Brave Heart [Open]

[Anko Hiroi]

This thread is right after Anko and Keigo's armor hunt thread. Which you can read here: Make a choice [armor hunt/solo]

---

Keigo had been dashing for quite some time now, carrying the weakened body of his tamer during the run. The Flamedramon started getting tired himself, but he had to keep going. For Anko's sake. She was dehydrating because they had spend so much time in the desert heat, to find that mysterious egg they had heard about. 
Instead, both Anko and Keigo had walked into an ambush by the Numemon that attacked them before. The Numemon gave Keigo a choice, take the mysterious egg and leave Anko, or go for Anko and be killed. 

The Flamedramon picked the most obvious choice, saving Anko. The mysterious egg had responded to his pure intentions and merged with the Veemon, thus creating Flamedramon. 

When Keigo reached a lake, the armor champion lowered Anko to the ground. He then proceeded to take the empty bottle out of Anko's pouch and filled it with water from the lake. 
"Anko?" The male spoke, carefully shaking her awake. The young girl coughed, opening her eyes just barely. "K-Keigo.." She whispered, and the Flamedramon brought the bottle to her lips and smiled. "Here, drink up. We're safe now."
Anko responded by taking slow sips of the soothing water, she sighed as she gently pushed the bottle back. "You.. digivolved..?" The girl began, and Keigo blushed at that. "Yeah. Remember the Numemon that knocked me out?" Anko nodded. "Let's say he got what he deserved." Oh, no Keigo didn't kill the ugly slug. He simply knocked them back so he could take Anko and flee. His tamer was his highest priority. 
"You.. saved me?" Anko tried to sit up, but the Flamedramon stopped her. "Easy there." He assured her, and then looked away. Anko stared at him. "What?" She asked, and the Flamedramon got to his feet. 
"I think someone's nearby." The armor champion said, and narrowed his eyes. "Stay behind me, Anki." The digimon told her, hoping this wasn't the Numemon from the desert that had come for revenge. He had enough excitement for one day. 

[Iscariot]

Perhaps one of the few, underpopulated places left in the Digital world, the Exalakes always seemed to draw Iscariot in, almost as if he had some sort of affinity for the quiet it offered, but also the amount of life they nourished at the same time. It was an odd paradox, but one that reminded him of himself. Of course, he could always poison the matter, a thought that occurred to him several times in the past, yet something he never seemed to act on. It would be a waste to do so currently and in the grand scheme of things nothing but a minor inconvenience for the inhabitants of this world. The plague spreader wasn't beneath sinking as low as to poison the water supply, but he was certainly not wasteful.

That was when his beak would turn towards the distance, his unblinking, soulless eyes staring forward as his expression remained unchanged. A presence was near by, how strange, yet how interesting. The avian like creature found himself wandering closer without much care, not concerned with any potential danger his actions may hold. Danger was but a fancy way of stating one feared death, and the purifier reveled in it. Naturally, as soon as he would lay eyes on the Flamedramon, the Yersiniamon would pause, giving the pair a blank, expressionless stare before he would waddle closer, and closer until he was inches from the draconic Digimon. It seemed like the human had seen better days, but it didn't look like she was dying. He almost shook his head in disgust before he caught himself, forcing the feeling to be suppressed. He had to accept he was perhaps too late this time.

"I see." The Digimon would mumble softly, his expression still unchanged, which only served to strengthen the illusion that was wearing a mask. In reality, he was very capable of expressions, he just choose not to have any. After a few moments of awkward silence, he spoke once more. "Pardon my intrusion, my good sir, but it seems like your friend there has met a terrible fate." The Yersiniamon announced, reaching a talon towards his leather pouch. "It may not appear to be the case, but I am quite skilled at revitalizing once spirit, after all it would be a shame for someone to miss their most noble of obligations. I shan't allow of that. Allow me to help."

Of course, he was referring about one's appropriate time to perish, but that a minute detail that he wouldn't care to explain. He would reach out slowly towards the human, testing her partner's reaction. If any aggression was shown he would pull back immediately, otherwise he would tap a single talon against her forehead.

eris of gs

[Anko Hiroi]

The Flamedramon stood perfectly still as his eyes landed on the presence that he felt a few moments ago. It looked a little like a penguin despite the somewhat large beak. The blank stair that was given Keigo didn't assure him in the slightest, he had to remain cautious. He had no idea what kind of intentions this digimon had towards them. Anko wasn't really in the best shape right now, so he didn't want to risk running into another battle.

