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The Velvet Room Attendant – A Lavenza Quest (Persona 5/Multicross)

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[X] Be calm. Surely there has been some kind of misunderstanding, and you are lacking the entire context of the situation.
-[X] If she is right, then the alien is responsible for everything. The magical girls, Witches, their familiars…
-[X] What purpose could possibly justify doing such a thing to another being?
-[X] Sister, you cannot possibly be considering... What you could, would eventually become, could be worse than Nyx!
 
Votes are closed. - Vote tally:
Adhoc vote count started by Ophysium on Sep 29, 2019 at 4:58 PM, finished with 8 posts and 7 votes.
  • [X] Be calm. Surely there has been some kind of misunderstanding, and you are lacking the entire context of the situation.
    -[X] If she is right, then the alien is responsible for everything. The magical girls, Witches, their familiars…
    -[X] What purpose could possibly justify doing such a thing to another being?
    -[X] Sister, you cannot possibly be considering... What you could, would eventually become, could be worse than Nyx!
    [x] Explode. Immediately demand an explanation from Kyubey.
    -[x] Question Elizabeth. Why is she so damned calm!?
    [x] Explode. Immediately demand an explanation from Kyubey.
    -[X] Should his explanation not satisfy you, call off the negotiations and destroy its body. You have been fooled.
    -[x] Question Elizabeth. Why is she so damned calm!?
    [x] Explode. Immediately demand an explanation from Kyubey.
    -[X] Should his explanation not satisfy you, call off the negotiations and destroy its body. You have been fooled.
    -[x] Question Elizabeth. Why is she so damned calm!?
    -[X] Yeet the bastard into the motherfucking SUN!
    [X] Be calm. Surely there has been some kind of misunderstanding, and you are lacking the entire context of the situation.
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Power And Lies In Her Heart
  • Threadmarks
    • At first, you fail to comprehend the magnitude of her statement. Your vision grows distant as you think upon the implications it brings.

    They are horrifying.

    Kyubey contracts the magical girls, which are later corrupted into Witches. These newly formed Witches are then hunted by... other... magical girls for their Grief Seed, a resource necessary for their survival and their use of magic.

    ...

    You take a deep breath.

    "I'm sorry," your voice, stepping up closer to the screen. "What did you just say? I must have misheard."

    The magical girl meets your stare. "You heard me right. Whatever fairy tale Kyubey's told you about the Witches is a lie. He's responsible for everything."

    You do not turn to your anger. Surely, there has been some kind of misunderstanding, and you are lacking the entire context of the situation. Remaining calm and reasonable can only benefit you.

    You turn to face the alien, expression neutral. "Incubator, " you begin. "These are serious accusations being levied against you. Still, I shall grant you the benefit of the doubt, seeing as this magical girl is a complete stranger. Are her words true?"

    A moment passes. One of Kyubey's long ears twitches as you await its response.

    "Yes, for the most part." It says. "But, I have never told you a lie, Lavenza. I only concealed this information from you until you were ready to learn it in its entirety. Harmful deception was never our goal."

    You grit your teeth, narrowing your eyes at the alien as it sits calmly on the ground. "How could you?"

    "You must understand, my species does not feel emotions the way humans and other sentient beings do. We base our actions upon pure logic alone, which is why they may seem heartless or cruel to those who could never fully comprehend our work."

    Elizabeth speaks up. "...You truly have no emotions?"

    It nods. "Correct."

    "I…" you grip your Grimoire tightly, struggling to remain calm. "What purpose could possibly justify doing such a thing to another being?"

    "We have already disclosed this information to you; everything we have done on this planet has been for our fight against entropy and heat death. A few lives in exchange for the continued survival of the universe. Arguably, one could say that not doing everything in our power to stop the heat death of the universe would be the immoral choice here, were we to begin discussing ethics."

    You are at a loss for words. "H-How…"

    "It's simple. For some inexplicable reason, the transition between hope and despair of a magical girl generates extraordinary amounts of energy; so much so that every other method of energy gathering pales in comparison."

    "Hope and despair?"

    "The moment a magical girl's Soul Gem is filled with Grief from either overuse of magic or a sufficiently turbulent emotional state, she fulfills her existence by transforming into a Witch."

    Your desire to reduce Kyubey into atoms increases by the second. "...That is your excuse, then."

    Kyubey shakes its head. "It's not an excuse, Lavenza. It's an explanation."

    Your eyes briefly dart to your sister, her face inscrutable as she observes the conversation.

    The alien turns to the magical girl, still watching from beyond the screen. "Due to your breach of the conditions agreed upon our arrangement, you may consider it void in its entirety." It tilts its round head. "Goodbye, Miss Eskola."

    "Wa--"

    She is cut off as the television suddenly goes black.

    You glare at Kyubey. "I was not finished speaking with her, Incubator."

    "I am aware. Regardless, she broke the conditions established on our deal with that foolish temper tantrum." The alien circles around you, moving closer towards your sister. "And Elizabeth has already made her inquiries, therefore her presence is no longer required."

