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

[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.

[What, he's ready to leave already? The Replica blinks, glancing down at his two Digimon and then back toward Terra and his partner. Well, it's not like he had any big plans tonight, so, after a couple of seconds, he pushes away from the building, leaving his Digimon toddling close behind.]

So, what? Does one of us spin around with our eyes closed and point?

[That'd be the quickest way to choose. It'd save 'em some trouble as well.]

[Terra has enough things to last a day or so, he's not worried. It'll be a little thinner with three others along for the ride, but not so much where it'll be a concern.

There's no time like the present.]

Sure, why not? There's no reason not to right now, almost any direction we go besides HospiTown should be something new. I'll leave the spinning to you guys though, otherwise that way works fine.

[There's a vague gesture in a seemingly random direction. 'That way'.]

[Well, in that case, the Replica will go ahead and start in that direction, though a thought briefly crosses his mind.]

You wanna go by foot? I can set us up with a set of wings if you give me a second.

[He pulls out his D-Stream just in case, while Kotemon yelps, fidgeting with her sleeves. She knows how goofy she gets as XV-mon, and with Gabumon still being a grouch...]

[That draws a pause, as Terra stops and turns back, thoughtful. Kotemon is studied for a long moment, before his expression goes amused.]

No offense meant, but I think it's best we stay on our own feet for now if you don't mind. A little exercise never did anyone any harm, and I could use it.

[He's been slacking off. And if Terra can use a little exercise, so can all of them!]

Too bad. The view's great from the sky.

[But hey, why argue? The Replica holds up his hands in defeats, shrugs his shoulders, and tucks the D-Stream away.]

Guess we'll just have to keep our eyes peeled for landmarks. The last thing we need's to get lost.

I'm sure it is. But you can miss stuff from the air.

[And it'll keep him from wanting to tie XV-mon's mouth shut with Gabumon's entire person. He's not going to say that's the primary reason, it's a little too rude, but they'd work it out eventually. And until then, a little exercise wouldn't hurt.]

The best kind of exploration is done on foot. Getting back is the easy part, don't worry. Even if we lose sight of the town, Dorumon will be able to follow our scent back. Gabumon should be able to as well.

[And if he's not used to trying, now is a good opportunity to learn. Right now, he's pretty straight-line but that might change. It's not daylight out, and his night vision wasn't spectacular.]

[The Replica opens his mouth to protest, but no.. Terra's right. An aerial view is great to get a broader picture, but the distance obscures details. It'd be easy to overlook something tiny, seemingly insignificant.

Well, what's he really got to lose?]

Okay, you've got a deal. Besides, I could use the exercise after all that flying.

[One of his hands slides to his back.]

I still feel stiff from the ride here.

[As the moment of protest comes and goes with no actual protest, there's a ghost of a smile from Terra. The replica had a good head at least, and didn't seem stuck to the idea of convenience alone. That was good.

It might be a little cold to be constantly weighing him against what he hoped would happen with the boy he chose, but he knew Riku would be a sharp kid with a strong heart. Two for the price of one would be nothing short of amazing.

He can hope can't he?]

That's the spirit. How long were you flying for? Nobody's really mentioned how long the trip was to even get here. What was it like?

[It isn't quite conversation for the sake of conversation. Dorumon's quick to step around Terra and take point ... more or less. That he keeps darting off after some smell or sound means he's as often NOT in front as he is, but he's certainly covering a lot of ground.]

Oh, about a week, give or take a few days.

[He snorts, shooting a quick glance at the sky.]

Sora wanted to see everything, so that slowed us down. I'm just glad we didn't stick around Shadow Isle that long; that place is a disaster just waiting to happen.

[Partially because it's so dark, and while he's fine with a little darkness, they had a little kid to take care of, not to mention Sora's tendency to wander off and straight into trouble.]

That's not too bad.

[Not the best either; it looks like travel time is going to be a serious issue in this world.]

I want to see everything too, I hope it's not going to be too much trouble. Part of the reason I'm out here, after all.. ...What sort if place is Shadow Isle? Beyond 'a disaster waiting to happen'. Something that should be flagged for not going back, or..?

[It might just be a safety in numbers thing.]

Well, unless you stick close to the train tracks, you'll wind up wandering around in pitch blackness. Even flashlights don't help.

[It's kind of illogical, but that's the Digital World for ya. Rep's gotten to a point where he won't even question it.]

That could be interesting, if you're prepared for it. There's not a lot of opportunities to practice your other senses without wearing a blindfold.

[Terra's definitely going to visit there now. Just not for a little bit yet.]

Are the digimon affected too? The ones that presumably live there, or your own.

Huh, good point. I hadn't really thought of it that way...

[Still, the Replica's not one to turn down a challenge, even if it does mean potentially stumbling into everything. He's gotta get stronger somehow!]

I'd say the local Digimon probably get by just fine. As far as Kotemon goes...

[He snorts.]

She thought a bush was me. I think that says a lot.

[Terra often thinks that way.

It's a good mask for a genuine desire to just go poke around and see things.]

...Maybe the mask interferes with her sense of smell. Dorumon's is pretty good, worse comes to worse we can use that.

['We'? Seems like Terra's already planning on dragging the replica back to that place. Just to see what it's like, surely.]

Hm, maybe to a digimon you smell like a bush.

[At the merest SUGGESTION that he smells like a bush, the replica's personal space is immediately invaded by a sniffing Dorumon.]

Hey!

[He lightly swats at Dorumon's nose, which prompts a giggle out of Kotemon. Even Gabumon's snickering... but then, he's too easily entertained for his own good. Dumb fuzzball.]

Look, the only way I'd smell like a bush is if I rolled around in leaves and didn't shower for weeks.

[And he knows better than to subject people to that kind of earthy smell.]

[There's a sharp snort from Dorumon when he's swatted, but he does give the replica his personal space back, apparently satisfied with his brief examination.]

It's true, he mostly smells like adolescent human male. And dinner.

[Dorumons have good noses. After a moment Terra holds his hands up in defeat.]

Alright, so you don't smell like a bush. I guess there's no excuse for poor Kotemon then.

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

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

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)