Persona: Darkened Mind

Alex looked up and nodded to Daniel. When Yoshika entered, a half-smile formed on the kickboxer's face. "Yoshika. Was wonderin' what kept you."

edited 10th Jan '15 11:24:07 AM by svenorzokarkoff

What a crude young woman.

Moving forward quickly, Daniel decided to get a measure of what this club was all about. By all indications, it was made to investigate the suicides and the strange cult activity, but how they intended to do this as just a group of teens, he had no idea. Maybe they had something more here than he would estimate. It was an audacious idea, but one that held a certain degree of appeal.

"Alright, so, how do you guys go about investigating these series of events? Are we to pry into what the cult is up to? Are there any leads in regards to what's going on around here?" If they want to fight the cult too, I might be up for that...I've always been up for a spot of violence here and there.

---

<7:40 P.M.; Stop & Shop>

Even as he walked into the store, George was beating himself up over his decision. How on earth did I think this was a good idea? I don't even have one of the gift cards the store usually hands out."

Grabbing a cart, he started walking through the aisles for food. "Ryzi, ryzi, ryzi, some chicken...Maybe I should get some water?" "Oof!"

Looking up, he saw a bemused woman with a name tag on. She smiled even as George frantically apologized. "I don't suppose there's a reason for your rushing around George?"

"I wasn't paying attention, I just-err, huh?" George paused in his explanation and eyes widened. "O-oh! Mrs. Leslie! The soup kitchen was nearly out of food and I was restocking."

   And why would you waste your precious time aiding those pathetic souls?   

"Excuse me?" George exclaimed. "W-what did you just say?"

Mrs. Leslie laughed. "No need to look so shocked boy! I only said I'd cover the bill." She didn't notice the confusion in George's eyes. "Been meaning to make a donation anyway. Just come over to my line when you've got everything." George nodded dumbly in response as she walked away.

"Right. That's..." He shook his head and snatched up a package of chicken. "Don't complain George." He muttered. "Just get ready for when your luck runs out."

And as he walked down the last aisle for water bottles, he quickly flung himself behind his cart. "He couldn't have walked in just now. I'll look up, and that won't be James. It won't."

His luck would hold, right?

edited 10th Jan '15 6:07:09 PM by darrelodin

AO 3 profile: goodygoody19

James noticed a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye. Found you! He advanced slowly on the cart and pushed it aside to find...Another student. James raised an eyebrow. "What's you're name again? Jean? Greg? George? You're my stalked honestly that's rather anti-climatic."

   You should be so lucky.   

Jim whirled around to find...no one else around, again.

What the hell is happening in this town?!?

-dramatic music ensues-

RASIT Club Room

Simon placed his hand over his mouth to hide his reaction to Aiden's remarks, then looked across the RASIT crew. Then Yoshinori barged in as usual. Fisherman suspected that he too had gotten into a bare-knuckle brawl, but he decided it would be best not to study his features too close, else he get within punching distance of his rival.

"Look at all the faces arriving here this afternoon! That's good!"

"Hey, I think I know you. It's Dan, right? Daniel. Hi, Daniel. Welcome to RASIT. We're still setting things up here. Now, as you asked earlier, The Rogers Anti-Self-Immolation Team is exactly what it sounds like: We're about getting the drop on the suicide pact conspiracy that's been shaking things up recently. I'm also keeping an eye out for any signs of delinquent activity, because a lot of guys here have been joining gangs, cutting class, and getting into fights, and doing God knows what else. I don't know if it's related to the recent deaths, but it's worth looking into. There's been eight fights around the campus just this day, and it's starting to worry me."

Simon shrugged.

"Now unfortunately, I don't have any leads right now. I just go to Jessica or someone else when they find something."

"@[=g3,8d]&fbb=-q]/hk%fg"

"While I was on my way here, I stopped Lance and a few of his goons while they were pushing some kid around. I think those guys harass people more than they actually play football. If I had to say, it looked like they weren't just starting when I showed up - they'd been hanging around the campus for a while, probably were harassing others."

