Our Perfect Appreciation (Toki)

Suggestions were proposed, and in the end it did not take long for the young gentleman to seize the initiative and select one of them. Given the circumstances, which were peaceful and on cordial terms, the otherwise pensive fox decided to not object or voice second thoughts. Instead, she shrugged in a laid-back way and nodded insouciantly before blithely leaping into a standing position. "Upstairs it is!" Cion exclaimed merrily, evidently sunshiny to finally have a few more burdens off her chest. Admittedly, there were not many left, and those were not of concern for this restful day.

Following the duo to the cliff, the silver fennec remained silent as she got to behold its natural and radiantly colorful beauty. Her eyebrows twitched slightly upwards, unable to fully cooperate with her signature poise, but this did not matter to her. She no longer minded letting others know that behind the lady of grace was a blithesome girl who enjoyed the simple things in life. Still, her mannerisms were a part to her, hence the strange duality as mentioned afore. But there she was again, contemplating every single action thrice over.

And it was in this moment of realization that she at last grasped what was transpiring in front of her aureate eyes. Softly folding her arms, she was avowedly surprised to see the headstone beneath the lone, mighty tree. Watching both children kneel and pray caused the vulpine sentinel to tilt her head with... hidden perplexity. Unlike the aesthetics that certain digimons favored, this was not a mere ornament. The name inscribed on it gave that away. No... they mourned in a way that was typical for humans on Earth. Unsure if it was considerate to ask for an explanation, Toki provided it to her willingly.

"No need to apologize. It's just... throughout my long-lived existences, I've never encountered nor heard of a core that was not able to reformat." She explained, hoping that it sufficed to make her not look like an apathetic brute. In fact, for once she was not sure what to think or feel. Nonetheless, there was this sting manifesting itself below her heart. Innumerable reasons why came to mind, woven into a maelstrom of sorrow, but she did not seek to contemplate them. On the contrary, she cast them aside.

Fortunately, this sentiment appeared to be mutual. Harrumphing in a playful way, she sighed calmly after she listened to Mr. Akiyama's and Aylin's proposals. "I can sense your data signature. You too have reached your apex, correct? In but a couple years? Hmm..." Cion concluded, her voice not hiding that she was impressed to say the least. The first time had taken her ages. Moreover, it was but a handful who achieved ascension at all. Perhaps it was the boy's spirit, but she did not wish to discredit his achievement by stating that.

Turning to face the Lunamon, a rapt and winning grinning emerged from the thin fur of her muzzle. Chuckling candidly, she shook her head and made a coltishly dismissive motion with her paw. "Don't be silly, dear. I do not feel pressured in the slightest. ... However, I must admit that I am not a formidable duelist in my weaker forms - actually not even a melee combatant. So, unless you have bamboo swords, I will likely no pose much of a challenge."

To honor who and what is gone by carrying out their impetus with their memories as a part of one's soul... it certainly was a sentiment that Cion could relate to. While not having lost she cherished, they had changed, unlike her who perceived the past with absolute clarity and sympathy. There was strength and weakness alike in this idea, which she had experienced both to their extremes. Fortunately, the former had prevailed thanks to those she cared for returning the kindness. But again, her mind was drifting away from what mattered the most - their present.

Listening to the gentleman's point of view, the silver fennec briefly contemplated it before nodding and kindly voicing her approval. "I was of course specifically referring to your power, but you are wise to recognize that there is always more to learn. In that regard, I'll never reach my apex either, nor will anybody else. But that is okay." She explicated, having learned for herself were the fanatic strive for perfection led to. The answer was suffering. However, phlegm was not a solution either, for it made people weak and... compliant. Moderation, as so often, was the key for achieving contentment.

Speaking of wisdom, for as young as Aylin was, she was equally as sapient. Peace in the digital world, as odious as this status quo was, was indeed ephemeral. For whatever reason, vileness was undoubtedly persistent. If not a cataclysmic force of nature then individuals with ambitions far beyond their capabilities... not to mention ethics and morals. Hence it was true that serenity had to be savored to find respite, purpose and pleasance. Regardless, it appeared that their sparring-match was no longer a subject of importance. To the vulpine sentinel, as much as she was intrigued, it was hardly an issue.

