The Army of Gluttony - Aftermath

[phantommods]

The Compound

As the team leaves the Metaverse, they are near enough to the compound to hear loud screaming as it erupts into chaos, with children and adults running around.

Those that stick around will hear the sirens of Fire Engines within minutes, followed soon after by Ambulances, and then after that by police. Those with access to James will see a truly gruesome sight - his eyes have gone completely white and black fluid is streaming out of his eyes and mouth. His body is stiff, his hands like claws as they clutch his throat. He is lying on the ground in a puddle of black fluid, neither moving nor breathing.

As the paramedics arrive on the scene they move to give aid with strict professionalism, but they can be seen making phone calls. When the police arrive, both Tamara and Bartholomew, as well as the other adult workers, are being led away in handcuffs, with social services descending upon the compound to liberate the children, including any Phantom Thieves who are willing to linger.

The Safehouse

For those returning to the safehouse, Shinji is grim when he hears the news. He orders in some pizza and puts some tea on before getting out of the way and letting the Thieves debrief in the living room.

Comments

[conquerorofwaves]

"What exactly happened?" Sinbad exclaimed as the group returned, half-hopping off the ladder he was on to replace the safehouse's light, looking between everyone.

[dotes]

For those that were aware when the group returned, there is a new face among them and it's this little girl with shabby clothes and a tired expression. May takes a seat on the couch, leaning her head and arms on the arm of the couch for support. While she may be exhausted, she is still awake for talking.

It also doesn't help that she has a lot of her mind while also accepting her new power and new freedom.

The Compound

[megacurious]

When he first joined the Phantom Thieves, he was told that there would be a chance that their target dies if something happens to their Shadow. That fact became a reality when he sees not only ambulances and a crowd of horrified people but also the body of Pastor James.

Whether May releases her grip on his hand or not, he is still speechless and horrified at this twisted sight.

The Safehouse

[cybermaskara]

It was supposed to be a peaceful night as Cyan spends the rest of the day playing his handheld video game console. However, the peacefulness ends when he sees the Thieves who were in charge of steal James and Tamara's Treasure return, which they looked very distraught rather than relief from the battle.

It wasn't until they shared the news about it that caused his eyes widen in horror. "P-Pastor James... died?!"

[cybermaskara]

Upon seeing a familiar face from the Pray-In, Cyan is the first one to rush to her side.

"M-May?! What are you doing here?! And why did you guys bring her here? Unless... She awakened her power, correct?"

[dotes]

The sight of the body of James is disgusting, horrifying that she cannot look much any longer. She tugs onto Augustine's hand as she can hear people running around.

"We need to go!"

[dotes]

"You are correct, Cyan." May answers. "I helped them fight against the pastor."

Her tone is grim when saying James' title, knowing that she was there on his murder.

[megacurious]

May's voice is enough to bring him back to his senses as he looks away from the scene and leaves with May. When they are far away from the crowded people, he takes the time to absorb what just happened.

"This is wrong. We just need to steal the Treasure, but why did it end up like this?!" He said as he rubs the bridge of his nose, trying not to open his eyes after seeing the horrifying sight of the dead body.

[cybermaskara]

While he is shocked that she's joining the group, he is happy that she was free from the pastor's torment.

"I'm glad you're alright. I would welcome you, but..."

He then frowns upon remembering the news the other group gave them. "I still can't believe that someone killed him..."

[dotes]

"The person who killed him... They seem to have the same power as you and this group. Being a 'phantom' and seeing the world differently."

May sits up, rubbing her eyes as she tells Cyan from what she heard from the assassin.

"The Phantom Inquisition... They call themselves that and said that they are the true phantoms. They believe that sinners and criminals have no right to live. They are playing god with this power... I don't like it."

[dotes]

May squeezes the adult's hand in support, oddly being the calm one as she has seen enough cruelties in her life. Death is nothing new, but witnessing murder is a brand new sight on her list.

