Skip Navigation
A Warriors Reprieve (Kai/Invite)
|
Post by NolChannel on Apr 4, 2016 3:41:09 GMT
Continued from here"Well, as we've said, its been a while since we've been here. So, its just a matter of being out of practice." Valeria simply shrugged, not seeing too much awkward about the question. Ami, however, gave a depressed sigh.
"I had to focus on my classes for a bit. Thought it would be like riding a bike, but clearly not... going to take a few days to get my head back into the game, I guess. Frustrating."
Aside from that, there wouldn't be too much to go on, at least on that end...
But, two hours and one train ride later, the five of them would depart at their first stop, a stop a little less traveled by most: the so-called 'Spartan Training Grounds'. It served two purposes, one of training new Digimon from the Village of Beginnings, and another of being one of few places in this world to properly practice fighting. The latter was an exclusive club: only those worthy of the leader, Dinohyumon, were able to fight continuously here in proper, and mostly only with the lizard monster himself. That said, there were a few other Digimon here, other than the fighters.
This was apparent as they would step off the station. Right inside the grounds, a Gatomon stood on a tall bench, dressing the wound of an arm of a Greymon. A tight bandage held itself around a splint, the former dressed in a weird-smelling purple alcohol... or something like that. Tightening the cloth, the cat gave a hum, and stepped down. "That'll take about a week for it to fully go down. Dokugumon bites are nothing to sneeze at."
"Grr... thanks." Looking at the wound and sniffing the bandage, the dinosaur trudged itself back into the grounds. Below, the cat was putting away her supplies, before her ear twitched. Looking over her shoulder, she would see...
"Ah! Ami, Val!"
"Koneka! Its been ages!" Stooping down to her knee, giving the cat a small scratch on the head, Koneka pushed the hand away with a smile ("Stop that...") before looking towards the rest of the group. "And these are..."
"New friends. Ah, guys, this is Koneka. A Digital World field doctor."
"A little more than that, but, um..." She definitely wasn't expecting other faces here, giving a small bow to the group. "Nice to meet you all, I suppose."
"I sense awkward..."
|
|
|
Post by Kai Haimura on Apr 7, 2016 22:22:58 GMT
Kai stared around. This was... A new experience. Sure, Digimon were everywhere in Terminus... But they were so ubiquitous, it became impossible to really see a single one. But now... Now he could see them And see them fight, too. And for once, they weren't even... acting hostile towards him? From what he'd heard... That was less than usual. Huh. He did have a little shock as he recognized a Digimon- It was identical to one he had run into in Shibuya. It was just fortunate that Josh Sparks had been there to help, the Leader of DATS. And it was just a bit of surprise when Ami and Val started walking towards it...
But no, they were walking towards the Digimon with it. Kai recognized that much as it walked away, and Ami and Val approached the smaller, almost cat-esque Digimon that had been bandaging it. But unlike Shiro, who was a cat through and through... This one looked more anthropomorphic, for lack of a better word. "It is nice to mee-" As could be expected, he never had a chance to finish that thought. Heya!" Shiro declared, as he leaped forward, looking at the other Digimon quizzically.
Well, it's not like Shiro really understood what awkwardness was. Kuro, meanwhile, astutely noted that "It seems we were less than expected." But she didn't bother introducing herself. So Kai took that upon himself. "Sorry, my name is Kai, and these two are Shiro," He indicated the Digimon in front of him, "And Kuro." He indicated the one wrapped about his shoulders. "Ami and Valeria were just giving us a tour of the Digital World."
|
|
|
Post by NolChannel on Apr 8, 2016 0:55:10 GMT
'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?"
|
|
|
Post by Kai Haimura on Apr 9, 2016 4:34:08 GMT
Kai practically snapped to attention. Well.... Tourist was kinda what he was. No wonder he looked like one! But he at least tried to stay more focused from that point. And he just kind of sat back at let Ami chat with the catlike Digimon. He... Didn't have much to add, and didn't want to interrupt. Shiro, meanwhile, was happily running around, looking at everything there was to look at. Kai watched him as he waited for Koneka to finish. Not much happened of note- Though at least one Digimon was not as amused by Shiro's antics.
Kai was snapped back to attention when he realized someone was talking to him. "Oh? Err... Sorry, I wasn't listening." He admitted, guiltily. "How about what?"
|
|
|
Post by NolChannel on Apr 9, 2016 22:44:38 GMT
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.
|
|
|
Post by Kai Haimura on Apr 9, 2016 23:32:45 GMT
"Oh, uh... Sure, yeah. I'd like that. Sure." Welp, now he had a foot in his mouth, essentially. He just hadn't wanted to interrupt while Koneka and Ami caught up, so why was he the one called out as being in the wrong! Whatever. He was the one being brought on tour, he should at least pay some attention to his guide. "Just, no matter how much Shiro asks, he is not going to join in the fighting. That's all." Shiro's disappointment was visible... But only for a moment, as his excitement at being in a new place full of cool Digimon kicked back in! Yay!
|
|
|
Post by NolChannel on Apr 12, 2016 1:43:53 GMT
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?"
|
|
|
Post by Kai Haimura on Apr 15, 2016 3:39:50 GMT
Of course. Kai would have kept both eyes firmly on Shiro anyways, the white Digimon was simply that capable of getting into trouble. So while he followed Ami, he did exactly that- Occasionally looking up to make sure he hadn't wandered off and gotten lost. Amazingly enough, he didn't. even more amazingly- Neither did Shiro. Not for lack of trying, of course. Kai had to grab him more than once to keep him from leaping into a ring. But he could never hold him for long- Shiro always managed to wiggle his way out of Kai's grasp. The Digimon truly was a cat.
