Cold, Hard Conditioning [OPEN]

[Blaine Ellis]

"Hatred is what drives my desire." MOUNT FUJI , 6:15AM, OPEN _____________________________ A burst of purple fire shot from the mouth of a jet-black dragon creature. Red markings were etched across his body, and he had fin-like ears jutting from the top of his head. A taller digimon, the BlackGuilmon had a very imposing appearance which was even more fierce with his cold, yellow eyes. The reptile's blast of purple fire struck against the tree before him, scorching the bark and causing smoke to rise from the impact point. Not far from the black digimon stood a young man, barely seventeen. He wore a yellow scarf and was dressed in a white, winter jacket. His blonde hair shifted slightly in the cool wind, and his breath was visible. They stood among and endless mass of snow, about an inch deep. The wind caused a small drift, and the trees surrounding them were frosted over. They were some ways up the south-side of Mount Fuji. A few meters from their position was a small log cabin that had been long-since abandoned, and remains of a fire were next to it. This was where the two had stayed for a few nights now. "Again." spoke the calm yet cold voice of the young man. His arms were crossed, and he wore a rather stoic expression. He watched with little reaction as the BlacakGuilmon released another burst of purple fire. It struck against the tree, fizzling out. "More. Make the tree burn." He instructed sternly. "The wind is putting out my fire before it has a chance," The BlackGuilmon, dubbed Grim by his partner, responded. "I didn't ask for excuses, Grim." the young man said, staring at his digimon. "I asked you to turn that tree into ash." The digimon shook his head briefly, before drawing his head back. His jaw opened, and a soft stream of purple began to draw into it, welling in the back of his throat. He focused his energy, trying to build up as much as he could. His muscles tightened and his senses heightened. "Pyro Grenade!" he yelled as a powerful burst of purple fire shot from his jaws as his head swung forward. The blaze struck violently against the tree, engulfing it entirely. It burst into flames, and pools of smoke began to fall from it into the air. The tree began to burn away, slowly but surely--and this time, it seemed the purple flames weren't going to fade. "Impressive," Blaine commented, turning his head towards the higher point of the mountain. "You have a short while to rest, then we will climb higher today, understood?" "Very well, Blaine." the digimon spoke. His Tamer, though intelligent and composed, could be rather harsh. None the less, Grim wasn't the type to partake in such feeble games as kindness and treading lightly--he wouldn't have reminded a bit more respect, however. Then again, that was the method of humans.

[Beatrice "Braids" Trix]

everybody, panic!

"Now what do you think they're doing...over there?" Bundled up in her blue furred, yet still quite provocative attire, Braids watched wided eyed at the two figures up on the ledge, probably on their way up the mountain. Magenta eyes witnessed the site of the reptile like creature retch fire from his mouth and smother the pine in smoke and flame. For a moment, a pang of jealousy flashed before her gaze, throwing a sharp glance towards Pow-pow, her Keramon partner."Ugh. Why can't YOU do that, huh?" Came her accusatory growl, arms over her chest as she rubbed the sides of her arms. Not trying to starve off the cold, but to vainly attempt to keep herself calm.

The Keramon twitched, his composure calm and unsettling with just a hint of distaste as he turned a unblinking stare at his blue haired tamer."I'm far superior to such creatures, Miss. A bit of fire pales in comparison to the dark powers I possess." Its long fingers drummed on the snow, antenna probing the frozen ground. It didn't take too kindly to being compared to such filth. The girl merely grinned down at the disproportionate thing, a weird bulbous monster that floated above the ground, tentacles waving. It was a smug thing, and Braids was quick to notice - and tease.

"Yeah, but WE could burn stuff. All you do is dark shit. What am I? Seven?" Without waiting for a response, and quite against her partner, the blue haired girl walked up to the boy in furred snow boots, the rabbits used to make the boots not so fortunate to feet her feet. A smirk stretched along her lips, blinking admiring lashes as she fixed the black scaled dinosaur with an affectionate look, with a bit of crazed light too.

