Part 91: 8/8/09

8/8/09

Seems like there’s more Tartarus available whenever we’re interested in it. I’d say we should do it soon but I doubt we’ll have time given what happened.



Hello? This is Elizabeth.
I’m calling to inform you of a change in Tartarus…
I believe a path that was blocked is now open…
I thought you would like to know.
…I wish you a safe journey.
> The call ended.

Oh, and Mitsuru came by early, wanted me to make sure I got back in time for a meeting tonight.



I’m sorry to bother you while you’re resting, but can I have a word with you?
Coming…
Good morning.
There’s something I need to tell everyone…
…but I think it would be best if you saw it yourself.
Come to the 4th floor meeting room when you get home tonight, okay?
I’ll see you then.
> Mitsuru seems to have left…

Aigis made a good point, that with human enemies we can’t even afford to be off guard during the day.



But, we should not forget about the danger Strega poses to us, either.
We must remain on guard at all times.

Akihiko’s been thinking about them too.



It seems that their goal and our goal have intersected.
But, next time they get in our way, I’m going to beat them down.
That’s all there is to it.

Mitsuru is pretty concerned as well.



We don’t know much about them, but…
…we do know that they are definitely our enemies.
And they’re filled with malice and hostility.

Fuuka’s not sure how Strega managed to get by her.



They must be very powerful to be able to slip through her “net.”
Who are they…?

Elizabeth asked me to take her somewhere again.



This time we headed to the Shrine.

Video- “Elizabeth at the Shrine”

Watch

Now that I’m actually here, I sense mysterious presences… But they are markedly different than Shadows.
…Well then, I shall first observe the local traditions and worship at the shrine.
> The innumerable coins Elizabeth is pouring in are shaking the offertory box.
……
…I have finally finished presenting my offering.
Though I usually do not reside in this world… I wonder if I, too, may receive “divine grace.”
I wonder… This system of monetary offerings is very similar to that of the wishing fountain.
There are many places in your world for supplicants to request good fortune…
You live in a wondrous place…
Could those paper strips tied there be…?

It’s kind of exciting to be around Elizabeth, even the most mundane of things is amazing to her.



I’ve heard of this game, where people entrust their destiny to a slip of paper, and exult in the risk…
I see… There are many possible destinies written on them.
Well then… I’d like to experiment with this for myself.
Please wait here while I work on obtaining all of them.
> You decided to wait until Elizabeth is satisfied…
Excuse me… I’ve been curious ever since we arrived, but what are those things over there?

I just sort of let her find her own way through things.



If memory serves these are… A slide and a jungle gym…
The inner self is exposed to any true god… Their magnanimity of spirit excuses all…!
And that being the case…
> Elizabeth climbed up the slide.
> She waved her hand with a smile and…
Yayyy.
> …slid down it standing.
Intriguing…
One must first claw one’s way to the top before relaxing in luxury…
This playground equipment teaches a profound lesson on the true way of the world…
Try the other ones too!
That was a lot of fun.
I’d definitely like for you to continue the lessons, and teach me to play with the other equipment.
Our next goal, I think, should be the proper use of this jungle gym over here.
> Elizabeth climbed inside the jungle gym…
……
I can’t get out…
> …You suggested that Elizabeth try the horizontal bar.

It’s amazing how much fun you can have using things in ways that weren’t intended.



> …stood on it.
Ugh… This is… so hard to… balance on…
> You had fun with Elizabeth.
Today was even more enjoyable than our other excursions out.
……
To be honest, I’ve wondered lately…
Is this world enjoyable to me simply because of the novelty of the stimuli it presents…?
It could also be that I…
Well… Perhaps I may, in truth, be enjoying our time together because we are together.
In any event… I believe I’ll open negotiations with my master to bring a horizontal bar into our room.
I’d like to accompany you again sometime, if you wouldn’t mind.
> You headed back to the Velvet Room with Elizabeth.

She had another cool thing for me.



