capeandcowl | 5th Test // Video // Backdated to morning of the 25th, after the Masquerade dream

[The upbeat Salarian scientist looks a lot less upbeat on the video today, head bowed as he stands behind a lab counter. Actually, he looks downright embarrassed.]

Hello. Need to report... mishap with research. May have affected ImPorts. Possibly natives as well. Trying to determine scope of impact.

Was conducting stress testing on Evoker device. Partly responsible for previous event involving “Shadows.” [Air quotes!] Trying to determine the cause, prevent recurrence. May have inadvertently created new event.

[Mordin reaches off camera to pick up the culprit and show it to the Network. He’s holding a silvery gun-shaped device: Minako Arisato’s Evoker.]

Power surge during testing, resulted in massive Evoker energy discharge. Appears to have spread beyond lab, could have reached into the City. Evoker affects target’s subconscious. Summons images and powers from user’s own psyche. Can involve repressed fears, personality aspects. Effect described as... uncomfortable.

[Mordin sets down the Evoker.]

Difficult to say what might have happened. Anything from worst fears manifesting to disturbing dreams. Need to know if anyone experienced anything odd on night of the 24th. Could be related to accident. Will attempt to counter any harmful effects.

Abandoning research for now. Clearly risky, counterproductive, haven’t gained any useful data. Returning Evoker to owner, with apologies. Won’t risk further incidents.

Will be available if anyone needs assistance.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've heard of the Porter messing with people's abilities before. [ She pauses. ] At least everything's relatively normal again.

Yeah.

[She sighs quietly.]

I'm very sorry that people were troubled. But there won't be any more experiments... and it's not very likely to get stuck in the 'Porter a second time.

You don't sound like the kind of person to do it on purpose, so don't worry about it.

...Thank you. I definitely wouldn't ever want things like this to happen to anyone. I do feel a little responsible, though, since it was because of something that belongs to me.

In any case, I'll make sure that it doesn't happen again.

Can I ask what you do use it for?

It's how I use my power.

Rather than a weapon, it's more like... what's the word in English...? --a catalyst.

A catalyst for your subconscious?

Haha, I guess you could think of it that way.

The way it was explained to me, my Persona is a part of my psyche. An aspect of myself that I can summon to protect me.

[ Huh. ]

A mask?

Something like that.

I've never heard of anything like it, even here.

Considering how many different worlds the 'Porter brings people from, I think there are probably a lot of things here that it's possible to say that about.

I guess it is pretty strange, though. There's a lot that I still don't understand about it myself.

Are you sure it's safe to use, then? [ If she still doesn't understand it herself... ]

Not exactly. [She sounds a bit rueful, but as admissions go it's a matter-of-fact one.] But counting my time here, I've been using my power for more than a year. Probably, thousands of times by now.

If there are side effects that I don't know about yet, that's okay, since I'm able to use my power to help people.

[ You crazy kids and your Personas and shooting yourself in the head. ]

I don't know.

That doesn't sound good.

[She can't exactly argue that point, so she just smiles; it's audible in her voice.]

Either way, though, it's my risk to take.

[ She sounds a bit confused, but she can't really push it without making herself sound too involved. ]

Alright... if you say so.

Thank you for being concerned. It's not as bad as it sounds, though, so please don't worry.

Okay. [ She lets out a soft chuckle. ] I hear you.

[there's a little laugh in answer.]

I should probably at least introduce myself, shouldn't I? My name is Minako.

Japanese, right?

I'm Kate.

Right! Coming here is my first time being out of the country, actually.

It's nice to meet you, Miss Kate.

It's nice to meet you, too. [ Despite the strange circumstance that brought them to talk. ] You sound young, so it's not a total surprise.

Haha, I guess not. Although there are plenty of people my age who've done a lot of traveling.

If Lachesis has also sent you to those other universes, I guess you could say the same now.

voice

xxii_thefool - 2013-08-26 13:41 (UTC) - Expand