Part Fifteen: Nothing Abnormal Here. Really.
Less than a minute later, they were back down on the ground, Nicholas offering more advice as they headed for his car.
"Don't swivel your ears around--though it's okay to wiggle them a little. Some humans can do that. But always keep your mouth covered, no matter what. That's the other thing I can't think of an explanation for." He opened the caddy's passenger door. "Just nod at appropriate points while I feed this bull to my co-workers."
"You are going to feed your friends another creature?!" Wizardmon exclaimed in horror.
The Medieval-born Belgian stifled a laugh. "It's just an Earth saying. 'Feeding them 'bull' means I'm going to be telling some whopping big lies."
Whew! Frankly, had no desire to watch one being consume another. He'd seen it much too often already and it sickened him though he'd always been careful to hide his revulsion from other digimon. Myotismon would have kicked him out of his army---making it harder to keep a protective eye on Gatomon. And his former master? He didn't even want to go there.
"Don't worry...I pull off whoppers all the time," the detective assured him. "Except with vampires and Nat..." he grumbled to himself. "C'mon, hop in. Time to go get this over with---the darkness is almost half over."
He felt a tug on his pants leg. Wizardmon looking up at him with his innocent eyes.
"Will this 'precinct' we are going to have chili dogs?"
Nicholas blinked. "Chili dogs? The vendor said you stuffed your gut back there. And you're all ready to eat again?"
"Magic is stored energy expelled," the wizard explained. "The more I use, the more I need to consume to continue expelling it." And to protect himself and Charlie without injuring the other humans, he'd had to use a lot of energy! Oh, he wasn't depleted like before, but he was definitely heavier.
"E=MC squared." De Brabant sighed, scratching the back of his head as he considered Wizardmon's request. More magic might very well just mean more trouble! "Then eating so much is probably not a good idea." He sighed as the little digimon continued to plead with those huge eyes of his. Now he knew why Natalie complained when he threw his own 'puppy dog' act. It was a darn effective maneuver!
One of the uniforms who had stayed behind while Charlie packed up looked over in their direction. Nick waved that he had everything under control. The officer nodded and went on his way.
Magic. A dangerous two-edged sword, De Brabant decided. And yet... his 'sword' was the digimon's only defense against creeps like Patterson and Martinez. Bitter gall it might be, but it would be foolish indeed to believe that he could defend Wizardmon 24-7 against those that wanted to harm him either for his strangeness or seeming youth. Even an 800-year old knight raised up with the stories of chivalry had to be realistic about what he could and could not achieve.
"Okay... if Schanke and the others haven't totally cleaned Charlie out by now, I'll go spring for some hot dogs." He waited while Wizardmon half climbed, half levitated onto the passenger seat before closing the door, desperately trying not to laugh. Sitting in his giant of a car with legs too short to touch the floorboard, the Data looked like a little kid who was nervous and excited about his first car trip for all that his field of view was confined to the car's interior! Grinning, he took a step in the direction where Charlie was getting ready to leave for home. "Just don't get any of the condiments on the caddy's upholstery while you're feeding." He stopped suddenly and turned back to the digimon.
"You are aware that hot dogs are made from animals?"
Wizardmon's large eyes got even larger as what could be seen of his skin changed from blue-gray to green-gray.
"They are?" he fairly squeaked.
'Oh boy,' Nicholas thought. 'I'm a vampire. And I've got a vegetarian digital monster for a friend!'
Turning to make for the driver's side, Nick got in and started the engine.
"Er.. How about I get you some Chinese take-out instead?"
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The bull-pen ceased its activity within moments after he ushered the digimon inside. Both officers and accused staring in astonishment at what was hands-down the strangest-looking individual in the building---even at that hour of a Friday night.
Glaring at his coworkers as he protectively guided Wizardmon to his desk, Nick asked pointedly of the room at large, "Doesn't everyone have something better to do?"
A veteran from Vice Squad cleared his throat. "Not really. No." All around, heads nodded in agreement at that assessment. Even Schanke, caught red-handed with a box of donuts in his hands and a raspberry jelly half-way to his lips was stunned---and he had had advanced warning of what to expect.
Maybe this had not been the best idea he'd ever had...
Inside her office, a lady of Japanese descent noticed the unusual quiet outside the typically noisy bullpen and walked out. Seeing that that everyone's attention appeared to be riveted towards Knight's workstation, she turned in that direction intent on finding out just what was going on. Or, more to the point, not going on! To her credit, the captain's jaw only dropped a fraction as she looked down at the outlandish figure standing meekly besides her star employee.
"Care to explain who this is, Detective Knight?"
