Week 2

[linkupmods]

WEEK 2

WAKE UP, GET UP, GET OUT THERE.

Saturday rolls around and characters may see that there are notices from Mina, saying that everyone will be taking a trip at noon sharp on Saturday, and to have their weapons. Whether characters pay this heed or not, they will in fact hear a ding from their phones at noon, their screens glowing a sunset red with the word "TRANSFERRING..." the only thing to be seen. And then, just like that –

You all enter.

The new world before you can be described in one word: twisted. It doesn't feel great, but it doesn't feel extremely awful, either, depending on how you look at it – it's a distorted version of the already grim city that you've been brought to, and you are specifically in the shopping district. Everything seems to be darker shades of red, yellow, and purple, if you can see it through the haze ominously floating about.

That feeling of something stirring in your chest seems to grow stronger, more potent, burning with the desire to be let free…

…and you, all of you, are surrounded. Various monsters and demons are threatening to attack you, looking at you like you are their prey. That's because you are…but you don't have to be for long. The moment that you engage in battle with them, no matter who strikes first, is the moment your emancipation begins.

Welcome to your awakening.

You feel a surge of energy rush to your palm – for some, it burns like a fiery blaze. For others, it sparks with electricity; perhaps wind circles around it, or a mysterious frost begins to blanket it. Maybe you have a mysterious pink aura around it, or a bright turquoise light; a dark, sinister glow or a calming light. Whatever the case may be, it drives you to place your hand over your heart.

You latch onto something. It is not your chest, it's not your heart, but it's something deeper than that, something from your being. You pull, you drag it out, and there is no bloodshed or any sort of pain, only a very bright light and some struggle as you unearth what is within. You finally, finally feel free as a new part of you literally stands before you. Say hello to your new friend: Your Persona.

Your new skills feel intuitive, and you feel like you can navigate them well enough to at least try to survive. You don't need to question how or why you understand them just yet; all you need to do is let yourself experience your power, and you'll stand a chance.

And with that, it's time to fight.

(Note: Weapon attacks will always deal Phys damage, but Phys spells will naturally do more than just whacking enemies with your weapons. Go wild, dodge, parry – combat is more freeform here than it is in Persona, so play this out however you'd like.

Furthermore, you'll be able to see everyone's cool Personas! You just won't be able to really interact with them directly.)

???

(Picrew by ~danidoninha!)

After the battle, there's the sound of a whistle. Turn your heads towards the source, and…huh? A cat?

"Alright, newbies, it's time to roll out."

…And it talks???

She says it with a scowl on her face, and soon, she leaps up – poof, and suddenly, there is a cat train in front of you. Weirdly enough, this cat is the one driving it. How did she summon the train…who knows.

"Get in, unless you wanna get your asses kicked!"

And sure enough, she's right, because there seem to be more enemies flocking towards you. She will drag you all in whether you like it or not.

SAFE AREA.

And, after a quick ride on the cat train, you find yourselves back at the dorms! ...Kind of. Much like the rest of this alternate world, it’s distorted in shape, though there’s none of the haze you saw when you first arrived. It seems this area, at least, is safe - characters would be wise to note it as a location to base any Nekyia operations out of in the future.

Mina is also here! She looks, quite frankly, relieved to see everyone show up alive in the train. The train, by the way, is gone, because it seems like your mysterious cat friend is now back to her…first…form? And seems to be on her way out. Back to Mina, though:


“Thank goodness... Okay, um, app hiccups aside...

Welcome to the Nekyia - the world of the unconscious. As you can see, the unconscious version of the city is, um... Very, very messed up. The more commissions you complete, the more connections you forge, the more bonds you repair, and the more Shadows you take out will help return the Nekyia to normal - and with it, the real world!

The people of this world don’t have the power to summon Personas... You’re the only ones who can save this city from the influence now. So please...

Help me fix this city from the inside-out!”

Mina has also set up a folding table set up with divinity cookies and water bottles from “Ambrosial Water Co”, judging by the labels. Characters who partake in these proffered snacks will find them rejuvenating - literally. Using a Persona’s abilities takes spiritual energy, but these snacks replenish one’s energy to full again with a single bite or sip. Any characters who want to try venturing back into the thick of the Nekyia today are free to take some with them, but do take care! Mina is only providing snacks for today, and after this characters will need to monitor their energy levels on their own.

Characters with further questions may ask Mina and she will do her best to answer! You can also try to catch the mysterious cat from earlier, too.

To go back to the real world, all characters need to do is press the "RETURN?" button on their phones. Much like the "TRANSFERRING..." message, this is the only thing on their screen.

All phones will now have a Nekyia app that will enable them to come in and out of the Nekyia at will.

OOC

READ ME!!!!

