Subject: hit the wall, open 462 views

[skull]

A dark-haired male stood against a wall. He didn't lean coolly, however, as one might expect. Instead, the cabbage roll faced the wall with his entire front, pressed against its surface just standing there. It wasn't the first time he'd played the game, he used to play back with his girlfriend but they never did much else but wander around the city for the sake of the boy that--at the time--was unable to walk in reality without being aided by a cane or other such mechanisms. He knew how to move, but chose to remain as he was while a curious paw tugged the hem of his blouse. Blue eyes rolled downward, lazily glaring at the little demon. There was so much to do in this virtual world, was it so hard to believe Roru was content staring at walls?

He glanced through his periphery, convinced some obnoxious veterans were probably teasing him. Someone drawing the conclusion from such an awkward sight he was a complete newbie that needed help. Whispers came through his senses, telling him to just step back. Really, he could stand like this forever if it meant he wouldn't be bothered by others. The young man sighed, pressing himself further against the wall only to be informed he stepped the wrong way. Eyes lulled back to his partner that quietly, gently pushed his legs. Roru scowled, now stubbornly clinging the wall. "I'll move when I'm ready." He answered gingerly, shifting his weight on the leg that would have already collapsed on him if this were the real world.

The monster took a step back, looking around before plopping down and Rorukya turned his face back into the shadow of his friend, the wall.

[lupo]

they'd done it. after many weeks of playing, she had reached the tamer rank of silver. no stopping her and renamon on reaching the higher ranks still, a goal she intended to accomplish. soon she'd be heading out to fight stronger digimon now that renamon was able to digivolve into two other forms. nefertimon, an armor digimon, and kyubimon, the next form in the renamon line. "we'll test out that new form soon renamon." ruki promised her. right now they needed something from the city, and, ruki narrowed her eyes.

ahead of them was a tamer staring at the wall. ruki rolled those eyes of hers, wondering what on earth was so great about a wall, that you would stare at it. "come on renamon." ruki ordered as she headed towards the other player, wanting to know why, when someone had a huge virtual world to explore, digimon to fight, all that, would stare at something so boring. reaching him took less than thirty seconds, and for a few extra seconds, the girl just watched him. "there is a huge land to explore and you're staring at a wall." it was a statement, not a question, that came from the game moderators lips.

renamon shifted from leg to leg, watching the other players digimon in case it was one of those unfriendly sorts. it meant ruki could 'deal' with this guy without too much of a distraction. "why are you staring at the wall?" curiosity got the better of her, and she even took a peek at said wall to see what was so interesting. bored after only a couple of seconds, her gaze traveled back to the male player.

[skull]

there was also a huge land to explore outside of the game, but his narrowed hues trailed for the girl back to the wall. he felt an instant connection to her, mostly because he liked her attitude and the way she'd spoken to him. liked it, though he didn't appreciate it. rorukya entertained the idea of her being a grasshopper to his sage in that he found more meaning than this just being a wall. his eyes found her peering around with interest, tickling his humor despite her digimon's movement making him nervous. "mh..." he hummed, pushing himself off rather reluctantly. "it's not the wall." he'd admit. phascomon stood when it noticed the player move, eager to go do something worthwhile as it had become bored sitting around with rorukya.

"besides, if i weren't staring at a wall i'd be staring at other things." his pleasure didn't come from sight, it came from being able to walk around and stand normally. obviously, he was somewhat jaded by sight-seeing when before his accident he lived a particularly active lifestyle of venturing about japan. the digital world was beautiful, he'd seen screenshots and such via advertisements, but he wanted to always remember it wasn't real. he had to for the sake of his sanity, otherwise he'd be unable to brood over himself. the player pursed his lips and flitted his gaze from the girl to passerbys then back to her. a hand reached up to rub his shoulder, dropping at his side.

"i can't give you anything..." he stated, unsure why anyone would approach him like this though it struck him as odd that she wouldn't want anything. and as such, he felt the need to somehow satisfy her although he hadn't any idea how he'd do that. perhaps an explanation would suffice? "it's not the wall," the odd boy repeated, "i just like standing. though, i suppose if it bothers you i can stand somewhere else." he rolled his eyes upward with a pleasant smile, now teasing her words. "or you could stand somewhere else, and then you won't see me so we can both be satisfied." actually, he didn't want her to go away. while his aim was to antagonize her, he wasn't looking for any real trouble.

phascomon looked on at the latter absently before its hard turned up toward its partner. it moved itself near rorukya's feet, the dark brunette glancing down at the creature and taking a step back into a more comfortable zone.