    You shake your head in disbelief. And this… thing has been at your side since you arrived in this world?

    "...Truly appalling," comments your sister, a delicate frown upon her brow. "Believe me, had I known this earlier, I wouldn't have even considered any manner of an alliance between your kind and the Velvet Room in the first place. However," she deftly picks up a copy of the modified contract from the table. "There is still one other matter left to deal with."

    "Sister," you say calmly. "You cannot possibly be considering…" Her stoic expression at your words makes you panic. "...What you could become, would eventually become, could be worse than the very monster you seek to defeat with this wish!"

    She nods in agreement. "I see your point, Lavenza." She looks down at Kyubey, expression darkening. "This contract not once mentions transforming into a Witch. Explain yourself, Incubator."

    "Without a Soul Gem, transformation into a Witch is very unlikely and would require direct intervention in your spiritual structure. If we take into account the unprecedented rate at which both your souls regenerate, it becomes an outright unfeasible task." Kyubey says calmly. "Rest assured, tricking a powerful ally into certain death was never our intention."

    "Your word means nothing now, Incubator." She states, appearing unimpressed. "...You said you harvested the energy generated by the transformation of a magical girl into one of those monsters. If you currently possess no plans of harvesting my soul, then what do you get out of this, exactly?"

    "Many things. Favor from an otherworldly being, access to other worlds and to this 'Collective Unconscious' you have spoken of in the past, the opportunity to further observe and study your 'Personas' through which you perform magic, etcetera. Our diplomatic efforts are completely sincere."

    Silence falls once more as your sister ponders.

    "Very well, then." She finally declares. "I have decided. We will travel to the Sea of Souls, and I will bring you to the location of my guest's imprisonment. There, I shall make my wish. That will be the extent of our association."

    Conflicting emotions race through your heart. She is still planning to go through with this?

    Elizabeth picks up on your uneasiness. "Your concern is touching, but you needn't fret so much, little sister. Everything will be done on my terms." She looks down at the impassive alien. "Be confident that if I detect even a hint of an attempt at deception, you will have declared war, both with me and the entirety of the Velvet Room. Am I understood?"

    Kyubey nods. "Absolutely, Elizabeth. This arrangement is satisfactory to us."

    What do you do?

    [] Support Elizabeth's decision. This will give you the opportunity to keep a close eye on Kyubey's actions while she carries out her wish.
    -[] Threaten Kyubey some more. Vow to annihilate it should any harm come to your beloved sister.
    -[] Wake up Mami and say your farewells to her before you leave for the Velvet Room. Assure her you'll be back shortly.
    -[] Do something else?

    [] Oppose her decision. After what you just learned, it's extremely risky to even consider dealing with the Incubator.
    -[] Attempt to convince Elizabeth to not contract with Kyubey.
    --[] Tell her there must be another way of fulfilling her wish. She shouldn't have to resort to agreeing to a questionable contract with an emotionless alien.
    --[] Another argument?
    -[] Do something else?

    [] Write-In.

    -=-​
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Support Elizabeth's decision. This will give you the opportunity to keep a close eye on Kyubey's actions while she carries out her wish.
    -[X] Recommend updating the contract to account for Witches, and specifically exclude the Incubators from any energy gain in the event of her witching. As emotionless beings, as long as there is a material incentive to gain vast amounts of benefit they will attempt to carry it out, whatever the costs to others or even themselves.
    -[X] Recommend extracting full details from the Incubators of all factors involving the Magical Girl to Witch transition. Particularly any factors which can produce a Witch outcome without involving
    -[X] And while the Incubator stated that it would most likely be achieved through direct intervention in spiritual structure, it did not mention what means exist to intervene in her spiritual structure, and the Incubator clearly possesses the means of spiritual intervention to perform the Magical Girl conversion process. She needs to either rule out, or acquire resistance to spiritual intervention in such a case.
     
    Question: If we take Incubator to the see of Souls, will Narly-kun take notice?

    [x] Write-In: We don't approve, but we also can't stop her. Yield to our powerlessness in this situation.
    -[x] I'll make sure I bring the family along. This is something everyone should witness.
    --[x] Wake up Mami and say your farewells to her before you leave for the Velvet Room. Assure her you'll be back shortly.
    ---[x] Rulers of Power are supposed to embody the discipline and even temperament to weld great power, symbolized by the Lion & the Pillar. I think this is more the act of a Fool leaping off a cliff than one who holds Strength.
    -[x] Leave for the Velvet Room.
    --[x] On the way back, Emotional State: Turmoil and Chaos. Elizabeth's Wish. Witch-ifacation. Your friends are in peril, and your sister is putting herself in the same peril. What should you do?
    ---[x] It's not that you don't have a wish. Your wish has never changed - a wish for justice to be done. From the pain of being split in twain by a great evil, to the Trickster's interactions with Justine and Caroline, to seeing Yaldaboth's defeat, to the hear and now. But justice, even your sense of justice, can't be forced upon the world - that's tyranny. So where's the Justice in all this? Justice...Arcana? 'What happened to your Strength, Lavenza?' you chide yourself. But even reminding yourself of your hypocrisy doesn't remove the cold ire you feel from Incubator's lies and utterly distorted worldview.
    ----[x] The Velvet Room is a place between time and space, mind and matter. So we have, perhaps not infinite time, but surely time enough to cry our eyes out on Igor's shoulders. The world is so confusing and unfair.
     
