Entry tags:

July Intro Log

INTRO LOG

premise ⬥ taken ⬥ faq ⬥ navigation

"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

It's kinda like looking at a person and how you can tell if they're hungry or not. Uh... mannerisms or something. [ It just makes sense in his head and glances down at the tabby cat. It's cute, but it's probably done this a lot of times to swindle food from strangers. Not that it's some kind of evil act, but Terry wouldn't doubt it if that happened.

He looks over at the chicken head and... well, he's not well versed in that kind of cooking, so he has no idea. ]

... Maybe rich people? They like eating some weird stuff.

Huh.

[ Mannerisms? The wrinkles between his brows deepen. He kinda gets where the guy's coming from, but people are so much easier to read. Not that Mondo's exceptionally good at it, but every time he looks at their round eyes, he just... wants to give everything to them. He's definitely the kind of pet owner with spoiling tendencies.

He picks up a package of chicken breast, then looks at the other. ]

I take it yer experienced?

[ He scoffs at the response he didn't expect getting on his off-handed comment. That's an opinion he can get behind. Though, he gotta admit he can't really picture a certain rich bastard he used to know eating chicken heads. That in itself will be a hilarious image. ]

Right. Like the-- what's that called? Goose liver. Uh, fo... fo... something. Heard they're real expensive tho' it's just this big. [ He uses his thumb and index finger to illustrate the size. ]

I go over to my friend's house a lot and he has like... 4 cats with all different personalities. He sometimes plays with the strays that lurk around his house too. A little too much, I guess... so most of the stuff I know was from my friend.

[ It's surprising how much information gets stuck to his Terry's head, considering it doesn't tend to stick for long unless it's been beaten into his head. Perhaps it was just that common. Life as having a friend who's a cat fanatic does that to people, apparently. ]

I wouldn't say that I'm experienced, but it's just stuff I found out. That's all!

[ While he's been talking to Mondo about cats, he's been trying to figure out what the goose liver thing was, and it takes him a moment while looking at the chicken head again to figure out what it is, shown by an enlightened expression on his face. ]

--Oh! You mean foie gras? Are they that expensive? I heard that it was a luxury food, but it's banned where I'm from so I don't really hear about it much.

Heeh... guess that's just how it is. You know stuff when you're around 'em so much. [ Mondo crouches a bit when the tabby starts scratching his ankle, trying to climb up him. He lets her go up his arm, propping up another hand to support her back. ] I've only had dogs, so I don't really get cats still. [ The tabby mewls, and his heart melts. Also maybe his face for a split sec, please ignore. ] ...But they're pretty cute too.

[ Now that she's on a high perch, she can see so many things! Curiosity glints in her eyes, and there's no way she can just stay still. Stretching her paw, she starts poking Terrence on the shoulder. Sup, human. ]

Yeah!! That, that!! [ Wow, volume. Tabby (temporary name) whines at his loudness, to which he responds with a soft 'my bad!'. ] ...Well, that's what I heard, at least. Never seen one in my life, just heard of it.

[ Banned, eh? 'Cuz they're internal organs? ]

What's it like? The place you're from.

[ He's not gonna assume they come from the same world at this point, having already met... well, so many creatures in Wonderland. ]

I think dogs and cats are both pretty nice! They're cute and have their own little ways of life.

[ He tries so hard not to remark on anything about Mondo's expression when he gets the cat up. He promised, so he'll keep his mouth shut about it. He thinks that the rich people have their own little ways of life too, quirky even. Them and their fancy foie gras lunches and money. He supposes it's not all that important here either.

When Mondo asks the question though, Terry blinks. He's no stranger to the concept of world traveling, but it doesn't come to mind with Mondo's question. He just thinks he's asking about his hometown. If he has to tell the truth, it sounds complicated, but that's also not what he's really on his mind right now. What he's actually thinking is-- ]

Is it hard to tell?

[ He asks in a completely serious tone. No rhetorics, no condescending tone--just a straight up serious question. ]

[ Good going, Terrence! People who keep promises are on the right track to get into Mondo's good book. He nods in agreement about dogs and cats ー he's still a dog person at the core, but he has learned to adore cats too.

To the question launched at his question, though, he can't help responding pretty roughly. Because.... he doesn't get it. ]

Aah? How am I supposed ta know? I mean, you're deffo not from my country...

[ But he's not trying to pick a fight here. ]

Well, ya don't hafta tell me if ya don't wanna.

It's okay! I was just curious.

[ The stupid smile comes back on his face as he scans the available types of chicken beyond the glass wall. He ponders on the best way to say this in the most simple manner for a second or two. ]

I was last in America!

[ He's not aware that it's a strange way to word it, but that's what he's rolling with. ]

Oh, that type of chicken looks good. How about that one? [ He points to one of them on display. Of course, without the chicken head. ]

.....

[ Well, that reaction sure bugs him, but he’s already said the guy doesn’t need to say if he doesn’t want to, so... no take backs. Mondo decides to get on with the conversation, humming in response as the hand supporting Tabby begins running her fur. ]

Huh, so America bans fo... foragura? [ He’s trying. ] Didn’t know that. So ya travel a lot, or somethin’?