Sink or Swim.
Shoving aside some papers on his desk and helping Wizardmon up so that the digimon could stand on its surface and be more eye-to-eye with everyone else, Nick coughed a little self consciously. "Um.. Cap, I'd like you to meet the witness at the hot dog robbery and a personal acquaintance of mine. This is Wizardmon. Wizardmon, this is my supervisor, Captain Amanda Cohen."
Amanda flinched as the unusual person on Knight's desk executed a tight spin. He finished it with a low bow from the waist, coming up again with a bouquet of star-shaped flowers which were wordlessly presented to her.
Oh, great. A magician. She'd never much cared for the art of fakirs.
"Hot dog robber?" Amanda asked, trying to recall which of the many new and outstanding cases her detective was referring to.
"Samuel Patterson and Joey Martinez tried an armed robbery against Charlie Barnes. Wizardmon saw it all, and drew them away from the vendor before Barnes could get hurt. He managed to subdue Patterson, but we are still looking for Martinez."
Cohen grimaced a bit at the narrative. Wonderful. A magician who was also a vigilante. Well, not in her jurisdiction!
Seeing that she was still being offered the bouquet, Cohen rather stiffly accepted the gift, eyes turning to Nick as she mumbled a polite thanks before reading him the riot act. However, the odd man was apparently not finished as he proceeded to pilfer some of the contents of Schanke's box before Don could protest. Brown gloves expertly juggled some of the donuts, every once in a while letting one drop behind his cowl from whence the sugary ringlet never reappeared. Eventually all three met the same fate much to Schanke's dismay and the amusement of the gathered crowd. Amanda had to hide a grin. Although she respected the detective's abilities, the man himself often rubbed her the wrong way. Seeing the look on Knight's partner's face as he mourned over the remaining crumbs in the bakery carton was priceless.
"Hey, Schanke!" Officer Williams cried out in jest, "Maybe Myra sent him over to help you with your diet!"
"What? Is everyone a comedian today?" the pouting detective asked the air.
"Er..." taking his captain a little aside as Wizardmon continued to 'wow' his coworkers, Nick lowered his voice for her ears only. "As you can see, my vertically-challenged friend's a practicing street magician who's taken a vow never to speak in public. He is, however, willing to give me his statement in private."
"You're kidding."
Nicholas hurriedly related the cover story while maintaining his best poker face, mentally crossing his fingers that his captain would accept the tale he was spinning. If she didn't, he honestly didn't know what he'd do other than hypnotize her, and despite Wizardmon's distraction, there were too many people around to do it safely. Besides, her belief in the story would be a gauge as to how other humans would accept it.
"Don't Scandinavian trolls have big red noses?" she asked, unconsciously wrinkling her own. Or is that why he's hiding most of his face like some sort of bandit?
"Uh.. He's an air troll. Only earthen trolls have the big noses," Nicholas lied as he tried not to sweat. Cohen was not the easiest person to fool, being a natural skeptic. And her observation on the reason for Wizardmon's face was a little bit too close for comfort!. "They're considered rare among the troll population and a sight more better mannered." De Brabant could only pray that she did not decide to research his bit of fabricating on her computer as soon as his back was turned.
Having listened to Nick's explanation, Cohen went back to confront the 'Norwegian Sky Troll'.
"That's a pretty impressive... troll costume you have there, Mr. Wizardmon."
Nick is anxious...this human does not trust me, the Data thought as he read her. What would convince her that he was safe to have around? She was as wary of potential danger as he.
In answer, Wizardmon bowed again, this time doffing his hat before coming back up. A small cloud of silver sparkles rose into the air like a fountain, descending again as pearlescent snowflakes to fall neatly into the hat. Upending his headgear, nothing came out, but seconds later a mild flower scent filled the room. Again he stood quietly accepting the praise as his audience clapped and called for more.
"Well, it is his livelihood, Cap." Nicholas smiled in what he hoped looked like a casual expression. "He's had a long time to perfect it."
"Riiight," Cohen drawled, but Nicholas could see that she was fast becoming charmed by the personable digimon's humble and respectful manner towards her.
Amanda let out a breath. She'd visited Sweden near the Norwegian border and remembered seeing all the different troll sculptures there , dressed in every which way imaginable. They were highly individualistic and a firm part of the native culture, so maybe this wasn't all that unusual as it seemed at first---though she didn't remember hearing of any 'Sky' Trolls; they were supposed to live in caves and under the ground. However, Knight she considered trustworthy and he was vouching for the performer---and without a doubt the immigrant had a pleasant personality for all his keeping 'quiet as a mime' and dubious taste on clothing accessories. She had to admit, though, that the skulls and his silence did add a compelling touch of dramatic mystery to the magician's act.