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    [X] Oppose her decision. After what you just learned, it's extremely risky to even consider dealing with the Incubator.
    -[X] Attempt to convince Elizabeth to not contract with Kyubey.
    --[X] Tell her there must be another way of fulfilling her wish. She shouldn't have to resort to agreeing to a questionable contract with an emotionless alien.
    ---[X] Appeal to her sense of duty. These Incubators have proven themselves to be an enemy of Humanity. Is the Velvet Room's purpose not ultimately to aid Humanity? As attendants of the Velvet Room, are we not obligated to oppose the enemies of Humanity? Would assisting these parasites not be a betrayal of everything we are supposed to stand for?
    ----[X] If that fails, ask her how her guest would feel about this. You may not know much about the guest your sister is trying to rescue, but it sounds like they sacrificed themself to protect Humanity. Would such a selfless individual truly approve of unleashing these monsters on the multiverse when their presence on this one Earth is bad enough already? Would her guest be able to live with themself knowing that every life these Incubators ruin on worlds they never could have reached before would be for their sake alone?

    Time to draw a line in the sand.
     
    [X] Oppose her decision. After what you just learned, it's extremely risky to even consider dealing with the Incubator.
    -[X] Attempt to convince Elizabeth to not contract with Kyubey.
    --[X] Tell her there must be another way of fulfilling her wish. She shouldn't have to resort to agreeing to a questionable contract with an emotionless alien.
    ---[X] Appeal to her sense of duty. These Incubators have proven themselves to be an enemy of Humanity. Is the Velvet Room's purpose not ultimately to aid Humanity? As attendants of the Velvet Room, are we not obligated to oppose the enemies of Humanity? Would assisting these parasites not be a betrayal of everything we are supposed to stand for?
    ----[X] If that fails, ask her how her guest would feel about this. You may not know much about the guest your sister is trying to rescue, but it sounds like they sacrificed themself to protect Humanity. Would such a selfless individual truly approve of unleashing these monsters on the multiverse when their presence on this one Earth is bad enough already? Would her guest be able to live with themself knowing that every life these Incubators ruin on worlds they never could have reached before would be for their sake alone?
     
    [x] Write-In: We don't approve, but we also can't stop her. Yield to our powerlessness in this situation.
    -[x] I'll make sure I bring the family along. This is something everyone should witness.
    --[x] Wake up Mami and say your farewells to her before you leave for the Velvet Room. Assure her you'll be back shortly.
    ---[x] Rulers of Power are supposed to embody the discipline and even temperament to weld great power, symbolized by the Lion & the Pillar. I think this is more the act of a Fool leaping off a cliff than one who holds Strength.
    -[x] Leave for the Velvet Room.
    --[x] On the way back, Emotional State: Turmoil and Chaos. Elizabeth's Wish. Witch-ifacation. Your friends are in peril, and your sister is putting herself in the same peril. What should you do?
    ---[x] It's not that you don't have a wish. Your wish has never changed - a wish for justice to be done. From the pain of being split in twain by a great evil, to the Trickster's interactions with Justine and Caroline, to seeing Yaldaboth's defeat, to the hear and now. But justice, even your sense of justice, can't be forced upon the world - that's tyranny. So where's the Justice in all this? Justice...Arcana? 'What happened to your Strength, Lavenza?' you chide yourself. But even reminding yourself of your hypocrisy doesn't remove the cold ire you feel from Incubator's lies and utterly distorted worldview.
    ----[x] The Velvet Room is a place between time and space, mind and matter. So we have, perhaps not infinite time, but surely time enough to cry our eyes out on Igor's shoulders. The world is so confusing and unfair.
     
    [X] Oppose her decision. After what you just learned, it's extremely risky to even consider dealing with the Incubator.
    -[X] Attempt to convince Elizabeth to not contract with Kyubey.
    --[X] Tell her there must be another way of fulfilling her wish. She shouldn't have to resort to agreeing to a questionable contract with an emotionless alien.
    ---[X] Appeal to her sense of duty. These Incubators have proven themselves to be an enemy of Humanity. Is the Velvet Room's purpose not ultimately to aid Humanity? As attendants of the Velvet Room, are we not obligated to oppose the enemies of Humanity? Would assisting these parasites not be a betrayal of everything we are supposed to stand for?
    ----[X] If that fails, ask her how her guest would feel about this. You may not know much about the guest your sister is trying to rescue, but it sounds like they sacrificed themself to protect Humanity. Would such a selfless individual truly approve of unleashing these monsters on the multiverse when their presence on this one Earth is bad enough already? Would her guest be able to live with themself knowing that every life these Incubators ruin on worlds they never could have reached before would be for their sake alone?
     