"There are many organizations like yours, which is commendable. And though time has taught me to doubt their effectiveness, I wish you and them nothing less than lasting success. As for myself..." She paused, claiming a moment to stretch herself and take in the fresh air of this nearly untouched biotope. There was something miraculous about natural tranquility and radiance which delighted her. "... I no longer commit to a higher cause. Neither will I again gallivant the realm like a knight of yore. Both actions are too fleeting for my taste. Instead, I just live life while looking after those I cherish and lend a helping hand when needed. That's quite enough."

Well... that and trashing an evildoer, which she considered a leisure and not a liability.

"Learning from history... much to my regret a rarity." She responded quietly as a brief, pained chuckle escaped her lips. Sighing inaudibly and folding her arms, her aureate eyes shifted to behold the radiant horizon in the distance. As important as accepting failure and transcending it was, most people were too stubborn, proud or unheeding to do so. At least that was her explanation why the digital realm at large and its status quo had stagnated for longer than she cared to enumerate. Strangely enough, it was something that Daemon comprehended, yet him and her had nonetheless pursued the same old path of self-righteousness.

Fortunately, thanks to the help of companions she cherished, the silver fennec had managed to snap out of her ardent zeal and the grief from which it had spawned. Nevertheless, it was almost amazing to her how potent of an impetus pain was. It was capable of numbing body and mind alike, leaving you in a trance of all-consuming passion. It was a lesson she never wished to forget, for it might save her or another's life one day, if not the world entire. Reason had to guide her hand, not blind optimism or sentimental pessimism.

But not all things were doom and gloom. Toki and his partner were proof of that, and she had to admit certain positive changes affecting her kind. Parenthood, civilization and interdimensional cooperation were but a few that came to mind. Hence, relaxing her stance, she gave the young gentleman and Lunamon a confidently playful salute. If they believed in their cause, and were willing to dedicate themselves to it, then who was she to object to that? They had their destiny and she had hers, and that was perfectly fine.

Listening to the affectionate duo, she got a better impression of what drove them and why. Aylin used to be like her, and Mr. Akiyama saw nothing but the best in practically everyone and everything. Such good-naturedness seemed well-nigh inauthentic, but she knew that he spoke with utmost sincerity. She did not know if it was naivety or benevolence, but she genuinely hoped that this outlook would be rewarded. Perhaps all she had to do was a chummy friend of his to support him in his ambitions. Though it was not really natural to her, she gladly obliged.

"I agree that merely living life can be highly effective. You only affect a handful, but significantly. And while I cannot consider myself noble anymore, nor do I intend to, I appreciate the sentiment." She replied, a soft smile directed at the lad and the petite lady. She considered herself selfish in her plain tiredness, but the possibly permanent shift of her course was necessary. She was experiencing bliss, and was enabling her sweetheart do the same. If that meant stepping out of the limelight then so be it. After her lifetimes of devotion, she did so without qualms.

"So... what now?" Was all that remained to be asked.

"Huh... quite true." Cion commented under her breath, recognizing anew the wisdom in her cherished friend's serene words. While they were able to forge their path with objective results to shape with their own hands, how people regarded them was not in their control. Were one would see heroism the other might perceive it as pointlessness. Morals and ethics were, to an extent, merely subjective constructs created by society to impose order and social cohesion. Law and chaos, good and evil... these perspectives were as relative as a set of eyes beholding the worlds from a single point.

Did this suggest that the silver fennec was too self-critical and dismissive of who she was and what she had achieved? Perhaps, for she knew few if any who did regard her with at least a degree of affection or respect, be they ties of friendship or an amorous relationship with a very special felidae. Nonetheless, she had a hard time watching herself in the mirror and be content with what she saw. She had gained a blissful life, yet what had come before due to a single loss... was that even her?

