a few... problems." She relates to Shinobu, "Tell you later." She means how SEES' dorm got attacked, but she's not gonna say that openly.

Maria brings up how the Broom got broken, and Yukari just says back, "I mean he handed it to you, didn't he? If he didn't want it broken, he shouldn't have made you use it against a monster rooster. Besides... we can probably duct tape it back or something maybe...?"

There's a smile as Maria introduces herself because wow, that energy is infectious, "Nice to meet you Sakurai-san. And I hear that, I'm here for a similar reason. I need the money for something for one of my clubs."

-=-=-

The Minotaur regards Shinobu, then Maria as each of them backs her up then. Then snorts, filling the back of the room with a blast of air. Then-

"I... apologize. Very very sorry. Please... don't kick me out. I got lost... trying to find Risette-chan's latest album." The creature rumbles, haltingly.

"Can you help me?"

"Oh sure, we can help with that."

"Are you... fans?"

"Of Risette-chan? Uhhhh... I guess she's pretty cute. Her music is... alright, I suppose."

"PRETTY CUTE? JUST ALRIGHT?" The Minotaur roars, indignantly, "I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT-"

-=-=-

One more defused situation later!

Yukari Takeba sighs deeply while they're unloading the dock, "Me and my big mouth... remind me never to weigh in with my opinions on idols to a fan."

</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 3: Well-Deserved Break - Challenge Level 2 ======================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Checkpoint - Cleanse all negative |
| conditions., Fairy - Subtract 1 Fatigue on success., Lunchbox - Subtract 1 |
| Fatigue., and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

'Go on break' your senpai said, but don't leave the store today, we're just
too busy. That's fine, that's super fine. You did after all bring lunch.

Except it's missing from the break room!

Searching frantically, you wonder what happened to it, when abruptly, the
storage room closet door opens, and a fairy smiles beyond it with a hint of
a mirrors shining around the reflection of a fey spring.

"Looking for something? Tough break! I hear it happens all the time around
there. Takshaka is a notorious food thief! Luckily, Trish has got you
covered!"

And as she holds up a selection of various flavors of instant ramen, she
grins at you, "Got a special going on for 2500 yen!"

That's definitely overpriced but you're desperate. Do you have the guts to
try to haggle with Trish, or sweet talk her into lowering the price?

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>'Problems', huh. If it's enough that she can't say it here...

"Sorry to hear. Hope everyone's alright." Shinobu offers.

Maria recounts her situation, and Shinobu grimaces sympathetically. She's aware of the 'stuff' that happened - but being suddenly out of a job you needed isn't an unfamiliar experience for her.

"Sucks, doesn't it? I get it." Shinobu replies with a nod. Ah, that pre-mid-term time crunch... She doesn't miss it one bit. Shinobu smirks, as she points out that she still has half of the broom. "That's the spirit. If we stick together, the rest of this oughta go easier."

Maria joins in, and the Minotaur looks between the three of them. And, ultimately, this is about Risette's latest album. One opinion later...

"The idol fandom is hell." Shinobu comments with a grim nod, as Yukari sighs.

Working together, the three of them finish unloading the dock... and, mercifully, they're granted a break for lunch. In-store, though - which sees them heading toward the break room.

Shinobu pulls open the refrigerator door, and a slow frown crosses her face as she peers into it.

It's empty. Shinobu closes the door slowly.

"Someone's gonna pay." Shinobu says flatly. As she peers around the room for answers... the closet door opens. Where one might expect to see cleaning supplies, possibly a replacement broom, there is instead a beautiful spring staffed by a certain fairy.

"...Ah, hell. It's Trish." Shinobu mutters, and not for the first time. It's uncanny how she always seems to appear at the most 'convenient' of times. Shinobu looks toward Maria. Yukari she figures is probably already aware of her, but Maria... "Careful with this one, Sakurai. She'd sell you your own shirt if she thought she'd get away with it."

Shinobu approaches, and listens to Trish's pitch.

Her expression goes flat.

"C'mon, Trish. You think we'd be working at a place like this if we weren't short on cash? Bring it down a bit, and maybe I'd be up for it." Shinobu ventures.
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with Guts toward Well-Deserved Break! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"It does!" Maria affirms to Shinobu, nodding. "But, it'll work out. If I can have a little money, then..."

Yukari explains why it's not her fault and why no one -- particularly not the manager -- should dock her pay for it. Maria listens.
Intently.

Then: "Oh, I see! So, it's his fault," Maria determines, nodding vigorously as if to confirm this as the truth. "Then I won't worry about it. Still, if I see that rooster again-- oh! Right, duct tape!"

Yukari: accidently preventing a murder, maybe?

But all that's before the Minotaur. Maria glares fiercely at it, perhaps making the broken broom look like a dangerous weapon. For a long, long moment it seems that there may be an altercation.

But the Minotaur is the one who backs down. "Oh! That's okay!" It's a sea-change for Maria, flip-flopping into all smiles and sugar in an instant. "I get lost a lot, and this place is like a maze. But, um... Risette? You're really a fan?" Maria's not going to make fun of him, is she, they've just gotten this under control--

"Are you in the fanclub, too?? What's your nickname? Let's exchange numbers! I heard a rumor that her next album is going to get a secret drop soon--"

well, at least she's come out of this with a new friend, maybe

But after all that, it's time for lunch. "I made my own lunch today," she tells them both. "I made sure that--"

Pause. Pause. "What's with that face, Shimizu-san?" Maria peers into the fridge. Maria stares at the empty fridge. Maria tries not to scream. "Wh-- oh, what about the conbini down the street, uh--"

They say when one door closes, another opens. Usually, it's not as literal as this, though.

"Oh! A real fairy..." Maria gushes, wandering on in to see...

"..."

"..."

"Huh... that's a lot... and it's just instant," Maria says, shaking her head. "You know," she tells Trish, "eating this kind of stuff's really bad for a girl's skin. I bet that's even true of a demon's skin, right? Any demon girl who comes in here's going to think, she'd get a better deal going somewhere else. Ah, what about some instant miso? That's super-healthy for you! And it's really cheap, too..."

Maria... doesn't quite seem to have a proper endpoint for this chatter in sight.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Girls' Talk toward Well-Deserved Break! Patra and Efficient!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
CRISIS AVERTED! (Maybe?)

Yukari Takeba does not yet realize that she has to be quite careful about what she says around Maria Sakurai.

"... Kinda." There's a sigh at that. "How are you holding up yourself?" She asks after a time.

Maria's exchange FORTUNATELY defuses the Minotaur as they chatter excitedly, and Yukari just slowly backs up out of his line of sight.

Later on!

"... Tell me about it. Guys like that really need to calm down, rather than start fights about that kinda thing." A beat, "Wait why am I talking about him like he's a person!? He's a demon..." She groans, at the realization of normalization of chatting up demons like that.

-=-=-

"Whew... those boxes were way heavier than I expected. I'm definitely ready for a-" Shinobu opens the refrigerator door, "-meal?"

Inside the refrigerator, is a tundra like wasteland, bereft of nourishment. Yukari Takeba stares off into the middle distance, as Shinobu closes it back.

"... Yep. When I find out whoever did this I'm gonna-!"

'... Ah, hell. It's Trish.'

"Trish?" Yukari Takeba turns around to face the 'broom closet' as Trish explains, and her brows contract with fury, as this is ''definitely'' a setup. But... Maria approaches, and starts chattering, and Yukari watches.

"... Huh." As she walks up towards the door, she looks Trish up and down and laces her hand behind her back, "That's a pretty cute outfit... but it really works for you. Could you tell me where you bought it at? I'm kinda looking for something similar I think."

No she isn't. Not at all. It is pretty cute in a fetishistic sense but she definitely wouldn't wear it. It's just Yukari Takeba has mastered the art of ''lying'' about someone's looks when the need arises.

Right now she's being a COMPLIMENT SNIPER in order to back Maria up and Shinobu up by offering that in the middle of each of their approaches.

Eventually though, she takes on a speculative kind of tone, "... You knowwwww, we really do spend a lot of money at your spring. And how much did that instant ramen cost you like... two hundred yen, max? Do you really need to make twelve hundred and fifty percent profit off of something like this to regular customers, when you know we're going to spend wayyyyy more at your spring in the future?"

</poem>
MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Mall Trawl toward Well-Deserved Break! Empathy and Friendliness!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Well-Deserved Break - Round 3 =========================================-
Yukari Takeba Charm Success
Mall Trawl Empathy and Friendliness Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Guts Success
Guts Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Charm Success
Girls' Talk Patra and Efficient Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Checkpoint-0, Fairy-0, Lunchbox-0, and
Scary-1
Final Conditions:
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 3/6 |=== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 0, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>'Kinda'. Shinobu considers that for a moment, but she doesn't press any further.

"Well enough." She answers, in regards to how she's holding up. She has a lot on her mind... but she doesn't want to burden her with that. "I'll be doing a lot better after this shift's over, lemme tell you."

Shinobu watches with surprise as Maria... makes a friend?? Well, it definitely helps things go much more smoothly with the Minotaur... she hopes Maria doesn't take her comment about the idol fandom personally.

"Seriously." Shinobu agrees with a nod toward Yukari - and a smirk, as she catches herself.

Later...

"See for yourself." Shinobu replies, as Maria asks. They're all appropriately horrified by the revelation...

...And Trish is here to capitalize on it.

Shinobu retaliates with a straightforward haggle. Maria, meanwhile, points out the health concerns of instant ramen, and suggests a healthier alternative.

The instant miso ''is'' cheaper... but not by much. Fortunately, Yukari is here for support - as skilled a sniper as she is with the compliments as she is her bow.

The only thing Trish loves almost as much as money is herself. She ''knows'' she's being played - but the effort is worth a discount!

...Of about a couple hundred yen or so which, considering who this is, is probably the best possible outcome. Maybe it won't be so bad if they just get one and split it...
</poem>

MONAD: Yukari Takeba has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 4: Faustian Customer Service - Challenge Level 2 ================-
| Approach Options: Charm or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., and |
| Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You're covering the teller during your senpai's break, when a hooded
demonic magician floats up to you, levitating multiple CDs.

"Merchant. I'll be returning these. They were already broken when I
purchased them. I have no proof of purchase let us keep this brief, and
civil, for the sake of your health."

A quick look reveals that each of the CDs isn't just broken in half, but
they're the wrong CDs to begin with, none corresponds with the proper case!

The policy is no receipt no return, you could either try to charm him into
understanding that, or you could make a quick demonstration of why it's
impossible for them to be in this condition at the time of purchase given
how these things are packaged.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
And so our intrepid part-timers reenact this famous moment of JRPG history:

https://tinyurl.com/ThirdofaRamen

Once back on break, their work senpai comes up to them, frazzled, "Oh thank god you're back! Can the three of you handle the Customer Service counter? The line's really building up, I need to get back to the register."

"Oh, sure? How hard can that be?"

-=-=-

The actual demon Faust levitates up to the counter.

A shadowed man in a hooded robe, floating on a runic sigil.

"Merchant. I'll be returning these. They were already broken when I purchased them. I have no proof of purchase with me. Let us keep this brief, and civil, for the sake of your health."

"Uhhhh alright?" Yukari Takeba takes up the CD cases, and opens them. "Whattttt?"

All three of them can see at once, the CDs are shattered into pieces. And from the jigsaw like fragments you can tell they're not even in the ''right'' cases to begin with.

"Uh, nope. Absolutely not. Returns have to be ''intact''."

She narrows her eyes at Faust.

"Can you not read the sign?" She taps the sign above the counter.

DAMAGED RETURNS NOT ACCEPTED

"I will not be DENIED! Your SOULS are FORFEIT" The demon shouts, as Yukari Takeba comes around the corner, strolls up to him and then abruptly- punches him in the solar plexus, as the demon wheezes from a Persona User's fist, even if she hasn't summoned it.

"You think you're gonna bully us into taking this back? Fat chance! You are holding up the line with your stupid tough guy act, so take your broken CDs and get out."

The Demon looks at her, then begins to tremble with anger. She mayyyy need some backup here.

</poem>
MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Mean Girl toward Faustian Customer Service! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Me? I'm doing great, thanks!" she tells Yukari. Hey, it's way better than the time she nearly got her can kicked in by the Joker Killer, or the time when she was trapped in her own Kingdom for about a week. "What about you, Takeba-chan?" ...When did she change honorifics!!

But maybe it's all well and good enough that she makes a friend. ... .....

Instant miso is ''probably'' more healthy than instant ramen. There's probably not as much salt, or oil, for one. But, is it really worth just about the same price tag? Fortunately, ''fortunately'' Yukari convinces Trish to leverage a discount. ...Of a few hundred yen.

"Should I have asked for onigiri instead?" Maria sighs, once all is said and done. Miso is good, and good for you, but she's still hungry.

(don't worry too much about it, maria, trish would have charged double for onigiri. at least.)

And soon, far too soon, they're thrown back into the front lines.

"CDs? Sure, no problem," chirps Maria, before the demon hands over the CDs in question and Yukari opens them to reveal...

"Those are broken, though," Maria observes, helpfully. "And isn't this a Risette case? What's a..." She squints at the name on the disc fragment she picks up. "Beet... hoven?"

But this appears to have been the breaking point for Yukari who, as the demon declares their souls are all forfeit, circles around the counter to punch the demon in the gut. "Ah! Takeba-chan!"

Maria glances at Faust, then back at Yukari, then down at the CD case, then back at Faust.

"It's fine, it's fine," she says, waving her hand. "I can tell you're a good guy!" she tells Faust. "You're a Risette fan, right? Even if you didn't bring back the right CD, I can tell you like her music? Isn't she the greatest? Oh, but, you've got to do this the right way, you know? If we don't, we'll get in trouble with our manager. You've got a manager too, right? Or, someone like that? It's a drag, but we have to do what they say, or we'll get in trouble, or, maybe they'll even get mad at you too, right? And, you shouldn't have to put up with that?"

This... continues. It really is possible to talk about nothing, huh...
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Girls' Talk toward Faustian Customer Service! Patra and Efficient!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>"Don't worry. It's not you." Shinobu replies with a shake of her head at what Maria wonders. It's not a particularly filling meal. One could question if it even counts as a ''meal''. But at least their HP's back up... just in time to take over the Customer Service counter.

Shinobu looks at the shadowed, floating man. It's somehow ''not'' the strangest get-up she's seen on a customer in all her years of work on a job like this. She watches as Yukari engages him... up until the point she up and punches him. Surprise crosses her face - followed up by an appreciative whistle.

"Didn't know you had such a mean jab." She compliments, before considering the situation. Yukari's taking a hard stand, and Maria's trying to engage him on the basis of his interests, and appeal to him...

But he really did just say that their souls are forfeit, huh?

"Sir, if that's a threat, I'm gonna have to escalate this. Am I going to have to call someone over?" Shinobu warns, leaning on the counter. "You want a lifetime ban on your record? That's gonna be wayyy worse for you than it would be for us. Is a few yen really worth all that? C'mon."

She pauses for a moment.

"...What did you even ''do'' to these, anyway? You don't get this kind of damage unless you're trying."
</poem>

MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with I Know A Guy toward Faustian Customer Service! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Faustian Customer Service - Round 4 ===================================-
Yukari Takeba Proficiency Success
Mean Girl Specialty Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Charm Success
I Know A Guy Specialty Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Charm Success
Girls' Talk Patra and Efficient Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Box-0, and Clumsy-2
Final Conditions: Clumsy-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 4/6 |==== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
Well hey, part time work is challenging but, Maria seems to be doing great, but- 'Takeba-chan?' "That was fast-!" She says as if mildly startled, but it's definitely not uncommon for girls to move that fast on honorifics with other girls their age.

"... Well it's not exactly what I expected for a part-time job... Sakurai-chan, but I'm okay I guess."

This is hell in a sense for Yukari, she doesn't LIKE the supernatural as a rule. And now it's a part of the humdrum of normal life here in Sumaru City.

H E L L

Not that she'll say it.

Shinobu compliments her jab. "Had a lot of opportunity. There are just some guys who don't take no for an answer." She means for ''love confessions'' at school- pretty much every guy in her year has tried, so much that it's become a challenge on who conquers her.

So sometimes she has to punctuate the point.

Shinobu notes that if it's a threat, she'll have to escalate it. "Foul wench, do you have the slightest idea who I am!?" He says in an outburst. "Some of these most Compact of Discs displeased me. It is only right and proper that they are now destroyed for their insolence!"

Faust looks quite riled, but as Maria starts to talk about Risette-chan, his body language changes, "It is true that she is quite exemplary." He agrees, "I understand. It is a matter of rank and protocol. And none of you are of great enough standing to handle this matter."

He seems to deescalate on the spot, "I shall let this disrespect by the boorish harpy you call a coworker go-" "Who are you calling a boorish harpy!?" He ignores Yukari, "-because I wish to continue to patronize this establishment." As he eyes Shinobu and floats off...

A Lilim floats on up as he leaves, "Wow, glad that guy is gone." She cups a hand to her mouth, "I'll have you know we all hate his guts. Anyway. You think I can get a refund on this Hehoe-?"

What she puts on the counter... is one whole Jack Frost, who waves at them.
"Hee-ho!"

</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 5: Going Turbo - Challenge Level 2 ==============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., Clumsy - Proficiency Down |
| L1, Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1, and Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It's nearly clocking out time, when suddenly a shelf topples over, and the
Assistant Manager shrieks, "NOT AGAIN!" A blurring shape of a demonic old
hag is shrieking, "ehEHEHEHEHEHEHE-!" as she wildly whips between the
shelves, knocking whole shelves off, and scattering merchandise all over the
floor.

It's TURBO GRANNY! The 100 km/hr legend is here to ruin everyone's day. "I'm
the fastest runner around! JUST TRY AND STOP ME!" She yells, and zips off on
roller skates to the next aisle, ensuring there is absolutely no way you're
clocking out on time today.

There's no way to fight her without a Persona, but she's so fast that maybe
you can use that against her to set a trap that sends her out of the store.
It's also possible to consider the Turbo Granny urban legend, and recall
facts which might allow you to resolve this more peaceably.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Yukari Takeba has acted with Mean Girl toward Going Turbo! Specialty!
MONAD: Shinobu Shimizu has acted with Esoteric Skillset toward Going Turbo! Patra and Focus!
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward Going Turbo! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Going Turbo - Round 5 =================================================-
Yukari Takeba Proficiency Success
Mean Girl Specialty Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinobu Shimizu Proficiency Success
Esoteric Skillset Patra and Focus Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Boss-0, Clumsy-1, Clumsy-2, and Shuffle: Coin-0
Final Conditions:
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 6/6 |=====| ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 2, Money: 1, Gear: 3
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|================== Monad - Part Time at the Giga Macho ===================|)
-==== Round 6: You Kids Like Cards Right? - Challenge Level 1 ===============-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Chest - Add 2 Item/Money/Gear. and Revelation - The best |
| result. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You impressed the assistant manager!

"Wow amazing work today, come back any time! In fact, here's a bonus." A
5000 yen bonus on your pay is good enough on its own, but

"And here, take these I don't even know what they're from, but they keep
leaving them around the store. Everyone likes cards right? That's a thing
that's in?"

Among them are 22 Hanged Man Tarot Cards, 1 Balzac Skill Card, and 1 Patra
Skill Card.

Final Loot: 2 Items, 3 boxes of Money, and 3 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Yukari calls her 'Sakurai-chan'. Maria's expression approximates that of an over-enthusiastic Golden Retriever.

"It's kind of neat! I didn't know there were jobs like this," she continues, apparently way more into this than Yukari is. Then again, isn't Maria from Sumaru? Are people from Sumaru ''just like this''?? "And the pay is great. Maybe I should come back after mid-terms?"

Maybe, Maria. Maybe.

Of course, dealing with a customer like Faust would give any part-timer pause. ...Unless they're Maria, apparently.

"Eh? You shouldn't do that. Just bring them back here, first, and we'll give you a refund!" Sparkle, sparkle. "It's easy! And you don't have to break anything. Oh, but make sure they're in the right cases, too! It's hard when they're all mixed up to give you back your money properly!" Don't let the manager hear that.

But Maria makes the case that they have to listen to their manager (among other, nattering topics) and the becalmed demon relents on his promises of destruction and makes his departure.

"Oh, he left his CDs," Maria observes, as another customer comes to return something of hers.

'Hee-ho!'

"Ah! He's cute!" gushes Maria.

Someone else will have to handle this. At least, this is the last incident of note until... ''until''...

Just about closing. Quickly! The sooner they close up shop, the less likely it is that they'll have to deal with any more customers--

And then a shelf topples over. There's a blurred shape, cackling laughter, and the tell-tale sound of...

"Rollerskates? I haven't used those since I was little," mulls Maria. "Wow, she's... really fast, though. Even faster than me..." On that note, Maria starts warming up, stretching her legs and even arms between glances over to see where Turbo Granny is moving.

"Hey..."

"...don't you think she's covering the same ground..."

"...over and over?"

Maria hops the front counter. "Don't we still have that inflatable Slime from the Drake Adventure XI OST launch? What if we put that in her way? ...Wouldn't she bounce right off it?"

Maybe Maria has something here. In any case, she's running off to get the (still inflated) Slime from the staff break room.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>"Making your boundaries crystal clear. I respect it." Shinobu replies with a nod, as Yukari explains. It's important, especially for a popular girl.

...That was something ''she'' never had to worry about, though.

Maria enthuses about the work. Shinobu is kind of surprised this didn't put her off more, but at least she's having fun with it...

"There are all kinds if you go digging. ...But, uh, you gotta keep your eyes open for some of 'em. Sometimes there's a catch." Shinobu comments.

But, there's a customer. Shinobu looks Faust up and down, raising an eyebrow.

"Should I?" She asks. She briefly wonders if he realises he just gave himself away - but she doesn't point that out, since he seems to be relaxing thanks to Maria. Shinobu sends her an approving nod - this might've gone a ''lot'' worse without her defusing the situation...

"Have a nice day." Shinobu offers flatly as Faust departs, then looks toward the Lilim that approaches the counter next.

Shinobu blinks, as an Actual Jack Frost is set onto the counter.

...

"...Uhh, do you have the receipt?" She asks.

It goes on like this.

Slowly, impossibly slowly, time crawls on... It's almost time to close - but then, there's a blur!!

"Damn." Shinobu curses under her breath, bracing herself. She looks over toward Maria. "...Yeah, I'm pretty quick, but, uh - no way I can match those speeds, either."

Maria has an idea! An inflatable Slime...?

"Good thinking." Shinobu replies with a nod. She takes a moment to loose up her own legs, too. "I'll be the distraction. Tell me when you've got it all set up."

This isn't ''quite'' how she expected their shift to end...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
They ''must be''. Yukari Takeba lived here once for a short while but being the victim of a particularly bad rumor is a little more lukewarm on this place.

"I really didn't think retail jobs here had to deal with ''demons'' on a day to day basis. But... it's true that it does pay really well."

And the things she wants to buy definitely aren't cheap. Her beauty regimen is ''expensive''.

Yukari steps in for the Jack Frost, "He is really cute but..." She nods to Shinobu, "Yep... No receipt no return."

-=-=-

It's time to clock out when...

CHAOS! MAYHEM! HIGH SPEED VANDALISM!

"Oh you've got to be kidding me... that old urban legend came true!?"

She watches the mayhem with Maria, "Yeah same. I used to really love that old pair but... we moved to Kyoto and they really frowned on kids using them outside there..."

Maria though points something out and- "Huh. I think you're right!" However she has a thought, "She still might spot it though... but... what if?"

-=-=-

Yukari Takeba is strolling down the aisle, and holding up her compact. "Well, here I am tonight. Just a single girl out for a stroll in the... uh... music store."

The 100 km/hr Granny urban legend has drivers see her first in the rear view mirror before she overtakes them.

"Just minding my own business..." As she steps by the inflatable slime, requiring Granny to pass her by running right into it.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
It's cute!

"Oh, but..." she looks to Yukari and her sempai in Shinobu. Alas, there's no receipt. "We can't, can we..." she echoes, her shoulders slouching. It's probably just as well: Maria would soon find that those things are way more trouble than they're worth.

Though, not nearly as much trouble as what awaits them at close.

They just have to solve this, and ''then''. ''And then'' they can leave. But Maria has an idea! If they can just put the Slime at the right junction, and open the doors, and bait Turbo Granny into colliding with it--

"She'll be going way too fast," says Maria, who might be as smart as a rock but understands intuitively things like this (she put all her points into dexterity and wisdom, as the kids might say). "And then...! I'll be counting on you both, Takeba-chan, Shimizu-sempai!" She pumps a fist as if to cheer them all on, and then scurries off to the staff room to get things set up.

SOON

"Kyahahaha! You can't keep up with me, kiddies!" cackles Granny as she races Shinobu. Then, she spots Yukari. "Ah?? What's this? Kehehehe! Look alive, girl!" And at the last moment, Yukari steps right past the slime.

BOIIIIING

They really built that Slime tough, huh. With a scream, Turbo Granny is sent hurtling backwards and through the open door, which Maria dutifully closes and then clicks locked. "Store's closed!" she calls out. Yeah! They did it!

AND SOON

"Wow! A bonus??" This is the best day ever! Well, comparatively. Sort of. All spinning flowers and sunshine, Maria soon gathers her things and scoots off into the night, fifteen thousand yen richer. And then there's the matter of those cards...

</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

Maria Sakurai

2026-05-07T01:10:20Z

Strangeshrimp:

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Maria Sakurai'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Maria Sakurai (桜井まりあ)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Star|The Star]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| She/Her
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 16 (March 25, 1996)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Dusty pink
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Brown-black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'4" / 163cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Rengedai Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | School:
| Seven Sisters High School
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Year:
| Junior
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Focus
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Velvet Room MUSH (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| None
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Call me Cherry! I'm your super-cute superhero!"'''

At last, it would seem that Maria has once again found her way. That's the point of view most watching her would have: after a rough year that featured the death of her grandfather, her serious injury during a subway accident, a nasty breakup, a near-escape with the Joker Killer, and her own disappearance, she seems to again have that sparkle in her eye and a pep in her step. In fact, one would say that she's become even more lively than before, like she's come into her own power in some secret, special way. The truth is, of course, that after she had been disappeared into and rescued from her own Kingdom, Maria has awoken to her Persona and her new identity as Cherry, a mysterious rogue of her own making. By day she's a student at Seven Sisters, and by night (or at least after school) a budding explorer of supernatural mysteries! But what comes now? That, among other things, is something Maria is still in the process of discovering.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''Thou hast been given a ring most cruel, my other self.''
''Now let me give thee mine own vow:''
''I, Artemisia, will with thee paint a richly colored world!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter who is well known for her naturalism and control of light and shadow in her artwork, and was the first woman to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence. She is also remembered for her rape in 1611, which went to trial as her assailant had damaged the family honor. Later in life, she even traveled to and lived in England for many years as an artist in the court of Charles I. Among her most notable pieces is her depiction of Judith slaying Holofernes.

'''Description''': Artemisia takes the form of a young woman dressed in a fusion of Baroque Venetian formal fashion (mask included) and brightly-colored cyberpunk streetwear. Cables with plugs drape over her shoulders in the manner of a shawl. In one hand she carries a short sword.

= Special Skills =

1. ''Girls' Talk'' (Charm): Maria talks about, you know, whatever. Openly, girl to girl (or girl to boy, or girl to enby, it's all good).

2. ''Warm-up Stretches'' (Proficiency): Maria prepares for some athletic exertion or another.

3. ''Go Loud'' (Guts): Aren't you tired of being nice, don't you just want to go apeshit? Maria stops messing around and goes for it, whatever 'it' might be.

=Relationships=

None yet, but watch this space!

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| Keiko Kasahara
(笠原敬子)
| The Empress
| Maria's maternal grandmother. Recently widowed, and dating younger (well, they're in their 50s) men, much to Maria's embarrassment. Unfortunately, granny no longer cares what other people think. Raised Maria after her mother's accident and helps take care of her mother.
|-
| Yasumasa Kasahara
(笠原康正)
| The Hierophant
| Maria's maternal grandfather. Passed away in early 2012. Helped raise Maria after her mother's accident.
|-
| Hiroyuki Sakurai
(桜井博之)
| The Hanged Man
| A beleaguered salaryman who is stuck working in Tokyo proper (his company won't let him relocate to the Sumaru office) and isn't home much.
|-
| Izumi Sakurai
(桜井泉)
| The Lovers
| Paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident and uses a wheelchair. Works part-time at a florist's shop in Rengedai Ward.
|-
| Mint
(ミント)
| The Emperor
| Maria's grandmother's cat. A large, fat white cat with black spots. Ruler of all he surveys. Has never once been fed.
|-
| Ringo
(りんご)
| The Hermit
| Maria's pet turtle. The repository for all of Maria's hopes and dreams and fears. Quite shy.
|-
| Yurie Shirakawa
(白川ゆりえ)
| Strength
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student; Maria's known her since elementary school. A sweet young lady who reads the most cursed romance novels.
|-
| Haruka Hatano
(波田野悠)
| The Magician
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student. Considered herself Maria's foremost rival on the track team once and bemoans the loss of Maria as such. Still on the track team at Sevens.
|-
| Takeshi Nakata
(中田剛史)
| The Chariot
| Maria's ex-boyfriend. Handsome, charming... and absolutely no good. The kind of person who has no regard for the damage they leave in their wake.
|}

= Soundtrack =

*Eurythmics - [https://youtu.be/bG9z-atG7gc Sweet Dreams] - '''Main Theme'''
*Poe - [https://youtu.be/Y9e9ewSV9Ew Hey Pretty] - '''Getting Into Trouble'''
*Blue Oyster Cult - [https://youtu.be/pe3jFvJ0qjs (Don't Fear) The Reaper] - '''Everyone Does It'''
*Florence + The Machine - [https://youtu.be/R2NR-UHH1KE Mermaids] - '''Love'''
*The Warning - [https://youtu.be/J_zHZwslwD0 Dust to Dust] - '''Shadow'''
*Dania - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17-JMbxZWlk Leiley] - '''Restless Motion'''
*Dengue Fever - [https://youtu.be/ru5c1pJkV5A Sleep Walking Through the Mekong (Morgan Page Remix)] - '''Unseen World'''
*Kavinsky - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_3Dpw-BRY Nightcall] - '''Out at Night'''
*Disparition - [https://youtu.be/IMrJyY3uNzc Eliezer's Waltz] - '''Other Side'''
*Tom Lehrer - [https://youtu.be/W6OaYPVueW4 New Math] - '''Gag Track'''

= Trivia =
* Maria is a [[Assorted_Topics_and_Events#Affinity_Chart|White Dragon]].
* Maria is an Aries.

