The following day, the bell for lunch went off and Flynn shook his head a little realizing he had zoned out, the sound bringing him back to his senses. After his conversation with his mother yesterday, and his meeting with Auron, his mind had been somewhat out of focus, Onyx noticing as he saw Flynn standing. “Are you okay? You’ve been pretty out of it since class started.” The young kobold asked him curiously as he pulled out his lunch and decided to eat at his desk, still getting used to the new class. Flynn glanced over when he heard the question, but put on a small smile on his face to try and act like nothing was out of the ordinary. “It’s nothing. Just didn’t sleep very well last night, that's all.” He stretched his arms and took a look at his phone. “I need to go do something, I’ll be back after lunch.” He waved at Onyx, the boy giving a confused look as he tilted his head, but didn’t have a chance to question it as he started eating. Shrugging it off, he figured nothing was wrong, at least for the moment. Flynn quickly made his way through the halls and towards the entrance of school. At first he worried he might be stopped by someone in the front offices, but in the moment he was kind of relieved, remembering anyone in their final year was allowed to leave campus for lunch. Waving to the woman at the desk, he departed from the building and saw Auron leaning against a wall outside the gates, waiting for him. Flynn quickly made his way over, catching his breath due to running the entire time, the kangaroo looking at him curiously as he saw that. “Well good morning to you too.” Auron said, watching as Flynn put his hands on his knees before managing to stand back up straight and waving. “Hey, sorry I’m running late. I was not really focused when the bell went off.” He sheepishly admitted as a finger rubbed against his cheek nervously, the kangaroo chuckling and nodding as he pushed himself away from the wall with a foot and yawning. “So, where did you want to take me? Back into that place?” Flynn asked curiously. Auron glanced around before motioning him along, walking towards a different alleyway then the one they had been occupying the day prior, Flynn looking around as Auron made his way in, glancing back every so often to make sure nobody was following them as he pulled his pin out of his pocket and approaching a wall behind some trashes, mostly out of sight from the street. “Alright. I’m still not entirely sure how this works, but I need you to hold onto my shoulder and don’t let go.” He told Flynn, the pin already starting to glow in the boy's hand as Flynn nodded and did as he was asked. Flynn watched as he looked where Auron had been looking, surprised to see a faint velvet door appear before them. “Are you able to see this, or did it not work?” Auron asked as Flynn blinked a couple of times to make sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him. “I see a door?” He wasn’t sure what else to say as Auron nodded. “Good. Follow me, and stay close. They’ll be able to answer your questions better.” He told Flynn as he started making his way to the door and opening it, the duo walking through as Flynn winced and shielded his eyes as the blue color was a bit overwhelming for a moment. As fast as it started, the light faded and Flynn looked around as they arrived in a velvet blue room, Flynn noticing that it resembled the dream he had the other night, right down to the desk in the center of the room. Auron stood aside so Flynn could look around, the sound of a soft opera-like singing could be heard, accompanied by a mesmerizing piano sound, looking towards the stage he would see a woman in a dark blue dress, hair neatly pulled back singing, a pianist beside her playing as he had a nice black suit, and a red blindfold over his eyes. They had acknowledged him, but continued to do their song as Flynn looked back towards the desk, seeing a man sitting behind the desk. Extending a hand, the man smiled, he was vaguely human, Flynn able to tell he had some human-like traits, but his lanky arms and legs and long nose made it hard to believe. “Welcome to the Velvet Room~.” The man spoke, his voice was gentle, not as deep as Flynn had expected as he shook his hand carefully. “Your companion here had said he had a friend he wished to bring. