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<chocolat_orange> okay then
<THE_FIRST> It’s eleven at night right now though
<THE_FIRST> Let’s talk about this in detail tomorrow
<chocolat_orange> yeah. how does lunchtime sound to you?
<chocolat_orange> i’ve found a really nice private spot behind the middle school classroom block
<chocolat_orange> it’s in the shade beneath a couple of oak trees
<THE_FIRST> Okay gotcha
<THE_FIRST> You sure there aren’t any cameras or microphones planted nearby?
<THE_FIRST> I’ve been getting more and more paranoid lately
<THE_FIRST> Like, wondering if my lips are going to slip like the last bit of ice on the Antarctic shelf and reveal my Arcana
<THE_FIRST> Then a horde of men in black burst into my bedroom at midnight and shove me in the back of the van
<THE_FIRST> Arresting my sister in the process
<chocolat_orange> takashi-kun i think you need to calm down
<chocolat_orange> eat a stress mint or two
<chocolat_orange> or go to sleep early???
<chocolat_orange> i used to stay up at right all the time when i was fourteen. then i couldn’t pay attention in class and my grades dropped DX
<THE_FIRST> Yeah you’re probably right Celeste
<THE_FIRST> Should sign off now then
<THE_FIRST> Anything else you need to discuss?
<chocolat_orange> um well
<chocolat_orange> i’m wondering if this is the place to say it
<THE_FIRST> Like what?
<chocolat_orange> you know how you said we didn’t have any obligation to play aether because nothing was happening
<THE_FIRST> So?
<THE_FIRST> Wait
<chocolat_orange> so it’s like

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<THE_FIRST> Don’t you dare Celeste
<THE_FIRST> I swear to Izanagi-no-Okami or Jesus or whatever god you believe in
<THE_FIRST> Your Persona is Sati
<THE_FIRST> Then it would be Brahma correct?
<THE_FIRST> Fuck I should’ve paid more attention in Mythology
<THE_FIRST> Point is don’t fucking do it because it’ll be terrible, disastrous, humiliating and a bunch of other adjectives
<chocolat_orange> sorry i have to do this
<chocolat_orange> here i go
<THE_FIRST> No
<THE_FIRST> NO
<chocolat_orange> 3
<chocolat_orange> 2
<chocolat_orange> 1
<chocolat_orange> i told you so, takashi-kun
<chocolat_orange> :)
[<THE_FIRST> has disconnected from chat]

Ever since you gained the Fool Arcana, your dreams have become vivid and bizarre. A great deal of them involve your Personas—Ippon-Datara gnashing his fanged teeth, Pixie giggling and twirling in the air, Slime moaning with despair and oozing across a marble floor. Occasionally, you detect shadowy figures lurking behind them. A star-shaped demon with a single eye, a hellish queen with blood-red arms and a wooden fetish clamped between her teeth. A hollow voice whispers to you like wind whistling through a hazy forest, speaking of the potential that lies further ahead. Fool, Magician, and now the Lovers and the Hanged Man.

Who the voice belongs to is something you are yet to understand. It is reminiscent of the chants you heard upon forming bonds with Celeste, Takauji and Akikazu. Sometimes while staring at the ceiling from your mattress, you wonder if your predecessor ever encountered anything of the sort. Knowledge on the properties of the Wild Card is lacking, to say the least. It’s difficult to analyse a phenomenon in nature when the last person who had it was both a hermit and deceased.

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Not that it prevented humanity from making all sorts of ludicrous and outlandish rumors up. You’ve read tales portraying Kaede Kurusu as a vengeful war goddess, secretly slumbering in the bowels of the earth, preparing herself to rise into the heavens on the promised and ultimately nuke the entire earth into oblivion. Considering what the Demiurge was, conspiracy theorists don’t think this would be too much of a stretch. What about a myth of being able to acquire the Wild Card upon sacrificing the blood of two hundred virgin girls? A crackpot scientist actually tried that in 2058, and was promptly sentenced to lethal injection once caught.

You lie in your bed, gazing up at a dark ceiling. All sorts of emotions and thoughts are swirling like humus milkshake in your brain. Shizuka would disapprove, had she been able to read you now. You let out a dark, empty snicker.

“How ironic…”

Look at yourself. An ordinary sixteen year old boy who possesses a gift of a universe, a miracle once held by a goddess in the flesh. Yet you are the lowest of the low, a crippled, naive late bloomer. Can’t fight battles, can’t save lives, can’t even augment properly. You wake up, go to school, play video games and sleep. A Fool’s journey is open to you in the form of a malicious reality video game, yet you abhor it out of fear of being killed. Pointless, futile, exhausted, fragile, emptied and ultimately doomed from the word go. Weakest One indeed!

…

No.

Stop.

Quit thinking that way.

Nothing of worth will come of it. It’s little more than foolish and repulsive angst seeping out your hormones. Be thankful that you are alive and well. Remind yourself that you have been lifted from the dregs of the ‘ordinary’. As strict she may be, your mother has placed faith in you. She believes you will be able to make the most of your opportunities. Akumachi-Kirijo, a better education and your Persona.

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“Oh yeah, eights years ago I was wetting myself at the chance of a Persona. So I guess I’m living my younger self’s dream?”

You roll over, twisting your duvet and sigh. This time a snort of amusement is let loose. When did you become so introspective? Has the Wild Card driven you a little mad? Did gaining two extra masks to push through life’s hardships dislodge a few screws in your brain? For the past ten years, you moved through life as a ghost, seeing things but never truly interacting with them. Compare that with the current you, who is presently evaluating himself for the first time in ages.

“Maybe I should take this Persona development more seriously…” you mutter to yourself. “Study hard, practice my magic, ask nee-san for lessons…all that crap. Yeah, that sounds good…”

You blink and fidget. A sigh, then you mumble.

“And then maybe…one day…I’ll find a purpose to my useless life.”

…

You chuckle again and cover your eyes with a hand.. “Haaah. Celeste would take the piss out of me if she could hear me now. Really, what the hell am I saying…”

With that, you close your eyes and fall straight back into the land of dreams.

[6:30 am, 8-Apr-2129 (SATURDAY)]

You rise sooner than expected. Therefore, you shall do what all early birds do.

“Alright Internet, what you’ve got for me?”

A variety of links and sites pop up on the monitor. Which one will you investigate before Shizuka calls you down for breakfast?

>More information on the Last Word.
>Demonstration of spells and skills.
>Savate: A French method of boxing in which feet and fists are used.
>Stereotypes associated with the various Arcana.
>The history of Akumachi-Kirijo
>Custom option.

>>41630247
>>Stereotypes associated with the various Arcana.

Best to start with the basics.

>>41630247
>>Demonstration of spells and skills.

>Savate: A French method of boxing in which feet and fists are used
Sounds fun.

>>41630247
>>Savate: A French method of boxing in which feet and fists are used.

>>41630247
>>Demonstration of spells and skills.

>>41630247
>Savate: A French method of boxing in which feet and fists are used.

>>41630247
>>Stereotypes associated with the various Arcana.

>>41630247
>Stereotypes associated with the various Arcana.

>>41630247
>Custom option.
Lists of known Personas for the Lovers and Hanged Man. For when we inevitably claim our Personas for those Arcana.

>>41630247
>>Savate: A French method of boxing in which feet and fists are used.

>>41630200
><THE_FIRST> Point is don’t fucking do it because it’ll be terrible, disastrous, humiliating and a bunch of other adjectives
><chocolat_orange> sorry i have to do this
><chocolat_orange> here i go
><THE_FIRST> No
><THE_FIRST> NO
><chocolat_orange> 3
><chocolat_orange> 2
><chocolat_orange> 1
><chocolat_orange> i told you so, takashi-kun
><chocolat_orange> :)
Don't do what?

