2026-06-26: The Heart's Shadow
- Cutscene: The Heart's Shadow
- Cast: Ulala Serizawa, Igor, Katsuya Suou, Maya Amano, Tamaki Uchida, Eriko Kirishima, Others
- Where: The Velvet Room
- OOC Date: June 26, 2026
- IC Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2012
- Summary: Ulala is brought to the Velvet room after the events of The Curse Of Joka. Igor has some words to remember... (You may assume that characters present at 'The Curse Of Joka' were present here. Help from the players above was given for the cutscene.)
The Velvet Room is a place between dream and reality; mind and matter. The blue shades of its floor, furniture, and walls soothe the heart, and the music that plays is an anthem for the soul.
Baofu leads the way into this place, with his characteristic aloofness. As the others carry in Ulala, Igor turns to the entrance. He says in a deep voice:
"Welcome... to the Velvet Room."
Demon Painter from across the platform looks on thoughtfully, and goes back to his easel. Nameless the piano player continues to play; Belladonna the singer only looks, but does not stop her singing.
Katsuya is at first silent, lifting a hand to his sunglasses as if in deep contemplation. "I suppose this is our only hope. But, will this be enough...?" he wonders aloud.
"Yes," Igor says in that same deep voice, "I can assist. It is within my power to summon and dismiss Personas... including this Joker Persona."
He stretches out his hands, still seated, and lifts one; the purple-pink sickly light of the Joker rises from Ulala... and dissipates.
But he offers a caution: "A Joker is the heart's shadow... the heart exists only when there is light /and/ dark. You cannot simply make it disappear."
He looks to each of those assembled in turn; Baofu scoffs, but doesn't interrupt.
"...It retreats to the sea of unconsciousness for now, but it will rise whenever it can. The rest is up to Miss Serizawa."
Tamaki panics and glances away when Igor's gaze meets her. Her eyes settle on Eriko, and her own expression softens again. Gently, she addresses Ulala, "He's right. You heard me in there. It wasn't the best way for me to convey how I feel, and I am sorry for that, but ... it /is/ how I feel."
With her head still kept low, Tamaki raises her eyes in the direction of Nameless, then shakes her head. "No matter how well put-together someone appears, like how it seemed like you viewed me, that darkness is a part of all of us. It could have just as easily been me in your position. If you can look at me the same way still, Serizawa-san, then I can do the same for you."
"The... shadow of the heart... I see..." Katsuya reflects, furrowing his forehead as he considers what Igor has just said. "Then, even after all that..." He shakes his head. "I hope she will be all right."
"...The rest is up to me, right?" Ulala comes around, wincing. "I heard. I'm really sorry, Ma-Ya.... I know I can't change what I've done, but I promise I'll be there when you need me." She pauses. "Uh... my grandmother always said to repay your debts... Thank you, Ma-Ya..."
"Just because it's up to you, it doesn't mean that we won't be there to support you."
Maya reaches for Ulala's hands and gives them a tight squeeze.