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==
===Scenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = logs&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
| addcategories = true
| mode = userformat
| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}
===Cutscenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = cutscenes&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
| addcategories = true
| mode = userformat
| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no cutscenes on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Focus]]
[[Category:Seven Sisters High School]]

Maria Sakurai

2026-04-29T23:35:35Z

Strangeshrimp: no longer a chorus hahaha

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Maria Sakurai'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Maria Sakurai (桜井まりあ)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Star|The Star]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| She/Her
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 16 (March 25, 1996)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Dusty pink
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Brown-black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'4" / 163cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Rengedai Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | School:
| Seven Sisters High School
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Year:
| Junior
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Focus
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Velvet Room MUSH (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| None
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Call me Cherry! I'm your super-cute superhero!"'''

At last, it would seem that Maria has once again found her way. That's the point of view most watching her would have: after a rough year that featured the death of her grandfather, her serious injury during a subway accident, a nasty breakup, a near-escape with the Joker Killer, and her own disappearance, she seems to again have that sparkle in her eye and a pep in her step. In fact, one would say that she's become even more lively than before, like she's come into her own power in some secret, special way. The truth is, of course, that after she had been disappeared into and rescued from her own Kingdom, Maria has awoken to her Persona and her new identity as Cherry, a mysterious rogue of her own making. By day she's a student at Seven Sisters, and by night (or at least after school) a budding explorer of supernatural mysteries! But what comes now? That, among other things, is something Maria is still in the process of discovering.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''Thou hast been given a ring most cruel, my other self.''
''Now let me give thee mine own vow:''
''I, Artemisia, will with thee paint a richly colored world!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter who is well known for her naturalism and control of light and shadow in her artwork, and was the first woman to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence. She is also remembered for her rape in 1611, which went to trial as her assailant had damaged the family honor. Later in life, she even traveled to and lived in England for many years as an artist in the court of Charles I. Among her most notable pieces is her depiction of Judith slaying Holofernes.

'''Description''': Artemisia takes the form of a young woman dressed in a fusion of Baroque Venetian formal fashion (mask included) and brightly-colored cyberpunk streetwear. Cables with plugs drape over her shoulders in the manner of a shawl. In one hand she carries a short sword.

= Special Skills =

1. ''Girls' Talk'' (Charm): Maria talks about, you know, whatever. Openly, girl to girl (or girl to boy, or girl to enby, it's all good).

2. ''Warm-up Stretches'' (Proficiency): Maria prepares for some athletic exertion or another.

3. ''Go Loud'' (Guts): Aren't you tired of being nice, don't you just want to go apeshit? Maria stops messing around and goes for it, whatever 'it' might be.

=Relationships=

None yet, but watch this space!

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| Keiko Kasahara
(笠原敬子)
| The Empress
| Maria's maternal grandmother. Recently widowed, and dating younger (well, they're in their 50s) men, much to Maria's embarrassment. Unfortunately, granny no longer cares what other people think. Raised Maria after her mother's accident and helps take care of her mother.
|-
| Yasumasa Kasahara
(笠原康正)
| The Hierophant
| Maria's maternal grandfather. Passed away in early 2012. Helped raise Maria after her mother's accident.
|-
| Hiroyuki Sakurai
(桜井博之)
| The Hanged Man
| A beleaguered salaryman who is stuck working in Tokyo proper (his company won't let him relocate to the Sumaru office) and isn't home much.
|-
| Izumi Sakurai
(桜井泉)
| The Lovers
| Paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident and uses a wheelchair. Works part-time at a florist's shop in Rengedai Ward.
|-
| Mint
(ミント)
| The Emperor
| Maria's grandmother's cat. A large, fat white cat with black spots. Ruler of all he surveys. Has never once been fed.
|-
| Ringo
(りんご)
| The Hermit
| Maria's pet turtle. The repository for all of Maria's hopes and dreams and fears. Quite shy.
|-
| Yurie Shirakawa
(白川ゆりえ)
| Strength
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student; Maria's known her since elementary school. A sweet young lady who reads the most cursed romance novels.
|-
| Haruka Hatano
(波田野悠)
| The Magician
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student. Considered herself Maria's foremost rival on the track team once and bemoans the loss of Maria as such. Still on the track team at Sevens.
|-
| Takeshi Nakata
(中田剛史)
| The Chariot
| Maria's ex-boyfriend. Handsome, charming... and absolutely no good. The kind of person who has no regard for the damage they leave in their wake.
|}

= Soundtrack =

*Eurythmics - [https://youtu.be/bG9z-atG7gc Sweet Dreams] - '''Main Theme'''
*Poe - [https://youtu.be/Y9e9ewSV9Ew Hey Pretty] - '''Getting Into Trouble'''
*Blue Oyster Cult - [https://youtu.be/pe3jFvJ0qjs (Don't Fear) The Reaper] - '''Everyone Does It'''
*Florence + The Machine - [https://youtu.be/R2NR-UHH1KE Mermaids] - '''Love'''
*The Warning - [https://youtu.be/J_zHZwslwD0 Dust to Dust] - '''Shadow'''
*Dania - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17-JMbxZWlk Leiley] - '''Restless Motion'''
*Dengue Fever - [https://youtu.be/ru5c1pJkV5A Sleep Walking Through the Mekong (Morgan Page Remix)] - '''Unseen World'''
*Kavinsky - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_3Dpw-BRY Nightcall] - '''Out at Night'''
*Disparition - [https://youtu.be/IMrJyY3uNzc Eliezer's Waltz] - '''Other Side'''
*Tom Lehrer - [https://youtu.be/W6OaYPVueW4 New Math] - '''Gag Track'''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==
===Scenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = logs&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
| addcategories = true
| mode = userformat
| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}
===Cutscenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = cutscenes&season 1
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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Focus]]
[[Category:Seven Sisters High School]]

Monad Application

2026-03-23T02:22:13Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "==The Basics== Please tell us who you are on the MUSH! We need to know this in case we need to get in contact with you about your submission. If you don't currently play on Velvet Room MUSH, we won't accept a Monad application. ==Monad Purpose== Please describe the Monad deck that you are submitting. Is it intended for a specific plot? Is it tied to a specific character or group? Is it intended for repeated use, or is it a one-shot? Does the deck describe a specific p..."

==The Basics==

Please tell us who you are on the MUSH! We need to know this in case we need to get in contact with you about your submission. If you don't currently play on Velvet Room MUSH, we won't accept a Monad application.

==Monad Purpose==

Please describe the Monad deck that you are submitting. Is it intended for a specific plot? Is it tied to a specific character or group? Is it intended for repeated use, or is it a one-shot? Does the deck describe a specific physical location, or is it a broader type of situation? Where does it fit into the MUSH's setting? This will help us get a better feel for your submission. These will be covered more briefly in the next section but this is where you should explain your intent to us -- but it doesn't need to be long or detailed! Sometimes the purpose of a Monad is very simple.

==Monad Details==
Give us some basic information about the deck you're submitting. This describes the deck to players who are interested, and is visible in +monad/info. These can be put into the Monad Setting Spreadsheet.

* '''Name''': What is the deck's name?
* '''Difficulty''': Is the difficulty of the deck Normal, Hard, or Very Hard? The average Difficulty for a Normal Monad should be between 1 and 2, the average Difficulty for a Hard Monad should be between 2 and 3, and the average Difficulty for an Very Hard Monad should exceed 3.
* '''Type Tags''': Indicate any special tags (Supernatural, Non-supernatural, Plot, Repeatable, Non-Repeatable, General). Note that these are mutually exclusive (Plot vs General, Supernatural vs Non-Supernatural, Repeatable vs Non-Repeatable)
* '''Location''': Indicate where on the game this is! Sometimes, a Monad is not in a real world location and this is normal; you will still want to indicate where this is (e.g. 'Character Name's Palace', or 'Mementos').
* '''Description''': A brief description of the deck for people who want to run it. What is it like inside the Monad? Is there anything special about it that people should keep in mind, or any OOC notes?

==Monad Content and Building Guidance==
Give us the text of each card in the deck you're submitting. You may want to use the '''Monad Setting Spreadsheet''' found here (make your own copy of this): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rgrZL4Otx4Oxm6tBuzQZQIrY-hFLwFSEZGHbZNOt8kY/edit?usp=sharing

Keep in mind that a deck must have at least one card for each round (numbered 1 through 5) for the Monad proper, and at least two Revelation cards, one Passage card, and one Withdraw card (all Monad resolution cards will be number 6 under round). A card may be flagged to appear in multiple rounds (e.g: 1 2 3 4 5 if it can be triggered on any exploration round); once triggered, it will not play again -- keep this in mind when building decks!

The above is the bare minimum for deck size. For Monads meant to be run more than once, there should be more cards for rounds 1 through 5 for properly randomized play; our recommendation is about 2-4 possible cards per round for a deck without a time-limited requirement. Note that Monads support prerequisites: if you want to have a card only be triggered by an encounter of an earlier card, you can use this field in the spreadsheet to indicate this. Prerequisites are optional and not a requirement. Resolution cards may take prerequisites.

Unless specifically tailored to one trait--or if is a one-use Monad tailor-made for one party to run--the deck should have approximately equivalent amounts of challenges including each trait. This does not need to be exact, as stated: if you have totals of 6 Academics, 6 Guts, 5 Charm, 6 Proficiency, and 5 Understanding, for example, this is acceptable. What we want to avoid is a situation where players enter a Monad with a strong skew towards particular stats without being aware of it: Monads like this are permitted but should be noted in the Monad description field. The same is true for challenge difficulty.

==Required Checklist==

* Are there approximately equivalent numbers of challenges for each trait?
* Does your average difficulty fall into the range for your deck's described difficulty rating? A Normal Monad should be between 1 and 2, a Hard Monad should be between 2 and 3, a Very Hard Monad should exceed 3.
* Do you have at least one challenge per round (1-5)?
* Do you have two Revelation cards, one Passage card, and one Withdraw card?
* Have you filled out the Type tags for the dig (Supernatural, Non-Supernatural, Plot, etc)?
* Have you given us the basic information about the Monad (its Name, Difficulty, Location and Description)?

If the answer to these six questions is yes, please send your application to '''velvetroommush@gmail.com'''. It should have the following subject line: "'''Monad - Deck Name'''." We will process Monads within '''three weeks of receiving them'''; they will go out on the Wednesday following three weeks after they are received.

Arcana System

2026-03-08T02:06:16Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Fusion Spells */

The Arcana System is Velvet Room MUSH's primary coded combat system. It encompasses combat among player characters as well as versus monsters and bosses run by other players or staff.

== Basics ==

The basic object of play in the Arcana System is to reduce one's opponents to 0 HP before being reduced to 0 HP yourself. While sometimes this will be influenced or replaced by the needs of drama and ultimately 'winning' is less important than telling an interesting story, that is how one 'wins'.

The following concepts are vital to understanding the system.

=== Pools ===

'''HP''': ''Hit Points''. These reflect one's health fatigue, and ability to continue fighting. While the loss of HP can reflect literal bleeding wounds, it usually doesn't. Generally taking damage in combat results in increased fatigue. This is illustrated more in [[Respect#Violence|Respect]]. They are reduced by taking damage from attacks and restored via healing. Some attacks cost HP to use.

'''TP:''' ''Treatment Points''. These points reflect how much more healing a character can receive before healing ceases to have effect. Think of it as reserve health which is accessed via healing moves. It is primarily reduced by receiving healing. When TP reaches 0, healing has no further effect. Note that these points are never wasted--if you're only healed 50 damage from a 100-damage heal, you only lose 50 TP. Countering an attack also costs 30 TP. The purpose of this system is to allow healing as useful and effective without allowing fights to stretch indefinitely.

'''SP''': ''Spirit Points''. These reflect one's mental focus and energy. Most attacks cost SP to use, and rare effects can lower one's SP directly. Lower SP ICly reflects a greater difficulty focusing on using Persona abilities. SP cannot go below 0 and cannot go above one's maximum. At 0 SP, one can no longer use attacks which cost SP. SP can be restored like HP without limit otherwise. Your SP pool is based on your attacks, with more Magical attacks leading to more SP and more Physical attacks leading to less.

'''Limit''': ''Limit''. These points reflect an overall advantage during battle, be it luck or superior positioning. Limit is spent to use higher-level attacks and perform ''Limit Actions'', which are covered later in this page. Limit is gained primarily through using lower-tier attacks. In a typical battle, Limit starts at 0 and can be gathered up to a given cap. Limit is bounded between 0 and the cap. It is best to use limit rather than store it; there are no benefits to holding max Limit besides the opportunity to use it.

Pools such as HP, TP, SP, and Limit are all reset to their starting amounts upon using +heal/full. This is typically done before each new battle. Stats do not affect one's pools.

=== Stats ===

Characters have five 'stats' for the Arcana System, which are detailed in [[Arcana System#Stats_2|Character Statistics]]. These basic statistics affect most aspects of combat, and are set per form.

=== Actions and Reactions ===

One can take both active moves and responsive moves in the combat system. Typically, one receives one action per turn, and any number of reactions per turn. Actions are used for attacks, which are explained below. Reactions are responses to incoming attacks. Finally, there is a third type of action that can be used on one's turn, the '''bonus action'''. Granted by some effects, a bonus action allows you to take limited additional actions on your turn. (Typically, one additional Weak action per bonus action.) Note that limit can be '''spent''' but is not '''received''' for bonus actions. Bonus actions are preferentially used when possible; if you have a regular action and a bonus action available and use a Weak attack, it will take the bonus action rather than the regular action.

=== Attacks ===

The primary action one can take in the Arcana System is to assign and enact ''attacks'', which include both offensive moves and healing spells. Buffs and debuffs are also attacks; examples include Agi, Cleave, Tarukaja, Tarunda, and Dia. Attacks come in multiple tiers: Weak, Strong, Fierce, Severe, and Divine. An attack's components and construction are detailed in [[Arcana_System#Attacks_2|this section]].

=== Effects ===

Buffs, debuffs, and ailments are all effects that can modify one's attacks, reactions, or combat status in some way. Buffs increase statistical values; debuffs decrease statistical values; ailments impose conditions on your character not directly related to your stats. The difference between buffs, debuffs, and ailments is elaborated upon in [[Arcana System#Flag_Listing|this section]].

=== Limit Actions ===

Limit Actions are a way of turning the tide of a battle in one's favor. They spend the Limit resource to achieve effects that could not typically be done through attacks or reactions. Notably, some Limit Actions can be used '''regardless of turn order'''. The limit actions to which one has access vary depending on character attributes. Antagonists and bosses have a different set of Limit Actions from standard characters. Limit Actions include the following:

*'''Help Up''' - Removes Omen or one Ailment from target character (never yourself). On or off your turn. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All.''
**''Priority'': In order, it will remove: Omen, Pain, Bomb, Charm, Exhaust, Poison, Panic, Rage, Sick, Blast, Bind, Paralyze, and Haze.
*'''Shift''' - Grants one ''bonus action'' to target character (never yourself). On or off your turn. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''All.''
*'''Recover''' - Converts Bonus Actions to Limit, at a rate of 1:1. Will clear all bonus actions. Costs '''0''' Limit. ''All''.
*'''Exploit''' - Grants yourself one Bonus Action. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''All''.
*'''Psych''' - Enhances this round's attacks. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All''.
*'''Brace''' - Enhances your defenses against all attacks this round. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All''
*'''Blood''' - Grants the Blood status to self, which increases incoming and outgoing damage. Mutually exclusive with Aegis and Favor. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''
*'''Aegis''' - Grants the Aegis status to self, which decreases incoming and outgoing damage. Mutually exclusive with Aegis and Favor. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''
*'''Favor''' - Grants the Favor status to self, which increases outgoing and decreases incoming damage. Mutually exclusive with Blood and Aegis. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''
*'''Salve''' - Removes one ailment from self. Costs ''2'' Limit. ''Boss''
*'''Broad''' - Allows one to attack up to 4 targets with one attack, regardless of Area flags. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''
*'''Reach''' - Allows an Area attack to reach up to 30 targets. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss'' ''(Note: Please do not fight 30 people. Also, Reach only applies to attacks that have the Area flag, not those that are temporarily Area thanks to Broad.)''
*'''Break''' - Grants the Break status to self and grants 3 Limit to self. The Break status grants a Bonus Action to each target attacked while it lasts. This is meant to encourage 'all-out attacks', and is a fine way to end a last round. Costs '''0''' Limit. ''Boss''

==== Exclusive Limit Actions ====

These limit actions require a passive to unlock. They are generally for Navigators and Anti-Navigators.

*'''X Soul''' - Grants a random buff to the target. Can be used on self. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''Requires the Spotlight passive to use.''
*'''Shock Noise''' - Inflicts a random debuff onto the target. Can be used on self. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''Requires the Jamming passive to use.''
*'''Life Mend''' - Grants +75 HP to the target. Can be used on self. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''Requires the Sneak Guide passive to use.''

=== Combat Rounds ===

At the end of one's turn, the combat round ticks over. At this point, various operations are performed: regenerative healing-per-turn effects happen, as do damage-per-turn effects. Rounds tick down for effects, and ailments may resolve by random chance. Your 'action count' also resets, allowing your next turn to take the appropriate amount of actions. More on this in combat flow.

=== Elements and Affinity ===

Each attack has an ''element'', which describes the sort of damage (or healing) it does. Each character has Affinities for each element: you may be Neutral to, Resistant to, or Weak to an element. Resistance means less damage from attacks of that element, while Weakness means more damage from attacks of that element. Neutrality applies no modifier.

Elements for which characters may have Affinity include ''Pierce'', ''Slash'', ''Strike'', ''Fire'', ''Water'', ''Electricity'', ''Earth'', ''Wind'', ''Light'', and ''Dark''. ''Almighty'' and ''Recovery'' are additional elements, but a character cannot have affinity for either.

*'''Pierce''': Pinpoint physical attacks; most ranged physical attacks.
*'''Slash''': Cutting physical attacks.
*'''Strike''': Bashing physical attacks.
*'''Fire''': Attacks based on heat and combustion. Agi/Frei lines.
*'''Water''': Attacks based on cold and liquid. Bufu/Aqua lines.
*'''Elec''': Attacks based on volatile energy. Zio/Psi lines.
*'''Earth''': Attacks based on rock, compression, or weight. Magna/Gry lines.
*'''Wind''': Attacks based on kinetic energy. Garu/Zan lines.
*'''Light''': Attacks based on holiness, sacred power, or exorcism. Kouha/Hama lines.
*'''Dark''': Attacks based on curses and dark forces. Eiha/Mudo lines.
*'''Recovery''': Healing and restorative attacks. Dia line.
*'''Almighty''': Attacks which bypass elemental affinity. Poisma or Megido.

=== Forms ===

Typically, a character has one combat mode in Arcana System: that of their character and Persona. However, some characters can hold multiple Personas, and occasionally one might use a character bit to run a boss separately from one's own character. To shift modes, one will use '''+mode #''' where # is the number of the desired mode.

The most common way to have multiple forms is either to be a Wild Card or to have a form to reflect one's minions separately from oneself, as if for a Marked character summoning generic Demons.

== Combat, Reactions, and Battle Flow ==

A typical battle run through the Arcana System is started with the +heal/full command for all given participants. If one is a boss, they will use +heal/boss #, where # is the amount of targets they intend to fight.

===Action===

From there, it proceeds in turns. On a turn, one takes an action, assigning one attack per action to the targets of one's choice. These can be healing moves, damaging attacks, or anything else on your list. One also takes one's bonus action attacks, typically Weak-tier attacks that may be assigned before or after one's main attacks. Note that bonus action attacks do not gain Limit except for that gained from Passives such as Supporter.

If the attacker has finished their actions and bonus actions, +round will be automatically engaged to progress to the end of their turn. If you want to continue the battle without engaging all of your actions, use the command ''+round''.

This is accomplished via the '''+attack''' command. The syntax is ''+attack <target>=<attackname>'', for example ''+attack bel=dia''. Multiple targets are comma-separated. For example, ''+attack bel,leb=media''.

=== Reaction ===

When attacked, a player character has the option of various '''reactions''', each of which impact the incoming attack in some way. It is expected to react to an attack (including heals and buff attacks) as soon as is possible and reasonable. For example: in a group fight, you're targeted by an attack. By reacting at the time of the attack rather than later while you're writing, someone who might want to heal your character will know what you need!

=== Reactions ===
*'''+Avoid''' - Attempts to defend via speed and evasion. Affected by Agility. Can also be performed with '''+evade'''.
*'''+Block''' - Attempts to defend via toughness or parrying. Affected by Vitality. Can also be performed with '''+guard'''.
*'''+Counter''' - Refuses defense in order to return damage to the attacker. Affected by Agility, Vitality, and Luck. Can also be performed with '''+repel'''.
*'''+Take''' - A final reaction which reflects 'no contest' to the attack. This is typically used for heals and buffs. If you wish to fail a roll deliberately, use the /fail switch on one of the other reactions, rather than +take. '''+accept''' is another alias for +take.

Each reaction has three possible states:

*''Success'' - The most favorable result. Reduces the most damage, or returns the most damage in the case of Counter.
*''Neutral'' - A moderate result. Reduces some damage, or returns some damage in the case of Counter.
*''Failure'' - The worst result. Takes the most damage, or returns the least damage in the case of Counter.

Stats impact both one's rate of success and base damage reduction from attacks for a given reaction. Reaction modifiers are also affected by certain abilities and statuses. More on that in [[#Passives|Passives]] and [[#Effects|Effects]].

**'''Attack Type''' has effects on Reactions. Avoid is slightly more advantageous against Magical attacks, while Block is somewhat more advantageous against Physical attacks. In addition, Physical attacks will deal more damage on Failure and less on Success, whereas Magical attacks will deal less on Failure and more on Success.

You can see attacks in your queue as well as data on that attack to help you decide how to react. You do this with the commands '''+queue''' or '''+health'''. When choosing a reaction, use the number in your queue or the name or alias of your attacker to react to the topmost attack from them in your queue.

'''Note that some attacks are multi-hit attacks''', which means that you will have multiple +queue entries against which to defend from a given attack. This is noted in the attack readout but also in +queue. ''You cannot act again until you have reacted to all attacks in your +queue.'' You can react to every attack at once if you want to use the same type of reaction against them. Do this by presenting multiple arguments in your +react string, such as ''+block junes junes'' or ''+block 1 2''.

Further note that there is no such thing as perfect mitigation in this system; all attacks that deal damage will deal some damage.

=== Summary ===

So, one acts, their opponent reacts to each attack. Then, the opponent acts, and the original attacker reacts. Battle progresses this way in turns. In large fights against a single boss, the boss acts up to once per target, and each target reacts, followed by a poseround in which everyone takes their own actions. One never acts again before one's opponent has acted.

When someone's HP reaches 0, ''or when a dramatic end is agreed upon by all parties'', the battle is over. Note that a character does not die when reduced to 0 HP; they must merely stop the battle. This can be due to unconsciousness, needing to flee, or any number of other reactions, but ''consent still applies'' to defeated characters.

===Attack/Pose Conventions===

Finally, there's the matter of which attacks to use. We encourage variety in pose, especially in combat. However, Persona is a series where sometimes you just spam the same thing to win! We prefer a balance of these approaches; in general, you shouldn't re-use the same attack consecutively, but you're welcome to re-use said attack another time in the fight. While many games discourage such re-use, we're cool with it. Just remember that it's not only about winning, but about providing an interesting fight to both sides. For bosses, all repetition bets are off, becuase there's only so many attacks and a lot of opponents to go around. However, a boss should only attack each target once per round in most circumstances; if you want to attack twice, use a bonus action for the second! If it's narratively interesting to break these rules, go for it! But they should generally be followed in most circumstances.

== Character Statistics ==

=== Stats ===

Each 'stat' is a numerical representation of one's relative power in a given field of combat. Their scale is between 1 and 100. The stats and their effects are as follows:

*'''Strength''' - ''St'', this stat reflects one's physical offense. It empowers Physical attacks.
*'''Magic''' - ''Ma'', this stat reflects one's mystical offense. It empowers Magical attacks.
*'''Agility'''- ''Ag'', this stat reflects one's ability to move and dodge. It benefits Avoid and Counter reactions.
*'''Vitality''' - ''Vi'', this stat reflects one's toughness and guarding abilities. It benefits Block and Counter reactions.
*'''Luck''' - ''Lu'', this stat reflects happenstance, chance, and general favor of the divine. It primarily impacts critical rate and damage, both incoming and outgoing. It also affects debuff odds, incoming and outgoing, as well as Counter reactions.

While it can be fun to play these for IC reality, they are ultimately combat abstractions; a character who can deadlift a great amount is probably but not necessarily possessed of high mechanical Strength. For non-combat statistical generalities, see [[Monad System]].

===Stat Guidelines===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Form Type
! scope="col" | Stat Pool
! scope="col" | Stat Minimum
! scope="col" | Stat Maximum
! scope="col" | Passive Points
! scope="col" | Passive Rank
! scope="col" | Strong/Weak Affinities
! scope="col" | Weak/Strong/Fierce Attacks
! scope="col" | Weapon Attacks
! scope="col" | Signature Attacks
|-
| Standard
| 75
| 10
| 25
| 4
| 2
| 1/1
| 5/3/0
| 2
| 1
|-
| Veteran
| 75
| 10
| 25
| 5
| 3
| 1/1
| 5/3/0
| 2
| 1
|-
| Adversary
| 90
| 15
| 30
| 6
| 2
| 1/1
| 6/4/0
| 3
| 1
|-
| Veteran Adversary
| 90
| 15
| 30
| 7
| 3
| 1/1
| 6/4/0
| 3
| 1
|-
| Mythic
| 135
| 20
| 40
| 12
| 4
| 2/1
| 6/6/3
| 4
| 1
|}

* Note that all of the attacks listed are additive; a standard statblock has two weak Weapon attacks and an additional Signature attack on top of their starting 5/3.
* A Standard Persona is that of a normal character in the midst of their plot. Mitsuru Kirijo and Ryuji Sakamato are both Standard characters, even though Kirijo has been at it a while.
* A Veteran Persona is that of someone who has completed at least one major, world-shaking plot in the past. They don't retain their full power outside the narrative focus they had, but they have some extra tricks still. The Persona 1 cast are Veterans.
* An Adversary Persona is an antagonist's Persona. They have a certain narrative role and have a little more power to back that up.
* A Mythic Persona meanwhile is someone at the top of their game--a powerful Persona-user well beyond the standard, either through destiny or some other means. Being Mythic is not normal, and it tends to draw the attention of powerful enemies. Tatsuya Suou is a Mythic character, as is Goro Akechi.

Meanwhile, Wild Cards and certain other characters may have more than one Persona. If a form is meant for use during an entire battle, it can be built as per the usual rules. If, however, that form is designed for switching between, such as a Wild Card's Personas, it will use the following rules:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Form Type
! scope="col" | Stat Pool
! scope="col" | Stat Minimum
! scope="col" | Stat Maximum
! scope="col" | Passive Points
! scope="col" | Passive Rank
! scope="col" | Strong/Weak Affinities
! scope="col" | Weak/Strong/Fierce Attacks
! scope="col" | Weapon Attacks
! scope="col" | Signature Attacks
|-
| Additional (Standard)
| 70
| 10
| 25
| 3
| 2
| 1/1, 2/2, or 3/3
| 4/3/0
| 2
| 0
|-
| Additional (Adversary)
| 80
| 10
| 25
| 4
| 2
| 1/1, 2/2, or 3/3
| 4/3/0
| 3
| 0
|-
| Additional (Mythic)
| 125
| 15
| 40
| 11
| 3
| 3/2 or 2/1
| 4/4/1
| 4
| 0
|}

Passives and Attacks are explained in more detail at [[Arcana System#Passives|here]] and [[Arcana System#Attacks_2|here]]. Note that a character who foregoes a weapon can instead take two additional Weak Persona attacks, and some passives grant extra Navigator attacks. Otherwise, only 6 attacks per tier are allowable.

Our current scale is between 10 and 40, with 10 being a serious weakness, 15-16 being solid, and 20 being a highly notable strength. Values above 20 are mostly for Mythic characters and Adversaries, or exist as room to grow as characters gather XP. Having a stat of even 20 at chargen is very powerful, and we encourage a more even statistical spread. Some characters are lopsided in stats, and that's fine--but it's not necessary to keep up.

=== Personality ===

Form ''Personalities'', meanwhile, reflect ways to gain extra Limit based on a general approach to combat. These are set per-form, and include the following:

*'''Aggression''' - Issue an attack with SP/TP under 50%; use Weapon moves; use Critical or All_Out flags.
*'''Defense''' - Issue an attack with HP/TP under 50%; issue an attack while suffering a debuff or ailment; use the Masochism, Hunted, or Area flags.
*'''Support''' - Use heal/support attacks.
*'''Pressure''' - Issue an attack with HP over 80%; issue attack while buffed; use the Wild, Still, Sadism, or Seeker flags.
*'''Ruin''' - Use Ailments or Debuffs, or the Seeker/Sadism flags.
*'''Insight''' - Use Navigator-flagged attacks.

They add Limit once per round for any character, on the character's attack.

== Bosses and Boss Fights ==

=== Boss Stats ===

Ordinarily, one will simply use their own stats to boss! However, for a dedicated bossform, either for single use or multiple use...

Bosses are, essentially, 'whatever you feel like' in terms of statting; they exist to be a challenge, not to follow XP rules and standards. However, there are strong guidelines to be followed, and we recommend that you go as follows:

Compared to starting characters (75 XP)...

+8 stat points: an ordinary fight.

+23 stat points: a standard, challenging bossfight. +2 passive points; +1 rank of passives.

+38 stat points: a rare, occasional bossfight; best for plot arc ends. +4 passive points; +1 rank of passives.

+40 or more stat points: the PCs are expected to lose. +5 or more passive points; any rank.

Attacks are however many you need, though i do not recommend taking more than 6 per tier as a rule. Use Adversary as a baseline, but add 1-2 Fierce for a particularly challening fight (30 points or more). Bosses do not usually gain Signature attacks. Their elemental affinities can be whatever you want, but note that a boss with more than a 1:1 Resist:Weak ratio becomes kind of a puzzle boss, and season accordingly.

