The Persona Game [Closed]

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Who: Ayumu Narumi & Friends
Where: MAGI Building
Summary: The Persona game is attempted by a new arrival
Warnings: Philemon shows up in this one. SCIENCE?!

The building had no markings or a fancy sign. For all intent and purposes it looked like an unmarked building in a row of similar brethren. Most civilians would pass by without knowing anything was particularly unique about it. After all, the best place for hiding was right in plain view. Two-sided windows which mean you couldn't quite see what was inside, the building itself rose about six stories high and had a single door, located on the front.

Once inside, there was a man waited behind a desk, blocking the pathway leading to what looked like a metallic door. The desk itself was without fanfare or much attention either; just a single computer, a small potted plant, a small stash of paper that looked like it was never used and a ground-line telephone that was almost laughable in the age of COMP systems. He was dressed in a suit; as with most typical Japanese businessmen. The strange black bumps on the ceiling were undoubtedly hiding cameras, making it impossible to know what they were looking at.

Once someone got in, he looked up at them, his face perfectly neutral, voice gruff and demanding an answer as soon as possible. This time there wasn't an army of people trying to barge in, after all.

"Name?"

Comments

[melodyoflogic]

This place was almost completely unassuming for a research facility, but somehow Ayumu isn't surprised. It looked like a bland office building really, but that didn't make much of a difference when they'd already been told what was going on here. Obviously, they'd decorated it like this for a reason. Or maybe the guy in charge was running this on a tight budget in some places, but he doubted that.

"Ayumu Narumi."

[bondsofsuffering]

Hizumi makes no secret of his interest, peering around curiously as they walk into the building. So this is where they would play the game... Well, all the building needed was to be functional for that purpose, so it would make sense that it wouldn't be cluttered up with too much furniture.

When asked for his name, he turns to the man with an easy grin even at the gruff question.

"Hizumi Mizushiro."

Pix did you forget to track this? No shut up.

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"Right."

The man looks at her for a few silent seconds, pushing the rims of his sunglasses, before standing up.

"Raise your arms in the air. Both of you."

Even before they have a chance to confirm, a bluish glow appears on the floor as his Persona burst forth behind him. It looks like a gigantic brute with a single eye. As it steps forward, the lights dim out completely as the black spheres on the ceiling come down and hover close to both, scanning in a series of reddish lines that spread back and forth. As fast as it was done, everything moved back into their initial positions.

The Persona looks almost disappointed, as the man points to the single door, stepping back.

"Right this way."

[melodyoflogic]

Ayumu raises his arm when the request is made, and to his credit, isn't as startled seeing a persona being summoned the second time around. He does give persona a curious glance, and the scanning processes is closely observed as well. Were those X-rays? Or something more detailed? And was that thing 'security' if they didn't pass?

They were trying to keep someone out, and using pretty high tech measures to do it. But who...?

He nods when the scan is over, lowering his arm and walking towards the door silently.

[capitalbackup]

Miyako arrived at the facility early and had already passed the security. This left her to wait deep inside for the rest of the players.

She have her own reasons for offering to play and the timing wouldn't be more perfect.

And so she waits.

[bondsofsuffering]

Hizumi does not look at all perturbed as he lifts his arms for the scan, staring right back at the Persona. It certainly suited its owner; there was no doubt about that.

"Right, let's go!" is his only reply as the man leads the way, sounding far more chipper than the situation would normally call for.

[stringmods]

It is doing its job and making sure everyone was who they claimed to be. You could have been an someone not welcomed here. Thankfully they are not, as otherwise that might have been rather...painful for both them.

The door stands before them ominously. There's the faint sound of something humming behind it, but otherwise, it's eerily quiet. The man goes back to his desk, Persona disappearing as he continues to pretend to be occupied but is actually watching him and waiting to see what they'll do.

Last chance to step back.

> Enter Door?

[melodyoflogic]

Ayumu had already made his decision days ago. He had his own reasons for coming to Hinoto-Ri, and his own reasons for wanting to stay. Getting a persona and getting involved in all this just made it easier. There's no hesitance as he steps forward, taking the door handle in hand and turning, stepping inside.

[bondsofsuffering]

Similarly, Hizumi does not hesitate to cross the threshold, albeit for different reasons.

