[OPEN INTRO] Lost and confused

[dragon_ken]

The last thing Ken Amada remembered was going to his dorm room after a normal day of school. There had been nothing unusual at all that day, nothing strange going on. Just a strikingly normal school day, almost boring in its ordinary nature.

But now, there was nothing ordinary at all with the sight before him: a room all in blue, a man with a long nose, several doors, music, and the lack of any clue about how he had ended up here.

"Welcome," said the strange man, "to the Velvet Room. I am Igor, the master of this place. It is always a pleasure for me to meet a new guest."

The Velvet Room? What was that? Why was he there?

"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter," pursued Igor. "If you have any concerns about the world from which you have come, you can rest assured that you are not truly absent while you stay here. Still, you should use your time wisely, and form bonds with the others you find in a similar situation to yourself, as you never know where they might lead you! So please, feel free to explore."

Ken took a deep breath. "So this is... another world?"

"Correct."

"And I'm... just living here now? Until I'm sent back home?"

"That is also correct," answered Igor, his smile unflinching.

"...Aren't you going to explain anything else?"

"It is up to the guest to find their own answers," continued Igor, his smile being almost creepy with how static it was. "But I believe one of our residents has compiled information that many have found useful," he added while gesturing to the conspiracy board.

Ken approached it and diligently read it. It was all... dizzying.

And then it really hit him, all at once. He was far from home, in this strange land where worlds collide, populated with vampires, demons, worlds inside TVs, strange things called "Personas", and more. He was there, and he had nothing, he had no one, he didn't even have any idea of what was going on or any skill of value. He was there, and he was nothing.

Ken felt himself starting to shake. He felt the tears starting to form themselves. He felt the panic rapidly settling inside.

Come on, hold yourself together, don't be a little kid about this...

He had to hold on. He had to be strong, for...

For what, really? The only reason he kept going was to bring justice to his mother's death. But this place, vast, unknown, and full of magic, made him understand how insignificant he really was. What was he thinking, really? That an ordinary kid like him could track down and confront someone who had a terrifying monster under their command?

Maybe that was why he was brought here. To bring him to his important realization. He was insignificant. He didn't matter. He should stop holding onto delusions of being able to change things.

He fell on his knees. If he didn't have his revenge, what was the point then?? What was he living for...?

Other people may:

A. Find him in front of the conspiracy board, on his knees, shaking, softly crying, his gaze empty.

B. Find him several hours later, after he calmed down, praying at the shrine.

Regardless of how they find him, for those of them who know other Ken Amadas, this one seems to be the youngest of them, around 10 years old.

Comments

[dragon_ken]

"That would be really nice, uh..."

A realization dawned on him.

"Oh, we never introduced ourselves! I'm Ken Amada. And you are?"

[dragonprincegoro]

"Goro Akechi." he nodded. Oh dear, he really was responsible for this kid now wasn't he? well, could be worse.

[dragon_ken]

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Akechi-senpai. And thank you so much for your offer! I'm not sure I could manage to figure things out on my own."

[dragonprincegoro]

"Well, things are complicated." He shrugged, "If this place proves anything, it's that."

[dragon_ken]

"That's true."

A moment of silence, while Ken gathered his thoughts once again.

"So... what should I do to get started? Should I try to focus inside, like I did earlier?"

Actually, scratch that, he had a better idea.

"Oh, could you tell me more about dragons? Because, the second time I looked inside, when I knew what I was looking for, it was much easier. So, I think knowing more could be helpful."

[dragonprincegoro]

Things he could explain. Where to start? He tapped his tail again. "Alright. This might be a little advanced, but we will try it."

He took a breath. "You remember how I said this isn't my only form?" He took a step back and stretched up.

He closed his eyes as he shifted into his dragon form. Long and lanky, a mixture of fur and scales.

The transformation was pretty quick, so it wasn't very unsightly. As he peered down at the boy.

[dragon_ken]

"Woah..."

He took a few steps back. Not really because he was scared, but because of how much of the place Akechi-senpai now filled. He now had to crane up his neck to see his head, and he just was so long!

The look Ken gave the older dragon was... well, that starry-eyed look when kids find something really cool.

"That's awesome! I mean, huh..." he stalled while trying to calm down. "It's pretty impressive. Is this your true form?"

[dragonprincegoro]

He lowered himself to the ground. Then huffed a nod. "Yes, it is." He tried figuring out where his tail should go between things as he laid down, to not make him uncomfortable. Ken was so amazed with him being able to look like this and it made him be a bit prideful.

