I don't own digimon.

Chapter 61

Out of line

With the topic of investigating, comes splitting up into groups. I'm guessing you guys have some idea on what you want to do and who you want to talk too? Or something along those lines, based on the one or two mystery stories I've narrated in the past. And to answer the elephant in the room, I like to believe that they found the culprit and led him to justice.

"Why wouldn't they have?" Blaze remarked and I took a deep breath. This isn't something that really affects us, but it is good to keep in mind. The person who hired me decided that they weren't going to finish that particular work and I was let go. Thankfully, it was for my internship.

"Uh… that's good to know?" Cinemon announced and focused on his partner. Ella was still cradling Madame, even if it was very clear that the thief was ready to stand back on their own two feet. Especially with Bubbles now pacing in circles. Hilda and Blanche jiggled about in his pocket, while Phusitmon found himself treated to a very tight hug. As coping strategies go, I've seen worse. Not really saying much in this situation. I would probably lash out, in between both the threat of all the displaced grunts getting killed and the revelation that Yvette was aware of Bubbles's mom and had let her die in the sewers. One of those days.

Dave's gaze shot up to the ceiling. You came in right after Yvette had said it. But yeah, she really wants the people who Rantha brought down dead. She's dead set on that. I wish I was joking. But no, that's pretty much what she said. Quite serious.

"Has she ever met any grunts?" the maid remarked and got a look from Yvonne. Definitely not. Or is this just par for the course with your mom and we might need to take

"Sadly, yes." Yvonne answered and took a deep breath. Carefully, she slipped her khakkhara to her back. Which prompted Munbimon to climb up from her shoulders and up onto her head. See anything of note?

Munbimon shook her head and glided over to the shopkeeper. Speaking of which, do you have that note? That would help a l-

I'm cut off by this shopkeeper laughing. For fuck sake. This is a very serious situation. Go the fuck home and think about your behavior. Because you're not helping. You're actively hindering this by being a complete and utter piece of shit. Someone's life is on the line!

Everyone's gaze shot up to the ceiling. I've sweared in the past. That isn't anything new or groundbreaking. I'm just… tired of watching this woman make a fool of herself and set people off. Sorry about that.

The shopkeeper rolled her eyes and got up from the desk. Heading right for the door, I'm flipped the bird or something similar. Uh… guessing it's on us to close up shop for the day. This place does have a sign to mark it as such, right? Or at least, have some kind of way that would prevent people from breaking in and just stealing all these goods out in the open… Right?

Silence. Sometimes, I kind of hate that you guys can hear this narration. Like seriously, why does it feel like no one in this town actually cares about personal security? You're all armed and there's a couple mages here. That isn't enough to stop Distant Harmony. Well, to deter them from trying to erase this place off of the map. I'm sorry if I sound just a touch frustrated currently, this is just… stupid.

"I can understand that." Yvonne remarked, still gazing up at the ceiling. You can bring your heads back down now. Silly as it is to see you look up to me like a deity, it's very creepy as well. I'm not something that needs to be worshipped. I'm your friend and teammate. A friend/teammate that you have to listen to at all times. A big difference. "You were out of line telling her to go home. Even if she was a jerk to Madame and Ella, you're an observer. It's our job to explain to her that behavior is not welcome. Understood?

You're right. I was completely out of line there. I'll try not to do any of that in the future. But do call me out if you think I am.

Getting nods all around, my focus shifts to Ella of all people.

"Do you want to stay with me and investigate one of the other shops, Maddie?" Ella whispered, Madame shifting about in her arms. I'll take that as a 'yes' then. Setting Madame back down the ground, their gaze shifted to Yvonne and Munbimon of all people.

"Anything that I can do for you, Maddie?" the knight remarked, an eyebrow raised from the thief as she said their new name. To be fair, this was bound to happen after Ella began using it all that time ago. This is just a natural evolution of that.

