The Velvet Key

[If he got the date right, that means he’s been in Prospero for almost a year. A year, once June 20th comes to pass. Or was it June 21st? He arrived during the Dark Hour, so the exact date can be a little strange.

No matter. He’s still in this place and watched people come and go. Atsuro even went home that time, and returned to this city. Back to where people would appreciate his help and his work on the Shadow Database. He knows the fickle nature of this place can easily send him home, so Atsuro want to leave something behind. His work, his notes, anything; for his fellow kidnapped friends to benefit from while they’re here.

He saw Diarmuid’s post about Neah’s departure. That’s what brought up his thoughts lately. It never stops hurting when people he knows left (‘Madoka, Naoya...’), but he try not to let it drag him down. Which really means he’s keeping it to himself and let it stew deeply; without his best friend here, his only outlets are his work and the occasional talk with people.

Atsuro's face appears on the network, looking cheerful as ever. But if anyone pay attention, they can see him looking a little tired. A result of some late-nighters.]

Atsuro Kihara here with your usual database updates! [There’s an attached program on this video.] If you have any questions, or you wish to help out with updating it in case I disappear, lemme know!

[He pauses, looking thoughtful before he yawns.]

You know, I checked the calendar and that got me thinking. In two weeks, it’ll be one year since I first arrived in Prospero. Well, since I first arrived and remember. There’s a chance that I might come here waaaay before and forgot, but right now? I’ll be hitting my first anniversary in two weeks, and same for everyone else who came here at around the same time as me.

...Knowing this place, there might be something fun at around our anniversary, or at least the full moon type of fun.

[He’s going to leave out the fact that his birthday is next week. Whoops.]

[He just wanted to ask her if they can go out this weekend.

When he can’t find her name on the contact list, Atsuro immediately check her room at the dorm, ask some people (Allen said he haven’t seen her for a while) and just...keep on looking.

It wasn’t long until he turns on his own phone.]

Hey, everyone? This is Atsuro Kihara, one of the maintainers of the Shadow Database. I’m calling to ask if anyone have seen Madoka Kaname around. Her name disappeared from the contact list, so it’s likely she went home. [To that world with the frightening magical girl system and the dangerous Witches.] Chances are, that’s what happened... But if anyone knows something, let me know.

[Especially once if people know they’re dating. It’s kind of obvious, but probably not to the newer arrivals. His tone of voice seems more cheerful, but it’s kind of obvious he’s forcing himself.]

Now, on another note! To all new people and those who haven’t got it, here is the latest version of the Shadow Database. [An attached program was sent to everyone on the contact list. People who already have it will find their copy updated.] It lists all the current Shadows we identified so far on the streets, as well as from inside Caliban. Caliban is the dungeon inside the tall building, which isn’t hard to find during the Dark Hour. You’re free to call it anything else, if you like, but it’s a good place to train in groups.

And this bears repeating, it’s advised that you fight in groups with people covering different roles in battle. All Shadows have different weaknesses and immunities, meaning if your attacks can’t harm them, your friend’s might. The most, well, infamous example would be Shadows immune to physicals. Spells would be your best bet against them.

[Hm…] I’m also open for more people to help with gathering information for the Database, as I don’t have the analysing skill Madoka have. [His cheery voice almost fell at her name, before it’s up again.] Even if you don’t have it, there’s always maintaining the database and updating it in the event I disappeared!

Yo, everyone! [HEY PROSPERO GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS?] I’m here with another update!

[HERE BE THE SHADOW DATABASE UPDATE. New arrivals will just get the latest updated program.]

A little later than normal, sorry about that! And also, for anyone that’s wondering? It seems like Caliban got more votes over Tartarus for the dungeon’s name. There were new contenders for the throne, such as ‘Danger Zone’ or ‘a pain in the ass’. So unless you people vote for them instead, Caliban will be our dungeon’s name!

…Of course, if you guys want to use it. The name won’t stick if we don’t.

