The Call to Adventure, Meeting the Mentor (Arakan/Ask)

Charles glanced in Arakan's direction, and smiled a little - though there was a hair of strain to it. He appreciated her attempts to reassure him, though it certainly wasn't something he wanted to worry about, at least at the moment. Still, he wanted to be polite to her - responding "She is indeed older, though she doesn't have a Spirit like you - and... She tends to be a bit brash, impulsive, and headstrong. It gets her in trouble from time to time in the real world - and while she can usually hold her own in the real world, I wouldn't want to think just how that trouble might get magnified out here, if she accidentally angers someone, or wanders off somewhere dangerous."

He'd sigh a little, scratching the back of his head - or at least, scratching the best one could with a boxing glove. It was one of his big issues with telling his daughter about this place; because inevitably, she'd get curious and foolhardy, and end up wandering somewhere dangerous... And gods knew that he didn't want to lose her; he already had enough loss for a lifetime, after his wife. But, he'd quickly push that train of thought away, instead glancing to Arakan at her questions.

"You're quite alright though, dear. And yes, it's essentially like that - it feels a bit strange, crossing the... 'boundary', so to speak, but it's as simple as riding the train back, to my understanding." He'd nod with a smile in her direction, adding "You'll see what I mean by it feeling a bit odd, though, once we take the train back." He'd idly hop over a root in the path, glancing ahead as plumes of chimney smoke would peek through the gaps in the canopy - they were starting to get close to Rosewood. Though, a question would occur to him as he recognized that they were nearing the village. "... You mentioned a bike, but... Last you had remembered before waking up out here, you were already riding on the road, yes?" He'd ask - glancing in her direction. "Do you still have it, or think that you could find it?"

Though Arakan clearly meant well, it seemed that the suggestion didn't exactly comfort Charles, his expression becoming disconcerted and uncomfortable. "I'd... much rather not, though I appreciate the offer." He'd respond a hair awkwardly, continuing "I wouldn't want anyone to be spying on or stalking her - and she certainly wouldn't take kindly to that... If I do end up telling her about all of this, or if she does figure things out, I'd much rather handle that situation on my own. It'd... Likely be something that's best handled with a talk between a daughter and her father, Arakan."

He'd frown and sigh with that, tilting his head back as he glanced up towards the canopy, staring at the chimney smoke of the distant town that was only getting closer by the second. It was clear that the conversation was starting to set him on a poor mood - feeling perhaps a hair frustrated over the dilemma that was his daughter's foolhardy nature. "As much as I appreciate your questions and attempts to help, I think we're treading into territory that's a bit uncomfortable, if I'll be honest. Would you be opposed if we moved on from this discussion?"

So the bike was, most likely, where it was before she had blacked out - assuming nobody had found it and taken it... Charles couldn't help feeling a hair disappointed for her, in having lost the bike - mentioning "Even if there is a public transportation, I can't imagine that losing your bike is exactly convenient, even if it wasn't something you paid for." He wasn't exactly sure what to make of Arakan's grin, though... "... And even if you dislike your family, I'm not sure if you should really take such things for granted, either. I can certainly understand if your bike had some bad feelings attached to it, but it's a good habit to be mindful with belongings that you didn't pay for - even if they're, technically, yours."

Charles would smile sympathetically to Arakan at her apology, reaching up to pat her shoulder. "It's alright, kiddo. I understand why you'd be concerned about it all, and I appreciate it. I know how to handle myself and my daughter, is all." He'd mention to her, adding with a warm chuckle "Raised her from when she was a teeny tiny baby, after all!" Sure, he couldn't expect to know exactly how his daughter might act with everything - but he could make informed guesses, and talk things out with her if necessary...

He wouldn't miss Arakan's momentary frustration, though, and would smile a hair sheepishly in her direction. "I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm nagging you or putting any fault on you - you certainly couldn't control the circumstances that led to all of this. I'm just mentioning that being mindful of such things is a good habit, since you seemed awfully... pleased, for lack of a better term, over you not having been the one to pay for the bike, even if you had lost it." He'd clarify to Arakan, adding "But it seems like we both have been treading on iffy subjects - and rolling with the punches is a good state of mind, as long as you don't let it get ahead of yourself. I won't dwell on this subject any longer than you want to, though." He wanted to be mindful and respectful of Arakan's boundaries, just as much as she was being respectful to his own.

It wasn't long before they'd reach the edge of Rosewood, though. It was a quaint, warm, and homely little town that seemed to be putting the finishing touches on finding its footing - filled with Digimon of all shapes and sizes, who wandered the streets. Of the digimon that wandered the streets, they consisted mostly of rookie-stage Digimon; but the occasional Champion and the rare Ultimate could be spotted as well, in looking about! The roads were cobble pathways that wound about warm and cozy-looking buildings, lampposts were set up at street corners (though were turned off, as it was still daylight,) and natural decor such as trees and hanging flower-baskets painted a beautiful, almost pictureesque sight. The multitude of scents and sights and sounds seemed to make Charles visibly prick up - his ears twitching in the directions of the different sounds in the area.

