I don't own digimon.
Chapter 46
Puzzle in the middle of a storm
Morning arrives and my head just hurts. Having listened to DM talk, a clearer picture forms in my head. Even if that picture is just a hundred different scribbles with little in the way of a cohesive theme. Oh. They are also all fighting against each other for control of the narrative.
Thankfully, Melody looks to be getting up at the moment. Scooting out of her sleeping bag, the mystic looks refreshed. Especially after all that work in Rantha's shop and the walking.
That doesn't explain how the distance she made between her and Yvonne had somehow decreased in the last four hours. Though, there is a hunk of metal I don't recall being there before. Maybe one more slipped through. Uh… Did you hear any of that, by some unlikely chance? It's alright if you didn't.
The mystic nodded, gaze turning to the sky right after. Is any of the stuff referenced in there make a lick of sense to you? Or was it a whole bunch of scribbles for you as well?
"Uh… The magical girl thing. Kinda." Melody continued, Lumosmon fluttering up into the air. But not before helping their partner smooth their kimono out. Quite a noticeable difference. "While I wouldn't say that's really a good dream, it's still better than what she's doing."
Does this have something to do with that creepy doll thing on that spaceship?
Melody's gaze shifted away for a moment, quickly returning back towards trying to gaze at me. I'll take that as a yes then?
"Yeah…" she continued, deep breath following her statement. It's alright if that's the extent of your knowledge. I can just ask Rantha some other day. Anything else that you can think of? "Though, it might be better to talk to Kollmon about DM's spiel rather than me."
Fair enough. Good to see that I wasn't the only one who was 'in' on that. Makes the burden of trying to piece all of this together just a bit less painful.
Yvonne is next to rouse from her slumber. Though, the barbarian is quick to notice the drastic decrease in personal space.
"Sorry about that." Melody explained, Yvonne's gaze swiveling over. While she didn't look mad, there was quite a lot of confusion in regards to all these hunks of metal strewn about the area. That would be DM having a tantrum and trying to kill you all because you guys wouldn't. As you can probably tell, they weren't too successful on that front.
Yet, Yvonne's gaze shifted over to her warhammer and then to the sky above. This was around four hours ago, give or take some time.
"Did anything happen during that?" she inquired and I took a deep breath. For starters, I tried to talk her down from the cliff. Went as well as you would think it would go. Then it got weird… I'm not quite sure how else to put it for lack of some better word.
"Weird?"
Yeah. Their speech got all garbled and incoherent. Maybe like someone struck them in the hopes of bringing them down? We do know that DM has a physical location. But not where said location is - and no, DM's spiel doesn't paint a clearer picture outside of saying they were out on the water. Which means they either had some fancy construction, or the building was moved there for some strange reason.
"Along with a whole bunch of people they are guarding." Yvonne added, gaze shifting to Madame of all people. Then it's right back to me. "Wait. Didn't that paper they found the other day mention making sure that someone made it back to their time."
Yeah. That 'Sako Izumi person'. Though I'm guessing Distant Harmony managed to sniff them out at the time and dropped them down to Aldia as punishment. No, they just weren't able to actually send that document because they were sent down here.
Yvonne nodded, gaze and attention finally turning to Melody. Sorry about that.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Melody." Yvonne announced as she picked her armor up, beginning the process to get herself suited up once more. All while Munbimon scurried out from the sleeping bag. Good morning, Munbimon.
"Good morning to you too." the ghost monkey digimon announced, watching Yvonne slip her gauntlets back on. Then it's a short climb up the barbarian's back to her preferred spot. "I'm guessing that weird vision was your fault?"
Kinda. I got into an argument with DM and they kind of had a meltdown. I think they've held that in for a long time. Possibly even longer than any of us can really grasp.
Yvonne took a deep breath, gaze on the ground. Sure, the memories of yesterday's accusations still hung there. But now knowing the 'why' of this strange entity's actions, it just gets even more complicated. Yes, what happened to them was wrong.
"Doesn't change her threat." Yvonne remarked, gaze shifting over to Bubbles of all people. Who at the moment, managed to get both Madame and Ella's sleeping bags sandwiching him. Okay, it was one thing for Melody to approach Yvonne to get out of the way of the hunks of metal. But grabbing both of your moms and pulling them in? Now that's absolutely silly. And downright cute. I guess I'll let this moment slide. But just this once.
"Hed hurt." Bubbles mumbled and slid out of his sleeping bag. Smoothing out his dress, he takes the time to make sure that Phusitmon is on him. He was. Though, are you alright?
"Yeah." Phusitmon announced, his master turning to his right and leaning over. There we find Madame peacefully slumbering. After all that work, maybe wait to give them a hug? I don't think you would like Madame when they're angry. Though considering that you've already seen her at rock bottom, that isn't going to stop you.
Bubbles nodded and looked up towards the sky. Hi there. I'm sorry about the headache you're probably feeling rattle about your head. I didn't think it would echo out to you of all people.
Nonetheless, our little dragon goes in for the hug. No response from the thief for the moment. Must be quite a dream they are having at the moment. Or perhaps it's a nigh-
"No comment." Madame announced as their eyes opened up. Gaze shifting to Bubbles, a chuckle followed. "It's alright. Both Ella and I are here for you. No matter what happens."
Bubbles perked up, arms wrapping around his adopted mother. In turn, Madame wrapped their arms around the little dragon. Aww, motherly love.
Of course, this brought the attention of his other mom over. While they looked to have a slightly better rest, I don't think that's really saying much at the moment.
"Oh." the artificer announced, reality taking hold over what blissful she was having mere moments ago. I won't pry. Though that scowl is just uncalled for right now. Especially in the face of what is clearly my mistake. "Oh. So that's why I went from looking at suits to being in the middle of that complete mess."
Yeah. I think DM is going to need some time to pull themselves back together. Or at least, get into a state where they aren't a complete mess. As long as that means we're getting someone who isn't trying to cause fights or call us bad names, that works for me.
Nonetheless, Ella turns her attention to Madame. Muttering something under her breath, the thief's attention locked on. Though, is that blushing cheeks I'm seeing right now?
"Just because I would look 'hot' according to you, that doesn't mean I would put on a suit." Madame countered, carefully setting Bubbles back down. "If anything, I'll get myself a suit the moment you decide to ditch that stupid tenchcoat of yours."
Ella looked away, already finding Bubbles making his way over. While she had hoped her girlfriend would be a bit more receptive to that suggestion she still took the hug from the little dragon. Though, can I ask you two something?
"Go on ahead." the artificer remarked and took the time to give Bubbles a hug. As for my question, isn't it odd that you were able to grab that dress without it getting cloned?
Ella and Madame's gazes shifted back to Bubbles. In between the note and my 'oopsy', that detail kind of fell by the wayside. Not for any lack of trying. We got sidetracked, which wasn't helped by that info dump that DM treated us too. Sure, we could chalk this up to this being the result of whatever entity passing on through. But that wouldn't explain how they managed to enter a building that required us to break the door down in the first place.
"Maybe different rules apply to this entity than that of DM?" Yvonne suggested as she made her way over to the trio. I could see that, or perhaps their powers allow for some limited control of time or the ability to break through whatever 'curse' has been placed over this world.
"Let's say that's somehow the case," Madame started, Cinemon making his way back towards his master at the moment. But not before taking the time to check on Kollmon. "Then why don't they just fix everything then?"
Their words ring out, silence falling over the camp. Not that there was really anything loud going on at the moment - well, if you don't count Blaze waking up and looking to see what's going on at the moment. Nonetheless, he quickly packs the sleeping bag up and makes his way over. Melody is right behind. Which just leaves Rantha as our sole person not up. Well, if you didn't count Kollmon right now.
"Maybe they didn't have enough time to do anything more than unstick that dress?" Blaze suggested, everyone's gaze turning to him now. Good morning to you and Balamon. I'm guessing you too were treated to DM's spiel?
