I noticed that in one of your responses to an ask, you referred to the MCs hobbies as "special interests". I'll admit my perspective is a bit biased in this regard, but I've only ever really heard this term used in reference to autism. So as you might have guessed, my question is, is the new kid meant to be autistic? Cause it'd definitely fit with other stuff, both obvious like not being good at social stuff, to less obvious like having a separate persona for interacting with people.
Oh, maybe that was poor word choice? That's pretty dope if a specific New Kid reads as autistic, but I meant "special interest" in the more general interpretation of the term. I'm not specifically writing the MC as autistic.
Things like whether or not the MC enjoys social stuff is left up to player choice, but the MC is naturally perceptive and analytical of the people and social interactions happening around them. The MC is always keeping tabs on people and events, but using what you've noticed for social gain is player choice. Your comfort with manipulation is player choice, your capacity to manipulate is innate. So the MC is, at least, always good at the observational aspects of social interaction and executing social manipulation.
Funny enough, I've sort of based the more innate qualities of the character on myself? I've had a life of very high social stakes and expectations, where putting on a front is vital regardless of how you feel about it. I know part of how I've succeeded socially despite intense social anxiety is masking, but the Persona/Personality system is meant to be a more general portrayal of public-facing persona vs. inner thoughts and feelings. (Super fake New Kids push that to a different extreme, but they're special 😆) Could totally be interpreted some other ways, though!