Regardless of the answer, she comprehended that she had to let the warmth of compassion and fondness soften her heart. Among her desire to express her gratitude towards young Mr. Akiyama, this was likely another reason why she was here. Hence she cast the doubts about herself aside to instead enjoy what today had at store for her. And if it was nothing but banter of varying gravity then she was perfectly fine with that. The company the unassuming fox found herself was likewise delightful as it was sweet-tempered. Whatever insight she could provide she gladly did.

"Au contraire, darling. You are marvelous hosts." She assured the chummy lad with a confidently rapt smile. The last thing she wanted was for them to consider their deeds insufficient. Besides, she was genuinely happy at the moment, so why disrupt that? Allowing her aureate eyes to shift to the Lunamon, she softly folded her arms as to contemplate an adequate response to the difficult question that was voiced. "Each city has their unique sets of problems. Terminus' crime rate, Snowflake's and Y's extreme locations, Rustport's admittedly improving dereliction, Rosewood's newness, Luminas' bigotry, Eldoradimon's xenophobia et cetera..."

indeed, the digital realm was not simply a place where sentient monsters fought in some sort of struggle for survival, though that certainly used to be the case many eons ago. Today's struggles were as modern as humanity itself, with the occasional cataclysm in the form of a villainous entity to boot. Imperfection was rampant, and although she did not believe in perfection anymore a little improvement here and there would not hurt. "... as for the relations between humans and digimons... take this." She spoke, retrieving a holographic calling card from the pocket in her scarf and stylishly tossing it at the duo.

"Contact Zachary Scryer, the founder of nexus for whom I act as adviser if needed. You share similar goals and outlooks, and both your ambitions have just started, so why not collaborate?" She explained and asked rhetorically, confident that it was a great idea for the two organizations to join forces, not unlike to an enterprise. Teamwork made the dream work after all, right?

There was so much that had to be considered and done that it was simply overwhelming. The worlds had innumerable problems, and the solutions to them were truly not clear. From metropolises to villages, communities to individuals... life was a never-ending struggle for everyone. But it was upon all to ease the difficulty that this challenge posed. Regrettably, it seemed as if many did not comprehend this and instead decided to pursue a vested interest as their only goal. Her hosts however were the antithesis of that, and Cion herself preferred a middle ground that was limited but fulfilling.

She did what she could and whenever it was possible, but it was rarely that she went out of her way to sacrifice herself for another or a cause. If it was not cataclysmic, she expected adequate compensation for her contribution so her own existence, and that of those she cared for, did not suffer. It was neither altruism nor narcissism. It was just living in the best way she was capable of. How others judged her for that mattered little to her. And if they were hesitant to accept whatever helping hand or suggestion she provided, then that was their decision to make. She would not insist.

Hence these topics of conversation ended as quickly as they emerged. Fortunately, they gave way to a delightful subject that the silver fennec was most intrigued by. With softly folded arms and a gentle smile, she listened to the Lunamon's amazement over her parental figure's prowess that now the young gentleman wielded as it was common. "Indeed. Awe is hard to condemn. In fact, I'm confident it is perfectly understandable. There's an undeniable hierarchy of power, and it is ingrained in every digimon." She explicated, certain that she was not wrong with her impressions and assessment.

Chuckling with a rapt yet faint grin, her aureate eyes shifted towards the lad who had welcomed her today. It was not easy for her to mask her curiosity and excitement. When she sensed potential, it was almost always in her desire to see it blossom. Mr. Akiyama was no different in that regard. Nonetheless, she wished to be tactful about it, for fidgetiness was unbecoming to a lady of grace. "I certainly do." She voiced her approval with a firm nod.

This was bound to be fascinating.

Having her arms folded gently, Cion observed the transformation that transpired in front of her eyes with restrained curiosity. Sometimes, she forgot how gracious they could be, and that the metamorphosis into the state of a true ascendant was exponentially more bombastic than what she considered a mere Mega at this point. Of course such a level of power was nothing to sneer at - perish the thought, no - but points of view were relative. Besides, the boy himself admitted that this was not the apex of what he was capable of achieving. This naturally was something she herself was already aware of.