Unless they conflicted directly with his own desires, he would follow Ayumu wherever he might be needed (including those where he probably wasn't). He is happiest with Ayumu, and even though the time itself will only be a short one, he can't help but wish to make the most of it.

And so, if Ayumu wishes to obtain a Persona... Hizumi will be there to witness it for himself.

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The door opens to reveal...another small, white-walled corridor ending with a large metal elevator flanked by two men that are looking more like Japanese SWAT members than scientists, covered in guns and gear.

Once they get close enough, the two men indicate for both to get in. The inside is unusually large, but before either can press any buttons, a voice speaks up.

"Subject Identity Confirmed. Welcome to M.A.G.I. HIZUMI MIZUSHIRO and AYUMU NARUMI ." The voice was distorted and robotic. "Please. For your Safety. We ask that you. Hold on. To the Metallic Bars located on the edge of the Elevator. Decent begins in three seconds."

The door closes behind them both. Not much time to think, really.

"Three. Two. One...Decent begins now."

Hopefully they had listened fast enough as suddenly the transport warns them with a ding before beginning to plummet a hundred levels in the span of ten seconds.

[melodyoflogic]

Ayumu had followed the instructions almost unthinkingly. With his grip on the bars he had been expecting maybe a two, three level, ten at most drop descent. He expected rocky from the need for bars in the first place, but not something that fast and that far.

His grip slips at most two seconds in, and he's inelegantly flung backwards into Hizumi with a yell.

What was this, some deranged theme park ride?

[bondsofsuffering]

Hizumi grabs onto the bar almost immediately, and thanks to Ayumu's utter clumsiness inability to follow the gosh darned directions unfortunate mishap, it's not the only time when his reflexes come in handy. With one hand still gripping the bar tightly enough to make his knuckles go white, he automatically reacts to Ayumu's stumble by reaching out to steady him by the waist in a sort of awkward dip.

"Whoa there-!"

This is gonna be an interesting sight once they reach their destination.

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"Floor 101. Main Floor. Please hold. Still. For your scan. For Weapons. Thank you."

It was perhaps a little overkill, but once that was preformed, the elevator wished them a nice day and opened the doors.

..and another desk, but this time a woman and she seems a lot more cheerful than those before her. Then there was Miyako standing next to her. The first woman stood up, walking over as she bows in greeting.

"Mister Mizushiro and Narumi! My name is Suzuki Momoi and on behalf of the Wise Men, I welcome you into the M.A.G.I. Research department. If you are ready to begin, I can lead you to your destination, and I will explain the process at the same time."

[capitalbackup]

Miyako glanced up and gave the boys a nod. There's a small, amused smile on her face.

...She's well aware of the elevator trip, you see.

"Hello again, Mizushiro, Narumi."

[melodyoflogic]

Ayumu's fairly quick to right the awkward position he's found himself in, pushing up off the wall, extracting himfrom from Hizumi's grip and getting firmly to his feet again. Refusing to comment about it, he steps out of the elevator, glad to be done with it. He addresses the cheerful woman greeting them first with a polite smile that belies the almost accident of seconds before. She seemed pretty energetic...

"We'd appreciate it, Ma'am. I think we're all ready."

After which, he nods in Miyako's direction, returning her greeting.

"Good to see you again, Hotsuin."

[mysteriousvoice]

Something is pulling all three downward, into a series of strange spirals and hoops, as gears and buildings shift and groan. Are they still in Hinoto-Ri or being whisked of somewhere? A single golden butterflies flies ahead of them, leading them into their free-fall before they come to a giant pit of white light.

Another flash and they land inside a giant dome made of gold and green marble. The floor is a checkered pattern with a motif of a butterfly in the middle. Around them, the endless vastness of space of the human unconsciousness is represented with millions of stars. There is no exit, no entry. This place just seems to be.

A figure appears in the center, giving a small bow in Ayumu's direction.

"Welcome. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Philemon, a dweller between consciousness and unconsciousness. And now... a simple test. Can you tell me your name?"

[melodyoflogic]

The sudden pull into.... a somewhere seemed more like they'd stepped into some sort of bizarre hallucination or dream somehow than summoned an otherworldly entity. Between the ceiling cracking like some sort of disaster, exploding stars and getting punched by those exploding stars, Ayumu was pretty sure he'd never seen anything this outrageous either, though he doesn't have time to think about it when he's falling and falling into some sort of light.

