Hi, everyone. This is Yukiko Amagi, and I think this is starting to be a ritual with me, addressing the network towards the beginning of the month...

[She laughs at herself for a moment, but quickly regains her composure. She has something serious to say, after all, and she can't say it if she's laughing at herself.]

Anyway, that's beside the point. I know that since Jason's death, the revival process hasn't been running nearly as smoothly. There's no need to hide it; I don't think there's a one of us left here that hasn't seen a friend come back hurt. I know this is going to sound harsh, but we all need to realize that it's probably not going to get a lot better in the short time we have left.

There's no need to suffer in silence, if you've come back and you're still injured. I have healing magic and I'm sure others here also have it. If you're hurt, don't keep on being hurt. Come find one of us, and we'll patch you up as best we can. All right?

[She pauses, blinking for a second.]

...it sounds so strange to say the words 'Jason's death'. It doesn't quite feel real to me yet. Is that just me, or does anyone else feel that way?

[She clicks off the feed with that question.]

Hi, everyone. It's me, Yukiko.

I wanted to check on everyone who was on the machine the other day. Are you all right? I hope the nightmares haven't been too bad.

If there's anything I can d--

[One second, Yukiko is there, talking into the terminal screen. The next second, she's gone. The terminal keeps recording, though all it catches is ambient background noise and video from the terminal bank in the dorms.

She'll eventually be back to answer any 'where the heck did you go?' inquiries, but it won't be before the terminal cuts off.]

[[OOC: This is backdated to the 16th, after the Nyx Avatar battle. I meant to make this post earlier, but so it goes. Better late than never!]]

The video opens up on Jade Curtiss, picking up and slipping on his glasses, then looking at the camera while smiling his usual unconcerned smile and wearing his usual military uniform.

"Forgive me my abruptness, but I'd like to conduct a little survey," he says pleasantly. "My name is Jade Curtiss, and I had the fascinating experience of my first death yesterday--at, apparently, the hands of Death itself, no less. When I awoke this morning, I couldn't help but wonder, what sorts of deaths have you all experienced thus far? If you wouldn't mind indulging my curiosity, please leave a response in whatever format you prefer with as much detail as you feel comfortable with giving.

"Please be aware that I will likely ask follow-up questions. This is, of course, completely optional. For those of you who do participate, thank you in advance for your cooperation."

He nods his head politely, then reaches forward for something off-screen. The video cuts there. ...Morbid much?

[It's been a while since Yukiko has been in the Tower at all - three months, give or take a bit. It shows in her face when she appears on the video feed; this isn't the face of a surprised newcomer. It's the face of someone who has explored enough to know that while she was gone, a lot of her friends have left. Her voice is just a bit shaky when she speaks.]

...hello, Tower. This is Yukiko Amagi. I was here, before, and now I'm back. I think it's been about three months. It's kind of hard to tell time when it passes on a dead world. One day blends into another after a while.

[She pauses, briefly, taking a deep breath.]

I know that there were people from the Japanese town of Inaba here before. They were my friends. I also tried sending them a message. I - I know that they're all gone. The message said 'user not found' for all of them, and so I went down to the graveyard to doublecheck. They're definitely gone.

I'll be okay, though. I know they're gone now, but I can be strong enough for all of them. I know I'm back here for a reason, and that reason must be to make sure they're saved, in the end. Really saved, not just 'saved' as in pulled here again.

...so. What did I miss while I was gone?

I need some assistance with acquiring a set of fighting fans - they'll only be used for defense and monster-fighting when the administration feels the need to take away our powers. I'd like a set of metal ones with either sharpened edges or hidden blades.

I've been told by Diarmuid Ua Duibhne that I should speak to a Thorin Oakenshield about this? I'm not sure where I'd get the metal, but I trust both of you on this one.

There's...something else.

[And she takes a deep breath.]

People with violet collars are quite possibly in for some trouble, because unless something happened after I -

[The long pause is probably telling. Yes, she died.]

- I failed to stop him from taking it, there's a tank of your collar fluid in Sephiroth's hands. It's probably fairly obvious what I mean by 'failed'. Considering he's not above either mind control or killing other people, I don't really think I have to say a lot more.

( filtered to the Investigation Team, Commander Shepard, and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne )

( private to Ryoji Mochizuki )

( OPEN YOUR EYES )

[OOC: Signups for the MASS COLLAR BOYCOTT are here and run until the day prior til your next characters collar check.]

[Yukiko looks worried as she gets on the network. Very worried. She'd disappeared after the battles at the barricades, not been able to get back, not seen or heard from anyone...]

I owe everyone at the barricades the night of June 19th an apology. I couldn't do enough to help you, and I couldn't get back in time to prevent more damage and keep more of you from being hurt because of the way my magic was blocked.

