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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Bear [Ban|Invite]
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Post by Nik & Brad on May 28, 2017 23:49:49 GMT
Brad had returned from his trip to the Spyware caves mostly in silence. He had gone with his friend Pipmon to seek answers, and it seemed he had found them. Forgotten memories of a former life. Kuma the Bearmon and his best friend Gabu once set out on the same adventure. The main difference is, Brad and Pipmon survived that time.
The little Bearmon trodded along the snow, covered with grey fur with white on his underside. He wore a red t-shirt and carried a bag of supplies on his back. It had become somewhat lighter in his expedition though.
Brad and Pipmon had since parted ways, but Brad was feeling... rather solemn about the things he had learned. Kuma had once been a soldier - of what exactly, he didn't know. But it seemed he was unthinking and strictly followed orders. Very much unlike Brad, who felt like he was pacifist and curious. But... was he really? Could he truly be peaceful and kind to all? Yet... Brad had seen evil before, a digimon that tried to destroy innocent in-training levels. And Brad had almost lost himself in the fighting.
As Brad entered the ruins of Snowflake Village, he entered the newly rebuilt hotel that was pretty much the only intact structure in the ruined town. Hmm. Perhaps he should offer something in the way of offering to help rebuild this place? After all, it couldn't remain ruined forever, right?
Brad took his bag off and sat down at a table near the fire, glad of the warmth. He wondered if there was anyone else here?
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Post by Ban/Double D on May 29, 2017 2:39:39 GMT
A red-furred digimon, slightly smaller than Brad, sat, further away from the fire, as the fast-moving electric current throughout his body aided his body heat. He eyed the newcomers with a steely gaze, he had been travelling, plain and simple, looking for ways to increase his own power, though almost always his duty as a noble warrior sidetracked him, he could be patient, but watching constant disarray in the digital world continues to infuriate him. He Watched the bearmon attempt to cool down by the fire, and noticed by the way he carried himself that he was surrounded by a feeling of melancholy. As well as the sense of being an experienced warrior. Curious, he approached, desiring to know what this newcomer fought for, and if it was the source of his melancholy.
He padded along on four legs, approaching the other rookie, "Excuse me, traveler, you seem upset, are you quite alright?" He asked, politely, despite his focused and unbreaking gaze, his ears twitched, and his tail shifted it's feathers as he moved. He too moved with experience and confidence, and unlike most other Elecmon, he had a small toothpick in his mouth, he didn't even seem to notice it, and it seemed to just stick to his mouth, as he spoke.
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Post by Nik & Brad on May 30, 2017 0:14:53 GMT
After warming himself enough in front of the fire to feel comfortable, Brad took a look around the lounge area of the inn. There was nobody present at the bar area, although he supposed that was due to it not being dinner time yet. Indeed, the sun was still up outside, and according to the clock on the wall it was only about three.
However, he wasn't alone it seemed. Among some other digimon, an Elecmon was also present in the room. Brad initially looked carefully to see if it was Luke, his Elecmon friend. However, he realized quickly that it wasn't. Luke wore a blue scarf, generally walked on two legs, and had an impish expression on his face that matched that of his Impmon brother Bellamy. That and Colin didn't seem to be around anywhere. And he had never seen Luke with a toothpick like that, So, this must be another Elecmon.
"Hello there" Brad said, when he realized the Elecmon was approaching. The other digimon mentioned that he looked a little upset. "Oh dear... is it that obvious?" Brad asked, smiling a little nervously, but it didn't reach his eyes. For a moment he considered keeping his feelings to himself, but, with Pipmon not here, he found he really could do with talking to someone about his experiences. And this individual seemed interested. So, why not?
"Well... yes, I admit I don't feel 100%" Brad said, inviting the Elecmon to sit down nearby if he wanted to. "But... are you sure you want to know? It may be a long story" he felt like it was his duty to disclose that. He wasn't about to spill his guts to a stranger from that prompt alone. "My name's Brad, by the way" he added, wondering if this other digimon had a name too.
