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July Intro Log

INTRO LOG

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"Persona, Persona, please come here."

→ I.

The words linger in the back of your mind, but whether it’s your own thoughts or somebody else’s, ceases to matter in light of more pressing things. For one: actual light, mid-summer daylight streaming down upon your face, dust in the air glowing almost golden. Next to your hand lies a cloth omamori, each character’s a different color but all bordered with gold thread, a little black bird stitched in one corner, and… at the bottom...

It is your preferred name, along with another word. For those familiar with tarot, they may recognize it as one of the major arcana. Regardless, it seems to be meant for you, so it might be a good idea to hang onto it.

Looking around, all around you are broken stone pillars and crumbling walls, a spiral staircase that leads to an upper floor that has partially caved in, requiring a bit of a leap to make it to the top. From the outside, the structure looks like a castle, situated in a clearing otherwise surrounded by forest. From the inside, it appears as if no person has been here for a long time. Birds have made their nests in the upper story, eggshells scattered across the floor, and sticks and straw breaking off the nests in the dry summer heat. The occasional woodland animal can be found around the castle, skittish and quick to flee upon approach, but there are also several cats who seem to have no fear for strangers, rubbing against your ankles and padding off again unless you have food to bribe them to stay.

There is also a bear in deep sleep, in the middle of the main hall all characters awake in. Please do not disturb, or you may find yourself in the middle of a bear attack, completely disconnected from any special powers or abilities you may have. Curiously, any injuries you might remember last having seem to be in the process of healing, though by varying degrees, and maybe we shouldn’t undo that! There isn’t a hospital out here in the middle of nowhere, after all. You’ll have to venture out of the castle in search for help like that.

→ II.

A field of dry grass forms the clearing around the castle, with two paths on opposite sides leading into the forest:

A stone path, though broken up and partially buried in the dirt, will lead you out of the forest and towards the town, given you don’t wander off the path to be lost in the woods. But it’s alright if you do! If you keep wandering the forest, you may eventually come across the mountains. And if mountains aren’t an obvious enough sign you should turn back, you can continue through the short mountain range to find yourself back inside the forest; keep on going and eventually you’ll arrive at the opposite side of town. It’s the long way around, but you’ll make it either way.

The road less traveled, however, is one of just dirt, a narrow path that’s been cleared away but after all this time, the weeds have started encroaching again on both sides to reclaim the space. Following this path will take you to a set of stairs, dusty and crumbling but sound enough that you can climb it to the top and find a shrine. A fox yaps at you, and ducks away into the trees behind the shrine. The place could really use some cleaning up, from having the steps swept, to the water in the basin being changed out, to fixing up the sign stating what deity is worshipped here— it’s been broken apart, the name seared off the surface of the rotting wood. Who knows what it used to say…? There doesn’t seem to be anybody around at the shrine, nor anywhere in the forest.

→ III.

Civilization can finally be found in the town, but the people here just look at you curiously, unsure of what you’re talking about if asked about how you got here, and laughing a little when you inquire about the town, though happy enough to talk about their home. ...That’s strange, though? The language spoken here is Japanese, what sounds like an older dialect, and regardless of what you’re used to speaking, you find that you can speak and understand the language here without trouble. How convenient!

While much of the townspeople are bustling around in the mid-day, there are still others more than willing to show you around, or to point you in the right direction if you’d rather wander and explore on your own. Even if you feel like you don’t need a guide, there are plenty of stray cats loitering around the town more than happy to escort you wherever you go. For those who are injured, the walk-in clinic at the hospital has its doors open to treat anybody who needs tending to, for a small fee. Don’t have money? The townspeople are more than happy to hire you on, especially with what seems to be preparation for a festival to be held at the school at the end of the month. The students in the school are also eager to receive what help they can get, building sets, figuring out menus, or creating enough decorations to cover the school twice over.

