Author's Note: Hello there people of the Persona Fandom it is I Ace-AttorneyFan13, one of the worst authors on site. For me I love writing with all my soul and my very being. My only downside is that I am horrible with keeping up with updates/writing down my ideas. So I resorted to start typing on my IPhone on the go so whenever I am in the mood to type or if I have a flash of inspiration I'll always have it on the ready. Alright for get my silly rambling enjoy the fic!
It's funny.
You know, humanity's view on well humanity. We view other people as different by dividing us into different groups, races, social standing, rank and the what not. Yet in essence we are the same species through and through, and we still differentiate ourselves. It's a strange thought no doubt but when you get down to the nitty-gritty of it, you would find it funny in some way no matter who you are.
We all want to be different yet we are all the same, a strange statement indeed.
No one tries to understand this sentiment in the least and even if they did they just choose sides.
We are the same
Or
We are different
No more, no less. No underlying statements or any allegations can change the decision in choice, but that's just how it is. Of course, people are free to speak their own mind and decide these kind of things on their own accord but if they just miss something and that something is important than it's their lost.
Although understanding this idea was not in your best interest and you may have found it dull and void of any useful knowledge you should keep this at the back of your mind. You never know...
It could be the tool to your salvation...
Streets were filled with people coming and going, as they hastily try to reach their destination and go on with their lives. Cars were lining the street, exhausting the resources they consume to get from place to place to place. Buildings were lined up as far as the eye can see where flashing lights and merchandise are presented in hopes of an increase of customers. Yes it's a normal day in the big city, where the large amount of people decide to live in. From here you can see the different kinds of people just by taking a single step.
You go into an alleyway and you meet a gang of thugs who want nothing more than to take your wallet and mess with your face. Step into a store and find sales man/sales woman (not to be sexist...) doing what they can to drain your wallet through legal methods. Take a small walk into the neighborhood and meet some person or another who would just like to have small talk with you while having a nice cup of tea with them. Overall, you can say the city brings all kinds of people together whether they be good or bad.
But of course there is always that person who tends to stick out from the crowd, that one person that can be seen even through the busiest streets.
Yeah I'm one of those people.
My name is Hikaru. That's it, I don't have a last name. At least I don't think I have one, but for a guy like me I could care less even if I did. Of course I'm a guy too, I know Hikaru is a pretty feminine name but I am a dude. And if you haven't figured it out, I don't have parents and yes I live alone it's been like that since the dawn of time but I honestly don't care enough. If I didn't care about it then why should I now? Anyway, yeah I stick out like a sore thumb. For no specific reason, I'm not that tall and I'm not glowing if that was what you were thinking. It's just that, well I have blue hair. But not that bullshit really-really dark blue that looks black, it's the real deal blue. It's like I was cosplaying as some punk as hell anime character, and in a country like Japan that's no problem. But I'm not cosplaying, I was born with this hair. Whenever someone stares at me it's because of the hair, it's like they're thinking:
'Wow another cosplayer? With people like him they'll ruin Japan's image and... Blah, blah, blah.'
Yeah you get the idea...
Ah speaking of which, I was also born without a voice. Yeah, ever since I could remember I've never spoken a single word the best you could get from me is a groan. I can't really express myself or my opinions so I kinda just stopped trying. It's a pain a lot of the time, but I usually see it as a good thing since I don't have to communicate with people if I don't feel like it. Some people pity me for it, and that can really get on my nerves but then again a lot of things do. If anything I think it's a blessing.
Not sure if it says a lot about myself but hey, introductions have to start somewhere. I'm just your average high school student, well I think I'm average; I get good grades, I'm pretty athletic, got a job and I got a home...
What else do you tell people when you introduce yourself?
Ah to hell with it I got to get to school anyway, maybe I'll tell you the rest later.
Getting to school seems as normal as ever, but it's always a pain. No matter where you go you'll usually have to go through a big crowd if you want to get anywhere, and the train is always packed at any time of day. So either way you're probably caught up in some big rush or another, I don't like that. I'm more of a guy who likes to take things at their own pace, besides being in large crowds makes me uneasy.
Although for one reason or another it seemed to be less people out than usual. I didn't think of it at the time, I just needed to get to school ASAP.
