The midnight train going anywhere [Makoto/Vday]

At the mention of the scar, Makoto's expression soon shifted from concern, to sympathy; nodding gently in understanding. "I'm sorry for startling you like that, then, darling." They'd apologize; slowly wrapping their arm around him once more, and being far more gentle and mindful of the scar this time around - attempting to avoid resting their hand over it, if they could at all help it. "I'll be more careful about it."

Certainly, the notion of a scar was a curious one to Makoto - they wondered what happened, for Skald to have recieved a large scar like that - but... They would otherwise not question it - it wasn't their place to push the subject onto the dear like that, especially not in the middle of a date.

Instead, as the both of them settled into their private booth together, Makoto would make a content sigh; squeezing Skald's hand back, and smiling up to him. "I'd certainly like to think that I'm plenty lucky, to be with a fox as sweet as yourself~" They'd hum to him, before glancing towards the menu. So many good options, and the fact that Makoto was getting hungry as well probably didn't help much in the decision making process.

A panini did sound good to them, though, and they admittedly were eyeballing that appetizer there as well.... Huhm...

Before food thoughts could go any further though, there was the issue of the mysterious rustling - someplace in this booth, though Makoto was having trouble gauging where at first. As they and Skald both began looking around, though, the latter would speak up - to which Makoto hummed in thought. "Hard to say for sure..." They'd respond at first, leaning over to peek under the table...

.... To see a bushy little tail sticking out, from underneath the seat on the opposite side of the table. Quietly, Makoto would tap at Skald's arm - gesturing for him to look down as well, so as to avoid spooking their little stowaway by actually calling them out. Much too small to be a Rookie - was this... An in-training digimon?

Kuro, curious, would shift amongst the shadows of the table and seat in an attempt to get a better look at the stowaway - only to see a little Caprimon, huddled up, a soft tremble running over their form... <... A child.> It'd speak to Makoto and Skald both, softly. <They're frightened.>

Ah - would Makoto have to explain Kuro to Skald, shortly? It appeared so - they could tell that Kuro reached out to him, and they also noticed the pause in the other fox's demeanor upon hearing the shadow's voice.

Nonetheless though, it seemed that both foxes would be equally gentle and ginger in their approaches - Makoto attempting to keep some distance, and give the Caprimon their space, to avoid spooking the child. They would be quiet initially - waiting and watching to see how Skald would handle the little dear; and it was safe to say that Makoto would smile warmly at the other's approach, seeing that he was quite the compassionate soul...

... The Caprimon, however, didn't appear to agree - there was something about this Renamon-X that spooked the young child, if the way that their eyes going wide and their tail beginning to puff up was of any indication. Slowly, they'd begin to shuffle away - and when Skald began to outstretch his arms (even if it wasn't actually directly at the child,) the Caprimon would hiss, before letting out a burst of bubbles aimed at Skald's face!

Thankfully, the bubbles were ultimately harmless - but they were sticky and sure to obscure his vision, if he got hit in the face!

Oh dear - Makoto blinked a bit owlishly, at the reaction of the child. It seemed that although they were quite fine with the presence that Skald gave off - given that they were used to Shade - that the poor child was very much the opposite, a bit terrified in fact of this larger digimon. "Here - let me try," Makoto would murmur to Skald - passing him a handkerchief to wipe his face off, if necessary - before turning their attention to the hiding Caprimon.

"Shhhh..." They'd gently hush - getting down low, and even devolving into a Pokomon, to make themself appear smaller and harmless. This seemed to get the Caprimon's attention, the little In-Training blinking slowly - unsure initially, about what to make of this devolved Makoto. Still, at least Makoto wasn't being sprayed with bubbles - this was probably a good sign. "You don't have to come out... But can we talk, dear?" The Pokomon would ask gently, settling down and wrapping their tail around their itty bitty paws. "We just want to help."

Makoto winced a little, at the mention of kids screaming - they weren't surprised that Skald was able to get that sort of reaction out of children, but still... Such a shame, that he had a hard time with kids as a result of it, despite him otherwise being such a sweet dear...

Nonetheless though, it seemed that their approach was having somewhat better results - the Caprimon staring at them for a few long moments, before nodding slowly, at the question of whether they could have a talk... This brought a gentle smile to Makoto's face, and they would further relax as they asked "Do you have a name, darling?"

