Part 175: 12/7: Of Mice And Women
Part 165: 12/7: Of Mice And WomenMusic: Impromptu for the Next Prime Minister
According to the map, the elevator ahead will take us to the pool deck.
Hm If our intel is correct, there should be a womanizing former noble there.
Womanizing, huh ? I am so not up for this
If I was on the side of the Phantom Thieves, and Im not saying I am, Id head back and use the previous safe room right about now, since theres not one between here and the pool. Theres also a rather annoying series of gimmicks to the next area, which well go into shortly. Did I say annoying? I meant amazing at dealing with pesky intruders!
Music: Ark
Here is a fully filled out map of this area. I wont be giving out detailed instructions like with Okumuras Palace here, because this layout is both more and less complex at the same time and also because Im not giving out information to no stinkin Thieves. Well cover the ingenious mechanics used to deter interlopers as we come across them.
The first, which weve already seen, is the ever-present locked door. This devilish device can only be opened from the other side. How fiendish.
The next? Well
This is prepawsterous! ...Or something like that.
Ugh, go to hell, Inari. Can you just come back here?
Looks like we turn back when we leave the affected range. Its really not a big deal.
It most certainly is a big deal! Explain what just happened to us!
So were nothing but rodents to him, huh? Thats irritating.
I agree, but we need to be extra careful when were in mouse form. We wont be able to open doors, and any enemy we try to fight in that statell beat us to a pulp.
So all we can do is hide? I guess well have to change to a completely defensive strategy I hope we can find a secret passage to get through there
So, the Phantom Thieves are now mice, and will remain so while in any room that has a Shido statue in it. This renders them totally unable to perform any of their usual mischief, be it fighting or opening doors.
This is what happens when a mouseified thief tries to open a door. Itd be pretty cute if those werent the beady eyes of a killer under that mask.
Anyway, the only way to proceed through the area is for the Thieves to use the convenient vent in the room, small enough that only a mouse can get through it.
Further in, they come to a big hall with a giant Shido statue in it (not pictured) and multiple Shadows patrolling.
Perhaps I, gifted with extreme foresight, predicted that I would be turned against the Phantom Thieves when I recorded this, and so got some footage of a Shadow absolutely fucking up their shit by running straight into one.
Or maybe I just wanted to see what would happen. Whos to say?
But suffice it to say, their shit gets rocked.
The thieves cant attack so its an automatic enemy initiative, and theyll automatically attempt to flee once their turn comes up.
The real goal here is to move throughout the room while avoiding the Shadows moving about. This can be trickier than it sounds, though still not terribly difficult. Come on Shadows, do your jobs! Also, heres a picture of Glorious Shido.
There are a few exits to this area, all of which are via vents.
Two of these exits lead to the same series of rooms in the upper-left corner of the map. Here, Noir remarks that she sees something interesting.
Its impossible to tell from here. Lets look around.
Pressing this button causes things to shift.
Well, we no longer turn into mice when approaching that statue
Looks like the statues got something to do with that button we pressed earlier.
Interesting. We will no longer be able to use the secret passage, but now we can proceed with more ease.
The statue is now depressed into the floor, the weird light that turns the thieves into mice no longer visible. This means theyre not at risk of turning into rodents.
Unfortunately for them, there isnt actually a way out of this area unless youre a mouse! Those imbeciles! The thieves are thus forced to hit the button again, turn into a mouse, and head back to the main hall, where they find a third exit that lets them unlock a door back into this area, where they can turn the statues off again and proceed. Its a bit complicated.
This is Titania. Shes weak to Psy, Resists Nuke, Bless, and Curse, and uses Sleep and Nuke skills.
And here is King Frost, also the monarch of Fuck Mountain, designation Shit. Hes weak to nothing and will decimate these annoying Phantom Thieves with Ice and Physical. He also drains Ice and blocks Bless.
This is Oracles Final Guard, which once again will block any attack that would kill a party member, once. Its really powerful and kind of unfair for Shido, tbh.
Heres a really
And they finally make it to the elevator.
Theres a locked treasure chest ahead of them...
