Wandering Souls [Ferghus]

[Juliette Rhydderch]

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WHEN SHE WAS JUST A GIRL, SHE EXPECTED THE WORLD

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Juliette didn't mean to pest the digimon, but the small creature was lowering her security with each step the girl took. She wasn't used to forests: The girl was born by the sea and raised in the city. The only other time she visited the forest was for school field trips through forest trails-- with the clue word being 'trail'. Where they were walking, there were no trails. In fact, Julie was sure she was the first being to even come by here at all.

The white, furry Yukimbotamon wriggled within her grasp as a sign of impatience. "Of course I do! I've taken this route a thousand times!" No, she hadn't. She did know where she was going at first, but after they made a few left turns and a right here and there, Grace wound up lost. However, she wouldn't let Julie know or else the human's anxiety would flare up. 

Julie couldn't help but to sigh. The digimon was here for a lot longer than she had been-- surely she knew where they were going? 

...Or maybe she was just as stubborn as Julie and did not want to admit she messed up and got them both lost. "It wouldn't hurt to ask for directions...?" Julie voiced quietly to the digimon. 

"I promised I'd get you to Terabyte City and by Agumon's tail I will!" She finished her sentence with a 'hmph' and remained silent. "Okay, okay," said Julie with a sigh. "Onward."

FERGHUS

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[FERGHUS]

Well, he certainly was tired of staying a Rookie. Ever since his little health issue was fixed due to Adam and his twins, the old man kept having issues remaining evolved. So, here was the scarred up, eye patched Elecmon with some money and survival knife. Oh, once he got back to the city, would be certain to stock up on the most important things: alcohol, cigarettes, and a lighter. Boy did he need a lighter! Part of Ferghus's mindset was on the fritz due to not having the opportune objects for his bad habits. But so far he ran into little trouble along the way. Did he need to eliminate that DemiDevimon before entering the forest? Not really, but someone probably had a bounty on the guy considering how much trouble the little bastard gave Ferghus.

But silence became a blissful occurrence. Certainly better than the ever increasing volume that was combat. Already had Ferghus lost one eye, and he didn't need to lose his hearing. On the plus side he wasn't one of those younger folks who kept their headphones on and blasted the volume to beyond infinity. No wonder none of them ever listen to the old Elecmon! His good eye blinked as the red furred mammal paused, taking a look around the current area. Scowling, he hacked up saliva and spit on the ground, "Well shit! Ah went an' got mahself lost! Woods ain't even that hard ter find the way through! Damn head must be gettin' senile... gewd thang Ah ain't in unknown territory."

Steadying himself, the Elecmon turned in a particular direction to get going, although stopped as his ear twitched. Someone else was nearby, and his eye narrowed as he considered who it might be. "If'n it's Adam and the twins followin' Ah'll..,", he grumbled, but quickly erased his train of thought as he got closer to the voices. Two female, one young sort of, and another REALLY young. Certainly not the sort of pairing to walk through the forest alone! Spitting on the ground again, Ferghus huffed as he once more turned around, trying to get out of another predicament. But the voices were young... the old heart sprang up again.

Now he came close enough to see who the voices belonged to. Just as he suspected, it was two young ones. They didn't seem to have much of a clue as to where they were going, but Ferghus couldn't be entirely sure. Granted, at the same time he knew people generally -didn't- wander into a random part of the forest such as this. The old digimon sighed, and hopped up on a nearby tree stump to make himself known. Crossing his arms, the Elecmon noted the duo was a human girl and her... baby digimon partner. That's it, he's interfering!

Nodding a bit, he spoke up, his baritone, rough voice quite unlike what most Rookies would have, "Awright now, darlins'. Ya'll best stop right there befer yew git anymore lost than now. This here ain't a part of the woods yer wantin', Ah'm guessin'? Better yet, Ah shoulda asked this already, but where yew both headin'?"

[Juliette Rhydderch]

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WHEN SHE WAS JUST A GIRL, SHE EXPECTED THE WORLD

How long have they been walking? Ten minutes? Twenty? Too long, Julie thought as she held the white digimon in her arms. She shouldn't have listened to Grace- She should have stopped and asked directions. They past a multitude of Digimon who seemed to know where they were going-- They were the only pair that didn't.