Not that she'd ever liked magicians---Amanda preferred truth to illusion. She sniffed at the delicate aroma and fingered the starry flowers. The combination made her think of her native land in Hawaii where her parents still lived.
Okay... maybe all illusions weren't bad and this guy was not going to be a thorn in her side.
Coincidently, the Norwegian's act ended just as she came to that conclusion.
"Nice to have met you, Wizardmon," she smiled, shaking his hand. "We certainly appreciate your taking the time to come in and give us your version of events." She held up the flowers. "And I thank you again for this gift. I'm sure Detective Knight will be able to see to your needs while we get your view on what happened." She turned to her favorite employee, scowl gone from her face. "Knight, you can take your friend into the interrogation room if you think he'd be more comfortable talking in there."
"Thanks, Captain," De Brabant's face beamed with real gratitude. All in all, that had gone much better than he had feared it might.
Lacroix was worrying needlessly.
Amanda scowled at the rest of her employees as she headed back to her office, stopping at the doorway to add: "While everyone else also gets back to w.o.r.k! Confine the gossiping to your own time, people." She shook her head in amused disgust as she spotted Schanke heading back to where the food was kept. That man was a bottomless pit. Fortunately, he was also a good detective and one of the few people who were willing to partner with 'Nick the Knightmare'. Don had a knack for keeping the other's legendary temper from flaring out of control.
------------------------
Within seconds the bullpen was back to being a beehive of activity, though quick glances continued to be cast towards Nick's desk despite the captain's warning.
Wizardmon hopped down as Nicholas led him to a private room, the vampire pausing only long enough to snag a second box of mixed donuts from Schanke's hands.
"Well, that was thoughtful, Schanke--thanks!"
"What?" Don frowned as he made to grab the box back, but his partner was the taller of the two. Hey---Nick, that's my lunch!"
"Uh, uh. What kind of friend would I be if I let you disappoint Myra?" Nick gleefully wagged a finger at him. "Anymore of these and you won't fit into your high-school sweater anymore."
"For your information, I fit in it just... fine, pard." Schanke groused as Nick closed the interrogation room door in his partner's face. Don caught Officer Williams smirking at him. "So it's a little snug in places. Give me a break," he snorted, grabbing the door handle. It wouldn't budge. "Hey... Nick! Nick!" he banged on the door. "Hello? You forgot your compadre!"
The door opened just long enough for Nick to stick his head out and grin, "No, I didn't." before the door shut again with an audible 'click'. Don caught all the smirks around the room training on him, blushed a little, and then went off to find something else to eat. Man, o' man! Nick was going to owe him big time for this!
____________________________________
Once safely inside, Nicholas shrugged off his long jacket, sat down and went straight to business: getting the digimon's description of events before, during, and after the robbery. He judiciously pruned out such details as using real magic and the counterfeit bills, though.
"Okay, we're almost done," he said, tapping the filled forms into a neat stack before signing his signature to each. "And it's only a matter of time before we find Martinez and bring him into custody. There should be enough evidence against him and Patterson not to have to drag you into the court room..." he let out a breath "I can't believe this is going so well."
Wizardmon sipped some more water from the straw Nicholas had supplied him--no sense in taking chances should someone manage to come in uninvited. (The 'troll' story might cover a lot of peculiarities, but De Brabant firmly advised that his friend's mouth would not be one of them.)
As if I wasn't already acutely aware of my 'deformity', Wizardmon sighed, feeling just a little depressed. When dying in her arms, he'd told Gatomon that he had no regrets about meeting her despite the dire consequences it had wrought to him---and it had been the truth. She had given him a purpose in life and sacrificing that life for her had in turn given him ease about what he had otherwise considered a wasted and tortuous existence.
He'd just never imagined that the act of dying would be more peaceful and contentment for him than actually being dead! If only the Matrix had been able to retrieve his Data from Kari's world, he would now either be re-formatting within it or rebooting within a new digi egg, all ready to start life over again, hopefully with better results than last time.
But that hadn't happened. But perhaps it was his own doing? Even now he worried for her constantly. Maybe it was his own reluctance to part from her that was keeping Digital World from gathering him back? That was preferable to the idea that his home didn't want him at all.
Actually, he wasn't even sure he remembered ever hatching in the first place. Everything before... Well, Before was a faint blur. And Just-After Before was not something he liked to think about. Nor was his time pretending to be under Myotismon something for the scrap book. In fact, if it wasn't for Gatomon, he'd consider being lost in this world as a sort of unlooked-for blessing.
