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!
  

ic comm | inboxes | ooc comm | full nav

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[bloodweapon]

battle start

[Now this is what Fray is meant to do. Sure, he's had a not-so-great showing in sparring, but holding back when your weapon is bigger than you are is pretty damn difficult. So now he's in his element, swinging that massive sword around with ease to eliminate the weaker monsters and put a dent into the tougher ones. Sometimes literally, given that massive greatsword he's wielding.

But when he draws upon his power to summon his Persona, Fray hesitates, staring at it in a combination of confusion and awe - and he takes a moment longer than he should to snap himself out of it and return to fighting. If you're one of the non-combatants thrust into this situation, he's certainly going to be focused on keeping you safe. A particularly close call with one of the monsters and Fray turns to you.]

Are you unharmed? I can heal your injuries.

[It isn't the healing magic he's used to, but he innately knows that he's capable of healing.]

safe zone

[Fray retreats further away from the others in the safe zone immediately - he has some questions for his Persona, and he's very intent on asking them... although the Fallen isn't exactly helpful in his answers. A towering figure in full armor, he's even quieter than the Warrior of Light and offers very little information. Still, Fray seems to have reached some level of understanding with it, as he dismisses the Persona and returns to join the others only to deadeye the food and drink. He is still refusing to take his helmet off around everyone, so this is great. You can catch him at either point, though he once again seems like he's just going to hold up the walls at the latter. Thanks, Fray.]

real world

[Shame that Fray can't just hang out in the Nekyia the whole time, because he would much rather be fighting for his life than pretending to be a normal person. Oh well. For now, he heads back to his shared room with Sayaka where he finds one familiar cat and a few unfamiliar items. The cat's off before Fray can even call to her, so with a sigh he goes to examine what's been left on his bed.

...And he really wishes he hadn't. Why is there a life-sized cardboard cutout of Argenti. Why is this a thing. Who allowed this.

Fray deadeyes it for a long moment before sighing and picking it up. Actually, he'll take the art supplies too...

Later on, you can find him in the dining hall. There's a totally unrelated life-sized cardboard cutout of Argenti now sitting in the corner ominously, but more importantly, Fray is hard at work on... something? It looks like he's doodling, which seems very out of character, but there's a purpose behind his doodles of moogles.]

Help me make something for the goddess. I've heard this may be a way to speak with her.

[...So yeah, it's arts and crafts time round 2!!]

Dining Hall

[kandata]

Certainly. How may I help?

[Doodling...oh, could this be why there were art and crafts available at the welcoming party? It was an offer of some sort to the goddess all along? More reason to assist, then! She wants to know more]

[bloodweapon]

Add your own artistic touch to this; whatever you would like.

[He holds out the card of moogles for Kirumi to take. You could add little hats to the moogles, or give them a background, or add some friends for them to play with! Totally up to you.]

Working together to form connections is the idea behind it, but a physical offering that we crafted together may be suitable for her to speak with us. I have some questions that Mina cannot answer, thus this attempt.

[kandata]

[Kirumi takes the card of moogles, considering her move. Hmmmmm...oh, there's plenty she could do! But...]

Forgive the impudence, but may I ask you to share the information you will get? I am very interested in hearing about what the goddess will say.

[Since Mina is lacking in information and Kirumi finds that so frustrating]

[bloodweapon]

Of course. I see no reason to keep such things to myself, as we're all in the same situation here.

[He does have a personal question he's going to ask, but that aside, any information he gets will be shared.]

Though if you'd prefer to leave the offering with me, that may help. I'm not entirely sure what it is she's looking for, after all.

[And two people bringing an offering they made together might work? Maybe??]

[kandata]

I would rather come along. It is not that I do not trust you -- I would feel more comfortable seeing the results myself.

[Firsthand information is the best since something could be lost from getting it secondhand even though she doesn't think any mistakes or omissions would be intentional!]

Let's do this. I am quite good at this. We will have a good offering soon.

[Probably will be a tad gothic but hey, what matters is that it'll be done!]

battle start

[pharology]

[Jordi certainly has the look of a non-combatant because he's rake-thin and scared-looking, and some of his skin is bruised, but he's doing his best. Pulling his weight!

