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Post by Kazuya Fujimoto on Feb 22, 2022 9:37:18 GMT
"Indeed, some people are simply unpleasant to listen to," Dux agreed before turning to Kazu. "I would recommend having the worst of them silenced when you are in power, one way or another," he advised, prompting Kazu to grimace.
"Or I could just not listen to them," he grumbled back. He generally wasn't the argumentative type but not even he was willing to go along with some of Dux's less diplomatic comments. As Kshin commented on the requirements of his profession, he tilted his head curiously. "Would you need an actual costume though? I mean, doesn't your holosuit thing include clothing? So would you need to get a separate one for a more elaborate outfit or can you just make the one you have show different clothes?" he asked.
"On that topic," Dux interjected. "I assume that a holosuit could be obtained via the Terminus Mall but is it possible to choose the human form it provides? I would rather not appear as a child," he inquired, drawing Kazu's attention at the mention of the Terminus Mall. The name was fairly self explanatory but it did give him a bit more information about how their world functioned.
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Post by ricochet8-Kshin on Feb 22, 2022 11:15:52 GMT
Both Kshin and Grace nodded in agreement to Dux saying some people were unpleasant to listen too but when Dux recommending having them silenced Kazu didn't seem to fond of the idea judging by the tone he took with the little demon digimon. Grace then scratched her cheek as she said "I agree with Kazu. I think silencing them is a little extreme, Dux. It isn't anyone's fault if they are terrible singers."
"Hey, Dux. Maybe you should work on being a bit more diplomatic cause, no offense, your outspoken words make you come off as kinda abrasive." Kshin suggested trying to sound as diplomatic as possible as he wasn't trying to offend anyone. Then when Kazu asked about why he needed a costume before asking more about his holosuit, Kshin said "I suppose I don't need a costume really other than it could be fun to dress up once and a while if you know what I mean. As for my holosuit, I guess modifications could be made to make alterations to the disguise though I don't know how do do such a thing."
When Dux asked about if one could choose the form the disguise took Kshin nodded and said "Yes you can. Though the form of a kid fits me just fine I can see why some digimon don't take on the appearance of a child. The trick is trying to figure out an appearance that you think fits you as a person."
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Post by Kazuya Fujimoto on Feb 22, 2022 15:07:07 GMT
"I am always careful to maintain perfectly polite and civil phrasing. If the content of my speech causes offense, there is nothing to be done," Dux refuted Kshin's advice calmly. "Facts are what they are and while deceit can sometimes be a useful tool, it is not prudent to constantly censor one's speech if it does not serve a specific purpose," he elaborated. Kazu couldn't help but roll his eyes at Dux's casual arrogance but elected not to address it as the conversation proceeded.
"Yeah, I can't really picture Dux here looking like a kid," he admitted dryly, the image of a small child speaking in Dux's deep voice and subtly threatening phrasing. The image was equally amusing and unnerving but fortunately, Dux seemed inclined to agree and the prickly Yaamon didn't take any offence at Kazu's amusement. The thought of what Dux's holosuit should look like brought him to the realization that they probably would need to get one soon enough. Dux was small enough to hide in the shadows of an alley but it would be more difficult to get him covertly through more public areas. Come to think of it, it was relatively lucky that nobody else had come through this alley while they were talking.
"Man, this is crazy," he remarked, glancing back at the street. "Thanks for your help, but I should probably get going before somebody takes notice of us here," he said apologetically. I suppose until we get you one of those holosuits, it's probably best for you to pretend to be a toy. It'll take too long for you to follow me without being seen," he suggested to Dux. Personally he felt that Dux looked a little too malevolent for a toy but it would still draw less attention than letting him bounce along on his own.
"That...could work," Dux reluctantly admitted, frowning slightly. He would much rather not subject himself to such a demeaning act but the fact remained that it had taken him some time to travel discretely since arriving in the human world. He didn't want to delay or inconvenience his master but nor did he feel it was proper for his master to carry him like a stuffed toy. If only his current form was more capable of moving quickly...
Kazu almost dropped the digivice he was still holding when the screen suddenly lit up and he almost jumped back in fright when Dux's small form was enveloped by a similar light. His form then rapidly grew larger and changed shape before fading away, leaving a more humanoid but still visibly demonic form behind.
"Wh-what the-?" Kazu stammered in shock before something mentioned earlier popped back into his mind as an explanation. "That's digivolution? So you'd be a Rookie now?" he asked, judging that Dux's new form did seem of a similar size as Grace and Kshin.
