Let's expand the boundaries of our conjectures. [OPEN]

[conjecture_this]

WHO: Nagi and whoever feels like sharing!
WHERE: Through your phone, through the internet, through Coba's craigslist, through bulletin board posts or just notes on the ground... wherever your character would come across a text/written post.
TIME: Day 4, morning.
DESCRIPTION:

[Sometime during the early hours of the morning, a bit of text pops up. How one sees it varies according to how they typically get texts but regardless the message is the same.]

I trust this message is not ill-timed. I am Nagi, lately arrived to this place as many of you are as well. I would ask for the assistance of those reading this then.

In order to form a more complete picture of this dimension, I would like to engage in the process of gathering information. Many new buildings have sprung up with our arrival and those that have seem to be influenced on the preferences and tastes of those here. Those who have experienced such, what buildings arrived from your own dimensions? Have you likewise experienced locations changing around you?

I would like to ask about time periods as well. It has become evident that there are those of you from times much more advanced than my own. If I may then, I would like to ask what year it is for you. For myself it is Taisho 20 or 1931.

If there is other information you wish to share or things you would like to ask others, I encourage such as well. Together we may be able to learn more about the exacts of this dimension.

Thank you.

Comments

[conjecture_this]

Within my own there are individuals known as Summoners. We form contracts with demons in order to gain their aid within and outside of fights. I believe among the ranks of those demons are ones typically considered to be angels as well, at least in terms of mythology and theology.

[conjecture_this]

I'm from a village called Tsukigata. It's likewise a town in Japan. It's a very quiet place in theory - the Capital City is certainly much more active.

[conjecture_this]

It's quite interesting to have so much information so easily accessible. My Master was a well-read individual and took time to teach me as well.

[teethteethteeth]

Oh, what're those contracts like? And it sounds like your world's quite different.

[conjecture_this]

Contracts are typically an agreement to share one's energy with the demon they contract with in order that they may use their abilities in the human world.

In theory it does seem so. This level of difference seems to be common. Others have spoken to me on the usage of persona within their own dimensions.

[teethteethteeth]

Oh! We have contracts like that, too, though they usually aren't for energy. Usually it's for a favor in exchange.

Persona?

[loversdilemma]

yeah hi! ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

this house was one of the not ( ≧Д≦) parts of that place

[conjecture_this]

I see! That sounds like a good thing then. I'm glad your home came with you. It sounds to be a rather common experience thus far.

[conjecture_this]

Oh! What sorts of favors?

Yes. As it has been explained to me, Persona are aspects of an individual they can call forth much as a Summoner would their demons, in theory at least. I haven't seen such in action.

[breakrecord]

Your Master sounds like a great person. Then again, I'd hope that anyone with a title of Master would be knowledgeable and willing to teach others. That's part of what it means to be a Master, right?

[He gives the books around them a quick scan, but he's not actually looking at them.]

Anyway, I'm sure there's lots of stuff you want to check out, so let me get to the reason why I wanted to talk to you. I went back to my home yesterday, about a couple of hours after the parade. It was an interesting experience.

[teethteethteeth]

It varies, but usually some magical thing the spirit doesn't know how to do. Or letting them do their thing in the world. Stuff like that.

Oh, that sounds really interesting! I hadn't heard of anything like those Persona.

[conjecture_this]

I believe it does, yes.

[As Hibiki begins to talk about why he called her here, Nagi seems more than happen to place her attention on him rather than the books themselves. She's a curious soul after all.]

Was there anything changed about your home when you returned?

[conjecture_this]

I had never heard of the concept before arriving here. It would seem we are all learning a great deal.

[breakrecord]

No. That's the thing—I stayed in Coba for over three days, but almost no time had passed when I got back.

[He leans against a bookshelf as he continues.]

I arrived in Coba on a bus I was taking to go shopping—shopping for things for my vacation to here, funnily enough. When I took the bus out of Coba, everything blurred for a second, then I was back on that bus again. It was like I just continued from where I left off before I arrived at Coba.

[teethteethteeth]

Other worlds're always full of surprises!

[conjecture_this]

[She pauses at that, a little wide-eyed and surprised to say the least.]

