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The Wandering Doctor [Cas]
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Post by Dr. Mikemon on Jan 2, 2019 1:12:04 GMT
Underground Terminus: a place both hidden from the law, and the light of the outside world. To the unwary traveler, it was perhaps the most dangerous place in the Digital World, but to those who knew its ins-and-outs, it was the safest place to both hide and live in lawlessness. Past the few dimly lit settlements, as well as the few entrances to this place, the underground was held in near-complete darkness.
Tch... what's up with these coordinates...
Dr. Mikemon quickly found himself swearing under his breath. Traveling with a hood to cover his head and body, with a flashlight tucked in his left arm, he tried to both move swiftly and with limited information. His narrow beam of light could only provide so much information, but where was he? For the last few minutes, the doctor thought he might have been walking right into a trap. This should be about the place... but just where - hm?
Clambering up a piece of fallen rubble, Mikemon finally saw it: a wide, cleared-out lot, with several Digimon walking out in the open in fairly well-lit streets, provided by the faint glow of the glowing ceiling above. Compared to the sheer unknown that laid behind him, this place seemed civil and maintained - even if the sound of the market dominated the ear!
"Right..." Pulling that hood over his head, the doctor slipped his way down that rubble, integrating into the streets of the city proper. Ironically, his shady wear seemed to fit in well right here, the cat looking for clues about what he should be looking for.
"A building with a blue iron roof at the end..." With how haphazard this place was, it was hard for him to make sense of this unfamiliar town. Head down. Move with the traffic. Keep your hands at your pockets...
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Post by Cross on Jan 2, 2019 2:25:05 GMT
There was something about the low drolling noise of the market and the cities streets that soothed Cassandra easing a tightness in her chest she hadn't even known was there. Giving her a sense of purpose and belonging she had lacked for a longer time then she dared admit. The constant hum and almost labrythine honeycomb like streets buzzing with life appealing and placating the parts of her that were no longer entirely human. Easing the nearly constant crippling loneliness that had marked the waking hours of her life. It was not the same as Metal Drive of course. She could not exist without her mask just yet despite the mutants and often scarred Digimon that had come to make Tenebrous their home and haven, but she could walk the streets without worrying about a Luminas hit squad gunning her in the back.
And walk the streets she did. There was no real easy way to keep track of surface time in the City of Night though you could judge the passing of the hours by the way the glow of the moss and glowing plants that dotted the ceiling and rocks as it waxed and waned. It was early waning now, morning by Tenebrous time though the city never truly slept, and for the first time in months Cas was without her lab coat. Having donned her old battered leather jacket, her wild pale blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail as she stalked the streets towards the market a basket looped onto her arm and a soft smile playing over her lips as she stopped to chat with this resident or that which flagged her down.
"It looks like the redness is going down. I have a new batch of scar paste curing at my office that should be ready by the end of the week if you wish to swing by," The Doctor murmured having currently gotten caught up talking with a Keramon.
"Though I know a lot of the fighters have been wanting to keep them as souvenirs of the rebellion." She added with a gentle smile the Keramon bobbing it's head rapidly like a bobble head doll in understanding.
"I'd like to keep it, but was worried it might have gotten infected since I was such a new recruit." The Virus type explained as the two chatted amicably.
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Post by Dr. Mikemon on Jan 2, 2019 2:39:20 GMT
Lord, why couldn't Stingmon take this job? A rough-looking type like himself wouldn't even need to wear a hood down here -
No, no, don't get distracted. Taking a breath out to calm his nerves, Mikemon kept his head down, keeping just a steady-enough pace that he wouldn't look like he was trying to hurry. Besides, as low as he was to the ground, there were a fair number that didn't even notice the cloaked Digimon's presence. C'mon, where is... ah, there. Just past the market corner, he found that building just a block across from the market.
