The Fool's Questions.

(Ya'll, yesterday I got home, I went to bed, and then I slept for 13 hours. It was great. Nothing quite like that sleep you get after being tired for days. Also, may I just say that the 'Antisocial Force' is such a dumbass name for the bad guys group. I am leaving it as it is, but every time I have to write it out, it feels so stupid. Anyways, enjoy.)

— — —

Navigating through the labyrinth of Mementos, the group found themselves empty-handed, unable to discover any more chests. Perhaps they were extraordinarily rare, or maybe the collective cognition hadn't shifted enough to make them more accessible.

After several hours deep within Mementos, the strain began to show. Unknowingly, they had spent over eight hours wandering its depths, battling more than a hundred shadows, including a doctor who had jeopardized Takemi's career and some of Futaba's relatives, whom she had confronted alongside Ren.

Exhausted, the team finally reached the entrance. Yawning and stretching, they prepared to leave for the day.

"Man, it sucks whenever I wasn't paired with Mona. I don't know how you do it, Makoto, but even using my Persona for transportation was effin' tiring," Ryuji complained as he stretched out his limbs. "Honestly, jogging is less tiring."

Makoto chuckled lightly, hearing him. 

"Well, each Persona reacts differently. For me, the strain isn't too bad until I start using skills. If anything, just summoning it is the tiring part. I assume it's similar for Futaba since she was practically living in Necronomicon all day."

[Yeah, it's only tiring when I run scans or give support. I feel like I could sleep in here if I am not doing anything.] Futaba chimed in through her persona just before being gently lowered to the ground by her Persona's tentacles as Necronomicon vanished.

"It's strange for me," Shiho added, stifling a yawn. "Healing doesn't wear me out as much, but using attack skills really drains me."

Ann, looking around at the group, suddenly realized something. 

"Hey, you know what? We never gave our newest member a nickname. We've just been calling her by her name this whole time."

Seizing the moment, Mona stepped forward, puffing out his chest with pride. 

"Well, as the designated nickname creator, it's my turn to shine." After scrutinizing Futaba, he declared, "Oracle. That's a good navigator name."

Hearing this, Futaba chuckled and turned to Ren, playfully aiming finger guns at him.

"You better not shoot me in the spine, Joker." Noticing the puzzled looks from the group, she hurried to explain, "Get it? Like the Joker... and Batman... he shoots Oracle... Nevermind."

Embarrassed by their blank stares, Futaba quickly hid behind Ren, only for Ryuji to burst out laughing after finally catching on to the joke.

As the group prepared to leave Mementos, Ren paused, his gaze drawn to the ethereal entrance of the Velvet Room. It had been some time since his last visit, before his visit to the principal, and curiosity tugged at him to see if he could once again converse with Igor.

"You want to check it out again? We can wait here," Ann asked, catching him staring off into nothingness.

Ren nodded slightly, his decision made. 

"You guys can go ahead. I'm not sure how long this will take."

After receiving a few understanding nods from his friends, he walked forward and pushed open the door, stepping into the familiar yet always mystifying Velvet Room.

— — —

As the soft piano notes filled the air, Ren opened his eyes. He briefly noticed faint strings extending from the ceiling and connecting to his body. Yet, as he moved, they vanished, leaving no trace behind.

The curtains of the Velvet Room slowly parted, and Ren was greeted by the deep, familiar chuckle of Igor.

"Welcome back to the Velvet Room, Trickster," Igor greeted, his large, enigmatic smile spreading across his face. "I trust you have been managing well during my absence."

Nodding slightly, Ren replied. 

"I have, so far, everything is progressing smoothly. Though I do have a few questions," he said, his gaze fixed intently on Igor.

Igor's smile broadened at this, and he shifted from his usual relaxed posture to a more attentive, business-like one. 

"Then ask away, Trickster."

"My first question," Ren started, his voice steady, "concerns the Metaverse Navigator app. Other than the members of my group, have you given access to anyone else?"

This question had been at the top of his head for some time. Since Igor saw all of this as some sort of play, then there was the possibility that he was playing both sides, both the Thieves and the Antisocial Force.

Igor's chuckle echoed softly, his expression turning playful. 

"I assume you are referring to the rumors surrounding the black mask, are you not?" Igor inquired.

Ren nodded in confirmation.

"I see… In that case, you should know that I am not the sole entity capable of granting access to the collective unconscious. Throughout humanity's history, many have reached it without my intervention. It is by the power of the collective unconscious that many beings like myself are created, and these beings too can grant access as they deem fit."

"Beings like you?" Ren asked, his curiosity piqued. He was aware that both Igor and his assistants were not human, but their true nature remained a mystery.

Igor chuckled once more at the question.

"Do you recall when I told you that humans are creatures of contradiction?" he posed rhetorically. "They claim to desire life, yet harbor a fascination with death. They seek the truth but often prefer the comfort of lies. They yearn for freedom yet show a deep-seated desire for control."

Igor began smiling as he saw Ren's eyes narrowing.

"Just like a treasure manifests through distorted desires, beings like me also can be created by humanity's contradictions. However, I am different from the other beings created by humanity. It is my goal, and by proxy, the goal of the Velvet Room assistants, to help humanity."

