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[flightpen]

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Comments

[fogbornphantom]

Apologies for the sudden contact, but I've been concerned about your safety and I'd like to offer a solution.

What would you think if I told you I had a means to allow you to summon a Persona outside the Metaverse?

[flightpen]

[ Did Akechi tell Crow about the murder attempt or something...? ]

it wasn't a big deal, i'm fine
i thought personas were a metaverse thing though?

[fogbornphantom]

Personas long predate the Metaverse.

In the 90's, Persona users had no trouble summoning in reality.

In 2009, devices called Evokers were created to make it easier to summon them by triggering one's innate fight or flight response, thereby allowing the Persona to manifest more easily.

I can procure one for you, if you don't mind the prospect of holding what looks like a gun to your head. It doesn't shoot bullets, but learning to use one can be rather... stressful, admittedly. They were standard issue for a group called SEES back in 2009 and remain a common tool of the Shadow Operatives, with whom I'm affiliated.

[flightpen]

shadow operatives?
is there a group of spies or smth summoning personas irl in your world?

[ They aren't doing it in Ren's world, that's for sure. But had they, once...? ]

[fogbornphantom]

They're a group that exists to monitor Shadow and Persona-related incidents, run by Mitsuru Kirijo.

It's likely that they may have existed within your world, but were unable to take decisive action due to a combination of Yaldabaoth and Shido's conspiracy, but I can't say with certainty.

They've had to lie low for similar reasons in my own world and have relied on me due to my status as a relatively unknown variable. Easier to station an undercover investigator when that investigator isn't a prolific public figure.

[pheasantboy]

I've met a version of me who goes by Dove. He says his world was changed like ours, the difference being that *you* were absent. Asleep upstairs in Leblanc, allegedly.

I hope you don't mind this text. I don't want to forget.

[flightpen]

i don't mind
i met him too
it was good to learn what could happen

later on

[pheasantboy]

"Good"? Really? I didn't think you'd say that.

[flightpen]

it's not good what happened to that ren
but it could happen to me too so i'm grateful for the warning
that's all

[pheasantboy]

[And that's it. He's gone; he doesn't reply.]

[undyingcrow]

[A message arrives not long after his conversation with Sparrow.]

I'll cut to the chase.

Sparrow believes he should use his wish to overcome his issues with memory and perception, but he wants your approval first.

Since we're not certain he'll remember on his own, I'm messaging you so that you can speak to him and encourage him.

I trust you have no objections?

[flightpen]

sorry have we met

[undyingcrow]

I'm Karasu, one of the more "recent" Akechis.

I come from a world where we successfully defeated Maruki, and I lived to tell the tale.

[...]

But this isn't about me, or berating you for your choices. I'm reaching out on Sparrow's behalf, because he wants your approval before using his wish to overcome his memory issues.

[flightpen]

[ There's... a bit of a delay, before Ren responds. (What does Karasu mean, he lived to tell the tale? How did he survive?) (It was possible for Akechi to survive?) ]

so you said
and im not saying i think its a bad idea
but do you have any evidence of what sparrow supposedly wants or am i supposed to believe "oh yeah haha he said he would probably forget! how convenient"

[undyingcrow]

[Karasu attaches a link to their conversation.]

See for yourself. Our conversation wasn't locked.

[fogbornphantom]

[A text message arrives not long after Karasu makes contact.]

Are you all right?

I saw Karasu's conversation with Sparrow, so I just wanted to check in.

[flightpen]

[ Ren is not, in fact, all right. Nor is he in a mood to speak to Crow and swallow his fucking pity. ]

im fine
thanks

[fogbornphantom]

Are you absolutely sure?

You've already had so many people here resent you for merely existing, and I can't imagine he's any different.

Not to mention, his circumstances...

[flightpen]

listen
no offense but what are you trying to do here

[fogbornphantom]

Am I not allowed to reach out with concerns?

It's not as though I have some deep, sinister motive. I simply care.

on the evening of 2/2

[pheasantboy]

Good afternoon, Ren. How would you like to get some coffee with me?

[Well, this is certainly normal and not ill-timed in any way.]

[flightpen]

[ No, he sure the fuck would not like that. In fact, he's been conspicuously absent all day. ]

right now?

[pheasantboy]

If you're not too busy for me.

[Which Ren often is, and which saddens him. Just briefly.]

[flightpen]

[ ... ]

no
we can go

[pheasantboy]

Wonderful.

[Just in this moment, he couldn't be happier.]

Just knock when you're ready to go. I'll be waiting.