I don't own digimon.
Chapter 23
What a...
Back outside, our heroes took the time to warm up. Well, I can only assume as much. Especially as the large ice cube of a clothing store slowly melted in front of them. Which our shopkeeper deemed as a perfect time to run off and possibly spend some time with their significant other.
"Sorry about this, Yvonne." she explained, getting a look at the barbarian's garb for the moment. "You do look nice in Marulyn's clothes."
Yvonne's face went pink, trying her best to hide it from view for the moment. But it was quite obvious at the moment. Especially when Blaze and company noticed the garment in question. Which brings with it the obvious question of 'why'.
"The alleyways got destroyed with vines by the Artisan." Yvonne explained, taking a deep breath as her gaze returned to Blaze and Dave. "Also, Madame might've drugged you two."
Time seems to stand still, Blaze's grip tightening on his boyfriend's hand. Part of him wanted to lash out at the moment, go hunt down Madame. But he took a deep breath. No use in setting a bad example. Especially with how tired he was at the moment.
"You going to be alright?" Balamon inquired, feeling his partner's body shift slightly. A nod followed. "Okay. We might want to make this quick."
Yvonne nodded, a deep breath following. Guess we're going to get an answer to the elephant in the room at the moment. Though, I do see a teddy bear poking out. Just can't seem to get it away from you, can you? Always has a way of returning to you.
"Marulyn (my girlfriend) is 'hopefully' repairing my armor." the barbarian explained as she shifted the robes slightly. "To make sure she wasn't doing something stupid and try to 'improve' it, I left Munbimon with her."
.
"Let's see now…"
In the little corner of the alleyways, a 'hidden' workshop was bustling with action. The hum of a forge echoes about, the subjects staring over the work.
"I'm throwing you off, aren't I?" Munbimon remarked, Marulyn looking away. The result is crystal clear though. She can see it everywhere. From the lines marking what look to be lifespans for both elves and orcs. Anatomy charts and of course, the suits of armor. Most of those deplyed in the defense of the alleyways are nothing more than scrap metal. "A thorn in your side, a spanner in the wo-"
Marulyn turned around. She's dressed in leather armor, a blacksmith's apron hanging right over it. Hammer in hand, work appears to be occurring on the gauntlets.
"What's a spanner?"
Munbimon looked away, just realizing the words that had just exited her mouth. Turning back to the mage, she took a deep breath.
"A tool. Doesn't really matter." the ghost monkey digimon remarked, trying her best to keep on topic after that social flub. "What's your endgame here?"
The words roll on out, Marulyn's gaze falling to the floor. When she got her hands on that halfling, more than words would be shed in that moment. But that was an unlikely possibility. No, what happened with that 'Artisan' guy and the vines was just pure coincidence and nothing more. Then why was that woman so fixated on knowing about her and Yvonne's relationship? Sure, it was kind of public knowledge at this point among the orcs and succubi that made up the tribe inhabiting Aldia. Maybe it was a way to understand the barbarian better. Though, there's a multitude of ways to accomplish that without asking her.
"To have her around for along as I'm alive." Marulyn whispered, Munbimon's gaze turning to one of the suits of armor. This one in particular seemed to be a near complete match to the one that Yvonne usually wore. But on closer inspection, it appeared to be more ornamental. A mix of what Munbimon assumed to be elven symbols written within. "Whether that takes the form of a suit of armor or turning her into a succu-"
Munbimon floated over to the mage, giving her a slight slap. Marulyn took the gesture, pulling the ghost monkey digimon off of her.
"What about now?" Munbimon remarked, not at all amused. "She really wants to give you back that bear of yours. Why do you go out of your way to evade her? Some secret project or something?"
She initially received silence as her answer, her subject looking back to her incomplete work. Was there really an answer that would some fulfill the somewhat lofty requirements that this ghost monkey wanted from her at the moment. Sure, she had wanted to keep her goals a bit more secretive, but that plan had gone out the window yesterday.
"Yvonne has so much work, protecting the village from any potential invaders." Marulyn started, gaze slowly returning to her guest. "She's the daughter of the chieftain, I need to make sure that her burden is eased as much as possible."
Another slap. This one, a lot less subtle. Lot more painful too. More of a light scratch than anything playful. Surprising that such a small creature can pack quite a punch. But when you don't know anything about them, that can make this all a learning process. Not that I mind such things.
"You need to savor the time you have with her now, not the time that comes after." the ghost monkey digimon announced, her partner for the moment returning to their work. "I don't know how long I'll get with Yvonne. For all I know, she might not be the first person that I've ever been with. I have no real way of knowing."
Closing her eyes, she saw a person. The details were all a blur, almost as if to taunt her in that moment. Just barely, she could make out a large block of steel with wheels. Wonder what's that?
"You alright?"
Munbimon opened her eyes, gaze meeting returning Marulyn for the moment. The words spoken have done nothing for her. Guess you'll need more for that.
