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Understanding the Power Within (OPEN)
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Post by shadowdokunemon on May 1, 2024 1:55:28 GMT
Dokunemon's antenna twitched alertly upon hearing that she posed no danger. Although not entirely convinced of the small group's trustworthiness, his guard lowered slightly at the rookie's gentle voice. "What animals can you transform into?" Smoke inquired of the Wizard Digimon. Without really waiting for a reply, Smoke cast a shy glance towards Cerce. "Magic? Not so much, I've been told by Lothar that my fading and vanishing skills are similar to something he can do." Smoke showed Cerce what he was talking about as his black exoskeleton seemed to turn opaque as dust particles floated around him like a fog. The more his body vanished the thicker the fog seemed to get.
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Post by ricochet6-Mandrake on May 1, 2024 2:11:01 GMT
Smoke seemed to be calming down upon hearing that Circe posed no danger though both Mandrake and Lothar had a vibe that the (S)Dokunemon was still wary of their family in general which made sense given not only was Circe a spider, but that Mandrake and Lothar were digimon that preferred to be at the champion level.
Then when asked what animals that Mandrake could transform into the Wizardmon replied "Hypothetically I can transform myself into whatever animal I need for the situation at hand though up until this point I have transformed mostly into birds."
As for Circe, upon hearing that Shadow didn't know how to use magic but could fade out of sight. Then the young spider exclaimed "Oh y-you mean just how my Daddy can use his m-magic to turn invisible?"
After watching Shadow fade Lothar said, "I have to admit, Mandrake, that I have never seen another digimon who had a natural ability similar to one of your magical abilities."
"Yes, old friend, but we all know it was bound to happen sooner or later." Mandrake replied in response to Lothar's last statement.
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Post by IlluGuilmon on May 7, 2024 23:06:00 GMT
"I don't want to hear it."
But you have little choice, worthless mote.
How many more names could this digimon come up with? Illu grit his teeth as he walked on, sliding by a tree standing firm. His tail slapped against it, ripping away some bark in his frusturation. This voice had done nothing but torment him since his first day on this planet. It had done nothing but try and whisper meaningless insults to dissolve his willpower and turn him into a meaningless husk. He huffed in frustration - his black scales plenty cold in exposure to the air already. His left ear twitched, someone else was talking near by. He had been far from quiet as of late.
You should take their lives. You have no strength to call your own, after all - so why not revel in the only thing you can do, and kill them. Take their data and feed it to me!
'That's enough from you.'
These constant feelings of self loathing. It was like his heart threatened to collapse under the weight of each word this other being spat out at him. Others resided within the depths of his core, kept silent by the threat of facing deletion at this parasites hand. Exile was one thing - he could live with being loathed by every digimon to exist if he had to. His feelings of inadequacy was his own responsibility. Illu was the next life in a line of millions. When he died, his data would fuel AncientIlludramon's return. When he died, another would take his place. Why bother?
He didn't want it to end here. It wasn't fair to him. It wasn't fair to his next life either. He hated his body, and yet he was stuck with it. Who would love him? Humans would hate him - he wasn't destined for anything either. He wasn't lucky. He was just the opposite.
"What a pain.." He muttered beneath his breath. He knew not that he was wandering closer and closer to the group that had gathered amidst the foliage. As grass flattened beneath his feet, he stepped on. Running a claw along the hilt of his crimson blade - feeling each notch bounce his hand up and then dip down once more. He wanted to cry. Idle thoughts fogged his brain as he tried to push the idea of others away from his isolated and cold heart. Illu wanted to cry, and to feel needed and loved and free.
Salvation doesn't exist for garbage.
How foolish of him.
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Post by shadowdokunemon on May 8, 2024 11:24:55 GMT
Smoke started to reappear and become more solid, although his exoskeleton still took on a semi-transparent appearance. "When you take on these forms are you able to use their abilities? Like can you fly as a bird or breath under water as a fish?" The large larva was very curious about this Digimon's ability to change form. "What about other Digimon? Can you change to look like them as well?"
The (S)Dokunemon's antenna twitched when he sensed someone or something else in the area. Looking around he didn't quite see anyone at first. Thinking it was nothing, Smoke turned back to the trio of Digimon hoping to learn more about this magical power the Wizardmon had.
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Post by ricochet6-Mandrake on May 13, 2024 18:20:30 GMT
Circe watched as Smoke slowly reappeared before the small caterpillar asked Mandrake whether he could utilize the animal's abilities upon transforming into them. Mandrake then answered, "While the only other digimon forms I can take are the ones in my digivolutionary line, I can do things like fly if I transform into a bird or swim great distances if I do something like transform into a dolphin or other marine creature for example."
