I don't own digimon.

Chapter 40

Thanks for the memories

Shame.

You know, that feeling you get when things are uncomfortable for yourself by way of the situation you find yourself in. Which is exactly what Blaze found himself at the moment. Decked out in this stupid bunny outfit - designed to show off a person's bust more than actually act as an outfit for combat. Hobbling around in these 'heels', he was getting the hang of it. Sure, Dave made it look easy in the short time that he got to see him. His steps were clumsy and he had nearly tripped a couple of times - making the large ears on his headband bob about. Not quite the effect, but it's an impression. Not a lot of clothes can really say they do that. Though, I'm fairly certain that mary janes, while similar to high heels, are in fact much different footwear options. But I'm a guy, so this sort of thing eludes me on a general basis. Not entirely sure why I remember th- Oh right. We had one of those 'college of glamour' bards on campus just before things went to shit. Was with his necromancer husband. He was normal enough, except for dealing in deceased fey. As for the bard, he was decked out in the biggest ballroom gowns I've ever seen. Even bigger than the one my necromancer's friend had to wear for their project. Good refresher on the various clothing you can find out in the world.

What the hell are you babbling about, american? I get that… 'yuck' boys can kiss other boys and dress up as girls. But this… This cannot stand for the moment. A boy cannot be be a prin-

Let me remind you that Bubbles could totally be a princess and I don't care what you think.

Upon hearing his name, the little dragon perked up. While still hard at work helping Phusitmon with washing stuff, the idea of a princess did sound kind of nice. He dressed like one a majority of the time. That was down. It was just a matter of getting down the various rules of etiquette and regality. Then he would become just like the princess he loved so much.

Heck, the idea of a dragon princess isn't so far-fetched. I've seen stories where that's occurred. Wait. I have this funny memory of something. That dream! There's something in there about it.

"Funy?" Bubbles called out, staring up towards the sky. It's nothing, just something that I can't quite remember. I feel like I should though. It was in a dream not that long ago. "It's alright."

Uh thanks, I guess? Nonetheless, we return our attention back towards Yvonne and Blaze.

"Yeah, it's me." the dancer greeted, trying his best to avoid Yvonne's glance at that moment. Yvonne still found some way to enter back in. Not that this was really hard to do in the first place. "Uh… can I have a moment to change back to my regular clothes?"

Rantha let out a chuckle, gaze already on Blaze for the moment. From this view, our dancer could easily pass for a girl. Not the intention, more a happy little accident on the outfit's part.

"I don't see why not, bunny." the artisan answered, Blaze's cheeks glowing as red as a fireball. Nice look for you. Suits you perfectly.

You attempt to get out of the outfit, only to fail quite miserably. It's as if this outfit wants to stay on you no matter what.

DM, you do realize Blaze hasn't made his attempt at getting into the outfit yet? Might be better to wait a moment till he actually goes through with that and not jump ahead on us.

Yet, my remark fell upon on deaf ears. Especially as Blaze made his way around the corner to get changed back into his regular clothes. We'll probably see this outfit some other day - probably when we return to Aldia.

While our dancer was doing that, Yvonne made her way over to Rantha. Plate and utensils still in hand, she bent down to be at the artisan's level. Not that there was much need for a formality.

"Do these jog any memories?" Yvonne inquired, Rantha shaking his head. A bust in other words. "Good to know at least."

For as much work that had just been put to get this all over, this was bound to happen at some point. In a shop of this size, not everything is going to trigger something within Rantha. Just a matter of keep guessing till we've either gone through everything or have a large number of objects identifi-
Setting the goods down, Yvonne headed back for the shop. Which was Phusitmon's opportunity to come over. Cradling a doll of things, the plush rabbit digimon looked to be fine. Probably qualifies as a paradox. Maybe.

"Make this quick." Phusitmon whispered, standing up on his 'tippy toes' to hand the toy over to our artisan. Rantha was happy to comply and accepted the gift. But when his gaze met that of the doll's, the world began to swirl about. The tall skyscrapers of Malibu faded away, empty space replacing these structures for the time. People of all kinds wandered about, their routines predetermined and oblivious to the fate of this world. But that wasn't what he was focusing on.

Before him, stood four figures - just like the ones who had been contained in that painting at one time.

"Guys, it's me." Rantha called out, the figures staring off into the distance. "Don't you remember? You would bring all your unneeded gear to sell to me?"

Silence. Well, if wings flapping in the background don't count as ambience. So Rantha reached out towards one of the figures. His hand passed right through, the flapping somehow even louder at the moment.

