Testing Post: TESTING HARDER

[stringmods]

We hope you'll enjoy your stay. But is this just a dream? You remember the man who said you were here as a special guest...don't you?

[[OOC - Welcome to the test post! Don't worry too much about Persona stats or your levels here, just come out and make up a scenario about what they are doing. Try out your potentials and interact with the city around you! We'll supply some NPCs once in a while when you least expect it (after all have to test those out too, right?)]]

Comments

[primordial]

In a way.

[He seems to be dancing around his words, choosing them carefully, like he's walking through a minefield.]

Why? Well, in a way, yes. And no.

[A pause.]

Punishment. That's why.

[selfgodded]

Punishment? I do not understand. Why was there punishment?

[They seemed genuinely confused]

I do not believe in punishments. Humans are humans, and to punish them for acting within their human nature seems...detrimental.

[primordial]

I did tell you he wasn't human, didn't I?

[An amused huff, though he lapses into sad silence again after a few seconds.]

...I'm not saying why I was punished, though. Too personal.

[selfgodded]

[Although the mask hid their face, it was clear that they were pouting in disappointment]

...fine. Tell me your name at least.

[primordial]

[A shrug.]

Sam. You?

[selfgodded]

[There was a bit of a pause]

Before I answer, I must ask: what do I appear as to you? A man or a woman?

[primordial]

[He blinks in surprise, before looking the person up and down with a worried sort of expression.]

This isn't a trick question, right? You're not going to slap me if I say the wrong thing or anything, are you?

[selfgodded]

No. I won't harm you. There is no wrong answer. It's just that my name depends on what you perceive me as.

[primordial]

I don't know, actually...I mean, you act a lot like a woman, I think. But for some reason, I think man. I don't know why. I would say "neither", if that was an option...

Do you ever take that mask off, though?

[selfgodded]

No.

[Their voice became sharp then, a hand lifting to press against their mask protectively]

It is never to be removed... so you say 'man', do you?

[primordial]

Yeah, I guess I'll say man. For now.

[And he tilts his head curiously, like a bird.]

Why not, though? Is there something...scary underneath there?

[selfgodded]

No. My face is relatively unremarkable, but it isn't appropriate for mortals to see a God's face without permission.

[He lowers his hand from his face, and gestures vaguely]

You have picked 'man'. In that case, my name is Leo.

[primordial]

Kind of like Zeus, huh? You look upon the face of a God and you get either killed or go mad in the process.

[There's a pause, and then he lets out a laugh, as if reminded or a particularly intricate inside joke.]

Leo, huh? You're named like one of the districts here, you know.

[selfgodded]

Yes, I know. This mortal body was born beneath the Great Lion, so I thought the name fitting.

[primordial]

Great Lion? What is that, another god?

[selfgodded]

The constellation. The Leo astrology sign. Do they not have it in your world?

[primordial]

Oh, no, they do. They don't call it the Great Lion or anything. Just Leo.

[A slight pause.] I'm a Scorpio, myself.

[selfgodded]

Scuttling scorpion, sharp pincers and poisonous sting...

[A small laugh]

A good sign. Very few wish to anger a scorpion.

[primordial]

[He rubs his arm with an uncomfortable look, as if he doesn't want to be associated with such a dangerous thing.]

I guess...I'm nothing like a scorpion, though. I'd rather stay away from danger than get involved in it.

[selfgodded]

That is what a scorpion is like! They only attack when threatened. I know. There were many in the Wastes. Smart predators.

[primordial]

Hmmm. I guess...

[His frown only deepens.]

So...anyways. Um. You've got one too, right? The personality-thing. Persona, I think?

[selfgodded]

Of course! It is a being of both madness and ecstasy, of passionate celebration, and revelry in base human instincts. I like him. What is yours?

[primordial]

So, basically, it's like you.

[And oh boy, that question makes him shrink away, like a boy who's been caught cheating in class. His eyes dart from side to side nervously as he rubs his other arm slowly.]

Um. Well...I'm not sure what it is, really. It's a...thing. A-a monster.

I don't like it at all, really...

[selfgodded]

A 'thing'?

[Leo tilts his head from side to side, as if puzzled by such words]

A Persona is the representation of your soul, yes? That is my understanding. Are you saying that your soul is of a monster's? That doesn't fit. You are human.

[primordial]

I don't know, I really don't know...I mean, I don't think I'm a monster! I can't be, right?

[And then at the last part, there's a slight laugh, and his squinted eyes darkly glimmer with amusement for a few seconds- oh, dear Leo, looking human doesn't always mean being human. Sam doesn't confirm or deny that last statement, though.]

Maybe this place thinks that way, based on all the things I've done...