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Post by Zriracha on Aug 10, 2020 0:15:35 GMT -6
That grin was all Zriracha needed to know that there was an underlying darkness to the Arcosian that she knew lingered beneath the surface. As he turned to admonish the crew for their cowardice, the Demon would cock and eyebrow with interest – caught off guard by Ticoga’s severity in attitude. He insulted their intelligence; their bravery and it had the Demon quickly realize that what she’d hoped was just an amusing bit of ‘smokescreens and mirrors’… turned into something bit more serious to the Arcosian. Not entirely her intention, but it showed promise among her clan. “At ease, Ticoga,” Zriracha chuckled, watching the crewman begin to go red in the face and start to swell up at the absolutely GALL the newest member of their crew had. She stepped in front of Ticoga, her superior height not only hiding the crewman from view but also leering over the Arcosian. “While glad am I to see you enjoy a little entertainment… what was it I said this would be?” She waited a moment, hoping he’d remember why she’d wanted to tease the crew in the first place. Just in case he did or didn’t get it the first time, she helped him alone, “This was to ‘liven’ their boring existence. ‘Day in and day out on a ship’, that’s what I said, wasn’t it?” She glanced back at the engineer and provided a brief bow, “My apologies for his behavior. We are… learning of different cultures. You’ll forgive his harsh words, of course?” Her gaze was sharp but equally as inviting to challenge as she leered over the crewman. For a moment, he lingered – not liking her attitude before he just scoffed and walked away, “Kayen will hear of this,” He promised as if it were a threat that Zriracha cared little for. Turning back to Ticoga, Zriracha would offer him a small wink, “And that… is true chaos. Do this make sense? Do you understand the contradiction between toeing the line of ‘good and evil’, but never quite choosing a side?”
Ticoga
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Post by Ticoga on Aug 10, 2020 15:54:25 GMT -6
Ticoga turns to Zriracha and watches as she places herself between the red-faced crewman and himself, and lightly admonishes the Arcosian. Once again, evidently, he didn't appear to get the point. But the crew had shown such an egregious lack of reliability that Ticoga had been compelled to speak up.
When Zriracha asks that the crew forgive his outburst, Ticoga very nearly spoke up to say that he did not want the forgiveness of such a crew. After all, it was not their opinion of him that mattered - only powerful beings such as Kayen and Zriracha deserved to have expectations of him; these weaklings were the same as he. Fodder and fuel for the war machine.
Zriracha again turns to Ticoga, who listens intently. When asked if he understood, Ticoga touches his forefinger and thumb to his chin. After a moment, Ticoga nods.
"You generated a rabbit that surprised and interrupted the crew. A small chaos. The crew then realized that it was harmless, leading them to either become amused or turn back to their work. A small order." Ticoga replies evenly. "You transformed the rabbit into a nightmare beast that terrified them, a larger chaos. But then made it disappear, and worked to de-escalate the crew's anger and fear-induced adrenaline. A larger order."
Ticoga looks up at Zriracha intently.
"You speak of a form of balance. Of moderation." Ticoga continues, and then tilts his head. "But the notion of so-called good and evil is not a black and white belief. What I consider to be a good thing, another being may consider it to be evil, or insulting. The Fleet specifically instructed that one should never try to see the world through the veil of good and evil, but rather through what is and is not necessary. Is this comparable?"
Zriracha |
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Post by Zriracha on Aug 14, 2020 1:28:01 GMT -6
If she were a mother, Zriracha was certain she would have been proud to look upon Ticoga as if he were a son with limitless potential. To his impressive summary of understanding, Zriracha would nod, How quickly he fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Truly, a terrifying amount of potential he has. However, before she could elaborate more and possibly sound like the old crone she jokingly thought herself to be, he proposed a flaw in this methodology. Or… at least that is what Zriracha believe it to be. For a long moment, she thought about what he said and gave a soft, ‘hm’ before looking with a hand to her chin. “Comparable,” She mused softly in contemplation. “I am… not so certain it is. They are as comparable as the night is to the day, I’m afraid. Opposites, but not in a manner that makes them uncomplimentary,” She looked at him, an eyebrow raised almost scholarly, “Good and evil are incredibly subjective – as is what is ‘necessary and unnecessary’, but I’m afraid that’s where the similarities end and the complementary differences begin. See,” She raised a hand and snapped her fingers, summoning a small bag of money. “I can present to anyone any amount of currency they should desire, for any occasion. Particularly, in a time of need, an exchange of goods quickly is necessary. At this moment,” She gestured to the bag before handing it off to Ticoga to hold if he so desired. “-this conjured coin does not effect or cause any amount of chaos to the order. In fact,” She grinned, “-it emboldens order within the guidance of established law. However,” She raised her hand again, snapping her fingers and the money would disappear into motes of demon-light – revealing only a bag of signed ‘I.O.U’ papers. “When the transaction has been made and the purchase secured… what never was is revealed to be what is and chaos has been regained – shaking up the established order… quietly and without unnecessary chaos.” So long is her own explanation, Zriracha worried that she forget to establish a point and brought a hand to her head, “Oh dear, I’m… not so sure I remember what point I was trying to make. Pardon me; this old goat does seem to go on like a madwoman. I-” She laughed, “I meant only to entertain you, not bore you with my immoral and unethical calisthenics.”