As for Smoke he wasn't the only one who sensed other life in the area as Mandrake was sensing the mental signature of someone else approaching the group. This made sense given that a forest tended to be full of life. Circe sensed the mental signature to but she on the other hand was considering climbing a nearby tree given her timid nature. Sure, at some level she knew she was safe between having both Mandrake and Lothar around, but the small one couldn't help but feel nervous at the prospect of meeting someone new.
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Post by IlluGuilmon on May 13, 2024 23:43:00 GMT
Illu continued on, his tail kept swishing as he neared the source of conversation. He could hear.. something about a change in form. Like digivolving? Mm.. He didn't know what to think. Who would think about something like that? Illu's tail swished as the gears turned. Shutting out the voices for a moment, could they change forms through digivolution? Or was it through other means? Magic wasn't exactly off the table, and metamorphosis...
Illu shuddered with disgust at the thought. A bug, maybe. A lizard? Never. He didn't want to consider the possibility as he kept walking on.
'Keep moving, worthless lizard.'
If only he could be freed from this horrible fate. Dealing with ancientIlludramon was a pain. They wanted him to keep traveling - but.. at the very least, he'd receive a brief respite should he near the others nearby. He could near them - or at the very least make an attempt. He kept his mouth shut, his green eyes peering at the group. A spider, a wizard, a leomon, and a bug.
Did it have a lions heart, by chance? More food for thought.
Shoving his thoughts aside, they seemed to be easy to deal with, from a social perspective anyways.
Stepping out from under the verdant foliage, Illu's gaze turned skyward as the sun shone down. The messy misshapen mirrors upon his shoulders, ear-wings and head glimmered as the light bounced off. What a shame. He couldn't even be a surprising sight to see. He slowly began to walk toward the group. A small wave as he stepped closer and closer - leaving footprints in the grass,
Time to start lying.
"Hey there. Sorry, I'm just a traveler, and I heard some voices - so I thought I'd come say hello. What're you all talking about?"
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Post by shadowdokunemon on May 15, 2024 1:54:12 GMT
The sizable Larva Digimon, (S)Dokunemon, paid close attention as Mandrake detailed his shape-shifting ability. Smoke was uncertain about these creatures, but he surmised they were some kind of Digimon from the Human world. His past encounters with predatory Bird Digimon had been unpleasant, and like spiders, they were not to his liking. Although he had never met a Dolphin Digimon, he presumed one might dwell in the expansive Net Ocean, a realm he had not yet explored, given that worms are not adept swimmers.
Smoke's antenna quivered once more as he shifted his gaze from Wizardmon to his offspring. Cocking his head, he detected something amiss with the other Rookie Digimon. The rustling of grass and the thud of heavy steps on the earth then seized his focus. With agility akin to a fish out of water, the (S)Dokunemon hunkered down, electricity dancing along his antenna. "It seems we have a visitor," Smoke clicked. The large lizard Digimon had taken him by surprise, yet not to the extent of provoking an assault. Smoke stayed on guard, having never come across such a Digimon. He wondered if this new arrival was a Rookie like himself and Circe, a Champion like Lothar and Mandrake, or perhaps something even more formidable.
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Post by ricochet6-Mandrake on May 15, 2024 2:19:21 GMT
Lothar took notice of how on alert both Mandrake and Circe were and began looking towards the same direction as his husband and their youngest child. Which was a good thing they were aware of the stranger as a curious dark colored Guilmon variant made his way out of the foliage. Though everyone was on guard this was no reason to be rude to the stranger who seemed to be only trying to say hello on the surface and even asked what the group was talking about.
Mandrake now curious of the stranger then said "Hello there, stranger. We were mostly talking about subjects like digivolution as well as abilities that we possessed before you came along. My name is Mandrake and the Leomon with me is my husband Lothar. As for the young human looking digimon with us that would be our youngest child Circe. She just has yet to digivolve past her rookie form as of yet. The caterpillar digimon hanging out with us is someone we met not long ago. His name is Shadow."
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Post by IlluGuilmon on May 15, 2024 3:05:29 GMT
Hm. Discussing digivolution then? Illu wasn't a stranger to it, no digimon with any desire to gain strength ended up neglecting the knowledge of how strength was gained. His own past lives had made up his line - the strongest placing further up the tree. If he did want to break free of this cycle, and end it with him.. he'd need to borrow the faces of past selves and keep living.
Hardly fitting to drop out of nowhere though. Illu felt his innards shudder at the idea. If he dropped the idea out of nowhere, then people would worry about him. If others began to care for his wellbeing, then they could be scheming to kill him or do worse. Definitely best to keep lying for now. If any potential connection to Drasil showed itself, he'd have to withdraw.
'For once, you can actually use that head of yours. Here I assumed you'd walk off after listening with your tail between your legs. Much like the spineless coward you are.'
