themainframe | 01

[Yeah, were you expecting a new arrival? Yes? No? Maybe? Well, whatever the case, here is now a video feed playing on your screens. It is incredibly shaky and three quarters of the screen is covered with something purple, but it is a video feed nevertheless. Clearly, the recorder making this is not adept at handling the D-Terminal, or maybe its something else entirely.

From the first line, its clear that it is indeed something else entirely.] C'mon, you should at least say hello!

--I'm not sure if that's a good idea.

[The second voice is very male-sounding, although quiet and trying his best to be as polite as possible even though there is no real need to be.

From near the mic there is a huff, presumably from the first speaker.] How are you gonna talk to anybody if you won't even say hello?

I--well. [Its clear that the second speaker doesn't seem very comfortable with all of this, and there is a certain amount of discomfort in his voice, especially when he talks again.] It's just been a while, so I'm not really used to--this.

[A brief pause, and when the first speaker talks again this time the voice is not as forceful.] Well, no time like the present to start again, right?

[Another pause here too.] I suppose so.

Good! [And here the D-Terminal is being fumbled now, brought around so that now people are see one Floramon close to the camera. The Digimon smiles before waving with its free hand.] Hello! I'm Floramon! I don't have a nickname like the most of you, so Floramon is just fine until I do have one.

But this isn't about me -- I've gotten a partner, and he wants to say hi to all of you! [And here Floramon moves, shifting the camera so that now Bruce is on the screen, and he gives a tenative smile to the camera before he waves weakly.

Floramon, apparently, is not pleased by this.] C'mon, Bruce! Say hi!

...hello. [He tries the smile again, but its weaker this time, and Bruce is still looking distinctly uncomfortable about all of this.

Some pity is taken, at least, and Floramon comes back into the screen, looking somewhat apologetic.] Sorry, my partner's kind of shy - but he's really nice, I can assure you! And I'm looking forward to working with you all in the future! Feel free to say hi back too! I'll make sure my partner answers to you next time.

[With that said, Floramon gives one more wave before the feed shuts off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm more used to the former, but whatever works for you. [He isn't that picky, honestly.

Also, he raises his eyebrows at the right of the new Digimon, but considering how he himself turns into a giant green ragemonster, its not that horrible either.]

Was the color scheme a set package?

Dr. Bruce. [ She likes it. Also, he gave her permission and hell if she's not going to use it to the best of her ability. ]

You know, I don't know. Thelma's normal-colored, for a bear. Rufus, you gonna stick with that look all the way through?

How should I know? Did you know how big you were going to be before you evolved?

Grew. I grew up, I don't evolve.

She'll probably change colors! I turn red when I digivolve.

You also grow fuck-off gigantic wings.

[You're certainly the first person to call him that, but--well. It's not too bad, Bruce supposes. And besides: not picky.

Also making a mental note to ask Floramon about this 'digivolving' business once he can.]

I suppose that's something you'll find out in the future.

[ All you have to do is ask, Bruce. Misha would be happy to explain what she knows. ]

I can hardly wait. It's not like it took some life-threatening danger last time to get Thelma up to the next level or anything.

[It's okay, Bruce doesn't want to be that guy who keeps asking and annoys everyone. Besides, Floramon is a native, and a better way to know of things is to ask the natives.]

That doesn't sound good. [Yeah, Bruce and life-threatening do not mix well together.]

Yeah, apparently it's linked to some kind of flight-or-fight response.

Not always. Give us enough time and we'll grow there on our own. But with our partners... we can get there even faster!

Translation: we're basically their stepping stools.

[A small, amused sound from Bruce here, complete with a wry look.]

That's good to know.

Hey, don't put it that way! You're our partners!

Stepping stool partners? [ There's a grin in her voice. ] Don't get me wrong, I love having a gigantic digimon on my side whenever I want, but you have to admit: it's pretty convenient for you guys to just go, Oh hey, I want to grow up for a while, and boom!

Well, it's not like we can stay in our digivolved forms forever. That takes up so much energy.

[But Floramon looks guilty now, and it looks over to Bruce with a sad expression.]

You're more than that though, promise!

[Bruce just smiles, but he doesn't say anything. He still needs some time to take it all in.]

You know that was a joke, right? [ Misha's tempted to put her camera on and get the sincerity across here, but leaves it be for now. No reason to freak anyone out with her own laziness. ] It's a pretty good system they've got here. Part of the reason we're so valuable, since we can do things on command that the natives can't.

...you sounded like you meant it...

[Now Floramon isn't sure what to feel, although there is some hurt in its voice. Bruce does his best here to make things better.]

Regardless of what it is, we're brought here for a reason. [Even if he isn't agreeable to it.] Now we just have to make the best of it.

I didn't. Hey, if you don't mind meeting up with strangers, I could even get you an ice cream to make up for it. Not like I've got anything else to do in the city right now.

[ There's a small hm to Bruce. ]

Making the best is what I do best. It's not as hard as people make it sound.

It's okay. You apologized, so that's okay.

[Or said something close to it, anyway. Floramon is chill with it.]

People have different experiences and histories, so what might be easy for some many be harder for others. [A pause.] Not everyone can take things in the way you can, after all.

Yeah, you've got a point there. Nothing against people having their own strengths and weaknesses. I'm just saying, it's a big enough city to find something to do.