personavelvetroomdr | (Open) Exploration Time!

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(Open) Exploration Time!

Lyssi found himself wanting to learn more. He's learned a lot since he's arrived in the Velvet Room, but there's still so much more to learn, and as such, he's decided to take a nice, long walk around the various areas of the Velvet Room to see just what he can find.

After all, he's learned about fishing and handling prey, as well as the fact that the orbs are stealing peoples' likeness without permission and thus need to be eliminated, but surely there's more, correct?

Just what will he discover today?

Option 1: Through the streets of Tokyo, Lyssi finds himself staring up at a particular restaurant. Big Bang Burger... It is said that there is a challenge there, a burger that will send you to the very stars themselves. Granted, Lyssi can only eat small amounts at a time and he doesn't really get much enjoyment out of it (What is taste, he wonders? He can register different ingredients, but they do not 'taste' different, as far as he can note).

But he finds himself perplexed. How does a burger send you to the stars? How does it rival outer space? He stares at the advertisement on the window for the Big Bang Challenge with a blank stare.

Option 2: As Lyssi steps up to the shrine in Inaba, he looks up at the building with that same blank stare of his. A shrine... a place of worship and prayer. From what he understands, students come here in order to pray for good grades.

Perhaps he should pray to be more human?

And so he takes a step closer... and continues to stare.

How does one pray?

Option 3: In Iwatodai, Lyssi has found himself staring at the flowers at Rafflesia. All of them vivid colors, all of them beautiful... but he simply stares at them with that blank expression. They just... look like plants to him. Products of the Earth, bees gather pollen from flowers such as these.

...Why do the cognitive people gather them? Why are they sold? He doesn't understand.

He picks up a rose, staring at it as it pokes at one of its thorns. Why does it have thorns? To protect itself from potential threats? That much is obvious, but...

"..."

...He's not sure. It feels as though there's something more to it, somehow.

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You know maybe deciding to get some food at Big Bang Burger was a mistake.
He doesn’t even like the food all that much.
But why not? Maybe Hannei will be there for some dumb reason!
Plus he is hungry. It’s not like he needs to keep up appearances here apparently so fuck it!
What he is not expecting is for someone to be there already.
…
Is that a fucking robot?
What is wrong with this place?
…
He’s going to say hi, he won’t admit it out loud but this is a little cool if this is indeed a robot.
“Ah hello, I don’t believe we’ve met” he’d remember someone like this surly. “We’re you planning to get something to eat as well?” He doesn’t know if this robot can eat, but he’s literally met a version of himself and a few versions of people he knows so anything goes at this point right?

Lyssi turns to face Akechi, looking him over with that blank look in his eyes.

"You are a human version of Falcon-senpai, correct? I have seen many of them, but you are one of the first I have spoken to."

His voice is distant, nearly robotic... but it still sounds vaguely human. It's a bit strange.

He looks back at the restaurant, looking through the window...

"I wanted to experience the 'Big Bang Challenge'. It says that its size rivals even the stars themselves. I must see it for myself."

Can... Can a robot even handle the Big Bang Challenge?

A human version of- oh Falcon was one of the names on that board.
… god there really is a robot version of himself wandering around here somewhere ok.
“Ah well, I’m new here so I haven’t met this Falcon you speak of” he’s keeping his pleasant mask firmly in place right now, mostly because he does not know what to expect here.
“I’m Goro Akechi. I’ve Uh, yet to pick a nickname. I’m hoping to change that soon” as soon as he can contact Hannei that is.

He looks up at the restaurant as well. Oh boy is this guy seriously considering taking that giant burger challenge? That sounds horrifying.
“Well, I wouldn’t say their size rivals the stars, as they wouldn’t fit in the building if that was the case,” he chuckles politely, hopefully hiding his bewilderment. “But they do offer some monstrously oversized burgers. It’s… certainly a challenge” he doesn’t get why some food companies do this. Seems like a waist of food to him.

"I am Ulysses. My 'nickname' is Lyssi, if you would prefer to call me by that name."

He sounds so stilted and distant though, even though he's staring right at Akechi. In fact, he's staring rather intently... or rather curiously?

