|
Post by Etohn on Mar 10, 2019 14:33:28 GMT -5
"Man, it's been a while...Space Vegas." A lone Half-Saiyan makes his way down a busy street, the glow of neon signs and artificial lighting basking the crowd as they proceed along. Filing along, all of them having some goal or end point in mind they're going to. All, except Etohn. Radia is dead. Taro is Dead. Polaris is dead. Even Etohn himself should have been dead. If it wasn't for that man, that damned Namekian, he would have continued on his mission on Abbayor. He would have been there to accompany the queen at that peace meeting. And then, like the others there, he would have died. If it wasn't for Riko wanting to keep him alive, then just like them, he should have died. If they didn't think he was useful in some way, then that would have been the end of it. Finally, Etohn had a chance to really achieve something substantial or die trying, and some wizard decided to pluck that away. If that was supposed to be the end, then what am I still doing here?Aimlessly, he follows along with those going about their day, and without even realizing it, finds himself stepping into a bar. A convenient solution to these thoughts plaguing his mind. Slinking forward, Etohn pulls up to the bar, quickly requesting something strong. Word Count: 225 Tags: Legume
|
|
|
|
Post by Legume on Mar 11, 2019 2:53:09 GMT -5
Ever since the Shroomy's Invitational tournament against Kuueru and Kaijin, and all the events which followed it, Space Vegas was increasingly turning into one of Legume's favorite places to spend his off days. It was a place of debauchery, but it was also one of the few places in this Galaxy which he could truly say resembled the home he has since lost. The dense, sprawling metropolis and endless urban landscapes, the conflux of cultures from the entire galaxy gathering together on a single planet - it was just the type of society he was familiar with, you know? Plus, the news of warfare and chaos breaking out across the Galaxy did not affect Space Vegas at all, the planet was well protected and could call up support from Earth if necessary, a sufficient place to relax from all the dystopian horrors outside of the planet's borders.
Legume rarely spent more than a few days each time he landed here, however. The costs of everything were astronomical - the hotel, spaceship hangar rent, fuel, even the rent. And the Saiyan didn't have enough disposable income with him to afford all of that luxury - he was already struggling to make ends meet.
But for tonight, he opted to try to forget all of that, and this conviction led to him visiting one of the many bars sprawling across Space Vegas. Legume was sitting next to the bar counter, a cocktail in his hand, and casually sipping it, his ears enjoying the jazz music playing through the speakers and the relatively comfortable and quiet atmosphere aroumd him, At least until, suddenly, a dark-haired man pulled up a seat right next to him and gave an order to the reptilian bartender.
Taking a sip, Legume took a glance towards the person next to him. They... didn't seem to be in a happy mood at all. In his past life, the Saiyan had gotten pretty good in collecting information from a person's facial clues, it was a course in the Federation Military Academy - and this man was pretty much screaming as far as Legume was concerned.
Why not give it a go?
"Trying to drink away your problems too, I imagine?" the Saiyan muttered, cracking a faint snicker.
(378 words, total 378)
|
|
|
|
Post by Etohn on Mar 11, 2019 11:50:04 GMT -5
Sipping from the draught placed before him, Etohn immediately began feeling the kick from the drink, recoiling slightly. Yeah, this was definitely going to help him forget everything for a little while. From his side, a man quipped about what the Half-Saiyan was obviously going for. Giving them a quick nod, he returns his gaze to his drink, his face's reflection wavering on the dark surface of it, his anger and confusion on what to do standing clearly upon his features. "Yep, you've got me there...Really nasty business, what's going on in the universe. One moment, it's a big ol' war, and the next it's turned into a power vacuum, people of all sorts just trying to claw their way to the top." While Etohn was away, he only managed to catch glimpses into the conflicts amongst the Saiyans for who would lead them now, though it still unsettled him. To think that Radia was the only person managing to hold the entire faction together was unsettling, and now that they're gone, the Dominion he called home was gone, replaced by the baser instincts of his father's race ruling over them all. "Man, look at me complaining about all of that, and yet all I can do is just sit here and try drinking," he chuckles to himself, drinking more from his glass. Suddenly, he pauses briefly, now tilting his head back towards the other man before he mumbles, "Ahh, sorry 'bout going on like that. Just...a lot on my mind that I'd rather not keep in there."Looking over the other person a bit closer now, their physique and dark hair makes it seem likely that they're a Saiyan. Maybe they were just like Etohn himself, wondering about what to do in the wake of Radia's demise, similarly passing time with alcohol rather than action. Words: 308 Total: 533 Tags: Legume
|
|
|
|
Post by Legume on Mar 12, 2019 5:04:21 GMT -5
God, could this man have chosen anything simpler? When Legume raised the question that the man was clearly trying to drown his problems in alcohol, he wanted to hear something which wouldn't leave himself bitter. Witnessing your wife cheating with your friend, gambling away your life in one of Space Vegas's many casinos... not right into politics. But nope, the black haired man was trying to drown away his frustration with what was happening across the Galaxy right now. An answer which, honestly, surprised Legume somewhat. Isn't the sorry state of this Galaxy kind of the norm for its inhabitants? This seems like something he would be frustrated with, as an outsider.
