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Lost in thought the Saiyan stood in the middle of a makeshift camp gazing upon his open hand wondering aloud how do the other fighters he had the opportunity to see fighting were able to just explode things with a beam of light and power.
His camp, if you could call the collection of old fabrics used to make his tent and the poor quality sticks and irons used to lift the clothes into a tent a camp, were set out in a particular place amidst the wastelands of the barren planet Vegeta. Although the wastelands were an unpredictable place to stay due to either the harsh weather or the few predators that roamed the region, Houri’s camp was set out atop of a small plateau close to a cavern. It was somehow, tactical survival. At his back, the cave he conquered after killing and eating its old wild inhabitant was a good place to hide his tent and his other small and rather junky belongings, a few scouter parts, some pieces of clothing to change from day to day, some rations and his piece de resistance. An old Saiyan spacecraft, almost completely usable except for a few parts he was still trying to tinker with to learn what he could.
From the top of the plateau, he could see a fair portion of the Wasteland ahead, which gave him higher ground and almost 360 degrees of safety. His back was safe by remnants from that mountain. He was, somehow, safe. He did felt that way, after all, that was the first time in almost two years since he felt relaxed enough to collect his thoughts, about himself, about how much he had learned along the years and finally what to do next with his life.
He was sitting on a rock muttering to himself while reminiscing the old lessons of his mother.
- So, when I fly I must focus my energy around my body, make it stable and constant enough for me to keep floating and just release a constant amount of energy in the direction I want to be propelled for. I get this, it was hard at the beginning when mom tried to teach me, but how do they do it, how do other Saiyans do to shot blasts of power light? –
It was funny to say the last, for as the kid talked to himself while looking at his hand, his body slowly but steadily floated above the rock he used as a bench for he unconsciously was putting to practice his theory while mindlessly moving back and forward with his whole body while following his own line of thought.
- If I focus my energy in a bigger quantity in my hand, but instead of releasing it right away like I do when I fly, I keep focusing, will I be able to produce that beam? At least some light perhaps, this could be extremely useful, I could light up places and avoid animals or ambushes in the dark! Darn it with something like this I could even fight a bit better against raiders.
- Should I try it? I have nothing to lose I guess, I have food for a couple of days and I know that there are no raiders nearby, so, I my energy spike up, people might be far away and not detect me. –
With that in mind, Houri did what he thought was right, and while still floating adjusted his body in a way that his chest faced the sky and raised one of his hands, he was left handed so with his main hand up and with his palm open, he focused. At first, he could feel his energy slowly but steadily building up, warming the palm of his hand. However, his concentration was lost over thoughts of his mother teaching him how to fly for no more than a second, but time enough for the energy to lose some of its intensity and spread to the air.
The process of focusing his power was much slower than he anticipated and doing that while afloat only challenged him a bit more. Nonetheless a wild grin accompanied by a glow in his childish eyes revealed that despite the failure, he knew that what he thought and assumed was in a way at least, correct. He just needed more power and stability, which after looking at his right hand gave him an idea, one that made him fly a couple meters away from his camp.
- This might work or I might blow myself up a bit, and I do hope the first option comes into play, or else, well, I do not want to think about it. –
He stretched out his hand, and with the same movement as before, started to focus his power. However this time his right hand held his left wrist in a way that, all the power he was focusing in the left hand was now bolstered by his right hand acting as a booster and stabilizer as he felt not just warmth but heat and wind build up around him.
With a wild grin in his face, he did preferred not open his eyes just yet, he wanted more. After all, he felt good by feeling his power swell and flood over his body. His excitement was such, that without even realizing it, the once small luminescent glow on his hand had become an unstable mass of light and almost uncontrollable over the sheer amount of power focused in it.
Houri opened his eyes only to be frightened over a single notion, he did not knew how to let the energy disperse and if he did not act soon only one thing would come from that mass of power in his hands, an explosion, or worse, unwanted attention.
- Argh!!! Oh what do I do now! Oh mother! This is going to blow in my face! –
Averting his eyes by closing them gave him a false sense of security, such as putting his face to the side, however the buildup just did not stopped, and at this point he could no longer stop, however an idea came to his mind as quickly as possible.
