pawnstorm | INTRO ♚ MARCH

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INTRO ♚ MARCH

WELCOME TO Palamède

We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

ONE ♟ The Narcissa Expo

Once you’re all dressed and ready, you and the rest of the Heroes are off to the ports to take a ferry! To where, you ask? If you ask your floor nanny or the Heroes who arrived last month, they can fill you in: to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Enprise’s world expositions, this year’s world expo (dubbed The Narcissa Expo) will be held at Palamède, Blanc! Palamède is an island one hour away from Caissa by ferry, so once they arrive, the Heroes will find themselves greeted by sunny weather and white beaches. Unfortunately, the temperatures won’t allow for a dip, but the world expo awaits!

Did the library books leave you curious what the other countries have to offer? Well, wonder no more! At each country’s grand exhibit, you might find Othellians displaying steel craftwork often found in their cathedrals, Mancalans proud of their cocoa concoctions and colorful pottery, L’adderans inviting you to try their spicy cuisine, Mahbusans leaving you in awe of their exotic jewelry, Ma Jiangs enchanting you with their vivid and flowing fabrics, or Gammons showing curious Heroes how to process a sheep’s wool! Shearing included! (The Kingdom of Gammon is not responsible for any injuries received, joining in will happen at the Hero’s own risk.) Heroes get discounts at all exhibits, and if they manage to impress these merchants, they might get some freebies, too!

After a few hours, many visitors will be drawn towards the center stage. The lights in the room dim and the buzzing of the crowd grows quieter amid their excitement. Then, neon lights, spotlights, and a big screen flashing the logo of Blanc’s number one 12-member idol group, Moon’s! The crowd goes wild. Attentive Heroes may have noticed the signs and posters announcing their arrival, who would have thought they were this popular? Some members of the audience are already throwing stuff onto the stage despite the show not having started yet and a starry-eyed man is bouncing up and down near the front. Is that a fairy wearing a I ☾ MOON’S shirt?

Phew! After the last idol has left the stage with a wave, the crowd begins to disperse. Mechanical cleaners swoop in and get rid of even the smallest piece of confetti, wilting flowers and the stray lingerie. If Heroes attempt to climb the stage, they will be shooed off by the broom brandishing robots. Looks like they want to do this on their own! What for?

If Heroes stick around, they may begin to notice the large stalls set up in a half circle near the stage. When did that happen? Anyway, it seems there are some contests going on, like the ever-popular eating contest. Another stall seems to be inviting Heroes to show off their cute carriers so the public can vote on the cutest one! For the brave, one stall offers wrangling with a sentient plant with large vines. Are you going to let a plant best you? On the stage, the robots are finally satisfied and move to the sides. The middle part of the stage begins to rise up a little with a hiss, small puffs of steam accompanying the sound. Is that a runway? Some Heroes may be asked by harried-looking staff members to act as models for fashions from around the world.

Those who have not forgotten the horror which greeted the Heroes over the last few weeks in the mess hall will be pleased to know that the various food stalls are offering free samples again! Time to regain all that weight you may have lost!

	Teddy Wow, just look at everything! Isn’t this fun? Let’s go look over there! [ gestures towards ten stalls ] And over there, too!
	Verdoni I cannot believe the Parliament still insisted on this ridiculous gathering when the war draws close. [ OBVIOUSLY PISSED ] Have they no sense of urgency?
	Teddy Why not take a break once in a while? You’ve earned it! I hear the ladies need someone to dance with.
	Verdoni [ heavy sigh ] Has your logic failed you, Prime Minister, or are you as dense as those fools? A break is out of the question when Noir is currently sailing our seas.

TWO ♟ Noir's Warning

It’s been a lovely day, right? Mechanic birds are singing and the streetlamps almost seem like blooming flowers. On a day like this, what could possibly go wrong? The answer is everything.

Mana crystal displays all over the world expo glitch and briefly switch to a peculiar black flag you haven’t seen since you arrived in this strange, new world. The crowd falls silent, and you get the feeling it isn’t out of excitement. Then, the feed pans to a lovely young woman clad in regal garb and jewelry. She raises a hand in mock surprise.