His old master couldn't possibly locate him now.
Yet there remained the question of what was he to do? What could be his purpose here in Nick's world? Bios! He'd never even found out his true function in the Digital world! Now he felt very much like he was back at Binary Zero! And there was no knowing whether he could even digivolve on this plane of existence unless it actually happened. He could be stuck in this form of his digital evolution as surely as he was stuck on this planet.
So many questions---and never anyone who could answer them.
Wizardmon nursed the last few drops of his drink. At least the water helped to wash down the eight donuts he had consumed. Either Earth food was very good or it was severely lacking in energy potential, he mused. He'd never been this hungry all the time in Digital World and told his new friend so.
De Brabant could sympathize. His own diet of steer's blood always left him feeling a bit lacking as well.
"That's why I want Nat... I mean, Dr. Lambert." he sheepishly corrected himself. "to take a look at you, Wizardmon. She's been working on a better quality food for me (all of which his altered digestive tract had found mildly to hideously nauseating and which he'd ended up dumping down the sink one way or another, he neglected to add), "maybe she can recommend a formula for you that won't require my purchasing another refrigerator," the vampire teased, indicated the emptied box of pastries.
Wizardmon blushed. "I am sorry. I do not wish to be an incon--"
"Oh, I can afford a warehouse full of them. Don't worry about it," Nicholas brushed off the apology.
Wizardmon bowed his head, thinking. It was about time he started paying Nick back for all his kindness. But he had no idea what he could do---the vampire appeared to have everything he wanted save for a cure for his nocturnal state and Wizardmon knew of no magic that could cure that.
"The one called Schanke. He wants something from me very strongly. Something called a 'Jenny'. What does he wish from me, do you know?"
"Schanke?" Nick echoed as if trying to recall the name. "Oh. Don't worry about him. Jenny is his daughter whose birthday is coming up and they're having a big party to celebrate. Don just wants to have you entertain the kids she's invited over."
"Birthday?"
"When she was born. Jenny's going to be eight years old tomorrow and her parents want to do something special for her."
"Ahhh..." Wizardmon smiled, thinking of the images Schanke had had going through his head as he'd watched him work magic. "You mean special like balloons and flowers and sparkles and disappearing white animals?"
Nicholas snorted in good humor. "Exactly. Myra--his wife---wants him to hire an entertainer to keep the kids busy and out of the adults' hair, but Schanke's a bit tight wad when it comes to spending money that way."
"Your friend does not seem to have much hair for that to concern him.
Nick laughed aloud at that. "No... But please don't say that to his face."
"As you wish," the digimon filed the directive away into his memory. "Is there anything else I should avoid when accepting his request?"
"Don't comment on his weight... Wait a minute..." Nick looked up from finishing the forms in order to fix the Data with a disapproving frown. "Absolutely not."
"I believe I can, as you say, keep the children out of others hair. Holding humans attention is easy."
"Of that there is no question---you certainly mesmerized everyone here well enough," Nick dryly commented. But I don't think it's a good idea,"
"Why not?"
Nick pursed his lips, searching for a good argument to sway the digimon.. "There will be lots of children. Maybe as many as twenty of them."
"Nick, I had to lure more than that to Myotismon. And I did a good job even though I hated the reason for it. Doing it again for a good purpose will give me better memories to live with."
"And wear yourself out performing your magic tricks?" Nick shook his head as he shrugged on his jacket. "The Schanke's will lay a good table of food I'm sure, but a bunch of hyper kids will also be plowing into that." He chuckled. "Not to mention Don, himself. I don't want you fainting away mid act. Someone would discover your secret."
The digimon smiled. "Human young are akin to our Babies and Trainees, everything is new and exciting. I will eat well before this party and please the children without 'wearing myself out," the wizard countered. "My doing this will please your friend and that will make you happy as well."
"Except you're not obliged to make me happy."
"No. But I wish to, my friend." Wizardmon told him in all sincerity. "You have done so much for me already. Let me do this for you." He paused. "And for myself as well. Please understand, Nick. I was created to do something, not just take up memory. If I knew just what it was I'm supposed to be doing, I would throw my whole being into it. But I don't. I never have. Let me do this instead?"
Nicholas hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. He could almost feel the green eyes on his back, begging him to agree. He, himself, held grave reservations about the idea, but he also understood the need to feel useful and to repay a debt. How could he say no?
"Okay...but don't say I didn't warn you when some seven-year olds start targeting you with their spit wads. And another thing... I can't go with you. Daylight and I don't mix. But I'm sure Natalie wouldn't mind driving you over."
