Subject: distance, open 968 views

[löwe]

It's warm.

Despite the frost and cold storming just outside it's walls, Genbu City was a warm shelter on the top of the mountain. The steel lined "sky" was misleading from the outside -- and like everything else, it looked a lot larger than it was out there. The gentle background music was flipped on. Interactions with the NPCs and other players were common place, quick, with purpose, and left alone as quickly as he was able to while still being polite.

Digimon Online was a social game, to go without talking to another player was a rarity.

Bakumon trailed behind him quietly as ever. The tamer was rarely in the mood for their antics or even their very presence. A tool was all the digimon was for him. Created with a purpose to serve a singular use, to serve as his assistant as they ensured the safety and use of the finer details of the game.

"Bakumon."

The digimon stopped, blinked, and stared at the tamer.

"You don't need to trail so far."

Löwe continued to walk without another word. His digimon followed after him slightly quicker than before. He wasn't concerned with the program's emotions. They were programmed, but for them to attract attention from following too far was a bother.

"Where are we heading today," the digimon asked bravely.

"Training." Bakumon didn't expect an answer. "You're not strong enough to use properly." But Löwe's words were one he should have expected.

[ronin47]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] And I will hold on to hope. He pushes himself off the cold, iron walls of the city, catching Strabimon's attention. "I think I'm done." Ronin rolls his shoulder blades for all the good that it can do. "I'm out." "I'm...confused," Strabimon says, frowning at his human partner. He's about to log out but Ronin decides to enlighten Strabimon. He's not sure what his question this time is. He can never see them coming half the time. Although Strabimon is strong and smart in his own ways - heck, probably even smarter than Ronin and most of the humans here considering they have the brains of a computer - but he is still no different than a newborn child. Naive, tactless and clueless, Strabimon still has lots to learn about the "real" world and, most importantly, humans. "Mmm?" "Why did we come here?" Strabimon continues. "We purchased items that can be purchased in cheaper stores so why?" Ronin shrugs. "I felt like it. Less people here." "You wasted bits. We rested in the inn even when I am uninjured and well-rested." "Who cares?" Ronin groans, rolling his eyes. "Bits isn't real money. I can care less about digital cash." He turns his back to him to end the discussion and raises a hand up. Strabimon doesn't protest, being used to this ritual of farewell. "See ya." "Bye, Ronin." Before Strabimon can wave his arm, before the approaching Bakumon and his partner can come close, before the distance can let anyone link the uncanny resemblance, Ronin and Strabimon disappears in binaries of data with the splendid timing of the sun setting whenever nightfall approaches.

notes: HI. BYE.

made by amb tanz

[lupo]

ruki was tired. tired of being so nice and sweet, it wasn't her. at least, not yet but that was hardly known to her. in hopes of getting back some of her attitude, she headed to the north sector, right into genbu city, renamon at her heel. and boy was it warm.

"just because it's warm doesn't mean you need to slack off." ruki spoke to renamon without even glancing behind her: she knew renamon had heard and would listen. they needed to get back into training, get back to being the best and strongest, knowing that others were climbing that ladder.

and she was going to get there first.

as they traveled, tamer in front of digimon, ruki came onto the scene just after ronin47 and strabimon disappeared. walking through where their data had broken apart did the tamer see someone she wasn't quite expecting.

"löwe" ruki spoke the one word, stopping in mid-stride, wondering if he was up to anything today. arms crossed over her chest as renamon stood beside like an ever guarding sentinel.

notes: hope ya don't mind ruki joining (:

[löwe]

Unaware of the strabimon and his partner, Löwe turned to see a familiar renamon and the trademark pineapple hair of their partner. It was one of the company's best game moderators, a stickler to the rules. A mature player, despite her real life age. She was one of the companies workers that he actually approved of.

He looked to his own satellite, checking to make sure that it was still switched as a player. She didn't know, not yet anyways, that he was a staff member as well. He needed to push her a little further.

Bakumon sensed their partner's thoughts, staring at him questioningly as if wondering how he will respond. They didn't approve of this cloak and dagger habits that their partner had developed.

There was a small smile, a casual wave as they approached. "Lupo. Renamon." Löwe greeted the two politely. A program was a program, but politeness, he remembered. "How are you today?"

ooc: haha. why would I mind?

[lupo]

ruki may be cold and ruthless in real life, and while that did bleed into the game, as a game moderator, ruki was often on her best behavior. and for her that was a big deal. it took energy to remain that way instead of going back to snarky remarks, but duty came first. renamon knew, having seen ruki as a newbie player before transforming, for lack of a better word, into someone she was proud of knowing.

of course, they never told each other this, not yet anyway, a shame really.

löwe was someone she respected, and she wondered what his dreams were: did he wish to become the digimon king? become staff and further the game? löwe had always been a player, digivice blue, unaware he was actually a staff member in disguise.