"I need you to take Bubbles when you go talking to people." Maddie announced, looking towards their son for the briefest of moments. Then it's right back to Yvonne. The knight made her way over to the little dragon, Bubbles ran over to Maddie. Hiding behind him, mumbled words falling out.

"I can't do that." Yvonne remarked and a look from the thief in return. Doesn't stop them from grabbing hold of Bubbles's hand. A squeeze followed. "If anything, this might be a good opportunity to go and see Bubbles's mom."

Her words ring out, our little dragon letting go of his mother's hand. Sitting right down on the ground, he began to play with his dolls as tears rolled down his face. Why did this mess always have to circle back to this?

"Bubbles…" Phusitmon mumbled and found himself flinged off to the side of the room. Landed in one of the dresses. You alright there?

Pulling himself out of a pocket, Phusitmon waved his hand about. Bubbles didn't even look his way. His gaze was on the ground.

'Serves you right.' a voice announced, echoing about within the little dragon's head. Of course it had to reach a point that he could actually hear the words. 'What kind of dragon let's their own mother be a burden to them?'

Looking about, the world began to lose its details. Swirling about, his gaze meets that of a woman. Angelic and graceful, there's not many like her. She towers over our little dragon by quite a lot. But why does something feel off about this? Stars hang up in the sky, the body of Bubble's mom floats without any real direction. She's joined by what appears to be Maddie's maids. Serves them right. Beyond all of that, I can just make out lights - possibly other deities duking it out for what little prayers remain in the multiverse. Which would mean we're in sp- Wait. You're saying that this isn't space? Have you ever been up there? No? Then how do you know then? Oh. So you're saying that space has no gravity, but we can very clearly see that Bubbles is standing without any trouble. Yes, I'm aware I just said Bubbles's mom and those creepy maids are floating. That can easily be some effect of this dimension.

'If you really cared, you would've wished for them to all kick the bucket.' the woman continued, picking Bubbles up. Our little dragon was having none of that, choosing to jump off of her hand. Acing the landing, he took the time to dust off his dress as reality began to threaten to take hold. 'I was promised life. But all I've gotten is a bunch of lifeless husks believing they were above the law. Pathetic.'

An arrow came out of nowhere, Bubbles's gaze turning around to face this unknown intruder. A woman much like the one talking to him, a cross between succubus and fey wings fluttered in place. A dark blue choli covered her body, with a lighter blue sari right over that. Locks of pink reach down to their waist, jewels and gold coins hanging within. Does little to obscure the mangalsutra with a large fey pendant hanging around her neck. A pair of sapphires stared directly at our little dragon, a red dot hanging on her forehead. Though, there's also a hole on the nose for some kind of hoop to be. Probably something for the special person they have in their life to see and not us. Fair enough.

That doesn't explain why this woman's bow was floating beside her. Carved from the ice of a spring thaw, this bow had no string, choosing instead to go with vines and little snowflakes on the weapon itself. But I digress

Yet, why does I feel like I have seen you somewhere before? You don't seem like the kind of person to appear randomly. I've had moments where I suddenly remember things out of nowhere. Are you one of those moments? Or are we working with something else entirely here?

This mystery woman chuckled and gave a wink, not even answering my question. Thanks for that? Yet, she approaches Bubbles. Picking him up, the world began to threaten to eject the little dragon back out to reality. The stars twist about, the bodies of those departed became weird tiled monstrosities.

"Now, now, I'm here for you." the woman explained and gave the little dragon a pat. "This all might seem scary and confusing to you. It very much is. If you need someone to pray too, I'll listen."

Bubbles nodded, only to reach out for the mangalsutra. Cool to the touch for the little dragon, there was somehow warmth within the pendant. What an interesting paradox we have on offer.

"Name?" he croaked out and got a nod from his carrier. She took a deep breath, a single world echoing within Bubbles's head.

