#i was impressed that they put any effort into giving them alien junk

[the-last-dillpickle]

watched that deep space 69 porno. it was. interesting.

[the-desolated-quill]

The Tsuranga Conundrum - Doctor Who blog

(SPOILER WARNING: The following is an in-depth critical analysis. If you haven’t seen this episode yet, you may want to before reading this review)

Ugh. I suppose it had to happen eventually. After four great episodes on the trot, it was only a matter of time before Chris Chibnall ran out of steam and returned to his usual output.

Okay. That’s not fair. The Tsuranga Conundrum isn’t that bad. It’s not like Cyberwoman or his Silurian two parter. In fact had this come out during one of Moffat’s series, I probably would have considered this episode a highlight. But Series 11 so far has been a true return to form for the show, with episodes like The Woman Who Fell To Earth and Rosa featuring some amazing moments of characterisation as well as intelligent and quite often powerful writing. Somehow Chibnall has managed to defy expectations and demonstrated just what you can do with a show like Doctor Who if you were to actually put the time and effort in. It’s for that reason why I feel like The Tsuranga Conundrum is such a spectacular dud.

It’s funny how i mentioned Moffat’s tenure as showrunner because this honestly feels like an episode from that era just as The Power Of Three felt like a throwback to RTD. All the episodes so far this series have had slow deliberate pacing, giving the audience time to truly get to know the characters and the setting. In fact the characters are clearly the main focus this series with the plot and monster (if there even is a monster at all) being secondary. This I feel is what has made this series so strong. It’s what made even a weak episode like Arachnids In The UK have an emotional kick to it. The Tsuranga Conundrum on the other hand feels like the complete opposite of this. Everyone is dashing about, spouting exposition, with the characters becoming almost an afterthought. Obviously if you’re into this kind of plot driven, fast paced Who, then more power to you. It just feels really out of place after the previous four episodes.

What also affected my enjoyment were the character inconsistencies and general stupidity. I have had nothing but praise so far for Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor, but this... I don’t know what has happened, but this is not a good episode for the Doctor. For starters the episode opens with Team TARDIS on a junk planet and coming across a sonic mine, but instead of doing something sensible like running away, the Doctor just stands there like a twit waiting for the thing to detonate. Then when she regains consciousness four days later on the Tsuranga, she tries to hijack the ship so she can get back to the TARDIS. Yeah! Fuck the other patients! It’s not like their lives matter or anything! That has got to be one of the most unDoctorly things I’ve ever seen. I’m sorry, but the Doctor would never do something like that.

But wait! A UO breaches the shields and enters the ship. The Doctor’s doctor Astos, having just ordered her to return to her bed, demands she checks the much safer port side of the ship while he takes a look around the more dangerous starboard side. It was his tone and manner that really got to me. Can you imagine him saying that to a male Doctor? And do you know what the worst bit is? She actually does what he tells her to do. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. Again, there’s no way the Doctor would do something like that. I don’t care what gender they are. The Doctor in any of their incarnations wouldn’t have submitted to someone else. They would have taken charge. And yeah, she eventually does once Astos gets killed, but that scene still irked me. When I first heard the words ‘Chris Chibnall is going to be writing the first female Doctor,’ this was the kind of thing I was afraid we would get.

I’ve got nothing against Jodie Whittaker of course. She’s still giving it her absolute all, but there’s just very little for her to work with here. Another scene that really stood out as weird was the scene where she asked Yasmin to pick a number to set the bomb timer to. Why?! That just seems like such a callous and inappropriate thing to do in that situation. Matt Smith’s Doctor I could buy doing that. That’s just the kind of dickish and plonkerish thing he would do, but Whittaker’s? It just feels like an excuse to do weird, kooky shit. And here I was hoping we’d left that behind with Peter Capaldi and the dreaded sonic sunglasses. Not to mention all the moments where the story stops dead in its tracks so that the Doctor can witter on at length about hope and anti-matter. Again, Jodie Whittaker does her best, but there’s a time and a place. It’s hard to marvel at an anti-matter drive when there’s a fucking alien eating the spaceship.