"Yeah, I feel you. There's not even a semblance of order, anywhere. It's a galaxy where man eats man with no regard for others." Legume replied, taking a sip from his half-finished drink. He still had enough cash in his pocket to go for a few repeats, so he's got the time for a conversation, why not immerse yourself in it? "Though, at the very least, I can say that the future is not all bleak. I'm sure it's possible for stuff to get better."
How? Well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it? If either one of them knew the answer, they probably wouldn't be here. He certainly would not, he had the strength to make a difference if he knew the way how.
Legume took an another sip from his cocktail and continued:
"Most people on this planet don't seem to be too interested in what's going on outside of its borders, however. If that's what's weighing on your mind, you must have a personal stake in what's going on, don't you?"
(296 words, total 674)
|
|
|
|
Post by Etohn on Mar 12, 2019 17:02:44 GMT -5
Well whoever this guy was, they were definitely an optimist. They can see how people are so quick to turn against one another, and just a few moments later say that the future is going to be better. Stuff has just been progressively worsening more and more for years now. In the short couple years Etohn has lived on his own, the whole power dynamic of the universe itself has completely changed multiple times, and even after this current mess is all solved, what's stopping it from happening again? "Ya are right about me being involved in it all. I am...was a commander in the Saiyan Dominion. I used to work under Taro, that guy that served right below the Queen, fighting baddies and being a good fighter." Taking a large swig from his drink, Etohn is briefly taken back to those times, recalling his training sessions with his master, his rivalry with Zarytto, and just the simplicity of it all. "Hell, I used to even be...I guess friend isn't the right word, but I did stuff with Polaris before the whole Emperor thing. We'd have fights every so often, we did a mission together once, and he even once swore he'd kill me after taking off my arm," Etohn says, almost seeming to think fondly back on that as he pulled up his right sleeve, revealing the belts attaching his realistic prosthetic to the nub of his arm. "Now that the Dominion is gone, and Polaris is dead, I don't really have much left for me. I can't get revenge for what that scaly bastard did, I can't prove myself anymore to Radia, I can't learn anything more from Taro, and there's nothing I can do to change that. " Sighing to himself, Etohn indulges in his drink once again, quickly emptying the bottle. Quickly slapping down some more zeni, another drink is placed in front of him. "Even most of the people I've met from the early days just aren't around anymore, either dead or caught up in it all. Rin, Ipomea, Null, Russ...So many names that I'm just starting to forget since I'm just on my own all the time. It's off from one tournament to the next, or one meeting to the next, ad nauseum. Now I don't even really have that, since I'm guessing people think I died on Abbayor...Just got some weird-ass Namekian that stopped me from dying there that hates my guts, and a whole lot of money to waste."Words: 420 Total: 953 Tags: Legume
|
|
|
|
Post by Legume on Mar 13, 2019 2:44:06 GMT -5
Legume's initial guess was absolutely correct. The Saiyan not only had a personal stake in the conflict - from the way he spoke about what was weighing on his mind, he seemed to have played an important role in Galactic affairs himself. A Saiyan commander, held a high ranking position in the hierarchy of the Saiyan Kingdom (how can the Saiyans have a kingdom, weren't there only a few hundred thousand of them at this point in history?), who also personally knew Emperor Polaris despite their nations being enemies.
And now he has lost all of that to the flames of war. No Saiyan Dominion to serve under, no Polaris or Radia to prove himself against, all the people he used to call friends lost one way or another... It was an unfortunate consequence of war and human connections that when people perish, even more people lose a part of their lives despite escaping unscathed. And the dark haired man speaking to him was a great example of that. Legume finished his drink, his face somber for a few seconds as he immersed himself in thought, then the Saiyan, much like his peer, put down a few Zeni notes to get himself another drink to try to push the thoughts away.
"Losing all the foundations of your life to the fires of war and thus being left aimless, then. Yeah. Yeah, that's terrible. My... my condolences." Legume muttered, staring down to his drink, then finally taking a sip. "I could say that I'm in the same boat as you, though for different reasons. It's not that I lost everything, I just... never had anything in this universe in the first place. And all my time here has been a struggle trying to build something out of a starting point where I have nothing."
