I don't own digimon.

Chapter 21

Scattered Recollections

It hadn't been the Artisan's intention to run into Blaze and Bubbles now of all times. For once, he was not on Distant Harmony business in regards to destroying this world. Which, he was successful in regards of decimating the alleyways, that makes up a small part of Aldia. Considering how rash and destructive you've been the last couple days, I doubt you have a plan for the rest of the town. Or is the plan so secretive you can't tell me outright? Either one works in this situation.

The Artisan shook his fist towards the ceiling, thoughts of inflicting harm to the disembodied voice already forming within. Why didn't this guy understand that he already had enough on his plate without adding his stupid opinion of it all to it? Maybe he did but still needed to do the job and was just tired of all the confusing and contradictory decisions being made at the moment. Didn't think of that, did you? Not many really do.

"Why thank you, Captain Obvious." the Artisan announced, focus already shifting from the ceiling to the shopkeeper for the moment. Carinamon kept glaring for a couple seconds before joining his partner in his staring. Not sure what's that about.

Though judging by the glare in return they were both getting at the moment, their appearance was not welcomed one bit - money or not. I can only wonder why.

"I would suggest not trying to destroy this place." the shopkeeper threatened, flashing a knife towards her possible customer\. Looks like you couldn't cut paper with that thing. Let alone fend off someone like the Artisan. Hopefully this isn't your only option. Though, I don't quite know the extent of this particular variant.

"So you plan to grind me to death with that thing?" the Artisan remarked, watching the succubus set the bladed tool down and shift her focus back to him and his scorpion. "I would like your finest suit."

The shopkeeper looked to Blaze and Dave, motioning them to come over. Oh boy. Pretty much says it all. Of course, the pair just stood there for the moment. A lose-lose situation they had found themselves in. Well, I guess I wouldn't go that far. You started with a win-win and got that. Now you're in a possible win-lose situation that could change on you at any moment, a far cry from a lose-lose situation.

"You want me to handle this?" Dave inquired and got a head shake from Blaze. While sure, Dave probably knew the Artisan better. But considering the inevitable brawl that's probably going to happen, this is probably for the best. "I'll be right behind you no matter what, master."

Blaze's face went bright red. Of course Dave went there. Looked even cuter when he said stuff like that. Made it all the more harder when that troupe came back around. Unless he… No, the fighter would need to give it some more thought at the moment. To commit in this moment was not the best thing to do. No, he would need to give it some more thought. Heck, even bring up the possibility of Dave holding down the fort. No, that would be too long of a period. What about his teammates?

Though, might want to keep that for more private time. Don't want to people to go around thinking you're in one of those sorts of relationships. Especially considering what happened to the last group of maids. Though, Bubbles and Phusitmon are the only ones who know about that.

"Looking sharp, Dave." the Artisan cooed, getting a look from Blaze. A deep breath followed. The temptation to follow it up with something rude was most definitely there, but he held his tongue. Instead, what came out was more of a groan in what I think is our fighter's fashion sense. To be fair, I probably wouldn't trust Blaze to pick a suit out for me. No offense, but your dancing is the main highlight. Not the clothes you wear.

"Any suit in particular you would like?" Blaze started, hand shaking about the handle of his blade. While he had a general idea of what he had wanted to accomplish today, helping someone with a suit was not on that list. Let alone that someone being the Artisan of all people. But when life gives you rocks, you make a fire with them.

"No you idiot, you take those stupid lemons life seems to have an endless supply of and make fucking lemonade!" the Artisan screeched, fist shaking at the ceiling. Really dude? I'm not even from the same world as you. Don't just assume that every phrase needs to match up with the ones you're speaking at the mom-

The Artisan's eyes glaze over. He's no longer in this random little clothing store in Aldia with everyone. He's back in his shop, staring down a strange woman.

Body decked out in color and skin showing all about, even the hair spiked out fit perfectly on her. Not that he would ever say such things. Especially since she had already taken the time to say those things for her. Had all come about when she dropped all her junk off for him to sell. Though in truth, he usually gave that stuff back to the creatures in the cover of darkness when the agreed upon day came around.

"I'm sorry." he whispered, watching her turn around and walk out the door, slamming it on the way out. Part of him was kicking himself for being so immature and juvenile to this gal. This might've been his one and only chance and he had blown spectacularly. Of course he had. That's what always happened to him. Everything he did was doomed to fail.

But why did glimpses of that woman fade back in? Dressed in a white, flowing dress, she's heading toward him. He's happy. Undeniably so. They're standing in a chapel of all places with their colleagues and families all in attendance. This was supposed to be the happiest moment of his life. Or one of the happiest.

