The plain plains

[Dante]

Dante observed the proceedings with mild interest, as the only other interesting things to do were try to guess what the perpetually angry Yin was stewing over this time or pester Alchemon more. Given how much fun he knew both activities to be, watching Shiv get bandaged up totally won the prize. Besides, it entertained him to ponder just how the dope had managed to get himself injured in the first place. Seriously, when given a protector, who in their right mind sacrificed themselves to save someone whose job it was to keep harm away from them?

"So," he commented once the bandaging operation was complete, "What are we going to do now?"

It seemed a reasonable question, and he didn't want to think about what was going on any longer than was necessary.

Nyaromon, for her part, simply sat. She was dimly aware of someone, somewhere, disapproving of her, and doing so strongly. They could go sit in it for all she cared. Her only problem was that she got the life beaten out of her a bit. Whatever problem whomever it was had wasn't her business, and she'd have words if it ever came up in conversation. She just didn't want to think of them right now. If she could get to sleep, that'd be a glorious thing, but she wasn't gambling on it.

[shivdeeviant]

Shiv grit his teeth and struggled to his feet as soon as Inori had finished with his leg.

"We move on," he said sternly, exhaustion pulling at him, "We should be close to that house the other children went to. According to that scarecrow, we should reach there today. That should get us out of the rain and allow a little better chance to rest."

Yin bristled.

"You would leave Yang alone out there?!" He fumed, "We need to go looking for him! He could be in danger!"

Shiv sighed, and gave Yin a look that was laden with pain and impatience. Yin met it with one of fury and disgust.

"Yang will be fine," said Shiv at last, "Knowing him, he found some trinket to give him luck and is already there waiting for us."

"Yang would never be so foolish," replied Yin, "He was looking for water for you, for your burn. He is on his way back here right now!"

"Is he now? Tell me this then, how would he find his way at night? With no visible landmarks?"

"The stars of course! Every baby is taught that here!"

"And where are the stars when it is raining?"

Yin stopped, shocked that Shiv had gotten the upper hand on him. More than that though was that he hadn't thought of that himself. Yin shook himself, the rain and his anger were clouding his thinking.

"Perhaps," Yin struggled to say, "You are right. We need to regroup and then look for Yang."

"Glad you see it my way." Said Shiv without his usual smugness, "Can we get moving now?"

He looked to the other chosen for confirmation, taking notice of his pack on the ground. The pack hadn't been disturbed in the fight against the Fangmon, which would mean... that way was the way they had been heading yesterday. Shiv dug an arrow into the mud. Then listened to what the others had to say.

[Inori]

"This seems like a bad idea." Inori hesitated. Candlemon nodded in agreement.

"He is the best one to protect you. Not that I doubt Yin and his abilities, just....there are certain things relating to being ones partner..." The candle digimon trailed off slightly, though his words were spoken in an honest tone. He truly didn't seem to have any malicious intent behind them.

"Yin has a point as well. What will you do if he is injured, or does not return? Can you live with the consequences?" Candlemon's flame peered at Shiv between his wax fingers. "It's your call since he is your partner...so take my thoughts as you will. I already know what I would do."

Inori glanced to her partner for a moment, then rubbed the back of her head. "We have a couple of other pressing matters to deal with at the moment as well."

Candlemon seemed to be on the same page as her, shifting his attention towards Nyaromon. "We need to make sure she gets some rest. I could use some as well. The sooner I am out of this form the better."

"Like you did much good in that form to begin with." Alchemon's voice commented from somewhere nearby. Candlemon's expression became rather hostile at this, but he kept quiet.

Inori rummaged into her pocket, pulling out her digivice. In an attempt to disuade further arguement between her partner and her stalker, she commented aloud. "I don't suppose this thing can track Yang can it?" And followed this up with a sigh.

[Dante]

Dante looked down at Nyaromon as she was mentioned. The little cat was already asleep in his arms. He looked at Candlemon.

"I think we're taken care of on that particular score."

He listened to the remainder of the arguments patiently.

"Your partner, your business, dude," he replied.

He couldn't really care less about what Shiv did with and to his partners, especially with his self-appointed conscience slumbering somewhat peacefully in his arms. It was kind of odd, actually. She'd been wide awake a moment ago. Still, he wasn't going to complain, and he'd be willing to gamble that she wouldn't either.