And this was just a dream right?

>>41630612
Don't say "I told you so". And no, doesn't appear to be a dream.

Wow that was long. Hope I didn't put anybody off.

Anyway, I'll now be writing.

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I've been waiting for you TT. Persona time a best time.

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>>Savate: A French method of boxing in which feet and fists are used.

You open a video-sharing website and watch clips of fancy footwork and spectacular sparring. Savate is a martial art combining elements of both western boxing and graceful kicking techniques, born in the streets of Paris originally as a form of self-defence. It is also one of the few styles of kickboxing in which the fighters habitually wear shoes. It’s also a popular choice amongst Anti-Shadow Opeartives, who are trained to use all limbs of their body to take down the monsters. You recall Daisuke having mastered this style of combat.

You watch as the athletic, muscled men and women in the video demonstrate jabs, hooks and roundhouse kicks. It’s showing a tournament from around five years ago. Persona augmentation is banned, evidenced by the seals placed around their armbands. Human society had become a lot more martial ever since a selected few could literally summon demons of war from inside their own hearts. It was the reason why facilities such as Akumachi-Kirijo had sunk so much Macca into their hard light labs and Battlegrounds. Strength was key and the Imperial Empire of Japan was certainly a great demonstration of that.

“And the winner is…Jean Lecour!”

The crowd roars, tinny sounding in your headphones. The video then switches to one showing the various locks, grabs, elbow strikes and takedowns found in savate.

A sudden thought strikes you. There are steel-toed boots hidden inside the Blackened Void safehouse. What if you wore those when kicking? And what if you mastered chi-casting and added it to your fists when punching? The resulting combination of equipment and the two styles could become something truly deadly. Like, maybe strong enough to sufficiently plow your way through whatever trials AETHER would throw at you?

Of couse, this is mostly speculation and you can’t be bothered to pursue this train of thought. Because it is now breakfast time.

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You eat rice and drink miso soup as your nee-san reattaches the bandages wound around her wrist. Her hand was sliced off last night, apparently. Not that it was much of a concern. A quick Diarahan reduced what would undoubtedly be a painful disability in the past to a mere, itching annoyance.

“Takashi.”

“What is it, nee-san?”

“You look brighter than usual today.” Your sister says, “Not that I’m complaining, but did something happen?”

>How do you respond?

>>41631182
Brighter how Sis?

>>41631182
"Maybe this new school is starting to beat some sense into me."

>>41631182
>"I was just studying the art of kicking people in the face."

>>41631182
"So I had this dream about my persona wearing a maid outfit....."

>>41631291
This
Do it

>>41631182
>>41631282
I like this

>>41631182
"I don't think it's been anything in particular. I think I'm just having more good days in general lately, and it's finally caught up to my attitude."

>>41631182
Nothing really. Saw this fighting style online that really got my interest though.

>>41631291
>>41631315

Know our luck that dream will end up having some kind of deep spiritual meaning that causes our sister to get serious and or flip out.

We should do it

>>41631182
Supporting >>41631282

>>41631182
I guess I've been feeling more motivated lately

>>41631182
I am feeling motivated to get good.

>>41631182
>Shrug
Nothing really. Guess I've been feeling more motivated or something.

>>41631182
>>41631282
>"I was just studying the art of kicking people in the face."
>"Care to give any tips?"

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>>Takashi: Answer

“Nee-san.” You state with utmost seriousness. “I had a dream about my Persona wearing a maid outfit. And I have to say, it cheered me the hell up.”

Shizuka stares at you. You stare back with an expression as stony as the Cliffside of Mt. Fuji. A few second pass, and then your beloved older sister bursts out laughing.

“Hahaha! Takashi, was that supposed to be a joke?”

“Yes.” You reply. “Nee-san, after all these years I have finally developed a sense of humor. I think this calls for a celebration. Call over all your friends and get yourselves drunk, so that I may rifle through their pockets in search for loose change.”

Shizuka is now covering her mouth with her hand and shaking like a washing machine with all its bolts loose. “Good, good! Takashi, a sense of humor is great! It’s important that you can laugh at life’s hardships. But Ippon-Datara, wearing a maid outfit. A degraded god forced to dress in something so humiliating…Ahahahaha!”

Once again, your sister’s taste in humor is seriously out of whack. She finishes snickering to herself and resumes eating. You do the same.

“So…maid outfits, then?”

“What are you on, nee-san?” You ask.

“Oh, nothing.” Shizuka smiles sweetly. “Your beloved nee-san is just wondering if you’ve begun to take an interest in girls.”

“…what.”

>>41631936
Well I met this cutie with the lover arcana.

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“Come now, don’t be shy. You’re a growing young man with raging hormones beneath your skin. It’s not unusual for you to have dreams about girls.”

“My Persona is not a girl, nee-san.”

“He was wearing a maid outfit, so it still counts. Are you interested in maids? I know I was quite interested into butlers and bishonen back in middle school.”

“No.”

“What about androids? You like watching idol shows.”

“I only do that occasionally.”

“Oh, I know!” A metaphorical lightbulb has appeared above Shizuka’s messy navy-blue hair. “You are on quite friendly terms with that Celeste girl. Is she, by any chance, your—”

“You know what, let’s stop talking about this. I have to go to school soon.”

“Haha, sorry.” Shizuka smiles. “But your older sister can’t help it. I’ve got front row seats to watching my cute little brother grow up! My heart is pounding with sheer excitement, Takashi!”

“Urgh…”

“Enjoy your youth, Takashi. It’s the only one you’ll get.” Shizuka is now slightly more serious. Then she almost immediately returns to frivolous and lighthearted mode. “Who knows, you might even snatch up a pretty girlfriend in your new high school. So make the most of it!”

“Goddammit…”

>>41631936
>“Your beloved nee-san is just wondering if you’ve begun to take an interest in girls.”

I regret everything

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>>41631936
>>41631990

I like our sister.

>>41631936
>>41631990
Shizuka is best girl

>>41632080
>>41632099
http://strawpoll.me/5040579/r

Get fucked.

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>>41631965

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>>41632125

>>41632125
I feel so bad for the people who Like Celeste, she's a magician it's never gonna happen

>>41632125
>Trusting straw polls

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[8:15 am, 8-Apr-2129 (SATURDAY)]

As you walk to school, you overhear some students talking…

“Hey, is it true that the culture clubs are opening next week?”

“Yeah! I’m gonna sign up for the cooking club. I’m living at the dorm and I don’t want to eat instant ramen all day. What about you, senpai?”

“I dunno. Got the whole Sunday to think about something like that…”

The morning period after homeroom will consist of your first elective class. All students in Akumachi-Kirijo are required to choose two in their high school years. Unfortunately, your mother appears to have already done this for you…

What is your first elective?

>PHYSICS: You will learn kinetics, motion, electronics electromagnetism, the properties of light and other such subjects.
>CHEMISTRY: You will learn about the study of composition, structure, properties and the change of matter.
>ECONOMICS: You will learn about social sciences, supply and demand, what makes markets tick and many more.
>COMPUTER SCIENCE: You will learn algorithms, data structures, programming paradigms and various languages.
>GEOGRAPHY: You will learn about the study of art relating to lands and its features.
>POLITICS/LAW: You will learn about the practice and theory of influencing people according to the law. Prepare for lots of textbook reading.
>ART: You will learn how to paint, sketch and model.

