A/N: I got sick. Really sick. Like, horribly sick. It's always during the Chinese New Year period. IMO it's the sudden rain and sunny day that always causes me to get sick during this period.
I usually update anything that happens to me on Patre0n—status updates are for all members, free and paid—so perhaps you could join the free tier to get any news when stuff like this happens?
And happy belated Chinese New Year, everyone! Hope you guys enjoyed the festive celebrations!
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[5/14 - Midnight]
With the hymns that soothe his soul playing in his ears, he knew that he was back in the Velvet Room.
Opening his eyes, Clerval blinked to shake off the lingering drowsiness as his glances met with Igor and Mary.
The man's grin widened as he waved an arm theatrically. "Welcome back to the Velvet Room, my dear guest. I do apologize for summoning you here two nights in a row, but we have business to attend to."
Igor then extended a hand, palm up, and a card materialized, hovering in midair above it.
"Tell me," he asked. "Do you know what tarot cards are?"
His eyes narrowed as he looked through his memories, and then he shook his head.
Igor chuckled. "No worries. I imagine it is rare, even in this... unique world. Remnant—what an interesting place." As he spoke, the card faded away with a faint shimmer, and he clapped his hands together.
A moment later, he separated them, revealing a neat stack of cards now resting in his hands. Placing the deck carefully on the long table, Igor spread the cards out before him, his ever-present grin stretching across his face.
"Tarot cards are mostly used for divination and fortune-telling—a skill I have cultivated for quite some time. Please, pick three cards."
Clerval nodded, complying, and reached out to take three cards from the deck. Igor gestured to the table, instructing him to keep the cards faced down as he cleared the space.
"Now," Igor continued. "Choose each card to represent your fate—one for your past, one for your present, and finally, one for your future."
Taking his time, he soon separated all three cards and placed them on the table.
"Perfect. Let the Arcana reveal all to us."
With a flick, the first card that represents his past flipped, revealing an ominous skeleton bearing a scythe with the number thirteen on the bottom. The room suddenly shifts in atmosphere as Igor grinned widely.
"The Death Arcana," Igor intoned with curiosity. "In its upright position, it represents transformation, endings, change, and transition. Something I imagine you can relate to, given your lack of memories and bizarre situation."
Clerval stared at the residents of the Velvet Room, their expressions as inscrutable as ever. They know about his condition... Could it be that they also know about his past?
Igor moved on to the card representing Clerval's present. With a swift flick, the card flipped over, revealing its image: a lone man walking aimlessly alongside a dog, the number 0 at the bottom.
"The Fool Arcana." The man chuckled as he tapped on the card. "Upright, it represents beginnings, freedom, innocence, and adventure. Quite fitting, I would say, as you embark on your own personal odyssey. A wanderer of fate, if you will."
Finally, Igor moved onto the last card on the table, representing his future. He flipped it open, revealing a tower stricken by lightning with the number sixteen.
"Ah, the Tower Arcana." Clerval immediately noticed the subtle shift in Igor's tone. "In its upright state, it represents destruction, disaster, sudden change, and chaos. It seems that you will encounter a terrible catastrophe in the future."
Swiping all three cards, he places them back into the deck and shuffles it. "I bring this up for one reason: your powers."
Finishing the shuffling, Igor draws two cards and places them on the table, flipping them to reveal their images.
"Your Persona that you awakened. It is a side of you that manifests when you react to external stimuli. Simply think of it as a mask that protects you as you walk towards the difficulties in life."
"The power of a Persona comes from the power of one's soul... And the soul is strengthened through the bonds you've built. As you form bonds by becoming involved in others' lives, your Social Links will gradually develop. And when the strength of those Social Links develops, it will in turn foster the growth of your own Personas."
Mary steps into the conversation.
"You must have heard my voice when you started a Social Link. I am Thou. Thou art I. So far, you have unlocked the Social Links of both the Fool and the High Priestess Arcana. One is forged with yourself, and the other with a Weiss Schnee."
Straightening his posture, Igor waved an arm.
"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed; it starts with the Fool, and by gaining the strength through the bonds made, the Fool will soar and become the World itself... But I digress. While there is still much to explain, I will withhold further details for now. Process the knowledge you have gained, and return to the Velvet Room when you are ready."
Seeing the conversation was drawing to a close, Clerval spoke quickly.
"My memories… Do you know what happened to them?"
The question drew Mary's gaze to Igor, whose ever-present grin remained unfaltering.
"Yes, I do," he said.
"Can you tell me who I was?"
He shook his head and crossed his legs. "Unfortunately not. You are not yet strong enough to bear that understanding."
Strong enough? Igor seemed to read his thoughts and smiled knowingly.
"I will tell you of your past, but only when you have grown stronger than before. Forge new bonds, strengthen your Social Links, and nurture your Personas. When the time is right, your story will be revealed."
It is a deal, then.
Abruptly, Mary stood forward with glowing golden eyes.
["I am Thou,"]
["Thou art I."]
["Thou hast established a new path,
bringing thee further into your odyssey."]
["With the birth of the Judgement Arcana,]
["Thine soul shalt be blessed to call forth stronger Personas of the Judgement Arcana..."]
Her voice reverberated through the room. Then, she stepped back to Igor's side. Clerval glanced at him, noting that his ever-present grin seemed to have reached a new peak.
"My, my... a Social Link forged with myself as the connection," Igor mused, his voice filled with amusement. "You are a very interesting guest indeed."
Just then, the chime of an approaching announcement echoed through the train's public system. With the alarm sounding, he clasped his hands together, leaning forward in his seat.
"Time moves on in your world. We shall meet again, Wanderer, the next time of your own accord."
A second later, a wave of drowsiness swept over him. He surrendered to the pull, bidding farewell to both residents of the Velvet Room as consciousness slipped away.
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SOCIAL LINK RANK UP!
JUDGEMENT (20): Igor
Level 1 / 10
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NEXT UPDATE: Take a Deep Breath, Deep Breath (27 February, Fri)
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