"Indeed," Dux confirmed, the newly digivolved Impmon glancing at his new gloved hands before probingly touching his scarf and eyepatch, his tail flicking back and forth behind him. He then made a point of cautiously shifting his weight up and down, testing his new form's limits before smirking. "And unless I'm mistaken, I am now sufficiently quick and agile that I should be able to follow your path without being seen," he said, much more at ease than when it had seemed like he would have to be carried.
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Post by ricochet8-Kshin on Feb 23, 2022 0:09:55 GMT
"I'm not saying deceit doesn't have it's purpose nor am I saying you should censor your words but maybe just at least watch what tone you use when you speak as you have proven to be..." Grace said searching for a nice way to put her next thoughts.
"I believe the word you are looking for Grace is difficult." Kshin cut in making Grace smile.
"Thank you, Kshin."
When Kazu mentioned not being able to picture Dux looking like a kid both Kshin and Grace tried to picture some kid with Dux's voice and mannerisms in speech and couldn't help but start laughing. It was too ridiculous now that they though more on it. When they stopped laughing Kshin looked Dux over before he said "Yeah I agree with Kazu. I think either the form of a teenager or young adult at minimum would fit you better."
Kazu had suggested he could carry Dux until they obtained a holosuit. Although Dux said it could work it was clear the little demon wasn't all that thrilled with the prospect. Then the screen of Kazu's digivice lit up and Dux began to glow causing Kazu to almost jump in fright. Dux began to transform into his rookie form which was still demonic in form and reminded Kshin of Mandrake since his adopted Wizardmon parent was once an Impmon. Yet Dux wasn't just an Impmon but an Impmon X.
"Dux has become an Impmon X." Grace said voicing Kshin's thoughts out loud.
"Not only keeping up would be easier for him but he can pass as a human child in an imp costume if spotted. This is very advantageous indeed." Kshin said in amazement that was every bit the equal of Grace.
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Post by Kazuya Fujimoto on Feb 23, 2022 9:52:51 GMT
Dux chose to ignore Grace and Kshin's comments on his personality. He had already explained that his tone was perfectly polite and any offense taken was hardly his fault. If they continued to find fault with his attitude, then that only proved his point. Their comments on his potential holosuit's appearance were more reasonable, albeit needlessly emotional. An older form would suit him better.
"An Impmon X?" Kazu noted curiously, wondering at the significance of the extra letter.
"The X signifies that this form possesses an X-Antibody, a trait which causes limited changes in a digimon's appearance and abilities. An Impmon without this trait would have a similar but clearly distinct appearance," Dux explained, one arm folded behind his back while the other was held against his chest, his back straight and a placid expression fixed on his face. Kshin's comments on his ability to disguise himself briefly disturbed this expression, a frown momentarily making itself visible before he brought it back under control.
"A possibility but I am confident in my ability to evade notice. A good servant must be able to fade into the background as needed," he commented. While pretending to be a child was marginally better than pretending to be a toy, it was still something he would rather prefer. There was a reason he didn't want his holosuit to look like a child.
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Post by ricochet8-Kshin on Feb 23, 2022 10:39:52 GMT
Kazu's curious tone did not go unnoticed by Kshin and Grace but didn't need to speak up as Dux began explaining about what the X-Antibody did to the data of other digimon. When Dux stopped speaking, Kshin said "From what my mom told me the X-Antibody came about in response to a virus called the X-Virus. A long time ago it wiped out large numbers of digimon. Many of the survivors took on altered traits brought on by the X-Antibody. Those who weren't natural carriers of the X-Antibody ended up having the letter X added as part of the species name. Though my mother was a Dorugamon, which is a species that is a natural carrier of the X-Antibody, I don't seem to be carrying the X-Antibody anymore despite sharing the same fresh and in training as my mother. I resemble my Arresterdramon father now since grandpa and mom said dad was also a Gumdramon like I am."
"Wait, Kshin, doesn't your brother and Mandrake carry the X-Antibody too?" Grace asked looking sort of puzzled.
"Oh yeah, I forgot LJ is a Leomon X and Mandrake can evolve into Mistymon and then MedievalDukemon." Kshin said facepalming at how he forgot such noticeable details regarding his adopted family.
Grace meanwhile had turned her attention back to Dux and asked "Sounds like you've had some experience with stealth then, huh? So can you turn invisible when trying to evade notice?"