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Igor, I am the master of all things Persona. What they are, how they work. Even fusing and creating them at one's behest. How may I help you today, master Flynn.” Igor gave an introduction to himself, Flynn taken by surprise when the man knew his name as he glanced over at Auron, who went and sat near the stage to listen to the song. Leaving Flynn to ask the questions he had. “I know things may seem confusing right now, but rest assured we are not your foe. Auron has been a guest in our room for a few months, and his friends are welcome to rest here when the going gets tough. Our lord has requested we serve you as we would Master Auron.” Igor continued to explain, standing up to go and stand in front of Flynn to be more polite. Flynn thought about it and stammered a bit, a tad confused about what was happening. “Is this just the building we were standing beside? We make a special door for it?” Igor smiled as he gave a gentle chuckle, a bit amused by the question, but wasn’t mocking Flynn. He knew this was quite the oddity for anyone who wasn’t familiar. “It may seem like that on the surface, but no. The velvet room is where those who wield the power of the arcana, and the persona that attaches to such an arcana, can go to rest, a respite on your journey. You can only enter this as you’ve entered a contract with Master Auron, by using his pin to enter the Shadow World, you have effectively opened the way to your journey.” Igor spoke properly and rather politely, Flynn relaxing as he realized the man wasn’t a threat, but that only left him with more questions. “But… wait. I don’t have this… persona thing you mentioned. What is that?” “A rather challenging question, truly. But let me see if I can do you any good.” Igor went back to his chair, but his expression lightened when he heard something, the flapping of a butterfly’s wings could be faintly heard beneath the song being sung, as the blue butterfly from before slowly descended beside Igor. “Allow me, Igor. Thank you for making our guests feel welcomed. It’s an honor to meet you, Flynn.” A man appeared before Flynn, he looked more human than Igor did, and it was harder to tell if he was or not. A golden masquerade mask was on his face, covering the top half of his face, his piercing blue eyes looking at Flynn. He was a rather pale man, taller and skinnier than both Flynn and Auron were. He wore a white coat with a black turtleneck shirt underneath, his arms crossed as he looked at Flynn. “W-who are you? And you’re that butterfly I kept seeing?” “Indeed. My name is Philemon, I’ve been watching over you from the moment your power has become a reality, Flynn. Even before your fateful encounter with young Auron.” The man, Philemon, began to explain, not moving from his spot as he watched the feline. “You had a dream a couple of nights ago, correct? Of this very room?” Philemon pondered, as he looked at the boy curiously, waiting for an answer as Flynn was taken by surprise, not sure if this was a dream in itself or not. “Y-yes, I did have a dream. But… how did you…?” He trailed off as he was growing more confused, glancing over to Auron in hopes of getting some help, but the boy seemed more focused on the stage. “How did you know that?” “Your answers will come, slowly but surely. I, Philemon, am a being that exists on the rift of humanity’s consciousness and subconsciousness, where the mind will wander. I see what isn’t said, and hear what isn’t heard.” Philemon told him, Flynn crossing his arms as he wasn’t quite buying it, but after everything he’s seen so far, this was the tamest thing. “For now, let me acquaint you with the persona, and what it represents. As Igor had stated, all persona come from the arcana at which they represent, a meaning for which life is given form. Auron, in his quest for answers and clarity, is in possession of the Wheel of Fortune. One who believes in destiny, and what life will bring them. His persona, Joan of Arc, is the embodiment of that arcana, serving to push Auron to find his destiny.” Philemon explained as they glanced over at Auron for a moment, the young man unaware that he had been addressed. Flynn nodded a bit and looked back at Igor and Philemon, his guard lowering more so than it had earlier as he wanted a better answer. “Okay. So then what does that mean for me? How was I able to enter that weird place? And why can I stand here in front of you two?” “Quite simple, Master Flynn. While you haven’t awoken to your persona, in time you’ll begin to find the answer, so long as you find your resolve, and what you represent in your own life. A persona is that of what a person wishes upon themselves in life. To be stronger, to be braver, to not feel so alone. Anything can awaken your persona.” Igor spoke now, Philemon turning attention to his assistant as he listened. The explanation was vague, but it seemed to get the idea across to the boy. “You’re a compassionate individual, and while you may not see it immediately, you’re also one with the potential to persuade your fate, and forge your own path.” Igor told him, Flynn growing silent as he took a silent, sharp breath through his teeth