• Welcome to your Week 2 event log!
• Here is your promised Persona debut. Fighting is very flexible, so please just thread the fights in whatever format you'd like.
  
• A reminder for those of you who have gotten their Level 10 skills: These do not unlock ICly until Week 3, starting on 8/17.
  
• As always, please let us know if you have any questions! Enjoy!
  

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Comments

[fullmoonmutt]

Oh.

[ Right, the other guy. Clearly a minion, yeah? That's got to be it. ]

I mean, I could try sniffing him out... [ Wait. ] Or. Not. Shit, I keep forgetting... and I don't see the Boss with Arven, so we can't ask him to try sniffing him out, either. I guess we could ask around.

[ But even on that note, he looks between everyone here. ]

Is anyone even good at talking to folks?

[imperiosity]

[Good 2 kno about Mina, even if he wasn't all that concerned given that the vandals had scattered. But on second thought, they probably should've left someone to guard her in case one of them circled back?? Oh well, seems like she's doing fine so meh!!]

'Boss'? [No, wait, that's not the point here.]

Are you for real? You just go up to 'em and ask if they've seen anything. It's not like we're trying to pry out their life story.

[supherb]

Mabosstiff's here. He's just in his Poke ball.

[Arven fishes a small red and white ball out of his pocket. He's never actually shown it off before so he doesn't realize how confusing of a sentence that probably is.]

Maybe some of us could try the sniff search while the others ask around?

[cleansewithfire]

That is a reasonable plan. Two for each task, then?

[ She's peering at the Poke all curiously, and despite how her expression changes only slightly, she is, in fact, confused because how does that even work??? ]

...He is inside that...?

[fullmoonmutt]

Nearly everyone here is rude as fuck, mate. You really want me trying to question them?

[ Do you, A-A-Ron? Do you?! Honestly, all four of them seem to have enough people skills to fill a thimble combined. In any case, he turns back to eyeball Arven with some (aka a lot) confusion. ]

Poke-ball?

[ Yes, pronounced "poke" and "ball" like they're two words. ]

The hell? You can't put a dog that big into something that small, Arven. C'mon.

[imperiosity]

[Okay, the Pokeball looks like a toy, so Arven definitely gets a quizzical look for that, and maybe he really should be questioning more of this when Eli specifies that it’s a dog, but first:]

Then go sniff around with the chef kid and his pet. I’m not interested in sticking around and bein’ a third wheel anyway.

[Given that they seemed to want to continue their conversation earlier and all.]

Me and Miss Ray of Sunshine over here will handle the talking. Any complaints?

[supherb]

I guess that works...

[But what about it would make Aaron a third wheel?! Arven would be scandalized over the implications if he didn't have a Poke ball demonstration to do.]

He is, and I can. Poke balls are super common and helpful for getting Pokemon around. Here, watch: C'mon out, Mabosstiff.

[He taps the button in the middle of the device. When it opens, a bright flash of light emerges and materializes into the familiar big dog.]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Sunrise has no complaints about the arrangement (and while Aaron's implication also flew over her head, she does agree that it sounds like those two want to continue their earlier conversation). She's about to voice her agreement until Arven demonstrates, and...

...She actually seems kind of starry-eyed? In her weird, quiet way where it'd probably be more obvious if it were someone else, but there's no mistaking that air of awe either. Whether it's because of the tech or the dog is a ~mystery~ (Both. It's both.) ]

Oh...

[fullmoonmutt]

Well, yeah, who wants to be a third wheel? You ain't getting anywhere on just three wheels.

[ Eli, that isn't what he meant... but just as Aaron's jab goes over Arven's head, it, too, goes a mile by right past Eli. Still, he's immediately in a better mood because he gets to go tracking with Mabosstiff.

And Arven.

He guesses. ]

But I like that plan. We can backtrack and use the spray paint cans to try and pick up a scent. [ Cue Eli dropping down into a crouch next to Mabosstiff to ruffle his ears. ] That sound good? You're okay in that stupid little ball, right? It's not cramped in there, right?

[imperiosity]

[Sunrise and Arven not reacting is one thing, but Eli's interpretation aligns more with what he'd expect from a thirteen-year old he knows??]

Sunday School would love to have you back, just saying.

[This is almost certainly not the type of knowledge that would be provided at Sunday School but let him be snide!!

Anyways, once Arven does the reveal, even Aaron can't help but blink at it all. He likes dogs well enough, but considering Eli is already packbonding with Mabosstiff, he'll just turn to Arven.]

But man, that's one hell of a magic trick you've got there. That thing carry more than the pooch?

[supherb]

[The hell is a "Sunday School"--]

Nah, they only carry Pokemon, and one per ball. Don't ask me the science behind it. [Shooting a pointed look at Eli as he adds:] And they're not stupid. They're safe for Pokemon to rest in. 'Specially when they're weak or hurt...

