Dragonball M, Chapter 1: Silent Menace Aproaches!

[rhyvurg]

Midori tilted her head slightly as she confusedly asked "Why would it be inappropriate enough to need privacy for you to demonstrate something that you said is done as a profession for others to view?"

"Organics typically view it as something to be done in seclusion. It is a strange hypocrisy I have not understood yet."

[Sion Reaver]

No response, but... yeah, she seem satisfied. A short while after, she was asleep, and, once he was sure that moving her wouldn't rouse her, he gently picked her up and put her into bed. Then, he began getting ready for bed himself, though that mostly consisted of removing his armor, save the bodysuit. It didn't take long, and soon enough he was nestled into bed with Karine.

Resting his head on his arms, his thoughts drifted back to Karine's spar with Kami. Karine... really had grown in the past year, while he had just stagnated. And yet, for some reason, she... loved him? Why? Did she see something from her perspective that he was blind to?

"...what do you even see in me, Kari?"

She was sound asleep by now, so he didn't expect an answer. He did briefly wonder how she'd respond to that question, though.



Ochazuke's words echoed through his mind. Asking her directly, while she was awake, was probably the best choice. Next chance he got, he'd do so, though with how hectic things had been...

Hm, no, enough worrying--he had to rest for tomorrow. Totoma shifted onto his side so Karine was in view and, slowly, drifted off to sleep.

Karine woke up groggily with a small yawn as the world around her slowly began to clear up and focus. She soon felt the presence of Totoma being nearby who seemed completely peaceful for once, it suited him more then the mask he constantly wore. The bad thing about carrying mask is eventually they began heavy enough you had to drop them.

Her gaze turned from him to look at the chest tucked securely away just in the corner where her new armor she had gotten from Kami earlier, feeling eager to get to it. She loved her dress but it was very ill suited for a combat situation, not to mention putting the armor on made her feel more..accomplished? She wasn't entirely sure how to properly describe it, only with the fact of having it Karine felt she was going that much closer to her original goal that she was even looking the part.

After taking her prized possession in the bathroom, she attempted to get in which proved to be a far more trying task then she thought it would be. Certain parts were a bit harder for her to understand then most, and she knew she was doing some things wrong. From inside, movement was heard along with a few uncharacteristic choice words from Karine as she floundered during the last bits. She realized she was becoming frustrated, so took a deep breath to calm down.

What did mother say?

Nikki hadn't had any interest in the martial disciplines though like her father she did believe in preserving certain aspects of their culture that was felt worth preserving. That meant learning how to put on armor on, even if Karine herself until lately like her mother hadn't intended to become any type of warrior. So trying to remember those lessons in the past to the present was difficult since it had only happened once when she was much younger, but she had enough from that to figure it out on her own.

Once she felt satisfied, she looked at the mirror. She looked different, but did she feel any different?

The answer was, yes. She did.

Everyday she was becoming closer to the person she wanted to be, and in her mind surpassing her previous self and not just combat ability but other aspects. If she kept her path, she didn't doubt any mind she put the people before her who wore these proud. She did wonder what Meagan would think, she didn't know them as well but she liked the woman and they came from a more martial culture. Totoma's reaction should be interesting, too.

Karine stepped out the bathroom, feeling content.

“It was a clan and family issue, not so much protecting the planet. At least that is what Sera claimed.”

Kaine felt satisfied for the moment, besides even if it had been that long ago she wasn't going to pry much further for the sake of her curiosity. Clans were still very much a thing for her people even in the modern era, though some kept more to themselves then others. "All right, I have no further questions. I'm going to get some rest tomorrow, but true to what I said when we get a moment we can just sit and talk about some mundane things together. Have a good night Kami."

She left the guardian to her own thoughts after that.

[The Dog]

"Organics typically view it as something to be done in seclusion. It is a strange hypocrisy I have not understood yet."

"That does sound hypocritical." Midori agreed, then asked "Since you seem so much more knowledgeable about the topic than me, what exactly about this 'mating ritual' makes it something deemed necessary to be done in seclusion?"

[rhyvurg]

"That does sound hypocritical." Midori agreed, then asked "Since you seem so much more knowledgeable about the topic than me, what exactly about this 'mating ritual' makes it something deemed necessary to be done in seclusion?"

