Dual World Daybreak

*Kylie looks at Taiyo, looking concerned*

Kylie:<(Are you sure everything's alright?)>

Taiyo: "Um...yes?"

It isn't.

*Ebemon shoos Thiera away from inspecting its machines. Euryale holds Taiyo tighter & pointedly avoids anyone's gaze as they ascend the ramp, as glaring at a superior officer is a good way for someone to get flogged or caned. Tsune sets Gomamon down as they climb aboard while an annoyingly bombastic shout sounds from below.*

<Is that the drongo with the big norks?! Crikey, are all of those bogans back here?!>

Captain<I don't hear scrubbing! If that latrine isn't spotless by the time I come below deck, I'll cut your rations even further!>

*Phascomon grumbles & they hear the sound of scrubbing. The captain finally catches Euryale's eye as, in the background, Agumon tugs on a mermaimon's tail &, when she looks, points to her hat. In return, she points to a barrel overflowing with them, which he & Gomamon scamper off towards.*

Captain<We've been keeping his data consumption to a minimum, just like you asked. You shouldn't find yourselves bothered by Astamon again.>

Renamon makes it a point to stand close by to the two and would probably deck a Mermaimon with even the slightest provocation.

*Lunamon and Biyomon go to get hats as well*

Lyra:<Maybe he needs to get drop kicked again.>

G<We should get one for Calamon! And a big ol' pirate sword, too!>

*Agumon rummages around until he emerges with a hat, eye patch, cloak, a stuffed parrot perched on his shoulder, & what appears to be a peg leg attached to the end of his tail.*

A<That...is the best idea ever.>

E"Well, at least they look like they're having fun."

Mermaimon<The sea be no place for lollygaggin'. Where to first?>

Taiyo: "Venusmon's Temple sounds nice."

No one probably hears her as she ain't really looking at anyone, but the place has some nice memories for her. The kind she likes to look back fondly on.

*Biyomon and Lunamon dress up as well, Biyomon attaching a parrot to his shoulder*

Captain<Chart a course for Venusmon River!>

*So they set sail, entering a building fog once they are far enough away from the rest of the docks. When the fog lifts, they're moving down a river, & a Mermaimon ties her anchor to a rope & throws it below before setting a ramp down into the water.*

Captain<This is as close as we can get without upsetting the guardian. I trust you remember how to get into the temple?>

I'm pretty sure most people will be surprised by how brief the trip was like you'd almost think they could have walked there.

Lunamon:<Yup! We remember.>

*Everyone starts to disembark*

*Euryale smiles at Taiyo, taking her hand & leading her down to the water as if she were escorting her to a fancy restaurant. She says her name just as her foot touches the stream, a large anemone sprouting beneath her feet.*

A<Wait for me, Euryale!>

*As he calls this, he jumps on the flower. Tsune & Gomamon say each others' names, Tsune blushing, as they follow along. Thiera lingers at the water's edge, staring into it & then into the forest beyond.*

The pair and their partners follow. Hitomi and Azuma saying their respective names while their partners say the humans names.

Renamon follows to the shore, but still looks antsy because water is scary.

*Cameron approaches Thiera*

Cameron:<Everything alright?>

*All of the partners say their respective human's name, and vice versa*

Th"Yes. It is time to move forward, there is no sense in fearing what has already happened. I should look back fondly on my memories of DemiDevimon."

*So she nods & steps forward, a flower sprouting below her. The others have already alighted on the opposite bank, spying a pile of massive bones lying in the forest, which a bunch of Tanemon are using as a jungle gym. SkullGreymon's skull shits slightly towards them, & it raises its massive claw to wave at them.*

Renamon: "Taiyo's continued happiness."

Renamon doesn't look forward to the likely wet flower on her paw pads.

*After a moment, Cameron whispers Thiera's name, then follows her across the water. Lunamon and Biyomon wander up to the SkullGreymon, both waving*

Lunamon:<Hi!>

*Renamon is surprised to learn that she doesn't even get wet, the flower blooms so quickly & is perfectly dry. SkullGreymon tries to nuzzle his visitors, which I imagine is horrifying. Thiera, Tsune, & their partners follow Euryale, Taiyo, & Agumon into the inner sanctuary. It looks mostly the same, the free-standing columns marking the bath house in the distance, & the temple with the statue to Venusmon out front, though the statue has been wreathed in various silk scarves & garlands of flowers.*

Azuma: "So any particular reason for coming here?"

Taiyo: "It's a nice place. And um...."

She looks at Euryale, biting her lip.

*Lunamon playfully pats SkullGreymon on the skull*

Cameron:<We made some happy memories here...and some unhappy ones.>

*Euryale raises an eyebrow, unsure of why Taiyo is looking at her like she's a delicious meal. Thiera & Tsune walk up, looking around, Gomamon bounding by their side.*

Th"Yes, this is one of the last times I remember DemiDevimon being truly happy and at ease."

G<And the bath was a lot of fun!>

*Soon Datamon, also wearing a halo of white flowers, emerges from the temple.*

Data<Ah, yes, I thought I had detected familiar audio signals.>

And that's the story of how Euryale totally rejected Taiyo. What a jerk.

Azuma: "Is there a uniform for the guardian of this place?"

Kylie:<Hello Datamon, it's good to see you again!>

*Datamon glances at Azuma.*

Data<Dismissing non-sequitur...it is enjoyable to observe the rest of you as well...for the most part.>

*He glances at Azuma again. Euryale pats him on the back like "there, there, buddy."*

Azuma: "Sorry?"

This is how reactionaries feel after asking a racist question without the racism. Or being reactionary.