"
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Post by Kazuya Fujimoto on Feb 23, 2022 11:28:36 GMT
Kazu listened to Kshin's explanation of the origins of the X-Antibody with interest. It sounded like digimon had evolved in response to some sort of plague, evolved in the more traditional sense than digivolution but still presumably at a much greater rate than any Earth based organism. Given how digimon apparently underwent multiple digivolutions in the life cycle and that these transformations seemed to be at least partly unique to each individual, he supposed it wasn't impossible that they could adapt to large environmental threats at an accelerated rate.
In response to Grace's question, Dux shook his head slightly. "Unfortunately, true invisibility does not seem to be one of my abilities," he admitted. "However, there is an art to avoiding notice and as this form appears to be relatively quick and agile, I should be able to move over and around these buildings without too much trouble, allowing me to follow Master Kazuya at a safe and respectful distance," he explained. He pointedly did not admit that he had briefly tried to turn invisible just to see if he could do it. He hadn't exactly had high hopes, as like most digimon he had a fairly deep instinctive grasp of his abilities, but as he didn't recall much of his time as a rookie in his past life, he had felt it was worth a brief attempt.
"Well, if you say so," Kazu shrugged, choosing to believe Dux's claims. While he seemed a touch arrogant, he also seemed rather practical in his own way. He got the feeling that while Dux might not be comfortable discussing his shortcomings, he was unlikely to deliberately exaggerate his abilities and thus set himself up for failure.
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Post by ricochet8-Kshin on Feb 23, 2022 11:48:03 GMT
"Aww! That's a shame!" Grace exclaimed before she then said "It's still good that you are good at stealth. That and I'm sure you have at least a few cool abilities too since Impmon and Impmon X are known for some interesting powers."
"I know that Impmon are known for fire abilities with or without the X-Antibody and some even have a grasp of magic too." Kshin said. Though he hadn't personally met any other Impmon, X-Antibody or otherwise, he went on what he had heard from those who raised him. "Shame I'm not exactly a master of stealth myself since Grace is actually better at sneaking than I am and she can fly to boot." Kshin said as from Grace's back extended a pair of small leathery wings which she used to flutter a couple feet off the ground for a few moments before she landed softly and retracted her wings. The soon disappeared from sight as if they never were there to begin with.
"I also have to admit that your talent to sneak is very practical since most humans are unaware of digimon and the Digital World. I hope when you go to get your holosuit you find one that makes you happy. It is fun to wander the streets without drawing unwanted attention. I never thought disguising as a human could be so fun before I met Kshin."
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Post by Kazuya Fujimoto on Feb 23, 2022 14:11:20 GMT
"Yes, I seem to have a few interesting abilities," Dux acknowledged, holding out one hand. With a flick of his wrist, a small fireball floated in the palm of his hand. He quickly closed his fist over the flame, smothering it, before opening his hand once more to reveal another fireball but this one was blue and seemed to radiate cold. He smothered this one as well before lowering his hand, satisfied with the demonstration.
Kazu observed Dux's demonstration with interest. While he had gathered that digimon had some impressive abilities, it was a different matter to see Kazu casually forming fireballs from thin air. Grace's demonstration of her flight also drew his interest, as he wouldn't have guessed that she had the ability from looking at her with her wings withdrawn. He guessed that Dux didn't have that particular ability, as he would certainly have mentioned as much, but the abilities he did show were more than interesting enough.
"Indeed, it will be more convenient to be able to accompany Master Kazuya openly, until such time as he chooses to announce his power publicly," Dux said in response to Grace's last comment. Kazu eyed him and considered addressing the second part but ultimately decided to let it pass for the moment.
"Well like I said, we should go and get you one sooner than later," he said before looking back at Grace and Kshin. "Thanks again for your help. I probably would have been lost without you," he added gratefully. Dux could have explained some of it but between the gaps in his knowledge and his unusual priorities, it was a good thing that there were other sources of information. Maybe we'll see you again sometime."
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Post by ricochet8-Kshin on Feb 24, 2022 1:08:52 GMT
Grace and Kshin watched as Dux demonstrated one of his abilities by calling forth a small fireball before closing his fist over and then opening his other hand showing yet another fireball that was blue and had a cold feel to it that Grace could feel even at the distance Grace was standing since she was a few feet away from the Impmon X.
"Wow! You can make a cold flame. My dark flames don't do that as they are more like ordinary fire but black like the shadows." Grace said staring in awe while Dux demonstrated the fireballs and she wasn't the only one as both Kazu and Kshin also showed interest.
Grace nodded in acknowledgement of Dux's words. Though she heard the second part she chose to let it pass as well. Both Kshin and Grace had accepted some digimon had quirks that could come off as unusual. The two friends did agree that Dux was more than a bit odd but wanted to be polite. Yet the curiosity still grabbed Grace as she asked "Hey, Dux. This may sound odd but were you some kind of conquerer in a past life or something? Or do you not remember?" Kshin then just facepalmed.