"It involves nudity, which most organics have taboos against. You seem to as well. Yet, they seem very interested in observing the nudity of others. It's a wonder they can tie their shoes sometimes."

[Sion Reaver]

Shiro sighed as she walked through Kami's Lookout, her plan to investigate the memory chip given to her by the Silver Lady having hit a dead end that she couldn't pass until the group who took the transport returned with it. And having taken a bit of a headcount and realizing that both Sasheem and Chou had went with it, the question wasn't only when it returned, but if it returned.

Thus without the distraction the chip provided her, and without a spar to occupy her, Shiro found herself going over the revelations she'd received today. The revelations that Dr. Nijimoto, her creator and the man she looked to as practically her father, had planned to deactivate both her sister and her so he could work on their minds. He claimed that he was going to do it so that they wouldn't remember their actions during the war, but how could she be sure of that?

'No, he was doing it for our own good!' Shiro thought, but the doubt argued 'How can you be sure of that? He was essentially going to reprogram the both of you, so he could do anything and you would never know. In fact,' the doubt continued, 'how do you know he hasn't already done so before, and you can't remember because of he erased everything that would let you know, or even suspect something like that?'

'He loves us! He said so himself!' Shiro countered, but that same doubt remarked 'Sure, he loves you. Loves you like someone loves a car, or a computer, or a phone. He loves you like property, not people.'

'Shut up! That's a lie, because he's said he loves us like daughters!' Shiro thought, and the doubt commented 'Loves you like daughters he planned on deactivating and reprogramming. Because that's what you do when property has a problem: you go in and fix what's broken in them.'

"SHUT UP!" Shiro screamed, swinging her fist into the wall, punching a large crater into it, sending bits of stone and dust into the air. A second punch, a second crater and more bits of stone and dust filling the air. Shiro screamed at the doubt in her mind again and again to shut up, punching the wall with each cry. As she punched and yelled, her words devolved into wordless screams, tears flowing down her face as she took her emotions out on the wall, each strike of her fist creating another crater in the surface.

After several minutes of screaming and punching, Shiro's screaming subsided into nearly silent sobbing as she finally slumped face-first against the damaged wall before sliding down into a kneeling position, still banging her hand weakly against the wall as she cried.

(I guess it takes place before Karine goes to bed..or something. Time is a bitch right now)

Karine had nothing in particular to do at the given moment so she opted to take her time just walking around with no destination in mind. She didn't feel like going to bed just yet so why not waste a bit more time until she was feeling tired?

As she went, she picked up some type of noise but couldn't make it out at first. It sounded like banging plus someone crying? Who could be crying? Karine wasn't able to ignore something like this outright so she went to investigate to see if the voice of distress was all right. What she did find was one of the young androids who was curled up and sobbing which tugged at Karine's core. She had to do something, even if she wasn't sure exactly what was going on; she did know her name at least.

"Shiro?" She called out gently to get their attention. Asking if you 'are you all right' though a often timed response just felt stupid in this case.

[The Dog]

"It involves nudity, which most organics have taboos against. You seem to as well. Yet, they seem very interested in observing the nudity of others. It's a wonder they can tie their shoes sometimes."

Midori blinked, then shrugged as she said "I was always informed by Dr. Nijimoto and Shiro that nudity is something to be avoided for the comfort of biological beings, so I wear clothes. And I guess they'd need to be able to tie their shoes if they wear them. Well, unless they use velcro or something."

[The Dog]

(I guess it takes place before Karine goes to bed..or something. Time is a bitch right now)

Karine had nothing in particular to do at the given moment so she opted to take her time just walking around with no destination in mind. She didn't feel like going to bed just yet so why not waste a bit more time until she was feeling tired?

As she went, she picked up some type of noise but couldn't make it out at first. It sounded like banging plus someone crying? Who could be crying? Karine wasn't able to ignore something like this outright so she went to investigate to see if the voice of distress was all right. What she did find was one of the young androids who was curled up and sobbing which tugged at Karine's core. She had to do something, even if she wasn't sure exactly what was going on; she did know her name at least.

