A thirst. (Alice)

Waiting...waiting...waiting… Littorio waited for a couple moments before deciding to sit down upon a nearby half wall that served to separate a small garden from the footpath. For a place this large the Italian was genuinely surprised she had not seen a single soul, either digital or human. It was rather odd really. She turned her gaze towards Lavinia, the pitch black dinosaur digimon restlessly sitting. Her tail would always swish side to side whenever she was bored or on edge.

“Calm yourself my dear~ Today could just be a quiet day you know?” Still, that did little to sooth Lavinia’s agitation. She merely sighed, her jaw opening as if to speak before clamping shut. Deep down she knew her partner had a point. Unfounded agitation at an absence of people that she did not know was ordinary or not was merely wasted energy.

Time would prove the Italian correct as the door opened and out popped two humanoid figures. One was most likely human and the other, the witch in scarlet, was most likely not. The Italian’s eyes snapped towards the duo, her gaze growing bored with Alice before settling on the witch. Mmm...an attractive body really, with generous helpings in all the right areas.

“Ah? A delight to meet the both of you. I am...mmm Littorio.” She walked under the doors threshold, smiling a genuinely sweet smile that hid desires that were not suitable for young ears to hear.

“Oh. My name is Lavinia. It is nice to meet you Miss Alice and Miss Dorothy.” Those names stuck out to the dinosaurian Digimon. She knew of them was fairly common among humans but Dorothy?...A rare name for a Digital lifeform. Still Littorio and her partner were now both inside.

“Ah~ Yes. We’re here to avail ourselves of any information on how Digivolution works, as well as anything you have on what changes a human body undergoes during the transfer to the Digital World.”

Littorio leaned back against the desk, a soft and rather flirtatious wink aimed towards Dorothy. The witch digimon did have a body that the Italian would simply adore a chance to carry out a closer inspection; yes a very close inspection. Ah...no no. Bad Littorio. Do control yourself. You were among children. She turned her focus back to Alice, listening closely as they recited information that Littorio mostly already knew.

“Mmm...yes I was aware that digimon have options in digivolution paths but….I was not aware of what affected it. I did assume it was something to do with their environment. Hmm… if it is a matter of stimulation...is it physical environment? Their diet? What data they absorb?” Those were only a handful of the questions the Italian had. Her other question was one she had already asked yet had gone unanswered.

“Hmmmmm….and what of us humans? Do we simply become raw data while we’re here? I...also heard that digimon absorb data through the act of eating. Is that true?” The gears turned and rotated in the Italian’s head, grinding against each other.

Lavinia walked towards the red witch and looked up at them. They remained silent for a few moments, unsure if they should ask or not.

“...Miss Dorothy was it? Do you have a public library I can use?” While Littorio handed the person to person gathering and sharing of information Lavinia much rather preferred a library. She was not the most keen on social contact.

“Loading? A Digimon I met in Terminus did inform me that Digimon absorb the data of whatever they eat. Is this loading simply the same concept but only when applied to Digimon?” The terminology was not what Littorio had an interest in. It was the meaning behind the terminology that she was concerned by. Still, her ears perked up upon hearing that humans had been loaded into Digimon, it did imply that the reverse was possible after all.

“Humans loaded by Digimon? How does that come around?” Littorio rubbed her chin in deep contemplation, an effeminate hand stroking her sharpened features. She wondered just how that worked but more importantly how it would feel and any consequences involved. She had an inkling that Alice and Dorothy perhaps had first hand experience with the subject matter.

“Then I would like to accompany you.” When, and perhaps more importantly if, Dorothy made her way to question this “Usako” Lavinia would accompany them.

“It does sound weird...in which case...let me ask this. How exactly does the data humans get converted to inside the Digital World function? Does it share a similar baseline with Digimon data?...In fact, if the digital world is a place created by computer code and stored on a server does that mean it is possible to create Digimon by writing lines of code? What code does it even use?” If there was a coding language out there used to create Digimon that opened up a great deal of options to look into.

