Old Ones Return (VII)

Taiyo stares at the ground as there's no getting through to her.

Taiyo: No one's pretending anything.

Lyra:<If we decide to camp, I'm fine sleeping in the dirt. Anything but this standing around shit.>

*As the United Army returns, the ground under Ceresmon Medium begins to swell & sprout moss. No one appears to be in a mood to answer, until eventually Thiera draws a racking sigh.*

Th"Azulongmon, how soon will we be able to speak to Gevurah?"

Azulongmon<You beat him down pretty badly, but I suspect he will awaken within the next couple of hours. Why? Do you have a plan for how to defeat Kurata?>

G<We're working on it. One of the Bio-Hybrids mentioned that we could trace the D-Reaper data back to some kind of master code, but we don't know how to store the data to analyze it.>

SaberLeomon<We'll need to form an encampment, then, it looks like this battle could take a while. Fortunately, we've been stealing supplies from Kurata's army.>

Cameron:<That's good. I'm sure we could all use a hot meal and some sleep.>

I suppose they're all feeling sorry for themselves and each other.

SaberLeomon<Then start a fire & hope you can eat data packets. Will you Chessmon be prepared to take 1st watch?>

QueenChessmon<My husband shall most likely retire to his quarters, but otherwise, yes.>

Ts<Shouldn't we--uh--check in with Hypnos, or something?>

Th"Yes, I suppose that Taiyo's parents should be told that she has returned safely."

A<And yours that...well, y'know....>

*He scratches the back of his head.*

Th"They won't miss her. They never even got to meet."

*So he turns to Euryale, shrugging & looking around like he's in trouble.*

*Kylie and Lunamon start gathering sticks. When they've gathered a respectable pile, Biyomon lights them on fire*

Now Taiyo has to somehow think of what she's going to say to her parents when she's not even sure what to say to Euryale or anyone else. Hopefully that's not a trait she shares with both of her parents.

*As a fire pit would be a good idea, Gomamon starts diving, fishing large rocks out of the river, which Agumon dries with Pepper Breath, Tsune placing them around the fire. On cue, Monitamon comes waddling over towards Taiyo, Euryale trying to beat a hasty retreat, muttering that she shouldn't be there.*

*Once the fire pit is all done, everyone sits around it, except for Cameron, who is still hanging out near Thiera*

Having had enough of experiencing Taiyo's bad feelings, Kyubimon moves in front of Euryale while Taiyo wraps her arms around Euryale's waist because Standard Female Grab Area is stupid.

Taiyo: "Please, let me help you."

*Euryale attempts to disentangle Taiyo's arms from around her, probably squeezing her wrists too hard in her frantic attempts at escape.*

E"Let go! I don't want to see anyone from the human world!"

*The Monitamon blinks on & Yamaki blinks in confusion at Taiyo apparently trying to spoon Euryale, whose jerking around probably makes it look like she's grinding up on Taiyo. She freezes, staring back at him. Nearby, Riley & Tally look over to the monitor, removing their visors & gawking at the girls as well.*

Yamaki<Uh...yes, well--I would ask if I was interrupting something, but you called us.>

*Meanwhile, SaberLeomon curls up around Cameron & Thiera, BanchoLeomon sitting nearby.*

Bancho<3 of our fellow Leomon have fallen as well.>

Saber<We came close to joining them when Ebonwumon lost control.>

Ebonwu<I said I was sorry there, laddies, wot more d'yeh want?>

*Cameron strokes SaberLeomon's fur, trying not to watch the drama. Lyra looks over at the chess army*

Lyra:<...Do you have any extra rations or anything?>

As much as it probably hurts, Taiyo still keeps her arms around Euryale.

Taiyo: "They can help you. Don't-"

Her grip begins to loosen.

Taiyo: "Don't push everyone away."

*Meanwhile, off in the distance, the new Ceresmon is beginning to take shape, incorporating parts of the forest onto its back. The Sirenmon move back into their lagoon, beginning to sing [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]*

QueenChessmon<We have used up most of our supplies attempting to keep our data levels high.>

*As the other Digimon have set up a lot of temporary structures like tents & yurts at this point, KingChessmon heads inside of what appears to be a siege tower, accompanied by his guards. For a while, Yamaki doesn't say anything, nor does Euryale act. Eventually, he shakes his head & shouts back to the girls.*

Y<Get their families down here, stat! Inform the Shikasus that their daughter has been found!>

R<<Roger that!>>T

*Euryale takes another step away.*

Th"I would listen to her, if I were you. You said it yourself, you never know whom you may be seeing for the last time."

*Euryale stops again, staring at her feet.*

E"But...what if it's...."

*Lyra looks at Gomamon*

<So...those fish of yours...>

Kyubimon: "Nothing will come to them. I promise."

G<Since they're made directly from my data, no, you can't eat them.>

*Euryale doesn't react at all. On the screen, whatever families aren't dead or assholes are filing into the basement.*

*Lyra groans and falls on her back. Kylie and Lunamon approach the Montimon, waving halfheartedly at the Sorensons*

Kylie:<Hi mom, dad...it's...been a while, hasn't it?>

As it was Taiyo's family that was specifically called down first, they're presumably at the front of the line although they're not sure what they're seeing.

Loren: "Taiyo, you're okay!"

Still trying to keep Euryale from running off, she doesn't turn to the screen.

Taiyo: "Yeah, but...are Euryale's parents there?"

OOC: Now Taiyo's shafting her concerned parents, damn, she's as cold as ice.

E"No...please don't...."

Mr. Rakshashi<We're right here. What's the matter?>

Mrs. Rakshashi<Did something happen to Euryale?!>

*The Sorensons look at Euryale's parents*

Mr. Sorenson:<Maybe you should talk to your daughter alone?>
===
*Kylie and Lunamon back away from the Montimon*

OOC: Or she's putting others before herself. Talking to her parents would be nice, but it doesn't help Euryale.

Taiyo tries to turn Euryale around to face the Monitamon.

Taiyo: "It's okay. We're all here with you."

OOC: 'Cept she's not helping her own parents, or Thiera, so....

*After being turned around, Euryale still stares at her feet.*

Mrs. Rakshashi<...Are you alright?>

"Yeah...."

Mrs. R<...Why won't you look at me? What's wrong?>

*Kylie sits down near the fire, watching Euryale. Cameron starts moving his arm round Thiera's shoulders*