	??? My, my! All this and I wasn’t invited? Oh, how cruel of you to forget about poor Princess Katya!
	??? FOOLS! [ the princess bares her fangs and the background behind her goes up in flames ] Did you really think we wouldn’t strike without an invitation? With the whole world watching, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. [ smirks ] Hello, Blanc. And… Heroes. [ licks her lips ] Noir may have fallen once by your hand. However! From this day forth, I, Princess Yekaterina of Noir, shall show you the empire’s true power!
	Yekaterina [ bites her finger as her face flushes in bliss ] Haa, haa… I can’t wait to know what you Heroes taste like…
	Teddy Oh, it’s Katya! Ahaha, she really wanted to attend for you, Alex! Look at all her effort; only someone truly in love will strike fear into the hearts of many while trying to impress you with her vampire fangs. They’re obviously fake, though…
	Verdoni …Pardon. You knew of this, yet you didn’t bother to inform me?
	Teddy Oh! I thought I told you earlier. It must’ve slipped my mind!
	Teddy But never fear, I trust you. [ slaps a hand on his shoulder ] Show the Heroes the strategies that make you the greatest in all the land! [ RADIANT SMILE ] Go marry her.
	Verdoni I already married this job long ago.
	Yekaterina Noir couldn’t send a proper delegation, but I do hope you enjoy my presents. Don’t look away, Lord Verdoni… I’ll show you how beautiful I’ve become. [ strikes a pose ] In the name of the rose!

A scream pierces the air. The lovely sculptures Heroes may have gazed at with appreciative eyes seem to have lost any of their beauty as they begin to move forward with deadly intent. Their lips part in a soundless wail as they reach out and begin to strangle frightened civilians. The crowds scatter in a wild panic. Stands are knocked over in the relentless effort to get to safety. People are pushed to the ground, disappearing underneath hasty feet with a wordless cry of distress.

Verdoni
Everyone, attention! Immediately convert what is within reach into barricades and usher the citizens behind them. Do not hold back, and hurry! I could care less if that statue costs an organ and a limb. I better not see halfwits blocking the way—build on the sides. And stay away from the center if you value your lives.

Others running past a stall with instruments come to an abrupt stop, enthralled by the sight and sounds of a lovely music box. The dancers spin and spin and spin before they pull out clumsily crafted knives. It’s bewitching, lovely and hideous because soon, those who watched start attacking one another, scratching and raking fingernails and of they can get their hands on something sharp, they will attempt to stab one another.

Down the art galleries, some people stand frozen, staring at nothing. Their eyes are wide and their faces deathly pale as they find they can’t tear their gaze away from some of the paintings. They’re trapped in their own little world and anyone who tries to get them to safety will find the civilian fearful and confused, running into the opposite direction or struggling to get away from the helpful soul who tried to save them.

It is an utter nightmare.

Verdoni
Tch… They’ve got us. Focus on crowd control; we can clean up afterwards. Avoid running around like buffoons—I don’t need the Heroes adding to the chaos! Properly escort the citizens and continue leading them to the barricades. I trust that a majority of you know basic magic at this point… Soothe them with healing or calming spells! And if you don’t, then I permit to use your fist!

And that wasn’t even half of it. Explosions rock the building the exhibition is held in, and the brightly-colored lights that bloom out of nowhere only serve to disorient the crowd further. In addition to the enchanted exhibition items, monsters will burst out of summoning circles deliberately placed in stuffed animals and dolls, leaving children especially vulnerable. The monsters seem to reflect the toy which they came from so Heroes may find lions and bears running around, followed by the occasional, vicious sheep. Don’t be fooled: these monsters are dangerous. Their teeth and claws are real and they will not be holding back.

Verdoni
Good. Now, finish this unwanted celebration. Wipe them out, and ensure that they do not cross past the barricades. For the dimwitted, may I remind that aside from water magic, you can use thick cloth to put out flames. Be resourceful—there’s hundreds of tents here!

It’s time to show why you hold your title, brave Hero.

THREE ♟ Aftermath

	Yekaterina That’s right, run! Scream for your lives! Ahaha, watching all this chaos is getting me excited… Mm, I’m so close! Oh, Verdoni… Lord Verdoni, are you watching—
	Verdoni [ not here; he has good priorities. what about you? ]
	Yekaterina Tch! … No matter. I suppose this is, how you say, drawing first blood?
	Yekaterina [ chuckles ] Da svidaniya, Blanc.

What was once a cheerful exhibition now lies in shambles. Most of the stalls and exhibits have been destroyed in the frenzied fighting and horrified bystanders have huddled together in corners. Others lie gasping on the ground, clutching open wounds in hopes of stemming the blood flow. Some already lie still, their eyes glassy.

