DAY 42: THE BOOKWORM

[forgot_it_all]

[ from here]The smell of old paper, leather and cardboard was oddly comforting. It had been too long since Ritsuka had been able to visit the patient library and since he was only able to check out one book, he usually had way too much time on his hand. Ritsuka was used to reading at least one or two books a day, so having just one for an entire

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[yin_yang_fox]

Renamon's outfit had been completed with the strangest jacket the Digimon had seen when she got off of the bus into the cold weather. Sense would have pointed to not placing her in a skirt... again... in the first place, but she had already come to terms with the lack of sense. One look, though, and the hood remained down. She would keep what was left of her dignity.

For the moment, Renamon slid it around her shoulders, not wanting the hassle of getting her cast through the sleeve. Again, Renamon wandered, plan-less and meeting-less, contemplating the talk of the bus ride. She found herself in front of the book store again, and a pang shot through her. Why did it seem that the time she had shared with Orihime had been so short? She stared up at the sign, breathing in the cold air.

[taken]

[toadally4boobs]

Jiraiya was outfitted in a rather strangely shiny red shirt and a pair of black pants. To protect him against the cold weather, the nurses had given him a trench coat that completely ruined any style that he had. At least everyone else was dressed like an idiot, too. He sighed and hung his head a little.

Until he caught sight of Renamon, anyways, in the most heavenly short skirt possible. For a moment, he let himself enjoy the view. Then, he decided he'd better make sure she was doing all right, because he knew that she really didn't like being so uncovered.

Of course that was the reason. Not like he wanted a closer look or anything...

"Renamon! There you are--I've been looking for you," Jiraiya waved slightly, smiling reassuringly at her.

If he was lucky, maybe he could even score a date.

[yin_yang_fox]

A voice knocked her out of her self-imposed reverie, and Renamon found herself smiling slightly despite herself. "Jiraiya," she greeted. "You're enthusiastic today."

Keeping the smile, the Digimon tilted her head, raising an eyebrow in amusement. The man's dress was... interesting. Bad enough to match her own. It reminded her of something that Rika watched one time--a foreign film in which a girl crosses into a strange world to save her little brother. With Jiraiya's hair and clothes, the man resembled that goblin king who was the antagonist. She let out a light laugh, then blinked once, eying the man.

"Looking for me? Was there something you needed?" This was said almost teasingly. If Renamon had been watching herself, she would wonder about her sudden change of mindset, but for reasons unknown, she had picked up when the man appeared. Along with Yukari, and the still unseen Dairine, he was all she had left here.

[toadally4boobs]

"I'm just glad for a chance to stretch my legs without being chased by monsters," Jiraiya replied with a grin, reaching her side.

Ah, she looked much more cheerful right now, and that made Jiraiya very, very glad. After losing some of her friends, she needed a chance to be happy. He only hoped he wouldn't screw it up and end up with fatal damage to his internal organs. She had yet to find out about just how much of a pervert he really was, after all....

"Ah, there wasn't anything in particular that I needed," Jiraiya then coughed a bit nervously, shuffling his feet just barely. "I was wondering if you would accompany me today..."

[yin_yang_fox]

"Hm," she responded; shifting her weight as she carefully crossed her arms across her chest. The cast instantly tangled with the--and why was there a tie on a female's outfit anyway. She frowned, then worked at it with her other hand to loosen it. "I don't seem to be chased by monsters," she commented idly. "I always run into them."

The knot finally loosened, undoing the nurse's work from this morning. She slid the material off, satisfied, and slipped it into one of the coat's pockets. Renamon finally glanced up again, noting the man's shifting and his cough with a half-smile. That was right. He was fond of her, correct? How interesting. She tilted her head at his suggestion. They hadn't truly spoke in a while, and they should stay up to date with each other. To that extent, the Digimon nodded. "Of course. Do you have any plans in mind?"

[toadally4boobs]

Jiraiya almost said something when she started to undo the tie, but then gave up. She knew what she was doing. And he certainly wouldn't mind having a bit more skin showing, even if just a tiny little bit....

"I prefer running into you," Jiraiya stated with a dorky grin. "And no plans in particular. I wanted to learn more about how this town was laid out, or something to that extent."

Renamon seemed the type to like taking walks, anyways! Maybe he'd get lucky....

[yin_yang_fox]

She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "I'm beginning to learn that."

How the town was laid out seemed like an intelligent idea in theory, but she was still holding to her belief that things would be solved better inside the Institute, not outside. The things outside seemed too mutable--easily affected and changed by whims, reminding her of different areas in the Digital World. But Renamon still had not moved forward from her lost time, had not planned or plotted. So, to the extent, she shrugged; a surprisingly human gesture. "Lead me where you will. I have nothing in mind."