=== Bossing ===

Sometimes, a player takes on the role of a Boss for other players to fight. This can reflect a single big monster, a group of enemies, or even a single character who is empowered by their cornered state. In other words, don't worry too much about whether a boss should rightly be able to handle a group of people ICly; we're based on a JRPG, and that's just part of the milieu. More importantly, here's how it's done:

*'''+heal/boss <number>''' - Number refers to the number of opponents you intend to fight.
*'''+heal/adjust <number>''' - Something went funny and someone had to leave, or someone new joined the fight? Adjust your boss value with this command.

With this command, a player can empower their character or other boss to take on a group! A boss has increased HP, SP, Limit maximum, and Action count in order to pose a challenge to more than one player. The expectation is that a boss will take their actions on their turn, attacking everyone not more than once with the same action, and in turn everyone else will react, pose, and attack the boss in turn. The boss may react to attacks in any order they choose, but the default is first-in, first-out. Bosses gain various special tools to help them provide interesting challenges.

Note that in most cases, the object of a bossfight for the boss is not to win, but to ''provide an interesting experience''. A boss might well be able to overcome the entire group by using only their strongest and most ruthless tactics! This is usually not desirable. Accordingly, a boss need not be fought to 0 HP; when the group and/or the bossrunner agree that the fight has reached an interesting conclusion, that's good enough.

One tool to which bosses have access is the +trigger system. Sometimes, a fight may involve environmental or other narrative elements that are useful to simulate. For this purpose, the boss may designate a trigger with the +boss/trigger command. By fulfilling the requirements the boss sets forth, the players unlock a special command; this allows them to deal extra damage to the boss without having to use their own attack. The commands for this sytem are as follows:

*'''+boss/trigger <character>[ <character2>, etc.]=<damage value>''' - Designate one or more characters with the ability to deal <damage> to the target. It may be a flat value or a percentage of HP. So, 1000 points, or 10% of your max HP.
*'''+trigger <bossname>''' - Sets off the trigger, dealing damage.
*'''+trigger/reset''' - Something gone wrong, or the action didn't get taken after all? Reset your triggers with this command.

All triggers are reset upon +heal/full or +heal/boss.

In addition, note that the HP costs for boss attacks are based on the Boss HP Modifier value, rather than on their current max HP.

=== Buckets ===

Buckets refers to not literal buckets but instead is a mechanism for organizing boss fights when there are multiple bosses in the scene. Using buckets allows players to 'sign up' to fight a particular boss and for the boss to keep track of who they're targeting.

Keep in mind, using buckets doesn't mean that a player is restricted to a given target -- the key is to ask first if you would like to temporarily target someone else. Neither are you restricted to aiding people also in your bucket! Buckets are simply an organizational tool.

For bosses, characters in your bucket are starred with an asterisk in +pot and +scan.

Boss bucket commands are:
* '''+bucket/place #''' - Places a new bucket with # slots.
* '''+bucket/adjust #''' - Only works if you have a bucket. Adjusts slots to #.
* '''+bucket/clear''' - Clears your current bucket.

To check buckets for the room, use '''+buckets'''.

For non-boss players, their bucket commands are:
* '''+bjoin <Bossname>''' - Joins an extant bucket. (+bucket/join <bossname> also works.)
* '''+bleave <Bossname>''' - Leaves the relevant bucket. (+bucket/leave <bossname> also works.)
Certain effects work differently when there are Buckets. For instance, the Charm ailment deals damage to yourself normally, but might instead deal damage to a party member, as designated by non-bosses in your +bucket!

=== Triggers ===

The '''+trigger''' system is a mode by which a boss can establish narrative conditions for inflicting some damage or effect.

By establishing a trigger with the +trigger/set command, the boss hangs damage or a debuff or ailment on themselves, which they can then set off with +trigger when a player takes the narrative action required.

Commands:

*'''+trigger/set <Damage, Percentage, or Effect>''' - Set a trigger. Can be damage, a percentage of max HP, or a debuff or ailment. If multiple debuffs and/or ailments, separate with commas. Note that explosion exclusions apply.
*'''+trigger <Playername>''' - Activate the trigger on behalf of player.
*'''+trigger/reset''' - To reset all triggers on your person.

== Passives ==

Each form has a number of '''Passive''' abilities, each of which has an impact on battles. Passives are applied per-form--each Persona has its own. Some impact the parameters of the form, while others affect statistics, actions, and reactions more directly. The same Passive cannot be stacked, but different and similar passives may.

Passives are gated by Rank. Each form may take passives up to and including a given Rank, which is noted at the end of the passive's description. For example, a form has access to four points of passives, up to rank 2: they may take 4 rank one passives, 2 rank 2 passives, or any other combination which adds up to 4 made up of 1 and 2 Rank passives.

Passives are as follows:

=== Defensive Passives ===
*'''Avoid <Element>''': Reduces damage taken when Avoiding <Element> regardless of roll. +2 Defense. '''(1)'''
*'''Block <Element>''': Reduces damage taken when Blocking <Element> regardless of roll. +2 Defense. '''(1)'''
*'''Counter <Element>''': Reduces damage taken when Countering <Element> regardless of roll. +2 Attack. '''(1)'''
*'''<Element> Riposte''': Your counters deal <Element> damage instead of the incoming attack's element. Note that only one of these passives can take effect per form.'''(1)'''
*'''Apt Pupil''': - Increases outgoing Counter backlash damage. '''(1)''' (That is, the damage that you deal when you counter /them/.)
*'''Sharp Student''': Decreases incoming Counter backlash damage. '''(1)''' (That is, the damage you take when someone counters /you/.) Also, reduces incoming critical hit damage.
*'''Fortify Spirit''': You take less backlash damage from effects such as Panic and Exhaust. '''(1)'''
*'''Mind Shield''': Decreases odds that Rage, Charm, Poison, Haze, and Bind will land by 25%. '''(2)'''
*'''Nerve Shield''': Decreases odds that Exhaust, Panic, Sick, Blast, and Paralyze will land by 25%. '''(2)'''
*'''Null <Ailment>''': Prevents <Ailment> from applying to the user. '''(2)'''
**''Note that Mind Shield and Nerve Shield are usually a better deal than Null Ailment, which is included for cases when a character should really be immune to just the one.''
*'''Back Row''': You take less damage from all attacks except Area attacks, but deal less damage with all attacks but Area attacks. This does apply to healing. '''(2)'''
*'''<Element> Resist''': Adds a Resistance to <Element> above and beyond one's usual selections. Cannot be applied over a Weakness. '''(3)'''
*'''Endure''': Once per battle, withstands an attack that would KO the user with 1 HP. '''(3)'''
*'''Ali Dance''': Reduces damage taken when Avoiding any element, regardless of roll. '''(4)'''
*'''Firm Stance''': Reduces damage taken when Blocking any element, regardless of roll. '''(4)'''
*'''High Counter''': Reduces damage taken when Countering any element, regardless of roll. '''(4)'''
**''Ali Dance'', ''Firm Stance'', and ''High Counter'' are mutually exclusive.

For this purpose, the elements selectable are ''Pierce'', ''Slash'', ''Strike'', ''Fire'', ''Water'', ''Electricity'', ''Earth'', ''Wind'', ''Light'', and ''Dark''. Ailments include ''Bind'', ''Blast'', ''Charm'', ''Exhaust'', ''Haze'', ''Panic'', ''Paralyze'', ''Poison'', ''Rage'', and ''Sick''.

=== Offensive Passives ===

*'''Heavy Weapon''': Increases damage inflicted by the user's Weapon and Tandem attacks. '''(1)'''
*'''Quick Weapon''': Gives an extra hit (maximum 3) to the user's Weapon and Tandem attacks. '''(1)'''
**''Note: You can take one of Heavy Weapon or Quick Weapon, but not both; they're mutually exclusive.''
*'''Weapon Specialist''': Grants the user 2 additional Weapon attacks at chargen. '''(1)'''
*'''Explode Boost''': Increases ailment explosion damage slightly. '''(1)'''
*'''<Element> Boost''': Increases base damage for the user's <Element> attacks. '''(1)'''
*'''Ailment Boost''': Increases all ailment infliction odds for the user by 20%. '''(2)'''
*'''<Element> Amp''': Increases critical rate and critical damage for the user's <Element> attacks. Also boosts outgoing Counter damage of that element. '''(2)'''

For this purpose, the elements selectable are ''Pierce'', ''Slash'', ''Strike'', ''Fire'', ''Water'', ''Electricity'', ''Earth'', ''Wind'', ''Light'', and ''Dark''. ''Recovery'' can be Boosted but not Amped. Ailments include ''Bind'', ''Blast'', ''Charm'', ''Exhaust'', ''Haze'', ''Panic'', ''Paralyze'', ''Poison'', ''Rage'', and ''Sick''.

=== Resource Passives ===

*'''Break Limit''': Gain 1 Limit at +heal/full and +1 maximum Limit. '''(1)''' ''Unavailable to extra Personas, but available to bossforms.''
*'''Comeback''': Gain 1 Limit when the user is critically hit. '''(1)''' ''(Deprecated; replaced by Personality.)''
*'''Mind Up''':Gain 8 SP when reacting to Rage, Poison, Charm, Haze, and Bind, but the effects landing are more likely. '''(1)'''
*'''Momentum''': Gain 1 Limit when critically hitting an opponent. '''(1)''' ''(Deprecated; replaced by Personality.)''
*'''Nerve Up''':Gain 8 SP when reacting to Exhaust, Sick, Panic, Blast, and Paralyze, but the effects landing are more likely. '''(1)'''
*'''Schadenfreude''': Chance to gain 1 Limit when inflicting a debuff or ailment on an opponent. '''(1)''' ''(Deprecated; replaced by Personality.)''
*'''Supporter''': Chance to gain 1 Limit when using a buff or healing attack. '''(1)''' ''(Deprecated; replaced by Personality.)''
*'''Team Player''':Grant and receive 8 SP and 25 HP of healing when using the Shift Limit Action. '''(1)'''
*'''Tough Love''': Grant and receive 8 SP and 25 HP of healing when using the Help Up Limit Action. '''(1)'''
*'''Invigorate 1''': Gain 3 SP when completing a +round. '''(1)'''
*'''Regenerate 1''': Gain 5 HP when completing a +round. '''(1)'''
*'''Invigorate 2''': Gain 6 SP when completing a +round. '''(2)'''
*'''Regenerate 2''': Gain 10 HP when completing a +round. '''(2)'''
*'''Invigorate 3''': Gain 10 SP when completing a +round. '''(3)'''
*'''Regenerate 3''': Gain 20 HP when completing a +round. '''(3)'''

=== Other Passives ===

*'''Defender''': Incoming and outgoing damage slightly decreased. +2 Weak Defender Attacks. '''(1)'''
*'''Peerless Skill''': Grants the user an additional Strong Signature attack. Can be taken once per form. '''(1)'''
*'''Skill Card Affinity''': Allows the user to equip 3 Skill Cards instead of 1. Grants +12 SP to the user's pool. '''(1)'''
*'''Third Eye''': Allows the user to take Navigator-flag attacks. Grants +12 SP to the user's pool. Adds 2 Weak Navigator attacks to the user's attack list at chargen. '''(1)'''
*'''Jamming''': Allows the user to take Navigator-flag attacks. Grants the Shock Noise Limit Action. Adds 2 Weak Navigator attacks to the user's attack list at chargen. '''(1)'''
*'''Sneak Guide''': Allows the user to take Navigator-flag attacks. Grants the Life Mend Limit Action. Adds 2 Weak Navigator attacks to the user's attack list at chargen. '''(1)'''
*'''Spotlight''': Allows the user to take Navigator-flag attacks. Grants the X Soul Limit Action. Adds 2 Weak Navigator attacks to the user's attack list at chargen. '''(1)'''
*'''Fast Heal''': Increases the chance of recovering from ailments on +round. '''(2)'''
*'''Auto-Rakukaja''': Starts battle with Def_Up at 3 rounds. '''(3)'''
*'''Auto-Rebellion''': Starts battle with Crt_Up at 3 rounds. '''(3)'''
*'''Auto-Sukukaja''': Starts battle with Spd_Up at 3 rounds. '''(3)'''
*'''Auto-Tarukaja''': Starts battle with Atk_UP at 3 rounds. '''(3)'''

Navigator flags include Curse, Eclipse, Fortune, Regen, Strength_Scan, Support_Scan, Vigor, Weakness_Scan. Navigator Flags always go on Magical attacks. Third Eye, Jamming, Sneak Guide, and Spotlight are mutually exclusive. A full Navigator-type Persona both has one of these four passives /and/ devotes at least a third of their list (excluding Weapon attacks) at chargen to Navigator-flag attacks. Less than that indicates some special talent for Resonance but not the full abilities of a Navigator.

Defender flags include Cover, Full_Cover, Phys_Safety, Magi_Safety, and All_Safety.

For Skill Cards, see [[Arcana_System#Equipment|Equipment]]. For Navigator type Personas, see [[Navigator Personas]]. For buffs, see [[Arcana_System#Buffs|Buffs]].

Note that for best results with the Auto-skills, it is important to switch to the correct form '''before''' using +heal/full.

== Attacks ==

Attacks are the primary actions taken in the Arcana System.

There are two ways to generate attacks. One is to use the point buy system to name, develop, and design one's own attacks. The second is to take an attack from the [[Attack Database]], which may be renamed as desired. The Attack Database is a listing of nearly 300 attacks patterned after the attacks in the games, including those such as Agi, Bufula, and Tarukaja.

Either is valid, but the Attack Database is likely to save a lot of time in attack building. The rules for building your own attacks and the explanations of an attack's components and flags follow.

In any case, ''every attack must have a different name from the others on a given list''.

=== Free Attacks ===

Free attacks are special +attacks that may be set without regard to ordinary limits. They are a preset list, and they may be renamed to whatever one might wish within reason. They include basic attacks of each elements, an ailment remover, a heal, and an SP heal. They have no cost, but otherwise follow the same rules as other attacks.

*'''+view/frees'''
*'''+free/set''' ''<freename>=<chosenname>''

=== Signature Attacks ===

Signature attacks are attacks which have the Signature flag--you may have a number based on your statistical tier designation, and they are designed accordingly on 10 more points than a standard attack. Only Signature attacks may have the Signature flag. In addition, this attack must be of a tier to which you have access: for most characters, this means that your Signature attack must be '''Weak''' or '''Strong'''. Unlike regular attacks, a Signature attack may be a Strong weapon attack.

=== Theurgy ===

''Theurgies'' are a special type of attack found only on 'main' Personas and forms. They have the 'Theurgy' tag, and are built as attacks of one tier '''higher''' than is typical for the form. In other words, a standard form will have a single Fierce Theurgy attack, and a Mythic form will have a single Severe Theurgy attack.

They are meant to be used once per battle, and pay a reduced limit cost in exchange for requiring one action and one bonus action both in order to be used.

The ''Item'' and ''Weapon'' flags are unavailable for Theurgy attacks; use ''Tandem'' instead.

Theurgies may be either offensive or non-offensive, but may not be Weapon attacks; if you don't want a Theurgy, you can take a regular Strong (for most forms) or Fierce (for Mythic forms).

=== Power Level ===

An attack has a power level ranging from 0-9, which dictates its base damage value. Attack levels cost 10 points each, with a surcharge of 10 points for Almighty and Recovery attacks with PLs above 0.

=== Hits ===

An attack can issue multiple '''hits''', up to three. This means that more than one entry is entered into the queue for a given attack. Each hit is weaker than a standard attack, but in aggregate the multiple hits are an advantage, even before considering separate critical chance and so on. Only the first hit has a chance of delivering status effects. A two-hit attack is 4 additional BP, 4 additional SP, and 0.01% extra HP; a three-hit attack is 10 additional BP, 10 additional SP, and 0.025% extra HP.

When dealing additional hits, an attack '''always''' deals additional hits if they are designated in its statistics.

=== Tiers ===

Attacks are divided into tiers. Each tier denotes the relative power of the attack when compared to others, and dictates its BP ('''Build Points''') and Limit value. Weak attacks may be used for Bonus Actions.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | Power Levels
! scope="col" | Limit Value
! scope="col" | BP
|-
| Weak
| 0 or 1-2
| +2
| 30
|-
| Strong
| 0 or 3-4
| +1
| 50
|-
| Fierce
| 0 or 5-6
| -3
| 70
|-
| Severe
| 0 or 7-8
| -4
| 90
|-
| Divine
| 0 or 9-10
| -6
| 110
|}

=== Type and Element ===

Each attack has a '''type''' and an '''element'''al affinity. Types are Magical and Physical; they refer to attacks primarily using mystical forces and more direct, corporeal attacks. Elements, explained above, refer to the nature of the attack's damage.

Repeated here, elements are ''Pierce'', ''Slash'', ''Strike'', ''Fire'', ''Water'', ''Electricity'', ''Earth'', ''Wind'', ''Light'', ''Dark'', ''Recovery'', and ''Almighty''.

Recovery and Almighty attacks cannot score critical hits, but Almighty attacks have increased base damage.

Unless another rule allows it, Pierce/Slash/Strike are always Physical, while Fire/Water/Elec/Earth/Wind/Light/Dark/Recovery are always Magical.

=== Flags ===

An attack has up to five '''Flags''', which are attributes that either modify the attack or apply an effect to the target. ''All attacks with effect flags affect the target, not the user, with those flags''. Each flag has a cost in BP and modifies the attack's SP or HP cost. Flags of the same type (Ailment1/Ailment2) do not stack. '''Effects''' are often applied by flags, including '''Buffs''', '''Debuffs''', and '''Ailments'''. In most cases, these effects can be extended in duration with reapplication; however, certain effects cannot. Omen and Prophecy cannot be extended by repeated application.

=== Cost ===

An attack has a cost, as all things must. Magical attacks cost SP, while Physical attacks cost HP. SP costs are static, while HP costs are fractional compared to one's max HP. These costs are modified by power level and flags. They also have Limit values, which are the Limit required to use them; Weak and Strong attacks typically generate Limit, while attacks of higher Tier expend it.

==== Flag Listing ====

===== Attack Modifiers =====

*'''Ailment1''': Boosts ailment chances for this attack slightly. 4 BP, 0 SP, 0.5% HP.
*'''Ailment2''': Boosts ailment chances for this attack more. 10 BP, 0 SP, 0 HP.
*'''Ailment3''': Boosts ailment chances for this attack significantly. 20 BP, -2 SP, -0.5% HP.
*'''All_Out1''': Boosts critical damage for this attack slightly. 4 BP, 1 SP, 0.4% HP.
*'''All_Out2''': Boosts critical damage for this attack more. 6 BP, 2 SP, 0.6% HP.
*'''All_Out3''': Boosts critical damage for this attack significantly. 10 BP, 4 SP, 1% HP.
*'''Anti_Avoid''': This attack deals much more damage against Avoid reactions, and reduces Counter backlash. 10 BP, 4 SP, 1% HP.
*'''Anti_Block''': This attack deals much more damage against Block reactions and reduces Counter backlash. 10 BP, 4 SP, 1% HP.
**''Anti_Avoid and Anti_Block are mutually exclusive.''
*'''Area''': This attack can target up to 4 characters. 10 BP, 8 SP, .15% HP. Area attacks deal additional damage inversely commensurate with number of targets. There is no surcharge for targets on area attacks.
*'''Breach''': Deals extra damage if the user has an active Safety or Cover Tactic. (Doesn't apply to Full_Cover.) 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.4% HP
*'''Boost''': This attack is made with a +2 bonus to the attacker's Strength, Magic, and Luck. 2 BP, 1 SP, 0.2% HP.
*'''Critical1''': This attack's critical hit chance is increased. 4 BP, 1 SP, 0.4% HP.
*'''Critical2''': This attack's critical hit chance is increased further. 6 BP, 2 SP, 0.6% HP.
*'''Critical3''': This attack's critical hit chance is increased significantly. 10 BP, 4 SP, 1% HP.
*'''Extend''': Extends the duration of an attached tactic (that is, one on the attack) by 1 round (to 2 rounds). 10 BP, 8 SP.
*'''Hinder''': This attack is made with a -2 penalty to the defender's Vitality, Agility, and Luck. 2 BP, 1 SP, 0.2% HP.
*'''Hunted''': This attack deals more damage if the user has a Debuff. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.4% HP.
*'''Item''': This attack reflects an external source of damage from the user, typically an item that casts a spell or inflicts environmental damage. Offensive stats do not apply to the damage of this attack. 10 BP, - HP, - SP. +1 Limit cost.
**''Item attacks are always Weak attacks, unless specifically allowed such as by Signature attacks.
*'''Masochism''': This attack deals more damage if the user has an Ailment. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.4% HP.
*'''Mystic''': - This attack grants 1 extra Limit. 10 BP, 8 SP, 1% HP.
*'''Sadism''': This attack deals more damage if the target has an Ailment. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.4% HP.
*'''Seeker''': This attack deals more damage if the target has one or more debuffs. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.4% HP.
*'''Signature''': This attack gains more BP, but costs 1 more Limit. -10 BP, -4 SP, -1% HP. ''Only valid for designated Signature attacks. Cannot be used on ordinary attacks.''
*'''Still''': This attack deals more damage scaling with spent SP. Kicks in at 75% SP. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.4% HP. Specifically, it does a percentage of '2 PLs' based on your spent SP, to a maximum extra damage of 'your spent SP in points'.
*'''Tandem''': This attack reflects the user and their Persona attacking at the same time. It allows the benefits of Weapon attack and passives. Tandem attacks may be Physical or Magical, regardless of element. Tandem attacks use the better of Magic or Strength regardless of type, though they defend as normal for an attack of their type. 6 BP, 3 SP, 0.6% HP.
*'''Weapon''': This attack reflects a user's weapon without active Persona use. Gains the benefit of Weapon attack and passives and costs 0 HP or SP. Weapon attacks are always physical. 6 BP, - HP, - SP. +1 Limit cost.
**''Incompatibility'': Weapon attacks may not have debuffs, such as Atk_Dn or Slash_Break, but may have Ailments such as Sick or Paralyze.
**''Tier'': Except for Signature attacks, Weapon attacks must always be Weak attacks unless specifically allowed as Strong.
*'''Wild''': This attack deals more damage scaling with how much damage the user has taken. Kicks in at 75% hp. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.4% HP. Specifically, it does a percentage of '2 PLs' based on your lost HP.

The following tags may only be placed on Strong tier attacks or higher:

*'''Stress''': Adds an HP cost to an attack in return for more BP. Stacks with Signature. -10 BP, -4 SP, -0.5% HP.

The following tags may only be placed on Severe tier attacks or higher:

*'''Panacea''': allows 10 extra BP on a heal move. (That is to say, a move with Recovery PLs, Purify, Nervundi, or Patra.) -10 BP, 10 SP.

===== Buffs =====

Each of these flags grants a buff to the target for 3 rounds. Only Magical attacks may have these flags.

*'''Atk_Up''': Attacks deal more damage. 20 BP, 12 SP.
*'''Crt_Up''': Attacks' critical rate and critical damage are increased. 20 BP, 12 SP.
*'''Def_Up''': Block and Counter reactions reduce damage more. 20 BP, 12 SP.
*'''Spd_Up''': Avoid and Counter reactions reduce damage more. 20 BP, 12 SP.
*'''<Element>_Wall''': Affinity changes as follows: Weakness becomes Neutral, Neutral becomes Resist. Resist is unchanged. Can apply to Recovery attacks as a debuff. Almighty Wall is not allowed. 30 BP, 12 SP, 0.015% hp (For Recovery Wall).
*'''Reflect_Magi''': Boosts the Counter reaction against Magical attacks significantly in damage reduction and backlash. 40 BP, 16 SP.
*'''Reflect_Phys''': Boosts the Counter reaction against Physical attacks significantly in damage reduction and backlash. 40 BP, 16 SP.
**''These two flags are mutually exclusive and cannot be set on the same attack. Adding one will remove the other.''

The following tags may only be placed on Strong tier attacks or higher:

*'''Cloak''': Defense up against attacks without the Area flag. 30 BP, 15 SP.

===== Debuffs =====

Each of these flags inflicts a debuff on the target for 3 rounds. Weapon attacks may not have these flags.

*'''Atk_Dn''': Attacks deal less damage. 20 BP, 12 SP, 1% HP.
*'''Crt_Dn''': Attacks' critical rate and critical damage are decreased. 20 BP, 12 SP, 1% HP.
*'''Def_Dn''': Block and Counter reactions reduce damage less. 20 BP, 12 SP, 1% HP.
*'''Spd_Dn''': Avoid and Counter reactions reduce damage less. 20 BP, 12 SP, 1% HP.
*'''<Element>_Break''' : Affinity changes as follows: Resist becomes Neutral, Neutral becomes Weak. Weak is unchanged. Can apply to Recovery attacks as a buff. Almighty Break is not allowed. 30 BP, 12 SP, 15% HP.

The following tags may only be placed on Strong tier attacks or higher:

*'''Mag_DN''': Reduces outgoing magic damage and increases incoming magic damage. 40 BP, 20 SP, 1% HP.
*'''Phy_DN''': Reduces outgoing phys damage and increases incoming phys damage. 40 BP, 20 SP, 1% HP.

===== Ailments =====

Each of these flags inflicts an ailment on the target for a variable number of rounds. Bind, Blast, Haze, and Paralyze last 2 rounds; the others last 5 rounds by default. However, Ailments have a chance of expiring each +round they are on the target.

*'''Bind''': Decreases outgoing Magic damage and increases incoming Avoid damage. 6 BP, 0 SP 0 HP.
*'''Blast''': Decreases outgoing Magic damage and increases incoming Block damage. 6 BP, 0 SP 0 HP.
*'''Charm''': Damage on +attack to self or +bucket party, 1/round. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.5% HP.
*'''Exhaust''': Damage on +attack to self for Tandem or Weapon attacks, 1/round. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.5% HP.
*'''Haze''': Decreases outgoing Physical damage and increases incoming Block damage. 6 BP, 0 SP 0 HP.
*'''Panic''': Damage on +attack to self for Tandem or Persona attacks, 1/round. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.5% HP.
*'''Paralyze''': Decreases outgoing Physical damage and increases incoming Avoid damage. 6 BP, 0 SP 0 HP.
*'''Poison''': Damage on +round to HP. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.5% HP.
*'''Rage''': Weapon attack up; all defenses down. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.5% HP.
*'''Sick''': Damage on +round to SP. Reduces ailment resistance slightly. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.5% HP.

The following tags may only be placed on Strong tier attacks or higher:

*'''Pain''': Explodes the next time the target uses healing or PL 0 attacks. 20 BP, 10 SP, 0.75% HP.
*'''Bomb''': Explodes the next time the target uses damaging attacks. 20 BP, 10 SP, 0.75% HP.

Additionally, certain Ailment pairs cancel one another out for an '''explosion''' of damage commensurate with the number of ailment pairs cancelled. The pairs are as follows: Charm/Panic, Exhaust/Rage, Poison/Sick, Blast/Paralyze, Bind/Haze, Pain/Bomb. When this happens, the new ailment remains, but the previous ailment that was on the target is removed.
*''Incompatibility'' - These pairs are accordingly unavailable to have on the same attack.

===== Status Removers =====

These flags remove status on the target according to type. They are always on Magical attacks, except for Ruin which may be on Physical attacks.

*'''Nervundi''': Removes some ailments (Exhaust, Panic, Sick, Blast, and Paralyze) without explosions. 30 BP, 6 SP.
*'''Patra''': Removes some ailments (Rage, Charm, Poison, Haze, and Bind) without explosions. 30 BP, 6 SP.
*'''Renew''': Removes debuffs. 30 BP, 10 SP.
*'''Ruin''': Removes buffs. 30 BP, 10 SP, 1% HP.

The following tags may only be placed on Severe tier attacks or higher:

*'''Purify''': removes all ailments. 10 BP, 20 SP.

===== Tactica =====

*'''Cover''': Applies the Cover tactic to the target, which takes half the target's damage from attacks. No Area, must target someone else. 10 BP, 8 SP.
*'''Full_Cover''': Applies the Full_Cover tactic to the target, which takes all incoming damaging attacks onto the giver instead of the original target as long as it lasts. No Area, must target someone else. 30 BP, 8 SP. This should not be generally used cross-bucket.
*'''Phys_Safety''': Applies the Physical Safety tactic to the target. Reduces damage from Physical attacks for one round. 40 BP, 12 SP.
**''Incompatible with Magi_Safety and All_Safety.'''
*'''Magi_Safety''': Applies the Magical Safety tactic to the target. Reduces damage from Magical attacks for one round. 40 BP, 12 SP.
**''Incompatible with Phys_Safety and All_Safety.'''
*'''All_Safety''': Applies the All Safety tactic to the target. Reduces damage from all attacks for one round. 60 BP, 16 SP. (Strong+ only).
**''Incompatible with Magi_Safety and Phys_Safety.'''

===== Miscellaneous Flags =====

*'''Efficient''': This attack costs fewer SP or HP. 10 BP, -6 SP, -0.75% HP.
*'''Revive''': Bonus to heal PL under 15% hp; starts heal at 0 instead of negative health value. 10 BP, 4 SP.
*'''SP_Heal1''': Restores a small amount of SP to the target. 20 BP, 8 SP.
*'''HP_Drain''': Deals -50% base damage, but drains that damage as HP. 10 BP, 4 SP.
*'''SP_Drain''': Deals 15% base damage, but targets and drains SP. 10 BP, 0 SP (Zeroes out cost).
**''SP_Drain can only be placed on Almighty attacks.''
**''Drains are currently unavailable to custom attacks. HP_Drain will open to them later.''

The following tag is not for general use, and its effect is listed here for reference:

*'''Pierce''': Ignores elemental Strength.

===== Navigator-Only Flags =====

*'''Regen''': Restore some HP each round. Navigator-only. 20 BP, 8 SP.
*'''Vigor''': Restore some SP each round. Boosts ailment resistance slightly. Navigator-only. 20 BP, 8 SP.
*'''Eclipse''': Turns one weakness hit into a Resisted hit. Navigator-only. 10 BP, 5 SP.

