I don't own digimon.

Chapter 27

Yesterday's News, Today's Problems

Ella was used to the strange sights. She was an innkeeper after all. But after the flooding of orcs and succubi from Aldia's alleyways, seeing Yvonne carrying what the artificer could only assume to be her girlfriend was not what she was expecting. Well sure, she knew a handful of elves. But none of those ones dressed like they were some sort of performer. Well, if you didn't count that one straggler who accidentally hurt himself attempting to match Blaze's moves. That was an awful day for everyone who was involved. But that was a couple years ago and she doubted he remembered that. Though, she wasn't sure what had prompted her to remember in the first place. Heads are funny in that regard.

"Uh… Sorry about the increase in customers." Yvonne greeted, taking a deep breath. Munbimon jumped down, which brought forth Cinemon. "According to Blaze, Madame had a bit of a tantrum yesterday. Do you think you can come with me to go grab her?"

Ella was gone by the time that Yvonne had even finished her sentence. For a dwarf, she's far faster than she looks to be. A skill that's handy for moving and deploying turrets. Not sure how that factors into running an inn. Maybe cleaning? Guess I can see that to an extent.

Coming back moments later, trenchcoat and briefcase in hand. Cinemon did let out a chuckle. After, he made his way over to the door. There it was a simple matter of flipping the open sign to closed. Even though there's a large crowd of orcs and succubi laying about the lobby. Content as they may be for the moment with their current living situation, something more permanent is definitely needed. Whether or not that'll take the form of the alleyways being completely rebuilt, more buildings or something else entirely remains to be seen.

"I'm ready." she announced, trying her best to look up towards Yvonne. When that didn't work, her focus shifted to Munbimon for the moment. "What's the story of the girl?"

Yvonne let out a chuckle. Shifting the position of her precious cargo, she took the time to kneel down. Still quite a height difference between the two. Trying laying down next time? Actually, scratch that. Probably expend too much effort for the sake of being at eye level or something.

"Girlfriend." the barbarian explained, getting a slight tap from Marulyn. Didn't really hurt. Even if it had, she would've needed to punch through the armor. Can't really think of many people capable of doing that. "She's in very big trouble with me at the moment."

A shrug, followed by a sigh. Guess someone doesn't agree with that fact. It's always good to at least ask for permission before committing to what could possibly be a permanent change to a living humanoid - orc in this case. But I digress.

"If nothing else, you need to eat." Yvonne continued, looking to part of her tribe for the moment. They looked to be paying attention kinda. More of in a passive sort of way. A variety of ragged clothes on full display, this is just their current normal. Could be better. It can possibly be worse. Something something quote about fife. "That goes to the rest of you as well."

Her people gave a nod, Ella returning her focus back to Yvonne. The daughter of chieftain at work. Quite amazing to watch. Probably be even better if I was actually down there and stuff.

"What did she do, exactly?" the artificer remarked and watched her teammate sigh, shaking their passenger awake for the moment. No response. "Do you want me to wake her up?"

Yvonne shook her head and shot Munbimon a look. A nod followed as she stood back up for the moment. Guess we're hearing it from her at the moment.

"She decided to go ahead with the process of turning Yvonne into an animated suit of armor in response to the alleyways getting wrecked by the Artisan." Munbimon explained, Ella taking the time to give Yvonne's leg a slight punch. Turret too much work for you at the moment? Or perhaps she didn't want to go through the trouble of setting up right. Especially with other more critical situations going on at the moment. "Didn't even ask or anything."

Cinemon's focus shifted to Marulyn, the barbarian and her partner heading off. So they followed right behind. While first viewings did suggest someone magical, he at least thought they would ask for permission first.

"Does she have your permission now, Yvonne?" the dog feline digimon inquired, getting a sigh from Yvonne in return. Then a giggle from her passenger.

"I do now!" Marulyn announced, feeling a slight kick from her girlfriend. Nothing too painful for the mage. Or if it was, she wasn't exactly showing it to anyone. "Well, I think I do at least."

Ella chuckled, shooting Yvonne a glance. Tempting as it may be to go off on the barbarian, she had a feeling that she had a lot on their plate. In between being the heir to this tribe, there was the matter of making sure that everything went smoothly and all the needs of her people were met. Sure, the second and third parts were a lot easier now than they used to be.

"It would've been nice of you to at least send me a message saying that I would get a whole bunch of your people at my establishment." the artificer explained, gaze almost a glare at the moment. Not her intention, just what it looks like in this moment. Especially with how often she seemed to be out of the loop on all of this. Considering that Blaze and company passed by the black cat inn yesterday, there's absolutely no reason our barbarian here couldn't tell her. Oh wait. It was getting pretty late and she didn't find out until after it had gone down.

