|
|
Post by Carro Hofferson on Jul 5, 2020 15:13:16 GMT -6
CARRO's PL: 100 (ANTISENSE) || TIANUM's PL: 7,000
Carro continued to bottle his newfound agitation, but couldn't stop himself from clenching a fist when Zriracha explained she hadn't even thought of those she was asking him to get a ride to slaughter. The President was silent, trapped in his torrential sea of thought until the demon said the exact wrong words. "-And you think I don't know that ALREADY!?!" The murderer stood up from his seat, pixellated teeth grit and shoulders trembling, interrupting Zriracha right after that accursed phrase, "sometimes death is necessary." And to think this was just a small leak in the ocean he'd bottled up.
Carro quickly caught himself in his frustration, his angered expression quickly sinking to shock and sorrow. "I-- I'm s-sorry, I d-don't know what c-came across me, I just..." He stammered in an apology for his brief outburst, sinking back into his chair while wrapping an arm around his head. "Sometimes it is the lesser of two evils, yes, but... You can't look me in the eye and say going off to purge some unfortunate planet you'd randomly pick is in any way necessary. There h-has to be a better way!" He scratched his head further in thought, mumbling to himself.
Carro shook his head. "Even if I was cruel enough to let you murder innocents like they are inconsequential livestock, that wouldn't solve anything! Wouldn't you just get the instinctual kill-streak again later? It's a short-term solution that does nobody any good in the long run!" Sure, it'd sate her demonic desires, but the beast would likely get hungry all over again later. "If we could just find a healthier or risk-free way to let you output it, or get rid of it all together..." But how? Carro resumed his pondering as he tapped his fingers on his desk.
At the mention of "another deal," Carro just waved his hand dismissively. "I don't do demonic pacts- company policy." He'd had enough negative experience seeing black magic to know it was never good to mettle with. What did snap him out of his intense thinking, though, was the fact that Zriracha had essentially given Kayen a blank check. Carro sighed deeply- he knew from experience yet again that that was an awful idea, but he remained silent.
Zriracha's other two ideas were not very good, either. He wasn't sure what her clan was like, but if they wanted to take over Earth then they certainly weren't good. And while his planet had more than enough experience in dealing with rampaging demons, it still was far from an ideal situation. "No, no, there's got to be a better way." He spoke to himself more than anyone. This really was Sensoa all over again, but this time, he would do it right. This time he would help save this demon.
Carro rubbed his temples with another breathless sigh. "While I still implore you to talk about this to that Polarus fellow and whoever else you trust in detail, they know you better than I and can likely suggest better." He began, sitting upright in his chair again. "F-firstly, these are just spitball ideas for a better or more permanent fix, so take them with a grain of salt, I still will need to think and test a lot more to find something certain. I know some folks who are good with magic and purification, they might be able to help you. Or maybe there's a better outlet for your instincts, a loophole or something!"
Now, Carro felt a little more in his element, using his own ingenuity and brains. He had visibly perked up much more. "Like maybe a huuuge tournament, or instead of harming innocents, letting loose on a gang of baddies or super strong people instead or something! O-or some technologically simulated or controlled environment that could give the allusion of what you need! Or--!!" Carro would continue to ramble and fling ideas until he was likely interrupted. He was an excellent talker, if nothing else.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zriracha on Jul 5, 2020 16:12:21 GMT -6
She hadn’t expected such an explosion of emotion, surprised and flinching back from the little android before he devolved into a series of apologies that were wholly unnecessary. She raised a hand hesitantly as he explained why what she was going to do wasn’t okay – she wanted to shake him, however, when he seemed that he was only focusing on the aspect of her assisting with what sounded like genocide over and over again. She reached out to him finally, grasping him by his metallic shoulders, “Carro, that is NOT what is going to happen!” Her eyes burned bright with an offended expression that bordered on deeply hurt. She respected that he didn’t want to dabble in the dark magic of contracts – she would never hold that against any mortal – but it was clear that he was wrestling with his own Demons and it wasn’t the one in front of him. She released him slowly as he continued, encouraging her to seek out the assistance of people closer to her and felt another pang of hurt course through her as he casually suggested purification. He might have had friends that were well-versed in magic, but that didn’t mean he was and the effects of purification on Demon lead to some… unwanted side effects. Zriracha knew he was onto something as he suggested idea after idea at such a dizzying pace, she almost felt faint just trying to keep up before