Fandom [IC]The Veil To Spurn: A Digimon Survivor Tale

[RedArmyShogun]

For her part, Ji-Su simply remained passive, watching as Ruth seemed to break at the attention around her. Whatever was bothering her made Ji-Su have second thoughts on her offer of trying to dilute the experience. In fact, when her partner seemed to voice support to the plan it caused the blonde to fly off the hook, screaming at them about how they were being, or rather that they thought it could help. With her eyes and face taking up that snakelike quality, her expression became dull, bored. The Woman was far from fine, no matter how much Ruth insisted it.

It was akin to someone who heard movement in the walls of their home that no one else could, then capturing said rat and proclaiming they are not insane with said insane laughter before the pronouncement. Still, it did prompt a partial response as the woman bolted from the tent, her partners in pursuit. "As you wish." For his part Commandramon let out a snort of disgust and made a noise, not quite like a growl or a grunt, something in between which gave off the distinct feeling that he was somewhat insulted yet happy to see her gone, almost as if bemused. Craning his head to look up at Ji-Su the other gives a shrug.

"Hanumon, I do think I'll take up that offer to enter the tent. I am curious what it may show after all. Plus, when she comes back, or if she comes back, it'll show that I've done it, though, ah after it... Ah, well, I'll figure that out later. Commandramon, after you?"

Her saurian partner just gave a nod and his standard reply of; "Affirmative."

"Well now, hopefully there is nothing concerning." Either way with that said the pair would follow Hanumon to what amounted to the entrance of the hall of memories, or mirrors more like, venturing into the green mist, beyond the entrance which seemed to vanish, Ji-Su noticed a machine that was so close yet so far, which was strange, the tent was empty. Was. Right in the middle of the empty tent she would notice a strange, pole-like machine with vials of colored liquid in it, ranging from Blue, Red, Green, Orange, Yellow, Grey, Purple, and Black. Green metal who's origins she was not yet sure of adorned the whole thing. Then suddenly what looked akin to a mirror maze with multiple paths would form.

And at the mouth of each of these paths was a color. Ji-Su decided to go with what she felt was her favorite color and more agreeable to her, Green. While she had Commandramon to help guide her, Ji-Su decided to treat this world as a game, the best way to beat a maze was to hug one direction and always walk that direction. Sooner or later she would reach the machine, the exit, or both. Till then there was little to fear but fear itself as a famous Statesman once declared.

Continuing along her chosen path, she wondered if it was even real and if the experience differed from person to person, every now and then she would see a new memory, reflecting in the glass. It disturbed her on some accounts as it looked as if the memories played out in third person, though also in the first person.

First, there were glimpses of her always being something of a calm child, tinkering with things when her father wasn't looking, or watching him being the tinkerer. There were glimpses of other memories, phantom mirages, a common theme emerged, Ji-Su's need to win and to do so as placidly and with as little effort as possible. Her memories of playing video games would come to the front, disjointed, more akin to a feeling. That desire to win, calmness no matter the situation, therapeutic even.

Turning corner after corner, dead end after dead end, she finally came across a memory that was central and core to her character, of her time and the KMA, the Korea Military Academy or Hwarangdae as it was known in South Korea. The uniform, the formations, being forced to compete, being seen as a laggard, graduating, getting to mess with all the weapon systems she ever could want. Having a measure of respect and not being part of the corporate rat race, sure, she wasn't paid all that well, pretty much no one was in the military field globally. Then there was her promotion from Sowi to Jungwi, or Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant with an eye for even beyond that for her young age, though her time of study in the KMA provided a lot of that.

Rather than being lost in her memory, her feelings, her hopes, it was like that face that she would make time to time, placid, lurking in the shadows, dangerous yet not moving till a strike. She did not need this place like some did, her focus was to Win. She was not yet broken. Continuing forward and down some more paths, she would gaze down at Commandramon and ask a simple question.

"So, are we at the end?" "Affirmative. The Ji-Su, while a bit slower than I took the right course of action.... This one has a quarry, what did you see?" "You didn't see it?" "Negative." "Just a reminder that I have to move forward and return us all if I can."

With that bit of conversation over with it was only a few more steps till they were at the machine, reaching up along the pole, all the while studying the machine, she decided to grab the green vile. Hand reaching out she... (opps commercial time)

Interactions/Mentions: Pumpkid Azurian Dream (Various)

 

[ScatheAriiasqDrayceon]

Let it be known that Arii was a coward.

But not this kind of coward.

"'Course," they confirmed Shoutmon's initial question. "Where else would they have come from?" There was pride there, knowing they'd caught their opponent off-guard and had him on his heels. There was more in the confidence of a gambler who got what they wanted more than they should.

The koemon who'd got them through the lesson shuffled the deck. The casino standard, with one, big, glaring mistake.

It waterfalled the deck instead of washing it. Better for showmanship. Not good for casinos.

They watched, keen, grouping cards in their head, marking which ones stuck, which ones grouped, where the air compressed between them just a little too much. A smile they were blind to split their face, fanged and hungry. Challenge, sang their blood, and they wrinkled their nose like their face was trying to peel off their skull.

By the time the second riffle was done and they cut the deck, they'd lost most of the cards in the thrush, but they had an image of the starting deck, and a new one of parts of the shuffled deck. This was something they could do.

Can't say they were expecting the perfect blackjack up front, though.

They called a stay and the first round was over the moment they saw a ten. Shoutmon was forced to stay, and they flipped their ace with a grin. "Blackjack."

Second round. Another shuffle. They watched the cards and the koemon's hands both. A pair of fives on the table from where they'd stuck together from the pressure of the riffle. They could see the way Koemon struggled to get them apart. Their card was a hearts. Shoutmon must have a diamonds. Even odds for the both of them... except they knew Shoutmon's face-down card.

The second cards hit the table. A seven for them, a ten for Shoutmon.

Their chances of busting were low. Shoutmon had to stay. They took a hit. Anything above a three—

A third five.

They smiled. Turned their cards over. They knew they were lost in the game now, focus only on the flow of cards, colors, suites. They were quiet, but in a way that was offputting as they turned their winning five around in their fingers. They leaned to offer their cards back to koemon, to catch a glimpse of the deck, and—

Quite promptly sent themself headfirst into the table.

What had been a wobbly, if sustainable, balance of back-and-forth rolling had paused as they focused, and with their weight uneven on the seat as it was, it hadn't taken long for them to overcorrect and eat shit.

They cursed—loudly—and flailed on the way down not unlike a fish thrown through the air, cartoonishly long limbs hitting almost everything they possibly could on the way down. Their leg hit the Koemon across the ankle and it yelped. Cards went everywhere, if they'd been slower to cover their head they might have broken a tooth, and by the time the dust settled their brain still hadn't stopped spinning.

Oh boy.

And good hand was discarded to the side of the table as Shoutmon laughed along with the crowd. Still, they were a stubborn creature, and back onto the public humiliation machine they went, fully prepared to throw themself off the unicycle until they got an okay hand.

That all about went down the drain when Shoutmon pulled a blackjack, and suddenly the game was a lot more interesting.

 

[Anorgos]

----------------------

"Hmph...pummel queen, huh? Cute."

It made her think again of the younger boxers when training. Those starting out for the first time either because they were bullied, want to get healthy, or just for the love of the sport. Whatever the reason was didn't matter...she remembered all them the same way, and all of them she could see in the two before her now.

The starry admiration in Grayson's eyes, the enthusiastic smile plastered on his face...the tiny hint there was something deeper behind it...the brief but clear looks of worry from Labramon...if anything like those young boxers in the past, Róisín could already see blood and bruises in Grayson & Labramon's future if things continued as they were.

As Grayson excitedly brought up the inclusion of snacks and began to turn to a local pretzel stand, Róisín nodded in agreement after taking another sip of the green drink.

"Sounds great actually. Little hungry after the drinks." It was clear though little Grayson didn't have much strength, they still had plenty of energy, quickly making their way off for the food and no doubt back just as quickly.

The silence grew more and more between the redhead and digimon, Róisín's intense stare firmly placed on the pink dog until she herself broke the stalemate and took a long slow sip of her drink, finishing up by relaxing and hanging her head back with a sigh.

"Only gonna say this once, okay?" That momentary ease was shattered with those six words, an intensity behind them just as much as her own fists showed to that crowd earlier.

"If something's going on, and you think I can help, better let me know before the kid comes back. Cause I'm not gonna get dragged around and lied to."


------------------

Voices? Voices?! They seemed to be so close and all around Lopmon...though probably cause she wildly turned herself from side to side, as if trying to catch someone playing a joke just behind her. Yet there was no one else, and that quickly worried her.

"Huh? Wha? Who's there? Is it a ghost?!" Her swings grew wilder, to the point she almost was spinning in place, but by the time Raven finally could get a word in, the bunny's attention focused again on her and seemed to calm her down.

Wait....a coin person...? Where was there a...she finally took the moment to look down at her shiny prize.

"....oh! I'm sorry little coin person!" The Ganemon was nothing more than a twirly eyed, mouth frothing coin in her little paws, and though he probably had no concept of whatever was happening around him at that moment, Lopmon still took the time to gently start placing him back on the ground...

"....oh! Okay, Raven!" Before immediately scooping him back up in her hands at Raven's suggesting to bring him along. Though he was another digimon and not just a shiny treasure, Lopmon still cooed and giggled happily at the little coin, listening barely to Raven's ask to help find a missing member of the circus, through the mist and trees of the forest no doubt.

"A missing monkey? Um....Sure...yeah!" She hesitated. The excitement and intrigue was getting her. But she hesitated. She looked back out the tent flap and towards the bustling crowds, the hollering of cheers and games...of a waiting redhead...maybe she should...

It felt just like any other gust of wind, to the point that Lop may not have even noticed anything if not for the slight lightness from her head. Quickly swinging back to the others with Ganemon still unconscious in her paws, she watched as the sword-wielding Agumon sternly watched before sheathing the weapon and letting the tiny top hat float gently back onto the little coin's head.

She stood in complete silence, frozen, as Bushi-Agumon and the others began to file out through the back of the tent and deeper into the forest.

"....that....was so cool!!" She gave a squeak of excitement at what just happened, taking a moment to mimic the whoosh and shing of the sword, before noticing she was the last one there.

"Um...um..." Worryingly stomping in place with nerves and uncertainty, Lop continued to look back and forth from the circus and forest parts of the tent, as if an answer would make itself known. Then there was the case of Ganemon. Could she leave such a defenceless little digimon along, especially if other digimon were being taken? Well, that was an easy decision, and soon enough Lopmon gently and expertly balanced the Ganemon, with top hat, on her highest horn with pride.

"There! Nice and safe!...oh! Wait for me!"

The mist was almost as high as her once they got into the forest proper, the thick fog blanketing the ground completely, and getting worse with the thicker trees and foliage. That was until she watched Bushi-Agumon properly this time, his sword swinging out almost lazily but with such precise force that a large swath of fog was blown away in one swipe and causing her to stare in awe and coolness at the dinosaur digimon.

"Woah! Oh oh, I can help too! Tiny Twister!" She was at the back at this time, but like a wild propeller soon rocketed passed Raven, Wormon, the Monmon, even outpacing Bushi-Agumon before colliding and blitzing her own line of fog with a controlled ferocity that would be dangerous for others to get between, soon wobbling to a stop with a wide smile and a most likely even more dazed Manemon atop her head.

 

[Azurian Dream]

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Forest Arc, Act 2...

Main Objective: Reach the Train Station
Sub Main Objective: Explore The Circus While Awaiting the Wagon Repairs...(Round 2/8)

Interactions: @galvanismgal (Mei/Black Gabumon), RedArmyShogun (Ji-Su/Commandramon), Pumpkid (Ruth/Impmon/Terriermon), Scatterbrain (Ace/Cutemon), Twist (Kimi/Tentomon/Bushi Agumon), Anorgos (Roisin/Lopmon) ScatheAriiasqDrayceon (Arii), @Matreania (Eliam/Salamon)
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Event One(Raffle Events)
#939597(Cardmon U2) #A76D54(Flamon)

Main Objective Update: Take A Chance At Luck
Sub Objective Update:

Interactions: Twist (Kimi)
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cardmon U2 floated around as it considered Flamons' worst experience; failing to bring joy to a customer must have paled in comparison to what was happening now. Flamon let out a hesitant laugh of regret as they backpedaled, both literally and figuratively, trying to think quickly how to fix what he had done to Kimi's self-confidence. Suddenly, when Kimi lowered her goggles and whispered her request, Flamon ruffled their red mane furiously.

Re-strategizing, they twisted into a new stance with their back to Kimi, pulling something like dust from their pocket and throwing it into the bonfire, which ignited a wild flame. Spinning, jumping back, and pointing his index finger at Kimi with his other hand—clutching his face as if about to burst into laughter—he challenged her.

"You dare to step into the realm of heroes and monsters? Think yourself worthy of the Flames of The True Heroes Garapon's Gold," he taunted. To make up for his blunder, he avoided directing Kimi to any of the other four Garapons on the table and instead pointed her toward the largest one, colored with the flames of the demon world intertwined with those of a hero. Among the flames, you could make out the depiction of Wargreymon and Volcanicdramon battling for glory.

The Garapon was as tall as Kimi—perhaps half her height in length—and looked quite intimidating compared to the smaller ones. To be fair, pulling that lever would no doubt be taxing to a healthy person—something Cardmon U2 was about to point out—until it was sniped by a bag of dust thrown at an angle Kimi wouldn't notice. The Rookie, eager to cheer Kimi up, jumped over the table to her side, revving up the lever and giving it a few pats.

"Though you know, standing in its glory takes guts, and who am I to deny a potential hero's spirit? Come try your luck at the destiny challenge—Lady Luck herself—amongst the flames of the most noble hero in the history of Biome Island. You get three shots at winning the gold," Flamon declared with flair, gesturing toward the lever. The sign next to it displayed the value of the balls that could roll out: Black for Wargreymon with five tickets, Green for twenty-five, Silver for fifty, and 500 for Wargreymon Gold.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Event Two(CARD GAMES ON UNICYCLES...)
#FFD700(Shoutmon) #8A9A5B(Koemon)

Main Objective Updated: Defeat Shoutmon At His Own Game of Black Jack WHILE ON A UNICYCLE
Sub-Objective Update: Do What You Must To Avoid Losing Your Digivice

Interactions: ScatheAriiasqDrayceon (Arii)
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Shoutmon gave an approving nod at Arii's craftsmanship, as the human showed pride in their work—something Shoutmon could relate to. Koemon shuffled the deck, and that's when the real game began, as Shoutmon announced other events like the soon-to-start pie-eating contest and the raffles. He kept a close eye on Arii, watching how they observed the deck... so it was clear this human knew their stuff, but to what extent remained to be seen, as the constantly rolling red dino made his rounds through the crowd to hype them up.

Rolling back in Shoutmon immediately found itself forced to stay with a 3 of hearts, and a hidden 9 of spades making it unlikely to jaunt up, only to be defeated by a starting blackjack right out of the gate. The crowd went wild at such luck.

"Not bad for a newcomer... oof two in a row though," Shoutmon played to his second hand a brutal bust gave Arii the win. Shoutmon appeared woozy clearly as part of the act to build up Ariis' win to the crowd as he wobbled on the spot, but he straightened out with a confident smile.

"Yet don't count me out yet," Shoutmon chimed, spinning his mic as he noticed Arii's confidence flow into the very game itself. The human was now in the zone, but that didn't change how these games worked. Before Shoutmon could play their hand, Arii whiffed into the table. Luckily, the table was heavily padded, but the force of impact would still not be a fun surprise following losing complete footing.

Though the real spectacle came from the antics of a fish out of water that Arii performed, flaying into some wacky chaos as the Koemon present was sacked and then sent into a panic to collect the fallen cards. Shoutmon let out a chuckle after confirming Arii hadn't received any actual injuries, and the crowd all joined in the humor. The human was fine, so laughter was alright at the expense of Arii's pride, though.

Yet that's what kinda game this was, however it was bizarrely followed by a few more small falls as Arii's hands were consistently reshuffled until they settled on one... with a devilish smile, having not tapped in any new cards throughout the spectacle, he used his mic to flip his cards, revealing an Ace, and a King of clubs.

"A good start nonetheless, folks, Arii is currently in 7th place in the prize bracket though lets give the poor soul a break and speed up a bit," the next two hands were played fast Shoutmon however started to change their tactics... they were no longer looking at their hidden cards adding some tension to the game. Yet even with this bold style of tension flung Arii's way mixed with a few fall reshuffling the deck, Arii ended up with a 4 of Hearts, and 3 along with a 2 of diamonds beating Shoutmon's Jack, and nine of Spades.

The next hand was quick; neither party wasted time giving Arii another win with a Jack of diamonds and an 8 of spades, while Shoutmon ended up bust with a Seven of clubs, a Six of diamonds, and a Queen of spades. Shoutmon again played into his defeat, his hand slapping onto the table as he arced, looking like he was about to fall before spinning upright with perfect control. Just as fast as they laughed at Arii's mishaps, the crowd was just as quick to applaud their victories, creating a vibrant show of excitement.

As the announcer looked out at the crowd, they caught sight of some new faces: a pretty girl wearing a rosy shirt and an Impmon. With a smile, Shoutmon cycled away again, leaving their hand completely to chance as they tapped for a third card. Rolling right up to Ruth, he extended his mic to her.

"Lass, mind giving your thoughts on their chances as our leading star drops from 5th back to 6th place?" Shoutmon asked, aiming for audience participation. With a snap of his fingers, Koemon revealed his cards—two 3s and a 9 of diamonds—walloping Arii's safe hand of a 6 of clubs and an 8 of hearts. If Arii had any suspicions of Shoutmon's ability to count, it became clear as day now.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Event Three(The Blues over a Moon Drink)
#008080(Grayson) #FF66CC(Labramon) #8A9A5B(Koemon)

Main Objective: Get A Blue Moon Drink
Sub-Objective: Interact with Grayson/Labramon?

Interactions: Anorgos
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Labramon rested in her spot, her tail aloof as they waited for Grayson to return. Although she had concerns about Róisín's impact on Grayson, the older woman had been fairly decent—though a little rough around the edges. Overall, she was nowhere near as bad as the good dog had been worried about. That was, until the pink dog turned her attention back to Róisín and suddenly felt the pressure of a thousand suns staring. Labramon froze in place after her ears drooped down, and her tail dropped lifelessly.

"Eh," the questions that escaped Róisín's mouth, however, were nowhere in the ballpark of what she expected to follow, though. The pup thought for a few moments, hesitant to bring a stranger into her partner's problem, but if things continued as they were? Those few words alone broke the wall, though, forcing the dog to realize this might be Grayson's only chance for a wake-up call.