Let’s quickly discuss the Pting. I liked it. It’s a good design and a different kind of threat for Doctor Who. I’m impressed this series how Chibnall so far has managed to stay away from the usual ‘alien invaders wanting to take over the world’ schtick, finding different kinds of threats and motives for each episode. The Pting isn’t evil. It’s just hungry and looking for something to eat. That’s so innocent for a Who antagonist that’s almost charming. Unfortunately it’s undermined by yet more stupidity. The Doctor is alarmingly slow to catch on to the fact that the Pting isn’t interested in killing the crew. It just wants to eat the ship. I would have thought the computer describing it as ‘strictly non-carnivorous’ and seeing it scoffing down her sonic screwdriver would have been a bit of a giveaway, but there you go. She acts like this is a big revelation, but we knew this from the start, didn’t we? If the audience are further along than the Doctor, something has gone spectacularly wrong. And then Chibnall drops the clunker that the Pting feeds on energy. Wait... huh?! If it feeds on energy, why was it eating metal earlier? And if the Pting ate all the energy in Astos’ life pod, how did it explode?

Characters are another issue. Because the episode is zipping along at a hundred miles an hour, there’s barely any time to really get to know anyone. Lois Chimimba’s medic character I thought had potential, having to take charge of the ship after Astos’ death and maybe taking inspiration from the Doctor and following her example, but she’s too busy dealing with a comedy male pregnancy (that I didn’t much care for by the way. I didn’t think it was particularly funny and it just felt like Chibnall came up with it at the last minute to give Graham and Ryan something to do). You’ve got this famous general and her engineer brother who aren’t particularly interesting. There’s the usual sibling rivalry you’ve seen done millions of times before the eventual reconciliation where the two spout ‘I love yous’ over slushy music (this is the closest composer Segun Akinola has gotten to Murray Gold territory and I very much hope we don’t come any closer). Then the general pops her clogs due to Plot Contrivance Syndrome and the engineer ends up saving the day piloting the ship... which begs the question why didn’t he just pilot the ship in the first place if he knew how to do it? Makes the general’s death seem a bit silly really.

Whereas previous episodes managed to tug at the heartstrings with subtle, but effective moments of characterisation, The Tsuranga Conundrum goes the RTD route of bashing you over the head with gaudy sentimentality and melodrama. Nothing can be left to chance. Everything has to be spelt out so that even the idiots at the back of the class can understand the emotions on display. The Doctor’s speech about hope. Ryan talking about how his mum died and how his dad was never there for him. Ryan then using that experience to tell Yoss how to be a dad. The android giving the final eulogy about stars guiding you through bollocks (I’m paraphrasing obviously, but that was the gist of it). It all just feels incredibly forced and not in the least bit affecting. The one moment I think sparked a genuine emotion out of me was Graham and Ryan laughing about how Grace would react if she saw them delivering a baby on a spaceship.  That was a nice human moment that. I liked that.

It isn’t a bad episode. It’s certainly not the worst thing Chibnall has ever written. If I close my eyes and cover my ears during the stupid and annoying bits, I’d probably enjoy it. But compared to the previous four episodes, it’s hard not to see The Tsuranga Conundrum as a massive step backwards.

[caltalwriting-blog]

so here’s a story idea based on like, me being autistic

human stuck on a planet where the dominant alien race is this incredibly in-your-face species who LOVE touching everyone all the time, consider emotional intimacy a normal part of everyday interactions, and feel *really hurt* anytime anyone isn’t SUPER enthusiastic to meet them, say hi, share a cuddle, etc.

human protag struggles just to like, function, in this hypersocial world where literally personal space is not a concept in the language, and where just failing to properly reciprocate social cues is *incredibly rude* (and yes I feel this on a spiritual leVEL what do u want)

guess what I already wrote chapter 1 bc im into it

So how I got fired was this.

I’m ringing up this customer who just needed three bolts tightened, I mean the vehicle was pretty much immaculate except for the weird loose screws, and so I didn’t have that much work to do on it. I think some of these motes just come in because they like it, sometimes, the interaction, the contact and stuff. Someone doing something for them and giving them a nice checkout experience.