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Post by Ban/Double D on May 30, 2017 4:20:49 GMT
He smiled, at how he guessed correctly, "It's just a sense I developed over time," he sighed, before nodding at the stranger's offer, "well, I can either listen to your story or keep staring at the fire, moodily." he replied, cheerfully, as he hopped back onto the chair offered to him, sitting like a human would, deapite his quadroped mode of transport. "It's always nice trading stories with someone experienced, I find, at least. Perhaps I can share my story, afterwards, if you feel the need, we have all day, either way." he chuckled, showing an experienced sense of humor, "these days people call me Ban, and I suppose it's growing on me. Pleasure to meet you, Brad." he introduced himself, politely.
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Post by Nik & Brad on May 31, 2017 11:48:30 GMT
Ah, so it was a sense honed over time? Brad should have known. The Elecmon carried much more confidence than most other digimon he knew. Perhaps he was an elder of some kind? Brad chuckled a little as the Elecmon said he'd like to listen to his story. Maybe saying it out loud could get Brad's mind set on the right track on how to approach this?
"Indeed, I don't plan on going outside at night in this weather" Brad said, agreeing. He'd probably stay the night and leave on the morning Trailmon. "And sure, that's a fair exchange" he nodded.
So the Elecmon's name was Ban? An interesting name. Brad wondered if it was short for anything, but he had no way of knowing what. Well then, he supposed he'd best start at the beginning.
"So, yeah... I've just returned from an expedition of sorts to the Spyware Caverns" he began. "For a while now, I've felt something of a subconscious urge to go there, for a reason I couldn't tell. And so me and a friend went there to investigate. I've been having these vivid dreams of there being something in there that I needed to find".
Indeed, that's how they found the entrance in the first place.
"We ventured inside, and there we found some arrows that pointed to what we thought was the path forward" Brad continued. "But... I got somewhat of a bad feeling after a while. The arrows didn't seem to be leading anywhere. And so, I had a small epiphany - 'what if we looked in the other direction?'. So the next intersection we came to, we came to a room that held the Digimental of Curiosity".
Brad had to pause a little as he remembered what happened next.
"I touched the digimental, but as I did so, a kind of... ghost came out. It was a Gabumon, and, it turns out he was my best friend in the life I had before this one" Brad continued. "He said that we would always be friends, but... I feel somewhat bad because I don't remember anything about him. And... it's just got me thinking, you know? We digimon get reconfigured all the time, but sometimes memories don't make it. And... well... it's lifted a bit of a dilemma you see. In my old life, I was a loyal soldier to... a cause I can't remember. And now? I can't imagine myself being a soldier for a second. I mean... I really don't like fighting. And... it's just got me questioning myself in a lot of ways".
Brad hoped he wasn't being too confusing for Ban. But, he had said that it was a long story, and he wasn't joking about it. Maybe an experienced digimon like Ban might have some useful thoughts as to how to approach this?
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Post by Ban/Double D on Jun 1, 2017 3:15:07 GMT
He leaned forwards, a smile ghosting his expression, and his eyes, despite showing the same steely determination, softened to reveal complete intrigue in the story. "How fascinating... However, I'm sorry I can't think of much to help you. I have always been fighting, it's how I was raised, it's what I know, I'm sorry to say, I can't exactly relate." He chuckled, softly, rubbing the back of his own head.
"But I have been reconfigured, In a matter of speaking, I've needed to lose what I was, as well as the fact that I have lost friends as well," he replied, smiling without joy.
"Though I can't say I have met their ghosts, they are simply reborn. I can only hope this was the same case for your gabumon friend." He sighed, smiling.
He was, in fact, interested in this digiegg idea, but he didn't want to push on the subject of an item that seemed dear to this digimon, "Although, as for your soldier life, not everyone fights because they want to. I know digimon everywhere live in a kill or be killed world, good 'mons go to war, innocent get caught in the crossfire, and others are born to die. The only thing to fix this is Change, I believe this world has hit a dead-end, the ones in control refusing to adapt, and constantly bickering, leading to no progress being made, and the world being thrown in chaos as a result." He explained, revealing his thoughts and views on the world.