Whether it’s cooking, mending, delivering, or something else, there’s a variety of odd jobs to be done, and the extra pocket money will serve to be helpful, especially once night falls. The temperature will dip overnight, a dense field of stars covering the sky like a blanket when the sun sets and the moon takes its place, but it’s warm enough in the summer that camping outside is a viable option for those who are used to sleeping outside or want to save money. No worries keeping warm without blankets, either; there’s a good chance a stray cat will wander by and sleep on your face. The inn, rumors have it, is haunted… but it may be the cheapest option if you want a roof over your head and not a broken castle or a cat.

Mod notes:

⬥ There is no Lockdown period for the first week, and as such, Personas cannot be accessed until week 2
⬥ A new post will go up detailing the Lockdown period and Persona summoning process next week, but this post may be used for threads taking place throughout the month
⬥ The name on the character’s omamori is up to player discretion, whether it’s the character’s full name, first or last name, or nickname
⬥ Please see the locations page for visuals and more details about the setting

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Cooking is far from what he’ll call his forte, but he can at least gauge whether it’s big enough for the three of them... which it probably isn’t if he’s eating the way he usually eats. Hm...

The question takes his focus away from the thinking, though. ]

Well, it ain’t normal— at least to me it was fuckin’ weird! But it’s just how that world works, y’know? Just gotta take it in ‘cuz there ain’t nothing else to do ‘bout it.

[ He shrugs. What do, you gotta adapt to stay alive. It ain’t his role to analyse the situation, anyway, he didn’t have that much leeway. ]

There were like, aliens. Robots. Freaky talking furmonster. After a while you get used to it.

[ He can say it so lightly now, but when he first encountered them, he definitely lost all his chill. ]

[ It takes a moment for Terry to take it all in with that blank face of his in awe. When he's done processing it in his head, he opens his mouth: ]

Wow.

[ A beat. ]

That's... pretty cool. There really are sorts of things out there!

[ He looks pretty excited at the prospect of it happening here too, but a thought pops up in his head. ]

Ah, wait a moment. I forget to get something in the market.

[ With that, he hurriedly goes back into the entrance. It doesn't take long for him to come back with a small container of aluminum foil in his hands. ]

[ This guy really does have an endless supply of expressions... Mondo snorts in amusement. ]

Yeah.

[ Would Terry believe him if he was actually lectured on gender equality by a robot? Haha.

Mondo'd ask more about the place Terry's from, but just as he reminisces, the guy's gone from his sight. ]

Ah? So fast.

[ He's about to catch up with Terry, but Tabby begins climbing up his head. Ow, ow, not his hair... When cats want something, they're determined and can't stop won't stop. Mondo's trying his best to gently pick her up but her claws are out, making it even more difficult to remove her from the baguette.

A few attempts and scratches later, he finally succeeds in removing her from the hair ー about the same time Terry comes back. It's a wonder how his hair is only slightly disheveled from all that. ]

Yo, what didja get? [ He eyes the aluminium foil. ] ...What's that for?

For... cooking the chicken.

[ He sees the disheveled baguette of a hair on top of Mondo's hair and he wonders if that takes forever to style when he gets up in the morning. rip baguette

Terry was going to explain why he needed the foil for cooking, but he sees the scratches. ]

Ah! You should get those scratches cleaned out right away! It'll get bad if they get infected and stuff!

[ Well... who knows. Maybe the pomp's disposable. ]

Ah?

[ Again, being thicc as fuck dulls his sense of pain, not noticing all the scratches he's accumulating around his forehead and back of his hands. It's only when Terry points it out that he finds them, frowning at Tabby. ]

Look what you've done...

[ So he says but he doesn't look like he's remotely angry at her. ]

It's fine, Terry. They're real light scratches. More importantly, let's find some place to cook the chicken!!

[ Mondo says they're light, but that was a stray cat. It probably has rabies?! Terry doesn't have the heart to tell Mondo though, because it looks like he likes the cat a lot.

Alas... perhaps another day.

He gets out a small napkin and hands it over to Mondo. ]

You got some around your forehead too. [ No one should think you're a zombie, tough guy. ] We can go near the forest. It shouldn't take too long to make a fire once we get there too.