Legume took an another sip of his drink, then glanced towards his peer. "You know, we've already discussed a lot, but I don't think I have caught your name. Mine is Legume, by the way, I'm a Saiyan, just like you. ...Not from the Dominion, though. I actually did not know such a thing existed until a few months ago."
(374 words, total 1048)
|
|
|
|
Post by Etohn on Mar 13, 2019 21:21:28 GMT -5
So, this man, like Etohn once was, has nothing to their name, wanting to try and make something for themselves. To think that the Half-Saiyan once was just a homeless runaway, searching for some vague sense of glory to stake a claim in. How the times have changed, indeed. Etohn's mind already felt fuzzy from the alcohol, though he continues indulging, giving himself something to do as the other man introduces themselves. "Ahh, my name's Etohn. Etohn Verstoss. I'd assume you already might have heard at least something of me before, but since you didn't even know what the Dominion was, guess that's probably out of the question. Just a few years back, though, I was in the same boat."With a slight chuckle, he continues, "Y'know, I used to be a farmer, actually. I had next to no clue about everything going on in the universe, either. Would help the family run the place, would roughhouse with my Saiyan pops, and get on by. Only left when I was 18 because I wanted to try and find something more."For a moment, Etohn sees his younger self on the surface of his drink, before everything ended up getting complicated. A time he wished he could go back to. With a blink, it returns to his own visage, more somber and learned. "Well, I've gone on enough about myself for now," he mutters, gesturing to Legume. "So what's your story? You don't feel like a normal Saiyan. In fact, you feel a lot like Radia and Taro...Guessing you got 'that' form, as well?"Given how many Super Saiyans he's come across, Etohn's somewhat got a feeling for the presence of one of them. Something about their presence felt different, a fact that he even observed in himself after he acquired the form on Shizen. For some, it felt like a saddening twinge to their energy, to others a hint of a raging fury, or even for himself a sense of excitement. There always was that emotional aspect ingrained in their essence, slight but ever present. "For somebody that had no clue about something as big as the Dominion, you seem like a person that should've, y'know?"Words: 367 Total: 1320 Tags: Legume
|
|
|
|
Post by Legume on Mar 14, 2019 13:28:48 GMT -5
Etohn Verstoss. Interesting, Saiyans in the distant past rarely had last names. Clearly, there must be somethingmore to his backstory - perhaps he is not a full Saiyan, or born to a society which is not characteristically Saiyan. Either way, Legume did not mind it that much, at least not enough to bother trying to poke Etohn on it, and just nodded along. After a brief explanation of how he didn't envision himself becoming a Dominion commander and had actually been just a lowly farmer before moving on at 18 years of age, Etohn tossed a question to him.
Really, he could tell that Legume was more than meets the eye so suddenly? And guess that he wields 'the form', too? He had relaxed his power level, right, it shouldn't be anything of note... clearly, this man was as much of a veteran in martial arts and warfare as his story would lead Legume to believe. The Saiyan cracked a smile, almost finishing his drink, and replied:
"I had been pleasantly surprised when I first arrived that being a Super Saiyan is a lot more unique here than where I am from, but yes, you are absolutely correct. They say that I am a sensation on Galactic media for that fact alone. As for my story..."
He has recited the tale initially weaved for him by Shroomy enough times to have it be the default answer to such questions at this point. Legume didn't even consider it to be lying at this point - just saving himself from the questions which inevitably arise when he states that he is from the future.
"There's a thick nebula out there in the Galactic Rim which is practicaly impenetrable and completely inhospitable save for a single planet inside. It's so distant and isolated from the rest of the Galaxy that it doesn't even show up on any maps - but since that nebula is everything we ever seen in our life, we've called the planet there the 'Galactic Core'. That's where I am from."
To be fair, he actually was from the Galactic Core, but a radically different one. Does it even count as lying, then?
"I was the first to manage to break through the nebula encompassing our planet... and I can't get back. I don't think I could ever repeat my course. So, basically, I'm down one homeworld and up one galaxy I've got to explore."
Legume leaned back slightly. "And honestly, what I've seen so far makes me really long for home. It did give me a... some sort of purpose, though. Since I can't really return back home, I'm trying to find a way how to, at least, turn this new society I've been thrown into even a smudge better and orderly."