    Votes are not closed. - Current vote tally:
    Adhoc vote count started by Ophysium on Oct 6, 2019 at 11:07 PM, finished with 8 posts and 6 votes.
    • [X] Oppose her decision. After what you just learned, it's extremely risky to even consider dealing with the Incubator.
      -[X] Attempt to convince Elizabeth to not contract with Kyubey.
      --[X] Tell her there must be another way of fulfilling her wish. She shouldn't have to resort to agreeing to a questionable contract with an emotionless alien.
      ---[X] Appeal to her sense of duty. These Incubators have proven themselves to be an enemy of Humanity. Is the Velvet Room's purpose not ultimately to aid Humanity? As attendants of the Velvet Room, are we not obligated to oppose the enemies of Humanity? Would assisting these parasites not be a betrayal of everything we are supposed to stand for?
      ----[X] If that fails, ask her how her guest would feel about this. You may not know much about the guest your sister is trying to rescue, but it sounds like they sacrificed themself to protect Humanity. Would such a selfless individual truly approve of unleashing these monsters on the multiverse when their presence on this one Earth is bad enough already? Would her guest be able to live with themself knowing that every life these Incubators ruin on worlds they never could have reached before would be for their sake alone?
      [x] Write-In: We don't approve, but we also can't stop her. Yield to our powerlessness in this situation.
      -[x] I'll make sure I bring the family along. This is something everyone should witness.
      --[x] Wake up Mami and say your farewells to her before you leave for the Velvet Room. Assure her you'll be back shortly.
      ---[x] Rulers of Power are supposed to embody the discipline and even temperament to weld great power, symbolized by the Lion & the Pillar. I think this is more the act of a Fool leaping off a cliff than one who holds Strength.
      -[x] Leave for the Velvet Room.
      --[x] On the way back, Emotional State: Turmoil and Chaos. Elizabeth's Wish. Witch-ifacation. Your friends are in peril, and your sister is putting herself in the same peril. What should you do?
      ---[x] It's not that you don't have a wish. Your wish has never changed - a wish for justice to be done. From the pain of being split in twain by a great evil, to the Trickster's interactions with Justine and Caroline, to seeing Yaldaboth's defeat, to the hear and now. But justice, even your sense of justice, can't be forced upon the world - that's tyranny. So where's the Justice in all this? Justice...Arcana? 'What happened to your Strength, Lavenza?' you chide yourself. But even reminding yourself of your hypocrisy doesn't remove the cold ire you feel from Incubator's lies and utterly distorted worldview.
      ----[x] The Velvet Room is a place between time and space, mind and matter. So we have, perhaps not infinite time, but surely time enough to cry our eyes out on Igor's shoulders. The world is so confusing and unfair.
      [X] Support Elizabeth's decision. This will give you the opportunity to keep a close eye on Kyubey's actions while she carries out her wish.
      -[X] Recommend updating the contract to account for Witches, and specifically exclude the Incubators from any energy gain in the event of her witching. As emotionless beings, as long as there is a material incentive to gain vast amounts of benefit they will attempt to carry it out, whatever the costs to others or even themselves.
      -[X] Recommend extracting full details from the Incubators of all factors involving the Magical Girl to Witch transition. Particularly any factors which can produce a Witch outcome without involving
      -[X] And while the Incubator stated that it would most likely be achieved through direct intervention in spiritual structure, it did not mention what means exist to intervene in her spiritual structure, and the Incubator clearly possesses the means of spiritual intervention to perform the Magical Girl conversion process. She needs to either rule out, or acquire resistance to spiritual intervention in such a case.
    Click to expand...
     
    [x] Write-In: We don't approve, but we also can't stop her. Yield to our powerlessness in this situation.
    -[x] I'll make sure I bring the family along. This is something everyone should witness.
    --[x] Wake up Mami and say your farewells to her before you leave for the Velvet Room. Assure her you'll be back shortly.
    ---[x] Rulers of Power are supposed to embody the discipline and even temperament to weld great power, symbolized by the Lion & the Pillar. I think this is more the act of a Fool leaping off a cliff than one who holds Strength.
    -[x] Leave for the Velvet Room.
    --[x] On the way back, Emotional State: Turmoil and Chaos. Elizabeth's Wish. Witch-ifacation. Your friends are in peril, and your sister is putting herself in the same peril. What should you do?
    ---[x] It's not that you don't have a wish. Your wish has never changed - a wish for justice to be done. From the pain of being split in twain by a great evil, to the Trickster's interactions with Justine and Caroline, to seeing Yaldaboth's defeat, to the hear and now. But justice, even your sense of justice, can't be forced upon the world - that's tyranny. So where's the Justice in all this? Justice...Arcana? 'What happened to your Strength, Lavenza?' you chide yourself. But even reminding yourself of your hypocrisy doesn't remove the cold ire you feel from Incubator's lies and utterly distorted worldview.
    ----[x] The Velvet Room is a place between time and space, mind and matter. So we have, perhaps not infinite time, but surely time enough to cry our eyes out on Igor's shoulders. The world is so confusing and unfair.
     
