*Through the door of the Velvet bar, Jack steps through, frost on his coat and shuffling a deck of cards. He throws a Joker into the air before letting it fall face down onto the deck before he stuff's the deck into his jacket pocket. He pulls the brim of his hat down bellow his eyes.* Goodness. It is cold out. I hate Autumn. Winter's worse though. Much worse. Much colder. Ah well. What can ya do, am I right or am I right? Heh ha ha.

Jade enters and sits at the counter A coffee please. He looks over Aki's shoulder Photos huh. In my world they didn't even exist. Maybe for the better, I would be quite camera shy. He smirks

A rough looking man with a backpack was walking by the entrance to the door, muttering something to himself, hands moving sporadically, as all of a sudden he stopped in his tracks, and stares at the door. “Is it...? No... can’t... not...” He shakes his head and drops his backpack, rummaging through it until he brings out a collapsed hat and several dozen notes, of which he starts looking at and placing to the side and bunch of them, sorting through names. Shakily he grabs the one he thinks fits, and slides it between the hat and some outer fabric. He stands up still shaking and muttering and replaces the backpack. He walks to the door placing the hat on the knob, knocks, and quickly takes his leave, back to becoming nothing but a shape.

Aki smiles at Jade I can sense the sarcasm till here Jade. Good to see you again. After she heard Jack she glared at him /Urgh, this guy again. Calm down you want to change. Don't be mean and don't judge to early/ She stopped the glare and rather gave a warm smile Welcome to the Velvet Room bar, how may I help you, Jack?

As Aki hears the knocking and opens but nothing was there Weird I wonder what this was... I feel something familiar.

Ah. Hello, Miss Aki. Is this is the right place? A friend of mine said this is a good place for a drink, so I thought I'd drop by. Didn't think your Velvet Tower served drinks, but hey. I'll take what I can get. *Jack bows at Aki theatrically, smirking.* Hard to get anything on days this cold. The fine folks hold themselves up indoors and wait for a better day. So, at the very least, I'll give ya some business. I'll take whatever alcohol ya got. Not picky as long as it's cheap.

Jade takes his coffee Guess I can't fool you. Still though it is always interesting to come to this place.

Aki looks shortly to Jack If it's just that, sure you can stay.Clerval, get him the menu with your drinks. Also there is blankets over there if you still need to calm down from the cold. She smiles at Jade I am glad you enjoy it here. She picks up the hat Could it be? She takes out the letter fast from the hat

What? Fraid I was gonna turn your lovely place to a Casino or something? Heh. Not my style. Thanks anyway though, Miss Aki. Glad to see your trying. *Jack takes a seat, laying thre of his cards out in front of him and the rest of his deck next to those. He shuffles the three cards absent mindedly. He glances over his shoulder.* If I may be so bold though, what's with the hat? It's the type of thing a thief would run away with. Whoever left it on ya doorstep should be more careful in there methods of delivery.

(Enters the bar) Excuse me but I need a coffee

Aincrad... Aki's eyes fill with tears, as she opens the letter Meanwhile Clerval brings the detective a black coffee with sugar and milk extra. He also brings Jack a big bottle of fine vine form France Lady Aki is always a bit cautious of people so you don't have to worry sir.

Jade walks to Jack I guess it is from someone dear to her. Let's leave her to herself right now. He starts taking notes for his next research as he looks at Alfa

Sorry for picky here. I know I said anything, but I despise wine. Whiskey would be a much better choice. *Jack looks over at Jade.* I see. Yeah, I can agree with you there. I'll leave the girl alone. But, uh... Ain't it bad for any sort of upstanding establishment to have rodents? Somethin about Hygiene.

Thanks (Quickly drinks the coffee) (Hands clerval the empty cup) Now I must go (Runs out the door)

Clerval looked confused to the door were the the detective left and after that brought Jack their best Whisky bottle I am sorry for the troubles. Also sir Alfa is humanoid, so he does not behave like a rat. So he is treated liie every customer. He showers every day, so Hygiene is fine. Clerval keeps his cool smile

The first letter is the only one that seems legible, the rest having their ink smudged together. Aki, oh man I don’t know how many months it’s been or even if you’re still around. I don’t even know if you’ll see this or not, but I hope against hope you might, maybe so I can apologize for it, maybe just so I know I’m talking to you somehow once again... it’s been three weeks from me leaving that I write this, though whether it was my choice or not, I can’t remember anymore... Back to my own world. I know right? Big whoop. Family, friends, all back, or mostly back. Had a hard time convincing them who I was, though I imagine they won’t be so hard to convince soon. But it came at the cost of you and so many others... and I don’t know if that’s a price I wanted to pay. ... Heppy is gone. Shadow, Hephaestus. Whatever you want to call him. Disappeared in the first day. Drove me to some... awful places, losing a pet of myself like that. Still hurts, not feeling him, and sadly feels like I might be following. I’m not... I... in my world, there’s no place for Aincrad, Persona or Shadow. The universe dictates it. Well at least this version of me. That world, your world made me the best version of me that I could ever want to be. Now it feels like I’m reverting. Changing back into the... person I used to be. I don’t know how much of me was truly Aincrad in that world, but now it’s seeming like most of it. But if I somehow am back there, if you’re reading this, try to be patient with me. If you ever do see me. I was a... bit of a coward. I guess before I sign off I just wanted to say one last thing. Thank you for the wonderful time we had together. - Ain

Jade laughs This humanoid rat sure is interesting. An animal that can talk. Reminds me of our cheagle race back home.