Turn his open hand in a fist!
Houri tried to close his hand while keeping the power stable but found incredible resistance from his own energy. Even while sweating and feeling his hair be blown by the wind and his clothes get even more tattered, he pressed tried even harder to the point of the before almost spread out energy in his hand compress in a ball of intense blue light.
The ball itself was reaching its blowing point, however Houri remembered his first lesson about flying and opened his hand as quickly as he could trying to propel himself backwards with all the exceeding energy he had collected.
Little did he knew that this little stunt might have actually saved his life, after all, after dispersing the power in a single moment the ball of light turned into a stream and propelling him down. The stream was thick and so dense that almost creating a beacon of blue light shooting up to the sky while smashing his body against the ground a few meters below making him regret the fact that if he had just let go a bit sooner he might not had been so hurt as he was now.
However, a grin was visible in his face, for he had at least discovered a little more about the usage of his power, and if he ever found himself in a pinch, he could at least try to blow up someone with that kind of trick.
- Ahaha! I almost died! I guess, and my back, o geez, I hope I haven’t broken anything, but man, that was awesome, I want to do it again! But I cant say it was discreet, I might need to pack my things up… And I just found out such a good place to camp… Crap, its my own fault, I should have flew farther away, but who knew I could do it, or at least, almost do it. -
In recent days Vulpeca had taken to wandering the wastes when he wasn't on guard duty. He was either training outside of the irradiated area of the Tuffle ruins, or he was doing some research on the saiyans that he found. He wanted a better idea of their mannerisms, their fighting styles, their great ape transformations and even see if any of them had come close to achieving the Super Saiyan transformation.
His master was quite displeased at the fact that any saiyans that had achieved the transformation were on Earth,putting a halt to her experiments on Koniko, his younger sister.
"Well, at least the kid gets to live a little. Maybe I should take her out here some time soon... she hates being cooped up." The demon would mutter to himself as he flew across the wastes, only to be interrupted by a sudden large blue blast of energy that very nearly clipped his left arm. He had to quickly spin himself out of harms way and finally turned to find the source of the attack. How dare these filthy beasts attack him out of no where like that! He grit his teeth as he snarled, his eyes searching for the source. His snarl faded away though as he found a child near the source of the blast. He looked frail and tattered and didn't seem to fit the strength of the attack at all.
He raised an eyebrow before the fox demon descended towards the landing where Houri was standing.
"Hey kid, the heck was that? Were you seriously the one who put out that much power?" He asked curiously, crossing his arms as he looked down on the diminutive saiyan.
Proud? That was the word that could be used to describe how he was feeling at that moment? Maybe. However, there was more to it that, it wasn’t about just being proud, after all, despite the success in proving himself capable of using his own energy and even accomplishing it without anyone to teach him, gave Houri a bittersweet feeling, after all, the one person he would like the most to show his progress was no longer among the living, was no longer there, was no longer with him.
How much he missed her, how much he missed the smirk she gave him when he did something good or surprising, how he longed for the rare moments when she just caressed and messed up his Hair. How would she look if she saw that much power being beamed to the sky, she would be definitely proud, but she would also scold him, after all, look at how much it had cost him, tired, vulnerable and now exposed.
It took a while for Houri to stop panting and a while longer for him to be able to move without trembling, however it was during that time of vulnerability that someone who almost got erased by his power took notice of his location, and not even that, the person came down from the heavens and floated nearby. At first, Houri was terrified, he worked hard in keeping his existence a secret at the wastelands, and now, he was just as exposed as rat out of its hole.
As the Red haired person flew down Houri tried to think what to do if one of the hundreds of possible scenarios came to pass. He could be a raider, a slaver? He was so worn out that one single thing lingered in his mind, buy time, and try to recover, and if everything went well, try to survive another day, or die fighting like a warrior. At first he clenched his fists and waited for the worst, but one single question changed all of his demeanor, after all, no hostility lingered in the red haired man, no, he was more curious than anything else as it turned out.
Houri, due to the surprise of the conversation almost choked on his words, it has been a long time since he spoke with someone other than himself and if not for his own monologues he would be mute by now due to lack of conversa tions.