[She gives the camera a deep bow.]

I'm sorry.

I'd also like to say something to everyone I was fighting with - from the brave, brave girl who kept pushing past her limits and kept going, to my team leader at home for showing why he's our leader, to every healer in the fight, to everyone who stepped in and replaced those who couldn't keep going any longer, to every single person there...thank you. You're very brave and very strong. Don't let anyone make you think otherwise. You're incredible.

And someone else has already said this, but to those who were turned...I don't hate you. You had no way of knowing. I didn't want to witch-hunt you, or go after you, because of something you couldn't control. Please take care of yourselves. You're not what Ruana says you are.

[She bows again, then cuts off the feed.]

[Also, the Persona-users at the barricade, SEES, the Investigation Team, Strega, Hidetoshi Odagiri, Ryoji Mochizuki, Saki Konishi, and Labrys will all get a note in their inboxes, with sharing instructions.]

[...Woooow there's a lot of posts on the network today. A lot of people sound really worried about a lot of crazy-sounding things...but what she's got to say doesn't sound that crazy, all things considered.

Worried as she is, Rise is still an idol at heart, and she smiles for the camera like a movie star.]

Hi hi! Rise Kujikawa here, bringing you all an important message!

I know things are kinda crazy today, and lots of people are saying really weird stuff, buuuut this is a little different, because this one's not that unbelievable.

So everyone, be really careful if you're eating the cafeteria food! There might be poisonous plants in it...and honestly, in a place like this, I'd say you're better off safe than sorry.


[Filtered to the Investigation Team + Nanako, Hidetoshi, Luke, Tohko, and (after a moment's debate) Asch, Ken, and Frederick + EDITED (at Luke's request) TO INCLUDE TEAR]

Even if it's not true, I don't think we should risk it, guys... So...who wants to go hunting and who wants to help me see what we can find to make in the kitchen? We should meet up for meals somewhere at least twice a day, and maybe we could invite more people, too.

[EDIT: brief additional video, filtered to the same crew as above]

Senpai says to meet up in the cafeteria, and we'll decide where to go from there!

[Yukiko has seen the writing on the wall, and she feels like she has to say something about it. She thinks she's hit 'voice' on the terminal. But because the terminals themselves like to play tricks at the worst times, of course, it's coming up as video.

And she has no idea.

Her face is approximately the color of her sweater as she starts to speak.]

A-ah, hello. This is Yukiko Amagi. Um, I think everyone's...probably seen what's written on the dorm walls.

[She still doesn't realize that this is video, so her little sigh and toss of her hair and added blush? All perfectly visible.]

...that whole 'Amagi Challenge' thing? It's kind of embarrassing, but that's how people referred to trying to actually get me to go out with them back home. I was always really busy with working and school, and, well, I didn't always read the situation well. So I pretty much wound up always saying no to everyone that tried asking me out on a date.

[She giggles, then, playing with a bit of her hair and smiling.]

But, well...I guess there's no sense in hiding it anymore, is there? I was going to say something to my friends privately, but since everyone can see it for themselves, I really shouldn't deny the truth. I'm dating Ryoji Mochizuki. And I'm really, really happy.

I think I might even be -

[She claps a hand over her mouth, shaking her head furiously.]

No, no, I can't say that much, not in such a public space! It's one thing to say the truth, but I can't tell everyone everything that I feel! There are things in a girl's heart that she just can't say in such a public space.

I just - it's not moving too fast, okay? Maybe we do spend a lot of time together, but that's perfectly normal! It's fine to want to be around someone you're going out with! Sheesh, saying things like that is way too much.

So that's that, all right? That's the truth of the situation, nothing more.

Hello, everyone. This is Yukiko Amagi.

...I was one of the people that was modified last week. I wanted to apologize to anyone I hurt when I wasn't entirely in control of myself. I know that what happened wasn't my fault, but it still hurt other people. I never wanted to do that, and I'm sorry.

[She pauses for a moment, fiddling with her hair, then takes a deep breath and looks into the camera, to continue.]

Something else that I wanted to say is that I understand what it's like to look at what you did when you weren't entirely yourself and be shocked. It really hurts, and it makes you look at yourself differently. But I want everyone to remember this: we all have our shadows. Those shadows may not be pleasant, and they might hurt sometimes. But they shouldn't hold you back, either. The best thing to do is to find a way to accept your shadows and then move forward.

It isn't the easy path to take, but it's the one where you'll find the strength to go forward. I know, because I've been there, and I'm stronger for it.

[And her expression softens, and she manages a little smile.]

The last thing I wanted to say here is that I'm not angry at anyone who was ordering me around or anyone that hurt me. I know that wasn't really you talking, and I know people do things when they're afraid that they wouldn't normally do. I forgive you. I understand if you don't want to be friends, but if you ever want to talk or anything, you can come find me.