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY A SAFE ROOM, GET IN THERE
Lets sprawl out, gaze at the sky, and waste the time away in leisurely paradise.
Nothing too special in there.
Our targets here, right? Some sort of former noble guy?
Yeah. Lets find him and get a hold of his letter of introduction!
Youll be pleased to find out that those long paths on either side of the pool also serve as hallways where the thieves have to wait for Shadows to turn around before they can ambush them!
Dont be embarrassed. Thats the real reason youre here too, is it not?
The Shadow on the left is Parvati, which heals and uses Psiodyne. It also has Ice Boost, but unless that strengthens attacks it reflects I cannot figure out why. Its weak to Curse, resists Psy and Bless, and reflects Ice. As a Persona, it also knows Hamaon.
Its all thanks to Mr. Shido that we can spend days in luxury like this! Hmhmhm!
And heres the Former Noble the thieves were looking for.
Uhhh . Nice day today, huh? ...Actually, maybe not. I, uhhh I wanna go swimming in the pool! Yeah!
No response.
What!?
We wont take much of your time. Will you listen?
Please, sir.
Sorry, but please leave me be. I dont have time for you rowdy children.
Hey, you little !
No, we apologize for our lack of manners. Come on, Skull. We should leave.
To be fair, you walked up to him and said, Hey dude. You need to approach this with more tact. Starting the conversation with a quarrel wont get us anywhere.
Queen must have a different definition of quarrel than me.
Our approach doesnt matter if he wont listen to us. What are we supposed to do ?
Lets speak to the people around here. Perhaps well learn more about that mans temperament.
At the very least we might get some kind of hint.
I guess thatd be better than nothing! Welp, askin for info it is!
The bar here actually rents out swimsuits just like these.
Heh heh heh
Ive got the perfect plan!
That laugh was scary
Forget about that! Onward to the bar, you guys!
You will need to check in here if you wish to rent a swimsuit.
Tch, guess we cant just walk in there. Oh well, lets just head over to the counter.
Heading over to the counter
Hey, you guys rent out swimsuits, yeah? Give us some, ASAP!
Ah, but of course. Just show me your boarding pass and we will have you sorted right away.
You moron ! Come on Skull, lets get out of here! You too, Joker!
Naw, that was part of my plan! Over theres the fittin room Im just gonna need your help findin a way in, Joker!
On the other side of these stairs, theres a duct.
What deviants!
Youre seriously going for the fitting room? Come on, this feels like a criminal offense
But were the Phantom Thieves! Just go with it I got a plan! Hey Joker, you wanna bust in here?
Hes prolly into that kinda thing
What are you talking about?
Im getting a really bad feeling about this
Music: Wicked Plan
And more importantly, isnt this a fitting room ?
Just trust me! Wait here and Ill be right back!
Its perfect Hehehe! Thisll totally work!
Skull You have quite a scary look on your face.
Actually, its creepy.
I didnt think that we were really going with such a simple plan
Well, theres no way guys lounging by the pool would not check out girls in swimsuits.
Its a honeypot!
I wanna go home
Are we really going to do this ?
If you guys dont hurry, hes gonna go off somewhere!
Its a nice day, isnt it?
What do you want?
Um, would you grant us a letter of introduction to Mr. Shido?
A letter of introduction, you say? I would never give one to some nobodies like yourselves.
Welp, that failed immediately.
For some reason the devs forgot to shift over Noirs portrait here to the left and so you can see where it just abruptly stops. Yikes.
Ive made my decision to only introduce those with a prestigious lineage. No matter how beautiful you girls may look on the outside, your ancestry cannot be changed.
Wow! If I wasnt eternally committed to Shido now, Id probably deck this creep!
Yes, that may be true, but well
Were
*in fucking audaciously terrible British accent* Im quite charmed to meet you, sir. My name is Ann Windsor.
Ann Windsor!?
My father is the descendant of British royalty.
Seriously!?
These girls are the daughters of my retainers.
Are you half British, Ann-chan?
I am.
Your features are definitely different from Japanese girls. One can easily tell at a glance.
*giggle* ...People tend to have such misconceptions, but that isnt true. My hobbies include tea ceremonies. Then again, my father forced me to learn that art.