Trying not to look like a complete excuse for sentient being the Saiyan tried not to stare blankly to the man while he came down and ended up being brutally sincere as he opened and closed his hand.
- Actually I think I might have overdid myself a little, I almost got myself killed, but next time will be better, I already know what to expect I guess, I am still getting the hang of it, it was my first time. I haven’t hit you with that have I? I meant no harm, I thought I was alone. –
He could be a warrior, a Saiyan, a ruthless survivor and even a gifted young one, however he was still a child, and no matter how frail or powerful he could be or look he still had part of his own innocence and sincerity in his soul, and because of that his words sounded truthful to the core of his sentence.
With a few taps on his clothes Houri tried in vain to clean a bit of the dirt on his clothes while looking at the new hole on his pants. At first only his finger passed over it, but soon that hole would evolve to a bigger tear and he himself muttered while averting his eyes from the red haired man for a second.
- Darn, I will have to find another piece to sew this, or a new pair of pants, whichever comes first I guess. –
- Sorry, my mind wandered off, and, you are the first red haired Saiyan I have seen I a whole lot of time, actually I think you are the first I have ever seen. –
- My name is Houri! –
Houri was still not at ease as he would like to be, however, he took his time asking and talking with the man so he could recover more of his energy in case of something not going as peacefully as he wished. One thing it was certain, although young, Houri never had seen a red haired Saiyan before, so, either this man was the first, or he was not a Saiyan and was just a half breed. For him, it really did not mattered as long as he did not try to harm him, but it was curious nonetheless.
Unfortunately for Bataka, being a soldier didn't mean that the job was a sea of warzones, endless competition, and the honor and glory of combat. Sometimes, being a soldier meant guard duty, transport duty, even technical maintenance. But today the Saiyan found himself on patrol, one of the few jobs that he didn't mind so much. He always got to roam about which beat the muscle-stiffening job of standing at any predetermined doorway for an infuriating amount of time. He never showed this frustration to his fellow soldiers of course, he didn't want to be beaten, or worse; for the most part though these smaller jobs were uneventful. He might be out patrolling for hours, circling the planet and brushing over every marked location on his rounds.
Although it was customary, Bataka stopped leaving the base with a scouter. He'd begun to hone his sixth sense, to be able to really feel energy signatures rather than read what a machine spat at him. Maybe it wasn't as accurate as the numbers calculated but it was satisfying, freeing in a way, and very rewarding. Even though that was the case he never encountered any trouble on these trips - and of course, it was all destined to change. Just as he was beginning to leave a certain sector of the endless wastes, a sudden power surge caught his attention. Halting in mid-flight, he managed to turn just in time to glimpse the energy rocket into the sky. Who else was out here? He wasn't told that there were any other soldiers stationed in this sector. Narrowing his eyes Bataka took off once again, heading for the power's source.
Seems like he wasn't the only curious party. He examined the two people from the sky, giving each of them a once-over. They were not power levels to undermine at all and so he decided to keep his mind up, slowly descending and touching down a few meters away from the two. "What's going on here? Is there a problem?" He glanced between the two of them and was still unsure about the situation. One of them appeared to be a child, no less. Out here? A child? This was incredibly suspicious already...
WC: 369
Last Edit: Feb 17, 2016 22:33:14 GMT -5 by Deleted
Vulpeca raised his right hand to point to his left shoulder. his clothing had been burned away, and there were light scuff marks on his skin but otherwise there was no serious damage.
"You did, but it's alright, calm down kid. You just got me by surprise. That's one hell of a punch for such a small kid. Have you been out here training? You kind of look a little worse for wear." Vulpeca stated softly as he looked down at the kid. Huh, he didn't think he'd have such a soft spot for kids... but strangely enough he couldn't think of a single evil thought towards the squirt. Weird.
"Sorry to disappoint kid but i'm not a saiyan, no tail. and, you can call me Vulpeca." He saidas he turned around enough and moved his cloak to show the fact that he was in fact missing a tail. That was when he sensed another powerlevel approaching and he instinctively took another step towards the kid. Was he trying to protect him..?