[ Even his forehead? Mondo rubs his fingers against the skin there, and ah, he feels them. That's quite a lot, actually. ]

Ou, thanks. [ He'll take the napkin obediently, though the rough way he's rubbing it on the skin isn't very... well, helpful. ] Yeah, sounds good. 'm countin' on ya for the cooking! [ Again with the smacking... though his hands aren't so free right now so it's a lot less powerful this time round. ]

Let's get goin', then! I'll go get some wood!

[ He's totally pumped up! Not just because he's hungry, but also because he's never done this before. As much as he's an outlaw, he's still a city boy without much exposures to simple, peaceful experiences in the nature like this. It's pretty exciting.

He looks down at Tabby, who now finds a new spot to chill in: between Mondo's moobs. ] Are ya excited? We gon' cook some chicken! [ To which Tabby responds with a meow, which Mondo assumes is a yes! Cool, he's so ready for this. ]

What else ya want me to gather?

[ They make such a dynamic duo that Terry finds it cute. If he's ever at a wishing well, he'll make a small wish for Mondo to be surrounded by cute little animals that he can freely dote on. His back should be fine. Everything is fine. Nothing to worry about. The genuine smile doesn't leave his face. ]

Just wood should be fine! As long as they're dry, it should do the trick.

[ He feels like he's been doing this so much lately that it's just become routine by now. He feels that he all the other things necessary to making a fire. All he'd need is the wood fuel. ]

If you find some fruits and stuff along the way, that would be great too!

Hah! Leave that to me. I'll be back in 15!!

[ Mondo'd smack his chest to make his point, but Tabby's cozy and snug there so instead he just points at Terrence ー watch me go!! For the past year, he's been working closely with many kinds of wood, this is the time for him to shine.

True to his word, just before it hits 15 minutes, he's back with a hefty amount of things, ranging from simple branches and twigs to tinder. Even his pants pocket seem to be full of something... they seem bulky. Someone's just gone on collecting happy there, look at that million dollar smile. ]

Yo Terry! I've got us some stuff. [ He looks around. ] Where d'ya want me to put all these?

[ When Mondo arrives, he looks over at him in awe. He's such a reliable and cool guy...! is what he thinks. He spreads his hoodie jacket on the floor and pats down on the ground a bit away from it between two branches sticking out of the ground straight up. Terry probably stuck them there himself. ]

The wood can go here. If you brought anything else, you can put it on my jacket!

[ Terry holds a sturdy branch between his fingers. It's almost shaped like a spindle. There's another sturdy and skinny branch off to the side, skewered through that block of aluminum foil with the chicken inside it. Ultimate Biker Gang Leader and Tabby the kitty, Terrence Nowell presents to you--Unlimited Branch Works. ]

[ AMAZING... and they're on their way to Ultimate Bonfire Works, alternatively Ultimate Bonding Works...

Mondo's been thinking this for a while now, but Terry's done such a huge 180 just the few past hours alone. He's been promoted from A Creeper to A Reliable Dude so quick, probably the quickest someone's ever been in Mondo's book of records. ]

Holy shit, that looks awesome!! You're hella prepared, eh?

[ So efficient too... Mondo has to admit that he's impressed. This is the kind of person you'd want to be with when stranded in a remote island. He can't lose!! (This isn't a competition?!)

He begins setting up for the fire then, placing the tinder and kindling accordingly. Or more like 'accordingly' because this is the first time he's done this and he's just going with his instincts. He's heard bits and pieces about making fire, but never actually gone through with it. ...Not gonna ask Terry because he's prideful as fuck, but he won't be angry if the guy actually corrects his way. For the most part.

Once he's done with the setup, he'll pat the dust and splinters off his hands, then looking at Terry's way as if waiting for his approval. ]

...I've got some berries, but I think we'll need to wash 'em first before we eat.

[ Too... prideful to ask... ]

[ He'd be proud if he knew... Terry has never really been praised or complimented on for doing anything remotely impressive in his life. It's probably because the impressive things that he can do are things that aren't applicable in every day life in the city. He's just glad that the things he learned to save himself can be used to make other happy.