But what he also saw was Cassandra, on this side of the market. Ordinarily, he would have been happy to see a dear friend, but in this case, his heart almost skipped a beat. He quickly figured that it would be better if he could slip by unnoticed, Mikemon tilting that hood up to further cover his notched ear. All he had to do was walk past, behind her, and make his way into that building.
With anyone else, this was a simple task. But with someone he knew, the cat just hoped Cassandra wouldn't catch on.
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Post by Cross on Jan 2, 2019 2:56:35 GMT
In the end it wasn't Mikemon's ears that gave him away, but his tail. The little fluffy appendage trailing from under the Cloak, the familiar shades of coffee and cream brown catching the Doctor's eye as she finished up with the Keramon and turned to be about her business. For a moment the woman paused blinking. It couldn't be? She thought. No she had to be mistaken, but all the same they were going in the same direction and despite herself the Doctor found her feet trailing after the Mikemon at a distance observing the hooded figure with curious eyes and wondering what the little Digimon was up to. All the while careful to play at continuing about her own business while quietly promising herself that it was just idly curiosity and the second she was certain it wasn't her Mikemon she'd go about her business.
Thus as Doctor Mikemon made his way towards his destination he would find himself with a curious shadow.
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Post by Dr. Mikemon on Jan 2, 2019 3:11:26 GMT
Alright, good - at the very least, Cassandra didn't address him. As he made his way past, the doctor chanced one glance over his shoulder, his amber eyes seeing Cassandra checking some stall or another in the market - enough for him to figure that he wasn't being followed. Surely he wasn't the only Mikemon in the entirety of the underground, right?
With that, he pressed on, making his way across the street to the building with the blue, iron roof. Stepping on up, he'd give the door a knock - the door opening part-way a moment later, held in place by a simple chain lock. "What's your business, here?"
"..." Reaching into his cloak, he'd carefully take out something into his palm, and present it to the voice. Cassandra might catch a glimpse of a rectangular card of some sort, but whatever it was, it was enough to allow him entry.
The door opened, the cat slipping on in, before it closed behind him. Ominous, perhaps... but what was he keeping secret?
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Post by Cross on Jan 2, 2019 3:33:17 GMT
Curiosity they said killed the cat, but so many forget the second part of the rhyme. Slipping past the building Cassandra kept low out of sight of any windows there might be to be found as she quietly circled the structure in idle curiosity. Listening to see if she could overhear whatever might be going on within. Should nothing crop up the Doctor would settle herself in one of the alleys that gave her an decent view of the door, but kept her out of sight of anyone coming or leaving the building.
"Hmm I wonder~" Cassandra hummed low in her throat pondering the purpose of the card. Perhaps Mikemon, if it was her Mikemon, was merely meeting some associates. For while he wasn't the only Mikemon around the locals tended to be a good deal shabbier when it came to their coats. Some having lost their tails all together and most having lost more then a few chunks of fur.
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Post by Dr. Mikemon on Jan 2, 2019 3:47:57 GMT
If anything, this cheap-looking building was as secure as it could be. The windows were closed, the blinds within drawn nice and shut, blocking the dim light that showed from the other side. The doors, of course, were locked tight, and there didn't seem to be an easy way to see what was going on.
But, given the shoddy state of the structure, Cassandra could hear through a thin spot in the siding.
"Well?" A male voice, of some description, spoke up. "Have you figured something out?"
"I have it, quit it with the cryptic talk." With a sigh, there would be a short pause in the conversation. "Here. Odorless, colorless, and it works dry. If it turns purple, you have a 'hit'."
"Hm... if you've been able to test it yourself, then-"
"Can it." The cat's voice was returned, annoyed. "If that's all?"
No more words were said - and a few moments later, the front door would open again, Mikemon taking a moment to slip his hood back up - giving Cassandra just enough time to see that notched ear.
