Chapter the third:
Full moon wizard.
Gossiping Student: Did you hear the rumor...?
Loud Student: Oh, um... something about... a bathroom?
Gossiping Student: N-No! Not that one! I mean the story about the first-year student! Not only did she stop coming to school, she does nothing but sit and stare at the walls all day. If her mother tries to talk to her, she only mutters to herself, "It's coming... It's coming...!"
Those are not the kind of delusions one should share with her mother.
Our heroine ignores the rest of the conversation and enters the school just as the first bell tolls.
Ugh... why him? I'd rather teach Utsubo Kubota. He became famous as a singer, but he's also produced fine literature. I wonder why it's not in the textbook. Well, I'll just bring Kubota's book next time.
... Hey, Junpei! Were you listening? Who did I say was my favorite author?
H-Huh? U-Ummm... Psst! Who does she like?
For a single instant our heroine's eyes gleam, her lips twist into a small grin, a soft "fufufu" filters through the crack between her lips, her excited fingers play with one another.
*ahem*
It is Utsubo Kubota, Iori-San.
Junpei gives the answer our heroine gave him.
That's right! So you were listening to me after all!
Eheheh... Well, you know how I like to pay attention! Man, you saved my bacon, Vanessa!
Please, do not mention it. Anyone would have done the same.
You hear your classmates whispering...
Classmate: Vanessa gave him the answer... She must pay attention in class!
You became slightly more popular.
Tch. I am well beyond the reach of your feeble attempts at indoctrination, O Lord.
Your Charm has increased.
Lalala. I can't hear you.
Next time we meet our heroine she is clutching her head in despair, arguing with someone no one else seems to notice. Which is kind of easy to understand: If they were able to see a little girl fluttering to and fro by flapping her pigtails while singing catchy korean songs with the obliviousness of a charming loli hypnotized by chain store commercials something would be very, very, very wrong indeed with the way reality works.
T.R.Y. Do it now! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha!! (DO EET!)
I must... Resist...
T.R.Y. Pick it up! You'll never catch me!! Oh no!! (DO EET NAO!)
No, I must not!
The fluttering temperature is raising up! Oh! Oh! Oh! (NAO!)
Akuryou taisan! Akuryou taisan!
The terrible beast dissipates for the time being. A quick glance around reveals our heroine she's almost completely alone in an empty classroom, and thus she leaves the school without further delay.
Yukari is already here, talking with an unfamiliar man...
Oh, she's back.
So, this is our new guest...
To you as well, sir.
My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school.
I am pleased to meet you.
"Ikutsuki"... Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes...
... there is no way this was the original dialogue ...
I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you receive the proper room assignment. Is there anything you'd like to ask?
There is. Something strange happened to me back when I first arrived here...
You saw something strange? ... Like what?
As I made my way from the station all of the city lights went out. The streets were lined with coffins, and the moon shone bright and huge. Upon arrival I was received by a young boy who told me I was expected to sign a strange little contract before advancing any further, and once I did so he disappeared as if he had melt with the darkness all around.
......
You were probably just tired. I wouldn't worry about it.
...nigga please...
It's bad for your complexion, you know.
Something doesn't seem right...
...my mind is blown by the revelation...
Do you have another question?
I do have one more question, yes. Do students other than Kirijo-San, Takeba-San, and myself live in this dormitory?
There are only four students in this dorm: You, Yukari here, Mitsuru, and a senior named Akihiko Sanada. I hope you all get along.
There's a third question our heroine can ask, "Why did you come here?", but that's about as rude as casual questions can go. Instead,
I am grateful for your patience. I have no more questions.
Then, I hope you have a successful school year. Now, if you'll excuse me...
You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early.
Thank you for your concern. I will do as you say.
As they say, "The early bird catches the bookworm"!
... Please forgive the bad pun. *chuckle*
You'll get used to his lame jokes.
... You should rest for today. You decided to return to your room and sleep.
And of my own free will to boot.
So, how's she doing?
She went to bed a little while ago. She's asleep now. Mr. Chairman, do you think she's...?
