*Hyun-ae's Help Desk (IC Inbox)

[terminalemulation]

<sub>[Integrated into the interface of the COMP is *Hyun-ae's contact button: simply pressing it immediately deploys the COMP glasses and causes her to appear before you, image initially fluttering in and out of existence for a bit before she can properly display. The whole process is soundless: a somewhat generic greeting automatically appears in a text box beside her.

If you choose to actually converse with *Hyun-ae rather than just ask her to pass a message to someone else, this is the place to post!]</sub>

Comments

[terminalemulation]

The mysterious power of Persona, huh? It's one of the more popular topics of research here, actually - right next to demonology, of course.

A Persona is a metaphysical creation born from someone's soul - it's supposedly representative of various aspects of their personality, their history... though the only person who can really judge how their Persona reflects themselves, I think, is that person. They slowly strengthen with repeated use, sort of like building up a muscle, and if someone goes through significant enough mental growth, their Persona may become an outdated representative and have to change to match them.

They come in two main types - either primarily combat or support oriented, with both showing certain trends in the powers they call upon. Despite the many differences between people, isn't it odd that both of them would instinctually call the incantation for fire "Agi?"

...Well, there's much more than I could say than just that, but any questions or comments so far?

[aurathread]

[He thinks about this. So it's like a summon... he's not so sure about the soul part, but 'mind' or 'consciousness' works just as well.]

What about how it's summoned? I've.. um. I've been here for a bit and I've never seen it.

[terminalemulation]

[*Hyun-ae herself is a little uncertain about the subject of souls, but that seems to be the prevailing description, so...]

The initial summoning of a Persona is a little special. It has to happen in a situation where the user is under duress, whether physical, mental or both. Afterwards, it seems that there's... well, a lot of people rely on a little key phrase, like "C'mon, Persona!" or they call its name.

[aurathread]

[... He could almost laugh.]

Mental stress isn't new... but I have a lot of spells so it's not like I'm that worried about monsters.

[terminalemulation]

It is somewhat redundant in the face of many visitors' power, but - actually, that reminds me of something you brought up yourself. You've been unable to progress in power as you normally would, correct...?

If that's a persistent fact among other Visitors, too, then I would wonder if the Persona is kind of a funnel for where power would normally go... it makes sense there'd be some kind of trade-off.

[aurathread]

That's right.

[Hm...]

Like a different place for experience points to go. That... makes sense. Though... it's really annoying, since I can't use it.

[terminalemulation]

Give it time, I assure you. Hinoto-ri has a deceptive atmosphere, so bad situations are bound to come up... and the rate of Visitors who have sooner or later awakened is nearing one hundred percent.

[aurathread]

If what you say is true about how it's awakened, I'm not exactly looking forward to it.

[terminalemulation]

...I'm sorry. It really can't be helped. All I can promise is that because of your latent Persona and the powers you already possess, I don't doubt your chances of survival.

[aurathread]

... It's not a matter of physical survival anymore.

[He knows he's been broken and built up again but he's not sure if he'll be able to take breaking again.]

[terminalemulation]

<sub>[There's a strange flicker of something, a change in expression that you wouldn't expect out of someone that's just trying to reassure - *Hyun-ae looks knowing. Like she's seen or been exactly where Tsukasa is talking about.

But then it's gone.]</sub>

In that case... the power definitely isn't worth it. Your personal wellbeing comes first, especially since you can already competently defend yourself.

If there is a situation you come across that you think may force those circumstances, immediately or at any future date, then please give notice to anyone you think can help avert it.

[aurathread]

I have to take care of that kind of stuff myself. The people I trust aren't here with me.