[shivdeeviant]

Shiv sighed and gave Yin a tortured look. Yin's eyes narrowed, he knew what the boy was about to say.

"Yang..." Shiv choked up a little, "Yang will find me. He did in the forest. He'll do it again. We need to rest. Nyaromon is in no condition to fight after what she did and formerly-known-as-wizardmon is in danger of extinguishing should the storm worsen. Yang is unhurt and fully mobile. This is the best choice."

Shiv hobbled over to his pack and hoisted it over his shoulder, then started to hobble in the direction that they had been traveling the day before. Yin huffed and floated over to Shiv's bad side. Shiv put his arm on Yin, and Yin helped him bear the weight of his damaged leg.

"This is for saving my brother," grumbled Yin in a low voice, "Do not infer anything from this."

Shiv nodded, not all the water on his face from the rain.

[Inori]

Candlemon scoffed slightly. "That's Candlemon, I will not be extinguished from a storm. Honestly it's habit."

"Why is it habit?" Inori asked, catching the candle off guard.

"I...will explain that to you some other time." He replied. "We should move if we're going to."

The girl sighed heavily then shook her head before beginning to trail along behind Shiv.

[Dante]

Dante also followed along, amused slightly by Shiv's injured type movements. Who threw themselves into certain danger for someone else, particularly when that someone else was supposed to be protector, not protectee? Idiots, that's who. The kid seemed to pride himself on his intellect, and he goes and does something dumb like that? Very droll. Clearly the kid was brain damaged, but it entertained him immensely. As they walked along, Dante continued musing. He mostly was wondering what could possess a person to do something so foolish. Would he ever do something like that for Nyaromon? Now there was an interesting question. He cared for the little cat, he supposed, but would he put himself in danger for her? These thoughts would occupy him the whole way.

[shivdeeviant]

The rain did not let up as the three traveled. The pace was slow so that Shiv could keep up, even with the assistance of a floating crutch he could only move so fast without straining his already sore groin muscles. To Yin, he was weak, but making good process. Yin kept his senses stretched to the limit to find any threat. Yang would not like it if Shiv were hurt any more, and would be more disappointed in Yin if Yin failed to protect him.

It took most of the day until the shadow of the manor loomed before the three. It towered above them, probably four stories tall, with towering grecian pillars topped with gothic arches. Two great doors with leomon shaped door-knockers stood quiet guard over the stoic plains. Shiv had no time to comment on the odd decor, he only knew his exhaustion. He pressed against the door with all his remaining strength, and the door gave slowly and silently into an immaculate marble foyer. Dual semi-circular staircases curved along the walls in a symmetrical display of elegance and artistic majesty. A grand brass chandelier, ablaze with electric light, hung from a domed ceiling painted with a fresco of the sovereigns.

All Shiv saw was the bedrooms on the second floor.

He shuffled up the stairs quickly, not waiting for any permission and blind to any danger. Upon entering the room he collapsed onto the queen-sized bed in pleasure. Yin sighed, sensing no malice from this place.

He didn't trust it.

[Dante]

Dante followed along behind Shiv, not half so blind to danger, but not as able to respond to it. He, too, didn't trust the manor, but couldn't do much to affect it. His digimon was still passed out from her extensive exertions earlier. Also, he was a touch sleep deprived, as were they all, so he too went to the bedrooms on the second floor and crashed. As he drifted off to sleep, his dreams were troubled by the mixture of grecian pillars and gothic arches.

So...tacky...Can't...look directly...at it...

Meanwhile, Nyaromon's dreams were troubled by thoughts of Fangmon. They had voluntarily withdrawn in their last encounter, which did not bode well for future encounters.

I'll be stronger next time, Fangmon, she swore silently as she dreamt.

(My huge apologies to Inori-chan, by the way, for both the skip and the time jump. I'll get you something nice to make up for it, promise!)

Dante wasn't even aware of how tired he was until he woke up to find that it was morning. How had he passed an entire afternoon and evening without even a thought spared to setting a watch up? It was sloppy, and he resolved to never do it again. The effects of this decision, however, were not to be understated...

Nyaromon woke up refreshed. A good rest had done her a world of good, and she felt her energy returning. It was inexplicable how much she felt like a whole new mon. She stood in an awkward spherical body kind of way and immediately discovered a wellspring of strength.

