1 Video

[bigsoftie]

[After fumbling with the feed, the owner succeeds in getting it on. The feed turns on to the image of a very large, very apologetic teenager with a rope around his neck. The owner of said rope? An impatient-looking red Impmon.

Needless to say yesterday had been a taxing day for the digimon. If he had to be with this kid, things were going by HIS book, not theirs. Leatherhead went along with Impmon's demands to keep the kid leashed out of guilt for his earlier tantrum. He deserved it, he deserved a lot worse.

Leatherhead looks up to the communicator, speaking.]

I was told I was a Chosen...but I am not sure if that is ri--

[Impmon will have none of that. He tugs on the fashioned rope, clearing his throat.]

ANYWAY, before I was interrupted, I was saying I've got a sweet deal for you digichumps. Ever wanted a digidestined? Well lucky for you, I've got the digidestined of your dreams!

He's big, he's burly, I think he's housebroken and he can be yours for 1000 bits! Any offers?

[The former alligator just sinks back further.]

Come on! It's a once in a lifetime offer!

Comments

[Video]

[bigsoftie]

Please, he is only concerned for what I might do again.

[Video]

[headup_stickontheice]

[He's thankful to talk to the person himself.] That's not-- that doesn't matter! You've, you're just a kid! [Maybe older than Cam is, but that doesn't matter.] And you don't seem...

He's supposed to protect you, not tie you up. [Not call you crazy.]

[Video]

[bigsoftie]

[Leatherhead just keeps his head down.]

No, it is for the best.

And he's not supposed to go all crazy on me and beat everything in sight!

[Video]

[headup_stickontheice]

[To Impmon:] You, stop that. You ever think being nice might do more good?! [And to Leatherhead:] It's not for the best if you're unhappy.

[Video]

[bigsoftie]

I do not think I can ever be happy...

Maybe he shouldn't grab people's heads first!

[Video]

[headup_stickontheice]

[Cam just. Shoots a look at Impmon. He refuses to respond to him. Instead, he's sort of absorbed by that. That sentence, that statement. His voice is low and raw.] I get that. I, you have no idea how much I get that. But no matter how hopeless it seems, I think, I mean, I've learned that-- ...doesn't...have to be. They're...people, you can talk to.

[Yeah, maybe he's projecting. Maybe he doesn't know the specifics. But he can't help himself.]

I'm Cam. What's your name?

[Video]

[bigsoftie]

[From the sound of it, the kid was pretty close to what he went through.]

I do not wish to hurt them...

I am called Leatherhead. Thank you, Cam.

[Video]

[headup_stickontheice]

I know. I know you don't. [He appears uncomfortable; he's remembering the lengths he himself had gone to and they scare him.] But that'll hurt you, and that's...not good.

[He's not very eloquent.]

...Are you in your room right now, Leatherhead? [Odd name, but he takes it in stride.]

[Video]

[bigsoftie]

[The lengths he went through had not been choice, not in the slightest. He still regrets them, regardless.]

Yes...yes I am. Why do you ask?

[Video]

[headup_stickontheice]

[Carefully, very carefully...] Just curious. Which room is it?

[Video]

[bigsoftie]

Fourth room on the second floor...

[He isn't sure what to make of his request.]

[Video --> action]

[headup_stickontheice]

...Oh. [Blink, stare.] ...Oh.

[Well, he seems to almost laugh and the D-Terminal turns off, see. And probably two minutes later, a knock is heard at the dorm door.]

[Action]

[bigsoftie]

[Leatherhead slowly opens the door. He almost closes it on his face, but he did not want to hurt the human. Impmon's in the back of the apartment, already marking the bed as his own.]

...I am not sure coming was a good idea.

[Action]

[headup_stickontheice]

[Wow, this guy's tall. No matter. Cam stands in the doorway and shakes his head.] Had to at least come and get that thing off you. [The leash.] Besides, I know the girls who live here. They're really great, they won't let your partner bully you.

[Action]

[bigsoftie]

You do not have to...it makes my digimon feel safe.

You do? I have not met them yet...

[Action]

[headup_stickontheice]

No one deserves to be dragged around on a leash. Come on. Lean down a bit.

[He prompts him to do so, holding out his hands to get the leash out from around his neck.]

They're probably out, work, or...shopping. Lizzy likes shopping. But they're nice. You'll like them, they'll like you.

Re: [Action]

[bigsoftie]

I am monster...it is best for me...

[Almost there, Cam. But no cigar.]

Are you sure? I do not agree...

[Action]

[headup_stickontheice]

I'm sure. And you're no monster.

[He really doesn't want to. Share things. But.]

I, I'm really down on myself too. A lot. And I don't...think I deserve half the nice people I've got. But-- but someone told me recently that I'm not...what people tell me I am. A...psycho, or a nutcase, or crazy.

So, you're-- not a monster. And you seem, I mean... You seem like a nice guy. Lotta people already were...upset, at your Digimon. Gotta stand for something, right?

[Action]

[bigsoftie]

Yes...but...

What if it happens again? It always happens, I always lose control...

[Action]

[headup_stickontheice]

Then...you work through it. Somehow. Find something that...calms you down.

...I think.

[Action]

[bigsoftie]

It is...not that easy.

[AKA an alien race basically made him like this.]

[Action]

[headup_stickontheice]

...I'm not saying it's easy. [A quiet mental shiver.] It's...really not...easy... But it's, ...better than this.

[Action]

[bigsoftie]

I am not saying I will not try just that...it is not possible.

[Action]

[headup_stickontheice]

What? No, no-- I thought that too, but Miss Shepard. [He realizes he's getting ahead of himself.] ...Your, I mean... Your anger issues, they don't, they don't have to be the end, it's...there's a lot...in your head.

[He's found he's a lot better at listening to this advice than spitting it back out.]

[Action]

[bigsoftie]

...yes.

[Cam's regurgitated advice managed to strike something within him as his head sinks.]

There is a lot in my head...too much.