"löwe, bakumon." ruki responded with a nod as renamon did the same, giving the other tamer and digimon a wave as well. "eh, the same really." ruki replied truthfully as renamon gave a sidelong glance. "and you?" at least she remembered her manners.

[löwe]

Löwe accepted the answer with a slight nod. "We were going to train. Bakumon learned a few techniques since we last met." He explained. The digimon gave an approving nod at that. So far, he was honest with his words.

He found it surprisingly easy to smile. Then again, he did have plenty of practice in the real world other than in the game. "Even with the new techniques, Bakumon still isn't a tough fighter." The tapir digimon made the closest expression to a frown. While it was true, they didn't like hearing about it in such a blunt manner. "After all, techniques aren't everything. It's how they're used."

"If you have time," this time it was Bakumon who had spoken. The floating digimon had their forepaws pressed together as he stared at the intimidating tamer and their equally intimidating partner. "Surely someone as experienced as the two of you would be able to assist us?"

[lupo]

so that was what they were up to. ruki nodded in approval, knowing training was important for a trained digimon could normally win over a non-trained one. "getting stronger every day." ruki commented, repeating words she had heard somewhere before.

she listened as he spoke, about to speak, to interrupt, when löwe literally spoke what was being said in her mind. "you're right. techs are not everything." not only was it how and when techs were used, but other factors such as natural speed, endurance, strength, all that could be maximized through training. knowing when to move, when to stay still, all those things helped in a battle.

bakumon spoke next, causing ruki to turn her rather cold eyes upon the digimon whilst renamon looked over with interest. giving a slight nod towards renamon, the fox spoke. "it would be our pleasure." ruki spoke second. "we are definitely up for such things." both would not go easy on bakumon and löwe; that defeated the purpose of training. ruki would, however, offer advice and give tips on how she'd approach something. tips that could help, but löwe didn't have to take them.

"when would you like to start?"

renamon immediately went on high alert, ready for, well, anything.

[löwe]

His smile became more true as she agreed with his line of thought. Leave it up to Lupo to be serious about even the littlest details like this. He gave a short bow when they agreed to their training match. "Thank you." Bakumon and Löwe said in unison.

He nodded to Bakumon, who brought both of his forepaws close to his face. "It starts now."

A thick dark mist left the digimon's mouth. It grew and grew quickly until it surrounded the area, enveloping the four of them in the technique. The nightmare syndrome gave the heavy mist a dark turn, matching it's name sake. It sought to bring those within it dark chills and the feelings of hopelessness.

Bakumon's holy ring protected themselves from the attack, but separated from their partner left Löwe defenseless. He could feel the chill of the shadows. While unrelenting with how thick it was, the mist wasn't strong enough to send him into despair, but it was enough to make him think.

[lupo]

ruki simply arched an eye with the thanks, before dipping her head a slight fraction to show she had heard, unsure on what else she should say. words were not a strong suit of hers, and it was apparent in this instance.

dark mist began to seep from bakumon's jaws and ruki took a step back. even so, the mist curled around her frame, stopping her from trying to reach the sanctuary of the light beyond that mist. a shiver passed through her body, her emotions slowly being grated upon. the more time in this mist, the more effect it would have.

as the girl crossed her arms over her chest, ruki and renamon were not protected by the mist at all, renamon's lip curled over a fang as she stared at bakumon. leaping in the air, renamon was ready to strike! "diamond storm!" her signature move pelted from the glowing lights surrounding inches from her front, knowing she needed to try and figure out a way to remove this mist.

that mist was a big problem.

[löwe]

The blanket of darkness provided a good place to hide for Bakumon, but it didn't protect them from the torrent of shards flying their way. The shards struck the mist around them, sending away the mysterious mist to the few shards that would have struck true -- they held up a paw, the holy light of the bracelet glowed brightly. "Holy shot!" It deflected the few shards sent their way.

Covering his face from the blast, Löwe struggled to watch the clash of the two attacks. "Bakumon! Out of the way!" He ordered. The tapir digimon was of no use close range or out in the open. Their style was in the shadows, despite being a holy digimon. The digimon didn't have to think twice before following his tamer's orders. They moved, fly rolling back into the cover of the mist. It hadn't fully dissipated yet. The diamond storm had only sent away what it touched, the rest were pushed by the force that came with it.

[lupo]

so the dark mist was able to dissipate from the diamond shards. that was incredibly good to know, and ruki was already forming a plan. unfortunately the attack didn't hit the bakumon as the shards that could have hit were deflected. renamon landed, panting slightly from the mist's cruel effects, taking a moment to breathe deeply. eyes trained in upon bakumon's form, even as löwe called for bakumon to get out of the way. even as bakumon disappeared back into that dark, dant mist.

as bakumon's form went out of sight, renamon stared where he had exited: with any luck bakumon wouldn't have moved too much into the mist. "renamon, again. but this time, move in!" ruki ordered. renamon understood completely. letting off another wave of diamond storm shards, she hoped it would reveal bakumon again. but even so, she had to move. landing, she darted forth, ready to embrace the mist. a blue glow spread across claws and paws before they burst into brilliant blue flames. "power paw!" even if the attack didn't hit the bakumon, hopefully it would at least destroy some more of the mist.

ruki was safe from the mist where renamon's diamonds had hit, yet that didn't mean she'd always be safe.