"Oh, sorry, I'm just ranting to myself, I get frustrated just thinking about my own issues, I tend to ignore others in the process, please, express yourself." He nodded, gesturing towards Brad, encouragingly.
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Post by Nik & Brad on Jun 4, 2017 5:52:36 GMT
Brad understood that Ban was raised with combat in mind. That was how it was with most digimon. Of course, Brad would fight to defend himself or the innocent, but, actively seeking battle was something he'd never do.
"Oh, I see" he said, when the Elecmon said that he had been reconfigured. He gave a look of sympathy as he said he had lost friends. "Sorry to hear that" he added.
Brad nodded. "Yes, I think he's been reborn too, although, he probably doesn't remember me either" Brad said. "But... instead I've made some more friends. So I'm not lonely or anything, it's just... from what I could tell, Gabumon and I had a beautiful friendship, and I just felt that it was a shame that that friendship's been forgotten".
He paid attention to Ban's next words. Some digimon existed in a 'kill or be killed' mentality. This was true in the more wild regions of the digital world. And increasingly becoming quite a worry, now that word had spread out among the digimon that the old organization of DATS existed no more.
And he was somewhat interested in this idea of change. Yes, that was something Brad could agree with. There were no leaders of the digital world as far as he could tell, and this chaos of more and more humans coming and having adventures was a point of concern. Not that Brad disliked them or anything, but, he could see it being a problem in the future.
"Oh, yes, it's fine. That's a very interesting goal you have" he continued. "What kind of progress are you thinking of? Do you think the digimon in the world can learn how to work together?"
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Post by Ban/Double D on Jun 4, 2017 7:08:44 GMT
Elecmon shook his head, "I didn't mean to shift the conversation over to my issues, how selfish of me!" He chuckled, before hearing how Brad's friendship was forgotten on both ends, "There are many things in this world that are forgotten and lost to time, friendships are no different, from my perspective, it's best for both of you to move on, though you, being the only one who can, should keep this friend of yours in your mind, honor his memory, if only slightly." He replied, hoping that was a satisfactory answer, before hearing out the question Brad posed, and while Brad thought of the wildlands, Ban was actually thinking about the Dark Area, where the only laws were strength over the weak, and that disgusted him. On the word progress, he frowned, thinking about how his progress had been almost sent back to square one, his forces were scattered, and he had lost his own power and was virtually unrecognizable by whatever tattered remains lurked throughout the digital world. He realized he almost missed the question, he corrected himself, shaking his head and leaning on the table, "That, I have learned, is utterly impossible. I'm not asking for anything like demons and angels holding hands and skipping through the flower fields, though I would like to see that, just some vague laws here and there, to discourage this violent world, it doesn't matter if they don't like each other, I'll be content if my rules make fighting a secondary option, instead of the go-to, does that make sense?" he asked, speaking whimsically of such a world where violence is not the norm, like the human world, that was one thing he admired about them. They always hesitated, when faced with adversity, some even try to reason before combat, this was the one trait of the humans he wished to be brought into the digital world, "Perhaps these digidestined you speak of will inadvertently make this world I seek by no other means than just being themselves, don't you think?" He asked, amused by the idea.
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Post by Nik & Brad on Jun 7, 2017 5:09:17 GMT
"Hmm. That's alright, perhaps I needed a bit of a distraction" Brad answered. "I mean it's not like much can be done about my problems" he chuckled a little. He nodded at the advice. "Yes. I will do my best to do that" he said at the sentiment of moving on. He just hoped that one day he would find a friend as close as Gabumon.
He listened to Ban's idea, noting he frowned at the word 'progress'. But he didn't seem angry about it. "Yes, that does seem unlikely" Brad agreed, given the inherent nature of some digimon to never get along with others of a certain kind. Angels and Demons for instance would always be opposed.
"Ah, so, you wish to enact laws?" Brad asked, interested. "Yes that does make sense. And it sounds useful too, to give digimon an alternative to fighting".