Daniel decided to look into this on the side, as much as he could. Maybe next time he could try to pump Lance for information. He probably didn't know much - the sports jock type were not exactly known for brains.

"Have we tried to corner one of the cultists? I mean, in such a scenario, he'd probably spill something useful."

edited 11th Jan '15 1:27:34 AM by NickTheSwing

There was a sound of some tumbling near the club members, followed by some muttered cursing as Hector Ingram got back to his feet. He was looking into the RASIT club to follow up on a hunch that they had a connection to the Jackson suicides. But now his cover was blown. "Shit, shit, act natural." he mumbled to himself, picking up the books he tripped over and re-stacking them. Who put books on the floor, anyway? Maybe the labor union of librarians was a cover to protect over-lazy librarians...nah, that seemed too silly.

Bryan looked straight on at Hector and cocked a eyebrow, "So these are my new teammates for investigation the Immolation Suicides" he thought, truth be told it wouldn't be boring here that was for sure.

Simon steeple his fingers, looking at Daniel suspiciously. "So you got into a fight too? With Lance? I'm going to need to write some more notes, all of these stinking fist-fights."

Simon helped straighten and organize the books that Hector had boorishly knocked over.

"I don't know how we should go about any members of the supposed suicide cult that has formed since Mr. Jackson's death, but I think you outta stay away from Lance and his crew. Even if you 'win' a fight or whatever, it's no good. RASIT was founded to protect this school, this city, from this spree of self destruction and pain. Violence is what we are trying to prevent, here. Just keep a close eye out for any suspicious characters, y'know, from far away, and try not to get into any fights from now on!"

Simon set down a blank sheet of paper with a pen, and a five dollar bill on the table.

"These will be our weapons. The pen is mightier than the sword."

"@[=g3,8d]&fbb=-q]/hk%fg"

<Stop & Shop>

George frowned, standing back up. "Stalker? Why would I be stalking you?"

His frown deepened when James whirled around. "Feh, I don't have time for your pranks." Pushing his cart past the confused teen, George moved toward the line where Mrs. Leslie was waiting. "Honestly, like I'd fall for one of those again."

AO 3 profile: goodygoody19

Alex shook his head. "Most of the cultists are too low on the totem pole to know anything of use- mainly spouting crap about Jackson transcending humanity and stuff like that."

Although... Alex thought back to the the encounter he had a few days after Jackson's suicide; the dark fog, the mysterious doppelgänger. And the voice that came after...

I am thou, thou art I...

I wonder if that was somehow relevant?

edited 11th Jan '15 11:09:41 AM by svenorzokarkoff

Rogers Family Diner

Reid had reached his destination in only a short period of time; his house wasn't that far away from most of the places he frequented, so he could often just walk there with minimal effort. He entered the somewhat small, rectangular building with a smile on his face, as he often did.

While the local diner may be as generic as it gets, Reid couldn't deny that, throughout his time in Rogers, he loved eating here the most.

Sitting in his usual seat, he waited for his usual waitress to come and take his usual order; a Deluxe Burger with a side of fries and Cielo Mist.

Often while waiting for his meal, he'd eavesdrop on people's conversations, but today seemed to be a bit slow. Plus, they'd probably just talk about Orwell Jackson stuff, which he wasn't really in the mood to hear currently. Instead, he simply gazed out the window, keeping a watch in case anyone he knew passed by.

I'm a ghost, you didn't see me.

Aiden sipped at her drink, looking between Simon and the newcomers. Daniel, huh? He still set her on edge, but if he was tough enough to take down bullies... might be worth her time.

She'd have to see about the other guy, but his appearance and clumsy entrance weren't getting her hopes up. "Bahaha, for the record, I'm not a follower of Mr. Perfect's "Make love, not war" campaign. No offense, but I don' think we can get anywhere fast without knockin' a few heads around. Besides, I'd be out of a hobby!"

