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Souls
Oct 7, 2018 19:32:49 GMT -6
Post by Vocado on Oct 7, 2018 19:32:49 GMT -6
Thread Power Level: 60,000
Tensions were still high in Vocado’s mind. After the heart-breaking confrontation with his trusted advisor, Nashua, he wasn’t sure what to do. The Dragon Balls were about as easy to attain now as a paper tiger in a storm. It rocked his mental state like an earthquake; just thinking about what might happen to the people he swore to return home if Boreal got his wish was harrowing. Try as the beast might to sound noble, Vocado knew a politician when he saw one. There was a scheme in that Lizard’s head, and next time they met he’d reveal it... That is, if he didn’t perish on the spot.
In the meanwhile, the King needed solitude. Time to think. Failure after failure had not only been reported, but experienced firsthand in the last few days. If they didn’t get a win soon, even a minuscule, insignificant victory, it was likely that they never would again.
So, the Saiyan King floated aimlessly among the crags and valleys of the Outer Plait. Had he been born some two-hundred years ago, his being here would be tantamount to suicide. The Mazoku that once were forced to call these lands their home had been mighty, and that strength very nearly led to the Saiyan race’s death. Sometimes though, Vocado had to wonder if they were better off as an empire. They certainly never lost as much back then. Would it be so wrong? To send out babes to test their mettle on foreign planets, raze their enemies cities and sell the planets for profit? Surely it was. The Empire was strong, yes, but its strongest had embraced peace. Turning the gears of progress backward would be foolish... Right?
Suddenly, Vocado found himself face fo face with a massive stone pillar. Narrowly avoiding it, he first thought it had risen from the earth thanks to some wizard, but realized quickly he had just been too far into a daydream to notice it. What was he imagining, anyways? It was hard to pin down, but he could remember embers in the sky. Either way, he pushed the thought from his mind, and floated to its base, noticing pluming smoke. Who might be living out here? A scorned Mazoku, perhaps?
The King touched down, his boots clacking against the hard stone. Looking around, he raised his brow curiously. There was a large bonfire outside a tent, and without his scouter on, he’d nary a clue about the livelihood of the people here. There could be dozens of warriors lying in wait to ambush him, and he’d be clueless to it. Learning to sense energy was a long process, but he was getting there.
”Hello?” he shouted warily, his muscles tensed. ”The name is Vocado. King of the Saiyans. I presume whoever might be living near here is friendly? I’d hate to have to fight right now.”
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Roma
Archived
PL: 15,000
Oozaru (x5P)
Tag: @dullahan
Posts: 70 
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Post by Roma on Oct 7, 2018 20:42:25 GMT -6
| Souls |
Dullahan didn’t really subscribe to the notion of fate or causality. If it was true, she figured that she had broken far too many rules by this point to still be, well, alive. Which she wasn’t. Kinda. But that was beyond the point, for here, in the now, Dullahan praised the gods up above for blessing her with an opportunity.
Adjusting to her new form wasn’t easy. Getting used to her new weight, how she moved and how her body responded to her was even harder. That’s not even mentioning that occasionally, her head would just fall off, and that was certainly quite disorienting the first couple of times it had happened to her. But, alas, if Dullahan had anything, it was perseverance. It wasn’t physical limitations that prevented her from speeding off to find her comerades, no; it was a mental block. Because what exactly did you say when in her shoes? ’Hey! I’m a decapitated spirit, armed and ready to fight for the Saipan kingdom!’ It couldn’t be that easy, right?
So she made a little shelter, lit a fire, and here she was, thinking over her words and next moves as she stared into the flames. But, as fate would have it, it was not her who needed to make the move, this time. The move had been made towards her. The king of her people had quite literally come to her doorstep.
”Vocado, hm? Saiyan king? An honour to make your acquaintance! Name’s Dullahan, and sadly, I don’t really have any fancy titles to introduce myself with.” She laughed slightly gathering up her form into a denser state. She was sitting on a rock beside the fire, a wide-brimmed straw hat atop her head. ”Oh, where are my manners? Don’t be so tense, I’m friendly as can be.” She knew what she needed to do. She just needed to feel him out for a while.
”A Saiyan king who doesn’t want to fight, all the way out here in the graves by himself?” Dullahan nodded to herself. ”That’s certainly strange. I’m sure you’re a busy man, but there’s two seats ‘round this fire here, and I’m awfully lonely. I’m sure you’ve got quite the story to tell, ‘bout how you ended up here ‘n all. If you’d give this lonely girl some of your time, it’d really make her day, y’know?” She winked at the King and motioned towards the other rock. ”I promise I don’t bite!”
