The Velvet Room

[terminalshow]

When Seiya went to sleep that night, after the events in the otherworld, she would be visited in a fairly familiar dream. A door opened, blinding her temporarily with a brilliant white light. This was the second time she’d had this ‘vision’ or ‘dream’. It was, after all, a place that existed between dream and reality, mind and matter (she’d been told that, the first time). When that faded she would find herself standing in a spacious room – an ethereal sounding opera song played faintly in the background as though it was playing in another room entirely.

The room itself was only dimly lit and seemed to consist of various shades of purple. A bar lined one wall, with several high chairs neatly in a row against it. In the center of the room was a large love seat with a small table in front of it – more importantly, however, was the man sitting on the couch. He peered over his long nose at Seiya. To his right was another man. This man was significantly younger (and also his nose wasn’t so flipping massive), with pale blonde hair tied back in a tight pony tail, and vivid gold eyes.

The highschooler had met these two before, in her previous dream. They were Igor and his assistant Arthur, and this was the Velvet Room. The last time she had been here, she was only introduced to the two figures that inhabited the room, told the name of the place, and given a key. It seemed it was time for a more in depth explanation!

“I’ve been expecting you.” Igor spoke, grinning. His eyes seemed to practically bugle out of his head. “It’s so nice to see you again. I see you have started awakening to your ‘Power’. It was Hlin that heeded your call, I see…” The man nodded matter of factly, and approvingly. “That power is called ‘Persona’ – the manifestation of your psyche. We all have many faces to show the world, and our Persona is one of many. As you develop and develop your relationships with those around you, so too will your Persona develop. These 'social links' will act as the guiding light to aquiring more Personae, and more experience.”

The young man to Igor’s right looked a little bored, at this point, but kept up his rigid pose and blank expression. Igor continued to address Seiya, after another pause, “It is time for you to use and develop your power. The other world, the mirrors. What connection does it all share, and why did it come into being? You are not yet capable of answering these and other questions… Which is why you must be made aware of the nature of your power.”

“You are able to possess multiple Personas, and summon them as needed. You are like the number zero, empty, but at the same time holding infinite possibility. Your power is unique. When you have defeated your enemies, you will see the faces of possibility before you. At times it wil be difficult to grasp, but do not fear. Take what you earn, and your power will grow accordingly. Do keep that in mind.”

“This room, too, has a purpose. It is my job to create new Personas… But in order to do so, I must fuse the Persona cards you recieve together. Meaning, I merge two cards into a single Persona, for you. There is much more to talk about… and about how I may assist you. But that is for another time. Do come again.” He stopped then, leaving her with a small explanation of what to expect. What a whole lot of information to take in! Arthur stepped up then, one hand lifting to idly adjust the little hat on his head (it looked a lot like the one Seiya’s work uniform used).

“Excuse me, there is something I would like to ask of you..”

((Visual refrence for this version of the VR. More purples though!))

Comments

[seiyayamada]

Seiya wandered into the Velvet Room, taking the seat she had previously been instructed to use. Listening halfheartedly, the girl perked up when the strange man's assistant began speaking. Watching curiously, she paused a moment to take in the rooms beauty.

"Oh, yes...?" she trailed off, not remembering his name.

[terminalshow]

“…Arthur.” He exhaled through his nose, as though he was somehow annoyed that she hadn’t remembered his name. “My name is Arthur. I have a favour to ask of you. I do not leave the Velvet Room often… And it’s been quite some time since we had a customer worthy of our attention. Please,” Oooh, he used that word with a hint of grudgingness to it, “accept my requests from time to time. Simple things, usually. For instance, I need three shards of red ice, from the mirror world.”

What did he need that for? He wasn’t about to explain, apparently!

[seiyayamada]

"That was it! Arthur." she beamed at him anyway, shifting in her seat. "I can do that, I think." Seiya stood, a bit uncomfortable being below his eye level.

"Is there anything else?"

[terminalshow]

“No. Not at the moment.” He went to move back to his spot and continue ignoring Seiya, when a thought dawned on him. After a moment of thought, he opened his mouth. “... A chocolate bar. From your world.”

[seiyayamada]

"A chocolate bar?" Seiya raised a brow, folding her arms. "Okay. Nuts, no nuts? Caramel? Nuget? And how exactly do I get here again to bring it to you?" She spewed out a few spitfire questions.

[terminalshow]

“A chocolate bar.” Why did he have to repeat himself. Arthur's slender brows furrowed at the sudden questions. “No nuts... What is nuget? Do you still have the key that was given to you? Keep that on you, and the door will appear when you need it to.”

[seiyayamada]

"Yanno, nuget. Ooooh wait no, you wouldn't know." Seiya seemed amused by how little Arthur knew of the world outside his creepy friend's club. "Got it. Don't worry about it!" Beaming, she drifted back into consciousness, leaving the Velvet Room.

-----

What would be a few days later for Seiya, she returned. Key in hand, she produced a rucksack off her shoulder, setting it down on the bar. "Arthur-san, where are you?"

[terminalshow]

Igor, oddly enough, seemed to be out. There was a little card left on the table he usually sat behind that read 'OUT' in very fancy lettering. Arthur, however, was there in his Master's place. He wasn't sitting where Igor usually sat, though. Hmm. “Welcome to the Velvet Room.” He entered from the side – it seemed there was another door there. “How may I help you today...?”