*'''Curse''': Inflicts a random debuff on the target. Navigator-only. 20 BP, 10 SP.
*'''Worry''': Random ailments (two) on target. Both ailments will be either Mind or Nerve. There is also a slight bonus to application chance. Navigator-only. 20 BP, 10 SP.
*'''Fortune''': Grants a random buff to the target. Navigator-only. 20 BP, 10 SP.
*'''Melody''': Extends buff durations by 3 rounds. Navigator-only. 10 BP, 5 SP.
*'''Strength_Scan''': Announces the target's Resist affinities to the room. Navigator-only. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.5% HP.
*'''Support_Scan''': Announces the target's Passives to the room. Navigator-only. 10 BP, 4 SP, 0.5% HP.
*'''Weakness_Scan''': Announces the target's Weak affinities to the room. Navigator-only. 20 BP, 8 SP, 1% HP.
**''All Scan abilities are incompatible with the Area flag.''

The following tags may only be placed on Strong tier attacks or higher:

*'''Omen''': Small debuff to all defenses; after 2 rounds, target takes damage. 50 BP, 24 SP.
*'''Prophecy''': Small buff to all defences; after 2 rounds, target receives healing. 50 BP, 24 SP.
*'''Inner_Strength''': Gives a bonus to damage for the target's Strong affinity attacks. Stacks with X Boost. 30 BP, 15 SP.

==Fusion Spells==

Fusion spells are types of combination attacks between two or three Persona Users that require a combination of lesser attacks for one of far greater effect. Fusion Spells are always Fierce Spells of Power Level 5 or 6, and possess the Pierce Flag, which allows them to ignore elemental resistances.

*'''+view/fusions''' In order to view a list of available Fusion Spells. (+view/fusions 2 for the second page.)

'''Note:''' This system has attacks on the list to represent Showtimes. These are on page 2!

Each fusion has a list of requirements as shown. Participants must be able to contribute one of the required types of elements for the attacks on the list. '''Str''' denotes that attacks that are at least Strong must be used to meet requirements, while '''Wk''' denotes that weak attacks can be used for meeting the requirements.

In order to initiate a Fusion Attack, the person in question would start with:

*'''+fusion/start <attackname>=<bidded attack>/<bidded limit>'''

The limit cost is the total cost, which any participant may contribute. This does not have to be the individual that began the attack!

In order to join a Fusion Attack, the Second or Third Persona Users would then use the command:

*'''+fusion/join <attacker>=<bidded attack>/<bidded limit>

To rephrase, if the cost is 1, only one person would need to bid a limit! Everyone else can enter the value as 0 for bidded limit.

When enough people have joined to meet the requirements, the system will tell you the attack is ready. At that point, the initial attacker must enter the command:

*'''+fusion/attack <target>'''

And the attack will fire!

If an error is made and the Fusion needs to be cancelled for any reason, then the command to use is:

*'''+fusion/clear'''

The attack will then be cancelled.

==Equipment==

Equipment is a system unto itself within Arcana, for more on this: see [[Equipment]].

== Command Glossary ==

*'''+attack''' <target>=<attackname> - Directs an attack at opponent(s). Targets are separated by commas. The same target cannot be targeted multiple times per +attack.
*'''+react''' ('''+avoid|+block|+counter|+take''') <name or number> - Reacts to an attack. Note that if you have more attacks in your +queue when finished, the system will give you a message stating as much. Can take multiple arguments if you want to use the same reaction against multiple incoming attacks.
*'''*+health''' - Shows a basic screen of combat information relevant to a fight.
*'''*+queue''' - Shows the attacks in your queue.
*'''*+heal/full''' - Resets your status and pools, initializing you for combat.
*'''*+cancel''' <target> and +cancel/area <targets> - Cancels an attack on <target>. Use +cancel/area with a list of targets for an area attack to ensure your resources are recalculated appropriately.
*'''*+view/fusions''' or '''+view/fusions 2''' - Shows a list of available Fusion Spells
*'''*+fusion/start <attackname>=<bidded attack>/<bidded limit>''' - Initiates a Fusion Spell from the available list.
*'''*+fusion/join <attacker>=<bidded attack>/<bidded limit>''' - Joins a Fusion Spell initiated by another player.
*'''*+fusion/attack <target>''' - Complete a Fusion Spell after all requirements are met.
*'''*+fusion/clear''' - Cancel a Fusion Spell in progress.
*'''*+trigger/set''' <damage> OR <percentage> OR <debuff> - Sets up a 'boss trigger' that allows a character to deal <damage> to you as a boss during the fight for a narrative or environmental reason.
*'''*+trigger/reset''' - Resets all triggers on you and your targets.
*'''*+trigger''' <playername> - Triggers damage from a player's narrative actions as a boss.
*'''*+limit''' <action>[=<target>] - Performs a limit actions.
*'''*+round''' - Concludes one's combat round. Automatic when out of actions and bonus actions.
*'''*+stats [#]''' - Shows full data on one's combat statistics, excepting attacks. An optional argument indicates a specific form.
*'''*+attacks [#]''' - Shows full data on one's attacks. An optional argument indicates a specific form.
*'''+inventory''' will show you your currently-equipped items.
*'''+weapons''' - Shows a list of available weaponry.
*'''+weapon/equip''' or '''+equip/weapon''' <name>=<desired name> - Selects a weapon from the database and gives it a desired name. Does not take ansi.
*'''+weapon/clear''' - Clears your current weapon in favor of the Default value.
*'''+armors''' - Shows a list of available armors.
*'''+armor/equip''' or '''+equip/armor''' <name>=<desired name> - Selects an armor from the database and gives it a desired name. Does not take ansi.
*'''+armors/clear''' - Clears your current armor in favor of the Default value.
*'''+cards''' - Shows a list of available Skill Cards for your character. This list can be expanded piecemeal or with category unlocks.
*'''+card/equip <Card>''' - Equips a Card to your current form. This adds the attack to that form's attack list.
*'''+card/unequip <Card>''' - Unequips a Card from your current form. This removes the attack from that form's attack list.
*'''+cards/clear''' - Clears all cards from your current form's list. This will remove all card attacks from your current form.
*'''+view/frees'''
*'''+free/set''' ''<freename>=<chosenname>''
*'''+frees/clear''' - Clears all freeattacks on a form.
*'''+heal/full''' - Fully heals and readies for combat.
*'''+heal/boss <X>''' - Fully heals and readies for combat as a boss for X opponents.
*'''+heal/adjust <X>''' - Adjusts boss health for a different number of combatants.
*'''+help cheatsheet''' - Displays some useful combat system data for easy reference.
*'''+explain''' - Displays a longform list of passives and current effects on your character, with descriptions.
===See Also...===
*[[Equipment]]
*[[Attack Database]]
[[Category: Systems]]

J. Itsuki Hayashi

2026-02-16T00:08:47Z

Strangeshrimp:

J. Itsuki Hayashi

2026-02-16T00:08:35Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2" |- ! style="background:#C2F2FF; border: 2px #CAD9D8 solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''J. Itsuki Hayashi''' |- ! colspan="2" align="center" | lol |- ! style="background:#C2F2FF; border: 2px #CAD9D8 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | <span sty..."

User:Strangeshrimp

2026-02-15T21:45:44Z

Strangeshrimp:

[[File:The curse.jpg|an image that just says 'it's because of the curse'. the viewer is prompted to press F to indicate OK.]]

Staff! I'm Parabellum here.

*'''Velvet Room MUSH''': [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Noriaki Okaga]], [[J. Itsuki Hayashi]]
*'''Dream Chasers MUSH''': Necronomicon (Staff), Josephine Lovelace, Loren Voss, Avril Vent Fleur, Citan Uzuki, Amaterasu, Seraph Harmaus (RIP)

Availability: EST; PM hours (I work M-F 8-5).
*Mon: Usually not but can make exceptions with advance requests
*Tues: Almost always not available (see above)
*Wed-Thurs: Usually free, ask me
*Fri-Sat: Almost always free
*Sun: Variable but usually free; ask me

2026-01-30: vanish, fade away (melt away)

2026-01-31T03:21:04Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Cutscene: vanish, fade away (melt away)'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Jerri]]
*'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School Running Track
*'''OOC Date:''' January 30th, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' September 18th, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Maria considers what she's lost, then has a visitor. '''TW:''' reflection on misogyny''

----
'''BGM:''' (''Shinkichi Mitsumune - Belladonna's Snare'') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6dGV-43A4Q
----<poem>

They don't look at her.

Maria sits under the tree a distance from the track where the other girls are engaged in practice, and not one of them seems to glance her way.

In classes, they'll talk to her as much as is necessary. It's not ''that'' kind of shunning. But they're not her friends, not like Haruka Hatano is. And they won't look at her when she comes to watch practice. Only Haruka does, and only when she thinks she won't get caught out by the others.

She's not that stupid. She knows what this is about. Haruka didn't even have to spell it out for her-- they've never even talked about 'this'.

It's because... she let them down, right when they needed her most.

And they haven't forgotten yet.

Maybe, what she needs to do is a full dogeza, or something? Or maybe, she needs to say 'I'm sorry' one hundred times, or fold some apology frogs out of paper for the captain.

She heard Noriko is still really mad about it. But of course, after Anna's injury... they were already down a star... and then Maria had quit.

She didn't say why. She was embarrassed to say why.

It's not 'feminine' to be into a sport. No, not even running. That's what 'he'd' said. She'd been head over heels for him, so she'd done it finally, after he kept telling her things like that, again and again.

'Everyone knows what female athletes are really into'.

'You smell really gross when you've been sweating.'

'What if you get all muscular?'

But it wasn't just him.

'...Girls shouldn't play baseball', her grandfather had said.

She doesn't think she's ever heard of a pro baseball player who was a girl, too.

------------

She stays like that, under the tree, even when practices comes to an end and the club members slowly trickle off the field.
She stays there and only after a moment more does she rise, stretching out her back and rolling her shoulders.

Maybe it's just as well--

No. She'll think of something. Maybe, she can even start her own club...

"Oh, dear. What trouble are you thinking of causing for yourself now?"

There's a voice, close at hand. Maria turns sharply and finds... nothing.

The source of the voice sighs. "Up here, child."

Maria, slowly, tilts her head upwards until she sees her. The cockatoo. The pink cockatoo. With the pearl necklace.

"Oh! A parrot! And you talk!" Maria declares, eyes wide.

For a long moment the bird manages to wear the most withering expression possible on an avian face.

"...It seems I'm just in time," remarks the bird. "No, child. But it doesn't actually matter. It seems as if you've been rather... lost of late, yes? Caught adrift? Considering poorly-thought-out actions?"

Maria flinches, taking one step away from the tree.

"Yes, like that incident with those two boys. Just think, if you hadn't made that phone call, they'd be living their normal lives! But it's only a symptom, isn't it?"

"A... symptom?" Maria echoes, her unease slowly slackening its grip on her.

"Oh yes. You have something very ugly down inside you, don't you? It cried out, and you answered it. Didn't you? But not to worry. I can do something about that. A little well-timed course-correction never hurt!"

"I don't... know," says Maria, hesitant. She tries to inch away.

"Ah... I see, so it's already like that..." says the bird. "Very well! I suppose I have no choice. If I can't convince you, you will just have to come along. Don't worry, it won't hurt..."

Maria, as she has threatened to do in the past, screams.

"...much," finishes the bird, in that instant before the world, to Maria's eyes, distorts and goes black.

Shaking her head, the pink bird soon follows suit, vanishing from this world as well.

Thus, in an eye-blink, did Maria appear to vanish into thin air.

</poem>

[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-01-30: vanish, fade away (melt away)

2026-01-31T01:04:47Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Cutscene: vanish, fade away (melt away)'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School Running Track
*'''OOC Date:''' January 30th, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' September 18th, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Maria considers what she's lost, then has a visitor. '''TW:''' reflection on misogyny''

----
'''BGM:''' (''Shinkichi Mitsumune - Belladonna's Snare'') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6dGV-43A4Q
----<poem>

They don't look at her.

Maria sits under the tree a distance from the track where the other girls are engaged in practice, and not one of them seems to glance her way.

In classes, they'll talk to her as much as is necessary. It's not ''that'' kind of shunning. But they're not her friends, not like Haruka Hatano is. And they won't look at her when she comes to watch practice. Only Haruka does, and only when she thinks she won't get caught out by the others.

She's not that stupid. She knows what this is about. Haruka didn't even have to spell it out for her-- they've never even talked about 'this'.

It's because... she let them down, right when they needed her most.

And they haven't forgotten yet.

Maybe, what she needs to do is a full dogeza, or something? Or maybe, she needs to say 'I'm sorry' one hundred times, or fold some apology frogs out of paper for the captain.

She heard Noriko is still really mad about it. But of course, after Anna's injury... they were already down a star... and then Maria had quit.

She didn't say why. She was embarrassed to say why.

It's not 'feminine' to be into a sport. No, not even running. That's what 'he'd' said. She'd been head over heels for him, so she'd done it finally, after he kept telling her things like that, again and again.

'Everyone knows what female athletes are really into'.

'You smell really gross when you've been sweating.'

'What if you get all muscular?'

But it wasn't just him.

'...Girls shouldn't play baseball', her grandfather had said.

She doesn't think she's ever heard of a pro baseball player who was a girl, too.

------------

She stays like that, under the tree, even when practices comes to an end and the club members slowly trickle off the field.
She stays there and only after a moment more does she rise, stretching out her back and rolling her shoulders.

Maybe it's just as well--

No. She'll think of something. Maybe, she can even start her own club...

"Oh, dear. What trouble are you thinking of causing for yourself now?"

There's a voice, close at hand. Maria turns sharply and finds... nothing.

The source of the voice sighs. "Up here, child."

Maria, slowly, tilts her head upwards until she sees her. The cockatoo. The pink cockatoo. With the pearl necklace.

"Oh! A parrot! And you talk!" Maria declares, eyes wide.

For a long moment the bird manages to wear the most withering expression possible on an avian face.

"...It seems I'm just in time," remarks the bird. "No, child. But it doesn't actually matter. It seems as if you've been rather... lost of late, yes? Caught adrift? Considering poorly-thought-out actions?"

Maria flinches, taking one step away from the tree.

"Yes, like that incident with those two boys. Just think, if you hadn't made that phone call, they'd be living their normal lives! But it's only a symptom, isn't it?"

"A... symptom?" Maria echoes, her unease slowly slackening its grip on her.

"Oh yes. You have something very ugly down inside you, don't you? It cried out, and you answered it. Didn't you? But not to worry. I can do something about that. A little well-timed course-correction never hurt!"

"I don't... know," says Maria, hesitant. She tries to inch away.

"Ah... I see, so it's already like that..." says the bird. "Very well! I suppose I have no choice. If I can't convince you, you will just have to come along. Don't worry, it won't hurt..."

Maria, as she has threatened to do in the past, screams.

"...much," finishes the bird, in that instant before the world, to Maria's eyes, distorts and goes black.

Shaking her head, the pink bird soon follows suit, vanishing from this world as well.

Thus, in an eye-blink, did Maria appear to vanish into thin air.

</poem>

[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-01-30: vanish, fade away (melt away)

2026-01-31T01:01:51Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Cutscene: vanish, fade away (melt away)''' *'''Cast:''' Maria Sakurai *'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School Running Track *'''OOC Date:''' January 30th, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' September 18th, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Maria considers what she's lost, then has a vistor. TW: reflection on misogyny'' ---- '''BGM:''' (''Shinkichi Mitsumune - Belladonna's Snare'') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6dGV-43A4Q ----<poem> They don't look at her. Maria sits under the tree..."

*'''Cutscene: vanish, fade away (melt away)'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Seven Sisters High School Running Track
*'''OOC Date:''' January 30th, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' September 18th, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Maria considers what she's lost, then has a vistor. TW: reflection on misogyny''

----
'''BGM:''' (''Shinkichi Mitsumune - Belladonna's Snare'') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6dGV-43A4Q
----<poem>

They don't look at her.

Maria sits under the tree a distance from the track where the other girls are engaged in practice, and not one of them seems to glance her way.

In classes, they'll talk to her as much as is necessary. It's not ''that'' kind of shunning. But they're not her friends, not like Haruka Hatano is. And they won't look at her when she comes to watch practice. Only Haruka does, and only when she thinks she won't get caught out by the others.

She's not that stupid. She knows what this is about. Haruka didn't even have to spell it out for her-- they've never even talked about 'this'.

It's because... she let them down, right when they needed her most.

And they haven't forgotten yet.

Maybe, what she needs to do is a full dogeza, or something? Or maybe, she needs to say 'I'm sorry' one hundred times, or fold some apology frogs out of paper for the captain.

She heard Noriko is still really mad about it. But of course, after Anna's injury... they were already down a star... and then Maria had quit.

She didn't say why. She was embarrassed to say why.

It's not 'feminine' to be into a sport. No, not even running. That's what 'he'd' said. She'd been head over heels for him, so she'd done it finally, after he kept telling her things like that, again and again.

'Everyone knows what female athletes are really into'.

'You smell really gross when you've been sweating.'

'What if you get all muscular?'

But it wasn't just him.

'...Girls shouldn't play baseball', her grandfather had said.

She doesn't think she's ever heard of a pro baseball player who was a girl, too.

------------

She stays like that, under the tree, even when practices comes to an end and the club members slowly trickle off the field.
She stays there and only after a moment more does she rise, stretching out her back and rolling her shoulders.

Maybe it's just as well--

No. She'll think of something. Maybe, she can even start her own club...

"Oh, dear. What trouble are you thinking of causing for yourself now?"

There's a voice, close at hand. Maria turns sharply and finds... nothing.

The source of the voice sighs. "Up here, child."

Maria, slowly, tilts her head upwards until she sees her. The cockatoo. The pink cockatoo. With the pearl necklace.

"Oh! A parrot! And you talk!" Maria declares, eyes wide.

For a long moment the bird manages to wear the most withering expression possible on an avian face.

"...It seems I'm just in time," remarks the bird. "No, child. But it doesn't actually matter. It seems as if you've been rather... lost of late, yes? Caught adrift? Considering poorly-thought-out actions?"

Maria flinches, taking one step away from the tree.

"Yes, like that incident with those two boys. Just think, if you hadn't made that phone call, they'd be living their normal lives! But it's only a symptom, isn't it?"

"A... symptom?" Maria echoes, her unease slowly slackening its grip on her.

"Oh yes. You have something very ugly down inside you, don't you? It cried out, and you answered it. Didn't you? But not to worry. I can do something about that. A little well-timed course-correction never hurt!"

"I don't... know," says Maria, hesitant. She tries to inch away.

"Ah... I see, so it's already like that..." says the bird. "Very well! I suppose I have no choice. If I can't convince you, you will just have to come along. Don't worry, it won't hurt..."

Maria, as she has threatened to do in the past, screams.

"...much," finishes the bird, in that instant before the world, to Maria's eyes, distorts and goes black.

Shaking her head, the pink bird soon follows suit, vanishing from this world as well.

Thus, in an eye-blink, did Maria appear to vanish into thin air.

</poem>

[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

Attack Database

2026-01-25T22:45:05Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Defender */

The attack database is a listing of attacks precreated by the staff for use in character builds. While it is not required to only use these attacks, they are presented for those who would use them! On-game, they also have ansi colors for each attack name, which are not reproduced here. To view this database on game, consult +help +view.

The following attacks exist within the database as of January 18, 2026.

==Weapon Attacks==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Pierce Weapon A'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Pierce
| Weapon
|-
| '''Pierce Weapon B'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Pierce
| Weapon and Critical1
|-
| '''Pierce Weapon C'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Pierce
| Weapon and All_Out1
|-
| '''Pierce Weapon D'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Pierce
| Weapon, Anti_Block, and All_Out1
|-
| '''Pierce Weapon E'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Pierce
| Weapon, Anti_Avoid, and Critical1
|-
| '''Pierce Weapon F'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Pierce
| Weapon, Critical3
|-
| '''Pierce Weapon G'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Pierce
| Weapon, All_Out3
|-
| '''Slash Weapon A'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Slash
| Weapon
|-
| '''Slash Weapon B'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Slash
| Weapon and Critical1
|-
| '''Slash Weapon C'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Slash
| Weapon and All_Out1
|-
| '''Slash Weapon D'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Slash
| Weapon, Anti_Block, and Critical1
|-
| '''Slash Weapon E'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Slash
| Weapon, Anti_Avoid, and Critical1
|-
| '''Slash Weapon F'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Slash
| Weapon, Critical3
|-
| '''Slash Weapon G'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Slash
| Weapon, All_Out3
|-
| '''Strike Weapon A'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Strike
| Weapon
|-
| '''Strike Weapon B'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Strike
| Weapon and Critical1
|-
| '''Strike Weapon C'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Strike
| Weapon and All_Out1
|-
| '''Strike Weapon D'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Strike
| Weapon, Anti_Block, and All_Out1
|-
| '''Strike Weapon E'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Strike
| Weapon, Anti_Avoid, and All_Out1
|-
| '''Strike Weapon F'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Strike
| Weapon, Critical3
|-
| '''Strike Weapon G'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Physical
| 2 hit(s)
| Strike
| Weapon, All_Out3
|}

==Free Attacks==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Curse Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Dark
| Item
|-
| '''Earth Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Earth
| Item
|-
| '''Elec Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Elec
| Item
|-
| '''Fire Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Fire
| Item
|-
| '''Holy Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Light
| Item
|-
| '''Medicine'''
| ''Weak''
| 1
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Recovery
| Item
|-
| '''Nervundi Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 0
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Recovery
| Item and Nervundi
|-
| '''Patra Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 0
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Recovery
| Item and Patra
|-
| '''Slice'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Slash
| Weapon and All_Out1
|-
| '''Smash'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Strike
| Weapon and All_Out1
|-
| '''Snipe'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Physical
| 1 hit(s)
| Pierce
| Weapon and All_Out1
|-
| '''Soda'''
| ''Weak''
| 0
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Recovery
| Item and SP_Heal1
|-
| '''Water Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Water
| Item
|-
| '''Wind Gem'''
| ''Weak''
| 2
| Magical
| 1 hit(s)
| Wind
| Item
|}

==Physical Attacks==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Absolutely Fatal End'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Masochism, and Critical3
|-
| '''Aeon Rain'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 5
| 3 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Arm Chopper'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Arrow Rain'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Assault Dive'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Blast
|-
| '''Atom Smasher'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Sick
|-
| '''Bash'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Anti_Block
|-
| '''Black Spot'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Anti_Block
|-
| '''Blade of Fury'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Blastbrand'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Wind
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Blazing Wrath'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Fire
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Blight'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Poison
|-
| '''Brave Blade'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Slash
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Critical3
|-
| '''Carnage Fang'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Seeker
|-
| '''Chaotic Wrath'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Wind
| 3
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem and Critical3
|-
| '''Chillbrand'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Water
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Chthonic Wrath'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Earth
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Cleave'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Still
|-
| '''Crashbrand'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Elec
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Crazy Chain'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Rage
|-
| '''Cruel Attack'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Sadism
|-
| '''Cursed Sword'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Dark
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Dancing Strike'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Strike
| 5
| 3 hit(s)
| Anti_Avoid
|-
| '''Darkness Nail'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Deathbound'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Slash
| 5
| 2 hit(s)
| Area and Critical2
|-
| '''Destruction Smash'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Strike
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Critical2 and All_Out1
|-
| '''Double Shot'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Bind
|-
| '''Double Slash'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| All_Out2
|-
| '''Dragon Whirl'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 6
| 2 hit(s)
| Haze
|-
| '''Dream Needle'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Exhaust and Ailment2
|-
| '''Dual Rush'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 1
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem and Area
|-
| '''Dual Slice'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Dual Smash'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Dual Sweep'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 1
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem and Area
|-
| '''Dual Throw'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 1
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem and Area
|-
| '''Dual Thrust'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Fatal End'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Masochism
|-
| '''Feral Bite'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Feral Claw'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Sick
|-
| '''Feral Thorn'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Wild
|-
| '''Firebrand'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Fire
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Frigid Wrath'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Water
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Gale Slash'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Anti_Avoid
|-
| '''Getsu-ei'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Still
|-
| '''Gigantic Fist'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Strike
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Anti_Block
|-
| '''Heat Wave'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Anti_Block
|-
| '''Holy Arrow'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Charm and Ailment2
|-
| '''Holy Sword'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Light
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Hysterical Slap'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Rage and Ailment2
|-
| '''Kill Rush'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| Wild
|-
| '''Love Whip'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Madness Nail'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 5
| 3 hit(s)
| Anti_Block
|-
| '''Mighty Swing'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Seeker
|-
| '''Mind Slice'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Panic
|-
| '''Myriad Arrows'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Anti_Avoid
|-
| '''Navas Nebula'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Charm
|-
| '''Needle Rush'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Seeker
|-
| '''Nihil Claw'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Slash
| 5
| 2 hit(s)
| Masochism and All_Out2
|-
| '''Poison Claw'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Poison and Ailment2
|-
| '''Power Punch'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Strike
| 5
| 2 hit(s)
| Still and Blast
|-
| '''Rampage'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Raving Cut'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Wild
|-
| '''Sacred Wrath'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Light
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Sadistic Cruel Attack'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Sadism, and Anti_Avoid
|-
| '''Seal Bomb'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Exhaust
|-
| '''Serial Kill Rush'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 4
| 3 hit(s)
| Signature and Wild
|-
| '''Single Shot'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Anti_Avoid
|-
| '''Skull Cracker'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Strike
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Panic and Ailment2
|-
| '''Smashbrand'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Earth
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Snap'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Still
|-
| '''Sonic Punch'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Steady Smash'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Still
|-
| '''Straight Slash'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Slash
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Swift Strike'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Tempest Slash'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Slash
| 5
| 3 hit(s)
| Seeker
|-
| '''Torrent Shot'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| All_Out3
|-
| '''Triple Down'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Twinkle Punch'''
| ''Weak''
| Physical
| Strike
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Unholy Wrath'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Dark
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Untold Wrath'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Elec
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Tandem
|-
| '''Vicious Strike'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Strike
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Sadism
|-
| '''Vile Assault'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Pierce
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Sadism
|-
| '''Wolf Fang'''
| ''Fierce''
| Physical
| Slash
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Masochism
|-
| '''Zan-ei'''
| ''Strong''
| Physical
| Slash
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Wild
|}

==Magical Attacks==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Agi'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Fire
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Agidyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Fire
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Agilao'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Aqua'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Water
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Aquadyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Water
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Aques'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Atomic Bufula'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Bind, Poison, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Bright Flare'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Light
| 4
| 3 hit(s)
| Signature and Exhaust
|-
| '''Bufu'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Water
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Bufudyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Water
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Bufula'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Cold Breath'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Water
| 2
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Consecutive Garu'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Wind
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Haze
|-
| '''Consecutive Garula'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Haze
|-
| '''Crimson Sublation'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Poison
|-
| '''Cursed Name'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Dark
| 4
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Dangerous Garula'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Haze, Panic, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Divine Judgement'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Light
| 6
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Double Agi'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Fire
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Haze
|-
| '''Double Agilao'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Haze
|-
| '''Double Aqua'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Water
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Paralyze
|-
| '''Double Aques'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Paralyze
|-
| '''Duo Zan'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Wind
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Blast
|-
| '''Duo Zanma'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Blast
|-
| '''Dynamic Agilao'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Haze, Exhaust, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Eiga'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Dark
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Eigaon'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Dark
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Eiha'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Dark
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Fabulous Gryva'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Paralyze, Charm, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Fire Breath'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Fire
| 2
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Flurry Bufu'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Water
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Flurry Bufula'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Frei'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Fire
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Freidyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Fire
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Freila'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Furious Psi'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Elec
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Furious Psio'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Garu'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Wind
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Garudyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Wind
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Garula'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Great Magnara'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Bind, Panic, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Gry'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Earth
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Grydyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Earth
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Gryva'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Hama'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Light
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Exhaust
|-
| '''Hamaon'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Light
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Exhaust
|-
| '''Heavenly Cyclone'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Rage
|-
| '''Hell Drop'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Panic
|-
| '''Holy Light'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Light
| 2
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Hyper Zionga'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Paralyze, Sick, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Killer Wind'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Wind
| 2
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Kouga'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Light
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Kougaon'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Light
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Kouha'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Light
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Landslide'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Earth
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Panic
|-
| '''Mabufu'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Water
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mabufudyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Water
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mabufula'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maeiga'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Dark
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maeigaon'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Dark
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maeiha'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Dark
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mafrei'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Fire
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mafreidyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Fire
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mafreila'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magaru'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Wind
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magarudyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Wind
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magarula'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magna'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Earth
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magnadyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Earth
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magnara'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magry'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Earth
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magrydyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Earth
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Magryva'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mahama'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Light
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Exhaust
|-
| '''Mahamaon'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Light
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Exhaust
|-
| '''Makouga'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Light
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Makougaon'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Light
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Makouha'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Light
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mamagna'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Earth
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mamagnadyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Earth
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mamagnara'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mamudo'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Dark
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Panic
|-
| '''Mamudoon'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Dark
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area and Panic
|-
| '''Mapsi'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Elec
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mapsio'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mapsiodyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Elec
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Bind, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maragi'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Fire
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maragidyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Fire
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maragilao'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Haze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maraqua'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Water
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maraquadyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Water
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maraques'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mazan'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Wind
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mazandyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Wind
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mazanma'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Blast, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mazio'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Elec
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Maziodyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Elec
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mazionga'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Paralyze, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Mega Zanma'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Blast, Sick, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Megido'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Megidola'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Megidolaon'''
| ''Severe''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 7
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Mighty Wave'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Exhaust
|-
| '''Mudo'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Dark
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Panic
|-
| '''Mudoon'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Dark
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Panic
|-
| '''Multi-Dimension'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Poison
|-
| '''Multi-Eiha'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Dark
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Multi-Kouha'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Light
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Haze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Nirvana'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Light
| 4
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Psi'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Elec
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Psio'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Psiodyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Elec
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Bind and Ailment1
|-
| '''Rapid Zio'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Elec
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| All_Out3
|-
| '''Rapid Zionga'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| All_Out3
|-
| '''Riotous Gry'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Earth
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Riotous Gryva'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Sequence Magna'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Earth
| 2
| 2 hit(s)
| Bind
|-
| '''Sequence Magnara'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Earth
| 4
| 2 hit(s)
| Bind
|-
| '''Shock'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Elec
| 1
| 2 hit(s)
| Sadism and Critical2
|-
| '''Sonic Wave'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Critical3
|-
| '''Stagnant Air'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Dark
| 2
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Super Psio'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Bind, Exhaust, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Trial of Darkness'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Dark
| 6
| 3 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Trio Frei'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Fire
| 1
| 3 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Trio Freila'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 3
| 3 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Ultra Freila'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Fire
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Blast, Poison, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Virus Breath'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Dark
| 4
| 3 hit(s)
| Signature and Sick
|-
| '''Wonderful Aques'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Water
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature, Paralyze, Charm, and Ailment1
|-
| '''Zan'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Wind
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Zandyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Wind
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Zanma'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Wind
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Blast and Ailment1
|-
| '''Zio'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Elec
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Ziodyne'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Elec
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|-
| '''Zionga'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Elec
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Paralyze and Ailment1
|}