TAGS: Vocado
OOC NOTES:
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Souls
Oct 7, 2018 22:27:16 GMT -6
Post by Vocado on Oct 7, 2018 22:27:16 GMT -6
Vocado blinked blearily as Dullahan apparated from seemingly nowhere. He'd seen phantoms before, but this was a graveyard, not a warzone. Was this some restless spirit, hellbent on vengeance? Her mannerisms quickly told him the opposite, and her request calmed his nerves a bit. In a strange, incredibly morbid way, it was nice to meet someone who didn't have a moral high ground to judge the Saiyan from. She was dead, after all, what could she have over him?
"Ah. A ghost. Forgive my lack of surprise; I've seen a handful of your kind before."
The King sat down, sighing in relaxation. For some reason, he could already feel his hearts pounding slow down. Being face-to-face with death had a strange effect on the man. "My story is long and full of disappointment," the King revealed, "I shouldn't speak so openly, but things have been weighing on me like ten ton weights. I'm not sure if I'm at fault for any of this, or if fate has wrenched success away from me. Either way, I've made poor decisions, and so have some of my followers... Suffice it to say? I'm worried we'll be seeing more of your kind than mine."
He looked away for a moment, weighing his options. His mind screamed at him, begging to vent his frustrations at the floating corpse, but his sensible side held back. He'd already said so much. Besides, this girl didn't want to hear his life story, not really. She was just being polite. Of course, if she prodded, he'd fold inwards all too easy. Inwardly, he cursed his vulnerability.
"What about yourself? Surely a Saiyan perishing on Namek has an interesting tale. Were you from the Saiyan Empire some two-hundred years ago?"
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Roma
Archived
PL: 15,000
Oozaru (x5P)
Tag: @dullahan
Posts: 70
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Souls
Oct 8, 2018 7:07:48 GMT -6
Post by Roma on Oct 8, 2018 7:07:48 GMT -6
| Souls |
Well, there was one problem off her plate. Trying to explain what she was wouldn’t have been fun. There was no way that she could’ve phrased it eloquently, or made it sound any less weird then it actually was. She laughed off his lack of surprise. ”Well, not being surprised is better than being surprised, hm?”
She listened to what he had to say, nodding along as he did. Seemed like it was woes with the kingdom. It was destroyed from the outside, and now it seemed like the inside wouldn’t hold out much longer. This wasn’t good. How could she atone for her foolishness if there was no kingdom to atone for? She mulled this over as the King asked her a question, which she only realized after a couple of seconds.
”Oh, it’s noting that fancy. Actually, it was the World Trade Fleet’s invasion on Vegeta that did me in.You know, the recent one.” Dullahan spoke of her death offhandedly. It seemed that death weighed on you much less when you had a second chance. ”It’s nothing grand. I just died like I lived- being dumb and overestimating myself.” She nodded as she stared into the fire. She then looked up at the king, getting a good look at him.
”Listen, I got some fond memories of Vegeta. I might be dead, but I’m not keen on having others join me.” Dullahan averted her gaze back into the fire, mulling over her words carefully. ”You’re a new King, Aren’t you? You must be. I don’t recognize you from life. Either way, seems like the job’s been weighing on you pretty hard.”
”Do you regret taking up the crown?”
TAGS: Vocado
OOC NOTES:
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Souls
Oct 11, 2018 1:53:37 GMT -6
Post by Vocado on Oct 11, 2018 1:53:37 GMT -6
The King nodded at Dullahan’s explanation, a frown finding its way onto his face. ”Ah, so you perished only recently. I’m sorry to hear that. If there was some way I could have helped... But I’m sure we were miles away. I was all the way out in the Saiba Wastes when the first wave came down; the Fleet sent a Brenchian assassin to take care of me. When I finished her, the city was already overtaken so I... I retreated.” Saying it aloud brought a sting to his heart, but he continued. ”Perhaps it wasn’t cowardly, though. Rushing into a lost battle without a goal all by ones lonesome is never the way to win a war, and besides, look where retreat got me.”
The Ghost seemed solemn for a moment, and Vocado opted to join her. It wasn’t often he could let his hair down like this, and the last time he had, he’d gotten a swift and concise beating he still needed to pay Ramen back for. Dullahan’s presence was eerily calming. Would her returning to the base be a boost in morale, perhaps? To know one can still fight after losing life was not known to many, after all, though it might serve to terrify the more religious in his war band.