finally, she barked, “CARRO!” Trying to bring him back into reality for a moment. She appreciated beyond a sliver of a doubt just how dedicated he was to helping her, but there were things she needed to air. “For a moment, Carro… breathe.” And she’d given him the moment to do just that, perhaps even a few more, before she began, “It feels… like you’re projecting something onto me. Something that, while you have every right to feel, is unfair to me to accept as truth.” She settled down on to the ground, crossing her hoofed legs as she looked UP at him now, “Before we help me, allow me to help you. There is time. I am in control. I need you to remember that I am not a hapless beast, but a warrior of a clan that is pacifist,” She cocked her head to the side, “Do you remember what I told you months ago? I desired to bring my people to Earth to unify them, not to take over the planet. However, you WERE correct that it was-” She laughed, “-foolish to assume that I had to rule the planet in order to do so. As my father once said, ‘A space for goals but not for brains’. Still, there’s something there, Carro, and it is plain to see that it desires to not just help me, but…” She trailed off, the fear returning as she spoke hesitantly, “-to suppress me. I do not wish to change, Carro, but… to regulate this power. To that end, I do not wish to be purified, either. But this idea you had,” She started, “-not a tournament, but… that allusion you spoke about. There is a magic my people possess – illusion magic. To that end, if you were able to create some isolate place for me to train, that could work.” She looked away, “There could be practical uses for such a thing, but… the amount of magical power it would take…” Her eyes widened. “THAT’S IT!” She looked back at him. “A place to train powered by my magic that would act as not just a sanctuary for my destructive behavior but as a conduit! It would drain me as I fight as, eventually, I’d get tuckered out and – for that time – I would be sated.”
It wasn't something she would have ever thought possible given the sheer lack of knowledge she had of technology but Carro's knowledge and her magical prowess - however limited - made such strange ideas potentially possible.
Carro Hofferson |
|
|
|
Post by Carro Hofferson on Jul 9, 2020 7:14:41 GMT -6
CARRO's PL: 100 (ANTISENSE) || TIANUM's PL: 7,000
"That's not what's going to happen," the demon had the gall to claim. "THEN WHY DOES IT KEEP HAPPENING?!" Carro screamed out, still being puppeted by the emotions he'd been keeping bottled for over a year. His office had quickly turned into an echo chamber for all his past traumas to bounce in his head over and over again with each unintentional parallel Zriracha drew. Breathe, she said. Carro could only give a broken laugh in response. "Ohhh, really, I'd love to, but oooops, I don't have lungs! Or a throat, or a mouth, or eyes or a nose or hair or a stomach o-or even a damn heart, or... a-any..." He dug his claws further into his steel scalp, to the point where faint scratch marks were left by his cold digits.
"....O-oh." Realization finally struck with Zriracha's next words, though, and Carro came back to his senses, though the newfound horror at his own words and actions didn't feel much better than the echoes of tragedy plaguing him earlier that caused him to project so violently. "O-oh, oh n-no, I-I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, I-I swear I d-didn't mean t-to! S-sorry, I-- I-it's just- me- I'm not..." He quickly stammered in repeated apologies, internally beating himself to a pulp for coming across the way he did. How could he be so stupidly insensitive?! He was Carro, he wasn't supposed to be kind and everything but callous or heartless.
And then, of course, the spotlight shifted to him. How couldn't it at this point? "M-me?" Carro still pointed one of his spindly fingers to himself, as if in disbelief. He remained silent for a few moments, then... "...O-oh, no, don't worry about it too much!" Somehow, he waved dismissively again, acting like nothing had just happened. "I-I'm sure I'm just overreacting and overthinking it s-since I've been a little bit on edge today. Y'know, work and all, I had a press conferences earlier today and it was suuuuper tedious." He shrugged and smiled warmly.
"I-I'm sure you're really nice and stuff and I j-just, uh, don't know you that well yet- of course I'd love to do that sometime when I'm not as busy, though! I'm sure we'll find a perfect solution to your problem!" The chipper, hopeful, and completely fine Carro being presented was yet again scarily different from moments ago. While he did genuinely believe the words coming out of his mouth and was eager and happy as before to help and learn more about Zriracha, acting like he was fine wasn't something he was unskilled in. "I'm sure Kayen's a wonderful lady that I j-just haven't gotten to know yet, a-and it's just me that's the reason that I... was..." That was it- he was overreacting. Nothing more, nothing less. If Kayen and Zriracha were friends, he'd hate to be the reason they'd stop being friends. Or maybe Kayen really did all she could, and it was just his cowardice, as she'd said on Gemini. He couldn't expect her to have the ability to look into the future and see who was going to turn traitor, and that's all it was, surely!
