Open; Tonight Tonight Tonight

[asheaveniswide]

Who: Zenos viator Galvus, Gabumon, Mystery Guests
What: Catch-all/intro/etc
Where: Access City
When: Early May
Warnings: Some behavior may be deemed offensive, violent or inciting. Do not use as a projectile. Sudden acceleration to dangerous speeds may cause injury. This Garlean is not designed to sustain gross weight exceeding 12,000 lbs. May contain the following: gore, mayhem, swords, scythes, violence, obsession, Gabumon, speeches, ennui, Endwalker spoilers and a lack of morals. Do not eat. Mis-use may adversely affect your health. Store in a cool, dry place.



In The Dark Of The Night

It's late. Very late; dawn might only be a handful of hours away, and the shadows are deep and all-consuming, the halos of streetlights and the glow from windows comforting pools of light in an otherwise dark and gloomy night.

And in the dark is the sound of something heavy being dragged. And rather slowly at that. There's much that could be getting towed about in Access City, but this ... also has the metallic scent of blood with it, and sharp eyes might note a long path through the patches of darkness where lamp and street light don't touch, marked in drying red. The generalized path, if one were to follow it for any length of time, seems to be headed towards where the arrived Tamers have been offered homes, albeit in a route that seems maximized to try to stay hidden.

But not much can be hidden forever, and as the persistent efforts of dragging rasp through the space between two buildings, it stops for a time - just long enough for a lone black-pelted Gabumon to peek out, eyes bright and alert, to see if anyone might have noticed, then disappear back into the alley in a Completely Unsuspicious Way. Nothing at all is happening here, surely!

In the shadows between buildings, a blond man lay in the ground, blood-speckled fingers neatly folded across his belly, eyes closed. The blood's either his or on something he's wearing, the coat rather fancy to quick glance but awfully ragged about the shoulders, full of tears and punctures, and he himself not moving. Definitely breathing, and there's a twitch now and again as Gabumon once more seizes the shoulder of his jacket in sharp teeth and begins hauling him backwards along the ground bit by bit by bit. He must be rather heavy, by the way the small digimon has to dig in all four sets of claws to get enough purchase to move his considerable bulk.

That digimon has been at it for quite a long time now by the trail. Persistence pays off, surely, sooner or later!!

The Stale Cold Smell Of Morning

With sunrise and some Adventures at night, Gabumon has ventured out presumably on his own! What's one more Gabumon, really? Sure, he's got black fur instead of white, but that's not that uncommon!

What might be more uncommon is the way he's weighing the morning crowds, looking, listening, searching for -- Aha!

What he needs is humans. Or what looks enough like humans; any will do, and as soon as he spots one that doesn't look particularly dangerous, he approaches with all apparent boldness. A tap on an elbow, or tug on a hem - anything he needs to do to get some attention will do!

"Excuse me! You're a human, right?" It's never wise to assume! There's some awfully human looking digimon.

Comments

[asheaveniswide]

Tiny teeth, tiny bites. Cutting it up did make sense, a lot could be accomplished with some tools and dedication!! Not that Gabumon had any such need, nor likely did Elecmon. The information is nonetheless stored away for later, it might prove relevant while trying to find Zenos appropriate things to eat.

He stops suddenly, squinting up at the building nearest- it's not the one he'd originally been heading for. "That sounds like flying." Levitation, getting off the air. Maybe humans were like wizardmon. But there's no actual answer to any of those questions! Perfectly reasonable to ask if it's best to stay behind for a minute, but Gabumon just gestures for Elecmon to follow and dives through the doors of the nearer building. In theory Themis COULD get through but they're definitely made for more normal sized beings.

Meanwhile he seems to know where he's going finally; it could be any other bit of housing. He scrambles up a flight of stairs, fully expecting Elecmon to follow, grabs a door seemingly at random and flings it open."I'm back! And I brought a friend. Maybe a friend for you too!"

The apartment is exactly as barebones as they were upon acquisition, with the very bare basics. A bed, a table, likely a washroom, a nice big window, and Zenos sitting in front of it watching the digipeople below with narrowed eyes. Themis is likely down there as well - but there's hardly more than a glance to acknowledge Gabumon's presence as he all but bounces across the room, STRETCHES to reach the windowsill and without so much as a by your leave flings the window open and stretches a bit more on tiptoe to peek out.

Zenos turns narrowed eyes to Elecmon, and then the window. "What," is the dry, not entirely pleasant rasp, "Are you going on about? What is that?"

"Who, not what! That's Elecmon, and that's another Tamer there." Gabumon points out the window, with one claw. "They're going to help me figure out what you need."

Either Zenos has fantastic control or simply lacks the ability to react to much, given the utterly bland way this information is received. But he does look out the window, and probably does expect to see a rather ordinary hyur or something.

There's a single blink. That's as far as any kind of reaction gets.

[fallenstarmagnet]

It's a little like flying! At least the beginning of it. Themis does grin a little at this but doesn't try to over-explain it since it's clear Gabumon is in a rush to enter the building they've finally arrived at. Elecmon follows and Themis waits patiently. This is important because not only is it polite not to try and peek in before he's announced, it'll prevent any accidents concerning the outflung windows and some part of Themis's head in the immediate future.