[ Since the guy said ‘last’, surely he’s been somewhere else! Dang, Mondo’s kind of envious, though. Like many other Japanese, he does see America as the land of dreams — it’s the land of the free, after all. Just saying ‘I’ve been to America’ is such a status, too. ]

Ah. Yer right.

[ With a chicken that big, he surely can feed both him and Tabby. Not that... he knows how. He’ll improvise!! Then again, there’s another major problem: ]

Where you livin’ right now, got a kitchen?

Foie gras! [ He repeats with ease. Though if he's asked to spell it, he probably wouldn't be able to since he only heard it spoken. ] I don't travel a lot, but sometimes I went on road trips whenever my friends wanted to go. Never really left the country though.

[ It was a pretty good conversation, until Mondo asks that question. He pauses and then turns to look at him all wide-eyed (this face should be familiar to Mondo by now). ]

I thought you had access to a stove already because I mentioned cooked meat...!

Yeah... that. [ He’s not even gonna try?! ] Hah? [ Not really getting it... ] But y’said you were last in America...?

[ Well, yeah, Mondo’s been thinking that the guy has a wide range of expressions by now. Anyway, look, he wasn’t thinking that far!! ]

I wasn’t thinking that far!!

[ Don’t say it so honestly!! ]

You talk like you know a lot [ About cats. ] so, y’know... [ Incoherent mumble goes here. ] ...I thought you cook!

Oh.

[ A moment of silence for these two dumdums. ]

... I do! But I don't have access to a stove or oven. And I never tried cooking chicken over an open fire before...

[ Think about it, Mondo--cooking an entire chicken right above a bonfire or campfire. ]

[ Oh, now that you’ve planted that idea on his head— ]

THAT’S IT!! [ Volume... ] Open fire... that’s totally real man’s cookin’!! [ He breaks into a wide grin. ] Oi oi, aren’t ya a genius, ...?

[ .....

Wow, he finally realises they haven’t done introductions, and he’s already smacking the guy’s back like they’re old buds. ]

...Uh, right. I’m Mondo Oowada. What’s yer name?

[ Aside from Mondo's tendency to be super loud and the sudden smacking, he finds Mondo to be a pretty cool guy. A bit intimidating, but he's mostly used to that by now. That's really gonna leave a mark though. ]

I'm Terrence Nowell! I also go by Terry, Either is fine.

[ His name reminds him of something though. ]

Oh, right. I don't normally speak Japanese. So, if something sounds weird, you can call me out on it.

[ Terry thinks in English, but what comes out of his mouth is Japanese and it still doesn't look like he fully understands this weird language development because he certainly wasn't bilingual before he came here. He's the guy that uses "watashi" pronouns because he has no idea on the cultural connotations. ]

[ Sorry Terrence, he’s very... physical.

Calling someone by their first name is still kinda weird for Mondo, even with the non-Japanese friends he’s made in Wonderland, but... Terry is definitely easier to pronounce than Nowell. ]

Terry it is. Yoroshiku!!

[ Out of habit, the tone he’s using when saying it was one he used back at the gang. 夜露死苦 (literally: “night naked die suffer”) instead of よろしく... not that you pronounce that any differently. It’s the intensity and the weight of it, combined with the deep rasp of his voice.

Right. Terry’s... American, isn’t he? ‘Watashi’ isn’t what Mondo initially imagined someone who looks like Terrence will use, but it isn’t all that weird, if uptight and kinda old man, like you’re some academic. Mondo sees him more of a ‘boku’ person, but that’s just his personal impression. ]

Nah, you’re good. Guess you were able to speak it the moment you’re here, somethin’ like that?

[ ‘Cuz that’s was how it was for him back in Wonderland, too. ]

[ Mondo is so hardcore... he can definitely feel the intensity of it to the very core of his being. He kinda feels bad for Tabby though, taking the brunt of the intensity on his shoulder. Is the poor cat okay??

One day... he will not use old man pronouns.

Terry seems surprised by what Mondo mentions. ]

Yeah! How'd you know that? Do you sometimes randomly learn new languages too?!

[ Tabby’s been scratching Mondo’s arms in annoyance, but this meathead hasn’t really noticed... too thicc. At least he’s dialing back his voice now that his excitement isn’t going off the charts. ]

...Ah, well... yeah. [ There’s not really a point hiding it. ] The place where I was at last... people came from different worlds, but we somehow could communicate with the same language. Weird, huh?

[ Anyway, he’s just gonna pay for that chicken so they can get going, unless Terrence wants to see anything else at the market. ]

[ Being that thicc will save him one day. I believe it. Terry follows Mondo out the farmer's market after he pays for the chicken. ]

It definitely gets rid of the language barrier, but yeah... that's really weird.

[ There's a split second before he realizes what Mondo is saying. ]

--Wait a minute. People coming from different worlds is normal?!

[ He's no stranger to the concept of traveling through worlds, but a gathering like that happening more than once? And that it happened to him?? He thought it was 2029 until someone else mentioned that it was 2012. Just looking around the town doesn't help him pinpoint the time period because he has no idea how and what it was like in Japan. He believes in fast travel, so he honestly thought someone just dumped him across the entire hemisphere. ]

[ 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!

premise ⬥ taken ⬥ faq ⬥ navigation

→ I.

→ II.

→ III.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject