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..

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[beingthecreature]

Chris continued walking toward the river, glancing around as he went. It wasn't long before the more forested terrain gave way to open spaces, and the sound of running water filled the air. Light glittered ahead of him and he stopped as the river came in view. He held a hand over his eyes and cast about, then continued walking toward the waterline.

"Chris!" He stopped and looked up at his name, holding out his arm again for his Digimon as she landed. Immediately upon doing so she leaned up, whispering to him. He blinked, drawing back a bit in surprise, then chuckled a little and spoke in an undertone to her.

"Don't worry about it." He gave her a confident smile and, after a moment, she relaxed. "So, what's it like?"

As they started walking, Sylvia was explaining to him what she'd seen. "Well the river's pretty wide, and....."

[bigsoftie]

Everyone should enjoy nature, at least as long as Leatherhead doesn't bother everyone. As he sat amongst the flowers, his inner shyness attuned itself when Kit came over. She didn't look human, either but...ah, she probably didn't want to see him like this.

He almost hid away before he heard the music. It was so different...a good different. The song wafted through him like a good breeze. He had to see more. It wouldn't be too bad is he just quietly sat behind her and listened for awhile?

[bigsoftie]

That makes Leatherhead's eyes flicker wide as Kagerou transforms. Bro, what the heck?

"...are you like Arcee?"

[bigsoftie]

The closer they came to their destination, the greater the temptation grew to just run off into the river. He wanted to swim oh so bad.

He listened to Sylvia's report. A wide river? It sounded so perfect for a guy like him! His eyes darted from his own hiding spot to Chris.

Without much thought, the alligator decided to charge and race off towards the river. Isn't that far? And maybe if he moved fast enough they wouldn't figure out who he was!

[bigsoftie]

"There is nothing like this in my world," as far as he's seen, anyway. It's all just concrete and skyscrapers and wet sewers. Man-made stuff.

One big hand reached to pluck a flower from the grass. He turned it in his hand, examining it, "A friend made me a crown made of these once..."

[bigsoftie]

Leatherhead's face softens, "That is good. It is too late for me to be a pet...but I do not mind staying with friends."

[whatisthislife]

"You may find this strange, but I once battled a herd of mammoth Digimon to protect just one small flower such as that one you hold. I didn't even know why."

The memory still stands out as being very unique. To this day, he still does not know the reason he decided to guard it from those Mammon, or what had made it seem so important to him. He knows now that the Chosen are much the same to him as that flower had been, but he still cannot understand just why.

[strengthinkindness]

"Oh yes...For me, a pet is just another friend."

[bigsoftie]

He shakes his head. Blackwargreymon reminded of himself in a lot of ways...especially when it came to putting value on such small things. He replies, "No...I do not find it strange. I have done the same things...except it was not a flower."

[fuckinstoplights]

Well, the more he speaks, the clearer it is that this is, in fact, his friend. He looks a lot different, but -- the speech. It's the same.

"No, I'm... I'm only an AI. Not alive, like her."

[bigsoftie]

"We are friends..." he can say that for sure. He paused, "I still wish to remain among these flowers."

[bigsoftie]

Leatherhead has a hard time buying the not alive distinction, especially since he's not like those Kraangdroids, "But...you feel, do you not?"

[fuckinstoplights]

"Yes, but..." he hesitates. And takes this opportunity to step closer to his friend. Despite the conversation, he's curious. He'd like to see what the other was, exactly, when he wasn't human.

"We're programmed to."

[alley_kit]

Aburn had been relaxing against the tree stump, listening to his Chosen's music when he noticed the rather large newcomer. The scaly being wasn't doing any harm, though, and only seemed to want to enjoy the music. Aburn couldn't really blame him. Thus, he said nothing as the alligator mutant sat down a little ways behind Kit, though he did surreptitiously keep an eye on the other, just in case.

It wasn't until Kit paused in her playing that she too sensed she was being watched and turned to look behind her. The large, scaly, toothy being who sat there made her eyes go a little wide. He looked like someone she might see at home on Third Earth. A lot like Donnie did, come to think of it. Which gave her a hint as to who he might be.

"Leatherhead...?", she asked.

[brain_behind_purple]

[Well... seeing Leatherhead out in the open was shocking. Donnie had thought that he'd stay locked in his room until the glitch was over. Still, since he was out he might as well see how the gator was doing, so eh walked over.]

Leatherhead? Umm... hey. [Sheepish wave and smile is a go]

[strengthinkindness]

She smiled. "Of course...The flowers are really pretty."

Looking around, she then glanced up at him. "Mind if I join you?"

[beingthecreature]

Both Chris and Sylvia turned at the noise, and though Sylvia initially started at the sight of the huge alligator going through, Chris's utter nonreaction helps calm her down, and after a moment she realizes why. (Though truthfully only part of it is because he recognizes the gator but, you know, Kratt.)

Raising a hand to wave, he smiled broadly as he lifted his voice. "Have fun in the water, Leatherhead!"

[bigsoftie]

He pauses from his flower gazing, "You may, if you wish."

The mutant returns to lying on his stomach, enjoying the sight of the flowers.

"I have never seen anything like this on my world..."

[strengthinkindness]

Tucking her legs in, she lies on her stomach as well, inhaling the scent of one flower in front of her.

"Really?"

[whatisthislife]

"May I ask what it was for you?"

This is very, very curious to him. He has heard little of anyone who would risk themselves in a similar manner to how he had.

[bigsoftie]

Only once Leatherhead is diving in the water does he realize Chris spotted and waved to him. Oh...did people really recognize him that easily? He dives into the water quite gracefully, only to rise soaking wet to the surface.

The alligator merely floats as he curiously eyes Christ, "...you know who I am?"

[bigsoftie]

"It was a power cell..."

Ok yeah the world's safety depended on removing that power cell but still.

[bigsoftie]

Leatherhead hesitates, taking a small bow as Kagerou moves closer. Somewhat defensive, but still.

"But...you still feel. That must mean you are alive."

[beingthecreature]

Chris walked up to the edge of the river and knelt down, bracing his arms across his thighs.

"To be fair, there's really only one gator I know around these parts. When I saw ya, I took a stab at it, and good to see I was right!"

[bigsoftie]

Such a shame, Leatherhead liked the music quite a bit. The alligator instantly retreats to his fours, gazing through the grass,

"...you knew it was me?"