So I’m ringing her up and she gives me the eyes, and comes around the little curb in the counter, which is there to seem inviting, to make people come around it, and so she comes around it, giving me that look. Her eyes are that really intense fiery orange-red that monitians can have, and I’m staring her down and trying to get into character, because I wanna give it my best, right? And she links her short arm through my long one, and gives me that, like, friendly little squeeze, and it’s a lot, having her right up on me, but I’m going with it. So I lean my body closer up against hers and honestly, it’s incredibly difficult to maintain a friendly face while doing that, because of the way her other hands are pushed up all around my body, giving me friendly squeezes and stuff. And she’s still maintaining eye contact, and smiling a lot, which is normal, and I hate it.

And then she says, “so how’s your day been,” and I really do just wish we could get to the part where I ask her for the money. Instead I grin back, and you know, thinking about it now, I can really see how she was already getting weird vibes at this point, but I grin back and I’m doing my best, and I just say, “oh, you know, it’s been,” and I kinda slipped up for words. After a second I’m like, “it’s been very interesting,” and that’s when I know I’ve screwed up, because ‘very interesting,’ is basically code for ‘total crapfest,’ and I know that, and I’m very aware of that and when I think about it for ten seconds I can tell that ‘very interesting’ is just the wrong thing to say in this situation, but you know what, it’s hard sometimes with everything happening and the noise of the shop basically crowding out your thoughts, and the feel of someone giving you that look that says we’re about to become best friends for life, even though we’re not, and then when the hands get involved - my point is it’s just very, very hard to keep it together sometimes. So anyway I say ‘very interesting,’ and you can tell the light in this person’s eyes just totally dies away.

Then things get a little hostile. She doesn’t pull away, but I know I’ve screwed up, I can see it in her face, so I try to say something super friendly, like “you have gorgeous eyes,” because she does, or “you’re the best hug I’ve had all day,” or even like “I’m glad you’re here,” would’ve done, that’s nice and standard as far as small talk goes, but instead none of those came out, and I just ended up saying, “you’re glad to hug me,” which is obviously a complete garble, and she just looked at me with that frozen stare that they get sometimes when you really, really say something mean. That stare that says, “I don’t know why you’re being so cruel, it’s like I don’t even know you,” which, you know, it’s true, we’re not friends. You’re just not supposed to say that.

So she pulls away with that sunken thing they get when they feel rejected, and she starts in with those sad, sappy eyes that really tell you how lost she feels in this conversation, like she just doesn’t know where things went wrong between the two of us, and I feel like junk because I really tried, like I really tried and I feel just as lost as she does in all this, and I don’t know how good she is at reading human expressions but I don’t think she can tell how bad I feel, at all. And she just looks at the register and then shoots me this little furtive glance and says, “so it’s three hundred, right?” and the tone of her voice is just so hurt, and my heart is honestly breaking, but I just nod because there’s nothing I can do at this point. And she hands me the money and I put it in the register, and then she says something like, “wow, humans really are thoughtless,” under her breath, and just turns and leaves, which leaves me seriously gutted, and I start crying.

Well then Krizo comes over, and puts her head on one side, and I think for a second she’s not that sure what’s happening. But then she kinda realizes and looks concerned and comes in for it, and I can tell she’s going for the full-body entanglement thing with all her hands and her head going for my shoulder area, but then she catches herself and pulls back, and confines herself to just putting two hands on my arm, which is practically an insult by monitian standards but she’s doing her best to meet me halfway. And I’m crying really loudly but fortunately no one else is in the shop right now, and Krizo has that look of pity on her face, and I feel even worse than before because this is practically the twelfth time something like this has happened and honestly I’m trying my best but I’m really screwing things up, and Krizo’s had complaints, and I’ve only been here 46 days, and that’s not even a month, but I’ve already made her lose business. She was really nice and considerate to hire me in the first place, from her perspective, since I’m a human and I struggle with all this social crap, but she figured she’d give me a shot since I was, you know, really desperate, and it just keeps not working out.

So Krizo gives me this look of pity, but I can tell there’s something else there too, and I’m trying to wipe my eyes, and I say that I’m really sorry and that I really made an effort to connect on an emotional level, and she lets me say it all and listens intently. And then she says, “hey, Markle, listen,” and she’s got this extremely sweet and gentle tone that you just know means bad news, and she says, “you work really, really hard, and you do your absolute best here, day in and day out. Don’t think I don’t notice that. I’m impressed all the time, by your dedication. By how much you’ve learned. By all of it. And you’ve been doing half-days, which is also really impressive for, you know.” A quick shrug. For a human is what she means. Here it comes, though. “I think,” she says, and by this time I’m a wreck because it’s obvious what’s about to happen. “I think we should hang out.”