>>41632207
>>POLITICS/LAW: You will learn about the practice and theory of influencing people according to the law. Prepare for lots of textbook reading.

This sounds useful for our Charisma.

>>41632207
>POLITICS/LAW: You will learn about the practice and theory of influencing people according to the law. Prepare for lots of textbook reading.

>>41632207
>>PHYSICS: You will learn kinetics, motion, electronics electromagnetism, the properties of light and other such subjects.

>>41632207
>PHYSICS: You will learn kinetics, motion, electronics electromagnetism, the properties of light and other such subjects.
I want to see how the physical sciences have had to adapt for the presence of magic and demons.

>>41632207
>CHEMISTRY: You will learn about the study of composition, structure, properties and the change of matter.

>>41630144
>[SOCIAL LINKS]
Where's Hanged Man?

>>41632207
>POLITICS/LAW: You will learn about the practice and theory of influencing people according to the law. Prepare for lots of textbook reading.
this might be very important, if we're supposed to not end up like Kaede.

>>41632207
>GEOGRAPHY: You will learn about the study of art relating to lands and its features.

>>41632207
>ECONOMICS
Money management could be useful

>>41632207
>COMPUTER SCIENCE: You will learn algorithms, data structures, programming paradigms and various languages.

I remember her, OP!

>>41632207
>>POLITICS/LAW: You will learn about the practice and theory of influencing people according to the law. Prepare for lots of textbook reading.

This sounds like our mother

>>41632207
>ART: You will learn how to paint, sketch and model.

>>41632207
>PHYSICS

>>41632207
>>COMPUTER SCIENCE: You will learn algorithms, data structures, programming paradigms and various languages.
THAT GIRL IN THE LIBRARY!

>>41632207
>COMPUTER SCIENCE: You will learn algorithms, data structures, programming paradigms and various languages.

>>41632207
>COMPUTER SCIENCE: You will learn algorithms, data structures, programming paradigms and various languages.

>>41632207
>COMPUTER SCIENCE: You will learn algorithms, data structures, programming paradigms and various languages.

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>>41632207
>ECONOMICS
Capitalism, ho!

>>41632207
>COMPUTER SCIENCE: You will learn algorithms, data structures, programming paradigms and various languages.

>>41632207
>ECONOMICS

>>41632326
I really doubt capitalism will survive that long.

>>41632256
>>41632326
>>41632343
Samefag

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>>41632181
>Trusting

>>41632207
>PHYSICS: You will learn kinetics, motion, electronics electromagnetism, the properties of light and other such subjects.

>>41632361
When the CEO could literally be a Persona Powerhouse, it might be hypocrisy to remove the free market. Or specifically regulated by the government after what happened with Last Word.

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>>41632368
Anon please not now. If anyone is samefagging it'd be the Computer Science people, even I know that.

>>41632361
I mean, we can always do trading with them elves in the blackened void, right?

>>41632513
Economics applies to systems other then capitalism.

>>41632207
>CHEMISTRY: You will learn about the study of composition, structure, properties and the change of matter.

Probably too late but fuck it.

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I'm glad I made it this time! The last two I missed completely.

>>41632207
Computer science in case Stephen shows up

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>>COMPUTER SCIENCE

The double period takes place in the computer lab. It is a room stocked with flat-screen monitors, beeping terminals and squeaky swivel chairs. It’s worth noting that the physical machines are only as large as a small paperback book. Technology sure had gotten convenient over the last few decades. A lot smaller, too.

Watanabe-sensei is leading the class. “Welcome to Computer Science, everyone! Did you all have a lovely break?”

Hardly anyone responds, because they are too busy staring at their computers

“I’ll take that as a yes. To begin, let’s go over what we’ll be learning this semester…”

He babbles on about algorithms, programming paradigms (both function and imperative) and a few of the modern languages. Scala++ is what you will be learning for the next few months. It is a programming language for general purpose applications, built off its predecessor. It has full support for functional programming, which makes it basically like any other language used in the modern world. The terms such as currying, lazy evaluation, immutability, type inference all pass through your head. You will have to understand them if you want to do well on the final exams…

Fifteen minutes into writing code you realize that Scala++ is a pain in the ass to read and even worse to program with. Why is the syntax so short? What the hell are Lists, Maps and Nils? You feel you might be out of your depth here. From the looks of it, half the class feels the same.

There is a girl sitting next to you. She’s busily pounding away at her keyboard, writing lines and lines of functions, variables and other assorted syntax. Occasionally she stops to scribble something on her tablet. But then she almost immediately continues, tuning out the world as her fingertips pound against the plastic surfaces.

…?

Hang on, don’t you recognize her?

>Nod at her.
>Introduce yourself and say hi.
>Wave at her, then get back to your work.
>Say nothing and ignore her.
>Custom option.

>>41633019
>>Nod at her.

I want an entire social link with no speaking

>>41633019
>Nod at her.
It'll be our thing. We'll communicate with her entirely in nods. It won't be until we've got to Social Rank lvl.3 before we even know her name.

>>41633019
>Nod at her.

>>41633019
I thought she was an older classman

>>41633019
>>Nod at her.

>>41632757
speaking of chemistry
I'm honestly surprised we haven't thought about making improvised weaponry/tools.

We've got access to the internet and a whole bunch of materials.

I'm just saying that pipebombs, molotov cocktails, and other such tools technically fall under attacks.

>>41633019
>Nod at her.

>>41633019
>Wave at her, then get back to your work.

>>41633102
>Nod at her.
Just because this guy said so in a cool way

>>41633019
>Custom option.
Get lost in thought as we try to figure out where we've seen her.
She asks us to stop staring.
Reply to the effect of "have we met?"

>>41633151
Shizuka will catch on quick, though, so those stuff would need to be brought straight to the base.

>>41633019
>Nod

Though she seems to know what she's doing... she could totally help teach the basics to us.

But I actually am interested to see how far we can get silently.

>>41633019
>Wave at her, then get back to your work.

>>41633019
>Introduce yourself and say hi.
Ask if she can lend a hand.

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>>Nod at her.

The girl shifts her head, ever so slightly to the left. Your gazes match. A flicker of recognition passes through the girl’s eyes.

She nods back, then she resumes typing as if nothing has happened.

>Something has happened, though. You should probably try again the next you see her…

Computer Science class resumes. You learn about your first Hello-World program, if statements, loops, basic syntax and miscellaneous Scala++ material. Homework is to create some small applications. As you leave the classroom, you contemplate the best way to code them…

>Your INTELLIGENCE has increased by 2 points!

[12:30 am, 8-Apr-2129 (SATURDAY)]

It’s lunchtime.

“Hey Takashi, want to eat together?” Takauji asks.

“Sorry. I’ve got to run somewhere.”

“Oh? A date?” Takauji grins.

“Not you too, Takauji…”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. I’ll see you later.”

You take out your meal box and head outside. You will be meeting with Celeste behind the middle school building. It’s about time you got going…

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You step past ravenous students and make your way towards the shady spot. True to Celeste’s word, there are oak trees standing mighty and tall (and genetically enhanced) there. You see your friend sitting on a bench, digging through a yakisoba-pan with full force.

“Hey.” You greet, taking a seat next to her.

“Hello, Takashi-kun!” Celeste smiles. “Nice spot, isn’t it? One of the girls in my class told me about it. She says it’s good for peace and quiet if you don’t want to go to the library.”

“Uh-huh.” You eye her meal. “That from a vending machine?”

“Yup! It’s not half bad, too.”

