The Southern Air Temple was pretty beautiful, architecturally speaking. With twisting spires and trees threaded into the framework of the temple itself, it looked half as if it'd grown out of the ground or been carved into it rather than that it had been built there.

The best part about it, though, was the sense of peace the place had. It was very easily the kind of thing that could draw people in and help them find calm, even if they weren't the religious type.

This takes place shortly after this comm post. Info for what this post is for is here.

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Those who saw Shoutarou when he was on the hunt before for Wakka's ball might note a somewhat similar look in his eyes this time - but a great deal more focused. He's out for information, and is once again combing the ship, but there's a greater urgency in his actions and his words.

In fact, he's skipping introductions for the most part. If he sees you're not too busy, he'll all but grab you - "If you're free, I'd like to ask you some questions."

The group had gotten an opportunity to gather some information on their mission’s objective, but morning arrived swiftly. In the distance, the forest from the day before still smoldered, though by now the blaze had mostly run its course.

Neese was in attendance, along with a smattering of the villagers. At her side were two familiar faces: Orson and Shiris, the two who had rode out to meet the crew earlier. Shiris looked vaguely mutinous as she clutched a cloth-covered parcel; Orson merely stood back a few paces from Neese, tending to a group of horses the village had provided for their use. The animals seemed a little skittish, as if they knew their destination, but were otherwise well-behaved.

Neese raised the long white staff in her hand, closing her eyes as if in prayer. “Marfa, goddess of creation, bestow your divine protection on these travelers. Guide them to their destination, and shield them from harm.” In response, a soft, warm light suffused the area; the crew would find their bodies just a little lighter, their stamina restored, and their anxieties soothed.

With that, she lowered her hands, blessing completed. “May you find your journey swift and safe,” she said somberly.

And with that, they were off.

Orson helped those of the crew that were amenable onto a horse, giving them some basic instruction on how to steer the animal or tell it to halt. For the most part, however, the horses knew what they were doing. There might have been a slightly uncooperative animal in there. Or two. But you know, for the most part.

Hikari sighed, leaning back in the chair at the mess hall. Considering everything that had happened lately, she really wasn't sure if she should be relaxing. But there wasn't much that she could do, other than training anyway. Well, that and taking care of Nyaromon.

Speaking of Nyaromon, her partner was in the middle of devouring her third bowl of slop since they had gotten here today. Hikari was really starting to get worried. It had been quite a while since that thing with Vilgax. The fact that Nyaromon was still, well, Nyaromon was just one of the reasons why. Sure, she knew that a digimon evolving to the Ultimate level took up a lot of energy, but she couldn't remember Agumon, Gabumon, V-mon, or Wormmon ever being stuck in their baby forms for this long after evolving, even after their first time.

And then there was the other reason why she was worried. Sending that energy to Tailmon had hurt. There was no reason for something she had done countless times to hurt, even if she hadn't quite sent that much energy to her partner people. Oh, and she didn't even know she could do it and wasn't even trying to force Tailmon into the Ultimate level, she just wanted to give her enough energy to become Angewomon again.

But Holy Dramon had definitely given them results. Hikari had no doubt that without the added power that Tailmon had been given in her Ultimate form Vilgax could've likely killed Devlin or one of the others. Or even her. They wouldn't have been able to win without that power. Which meant that...

Nyaromon let out a growl and looked over at Hikari. "Hey. Hikari! I'm still hungry!"

Hikari blinked, shaken out of her thoughts by her partner, who was sitting over at her without a bowl. She must've eaten it. Again. "Okay, okay, let's go get you some more food."

Hikari moved, grabbing the small furry head in her arms and started to head over to the slop dispenser. She just hoped that Nyaromon would finally get full after her fourth bowl.