==Recovery, Status Cleansers, Attribute Enhancements==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Amrita'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Patra, Nervundi, and Area
|-
| '''Bright Revel'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Up, Crt_Up, and Area
|-
| '''Dance of Bravery'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Up, Crt_Up, and Mystic
|-
| '''Dekunda'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Renew, Area, and Efficient
|-
| '''Dia'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 2
| 1 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Diarahan'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 6
| 1 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Diarama'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| None
|-
| '''Doronpa'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Cloak
|-
| '''Energy Drop'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Nervundi and Mystic
|-
| '''Energy Shower'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Nervundi and Area
|-
| '''Heat Riser'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Up, Def_Up, Spd_Up, and Mystic
|-
| '''Intense Diarama'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature and Sadism
|-
| '''Kind Diarama'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 4
| 1 hit(s)
| Signature and Masochism
|-
| '''Madoronpa'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Cloak, Area, and Mystic
|-
| '''Marakukaja'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Def_Up and Area
|-
| '''Masukukaja'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Spd_Up and Area
|-
| '''Matarukaja'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Up and Area
|-
| '''Media'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Mediarahan'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Mediarama'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Area
|-
| '''Me Patra'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Patra and Area
|-
| '''Patra'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Patra and Mystic
|-
| '''Rakukaja'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Def_Up and Mystic
|-
| '''Rebellion'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Crt_Up and Mystic
|-
| '''Recarm'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Revive
|-
| '''Recarmdra'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Stress, Revive, and Area
|-
| '''Refresh Ring'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Nervundi, Patra, and Mystic
|-
| '''Revolution'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Crt_Up and Area
|-
| '''Salvation'''
| ''Severe''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 7
| 1 hit(s)
| Area, Purify, and Panacea
|-
| '''Samarecarm'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Revive
|-
| '''Shade Revel'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Spd_Up, Def_Up, and Area
|-
| '''Sukukaja'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Spd_Up and Mystic
|-
|-
| '''Tarukaja'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Up and Mystic
|}

==Attribute Reduction and Status Ailments==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Anima Freeze'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Exhaust, Area, Mystic, and Ailment3
|-
| '''Balzac'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Rage, Ailment2, and Mystic
|-
| '''Dark Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Dark_Break
|-
| '''Debilitate'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Dn, Def_Dn, Spd_Dn, and Mystic
|-
| '''Dekunda'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Renew, Area, and Efficient
|-
| '''Dormina'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Exhaust, Sick, and Ailment2
|-
| '''Earth Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Earth_Break
|-
| '''Edict of Fear'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Dn, Crt_Dn, and Mystic
|-
| '''Edict of Ruin'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Spd_Dn, Def_Dn, and Mystic
|-
| '''Elec Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Elec_Break
|-
| '''Evil Smile'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Sick, Area, Mystic, and Ailment3
|-
| '''Evil Touch'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Sick, Ailment2, and Mystic
|-
| '''Fire Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Fire_Break
|-
| '''Hapirma'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Exhaust, Panic, and Ailment2
|-
| '''Heal Block'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Recovery_Wall
|-
| '''Illuzone'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Rage, Charm, and Ailment2
|-
| '''Light Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Light_Break
|-
| '''Mafui'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Panic, Sick, and Ailment2
|-
| '''Marakunda'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Def_Dn and Area
|-
| '''Marin Karin'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Charm, Ailment2, and Mystic
|-
| '''Masukunda'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Spd_Dn and Area
|-
| '''Matarunda'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Dn and Area
|-
| '''Obeisance'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Crt_Dn and Area
|-
| '''Pierce Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Pierce_Break
|-
| '''Poisma'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Poison, Ailment2, and Mystic
|-
| '''Poison Mist'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Poison, Area, Mystic, and Ailment3
|-
| '''Pulinpa'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Panic, Ailment2, and Mystic
|-
| '''Rakunda'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Def_Dn and Mystic
|-
| '''Sexy Dance'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Charm, Area, Mystic, and Ailment3
|-
| '''Shibaboo'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Charm, Poison, and Ailment2
|-
| '''Slash Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Slash_Break
|-
| '''Slumpa'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Rage, Poison, and Ailment2
|-
| '''Soul Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Exhaust, Ailment2, and Mystic
|-
| '''Strike Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Strike_Break
|-
| '''Submission'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Crt_Dn and Efficient
|-
| '''Sukunda'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Spd_Dn and Mystic
|-
| '''Tarunda'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Dn and Mystic
|-
| '''Tentarafoo'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Panic, Area, Mystic, and Ailment3
|-
| '''Valiant Dance'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Rage, Area, Mystic, and Ailment3
|-
| '''Veil of Weakness'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Atk_Dn, Crt_Dn, and Area
|-
| '''Veil of Fragility'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Spd_Dn, Def_Dn, and Area
|-
| '''Water Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Water_Break
|-
| '''Wind Break'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Wind_Break
|}

==Navigator==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Ability Scan'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Support_Scan
|-
| '''Basic Analysis'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Weakness_Scan and Strength_Scan
|-
| '''Disrupting Wave'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Curse and Area
|-
| '''Healing Wave'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Regen and Area
|-
| '''Relaxing Wave'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Vigor and Area
|-
| '''Resistance Scan'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Strength_Scan
|-
| '''Rousing Wave'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Fortune and Area
|-
| '''Shroud'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Eclipse
|-
| '''Wide Shroud'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Eclipse, Area, and Mystic
|-
| '''Annihilation Song'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Ruin, Curse, Area, and Signature
|-
| '''Brutal Scan'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Weakness_Scan and Strength_Scan
|-
| '''Deep Shroud'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| Eclipse
|-
| '''Focus Note'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Regen, Vigor, and Mystic
|-
| '''Full Analysis'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Strength_Scan, Weakness_Scan, Support_Scan, and Mystic
|-
| '''Lunar Eclipse'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Eclipse, Area, and Renew
|-
| '''Orb of Power'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Inner_Strength, Area, and Efficient
|-
| '''Orb of Resolve'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Cloak, Area, and Eclipse
|-
| '''Victory Song'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Renew, Fortune, Area, and Signature
|-
| '''Enemy Radar'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Omen, Area, and Mystic
|-
| '''Escape Route'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Prophecy, Area, and Melody
|-
| '''Impenetrable Shroud'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 5
| 1 hit(s)
| Eclipse
|-
| '''Total Analysis'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Strength_Scan, Weakness_Scan, Support_Scan, and Ruin
|}

==Defender==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Heal Guard'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 1
| 1 hit(s)
| Cover
|-
| '''Vital Cover'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Cover and Def_Up
|-
| '''Agile Cover'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Cover and Spd_Up
|-
| '''Ally Guard'''
| ''Weak''
| Magical
| Recovery
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Full_Cover
|-
| '''Line Guard'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Phys_Safety and Area
|-
| '''Spell Guard'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| Magi_Safety and Area
|-
| '''Full Guard'''
| ''Fierce''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 0
| 1 hit(s)
| All_Safety and Area
|}

==Miscellaneous==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Tier
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Element
! scope="col" | PL
! scope="col" | Hits
! scope="col" | Flags
|-
| '''Life Drain'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| HP_Drain
|-
| '''Spirit Drain'''
| ''Strong''
| Magical
| Almighty
| 3
| 1 hit(s)
| SP_Drain
|}

[[Category: Systems]]

2025-11-14: The Style is Classic For a Reason

2026-01-13T17:38:47Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: The Style is Classic For a Reason''' *'''Cast:''' Laurent Fontaine, Maria Sakurai *'''Where:''' Kagurazaka - Hillside Street *'''OOC Date:''' November 14, 2025 *'''IC Date:''' August 10, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Slipping away from her friends after spotting her ex-boyfriend, Maria wanders over to Kagurazaka and encounters a foreign man...! But he's a professor, so that's okay. He tolerates her Maria-ness, and they have a nice chat.'' ---- <Pose Tracker>..."

*'''Log: The Style is Classic For a Reason'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Laurent Fontaine]], [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Kagurazaka - Hillside Street
*'''OOC Date:''' November 14, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' August 10, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Slipping away from her friends after spotting her ex-boyfriend, Maria wanders over to Kagurazaka and encounters a foreign man...! But he's a professor, so that's okay. He tolerates her Maria-ness, and they have a nice chat.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
Kagurazaka has a market some weekends.

Tokyo has street markets -- really, any city of its size is bound to have a lot -- but Kagurazaka's market is special. The French expatriates that call Kagurazaka home mean that French, and especially Parisian, goods are at hand. If someone wants a baguette or a croissant, or imported clothes from France, or to just people watch folks from outside of Japan...

Well, the Friday evening market is a great time to do it. The market runs along the street that runs next to the former moat of a Tokugawa castle, now turned into a canal.

Most of the people here are still Japanese. And thus, as always, Laurent Fontaine stands out.

Literally.

He is some six feet, four inches in height -- towering over most of the crowds, tall even by European standards. Laurent is wearing a collared navy blue shirt, untucked but buttoned -- and slacks. This is what passes as casual for him. He runs a hand through his beard, as he turns over an apple at a fruit stand, considering it.

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria shouldn't have come to Tokyo. It had just been to check out a new shop the other girls had been raving about, and all had been well on their shopping trip until she'd seen ''him''.
With his new girlfriend.
He hadn't seen her.

Maria had run away, leaving her friends behind. And then she'd ended up here, in a place she doesn't think she's seen before. There are more foreigners here than other places, she had noticed after wandering a way. And foreign things! And foreign foods. Look, croissants!

(Maria, most cafes have those...)

Unsubtle, she's been staring. It's almost like being in a foreign country! You know, if it were still majority Japanese. And that man over there is at least a foot on her...

Dressed in the Seven Sisters uniform, she's certainly a high schooler of some extraction, just not one from Tokyo. Her uniform places her as someone from Sumaru if one is familiar. Her long pink hair is pulled up into a high ponytail with a large white ribbon. Her schoolbag clutched behind her thighs, she's staring at Laurent.

"Hi!" she says at last. "You're really tall! I've met an American before, you know, and he wasn't as tall as you are!"

This may be the warning sign about how this conversation will go.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
Laurent is getting used to attracting stares. It comes with the territory of being foreign born and with his height -- though the fact he has money, and dresses like he does, has a way of making the stares not be too awkward. He turns his head, as he catches Maria looking at him. No, staring.

His eyebrow quirks -- and then there's a smile. He doesn't place her school uniform; the only one he really recognizes in Shujin's, and only because his daughter goes there.

"Bonjour. But, I'm no American," he says with a wink. His Japanese is heavily accented. "But... I have heard there are tall Americans, too, hm?"

He is in his mid-thirties, easily. He smiles at her and rolls with it -- maybe he's charmed, or maybe he is just being nice. "But, I wonder. Can you guess where I'm from, by the accent?"

It might be a joke. There are literally French flags decorating some of the nearby stalls.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
His accent is different than Tyler's. Less... nasal, among other things. Isn't it weird, how Americans have a nasal accent?

"Uh huh! Some of them are very tall," she tells him. "I've seen movies, you know," she informs him, as if to explain how a Japanese high-schooler is an authoritative source on the heights of Americans.

But, can she guess where he's from by his accent?

"Um..."

Kagurazaka is known as a neighborhood for many FRENCH expats.

Decorating many of the stalls are FRENCH flags.

There are many distinctly FRENCH goods and foods for sale all around her.

Maria stares up at Laurent, doing a fine impression of a website trying to load and failing.

"Um... England? Scotland?" she hazards, full of hope.

The only reason Maria isn't in the bottom third of her class is because of her math scores.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, movies! Of course," Laurent says, with a patient smile.

He looks down at Maria and he waits as she tries to work through the answer. A French flag flutters behind him; in the distance, a man with a red beret and a striped white and black shirt plays the piano. When she responds, he keeps smiling.

"I'm afraid not. South of there," he says. "I'm from France. Paris, originally." He extends a hand to her for a handshake. "Laurent Fontaine, professor of history at the University of Tokyo, at your service."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria takes in all these things.

She still gets a failing grade.

"South?" Maria says, and she's already starting to think about what's south of England. A dotted line travels south of the British Isles and lands on... on... there's a section of the map that just has the words 'Spain? Italy??' scribbled on it in her mental map of the world.

Mercifully, he explains. "Oh! France! The Eiffel Tower! ...But you don't look French?"

...Laurent may well be starting to get the impression that there is not a lot going on in this girl's head. Some people are very simple! That's fine.

"But, you don't look French," she says, glancing down at his hand and pausing for an uncomfortable period before remembering, oh, yes, foreigners shake hands. She extends her own.

"Wow... at Tokyo University? Oh-- um, I'm Maria! Maria Sakurai." She pauses. "I'm just a student, though. At high school. I'm not a professor. I've never thought about being a professor, you know."

A long silence follows behind.

"So, where is this, anyway? I mean-- we're still in Tokyo." The uncertainity in her expression does suggest that there is a '...right?' still present, though.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"I don't, do I? What does a Frenchman look like, then...?"

He says it with cheer. It ''is'' a type of fun to get an unfiltered view of what expectations a Japanese high schooler might have for his homeland. Laurent looks thoughtful, for a moment, then -- though he shakes her hand, before pulling his back.

"It's good work, if it is your sort of thing," he says. "And yes. I teach European history and some courses on ancient history. Perhaps, one day, if you should attend there..."

He smiles. The smile flickers, though, with confusion. She doesn't know where she is?

"This is Kagurazaka. A... neighborhood?" He sounds unsure. Tokyo's neighborhoods and regions are a little confusing to him, still. "Of Tokyo. A lot of French expatriates live here, you see. A little slice of home, I suppose."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
What does a Frenchman look like...?

Maria gazes up at him, her expression distant as she thinks carefully about what makes someone 'look French'.

"Epaulettes," she says, and there might be some surprise, perhaps, that she knows a word like that. "And a feathered hat. And a cravat." ...Maria, that fashion is over one hundred and fifty years behind at ''least''.

One other fun Maria fact: she reads way too many romance novels. She also is a girl of culture and has read Rose of Versailles. Please don't quiz her about any historical facts in the manga, she won't remember them.

It would probably just make Laurent sad, anyway.

"Maybe?" Maria offers, because she's a second year, and even if it feels like it's coming at her too fast, a third year and the entrance exams are a long way away. And... does she want to go to college? Does she even know what her future should look like, so near and so far off?

"Kagurazaka... Kagurazaka," she says, repeating the name for good measure, like she doesn't want to forget it. "Got it! I was with my friends in, um," she pauses, thinking as she takes a quick look about, "Kaguragashi. At the mall?"

It's really just across the Kanda River. She's wandered a bit, but hasn't gone too far off-course.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"Hm," Laurent muses. "A little out of date... though, the style is classic for a reason." After all, some of his Hunter's garb is much like that. Though, Laurent dare not mention that to her. She wouldn't know anything about that, he is sure.

He doesn't press the point about college. Oh, he encourages everyone to go -- but she seems reticent. Moreover, he is beginning to think she might be lost. This makes him need to be a responsible adult.

"Ah! Across the river," he says. He looks thoughtful for a moment. "You wandered a little away from them, then? Or did you split up for the day?"

He tries -- and fails -- to do the train route in his head. He still needs his smartphone to handle navigating Tokyo's subways and trains, though.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Uh huh!" Maria says, pleased. "I think it looks good!" Especially on the front cover of a slightly spicy light novel, which may comprise 100% of the things Maria actually reads these days. "No one dresses like that here, though." She may have an odd idea of what people should be wearing in other countries. But perhaps he should be happy she's not saying they wear striped shirts and berets and carry around baguettes. ...Like a mime.

She seems like she might be a little lost. Some less kind people might say she's been a little lost most of her life.

Her expression turns a little more... reticent than before. She looks away, as if something were on her mind. "Something like that. Anyway-- um, I have my phone, so I can call them...? And, if it's just across the river..."

She doesn't seem like she's in any great hurry to get back, though.
'He' might still be there.

"So-- uh, you live here, Fontaine-san?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"Well... I suppose it would be a little like everyone wearing kimono and samurai armor," Laurent says, with a briefly thoughtful look. He keeps his voice patient; she might be a little lost, but having had over a decade of teaching introductory history courses in different cities, he has gotten used to such patience.

He catches the way she looks reticent. He doesn't pry -- no, best not to.

"Good," he says. "As long as you're pleasantly lost, and not unpleasantly." Then, he smiles at her question. "Just so! I live here, with my daughter. She... is also in high school, though--ah, not yours, going by the uniform."

His nose wrinkles, for a moment. "I moved here last year, to teach at the university. And do research, too, of course."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Hmm..."

Maria thinks about this.

"That would be... really cool, though? It would be like living in a samurai epic..." she muses aloud, starry-eyed.

It may be possible to consume too much fiction for entertainment.

"It's not pleasant," she says, all of a sudden, only to start like someone flipped a switch on the back of her neck. "But-- not unpleasant! It's... it just 'is'." She shrugs, helplessly.

Teenager matters are like that sometimes.

Not hers, going by the uniform. Maria tilts her head to one side, like a puzzled dog. It's almost like she has to think about that for a moment, a little mental math playing its way out as she considers if they had any transfer students in the last year.

And to be fair to Maria, there is actually a reason why there could be a missed transfer student in her school and she would have missed it that has nothing to do with her powers of perception.

"Yes. There's no one like that at Sevens," she says. "Besides, it's over in Sumaru, right? Your daughter would live with you."

At least, that's what a 'normal' girl like Maria assumes, forgetting in the moment that she's met a young foreign girl, all in the midst of an exploration of a 'haunted hotel' featuring 'actors' (real ghosts).

Yeah. She's already met his daughter and has failed to, once again, thread the needle.

Continuing blithely on, Maria says, "Oh, I see. So you're new. But your Japanese is very good!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"It would be exciting... though, perhaps too exciting," Laurent says. He tilts his head, then -- his eyes blinking when she says that it's not pleasant. Or unpleasant.

"It sounds complicated," Laurent says. "And--ah, yes. She lives with me. She goes to Shujin Academy. It's a good school, I understand, though... that business with that bastard of a teacher."

He frowns for a moment, and then he smiles at the compliment of his Japanese. "I studied when I was younger," he says. "I've learned a few languages, in fact. Some ancient ones, for my job."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
What else is she going to say about it? It's going to be super awkward when she calls them. They'll proably tell her off for ditching them. They wouldn't get it, even if she told them, though.

No one does.

But right now, it's neither here nor there.

Or actually, unfortunately, it is. Maria wrinkles her forehead, her mouth twisting in a frown. "Shujin, huh... That's... um, nevermind." She blinks, though, at what else he has to say. "Um. What was that about a teacher?"

It's not like she'd really heard about it, since by the time she was out of the hospital and returned to school, the conversation at Sevens had moved on well ahead of 'old' news like that.

So he's studied a lot of languages? Even old ones. "Oh! Like, um, pig Latin?"

...Almost, Maria. Almost.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
Laurent certainly wouldn't be the person to go to -- but, for that matter, he knows that.

"Ah, just a rotten teacher who was there," the professor says. "He is gone now, though, and that's that." He doesn't see the need to give Kamoshida the dignity of speaking his name aloud; some don't deserve such things, Laurent thinks.

At the question of pig Latin, though, he laughs.

"Latin, not of the porcine variety," Laurent says, after a good chuckle. Then, he glances at his watch -- he still wears one, and it's very fashionable -- and then looks up. "Ah, but pardon me. I should be getting home. I'll need to help make dinner. It was a pleasure to meet you, madamoiselle. Enjoy Kagurazaka, hm?"

He puts the apple he was considering back and smiles -- then tips his fingers to his brow, before he starts off.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh. Well, that's good. I hope he didn't die, even if he was rotten." This is a sentiment that might well shift, though, if she knew at all what he'd done. Maria pauses, though, on the subject of Shujin and that bad teacher there before offering up, "Our principal died, you know. They say it was the Joker Killer who did it. The police can't catch him..."

She's pensive, thinking again of what Akechi had told her.

People who don't deserve to hurt like that, rotten people, and... people who can't be caught by the law. It's all a jumble. It's almost like-- the answer is there, and then.

And then she hesitates and pulls away.

"Oh. So, 'Regular Latin'?" she says, turning the new subject over eagerly. If there's Pig Latin and Regular Latin, then... "Do other languages have things like that? Um, like... Horse French and Regular French? There's nothing like that for Japanese, though. But I think it would be good if there was."
She has no filter, it seems.

But-- ah, they're out of time. He has to go home and help make dinner, and she...

"Ah! I see. Then, please take care, Fontaine-san!" It's probably not likely that they'll meet again. But...

Her gaze turns to the apple, resting there by itself. What was that about apples? About rotten apples. ...How would it be, for someone who died at the hands of the Joker Killer?

Enjoy Kagurazaka, he'd said. Perhaps she doesn't have to call her friends. Not today.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2025-12-24: Where Different Pieces Fit Together

2026-01-13T17:31:22Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: Where Different Pieces Fit Together''' *'''Cast:''' Katsuya Suou, Tamaki Uchida *'''Where:''' Kuzunoha Detective Agency *'''OOC Date:''' December 24, 2025 *'''IC Date:''' August 30, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Katsuya and Tamaki catch up at the Kuzunoha Detective Agency and get a chance to chat while they're not in the middle of a crisis. They talk about recent events and Katsuya's brother, and Katsuya makes another attempt to ask about what happened in Mikag..."

*'''Log: Where Different Pieces Fit Together'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Tamaki Uchida]]
*'''Where:''' Kuzunoha Detective Agency
*'''OOC Date:''' December 24, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' August 30, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Katsuya and Tamaki catch up at the Kuzunoha Detective Agency and get a chance to chat while they're not in the middle of a crisis. They talk about recent events and Katsuya's brother, and Katsuya makes another attempt to ask about what happened in Mikage-cho. However, it's not Tamaki's tale to tell.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
It's been weeks since he's been by the detective agency with anyone at all, let alone by himself.

Considering recent events, though, it's likely wise to check in. With work being the way it is and their often-clashing schedules, he hasn't had much chance to stop and talk to the others in their little group. That and-- well, he'll be the first to confess that he'd cut the rest of them out of his own involvement with the Palace. Considering the rumors about the young man in question and what else they'd found out, though, Katsuya is still unfortunately convinced it was necessary.

"Hello?"

Pushing open the door, he steps into the detective agency office, his gaze as always first taken by the enormous golden lucky cat statue. It always reminds him of the dog statue at the police department and, well, it ''is'' a cat.

Of course, the other thing about coming out here is, just days ago he had gone to a festival event in Iwatodai, and there he'd crossed paths with Tamaki Uchida and not under 'dire circumstances' for a change. She had told him something very, very important and he's been doing his best to not dwell on what he'd done.
Also, he'd caught a goldfish.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Like clockwork, the lucky cat statue located just inside the Agency meows, pleading with Katsuya for "1000 yen, please, nya~!" As it does with anyone and everyone who passes through its doors. It's definitely not antagonizing Katsuya in particular, no.

Todoroki seems to be in the middle of a phone conversation, and stands from his desk to move to the rear kitchenette, the low rumble of his voice diminishing as he disappears to go make some tea for himself. He does give Katsuya a nod before he steps away, however, gesturing to Tamaki's desk as he does so.

Tamaki has been spending the better part of the day trying to organize her case files before her university classes resume within a few days. From the looks of it, she has made steady progress, with a tall stack of binders placed on her desk and only a few scattered pages and half-filled binders strewn about in a yet-to-be-organized state.

Even this late in summer, the heat and the tedium of her task seem to have gotten the better of her, and she remains slumped over on her desk, dozing quietly next to several now-empty canned coffees. Katsuya's 'Hello?' and the cat statue's mewling cause her to wake up with a start.

There's a bright, saturated yellow divider tab stuck to her forehead. She blinks several times as she tries to gain her bearings, but seeing that there's someone present jolts her to something at least ''resembling'' full wakefulness within moments. " -- Suou-san! Hello! What brings you here today?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
The last time Katsuya had been in here, he'd given 1000 yen to the statue. He had assumed that, like Coppy, it had been to collect money for a good cause but... now that he thinks about it...

His musings -- punctuated as they are by the statue's request for a donation, are interrupted when he glances over at Todoroki and finds he's in the middle of a serious phone conversation. Briefly, Katsuya gestures towards the door, only for Todoroki to gesture at Tamaki's desk, and the older investigator makes his way to the kitchenette before this game of Charades can get any more involved.

Speaking of Tamaki, she appears to be busy, if he's to judge by all the paperwork, binders, and empty cans of coffee. She also appears to be asleep--

Well, for a half-second more, that is. She rises suddenly from slumberland, and Katsuya can't help but notice that something has made the jump to wakefullness along with you.

"Actually, I, er..." he starts, pausing as he thinks about how to say this. "Uchida-kun, there... is something," he says, gesturing vaguely in the direction of his own forehead. It would be better to try to ignore it, almost, except...

Well, he knows that as embarrassing as it would be for him to be in the same situation, it would be moreso for him to be in the same situation and ''not be alerted of it''.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki stares at Katsuya in quizzical confusion for a moment before she catches his meaning and peels the plastic tab off of her forehead. Her quiet snicker gives way to open laughter as she shakes her head at herself. "Snrrrrkkkkhahahahaaa. ''Wow'', not my proudest moment." Whatever embarrassment she feels, if any, is brief and fleeting, falling away from her like water off a duck's back.

She inhales sharply and clasps her hands together as she stands from her desk to properly greet Katsuya. "Well! I take it you didn't come here solely about ..." She silently taps her forehead where the tab was moments ago, then breaks out into a grin. "But seriously, what's up?"

She's at least got a few ideas of her own regarding topics to catch up on. "Got anything to share about the Joker Killer? How did we both end up at the Atelier and the Palace in parallel? Or, uh ..."

Her expression falters, and she grows serious as she asks her last question. "How's your brother? I haven't heard from him in a bit ..."

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Surely, she'll be embarrassed, or upset at herself for having the issue pointed out. It's how he would feel, Katsuya assumes.

Tamaki catches him off-guard by not only 'going with the flow' of it, but by even laughing at herself. "I thought it was best to mention it," he says, discharging the excuse for himself that he'd had prepared before he'd spoke up. It hardly seems needed now, though.

It's not what he had expected, but then, the same could be said about a number of his acquaintances of late. Someone who can use a Persona is not a 'normal' person.

Unfortunately for Katsuya, the same applies to him as well.

"No, of course not. I wanted to ask about recent rumors, particularly after that recent Palace. I know what my colleagues are talking about," he explains, "but when it comes to what everyone else is... Of course, I also check Darkside, but that does not tell me about everything that is happening."

Especially when it comes to what people are passing about as rumor, and thus, what could become true.

"To tell you the truth, in both cases it was both Darkside and Akabane-kun that led me into those circumstances," he says, of the Atelier and the Palace. "However, when it comes to the Joker Killer... no, not beyond an apparent recent attempt. Amano-kun and Serizawa-kun were able to help handle the situation. It appears that he is preparing for something..."

And Ulala, last he checked, was also thinking about trying to call him herself.

"I am hoping that we may be able to work with Sakura-san to learn more, particularly about the sanitarium," he concludes, because that's the best he has. "If we are correct in the connections between the killer and Tatsuzou Sudou, then the killer likely is in truth Tatsuya Sudou. In fact, at this point, I would be surprised if he were not. We will need some way to gain entrance to the sanitarium, however. I do not think we will be able to walk in the front door."

But Tamaki has something else she wants to ask about, something a lot closer to his heart. How is his brother?

"..." Katsuya glances away from her. "I have not... heard from him in a little while." Or heard about him, if he's being more accurate. Tatsuya's keeping his number blocked, it seems, and he still hasn't called home. "I still don't know what he's thinking. He missed his final exams, and the second semester starts next week. At this rate..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki nods while grinning at Katsuya's offered explanation. It was best to mention it! "I appreciate the heads-up! Thank you!"

She curls a finger over her chin as she recalls her own routes. "The way I found out about the Atelier, I had found out about from some old classmates I had reconnected with. I figured it'd be prudent to get some firsthand experience on something that was a new topic to me at the time in order to help out another client." Tamaki grimaces, gritting her teeth. "There's another Homunculus forming, no doubt about it, and that'll mean another Atelier."

Flatly, she adds, "Do not, under any circumstances, try to take on a Homunculus during the Dark Hour." Given the sharp swerve from her usually jovial attitude, this may stand out in stark contrast. "Barely got out alive."

"Seki-kun is who clued me in on the Palace. They're helping out around here, you know." Tamaki rubs the back of her neck. "They've got talent when it comes to spotting things that don't quite add up in public investor reports. A lot of kids that people write off as delinquents actually have something going for them, they just need someone to see it in them, you know?"

That's a bit a tangent, though, which she realizes after having said it. Katsuya points out the rumors on the Dark Side boards, and Tamaki catches his drift. "Wonder if there's a way to find out what was true before a rumor sets in. If someone had gone in early enough and obtained the same information, then we know it was legitimate from the get-go and not just internet scuttlebutt."

She furrows her brow and holds up a finger. "And -- look, I've been through two incidents already prior to all this, and something about that Palace reminds me of those days. They were all cognitive reflections of someone's ideal world. I feel like I'm starting to see the beginning of a throughline, and if that's right, we might need to start looking more closely at the Nanjo Group, the Kirijo Group, and possibly even the government itself. ... That last bit is why I'm interested in Sakura-san, personally."

Tamaki nods at the mention of a 'recent attempt'. "The attack at Shujin, right? I heard about that, I was actually there trying to glean what I could from inspecting the scene and talking with those present. I ran into a Gekkoukan High student there, oddly enough -- a previous acquaintance already -- and he's got some thoughts on the Joker Killer's method of moving from place to place like he does."

