I hate my job

[tylomon]

There was a long, long line of various pleaders standing at the entrance to the underwater palace of the Ocean Lord. A busy weekend, no doubt, and everybody had a complaint to make. Ocean is wast, many a digimon inhabit it, and sometimes qualms can be resolved only by the supreme authority...

Among those pleaders there was a certain somebody. He looked different from all the others - those often looked weak, small, and sought protection, yet this one looked ... well, battle-ready. Razor-sharp fins, armor, a mouth full of teeth, rockets... What could such a digimon seek from the lord? Surely not protection. And indeed, Tylo had his own qualms to settle.

He tried to get this audition for a week, and, after long bureaucracy chain, finally was granted it, and certainly hoped for a positive outcome. He was a ferry-boat worker, and was disdained by such a low position, he wanted to do something useful, something worthy of his abilities. But it was the Lord himself who appointed him there, but this time he hoped to convince the all-mighty to show a bit more mercy...

When Tylo's name was called, he swam to the door, leading to the lord's chamber, and two guards opened it, allowing entrance, and closing them as soon as the tylomon went inside. There would be no disturbances...

- My liege... - Tylo tied to sound respectful, and bowed his head solemnly, as much a shark could bow it's head...

[Zudamon]

On some days, Zudomon really liked the fact that he was the Ocean Lord because of the fact that he didn't have to worry about the rest of the Digital World's problems until they fell into the ocean, but other days he remembered that the ocean was pretty big and had enough problems of its own. It usually meant that he was always helping someone else solve his or her problems, which left him little time to himself.

He had already dealt with three complaints about fightning, four people had wanted him to find them a home, and one Gekomon wanted to sing him a song to show is appreciation. Sadly, it had not turned out as well as he hoped it would have, but he had suffered through it with a smile on is face. Zudomon had made a note to the Digimon who was in charge of these visits to warn him before any more singers showed up.

"How many more visitors are out there today?" An Crabmon came through a small compartment in the wall and whispered into his ear a number. It was not a small one, so he was very displeased. Zudomon was sure that some of these Digimon were just making up excuses to come and see him, but he wouldn't turn any of them away. "Alright, send in the next one. Let's just hope that this one isn't a singer."

A Tylomon entered the room and was trying to be respectful about it. He wondered what problem this Digimon had, and he hoped that it wasn't something to weird as he had dealt with enough of those at the moment. "And what can I do for you today?"

[tylomon]

Lord Zudamon was obviously a very busy person, and Tylomon never wanted to waste any of his time, because there was still quite a long line behind, meaning little time could be spared for any one person. Tylo decided to go directly to the point:

- My liege, a while ago you assigned me to work as a ferryboat at the docks... I served there faithfully for so long, and I ... - the shark said and raised his head to look at the lord, but avoided eye contact. - I would humbly request to be transferred to ... anywhere really. - Tylo said and shuttered. The very idea of monotonously drifting from one point to another day after day after day was frustrating him so very much. And yet it was up to the Lord to decide his fate.

- Anywhere. Explore uncharted waters, hunt pirates, anything that is more significant than this... - he tried to suppress the desperation in his voice, but really, for once, he just wanted to escape the all-consuming mundanity...

[Zudamon]

Zudomon listened as Tylomon stated his request as civil was possible for a member of his species, which was truly surprising to the Ocean Lord given the fact that he strongly disliked the way that most Tylomon acted. He was not entirely sure whether or not Tylomon should be moved to another occupation, but he would consider it.

The Ocean Lord was thinkingn of possible ways of stalling this conversation, while he gave himself time to think about the topic. He finally had an epiphany that would save him in two areas. "Crabmon, tell those waiting outside that I was called away on important business. As for you Tylomon, I want you to come with me." The oversized Lord began swimming toward a back door that he used to exit his castle and get a close up look at his domain.

"You say that being a ferry person is not significant, but how would your other suggestions be even more useful. Hunting pirates would prove to be even more dull than your current position as there aren't that many pirate attacks. And do you think that being an explorer would be the best fit for you? You would have to take it slow in order to make sure that you didn't miss anything, and I see that as being a major problem for you. There are not that many positions opened to someone like you." Zudomon was trying to be honest without being rude, but the two sometimes occured whenever one tried to do either.

[tylomon]

Tylo's teeth screeched against one another as he followed th Lord silently, listening to his rather long tirade about how everything in the Ocean was so peaceful, hunky-dory, peachy keen, fine and dandy, but did not quite believe it. It was impossible that someone of his noteworthy abilities was ... not needed anywhere. And yet ... what if it was the truth? Tylomon didn't consider that thought.

- Sir! - the shark barely held from rising the tone, knowing full well that it would look disrespectful towards the Lord, who dedicated him much of his time already. I'm one of the fastest digimon in the Ocean, if not the fastest, and I carry enough armaments to outgun a battleship... - with these words all fins on Tylo's body became razor-sharp blades, and a whole bunch of homing shark-missiles appeared from his mouth. He hid all these instruments of death soon, however, just wanting to show he's speaking the truth.