"Oh, such a cute critter you have! Does it do any other tricks - mine doesn't like to play with me much." On que, the purple digimon in question floated forward, a grin plastered on its face; its most sinister entrance. It remained silent, albeit for a small soft hiss escaping between its parted mouth and jagged uneven fangs.

MADE BY HABBUE OF GS

[Blaine Ellis]

"Hatred is what drives my desire." MOUNT FUJI , 6:15AM, BRAIDS _____________________________ Grim and Blaine had since neared their small cabin, preparing to ascend the mountain. Blaine was gathering a few supplies, as Grim was bringing together a few pieces of wood for the fire they would likely need later. If they were going to climb Mount Fuji, they were going to need a lot of energy and warmth to do so. Grim's ears twitched slightly as he set down the next piece of wood. His head jerked to the side, drawing Blaine's attention. "What is it?" the young man asked, turning to his direction. "We're not alone up here..." Blaine squinted as he could see something approaching in the distance. A young woman and a strange-looking purple creature. "It's a digimon," informed Grim as he took a defensive stance. The young woman was scantily clad in something that Blaine highly doubted would have kept her warm. He was concerned with what they wanted. Why were they here? "Oh, such a cute critter you have! Does it do any other tricks - mine doesn't like to play with me much." As she spoke, her digimon inched forward, giving the most frightening and awkward inhuman smile Blaine had ever witnessed. He felt a slight irritation at the these two--they were distracting him. However, perhaps they posed a challenge? Blaine glanced at Grim, realizing that if he could defeat this thing, he could only grow stronger... But not yet, Blaine needed to know more before striking. "Who are you?" He spoke to the young woman, hands in pocket as he took a couple steps forward. Grim remained stoic, though showed signs of being ready to attack on Blaine's word. "There's plenty of mountain side, why choose where we are? How long have you been watching us?" There was no doubt she was--she knew that they were interacting, and no doubt training. He could tell by her words. It was a wonder what else she knew. Grim's eyes were locked on the Keramon. This digimon was strange, and he gave the BlackGuilmon an unnerving feeling. There was a crazy look in his eye--as with his Tamer. The two of them seemed... unhinged.

[Beatrice "Braids" Trix]

everybody, panic!

Pow-pow held the other digimon's gaze, feeling the warmth of its power within it as their gazes clashed. It mirrored a certain amount of wickedness, but the Keramon doubted the extent of its power or ill intent. It probably heeded the call of his master to the tee, an obedient little lizard, but he...he was using his tamer for more sinister purposes. The blond was much different from Braids; he felt no insanity within him, only a pit of raw emotion. Sadness, anger maybe?

His smile grew, and so did his interest. He leaned forward, his eyes being held by the dinosaur but the rest of his body seem to resonate towards the boy, tentacles outstretching above and below its body as it ready to consume him like a predatory jellyfish. Braids seemed more interested in getting close to the BlackGuilmon, a hand outstretched to pat the creature on its head, perhaps scratch it behind his adorable bat winged ears. At the sound of the boy's voice, a boy, she concluded, that was definitely younger than she, Braids' questioning glance shot up, a wild breath entering her lungs.

"Who am I?" She paused, her deceptively sweet vocals echoed."You can call me Braids, babycakes. And this here is my Pow-pow!" Introductions were boring, but somehow even she made it seem exciting as she flurished her hand extravagantly towards her frozen partner, grin still shamelessly on his face. She shooed away his second question, finding it more fun to ignore the reason why she was here. It was rare to find her mountain disturbed by others, and such young cuties as well."Well, wouldn't you like to know?"

The Keramon suddenly spoke, a wave of smooth, almost soothing vocals reaching towards the both of them. Soft and low, the creature answered the boy for her, finding her playfulness less than endearing at times."I'm surprised no one has found you before us, with all that noise you make. If you plan to ascend up to the peak, I insist you bring us along; you never know what kind of danger you'll run into - oh, yes, and provide my tamer with more appropriate clothing." his dark voice held an air of authority, as if he thought himself something of importance. And while he might not be strong enough to defeat the guilmon, he could remember a time where many digimon bowed down to his whims.