"Take a left!" demanded Grace which caused Julie to halt. She placed the Yukimibotamon on the ground gently and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Look here, little cute, fuzzy digimon. You've only hatched out of your egg a few hours ago. Unless you were born with the innate ability to detect large amounts of lifeforms in the fifty-mile radius, I think I will take charge here and ask for directions."

Grace muttered 'hmph' in reply as she was scooped back up and carried through the forest. After Julie's comment, not a Digimon was spotted in sight. The duo were quiet throughout their trek and Julie couldn't help but to feel responsible for it.

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I'm just... hungry, is all. And I'm not a pleasure to be around when I'm hungry." Grace nodded a little and snuggled a little closer to as if to say 'That's okay, I forgive you.' Instead, she said "I'm a bit hungry too-"

Just then, a red Digimon appeared on a stomp in front of them. Julie wasn't sure what its intentions were, so she held Grace a little closer to her a took a step back. 

As he spoke, Julie began to relax but she felt Grace was still stiff and alert. She looked down to see the Digimon's black, beady eyes narrow at the other. Before she could say something to ruin their chance of getting out of this forest maze, Julie spoke up.

"Umm, hello. And... yes, we're lost. We were trying to head to Terabyte City but we lost our way. Could you help us?"


FERGHUS

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[FERGHUS]

Gewd thang he admits bein' lost, he pondered, watching the tamer and her digimon all the while. With a raised brow, the Elecmon turned his attention towards the YukiBotamon, noting the narrowed gaze. Was this one trying to pick a fight? He knew that look. Even the old man has given others that look plenty of times before! But then, no way was he about to jump down and smack a baby around. That would be rude. Besides, if she did attack all he would need to do is give the little one a small flick with his finger and his point would be made. For now though, the red furred Rookie reached his hand to his neck, cracking it some.

Sniffing once, Ferghus spoke up finally, "Bah. If'n ya'll were headin' towards the city, this here ain't the right way. In fact, right behind me is the complete opposite direction, missy. Best turn around now." He held up a finger now pointing the correct direction towards Terabyte City. Really, they couldn't miss it. But now came one other problem: they were still HERE, FAR AWAY from the city, their only protection being a baby digimon. Ferghus had to say something regarding that! It was in his blood to be stubborn and insist on meddling if it meant protecting one of the younger folks, "Ah ain't done with ya'll though. Yew ain't exactly got a way ter defend yerselves properly, and quite frankly a lil' baby digimon ain't gon cut it."

Hopping down from his stump, the old man walked up to the human girl. The monster's appearance from afar didn't lie about what he looked like up close. Scarred, ragged, and was that the stench of booze and heavy smoking? Well, the latter was closer to the faint end considering he was unable to satisfy his habits for the past day or so. Folding his arms again, Ferghus spoke up, "In any case, name's Ferghus, and yer better off followin' me so ya'll don't git lost again. Gotta head to the city mahself fer a few thangs befer Ah head off again. Just don't git distracted and git lost by wanderin' off, ya hear? Come on now."

With little else to note he began his walk starting by going around this human girl. If she was smart, she would follow him despite his gruff outer shell and composure. The Elecmon hadn't drawn a weapon or used a special move, so he couldn't be so hostile that he'd attack on sight! And no way in hell was Ferghus the sort to just kick around children.

Juliette Rhydderch

[Juliette Rhydderch]

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WHEN SHE WAS JUST A GIRL, SHE EXPECTED THE WORLD

Grace doesn't like to admit she was wrong, but she couldn't help but to face it since this Elecmon seems to know more about this place than she did. She had to hand it to Julie for not rubbing it in her face-- She sure would have done that if the roles were reversed. 

Looking the Elecmon up and down, the YukimiBotamon huffed and turned towards the direction of the city. "I'm hungry." Was her explanation. "My directions were a bit off is all..."

Julie laughed and gave her companion a soft pat on the head. "Of course." She turned towards the Elecmon and smiled softly. "Thank you. We probably would have wondered for the rest of our lives if you hadn't showed up." She heard a 'tch' from Grace, but she ignored that. 