"Sorry about that." Yvonne remarked, following it up with a deep breath. Probably came to the same solution as well. Wouldn't surprise me here. "Also, the town's down a clothing store."
Compared to the alleyways, that's less of a pill to swallow. Doesn't stop Ella's glance from getting sharper for the moment.

"And how exactly did that happen?" the artificer continued, taking the time to pet Cinemon. He accepted the gesture. Though, the dog feline digimon wasn't quite sure what he had done to earn that. He was being a good listener. Has to be. Maybe a good fish or even would make this day even better. Oh right. Still can't hear me. My mistake.

"Artisan. Again." Yvonne continued, Blaze and Balamon joining our little crew for the moment. Refreshed at first glance, there's definitely something on his mind at the moment. "Hi Blaze."

"Hi Yvonne, Ella." the dancer greeted, getting a wave from the artificer in return. "I'm guessing you heard what happened with Madame last night?"

Ella shook her head. This was getting absolutely silly. How many different events occur right under her nose without a word from her teammates. So she took a deep breath and let her gaze split it's attention between the two chosen. Looked to have got the message. But only time will really tell us how effective it truly was here. But I digress.

"Just keep me in the loop next time." she remarked, focusing back on Yvonne. "So what exactly happened at this clothing store?"

Blaze let out a nervous chuckle, getting a look from Cinemon in return. Oh yeah. That incident. Or would it be a series of incidents, counting the part that came after exiting the store where Carinamon had that tantrum and called me a bag of dicks. Which I still proudly wear as a title. At least till someone suggests far better one for me. That sort of thing I'm flexible with. What isn't, is my duties. This war be damned. Currently, everyone is holding down in the catacombs. Hasn't been the easiest thing in the world, but it'll work for the moment. Least till we can find some place that isn't in the middle of a battlefield currently. Easier said than done, I know. But we'll get there eventually. If not, it's nice knowing you people. Or at least, the impression that I do to at least someone out there. Oh sorry. I got off-topic. My mistake. There's quite a lot going on at the moment.

Back with our heroes, the Shaky Walls Cafe has finally come into view. Though I get the feeling that this isn't the end of our walking for the moment. Nonetheless, our trio and their partners pass through the door and take in the small bit of carnage from earlier. Well, at least what remains of the bowl and the cold soup.

"Welcome to the Shaky Walls Cafe." Marigold greeted, deep breath coming right after. "If you're looking for your friend, she threw a tantrum and headed back to her mansion."

Then it was over to Marulyn. Walking over to her daughter, it was now her turn to play the game of piggyback. Still not sure what that has to do with pigs.

"Let me guess." the waitress continued, "Forgot to ask for someone's permission and wanted to do something big?"

Yvonne nodded, looking away at the last second. Even after taking the time to grab her girlfriend, making sure she didn't escape on her and go and grab Ella, she hadn't come up with an explanation for what Marulyn wanted to do. How exactly do you tell a woman that yes, you're totally fine with her daughter turning you into a living suit of armor. It's just that you would've preferred if she had actually gotten your permission beforehand. Sure, it's one thing to

"Kinda…" Yvonne started, trying her best to focus. "Marulyn got a little bit ahead of herself in regards to her and I's future. She's also hasn't eaten anything in the last couple days."

Marulyn turned her attention to her daughter. Not even giving her a chance to really defend herself for her actions, she sits the mage down at one of the tables. Though, the snickering coming from the kitchen was less than helpful.

"I'll take it from here." Marulyn continued, patting Yvonne on the shoulder. "Since you're heading for that mansion, I just hope you understand that I'm not a perfect parent."

Our heroes' glances shifted over to waitress, confused by what she was talking. Even more so when she began pushing them out of the restaurant. At least get them some drinks or something. Maybe even a breakfast snack. Those such things should exist. Right? Or am I just imagining it in the hopes that someone would come up with it. A mix of both maybe?

"Well that was odd." Ella muttered, catching Yvonne's gaze on the door. A waving Marulyn could just be made out within. Yvonne made sure to wave back. "You have any idea what she's talking about, Yvonne?"

The barbarian shook her head, focusing back on her teammates. While it was possible Marigold was talking about Marulyn in that moment, she had a feeling that wasn't the case. If so, then what exactly could she be referring to here? Madame? Sure, she seemed to have some idea on what was up with the thief. But was there a relation of sorts there? If so, how did it fit into the grand scheme of things of Aldia.

"Whatever it is, we're probably going to find out." Ella muttered, getting a look from her partner. "What? This is how these mysteries usually go."

