*000000*

A connection was formed, but it was different from how you were used to. The changes to Host's brain were less intrusive, for one thing, and certainly not so obvious as to form an entirely new lobe. For another, you could tell that the majority of your true self was diminished. All you had left were the components necessary to forge this connection in the first place, the personality matrix you were using to simulate complex thought, and the stored data of seven alternate versions of Host.

Or… well, they were alternate versions, you were pretty sure. None of them looked anything like Host, but you could see their genetic markers contained trace similarities. And… What were these powers? None of them were Shard-derived, that was for certain.

Shaking your head, you reassessed your priorities. Nobody here noticed your presence, invisible and incorporeal as you were, though the not-Host who had been standing upon Host's back was leaning heavily against a wall for some reason. The two other not-Hosts were distracted expressing concern for their ally. All the better to allow you time to figure out which of these Projections you would utilize first.

There were seven in total, a number that disappointed you. You had imagined the selection would be greater, pulling from the wider multiverse as you were. Worse, some of them possessed capabilities that your Host couldn't access. This power profile was designed to be growth-based, akin to Collector or Inheritor's usual profiles. What was the point of locking one Projection's powers behind a different Projection's powers!?

That could wait. Or rather, deeper introspection could wait, the information itself was crucial to your decision-making. You had only seconds until the not-Hosts recovered and returned to their assault against your Host.

Attempting to focus on one of the Projections, your personality matrix simulated a wince of pain. Why were the Projections shifting in this way? It was so difficult to focus when all seven were taking up your attention, almost clamoring to be chosen. Narrowing your focus, you randomly selected three to encompass within your "field of view", allowing yourself to more closely analyze their capabilities…

…is what you would have said if you could read the blasted things! No, no wasting precious nanoseconds on simulated expressions of outrage. Focus.

The first was a cold youth. Not in the sense your simulated personality would be considered "cold", no, this Projection was the embodiment of ice. Though, with how formal and isolated this Projection was, perhaps the figurative cold was accurate as well. Yet, even in frigid winter, there existed a kindling of flame, kindness and loyalty exceeding that of an ordinary member of the Host species. Now if only you knew why this one seemed to walk on the edge of death…

The second was… if you had to put it to a word, "motherly" would be it. From what you had observed of the Host species during your wait, this immense feeling of love and duty both encapsulated the ideal of "motherhood". Host's own maternal figure would have gotten along well with this Projection, you would think, though something about this one hurt your simulated mind. It was as if spacetime itself was shifting around it.

The final Projection you could see, now that one gave you chills. It gave off the impression of knowledge, but not wisdom. It was confident and desperate both, willing to do anything for the sake of its goals. This one, you could tell, would be an innovator, though what technology it would produce was beyond your ken of understanding. On the one hand, something miniscule… on the other, something massive. This Projection could lead to salvation and extinction both, you feared.

You were about to retract your focus in order to scan the rest of your options, when the athletic not-Host staggered upright. That wouldn't do; reading these Projections further would take too long. The threat to Host was nigh, and you had plenty of options available now. There was no need for a perfect solution, merely a solution at all.

You reached out and made your selection. The Projection most suited to your Host, for now, would be…

[_] …the girl of ice, responsibility, and death. (Projection ?02)

[_] …the mother of many, with a warped presence. (Projection ?05)

[_] …the genius who was just as fallible as any Host. (Projection ?06)Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Current Energy: 20

It was a good thing the ground in this area was concrete, because your first ever appearance wouldn't have felt half as good without the distinct clack of a heel on stone. Though, somehow it felt wrong to be "summoned" like this without the accompaniment of shattered glass or blue flames… Oh well, good enough.

Immediately as you regained your bearings, your face morphed into a demure scowl. Honestly, this school — Winslow High School, correct? — was in atrocious condition. Look, over there, the garbage piled up next to the dumpster. Oh, and was that graffiti on the wall that girl was leaning on? Despicable. From what you could see from your Host's memories, the poor academic profile of the students was as much a failing of the environment as it was of the teachers.

If you only had your family's resources, you could tear this trash heap down and build a monument to education in its place. Alas, you were not actually Mitsuru Kirijo, much as you resembled her.

Tilting your head forward, just enough to convey a message of "I am looking down on you", you said, "What do we have here? Common bullies, I see? I would suggest you leave now. Your presence is disruptive."

The not-Hosts, the girls, looked at you with shock. "A-A cape!?" one of them exclaimed.