Thankfully, the topic changed. Carro internally gave thanks to whatever cruel Kai heard his prayers. "S-see?! I knew we could put our heads together to think of something better!" An simulation could very well work, and with Zriracha's ideas of adding magic to the mix, it was even better! "B-but we'll need to work out the 'how' too! W-we do develop computer simulation tech here also, though it's not magic... Maybe I could somehow whip up something to be like, a conduit? Something to draw in energy to help make the illusion really convincing. Something both magical and mechanical sounds revolutionary!" Briefly, Carro felt genuinely hopeful and a little excited. Finally, something he was good at! If only they could talk about this and nothing else all day.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zriracha on Jul 9, 2020 9:50:44 GMT -6
It took everything Zriracha had not to hold the small robot as he seemed to lose control of himself at various points in the conversation. Points that, were she not so cautious, Zriracha would have believed him capable of hurting himself. She knew nothing of his new body – what it capable of or… how it could become damaged. Was he more apt to lose himself this way? Be destroyed and lost to the ether? How did his soul work? So many questions, gated by ignorance and helplessness. Instead, Zriracha did the only thing she could do and just listened – listened and took note of everything she’d wrought from the surface. He doubted himself. His experiences. His emotions. The very reality that brought him to this point. But Zriracha couldn’t take what he said at face value – not with his emotions all over the place they were. As he regained what semblance of familiarity he clung to; his desire to want to help others, Zriracha would placatingly nod and follow along, but knew that she wasn’t finished. While she wasn’t going to push for more information, there wasn’t she was going to push toward and nothing else. “The ‘How’ can come later, I believe. There’s time, Carro. Plenty of time. Already, you’ve helped me more than you can ever know,” She softly spoke, trying to ease his nerves. “There’s just… one other matter.” She knew he didn’t want to talk about it – and he wouldn’t. “What you said earlier. Your body that is made of metal and wires… I can see how it aches at your soul to not be able to feel; to breathe, for instance, but if I may offer this to you – in whatever capacity it can help you…” From the floor, Zriracha would look up at him and insist with a look of resolve before opening her arms. For a moment, she would hold that posture before providing a little encouragement, “Do I need to force the hug on you? Because I am a Demon and I am not above infringing on personal space – given the context.” She wouldn’t force him, even if her words implied as much, but whether he accepted her offer or not, she would continue calmly, softly… “There are dark, painful feelings within all of us, Carro. It is the balance of that power that bring the Universe to it’s ebb and flow; terrible things happen. Things we can’t always control. No matter the result… it is not your fault. This form. This life you hold,” She paused, recalling them as the words her father once told her. “You must make the best of the hand you are given. 'Do or-” She chuckled, looking at him. “-Die', was it? Is that what humans say? Something like that. Or was it-?” She looked off to the side, blinking as she recalled the acronym on a mortal’s hat in passing. “’Yo-low?’”Earthlings had the most peculiar language. Carro Hofferson |
|
|
|
Post by Carro Hofferson on Jul 9, 2020 11:09:36 GMT -6
CARRO's PL: 100 (ANTISENSE) || TIANUM's PL: 7,000
Though he briefly calmed down with Zriracha's reassurance that he'd already helped her a lot, Carro's paranoia was not so easily quieted. What if something happens, his mind helpfully reminded him as more memories dragged their ugly heads from the waters. He had to help completely, he couldn't leave this job half-done. It was his job, after all.
As soon as the spotlight finally was shifted square onto the worrywart android himself, Carro quickly felt that frantic urge to shrink back into his metaphorical shell, though it still had been thoroughly cracked. He had an image and a responsibility to hold himself accountable to as a leader- as President of Earth.
That didn't stop everything from hurting so much.
Zriracha was right- Carro's still-human soul ached and clawed in its metal prison. The world where he would be trapped like this forever and never be able to breathe, or eat, or sleep ever again was a very plausible reality. His face twisted in discomfort as he clutched his chest with his hand again, grasping for a heartbeat that wasn't there.
It was the offer of a hug of all things that dragged Carro out of the traumas drowning him for a moment. "I..." He opened his pixellated mouth to respond, it was a simple yes or no question. A very loud part of him was screaming for the comfort, touch-starved and still hungering. Yet that nagging standard he had to hold himself to said otherwise. Carro didn't respond- not a yes, but not a no.
The demon's final attempt at trying to give the tormented machine a semblance of comfort caused no change in his expression. "...I, uh, already know that, I'm afraid." He rubbed the back of his head, still unable to make eye contact. He was too familiar with how uncaring and cruel the universe was. To make the best of life would be to keep doing what he was already doing, using his every waking moment to protect and help his home... If his current state was any indication, then that wasn't the case, but Carro continued to ignore that. The safety of the billions under his leadership and their happiness was more important than an hour-long break for himself.
