Part 170: 11/26-11/27: Hey, I Like My Family As A Friend!
Part 160: 11/26-11/27: Hey, I Like My Family As A Friend!Anon: he went down easy
Anon: So did he do it or not!?
Anon: Execute accomplices too!
Anon: Just like Akechi-kun said!
Music: Suspicion
We might be hearing news about the birth of the Shido administration by the end of the year. I wish Akechi-kun would run for office! Hed get more votes than all those incompetent politicians!
Oh god, what an idea.
I dont usually care about elections, but its exciting when people are so into it!
Music: Disquiet
Well get to it later, cat.
The Phantom Thieves are old news! Im talking about my blog being attacked! Hmph. All I did was praise my film critiques under another name. Just a little bit of acting. Somehow, the internet found out and hates me now. And the jeers get worse when I explain myself. Perhaps this is a sign. Perhaps Ill move on from critiquing films to the next stage of my career.
at this asshole, goddamn.
The United Future, a new party led by Masayoshi Shido, is garnering a great deal of support. They have been winning the hearts of voters with powerful speeches and easily understood rhetoric.
Because theyre all fucking sheep, the lot of them.
Hmph. Just you watch! Well have you in tears before long!
Lets head into the Velvet Room real quick, we need some matching Personas.
Music: Aria of the Soul
Lets make this Sarasvati from Hecatoncheires and Dakini.
Uhhhhhhh
Accident (Watch this)
Well, thats never happened before.
UM
OH JESUS
I will become a new mask for you and grant discipline to your soul.
Not what we were looking for. In fact, kind of disappointing, considering we already have one of this Persona. Oh well.
Oh, ya think!?
Scathach is the Scottish warrior woman who trains Cu Chulainn in Celtic mythology. While looking this up I discovered that Cu Chulainn fucks. That is all.
Anyway, this is the incredibly rare occurrence of a fusion accident. I say incredibly rare because this is the first time its happened to me in two playthroughs. The result Persona, which I believe is chosen from a pool based on the level the original Persona was supposed to have been, does not gain any experience from Arcana Burst but will inherit any skills the original Persona would have.
Its fine, the Persona we were fusing wasnt terribly important, its just kind of annoying.
Anyway, lets move on. This Baphomet is three levels above us, so previously we would have been unable to fuse it. But if we try now that weve maxed Strength...
However, given your circumstance, I may be willing to expressly facilitate your rehabilitation.
If we pay a fee we can fuse above our level. However, I have no earthly clue what the actual formula is. Based on some GameFAQs posts I dug up it seems like the rule of thumb is a flat ~50k fee to start, increasing by another ~50k for every five levels after that until 20 levels above, when it jumps to ~20k per level. Is this right? Well, immediate testing seems to reveal that its not! Fusing one level above gives me a sum of 44k, which is close enough to 50, but going as high as 14 levels above gives me a sum of 99k, which is nowhere near what it should be if that was accurate. Its possible its based on the skills the result Persona knows, but Im not sure how that works because for three different Personas I got two with the same sum and one with a wildly different one. I think its highly likely, though, that its also based on how high the result Personas level is in the first place. The Japanese wiki I usually consult for information on weird technical data like this is failing me here, so I guess itll just be a secret lost to time.
I eventually decide not to fuse it even though Im fucking rich because I want to save my money and also because I dont want to blow the games difficulty wide open just yet by fusing way above my level.
Anyway, lets fuse this Byakko from that Scathach we found and Queen Mab!
Mine roar causeth all beasts to bow down ! I shall be thy mask!
Aww jeez, the tiger only talks in olden speak.
Byakko is the White Tiger, one of the four symbols of the Chinese Constellation, along with Seiryu (Azure Dragon), Suzaku (Vermillion Bird), and Genbu (Black Tortoise). It represents the west, the season of autumn, and the element of metal.
Music: Disquiet
Whaddya wanna do today, Maaku?
R-Really? Eh, I guess I cant complain too much since youre gonna be hanging with me. Do you have some time? I think I wanna talk
Lets do it in your room.
Phrasing, jesus.
Music: Alright (Elp Version)
She said she wants to go back to school next year, but she might not have the money
In case this confuses anyone, high school in Japan is not compulsory. You have to pay to go. Its also why entrance exams are such a huge staple of Japanese media.
While Im on the subject, its a little weird that all the recent Persona games have had school on Saturdays for the protagonists, even if only a half day, as that stopped being mandatory in 2002. Some schools have brought them back to help meet the countrys rigorous education requirements, but its kinda weird that its just a staple.
As for me, I Im gonna go back.