"I know." the mage remarked, turning back to her work. "Doesn't change things at the moment. I understand where you're coming from though."
.
"She should hopefully be alright." Yvonne remarked, Blaze taking a deep breath. Guess it was now his turn to tell his story. Not that they could see that cutaway. Not sure if that's for the best. "So I'm guessing you guys had a run-in with him as well?"
Blaze and Dave nod. Bubbles does the same, only to look towards Yvonne for the moment.
"Madame, not want me?" the dragon cooed, the three humanoids looking away. While this had come up earlier today, the dancer and his maid had thought they had nipped it in the bud. Guess that was far from the case. Especially with that sigh from Yvonne at the moment.
"I think she just needed some time alone." the barbarian explained, Bubbles half-listening to her right now. "Maybe later, she'll want to be with you."
That answer gets her a look. The head pat that follows does some work in easing the way he probably feels at the moment. But not much. Quite possible that Madame has made an effort to avoid her own home like the plague after grabbing her whip. For what reason, I'm not sure. Maybe she needs some time with her thoughts or perhaps all this time with people has made her want some time alone. Who can really say.
Then she's back on Blaze and Dave. Quite impressive how the initial goal of this conversation has been maneuvered around into all these side conversations. Not that I mind, just kind of frustrating. You guys have a way of derailing things. Guess I need to learn to adapt to that.
"After taking Dave to get some clothes and buying him a maid outfit for work at home." Blaze explained, Dave doing a curtsy for the moment. He's getting better, though he's a long way from getting it perfect. "Then the Artisan showed up on us."
Yvonne nodded, quite curious about where this would go. Not that it was a real secret at this point. Rantha kind of froze everything in his sight because he was hungry or something. Not that our heroes would really know about that.
"He was looking for a suit, you idiots." Carinamon announced, quite proud of himself for some reason. Blaze was bound to get to the part about the suit. No sense in rushing him at the moment. It's been kind of a long day. "If anything, it's your fault for pissing him off."
Blaze knelt down and looked towards the scorpion. While Carinamon had made reference to something earlier today, he hadn't elaborated on it. Considering that it happened all in the middle of his request to see Blaze dance, let's hear this.
"He and I had a 'trip' of sorts." the scorpion digimon explained, trying his best to make sure he was heard. Even while still being held by Bubbles still. Though, I think he most definitely was. "We saw… our home."
Yvonne joined Blaze in kneeling down. Though, Balamon had taken the snake equivalent of sitting for the moment. Never know when your opponent's digimon partner is going to break free and attack everyone again.
"Where exactly is your home?" Yvonne continued, getting a look as she set her warhammer down. Though the hand still hanging onto it was more of a defense mechanism for the moment. Don't blame her for feeling that way. When the place you lived in has been leveled to the ground, you kind of have to work your way back up to being fine.
"How the heck am I supposed to know?" Carinamon answered, claws clicking rapidly at the moment. Ribbon had been fitted on the wrists, contrasting greatly with the feathers at the moment. "It just… happened. I'm not really sure how to explain it to you numbskulls. Let alone why I was shown this place again."
A light pat from Bubbles followed his statement, not that it was really reciprocated. If anything, Carinamon seemed ready to try and make a break for it.
"Don't even think about it." Phusitmon warned, warming up for any possible bubble blowing. Kind of harmless looking, but effective when the situation came up. "Suppose you do escape, then what? Your master has pissed off a good chunk of the town. You're not going to get real far."
Carinamon just sighed. They had him beat, more or less. Even if he did escape the arms of his captor, what was the point? Between the dancer and the not-so-armored orc lady, they could easily catch him. Though, you're also forgetting about Bubbles at the moment. At least consider him in your analysis. He's just as big of a team member as Madame. Even if she isn't here right now.
"Fine. I'll cooperate." he muttered, everyone's gazes back on him for the moment. "Anything you would like to as-"
"Caarpton?" the little dragon croaked out, trying to smooth his dress right after. Thankfully, he had the help of Phusitmon in that regard. Even if Carinamon had to ruin it by smashing his stinger into the dragon's body. How rude.
"Oh right. That little magic trick." the scorpion digimon muttered, smirk forming his face. Not sure what he could be so happy about. "Unlike you numbskulls who refuse to digivolve your digimon or just don't know how to, Distant Harmony have that power and even more. But to harness it, we have to force ourselves to limit our abilities so it doesn't work."
That statement sounds like something you pull out of your nonexistent butt.
"Digivolution?" Yvonne inquired, grip on her warhammer tightening. While she didn't see a problem in the way they were doing things, but for their supposed opponents to somehow be better than them? Okay, there might be some supposed grain of truth to that. But something told her that was highly unlikely. They had to be at least evenly matched. So she let her gaze focus on Balamon and Phusitmon for the moment. They don't seem to really understand it either.
"Yes, the process of going one form to another." Carinamon continued, ready to laugh. Please don't. I doubt Rantha would li- "Don't you say that name."
Why not? You seemed totally fine when I referred to your partner by that in the clothing store.