The Phantom Saiyan’s next words were surprising. He hadn’t thought of his role like that before— in emotion. He saw it as a duty, something he had to do as the old laws decreed. Maybe it was a regret, if he thought about it long enough. All the friends he’d made just to lose, all the tough decisions that ended in failure... He let his mind wander for an answer, letting the flames lick the kindling as he pondered.
”No, I don’t think I do. It’s just scary at times. Every decision I’ve made since Planet Namek became safe to travel to feels wrong. I sent my top soldiers to Namek without me, and the next week I get a report that our Chief Engineer lost her tail in a fight. Then I get here and another commander loses a tail because she was looking for the Dragon Balls with a special radar! Then, when she awakens, she gave one of our two radars to the leader of the Fleet’s operations on Namek because she got sweet-talked!”
He groaned in frustration, a weight suddenly easing off his chest. Even just saying it was enough to help him. ”And to top it all off, the strongest of us died all the way back on Earth thanks to some shadowy corporation, and I hadn’t even a moment to investigate since i lost two able-bodied fighters the moment Banzo’s GHOST decided to come say hello and dump his entire final day’s story on me before vanishing again! So what was I to do? Look into this corporation and let my people slow become amputee’s on Namek?! And what’ll we return to when Earth calls in a favor since they’re helping us, hm? Is the planet going to be a metal marble when we touch down?!”
Rubbing his eyes, the King let Dullahan drink in his long-winded, probably incoherent rant. Why was he spilling his guts to her? It wasn’t like they had any connection in life... right? The name certainly didn’t ring any bells, at least. Maybe he’d prod her about her family when he had less on his mind.
”It’s just so hard to lead them when everything I do seems to hurt my people. I want to make sure they get home safe, but this Boreal character looks like he might be the end of me, unless I can think of some way to out-think him when it comes to making our wishes.”
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Roma
Archived
PL: 15,000
Oozaru (x5P)
Tag: @dullahan
Posts: 70
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Souls
Oct 11, 2018 19:30:15 GMT -6
Post by Roma on Oct 11, 2018 19:30:15 GMT -6
| Souls |
"Chin up. That's no way for a king to talk."
It seemed as if their situation was more dire than Dullahan had thought. The strongest Saiyan was dead, and two of the generals in the army were tailless. Admittedly, without their ability to go Oozaru, Saiyans were lacking just a little bit. She didn't think they'd be able to stand up to the Fleet without their Great Ape form. It looked like their new leader had made some mistakes, but, well, what right did Dullahan have to judge? Her mistakes led to her own downfall- but she didn't know what it was like for her choices to lead to the downfall of others.
She couldn't imagine the weight that the King felt. But that didn't mean she didn't have an idea of what he needed.
"There's two sides to being a good leader." She held up two fingers as if to show her point. "One, you gotta make choices. There's lotsa people out there who can't make choices when it matters, can't make choices because they're too afraid of failing. That's not what a leader needs to be. You've made some choices before, and perhaps some of them went south, but, alas, that's why there's a second side to being a good leader." She wagged her second finger with a smile. "Two, you gotta deal with the consequences of choices. Not only your own choices, but the choices of others. No matter how good a leader you are, there's gonna be people who think they know better, people who're gonna do their own thing. You can't control that- so don't blame yourself for it."
"Don't talk about someone being the end of you before you're dead, yeah? I might take some offense!" She laughed, despite her heavy words. "Call it a gut feeling, but I don't think you're all that bad of a guy, King Vocado. I know, being a Saiyan and all, it ain't easy to keep a cool head. Especially when your target is right in front of you, or you feel like you're failing. Believe me, I know. But, you aren't just one man. You have an army of Saiyans, all feeling just as rightfully angry as they should be. Talk to them. Beleive in the power they can have, and the power you can have, united." Dullahan pounded her fists together with a smile.
"When you're a king, you must only see your own failings, or your people's failings. Have a bit more faith in them. Have a bit more faith in yourself." Otherwise, you're not gonna be the king the Saiyans want, nor the one they need." Dullahan stood up, removing the straw hat from her head and tossing it into the fire as fuel. "Was that a pretentious thing to say to the King of all Saiyans? Heh." Regardless of the answer to that question, Dullahan placed her hands on her hips and let out a laugh.
"Don't worry about what happened before, on here, or on Vegeta. No hard feelings, right? Back then, we didn't have much of a chance- we were caught off-guard. Let's not let that happen again, yeah?" Dullahan extended her gloved, spectral hand towards the King. "If you're really feelin' sorry, then give me the reassurance that you're not gonna run us into the ground, yeah?"