Lyssi can't help but tilt his head as he listens to Akechi's clarification regarding the Big Bang Challenge.

"If it is not true, then why do they say it? I do not comprehend."

Why would they lie about it? It makes no sense...

…oh my god this guy is serious. Has nobody taught this robot what exaggeration is?
This is reminding him of Hannei when they first met.

… hm. Maybe he is like her in that sense? Having a lot to learn…

“It’s to catch the attention of customers. Exaggerating their product to appeal to the masses. In this case Big Bang Burger had a space motif so they’d prefer space related hyperbole.” He explains, shrugging.
“Although, with their largest burgers I’ve seen the size of a persons torso the exaggeration is probably warranted”

Oh, so that would explain it...

"So to explain it in such terms would gather more customers... I comprehend."

He doesn't even shift expressions as Akechi explains the actual size of the sandwich though, simply just staring at him.

"How does a human manage to eat a sandwich of such size? Would it not overwhelm their bodies?"

… Akechi would like to amend that thought, this guy is somehow more clueless than Hannei.

Oh this is going to be an… interesting conversation.

At his next question Akechi visibly cringes.
“It does. But some people have learned to train themselves to handle it. I.. wouldn’t recommend doing so, I’ve never taken the challenge myself but just watching someone eat so much makes me feel sick”
It’s so much food and you don’t even get to enjoy it! And it’s such a waist!!

Lyssi tilts his head again, looking at Akechi with that vaguely curious look.

"Humans can train themselves even in that regard... They truly are illogical, and yet... fascinating."

Oh, how he wishes he could understand it all more directly... He wants to experience it, too. Perhaps he should do it, and see if it will enlighten him on the matter...?

But at the same time...

"...It is a shame. I wanted to initiate the challenge, but if it would make you ill, then I should do it at another time. It is my duty to protect humanity, and to make you ill is against my programming."

But even so... perhaps he could try to eat one of the normal burgers?

"Would you like to eat one of the less torso-sized burgers? Perhaps that will relieve you of your encroaching illness."

Loki give him strength-
What is up with this robot???

“Well, I appreciate the… consideration” he wouldn’t have done the challenge anyways. He’d rather die.
And he doesn’t care that loki is calling him a coward for that thought, he’s not the one who has to suffer the consequences!

“Ah!” .. well he could say no to the burger invite but he did come here to eat. And before he can come up with an excuse to bail his stomach grumbles in hunger. The traitor.
“…well, I suppose some company won’t be too bad. A normal sized burger is fine by me”

And, maybe it’s because this guy is reminding him of Hannei that he wants to at least get a few facts straight before they part ways.

Lyssi nods before turning to walk to the door.

"Please follow me, then."

As he then walks into the restaurant, seeming to fully expect Akechi to just... follow him without another word.

Lyssi really doesn't understand socialization at all. That's plainly obvious.

Robin Hood is giving him patience even though he did not ask for it.

This is really how he’s spending his lunch huh?
…
Fuck it.

Akechi does follow after Lyssi, apparently deciding to ditch his only opportunity to escape.
This is fine, lyssi hasn’t done anything wrong, he’s just learning.
He’d be an even bigger lier if he said he couldn’t handle this.

But here we are. Big Bang burger.
He idly wonders if the food will taste better here since this is a cognitive space. Maybe if he thinks hard enough it’ll taste not cheap.

“You know, I’ve heard the kids meals come with a toy.” He decides to speak up if only to maybe spark a conversation.

After approaching the counter, Lyssi looks at Akechi with a look of... is that a spark of quiet awe in his eyes?

"A toy... Those are designed for human children, are they not? I have never seen one myself."

Well, that settles what he's getting as he turns back to look at the cashier with a rather quick movement.

"I will have one 'kid's meal' with a toy."

The cashier begins dealing with the order as Lyssi realizes he doesn't know what Akechi wants...

"Would you like a kid's meal as well?"

He blinks once. You know what, not even going to question what he plans to do with the food if he probably can’t eat. Instead he politely smiles and shakes his head.

“Oh no, I’ll just have the regular burger combo.” And he goes to order just that.
…it’s still a bit surreal how he doesn’t need to pay for this stuff here.
Hm, some benefits of cognitive spaces

...It's weird, but he's actually looking just a tiny bit cheerful. Is he actually that eager for the toy?