Then she tapped the side of her head, thinking about the dude who lived in there. "Am I free to tell 'em 'bout our other, secret anti-cultist weapons? Or is that only for official club members who won't think it's a bunch of baloney?"

they/them || "Forgive me, regent of queer amphibians" - Lt.BGob

Grumbling, Yoshika whirled in inside. In his left hand was held his trademark alluminium bat - now stained with blood and with what looked like a tooth stuck in - while in the other... was a small booklet.

"Funny you should say that, Alex, since I've just roughed one up - in self-defence, mind you - and came up with something interesting." The Japanese youth gestured to the bat with tooth still stuck in it. "Ah, motherfucker, still feeling that sting." Dropping his bag on the floor and the booklet on the table for everyone to see, Yoshika collapsed on the chair with another grumble, ostentatiously pulling the tooth out of the bat and hurling it outta the window. The booklet's name was "The Miracle of Orwell Jackson".

"Basically, it goes like this..." Jessica began gesturing without much rhyme and reason, yet another mildly annoying habit of hers, as she addressed Daniel's curiosity. "Our first priority is to find people afflicted with Self-Immolation Syndrome~ They're relatively easy to spot, though given that everyone's on edge lately, they tend to blend in. They tend to look behind themselves a lot, as if someone was talking to them."

"Which brings us to another point~ Now, brace yourself for this one, since it might come off as odd and somewhat unusual. I'll take this one, Aidy." Jessica grinned a grin about as adorable as her cat ear headphones. "We're pretty sure we're dealing with supernatural here. Every club member here has their own supernatural measures that we simply call Personas. Manifestations of your inner psyche. Do you have anything of the sort, Dan?~" She asked in a completely sincere tone, not at all bothered that this sounds farfetched at best or of Hector's presence.

On the other side of the room, Yoshika groaned with disapproval at Simon's reasoning. "Aiden's right. Half of us here has been fighting long before this Jackson shit began. And 'sides, money and sweet-talking gets you only so far. Less so when dealing with crazies."

grah

Daniel listened to the speech on the pen and the sword, and sighed audibly, "So, I'm just supposed to let bullying play itself out for the sake of peace. According to your philosophy, Lance should be able to have as much fun at everyone else's expense as possible. That kind of enabling...man, I pity you. You cannot solve all your problems with positive feelings and love."

Especially because love is something I simply cannot do. I was born with a heart incapable of it.

And then the girl Yoshika mentioned something weird that made Daniel stare at her for a moment. Persona. What in the nine layers of hell was...wait. He remembered that time he read about the Japanese Cop. He was saying something about a world within a tv, and everyone called him a loony on top of being a psycho. Could that be connected to this?

"...Persona...a manifestation of your inner self...no. I cannot say I have anything of the sort." And if I did, I'd hate to see what a manifestation of my psyche would look like. Most likely some sort of devil. "Would you care to explain more about this? I am honestly intrigued."

Maybe he should try to obtain whatever power that was. It did sound interesting, and even if this was a load of lies, it could give him something more interesting to do than simply collecting dust in boredom.

With a soft whistle, Aiden watched the tooth go sailing out the window. She remembered briefly what it was like when her own incisor had gotten knocked out. Whoever it was that Yoshika had fought, he'd roughed them up bad.

"Oh, oh, lemme take this part." She grinned at Jessica then turned to Daniel, rolling the drink bottle between her hands. "So, manifestations of our psyche. We know it's like that 'cause we get Personas from facin' ourselves. Like, literally. Dunno what 'activates' it, but each of us with a Persona have faced a clone of ourselves, 'cept with creepy golden eyes. All in different places, different times..."

She leans back in her seat, taking a sip before continuing "...but all with the same brand of shit-talk. "I am you, and you've secretly got somethin' you're totally ashamed of, or in denial about! Mwahahaha!" If you accept that stuff as true? Congrats, here's your Persona. If you don't? Well, bad shit happens."

they/them || "Forgive me, regent of queer amphibians" - Lt.BGob

Jim looked back towards the other teen who was rapidly leaving. "Prank? What prank? I'm serious, you paranoid bastard."

   Leaving you, just like everyone else does. Just like everyone is going to. You should leave first before they have the chance to. Join the trend, James. Or the cult, see if I give a damn.   

