I don't own digimon.

Story 80

ripple effect pt 4: view from the shore

Narrator Switch: *Error* to Harlequin?

Shifting the camera back ever so slightly, we come upon the titular author. A beautiful red ballgown with small fairy wings clings to their androgynous body, making the tapping of their red kitten heels all the more noticeable. Okay. Those look more like mary janes than actual heels, but the point still stands. A brown heart-shaped handbag hung at his side, bobbing all about with each step. Doesn't explain why I can occasionally make out the tiny head of a woman with long hair. Strands of plastic rather than that of the real McCoy, it only raises further questions.

'Is there anything that you wish to be called?' Chaos signed and the author raised a claw to his chin. When was the last time that someone had asked him a question like that? Whenever the last time he had shown up in the story. So DAO, in that case.

"Digi." he answered as the pair came to a door. Watching Chaos open it up, she and her costume slipped through. As for my spouse's dear old boss, he chose to lean against the wall. Met with yellowish tan walls and a colorful tile floor, I trust that this is up to your standards. "I guess you could say that… Diana."

I'm happy to hear that. Not that I would expect anything else.

For that remark, Digi rolled his eyes. Yeah. That was perhaps a touch too much of sucking up there. I'll rein it in to the best of my abilities. Okay?

"Works for me."

Shifting his attention to the door, the author didn't need to wait long for his 'partner' to exit. Dressed in her most favorite of white jumper dresses with the red triangular hem, she had chosen to pair with white peep toe heels sporting a red underside. Complimenting her red leggings, one might assume that a garter belt was involved. But that was perhaps prying a touch too much. Moving up to her hands, one could spot a trio of wedding rings - one inset with a jade, a sapphire and a heart-shaped ruby. The finishing touch was the greatsword on her back.

"You look amazing, for the record." Digi announced and watched Chaos's face go red. Looking away for just a second, that was more than long enough for the white mage to calm herself. Meeting her boss's gaze, a series of rapid signing motions followed. Doing his best to follow, Digi's eyes glazed over. "I'm not completely certain I'm deserving of praise for this outfit."

Lifting his tail up, one could make out a red bow on it. Chaos cautiously reached out, taking care to feel it. While the scaled pattern was there, some work needed to be done with getting the feel right. But such sensations were usually secondary to that of how something looked.

'Come on. I think everyone else would like to see you.' Chaos signed and reached out to Digi's claw. Grabbing hold, she pulled him down the hall the short distance to the Cafe's meeting rooms. At the moment, only one was occupied. Considering the nature of this situation, it was odd that it wasn't both.

"Okay." Digi answered as they came to a stop. Letting go of her boss's hand, Chaos gingerly opened the door. Stepping through, the same flooring and paint had been carried through into here. Shelves at various heights served as places for plushies to be set down when not in use. At the moment, none of the shelves appeared to be filled. Mostly on account of the number of people here. Standing in patient anticipation of Chaos's arrival, their gazes were on

"Uh… sorry about accidentally rewriting the world." a voice announced, bringing with it the tossing of a black cat plush over to Digi. Just managing to catch it, the author took a moment to hug it. Nice as it felt, his attention was already on the source of the voice. Taking the form of a woman with brunette hair, she was dressed in a beautiful green kimono. A set of tabi socks covered her feet, going quite well with the zori preventing them from getting dirty. Much like Chaos, three wedding rings hung to her left hand -

"Not at all, Sachiko." Digi answered as he pulled his tail out of the doorway. Once inside, that was Chaos's cue to close the door. While the only people who were bound to come in were other Plush Cafe staff, it was still a good idea to keep it shut. "It worked out in the end."

Staring up at the ceiling, I trust you have a good idea who managed to hack in? "Yeah. Sorry about that."

Looking around for a place to sit, Digi eventually settled on a nearby cushion. Heading over, he felt everyone's gazes fixate on him as he sat down. Taking care to not mess up his dress, care was given to keep his bag close.

