[004] action -- getting his hands (and quite a bit more) dirty

[empireofmymind]

[Ken and Wormmon have decided to retrieve the fallen wedding ring from the sewer! Wormmon climbed down on in and successfully located the missing item, swept a bit down the pipe.

Except now Ken is kneeling, as if prepared to climb in himself. From a ways away comes a plaintive cry:]

Ken-chaaaaan!

Comments

[washurhair]

Alright, I ready over here on this end.

[She rolls up her sleeves and her pant legs, ready for whatever is going to come spewing out of the hole.]

[empireofmymind]

Mm.

[Ken crouches and pokes the broom down the sewer pipe, calling for whoever's in there to "hang on". He ends up nearly slipping (and up to his ankles in sewage), but after some straining he's retracting the broom and turning around.]

Here...Wormmon, let go.

[Passing up a rather dirty, rather shaken, giant green worm now. It's clutching a wedding ring between two legs.]

[washurhair]

[It's a bit dark down there so Shampoo's not sure what's she is grabbing until she lifts him back up. Not expecting a huge insect, she flinches and throws Wormmon in the air.]

Why you give me huge bug!? Give me back broom, I go kill it!

[empireofmymind]

[Wormmon sort of gives a yelp as he goes flying, while Ken scrambles out of the sewer in pursuit.]

Wormmon--!!

[Said broom, a little bit scummy at the ends but remarkably well-kept (he did promise), is tossed aside. Ken's not quite in time to catch Wormmon, but the bug does bounce from the pavement right up into his arms.

Clutching his partner tightly, Ken turns on Shampoo in confusion.]

Why did you--?!

D: I'm so sorry Wormmon!

[washurhair]

[She jumps towards the sewer entrance where he threw her broom. With a firm grip on her relatively clean broom (she appreciates that), Shampoo is all set to swing it down on Wormmon but stops when he lands in Ken's arms.]

It a bug! You no tell me it is pest! I thought it be tiny boy! Wait, but Shampoo heard voice... don't tell me it speaks!

[Though she isn't afraid of bugs, this one was just putting her on edge. Her gut screamed to kill it, a pest is a pest. The broom starts to crack under her grip.]

I'd say "he's used to it", but neither of them remember that part yet.

[empireofmymind]

[Wormmon cowers against Ken's front while Ken bends to quickly pick up the ring, dropped in the confusion.]

Ken-chan, I'm scared!

[Ken pockets the ring and starts to glare, but realizes how unfair this situation is to her. Everyone else had taken this in stride, but that's no reason to push undue expectations upon others. Particularly new acquaintances.

This is his fault, but he'll put it right.]

I'm sorry if you feel I deceived you. But you have to believe me, he's my precious partner.

[washurhair]

[Her body tenses when she sees the worm actually speaking. When Wormmon turns to hide, she knew it was time to strike. It would have been easy to smack the boy's hands causing him to drop the pest. Then splat!

She starts rushing forward with her new weapon but hearing the word partner causes her to misstep and stumble flat on her face.]

Partner? What, you marry bug?!

[empireofmymind]

[Ken starts forward, peering down. He tries to offer her a hand, but Wormmon grabs onto his arm and clings instead.]

Not like that. He's from my world.

The meaning and reason aren't fully clear, but we've always been there for each other.

[washurhair]

[She warily watches the two of them as she moves back up. Seeing as how it didn't do anything to her when she her back was exposed, perhaps it wasn't that dangerous. Or at least not suited for combat.

Her body relaxes as she comes to full height, the broom held loosely over her shoulder.]

So... it your talking pet? Seem bit weird. Do other kids own big insects like yours and not normal cats and dogs?

[She couldn't imagine having something like it around but then again, a different world from hers.]

[empireofmymind]

I'm not a pet!

[Ken lays a hand on Wormmon's head to calm him. Both of them smell from being in the sewers (Wormmon especially), but Ken shows no indication of noticing.]

I don't know. I only remembered him. But there must be something special about our bond for him to appear here, as well.

[washurhair]

You creature on... many legs. What else would Shampoo call you?

[She sticks her tongue out at Wormmon. It's childish but it's better than smacking it. It would be rude to kill some kid's pet.]

I never knew other things could follow us to this here town. Wonder if something like him would follow Shampoo.

[She leans closer to look at the two before backing away and holding her nose.]

[empireofmymind]

His name is Wormmon.

[Ken glances expectantly at his partner. Wormmon, however, is having none of that, and retreats to sulk within Ken's arms.

Ken represses the impulse to sigh.]

It's impossible to rule anything out, but no one else I've met has remembered a partner. Though he does prove things from our worlds can arrive.

[Brought, perhaps, by whatever stole their memories? Ken steps away slightly as he thinks, self-conscious about the smell now that she's backed away.]

[washurhair]

Lucky, Shampoo seems like only one from home. It quite lonely.

[She sighs and places her hand on her cheek before remembering the slight pungent smell that hung in the air.]

Maybe boy and... Wormmon should go home too. It smells almost as bad as the fat panda back in China.

[She's not one to sugarcoat the situation.]

[empireofmymind]

Ah...

[How thoughtless of him to stand around like this, yes. Ken flushes slightly and nods his head.]

You're right. I'll go. Thanks for your help.

[He takes a few steps, then pauses.]

...and....

Wormmon didn't come right away. Your friends from home might be the same.

[washurhair]

[She watches him walk off a few more steps before sighing, rolling her bike towards them.]

If kid walk in weather like that, you get sick. Best to go home fast. Take bike, Shampoo can walk to work.

[She turns to prepare for roof-hopping but looks back for one second.]

And it alright. I only remember enemies back at home. Maybe it better off that way. Well... zài jiàn!

[With that said, she waves them good bye and jumps onto trash cans and other objects to gain higher elevation until she reaches the rooftops of the near by buildings.]

[empireofmymind]

No, you don't - have....

[Ken and Wormmon are left staring in her wake, not expecting this particular form of transportation.

At last, Ken climbs onto the bike with Wormmon still clinging to his front. Everyone he's met has lived in the same building, so he trusts she'll be able to find her bike again.

"Shampoo", she'd said...He resolves to find a way to thank her as he pedals off.]