[lupo]

ruki waited, folding arms across her chest and waiting for the male to answer her. a wall was a wall. it wasn't going to change, not like the landscape around them. well, that wasn't strictly true for different seasons and holiday's, the walls did change, mainly their coloring, or shape depending on the holiday itself. but the point was, it was not going to suddenly morph into a giant bird and start spitting fireballs. "if it's not the wall, what is it?" honestly, she didn't understand what was so great. and understandable since she had not had the same experiences that he had, so naturally, their views were different.

"other things would surely be more interesting." she gave him that. anything was better than a freaking wall! and why was she still thinking about it? ruki had no clue, shaking her head while dark brown locks brushed loose against her neck, shoving it away almost angrily. she'd fixed her hair before she ventured out, and it was still annoying her, the tickle against her skin distracting.

when he spoke, ruki narrowed her eyes, letting the anger flash across her features. "i don't want anything." truth. she didn't want, nor need, anything from the male tamer. she was a silver ranked tamer, a game moderator. she was doing fine. "i'm not going anywhere. and you don't have to either." the comment about him standing seemed a bit off. her voice softened a little from its harsher tones from before. "why do you like standing? there is a whole world out there to explore." she realized she had probably already spoke those words but she had to find out why he was playing just to stand around. she thought everyone played to, well, play the game. but that wasn't totally true.

renamon remained silent, studying the other digimon and tamer through icy blue eyes. this was certainly an interesting meeting.

[skull]

he liked her because she fought him. the darting anger on her countenance brought a pensive smirk to his lips. what? she came to bother him about standing around, and now she says he didn't have to go anywhere. fingertips touched the smile that overtook his features as though they were the seal that kept him from outright laughter. a muffled chuckle was all that was allowed to escape. rorukya supposed he lacked the direction to do much else than aimlessly wander familiar zones. "i like walking, too." was his immediate response to her question. arms fell to fold over his chest, no longer laughing or smiling for her though he appeared content in the very least with her company.

"i guess actually getting in the game is as far as my adventurous side will go..." he admitted, brows lifting at his own sense of dry humor. when his arms fell, the boy leaned somewhat from left to right to look around again. the way he kept looking around might make one think he was waiting for someone, which he hoped not to be bothered about--like standing and walking, he liked to keep an eye on who was lingering around. it bothered him to think someone could be eavesdropping, but soon his eyes found the source of his discomfort. the renamon running her gaze over him and phascomon. the tamer pursed his lips and straightened himself.

"does it always do that?" he murmured beneath a breath, suddenly concerned for his digimon's well-being. though mostly he disliked feeling pressed beneath the latter's looks. brows furrowed. annoyed, he didn't feel like responding to the rest of her statement. rorukya blinked evenly, eyes remaining half-lidded when they opened so he could stare at the ground. "i must not have much of a drive to do things on my own." any time he ventured out, someone was with him. becoming too injured plagued him although it was only virtual. he peered toward her, wondering when he'd crossed his arms again. "you must like standing too, to still be standing around here..."

[lupo]

this, wasn't going anywhere. if the boy wanted to stare at the wall then he could. "walking is better." she granted him, biting her cheek to stop herself from going any further. that was the old ruki, the game and her friends, and renamon, had all helped shape her into a better person.

"you mean you, or someone else, paid money for this game and you're not even going to play?" ruki arched an eye. knowing she shouldn't care, one less tamer playing seriously meant one less tamer aiming for the top spot, aka her spot. again, she shouldn't care, so why was she still talking on the subject? curiosity she supposed.

again she rolled her eyes as he spoke, even though it wasn't proper being a staffer but it couldn't be helped. while digimon held no true gender, renamon was a 'she' to her and to others, even having a female voice although some renamon had male voices. "worried she'll attack you?" the taunt seemed to come from nowhere but there was no help for it. "she's making sure you don't try anything." she ignored him about not having the drive to do things on his own; that was his problem and not hers.

he had her there. "at least i wasn't staring at a wall." not the best comebacks but it would surely have to do. "renamon." she turned her gaze towards her digimon. renamon's eyes moved towards ruki, giving a small nod of her head. "let's go." ruki began to walk, going past the other tamer and getting a few feet before stopping. her conscience, yes she had one, wouldn't let her go just yet.

