[IC] Persona 4 - Black Carnival

[vancexentan]

"No there's nothing else you need to know besides the fact that the Ring Master of this carnival likes too speak a certain way and that he won't be speak any other way unless he sees fit. So I recommend not laughing. He's not hot tempered, nor will he hurt you, but he wouldn't understand why your laughing at him. My good friend really isn't a social butterfly if you would. Anyways..." Michael said as he stopped moving and without looking back at them he raised his head and looked up at the big tent in front of them. It was one of the larger tents in the circus though it clearly wasn't a tent meant for the show itself. It had white and purple stripes and the door flaps hung down instead of being held wide open. "Well come on in. Don't be shy." Michael stated as he stepped aside and pulled open one of the flaps. There was a dim light inside but nothing else. The music was still on in the background and it really made it creepier than it was intended to be apparently. Will swallowed his fear and shook his head as he marched himself into the tent. As he got inside he noticed four chairs, and a table set up in front of them with the sides of the area being obscured by darkness so black that he was surprised that there was any light in there to start with. In the middle of the room stood a creature with long black robes around it's body. A hood obscured the face and white gloves hid the hands. He couldn't see the legs either as the robes covered them as well. There were no markers on the robes, and they were without any dirt on them. he sat on the opposite side of the table and a deck of blue cards was in front of him. As Will began to speak a hollow voice rang out. "Come now don't be afraid I shall not harm you today. I mean well and bring you gifts but only if you see it fit." the creature said it sounded more manly than like one would expect from a female so Will thought it would be best to call him sir. "S-should I sit down?" Will asked as the creature raised it's head. There was no face there but a large white mask that covered the whole of it's face except with a crack over one eye and ran across where the mouth should be. "If you would I should ask that you indeed sit down my dear young friend. I mean to be a gracious host." The creature said as he turned it's left hand over and gestured towards the sit. Will noticed the other kid with the odd mask come in he shook a little but he nodded as well without saying a word. Will took the seat directly in the middle as too not offend the man. The boy took the seat directly left of him. "I believe that you should know. That destiny is about to change it's flow. Your choice now will make your fate. I will do my best to make it come true so that you can know the truth too." the creature said gently as he laid it's hand back on the table.

[Lasrever]

Tomomi Katayama

Tomomi walked into the tent without a second glance, eager to finally meet the mysterious person in charge of this place. Pushing through the entrance to the tent, she looked at the Ring Master. Not that she could get much of a look, with the black robes obscuring everything about the mysterious figure. Tomomi really didn't think it was a good idea to pry though.

He sounded like a guy, but that was about all she could figure out. The mask was a bit creepy, and she could see what Michael meant about his way of talking being kind of strange, but at least it seemed like there wasn't anything immediately threatening about the situation. She took the far right, not for any particular reason other than that she felt like it. Hey, that strategy had worked so far for her, right?

Still, she wasn't sure how she felt about all this destiny talk, and said so. "Sorry, destiny? Fate? No offence, but I think you've got the wrong girl. Maybe these guys are, but I'm not the type of person that's part of anything like that." she sighed, looking away. It was obvious what she was really trying to ask - why her? Wasn't there someone talented, someone smart, someone strong that would help more? Someone, well, better than her?

If it wasn't for the mask, she wouldn't have said anything at all, but she had to know something. Someone like her wasn't special enough for something like this.

[vancexentan]

"Self doubt is not the path that should be walked with that mask. Your fate is something you must trace back and forth with the up most haste. This town of yours is not new too this play. Inaba has seen much worse days. Yet fate once more reaches out it's hand to tell you all that the news of late. Vanishing girls, boys, and men where would they go if not for darkness's reach? Natural this is not my friends and must be stopped before it spreads. A dark hour past the ticking clock's hands engulfs your small town in shroud. People could be there or maybe they belong in another land? A world inside a digital screen. Where shadows play and heroes have met. Do not take my words for ultimate dread for you have have the power to banish them. Trust me and you shall see what power comes from your apathy. Soon you will take my words and see them molded into truth. A guide, a service I offer you. You may take them if you choose." The creature said simply as he moved his hand swiftly too the blue cards on the table and put his hand on top of them. He slowly pressed down on them and moved his hand to the right. The cards followed his hand and laid out on the table without him needing to draw them. And then he coutinued to set them until he had three rows and then reshuffled them by moving his hand in the opposite direction reversing the action of spreading out the cards which shuffled themselves. "These cards of mine hold the truth in your hearts and may give you a chance to get past start. Worthy you have already proven in this hour chosen. The card you choose you cannot redo and if you falter you may face your true self's hideous face."

