thefolder | It's a Small World After All

Entry tags:

It's a Small World After All - or a small town, rather

Who: Riku Replica and YOU!
What: Having finally reached Hospitown, the Replica decides to wander about with his oddball Digimon. Eventually he grows bored and decides to explore the general area on the continent.
Where: HospiTown
When: January 13h

[Having rested off the fatigue from his travels, the Replica's decided it's time to see what this town's all about. He gets up at the crack of dawn, slipping out of his room with Kotemon and attempts to sneak out without Gabumon noticing.

It backfires, and by the time he's out the door, he's trailed by two bickering Digimon, most of the bickering on Gabumon's end, though he tries keeping it at a whisper.]

Hrrrgh! Don't think I didn't see you before! I know you're made of tougher stuff, Kotemoron.

Okay, look, Gabumon. I really don't want to have to do this, but if you don't pipe down, I might start having second thoughts about snagging that pelt.

[The threat silences the grouchy Digimon for the time being, and Kotemon mutters quiet thanks. What some may see as cruelty, she sees as relief-- after all, while Gabumon's eased up a little, he still makes routine jabs at her verbally.

Throughout the day, Rep and co. make stops at the General Store, where they scoop up some extra clothes and a few of those weird chips for the D-Stream. In the after noon, they can be found seated at the café, where the Replica prods at his food with a fork with a rather disgruntled look on his face. At least it's better than the hospital food.]

[Eventually, however, he grows tired of the limited space, and by the end of the day, he can be found outside the entrance to the residential area, leaning against the building's outer wall.]

You know, if this is all we've got here, I'm almost tempted to book it back to San Francisco or at least that Star City place.

[Kotemon sighs, and though her face hides behind her mask, she's got a sad look in her eyes.]

But we just got here! Don't you think it'd be nice to spend a bit more time relaxing? And Miss Sophia will get worried if we disappear...

Right...

[Should anyone pass him by as they converse, he might call over to them with a "hey, you!" After all, if he can garner enough interest for an expedition, that'd make it a bit better, right?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Having his own tasks to see to, Terra doesn't actually locate the replica and his quarrelsome pair until nearly twilight. His process of preparing to venture further into this world than one small town wasn't spur of the moment, and was being carefully thought out. Had he a reason, likely he'd just drop everything and go and let the chips fall where they may ... but without such a reason, he's being careful.

Picking up the things he thought he might need is a gradual process, and by the time the silver-haired boy and his ... friends are spotted, he's got a sturdy leather satchel half-filled with useful things. Without Dorumon's sudden pause and then quiet word he'd have passed them by; he's looking for a pair of boys, not just one, after all. There's a pause, considering it, then he heads in their direction, Dorumon only a half-step behind, the satchel wrapped around his purple body like a one-strap backpack.

It's soon enough to catch the end of the conversation.]

... Already want to want to be elsewhere, huh?

[So much for 'hello'.]

[By the time Sora spots them, Gabumon's rubbing the top of his pelt; there's a black smudge on it resembling ash; chances are Kotemon drew her blade to quell his competitive spirit. Thankfully, both are, for the time being relaxed. The Replica pays them little mind, keeping his eyes focused on his surroundings in case any of his friends pop up.

Despite knowing of Terra's presence before hand, actually seeing him jerks him out of his daze, and his once cool expression fizzles away. Before Terra even speaks up, his eyes widen; he nearly bonks his head on the building, in fact. It's just a kneejerk reaction, but can he help it? Despite knowing he's not Riku, the memories inside him call out, whispering that this is his chance. Riku's not around. He can soak up this guy's attention...

He recovers swiftly, however, his expression shifting back to its original calm, while he shrugs and gives a wave of his hand.]

This town's too small, and there's nothing to do. I don't care if we're supposed to stay here; I'd rather see the rest of the island.

[Kotemon nods, muffling a giggle behind her sleeve.]

He's really impatient sometimes. ...or most of the time. Maybe all the time?

Hey!

[While Gabumon snickers, poor Kotemon droops.]

...Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

[That's an interesting reaction. There's no doubt at all from that kind of a reaction that the replica knows him, but Terra can't put a name to the face. Dorumon had mentioned the boy had someone else's memories, but who's? There's nothing in his mannerisms that struck Terra as familiar, though he's watching for any such sign.

That was okay. He didn't mind puzzles that seemed fairly benign, and this kid didn't strike him as the bad sort. Besides, it was kind of funny to watch him scramble to look 'cool and aloof' again. It draws a smile, but there's no derision in it.]

Who said we have to stay here?

[Nothing wrong with a little impatience.

Memory was supplying nothing. He didn't know anyone this age with the replica's appearance! There was a boy not so long ago of perhaps five years old that shared this one's coloration, but that was a five year old kid, not a fifteen year old!]

Impatient, huh? Call it 'enthusiastic' and suddenly it's not a bad thing. I'm Terra, and this is ... well, for now just Dorumon. What's your names?

[The Dorumon shows a mouthful of sharp teeth in an effort to duplicate a human smile but it doesn't exactly work too well.]

"Hi!"