"Shiro?" She called out gently to get their attention. Asking if you 'are you all right' though a often timed response just felt stupid in this case.

Shiro's head jerked toward Karine, blinking away the bleariness as she tried to make out the person calling out to her. After several moments she was able to make them out, though she couldn't immediately recall who they were even though she knew she should, but she at least she had an idea of who it was.

"Ka-Karine? How may I help you?" she replied, trying not to sound like she was guessing their name, and wiped away at the tears filling her eyes as she felt a sense of shame at being found in such a state by someone she barely knew.

[Cyke]

“Nah, he’s strong. Stronger now too. But back then I was better. He had the long game, but up close he couldn’t match my wrestling skills.”

"Even stronger than when you faced him?" The realization hit Zaofan with a bit of dread. And Brutus looked plenty strong to begin with.

"Your boys seem powerful in their own right. And you said they were made of good stock. Do you train them in wrestling as well? And what wrestling style do you use?"

"Your daughter took my strength, so I want yours," Jack cracked his neck, "I need to beat Battersea, so teach me what you know."

"Help me do this and we'll call it square."

Zaofan took a bite out of a communal plate of, um, slop (but it was SOOOOO GOOOOOOD) before continuing. "To be honest with you, several of us -- myself included, are good striking fighters. But..."

He then flashed back to the Geofront, during the massive 20 person vs. 1 Agent Miras sparring match, in which he, Adam, and Jack simultaneously tried to grapple with the space cop, only to be tossed aside in one fluid motion.

"...we could certainly improve ourselves there. Especially if grappling is a weakness of Battersea's own style. But if I may..."

Zaofan had two more questions, though.

"And I don't mean to sound rude, but, if Battersea cheated when you had the upper hand, why not engage him in a rematch? What made you retire from fighting? You're stronger than us, and we're entering the tournament, regardless."

[Miburo]

“Preciate the understandin, but ain’t no need. She wronged ya, reparations are mine to make. Ya’ll help your friends up there and me and mine will help set things up.”

Brutus takes hold of Macey’s arm and steers her and his boys back inside. You can all head a few gruff commands, and the kitchen empties out quickly. The rest of the establishment does too, save Held still sitting at his table. Within five minutes it’s just them and the Bedlam family in the restaurant.

Chessy escorts you all to a table in the back of the kitchen area while Brutus prepares food expertly before you all. Alfredo brings Held back to you guys and then goes about helping Chessy clean up the front. Macey, meanwhile, sits on a stool near Brutus and pouts, arms crossed.

“Now, seems you wanted some answers, Yeah? So go ahead and ask yer questions.”, Brutus says as he amazing quickly prepares a lovely smelling soup.

Held looked on, dumbfounded. "....I think I have different questions than the others, but I'll defer to them for the moment."

Had he been in another world? All this talk about tournaments, ki draining Jack, toilets, Sarada.....

Was he the only one who actually managed to sit down and actually enjoy his lovely, lovely meal? Given what Sarada had said about her spiked pizza, that might have very well have been the case. Whatever had transpired was apparently serious enough that Brutus felt compelled to clear the once bustling bar of all its occupants to discuss so many things.

"Even stronger than when you faced him?" The realization hit Zaofan with a bit of dread. And Brutus looked plenty strong to begin with.

"Your boys seem powerful in their own right. And you said they were made of good stock. Do you train them in wrestling as well? And what wrestling style do you use?"



Zaofan took a bite out of a communal plate of, um, slop (but it was SOOOOO GOOOOOOD) before continuing. "To be honest with you, several of us -- myself included, are good striking fighters. But..."

He then flashed back to the Geofront, during the massive 20 person vs. 1 Agent Miras sparring match, in which he, Adam, and Jack simultaneously tried to grapple with the space cop, only to be tossed aside in one fluid motion.

"...we could certainly improve ourselves there. Especially if grappling is a weakness of Battersea's own style. But if I may..."

Zaofan had two more questions, though.

"And I don't mean to sound rude, but, if Battersea cheated when you had the upper hand, why not engage him in a rematch? What made you retire from fighting? You're stronger than us, and we're entering the tournament, regardless."