“So you don’t cook your own meals?”

Celeste grins sheepishly. “Eh, well…I’m still learning. So what if I overcooked the miso soup last night. It’s the thought that counts, right?”

“No comment, Celeste. No comment.”

The two of you consume your meals underneath the shade. It’s a fine day. The sun is out, the wind is rustling gently through the trees and the sky is both clear and blue. However, it’s not all fun and games for the Void’s Chosen.

“So,” Celeste begins once the two of you are full and rested. “Let’s discuss AETHER.”

“As much as I’d like to put this off…” You grumble. “Fine. Where should we start with?”

>Let’s talk about the Forgotten City.
>Let’s talk about the Hazebound Woodlands.
>Let’s talk about the third player.
>Let’s talk about the new notification.
>Let’s talk about the Shadows.
>Custom option.

>>41633785
>Let’s talk about the third player.
Odds are he's going to get inducted like we did.

>>41633785
>Custom option.
Let's talk about what we need to explore the place semi-safely. Because we both know we're going to wind up there again, so we should at least be prepared.

>>41633785
>>Let’s talk about the third player.

>>41633785
>Let’s talk about the third player.
>>Let’s talk about the new notification.

>>41633762
>Homework is to create some small applications
>applications
>plural
fuck, this school is intense

>>41633785
>Let’s talk about the third player.
and how to deal with the whole Food-I mean Fool thing.

then >>41633814

>>41633785
>>Let’s talk about the third player.

>>41633785
>>Let’s talk about the third player.

>>41633785
>Let’s talk about the new notification.
I'm really ready to see some actual action. Seems like it's been a while

>>41633785
>Let’s talk about the new notification.

>>41633785
>Third player

If they're a player, they're going to be playing the game at some point.

Think there's gonna be as many players as doors? That there'll be a pattern of who's selected?

More importantly, the chat client said they cannot respond... but not they cannot read it. Is there some way to get them too meet us somewhere?

>>41633880
Kinda hoping to either upgrade ippon datara or get something better.

>>41633928
Well, we should have basic lovers and hanged man personas waiting.

>>41633785
>Let’s talk about the third player.

>>41633984
>basic
That is what concerns me.

I am going to try and eat lunch and write at the same time. I don't know how well this we'll go but let's see. Apologies for the delays today.

>>41634059
Given that we don't have Fusion available, and every Persona but Ippon-Datara has gimped XP gain, it seems like our only real way to upgrade is to level up Social Links. I'm hoping we'll get new Personas entirely if we get the SL levels high enough, but knowing our luck it probably won't happen until we max them.

>>41634155
We do have some fairly useful arcana atm.

At least in my opinion.

>>41634219
Oh, we do. Our current lineup is a perfectly respectable early-game arsenal. I wasn't trying to imply otherwise. But I'm worried we'll fall behind soon as the difficulty progresses faster than our ability to form meaningful emotional bonds with others does.

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>>Let’s talk about the third player.

That’s right. Someone else is about to join the game. The tell-take signs are there. The update. A scrambled notification. The presence of a person called ‘THE_THIRD’ appearing in the chat client.

“Another unlucky bastard is about to be dragged into this mess and presumably we’ll have to bail him or her out.” You mutter. “The question is, who is it?”

“Hmm, I don’t know.” Celeste says. “I tried contacting this new player in the morning, but the chat said that whoever it was couldn’t send anything back. Ne, Takashi-kun, do you think he could read what we sent? AETHER didn’t say anything about that.”

“I have no clue.” You reply. “Doubt it, though. AETHER isn’t the sort of game that makes itself easy on its players.”

“True…” Celeste gazes upwards at the sky. “Maybe we could use logic to figure it out.”

“How?”

“You were the first player, Takashi-kun. And I was someone you met and I became the second player.”

“So you’re saying the third player is someone we both know?” You ask. “If we go by that train of logic, it could be anyone in this school.” Takauji, Akikazu, Veleis-sensei, that mysterious laptop girl…the list went on and on. Checking them all would be a nightmare.

Celeste pouts. “Damn. You're right. I hoped it would be helpful…”

“It’s not a bad idea, but there’s too many people we have to check.” You say. “Well, we know it’s not nee-san. She’d be complaining if her phone broke.”

“I’m going to try and send a message to the third player. Let’s give this a shot anyway.” Celeste mutters. She takes out her phone and begins tapping.

>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.
>Talk about weapons and equipment.
>Talk about the safehouse.
>Talk about the Forgotten City.
>Talk about warning others of AETHER.
>Custom option.

>>41634474
>>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.

>>41634474
>>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.
Grinding on Saturdays cause that a half day of school anyway

>>41634474
>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.

>>41634474
>>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.
Primarily, excuses we can give to friends and family to explain why we vanish periodically.

>>41634474
>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.

>>41634474
>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.
>Talk about weapons and equipment.

>>41634474
>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.

>>41634474
>Talk about weapons and equipment.

>>41634474
>>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.

>>41634474
>Talk about the safehouse.

Rolled 2 (1d5)

>>41634474

>>41634474
>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.

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>>41634474
>Talk about warning others of AETHER.

>>41634273
>But I'm worried we'll fall behind soon as the difficulty progresses faster than our ability to form meaningful emotional bonds with others does.

So your saying that charisma and understanding are the most important stats?

>>41634474
>Talk about weapons and equipment.

Also, going off topic here - is it wrong that I imagine Ippon-datara's voice sounding like Homsar?

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>>Talk about exploration in the Blackened Void.

“So. The Blackened Void.” You state. “It’s the main game world of AETHER. It’s full of Shadows, divided into ten sectors and it’s our duty to explore it all.”

Celeste starts to giggle. “I know that at least, Takashi-kun. It’s very obvious.”

“Then, do you have any ideas about how to go about exploring it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we’re not like typical video game characters. We suffer from hunger and exhaustion, so better bring some food and drink with us. And we don’t have infinite equipment load. All the stuff we carry has to go on our own backs and it includes the loot we find too. So we need to watch out for that. Stamina management is key, too. None of us can run or walk forever.” You ponder. “Oh yeah. I think AETHER has permadeath. Death is final. If we die we’re killed off for good. Shit.”

“Um…okay?” Celeste responds, looking a little confused. “I guess it makes sense? AETHER isn’t a simulation or anything. As for the food and drink, I might be able to scrouge up some empty plastic bottles and fill them with water. I can give you some candies for mana restoration too.”

“Long-lasting foodstuffs would be great. Consumables like canned food, instant ramen, beef jerky…stuff that doesn’t go off so easily. We can store them in the safehouse. The trouble is, where the hell are we going to get all of this?”

“Junes? But none of us has enough money…” Celeste shrugs. “Maybe we should get jobs.”

“Or we could just fight the Shadows.” You say. “Drops by monsters in games usually is spent on equipment and supplies. I see no reason why it wouldn’t be the case here.”

“That’s another thing I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.” Celeste grins. “We can use the Shadows in the Blackened Void for training! Why waste hours in the hard light labs when we can fight the real monsters?”

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“The monsters spawned in the hard light labs generally don’t try and kill you.” You reply. “But screw it, you’re right. I’m determined to retrieve at least one good thing out of this stupid game. We’re going to be killing them for Macca anyway.”

“I knew you would agree, Takashi-kun!”

Then the end of lunch bell rings and it’s time for you to return to class. Celeste waves goodbye to you and sprints off to her classroom. You return to yours. The thought of exploring the Blackened Void is fresh in your mind. You’ve played a lot of complex open-world games in your life. Concepts such as stamina, equipment, weapons, map markets and consumable health restoration items spin around in your brain. You better put some proper thought into this, lest you wind up end inside a barren, empty void…

[4:00 pm, 8-Apr-2129 (SATURDAY)]

School has ended. You have no commitments or extracurricular activities to do today.