But why does it feel so wrong? Like a memory that you remember but didn't really happen. So the Artisan tried to concentrate. Nothing specific, just anything that could clear the fog that had engulfed his head. Try as he might, the fog held on with all it's might. Worst, the details kept changing on him. Why couldn't he remember the name of this woman? No, now they were a man. No woman. Man. Woman. Something in between. A slime. Now his memories were just taunting him. He hated when that happened.

"Has this happened before?" he told himself, trying to remember. But outside of this strange mental note, nothing came from it. Especially has his little prison began to shift about and give way on itself

"Artisan?"

Returning to reality, his gaze returned to Blaze. To some extent, he debated apologizing, but that felt out of character. Especially after the events that went down yesterday and that vial getting reflected back at him. That was definitely not your finest moment. Which I guess isn't saying much in your regards.

"Did something happen?" the fighter remarked, getting face down with a glare from his possible opponent. "Sorry. I'll let it dr-"

The Artisan shook his head. A sigh followed. There was no getting around it in this current moment. Especially after his little daydream hallucination thing. Okay. Maybe a little white lie would work here. Those were simple enough. Keep the prying away and maybe offer an opportunity. Even if he wouldn't mind a rematch with Bubbles at the moment. He doubted such a chance would come in his current moment. So taking the second pick in this moment wouldn't be that bad.

"Just thinking." he muttered, scanning the area for the suits. While definitely not something that a clothing store would keep out in the open, this place was bound to have some. Right? "You know where the suits are, right?"

Blaze nodded, leading his foe towards the back of the store. Bubbles and co. followed right behind. Just in case things did go south and Blaze needed some support.

The suit made up the smallest section of clothes in this shop dedicated to garments, with just a small handful of said suits propped up in the corner. Considering the large population of succubi in Aldia, that makes a lot of sense. But that's a generalization. Quite likely that I'm assuming this to be the case more than anything else.

"Are you sure this is all you have?" the Artisan remarked, Blaze's gaze shooting over to the shopkeeper. A shrug, then back on over to his 'customer'. Which got him a sigh. "For being a clothing store, was expecting something a bit more… fancy."

Blaze took a deep breath. He was well in the deep end at the moment. So he turned his attention to his boyfriend. Whispering under his breath, the maid managed to pick up the general idea of what he was saying. I think at least, since it was too low for me to hear in the first place. Don't you hate it when that happens? Okay, maybe that's me.

"How do you already know that you won't like it?" the fighter countered and got a look from the Artisan. Letting out a groan, everything freezing up for the moment. He was back in his shop, Carinamon on his shoulder. When had he come into his life and turn it on his head? It had to be at least a couple years. Maybe even longer, with the way that years would sometimes would blend together. Or at least, that's what he thought.

"Dude, what do you have to offer?"

Scrambling back over to his counter, his gaze came upon the people at the door. Some ragtag group of adventurers, two men and two women. Decked in a mix of leather and metal, just starting out in this crazy world. Just passing through to reach the large tower outside of town. The name of which eluded the Artisan's head at the moment. He swore he had known it at one time, but it just seemed to evade him for some reason. Why?

"You." one of the men remarked, blowing a kiss. For reasons that eluded him, he blew a kiss back. "Sorry it's been so long, Rantha."

Under his mask, Rantha's cheeks glowed pink. Outside of Melody back at base, it had been quite a while since he had been called that. Looking down at himself, he was no longer dressed in his coat and I can only assume mask, but instead in an outfit more similar to Blaze's. By that, I mean he was dressed in a shirt and trousers. Just his getup included an apron. Covered in a mix of cheese and potions, it shouted 'him'. Not a bad thing, mind you. Just the picture I'm getting at the moment.

"It's alright." he remarked, turning around to grab what looked to be some health potions. Freshly brewed to boot. Nor does there seem to be any potion slimes within. That would absolutely suck if there somehow were. "Freshly brewed, on the house."

The man nodded, making his way over to the counter. A brunette, his orange eyes no worse for the wear. Greatsword on his back, it jingled about with each step. Looked well-used.

"You better come back." Rantha continued, a chuckle from his boyfriend in return. "If I find out that you haven't…"

A vial of green liquid is set down on the table. While held within the glass, it seemed ready to break out and eat one of them. Spoke too soon on the

"Got it, cuddlebuns." the man remarked, getting a side hug from the Artisan. The gesture felt quite nice, even if it did bring both of them dangerously close to the vial. "Probably should put that away. Before it breaks."

Rantha nodded, vial of poison going away. A wave from both him and his partner followed right after. The party then exited, bringing us back to reality.

Rantha was still standing there, though Dave was currently doing something with his arm. From this angle, it appears he has two fingers on Rantha's arm. Blaze is watching intently, possibly in the hopes of picking it up on the off-chance something happens and things go south. Which is a pretty good idea. I think at least

"His pulse is good, so I'm not sure what exactly is wrong with him." the maid remarked and turned to his boyfriend. "Though, I would still be on your guard."