Huh. Small world.....I guess this guy faced Battersea in one of the tournaments, then? He certainly looks like the type who has a taste for battle. He's like a slab of chizzled steel.

[Lord Falcon]

So that was it?

The young woman had a inkling of a idea of why Ash'rah was doing this, though having it more or less confirmed strengthened her desire to follow through further. She wasn't going to run, and she wasn't going to hesitate from what was before her. She held onto that moment as clear and as quickly as she could before the monk went the engage them again. Having the will to do something and actually carrying it out in practice, however, were two entirely different things.

Karine didn't falter physically, though keeping that mental clarity was harder then it seemed. If she wanted to do this to begin taking the steps to secure her future then if she needed to fail twenty times before she reached said goal, then so be it.

Slowly, but steadily, Karine began to adapt of keeping that mental focus in the middle of stressful action

This particular series of exercises was actually based more in sport science than temple monk meditation techniques. Asha'rah had visited her fair share of libraries on her journeys, and had been excited to learn that the modern world had begun to adapt the principles of traditional meditation to other contexts. The mental condition of athletes was of keen interest to many in the scientific community, and Asha'rah had readily devoured these pages. Some scientific jargon had flown over her head, but the general concepts and training techniques they used sank in over time. Mental condition affected physical performance. When one felt inspired by success, decisions could be made quicker, instincts were informed and given confidence, and the body drew more easily upon its reserves. More importantly in this case, it would give Karine a positive center to anchor herself to in times of need.

The enemy would not wait for Karine to inspire herself, however. She needed to take her training further.

"The goal of this exercise is to capture a moment of emotional strength in the space of a heartbeat." Asha'rah said, after yet another bout of stinging but otherwise safe blows. After the first few minutes, she had varied the length of each break to add to the mental stress, but trending to a shorter and shorter breather each time. Karine knew each time how long the break would be, but was never informed when the break was ended, save for a renewal of Asha'rah's attack. She had gotten Karine to stand, better approximating the conditions of an actual fight.

"That memory must come by instinct, a full and clear image to ground you when your body aches and your mind clouds. When you are ready, you will anchor yourself like that." Asha'rah said, snapping her metal fingers. She attacked Karine again, adding extra heft to her blows this time.

After an hour of continuous training, Asha'rah reckoned Karine was likely starting to feel some serious fatigue. It was time to ratchet the difficulty up yet again before allowing her a true period to recuperate.

"No warnings from here on. I may attack you in half a second, or in twenty. You won't know for sure until the first blow comes. Power through the uncertainty and draw strength from your well without lowering your guard."

[Lord Falcon]

"'Follow the path of light and you shall never know darkness', that's a saying my people learn from a young age." Meagan then smiled, "My people are full of sayings, like this one, 'The Powerful and the Powerless share the same footprint and see the heavens through the same eyes.'"

"I've always liked those two." then fidgeting for a moment, "And I'm very glad you are feeling better."

Sayings were attempts to capture pockets of wisdom in a few words. By necessity, they tended to oversimplify, missing the trees for the forest. But they reflected at least part the mindset of the speaker, and the distilled thoughts of a culture. The Chromakai had an affinity for light, so Meagan's first saying came as little surprise. It was perhaps sage advice for the children, who had yet to develop the experience to judge for themselves. But to never know darkness was an absolute Asha'rah could not endorse. To remain willfully ignorant of the darkness was struck Asha'rah as a dangerous path in the long run. The second, on the other hand, struck a chord with Asha'rah.

"I like the second one. Power does not make one infallible. Machine, mortal, demon, we are all still..." Asha'rah gestured with an arm in place of a grin, "only human."

[grampagen]

"Thank you," replied Totoma. He knew the condolences were genuine--Ochazuke wasn't one to offer hollow niceties. "As for what I'll find..."

He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.

"Many things. Redemption, vengeance... yeah. Reliving that moment... no, I've been doing that every night for ten years. I've fought that battle, in my dreams, well over three-thousand times. I've engraved his movements and techniques into the core of my being. Yes, he's doubtlessly improved, but... it's better than going in completely blind," said Totoma, clenching his right hand in front of him. "But, above all, I seek..."

Another pause.