The Caprimon, in response, shook their head with a soft "Mm-mm..."

"Alright. Is it okay if I call you Caprimon for now, then?"

"Mhmm..."

"It's nice to meet you, Caprimon dear. My name is Makoto - and this over here is Skald."

Skald made the suggestion of getting something to eat as well - something Makoto would agree to. "That sounds like a good idea, Skald dear.... Caprimon, darling, is there anything you would like to eat?"

"Mm..." The little In-Training was a bit wary to respond, Makoto could tell - eyes glancing between both them, and where Skald was seated. Eventually though, the CAprimon would make a decision - responding with the soft suggestion of "Fruit...?" as they appeared to settle down a little, if only slightly. Fruit was good...

"Fruit it is, then." Makoto would nod with a warm smile, glancing over to Skald. "I'll let you handle picking out something fruity for the darling here. Something simple, perhaps?"

At the comment of being called cute though, the little Pokomon would giggle warmly. "Oh, darling, I'm sure your younger forms were plenty adorable, too." They'd respond.

But with that being said, Makoto would glance back to the Caprimon. "Do you know where you live, dear? Or perhaps you can describe it?"

"U-Uhm..." The Caprimon was quiet for a few moments, as if in thought - likely unsure as to what they were okay with saying. Makoto couldn't blame them - strangers were scary, after all. "It's... really colorful... Lots of others like me... With, uhm... The Elecmon and Swanmon..."

... Sounded like this little dear lived in the Village of Beginnings...

... How long had the poor dear been on this train for, Makoto wondered?

"That sounds like a good idea, darling." Makoto chuckled, with a warm smile up to the other Renamon-X as he peered down at them. Though the Caprimon - upon noticing Skald's gaze - would shy away a little under the seat; clearly still uncomfortable with the Renamon-X, but.... They at least didn't appear to react quite as negatively as before. They were scared of him still, but at least he wasn't too close by.

Makoto was quick to help reassure the poor child, however - cooing softly, and gently. "It's okay, dear... Skald might seem a bit scary, but he's a friend. He won't hurt you." They'd speak.

"..." Caprimon, initially, would be quiet - their uncertainty plainly apparent as their eyes glanced between the two foxes once again. Eventually though, the little child would nod - asking softly "... Promise?"

"I promise." Makoto confirmed with a warm smile, nodding back. "You're safe with us, darling."

This seemed to help put the Caprimon at a little bit of ease. Slowly, but surely, the child would begin to shuffle out from under the seat - moving closer to Makoto. Initially, the little Pokomon would make no movements to touch the Caprimon - not wanting to spook the little In-Training digimon - but Caprimon would instead press themself against Makoto's side, clearly seeking out some form of reassurance and attention. "I... I wanna go home..." was all that they'd state, mainly in response to Skald's own question; their voice choked up with emotion.

In response, Makoto would nuzzle Caprimon - and speaking softly, would state "I'm going to digivolve back to Renamon-X; is it okay if I pick you up, dear?"

Though there was initially a hue of hesitance, the Caprimon would soon nod - gently responding "Mhmm..."

"Alright. I'm digivolving now, then." As they stated, Makoto would soon return to their Renamon-X form; and slowly, gently, and carefully, they would pick the Caprimon up. They'd get out from underneath the table; cradling the little In-Training in their arms, close and securely. "We'll get you home, I promise." They'd reassure the child. "We're on our way to Rosewood, which is close to the Village of Beginnings. Once we arrive, we'll take you straight home."

Briefly, the Caprimon would sniffle a little - eyes tearing up with emotion, to which Makoto would gently pet the child to reassure them. "It'll be okay, little one." Makoto whispered to Caprimon, briefly nuzzling the top of their head. "You're safe. You're going home. Everything will be alright."

"Okay..."

With that, Makoto would cast a gentle smile to Skald. It was clear they were feeling quite sympathetic - perhaps even a bit empathetic - over the Caprimon's plight; but they were happy that their date was being sweet towards Caprimon, even if the child wasn't quite as fond of him. "Thank you for the help, by the way, darling."

