A/N: Ahahaha! I'm back! And, here's chapter ten!
***: Well, it looks the beating I gave you last time wasn't enough!
Empyrea: Oh c'mon! *turns to readers*
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 10: The Velvet Room
They finally reached the last door of Cocytus, there they saw the time Chidori died. As they were returned to the Desert of Doors, they took the chance to return to the dorm and rest. While all of them were left to their own thoughts, Junpei encountered the door to the Velvet Room…
Aigis: Even Junpei-san?
Fuuka: *standing in the stairs* Aigis? …!!! *sees Junpei* Junpei-kun! *heads towards them*
Aigis: Wait, Fuuka-san. It's okay.
Fuuka: But…
Aigis: Don't worry. It's just like with Yukari-san.
Fuuka: I-If you say so…
Just like what Aigis said, Junpei is fine, in a room that looks like an elevator moving up and that he is sitting in the same chair Yukari sat in. In front of him are a white round table and an empty blue couch…
Junpei: *looks around* Huh? I was… Whoa! *sees a woman with round, white hair* W-Who are you?
Woman with round hair: Welcome to the Velvet Room. I am called Elizabeth. *bows*
Junpei: Elizabeth? Okay, So… Why am I here?
Elizabeth: *sits on the couch* I have been informed about you. Your name is Junpei Iori, correct?
Junpei: Yeah, that's right. …!!! Wait… How'd you know my name?
Elizabeth: Like I said before, I have been informed about you.
Junpei: By whom?
Elizabeth: By our guest.
Junpei: Guest? Who the shit is that?
Elizabeth: *tilts her head*…Shit? *beams with happiness* Ah! Yes! It's a magical word in your language that helps oneself to express his or her annoyance. Or, it may also relate to anger, though, it is beyond my comprehension why humans are so fond of uttering such words.
Junpei: *stares at Elizabeth with wide eyes* Huh?
Elizabeth: Oh! I'm sorry. I have been carried away by my intense imagination, or should I, say my curiosity?
Junpei: What?
Elizabeth: *looks at Junpei's head with a fascinated expression* Is that…a cap?
Junpei: Cap? Oh! *points to his cap* You mean my cap?
Elizabeth: I have heard about it. It is supposedly used during hot seasons in your world to protect one's head from the sun's intense heat. Why are wearing one here? Are there any other reasons to wear one aside from the information I know?
Junpei: Huh?!
Elizabeth: Is it for what humans call "fashion"?
Junpei: HUH?!
Elizabeth: *completely ignores Junpei and is in her own little world* Oh! I am highly intrigued.
Junpei: What's that bullshit?
Elizabeth: *tilts her head* Bull…shit? AH! *beams with happiness* Yet another word uttered by humans for the sake of releasing the tension you feel. It may also be used in a manner of which you feel unjust. Such intensity I'm feeling.
Junpei: *His head is about to explode* Wait, wait, wait! Why are you here, anyway?!
Elizabeth: I am a resident here. Oh! I nearly forgot to mention something to you.
Junpei: What?
Elizabeth: Our guest has left you a message.
Junpei: And, that is?
Elizabeth: That he will be arriving a bit late, and, that I shall be entertaining you for the time being.
Junpei: What?! And you're only telling this to me NOW?
Elizabeth: I truly apologize for the delay of relaying the message.
Junpei: That's not the case here!
Elizabeth: I shall do as I was told and entertain you. In your world, entertainment is a means by one shall relax his mind and body. I wish to try and entertain someone as well. I have heard that another way to entertain someone is to tell him or her about you. *Elizabeth starts to tell about herself in an excited manner*
Junpei: I no longer understand you.
Minato: *walks in* Stupei.
Junpei: Huh? *turns his head* Who said th-
Minato: Hey there!
Junpei: Minato?!
Minato: * passed Junpei and walks close to Elizabeth* How'd it go?
Elizabeth: I was highly fascinated by the wonders of your world, yet again.
Minato: *giggles* So, what did you ask Junpei?
Elizabeth: Certain intriguing things, like the magical words, Shit and bullshit, and his cap that he always brings with him.
Minato: Looks like you two were having lots of fun.
Junpei: Hey, Minato!
Minato: *turns his head to Junpei* What is it, Junpei?
Junpei: Why am I here?
Minato: Because you asked to be here.
Junpei: What?!