That's when the bird began to move, more like.. waddle, really. The digimon stopped inches from where Keigo stood, but the Flamedramon refused to take his eyes off of it.
Anko peeked from behind her partner, looking a little weakened, but despite that, concern was written on her face. The stranger looked at Anko, and Keigo took a step back, closer to his tamer. It was just a precaution really, he did not know what this digimon was capable of.

Then the stranger mumbled something, Anko didn't quite understand what. Keigo, however did hear it. The Flamedramon moved his arm, Anko immediately understood what the armor champion meant.
Slowly, her hand moved to her pouch that contained her digivice. If this digimon would try something, at least she could call for help.

The silence was pretty scary, but it was broken by the bird. The Flamedramon looked a little surprised when the other digimon seemed to be rather polite. Totally not what he had expected. This surprise did not prevent him from tensing a little as the bird revealed a talon out of his poorly made pouch.
"That's not necessary, kind sir.." Keigo replied with a hint of caution in his voice. As the bird moved closer to reach out for Anko, the Flamedramon stepped in between them. "I said that's not necessary. She'll be fine."
The little girl looked up at her partner, this time taking out her digivice just in case the bird would try something now.

---

Iscariot

[Iscariot]

Iscariot didn't seem to keen on saying no for an answer despite his lack of expression or any concern, though he would respectfully pull back, letting go of his pouch as he did. The avian like creature tapped his talons together, pondering for a moment. It was only then when his eyes would slightly narrow for just a second before returning to their original, hollow state in a manner quick enough that only those who payed close attention would be able to notice. Once more, he would speak without opening his mouth.

"A false sense of security is merely the deception of a rotten mind. Would you really be willing to risk a sad end? Seems unlikely, especially given that you've taken the role of a guardian for this human."

The Digimon would declare, his tone firm, yet lacking any emotion whatsoever. It almost seemed like was issuing a challenge to the Flamedramon for a moment before he would lift a single talon, a murky aura surrounding it for a moment before it would vanish as suddenly as it appeared.

"Defer Death."

A simple, yet at the same time sophisticated technique that allow him to restore his target's lost vitality, serving to both heal an re-energize. It wasn't necessarily what what the pair might have wanted, but Iscariot rarely concerned himself with the desires of others. Besides, as a medic he couldn't really be challenged on the subject, even if his qualifications were somewhat questionable to borderline malpractice. If the draconic Digimon really cared about his tamer, then there should be no issues with him performing a healing rite, however, he did brace himself for retaliation.

"I am Iscariot the purifier. I can see that you're tense, but that is understandable, after all my visage doesn't convey my nature very well. I do hope you will accept my gesture of good will, however, my fellow travelers."

With that, the strange creature would reach for his pouch once more, pulling out a rather shiny looking apple and holding it forward. It appeared to glister in the light, making it look appetizing, but perhaps it would appear to be too perfect.

"May I offer you some light nourishment?"

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[Anko Hiroi]

Keigo got a freaky vibe from the bird digimon as he pulled back and let go of his pouch. The Flamedramon only wanted to protect his human tamer, just in case this digimon would try something funny.
As the digimon spoke again, Anko reached out for Keigo. "Maybe he really wants to help?" She said, and the Flamedramon looked a little agitated in response.

"A sad end?" He then said, a tad confused by the choice of words. Anko wasn't even near death, she was just a little dehydrated and tired from walking in the sun all day. "I'm sorry, this seems to be a slight misun-" He stopped himself as the birdlike digimon lift one of his talons again. "Stop--" He said, looking a little bewildered when a murky aura surrounded the other digimon. That didn't look very friendly.

Anko shuddered, awaiting pain, or even death. But that was not the case as instead, she felt revitalized. "Huh?" She mumbled, while Keigo looked distraught. "What did you do?" The Flamedramon asked, oh how he wanted to strangle that little neck of his. But Anko would probably prevent him from doing so.
"I feel better." Said the tamer softly, before looking at her partner. "I don't think he's so bad." She added, before walking over to him and reaching out her hand for a proper greeting. "My name is Anko, and this is my partner Keigo." She introduced herself, the Flamedramon still stood very close to his tamer. That murky aura the bird had moments before, it concerned the digimon. What if it was only a trick and Anko would start to feel sick?

"Nice to meet you, Iscariot the purifier!" The girl beamed happily, before looking at Keigo as Iscariot said that he saw Keigo being tense. "Ah, don't mind him. It's just you look very.. scary." She said in pure honesty, but had no intention to offend the other digimon.