'What the hell is going on...' Vulpeca thought to himself, confused at his own actions. His thoughts provided just enough distraction for the saiyan to land nearby them, asking if there was any trouble. He sighed and relaxed at the non aggressive approach.
"Nah, was just showing Houri some basic Ki attacks. Kids a natural." The demon lied to the saiyan, glancing back to Houri and walking over to him, placing a hand on the kids head gently to show this newcomer that there was no ill intent between them.
Normally Houri would be more distressed, even on guard against a stranger like him, however after seeing the damage he had done over Vulpeca’s clothes and how nice he was being treated, guilt took over him in a manner that only someone as poor as Houri would understand. It was so hard to find clean and undamaged clothes, at least for him, that he could only feel guilt over doing damage to the shoulder of his garb. For a moment and still feeling a bit embarrassed over his mistake, Houri said.
- I actually live around the wastelands, I have been living around this area for about six years about now, no, maybe more, seven.
- I was trying to understand how the other Saiyans and warriors do to shoot energy beams…
- You see, I only had the opportunity to watch from a distance other people doing it, so I used the concept of energy used to flight to direct and focus my energy in my hands, but it almost backfired and took a long while to charge, I got to improve this. –
Despite explaining more to himself as if reviewing some notes of a science project than to Vulpeca, it was clear that at the age of 11 years he had a battle sense and intellect know only to a few warriors. Houri did not suspect of that, after all living isolated and never having any guidance only made him do and develop as he did due to sheer necessity being in short a diamond in the rough.
It was when Vulpeca showed Houri he had no Tail and said sorry to disappoint that the kid once again showed a bit of his childish naivety by saying something that only a child as innocent as he could.
- I am not disappointed that you are not a Saiyan, you are treating me well and being nice, Saiyan or not, you seem like a nice guy, and I am a kid! Kids do not lie, unless it’s their mom asking if he did any of the daily chores, but, well, there are emergency exceptions… Sometimes! Ha! –
- Anyway, nice to meet you Mr Vulpeca, do you live on the wastelands too? –
Houri got so distracted with the talk that he only realized that there was someone approaching when he innocently looked up to the sky. It took a little while longer for the newcomer to show up but he had a different bearing than Vulpeca, while the read haired only showed curiosity, this one seemed filled with an unspoken authority, the way he asked and the way he stopped in the air showed it all. His eyes and build, he was a Saiyan, no question about it, and with a swift movement of his tail wiggling up in the air, Houri shifted to his old defensive behavior as if a cornered fox.
However, the kid was surprised, for when he was about to answer something to the Saiyan Vulpeca took the reins explaining the two were practicing. He was surprised, but he opted not to lie, and spoke the truth but letting the fact that he just meet Vulpeca out of the loop, after all, if the Saiyan were to be a raider or a wild fighter looking for trouble, better to find safety in numbers.
- I was trying to learn how to shoot energy beams, but I overdid it a little, I thought here no one would see but I failed at being discreet I guess… Haha! And you mister Saiyan where you training around here? -
Houri was definitely curious, like any child, however his questions, despite being childish pried on the nature of who his new acquaintance was and what he was doing, how many people did saw his lightshow? And if more people where to gather, he must be smart, it was better to have two on his side than to have them against him plus anyone else that might come.
Ki attack demonstration? Whoever the red-headed stranger was, he immediately claimed responsibility for the child and for the disrupt. That being the case Bataka was still wary of the situation, it all seemed very out of place. What were the two doing all of the way out here? It was dangerous in the wilds of the planet, filled with monsters who were definitely tasty but often a challenge to fight. Beasts don't fight, they kill. It would have been immediately obvious to the two of them as to just what Bataka was, if they were confused. His bodysuit and accompanying unique armor were no doubt a trademark of the Saiyan Army, if his proudly-worn insignia wasn't enough of an indication. He stood with an heir of dignity and confidence, hands on his hips, looking over the two as a police officer may inspect a suspicious convict. Training, indeed.
