Persona Persona Persona

[elementalherodragonlord]

Persona Arcana Meme

→ Post and respond to characters → Click on titles for prompts → Pick & choose or RNG 0-21 for Arcana → Take the prompt as a role or scenario or just inspiration → Have fun!

	0. Fool { the void } innocence, divine inspiration, madness, freedom, spontaneity, inexperience, chaos, creativity, "jack of all trades" Fools are blank slates, those who are able to adapt their personality to any situation at hand. They're protagonists who draw in all kinds of people to themselves--to their benefit and detriment. » A new beginning awaits you! How do you proceed?
	1. Magician { unfailing determination } action, initiative, self-confidence, immaturity, manipulation, power to harness one's talents Magicians may shield themselves from their inferiority complex or identity crisis with their strong sense of confidence. They seek to fufill their inner potential and have a strong vision and aspiration for the future. They also, unfortunately, have an ongoing theme of romantic tragedy. » It's time to practice those skills! What are you doing?
	2. High Priestess { profound wisdom } hidden knowledge or other untapped power, wisdom, female mystery and patience High Priestesses, who are often modest and shy, are hardworking and very intelligent. They are also usually quiet and reserved. Due to highly exigent family members there's a recurring theme of inferiority complexes. » It's time to share your knowledge or wisdom with someone. Maybe tutoring?
	3. Empress { life's grandeur } mothers, prosperity, creativity, sexuality, abundance, fertility, protection, and comfort Empresses, elegant in character, are either women of authority or wise, motherly figures. They present a high degree of care and concern towards others, though some may be cold-hearted in personality. » You find yourself taking care of someone or something. Or are you in need of care?
	4. Emperor { lead one } the desire to control one's surroundings, trying too hard to achieve this, possibly causing trouble for others, some elements in life are just not controllable Emperorers are often male leaders and/or father figures who are often troubled by something very personal and don't know how to deal with it. » Relinquishing control is difficult. Maybe someone can help.
	5. Hierophant { forces that guides } education, authority, conservatism, obedience to rules and relationship with the divine Hierophants are quite wise, logical, and often older. They have a connection to and, at times, an obsession with the past. » Something from the past has come back. Is it good or is it haunting?
	6. Lovers { joy and wonder } two paths life could lead to, standing at a crossroad, needing to make a decision, love and romantic relationships, finding agreement with an ordinary friend or two conflicting elements within Lovers are "spirited" if not "popular" who are cheerful and place an emphasis on social interaction. » There's a decision to be made. Is it romantic or unrelated?
	7. Chariot { pursue one's goals } victory, conquest, self-assertion, self-confidence, control, war, and command Chariots are very driven individuals who have a personal goal or two that they aim to achieve at any cost. It's not uncommon for them to be short-tempered or aggressive. » You're pushing for something to happen. Do you get what you want or push too far?
	8. Justice { one true path } justice, objectivity, rationality and analysis Justices are concered with matters of fairness, and otherwise are very stoic individuals. » Things may be unfair right now. How is this affecting you?
	9. Hermit { oneself honestly } wisdom, introspection, solitude, retreat and philosophical searches Hermits prefer to place themselves in situations that hide themselves from the public eye, such as in more supportive roles that keep them out of the spotlight. » You've been keeping to yourself. How did someone get in?
	10. Fortune { bearer of cruelty } fate, luck, fortune and opportunity Fortunes attempt to seize their own destiny in spite of fate, and are typically involved with making important choices and decisions in response to what life throws at them. » Life has thrown you a curveball. What's next?
	11. Strength { endure suffering } stronger power of self-control, gentleness, courage and virtue over brute force, creative or physical energy Strengths have strength of heart and are not upset easily. They typically portray fortitude. » Your will is strong! Is it good energy or to combat something bad?
	12. Hanged Man { opportunity for renewal } self-sacrifice for the sake of enlightenment, the bindings that make one free, paradoxes and hanging between heaven and earth Hanged Mans are more notable for being caught between two different extremes, parties, or stages in life. They are also sometimes self-sacrificial. » You're caught between circumstances. Where will you emerge?
	13. Death { absolute end } foreboding, doom, metamorphosis and deep change, regeneration and cycles Deaths are associated directly with death and the cycles of change they experience. » There's a change happening. What kind?
	14. Temperance { balance and moderation } synthesis, prudence, harmony, and the merging of opposites Temperances often struggle to find balance in their lives and in their hobbies. » Things are finally coming together! Is it going smoothly?
	15. Devil { impulse and feeling } selfish, impulsive, violent, tempation / healthy bond or commitment Devils are often "devilish" individuals who can be greedy, proud, lustful, or otherwise of poor character. It's not uncommon for them to have somewhat of an antisocial tendency and to not care much for the needs and well-being of others. They are committed to a cause, which is usually their work. » Time to jump into something without thinking! How's that working out?
	16. Tower { the fall } overly arrogant, prejudiced, authoritarian, omen of doom and disaster Towers can be arrogant and will typically find themselves in bad situations where they themselves have fallen from grace. » You're in an unfavorable situation. Can you get out of it?
	17. The Star { it shines } hope, self-confidence, faith, altruism, luck, generosity, peace and joy Stars embody the traits of hopefulness and joy. » There's something to be happy about! Yay!
	18. Moon { psychically } creativity, inspiration, dreams, madness, illusions, fear, fantasy, the subconscious and trickery Moons project their own fears and faults onto others and, because of that fear, they try to correspond to an ideal person. They often tend to have trouble accepting themselves for who they are and there is a hidden depth as to why they act in their behaviors. » You're struggling with something internally. Have you reached out?
	19. Sun { accomplishment } happiness, joy, energy, optimism, and accomplishment, initial happiness Suns almost always, ironically, find themselves in terrible situations which bely the underlying optimism present in nearly all ofo them. They have deep thoughts about the meaning of life and manage to find their answers. » You've accomplished something! That's great!
	20. Judgement { one's calling } deep understanding of life, feeling of acceptance and absolution Judgements are well-aware and quite intelligent who view the world with infinite possibilities and are most powerful when combining their intuition with their smarts. Their thought process is among the most vast and realistic. » You're absolutely certain about something. Is it time to be confrontational?
	21. World { final triumph } world's totality, the symbol of fulfillment, wholeness and harmony World is a power based on the Fool's bonds with others. » Friendship and bonds are important. Don't you agree?