A young woman keeps walking in circles and lashes out at everyone who approaches, still suffering under the confusion clouding her mind. Some children wander the halls, their cheeks tear stained and blotchy as they call for their parents. Near the stage, a fashionably dressed man is clutching the remains of what used to be a dress, bemoaning the loss of his masterpiece, the love of his life and muse all rolled into one. It is clear these people require aid: healing, potions and someone talking them through the worst.

As Verdoni mentioned earlier, Heroes who have been practicing their healing spells and status spells which soothe the heart will be of use here, but even those who haven’t will find someone asking for help, whether it involves joining search parties or rescue missions dedicated to clearing the rubble to save the civilians trapped inside. Some may choose to organize the various groups within the area and restore some semblance of order. Others may find their calling in comforting lost souls, those who cannot deal easily with harrowing experiences.

After all, they thought they were safe.

INFO ♟ Welcome!

Welcome to Crosscheck's March intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Here's a good candidate for 'needs to calm the hell down', but, nah. Naaah. Yukari has no chill.]

Sorry, it's fine. I'm not tired yet. I'll pull out if I am. [She doesn't even look up at him as she responds, and it's not until an eagle swoops down, touching a claw against her hair on its way past, that she finally stands to look at him.

And...

Nah, she has no idea who he is.] I know my limit... usually.

[Not without Io, and with the fact she hasn't even figured out that she can do magic yet. She at least knows the wind affinity of her weapon?]

[ You need to chill, Yukari. Souji doesn't know her and he might be overstepping his boundaries here by telling her what to do, but he feels like this is important. ]

You should still rest. Pushing yourself until you're tired isn't good for you either.

[Ding ding. Yukari and her touchiness about her personal freedoms are a bad topic to push.]

... Yeah, but I'm used to it by now. Hey, hand me that blue one behind you. [She motions to the potions a little near him, but behind. This definitely would be easier if she'd had the chance to figure out how mana and healing abilities work here, but she had been here all of like two hours before being whisked off onto a boat and landed in the middle of a party, so she has no idea how to handle even the basic pawn healing magic.]

[ Souji doesn't push it again once she insists because he knows it's not his place so he'll do what she's asking instead, picking up a potion and holding it out. He might try to get her to take a break after he sees what she does after with the potion and whatnot though. ]

This one?

Yeah, that's the one. [It might be a good thing he's so much taller than her, because she pivots on her foot and marches quickly right back the direction she'd just come from, where a group of people seems to be huddled together with some water and a couple blankets draped over shoulders, and approaches them - quickly.

One of the people is nursing a badly wounded leg.] Here, try drinking this when the pain starts to come back. Everyone else more or less okay? [At a wave of nods through the crowd, she stands back up, rolls her shoulder... and stares at him.] I'm going to help, and keep helping, 'cuz not doing it when I can is no better than being part of the problem. I'm fine for now... this isn't too bad.

[ He watches her carefully and he's starting to get a bit of an idea of how she's like. He can agree with her way of thinking and he thinks it's admirable to keep on helping but he also knows that it's also important to rest. ]

I know. Then how about this? Let me take over for just a few minutes so you can catch your breath then afterwards, we'll work together.

[ He thinks that's a good compromise. This way, he can take the load off her shoulders just a bit. ]

... There's a lot of people that need help, and I'm not totally tired yet. [Is her first, stubborn response, because if there is one thing about Yukari to learn early, it's that she's bullheaded in the worst ways.

Still, the proposition gives her enough pause that she folds her hands behind her back, and looks at him.] I guess... a couple minutes won't hurt anything, though. [She's reserving right to jump back into the fray if she sees something get worse, though.]

[ Phew, she agreed to take a few minutes off. That's good. He gives a small smile and nods. ]

All right. Just sit around for a bit and find me once you're ready to go. I'll be around.

[ He hasn't had the time to learn how to use any sort of healing magic yet but he knows some first aid and he can run around to gather some supplies for the civilians. He'll help out the surrounding groups and not stray too far away from her general area so they can totally tag team together. He better not see her trying to sit down for like 30 seconds before going off to help again. ]

[She just... watches him for a good, long moment, which is a motion mimicked by her Carrier, before she heads for one of the nearby planters, and plops down to lean back against it for a moment.

Sitting down... she can finally feel the weight of her exhaustion dropping onto her head. She'll question later why she's willing to yield to someone like him as opposed to digging her heels in harder, but for now she'll chalk it up to just being tired.

For all the chaos and noise, the sun is warm, and the air is nice. It's definitely not fall like it was back home, before she came here. In fact, she even dozes off for a couple minutes before a noise trips her 'used to waking up around midnight' senses and she jumps upright. Ugh, how long was she out? Hopefully not long. Argus, who at some point jumped onto the planter, nudges the back of her head, and Yukari starts to stand back up.] Ugh, can't sit for too long...