"Well," He began, shaking his head. "That seems alright, I guess. But watch out, you don't want to hurt anybody. And wouldn't it be best for you to be in the academy? They would teach you how to properly harness your strength." Of course there was nothing wrong with simply loitering in the wasteland, even if it was suspicious as could be. But Bataka was no fool. Whoever the other adult was, he wasn't a Saiyan, that much was obvious. He didn't take kindly to off-worlders, and not many of them ever visited. Vegeta was not a planet that benefits from tourists in any positive way. Crossing his arms, he believed it was time for introductions. "I am Bataka, of the Saiyan Order. And, I haven't begun my training for the day yet, I spotted your technique on a routine check." There was still quite a bit of disbelief in his eyes. A child of that size, generating an attack of that caliber? Unheard of, without a doubt. And yet the sudden and wild release of energy did allude to inexperience and so Bataka didn't take the idea off of the table.
"You sure that you know that man, Houri?" A skeptic at heart, Bataka questioned the boy with a raised brow. He wasn't certain that there was any ill intent here at all, but it never hurts to really check. What if the boy actually wasn't really acquainted with the stranger? Bad things could be afoot, he just had to check.
WC: 400 TWC: 769
Last Edit: Feb 18, 2016 16:15:15 GMT -5 by Deleted
Vulpeca didn't have time to answer Houri's question about whether he lived in the wastelands or not as Bakata had arrived. It was a good thing too, the last thing he wanted to reveal was that he lived within the irradiated Tuffle ruins. Knowing saiyans, they would probably jump to the conclusion that he was a Tuffle himself, which was quite impossible as they were a completely dead race.
When Bakata started to question as to why Houri wasn't in the Academy, and suddenly ask him if he truly knew him Vulpeca raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms as he glared at the older saiyan.
"If you're accusing me of something, come out and say it." His demeanor with Bakata was completely different than when he was speaking with Houri, much more hostile and testing. He continued to glare at the saiyan all while remaining between him and Houri. There was just something about the kid he felt needed protecting... Maybe it was just the way his loyalty was programmed when he was created... or a memory pased on from some of the host DNA... he wasn't sure, but either way he couldn't help but feel protective.
For a while, Houri changed, from a talkative kid, to a more acute listener, almost an observer of the scene that unraveled itself right in front of him. Vulpeca, someone who barely knew him was right now actively trying to protect him from what it seemed to be a menace, all the while, the Saiyan, Bataka, was serious and determined to question both of them, for reasons that right now eluded the child’s comprehension.
The questions that came from Bataka really spiked Houri’s curiosity, after all, he had never really had education he was barely literate, all the information he could gather was always the kind that you hear while hiding in the shadows of the streets, by the windows of the families, something that he had not, something that he missed, something that was taken from him.
Houri definitely had his curiosity spiked up, he who had never had a single moment of acknowledgment now had two persons interested in knowing at least who he was and a bit of himself. While looking at Bataka, he wanted to ask a lot of things about the academy, about the Order and a myriad of other things. On the other hand, Vulpeca was there, standing up for him, it was the first time someone ever did that, do more than try to take advantage of him, do more than just beat the crap out of him and steal his prized junk.
He felt grateful for it, but he did not want to be a burden and the only way to really help the one trying stand up for him was with the truth, and with that, Houri started.
- Mr.Bataka, Mr.Vulpeca, could you two please stop and come with me please? I think it will be easier for me to show you two than to talk it first ok? Can you two try and relax, and come with me? I think it will answer a bit of your questions, both of you. –
It was strange, somewhat at least, that Houri, trying to avoid the tension in the air ended up touching gently Vulpeca’s hand, trying to make the red haired man turn back to his easygoing self. He did not want anyone fighting over him or because of him, all he wanted to do was train and learn, and do that without having to be a trouble to anyone.
After calling up the both of them, Houri took up flight and made a gesture with his hand for them to follow, and after a few minutes, no more than five he landed on his plateau and emitted signaled the duo to show where to land. His makeshift camp, his cave, his treasured collected junk. It was clear as day that this kid having made this far, was a chance in a billion. With the both of them on his ground, he started with a slow and truthful tone, first to both of them, then directed his voice to Bataka and finally to Vulpeca.
- This is where I live, this is my house, and those are my stuff, I have been living off the wastelands for about seven years now, I am an Orphan, my foster mother is dead, and I won’t dwell on that, but I have been discarded as a baby because when I was born I had a low power level.
