I don't own digimon.
The following chapter contains a major kizuna spoiler. Kinda. Please don't kill me.
Chapter 38
Communication Failure
Uh… I'm not entirely sure what happened there. At least they are trying to make progress. Maybe?
Nonetheless, a new day dawns on Malibu. Sunrise isn't as beautiful as that in Aldia. Not that I'm quite sure if that's even a fair comparison. We've only really been here for a day. This is just one sunrise. Give it a couple and then we can debate which place has the better early morning lights. But for now, we turn to the inside of Tavern. Probably should take a quick headcount right now. Just in case our 'house mimic' has taken away someone to eat. It's possible. Before I can go through with that, we have movement from one of the grain sacks.
"Morning!" Bubbles greeted, rousing from his slumber and dusting off his garment for the day. Not that I can even see a speck of dust for the moment. Though, I don't think shaking Phusitmon up is that nice. "Sorry."
That didn't stop his partner from letting out a sigh, followed by a look. Sorry about that, Phusitmon. Wasn't my intention to wake you up.
"Apology accepted." the plush rabbit digimon muttered, looking up towards the ceiling. For the moment, no one else seemed to be awake yet. Probably best to let them sleep. Even if it's only just a tiny bit longer for the moment. Have any good dreams, either of you?
Bubbles shook his head. Gazing shifting down to the ground, mumbles of something followed. Quite hard to piece together. You saw your mom of all people?
The little dragon nodded, grip tightening around his partner. Outside of that, was the rest of your dream good?
"Bad." Bubbles croaked, looking away for the moment. Got me another look from Phusitmon. Fair enough. I'll stop prying.
That out of the way, my attention turns to Tavern. For the moment, the 'torso' part of the house mimic bobbing up and down against Bilie for the moment. Currently dressed in pajamas (well, I'm going to assume those are pajamas at least) instead of her armor, she's hanging tightly to her partner. If I didn't know any better, they look like an old married of sorts.
That's now the third look so far today. Different person at least.
"No matter what that slut says," Billie muttered, eyes slowly opening up. Lifting her body away, her outfit changes once more. "I'm Tavern's partner. Hell or high water."
Hell? Is that some kind of place like the Nine Hells? Or were you talking about something more literal here?
Yet, Billie chuckled.
"The latter, dear." the SquireLilithmon remarked and headed over to the counter. Reaching down below, what looks to be a bottle of something came out. A glass followed. "Though, some creatures and digimon believe this place went to 'hell' the moment both worlds sort of combined and the magical girls began walking around."
Magical girls? As in proper wizards and sorcerers? Or is this something else entirely in that particular regard?
"From what I've seen of the one, it's more of something contract-based." Rantha chimed in, making it my turn now to look towards him. Well, not really. More of my point of view. Guess that would make them all warlocks then? Sounds about right. Though, there has to be some kind of catch. Demons or not, you rarely come out ahead. Good friend of mine made one with a god or some strange deity. It was going all well and good, up until the point that he was pulled through a portal in the middle of class and hasn't appeared since. I can only assume he got dragged into the war. As for the war itself, that's a long story. Not that it really affects any of us for the moment.
"What? You get on us for having secrets." Rantha countered, gazing up towards the ceiling. What looks to be a rock has been pulled out, possibly some miniature version of some spell that escapes me for the moment. "Kind of makes you the asshole here."
To be perfectly honest with you, Rantha, I think you're just trying to get on my nerves for the moment. Maybe I don't really know the place to start with something like this? How about that?
Of course, this remark is what wakes everyone up. Kind of oddly specific thing to do that to people, but whatever works for you here. Outside of that, good mor-
Before I was even able to finish my sentence, Bubbles was already up in Madame's area - wanting a hug of all things. Fair enough. The thief let out a sigh, gifting the little dragon the thing he desired. But not before shifting control within. After all that had occurred yesterday alone, giving that part of them a chance to rest might be for the best. Ella looked her way, reading her girlfriend's change quite fast. She's even making her way over.
"Did something happen?" Madame remarked and got a nod from Bubbles. Breaking away from his first mother, it was now our artificer's turn for affection. Not quite as intimate as the previous gesture, that didn't really matter to our little dragon. A hug is a hug, damn it. Sorry.
"Bad dream." Bubbles muttered, gaze returning to the floor. What looks to be a tear falls right on down as this second embrace ended.
"You going to be alright?" Yvonne inquired and made her way over to the dragon. Looking up to the much taller barbarian, he nodded. Then it's back to his parents for another nod.
"Better now." Bubbles announced, getting a pet from Kollmon. Who looked slightly better for the moment. Especially after the hug she got.
"Thanks for yesterday." Rantha muttered, a deep piece of pride chipping away in that moment. Even more so as the little dragon made his way over and climbed on up. While our artisan was tempted to push him away, he did finally relent to Bubbles ascending up his body and checking the wounded appendage.
