I don't own digimon.

Chapter 56

Home Sweet Home

After taking a couple minutes to just get my newfound friend settled in to the world, my attention returns back to the city of Aldia. For the moment, I'll just start with Ella and Madame. They are the closest to where we left off. Though if I'm being totally honest at the moment, it feels absolutely bizarre to be back here. But that's beyond the point.

"Maddie?" Ella whispered, shifting her position in the chair. The pair are currently in the kitchen of all places. As for Bubbles, he was putting his new dress in with all of Madame's. Then it would be right back to wearing his old dress. Which… fair enough.

"Yes, Ella?" Madame called out, making some tea right now. After everything that had happened, it felt odd to be back here. Sure, this was their home for their whole life. But it had never felt like one up until this moment.

"When do you want to get that suit?" Ella remarked and found her girlfriend's gaze swiveling back over to her. Sure, that was what? A couple hours ago. Might be best to give it a day or two. Especially after the excitement we h- Oh right. They can no longer hear me. I used to be kind of fine with this. But now, it's kind of lonely. Sure, I have Salamon, but I'm not completely sure what their personality is or if they even like me in the first place. But I digress.

"We don't even know if the clothing place is even open." Madame countered as they set a tea cup down on the table. "While I am a 'lady' of my word, there are other more important things at the moment."

Ella looked away, thoughts of her inn and what remained flooding back in. In between all that happened in the digital world, it's easy to forget the stuff that went down before heading through the door. But now, that is what our focus needs to be on currently.

"In that case, when do you want to at least survey the damages?" Ella continued as Madame grabbed the kettle. Bringing it over, a sigh looked to be the thief's initial response. But then they sit down and pour a cup.

"Whenever you feel ready to. It's your place after all." Madame answered and got a nod from their girlfriend. Even as they got up to get a cup of their own. "Any preference or anything?"

Ella just shook her head and grabbed a cup. Then it's just a matter of pouring the tea. Easier said than done when your girlfriend is still holding it. Though, not for much longer.

"So later then." the artificer remarked, pouring the beverage into the cup and took a sip. Looking away for just a moment, she's trying her hardest to not spit it out. She's not very successful on that front. "How the heck do you even drink this?"

Madame let out a chuckle and took the cup off of Ella's hands. Setting it down on the table, a crash echoing from further in the hall. Oh dear.

"Years and years of drinking it." Madame answered and looked out into the doorway. Not really anything to see at the moment. Just a bunch of strange sticks (got to be a better word to describe those things). Better yet, why do those things have a bunch of fabric at the end? Not be very useful "Those are parasols. I think they were found by a previous 'Madame' and they kept them around for some reason. I don't think I've ever actually got one open."

Good to kn- Wait. You can still hear me? I thought that after you all past the door the connection would've been broken. Guess that was somehow not the case. Or perhaps our time spent on the other side solidified whatever strange connection I have with you guys.

But for the moment, both mother's head for the dressing room. Their partners follow right behind, Kollmon setting the diary she grabbed down on the table. Don't really blame you for being curious. Anything of note?

The mole digimon shook her head and dashed off to join up with everyone else. Not that this was really difficult - Madame's dressing room is just down the hall and everyone has short legs. Well, except Cinemon who has four legs. But I digress

"Princess?" Bubbles called out, a claw reaching out from under the stack of 'parasols'. Looks to be quite stuck for the moment.

"We're here, Bubbles." Madame cooed as she grabbed hold of a handful of these 'parasols'. Ella did the same, the couple pulling back at the same time. There we find our little dragon cradling an icy blue parasol. Matching the dress adorning him, this 'accessory' looks to be a touch too big for him.

"Can I have it?" Bubbles remarked, Phusitmon pulling himself up from said 'parasol'. While not in a good mood, the plush rabbit digimon looks no worse for the wear. Especially as he tried to pull the rod away. After, he let his focus turn to Madame and Ella.

"Uh..." Madame remarked as they picked up the parasol from Phusitmon. Moving it about for the moment, there has to be some sort of way to activate it. Maybe there's a button on the side?

Moving a hand about the parasol, a click followed and the fabric opened up. Good to see we've solved that mystery. Which just begs the question on whether or not Bubbles would be able to hold it.

So carefully, the thief handed the parasol back to their child. The little dragon waves it about, trying his hardest to not fall over. He's mostly successful on that front. Though, how the heck is he going to close that thing?

Ella's gaze swiveled over to her girlfriend at the moment. Then it's over to Bubbles, who gladly hands over his newfound toy. While it takes her a few minutes, eventually the parasol returns to its closed state or whatever you're supposed to call this form.

"Maybe when you're a bit bigger, dear." Madame explained and got a nod from the little dragon. Setting the parasol upright, they find themselves assaulted with hugs. Definitely worse things to be treated too. Especially as Ella joined Bubbles in this embrace.

.

Across town, Blaze was still on his way home. Sure, things looked mostly how they were when you left, but that could be the result of a variety of factors. All of which are out of your control.