He tanked a few hits admirably well, in any case. When someone offers to heal him, he jolts a little, blinking his eyes like he's surprised someone even bothered-- then smiles.]

I appreciate the offer, but this is something I can withstand. And if it ever gets too much for me, I'm able to heal myself.

[Though his Persona, a white bird the size of a crane, but with long, large tail feathers, clicks its beak at him.]

[bloodweapon]

[Fray takes note of the Persona, considering it carefully before deciding that its reaction is in line with his own.]

There's no need to overexert yourself. If you're pushed too far, the injuries could be far worse. Allow me to heal you before that happens.

[He still doesn't reach out to start doing that; Jordi's response is what he's interested in. Are you another one of those people who just puts off their own wellbeing??]

[pharology]

[Jordi nods along, but that still doesn't change his response.]

It's all right. I'm used to prioritizing when I can on the field, and conserving when needed. [Which is a bad one, but he stands by it.]

[bloodweapon]

[That gets a huffed sigh that sounds equal parts frustrated and exasperated from him.]

Stubborn to the last, even here. Seems I cannot escape such people.

I'll trust you know your own limits and will not exceed them, but don't expect me to heal you should you push yourself to the point of collapse.

[huff!!! also just ignore the fact that his eyes may be glowing red, It's Fine.]

[pharology]

[Jordi's not so disconnected from people that he doesn't recognize the tone for what it is, and he smiles brightly, albeit a little sheepishly. He's not even daunted by the fact that the man before him has glowing eyes. That's not so different from the Abyssal Hunters, after all. His idols, the Aegir greats.]

Don't worry. I know what to do.

And, should you get into trouble, I'll help you.

real world ---> dining hall;

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti notices a life-sized cardboard of himself sitting in the corner when he walks in, and he is momentarily startled.

...Surely, this wasn't there before? But now Fray is here, the cardboard version of him is here, and he is here. What a combination this makes! Surely this means this encounter is truly blessed by Idrila. Don't mind him also zeroing-in on the moogles for a second as he talks. ]

That is how we will reach out to the goddess? Oh, and those are so cute...absolutely most adorable! You should tell me what those are!

[ And because Argenti doesn't ignore new sights, he immediately addresses the cardboardgenti in the room. ]

...By the way, I see that there is a rather extraordinarily replicated image of myself being displayed. Do you happen to know the reason for that?

[bloodweapon]

Never seen it before in my life; I have no idea.

[He says, without looking over at it. Is he joking or legit trying to get away with pretending not to know what the hell that is... Hmm.

Anyway! He gestures for Argenti to take a seat and join him.]

They are called "moogles". You're unfamiliar with them?

[Huh. Weird. Aerith recognized them on sight...?? Maybe they're just rare in other worlds? Well, they're technically rather rare in his own, he's just been unlucky enough to run into them before.]

[beautifulknight]

[ Convincing...Argenti truly can't tell if the other man has seen the cardboard before entry into this room on this very day. Schrodinger's cardboard cutout?!

He keeps looking over at it and back over at Fray himself for a small moment until, finally: ]

I see...so the plot thickens.

[ Argenti says with 90% seriousness because he's ridiculous, but he comes right on over to seat himself happily by Fray after the gesture, and taking a closer look at the moogles now that he is. They're even more adorable up close... ]

You'd be correct! Though I know Wubbaboos look different, for some reason it makes me think of them. Do they have special powers? Are they friendly?

[bloodweapon]

[Fray rolls his eyes at the first part, but decides not to comment. We Don't Talk About That Thing!!! Let it live here to terrorize everyone else for all he cares. (It'd be funny.)]

I've never heard of a Wubbaboo. Draw one for me.

[He passes the card full of moogles over. There's plenty of space for Argenti to add his own touches!]

They used to be rather reclusive, only interacting with a few people in the Twelveswood. They've since grown more friendly towards the people there and have even sought help from outsiders on occasion. As for powers...

[...do moogles have powers??]

...One time they summoned a "Good King" that my student had to defeat.

[.......moogles, man.]

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti himself will happily leave it there so it can continue to terrorize everyone with the thought of him yapping away—

Either way, at the request, how can do but oblige; in fact, he seems to sparkle at the idea. His...drawing skills still leave something to be desired, but thanks to the commission he's been at least kind of practicing? So maybe it will not look like the reincarnation of a (pink) Omen of Evil (like it did when he drew with Aerith)? Argenti reaches for a purple marker to start with. ]

Very well! I shall etch for you their beautiful, yet most adorable form.

