It's not intrinsic to any of the other Phantom Thieves either, except for Futaba. None of them are rebelling against society for rebellion's sake, but rather, because they were left with no other recourse.
I still maintain that as a magus he will be more skeptical about a supernatural being treating him like a pawn and the consequences of stealing hearts.
He'll be more skeptical sure. But to the extent tbat he wouldn't do the same thing as Joker and not attempt to help people with this new power he's obtained? I highly disagree with that. Like, I don't see how being skeptical of Igor or of Morgana would effectively change any of the Phantom Thieves' main actions in the story.
While he is willing to kill, that was during the Holy Grail War and I do not think he will be willing to risk killing someone who he thinks does not deserve to die.
Yeah. Which is why the game throws Kamoshida as the first antagonist, since he's the most personally vile of the main targets. Like I said, Ryuji and Joker had the same reservations about using the Metaverse to steal people's hearts up and potentially killing Kamoshida until the incident with Shiho. And they likely would have made their move even faster if they had discovered proof of Kamoshida's sexual assaults.
Perk Gained: The Everdistant Utopia
Her sheath is still within you, granting protection. Its strength is far weaker with her gone, but it stubbornly holds on.
0.5% of your health will be healed every minute, and major wounds will take half of the time to recover from. You are immune to poison.
Excuse me, AbyssalDivine, but could you update [The Everdistant Utopia] perk, so that is also shows the Posion immunity that it provides on shirou's character sheet. Sorry to bother you again, but i'd rather not forget about the effect if it ever happens to come up.
Excuse me, AbyssalDivine, but could you update [The Everdistant Utopia] perk, so that is also shows the Posion immunity that it provides on shirou's character sheet. Sorry to bother you again, but i'd rather not forget about the effect if it ever happens to come up.
I'm very curious as to who Shirou's Persona would be. Or his Starting Persona, if he ends up as a Wild Card. Igor and the Twins are probably going to be able to notice the influence of All The World's Evils in Shirou, at least somehow. I... feel like Third Eye ( at least, the way it manifested for Ren ) would probably interact with Bloodhound somehow?
Also this. All of the Shirous at Quest start are NOT ready for anything like romance. Holy Grail Completed and Heaven's Fall are in committed relationships, Sparks Liner High is a complete amnesiac, and Hero of Justice/Mind of Steel is... him.
I wouldn't say he's a blank slate, all of the Persona protagonists have personalities that have been shown even if it's in non-major speaking role ways.
Honestly, Shirou is weird in that I'd more expect him to have a Palace than a Persona as he is. Fate route never really addresses his distorted mindset much other than others picking up on it. UBW forces him to face it head on even if he essentially decides "No, I'm good with it." (and he has Rin to hopefully keep him from going too off the rails) while HF True he resolves it by discarding that mindset in favor of Sakura/his own self (depending on how pessimistic/optimistic you want to to view the route. I'm an optimist on it personally, at least how the FSN EN translation presents it.) And that's not even getting into how this Shirou has Angra Mainyu in his head on top of everything else. Though you'd think his Palace would basically be some mashup of Unlimited Blade Works and the Fuyuki Fire.
He could probably get by without a Persona here (at least at first) with magecraft but Yaldabaoth might be able to cheat and give him one anyway but that also could be a bit of a trip - again, given Angra. I'd think it'd result in him probably getting some Persona known for dual facets/personalities. Think Jekyl/Hyde as a Servant analogue though not quite that.
Fate never addresses it because Shirou falling in love with Saber, and getting Saber over her own issues and making peace with her life effectively helps him sidestep a lot of the unhealthy ways his mindset manifests in the other routes. Basically, Saber's issues hold a giant mirror up to Shirou's face.
This comes to a climax in the basement scene where Kirei offers Shirou to use the Grail to prevent the Fuyuki Fire, potentially saving thousands of lives at the cost of his own current existence. A parallel to Saber's Wish to erase herself and replace her with a better King for Camelot, and mirroring Archer's own choice to become a Counter Guardian in order to save thousands of lives. And it ends with Shirou turning him down.
Basically, Shirou undergoes similar development in HF and UBW; he accepts his ideals have a limit and it's fine to accept that but still do his best to uphold them anyway, as well as finding someone he treasures more than his own ideals. And he does this because his ideals change from "Becoming a Hero of Justice" to "Seeing Saber Again". But because the Route focuses and revolves around Saber and Shirou's relationship, it's hard to see how Shirou changes until you read UBW and HF, where his distorted mindset is placed in the forefront of those Routes' conflicts, and subsequently challenged.