"All good." the little dragon announced and jumped down, somehow keeping Phusitmon on him the entire time. A truly impressive feat for such a little person.
"So please don't do anything stupid, Mr Rantha." Melody chimed in, Lumosmon flashing for added emphasis. Would really help if we had a way to translate what he's saying. But that's for some other day. We have shopping to do.
"Thank you for having us." Ella remarked and walked over to Billie. Taking the time to shake her hand, what looked to be gold coins changed hands. Well, sorta. "This is payment for housing us for the night. It's the least I can do."
Billie just chuckled. Nothing really funny here. Even as she calmly handed the gold back to our artificer.
"Keep it, dearie." Billie answered, Tavern's 'body' warping over to her. So that's how he does it. Good to know? "You'll need all the supplies for the trip to that tower."
Ella nodded, gold returning back to her pouch. Then it's over to the door. You see her. Let's get a move-on now.
"Thank you." Cinemon remarked, doing one final lap around Tavern's interior to make sure that no one had left behind their purse or worse - their weapon. Thankfully, no one had been that forgetful. For now. That can easily change in the future. After, he made a beeline for his partner.
Heading out, the surrounding area looks remarkably unchanged. DM, are you there?
"DM?" Yvonne inquired, only for a sigh to echo about. Not from anyone in the surrounding area, but from within our heads.
That would be me. I'm currently in the middle of a lot of research.
Madame's gaze was already up in the clouds. Far beyond me, but not quite reaching their designated target.
"Is any of that on how to treat us nicely and not like trash?" the thief announced, no answer coming to her question. At least respond to us, damn it! Can't keep having this conversation every one of them says something you didn't agree with.
Why should I? You're always doing things that I can't account for. Even after all the research I've done, I still don't get any of you fuckers!
"Hey…" Yvonne cooed, joining Madame in this viewing party for the moment. Warhammer sat comfortably on the ground. "You just haven't taken the time to actually get to know any of us."
Okay… Tell me about yourself miss metal dyke. Especially where I can find that femme slut and turned her into a litt-
I do hope you realize that this also requires you to not shout things that are rude and/or inappropriate? Because if you could tone that down, it would help quite a bit. Also, didn't you say something entirely different last time?
Okay. Tell me about yourself, Yvonne.
Yvonne's gaze shifted to her partner, taking everything within to not raise her warhammer up. Munbimon just shrugged. Though, that's the opposite of helpful. Eventually, the barbarian's frustrations gave out. Raising her weapon up, the hammer head came crashing down into the pavement. Bits of dark rock shot up, landing casually near the hole. Anticlimactic.
"Yvonne…" Munbimon whispered, feeling her partner let out a couple of deep breaths. Lowering the warhammer back down, Yvonne's gaze turned to her tantrum. Well, release of anger for the moment. Bit of a hole, but nothing that couldn't be replac-
Mere moments later, the damage done fades away. Not quite sure that's how such a thing would work outside of here.
"Why the fuck should I tell you?" Yvonne screeched, eyes closing for a brief moment. Memories of Marulyn flood right on in. "You're just going to do awful things to her."
She has a point, DM. You can just go around calling people whatever you just called Yvonne. Especially if you want to be o-
Shut it, American! All your kind does bicker and do stupid things. Any advice you give is not worth the sands of time. This is why we wiped your kind off the face of this rock.
Once more, I wonder if this person is actually making sure that the words coming out of their mouth make any lick of sense. This isn't a wish, people! This is basic conversation.
Guys, feel free to head on. Any property damage is A-okay in my book. At least till a certain someone rethinks their position.
"What about shopping?" Balamon remarked, everyone's gaze turning to Madame for the moment. You're up.
Madame looked away, dashing off towards the stores. Uh… your guys call for the moment. Though you might want to find some pl-
Before I could even finish that sentence, what looks to be a large hunk of metal comes flying. Our heroes scatter, easily evading this threat. The longer this goes on, I can only wonder if you're working as an ally for Distant Harmony and not someone on our side.
"I'll have to agree with you here." Melody remarked, getting a look from Rantha. Taking a deep breath, her eyes slid shut. Which is my cue to give them some space. Yvonne do you want me to give you some space?
Yvonne nodded and I float off some distance. Well, this was definitely not how I was expecting to start my day with. Though, I guess it could be worse. We could still be back in Aldia trying to figure out how to leave. Fuck. That was yesterday. Feels longer that. Maybe that's the result of the length of day. Has to be. But being here, it's a lot different. Should I take control further? Keep trying to negotiate with this crazy entity or is there some other solution that I'm just missing for the moment.
My thoughts are cut-off by a loud squawk. Fuck. That has to be Adarnamon of all things.
Returning to our heroes, there's no sign of this large bird. Probably nesting in one of the nearby buildings.