[In support of his Trainer, Mabosstiff's woof in Arven's direction seems to indicate that he doesn't have a problem with Poke balls. He then turns to Eli with a tip of his head. He's not sure what the sniff search is for, but he'll do it.]

[cleansewithfire]

[ The slightly crestfallen look of someone who was about to ask about the science behind it before Arven said not to. ]

Oh.

[ She also wants to ask if she can pet Mabosstiff, but 1) other tasks need to be done first, and 2) she's not very confident it'll go well, if only because every other time she's tried to pet something has...not gone well. ]

Then, we shall meet up later. [ Sunrise looks to Aaron with a nod, signalling she's ready to go when he is. ]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Aaron gets a look. Eli's suddenly suspicious about that all being an insult of some sort. Sunday school? What? He didn't even go to normal school, c'mon. ]

...well, as long as the Boss is okay with it. Come on. Let's split up.

[ He pops back up to his feet, nodding back in the direction of the dorms. ]

[imperiosity]

[donmai donmai

Aaron's ready to get going as well, so he'll take a couple of steps in a direction, expecting Sunrise to follow.]

We'll shoot you guys a message when we're done.

[surely they will accomplish lots!!! or just maybe run into mina doing corpse disposal or whatever, who knows!!]

[supherb]

[Arven catches Sunrise's disappointment and gives her an apologetic look.]

Sorry...

[He doesn't know shit. He just uses the stuff.

Then his shoulders slump when he turns to Eli.]

Why don't you ever trust my judgment on things... D'you really think I'd use it if I knew it hurt him?

[But this isn't the time to argue. They can do that later once everyone's split up. He crouches down to give Mabosstiff a pat before nodding at Aaron.]

Sounds good. We'll let you guys know if we find a lead.

[Time to do some sleuthing! Will anything come from it? Who knows...]

[cleansewithfire]

It is alright.

[ Arven doesn't have to apologize to her, she means! She gives Eli and Arven a quick bow before she follows after Aaron. ]

[fullmoonmutt]

Catch you two later, then.

[ He'll give Aaron and Sunrise a way (mostly Sunrise, though) and turn to set off back towards the dorms with Arven and Mabosstiff. What will they find? A mystery! Hopefully not Mina cleaning up a corpse, though, because think of Arven, think of Arven...

Although speaking of Arven, he'll give the guy a playful shove on the shoulder, although, once again, probably rougher than intended. ]

Ah, don't take it so fucking personally, mate. The ball thing is weird. Of course, I'm going to worry.

[supherb]

[There weren't any corpses when Arven was there earlier, so hopefully that hasn't changed.

Just like the first time, Eli's shove makes Arven stumble. Man, he's gonna leave a mark if he keeps doing that!!]

Ow-- [Sighhh. He won't complain about it this time, but seriously, what is it with people showing playfulness around him by roughhousing him...] It might be weird to you, but it's part of everyday life where I'm from. When you take a Pokemon under your care, they get their own Poke ball.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Accept his affection. It comes in the form of punching. ]

Right, right, I'll try and remember that. Tiny balls good, whatever. How do you people end up with a Pokemon, anyway? Is it like adoption? Do you find them? Do they find you?

[supherb]

All of the above, kinda? The main way you get a Pokemon is by catching a wild one with a Poke ball. They can also be traded or given to others. My dad gave Mabosstiff to me when I was a kid, 'cept he was a Maschiff back then.

[So many wild and fun(?) concepts being tossed out at once, huh.]

[fullmoonmutt]

You... Dude, that's poaching! And animal trafficking!

[ Pokemon is messed up if you think about it. ]

That shit was illegal where I'm from before, you know, all civilization crumbled and shit. I mean, I'd be pissed at you if you traded Mabosstiff away. He's your pal!

[imperiosity]

[The neighborhood is quiet, and there's no one milling around on this part of the street, so they're in for some footwork. But because Aaron is Aaron, he's here for some chatter while they walk.]

You really that interested in that guy's ball?

[cleansewithfire]

[ It's a good thing too, since Sunrise tends to be quiet unless prompted. ]

Yes. An object that lets a living being stay inside it comfortably and be easily transported is amazing, especially if it does not need magic to be used.

[ Even if the technical stuff would be beyond her understanding, she knows at least one other person back home who'd be interested in this sort of thing. ]

[imperiosity]

I can see the appeal if you're a pet owner, I guess. Me, I'd prefer something more flexible. Imagine how easy it'd be to pack if it worked on anything.

[These are priorities, sure.]

[cleansewithfire]

[ They're valid priorities, let's be real. ]

It would make travelling on the road much more convenient...

[ ...Man, it be so cool if it worked that way. And while Sunrise isn't very expressive, it's not hard to tell that she likes Aaron's idea. ]