[SO...] As always, I’m here to answer any questions you might about the database or anything else.

Yo, everyone! Atsuro here with your monthly update!

[Here there be Shadow Database attachment! People will either find theirs updated or a brand new one if they’re new.]

If you haven’t heard already from others or Madoka earlier, I’m currently maintaining the Shadow Database. It lists all the Shadows we discovered so far, along with their strengths and weaknesses. Meaning you can study up on them before you find them outside, or you can try looking it up during battle. But I recommend having a partner with you if you do that, just to cover for you.

As for other recommendations, make sure you know you and your partners can do in battle. Physical attacks, magic, healing, scanning... just to cover your bases against the Shadows. You never know when you meet a Shadow that can possibly strike your weakness.

On a similar note, this might be obvious and most people already know, but we gotta say it again. There are some Shadows that are immune to physical blows and moves. If you can’t use any elemental spells, you better find someone who can or run away from those Shadows.

[He pause, before looking serious.]

Last month’s mostly uneventful, when it comes to the full moon. [HE WON’T BOTHER MENTIONING DRAMA IN AMONG A CERTAIN CAST] But that doesn’t mean this month’s will be the same, so keep an eye on the moon cycle. Particularly the week before the full moon, things normally happen around that time.

[Then, a grin!]

Other than that, I’m also open for people to help out with the database! So if you can work with programs or can gather information from the Shadows, please speak to me or Madoka if you’re interested.

Now then…if there’s any other questions, ask away!

Do you want to go home? But why? Here, you can make a difference, however little. You can HELP and be dependable!

Uh, hey, guys?

C’mon, guys! Is there anything I can help with? I don’t want to be useless! Tell me that you’re glad I’m around, that you’re proud of me!

I think I got my own double here.

Just take that ‘I think’ part out. I am here, you know.

And what? Saying that you're me?

That's right! You gonna disagree?

W-well...

Database! Shadows! Personas! Hey, guys, ask me questions and I'll do my best to answer! Why bother going back home to normal life when you can have all of this?

But I do want to go home!

Lion's here. You want Yoohoo and Naoya to be stuck here as well, right? If they're here, there's no point going back.

What? No I don't--[Clicks. The feed turns off.]

(ooc: Shadow Atsuro tags will come from babel_glitcher.)

Hey, everyone. Thanks for the work the other night. The programs up and running, so I’m sending you all an attachment. [In a short moment, everyone would get a copy of the program. For reference, Shadows list.] It’d still be updated, since new ones would most likely appear.

Also, I was told that Shadows only appear in Prospero. Tatsuma can confirm it, since he went out of the island a while ago and experienced that time elsewhere.

[Atsuro is quiet.]

I hope I’m able to help everyone like this. I’m just a normal kid, not a fighter or anything fancy like that. All I got is my skills with the computer, so I sometime feel…normal, not as awesome like some of you guys? I don’t normally complain, since I got my normal life back home and some of you got important stuff, right?

…And I want to be helpful, even to you guys.

We all managed to get out of that full moon thing in one piece. Since it's like last month, we can assume another one might come up for next month's, too.

[He pause, just for a moment.]

Also, I've been thinking of compiling data on the Shadows. Mostly on their strengths and weaknesses we know so far. I'm pretty sure some of us are aware of one particular Shadow type that's immune to physical hits. [How many people hit those Visceral Mayas before they realise it's futile by now?] It'd be helpful if we put together a database about them, so we can refresh our memories on the enemies. Or be careful of who to avoid.

...On a related note, make sure you're with someone that can use magic. If you can use magic, learn to fight or have someone that can fight with you. It's dangerous to face Shadows you can't even put a dent on alone.

[A thoughtful pause.]

Yeah, that's all I have to say.

I found something interesting last night.

One of the buildings in the business district changed into something strange during that time of night.

['That' being the Dark Hour.]

I would investigate it myself, but going inside alone is reckless.