Day 60: Music Room (Fourth Shift)

[stray_shinigami]

It wasn't often that Renji felt less like punching people in general as his day wore on. This was a new experience for him. A not unwelcome one, if he was being honest. And the fact that he felt less like punching Fai? Kind of mind-blowing. The sort of thing Zen masters would probably use as a kouan to reach an all-new level of non-punching

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[poorexample]

It seemed that they had interpreted that the same way. Castiel didn't know if it was because Renamon was also a fighter in her own right. He still didn't know what a "Digital Monster" did, exactly, but the fact that "monster" was in the title did imply that she was no stranger to combat. In that sense, Renamon and Castiel were decent choices if the people behind this were looking for soldiers. So was Kratos, for that matter.

But then there was someone like Orihara, who despite his odd behavior, didn't seem to have much experience in the field of battle. Renamon had noticed this as well. Castiel glanced over at her next question and shook his head. "What I wrote is as much as she said. I would have asked for further details, but they didn't give us the chance."

He leaned back in his seat, holding back a sigh. Even with all of this, they didn't have the full picture. Still, he understood far more now than he had when he'd first woken, which was something. "It's possible that they don't simply need people with physical prowess," he pointed out. "Different strengths are required when fighting a war."

[yin_yang_fox]

As she assumed. Renamon wouldn't think that he would withhold that information if he was giving this much. It raised as many questions as it possibly answered--'possibly,' being said in the most optimistic of senses. An attack of devastation. From what the Digimon knew personally, and what she had heard within the weeks here, that could be many a thing. With nothing more likely than the other. Something to consider, though she didn't think she'd get very far without more information.

"Agreed," she responded without hesitation. "I've known more than a few without any abilities whatsoever; who are, for all intents and purposes, completely normal humans." Not the majority, but enough--she could count back over the days and list them. Though even some with abilities or powers seemed more civilian than not-- Orihime, as an example, Renamon would not want anywhere near combat. Of Nigredo, she would have said the same until last night. Watching the creatures explode from the energy he used gave her confidence enough he could take care of himself. "There's a multitude of things that people could offer. Knowledges, perspectives, certain abilities inherent to them and no other-- Different ways minds work against the same setting."

...Although.

"Although," she considered, echoing her thought somewhat quietly. "There is another option." Again, her finger moved to the page, hovering under a sentence. Apparently, our captors have gone to these lengths in order to be prepared if such a thing happens again. "To be prepared," she read. "Other than the military, we're not being cajoled or coerced into siding with them to defend their world. To that.... When I first came, I discussed with a few the methods they used to move between other worlds. Most, actually, held to a general pattern, in which I assumed was similar here. It takes energy. Life, will, emotion. I theorized at one point that since the majority of patients are taken at a moment of high stress, that the emotions actually fuel the doorway between." She narrowed her eyes in annoyance. "It has no backing, but a possibility is that the preparing they are doing is a storage of energy from the combined group here. To do with as they will."

She was silent a beat, and then shifted her shoulders in something like a shrug. Honestly, it was all conjectures at this point. Whether training for a war or stealing power and energy. There was no way to know for certain without learning more. And for that, they needed to come across people who knew this world firsthand. Sadly, there was only a few.

[poorexample]

Castiel wasn't personally familiar with many humans, but he had observed them for long enough that he knew how each one could have something about them that made them unique; a skill that only they possessed. Looking at it from that perspective, powers and abilities could cover a large range. It was possible that the people in charge didn't know exactly what they needed or what they were looking for, and so they were gathering as many varied skills as they could.

However, Renamon had another theory: that the people in charge were somehow feeding off of their energy through the very act of them being brought here. Castiel's first instinct was to reject that, as he wasn't one with strong emotions (so what would they have had to gain from him?), but he couldn't help recalling the circumstances under which he'd arrived. He'd let out a startling amount of energy at that point, had put his all into taking out the angels that had been hunting him down. If all of that Grace had been collected by those here...

It would also explain why they were weakened now, if all of their power was still being siphoned off of them here. His expression darkened as he thought it all over. "It's a solid theory," he admitted, "though once again, with no proof..."

Having these ideas in mind would make it easier for them to determine when they had come across an actual clue, however. It was good to discuss it, particularly because there was little else that they could do during the day.

[yin_yang_fox]

She inclined her head at his response, an almost apologetic move. "Yes," she replied. "There's no way to hold anything as certain without shifting theories to facts." No way to honestly move forward instead of just blundering. She knew this well, had known a month of it. She wondered, suddenly, how other had had the strength to continue for longer than this.

...Well. She supposed she would find at least that answer out in time.

"I'll ask around and share this with a few," she added, moving to fold the paper in half and half again. "If I find out anything of import, I'll contact you." She paused there, then bowed her head to him. "Thank you for sharing this. Truly."

[poorexample]

With the promise to share the note given and thanks offered, it seemed that their conversation had come to a logical end. The one good thing about this place was that it didn't force Castiel to have to make awkward exits from conversations, as the staff did that for him.

He took the time in which the nurses started filtering through the room to nod back to Renamon. "It would have been wrong for me to keep to myself," he replied. "I appreciate your understanding the importance of sharing it." Renamon surely had plenty of contacts here, so Castiel could rest assured that she would disperse the message much further than he could on his own.

His nurse reached the table, prompting Castiel to stand. "I suspect we'll meet again." While it would have been better for both of them if they got out of here before they had the chance, Castiel was far too aware of their bad odds.