I don't own digimon.
Chapter 39
One man's trash
Probability. The odds. Chances of something occuring. Wait. I've already done that intro. Uh… Just ignore me. There isn't anything interesting here for the moment.
Course, that gets everyone's attention. Not anything else as we're running towards this idiot for what seems like the upteempth time. Yes, these are a necessary thing for each particular chapter. It's up there with my monologue of the various wizard classes taught at the academy. No, I will not go into that can of worms (for now). Especially when you need to be focusing on your target at hand.
"Cool." Phusitmon remarked, shifting his position on Bubbles's back. While his perspective was more on the ground than anything else, the little dragon was pretty good at keeping up with the rest of their teammates. Maybe you can make that an advantage of sorts. I'm not entirely sure how, exactly. That's something for you to figure out. "Figures."
Before I can really continue, a barrage of junk is thrown at our heroes. Mostly empty vials and rocks, with what looked to be a broken blade (different from the one that Yvonne smashed yesterday) being the ultimate attack as our destination came into view. Which brought right to Rantha once more. Didn't really think this through, did you?"
Rantha flipped the sky off. You know what? That gesture has lost all meaning to me. Maybe try something else for the moment? Maybe like just shouting at the sky like a crazy person.
My counter fell upon deaf ears, the artisan turning to one building in particular. What looked to be a large hourglass of all things hung to his hand, ready to be used if necessary. Some kind of time-based deterrent? Or perhaps it has something to do with slowing us down.
"Get back!" he announced, waving his makeshift weapon about. If we knew what exactly we're up against, then maybe we would actually be scared. We're more confused than anything else. "Shut it! There are definitely people here! I just know it!"
While I'm not going to say I doubt Madame's scouting abilities, what evidence do you have on the contrary? I would like to believe we're all willing to listen to you.
The hourglass gets gripped just a bit tighter in the artisan's hands, what looks to be cracks forming on both sides of the device. Not good.
"Mr Rantha!" Melody screeched, eyes already slamming shut and the air around her condensing. Uh… That's the opposite of listening. Kind of giving him even more fuel to be afraid and lash out at all of us. Maybe try something different here?
The air warms back up. I'm not quite sure if that was me overstepping my boundaries here. I'm never certain in these sorts of situations. Damage has been done.
"Good job, you dumbass." Rantha announced and I just rolled my eyes. No sort of good will is going to bloom if you keep acting like that. Am I crystal clear?
Rantha doesn't answer, gaze on our heroes for the moment. Grip still as tight as ever, the cracks spreading just a bit more. Okay. What will make you talk to us then?
Rantha began laughing. Wonderful. Not sure what's so funny about this fucking mess, but feel free to give us a better look.
"I rather talk to the people that I know exist." Rantha countered, a loud thud following his stupid statement. That would be me. Where is your proof of these people being here now? Not when you were here or the time that came after. Right now. "Uh… I just know it."
With that, he flung the hourglass forward. It doesn't go too far, erupting into a massive fiery circle of sorts. Flames danced about, contracting and expanding with little in the way of consistency or pattern.
Once the fire died down, we have our heroes - mostly unharmed. Yvonne's gauntlets look to be in an even sadder state than a few moments ago. But outside of that, it wasn't that effective. Makes Rantha standing in place all the more confusing at this moment. Not even going to say something witty our way? That's the least you can do here.
"Fuck." the artisan muttered, now realizing that he blew another chance at making amends and instead made things worse for everyone here. "That was my one and only time bomb. No, I don't have any other bombs. Sadly."
Let me guess, you have no clue where you got that or why you even had it in the first place by way of Adarnamon? Or is that not the case here?
Rantha nodded. Good to have the confirmation at least. Anything else of note? No booby traps or any funny business?
Our artisan looked away. Perfectly understandable if you don't have an answer for us. We'll just walk on over to figure it out… Right?
What looks to be nods come across all of our heroes and digimon. Good. We're all in agreement. Should be pretty simple to dec-
What I can only assume to be Rantha's shop comes into view and I can't believe what I'm seeing currently. It would appear that a packrat of some kind has taken hold buried everything in layer on layer of junk and garbage. Just… seriously. Can't really have this be… 'easy' or anything. Unless this was the way that you left your shop all the time? Though… you probably wouldn't be able to really sell anything like that.
"I kept a clean shop." Rantha muttered, Yvonne making her way over to the door. A hit with the weapon later, we have ourselves a way in. Better safe than sorry? "Personally, I could care less about anything in there."
He got a look from Ella at the moment. Let's ignore the destruction for the moment. You've brought out quite a number of impressive inventions. Imagine what you could do when you're actually working with us, rather than agai-
"Does what happened yesterday count with that?" Ella continued, which is a pretty good question. I guess it could. What I was talking about was in regards to actual rebuilding and strengthening buildings. "Understood."
With the door now open, some of the junk flooded out. Mostly general garbage and gunk, is that a painting of all things? That should be hanging on a wall, not sitting on a floor. Maybe it was there at one point and got moved. Four figures have been painstakingly painted out to show every little detail of them. That's great and all, except everything that would be things to distinguish them has been removed from this painting to make things harder. Unless… Rantha, do you think you could take a shot at identifying them?