"I'm running essentially a parallel yet different version of Neo Digia. Somehow, whatever happened with Ogudomon managed to latch on for a brief moment and make that version of Victoria appear - Queen Eliza." Digi explained as Chaos and Sachiko sat down beside them. Looking for Talia, he didn't have to look far. Clutching that of an angel plush, the lady gunner got a wave. "Before you ask, no. It isn't quite 1-to-1. Thank fuck."

Narrator Switch: Harlequin? to *Error*

Of course this stupid thing decides to hack back in. Uh… sorry about this, people that I don't know. In retrospect, going to the place with all the magic energy

"Sage, you do realize I can just warp you over?" my boss announced, not at all happy with this accident. Would it help if I said that we did this to figure out why someone opened a portal to this world and grabbed two people?

"Not really?" a woman who looked like she could pass for the grim reaper announced and I gulped. Especially as a portal appeared. Good way to answer my question. Though, I'm fairly certain th-

Narrator Switch: *Error* to Harlequin?

Back in control once more, our group of narrators watch as their new friends are pulled through. First up… we have a potted jacaranda treant… thing. A couple feet tall, she was adorned in a modified sundress. Obscuring some of her grayish brown bark, but not the black pebbles that served as their eyes. A set of wedding bands hang to her left hand. The leftmost was red and white, while the right was that of black and yellow. Purple blossoms cover the back side of her body, just in time to bloom forth.

'Well, I guess I'm not surprised.' Chaos signed as Jestery of all people floated over and set the potted plant off to the side. Though, that didn't explain the look that the jester was getting here.

"Did Jestery do something wrong?" Jestery inquired as she shifted the 'pokemon' on her shoulders. Just in time for Digi's bag to lunge in the direction of the cosplay pikachu. Getting pulled back, our dear author shot the bag a look. Then it's back to the portal. A woman dressed in a white and red ballgown stepped out. Dressed like she was going to be at a fancy ball, the truth was far from that. A set of red opera gloves clung to her hands and snaked up her arms, making the wedding bands all the more noticeable. We have the yellow and black band from before, but it's now been met with a gray band with a purple blossom inset within.

'Ugh.' the woman in white and red signed as she made her parasol disappear. Focusing on Chaos, the two women stared at each other for a couple moments. Then it was the former's cue to head over to her wife. 'Hi. My name is Ciela and this is my wife, Sage. Our other spouse had to work today, so she's not here.'

The other narrators nodded, bringing with it the sound of the door opening. A unicorn stepped through, pulling Chaos's gaze away from her alternate self and over to them. Dressed in a stereotypical gothic lolita coord that would've been right at home on a certain black cat, a set of modified heels without the titular heel served to accentuate their look. A singular gothic wedding bracelet hung near her right hoof, a far cry from the gothic doll hat on her head. A set of purple eyes stare out on everyone.

Giving a wave, she watched the unicorn's black fur turn a pretty shade of light gray. Not that this fact stopped them from handing out menus to everyone in the room. Done up in bright pastel colors, words and raised braille dots had been provided among many other magical-based accommodations. As for what was on offer here, a mix of sweet and savory. From simple desserts to special meals themed around characters of the Cafe.

"I trust that you all need a moment to decide?" the unicorn inquired and everyone nodded. Afterwards, Chaos stood up. The perfect cue for her coworker to walk over and give the white mage a hug. In turn, she got a hug back and made her exit. As for Chaos, she sat down. Right in time for Ciela and Sage to shoot her a look.

"No fair you get to see your significant other and we don't." Sage muttered and shot Digi a look. So focused she was on him, the treant didn't notice the looks from Talia and Jestery here.

"Join the crowd." Ms Grim Reaper announced as her sister nodded in agreement. Dressed in what looked to be fantasy armor, I'm almost tempted to assume that she's some kind of cosplayer. Not a deity of heroes. No offense, of course.