The little Caprimon was visibly unsure of Skald still - he still felt very scary and bad to them, for reasons that they couldn't exactly put into words. All they knew was that their instincts were screaming at them to be careful, to be cautious, or to even run away. Yet, even that all being said... There was still something comforting, about having company like this. About not being alone, in what was a very strange and unfamiliar place for them. About the warmth that surrounded them, as Makoto held them close.

As Skald wrapped an arm around Makoto's shoulders, the Renamon-X would smile gently and lean into him - letting out a gentle sigh. "Seems it was a good thing we decided to take the train, hm?" They'd muse out loud to the other - glad that they were both here to help this poor darling, as opposed to the risks of someone more untrustworthy coming across the little Caprimon.

As the waiter arrived with the fruits, the Caprimon's little nose would already be twitching as they sniffed the air - smelling the sweet food that had arrived. Makoto could see plainly the way that their eyes would light up a little, and could hear as their stomach growled - the little In-Training must've been hungry! Hungry enough to even take the fruit slice that Skald would offer to them - even if gingerly, being careful to avoid biting the Renamon-X's fingers. "Mm... Thank you, M-mister..." They'd mumble, once they had finished chewing and swallowing down the slice, licking the juices off of their lips.

As Skald spoke further though, Makoto would nod gently, gazing over to him. "You do, admittedly, have a bit of an... Aura, about you. It's difficult to really read - but it's something that I think is part of what spooked little Caprimon here."

Caprimon nodded in confirmation, though a hint of shame would cross their face. "I... uhm... don't know why, but... W-when I looked at you... My core, uhm, began beating r-really fast... I f-felt like something big and mean w-was coming to eat me!" They'd murmur, curling up in Makoto's arms as they spoke. Out of a sense of shame and regret, they'd bring their tail up in front of their face to hide behind it - mumbling to Skald a soft "... 'm sorry, m-mister..."

Sympathy crossed Makoto's face, as the fox stroked Caprimon's head to soothe them - picking up a few fruit slices from the plate, so that they could both eat. "Instincts are a tricky thing, for any digimon." They'd reassure Caprimon, adding "And fear isn't anything to be ashamed of. It's just your body trying to keep you safe, particularly from the things you might not otherwise understand. It's okay, darling."

As Skald glanced out the window, Makoto would follow his gaze - admiring the rolling hills and grassy plains that the train was passing through. Even though this was a sight that was pretty ordinary, there was still something nice in admiring it alongside Skald - and even Caprimon seemed to be taking the time to appreciate the sights, now that they were no longer quite as scared and stressed.

As Skald spoke about the aura though, Makoto would hum thoughtfully. "I do know a dear with an aura that's almost like your own, in the team that I'm part of - by the name of Shade - although I'm not sure if it's similar enough that he'd be able to help with learning to suppress or hide it." They'd muse out loud, as they continued to handfeed Caprimon some slices of fruit, as well as munched on a slice of their own every so often.

They almost couldn't help but wonder whether or not a fear aura, or an aura like what Skald had, would be worse to have and be unable to control - fear was one thing, although the sense of unease and distrust that Skald sometimes gave off from that aura was a little hard to shake from time to time.

Nonetheless though, as Skald reached over to pet the Caprimon's head, the little In-Training would initially flinch in surprise - but... Attempting to hold still the best they could, they'd allow Skald ot touch them - even if uncertainty was still plain across their face. It's okay, right? They would try to tell themself. Skald didn't seem to be a bad mister, even if he felt like a bad mister, right?

Makoto would gently chuckle with Skald as the other fox had a snort over not being a cannibal - and they, too, would pat Caprimon on the head. That being said though... They, themself, didn't look down quite so hard on the concept of loading. It may have partially been due to how they lived before, but...

... If someone was a menace to society then, is a menace to society now and will continue to be a menace to society in the future - they didn't see the problem in loading that someone; especially if that someone had no qualms in taking or loading the lives of others, themself.

That wasn't exactly a conversation for a date though - and instead of muse on that any further, Makoto would smile over to Skald and Caprimon, as the former brought up potentially giving the little in-training a name.

The concept of receiving a name seemed to intrigue Caprimon, and they would ponder over it for a short while, before making a motion with their tail - as if shrugging with it, in lieu of their lack of proper shoulders to shrug with. "I dunno... I've, uhm... Never thought of that before, Mister." The Caprimon, at least, appeared to be warming up to Skald a little bit.