The digidestined though? Brad didn't think he spoke of them, but he knew of them. And the Bearmon was certain that the humans he had met so far would indeed seek that kind of world out. "Yes, I think so. The humans I've met don't seem particularly keen on fighting. Perhaps they may be willing to help out?"
His legs were dangling from the floor a little, given that the chair seemed to be designed for a bigger digimon. But by now he was quite warm and comfortable.
"I mean... if you want to enact laws, they will have to be enforced, or else nobody will pay attention to them" Brad continued. "But if you make the laws good enough, well, maybe some good, strong digidestined and digimon will help in that regard?"
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Post by Ban/Double D on Jun 7, 2017 6:24:56 GMT
Hearing Brad's approval of the idea of laws, he nodded, "I had thought one such as yourself, who already have this mindset would agree!"
"Yes, the humans!" he exclaimed, at Brad's point on them. "The very best defense of both of our worlds reside on their partnership with digimon. And, as I mentioned before, fighting is second-nature to them, so they should be content working with this goal. I hope humanity won't mind me borrowing some ideas from them!" he chuckled, lightheartedly.
His eyes took an almost businesslike expression as he placed a hand on his chin, "correct, an enforcement will be required, but there is a balance necessary, you see. Have your law enforcement too strict and digimon will almost immediately rebel, too soft and there will be next to no impact." he pondered, shrewdly. "A force like that will need careful maintenance until the public grows comfort in their presence and feel safer." he continued, before shaking his head, "ah, we'll cross that bridge eventually, no? As you can see, I am in no shape to lead an army. It would need a stronger figure to follow, or the whole thing will implode. So all I can do is bide my time." he muttered, staring at the fire, now more thoughtful than before. Passively, he shifted his toothpick around in his mouth. He sighed, "sorry for venting like this, I haven't been exactly perfect either." he chuckled, softly, again.
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Post by Nik & Brad on Jun 10, 2017 1:49:18 GMT
Yes, the small Bearmon had to agree that any way to reduce violence would be a good thing. However... there was still the issue of the inherent nature of digimon to fight and get stronger. He personally didn't believe in that sort of thing, but, a lot of digimon did.
So Ban agreed that the humans would hopefully help out. "I don't think they'd mind honestly" he chuckled. Humans tended to be decent thinkers at least.
The next points were logical. "Ah, of course, the enforcement mustn't be too brutal" Brad agreed. Gosh it all seemed very complex. "Seems like you'd need a lot of assistance to make it work. I don't know if any one digimon can do all that" he mused.
Ban then apologized for venting, saying he wasn't exactly perfect either. "Is that so? Is something troubling you?" Brad asked, concerned. But of course maybe Ban didn't want to talk about that. Either way, Brad stood up. "Well, how about I buy us some drinks? The bar appears to be staffed now" he said, seeing a Strabimon barkeep. Brad removed a small wallet from his shirt pocket. "Is there anything you prefer?" he asked Ban.
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Post by Ban/Double D on Jun 10, 2017 21:59:20 GMT
"I had a small army to work with, just a few months ago, even. But to get their assistance, I would need to... Oh! I just realized... Sorry, allow me to explain." he realized that Brad had no way of knowing the details of his old revolutionary forces. Upon hearing the offer for a drink, "Perhaps I could, see if they have any tea, preferably herbal or green, if you please." He requested, "I just want something warm, even just hot water will do, for me." He specified, realizing tea might not even be on the menu, at all.
He waited for the Beast digimon to return with the drinks, before beginning it. "Now, I may not look it, but I'm a seasoned warrior. I've accessed my super mega form already, I've just been... weakened, during a rally where me and my comrades were attacked. I was the target, I Couldn't fight them all, the attack was planned ingeniously, just visible to all of my supporters, but they cut us off from support. We were scattered, even I ran." He explained, recalling the details of the attack, "I feared an attack, of course, but they entirely ambushed us, and planned for just about every course of action. It was only good fortune that spared me. Because a tear to the human world manifested, and I desperately crammed myself into it, only fitting my core and some of my data through, I lost the power I had accumulated over the years, and my forces have been scattered, I returned to the digital world promptly, but there is little I can do right now, I'm virtually unrecognizable from who I used to be. I need to regain my image, if I want to get anywhere. But I haven't even re-achieved my champion form yet." He recited, bitterly, "That's my story, anyways, hope it doesn't bring you down." he chuckled, halfheartedly, again.