"None taken." Ms Cosplayer announced as Digi tried his hardest to hold in his chuckling. Shooting her boss a look, that was enough to make it stop and instead look over the menu. Scanning it for a couple seconds, he set it down right after. For that, his bag lunged forward and attempted to escape. By escape, I mean poke their head. Feminine in nature, this entity was trying to pass herself off as human. Just from this limited view, the proportions look… too perfect. Like someone kept changing their mind of what their view of perfection was and unwilling to compromise on that vision. Would explain the plasticky pale skin framed by a set of hollow brown eyes. The same locks of hair from before are on full display here, even more so when Digi pulled her out. Only now, I can get a good look at her outfit. Consisting of a light pink salon jacket with matching skirt and white heels, it's clear what she does for a living.

"HMPH." the woman announced as she was set on her feet. Growing to a size more appropriate for this situation, she shot Digi a glare. "SO THIS IS THE UPPER LAYER. OR IS IT SOMETHING SIMILAR?"

All eyes shifted to this mystery woman. While I trust there's an explanation for this particular 'speech pattern', could you maybe introduce yourself first?

The woman nodded.

"IT." the stylist announced as she sat down on the opposite side of Digi. Even as Chaos shot her a look. "I'M DIGI'S DOM."

Chaos raised an eyebrow.

'Why do you of all people need a dom?!' Chaos screeched and was met with a sigh from Digi here. Why do I get the feeling that there's more of a story to this than would first suggest?

"You could say that." Digi muttered and calmed himself. Staring down at the floor, the author took a moment to compose his thoughts. "You wouldn't believe the number of supposed Doms who have asked to take me in as their sub."

Talia and Jestery raised hands to their mouths. Holding in their laughter, that got a look from IT. Oddly salivating, an attempt was made to prevent her from charging a being more than able to render her existence moot.

"I can take care of myself, but keep that fucking thing away from me." the cosplay pikachu announced and jumped down. Charging up thunder in her body, she doesn't get far enough to actually do anything. Definitely for the best. "If nothing else, tell me where they are! That's all I and Mimi want."

Silence fell over the meeting room, all eyes shifting to Digi here. Put on the spot,

"They're gone and you're going to have to live with that fact for the foreseeable future. Okay, Daisy?" Digi answered and was met with a glare from Daisy. Even more so when Jestery picked Daisy up and set the cosplay mouse pokemon back on her shoulder.

"Fuck you." Daisy countered and spun around to not face Digi or the other narrators here. Even as their attentions shifted back over to the author.

"It's probably best to drop the subject for now." Digi answered as he wiped off the drool from IT's face. Staring for just a moment, that was enough to break off any ideas she might have on trying to grab Daisy here. "Beyond that, anything of note?"

Jestery's gaze swiveled away. Now obscured by her hat, that was all that she needed to see here. Eventually swiveling around in the hopes of meeting her boss's face, a sigh escaped the jester's lips. How the heck are we going to explain this?

"Would it help if we went first?" Sage inquired and watched Jestery's gaze shift over to her. Giving the treant a nod, that was Sage's cue to clear her throat.

"Uh… nothing really interesting happened. Well… minus someone accidentally dropping a new gender and the queen of Branaka disappearing for a time." Sage explained, all attention shifting over to her here. Okay. How exactly does one 'accidentally' drop a new gender? Such a thing would require much testing and procedures. "Magic."

Talia shot Sage a look. Missy, you have no room to talk here. Especially considering the method you used to even get to this point. Or has that fact conveniently passed by without you remembering?

"Okay. You got me there." Talia joked and shifted her expression ever so slightly. Blowing a kiss to the ceiling, I try to catch it. I looked absolutely ridiculous while doing so, but I did it. Somehow. "I'm happy to hear that, dear. But to get back on track, what kind of magic are we talking about here?"

Sage froze and muttered something in the direction of her wife. Feeling Ciela grab hold of her hand, she was treated to a bit of rubbing. Care taken to not accidentally strip the bark off of her skin, it was enough to break through the feelings being felt at the moment.
"The kind of magic that results when you make a deal with one of the most powerful demons to exist in your world." Sage announced and was treated to raised eyebrows from the rest of the group. To be fair, that's a bold claim to make in a world where some of the most powerful people are able to take on gods without breaking a sweat.

"BY ANY CHANCE COULD YOU MAYBE GIVE ME THEIR NUMBER?" IT joked and was treated to a look from Digi. Letting out a deep breath, he took a moment to compose a proper answer to his dom.