Before, he certainly enjoyed the signs of the town when he was passing through as a human, but... As a Gaomon, there was something about all of this - primarily his enhanced senses - that made it all feel like he was wandering through here for the first time all over again! And indeed, the buzz of activity about them seemed to excite his spirit, as well; the little Wanyamon emerging and perching on his shoulder to look around thru wide eyes as well, prompting Charles to gently laugh. He could sense all of the awe and joy coming off of his spirit - the spikes of excitement, the feelings of intense curiosity at looking at all the different new digimon... It was extremely endearing to the father-turned-digimon. "Such a curious little fella, ain't he?" He'd muse to Arakan, smiling up to her. "What do you think of this place?"

It didn't take long for Charles to notice that Arakan wasn't having that great of a time anymore - seeming unsure, perhaps even anxious. The older man-turned-digimon would be unable to help a slight sigh - distinctly feeling that they should've dropped that subject sooner, at least for the sake of her mood. He'd still offer her a smile though, as Arakan commented upon the town being so alive; reaching over to pat her shoulder. "I'm sorry if I put you in a poor mood at all. I suppose I'm trying too hard to be a bit of a... Older role model, for lack of a better term, when we're still getting to know each other." He'd apologize as they walked along - the platform for the train station situated in Rosewood coming into view. "You gonna be alright?"

"The train ride to Terminus, though... It'll likely take some time. The ride to here took a small handful of hours, certainly long enough for you to get a nap in, if you'd like." Charles responded, hopping up the steps onto the platform amongst other gathered digimon who were waiting for their stops, and glancing over the schedule - as well as the clock that hung above it - briefly. The next train to Terminus would be here any minute, it seemed. He'd take a seat at one of the unoccupied benches, gesturing Arakan over to sit with him as he did. "As for once we get to Terminus, the ride back home shouldn't be too long; assuming train schedules line up."

Charles couldn't help a warm chuckle at the mention of Plotmon's excitement - the spirit really was like a little puppy, huh? - but would nod understandingly. "It'll probably be calmer and quieter once we get onto the train, at the very least. Less stimulus to overwhelm you and whatnot." He'd mention reassuringly, adding "And I'm sure it wouldn't hurt all that much to let Plotmon run around a little to burn off some excess energy, too, once we get there - if you think you'll be able to get control back once we arrive at the station in Terminus, at least." Last thing they needed was for them to try to last-minute figure out a way to help Arakan turn back for a second time, after all. But if all Plotmon needed was a good run, then perhaps it'd be a good idea to let the little fella to get that run out while they were on the train. Then, perhaps, finish off with a nap once they were all tuckered out?

Well, whatever the plan may be, Charles would smile in Arakan's direction as she sat down next to him. "It's been a long day for the both of us, to say the least. Who knows? Maybe you'll conk right out the second you get comfy on the train." Briefly pausing to chuckle, he'd also add "Eheh, though then again, maybe I'll conk right out, myself! I don't feel too tired, but sometimes long rides can do that to you."

And as far as role models went, well... He had a feeling that even if she didn't need a role model, having one to nudge her in the right direction would do her some good. Still, he wouldn't voice this out loud - instead quietly nodding and offering a smile. "And as I'm sure you already know, I'm more than happy to teach you." He'd mention, before adding in suggestion "Perhaps if you don't end up dozing off, I can give a few pointers on the trainride - and then we can exchange numbers, once we're back in Shibuya?"

Charles chuckled. "True, true; that's a good point." He'd respond to Arakan's retort - scratching his cheek as he mused out loud "I was thinking more for the trainride from here to Terminus, so that you'd have a chance to fix yourself if something did indeed go wrong; but I imagine that if you did get stuck as Plotmon again, it would take more than the brief train ride from Terminus to Shibuya to fix things..." Not to mention the promise that Arakan mentioned... He'd smile to her as he added "And good on you for keeping to your word, kiddo." in a warm and praising tone.

A few kids who need to extra support? Charles would quietly glance in Arakan's direction, initially visibly disconcerted at the idea - as it sounded as though the young girl would be picking fights with others! Which, whilst doing it in the defense of others is a noble pursuit, he certainly wouldn't want her to get herself in trouble or to get herself hurt by picking fights... Arakan's clarification would ease his worry a little, though he'd still reach over to pat her shoulder - mentioning with a concerned hue "Sticking up for others is good, and I'm glad to hear that you would do so. All I ask is that you be careful that you don't get into too much trouble - either with the school, or with other people - doing it, alright kiddo?"

He'd quietly nod along with Arakan's response regarding exchanging numbers - smiling briefly. "As long as we are able to keep in touch somehow; that's the important thing." He'd respond - briefly glancing up as he'd watch the Trailmon roll into the station. "If you have other methods that you keep in touch with your friends, you're free to share them with me, too." He'd add - standing up as the train-digimon's doors would open, and the other digimon waiting on the platform would begin to fill in.