    There's a tie in the votes atm, so I'll let them open for a little while longer.
    Ophysium threw 1 2-faced dice. Reason: Deciding the tie Total: 2
    2 2
     
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    Votes are closed. Due to the tie, I'll have to roll a die to determine the winning vote. - Vote tally:
    Adhoc vote count started by Ophysium on Oct 8, 2019 at 9:30 PM, finished with 11 posts and 7 votes.
    • [X] Oppose her decision. After what you just learned, it's extremely risky to even consider dealing with the Incubator.
      -[X] Attempt to convince Elizabeth to not contract with Kyubey.
      --[X] Tell her there must be another way of fulfilling her wish. She shouldn't have to resort to agreeing to a questionable contract with an emotionless alien.
      ---[X] Appeal to her sense of duty. These Incubators have proven themselves to be an enemy of Humanity. Is the Velvet Room's purpose not ultimately to aid Humanity? As attendants of the Velvet Room, are we not obligated to oppose the enemies of Humanity? Would assisting these parasites not be a betrayal of everything we are supposed to stand for?
      ----[X] If that fails, ask her how her guest would feel about this. You may not know much about the guest your sister is trying to rescue, but it sounds like they sacrificed themself to protect Humanity. Would such a selfless individual truly approve of unleashing these monsters on the multiverse when their presence on this one Earth is bad enough already? Would her guest be able to live with themself knowing that every life these Incubators ruin on worlds they never could have reached before would be for their sake alone?
      [x] Write-In: We don't approve, but we also can't stop her. Yield to our powerlessness in this situation.
      -[x] I'll make sure I bring the family along. This is something everyone should witness.
      --[x] Wake up Mami and say your farewells to her before you leave for the Velvet Room. Assure her you'll be back shortly.
      ---[x] Rulers of Power are supposed to embody the discipline and even temperament to weld great power, symbolized by the Lion & the Pillar. I think this is more the act of a Fool leaping off a cliff than one who holds Strength.
      -[x] Leave for the Velvet Room.
      --[x] On the way back, Emotional State: Turmoil and Chaos. Elizabeth's Wish. Witch-ifacation. Your friends are in peril, and your sister is putting herself in the same peril. What should you do?
      ---[x] It's not that you don't have a wish. Your wish has never changed - a wish for justice to be done. From the pain of being split in twain by a great evil, to the Trickster's interactions with Justine and Caroline, to seeing Yaldaboth's defeat, to the hear and now. But justice, even your sense of justice, can't be forced upon the world - that's tyranny. So where's the Justice in all this? Justice...Arcana? 'What happened to your Strength, Lavenza?' you chide yourself. But even reminding yourself of your hypocrisy doesn't remove the cold ire you feel from Incubator's lies and utterly distorted worldview.
      ----[x] The Velvet Room is a place between time and space, mind and matter. So we have, perhaps not infinite time, but surely time enough to cry our eyes out on Igor's shoulders. The world is so confusing and unfair.
      [X] Support Elizabeth's decision. This will give you the opportunity to keep a close eye on Kyubey's actions while she carries out her wish.
      -[X] Recommend updating the contract to account for Witches, and specifically exclude the Incubators from any energy gain in the event of her witching. As emotionless beings, as long as there is a material incentive to gain vast amounts of benefit they will attempt to carry it out, whatever the costs to others or even themselves.
      -[X] Recommend extracting full details from the Incubators of all factors involving the Magical Girl to Witch transition. Particularly any factors which can produce a Witch outcome without involving
      -[X] And while the Incubator stated that it would most likely be achieved through direct intervention in spiritual structure, it did not mention what means exist to intervene in her spiritual structure, and the Incubator clearly possesses the means of spiritual intervention to perform the Magical Girl conversion process. She needs to either rule out, or acquire resistance to spiritual intervention in such a case.
    Click to expand...
     
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    The Place I Call Home
  • Threadmarks
    • Elizabeth is making a mistake.

    Those words die in your lips as your sister looks at you expectantly. You hold back a grimace. "While I do not approve of any further association with the Incubator, I also know I cannot stop you." You say resignedly. "I... can only hope you will take the utmost precautions in this matter, sister."

    She smiles and steps closer to you, lightly resting a hand upon your shoulders. "I've already told you as much, Lavenza." She glances back at the alien. "I won't tolerate any... suspicious business from Kyubey, that I can guarantee you."

    "...I will make sure I bring the rest of our siblings along." You say. "This is something everyone should be able to witness."

    She nods in acknowledgment after only a moment of consideration. "Very well. My, I haven't seen Theo in so long…"

    You brush off her hand, not fully meeting her eyes. "Allow me to notify Mami of our imminent departure, then."

    You make your way towards the stairs on the opposite side of the apartment, taking the opportunity to briefly appreciate the portraits and various pieces of art decorating the magical girl's home.