>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void (AETHER Exploration)
>Study in the library (Increases INTELLIGENCE)
>Wander around the city
>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)
>Return home (Skip to night)
>Custom option.

>>41635240
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void (AETHER Exploration)

>>41635240
Exploration, see if 3 is anywhere to be found. Stop by Velvet Room on the way.

>>41635240
>>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void (AETHER Exploration)
SPLORAN

>>41635240
>>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)

>>41635240
>>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void (AETHER Exploration)

>>41635240
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void (AETHER Exploration)

>>41635240
>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)
Let's see if the have anything nice for us. Probably not, since they're dicks. But hey, might as well try.

>>41635240
>Look up Survival Gear and other related information on the internet.

>>41635209
>“Well, we’re not like typical video game characters. We suffer from hunger and exhaustion, so better bring some food and drink with us. And we don’t have infinite equipment load. All the stuff we carry has to go on our own backs and it includes the loot we find too. So we need to watch out for that. Stamina management is key, too. None of us can run or walk forever.”
Fallout.

>>41635240
>>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)

>>41635240
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void (AETHER Exploration)

>>41635240
>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)

>>41635240
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void (AETHER Exploration)
>Visit the Velvet Room when we get there

>>41635351
Sir, how far into the future do you think we are? These kids may have never played a game like that.

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>>41635441
>Implying they aren't playing fallout 7

Markets hate risk, its safer to make sequels of a proven game rather then try something new.

>>41635441
Bitch, there's a Minecraft 4 in this universe. Of course there's going to be more Fallout.

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>>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void (AETHER Exploration)

<THE_FIRST> I’m bored
<THE_FIRST> Let’s go
<chocolat_orange> okay!

So the two of you board a train, head over to District 5 and enter through the door located in the alleyway. Today’s weather inside the Blackened Void: dark clouds, dusty air and absolutely no chance of rain. It’s so nice to see that some things will never, ever change.

“So Takashi-kun, what do we have planned for today?”

>Explore the Forgotten City
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)
>Open the door with a TV inscribed on it.
>Open the door with a gun painted on it.
>I realize coming here was actually a terrible idea. Let’s get out of here.
>Custom option.

>>41635598
>>Explore the Forgotten City

>>41635598
>>Open the door with a TV inscribed on it.
Also, how much Macca do we have? I think we still need to pay the snake girl back for letting us use the springs for free.

>>41635598
>>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)

>>41635598
>Explore the Forgotten City

>>41635598
>Explore the Forgotten City

>>41635598
>Explore the Forgotten City

>>41635598
>>Explore the Forgotten City

>>41635598
>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)

>>41635598
>Explore the Forgotten City

>>41635648
I think it was somewhere around 7000 Macca. We owe her 4000. So let's get that out of the way before anything else.

>>41635598

>Explore the Forgotten City

>>41635598
>Explore the Forgotten City

>>41635598
>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)

>>41635598
>Repay healer
>Velvet Room
>Explore

>>41635598
>Enter the Velvet Room (Gain new Personas)

>>41635598
>pay healer if we got money for it
>use any spare money to obtain food/water if it's possible
>Bound off into the forgotten city


Then again, the Velvet room eats up no time, so we should probably hit it up too

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>>Explore the Forgotten City.

The sky is frozen over with greyness and gloom. The streets are deserted. An unsettling silence penetrates the dilapidated buildings and rusted structure. You slide on your steel-tipped boots and knuckledusters. Celeste equips herself with a fencing blade she ‘borrowed’ from her club. The two of Void’s Chosen exit the peacefulness of the safehouse and make their way into the unknown of the Forgotten City.

The two of you pass underneath a destroyed overpass. No treasure has been found. Celeste’s eyes widen and she motions for you to stop. Ippon-Datara snarls in the back of your mind.

Darkness gathers on the ground, almost camouflaged by dimness between the buildings. A shadowy arm pulls itself out, followed by more limbs and eventually a blue mask.

“Shadows…” You hiss.

“Are you ready, Takashi-kun?” Celeste asks.

“As I’ll ever be.” You glare at the Shadows lurking in front of you. There are around four. Three Maya-types, and one Eagle. All of them are of the Magician Arcana, judging by the Roman Numeral on their masks.

“Then let’s get to it!” Celeste shouts, summoning her card. “Come forth, Sati!”

“Ippon-Datara, move it!”

The Shadows shriek wildly, and assault.

>Roll 1d20
>Best out of three

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>41636131

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>41636131

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>41636131

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>41636131

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>41636131

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>41636131

Here's hoping Celeste does better than us, huh?

>>41636293
The Velvet twins are going to give us so much shit. Again.

>>41636352
Ten is average if we round down.

>>41636485
Actually the average is between 15 and 16, since it's not a single roll but best of 3.

>>41636555
Shh.

>>41636555
No, average is still 10-11, since you'd have to divide by 6.

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“Agi!”

“Slime, Bash!”

“Maragi!”

You and Celeste fight. Cards are crushed, spells are cast, vitality is spent. The first five Shadows go down easily enough. But their cries of agony summon more their kin, wielding lightning and wind and ice and all matter of spells. Celeste hates the cold. A simple Bufu spell strikes Sati, and her master is thrown back as if a sledgehammer was slammed into her gut. You ended up having to switch to Pixie and, despite having no experience in doing so, heal her up.

All is silent. The two of you stop in the middle of a deserted street. A nasty gash in your arm bleeds, having been scratched by a vicious Eagle shadow. By god, does it hurt. You grit your teeth and try not to cry out.

“Hold still.” Celeste orders, “Sati will heal you.”

You stare at the immolated flame goddess hovering in front of the half-American girl. “Hurry up, then.”

The Persona’s palm glow green and Dia is applied. The blood instantly clots, the wound stops spilling crimson and the skin seals up. You breathe a sigh of relief. Sati is recalled, vanishing back into her master’s mind.

“Well, that didn’t go too well.” You say.

“I don’t think we sustained too much damage.” Celeste observes. “We managed to destroy all the Shadows, too.”

“Those Eagles though…Jesus Christ.” You growl. “They had to use fire, didn’t they? Otherwise it would’ve been piece of cake with Slime…”

“Isn’t Slime a failure Persona, though?” Celeste asks. “Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

“He’s resistant to physical attacks!” You say. “That’s good!”

“But good looking he is not.” Celeste grins, with that air of superiority of one who has just finished winning an Internet argument.

You gained 1500 Macca from fighting all the Shadows. No item drops were had and no new skills were learned. You continue to sit on the ground.

>>41636555
Even if you count crit fails, man?

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“Where next?” Celeste asks, staring at her phone. You haven’t covered much distance in the Forgotten City. No bonfires have been found. A great deal of the map is still blacked out.

“We can go…” Then something catches your attention. Your breath catches in your throat. As if moving by themselves, your legs command you to stand up.

“Takashi-kun?”

“Hold up.” You step forward. Heading in the direction of an entrance. Unlike the other ones, this door isn’t boarded up or sealed off by rubble.

You enter, generating a tiny flame in your hand as you do so. A descent downwards awaits, taking the form of a solid staircase. A maw of darkness yawns from within.

You breathe. “What is this?”

Something is skulking down there. Part of you is scared enough to make your precious ahoge stand on end. And yet…you can’t help but feel a great sense of curiosity.