The teenager turned to go when the Elecmon stopped her in her tracks. Not done with them? What did he mean? Julie bit the side of her lip as she looked down at her companion. He was right, she supposed. She's only been in the Digiworld for an hour or two and she knew her companion couldn't properly defend herself, much less someone else. It was Julie's job to protect her, and if it meant utilizing the help of another Digimon, she would.

Before Grace could protest, she murmured an 'Excuse me' to the Elecmon and brought her a few feet away.

"Now before you go on and blow our only chance out of here, let's think this through. He's our only chance of leaving this forest and he could be our guide out. You're not quite strong enough to handle the tough Digimon, so he's our only safe way out of here... Do you understand?"

The YukimiBotamon huffed, but nodded. "I understand...but I still don't like it. Just you wait, I'm going to evolve into the strongest Digimon ever so you won't have to depend on silly Elecmons like him!"

Julie only smiled as a reply and gave her companion another pet. Grace purred in response and she returned to the older Elecmon.  "You're right, and we need help. Thanks for offering to take us to the city. We owe you a bunch." Grace huffed again but said nothing. When he introduced himself as Ferghus, she went on to introduce herself and her Digimon.

"I'm Juliette, or Julie for short. This is Grace. I landed here from my own world and-"

"...On top of me, nonetheless," Grace interjected.

"...and I'm not sure what 'here' is," Julie finished and gave a sympathetic look towards the Digimon. "Do you mind explaining what this place is and why I'm here?"


FERGHUS

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[FERGHUS]

"Yeah well... at least yer willin' ter listen and not go off on yer own," noted the Rookie as he reached a paw to crack his neck. Really, the old man had kept his cool the entire time so far. Most kids were irritate him with some nonsense and hyperactive, bouncing off the walls energy and idiocy by now. This human girl would have the potential to be on his 'Good' list certainly. But the suspicious part began a the girl gave an 'Excuse me' to converse with her little, snow like baby digimon. Ferghus would normally try and listen in, but his eyes merely narrowed as he halted his progress to wait for them. But then, if they were attempting to jump the old monster, the duo would've been in for a real surprise.

Though these young ones came back, acting no different than before. He easily could just be jumping to conclusions regarding this human and partner combination. Much more polite than dealing with others, and much less 'goody goody' than Adam was. But, names. Juliette, and apparently Grace was the baby, the latter being more impressive for someone who seemed to have otherwise just hatched. Last Ferghus checked baby digimon don't have the ability to talk right away. Just chirps and burps. Those little, little adorable things he would force himself to watch over if he had the time. But time was wasted just standing around. Terabyte City would be safer for these two anyways.

Raising a brow, the Elecmon crossed his arms giving his lost kids a stern glare, "Why, ain't yer travels here off like a herd of turtles. Now ya'll best listen gewd ter wut Ah say. Ain't gonna repeat mahself more than Ah need. Come on now, best start walkin' befer night sets in." A swift turn back towards the correct path, and off the Elecmon would begin to lead these two. Not that he would go back on his promise on telling Juliette about the world she just so happened to fall into. Wow that name was too long for Ferghus to bother with. Kind of a pretty name, but not exactly one he'd want to say over and over again.

"Now first darlin', Ah'm just agonna call yew Julie if'n yer fine with that. Too long a name ter say constantly," came the next wave of gruff and tough. Probably not the best way to make friends though. Ferghus didn't want to scare them off too quickly, otherwise they would get into a whole other mess which cause a guilt trip, then a chase through the forest, and then all the other potential stupidity that would come from it. Sighing, he rolled his shoulders back, "This here's the Digital World, split in parts in differn't sections. Right in where we stand is the East, in Nanosphere Forest. Don't be askin' me 'bout everywhere else. Ain't the kinda feller ter be one of them educated professors and the like. Reckon it's too late ter do so, but Ah'm gettin' off track. We're aheadin' towards Terabyte City. Might be best fer ya'll ter stay there until the youngun can digivolve into a stronger form. Just be polite and Ah'm sure yer gonna find one kind soul ter help ya'll out."

Good, short explanation if he did say so himself. Simple words would hopefully get the point across. The smoother this journey went, the better off his sanity would be.

Juliette Rhydderch

[Juliette Rhydderch]

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WHEN SHE WAS JUST A GIRL, SHE EXPECTED THE WORLD

This matter-of-fact Digimon seemed to know exactly what he was doing, so it would be unwise for Julie to deny his help or outright ignore the...creature. Grace wanted otherwise, but her stubborn ways would have to subside for now.