Well, let's wait and see for now... The Dark Hour is approaching.
Upbeat music is playing from the radio that the man threw away...
Radio DJ: KJ Radio presents, The Bay Tuners. Tune in again next week for more of the hits!
Radio Announcer: This program is brought to you by Kirijo Electronics. Kirijo Electronics: Always there when you need them. The time is now midnight.
Back at a certain room in the dormitory...
The Dark Hour occurs every day at 12 midnight; you could say it's the "hidden" hour. During this time, an ordinary person transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs.
Then, she must be...
As you can see, she's retained her human form. She's asleep, but she's definitely experiencing the Dark Hour. The only question that remains is whether or not she has the potential. Although, she must... If she didn't, they would've preyed on her by now.
Scary...
In any case, we should continue to monitor her for a few more days.
Yes, Sir.
I feel kinda bad, though, spying on her like this...
Unknown voice: ...Master... Master Vanessa Nyah...
I can see already where this dream's going. *breaths deeply* Alright. Let's get this over with.
My name is Igor. I am delighted to make your acquaintance.
The feeling is mutual, sir.
This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter... Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place.
The paper you signed at the dorm is lying before Igor...
Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room. You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so.
In an instant all her misgivings about the current situation, the suspicion about the kind of dream she is in, and the feeling of revulsion towards the grotesque individual in front of her disappeared with no ceremony nor pomp, leaving behind nothing but "I am unique" and "Only a few special individuals can visit this place" fluttering inside her mind. If Igor had not become involved with this Velvet Room business I am sure he would have made a killing in the korean entertainment industry.
I only ask one thing in return...
*sigh* I am well aware of how this business works.
... that you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices you make.
Oh, that! I mean... You mean... I... I understand, yes. Worry not about it, sir. It's perfectly clear.
Hold on to this...
Igor gives our heroine the Velvet Key.
There is still one more resident of this room, who unfortunately could not be present for your arrival. But I'll make sure you two are properly introduced. Another time, perhaps. 'Til we meet again...
Our heroine awakes remembering little of the strange dream she had, and before she can try to put her thoughts in order The Lord reminds her it is time to go to school and takes control of her body. Before she even knows what's happening she is already in front on the school. To make things worse...
In times like these, it's best to sleep during class! You ever notice how sometimes taking a nap in class makes you feel more refreshed than sleeping at home?
I would not recommend to sleep in class.
Whaaat?
Imagine you were to babble something improper in dreams, or to snore, or to spill saliva all over your desk, or to make ridiculous faces, or to be the target of malicious jokes. What would you do, then? Your popularity would plummet, your public image would be in ruins, and that single slip would follow you everywhere and turn your school life into a buddhist hell no sutra can free you from. The best case scenario is the one in which you become a non-entity, just like that.
Why do you have to be all serious?
The image you project is no joking matter, Iori-San.
That feeling of being completely recharged is awesome... But I'm screwed later since I didn't hear the lecture! Oh, but we have classic literature today... That means we're stuck with Mr.Nasty ol' Ekoda...
I'll be teaching you about good old Japan all year. Some people say Classic Lit isn't relevant to everyday life, but oh, how they're wrong! The students, the other teachers... Wrong, wrong, wrong! Nobody really understands Classic Lit...
You feel tired... Close your eyes for a few minutes?
I am an image conscious girl, O Lord.
Hey... Are you all listening to me? Wake up, children! Now open your textbooks. First on our syllabus is "Ise Monogatari," the origin of Japanese literature. It's a very interesting story. You youngsters might call it, "da bomb."
...This is shameful...
*sigh* I can tell you people are "zoning out"...
You stayed up and listened to the lecture... Your Academics has increased.
Like this together, Ah!, you and I together, Ah! (DO EET!)
Not that one... Please... Too catchy...
Wherever we want, Ah!, to share our sweet stories! (DO EET! NAO!)
Be silent, creature!
Together, together, Ah!, together tonight, Ah! (NAO!)
I shall not heed your venomous words, devil!