Crimson

Flushed back out to reality, Bubbles stood back up. Vertigo had taken hold, but the tears had stopped. Have that going for us at least. Just Maddie, Ella and their digimon partners are here.
"Bubbles!" Maddie screeched, scooping up their son and cradled in their arms. Ella made her way over, taking the time to pick up Hilda and Blance. Handing them back off to Bubbles, she grabbed hold of Maddie's free hand. A squeeze followed. "Is everything alright?"

Bubbles shook his head and jumped back down. Running over to Phusitmon, he gave the plush rabbit digimon a hug.

"Sorry." he whispered, Phusitmon leaning into his partner's dress. Placing a hand on his forehead, a deep breath followed. Then it's right back to Ella and Maddie. Oh dear. I'm guessing whatever that is a problem is nothing on what I and Bubbles were just treated too.

"How bad are we talking about here?" Ella announced as our heroes gazes returned to the ceiling. I'm not really sure how to put this. Mostly because I don't entirely understand what the fuck just happened there. But here goes nothing. Imagine a funnel. In that funnel is all the residents of Aldia. It's really hard to get out of that funnel, but possible. At the bottom of that funnel, is Bubbles's mom. She put everyone in this funnel and is already waiting with the goddess. I guess her plan was to get some kind of revenge on all sides for trapping her in the sewers. The point is, we need to deal with this now. I'm not sure how much of this that Blaze and Yvonne heard, but they are going to need to handle Yvette. We need to find that shrine and possibly destroy it. Or, redirect whatever prayers are going off to someone el-

"You're getting out of line again." Maddie muttered and got another squeeze from Ella. Yeah. You're right on that front. I'm just not sure what the hell we're supposed to do with that information. Do we need to act on it right now? Keep it in our back pocket and hope to some higher power that they don't choose to collect?

The trio's gazes shifted up to the ceiling. I'm sorry about this. I'm normally not like this. I should be able to handle a situation like this. Why am I falling apart?

"You're stressed out and need a break, but like… can't." Kollmon remarked as Salamon tackled me. No, I won't let you take over for me. This is something that I'm going to need to work on going forward. There's no backing away now, especially in the face of this situation. "Contracts are weird that way, I'm guessing."

Pretty much. Fuck. I just need to take a second. Do you think you can handle things without me? It's okay if you can't.

"Yeah." Cinemon explained and settled it for the moment. I get up from the spot I've been sitting in for the last couple hours and go over to a nearby pillar. Then I punch it. Hurts like hell on my fist. But I feel refreshed. So I took a walk, Salamon following right behind. I'm not really going anywhere useful. Probably would've been better if you waited by the scribing book. Just in case something does happen with them. Even if it does, they're strong enough to handle themselves. I hope at least. Please don't do anything stupid while I'm on this walk. Crap. I'm out of line again. Fuck. I'm really starting to care about you guys. I really shouldn't be, but I guess that's what happens when your whole world is flipped upside, you're left to rebuild it, only to find some random entity has given you a hairless dog to somehow help. Except you have no fucking clue how to actually rebuild, on top of still having to do your job. It's… overwhelming. There's little in the way of time to really rest, let alone focus on something else. Maybe that's why all the other lore mages I know always look burnt out and/or looking for a new occupation. Not many thanks in this industry. You're not really supposed to notice the narrator of a story. Were supposed to stick in the background and cover the action as it plays out. Not, play an integral part in the action. I digress, of course. Especially after babbling my ear off. So I made my way back to my scribing book. Salamon was still following right behind, even if now he really wanted a pet. Something that I'm more than willing to give him as I take a seat on this rock. Once this day is done, I'll need to find a chair or something.

From the looks of things, it appears that our trio hasn't left the clothing shop. Maddie and Ella are currently looking through the till, while Bubbles is taking a moment to play with his dolls. Possibly even decompress from the events that just took place mere minutes before.