Rantha's gaze met the painting. The figures within all felt so familiar and yet… seemed to escape his mind at every possible opportunity. So he closed his eyes and focused. Maybe then the details would return to him. But not even that could save him from this hole in his memories.
"Mr Rantha?" Melody called out, picking up the painting and holding it in her hands. "Were these people your friends, by any chance?"
Rantha took a deep breath. Looking down to the painting one more time, he made one more attempt at remembering.
his gaze quickly shifted back to the mystic. Rumblings of something followed. Unable to catch it, I'm going to assume that was some self-deprecating remark aimed for himself. Not really that strong, the damage was already done to him.
"Maybe." he answered and bent down. Digging into the garbage, he began pushing it out. "Even if I somehow did, that stupid. Fucking. Bird. Took it all away from me."
Stopping for a moment, his fist headed for the pile. If not for Ella and Bubbles coming over and grabbing hold. Pulling Rantha back, we have one more examination by our little dragon. Doesn't stop Yvonne from heading over.
"I'm only going to ask this once." the barbarian explained, kneeling down to be at Rantha's level. The artisan nodded, hoping that it wouldn't be too hard. "This might be better for you to sit out and we just bring you stuff that might help you remember. How does that sound?"
Rantha's gaze shot off to the far-off buildings. It wasn't that he was against this idea. Far from it in fact. No, this was more fear of even more forgotten memories - 'cured' by his partner. Or something like that.
"Be my guest." the artisan muttered, eyes already on his former shop. Bubbles finished his examination, heading back over to the debris.
"Understood." Ella answered, attention back on the garbage. While the turret could do decent work at first, there was a high chance of accidentally destroying the 'artifacts' within. But if they went with their hands, that would take them at least a couple of days. So she turned to her girlfriend. Clearing her throat, Madame gave her a look. While they hadn't quite read the artificer's mind, a similar solution had been reached. But they didn't respond. Instead, they walked over to Yvonne.
"I would like to borrow your infusion ability for a little bit?" the thief inquired, whip already in hand. Even if Kollmon was already hard at work digging into the garbage. She was currently being assisted by Cinemon. Not that this was actually stopping the screen from appearing. Though, you got anything, DM?
Silence. I guess someone is peeved. Not entirely sure why though. She hurt Yvonne's feelings. Not the other way around.
Madame initiates an infusion trade with Yvonne
Do you accept?
Yes/No
Yvonne looked to the thief, then over to Ella. While she had just used Spirit to obtain some 'ore', there probably wasn't any harm in letting Madame use it. Reaching out, she tapped 'yes' and watched the gray outline form around Madame's body.
Trade Terms: Temporary
"Infuse!" Madame announced, already heading back over to the garbage. Doing their best to avoid both digging digimon, they took a deep breath. No use in being premature here in the swinging of the weapon. "Spirit!"
Cracking their whip against the pile, the junk, dirt and whatever else is in there separates out into small piles off to the side. Least we can now enter. Or at least poke your head and take in everything within.
"Hmm…" Blaze mumbled, turning to his partner. Balamon carefully slid down his shoulder and onto the piles of garbage. Going forward, he felt something… soft. It reminded him of fabric. Not any kind in particular, just fabric. Possibly a blanket, maybe some clothes?
Grabbing hold with his fangs, the snake digimon pulled back. Didn't even budge. So Blaze joined him in the item procurement. Grabbing hold right beside his partner, the pair pulled back. The mystery fabric shot out from its hiding place, sending both dancer and snake back into one of the bigger piles.
"Blaze!" Madame shouted, they and Ella heading on over. Their partners were right behind, Bubbles and Phusitmon taking up the rear. As for our other two heroes and their partners, Melody and Lumosmon were keeping eye on our artisan on top of providing moral support. As for Yvonne and Munbimon, they were waiting outside till more room had been made. We're already pushing it with the weight people we already have in there.
"I'm alright." Blaze remarked, heading poking out from the debris. Lifting his hand up, our mystery object is finally revealed. A strange red leotard, a ball of 'fluff' sits comfortably on the back. Looks to have been meant to be worn by a lady, but the size looks to be around our dancer's. "Though, I think this isn't the only thing that's there."
Right after, Balamon joined his partner on his neck of all places. But not before Bubbles got up and did an examination. Well, as best of an examination you could do when the person in question is stuck in a whole bunch of trash and debris. Thankfully, it was far easier for the pair to get out. Making their way back over, Blaze reached down into the hole created by the leotard, shifting his purse to the right in the process. Didn't take the dancer long to find something. Pulling his hand back out and trying his best to not get hit by the next swing of Madame's whip, we have ourselves a set of red heels and a matching headband with large, floppy ears. Guess those are supposed to resemble that of some kind of creature, but I can't quite place what said creature is supposed to be.
"Hmm…" Blaze whispered and dug in one more time. This second attempt took a little bit longer than the first. Eventually, what looked to be a set of leggings came out. Remind me a bit of netting. You know, the stuff that people use for traps and I guess fishing? "That should be everything."
