Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 02: Humanity and Heroes
Presage – Chapter 62
Originally Written: March 11, 2017 614AM to 711AM
. . . . .
"Oh, that's what's different." Jenrya's voice seemed loud in the apartment living room. "Wasn't there a mirror here?"
Albedo ignored Kazu looking at him, disguised as what Kazu called a 'distinguished gentleman'. Him using an ID mask wasn't even required. Apparently he just wanted to know what it was like. Albedo almost regretted asking the guards to make it possible for the Tamer to visit.
"No." Albedo replied in a bland voice. Kazu snickered, and he cursed in his mind. His eye must be twitching. Stupid flesh cage.
"Hmm...okay."
Albedo debated on asking about why Jenrya needed to go to Hypnos, but he decided not to with Kazu around. "You took your time getting here."
"I wanted to clear some things up with the Plumbers." Jenrya replied. "Nothing important."
Albedo felt the bed shift as Jenrya sat down on it. "Hm." He pulled on his shirt sleeves. A simple blue shirt that he deemed more comfortable than his usual black ones.
"I had heard you wanted to invite the others over, but I hadn't thought it was for this."
Albedo looked at the screen for a short moment. Kazu spoke softly, next to him, acting out voices whenever he came across a rare cut scene. He had to admit Kazu could imitate Ryo's voice quite well, better than he expected anyone to be able to at any rate.
"Jeri sent it over." He replied simply.
Kazu snorted, "She sees things like this." He looked at Albedo and winked.
"I remember telling a certain someone to not bother himself with this." Jenrya leaned up against Albedo's shoulder. "You know, currency and all."
"She told me to keep myself busy."
Kazu snickered. "That's what I'd call it. I haven't played this game in years. Did she bring you the sequels?"
"I believe she did."
"If you guys bother Ryo about it-"
"He's gonna get pissed." Kazu interrupted. "We know. Well, I know. I don't even think he has any of the games. Bet he gave them away when he found out that they made a game with him as the main character."
Albedo stared at Kazu. Then he looked at Jenrya. 'He...'
'Is a fanboy. He's toned it down a lot, but both he and Kenta are fanboys. They aren't going to see what you see. No matter how many times they play the games.' Jenrya explained, his stern voice floating through Albedo's mind.
Albedo didn't expect Kazu to fully realize why he asked him over, but he hadn't expected the male to truly have no idea. There wasn't much he could do now. The tamer would grow suspicious if he sent him away now. He would just have to curb any thoughts he gathered in conclusion of the experience to his mind, and keep them to himself until Kazu left.
'They only think Ryo doesn't like the fame as much as he used to,' Jenrya continued explaining, 'so try not to go nuts.'
Albedo sent a mental nod Jenrya's way, then blinked in wonder at his ability to achieve such a thing.
Jenrya chuckled and Albedo smiled.
"Are you two making faces behind my back?" Kazu turned around for a moment, and gave them a wary look.
"Just had a funny thought." Jenrya winked at Albedo. "I wonder if the guards left any yummies for me." He slipped off the bed.
Albedo suddenly felt cold. He almost dared to risk his reputation and ask the blue haired male to stay a bit longer. He dared to look at the TV screen again. With someone else playing he didn't notice his reflection on the screen as much. He supposed it had to do with not needing to focus on the screen as much as he would have if he were playing the game himself.
"How'd you get in anyway, Kazu?"
"I just had to promise to keep this pretty mouth shut tight outside the building. I like to think I'm pretty good at it." Kazu grinned for a quick moment. Then he turned around, and looked at the doorway Jenrya just walked out of. "How did he-?"
"Juggernaut." Albedo replied with a smirk. One of Ryo's Digimon partners just took some serious damage. Kazu wouldn't be pleased when he turned back around.
"Wha-? It can do that?"
"I just said it could."
"That's so weird, and cool. No one can sneak up on him."
'Or me,' Albedo looked at his lap, 'supposedly.' He thought of those two guards who dragged him around like a ragdoll. He wasn't surprised they got in, but was surprised they got so far. Even before the invasion, Yamaki seemed like he was one to take security way more seriously than Max Tennyson.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "It's essentially just hacking into the mask and indicating who's under it. I can't imagine it would work if he hadn't-"
Kazu cussed. He had finally turned around.
"-if he hadn't seen the person underneath the mask before." Albedo continued calmly. He looked at the screen for another moment, and he wondered if Ryo could still facilitate any Digimon's Digivolution through a digivice bond like in the game.
"Shh!" Jenrya ducked his head back into the room. He spoke in a soft whisper, "Don't tell all my secrets."
He snorted. "I'll keep the juicier ones."
"Deal." Jenrya left the room again, snickering.
For those few moments Albedo easily ignored the cages, flesh and inorganic, that trapped him.