01 - Who's Who

[deathboss]

So uh, I had this really scary memory come back to me, and I need help identifying either of these two...individuals. I drew them from memory so they might not be exactly like this...



The guy on the left is called Philemon. I saw him in a place that I can't quite remember but there was a checkerboard floor and Greek columns. His mask looks like it came from a bargain bin theater play. He said the place was a gulf between the conscious and the unconscious. Not sure why that would have a checkerboard floor, but there you go.

It's what he said that's got me confused. Something about the land of Sumaru being a netherworld where rumors are reality and we had to use our power to fight back. He called it Persona? Something like summoning the selves inside of you...angels and demons...breaking the chains of karma...sounded really important if the guy bothered to summon us for it...OH RIGHT! He was a golden butterfly before turning into a man.

...I promise this is a memory and not substance abuse by the way. Even ten cups of Coffee wouldn't give me that kind of freaky vision.

Anyway. I guess the monster on the right would be something from the netherworld? I don't know, that was my first memory before this one. Someone else was with me doing motorcycle noises to it for some reason...I don't think his 'Persona' was doing that...heck I don't even know what a "persona" is supposed to be. And with a bunch of people off somewhere, I figured asking everyone might be better than just bothering my bros...

Your help is greatly appreciated. If you know something about anything I just wrote, or just want to share your thoughts, I'll make it up to you if you can help me.

-Michel Mishina

Comments

[burningblossoms]

Okay. I'll start simple.

Personas tend to take on the form of a mythological or otherwise important figure. A god, a creature, an angel. Jack Frost, dragons, or Amaterasu, maybe even Lucifer or another angel.

And calling them out, summoning them, is a power that some people on the network have.

[deathboss]

[She can't see it, but it was as if a light-bulb had appeared above his head.]

OH! That's what Philemon said too...gods and demons that we harbor...

So I have a god that's closely related to me...haha...wow....I wonder who it could be....

Which one are you?

[burningblossoms]

They're psychic masks that we wear. It's like your soul, more than anything else.

And mine is Sumeo-Okami. A formal name for Amaterasu.

[deathboss]

My soul...I guess that does make sense.

Amaterasu! I've heard of her... [In video games...] Uh from Shinto!

[Nailed it.]

Does everyone's Personas have a certain pattern to them?

[burningblossoms]

Yes, she's one of the principal spirits of Japan.

and not everyone has one. But those that do seem to represent some ideal that the person holds.

[deathboss]

Oh! Uh, my parents might be Japanese, but we weren't really the traditional type...

[Translation: He barely knows anything about his culture.]

I see...I wonder if there's a god of video, that would be perfect for me!

[No.]

[burningblossoms]

Well, if you remember having one, it'll manifest one day.

There's a few people here with them. I see Akira invited you to meetings?

We'll need to have one again soon, there are plenty of newbies.

[deathboss]

Well apparently I have more than one...that part kinda confuses me but...

[Whatever. He can deal with this as the memories come in.]

He did! It's nice to meet you by the way...sorry I just got distracted by this entire situation, where are my manners?

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who's new at this.

[burningblossoms]

And you as well.

You aren't the only one. Some Personas seem to evolve as we move through life. I know mine did. Others have more than one. It's hard to say why.

[deathboss]

Do you think it's because I might have some sort of multiple personalities?

[Because he is suddenly WORRIED.]

[burningblossoms]

Uh. No.

It's not that.

[deathboss]

Oh. PHEW. I was kinda worried for a second. I'm taking some acting courses but I didn't want that to bleed into...everything in my life.

[burningblossoms]

I don't think you have to worry about that.
Personas are a part of you, they aren't going to subsume you.

[deathboss]

Ahh! That's good. How do they...appear then? Do you just turn into them?

[He has a million questions.]

[burningblossoms]

You summon them. They're separate from you.

When you have the power to summon it, I think you'll know.

[deathboss]

So like a magic spell!
Okay I gotcha. Well...here's hoping sooner than later then!
If I gotta contribute to the group, I should at least have something...

Can you talk with them?