AN: Started Digimon Survive. Definitely doesn't feel like ANY Digimon game I've played before...

No (Elliot, Crow, Rean)

"And that's pretty much it! So, what do you guys think?"

Crow grinned.

"Stuff our adorable classmates into cute outfits and have 'em sing and dance their hearts out? Music to my ears, as far as I'm concerned," Crow declared, reaching out for a high-five. Rean, meanwhile, looked impressed.

"Wow, you've put a lot of thought into this! Hopefully you've got some ideas on how to convince said 'adorable classmates'…?"

Elliot smiled, small and quiet, and it was impossible to miss the sudden chill in the air.

"I think they'll understand that refusal and failure aren't really options, don't you?"

Warning Shot (Angelica, Towa)

"Well, would you look at that! You're getting to be a crack shot with that thing, Towa."

She flushed, placing the orbal gun into its holster. "T-Thanks, Angie. I'm not sure if I should be too thrilled about that, though…"

"Hey, nothing wrong with practice making perfect. Besides, even if you don't ever plan on using one, it's not a bad idea to know how."

"I understand that," Towa conceded with a sigh. "And if nothing else, I think I can fire off a mean warning shot now!"

Angelica waggled her eyebrows. "Warning shots at knee level. Very intimidating."

"Hey!"

Brazen (Crow, Dorothee)

"Man, thanks a lot! I owe ya one."

"As a matter of fact," Dorothee began, her tone only mildly reproachful as she handed over the day's notes, "you owe me a lot more than one. Would it kill you to attend classes every once in a while?"

Crow drew his hand to his chest, the theatrical wince combined with his brazen wink making Dorothee laugh in spite of herself. "Y'know, it actually might. You sure you want that on your conscience if the worst comes to pass?"

"I could probably live with it. Until then, I have stories to write."

Finite (Bardias)

It had taken multiple spars – all of which had ended with a winded Bardias flat on his back – for him to determine some of the reasons why Aurelia never seemed to exhaust her reserves the way he did.

For one thing, her economy of motion was absolutely superb. Not a single move she made was wasted, not one.

This, of course, meant that she was always in an optimal position to launch her assaults and control the zone of combat, neutralizing his range advantage and ensuring he'd be worn down before long.

The things you learned when running on empty.

Never (Jusis, Paula, Elliot)

For a moment, Elliot swore he was hearing things.

"I'm still astounded that you've never ridden a horse before yet wanted to join the Riding Club."

"Shut it! Besides, you and Gaius said I did okay for my first time out, didn't you?"

"I suppose your progress was… satisfactory."

"W-What was that?!"

Well, didn't this sound familiar.

"Hey, Jusis! Good day for riding, huh?" Elliot greeted as the pair of blondes rounded the corner.

"Indeed." He flicked a glance at his annoyed companion, shaking his head a little in bemusement. "Elliot, this is Paula. She and Regnitz must never meet."