As Iscariot reached out in his pouch and offered a shiny looking apple, the Flamedramon pushed Anko back. "Alright, that's enough. We're done here. Thank you for healing my tamer, but we'll be returning to Terabyte City now."
Anko pouted. "But he seems nice, shouldn't we give him a try?"
"That apple is poisonous, Anko. I don't trust him, there are too many corrupted digimon in this world. Besides.." He visibly observed the bird. "He smells funky and looks like he might be living in a nuthouse."
Anko crossed her arms, like a little upset lady. "Apologize, that was rude."
"But--" "APOLOGIZE!"
The Flamedramon shook his head in annoyance, and mumbled an apology between gritted teeth.

---

Iscariot

[Iscariot]

Iscariot didn't seem bothered but his flat out rejection from the Flamedramon and didn't exactly seem to react much to the aggression other than slightly shuffling to the side to put a minimal amount of distance between them. He would give a firm nod to Anko, though he would only glance at her hand she tried to initiate a handshake, not offering his.

"Oh."

Iscariot didn't seem too keen on shaking hands, but would give a small bow, placing one arm in front of his chest as he did. His eyes would soon dart at the tamer's Digimon. Clearly he was a paranoid fellow, but then again the Yersiniamon understood where he was coming from. It wasn't the first time he had gotten the same reaction for the same reasons out of someone he had just encountered and at the same time he wasn't exactly trying to fool anyone, not yet anyway. Maybe it was time to put that to the test.

"My deepest apologies. Please, forgive my visage."

Iscariot would mumble, still holding the apple between his talons as he would take note of the half rushed apology he received. "It just so happens that I'm heading towards Terabyte as well, I'm afraid, so you'll have to tolerate my presence just a little longer."

The virus would explain, stashing the apple away, causing a lot of jingling to be produced from his little pouch. It was hard to tell if he was upset or not given that his lack of tone change up to that point, but his gestures would signal that was somewhat agitated at this point, thought it was impossible to tell if it was an act or not. He would edge slightly closer to the Flamedramon.

"Say, you seem like a fellow who's keen to judge based on looks alone. Tell me, what fuels your drive of judgement against corrupted ones? Perhaps a past experience, or is perhaps something more primal... like fear?"

Iscariot spoke softly, yet his voice was loud at the same time, his mask finally shifting as his eyes would narrow. Despite the lack of any visible mouth, it seemed like he was smiling for some reason. "I forgive you. After all we're the same beings, are not? Data, wandering aimlessly through this world, trying to make sense of it or just survive. You seem like a mon with problems, I just happen to be a mom with solutions."

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[Anko Hiroi]

Anko dropped her hand once she figured out he did not want to shake it, though she would not be upset by it. At least he did bow, which was some kind of greeting, right?
"There, he's apologizing, Keigo. And he did not even need to do so." Anko said, a little annoyed that her partner did not trust her. The bird only held the apple, which made his expression twist in disgust. The champion leaned towards Anko when Iscariot said that they would have to tolerate his presence longer since he was heading to Terabyte City as well. "I really don't trust him, Anki. Please don't do this. He smells really funky and I'm positive that apple is poisonous."
Anko shrugged, dismissing her protective Digimon's accusations. "You didn't give him a chance, Keigo. I think it's rude."

Keigo grit his teeth at Anko's ignorance, and looked at Iscariot as he stuffed the apple back in his pouch, his eyes narrowing when he heard a lot of jingling. What was this bird hiding?
He did surely notice that the bird had started to get a little agitated at him. For a moment, it looked like Keigo had swallowed his tongue, but he managed to find his voice back. "You see, you can't blame me. I know that apple is poisonous, mate. My tamer might be a little girl and won't believe me, but I know you kind of digimon. You try to earn their trust, and then strike. But guess what, pal, I'm one step ahead of you." He would hiss back, pulling at a smile when Anko looked a bit odd. She did notice that he was talking to him, perhaps it was a bit of improvement.

Anko smiled happily as the bird told them he would forgive Keigo, at least she didn't lose a potential friend to his digimon's suspicions. "So you want to join us to Terabyte City?" She asked, before turning to the path that headed there. "Do you have any business there?"

---

Iscariot

[Iscariot]

Iscariot chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head at the Flamedramon's comments. It was then when he decided it was time to attack the dragonman's credibility finally, allowing him to dismiss his warnings quite easily. Once more the Digimon reached for his pouch and produced the shiny looking apple.

"Is this the so called 'poison' that's driving you to wit's end? Allow me to dispose of it then. "

With that, the Yersiniamon finally reveal his mouth, his so called peak unhinging for just a moment, revealing several raw of sharp, blade like teeth before he would toss the entire apple inside. After a moment it would be gone, as would his mouth, leaving only the strange, curved beak behind.