He didn't want to listen to AncientIlludramon - yet still, the scribe had a point. Garbage, coward, worthless. So many words that were so true. He hid those thoughts that stabbed through his very being with every moment he spent alive. If he dies though, then he'd suffer for longer. A meaningless life could gain meaning. He wanted to try and find it, even if he'd suffer alone until his-
....
He just told himself he'd stop. Crap. CRAAAAAAP! Ughhhhh... Illu felt the anxiety crawl up his nerves, and still he kept his façade up. A nod came from the Guilmon variant. He felt a slight tinge of jealousy upon the mention of a romantic partner, however it was something he quickly dismissed. It was immature and unbecoming.
"I see... I suppose age DOES have its own factor in it. I have yet to digivolve myself, but I'm sure your child will be able to reach further forms soon, if not someday. However, introductions! A pleasure to meet you all, Mandrake, Lothar, Circe and Shadow. My name is..."
Crap. He can't give them his name! Shit, shit, shit! He could hear AncientIlludramon laughing at him, mocking his fear and anxiety. He didn't know if his history had been documented through history! He didn't want to risk it either! Illu took a moment before uttering his faux-name. His alibi. Temporary, fleeting, and ultimately meaningless. He didn't want people to stare or kill him on sight! He just.. didn't want to be alone, or hurt, or hated. He didn't want to hate himself, yet here he was. Swathed in every last thing he didn't want, and more. Hunted for something he sought to end for his own sake.
"My name is Yoshiya, but my mother and father called me Joshua. Take your pick, either will work."
This was an awful idea. He didn't even like the name 'Yoshiya'! Illu was always just.. Illu!
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Post by shadowdokunemon on May 16, 2024 1:09:58 GMT
Smoke stayed close to the ground as Mandrake addressed the newcomer first. The (S)Dokunemon bristled when Wizardmon mispronounced his name. If he possessed lips and eyebrows, they would be knotted in confusion. "Actually, my name is Smoke, not Shadow. But I am a ShadowDokunemon; (S)Dokunemon for short," he clarified. Smoke crept forward, still hugging the earth closely.
Surveying the expanding group, Smoke observed Circe's heightened timidity. He also noted the newcomer's reluctance to share his name, marked by a pause before introducing himself. "Pleased to meet you, Yoshiya-Joshua," he greeted. The Lizard Digimon appeared just as shy and was apparently in the Rookie stage, just like Smoke and Circe. This suggested that should the situation deteriorate; they could potentially overpower this Yoshiya-Joshua. "What kind of Digimon are you?" The large larva inquired. "I don't think I have ever met a species as yours before."
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Post by ricochet6-Mandrake on May 16, 2024 1:42:26 GMT
Mandrake noticed how the stranger seemed to be hesitating on sharing his name with the group but not wanting to be rude the Wizardmon didn't want to accuse someone he just met of ill intent when the stranger could be a perfectly nice digimon despite this quirk. The Guilmon variant then introduced himself by two names of Yoshiya and Joshua before telling them to choose whatever cause either would work. "Very well, Yoshiya-Joshua. It sure has been a while since I have come across another Guilmon variant since Lothar and I's other daughter Lilly left on her own. Her rookie form was Guilmon but she is a Growlmon variant whose species is called MagikGrowlmon." Mandrake said to Illu.
Then when Smoke mentioned that Mandrake had made a mistake with the small caterpillar's name Mandrake then said "Pardon me then for my mistake with your name, Smoke. I wouldn't be surprised if you made mistakes with someone's name in your travels."
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Post by IlluGuilmon on May 16, 2024 4:07:00 GMT
Illu was pathetic, wasn't he?
His hesitation had bred a sense of paranoia. He didn't want to risk anything else - and still, the questions regarding his species came to light. Should he be honest? Hm.. Well, he hasn't committed any crimes at the least, besides existing. It wasn't worth lying over his actual identity. He went back and forth as the question rang in his head - echoing on into a void of meaningless insults directed at him - again and again and again.
'Speak the truth, helpless peon.'
A quiet wince escaped his mouth as he crossed his arms. He didn't want to fight, and he didn't want to overtake the conversation either. In the end, his own problems were meaningless, were they? Guilt strangled his heart like vines as he felt bile rise in his throat. Illu forced it down, the foul taste a warning of things to come if he didn't speak the truth. For once, AncientIlludramon was telling him to be honest. Perhaps he wished to avoid the risk of Illu actually stopping him, or of Illu overcoming his self loathing. A risk he could imagine the scribe wanted not to take.
A sigh came from his maw - mustering up his courage and keeping his eyes trained on the ground.
"If I told you my species, then my reason for giving a fake name would be for naught."