Ren's eyes narrowed thoughtfully at Igor's cryptic response. It wasn't the clear answer he hoped for, but it also contained a lot of information he did not know before.

"So, what do you represent?" Ren pressed, eager to confirm his theory.

"The Velvet Room is a sanctuary for Fools, where those summoned are destined to confront their fate," Igor began, his voice as enigmatic as the blue-hued space around them. 

"The purpose of all created to serve here is uniform—to affirm the potential of humanity. We exist because there is always someone who believes in humanity, even when they falter. Someone who calls upon a Fool to affirm that humanity should continue to exist, embracing its contradictions and rarely facing the repercussions of its hidden desires."

Ren's gaze sharpened, scrutinizing Igor for any sign of deceit. Yet, the more he looked, the more he realized how unreadable Igor was. At times, Igor seemed to be concealing truths, and at others, he appeared utterly transparent, as if enjoying the unfolding of a complex game.

As doubts swirled in his mind, Igor simply smiled, a knowing chuckle escaping him as if he found amusement in Ren's uncertainty.

"So, your purpose is to 'help' humanity?" Ren pressed, seeking clarity.

"Am I not here in the Velvet Room?" Igor responded, his smile broadening at Ren's persistent skepticism. "Indeed, my purpose, and thus, yours, is to assist humanity. To incite change and chaos, to awaken those complacent in their routines, to divert humanity from its path toward self-destruction."

Ren felt a slight ease at Igor's straightforward affirmation, though his guard remained. He ventured further with his second question.

"When I entered today, I saw strings attached to me. What are those?" Ren asked, recalling the strange sight.

"The more you wield the tool I bestowed upon you, the more you align with the essence of the Velvet Room. It's conceivable that my Room is beginning to recognize you as one of its own, hence the connections attempting to bind you to it. But worry not, Trickster. Even those bound by the Velvet Room can break their contract. Caroline and Justine have told you about them, but both of her sisters have broken their contract and left the Velvet Room."

Igor's smile lingered as he added.

"Feel free to consult your attendants, but they will confirm that they, too, can sever their bonds with my Room at any moment, just as their sisters did before them. However, this is not a decision to be taken lightly, for once broken, the Room will never wholly embrace you again."

Ren remained silent for a moment, processing the dense information Igor had shared. He gathered his thoughts, then posed his final question.

"Where do you go when you leave the Velvet Room?" Ren asked, his curiosity piqued more by personal interest than the prior questions driven by concern.

"I venture where I am needed, Trickster. If the choice were mine, I would remain here continuously, guiding your journey. However, every time I break the rules of our game, I am forced to step back and observe from a distance. Yet, I must admit, Trickster, your endeavors continue to impress me, even in my absence."

"The rules?" Ren echoed, intrigued by the implication.

"Yes, Trickster. As I have previously mentioned, there are others observing your progress, and not all the details can be disclosed without me transgressing those very rules," Igor explained, his voice tinged with amusement.

Nodding his head, Ren took a moment to process the information.

"Have I satisfied your curiosity?" Igor asked, his smile broadening.

"Somewhat," Ren replied, which elicited a soft chuckle from Igor.

"In that case, allow me to commend you for the work you have been doing so far. I await in anticipation to see what you and your group will be able to accomplish in the future, Trickster. And though I sense your reluctance to embrace the full extent of the gift I've bestowed upon you, remember, do not fear the strength it offers. The discomfort you feel is temporary, but the power I offer is permanent."

Then, as he waved his hand, all of the curtains in the room opened, revealing the many features of the room. With even some previously closed curtains opening to reveal things Ren hadn't seen before.

"The more power you harness, the more adeptly you can utilize the resources this room provides. Eventually, you might even wield these powers directly."

Ren nodded in acknowledgment. 

"I'll keep that in mind, Igor. Until next time."

"Until next time, Trickster." Igor replied, then snapped his fingers, prompting the curtains to close swiftly.

When Ren opened his eyes next, he was back in Mementos. Not far off in the distance, he could hear the muffled sounds of his friends' voices.

"That doesn't even make sense." Makoto said with a sigh.

"No, no, let her cook." Ryuji interjected as he crouched on the floor, looking intently at what Futaba was drawing on the floor with her finger.

"I mean, I guess. But that's kind of a weird way to put it." Ann added, looking down at the drawings with a puzzled expression.

Ren approached the group, curiosity piqued as he looked down at the assortment of small, random drawings scattered on the ground.

"What are you guys up to?" he asked.

"After you zoned out, which I'm guessing meant you popped into the Velvet Room, we tried to get to know Futaba better. It was kinda tough at first, but then Ryuji brought up some game, and she just started going off on a tangent." Makoto explained, her brow furrowed in mild confusion.

"No, no, think about it, maybe the Metaverse is actually all just a big reference to Kingdom Hearts," Ryuji suggested, pointing enthusiastically at one of the drawings.

"Yeah, the heartless are basically like shadows if you really think about it," Futaba chimed in, nodding her head.

"What?" Ren looked from one to the other, his confusion evident.

Makoto sighed as Futaba cleared her throat and prepared to explain everything again.

~Confidants~

Igor (The Fool) Rank 6

(What's Igor cooking? Pasta. Hotel? Trivago

Let me know what you think of the chapter/the story so far. Feedback is always welcome. And hey, if you have read this far and not left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would).