TAGS: Vocado
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Souls
Oct 17, 2018 16:26:51 GMT -6
Post by Vocado on Oct 17, 2018 16:26:51 GMT -6
Vocado’s sour expression lightened a bit at Dullahan’s pep talk. Was this girl a public speaker before her end? He certainly wouldn’t doubt it. She had a... reassuring way with words. If only he knew how to repay her.
”No. It’s good to get the facts from someone. Thank you for being straight-forward, Dullahan.”
As the specter asked one final request, the King wracked his brain. He needed a plan, not just blind brawling. ”I can do little but promise you, Dullahan. Words are but wind, but I’ll try my hardest to get our home back. You have my word.”
”Now if only I could think of a proper plan. This Arcosian we’re facing is quite a powerhouse. I don’t think raw strength can ever match him...”
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Roma
Archived
PL: 15,000
Oozaru (x5P)
Tag: @dullahan
Posts: 70
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Souls
Oct 21, 2018 12:16:18 GMT -6
Post by Roma on Oct 21, 2018 12:16:18 GMT -6
|Souls|
"He better be, if he's got the entire kingdom quaking in their boots!"
Dullahan laughed, as if the stress of the situation failed to take hold of her spectral form. "Raw strength is only gonna get you so far. Use your head. I'll guarantee that it'll be much more beneficial to you long term. She patted her own head with a finger before pointing that finger towards the King of all Saiyans. "He's gotta have some kind of weakness. He can't be everywhere at once, can he? The Saiyans seem to have much more of a widespread presence on this planet than the Fleet does. Of course, that's just from me flyin' around, and half the time I was flying, I was headless. So take what I say with a grain of salt, yeah?"
She then stood from her log. She planted a boot in the middle of the fire pit, sending ashes and smoke into the air as it was extinguished. She gripped her hand as she used the pile of once-burning wood to hold her foot up. "You just gotta hit 'em where it hurts. Wherever that is." She then removed her ghostly hat, placing it down beside the once-smoldering pit of flames. "-and it's my intention to help you out, in whatever way I can. 'Scuse me for being bold, but if you're heading back to a Saiyan Kingdom encampment, I'm coming with. You alright with that?" Dullahan grinned, pointing up at the sky. "I didn't come down from there for nothing. I might not be as strong as a Saiyan right now, but I swear to you- give me some time to get used to my new body, and I'll go toe-to-toe with anyone you point me at."
Dullahan slung a circular bag over her shoulder. It wasn't much, just basic supplies she used to make her camp. "And, well, who knows. We might get a little lucky, too. I sure did, bein' able to escape from that damn line and all."
"I'd imagine you've got business to get back to. Don't you waste any more time on me. After this mess's over, though, grab a drink with me, yeah?"
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Souls
Oct 21, 2018 13:46:17 GMT -6
Post by Vocado on Oct 21, 2018 13:46:17 GMT -6
Vocado pondered for a moment, letting Dullahan's words swirl in his head. Maybe he was thinking too much like his ancestors. Brute force wasn't the answer, she was right; strategy was key. How had he not realized it before? Maybe he really was a bad king. Either that or Boreal had brain-dampening powers. Prideful as Vocado was, he wouldn't accept the latter as truth even if he had evidence.
"I believe you've given me some things to think about, Dullahan. We do have the numbers, so maybe... No. I'll formulate this strategy later."
As the King looked back up at the ghost, she was already packing her bags. She seemed eager to join the force! Was conscripting a ghost against galactic law, though? He'd read up on the rules later. "Sounds fine by me. Let's hope that drink isn't far off, eh?" Nodding to the side, Vocado hopped into the air, bursting to full-speed back to the base. "Keep up if you can, specter! First one back to the base gets the last chocolate parfait!"
Sorry for short post, but exit is here! Inviting Dullahan to join Saiyan Kingdom
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Roma
Archived
PL: 15,000
Oozaru (x5P)
Tag: @dullahan
Posts: 70
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Souls
Oct 21, 2018 14:24:16 GMT -6
Post by Roma on Oct 21, 2018 14:24:16 GMT -6
| Souls |
It seemed as if 'fate' was once again aligning itself with the spectral Saiyan warrior. Today was the day that she met her king- her road to redemption was laid out in front of her. This was her second chance. It would be her 'fate' to have a second chance. Perhaps someday, she would even get her body back, and go back to being a pureblood Saiyan. Just like she always was.
But that was then, and this was now, and the now was to follow her king as he took off into the sky. She laughed as he launched off the ground- he was traveling fast. Woah. "Hey! That's cheating!" She took off as she spoke, following the King's trail as the embers of the fire burned out.
OOC NOTES: Thread exit! Dullahan has joined the Saiyan Kingdom!
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