[IC] - All the World's a Game

[S121]

Ancient City

John hated to admit it, but he was slightly amused by Akihita's anxiety. John had a little bit of anxiety when he first started talking to people, but nothing like Akihita.

"Well, it's a long story, but I'll give you the short version. I blew up a giant planetary drill, watched one of my best friends die, got my leg blown to pieces, watched the woman I love die, got attacked by Flandre, got attacked by my now possessed friend, fell back to Earth, failed to save him, attended my friends' funeral, watched as they were resurrected, was proposed to by Yukari, went to this party, sparred Yuuka, cleaned up a library, met 'Big Boss', went to a trial, and defended one of my friends. It's been a very busy day, but at least everything worked out in the end. I'm tired, but happy.", John said to Akihita in a calm tone.

"What about you?", John asked Akihita in a calm tone.

[wonderweiss]

"Uh....."

She ran over to Komachi.

"What do I say?"

"... 'how was your day?' Simple as that. Oh and take off the mask."

She went back.

"... It was fine. I... Did my job... I meet the 9th yama... Met some new people... Oh, that's right!"

She took off her mask.

[S121]

Ancient City

John couldn't help but form a slight smile across his face as he watched Akihita walk back and forth between Komachi and himself.

"Seeing how you removed your mask, it's only courteous of me to do the same.", John said to Akihita.

John pulled the emergency lever on his helmet, causing it to emit a faint hiss as the helmet depressurized. Once it stopped hissing, John removed the helmet and put it on his magnetic holster.

"I almost forgot, what is your name?", John asked Akihita.

[Kristia]

Forest of magic

Renamon was relaxing under a tree while eating an apple when she heard her partner coming with some berries

"I have to wonder, how and where do you obtain that fruit, anywhere we have been, you have an apple" the lucario said with a confused face

The fox couldn´t help but smirk "Coincidence probably? if its not a stall vendor, it is a tree, if not that, it falls from a basket" she countered

Nera looked at the vixen "So you are an apple magnet? atleast you won´t die of starvation" she spoke taking a berry to her mouth

"Indeed, but then there are also this guy" Renamon said taking another apple close to her and showed it to the jackal "What do you see in this fruit?"

Nera looked at it and examined it "It looks perfect to me, but let me guess, there is something bad in it, right?" she asked

"You are right on it" The fox said slicing the apple with her claw and splitted it. the fruit in question looked a bit paler from its usual color "There are things that look fine on the outside, but on the inside can lie something putrid that will poison your body" she explained

the lucario looked at her partner and knew that face "There is something worrying you, I can tell by your eyes"

"I am worried indeed, since this whole mess started with the Neo Yakuza, I saw how someone of pure heart could be corrupted by using the right words and actions" Renamon said moving her mane showing the bullet wound on her chest "When I saw Chen actually working with them by her own choice I thought about the possibility that there can be something behind the lines. With the Devourer, there was that general Domino and his partner who helped us, but also was the chance that they could be spies. I can feel that something is coming, in the other hand I may be getting paranoid with everything that has happened. Met new people, almost got killed atleast ten times, met and resurrect my mate, and stopped an interdimensional war. All in less than one year" The fox finished with a deep sigh

"Well, for what I know, you are stubborn, thick headed, direct and don´t follow orders, but paranoid? Im afraid you are wrong on that. Even though I wish you were wrong this time, your instincts and soul do everything to stop adversities and you can feel danger. It may be a simple threat or a big event, but whatever that can occur, just know I will be by your side" Nera said sitting near her mate

"We shall see, but right now we are at times of peace and happines, might as well enjoy it" the fox spoke holding her mates paw

[wonderweiss]

"Akihita Monari. And yours?"

Then she blushed.

"Oh wait... I already asked that, didn't I? Well... You seem to have ties with this Yukari Yakumo."

[S121]

Ancient City

"Yes. Yukari and I are romantically involved.", John calmly said to Akihita.

This reminded John about asking Akihita why Yukari disrupted the court.

"Speaking of which, she has been acting strangely ever since she left the trial. Do you know what happened? Why did she disrupt the trial?", John asked in his usual calm tone.

[wonderweiss]

"... Honestly, I don't know... I've never had contact with her, nor many others for that matter. Well, I wish you two the best then."

[S121]

Ancient City

"So I heard you don't get out much. Why is that, if you don't mind me asking?", John politely asked Akihita.

[wonderweiss]

"Well I'm always at the kings' side. That is my job. Now they've assigned me to go socialize. It's weird. I've always known how to handle a problem, but this one... I don't know how to deal with it."

[S121]

Ancient City

John gave a slight chuckle at what Akihita said and spoke.

"Then we have something in common. Spartan-IIs are able to adapt to any situation. I can adapt to anything thrown at me, but when it came to socializing, I had some problems. Luckily, things get much easier after a while. You just have to put yourself out there and not be afraid of making a fool of yourself every once in a while.", John said to Akihita in a slightly friendlier tone.

[wonderweiss]

"Yes, but what if I mess up a conversation? It's difficult... But I'm going to try."

Komachi came up Abe threw her arm around Akihita. "That's the spirit! That was fawless... Damn, flawless... Heheh... Fawless... Anyways, now you should go talk to Yukari. You've yet to explain yourself to her. That'll be your test!"



Meanwhile, in the forest, a figure was approaching Rena and Nera.

[Kristia]

Forest of magic

Nera was the first to hear something coming "Looks like your little paranohia sitcked to me, I just felt someone coming" she said looking at the possible being´s direction

"One day I will hate me for my instinct, please show yourself" Renamon said outloud for whoever was getting close as both the lucario and digimon were ready to jump or evade

[S121]

Ancient City

Right before Akihita left to go speak to Yukari, John spoke up.

"One moment before we go find Yukari. I need to go tell Otori something first, then we can go. I'll be back really quick, okay?", John asked Komachi and Akihita.

[wonderweiss]

"Whatevs man, whatevs. Just be back before the devourer gets here, I don't wanna fight him alone -w-"



Lujuria looked ahead. She saw two figures. She his behind a tree. She pulled out two kunai, just in case.

[S121]

Ancient City

"The Devourer is done for... Yukari beat him...", John said in a slightly confused tone before disappearing through a Corridor of Darkness...







Near Helicopter - Youkai Mountain - Gensokyo

All of a sudden, a corridor of Darkness opened up right next to Otori. Soon after, John walked out to greet him.

"Hello, Otori. I have news about the trial.", John calmly said to Otori.