"I don't know as life is cruel and unexpected. I do understand this: His death was freedom from facing justice with humanity. It's up to God to give his judgement now."

She inhales a large breath and exhales. "Breathe. Death is scary, but please collect yourself. We need to stop those other Phantoms before more deaths are made."

[cybermaskara]

Those words were enough to send Cyan into a small fit of rage as he tightens his hands into fists. "T-Those monsters... That's not how we use the Palaces! I don't know if they have a god complex or out or narcissism, but killing those criminals makes them no different to murderers!"

He then punches a nearby wall out of anger, but it manages to calm him down a bit when he feels some pain in his fist. "In any case, they will still pay the same price as the others we changed. There is no way we can stoop to their level!"

[megacurious]

He was supposed to comfort young woman in this situation. But after how he reacted to that scene, he felt it was less awkward when May comforted him instead.

"You're right. We can't stop James's death now, but we might able to prevent that same event from ever happening again. Though stopping those 'Phantoms' might be the other story. I think all we can do now is to go back to the Safehouse and discuss this further."

[dotes]

"Cyan, quiet..." she winced when the teen punched the wall. "Anger won't be the key to stopping them."

She also doesn't want to disturb anyone else with noise making.

"I may be new to this whole Phantom ordeal, but I cannot be idle while I have my own mission duties and those Inquisitors kill human beings without facing justice with human society. We should plan with everyone properly."

[dotes]

"Right. Lead the way."

May looks around her surroundings; the sky, the ground, the nature and buildings. It's a given that she has no clue where this safehouse is, but taking in the world around her... She hitches her breath as she squeezes the man's hand again.

"... The concept of freedom is so new to me. I'm thankful, but I'm a little nervous. Isn't that odd?"

[kotoritori]

Mato recognizes the girl from both the pray-in and the events in the Palace, and while she's pretty shaken up herself from what she saw in there, she can only imagine how May herself must be feeling. Walking over, she takes a seat on the couch next to her.

"...Um, hi."

Safehouse

[disgrunkled]

Stan has only a single thing to say after watching the eventual news report about the pastor and turning off the television in the safehouse.

"...Well, that happened."

[returnher]

"Another Persona user showed up and killed James Poplett's Shadow."

Locke looks tired, haggard, really. This was not a good day.

[conquerorofwaves]

"Killed..." He repeats softly, all the color draining from his face, a dozen questions bubbled up but he squashes it, realizing Locke was not in any shape to really to answer them.

Sinbad goes to get a cup of Tea for the an. "Here," he stated, almost putting Locke's hands around the cup.

[runicking]

"There was another phantom thief in the metaverse with us. He executed James's shadow before we had a chance to intervene." Her words measured and slow, she sounds and looks tired, the normal intensity in her countenance tempered by physical and emotional fatigue.

"By the time we made it back... it was already too late."

[runicking]

For the most part, Celeste tries to let the younger girl have her space. Considering what happened, both in and out of the palace, it's a surprise May isn't in a complete state of shock. But after some time, the older woman walks up to her, tapping her arm gently with something warm.

A mug, filled with what smells like hot chocolate.

[returnher]

"Thanks."

Locke sits back.

"There's another group out there. They don't want to reform people, they want to eliminate them."

Re: Safehouse

[returnher]

"Tell me about it. Can't wait for the cops to start flipping their shit."

[megacurious]

Well, it's no surprise that she feels this way. Considering how she spends her days cooped up under the caretakers' eyes, he is relieved that she is able to experience the joys of nature and the people around her.

"Yes. The outside might be a bit intimidating at first, but you may get used to it. Also, we actually have a lot of people back at the Safehouse that may able to help you get back on your feet."

[cybermaskara]

Cyan was a loss for words. He was warned that something may happen to the real person if their Shadow is killed. But he never expects the consequences are horrifying.

"So he uses the Metaverse to kill him instead of leaving him under the law..." He then hits on a nearby wall as his anger flares up. "That duwag... If he thinks he can get away with that heinous act, then he's dead wrong!"