Inaba folks, check-in? Are you okay, after all that?

[The girl looking into the camera looks a little bit suspicious as the feed comes into view. She's muttering to herself, things like 'I hope this is actually working this time' and 'Maybe I should just go exploring', before finally settling down.]

Hello, everyone. My name is Yukiko Amagi. I just got here, and I'm looking for anyone who might be from the town of Inaba. Yu Narukami, Chie Satonaka, Yosuke Hanamura, Teddie, Kanji Tatsumi, Rise Kujikawa, or Naoto Shirogane, in particular - if you're here and you're okay, let me know?

Or if Mitsuru Kirijo, Akihiko Sanada, Aigis, or Labrys is here, the same goes for all of you. If you're here and you're okay, let me know, all right?

I guess the biggest question I have isn't really about the message I got when I woke up here. If it's true, I'll figure that one out and figure out how to handle it.

The bigger question...well, it's kind of weird. [She lets out an awkward laugh.] When I tried using this thing to send a message out, the first time I tried, I thought I clicked the little video button, but this weird game thing came up instead. It was super scary! Do these computers do that a lot? I don't want to play some scary game every time I try to get on here to send a message...

[ooc: game thing based on our lovely network faq ♥]

Is it...over? Is everybody okay?

[Labrys was hesitant, speaking like she was either upset over something or just hadn't wanted to record video in the first place. The mechanical girl's red eyes didn't quite look at the camera, slightly downcast.]

Uh--listen, if anybody's got time, I could kinda use some help. If anyone knows stuff about fixin' machinery, could ya meet me somewhere? It ain't hard, I can tell ya what needs repairin' and all that.

[She paused as if considering whether to end it there or not.]

...And, uh...Hidetoshi? Can I talk to ya when y' got a minute?

[Video]

[Oh look, it's the resident bowlcut again. He gives a faint nod to the feed before speaking.]

I hope not many of us fell victim to Jason's tricks earlier. It's bad enough that we had to suffer from it. Maybe we should have another party to celebrate? ...With whatever we can gather, anyway.

[Locked to Teddie]

Hey, Teddie. I have a small favor to ask of you. When you see this, meet me on the music floor, alright?

[Locked to Izanami]

...I have a message for you from another, and we need to talk.

["Failed" private, successful anon text to admin]

hey, jason. yu mad, bro?

[Why, yes. Yes, he is trolling! ....Though that might have been a spelling error on his part. Either way, screw you, Jason. WE DO WHAT WE WANT.]

[The feed flickers later on in the morning in midst of the creeping fog settling within the lower levels (for now) of the tower before a clear voice speaks through. Despite the growing difficulty to see through it, he seems to have no trouble?]

Everyone, stay calm and listen. If my hunch is right, this fog is different from the kind that lingers outside this tower and if that's the case, there are some things you should know about it. You see... this fog is similar to the fog in a world I know.

For those who can't read well, I'll read it aloud... but the basics will be here in text.

[He pauses before speaking again, having only stopped to compose himself.]

( MOTHER OF GOD ALL THIS SHADOW SELF INFO... )
[He pauses again before nodding to the screen.]

If any of you need any help for however long this lasts, the Investigation Team will be going around helping to tame any berserk Shadows that manifest. You'll be able to tell us apart from others because we don't have problems seeing through it for one reason or another.... usually special glasses.

[lol whut? ...For some reason, it looks like he's serious. He grows even more serious after this last pause and he filters the feed to his team and the others who know the power of Persona.]

( Filtered to Persona Users + People from their worlds )
This is going to bring back a lot of memories...

[ It's been kind of a rough day for Yukiko, but she's managed to put on a smile for the camera. Thankfully the terminal was easy enough for her to figure out, so here she is with as proper of a look as she can manage with a strange collar around her neck. The yellow liquid matches well with the colors on her uniform surprisingly enough, standing out against the black of her hair. ]

Um hello? [ Even if she has put on a strong facade, her meek demeanor slips out with a shaky start. ] I was told that looking for people was easier through this network, so I hope this message reaches the right people.

[ Erk! ] Even if not, I'd be happy to talk with anyone! Please. [ Admittedly, it's a lot to take in and by this point in the day, she's starting to feel more overwhelmed than anything. ]

My name is Yukiko Amagi and I'm a student from Yasogami High School. Is there anyone who's familiar with that here? [ Spoken with as much formality as can be expected from a newcomer. ]

If not, maybe you've heard of some of my friends? Chie Satonaka, Yosuke Hanamaru, Kanji Tatsumi--[ Maybe she shouldn't list the ones that are troublemakers first. ]--er, maybe Yu Narukami? I thank you for your time and I hope that this message wasn't too much trouble for you.