Comments

Haruhi

[obliviousraccoon]

[I think strength, temperance, or even high priestess could work in a persona setting]

HERE WE GO, 1/2 because I'm separating the dungeon from the aftermath

[getoutoftherobot]

[The dungeon is NERV.]

[There are banks of computers lining the walls, outdated and overused, keyboards worn down enough to make the letters unreadable. The ceilings are high and untiled, bare metal designed like they intend to drag something huge and rough through the halls. The shadows wear military outfits and lab coats, walking briskly through the facility like they're always late.]

[The dungeon is a hospital.]

[There's no warning of the change-- a doorway, a turn in the hall, an abrupt change halfway through a room. Any of it can bring you from the grimy shadows of an old industrial laboratory to a sterile hospital. There are no shadows in these sections, and footsteps echo. Tragedy touches the hospital rooms, in the form of blooded gurneys, children's shoes abandoned in empty rooms, distant sobbing and wordless begging.]

[There are names written on the whiteboards in the hospital rooms. Rei Ayanami and Toji Suzuhara are the most common, each with a grim prognosis scrawled under their names. Rei's list different causes of organ failure, sepsis and blood loss and trauma, while Toji's alternate between "AMPUTATION" written in red marker and "MY FAULT" written in blood.]

[One room is Asuka's. There's a boss in that one. It respawns every time you enter the room, trapped in the hospital and screaming in rage and fear. When it loses a fight, it goes silent and collapses to the ground, untouchable, broken and helpless.]

[In the upper levels, there is little sign of Kaworu. His voice is only heard when opening the door of a new safe room--]

"Are you afraid of other people, Shinji-kun?"

"Stay here with me tonight. It's raining. Your father will understand."

"You play beautifully."

"Take my hand. We will do it together."

[About halfway through, the final line is spoken, and repeats in every safe room afterwards. It becomes almost a chant by the end, echoing through the space and settling under the skin.]

"I love you."

