Shulk is dreaming of the center of Ose Tower again, but this time, he can really see it all. It is all draped in blue colors, and the singing from the last dream is still there. In a weird way, it's calming, though he does not know who the singer could be.

He finally sees that figure, too. It's a man, his eyes golden and hair silver, sitting upon the pedestal in the middle of the room. Shulk thinks for a moment that it must be uncomfortable, but then again, the man seems fine.

He is dressed in the same velvety blues of the room save the golden accents around his neck and arms, and for a minute Shulk wonders if he is some sort of angel. He has the smile of one, that much is certain.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room," he speaks and his voice is just as angelic, "I am Alvis. My master is currently out, but I will be happy to assist you."

Shulk furrows his brow. "Velvet room?"

"It is a place that exists between dream and reality, mind and matter." He crosses his legs with a smile. "Most only come here when they have a contract, and soon you will join those ranks… But you made it early!"

"Contract… early…" Shulk shakes his head, "none of that makes any sense!"

"It does not, but it will in due time. For now, all you need to know is you being early is a good sign." He grins, "You may be one of the most powerful guests yet."

He looks so excited, but his voice stays level. Shulk wonders which is practiced - the expression or the tone. He decides he would rather not know which it is. It's better not to know, as far as he can tell.

"I…"

"You need not say anything, Shulk."

Shulk looks back at him, eyes wide. "How did you know my name?"

Alvis smiles, "I know the names of all who visit here."

Shulk is still wary, but he's not sure what else to say. He has no reason to think this dream man wouldn't know his name - it's his dream! Why wouldn't he? He decides he should focus on other things.

"What do you mean by powerful guest?"

Alvis tilts his head to mimic the way Shulk does. "You do not know how Personas work?"

"Of course I know how they work," he pouts, "Personas are a power everyone has! But the low Ether makes actually fully awakening them nearly impossible - that's why the likes of Dickson are so amazing!"

"Would you believe me if I said your potential is greater than even them?" Alvis asks, a smile on his face.

"I…" Shulk looks away, "don't know."

"That is fine," Alvis nods, "you have time to come to accept just what you are; what you will do."

Shulk opens his mouth, wanting to ask just what he means by what Shulk is, but no words come out. He closes his eyes, tries to force anything out, but only managing a strangled yell. When he opens his eyes, he's back in his bed.


"Shulk!" Fiora's throwing the door open before he can even react. "This is bad!"

"Fiora, did something happen?" He frowns, making his way across the room, knees screaming in protest - he knew he'd forgotten something, his braces.

"It's Vangarre and Reyn. I tried to make them stop but…" she hugs herself, "Shulk, they're really going at it. I'm afraid someone is going to get hurt!"

Shulk frowns, that's no good. He knows Dickson is out - visiting with Dunban, if Shulk remembers correctly… Without Dickson or Dunban, who can step in? He tries to think of someone who may be able to do anything… No one comes to mind.

The only choice is himself, he guesses. Fiora's already tried, and that clearly didn't go well… Doesn't bode well for his chances, but whatever. He has to at least try, he doesn't want Reyn getting hurt or hurting someone.

"Come on." He grabs her by the hand, "let's go."

He starts out the door, ignoring the ache even as Fiora mentions the lack of braces. Now isn't the time for that. They can settle things with Reyn, and then he can come back and put them on. He's sure Sharla will yell at him next time he's in Colony 6 for a check up, but… That's fine.

If it means stopping this, anything is fine, really. He's done worse things to his body, anyway.

They're at the military district in the blink of an eye, and he can already hear the yelling. This is bad - Reyn never sounds this angry. Not even when he or Fiora pull a nasty prank… Whatever they're getting into an argument about, it's bad.

"Bringing a girl here!" Vangarre's words finally make sense as the two close in. "You think you have time for hanky panky!?"

"What are you tryin' to imply, huh?! Fiora just needed a place to stay!" Reyn shakes his head, "no way would I do somethin' like that when I have trainin' the next day! Not with Fiora, to boot!"

"You can't fool me," Vangarre pokes his chest, "always goofing off! I should have you kicked off the force. I ain't about to have your life on my back because you can't act properly!"

"You're crazy!" Reyn looks about ready to punch the colonel in the face. "Why, I oughtta…!"

Before Shulk can do much, Fiora is running and grabbing him by the arm, pulling him back. He watches as Fiora whispers things at their friend, likely not helping Vangarre's inane insults and accusations… But better this than Reyn actually punching him.

He joins Fiora and takes his other arm, leading him away. Reyn is still fuming when they leave the district, and Shulk thinks they'll need to drag him to the entrance at this rate… But then he notices something.

Out of the corner of his eye, there is a ripple where things should be solid. For a minute, he thinks he's imagining things… but then he reaches out and touches it. He can feel it - whatever it is, it's really there.

"Shulk…" Fiora speaks again, "what are you doing?"

He feels like he's possessed for a moment, and Fiora's words barely register. He tries to mumble a reply, but only noises escape. His hand makes contact with it again, and this time, it goes through it.

His hand is in whatever this distortion is, and his friends are yelling. He doesn't stop, and he pushes further, still holding to Reyn.

He stumbles, and he's not in Colony 9 anymore.