"My name is Illu. In all honesty, I'm used to giving fake names out of fear for my life. Due to the.. quirks.. of my species - only one of us exist at a time. Death is permanent, and a new 'self' is born. I... I don't want to die. I don't want to pass this pain and constant self loathing onto another. I am IlluGuilmon - sadly, within my very core, I hold the 'selves' that had established themselves as individuals, along with an ancient being that had once worked under Yggdrasil. He wants to kill the god, and I want to stop him.."
"Please forgive me for lying. I have no family to speak of, and I was chased from my home. I didn't want to hijack your conversation or drag attention from your family. I really should get going - apologies."
He was too honest. His own problems? His honest to god reason for being so careful, and even lying about his name? Mentally, he kept beating himself up. AncientIlludramon's passive threats and jeers didn't help. Guilt still dug its roots deep into his being - he just wanted to try talking to someone. If he was lucky, these people would have little idea about his species and its history.
Illu quietly hoped that history had ignored him.
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Post by shadowdokunemon on May 16, 2024 10:02:36 GMT
The diminutive (S)Dokunemon was uncertain how to reply. He had simply been clarifying the confusion between his species and chosen name, only to be reprimanded as if he were a child making the same error. It had been a long time since he felt this way, not since his days with Cherrymon. Like the Guilmon subspecies, he rarely sought out other Digimon, so misnaming them was an infrequent mistake. Today marked the first time in ages that Smoke didn't just flee from potential threats to avoid interaction.
Smoke's gaze shifted between Mandrake and Yosh-Illu as they talked. Although Smoke had never met a Guilmon, it seemed Lothar and Mandrake had, and they even had another offspring whose rookie form was one. The conversation's tone changed abruptly when the Larval Digimon's inquiry prompted the IlluGuilmon to share far more than Smoke thought the newcomer had intended.
"That's quite a lot to take in," Smoke finally said, clicking his beak. "We mean no harm. You don't need to fear deletion today. Feel free to share more about your journeys. It appears you, like me, are somewhat of a wanderer. I, too, lack a family or a place to call home." As he spoke, (S)Dokunemon cocked his head to the side.
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Post by ricochet6-Mandrake on May 16, 2024 18:52:46 GMT
So, the curious Guilmon variant had been giving them fake names but neither Mandrake nor Lothar were seeming to mind. Heck Circe seemed to now be curious of Illu but the shy spider child didn't say anything to Illu only staring at her lap were the young humanoid spider digimon was resting her hands.
Then after Illu gave his real name, he admitted to it being a habit out of fear for his life before mentioning the unusual quirks of his species. "Don't worry, Illu. Even I can understand being hesitant to open up to others as I used to be alone some time ago myself long before I met Lothar." Mandrake said before he continued "As for you worrying about hijacking the conversation you don't have to leave as you are not upsetting any of us."
Then shy little Circe looked over at Smoke and Illu as she took in what they said before she then said "Y-You aren't the only one who is a one-of-a-kind species here, Illu. Only in m-my case my other birth parent was an Arukenimon who kidnapped Daddy for his data to create an army, but m-my adopted dad Lothar saved daddy and the nasty excuse for a mom Arukenimon only g-got enough data to create one hatchling and t-that was me."
"Yes. However, Circe proved to be as gentle as Mandrake and that Arukenimon abandoned this poor child to die. We found Circe and decided to take care of her." Lothar then explained to both Smoke and Illu.
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Post by IlluGuilmon on May 16, 2024 22:03:23 GMT
"I see.."
Food for thought for sure. Illu felt a bit more at ease, being reassured and all. Still.. He didn't want to bother them for too long. He listened for a while longer. Circe had apparently had their own share of troubles in the past - especially with an awful mother. Lothar and Mandrake were understanding enough - while smoke was in a similar boat. He hesitated for a few moments as he thought about what he could talk about...
Well..
"Tell them of your supposedly tragic experiences - You have little else to offer. Definitely more entertaining than whatever else you have going for you, pillock."
Of course. He feared AncientIlludramon would run out of insults at some point.. Well, he didn't FEAR per say, moreso, he was just surprised that he still had things to say after so many years. He supposed he also had his village to blame as well..
"I.. I see.. Uh, well.. if I'm going to share about my travels a bit.. I'll be honest, they're all very boring and uninteresting. I hatched in a coastal town. Since I have no family, I was just sort of left to my own devices. I figured it out slowly. After a while though, once I digivolved into this - I was around seven or eight at the time, I was chased out. Basically everyone began to insult and harm me. I was hit by countless attacks, with the intent to kill. All because I look this way. Afterwards, I began to travel. I worry that my appearance is an issue - which it has been in the past.."
"I appreciate you all not outright despising me though.. it's kind of you."
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