...Behold! Their spectacularly cute looks that are known throughout the galaxy...well, not entirely, but I digress—alongside a true capture of that trademark mischievousness contained within just a single glimpse! What do you think?

[ Their appearances are actually also rather very simple, too, so it will not take long to produce the results. ]

Whyever would they do that? ...What is a Good King, exactly?

Were they testing your student, and by extension, yourself?

real world (room)

[destage]

[Sayaka is doing her best to make sure she's not an absolute mess when she gets back--thankfully, she's mostly been occupied with cooking since she left Nekiya as soon as she could, and she's thankful she has a day off tomorrow. It's something she's not exactly used to, but she can at least make the most of it.

(She tries to ignore the jittery feeling she has, after all of this. Sure, she took to fighting okay, but she's got nothing on everyone with more experience, she's--)

Either way, Sayaka unlocks the door, half expecting Fray to be in Nekiya still, but given that she has a couple of portions of curry in preparation--well, it's a pleasant surprise when she finds him there, a soft noise escaping her before she thinks to knock on the door. If he wasn't already alerted, he is now!]

Oh, Fray-san! Sorry about that--if I knew you were back already, I would have thought...to...

[... ... ...]

Did...did Argenti-san make a friend and they got the wrong room...?

[fray. what the everloving fuck is this.]

[bloodweapon]

[Fray doesn't bother turning, because he assumes it'll be Sayaka at the door. After all, who else would have the key for it? So he only gives her a glance as she stares at the bizarre "gift" he's been given.]

It was a "gift" from our friend, the cat. As for what purpose it could possibly serve... I have no idea.

[Fray returns to staring at it. Despite the fact that you cannot see any of his expression, you probably get the feeling he's exasperated. That's just how things are going today, apparently.]

1/2

[destage]

[...]

I didn't know that cat would like Argenti-san enough to make something like this...

[Trust her, Fray, you are definitely not the only one here. Sayaka will just...walk in, closing the door behind her and just. Marveling at it for a moment. It's genuinely so detailed and silly...]

Do you have any idea what you want to do with it? I don't know if Argenti-san would be complimented or not... [...] Honestly, he might like it, if you wanted to hand it off to him. Maybe, at least!

2/2

[destage]

--Oh! Before I forget--have you eaten anything tonight, Fray-san?

[Sayaka adjusts the little tupperwares she has in her hands, briefly, once she remembers--she can't forget that she brought dinner, that'd just be a waste!]

[bloodweapon]

[But could you imagine two of them... Argenti's roommate doesn't deserve that...!! Fray sighs as he considers what to do with this thing. Maybe he'll just leave it somewhere to terrorize people. That could be funny.]

Oh, I haven't. It seems I've forgotten with today's... excitement.

[Gives another look at the Argenti cutout...]

Dining Hall

[vogelfrei]

[ By now it has become abundantly clear that nobody is ever going to see Fray without his helmet on - a fact that both intrigues McGillis and repulses him. Fray has been nothing but pleasant to speak to, but the associations he links to a full face mask are simply disturbing.

All of those mask-related deliberations are a moot point in the face of that... thing.

Hello, Argenti cut-out. ]

Please don't tell me he has begun handing these out as party favors.

[bloodweapon]

[Fray glances up from the moogles he's drawing over to the Argenti cutout. Even though he's wearing a full-face mask where you can only see his eyes, you can probably tell he's making A Face about it.]

It was delivered by the cat.

[How did the cat manage it??? He sure as hell has no idea.]

We may see more of them, if we're truly unlucky.

[vogelfrei]

[ ... why did the cat feel this was a necessary addition to Fray's life. Anyone's life. ]

... I shall hope against hope that we are not.

[ This place is one giant joke, so a flood of lifesize cardboard Argentis would just add to the vibe. ]

It's less impressive than the real thing, so they shouldn't bother anyway.

[bloodweapon]

[Fray nods at the first part. Please do not give us any more of these, we really do not need them. The latter gets a scoff from him.]

At least this one isn't capable of speech.

[...it sounds dangerously close to being affectionate.]