01 ✘ TEXT. ACTION.

[emaiya]

I'm seeking information about this place. What does Persona mean? What year is it? Additionally, is there a public annals of residents in this area, specifically those that don't belong here?

[ After her discreet phone message, Maiya leaves her hotel room without any trace of herself. She's careful to check for hair on the pillow before leaving, her hands shoved tightly into her pocket. While she doesn't do anything particularly strange to stand out, she can be bothered throughout the day in Prospero at any of the following places:

(A) At the desk of the hotel. Maiya seems to be inquiring about various things such as who paid for her room, what day she registered on, and if she had any packages held for her. With disappointing replies all around, she chooses to dismiss the staff by walking away.

(B) At a magazine stand on the street. Maiya can be found flipping through various ones in an attempt to find out more information about her surroundings.

(C) At one of the newer blocks during the Dark Hour. While she's failed to catch the attention of any lurking shadows, she seems more interested in the strange coffin piece, inspecting it up close.

At the end of the day, she eventually returns to the hotel in an attempt to find more answers. ]

Comments

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[want_a_vacation]

A Persona here is something each person who's aware of Dark Hour can summon to fight for them. It's the early twenty-first century AD and there isn't a complete list of people who don't belong here, since it's pretty constantly changing, but your phone's contact list should tell you how many of us there are.

[emaiya]

[ After his message, she's quick to check her phone to ensure his words were true. Indeed, in the section for H will be a new addition: Maiya Hisau. ]

This list is accurate? [ Because she's quick to check the E's right after. ] There are names here of people who should be dead.

[want_a_vacation]

Yeah. People can come here from different times or even be revived to come here. One of my closest friends here is dead back home.

[emaiya]

That doesn't seem right at all.

Are you certain that this is accurate?

[want_a_vacation]

I've talked to him in person myself. I know it seems impossible, but everyone on that list is here.

C

[maguskiller]

[Kiritsugu doesn't leave his room during the day very often anymore, apart from his job. There are far too many people with a justifiable grudge against him around. Thus, it is far more likely to see him during the Dark Hour. Now that Shirou doesn't live with him anymore, he actually has to go out to make sure he's not putting himself at risk.]

[That plan completely leaves his mind once he sees the person in front of him. Even while dark, he would never mistake her for anyone else.]

[Kiritsugu has met many people whose lives once faded in front of him here, but this is the first one he even remotely cared about. Would that he had only seen her die once, because the moment he spots her, regret at his actions during the war courses through him with unprecedented strength. For a moment, he's unable to really articulate anything, his deteriorated emotionless persona allowing him to actually look surprised.]

[emaiya]

[ She's anything but surprised. Not that it's impossible to do that, no, she can be caught off guard in the rarest of moments. His presence in this place is well known though. Thanks to the technology of these phones, she's already determined he's here (as well as a second 'Emiya'). Even if she's without it right now - too much of a risk to carry it on her person, she knows he's here.

The footsteps are recognizable (familiar really) and she finds herself looking over shoulder towards him. Words need not be said, as always, as she just lets the silence speak in her place. ]

[maguskiller]

[Seconds pass, and slowly, Kiritsugu begins to assume his composure. Not because of some sense of dignity, which he lacks, but simply because he reasons that she may not be from when he remembers her. Now is not the time to mention that.]

[It is of no little difficulty. He wants to ask her so many questions. Express his relief at seeing her again. But Maiya, he's aware, is capable of deciphering his complete emotional state from no more than the look on his eyes.]

When did you arrive?

[Not a single uttering of her name. A side-effect of steeling himself. Maiya saw most of Kiritsugu's transformation from a far-too-soft man to the Magus Killer he eventually became, but he, too, saw her in turn during those times. It is of little wonder that he associates her so closely to the emotionally dead individual he tries to be.]

[emaiya]

Early morning. [ Must have been after the last Dark Hour, as there's a hint of curiosity gleaming in her own eyes. This was high-level sorcery, on a tier she could never reach, and she's waiting for his explanation. ] The phones here update regularly with new names.

