The Pack

By now, Kenny and Skadi were pretty much used to having a second home in KIZNA, what with their own rooms within the Sanctuarium Unionis
and all. It was a small step for Kenny's growth to become fully independent, working with Skadi to maintain his room. And thanks to the recent upgrade to his Digi-Port, he and Skadi could now simply crash back at their room at any time. And God, was that ever convenient, especially when either those 2 just needed to rest their legs.

And on a particularly calm day like this, they could just chill out, maybe play some video games or get some mundane stuff out of the way. The time dilation that the Digital World provided was a massive blessing for a man trying to practically micromanage everything in his own life. No wonder someone like Ryouta got ridiculously strong. Maybe someday, some of it would rub off onto the young man.

As they were relaxing in their room today, though, they could hear faint steps and noises coming from the outside. While he was usually one to chide Skadi to act on his curiosity, Kenny was up and at it first, walking up and opening the door, much to Skadi's confusion, "Hey Kenny, what's wrong?" She asked him as she tilted her head.

"Nothing's wrong, Skadi. There's just, somebody's outside." He reassured her, "Might as well say hi to them while we're here, maybe have a little chat with them. You coming?"

The Valaismon just gave a small shrug, "Eh, why not? Better than just sitting around doing nothing all day." She yawned as she jumped off the bed to follow Kenny outside of their room, and into the halls of the Sanctuarium Unionis, following the source of the noise in question.

A few moments later, the two would be greeted by a few faces, the two familiar ones in the form of Ophelia and Cassie, two of their best friends and trusted teammates of KIZNA, along with a familiar looking Strabimon and Gaomon. Smiling broadly, Kenny gave them a wave and cried out "Hey! Ophi, Cassie, nice to see you girls again!" Skadi happily waved as well. She loved to hang out with those two girls, and Kenny knew it. "And hey, Jill, Haku, how you guys doing!"

But one face did look a little unfamiliar, taking the form of another, nervous looking, Strabimon, to which Ophelia was gently guiding along the halls. Was this the 'Lae' that both Ophelia and Cassie had rattled on about back in that talk with the DATS agents the other week? An interested smile formed on Skadi's face, "Hey Ophi, is that your brother over there? He looks nice!" She seemed generally keen on giving Lae a warm welcome, as did Kenny himself. After all, any friend of KIZNA were a friend of Kenny and Skadi.

"What is it?" Jill asked. Her tone does not sound sharp the slightest, or hostile even, merely inquisitive. She lifted some of her bangs from over her covered right eye. "Does something of me caught your attention?"

"That almost sounded like what a heroine would say to someone who looked at her too long," Haku joked. "My lil sis is single, mate. If you want to court her go on ahead--ow! Hey, I'm just stating fact~"

"Hmph."

It looks like previously Jill poked Haku's rib with her (sheathed) knife. She quickly put the knife back to under her coat. There's a faint blush under her fur.

"Don't worry about the quietness. I don't generally poke into other's business unless I feel it's necessary. I myself just a secretary anyway, not someone of field post."

"She's actually kind of like Ophi's senior officer though," Haku joked as he rolled the capsule facility and operates it so it becomes an emergency check up room. Perhaps this Lae-guy isn't familiar with handshakes? "The secretary might be under admins in power, but she's pretty much like the mayor."

"That's one word too far," Jill scolded. "Pardon my brother, he's really talkative. I guess that's what he got for being a... therapist... Anyway, you looks a bit distressed. Would you like to take a bit sniff of this?" Jill offered what looked like a necklace. "I don't know how good your smelling is, so try to twist it to the left slowly. It's tailored for beast Digimons like us, but caution never hurt."

At any rate... "Ophi, you're stable, but there's a sign that your stamina is dropping, probably because the cold. Might want to wear something a bit more warm while training outside yeah? The weather is getting colder, and spring is still quite far away. I suggest something like a thin coat or something. And.. Cassie next?"

It seemed that Laertes' gaze on Jill was noticed; though they seemed to misinterpret his intentions (or, at least, Haku did.) At being questioned, the Strabimon's eyes would instantly snap away; instead staring at the suddenly very interesting wall, only chancing small side-glances at everyone, just so that he knew what they were doing. The notion of courting Jill didn't help, either; eyes snapping back to Haku, with a certain bewildered - and perhaps wary - look to his expression.

