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

[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!

[seiyayamada]

Digging into her pocket, Seiya produced the broken compact from earlier. "I busted it in a fight, but you get it, yeah?" She plopped it in his hand.

[terminalshow]

"This will work nicely." He plucked that up too, squinting seriously at it with a drawn out 'hmm'. "Will your companions want the same thing?"

[seiyayamada]

"I don't know... so far only--" Seiya held he side, waiting for the ache to pass, "--nnghtwo of us have the ability to summon persona."

It felt weird, being able to say she wasn't alone. A good weird. "I don't really know her well..."

[terminalshow]

"A compact version will work fine unless you find out she'd like another." Arthur leaned forward and rummaged under the elegant tablecloth covering the table. He produced a small burner with a delicate looking crystal vial. Rather than being held up, the vial seemed to float over the spot where the flame would ignite.

Broken pieces of mirror were removed from the busted compact and set aside. With a very swift movement and with a knife that seemed to have appeared from no where (it looked like a very sharp ceremonial knife) Arthur slice and diced the first fragment of ice. When it'd been cut small enough (oddly enough it didn't reform!) the pieces were carefully dropped into the crystalline vial.

The blonde snapped his fingers, and the burner ignited. A wavering purple-blue flame flared into life against the glass and started to slowly melt the ice inside.

"Are you taking your 'social links' seriously?"

[seiyayamada]

Seiya watched him, completely smitten. He was like some mystic genius right out of her animes! Scootching closer, Seiya rested her chin in her palms, expression that of someone who'd just seen something unbelievable.

"Oh, yes! I'm making lots of friends." She bit her lip, stifling a groan, "That's how it... works right?"

[terminalshow]

“Yes. That's comforting to hear.” What was that? He was worried if she'd take this whole business seriously? Hmm! Arthur seemed to be intently watching the ice melt, his vivid yellow eyes narrowed in mild concentration. After another little rummage under the table he nodded in satisfaction. “This will work well. You have a good eye.”

It appeared he'd dug up another little vial from under the table! This one was full of a teeeny tiny amount of silver liquid. He poured that into the vial. The melting ice immediately began to take on the texture of quicksilver! Ho-ho! “It's almost ready. This is the casing you'd like to use? It's in good enough condition.” He tapped the case of the compact mirror Seiya had given him earlier.

[seiyayamada]

Seiya shifted, holding her side once more. "Oh, thank you." Watching the mixtures form into something beautiful, she beamed. "Yes please!"

Things seemed to be going well enough. Even with the shooting pain she seemed pleased. Opening the velvet notebook, she put a little check next to the first batch of ice.

[terminalshow]

“Are you in a great deal of pain?” He asked it rather casually while intently eying the mixture that was starting to boil. As the first bubble formed along the surface of the quicksilver he plucked the vial off the burner. Arthur swizzled the liquid as though it were a fine wine, and then ever so carefully poured it where the broken mirror had resided in Seiya's compact. Within moments of the finished pour it solidified into a smooth and crystal clear surface. Taa daa, a new mirror!

“When you break this, it will reform.”

[seiyayamada]

As much as she didn't want to admit it, she was. Seiya tried to hide it, but gave in quickly. "Yes."

As Arthur poured in the mixture, she raised her eyebrows, "That's fantastic!"

[terminalshow]

"Wait here." He scooped up the remaining shards of ice, the compact, and all the other equipment he'd used and then made his way to the other end of the Velvet Room. Arthur vanished through another door (where did it lead?), and didn't return for several moments. When he did return, it was with a little vial of some sort of liquid. "Drink this."

(SEIYA HAS RECEIVED MEDICINE!)

[seiyayamada]

Watching him disappear, Seiya twiddled her thumbs. Upon his return, she gladly accepted the vial. "What's this?" Without waiting for an answer, she popped the cork and drank it. Instantly, the pain subsided.

"... you're magic."

[terminalshow]

One of his brows rose and holy hot damn the corner of his lips actually twitched up a bit on one side. "Somewhat. It'll help the pain. That one is on the house."

[seiyayamada]

"Thanks, really." A sincere grin spread across her face. Seiya stood up, stretching her newly healed side. "So, what else can I do for you?"

[terminalshow]

He shook his head. “Recover. The requests I have in mind require you to be healthy.” And not in the hospital, actually! He needed one more item from the mirror world and.. Well, he was quite interested in visiting her world! But that would have to wait.

[seiyayamada]

Seiya grabbed her things, saluting him. "Then I shall return when I'm all better!" She turned to go, taking her time.

[terminalshow]

"... Please do." He supposed he could ask her to say, considering in the waking world she was busy doing a whole lot of nothing, but.. Well. His Master would be back soon, after all. "Visit soon." Shrug!