    As you arrive on the second floor, you note it's nothing more than a hallway with two closed doors. You tentatively knock on the one closest to the stairs, ignorant of where Mami resides.

    When nothing happens for almost a minute, you knock again, this time less hesitant. You hear footsteps nearing the door, and offer a disheveled Mami a slight smile when she opens it.

    She blinks repeatedly at you, her long hair undone from its usual drills. "Lavenza-san?" She asks, her voice low. "I... Is something wrong?"

    An apt question. "I'm afraid so. A task of great importance has arisen, and as such, I will be returning to the Velvet Room with Elizabeth. Kyubey is also coming along with us."

    It takes a moment for the information to sink in. "Oh…" She frowns, fully opening the door and stepping into the hallway. "I-I… see." She shakes her head. "But you'll both come back, right? Where is he?"

    "I won't break my promise to fight the Walpurgis Night alongside you, Mami-san. I assure you, I will be back shortly." You gesture to the stairs. "Kyubey is downstairs with my sister."

    Mami nods, though her worry is clear in her expression. You can't help but glance at her Soul Gem as you both stride downstairs.

    Damn it all.

    What is your sister doing? Have her travels through these worlds changed her so drastically, that she would be willing to risk turning into a monster for the sake of a single human? Even for a guest, this level of… stubbornness is far beyond what Elizabeth tends to have on other issues.

    It's downright foolish-- nothing like what a Ruler of Power should behave. She's blindly leaping off a cliff, hoping her persistent threats of violence will keep the ground from inevitably crashing into her.

    A strangled sound of surprise from Mami snaps you from your stupor. You sigh when you notice the source of her distress.

    Two Kyubey's, both sitting on the table side by side. They turn to you at the same time, in complete synchronization.

    Mami barely manages to compose herself enough to speak. "H-How…"

    The one on the right speaks up. "As Lavenza-san has already informed you, Mami-san, I will be accompanying her and Elizabeth-san back to their home." It says. "In order to safely do so, a replica of my consciousness will be made the instant I leave this dimension and be uploaded into this other body. Rest assured, I am not going anywhere."

    You tilt your head. "You can… copy a consciousness?"

    "Crudely, but yes. It's nothing extraordinary." The silent Kyubey hops off the glass table and steps up to Mami as the other one speaks. "Both consciousnesses will be merged upon my return. I should also inform you that this body has been specifically modified to withstand extreme conditions in preparation for the crossing of dimensional boundaries. I am ready to depart."

    Mami picks up the silent Incubator and starts to gently pet it. "...I understand." She bites her lip, glancing between you and your waiting sister. "I wish you luck in… whatever it is you have to do."

    Elizabeth lazily spins a familiar iron key in her fingers, her Grimoire already in her grip. "To you as well, Tomoe-san. May we meet again in the future."

    With that said, she stops spinning the key and abruptly jams it into the air. You bring your own Grimoire closer to your chest as reality is split open, an intricate blue door suddenly appearing in the living room in a flash of blinding light.

    Elizabeth retrieves her key from the lock and opens the door, where an unnaturally dark chamber is revealed. She gestures politely inside. "After you, sister."

    You turn to Mami, curtsying to her. "Farewell." She returns it with a respectful bow, and you turn away from Mitakihara, stepping into your home once more.

    It's cold. And almost quiet, were it not for the familiar melody that reaches your ears and brings a smile to your face. Just as you left it.

    Turning around you see the portal still open as Kyubey calmly passes through it, Mami waving one final goodbye as Elizabeth does so as well, carefully closing the door.

    Kyubey crumbles into the mist that surrounds your feet the moment it happens. "Connection lost with the rest of the Incubator Collective. The duplicate was successfully made." It says aloud, slowly standing up once more. It looks around the nearly pitch-black surroundings of the Portal Chamber. "How… peculiar."

    You frown as you take a moment to look around. Instead of the three portals sparsely located around the Chamber, now there are exactly a dozen. "There weren't this many portals before." You tell Elizabeth as you take a moment to examine them. A few stand out from the bunch...

    A roaring inferno with coiling serpents of fire that reach the heavens.

    Another sprawling modern metropolis, this one somehow appearing more advanced than Mitakihara.

    A great field under a clear blue sky, with an indistinct white structure resting in the far distance.

    You fail to discern any noteworthy characteristics from the rest-- three other human cities, and two that are somehow completely dark --barring the ones from before you left.

    Elizabeth waits patiently for you to finish. "It was the same for me as well." She says. "They can fluctuate unpredictably, although thankfully the worlds I've visited beforehand stay permanently."

    "I see…"

    Your sister starts to page through her Grimoire. "You wished to bring our siblings along, didn't you?" At your nod, her tome flashes brightly as her power flares and a circle of runes is etched into the air in front of her. They fall away as an opening into the Collective Unconscious is created. You can see the twinkling stars from here. "We will wait for you all in the Sea of Souls. I have no desire to see our master presently," she informs you, stepping inside her portal. "Come along, Incubator."

    The curious alien complies with the command, and the portal dissolves after they pass through, leaving you alone.

