Subject: The First Dream(open) 339 views

[oneiros]

"Ok, I think I got it. Hien. That's what I'll call you."

"It has a nice tone to it. I think I can rock it."

Oneiros and his BlackGuilmon, now named Hien, exchanged a fist bump, sealing the deal. It had felt odd enough, having to give himself a new name, but to then give his partner its name as well was just a little ridiculous. Still, it was miserable to go through life without a name and his partner deserved one, especially one that was pretty cool. He'd always had an attachment to the name 'Hien' for no particular reason, other than it was a name that just radiated strength, much as his partner did.

A BlackGuilmon. He was certainly surprised it was one of the options available, having seen rumors of the chaos the stronger forms seemed to cause. Yet Hien seemed anything but chaotic. He was calm, collected, and seemed to match the cool attitude that Oneiros himself was portraying. Even in their conversation from Asuka City to here in Wire Forest, his surprising intelligence was simply fascinating to listen to. Not an ounce of instability or hostility was present and he seemed quite keen on the ideas that Oneiros had presented.

"Good. Well then, we can start with what I had suggested prior to naming you."

"Climbing to a top tamer rank is tough, Oneiros. Not many people tend to get their feet off the ground, even less can find the ability to fly. Not to mention the goals in addition to that. Making a statement loud enough for the whole world to hear and stopping any sort of negative activity in its tracks? You've got a tough road ahead of you."

"I'm well aware of the challenge level, much less the odds stacked against me. However, I have a promise to keep. And that promise entails me living out those dreams, no matter how difficult they seem to everyone else. Trust me when I say life has more than adequately given me the strength to overcome these obstacles. Also, the game has rewarded me already with a truly exceptional partner in you, Hien."

"The beauty of random generation. Regardless, I only wanted to make sure you were aware of the difficulty. I will happily stand by your side all the way to Tamer King. That's what partners are for."

Oneiros let a smile escape as the two continued to walk past a series of wires jutting out from the nearby trees. Tamer King would obviously be the last step, but it was still one of his biggest goals. However, it would take time, training, hard work, and lots and lots of frustration. He would be ready for it all, though, as would Hien. The first step was already in motion and, hopefully, others would be quick to join.

"A guild is an interesting first step." Hien chimed in. "It certainly will help you with making a name for yourself. Though I may not be connecting all the dots here..."

"Basically, it goes like this. Gather a group of players who all share like-minded ideals; ones of creating a fearless wolrd, getting stronger, and improving each other. Then comes the in-guild fighting and training. We gather experience amongst each other, learn the best techniques and battling styles. Then we hit, no, explode onto the public scene in tournaments. We catch the eye of the common player to the admins and from there, we continue to create a stir. Then it's just a matter of rising up to the top. By this point, I imagine we have enough of an influence that any malcontented user would be too afraid to cause trouble."

"Well, you have a lot of thought put into this. Count me in. As if I would've said no."

The two shared a laugh as they came to a crossroads of sort along the path they were walking. It was a nice stopping point, so Oneiros leaned against a tree while Hien trotted beside him and took a similar pose. They certainly were going to be an interesting team, but he couldn't ask for a better partner digimon. Together, they would make it.

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[cyanide]

"We're lost, aren't we?"

"Shut up!"

To all intents and purposes, yes, they were lost something fierce. How they had managed it was a different story altogether. One would think that leaving Asuka City, crossing through Central Park, and ending up in Wire Forest to get somewhere else would present little of an issue. But to the green-haired player and her small worm Digimon partner, it apparently offered nothing but trouble.

It felt like they were going in circles. Endless circles. It didn't help that she was downright dreadful with directions, and even less that Nox was no better than she was. Every time she proffered her own suggestion as to where to go next, it seemed like they got...more lost. It wasn't only confounding, but becoming irritating as well.

Cyanide paused abruptly in her tracks, frustration mounting. Of course, not paying much attention to her front, Nox simply bumped into her tamer's legs with a small squeak of surprise. "Nox! Huffing and whining, she turned to her partner. "Shouldn't you know where you're going? This is like, your home world or something isn't it?" She almost felt that, if Mewt were here, he'd know exactly where they were and where they would have to go to get out of the blasted place. The girl was tempted to message him, really. Pass it off as if she were just saying hi and wondering how he was getting along by himself and slowly but surely easing into weaseling how to get out of the forest.

That was a defeatist's attitude, though! And there was no way she was going to go through with it of her own volition. Over my dead body, she thought with conviction.

Looking almost embarrassed - it was hard to tell, with no eyes to really speak of on the worm Digimon - Nox scuffed the earthy floor with her small feet. "Wellll, normally that's true but...I'm kindaaa forgetful." Antennae waggling apprehensively at her Tamer's exasperated sigh, the DoKunemon quickly chirped, "B-but it's nothing to worry about! Not at all! We'll find a way out, no problem! It's just taking longer than usual. Time to march forward!" And with that, the small worm darted forward to take the lead as promised.