"Uh… no. Just, no." Digi countered and got a look from IT here. Rolling her eyes, she let that thought fade. Just in time for the unicorn to return. Now holding a pad and pen in her hooves, it was actually quite an impressive feat of puppetry/costume building.

"I trust everyone has decided what they want?" the unicorn announced and was met with nods from the occupants of the room. Even Daisy and Mimi. Though, I'm not particularly certain how the latter is supposed to eat. Oh well. Doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

"We'll be splitting the LaMoo Chocolate cake with a kiss… please?" Sage inquired and watched the unicorn raise an eyebrow. Spinning around to face Sachiko and Chaos, she was met with a mimicked sigh from the white mage.

'I guess that answers the obvious question here.' Chaos muttered, following it up with a string of rapid signing. Nodding in agreement, dear old Freya faced the alternate versions of her wives once more.

"No, on the kiss." she announced, trying her hardest to remain in character. Thankfully, our dear guests decided to not push their luck here. The perfect opportunity to write down their order and then head onto Ms Grim Reaper and her cosplaying sister. Yes, I'm aware they have names. But they haven't gone through the trouble of introducing themselves, so that's the name they've gotten.

"We'll both have a coffee and some banana bread." Ms Cosplayer announced, more focused on Freya's costume than that of whether the order was actually correct. No matter. Our dear unicorn was already heading over to Talia.

"What will it be, your highness?" Freya cooed and Talia looked away. Oh dear. I guess someone has a story of

"First off, please don't call me 'your highness'. I'm her royal advisor. Secondly, one of Rinnie's Pretty Piggies to go and I'll have a slice of Advent Cake." Talia announced, watching Freya scribble that all down. At least, minus the first part. Once Freya had, she confidently walked over to Jestery and her companions.

"So are you three ordering one dish or do you want separate dishes?" Freya inquired and Daisy shot Jestery a look.

"A whole cake." Daisy announced and Mimi nodded in agreement. Jestery held in a sigh. As much as she wanted to veto the whole cake idea on the basis that neither pokemon understood how big of a cake that actually was.

"Jestery will have a slice of coffee cake and a Verri Plush plushie to go. I'll pay for the full cake." Jestery explained as her thoughts turned to that of Sage's claims. While not something worth acting on directly, it was interesting. Especially if it somehow worked similar to her powers. "So is the magic coming from the demon itself or is it something residual?"

Sage stared down at the ground.

"It's more… How do I put this? The land itself is filled with energy from when it was ripped up, but the main user is a dragoness who may or may not be the place's proper ruler." Sage explained as Freya headed over to Digi and company.

"I'LL TAKE A CINNAMON ROLL AND ONE OF THE PLUSHIES THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU." IT announced and was met with a raised eyebrow from Freya's mascot head. Looking over to her sub, a sigh escaped Digi's lips. So is this just her speech quirk or is there a more complicated reason for why she speaks like that.

Digi stared down at the floor. Lasting only a moment, it was up to the ceiling.

"Absolutely the first one." the author answered and focused on Freya here. "I'll have a slice of chocolate cake."

Freya nodded, her focus shifting to her beloved's. Not even needing to open their mouths/sign, she wrote down what they wanted.

"I'll be back in a moment with your food and merchandise." Freya cooed and made her exit. Afterwards, everyone's gazes returned to Jestery. Now sitting with 'her' pokemon, the jester took a moment to get her thoughts in order here.

"So is there a Jestery in your universe?" Jestery inquired and Sage looked away. Muttering something in the direction of Ciela, she signed something back.

"Yes, but also no." Sage answered and was met with a raised eyebrow from Jestery. That was a simple yes or no question. Not both.

'She's asleep, her mind projecting a body in her own dimension as a way to communicate. Of course, there's also a cult wishing to wake her up and they all dress up like clowns.' Ciela signed and shook her hands about. "Is Jestery not being in other universes common?"

Jestery nodded.

"Well, the only Jestery I know about has been reduced to an eldritch horror intent on revenge. All while Kain and their wife attempt to get back at the powers to be." Jestery explained, Ciela shooting her a look. More specifically, the singular wedding band.