"Why would I-" He'd stop himself, when he realized that he was blurting something out unbidden. As he fell quiet for a moment, his ears would flick backwards in a nervous fashion; his tail stiffening as well. His anxiety was visibly building, and yet he quickly came to the conclusion that he couldn't leave his question unfinished, though - as much as he had wanted to stop himself from asking it. So, he'd take in a deep breath, muttering "... Why would I even court someone I only just met..?" as he'd glance aside once more; seeming quite keen on avoiding eye contact.

Meanwhile, Cassie would giggle softly as she pressed her head up into Kenny's hand; clearly enjoying the contact. "Mhmm!" She'd confirm with a hum; though wouldn't elaborate much further. Ophelia probably already had talked everyone's ears off, about the last run-in the two of them had with the recent Demon Lord events; she didn't see much need to add onto the rambles. "Things have been busy lately, for all of us, I think; hehe..!" She'd instead comment with a chirp; trying to balance against Kenny - one of her flippers braced against his shoulder, while he was still leaned down - to try and ruffle his hair right back with the opposite flipper..!

"No mercy for the sheep!" Ophelia declared with a cheeky and playful grin, meanwhile, as she'd give Skadi her noogie; tail swishing playfully like a pleased feline all the whilst. Teasing and poking fun with Skadi was always great; on top of the sibling-esque roughhousing and other antics they sometimes got up to.

Once Skadi was released, though, the Spadamon was quick to help steady Skadi as well; gently placing her hands on the Valaismon's shoulders. "Eaaaasy there, don't be taking a tumble on us!" She'd joke with a soft laugh; grinning lightly.

It would be around then, though, that Jill would comment on Laertes' anxiety. Distress definitely summed up how he felt; in this new and strange place, with people that he barely knew all around... As she offered him what looked to be a necklace, Laertes would blink a bit and step back - eyeballing the object in question. Slowly, warily - almost as though on guard for a potential trap - he'd take it, carefully rolling it between his hands as he examined the necklace. It had a scent to it that he couldn't quite put his finger on - Jill's scent was all over it, for sure, but... There was another scent, that he couldn't quite identify. "What... is this?"

He'd at first glance to Cassie and Ophelia - the latter of whom had since gone over to Haku, to recieve her check-up. As his eyes met with his sisters, the two would offer him a reassuring nod, which seemed to make him relax a bit; his shoulders losing some of their tension. As per the other Strabimon's instructions, he'd slowly and carefully twist what looked almost like a pendant, on the necklace; wondering what to expect.

Haku's comment on Ophelia's stamina, though, would make the Spadamon's eyebrows furrow a little. "I... Can't help but doubt it's the cold that did it." Ophelia remarked. She's dealt with worse cold plenty, after all; the weather up in the mountains tending to be colder and more unpredictable than in these lower altitudes. And she was born and raised in those conditions plenty! "You sure it ain't because we just walked down from the Terabyte Mountains, in bringing Laertes over here?"

Finally, there was Kenny and Skadi, who both were trying to befriend and reassure Laertes. As much as their sentiments could be appreciated, Laertes was one for instincts in unfamiliar environments; and in a strange place, surrounded by strange people? His instincts screamed at him to be wary, to be on guard. Even when Skadi came to offer him some daifuku - having to come close, with their notable height differences - he'd be unable to help his hackles rising, and his lips curling just the tiniest bit, as he took a step back.

Thankfully, Ophelia was quick to step in now - the lioness placing a hand Laertes' shoulder. His gaze would snap to her, the starts of a growl rumbling in his chest, but... Seeing that it was only his sister, that seemed to be enough for the anxious Strabimon to deflate a bit; his fur once more flattening down, as he reminded himself to take in a deep breath. It was okay; she wasn't freaking out, so... It'd be okay.

Slowly and carefully, Laertes would turn his attention back to Skadi, and accept the snack - eyeing the pouch a bit. This was different, too; he was used to typically eating whatever meats and root vegetables they could scrounge up. Slowly, carefully, he would open the pouch - and almost immediately noted the sweet smell, that would come off from it. "... Thank you," He'd murmur - carefully taking the Daifuku out of the packaging, and taking a bite out of it.