Eyes rolling, kicking the ground, Cyanide followed her companion. Well, it couldn't take much longer. There was no way! They'd wandered enough for an hour or so anyway. What a waste of time that was, too!

Eventually though, it really did feel like they were making some progress. At least, the trees and their wires looked as though they were slightly thinning out. That was something; better than nothing.

And lo and behold, an end to something wasn't the only thing they came to find.

"Ahoy, there!" Casually strolling up to the other Tamer and his BlackGuilmon, she planted her hands on her hips and sized the both of them up. A BlackGuilmon, huh? She had been tempted to pick out that Digimon in the beginning, too. So very tempted. But in the end, she had a feeling that a DoKunemon would represent her user better. It was a means to an ends, anyway.

"Normally I wouldn't say this, but boy, am I glad to see you. This forest is never-freaking-ending!" She pointedly glared around her. Stupid trees.

Looking timid at first but, once realizing the black Guilmon and its Tamer wouldn't lash out or anything of the sort, she piped up before Cyanide could frantically quiet her with vigorous shh'ing gestures. "We got lost!"

A facepalm.

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[oneiros]

Oneiros had closed his eyes for a few moments, formulating his ideas in his head when he heard the rustle of footsteps. As he opened his eyes, Hien had already shifted to in front of him, taking a precautionary defensive position before his tamer. His ears were perked and his nose was sniffing at the air furiously. Curious creatures Digimon were. Hien's body was at the ready, yet it was relaxed, not going to lash out without reason. He sank fully into a calm after a few moments as the strangers came more into view.

"A tamer and their partner. Shouldn't be any trouble."

"Well, glad to see we weren't ambushed within the first part of our journey! Still, thank you, Hien. It's most reassuring to know you're quick to defend me."

He patted the BlackGuilmon's head and brushed it thankfully before walking ahead to exam their 'guests.' A young woman and a DoKunemon emerged into the opening of the forest. DoKunemon was never a Digimon he considered as a partner, but one he certainly didn't dismiss for its usefulness. Every Digimon had something to offer, it really just came down to personal taste, at least he thought so. Perhaps there was a bit of fate involved in the options, but it was tough to say, what with it being a computer program.

Hien followed closely behind and the pair made their way slightly forward to meet their opposites. Oneiros hadn't thought the path through Wire Forest to be exceedingly difficult, but then again Hien was an excellent guide and they were able to navigate many of the twists and turns the path took to make it to this clearing. He couldn't but help but laugh a little when the DoKunemon spoke up and said they had gotten lost, rather than just stuck wandering.

Had them come to join the BAP? He'd only just posted the message not but an hour ago. He hadn't been expecting such a quick response, or even one at all for a few days. He knew his status as a new player would generate a lot of criticism, especially with his desire to create a guild. However, it was almost essential that he was new; it would mean that whenever the Patrol reached its goal, it would be all the more significant.

"Wire Forest seems to be something of a beginner's trap, though I don't think it should prove more than a day's hassle. Still, we only got through alright because of Hien here. However, I am more curious if you are here because of the BAP. If you aren't, then ignore me asking and we'll be glad to at least help you in whatever way necessary."

He saw out of the corner of his eye Hien raise his brow and turn his head slightly towards his tamer. Oneiros responded with a small and silent nod, signifying that yes, he did know exactly what he was doing.

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[cyanide]

It was awfully tempting to hiss in malcontent at the DoKunemon for so brazenly declaring them has having been "lost". That was the last bit of information that she wanted some complete stranger to know about her: Clueless when it came to directions, even with a path. In her defense, the paths here were windy and confusing, meandering narrow dirt roads that had one too many twists to its name. Any self-respecting player, like herself, could get lost! She doubted that out of all the users in DO, she and Nox had been the first to wind up rather befuddled in a tree-and-wire maze.

Good thing the other player merely laughed at her DoKunemon's statement in what couldn't be an unfriendly way. There was that. And it meant she had no reason to get all up in his face - not yet, at least. Cyanide was still willing to wait cautiously and patiently for any opening to get all snarky and belligerent if necessary. Except, she silently noted to herself as she gave the BlackGuilmon an appraising and calculative eye, she really did not fancy testing this other player's Digimon just yet. She still had no idea of Nox's own capabilities!

Dismissing any ideas of dueling the other Tamer, as pitting Nox against the BlackGuilmon felt an atrocious thought to her, she fell to studying the other instead. The first thing, and perhaps the only thing, that really caught her eye was the ridiculous shades he wore. They were...very anime, for lack of wording. They were actually almost familiar. She would probably know what to place it on if she actually cared for watching them.