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Post by Nik & Brad on Jun 11, 2017 13:26:15 GMT
Small army? Brad's eyes widened a little. Yes, this was definitely something to listen to after they were comfortable with beverages. So, Ban wanted some herbal or green tea? That sounded good. "Alright, I'll ask" he said.
Before long, Brad had consulted the Strabimon who said that he did in fact serve herbal tea, what with the main connection between Earth and the Digital World being in Japan. And so soon after, Brad returned with two mugs. One of green tea for Ban, and some hot chocolate for himself.
As Brad sipped his drink, he listened as Ban explained that he was in fact a de-digivolved Super Mega level who led revolutionary forces. This made Brad stare with intrigue. So, this was why he was currently stuck in his rookie form?
"Wow, that's... a rather unexpected story" Brad admitted. "But I suppose it's easy to forget that the strongest digimon in the world were once our level" he smiled. But there was still more questions he wanted to know.
"Also... who was it that your army was fighting, if I can ask?" he continued. "Were you fighting the digimon of the Dark Area? Or on one of the outer civilizations like Luminas or El Doradimon?"
Brad knew that allegiances in the digital world were usually fairly loose. There wasn't any great nations or empires that he knew about. But the fact that there was army-level combat made him quite curious.
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Post by Ban/Double D on Jun 11, 2017 20:36:04 GMT
He chuckled at Brad's response about strength in the digital world, "Makes it all the more striking when you are knocked down a couple thousand pegs, no?" He shook his head, "It's funny, really, I could go toe-to-toe with the royal knights, and even if the majority of my forces are alive, hiding somewhere, as far as they know, their strong and unbeatable leader is dead, as far as they know." He lamented, further.
He frowned, at Brad's question about who he was fighting, "I wasn't just fighting someone. The dark area is in need of desperate help, the same goes for the other areas, no, I'm trying to change THE WORLD, you recall how we need to make laws, yes? We weren't just fighting... we were inspiring the weak, giving them an alternative to fighting, unfortunately, for any change to take place, combat is inevitable, which is why I need to be strong. Something to rally behind, and I'm nothing even close to that anymore," He sighed, sipping the tea, "I can only keep moving forward now." he surmised, shaking his head, the steely determination returning to his green eyes.
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Post by Nik & Brad on Jun 14, 2017 10:53:38 GMT
By now, Brad was starting to wonder if Ban was telling the truth or not. It all seemed to be so unlikely. A digimon that was the leader of armies, fighting against digimon of the Royal Knight class. Although, as Brad thought about it further, there was so much that he didn't know about the factions and allegiances of the digital world. Heck, maybe he had once been part of Ban's army but had forgotten about it? After all, he had been part of some army. It was this that made him at least consider the possibility that Ban was telling the truth.
Then Ban explained more about who it was he was fighting. And Brad's eyes widened as he seemed to imply that he was fighting to free the Dark Area. "So... you tried to bring law to a chaotic place and this is what happened?" he asked. "Oh my... I'm very sorry to hear that".
With how chaotic the digital world was, it would have been hard enough to gather an army of that kind. And if Ban was telling the truth, he had been set back very, very far. Brad felt sympathy for him.
"Well... is there anything that I could do to help?" he asked, gently, sitting a bit closer to the Elecmon so that he didn't have to talk as loud. He looked around to see if anyone else in the pub was listening. "I mean, I don't know if I'd be one to fight in an army anymore, but... if I could help find your old forces and let them know that you're still alive?"
Brad had friends that could help with that too, but, he didn't really want to bring Colin and his airship into this event at the moment. He'd have to know a bit more before offering that part of his social network.
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