"you won't get better if you don't train and get experience. there are those out there that will see you, and challenge you to a pvp, regardless of if they're a higher level." it was small advice and not very helpful except to say to watch out and maybe train a bit so he wouldn't get his butt kicked.

"if you want to train, you can come with me. renamon and i need to test out her evolution."

[skull]

it was easy to fake an air of superiority when he'd gotten her to agree walking would be better, though his intention of the phrase had changed since he'd said it. rorukya mulled over a response, wondering how he could tag along with her without seeming too... friendly, he supposed. yet her next words struck him. he wasn't easily wounded by words, yet somehow those bothered him. ashamed, he stared down at his feet with nothing to say to that. he hadn't sunk any money into the game, actually his nurse bought it for him when he expressed his frustration of being unable to walk normally ever again. at the time he was told he'd never make a full recovery, so being able to walk around in the game gave him the drive to prove them wrong.

there was a newfound intensity that furrowed rorukya's brows. a little annoyed, he smiled nonetheless at the girl's taunts. "i won't try anything." he was beginning to think this game made everyone so paranoid, though perhaps it was smart to be worrisome if you could lose progress. the cabbage roll didn't really know, an in-game death seemed somewhat petty compared to the real thing. however, now that the thought was in his head his mind began to build it up. if so many people were afraid, he should be, too. lips pursed, finger idly rubbing the knuckle of his latter hand. the tamer had been struck again when she decided to leave so suddenly.

without thinking, he shuffled a bit after her once she'd past him. unexpectedly, she turned around and the boy froze. he'd blush from almost being caught following her and even more when she made a good point about training himself. if he was going to take the game seriously now, he would certainly have to do that... his mouth widened, sucking his bottom lip beneath his upper-row of teeth. it was weird to be talked to like a child, but rorukya would take it as long as no one expected anything of him. "you're probably right..." he murmured, glancing sideways at phascomon, his poor neglected beast. "i'll follow you, then." the male breathed, stepping closer while phascomon was reluctant to join him.

"do we form a group now?" his head tilted, never having really played with anyone until now he didn't know what was to be done.

[lupo]

"of course not. but there are some that would. and as much as i like fighting, i don't want to fight every time i log in." ruki responded. she didn't care if other players attacked her, she'd fight back and most likely, she'd end up winning. she just didn't want to fight all day, every day. there was more to do in the game than to fight. fighting was an extra bonus. sure she did like to battle, not saying she hated it. but she liked doing other things as well.

ruki didn't say anything, knowing she was nearly always right. but when he spoke of following her, ruki kept her features neutral, having not expected him to do so. yes she had opened up that kettle of fish, but really, she hadn't expected anything to come from it. she figured he'd make an excuse and go his own way. "so be it." ruki gave a slight incline of her head before she began to walk, pausing only when he spoke again. it was time to put on her game moderator face and be nicer, the taunts and banter she had with him before were long gone.

making fun of him for not knowing much wasn't something she was inclined to do. he'd learn and she would give tips, knowing not all higher ranking players would be so thoughtful. ruki scanned the menu, sending him an invite to join a party. it would help especially if they got separated for they'd be able to find each other easily. the party would only be active until they disbanded, or they logged out. "invite has been sent. it'll be easier to remain in touch." she waited a moment before leading the way to a more appropriate place, just outside asuka city. the park was directly outside the gates, and while ruki knew she wouldn't have to worry about death and dying, it certainly would be a relief to others to know safety was so close.

it was just outside when she realized something. she hadn't spoken her name. "name's lupo." there, now that small awkward name giving thing was done and dusted. "soon you can digivolve renamon." she added to her digital partner, knowing that renamon was eager to test her new digivolution, although she didn't show it.