[Lasrever]

Tomomi Katayama

"Power, huh..." Tommomi took a second to think it over. "You mean we could figure out what's goin' on with home. Make it all right, make sure everyone's okay again. Unless we, uh, 'falter'." It was still true that this seemed crazy, and that she wasn't really sure they'd got the right girl, but, well. It was an opportunity, right? She wasn't the type to just let life pass her by. No way. She looked up at the Ring Master, fire in her eyes. If there was one thing about this she couldn't stand, it was the suggestion that she'd give up.

"So, you think I'll falter? Me? Not a chance, no matter what freaky dream world you take me into. So what, you just want me to pick a card? Fine! I'll get to the bottom of all this, mark my words." she clenched her fist for a second on the table, then glared at the cards.

She wasn't letting something like this stop her. She wasn't scared of any adventure, any kind of danger they might have to deal with. All those warnings from the Ring Master? Give her a break. No chance of her quitting on something this important, the first time she got a chance. "This one."

With a determined tone in her voice, Tomomi picked a card.

[vancexentan]

"Hold a moment my dear young lass. This war your want to get into fast shall last. Allies, and friends are needed in battle. These two boys you see are one in the same. Potential shouts from their masks. The facade shall also be with them if they ask. Destiny is a cruel fate if you walk it alone if that is your fate. What do you say you two lads? Will you join her in her battle?" The Ring Master asked as Will and the other boy looked at the scary creature in front of them. They were going to agree to go into danger for a chance at figuring out what was really going on? Did they want that? Will was silent for a moment before he could speak up the other boy's muffled came through the mask. "Can we wait? I'm...I'm not sure I want this just yet." the other boy asked as the Ring Master looked at him directly instead of all of them together. "What fate is it you wish? Too hold off the darkness's gist? Or perhaps a moment of respite too choose your path that you find right?" it asked of the boy who looked at the thing with what Will figured may have been uncertainty. "Yes I'd like to think this over." the boy said as he looked down at his feet. The Ring Master nodded his head slowly. "Very well but you must wait until the end of my tale. Or if you wish you can visit the golden hand's presence. He awaits outside for me to finish you know him by a different name. He in truth has no name. A faithful friend you have in he for he doesn't lie you see." Ring Master said as he pointed his gloved bony finger towards the outside where Michael stood undoubtedly. "Once you've chosen I have a present for thee one for you, and two for maybe the other three." Will heard the word present and wondered what exactly was happening. But he knew he had a chance to back out now. He could leave and no one would argue with him. He was a disappointment after all. All his life he always was the burden his parents had to support him, and Heero had to deal with him in his home. "No....I'll accept. I'll take the chance Mister Ring Master." Will said as the other boy got up and left saying he'd be waiting outside until he was needed.

[akirashadow]

Akira was hesitant and last to enter the tent through the open flap. The area within was equally as strange as the outside, that such a place would be devoid of anything by darkness. Following the instruction of the Ring Master Akira took one of the furthest side seats as he glanced over at other three mask wearers. There wasn't really anything distinguishing about the ring master apart from the lack of any such features as it was all hidden by the robe he wore, though there was likely an underlying reason for now letting his identity show. Though in a place such as this who was to say that this that stood before them wasn't what he was.

There was more talk of destiny, there seemed to be a lot of that today. First was the card reader in the shopping district and now this Ring Master in Wonderland. Well if Akira could accept that this world was some form of reality then believing in the idea of destiny wasn't such a difficult concept to swallow. The very existence of this place was surely enough to make anyone question what they already know. Though it would almost seem, based on the Ring Master's words that they were at an impasse of sorts, their decisions today would write their destinies of tomorrow.

A mention of additional concepts and worlds, an hour beyond that of the standard 24 hour day and a digital world. The details seemed rather vague, though now did not really appear to be the time to ask questions. Though there seemed to be acknowledgement of Inaba's current situation, there really wasn't any answer offered about it. "So in reality you know what has happened, but the suspect cause is in question?" Akira asked as he looked down at the row of cards spread before them on the table. The invitation to choose one had been an open one. Akira leaned back in his chair considering his choices as he thought.

The only girl in the group had already chosen a card, one of the other boys had refused, whilst the other had accepted and was yet to choose. with a sigh Akira leaned forward once more and placed a finger on one of the cards. It almost felt as if there was something different about it to all the others like a inner calling. "I don't really get the significance, but I'll choose this one."

