Ken looked about in amazement as he followed after Ryo, who in turn trailed close behind their guides. Higashi and Zennyu led the procession, walking side by side as they headed deeper into the incredible building. After them came Bokomon and Neemon. Bokomon walked forward with dutiful, dignified steps while Neemon wobbled about as if his legs were made of jelly and were simply incapable of propelling him in a straight line.

Ryo couldn't stop staring at the two smaller Digimon, still amazed by the fact that they were interacting with walking, talking, sentient beings that were unmistakably not human - unlike Zennyu and Higashi, who could have been mistaken as such if not for the wings. Bokomon reminded him strongly of a kappa with a pointed skull instead of a bowl, and Neemon was pretty much a walking rag doll with a fox-like head.

"It's really incredible," Ken whispered as his eyes glanced about the hallway, taking in every glisten and glimmer of crystal architecture.

"Yeah, you said it," Ryo muttered, his eyes still focused entirely on the Digimon in front of them.

"The Crystal Tower is the pillar of our world," Bokomon said, with great reverence in his voice.

"It really for realsy does!" Neemon said, brightly before he made a gesture as if stabbing something. "Like, pow! Goes right through! Like meat on a stick!"

Bokomon's cheek twitched as he glanced at Neemon, less than pleased with his rather undignified comparison. "As a result, it's only fitting that the Digi-Gods would house their most loyal servants here."

Ryo finally pried his eyes away from the inhuman Digimon to the architecture. "It's like it's made of glass," he muttered. Tapestries, carpets, and portraits made from more mundane materials stood out starkly against the crystal, creating an otherworldly canvas that made him and Ken feel as though they were walking through a dream.

"While it might look fragile, it's actually nigh indestructible," Higashi said as he glanced back at the humans, giving them a smile. "And it's quite safe to touch, so please don't be afraid."

A thoughtful hum rumbled in Ryo's throat as he followed his curiosity to a vase in the corner to poke one of the delicate crystal flowers blooming there. He expected something harsh and brittle, but the petals were as cool and smooth to the touch as a real rose. "What the? It's soft! How's that possible?"

"The reality of the Digital World is far more flexible than the one you come from," Zennyu said as he made a note on his pad. "Crystals that vary greatly in texture and density are hardly the most unusual things you'll find here."

"Is this where we're going to be staying, until you figure out what's happening?" Ken asked, furrowing his brow.

Higashi nodded. "That's right. We'll give you your own rooms, and Bokomon and Neemon will be taking care of your meals and anything else you'll need."

"I specifically will be tending to your food," Bokomon said, with great pride in his voice. "You'll find the food I make to be quite enjoyable, I'm sure."

"I can help!" Neemon squealed as he wobbled his arms in the air like streamers. "Food is so yummy!"

Bokomon immediately reached over to pinch Neemon's cheek, twisting it like silly putty. "Ahem. Do you recall what happened the last time we allowed you to cook?"

Neemon yelped and flailed his arms about as his face stretched to comedic proportions. "Ehhhh?"

Bokomon's own cheek began to twitch again, a bit more prominently this time, as he slowly twisted Neemon's cheek back and forth. "Do not tell me you forgot the unnatural disaster that you inflicted upon our guests - and everyone else, for that matter!"

Neemon tilted his head slightly, his cheek stretching out even further. "Huuuuuuh?"

Bokomon grit his teeth before he yanked sharply. "I spent days scrubbing the smell out of the whole tower!"

Neemon squeaked in pain and flailed again as his mouth was stretched wider than his head normally was under Bokomon's harsh pinching punishment. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Ken stared at Neemon and Bokomon before he side-eyed Ryo, keeping his voice the barest of whispers. "S-so, we… should avoid the kitchen if Neemon's in it?"

"And fifty meters around it at least from the sounds of it," Ryo muttered back.

The sharp click of Zennyu's pen snapped Bokomon's attention back to him. "Before the children get settled in, there is an important introduction that needs to be addressed first."

Bokomon paused at that before he quickly released Neemon, whose cheeks audibly snapped back into place. "Of course, of course! As you say, good sir!"

Zennyu's intense red gaze fixed on Ken for just a moment before he turned away. "Follow me."

Ken stared at Zennyu as the dark angel began to walk away, his eyes going wide. He hesitated before he instinctively reached over to grab Ryo's sleeve. "M… me?"

Zennyu stopped instantly. He clicked his pen twice before he gazed over his shoulder at Ken. "You're about to witness the birth of your partner, Ken Ichijouji. Bring company along if you wish, but this moment is meant for you above all."

"My… my partner?" Ken repeated, confusion very clear on his face. He glanced to Higashi, who had a reassuring smile on his face, before he turned to Ryo with wide eyes. "R-Ryo…"

"What do you mean by birth?" Ryo asked, mouth skewed slightly. "Are you giving Ken a baby pet or…?"

"No. Not a pet," Higashi said, firmly. He then paused and softened his expression, trying to put the anxious little boy at ease. "It's better for you to see for yourself. It'll be much easier than trying to explain. I assure you, it's nothing to be afraid of."

"Your partner is exactly that," Zennyu said. "They are every bit as sentient and capable of emotion as you. They have a soul, and whether they flourish and become strong or suffer and wither away is entirely due to your whims."

Higashi paused at that before he huffed, glancing at Zennyu. "He's already frightened, Zennyu," he said, his voice low. "We don't want to terrify him even more."

Zennyu let out a huff of air as he clicked his pen, his eyes sliding to Higashi for a moment before he looked down at the children. "Nyamon is Keiko's partner. Seek out advice from them if the concept is too much for you to understand now."

Ken blinked at that. "Wait, so… it's a Digimon?" At Higashi's nod, the young boy's brow furrowed. "I… still don't understand, but… I'm going to meet a baby Digimon. That's… basically what you're saying, right?"

"A very special baby Digimon," Higashi said before he gestured down the hall. "Let's go, alright, Ken?"

Ken glanced between Higashi and Zennyu before turning his attention to Ryo, his confused face clearly seeking reassurance from the elder boy. "Ryo…?"

Though Ryo felt at a loss and knew that he should've been wary, the memory of Nyamon and Keiko's relationship helped him remain optimistic. There was also something about the idea of a partner that filled him with a warm flutter of excitement in his chest. "It can't hurt to meet them, right? Making new friends is always a good idea, and Nyamon was pretty cool, don't you think?"

Ken considered that before he nodded. "Y-yes, that's… that's true."

Higashi's smile widened as he saw the panic slowly disappear from Ken's face. "That's right, it'll be fine. And they'll be very glad to meet you."

Ken turned to look at Higashi, then glanced at Ryo again, before he finally resumed walking, though tentatively as he kept his grip on Ryo. He was relieved to see the other boy automatically begin walking with him, signalling his willingness to stay with Ken. "O-okay…"

Zennyu watched the two boys follow Higashi with an unreadable expression. After they disappeared around a corner, he dashed down something onto his notepad before giving a sharp click of his pen. "Prepare their rooms for them."

"Of course, sir!" Bokomon said with a sharp salute.

"Kay~!" Neemon said with a dopey smile.

Zennyu didn't bother looking back at the two diminutive Digimon before he departed as well.