Exiting the shop, the dancer and his partner made a beeline for Rantha. Currently, our artisan was sitting down with Lumosmon in his lap. While the lantern moth digimon wasn't really doing much in the way of communicating, they did look to be warming up Rantha's lap.
"Rantha?" Blaze started, debating how to present this strange outfit set to the artisan. Sure, it was unlikely to be his, but you can never know. "I found this in all the junk. Do you think you can tell me about it?"
Pulling the outfit from behind his back, the dancer watched Rantha perk up and lean forward. A chuckle followed. Uh… that's a start.
"I think I remember her." Rantha remarked, closing his eyes for a moment. "Yeah. She was a quirky woman. Always wore that outfit. Once you get that cleaned, it should fit you nicely."
Blaze's face went pink. Looking away, he found himself getting a chuckle from the artisan at the moment. This is no less 'risque' than that leotard you wear for all those dance practices. If nothing else, Dave would probably like it.
"Fine." the dancer muttered, cheeks returning to normal as he looked back at Rantha. The laughter stopped. Not that it was really getting on anyone's nerves currently. "Thanks for the gift?"
Rantha nodded, watching Blaze head over to Bubbles. Currently, the little dragon was hard at work helping his partner wash the various piles of dirt for artifacts.
"Phusitmon, could you clean something for me?" Blaze inquired, getting a look from the plush rabbit digimon as he pulled the outfit from his purse.
"Uh… sure?" Phusitmon answered and got to washing this strange find. While unsure on the validity of Rantha's statement, this shouldn't take too long.
.
Back in the shop itself, both Madame and Ella were still hard at work clearing away the garbage within. While progress was being made, the actual space to work in was still quite cramped. Moving about was a matter of not being in the way of the other person and then hoping that the trash didn't come on down upon you.
"It's like, not that bad." Kollmon muttered and continued digging. Though, I would assume that you would have some basic knowledge in regards to dirt and digging around in it. Since you're based off a mole and all. "Correct?"
Good. That whole part of my school time spent identifying non-magical animals wasn't a complete and utter waste of a required class.
So you're a wizard. An american wizard. As combinations go, this is absolutely awful. No wonder you make such stupid, irritating decisions. Like seriously. Why the hell do you make this difficult? There's no real reason for this to be the case currently? You've thrown everything off.
Our heroines roll their eyes, continuing with their digging. No need to really give this strange entity anything else to comment on at the moment. It's a dirty job, but the chance of supplies balances it out. Minus food, of course.
Right as I say that, a tin of what I can only assume to be some kind of fish. Don't open that. There's nothing good that can come out of that for the moment.
"Once we get back," Madame started, whip coming back as they looked towards Ella of all people. "How does a fish dinner sound?"
Ella's gaze shot over. While this was out of the blue, who knows how long exactly till they were getting back to Aldia.
"Just the two of us?" the artificer remarked, getting a nod from the thief in return. "I'll hold you up to that promise."
Madame nodded, returning to whipping at the seemingly never-ending pile of garbage. Sure, progress was being made and stuff. But they were still no closer to getting to the bottom of this mystery. Eventually, their weapon hit something solid. Pulling it over, what looked to be a plate of all things came tumbling down. It's something… kinda. Picking the plate up, Madame gave it a quick examination. While made of silver or some similar metal, there wasn't much in the way of detail or actual markings denoting an owner. Maybe the seller saw no need in making sure they could be traced back to them. A shame, but kind of expected when dealing with this sort of thing.
"I've seen nicer sets." Madame muttered and set the plate off to the side. After, it's back to whipping the garbage. All while trying not to hit either Kollmon or Cinemon. They were making good progress through the debris, even if the actual uncovered area was only really big enough for someone like Munbimon to make her way over to them currently.
"Here's a spoon and fork." Cinemon announced, handing his find over to the ghost monkey digimon. Munbimon grabbed hold and fluttered back over to Yvonne.
"Thank you." Yvonne answered, her partner dropping the spoils into her hands. Holding the spoon and fork up, the barbarian did a double take. Grabbing the plate off the floor, she held it up with the utensils. "Wait. These are orcish."
Her companions swivel on over. Of course, Yvonne took the time to squat down. Don't want to be talking over your teammates.
"Wait. Doesn't your mother have a set like this?" Madame remarked, getting a nod from Yvonne. The connection was probably there, it just took rejogging their memory for both parts. "Okay. You got me on that."
That now established, their attention returned to the plate and silverware. While we know it to have come from some kind of orc, is there anything else we can find/determine from this?
Gazes back on the objects, we take in the finer details - the craftsmanship of such utensils, the shaping of the plate itself and of course, the little flourishes that the creator would put in. But between the trio, we're not really getting anywhere at the moment. Giving Ella and Madame a chance to give it one last look, Yvonne stood back up and exited the store. But then she came to a stop.
"Blaze?" she called out, taking the dancer in at the moment. While the outfit did work on him, it was clear a mix of emotions was bubbling within.
Notes:
This was a pretty fun chapter to write. Even if it meant having to figure out how long of a side excursion before we get to the actual supplying of supplies.
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Next Time: You're welcome, Rantha
