Skip Navigation
The Bush Tucker Dog [Job B] [Invite]
|
Post by Johan Walker on Sept 23, 2018 15:09:53 GMT
Dokamon didn't really respond physically to Owen's warning. No look of fear. No shivering. Nothing. However, this wasn't because he didn't just feel nothing. He did know that Owen was upset, and he didn't want this to go any worse than it was going already.
"Apologies," he would say. "I have no hate or dislike towards your son specifically. I did not mean to come across like that. I am just speaking from personal experience." Johan noticed what was going on, and immediately jumped in thinking that Dokamon would make it worse somehow.
"Hey! Hi there," he would nervously jump in. "Don't mind what Dokamon here has to say, okay? He didn't mean whatever it was... besides, he's afraid of-"
"Do not." Dokamon would threaten Johan.
Back with Shoutmon, Bezil asked him if he could knock down that branch there. "No problem! Stand back..." Shoutmon would then use his right hand to form a music note shaped fireball. He locked eyes on his target...
"Fiery Fastball!" He would throw the fireball right towards the edge of the branch, making it break off and fall to the ground. Hopefully it was in good enough shape still...
|
|
|
Post by Owen on Sept 25, 2018 5:11:37 GMT
When Dokamon responded by apologising, Owen's expression lightened considerably. As long as the message was clear and the mistake would not be repeated, Owen would be quick to forgive and forget. "Alright, thanks. That's alright then" he said, a smile returning to his face.
Owen felt a little bad for nearly losing his temper there. It wasn't normally something he'd do, but, the fresh memory of Bezil begging for his help in the bog and almost drowning while he was powerless to save him until an old memory forced him to. That was still kinda raw. He hoped Dokamon wouldn't have lingering grudges over that.
Johan then jumped in to intervene and said not to worry about what Dokamon said. It was mostly fine, Owen could move on without the intervention. In fact when Johan was about to reveal what Dokamon feared, Owen saw the distress in the other digimon's expression and decided not to press it further.
"It's okay, mate, we're all settled here" the Gaomon said. He wasn't interested in whatever it was that Dokamon was afraid of.
Bezil meanwhile took Shoutmon's advice and stood back. His yellow eyes widened in amazement as Shoutmon conjured a fireball in the shape of a musical note, then launched it at the branch, causing it to fall down to the ground.
"Oh man that's awesome!" Bezil cheered, wishing he could use an attack like that. Still, the branch was intact and good for its purpose. "Thanks, Shoutmon! Let's get this back to the firewood..." the branch was large and probably needed two rookies to be able to move.
|
|
|
Post by Johan Walker on Sept 25, 2018 12:48:16 GMT
"You seem to love your son very much," Dokamon says, looking right at Owen as Johan would leave to go help out other kids. "It's the same way I feel about Johan. He's gone through a lot, and I've grown to care about him despite the short time we've known each other." Dokamon rarely shared like this, so Owen was getting special treatment here.
Bezil was having a bit of trouble carrying that large tree branch back, so Shoutmon decided to help by carrying the other end. Together, the two brought back a huge branch that even Dokamon was surprised by.
"Impressive," Dokamon comments, his face unchanging.
"Haha, yep!" Shoutmon boasts, sporting a big toothy grin.
"Alright, Hercules, we still have lots to do here," Adrian told Shoutmon as he went to help collect some more leaves with the kids.
Meanwhile, Johan was climbing a tree to grab a perfect branch he had got his eye on. However he didn't realize how sharp the branch was and he ended up slicing his left glove off.
"Dammit," Johan swore, his prosthetic arm revealed. "I need to wear something other than a wool glove for this hand..."
|
|
|
Post by Owen on Sept 26, 2018 13:47:22 GMT
Owen glanced back at Dokamon as he stated what he loved his son. "Yeah... that I do" Owen answered. "You know... I worry about him. I tell Bezil about my old times as a soldier in the effort to discourage him from following the same path, and it only makes him more determined to do the same. I don't really know what to do about that".
And furthermore, Owen simply couldn't comprehend why Bezil wanted to do things like this. To want to put his life on the line for some stupid reason or another... yes, Owen had once been like this but he would've thought that knowing the consequences would've held him back a little. No such brake was present with Bezil though.