The blue haired girl crossed her arms, brow cocked and looking vexed."I do not need more clothes. I have enough on as it is!"

MADE BY HABBUE OF GS

[Blaine Ellis]

"Hatred is what drives my desire." MOUNT FUJI , 6:15AM, BRAIDS _____________________________ "Braids, hm?" Blaine acknowledged, before nodding towards the BlackGuilmon. "That's Grim, and you can call me Blaine." Grim nearly snapped the girl's hand of as she moved to pet him, but retained himself to a quiet growl. She was invading his space--he didn't like being petted or scratched like some dog. He saw how humans treated pets, and he was no pet. He was a sentient being of his own accord. The sole reason he didn't attack was because he didn't have his Tamer's order to do so. The Keramon continued to speak, earning Blaine's attention. He suggested the group go together. Grim looked at Blaine, who met his look again. They had danced around their questions, and something about the pair did seem strange... but Blaine didn't pick up any immediate threats. Perhaps he was being foolish, or perhaps it was something deeper that he didn't want to admit. He was lonely. "Tch," Blaine scoffed at his thoughts in disinterest, before he crossed his arms. "Can you two even survive the weather? Your digimon looks to be as durable as a tissue." He said bluntly. "Perhaps we should go with them, Blaine," the black dragon spoke. "We are not familiar with the mountain further up." "I do not need more clothes. I have enough on as it is!" Both Blaine and Grim looked at her bluntly. Blaine released a small sigh, before unclipping his jacket. He slid it off, before tossing it towards the young woman. "Here," he said. She was a couple inches taller than he was, but his jacket should work well enough, as it was a bit too long for him at times. "Let's go." He picked up the bag he had gathered supplies in, adjusting it on his back. "Make yourselves useful," Grim spoke as he picked up some firewood. There was still plenty to be carried, including a few more supplies. Blaine had hoped they would find digimon up here. He was eager to test out Grim's abilities after the intense training they'd had over the past few days. Though, he was also curious about this girl and her digimon. He glanced back at her and the strange digimon at her side as he and Grim waited for them to follow.

[Beatrice "Braids" Trix]

everybody, panic!

Braids bared her teeth in a pleased, yet deviously knowing smile as she neared the dragon, ignoring its quiet disagreeing growl as her hand neared. Her fingers lowered, before patting the small of his head in deliberate, unfearing pats. Her grin ever present, the woman glared down at the creature, not much smaller than her, and much more imposing that her own partner, yet she held no fear, only a baiting, mocking tone."Good. Dog." She whispered upon her lifted lips, fingers caressing the small of his ears before pulling away.

Such a good little slave.

Her head turned and so did the two long blue braids that she had gotten her namesake. Pow had done a good job persuading the boy to trust in their bullshit. Good. The Keramon seemed to be a little more smooth lipped and a little less impulsive that her, which was why she used him in such fashion. And although Pow didn't take kindly to being called delicate, the creature merely stood a bit taller, allowing his tentacles to stretch out almost indignantly to his words.

"I'm much stronger than you, I assure you." His fingers flexed thoughtfully, wondering just how quickly humans died, such fragile things they were, but some had their uses. Take Braids for example, a nearly perfect example of how polluted a human heart could be, and even though she had little sanity left within her, she proved lucid in her own twisted ways.

Braids scoffed loudly as the boy threw her his jacket, the collar furred around the edges and it seemed like suede underneath her fingertips. At first she frowned, smile tilted disapprovingly at the decision that was made without her consent, but after she drew the fabric closer to her face and took a few inhales the smile returned, lashes lidded approval."It smells just like you." She added with a grin, taking another slow whiff before she clumsily shouldered on the winter coat. Her thin frame and long arms made the coat barely a fit, but it covered the skin that matters, although she didn't button it up all the way.