I see I sense a noble aura that is different from your servants.
Lineage is absolute. No matter how much effort a commoner exerts, it is a gap that cannot be filled.
Youre absolutely correct. I do feel a little sorry for these girls.
By the by, about the letter of introduction If youd be so generous to grant me one, Ill consider introducing you to my father.
Thank you kindly.
But goodness, do you look great in that swimsuit. And such an amazing body as well. You look like you could be a model.
Well, this is on-the-nose.
Oh no
As members of prestigious family lines, why dont we get on more intimate terms?
Excuse me?
Come now, you peasant servants should take off. Youre making her embarrassed.
Would you kindly stop this?
Want to try on some other swimsuits in my room?
Ann pulls away.
Now that Im done using you, get away, you creep!
Fun Comedy Hijinks With The Phantom Thieves!
Everyone transforms back into their thieves garb.
How dare you set me up like this!
Oh shuddup! Were doing this!
Former Noble
Music: Keeper of Lust
Former Noble is an interesting miniboss in that he has like ten skills, which is really kind of cheating. Psiodyne, Mapsiodyne, Psy Boost and Amp (Amp is 50% boost instead of 25%, and stacks with Boost), Stagnant Air to increase everyones ailment susceptibility for its Confuse and Brainwash skills, Tarukaja, Concentrate, and Fast Heal to speed up its own ailment recovery. He does a lot, and has a ton of health, but still isnt much of a threat.
Hes also weak to Electricity, but I didnt think to try it, whoops!
Only three more left!
And the nobles down for the count.
Music: Suspicion
...Contrary to past methods, gaining wealth by lineage alone is quite difficult these days. Thats why I begged to be allowed onto Lord Shidos ship. In return for introducing wealthy nobles to him, I requested he enact mental shutdowns for me.
I see So this system of introductions is taking place in reality as well.
Lord Shido is extremely cautious about the passengers he chooses.
So hes screening potential associates to find wealthy people who wont betray him
And thats why the passengers are wearing masks. He isnt deceived by peoples outward appearances.
In any case, Ann your acting skills have developed quite strongly since our nude incident.
Ugggggghhhh
Music: Desire
I hope you remember the conditions for our arrangement. Support me as best you can, understood?
Yes, of course. After all, I am thankful for your aid, Mr. Shido. Ill call in some favors from some old acquaintances and take part in the birth of Prime Minister Shido.
Ill have you step down if I catch wind of any slack on your end. Are we clear?
...Crystal. Id rather not meet the same fate as those Ive eliminated thus far. *chuckle*
...Good.
Well, thats two down for the Phantom Thieves. Hopefully Shido will have more success with his other lackeys. Now, if you dont mind, I have to send an important letter. Dont peek.
*ahem*
Hello, Mr. Shido. I hope this message finds you well. Lets not beat around the bush here: youve threatened to murder me. Understandably so, for I have been helping to promote the Phantom Thieves cause through my chosen medium. However, if you keep me alive, I believe that I can help you, instead! Youre probably wondering what possible use I could have to you, and while this field may be rather esoteric, I think that I can use my incredibly gifted natural talents in the field of Lets Play in your service. Again, you might question how, but Id like to remind you that as a trusted internet personality, I could be helpful in rounding up other miscreants and troublemakers for mental shutdown! And why stop there? The pathetic sheep that make up the populace just need proper manipulation to be under your complete sway. Think about it: you, using your vast resources, indirectly steer them towards my content, which will from now on push constant messages supporting your administration! I would, of course, get some minor, token benefits from this, like increased publicity, but do not be mistaken: I do this solely out of unfailing, unquestioning support for you! The Phantom Thieves are old news, and your support wont last forever, unless you let me push propaganda for you! You have no possible reason to refuse! Though, if you did, I would totally understand because you are smarter than me, a total suck-up bootlicker with no dignity. But I implore you to consider this offer: youre not going to get a better deal from anyone else, because at the end of the day, Im your friend. Thank you for your time. You need not respond to this missive; I have already begun working towards our shared goals. Those peons will never see it coming.
Deferentially, Arist
Please dont kill me.