Yep. There it is. I can feel myself going slightly numb inside. Better get my stuff.

“You know what I’m saying, right? I’m saying, I think we should be friends. You get what I mean, right?” she says. I mean I get it, because sometimes I legit do not know what she’s saying, because monitians insist on speaking in riddles half the time, but this time it’s obvious what the intended meaning is, even though the stated words are very confusing if you’re unfamiliar with monitians and how they talk. I nod, I understand. I understand it totally.

I’m still crying with my mouth open, but silently, and I think she gets how that’s a display of emotion, but I’m not sure she knows exactly how bad it is. Then she goes in for the full embrace, and you know what, it’s fine. This is fine. I’ll never have to see her again, so I just let her get totally entangled up against me in that incredibly awkward way that results from our bodies being mismatched, and she just kinda stays like that for a minute or two while I try to breathe and calm down. Only it’s really difficult to calm down with all these strange hands running all over you, and anyway I don’t think I’ll be totally calm until I get home, and even then I might not, and I might not feel totally calm until like, I find another job. And even then, how am I supposed to feel calm when this type of thing can pretty much happen at any moment?

Eventually Krizo lets me go, and looks at me, and says, “good luck, my dear friend.” I tell her I’ll get my stuff. I know it’s all just politeness and it’s all just being decent to people and sparing their feelings and stuff, but sometimes the way monitians say things is just such a slap in the face. I mean, we’re not friends. We never will be. I didn’t even work here for a month. Maybe I’m wrong, but it just kind of adds insult to injury when they say stuff like that. So anyway, I got my stuff. Just my lunch and my coat. And I left. Another short stint of work to stick on my resume. “I notice all your past employment has been….short term,” my next employer will say, politely dancing around what they see as the inherent shortcomings of my humanity. Honestly, I need to get out of customer service.

[tumblunni]

Man i just revisited a weird old dream I had once. Can’t remember if i talked about it before but it must have been at least a year ago? It would make a really good game idea, I think!

Basically the dream was about playing like.. a zombie virus simulator? But it was more like aliens or demon virus or something. Turned everyone into monsters of all different shapes and sizes, like different job classes in your standard strategy tactics game. And you’d make bases that were like giant doom flowers formed from the biomass of humans you’d eaten. Goal was to fight back against the various puny human armies and assimilate the whole world!

But like.. the monster virus thing wasn’t evil. It was just this lonely hivemind creature that didn’t know it was doing anything wrong. It just sorta fell from the sky one day and didn’t comprehend anything that was going on but it had been drifting through space so long and just desperately wanted some friends again. No clue how these tiny ‘person’ things work, but it does know how to change them into things it DOES understand. ‘I will take a hammer and fix the humans back to big size!’ So your protagonist character is this super chipper and loving virus monster who thinks it’s helping, and the menu descriptions are all like ‘NEW BUDDY: BUILT FOR HUGGING’ on some terrifying behemoth monster. Go out and hug those enemy units until they become friends too! Ok that one was a bit too fragile for your degree of sheer hug power, but we can fix that... And also you’d have like a happy friend meadow where all the terrifying alien creatures frolick joyfully between missions. And sometimes they’d have some small memories of their past life so you’d collect bits and pieces of human junk to put in the happy meadow for them to play with. Office human misses office chair? Here! Let me also give you more legs to enjoy it with!

And then your helpful assistant/tutorial character would be like your army general, kinda? A little kid who was one of the first ones you assimilated, and you keep her around as like an advisor who can help explain humans to you. She’s relatively human but still part of the hive mind, so like a creepy child archetype who’s all “I speak for the horde”. This tiny human-looking girl walking unafraid through an army of monsters, acting as the voice that issues the orders of the virus collective. She had this distinctive mannerism where she’d always refer to herself in the third person. “This one is here to assist you. It is equipped to perform any task necessary.” And you wouldn’t actually hear the voice of your protagonist at first, aside from as like.. choice selections. It’d be more like she’s the protagonist, honestly. But the will of the collective would develop into more of its own character as the game goes on, and become capable of understanding more human concepts, and maybe even manifesting an appearance. (Which you could customize?) I dreamed up a weirdly cute scene where “this one” is having trouble explaining the concept of love, and the virus is like “Well at least I know I don’t have it!” and she’s like “no way, you knew how to feel it long before you met me, you’ve got more love than my real parents!”