Cinemon shook his head. On paper, that line of thinking made perfect sense. There's always a clear line for good and evil. A line that's always crystal clear. Out in the real world, that line far less clear. People like Madame - who could somehow be on both sides which flew in the face of someone like the Artisan. More hilariously evil than actually threatening, up until he got destructive. Doesn't change the problem with that line of thinking though.

"While I'm not sure how many books you've read..." he started, only to find the world of Aldia fade from his vision. Instead, he finds himself in a large room. People have gathered about with a man towards the far end of the room. He has a small hammer. Which automatically makes them the most important person in this room. After all, who would you trust? Some person who shouts things at the top of their lungs? Or the person with a piece of wood they get to slam on down. Personally, I would go with the latter. But that's just me, personally. I wouldn't mind having one of those on hand when someone does something incredibly stupid. Not to use on them, but on the nearby scenery, maybe a skeleton. They seem like they wouldn't take too kindly to that. Or maybe they would. My students and I are currently disturbing their rest grounds. But I digress.

For the moment, everyone is either scribing down notes or looking about the room. Wonder what exactly they're doing at the moment. Waiting on someone. Seems like a meeting of sorts, for what though? The fate of someone? Maybe. I can't really think of many other things that you could do here. Maybe have a party of some kind?

Cinemon opened his mouth, only to find himself back in Aldia once more. Munbimon was right on him for the moment.

"Something wrong?" Munbimon remarked, the feline dog digimon nodding. Much like Yvonne earlier, how exactly was he going to explain this? You just can't tell someone that yeah, you totally had a flashback to what might've been a past life. Actually, that's probably the best way to describe it right now. Yesterday's memory, today's problem. Something like that would work well as a title. Not that I can control that. I wouldn't have any if it was my choice.

"Remembered something that I don't think I was supposed to. Maybe." Cinemon answered, finding the ghost monkey on him. Didn't feel half bad. Once you beyond the fact that you can see through her most of the time but was somehow solid. Wait. We've already gone over this. So don't mind me.

With Madame's Mansion now coming into view, it would seem that our heroes would not be alone for this excursion. As the Artisan has decided that now was the moment he was going to appear. Wonderful. Absolutely flipping wonderful. Because we need him right at this fucking moment.

"You can just shut it." Rantha announced, flipping the bird at the moment. Which judging by the approaching heroes at the moment, is definitely not what you had in mind. Oops. "Piece of absolute shit. You fucking tricked me."
If anything, this was your choice to act this way. I have nothing to do with this at the moment. Blaming me will get you nothing in the end.

Nonetheless, the Artisan's gaze shifts away from our heroes at the moment. Instead, he comes upon his companion. This would be her first battle as a member of Distant Harmony. She had quite high expectations to uphold. Especially since he didn't tell his boss this was part of his plan. Which is step one in how to piss your superiors off.

"Wu Jen, I need you to keep them distracted while I deal with their friend." he announced, heading for the door. "Uh… Just stall with your lantern thing and sickle."

His companion glanced out towards the oncoming horde. All of which had their weapons drawn out and infusion powers at the ready. Could she really do this? If not, they would just walk all over her. Which sounded quite nice. Fuck. She's actually thinking about it now. It's a figure of speech! Can't make this stuff up, I tell you. Get your head out of the gutter, miss. It'll help your chances in the long run. I think at least.

"None shall um… Pass!"

Waving her sickle about, the air around our Wu Jen converged into what appeared to be an icy spike of sorts. Shooting it out, the projectile looks to be heading right towards Yvonne at the moment. While a clean hit, it's clear that this isn't going to be a nice meet and greet. Oh well.

"Hi?" Yvonne added, Munbimon jumping from her shoulder and making a beeline towards their opponent. "We kind of need to get through the-"

Concentrating for a moment, a field of ice spikes formed around Melody. Guess that's the answer. That's good and all, except for the fact we have someone who has fire powers. Oops.

"As order by the Artisan, I, the Wu Jen will uh… make sure you don't get in!" she added, trying to sound threatening. Maybe trying shaking your fist in such a way that it seem thr-

"Infuse!" Yvonne announced, gray outline forming around her body. "Spirit!"

Warhammer pulled back, the barbarian let her gaze shift to the opponent. A throw followed. Then it's over to her teammates. At the moment, both Blaze and Balamon was in the process of infusing - while Ella had her turret out and at the ready. As for the other digimon, they were already hard at work charging for their opponent. Hopefully, they could make short work of them and then get into the manor proper.

Notes:

Kind of a filler chapter, but necessary for the sake of Ella to be caught up to speed with everything that's occurred in the last couple days. Though, I suspect she'll be getting more of a stage going forward. ;)

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Next Time: We head inside... For a bone-smashing good time.