[Except now the weariness really is dragging at her. Resting was a mistake. Now where did he... (And why is she actually looking for him? She could just go back into the fray)]

[ While Yukari rests, Souji takes the time to start tending to the injured. He knows some basic first aid, during his time as the Investigation Team's leader and as apart of the health committee at school, so he handles the less severely wounded civilians. He cleans their wounds to make it easier for the healers and grabs supplies. He doesn't accomplish much within the few minutes but he does make himself useful at least. He was on his way back to a group when he spots Yukari up and ready, so he walks on over, holding a few water bottles in his hands. ]

Hey. How are you feeling?

[ He holds out a bottle for her. ]

[She knows it's their job to be helpful and kind to other people, but man this guy is taking it to the next level.

... She wishes she could rail against it more, but it's familiar in a weird way. But how does she know this... no one is usually this helpful... hm. She'll ponder more on it.]

I'm uh... more tired than I was before, I guess. But I'm not gonna stop. [And that? That is the kind of look that just dares him to say anything about it.] Just gotta get up and moving and I bet I'll be back in again.

[ It's just a side effect of being from a super cheery and happy Persona game where friendship is literally the answer to everything. Being nice is just a trait a protagonist of P4 must have. ]

[ But he manages to catch that look and doesn't try to push her back into resting. She did already agree to take a break like he wanted so he doesn't really have anything to complain about so he nods. ]

I'll help you out then. [ He motions his head to one of the groups sitting off. ] I was just about to bring over some water for them. They have minor injuries but they need to be looked at.

[ Start it easy before moving onto more of the seriously injured. How does that sound?

[Something about being overly helpful, though... hmmmmmmm...

Oh wait, she's staring, isn't she? She'll just helpfully look to the side and pretend she wasn't.]

Ah... o-okay, then! Let's get started there, then! [She turns on the ball of her foot, abruptly, and heads toward where he'd indicated, striding with purpose, but slowly rolling her shoulders, stretching out her arms, her back a little. That little rest really did drive in how tired she really is, but she's being stubborn, and truly refusing to be useless.

... She just hates that she can't summon Io. Even if it might freak some people out, if she could hit them all with some sort of healing spell, it would make this whole thing so much easier. It's bothering her. A lot. Yet, all she does is smile and bear it.] You wanna keep on the plan of grabbing the water? I'll see what might need some healing and what might just need a bandage. [Something she feels at least somewhat qualified for. It's a pity she doesn't have her usual uniform on, or Souji would be able to catch her wearing a brightly colored sweater - the mark of the Persona Main Healer.

Either way, she doesn't hesitate, and immediately approaches the group, talking sweetly and quietly to not startle them and asking to assess their injuries. Combat medic to the rescue!]

[ What's wrong with being overly helpful! It's not a super bad trait to have. ]

Got some bottles right here. [ He holds up his hands to show a few of the bottles. ] I'll drop them off and grab some extra supplies though.

[ Which he'll do right now, handing out the water to everyone. He'll nod to her before he runs off to grab more things. He totally gets her frustration and not being able to summon a Persona. He's never realized how much he took them for granted until he was completely unable to call upon them. At least with status aliments such as silence, he could have someone else heal them or he could use an item, so he's never really had an situation where he couldn't anything with his Personas at all. After that battle and with how many are injured here, it's almost infuriating that he can't help as much as he can. ]

[ He's taken off his jacket to use as a sort of sling for all the things he's carrying back. He's figured that he could save a second trip to run back for more things so he's got a few more water bottles and a bunch of bandages. He'll just place it down next to Yukari once he returns. ]

How's it coming along so far?

[No, but it is familiar.] Yeah, just keep runnin' those, and I'll see what I can do here. [She starts into work immediately - Minor injuries here, she treats the best she can without wasting much of the supplies - a sprain here, some cuts and bruises there. Most of those she just makes sure are clean and bandaged at worst, a couple of the people with ankle injuries or things which affect total mobility to get home or to a real doctor she gives potions over to.

She's mostly through the group before he comes back.] I think a lot of people are more rattled than they are hurt. A couple sprained ankles... I'm just trying to make sure people can walk later and get out of here when they need to.

[She still looks about ready to fall over at a moment's notice, though.]

You're helpin' out a lot, too. Thanks. [She doesn't say that often, and she sort of looks away as soon as the word's out of her mouth, but hey. Back to focusing on not passing out!]