"Come out, you dumb fuck!" Rantha announced, his response falling on deaf ears. After what happened yesterday, that's probably for the best. If you don't mind me asking, where exactly was your shop?
Reaching for the healed wound on his arm, temptation surging through the artisan's head. There's better ways to go about this without hurting yourself. I'm aware I sound like a broken record on this, but hear me out. If you keep doing this, you're going to kill yourself. And no one wants that. It may not seem like the case, but it's really the truth.
While Rantha ignored my offer and continued staring at his wounds, Yvonne took a step forward. Taking a couple deep breaths, her weapon sits on the ground. Feeling better now?
"Yeah." Yvonne remarked, gaze near the shops for the moment. Madame doesn't look to be done yet. Sure, their reputation as a master thief leaves little room for error. Even if said reputation is the result of centuries of lies. But I digress. "Hmm…"
Walking over to this strange hunk of metal, it's as good of a time as any to look it over. It's unlike anything I've seen at least. Not all metal, there looks to be some glass and what looks to be that plastic stuff. Or at least, a hard version of it.
Yvonne's attention turned to her partner. Mumbling something under her breath, what looked to be a nod from Munbimon was the response back.
"Infuse!" the barbarian announced, the gray outline appearing around her body. To be honest here, I'm not quite sure what you're trying to accomplish. Or why you would need infusion powers here. "Spirit!"
Ignoring my question for the moment, Yvonne pulled her warhammer behind herself. Slamming the weapon down, the hunk of metal twists about, the pieces trying their hardest to stay together. But eventually, things get pulled all together. First, what appears to be a large sheet of glass comes flying off of this strange metal hunk and impaling itself into the ground. A seat (well, that's what it looks like to me at least) comes flying over in that general direction. Even if I'm not entirely certain what they covered said seat in. A couple more follow, leaving us with just the metal itself and those hard plastic bits. Quite colorful. Maybe if we bring some back to Aldia, someone could find a use for it.
"Possibly." Yvonne remarked, smashing her warhammer into the pile of metal. Separating even further, she scooped up one of the bigger chunks. I'm not one to work with these sorts of materials, but that looks like enough to make some gauntlets. "Hopefully. I doubt Marulyn quite meant this. But after all the surprises she's given me, this seems only fair."
I'll take your word f-
Before I can finish my sentence, Madame makes their way back over. Already, Ella was heading to intercept. Cinemon was following right behind, with Kollmon taking up the rear.
"Anything useful?" the artificer remarked and got a head shake in return. Taking a deep breath, a question came to them. "Any people at least?"
"No, actually." Madame answered, the rest of our party making their way over. "Which begs the question on how this 'DM' expects us to actually shop."
Yeah… Outside of Billie and Tavern for the moment, you would think they would at least include some other people here. It also means we can't ask anyone what half the stuff they have spewed out. Which is probably the worst part about all of this. Having someone who at least knew what the heck was going on that isn't coming out of that strange voice.
I heard that!
Yet, their remark fell on deaf ears. No, we were all still focused on our thief for the moment.
"That can't be." Rantha muttered, staring down towards his hands. There was no way that this could be true. They had to be lying. Someone else had to exist. There just had too. Otherwise, none of this would make a lick of sense. Thoughts flooded his head, all of which fighting for the top spot in his mind. Too much to think through and teetering on the edge, he let himself fall to his instincts. Which turned out to be charging for Madame. But before he could reach out and grab hold of his much smaller target, Ella pushed Madame to the ground. Did get her a look, even if this did save their skin. Balances out in that regard.
"You idiot." Madame muttered, getting a sigh from their girlfriend. While they were certain they could've easily gotten out of Rantha's grip, it did show that the artificer was at least willing to let some bygones fall by the waist side. Okay, that's probably reading a bit too literal for the moment. "At least let me rescue you."
Not wasting any time, Madame got up onto the turret and smashed their fist into the Artisan's privates. Not enough to make him let go of Ella.
"Rantha!" Melody screeched, hand flying across her 'boyfriend's' face. Rantha's attention shifted over to her, his grip loosening. While nowhere near choking Ella at the moment, still not enough to really break free from. "People or not, you're not going to touch them."
Rantha looked away, just now realizing how much he had fucked this up. Now was the moment that he decided to let Ella go. Dropping right into Madame's arms, the pair drop back down to the pavement. Great and all, but that doesn't change the fa-
Rantha books it over to the shops. What is It with him and booking it out of every situation when it's uncomfortable? At least wait till I'm done speaking. That's just common courtesy.
Lead the way, Madame.
Notes:
Yeah. As much as I would like to talk about the 'spoilers' in regards to Kizuna, that's for another day. All I've got to say it does lend a lot to the idea to the 'used digimon' idea. But once I've actually seen the movie, maybe then I'll give it a shot at talking about it.
.
Next Time: Digging through, searching for memories.