"Grayson was taken two years ago... at the age of eleven," Labramon spoke, sitting upon her hind legs. At first, what she said didn't seem to have any point, but the serious look the dog gave made it evident this was the centerpiece of what was about to be discussed.

"You are aware that when you humans digitize, you stop physically aging, right?" The question was an odd one to bring up, but no doubt, slowly, the implications would start scaling the boxer's mind. Labramon closed her eyes for a minute as a muffled sigh barely escaped her lips before she gave Róisín a locked look.

"A boy who can never grow up. A story like Peter would evoke wondrous thoughts... but reality is harsher than most dare to admit. We bio partner's come fully aware of our partners history... we know everything, but we're also given a sense of the realm you humans face on this island. Your survival is embedded in us in many ways; for me, it's maternal worry passed down through his view of how he sees his mother," Labramon said, allowing her words to settle before striking the point again.

"Grayson is not prepared for this life. He came from a loving, protected home... he has no real understanding of the cruelty around him. We initially arrived here from the Submerged Biome... we were fortunate. Some Digimon there cared about protecting humans, but that gave Grayson a false sense of reality... he heard stories about the lands around us and was captivated by them," Labramon explained, giving Róisín the background on the boy and the troubles he faced as she stood up biting the leg of the chair dragging it away from the muddy spot to more stable ground so that when Grayson returned to sit it wouldn't sink causing him to fall backwards.

"He wanted to go out and travel, and for a while I managed to persuade him against it, but then he heard about the circus. He was overwhelmed by a time when he was happy with his family, when he wasn't held back by danger, and saw a way to cling to a memory that only hinders his growth. He ran from our safety net," Labramon admitted, frustrated with her failure to help Grayson understand as she walked about in a circle around the chair, as a stubborn child is a wall few can break down without drastic measures.

"Yet? It's starting to catch up, every year that passes. I can tell the tension of what's happening to him is closing in... the reality that he can never grow up to have a body proper to handle the environment of life... he refuses to face it. For that, we haven't even unlocked my ability to digivolve... I would give life and limb for him like any other bio partner, but what happens when I fall, and I can't be there to save him," Labramon bit her lip at the end of her words fighting back her emotional struggle on the matter...it was crystal clear she had done all she could to help Grayson. Still, the boy resisted it all, coming to a place that offered a false sense of safety rather than true safety.

"If you ignore things for too long, all you do is create a bigger bubble of a mess to pop, but no matter how much I bark, bite, or scratch... I can't get that bubble to pop," Labramon finally whimpered, the acceptance of her inability to help Grayson weighing on her like a boulder. Oddly, though, the line at the beginning sounded like it came from a much more experienced individual. Though now, as Labramon sat back down, she gave her intense maternal stare at Róisín who had dragged the matter out of the pup. Who now waited for Róisín to do what she had locked herself into promise.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Event Four(Dunking On the Fritz)
#DCD0FF(Anais) #7F462C(Muchomon) #8A9A5B(Koemon)

Main Objective: Figure Out What's Wrong With The Basketball Machine
Sub-Objective Update: Prove Anais Right

Interactions: Scatterbrain
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Muchomon watched the forced smile slowly cross the pink rabbit's face, causing the penguin to want to ask more but having no basis to determine if this behavior was normal for Cutemon. Choosing to respect the rabbit's decision on the matter, the oddly colored bird nodded and left it at that for now. However, as they reached the machine, Muchomon raised an eye at Cutemon's concern for Ace. Yet, the boy in question seemed willing and capable...though, like his partner, there was something strange about Ace's response.

Much like Anais, Muchomon was sensing that something wasn't quite right here, but just like her, he didn't think it was right to intercede on someone's goals. Much like Muchomon, Cutemon chose to be supportive, which made the penguin smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie. As Anais was similar to her cheerleading for the boy, those present watched Ace take to the starting line.

Though right before Ace began, Cutemon brought up a question that Muchomon was hesitant to answer. For the moment, the bird remains silent as Ace takes his shots. Precise, clean, and accurate, each one made it into the netting of the basketball hoop with little to no effort. Anais cheered, happy to see she wasn't wrong at all about Ace's pedigree as a fellow athlete.

"Impeccable, mon ami." (Flawless, my friend)," Anais chimed, giving a series of rapidly growing claps as he made each shot like it was child's play. The Koemon Ticket master, though still grumbling about it, also couldn't help clapping for the boy's expertise, even if he rolled his eyes, waiting to see no result come of this as far as the machine's performance was concerned.

Yet as soon as Ace went for the run, things collapsed as upon nearing the perfect wind-up Ace fumbled hard Anais saw all the signs of a pain spasm overtake Ace as he let go of the ball missing the dunk as it bounced off the rim hitting onto the ground bouncing for a bit as it slide toward the vacuum near the end. Just like Cutemon, Anais immediately ran over as Koemon sighed as nothing was proven wrong with the machine; however, the monkey quickly corrected their attitude as Muchomon gave them quite the glare.

"C'est bien plus que ta jambe, n'est-ce pas ?(It's more than just your leg. Isn't it?)," Anais claimed more than questioned as she whipped her forearm into Ace's, grabbing him by the elbow and pulling him up, while he apparently comically expected Cutemon, possibly able to pull the tank of a boy up. Given how his body had arched at the end it had to involve is back as well. She had seen similar stacked injuries and those who tried to fight through them.

Yet Anais didn't ask them to stop; there was a knowing look, one that understood what Ace was doing and why he was so hellbent. Patting him, though this time playfully soft, she walked back with him to the ball roller as it rolled out three new and three old balls.

"C'est bon, Muchomon. Je n'ai rien à cacher non plus.(Its okay Muchomon. I got nothing to hide either.)," Anais smiled at her feathery partner. Muchomon was still hesitant, but sighed, knowing above all else Anais believed in a fair playing field yet could never bring herself to say what it was she refused to accept. With a nod, he turned to Cutemon and made sure to clear his throat for Ace to hear as well.

"Stage 1 Hypertension with Target Organ Damage," Muchomon sighed, regret evident in his expression regarding Anais's condition. It explained Muchomon’s oddity about being Anais's partner—someone so into fitness, yet it was strange that her partner appeared out of shape. Now it made more sense—it was a result of Anais's physical health issues. Unlike Ace, who had garnered Cutemon before his bad landing, Anais had come straight at the door with a permanent impairment.