"Understood. I thought perhaps you would want a toy as well, but it seems like that is not the case."

He's just... standing at the counter now, waiting for the food. Shouldn't he be sitting down right about now?

"..."

He's practically having a staring match with the cashier cognition... Wait, does he seriously not know restaurant etiquette?

Is he really that excited for a toy?…You know what? He’s not judging. This place is weird and so are the people who are here.
He’s pointedly ignoring loki cackling how he is here too.

“No, I’m afraid not. Perhaps another time” he chuckles placidly.

…

Oh my god this guy. He taps Lyssi’s shoulder, “we should go sit down. The waiter will bring over our orders at the table” you know what, Robin he’ll take more of that patience now thank you.

...Oh! That seems to be how it works, then?

"Oh. Understood."

And without argument, he begins to head for one of the booths and sits down. He sits up straight in the seat, perhaps standing out a bit from the ironically more natural-seeming cognitive people.

"...I will admit that my experience with humans and their customs is incredibly limited."

He's aware of some things, but for the most part? He wasn't given that information. He was only meant to hunt Shadows. After the explosion, well... any plans of acclimating him to humans was cut short, and he was given the task of eliminating stray Shadows instead as one of the few-- if not the only remaining Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon left active.

He sits across from Lyssi, mostly because he’s trying to figure this guy out.
And the conclusion he’s coming to is he wouldn’t be surprised to learn this guy was just born… build? Created? Activated??
Whatever the term, he doesn’t know much.
He bites back the retort of ‘yeah no kidding’ at Lyssi’s comment and instead gives a polite smile.
“Well, I’d be happy to give a basic rundown on resteraunt edict then” if only so this guy doesn’t embarrass himself in the future.
He did it before with Hannei, how hard can it be to explain to a robot?

Lyssi ponders on this for a second before nodding.

"If you are able, I want to learn as much as possible from you. This is when I'm supposed to say 'thank you', correct?"

He continues staring directly at Akechi, his eyes locked directly into his own.

Oh boy what did he just agree to, loki apparently finds this hilarious.
Ugh.
“That’s correct.” He nods, ok where to start. Which is how akechi ends up doing on a whole explanation on how to act in a public restaurant, and for good measure elaborating on the differences between what you can do in a more casual dining or fast food vs fine dining, though he isn’t sure if this guy will ever be in a fine dining establishment.
Who knows, better safe than sorry.
And frankly by the end of this he is biting back any annoyance and relying heavily on Robin Hood to keep that patience in check.

“Any questions?” He asks at the end, a sunny sweet smile that covers his bubbling irritation.
Why did he agree to this, he just wanted something to eat?

Lyssi is quiet as he processes all of the information. As he registers it all to his memory banks, sorting through every single detail... he nods.

"Yes. When fine dining, how do you tell the difference between the various different versions of your silverware?"

After all, what makes a salad fork different from another fork?

Oh he’s more than happy to explain that- no really he did not study the stupid silverware thing for hours just to not share that information he finds stupid.

“Well, it depends on the size or shape of the utensil, but I’ll let you in on a little secret” ok maybe this is because he’s getting a bit annoyed but also… well it’s probably good to let him in on this tidbit anyways.
“The only people I’ve met who take genuine offense if you don’t use the correct type of spoon or fork for an occasion aren’t the type of people who’s opinion I value that highly.” Because seriously who makes a fuss about forks? There’s so much better shit to get pissy over but you choose forks!?
He does still explain the differences though, but best to let Lyssi know that ahead of time.

Lyssi actually looks a tiny bit surprised as he hears the secret.

"So it is a non-issue, then? But why are you required to use them to begin with if only certain people are bothered by using them incorrectly?"

It doesn't make sense... Though he does seem to understand the proper way that use the different variations of silverware now.