Woah, this guy is pretty tall among the other Tamers (besides Themis and Erichthonios). But not nearly as tall. Thoughts of this nature bring Elecmon to smugly nod her head before being interrupted by the sound of Zenos's voice. Something about it briefly made her ears draw back but she firmly flicks them forward once more and puts on a bright expression.

"Hi!" If things go pear-shaped, surely Themis will have her back! Besides this guy's a Tamer so he can't be all bad. Right? Thus she's already taking her pack off and bringing it around to rummage through. Lo, a box with sandwiches and a piece of fruit and a box of juice emerge.

"Gabumon told me you might be hungry, so I wanted to give you this meal. And Themis is outside, if you want to talk to him! What's your name?" That's enough information about what's going on here right? So she steps forward to offer the items. Of course this is going while Gabumon is trying to direct his attention outside so who knows how it'll pan out.

Outside, the Amaurotine has watched as the window was opened. There may well be a foot or so left to make it easy to see in. He certainly could stand on his tiptoes but for the moment chooses to continue looking up. Opening a window and seeing the blonde man blinking down at his presence isn't exactly an invitation however.

So Themis smiles. "Are you the one Gabumon spoke about? He asked Elecmon and I to come over and see if you've any needs. I hope we aren't disturbing you?" Themis looks like a hyur at least. And from his perspective would be a perfectly normal man.

[asheaveniswide]

It's an appropriate reaction. There's something not right with the blond man, and that isn't only the measuring way Elecmon is studied, as if she's being sized up as a potential target - and Themis as well. Gabumon is aware of it as well, but chooses deliberately to disregard it, as if by pretending there isn't something off somewhere, then it wouldn't actually BE off.

With excruciating slowness, his gaze shifts from Themis to the sandwich, fruit and juice box. How... utterly mundane a meal. And held by animals' paws no less. While Zenos does wait until the little red creature is done speaking, he turns his attention without any sort of verbal acknowledgement back to the white-robed Ancient outside. Of the two, it's the latter that holds more potential at first blush, and that because the voice is ... rather familiar. But the appearance and behavior certainly is not.

It's a large world. He could be mistaken. But instead of actually answering ANYTHING they say directly..

One calloused hand rises to make a small gesture. "Lift your cowl and don your mask." It's stated, not a request, as if he expects to be obeyed without hesitation, and Gabumon visibly winces. They were both being so nice and Zenos is ... well, doing exactly what he'd been doing since he arrived.

"Please don't be upset, my tamer can be a little.. um, abrupt, but he means well!"He's sure of it! He's completely wrong of course but he sounds SO utterly convinced that maybe he can be convincing in turn as he sidles over to his fellow digimon, voice dropping to a low whisper. Zenos is aware there's whispering going on but his hearing's not so fine as to know what."This is what I mean, I think he needs some kind of care I'm not providing. He should be a lot friendlier, shouldn't he?"

[fallenstarmagnet]

Elecmon might be overly curious and at times sticks her nose in too far, but she's not entirely foolish. Her instincts suggest she stay on high alert, even if she's putting her faith in Themis's protection, her own skills and a positive attitude.

Privately she suspects it's going to take more than a positive attitude to help Gabumon's partner though. Also she knows when she's been snubbed.

"I'll just put it over here." It might be a tiny bit forced but determinedly the digimon brings the items to the room's table and places them on it. She won't give up that easy on helping this fellow. Even if Zenos is dangerous it was Gabumon that asked for help.

When Zenos turns his attention to Themis, Elecmon seems content to settle in and watch carefully... while whispering to Gabumon. "Most Tamers seem to be friendlier," she slowly and reluctantly agrees. "But... digimon can be friendly and not. And I know Tamers have different personalities. So maybe yours is one of the extremes? Or maybe something terrible happened before he was brought here."

It's clear she doesn't really know. And she's never been in a situation that's quite like Zenos.

Meanwhile Themis seems to weather the first words that come from Zenos rather well. His expression doesn't change, nor the pleasant smile.

"It's fine, Gabumon. I'm not offended by his request." ...Yes, request. And Themis truly seems to consider it no more or less despite the tone Zenos made his command with. It also comes as no surprise; given he's already met two individuals who seem used to his people.

The second-nature ease and dignity of drawing his cowl up is only marred slightly by a brief rustle in the depths of the fabric to make sure Elecmon hadn't left anything behind. Themis turns his face down and lifts the mask into place before looking back to the figure in the window. He remains silent, though his head does tilt a bit as if questioning what Zenos might have to say about him now.

Elecmon whispers to Gabumon, "You should totally go look. Themis doesn't wear his hood up much any more and he looks a bit cool and spooky." Absolutely helpful.

[asheaveniswide]

"..When I found him, I thought he looked like he'd recently lost a really big fight."Maybe something terrible did happen after all! How to approach that eludes Gabumon, but the insight Elecmon may have accidentally offered is something he's going to keep in mind. If Zenos had lost an important fight, he could have a lot of bruised feelings! That might explain a lot!

