[Video]

[brokenground]

[It's a video. Terra's somewhere outside of HospiTown by the forest in the background; it's late but not so late where he can't be easily seen. He looks like he hasn't been sleeping well, but otherwise alert.]

Hey there. I don't know most of you and most of you don't know me, so ... I'm Terra. I've been told in some detail we're here to save this place, and I intend to get to it.

['Now', apparently.]

Minervamon said she'd be leaving more detailed information later on, but for now I know we need to find Titamon and find the ARCloner as some first steps. It's a lot better than nothing to work with at all, but this world's a lot larger--

[A lot larger than most worlds he's been to. He can't say that, and continues after a moment of thought.]

--Than I expected. There's a lot of ground to cover. So I'm hoping to find some people willing to do some traveling. ...A lot of traveling actually. And willing to share what they find when they're traveling with everyone else. If anyone out there's got experience with uh, scouting, reconnaissance, that sort of thing, and willing to help, I'd like to hear from you.

[It's pretty clear Terra's not used to doing this sort of thing, it's all pretty awkwardly stated, with a bit of fidgeting here and there too, but he manages to stay pretty calm. This was a thing he was sure would help. Now if he could find enough people willing to help..]

Comments

[Text]

[proveyourmetal]

[Most others tend to have a preference for video and audio, as it's easier for many of them. Most others would stay with video rather than switch back as Bumblebee is often forced to. He's not sure why Terra is insistent on it. It could be he really is trying to acclimate to the new technology, or it could be a polite consideration on Bee's behalf. Either way, he appreciates the gesture.]

We may even see them again here in this world, given time and chance.

Right. Hope for the best and do what we can to fix the situation from here.

[Text]

[brokenground]

[Possibly there's another option, and Terra just hasn't figured out that these things can juggle text and video at the same time. But there's certainly an element of wanting to make sure Bumblebee's communicating in a way comfortable for him; being mute meant what, standing there and typing for him to see? That wasn't necessary. It might even be a little embarrassing.

Text is easy enough for now.]

hat's true, nobody really knows who might get picked up as one of these 'chosen children'. I can hope, right? Yours too. The more the merrier, I've always been told.

[Text]

[proveyourmetal]

Are your friends 'problem solvers' too?

[Because that won't just be merrier, that'd be ideal. If all of them are as proactive as Terra has been, it'd do this world some good.]

[Text]

[brokenground]

Yes.

[If Terra were completely honest he'd also note that when all three of them were in the same place occasionally they caused problems instead of solved them, but weren't most teenagers like that?]

Don't worry. If they arrive here, either through the digimon or tracking me down, they'll do everything in their power to help out. I'm certain of it.

[Text]

[proveyourmetal]

[Bee and Smokescreen are close to teenagers in Cybertronian terms, so yes. He can attest to that. It's the natural order of things. That's just what teenagers do.]

I'm guessing as an apprentice, you've been exposed to multiple problems.

You've solved other situations like this in the past?

[Text]

[brokenground]

Most of it's been training. Preparation for when we're ready to take on our duties fully. It's funny how training never really prepares you for the reality of it.

[He wasn't a master, but he's seen plenty of worlds off-balance, in need of a little adjustment. Or a lot, in some cases.]

What, deposing warlords? Not so much, I haven't deposed anyone yet. Honestly so far my experience has been that most problems can be solved by finding the instigator and convincing them to stop.

[Through violence!]

I know there's far more complicated situations and solutions, I've just been lucky or unlucky enough to not run into them just yet.

[Text]oh! Canon point correction: Bee'snot warrior class yet, he's still Scout at this point. ma bad

[proveyourmetal]

Sometimes you just have to put your wheels to the road to see what things are really like. To be honest, my first days out of training and on the battlefield were mostly jumping first and figuring out how to land later.

I've learned a thing or two since then, so my process has evolved some.

[Bumblebee chuckles to himself.]

When were you thinking of setting out?

[txt] No problem! :o

[brokenground]

Yeah. It's quite an eye-opener but nothing says fast learning like hands on education. I'm glad you made it out given warzone and all!

As soon as possible. Once I've got enough supplies set aside for a couple days' journey at least, hopefully we'd be able to find other resources on the way. Dorumon has told me there's plenty of resources out there if you know what to look for.

[text]

[proveyourmetal]

All because of my team. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. Sometimes the difference of whether or not you make it out alive is the bot beside you.

I may need a day or two to get some affairs in order and talk with my team. Otherwise Vanguard and I should be ready to go.

[text]

[brokenground]

Yes, exactly. Well not so much with the bot beside me but some ideas transcend species. If you can't rely on your friends and allies, who can you rely on?

That's fine. I would want to leave my friends a note if I was suddenly going to up and disappear on them too. Take as much time as you need, and just drop me a message when you're all set.

[text]

[proveyourmetal]

Will do. I'll contact you if anything changes, or if I come across any interesting intel between now and then.

See you in a few.

[text]

[brokenground]

I'll work on figuring out how we're going to manage interpersonal conversations easiest when face to face in the meantime. Take care.