Elizabeth: *stands up*
Minato: *sits in Elizabeth's place* Exactly what I said.
Junpei: Why would I want to be here?
Minato: That isn't what you wanted to ask, right?
Junpei: Huh?
Minato: Don't worry. Only your mind's in here, not exactly you.
Junpei: Huh?
Minato: You wanted to know about Chidori, right?
Junpei: How'd you-
Minato: What? Know?
Junpei: You aren't there… And, why are you even here?
Minato: That's rude of you. You asked me to come here, Stupei.
Junpei: Not you, too! Ugh… What am I saying? I want to go back!
Minato: Very well, then.
Junpei: I-I can go back?
Minato: I didn't plan on letting you stay here forever, Stupei.
Junpei: Okay! Great!
Minato: Farewell, then.
Junpei: Farewell?
Minato: *looks at Elizabeth* Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: *looks at Minato* Yes?
Minato: Have you examined Junpei's face?
Elizabeth: *looks at Junpei more closely* His face? What with i- !!!
Minato: I see you didn't notice it earlier.
Elizabeth: *looks further intrigued* You are correct. His face…possesses…a beard!
Minato: …?
Junpei: Beard?
Minato: … *waits for what will happen*
Elizabeth: How very intriguing! I heard that if you cut it, it will grow back! I wish to try this activity!
Junpei: C-Cut it?
Elizabeth: Where is that? *searching through her pocket* AH! Here it is! The scissors our guest has given me!
Minato: … *grins evilly*
Junpei: …!!! S-Scissors?!
Elizabeth: I wish to see this, even if it's only once!
Junpei: What are you going to do?
Elizabeth: *tries to cut Junpei's goatee* Here I come!
Junpei: NOOO!!!
All of a sudden, in just a split second, Junpei's mind now returns to his body back in the dorm's lounge…
Junpei: NOOOOO!!!!
Fuuka: *stands from the couch in the lounge* Junpei-kun?!
Aigis: Why are you screaming?
Junpei: Traitor!
Aigis & Fuuka: …!!!
Fuuka: Huh?
Aigis: What happened, Junpei-san? …!!! *the door to the Velvet Room disappears*
Fuuka: What happened?
Mitsuru: *rushing down* We heard someone screaming! What happened?
Junpei: I'm back?
Yukari: *going down* Oh! It was just Stupei? The heck.
Akihiko: You look pale, Junpei…
Junpei: You may not believe this, but, you see…
They went to the 4th floor: Command room, then, Junpei gave them a brief explanation of what happened to him in the Velvet Room…
Yukari: Oookkkaaayyy…
Junpei: See? I was like… Totally HARASSED!
Akihiko: *shrugs* Ok, ok. We get the picture. Would you keep your tone down?
Yukari: That's definitely made up! This is Stupei we're talking about!
Mitsuru: I see your point, Takeba.
Akihiko: *nods in agreement* Well, it is Junpei.
Aigis: That is hard to believe.
Metis: I agree with my sister.
Junpei: What?! Traitors! You don't think of me like that, do you Koromaru? *turns to Koromaru to save his pride*
Koromaru: *averts his gaze and then whimpers*
Junpei: Shit!
Fuuka: I can't kind of believe that, as well… Sorry.
Junpei: It's okay. I'm fine.
Junpei looks like he's about to cry…
Fuuka: *tries to change the subject* By the way, everyone.
Others: *looks at Fuuka* …???
Mitsuru: What is it, Yamagishi?
Fuuka: Have you seen Ken-kun?
Yukari: Now that you mention it, I haven't seen him. Why?
Fuuka: I don't think I feel him anymore.
Akihiko: What?
Fuuka: …! This can't be…
Akihiko: Why?
Mitsuru: What's wrong?
Fuuka: He's…
Yukari: What?
Fuuka: In the Abyss of Time!
Others: …!!!
END OF CHAPTER TEN
A/N: This is the first time I did two chapters back-to-back.
***: Well it's not only you, you know. *prepares a bazooka*
Empyrea: H-Hey… What is that for?
***: What else do think it's for, silly? *fires it at Empyrea*
Empyrea: *hides behind Junpei* Whew…thanks for taking it for me, pal.
***: *turns to Minato* Hey, your plan worked.
Minato: *holds two thumbs up*
Empyrea: *sweatdrops* Ouch…I was used. Oh well…*turns to readers* Please R&R. See you next chapter!