"Mais assez parlé de moi. Tu auras le temps de comparer mes épreuves et mes tribulations aux tiennes, génie. (Enough about me, though. There will be time to compare my trials and tribulations to yours, hotshot.)," Anais waved off, stopping Muchomon from going into any more details right now — the last thing Ace needed was further distractions.

"She waves it off, but in truth, that just makes me worry more," Muchomon chuckled with a sigh as he turned back to Cutemon. "Is your partner a handful to?"

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Event Five(The Blanket Snatcher Investigation)
#8A9A5B(Koemon) #85BB65(Ganemon)
Main Objective: Help The Koemon With Their Investigation
Sub-Objective: Learn About the Blanket Snatcher

Interactions: Twist (Bushi Agumon) Azurian Dream (Raven/Wormmon)
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Wormmon watched as the saurion pettily denied Jinx's rule about drinking his last root beer. She gasped as if he had committed a crime, though Raven rolled her eyes at the dino's equally childish antics, but she did wear a humorous smile as he started a war he had no idea he would lose later. As the party moved on, Raven stifled a laugh once again at Bushi Agumon's attempt to be intense, which was overshadowed by Lopmon's adorableness as she thought a ghost plagued her. On top of siphoning off the saurian threats with the rule of cool, it was Raven's turn to give the dino an evil smile as his ego got a taste of deflation.

"The votes of the many outweigh the votes of the few... Besides, we can't leave him here; someone might step on him or snatch him by accident... again," Raven validly pointed out as they were currently in the middle of a large fog, after all. Given that leaving him somewhere visible would more likely than not get Ganemon snatched by someone who misconceived him as just a coin. With the matter temporarily resolved, the group enacted their plans. With both Bushi Agumon's sword and Lopmon's ears, the dual vacuum cleared out a good chunk of the mist.

"YAY TEAM WORK," Wormmon cheered, having slithered in between where Lopmon and Bushi Agumon were with an offering of multiple high-fives on both sides.

"Good job, peeps," Raven chimed with a thumbs up to Lopmon, and a nod to the saurian, as he did deserve credit. Though, as Raven observed, the area they had cleared out, she was disappointed to find no sight of a lone Koemon. The gaggle of monkeys started to panic as it seemed like their friends' kidnapping had become more and more a solid theory.

"LOOK THERE," Wormmon blurted, pointing not to the clear but to a tree that the duo's attacks had thinned out a bit, revealing a tail poking out of the mist next to a tree. In a chaotic hurdle, the five monkeys ran over to the tree, waving their hands and tails in the air until enough mist had been moved to indeed reveal a sleeping Koemon. As the leader and two of the monkeys were gentle, trying to wake her, the two others, the same ones that had been hesitant at Ganemon's words, watched... as if waiting for some form of confirmation.

"Well, looks like Ganemon was right, a case of superstition," Raven sighed in relief, though a bit disappointed that everything had turned out to be a fluke, but knew the less happy to help out. Yet still in the back of her head, there was that nagging voice of irritation. Though before that could creep fully in, she remembered something else.

"Oh, Lopmon, I hadn't got a chance, but are you and Róisín alright since that hill incident? I realized we never got a chance to ask what happened up there," Raven chimed, kneeling down to pat the helpful bunny while also checking on Ganemon. Who was still unconscious, though now showed signs of disorientation, added to the mix, and while this case had turned into a bust, something he had said... oddly bothered her.

"OH THAT'S RIGHT LOPMON YOU WERE SO BIG, AND HAIRY," Wormmon expressed, expanding her arms out, remembering the madness of how much expansion Lopmon had jumped through in her evolution. Though for Raven, she asked for another reason, Lopmon hadn't seemed in control when it had happened, and from Ancient Sphinxmon's words alone, it sounded like something intense had happened to Róisín up there.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Event Six(The Tent of Past Acts)
#9B111E(Hanumon)
Main Objective: Figure Out About "The Tent of Past Acts"
Sub-Objective: Interact With Hanumon

Interactions: Pumpkid (Ruth/Impmon/Terriermon), RedArmyShogun (Ji-Su/Commandramon)
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Hanumon watched as the girl panicked and ran, his concerns about her being clearly visible... she was clearly troubled. Terriermon's words only confirmed that... and Hanumon felt for him. Hanumon listened to the bunny's troubles, thinking about the best way to help a fellow troupe member... those he was responsible for.

"It's people like her that are why I dreamed of making this circus," Hanumon softly spoke, patting the rabbit with his free hand, chuckling at Terriermon's hungry theory, picking him up to place the bunny on his shoulder so they could talk more directly. However, before he could speak further, he turned to Ji-Su, who had made her decision to go in. He nodded to the older woman, accepting her wishes and reasons as he moved out of her way, pulling the entrance wide open for her.

Though her partner had different feelings about Ruth's actions, it was clear that the human cared for the girl who had run away. He respected her determination to show Ruth the machine was safe by braving it alone. Once she entered, Hanumon let go of the secure flap sealing Ji-Su and Commandramon inside. For a moment, he worried, but he let it pass as he turned to his shoulder where the bunny rested.

"Humans are unique creatures, their emotions are wildly different than ours... so much stress, and so much plight from being taken from their homes. That's why I decided to create the circus—to give them a place that could help them. But recently, I have realized this is only a distraction for them... a break from the pain. Humans need much more nourishing experiences to get over their problems... but I hold to this dream of mine because, within its fun, it does give them room to breathe even if only for a moment," Hanumon spoke the most he had ever in his life, which would no doubt catch Terriermon off guard.

Thus, if you want to help her, give her that nourishment by assisting her in finding experiences that will set her free from the pain, little one. Though, if I may say, a good cheese pretzel never hurts to soothe the belly. Hanumon nodded to Terriermon, his tired and disgruntled eyes closing for a moment as he gave a slight grin at his silly suggestion at the end, resting against the tent where he would stay until Ji-Su came out.

..............................................

Ji-Su experienced a wave of memories; the mirrors and fog expanded and contracted with the intensity of the memories until they began to fade away. The machine with strange green metal plating reappeared as easily and ethereally as it had disappeared initially. As it rested dormant and unassuming, the vial she reached for suddenly popped out with little resistance in her grasp.

