Wataridori News Update [7/6]

[ This article is visible to Persona-users only ]

We have interviewed some of our fellow students regarding their experience in the incident at Nishimori Forest, with some very interesting insights!

Oki-doki, for starters can you give the folks a bit of the whats, wheres, hows and whys of this entire mystery?

I was ...abducted but not physically. I found myself in the Shadow Realm fighting my shadow while being able to see through some window that my body, or well what looks like me, running around in the real world doing all kinds of craziness ;;;.... As if my body was possessed or something... I had to defeat my Shadow before finally being able to get out....

... It was pretty fcked up, to say the least... I recall being trapped in this strange dark room with red-black tiles... And shit went down... The details, I won't speak of, but whatever that happened... It was scary... /closes his eyes with a sigh/ Let's just say, 'I' wasn't myself recently...

This time we had to go through Nishimori Forest. (Why do they always have to gather haunted places...?). Thankfully, we didn't have to worry about getting lost since the ORS surveyed the area earlier.
I went there hoping to find one of those wing people and get some answers but in the end they got away and I only got more questions. We were able to save that girl though so it wasn't a complete loss.

Well, I certainly can't tell why all this is happening, but I'll try...
Anyway, I was hanging out at the arcades one till evening, and on my way home I encountered one of those guys that most people here call "Winged Ones". She summoned a bunch of Shadows who chased me through the Nishimori District like crazy. But when I fled into the forest - I didn't have a choice - they left me alone for some reason. After that I vaguely remember a voice calling out to me and luring me deeper into the forest. Then I suddenly woke up in a weird place where I had to fight my Shadow to get out again. Yeah, that's pretty much about it.

O w O  Oh, humm ,let's see. The entire thing happened in this creepy and cool looking forest in Nishimori District. // obviously still doesn't know her directions, let alone names of places.// As for what happened, we kinda met these three shadows... it was strange but my teammate seem to know them, or well their faces at least. I wasn't familiar with any of them, though. Oh, and right, a small child appeared out of nowhere with this huge snake lady. / her eyes sparkle at the mention of the snake./ Sadly, we had to take her down... ; w ; I kinda wanted to know more about her.....

I wasn't happy from what I saw that night... It disgusted me... / she fell silent for a while, then she proceeds / I saw three familiar faces, all close to me in some way, however they were merely clones, Shadows that took the form of those I know probably injuring innocents. I hate it... just thinking about it disgusts me. This is something I can't forgive those shadows for doing. / she fans herself to calm down. / It happen in the foggy forest of Nishimori District. These Shadows were not the only ones I saw that night with my teammates... There was another woman... She had a winged mask on, then a little blonde haired child showed up with this huge serpent-like woman. But before all of this, I was wondering why "they" have been acting so strange... Maybe... the shadows had something to do with it... That I am not certain...

Well, I suppose I should begin from the first I heard of this "haunted forest", yes?

As president of the Supernatural Club, I found it my duty to investigate the rumours of otherworldly activity. Little did I know that I would be dragged into a bigger mystery and be robbed of my first, true supernatural experience. *pouts*

Do not misunderstand me, the discovery of another side of the world we live in, one with Shadows, Personas and other such terrors is frightfully delightful, but it just was not what I was looking for.
You understand, yes?

The "spirit" myself and fellow member, Tsubomi, were looking for turned out to be a scared little girl being manipulated by an evil shadow I believe is called "Emerald Sceptre". We were also attacked by a Winged One called Asariel, that was a shocking experience to be sure! If it was not for the intervention of Highlander-senpai or Shion-senpai... I do not believe we would have made it out of that forest alive...

Well it was the strangest thing! I was just doing a little errand when I saw all these cops 'round the forest! They seemed to want some of the students help so I thought why the heck not and went in there... which I guess was kind of a whoops on my part 'cause then there these shadow things! Thankfully Joshua-senpai, Jun-senpai and Rin-senpai were there or I'da been toast! They were battlin' and I couldn't do anything... I won't lie, I felt really useless 'til my phone rang... then we beat that sceptre thing and it was awesome!

---

Seems like a really scary thing! I wouldn't want to get into any kind of trouble like that. Do you think you can tell everyone what kind of things to look out for? Just to be safe!

.....Hmm well I saw a Winged One some days before I saw my body running around causing havoc..... I remember running after the Winged One until I found a creepy forest then... A voice called out to me before I found myself in the realm....

/nods stiffly before he answered/ ... Just don't go out during Nightfall alone, even if you have your Evoker and weapon on you...

The reason why some of the students were acting strange recently...it might have something to do with the shadows we fought that were summoned by the winged people. I don't have enough evidence to back it up but that's what my gut is telling me.

This was also the first time we've received help from the outside. The ORS proved to be a real help on this operation. There information gathering and tactical assistance saved us a lot of trouble. I look forward to working with them again.

Here's the most obvious warning: If you guys see one of those Winged Ones, run. Don't even think about fighting them, just run. As fast as you can. I didn't help that much in my case, but it's better than getting your ass handed to you by them.

They also seem to appear only during Nightfall time, so if you really have to be outside at that time, stay in groups. I don't whether that actually helps or not, but better be safe than sorry.

And one more thing, which might sound random and a bit cheesy, but I'll say it anyway: Believe in your friends.

To look out for? ........... Humm I'm not to sure myself, I transferred here not too long ago. I don't have a lot of information at hand ;;; I'm probably not much help... but I do hope to learn more from others.... But from what I know so far.... Stay in a team or at least have someone behind your back to look out for you.