Do or die, the saying went. "Psssh, I've already done both of those things." Carro joked at the expense of his own painful death months ago- he wasn't sure if Zriracha was aware of his murder, but that thought didn't cross his head when he spoke. You lived more than once, sometimes.
"R-really, I could be worse! It's not that bad, don't worry about me." Carro spoke to himself more than anyone else. Others had suffered much more than him, he had little right to be this worked up. "There's bigger fish to fry, a-and I have to do my work before anything else. Presidential and CEO stuff, y-y'know." He shrugged again, firmly digging his heels into his own chronic selflessness. He couldn't stop his own nervous stutter this time, the only visible crack in his armor. Now that he felt attention was back on himself, he was trying much harder to cover his tracks. Besides, he couldn't be helped. It was best for Zriracha to save her breath for others who could be.
...Right?
|
|
|
|
Post by Zriracha on Jul 10, 2020 8:36:11 GMT -6
There it was again, Zriracha noted as she cocked her head to the side at the android, I’m… growing to associate this scent of shame with him. How sad. She frowned, slowly dropping her arms as she noticed just how curled inward he was inside of his own head. Her red eyes searched for something, anything, that would make it appear like he’d respond negatively to her presence. She didn’t know what to say to his responses to her, the implied knowledge that he was less than alive making no difference to how much living he could yet do. Thankfully, Zriracha saw no great reason to restrain herself, and in a fluid motion, she stood from the floor – taking a certain android with her and into her arms with such a firmness that one might suspect she might crush him. Her gaze was fraught with angry rebellion, snarling over his metal shoulder as she hissed, “Carro. Machine or not, you can’t fool me or anyone. Work can wait, you damned fool. You…” She closed her eyes. “You’ve waited long enough. Everyone else. The world. The problems. For one moment...” She shook her head, rubbing his back.
“They can wait.”
Carro Hofferson
|
|
|
|
Post by Carro Hofferson on Jul 10, 2020 11:38:09 GMT -6
CARRO's PL: 100 (ANTISENSE) || TIANUM's PL: 7,000
For a single moment, Carro thought he felt breath hitch in the throat he didn't have.
One second Carro was sulking in his seat, and the next he was plucked into the air. His hood flopped off with the sudden movement, fully exposing his orbular gray and green head floating there, letting the orange flares spark out of the vents vaguely mimicking hair on its side. Though initially startled, his brief flinch quickly changed as he froze up with confusion, processing what was happening with the speed of an old and bulky computer loading too many programs at once. And finally, that yearning and howling part of his soul that was screeching for the comfort finally took over as his shoulders slumped and trembled. He tentatively, but tightly returned the hug.
The world could wait, Zriracha told him. Carro closed his pixellated eyes, stifling a pitiful whimper. He looked down at his now-exposed forearm, staring at his own reflection in its smooth, reflective metal. "I-I... I wish..." He croaked out in response. If only that were true. If only every time before when he looked the other way, disaster didn't come crashing from the skies. The weight of his responsibility and hardships continued to weigh him down, though for this small moment, even if he couldn't believe the words the demon said, it felt the littlest bit lighter.
Other nagging thoughts plagued his head, trying to pull him away from the comfort. Why did Zriracha even care this much, the selfless machine who also cared too much thought. "You have n-no idea..." He muttered absentmindedly with another weak, broken laugh. That's because you don't tell anyone anything about all of the fucked-up things you've witnessed, genius, his conscious snapped back in response to his own mumbling. Any other person probably would be able to wait, to breathe and take a break, but history hadn't allowed it for Carro. He opened his mouth to say something- anything- but the words didn't come to him. Not yet.