"...closure. Killing Jagam won't bring my mother or father back, it won't undo the past ten years, and it probably won't even stop the nightmares, but... at least, without that bastard's shadow hanging over me, I can put my past behind me."

Scratching the back of his head, he sighed. "And that's why I asked you to... teach me, though perhaps that was the wrong way to put it. After all, you yourself said you couldn't sort out my life for me, but... I was looking for a more technical lesson."

"Not even formal instruction. We fight, I learn."

The past sinks it claws in to everybody and the scars upon Totoma's mind pronounced themselves in his speech. They ran deep. Still bled.

"You have my sympathy, but understand that I cannot teach you."

For Totoma sought to conquer it. It would be like attempting to leap away from his own feet.

Yet Ochazuke had not seen Totoma's spar with Kami, and the quality of a Saiyan's technique was - aside from Sarada's heavy glory-seeking throws over the past few days - a bit of a mystery to him. Everything he'd seen so far had been in extremely mechanical scramble situations. By design, that would not do to test the mettle of a man. Still, his powers of observation were far sharper than he'd thought, and the young man had assessed not only the pretenses behind the combat, but answered his query of the relationship of wills to ascertain a deeper meaning of laying your life before another.

Wait, what? Was Mister Ochazuke giving him... relationship advice? Okay, that was... yeah, unexpected.

For a split second, Totoma's expression betrayed his surprise at the advice, before his usual mask returned. "...gotta say, I didn't expect this."

Yet another pause. "Yes, I've considered asking her, but I..." He trailed off.

"...I'll take it into consideration," said Totoma, after a long pause. He hadn't been able to figure out a legitimate reason not to.

Crossing his arms, he turned to Ochazuke fully. "Still, you surprise me, Mister Ochazuke. I... did not expect you to have any interest in this... this sentimental nonsense."

Ochazuke turned his head slightly to meet him, his face still but for the pronounced whites of his eyes.

Perhaps he had misjudged Totoma's moment of clarity. Much like the proud Saiyans' words spilled out as they were in their own little world, some things are simply hard not to notice.

Karine almost didn't hear the last part due to what Totoma just announced in the open which caused a shock in her system. He..couldn't be serious? But everything was all clear for her to see.

She went towards him, gripping his shirt(even though she was short) after slapping him. "And what the hell do you think that's going to do to the people you leave behind?!" Karine rarely cursed unless she was extremely upset about sometihng or another. "You're life isn't just yours, you idiot! You can't just throw your life away!"

Karine released her grip, rubbing her eyes reigning in control of herself before she hit him again. That said she had to have done something to shake him out of his funk. "What about all the talks about progressing and figuring things out? Was that all talk? Did those not mean anything?" She asked, but there was a subtle waver in her voice.

"Don't waste your life so thoughtlessly."

With all that Totoma had told him, it appeared the young man had difficulty looking back at where he had come from and around him for who he had. His sight was always forward, aimlessly seeking a new plateau, as if that would result in the power to stand above himself. Heavy thoughts for a dense sensibility, or perhaps his talents were affixed to those restless thoughts of violence that tormented his dreams.

"Again, I cannot teach you."

How does one teach mindfulness? That which is without system, without method? What's to teach? Numbed by his losses, the precious few connections he had remaining Totoma felt could be sacrificed to achieve his greater goal without considering what he'd be taking with him. The heights afforded to such wild ambitions were fleeting, a power untempered to purpose.

He had been of a like mind once before. It was a fate he would not wish to share with anybody.

"But if you are willing to turn inward and explore yourself..."

Over three-thousand times did Totoma dreamed of finding the man who took his mother from him. Ochazuke had long ago lost count of how many times he stood before another, staking their reason for being on such a momentary thing. Still many more perished in such attempts. For all their strength and professed skill, the broken foundation of a listless spirit made their blows fall hollow.

"Everything you've imparted has given you the resolve to make the choice to stand here before me now," he said, "Offer me a single exchange, Totoma."

Ochazuke's arms held embellished welts where Kami's aura-gilded hands of steel had fallen. His left leg staggered to lead his stance, betraying the pain of damage where the halo chakram fell. Yet his hands still spread to open palms, and he shift weight to the ball of his right foot as his meditation field spread before him. Seeing all laid before him now, he waited not for the deathseeking avenger, the hero with nothing to protect, or even the Saiyan starving to reach new heights; Only the spirit of a man to reveal itself.