"Oh, Hi Mister." the dancer called out, staring up towards the sky. Yeah. It would seem that I'm able to talk to you guys here. I'm not completely sure why it's happening (perhaps it has something to do with the salamon that appeared on my end). "Wait. You have a digimon now?"

Yeah. I'm just as confused as you are. Not sure why me or DM really need a digimon at the moment. Were both narrators. What is use is a digital monster to us when our main focus is on people in other worl- Ow. Yes, that's my hand. I'm just trying to explain to Blaze your appearance and to check on how he's doing right now. Yes, that might not be the most interesting thing in the world to you, that's my job. I am very much aware that the world around me is in complete ruin. It wasn't always like that. Yes, I'm aware that's weir-

Sorry about this. Salamon is still adjusting to his new environment and they seem to have a lot of questions.

"It's alright." Blaze answered, gaze returning back to the streets ahead. The outskirts of town came into view, just a little bit further to his home and hopefully… Dave. As his home got closer, something was different now. What had once been a single room shack had been completely transformed into a small home. Wooden boxes filled with dirt line the front, plants of all kinds growing out from them. A pair of chairs have been set out right beside these containers, with the entrance to the home just a bit to the right of them. Speaking on entrances, the door has gotten a nice shade of blue with a little lantern. Sure, you'll need to light it to get the most use out of it, but that's quite an upgrade from having nothing of the sort when the night comes around. Within all of that, no sign of Dave.

"Probably inside." Balamon suggested, his partner already making his way over to the door. Giving it a slight tap with his foot, the pair waited a couple moments. But no response came to their request to enter. "Maybe he's not ho-"

Balamon was unable to finish that sentence, a pair of arms grabbing hold and wrapping around Blaze's stomach.

"Welcome home, Master!" Dave announced and carefully spun his boyfriend around. For today's excursion, our maid was decked out in a tan shirt and pants with a green apron covering parts of both garments. A pair of boots clung to his feet, which didn't have anything on the sun hat on Dave's head. "You've been gone for a couple of months. I was starting to get worried you weren't coming back, or found someone else…"

Blaze took a deep breath, focusing solely on the face of his boyfriend. He was going to need to make this up for Dave. But how exactly was he going to do that? His hands were nowhere ready to be in a state to actually use anything, let alone something like a knife to chop up just about anything. So slowly, he let his face get closer to Dave's. Lips met lips. The results are… alright. You've seen Munbimon kiss peo-

Still gripping Blaze, Dave's footing shifted and gravity took hold. The two men were pulled down, still in this loving embrace.

"Does that settle this?" Blaze whispered, our couple pulling themselves up. Dave ended his embrace and the two broke away. But not before getting a look at the burns on Blaze's hands. "Yeah… Get dressed and I'll fill you in on what happened.

Dave nodded and opened the door. Heading on through, we find ourselves in a living room. Where else would you put a long mirror with a bar to practice ballet or other types of dance moves.

"What do you think of your new home?" Dave continued, both Blaze and Balamon looking about the space. While there still wasn't much in the way of furniture or things to make it their home, it's quite a step up from what was here before.

"We still do have a kitchen and a bedroom, right?" Blaze remarked, Balamon slithering down his arm and to the floor below. Looks to be mostly carpet, with the space by the large mirror being reserved for wooden flooring.

"Of course." Dave answered, dashing off to the leftmost room. Closing the door behind him, that just leaves our dancer with a moment to his thoughts. Sure, this is definitely not what you were expecting to find when you returned here. Even if Dave didn't build this himself, that's still quite a present he just gave you.

"Yeah…" Blaze whispered and turned to his clothes. Then it's over to the purse. You're not going to do what I think you're going to do… right? "Not at all. I just think it would be a good idea to at least get the bunny girl outfit out."

Oh. I thought you were actually going to get changed right now since it would just be you and Balamon in the room. The only way that could work though is if you're either able to use your hands or Balamon helps you in some fashion.

Balamon's gaze shot up to the ceiling. I'm kidding. There isn't really a good way to have you do that, as much as I think you would like to help. Or was I wrong in my assessment?

"Fair enough." the snake digimon announced and slithered back over to his partner. Currently, Blaze was looking for a place to put his purse down. Then he could get to pulling the outfit and show it to Dave. Or would've, if his maid hadn't opened the door. Decked out in the maid dress from before, this is as a good of a time as any to look at his hair. Sure, it was pretty close to a boyish cut when everyone left. Now, it was a long blonde braid hanging near to his waist.

"Let me get for you, master." Dave announced and carefully pulled the dancer's purse off of his arm. In turn, that got a full-on view of the bunny girl costume. Judging by the look he's giving to Blaze at the moment, there's a touch of confusion. Which… fair enough.

"Rantha gave it to me so I could wear it." Blaze explained, his boyfriend's attention turning back to him at the moment. "If you want… I can put it on. You just need to help me do that."