His head feels foggy as they land, the lightheadedness only adding to the disorienting sensation. The figure who appears speaks and Ayumu listens, working to focus through the haze in his mind. This was who they'd come to see... right?

"Ayumu. Ayumu Narumi."

[mysteriousvoice]

"Very good. There aren't that many who can remember their identity when in this domain, in this world or the others. I appears that you pass that test."

He turned around, his back at them, looking at the stars before he continued.

"Tell me this; are you aware of the many selves that live inside you? You all live by wearing different masks. The one you currently wear may be only one of those innumerable masks. By remembering your name, it proves that you have a firm grip on your identity. I respect your strong will. In return, I grant this power."

He turned around again, and a light shone from his hand, displaying a crouching man and flashing red text.

"Persona."

The figure disappeared from his hand again.

"It is the power to summon the other selves within you; the gods and demons you harbor. You will need to bring forth your other selves and employ them if you are to protect the city and allow it to grow."

[melodyoflogic]

The figure is more than familiar, to say the least-- and one he felt he should have expected somehow. Far from elation, Ayumu's expression is shocked for a moment, before falling blank, almost downright bland, and pensive.

It would be him, of course. It always was. The one he had wanted to be like, to match up against all his life, the one he could never reach in spite of all his effort.... His ideal.

His brother. A 'god' indeed. A bitter, cruel irony, but fitting. He almost wanted to laugh, but he restrained himself.

"Thank you. I'll use it well." Perhaps not so enthusiastically with this particular manifestation of self, but he would.

[bondsofsuffering]

Hizumi's eyes narrow a fraction, but only just. He'd more or less expected this outcome based on his own Persona; it would have been strange if Ayumu's were any different. After all, they were practically two sides of the same coin. However, Ayumu seemed to be taking the discovery much better than Hizumi did.

But then again, Ayumu was used to this sort of thing, wasn't he?

"Since you brought the three of us here instead of just Ayumu, you wouldn't mind answering a few questions, would you? I think Miyako-chan had something she wanted to say, too." He's back to a casual smile. He's pretty sure he and Miyako had the same secondary motive here, and by bringing them along with Ayumu, surely Philemon was acknowledging that fact.

[mysteriousvoice]

The figure in the center nods.

"My role in this world is to act as a guide. I may not have the answers to your questions that you seek. After all, the journey here is yours to discover."

[capitalbackup]

Miyako crossed her arms, staring straight at Philemon. She was expecting an answer like that. After all, it would be far too easy to get the answer she want. But that won't deter her at all.

"Even if your answer is merely a 'hint', I will just keep looking for the answers."

Especially when she get this chance to ask Philemon himself. Without losing a beat, she asked her question.

"For Visitors who found themselves return back to their home, do they retain their memories of Hinoto-Ri?"

It would be useless for the Yamato she knew. The one close to her age and would only return to his death. It's for herself and the others who was still alive. Herself, Kanno...and other Visitors in the city.

[bondsofsuffering]

"As for me, I want to know - why us? Do you really choose which Visitors to draw here yourself, or is it according to someone else's plans?" It's just too suspicious, bringing in someone - well, several someones, really - with the potential to destroy the very city they were meant to save. With the way things played out, one would naturally assume it was almost all up to Philemon, but at the same time...

"...And if that were the case, I'd like to know who else it is who would bring us here, and for what reason. We aren't even native to this city - leaving it in our hands seems awfully strange."

Things I thought I had tagged but had not electrical bungaloo

[mysteriousvoice]

"They do not," he stated simply at the first question. He did not offer any reason as to why and how that was. "Should they return here once again, their memories will resurface."

As for the second question, he stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking. "Those, I am afraid, I cannot be answer in full. Part of the reason you were sent here is to discover the reasons for yourselves." He moved a gloved hand as he continued. "As you may have already realized, Hinoto-Ri is unique as well, and this is why your help is needed."

[bondsofsuffering]

So it was true - whatever they did here had no effect on their worlds.

He's not sure if that's a good or bad thing, to be honest.

He does look somewhat miffed at the lack of answers for his question. He expected Philemon to be vague, but that doesn't give him much to work with in the slightest. "I'm guessing you're not even going to give us a hint, either?"

He might as well try...