And then there was like a sad backstory behind this kid?? She was abused by her father and the virus found her while she was dying and fused with her to save her. So she became the biggest part of the collective because she kinda already had reasons to hate other humans, and accepted this dark power with open arms just out of sheer desperation to live. She was surprised to find out this deal with the devil wasn’t really that, and that this demonic force is actually her first glimpse at a true loving friend. But also this means that these negative emotions were a huge influence on the virus and affected its judgment. Hatred for humanity mixed with innocent love for everybody manifested into this corrupting power that finds it impossible to understand that the people it’s infecting don’t want this. Its like ‘humanity is irrecoverably broken, the only way we can be happy is if everyone else also joins me in this hive mind’. Not conciously controlled by ‘this one’, but her wild and angry subconcious is directing her new friend’s world destruction rampage and she doesn’t remember her past so she can’t stop it.

I think maybe ultimately the ending would be that through this love and friendship with the little human girl the virus finally understands humans, and also she manages to remember enough of herself to be human again too. And then of course its like ‘oh god what have I done’ :( Like, actually clearing all the levels is the Bad End, where the virus mind still eventually learns the meaning of morality but it’s centuries after destroying the whole world and there’s no way to undo its mistakes. The real end would be if you finish the friendship sidequest in time to NOT finish the main game. And maybe you’d get a better ending depending on how early on in the game you do it? Like how Chrono trigger had bonus endings on newgame plus cos you were strong enough to win against the final boss hours earlier. Maybe it could quite literally be like that, and you have to fight a bonus boss in the child’s mental landscape that symbolizes the memory of her abusive dad?

In any case, I think the endings would be on a scale of severity depending on poor innocent virus creature’s guilt level. It either decides to kill itself or just to leave forever. Which actually might be an even worse fate, cos its returning to wandering the stars eternally alone and all that’s changed is now it thinks that it deserves this suffering. :( And then maybe also the little girl’s fate would have different options too. She might be restored to her humanity and left behind, and depending on how much she loved you you might have to wipe her memories of all your time together so she can go back to a normal life. That’s if you get the ‘kill myself’ ending and she loves you enough, cos she wants to dissappear with you and there’s no way you’d ever let that happen. :( But then the second best ending would be if she loves you enough and you get the ‘return to the stars’ ending. She’s too far gone to become human again, so she leaves her body behind and follows you. And you wander the stars together, with a bittersweet sort of happiness. She’s happy, but you still feel guilt for what you’ve done to her. She’ll never grow old, and she forgets her human life a little more every day. But it was her choice... its not your fault, okay? :( The best ending would be if you finish with the lowest possible ‘guilt rating’, so the virus decides to stay on earth and just stop its world assimilation plan. instead its gonna stay with its new daughter and continue learning more about humanity, this time from a first-hand perspective. So you have a cute little family of this normal kid and her eldritch abomination parent who’s doing their damned best to put on a good human impression. Like Octodad but even more so! :)

....and then all options end really confusingly for humanity, cos seriously why did this zombie plague just abruptly stop one day. Uhhh... it was the valiant efforts of our military! Yeah! *collective shrug*

[dragonandtiger]

Snapshots - 09

“You really don’t need to do this, Daisuke,” Ken said as he sat at the kitchen table, ever the polite guest. He watched as Daisuke chopped up some fish with a knife, showing skill that implied experience. Behind them, Chibimon scurried about along the countertop, gathering pots, pans, and bowls in an effort to assist his partner.

“This is the only way I can think to pay you back for all the times you took me out to eat,” Daisuke said as he continued to work, watching carefully lest he add a finger into his recipe.

“I didn’t take you out expecting anything in return-” Ken began to protest, prompting Daisuke to interrupt with a shake of his head.

“I know, I’m just sayin’...” Daisuke said before he stopped chopping to finally look up to Ken. “But don’t you dare complain about eating a meal cooked by a guy, you got it!?”

“Why would I?” Ken asked, an amused smile flickering across his face. “I cook as well, remember? You all ate my food during the Odaiba Memorial vacation, and I certainly didn’t hear any complaints!”