[Shinji's shadow drags an IV with it through the dungeon, wrapped in bled-through bandages with wires hanging from electrodes attached to his scalp. He's wearing a middle school uniform, shorter and younger than his true self. There is blood soaked through the knees of his pants, like he'd been kneeling in a pool of it.]

[It cries. It never stops crying, sobbing and begging for help, for anyone to please, god, help me, I can't do this, please, please, don't make me do this, it hurts, I can't do this, please, it hurts.]

[The basement contains three things-- Shinji's shadow, Shinji himself, and Unit 01. There is blood pouring from the mouth of his mother's shadow, puddling on the floor and leaving it sticky and disgustingly warm. There are bodies at its feet, naked and torn apart. It swallows Shinji's shadow to become the final boss.]

[But it gives him a chance to speak, first.]

"He didn't save me! He just left me alone! He said he loved me and all I have left are his bloodstains on my shoes! I hate him, I hate him, how could he do this to me?! I'd be better off dead than waking up every day and having to remember he's gone!"

[Shinji breaks. He screams at his shadow, tells it he'd never talk about Kaworu that way, he has a persona so he doesn't have a shadow, you aren't me.]

[He doesn't remember much after that.]

2/2 and on haruhi's floor

[getoutoftherobot]

[Shinji wakes up slowly, and his first thought is-- another unfamiliar ceiling.]

[Not a hospital, though, even though he feels bad enough that he might belong in one. It feels like there are bags of wet sand tied to his limbs, he has a pounding headache, and his vision swims when he sits up. He blinks blearily until his vision clears, and takes in the room.]

[He's on the floor of someone's bedroom, in a futon that's threadbare but soft. He's still wearing his school clothes, but somebody has removed his shoes. His belt digs uncomfortably into his stomach where he'd been lying on it, but he's comforted that whoever was looking after him wasn't pawing at his pants.]

[But how did he get here?]

[The memory of the cognitive mashup of NERV and a hospital in Tokyo hits him hard. He remembers-- he remembers other people. Someone saw that.]

[The shame wells up in his stomach so fast that he feels like he's going to throw up. People saw.]

good luck dealing with some big trauma, kids!

[obliviousraccoon]

[Haruhi hears stirring in the next room, it's a small apartment so sound carries. It sounds like Shinji is up and he probably feels terrible in more way than one. The other dungeons weren't easy or relaxing by any stretch of the imagination but this was something else. Everyone seemed pretty horrified in varying measure. Aerith wasn't even talking for most of the time they spent wandering through whatever that early building was supposed to be, which was very strange. Haruhi resolves to follow up on that later and gets up from the table she was doing homework at.

Moments later she slides opens the door I think it's a sliding one? it's been a minute to her bedroom with one hand, the other hand holding a bottle of water and a bottle of pills, and peeks her head in. Yep, Shinji is awake. He looks miserable. He's always been really quiet in class and now she feels like she understands at least part of why. What can she say to him? He probably doesn't want to talk about it. Haruhi lets out a breath and opens the door the rest of the way.

Hi, how are you feeling?

[She sits down on the ground near his head so he doesn't have to strain to look at her and places the two bottles down next to him.]

I brought these just in case.

[getoutoftherobot]

[The look Shinji gives Haruhi when she walks into the room is stricken, a mix of horror and wide eyed panic. It falls off his face quickly, though, a visible closing off of feeling. He turns away far enough to avoid anything resembling eye contact, face hot with shame.]

...I'm okay.

[It's obvious that it's a lie, and after a moment of heavy silence, he glances at the bottles. He's been in worse pain than this ten times over, but the painkillers are still tempting. It's less a desire to get rid of the pain itself and more lingering spite at his dead father, who'd always tried to keep them off anything that might take them out of their heads. Advil is hardly morphine, but painkillers have become an act of rebellion anyways.]

I'll... I'll take a couple of those, if that's okay.

[obliviousraccoon]

[Well, that seems about right. This...really isn't going to be easy. Not that the other times were easy necessarily but even Roxas seemed to open up a little bit after his whole dungeon. Luckily Faust is over at Eddie's place so she can't be pushy. She's also really not sure how Shinji would react to a talking snake right now.

Haruhi nods and takes out a couple painkillers out for Shinji and hands them over with the water bottle.]

