Do You Wonder? [O]

Dear Yggdrasil... these evenings never seemed to cease, did they?

Although Ikou of course found pride in her duty as a guardian of peace and sought to fulfill it admirably, she openly admitted that the multiple days of game conventions took a great toll on her mind. The unending hours of insufferably loud noises, unpleasant odors of sweaty hands exchanging items and sultriness were galling to the digimon who enjoyed carrying herself like a fair lady. This was not truly a place of serenity much less tranquility. It was but a branch office for those who saw value in things that only possessed an actual worth to someone who was capable of utilizing the cards in combat.

Alas, the Royals desired events to play out peacefully, hence it was also her responsibility to secure this outcome. Though built on a faulty, fragile foundation, the BlackSalamon comprehended that the exposition was meant to indirectly celebrate harmony in times of constant discord and plotting. It was an applaudable motivation, but she doubted the results. Considering her past encounters, dissensions were clearly not simply solved through good deeds and kind words. Still, she did not claim her experiences as excuses to slack off. Perish the thought!

With the grace of a typical feline she leapt from the rooftops of booths to the nearby banisters and window sills and back again. It was a perpetual loop of movement in the shadows as Ikou continued to absorb the information her senses perceived. As almost always, nothing was out of the ordinary. Despite the night ruling supreme, children were frolicking as if they savored their birthdays. Cosplayers attempted to prettify the area with their presence - few succeeded. Seldom did she spot another of her digital world, making her wonder if there were some disguised visitors present. Thanks to T, she understood that she had to be doubly cautious.

But no, everything appeared to be just fine. Sighing and yawning, the black kitten made it herself comfortable on a railing a level above the heads that chaotically tried to maneuver past each other. The BlackSalamon's golden eyes surveyed her surroundings while she lamented the warmth. Why could it not be autumn or spring? Well, at least the attendees were enjoying themselves - like that young lad in his partial rabbit costume. Quaint... huh... that person's face seemed familiar.

It was merely for a short moment that Ikou's eyes lingered on the young man that fancied dressing himself up as a partial rabbit. Truth be told it was not the first time she had seen such strange outfits that did neither fully commit to reality nor fiction, but she had not payed them any mind either. If it was the way others preferred to carry themselves with than who was she to judge as long as no conflicts arose? Even if, arguments spawned by this kind of harmless fun were fatuous. Humans and their idiosyncrasies... oh what a world.

Speaking of which, the lad was obviously extroverted. Not only did he constantly talk vociferously, he also had a tendency to touch strangers. It was an oddity that caused awkward smiles as a response, but his habits provoked no clashes. The Japanese were a rather patient people from what she had heard, hence they tolerated or accepted his presence. Nevertheless, this sense of familiarity did not leave the BlackSalamon alone. The aura and scent of his digital partner was obvious, but where had she been witness to his face before? Had it something to do with the organization that had adopted her - the Royals?

Unlikely. As Ikou watched her disappear into a large booth, she shrugged and figured that there was no point in contemplating it further. The chap was probably just another of uncountable human faces that looked quite similar to her. Whereas digimons were extremely diverse, mankind had settled on a base model that was the homo sapiens. In the end, deciding she would prolong her break, the dark kitten remained on her spot, calmly longing for tranquility once this convention was over. At least her duty added self-sacrificing to her list of personal virtues she represented.

For a moment, Ikou managed to enter a state of mental serenity despite the obnoxious rumpus happening beneath her. Her whole body relaxed, indifferent towards the laughter and competition occurring throughout the convention and this alley. Her phlegm did not originate from spite or disrelish, but from the simple fact that she was bound to be an observer, not a participant. Her personal preferences, lack of knowledge, the ongoing divide between the two species and her duty were the firm chain links that directed and limited her movement. Thankfully, she was not bothered by this in her attempt to repose...

... which got immediately foiled by an earsplitting cry that echoed through a large area of this fair. Panic-fueled from shock, the BlackSalamon leapt onto her paws, her back and behind erect as she bared her teeth with wide, golden eyes. Heavy, sharp breaths and the desire to yelp fueled her entire being for a second, though the latter she was obliged to omit as to not attract attention. Her unsettled gaze quickly shifted to the source of this unpleasantly booming scream. It did not take long for her culprit to reveal himself near the knocked out humans.