But, things seemed to have gone as planned. The great branch had been drawn toward the area. Now it only needed another to form a framework for a waterproof shelter for the firewood for the night. And the other half was identified by Johan. To Owen and Bezil's surprise, the human climbed the tree to get to it. Then Johan's glove came off, which struck Owen as odd.
"Ah, don't worry, your glove seems fine" Owen stated to the human above. He noticed that something seemed a little odd about Johan's hand now that it was revealed. "Are you alright up there?" he asked. If not, he'd offer to digivolve to Ultimate to fly up and take Johan down safely as MachGaogamon.
|
|
|
Post by Johan Walker on Sept 26, 2018 21:25:41 GMT
"I may not enjoy the company of kids, but I know how their minds work," Dokamon tells Owen. "Telling him stories about being a soldier? Defeating many Digimon, being a hero? If anything that's definitely going to want him to do the things you used to do."
Dokamon had paused for a moment, before he continued speaking. "If you want to keep Bezil safe, you can do many things. Tell him the dangers of this world, or train him so that he can defend himself. Teach him alternative ways to help others that don't involve danger or violence, and that his life is precious. Make him a better Digimon than you ever were... but that is just my advice."
Johan had just gotten the branch he spotted in his hands. He called for Dokamon to come to the tree, where he dropped the branch for Dokamon to catch. The mechanical Digimon would then bring it back to the base. Meanwhile, Owen was asking Johan if he was alright up there.
"I'm okay, no worries," he would say before sliding down the tree. It was then that Owen would notice that Johan's left arm was mainly fake, something he did not know at the Elysium.
|
|
|
Post by Owen on Sept 28, 2018 12:04:49 GMT
Owen listened to Dokamon's advice and mulled over it in his mind. Of course, if he was in Bezil's (hypothetical) shoes and he knew his father figure to have been a soldier and done all those things, he'd want to aspire to do something similar. So hearing it put like that made him realize that he couldn't discourage the Gumdramon the way he had been going.
"Yeah, I guess you're right there" Owen answered. He then chuckled a little. "Y'know, even though I've got two other kids, I've never really had this problem before. Logan's sweet and shy but doesn't lose focus of the fact he's got a human partner to take care of. Haku's a boisterous little pack of white fluffy dynamite but he's got Hikaru and Yuuki to take care of him. Now that I've got Bezil to take care of, maybe it's my turn to finally step up to the plate and learn how to be a good dad, yeah?"
He was grateful for the advice though. "Thanks, Dokamon, sorry for the unpleasantness earlier. But I think you might be right with this, so, I appreciate that, mate".
Then, Owen watched Johan climb down the tree. It wasn't long before he noticed that the human's hand seemed a little different to other human hands. And Owen noticed because that was the thing he liked most about humans, their nimble five-fingered hands that were so deft in using tools and scratching him behind the ears. It didn't seem quite like others... more mechanical, like Dokamon's.
"Johan, your hand... did something happen?" he asked. He had seen something like that, with Yuuki. Normally when a human had a part of them replaced with mechanics that meant something bad had happened, in his experience. Bezil caught on that Owen seemed concerned, so he awaited the answer with curiosity as well.
|
|
|
Post by Johan Walker on Sept 28, 2018 12:42:59 GMT
"I am glad to be of service... Owen," Dokamon said, pausing for a second to decide if he wanted to use his name or not.
Back with Johan, Adrian and Shoutmon had noticed Johan's mechanical hand as well, which Adrian knew the reason why but Shoutmon didn't. So of course, he spoke out:
"Holy crap! What happened to your hand?!"
"Oh, you mean this?" Johan asked, holding up his left hand. "Yeah, I was born with my left arm missing, believe it or not. Had to spend ten years of my life with only my right hand. It was a steep learning curve when I got my first prosthetic arm. So don't worry, it didn't get sliced off or anything."
"He didn't want others asking questions about it, or think he's different," Dokamon says, walking up. "So he chose to wear a glove over it. Next time, he's wearing a LEATHER glove, not a cheap wool glove."
"Anyways enough about me... what is there to do next, Owen?"
|
|
|
Post by Owen on Sept 28, 2018 12:54:18 GMT
This was something Owen and Bezil struggled to understand. They were led to believe that all humans were born with two hands, but, for one to have just the one? That was very confusing.