"Nyaromon, shinka! Salamon!"

Dante chuckled.

"I take it a good rest hit the spot?"

Salamon stretched out on the soft bed.

"Maybe," she said noncommittally.

Dante stood, picking up the...cat...she didn't look much like a cat in this form, but he wasn't going to argue just yet. In any case, he picked up his partner and walked downstairs, ready to meet everyone in the foyer to discuss what they wanted to do next, or even if finding more people was really worth it.

[shivdeeviant]

Shiv woke from his nap feeling refreshed and sore at the same time. His leg still hurt and probably would for a long while to come. Either way, their was on odd weight on his chest, like guilt but more pressing. It was like he was forgetting something and felt really really bad about it. Then Shiv opened his eyes.

And the world came crashing painfully into focus.

"Shiv!" Cried Yang as he tackled/hugged Shiv, "I'm so glad you're here! I knew you'd find this place!"

Yin looked bemused at Shiv's lack of favorable position. Shiv rolled over, unseating the living rock at his chest and then got to his feet. He would have fallen over if it weren't for the supporting hands of Yang.

"Easy!" cried Yang, "You need to settle down! No more risks! This is what happens when you break the rules! Let me get hurt next time! I can take it!"

Shiv huffed and Yin grumbled. The look that the two shared spoke volumes.

If you let Yang get hurt, I'll kill you. spoke Yin.

As if. spoke Shiv.

Yang hummed happily as Shiv got his stuff together and joined Dante in the foyer. Dante seemed indifferent and tense, so everything was par for the course. It was good to see Salamon again, higher power level in combat was a good thing. Yang was happy about it too.

"Hiya!" He cried joyfully, "Good to see you again! Legs are soo nice!"

Before the conversation could be continued though, there was movement at the door. A voice chimed through the empty air.

"Tongue lashing," it said.

Before any could react, the chosen children's digivices were quickly plucked off of their belts and towards the door to some unknown assailant. A sound of padded feet against the marble alerted the children to the creature running outside.

"Hey!" Shouted Shiv as he took off out the door, "Give that back you creep!"

As Shiv, Yin and Yang halted on the steps outside, Shiv saw three-toed footprints in the mud leading away around the building. The three took off after the illusive thief.

[Dante]

(Like I said, Inori-chan. I'll buy you something shiny! Feel free to follow us)

Dante felt a slight tug at his belt and turned just in time to see Shiv take off running. He checked his belt for half a moment before taking off after him.

"What's up, Dante?" Salamon asked, still lazing in his arms despite the tension of the situation.

"Nothing much. Got my digivice stolen is all," Dante responded sarcastically.

"Oh, is that all? Have fun, then."

Dante rolled his eyes and pursued the mysterious thief around the side of the building and towards something really odd. Maybe Shiv was still injured, because he got to whatever it was way before the other child did. Could also have something to do with how much taller he was. Either way, he steeled himself and walked into what seemed like a doorway carved out of the air...

[shivdeeviant]

Shiv ran right after after Dante through the portal as fast as his injured leg could carry him. Yang was full of energy from not fighting the Fangmon, but his emotions still ran high from finding his friends again, he held his lucky rock close.

Shiv was not going to be left behind, not when he had Yang and could still think.

(Woo! Crashing Converging in the Realm of Evil!)

[Inori]

Inori woke up to Wizardmon gently shaking her. He offered an apologetic look as he spoke.

"There was some shouting downstairs a moment ago. We probably should see what it was all about." He explained with some urgency behind his voice. Inori nodded and got up quickly, gathering whatever things of hers she needed, then making her way downstairs.

Alchemon was leaning against a wall with a bored look on his face, one of his scarf arms shifting as the two came into view. The scarf hand pointed in the direction the other two chosen children had taken off in briefly before dropping back to his side.

"They went that way." He noted in a lazy tone before pulling away from the wall and trudging along at a leisurely pace. He only sped up when Inori and Wizardmon got ahead of him.

"Well this is ominous." Inori stated bluntly staring at the portal for a moment. "You're sure they--"

"Yes, my vision is fine." Alchemon replied, then pushed ahead of the two and vanished through the portal. Inori and Wizardmon exchanged looks briefly before shrugging and going after him.