She quizzically raises an eyebrow at Katsuya. "... Is Serizawa-san still planning on calling the Joker Killer on herself? She let me in on that plan of hers and came to me for tactical advice. ... and I'm worried about the way she doesn't seem to value her own life as much as others."

Hell, she's worried about that for a lot of people. Lot of that going around lately.

Tamaki gives Katsuya a wry grin after he muses about the Joker Killer's real identity. "Yeah, I've heard some of the aliases he's used from various people. About as subtle as a pile of bricks, but that's induction, not deduction. It's best to be thorough."

Speaking of people she's worried about ... "He comes by every once in a while. He's alive, at least. Usually looking worse for wear, but we keep changes of clothes for him and I've got a healthy stockpile of first aid kits here. Just ... please don't press me too hard on how exactly I have access to those."

She lowers her head and gazes up at Katsuya through half-lidded eyes. "If you want some insight into his mindset ... a long time ago, I was in a similar position to him. I recognize the sense of urgency and purpose he moves with. School took a backseat for me, then, too, and what I had to do was legitimately more important." She lifts her chin back up and shakes her head sadly, gesturing with a hand as she continues. "Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's a good state to be in. It's better than being dead or struck with Apathy Syndrome, though. And ... look how I turned out."

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"I see... from St. Hermelin?" he says, because he has a good idea of at least some of whom she means at this point. But there's more.

There's another Homunculus forming. "--Are you certain? I haven't heard anything about it just yet." He regards her steadily, but... it's not as if he has real reason to think she wouldn't tell him the truth about this. "...I see, so there will be another Atelier soon... this, on top of everything else..." He shakes his head.

She has a warning for him, delivered in such a tone that it takes him by surprise. "You... have personal experience with that? I had seen a warning on Darkside," he adds, glancing askance, but he nods after that moment's thought. "Of course. I have no intention of doing something like that."

But when she speaks about the Palace, he pauses. "Seki-san?" And he might have written it off if she hadn't gone on to note well the rest of the person in question's identity. "Tsubasa Seki... I see. So they are aware of such things? I had not realized." Not everyone who is aware of the supernatural currents has a Persona, and not everyone who has a Persona is necessarily in the know. One thing does not mean the other. But it also doesn't mean he doesn't wonder about it for a moment. Except--

No, that can't be. They had almost been killed at the incident in the park. If they had a Persona, they would have been able to fight back instead of barely escaping with their life. Case closed.

"No, you're quite right. They appear to be a thoughtful young... er, person," he hazards, doing his best with this. "Though, they are a little bit brash. And... I cannot say I understand their choice in fashion, but..." It's not like they started a trend, though. He's encountered plenty of people who attain a similar sort of look in and around Sumaru.

"It's possible," he says of what was before rumors got started, "but I cannot know for certain. I suppose if you were keeping your fingers on the pulse, so to speak." It's the sort of think Baofu might be better equipped to scrape, given his position with the website. The recent incidents, though, have gotten her thinking, especially in line of what's been before. "Do you mean, the incident in Mikage-cho? I have only heard rumors. It's hard to know what actually happened." Mark isn't talking, for one, and the Watanabe's viewpoint into it seems to be limited. "So, Nanjo and Kirijo... they have some connection with a group in Port Island," he says, speaking of SEES, "but that's as much as I know. I don't have the time to look into it, I'm afraid."

And if what Akechi has told him is true, the government is involved deeply in these matters. But then, if they assume the involvement of Tatsuzou Sudou, then they already knew that to be the case.

"I see... I wasn't able to follow up on it, but I overheard some of the particulars," he says, of the attack near Shujin. "Is there anything new you learned from that?" He shakes his head, looking distantly pained. "Unfortunately... there isn't anything my colleagues can learn from regular policework."

Is Ulala still planning on making that call? Hesitating, Katsuya nods. "To be honest... I'm not comfortable with it. If she's determined to do it, though, then the least I can do is protect her if she does." He frowns, thinking on what Tamaki's just said to him. "Do... you think so? I hadn't... considered that." Bit by bit, he's begun to seem that much more troubled than before. "If it's still possible to talk her out of this, perhaps... could I count on you to help me?"

It may come off better if it's not just him making the case.

There's no hiding it: his face falls when Tamaki says he comes by here sometimes, often worse for wear. "How often?" Katsuya asks of her immediately, and it's probably not impossible to see the wheels in his head are turning. Through Umie, he did get to talk to his brother, once, after the events at the art exhibition in Aoba Park, but...
Even if that had gone off amicably enough (all considering), it's still not as if they're on regular speaking terms.

"I... do understand that there is something he feels he should do, but..." Again, he shakes his head. "Putting off his schoolwork and worrying his parents, are these things really necessary? Even if he were to just call them, to say that he's safe..." He sighs. "I know that he's in some sort of trouble, and he's... worried about it following him home, or something like that. Still, is it really necessary that he do it alone?" Even if she says she turned out alright, he can't entirely put a stop on his own worries.

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki nods in confirmation. "Yeah, from St. Hermelin. You remember Kirishima-san from the other day, right? She's one of them. We were both members of the fencing club, specializing in different disciplines. I don't know if you've met Inaba-san or Sonomura-san yet, though ..."

About a newly-forming Atelier, Tamaki confirms: "Dead certain." Tamaki raises a hand. "That warning on Dark Side was, in fact, mine. The good news is that we've obtained the Thread, so entry should be possible soon enough."

On the topic of Tsubasa and how much they know, Tamaki looks up at the ceiling and squints before returning her head to eye level again. "I think they're only kind of aware? They don't seem to have a strong grasp of supernatural concepts, like they're mostly relaying what just sounds like metaphor to them. Their information was second-hand, too, mostly coming from another Persona-user who goes by Phoenix -- though Phoenix's own understanding definitely surpasses Seki-kun's." When he mentions their sense of fashion, the edge of Tamaki's mouth twitches. " -- I think I do understand it. It's a delicate topic, and that's all I'm going to say."

About Mikage-cho, Tamaki nods. "I was at Mikage-cho when that incident happened, yes, as a 3rd-year at St. Hermelin. My own involvement there was limited: I was on the sidelines, holed up trying to protect some classmates and the nurse." She pauses, hesitating over whether she should mention this next part. "... Aaand prior to that, I was much more heavily involved with an incident at Karukozaka High as a 1st-year. The full details of both of those incidents are also delicate topics. You saw what that Palace was like, you can maybe hazard a guess about how those supernatural spaces can reveal some pretty intimate details about someone's life. Mikage-cho's really not my story to tell, and the less said about Karukozaka High, the better."

When Katsuya says he can't look into things on Port Island, Tamaki jerks a thumb over at the pile of binders on her desk and sighs. "Don't worry, I'm on it. The best that I can be, at least. My focus has been on breadth, while most other people such as yourself are more in the weeds on some more specific task. I've got a bit more of a zoomed-out view, seeing where concepts overlap, where different pieces fit together, you know?"

Tamaki shakes her head when Katsuya asks if she learned anything of note about the Shujin attack. "Not much I didn't already know going in, I'm afraid. I actually ''wasn't'' aware that Amano-san or Serizawa-san were present, so we could ask them."

Katsuya's insistence that he protects Ulala garners a nod and a plaintive smile from Tamaki. "That's about the best I can do for her, too." When he asks for her ''help'', though, she nervously smiles and raises her hands. "Aheh hehhh ... I may have bungled my chance to talk her out of it. It -- set something off in me, and I was too hard on her. That may seem uncharacteristic of me, I know, but there are a few things that really get under my skin. Namely, when someone considers a person to be disposable, or someone who 'won't be missed'. I'm used to responding to that sentiment with anger, but that's usually for the likes of Kamiya in charge of his Palace, someone applying that label to a ''different'' person, and my ire was misdirected towards Serizawa-san over her doing that to ''herself''."

How often? "Every ... week or two. The stretches that he's gone for have gotten longer and longer, though."

Is putting off his schoolwork and worrying his parents really necessary? Is it necessary for him to go off alone? Tamaki lowers her head as she prepares to give Katsuya an uneasy answer.

"They ... might be. The last time we spoke, it went about as well when I had that flash of anger towards Serizawa-san, for much the same reason. I'm sorry."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"Yes, I recall. I had thought you were former classmates. So, then you must also be familiar with Inaba-san--" She goes on to say as much and Katsuya nods as if to assert his own agreement here. "I have not yet met your friend Sonomura-san, however." Perhaps, when the time is right, he can try to see what they have to say about what happened in Mikage-cho that others either can't or don't want to say more regarding.

"I see, so that was you," he says, trying to think back about the username. "So do you post there often? I only read, myself." It's probably just as well, because he'd probably pick something extremely stupid as a username on a place like that. But she says she's found the Thread already for the Atelier. "So, then it's only a matter of time. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to call me." Knowing her, Umie will also likely involve herself.

"I see... so rather like Watanabe-san's husband." Who really doesn't have any choice but to be aware after the attempt on his life. "Phoenix? That was the one who fought to try to save them, I think. I wonder why they are interested in protecting Seki-kun. ...Perhaps they feel another attack by the Joker Killer is likely, or..." He shakes his head. "All I can do is speculate, however. It isn't as if I have any evidence to the contrary."

Leaving behind the topic of Tsubasa's choice of fashion (like the night to Katsuya's daylight, if a nice suit is the sun), his mention of Mikage-cho brings about the topic he'd been trying to ask Masao about some weeks prior. While she has some idea of what happened, she says it's not her story to tell--
In contrast to what happened at Karukozaka, which she was more involved with.
Which was also a deeper, personal look into someone else's life.

Slowly, Katsuya exhales a long breath. "I... see. I will respect your, er, their privacy, in that case. If it should become relevant to ongoing cases, however, please.... consider telling us what you do know." That's 'us', not 'him': it's not just about what he wants to know. It's about what they all should understand in order to proceed and survive, should it become relevant and necessary.

His gaze follows the movement of her thumb. "Ah. So it is that complicated? I have some basic understanding about Tartarus and the situation with that, but I suppose, ah... only what most people might come to know." In other words, what Umie told him and what he's gleaned from the boards and other Persona-Users. "Thank you for keeping an eye on it, Uchida-kun. Between things in Sumaru and my work at the police department, I'm afraid I'm limited in what I have the time for." He nods, as if to agree with his own statement to follow: "It's good that we have people looking at as many things as possible. As you say, it can become important to find the connections between disparate things."

Like Ateliers, and Palaces, and whatever it was that happened in Mikage-cho and now Karukozaka High as well. He'll look into the latter, but he expects to find little if anything.

"I see... I don't know if there's much more than that, but we could talk about that once we're able to learn what we can with Sakura-san, perhaps," he says, of the Shujin attack.

She understands how he feels about Ulala putting herself in danger but... might have bungled the attempt to talk her out of it, Tamaki herself admits. "So you..." he asks, seeming just that much taken aback by this bit of fact about how they had been with one another. "...I see... so, she did not take that well." He shakes his head. "I am... admittedly not that certain that I can... do better," he hazards, feeling put on the spot, "but, nevertheless, I feel I should talk to her about this. Having her put herself in harm's way..." He frowns, deeply. "Perhaps we can come to a separate conclusion about what we ought to do. Even an attempt to make our way into the sanitarium to confirm the matter may be less dangerous, considering what they said about what happened in the attack outside Shujin High."

Tamaki meanwhile gives him a little more information about his brother. Every week or two... and the stretches are getting longer. Like he's pulling away even from the people here.

Katsuya fidgets with his sunglasses, the expression on his face decidedly unhappy. "I see..." So in other words, even if he stayed here for a week and watched like a hawk for his brother, there's no guarantee they'd cross paths. In fact, it's entirely possible that his brother wouldn't come by here ever again, even without knowing Katsuya could be waiting for him. "..."

He's silent, thinking this over.

Finally, he shakes his head. "No, it's... alright. This isn't something you need to worry about. I am sorry to trouble you about it, Uchida-kun." He inclines his head, just once. "Thank you for looking out for him."

He's silent for a few moments more, as if he were thinking about the matter still.

Then, at long last, he turns his head to look towards her desk. "Now... I had come by to ask about if there were any new rumors circulating. Do you mind if we talk about those?" It's a blunt attempt to change the subject, yes. But his family's burden shouldn't be the burden of the people at Kuzunoha, too.

He might even come to learn something new here.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

Katsuya Suou

2026-01-13T17:26:20Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Season 1 */

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Katsuya Suou'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Katsuya Suou (周防克哉)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Justice|Justice]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| He/Him
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 25 (December 30, 1986)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Reddish brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Reddish brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'10.5" / 179cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Konan Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Workplace:
| Konan Police Department
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Job:
| Police Sergeant/Homicide Detective
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Focus
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Persona 2 (FC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| Team Whoop-Ass
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Can you apply the penal code to demons?"'''

A young detective in the Konan PD, Sergeant Katsuya Suou was on the "Old Maid" case until he had a supernatural run-in with the Joker Killer himself and made the mistake of reporting it honestly to his superiors. Now, after being told to take a vacation and get some rest, Katsuya is pursuing the case on his own with Joker target Maya Amano, aiming to bring this monstrous serial killer to justice. Katsuya is so stern, serious, and by-the-book that he seems like he'd never overlook any crime, no matter how minor, but his compassion and sense of fairness do prompt him to look the other way sometimes.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''I am Helios...''
''Bearing the ancient sun, I am the one who violates the night!''
''I shall become your loyal chariot!!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Helios is the Greek personification of the sun and drives the chariot that bears the sun across the sky. He features in the Odyssey when Odysseus's men happen upon Helios's sacred cattle which they kill and eat despite Odysseus's warnings. Furious over this transgression, Helios asks Zeus to punish the men and only Odysseus is left alive.

'''Description''': Helios looks like an anthropomorphic black cat with metal cone-like ears; he's the size of a human adult and is dressed in a very fancy if old-fashioned suit.

= Special Skills =

1. ''You're Under Arrest!'' (Guts): Exactly what it sounds like. Katsuya applies the force of the law to the situation (or threatens arrest, as needed) (...can you arrest a demon, well, dammit, he'll try anyway).

2. ''What is Justice?'' (Understanding): Katsuya mulls over the meaning and application of justice, bringing his empathy to the fore in dealing with the situation.

3. ''Advise'' (Charm): Katsuya listens in and gives his suggestions for how to tackle the problem/situation.

=Relationships=

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| [[Tatsuya Suou]]
| Tatsuya
| The Sun
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| Katsuya's younger brother, a senior at Sevens. Hasn't been at school or at home in weeks; Katsuya's getting an ulcer over it.
|-
| [[Maya Amano]]
| Amano-kun
| The Fool
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A reporter, and one of Katsuya's allies in arms in the investigation of #501. Katsuya admires her optimism and resolve. The one who named their group, unfortunately.
|-
| [[Ulala Serizawa]]
| Serizawa-kun
| The Star
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| Maya's roommate, and best friend. In spite of her ways and the fact that Katsuya finds her mildly terrifying, a reliable member of their team.
|-
| [[Baofu]]
| Baofu
| The Hanged Man
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| The owner of the website Darkside of Sumaru, who has his fingers on the pulse of rumors and intrigue in the city. A shady man who uses shady means, but his experience can't be denied, no matter how suspicious Katsuya finds him.
|-
| [[Umie Akabane]]
| Akabane-kun
| The Chariot
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A Convenience store clerk and Tatsuya's former tutor, years ago. Experienced with a Persona; Katsuya has been learning the ways of the Persona-user world from her as well. But, is he mistaken or is she hiding something...?
|-
| [[Myunghon Yeo]]
| Yeo-san
| The Devil
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A shopkeep and shady person. Possibly a criminal. The Harry to Katsuya's Kim (whatever that means...).
|-
| [[Yukari Takeba]]
| Takeba-san
| The Lovers
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A student and member of SEES. Has a good head on her shoulders, but something about her also makes Katsuya a little nervous, like she could cut him with her words alone.
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
NPCs of note!

*Katsuzou Suou: His and Tatsuya's father (not named in canon). Once upon a time, he was a police detective, until he was accused of taking bribes and went to prison for it. These days, he works as a security guard for hire.
*Maiya Suou: His and Tatsuya's mother (not named in canon). Works part-time as a grocery clerk to help make ends meet at home.
*Chief Togashi: Technically an FC; no canon first name given. The chief of the Konan Police Department, and Katsuya's mentor. Once upon a time, he was Katsuya's father's partner as an officer.
*Captain Shimazu: Technically an FC; no canon first name given. An elite homicide investigator. Currently in charge of the Joker Killer investigation. Appears to take a delight in jerking Katsuya's chain, as it were.
*Detective Tani: Technically an FC but only appears in one scene (no canon given name, obviously). A homicide detective at Konan.

= Soundtrack =

*W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me58ToO6owo When a felon's not engaged in his employment] - '''Gag Track'''

= The Stats You've All Been Waiting For =
(yeah this is just extended Disco Elysium tomfoolery for funsies, please pay it no mind)
*'''INT''': 3 - Logic, Encyclopedia, Rhetoric, Drama, Conceptualization, Visual Calculus
*'''PSY''': 2 - Volition, Décor, Empathy, Authority, Esprit de Corps, Suggestion
*'''FYS''': 3 - Endurance, Pain Threshold, Tener Duende, Electrochemistry, Iustitia, Half Light
*'''MOT''': 4 - Hand-Eye Coordination, Perception, Reaction Speed, Savoire Faire, Mise en Place, Composure
'''Focus Stat: Logic'''

==Thought Cabinet==
(''i'll do up something funny text-wise for these someday if the whim strikes me'')
*'''Currently Internalizing''': ''CRIME AND PUNISHMENT''
*'''Internalized''': ''THE OTHER ME IS A CAT''
*'''Not Yet Internalized''': ''VAMPIRE BAKERS''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==
===Season 1 Logs===
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===Season 1 Cutscenes===
{{#dpl:
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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Adults]]
[[Category:Focus]]

2025-10-23: So You Are A Persona-user Now

2026-01-13T17:25:22Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Log: So You Are A Persona-user Now''' *'''Cast:''' Masao Inaba, Katsuya Suou, Ulala Serizawa *'''Where:''' Kameya Alley *'''OOC Date:''' October 23, 2025 *'''IC Date:''' July 30, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''On a tip from Myunghon about an experienced Persona-user in the area, Katsuya and Ulala pay Inaba Dry Cleaning a visit to introduce themselves and ask for some advice, and to also ask after an event Ayame and her husband mentioned. However, some things shou..."

*'''Log: So You Are A Persona-user Now'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Masao Inaba]], [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Ulala Serizawa]]
*'''Where:''' Kameya Alley
*'''OOC Date:''' October 23, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' July 30, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''On a tip from Myunghon about an experienced Persona-user in the area, Katsuya and Ulala pay Inaba Dry Cleaning a visit to introduce themselves and ask for some advice, and to also ask after an event Ayame and her husband mentioned. However, some things should stay buried...''

----

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> Welcome to Monday, July 30th. Another busy day in bustling Sumaru City, and somewhere there is an orange-hued Nekomata lamenting the existence of this day as they bury their face into a very specific kind of italian food. This is not that story, but this footnote nonetheless will be kept for the final copy.

Inaba Dry Cleaning is a newer business in the Hirasaka Ward, owing to the low rent (the true cost, some would say, is being in Hirasaka Ward). It's reputable, for its time here. The owners treat their family business with seriousness and care, and their son... has other passions and plans for his life.

But he's had to move back in with the family, and the early weekdays are some of the busiest. It's a humble-looking locale, and the son in question - one Masao "Mark" Inaba - is currently at the front handling orders. He is presently feeling the creative juices being sapped out of him, but he's had his entire childhood to be around and learn the family trade he was meant to inherit.

He exhales loudly at a break in the wave of customers, a pencil in his hand and a blank pad of paper as he idly tries to sketch and draw some patterns that come to mind while waiting for the next customer to show up. Something to keep the creative juices flowing, in the moment.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
At long last, a long string of night shifts have come to their (apparent) end. This is a good thing, because it means that Katsuya is no longer a creature of the night, forever only seeing the sun in the evening and early morning. It really doesn't suit him at all.

(What he doesn't realize is that it stems entirely from a neutral passing comment from him to the Chief about said extended stretch of night shifts. Togashi can't move against against certain powers that be, but he does have authority over his own department, still.)

It also means that he's at last able to pay a visit to a certain dry-cleaning business in Hirasaka. Myunghon had mentioned that there was an experienced Persona-user here. Can he be so lucky for the mysterious 'Inaba-san' to be in? Well, it's worth a try, he figures.

He hasn't come alone. If they're going to work to make contact with other allies, it isn't something he should keep to himself. He'd mentioned it to Ulala, and then...

"This appears to be the business," he says, holding the door. Is it just him, or is that person at the counter familiar somehow?

Resonance, perhaps, may fill in the gaps here.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>As the buddy* cop* duo (*barely buddies *Ulala is not a cop) arrive at the laundromat, Ulala Serizawa is in her usual green spiderweb outfit, as she steps in after him. "Thanks," she says about holding the door open...

And then her eyes widen a bit in recognition after a moment looking at Mark. "Hey! He's that street artist!"

Wait, *that's* where she remembers him first? (The art was very good.)

"Come on, Katsuya-san, I think this is the guy," Ulala says cheerfully as she approaches Mark, a gentle wave of the hand. "Hi, I'm Ulala Serizawa. I think we've met. Are you busy right now?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> The door opens, and the man who'd name himself Mark* (*this actually came from his mother, kind of, but shh) looks up suddenly from his sketching (which is not inherently sketchy by the other definition).

"Hey, welcome to Inaba Dry Cleaning--" Dutiful greeting, until the Resonance comes into play. One's familiar, the other... maybe, kind of? When Ulala more clearly steps into view with that voice, he stops. Being called 'that street artist' puts a bigger smile on his face, like there's color in the room again. "Heh. A real art appreciator! That's what's up!"

He settles a bit. "Yeah, we did, a while back! How've you been? As for, uh, busy, well... I'm on the clock, but, long as you two are the only people in here," one hand goes to his side as he stands up a bit straighter. "What's up?"

Beat.

"...Cool sunglasses."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
"The... street artist?" He, himself, can't quite remember that (he has other more pressing memories from that day), but he knows he's seen the younger man's face somewhere recently, though hardly so recently for Katsuya to recall the time or place or context--

"...Serizawa-kun?" He's left to stare after her, then, shaking his head, he brings up the rear.

"I'm Sergeant Katsuya Suou," he says, hesitating a moment as he readjusts his sunglasses. "Though... this has nothing to do with police business," he adds, realizing too late how that formal-formal introduction might have sounded.

Is that... resonance? Has he felt this before, somewhere? "You are... 'Inaba-san'? Yeo-san mentioned you to us," well, to him, to be more specific, but this is a group operation!

"I had thought that we should," he starts to say, when Masao compliments his sunglasses. This derails him for a moment.

"Thank you," Katsuya says, at last. It's hard to tell for sure, but he seems somewhat... pleased, maybe? Usually, people seem to want to make fun of his eyewear!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>"Oh, right, you weren't there! He did really good street art for that festival..." Ulala explains to Katsuya, before turning to Mark. "And I am most definitely not a cop!" In case he was worried about that.

Instead... the Resonance feeling also trips her up a bit, but, it's a good thing! They all feel safe, at least. "I've been alright. We actually wanted to talk to you about... that side of reality, I guess?" She scratches her cheek, unsure how to put it, before turning to Katsuya as he gets derailed.

"He's got this look to him, right?" she affirms Mark. She might bully him but his sunglasses *are* kinda cool. Except when he wears them indoors. But now's not the time for bullying!

"Anyways! We're more... new at this, and have been looking for people who might be able to share support. It's a small, scary world, right?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> "Yep, I'm him," he confirms to Katsuya. "Are they all right?" If they're sending people his way on their behalf about something...

Ulala helps pick up the slack about discussing why the two of them are in here, and the street artist nods along. "Heh, well... you're not kiddin', it's a weird-ass world sometimes, yeah. So... I'm guessin' you both played the Persona Game too, right? That's how it happened for me, some time back."

There is a sudden interruption. The woman who is best described as the elemental embodiment of a clingy mother figure happens on in.

"Maa-kun, we're heading out for a short while to speak with someone from-- oh, you have customers! Excuse me." She goes up to Ulala and Katsuya with an apologetic bow. "We're sorry! Something's come up. For the inconvenience, we'll handle your next order without cost. Maa-kun, please take care of the rest."

She helps herself out with Mark just sitting there being all...

"Well, there you have it." He laughs. "Okay, we got some time just like that! Right!" He claps his hands together. "If I gotta be honest, it's not really somethin' I've thought 'bout having to do, but... what do you need to know? 'cause from what I remember, you put up a good fight on the beach there against..."

He trails off. "Well. Another Persona-user," to put it diplomatically.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
So it wasn't that festival to mark the closure of the park? "Ah, I see. I had thought..." But he shakes his head. "Well, it doesn't matter." Ulala asserts that while he's a cop, she is most certainly not, and he glances over at her, his own expression carefully neutral as he tries to conjure that image in his mind. It's...

Well, it's something, alright. Perhaps he can rest assured that it probably wouldn't come about. She might be a natural at interrogations, though.

He nods, as Ulala explains. "Yes, it is relating to 'that sort of thing'," he says, using a rather broad euphemism. "If you are available to talk to us now, we would appreciate it. Otherwise, we can arrange another time?" They did sort of drop in out of the blue, but he wasn't even sure of the man's identity outside the place of work. Calling ahead wouldn't have helped very much.

Are 'they' alright, though? If he hadn't had that discussion with Tsubasa, he wouldn't have thought twice about it, but when he speaks of Myunghon like that, it does make him wonder. ...He'll file this away for later, however.

He does wear sunglasses indoors and at night. But admittedly, that's because he sort of has to. Light sensitivity is a heck of a thing.

"Yes, it was like that for the both of us, too," he says, gesturing as he refers to the same sort of story. "So, you also played that game. I had begun to wonder if we might be the only ones who had," he finishes, thinking back on the other Persona-users he's met and how varied their means are. "You--"

And into the room steps Masao's mother.

"Please, it is no matter," he says, shaking his head as she bows and excuses herself.

"I see. So there is no risk now of anyone else overhearing." He pauses. "You... were also there? Then, I owe you my gratitude. Because of you and everyone else, we were able to save the life of my colleague." And also his own! He keeps forgetting that part. "Well, perhaps that may be so," he says on the matter of 'putting up a good fight', "but we have only been Persona-users for not even two months. What we have learned we have largely had to teach ourselves. If there is anything you can think of that may be useful information, we would appreciate it."

He pauses again, then adds, "Actually, Yeo-san had said you had been a Persona-user for a while. An acquaintance of ours had mentioned an event in Mikage-cho a few years ago that they felt might have been unusual in some manner. The information I have been able to find has been piecemeal. Was that event before your time as well?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>Ulala actually did mean that festival, but miscommunicated about 'meeting him there' and not 'being there'. She should not be trusted with telephones.

"Yeah, when I was in high school," Ulala confirms about the Persona Game. But then, Mark's mom! "Oh, it's no trouble, ma'am."

Once she's gone, Ulala sighs away any tension a mundane may have caused her to build, as she nods along with Katsuya. "Yeah, she seemed... out of it," Ulala says much more diplomatically to Mark than she had when she first met Yua. "We'll take all the info we can get, if you've got any."

A glance to Katsuya as he mentions Mikage-cho, and another nod. "There's been a lot of stuff going on over the years, huh? How far does all this supernatural stuff go back...?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> "I'm glad your colleague got out of that mess okay," Mark says of that, with all sincerity, but he's listening at the mention that Katsuya and Ulala have been Persona-users for 'not even' two months, but in time it starts to feel like he's about to get grilled by one of Lieutenant Baldy's underlings over something he did. (Rest in peace, Baldy.)

Then, more detail about what he was told by Myunghon, and an acquaintance talking about an event in Mikage-cho a few years ago that was 'unusual.'

"Huh? No, it was, uh... around that time, yeah," Mark rubs the back of his head. The pause in his voice would likely not be missed by a thorough detective! "But if I had to be honest with ya, I don't think they make textbooks for, 'So You Are A Persona-user Now,' or whatever."

"Uhhh... first rule, if I had to speak from personal experience, don't go overusin' your Persona if you gotta be out in danger. You don't wanna find yourself surrounded by Demons who you can't fight off," he looks off to the side, "yeah, that... that's the kinda thing that really sucks."

He will conveniently leave out the part that it was because he was raiding the police station for firearms, which he and his friends then proceed to take together and somehow not shoot one another (unless it was a Demon that reflected bullets).

"The second... well. I dunno if this'll make sense to you, and maybe it's not supposed to, but... you just gotta be your true mind, be who you are. Pro'lly not much of a revelation, not like I'm... some kinda wise ol' sage guy, right? I'm an artist, that's just who I am."

"Third!" He interjects. Does he have a third? Is he trying to speak over probing further into Mikage-cho? "Uh. The lyrics in that pharmacy song at Satomi Tadashi, they're tellin' the truth. Took me a while to catch onto that," because every time he was in one with Kei, Kei would be very firm about his low opinion regarding that song and everything about it. He laughs. "Yeah, the medicines and stuff there'll do a lot more heavy lifting than you'd think..."

Come on, fourth? Fourth? Can he list a fourth? Unfortunately, that's a gap in the conversation that's interruptible!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
To be fair, there have been a lot of festivals that Katsuya has not been able to attend due to work or other obligations. The fact that some of those other obligations have involved trying to placate demons remains off the official record for now.

"Thank you, Inaba-san," he tells Masao. Fortunately, everything had been alright, but...

"The young man I fought off seemed strange, himself," he says, of Shiryuu, though he does not think he was taking anything... illegal, in the way that 'Yumi' may have been.

Masao makes an odd pause on the subject of Mikage-cho. Katsuya will remember that.

As prompted, Masao launches into a few tips about being a Persona-user. "No, I do not think they could publish anything like that. There is 'Darkside' of course, but... I find myself skeptical of some of the accounts mentioned there." Sure, he's dealt with things like magic subway mirrors and talking peacocks and, well, a 13th hour that shouldn't exist, but he has to take some things with a grain of salt if he can't verify.

First off, it's best to conserve use of their Personas. "Noted. It would not be good to become overwhelmed. I've encountered a few demons that appear to resist bullets," he remarks, shaking his head.

Be who they are, though? "Hm..." Katsuya frowns, as if thinking this one over. But what if...