_________________________________
Less than a minute later, they were back down on the ground, Nicholas offering more advice as they headed for his car.
"Don't swivel your ears around--though it's okay to wiggle them a little. Some humans can do that. But always keep your mouth covered, no matter what. That's the other thing I can't think of an explanation for." He opened the caddy's passenger door. "Just nod at appropriate points while I feed this bull to my co-workers."
"You are going to feed your friends another creature?!" Wizardmon exclaimed in horror.
The Medieval-born Belgian stifled a laugh. "It's just an Earth saying. 'Feeding them 'bull' means I'm going to be telling some whopping big lies."
Whew! Frankly, had no desire to watch one being consume another. He'd seen it much too often already and it sickened him though he'd always been careful to hide his revulsion from other digimon. Myotismon would have kicked him out of his army---making it harder to keep a protective eye on Gatomon. And his former master? He didn't even want to go there.
"Don't worry...I pull off whoppers all the time," the detective assured him. "Except with vampires and Nat..." he grumbled to himself. "C'mon, hop in. Time to go get this over with---the darkness is almost half over."
He felt a tug on his pants leg. Wizardmon looking up at him with his innocent eyes.
"Will this 'precinct' we are going to have chili dogs?"
Nicholas blinked. "Chili dogs? The vendor said you stuffed your gut back there. And you're all ready to eat again?"
"Magic is stored energy expelled," the wizard explained. "The more I use, the more I need to consume to continue expelling it." And to protect himself and Charlie without injuring the other humans, he'd had to use a lot of energy! Oh, he wasn't depleted like before, but he was definitely heavier.
"E=MC squared." De Brabant sighed, scratching the back of his head as he considered Wizardmon's request. More magic might very well just mean more trouble! "Then eating so much is probably not a good idea." He sighed as the little digimon continued to plead with those huge eyes of his. Now he knew why Natalie complained when he threw his own 'puppy dog' act. It was a darn effective maneuver!
One of the uniforms who had stayed behind while Charlie packed up looked over in their direction. Nick waved that he had everything under control. The officer nodded and went on his way.
Magic. A dangerous two-edged sword, De Brabant decided. And yet... his 'sword' was the digimon's only defense against creeps like Patterson and Martinez. Bitter gall it might be, but it would be foolish indeed to believe that he could defend Wizardmon 24-7 against those that wanted to harm him either for his strangeness or seeming youth. Even an 800-year old knight raised up with the stories of chivalry had to be realistic about what he could and could not achieve.
"Okay... if Schanke and the others haven't totally cleaned Charlie out by now, I'll go spring for some hot dogs." He waited while Wizardmon half climbed, half levitated onto the passenger seat before closing the door, desperately trying not to laugh. Sitting in his giant of a car with legs too short to touch the floorboard, the Data looked like a little kid who was nervous and excited about his first car trip for all that his field of view was confined to the car's interior! Grinning, he took a step in the direction where Charlie was getting ready to leave for home. "Just don't get any of the condiments on the caddy's upholstery while you're feeding." He stopped suddenly and turned back to the digimon.
"You are aware that hot dogs are made from animals?"
Wizardmon's large eyes got even larger as what could be seen of his skin changed from blue-gray to green-gray.
"They are?" he fairly squeaked.
'Oh boy,' Nicholas thought. 'I'm a vampire. And I've got a vegetarian digital monster for a friend!'
Turning to make for the driver's side, Nick got in and started the engine.
"Er.. How about I get you some Chinese take-out instead?"
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The bull-pen ceased its activity within moments after he ushered the digimon inside. Both officers and accused staring in astonishment at what was hands-down the strangest-looking individual in the building---even at that hour of a Friday night.
Glaring at his coworkers as he protectively guided Wizardmon to his desk, Nick asked pointedly of the room at large, "Doesn't everyone have something better to do?"
A veteran from Vice Squad cleared his throat. "Not really. No." All around, heads nodded in agreement at that assessment. Even Schanke, caught red-handed with a box of donuts in his hands and a raspberry jelly half-way to his lips was stunned---and he had had advanced warning of what to expect.
Maybe this had not been the best idea he'd ever had...
Inside her office, a lady of Japanese descent noticed the unusual quiet outside the typically noisy bullpen and walked out. Seeing that that everyone's attention appeared to be riveted towards Knight's workstation, she turned in that direction intent on finding out just what was going on. Or, more to the point, not going on! To her credit, the captain's jaw only dropped a fraction as she looked down at the outlandish figure standing meekly besides her star employee.
"Care to explain who this is, Detective Knight?"