Here. You can stay as long as you need to, everyone else took a day at least before they were feeling normal and my dad already left for work.

[Haruhi checks the time. It's getting pretty late in the evening already. Shinji has been out for a while.]

Are you hungry?

[If he doesn't want to talk about it yet there's no point in trying to force it.]

[getoutoftherobot]

[Oh, god, right, other people have parents. Does Haruhi's father know his child is messing around in the cognitive world? Did he put Haruhi up to it? Is this-- is this like when he used to sit in Rei's dorm room and help her bandage the wounds she couldn't reach on her own? Is that what's happening? They're letting this round of test subjects look after each other?]

[He sits up, taking the water and the pills, looking more frightened and less soul-crushingly humiliated.]

What does-- what project is this? I thought NERV disbanded entirely but...

[But Haruhi is a classmate, so did he get sent here on purpose? Toji had been like that. Oh, god.]

Um, and I don't... I shouldn't eat yet. I usually throw up if I try to eat after summoning my persona.

[obliviousraccoon]

[Haruhi looks very confused for a moment when Shinji starts talking about NERV. It takes her a moment to process Shinji's fear in context of what she just saw. He must think this is just a repeat of whatever that was. Her confused expression shifts into an understanding one and she lets out a small sigh.]

Ikari-san, this isn't a project. Everything I know about NERV is because we came to rescue you. I still don't know why we have personas but it doesn't have anything to do with NERV.

[She looks away from him briefly to give him privacy to process this information.]

You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but it does seem like your experiences might answer a lot of questions we've had for the past year.

[getoutoftherobot]

[Shinji gets as far as "don't know why we have personas" before his train of thought collides with a wall and he just stares at Haruhi. It took so much tech and so much work to summon their personas back in the EVA program that it's like she just said they woke up one morning as black belt martial artists with comprehensive knowledge of astrophysics. You don't just have personas.]

But that's-- what do you mean? You just... have them?

[He thinks about it, and oh, wow, yeah, they were just in regular clothes, weren't they?]

How did you summon them without a plug suit? Even Kaworu couldn't...

[Saying the name aloud is enough to pull back the memory of Archangel, his dead boyfriend's serene smile beaming out of the persona's mass of geometric wings, four arms plated like Unit 01's had been. He covers his mouth with his hands, eyes wide and frightened.]

Oh, god, Kaworu, he-- that thing in the basement, it wasn't Unit 01. That wasn't my persona! It had his face! What did I summon?! What was that thing?!

[There's a very good chance he's going to burst into horrified tears. Sorry Haruhi.]

[obliviousraccoon]

[Uh oh, Shinji is having some kind of crisis. Haruhi is not equipped to deal with this. Where's her dad when she needs him? Oh, right, at work not knowing about any of this. Also, she's deeply confused about what Shinji is talking about. Why is he asking so many questions about his persona? Hasn't he done this before?

She holds her hands up in front of her in a gesture of surrender.]

Ah, Ikari-san, that did seem to be your persona. It was like that for everyone else, too.

[Well, not exactly, they don't all have the face of what seems to be a dead boyfriend on them, but Haruhi thinks that's probably not the best thing to mention at this particular moment.]

[getoutoftherobot]

[Shinji is shaking, not quite full-on crying but definitely tearing up. He shakes his head.]

No, no, I had a persona, it--

[His breath catches and he has to take a few breaths before he can keep going. The tears have arrived in full force.]

The thing that... ate the... other me. That's my persona.

[He wipes angrily at his tears, staring down at his lap to avoid eye contact.]

You don't just have a persona, they had to make them-- they make them out of people. Unit 01 was my mother. This isn't... this isn't how this works, what the hell is going on?!

[obliviousraccoon]

[Haruhi listens. It's all she can think to do until he finishes. When he looks away she backs up and reaches over to a nearby shelf where she has a packet of tissues she got as a freebie last time she was at the store. She places it on the ground next to Shinji and sighs.]

Let me...try to explain. Usually after someone disappears we find them in that world in some kind of dungeon, like where we found you, and we find them with a shadow. That's the other you. When you deny the shadow it turns into a monster, and when you accept it it turns into a persona. That's how it worked for everyone else.

