Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 02: Humanity and Heroes
The Beginning – Chapter 18
Originally Written: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 1208AM to Monday, June 29, 2015 838PM
. . . . .
"Albedo, young man!"
Hugh looked down at the short brown skinned man walking towards Albedo and himself. He folded his arms behind his back, and stood silently as the male who just reached Albedo's midsection in height, walked towards them with a distinct, but subtle waddle. Gray streaks peppered bright blond hair sitting atop his head and the male's bushy mustache.
"Hello Moe." Albedo nodded as he moved to a kneeling position on the tiled floor.
Face to face, the male placed his small hands on Albedo's shoulders. "Enjoy the break, lad?"
"Break..." Albedo looked off to the side.
Moe folded his arms, "Getting into trouble never did a chap any good." He looked at Albedo with stern eyes.
"Unless it was for something they believed in." Albedo replied.
Moe turned around walking away from him slowly, "Too much passion is only good when it doesn't make you silly."
"A-Albedo i-isn't silly." Hugh spoke up, glaring at Moe's back.
"Of course not." Moe turned back around, "I hope you find whatever it may be you're looking for." Moe smiled brightly at Albedo, further showing off large and long front teeth, indicative of an overbite.
Albedo lowered his head, hands settling on his thighs. He raised his head a moment later. "This is Hugh. I met him on my...break."
"Ah." Moe nodded walking over. "Come now, down tall one!" He waved his hands, "Let this short ol' man get a fine look at you, lad."
Hugh glanced at Albedo for a moment. "A-all right." He awkwardly moved to his knees.
"Why you might be the tallest lad in the building." Moe climbed up on Hugh's currently human legs.
Hugh looked at him wide eyed.
Brown eyes looked right back stern and not intimidated in the least. "Don't be so shy, lad. I'm just a little ol' mole, as humans would say."
Hugh's brown eyes brightened after thinking for a moment. He looked at Albedo who nodded. "I-I'm a v-vaxasaurian." He beamed.
Moe hopped off Hugh's human legs and faced him. He did a slow, straight, stiff bow in Japanese fashion. "Moe Nakamura at your service." Moe said, waving an arm crosswise in front of his person as he straightened his back. "I'm the odd landlord, who lives on the first floor."
Hugh blinked, understanding forming in his eyes. "H-how did y-you know I-I wasn't human?"
"Albedo doesn't quite befriend Humans." Moe held up a finger. "Too awkward around them unless he's teaching them. Simple deduction." He waved a finger, "Unless it's of course that strapping young blue haired man." He gave Albedo a knowing smile as the male lowered his head.
"O-oh." Hugh spoke softly, tapping his hands against his legs.
"I only figured that Jenrya would appreciate a place where he could safely separate himself." Albedo stood quickly. "It is nothing more than that." He stared at the ground.
"Who said it was, my boy?"
Albedo scowled.
"The man's had his share of difficulties. Anyone could see that." Moe folded his arms behind his back, "But only a friend would receive the offer to stay in an apartment that's had its rent and utilities paid for in advance for months, as you offered."
Albedo looked at the male in the dim hallway. A part of him regretted stepping out of the apartment. Hugh hadn't wanted to come either, too preoccupied with typing or coding something or whatever. He wondered if he should have taken Hugh's protest to heart, as he rubbed his arms, while his stomach tried to eat itself for whatever reason Albedo didn't care to know.
"Nothing quite like a strong companion to help when times are tough, ne?"
Hugh nodded, timid and unsure as he wrung his hands together.
Albedo remained silent.
"Is that odd chap who went around asking everyone for coffee another of your friends?"
Albedo raised his head, "Did you just stop by to say hello so you could analyze my life?" He folded his arms, red eyes focused one hundred percent on Moe.
"I-I thought we were going to visit him?" Hugh questioned softly as he looked at Albedo.
Albedo responded with a deadpan stare.
"Oops." Hugh lowered his head, "Sorry."
Moe laughed, eyes bright. "I suppose I could lay off the analyzing to see what it is you wanted, lad."
Albedo dropped his arms, "I heard you had something for me?"
Hugh stood as Moe ran his fingers through his mustache.
"Oh! Yes!" Moe walked off rounding a corner in the short hall. Albedo followed him, and Hugh followed Albedo, trailing just a bit behind. "I grabbed a great haul of electronics from P'Goro and Michio. I'm sure you could treat it with better respect than for food, lad!" Mr. Nakamura called as he led them down to a dimly lit basement.