A Warriors Reprieve (Kai/Invite)

'Awkward' was about right, but for more reasons than one. Although it was perhaps a new experience for Kai, to see these large or un-partnered Digimon act civil on their own, it was truly the norm for some parts of the world. The experienced pair understood this quite well, but Kai was definitely showing a bit of his green side, just blankly staring in a sort of awe. Noticing this, Ami gave a small chuckle: "C'mon, you look like a tourist. Relax a bit."

"That's a good word for it..."

Time to put that aside, though. As they met up with Koneka, the cat took a moment to listen to their introductions, giving a nervous smile and a step back as Shiro stepped forward. "H-hello yourself. Eheh..." No, she didn't do well with those acting like they were on a sugar-high. But as Kuro gave her half-apology, Koneka shook her head. "Don't know what I was expecting, really, but I don't mind." She gave a nod to each of them, as Kai introduced himself and his two partners.

"Ah... a tour?" The cat tilted her head, curiously. "Interesting... you new, then?"

"They don't seem that new, actually. Just less traveled." Valeria cut in, before Kai would get a word in, knowing that he might short himself.

"Ah, before I forget..." Ami slipped the bag off her shoulder, wincing as she did so, taking a leaf out of the bag. "This it?"

"Yeah, those will do- ... seriously, Ami, don't hide it." The doctor gave a 'tsk', and motioned for Ami to take a seat. "... It's not that bad..." Ugh. Sitting down, arms around her knees, Koneka pressed a palm into the shoulder. The girl winced; a moment later, the cat's paw glowed green, her healing aura radiating over the area.

"I see... thankfully, you're right." Koneka's palm settled a moment later, as Ami stood, stretching it out. It didn't seem hurt anymore, at least. "Well. If you all are here taking a tour, why don't you all check out the place? The big-guy is out, and I do enough work to at least vouch for you all to be in the arena. Just... don't break anything."

"Not like we have much to do while we wait for the next train. How 'bout it?"

That... that, was quite the opposite of relaxing, wasn't it? Instead of relaxing, Kai instead stiffened and shrunk back into himself, earning a bit of a raised brow from both Ami and Valeria. It was all too easy to just have this full conversation in front of him, and by the end of it, Ami wasn't even sure he was connected anymore.

And his last words proved that fact: he had just spaced out. "Huh. Picked yourself a real winner there, didn't you?"

"Hush." Swatting at the chuckling cat, Ami gave a sigh, turning towards Kai: "She asked if you wanted to take a look around while we're waiting for the next train. This place is pretty old, and I'm sure our Digimon will like watching the fights, at least." Her tone remained neutral, just trying to pass off Kai's behavior as a fluke. But then again, considering she'd only met him in battle? Maybe this was his normal state.

"He always like this?" Valeria asked this of Kuro, referring to Kai. If so, well, this was going to be a bit of an interesting day.

Awkwardness aside... at least they were back on track. And with that last line from the other tamer, Kai seemed to, at least somewhat, snap back into the situation. "Sounds good. Though you might need to be the one to keep an eye on him."

"Well, might as well get going, then." With little else to do herself, Koneka climbed up on Amis shoulder, just to be along for the ride, earning a raised brow from the fairy. "Really? Can't walk yourself?"

"Deal with it, I'm tired." The cat gave a smirk, the fairy rolling her eyes, before falling into line with Shiro and Kuro. There wasn't much else to do here, so Ami led the way inside... well, inside perhaps wasn't the best word for this. Despite the well-known nature of this place, most of the fighting areas were outside. Nearer the edge were the simpler ones: large scraps of leveled, packed dirt, some with a few benches surrounding. These were perhaps the most practical, and definitely the most worn: even way out here, a pair of Gazimon boxed, threw each-other around, and wrestled. Between each push, they muttered something to each-other... perhaps advice? Smack-talk? Who knew?

"Those two have been at it way too long. Hmph." Speaking with the concern of a doctor, Koneka shook her head.

"That can't be all there is to it, though. I mean, the arenas... this is worth what it takes to get in?" Ami shrugged, but the cat gave a smirk.

"Oh, you'll see...

"Hopefully." Valeria crossed her arms, looking towards the other two rookies. "So, what do you two do for fun?"

As they were moving, more of those simple sparring fights around them, Ami turned to face Kai: "... If I had to guess, this isn't your sort of thing, is it?" Ami sighed. "Don't worry. Valeria and I are pretty opposite as well. How's things with your partners?"

