Velvet Room
The sound of heavy ice blocks crashing against each other echoed throughout the dark room, however, with the time passing this somehow bizarrely soothing melody extinguished and the lights turned on, illuminating a carved in ice hall.
In the center of the area there was a large rectangular table situated on top of a simple velvet carpet and at its two opposites ends, there were comfortable chairs of a matching color. On one of them was sitting an old man with strangely long nose. He was wearing a black suit and white gloves, which were giving him an aura of importance. Eventually, the man opened his bloodshot eyes and spoke.
"My, my. A new guest… How long has it been since the last visit? I wonder… Oh, please forgive my manners. Welcome to the Velvet Room. My name is Igor." He clasped his hands and at that moment, a figure in an oval mask with velvet cross on it appeared at the left side of his chair.
"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter, therefore, you don't need to worry. My master summoned you here only to inform that we shall aid you during your journey." "Indeed. A great ordeal is ahead of you, our dear Guest, so you ought to be prepared to give your utmost. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you any more than that yet although I promise your fate is going unveil soon." Igor chuckled, taking a deck of tarot cards out of his breast pocket and as he started to place them on the table, his assistant opened a large book.
"We, residents of the Velvet Room are merely your tools, who shall support you from shadows. You are free to use the power you're about acquire according to your own choice, but on one condition – you will take responsibility for any decisions you make." "And how intriguing this power of yours is, dear Guest! Fu fu, I'm looking forward to see how your story shall end. Anyway, please take a look." Igor drew three cards. The first of them was the Fool, second – reversed Death and third – Fortune.
"Such combination surely is rare… Nonetheless, I shouldn't keep you here any longer. Though in your world you are currently fast asleep, I cannot take any more of your precious time than it is necessary. I bid you farewell for now, Guest. Next time we shall see each other, it will be out of your own volition, so please, take this." Igor placed a small key with engraved letter V on the table and when the Guest reached out to it, the Velvet Room once again returned to darkness.