[dragon_ken]

Ken couldn't help but walk around the massive dragon to take in all the details. It was so amazing!!!

...but there was a point to all of this, it wasn't just so that Ken could look at something cool.

"So... how do you change forms? Do you just think about it? Do you have to feel something specific? Is it a spell?"

[dragonprincegoro]

"For me it's a feeling, deep down. Something deep inside of me, There's several things there, but this is the easiest to control. Deeper inside some Dragons control different things, this might be different between us, but I'll explain it for me."

He keeps an eye on the kid, he wasn't too small, but Goro laid his head down so that Ken wasn't going to get crushed. "Transforming comes first. It gives you this it's protection, it's more damage, and sometimes it's truely the only way to get others to back off. Who's bigger, who's stronger type of deal, you've got to defend what's yours.

You also get your... ability later, some people have fire, water, for me, it's poison."

[dragon_ken]

Ken drank in every single one of Akechi-senpai's words, fascinated.

"You say your element is poison... is it like your dragon's breath, or do you have some kind of control over your element?"

[dragonprincegoro]

"It's a smoke from my breath, instead of fire's breath, if that's what you are referring to. But it's mainly in my claws, it drips from them if I want them to, it's safe for you."

[dragon_ken]

"Woah, I see..."

He then slightly descended from his cloud in the lofty skies when he heard about safety.

"By the way, is it safe for me to try to transform? Or do you need some training first? Can it be dangerous...?"

[dragonprincegoro]

He chuckled. "It'll come naturally when it does. It's something Your body is meant to do. Don't worry, I'll be here." Those words, Those words sounds like his mother's. When He was little wandering around hoping to end up like his mom who was laying in the garden, before everything. Those were the words she spoke to him.

[dragon_ken]

Ken let escape a small sigh of relief.

"You're right, I shouldn't rush this. Thank you for reminding me, Akechi-senpai."

He then just... sat down next to the dragon's large form. He had been scared of him at first, but now, his presence was comforting.

Don't worry, I'll be here.

Had anyone spoken these words to him since his mother's death? They caused a warm feeling that he hadn't felt in a long time...

He closed his eyes, and tried to meditate on his inner feelings. Maybe he'd learn more about himself, maybe he wouldn't. But it was fine. He had someone to look after him.

[dragonprincegoro]

He watched the small frame, who looked smaller next to him. Was this how he looked to his mother? No wonder her instincts were so strong.

He kept quiet letting the little one focus. A soft hum of encouragement for him.

A few days later...

[dragon_ken]

Ken woke up particularly excited that day.

"Akechi-senpai!" he shouted as soon as he noticed the older dragon. "I had a dream this night!"

Judging by how excited he was, it was unlikely to be an ordinary dream.

[dragonprincegoro]

Akechi.... was tired. He was pouring coffee, which he was ever so grateful to be introduced to.

He looked at the kid. They had.... so much energy. His poor mother, may she rest now. "Oh? What kind of dream?" He asked before taking another sip.

[dragon_ken]

"Well," he speaks a little too fast, "it was really overwhelming and confusing, but I think there were bits of feelings and memories about who I really am! There was something big and full and I think I'm supposed to embody something?"

[dragonprincegoro]

He nods. "Sounds like you are ready to try to transform then." He takes another sip. "I'm going to make sure there's a good meat place nearby. You'll be hungry after."

He pulled out his phone. He was not used to it yet, but he was getting better. A search later he was ready.

[dragon_ken]

He was so excited by the prospect of being able to try to transform that he dropped the conversation and immediately left to get prepared.

When he joined back later, he was ready to go!

[dragonprincegoro]

Energy. So much energy. Goro threw back his coffee and nodded at the kid. "Alright. Let's head out."

The best most open space was probably a park or field. There were plenty of those around, Schools had some. So he led Ken to the closest one.

"Alright. This is about the closest thing we can get to a completely open place."

[dragon_ken]

The walk to the field allowed Ken to calm down a little and to remember he had more to share from his dream.

"Thank you for accompanying me. By the way, I forgot to tell you an important detail from my dream. It was the strongest feeling, the only one to be crystal clear... I'm pretty sure I have a purpose. Like, I was made for something, or I have some role to play in how the world works, or something."

[dragonprincegoro]

He nodded, that didn't make sense to him, but then again, either kids were like that, or that was something special about him.

"Interesting. do you know what for?" he asked, maybe there was a hunch the kid had that would solve the mystery, Akechis seemed to be good detectives after all.

[dragon_ken]

"No, sorry... I think it may be related with the other feeling that I'm supposed to embody something? But I think I'll need more time to figure this out."