"You have got to be fucking kidding me." Ren was completely stunned. "No wonder."
"Oh! Yu! I just remembered. I had a dream where I met a guy with blue hair. He told me that a voice was all the hint I need! Damn! What does Igor's voice sound like?" Ren quickly asked.
"The Messiah?!" Margaret yelped.
"Ren. Calm down," Yu said. "His voice... is nasally and high-pitched."
Ren was silent for a second.
"Maybe the Room changed? His voice is loud, gravelly, and powerful to me. Very deep," Ren whispered as a shiver ran up his back.
"That's enough," a calm voice rang out.
Margaret reached out her hand, seeming to fall into a trance.
"Stop your interference."
A black butterfly flew out from behind Ren. He felt a coldness spread from his lower back as it fell over his shoulder.
There was a flash of light, and Margaret was back to normal.
"It's worse than I thought..." she whispered with a pale face.
Morgana had been silent during the exchange, listening carefully to Margaret's explanation of the Velvet Room. It sounded familiar to him.
Safe, even.
But what Ren described was the opposite.
"Ren..." Morgana shivered. "That thing came out of your back."
---
Ren felt even more uncomfortable. Some parasite-like thing had been attached to his body, and he didn't even know? What else was going on?!
"Trickster. Do not worry. That being can no longer interfere. Come. Let me teach you a chant to open the doors to the true Velvet Room. We are shrouded here. It cannot find us. Listen. Remember. Speak it when you enter the Room next."
"...Okay," Ren said, and listened quietly to the chant.
---
Ren left quietly. Margaret told him to wait a few days before visiting the Velvet Room, and to make sure he was prepared for the aftereffects of the chant. The backlash would be reduced, but it was still something a mortal should not use.
"Margaret. You might be able to fool Ren, but you can't fool me. That wasn't you who acted. Are you okay? That thing... was horrifying," Yu said gravely.
---
Morgana's brows were furrowed in thought.
"Sorry we left without talking about you, Morgana. That was just a bit overwhelming," Ren apologized.
"No, it's okay, Ren. I forgot too," Morgana replied. "I have a bit of an idea now, though. Seeing Margaret brought back some memories. I think I might be from the Velvet Room too?"
"Am I not human?" His ears flattened.
Ren just rubbed his head.
---
---
CHAT LOG
[Joker]
Had some revelations dropped on me about the Velvet Room. I'd rather talk in person. Anyone want to meet up?
[Skull]
Sure. Where at?
[Dove]
We haven't gone to Leblanc in a while.
[Joker]
I'll let Boss know. Anyone have a special coffee order?
[Skull & Panther]
Sweet, not bitter!
---
Ren met up with the group, smoothly serving them coffee like a professional barista. Sojiro gave his seal of approval on the coffee.
Rather—
"I can accept serving this."
The girls were blushing at being served by Ren like a waiter. He was always charming to them, but he looked at home, content, and relaxed when they were here.
There was a reason they always suggested Leblanc.
---