hearing that last part, but didn’t say anything yet as he looked back at Philemon. “So even if that were true, how would I even know where to begin with that? And can I just ignore it?” Before anyone else could say anything, Auron quickly hopped up from his spot and looked at Flynn. “Look, I know this might be crazy. But don’t ignore it. I thought the same as you did, but you might be able to unleash something.” Auron seemed to urge him to do it, remembering their text exchange from earlier, the feline catching on a bit. Flynn looked away when he heard that, the singing slowly fading to a stop as the sound of someone moving by the stage was heard in the silence, only barely accompanied by the piano again. “Flynn, was it?” The woman from before he started speaking. “I know this may be hard, but you’re holding onto an unimaginable power, one that would be safer for you to learn. We trust Auron, and our lord Philemon. But if we had another aid in this journey, you may learn something deeper about yourself.” The woman gently rested a hand on Auron’s shoulder, helping calm the kangaroo down as he seemed to be a bit surprised at Flynn quickly turning a blind eye to it after all of that. Flynn nodded his head as he crossed his arms again, staring at the floor as he thought about it. Without realizing, he started hearing that voice again, the one that wasn’t him. ‘You wish to take control of your life, yet doubt the one who may be able to allow that?’ Flynn sighed as he heard that, his thoughts immediately going to his parents as he still worried about disappointing them, not wanting them to get even more upset then they had the night before. “Okay…” he softly said, Igor smiling a bit broader when he heard that, Flynn unfolding his arms and staring at the two before him. “I’ll give it one shot, and try to awaken whatever my ‘persona’ might be. If it works, I’ll join you guys.” A small surge of adrenaline hit as he seemed eager to try, his thoughts all over but that small inkling from the other voice seemed to push him. Auron grinned a bit as he heard that, watching as Igor held out his hand once again, this time another pin appeared in a small light, reaching out to Flynn as the feline walked over and accepted it. “This is your catalyst, the gateway between you and your persona, as well as to the Shadow World. With this, you’ll be able to aid Auron in your quest for understanding.” Philemon told him, watching as Flynn admired it for a moment, surprised when he saw the letters F.K. On the back, similar to Auron’s. Setting it in his pocket, the woman returned to the stage and started up one more time, realizing her job was done in that moment as Auron went to stand with his new ally. “Thank you, Auron. I still don’t really know what’s going on… but if you need help, I won’t let you go alone.” Flynn smiled at the kangaroo, a compassionate resolve could be seen in his eye for a brief moment. Auron could tell he was still unsure, but this was a step in the right direction. Before they knew it, they had arrived back at the alleyway outside the Velvet Room. - Leaving the alleyway, Auron checked his watch and looked towards the school. “You can usually enter the Velvet Room anywhere that Philemon deems ‘safe enough’. Usually back there is the easiest for me, but if you have another idea, we can meet there in a time of desperation.” He told Flynn as they started walking towards the school, the feline shaking his head and his tail swayed as he processed everything, nodding as he listened to Auron. “I know you said you had some things to do after school, but if you can, it would be helpful to take you through a rift with your new pin, and see if we can get you going. Are you sure today won’t work?” He asked as Flynn crossed his arms and thought, the voice he had heard wasn’t saying anything this time, leaving the feline alone to think as he did. ‘Mom is going to flip… but…’ Flynn shook it off and smiled as he looked at Auron. “No, I think I can change whatever was today for another day. Let’s go after school.” He smiled a bit at the kangaroo, who adjusted his jacket and nodded happily. “Awesome. Then I’ll meet you back here after school, don’t be late.” Auron told him, watching as the feline jumped when the first bell to return to class went off. Flynn yelped in surprise and waved him off, quickly rushing into the building as Auron watched him go. As Flynn disappeared into the school building, Auron sighed and looked at the school a bit closer, still seeing the ritual site he saw in the Shadow world. ‘Whatever is going on here… maybe Flynn can be the start to finding answers.’ He thought to himself, before turning and departing down the street for now, he had a few hours he needed to pass after all.