[Before the Replica speaks up, his Gabumon stomps forward, cracking a toothy grin and gesturing to his partner.]

This is Riku. Don't believe otherwise; he's just trying to use a different name to have pity on his stupid original self!

Shut up!

[The Replica baps him on the snout. It's a bit harsh, but he's learned that force is the only way to keep his partner in line. Fortunately, though Gabumon grumbles, he makes no further moves beyond rubbing at his nose.

Heaving a sigh, the Replica continues.]

...Sorry about that. Anyway, the name's Aiden, and you're right; we don't have to stay here, and I sure as heck don't plan to.

[Kotemon nods. If her face was visible, she'd probably crack a smile.]

I've tried asking him to take it easy, but he just won't listen... He's convinced that we should explore the whole island when we all just got here.

Edited 2014-01-15 23:35 (UTC)

[That short exchange between digimon and replica (or both replicas or ... it gets confusing) tells Terra a lot, and filled in more gaps than they're probably aware. It's weighed quietly, measured against what he knows of life and its endless possibilities ... and then put away as not particularly important.

What someone was never mattered as much to him as who they were.]

They say it doesn't matter what people call you so much as what you choose to respond to. If you want that to be Aiden, then I'll stick with Aiden.

[Easy enough. If he suddenly decided he wanted to be named Tim instead of Terra, nobody else's insistence would change that! ... Though he liked his name just fine.

It seemed though, that this particular young man wasn't so different from these SCOPE partners he kept hearing about. How deep did the similarities go? Just appearance? Terra crosses his arms over his chest, but his expression seems more amused and thoughtful than anything else. Wanting to be other places than where he was now seemed to be one common thing.]

Take it easy and go exploring then. Wandering around checking out the sights doesn't need to happen at a dead run. I was going to go look around myself, Dorumon said there might be a beach nearby.

[The purple saurian rubs his snout with both hands, an oddly embarrassed gesture.] It might just be rocks.

[He breathes a tiny sigh of relief at Terra's remark. Whatever anxieties he had before start to melt away, knowing that this ghost of Riku's past isn't going to force an unwanted identity on him. Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

The Replica mimics Terra's gesture and crosses his arms as well, though he flicks one of his wrists nonchalantly. Gotta keep it cool, though the idea of a beach does make his eyes widen for a split second.]

Think I saw a beach flying in here, actually. And if the beach here isn't your style, there's a whole string of other islands on the way here.

Edited 2014-01-18 05:15 (UTC)

[Not completely dealing with Riku's ghost. Terra doesn't know either replica or original enough to draw many comparisons, which might help. But there will be some, inevitably. Once he'd chosen Riku as his successor, if Aiden was a duplicate then maybe he shared the same determination and light. He certainly seemed to share the desire to be elsewhere.

It's worth keeping tabs on, for him.

The tiny sigh is noted, but Terra's not sure what to stick it to. Not being told exploring is a bad idea? Maybe.]

When it comes to looking around, everything is my style.

[If it's there, he was going to check it out. Beaches, islands, ocean, anything he could get to with effort and time. Maybe he'd find answers to why they were here in the doing, or what they were supposed to be fighting.]

We were actually just leaving to do just that, if you want to come. All three of you. If you spotted a beach coming in, that seems an interesting place to start.

[It's a calculated offer, though it doesn't seem to be. Time would show the replica's mettle one way or another, and Terra wanted to see it.]

Well, it's not like I've got anything better to do.

[He snorts, casting a glance at his Kotemon, who giggles awkwardly and fiddles with her sleeves. Does she really have to go XV-mon again? Judging by the way Rep plucks out his Digivice, that's an affirmative, which nets a grumble out of Gabumon.

A grumble that Rep ignores. He's too busy focusing on captain muscle over here and his adventurous desires.]

You planning on making this a longterm adventure or just a day trip? I'm cool with either; I'd just have to give Sora and a Sophia a heads up if this does end up lasting a few days.

[There's always something to do, but Terra was a master at finding those things to do, as being active kept him from thinking too much about things he just didn't want to think about. Eventually he'd have to. But until then ... other things.

Like exploring bits of the isle.]

Depends how far away the beach is, [is the mild response.] I'm not really prepped for more than overnight, though. I can probably manage you three as well, but not for more than a day or so.

[He did have some supplies! But longer trips required more detailed planning than just walking out of town.]

We can keep it quick-- just a day trip, maybe one night out. This place doesn't really have enough supplies to plan anything longer than that.

[He groans, shooting a glance towards the general store.]

I get that it's supposed to be a small town for rest and healing, but you'd think they'd at least try to add something more to it.

Yeah. I'm hoping we'll find some other resources nearby that'll help there. Local food and water at least.

[The important things for travel. Everything else he could jury rig after a fashion, from tents to sleeping bags, but food and water was vital. But if those could be found, then forays further out would become much, much easier without straining HospiTown's meager resources further.]

They might add more in time. I imagine this was kind of a rush job.

[But as far as Terra's concerned, that much is settled; he heads for the exit again, Dorumon dutifully following at his heels like a well-trained dog. It might not be appropriate but it seemed to work best so far.]

Let's just pick a direction then and see where it goes.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject