I don't own digimon.

Chapter 37

Sleepy Time

Having now dealt with that truly nefarious bird and his strange color stealing spell, we find ourselves with a new problem - a lack of gear and equipment. The stuff they currently had served quite well in the environment of Aldia. But this isn't Aldia though. This is Malibu. But at the same time, 'the tower at the end of the world' or something. Quite a mouthful. Nor would it be that easy to remember in the long run.

"I totally prefer the former over the latter." Kollmon announced and headed over to the tavern. Giving it a knock, Tavern opened the door. Which raises an interesting question. Where the fuck are his feet? Sure, he could just be stuck in whatever they use for holding buildings down in this world. But he has to have some way of mobility. Right?

Yet, Tavern looked up towards the ceiling. Or the closest approximation to the sky for him.

"Uh… what are feet exactly?" Tavern remarked and I nearly fell over. Wait a minute. There's no real need to be standing this entire time. I could've been floating since we got to this strange place! I feel so stupid right now.

Right. To answer your question, feet are what most humanoids use to walk around. I would assume you have them, but I suspect that is not the case now. Or ever was, for that matter. Which just rais-

"Tavern, do you think you can tell what you are… exactly?" Phusitmon remarked and cut me off, Bubbles making his way over to him. Picking the plush rabbit digimon up, he was seated back in his place for the moment. Still enough to give Bubbles a look for that stunt mere moments ago.

Returning infusion elements to their respective users…

Good to know. Not that such a message really stopped Ella from grabbing her briefcase on the ground. Heading back over to the turret, she dispels it. Or however she puts it away.

Which brings our attention back on Tavern.

"I'm a house mimic!" he announced, somehow proud of that statement. Even if the looks from our heroes would suggest a far different response for the moment. Like I don't know, confusion. Perhaps even fear right now. Sure, I've had some experience with regular mimics. But ones that are full-on houses? Way over my head here.

"I bought him in an auction." Billie chimed, heading over to her partner. "Pretty cheap as partners go. Especially sight unseen."

Her words exit out her mouth, a million different thoughts bouncing about our heroes. Everyone got their digimon from a meteor. One can assume this to be a special case among how people get their partners. Buying one from an 'auction'? Now that's quite a unique… way of going about it. Even if I'm not quite sure if that's how you're supp-

Auctioning off a digimon/appmon/fairy's choice of a human partner is strictly forbidden. Be gracious that the great goddess Lumiere has not returned to the land of the living.

"Lumiere?" Yvonne remarked, gazes now shooting off to the sky. Wonderful. One more thing teased out that we have no possible clue on what it could be about. You seem to do that a lot.

"What part of this applies to us?" Rantha muttered and rolled his eyes. Then it's on to looking at the shops. If I had to take a guess, none of it. Make a note of it and then move on. "No shit. You're that book something or other. Why don't you do that?"

I'm a lore mage, Rantha. Not a book something-or-other. And I would note it down, if I actually had something to write it down that wasn't the tool to write down what's going on for the moment. Once I figure out that problem, then maybe I'll do that.

"It's getting late. Why don't you all spend the night with us?" Billie continued, everyone's gaze up on the sky. Sure, Adarnamon's trickery was now gone. But for it to really be night now? I find that quite hard to believe. Even then, most of us have had quite a day.

"Sounds good to me." Melody remarked and headed into Tavern. It's no inn, but it'll do. The rest of our heroes followed right behind. While the 'interior' had remained unchanged, we'll just need to move some stuff out of the way.

The next couple minutes consisted of pushing chairs and tables out of the way so we would have enough room to sleep. Where one would put them? Off to the side, of course. Keep it simple. Then it was just a matter of laying down something soft. Got anything?

"Some bags of grain." Billie announced and knelt down, pulling out a couple bags. Though, they aren't the cloth bags I've grown accustomed to seeing brought in. No, these are a lot thinner. Quite surprising that they are to hold the same amount of stuff in return,

"I'm guessing he's never seen a plastic bag before?" Billie remarked, getting nods all around. Wait. Plastic. What sort of material is that?

Yet, Billie let out a sigh and looked up to the ceiling. To be fair, everything we use seems out of place here.

"Good to know." the SquireLilithmon remarked, handing it over to Yvonne. Though, the barbarian was more focused on the digimon's armor. Quite a lighter color than her's, probably easier to move and evade it in as well. "My eyes are up here, dear."

Yvonne looked away, cheeks blushing currently. Not the intention, but it's very much there. Especially as she picked the bags up and brought them over to her teammates. Then we're right back to this digimon.

"If you don't mind me asking," Yvonne asked, initial response being an eyebrow raise from Billie. Huh. Could go either way here. "Where did you get that armor?"
Billie looked away, trying to motion for Tavern to come over. Well, Tavern's body to come over at least. She isn't that successful. So her gaze returned to her subject for the moment.