"Let's go!" She echoed playfully, bouncing ahead of Blaine and Grim while the Keramon stayed at the rear. his bulbous head wheeled around towards the dragon in an accusing manner."Firewood? A brute like you would be more suited." He remarked before grudgingly throwing a pack over his shoulder.

"Mr. Mountain and I go waaaay back. Sooo, do you always come up here to play with Grimmy? I like games." Came Braids' excited voice. The cold didn't bother her, and neither did keeping up appearances.

MADE BY HABBUE OF GS

[Blaine Ellis]

"Hatred is what drives my desire." MOUNT FUJI , 6:15AM, BRAIDS _____________________________ Blaine's eyebrow rose as she spent an awkwardly long time smelling his coat. "It smells just like you." An odd expression comparable to the most forced smile came on his face, "Uh thanks..." He spoke as she bounded forward quickly, running on ahead of him. "...I think." he added flatly, before following after her. Grim couldn't help but to grin a little bit as the Keramon had taken his instruction, lifting the other bag to carry it. He wasn't so helpless after all--and perhaps not as tissue-like as Blaine had originally thought. Of course, he may have played the part of the obedient slave, but he was not so easily fooled, even if the young and naive Blaine was. As the two humans were up ahead, Grim glanced over at the Keramon. "I'm not sure what you and the girl are up to," the dragon started. "I think you should know I don't trust you. So I suggest you think wisely before you try to pull any fast ones." With that being said, Grim continued up the hill after his tamer. "Mr. Mountain and I go waaaay back. Sooo, do you always come up here to play with Grimmy? I like games." "We don't play," Blaine insisted. "We train." The two of them trekked up a small mountain path where the snow was slightly less thick than it was in most of the rest of the area. "We can't accomplish our goals until we are stronger, and this area is quiet, and requires a lot of strength to survive." He thought to his goals: revenge. Blaine was curious of Braid's intentions too. Why would someone so willingly join him? She seemed playful enough, but something about that Keramon didn't sit well with him. Perhaps it was because they were so strange that he felt suspicious--she certainly wasn't a local, though. "What about you?" Blaine asked. "What kind of games do you play when you're here?" he spoke with slight irritation at the words 'games' and 'play', they felt almost insulting, but he was trying to appeal to her.

[Beatrice "Braids" Trix]

everybody, panic!

Wrapped snuggly within Blaine's scent, the girl hummed between her lips, trodding ahead of the pack as her wide eyes took in the sights, familiar or not. The snow glossing over the ground was beautiful, yet there seemed to be something missing. She much enjoyed seeing a rosy hue upon the ground, or orange flames flashing across the sky. Blood and smoke seemed missing, and frankly, the whole mountain scene was too peaceful. It wouldn't be long before something triggered within her, warding off all normalcy.

Cradling the pack over his small back and narrow shoulder blades, the Keramon floated forward, keeping a lingering distance from the pair of humans in order to keep an eye on the BlackGuilmon from the back. It seemed he wasn't the only one who had that idea, and it wasn't long before the lizard made itself known, its hiss in its ear. Pow scowled lightly, sniffing with aloof distaste. The corners of his inhuman maw stretched out again, flashing him an eerie grin - something he was quite good at giving off; a creepy aura."Keep an eye out..." He spoke darkly, almost in a sing song kind of voice."You never know what you'll find out here."

Without hearing anything that the two digimon were saying, Braids stomped up the mountain, her boots carrying snow."Train, play. What's the difference? You can have fun while you train, and you can also train when you have fun. Loosen up, Blainey. Jeez." Tossing a strand of blue hair over her shoulder, the woman turned to flick the boy in the shoulder, nail scratching against the hood of his coat.

When he attempted to pester her further, his curiosity no doubt getting the better of him in figuring out just what this strange blue haired woman was after. Yet she merely chuckled, a soft melodious ring as she bounded forward, picking up her speed to a sharp trot as she disappeared being a dense thicket of spruce trees."I'll only tell you if you can catch me!" She howled behind her, hoping this male was indeed intrigued by her personality. All the better to lure the blond boy.

