The Phantom Thieves meet up to discuss what to do about Alibaba/Futaba's request to have her heart stolen. Basically, it's established that not only did Futaba find out about them because she bugged the cafe but also that they will need her assistance with hacking skills. Not only that but they firmly establish BAD PEOPLE AREN'T THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN HAVE PALACES.
The whole thing with Palaces is that they simply rely on someone's cognition becoming distorted due to intense desires which can frequently be toxic to the person's cognition.
They agree to accept Futaba's request to steal Futaba's heart. They just need to find out the specific keywords to use in the app to get them in.
Morgana, the talking cat, appears to believe if they can sort out Futaba's memories of her mother's suicide... they might be able to figure out how to retrieve Morgana's own missing memories. Morgana also thinks he's a human turned into a cat but uh... unsure.
The Phantom Thieves head to Futaba's house hoping to find clues for the keywords needed to get into her heart via the app which just likes to remind them "Conditions have not been met".
... so they decide to break into Futaba's house so they can ask her directly. Makoto tries to point out how this could backfire but everyone is too determined to be deterred. Time for criminality!!!
They get to Futaba's closed door and try to coax her into responding. She doesn't, at first, but then she texts via Alibaba's alias online. Makoto ends up compromising that she doesn't have to show herself, chat messages are fine--they just need answers to some questions so they can figure out the keyword. Without that, they can't steal her heart like she requested.
Alibaba/Futaba agrees to these terms.
It's up to Joker to figure out how to get the keywords.
Joker: How is living in this house? Alibaba: It's painful... Joker: Why don't you go out? Alibaba: I can't leave this place. Alibaba: I'm going to die here.
This is... alarming. To say the least.
Alibaba: Is this going to continue? Joker: Why do you think that? Alibaba: Why? Alibaba: This place is my tomb.
"Tomb" appears to be the keyword necessary to enter the Palace. (Dark...)
Ryuji proceeds to activate the app right there and then, like an idiot.
And they... end up... in a desert. And not in their usual Phantom Thief gear. Morgana explains that their appearances changing is largely because of perception of them in the person's heart--Futaba does not see them as a threat. Yet.
Unfortunately, they're in the middle of a desert far from the nearest place, and it's HOT. Luckily, they have a talking feline companion who can turn into a bus. Still hot as fuck, but they're able to get to the main area of Futaba's heart and begin the investigation/infiltration.
The Palace is... a pyramid. A Tomb.
Thankfully, it seems like this will be a walk in the park compared to their past adventures in the hearts of bad men and criminals! They meet no resistance going up the stairs inside the pyramid--until they run into a Futaba. Her Shadow. She does not seem to be entirely on board the whole Stealing Her Treasure thing...
Futaba!Shadow: Considering the state my Palace is in... there is no way that you can steal it.
And then there are... voices. Hurling abuse and blame for her mother's death and calling her a burden/plague. y i k e s.
Futaba!Shadow: That's right. I did it. I am the one who killed my mother.
Everything shakes as there's a loud SCREEEECH from outside the pyramid.
Futaba!Shadow: My mother exists here. I will remain here. I will do so until I die.
Aaaaand then their clothes change into Phantom Thief gear. GUESS FUTABA SEES THEM AS A THREAT NOW. Right when they try to regroup, A BIG FUCKING SPHERE COMES ROLLING AT THEM, FORCING THEM TO FLEE BACK THE WAY THEY CAME.
Once they get to the bottom of the steps... a door appears and locks behind them.
... guess they have to do this the longer way, after all.
Mem. 16 - Futaba's Palace Part 1 (cw: suicide)
The Phantom Thieves meet up to discuss what to do about Alibaba/Futaba's request to have her heart stolen. Basically, it's established that not only did Futaba find out about them because she bugged the cafe but also that they will need her assistance with hacking skills. Not only that but they firmly establish BAD PEOPLE AREN'T THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN HAVE PALACES.
The whole thing with Palaces is that they simply rely on someone's cognition becoming distorted due to intense desires which can frequently be toxic to the person's cognition.
They agree to accept Futaba's request to steal Futaba's heart. They just need to find out the specific keywords to use in the app to get them in.
Morgana, the talking cat, appears to believe if they can sort out Futaba's memories of her mother's suicide... they might be able to figure out how to retrieve Morgana's own missing memories. Morgana also thinks he's a human turned into a cat but uh... unsure.
The Phantom Thieves head to Futaba's house hoping to find clues for the keywords needed to get into her heart via the app which just likes to remind them "Conditions have not been met".
... so they decide to break into Futaba's house so they can ask her directly. Makoto tries to point out how this could backfire but everyone is too determined to be deterred. Time for criminality!!!
They get to Futaba's closed door and try to coax her into responding. She doesn't, at first, but then she texts via Alibaba's alias online. Makoto ends up compromising that she doesn't have to show herself, chat messages are fine--they just need answers to some questions so they can figure out the keyword. Without that, they can't steal her heart like she requested.
Alibaba/Futaba agrees to these terms.
It's up to Joker to figure out how to get the keywords.
Joker: How is living in this house?
Alibaba: It's painful...
Joker: Why don't you go out?
Alibaba: I can't leave this place.
Alibaba: I'm going to die here.
This is... alarming. To say the least.
Alibaba: Is this going to continue?
Joker: Why do you think that?
Alibaba: Why?
Alibaba: This place is my tomb.
"Tomb" appears to be the keyword necessary to enter the Palace. (Dark...)
Ryuji proceeds to activate the app right there and then, like an idiot.
And they... end up... in a desert. And not in their usual Phantom Thief gear. Morgana explains that their appearances changing is largely because of perception of them in the person's heart--Futaba does not see them as a threat. Yet.
Unfortunately, they're in the middle of a desert far from the nearest place, and it's HOT. Luckily, they have a talking feline companion who can turn into a bus. Still hot as fuck, but they're able to get to the main area of Futaba's heart and begin the investigation/infiltration.
The Palace is... a pyramid. A Tomb.
Thankfully, it seems like this will be a walk in the park compared to their past adventures in the hearts of bad men and criminals! They meet no resistance going up the stairs inside the pyramid--until they run into a Futaba. Her Shadow. She does not seem to be entirely on board the whole Stealing Her Treasure thing...
Futaba!Shadow: Considering the state my Palace is in... there is no way that you can steal it.
And then there are... voices. Hurling abuse and blame for her mother's death and calling her a burden/plague. y i k e s.
Futaba!Shadow: That's right. I did it. I am the one who killed my mother.
Everything shakes as there's a loud SCREEEECH from outside the pyramid.
Futaba!Shadow: My mother exists here. I will remain here. I will do so until I die.
Aaaaand then their clothes change into Phantom Thief gear. GUESS FUTABA SEES THEM AS A THREAT NOW. Right when they try to regroup, A BIG FUCKING SPHERE COMES ROLLING AT THEM, FORCING THEM TO FLEE BACK THE WAY THEY CAME.
Once they get to the bottom of the steps... a door appears and locks behind them.
... guess they have to do this the longer way, after all.
But they're Determined now.
They retreat, but agree that they'll be back.