Our heroine storms out the classroom just in time to catch Yukari at the shoe boxes. They decide to go back to the dormitory together, visiting one of the local malls on their way back.
This is my first time coming here.
A lot of Gekkoukan students come here after school.
*blank eyes* After... school?
Lalala we are rambling girls! (DO EE...)
Fuck off. I don't even like that one.
There's a karaoke box and a CD shop. Oh, and a really great cafe, too! There's also a nightclub, but that's kinda not for us yet.
I am very grateful you brought me here today. I was hoping for a place like this since I first arrived here.
The Paulownia Mall is crowded with students on their way back from school...
The moon is beautiful tonight. It might be nice to read a book by moonlight once in a while.
You have refined tastes.
Our heroine then notices in the area behind the counter, the same area in which Mitsuru is now, something that she had not noticed before.
What are... those, if I may ask?
These networked computers were installed when the dorm was built. Their main purpose is to send the school reports about daily life here in the dorm.
I understand. Thank you very much.
She leaves Mitsuru to her reading and goes to see what Yukari is doing. They have a little chat.
It'd be great to have somebody like that doing stuff for us, don't you think?
You are right, it would be nice.
I mean, I'm not a good cook, and Mitsuru-senpai...
...the pain, make it stop...
...just doesn't do things like that. You know, if you're handy around the kitchen, I bet you could really do something with this place!
Our heroine checks the TV but there's nothing worth watching on it. She goes to take a look around the dormitory to see if there's any new event waiting for her to stumble upon it, but nothing comes out of it. Even a new visit to Akihiko's door bears no fruit as he doesn't seem to be on his room this time, and in the end our heroine goes back to her room and, noticing everything she tries to do there results in...
You are tired today. You should go to bed early.
... she does so.
... The same as last night.
Hmm... Very interesting. Even those who have the potential tend to be unstable at first... Memory loss, disorientation. But, this subject is rather unique. She hasn't exhibited any of the common symptoms.
But... we're treating her like a guinea pig.
I understand your concern, but it's imperative that we recruit new members. I hear she's in your class... Wouldn't you be more comfortable working with someone from the same grade?
A female classmate, at that.
Yeah, I guess. But, still...
An emergency call from outside rang through the room...
Command room. Is that you, Akihiko?
Akihiko's Voice: You're not gonna believe this...! This thing is huge! Unfortunately, I don't have time to talk... It's chasing me... I wanted to let you guys know. I'm almost there.
Does that mean... he's bringing that thing here!?
Mr. Chairman! Let's suspend our observation for now. We'll prepare for battle!
And not a moment too soon.
... R-Right! Be careful!
They move to the entrance.
Akihiko!
I'm alright.
Get ready to be surprised... It'll be here any second.
This is no time to joke around!
It's one of them, Akihiko?
Yes, but not an ordinary one--
Something huge crashes against the door.
Ahh!! What the...!? You've gotta be kidding me!
Mr. Chairman, please head for the command room! Takeba, go upstairs and wake her up! Then, escape out the back.
But, what about you two?
We'll stop it here. You led it to us, Akihiko, so I'm afraid you'll have to fight.
Like I had a choice! What are you waiting for, Yukari? Go!
I-I'm going!
You are awoken by a loud noise... Should you go check outside?
Investigating strange noises and being brutally murdered by the things that lurk in the night are both some of the things boys are meant for, O Lord. It would be tomboyish of me to intrude.
Yukari's Voice: Wake up! Sorry, I'm coming in!
I understand. Please lead the way.
Hurry! Downstairs! We'll leave through the back door!
... Take this, just in case.
Yukari handed you a long, thin implement. It seems to be a naginata.
A weapon befitting a true lady, this one. I am indebted to you.
Okay, let's go! Follow me!
Alright, we should be safe now--
Mitsuru's Voice: Takeba, do you read me!?
Y-Yes! I hear you!
Mitsuru's Voice: Be careful! There's more than one enemy! The one we're fighting isn't the one Akihiko saw!
What!?
Something huge crashes against the back door.
*gasp* L-Let's pull back!