They followed Ferghus and Julie nodded at his comment towards calling her by her nickname. "I go by that name anyway..." she commented and listened to his words. He didn't really sum up where they were for the girl, but she supposed it wouldn't be wise to pester the 'Good Samaritan' anymore. He was already going out of his way to help the two of them out... or preparing them to be his next lunch.

Speaking of lunch, Julie felt Grace's stomach rumble, which wasn't hard because she was all stomach, in a way. "I"m hungry," she complained. "Feed me." Julie frowned and looked around. "Are there any safe foods to eat here...?" She recognized a few safe foods to eat in her world if she were ever lost in the forest, but this wasn't her world: Julie wasn't sure if this place was even real to begin with. 


FERGHUS

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[FERGHUS]

Redundant and foolish. Of course people would naturally shorten this girl's name! But Ferghus never did boast the greatest social skills in the world either. Out of touch after all the crap that happened over the years. Regardless, the Elecmon was a stubborn one. He wasn't about to drop his escort now out of minor embarrassment! Even if this escort wasn't someone paying him for his services. Not that the old man could even think about charging a lost child who just appeared in the Digital World for the first time. Granted, if either of them were to misbehave terribly enough, Ferghus wouldn't have any problem asking for compensation.

What he expected to be an easy walk ended up deciding to be a complete pain in the ass. From behind him the little one complained about hunger. Demanding even. Spitting on the ground, feeling some form of plant bits having floated into his mouth. Darn forest and its trees of many kinds! Turning around, the Elecmon looked at Julie specifically, not wanting much to do with the baby digimon, "Well, yer gonna have ter do with dull mushrooms. If'n ya have the ability, nothin's gon stop yew from climbin' a tree and grabbin' fruit up there, bit it's yer risk. Ah ain't wut Ah used ter be, otherwise Ah'd be tall enough ter just shake some down fer ya'll."

"But YEW," growled the old man as his gaze focused on Grace, "Best start bein' more grateful fer yer human partner here, as well as me. Bein' able ter talk despite the stage yer at ain't impressive enough ter git yew outta trouble. Quite frankly Julie's more combat able than yew are, even if again, she's just a human. Ah'm graciously takin' time out of mah day ter help a couple of youngun's, and yer demands ain't given yew much merit. Lat Ah checked them human-digimon partnerships are meant ter protect each other, so yew best git yer act together." Sighing, Ferghus looked back up at Julie, "Dang. Don't mind mah rant there darlin'. Had ter git it out in some way. Sorry if'n Ah frightened yew with that."

Ferghus shifted his position to start walking off, but looked back, "Go an' have a seat wherever. Ah'll be back with some food fer us. Suppose it's 'bout time fer me ter eat somethin' too since Ah'm here." With that, the Elecmon wandered into a few bushes, peering around the area. His ear twitched, his good eye quickly glancing above and around him. The old man could have sworn something else was amiss, but it was probably nothing. He was just getting some dull, edible mushrooms, that's all. Julie and Gracie would be fine, right?

Juliette Rhydderch

[Juliette Rhydderch]

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WHEN SHE WAS JUST A GIRL, SHE EXPECTED THE WORLD

Julie listened to his words and considered his option. "I haven't climbed a tree in years..." she thought mainly to herself as she looked up at the tall greens that loomed above her. Even if she was quite comfortable climbing trees, it would be a long way down if she took a wrong step. Then who would take care of little Grace?

Grace, the Digimon whom she believed was graceful. She seemed to be sweet... if only by appearances, but Julie wasn't the one to sass back, but take orders as they came. Babies made demands too and didn't think quite of it, which w as why Julie didn't take offense to her demand.

Ferghus, on the other hand, did. He straightened the white, puff ball in her arms right up and Grace straightened up at his words. She looked down to see the Digimon's reaction, and she seemed she didn't like his words, but knew they were true anyway. They were supposed to work together they said, and so far they weren't getting along too well.