[seiyayamada]

Looking up with a little grin, she opened up her bag, producing 10 different kinds of chocolate bar. Lining them up in a pleasant little order, she gestured down. "Ta-da!"

[terminalshow]

He tried not to look impressed. Really, he did. Both slender brows rose, as he folded his hands neatly behind his back. This was certainly a lot of chocolate. “... Hn. That is a very large quantity.” Squint! H-he didn't know anything about any of these. “...Which do you suggest.”

[seiyayamada]

A somewhat smug smirk crossed her lips as she watched his reaction. "Well, this one is just plain milk chocolate, and this one has caramel..." she went down the line, describing each one. "And finally, this has nuget, and is personally my favourite. You're welcome to keep and try them all, though."

[terminalshow]

“I...” He cleared his throat, glancing to the side. He wasn't interested in this stuff, no sir-ee! Definitely not! “I will do that. Thank you.” Almost hesitantly, Arthur reached down to pluck the nougat chocolate bar up. He oh so delicately unwrapped it and carefully inspected it.. And then slowly brought it to his lips. Blink blink. “...This is most interesting.” Nom nom nom, oh man, this was fantastic! “H-hn. Yes. Your reward.”

He produced a pouch. “24,000 of your 'yen'.”

[seiyayamada]

"WHOAH, seriously?" Seiya's eyes widened. At this rate she'd never have to work for her dad again! Peering into the pouch, she was practically drooling. "You can't be serious."

[seiyayamada]

Drifting off in the hospital bed, Seiya envisioned the large blue door once more. Opening it, she entered, favouring her side. In her psyche, the bandaging was gone, but the pain was like a dull ache in the back of her mind.

"Helloooo?"

[terminalshow]

The same quiet melodic opera was playing again, muffled and almost inaudible. Igor appeared to be out again, but it seemed as though Arthur had been expecting her. “Welcome to the Velvet Room. My Master is unavailable at the moment, but bids you well. You may fuse Personas the next time you come, he'll be here, then.”

He was holding the copy of the notebook he'd given her. “You've completed another request.” No comment about the state her waking body was in yet though!

[seiyayamada]

Perking up at the sight of her friend, she wandered over. Seiya fished into her pockets, producing the ice shards as requested. "Y-Yeah." God, that pain. She leaned on a bar stool, nose scrunching up.

[terminalshow]

He held his gloved hand out for them. Oddly enough these shards of ice, while cold to the touch, never seemed to melt or give off any water. How strange! Arthur examined them closely, humming and hmming over things Seiya wouldn't understand. "These will do. Thank you. Your reward will be ready tomorrow."

He paused, opening his mouth slightly as he took in Seiya's appearance. Hrmm. "How.. are you feeling."

[seiyayamada]

"I think I'm in the hospital." Seiya grinned at his approval, holding her side with a free arm. "Is that possibl-augh!"

[terminalshow]

"Yes, your body is not in the best condition." Apparently he could notice that sort of thing? ... Arthur continued to stare rather blankly for a moment after she cried out, and then took a small step forward. "Seiya?"

[seiyayamada]

Wincing, she just shrunk down onto her knees. "M-M'fine..." Seiya peered up at him, forcing herself to be calm. "What's the... the ice for?"

[terminalshow]

"Sit. You should sit." He offered her a hand, while gesturing to the opposite side of the room. Unlike this side of the room, where there was a bar and stools, that side had a very comfortable looking couch along the wall. A fountain type feature was built into the wall as well, rivulets of water running down it and illuminated by a purple-ish light. It looked pretty cool!

"I plan to make you and your companions some... Equipment. It will make summoning your Persona easier."

[seiyayamada]

Hesitantly, she took his hand. Easing up, Seiya followed him to the sofa, sitting down with a sharp inhale. "That's great, Arthur!" Leaning on her good side, she took a shaky breath. "Can I... I watch you make them?"

[terminalshow]

“Watch me...?” He squinted at her like she was crazy for even suggesting such a thing, but... Well. What was the harm in it, really? Arthur shrugged a little and then nodded after a bit of thought. “Yes. It may not be very entertaining. But I may need your... opinion.” He sat next to her (but not too close). With a gesture the shards of ice appeared before them on the table.

“Three shards. Three pieces of equipment. Three people. If you want more, I'll need more ice.” He plucked up a particularly splendid looking fragment... And then shattered it! Holy shit! Before their very eyes, however, the broken ice shimmered and slowly started to regain it's original form. It left no mess and no sign that there had been any breakage.

“I will need.. Casing. For this. What type of casing would you prefer?”

[seiyayamada]

She felt very lucky to be granted the privilege of observing. Staring at the ice, she jumped in surprise when he shattered it. "Arthur I--" Stopping mid-sentence, she gazed in disbelief as it reformed.

"Oh wow, that's amazing!!" Seiya nudged his shoulder, impressed. "What do you mean by casing? Like a makeup compact?"

[terminalshow]

“What is a... … Yes. Like a make up compact.” What was a make-up compact, exactly? “Please show me yours.” Whether she was visiting while sleeping or awake, small items that were on her seemed to come with her!