[Texting while he's standing right there might be awkward! But he'll figure something out.]

[text, 1.5 days later]

[proveyourmetal]

[A few days later, Terra will receive a text message from the bot as promised.]

Terra. It's Bumblebee.

Vanguard and I are all set and ready to rendezvous.

[text at first.]

[brokenground]

[It's been a long couple days but time is a good thing. More time to get oriented, time to find enough supplies, time to get Dorumon's forepaw talons filed down a bit..]

Alright. Meet me in front of the hospital, and we'll go from there. It seems the easiest spot.

[Primarily because Terra is occasionally a tiny bit lazy and he's already there, sitting down next to a tree again. It's a nice spot and gives him a good view of the comings and goings.. why not there?]

[text--> Action]

[proveyourmetal]

Be there in a cycle. [Another text follows that up shortly after, when he realizes the other may not be familiar.] Be there in a minute.

[As promised, Bumblebee emerges from the hospital. He's packed light, his side pack filled with only the essentials and a few items bought from the general store yesterday. Vanguard is walking at his side, lazily murmuring about scouting from Trailmon being easier. Bumblebee only raises an eyebrow and gives him an amused look. Not how scouting works, pal.]

[A quick scan of the area helps him spot where Terra is waiting. His eyes will brighten somewhat as he casually makes his way over. Once he's close enough, he'll briefly raise a hand in greeting.]

How about we just hire a flying digimon and take a nice vacation in Netsurf Village.

[brokenground]

[There's no text response, but it does draw a brief chuckle. He'll remember that; who knows when it might be important. Or just useful!

But Terra waits; he can be patient when he wanted to be and right now there's no rush. He knows to look for someone in bright orange and black; Bumblebee had provided a visual before at least. Which means when those colors are spotted, he hauls himself back to his feet. There's that moment of startled confusion again - it lasts only a moment. He really did look like Ven. An older Ven, one in different clothes, but even the casual stride seemed familiar.

He'd get used to it. Bee was definitely a different individual, and he shakes it off before memories cloud here-and-now.]

Hey.

[Dorumon uncurls from the fuzzy purple ball he'd been in, blinking groggily before likewise standing, giving a slow, fur-ruffling stretch in the doing.]

...Vacation? Vacations come after the work parts are done. Maybe after we're done, how's that sound?

[Terra could make the offer! It could be a LONG time before the work part is done though, there's a whole world to save.]

[proveyourmetal]

[Sometimes when Bee glances at Terra, he'll sees a flicker of emotion come across the taller man. It's subtle, and disappears as quick as it comes. It looks a little something like... recognition? Maybe. maybe not. It's gone by the time the thought finishes, so Bee doesn't pay it much mind.]

[Vanguard's tail flickers with interest, curling behind him at the offer. Bumblebee grins at his partner as she shakes his head. His hand reaches into his pocket for the D-Terminal.]

Don't encourage him. If he decides to settle down early for a 'vacation,' he'll never get up again.

[brokenground]

[It's going to be a problem, but a minor one and one easily dealt with. Had Bumblebee looked several years younger, there would certainly be more issues. Right now it's just similarity, and Terra can handle it pretty easily. Plenty of people resembled other people.

It just left a nagging anxiety that he doesn't know where Ven is or if he's okay.

This matter of having to text all the time is something he's going to have to find a fix for. The simple handsign he knew wasn't going to be enough for detailed conversations..]

Then he'll get left behind.

[It could have been a scathing statement but Terra just sounds and looks amused.]

He can sit there and twiddle his thumbs, and we'll have all the benefits of traveling together. Safety in numbers. Entertainment. Regular meals. I'm sure Dorumon can handle whatever turns up on his own.

I can try!

[proveyourmetal]

[Vanguard straightens, realizing that he's the very subject of conversation. He may not be able to see what Bee has said, but he can literally feel the amusement from his partner. ]

H-hey! Nobody's leaving anybody behind! Especially when that somebody is me.[Bee gets an accusing finger.]< And don't you laugh, you little wisecrack. You wouldn't last a day without me.

[Vanguard may be murmuring under his breath about Bee's chances of being eaten by a Tyrannomon in the middle of the night. Bumblebee just pats his digimon on the back in good humor as he approaches Terra.]

[A moment later, Bumblebee produces a well-worn document from his pack. He'll be handing it to Terra: a map displaying the fruits of Bee's labor for the past few weeks. 'HospiTown' is the most populated area of the map. Some sections around the city are circled and labelled with various hazards. Unfamiliar symbols of cities or villages pepper the North where locals have provided him with intel. Roads and well-used paths curl around the paper like snakes, ending where Bee has not yet searched. The eastern and northern part of the map are more barren, unexplored and clean of Bee's notes.]

It's nothing comprehensive, but it's a start.

[brokenground]

Alright, nobody's getting left behind. But you better keep up!

[There's still no trace of hostility or scorn. Just a gentle verbal poking, from someone who may or may not be an ally. Terra's still fairly certain this trained scout and his digimon were worth the effort of making reliable allies with. Friends ... perhaps not, but friendship wasn't required. Steady reliability was. He could handle that, it was distant enough from the things that hurt to not trouble him.

