Hi, this is my first attempt at writing an original story using an existing IP. I hope you don't find it to be too bad, and that you may give me tips on how to write this thing better. Um...that was an awkward introduction, but I hope you enjoy reading. If you were a follower of my previous work, please forgive me if this is not a worthy follow up, this is more of a test of my abilities than anything else. -ArcanaHermit

"Welcome...to the Velvet Room."

When I opened my eyes, the sight before me was surreal. I wasn't sitting in a train on the way to my new school, drinking from my thermos, that's for sure.

Instead, the place I'm sitting in seemed like one of those fortune telling tents you see in carnivals, though it was definitely larger. The walls were velvet blue cloth. Actually, almost everything in this room was velvet blue, as though this strange place knew no other color. Two large pillars stood on either side, reaching up high up to the seemingly endless black void above, and between them was a simple table.

A man was sitting behind a table on a couch. He was wearing a black suit, hunching back. His face was definitely what you would call abnormal, having wild gray eyebrows, eyes that never seem to close, or even blink, and one the longest noses I have ever seen. Despite the...odd look, I get an odd sense of assurance off from him. Beside him was a girl with long silver hair tied in a ponytail and strange golden eyes, and is wearing what appeared to be a velvet maid outfit, and was carrying an ornate leather book.

I was still taking in the reality (or lack thereof) of my situation, but the man's words brought snapped me out of it.

"Greetings. I am Igor, proprietor of this room, and this is my assistant, Victoria."

The lady in blue also introduced herself, in a smooth and sultry voice.

"The pleasure is mine."

After a few seconds of pondering, I decided to answer their introductions with my own.

"Um, my name is Kurea. Kurea Von Herz, it's...um...a pleasure to meet you."

The man didn't seem to notice my nervousness, or didn't really seem to care.

"This place exists between mind and matter, dream and reality. Now then, let's see what the future has in store for you."

With that, a deck of cards materialized on the table, a picture of a mask on it's back. With a gesture from the man, six cards flew from the deck to the center of the table, forming a circle.

"Do you believe in tarot readings? They say that the cards will always tell the future, but the future can always be changed. Now, let us see the path you'll be walking on."

With a simple sweeping motion of his hand, the card on the very left flipped open, revealing a picture of a crescent moon in the middle of the night sky.

"Ah, The Moon facing upwards. It seems there are many deceptions in your future, a seething that eludes you from the answers you shall seek. You will need to undertake many ordeals in order to peer through it, little by little."

With another sweeping motion, the card on the very right flipped open, there were four objects on each corner on the card. I could see a cup and a square, but couldn't exactly make up the other two.

"This card tells of the role you are about to play. The Temperance Face facing upwards. It seems that you are destined meet a number of people. They shall act as the pieces of the key, and your role is to act as the force that binds these pieces together."

My mind was being filled with confusion. I am the force that shall bind the pieces? There shall be illusions in my future? What does it all mean? Why am i here? Who exactly is this man Igor? Before I could respond, he continued.

"I know that you have many questions to ask, and all those shall be answered in time. But before we continue further, I would like to show you something."

Another sweeping motion. The cards on the table all disappeared, and the object that replaced them was a simple piece of paper. From the distance on which I was seeing, I couldn't make out the words was on the paper, save for the giant "contract" on the very top.

"This is a contract that allows us to use our services. In return, we only ask that you take responsibility for the path you choose. You may not see it from here, but in essence, the contract says: "I chooseth this fate of mine own free will""

Immediately after that, Igor suddenly looked up, as if sensing something that I could not. He gave out a contented sigh, and looked back at me.

"It seems that our time here is up. I hope you choose wisely in the days to come, for your decisions shall ripple forth unto others. Until next we meet, dear guest of ours."

My vision was suddenly hazy, and soon all I could see was white.

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"Now reaching Liverty Town."

This was the first thing I heard when I woke up, I immediately put my hand to my forehead, making sure I wasn't catching a fever.

What was that dream? It seemed surreal yet so...vivid. It shouldn't mean anything and yet...I can't help but feel that it was important.

As the train stopped moving, I quickly took what luggage I had and boarded off the train, putting thoughts of that strange experience behind me. While I'm in the station, I quickly managed to follow the directions and headed off to the local train line that runs through the city, and after a few minutes of figuring out the map, I boarded the train to my destination: Sliverpoint Dormitories

As I looked out the window, I could see the main shopping district, full of all sorts of stalls and stores. There were a lot of people out on the streets, including a lot of high school students. It seemed as thought they were having the time of their lives. My face smiled at the sight of the many opportunities that are sure to await me in this bustling town.

Liverty Town, huh? I'll be staying here for a while, so I might as well make the best of it.

And that's it. I know it's sort of a boring beginning, but I'll try to ramp it up as it goes along. Until then, I hope you enjoy reading this opening act -ArcanaHermit