The Persona Game [Closed]

[stringmods]

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

[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...