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Summary: The Velvet Room is a place where they watch over the border between the Metaverse and the Human realm. A place that few can enter, and most only by invitation. However, now that the border has gave way, it's time for the Velvet Room to take a new role. Igor is eager to greet their first guest.

Warning(s): . . . None. No, really. *Shrugs*

Persona, I Choose You!

Persona 1

Welcome

The Velvet Room. A place in between, existing yet nearly untouchable. For many years it's existed in this strange balance, stable but precarious. On the edge of both worlds, yet falling into neither. An ever-looming place of observation, preserving peace between the realm of Humans and its counterpart; The Metaverse. Two worlds at once blurred together, until the strange and powerful creatures threatened to engulf humanity and Philemon intervened to keep balance and harmony. He created this room to help observe both worlds and to serve as a bridge, should the service ever be required, to return the displaced back to their own realms.

Igor has lived in this room for many, many, years. How many is insignificant, as the passage of time in the Velvet Room has little meaning, and even if it did Igor would still serve there loyally. He was not lonely, as his Master ensured to give him company of two others, Belladonna and Nameless. Steadfast companions who shared his passions and who were content with their place in the room. To watch both worlds grow and change is his pleasure, and to keep both under watchful eye his duty.

The three of them spent their days in blissful quiet, only exiting the room every now and again to see the changes for themselves, but never all together. Balance was important, after all. They had no need to worry of being followed back to the room, at least from the human realm. Only those whom are invited, contracted and Linked to a Persona or lead there by an invited guest themselves, may enter that space. Only they are able to take notice any of the blue doors that are spread throughout the human world. Personas, however, were the more dangerous, being powerful beings themselves. The doors had to remain better hidden, rather than in plain sight. Though any uninvited guest, human or not, would be quick to find themselves faced with a powerful foe, and the reason why Philemon trusted Igor to protect this place.

He was at peace here for so long that when the first cracks began to appear he had thought perhaps he was finally going senile. Yet they continued to grow, to spread like a disease.

Then, the border broke, and pandemonium.

It had happened so fast that all he and his sparse companions could do was create a barrier to contain it all. All they could do was watch as personas began to terrorize the humans. For once, in so many years, Igor had felt powerless and a failure.

He had feared his Master's ire. Yet, when he was met instead with quiet contemplation, Igor was intrigued.

"Perhaps it is time for the Velvet Room to stop observing, and start doing."

So it was decreed, and so it was that Igor followed his Master's commands. Tirelessly they prepared. Gathering their power and resources. Belladonna calling to the other side with her voice, an enchanting plea to the bridges between, and Nameless' fingers dancing across keys in a code only she could relay.

Igor in particular, had quite the task. Preparing special cards to hand out to humans, to tame rather unwieldly personas. Cards that would allow them to Link and fight alongside the very monsters that were invading their world. An ancient bond once extinguished, would now be rekindled.

Yes, they were prepared and Igor excited. It was something new after all, and he loved new experiences. It was even better, knowing that he was going to help create them. How long had it been since anything of great change and importance happened in that room? How long since a human or persona had ever set foot there? Not since Igor had taken over, no mistake in that. Would they be young, older? Male or female? Would they be ripe with knowledge from long travels and adventures, or new and fresh and timid to this otherworldly experience?

So many possibilities! So many potential personas they could attract. Which persona would they catch the eye of? Which one would deem them a worthy partner? Would they need to use one of the special cards Igor crafted, or would they Link up fine without that particular service?

Igor could feel the tingle of countless possibilities ripple through the room and his own person. The time drew near, their first guest approached and, oh, what a powerful aura.

However, even he, with all his Master's trust and gifted power, could have never guessed how events would turn. Never knowing how his two companions would soon turn to three, to five, seven, and more. To gain those that he would come too see as family and even his own children. How that ancient bond, of human and persona, wouldn't just be rekindled, but reborn like an emperor's undying flames. How this leak in the border would continue to shape the human world like the sun and moon shapes the night and day. How humanity would fight against their own self-destruction and the destruction of the Metaverse. How Personas would come to humans and non-humans alike, seeking them not as prey or sport, but as companions and friends. To fight together, live together, cry and bleed together. To rebel against any self-proclaimed god's chains and continue to fight, to survive, to live and defy all that claim to know better.

To defy not only Igor's expectations, but even Philemon's.

With all their foresight, not even he, Igor, or Philemon, could have ever seen just how things would change when that first boy took his first steps into the room.

Of course, Igor worried for none of this. He was now going to be a guide after all, so was his new duty.

So, when that human boy, with his purple hair, rumpled school uniform, and shiny earring walked through that door, dazed and confused, Igor bowed his head. Yes, the aura was strong, bright, but still young. It would need honing and guidance. Someone to point him in the right direction, but not be so forceful that he be unable to choose his course of action. The experience would forge his soul and being, steel it against hardship, yet leave it malleable enough that he may keep an open mind and heart. Yes, this boy's potential was everything Igor could imagine it to be, and he was delighted to make his acquaintance.

He raised his arm in greeting, as Belladonna sung her soul and Nameless weaved her a never-ending aria, and said the words that he would come to say, come to love saying, as his current guest entered that blue room.

Igor smiled.

"Welcome, to the Velvet Room."

Hey, all! New addition to PICY, hope you like it! Sorry if it's really short, but this a more introspective piece I guess? Okay, probably more of a world building/lore building chapter than anything. Just something short, sweet, and to the point. Can I just say, that even though they don't use any of the cast from Persona 2 back, that I'm really glad they kept Igor. He just adds so much needed atmosphere and personality, ya know? I always like going into the Velvet Room and him greeting you. He seems genuinely happy you're there.