But, as the Gaomon thought about it further, of course if it was an affliction Johan had to deal with all his life, of course he'd learned how to deal with it long ago. And since Owen knew most humans grew up in a kind of luxury without having to rely on survival skills, he understood it somewhat better.
"Well... I hope it isn't causing you inconvenience at least" Owen said, a little awkwardly. But it seemed that Johan and Dokamon wanted to move on from this. So before Bezil could come up with a frank question to ask, Owen decided to continue with the lesson.
"Okay! So, we have the framework for the shelter over our firewood. Let's gather as much leaves as possible to make sure not a drop of rain can get into it" the Gaomon said to the group as a whole. "And if all goes to plan, we can make a nice big campfire for the night and cook marshmallows, how does that sound?"
It sounded great for the Rosewood rookie digimon, who immediately scattered to find the best waterproof leaves they could find. And in a hurry too, there was no telling when the grey skies above would burst. Owen observed, proud of their progress.
|
|
|
Post by Johan Walker on Sept 28, 2018 20:28:30 GMT
"Hasn't caused me other inconvenience other than having to get a new arm to keep up with my growing body," Johan casually responds. He legit did not seem bothered by it at all.
When Owen announced what the rest of the plan was and all the others ran off to collect more leaves, Dokamon held Johan back for a little bit. "What exactly is a marshmallow?"
"You're kidding, right? A marshmallow is like a treat. It's white and puffy, kids love to eat them."
"Sounds delicious," Dokamon commented. Suddenly his stomach rumbled, a look of surprise present on Dokamon's face as he looked down at it.
"Speaking of sounds, sounds like you're hungry," Johan laughed.
"Indeed I am. So let us finish the shelter so we can fix that problem."
So just like that, Adrian, Shoutmon, Johan and Dokamon helped the best they could go gather loads of waterproof leaves for their fire shelter. Hopefully the marshmallow roasting would start soon, for Dokamon's sake.
|
|
|
Post by Owen on Sept 29, 2018 8:44:53 GMT
Well, if Johan wasn't bothered by having a prosthetic arm, Owen supposed that was the end of the matter. Bezil meanwhile remained curious about how he would have coped with everything, but decided not to be rude and kept those questions to himself for the time being.
After he had declared the reward for their next task, Owen seemed surprised that Dokamon didn't know what marshmallows were. And even moreso when the other digimon of the village had a similar reaction.
When they realized it would be candy, they all seemed to burst into activity to get the shelter finished. Owen blinked with surprise at their progress.
"Well, let's get the marshmallows ready at least" he muttered to Bezil, who nodded. The two of them rushed up to the inn, secured a decently sized supply of candy, then moved it to the campsite. When they returned, the firewood was securely sheltered. Now they could build the fire.
"Okay, so, first step, get the biggest pieces of wood at the bottom" Owen instructed, building the fire with six large dry logs. "Next, some smaller branches, this is where the heat's gotta build" he added those next. "And last, you need your kindling, this is where you make the fire ignite" he put a pile of twigs and dried leaves on the top. "Then, you gotta ignite. Agumon, wanna help us out here?"
"Sure thing!" the Agumon kid from Rosewood enthusiastically stepped forward, he was as hungry as Dokamon. He inhaled, then with a cry of "Pepper Breath! ignited the kindling. And from there, there was a chain reaction with the rest of the wooden fuel. The fire gradually built and burned brightly, emanating light and warmth.
The skies held, thankfully, so they were free to enjoy the fruits of their endeavor. "Now then... the treats!" Owen said, revealing an array of a dozen iron spikes, two feet long. "Just put your marshmallows on the end, hold them to the fire, but don't let the flames touch them, then wait a minute, then you can eat 'em".
Now was the time for them to appreciate the rewards of their efforts for the day. Owen hoped that everyone learned something from this.
|
|
|
Post by Johan Walker on Sept 29, 2018 14:10:39 GMT
"Digimon probably don't eat marshmallows regularly in the Digital World," Adrian says, judging by the kids' confused reactions to them. He chuckled when they turned into cheers. "Of course they'll immediately love it if it's food."
It was quite amazing how quickly the group managed to get done. Adrian saw Owen and Bezil going into the inn to get the marshmallows, and had an idea. "I'll be right back, guys!" Adrian says as he uses a Digi-Port to head back home quick.