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Post by Cross on Jan 2, 2019 3:55:19 GMT
How curious and ominous. From her hiding spot in the alley Cassandra would wait for Mikemon, her Mikemon from the look of that distinctly notched ear, to pass. Only stepping out of the alleyway the second his back was to hear and snatching him up by the collar of his cloak. Dragging him into the alley and out of sight as she hoisted him like a kitten a pleasant smile playing across her lips.
"Good morning Mikemon. Might I ask to what due I owe the pleasure of you visiting our fine city today?" She inquired tone pleasant, almost cheerful even, though the foreign expression of amusement turned her face almost sinister in her good cheer. Her smile only a little sharp as she would gently lower him to the ground once more lest she choke him. Yet shifted her grip to his shoulder all the same. It was after all just a precaution on the off chance he tried to run off.
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Post by Dr. Mikemon on Jan 2, 2019 4:06:59 GMT
The moment Mikemon relaxed, and faced the road, he found the ground leave him. Picked up by the scruff of his cloak, his arms tensed - but relaxed, somewhat, as the familiar voice of Dr. Cross ran past his ears.
To that question, Mikemon gave a blink. He briefly thought about spinning a tale - yeah, right. She was already here in the alleyway, right next to the strange building that he had just walked out of. Briefly considering what to do, the doctor gave a nod. "Well, coming to see you, of course. I know you wanted me to check out the city, but maybe we could head to your place, first?"
As the cat spoke, matching Cassandra's tone, the cat gave a short nod. He understood - but he couldn't speak. Not here.
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Post by Cross on Jan 2, 2019 4:27:16 GMT
"I would love to have you over for some tea." Cassandra quipped slipping into her role as naturally as a fish took to water. Her grip would relax a touch upon the Doctor's shoulders, but remain firm as she guided him not out into the street, but down the alleyway towards the large looming structure he would recognize as an arena of sorts. Slipping the two of them in through a side door and down a rather pocketmarked hallway towards an elevator door. It's panel rather new given the battered state of the elevator doors as Cas pressed her palm to the screen. The door sliding open with a groan of metal as she ushered him inside.
"Given what happened to our last base we had to rapidly relocated." Cas explained once the doors had slid shut behind them and the elevator begun it's descent.
"We've cleared out enough living space to be manageable and lucked out in finding a kitchen. Though things are still in progress." Cas continued as they ended their long descent the doors opening up to metal hallways that looked as though they had been ripped with claws and a few blast marks here or there.
"Which was good as it took a bit to get Breach used to eating normal food instead of subsisting on data." She added not even giving the damage a cursory glance. It was after all only superficial and it wasn't like the Apocolymon in his hunts had damaged any of the computer or data terminal rooms which had made the Doctor infinitely pleased.
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Post by Dr. Mikemon on Jan 2, 2019 4:38:29 GMT
Ideally, Mikemon would have avoided Cassandra entirely. This whole trip was supposed to be an in-and-out job, but now that he was 'caught', he might as well go along with it. Besides, Cassandra's grip on his shoulder wasn't going to lighten up any time soon.
For now, he just relaxed, as best as he could. Ushered along by Cassandra, they made their way through the remains of the battered Chaos Arena, invited into a downward-going elevator deep into the facility.
"You've picked a heck of a place for a new base... though," as Mikemon followed Cassandra out of the elevator, he briefly surveyed the catastrophic damage done in the front hall, "by the looks of it, wrestling it from its former owner wasn't the easiest thing in the world."
He sighed, shaking his head. Mikemon wasn't fond of Metal Drive, and Cassandra would know that fact quite well. Instead, he swiftly changed the subject: "Well, now that the market's not in earshot, you want to address the elephant in the room?"
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Post by Cross on Jan 2, 2019 4:55:03 GMT
"Oh no," Cas spoke gesturing to the claw marks, "That's what happens when an Apocalymon get's a little too enthusiastic about a game of cat and mouse." Cassandra explained her explanation likely leaving more questions then answers as she lead Mikemon down the hall towards said kitchen.