"They aren't real, Rantha." a voice called out, a large red bird of all things landing right in front of our artisan. Towering above him, our mysterious figures dissipating right before us. The flapping stops, the bird's gaze focusing in. "But I can cure that for you."

Rantha did a double take. There was no way that such an offer could work. There just couldn't. But at this point, he had nothing to really lose.

"I accept." Rantha answered, a strange oval-shaped device appearing in his hand. Light erupted around him, his vision overwhelmed. But as his eyes slid shut, he could make out something. A small scorpion, covered in feathers. Then, darkness.

"Mr Rantha?"

"Mr Rantha?"

Rantha's eyes opened. Phusitmon was already back to washing dirt and garbage off of our heroes latest finds. As for the one speaking, that would be Melody.

"Good. I didn't lose you." the mystic explained, our artisan's gaze shifting over to her. For as worried as she looked, he reached out and touched her kimono. She was real. Most definitely, even if that goes without saying. "I'm guessing you had a flashback of sorts?"

Her words ring out, Rantha sort of following. The flashback played through his head one more time. The world, those people and of course, that bird. Wait. That has to be Adarnamon. That fucker. Of course.

"Yeah." he muttered, deep breath exiting his lips. "Sorry about touching you. I needed to make sure that I was really here. Not still stuck in my own head."

Melody nodded, sitting herself right down in front of her 'boyfriend'. Okay, that's probably pushing it for the moment.

"That's perfectly understandable." the mystic answered, sickle now sitting her lap. Lumosmon flashed once, getting a pet from their partner. "While uncommon, time spent traveling across space can make it hard to distinguish between a world and the space that exists between."

Rantha nodded, not quite understanding what Melody just said. To be honest with both of you, neither do I. Bot to quite change subjects, could you fill us in?

Melody looked up towards the sky. Flashing a thumbs up, her attention returned to Rantha and Lumosmon. Though, I'm not sure if the latter is quite paying attention.

"At the time I was picked up by your friends, I was heading back towards my world to bring back a scouting report." Melody explained, looking down to the ground for the briefest of moments. "While our current home is safe, we're going to need to relocate in the coming years to prevent infighting and war."

I can see that. Though on my end, all the gods are supposedly battling each other for some reason. No one's actually sure why or what exactly brought it about. Personally, I don't think any of them can actually remember why they went to war in the first place.

"Got any evidence to that theory of yours?" Rantha countered and I look away. To be honest with both of you, it's more speculation than actual fact. Especially when your home was destroyed in a battle. "Guess that makes us even then?"

I wouldn't quite say that, but… sure. We can go with that. Especially as Blaze made his return. Except, it would seem that bunny outfit has kicked the dancer's butt for the moment.

"Need some help, bunny?" Rantha asked and stood up, making his way over to Blaze. As he did that, Lumosmon fluttered over to Melody.

"Maybe." Blaze muttered, shame across his face once more. "DM keeps saying I fail at the simple task of taking off my 'slutwear'."

Really, DM? You just couldn't keep your snide comments to yourself? I get that this is your job, but come on. That's just absurd. At least let him get out of that outfit so he can help with the search of this sh-

Oh dear. You've forgotten to do your search checks! This cannot stand. You shall be pun-

Man, would you look at that? I seem to have a couple bolts of lightning at my disposal. Ain't that a surprise for you. Seriously, how many fucking variations of this conversation are we going to have before you learn your lesson?

I need to not learn such lessons, American. If anything, you're the one to need to learn it. That's your last warning by the way.

My last warning? If anything, this should be your last warning on the subject. Especially after throwing stuff our way. Someone could've been killed if you're not careful.

I see no problem with that.

"You should see a problem with that." Balamon barked, slithering into the shop before another hunk of metal could come his way. Don't really blame him for feeling that way. I would too if the world wanted so much to beat me down and spit me out.

I don't eat people.

Rantha rolled his eyes, attention back on Blaze. Hand on the headband, a slight tug followed. The headband came right out. Next was a set of wristbands that looked like cuffs from a shirt. Doesn't make it look any less awkward for our dancer. Though I doubt this is the first time Blaze has been seen naked. Not counting me, of course.

"Uh… we'll need a moment." Blaze announced and motioned for Rantha to follow. The artisan complied, going right around the corner. There, Blaze set down his purse and dug his regular clothes out. But not before Rantha caught a glance of his leotard.

"I'm guessing those are your special clothes for what I can only?" Rantha remarked, getting a nod from the dancer. "Has Dave seen you in it, yet?"

Blaze nodded, cheeks glowing pink as they could possibly get. It's a good look for you. Not that you keep it up all the time.