So, no. I wouldn't expect Fate Shirou to develop a Palace. Now, MoS/Hero of Justice Shirou? Yeah, that dude has *issues* XD.
Not too long after dinner you gently knock on Sae's door. After a few seconds, she responds with 'Come in'.
Her room is perfectly organized, as you expected. Not a speck of dust or a stray piece of clothing. The desk is the only exception, hosting a clutter of papers. Even then you're sure each one is exactly where she wants it to be.
"Hi, I just wanted to… talk?" The words feel stupid as soon as you say them.
'Beautiful start there, smooth talker.'
'Not helping.'
'I know!'
She pauses for a while, scrutinizing you. "Just… talk?"
"You had mentioned that you don't spend much time here, so I thought I should try to spend time with you while I can." For a second, you're sure she will decline and tell you she's busy.
"...Alright." She shuts the laptop she was using. "Let's talk, then." You didn't think that would work. Enough so that you can't think of what to say. "You hadn't thought of what exactly to talk about, had you?"
'Holy shit this is embarrassing.'
'Then help me!'
'Ask her what she likes to do or something!'
"...So," You finally start. "What do you like to do when you aren't working?"
"Well, I… suppose I don't have anything. Even when I'm off work I spend most of my time reviewing cases."
"Really? Nothing?" How could someone just not have a hobby?
'You realize how incredibly hypocritical that is, right?'
She makes an incredibly slight glance at her laptop, before stating. "I'm just too busy. I don't have time to play around."
'She's hiding something…'
'No shit.'
'Did you just swear!? I'm telling your dad- oh, wait. Nevermind.'
54 vs 40. Pass.
59(Roll)
-5(Rank E Composure)
It takes a lot out of you to not react visibly to what he says. That was a low blow, and it stuns you for a bit how quickly he seems to skip between banter and actual disdain.
"What about you, then? Surely you must have something if you feel like criticizing my lack of hobbies."
That was not what you had wanted her to follow up with, even if you should have expected it.
"I guess that would be cooking-" You feel your throat close suddenly.
'Do NOT say that cleaning is your hobby too.'
'What did you do?'
'Huh? Wait, did that… Oh, hell yes. It's my time to-!' Your vocal cords feel normal again. 'FUCK!'
"You know, I don't think cooking would be considered a hobby by most people your age." Considering her generally serious disposition you'd almost think she was teasing you. "Hoping to become a chef? Perhaps a stay-at-home husband?" She is. Huh.
"Maybe I am." Two can play at this game. "Why, any of your coworkers looking for one? I've been told I make killer bentos." She slightly jerks from shock, before staring at you, then doing something utterly inconceivable.
She giggles. Only for a second before she stops herself, but you consider it a personal victory.
The two of you chat for a while longer before you're finally shooed out of her room, with her reminding you about your meeting tomorrow morning.
Your bond with Sae Niijima has increased by ??? points…?
Soon after you get back to your room, you take a deep breath and turn each of your magic circuits on one by one. Your body is slowly filled with the familiar warmth of magical energy coursing through you.
You've been unable to do your nightly training ever since you arrived here due to the near-constant surveillance, so finally being able to scratch that itch is very satisfying. You don't want to risk making a loud cracking noise from failing Reinforcement, so you limit yourself to projecting some small knives and other objects.
After a couple of hours, you flick the switch off and let yourself cool down and lie down. It takes you a while to get used to laying in a bed, due to your preference for futons, but eventually, drowsiness overtakes you, luring you to unconsciousness…
…and then you wake. Or do you?
Rather than the soft bed you went to sleep on, you're in a sitting position on an uncomfortable chair, with your head and arms laid down on a stone table. You slowly raise your head with an unnatural sense of calm, and observe the new environment around you.
You're in the ruined remains of what looks to be an old European castle, the only parts in pristine condition are blue banners that are hung from the walls, a stylized 'V' emblazoned on each one.
Delicate green grass grows in the cracks of the floor, fed by the light of the sun streaming in from crumbling holes in the ceiling. Soft piano emanates from somewhere unseen, filling the air with a strange ambiance.
You're sitting at a large round table with twenty-three seats, and on the opposite end of you lies a throne, the only filled seat other than your own.
"Trickster… Welcome to my Velvet Room." A man with long pointed ears and a somehow even larger nose, wearing a suit and a rather grotesque smile speaks first. Seeing him on that throne feels exceptionally wrong, for some reason.
"It seems the lousy excuse of a knight has finally decided to wake up!" One of two young girls, seemingly twins, speak up from the man's left side. They're both in medieval-style dresses, with the color matching the decor, and wear eyepatches on opposite sides.