When I got into the train station, I was actually surprised to see that there was barely any people in the station. I didn't see the usual crowd and it sort of seemed odd that it was only me and a couple of other passengers waiting for the next train. I didn't mind though...
The less people the better...
But the emptiness of the station was still strange and something was kind of nagging at me. Feeling a little odd I decided to listen to some music to calm my nerves down a bit. Headphones were already on my ears as music started to flow through them.
'Dreamless dorm, Ticking clock
I walk away from the soundless room...'
It's an old song but I think it's one of my favourites. I'm not exactly sure who composed it, but I'll tell you right now it's absolutely amazing every time I hear it. I probably turned the volume so high that people could hear it as clearly as I could, but I didn't care they could be the prime minister or some old senior dude and I still wouldn't bring the volume down.
The melody of the song was flowing so smoothly I swore I felt like flying, the sensation is something I could never quite explain but I felt my best when listening to music through my headphones. I'm not some expert on music but it doesn't take a genius to know a good song when they hear one, especially when it helps one feel at ease. I feel cut off from reality at times like this, when one feels true isolation it's hard to describe the bliss they feel.
I've been alone for my whole life so the feeling of just being by myself is something I got used to over time but because of that it feels as though I like it better this way. I would probably die alone and no one would give a damn about me as they go on with their lives, and I actually enjoy the thought. People say the worst death is dying alone; well I say that they're wrong. It's probably the best way, dying alone means you have no more ties to this place and you could pass on with no regrets and likewise no one would feel miserable over your death. It's hard to understand but I know you get where I'm coming from.
The train pulls up and the automatic doors open up to allow both sides to enter or leave as they please. Luckily for me I was able to snag a seat today, for some reason the train felt emptier for some reason. I scanned the part of the train I was in; I seemed to be the only passenger on board at the moment. It was strange no doubt about it but I didn't care anymore, I had my music and I was alone that was all I needed at the moment.
I stifled a yawn, and became tired all of a sudden. My eyelids felt heavy and my mind less aware. My vision started to fade slowly and I could feel sleepy as time went on.
'I was up late last night; guess it's coming back for me. Well a nap is fine I guess, besides my stop isn't that close...'
I close my eyelids and feel succumbed into sleeping.
This felt... different.
Was I dreaming?
Cause if I am why am I in a library? Better yet why is this library all purple and blue? And is that a piano I'm hearing? Whose voice is that? Are they singing? Heck I don't even
know anymore...
I was sitting on a chair with a table sprawled out in front of me, in the middle of some vast library that seemed too big to be any kind of library I've been to and not to mention it was way too purple and blue not that the colour scheme is bad or anything I actually kinda like it; but there was no way this was some run-of-the mill library with only those half-assed books that nobody would ever read, it just wasn't normal. Being bewildered by my surroundings I failed to notice the figure that was across the table staring at me that is until he spoke up in the strangest yet eerie voice. He seemed just as surprised as I was, but more or less about me.
"Oh my...! We have a guest? Hmm... I wasn't prepared for this, but I humbly welcome you to my place of residence; The Velvet Room. My name is Igor, it is an honor to be acquainted with you..."
Okay...
Who is this guy?
He was the strangest person I had ever met (or dreamed up...); his appearance was strange enough as it is. He has an enormous bald spot on his head with only some hair at the back if his head, he had bloodshot eyes that seemed to have seen many things yet never seem to rest, but the most striking was obviously the ridiculously large nose he had it is not possible for a human to have a nose that long. So is he human? That's what I wanted to ask, but you know no voice. Before he could even begin to think of his current situation he was brought out of his thoughts by Igor.
"I wasn't expecting a guest so soon, if I had known of your coming I would have prepared for your arrival more accordingly. Nonetheless you are here and that is all that matters. Now..."
From seemingly nowhere Igor had somehow produced a deck of mysterious cards. At first glance, the cards seemed to be different than a traditional set of cards, the design of the cards seemed far too intricate and seemed to hold another meaning. And I sensed something emanating from them, it was something special that I could not even begin to describe nor speculate. I was kinda spacing out until Igor brought back my attention.
"Dear guest, if I may ask; what shall I call you by?"