- So, this is why I was training here, in the middle of nowhere, because I live here. I have been drifting from a place to other learning to survive by myself, and this is why I never heard about the Academy, or the Order that is why I am not there, because for most of the Saiyans, I am just a ghost, invisible, and unnoticed, at least until so far.
- Anyway, most of my life I had to fought and fend for myself and fight other people, raiders, slavers, the worst kind of people, all to survive. So, to answer your question with all the truth in my heart, I do not really know Mr Vulpeca, I actually grazed him with my blast and that is when we meet and talked. He is nice and was not being hostile to me, and that is when you came.
- Mr Vulpeca actually must have thought that you might try to do harm to me, after all, there are others living under the rocks of the wastelands, some by option, some because are trying to avoid or prey on other people. I had seen my share. And I am really grateful that he stood up for me, because if you were not with the order, I might have had a rougher time trying to fight as tired as I was. –
Houri looked tired, as if speaking about part of his past and how he lived took a tool on his body, or his mind, it was clear to the both of them as he just slumped down on his rock bench and gazed upon the small pile of rocks he used to start a fire. In his voice not a single hint of anything besides the truth could be heard, and along with that, an ounce of pride, after all, everything that they saw at that camp, had been scavenged by him, collected and plundered from the bodies of those that tried to harm him and failed.
Even as small as he was, frail, hungry and dirty, he was a warrior, born to survive and forged in the field.
It was already very obvious that Bataka and the stranger weren't mixing, and Houri picked up on it. Just as the Saiyan opened his mouth to begin his next line of questioning, trying to pin down exactly who the stranger was, Houri began to defuse the situation. Crafty little one, hm? Narrowing his eyes at Vulpeca and biting his tongue, Bataka quickly took to the skies after the child. The entire situation was already about as outlandish as it could get, and when they actually arrived at the scene of Houri's home, it only became stranger. He'd heard of weak children being born and then killed for their disappointment, but simply abandoned? That seemed far too cruel for him but he could easily see his superiors doing just that. That isn't why he followed Houri, though. All of his talk of survival and coming face to face with danger was building up to a point that really struck Bataka. Why exactly was the child abandoned?
He was weak? Clearly not. The camp wasn't perfect but for him to have survived for seven years and still coming into contact with alien raiders and thugs proved that he was growing into a capable fighter. The truth about Vulpeca didn't surprise him, but he wasn't concerned with the man any longer. There was only one thing on his mind and he made it very clear. "You don't strike me as someone who is incapable," raising a hand to his chin, Bataka became lost in thought. But he was sure this was the right move. "And you definitely have potential. I saw that attack, it was unrefined, but it wasn't anything to take lightly."
The obvious path seemed to come to mind. "But there are things you can't learn out here, without proper training. You should come back with me, to the academy. We can make you a grand warrior." Bataka recognized potential when he saw it, and he would hate to see it go to waste, used to fend off the occasional stranger and hunt down game for survival. And, all things considered, life without worrying about being attacked in your sleep was always preferable to living under an actual rock.
"Tsh" The corner of Vulpeca's mouth turned into a scowl, only calming once Houri's hand touched his. He looked down at the boy curiously, but then nodded his silent understanding. When he asked them to stop being aggressive towards one another, the man raised an eyebrow before looking back at Bataka to see how he would react to the request.
He didn't say anything, which was a good enough sign from a saiyan. He then took to the air and slowly followed after the boy as he led them to his home. His heart sank as they walked towards the cave that he called home... He never had to deal with anything like this himself seeing as he never really had a childhood... He was only a few months old technically, and he always had Nakiya to look after him if he was ever uncertain or in trouble.
"Houri..." He said softly as a sigh escaped his lips. It wasn't fair for a kid, even a saiyan to grow up like this, especially not on their home planet. That was when Bataka offered Houri to train in the academy and Vulpeca raised an eyebrow.
"First thing he needs is a proper place to sleep, and food he doesn't have to catch himself. You can think of beating him up publicly later." Vulpeca challenged the older saiyan as he walked over to Houri and crouched down in front of him.