Though it was noticeable, it had lost some of its contents, with less fill than when she first saw it. That distraction alone was enough for her not to notice the vials slowly rotating until the orange one came into view directly in front of her, bubbling for a moment before spraying her with an orange mist. For a moment, nothing would seem different, until Ji-Su realized that this time Commandramon had completely disappeared.

A series of mirrors closes in on Ji-Su like a circle, all reflecting her fully as an unsettling foreign feeling enters her senses... uneasiness. Not of her own making, but there nonetheless. One mirror of the pack swings open slowly like a door as the reflections turn pitch black with the words Game Over appearing in bright red. From the only opening, a single mirror hall appears with a light revealing something currently unseeable out in the distance.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Event Seven(The Repairs Needed)
(Kurnecoff)
Main Objective: Fixing the Wagon
Sub-Objective: Interact With Kurnecoff

Interactions: @Matreania (Eliam/Salamon) Twist (Tentomon)
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Kurnecoff gave a grunt of acknowledgment as Eliam thanked him, working carefully to finish the repairs quickly. He didn't want to stay here long; he had heard stories about dangers on these roads... nothing certain, but no less worrying when several tall tales matched details. The older man paused for a moment to glance at his partner, who was resting near the wagon, keeping a vigilant eye on Tentomon like a guard dog as the insect slept. Of course, Kurnecoff had asked his partner to see all the hard work the insect performed to get them all this far in the intense weather that had struck the nights before.

"Dayte mne instrumenty, a vy mozhete posmotret'.(Hand me tools, and you may watch.)" Kurnecoff said he had finished the floorboard repairs on the back wagon. However, before starting on the front, he needed to fix the axle cylinder on the broken wheel of the back wagon. Moving to that wheel, he began requesting certain tools from Eliam as he started to try an interesting tactic. Although the axle seemed fine, Kurnecoff was more concerned about the cylinder. He held the wheel in place with two heavy wrenches, wedging them against the ball axle pole, and then pulled it out. his suspicions were proven correct as the wrenches clenched something and caused an intense pop before the axle came off the wheel.

"Iz-za vakuumnogo davleniya koleso vrezalos' v stolb.(Vacuum pressure is why the wheel caved into the pole.)," Kurnecoff mumbled to no one in particular, though it was clear he was sharing knowledge with Eliam. An interesting thing to note was that the inside cylinder of the wheel looked quite familiar, similar to the inside of the puzzle cylinder Eliam had... if the idea was to work in reverse, applying pressure to the part still locked rather than exerting pressure on the open end... it might have been possible to pop the lock through a forced vacuum.

As this was happening, some of the Koemon around them surprisingly showed no interest in what was going on and didn't even flinch at the massive popping sound that had even made Kurnecoff jump. However, they didn't stay long, as they moved on to metalwork and woodwork projects in the area, focusing intently on their work, which was unexpected given their usual charismatic nature seen in their dancing act brethern.

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Extra Event Eight(What Happens When You Laze About)
(Lianpumon) (Kougamon) #9F000F(Piemon)
Main Objective: Help Out ??? "Mei"be
Sub-Objective: Figure Out what the hell the carpet monkey is saying?

Interactions: @galvanismgal
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Kougamon looked up in confusion, whiplashed in cream with a cherry on top, as the woman waved him off as if he was nothing. But then she completely gave him the information he needed... well, he thought she did. Apparently, there were two people who fit the bill? One named Arii, the other Roisin. Human names were weird. Kougamon pondered the complexity of humans. Which one of those was a boy's name? Why couldn't she have just said one of them had a Salamon? That would have made things way easier... though he dared not ask for fear of it being seen as weird.

Also, this female already seemed irritated enough to if he pushed further, there was a potential she could sic her bio-partner on him... and who's to say she couldn't digivolve them and worse. In his current condition, he barely stood a chance against a wet paper bag, much less a fellow champion. Though the moment Mei... mentioned a clown, Kougamon had a face of confusion before going wide-eyed at the sight of a mega... dropping down... on its knees?

"WHY IS SHE SO MEAN, I'VE NEVER MET SOMEONE SO "RUTH"LESS. WOE TO THE ONE THAT SUFFERS THE SLINGS AND ARROWS OF THOSE DODGING THE FUN TO "MEI"BE BE HAD ACROSS THIS FINE SHOWS OF ATTRACTIONS," As Piedmon dropped to the ground crying it became very evident he had gone out of his way to get there names... and was still feeling the sting hilariously from Ruths earlier actions. As he wept, he pulled out a handkerchief, drying his eyes as the strange sounds of sizzling caught him, open them wide to realize he had used a very well-lit bomb to...

KABOOM

Piemons' face was covered in black soot, straight out of a cartoon scene. He turned to Mei, hoping that this would change the situation or perhaps even bring a smile to her face, but all he got was a clear indication that she was not interested in the tricks of his trade. Standing fully up, he dropped into a defeated slump and walked away in defeat. Kougamon stood there, baffled by all that had happened, turning to Mei no with a hint of high concern, he was dealing with a human of high status.

"Thank you? I think I'd better go... you... clearly have more important things going on," he hesitantly chuckled, unsure of what he was meddling with, and had no desire to find out as he bolted off in one of two directions. This only left Lianpumon, who, upon seeing the other two "actors," retreated, swapping his mask for a happier, albeit derpy, Gomamon mask. He applauded while standing atop his folding chair at Meis’s defeat of her theatrical foes... it was a somewhat odd act they had witnessed. Yet, it was intriguingly different and unique as an entertainment, nonetheless.

Sensing the performance was over and its presence overstayed, Lianpumon hopped off its chair and folded it before it ran up to Black Gabumon, who it thought was the director, as it vigorously shook its hand before nodding to Mei, and heading off not sure of its destination before it halted at the sight of a huge flame roaring up off in the distance.. with a long monkeyed "Oooooooooh," it quickly found its next destination placing its O faced Sunflomon mask back on before for fun leaving Mei alone on the mist covered grounds.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

[Scatterbrain]

Ace's attempts at impressing everyone had fallen flat, quite literally, and he felt flushed with embarrassment the moment he felt Anais’ hand wrapped around his arm. He had hoped, rather foolishly, that maybe she, and the others, hadn’t seen him wipe out, before even managing to make the shot, but of course they had. They would of had to of been blind to miss it. As she helped him to his feet, Ace kept his gaze on the floor rather than meet her eyes and when she asked if it was more than just his leg, he just nodded his head.

