Back to Simple Days (Open)

Valan had decided to keep his mystical Namekian disguise of ‘Dolin’ up for a good while since arriving on Namek, there was much more to see, things to learn, and he definitely found it best to do so with as little likelihood as possible of being identified as a Shinjin. For even though it was a rare sight to see a Shinjin at all, those that knew of them would generally attract a lot of attention; both good and bad, which was something that was not at all preferred.

A short while after his meeting with some other Namekians of note, Dolin returned to wandering the fertile lands of Namek, talking to some fellow travelers here and there. Even though he encountered Namekians for the most part, there was an odd abundance of extraterrestrial races that had made their homes here... Apparently some of them had been here for generations, since before the asteroid field was conjured all those many years ago! Now that was interesting news because it showed change on a world that— despite it’s many good qualities— was awfully stagnant at times.

Rather keen to encounter and interact with more of these unique individuals, Dolin hoped about with a spring in his step and soon enough he happened upon a nice little house with a man doing some gardening out front. The guy certainly looked Namekian, but Dolin had but a moment of pause, as if something wasn’t quite lining up. Maybe it was the long whiskers? Regardless, Dolin calmly approached, only just overhearing what the strange farmer said to himself. “Hello good sir of this here farm, I notice you are most un-calm. What sour mood upon you has been cast, to make you lament your now gone past?”

Thus, a few important pieces fell into place— the reason why Dolin found something odd about the Namekian before him was because he was a ghost! They even shoved one of their phantasmal hands into their own chest! Now if that wasn’t an absolutely metal way to show off one’s ghostliness, that was it! Dolin smiled, finding that act unique and intriguing. “I believe that at your own pace, it will be quite easy to find a place— for home is neither land nor thing, just listen to this idea I bring. Perhaps it is not an oft-thought notion, to find your home you need emotion. Treasure people with whom you have strong ties, and you’ll find home beneath all skies.” Dolin bowed, having offered his sagely wisdom upon the contemplative Namekian’s request.

“Though many a time my rhymes were tested, your spectral trick I must say has me bested. To think I would wander through these lands, and find a man of ghostly hands?” Dolin chuckled shortly after, rhyming really was super fun! “I am Dolin, of much lyrical fame— pray tell good sir, what is your name?”

Dolin tilted his head from side to side a few times; thinking about the implications of ‘doing good’ in terms of one’s wellness as opposed to morality like the inquiry would actually mean in his opinion— though he had a feeling Mollusc meant the former, not many thought of the latter. Dolin was of course completely fine, not especially stressed nor was he ill. “Indeed, indeed, all is working as it should, to answer your hope; I suppose I am doing good.” He returned a smile to Mollusc out of good faith. Floating slightly above the ground around the little farm to get a better view of things; Dolin examined Mollusc’s work. “I am intrigued by what you do here in the tended loam, for it is most different to that of my own home. I am not from Namek, if you must know, but I do wish to see how these might grow.”

Dolin raised his brow. Given what Mollusc had just implied, perhaps the scarce rumours were true and Vegeta had it’s own colony of Namekians— allegedly dating back a few hundred years if the grape vine of Otherworld was to be believed. “No, it was not Vegeta that is the place of my birth, it is further still, even further than Earth. Beyond oh so many a star, far from here is where my people are.” In a sense, this was all true, but Mollusc need not know the gritty details at the moment.

“Mollusc, If for a moment you could explain— what plantation is it that you wish to maintain?” Dolin asked, tilting over so that he could closely examine what Mollusc had planted so far, whilst still maintaining levitation— he didn’t want to harm the farm after all.

As luck would have it, the divine one masquerading in a Namekian form did know of at least one world beyond this galaxy with a Namekian population; it was a more rugged world than Namek, but it was nowhere near as harsh or desolate as Vegeta. Last he knew, it was a pleasant planet, and in his heart of hearts, Dolin did hope that was still true. “T’is a world of journeys, adventurers abound— where many a mystery and joy can be found. Beautiful is the land that we roam, ‘Stropoa’ is the world we call home.” Dolin swayed his body and made grand motions with his arms as he regaled Mollusc with the tale of another planet populated by Namekians. “Regrettably I have not been there a time most long, I now venture through space so that I may grow strong.”

Dolin nodded and patiently listened to Mollusc explain his plans for this little farm he had. It was quite admirable that he wished to bring more life to Namek— especially in the more treacherous areas of the planet. The Northern Scar could seriously use a makeover. Something that interested Dolin was the mention of the Senzu Bean. Was it true that they were more common these days? “Oh, is that what you call the Legume of Life, one that can instantly restore someone in times of great strife?”

In either case, both the truth and the half-truth would be rather far out of Mollusc’s reach, one more-so than the other given his ectoplasmic form. The Namekian ghost seemed downtrodden at this news however. “Ah, chin up my newfound chum— trust me, there is no need to be glum. Though far from your reach Stropoa might be, you have all the time in the universe to one day go and see.”

Mollusc’s run down of the beans sealed the deal, they were potentially going to be the legendary Senzu alright. “Then they are indeed one and the same— both completely identical, only different in name.” Dolin nodded energetically, increasingly excited at the prospects— it would mean many great things for the medicinal capabilities of mortals. “Mollusc I applaud your efforts, intent most valiant indeed. In future would I find you here still if it is healing that I need?”

Dolin tilted his head, trying to understand Mollusc’s problem in greater detail. “I have met many spirits, here and there— but near none of them had a stance so rare.” Mollusc’s perspective was very clearly not the perspective of all revenant spirits, many of them pursued something specific, something that drove them forth— often mindlessly, and without restraint. “Though perhaps in actuality, it is because you retain individuality.” Dolin nodded. “So though your thoughts may be discordant, never forget who you are— tis most important. Chin up friend, not all is bleak. Perhaps it is your true self that you seek?”

Looking over the small farm once again, Dolin grinned wide; if Mollusc was happy with it so far, then it was a notable success in the name of Namek’s progress! “It might be for the best to give them a test. Or at least if you could, quite soon. Then you will know if someone is in danger you can give a healing boon.”