"Ah... of course." How could Valeria be so silly? That was probably the thought in Shiro's head, as the fairy gave an awkward smile and a little chuckle. Sure, the rabbit-turned-plant-vampire could be a bit of a goofball, but it was getting clearer that Shiro had more of a childish innocence to himself. Well, they were definitely brother and sister: the white Digimon took no hesitation in poking a jibe at his sibling, before diving right back into looking at every little, cool thing in the scenery.

Kai must have his hands full... sheesh.

As for Kai? Well... if Ami had to guess, perhaps becoming a Digidestined was something of an accident to him. Even now, it seemed like he was being pulled along for the ride, and it was clear in his voice that there was something just a bit off to his words. Not that he was lying, per-se, but perhaps that he was trying to convince himself? At this, the girl gave a sigh. Part of her just wanted to leave it alone, and perhaps just go their separate ways at the train station. In fact, she didn't want to say anything about it at all...

And she didn't. At least, not to start, as Koneka turned to face Kai: "You know, there's more to this than letting the two of them drag you around on a leash." She tilted her head, perhaps a little blunt in her point, but went on: "Might do you all a bit of good to do a little more than wander. Try a few things, see what you can work with your partners at."

Was that it, all Kai needed was some structure? Ami blinked, then shrugged. She had a point, but: "Forgive us if that was a little much. But, um, what do you do in our world? Maybe there's something you can do here closer to that. Or you'll find something you want to do, if you keep your eyes up and open instead of trained on Shiro's back."

Though there was a good reason for the latter, as they came to another battlefield. Definitely far more interesting than some of the earlier ones, and thankfully empty, it was filled with tall trees, strong branches, obstacles... all designed to be climbed through, and a practical adventure for a cat or squirrel!

W... wow.

It was clear that Koneka and Ami had touched a nerve with Kai. What was intended as a helpful suggestion turned this peaceful walk into a bit of a staring match, with Ami, Koneka, and even Valeria blankly looking over at him, wondering just what had happened to get him in this state. It was clear that this 'hero in glasses' had, well... 'something' off in his mindset. He seemed a little more unstable than initial outward appearances, as if this entire world was just a mistake to him.

The Digital World picked some interesting ones, didn't it?

"Look," Koneka started, trying to break the silence, "I didn't mean to-"

"Let's get some food!"

This earned another blink from both Koneka and Ami, Valeria doing all she could to stifle a chuckle. "You know what, that's probably a good idea." Anything to bring this awkwardness away from them, right? Looking on, Ami gave a smile: "Yeah, why don't you go ahead and figure what we can do about our food situation? It'll be a while before I can set up camp proper, but we should be able to find something around a place like this."

Anything to buy time here! On Ami's shoulder, Koneka gave a sigh, a brief glance given to the silent Kuro. Its your partner... you're just going to take it like that?

"Look," Ami cut in, with a smile, "Let's just forget about all that for now. In the end, we can only ask you to do what you can do. And besides, you saved me, right?" She gave a soft smile. "Now c'mon. Before Shiro eats this place out of house and home!"

Granted, Koneka knew very little about how tamers actually worked. That was more a 'supernatural' thing, while Koneka's medical knowledge was far more involved in the physical, or at least the more well-known aspects of this world. That definitely didn't help with understanding Kai and Kuro's respective reactions, however. She had just tried to help!

"Hm? Ah." Snapping back to attention, Koneka nodded: "Eating around here is definitely more informal than in the cities, but there's usually a good bit of roast, or spare fruit or whatever in... I guess you could call it a mess hall?" More like an intermittent bonfire and a few long logs to sit on! "Well, as long as you're all with me, it'll work fine. Though this place can be a bit touchy with outsiders." Not that Koneka was worried for most of them here, but for this to work, Shiro was really going to need to be on a leash.

If only she knew how terrible an idea that would end up being. Or if anyone else knew.

"Well, guess that settles that. Which way?"

"Two down," Koneka referred to the battlefields, "Then a hard right. We'll take a good look around, see if there's anything worth skimming. If not, I guess we just set up camp?" Yup, they were winging it. Earning a nod of approval from Ami and a shrug from the bunny, Koneka would point the way as they would head on out.

"Ah, Kai?" Trying her best to edge back into more comfortable conversation, Ami gave a smirk. "Don't worry. Every tamer I've ever met has cracked at least twice, myself included. You're in better company than you think."