Still, there was grace and simpleness to his hightened form that she appreciated. The blue, cyan and white patterns meshed well, and ZenCherubimon's appearance in general signified peace and balance. It would hardly be a surprise if this thin gestalt possessed plenty of utility and supportive abilities, perhaps defensive ones as well, instead of an overwhelming might. The exclamation of the name made her chuckle, for it was an ancient cliché that she had almost believed forgotten. It certainly was silly, something that the lad appeared to agree with, but it added to the charm.

"Requires not much but prolonged attunement. I achieved perpetual ascension by training to decelerate my core. Took quite a while, but considering your placidity that should be a viable path for you, too. Just as an idea." The silver fennec explained and suggested with a winning smile, confident that the young gentleman had the potential to attain absolute mastery over his corpus - not unlike her and a few others. It seemed to be one of his goals, to always aim for the next threshold, so why not start there?

Listening attentively to Aylin's and Toki's tales, the unassuming fox had to admit that it was fascinating to learn of a spirit's origin. To this day, she did not grasp why they bind themselves to a human and not another digimon, if that was even possible, but she did not question it either. Between destined bonds, tamers and generals, it was easy to recognize that supposedly fantastical elements were simply a part of the digital reality that separated it from the material. After all, their realm was well-nigh a reflection of the other side's unlimited possibilities, including those that were impossible.

"Don't sell yourself short, dear. It's unbecoming." She cheerily reproved the aspiring sentinel as she playfully waved her finger. Confidence and pride in oneself were perfectly fine if earned, if not expedient. Hesitation due to uncertainty on the other hand was detrimental if patience had ceased to be reasonable. It was a precise balancing act and mistakes were practically inevitable, but that did not mean that phlegm was advisable. In the end, everyone had to find their own reason to prevail. To Toki, it was propagate commonweal. To Cion, it was taking care of her dearly beloved.

"And if you lose it one day, you will have friends to find it again." She assured him with a casual thumbs up. Given what he had done for her, being by his side during times of need was the least she could offer and do.

With pleasantries voiced plenty of times, Cion did not see the point in doing so again. There was indeed such a thing as overindulgence when it came to being overly nice, often leading to comedic cycles of compliments and the occasional sweet-talk. No, she wanted to witness what the young lad in front of her was actually capable of. Hence she remained quiet, only nodding sometimes with a gentle smile on her lips as to indicate that she was acknowledging his statements. While curious, she of course did not wish to dismiss his passion and kindness.

The transformation was... far less spectacular than anticipated. Coming to think about it, the opposite was the case! It was well-nigh serene, almost as if this ascension did not have the purpose to obtain victory in combat. Moreover, the shape of Toki's apex was not significantly different from his previous state. A curiosity, but becoming for someone who strove towards mastering themself. The silver fennec was not unlike this, unless she unleashed herself of course - then all bets were off. And though power could be considered a burden, she agreed with the sentiment that it was not. The might to literally and figuratively sway the world was... terrific.

"It's... astonishing how life can twist and turn, defiant of one's perception and conceivability, not?" The unassuming fox asked rhetorically, her dulcet voice likewise soft and amused. A mere year ago, if anyone had told her that she would once anew find the love of her lives, then she would have dismissed that claim. Considering her loss, it was an understandable notion. Regardless, her gratefulness for what she had gained was immeasurable, and she was happy that she had risked potential anguish for this marvelous outcome. Today, she was filled with contentedness and purpose - both thanks to a very special felidae.

"I'd appreciate this moment lasting a bit longer." Cion stated with a rapt grin as her aureate eyes shifted to the equally petite Lunamon. With this, she naturally meant the entirety of their meeting. There was a sense of bliss in everything they did, including words and deeds, and she did not mind simply savoring it. That was an essential part of friendship, was it not? Mutual appreciation, esteem and joy. It was something that had to be earned, and they had undoubtedly done so for each other.

Still... what was left unspoken and undone?