She didn't say anything back to older Digimon and that may have been the wisest thing she's done all day. Instead she sulked quietly to herself while her tummy rumbled in protest. "It's... alright," she said to Ferghus after his rant. "We need to get along, you were right," she mentioned and gave Grace a small stroke on her head. The Digimon tensed a bit, but relaxed into the sensation.

"Alright," she said and watched as he walked off. "...Thank-you," she called after as an afterthought and tried to find somewhere to sit. Spotted what she thought was a rock and sat on it. It was comfier than she imagined, but she figured a lot of things were odd here. Grace immediately hopped out of her arms and onto the ground below.

"Why didn't you stick up for me back there?" asked Grace with confused yet upset, black eyes. Julie scratched her head yet answered. "Well...he did have a point. You were being quite rude, and for no reason at all." Grace huffed and faced away from Julie. "Then why'd you name me 'Grace' then, huh? You shoulda named me 'Rude' or 'Rudy'." Julie couldn't help but giggle at the small Digimon which earned her a glare she couldn't help but believe was the most adorable thing in the world. "Because," she said and rose off of her rock. "Why would I name you after a something I don't want you to become?" She scooped the Digimon into her arms again and snuggled her closely. "Believe it or not, you are graceful. To me, that is. Am I not the only one who counts?"

Grace didn't answer her, but instead her black, beady eyes rose in surprise and fear as a creature rose up behind her. "Ju-lee," she said which caused the teen to turn around and yelp. The spider-Digimon-thing roared in reply and tried to swipe at them both with one of its legs. Julie managed to dodge the attack and back away slowly.

'Did someone mention food...?' it said while leering at them.

Little did she know it was a Dokugumon, but all she needed to know was that it was a spider, and the girl hated spiders. In fact, it was her fear and instead of fleeing like she should have done, she froze in place.

"Ju-lee?" Grace commented in worry and hopped out of her arms. The Digimon didn't like the look of fear on her Tamer's face and it was her job to make sure that looked never appeared again. "Leave us alone you nasty bug thing!" It only laughed at Digimon which made her angry. "Stop laughing!" she demanded and released her Diamond Dust on the monster. It did nothing but leave a patch of cold ice on it which only annoyed it. It roared again and the second roar caused Julie to awaken out of her stupor, grab Grace, and make a run for it.


FERGHUS

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[FERGHUS]

Mushrooms. After the last six he was already sick of seeing the little bastards. Half tempted to stop collecting, have a snack, and give the girls a proper meal at Terabyte even! Well, he easily could have had a meal here and give the two a proper one at the city regardless. Something Ferghus made certain to keep in mind. The last time he really sat down and had a nice, family lunch even was... no, now wasn't the time to consider that time in his life. It was over, done. He didn't need to concern himself with a past he was unable to form into the present and future.

Rattled bushes just wouldn't leave the old man alone! A huff escaped his lips as his eye gazed at the surrounding foliage. Nothing. Not even a peep from the other two he left behind, only for the moment. Senility wasn't a common occurrence in a digimon, was it? If it was, Ferghus was definitely too young considering the potential lifespan of a digital creature! His ear twitched as his focus resumed its monotonous collection. Was that someone talking? No, no. Just his head. Wait, Ferghus could hear voices, he wasn't crazy.

Grace's little voice. And a roar. TWO roars.

"No... no no no," his arms dropped the collected mushrooms, the Elecmon charging back towards the other two in a mighty sprint. Of all the times to let down any form of guard! Today wasn't needed! Or any day even! Ferghus forced himself to a halt upon reaching the area where he left the two girls. Eye widened as Julie was seen rushing off, Grace in hand, both subsequently chased by a Dokugumon. A Champion level. He was only a Rookie. Fighting that thing would be suicide in his current form, unless luck decided to be kind. But Ferghus couldn't just leave this be!

No, he couldn't fail any child again. They deserved to live a far longer life than the old man currently upheld. Mouth turned into a snarl as a spark of murder lit up on his eye. The predator found his new, bigger, badder prey. It would see its life end right here, no quarter given. Electricity charged up in his hand, forming into an electrical dagger, "YEW. Yew damn sunuvabitch! LEAVE MAH GIRLS ALONE!" Ferghus lept out of the nearby bushes, aiming right for the Dokugumon's neck. Or at least try to strike there with his electric knife.

It would pay for trying to harm his children.

Juliette Rhydderch