Either way: "Good thing sooomeone has a Digimon who knows its way," Cyanide said bluntly, pointedly looking over at Nox. The worm waggled its body at her and stuck out its tongue, to which she promptly responded with her own. With that out of the way, waving dismissively at the DoKunemon, the girl returned her attention to Oneiros. "Hm, BAP? Can't say that's the reason."

Admittedly, she was curious now. Whether or not it was intentional on the boy's part, she found herself wanting to know what the heck he was even talking about. Clearly it had to be an abbreviation. What else could it be? As to what he was exactly referring to was a whole other story entirely, and a story she wanted to know of. Maybe it was... "Is that some kinda abbreviation for a guild or?" Seemed the only logical explanation. Unless it was meant for something else in-game. If that was the cause, big oops on her part. She'd prepare the embarrassed flushing for when or if that was the case.

"Ohhh, a guild would be interesting," Nox added with her usual commentary. Quite frankly, Cyanide agreed. A guild might be just what she was unconsciously looking for.

Eyeing Oneirous, an eyebrow raised, she said, "So?"

[oneiros]

Excellent. He knew that she'd more than likely inquire about what the BAP was. After all, saying it letter by letter must have sounded odd, especially when 'bap' sounded like a pleasant way to hit someone on the side of the head. Oneiros moved forward and closed the distance that kept them strangers, moving to just within a few feet of the girl, a slight grin on his face.

"You're absolutely correct. It's an abbreviation for the guild I just formed not too long ago. The Bad-Ass Patrol. Our mission is clear, our goals are set, and our dream is big. However, membership has been a bit slow to start. Not unexpected, mind you, but still a bit of a downer nonetheless."

Hien moved to his tamer's side and looked up at him. This dream of his, to bring about a revolution of sorts, would people take to it? Would they mock him, saying that DO needed no sort of group to maintain peace, not while the admins had complete control over it? Would they insist he was causing more trouble than halting it? He'd let it go, though. The common users would always banter, always talk, always throw a fit. They needed to see the change happen in front of their eyes. No such change would happen with the BAP, at least not right away.

"DO is without any sort of group to stop bad behavior. Yes, the admins are around and on the patrol, but don't you think it may not be enough? They still have a report feature, still have to get called into duty. Clearly, there are a lot of issues that still need to be addressed and cleaned up. This is what the BAP seeks to do. Not only strengthen and better ourselves, but the game we play. Becoming Tamer Kings and Queens, all while showing everyone that crime and abuse will never be tolerated."

Oneiros looked to Hien, who was nodding his head gently in agreement. Hien was really the key to all of this. Sure, without Oneiros Hien wouldn't be able to grow in strength and fight as effectively, but it was Hien's power that would help him make his dream real. Where Hien would be the force, he would provide the planning, the strategy, the mental aspect of this fight. It would be a tandem effort and they would succeed, no matter if they had to go it alone or not.

"Though before I tell you any more, I think it rude of me to have introduced myself. I'm Oneiros and this is Hien, my partner. What is your name, miss?"

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[cyanide]

Just as she had suspected then, a guild. What she had been hoping it had alluded to from the start, but the first thing she couldn't help but wonder was how bona fide it was. Or if it was some new creation of this player's. It was hard to tell if he was a newbie to this virtual reality online game like she was just from looking him over - and no amount of double takes seemed likely to glean any more than she had. It had to be that poise that made it hard to decipher.

Either way, she got her answer soon enough. If she understood correctly, yes, this was a new guild currently in the "making", or at least it was that newborn bird pecking its way out of its eggshell and just truly beginning. Cyanide tapped her chin, allowing the boy to go on about his guild. Well, she could have gone without the lengthy, wind-up explanation, but she supposed it was better that than a half-assed inside look to the mechanisms of what made his guild.

She looked over to Nox as her Digimon partner did the same. By the waggle of her antennae and what she would assume could amount to a wide-eyed look if she had eyes to speak of, Cyanide was certain the DoKunemon liked what she heard. "Well, it certainly sounds like somethin'," she said, more to herself than anything.

Once again Nox responded with another wiggle of her feelers, nodding her sharp-beaked head. "So what do ya think?"

"I think that no more thinking is required, duh!" Turning her amber gaze from the DoKunemon to the other player and his own Digimon, she gave an almost noncommittal shrug as if to say it could have been more interesting, but she'd be in on it anyway. "I suppooose it couldn't hurt to get a lick of that. Sounds like a guild I could get used to - and who can resist a guild name like that?"

So she was in; or she wasn't. Depended on if this guy had some kind of requirements he was looking for up his sleeve. Which she, honestly, thought might be a little farfetched for the beginnings of a guild. You got what you could first normally, then installed some limitations and requirements of what you wanted in the members. But ah well, that could have been just her.

"Cyanide," she said simply, raising her chin slightly. "Oh, and she's my buddy Nox." The girl jerked a thumb in the DoKunemon's direction, and the poison worm Digimon saluted with her antennae and gave an appraising squeak.

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