(470 words, total 1618)
|
|
|
|
Post by Etohn on Mar 14, 2019 18:37:33 GMT -5
So wherever this Legume guy is from, Super Saiyans aren't rare. Etohn couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the idea. Like, really, a place where not only are there Saiyans that don't know about the Dominion, but there are even a bunch of them running around with golden hair? Given how Etohn had to survive without the help of any ki at all, down an arm, practically alone for nearly a year, his life constantly in danger, and he still barely managed to achieve it even then, the idea was a bit out there. However, with how drunk he already had gotten, he didn't bother questioning it. Seemingly detecting these doubts, Legume says that he's from a planet so remote and hard to get to that nobody knows how to get there, and even he can't get back. Now, Etohn was no astronomist, but that did sound like bullshit. However, he didn't even really know what a nebula was aside from pretty pictures that you can find about space, and he definitely didn't know if they were hard to traverse, so he had no reason to question it. "Huh...alright. Well, uhh, that's something," he says, knowing that it was definitely something, but not really sure where to go from there. "So, you say you wanna try and improve stuff?" Given how naive of a life they must've led on their home world, the idea is probably pretty novel to him. Every kid wants to try and make the universe a better place, after all. It sounds cool and would lead to a bunch of great adventures where everything ends happily ever after. At least, that's a kid's hope. "I know you're pretty new to everything here, but ya gotta realize how hard that is, right? Like, a lot of people have tried to do that. Polaris claims that was what he was going for, and agree or disagree with him, it kinda seems like he was trying to unite everything and bring peace. Just, y'know, after he genocides all Saiyans and dissenters. People were pretty happy when the Planet Trade Organization fell apart, too, but that didn't stop those Frost Demon lords from doing stuff. Hell, I met one of them again not too long before the Abbayor stuff." Taking another swig from his drink, Etohn recalls that situation on Tech Tech, saving people from the crumbling bio dome, all the people he just couldn't get to in time, how that whole situation happened because his team was sent there with good intentions. "I can understand people trying to bring about the changes they wanna see in the universe, but, like...with people like Radia who tried it, and with how it immediately all fell apart as soon as they were gone...It's kinda a pointless dream, y'know?"Words: 470 Total: 1790 Tags: Legume
|
|
|
|
Post by Legume on Mar 15, 2019 8:23:46 GMT -5
From what Etohn had given away about himself, what he had gone through and what sort of outlook on the universe this experience had formed in his mind, it came as no surprise to Legume that the Saiyan was sceptical on his resolve. After all, when you have lived in chaos and disorder your whole life, rule of law, peace and order all feel like an unachievable utopia, don't then? Legume did not see his goals as unreasonable at all, he had reason to view it as such, but he could also see where Etohn was coming from.
"Sure, it's not going to be easy, I've never stated it was, especially in such a difficult period in Galactic history..." Legume muttered in response to Etohn's scepticism. It was certainly going to be a difficult and long struggle, especially since he was only one man and he would have to fight against a whole Galaxy all by himself, even if he had already found individuals with goals similar to his own in the short time he has spent here. "But, well, don't all the examples you gave show that there really is hope somewhere out there? There are people out there, many of them incredibly powerful, who share the same vision of making life better for others, even if their vision may be distorted by their personal preferences or upbringing. It's a shared goal, not something only a few crazy people thought up in their spare time."
Legume finished off his second glass. Thankfully, he had enough alcohol tolerance from all the parties held in the Galactic Federation armed forces that he was thinking more or less clearly even after all of the alcohol intake.
"People... are inherently good, you know? We've all got an instinct of compassion and empathy, we're all social creatures and see helping each other as joy, not a chore. Otherwise, there wouldn't be such thing as society and civilization, right? We wouldn't be talking to each other in peace, we'd either be looking behind our backs to see if anyone is trying to stab us, or trying to stab each other. Those who do everything in their power to make others suffer or only seek their own, personal gain, they're not the norm, they're outside of that norm. Their influence may be greater than their actual numbers right now, but as long as we do things in the right track, the situation's bound to get better."