"Do you not have a wife too?" Sage whispered and Jestery's cheeks went light gray. Oh dear. I guess someone is too devoted to their husb-

"It's not like that! Kain is whatever gender he or Jestery wishes him to be." Jestery countered and shot the ceiling a look. Coming back a second later, I'm promptly treated to a nice-word text that reminded me to not ask those kinds of questions. Yeah, that was on me. Sorry about that, your majesty.

"Uh… you don't need to be that formal. Sometimes Jestery forgets that she's royalty as well. It doesn't really affect things as much as you would think it would." Jestery announced and was met with a look from Talia. Muttering something to the floor, she reluctantly met the jester's gaze.

"Didn't you disappear for a bit just to punch a woman in another dimension because she was supposedly using your realm for nefarious purposes?" Talia countered and watched Jestery's expression shift ever so slightly.

"First off, that was years ago. Secondly, she very much was." Jestery answered and shifted the position of the pokemon in her lap. An action that brought her right in line with Ciela's gaze.

'That clears up one question I had.' Ciela signed as the attention shifted back over to them. In turn, she tried her best to shift the attention over to Digi and IT.

"DO WE EVEN HAVE ANY STORIES WE CAN TELL?" IT announced and got a shrug from her sub. By no means the answer our strange dominatrix wished to hear here, it was certainly one way to answer it. "HMMM… THERE WAS THIS ONE TIME I THREW A MOMMYDOM INTO A WALL. SHE VERY MUCH DESERVED IT."

Sachiko raised an eyebrow.

"Uh… what exactly did this 'mommydom' do to deserve being thrown into a wall?" the geomancer inquired, waiting a moment for IT to focus on her.

"SHE TRIED TO STEAL MY SUB, CLAIMING THAT DIGI NEEDED A REAL DOM." IT announced, Chaos and Sachiko shifted their focus over to Digi. So many questions in regards to 'why' and 'there's no way that this is as big of a problem that IT was making it out to be, right?', but so little time to actually answer them.

"Yeah. It happens from time to time. That was just a weird exception that proves the rule." Digi explained and stared down at the floor. Muttering something that's best left unnoted here, his gaze turned back to his companions. "It's honestly not that big of a deal… most of the time."

Chaos and Sachiko nodded.

'Do you have any powers, IT?' Chaos signed and IT gulped. Staring at a wall, what looked to be magical energy surged at her fingertips.

"I CAN TRANSFORM PEOPLE, BUT LET'S NOT TEST IT ON ANY OF YOU." IT answered and watched Chaos freeze. Miming a gulp, it was followed by a similar sigh and then reaching out to Sachiko's hand. Getting a squeeze from her wife, it felt quite good.

"She's part digimon… technically, so anything capable of transforming not of her own volition is something to watch out for." Sachiko explained and watched Ciela's gaze swivel back over to IT. For now, her own gaze split between

"Do you want me to fix that for you?" Digi inquired and Chaos shook her head. While the offer was nice, it was not something that really mattered here. Afterwards, the group's gaze turned to Ciela.

'Could you transform me into a naga? Please?" Ciela signed and IT shook her head. Even without the look from Digi here, she knew the answer to the question already. Ciela probably knew it as well, but still wanted to be hopeful.

"While IT could transform you, it's bound to not quite be what you want and it's likely to backfire in some epic way that my sub has to fix." Digi answered and shot the door a look. Then it's back to the group.

"So does she eat my kind then to power herself up?" Daisy muttered and watched Digi nod. That had been a joke, not a legitimate question. I don't know what you expected to happen here. I would think you of all people would know that fact. Letting out a sigh, she shot IT a look. But not before sneaking in a snide comment.

"YES. I EAT YOU AND IN TURN - ERASE THE CONCEPT OF YOU FROM THIS PARTICULAR WORLD." IT answered and watched the eyebrows be raised. Looking over to Digi, she was met with a shrug. "IN OUR HOME UNIVERSE, THIS RESULTS IN THAT PARTICULAR WORLD BEING ERASED IF THAT CONCEPT AND ALL ITS CLONES WERE ABSORBED."