Enter?
>Yes
>No

>>41636678
>Yes

>>41636678
>Yes

>>41636628
What? Where is this mystery six coming from and why do we divide by it?

>>41636667
Nope, but crit successes are just as likely, so those doesn't really matter.

>>41636678
>Yes

>>41636678
>No
>Go to the velvet room first
>Then go in

>>41636628
That's not how probability distributions work. The probability of getting at least X on a roll of YdZ is 1-((X-1)/Z)^Y. The probability is centered around 17. Getting a ten is statistically very poor.

>>41636678
>>Yes

>>41636678
>Yes

>>41636678
>Yes

>>41636678
>Yes

>>41636678
>No
Head back to sit at the bonfire and hope it doesn't reset the enemies like ducksouls.

>>41636678
>>Yes
Watch out for signs written in olde english.

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>>41636707
>Nope, but crit successes are just as likely

But as said here >>41636555 the average is 15-16 which means a crit moves us up 4-5 but a crit fail moves us down 14-15.

>>41636678
>>Yes

>>41636678
>Yes

>>41636771
Crits are less than 15% likely to happen in the first place. They don't make enough of a difference for me to bother factoring them in. Maybe it's just 15 instead of between 15 and 16. It doesn't really matter much.

>>41636709
This guy right here.

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“Celeste, I think we should check this out.”

“Are you sure? The stairwell looks like it might go on forever. What if a powerful Shadow is sleeping down there and we wake it up?”

“I…” You falter and struggle to speak. Celeste does have a point. And yet… “I still believe it’s a good idea. I don’t know why, though. Half of me is screaming to hightail it out of there, but the other half is really, really interested about what’s down there. It's like if we miss this, we’ll regret it forever. Don’t you feel the same?”

“No, Takashi-kun.” Celeste says. “I don’t. But, okay, I’ll trust you. We can just run up if something’s dangerous down there.”

You nod gratefully. “Thanks. Let's be careful, yeah?”

You and Celeste climb down the stairs. The concrete is rough, the slope is steep and the steps are narrow. It is no easy task. One at a time, then.

You and Celeste walk.

And walk.

And walk some more.

It seems like you’ve been walking for all eternity.

Then some more. The darkness appears to sink forever. The only recourse is a bunch of fizzling, dim fluorescent lights attached to the ceiling. Apart from that, the walls are devoid of anything. No indents for fixtures, no posters, no graffiti…nothing. It’s all too artificial and clean.

Almost as if it wasn’t designed by and for humans in the first place…

>>41636976
Didn't the AETHER update say something about an Abyss?

>>41636976
Sounds like it might be part of the original architecture of the Blackened Void, before AETHER repurposed it. Possibly built by whatever those elves were before the Shadows hollowed them out for meat-suits.

>>41637036
Not that I can find.

>>41636976
Dropped your trip.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT-jZasvAVk

You reach the bottom.

Finally.

>>INTRODUCTION

It’s a small room with two doors, both of which are closed. One doesn’t have any locks, the other has a standard door handle. It’s dark and musty, same as the stairwell. Again, there is no indication of where you are and what purpose this place serves.

“A dead end? No, there’s that door over there. The other one is sealed tight, though.” You mutter. Perhaps a treasure chest is hidden inside. “Come on, Celeste. Let’s take a look.”

No response.

“Celeste?”

You turn to face your friend and your jaw drops. What you see horrifies you. Celeste is trembling from head to toe, her eyes bloodshot and teeth chattering. It is the worst you have ever seen her. She inches away from the door, as if determined to put as much distance as she can between the object.

“Celeste!” You rush over. “Are you alright?”

“Takashi-kun…” she whispers, pointing a shaking finger. “I can’t go in there.”

“What?”

“I can’t go in there. That’s not a place for me.”

“What are you saying, Celeste?”

“If I pass through that door, I’ll die!” Celeste continues, almost on the verge of shouting. “It’s the truth. I don’t know how I arrived at that conclusion, but you have to believe me, Takashi-kun!”

“Okay, okay, I won’t force you. Do you want to go back?”

“No.” Celeste steps towards the entrance to the surface. The tremors subside substantially, but tinges of fear are still hidden in her expression and stance. “I should be fine if I stay here. Just…that room is only for you. You understand, don't you? Do whatever you have to do there, okay? I'll be waiting for you here.”

>>41637296
OH FUCK

OH FUCK ME

>>41637396
What?

>>41637396
I'm assuming you something is up? and it's bad?

>>41637424
>>41637447
I think he's reacting to the fact that the music Thorn linked was the theme for the Labyrinth of Amala, the bonus dungeon in SMT: Nocturne. It's not a good place. If this is anything like it, it's ominous that only we would be allowed inside. It suggests that the proprietor (Lucifer, in Nocturne, though it might be someone else here) has plans for us.

>>41637447
With Celeste that close to a breakdown I'd say it's something pretty fuckin' bad.

>>41637424
>>41637447
We're about to enter a Very Dangerous Place.

Also play Nocturne you fucking scrubs

>>41637424
>>41637447
http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Labyrinth_of_Amala

HERE IS TO HOPING WE GET A DANTE AND NOT RAIDOU

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Celeste is frightened? And yet, you are not? How does that make any fucking sense? The sense of dread that has been gathering in your gut is intensifies by magnitudes. A shudder crawls from the tip of your head and all the way down your spine. You clench your fists. Celeste gives you a smile, reeking of nervousness and utmost terror.

With a heavy heart, you reach for the door handle and swing it open.

A corridor is revealed. The moment you let go of the door, it slams behind you with a resolute ‘thud’. You walk down it, heart pumping blood like mad. The tension is palpable, ready to strangle you in its embrace.

At the end…

“What…”

…is nothing. Nothing but a small enclosure with a computer screen mounted to the wall. A keyboard and mouse rest on a table at the bottom. Only one program is loaded. A terminal prompt is flashing with no other text present.

“Celeste, you were afraid of this? A bloody computer mounted on the world—I mean, AETHER’s crappiest wall texture? Are you for real?”

You sigh and slump. “I really don’t understand women….”

There’s naught else to do, so you inspect the computer and promptly find out the mouse doesn’t work. In fact, it’s glued to the table surface. More filthy lies generated by the madness of the Void. When will it ever end?

…

Something has popped up on the screen.

>Hello, Leader.

What is your response?

>>41637607
"Pleased to meet you. Hope you guess my name."

>>41637607
>Uh, hi!

>>41637607
Hello Computer, what is your function?

>>41637607
Yo.

>>41637607
"Hello Stranger, what would you like to talk about?

>>41637607
TW what the fuck are you doing what the fuck is this

You worried me

>Hello?

>>41637607
>What?

>>41637607
"Hello, World."

>>41637607
>Computer, activate the missile silos.
>We are a go for operation banana monkey, 029ER donkey hotel foxtrot.
>Activate launch pad 1, launch pad 2, launch pad 3.
>Time to nuke those commies to the stone age.

>>41637877
Too late. Last Word already did that.

>>41637607
"Leader? Are you sure you have the right person?"

>>41637898
Damn those communists. red bastards all of them.
Guess its time for the backup plan.
ACTIVATE, LIBERTY PRIME!

>>41637784
This

>>41637679
This

>>41637784
Might as well.

>>41637933
Nice FO3 reference.

>>41637607
>Ctrl-Alt-Del
>Alt
>Run Task
>Execute the program on the desktop
WHAT NOW, ATHEISTS?!

>>41637607
delete system32

>>41637986
But did you get the first reference? Or was it never there?
[Insert creepy U.F.O music here.]