[ Might have been a bit too obvious to state that, but it may have been a fact he's overlooked. That and it provides an explanation as to how little she reacts to his presence. ]

Another shares your name here.

[maguskiller]

[He was hoping he could hold the last matter for a later time, but a part of him knew it was futile. Maiya's far too observant.]

[This means she already talked to the hotel staff, he figures. Thus, she's already aware the system by which it works and that it is a mystery to all residents. In all likeliness, she already knows the name of the island as well, what with it being common knowledge. Best to move on to more obscure matters.]

Thaumaturgy doesn't exist here. Not as we know it. The equivalent of magecraft takes the forms of Personas and Shadows. The latter constitute as hostiles, and come out during this particular hour. Apart from that, the process by which we're taken here resembles Second Magic, but is unlikely to be so.

The boy you're talking about is called Emiya Shirou. He is my son.

[Blunt as always. Kiritsugu lets the revelation sit in the air as a suggestion that there is far more to this than meets the eye, and not all of it can be explained in the middle of what is essentially a battlefield.]

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[gaveupfeeling]

1. A summonable being that will assist you in your fights.
2. It is the year 2012.
3. Check your phone list.

Welcome.

Text

[emaiya]

[ Concise and everything she asked for all in one. People who are willing to answer that way are worth an extra prod or two. ]

Do you know anything about this Shirou Emiya or Saber?

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[gaveupfeeling]

They are both kidnappees much like yourself and myself. I have little personal interaction with either, but I know that Saber is a popular figure among Servants, of which there are surprisingly many, and I know that Shirou Emiya is reckless in battle and recently returned to the city after disappearing for a short time. They are closely involved with each other, as well.

Text

[emaiya]

[ This person is definitely her favorite thus far. Carefully considering that information, she wonders if 'Shirou' is another alias for Kiritsugu. The reckless remark doesn't sound like him, but the closely involved... ]

Surprisingly many Servants?

How many?

[emptysword]

[He's patrolling around by himself tonight, after a lot of convincing done by him to Saber that he would call for her help if things remotely looks bad.

Pardon him blinking at the lady inspecting the coffin.]

...Er, excuse me.

you got it o/

[emaiya]

Yes?

[ Maiya at least will tolerate the kid (assuming she's yet to see a photo of him), glancing towards him with hollow eyes. ]

...you fell into my trap.

[emptysword]

[Unconsciously said kid takes a step back in surprise at her eyes.

Those eyes look familiar to him, because he's seen them before.]

Er, its dangerous wandering alone around this time, miss.

I always do...

[emaiya]

Is it?

[ Feigning ignorance just a bit, she looks at him curiously. ]

Street thugs or something greater?

C, these two had to meet eventually. I couldn't resist.

[tolettheworldbe]

[Guess who is also expecting the exact same coffin? That's right, the good old sneaky operative named Solid Snake. A lit cigarette is pouring smoke around his face like a mask.

Seconds pass in silence before Snake finally speaks, gaze keeping itself strictly on the coffin.]

Not exactly my choice for the ideal graveyard.

YES I WANT THIS CR SO BADLY <3

[emaiya]

[ Maiya will glance around the coffin towards him with an unamused look. It isn't that his joke was lacking in humor or anything, should it have been one, she's just not the type to find herself capable of laughing. ]

The puddles of blood are an added bonus. [ Dryly. ] Suppose you don't know who's blood this is, do you?

Re: YES I WANT THIS CR SO BADLY <3

[tolettheworldbe]

[I sure hope this isn't Chris' blood...]

Haven't been here long enough to know.

text;

[kitsunemimi]

You shouldn't be sending dirty message to everyone!

text;

[emaiya]

Dirty message?

There's nothing of filth in what I sent out. You have me mistaken for someone else.

text; oh tamamo

[kitsunemimi]

Ehhhh? You typed out 'annal'! That's dirty!

text;

[emaiya]

Annal.

Not anal.

[ OH MY GOD ARE YOU FIVE YEARS OLD OR SOMETHING?? ]