Cutemon helped from behind as Anais guided Ace back to the ball dispenser. Without a word, the Fairy Digimon immediately set about using their Healing Glow on their partner's back and bad leg. A warm, gentle glow seeped through Ace's body and some of the pain ebbed away but unfortunately the same couldn't be said for the humiliation. He closed his eyes, letting Cutemon work their magic as Anais and Muchomon spoke. When Muchomon revealed his partner's condition, they shot open again.

Stage 1 Hypertension with Target Organ Damage.

Ace blinked a few times. He had no idea what that meant exactly but he knew it was bad. He’d been under the impression, though maybe he’d misunderstood or misremembered, that being digital meant you were invincible but if she still had to worry about something like that here... What would that mean for him? His mind filled with questions but Anais quickly shut down any further discussion of the matter. She didn’t want pity and Ace could understand that all too well. Cutemon finished their work with a final sweep of light across his leg and stepped back, offering him a small, worried smile. “Thanks.” Ace told them, as he climbed fully to his feet.

Reinvigorated by the pink rabbit’s Healing Glow, and the quiet solidarity of knowing he wasn’t the only one fighting invisible battles, Ace bent to pick up the first ball. He met Anais’ eyes for a moment then he started again. Muchomon's chuckling question was met with a small but genuine smile from Cutemon. "Mhm." They answered, feeling slightly better knowing someone understood what they were going through.

The first shots hit their mark but he missed the last two, despite doing nothing different. His brow furrowed for a moment as he retrieved the final ball, before returning his full focus to the task at hand. Ace took a steadying breath in as he lined up for the dunk and Cutemon watched on with bated breath. When he broke into a run, he felt the pain in his knee again but far less pronounced this time, allowing him to push through, and yet, he noticed his footing fell off on the sloop and he just couldn't seem to pick up the necessary speed.

He launched himself up and forward but fell just short off the hoop. He tossed the ball in mid air, hoping to make the shot, before falling into the net below. He climbed out of the net with a grunt and took a moment to look the machine over. He scratched the back of his head as he tried to figure out what might of gone wrong before joining the others back near the ball dispenser for his third and final round.

Azurian Dream

 

[Twist]

Kimi's googles were aglow as the bonfire roared to life, her mouth instinctively forming an O in silent wonder. She followed Flamon with her gaze as he rested for a moment beside a huge Garapon. Sickly greens and sinister purples gave vivid live to the flames of the hellscape of which ensconced the fire of the ultimate hero. Kimi found herself holding her locket, letting it see the light of day as she came face to face with her hero upon the Garapon, locked in battle with the magma spewing mega Volcanicdramon. Wargeymon looked upon Wargreymon, as she undid the lock and warmth filled her chest.

Head a little higher now, the whole scene fuelled by the exuberance of Flamon reminded Kimi of only a few days when she met Gazimon and Gryzmon and she played the role of a hero to Mei's villain. It made her cringe still but it did bring the smile back to her face. As Flamon threw down the gauntlet, Kimi couldn't refuse the task set upon her. It may have only been a lottery wheel but a challenge was a challenge and the "Cool Girl" would rise to the occasion.

Reaching for the lever, the crank was heavy in her hand as fitting the monstrous machine that lay before her. Channelling the support of Gryzmon and Gazimon she could feel their palms on hers as she turned the lever of the Garapon. Steadily the lug of a lever turned and turned until a shimmering silver ball rolled from the massive machine. A good start but not the prize.

She tried again, more tired this time, the lever creaking until a limp black ball squeezed out from the Garapon. The spirit of Mei was certainly in this draw she thought, a candid challenge from her friend to do better. She took a breath, breathing deep through her mouth. The strength had gone from her arm so she would need to switch to her weaker one with her last pull.

Steeling herself, she switched position to feel something suddenly, silently come up behind her. Expecting an oddly absent Cardmon U2, Kimi turned to come face to face with her partner. "Tentomon?"

The little ladybug was strangely silent as she stood beside another Digimon, the purple blocker Vilemon. As her Digivice beeped at the entry of a new Digimon, it took the weary wildcard a second to realise the two digimon had no bodies as they floated on a lake of black... She looked higher, past a sea of faces and four white woolly appendages to come face to mask with the newest entry in her Digivice, Lianpumon. "Hello" she stated. "I'll only be a minute if you wanted a go next?"

She rested her tired arm on the lever of the formidable FoTTHGG and could feel already her muscles wanting. "Sorry." she said, apologising to the masked mon "I may be a bit"

Though she was spent, there was no way Kimi was giving up now. Just one more pull. She just needed a minute....

--------------

The super swordsmans senses were as sharp as his katana, a genuine smile creasing his snout like a repeat of the hidden one when he overheard the lingering Lopmon in the tent. She gave him his honest due, her voice carrying in the silence as the mist shrivelled away. Striding ahead, he slowed his steps as the wind changed and a pocket pressure front ploughed ahead, the fog exploding at the crux of the attack. He caught up to the top like terrier, standing beside her. His head moved down minutely, B-A giving the smallest of nods only for Wormon to interrupt. Wriggling between them, the saurian scoffed. What had the Worm done to share in it's own praise?

He turned away and scanned the area. A cry from the insect and Bushi-Agumon was straight after the monkeys. Pushing between a couple behind, as the others tried to rouse the missing maiden gently, he ignored subtly. "Where is the Blanket Snatcher?" he demanded, poking the Monmon with the sharp end of his blade.

 

[RedArmyShogun]

Having gotten what she wanted out of this at least, it was in short order that Ji-Su would find the machine seemingly operating of its own accord exposing her to an orange liquid that quickly turned into a gas, coughing a bit and trying to get clear of it. Too little, too late. As the orange mist enveloped her, the machine vanished, and so did Commandramon.

Unease flooded into her and fear, fear of what? Fear, afraid, alone, game over? A sign that said as much flashed before her as she went into what could best be described as psychosis, the room was really fucking with her here. Pressing the fear button hard, but she knew it was not fear of her own making. A joke from the machine, some other sort of lesson?