"I've always had it." she answered, that answer not quite what the barbarian was expecting. "Let me guess, you were looking for a similar set to go with that armor you're wearing currently?"

Yvonne shook her head.

"Not quite." she answered, looking down to the armor that adorned her. "A friend of mine needs some ore to reforge my gauntlets."

Yvonne found herself staring down a look from Billie. To be fair, I doubt they have piles of ore just sitting about for the taking. Even if you did find one such piles, they're probably going to ask for an arm and a leg just for the pleasure of picking out your rock. Especially in regards to gemstones. Don't get me wrong, the idea of having a piece of a fallen gem dragon of all things sounds pretty awesome. But in practice

"I haven't seen unrefined ore in quite some time." Billie continued, Tavern finally coming over. About dang ti- Oh. He's scurrying away. Thanks a lot. Yet, the SquireLilithmon focused in on Yvonne's gauntlets. "Though, I can't really tell much in the way of actual structural damage… Unless you did something incredibly stupid."

Yvonne looked away, warhammer falling over with a loud thud. Which brought everyone's gazes over to her. Then it was right back to their business. Whatever that might possibly be.

"I rushed into a gas filled Inn to save my people." Yvonne explained and took the time to pick her warhammer back up. Then it was a matter of just angling it in such a way that it wouldn't fall over once again.

"So a 'Daughter of the tribal leader'." Billie answered, making some kind of note of that for the moment. "Good to know. So, what kind of gal is this... your friend of yours?"

Yvonne did a double take, looking about for any sort of clue that she might have given off in the process of talking to Billie that would lead her to that conclusion. She's not wrong (for the record), but still. That's one hell of a guess.

"Uh… She's an elven mage." Yvonne explained, trying her hardest to not let her tiredness take hold. "She forges, invents stuff (even if most of said stuff she invents backfires). But she loves me and wants me to turn into a suit of armor."

You might have wanted to leave that part out. You know, too much information for someone known for what? A couple hours at most. Sounds about right.

Yet, Billie let out a chuckle and shifted her focus away from Yvonne's face and over to her armor of all things.

"Well… there is a legend of a legendary armored bird lady." Billie explained, gaze returning to the face for now. "If you can find her, maybe she could tell you her secret or something."

Yvonne nodded, hopefully making a mental note of such a beast for future reference. I probably should do the same as well. Just in case this somehow comes up later down the road in a fashion that none of us could've possibly expected at the time.

"Thank you." Yvonne answered, making her way over to her teammates and digimon. For the moment at least, we find everyone trying their best to make themselves comfortable. By that, I mean shifting these strange bags of grain about in such a way to act as a pillow for multiple people. Easier said than done when you have a bunch of people with different sized heads and only one size of bag. Said problem was not going to be helped by the barbarian and her warhammer. Not that the latter really needed any 'pillow' real estate. Just that she remembered to grab it.

"That only happened once for us." Munbimon remarked, getting a look from Madame at the moment. "Okay, twice."

Yeah. That sounds about right. Let's try to keep that number down as much we can. Got it?

Nods. Goes without saying though, so it isn't much of a complaint. I will start complaining if it does go up though.

"Hmph." Rantha muttered, spinning what looks to be a vial of something around with his fingers. Do you got something to say for yourself? "Maybe."
Oh well. 8 hours of rest for all of you!

Hold up. You can't just decide that for all of us. Maybe some of us need a bit more sleep. Or somehow, an hour or two less? Didn't think of that, did you?

Do I look like I care about you people? Especially after that disaster of a fight. Screw you all.

"So you don't then?" Balamon remarked, slithering down Blaze's leg.

You've gone out of your way to make yourself as unlikable to me as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if you all died soon by way of a car. Actually, that's my preferred method of disposal.

So that's it? You're just going to give up on us because we didn't turn out the way you thought it would? Like I've said before, you've known us for a couple hours at least. Yes, we've gotten off onto the wrong foot. But that's what tomorrow is for. A chance to start again with getting onto the right foot. How does that sound?

Fine. I guess I can chat with you while these idiots sleep.

"We're not idiots!" Madame announced, smoothing out their dress as they laid down. For the moment, Bubbles was right beside them. He was even cuddling Phusitmon for the moment. Aw… That isn't creepy at all, right? Phusitmon is part plush. I think at least.

"I can see that." Phusitmon remarked, letting his eyelids close. His two companions were not that long after. Then Blaze and Balamon, followed by Yvonne and Cinemon. Ella took a bit longer, but caved in right around the same time as Munbimon. Melody was next in line, with Lumosmon turning 'off'. Rantha kept his eye on her, but not for very long. You care far more than you're willing to admit.

"Shut it." Rantha muttered, shaking his fist up at the ceiling. Doesn't really accomplish much, outside of making me chuckle. "Even if I do, I've fucked things up for the moment."

Hey. There's still a chance that you can turn this all around. Sure, we've both fucked things up for ourselves in the past. But that's behind us.