The sound of broken glass welcomes us to the second floor, followed by what can only be described as the sound of something that would take a heavy toll on the casual observer's sanity point's pool closing in.
What was that!? It's getting closer!
K-Keep moving! Hurry!
*sigh* The door's locked. I think we are safe for now...
Many more arms appear, some wielding long blades, as the creature raises itself to the rooftop. Many of the monsters and characters in the Persona games are based on the symbology behind tarot cards, and the Full Moon shadows are not different. Given this update is already quite long, though, and that we will come into contact with this particular card quite soon I will leave the occult trivia on it for a later update.
That gigantic Shadow... Just what is it we're dealing with!?
... Let's go, Mitsuru!
Wait!
That's the thing that attacked this place... We call them Shadows!
He does not look like the kind of guy who enjoys poking.
O-Oh yeah... I have to fight... I... I can summon mine... No problem...
The sky just... broke. *tilts head*
The broken skyboxes are the only serious graphical glitch I do not know how to fix, so if anyone is willing to share his knowledge about how to fix it I am in turn more than willing to learn. It only happens while in battle, though, and there are just a few cases where it is at all noticeable, and almost no other as glaring as this one.
Anyway, Yukari's attempt to shoot her brains out are fooled by the monster using some kind of fire magic on her. The attack launches her across the rooftop but, more importantly, sends her little pistol sliding to vanessa's feet. She takes the gun, and as soon as she does strange thoughts and sensations overtake her.
Anyway, the evil monster thingie charges against our heroine brandishing his many swords in many arms. However,
Kukukuku.
On your knees, commoner.
Thou art I, and I art thou.
Oh, my... I should have been more careful with the dieting plan...
Aaaaaaaaah!
Our heroine losses control of the summoning and thus Orpheus becomes... something else. Something creepy and angry and badass that enjoys going berserk on defenseless boss monsters. It rushes at the creature while dispensing the traditional ascending diagonal slash from a sheated position, and then it proceeds to pummel and tear the wounded shadow with its bare hands. It's kind of one sided.
I hope the big twist isn't that you are my late mother.
Orpheus regained its original form. You have obtained a new persona!
......!? It's still moving...!
A piece of the "Shadow" is heading for Yukari...
No... G-Get away from me!
You have to save her...!
This is the interface we will spend most of our time with, and we will be learning the ropes of it during the next update. There is, however, a meaning trascending gameplay mechanics and battle tactics in this one screenshot, for it is right there that the true Persona 3 Portable experience begins.
Right now our heroine has a single Persona, Orpheus, who knows a single skill, Bash. She has no items, no companions, and this being a plot battle she can't run away. In the end we can do but three things: Go into a defensive stance, use a skill, or hit the enemy with our basic attack. Going into a defensive stance is useless when you have but a single character and the basic attack is useless outside particular situations, so we will hit the bad little guys with Bash until they die. Being really weak that means we will have to hit them once each.
The power of rock compels you!
Orpheus kills one, the other hits Vanessa, and then Orpheus kills that one too. Each use of the skill takes 5HP from us, as it is traditional in Shin Megami Tensei titles that physical and martial techniques consume HP instead of MP. Each attack of the Cowardly Mayas take 10HP from us. In the end we have taken as much damage from using our skills as we took from getting hit once.
Yay!
We obtained 48XP from this battle, which was enough to raise both Orpheus' level and our own by one. Orpheus thus acquired the AGI skill, which is the basic single target fire spell. Our heroine will be using it a lot from now on, as much of Persona 3's combat system is based around exploiting particular weaknesses to obtain extra turns. However, given Mitsuru will give us a run down of the basics during the next update it is best to leave for then most of the explanation about how everything works.
It seems Yukari is safe, too...
......
You feel exhausted...
You are losing consciousness...
.....
Yukari: Are you okay!?
Yukari: Come on...!
Yukari: Please...! Can you hear me!?
Yukari: Answer me!
Meanwhile, deep within our heroine's delusional realm...
Thank you for the kind words.
"Brother? Is that you??"
of a gentleman.
