“I think there are other Persona users exploring the Metaverse. “It’s fine, but I’ve been waiting to give you some new information.” I wish I could have visited sooner, and I’m hoping the extra sushi I brought will make up for it. “Sorry, things have been busy.” He must be bored down here by himself all the time, waiting every day to see if I'll show up. “Took you long enough,” Morgana pipes up. Today, after a hectic few days of school and work, I make a quick trip to the store before entering Mementos at our pre-arranged time. I brought him samples of different foods and quickly discovered that fish was his favorite. Morgana grew bolder and even pushier-I hadn’t thought it possible-and started to demand an exchange of goods for his information. The shadows I encounter are shadows of people, shadows of distorted desires. It is the collective subconscious of the city and part of the larger, cognitive Metaverse. Morgana said that this place, with its veins that wind all over and strange sounds that come from everywhere and nowhere-this place has a name: Mementos. That’s similar to what Loki said during my awakening, telling me what I always wanted but was too afraid to take for myself. He told me that my power is a Persona, my inner-most rebellious self. I was not reassured by the little shadow cat, but there was not much I could do about it at the time, and since then, Morgana has been a wellspring of knowledge for understanding some of the workings of this place. Don’t worry, I’ll find you again when I need you.” Curious that it seemed to prefer a diplomatic approach rather than a fight. “I suppose… it would be fruitful to collect information from someone who is willing to help…” Its forwardness and human speech and mannerisms caught me off guard even though I knew it was following me. Surprisingly, that wasn’t even the strangest thing to have happened to me that week.
“Hey, you’re new here, huh? I’ve been watching you-” he had stepped out of the shadows and appraised me, “-and you need my help.” I was apparently found to be lacking. Unlike the aggressive shadows I first encountered, he was careful not to be seen, but his light footsteps and little breaths could not escape my ears. He revealed itself after a few days, apparently done with stealth. Currently, my best friend is an anthropomorphic talking cat who stalked me for a few days before we met in Mementos more than two years ago. Welcome to the Phantom Thieves.”įriendship is found in unusual places, in unusual forms and under unusual circumstances. I gather my hair behind my neck to try and preserve some semblance of dignity and run for the next shop. One of the boys inside turns to look at me because I must seem like an absolute fool simply standing out here, but now that I've been caught, there's no way I can just wander inside with my pride in tact. The longer I stand outside contemplating my options, the larger the students’ motions at the screen become and the harder the rain falls. Despite the promise of a dry roof, I want to avoid my digital double and people with strong opinions about me when I can, although there's something about this particular café that makes it more appealing than others.
The little café down the street would be a welcome reprieve from the rain, but inside its TV is also tuned to my recent interview and a group of three students wildly gesticulate towards the me on the screen.
Anything to avoid the stares and not-so-quiet whispers from the people in the shop who turned their attention to my interview playing on the TV, even if that means getting drenched because of course my umbrella is happily tucked away back in my apartment. The news report drones on as I slip out from under the store awning into the street.
The police are on the case, including Charismatic Detective, Goro Akechi! This young detective has just cracked the case on the string of robberies plaguing the city, and he’s here with us today…” “A local high school volleyball coach has been found dead in an unusual manner after he received a threatening note yesterday. …“someone, be it god or demon, gave me a chance”… I look at Goro Akechi and the Phantom Thieves, my Phantom Thieves, but now they turn away from me. I should have known right from the start that he would be the one to break the trust of my confidants and ruin me.
You were sold out.”Īnd sure enough, after being thrown to the ground and handcuffed, I see my betrayers standing in the crowd before me: six people I used to call friends, plus one damn detective and his cat, both welcomed in with open arms only to use my hospitality against me. “You have your teammates to thank for this.