It was an innocent question, one that people ask a lot and can easily answer. For me, I have never once been able to utter my name let alone answer a question. I felt embarrassed that I couldn't return the gesture, Igor was amazingly polite and he seemed like good guy albeit obviously strange. I opened my mouth, in an attempt to speak. The result was nothing but silence, Igor who was waiting for an answer simply put down the deck of cards onto the table with a creepy smile plastered on his face.
"Do not be dis-hearted my young guest, I understand your situation and apologize for my lack of knowledge. I hope that I did not offend you..."
I wanted to tell him that it wasn't his fault and that it meant nothing to me but alas I couldn't answer back for the life of me. Igor had simply waved his hand and strangely enough a piece of paper and a quill pen had suddenly appeared as if it was already there. One glance at the sheet of paper was all I needed to say that it was a contract with a single line:
'I chooseth this fate of my own free will...'
Apparently I looked at it strangely enough for Igor to see my slight discomfort of signing a contract.
"Do not worry, it just means that you will take responsibility for your actions. If you believe you cannot do that than please feel free not to sign it. But if you decide to I hope that you will abide by the rules of the contract."
I understood it completely, the idea of this contract seemed simple enough yet to actually go through and sign it was hardly anything but easy. Part of me wanted nothing to do with this contract or this crazy yet realistic dream, but something inside of me told me that I would soon regret it if I didn't sign it now. Before I even knew it he had already signed it with his single name, nothing more nothing less...
Hikaru...
"I see, well than I formally welcome you Hikaru to the Velvet Room. A place that exists between dream and reality, mind and matter; and where only those who have signed a contract may be allowed to enter, henceforth from here on you are a welcomed guest."
Then just as fast as it had appeared, it vanished from the table with a flick of his wrist. Igor once again picked up the deck of cards and prompted it in front of me. I was just staring at the deck, unsure of what I was supposed to do. The mask drawn on these cards seemed very unusual yet it seemed to represent something he could not easily comprehend. Igor probably saw through him again as he spoke once more.
"All you need to do is touch it..."
All I gotta do is touch it...? Like this?
I placed my hand onto the deck, only to see a small glow emanating from the cards. The cards felt so cold to touch, almost like touching a piece of ice the cold almost pierced through my hand and it sent shivers down my body but oddly enough I didn't let go. Even though the cards seemed so cold the glow that was emanating from it felt warm and comforting. The sensation I felt from these cards was so different, it was almost like my body resonated with the cards and brought about some sort of harmony into me. I was breathless, it felt so unreal as if it truly was a dream but the sensation was more than real; no, beyond real.
I slowly brought my hand back, still reeling from that experience. I could only stare at the deck, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Igor seems to like interrupting my thoughts since he once again placed his gloved hand on the top of the deck.
"Hikaru, do you believe in fortune telling?"
Fortune telling?
An action in where people attempt to read someone's future through the many uses of magical items and techniques? Who would actually believe in any of that crap? I understand that I am kind of mocking something people spend years to learn but I see little to no value in fortune telling, it may seem fun at first but I don't really like it. I refuse to believe one's future can be so easily read and only interpreted in one meaning. A future can hold many possibilities which lead to even more possibilities, a future is endless and always changing it can never be chained down so easily.
I slightly shake my head to Igor, not wanting to be an "impolite guest", and he seems to accept my answer. He goes on further with his explanation.
"I see, so you don't hold any belief in fortune telling?"
I nod my head, only slightly, to reply.
"That is understandable, but allow me to explain to you what fortune telling is."
Huh?
"You see fortune telling was never once interrupted as a way to read the future, its main purpose was to help guide humans for what was ahead of them. Among the methods that were used there was only one that had the ability to truly help guide humans to their futures, the Arcana. Once it was said that the Arcana is the means in which all is revealed. Today though, people have forgotten the guidance that was once given to them, they do not know of the power in which the Arcana unlocks. My dear guest, through tarot reading we may see the future of possibilities as the results are always different yet the same cards are used. Life also follows those rules, doesn't it? Now..."
He swiped his hand over the deck, in its place were three cards laying facedown side-by-side. Each one had that same intriguing design that boar the elegant mask, although the cards themselves were completely unknown I felt compelled to see what was on the other side of these cards.
"... Allow me to read your fortune..."
