onwards to the bridge

This mysterious woman has led you to what appears to be the bridge of the ship. It is a medium sized room with many instrument panels strewn about the room displaying god knows what. In the center of the room is a table with a cushioned chair on either side. Underneath the table is a large circle with various incomprehensible symbols. Oddest of all is the man standing at the helm of the ship with his back turned to you. His torso was short and stocky and he seemed to be hunched over slightly. His limbs, however, were long and almost twigs. He was dressed in a black suit (an almost welcome break from the purple motif) and his coat tails hung almost to the ground. He was wearing a captain's hat that was perched atop his large balding cranium surrounded by a wreath of gray. He continues to man the helm until the women announces your presence to him.

"Captain, we have a new passenger," she says in that droll monotone as if everything was perfectly normal.  The man smoothly turns towards the both of you.  "Ahh, wonderful.  It's not often someone comes aboard," he said.  His voice was  warm and welcoming, a stark transition to the cold measured voice of the woman.  As you see his front now the oddities only multiply.  He has a round face with a beak nose and one eye seems larger than the other.  While the girl's eyes were dark and dead, his eyes are wild and gleeful, the kind of look you get from children or the criminally insane.  He smiles at you.  It looks sinister, but you get the feeling that that's more because of the shape of his face rather than intentional.  At least, you hope.

"Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Igor.  I see you have already met Violet."  He glances at the women at your side.  You look at her and she nods back, making you blush.  You never bothered to ask her name.  Violet, you should've guessed.  "Please, please.  Have a seat," he motions toward the chair at the table.  You take a seat and Igor takes the seat opposite you while Violet remains standing to his right.  "There we are.  Now, you are probably wondering where you are.  The room you are in now is called the velvet room.  It can only be accessed by those with the potential.  The potential to do what exactly?  You will see in your own time.  My job here is to assist you along your journey, a journey which will begin once you leave here.  Now before we begin, only those who sign a contract are allowed in here.  Do not worry, all it states is that you will take responsibility for your actions."  You look down at the table and sure enough, a contract and a pen have been laid out for you.  All that is written on it is "I the undersigned accept the consequences of my actions," along with a line underneath to sign your name.  What the hell, you consider yourself to be a responsible guy.  If they want it in writing, more power to them.

John Doe_

You scratch out your name on the line and set the pen back down.  Igor smiles that crazy smile again and picks up the contract.  He hands it to Violet, who leaves to file it away.  When she returns to Igor's side he continues.

"As I said before, my role is to assist you in your journey.  For now, please indulge me by allowing me to read your fortune.  It will help clarify what is in store for you."

You can't be sure, but that deck of cards wasn't on the table before.  Igor takes it and begins shuffling it with a dexterity that belied his age and stature.  He has you cut the deck and begins laying out cards face down in a pyramid pattern.  Once there are four rows, he sets the deck aside.  "Now then the first card will show the circumstances that will begin your journey."  He flips a card on the bottom row over.  On it is a picture of a skull with a serpent coming out of it's mouth.  You involuntarily shudder.  You know enough about tarot to recognize the **** card.  Igor confirms this, "the **** card in the upright position.  Fear not, in this position it suggests disillusionment rather than destruction.  A traumatic event will occur that will challenge what you know about the world around you.  It is the need for answers that will drive you forward.  Now to see who will accompany you in your trials."  He flips a card in the middle row.  The picture on this one is of a man and a woman wrapped around each other.  "Oh my, the lovers reversed.  This suggests a significant other.  Many significant others in fact."  You're not sure, but you think he just suggested you'll be rolling in poon tang for a while.  Maybe this Igor fellow isn't so bad after all.  He now reaches for the single card at the top of the pyramid.  "Now we shall see the end of your journey."  He flips it over and quickly exchanges a glance with Violet.  "The emporer upright.  Fate it seems has big things planned for you.  I cannot be certain, but it seems you will have a hand in shaping the world to come."  Your confusion must be showing on your face, because he says "I can see that this troubles you.  Fear not.  As the contract says,  the choices you make will ultimately be yours alone."  You're not sure where that was written on the contract but you're relieved nonetheless.  Igor checks the small clock hanging above the door behind you and says with disappointment, "I know you have many questions but alas, our time is coming to an end.  For now, think over what I have told you.  When you return to this room, it will be by your own free will."