"The you in reality is currently fast asleep. You are only experiencing this as a dream." The other twin speaks from the other side of the man, with a much calmer cadence.
Just a dream, huh…?
"You're in the presence of our master. Sit up straight!" The left one again.
"I don't remember calling myself a knight, and I'm not whatever a 'trickster' is." For some reason that's the first thing that comes out of your mouth.
"Hmhmhm." A throaty chuckle. "Indeed. You share no qualities with a Trickster, yet here you are, and so He you must be." He makes a grandiose gesture, opening his arms. "Welcome. I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room that only those who are bound by a 'contract' may enter. I am Igor, the master of this place. Remember it well."
Nothing he says makes sense to you, but one part sticks out to you the most. "What contract?" Even through the blanket of serenity covering you, the panic in that statement comes through in your speech. You didn't have much time for magecraft lessons with Tohsaka, but you know enough that the word 'contract' coming from a powerful magical entity is bad news.
"Know your place, squire!" The angry one speaks again, and apparently you've been demoted to squire. "Our master will explain what he feels the need to!"
"Still, this is a surprise… The state of this room reflects the state of your own heart. A decaying throne room of a ruined kingdom. It is truly a wonder that one's own heart can manifest as such."
84 vs 50. Pass
84(Roll)
+0(Rank D Insight)
'The state of your own heart'. As he says that, you start to intrinsically understand that feeling of 'wrongness' from earlier. He's not meant to be there. He isn't meant to be in a seat at all. Inversely, the twins are meant to be seated, but only in one chair, somehow? You can't quite extrapolate the reasoning behind your gut feeling, but…
"In the near future," Igor continues speaking. "There is no mistake that ruin awaits you." Your face hardens a bit, and he chuckles again. "I see there is no need to question your resolve. You'll challenge the distortion in this world, no matter what."
"Are you unable to speak in anything but ominous statements or do you just enjoy being a vague prick?" A bit more vitriolic than you had meant for it to be, maybe you're just trying to make up for the fact the voice hasn't spoken.
Wait, why hasn't he?
For some reason, it makes you tense. You stare at Igor, and by the way his smile widens even further, he knows what you're thinking.
"Only those chosen as Guests may enter here, no matter what state they exist in." Somehow it doesn't feel right for him to be missing, now. "Ah, and pardon me for not introducing the others. To my left is Caroline; to my right, Justine. They serve as attendants here."
So, the angry one is Caroline, with her hair in buns, and the other is Justine, with a braid. Caroline gives a 'hmph!' at the acknowledgement, while Justine slightly preens. "I shall explain the roles of these two at another occasion." He believes your return to be set in stone, and considering his ability to seemingly kidnap you from your dreams, he's likely right.
As you open your mouth to question them again, he holds his hand up as if to stop you, and talks again.
"Now then, it seems the night is waning. It is almost your waking hours. Take your time to slowly come to understand this place. We will surely meet again, eventually…" As Igor finishes speaking, the grass below you is suddenly alight with flame, and myriad curses spread over every possible surface. His smile doesn't fade as your vision goes black.
April 10th, 2016
Sunday
You wake up(for real this time) with a start, just to find yourself in your new room once more.
'Fuck dude, wake up calmer, maybe?' Hearing the voice brings you an uncomfortable amount of peace. 'Bad dream or somethin'?'
'Something like that…' It could just be a dream, but you find yourself unable to brush it off. You try explaining the Velvet Room and the strange people, but he just laughs at you for taking a dream so seriously.
You set the matter aside for now and begin your morning routine. You wake up just before five, leaving you with a couple of hours before you leave. You debate making breakfast but don't want to risk the owner's possible ire. So, you just wait, learning a bit more about your phone.
"Good, you're here. Let's go." Luckily, Sae is one for punctuality, so you're able to leave right on time.
After another painfully slow car ride, you've made it to Shujin Academy, and soon after into the principal's office. What follows is almost a one-to-one recreation of every lecture you were given back at the detention center simply with an educational flavor.
That you're a liability, something about extenuating circumstances, immediate expulsion, etcetera. The voice also has some… colorful things to say about the principal's general appearance.
You're able to gain two useful things from this, at least. First, your student ID, and second, you've 'met' your homeroom teacher, Ms. Usami. She didn't say much though, and spent the entire meeting analyzing you.
'Meh, four out of ten.' Well, that's just rude. Incorrect too, you'd say. 'Sorry, you're right. I should've consulted the older woman connoisseur first before making a judgment.'
'What do you even mean by that!?'
'Only one of us has been romantically involved with someone twice their age and it sure isn't me, pal.'