When Mondo goes to place the tinder and kindling, Terry watches on. It may look like he's grading him on this, but it turns out that it's not the case. ]

Looks like you know a thing about making fire too!

[ Terry's easily impressed. To be honest, he doesn't really know the specifics of placement of firewood like that, but after seeing the way Mondo does it, he feels like there's some kind of orderly way of doing it?! He thought he just had to bundle them together because that's how it always worked for him before.

sugoi ne ]

I saw some people do laundry somewhere around here, so I think the stream is pretty close. I don't think you really have to wash them unless they were rolling around in the dirt, but I guess it's better safe than sorry, right?

[ He gets the spindle-like branch, and puts it upright on top of the most outer kindling. Then he rolls it between his hands pretty quickly. It takes a while, but there are several sparks and a flame is born. Ta-da! Terry manages the flame easily, fanning at it a little to let it grow. He gets the lit kindling and lights the other parts of tinder that aren't burning.

He's not letting it show on his face, but his arms feel super sore right now. ]

[ Oh Terry you poor thing. Mondo used to have his brother, and then his soul brother to pep talk him in some ways ー and now that they're not here, he's got himself to pep himself up... sorta. ]

W, well yeah, of course!

[ Of course he does!! He's got this, don't you worry!! (No he doesn't actually know what's the order Terry, don't get fooled.) Phew, seems like he was able to sorta gloss over it... his instincts are saving him again. ]

Yeah, I guess... I mean they're all out there, who knows what's gonna happen?

[ After all, he's a city boy. Despite being in captive situations for a couple of times, he has never had to worry about food. So he'll go wash that later-- he wants to watch Terry cook the chicken. When Terry begins doing his magic, Mondo can't help but stare intensely. Yes!! That's it, that's what he always sees in the medias, now he gets to live it! ]

Ooooh!!

[ His eyes sparkle at the sight of the fire starting, and so do Tabby's. At that, she takes out one hand out of Mondo's shirt, trying to reach, and Mondo has to hold her back. ]

Oi oi, what d'ya think yer doin'?! It's dangerous! [ He gently smacks her hand in attempt to make her get it but... she still tries to reach. So Mondo stands up, holding her in his shirt so she doesn't get away, moving about to hopefully distract her from it. Let there be something else she'll look at... He sighs. ] Wonder if this is what it feels like being a parent...

[ While dogs act like children too, they tend to be more obedient, Mondo's so not used to it. She's a handful... ]

[ He feels like he got some fierce dokis from how heartwarming the scene is between Mondo and Tabby. Someone take him away on a stretcher.

Anyway, he places the skewered through chicken covered in aluminum foil and places it on the two holders sticking out of the ground. Now it looks like a bridge with a huge chunk in the middle with fiery pits of hell below. The imagery is pretty awesome, but they're just roasting a chicken over a campfire. Such reality. ]

It should take a while to cook. I'll keep watch over it.

[ Alright, lookin' good there!! Mondo feels like he's gonna salivate all over that... Not to mention the wildness of all this. He feels so powerful. ]

Awesome! How long ya think it'll take to cook?

[ Someone is itching to have a go at it. ...Except that has to wait because now that he's distracted, Tabby's able to escape from his shirt to... Terry's head. It's now her Pride Rock. ]

Oi!!

[ Fortunately, Tabby's not looking at the fire anymore. She's looking up to the sky like some fuckin' photo model posing. BGM: It's the Ciiiiiiircle of Lifeeee ]

[ There's no smell of chicken just yet, but there will be soon. ]

I'm not sure since I never cooked a chicken like this--

[ Oh.

Tabby, your back legs must be powerful to make that leap. Terry is surprised, but keeps his head steady so that Tabby doesn't fall off. He's feeling those paw jellies on his scalp and honestly it feels weird, but it's something he can easily deal with. ]

Um. [ He finds this situation a bit funny, at least. ]

What is she doing...?