His words ring out, the focus shifting right back to the burns on his palms. This is just as good of a time as any to fill Dave in on your little stunt. Something something, honesty is the best policy. Or something along those lines. Never been too sure how well that works in practice. I digress though. Wasn't entirely sure where I was going with that explanation. Uh… just ignore me for the moment.

"I tried to pole dance and play with fire." Blaze announced and got treated to a look from Dave. Yeah, you kind of deserve that at the moment. Your pole dancing skills were already good enough on their own. You didn't need to use your infusion element at that moment.

Yet, Dave grabbed hold of Blaze's hand and pulled the dancer into the room he had just exited. Bunny girl outfit in hand, I guess that's a good enough explanation. At least get it cleaned in some fashion after this.

Oh right. The room. Compared to the room our pair had just left, this looked to be more intimate. What looks to be a large dresser for outfits stands on the left side of the room, a shoe rack sitting right beside it. Finishing the room off is a large bed for at least two people. Even has a little bed for one's pet. Or in this case, digimon partner.

"Uh… why were you pole dancing?" Dave remarked and got a deep breath from Blaze. Where do we even begin on that front? Better yet, why is a disembodied voice not something that weirds you out. "It's a common part of fiction back where I'm from. Uh… by any chance do you have a name?

Oh. I'm Mister Lore Mage. Yes, Mister is my first name. You can blame my parent's friend for that wonderful choice. To answer your initial question, Blaze was pole dancing because there was a 'club' in the middle of the dungeon we were traversing through. Said floor having a dragon of all creatures guarding it. The only way we could get through is by pole dancing… Yes really.

"Yeah…" Blaze muttered, Dave carefully pulling off his shirt. Next was his pants, with the socks following right after. Good thing you remembered to take off your shoes. "I had the 'bright' idea to use my fire in the hopes of catching the dragon's attention."

Dave nodded, carefully slipping the stockings up his boyfriend's legs. Next comes the heels, even if there was time taken to compare these to the ones on his feet. Look to be around the same size, though I doubt it's good for a maid to have their mind on footwear of all things. But I digress, the leotard coming next.

"Did you at least get their attention?" Dave continued and Blaze looked away. Guess this is now my turn to tell this story. To answer your question, Dave, yes. Blaze did in fact get the attention of the dragon. Which his teammates took as their opportunity to book it to the staircase. Something the dragon didn't take too kindly for some reason. He wanted to see Bubbles, who's a little red dragon. Though… a friend of ours bailed them with this 'car' thing once we had dealt with Rantha's large bird thing.

The bracelets come next, followed by the collar. Then it's just the bunny ears. Slipping those onto the dancer's head, the look is complete.

"What do you think?" Blaze remarked, finding his boyfriend drawn in. Leading the maid over to the bed, both men fall onto it. "Let's stay like this for a bit."

"Yeah…" Dave whispered, finding himself wrapped in the embrace of his boyfriend.

.

Yvonne had chosen to take the scenic route around Aldia before heading back to her home. To be fair, it's a good idea to look over your surroundings to see what's changed. Oh right. I'm still able to talk to you guys but I'm not exactly sure… why. Also, DM and I have been given a Salamon by someone… I don't think it was the same person

"Good to know?" Yvonne remarked and took a deep breath. Even as what remained of the alleyways, work looks to be mainly focused on putting roofs over people's heads. Especially as one of the few inns was destroyed a couple months ago. "Wait. It's been a couple months?"

Yeah… There hasn't been any special occasions that could have possibly happened while you were gone, right?

The knight looked away, carefully pulling out the cherry-scented stuffed bear in her armor. As hopefully as she had been to find some kind of thread and a needle to repair the damages done, that had turned out to be unlikely. Even then, that still would require explaining the injury to the bear along with that of her armor.

"What's this about a hole in your armor?" a voice called out and Yvonne turned around, Marulyn right in front of her at the moment. Still decked out in her mage robes, she looked a touch frustrated. I would probably be as well if the person I loved was gone for a couple months with no real update on what they were doing. Which would be on top of the increase of work said person created by accident that you now have to deal with.

"Some crazy lady tried to impale me." Yvonne explained, the rings of her khakkhara jingling about as she came to a stop. Marulyn's gaze shifted away from the hole in the knight's armor and over to her weapon of choice. "I did manage to grab this strange weapon off of her in the process, though."

A nod, followed by the knight pulling her girlfriend in. The embrace that follows is tender yet careful. Don't want to break the armor anymore than it already is currently.

"You did bring me the scrap necessary to forge you a new pair of gauntlets?" Marulyn inquired, Yvonne opening her purse up. Out comes the scrap metal, collected mere days ago. Well… mere digital days ago. Not quite sure how it compares to days in Aldia exactly. Doesn't really matter. "Good. Happy Birthday by the way."

Notes:

And we're back. Quite a lot chiller chapter than usual. Mostly because things are going to be peaceful. At least for the next couple in-universe days.

.

Next Time: Lots of talking.