[skull]

the brunette didn't have a response to that very correct assertion. it would just be easier to avoid everyone as he had been doing, but then you would never have the chance to experience the game--it would seem that actually playing and fighting were inevitable. he made an interior sigh, slumping a little more before he straightened up again. "mh..." rorukya hummed, immediately accepting the invite as it'd been sent. the boy toddled behind her, tilting his head here and there at the small things about her and the surroundings that caught his attention.

rorukya perked when she spoke. he exhaled through his nostrils, mouth turning to a tight, half-smile. "yeah, i read." he weakly pointed to where he name hung in his display, dropping his finger shortly after because he knew it was a rude gesture to point. the male couldn't help feeling somewhat awkward that lupo spoke to her digimon a lot. it never struck him as something to do, but he would respond to phascomon when the creature interacted with him. he didn't realize that window was open all the time.

eyes glanced down at the clueless phascomon, toddling along with such a vacant expression. could it be his digimon was just bird-brained? the digimon saw him looking and offered his tamer some grass he must have picked while no one was looking. rorukya sighed harshly, never understanding why this beast did this to him. it was nice at first, a little silly, now it was becoming irritating.

the pierced boy ripped at the grass idly, letting the pieces fall as they walked. he wondered if lupo knew what renamon might evolve to, but it didn't occur to him that he could ask. he felt like she mentioned it earlier, too. he nested within his thoughts, paying no attention to much of anything going on around him.

[lupo]

they were at the edge of the city, but that wasn't good enough. ruki wanted to be more outside so that, if there were any enemy digimon, renamon could battle in her next form. just outside of asuka city was central park, and while there were weak digimon there, it was still enough for renamon to gain experience while in her digivolved form. ruki was rather excited. first tamer to reach silver rank, excluding the hackers, and silver rank unlocked adult digivolutions. which meant she'd be the first to have her digimon digivolve to adult! now wasn't the time to celebrate, she'd do that later when she was alone, and besides, she didn't want to rub it in to anyone's faces.

she glanced towards rorukya, noted he was following and turned back to the city's exit/entry. when she felt it was a good spot, she stopped entirely and renamon stood next to her, waiting, watching. after a few moments, an unspoken word passed between digimon and tamer and renamon padded forwards a few paces. when she stopped, she glanced towards the skies above, pearl blue with zero clouds tainting the skies. a good day. "alright renamon. digivolve!" renamon couldn't help but smirk when she heard ruki's commanding voice, knowing she'd do anything ruki said(within reason obviously), so when ruki said to digivolve, that was what she did.

data surrounded renamon's body, swirling and spinning, encasing her entire form. as the last of her tail disappeared from view, it took mere seconds before the data began to loosen up, white and golden fur peeked through the data cracks, one tail replaced by several, the one bipedal digimon was upon all fours, as large and as magnificent as a wolf! as the data stream disappeared, renamon, no, kyubimon, stood in her place, glittering eyes stared at her tamer. "kyubimon." ruki whispered. she's beautiful. was all she could think of as she stared at the adult form of renamon. thoughts of the male tamer were forgotten as she stepped towards her partner, hands trailing over her head, feeling the soft, velvetly texture of her fur.

a few moments of silence was between them and then it was gone. ruki turned to the male, finally, and nodded towards the outside area. the enemy digimon wouldn't be much of a battle for her but maybe rorukya would enjoy a battle. "want to fight some of the digimon around here?" she needed to, to test out kyubimon's skills.

[skull]

although he trailed behind somewhat, rorukya made it just in time to watch the escalating data give-way to a new beast that didn't seem too much larger. it was quite beautiful, an intriguing sight that captivated him. eyes turned down toward his own little beast, ashamed of himself for doubting phascomon could become anything as attractive as kyubimon. but that was alright, the digimon was sorta lame but looked cool enough for rorukya to be satisfied.

the brunette perked. he hadn't heard the girl speak at first. the suggestion caught him a bit off-guard and he wasn't sure to agree or not, though he knew turning it down meant coming out here and teaming up had been pointless. the boy nodded to her. steps would carry him a bit closer to where she stood with her transformed digimon. "she looks good." he mentioned with a smile that had been somewhat forced.

[lupo]

"or we could try going for a tougher digimon. not a child but an adult." ruki pondered this thought as kyubimon pawed at the ground with a furry white paw. to fight an adult digimon, they'd need to go somewhere else. they hardly spawned in this area, so that meant they'd need to start heading to wherever it was they needed to go, depending on what digimon they wanted to battle.

she looked at him, a duh look upon her features. "of course she does." as if she expected nothing less of her partner digimon, whilst kyubimon watched the male tamer with striking eyes, tails fanning out behind her. "what is it that you want to do?" kyubimon asked him. he had to have an opinion, if he didn't want to battle that was okay, but watching a battle could be boring.

ruki blinked, waiting for his answer.