[ That and Mondo's chests might have made a good spring for her. She actually kicked him pretty hard there ー probably kinda red though it's hardly visible with his tanktop covering it. ]

Beats me, man. ...Oi, get down from there, you're gonna fall!

[ But Tabby isn't budging. She pays him no mind, looking away as she stretches comfortably. Terry's wavy hair feels real soft on her paws, kinda warm too. Hmm... she's getting cozy. Carefully, she turns and curls up, and decides to rest there. Terry, you're her bed now.

Mondo had planned to forcefully pull her from there, but when he did that a while ago, as Terry has seen... he was all scratched up. He wouldn't want to be responsible for Terry's hair loss, or worse, baldness. Plus, okay as much as he was concerned, this sight is actually kind of hilarious, the more he looks at it.

He snorts, and then goes on full-on laughing. ]

Hahaha!! Shit man, wish I got some camera to take a pic of this. Terry the cat nest.

[ Terry isn't sure what's going on until he feels more than just paw jellies on his head. When Mondo calls him "Terry the cat nest", that just about confirms his suspicions. ]

She must have been tired to fall asleep that quick... [ Or maybe it's the biological kitty nap time. He's not sure which one it is, because it could easily be both.To ensure the cat's safety and comfort, he tries not to tilt his head much and will be on alert to catch her if she accidentally falls.

So his first balance act is to twirl the skewer stick with the chicken so that it's cooking on the other side while having Tabby on his head. He makes sure not to lean into the fire too much and keeping his head away from it because he doesn't want the possibility of Tabby sliding into the fire. It ends up with a weird posture for him though, not that he's aware. ]

[ Tabby's not his child. She's not his cat either. Heck, they've just met today. Yet, Mondo can't deny that he has developed some sort of attachment towards her already. So those little acts of kindness that Terry did for her? Goes straight to Mondo's brokoro. ]

You're a good guy.

[ He says that plainly, like stating a matter of fact, without any other adornments. Because it's just a genuinely kind move, and Mondo's touched, even if he doesn't show it so obviosuly. He sits himself beside Terry, looking at the soundly sleeping kitten. ]

It's heavy, right? Want me to move her? You're gonna snap your neck like that.

[ When Mondo tells him that he's a good guy, Terry looks at him in surprise. It's praise!! He's not starved for praise, but it sure as hell feels nice when it happens, because he's rarely praised for anything. Perhaps it's the expression with a slight tint to his cheeks that he makes for a short time that makes him seem younger than he really is. ]

No, it's fine.

[ His balancing act finishes when he thinks he turned the chicken over enough. There's a distinct smell of chicken wafting now, even though Terry thinks that it's not fully cooked yet. ]

I don't want to bother her too much when she's sleeping like this.

......

[ Oh Terry ohh you have tuts the heart of a baguette

On a different situation he will be more distracted with the smell of chicken but this time? Just a quarter. He glances at the chicken very quick, and then back to Terry and Tabby (their names are similar, even...). ]

...I've decided. [ He sits up straight like this is some serious talk. ] I'm gonna keep her. Terry, you can name her.

[ His expression lights up considerably with awe and happiness the moment he says that. He's still being careful so that he doesn't move all that much, but damn, he's excited. ]

I can?!

[ He asks in a hushed voice, but the excitement is still radiating from his being. ]

[ Look at those glimmering eyes. That sure reminds him of a certain someone.

Mondo breaks into a fond smile that might not fully meant to be for Terry (yet), but hey, he's got a part of it. ]

Yeah. Go for it, big guy.

[ His mind starts going on overdrive--not that... it has much before, but. Details. He's wondering if Mondo would like a classical name, like snowball. But that doesn't roll off the tongue well in Japanese, he thinks, after mouthing it quietly to himself. HMMMMmmmm. It's gotta be a girl's name too. It's gotta be the best name! And--

Oh. ]

How about "Lia"? [ When he says the name, there's definitely the L sound instead of the R sound of the Japanese alphabet. ]

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→ I.

→ II.

→ III.

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