I don't own digimon.

Chapter 64

In the details

Yvette hated this place. Everything about it screamed 'traitor' and liar in the biggest of letters visible only to her. Even worse was the fact that her own daughter - the pride and joy of her life (I doubt it) had decided that a relationship with the child of the traitors was a worthwhile endeavor. Which in actuality, probably should be the least of your worries in the face of everything else currently going on in Aldia.

"As in what?" Yvette countered, staring through the doorway of the Shaky Walls Cafe. While Mari Gold hadn't acknowledged her presence, she most definitely knew that the clan mother was there. Why else would she be reaching into her pockets for something. Probably a weapon of some kind.

As for your question, Distant Harmony comes to mind. While they haven't struck this place in some time, they still have their sights set on Aldia. And no, the solution isn't 'kill all of them'.

Yvette rolled her eyes, not even looking up to the sky. Instead, she took this as the perfect opportunity to enter the cafe. Sitting herself down at a bench, Yvette waited patiently. She had the whole cafe to herself. No real need to destroy something. At least… for now. Even if that would've gotten Mari's attention far faster.

"If you're here to cause my wife and I trouble, you can leave." Mari announced, slowly heading over to the chieftain. Given the choice, she would throw Yvette out right this instant. But the clan mother hadn't done anything (yet) and give her all the more reasons to retaliate against them. So she bit her tongue.

"What if I am?" Yvette countered, Mari setting a menu down in front of her. The clan mother accepted the gesture, using this as her opportunity to set her battleaxe down. "Just because I 'let' my daughter date yours doesn't mean I can't hate you for all the things you did."

An eye roll, followed by the waitress stepping back. Didn't make enough to be dealing with this mess currently. No matter how far she and her spouse tried to distance themselves from all the awful things they did for the sake of keeping Aldia safe. History sadly, is written by those who conquer their opponents and rarely works out in the loser's favor. This was one more case of that.

Turning around, the waitress took a deep breath. Part of her very much knew what she was about to say would cause a fight.

"At least I was actually around for my daughter - both the real one and Madame!" Mari screeched and glared at Yvette. She didn't respond, choosing instead to roll her eyes. Truly a model parent we have here. "I didn't run off the first moment that my child could handle herself without a second thought."

The words rolled out, Maddie and her entourage deciding now was a perfect time to reach the cafe and make their entrance. Good to see you three. I trust the journey here went without issue?

"Yep!" Bubbles announced, his gaze shifting to Yvette of all people as he stepped behind his mommies. Fair enough. I'm still not sure what to think of her either. But that's beyond the point, their attention split between the two women.

"First off, my name is Maddie." Maddie announced, every bit of anger and frustration bubbling right to the surface. Once more, they were reminded of everything tied to their former name. Add on this claim that this woman was somehow her 'mother', they were ready to flip. "Secondly, you're not my mom. If you somehow were my 'mom', I would be absolutely ashamed with your behavior towards me over these last couple years."

Mari chuckled and casually walked over to the thief. A pat to the head followed. Even as Ella glared her way and Bubbles held Phusitmon out. We're all kind of 'done', mentally and physically. Maybe it would be better if you don't push your luck. Especially when we're standing on top of a giant siphon for a dragon deity. Yeah. Things just keep going down without a chance of a reprieve. Hopefully this all lets up and we can relax - even if that period is just a day or two.

Yvette's gaze swiveled over to Bubbles and raised her battleaxe up from the bench. It's not even his fault. Blame his mother for making such a deal in the first place and not telling anyone on either side. Which we still need to bury or dispose of properly. At least in a fashion to allow us to sever whatever link she had with that deity.

"That still makes him just as guilty. Even if he is a child. Let alone a dragon" Yvette continued, Bubbles trying his hardest to make himself as small as possiblw. Not very successful on that front with Maddie carefully picking him up. "Truly nice to see the two criminals bonding. Truly is. Make it all the sadder when I have to kill you both."

Silence fell over the cafe. Did you really need to go there? Bubbles is very much freaked out. You're just making it worse.

"Maddie is very much not the killer here." Ella added, digging the note from earlier out. Walking over to Mari, she held it out for the waitress to see. I'm guessing that's the one you had Maddie scribble on? "Is the top handwriting the same as the former Madame?"

Mari looked over the piece of paper, attention already shifting over to our thief. Hopefully a good sign? Kind of hard to tell today with everything that's happened today. If it keeps going like this, I might need to take one more break. Maybe even eat something. Okay, I might be able to find a snack. No guarantees.

"This is very much her handwriting." Mari announced as she handed the paper back to Ella. Then it's right back to Maddie. Having just put Bubbles back down, their attention had turned to Kollmon. At the moment, our mole digimon was in the middle of whispering something to their partner. Low enough that I couldn't catch it. "I guess I'll need to tutor you in the bare basics. Again."

Maddie's gaze swiveled over to our waitress, a sigh exiting their lips. This isn't the first time you've been tutored in writing? I would say I'm surprised… but not really at this point. Probably the results of those stupid maids.