And I mean, sure I hated elementary school, but I met Kana-chan there, so maybe it wasnt all bad. The same goes for high school. Even if I hate it, I know something positive will come from it. But I still have to do the last item on my promise list. Being OK without you around Honestly, Ive been feeling kinda weird lately My hearts been beating real fast when were together Then even when were apart, I cant stop thinking about you
Uh oh.
By the way, um can I ask you a favor. Its a pretty big one. ...Can we skip that last promise?
I know youre only being strict cause itll help me, but I just cant be OK without you around. Life doesnt feel the same when youre not with me. I mean, er not that, but I dunno
That makes sense for him though. I mean, hes basically my dad. But you dont have a reason like that, so why are you so nice?
Am I um the only one you treat like this ?
WOOF
Why, Maaku ?
Dont date your sister.
Teammates
Of course teammates would wanna be nice to each other Its so obvious! Thats gotta be why my hearts always pounding so much. It knows how much I care about my teammates! And you, Maaku my key item!
Yep, thats it! No other reason! Lets forget this ever happened! Whew, that was a close one!
From now on, Im gonna devote every fiber of my being into supporting you guys!
I can feel a strong bond of trust from Futaba...
Heres a Certified Arist Guarantee: This ability will never once activate
Hehehe Its gonna be great!
Maaku and Futaba clap their hands together.
Sure, thats how that goes.
Laters!
I walked Futaba home
Music: Beneath the Mask
We mushnt give in to th tyranny of the ruling parrrrty.
Yeah, yeah. All right. Pretty good speech.
I am strongly opposed to thish! Im Imma drink and drink and drink! Till th break of dawn.
If I make it into a good school, they promise to buy back all the games and manga they threw away.
Whoa, you made a contract!? Why did you have to do that ?
Hey, grown-ups lie all the time, just like those politicians you see on TV.
Man Dont grown-ups ever get tired of complaining about other people all of the time?
They say itll shape the countrys future, but I dunno, I cant bring myself to care.
Id like to address the nation Tonight, we drink until the sun comes up! Par-taaay!
Stop usin big, confusin words! I dont follow what yer sayin! I love rock. Thats why I convinced Ma to let me move out to the city I cant sing like this. I dont even know what Id sing about Its just not a good time, what with the election and all. The cops rush over here whenever I get too loud
Poor guy.
So were making our donations to the new political party, then? Not surprising, I suppose.
Its a strategic move so that we dont miss the boat. We want to be connected to the new government.
Heh, boat.
The manifest I am proposing is the foundation upon which we will build the future of this country. Yoshida, Toranosuke Yoshida, will take immediate action for the good of our young people!
Yoshida is taking his election speeches seriously I formed a partnership with Yoshida as comrades. I should avoid interrupting his campaign.
Indeed, were comrades. Good for Yoshida, lets leave him alone.
(If you havent figured it out, you cant hang out with Yoshida while the election is underway, meaning that if you dont have him maxed by now, youre screwed)
Did he really think suicide was the answer? He was just a kid! And how could the police let him die? Their management and supervision must be a mess.
The higher-ups there are all rotten. That whole division needs to be replaced.
*meow*
And the Phantom Thieves leader killed himself. People who used to support him were laughing about it. I kinda feel bad for him Probably overworked himself.
Doin that to yer mom and dad Thats not a good way to go.
Yeah, it doesnt sit well with me. There was no reason for him to die.
Its just as much our fault, too! After the shit we said about im!
Youre right, sorry No ones ever taken that tone with me before.
Im coming around on Rural Young Man. Hes got a good head on his shoulders. Hes still never gonna get with Adorable Woman, though.
It was all thanks to Akechi-kun. But Oh no! My beloved feels so distant from me again! Where are you, Akechi-kun!?
Somehow, he must know how you feel. Hes run away and gone into hiding!
It would be amazing if, somehow, the entire localization team had revolted and left these characters untranslated. Just have all their text be in Japanese. Id much prefer that.
No, thats not what I had in mind. Must be what she wanted As a show of gratitude, Ill send over our very best girl. No, please, I insist. I look forward to your continued patronage at the Asakura Agency! ...Hello? Hellooo?
Dont worry though. Your secret is safe with me. Not just as the admin of the Phan-Site, but as your friend
The Phan-Sites gone up in flames, so I need to do something, fast. At the very least, I need to make sure the poll is functional again
Like Yoshida, we cant hang out with Mishima right now for story reasons. However, we will be able to interact with him again in this case after we take down Shido. Hes not locked off for the rest of the game.