"Better?" the little dragon called out, gaze back on the ceiling. I would say that. Not completely there. But I'm feeling a heck of a lot better. This is an issue that I'm going to need to work on going forward. Especially if Distant Harmony decides to throw down another one of their heads for you guys to take on.

"Good to hear." Maddie remarked and looked up from the till. That's uh… one interesting way to look through the money of a business. Long as you ignore the shoe prints now on the desk. Any plans on cleaning that up once you're done?

The pair shrugged, gazes already returning to the till. Anything that can corroborate the statement of the shopkeeper that 'Madame' actually went through with the killing of her husband or, anything that says the opposite here?

"Maybe." Ella answered and shifted her body about, a glimmer of something catching the attention of our thief. A piece of paper, weathered by time and the elements. Rantha's ice sphere probably didn't help on that front. At all. Not that stops Maddie from picking the piece of paper up.

Be careful, someone close to you doesn't have the intentions you think.

Flipping the paper around, we have ourselves a red flower. Honest question. Do either of you know what kind of plant that's supposed to be?

"I'm kind of surprised that you don't have a clue, being from a wizard academy and all." Cinemon remarked, Salamon now looking at me. I think you're getting druids mixed up wizards here. Even if they are similar in natu- Fuck. That's a pun. It's almost necessary in that regard. Of what contact I've had in druids, they're ones who make sure nature has a place in the world. Of course, they all go about it in their own unique way. Some are based on fire, others mushrooms. The land itself even. But to answer your question, wizards aren't the kind of people who really take care of plants. Unless it's something we need a lot of. "So not flowers?"

Correct. I would assume that 'Madame' would use a plant that they would be familiar with and had some kind of meaning to the people of Aldia as a whole. Any possible candidates that would fit the bill?

Maddie looked away and closed their eyes. Memories flooded back into their head of days before all of this. When the biggest worry was her next heist and the method at which 'she' was going to do it. Occasionally, the maids would move stuff about. This looked to be the case of today. Having a cup of tea, 'she' had already gotten dressed. Even if the servants insisted on them being the only ones dressing Maddie up.

"What are those?" the thief remarked, the maids coming to a stop. A vase containing red flowers sat in one of the maid's hands. The flowers had looked to have seen far better days, a small handful of petals remaining across the bunch.

"Roses." the maid chimed and headed off, only to be stopped mere feet later by the cracking of Maddie's whip. "Why do you even care? Madame would never want flowers that are dead. These won't serve your purpose."

That's the end of this conversation. The roses disposed of, Maddie led off to whatever activity that their servants decided was necessary for their role in this town. Probably something related to theft and over vandalism. 'Redistribution', for lack of a better word as they would refer to it.

"Maddie?"

Eyes opening back up, Maddie found themself staring down Ella. Though, Bubbles had taken the initiative to join the pair up on the table. Kind of impressive just to watch the little guy make his way up. Did need a little help from his mommies at the end, but that's kind of expected here.

"Princess okay?" Bubbles chimed in, getting a nod from the thief. Then it's right back to Ella. But not before grabbing a pencil. What follows is letters. Well… I think those are letters. I was required to take a couple of language classes, though most of which I don't remember. Outside of sylvan. Not sure why that of all things stuck with me. Uh… can I ask something? This is probably going to sound absolutely stupid and demeaning, but is there a school here in Aldia?

Maddie shot the ceiling a look, Ella already looking over their handywork.

"There really isn't one." the artificer whispered, gaze shifting away from the ceiling and over to her girlfriend. "He does kind of have a point in that regard."

Wait. That does prove Maddie's innocence - the least of our concerns at the moment. So, now what?

"Mari Gold." Maddie muttered and jumped down from the table. Ella and Bubbles are right behind them. Which is my cue to check on everyone else. Best of luck.

Notes:

Happy birthday, Digital Dungeons. Been quite a ride, but well worth it.

As for our mysterious woman - Crimson, I get the feeling we'll be seeing her far later. ;)

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