So far so good.

'Tyrannomon' is caught out of all that, drawing a sidelong glance from Terra to his own partner. Dorumon seems to interpret the glance just fine as the question it was and raises his claws and opens his muzzle, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth, then pantomimes stomping around eating invisible digimon as he goes.

It seems to convey the point JUST fine as Bumblebee produces his paper, which unfolds neatly into a map. There's a pause to see what the text sent along with it is, before he goes back to admiring Bumblebee's work. Nice map. He wanted one.]

Ah, wow. This is a lot better than my own, actually, and very well detailed with exactly the stuff I want to know. It looks like there's a bit of a gap up this way, across the river. You haven't been there yet I take it?

[Obviously, if that spot's not filled in yet.]

We could head there, see what there is to see.

[proveyourmetal]

[Vanguard's eyes flash, though less in challenge and more in competition. Despite its prideful tone, his words are as harmless as Terra's amiable banter. Vanguard fires back without missing a beat] Are you kidding? It's you guys who'll have to try and keep up with me.

[Bumblebee shakes his head. It's unknown wilderness in the empty white space of the map. He's interviewed some residents on the matter, but the reliability of those accounts are always hit or miss.]

Haven't been there, no. I first arrived here a few weeks ago. My teammates wanted to rendezvous with me after I showed up, so I stayed close to HospiTown waiting for them.

[He taps the tiny blue squiggle of a river on the map before giving Terra a thumbs up. That sounds as good a place to start as any.]

Thanks. Scouting near HospiTown is easy. Understanding the politics between Olympus XII and figuring out exactly what this 'ARcloner' is? Much more difficult.

[brokenground]

You won't be keeping up with anyone if you're thinking about vacations though. Think about adventure! Exploration! Finding things!

[Dorumon is not one for any of these things, not even a little bit. Eventually Terra's going to wind up carrying him. But for now, he can sound enthusiastic about it.]

The last thing we need to deal with is politics while trying to save a world.

[Terra makes a face, and offers the map back. He'd keep hold of it longer but he has a pretty good memory and an idea of where to head now.]

From what I can tell the ARCloner might be part of either why we're here, or where these SCOPE digimon come from. Not sure why it's important yet, but I figure we'll find out when we locate it.

[Not a whole lot of forethought there, but it doesn't seem to concern him too much.]

I've got enough supplies to last the four of us a few days, we'll see how far we get and what we see by then.

[proveyourmetal]

You are way too happy about this. I hope you know that all that 'adventuring' involves a whole lot of walking.

[Dorumon's enthusiasm seems to zap the strength right out of Vanguard. Still, he is no stranger to dealing with an upbeat attitude. After all, his partner is Bumblebee. He doesn't mind the other digimon as much as other people might expect, satisfied to even settle down near him to groom his mane until they get moving.]

[Bumblebee gives Terra a nod of thanks and briefly glances at the map to orient himself. After that, he tucks it away securely in his pack.]

That's one way to handle it. Though, I can't think of any better plans. And thanks. I've got some essentials as well, and everything else we can forage and purchase along any settlements.

[Bumblebee just takes another moment to adjust his pack, to check everything inside before he looks up at Terra. Ready to go whenever the other is.]

You been in this world long?

[brokenground]

What's wrong with walking?

[Beside the fact that sooner or later Dorumon would get tired and Terra would have to tote him around like a fuzzy purple sack of potatos.

Terra's getting used to having to repeatedly check the little machine for a message; it's not as convenient as just talking but it works. Not the best.. some alternative would need to be found eventually, but for now..]

Then between the two of us we should be set. I don't know how much of an eater your partner is but Dorumon will eat anything in sight if you let him. Don't let him.

[Dorumon looks a little put out, but he's also not denying it. If it's tasty and it's there, why shouldn't he eat it?? As it seems they're more or less all set, Terra turns and heads in what he's pretty sure is the right direction. Rivers are not a big deal to cross, they'd find a shallow spot eventually.]

Ah.. no. A couple of weeks, I think. It's hard to keep track of time here. Yourself?

[proveyourmetal]

Nothing. So long as it involves short distances and there are naps at the end of them. I'm only tolerating this trip because Bee is hopeless without me.

[Bumblebee spares Dorumon a glance and his eyes fill with humor.]

I'll keep an eye on him. Vanguard's eats like he's starving, but I especially wouldn't leave anything sweet unless you want it to disappear.

[Bumblebee will roll his neck and lift his arms above his head, limbering up for the journey ... and because stretching is a fantastic human marvel. Robots can make similar calibrations to loosen up, but it feels nothing like this. It's always the little things that make the human experience a bit exciting, when it isn't frustrating.]

Same. Though it feels like much longer. They pulled me from my world and into this one just as I was fighting a critical battle. My first days trying to figure out what had happened were some of the longest.

[He falls into step with Terra easily, scanning the horizon and their heading periodically, but still very relaxed. Vanguard just groans when they start to move, and reluctantly gets to his feet to catch up.]