The Keramon grinned a wicked grin, its natural response to most of the girl's actions."A feisty girl, isn't she?" He mused outloud, in Grim's direction, and floated onward at his usual leasuirly pace. He did not plan on keeping pace with her at all, and on the contrary, a bit of alone time between the humans might be what they needed.

MADE BY HABBUE OF GS

[Blaine Ellis]

"Hatred is what drives my desire." MOUNT FUJI , 6:15AM, BRAIDS _____________________________ "Blainy?" Blaine thought aloud with a sideways frown. He was not too fond of that name--it reminded him of vaguely of his friends used to call him before everything changed: Goldy. She flicked his shoulder, before she declared that if he wanted to know anything, he'd have to catch her. "What?" Blaine asked as she sped off into a gathering of trees. Blaine momentarily contemplated his actions. He was curious, and he wanted to find out what she was after. The only way he could probably do that would be to follow her now, but where would she lead him? Not to mention he'd look ridiculous running around like a maniac after another maniac. "This is stupid," Blaine muttered under his breath as he chased after her. It reminded him of a simpler time when he and his sister would play these games. He darted right into the trees after her. "You never know what you'll find out here." Their Keramon spoke with an air of deviousness that caused Grim to tense up slightly. He couldn't shake this overwhelming feeling of suspicion when it came to these two, and he knew it was more than just their oddities... Though he had no idea what he was up to, all he knew was that he was intending to watch Blaine like a hawk. Until he was gone. "Blaine?" Grim said, glancing around for his partner. He heard a challenge moments ago from the girl, for him to chase her... He just didn't believe he'd actually fall for it. "So where did they go?" Grim questioned the other digimon suspiciously.

[Beatrice "Braids" Trix]

everybody, panic!

Keramon watched the two disappear within the cloak of trees, branches like some organic wall blocking the digimon and their humans from sight. He didn't particularly care - she was a tool for his own devices, much as she needed his power to ascend to the near impossible heights that she placed herself.She thought she was a special girl, and she was! To him she was a fine wench indeed. Giggling underneath his breath, he blinked in a confused manner towards the black scaled rookie."I don't know, nor do I really care; probably to do some human bonding of some sort." he waved off the notion, although couldn't help but picture his tamer flying at the boy and coddling him with affection.

Or erm...something along those lines.

The fact that this fellow virus type cared so much for his tamer, it was all very touching, but he had no time to dawdle on the weaknesses of others if he was after true power. He shrugged his thin shoulders."If you want to run headlong into something that you probably have no clue, then be my guest." The smile was still on his face, more subtle and slightly smug. Braids was an unpredictable creature, full of morbid zest and a kind of curiosity that would make even some digimon wretch up their lunches. Yet she could be driven in the right direction, and right now, the only direction fathomable was up.

His confusion was met with a wild cackle of delight as she pushed branches aside and wriggles down a small outcrop where it continued to slope gently upwards, indicating that they were heading in the right direction. If he wanted to go to the peak, then she'd deliver. Barely suppressing a hum of pleasure at the sound of his advancing foot falls, the blue haired woman turned and stole a glance over her shoulder. So Blaine had decided to follow him after all, and no sign of his precious slave lizard either. Her smile grew, pausing at a small clearing once they had been running along for a couple minutes.

She twirled ahead for a few more steps, swaying her hips as she jumped down into a small circular pit, that led down into a narrow rock face and into a small cave."In here!" She echoed behind her shoulders. This was where she had spent the night in her own personal hidy-hole. It paid off to have some play where larger digimon couldn't access, or humans could find.

She didn't stop moving until they had moved ten feet within the cave, a single candle illuminating the area, but it seemed brightly lit from the outside from the crevices that lines the opposite end. She heaved a heavy sigh, spreading her legs to squat upon a smooth flat rock that proved to be a decent seat. There was another one facing her, and there she waited for the boy to follow.

