Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 02: Humanity and Heroes
The Beginning – Chapter 06
Originally Written: Thursday May 28, 2015 542PM to 930PM
A/N: I apologize for not updating last week. I have been working around? Coping with? I don't know. I've been "whatever-ing" with some family related tragedies. -insert professional-sounding whatever-ness here- If I feel like it, I will update again this week to make up for the missed update.
. . . . . .
Once more, Albedo's ID Mask gave him a brief respite from haunted red eyes and dull white hair as he stood outside the hotel room, waiting for Fridge, Swamps and Hugh. He folded his arms behind his back, and leaned up against the wall next to the door. His bag rested on the floor obediently waiting for him, or perhaps a thief to come snatch it up.
Swamps sluggishly shuffled out of the room, bag resting on his back. He moved to his currently human tip toes and stretched his arms to the ceiling as though reaching for the sun through the roof. "It's way too early to be awake." He muttered through a yawn.
"I distinctly remember 'J-Just one more crossword puzzle w-wouldn't hurt.'" Hugh spoke as he followed Fridge out the room and closed and locked the door behind him.
Albedo mentally groaned as he picked up his bag. He shoved his hands into his coat pockets as he walked off. He wondered the odds of anyone truly believing he was part of their odd group and how those people would take it.
"Didn't get to finish it anyway." Swamps muttered annoyed.
"Albedo told us last night that Japan has a level of traffic much different than Bellwood, especially the further inland you go." Fridge spoke up, voice soft as though he were being careful to not disturb Albedo. "So it's better to get out there early."
Hugh pushed his glasses up on his tanned human face. "I-I should have brushed up on my japanese." He lowered his head.
"It's what happens when you rush into an idea without thinking it through," Albedo muttered.
"Y-You're still mad at us?" Hugh spoke, shoulder's slumping.
Albedo's silence told him all he needed to know.
"We were only trying to help." Swamps held his arms out to the side. "Not like you let us in or anything."
Albedo turned around. He glared at them, though it wasn't as effective with his currently brown eyes. "You should have just asked first instead of assuming what you gathered from horrible spying techniques to be the only portions of information that were true or mattered." He turned back around and sighed, "Forget it." He resumed walking. "Nothing can be done about it now."
Most of the money he had stashed away went to Jenrya and the apartment, the machine he had built in an attempt to return himself to his Galvan form ruined by Tennyson, and paying his storage facility fees. What money Fridge, Swamps and Hugh had was spent mostly on housing, food and transportation. The cruise to Japan, decided to be taken without any input from Albedo himself, left them all high and dry just about.
'If they weren't more helpful than not, I'd ditch them.' Albedo turned around carefully and continued walking backwards. "I need to get to my storage room. Then I need to run the biggest pity party ever seen without being obnoxious about it so my head doesn't get kicked in." He pointed to them as he stopped walking, "If that doesn't work, you three are getting jobs regardless of your inability to understand what anyone is saying. Got it?"
The trio nodded wordlessly.
"This mess I'm in is not my fault. I'm not driving myself insane by making its solution my problem." He turned back around and resumed walking, glaring at the ground. He stepped out the hotel's gates, and looked around.
"Don't embarrass you. Got it." Swamps spoke.
Albedo nodded, head raised and shoulders squared. 'Sometimes my minions do use their heads.' He walked towards a blue sports car. His minions followed obediently, like an odd set of puppies desiring to get back into their owners good graces.
He knocked on the window. He watched Ryo Akiyama study him, like the stranger he was. He fished out his D-Terminal from his black sweater pocket and held it up, making sure Ryo could see the words of his name scroll across the top back of the device.
Ryo rolled down the window, and gave him a look, "Al?"
Albedo leaned into the window, "I'm wearing an ID Mask." He whispered. He watched Ryo subtly pull out a plumber's badge. He took note, which filled him with pride, that Fridge Swamps and Hugh hadn't taken off like aliens somehow managing to escape the null void.
Ryo watched the badge scan him, the light too dim to be seen unless one was specifically looking for it. "I'm not asking." The blue eyed male spoke softly after a few moments.
"I would appreciate it if you did not," Albedo replied.
"Sure sure," he chuckled awkwardly. "Since I'm a plumber, and I'll be escorting you around, we shouldn't, you know, too badly if caught." He ran a hand from his forehead up into his hair.
"Stealth is my middle name."
Ryo rolled his eyes, "Friends?"
Albedo gave him a look.
"Ah, right. The great..."
"Alex."
"Alex, has no friends." Ryo grinned as Albedo folded his arms. "Acquaintances and a possible lover waiting for him back, dare I say it, home?"
Albedo lowered his head, "I am not a good one of those."
"Psh." Ryo waved a hand, "You're both still alive, and though none of the others think you two talk, I know you." Ryo gave him a lecherous grin.
"I won't make you buy me chili fries along the way if you never ever smile like that again."
"I make no promises."
"Then you owe me chili fries."
"Alright." Ryo beamed like the sun. "Your friends like chili fries too?"
"Frank, Sean and Humphrey." Albedo calmly replied. Hugh shied away as Albedo casually introduced them.
"Humphrey! I like it!" Ryo pointed to Hugh.
"He likes your name, Humphrey." Albedo spoke in a bored tone. Swamps and Fridge stared at the officially odd male.
"West Shinjuku can get boring as all get." Ryo clarified.
Albedo translated, rolling his eyes.
Hugh fixed his glasses and smiled, "I-I'll d-do my best t-t-to not bore you then."
Ryo leaned against his seat, resting an elbow on the back of it, as he looked at the trio with bright eyes. "My name is Ryo." He paused for a moment and sighed in relief when they didn't go gaga-eyed on him. "It's so good to meet people who have no clue who you are."
Albedo covered his eyes with a hand and shook his head, "Insane human." He murmured. "Would you stop it? They can barely understand you. I'm not translating anymore."
Ryo easily switched to English. He waved a hand as though beckoning them into his car. "Like I said, my name is Ryo, and I'm gonna be your chauffeur on this fine day. Maybe tomorrow too." He winked at Albedo. "It's always entertaining to meet new people from new places. So, climb on in and let's see if I can get moving before traffic gets too heavy."
Albedo took the front seat, a move so familiar to him that it almost calmed his nerves. The others put their belongings in the trunk and filed in the back seats.
"So, Alex, where've ya been?" Ryo spoke in English. Fridge, Swamps and Hugh made various motions of surprise.
Albedo leaned his head against the window. "I will kick you out and drive off with your vehicle."
Ryo navigated Japan's streets as he's done years before on and off with ease. "Fill up the tank while you're at it. I swear the guys at the pump are price gouging. No shame in your game, eh?"
"Ugh." Albedo lowered his eyes. "I have no game to have shame in."
"Aww, poor thing. West Shinjuku will fix that real quick." Ryo gave Albedo a few curious glances. "Long journey, huh?"
"Hn." Albedo waved a hand.
"West Shinjuku takes care of it's people." Ryo spoke softly. "You'll be alright."
Albedo looked through the car window, up at what sky he could see from his vantage point. The barest hint of a smile graced his face.