Sink or Swim.
Shoving aside some papers on his desk and helping Wizardmon up so that the digimon could stand on its surface and be more eye-to-eye with everyone else, Nick coughed a little self consciously. "Um.. Cap, I'd like you to meet the witness at the hot dog robbery and a personal acquaintance of mine. This is Wizardmon. Wizardmon, this is my supervisor, Captain Amanda Cohen."
Amanda flinched as the unusual person on Knight's desk executed a tight spin. He finished it with a low bow from the waist, coming up again with a bouquet of star-shaped flowers which were wordlessly presented to her.
Oh, great. A magician. She'd never much cared for the art of fakirs.
"Hot dog robber?" Amanda asked, trying to recall which of the many new and outstanding cases her detective was referring to.
"Samuel Patterson and Joey Martinez tried an armed robbery against Charlie Barnes. Wizardmon saw it all, and drew them away from the vendor before Barnes could get hurt. He managed to subdue Patterson, but we are still looking for Martinez."
Cohen grimaced a bit at the narrative. Wonderful. A magician who was also a vigilante. Well, not in her jurisdiction!
Seeing that she was still being offered the bouquet, Cohen rather stiffly accepted the gift, eyes turning to Nick as she mumbled a polite thanks before reading him the riot act. However, the odd man was apparently not finished as he proceeded to pilfer some of the contents of Schanke's box before Don could protest. Brown gloves expertly juggled some of the donuts, every once in a while letting one drop behind his cowl from whence the sugary ringlet never reappeared. Eventually all three met the same fate much to Schanke's dismay and the amusement of the gathered crowd. Amanda had to hide a grin. Although she respected the detective's abilities, the man himself often rubbed her the wrong way. Seeing the look on Knight's partner's face as he mourned over the remaining crumbs in the bakery carton was priceless.
"Hey, Schanke!" Officer Williams cried out in jest, "Maybe Myra sent him over to help you with your diet!"
"What? Is everyone a comedian today?" the pouting detective asked the air.
"Er..." taking his captain a little aside as Wizardmon continued to 'wow' his coworkers, Nick lowered his voice for her ears only. "As you can see, my vertically-challenged friend's a practicing street magician who's taken a vow never to speak in public. He is, however, willing to give me his statement in private."
"You're kidding."
Nicholas hurriedly related the cover story while maintaining his best poker face, mentally crossing his fingers that his captain would accept the tale he was spinning. If she didn't, he honestly didn't know what he'd do other than hypnotize her, and despite Wizardmon's distraction, there were too many people around to do it safely. Besides, her belief in the story would be a gauge as to how other humans would accept it.
"Don't Scandinavian trolls have big red noses?" she asked, unconsciously wrinkling her own. Or is that why he's hiding most of his face like some sort of bandit?
"Uh.. He's an air troll. Only earthen trolls have the big noses," Nicholas lied as he tried not to sweat. Cohen was not the easiest person to fool, being a natural skeptic. And her observation on the reason for Wizardmon's face was a little bit too close for comfort!. "They're considered rare among the troll population and a sight more better mannered." De Brabant could only pray that she did not decide to research his bit of fabricating on her computer as soon as his back was turned.
Having listened to Nick's explanation, Cohen went back to confront the 'Norwegian Sky Troll'.
"That's a pretty impressive... troll costume you have there, Mr. Wizardmon."
Nick is anxious...this human does not trust me, the Data thought as he read her. What would convince her that he was safe to have around? She was as wary of potential danger as he.
In answer, Wizardmon bowed again, this time doffing his hat before coming back up. A small cloud of silver sparkles rose into the air like a fountain, descending again as pearlescent snowflakes to fall neatly into the hat. Upending his headgear, nothing came out, but seconds later a mild flower scent filled the room. Again he stood quietly accepting the praise as his audience clapped and called for more.
"Well, it is his livelihood, Cap." Nicholas smiled in what he hoped looked like a casual expression. "He's had a long time to perfect it."
"Riiight," Cohen drawled, but Nicholas could see that she was fast becoming charmed by the personable digimon's humble and respectful manner towards her.
Amanda let out a breath. She'd visited Sweden near the Norwegian border and remembered seeing all the different troll sculptures there , dressed in every which way imaginable. They were highly individualistic and a firm part of the native culture, so maybe this wasn't all that unusual as it seemed at first---though she didn't remember hearing of any 'Sky' Trolls; they were supposed to live in caves and under the ground. However, Knight she considered trustworthy and he was vouching for the performer---and without a doubt the immigrant had a pleasant personality for all his keeping 'quiet as a mime' and dubious taste on clothing accessories. She had to admit, though, that the skulls and his silence did add a compelling touch of dramatic mystery to the magician's act.