Blaze nodded, purse bouncing against his side.
"But that's assuming the entity is actually a deity or something along those lines." Cinemon suggested and looked towards Blaze. "We don't have any proof that they were. If anything, it's quite possible they have a similar set of power to that of Mister Lore Mage here."
Good point. Though, I would think they would at lea- Wait. That dream! There was another person there! She must have been the one who put that note there.
Our heroes' gazes reached up towards the sky, confused by my latest announcement. If I'm being honest here, so am I. Right on the tip of my tongue, why can I only remember bits and pieces of it? Ugh! This is absolutely annoying right now.
"Maybe you weren't supposed to remember." a voice announced, Rantha now finally joining us. Less messier than he was yesterday, progress might have been made. Or maybe not. Add false memories on top of DM's absolute mess of a life. "It was a dream after all, one possibility out of who knows how many. Trying to push for that outcome is just going to result in it not happening."
Uh… I understood that, even if that wasn't even my intention in the first place. More trying to collect something thought lost within my own head. "Sorry."
No, it's alright. Real talk, though. Do you have a clearer picture now at least? Or is everything still a confusing mess of memories.
"It's getting better." Rantha continued and turned to Bubbles. Though, it would be the little dragon who got the first hug in. But that doesn't mean that the artisan put in an effort to edge him out in his pursuits of affection. "Though, I'm still not sure how many times I've been married. Or how long of a time that actually was."
Well, we do know that you were seen as interesting enough for both men and women to marry you. That has to count for something right? If you really want someone, there's definitely a person out there for you.
Upon pointing that out, everyone's gaze turns back to Rantha.
"Wait. You're bi?" Blaze announced, getting what looks to be a nod from the artisan. You do know what that means, right?
"The word you're looking for is… Pan." Rantha explained and scratched his chin. "Spent far too many orientations when I was brought in trying to figure that one out."
Melody took a deep breath, Lumosmon hovering around Rantha. To be fair, I don't think he thought you would believe him - especially being human and all. Unless it's common for humans to live longer than normal lives back where you come from.
"Yes," Melody remarked, gaze turning back to Rantha. I feel like the obvious question is going to come out. But go on ahead. "When am I going to get this 'orientation'?"
Okay, that wasn't quite the question I was expecting to come out of her mouth. The mystic does have a point. Distant Harmony seems to have quite inconsistent policies when it comes to just about everything management-wise. I'm just a lowly mage with nothing in the way of actual experience leading people, but I can clearly see that this isn't working one bit.
"What would you do then?" Rantha countered, gaze shifting towards the sky. For starters, I would keep a flow of goons coming at the heroes. Secondly, I would make sure that my underlings always manage to get some kind of win. Even just part of a broken building is still better than no destruction at all. Finally, I would make sure that everyone understood why we are doing this and the punishments for failure. There. How does that sound?
"Like, more effective than whoever is running these idiots at the moment." Kollmon announced, heading over to the rest of the group.
"Feeling better?" Balamon inquired, the mole digimon giving a nod in return. Then it's back over to the group at hand. While not as frazzled as last night, a little bit of that hangs over her. Actually, there's something that I want to ask you, Kollmon.
Kollmon's gaze shot up towards the sky. I promise this has nothing to do with your former partner. I think at least.
"Like… go on ahead." the mole digimon remarked, gaze still staring up towards the gray sky. Okay. During DM's spiel, they mentioned something called the 'AIDS Epidemic' and referenced some place called 'Los Angeles'. Does any of that ring a bell?
For a brief second, Kollmon's gaze shifts away. It's perfectly alright if you're unable to answer either of those questions. I just thought out of all of us, you might ha-
"AIDS is a nasty infection that mostly interferes with the immune system." Kollmon explained, taking the shortest of deep breaths. "If that one conference 'she' dragged me to serves me correctly, they were on the cusp of treating it. Or at least, getting closer to it."
Wait. So this infection is nearly incurable? Not even with restoration magic? Though, this world probably didn't have that. Wait. What about magical girls? Maybe they could help?