It was times like these where he was glad he didn't have tear ducts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zriracha on Jul 10, 2020 13:43:07 GMT -6
She stayed like that for quite a few long moments, taking the subtle – nearly imperceptible – changes as she stayed still. He returned the embrace and she felt the only just slightly there robotic response of… something. What she scented was stronger, sweeter but… not nearly as painful to feel. She could feel her power gradually rise yet pushed it back down like an owner did to a jumpy dog that was just too energetic. Not the time… She admonished her own instincts. She felt his words, echoing like a broken record, and rumbled softly, “I understand,” even if she didn’t completely. He wanted to feel like he used to – like a person. That desire to be and exist through his aura washing over her like a wave of sorrow. Kayen might not have truly been responsible… perhaps not even a little bit… but she needed to know, truly, in what way she was. This person whom she’d held was not just a mere figure of hope for herself – but a fragment of family that Zriracha perhaps… projected from her own realm. Loneliness. Isolation. Sometimes, even when the ones you cared for were right in the room with you, it was possible to feel as if the world was a cold and dark, lonely place. Finally, when it seemed that moment was well enough, Zriracha would pull him back to grin in his face, “I think it’s time for a proper break. No more excuses. If something should happen, Carro,” She cocked her head to the side with her fangs bared in a cheesy manner, “-this Demon will fight with you. I swear on it,” And with Zriracha made a promise- Unbeknownst to both of them, as tradition with Chakkapak Demons… a small runic sigil would appear on Zriracha’s hand – glowing briefly before disappearing. However, she would not realize the change given she was much too focused on Carro. Speaking of… Zriracha made to place him back on the ground, having to bend to do so given her impressive height, before she leaned back and placed her hands at her hips. “What would you like to do with this mandatory and not at all a choice break with which you’ve been graciously offered?” She brought a hand to her chin, looking off to the side as she thought, “-Hm… We could have a small party. A surprise party with… no, no pyre-kittens. That didn’t go so well last time. Mortals don’t… really like cats on fire…” She mumbled out loud, mostly for herself as she went into ‘Party-Planner Mode’. Carro Hofferson |
|
|
|
Post by Carro Hofferson on Jul 10, 2020 21:46:56 GMT -6
CARRO's PL: 100 (ANTISENSE) || TIANUM's PL: 7,000 || LEO'S PL: 50,000 (200k BASE / x9P / SET)
"...And that's all of what I saw, at least, before he suggested that I come to you." Tianum ran her claw through her hair, slumped against the warm metal of the mech beside her. In Crop Co's central hangar lied the massive, mechanical form of LEO. Wires jabbed into the nape of her neck and a few metal panels of mismatched colors had been welded to her carapece to patch up her damages from back on the Gemini. "I see..." LEO had listened in attentive concern as Tianum had explained what she saw of Carro's most recent visitor...
LEO growled to herself. The thought of Carro's kindness being abused yet again made her angry. As Tianum had explained the situation, she could feel everything Carro felt through their Link. How fear turned to dread, anger and worry, and finally comfort.
"T-they've been in his office for a few minutes now. Gods, I hope it hasn't gone wrong yet, if Carro has to deal with another horrible thing I-..." Tianum began, but LEO pushed herself to her feet. The feline seemed to be deep in thought, but not that worried. "Relax. I'll check up on them." Tianum paused for a few moments, but settled with a silent nod as a response. If LEO wasn't worried, then surely Carro had to be fine enough... "I'll be right back."
Carro was hesitant to let go at first, clinging to the demon like a stubborn fridge magnet before letting his arms drop to his sides. He cracked a small, but genuine smile with the demon's promise. "A-ahaha, well, I appreciate the gesture, b-but hopefully we don't have to worry about that for awhile..." Yet another battle to the death over the fate of his planet was the last thing he wanted. How many of those had he been in so far? He'd lost count. But even the robot was bissfully unaware of the runic mark that appeared on the hand on his back, sealing the promise.
Back on the ground, the former saiyan awkwardly scratched the back of his head at the mention of his "mandatory" break. "I'm... not sure. Maybe I could work o-on some of my company proje-- no, no, that's work, but..." The poor android seemed to be at a genuine loss for how to treat himself, nevermind the lingering hesitancy about giving himself even a tiny break...
"Urgh, I'unno about thi--" Carro began to speak, but cut himself off. A presence tugged at the back of his head. A distant, distinctly metallic thunk shook the floor ever so slightly. A shadow cast in the hall outside, visible on the window on the office door, before light overtook the tiny window, like something from a horror flick. A colossal, glowing orange eye stared inside the room. Though the robot's energy was suppressed, it could be sensed with a distinct, uncanny similarity to that of her pilot's when his ki could still be sensed.
There was a reason why the ceilings of Crop Co's halls were so high.
"Oh! Uh! D-don't worry, she's a friend." Carro opened the door after speaking to the demon, heading out into the hall to greet his other half. "You're fixed already?? That's good!" He trotted up to his mech's lowered head. "You know your father can make swift work of my repairs." Again, there was that tug at his mind. Carro's own pale eyes flashed orange. Unbeknownst to the demon, LEO quickly read Carro's memories with his internal permission, swiftly catching her up on the events that unfolded. "....I see." Carro blinked, the brief glow in his gaze fading.
LEO straightened her form, looking to Carro's new ally. "It's not often we get an unscheduled visitor as cordial as yourself." The lack of an appointment was irksome, and LEO's tone made that clear. Still, she was grateful their guest's good will. "You have my thanks for aiding my partner here." LEO bared her fangs and turned to Carro. "And you," She hissed, "Are taking a break. This is non-negotiable."