Not that she'd ever liked magicians---Amanda preferred truth to illusion. She sniffed at the delicate aroma and fingered the starry flowers. The combination made her think of her native land in Hawaii where her parents still lived.
Okay... maybe all illusions weren't bad and this guy was not going to be a thorn in her side.
Coincidently, the Norwegian's act ended just as she came to that conclusion.
"Nice to have met you, Wizardmon," she smiled, shaking his hand. "We certainly appreciate your taking the time to come in and give us your version of events." She held up the flowers. "And I thank you again for this gift. I'm sure Detective Knight will be able to see to your needs while we get your view on what happened." She turned to her favorite employee, scowl gone from her face. "Knight, you can take your friend into the interrogation room if you think he'd be more comfortable talking in there."
"Thanks, Captain," De Brabant's face beamed with real gratitude. All in all, that had gone much better than he had feared it might.
Lacroix was worrying needlessly.
Amanda scowled at the rest of her employees as she headed back to her office, stopping at the doorway to add: "While everyone else also gets back to w.o.r.k! Confine the gossiping to your own time, people." She shook her head in amused disgust as she spotted Schanke heading back to where the food was kept. That man was a bottomless pit. Fortunately, he was also a good detective and one of the few people who were willing to partner with 'Nick the Knightmare'. Don had a knack for keeping the other's legendary temper from flaring out of control.
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Within seconds the bullpen was back to being a beehive of activity, though quick glances continued to be cast towards Nick's desk despite the captain's warning.
Wizardmon hopped down as Nicholas led him to a private room, the vampire pausing only long enough to snag a second box of mixed donuts from Schanke's hands.
"Well, that was thoughtful, Schanke--thanks!"
"What?" Don frowned as he made to grab the box back, but his partner was the taller of the two. Hey---Nick, that's my lunch!"
"Uh, uh. What kind of friend would I be if I let you disappoint Myra?" Nick gleefully wagged a finger at him. "Anymore of these and you won't fit into your high-school sweater anymore."
"For your information, I fit in it just... fine, pard." Schanke groused as Nick closed the interrogation room door in his partner's face. Don caught Officer Williams smirking at him. "So it's a little snug in places. Give me a break," he snorted, grabbing the door handle. It wouldn't budge. "Hey... Nick! Nick!" he banged on the door. "Hello? You forgot your compadre!"
The door opened just long enough for Nick to stick his head out and grin, "No, I didn't." before the door shut again with an audible 'click'. Don caught all the smirks around the room training on him, blushed a little, and then went off to find something else to eat. Man, o' man! Nick was going to owe him big time for this!
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Once safely inside, Nicholas shrugged off his long jacket, sat down and went straight to business: getting the digimon's description of events before, during, and after the robbery. He judiciously pruned out such details as using real magic and the counterfeit bills, though.
"Okay, we're almost done," he said, tapping the filled forms into a neat stack before signing his signature to each. "And it's only a matter of time before we find Martinez and bring him into custody. There should be enough evidence against him and Patterson not to have to drag you into the court room..." he let out a breath "I can't believe this is going so well."
Wizardmon sipped some more water from the straw Nicholas had supplied him--no sense in taking chances should someone manage to come in uninvited. (The 'troll' story might cover a lot of peculiarities, but De Brabant firmly advised that his friend's mouth would not be one of them.)
As if I wasn't already acutely aware of my 'deformity', Wizardmon sighed, feeling just a little depressed. When dying in her arms, he'd told Gatomon that he had no regrets about meeting her despite the dire consequences it had wrought to him---and it had been the truth. She had given him a purpose in life and sacrificing that life for her had in turn given him ease about what he had otherwise considered a wasted and tortuous existence.
He'd just never imagined that the act of dying would be more peaceful and contentment for him than actually being dead! If only the Matrix had been able to retrieve his Data from Kari's world, he would now either be re-formatting within it or rebooting within a new digi egg, all ready to start life over again, hopefully with better results than last time.
But that hadn't happened. But perhaps it was his own doing? Even now he worried for her constantly. Maybe it was his own reluctance to part from her that was keeping Digital World from gathering him back? That was preferable to the idea that his home didn't want him at all.
Actually, he wasn't even sure he remembered ever hatching in the first place. Everything before... Well, Before was a faint blur. And Just-After Before was not something he liked to think about. Nor was his time pretending to be under Myotismon something for the scrap book. In fact, if it wasn't for Gatomon, he'd consider being lost in this world as a sort of unlooked-for blessing.
