Working With Phantoms

Walking and Talking

June 2nd

Madran arrived at lunch and looked around a bit before she found Rosana. However, Rosana had apparently found her first, as Madran saw when Rosana charged up to her and enveloped her in a warm, happy hug.

"Madran, hi!"

"Hey, Rosana. How're ya doing?"

"Great. Mama and papa know about what happened, and they fully support me! Um, can I join you guys?"

Madran and Rosana sat down, with Akira already being there.

"Yeah, you can."

"Hey, what about a codename?"

Akira appeared to almost spit his drink out.

"Wait, what? Codename?"

Morgana then popped out from the bag.

"Madran, what did you do?"

"Well, Akira, my group has already found another palace. This one's a very not-nice mafia boss who's related to Rosana."

"Hmm. That's... interesting."

Rosana nodded.

"Yeah. I was talking with mi padres yesterday and then I got that Metanav app appearing on my phone, and when I opened it, I was taken into that weird world. Then, I ran into Madran's group and they guided me along, until we ran into my uncle's shadow."

Akira nodded.

"Well, this is getting interesting. What next?"

"Well, I was confused, and tío said some incredibly mean things and even threw me onto the floor. Then, I had this sudden urge inside of me which kinda unlocked once I said out loud that I was helpless, and then I got this headache and a voice told me to get up. Then, blah blah, cool stuff, and I got my persona, Boudica!"

"Boudica? Who's Boudica?"

Madran gave a quizzical look at Akira.

"You don't know who Boudica is? She was that barbarian queen a long time ago who fended off the Romans until, well, she was sadly killed."

"What about you, Akira? Uh, is that how you pronounce it?"

"It's Ah-key-ra. Well, when I first encountered Shadow Kamoshida, he put both me and Ryuji in a lot of danger, and even went to kill us, but right as he was about to kill Ryuji, my to-be persona, or according to Philemon, my shadow, asked me if I was just going to observe this blatant injustice as my friend was to be killed. Well, I refused, and I got Arsene."

"Ooh, nice."

By now, Suga and Sheila had also arrived and began to chat with Rosana.

"Well, Rosana, we do have something very important to ask."

"Oh, is it about the codename? Yeah, I've been thinking about it."

"Do you have it?"

"Um... Excite!"

"Huh?"

"You heard me. My name in the Metaverse is Excite!"

"I wasn't complaining, I just misheard you. Well, it's been decided!"

"Well, I was going to suggest Lucha..."

Rosana shook her head at Akira.

"I might have a semi-luchadore mask, but I ain't dressed like one!"

"Right..."

After more conversations, lunch ended, and Madran went through the rest of her school day. Then, once she got home, she went to the Velvet Room, meeting up with Philemon, the Velvet Sisters, and Maya.