[vancexentan]

"Perhaps I do, and maybe I don't it is not my quest to provoke. What I am is a guiding seer, not a hero born from truth. Your journey is too seek. Truth, pain, and other seekers. Heroes will be born from this path. Perhaps you can convince them to help. Elder heroes will not be welcome. They will find this world hardly kind." the creature said suspiciously as he looked at the table. "You fool. This is not a choice to make in haste. Fools who pick the wrong cards will become irate. Unable to use their power straight. But I have a contract you see. One too you must agree! A contract bound too your three wills to seek. A simple requirement is required of you. Too take responsibility to your fate. Your actions, your lives, your journey all. Here you may use my quill." the ring master stated as he brought out three papers from underneath the table somewhere and placed them on the table in front of all three of them. And a quill on the table without any ink. The contract was simple. The signer would forever take responsibility for their own actions. Bad choices, good, romanatic, painful, and any other would forever be up too them. They will not, cannot, and shall not pass off responsibility for this situation they have put themselves in too someone else. There will be consequences if you break your word but what will happen was left purposely blank. On the bottom of the page was a simple line with an 'x' on the left end. "That quill needs not ink. It will not siphon blood. But with that contract you sign your name. Your true self will forever be your name. Though your name may change it will forever be linked to this page."

[Lasrever]

Tomomi Katayama

Tomomi read the contract after a roll of her eyes. Okay, so she had to take responsibility for everything that this lead to, huh? Not say that it was anyone else's fault or anything. Eh, that was kind of her plan anyway. Wasn't like anyone else was making her sign the paper. Some of the stuff that the guy was saying sounded pretty ominous, though. Truth, pain, elder seekers? She had no idea what that was supposed to be about.

So, she took a second to think it over. From what it sounded like, she could either sign this contract and go through a load of trouble that she couldn't blame anyone else for getting her into, or she could leave it and go right back to being boring old Tomomi.

"Yeah, I'll sign." she smiled, putting the quill to the paper. It was the only thing she was ever really going to do. No way could she just go back to normal after getting a chance to finally find out what was up with Inaba. She took the quill, signing her name at the bottom of the contract. Looking at the Ring Master confidently, she nodded.

"I don't have any problem with this - if I get in trouble, it's my own fault anyhow. No arguing about that one. Can I take the card now?" she spoke confidently, looking at the cards on the table. She still wasn't sure what they were for, but if that needed explained, she could do it after she'd picked one.

[akirashadow]

Akira picked up his contract raising it in front of his face. His eye's dashed side to side as he meticulously read the details contained thereon. Apart from the things mentioned by the Ring Master there didn't seem to be any strange notes or anything hidden that hadn't previously been pointed out to them. Akira lowers the piece of paper raising a brow at the Ring Master, though it would simply look like he was momentarily staring at him with the mask on. He returned his gaze to the page reading the last few passages of it before placing the piece of paper back down.

The girl in the group had already agreed to sign the contract by this point, clearly this scenario was one she had been more accepting of. Though Akira seemed a bit more sceptical of the whole thing. "Isn't this basically just the realities of life anyway?" Akira questioned "Whether people accept it or not everyone must eventually face the consequences of their actions." Akira realised the contradiction in his own statement, there was only acceptance there was no dodging the issue you'd just go straight to accepting the consequences. "Nevermind..." Akira spoke softly as he picked the quill up from the table.

"Regardless... the terms are... fair" Akira speaks as he signs his name within the allocated space on the page. He then pushes the page back toward the Ring Master as his eyes once again fixate on the face down card he had chosen earlier. "I'm guessing the card is somehow linked with the contract?" Akira begins to tap his fingers on the table, although there was a lot happening all at once he was beginning to feel a bit restless. He believed that he was simply nervous about the situation, but something about the cards before them was actually making him anxious to move things along.