"B-but I--!!"
"Did I stutter?"
"........No."
Carro slumped in defeat, though he quickly shook it off to look back to Zriracha. "O-oh, uh! Zriracha, this is LEO. L-LEO, this is Zriracha." He gestured between the two, hoping they'd get along... Maybe they'd get along too well, if that scheming, glint in LEO's eye was anything to judge as she looked to Zriracha. One pestering, persistent presence that constantly told him to take it easy was enough, and now there were two of them.
LEO arrives! [UT2] Ki Setting sets her PL to 50,000. [UT1] Life Link and [UT2] Soulbound are passively active, along with Life Link (x9P)- though its PL is suppressed. Her PL CAN be sensed with Ki Sense, and feels a lot like Carro's (*if he didn't have anti-sense)!
[UT1] Life Link also allows LEO to peep into Carro's memories with his consent.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zriracha on Jul 12, 2020 15:24:34 GMT -6
While Zriracha was mostly focused on figuring out how best to make Carro learn the art of ‘Fun’, occasionally glancing at him as he seemed to also struggle with something, the subsequent boom of something rather large vibration that had the Satyr woman pause and look around with immediate caution. When the light of the room appeared to be blocked, she would turn to see… She turned, backing away from whatever it was she saw. Instinctively stepping in front of him as the hackles of her fur flared threateningly. When he seemed to speak casually, if a bit nervous, about the oddly colored eye at the door, Zriracha leaned back with obvious mistrust before she kicked at the floor a few times – counting and calming herself. As the conversation took place, Zriracha would carefully – as if she were a cat greeting a new arrival – approach and look out the door. There… quite literally on fire was a large feline like being that appeared to be as robotic as Carro was. “O-Oh my…” As the being seemed to take notice of her, apparently appraised of her in some way that she wasn’t considered a threat, Zriracha would quickly cock her head to the side with a brief smile. “Not at all. I… I owe quite a bit of my own happiness to Carro, indirectly or otherwise.” And Zriracha respected the flow of the universe ultimately. She watched on with intrigued amusement when it seemed that Carro took orders from this incredible machine-like being, leaning against the door frame and crossing her arms. It wasn’t until Carro introduced them that Zriracha remembered her manners. Although her name was, in fact, dropped, the Demon was anything if not consistent – bowing at the waist and placing a hand at her chest, “Well met, LEO. Zriracha of Chakkapak. It is a pleasure.” As she leaned back up, sharing a somewhat kindred look with the large cat, she would return her gaze to Carro – expectant. “If you’re still struggling for an idea, then perhaps if I may be so bold…” She held her hands up, biting her lips as she concentrated before finally – with a SNAP! of her fingers – materialized something. It was quite obvious yet what it was, but given the bead of sweat that rolled down her face, it must have been something rather strenuous. “If you enjoy projects, then… perhaps you… will enjoy this,” She said between breaths as she caught hers. She walked down the hall, turning back toward the double doors she came in before pushing them out to reveal- Mixed in between the normal day-to-day hustle and bustle, but sticking out like a sore thumbs, a very interesting array of ephemeral-like stalls with various gadgets and gizmos of demonic origin. By every stall was a different-looking Demon but Zriracha was quite to inform them both, “Fear not for there are merely… holograms of my creation. Memories,” She finished, stepping from the door and sitting down near a bench before she felt as though she might fall. She looked up, “You like science and, believe or not, so too many beings from my realm as well. However, you might enjoy something a bit different from your usual fanfare,” With a weak grin, she encouraged him with a gesture to go explore the small ‘Science Fair’. The idea came from a recent trip she made as ‘Zira’ – recalling how interesting the little ‘Ursa’ was and their connection to Carro’s ‘Crop Co’. Carro Hofferson |
|
|
|
Post by Carro Hofferson on Aug 9, 2020 2:21:56 GMT -6
CARRO's PL: 100 (ANTISENSE) || TIANUM's PL: 7,000 || LEO'S PL: 50,000 (200k BASE / x9P / SET)
Despite both the mecha and demon's initial apprehension, Carro felt a wave of relief wash over him when the two seemed to click. He still felt some lingering concern in LEO, but that was currently pushed to the side in favor of Carro's own "need for a break," even though the little President knew he certainly did not need one... But he wasn't sure if he got a choice in that matter anymore.