Akechi just shrugs.
“I suppose some people feel superior enforcing arbitrary rules on others that they can shame them for not knowing. Or something like that” though if he had to give a less… pessimistic answer.
“Though, I suppose learning and abiding by some arbitrary rules also shows a level of respect or dedication to some traditions. I’m not entirely sure of it myself, but it is something I’ve had to learn to mingle with certain spaces” maybe it’s just another gate to keep out people they don’t think are ‘worthy of their time’

It’s stupid. Maybe he shouldn’t teach the impressionable robot about disillusionment.

“I’d certainly ask for other opinions on that question if you’re still curious, I’m not sure of the actual answer so I can only give an opinionated one” he gives a slightly a
Apologetic smile.

Lyssi seems rather confused at this answer.

"...I will register this to my data banks for later reference. I cannot say that I understand it at this moment."

But he looks straight at Akechi nodding in response to asking others. That much is sound advice, at least.

"Other perspectives are ideal in seeking out information such as this. I will be sure to ask other humans about this subject as well."

He finally turns his gaze away from Akechi, facing the counter instead.

"...When does the food normally arrive?"

Akechi can only nod to that, at least he’s acknowledging that he should ask others.
…honestly maybe he should ask someone else that question himself when he gets the chance, he wonders what Sae would think of fancy rich people dinners and silverware bickering?
…
Anyways
“Well, usually in places like this food could take anywhere from five to ten minutes to arrive, so I’d assume it’d be out…” Ah and speak of the devil, there’s a cognitive server bringing over their food. They set the tray down in front of them both and then leaves after a polite bow.

“Ah, well, seems they have the timing about right” he chuckles politely. Finally, he’s hungry, hopefully if he believes it hard enough this cognitive burger will taste amazing.

"A rose is commonly treated like a symbol of love." Just a fact Aigis knew. Though perhaps she shouldn't be sneaking up on people like this, especially people that she doesn't know. She was going to the back alley to see if there was a cognitive version of Mewlie here like there had been in Maruki's reality and happened to pass by.

Lyssi can't help but straighten slightly as he hears the voice. He turns to meet the source, and...

...It's one of his sisters? It's almost as though he's looking in a mirror, he notes.

"...You are a weapon of the same generation as myself."

His voice is stilted, distant... Aigis may be able to recognize he's very fresh as a weapon.

He considers what she said though, looking back down at the rose he's holding...

"...'Love'. I once asked Nanami-senpai what love was. She said it was 'something you should not ask a girl carelessly'."

She was also very red at the time. Red, similarly to the rose he's holding. How strange... It still doesn't make sense to him, no matter what information he digs through his data banks for.

He looks back at Aigis with blank eyes.

"I still do not know what it is."

As per protocol, Wolf was planning to experiment will all the doors offered by the Velvet Room but even he wasn't expecting such a fast teleportation from a place in seemingly nowhere to one of the ancient towns named Inaba. There was a wildcard who originated from here, Yu Narukami who was part of the Wildcard team in his own world. He was still unsure on how to proceed in a place like this but a weak ugly part of him was drawn to the location of the temple he had found in his local GPS.

A temple isn't exactly a part of our agenda right now, Wolf. His AI speaks to him in a long drawn out manafactured feminine voice. Perhaps sounding a little too young to be considered an AI assistant.

Of course but...still.

The ugly human in him still craved it and right now, knowing that this mission has been stretched to near indefinite- he needed to adjust to the customs here. He used to visit the temple during festivals or when his ~~wife was...~~

He doesn't try to finish the thought- now standing at the bottom of the steps as he finds someone else standing there.
His readings in flare, the outlines of the eyepiece of his mark gleaming silver as he reads the person in front of him.

Type: 7th Generation Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon
Name: Unknown

Such an old model...probably one of Wolf's ancestors. He decides to climb the stairs and make his way to the top, the shrine as he suppresses himself from taking a proper glance at it- now angling the heavy dip of his hat at the shadow weopon. "Greetings, you appear to be Anti-Shadow Suppression Weopon. Are my observations correct?"

And Lyssi finds himself straightening as his sensors pick up on the unfamiliar presence. Not quite human, but not quite unhuman... He turns to the figure, and his expression remains blank, but his eyes seem focused on Wolf as he processes him, trying to gauge what to say and do.

"You are correct. I am an Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon. My name is Ulysses. My nickname is Lyssi, if you would prefer to use that name."

