[Visual] -5th Shadow-

[theytookmypants]

Hey Equestria...I got a question for you, mostly this is for the other outlanders like myself, but...anyone is free to weigh in here. I'd like the input.

How many of you use friendship, or similar bonds, as a source of strength for yourselves back home?

Some pretense to that...where I come from there are creatures called Digimon. I myself am half-digimon. Long story to that, but I won't bore you with the details right now. A digimon is a creature born of digital data, they are however highly receptive to emotions and can grow stronger as they grow closer to others, becoming stronger and stronger as those bonds mature and grow.

Emotions from those that we make friend with rub off on us, we can become stronger, or weaker because of it, or we can become too strong that we can't control ourselves.

[He rubs at his cheek with a hoof and sighs deeply.]

Not only digimon have exhibited this trait, though. There is another being called a Net Navi where I'm from, another digital life-form, this one artificially created by humans. There's an entire battle tournament surrounding them even. A Navi and their NetOp, when they have a strong enough bond, can create powerful combinations with battle chips. They can even fuse together, share the core of their beings with another, the NetNavi’s can even form friendships of their own that unlock hidden potentials...

[ He holds a hoof over his chest reflexively, almost like he was reassuring himself about something...]

The core of my question is how many of you have something similar back home? An undertone to that is how many of us have forgotten about that? That we've taken it for granted or just forgotten our own basics? This place works on its own rules. Just like those of NetNavis, or Digimon...working together, believing in one another...we’ve heard it a lot lately, and seen that here, it’s its own force to be reckoned with. Friendship. We’re all in this together, and if we're going to-

[He stops short and scoffs softly to himself.]

Sorry. Getting off track...Anyways...just something I’ve been thinking about lately. If anyone would rather speak with me in person or private, you’re always welcome to call on me at the commune or approach me while I’m on duty in the Night Market.

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[A switch in the pony's demeanor, show's he looks far more tired than he may have been letting on.]

Hey, Dante...Vergil...I may I need your guys help with something. I dunno if you can, but I'd rather it be the two of you than others. I'd uh...rather speak somewhere off scroll, about it though. If you can, meet me at the Decanter.

Comments

[terraburning]

A slow shake of her head.

"I am...the only one."

She looks at Crmsn, a hesitant smile spreading over her face.

"But it's...nice, knowing that there are others like me - children of two worlds."

[theytookmypants]

[Ouch...]

It can definitely be a comforting thought to know that there's others. I was lucky that I wasn't the only one back home.

My name's Crmsn, by the way. Like the color, sans the vowels. What's yours?

[terraburning]

"My name is...Terra Branford."

[theytookmypants]

Well, Terra, it's a pleasure to meet you. Are you adjusting alright to being a pony?

[terraburning]

"Princess Twilight said...I could choose to stop fighting."

...given her expression and the joyful wonder in her tone, that's...probably a 'yes'.

[theytookmypants]

Choose to...oh! Oh goodness..

[You could almost hear the heart breaking. How old was she even?]

Were forced into fighting often?

[terraburning]

For a few brief moments Terra considers what to say but decides to be direct.

"I...lost most of my memories in an accident, so...I don't know."

[theytookmypants]

O-oh....I'm so sorry. That can't be easy at all.

[He can almost piece together her story just f from that. Losing your memories, fighting, magical powers....probably used by someone...he shuddered a little at some unpleasant memories.]

I hope this place continues to be a welcome reprieve. It sounds like things have been rough fort you.

[terraburning]

Terra shrugs a little.

"It was...painful, sometimes, but...I didn't have anything to compare it to, so...I wouldn't know."

[theytookmypants]

[Double ouch.]

I know what it's like to get out of a dark situation like that...so I can understand a bit...

[He frowns a little before his face relaxes back into a rather easy going smile. Nothing was more uplifting than desserts ]

You know...you seem a little new to things still. You...ever had a good, old-fashioned, homemade apple pie before?

[terraburning]

Terra shakes her head.

"No."

[theytookmypants]

Well then, it's your lucky day!

[Pie is something universal, and should be shared....]

I happen to make a darn good apple pie. Since I'm a firm believer that no one should go without ever having tried one before, I think I'll just have to make one for you.

[He grins broadly.]

[terraburning]

"You...would do that?"

Well. She looks touched.

[theytookmypants]

Of course! I think it's something you might find you enjoy.

[He pauses thoughtfully.]

Considerate it a welcoming present.

[terraburning]

"I...thank you very much!"

[theytookmypants]

No thanks necessary. If you want you can come over if you'd like to help me make it.

[He smiles brightly.]

Sometimes that can make it taste all the better.

[terraburning]

Wide eyes.

"Really? May I?"

She seems so enthusiastic about this.

[theytookmypants]

Of course you may! I wouldn't have offered otherwise.

[He chuckles.]

I live in the Commune, d'ya know where that is?

[terraburning]

A slow nod.

"It's the place...that keeps burning down?"

[theytookmypants]

...It....does? Huh...

[Maybe he missed something while at work..or during his month living out of the library.]

Well, regardless, it's where I'm living at, I've got my own little home set up for myself there. C'mon by, it'll be the one with the purple dragon on the door.

Visual -> Action

[terraburning]

"I'll...be right there."

With that, she heads off, rolling up the scroll with her telekinesis.

-------

Several minutes later, she is very hesitantly knocking on Crmsn's door.

Action

[theytookmypants]

[She doesn't have to wait too long for Crmsn to answer the door, his smiling face brightening the doorway momentarily before he opens the door wider for her.]

Hey there, c'mon in. I was just rinsing the apples off.

[It's easy to see that the home is relatively small, a sitting area half merged with a dining area with a room off to one side for a bedroom, and a kitchen off off of the dining area.]

[terraburning]

As Terra steps inside, her eyes automatically flicker over every surface as she looks for...something. It's fast enough that it has to be an ingrained reflex, one that she's not entirely aware of herself.

"I...thank you very much?"

The way she's framed it as a question, this is pretty obviously outside her (admittedly limited) experience.

[theytookmypants]

[Crmsn watches her eyes for a moment when they dart around, filing the reflexive action away for later...surprised parties were probably out for this one...for a while anyways.]

Hey, no worries. No thanks necessary, not yet anyways.

[He laughs a little and motions for her to follow him to the kitchen as he heads that way.]

Think you can peel and chop the apples while I roll out the dough?

[terraburning]

Terra nods uncertainly.

"I...think so?"