[vancexentan]

"I'll sign it. I've been quiet for a bit now but I suppose I should do something with my life. Even if it is dangerous. Besides it'd about time I start taking responsibility for my actions." Will states confidently as he takes the pen and writes his own name down on the paper. The names of all of them are written in blue as if they were written with some sort of magic, and most probably were, and by the time Will got done talking all three of them felt a slight pain but it wasn't a physical pain. "So be it. Stay sill." the creature said as he first reached over with his abnormally long arms and grabbed the top of Tomomi's head with one hand too keep it still and then reached over with the other. His hands felt like a steely cold piece of ice and the mere presence of him getting closer radiated a sense of danger as if he was some sort of abomination concept come to life. He however pressed his pointer finger against Tomomi's forehead and increased the pressure slowly and more and more until suddenly it felt as if a cold spike of ice ran through her entire being. It was wasn't a physical sense of pain but something felt deeply wrong about it as suddenly it felt as if something cracked inside of Tomomi's body like a shattered pane of glass and then everything was silent for a moment besides a feeling of power. A sense of something awakening deep inside of her body. The feeling dissipated with The Ring Master backing off. He left her alone afterward. "You have awakened you potential to see past lies and deception. With that you will be able to see clearer, and understand the facade you wear." the ring master stated plainly without rhyme. He then reached over and did the same despite any complaints the others may have. "Now pick a card. And I will tell you your arcana that befits you the best if you are unfamiliar with them. Go on take your card."

[Lasrever]

Tomomi Katayama

Tomomi was kind of surprised by the pain. It hurt, but also... Didn't? That was weird, but she guessed she'd signed up for weird. Some kinda adventure or whatever, right? Despite that, when the guy pressed his finger to her skull, she couldn't help but grit her teeth. Why was he even poking her anyway? "Can you st-"

She'd started to protest when something seemed to spike through her, causing her voice to be cut off. It wasn't the type of pain that made you shriek, but it stole the wind from her lungs and she went pale. It felt wrong, oh so wrong. Was she supposed to run, to push him away, to just sit there and take it? Her hands clenched into fists. She wasn't going to show weakness in front of these guys, dammit! It was taking a lot of effort for her to stay quiet while this painful 'wrongness' seemed to fill every part of her being.

And then as quickly as it started, it stopped, with a feeling as though something had cracked inside her soul. Like something had been released. She felt strong, stronger than she had been before. Like she could take on anything in the world! At least, until the Ring Master backed off again, leaving her feeling somewhat normal again - although there was a sense that something had changed. "A little warning coulda been nice..." she muttered, but grinned at the Ring Master to show that she was kidding. Her choice, her responsibility. "It's cool. Lemme guess, there's some reason you had to do that anyway. I just have to pick a card now, don't I?"

She looked at the cards, shutting her eyes and waving her finger above the table before placing it down on a random one. Seemed like as good a selection method as any, if you asked her. "I'm picking this one. That alright?"

[akirashadow]

Akira watched as the Ring Master leaned over and grabbed hold of the girls head. Then he had pushed a finger against her forehead. What exactly was this supposed to entail. Just watching it was clear it was a discomforting experience to say the least. "Clearly this isn't going to be an experience of sunshine and rainbows" Akira muttered as he continued to watch the 'procedure'.

When it came to his turn and the Ring Master leaned over in Akira's direction the boy flinched in anticipating the head grab but forced his nerves aside as the Ring Master took hold. "No turning back now huh?-Ahhh." Akira's speech was interrupted, as the Ring Master's finger pushed against his forehead. Uncomfortable was definitely the word for it, a cold chill running through his body as though he'd been turned into a freezer box. The pressure, originating from his head was like a throbbing headache that wouldn't subside.

When the Ring Master finally let go of Akira's head he slowly opened and closed his mouth, stretching his jaw as if his entire face felt stiff. "Well that wasn't very pleasant, but then I suppose everything has a price right?" Akira then turned to look at the other guy sat at the table. "Good luck." Akira shook his head trying to shake off the last of the cold feeling.

The entire ordeal had made him completely forget which card he had chosen prior, as he eyes them once more. He thinks about it for a few moments, simply staring at the cards. The girl had already picked a card, rather quickly in fact after the Ring Master gave the go ahead. Finally Akira decided on a card as he reached over and placed his fingers against the bottom nudging it forward slightly."This one."

[vancexentan]

Will became afraid pretty quickly and his body tensed up as the Ring Master went too him. He could feel his hands shaking as the ring master put his hands on him and prepared for what was too come. He quickly found out the horrible feeling was even worse than he was expecting as if someone had taken a long icicle and ran it through his body. The feeling left him gasping underneath his mask as he pressed back against the chair. His eyes dilated as he felt something inside of him shatter as if some sort of boundary deep inside of his...well soul. It seemed weird but everything around him seemed much more clear too him now. The shadows faded around him, and he probably could tell more about the outside if he went out there at that very moment but before he could say much the Ring Master spoke up himself. "In a hurry you really must be. If you insist that I move on with the. Instead you insist that I move forward. But so be it this is your hour." the ring master commented as he picked up the cards chosen by the two of them as Will watched and handed them their cards. On them held two different symbols on them.