[ He knows better than to ask her to take another break. He is concerned about her wellbeing but he also doesn't want to be super unbearable and pushy about this. He figures that even if he did insist again, she wouldn't listen and it'd just sour the mood. He'll just stick close and keep an eye on her in the meanwhile. ]

[ He gives a small smile at her thanks. ]

It's the least I could do. [ He'd feel like complete shit if he just stood around and didn't help anyone. There's seriously no reason for him not to go around to help. ] You're pretty good at this though. Everything seems to be going smoother with your help.

Um... I kinda have experience? Well, not like this, I guess. [How much does she want to reveal about this.] Normally, I can heal in other ways but... they kinda took that away here. And I haven't figured out the other ways to do it, exactly. They didn't give me much time to ask questions before I got shoved on that boat out here.

[ Other ways, huh? Hmm, Souji can understand since he also had his Personas taken away but he doesn't know if it's the same thing and if he exactly wants to reveal any of this as well. ]

You mean something similar to the magic here?

[ He hasn't used any himself since he didn't really learn any or read about it, but he did gather some info and based on how that one guy started yelling during Noir's warning about magic, he at least knows that it's a thing here. Plus, he guesses this is a good way for him to ask what she means by other experience without directly asking her what it is. ]

[Well, if it's common here, maybe she can...] Yeah, something like that. But whatever they have here is definitely different in... practice, I guess, than what I'm used to. So I have no idea how to do healing spells. I was gonna look it up, but... [She motions toward the fair. Again, she got stuck here.]

But they threw us out here first. [ He finishes her sentence for her. He gets what she's trying to say and feels the frustration, being tossed onto a boat without much time for anything else. ] Well, I know how you're feeling.

[ How she's feeling? About how magic is different here or that he doesn't know how to do any of the spells as well? He'll just leave that vague for her to wonder. ]

How about we hit up the library together after everything calms down?

Yeah. [SIGH. This is her enjoying this. At all. (Not at all). She doesn't much wonder about it, because her thought train is derailed by his next statement.

Hmmm... is the protag swag getting to her or is she just tired? Now there's the question of the year, because she pauses for long enough to just. Look at him...

.. And then looks away.] Yeah. Well, we'll have to go back, right? That's where our 'rooms' are or whatever, so I guess it's good we won't be stuck here.

[ Fall into the protag swag, Yukari, you cannot deny it for so long, or at least accept it then deny it once you see him eating a bunch of random grass. ]

They'll probably send a ferry for us to get back. It wouldn't make too much sense having us stranded here if we're their "heroes".

[ Or at least he doesn't think it'd make any sense. ]

I'll come pick you up after and we can try looking up some spells together. Then we'll be prepared for next time.

["Come pick her up", what is this, a date?

...

...

... She's reading too much into it. Because she always does, so it makes her not so surprisingly, additionally... tensed up.]

Y-yeah. You um... have any kind of specialty? The best I could do back home was a lot of healing and wind-element spells.

[Yeah, talk more about your Persona to divert from the swag and how it affects your poor Lovers Arcana soul, Yukari. She does smile, though! It's... about as fake as it can be.]

[ She's definitely reading too much into it. Souji doesn't even intend to sound really smooth half the time. It's just natural to him. ]

[ Healing and wind, huh? That sounds... a bit similar to the stuff back in the TV World but he guesses that can be kind of common. He figures that he doesn't really have to keep the whole special abilities thing a secret here, not when it seems kind of commonplace for magic, and when she's sharing what she could do, but he'll still keep it vague. You now, just in case. ]

I was pretty lucky. I wasn't really limited to just one type but I guess if I had to pick, electricity was my specialty. Probably only because I started with it. [ He still used Izanagi from time to time as well. It's hard getting rid of your very first Persona. ] A friend of mine is similar to you, though he wasn't as good with healing as he was with wind-based skills.

[Lovers Arcana does take a -5 penalty against Protag Charm, as well. So it's her own fault, really.]

Yeah? That was the best I could do, though. My - ... Um, I mean, the only real thing I could do physically is hit with a bow. I kinda bruise easily, too. [V. V. mage-type.] I guess it doesn't matter here, though. Maybe I should take up learning something else? [She grimaces as she thinks of the attacks not long ago. She'd been able to fight down some of the constructs, and the other monsters, but that just made her more tired. And it still hurt when she got smacked a couple times.] ... Nah, I think I'll probably stick to helping and healing people.

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