The Silence After the Storm

[vrdr_mods]

The Ken Amada who made certain threats, whom Igor didn't bring to the Velvet Room and didn't welcome, has been permanently contained within his other-world self. Many of the Velvet Room residents mobilized in the effort to neutralize the threat he posed, and now, in the moments after the devastating battle that sealed Ken away, perhaps you have business to conclude.

Maybe you're a fighter, left in the rubble the battle made of its surroundings—or maybe you were a noncombatant this time, left behind to wonder what's happening or prepare for the aftermath. Maybe you linger around the battle site, or maybe you have other things to do.

Or maybe you didn't survive. Maybe you're one of the glowing forms slowly coalescing in front of Igor's desk in the Velvet Room over the course of the subsequent half hour. Igor presides over them gravely, with no sign of his usual smile. Near his desk sits a box of snacks, familiar to anyone who's used the operation's training room.

[[ooc: This post is a general catch-all for the aftermath of the battle! It's backdated to February 26, the day Ken got got.]]

Comments

[fogboundcrow]

"Mm. And I do appreciate that you thought I was worthwhile enough to save." Even still, his voice is soft, weaker than usual. "I just don't like being powerless to save people. It's happened too many times."

[wipingallout]

"I know what you mean..."

There were... a lot of times in her life where she had to confront that too.

"It's painful, and scary... but there will be a time where you find the strength to do it. We can't go back in time and change what was... but we can always try to pay the kindness given to us forward."

[fogboundcrow]

"I suppose we're fortunate." He crosses his arms, a small crease in his brow. "Since death doesn't stick, we don't have to grieve. Not that it makes suffering through it easy."

[wipingallout]

"We can grieve for each other's suffering too - coming to terms with it means letting yourself hurt for other people's struggles too. We're all connected, one way or another... it makes us stronger because we can share the emotional burden."

She smiles, looking around the room. People are definitely grieving... and it's difficult. But...

"I'm also so proud of everyone... between those of us who stepped up and those of us who believed in everyone else. Trust me - knowing that someone believes in you wholeheartedly makes The World of difference," she chuckled a little at that subtle pun, if he would even catch it.

[fogboundcrow]

Raven quiets, letting Hamuko speak. She clearly knows what she's talking about. There's an undeniable weight and maturity behind her words.

"Truthfully, I wasn't sure how I'd compare. I trained hard, of course. Ken and I worked together to ensure that I'd be ready, but it's still hard not to be self-conscious when Crow was right there."

[wipingallout]

"I know what you mean... feeling self conscious always feels like you've got that niggling feeling in your chest that talks you down. The best thing you can do is try to use it as fuel to motivate you to grow and change, I think? One of the most important feelings you should hold onto is hope."

[fogboundcrow]

His brow furrows, and his cheeks briefly puff up, then deflate. "True. I'd like to think I'm more hopeful than I used to be, but it's still difficult at times."

[wipingallout]

"Oh, I understand completely. I can promise you that pretty much every time, you never feel fully ready for it. Which sucks, but on the other hand, at least you'll always know you won't feel ready."

[fogboundcrow]

"It does help." He titters, looking away. "One of these days it'll register that Wild Cards are still human and not flawless beacons of heroism."

[wipingallout]

"Hahah! No, yeah, we're just doing our best like anyone else. And what makes us strong in the first place... it's friendships with people like you. That's what gives us that boost. Our Personas grow stronger and more varied because of those friendships, because of the people who trust us."

Hamuko beamed at him, even if he wasn't looking back.

"It's all because you're there for us."

[fogboundcrow]

"But you see, I'm a Wild Card as well, ergo, I hold myself to a fairly high standard." Yes, that's important to emphasize here, though he does meet her gaze, at least, with one hand on his hip.

[wipingallout]

"Heehee. Then chop chop, get to work making as many friends as possible!! You'll find them in weird places," Hamuko jokingly clapped, clearly not serious. "Did you work with Igor, too?"

[fogboundcrow]

"Yes, Yu and I both did. Of course, I've gotten to spend time with significantly more of the Velvet Room's denizens than he has, even if they aren't my attendants."

He tips his chin up, grinning at this fact. "I did mention Theodore-san before, for instance, but I've also met his sisters, Margaret-san and Lavenza-chan, while my attendant is Marie-san."

[wipingallout]

"I miss Theo, I hope he's doing well...!" Hamuko giggled and sighed! "I never got to meet Theo's sister, though, only heard his traumatized tales of eating soybean powder over and over."

[fogboundcrow]

"That's..." Um. Pardon the staring, because that's rather alarming, to say the least. "Perhaps it was a different sister? Margaret-san doesn't strike me as especially cruel..."