[She frowns. This whole NERV situation is making her uneasy to think about. Could they have something to do with the disappearances? All she knows for sure is that it can't be an accident that this keeps happening. The team has discussed it before but no one has been able to make any guesses about why they were taken. Information is very limited and it's not like any of them are some kind of detective prince. This is a better guess than anything they've had before.

Haruhi looks towards the door. Her phone is sitting in the other room and she can hear it buzzing softly. That's probably the team checking in. She'll have to call a team meeting soon. She turns back towards Shinji.]

I think this means you have a new persona now, Ikari-san.

[getoutoftherobot]

[Shinji accepts the tissues almost automatically, but doesn't actually open them. He'll figure out that they could help in a few minutes, when he's done nearly hyperventilating.]

[He doesn't look at Haruhi while she talks, but he's listening. This is hardly the first explanation he's cried through, although it might be the gentlest. Haruhi seems almost as lost as he is.]

When we did it, it wasn't like that at all.

[He sniffles, still crying but calmed somewhat by the fact that Haruhi doesn't seem to be hiding things from him.]

They made them for us, out of...

[His voice catches again.]

Out of people who loved us. They kept it from us, I think even some of the handlers didn't know. It was mom for me, and... I think it was Asuka's mom for her, too.

[They don't know Asuka, Shinji.]

She was one of the other kids. There were 4 other than me. My... Kaworu was one of them. He... he died. So did Ayanami, and I don't know if Asuka ever got better because her family won't talk to me, and Suzuhara-- Suzuhara only ever fought one shadow and it tore him apart.

[He pulls his knees up to his chest and hides in them.]

The last time I used my persona, I lost control of it and destroyed NERV. A lot... a lot of people died, Fujioka-san. I don't want another one. I can't do it again, I can't.

[vampirefratboy]

[Eddie sticks around after their strategy meeting, Aerith heading for the train station because she's expected at home for dinner, while Kasanoda was picked up by what looked like an honest to god chauffeur.  He keeps forgetting half of this team goes to Ouran, too distracted by the concept of "being a team" to really process the minutiae of it.]

[Haruhi's dad is due home within the hour, so Eddie knows he's going to have to stop petting Faust and get up off the couch sooner rather than later.]

Hey, uh, Fujioka, before I head out-- I had something I wanted to ask you about, like... team-wise.

[obliviousraccoon]

[Haruhi is around the corner in her apartment's kitchen washing cups and putting away a kettle she used to make coffee for the team. Unfortunately, this isn't Sojiro's really good coffee, this is just instant coffee that she bought in bulk during her last supermarket trip. She figures if it's good enough for the host club it's good enough for the group of traumatized teenagers she hangs out with outside of school.

Haruhi finds herself lost in thoughts about how weird her life has gotten since she started going to Ouran and how she's going to need to spend some time this week studying to make up for the last week of running around in a weird mansion when she hears Eddie. She puts the cup she's working on into the sink and wipes her hands on a dish towel before she returns to the small living room area where the newest member of the team is waiting for her.]

Ah, yes?

[Faust is curling around Eddie's arm and looking very pleased with herself. Haruhi smiles at the sight.]

If this is about taking Faust home with you, I don't mind. She already likes you better than me.

[Faust has crawled up Eddie's arm to find a nice place to snuggle against his neck.]

{Friend!}

[vampirefratboy]

[Well, that wasn't what Eddie was asking about, but it's still something he's happy to know. He accepts the snake cuddles with a big smile, reaching up to adjust his hoodie so she can more easily rest in the folds of thick fabric. ]

Oh, that's awesome! I don't have like... a heat lamp, but I'll steal my sister's heated blanket.

[He turns to address the next statement to Faust directly.]

You'll love it, it's super soft.

[Once Eddie has established that he is not to be trusted with actual non-magical reptiles, he turns his attention back to Haruhi.]

But, uh, that's... actually not what I wanted to ask about.

[obliviousraccoon]

[Faust squeezes her body around Eddie's arm.]

{soooft}

[Haruhi chuckles at Faust and Eddie. It's not clear whether she's talking about Eddie's arm or about the idea of a warm blanket but the excitement coming off of the snake could be seen from a mile away.]

What did you want to ask about?

[vampirefratboy]

[Eddie takes a deep breath and exhales through his nose, clearly stealing himself for what he's about to say.]