The Italian’s features were twisted into a pensive expression of deep contemplation as she pondered the possibility of actually writing code that could affect Digimon, or perhaps, the digital world itself.

“Hmm….do you have any more details on these rare occurrences? Applications aside, my natural academic curiosity does make me want to find out a little bit more on the matter.” Littorio caressed her chin with one hand while patting the head of her partner with the other. As calm and passive at Lavinia could be, she was not the most patient type often prone to restlessness. With an annoyed growl they simply pouted and sat still, tail impatiently wagging.

“Biomerge huh? Hmmm...I’ve heard something similar to that but...never fully understood it?” Littorio’s expression changed into a painting of disappointment. She had been expecting the members of the Field Club to have more useful information but so far a lot of what she had heard was either stuff she already knew, had assumed in the past or was mere speculation. She had been hoping for something a great deal more concrete and workable.

“Hmmm...well. I work in an IT company, so if you need an experience from an adult who knows professional coders...I’d be glad to offer my assistance.” Littorio smiled sweetly, genuinely offering her assistance in this matter even if she had less than savoury uses for whatever knowledge it would result in.

The expression Alice has when Usako arrives is that of surprise, but also a bit of guilt due to being away for so long. "Ah... You're right, it's been ages. Been studying Digimon intelligence, memory and such at Rosewood for too long, perhaps...” Despite what she says, she’s smiling, a sign that she’s been enjoying the experience. “Last I remember, you were a Calcumon.”

Her attention soon goes to the topic at hand. “Right. My friend here is Littorio, and her partner, Lavinia, would like to check out the library. They’re here to learn about the topics of Biomerging and a bit on the nature of data in the Digital World.” Alice explains this rather quickly, occasionally glancing to the other human to see if she’s still paying attention. “It’s been a pleasure to share some of my stories and knowledge, so far.”

While Alice is distracted, Dorothy tries her best to answer things despite her limited experience. “Well, while me ‘n Alice were traveling to uncover an ancient statue up in the icy, cold part of the Digital World, one of our friends was also there when we arrived at our destination, but kinda... Different. Her partner ‘n her had merged together into a single Digimon... Rasielmon or somethin’. It’s been a while, lemme think...” The witch takes off her red hat and holds it in her hands while gently ruffling her own hair for a moment. Her eyes briefly light up as if she’s a bit excited as she speaks up again. “It was like they were one person, ‘n yet not. Capable of hearing each others’ thoughts ‘n stuff. Well, that and the injuries both of ‘em sustained kinda evened out from being lethal to being crippling. And even beaten up ‘n battered to that point, the level of power radiating off of ‘em was incredible. You could tell that at full strength, they woulda been nearly invincible.”

"Ahh, Haru... A very complicated subject. She's... A Digimon now. And fairly elusive, as well..." Alice lowers her head slightly, knowing that there's no easy way to explain this. "It's a long story and I don't know all the details, but needless to say she won't be biomerging again any time soon." No longer comfortable about the subject, she decides to think of a way to salvage the conversation. Something, anything...

Instead, it's Dorothy who brings it up, a bit of a shock to the green haired woman. "So, uhh... Yeah, it's fully possible that Digimon 'n humans are closer than we think. Has to be some kinda connection..." Still holding her hat in her hands, she speaks with a slight frown, recalling some of her own experiences. "I go off without Alice here sometimes with a Holosuit on, and I can tell that there... Really ain't that much of a difference in how we think 'n feel."

"...That said, perhaps one day you'll be strong enough to Biomerge. Heck, maybe me and Dorothy will do it eventually, when the time calls for such a thing." Alice joins back in on the conversation, trying to smile. "Even if I'd rather witness someone else doing so, I'd be able to actually research it..." Alice isn't sure whether she imagined that odd expression on Littorio's face or not, assuming it to simply be a sign of excitement.