With a frown, you adjusted the cape hanging from your vest. "Yes? Despite capes' lack of practicality in combat, this one is designed with a special armor weave, and is able to be swiftly detached in the case it gets caught. Or, rather, do you find it unfashionable?" Quickly giving the girl, a redhead wearing simple jeans and a tee shirt a glance, you thoughtfully provided, "Honestly, perhaps a cape would make a pleasant addition to your own wardrobe. It would hide the mismatched colors you're wearing."

That comment turned the girl's pallor from white to a red that matched her hair. "Excuse you!? Who do you think you are!?"

You knelt down and gently wrapped an arm under your Host's. She was sweaty, but you could forgive the unpleasant sensation in favor of assisting her. She climbed to her feet unsteadily, leaning on you all the while. Her expression was befuddled, as if she never expected anyone to help her.

Those sorts of expectations would be executed, swiftly and mercilessly.

"My name is Mitsuru Kirijo," you lied, "though I suppose the weight behind that name is lost on you."

What was your name, anyway? You were the Queen Administrator Shard, so you could take on the name "QA", or something in that vein. But you were also damaged enough that your place in the Warrior's network was certainly defunct. Maybe this was a good time to take on a new name?

[_] Yes, a new name sounded phenomenal. Or it would, once you came up with one. (Choose your new name. Write-In: ___)

[_] No, you were and always would be "Queen Administrator". (Your name is Queen Administrator, or "QA" for short.)

Your Host gaped, shivering in what you assumed was fear. You could not sense her emotions now, nor hear her thoughts — not while you were corporeal. An unfortunate consequence of your more "real" existence in the material realm.

"Why…?" your poor Host whispered.

With a gentle, reassuring smile, you said to her, "Because you needed help. That is all."

Another lie. You only chose her initially because she suited your needs better than any other, and were now stuck with her for the foreseeable future thanks to all the damage you suffered. But Mitsuru Kirijo was not heartless, and would never say such a thing to an innocent person. Besides, now that the Cycle was basically overturned by its lack of you, you could do whatever you wanted.

Keeping that in mind, what did you want to do now? The athletic girl had finally righted herself, and was glaring at you like you had killed her firstborn. The other two, one which you seemed to recall was named "Barnes", appeared worried.

Perhaps you could-

A dark fist narrowly avoided your cheekbone as you turned your head and pulled your Host away. The athletic girl turned to her compatriots and shouted, "Ems, run! Call the PRT! I'll handle the villain!"

How rude, calling you a villain when she had been harassing your Host.

The two extraneous bullies fled like the cowards they were, leaving you and your Host alone with the gutsy girl here.

"I dunno who you are, but you're not getting away with attacking me here," she growled.

"I do believe you were the one to strike first," you calmly countered, moving your Host behind yourself. She stumbled on her injured foot, but quickly got the message and hid. Until she inherited some of your power, she would be defenseless. Better to leave the dirty work to you.

Your opponent scoffed. "As if. An unknown parahuman showing up here, in front of me of all people? Who sent you, the ABB?"

"Is it so surprising that I would protect an innocent?" you posited, bemused at the girl's paranoia. Honestly, she was like a stray dog, barking at every passing car… oh, but no offense to Koromaru, of course. He was a good boy.

"Tch, yeah, like anyone'd protect Hebert," the girl scoffed. "Pull the other one."

It seemed she lacked reason. "Do not project your lack of empathy onto me. Turn around and walk away; I promise you will not be harmed."

That was the wrong thing to say, if the girl's sudden apoplectic rage was any indication. "I'm going to bring you down before the PRT gets here! Better hope I make it quick!"

Bother. Your Host was still nearby, too kindhearted to leave you alone with this aggressor. The "PRT" sounded like a law enforcement agency. It would be unfortunate to remain here if this girl would only spin the situation against you. Something about her tone suggested she had more sway than an ordinary pedestrian…

On the other hand, you weren't certain you could flee with your Host without incapacitating the girl first. While you likely could kill her with a single swing of the sword, that would undoubtedly create more trouble than it was worth. And with your limited energy reserves… Was it worth it to cast Marin Karin so soon after taking on this form?

If only you could ask your Host for her opinion. But you knew better than to reveal your connection so carelessly, even if your arrival to save her was conspicuous.

Choices, choices…

[_] You grabbed your Host and fled. Your current form was fast enough, but she looked a little scrawny, and didn't have a Persona's enhancements. Not to mention her injured foot. You could keep your attacker away with your blade if it came down to it.

[_] You stood your ground and prepared for combat. You couldn't rely on your skill at running away, not when things were so uncertain. A single Marin Karin would be enough to charm the girl away from attacking you, but it would be costly. (-2 Energy)