"How delectable. Truly the pinnacle of the tree itself, as are all of my wares of course. And,as you clearly see there was no poison given that I just consumed it and only experienced a pleasant torrent of flavour. Sadly for you, I only had one."

The avian like Digimon took a soft bow again before he would turn towards the human, resuming their conversation as if nothing had happened. Surely that should have gotten the Flamedramon's bickering to at least die down for now, but just in case he would keep the act up.

"Please, excuse my poor manners, mam. I do not often gluttonize in front of others."

The Digimon would give a nod following the question, tapping his pouch once more and causing the jingling sound to be produced once more.

"Indeed I do. I sell various wares. Medicine of my own creation, for the poor and sickly who desperately need it but can not acquire it. My payment? Just knowing I've helped a soul rest."

His words held double meaning as always. After all, death was the cure to all afflictions in a sense, meaning he didn't exactly lie, just withheld the meaning of his words.

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[Anko Hiroi]

Keigo was going to come up with another retort when the bird said he would dispose of it. He probably wanted to say 'I told you so', but the Flamedramon looked a bit awestruck when Iscariot showed that awkwardly looking beak with the blade like teeth in there. Even more so when Iscarior just simply stuffed the apple between his razor sharp teeth and completely munched it to pieces. The armor champion frowned, but chose not to say anything. Right, he was put in place. But it just didn't feel right. He was so sure that the apple was poisonous, he smelt it. He felt it in his data.

"There, you see, Keigo? There's nothing to worry about. He's just a kind stranger." Anko said, with a rather disappointed look in her eyes. Keigo whined, looking down in shame. He had made quite the fool out of himself.

Iscariot turned back to Anko, and she smiled at him. "Don't apologize, it's okay! My partner here just doesn't trust others that often. I guess your appearance is involved, but I think you're rather cute."
Keigo shut his eyes in disapproval, little Anko was so naive..

As Iscariot mentioned that he sold various medicine, Keigo's suspicion grew again. This really wasn't right, couldn't Anko see it?
The Flamedramon bared his teeth as Iscariot said he 'helped a soul rest'. The choice of words.. it was like it had a double meaning.
"So.. Iscariot." Keigo said, between gritted teeth. "when we're in Terabyte City, I take we'll be parting ways right?"

---

Iscariot

[Iscariot]

Iscariot almost felt like cackling when the Flamedramon lowered his head, seemingly defeated, but knew full well he shouldn't. Things would only get worse for him from now onwards. All the Digimon had to do was keep the charade going.

"..."

The avian found himself unsure of how he should respond to the cute comment, but he would give a firm nod towards the human. There was no need to argue against it, everyone's tastes were different he supposed. It certainly didn't bother him at all.

"Actually, Anko is so kind to me I think I might just linger for a bit longer."

His reply to the other Digimon was a bit stoic and he wouldn't even glance at the Flamedramon as he seemed to edge closer to the tamer now, completely ignoring him. The Yersiniamon would reach towards his pouch once more and this time produce a white, semi-tattered flower between his talons before holding it close to Anko.

"Please accept a token of gratitude for not shunning me away. I'm but a lonely traveler you see, I don't get the delight of conversation too often."

The Digmon would then turn to the Flamedramon once more, his expression unchanged as always, but it would seem somewhat smug for some undefined reason.

"Don't worry, it's not poison."

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[Anko Hiroi]

Anko smiled smiled as Iscariot nodded at her, she was only trying to make up for Keigo's bitter attitude towards the bird digimon. Little did she know he didn't have good intentions, but, hopefully she could make him spare her by just being herself.

Keigo grimaced when Iscariot said that he would linger for a bit longer because Anko had been so kind to him. Right, now the bird was just plainly mocking him. The Flamedramon was just glad that he was currently in his armor champion form, he wasn't sure if he would have the time to digivolve in order to protect Anko.

Then the Yersiniamon reached into his pouch to take out a white tattered flower and hold it out to Anko. Keigo grit his teeth. It was but a harmless flower, right? Nothing to be frightened of?
Could it be tainted with poison, like the apple? The Flamedramon couldn't help but feel conflicted, he couldn't tell if the flower was dangerous or not. As the Yersiniamon turned to Keigo and said that it was not poisonous, the Flamedramon snarled. Iscariot was fooling them, he was sure of it.

Anko took the flower with a bright smile on her face, immediately attaching it to her pouch like an accessory. "It's beautiful, thank you Iscariot!" Anko said, patting her pouch gently. "Now, let's head to Terabyte City! We have to let Adam know we're okay!"
Right, Adam was probably worried sick.