'Only one of us has been in a relationship at all, yet you give your opinion freely. Seems like you're not one to care for experience anyway.'
'...shit. You got me there.'
The rest of your day is spent speed-walking between stores to pick up everything you'll need for the upcoming year, as well as a quick stop for lunch. You end it off with a bookstore, picking up the last of your textbooks. Why they wouldn't just keep them all in a single one you don't know, but it's very inefficient. As you pick up a math textbook off of the shelf, Sae turns to you.
"There's a small portion of the stipend remaining for 'miscellaneous reading', so pick out whatever you would like."
You've never been much of a casual reader, but you would also hate to waste money. There has to be something here that could interest you. Especially since you'll be commuting via train each day.
[ ][Book] Studying Techniques for Dummies
You're not a terrible student, but if you want to excel it would help to be better at Researching.
[ ][Book] Psychology 101
You keep thinking about that strange dream… maybe being a bit more Insightful could help you decipher its meaning?
[ ][Book] Mind Over Matter
A book all about utilizing your Willpower, apparently. You don't know how useful it would be, but it catches your eye.
'Do you happen to have any thoughts?' You try to extend an olive branch to the voice by asking for his advice.
'UGHHHHHH.'
…It seems this isn't his forte.
By the time you're home with all of your supplies, dinner is ready again. Your very essence decides that this can not stand, so you resolve yourself to bring it up after everyone finishes eating.
…Maybe you should've said something during the meal instead. You hadn't realized how little you spoke while eating if there wasn't a rabid tiger egging you on. So it's another silent dinner.
Why aren't either of them talking either…?
You'll admit you aren't an expert in familial relationships, but they seem rather detached. Weirdly professional, almost. Some part of you tells you that it's not your place to pry, but even so, you can't help but want to make it better.
That's for later, though. For now, you have a kitchen to become a part of.
"Hey, Makoto." You catch her attention as the two of you clear the dishes, while barely being able to keep yourself from stuttering over the name. "Could I help out with dinner from now on? I used to cook for myself daily, and it'd hopefully lighten your load a little."
"Oh, sure, if you want to." A very easy acceptance. She isn't territorial, then. "Actually… I was wondering if you'd like to head to school with me tomorrow morning? I heard from Sis that you weren't used to the train system, so…"
It's true, Fuyuki didn't have one of its own and you didn't travel enough for you to get used to. Of course, you're fairly sure you could figure it out easily enough, but it'd be nice to have someone else there.
[ ][Commute] Agree.
You don't see any reason to decline.
'Now, hold on there.' What?
'Shouldn't you be saying something about spending time in close contact with a girl again?'
'I mean, yeah, but do you really want to show up to school with the stick-up-her-ass Student President? Terrible first impression.' Right. You put too much faith in him, and you don't even know why you did.
[ ][Commute](0.5) Go it alone. Not for the reason he said, but if you want to snoop around a bit, it would be best not to have company.
Author's note: Okay, now I should have enough free time to keep working on my Quests. Hopefully that's not tempting fate or anything, again.
Angra has learned he can do things! Barely! Good for him!(Bad for you, probably)
The Velvet Room makes an appearance, with a pretty significant change in scenery. Stealing someone's throne isn't very cash-money of him, though.
I don't really have much to say about this chapter, honestly. The next update will be your first day at school, so that will be something!
[X][Book] Studying Techniques for Dummies
Makes later studying easier.
[X][Commute] Agree
Honestly, it might balance out the delinquent thing. If we're showing up with the student council president, we might be seen as less dangerous?
[X][Book] Mind Over Matter
A book all about utilizing your Willpower, apparently. You don't know how useful it would be, but it catches your eye.
[X][Commute] Agree.
Shirou being smooth with Sae and have eyes on women older than him, that I like.
Research, Insight, Willpower....
Think I'll be trading a minor reduction in day-to-day difficulty for a minor relative increase in event difficulty then
Definitely need to work on increasing that D-Rank Willpower, getting a head start on making sure that Angry Mango can't just take control of us whenever he wants, if he's able to grab our mouth like that this early and almost say something. The last thing we need is him being able to take our whole body for a spin.
Otherwise I probably would've went with psychology, good for picking up on all the hidden meaning behind "Igor" and the twins words.
I don't really see any reason not to agree, Makoto asked out of wanting to be nice and helpful. We can always snoop later, it'd be kinda mean to just reject her out of hand. And y'know, the way Shirou is to begin with, him being associated with Makoto won't really do much to his reputation given his nature, he's a natural good boy, and likes to help people.
He's just got a really serious case of infecting toxic hormones that speak to him.