Of course it was the cosplaying deviant, although Ikou doubted that it was him and not his digital partner who was responsible for this unnecessary disorder. But where was the digimon - possibly hidden in his dress? Nonetheless, the time had begun for the dark cat to fulfill her responsibility. Regaining the composure, it was with elegant strides and hops that she maneuvered from the rooftops of booths to window sills and balustrades. Her primary mission was to pursue the querulent assaulter and deliver justice, but she still had to keep in the shadows as to avoid causing additional inquietude due to her presence.

As they headed towards a section that was not meant to be opened today, the BlackSalamon wondered why it was that her target chose this route. Was this potentially on purpose? Regardless, the empty space suited her just fine. The aureate gleam of her irises lingered on Usagi while the kitten beyond them was eager to end this hullabaloo.

Although of course appreciating the silence of solitude as well, Ikou was unfortunately unable to savor it at the moment. Due to the presence of a rather obstinate boy who enjoyed dressing up and causing a ruckus a bit too much, the present tranquility was but a surface of glass - too easily shattered. Quickly the rupture occurred as the kid collided with a member of the staff; an event that spawned a thousand cusses. Impolite but slightly adequate for the vociferous lad had no business in her. Neither did the BlackSalamon to be honest, but what other choice did she have? It was her duty to assure the convention proceeded peacefully.

When the three of them were truly alone, the dark kitten decided that she had enough. No longer sneaking in the shadows of items and walls, she began hastily leaping from every piece of available decoration to furniture and whatever object got in her way. "Stop!" The female feline exclaimed from the darkness of the area, clearly not desiring an additional tantrum to happen. Maneuvering a large arc around her targets, she eventually came to a halt as aureate eyes lingered on those she openly considered troublemakers.

"This silly game has taken long enough, don't you think?" Ikou firmly asked the cosplaying chap and his partner. To each other, they were likely mere silhouettes, but it was not too difficult for the cat to estimate the shape of the accomplice's head which was that of a digimon. Round, floppy ears, big blue irises gleaming similarly to hers. A normal Salamon by chance? No matter what the tamer's companion was, the BlackSalamon simply desired the end of this farce. Hopefully, they were not as aggressive as they were insolent to the crowd of people they had paralyzed.

Oh great... the cosplaying boy was not only a troublemaker, but also something humans called depraved due to his apparent sexual deviancy. Not that Ikou had any true understanding about the act of reproduction as a digimon, nor did she care to learn more of this topic, but the sentiment was clear. Whomever she currently faced seemed to be a nutter who was indifferent towards anything except himself. Gosh, in a sense it was Zeus all over again. Sighing wearily, it was obvious that the dark kitten had no desire to continue this farce with him and his partner. But how would she adequately talk to and sanction an erratic mischief?

"I have started nothing and I don't want to play a game. I don't crave whatever you imagine either. I simply insist on you stopping your ruckus. Enforcing that is my duty given by the benefactors of this convention, the Royals." The BlackSalamon explained calmly and kindly, hoping to appeal to the lad's remnant of morality. Was he not here to enjoy himself, too? So why did he seek to ruin the amusement of others? Was the disreputable chap truly evil, or merely selfish in that regard? Most importantly - why did his face still seem familiar to her?

Unfortunately, though as to be expected, there was no point in reasoning with the mad youngster. Surprised by the incredibly loud yelp of the Salamon, Ikou quickly noticed that the local furniture toppled over as if it were dominoes. Gracefully leaping down onto the floor, the polished laminate turned out to be quite adverse. Similar to a common pet, the surface was way too slick for her paws, preventing her from having a steady stance. Groaning in frustration, it took the gloomy cat a few moments before she was able to stand strong and tall once more.

Regrettably, her target the crackpot and his companion had gone out of sight. Although she had an idea of where they might be heading, moving on this smooth boarding was relatively difficult. Harrumphing, the BlackSalamon shook her head and wrinkled her nose. Hopefully, cameras had gotten a good picture of her prey so justice would befall him later. Regardless, informing her organization was probably a decent approach. If only... she could walk properly...