I must say that the harmony between religion and recreation was indeed superb.
I am currently in negotiations with my master about introducing a set of horizontal bars here.
If I should win his favor, please stop by to make use of them.
Ah yes, and for a reward… I have something very special for you.
With this, you can fuse Thoth.
He comes in the form of a beast, yet possesses knowledge beyond that of any human…
Try him out and see for yourself the wisdom it may grant you.
…I’d like it if I could walk with you again in your world someday.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained Book of Ancients.

She was also looking for some kind of drink named after her, and I headed down to the back alley on a hunch.



Bartender: Whoa… Not bad!
I bet this’ll be popular!
Sorry, we’re not open yet…
…Hey, aren’t you still in high school?
You’re not s’posed to be here.
…Hm? You look like you’ve been around the block a time or two…
It must be fate. Can you try this new cocktail I whipped up?
Oh, don’t worry… There’s no alcohol in it.
…It’s my own little concoction.
I’m hoping to expand our clientele.
Cheers.
> You drank the cocktail.
> It’s the perfect balance between sweet and sour. It has a refreshing flavor.
Bartender: So, whaddya think? Good, huh?
Delicious!
Bartender: Right? I knew you’d like it.
Tell ya what… I’ll give ya a bottle of it, on the house.
I’m gonna go home and catch some Z’s. Come back when you’re legal and I’ll let you try the good stuff!
> Obtained Queen Elizabeth.

I’m kind of sad I had to give this away, it was really good.



“Queen Elizabeth”… I suppose it does share the name “Elizabeth”…
But, if they were going to make this type of drink, I wish they would have consulted me first. …Oh, well.
It’s non-alcoholic isn’t it? I’ll try it later.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained S. Outfit Junpei.

I was worried because I’d not seen Maiko at the shrine earlier, so I went back to try and find her. Fortunately I did, given what happened.



> Maiko is staring at you.
Thanks!
> Maiko seems happy.
Thanks for all your help, but… I have to say bye for now.
Yup, I have to run away now.
Remember not to tell Mom and Dad, okay? …Bye!
> Maiko left.
> ……?
> A woman approaches you.

So yeah her parents were already looking for her.



Woman: Have you seen a little girl? She’s in elementary school…
> The woman seems especially nervous.
> A man walks up from behind her…
Man: Just calm down and think, dammit!
Woman: Calm down? Calm down!? What if something happens to her!
Man: Oh please! This is what happens when you force a child to study non-stop!
> They begin shouting.
Man: This is ridiculous!
Look, you’re Aelita, right? …I heard about you from Maiko.
She said she hung out with a high school kid instead of practicing piano.
Woman: This is the first I’ve heard of it!
You didn’t teach her anything funny, did you!?
> The woman is pissed off.
Man: Shut up, and stop jumping to stupid conclusions.
Look… We’re Maiko’s parents.
And, basically, we haven’t seen Maiko since this morning.
We found a note in her room that said: “I’m running away. –Maiko”
Mom: She’s never done anything like this before!

I know she said she didn’t want me to tell them, but this was what she really wanted anyway and there was no way these two were going to stop fighting long enough to find her without my help.



Dad: Y-Yeah, I’m sure she must be around here somewhere.
Mom: Why, Maiko…?
> Maiko’s Mom started to cry.
Dad: Listen, girl…
If you have any idea where she is, I’m begging you to tell us.
Maybe at the takoyaki stand.
Dad: The takoyaki stand? Oh, that takokayi stand!
Hurry, let’s go!
> Maiko’s parents dragged you to the takoyaki stand.

Of course that’s where she was.



Mom: There you are!
Mom! Dad!
Oh… you came too?
Well I… Um… I…
> Maiko seems shaken.
Mom: Are you okay, darling!? Are you hurt? What happened…?
Y-Yeah, I’m okay…
Mom: Oh, what a relief…
How dare you run away from home! Do you have any idea how worried I was!?
You almost gave me a heart attack, young lady!
Dad: Geez, calm down! Can’t you tell she’s scared?
Y-You guys made me worry too! I was so scared…
You said you were getting a divorce, and I didn’t know what to do!
I don’t want you to get divorced because of me…!
* sob * Waaaaaaaaaah!
Dad: Oh, so that’s what this is all about…
We’re really sorry, Maiko. Why don’t we go home and talk about this?
I’m not sure what to say… I’m sorry we pulled you into this.
* sniff * …I told you to keep it a secret…
But… thank you…
> Maiko was happy to know that her parents cared about her.
> Your relationship is stronger now.