"Once or twice." Blaze answered, pulling the heels on his feet off. The stockings are next, resistance being found already with the initial pull. Even more so as Blaze took a seat and used both his hands. The first one came off, but the second was just refusing. "Though, it's a house for one."

Rantha just chuckled. Making a glance back over to Melody, what looked to be a small pile of objects already getting piled up for him to examine. Guess they're making progress to getting through all the stuff in there.

"Maybe it's time for an upgrade, bunny." Rantha joked, getting a look from Blaze in return. While the dancer had given it some thought in the past, Dave moving in with him made the abode seem tiny. Sure, he had once thought his future would be as a traveling dancer. But now, that future looked to be spent with a special someone for however time would allow.

"Yeah." Blaze answered, cheeks returning to their normal pale color. Rantha grabbed hold of his other stocking, pulling it off in one smooth motion. The artisan handed it to his subject after. "No, you can't help with the demolition."

That last word exited his mouth, Rantha looking away. It's hard to believe that it's only been what? A day, maybe two since Ella's inn got destroyed. Sure, we're in a truce for a moment. But once our business is finished, then what? Just back to the same old, same old?

"I'm not sure." Rantha answered as Blaze stood back up. Hands reaching for the back of his leotard, the last piece of the outfit coming off. A challenge, but Blaze had gotten the hang of it. "I doubt I'll be allowed back. Though, can I ask you something?"

Blaze looked his way. While currently nude, it was unlikely that anyone would see him in that state. At least let him get his pants on. So Rantha patiently waited till Blaze did just that.

"Let's say that Dave turns out to be not real. Then what?" the artisan announced, getting a look from his subject. If anything, expecting someone to know somehow know the question and somehow be able to answer was quite a stretch.

"Uh…" the dancer started, looking down towards the leotard in his purse. Completely dressed, it felt weird seeing it like that. Maybe later, he could get some dance practice in. Right now though, there was a job to do and a question to answer. "I would probably say my thanks and head on with my life, happy that I got to meet him."

With that, he stuffed the bunny outfit back into his purse. Gaze shifting to Rantha, a question coming to his head. One brought about by some name calling.

"Why do you keep referring to me as 'Bunny'?" Blaze inquired, receiving a chuckle from Rantha. Not sure if it's actually funny.

"Well, you looked so cute in that outfit of yours." Rantha answered, our dancer's gaze shifting away from him and over to the pile of stuff waiting for our artisan. Yet, their gazes met right back mere seconds later. "I'm guessing you're fine with that?"

Nodding, Blaze made his way back over to the store. Balamon was waiting right at the doorway.

"Better now?" the flame snake digimon inquired, scurrying up to his favorite spot. Blaze nodded, taking the time to slash away some strands of garbage. Doesn't look to be anything valuable. Just scraps of cloth and paper.

"Anything that I can help with?" Blaze called out, Madame whipping the small pile of debris that remained. They shake their head, Yvonne focusing on him. Walking over, the dancer took the time to meet her. Weapon sheathed, their gazes met.

"I'm guessing he didn't do anything to you?" Yvonne remarked and made a glance towards the bunny outfit. Didn't stop her from seeing Blaze nod. I don't think Marulyn would really be that interested.

"Seemed more... off than anything." Blaze answered, Balamon shifting his position to his opposite shoulder. "I'm guessing whatever that doll did something to him."

Ella looked their way, giving a shrug. You should probably ask him directly rather than bearing around the bush. Lots easier.

"He has a point." Munbimon added, both people looking her way. You can make out a heck of a lot more of the shop. Looked to had been quite a place at one time. If you can really say that. Many people probably could've come to get their supplies. Burgundy rugs overlap all about, with plain rock walls serving as some level of contrast for the place. What sort of stone we're dealing with here remains to be seen. Holes for various wall hangings can just be made out. Speaking of which, wasn't that our goal today?

"Yeah." Cinemon answered, dragging his spoils over. Looks to be papers, possibly notes or even records of sales. Add it to the pile. Though, you all need to eat something at some point today. Preferably once you finish this up.

Nonetheless, our heroes exit the store and headed over to Rantha. Currently, our artisan was hard at work going over the various items picked out of the debris. All washed and hopefully dried, quite impressive what all was stored in there. Begs the question of why though.

"Thanks for your help." Rantha greeted, taking a glance towards the pile. "Go grab your supplies. I need a minute."

Notes:

A bit shorter chapter, especially ahead of me being employed as a janitor. Yeah. For the moment, future chapters are going to take a touch more time to be written and released.

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Next Time: We go shopping. It doesn't go so well.