Okay, so... I get that we have to be careful with the cops and everything, and it's probably going to make me sound out of my damn mind anyways, but-- there's somebody I want to tell.

[He sighs, running a hand through his hair.]

I, uh, confessed, to my best friend. First day back. He-- and don't laugh, my sister laughed, the asshole-- he said yes?

[He can't help but grin about that, stupid and giddy and oddly shy.]

So. I want to tell him about all of this shit we've got going on. Because-- because I don't want to keep secrets, and I know we can trust him.

[obliviousraccoon]

[Haruhi exchanges a glance with Faust who tilts her head. She gives him a gentle smile.]

Why would I laugh? Simion-san, I'm happy for you.

[She looks up and to the side, thinking.]

But, hm...it's a very strange situation, and it's dangerous.

[There's a lot to consider. She doesn't know anything about this person and she barely knows Eddie, but she can understand the desire to be honest, especially after what she saw in his dungeon. Not to mention, the rest of the team should have input on this. Haruhi knows that she is supposed to be leading this team, for some reason, but it seems like something they should all talk about.]

How do you think he would react if you did tell him?

[vampirefratboy]

Eddie's grin brightens further when Haruhi congratulates him.]

Heh, thanks. You've, uh, sorta already met him? The shadow with the...

[He makes a strange gesture that's supposed to indicate Ryou's hair.]

You know, the fluffy one with the music player? From the basement of my, uh... brain house? What the hell do we call that place? Whatever, it kinda looked like him and it let me follow it around, showed me where the water was. He's, uh. He's good that way. Not calling me out on being a needy ass, I mean. The real guy, not the demon thing.

[He really thinks about that "how would he react" question, humming thoughtfully.]

I think he'd take it better than you'd expect. He's big into all that occult stuff, I think he'd be good at this.

[obliviousraccoon]

[Haruhi nods, remembering the friendly shadow they met. It's clear that Eddie definitely has positive feelings about his boyfriend, which is great for their relationship but doesn't say too much about his trustworthiness in this particular situation.

What would be the worst thing that could happen? His new boyfriend tells everyone he knows? She knows that she would sound completely nuts if she tried to explain this situation to anyone else. It would probably be the same if someone else did the same. Or at least, it would probably be the same if it came from another kid.]

Well...I think it might be okay, but I think we should make sure everyone else agrees first. It's not just our secret to keep. Aerith and Kasanoda are at risk, too.

[vampirefratboy]

[Well, that's not a straightforward yes, but it's a good start.]

I'm down to convince them too. He sorta knows about you guys anyways? Not from me, I mean, I'm not a snitch, but ages ago he was telling me about kids from other schools going missing and showing up with weird bruises.

[He pauses for a moment, thinking.]

Would it help if you guys like... met him? Before I tell him?

[obliviousraccoon]

Hah, yeah...that would be pretty hard to miss.

[Haruhi smiles, partially to herself. It's almost a joke. This whole situation is completely unbelievable. Eddie's suggestion is a good one, though, so she nods.]

Yes, I think that would be good. Do you mind if I message everyone?

[vampirefratboy]

[Oh, yeah, this is going well. Eddie's under the impression that Ryou is just inherently lovable, no matter what most of their classmates think, so he's sure they'll have this in the bag as soon as they actually meet.]

Oh, yeah, go ahead! You can tell them he won't tell anyone, we, uh, kinda learned nobody would take us seriously anyways? He told a bunch of people I was missing and...

[He gives a halfhearted shrug, trying not to look as hurt as he feels.]

Well, you saw how that turned out.

[obliviousraccoon]

[Haruhi pulls out her phone to start a text with the team group chat as soon as Eddie gives her the okay and immediately frowns when Eddie mentions the response to his disappearance.]

Wait, no one even tried to look?

[This knowledge is very upsetting to Haruhi who has a very loving parent, especially after Aerith went missing and had a brother and mother both sounding the alarm in every way they could.]

I noticed it was quieter than last time, but...

[Faust gives Eddie another squeeze.]

{Kill.}

[Haruhi gives Faust a stern look.]

Faust.

[She just does a little snake blep in response. Haruhi rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to Eddie.]

That does make things easier in some ways.