"Yeah." they muttered and looked back to Kollmon. To answer your question, I don't know who owned this place before Mari Gold. Even if I did, I wouldn't really be able to decipher my own words in the first place."

So that's what Kollmon was asking you about. Good to know. Considering how much of a mess everything about this town is, expected to be an absolute mess. Better yet, is there anything here that isn't? Or am I legitimately asking for too much he- No. I'm not talking about the Astral Academy. Outside of one of the staff being a cannibal and everyone dying by way of skeletons even though they all knew at least one healing spell. Killing undead isn't that difficult. But I digress.

Yvette's gaze swiveled away from Bubbles, focusing on our mole digimon for the moment. What sounded like laughter followed. Fuck. Are we not going to like the answer that's about to exit those lips of yours?

"They were murdered for trying to find the truth about Mari's little project." Yvette announced, a knife flying her way. Came from the kitchen of all places. Sorry about this. We didn't know she would be here in the first place and be ready to cause all sorts of trouble for just about everyone. Or is this just normal for Yvette. "I'm usually in a better mood. But I also don't have to deal with traitors and the local 'heroes'."

Wait. Loyalty is that big of a problem? I would think as the clan mother of these people you would have a good idea on where people stand. Or is this just the result of you running off without a word to the people you're supposed to lead?

Yvette didn't answer, choosing instead to slam her battleaxe into the floor. Quite a gash you made in the floor. Any bigger and you could've hit a stud. That's the last thing you want. Though, there's also the question of how you're going to pay for this and any additional damage you cause today. Your thoughts, Mari?

"I would say a couple days of work." Mari answered and got a glare from Yvette. There really wasn't a need to create a hole in the floor as a threat of force. What if there were people here eating their meals and trying to relax after a long day of rebuilding?

"They shouldn't have let their part of town get into such a wreck in the first place." the clan mother announced, her battleaxe returning to its spot on the bench. Then we're right back to glaring at Maddie. At the moment, the thief had their whip out and was more than ready to use it on the clan mother. Tad excessive here.

"Maddie's day has already been long enough without you adding to it." Ella added and placed a hand on her girlfriend's shoulder. In return, the artificer got a squeeze to her hand. Followed by the mumbling of something. A plan perhaps? Maybe even an observation should things go any more south than they have already. Wouldn't be surprised if it's the last one.

"You do realize that threatening a witness is a crime? Because we can put you under investigation for that." Cinemon announced and put himself in front of Yvette. But the clan mother kicked him out of the way. Really? This point, you're just trying to get on people's nerves and get us to attack you. Or is their something else going on he-

"Shut. The. Fuck. Up." Yvette muttered and put a hand on her battleaxe one more time. I get it. You don't like us and possibly our mission, on top of our stance in regards to Distant Harmony. But I like to think we would rather work with you than against you. Or is there something else we've done that prevents that?

At this point, our clan mother made a beeline for the door. Not before smashing her battleaxe into the floor just one more time. Because you know, that's truly the way to make people like you. At all.

"Sorry about this." Ella remarked, our trio's gaze turning back to Mari Gold. Currently, the waitress was picking up the knife her wife threw out of the kitchen. Then it's right back to the kitchen to deliver such a tool back to the chef. Probably a long scolding for putting possible customers at risk. Though, do you guys want a summary of Yvonne and Blaze's investigations? "That would be good."

Okay. Yvonne talked to the old gnome who runs the woodworking shop. He was an… interesting character. Not really able to sit still, but did offer off some information in regards to the name of our victim - Shiv. His wife's name is Jezza. On top of that, the previous Madame made an attempt at buying Shiv's part of the shop. But he refused. Which may have not been the best move on his part. Not enough to make her the killer, but something to keep in mind when we go to explore more of the manor.

"Wait. My mom was trying to get out of being Madame?" Maddie announced as Mari exited the kitchen. Judging by the look currently on her face, she definitely overheard that part of the conversation. Probably not the rest though.

"I wouldn't say I'm surprised." Mari added and got a look from Maddie and Ella. So she sat herself down on a bench. Our trio did the same, their partners following right behind. Cinemon did need a tiny bit of help to get up. "H- She was always looking for some way that would bring an end to her servitude as the town's protector. But towards the later years, she kind of went off her rocker."

Her words rung out, Ella looking to the ground. Just one more blow to the image of the Madame in your head versus the one in front of you. I think I read something in a book once - Never meet your heroes. Most of the time, they are usually not as great as the image you have in your head.

"Pretty much." the artificer muttered and let her gaze return to Maddie for the moment. They were no better at the moment. A question right on the tip of their tongue, eluding the thief at every moment. "How did the previous Madame die?"

Mari looked away as Maddie shifted their attention over to Ella. To be fair, we were going to need to acknowledge that question sooner or later. The gnome let it 'slip' that he had been paid to make a coffin for the previous Madame. But what exactly?

Mari looked away and sighed. Oh. I'm guessing this is the one question you don't have an answer for? Or is this a question with no real good way to be answered. Can't be that many ways to die in a small town… right?

"Neither my wife or I know." Mari continued and was stared down by Bubbles of all people. "We would very much tell you if those maids hadn't been so secretive and threatened to murder us on a daily basis."

