Rei tilted his head. Undeniably, Heatman had a point. Could his navi really have gotten swapped out at some point - and in a way where he wouldn't remember? In a way where his memories went along with it, too?
It sounded outlandish, and yet, the more Heatman spoke the more he felt his doubts affirmed.
"It's true, my memories are oddly hazy today. And you acted so unfamiliar with our routine, too..." he sighed.
He closed his eyes to consider his options. He didn't want to believe it. If Heatman hadn't been his Navi for the last year, then who..?
It was then that Rei got an idea for how to test Heatmans theory. He reached for the Battle Chips in his pocket to skim through his deck. Glaring through them was damning: ElecBlade, DarkSword, Barrier100, Anubis... none were chips optimized for a fire element Navi.
After some hesitation, Rei chose to believe Heatmans words. It felt wrong to, but he couldn't shake off how tilted things felt. Something wasn't adding up, and Heatmans claims were his only clue.
"I fear you may be on to something. Choosing to believe you, for now that is, mayhaps we should start with the basics. Like introductions! My name is Rei Tao. I hope my PET provides a pleasant hotel until things are corrected!"
+++
Celestras suggestion was immediately shot down by Lan. Perhaps fearing a syndicate like Nebula, these people were either cautious, or otherwise protective of the boy.
Still, she wanted to understand more of the situation she'd been whisked into. She had to know more about the Lan she now served to know where his weaknesses laid. And there was no easier test than danger.
When Lan opened the bedroom door, Celestra was eager to see more clues to his living situation. She peeked from the PETs corner, curious ears perked up as she tried to take a good look.
Multiple people she didn't recognize, idly wasting their time. None of them looked related.
Celestra carefully considered Lans words and enthusiasm to help, trying to deem what would be the best course of action next.
"It's true anyone could be in danger if Dr. Regals soldiers are in the vicinity..... and exactly because of it you're just sitting ducks if you all stay here", she contemplated, "are you sure none of them would join you? You just need to get one person to agree to come with you, that's all. Your friends understand the importance of prevention, right?"
She was merely hazarding a guess. She didn't know anything of this instance, or this Lan, or of how dangerous Nebula was here. Relying on one of the boys friends being more reckless or heroic like him was but an assumption. All she could do was gamble on the fickle human heart.