Speaking of which, our status as Dead means that, were certain Confidants to be at certain ranks, we could not progress them: Kawakami, Ryuji apparently, and probably Makoto and Futaba too. Really just any event that involves school heavily is a no-go, with one major exception that well get to eventually. One of Futabas previous ranks involved her going to Shujin, which Im assuming is an obvious no-go. I also assume that we cant do any of Makotos ranks that take place in the student council room. I have been told that someone did get locked out of progressing Ryuji, which is probably due to his Rank 8, which takes place at school and has you interacting with the former track team. Finally, there are multiple mandatory scenes for Kawakami in between ranks that must be seen to progress her Confidant, all of which take place at school. The scene with the Takases after Rank 8 and the scene in class where her will to teach is reinvigorated after Rank 9 have to be seen to move on to the next rank, so youre screwed if you havent seen them yet by now.
Also, to answer my question last update about how you contact Ryuji or Makoto since they hang out at school: Ryuji goes to his day off hangout spot, the Shibuya arcade, while trying to interact with Makoto results in the two of you meeting by the subway platform.
Yeah, about that
Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)
Is this philosophy? Im not sure if I like this writer. He seems a bit condescending
I wonder if these old philosophers had many friends Theyre always talking to people, but I dunno
Morgana just calling this dude a loser, wow.
At any rate, reading about different ways of thinking must have made you smarter.
Maaku gains Knowledge +3.
Anon: What a sore loser
Anon: we do need new authority
Anon: The truths lost to the void
Anon: Akechi got the last laugh!
Music: Disquiet
Heres what weve got for you today! This Hot Water Pouch! With the 2 pack, you can survive the freezing winter!
Be careful not to burn yourself!
And it can be yours For the incredibly low price of 9800 yen!
Whatever.
Have you decided on your plans for today?
Are you sure we have time for that !? What is your goal here?
Hm You are correct. A nice break is necessary at times. How does your schedule look today? I wish for you to join me if possible.
Thank you. I would like to enter Mementos again today. I believe that place holds the truth of the human heart.
Oh, joy. Mementos.
...Let us go.
Where does this passage even go ? It feels as though Im being sucked inside merely by gazing upon it.
Music: Confession/Secret
It is ugly yet beautiful as well. That duality is what makes humanity such an interesting subject As you know, I have been confused recently about the reason for my art. Did I want to be recognized, or did I want to capture true beauty? Was it due to my talent, or just my upbringing? ...Each answer would seem correct at first, yet only prove itself false upon a more in-depth examination. Maaku When my mother was painting the Sayuri what do you think she was thinking about?
But you are probably right. However, I believe that was not the only thing she thought about. It seems the Sayuri was meant to impart something with me and all others who view it, for that matter. Love, regret, loneliness, anxiety, calm and hope. All of the emotions my mother felt, conveyed plainly to the viewer. That is why it has such a profoundly unique impact on those who see it.
And yet that painting has kept me going this whole time. During particularly difficult nights, it was there to soothe my sadness. It acted almost as a ray of light cutting through the somber darkness I had wanted to create a similar beacon of hope for others but it seems I lost sight of that goal. Look. This world is a dark, unrelenting place, Maaku. But that is why I am going to wield my brush again To give hope to all those who see my paintings.
Now, I will use my art to paint over the blackness of this world. It shall become a vivid realm, full of hope I expect it will be a most beautiful sight to behold. Perhaps you will see it someday, Maaku
I feel like my bond with Yusuke is growing deeper...
Hm, this radiant light growing within me It must be the light of hope. ...I shall paint it.
It seems Yusuke has discovered his raison d'être. How nice.
I can sense Shadows in the area We should leave Mementos
...Kawanabe-san.
Music: Suspicion
On your way home? You clearly have time on your hands, Yusuke-kun. Im on my way now to prepare for the competition. Speaking of which, do you plan on entering?
Indeed I do.
Your pride may not be too pleased with the outcome. After all, the winners spot is not simply yours for the taking. I suppose whether you ultimately opt to enter is entirely your decision though. The more the merrier, yes? Hahaha!
Maybe its just the fact that we havent hung out with poor Yusuke in quite some time, but was inability to accept defeat really one of his defining hangups?
That no longer matters to me though. I am going to enter my painting merely so others can be exposed to it. Well, I will talk to you later, Maaku. Farewell.
Music: Beneath the Mask
Time for spooks!
Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)
Whoa, why are you reading that ? Whatever you do, just dont read it out loud, OK?
Ah, these stories are way too spooky for me. Dont talk to me about any of them, OK? Although you do seem a lot more dependable now that youve read them.
Maaku gains Guts +3.