"Lonely, lonely boy, playing games with a pretty, pretty girl in her rocky, rocky cave to have some fun, fun, fun." She spoke in a sing song voice, humming on her stretched lips. She lifted the rim of his coat to her face once more, sniffing it greedily.

MADE BY HABBUE OF GS

[Blaine Ellis]

"Hatred is what drives my desire." MOUNT FUJI , 6:30AM, BRAIDS _____________________________ "If you want to run headlong into something that you probably have no clue, then be my guest." "I welcome danger, I can adapt quickly." the dragon retorted, and continued to scan the nearby area. There was a gathering of trees that was the most likely position the two of them had gone. He was increasingly suspicious and wasn't sure on his next move. However, he was certain of one thing: he would remain calm, and continue to monitor the Keramon. "Have you no concern for your human?" he asked. Meanwhile, Blaine had continued to jog after Braids as she ducked away into the forest. What was the purpose of this playing around? It irritated Blaine, and that showed in his expression. He wanted to continue training--perhaps even have Guilmon and Keramon combat each other to give each other some practice. However, to what end would Braids and Keramon bring them? Were they trustworthy? Or were they plotting against them? Blaine had no honest answer to that--all he could do was continue forward with an ire of caution. He had been gifted with an intelligent mind, so he might as well use it to its best. He followed forward, before seeing the tail end of her blue hair ducking into a small cave. Stepping through the snow, Blaine pushed a stray tree branch aside. His feet entered the cave, which was compact, but went a ways back. A dull glow came from further down, where he could see Braids sitting--and signing. The tune was something about a lonely boy, a pretty girl, and a rock. This woman was something else. "Does this qualify as catching you?" Blaine asked, before he moved past her, and sat upon the remaining rock. He eyed the area carefully, trying to make sure nothing had been watching them. (OOC: Sorry for the long-awaited reply, work sucks.)

[Beatrice "Braids" Trix]

everybody, panic!

The narrowly shaped digimon shrugged his small shoulders, fingers twitching nonchalantly as he followed the creature's gaze. He would remain collected, analyzing the time when his tamer would signal that the coast was clear before he attempted anything...rash. Shouldering a tight grin to form along his face, his eyes narrowed in a pleased fashion, nodding expectantly."Of course, of course, 'big bad dragon' can surely handle anything that's thrown at him or his precious tamer." He voiced, a bit maliciously as his head tilted to the opposite side to fix him with an eerie glare. Even the mention of his own tamers safety brought no outward response he was concerned, merely giving a thoughtful hum before replying quickly to the inquiry of the black scaled dragon digimon."I prefer only to intervene if necessary - Braids can handle herself most times. I can bet that my tamer is much more 'adaptable' that yours ever could be." his grin grew wider as he watched the BlackGuilmon, angling himself in a posture that seemed aloof and jesting. Just wait, he could imagine the creature disagreeing with his statement, then he could put it to the test.

Braids versus Blaine. Now wouldn't that be a one-sided battle?

"As far as humans are concerned, she could be very useful." His thoughts gave way to a smirk to stretch haphazardly across his maw."Loosen up, pal." Perhaps the digimon would sneer at his suggestion, but at this point, getting the beast to talk was his priority, at least until Braids was done with the boy. Take away the tamer, take away the digimon's power.

Meanwhile, discovered by the blond haired male, Braid's paused from her song to blink up expectantly up at him with softboiled pink eyes. his voice reached her ears and the girl chuckled, the sound playing upon her uplifted lips as her head followed him to his seat. Flashing him a cocked brow, she leaned forward, arms buried in her coat as she smirked playfully across from him."Qualify?" Her grin became almost catlike as she studied him bluntly, eyes sweeping across his seated form. Although he was young, the boy was quite handsome and she found herself giggling again."Maaaaybe. What do I get if I tell you some of my secrets?" She leaned in a bit closer, face inches from his.

MADE BY HABBUE OF GS