Well to be safe, first and most important don't go ahead on alone always go in a team. It's always better to have someone behind your back and support each other, also be careful of those winged masks whenever they're around... it's bound to be trouble.

It was quite terrifying, you are correct there. However, I also found it be quite exciting, therefore I might not be the best person to be giving out such advice! *chuckle*

I would not wish to control others' lives the way mine was. It robs people of their own self-discovery and leads to a sheltered existence. I would, however, suggest that when travelling late a night, first years find a suitable senior student to accompany them wherever they are going. Who knows what shadows lurk behind every corner?

Also, I should take time to point out that it might not be such a brilliant idea to select a senior student (or two) who is "Persona Blocked". *pouts*

SNAKES! No but seriously look out for bein' on your own. I don't think I could've done as good without those senpais holding my back. Friendship's kinda important, right? Other things to watch out for... ah-- students that are all shadowy and have red eyes 'cause they can't be trusted - they are NOT nice, okay?

---

And from all this experience-  Learned anything or want to say anything for your fellow students? Like a message or maybe some advice!

....To all who my possessed self hurt during those times when it literally didn't have a right mind...forgive me, I will make amends ;;;..... And personally I feel our enemy is raising the stakes....and are showing themselves to be much more powerful than anticipated if they can get to us like this.... Please be vigilant and be careful...

Some advice, huh...? If you encounter some jackass who looked like they've had the worst masquerade hangover ever, get the fck away from them immediately...

Hm... I guess if there was anything I learned...if people around you start acting strange or strange things start happening to you, most likely those winged people are behind it.

Lemme see... I think this goes without saying, but to everyone who's reading this. Don't give up! Let's just kick those Winged Ones' asses!
...oh, and there's one more thing.
Hey Reiko, I'm back. And you know what that means...
You better have prepared everything... hehehe...

O 7 O OHHHHHH I just wanna say, if you find any Shadow things, like, I don't know... hair, skin, clothes, umm, eyelash or whatever, please put it in a plastic bag, and give me a call here. // insert her phone number// I'll be happy to have some shadow samples, I can pay for it as well. Thank you.

.... I do have a message... But...they are rather personal and rather different... I would rather go up to them and say it face to face. / she lightly smiles./ But I suppose some advice I can share is... Be on your guard... that is all.

I feel my bond of friendship with Tsubomi-san has grown quite a lot. We both grew as students, as people and as Supernatural Club stars.

This experience has taught me the valuable lessons of friendship and loyalty. I have never been able to rely on someone else, so thanks to Tsubomi-san, Shion-senpai and Highlander-senpai, for your support and friendship.

Believe in yourself, that's the important thing! And don't think, just go for it, y'know? Who cares if it's scary or if it doesn't make sense? It will later - everything works itself out in the end!

By: Kirishima Ryousuke

In the course of fighting a large dragon, saving a cowering town, solving a murder mystery, or elaborating one yourself -- it seemed nothing’s quite a good excuse when you’re late for your assignment. Some people pull it off well, they call the art of deception, lying. Some say it’s a skill one ought to have to survive.

Good day again, it’s your arbitrarily-considered lovable editor-in-chief of the Wataridori presenting the campus with fresh news off the press! Well, if publishing on the web requires press and ink that is. So it comes to mind that a man’s just stumped at why there’s so much deceit in the world.

When you were a kid, you’d just have fun and nothing seems to matter. Then you find yourself enamoured with that little boomerang you’ve always played finding its course crash landing to your mom’s china. You’ll be proud to tell mom, you’ve made a million things from her precious one of a kind antique and get reprimanded. You’ll cry, get hurt, get over it. As boy who learns, its these things that make a person know their rights and wrongs. When you find that boomerang crashing again to some fine china, your mom would come to ask what happened. That’s when you use the knowledge you learned, not wanting to go through the pain and tears, and for the first time you’ll make mom proud as you point out the mischievous cat she always hated has a reason to be booted. And congratulations yourself, you’ve learned to lie-- all thanks to your mom’s punishment and instruction.

It seems deceit is a mode for a few things in people. Parents scare, kids point away blame, adults make allegations, lawyers defend, and criminals puzzle. It’s all just the same act of relieving themselves of the burden brought by either inaction to do something right (or just the lack of effort for such,) or essentially getting away with an intentional fault. It seems so natural for people to just outright lie, it’s not at all disdaining. It’s quite alarming how impossible it is not actually lie! Some people do it actually save face, leave people assure of no worries, or to just convince for better prospects. There’s ways to look at it that you’ll never really get if it’s a good thing or not.

Maybe it’s better to see the ends of it all. If you see throwing a lie or two is going to do good, then it probably will. Place good intentions and the lie itself is good. But that seems wrong itself! But its weird parents teach kids to not lie, but just receive honest mistakes as something to dread. It ends up people are afraid of being vulnerable. I think that’s what mostly makes people to lie, put up a facade, and allow deceit. But yeah it all depends on the case. Please don’t find me justifying a murder case now! I’m just a high-schooler like yourself. I always make sure I minimize the extra-credit I have to do for missing out half the period! (Sorry teach!)

It’s a bit of food for thought really. It’s always nice to think, maybe with a cup of warm coffee to match the cold weather. Media is said to be veiling truth, and so would a lot of things. I do hope that you, as a person, had found people whom you can be honest with. Because in truth, it’s just anxieties driving everyone to lie. Be in comfort and in trust, then even lying doesn’t show its threat.

That’s pretty much for me, a bit rambly but hey it’s been a while! Make sure to enjoy the paper, send feedback, suggestions, and questions!

This is Ryousuke Kirishima, signing off!