Yet, the artisan let out a chuckle. Closing his eyes, the fist comes on down. Billie and Tavern retire for the night a bit after doing some work. Probably stuff to get ready for tomorrow. No big deal in my book.

Which just left Kollmon to take refuge off in a corner. No pillow. Just the two walls intersecting. Can't be that comfortable. Or that enjoyable either for that matter. You alright there, Kollmon?

Kollmon nodded, yet it also somehow looks like a head shake for the moment.

"Maybe." the mole digimon remarked, gaze down on her claws. Please tell me you're not going to take a cue from Rantha's book and hurt yourself.

Thankfully, that wasn't in Kollmon's cards for the moment. No, she just struck the floor. Got a small yelp from Tavern. Good to know?

"Isitwrongtonotknowifthemethat'slikeherenoworthemethatexistedwithherwasthe'real'me?" she blurted out, her entire sentence just one long blurb. Yet, I can see where you're coming from. I think the phrase you're looking for is 'Doppelganger Syndrome'. Not quite sure if th-

It's Imposter Syndrome, you moron.

Like I said, Doppelganger Syndrome. Sometimes, we would have people who have gone through traumatic events that result in memory loss and/or changed memories. Usually, they have a feeling that they aren't quite who they think they are.

"Is there a cure for that?" Kollmon remarked and I let out a sigh. Not entirely sure you're going to like the answer I'm about to give you on this. "I'm like, totally willing to listen to whatever you have to say."

Okay… Most people take some time and decide which life truly was 'theirs' and push those other memories away. You need to have some kind of reason to erase and/or change your own memories. It's not something you do to yourself lightly. Others aren't quite able to take the stress of knowing that they did something absolutely horrendous and just… end it.

"Huh…" Kollmon muttered, gaze now on the ceiling. Like I said, my answer is probably not what you're looking for. Though, that doesn't explain why you're situated in a corner. I can't imagine you're too comfortable.

Kollmon looked down to the ground. I can only imagine what's going through her head. Not quite idle chatter, but not substantial enough to really pick up on anything.

"I think she made me sit here when I was bad." the mole digimon explained, closing her eyes. "Especially after I said that nasty things."

Gotcha. Anything else of note?

Kollmon shook her head. Standing back up, she headed over to her partner. Then it's time for bed. It's kind of odd. Sure, I'm used to silence. But when you know someone's waiting their turn, you're almost waiting for the moment when it happens. Surprised they didn't blow out the candle. Hopefully that won't be a fire hazard. Or they sleep through any fires that occur. Now is your chance to talk to me. Do you have a name at least?

Silence. It's alright if you don't. I won't hold anything agai-

DM.

As in the two letters, or does that stand for something?

Uh… I think it stood for something when my creators were actually alive. But now, I'm not entirely sure.

That's uh… good to know. Speaking of which, was that large hunk of metal your doing?

No comment.

You do realize how much more suspect that makes you look here? I get your job is to run these 'Digital Dungeons', but we all want to make it through… alive.

I guess. You're all not quite human. The rules are probably different for you. Though, where did you come from?

That depends. If you're talking about me, I came from an academy. There I was supplementing this job with helping out students. Much like those that helped me out during my time as a student. Our heroes come from a town called… 'Aldia'. I'm not quite sure what's the name of the world. It hasn't really came up in the past.

So you're a teacher and narrator then? Quite an interesting combination.

Teacher assistant. There's a big difference. I help out where I can, even if the students don't really take me that serious. Didn't help that the academy was right smack dab in the middle of a war between deities.

Serves you right, American. If you knew better, you would take any other job. But you went for the one that involved dealing with snot-nosed child-

More thunder rains down on DM. Would say I'm sorry, but to be honest with you? Maybe you should take the time to get to know us. Maybe once you do that, then we'll all be on the right foot. Because we sure as fuck aren't on the same page. Good night.

.

Hagukumi City, Japan

I close the feed. Good fucking riddance. It's not my fault that some people are just fucking stupid. Right, Yuujin?
My absolutely moronic companion doesn't even turn to me. No, he's currently humping the tube of some guy my creators thought was important. Well, it was a bunch of other people too. Just a bunch of bodies that we need to keep for some guy. At least the waves outside are nice.

"Of course, DM." the buffoon announced, continuing his quest to make stupid faces at the guy in the tube. The only thing remarkable about him is those stupid goggles on his head. Doesn't even have his name. Wait. Do you know if he does?

"It's Davis."

Oh. Now you tell me. Wonderful. Do you at least know the password to disable the lock on actually searching for stuff?

A nod. Thank fuck for that. I have some reading to do. Maybe I'll find some better way to connect with them too.

Notes:

Surprise? Considering that next chapter has unintentional Kizuna spoilers, I guess it shouldn't be.

.

Next Time: We have ourselves a communication breakdown.