- I cannot believe you don't have any other job for me besides being a ferryman... Surely there's something, or someone you would like to see destroyed, blasted to bits. Just say the word, and I'll take care of it and be on my merry way before any of your royal guards would even get to the place!

[Zudamon]

Tylomon's response to his statement made the Ocean Lord's mind feel a little uneasy for obvious reasons. He knew all these things to be true about this Digimon's abilities, but there was more to life then just destroying things. Zudomon was not sure how this conversation was going to end, but he expected that he could find a compromise that would keep both of them happy.

"I will admit that you do have certain skills that would make you invaluable during a time of war, but that is an area that we don't have to deal with at the moment." Zudomon stopped swimming for a second when a thought had arisen in his mind. He had been trying to think of something that Tylomon would be better suited for, and the only thing that had come up in his mind was being a member of the royal guard.

"Tell me Tylomon. Do you know any of the Royal Guard? I mean actually know them as more than just being a Royal Guard member." Zudomon was doing two things by asking this question: finding out some relevant information and giving himself some more time to think.

[tylomon]

Tylomon bit his lip when he heard about the consideration of war. It was always this way - when in crisis, when the enemy is at the door - strong digimon are always respected, always important, and always are taken in consideration. But when the immediate thread has passed - all of a sudden all these digimon suddenly become ... not wanted. At the moment, Tylo really wished for something bad to happen in the Ocean, something that would require him to do things, other than transporting digimon between points A and B at a snail-like speed of 25km per hour.

But when the Lord started talking about Royal Guard, the shark's eyes started shining with curiosity and anticipation. Why would he all of a sudden ask about them? There had to be some motive. And the shark had a hunch about what that motive was, but didn't dare to voice his guess, afraid to make the Lord consider it again...

- You mean, if I know any Royal Guards personally, my liege? No, I never really had the chance. I work at the ferry 24/7, and digimon of such importance rarely come to docks to look at the rest of us grinders... - Tylo replied honestly. He never even saw any with his own eyes, all his limited knowledge of this secretive force was based on gossips between passengers he carried. Not a very reliable source of information.

- Plus I doubt any of them will ever require service of the ferry-boat... - he sighed out sadly...

[Zudamon]

Zudomon listened as Tylomon talked about how his current job kept him from meeting anyone of real importance. If you only knew how false you idea was, then you might not be so eager to leave your current assignment. This new thought brought up some interesting ideas about what he could do with this Digimon that might be beneficial to both Tylomon and the kingdom as a whole.

"I guess you are right about them not using the ferry as much as some of the other Digimon, but that does not mean that they don't use it at all." Zudomon required that a few of the lesser known Royal Guard ride the ferries in order to make sure that no trouble started on them. He knew that there wasn't any trouble, but it didn't hurt to makes sure of it every once in a while.

His mind was getting off topic, so he decided to explain the real reason behind his question that may make the Tylomon question his whole reason for coming here. "I asked you about how well you knew the Royal Guard because I wanted to see if you really knew what purpose they serve. If I were to ask you to give me a brief description of their job, then what would you tell me?"

[tylomon]

Tylomon went a bit confused because of the fact that he misunderstood the Lord's question in the first place. He was being more enigmatic by the minute, making the shark wonder what he had in mind. Tylo refused to try and read the lord's emotions and judge face expressions, because he failed at it epically, so it was not worth the trouble to try.

- I was never told what the Royal Guard's duties are, 'tis not exactly public knowledge... - Tylo replied honestly, because there was no point in bluffing - he simply didn't know the answer. He was willing to take wild guesses though - he kinda had a general idea in mind.

- I can only presume they are some sort of a para-military organization... which is supposed to protect the state from within and without. All members I heard about are great warriors, so I assume they are occupied with dangerous matters... - Tylo made a guess, though he expected it to be false - so far any guesses he made were false, making understand that not everything is that what it appears to be at first glance...

[Zudamon]

Zudomon listened as Tylomon replied to his question with honesty and logical speculation. Most of what he said were very true, but given that their job description was definitely not public as Tylomon had said there were a few missing details about the Royal Guard that the Ocean Lord was going to reveal to this Digimon.

"Some of your ideas about the Royal Guard are correct. They do indeed protect the kingdom in various ways, and they are indeed formidable fighters. Though they are currently serving as either emissaries for me, guardians over certain things that need to be protected, or tutors for their successors." This was a secret of the Royal Guard that Zudomon knew because he was of course a former member. No one was ever born a leader of an area. It had to be earned through the trials of one's life and the respect earned by one's peers.

"Do you know the reason that I am telling you this?" Zudomon knew that Tylomon did not really know as it was suppose to be a surprise, but he would let him guess at least. It would not be life it everyone was given the answer to every question that they were faced with.