One of them held the chariot arcana which was given too Tomomi, and the other...held the Death Arcana. "Too you these are the symbols of fate. They will give you the power to change the pace of your fate. Too switch a path and do as you would. A facade, a mask, a fake name to call oneself. Too protect oneself from their own demise.A protection held in high regard your mask will be your defense. The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed...One of life's greatest blessings is the freedom to pursue one's goals. You young lass have the strength to pursue your goal at any cost. The chariot's pride is strong indeed. But how will you use it? That will be seen. And you young lad who's heart is dark....was your path really worth the cost?"

"The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yet, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Beyond the beaten path lies the absolute end. It matters not who you are... Death awaits you. But before your timely fate you have the ability to switch around destiny. Too pursue the mysteries that you want to see. It is all up too you too find that out but friends may help you out. Now however both of you must listen. Too call upon your power you must merely ask. Too activate your power all you must do is remove that mask. Once you need it no more it will come as you beckon for it too do a task. However if you chose too remove the mask too soon. Another side of you shall appear for you too face. Will you overcome it? Perhaps you may, or perhaps you will pass. Give it time a few days time less your journey comes too an end soon."

[Lasrever]

Tomomi Katayama

The Chariot, huh? Man, if only she knew what these cards actually meant. She'd have to look it up later or something. From what the Ring Master was saying, it sounded pretty good to her! Strength to pursue her goals? Yeah, that was cool. Of course it would kinda fit - she wasn't about to start questioning the freaky magic stuff now because of a card choice. If she could buy into this whole freaky world, a card reading was the most normal thing she'd dealt with so far anyway.

Smirking, she looked at the Ring Master. "So you're saying something happens when I take off the mask, huh? I'll try and remember that. Although if you want us to try and figure this whole thing out..." she shrugged. Honestly, the whole mask thing was weird, but she figured she'd give it a few days. Waiting around got her impatient, though, so it was possible she'd remove it herself if nothing happened quick enough. What was the worst that could happen anyway. She looked at the Ring Master. "Where do we get started? Some kinda direction would be nice, if you can do that."

[vancexentan]

"Hey hold on a second I haven't chosen my own card yet!" Will protested as he looked over to the Ring Master who twisted his head too look at Will and waved his hand in front of the young lad waiting for him too pick a card. Will still wasn't sure if what he should pick. Was there even a choice? Was his fated card going to be dealt at random? What was the deal of this whole thing? Will tentatively reached out on his own accord too pick up a card and he went for the one at the very top in the direct middle of the row. The Ring Master nodded at him that if he wanted it he could indeed take that card. So after deliberation Will decided that he indeed wanted that card he had picked and pulled it off the top the table. He looked at it and felt a surge of strength in his body as he looked at the assigned arcana. "You have chosen the towers. The Tower Arcana is commonly associated to overly arrogant, prejudiced and authoritarian organization, which walk to their own ironic demise. Furthermore, it is also more generically used as an omen of doom and disaster. It can be seen as the worst card of the deck, as it rarely has a positive meaning. However for your case...I sense that you don't align with the towers. Perhaps this means you may grow into it. Or maybe you simply have those traits in you and are suppressing them. Regardless....the towers will serve you for better or worse."

[akirashadow]

The Death Arcana... Akira stared at the card he had chosen though he felt little in the way of surprise. Death had moulded Akira into who it was, it shaped him and warped him to the point that he could no longer remember who he was before its cold hand had reached into his life. It felt almost as though it had clung to him the entire time, enjoying the ride whilst it waited for this moment to introduce itself once more. When the Ring Master made mention of friends Akira softly chuckled to himself "Yeah, if you say so..." In all honesty he was rather doubtful of that last part but the rest felt like it struck a cord within him, almost as though he should treat it as a strength as opposed to an unseen enemy.

Then the last card was read, the other boy has chosen the Tower. The Ring Master then went on to describe it to the lad, just like he#d done for Akira and the girl before him. After the final reading was made Akira glanced over at the Ring Master. "So, unwavering strength..." he glanced momentarily to the girl. "Fate..." he motioned to himself before finally glancing at the other boy. "And blind arrogance?... Doesn't sound like much of a team." Akira didn't really feel tat the readings would be indicative of those that could mutually bond toward a common purpose, even though that seemed to be the reason for them being here. "Unless the fourth one was supposed to be the connecting bridge?" Akira asked referring to the one who had left. "Just how long is he going to stand out there contemplating it anyways?"