Silence fell over the room. The concept described here was very much understood. Similar in nature to that of those stupid time shifts, just with the world being erased rather than changed. If anything, it was slightly better. Not by much on the account of the number of people you kill with this method,

"Uh… are you the only threat that exists in that 'cluster' of worlds?" Talia inquired and IT shook her head. Focusing on the lady gunner for just a moment, it took everything in the stylist's power to not laugh.

"OF COURSE NOT." IT countered as the door opened. Freya had returned, bringing with her one of those carts you would expect to see in fancy dining establishments. Not a cafe. But that fact was looked past here as she began bringing everyone their food. "THERE'S ALSO THE SADISTIC WOMAN WHO'S NOT ALLOWED TO DIE ON ACCOUNT OF NEEDING TO SUFFER FOR WHAT SHE DID AND THE GROUP OF ALIEN CLONES INTENT ON USING THIS CLUSTER AS THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIMENT GROUNDS."

Sachiko brought a hand up to her mouth. Hiding the chuckle to the best of her abilities, it still very much came through here. Still coming through, it was nowhere as noticeable. Definitely for the best.

"Didn't we get rid of one of those by way of the time shifts?" Freya announced as she headed back to the cart. While all the food that would be eaten right now had been given out, it was now time for the merchandise and the to-go stuff.

"Yeah. She became momma kitty's maid or something. Or did that get overridden by the time shifts?" Jestery answered and shot Sachiko and Chaos a look. For her remark, the couple shrugged. While the chain of events that caused that simultaneously happened a couple years and a few hundred years ago, they were still fresh in both narrator's minds.

"Beats us. Though, we'll likely get an answer to that question later." Sachiko muttered as she brought the plate closer to her and Chaos here. Today, the couple was enjoying some strawberry shortcake. Done up with white and red frosting, it's pretty obvious why that was picked.

'Just because you know doesn't mean you have to taunt us about it.' Chaos signed and returned her attention to the meal. While those two did that, Digi and IT dug into their meal. Or at least. Digi did. IT just grabbed the cinnamon roll and shoved it into her mouth. Not even taking the time to bite, I guess it's okay? She's from another world. It probably is. Especially as her attention shifted to the unicorn plush. Holding it close, IT mouthed something to it. Whatever it was, I didn't catch it. Oh well.

"CAKE!" Daisy announced as she smashed her face into said cake. As for Mimi, they were eating far more gingerly. The result was still the same - a big mess.

"Uh… does Jestery need to clean that up?" Jestery inquired and Chaos nodded. Letting out a sigh, off came the hat. Digging into it for a couple of seconds, out came a cleaning cloth. Taking care to clean up the cake, she hummed what sounds like a Branakan children's television show to herself.

"How are the kids?" Digi remarked and Jestery forced her gaze over. Ignoring the look that Ciela and Sage were giving her, the jester got herself comfortable.

"Quite good. Cora is going to College for her degree in Economics. Jestery is proud of her. As for MIRA, I have shared custody with Claire and her wife Ditzy. Though, Jestery should probably go and

"Huh." Sage announced and brought a branch close to her mouth. Getting a look from Digi here, it was ignored here.

"Does your Jestery not have kids?" Talia inquired and watched Sage nod. Good to know. Not that I think I could deal with any more children.

"I guess Jestery knows what she is doing." Jestery announced and puffed her chest out. Going up a cup size for just a moment, I refuse to believe you actually know how to fuck someone. Let alone get fucked.

"Dear, I suggest taking that back right this instant." Talia continued, only to be treated to a gesture that I don't think can be referenced here.

'Good to know that your Jestery is awful as ours.' Ciela announced and Daisy rolled her eyes. The nerve of this woman to say that. She knew nothing. At least, in comparison to your intellect. Why yes, that statement totally makes sense and is not the misunderstanding of a creature who is taking pleasure in destroying a perfectly good ca-

"How fucking dare you accuse me of such slander! We've lost our friends, our masters, our world! The only fucking trace that still exists is that stupid fucking whale's son. A useless son who dresses up like a magical girl so his boyfriend can do whatever the fuck he wants with them.