"Just. Shut. Your. Fucking. Mouth."
Joke's on you. I'm scribing this down. You're just hearing my commentary the few times I'm actually speaking.
"Go eat a bag of dicks." Carinamon muttered, feeling his entire body get hugged by Bubbles. When that didn't work, he squeezed even harder. Uh… You might want to try a different tactic at this point. Mostly because this definitely isn't working. Sort of like call me a bag of dicks. I don't even care that you called me that. I'm more annoyed that you didn't go with a bag of shit instead. "So, are you going to stand here all cute, or are you actually going to move?"
Ignoring the stupid scorpion for the moment, Bubbles looked about. While he had possibly hoped to see Madame at this point, it's kind of unlikely their paths wi-
"She's probably in the cemetery." Carinamon announced, Bubbles breaking into a full-on dash. There was a wave behind him, even if the dash wasn't so refined at the moment.
Which brings right back to Yvonne and co.
"Well… crud." Blaze remarked, taking a deep breath. A squeeze of Dave's hand followed. "As I was saying, the Artisan wanted me to dance for him. Then he froze the entire clothing store over."
Yvonne nodded and stood back up for the moment. Blaze did something similar, but not before giving Balamon a chance to slither back onto his leg. Then it's a short trip up to his shoulder.
"Then your dragon friend, Bubbles did something and got himself poison powers from Carinamon." Dave added, letting out a deep breath as his gaze turned to that of his master. While there was a possibility of no dinner, he got the feeling that he wouldn't go hungry tonight. Hopefully. Would suck if he did. "You do know of a cheap restaurant for lunch/maybe dinner?"
Yvonne chuckled.
"The Shaky Walls Cafe is always a good bet." the barbarian suggested, getting a nod from Dave in return. "Is that all?"
Blaze nodded, giving a wave right after as the pair headed off. Which just leaves Yvonne for the moment. Mission definitely not accomplished. Sure, she had hoped to get a change of clothes, but that was unlikely with all the ice at the moment.
"I guess I can go back." she thought, beginning the trip back towards the alleyways. Even from here, the damage was quite visible. At least a couple months work, possibly years before they would be back to normal. Yet, she pushed that thought out of her head. Right now, she had a single destination in mind and there was little to stop her at the moment. But as her destination came into view, she took a deep breath. While the barbarian always had her suspicions on what Marulyn wanted to do, this was the moment of truth. Pulling the door open, she takes the room in.
It's still the same room from our earlier cutaway. All the posters and other creepy, incriminating stuff
Memory of Madame's warning comes right back to her. Though after the appearance of those winged armors, things look to be crashing down.
"Welcome." Munbimon greeted, making her way over to her partner. "Marulyn didn't make any modifications, but she was tempted too."
Marulyn nodded, watching Yvonne pull the teddy bear out. She tries to hand it over to her girlfriend, but the mage refused. Handing it back, her gaze shifted away from Yvonne.
"I'm not ready to have him back yet." Marulyn explained, getting a sigh from the barbarian. Definitely not the answer Yvonne had been hoping for. Especially as she walked over to her armor and fitted it on. "I'm sorry."
Marulyn got a head shake.
"I'm not entirely sure how to feel, Marulyn." Yvonne explained, trying her best to ignore the decorations of her girlfriend's private abode. "It's just… I'm not sure if we both have the same idea on what we want our relationship to be."
Munbimon shot her a glance. Kind of expected if that cutaway is anything to go about. No offense to Marulyn, of course.
"So you're breaking up wi-"
Yvonne shook her head. That was the last thing that the barbarian wanted at this point. No, what was needed was something else entirely - refocusing of some kind. Getting on the same page for any future bumps in the road after so much together. Of which there were bound to be many. Such as this particular one right in front of them going down right now.
"No, I just think we both want the same thing - but we're going about it in such a way that we're working against each other." the barbarian explained, Munbimon climbing up onto her back. "Do you think we can both think about it at least?"
Marulyn nodded, watching the pair exit. While her plans had changed, that was the least of her worries. Right now, she just needed to think. Maybe then, some sort of solution or better yet - the next step would come her way. Yet, why did her heart beat just a bit faster in that moment. While the fear of getting rejected after taking the next step had been there, it quickly got replaced with something else. Was this love? Or are you both just a bit crazy? I think it's a little bit of both. Nothing wrong with that,
"I will, Yvonne." Marulyn muttered, turning her attention to her plans. For the moment at least, those would need to go on the back burner.
Notes:
Believe or not, that last scene was probably one of the hardest I've had to write. Mostly because I wanted it to not be complete mess while at the same time, making it clear that Yvonne was not happy about this. Though, maybe if Marulyn had brought the idea the idea then maybe she would be a bit more receptive to it. We'll have to see.
At the time of posting, Digital Dungeons will be going on a short break. Mostly so I can have some time to play Pokemon Sword and work AWC's '100th' chapter.
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Next time: The professor has one question they want to ask you...