But it's Phusitmon of all digimon who shook his head. Oh?
"I doubt it. Their powers seem more capable of purifying monsters and destroying buildings." the plush rabbit digimon explained, his partner shooting him a look. To be fair, Bubbles was probably just confused on top of his head hurting from everything that goes down without any form of relief. Fair enough. "Even if they could somehow cure such a disease, they would easily tire out and then be unable to defend themselves."
I can see that. Even if it's probably going to be sooner or later till we run into one of them. But that's a bridge we'll cross some other day. But right now, we need to have some breakfast. A long day ahead of us walking to that tower. Sorry if that's too abrupt.
"As for Los Angeles, it's a city further mainland." Kollmon continued, watching her audience head back to grab their purses. Then it's right to sitting down in front of the mole digimon and chowing down on rations. As for me, I got my goodberry. Not quite the same as you guys, unless what you're having is just as tasteless but also quite energy-filling.
No response, but that's probably because they are eating. Sorry. Let me give you a second to enjoy your morning rations to the fullest.
"What's a goodberry?" Ella inquired, her gaze up on the sky at the moment. Hmm… how exactly do I explain this. Imagine a berry - like say a blueberry. Instead of growing off of a bush though, you instead conjure it from a leaf of mistletoe. Except it's not quite conjuration magic, but somehow… transmutation. I'm not entirely sure what sort of thing is getting transmuted here. Air? Yet, the berries appear. Quite filling too, even if they only last for just a day. The mistletoe isn't even consumed to boot. An absolute plus. "So… Where can I learn to do that?"
I would say go to some kind of magic school, I doubt there is one anywhere close to Aldia. Even if there somehow were one near your town, they probably would make you sell off the Black Cat Inn to focus fully on your studies. Or worse, take you off-world with no real way of contacting your friends and families.
"That just sounds awful." Munbimon announced, watching on as Yvonne finished her ration and set it down. The container is joined by two more mere seconds later. Quite small for a meal that's supposed to get you through both morning and maybe… noontime.
"I have tasted far worse things." Melody chimed in, wiping some of the ration off her kimono and back into the container. After, she set it down with the other empty containers. "Though, this does remind me of the stuff they would sometimes serve at home. Only real difference was the chefs serving it hot rather than giving it to us directly."
Our heroes shifted their attention to the mystic. While I would assume that Rantha has some experience with that kind of fun, I guess Distant Harmony must have a half-decent chef on staff. Which is probably making more money than most of the people actually responsible for doing the destruction part of Distant Harmony's missions.
That got me a look from Rantha at the moment. I'm surprised Melody didn't join him in that.
"Shut it." Rantha muttered, content with just watching everyone else eat their ration. Let me guess, the food was what made you decide to have an egg-eating contest against Bubbles of all people? "Maybe. I thought he would be the easiest to defeat. Persistent bugger."
Bubbles looked over to the artisan and set his ration down. Walking over, he gave Rantha a small hug on the leg. Didn't last too long, the little dragon made his way back over to his partner and moms. Sitting down, he gets back to finishing his ration. Then it's time to set the container down on the ground. Both Ella and Madame's containers join it right after.
"Was there any real difference with the rations heated up?" Blaze inquired and got a head shake from Melody in return. Oh. That sucks. That must mean it's better cold, dumb as that probably sounds? Or am I completely off the mark?
Melody shook her head, Kollmon tossing her ration down with all the others. Blaze's meets hers mid-flight, both containers landing with a thud. Probably can't do that again. Even if you tried. Good job. Especially as the last couple rations get finished off.
"Thanks." the dancer remarked and stood back up. He's quickly joined by everyone else at the moment. With breakfast now consumed, there was just one thing left to do before we could head off for our second day of travel - rolling back up sleeping bags. Didn't take too long and we're on the road once more.
Notes:
And so we continue on with our journey. Especially after all that silence last chapter.
.
Next Time: We have our second day of travel. Wild and wet.
