A Lesson in Self-Acceptance [Kitt/Skadi]

[Kitt]

As Kitt focused on reaching a deeper state of relaxation, he listened to the conversations being held by the others, as evidenced by his ears twitching from time to time. Hearing Toki compliment on his concentration would make Kitt blush brightly. It was a new feeling, being complimented like that, but for some reason, he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, it tugged at his heart a lot. So much so that he broke his focus and opened his eyes, gazing at the environment around him.

Countless assortments of flowers surrounded the stream, towered by tall blades of grass that look like something could come out of them at any moment. He admired how pretty they were. Dewdrops hang on the pedals’ surface, yet the flora between them appeared dull - melting together to make the Valaismon stand out even more in the Spadamon’s gaze. His brows furrowed, expression noticeably widened. Skadi never mentioned her struggles back in the Digital World. Trying to live in peace around a big and scary Digimon that would attack you on a whim sounded like a scary experience.

He looked down at his semi-transparent hands before huffing and dropping them to his side. He had a lot on his mind. On one hand, despite Setsuna’s hospitality, he still wanted to search for a way home, despite the fact that he had very little memory of what ‘home’ was to him. But on the other hand, something about everyone—from Toki’s optimistic goal to reuniting with his parents, to Skadi wanting to live a tranquil life—made Kitt realize something he hadn't questioned before…

Why did he want to return to the Digital World?

He has little memory of it, yet for some reason, something deep inside of him yeared to return there, and for what? Was it to fulfill a noble purpose? Was it to return to someone that was waiting for him? Or did he need to protect something…or someone? He had no idea of knowing, but his heart pulsated a wave of homesickness. Should it even be considered a dream, or a fool's errand.

Kitt’s attention shifted back to the others again. Many aromas filled the area: from the tea that Setsuna was making, to the roasted fish being cooked on the fire by Aylin. It all filled his nose with delight. Seeing everyone’s relaxed moods, especially Skadi’s laugh as she rambled made Kitt have an epiphany: why try to return back into a world that may not remember him, when he’s already in a world where he’s already met those that care about him? He looked down towards the grass and felt a twinge of guilt, his bright yellow eyes began to stream tears down his cheeks. Setsuna was right, he was blessed to find kind souls.

Rubbing his face on his cloak to dry his tears, Kitt was renewed with newfound purpose. He closed his eyes once again, resuming his meditation stance. He calmed his mind, concentrating on the rhythm of his breath as well as the words Setsuna imparted onto him. He felt it…the ambient data all around the sanctuary. He began to accumulate the data into his being, and slowly, he began to materialize from head to toe

Once Kitt felt that there was no more data left for him to accumulate, he opened his eyes, now fully manifested into the physical world. He felt…whole, and warm. His mouth quivered for a few moments, before widening in a warm hearty smile. “I did it,” he muttered.

He stood up and ran towards the others, his eyes beaming in overwhelming joy. “Everyone! I-I think I did it!”

[Toki Akiyama]

Toki blinked behind his fluffy bangs at Skadi's sudden question. What was a martial artist? It's such a common term in both history and pop culture on Earth he didn't consider the fact that beings from another world may not know. He rubbed his chin as he thought about an answer "A martial artist...is someone who practices a fighting style here on Earth. Every culture in the world has a ton of different styles in its history and culture. Boxing, which focuses on a lot of footwork and punches...actually didn't I meet a Digimon a while back that looked a lot like a boxer...? Hm...either way I practice the Kyokushin school of Karate. It has a fascinating history to it, and is an extremely popular style in its home country of Japan. You should look up more! There are a lot of really interesting ones in the world."

Setsuna and Aylin listened quietly to Skadi's story, a look of sympathetic recognition in their expressions. "Mmh..." Setsuna huffed slightly as he mused over the nature of the Digital World. "Focus on the humans and digimon you've met here, Skadi. There are those unsatisfied with the Digital World's status quo of kill or be killed and might makes right. Of course, might will be required to make any kind of change there...but might in the correct hands can be the most powerfully inspiring thing. It's okay to simply want to live...and not fight. We all have our own versions of strength...and the only weak ones are those who deny others the chance to find that." He said. Toki listened, and those words resonated with him. He sat there thoughtfully. Setsuna chuckled happily "Don't apologize. A talkative, inquisitive mind is a good trait to have."

Everyone turned to face Kitt as he excitedly shouted that he managed to manifest in the human world. Aylin put the fish aside once they were done cooking and clapped happily "Yes! I knew you could do it!" She shouted. Toki walked over and playfully ruffled his mane "You did good...I'm proud of you." he said with a soft smile. Setsuna simply smiled and poured tea for everyone. "As a commemoration...come, everyone, let's have our meal." He said as he took out a few large leaves to put everyone's portions of food on., placing them on a large flat stone for them to sit around. Toki and Aylin gathered around, and invited Kitt and Skadi to sit with them. Toki looked at Kitt "How does it feel? Do you feel any different or...does the world around you feel different?"

[Skadi the Valaismon]

'Focus on the humans and digimon you've met here'? You mean the other barrier jumpers and the like?

It was pretty clear from the get-go that Skadi was not the only Digimon who voluntarily forced her way through the barrier for the chance for a more peaceful life. And indeed, from her travels thus far, the fellow barrier jumpers she did meet were thankfully more interested in the more mundane pleasures in life, if not carrying and spreading rumours on who or what actually could or did make their way through the barrier, no matter how insane or ludicrous they threatened to get (seriously, something like a BanchoMamemon somehow managing to cross the barrier by sheer (lack of) size alone? Surely, there'd be cause for concern if a Digimon like that crossed over that easily). She could only slowly nod in understanding as the Lopmon's words proceeded to echo in her head.

'We all have our own versions of strength'. Like her sheer willpower that allowed her to cross the barrier despite the seemingly impossible odds? Her own on-the-fly strategies that allowed her to outwit and survive her predators that would've otherwise killed her had she let her guard down for even a brief moment? A concoction of good luck and clever thinking keeping her well out of harm's way here? Was that where her real strength lay and she just didn't know that until now? To someone as so young as Skadi was, hearing those words coming from those (presumably) older and wiser than her was enough to make her think.

Speaking of 'fellow barrier jumpers'...

The moment Kitt's cry rang out, one of Skadi's ears would perk up in a blink of the eye as she too would turn and face the now fully Realized Spadamon with a smile. Without so much as a warning she'd push herself up and rush herself over to him, before grabbing him in a big hug - potentially enough to accidentally send both of them down to the floor! "Kitt! Y'did it! I'm so proud of you too, buddy!" She cried out as she affectionately nuzzled the hapless lion in glee.

Pulling herself (reluctantly) off the Spadamon to Setsuna's call, with a simple "C'mon!" she'd tightly grasp Kitt's hand and drag him over back to the group, and to the delectable smell of tea and fish. Making herself comfy as she sat next to Kitt (of course), with the tea warming up both her hands, she'd too turn and face the Spadamon herself in turn with Toki's question, "Yeah, what's it like?" She asked with a curious tilt of the head.

She could feel an ear twitch in unrelenting curiosity.

[tsukistar]

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