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[foolishjustice]

Moshi moshi!

Comments

[foolishjustice]

Between my own observation and what I've learned from Akira, Shadows and Personas are two expressions of the same thing. Shadows in Palaces and Mementos believe they belong there, but someone with the power of a Wildcard can remind them of the truth. They belong to something called the Sea of Souls. Given the other Jungian concepts involved in the Metaverse, I'm assuming they mean the collective unconscious, which would make them Shadows shared between humanity as a whole.

Ah, before I keep rambling, I should probably ask if you know anything about Jungian psychology.

[makejapangreat]

[He studies Goro quietly for a moment, before taking in a breath and finally nodding.]

I do. As a matter of fact, for awhile I studied it rather religiously.

[Back when he was... that man, seeking to use the knowledge to his advantage, to do what he'd rationalized as protecting himself. . .

He might be staring rather hard at the oglop in Goro's hands.]

[foolishjustice]

Then I don't have to explain the basic concept of a Shadow. A Persona is created when someone makes contact with their Shadow, overcoming the natural urge to deny it, and forms an agreement. Most people can only have one at a time, but Wildcards can carry multiple Personas within ourselves and make agreements with Shadows that don't reflect a specific person.

[makejapangreat]

[Shido's gaze remains fixed on the oglop, and after a moment it's occurred to him that Goro's said some things, but nothing really registered... He blinks and his gaze flicks up to the teen, looking just a tad caught.]

I... see. [He doesn't.]

[foolishjustice]

[...Okay, that's definitely. Odd. He frowns, tilting his head in concern.]

Is something wrong?

[makejapangreat]

[The smile he gives is a little strained.] Admittedly, I've... been having a bit of trouble sleeping again, lately.

[foolishjustice]

Do you want to borrow my Mothman doll? I know it's...a little childish, but the wool inside makes it hard not to fall asleep.

[makejapangreat]

A toy? [He looks... confused... but gives a hesitant nod.] And you don't need it?

[foolishjustice]

I've been sleeping...better, lately. Well enough that I can manage without it for a few nights.

[makejapangreat]

I'm... afraid my problem's been something of a long term one.

[foolishjustice]

[He reaches up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind his mask with a thoughtful frown.]

Well...a short reprieve is better than nothing. At the very least, it would be a few days your exhaustion isn't getting worse.

[makejapangreat]

[There's a moment of conflict in his eyes, and Shido is hesitating... but he ultimately nods.]

Yes, that's true. It will be nice to be able to sleep a bit more easily than I have been...

[foolishjustice]

[That hesitation catches his attention, and he gives Shido a suspicious look.]

Shido. What's wrong?

[makejapangreat]

[... fuck. He really... shouldn't be lying to his own son... His brow tenses and he looks away.]

... my reasons for not being able to fall asleep may not be just due to insomnia.

[foolishjustice]

[...He thinks he can make a guess as to why.]

Nightmares?

[makejapangreat]

[Shido gives a small 'heh', coupled with a small, wry smirk.]

You give me too much credit.

[foolishjustice]

So, you don't even get to the point where nightmares are relevant? Is it something on your mind, then?

[makejapangreat]

It's— [He hesitates a moment, some conflict in his eyes.] I've... not been much help on expeditions. I was hoping... perhaps dedicated study and practice would help bridge that gap.

[foolishjustice]

Study and practice is helpful, but too much is bad for your health. Besides, based on...

[The fact that he was able to make Loki put in effort to chase him.]

What I saw in Incendia, you're doing remarkably well for someone who isn't used to a dangerous lifestyle.

[makejapangreat]

I wouldn't call what happened there anything to be proud of.

[He shakes his head.]

I tried to shock your Persona to hold it off, and it didn't even blink. And eventually, it did catch up to me.

[foolishjustice]

Loki is a powerful Persona, and I have a lot of stamina for him to draw from. In fact, he's my highest level Persona, even my first one wouldn't have been able to do much more than slow him down.

[makejapangreat]

[Highest level... like a game. He isn't truly surprised due to Cognitive World, and all... He shifts a little and gives a bit of a sigh.]

I appreciate what you're trying to do, Goro. Really.

[foolishjustice]

...Maybe you need a point of comparison. So far, you've only seen Loki and my healer Persona. You don't really have a baseline for the kind of power gap I'm talking about.

[makejapangreat]

[His gaze flicks back up to Goro, quietly considering... and after a moment, he gives a hesitant nod.]

Very well. [A pause.] Do you need me to hold the bug?

[foolishjustice]

It might be for the best. The fire is only a visual effect, but it would probably scare it.

[Bug offered!]