Jim wandered off and began looking through the aisles for his stalker. Still no sign of anyone hiding. Still no good hiding places in sight.

   I'll decide when we meet face to face, not you.   

-dramatic music ensues-

<Kent Soup Kitchen; 8:02 P.M.>

"George, you are so lucky." Mrs. Jacobs cried out. She blinked at the cart he was pushing. "Did you steal that?"

George rolled his eyes. "Of course not. Mrs. Leslie just felt bad I'd be walking all the way here with all these bags, so she had someone tinker with the wheels." Pulling it to a stop beside the nearest table, he sighed. "Is anyone going to help me with this, or do I have to do it myself?"

It only took a nod from Mrs. Jacobs to send the nearby volunteers to help. As soon as all the food was taken out, he pulled the cart aside and glanced at the head chef. "Where is the boss anyway?"

She shrugged. "Haven't seen him since he left earlier."

   You should care, you know. He's such a great example.   

George's eyes widened and he quickly whirled around. That whisper sounded like it came from the door...

"George? Is something wrong?"

...Freaking out about nothing. George thought, shaking his head at a confused Mrs. Jacobs. "Nothing at all." He answered. "Just thought I heard someone at the door."

She patted his shoulder. "Listen, you must be exhausted. We close in two hours, but why don't you head home early tonight?"

"I said I'm fine."George rolled his eyes and stepped away. Grabbing a package of water bottles, he continued toward the door out to the waiting poor. "I'm not leaving these people just because I might have some issue. I'll head home when this place closes, just like every night."

edited 11th Jan '15 8:16:10 PM by darrelodin

AO 3 profile: goodygoody19

A solid half hour of searching later Jim had found absolutely no sign that his stalker even existed. Grumbling to himself James headed for the exit, intending to go to the police station for lack of any better option.

However before he could exit the aisle a powerful forearm wrapped around his throat.    Well you wanted me, here I am. Let's talk, you and I.   

James passed out as he was pulled through some sort of portal.

-dramatic music ensues-

My Shadow Sense is Tingling

Alex suddenly shot up from his seat. This feeling! It's like the time I fought that psycho clone of mine!

Bumping to return interest.

"...Yeah, definitely didn't have anything like that happen to me." Were these people touched in the he—-

Well, not like I'm one to talk. "So, is this power of Persona a prerequisite for becoming a member of this club?" I'm...not entirely sure I want to face off with my true self. Daniel admitted to himself. Nobody'd like confronting that.

Daniel glanced over at Alex, What's his deal?

He looked around, wondering briefly if everyone else was going to have a similar reaction.

edited 17th Jan '15 11:33:12 PM by NickTheSwing

RASIT Club Room

"...yeah, I felt that one. Two, even." Yoshika nodded in confirmation upon glancing at Alex, getting back up from his seat. "Seems we'll have a lot of work today."

"Alright!~ Two teams of four people, ladies and gentlemen! We'll cover more ground that way!" Jessica grinned, upon receiving the message. "You can still help us by investigating the case on your own~" She briefly turned her attention back to Daniel, nodding. "Any piece of information you think we don't have can be useful. Hey, even pieces we do have can still be useful since we'll be able to talk about them again and maybe get some new deductions from them!~"

grah

"Eh, I know there's some kid here who ain't got his Persona yet, think it's- ngh!" Aiden jerked as her 'shadow sense' went off. She could instantly feel Lham stirring inside her, anticipating a battle. Wasn't hard to imagine that he was a part of her psyche.

She noticed the others reacting too, but didn't move until Yoshika and Jessica had spoken. Then she ditched the bottle and slung her backpack on again, merrily clapping Hector- closer to her than Daniel, also gave off a nicer vibe- on the shoulder. "Speakin' of evil cult shadows, that's our cue to kick some a' their asses. Ay, Jess, is there a rule against non-club members comin' along? Cause it's super dangerous if you can't fight or somethin'? I forget."

they/them || "Forgive me, regent of queer amphibians" - Lt.BGob