Daisuke paused at that before looking sheepish. “Oh. Right.”

“Daisuke’s a great cook!” Chibimon said as he hefted up a small pan over his head. “Daisuke’s great at everything!”

Daisuke smiled fondly at Chibimon before accepting the pan. “And you’re the best assistant a cook can have, Chibimon.”

Chibimon giggled as he blushed, smiling brightly.

Ken smiled softly as he watched Daisuke and Chibimon, then turned to look at his own partner as Wormmon sat in the chair beside him. It was hard not to, given how strongly he empathized with Daisuke in his love for his partner.

Silence settled in save for the utensils Daisuke used to cook. It only took a few minutes before he felt anxious about the quiet and he fumbled for a new topic. “So, uh… Why’d you learn to cook? I mean, you’re so rich and smart, I would’ve thought you’d just have people cooking for you all the time.”

Ken hesitated at the question before his smile fell for a moment. He quickly replaced it, though it was far more awkward than he would have liked. “I… I’m often on my own for meals, so…”

It was partially the truth. Before Osamu had died, if he wanted to eat, he was the one that had to scrounge something up. His mother would only remember to make something for Osamu, who in turn had taken care of him - whenever he thought of it. That left Ken far too often on his own. The journey through the Digital World had been a blessing and a curse in many ways, including giving him the opportunity to learn to cook from a very patient teacher and eager.

As for after Osamu’s death…

...It’d be a cold day in hell before he’d eat that woman’s cooking.

Ken quickly schooled away the scowl that had appeared on his face, with a small shake, before he made his smile return. “And really, it’s just easier for me to cook what I like. I guess that makes me a bit strange.”

Daisuke whipped his head around, a brief flutter of panic running through him. “I didn’t mean it like that! There’s no way I’d think you’re strange, Ken!”

Ken blinked before he chuckled softly. “No, no, I’m sure you didn’t mean it. I’m just being a bit self-depreciative, that’s all.”

Confusion was plainly evident on Daisuke’s face. “Why would you do that? You’re the coolest, most amazing guy in the world!”

Chibimon side-eyed his partner before he let out a soft sigh through his nose. He often wondered the same thing about Daisuke, but knew the answer ultimately came down to one person - Jun.

Wormmon glanced up to his partner, discreetly reaching over to touch his partner’s leg in silent support. He knew far too well where Ken’s thoughts were rooted, but he also knew he couldn’t openly discuss it - whether Daisuke was around or not.

Ken chuckled again, a bit more awkwardly this time as a bead of sweat appeared on his brow. “I’m... not sure I’d go that far…” His smile strengthened as he tilted his head. “Well, regardless, now it’s your turn. Why did you learn to cook?”

Daisuke let out a low rumble at the back of his throat. “Well, it’s not like my mom doesn’t cook for me or anything, but I help her out in the kitchen for my chores. There’s no way I’m gonna be doing stuff where she’s not watching while at home when I’m not in my room. Snd she didn’t want me eating junk food just because I get up super early before school, so I learned to make breakfast on my own while everyone was sleeping.”

Ken was about to ask why before realization flickered and his expression darkened. “It’s because of Jun, isn’t it.”

Grimacing, Daisuke nodded after a moment, rubbing the back of his neck. “That obvious, huh?”

“Jun loves making things difficult for Daisuke,” Chibimon said as he slumped his shoulders. “She’s awful.”

Ken let out a deep sigh through his nose. It seemed that the two had even more in common, though he could find no happiness in that thought. If anything, it made the darkness inside him churn and bubble, and he had to remind it that Jun had eaten her fair share of crow - he had seen to that himself.

Wormmon turned to Ken with a brow furrowed in worry and gently rubbed the back of his partner’s hand.

“Jun gets super cranky in the morning,” Daisuke said as he turned back to his cooking. “And naturally that means taking it out on me, especially on days where she had to get up early for some club or some sale or whatever. I figured I’d use soccer practice as an excuse to not be here for that as much as possible, you know?”

“But she’s been leaving you alone, right?” Ken asked as he looked over to Daisuke. “Ever since… well. That.”

“Yeah, thank God,” Daisuke sighed, tension easing from his face. “Still, I don’t wanna push my luck, and I don’t want to get my hopes up this’ll last, ya know?” He dropped his voice to a mutter out the side of his mouth. “It never does.”