Indeed, it was sweet - like how it smelled - and Laertes was a bit surprised at the red bean filling it had, though seemed to otherwise like it. His ears perked up a hair, and his tailtip begin to swish the slightest bit; the signs of contentment seeming to leak through his anxious exterior. This seemed to make the sisters both relax as well, the two of them being equally happy to see their brother settling down some.

It was way too hard to ignore the immense fuzzy feeling developing inside Kenny as he ruffled Cassie's hair - and when he felt his own hair being ruffled back by the yearling. With a smile, he made sure to position and angle himself well to help keep the Gomamon X up, and once both of them were done, Kenny gently pulled her down and back onto the floor. That seal certainly was clever and crafty in her own unique way. Hell, she and Ophelia had practically enough energy to lighten up the mood by themselves, if the Spadamon giving Skadi a noogie was anything to go by.

As Ophelia and Haku conversed about the former's stamina, the mention of Belphmon raised a few eyebrows, at least for Kenny and Skadi, "Uh, yeah, funny you should mention that, Haku," Kenny chuckled lightly as he rubbed the back of his head, "Me and Skadi actually kinda had to deal with him a few months back. At least, indirectly and with Alan and Levi's help. That power seemed to make even the toughest of Perfect-level Digimon become lethargic if you weren't careful. I can't really say the same for Megas though, considering I don't remember spotting one in the flesh during our mission."

Was Laertes a little worried there? Well, who could blame him? Being in a more... unique, friendly environment, compared to the possibly unforgiving wilderness could really screw with someone a little. It took every bit of fibre in Kenny's body to not pat the nervous Strabimon on the back to reassure him, leaving it to Ophelia to comfort him. After all, he and Skadi were technically strangers, and Ophelia was his loved one. Besides, any sudden contact could easily startle him.

All the while, Skadi never let her fluff-covered eyes off the Strabimon, smiling and nodding at him, still keeping herself up and holding the snack out. It wasn't poisoned, dangerous, anything. It was perfectly safe to eat (even if the red bean taste and texture was, admittedly, an acquired taste). She didn't intentionally budge in the slightest as Laetres took the snack, although her legs were starting to wobble a little, and her feet quickly fell back down onto the floor and finally relaxed.

Watching Laertes eat the snack, Kenny bit his lip a little, while Skadi quietly held her breath, both of them hoping that their little olive branch to him worked like a charm. And from what they could tell from Laertes' reaction... it did! Walking a little closer to the Strabimon, but still taking care not to even lay even a mere fingertip onto him, he gave him a friendly wink, "See, I told you you could trust us, man. I'm sorry we made you worry a little bit back there." It was just a mere bad habit of his, apologising for even the tiniest of things that would warrant a slap on the wrist at worst. Skadi nodded as well, giving a kindly look to Laertes.

In a pleasing surprise, Valt had also come over as well from the stairs, and Skadi happily waved to him, crying out "Hi senpai!" Thankfully, with this being a little more impromptu, there was no possible way for Skadi to just make up a bet on the spot, especially when he had a job to do.

Kenny appreciated this little surprise too as he smiled at Valt, "Hey man. Yeah, that's Lae over there. He's a little shy right now. I don't blame him. We're just helping him ease into Ys." He then turned back to the Strabimon in question, "Valt's a great guy, honestly. He's Ophelia and Skadi's mentor, and our friend. And he's really tough and strong and protective, too. We just love to hang around with him from time to time."

"We can tell you the story on how we first met him, if you want!" Skadi offered Laertes, making Kenny chuckle a bit. Had time really passed that much since that faithful day in the Spartan Training Grounds? God, it all just felt so weird and wonderful in hindsight...

Luckily, Kenny liked weird.

"If that's the case then that's fine... I was just wondering because I don't see any difference in your pulse and all, so I thought you might be used to it..." Haku admitted. "Eh well, if that's all then that's good, but if you feel any discomfort, I have to ask you to please tell me, alright?" Haku asked.

Jill meanwhile wondered if that scent was to the liking of the other Strabimon or not. However, she suddenly got contacted. She answered her D-Nexus. "Yes, Jill here... Father? I was actually going to... yes? Right, alright, sounds good. Is it urgent? Two more hours or so? Alright, got it."