(420 words, total 2038)
|
|
|
|
Post by Etohn on Mar 15, 2019 11:54:36 GMT -5
This Legume guy definitely felt strongly about his beliefs, that was for sure. If even another Super Saiyan like Radia couldn't do it, Etohn didn't have a lot of confidence in the man, but their thoughts were comforting, at least. It's been a while since he's dealt with somebody that's just...a good person. No ulterior motives, no ruler to answer to, just a guy that wants stuff to be better. To think that Etohn was like that once. "Well, you've got determination, I'll give you that Legume. There's not many people I've met that only want to do good, y'know? Usually, they got something that they've wanted to do since they were kids, so they try to to fulfill those dreams, and while they're not all bad, it usually is just something they wanted to achieve for themselves," he chortles, finishing his second drink right after. This guy seems pretty alright. They sure are talking big, but maybe they have room for the help of others on their little mission. "Since I don't really have a job or anything like that, what say you to me hopping along with you? Got nothing better to do, after all, and I kinda have a good idea about what's all out there to deal with. Kami knows how much shit I've had to stop before, and since I've got nothing else, may as well get back into the hero for hero's sake business." For the first time in a long time, Etohn's big, goofy grin reappears on his face, beaming outwards, showing off a bit of his lost enthusiasm and gusto from his youth. Words: 272 Total: 2062 Tags: Legume
|
|
|
|
Post by Legume on Mar 16, 2019 3:44:57 GMT -5
Interesting. Even in this lightly drunk state, Legume apparently made enough sense for Etohn to reconsider his position. Well, less reconsider, more consider it in another light - and, again, what Etohn said followed a more or less logical train of thought. He's lost everything he could anchor himself onto in this universe, didn't he? So, that basically means he's left in a blank slate, and if there are no other options for him to take, why not try to at least make this Galaxy a better place, and together?
Legume offered a faint smile - though the fellow Saiyan still sounded highly cynical at the whole ordeal, he also appeared genuine, and how could he say no to additional valuable allies? He did not know just how strong Etohn was, but if his story holds true, then a high ranking Saiyan commander, and a Super Saiyan, should definitely hold up in the fights and battles which will follow.
"How could I decline? Of course, if you've got the will to tag along and help me out, then consider yourself welcome!" Legume exclaimed, upsetting a few nearby drunkards immersed in their drinks, and pulled his arm around Etohn's shoulder. "There's a few more of us heroes out there in the Galaxy, I keep contact with them as much as I can - we'll get you acquainted."
After releasing Etohn's shoulder and pushing his glass away, the Saiyan continued. "If you don't mind, then after both of us wear off all the alcohol, we can have a quick spar to see where both of us stand in comparison, is that a'ight? There's plenty of arenas on this planet we can rent out exactly for that occasion."
(292 words, total 2330)
|
|
|
|
Post by Etohn on Mar 16, 2019 14:11:40 GMT -5
It seems like Legume was happy for the offer, immediately roping Etohn in with his arm and speaking about other 'heroes' he knew. It seems like Etohn wasn't the first to get roped in by Legume's drive. The guy was pretty charismatic, so it isn't that surprising, but the Half-Saiyan was curious about those working with him. Perhaps he's met some of them? A hopeful thought, but it would be nice if it was true. Then Legume, being the Saiyan he is, proposed a little bout between the two. Given how Etohn has had little time to do much of anything but practice new techniques for months now, so he was itching for a chance to stretch his muscles again. "Heheh, sure. Don't think I've ever fought a Super Saiyan since I got the form for myself, so I'm a bit excited for that," he explained. Etohn always wished to fight Taro as equals in the legendary state, but at least he can test himself against Legume in that way. "I'll go rest up then," he says, rising up from his seat. "When you find a place for us to duke it out, just gimme a call." Reaching into his pocket, Etohn tosses out a tacky-looking card with his contact info, information on where to buy his merchandise, and where he was stationed on New Sadla, revealing how outdated it is. "Make sure you bring your A-game, alright? I either wanna see how much I need to improve, or how you can improve. Ciao." With a curt nod, he makes his way out of the bar. Merging back into the crowd, he continues along, though unlike before, his chin was held a bit higher, his eyes were a bit brighter, and he actually had a purpose to him. Words: 298 Total: 2360 Tags: Legume
|
|
|
|
Post by Legume on Mar 17, 2019 7:16:33 GMT -5
No surprise, Etohn was positive to the spar idea. He was a Saiyan, after all, even if one who has lost some of his spirit. Saiyans are all about competition and fighting - same in the past, same in the future. Maybe not as much so, since most "Saiyans" in Legume's time would be dismissed as halflings in Etohn's - even Legume himself was only about forty percent Saiyan - but still very visible and prevalent.
Legume nodded to Etohn's approval and replied:
"Same here, I don't think I've even witnessed a real Super Saiyan ever since making that leap. Which I guess is more peculiar to me than it is to you, but whatever."
Right after, Etohn handed him what seemed to be his business card - clearly a fairly outdated one, since it even labelled where he was stationed on New Sadla when he was clearly here, drinking his sorrows away after losing everything which tied him to the Saiyan Dominion. Presumably, though, the number had not changed during that time, at least.
"Of course, and make sure you bring yours, I-"
Legume suddenly took one more glance towards the business card.
"-Hot damn, you have your own merchandise? I could totally go for an Etohn plushie."
(215 words, total 2545)
|
|
|