The First Struggle [P. Wild Card Topic]

Whether or not Froger was still at the use of a toilet like last time, he would find himself drawn towards to another realm as a blue door illuminated itself in front of him. Unlike last time, it broke open as slithering chains grabbed him in a vice grip before pulling him inside. When finally awakening to the azure hues in the environment, the familiar hum of a vehicle quietly filled his ears as the sight of an equally familiar trio greeted him. Of the three, the man in the middle appeared serenely calm with that same wide smile. But he noticed there was something different. The links continued to hold onto his body this time, as if tightening around him with a purpose.


"You fucked up. Couldn't finish the job last night and you lost one of your accomplices. Are you trying to get yourself executed?" Felanie bluntly said as she kicked the prison bars roughly. She had something of a sardonic streak spreading through her features. It was as if she were derisively looking down on him. Last night was supposed to be their grand debut and it was a colossal failure. It seemed as if the scales have been tipped towards a direction the Wild Card may not like at this rate. While Felanie enjoyed in the tongue-lashing, Robin was not necessarily the same. "Your current performance speaks ill of you, Wild Card. Ruin will lie in your wake with this kind of progress. You would do well to adjust. Or otherwise, the obstacles you struggle against will finally introduce a result so many others have fallen to. Indeed, you have unlocked many egos since your last visit, but you fall short. The seed of power inside of you has yet to fully sprout it seems."

If there was one thing to take from this, they appeared to be disappointed in him. Even if they didn't admit it, there were high hopes for him. Would he be like the rest that failed after all despite how special he was? It would be an awful shame, wouldn't it? The hooked-nose man watched them talk and nothing on his face betrayed him of any kind of emotion. "In the light of certain unfortunate events, there is a question that requires to be answered. Will you continue down your path?"

Both girls narrowed their eyes as Frog seemed to ignore them. But most importantly, he was proving to be rather unreliable. Perhaps that potential was far wasted on him. Felanie would've kicked against the bars again in indignation, if it weren't for the low dark chuckle coming from Igor. Both of them fell silent for the old man to speak, "Your Journey, of course. I would have hoped you wouldn't follow the trail of failure like a previous holder of power did. But fortunately for you, you have yet to reach the end of your Journey. That said, will you continue to follow a path to reach true Freedom?"

Igor looked upon him with amusement. Felanie seemed rather smug as Robin remained coolly aloof, but they said nothing. The Velvet Room's master replied with a smile in return. "These chains signify your current state, dear Guest. Not so much of our own doing, oh no. Our policy is to remain detached with the events in the concrete world you live in. As I said before last time, we are merely here to help record and witness the progress of your Journey. Remember, you are responsible for your own actions."

Services were indeed given to the guests of the Velvet Room. However, they were still the Wardens of this realm mutated by the machinations of the living world. Each and everyone who came to this room were given an important caveat: responsibility. As Frog asked his question, it was Robin's turn. "That is the very Question we ask you today. It is not up to us to answer that for you. This is your Journey as my Master stated. What do you define True Freedom? What place does Order have in it?"

Igor listened with keen interest as Robin began marking the clipboard with her observations. But of course, with the continued flagrant acts of disrespect, Felanie stuck out her tongue at him. The answer wasn't that much different from last time's. It was something different at the same time in very few key ways. But most importantly it showed growth, that was the intended purpose of the Velvet Room after all. The Room's Master regarded the young man with interest. "It is certainly is an interesting answer. One that shall suffice. Perhaps you may walk a different path from your predecessor. What an interesting development indeed. I wonder if you'll still retain that same answer in the next evening. Now, tell me. During your skirmish last night, what have you learned of the Order espoused from Invidia? Why exactly is this Peace so wrong to you?"

Igor chuckled at what Froger said. Demons. It would be far too easy to lay that blame on them. Perhaps the Queen's campaign to set them aside as scapegoats were far too effective in this case. Indeed, the Divide had been all set up as if to make it all too easy. But the Master kept his silence. All would be revealed in due time, of course. After all, this wasn't his Journey. "A marvelously insightful answer. I hope you will continue to nurture your understanding as you make each step in your Journey. Your adversary continues down their path with relative success. May you reach the zenith of your growth to match her... Until next time, dear Guest."