"FUCK YOU! IT ISN'T OVER, I'll NEW GAME PLUS! I'LL HIT YOUR DAMN MIRROR IN THE FACE! I'LL BREAK ALL OF THIS! I'm gonna have me some fun, I'm gonna have me some fun, gonna have me some fun..." Repeating this she would elbow and shoulder check her way through the new path open before her, as if determined to destroy whatever was the cause of this, her mindset racked constantly between logical deduction and primal fear of having lost everyone and everything, with dogged determination and a demand for vengeance she stalks forward, down the mirror hall, taking a swing every so often at whatever she seen. "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU COMMANDRAMON!?"

~~~~
For a moment, something rattled like a series of metallic chains that crawled unseen all around the woman, as the sight of a massive, slowly spinning pinwheel at the end of the long hallway drew closer. As Ji-Su bashed herself against the nearing end, she would witness that the pinwheel was strung with Commandramon's outfit, empty without the saurian itself... hollow.

As her voice echoed, uncontrolled by her emotions, she sensed a blade-like presence closing in on her.It wasn't visible, but its strange curve pressed against her body... something had her in its grip... something hollow, just like...

As quickly as her senses overloaded, the unnatural fear faded away... the mirrors cracked, and the whole world went black. As the pinwheel stopped spinning, shrinking down until turning into Commandramon in full in front of her. The smell of gunpowder filled the air, and if she were to turn to the machine, she would see that a well-placed shot had shattered the orange vial. It seemed the commando had tried to tear the machine apart with relentless fire, but the black marks on the unaffected green metal plates showed that it was ineffective.

~~~~
Gasping for air as the shots registered, she was curious about what she had intended to attack, processing what she seen. The empty gear and weapons of her partner... Had she ever thought of him as such? As being empty? Commandramon had his quirks and may have been a cyborg, but she didn't find him to be nothing.

Collapsing to her knees as her senses returned, she would turn to Commandramon who was holding his rifle at the ready with his scanner eye sweeping over Ji-Su. "This Unit finds subject Ji-Su to have elevated heart and perspiration levels. Statement, psychological stress inflicted by unknown gas forced reaction of armed force against the machine."

"Ha?..." Processing what happened, finding Commandramon there, pondering what she had attempted as her breathing slows, composing herself.

"Commandramon, get me the hell out of here."

"Affirmative, follow closely."

And so the duo backtracked and left this peculiar attraction.

 

[Pumpkid]

• Ruth
• Terriermon

• 
  
  Ruth Valentine & Impmon
  
  
  Tags: ScatheAriiasqDrayceon Azurian Dream​
  
  
  
  Taking a detour before returning to the attraction did not go as expected, especially watching a game of black jack on a unicycle between Arii, and Shoutmon. Both Ruth, and Impmon were dumbstruck by the scene. It didn’t seem like Arii’s taste to gamble. In fact, it’s surprising as hell. It brought out a good laugh from Impmon. To think the quirky kid has a hidden sin, and by the looks of it, they’re not to be underestimated. Impmon rubs his chin, and grins with intrigue. “Well, whaddya know. The kid is a natural.” His comment had Ruth second-guess what type of person Arii is. They were a ball of unpredictability.
  
  Ruth watched in awe as Arii braved a unicycle until they nearly fell, but managed to get back up. She nearly jumped in to attend them. The slight scare had her frozen, and shaking, yet Arii showed tenacity to win. Their smirk said it all which inspired her. They were skittish, and uptight, but overall they stood their ground much like her for whatever reason. She wondered what went through their head. How do they feel about taking a unicycle? What drives them? Right now she needs some guidance on how to approach her fears. Her eyes fixated on the match as Arii refused to let up. She clutches her shirt over her chest hoping no harm comes to them. The concussion was starting to heal, and no heavy activity must be done, or else it will turn fatal.
  
  The spotlight suddenly fell on her as Shoutmon asked her about Arii’s chances of winning. All eyes fell on her, and once again that feeling of being judged overwhelmed her. Her heart began to race, breathing became a struggle turning into heavy breaths. It could be heard over the comms. They’re probably pitying her, wondering why she’s freaking out. She swore she could hear people’s thoughts. Her anxiety started rising, but thankfully, Impmon took notice. He intercepts by jumping up, and down trying to get Shoutmon’s attention. “Hey! Hey! Why don’tcha ask me? I know exactly what she’s thinki’n.” Ruth snapped out of it, turning to Impmon as he puffed his chest. “I know the kid, and I also know that they’re tough. Which means despite how low of a rank they are, they’re definitely gonna rise to the top. I wouldn’t underestimate’em.” He raises his head toward Ruth. “Right?”
  
  Ruth meets Impmon’s eyes. She felt a swirl of conflicting emotions for them. She felt grateful they stood up for her, but she still feared the virus types. She sucked in her lips, and nodded. “Y-yep! Arii is full of surprises.” While she didn’t know Arii well, she wasn’t lying about how astonishing they were. She glances up at the person. “You got this. I believe in you. Most importantly…please don’t fall unless you want me to touch you again.” She knew Arii disliked any kind of contact, but how else will they be nursed?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Terriermon
  
  
  
  Tags: Azurian Dream RedArmyShogun​
  
  
  
  Terriermon raised his head as Hanumon confessed the purpose of the circus. He spoke about it with tenderness, empathizing with humans similar to Ruth’s case. He didn’t expect to see this side of Hanumon. It was nice. At the same time, Ruth drew something out of Hanumon much like it did for him. They were a special case to be able to do that. Terriermon was even more astounded when picked up, and set on their shoulders. It’s his favorite spot to sit on with giants. Being able to overlook everything from their height. “I had no idea. No wonder I like this place.” He crossed his arms as Hanumon held him still. “You should talk to her yourself if it’s what you believe. Standing around having thoughts of your own won’t help anyone with struggles, don’t you think? Having one on one time to understand what they’re feeling helps you find the perfect way to cheer them up. Maybe that’s how you can get back to your passion.”
  
  In the time Terriermon has joined the circus, he has noticed how tired Hanumon is as if losing his aspirations. They were originally the ring leader, but no longer. There shouldn’t be one leader unless they enjoy their retirement, but evidently it seems like they’re bored out of their mind. “Nothing is ever too late to pick up where you started.”
  
  Terriermon nodded, taking in the old man’s wisdom. “A pretzel, huh? They are soft, and tasty. We should get one together, and offer it to-” Before Terriermon could finish, Ji-su’s voice breaks out as if aggravated. His long ears lift to hear them clearly, and looks over at the tent. “I wonder if she’s okay.” Gunshots echo, causing Terriermon to duck as a knee-jerk reaction.