Catching Kazu's words Kshin pulled his paw of his face and faced Kazu and said "Helping you out was no big deal. I try helping others when I can as that's just how I was raised. Maybe we will meet again someday."
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Post by Kazuya Fujimoto on Feb 24, 2022 8:59:23 GMT
Dux listened with approval to Grace's interest in his abilities. When she moved on to asking about his past life, he considered for a moment before deciding that there was no harm in answering. "A conqueror? Sadly, no. In my past life, I seem to recall that I served as the protector of a small settlement," he explained, much to the surprise of Kazu.
"A protector? How'd you go from there to your current ambition?" he asked somewhat bluntly, hoping for an insight into what made Dux the way he was.
"While most of my memories of that life are faded and damaged, I do recall how it ended," Dux answered ominously, gazing up at the sky as he remembered what had happened. "A digimon warlord in the area had risen to power and for some reason they set their sights on my home. As its protector, I set out to oppose this warlord... and was promptly crushed before them," he admitted, for once showing no arrogance or pride in his voice. "As my life came to an end and my home was laid to waste, I was struck by the sheer presence of this great power. The home that I held sacrosanct was destroyed simply because they willed it and had the power to make it so. I understand that some may have been offended or aggrieved at this and I'm sure I was to some extent, but there was no denying that they had the power to change the world as they saw fit and that was a power I could respect. The trauma of that death damaged my memories but I still remember the awe I held them in and when I was reborn, I pledged to find such a power and where once I had dedicated myself to the protection of some nameless patch of land despite lacking the power to fulfil that dedication, now I would dedicate myself to the service of true power and watch as others fell before us."
For a long moment, Kazu was speechless as he took that in. On the one hand, he was struck by intense sympathy for Dux having had to go through what was clearly a traumatic experience. On the other hand, Dux seemed to view it almost as a stroke of fortune and had used that experience to shape himself into an aspiring evil general. What was the best response here? Words of comfort? Words of admonishment? An attempt to convince him that being violently murdered should not leave him with a respect for violent murderers? Unable to come up with anything that seemed like an appropriate response, he once again decided to let the topic lie.
"Rrright. Well, on that cheery note, we should be going," he finally said awkwardly, raising a hand in a lazy wave goodbye to the two friendly digimon. "I'll see you around, hopefully," he said as he turned to leave, glancing at Dux as he did. "I guess you can just follow along, if you're sure you're able," he added hesitantly, still a little uncertain how to address the Impmon after that unexpected backstory.
"Of course, Master Kazuya," Dux answered immediately. Crouching down briefly, he launched himself upwards in a great leap, landing on one wall of the alley and quickly pushing off to launch himself further up and across to the opposite wall. In this way he quickly managed to scale the buildings and climb onto the roof, from where he was able to follow after Kazu as he walked out onto the street and away.
[Exit]
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Post by ricochet8-Kshin on Feb 24, 2022 10:53:41 GMT
"Well a protector of a settlement small or not is a respectable job." Kshin said in response to Dux's recollection of his past life. Then Kazu asked how Dux went from his former humble path to his current ambition. This was something both Kshin and Grace were now curious about and it seemed Dux was more than generous enough to explain what he remembered from his fragmented memories.
As Dux told of how a digimon warlord had risen to power and even went after Dux's village. Though Dux opposed the warlord it seemed he sadly was crushed. What Kshin and Grace found the most heart wrenching was that he had watched his home laid to waste before he died. Kshin opened his mouth to speak but couldn't come up with anything and closed his mouth. What could he say anyway? That explained why Dux seemed the way he was and now Kshin felt bad for Dux at some level but was able to keep his emotions in check. Kshin wasn't the only one who was speechless as Grace and Kazu were also the same.
Then Kazu spoke up awkwardly indicating he was ready to get going and waved goodbye to Kshin and Grace. The pair then waved back to Kazu and Grace as the tamer and digimon left. When Kazu and Dux disappeared from sight both Kshin and Grace reactivated their holosuits and began walking out of the alley. Then they began heading in a random direction as they hadn't decided where they were going after the arcade anyway.
[EXIT]
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Nanami Hanabana
Official Grader
Join Team FBW!!!
Posts: 811
OOC Name: searoads
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Post by Nanami Hanabana on Mar 20, 2022 5:58:53 GMT
everyone gets 1500 bits
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