My Monster and Me...

[bigsoftie]

Who: Leatherhead and Whomever
What: A gator's on the loose and no pizza place can hold him
Where: On the outskirts of the new town
When: Mid day

He didn't care for this new change. In fact, his first instinct was to hide. It had been so long since he went without this for and now...now it was back. And just like that all the old insecurities rose up. Would they accept him? Or did they only accept him on the merit of being human? And what's more, did this just mean they'd go back to casting him out or worse?

Well, don't worry. He'll reject himself you don't need to worry about that. The alligator had already abandoned Duke and Roadbuster. For a big guy he managed to give them the slip pretty well. Guess it was back to being on his own at least until this change went away.

The mutant liked it much better than in the city, really. A lot more grass, actually. And actual flowers. He liked those. The mutant could get used to this for awhile. Soon enough the mutant began wandering the area of the outskirts, enjoying the flowers of every hue and size. Yeah, if only Mikey could find him..

Comments

[fuckinstoplights]

He wasn't expecting anything to happen. Or anything to move. There's a startled sound more like a bird than a machine, and Kagerou hops back several feet, wings raised, and ready to flee.

What was that?

"... Who's there?"

[bigsoftie]

He looks a bit ashamed...at least on Duke's part. He's so used to being pretty strong himself. Leatherhead replied, his voice lowered, "Maybe for Duke...but I am still not sure about Roadbuster."

[beingthecreature]

Luckily for Leatherhead, that's exactly what they felt like doing. "You know, we've got the forest scoped out pretty well, but haven't done much with the river yet. We're not even sure what's on the other side, or how wide it is."

Sylvia patted her chin in thought. "Think we should check it out?"

"'Course we should!" Chris chuckled a little, taking his D-Terminal and typing out a message as he started walking. "I'm gonna let the others know we'll be a little further from town. We need to know more about this river, in case it covers more of the continent than we thought!"

"Okay!" As a breeze blew up Sylvia expanded her ears and took off again, gliding upwards in a circle. "I'll scout ahead."

"Great, thanks!" Chris stood there watching her with a smile on his face for a moment, then slipped the D-Terminal and notebook into one pocket. Starting to turn back he then paused, blinking and glancing around behind him. For just a moment there something had looked out of place- but then he shrugged and scooped up his pack, slipping it on and starting to walk.

[whatisthislife]

"You might be surprised."

BWG knows this feeling, though, of wanting to protect that which had no ability to protect itself.

"However, I understand your reasons. For now, I am still much more capable than any of the Chosen, and I feel you need my protection. That same reason is why should should not be out on your own - even in your current form, you will not be able to do battle with every wild Digimon you may face."

[strengthinkindness]

"Oh yes...! I haven't talked to many alligators before...Although one of my friends back home has a pet alligator, but he doesn't say much."

His words has her blushing a little, her hoof shuffling in the ground shyly. "Thank you..."

[bigsoftie]

Ok that's weird, bro. The rest of the robots at least turned into cars what's your deal.

Leatherhead mistakenly turns round only to stare at Kagerou. Just...stare.

[bigsoftie]

Success!! Leatherhead certainly stuck out when it came to luck. Even if he didn't want them to see him at least he could sorta hang out by them, slip into the river and the like.

But when Chris turned round he froze in his tracks. Oh did he see him? He shifted a little to test that. But once Chris began to walk, Leatherhead carefully followed suit...as careful as an eight foot gator humanoid can.

[bigsoftie]

He shakes his head. BWG, you don't need to protect him, "I am used to fighting on my own...the Digital World is not strange to me in its monsters or its dangers."

Uh no Leatherhead Dimension X isn't like the Digital World.

[bigsoftie]

"...they have a pet alligator." Wow Fluttershy that hits so many levels with him. For a moment the mutant gives the pony a stern look in the eye, "They should never let him go."

[fuckinstoplights]

And the bird stares back. That's... an animal he's never seen before. Is it one of the digis? Or... someone else?

He doesn't move. It's awkward, the longer the stare goes on.

"Hello...?" he ventures again.

[whatisthislife]

BWG narrows his eyes.

"I am not warning you for no reason. Most Digimon will find little challenge in defeating you, even as you are now. Do not make the mistake of being reckless."

[strengthinkindness]

She notices that, but gives him a reassuring smile. "Oh, I don't think that would ever happen. Pinkie Pie loves Gummy - that's her pet alligator - much too much to let him go."

[bigsoftie]

He can't help but smile back, "That is good. Humans forget how much they mean to their pets..."

[bigsoftie]

Certainly not a digimon. And given the voice, Leatherhead cannot help but rumble, "Kagerou?"

[strengthinkindness]

She nods. "Yes...unfortunately it's the same for some ponies back in my world...But there are ponies - and humans - who do care about pets, and make sure all animals are treated with the care and respect they deserve.

"That's...actually what I do back in my home world."

[bigsoftie]

He sighs, "...if you must guard me, can you watch here for a few more minutes?"

The flowers looked so pretty, "It is nice here."

[alley_kit]

Someone else had come out to enjoy nature today. Two someones in fact; Kit had had wanted to go alone, but Emerick had insisted that Aburn go with her so that Kit wouldn't be without protection, just in case. It wasn't so bad, though. This way she didn't have to carry both baskets herself. Aburn carried the larger one for flowers, while hers contained the fresh herbs.

The excuse she'd made was that she wanted to gather some flowers and herbs, which she did, but... she also just kind of wanted to get away. Too many things that she couldn't do anything to help were happening in town, and she needed a little space to deal with it.

Eventually, though, she decided to stop near a large tree stump to rest a little while. While Aburn sat down next to it, leaning back against it, Kit opted to sit on top of the stump. Once settled, she pulled out her flupe and began to play. Things always seemed clearer when she was playing; music seemed to help untangle jumbled feelings.

[fuckinstoplights]

Wait, it knows his name? How does it --

And, like his friend, the voice clicks. He blinks. And cranes his neck toward where the creature is hunkered down.

"Leather... head?"

[whatisthislife]

That actually surprises the Digimon, and he tilts his head.

"Yes, I can oblige you for a few moments of peace. They...would not be remiss for me, either."

His thoughts have been tumultuous since Jupitermon's attack on the city, and spending some time in a place like this could prove calming. He kneels down on the grass, bringing him to eye level with the reptile.

"Spend as long as you wish, but remember your partners."

[bigsoftie]

"...you do?" That's reassuring, actually from his point of view.

[strengthinkindness]

"Mm...back home, I take care of animals. And while many of them prefer to live in their natural homes in the wild, some do want to be a pet. So I also try to find them a good home."

[bigsoftie]

"I shall remember," but for now he wants to spend a few moments here. It's rare he gets to see nature like this.

It's rare he gets a peaceful moment like this, laying in the grass, observing the flowers bending in the wind.

"It is nice...this land."

[bigsoftie]

Boy does he have so many questions...it feels so weird seeing him like this. The mutant rises to his hind legs.

"You are a mutant...like me?"

[fuckinstoplights]

"I... no."

He hops backward again, in order to gain more space. And then changes, form shifting upward from bird to robot. It feels good to be able to do it, again.

"I'm an AI."

[whatisthislife]

"I agree, though I have rarely taken the time to admire it. It is...soothing."

The landscape here is so serene, it's like the problems this Digital World faces don't even exist. This is so rare - a chance for his mind to rest and be at ease. Perhaps Dukemon would appreciate this place...