"Hey! You leave Blossom out of this!" Talia announced and Daisy charged up with sparks. Pulling her face out of the cake, it was oddly Digi who approached. Scooping the electric mouse pokemon out of Jestery's lap, he took the full brunt of the attack. By no means his smartest moment (remember that time he tried to take on his former creations?), I can certainly see his logic here. Doesn't make it any less stupid here. IT, does he display that kind of behavior with you?

IT shook her head.

"NOT REALLY?" IT answered and watched Digi take the shock. Weathering through the blow surprisingly well, didn't stop gravity from taking hold and the author crumpling to the ground. IT and Chaos ran over, shooting each other a look as they did so. Even then, it would be Chaos who got there first and helped Digi back up.

"We are not even in the slightest." Daisy announced, pulled back over and scolded by Mimi. As for Digi, he returned to his piece of cake. While almost finished, that was all the more reason to savor what he had left.

"IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO DO AFTER THIS OR ARE WE HEADING BACK TO OUR HELLHOLE?" IT inquired as the trio headed back to their spot. Taking their seats, Digi stared down at the floor.

"There's one more stop I would like to make." Digi announced and watched IT's expression shift ever so slightly. More than ready to head back, she was reluctantly willing to stay with him. But mostly as his dom and not because she cared. Nope. Not all. That would be silly. Though, judging by the look that I'm being treated too, that seems to be the case.

"I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT." IT announced as Freya returned. Holding the various checks for their meals with a card reader no less, not even her own spouses were immune from a free meal.

"Uh… would cards from a parallel version of this universe work here?" Sage announced and watched Freya walk over. Watching the treant pull her card out from… somewhere, the waitress looked it over.

"I'm going to say yes, but I could be wrong here." Freya explained and held the card reader out. Scanning Sage's card, the payment goes through. Handing them their receipt, she headed over to Talia, Jestery and the pokemon. Handing one receipt to the lady gunner, Freya didn't need to walk far in order to hand the other receipt off. Though, it would be Jestery who would pay first. "This is a real card, right?"

Jestery rolled her eyes.

"Just because Jestery accidentally tried to pay with her license one time does not mean I'm going to report it." Jestery muttered as she paid for her meal. Setting both pokemon back on her shoulders, her attention shifted over to Talia. Currently paying for her meal, her gaze was split between Digi and IT here.

"Uh… no hard feelings about Azure Shift." Talia muttered as she accepted her card back. Putting it away, a smile formed on her face. Teleporting away right after, that didn't stop Sage and Ciela from looking her way as well.

'Uh… could you send us back, boss?' Ciela asked and Digi nodded. Making a portal appear behind the pair, that was their cue to head out. Giving a wave, Chaos and Sachiko waved back. Then it's back over to Digi, Jestery and IT.

"Can Jestery trust you two to behave yourselves while she goes and visits her family?" Jestery inquired and got a nod from Daisy and Mimi. Getting sent back, that was Jestery's cue to shift her attention over to Chaos here. "I trust you're going to be the ones narrating this dinner party?"

Chaos nodded, only to be brought the receipts.

"GOING TO BE HONEST. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I'VE ACTUALLY PAID FOR A MEAL." IT announced and got a look from Digi. Nonetheless, he pulled his card out and paid. Once that was done, Jestery approached. Picking both author and eldritch creature up, that gave the pair just enough time to wave. Then it was their turn to be teleported away…

.

On the other side, Digi and IT found themselves standing outside a quaint little diner. Decorated to match the advent season, that didn't make what would any easier.

"You know, Digi doesn't have to do this." Jestery announced and Digi shook his head. Jumping out of Jestery's arms, the author didn't need to walk on.

"I knew you were here! Don't tell me that you have some kind of dumb sche-" a voice announced, bringing with it a tall, muscular woman. Dressed in one of those stereotypical fifties waitress outfits dome up in violet, a naginata was proudly straddled in her hands. Violet eyes stare out, bringing with it a set of "Oh. You looked different. Have you lost weight?"

Digi rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Sorry about what happened with Azure Shift, Claire." Digi announced, only to be stabbed. By no means an appropriate response, she did wait five fucking years for that apology. Not in-universe years, but real-life years.

"FUCKING HELL." IT announced and watched Claire's gaze shift over to her. Pulling the naginata out, a chuckle escaped her lips.

"You really need to work on hiding your true presence." Claire muttered and watched what looked to be a salon appear right across the street. Shooting IT a look, a chuckle escaped her lips.

"THERE IS NO NEED WITH MY PROWESS." IT boasted and got a look from Jestery here. Thankfully, that was cut off by the arrival of a fairy pulling along a silverish gray humanoid. A pink and white magical girl dress hung to her body, turning into a ballroom gown as she approached Jestery. Lockings of metallic hair reminiscent of her mother's was on full display here, with a white lotus flower hanging within for good measure. Short heeled boots stick out, giving just a bit of height. Perfect for the large pink feline-like eyes to stare out and examine everything.

"I'll take your word for it." Claire muttered as the fairy landed on her shoulder. Shooting Digi a look, Digi nodded. Then it was the performer's cue to focus on him. "You better treat that lady quite well. Okay?"

Digi nodded and motioned for IT to come over. Why do I get the feeling that it isn't a problem? Oh well.

"I will." Digi answered as IT reached out to his claw. Grabbing hold, she squeezed tight. Turning their attention back to Claire. "Sorry about the short visit. Had to touch base and stuff."

Claire rolled her eyes.

"At least let me stab you one more time for good measure, you idiot." she muttered and closed the distance. Taking care to not squish IT or the fairy, what followed was a cross between a stabbing and a hug.

"Better?" Digi whispered and Claire nodded. Breaking away right after, she watched the pair teleport to whatever dimension they had come from. Letting out a sigh, her gaze fell to the ground. There, one could find an IT doll dressed up for a fancy outing. Scooping it up, she held it up in the light.

"As tempting as it would be to use this as a voodoo doll, it would be best for you to hang onto this." Claire muttered and handed Jestery the doll. Stuffing it into a secret compartment, her attention shifted back to the performer.

"Will Claire be okay?" Jestery inquired and got a nod from Claire. Why did it matter to the jester of all people here? Of course she would be okay.

"I get what he was trying to do. While late, I'll just accept it." Claire muttered and watched Jestery scoop her daughter up. Giving a wave, she watched Jestery walk off. Turning back to the diner, that prompted her fairy to get off. Letting out a chime, a new set of earrings now hung in their tiiny arms. "You idiot."

Switching her earrings, mutterings of leaving one final surprise echoing about. Which is the perfect point to switch off.

Narrator Switch: Harlequin? To Conjurer

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In another world, in another form of media entirely, IT headed down a hall. Heading for her room here, her return had very much been noticed. Not that this fact mattered to the stylist. Let them know, it just showed the difference between them and her here.

"PHEW." IT muttered as she reached her door. Staring down to her gift, a sigh followed. As luck would have it, the present had made it back safely. "I'M BACK."

Entering her room, IT was met with plain white walls and an attempt at a tile floor. Not even close to proper tiles, that could be looked past here. Much like the simple furniture that had been scattered about to present the illusion of it being lived.

"Welcome back." a calm and serene voice announced, bringing with it the sound of heels tapping against the floor. IT locked on, being met with a tall robotic figure. Skin covered in white latex, a pair of black lenses stare down to meet their beloved's gaze. Dressed in a rather short nurse uniform, it was done up in a shiny magenta material that IT didn't know the name of. The heels were done up in the same material, reflecting everything around.

"I BROUGHT YOU BACK A GIFT." IT announced and held out the unicorn plush. Watching her girlfriend scoop the gift up, she held it close to her chest.

"I love it!" she announced and pulled IT in. Accepting the gesture, she did shoot the ceiling a look…

Narrator Switch: Conjurer to Trinity

Conjurer's Note:

Well... that was fun. I would say I should do that again, but there are others things that need my focus.

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Trinity's Note:

Glad that's over with.