He doesn't know what to make of the new figure... Friend? Foe? He doesn't assume anything, instead staying in place, simply staring at Wolf with a mixture of curiosity and distance

"...My scanners do not indicate you are a weapon of the same make or generation as myself. In fact, I am not certain you are a weapon at all. Who are you?"

Ulysses.

Wolf carefully observes the anti-shadow's movements, the border around his eye piece once again glowing a hue of soft grey. He stays quiet, discerning Lyssi's movements as he brings a hand under the large curve of his hat and brings an index up- a signature of hello.

"I am the 47th Generation Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon model- Unhuman. My unit is #8910- Wolf but if we were to choose nicknames- you can refer to me as Wolf."

"May I ask if you were here at the temple to eliminate a shadow? I sense strong readings of them ever since I have arrived here without my own consent."

Lyssi can't help but look just vaguely surprised by this information. 47th Generation... Wait, does that mean...?!

"You are further from the future than the others are. Fascinating."

He notes the name, registering it in his memory banks along with all the others, although... there are now two people with the name Wolf.

"You are the second person I have met with the name Wolf. This is unexpected."

And as for the question, he actually tilts his head a little.

"No, I did not arrive here for that purpose. I came here to learn more about the act of 'worship'. Humans come here to worship gods and to pray for various reasons, do they not?"

But... there's one thing bothering him.

"You sense Shadows? I do not sense any..."

Are this Wolf's sensors so refined and improved upon that he can sense far beyond what Lyssi is capable of? Is Lyssi obsolete?

The moment he had stepped into the room draped in blue and elegant mosaics, he had immediately gotten down to noting all the details in the room. "I did notice someone else taking the name *Wolf* though unless it's my own doppelganger- I will stick with my codename," he answers with a huff as he folds his arms to his chest. There was no way he was giving away his codename to anyone else here.

"Worship?" He raises a brow behind his eye mask though from his tone its obvious what expression he's making. He's quite confused here. "Intriguing. I suppose that's humanity's way to live with its own doom," he sighs as the corner of his lips twitch. "...this seems like a generational gap." His comment flies in regards to Lyssi's botherment. "Shadows aren't particularly strong here but the cognitive dissosance is everywhere around us. Not just this city but this entire country. It seems like the perfect breeding ground for a shadow to ambush us from anywhere."

A generational gap... It must be, given Lyssi can't sense any such thing at all.

"My sensors can detect no such thing. You must be highly advanced in comparison to myself."

...It makes his circuits twinge and tingle. In a bad way, he finds. He doesn't get it, why does he...?

"...The nature of this place, the 'Velvet Room' is a place between mind and matter, as well as dreams and reality. Or so the man with the long nose has said. Given that statement, it would stand to reason that it would best be described as a cognitive place. Whether it is dissonant or otherwise is much harder for me to confirm."

Highly advanced...he supposes that's true. The only way he's saved people is by being under this manafactured skin and rejecting his humanity completely for the sake of holding responsible for losing everyone around him. Yes, he was advanced. The best of his kind. He wouldn't want it any other way.

"I see," he nods as he regards Lyssi's statement. A strong cognition but having no shadows around them? "In my world this would be considered an international emergency at its finest. Perhaps I am simply on edge."

"Or maybe the cognition is stemming from this place of worship? Its a shrine," he turns to look at the temple. But no. Something's off. His brows furrow. He feels this dissonance to be...quite concentrated. From the electronics in other people's homes. The long-nosed man did mention a Midnight channel of sorts, did he not? "I don't see why a shadow weopon like you or me in particular should be worshipping at all. Do you believe in a high entity like God?"

Now that would be interesting.

Lyssi looks through his memory banks for any other potential sources of Shadows in the area...

"Could you be referring to the 'TV World' that is mentioned on the board of the 'Velvet Room'? According to what is stated there, those with Personas can entire an entirely different world where Shadows roam while in Inaba."

And as for the question of whether he believes in God... he actually tilts his head slightly.

"...Am I supposed to believe in a higher power? I... am do not know. How do humans decide what power to believe in? There are multiples, each contradicting with the others."

He actually seems a little confused.

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(Open) Exploration Time!

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