"That's a very long time to be out here all alone kid. Why don't you come with me back to town and we can get you some food, and maybe some clothes without so many holes. What do you say? Then if the old man really wants we can take a tour of this academy of his. I don't want to force your hand though, you have to be willing to come with me." He said, now eye levelled with the young saiyan. His red eyes locked into the child own black ones.
The two men had given to him words to ponder, kindness, acknowledgment and somehow, hope, something that Houri had not come across in a long while, at least not like that. He indeed had hope, of surviving another day, of getting stronger and eating a bigger predator with more meat on its bones, but to hope with a better life? Now? So sudden? Not even in his wildest dreams would he think a Saiyan and a foreigner would offer him chances of a lifetime.
With Vulpeca’s eyes locked in his, the demon could see his own reflection thru the blackness of Houri’s eyes in a manner that showed the demon exactly how the kid saw him.
So many good things promised to him, so many opportunities. Was this a joke? A cruel one made by destiny? For the first time he was afraid, not that they would hurt his body or kill him, he was afraid of letting go, of getting his heart hurt again, afraid of making bonds and have those taken from him again. What if was to be abandoned or alone again? So many if’s so many possibilities, his mind was a maelstrom right now, but above all else, what would be the price he would have to pay for all this?
Nothing is free, everything has a price even if you do not see it or feel it.
During all of his short life, Houri always seemed to see the worst of what people could offer. He had saw sadists taking joy in torturing his foes, had seen people marvel at the despair and cries of the helpless and even see people killing for pleasure not necessity, as when he hunted.
This was the first time he had saw good and kindness were being offered to him in a long while after the departure of his mother. That is what prompted the teary eyed kid to ask while trying to keep his voice and composure up, after all, he was ready to fight against anyone to survive, but he did not knew how to guard against such things, acts of goodness even amidst that hell.
- Mr.Vulpeca, you would be willing to give me food, clothes, shelter and even a place to sleep a real bed, no rocks or benches from space pods. And you Mr.Bataka, you are going to put your name on the line for me just because you saw my blast? –
- Why are the two of you being so good to me? –
- Did I got myself killed and these places you are talking about are the afterlife? -
Even when not trying to, he was still as funny as a child could be. However, it wasn’t unexpected that someone that knew such a harsh life would think himself dead after receiving such offers. He was happy, but also afraid to his core, such a change, so soon, what could that mean?
- Can I choose both? I would love some hot food and a bath, but I want to know the academy too… But… I do not want to be a burden to anyone, you know, you guys don’t need to put yourselves in trouble because of me. -
Bataka knew that Houri wasn't some destitute child with the short end of the straw. A boy of his age out in the Saiyan wilds should have died years ago - the sheer fact of the matter that he survived proves that he is more than a poor orphan. He's a Saiyan, through and through. Bataka had heard of times long ago when the Saiyan army wouldn't even send a fully-fledged soldier to a planet, but an infant. That infant was enough to enslave, destroy, and conquer an entire species. Scowling, Bataka glared at Vulpeca. "The Saiyan Army is not a fun weekend trip, it is a lifestyle. A Saiyan boy deserves to be given a Saiyan life. Anything else, and you're wasting him. Either he goes to the academy, or he doesn't. He might not even be young enough to get in."
Not having any of the sob-story, Bataka also didn't approve of how trusting and 'kind' the boy was. It might just be the kid's downfall, and if the alien were to persuade him into following that path, he'd be lost in the eyes of his Saiyan brothers. "I'm not going to sit here and convince you to do anything. Either come with me, or don't. There's no compromise." In fact, Bataka was rather surprised at Vulpeca's implication that he wouldn't be given a home, clothing, or food with the other Saiyans. They're a species of pride and honor, not barbarians who beat children for fun. No village on the planet would be a better environment, Bataka felt, than his own Saiyan brethren.
The option was still there, but they were positively lucky that Bataka was so agreeable. Many other Saiyans, he was sure, wouldn't give Houri the freedom to simply choose not to be in the academy...
