CATS

[thescaronhisface]

Who: Kovu, Hollyleaf, and anyone else!
What: A couple of new arrivals to the city!
When: Midday-ish
Where: Just outside the main Terminal

[It takes Kovu a good few minutes to finally figure everything out with his new body - well enough, anyway. Now there's a different problem, in the shape of a really annoying animal trying to tell him what to do. He growls at it - or tries to at least - but doesn't get much of a reaction. Eventually he gives up, and takes the...digivice? Whatever the thing's supposed to be. There's also a...leaf he's supposed to pick up. The weird animal calls it a "letter."

He walks outside, only to get tackled immediately by another strange animal.]

You must be Kovu!

[The former lion is bowled over, since he can still barely walk without falling, and glares fiercely at the thing that pounced him before shoving it off.]

Who're you?

[The rabbit-like animal stands up, and brushes off his ears.]

I'm Lopmon, and I'm your Digimon partner!

...What?

Didn't you read the letter?

...Read?

[The Digimon hits his forehead with a paw.]

Hand it over, lunkhead.

[Kovu gives the animal a look, then kneels down to give him the letter. Lopmon takes a minute or two to read it to him, and to try to explain things as best he can to someone who never even had written language in his world, much less buildings or any sort of technology. Kovu does his best to understand, but not all of it's sinking in. There's just too much to get.]

Comments

[trampledintheprocess]

[Washington just happened to see the bedraggled and dirty new arrival as he was walking through with his partner. And the sight was more than a little worrying. Coronamon had been worrying Wash's nature might get them into trouble, and walking up to complete strangers like this might not be the safest plan.

Wash is approaching, trying to not alarm her, and Coronamon is following.]

Hello there. Are you okay?

[notmyprophecy]

[What bothers Hollyleaf the most is she can't smell things like she used to, but she doubts the smell this thing -- what looks like a Two-leg and monster hybrid, with that hard pelt -- would give off is pleasant. Her bushy tail wraps around her body, as if trying to protect her, and Veemon steps in front of her, to take the conversation.]

My partner's having a difficult time adjusting. She's very out of her element.

[trampledintheprocess]

[Coronamon is following, and he's the one to respond to that.] A lot of them are. She'll have to get used to things here.

[Washington may full well be a complete and utter moron a lot of the time, but he can read a person being afraid of him quite well. He doesn't like it.] Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise.

[notmyprophecy]

[Coronamon, who's face somewhat resembles a lion, interests Hollyleaf...but his words hurt. Her ears shoot up, yet she hunches over more.]

I can't be here! I can't! [Her voice cracks.] I can't be this!

[Her hands shake and she looks at them in disgust. Veemon appears concerned.]

[trampledintheprocess]

I think a lot of us feel that way. Ignore Coronamon. You're going to be okay. [Pausing, thinking over her features.] You're not human, right? I've seen that here before. Just take it easy.

[notmyprophecy]

I...what? [She stares, like she doesn't comprehend.] Hu...man? [It clicks.] What kind of a name for Two-legs is that...?

[She shakes her head again. A little dirt flies free.] How can I?! How-- when, lizards and rodents and Two-legs and monster-hybrids like you just roam around here?!

[It's clear she's hysterical.]

[trampledintheprocess]

Human. If you're calling what you are a two-leg? It's what those of us born looking that way call ourselves.

I'm not a monster. This is what we call armor. [Moving to pull his helmet off carefully. It's just an odd looking kid...] And a lot of the creature you've seen are natives or others brought here like you.

[notmyprophecy]

[With the removal of his helmet, Hollyleaf can see he's another Two-leg, not some weird monster-hybrid. That only slightly calms her nerves.

In fact, her tail lashes.] There aren't others like me, all the other cats are-- ah!

[She'd started advancing away from the wall, but she's not used to walking like this yet, so she stumbles. Veemon tries to support her, but she still half-falls.]

[trampledintheprocess]

[Yes. Just another Two-leg.] I don't meant they're the same species as you. I mean others brought in to help this place.

[He frowns, taking a step forward] Careful. You need to watch your balance.

[notmyprophecy]

[She grabs at the wall, clearly trying to steady herself with claws she doesn't have. Still, Hollyleaf somehow stands.] My balance used to be fine...

[He's treating her like a kit, and she feels like one, angry, bitter, confused, and utterly childish.] I want to go home.

[trampledintheprocess]

I'm sure it was. There's a difference when you only have 2 legs.

[He's not trying to insult her or anything. Just trying to help her.] I think we all do. They're not making that an option.

[notmyprophecy]

Who's they?

[trampledintheprocess]

[Washington actually shrugs at that. Hell if he really knows.] I mean the ones that brought everyone here in the first place...

[notmyprophecy]

You don't know? They haven't...spoken to you?

[trampledintheprocess]

No. We all just get generic welcome letters telling us to save the world, with the Digimon partners.

[He hesitates a bit before adding] There's been a few incidents of fighting here, but it's not been often.

[notmyprophecy]

[She sinks down a little, into herself.]

No one who can...communicate with them? No...connection? [Her ears dip and her tail tip twitches.] No... of course not, dreams come from ancestors...

[trampledintheprocess]

[Washington frowns at that.] This place is different from where you came from if you take thinks like that for granted.

[notmyprophecy]

[Her ears shoot back.] I don't take them for granted! My ancestors are devoted to helping us preserve the code, and those who make contact with them are dedicated, talented cats!

[Except for when the ignore them, go silent, and they have to make their own signs; Hollyleaf looks sort of pale.]

They're an important part of my life, of course I'd feel...cut-off. Here. I wouldn't expect a Two-leg to understand.

[trampledintheprocess]

I didn't mean it like that. I meant if you assume it's here and expect it as a matter of course.

[Pauseing, thinkiing it over] We all depend on different things to fill that kind of role.

[notmyprophecy]

[She can't imagine growing up without StarClan's guidance, or the code's. It makes her wonder if that's what makes other creatures savage...

Her fur flattens and though her ears stay flat.] You say there's something for everyone like that...but without guidance here, are we expected to just wander?

[trampledintheprocess]

We just have to try our best to do the right things without guidance. Trust our own judgement. That's all any of us can do.

[It's not been easy for the Freelancer.]

[notmyprophecy]

That doesn't always end well.

[Not easy for her either.]

[trampledintheprocess]

When it doesn't end well? It's our job to try to make it right if we can.

We were brought here to help, after all. Or at least that what I keep hearing. I'm doing my best there.

[notmyprophecy]

[I'm not good at thinking for myself, she wants to say. I thought I was. But I'm not.]

How much help do they think they can get from creatures who're just getting used to this...awkward body?

[trampledintheprocess]

The same as they get from the rest of us, once you're used to the body. And you will get used to it.

Humans have to learn how to use our bodies when we're young. It's not that different, other than you're older. I'm sure you'll do just fine.