What was your return to the city like then?

[breakrecord]

My return to Coba? I returned pretty much the same way I left. It didn't catch me off guard, though; I was actively trying to get back to the city when the blurring happened. When I returned, it didn't feel much later than when I had left, even though I spent several hours at home.

Everything else in Tokyo was operating just normally. I even took a bus to go home and say hi to my parents, although they didn't think I'd been gone long. I sent a few messages to some friends of mine who are way smarter than me, too, but they're busy and didn't get back to me before I returned.

[He stops and looks straight ahead, at the opposite shelf of books across from him. His expression is serious, although a bit distant, like he's still mostly lost in his own thoughts.]

All in all, the trip told me that we can travel freely, that time doesn't really move when we're in Coba, and it didn't seem to move much when we're out of Coba.

[loversdilemma]

its probly how the city welcomes people. familiar stuff.

[conjecture_this]

I believe your conjecture to be a sound one, yes. It would certainly make introduction into the city easier.

You have experienced nothing else then arriving with you from that place then?

[conjecture_this]

[Nagi herself holds the book she had just closed flat between her hands, expression both thoughtful and dim. It's a heartening things to learn as it seems no time is lost and no one is missed. But...]

It seems a little too convenient, doesn't it?

[Her voice is ringed in a gravely serious tone. Dimensions were nothing to be messed with and though this one seems benign and nice... was it really?]

[breakrecord]

[Nagi voiced exactly what he's thinking, although he wishes he wasn't thinking it. He doesn't like being pessimistic or cynical about things, but considering what he'd been through, it's hard not to be negative. Still, he'll not encourage that path of thought in other people if he can help it.

So, instead of agreeing outright with Nagi's statement, he gives her a gentle, encouraging smile.]

Maybe, but then again, I haven't even been here for a week, and my conclusion was based on only one round trip. I think it's a pretty solid guess on how things work, but who knows?

We definitely need more information. It's easy to think that there's some evil plot behind this place, but there's a lot we don't know. Let's find out as much as we can and give it some more time.

[He's trying really hard to believe what he's saying, but... No, he's suspicious.]

[conjecture_this]

Mm, I understand.

[And she does really. At heart Nagi would rather be an optimist herself but after everything that's happened in Tsukigata, from the truth of Lord Tento to her Master's sadness and death...]

It's difficult at times to not search for deeper theories within a moment to add to ones conjecture, whether they be for the better or not.

[She has taken to jumping to conclusions far too often.]

[breakrecord]

[While he meant to allay her concerns somewhat, it wasn't his intention to upset her. When she becomes dejected, he feels bad for not choosing his words more carefully, so he takes a small step towards her and sheepishly looks down.]

No one's saying you shouldn't look for a deeper meaning, just that sometimes getting stuck on an idea prevents you from seeing other possibilities. Honestly, I'm suspicious of this place; anything this powerful and convenient probably comes with a cost.

[He looks up at her and smiles.]

But not everything in this world requires a sacrifice. Sometimes things are just what they appear to be. We can and probably should consider the worst, but let's also keep other possibilities in mind.

And, hey, I'm glad you have theories about this place! Two heads are better than one and all that.

[conjecture_this]

[The teen looks a touch surprised when she finally directs her glance over to Hibiki, brows raised gently. She's more impressed than anything and once she digests what he's saying, a small smile rises.]

That's very true. For now observation is likely the best route. That has been my plan at least.

[Then her smile grows a notch more.]

You're quite mature, Hibiki-san.

[breakrecord]

[He bursts out into sincere laughter at her last statement, although he quickly muffles it by grabbing one of his hoodie's rabbit ears to cover up his mouth. It doesn't take him long to get his laughter under control, but when he lets go of the rabbit ear and stuffs his hands in his pockets, it's easy to tell that he really wants to continue laughing.]

Sorry, sorry! It's funny because I'm usually pretty immature about a lot of things. [He's kind of a horrible troll.] I try to be mature about serious stuff, but for the small, day-to-day things?

[He grins. It's a small, slight motion, but it somehow makes his face look incredibly mischievous. It's definitely a change from the gentler smile he was giving her before.]