Zriracha quickly did... something. She seemed tired all of the sudden. "A-are you okay!? What happened??" The little bot quickly asked in worry. She mentioned something about a project, and headed back to the doors to the main hall with a confused Carro in tow... His beady white eyes instantly lit up at the sight outside. Stalls upon stalls filled with mechanical knick-knacks and demons galore. They looked oddly transparent, but Carro didn't seem to notice at first over his own shock and wonder as he started to approach one like a kid on Christmas day.
...But obviously, as Zriracha quickly qualified, they were just illusions. "Ah. R-right." Carro stopped himself, meekly scratching the back of his head. None of this was actually real, that would be ridiculous, he thought as he caught a glimpse of his own reflection in the shiny surface of his arm. Seemingly snapped a little too hard back to reality, Carro's mind quickly looked for some more practical applications to this chance aside from appeasing his own new curiosity about these alien creations from Zriracha's memory... Maybe he could find some tech that he could apply to the eventual illusionary device he'd make for her! Even when he was taking a ""break,"" he felt that compulsion to work and be productive. But he wasn't about to say any of that aloud.
As the tiny President was sifting through some of the tech at one of the stalls, doing his darndest to visually suppress his own embarrassingly childlike wonder, LEO emerged from a large garage nearby after a brief detour of her own. "I cannot fit through standard doors, you know," She commented with a roll of her eyes, before looking upon the odd scene outside. Her Scouter systems detected no power from the apparent hoard of demons that came to set up shop in their front lawn, so it was easy for her supercomputer of a brain to put together what was going on on her own. At least Carro seemed to be enjoying himself for once.
Still, Carro couldn't hide that persisting sense of duty from his other half. LEO sighed deeply. "He worries me..." She commented idly as her friend had scampered off into the masses of stalls. "Though I am surprised you managed to make something like this. Keeping these projections here is not too taxing on you, is it?" The feline asked in brief concern- even if Carro was finally taking a sort-of-break, she wouldn't want it to be at the detriment of another. "Regardless, while he's occupied, if there is anything you would like to ask me about either of us or have any other concerns or requests, I can explain things to the best of my ability. I suppose it is the least I could do as thanks." LEO was much more willing to talk than Carro, especially if it meant finally giving someone the tools to better help her friend. Though Zriracha had yet to earn her full trust, being on the good side of Earth's strongest was a blessing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zriracha on Aug 13, 2020 15:18:12 GMT -6
Zriracha watched on with a soft smile as the little android went on to go explore; she knew he needed something big to distract him from his work, even if it might even inspire him to continue that very same work mere hours later. It was fine. Whether it was only a few hours or even minutes, so long as he was distracted, The devil is in the details… Zriracha mocked silently the twice-used words of her people. As she lamented about the oddity of her ordered chaos, she looked over to see Leo approach from a larger door and gave a surprised ‘OH!’ Zriracha was quick to provide apologies, standing to give a bow, “I didn’t even realize, forgive me,” She released another sigh of exertion, however, and just sat back down to relax against the bench. Moving was too difficult for the moment. Leo’s question was a surprising one, though no less appreciated as Zriracha waved off the concerns weakly, “Using magic – even powerful spells – is no different from flexing a muscle as you train your body,” She blinked, realizing that she was talking to both being made of machine and… surely something else she didn’t quite understand. “I-… I’m afraid my ignorance cannot conjure a better metaphor for those of the machine. But, all the same, I will be fine.” She looked back at Carro, “A little strain is worth it.” And it really was. Rather than the intoxicating and sickly-sweet scent of sorrow and hopelessness, Carro held one of curiosity and hope. Not as appealing to most, but for the Satyr of contradicting paths – it was a scent worth the trouble. Leo’s question had her dizzyingly at a loss for what to say, as evidence by Zriracha sudden stuttering with her face flushed deeply, “Ah-I… me? I – um…” She had many questions, of course, but to one as ignorant as her – many were best left to less technology advanced beings. Although, a personal one tugged at her, aching for a kind of release. “I do have one – a question, that is. What-,” She hesitated, knowing this was a tough question and even more difficult to answer. “Who did this to him? And was justice ever taken? Is there a chance he could… return to his original form?” Technology kept him alive, but... if there was anything that Demon magic could do, Zriracha was more than up to the task of looking for that answer. Carro Hofferson |
|
|
|
Post by Carro Hofferson on Sept 8, 2020 14:34:26 GMT -6
CARRO's PL: 100 (ANTISENSE) || TIANUM's PL: 7,000 || LEO'S PL: 50,000 (200k BASE / x9P / SET)
"Just do not be pushing yourself too hard, that will do neither you nor Carro any good." The mecha responded in response to the demon's explanation and comparison in regards to the illusionary ability she was displaying. The last thing she wanted was Zriracha to overexert herself, and following that would be a worried Carro who would probably blame himself and then some. The little Earthling was too kind and empathetic for his own good, even now.