Blaze took a deep breath, shifting his gaze over to the shopkeeper. She's already flipped the sign to closed and was now moving the more valuable garments somewhere safe.

He appreciated Dave's analysis, that didn't change the possibility of things going ugly and having to bring out his sword. So the fighter let his attention return to the Artisan. Currently, his possible opponent remained glazed over. Though, Bubbles was tugging at the bottom of his cloak.

"Heal?" the little dragon cooed, getting a look from both Blaze and Phusitmon at the moment. Though, it would be his partner that gave him a tap.

"I don't think so." Phusitmon remarked, turning his attention to the fighter for the moment. "Anything that we can do for you?"

Blaze let out a sigh. Leadership was not one of his qualities (Yvonne was the one you look for in that regard), but in the middle of this fire hazard of a building, he could act as one. Maybe.

"Do you think you can help the shopkeeper out with moving the clothes. As much as I would like to not set something on fire, no guarantees."

Phusitmon nodded, Bubbles making a beeline for the shopkeeper. She looked to be appreciating the help. Even if the urge to hug the dragon was absolutely immeasurable right now.

That just left Blaze and Dave for the moment. Oh. Rantha too. But I'm not entirely sure what the fuck is going on with him at the moment. From the looks of things, he's still in his shop. The group of adventurers are long gone now and it's just the two of them - alone.

"Rantha…" Carinamon remarked, tapping the Artisan. Maybe he would listen to him right now. He had too. Right? "We can't stay here."

But his partner wasn't listening. No, he was more focused on the door leading out. Was he expecting someone to come on through? Surely there can't be anyone else who could grace us with their presence right now. Could there?

"Hello, Rantha." a voice called out, the world beginning to distort and tear. As if someone had pulled this place away and the inhabitants were unable to put it back together. "I would like to free you from your shackles."

The rest of the conversation is complete garbage, garbled and unintelligible. Crap. Just lost my connection.

Ejected back to reality, Blaze had one final preparation to make. A simple one, but required if things did go wrong. Which was quite likely to happen in this sort of place.

"Master?" Dave inquired and watched Blaze turn around. "Is there anything that you want me to do for you?"

The fighter looked away, mumbling something under his breath. This I highly doubt got through to the maid. If it did, I call bull.

"Uh… you want me to stay behind you?" Dave continued, getting a chuckle in return. After, the Artisan began to shift his body about. Did bring Blaze's gaze back on over.

"No." Blaze answered and took a deep breath. As requests went, this was kind of embarrassing. The sort of thing he wouldn't ask any other time. But in this moment, might be the moment that he needed it most. "Could you act as encouragement?"

Dave gave him a look. Then a nod.

"So a cheerleader then?" the maid remarked, getting a look. What's a cheerleader. Better yet, what's a cheer? Oh. I guess I'm not getting that answered, since the glazed expression of our foe has disappeared.

"Is there anything that I can do for you?" Blaze inquired, trying his best to give Rantha some space. Though, the vial that was now in the artisan's hand was cause for concern. Even more so when said vial 'slipped' out from his hands.

"Why yes, actually." the Artisan remarked, a green blob erupting forth from their glass prison. Doesn't look too happy. "Give me a show, dancer. I wish to see if those feet of yours are truly as amazing as your hospitality.

Blaze shot his opponent a confused glance, Balamon slithering to the floor. Probably should've waited. But that's just me. The random narrator guy who's not well liked by the bad guy's. In other news, water is wet and fire is hot.

"If this is going to be a tag-team, let me join." Carinamon added, getting a look from his master. A nod, then the clicking of claws. "This is going to be fun."

Scimitar coming out, Blaze did a quick survey of the area. While the temptation to use his infusion was tempting, it was best to wait. Don't want to destroy the stock. Especially when your money is still on the counter, uncounted. Perfectly understandable.

Nonetheless, Rantha's blob thing made the first move. Took the form of the charging of something. Then a charge forward.

Bite!

Balamon lunged forward, sinking his fangs in. No dice. So Blaze carefully grabbed hold of his partner and pulled back. Enough for Balamon to be set free and deliver a tail slap. Which sounded kind of satisfying.

"Thank you." Balamon whispered, feeling the fighter let go of him. After, he decided to shake about as his partner began his routine. Which as it turned out, was a bit of stretching. Always good to do. Never want to tear something in the middle of a battle. Then it's dancing time.

Notes:

This was really fun to write, not going to lie. Especially as we now have a better picture of Rantha. Which is always a plus.

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Next Time: Let's make a deal. No, really.