Masao has a little more wisdom to dispense. Like the... lyrics of the drug store song? "Is that true?" he asks, skeptism writ large across his face. "The medicines in there ''are'' useful, but... couldn't it be from a rumor?" Perhaps someone else who took the song a little literally??

How far back does it go? He shakes his head. "I cannot say. There are others who are more experienced than us, surely, but it is not easy to tell how long or how far back it goes," he remarks to Ulala. "But, speaking of 'how far back it goes', I am curious, Inaba-san..."

"You had hesitated when I first asked you about the incident back then. Why is that?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>Mark deflects on the Mikage-Cho stuff. Ulala doesn't notice it as well as Katsuya, unfortunately, but does notice something else that leads to the same conclusion.

"So... don't overuse your Persona. That makes sense. True mind... Satomi Tadashi..." Her brow furrows on that last one. "That's helpful, but...

Katsuya starts about the hesitation. Ulala flashes Mark a sympathetic look. "Look, if there's something you can't share, that's fine. We just... we're trying to stop the Joker Killer. We need anything that can help us do that... if he's not stopped, more people will die. The police can't do shit about it..."

She doesn't even look at Katsuya with that last one. He knows!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> 'You had hesitated when I first asked you about the incident back then. Why is that?'

Mark goes quiet. There may be a prolonged period of a verbal stand-off--

Ulala chimes in. The Joker Killer. Anything that can help them with them. That the police can't do shit about it.

"Fuck that guy!" Mark says. "I'm with you on that! I don't want him runnin' free killin' people either!" It sure is good they have the place to themselves! That shouting would have drawn Mother Dearest down on him, and then everyone would have probably been embarrassed to some state of subconscious thread-hanging for their lives. He exhales, looks off to the side, and...

"So look. The 'Joker Killer' shit's been news for me since I came back to Japan a few months back," he turns to face the both of them, "I don't have any clue or whatever you don't."

He shakes his head, looks down at the counter, and...

"All I'm gonna say is that some things just ain't worth dwellin' on any more. Sorry, guys, it's... I'm guessin' you were hoping I'm some kinda amazing hero guy 'cause I'd been a Persona-user for some time, but, nah." He looks up with that smile. "I'm an artist! That's just how I live, y'know? Just..."

"...I'll keep an eye out, 'n keep in touch if that'll give you all peace of mind."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Masao goes silent. Did he press too hard, Katsuya wonders, regarding Mark in silence of his own.

Fortunately, Ulala fills the gap, and explains what it is that they're trying to do, even as Katsuya glances her way.

It's slight, but he winces when Ulala says that last part. "Serizawa-kun, there is no need to be so..." Direct, he'd have to admit, if pressed to finish that sentiment. Unfortunately, it's true. Even if there were no hint of 'outside' involvement in the force, it would remain true. What use would an ordinary officer be against the Joker Killer?

It's only because of his Persona that Katsuya himself didn't die.

But it's that last part that gets a reaction from Masao, the first burst of anything extreme from the younger man in the time they've seen since they walked in here. "Inaba-san--" It's not Mark's language he objects to or anything like that (please regard Ulala there and get back to him). It's surprise.

But Mark collects himself and says he doesn't know anything about that.

And that some things ought to stay buried.

"I... see," Katsuya says at last. "Then, if that is the way you feel, I cannot compel you otherwise. Still, if there is anything that comes to mind about what you can share..." He shakes his head. "But it's quite alright. It seems as if we may be of like mind. If I am able, I want to bring the killer to justice."

But he's had the distant, nagging sense that it might not be possible. Not really, not in the way he'd prefer. Someone with that kind of power...

But to Masao's admission that he's no hero and that he probably hasn't really taught them anything new, Katsuya says, "Actually, to the contrary, Inaba-san. I had hoped perhaps you might be able to tell us a thing or two, and you have done that. Indeed, perhaps more readily than some others."

He may be, again, thinking about Baofu and his own 'figure it out yourself' sort of philosophy.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ulala Serizawa has posed.
<poem>Mark finally responds to Ulala. She nods once, but he says he doesn't know anything, and isn't some hero... "Hey, don't worry about it. We won't pry. But... there's no such thing as an amazing hero guy, is there? We're all just people..." She gives a sympathetic smile, if awkward, and then nods to Katsuya.

"Yeah, thank you. We'll let you go. Just, don't be a stranger, alright? You have anything, the Kuzunoha Detective Agency can put us in touch. Actually..." She realizes she can make it quicker, pulls out a piece of notepad paper, and jots down a number. "Call here, okay?"
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

Maria Sakurai

2026-01-06T01:14:43Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Season 1 */

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Maria Sakurai'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Maria Sakurai (桜井まりあ)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Star|The Star]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| She/Her
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 16 (March 25, 1996)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Dusty pink
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Brown-black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'4" / 163cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Rengedai Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | School:
| Seven Sisters High School
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Year:
| Junior
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Chorus
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Velvet Room MUSH (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| None
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Alright! That's a new best time!"'''

Anyone would agree that Maria Sakurai, a junior at Seven Sisters High School and former rising star in the track team, has been going through a bit of a rough patch. For reasons unknown to anyone, she'd suddenly quit the track team in April, only to then within days get caught up in the subway accident in Tokyo and spend a few months in the hospital. The rumor mill even says that her boyfriend's broken up with her. Perhaps it's just her time of Joka, as the Wang Long enthusiasts would say (and boy, has the Sevens track team really been getting its share of it lately). Normally a cheerful and friendly if air-headed girl, Maria has come off as more than a little bit detached and even frustrated since her return to regular classes, in spite of making a full recovery. Are the scars of what happened really running that deep?

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
None

= Special Skills =

1. ''Girls' Talk'' (Charm): Maria talks about, you know, whatever. Openly, girl to girl (or girl to boy, or girl to enby, it's all good).

2. ''Warm-up Stretches'' (Proficiency): Maria prepares for some athletic exertion or another.

3. ''Go Loud'' (Guts): Aren't you tired of being nice, don't you just want to go apeshit? Maria stops messing around and goes for it, whatever 'it' might be.

=Relationships=

None yet, but watch this space!

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| Keiko Kasahara
(笠原敬子)
| The Empress
| Maria's maternal grandmother. Recently widowed, and dating younger (well, they're in their 50s) men, much to Maria's embarrassment. Unfortunately, granny no longer cares what other people think. Raised Maria after her mother's accident and helps take care of her mother.
|-
| Yasumasa Kasahara
(笠原康正)
| The Hierophant
| Maria's maternal grandfather. Passed away in early 2012. Helped raise Maria after her mother's accident.
|-
| Hiroyuki Sakurai
(桜井博之)
| The Hanged Man
| A beleaguered salaryman who is stuck working in Tokyo proper (his company won't let him relocate to the Sumaru office) and isn't home much.
|-
| Izumi Sakurai
(桜井泉)
| The Lovers
| Paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident and uses a wheelchair. Works part-time at a florist's shop in Rengedai Ward.
|-
| Mint
(ミント)
| The Emperor
| Maria's grandmother's cat. A large, fat white cat with black spots. Ruler of all he surveys. Has never once been fed.
|-
| Ringo
(りんご)
| The Hermit
| Maria's pet turtle. The repository for all of Maria's hopes and dreams and fears. Quite shy.
|-
| Yurie Shirakawa
(白川ゆりえ)
| Strength
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student; Maria's known her since elementary school. A sweet young lady who reads the most cursed romance novels.
|-
| Haruka Hatano
(波田野悠)
| The Magician
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student. Considered herself Maria's foremost rival on the track team once and bemoans the loss of Maria as such. Still on the track team at Sevens.
|-
| Takeshi Nakata
(中田剛史)
| The Chariot
| Maria's ex-boyfriend. Handsome, charming... and absolutely no good. The kind of person who has no regard for the damage they leave in their wake.
|}

= Soundtrack =

*Eurythmics - [https://youtu.be/bG9z-atG7gc Sweet Dreams] - '''Main Theme'''
*Poe - [https://youtu.be/Y9e9ewSV9Ew Hey Pretty] - '''Getting Into Trouble'''
*Blue Oyster Cult - [https://youtu.be/pe3jFvJ0qjs (Don't Fear) The Reaper] - '''Everyone Does It'''
*Florence + The Machine - [https://youtu.be/R2NR-UHH1KE Mermaids] - '''Love'''
*The Warning - [https://youtu.be/J_zHZwslwD0 Dust to Dust] - '''Shadow'''
*Dania - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17-JMbxZWlk Leiley] - '''Restless Motion'''
*Dengue Fever - [https://youtu.be/ru5c1pJkV5A Sleep Walking Through the Mekong (Morgan Page Remix)] - '''Unseen World'''
*Kavinsky - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_3Dpw-BRY Nightcall] - '''Out at Night'''
*Disparition - [https://youtu.be/IMrJyY3uNzc Eliezer's Waltz] - '''Other Side'''
*Tom Lehrer - [https://youtu.be/W6OaYPVueW4 New Math] - '''Gag Track'''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==
===Scenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = logs&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
| addcategories = true
| mode = userformat
| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}
===Cutscenes===
{{#dpl:
|category = cutscenes&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
| addcategories = true
| mode = userformat
| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no cutscenes on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Chorus]]
[[Category:Seven Sisters High School]]

Noriaki Okaga

2026-01-04T07:33:16Z

Strangeshrimp:

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Noriaki Okaga'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Noriaki Okaga (岡賀紀明)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Magician|The Magician]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| He/Him
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 23 (August 11, 1989)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Grey
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 6' / 183cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Tatsumi Port Island
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Workplace:
| Variable
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Job:
| Part-timer
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Nemesis
|-
! style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Velvet Room MUSH (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| Strega
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Heh... Y'know, I'm almost jealous of ya... dyin' so quick like that!"'''

Death is not a hunter unknown to its prey, and Noriaki Okaga, as a dying man, knows it all too well. A person who lives life on the margins, he has as his 'day' job any number of temporary menial gigs when his failing health permits. By 'night', as a member of Strega, he takes to the Dark Hour to fulfill jobs for Revenge Request and for his own purposes as an Artificial Persona User reaching his end. A nasty and vicious person, he lives for the thrill of confrontation and the struggle of life on its thinnest of edges and displays a particular lack of concern for his own well-being in and out of combat.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''Call me Efnysien.''
''With the strength of ten men, I will shatter all before me.''
''All that displeases you shall be destroyed, my other self!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Efnysien is a figure in Welsh mythology that features in the tale of Branwen ferch Llyr, the second branch of the Mabinogi; his resentment and cruelty spark the tragedy of the story. Towards the end of the tale, as the Welsh and Irish forces clash, he opts to thwart the Irish use of the magic cauldron Pair Dadeni to revive their dead and hides among the dead Irish warriors. Cast into the cauldron alive, he destroys it and himself.

'''Description''': A hazy outline of a person is half-submerged in a large boiling cauldron packed with mechanical skeletons. In one hand they hold a string that's tied to a small battered and broken rocking horse, which they use as a flail.

==Special Talent & Resonance==

Noriaki can, by using his Evoker, call nearby mindless Shadows in spaces where there are any to call (e.g. Dark Hour). This is done not by actually controlling them, though. Rather, his resonance becomes so noxious that it feels like a huge 'kill this awful thing' sign to any nearby Shadows. After he's completed calling them, he dips and lets the angry Shadows instead aggro whoever else happens to be in the area. Mechanically, the summoned Shadows are represented by a separate form.

So, what does this mean for any Shadow PCs? Well, nothing mechanical: the enraging effect only works on mindless Shadows. What it feels like, if it feels like anything, is a choice a Shadow PC may make. No reaction is expected at baseline, and there will be no hurt feelings if it is not reacted to.

= Special Skills =

1. ''School of Hard Knocks'' (Understanding): Noriaki's seen some shit. He doesn't have a lot of practical education, but he does understand that when the world knocks you down, you get back up (and maybe even get a shot in on the way if you're quick enough). When it comes to the rough stuff, he gets it (and if nothing else, a little physicality can help 'someone else' understand /his/ point of view if words aren't doing the trick).

2. ''Frame the Shot'' (Proficiency): Noriaki's an amateur photographer, and applies these skills to the situation at hand. Light? Direction? Framing? It's all coming together for a great shot.

3. ''Call of the Void'' (Guts): Do you hear it? That voice in your head that tells you to jump right when you're on the edge? You know better and so you hold back, but did you ever think about what would happen if you... listened? Self-preservation is in the best interest of the self, but sometimes, to get results, you just need to jump. right. in.

=Relationships=

None yet, but watch this space!

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==

None. ...or are there?

= Soundtrack =

*Coconuts - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcMz3aAZDv4 Silver Lights] - '''Main Theme'''
*Shoji Meguro - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCP2e4ZWvtk A Wall that Must Be Crossed ] - '''Pre-Fight Theme'''
*Daisuke Ishiwatari - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfRCnQH4c-I Alone Infection] - '''Only One Outcome'''
*M.O.O.N. - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSzoKL-iO5M Release] - '''Calling Shadows'''
*Yuzo Koshiro - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjJ_Cthj8ko Atheist on the Highway] - '''The Night's the Time'''
*Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3y5xBDNVuo Embers] - '''Fighting Theme'''
*The Primals - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrrNrus5Z2g White Stone Black] - '''Don't Look Any Closer'''
*Rob Dougan - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjvyeGymW80 Speed Me Towards Death] - '''Thanatos Drive'''
*Young Punx - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IARbSVgxw3c Your Music is Killing Me] - '''Your Song'''
*Motoi Sakuraba - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EXvYus2HzU Junk Modulation] - '''Constant Companion'''
*Carter Vail - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fwHJ0tz21M Dirt Man] - '''Gag Track'''
*Tom Lehrer - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuMLpdnOjY Poisoning Pigeons in the Park] - '''Gag Track'''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==

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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Nemesis]]
[[Category:Strega]]

Fictional Pop Culture and Brands

2026-01-01T07:10:09Z

Strangeshrimp: /* Other Games */

This is a non-exhaustive list of various in-universe pieces of pop culture, brands, celebrities, places, items, and so on. Entries may be added as we think of them or as they get ICly released. Players may add entries of their own, but please don't edit already existing entries. If you see something that you think is wrong or should be changed, please send a request to staff.

== Fashion ==

; Rosa Candida (Persona 2)
: A fashionable boutique in Sumaru City's Aoba Ward that sells a variety of stylish clothes and accessories. Rumor has it they also sell quality armor.

; Croco Fur (Persona 4)
: A clothing store in Okina City that offers a wide range of outfits and accessories, from bags to boots, swimsuits to Halloween costumes. Run by Reiko Osa, charismatic fashionista.

; Tsurukame Diamond (Persona 5)
: A jewelry store in the Shibuya Underground Mall.

; Furugi no Neuchi (Persona 5)
: A vintage clothing store in Kichijoji. The perfect place to do some thrifting or sell old, unwanted clothes.

; Adios Shoes (Persona 3)
: A cheap knock-off of a more popular brand; sold by Tanaka's Amazing Commodities. Say "goodbye" to your foes.

; Baipas (Persona 4)
: A brand of sports bags that's similar to Adidas, right up to the logo.

== Entertainment ==

=== Music ===

; Giga Macho CD (Persona 2)
: Hosts a big CD store, production studio, and flamboyant radio DJ wearing a red hoodie and shades known as 'Meteor Masa,' who hosts 'Meteor Masa to the Max.'

; Kenneth Arnold (Persona 3)
: A CD and DVD chain store that has a location within Paulownia Mall.

; Babel Records Music Store (Persona 5)
: A CD and DVD store in the Shibuya Underground Mall.

; Gas Chamber (Persona 2)
: The band of Kasugayama High's Leader, Eikichi Mishina, who is the lead singer. Not yet fully formed, as Eikichi is still scouting members... and getting the members he does have to learn how to play instruments. It's not a failure, it's pre-successful.

; Muses (Persona 2)
: A hot new three-member idol group that's been successfully hyped by their manager, Ginji Sasaki. Many people are very excited for their upcoming debut.

; Hug-My-Heart (Persona 5)
: Debut single by a boy band.

; 3SHINE
: An idol trio from the 90's known briefly for the bittersweet hit 「ＡＮＯＴＨＥＲ♩ＬＩＦＥ」, but disbanded in 2007 after the lead singer died in a car crash.

=== Video/Computer Games ===

; Groove On Fight (Persona 1)
: Atlus fighting game.

; Innocent Sin Online (Persona 3)
: A mysterious MMO that's been running for years, it tells a fictionalized larger than life version of the Innocent Story version with Tatsuya and Maya. How it came about in this world is a mystery. (Don't use this to establish knowing things about the Other Side. Just don't.)

; Condemnation of Witchcraft (Persona 3 - Original)
: The new biggest MMO that everyone is leaving Innocent Sin Online for due to all the gold farmers and dupers. Affectionately known as CoW by its fans, it's a game wherein the Holy Empire of Sturmward fights the Witch Queen and her coven of 'The Abhorred'. A PvE game with PvP elements.

; Game Parade Games
: House of the Deceased - A horror game with terrifying zombies. Raises Guts.
: Real Wheel Racing - An intense racing game. Raises the equipped Persona's agility.
: Print Club - A purikura-style booth. Raises charm.
: High School of Youth - Dating sim game. Raises Charm.
: You're the Answer - Quiz show-style arcade game. Raises Academics.
: Punch Boxer - Fighting Arcade game. Raises the equipped Persona's strength.
: Edgar's House of Fortunes - Fortune-telling tarot game. Raise the equipped Persona's Magic.
: Super Game Spaceshot - Space shooter.

; Computer Software
:Lessons in Etiquette - PC software for learning manners that will charm others.
:Virtual Diet - PC software for helping you attain a beautiful body via watching videos.
:Language Made Easy - PC Software for learning English through pictures and images.
:Animal Othello - PC software for children. Adults need courage to play this.
:TypinGhoul - PC software that requires courage to defeat zombies through typing.
:Muscle Boot Camp - PC Software for learning how to effectively strengthen your muscles.
:Mindful Boot Camp - PC Software for growing your mind through meditation.
:Umiushi Fan Book - For those who love beef bowls. Has a membership code for the official site.

; Photochop (Persona Q)
: Graphics editor that has become the most used digital art software in the world. Due to image manipulation that is then posted online becoming so ubiquitous, the program has popularized the slang term 'Photochopped' worldwide.

; Star Forneus (Persona 5)
: Retro console shooting game with a space theme.

; Super Bash Bros. (Persona 5)
: Long-running crossover Versus Battle game. 'Challenger Approaching!'

; Gambla Goemon (Persona 5)
: A game about a notorious thief who fell into the depths of hell… Demons make you gamble with games of chance to pass through gates in hell and move on to further challenges.

; Stray Sheep Dolls (Persona 5)
: A puzzle game about sheep. Now with more off-kilter gender commentary! Procreate or else!

; Featherman Seeker (Persona 5)
: A retro game based on the popular long-running tokusatsu show, Phoenix Rangers Featherman. It follows the story of Gray Pigeon and their mentor-guided training to acquire power that will rival the Phoenix Rangers.

; Matador <nowiki>re:fancio</nowiki> (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: A video game about a skeletal bullfighter who must find a way to fancy up his life. May or may not be looking for a nice candelabra.

; Drake Adventure (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: A massively popular and influential JRPG series, with cute monsters and a cartoonish medieval fantasy vibe. It is currently on its ninth entry.

; Night Parade (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: A classic fighting game series by the Motojima Corporation, known for its theme of supernatural yokai and their hunters as the fighters. Latest release is Ultimate Night Parade 4 Remix Lightning Edition.

; Stiletta (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: A much-beloved urban fantasy action-adventure game about a stylish succubus who fights to find her lost memories using her transforming hair and weaponized heels. Utterly fabulous. The hotly-anticipated sequel has recently been announced.

; The Epic of Zerta (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: An action roleplaying/puzzle game series centred around the Triangular Force, made up of the Angle of Strength, the Angle of Knowledge, and the Angle of Bravery. These games follow the hero, Tie, as he eternally saves Princess Zerta from the evil King Gammon. (In some entries, he's King Gammonturf. Using the wrong name can and has caused epic flame wars.)

; Tetraitis (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: A puzzle game where you need to match four blocks to clear them. Apparently, it was named because the creator was so feverishly invested in playing an alpha build he almost didn't finish the game at all.

=== Other Games ===
; Hammerstrike - War in the 42nd Millenium (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: A grimdark franchise originating from the west, centring around numerous spacefaring factions warring for control over the galaxy. While it started as a tabletop wargame using handpainted miniatures, a multitude of books, animations, and games have come out for it since its inception the late 1980s.

; Faerie<nowiki>:</nowiki> The Beckoning (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: A card game centred around lands, creatures, and magical spells, with a great amount of depth. The lore centres around the Seelie and Unseelie courts of the Fae and their various adventures. New card sets are released each year!

=== Books and Manga ===

; Bookworms (Persona 3)
: A small but robust bookstore in the Iwatodai Strip Mall, owned and run by an elderly married couple, Bunkichi and Mitsuko Kitamura.

; Taiheido Bookstore (Persona 5)
: A bookstore on Shibuya Central Street with shelves also available outside the entrance.

; Rubber-Armed Pitcher Hero (Persona 4)
: Sports shounen manga about baseball.

; Witch Detective (Persona 4)
: A ploddingly written romantic comedy manga about a girl on her first day of school in a new town. Vampires are involved.

; The Great Thief (Persona 5)
: The story of Arsène Lupin, greatest thief of all time.

; Zorro the Outlaw (Persona 5)
: The story of Zorro, the dashing masked vigilante.

; Pirate Legend (Persona 5)
: The story of Captain Kidd, a Scottish-American privateer.

; The Alluring Dancer (Persona 5)
: The story of Carmen, an opera about a seductive Romani woman.

; The Gallant Rogue (Persona 5)
: The story of Goemon Ishikawa, a legendary outlaw hero.

; Speed Reader (Persona 5)
: A book that gives the reader tips on how to read more quickly and efficiently.

;The Whimsy of Orange Streets (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
:An older romantic comedy manga about a old fashioned high school student in a love triangle with two delinquents. Reading it might help you understand relationships better.

;Dragon Sphere X (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
:A martial arts manga that takes inspiration from Journey to the West. Probably helps your Guts.

; Titanomachy (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
: An enormously popular mecha franchise that draws heavily from Greek mythology for inspiration. Having been around for close to 30 years, it has spawned numerous films, anime, and manga series, as well as a plethora of different model kits.

=== TV Shows ===

; Scarlet (Persona 5)
: DVD/Blu-Ray rental store. Has a very generous membership plan for students.

; Phoenix Ranger Featherman (Persona 2)
: Long-running tokusatsu franchise with tons of seasons, movies, and extensive merchandising. Much beloved by the Japanese youth.

; Tanaka's Amazing Commodities (Persona 3)
: A home shopping program hosted by Tanaka, who is also the CEO of the company. Its jingle: "Here comes Tanakaaaaa~ Over the airwaves to youuuuu~ Granter of your desires!" Sells a wide range of products, from high quality to possibly less-than-stellar knock-offs. Things go quick, so buy buy buy!

; Wraith (Persona 5)
: TV show about a woman who can speak to ghosts.

; The X-Folders (Persona 5)
: Sci-fi investigation TV show. The opening theme involves a spooky whistle.

; Bubbly Hills 90210 (Persona 5)
: A Western teen romantic drama TV show set in the ritzy upscale neighborhood of Bubbly Hills.

; ICU (Persona 5)
: Medical drama show about high stakes saves in the emergency ward.

; The Running Dead (Persona 5)
: Zombie drama about fast zombies. Humans in this drama are the real monsters.

; Mouse M.D. (Persona 5)
: A maverick rodent's medical heroics. Learn about true kindness.

; D. Housewives (Persona 5)
: Women's stories of love and passion.

; 31 (Persona 5)
: A writer and editor battle looming deadlines. Praised for its gutsy tension.

; Tee (Persona 5)
: A teacher helps revive a near defunct high school golf team.

; Not-so-hot Betsy (Persona 5)
: A TV show that tells the story of a homely girl who captivates people with her inner charm.

; Jail Break (Persona 5)
: A jailbreak TV drama.

; Fist of the Phantom Star (Persona 5)
: A post apocalyptic martial arts retro anime that codified a lot of Shounen tropes. Contains numerous beefy men rescuing beautiful women from their rivals.

;Yureka Six (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
:An anime about growing up in a war torn world of robots, aliens, and flying skateboards. The main character starts off as rather childish but grows mature through facing the shortcomings of adults.

=== Movies ===

; Climax Theater (Persona 2)
: Sumaru City movie theater where rumors have made the films occasionally quite strange.

; Screen Shot (Persona 3)
: Movie theater chain throughout Japan.

; Friday in a certain day (Persona 3)
: A film starring Catherine Billey. Its tagline is, "Fans of a Dutch soccer team, Americans heading off to war are facing." Yes, just that.

; The more than dreamin (Persona 3)
: A film about an alien visitor.

; Detonator (Persona 3)
: Starring Sharon Waxman and Craig.S.Smith. Its tagline is, "A troubling trend for a Dutch." It's a film about boxing! (It references Lennox Lewis and Andrew Golata's boxing match.)

; Worst Detective (Persona 3)
: A film noir about a detective who is terrible at his job.

; Loan of the Rings (Persona 4)
: Fantasy epic film.

; Dumminator II (Persona 4)
: Film on… Why?

; Trial of the Dragon (Persona 4)
: Kung fu epic film.

; My Neighbor Dodoro (Persona 5 - Original)
: A classic heartwarming children's movie about two young sisters meeting a big yellow bird and having adventures together. Includes a cat that is also a large vehicle.

; Tanktop Millionaire (Persona 5)
: Movie about a scrappy kid who came from the slums to win big on a quiz show.

; The Cake Knight Rises (Persona 5)
: A cake-themed vigilante avenges a friend who was wronged by a psychopathic baker. It's a ridiculous film, but the protagonist's passion to fight for his friend is touching.

; Like a Dragon (Persona 5)
: Yakuza action film.

; Mes Miserables (Persona 5)
: Apparently just like the real work except with even more theological commentary. (A bishop is the antagonist rather than Javert.)

; Pach-Saw (Persona 5)
: Horror film involving an elephant and torture elements.

; Wild Max (Persona Q2)
: Post-Apocalyptic film series praised for it's fight choreography in vehicles.

; [[SMILE (2012)]] (Velvet Room MUSH - Persona 2/Original)
: A slasher movie released at the end of August 2012, starring Junko Kurosu as the killer. Part crime movie, part suspense horror, part slasher, noted for it's well executed twists in an otherwise kind of schlocky but fun slasher.

== Food and Drink ==

=== Vending Machine Beverages ===
; First Appeared in Persona 3
: Aguafeena - Extensively purified tap water.
: BauerBar - Keeps you going for 24 hours straight.
: Cielo Mist - Beverage imported from Jamaica.
: Cylon Tea - Comes in 12 different varieties.
: Definitely Lemonade - A fresh, lemon-based drink. A bit watery.
: Dr. Salt - Salty soda. Popular, but an acquired taste.
: Fountain Dew - A disturbingly yellow soft drink.
: Happiness Water - Water that tastes like happiness.
: Mad Bull - A mildly bitter beverage with a flavorful kick.
: Moonkist - Soda with the slogan, "Kist my full moon!"
: Nastea - Tea that tastes great, despite its name.
: SoBay - Popular tea often auctioned online.
: Starvicks - Famous coffee, mixed with cough syrup.
: 1UP - Soft drink coveted by old-school gamers.
: 4biotic Pack - A set of 4 probiotic drinks.

; First Appeared in Persona 4
: Dokudami Tea - An herbal tea good for detoxes.
: Dr. Salt NEO - An intensely carbonated beverage.
: Orange Smash - A refreshing citrus beverage.
: Second Maid - A cold beverage that got heated.
: TaP Soda - Old-fashioned fizzy beverage.

; First Appeared in Persona 5
: Arginade - Contains arginine.
: Chunky Potage - You can never drink all the kernels.
: Creature - A drink that blows away sleepiness.
: Durian-au-Lait - Made from the king of fruits.
: Earl Green - A blend of Eastern and Western tea.
: Joylent - Unsettlingly nutritious.
: Manta - Makes you want to dance all night.
: Muscle Tea - Popular tea often sold online.
: Oh! Shiruko - So good it makes you say, "Oh!"
: Udagawa Soda - Triple-filtered carbonated Shibuya water.
: Udagawa Water - Triple-filtered Shibuya river water.
: Ultimate Amazake - Makes you think you're drunk.
: Water of Rebirth - Blended with placenta.

=== Dining Out ===

; Peace Diner (Persona 1/Persona 2)
: Franchise that serves mostly fast food; there's a branch in Yumezaki's Yumezaki Center. Rumormonger Chikarin can be found here almost daily working on the Sevens school newspaper. The part timer at the register loves Japanese period dramas, and so talks like a ninja. Menu: Peace Burger, Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Burger, Peace Double Meat, Big Peace Burger, Fries, Peace Shake, Value Meal.

; Gatten Sushi (Persona 2)
: Popular sushi shop in Rengedai's Lotus Mall, run by the Mishina family. Head chef is Kankichi Mishina. It's the popular hangout of Rumormonger Kenta "Toro" Yokouchi, whose favorite sushi is the olive flounder fish fin, despite his nickname meaning Fatty Tuna. Menu: Tuna, Squid, Sweet Shrimp, Eel, Sea Urchin, Salmon Roe, Fish Fin, Fatty Tuna.

; Double Slash (Persona 2)
: Internet cafe in Aoba's Aoba Way that offers a surprisingly robust menu of drinks, snacks and even meals. The teenager who mans the counter is pretty lazy. Menu: Coffee, Cafe au Lait, Milk Tea, Herbal Tea, Double Sandwich, Pizza Toast, Spaghetti, Curry Rice.

; Jolly Roger (Persona 2)
: Pirate-themed restaurant in Konan's Seaside Mall. The rumormongering proprietor is sad and trades in rumors as a balm for the sea, to which he can no longer return. Menu: Coffee Blend, Tea Blend, Veggie Juice, Special Cocoa, Baked Apple Pie, Chocolate Cookie, Brown Rice Curry, Pirate’s Set.

; Clair De Lune (Persona 2)
: Classy French restaurant in Narumi's Hotel Pleiades, served by Garçon Soejima. May or may not also sell top-notch armor on the sly. Menu: Vichyssoise, Escabèche, Cassoulet, Brochette, Brandade, Bouillabaisse, Ballotine, Navarin.