His old master couldn't possibly locate him now.
Yet there remained the question of what was he to do? What could be his purpose here in Nick's world? Bios! He'd never even found out his true function in the Digital world! Now he felt very much like he was back at Binary Zero! And there was no knowing whether he could even digivolve on this plane of existence unless it actually happened. He could be stuck in this form of his digital evolution as surely as he was stuck on this planet.
So many questions---and never anyone who could answer them.
Wizardmon nursed the last few drops of his drink. At least the water helped to wash down the eight donuts he had consumed. Either Earth food was very good or it was severely lacking in energy potential, he mused. He'd never been this hungry all the time in Digital World and told his new friend so.
De Brabant could sympathize. His own diet of steer's blood always left him feeling a bit lacking as well.
"That's why I want Nat... I mean, Dr. Lambert." he sheepishly corrected himself. "to take a look at you, Wizardmon. She's been working on a better quality food for me (all of which his altered digestive tract had found mildly to hideously nauseating and which he'd ended up dumping down the sink one way or another, he neglected to add), "maybe she can recommend a formula for you that won't require my purchasing another refrigerator," the vampire teased, indicated the emptied box of pastries.
Wizardmon blushed. "I am sorry. I do not wish to be an incon--"
"Oh, I can afford a warehouse full of them. Don't worry about it," Nicholas brushed off the apology.
Wizardmon bowed his head, thinking. It was about time he started paying Nick back for all his kindness. But he had no idea what he could do---the vampire appeared to have everything he wanted save for a cure for his nocturnal state and Wizardmon knew of no magic that could cure that.
"The one called Schanke. He wants something from me very strongly. Something called a 'Jenny'. What does he wish from me, do you know?"
"Schanke?" Nick echoed as if trying to recall the name. "Oh. Don't worry about him. Jenny is his daughter whose birthday is coming up and they're having a big party to celebrate. Don just wants to have you entertain the kids she's invited over."
"Birthday?"
"When she was born. Jenny's going to be eight years old tomorrow and her parents want to do something special for her."
"Ahhh..." Wizardmon smiled, thinking of the images Schanke had had going through his head as he'd watched him work magic. "You mean special like balloons and flowers and sparkles and disappearing white animals?"
Nicholas snorted in good humor. "Exactly. Myra--his wife---wants him to hire an entertainer to keep the kids busy and out of the adults' hair, but Schanke's a bit tight wad when it comes to spending money that way."
"Your friend does not seem to have much hair for that to concern him.
Nick laughed aloud at that. "No... But please don't say that to his face."
"As you wish," the digimon filed the directive away into his memory. "Is there anything else I should avoid when accepting his request?"
"Don't comment on his weight... Wait a minute..." Nick looked up from finishing the forms in order to fix the Data with a disapproving frown. "Absolutely not."
"I believe I can, as you say, keep the children out of others hair. Holding humans attention is easy."
"Of that there is no question---you certainly mesmerized everyone here well enough," Nick dryly commented. But I don't think it's a good idea,"
"Why not?"
Nick pursed his lips, searching for a good argument to sway the digimon.. "There will be lots of children. Maybe as many as twenty of them."
"Nick, I had to lure more than that to Myotismon. And I did a good job even though I hated the reason for it. Doing it again for a good purpose will give me better memories to live with."
"And wear yourself out performing your magic tricks?" Nick shook his head as he shrugged on his jacket. "The Schanke's will lay a good table of food I'm sure, but a bunch of hyper kids will also be plowing into that." He chuckled. "Not to mention Don, himself. I don't want you fainting away mid act. Someone would discover your secret."
The digimon smiled. "Human young are akin to our Babies and Trainees, everything is new and exciting. I will eat well before this party and please the children without 'wearing myself out," the wizard countered. "My doing this will please your friend and that will make you happy as well."
"Except you're not obliged to make me happy."
"No. But I wish to, my friend." Wizardmon told him in all sincerity. "You have done so much for me already. Let me do this for you." He paused. "And for myself as well. Please understand, Nick. I was created to do something, not just take up memory. If I knew just what it was I'm supposed to be doing, I would throw my whole being into it. But I don't. I never have. Let me do this instead?"
Nicholas hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. He could almost feel the green eyes on his back, begging him to agree. He, himself, held grave reservations about the idea, but he also understood the need to feel useful and to repay a debt. How could he say no?
"Okay...but don't say I didn't warn you when some seven-year olds start targeting you with their spit wads. And another thing... I can't go with you. Daylight and I don't mix. But I'm sure Natalie wouldn't mind driving you over."
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