    You let out a tired sigh. So much has happened lately. Elizabeth's wish. Kyubey's lies about the Witches. The discovery that your new acquaintances are doomed to turn into those monsters. They are in mortal peril through no fault of their own, and your sister is putting herself in the very same potential peril. What should you do?

    ...Not even the remnants of Belladonna's angelic singing are able to soothe your turbulent emotions.

    You exit the Portal Chamber and enter the Velvet Room proper as you stride towards your master, preferring the company of your chaotic home rather than the absolute darkness of the Chamber.

    It's not that you don't have a wish. Your wish has never changed-- a wish to see justice done.

    From the pain of being split in twain by a great evil, to the Trickster's treasured exchanges with Justine and Caroline, to witnessing Yaldabaoth's miraculous defeat, to the here and now.

    ...But justice, even your own sense of justice, can't be forced upon the world. You learned that much when all of humanity rallied behind Joker as he defied the oppressive world the God of Control sought to build.

    ...Where's the justice in all this? Justice… Arcana?

    What happened to your Strength, Lavenza?

    But even reminding yourself of your hypocrisy doesn't remove the cold ire you feel from the Incubator's lies and its utterly distorted worldview.

    So lost you are in your own thoughts, you barely notice when you arrive at where your master lies.

    Igor smiles. "You have returned to us, Lavenza." He says from his seat, clasping his gloved hands together. "I am simply overjoyed. Your presence has been sorely missed by everyone as of late."

    You curtsy. "I am glad to be back as well, master."

    His grin subsides. "...Yet you carry a great burden upon your shoulders, one not present before your departure." You are briefly startled by his words. "Tell me, what troubles you so?"

    You shake your head dismissively. "Nothing I would bother you with, master." You look around the empty chamber. "Why are you alone, if I might ask?

    He leans back on his seat, carefully observing you. "Hm. Margaret left with great haste for the Sea of Souls moments before your arrival." He informs you. "I have informed Theodore of your return, he should be here in but a few moments."

    Oh. How did Margaret know of Elizabeth's entrance? Perhaps she was waiting for her...

    Your master surprises you by standing up. "Closing off your heart will only lead you to great pain, Lavenza. I had hoped you were already aware of that. " He crouches to your eye-level in front of you, taking out a tissue from the pocket of his suit. He hands it to you. "Here."

    You stare at the tissue in confusion. You feel something wet fall down your cheek, and you quickly bring a hand to your eyes. They are moist.

    …O-Oh. How undignified…

    You accept the tissue and quickly wipe your suddenly blurred vision. Igor rests a hand on your shoulders, silently comforting you.

    After all, here, in a place between space, mind, and matter, you can afford to waste a little time before you have to face this confusing and unfair world once again.

    What do you do?

    [] Carry out your original plan. Inform Igor of Elizabeth's intentions and wait for Theodore before you depart to the Sea of Souls.
    -[] Insist that your master accompany you both.
    -[] Do something else?

    [] You are under no hurry to leave your home so soon after returning. Your sisters can wait.
    -[] Properly greet your brother. Apologize for failing to say goodbye to him before you left.
    -[] Ask Igor some questions.
    --[] Show him the Grief Seed. What can he make out of it?
    --[] Something else?
    -[] Do something else?

    [] Write-In.

    -=-​

    That 'circle of runes' thing is something Elizabeth did back in Persona 4 Arena at the start of her storyline, sorry if it came out of nowhere.

    A friendly reminder that, according to Persona Q, having Igor leave the Velvet Room for any period of time is a Bad Idea.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [x] You are under no hurry to leave your home so soon after returning. Your sisters can wait.
    -[x] Do something else: Tell the master everything. Incubator. Wishes. Witches, showing Igor the grief seed in the process. Your friends. Elizabeth. Walpurgis Night.
    -[x] What are the requirements for someone, or someones-plural, to become a Guest of the Velvet Room?
    --[x] I am having ...trouble... keeping myself as balanced and aloof as I should be. My heart cries for Justice, but to do so would violate the tenets of level and even Strength. I...do not know what to do.
     
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    Ophysium said:
    A friendly reminder that, according to Persona Q, having Igor leave the Velvet Room for any period of time is a Bad Idea.
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    Not familiar with this; what happens if he does?

    As for the vote, @wingnut2292 's seems like a good idea. We probably made a huge mistake letting the Incubator cross dimensions and into the Sea of Souls, putting all our cards on the table and asking our master for his insight and advice would probably be the best course of action. Though I am puzzled by the option to visit our Shadow, I wasn't aware Velvet Room Attendants even had one.
     
    I'm pretty sure they do, it's just that over the course of their training they usually made peace with it. *Shrug* I can remove it if it's too much of a problem or conflicts with lore.