Igor flipped the card placed on the left. On it was a picture of a tower struck by lightning with two people descending to the ground.
"The Tower in up-right, it represents a foreboding of tragedy that is yet to occur. It is possible, that you will soon be thrust into an event upon your awakening. Of course I cannot say for certain nor can I tell you more. Let us move on..."
The card on the very right was now flipped. It revealed a skull imprinted onto two doors, the card felt very omniscient.
"Death, a symbol of doom and darkness. While it represents the end, it also represents a different beginning. A change within one that will alter their life forever. Could an event that is soon to arrive allow you to change? Or will the presence of it bring an end to you?"
Well, wasn't that a great thought?
I have to convince myself that this is nothing more than a dream; I will soon wake up in the middle of a train ride and get to school hopefully before I'm late.
But even though I say that, this place just seems to realistically real to the point where I'm terrified that the fortune would actually come true. And for a guy who doesn't believe in that crap it has to be legit. Before I could attempt to do anything at all, Igor had brought his hand down on top of the middle card. My heart started to race, it was not like the other readings. This one seemed to have more significance to me than I would like to believe. I felt somewhat afraid of the result, and yet I felt anxious to see it as well.
"And now..."
He was about to lift the card up, when he stopped. My heart was in my throat by now and all of a sudden he just stopped? What's up with that?
C'mon, hurry it up! I'm dying to know over here!
"Hmmm... It seems I must put this meeting to a close for now. Time still marches on in your world, and I cannot keep you here forever. The next time we meet it will be of your own accord, and when we do meet I must introduce you to the other residents who dwell here."
Wait...
Your leaving me hanging here now?
"Until we meet again..."
W-w-wait I'll still don't understand...!
My vision started to blur, my eyelids were beginning to get heavy and my body suddenly became unnaturally tired. I started to enter another slumber.
...
Damn it Igor...!
When I woke up I was covered in sweat and almost gasping for air, the people beside me reeled in surprise and some mild disgust. I wasn't going to react to them, it's normal for people to act that way...
Wait...
People...?
One glance around him and he noticed that the train car he was on was packed to the brim with people. People who weren't there when he first gotten on the train, there shouldn't have been any people on the train. There were no other stops on the way to school so how did this many people get on? I didn't sleep that long, I took a short nap even though I had a weird dream...
How long was I sleeping for?
I took out my iPhone which doubled as the iPod which I use to listen to my music, and took a look at the time.
12 O'clock...
...
...
...
Oh myF&%!*) $#!T
I slept for about 4 hours. I didn't know that 4 f****n hoursjust whizzed right by me. Oh hell I am so screwed now.
I usually am late for school, and the teachers at our school don't really give if were late or if we're even there they get paid the same anyway. But the only reason I try to come to school is because if I don't I will be screwed over by the only person who I'm actually scaredof. The intercom announced our arrival of our next stop, I prayed that it was mine.
"We have arrived at Gekkoukan High School..."
The train pulled over the stop that I was supposed to be at 4 hours ago, and I just booked it out of there. I think I stepped on some guys face and throttled over someone, but I didn't care. I just had to get to school as soon as I can. If someone diedon my way here, so be it. The only thing I could think of was how I was going to survive the rest of the day.
If I am able to get to school now, I might be able to get her less pissed off then shealready is.
Keywords here are "Might", "Pissed", and "Already".
Yeah, I know. I'm already f***ed...
By now I completely forgot about my encounter with Igor, but sooner or later that was going to change. Heck, it'll come back and bite me in the ass sooner or later.
"Hmmm..."
"Master, is there something on your mind?"
"Yes, it concerns our new guest."
"Are you referring to the young boy you were speaking to?"
"Of course, but something happened that has never happened before in the history of our service."
"Oh? And what is it?"
"When I read his future with the cards, the one concerning his power was; how should I say, different..."
"Oh? How so?"
"There were two cards in place, one was that of the Fool. It concerned his unlimited potential and his unique ability. The other card, however was one that I myself do not recognize..."
"But... How?"
"I do not know. But I request that you gather everyone. We need to welcome our new special guest..."
A smile that could rival the devil's appeared on Igor's face as he set a card face down on the table. He then muttered one last thing before leaving his seat.
"It has been a while since we had such a special guest..."
To Be Continued…