; Wilduck Burger (Persona 3)
: A fast food burger chain with a location in the Iwatodai Strip Mall. The mainline item is the Mystery Burger for those with the Guts to try it.

; Hagakure Ramen (Persona 3)
: A ramen restaurant in the Iwatodai Strip Mall. Their mainline item, the Pork Ramen, is full of collagen to make the eater's skin silky smooth and Charming.

; Wakatsu Kitchen (Persona 3)
: A sushi restaurant in the Iwatodai Strip Mall. The seafood in their Prodigy Platter is healthy and full of omega-3s--the perfect brain food to help the Academically challenged.

; Yon-Germain Bakery (Persona 5)
: A small bakery located at the Ginza Line Gate at Shibuya Station. Perfect for when you need to grab a snack in between train transfers. Menu: Sandwich, Fruit Danish, Moist Katsu Bun (rainy day special), Melon Pan (summer-only; limited product).

; Bikkuri Boy (Persona 5)
: A spacious family diner located up a stairwell off Central Street in Shibuya. Practically deserted when it rains, so you can concentrate extra-well for study sessions in between meals. Menu: Hot Coffee (coffee with free refills), Surprise Sando (crayfish paste sandwich), Nostalgic Steak (salisbury steak like grandma made), Frui-Tea (tea made with lots of fruit), Totem Pole (tower of ice cream).

; Big Bang Burger (Persona 5)
: A fast food chain with a location on Shibuya Central Street that holds the Big Bang Challenge, wherein people can become a 2nd Mate, 1st Mate, or Captain by completing various stages. Menu: Big Bang Burger, Saturn Fries, Venus Salad (fruit salad), Earth Burger (seasonal spring offering with veggies), Moon Burger (seasonal autumn offering where the egg looks like the moon).

; Ore no Beko (Persona 5)
: Beef bowl restaurant on Shibuya Central Street. The beef part is pre-made so a worker only has to assemble and serve a bowl.

; Wilton Hotel (Persona 5)
: Upscale hotel chain with a location in Shibuya. Known for its high-priced gourmet buffet.

; Melty Donut (Persona 5)
: A donut franchise popular with cops, lawyers, and security guards.

; Katsuo Shokudo (Original)
: A mom-and-pop restaurant in Inaba, well-known to locals for its excellent food. Or it was, as with the declining Inaban economy, it finally had to close its doors in early 2010. The owner and primary cook, Hideji Aoki, moved away to the big city with his daughter Hibari.

=== Bars and Pubs ===

; Izakaya Shiraishi (Persona 2)
: An Izakaya bar in Hirasaka's Kameya Alley that absolutely doesn't serve ramen--except for banana ramen. Rumor has it the proprietress, Ma'am, is a former spy that can give tips on finding anyone. Hangout of Rumormonger Toku-san. Menu: Edamame, Yakitori, Sesame Chicken, Oden, Red Bean Gyoza, Banana Ramen, Beer, Sake.

; Parabellum (Persona 2)
: A noir-ish bar in Aoba's Aoba Way with an elderly gentleman barkeeper who makes firearms-themed cocktails. Rumor has it they also secretly sell weapons. Menu: Revolver, Double Action, Magnum, Bullet Core, Browning Power, Angel Trigger, Tilt Barrel, Derringer.

; Ebony (Persona 2)
: Classy bar in Narumi's Hotel Pleiades, run by a rumor-lovin' bartender who's as quick with a rumor or a story as she is with a cocktail. Menu: On the Rocks, Between the Sheets, Gimlet, Blue Lagoon, Green Eyes, Mockingbird, Angel's Kiss, Spritzer.

; Crossroads Bar (Persona 5)
: An adult entertainment bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The bartender and owner is Lala Escargot; the shop logo includes a snail. On top of wines, beers, and cocktails, there are a few snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available.

; Izakaya Nichinan (Original)
: An izakaya in Konan Ward. Known more for its beer selection than its food, it gets most of its business from younger office workers who live in the ward.

== Pharmacies and Convenience Stores ==

; Yin and Yang (Persona 1)
: Convenience store chain. They'll sell you medicine, and if you get friendly with the owner, they might let you see their collection of airsoft guns too. Yin and Yang stores operate in supernatural spaces, too -- and under those conditions, they'll sell you ''real'' weapons.

; Satomi Tadashi Pharmacy (Persona 1)
: Vibes less like they're gonna conquer the world, unlike the Sumaru City branch. Has an infectious theme song explaining what each item they sell does.

; Satomi Tadashi Pharmacy (Persona 2)
: Drugstore chain throughout Sumaru City. All the shopkeepers look the same, and are open about being sisters. Don't worry about the music overhead or why it has a different style in each store, just don't.

; Mayo Mart (Persona 4)
: A 24-hour konbini (Japanese convenience store) in Inaba.

; 777 (Persona 5)
: Convenience store chain with special sales on all days ending in 7. Pronounced 'Triple Seven.'

== Other Notable Shops ==

; GOLD Gym (Persona 2)
: Major gym workout chain with locations throughout the world.

; Kaori (Persona 2)
: Perfume and aromatherapy shop in Rengedai; scents that cleanse the soul, perhaps more literally than you'd think...

; Padparadscha (Persona 2)
: Jewelry store in Hotel Pleiades in Narumi.

; Rafflesia (Persona 3)
: Floral shop franchise throughout Japan; has various smaller branches everywhere. Sometimes includes services where they'll grow and nurture your plants for you.

; Junes Department Store (Persona 4)
: Department megastore chain. The jingle goes: 'Every day's great at your Junes!' A new store is presently being built in Inaba -- look forward to the grand opening!

; Moel Gas Station (Persona 4)
: A gas station chain where one can go to fuel up one’s vehicle. May or may not have a grey-haired gas station attendant, or job openings.

; Untouchable Airsoft Shop (Persona 5)
: A military-esque airsoft shop in a back alley off Shibuya Central Street. Although all their goods are models, the proprietor, Iwai, has a scary look.

; Electronics Superstore Akindo (Persona 5)
: A huge electronics store in Akihabara.

; De La Mancha (Inspired by Soul Hackers 2)
: Or just Mancha. A chain discount store that sells just about everything, from groceries to electronics to clothing. Notorious for overloaded shelves so they can offer more products. Very lucky shoppers may occasionally find a cognitively useful item buried in there, whether a consumable, equipment, or even a card!

== Services and Appointments ==

; Hiiragi Psychotherapy (Persona 2)
: Run by Dr. Reiko, located in Seaside Mall.

; Sumaru Genie (Persona 2)
: Fortune-teller based in Seaside Mall who goes by the same name as the store. Her fortunes stopped coming true after Wang Long fortune-telling rose into prominence.

; Time Castle (Persona 2)
: Clock shop run by the eclectic Time Count, a man who acts the part of a Victorian gentleman who gets a little intense sometimes. Offers Skill Card services.

; Tominaga Chiropractic (Persona 2)
: Run by Mr. Tomi, a bombastic chiropractor trained in the US who has a US-themed 'flair' to his personality. He utilizes his ultimate technique, the Gold Finger, to adjust any spine, satisfaction guaranteed.

== Housing ==

; Lunar Palace (Persona 2)
: Apartment complex chain; there's one such apartment building in Konan. Maya Amano, Ulala Serizawa, and Shiori Miyashiro live there.

== Famous People ==

; Eriko "Elly" Kirishima (Persona 1)
: Popular rising model. Her hobby is the occult and she gives no comment on any potential boyfriend situation.

; Hidehiko "Brown" Uesugi (Persona 1)
: Talk show host. He's known for his boisterous laughter and nonstop jokes.

; Junko Kurosu (Persona 2)
: Veteran actress who's been in the profession for decades. She doesn't get quite as many roles now that she's in her 40s with a son who's nearly an adult, but she's still going strong.

; President Tanaka (Persona 3)
: CEO of and host to a TV home shopping show every Sunday morning, both of which are called Tanaka's Amazing Commodities.

; Naoto Shirogane (Persona 4)
: The first Detective Prince, who comes from a famous detective family and has been solving crimes across the country for years from a very young age.

; Rise Kujikawa (Persona 4)
: A popular middle school-aged rookie idol who's appeared in a few commercials so far.

; Goro Akechi (Persona 5)
: The second Detective Prince, sometimes called the Second Coming of the Detective Prince. A rookie compared to Naoto Shirogane, but nonetheless a high schooler who solves crimes for the police and gets consulted all the time.

; Ann Takamaki (Persona 5)
: An exotically beautiful model of mixed Japanese, American, and Finnish descent.

; Mika (Persona 5)
: A budding model, just starting out in the industry.

; Suguru Kamoshida (Persona 5)
: A professional athlete who won the gold medal for volleyball in the 2008 Summer Olympics and was teaching gym at Shujin Academy until recently. He turned himself in for abusing his students after he received a strange calling card from someone(s) calling themselves the "Phantom Thieves of Hearts."

; Ichiryusai Madarame (Persona 5)
: A famous artist celebrated for his incredibly broad range of styles. He recently confessed that his "range" was actually plagiarized from his various students, again after receiving a strange calling card from the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.

; Subaru Amamiya (Persona 5 - Original)
: The soft-spoken and stern Mayor of Inaba, elected for four terms and presently trying for a fifth. He doesn't speak of [[Ren Amamiya|his son]] often. It's rumoured that he has greater politicial ambitions than being the Mayor of a small town. His wife Akira often acts as his unofficial assistant.

;Gozaburou "Zabu" Gessou (Velvet Room MUSH - Original)
:Talk show host and media personality. "Good Evening, Sumaru" is his show focusing on the weird rumors and happenings of Sumaru. He is also the son of a once influential political family whose patriarch died under mysterious circumstances.

[[Category: Setting]]

Maria Sakurai

2025-12-31T20:31:39Z

Strangeshrimp:

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Maria Sakurai'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Maria Sakurai (桜井まりあ)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Star|The Star]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| She/Her
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 16 (March 25, 1996)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Dusty pink
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Brown-black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'4" / 163cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Rengedai Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | School:
| Seven Sisters High School
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Year:
| Junior
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Chorus
|-
! style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Velvet Room MUSH (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| None
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Alright! That's a new best time!"'''

Anyone would agree that Maria Sakurai, a junior at Seven Sisters High School and former rising star in the track team, has been going through a bit of a rough patch. For reasons unknown to anyone, she'd suddenly quit the track team in April, only to then within days get caught up in the subway accident in Tokyo and spend a few months in the hospital. The rumor mill even says that her boyfriend's broken up with her. Perhaps it's just her time of Joka, as the Wang Long enthusiasts would say (and boy, has the Sevens track team really been getting its share of it lately). Normally a cheerful and friendly if air-headed girl, Maria has come off as more than a little bit detached and even frustrated since her return to regular classes, in spite of making a full recovery. Are the scars of what happened really running that deep?

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
None

= Special Skills =

1. ''Girls' Talk'' (Charm): Maria talks about, you know, whatever. Openly, girl to girl (or girl to boy, or girl to enby, it's all good).

2. ''Warm-up Stretches'' (Proficiency): Maria prepares for some athletic exertion or another.

3. ''Go Loud'' (Guts): Aren't you tired of being nice, don't you just want to go apeshit? Maria stops messing around and goes for it, whatever 'it' might be.

=Relationships=

None yet, but watch this space!

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#F19BA9; border: 2px #7578AD solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| Keiko Kasahara
(笠原敬子)
| The Empress
| Maria's maternal grandmother. Recently widowed, and dating younger (well, they're in their 50s) men, much to Maria's embarrassment. Unfortunately, granny no longer cares what other people think. Raised Maria after her mother's accident and helps take care of her mother.
|-
| Yasumasa Kasahara
(笠原康正)
| The Hierophant
| Maria's maternal grandfather. Passed away in early 2012. Helped raise Maria after her mother's accident.
|-
| Hiroyuki Sakurai
(桜井博之)
| The Hanged Man
| A beleaguered salaryman who is stuck working in Tokyo proper (his company won't let him relocate to the Sumaru office) and isn't home much.
|-
| Izumi Sakurai
(桜井泉)
| The Lovers
| Paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident and uses a wheelchair. Works part-time at a florist's shop in Rengedai Ward.
|-
| Mint
(ミント)
| The Emperor
| Maria's grandmother's cat. A large, fat white cat with black spots. Ruler of all he surveys. Has never once been fed.
|-
| Ringo
(りんご)
| The Hermit
| Maria's pet turtle. The repository for all of Maria's hopes and dreams and fears. Quite shy.
|-
| Yurie Shirakawa
(白川ゆりえ)
| Strength
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student; Maria's known her since elementary school. A sweet young lady who reads the most cursed romance novels.
|-
| Haruka Hatano
(波田野悠)
| The Magician
| One of Maria's close friends and a fellow Sevens student. Considered herself Maria's foremost rival on the track team once and bemoans the loss of Maria as such. Still on the track team at Sevens.
|-
| Takeshi Nakata
(中田剛史)
| The Chariot
| Maria's ex-boyfriend. Handsome, charming... and absolutely no good. The kind of person who has no regard for the damage they leave in their wake.
|}

= Soundtrack =

*Eurythmics - [https://youtu.be/bG9z-atG7gc Sweet Dreams] - '''Main Theme'''
*Poe - [https://youtu.be/Y9e9ewSV9Ew Hey Pretty] - '''Getting Into Trouble'''
*Blue Oyster Cult - [https://youtu.be/pe3jFvJ0qjs (Don't Fear) The Reaper] - '''Everyone Does It'''
*Florence + The Machine - [https://youtu.be/R2NR-UHH1KE Mermaids] - '''Love'''
*The Warning - [https://youtu.be/J_zHZwslwD0 Dust to Dust] - '''Shadow'''
*Dania - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17-JMbxZWlk Leiley] - '''Restless Motion'''
*Dengue Fever - [https://youtu.be/ru5c1pJkV5A Sleep Walking Through the Mekong (Morgan Page Remix)] - '''Unseen World'''
*Kavinsky - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_3Dpw-BRY Nightcall] - '''Out at Night'''
*Disparition - [https://youtu.be/IMrJyY3uNzc Eliezer's Waltz] - '''Other Side'''
*Tom Lehrer - [https://youtu.be/W6OaYPVueW4 New Math] - '''Gag Track'''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==

{{#dpl:
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{{#dpl:
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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Chorus]]
[[Category:Seven Sisters High School]]

Katsuya Suou

2025-12-31T20:31:10Z

Strangeshrimp:

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Katsuya Suou'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Katsuya Suou (周防克哉)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Justice|Justice]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| He/Him
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 25 (December 30, 1986)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Reddish brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Reddish brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 5'10.5" / 179cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Konan Ward, Sumaru City
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Workplace:
| Konan Police Department
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Job:
| Police Sergeant/Homicide Detective
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Focus
|-
! style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Persona 2 (FC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| Team Whoop-Ass
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Can you apply the penal code to demons?"'''

A young detective in the Konan PD, Sergeant Katsuya Suou was on the "Old Maid" case until he had a supernatural run-in with the Joker Killer himself and made the mistake of reporting it honestly to his superiors. Now, after being told to take a vacation and get some rest, Katsuya is pursuing the case on his own with Joker target Maya Amano, aiming to bring this monstrous serial killer to justice. Katsuya is so stern, serious, and by-the-book that he seems like he'd never overlook any crime, no matter how minor, but his compassion and sense of fairness do prompt him to look the other way sometimes.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''I am Helios...''
''Bearing the ancient sun, I am the one who violates the night!''
''I shall become your loyal chariot!!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Helios is the Greek personification of the sun and drives the chariot that bears the sun across the sky. He features in the Odyssey when Odysseus's men happen upon Helios's sacred cattle which they kill and eat despite Odysseus's warnings. Furious over this transgression, Helios asks Zeus to punish the men and only Odysseus is left alive.

'''Description''': Helios looks like an anthropomorphic black cat with metal cone-like ears; he's the size of a human adult and is dressed in a very fancy if old-fashioned suit.

= Special Skills =

1. ''You're Under Arrest!'' (Guts): Exactly what it sounds like. Katsuya applies the force of the law to the situation (or threatens arrest, as needed) (...can you arrest a demon, well, dammit, he'll try anyway).

2. ''What is Justice?'' (Understanding): Katsuya mulls over the meaning and application of justice, bringing his empathy to the fore in dealing with the situation.

3. ''Advise'' (Charm): Katsuya listens in and gives his suggestions for how to tackle the problem/situation.

=Relationships=

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#71706e; border: 2px #990303 solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
| [[Tatsuya Suou]]
| Tatsuya
| The Sun
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| Katsuya's younger brother, a senior at Sevens. Hasn't been at school or at home in weeks; Katsuya's getting an ulcer over it.
|-
| [[Maya Amano]]
| Amano-kun
| The Fool
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A reporter, and one of Katsuya's allies in arms in the investigation of #501. Katsuya admires her optimism and resolve. The one who named their group, unfortunately.
|-
| [[Ulala Serizawa]]
| Serizawa-kun
| The Star
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| Maya's roommate, and best friend. In spite of her ways and the fact that Katsuya finds her mildly terrifying, a reliable member of their team.
|-
| [[Baofu]]
| Baofu
| The Hanged Man
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| The owner of the website Darkside of Sumaru, who has his fingers on the pulse of rumors and intrigue in the city. A shady man who uses shady means, but his experience can't be denied, no matter how suspicious Katsuya finds him.
|-
| [[Umie Akabane]]
| Akabane-kun
| The Chariot
| ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A Convenience store clerk and Tatsuya's former tutor, years ago. Experienced with a Persona; Katsuya has been learning the ways of the Persona-user world from her as well. But, is he mistaken or is she hiding something...?
|-
| [[Myunghon Yeo]]
| Yeo-san
| The Devil
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A shopkeep and shady person. Possibly a criminal. The Harry to Katsuya's Kim (whatever that means...).
|-
| [[Yukari Takeba]]
| Takeba-san
| The Lovers
| ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
| A student and member of SEES. Has a good head on her shoulders, but something about her also makes Katsuya a little nervous, like she could cut him with her words alone.
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==
NPCs of note!

*Katsuzou Suou: His and Tatsuya's father (not named in canon). Once upon a time, he was a police detective, until he was accused of taking bribes and went to prison for it. These days, he works as a security guard for hire.
*Maiya Suou: His and Tatsuya's mother (not named in canon). Works part-time as a grocery clerk to help make ends meet at home.
*Chief Togashi: Technically an FC; no canon first name given. The chief of the Konan Police Department, and Katsuya's mentor. Once upon a time, he was Katsuya's father's partner as an officer.
*Captain Shimazu: Technically an FC; no canon first name given. An elite homicide investigator. Currently in charge of the Joker Killer investigation. Appears to take a delight in jerking Katsuya's chain, as it were.
*Detective Tani: Technically an FC but only appears in one scene (no canon given name, obviously). A homicide detective at Konan.

= Soundtrack =

*W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me58ToO6owo When a felon's not engaged in his employment] - '''Gag Track'''

= The Stats You've All Been Waiting For =
(yeah this is just extended Disco Elysium tomfoolery for funsies, please pay it no mind)
*'''INT''': 3 - Logic, Encyclopedia, Rhetoric, Drama, Conceptualization, Visual Calculus
*'''PSY''': 2 - Volition, Décor, Empathy, Authority, Esprit de Corps, Suggestion
*'''FYS''': 3 - Endurance, Pain Threshold, Tener Duende, Electrochemistry, Iustitia, Half Light
*'''MOT''': 4 - Hand-Eye Coordination, Perception, Reaction Speed, Savoire Faire, Mise en Place, Composure
'''Focus Stat: Logic'''

==Thought Cabinet==
(''i'll do up something funny text-wise for these someday if the whim strikes me'')
*'''Currently Internalizing''': ''CRIME AND PUNISHMENT''
*'''Internalized''': ''THE OTHER ME IS A CAT''
*'''Not Yet Internalized''': ''VAMPIRE BAKERS''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==

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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Adults]]
[[Category:Focus]]

Noriaki Okaga

2025-12-31T20:18:42Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2" |- ! style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Noriaki Okaga''' |- ! colspan="2" align="center" | lol |- ! style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | <span style="..."

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 30%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Noriaki Okaga'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[lol]]
|-
! style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''IC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
| Noriaki Okaga (岡賀紀明)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Arcana:
| [[Tarot#Magician|The Magician]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Pronouns:
| He/Him
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Age (Birthdate):
| 23 (August 11, 1989)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Hair Colour:
| Black
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Eye Colour:
| Grey
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Height:
| 6' / 183cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Residence:
| Tatsumi Port Island
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Workplace:
| Variable
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Job:
| Part-timer
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Role:
| Nemesis
|-
! style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''OOC Information'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Source:
| Velvet Room MUSH (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Groups:
| Strega
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Player:
| [[User:strangeshrimp|Parabellum]]
|-
|}

'''"Heh... Y'know, I'm almost jealous of ya... dyin' so quick like that!"'''

Death is not a hunter unknown to its prey, and Noriaki Okaga, as a dying man, knows it all too well. A person who lives life on the margins, he has as his 'day' job any number of temporary menial gigs when his failing health permits. By 'night', as a member of Strega, he takes to the Dark Hour to fulfill jobs for Revenge Request and for his own purposes as an Artificial Persona User reaching his end. A nasty and vicious person, he lives for the thrill of confrontation and the struggle of life on its thinnest of edges and displays a particular lack of concern for his own well-being in and out of combat.

= Background =
TBA
==Season 1, Episode 1==
In progress!

= Persona =
<poem>''Call me Efnysien.''
''With the strength of ten men, I will shatter all before me.''
''All that displeases you shall be destroyed, my other self!''
</poem>

'''Overview''': Efnysien is a figure in Welsh mythology that features in the tale of Branwen ferch Llyr, the second branch of the Mabinogi; his resentment and cruelty spark the tragedy of the story. Towards the end of the tale, as the Welsh and Irish forces clash, he opts to thwart the Irish use of the magic cauldron Pair Dadeni to revive their dead and hides among the dead Irish warriors. Cast into the cauldron alive, he destroys it and himself.

'''Description''': A hazy outline of a person is half-submerged in a large boiling cauldron packed with mechanical skeletons. In one hand they hold a string that's tied to a small battered and broken rocking horse, which they use as a flail.

= Special Skills =

1. ''School of Hard Knocks'' (Understanding): Noriaki's seen some shit. He doesn't have a lot of practical education, but he does understand that when the world knocks you down, you get back up (and maybe even get a shot in on the way if you're quick enough). When it comes to the rough stuff, he gets it (and if nothing else, a little physicality can help 'someone else' understand /his/ point of view if words aren't doing the trick).

2. ''Frame the Shot'' (Proficiency): Noriaki's an amateur photographer, and applies these skills to the situation at hand. Light? Direction? Framing? It's all coming together for a great shot.

3. ''Call of the Void'' (Guts): Do you hear it? That voice in your head that tells you to jump right when you're on the edge? You know better and so you hold back, but did you ever think about what would happen if you... listened? Self-preservation is in the best interest of the self, but sometimes, to get results, you just need to jump. right. in.

=Relationships=

None yet, but watch this space!

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" | Name
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" | Address
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" | Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;" | Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#e68a00; border: 2px #003300 solid; font size: 110%;"class="unsortable" | Info
|-
|}

==NPC Relationships==

None. ...or are there?

= Soundtrack =

*Coconuts - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcMz3aAZDv4 Silver Lights] - '''Main Theme'''
*Shoji Meguro - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCP2e4ZWvtk A Wall that Must Be Crossed ] - '''Pre-Fight Theme'''
*Daisuke Ishiwatari - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfRCnQH4c-I Alone Infection] - '''Only One Outcome'''
*M.O.O.N. - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSzoKL-iO5M Release] - '''Calling Shadows'''
*Yuzo Koshiro - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjJ_Cthj8ko Atheist on the Highway] - '''The Night's the Time'''
*Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3y5xBDNVuo Embers] - '''Fighting Theme'''
*The Primals - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrrNrus5Z2g White Stone Black] - '''Don't Look Any Closer'''
*Rob Dougan - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjvyeGymW80 Speed Me Towards Death] - '''Thanatos Drive'''
*Young Punx - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IARbSVgxw3c Your Music is Killing Me] - '''Your Song'''
*Motoi Sakuraba - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EXvYus2HzU Junk Modulation] - '''Constant Companion'''
*Carter Vail - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fwHJ0tz21M Dirt Man] - '''Gag Track'''
*Tom Lehrer - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuMLpdnOjY Poisoning Pigeons in the Park] - '''Gag Track'''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==

{{#dpl:
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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Nemesis]]
[[Category:Strega]]

2025-12-01: Unring the Bell

2025-12-01T21:50:17Z

Strangeshrimp:

*'''Cutscene: Unring the Bell'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Sakurai Household
*'''OOC Date:''' December 1st, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' August 16, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Maria makes an important phonecall.''

----
'''BGM:''' (''The Warning - Dust to Dust'') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_zHZwslwD0
----<poem>

Carefully closing the door to her room, Maria retreats to the furthest corner, shrinking down into that space. Her attention is on her phone in her hand.

She'd made up her mind before she even got home, but now she finds herself faltering once again. She'd told herself, when she got home. When she got home, she told herself, when everyone else had gone to their rooms. She'd told herself, when the house was quiet.

It's quiet now. She's still staring at her phone.

What he did isn't illegal.

What he did, he'll do again. No-- because she'd hesitated, he'd ''done'' it again.

The new girl he was with, earlier, she won't be the last. How many more will come after her?

She should try to talk to Akechi-san. --No. What he did isn't illegal, she thinks again, her phone trembling in her hand. What he did was 'just' wrong. There's nothing that can be done about it legally. So then...

Her thumb slides across the screen, releasing the lock. It's easy from there: tap call. Tap the numbers she knows by heart. Put her phone to her ear. Then there it is, that tiny click.

Maria takes a breath, sucking in air open-mouthed as if she were devouring it whole. ...When did her cheeks get wet?

No voice greets her. It's silent, on the other end. "...Hello?" she whispers, as if expecting someone to answer.

No one does.

"...Takeshi Nakata," she says, the name spilling out of her almost as if she were compelled to say it. "A-at, at Shujin High School, in Tokyo. I--"

The line clicks, and goes dead.

The first breath Maria takes is shallow. The second is deeper. Her hand shakes. Her phone slips from her grasp to clatter against the floor.

No. Wait. No. No, no, no, no--

She snatches up her phone again, as quick as she can. Swipe to unlock, tap to make a call, key in the number, digit after digit. Ah, no, she's made an error-- no, back up, try it again. Hit call.

Fumbling for her phone, she lifts it again to her ear, listening once more for that tiny 'click'.
"I-- I'm sorry!" she whispers into the phone, as loud as she dares in a house that's sleeping. "I want to take it back!"

There's silence on the other end.

The silence lingers, as weighty as a brick as she takes one breath then another, and another. After one deeper breath, she manages to get out, "This is Maria, Maria Sakurai. I-- I just called you! So please. Take it back. I don't want him to actually d--"

The line clicks before she can finish her sentence and goes dead.

"No..."

This time, when the phone slips from her grasp to clatter to the floor, Maria doesn't bother to pick it up again.

</poem>

[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2025-12-01: Unring the Bell

2025-12-01T21:49:54Z

Strangeshrimp: Created page with "*'''Cutscene: Unring the Bell''' *'''Cast:''' Maria Sakurai *'''Where:''' Sakurai Household *'''OOC Date:''' December 1st, 2025 *'''IC Date:''' August 16, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Maria makes an important phonecall.'' ---- '''BGM:''' (''The Warning - Dust to Dust'') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_zHZwslwD0 <poem> Carefully closing the door to her room, Maria retreats to the furthest corner, shrinking down into that space. Her attention is on her phone in her hand...."

*'''Cutscene: Unring the Bell'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Maria Sakurai]]
*'''Where:''' Sakurai Household
*'''OOC Date:''' December 1st, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' August 16, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Maria makes an important phonecall.''

----
'''BGM:''' (''The Warning - Dust to Dust'') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_zHZwslwD0
<poem>

Carefully closing the door to her room, Maria retreats to the furthest corner, shrinking down into that space. Her attention is on her phone in her hand.

She'd made up her mind before she even got home, but now she finds herself faltering once again. She'd told herself, when she got home. When she got home, she told herself, when everyone else had gone to their rooms. She'd told herself, when the house was quiet.

It's quiet now. She's still staring at her phone.

What he did isn't illegal.

What he did, he'll do again. No-- because she'd hesitated, he'd ''done'' it again.

The new girl he was with, earlier, she won't be the last. How many more will come after her?

She should try to talk to Akechi-san. --No. What he did isn't illegal, she thinks again, her phone trembling in her hand. What he did was 'just' wrong. There's nothing that can be done about it legally. So then...

Her thumb slides across the screen, releasing the lock. It's easy from there: tap call. Tap the numbers she knows by heart. Put her phone to her ear. Then there it is, that tiny click.

Maria takes a breath, sucking in air open-mouthed as if she were devouring it whole. ...When did her cheeks get wet?

No voice greets her. It's silent, on the other end. "...Hello?" she whispers, as if expecting someone to answer.

No one does.

"...Takeshi Nakata," she says, the name spilling out of her almost as if she were compelled to say it. "A-at, at Shujin High School, in Tokyo. I--"

The line clicks, and goes dead.

The first breath Maria takes is shallow. The second is deeper. Her hand shakes. Her phone slips from her grasp to clatter against the floor.

No. Wait. No. No, no, no, no--

She snatches up her phone again, as quick as she can. Swipe to unlock, tap to make a call, key in the number, digit after digit. Ah, no, she's made an error-- no, back up, try it again. Hit call.

Fumbling for her phone, she lifts it again to her ear, listening once more for that tiny 'click'.
"I-- I'm sorry!" she whispers into the phone, as loud as she dares in a house that's sleeping. "I want to take it back!"

There's silence on the other end.

The silence lingers, as weighty as a brick as she takes one breath then another, and another. After one deeper breath, she manages to get out, "This is Maria, Maria Sakurai. I-- I just called you! So please. Take it back. I don't want him to actually d--"

The line clicks before she can finish her sentence and goes dead.

"No..."

This time, when the phone slips from her grasp to clatter to the floor, Maria doesn't bother to pick it up again.

</poem>

[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]