The thought occurred to her that Jiraiya didn't know what had happened the past day and a half. The lost time, the snake, people vanishing. As much as the Digimon would have liked to accept the distraction offered, she knew that wasn't an option. She shifted her weight, then winced as she had leaned on her left leg instead. Pursing her lips she glanced down, then back up. "Though there's some things you should know."

[toadally4boobs]

"I suppose we can start at the bookstore," Jiraiya stated, starting to walk slowly. "And then go through the streets."

At the mention she had other things to tell him, Jiraiya knew she had a lot of stuff on her mind. Jiraiya wasn't sure just how much, but the fact that she wanted to talk to him meant at least one major thing had happened. Which had him worried, although he was at the same time glad that she could confide in him.

"Sure. What do you want to tell me?" Jiraiya asked calmly, resisting the urge to put his arm around her back.

[yin_yang_fox]

The Digimon nodded carefully, following Jiraiya into the store. The inside looked about how one would figure a small bookstore being--a quiet nook with a few people browsing within. Renamon glanced them over, then her attention was drawn to the computer section. From what she could see from where she was standing, they were moderately aged. A general 'Windows for Dummies' book, an AOL beginners guide... Nothing to give any timeline. She expected as much

FINALLY A CHANCE TO REPLY... sorry!

[toadally4boobs]

Jiraiya heard the build-up to her announcement, although he wasn't exactly sure how. He only knew that he did. There was a day in which he hadn't of seen or heard from her, and when remembering that, he knew....

So he was able to hide most of his shock--and even horror--when she finally revealed her announcement. Except for the short intake of breath. That was likely all that she needed to know his reaction, anyways. Especially since she wasn't looking at him.

Which wasn't like her, either. Renamon wasn't the type to not make eye contact like that. She was likely worried, or even afraid, but far from panicking yet.

"Renamon...." Jiraiya almost whispered, reaching out to touch her shoulder. "Look at me."

[yin_yang_fox]

There was only a beat, the smallest pause, albeit noticeable, before the prior fox glanced at the man's hand. Her muscles slightly contracted under the touch, though she ignored her reflexes and did not pull away. There was another pause, as her gaze rested there blankly, then she inclined her head to look him in the eyes. Much like the majority of every day, Renamon's expression was carefully neutral with no tells for any emotion. She stared a second, then blinked. "Yes," came her response, though it was stated rather than a question. Closed within herself, the Digimon gave nothing away

[toadally4boobs]

Damnit. She was talking to him, but she was closed off at the exact same time. Which probably meant she was trying to "protect herself", consciously or unconsciously, by not letting her emotions get the best of her.

The fact that she was telling him either meant that she wanted comfort or that she simply wanted him to know. Or she was trying to work through it with his help. And he wasn't even sure how to do it.

It was her half-smile that tore at him--and that's when he thought he finally understood.

"Renamon, I..." Jiraiya began to speak but then hesitated, for once at a complete loss at what to say. "I'm--" Another false start; Jiraiya took a breath before beginning again. "I'll be there for you. You haven't lost me. And I'll do everything I can to help get what you've lost back."

[yin_yang_fox]

Renamon watched Jiraiya idly for a moment, then took a breath, dropping her gaze to the side. With a stranger, or perhaps even the children here that were her friends, she might be able to keep up the maintained distance that was almost mean in its neutrality. But she was having a hard time with this. Jiraiya seemed to be a very sincere person, and she didn't want to give him any more pain. From what she knew, he had been through enough.

She bowed her head low and left it there for a moment before straightening. "I apologize for worrying you. I am fine." I will be fine. "There's nothing to be...." Concerned about, the Digimon didn't finish. But wasn't there? Didn't the full notebook under her arm point to that, the files she hadn't touched as of yet? Concern and worry were legitimate, and especially with her learnings, everyone should be watching out for each other. Even if

Sorry this is late! We had a hostage situation on our street.... SERIOUSLY.

[toadally4boobs]

It was painful to see Renamon slowly break like this. Jiraiya wished he could swoop in and fix everything miraculously. That was the part of him that wanted to be a hero, to bring peace to his world somehow

[yin_yang_fox]

[as well... I had some issues, too. Sorry. =/]

Did she want people brought back? Wasn't that a selfish choice? Perhaps she was just mourning her own loss. It wasn't anything that would kill her--the Digimon was used to the solitude that life usually brought. So perhaps that wasn't it, perhaps... Instead, she was just mourning lost chances. And she didn't know. She didn't know what exactly happened to the ones that disappeared. And the lack of that knowledge jilted something in her.

And she was sorrowful. Renamon wouldn't lie, and lessen it as such. She slid the picture back into the file, then pushed open the door, sliding out the entrance to somewhere else for them to walk. Movement, as she had said, gave rise to success. As long as she was moving, she could continue.

[to here]