[löwe]

once again, the parts of the mist affected dissipated. the diamond shards were cutting it close and that punch!

bakumon had already been exposed by the shards. the tail end of its cloud was open to see. then with renamon swooping in for another strike? bakumon held up a paw. again, to shield itself, it called up an attack. "holy shot!"

"keep your distance, bakumon! stay in the mist!"

the pressure from the two attacks was helpful in sending the tapir back. it called up another technique while being flown away and another dose of nightmare syndrome covered the area around them. unlike before, it moved around as it used the technique.

löwe could feel his heart pounding from excitement. it wasn't often that they had a fun battle, even if he was still scrambling to find a way to be on the offensive. it wasn't the tapir's specialty.

[lupo]

bakumon was quite effective at stopping renamon's oncoming attacks. this was not going to be a simple attack and win type scenario. with the mist, bakumon could hide, and that holy shot could defend him from the techs renamon threw at him. early on in her tamer career, this sort of thing would annoy her. these days, it was a welcome change. this forced her to think of a different strategy and come up with a different set of tactics to win.

"that holy shot won't keep you protected forever." renamon spoke, leaping away as more mist began to pour over the area. bakumon moved with the attack, which meant the mist was moving too before settling down. renamon knew she had to keep it from touching her tamer. one good thing was her attacks had sent her opponent going back, which was a good thing. the bad thing was that mist. if it covered her then she'd be right in bakumon's domain. the other digimon wasn't affected by the mist, and renamon wondered if he could see in the mist as well.

slowly the mist started to get closer to ruki. attention moved from bakumon to her tamer as she leaped up and unleashed another storm of diamonds to destroy the mist before it touched her. an idea soon came to her. while bakumon seemed fine in the mist, maybe that was also where she could attack. it meant feeling the nightmare syndrome's effects, but she'd be closer to bakumon. and closer meant she could unleash several attacks without the need to get close.

it was a risk. while it may prove effective, she'd be in bakumon's domain. and it could easily work against her. glancing at ruki, their eyes met and ruki saw that renamon had a plan. with a slight nod from ruki, renamon darted towards the mist, hoping she wouldn't be in this mist for too long. as the darkness swallowed her, renamon could slowly feel the effects that the mist produced. closing her eyes, she listened for any sounds of the other digimon, following in, what she hoped, was the right direction to met bakumon head on.

[löwe]

Bakumon kept their mouth shut, even with Renamon's taunt. It could hide all it wanted. As long as it didn't give away its location, she wouldn't find them.

It was a smart idea for Renamon to take care of her partner first before attempting to take Bakumon out of the mist. They had been very close to revealing just where the tapir was. Hidden in the mist, they had been targeting the tamer. It was a dirty tactic, both of them knew it, but in the end, it was a victory.

Assuming they had been able to put it in action.

Instead, Bakumon had to be sure to slink back into the thicker portions of their mist. Unable to see and feeling the mist's effects, Löwe was still in there. Without his digimon's protective ring to guide him, he wouldn't be able to keep up with it. The feeling was gnawing at him, like a brain tick at the back of the mind. Tugging and tugging.

"Bakumon, holy shot."

From behind the vulpine, the strange light emerged and shot forth in efforts to take Renamon with surprise.

"Another."

Defense could only last for so long, after all.

[lupo]

as renamon took care of the mist that was trailing its way towards ruki, she was able to feel much better, but renamon could still feel the mist's dark effects, moreso now that she was delving deeper into the dark shroud to find bakumon. the effects were telling: renamon's eyes were no longer bright as day but more cloudy, more full of old pain and terror. pushing it back seemed to work for a second before flaring up, and the digital monster knew she needed to finish what she had to do and get out of that mist asap.

it was this, here and now, that she was most vulnerable, and as bakumon called upon a holy shot, renamon wasn't able to dodge out of the way in time, the attack hitting her squarely in the back. as she fell towards the ground, renamon's paws stretched out, touching the ground and pushing herself sideways to avoid a second shot. most times digimon attacked a second time after their first attack. she was the same wasn't she?

pushing herself back to her feet, renamon twisted around, now facing where she'd been attacked from but somewhat sideways due to her roll over. "diamond storm!" renamon called forth the attack seemingly easily, but it was wearing on her. the attacks, the mist. no doubt the diamonds would be weaker than they had been before.

out of the mist!" ruki yelled, this was bakumon's territory and renamon could very well lose. the vulpine, disoriented from the mist, was unsure on where she was exactly: middle of the mist, close to the edge? instead of listening, she called upon another diamond storm before twisting around, sending a third storm. this one hit the mist, revealing light and renamon darted towards it, keeping an eye on her back in case bakumon tried attacking the fleeting fox.