Five minutes later, when the Agumon had helped light up the campfire, Adrian had come back with a plastic bag in his hands.
"Welcome back," Dokamon tells Adrian.
"What's in the bag?" Shoutmon asked.
"Well since we're roasting marshmallows, it'd be a crime to not make s'mores out of them!"
"...what is a 's'more'?"
"You can't be serious, Doka! It's like a treat. You put a piece of chocolate and roasted marshmallow in between two graham crackers! It's like a dessert sandwich!"
As soon as Johan was done with that description, Dokamon's stomach rumbled again, much louder than last time. He blushed as the others laughed.
"Yeah, I'm hungry too, Dokamon," Shoutmon says, patting the mechanical Digimon on the back. "Come on, guys, let's make some s'mores!"
And so, everyone put a marshmallow on their stick and roasted it as Adrian provided the graham crackers and chocolate to everyone. These kids were in for a treat!
|
|
|
Post by Owen on Sept 29, 2018 15:14:17 GMT
As Owen and Bezil returned, they noted that Adrian had even further treats ready for them. "Huh, what are those?" Owen asked, having never seen a s'more before.
When Johan described them, Owen blinked, then smiled. He then looked at Bezil, who seemed to be drooling. "Bezil, wanna turn off the waterworks there?"
"Hm?" Bezil asked, then realized what he was doing. "Ah! Right!" he wiped his mouth.
Soon after, when the fire was lit, and everyone had a spike and a bit of candy, the digimon sat around the fire, eagerly ending their work by roasting their candy and eating it happily. Not only were they enjoying their treats, now they all knew how to gather fuel for a fire and keep it warm.
Curious, Owen turned to Johan and Adrian. "So, guys, learn anything new today?" the Gaomon asked with a smile, as Bezil roasted a s'more and gave a squeal of delight as he tasted it. To Owen, hopefully this would turn out to be a great day where he taught others vital survival skills.
|
|
|
Post by Johan Walker on Sept 29, 2018 15:37:26 GMT
Adrian and Johan laughed a bit when Bezil began drooling when s'mores were being talked about. "Yeah, that's how any kid would react to something like that," Johan says.
"And any Digimon, too," Adrian says, earning glares from both Shoutmon and Dokamon. Although, Shoutmon had to admit that it was kind of true. Dokamon was just still embarrassed.
Before long, everyone was around the campfire, roasting marshmallows and eating s'mores. Dokamon was in love with them; he constantly asked for more, chomping them down akin to how other Digimon would eat. He REALLY loved these "marshmallow" things. After his third one, however, Johan had to cut him off.
"Let the kids have some first, okay?" Johan asked, causing Dokamon to look grumpier than he was at the beginning.
"Please don't sound like my teacher, Owen," Adrian joked. "But yeah, kinda. I'm more prepared for wilderness survival than I was, say, at the beginning of the year... It's only been a few months, but I can't remember how my life was without the Digital World."
"Alright, you kids wanna hear some spooky stories?" Shoutmon asked.
And so, the kids of Rosewood Village had been taught some survival skills, got to be taught by a 7/71st member, AND got to eat s'mores in the same day! All in all, a successful job.
(Exit Thread)
|
|
|
Post by Owen on Sept 29, 2018 15:58:41 GMT
Owen was fairly proud at the results of this lesson. The digimon of Rosewood learning how to properly make fire with the simplest of instructions. He was satisfied that they understood about the importance of fuel as well, no point making fire if that wasn't there. And the sight of them all roasting marshmallows and s'mores with their metal sticks, he hoped that the young digimon would take the lesson they had learned today into their base memory. Adrian asked that he not sound like his teacher. "Ah, heh, sorry 'bout that" the Gaomon said. But he was delighted to hear that his lessons seemed to be effective. That he had not only taught the rookie digimon of Rosewood but a couple of humans some survival skills... that felt really good. "Thanks for teaching me this, dad" Bezil said, after munching on a freshly roasted s'more. "I really appreciate it""Any time, Bezil" Owen replied, putting an arm around his son. It was hard to not be proud of his efforts here, but, helping the digimon of Rosewood as well as his own family, that felt damn good.
[Thread End]
|
|
|