"Do... for fun?" Shiro asked? That was a silly question! "Play!" he announced excitedly, as if that answered the question. To Shiro, everything was fun! He didn't exactly sort out doing things for fun specifically. Kuro, on the other hand, considered it. "For fun... huh? Well..." Shiro took this opportunity to but in. "Kuro wouldn't know fun if it bit her on the tail!" Which, to be fair... Was partially true. The Black Digimon didn't seem to do much except sleep.
"With..." Kai looked at Kuro around his neck, then Shiro at his feet. Honestly, he didn't know. He didn't feel close to them at all- Like he was a complete stranger. A digivolution battery. As fond as he was to them... He didn't feel very close. But how could he say that with them right there! "Things... Are fine..." His real thoughts, of course, were obvious in his voice. Kuro, at the least, caught them.
Shiro didn't.
|
|
|
Post by NolChannel on Apr 24, 2016 19:59:25 GMT
"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!
|
|
|
Post by Kai Haimura on Apr 29, 2016 1:22:53 GMT
Kai knew that! He knew he was utterly unsuited for being a tamer! Unsuited for being anything! He knew all that already! Koneka didn't have to tell him that! But... "I... Don't know..." He didn't exactly mean to say that out loud. But it was true, completely and absolutely. Not only in response to Koneka, but for Ami as well! He didn't know what more there was! Or how to do it! He didn't know what he was supposed to be working with his partners on! And he certainly ... "I don't know what I do!" He exclaimed, rather more forcefully than he intended.
Woof, touchy subject, much?
Well, to be more precise... He knew exactly what he did. He just didn't know what the point of it all was. Maybe there was no point. Math. Science. Language. English. Baseball. Basketball. Football. American Football. Kendo. Various martial arts. Painting. Knitting. The list spiraled on endlessly- Kai was a member of nearly every club in his school, in addition to religiously staying on top of his normal courses. He didn't even know why. He just... "Hate... Being so much worse... Than everyone..." Man, he really needs to figure out what he's trying to say out loud, and what he's keeping bottled up inside.
Poor Ami and Koneka, having to decipher his inner monologue from the few sentences he accidentally said outloud.
Kuro, wrapped around his neck, felt like she should say something. But... She didn't know what to say. So, rather than make things worse... She just closed her eyes and listened, until she knew how to help her tamer. Her tamer, who clearly needed help.
Shiro, on the other hand, could care less. "Lets get some food!" He declared suddenly. Well, Shiro never was good at reading the mood anyways. Especially not when he had food on the mind! For better, or for worse.
|
|
|
Post by NolChannel on May 2, 2016 2:18:58 GMT
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!"
|
|
|
Post by Kai Haimura on May 2, 2016 3:42:45 GMT
Trust Shiro to break a bad mood with his inability to read it! "Err... Y-yeah. Let's get some food. Err... " Kai had absolutely no idea where to go for food here. In Terminus he had a general idea, but that was a long ways away! "Err... Would you mind helping me find food, Koneka?" Kai asked. It was... More than a little awkward to ask for her help after his little episode... But she would be the best person to ask about food in this place! Besides, if things got too awkward... There was always the Deus Ex Shiro to save the mood.
Kuro pointedly ignored Koneka's sigh. Kai had his problems, yes- But they weren't so shallow as to work through them quickly. Getting Kai comfortable with his role as a Tamer... It would be a long, arduous process. And no matter what happened, Kuro would stick with him. Because she was His partner. And that was all that mattered.
"I've never eaten a home before! I wonder if it tastes good?
|
|
|
Post by NolChannel on May 5, 2016 23:37:46 GMT
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."
|
|
|
Post by Kai Haimura on May 24, 2016 1:09:56 GMT
Somehow... Kai had expected something more. Exactly what... He wasn't quite sure. But certainly not this sudden drop back into friendly chatter after his outburst. Were Digimon and their tamers just naturally more easy-going? Or was he just the one who blew things out of proportion? Either way... He had to get moving, or he'd be left behind! Shiro was already bouncing ahead of the group, food the only thought on his mind. Hopefully he didn't try to eat the mess hall... Kai wouldn't put it past him.
The fact that a lot of tamers ended up cracking was... Not nearly as reassuring to Kai as it was probably meant to be. It just reinforced his idea that being a Tamer was not for the weak... And he knew better than anyone that he had a firm place among the weak. Somehow... That wouldn't end well. He needed to improve himself... So that he wouldn't drag Kuro and Shiro down with him.
But for now, it was time to eat.
|
|
|