Except you helped with the madame project. Wouldn't you need something of the previous Madame in order to create a new one? Or do you already have some piece of them from before and just wing it from there.

"The latter." Mari answered and got up from the bench. Though, it was to hand out menus for everyone. Blaze should hopefully be on his way. Hopefully he doesn't run into Yvette.

"One can only hope." Cinemon remarked, taking the time to push his menu to the center of the table. "I'll just have a bone. If you have one by chance."

Mari nodded, her attention already on that of our other heroes. While everyone has a pretty good idea on what they want to eat today, it's still good to check after what was a six month journey across a weird time-displaced wasteland to a tower of all things.

"We'll share a salad." Ella answered and slipped the two menus over to the center. Then it's over to Maddie. "How are you holding up?"

Our thief took a deep breath, reaching out to their girlfriend. Ella accepted the gesture, doing her best to give as discreet of a squeeze she could manage. Though, it was definitely noticed by our waitress. Not that she said anything.

"I've been better." Maddie answered and let her focus return to Mari. A sigh followed. "No goop please."

Mari nodded, taking the time to scoop up menus. Then it's over to Bubbles - still looking over his menu. Guess someone needed to make sure that was actually the case. Or his mind was elsewhere in that moment.

"Sandwich." the little dragon answered and pushed his menu up to the center. Phusitmon and Kollmon's following right behind. Mari picked the menus up and headed right for the kitchen, leaving our trio and their partners to their own devices. Oh right. I guess I should fill you in on Blaze's investigation. He took Dave to that job offer that was promised to him a couple months ago. I'm kind of surprised that Dave didn't seek it out himself after all that work just to get their house expanded.

"Probably working on the house with one of the builder orc people." Ella answered and took the time to set her briefcase down. Then it's right back to staring at the ceiling. "Anything else of note?"

They did find a knife covered in a color-changing liquid. Too recent to be from the murder we're currently investigating, but something to keep in mind. Okay. this is probably going to sound awful… but do you know what color an orc or succubus's blood is?

"Not really." Maddie answered and looked over to the kitchen. Thankfully, Mari was nowhere in sight. Would've sucked if this was the moment when your food gets brought out. Though, I guess this isn't the best lunch time subject to be discussing.

"Neither is murder, theft and drug use." Cinemon chimed in, shifting his position about on the bench to meet that of Kollmon's. "How about you? Your partner must have had all kinds of stories from their job they discussed with you. Right?"

Kollmon nodded and closed her eyes. Within all the memories she had slowly gained back over the last couple 'days' there had to be something happy… where she wasn't being a complete ass to her partner. Just had to be. In retrospect, it probably would've been a good idea to bring Cassandra's journal with her. Even if you had, there wouldn't have been any real stretch of time to actually read it. Not counting now, of course.

"There was this one time when I had to wait in the break room." the mole digimon announced, eyes opening back up. "For one reason or another, someone had attempted to get themselves done up as an Angewomon. Some religious lady, if memory serves me correctly. Try as her partner might, she was dead set on wanting to look just like an Angewomon. I don't think she ever realized that those ladies spent their entire lives not being able to see from under their metal helmets."

Wait. This woman wanted a face of a digimon whose head is covered at all times? How the heck would she even know what an angewomon's face looks like in the first place?

"Artist renditions." Kollmon continued and focused her gaze back on the ceiling. Which was Cinemon's cue to return back to looking ahead. "Or perhaps someone took a picture of a dead one seconds before its data disintegrated."

Take a photo? I don't think I follow. I don't think we saw any while we were in the digital world. Or if we have, then DM or one of you people didn't point it out to me.

"Imagine a painting that's created instantly. It's kind of complicated and you need special equipment in order to create one." Kollmon continued, the arrival of the food bringing an end to this conversation. No sign of goop. Though, I think we're all in agreement that's not a very high bar in the first place. Better yet, that's the expectation for ser- Is it just me or does that sandwich look soggy?

"Sorry about that." Mari announced and set the plates down. "My wife accidentally spilled a glass of wa-"

Bubbles jumped down from his bench, grabbing Phusitmon in the process. Uh… did you realize something that the rest of us didn't?

The little dragon nodded and took a deep breath. Smoothing out his dress, time was taken to make sure Hilda and Blance were comfortably in place. Don't want them falling out when he heads for his destination. Whatever that destination might be in the first place.

"Princess, underneath us. Covered in water." he announced and headed for the door. Doesn't even wait for his mothers to catch up. Or perhaps this is one of the few occasions that only he can do.

"Can we get our me-" Ella started, Maddie taking this as their opportunity to shove part of the salad into the artificer's mouth. Don't do that again. You don't want Ella to choke now, do you?

Maddie nodded and took a couple bites of the salad. Then it's back to Mari. "Or not."

The waitress chuckled, watching the pair and their digimon head off. While the damage to the floor was very much avoidable, she was glad to see Maddie in good spirits. Even if I don't think that's the right word in this situation. I would go with 'resilient', but that's just me.

Notes:

Not much to say here. Pretty fun chapter to write.

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Next Time: Things hit a breaking point.