“That’s for the best,” Ken said with a nod. “It’s best to not give her a target, if it can be helped. Some people just enjoy spreading misery.”

Daisuke let out another, deeper sigh, shoulders slumping. “You got that right.”

Silence hung in the air between them as Ken silently stewed and Daisuke fumbled with a change in topic. Fortunately, it didn’t take him too long.

“So, you planning on going pro with soccer too?” Daisuke asked cheerfully.

Ken paused at that and blinked before his expression grew thoughtful. “I… had considered it.” He then gave the other boy a sheepish smile. “Though I’ve been strongly discouraged by all of my advisors.”

“Huh?” Daisuke blinked. “Why’s that?”

“Well,” Ken said as he leaned back in his chair. “It’s the same reason I’ve been discouraged from playing soccer at all - it’s ‘taking time away from more important things’.” He gave a small shrug before he smiled at Daisuke. “So you’re planning on going pro?”

Though Daisuke was troubled by Ken’s answer, he still managed to be enthusiastic about his. “Hell yeah! I’m going to win the World Cup for Japan someday!”

Ken’s smile widened. “Good for you. You’ve got a lot of talent, and I can definitely see you making it far.”

“Of course!” Chibimon agreed as he hopped on the counter. “Daisuke’ll make all the goals!”

Daisuke beamed, his smile radiant. “You really think so?”

Ken nodded, unable to help but match the goggle boy’s grin. “I do.”

A noise of glee eeked out of Daisuke before he covered it up with a cough and forced himself to regain his composure. “I’m glad you think so, Ken. That means a lot.”

Ken did his best not to chuckle, even if he really wanted to. Daisuke’s excitement was a bit adorable, even as he felt guilty for such undeserved idolization, and he didn’t want to feel embarrassed by it. “I’m glad. You definitely deserve the encouragement.”

“Thanks!” Daisuke practically chirped, cheeks pinking.

The atmosphere was notably lighter as Daisuke hurriedly finished cooking an impressive sized meal which, after the Digimon got their share, would leave the boys each with a modest portion.

Ken took his chopsticks and picked a piece of fish, grilled to perfection, before he placed it in his mouth. He chewed it before he was immediately hit with the flavor, and pleasure flushed across his face. “Daisuke, this is delicious!”

“Really?” Daisuke asked eagerly, eyes alight with enthusiasm. “You think so?”

“I do!” Ken said before he resumed eating, then gave the goggle boy a sly grin. “Perhaps you should consider a career in cooking as well.”

Daisuke let out a snort of laughter, practically falling to his chair as he took a seat. “Yeah, right! A career pushing a ramen cart around maybe.”

“I like Daisuke’s ramen,” Chibimon said innocently. “I like all the food Daisuke cooks.”

“Thanks, Chibimon,” Daisuke said, grinning as he rubbed Chibimon’s head.

“Ramen’s big business, you know!” Ken said as he snapped his chopsticks together. “You could become a billionaire ramen tycoon!”

Daisuke nearly spat out his drink. “A billionaire ramen tycoon? Really?”

Ken managed to maintain an innocent look on his face, even as he tried to hold back his laughter. “It can’t be that hard, can it? Just put a bunch of noodle carts all over the place, and you’ll soon be swimming in broth - I mean, money.”

Daisuke tried to get his laughter under control, but only managed to turn it into snickers instead. “Oh yeah, and I’ll go international and have my face on magazines, TV, and even on the moon!”

“Of course!” Ken chirped. “Aliens need ramen too!”

“Especially Daisuke’s ramen!” Chibimon said, matter-of-factly, before he took a big bite out of his fish as he held it with both paws.

Wormmon laughed along with the boys, his heart lighter than it was most days. There was not a doubt in his mind that Daisuke was good for Ken. The time the two boys spent together shone a light in the darkest part of Ken’s life, which his partner desperately needed.

As much as Wormmon hoped his love and devotion would be enough, he knew he couldn’t save Ken alone. For these moments when Ken’s smile was genuine and laughter came easily, Wormmon was eternally indebted to Daisuke.

Daisuke and Ken’s friendship gave Wormmon true hope that everything would get better, and Ken would be saved from the call of the Dark Ocean.