    My ultimate goal is to get the Mitakihara girls as Guests and have Lavenza as the Mitakihara girls Pharos/Teddie/Morgana analog. (Because every Wildcard makes a pact, even if it was just a verbal one, with a supernatural creature. And guess what Lavenza happens to be!)

    edit: edited my vote. Let's see what Igor has to say. I suspect that failure here is the best teacher, even though it's a harsh teacher. We get so caught up in what we think we should do, we don't do what we ought to do. A taste of mortality, to wield her own Persona and not the Trickster's collection, may be just the lesson Lavenza needs.
     
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    Laurelin said:
    Not familiar with this; what happens if he does?
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    IIRC, the Velvet Room became unstable and the Attendants started getting weaker.

    Laurelin said:
    Though I am puzzled by the option to visit our Shadow, I wasn't aware Velvet Room Attendants even had one.
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    wingnut2292 said:
    I'm pretty sure they do, it's just that over the course of their training they usually made peace with it. *Shrug* I can remove it if it's too much of a problem or conflicts with lore.
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    It's not that you don't have a Shadow, it's just that getting her involved right now would mean someone with power over Shadows (like Nyarlathotep or Izanami) is messing around, because no Attendant has ever been shown having to naturally confront their other self.
     
    [X] Carry out your original plan. Inform Igor of Elizabeth's intentions and wait for Theodore before you depart to the Sea of Souls.
    -[X] Suggest that your master accompany you both, if only briefly.
    -[X] Elizabeth may have no desire to see him presently, as she said, but that does not absolve her of her responsibilities. Igor is your master, Margaret would- *ahem* You would abhor letting Elizabeth's plan proceed without his express permission.
    -[X] Do we still have a copy of that contract? Hand him one.

    We may be a magical kid forged from the subconscious of man, but we're still a kid. Onee-chan getting out of hand is above our paygrade, we should phone grandpa and see what he thinks.

    Couldn't help but throw in a reference to my headcanon that Lavenza is naturally more like Elizabeth, but tries to emulate Margaret. I can remove it if people have a problem... But I think it's cute.
     
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    Votes are not closed. - Current vote tally:
    Adhoc vote count started by Ophysium on Oct 13, 2019 at 10:24 PM, finished with 5 posts and 2 votes.
    • [x] You are under no hurry to leave your home so soon after returning. Your sisters can wait.
      -[x] Do something else: Tell the master everything. Incubator. Wishes. Witches, showing Igor the grief seed in the process. Your friends. Elizabeth. Walpurgis Night.
      -[x] What are the requirements for someone, or someones-plural, to become a Guest of the Velvet Room?
      --[x] I am having ...trouble... keeping myself as balanced and aloof as I should be. My heart cries for Justice, but to do so would violate the tenets of level and even Strength. I...do not know what to do.
      [X] Carry out your original plan. Inform Igor of Elizabeth's intentions and wait for Theodore before you depart to the Sea of Souls.
      -[X] Suggest that your master accompany you both, if only briefly.
      -[X] Elizabeth may have no desire to see him presently, as she said, but that does not absolve her of her responsibilities. Igor is your master, Margaret would- *ahem* You would abhor letting Elizabeth's plan proceed without his express permission.
      -[X] Do we still have a copy of that contract? Hand him one.
    Click to expand...
     
    I'm of split mind. On one hand, time is of the essence, but on the other Igor leaving might not be the best idea given the potential consequences. And whether he stays or goes, it would greatly help if he was fully aware of the situation, including he contract. But again, we might be racing the clock depending on how impatient our sister starts to get, or how Kyubey reacts to the Sea of Souls.
     
    Bones said:
    I'm of a split mind. On one hand, time is of the essence, but on the other Igor leaving might not be the best idea given the potential consequences. And whether he stays or goes, it would greatly help if he was fully aware of the situation, including the contract. But again, we might be racing the clock depending on how impatient our sister starts to get, or how Kyubey reacts to the Sea of Souls.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Remember, the Velvet Room has a fuzzy relationship with time. Liz might wait, but just long enough to realize time has passed and she's waiting on us. Theo isn't here yet, so we have some time.

    Perhaps a variation of: give Igor the cliff notes version now, collect Theo, watch Liz make her wish, come back and explain everything.*

    *Assuming Nyx/Eberaus doesn't destroy the world, Or Liz doesn't fundamentally change the metaphysics of Humanity or the World, or make the Persona series jump to the SMT track.

    I'm really curious at how Liz is going to get Minato-kun back without empowering the forces that want to destroy Humanity, or redefining humanity into something no longer human. While a trick from Incubator isn't out of the question, Incubator is more of an opportunist. He's good at making opportunities, but still, an opportunist. The greatest threat here actually is Liz's wish.
     
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    Eh, fair enough.

    [x] You are under no hurry to leave your home so soon after returning. Your sisters can wait.
    -[x] Do something else: Tell the master everything. Incubator. Wishes. Witches, showing Igor the grief seed in the process. Your friends. Elizabeth. Walpurgis Night.
    -[x] What are the requirements for someone, or someones-plural, to become a Guest of the Velvet Room?
    --[x] I am having ...trouble... keeping myself as balanced and aloof as I should be. My heart cries for Justice, but to do so would violate the tenets of level and even Strength. I...do not know what to do.
     
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