Last Edit: Feb 19, 2016 13:25:28 GMT -5 by Deleted
"Hah, no you're not dead kid… Guess you haven’t run into many people with sense out here hunh?” He said with a smirk, placing his hand on the kids head and ruffling up his bangs lightly. It was strange to see a saiyan child so innoncent, especially after having been alone in the wastes for so long.
As Bataka spoke, Vulpeca raised an eyebrow as he looked over to the older saiyan with a scowl.
“An army. No, it’s not a fun weekend trip, but this kid could probably use one. You saiyans are far too harsh on your young. I’ve seen stronger warriors of your kind raised by much kinder families.” Of course, those families he had only read about in his masters files… but there was no questioning the strength of the saiyan’s in question. Natto and Tomoroko were both birthed by saiyans lower to mid class, and both were once considered the strongest duo in the universe. Then, they had children of their own, and of their children… well, let’s just say they were following their parent’s footsteps.
Vulpeca finally turned his back to Bataka, stepping between himself and Houri as he looked down at the child.
“It;s obvious you still want to become stronger, since you asked to join the academy even after I take care of ya. What do you say to having a private teacher instead? For starters, I could kick this guys ass in… hmm… 10 seconds, and my master is much stronger than I am. So, what do you say we let mr. tight pants get back to his duties, and we can get started by taking you back to my masters and getting you cleaned up?” Vulpeca offered, making several jabs at the saiyan behind him. He probably couldn’t exactly beat him in 10 seconds, but it would no doubt be a nice hit to the saiyan’s pride.
Houri was a survivor, a smart kid, one that had survived all these years by trusting his instincts and following that tiny little feeling down his gut. However, this was the very first time that he felt confused, as if he was in the middle of a crossroads.
If he were to choose the Saiyan soldier, what would expected of him? Servitude? Loyalty? Discipline? What about his freedom or, what would he be expected to do? Above all else, there was still the possibility of him not being accepted at the academy.
However, in the other hand, Vulpeca had really shown interest in him and even offered a private tutor, a home, food and clothes. Out of what? Pity? Selflessness? Parental instinct? Was there an unspoken price after all of the things he would receive? For the first time in his life, Houri fel the weight of his world on his shoulders, the responsibility over his decision was his and his alone, he would be the only one to regret it if something went wrong, and he would be the only one to reap the rewards of what might came to pass.
The kid let out a long and heavy sigh as if he had long pondered over the matter, which he did, somewhat, in that small time he had with the two arguing over what would be the best for him and what would come out of every decision.
Bataka was an honored soldier, disciplined right to the core, serious, fierce and absolute at the carrying of his duties. That could be said just by looking at him and the way he behave and carried himself, Vulpeca on the other hand, was relaxed, easygoing and even carefree enough to think in a more free manner than the soldier, and as it turned out, it seemed that there was a no refusal chance by the part of the red head. That was some relief even if a little, it was a chance to have a better life, and if it did not worked out, he could at least learn something, even if by the hard way.
It was when he was about to make a decision however that Vulpeca said it first. To harm Bataka? Over what? He posed no threat and meant no harm for them. He might be a bit harsh and tough like most of the Saiyans, but he was good, at least it was what his gut told him, standing up, straight and with a more firm tone in his childish voice, Houri spoke. His voice was serious and calm, and while touching gently the hand of Vulpeca to allow him to speak for a couple of minutes, Houri was trying to avoid a conflict.
- Please, both of you, you two are being great to me! Please do not fight!
- Mr Bataka, I really appreciate the offer at the academy, and I would like to at least, see the academy first, to know what it is like. However, I do not know if I have the nature needed to join the academy or to live the military life like you. Thank you for having shown justice and fairness. I will not forget this.
- Mr. Vulpeca, I would really appreciate if you did not fought Mr. Bataka, your lives and energy, shouldn’t be used If not fighting for survival, or at least, protecting something or someone, that is what I believe at least, also I really respect both of you for reaching out for me and offering yourselves to help me.
- Mr Vulpeca, I choose to go with you!
Houri had made his decision, and for now, his gut told him it would be best if he were to come with Vulpeca, however, before anything else, he while in the middle of the both men, offered his hands to them, as a sign of respect, and consideration and saying.
- Mr Bataka, if I ever want to visit you, how can I find you?
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