*Jack looks at the detective as he runs off* Well Ok then. *Jack takes the Whiskey bottle with a smile.* No, no. My fault. I appologize. As for the rat, I suppose I've seen stranger. Some chick came to my Haloween party in Ole Portobello and summoned a swarm of bugs. We made a show of it, but it ruined alot of stalls. Still, the kids stole most of the candy and people enjoyed the spectacle, so I suppose It was worth it. *Jack flips up up one of his face down cards.* Heh. Queen of Hearts. Unlucky for me. *He flips it face down and shuffles the cards again.*

Aki grips the letter while the tears flew and sinked to the floor After a while she wiped the tears away and smiled I can't be in despair now, the Aincrad I know would do anything to make me smile. He is home and safe, that is all that matters to me. He might forget me but I'll never forget him. I'll keep those memories within me. After all he was the one I loved. She tried to calm down, placing the hat on a podium in the Lounge Clerval nodded It is unusual i understand.Human fesivals are always so intriguing. I am glad the times I get to visit them.

Jade walks to Aki and hands her a tissue then goes back to the group With all the war that was in my world, i barely forgot what festivals felt like. If I had the time as a Colonel.

The one in Ole Portobello fell apart real quick. Someone took my theatrics to literally I feel. Well, what can you do? *Jack took a sip from his drink.*

Aki took the Photos from the counter and pinned them on the pinboard each Photo with either a friend, her family but also one she took with Aincrad and pinned it last. Then she went to the others I am sorry you guys had to see me like this. Just a lot to take in. Clerval put a blanket over her shoulder and then went back to take orders

Arecia enters the bar A magical Portal? Intriguing. She stopped to smoke her pipe out of politeness and entered Glad to see Miss Aki and Jade here. What a strange place to see you again.

He smirks Arecia, good to see you again. Perfect I wanted to show you some things. He handed her some notes.

Aki smiles at Arecia Glad you found this place. She looks a bit down and lost in thought, After a while she stood up and talked to Serval and then walked towards her stage /Guess a little singing could help me feel better and take out this sadness/ Aki started to sing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl1AXYOseuY

Arecia smiled at Aki and Jade and took Jades notes The magical source of your world? This will help me a lot thank you. Arecia looks back at Aki She hss an impressive voice but I also hear hurt in that voice. Music is a good way to show emotion.

Aki went through a lot today, but as I know her, she'll stand up and use her pain as her strength. She did so as she got the magical powers I gave her. And from what she told me about her past as well. As I learn from my mistakes in research, she grows through bonds and memories it seems. He leaned back drinking his coffee

Nice twittering, songbird. I suppose that's one way to relieve stress. I have mine as well, of course. *Jack flips another card.* Damn. I'm not getting lucky today. *Jack flips the card back over, taking another sip from his drink, and shuffling them again.*

Aki bows after the song ended and got back to the table, a bit more. Clerval brought her a hot chocolate You kinda got it right. Singing is my way of letting my emotions fully out and express myself. Glad to see you two are getting along. She looks at Jade and Arecia Guess a former docter and a magic teacher have a similar drive for knowledge. Also Arecia, i have trained my new powers as you asked as well. She creates a little out of water dragon and let's it fly through the room

It is good to see that my help was of use to the both of you. Jade stands up and takes his jacket Sadly I have to leave in search of something or someone. Have a good evening. Oh and Aki. He throws to her a white pearl like stone Take this as a tip for today.

She waved to Jade as he left. He is quite interesting. Arecia smiles Impressive, they take shape in animal form. How is the dark element? Have you figured it out how to use it?

Eh. Why is it that everyone tries to make a dragon out of somethin? I prefer cats. Big or otherwise. They are much kinder than people give them credit for.

Aki made some cats out of a dark mist Satisfied? I can not fully do all of the dark element abilities, but I try my best. After all I want to be the person to help people from other worlds and protect them, till they get home. Although I may not leave the Nexus, this is my way to support them. She smiles

Arecia smiled and put her hand on Aki's head I know you will do it, but take things on step at a time. For now you need to take care of yourself. After all, my children also need their freetime before a mission.

I guess for now I have to leave and sleep. Night. Thank you Arecia. Anyways, guess I'll get some rest then.

Now, Miss Aki. You should know that I am never satisfied. I am a gambler deep down after all. Why be satisfied when you can have more, right? *Jack chuckled to himself before throwing his coat and hat back on, leaving some payment for his drink.* Well, I think I've been away from Ole Portobello for long enough. Glad to see your being more cordial nowadays Miss Aki. There's hope for you yet. *With that, Jack would leave a playing card, the Jack of Clubs, on a random table before leaving Aki's bar.*