"However, he was on our side and having fun so," And she shrugged as if to say 'what can you do' before pushing open the door. Revealing a kitchen that was mostly metal and chrome like the rest of the facility though it had seen some recent customization in the following days since it's acquisition. Namely recipe books shoved onto a bookshelf tacked to the wall, a battered teapot on the stone, and other touches here or there. Cassandra though settled for filling the pot with water and setting it on the burner to boil. Motioning for Mikemon to take a seat at the metal island and stools that ran through the middle of the room bisecting it. That done Cas leaned lightly against the counter seeing that the cat was eager to cut to the chase so she wouldn't toy with him longer then necessary.
"Ordorless, colorless, works dry, were it not for the comment about the 'hit' I'd think you were peddling poisons Mikemon." Cassandra quipped though her eyes were soft, non-judgemental beyond a hint of concern.
"But I suspect it's a litmus test of some sort." She adds words soft.
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Post by Dr. Mikemon on Jan 2, 2019 5:25:57 GMT
An Apocalymon?!
Mikemon could have sworn he felt his jaw drop and hit the floor at that comment, but... ugh. "Cassandra, your assurances are supposed to make me worry less about you, not more." It was said as a joke, but the tone didn't convey as such, as Mikemon followed the doctor along into the kitchen.
A very modern-looking kitchen, at that. Really, it looked as if the kitchen apparatuses were simply tacked into an unfitting, sterile metal room, but for what they had to work with, it didn't look that bad. Pulling himself onto the island, he'd give a nod towards Cassandra's observation. "Well, that's basically it." Reaching into his cloak, the cat would produce a spare vial, and place it on the table between them. "What I have here is a concoction I've tested over the last few days, to test for a type of 'hard drug'. At least, I think that's what its called on the other side..." He was getting sidetracked: shaking his head, he pressed on.
"To be honest, not a lot gets policed down in Old Terminus, but sometimes the stuff that happens down here affects the surface. And when something gets too bad, they send in undercover officers to infiltrate in. Find the problem, locate the source, and 'silently remove the problem'. They commissioned me to create an inconspicuous material that could locate the active ingredient in 'Fracta'."
Open and shut, that was the whole story. It seemed reasonable enough...
... Though it might start to raise doubt in Cassandra's head about just how secure this 'new base' could be.
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Post by Cross on Jan 2, 2019 5:33:27 GMT
"He's friendly enough most of the time when he's not driven half-mad with boredom." Cassandra explained, if anything she could say she was almost fond of the Apocalymon enjoying his sarcastic banter even if he got a bit too wrapped up in the whole 'villain' role despite being little of the sort. The Digimon was a devils advocate if there ever was one.
Still the Doctor made a mental note of the Fracta. "What does the drug do exactly?" She questioned concerned in regards to the effects and if this could become a wider scale problem. While the city encouraged free trade if what you brought in brought trouble to their doorstep...well some of the residents didn't take too kindly to that. More so she wondered given her underworld connections why Mikemon hadn't contacted her in regards to the issue, but was willingly to believe she had just slipped his mind. She wanted to trust him. To believe him.
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Post by Dr. Mikemon on Jan 2, 2019 5:46:40 GMT
"Its a psychedelic."
Mikemon gave a short shrug, trying to pick the best way to describe it. "Based on the few reports we have in Terminus, it causes a very quick 'high'. The users they've managed to apprehend report that it makes them feel both 'indestructible' and 'physically hot', with some reporting that they can see the heat waving in the air."
That was about as much as he knew on specifics. As for Cassandra's untold question: "... I don't tend to make a business messing around with the Underground. That bit of research and that delivery was the extent of my role in this job." He gave another pause, simply trying to sort the thoughts in his head.
Should he just come out and say what he really wanted to say, what he really felt of this second base, of how far she's come along in all this? The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he held them, at least for the moment.
To him, the tension in this room could be cut with a knife.
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