Winning Vote:
[] Go with Fu. She's small and has tiny arms without claws. So not nearly as frightening as Gnaw. Plus finding plants could be....interesting you guess? Honestly, the idea of trying something new does make you a bit nervous.
===
In the end, you decide to join Fu in her task of gathering plants. As much as you'd like to spend more time around Flamemon, that would mean also being around Gnaw and you're a bit wary of the older rookie....even if he did apologize.
A-and g-gathering plants can't be that d-dangerous right? I-it could be interesting..I hope.
While the prospect of trying something new does make you nervous, it's doubtful that this particular thing will be dangerous. A sharp pang of guilt hits your chest as you remember enjoying the fact that Fu ran into a tree last night. So, after taking a deep breathe to calm yourself, you ask Gramps where Fu is. He answers quickly, directing you towards the village's front gate.
=== (Linebreak because the last update covered Gramps leaving)
You quickly shuffle around, and then start walking towards the designated area. Because of your current position near the huts on the left side of the village, you're able to reach the gate at the front quickly. Passing beneath the large Tree Of Rebirth in the center of the village, you're careful not to go too close as Gramps is currently napping underneath it. Once you get back from the task, you're probably going to have to go to the storehouse on the right side of the village in order to drop off the supplies. Fu proves to be standing just inside the open area where the doors barring entrance to the village are normally shut and she lets out a small small cackle as you approach.
"Fufufu, I see that you have picked the obvious choice!" The lalamon shouts ahppily, "You'll be helping me right fufu?"
"Y-yeah"
"Hrm. Good Fufu. Follow me!" With that the small rookie spins around and starts running.
"H-hey wait!"
You're forced to scramble after the plant digimon in order to catch up, pushing your agility to its very limit. She makes sure to be just slow enough as to not leave you behind, though not so much as to allow you to gain ground on her quickly. While she doesn't spend more than a few minutes leading you on, it's still enough for you to be breathing heavily by the time you actually do catch up. Fu finally drops into a nice and slow walking pace as you reach her, allowing you to slow down and reach her.
Before you can attempt to ask the rookie why she just took off like that, Fu starts talking.
"Right! Fufu, The first spot is a few minutes thataway!" The Lalamon hops up, and turns to the left. "Gramps told Me
eeee where the patches are, Verge! So we'll be gathering the plants Fufufu!"
You nod along in understanding, but can't help but feel as if she isn't finished.
"So, fufu, get down!"
That particular sentence makes you tilt your head in confusion.
"Y-you want me to g-get down?"
Fu doesn't bother repeating herself, instead opting to take a deep breath. For a moment your eyes widen as she gets ready to attack, then your body leaps into action curling down to the ground with your paws moving to shield your eyes. Shortly thereafter something small and light object lands on your back.
"Fufufu. Niiiiice and Fuzzy!" The Lalamon chuckles "Now get up and start walking Fufu! I will keep a look out for any dummy Goblimon"
A strange mix of disgruntlement, and relief mix inside your chest. She's just tricked you into cowering with a threat, then used the opportunity to mount you. However the fact that she's looking for Goblimon, whatever those are, is comforting to know. Then you realize the terrifying fact that she could spit a nut towards your head at point point blank range and you quickly get up to start following her order. Several minutes pass in silence as you carry the smaller rookie through the woods, but it's broken as the digimon gives a small laugh.
"Fufufu. You should be thanking me Verge" The Lalamon says, "Thanks to me and Gnaw you found out something new! I bet you can use that to get less afraid!"
I-it wasn't -like that! Being scared....Being scared isn't! Fun!
Anger suddenly swells up in your chest at her remark, urging you to buck the bully off of your back. However that anger is then confronted by the fear and reason inside you which point out that if you did that she'd probably hurt you, like a lot. So you simply slump your shoulders and suffer in silence as she continues to congratulate herself about *helping you*. This continues on for a while with you not really bothering to listen before she does say something that does get your attention.
"-Hrn..Verg I-well... You're lucky to be so close to Flamemon fu fu" The Lalamon says, her tone dipping down from cheery to slightly melancholic. "He doesn't seem to notice me much fufu, not like he pays attention to you," A hint of bitterness enters her voice. "He's so strong, courageous....and cool" She lets out a sad sigh.
"Y-yeah he is" you agree, thinking about all the times he's helped you. "Flamemon I-is. W-well I want to be l-like him one day"
Even though th-that will never h-happen.
"Fufufu really?"
"Y-yes. I-I don't like b-being scared" You admit, before hanging your head. "H-he's like the o-opposite of m-me"
"Tehe. Yep." The Lalamon laughs. "It's a good goal Fufu!"
"Th-thanks Fu"
"Of course! Tehe!"
The two of you continue to talk for a bit longer, though it mostly consists of your companion gushing about how great your mutual friend is. You don't particularly mind it.
Roughly five more minutes of walking finally sees you to the spot Fu had found about from Gramps. It's a small clearing with a single
odd tree clear in the middle. This is where your passenger disembarks, sliding down your side before rushing over towards the strange flora. The small rookie reaches it quickly, lightly leaping up to a branch before gripping the very closest pod.
"Come help Fufu!" The rookie shouts.
You warily approach the strength growths on the tree, but nonetheless follow Fu's command, balancing up on your hind legs and trying your best to grasp one of the lower lightly colored pods. Unfortunately you drill-claws are no well suited for this, and instead you end up gouging the sides of the plant-thing instead of plucking it free.
"Gramps said that these have something to do with food!" Fu cries, struggling desperately to even pull free. "But he wouldn't tell me why, Fufu"
Huh. I-I wonder w-why
An hour of working later sees you standing beside a small pile of mangled pods, but it's more than Fu. She only managed to pluck three before having to "go rest up" underneath the tree. You're about to go try and wake the napping rookie up when a noise from behind startles you.
"Gwahahaha! We got purple thing to smash!"
Three large green digimon stand at the edge of the clearing, holding wooden clubs in their left hands. Each one bounces up and down, either excitedly murmuring about smashing or laughing in a way that's frighteningly similar to Gnaw. Fear burst into your chest yet another time, freezing you in place as the loud creatures walk closer vicious grins clear on their faces.
O-oh n-o!
"Get him!" The digimon in the center cries raising his club into the air. Both of the Goblimon flanking him rush forwards aiming to bring their clubs down on your motionless body. But then-
"Seed Blast!"
Fu!
Dozens of hard nuts shoot out from the top of the tree, stopping one of the Goblimon clear in its tracks before it can get close. Your would be attacker collapses to the grass-covered ground with a thump, club forgotten as he cradles his bruised head.
The other green rookie stops confusedly in place as his comrade goes down, only to be met with a similar fate as Fu attacks again. Her attacks manage to snap you free of the fear-based paralyzation and just in time too. The third goblimon is still running towards you, ready to fight.
You take a deep breathe and:
===
Choose One:
[] Dig! If you hurry, maybe you can get away far enough underground to hide.
[] Run! You have to get away! He's going to try and delete you!
[] Fight! You can't just abandon Fu here! (Blocked by Coward Trait)
[] Flail! You're not going to be able to get away in time. So just close your eyes to avoid seeing the digimon attack. Just swing your nose and paws around.
=== Stat Changes:
- Strength: 28.75->30.50
- Fortitude: 25.5
- Endurance: 26.75->28.50
- Agility: 16->17
- ???
- ???
===
Authors Note: Woot! 14 votes! Thanks everyone!
We're potentially heading for our first combat here! Beta'd by the awesome @SailorOfMyVesssel.