I’m just glad they’re going to actually talk about it now.



…Bye.
> Maiko left with her parents, so you decided to go back to the dorm.

So we had our meeting, and it started out on a real high note.

Video- “Koro Joins”

Watch

Does this mean we have a new mission?
I dunno. But, the alarm’s not ringin’…
Huh!?
Koro-chan!?

Koro-chan’s okay!



> Koromaru is sitting at Mitsuru’s side…
Are you okay!?
…Where’d you get this collar?
That collar is designed to help control his Persona. In other words, it’s an Evoker for dogs.
Wait… Does that mean he’ll be going into battle?
It was a surprise for me as well. But according to the tests, it’s quite possible.
In fact, it was the Chairman’s suggestion. …We’ll be looking after him here in the dorm.
Is that okay with you, Koro-chan?
Woof!
He said, “I’ll return the favor.”
Man, you’re one loyal dog.
Woof!!
Welcome aboard, Koro-chan!
Woof!
Hey, make yourself at home…
The more the merrier, right? Who cares if you’re a dog?
Alright, I’ll take him for a walk. It’s summer break, after all!

Oh yeah so that was where Junpei never studying screwed us all.



Enjoy your vacation while you can; summer classes start next week.
I’ll see to it that you graduate.
H-Hey… Good one, Senpai. You almost had me there.
Oh, it’s no joke.
We’ll be taking intensive courses. I’ve already applied for all of us.
I know how difficult it’s been balancing school and our late night excursions.
You haven’t had much time to study. I apologize for that.
That’s why the Chairman agrees that this is a good idea. …I thought I told Takeba and Yamagishi.
Are you serious!? This is the first I’ve heard of it!
Umm, sorry… I forgot to mention it.
Aw, man!!
Hey, with your grades, you should be thanking her!
Yeah, right.
* sigh * This sucks.

I mean I’m the leader so I just have to suck it up.



W-Well, it’s only for a few weeks, so let’s make the most of it…
> …At any rate, you have gained a new ally.
> Koromaru… Though only a dog, he is a trustworthy partner that will fight valiantly for his master…
> You must make sure to support him well as the team leader…

Koro-chan is just the best dog, at least there’s that.



His Persona is famous devil-dog Cerberus.



Junpei’s not happy about this, even though it’s so he’ll not fail out of school.



Don’t you agree?
Yeah.
* sigh * I feel like I’m gonna become one of The Lost…

I mean not that I’m bitter.



It’ll be a lot of fun having him around.

Maybe they’ll have a class on how to get away with poisoning someone.



I just don’t think we should have to study during summer vacation.

Anyway Aigis was telling me about how Koro-chan fights Shadows.



He is close to his enemy when he attacks, so he is very accurate.
On the other hand, he does not inflict a great deal of damage.
That completes the analysis of Koromaru-san’s battle style.

Oh, and he had that weird stripe-shirt guy’s fountain pen.



> You spot something under Koromaru’s paw…
> Would you like to pick it up?
Arf! Arf!
> …It’s a Red Fountain Pen.
> Obtained Red Fountain Pen.
Arf!
> Koromaru looks satisfied.
> Maybe you should take him for a walk tomorrow…

Akihiko’s making the best of the situation.



No matter how strong you are, if you don’t study your opponent, you can’t win.
It’s the same with school… If you don’t study, you can’t pass your test.

The Chairman came by.



Why, there are rescue dogs, seeing eye dogs, narcotic detection dogs…
Let’s put our trust in Koromaru.

Mitsuru does her best to sell this whole summer school thing.



Use this time to increase your Academics.

Also I think Fuuka’s thinking of cooking for Koromaru. Which means I’m going to need to step in.



Are we going to buy dog food, or cook homemade meals for him?

I mean I think she can cook dog food, but…