[Tami]

Sayings were attempts to capture pockets of wisdom in a few words. By necessity, they tended to oversimplify, missing the trees for the forest. But they reflected at least part the mindset of the speaker, and the distilled thoughts of a culture. The Chromakai had an affinity for light, so Meagan's first saying came as little surprise. It was perhaps sage advice for the children, who had yet to develop the experience to judge for themselves. But to never know darkness was an absolute Asha'rah could not endorse. To remain willfully ignorant of the darkness was struck Asha'rah as a dangerous path in the long run. The second, on the other hand, struck a chord with Asha'rah.

"I like the second one. Power does not make one infallible. Machine, mortal, demon, we are all still..." Asha'rah gestured with an arm in place of a grin, "only human."

Meagan smiled back, "You do know that, now that I have seen how you once were, I probably need to test myself out against you eventually. But from the looks of it, every member of the team wants that of you." She then hesitated, "Word of advice, find a book on humanoid anatomy and familiarize yourself with it. Especially the sections on sexuality and genitalia, before you traumatize the rest of the team."

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

"I wasn't that... whatever," Jack grumbled. Not gonna lie.

The rest of what she was saying, however.

"I come from poor frost farmers," he frowned at the memories.



"Your daughter took my strength, so I want yours," Jack cracked his neck, "I need to beat Battersea, so teach me what you know."

"Help me do this and we'll call it square."

Brutus looks him over, his big head tilted to the side.

“Ain’t got much time. Less than four days till the tourney. I ain’t been a proper fighter in some time, not since my defeat. But I do have something that might help ya. A small thing, a secret only me and mine have.”

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

Karine woke up groggily with a small yawn as the world around her slowly began to clear up and focus. She soon felt the presence of Totoma being nearby who seemed completely peaceful for once, it suited him more then the mask he constantly wore. The bad thing about carrying mask is eventually they began heavy enough you had to drop them.

Her gaze turned from him to look at the chest tucked securely away just in the corner where her new armor she had gotten from Kami earlier, feeling eager to get to it. She loved her dress but it was very ill suited for a combat situation, not to mention putting the armor on made her feel more..accomplished? She wasn't entirely sure how to properly describe it, only with the fact of having it Karine felt she was going that much closer to her original goal that she was even looking the part.

After taking her prized possession in the bathroom, she attempted to get in which proved to be a far more trying task then she thought it would be. Certain parts were a bit harder for her to understand then most, and she knew she was doing some things wrong. From inside, movement was heard along with a few uncharacteristic choice words from Karine as she floundered during the last bits. She realized she was becoming frustrated, so took a deep breath to calm down.

What did mother say?

Nikki hadn't had any interest in the martial disciplines though like her father she did believe in preserving certain aspects of their culture that was felt worth preserving. That meant learning how to put on armor on, even if Karine herself until lately like her mother hadn't intended to become any type of warrior. So trying to remember those lessons in the past to the present was difficult since it had only happened once when she was much younger, but she had enough from that to figure it out on her own.

Once she felt satisfied, she looked at the mirror. She looked different, but did she feel any different?

The answer was, yes. She did.

Everyday she was becoming closer to the person she wanted to be, and in her mind surpassing her previous self and not just combat ability but other aspects. If she kept her path, she didn't doubt any mind she put the people before her who wore these proud. She did wonder what Meagan would think, she didn't know them as well but she liked the woman and they came from a more martial culture. Totoma's reaction should be interesting, too.

Karine stepped out the bathroom, feeling content.



Kaine felt satisfied for the moment, besides even if it had been that long ago she wasn't going to pry much further for the sake of her curiosity. Clans were still very much a thing for her people even in the modern era, though some kept more to themselves then others. "All right, I have no further questions. I'm going to get some rest tomorrow, but true to what I said when we get a moment we can just sit and talk about some mundane things together. Have a good night Kami."

She left the guardian to her own thoughts after that.

“I look forward to that, Karine. Rest well.”