themainframe | 06 Butterflies

[Lopmon appears on the screen, a mix of concern and frustration on his face as he glances around quickly before turning his attention to the screen.]

S-so...I'm...only supposed to be monitoring the D-Terminal for if anything happens that we should know about. And I'm only supposed to make calls if it's an emergency, but... [He hesitates, glancing around again.] Well...I think it's important, anyway.

See...Fluttershy's been really upset lately. Ever since she and Beastboy... [He pauses, a look of anger passing over his face as he exhales shortly. Then he shakes himself out of it.] Anyway, ever since then, she's just been...sad. She won't leave our room except to go to work, and she'll only smile around the younger Digimon. And even they know something's wrong with her, 'cuz they ask her about it.

She keeps saying she's fine, but I know she's not...And...I-I don't know what to do. [He hates to admit that, because he was her partner. It was his goal - his purpose - to help her, and the fact that he couldn't was hard for him.

But this was about Fluttershy, not about him. And if this would help, than he'd gladly swallow his pride and do this.]

Uh...Twilight, Rarity...if you're seeing this...I-I know we haven't...really met yet, but...You guys are friends from Fluttershy's world, right? Maybe you two can help her?

Or just...anyone really...Please? Fluttershy...could really use some cheering up...

[He pauses for a moment, seeming to think over something.]

She's still working at the elementary school. She gets off at 2.

[With that parting statement, the feed cuts out.]

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That we weren't friends either.

...then Guilmon clotheslined me and I don't remember the rest... [He rubs at his neck.]

O-oh gosh...Th-that doesn't sound like Hiccup either...

Y-yeah... I think we were both kind of off...

Hmm...wh-whatever happened...seems to have affected a lot of people...

Y-yeah... so you don't need to worry too much about it. It wasn't really Beastboy at all.

[She's silent for a moment, thinking it over. Then she nods.]

O-okay...

So anyways...

I'm not really sure I like what that meant. That thing where I wasn't me.

I...I-I wonder what that could have been...to make people change like that...

I don't know. I can't rule out that it's something weird related to the dark zones.

...Can I ask you for something? Something really important?

[She blinks.] Of...Of course...

If I ever act really terribly and hurt your feelings, I want you to hit me.

As hard as you can.

[Her eyes widen.]

U-um...E-Ed, I...I-I'm not sure if -

That's why only you can do it.

You'd never hurt someone. So if you're punching me, then something's really, really wrong. I don't think you'd do it unless I was really being a total jerk.

U-um...[She glances away.] I-I...I-I'll try...

...Thanks.

If it was anyone else, I might believe that it was just because of me... but if it was you who did it it'd be weird enough to make me really think about stuff.

If it doesn't work, find help. Something way worse is going on.