Zenos however is pointedly not paying attention to the whispers going on in the room. There are more important things afoot, like Themis doing as bidden, and his eyes narrow. There's no sudden shock or recognition, more ... confirmation than anything else. As Elecmon suggests Gabumon take a look, the dark furred digimon sidles back over to the window to try to peek out again.

"I have encountered one of your kind before." There's still no real inflection to his tone. But him recognizing an Amaurotine, mask up ..almost unsurprising, given others have recognized Ancients here too! "But your manner of dress is far less colorful."

.. But that's a description that doesn't really apply to Amaurotines much. Colorful? Black robes or white is hardly colorful. The Watcher had been starkly boring to deal with, no challenge and no fight.

"..What colors did the other one wear?" Gabumon can BARELY see over the edge, and he's doing his best. There's a hood! And a mask!

"A rainbow of pastels, which glittered in the light of the star."

[fallenstarmagnet]

Elecmon's going to be helpful here! Even though a part of her doesn't really want to get in grabbing range of Zenos, Gabumon does need help looking over the window ledge. And she did want him to see! So she comes up and will bunch under him to boost him to proper lookout height if he's willing!

"Here, let me help!"

Themis isn't surprised at all. A small creature that has 'met his kind before'. It's almost the norm in the Digital World among Tamers.... relatively speaking. Three, now? Though he does entertain that perhaps Erichthonios had met him at an earlier time this is soon dismissed.

Colorful, pastels and glittery does not describe the Warder's attire.

But one possibility (among others) does present itself for consideration.

"That is certainly unusual. Is it possible you mistook someone's familiar for one of us?" If that's the case, Zenos has seen a familiar of a more common stature. "Their attire is often more fanciful. Though without having met such a person myself, it's possible you met someone in a moment of whimsy." Both are intriguing thoughts and seem equally possible. Themis also grins faintly. Rainbow robes glittering in the light of the star? What a wonderful image, however it may be a touch inappropriate for an Amaurotine.

Breaking out of his musings, Themis focuses once more on Zenos. "Ah, forgive me. The possibilities continue to be very interesting to think about and I've yet to introduce myself. My name is Themis. Could I have your name?"

[asheaveniswide]

There's a surprised squeak when Gabumon is lifted enough to actually see better, there's a brief scrabble of claws on windowsill as if he expects to suddenly be let go but when that doesn't happen, he has more leisure to simply look!

And Themis, hood and mask in place, has lost all recognizably defining features except his voice, and it is indeed a little disturbing! Gabumon glances down, voice quiet. "Are you sure he's not some wizardmon evolution we don't know about yet?" It's a perfectly legitimate question.

"Unless your familiars run about in identical outfits save for color, and share similar stature and bearing, then no, I have made no mistake." There's a brief edge to his tone, as if it's a bit insulting to even be QUESTIONED about it. "Though I cannot say if it was whimsy or not, for our interactions were limited by time." And a certain lack of interest if he were perfectly honest, the Watcher simply hadn't been interesting to challenge and thus was irrelevant. "Were I to venture a guess I would call the situation rather dire however, and not fanciful."

Not that he had ANYTHING to do with that.

There isn't an immediate response when asked his name, as if weighing if Themis was worthy of such a grant as what to call him. "Zenos." No calling to any form of Galvus, for it's not required.

[fallenstarmagnet]

"I'm sure." Really, Elecmon is and should be in a position of authority on the matter, given she rides around on his shoulders and in his hood all the time. But her next words, presented as if they're unassailable logic, are what cinch the deal for her.

"There's no way he wouldn't need to eat more to keep up that level of evolution!" Prove Elecmon wrong!

Does Themis hear the conversation going on between the two digimon? Maybe. But Zenos is the focus of his own interest right now, both per Gabumon's request and with this realization of yet another who has at the very least encountered a familiar if not one of Themis's own people engaged a somewhat indiscreet indulgence. Of course the Amaurotine won't be phased that the Garlean prince is a bit insulted but it will be noticed.

"Forgive me. Though in answer to your question it's not uncommon. The size of the familiars I've encountered here is far more unusual in my experience. Attire would be made that's suited for their purpose or environment." The cowl dips down briefly as Themis muses. Honestly there's a myriad of possibilities, from Zenos catching an Amaurotine with their proverbial pants down to a familiar whose master had thought they would look nice in shimmery robes.

"But I can't say you didn't encounter one of my kind either." Maybe Themis could review the aether and find out. But it doesn't seem to be necessary to do so. Not for something as trifling as mere curiosity about the matter. He looks up again. The cowl and mask haven't been removed but this probably because it doesn't occur to him to switch back to what others might consider the 'norm'. He'll remember eventually.

"Zenos. A pleasure to meet you. As you've been told, I am Themis." While his name has been dropped before, it seemed appropriate to bring it up during the reintroductions so to speak. The masked Amaurotine seems to be studying the tall blond man.

"When Gabumon spoke of finding you, he implied you might have been suffering from some type of ailment, if not injury. May I inquire whether you need some aid? I'm not unfamiliar with restorative magicks. Should any discomfort linger, I would be willing to see what I can do to help."