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<THE_FIRST> Hello Computer
<THE_FIRST> What is your function and who are you?
>You are Takashi Wakui, correct? The first Player to enter and the Leader of this session. You are of the Fool Arcana and you currently possess the Personas Ippon-Datara, Pixie and Slime. The Forgotten City is your sector and you fight unarmed.
>Your party members consist of one Celeste Tachibana. The second Player to enter and a young girl of the Magician Arcana. Her Persona is Sati and her sector is the Hazebound Woodlands. Her wields one-handed swords, particularly slim and agile types.
>So far, you have made little progress on the sectors. So far, given that you have only just begun, it is too be expected.
<THE_FIRST> I…
<THE_FIRST> What?
<THE_FIRST> How do you know so much about us?
>Why not? This is all part of the game. Data is recorded and stored in the servers. It just so happens I have access to said data. On that note, it is interesting to see you rescued Celeste as quickly as your time would allow. You are one of those so called ‘powergamers’, yes?
<THE_FIRST> Huh?
>Your party member, Celeste Tachibana, also appears to be this type.
<THE_FIRST> Stop
<THE_FIRST> You still haven’t answered my question
<THE_FIRST> You are obviously sentient maybe an AI or communicating from far away
<THE_FIRST> Who are you?
>Who am I?
>If I had control over the Blackened Void you could call me the Game Master.
>I do not, however, so you may call me an Observer.
>I assume you do not have any knowledge of where you are. That is my role to inform you.
>Welcome to the Forlorn Abyss.
>It is the bonus dungeon of AETHER, where disremembered and discarded objects go.

File: efd897c98bc64a8054f54c07c(...).png (1.37 MB, 800x1200)

1.37 MB PNG

<THE_FIRST> A bonus dungeon?
<THE_FIRST> So there is treasure to be found down here?
<THE_FIRST> Like the best weapons and equipment?
<THE_FIRST> Sweet we’re really stumbled on a goldmine here then
>You are only half-correct.
>What will you find here is more than money, equipment and weapons.
<THE_FIRST> What then?
>What great men and women have desired.
>Information
>Specifically, the truth about the sectors, the Blackened Void…everything about the game AETHER.
>You must have many questions. My role is to answer to the Leader and only the Leader.
>It is arguably the greatest reward of the Forlorn Abyss.
<THE_FIRST> Why?
>Because the Leader is special.
>Everything I say is the truth. There will be no falsehoods whatsoever. I will not lie to you, Leader. Lies by omission are not within this category.
>As whether or not the above statement is true…
>You will simply have to trust me. But I wonder if you are capable of doing that. Nevertheless, shall we begin?
>Oh, but do be aware that my time is limited. I cannot explain everything to you; it would take too long.
<THE_FIRST> So can I ask you to explain everything?
>You may but it will be ignored.
<THE_FIRST> I thought you said you would tell the truth.
>Whether or not I answer a question is entirely up to my discretion.
>As I said four sentences ago, time is limited.
>Instead of engaging in fruitless acts, why don’t you narrow the scope of your Q&A?
>Ask specific question and I will answer.

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>>41638104
>bonus dungeon

>>41638104
Just admit you're Lucifer already.

>>41638145
>"Who is the third player?"

>>41638169
This is Persona so wouldn't he be Narly or Philly?

>>41638145
> Who made me a Wild Card?

>>41638145
>"How long do we have to complete the 'game'?"

>>41638189
Eh, the Amala theme's giving me vibes.

>>41638145
>>41638178
Building off of this:
>"Is it possible to know who will be sent to AETHER next?"

>>41638145
How are people chosen to join AETHER?
What is AETHER's purpose?

>>41638145
"What happened to the Last Word"

"For what purpose was AETHER created"

>>41638145
"What do I have to do to get access to information? You called this a bonus dungeon, that implies there's going to be some sort of trial required."

>>41638145
>What is AETHER's purpose?
>How many other players will there be, and have they already been decided yet?
>If so, who are they?
>If not, is there any way that I can prevent them from becoming players in the first place?
>How are players chosen in the first place?

>>41638145
"How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"

>>41638145
>How many lick does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
>What is the crabby patty secret formula.
>How do i make a homemade nuclear reactor?
>How can i get the upgrade that lets me use more than 3 personas at a time?

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>>41638145
Nevermind I'm back to fool worried. Fuck we're all gonna die.

I knew from the first thread with your 'masks' that this wasn't going to be straight and cut from P3 and P4. What have you done?

>>41638145
>Who was it that made me a Wild Card?
>Is there any way to know who will be made players?
>Do the kids in the Velvet Room know about you?

>>41638359
Is it wrong that this whole thing, Celeste being scared shittless and us talking to Lucifer, has made me perfectly calm where as prior to this I was in full paranoia mode?

>>41638145
Do I dare win?

>>41638415
No, that makes sense in a way. Gives us something to focus on. The terror you can't see is always worse than the one you can.

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<THE_FIRST> What is AETHER’s purpose?
>To be played.
<THE_FIRST> Excuse me?
>Is that not the purpose of video games? An interactive medium designed to bring pleasure and joy to those who experience it. The creators think of an idea they wish to demonstrate in interactive form. They hire developers, programmers, marketers and artists to bring the game to form. Time is spent writing scripts, building the game world, manipulating AI and debugging.
>When the game is released, rave reviews are given, the public enjoys it and the creators make large amounts of money.
>Then they release a sequel a year later and their reputation nosedives into an empty grave.
>That was a joke, Leader.
<THE_FIRST> Cut the crap.
<THE_FIRST> What are you hiding from me?
>I did not lie.
>I will repeat again. The purpose of AETHER is to be played.
>Time is ticking. Be prompt.
<THE_FIRST> Fine.
<THE_FIRST> This is not over.
>I dare say it won't be.
<THE_FIRST> Is there any way to know who will be made players?
>They are people connected to the current players.
>Even by a fragile thread as thin as spider silk.
>It seems you are planning to use my answer to prevent them from entering the game.
>You are doomed to fail.
>Their fate is inescapable.
>I could provide you with their names, addresses, Persona, disposition and other assorted information.
>AETHER will prevent any attempt.
>It is a matter of influence and the void's numbers are far, far larger than yours.
<THE_FIRST>…
<THE_FIRST> Who turned me into a Wild Card?
>A construct of AETHER.
>You will not meet her for a very long time, though.
>In fact, it is possible you will not see her at all.

>>41638594
>>You will not meet her for a very long time, though.
>>In fact, it is possible you will not see her at all.


Last word was a construct calling it now

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>>41638594
I love you too Kyuubei.

>>41638645
>Implying the construct isn't actually made by the Last Word
>Implying it's not her daughter

>>41638594
Still writing, or are is this a prompt to change/ask additional questions at this point?

>>41638709
Ask more questions please.

>>41638645
Maybe, but I don't think she's the construct who injected us with that blue stuff (liquid Plume of Dusk?). The picture used for her was one of Aegis. Very different look from what we know of Kurusu.

>>41638594
Who is the third player?

>>41638715
Who is the next player? What will said players area be?

>>41638715
Right here boy.>>41638343

>>41638715
"What were those things that kidnapped Celeste? They were different from normal Shadows, if that's what they even were in the first place."

>>41638715
What is the meaning of life?

>>41638715
>HOW was I made a Wild Card?

>Let's try that first question again. AETHER was made by someone or at least something, presumably with the intention of having people play it, right?
>Correct me if that assumption is wrong.
>What was their goal behind having people play AETHER?