Akira's eyes began to wonder around the tent once more. He was somewhat curious as to what the next step was going to be, assuming they were going to continue on without the fourth mask wearer rejoining them. As before, aside from the table there didn't really seem to be any distinguishing items or anything that really stood out. "So.... what now?" Akira asked as he glanced to each person present in turn.

[vancexentan]

"I once was told of a saying in the distant past. That one's politics made for strange bedfellows. The same could be applied to this situation holder of death. I myself see the card 'The Joker' as a fitting title though I do not hold the card. The Wild Card some would call it. I would prefer to see it not as a wielder of infinite possibilities. I see myself more as a story teller. In truth I am not the wild card though there is such a card out there. What happened too it is for your to find out. As for names though I have no name. Some call me a Ring Master at this carnival of mine. Others see me as the aforementioned Joker. I have found the thing called a scarecrow an apt name for one such as I." Joker stated as he suddenly reached down into his pockets and pulled out three keys. Each other them glowed a faint blue and were colored blue as well. They seemed to meld in and out of different colors however and he put a key in front of each of them. "Now it is time for you to wake up. The sun shines, the morning roars, and the sky shivers into a blue vast sky. If you should ever feel the need for me then you simply need to find the doors of fate and insert these keys into the locks. They won't work on ordinary doors. Only those whose entrances lead into a different world. Tomorrow you may seek out the shadows of your world. Or not. Fate is in your own hands. Perhaps you would seek out each other. The boy outside will stay here until he makes his choice. You need simply put the keys in your pocket and close your eyes. You'll wake up back where you were before you came to this place. And the keys will be there where you left them as well."

[Lasrever]

Tomomi Katayama

Tomomi seemed a lot calmer now that everything had been decided. She was desperate to figure out what was going on, even more than before, but it figured that she'd have to track down the answers herself. There'd probably be something somewhere in the town, seeing as that was where everything had been taking place. It just didn't make sense for them to have to go anywhere else, at least in her mind. The Death guy had a point about it not seeming much like a team, but she just laughed it off. "As long as you guys can keep up with me, shouldn't be a problem, right?"

One thing was for sure, she was spending all day tomorrow searching for some answers. School would just have to wait - no way was she going tomorrow with something like this to think about! Besides, it was right at the start of term, they never did anything then anyway. Nope, tomorrow was a day for investigation. With a smirk, she took the keys and gave the two guys a mocking salute. "See ya, soldiers! I got myself some snooping around to do."

Pocketing the keys, she leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, feeling better about everything than she had in a long while. Let's get this thing started. Sure, it was kinda weird, almost scary. Dangerous for sure. But that just made it even more fun.

[akirashadow]

"Don't you know, Death keeps up with everyone no matter how fast they run. It's when Death catches them they finally realise that." Akira put simply in response to the girl before he turned back to the Ring Master and took the key from him. Akira turned it in his hand as he stared at its strange colour. Just as the Ring Master had stated this was quiet obviously no ordinary key, its blue glow was anything but natural, even the concept of a blue key without it being coated in paint seemed rather novel.

Akira looked to the others as he gave a shrug, it seemed it had came time for them to leave the place. He clenched his hand around his key as he moved his hand to his pocket closing his eyes as he did so. Then he could hear it, that sharp squeak piercing its way into his consciousness with each resounding beat. With a groan the boy reached out, feeling around for the alarm clock with his closed hand trying to swat it into silence. As though thoughtlessly swaying around it took a while before his closed fist slammed down on the digital clock knocking the alarm off. He slowly sat up rubbing his eyes as he looked down at himself. He'd fallen asleep fully clothed, he couldn't even remember the last time that had happened to him. "That... was a weird dream." He mumbled out as he stretched his arms out in a yawn. As he brought his hands back down, swinging softly against the palm of his hand, a key ring holding a blue key.

Akira found himself staring at the key, he didn't really recognise it, but it felt important. He placed the key down as he started to get ready for the day ahead before grabbing it and shoving it into the pocket of his school trousers before heading downstairs. He didn't even know what the key was for though he felt compelled to keep it on his persons. He made himself a quick breakfast as he checked the time. "Ugh... gonna be late." he said to himself as he held a slice a toast in his teeth and headed out the door, time to repeat another day.