She then turned to the others. "Sorry to impose, but do you mind to go to inner sanctum in like two hours? Father is going to come here to talk with all of us about something apparently. I'm guessing something about the system update we have been doing recently..."

And well, there's the heartwarming scene! Had Valt not lifted her, she would probably jumped at him herself, he thought. He did exactly that, and just lifted her, scratching behind her ears lovingly. "And here is my dear seal~ I'm doing fine, just about to go training the cadets, yeah. I heard Hikaru is going to make an academy or sort though, so I'll probably going to be less busy... Well, being drill sergeant is indeed tiring though!"

Whoa, talk about aggressive welcoming though. Somehow part of him wondered if Lae is secretly not only nervous around new people, but also a protective brother?

"Yeah I'm her mate.I have been lucky to be accepted by her as her mate. She's an amazing 'mon, balancing me when I'm being too strict, cheering me when I'm down... she's very resourceful too," Valt answered. Honestly he's not sure what he's doing, but he guess there's some...nervousness that he feels at the moment

"Gotcha, Doc." Ophelia agreed with a chuckle; smiling in Haku's direction, and flashing him a thumbs up. "I'll come to ya if anything's wrong; though I think that I'm pretty fine right now, unless I develop any severe cases of spontaneous combustion." She'd add in light joking, tail swishing briefly.

The mention of them going to the inner sanctum in a couple hours, though, would make Ophelia a bit curious. "Huhm; alright!" She'd respond with a hint of musing; wondering if that would be a good chance for Laertes to get a break from socialization, hiding out in their room for however long the talk goes. Given that it pretty much smelled identical to home, she hoped that it'd be enough for him to settle down a bit...

As Cassie was scratched behind the ears, though, her tail would wag as a corgi's might, smiling brightly. "Maybe I'll come join you, until it's time to go to the inner sanctum?" Cassie would suggest, as Valt confirmed that he was going to go training. After a moment, though, she'd quickly clarify "Once I get my check-up, and make sure that Lae'll be okay with just Ophi, that is..!" Check-ups and brothers were important, after all..!

Though she briefly considered inviting Laertes to come with, the number of cadets that Valt might be training would probably be too much for the poor wolf!

Ophelia would react similarly positively to Kenny's touch; purring softly, as she leaned against his hand. "Mmm... 's okay.." She'd mumble half absentmindedly, her focus being more on Laertes, and making sure that he was doing okay. His body language read as very wary to her - but he seemed to be trying to make himself calm down, in Valt's presence. "We can talk 'bout the story 'nother time...~" She'd murmur to Kenny in suggestion, trailing off in a purr.

Kenny's hands might not be the same as Karin's brush, but he still had a certain magic touch!

As Valt responded to Laertes, the Strabimon would - initially - remain silent. Even after the praises sung for his sister, and Skadi's own attempts to reassure him, Laertes would be quiet for a few moments; seeming to be mulling over the other's words.

Meanwhile, Cassie would be reassuring Valt with a gentle nuzzle and lick of his cheek; murmuring softly "You're amazing, too, V~" with a relaxed smile, before glancing down to Laertes. Once their eyes met, she'd smile brightly to the wolf; adding to her brother. "It's okay, Lae. He's a friend, too, even if he's big right now..!"

Cassie's words seemed to finally get the Strabimon to react; Laertes blinking, as though broken from his thoughts. Slowly, he'd nod in response; glancing back over to Kenny and Ophelia, where the duo were seated. "... You all... Seem rather nice." He'd admit, tension leaking out of him slowly but surely as he made for Kenny and Ophelia, to sit next to his sister - on the opposite side from Kenny.

Ophelia, almost immediately, would pull him into a one-armed hug; purring as she nuzzled him like it was second nature.

The motion would make Laertes jump a bit, but he'd begin to slowly relax; burying his nose against Ophelia's neck, so that he only had to smell the scents of family for the moment. Ophelia purred in response; nuzzling the top of her brother's head; almost acting as a big sister might, in this quiet and protective comfort, even though they were technically the same age.

Lazily opening an eye to gaze over at Jill, Ophelia would speak up; questioning "What all do you know about this system update, anyways, while you're here?"