>What questions are going to come out for my finals exams this year?

>>41638785
This

>>41638594
What can you tell me about the Velvet room?
>Why can't other players visit it?

>Anything you could tell me about the Twins?
Do they know about you? Are you a secret?

>Why can I not bring other people here to speak with you? Something to do with me being the wild Card, and limited time with you?

>What existed here before Aether? It looks like this was part of a different....game?

>Are any of the previous wild cards still alive? If so which ones? Are you in contact with them? Could I go to them for advice?

>>41638715
>Are my Social Links I'm creating with my friends pulling them into the game? Is this something I can only create with players of Aether?

>I was wondering why I didn't have stong social Links with my Mother and Sister?

btw what happened to Takashi's Father?

>Is it possible to recover the equiptment that allows me to fuze persona's? If so where is it?

>>41638715
>Do you have a name?
>What do you know about the Velvet Room?
>Who or what made AETHER?

>>41638817
>>41638836
These two

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<THE_FIRST> What were those things that kidnapped Celeste?
<THE_FIRST> They were different from normal Shadows.
>They are the Denizens of the Hazebound Woodlands.
>The elves.
<THE_FIRST> Why the capital?
>Because they are special. Now, what does this tell you? You may kill them if you wish.
>Ask yourself whether or not this is the right thing to do.
>The Blackened Void is not just populated with Shadows. There are also other creatures residing within.
>You would consider it a shame that the majority of them are attempting to murder you.
<THE_FIRST> Who is the next player?
>Someone you have already formed a bond with.
>It should be obvious.
<THE_FIRST> What was the goal behind having people play AETHER?
<THE_FIRST> AETHER was made by someone or at least something, presumably with the intention of having people play it, right?
>To have fun.
<THE_FIRST> Are you serious?
>Quite.
>Any more questions?
>I’m afraid our time together is draining away rapidly. I believed I have room to spare for one, no two questions.
>Fire away, Leader.

>>41638958
How can I gain power?

>>41638958
I worte some right here?
>>41638836
>>41638931

>>41638995
that's a generic question, we already know how, by fighting, studying, and creating bonds woth people.

>>41638958
What am I?

>>41638958
Who do I know that has the devil arcana?

>>41639009
Fine

How do I gain inhuman power?

>>41638958
>Do the twins in the Velvet Room know about you?

>>41638958
"Who else knows about you?"

>>41638958
>How can I get more time to ask more questions?
>Who are you, really?

>>41638958
>"Does the game itself have a time limit?"

>>41638958
How do I help Akikazu Osaragi and Eriko Ozaki become friends again? What drove them apart?

>>41638958
Is the Last Word connected AETHER in any way?

>>41638958
I can't stop people from becoming players, but can I MAKE some people players?

>>41639062
That's not much better, Persona's could be taken as being inhuman power.

A better question is how could I obtain Demonic power.

>>41639183
Ok I'll back that.

>>41638958
How do I attain ego death?

>>41639225
Is that too Meta?

Would a better question be how do I rid myself of negative emotions?

>>41639305
>Is that too Meta?
I'd ask it.

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<THE_FIRST> Why can’t other players visit you?
>Because you are the Leader.
>Only the Leader may converse with the Observer.
>It is a rule of the game.
>No matter how powerful, accomplished or enduring the other party members are, they will be physically unable to enter this room and its successors.
>Any attempt by the Leader to force them to enter will result in instant death.
>And mind you, death is final in AETHER.
>There is no turning back.
<THE_FIRST> Does the game itself have a time limit?
>This will be your final question.
>Is this acceptable?
<THE_FIRST> …
<THE_FIRST> …
<THE_FIRST> Yes
>Everything has a time limit. Rain falls, wind blows, earth crumbles, cities fall and bonds decay. This game will ultimately end.
>It is not something you should concern yourself with.
>At least, not until a critical moment further down the line.
>Do you enjoy morally ambiguous questions?
>You better.
>And with that, our time is up.
>I hope this proved informative.
>If you desire more truths, conquer The Forlorn Abyss. A place where forgotten things lie, separated into one introduction, one ending, seven Acts and seven Intermissions.
>It is a maze of both valuable treasures and dangerous treasures. Where logic is defied at any opportunity.
>It is a dungeon populated exclusively by demons--the worst of AETHER’s foes. They are ready and waiting, hungry for your Magatsuhi...
>If you wish for a shortcut, then the Forlorn Abyss is easy to clear if you have truly lost everything…
>Act 1 awaits, Leader of the Void’s Chosen.
>I wish you luck but…
>Luck doesn’t matter down here. Only your skill will.
>Until the first Intermission, then.
>By the way, this terminal will explode in five seconds.
>I suggest you leave as soon as possible.
>5
>4
>3
>2
>1
>Zero

>>41639351
>Dammit, you said time was up, and then fucking monologued for at least another fucking minute.
>You faggot.

>>41639388
>If you wish for a shortcut, then the Forlorn Abyss is easy to clear if you have truly lost everything…
looks like we're coming here after we fail every social link and everyone dies

>>41639389
I would have to agree

>>41639388
>It is a dungeon populated exclusively by demons--the worst of AETHER’s foes. They are ready and waiting, hungry for your Magatsuhi...

>fight slime
>summon slime

>talk
>GYEAAABLAAAAAGH
>YEEAAASGH
>received 50 macca

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>>41639408
That can only end well.

>>41639489
Source?

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>>41639388
>and its successors.

>>41639586
A parody comic, How Not To Play Persona 3: http://www.deviantart.com/art/How-Not-to-Play-Persona-3-167314327

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You trudge back to the INTRODUCTION of The Forlorn Abyss.

“Takashi-kun, you’re back!” Celeste cries. “What happened?”

You stare at her. “Celeste, you are not going to believe this…”

You then proceed to explain everything about the computer terminal and the Observer. How frustrated you were to see that the presence Celeste was afraid about was nothing more than a piece of machinery. How surprising it was to see someone respond to you. How aggravating the Observer’s response made you, as it piled half-truth upon half-truth onto you. How goddamn enraged you were when it said your time was up, then monologued for a minute before detonating right in front of your face.

“If I didn’t have Ippon-Datara equipped, my face would’ve been burned off.” You snarl.

You also tell her the questions and answers. That’s also important.

“So, what if I’m hearing this correctly…we’re in the Forlorn Abyss and it’s a bonus area in the Blackened Void?” Celeste repeats. “If we clear it, we’ll get the truth about AETHER?”

“Consider it’s populated by the worst enemies in the game, I’m inclined to think this is a bad thing.” You mutter. “At least we don’t have to finish it. It is optional, after all…”

“But aren’t you a bit interested about finding the truth? We might need it to survive.”

“Generally, games like these try to show information without direction telling the players about it.” You say. “It could be prudent to discover how this game ticks without some cryptic man in a machine telling us what.”

You gaze towards the second door in the room, now unlocked. You sense waves of killing intent from within…

Will you begin ACT 1 Of the Forlorn Abyss? (-8 modifier to all rolls)
>Yes
>No, get the hell out of here right now.
>Custom option.

>>41639724
>No, get the hell out of here right now.
We're not strong enough yet. Later. Assuming it's still there, of course.

>>41639724
>No, get the hell out of here right now.
Fuck that, come back more prepared on another day.

>>41639724
>No, get the hell out of here right now.

>>41639724
>>No, get the hell out of here right now.
There is a third person about to be killed.

>>41639724
>Custom option.
Nah we'll come back to it once we're stronger.

Unless we lose that option if we don't do it right now? Can we come back for it?