Zriracha's questions were not unexpected, but still caused LEO to frown at the memories her inquiry caused to resurface. "If you are referring to his mechanization in and of itself, Carro himself did that-- though I'm not sure he expected it to actually work." The terrible trauma his robotic form gave him aside, What Carro did was a feat in the world of technology- transferring his soul from a vaporized body miles and miles away into a mechanical host... Unfortunately, it just had to work when it was still in its prototype phases. Carro would have made himself a more comfortable robotic housing if he'd had the time before his murder. Speaking of... "As for who killed us," Plural, both Carro and his companion by proxy had stopped breathing, "Two saiyans were responsible, turncoats of Kayen's Saiyan Kingdom that wanted to return to the imperialistic, bloodthirsty roots of the Saiyan Solar Empire from hundreds of years ago. There were more affiliated with the cause, but the former Kingdom soliders Vocado and Cress were the ones who... you know." LEO sighed. None of this was easy for her to talk about either.
"They wanted to..." She paused. Mention of the Dragon Balls was something she was hardly keen to tell her close friends about, let alone a new one. They were a danger to all that even knew of their existence. "...procure a powerful artifact Carro and I were guarding at the time to further their goals. We couldn't just let them take it, lest the entire galaxy be in grave danger, but... Well, you can guess how that went." She left the specifics vague intentionally. Any questioning about the artifact in question would only earn a sharp glare from LEO. "Vocado has been killed already, along with several of his other followers. There was a spirit named Kalabas that followed him and even tried to destroy Earth herself, and a mercenary named Scallio who I assume was hired. Cress, however, is still out there somewhere..." Again, she left out some details. The fact that tiny, innocent and helpful little Carro himself was the one who stopped Vocado's heartbeat was something she figured Carro wouldn't want known.
And the million dollar question, could it be undone? "..." LEO remained silent for several moments, deep in thought. "...There is only one way. One entity on this planet has the power to undo what has been done." Shenron himself was an enigma to LEO. How he worked was beyond her mortal knowledge, but she knew enough to know that the Eternal Dragon was powerful. "But I would not count on that, unfortunently. It's better that that power is used for something more important, Carro and I have both agreed. Cress destroyed an entire planet of innocent people with the help of the Stargoons- it is more important that that is undone... And before you ask, no, it cannot do both." She spoke solemnly. Carro said he wasn't bothered by it- Namek was more important. But she could plainly tell how much his soul ached for his old life.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zriracha on Jan 4, 2021 23:29:37 GMT -6
Zriracha listened with growing anxiety gnawing at her belly, noting the key words that Leo dropped. ‘Didn’t expect to work’ and ‘killed us’ immediately sent the Demon’s mind rushing in all directions as she imagined the confrontation. Although she was glad to hear the Kayen was not the one directly responsible, it made it that much harder to think the woman was trust-worthy. If Carro believed that Kayen was at fault for his death, what proof existed that could be used to justify claims to the contrary? Vocado… I do not know that name. But Cress- She remembered him, fighting against his ape-like form in a forest some time ago. He was formidable and… dangerous. She knew how much dangerous now. Although a few other names didn’t mean much to her, another caught her attention - one that had Zriracha give a beleaguered sigh of annoyance. “Kalabas is a being I have met before; though I can hardly say it was a pleasure. The apparition deigned to trick me into giving him some sort of freedom from another sorceress. I could not obliged, but little regret that is,” She grinned to spite the cold tendril of dread. While she was disheartened to know it couldn’t be undone without going against Leo and Carro’s wishes, Zriracha wasn’t going to just leave it at that. Her gaze turned back to Carro, softening before she spoke with strained conviction, “We’ll get his body back, Leo. Mark that as a promise or prophecy, but… we’ll find a way.” Tossing one last glance at Leo, Zriracha made to move herself back to her hooves and arched her back in such a way that a series of pops sang from her bones. “Ugh, even immortal, my body shows little sign of vigor,” She grimaced in disgust. When she was ready, Zriracha called the little scientist, “My friend, I will be taking my leave of you soon! Bid your farewells to the vendors, if wouldn’t mind,” She didn’t want to outright say that she was pushing herself, but this was merely a distraction and by the looks of the vendors she’d summoned, they’d had quite a bit of fun with Carro’s explorations and questions. She turned back to Leo, a twitch of a smile on her lips, “Do you think he’d like to see the Demon Realm one day? It’s no less warring than most believe it to be, but it’s… not all bad, I’d dare say.”
Carro Hofferson
|
|
