I looked about the bus I was currently riding. Boring, boring, and more boring is all that awaited me.
"Ah well, I guess that's my cue to sleep on it."
I laid my head back against the seat and closed my eyes.
I was greeted by a vision of darkness that slowly lifted to reveal a real blast from the past. There sat Igor and Margaret, right in the back end of my interpretation of the Velvet Room, which happened to be in the form of a military transport truck. The back flap where you were supposed to get out was closed, just like every other time.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room yet again, my dear young man."
"Why, hello again, Seth. It has been a while since you were last called to this place." Margaret looked up from the book she was always carrying. "However, this is no time for pleasantries. The matter we are to inform you of is of grave importance."
"Thank you Margaret," Igor cut in, " I will explain the situation to him." He turned to me, " As you know, when one is summoned to the Velvet Room, they are at the start of a long and important journey. You have already been on one before, and lived to tell the tale. However, this time the journey will not be taken alone. You will need to form Social Links, make friends, and most certainly come here often. To do that, you must make use of this." He snapped his fingers, making what looked like an ignition key appear right in front of me.
"Wait a minute, Igor," I pulled out my own Velvet Key. "Couldn't I just use this?"
"Ah, you still have it." He chuckled, " No, your key from your last journey will not work anymore. Keep it as a souvenir. We have changed the locks, as you would say, and that key is now useless."
"Oh"
"Also, your Persona has changed to reflect the start of your new journey. It has taken a shape that you and your friends will find easier to understand and use. The question is why. Why has this happened and what does it mean other than just ease of use?"
"What form could that be? After all, I lost my Evoker back on the battlefield, so I don't have a way of finding out."
"In due time, my dear young man, in due time. However, it is time for you to wake up. Time marches on in your world. Whenever you need our assistance, feel free to come back."
"Alright." I stood up from the seat that I was occupying."In that case, I will take my leave. Goodbye Igor, Margaret."
I awoke to the sound of the bus stopping. The driver called out that we had arrived. I grabbed my things, stopping to put on my brass knuckles. It WAS the middle of the night. You can never be too careful, after all. I turned and walked off of the bus. The "Welcome to Athens" sign was my only greeting.
"Well then. In that case, let's go and see what's changed since my last time here. Sounds like fun." My Persona, Oni Achilles, didn't say a word. I guess that this was a side effect of him "changing forms". Oh well, I guess that can't be helped.