Ticoga |
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Post by Ticoga on Aug 14, 2020 17:36:18 GMT -6
"No, actually I understand your meaning more so with that explanation." Ticoga replies, tilting his head thoughtfully. "If anything, I find this exchange to be quite fascinating. I would never have the opportunity to consider such concepts is the Fleet were still in power."
Ticoga corrects his posture, and glances at the crew. They were agitated, and for good reason. He had, most likely, taken things to the wrong direction - there was a chance that this was an attempt by Zriracha to also teach him something else. Looking back at her, Ticoga gives her an intrigued expression.
"If I were to look at this scenario you've provided from another perspective, I could assume you are trying to teach me to understand more than just having fun." Ticoga surmises, though he could likely be off the mark again. "It almost feels as though a part of this lesson is to teach me... what was it called... Empathy? Yes, consideration for the others."
Ticoga steps away from the room entrance, clasping his hands behind his back. He half turns to look back at Zriracha.
"Lady Zriracha, by and far, you are not boring me with these teaching scenarios." Ticoga informs the demon. "If nothing else, this only shows me how far the Fleet had already fallen before the initial war against the Saiyans."
Ticoga smiles, a look in his eyes as though something had clicked.
"I will endeavor to make use of this lesson, in part because you also made me realize that there is indeed something I enjoy." Ticoga's expression softens, and a look almost akin to an expression of fondness shows itself. "In the future, I should like to cook a meal for you, as thanks for your vested interest. While I never considered whether or not I enjoyed the activity, I am quite confident in my cooking skill."
Ticoga offers Zriracha a low bow.
"In regards to whether or not I would join your clan, I must ask that I take the opportunity to learn more first." Ticoga tells Zriracha, bowing his head slightly lower, almost apologetically. "I understand why you wish to offer it; or I assume that I understand. But perhaps it would be best for me to develop myself further, until I can find the strength to emancipate myself from servitude."
Ticoga goes silent for a moment, and straightens his posture back to fully face Zriracha. His eyes are to the floor, and something in his new expression seems troubling.
"...The Fleet used me as a weapon, and Arcose reinforced my place as a tool to be used and disposed of once my usefulness has ended." Ticoga tells the demon, not quite sure why he felt the urge to. "The Saiyan Kingdom will likely use me in much the same way... this is why I consider myself a slave, no matter how well my treatment changes. I am still a weapon, but a weapon that has changed hands."
Ticoga looks up at Zriracha.
"When the day comes for my emancipation. I will endeavor to make it so I would be worthy of your praise, and your efforts to teach me, despite my... stubbornness." Ticoga finishes, his eyes locked on Zriracha's eyes. "...The galaxy fluctuates with unbalanced power... Chaos and Order... Hm..."
Ticoga turns away from Zriracha and starts down the hall, contemplating this lesson.
"Thank you for the lesson, Lady Zriracha." Ticoga calls back. "It was... fun."
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Post by Zriracha on Aug 17, 2020 5:43:14 GMT -6
More and more, beyond Zriracha’s expectations, Ticoga displayed a child-like ability to understand what was going on and learn from it at an accelerated pace. As the saying once went, ‘it is hard to fill a cup that was already full’ – but that was hardly the case here. To his compliments and gratitude, Zriracha just shook her head with a smile, “Glad am I know that you have enjoyed this encounter; in honesty, I wasn’t certain that we could find common ground.” To his offer of a meal, the Demon was suddenly excited and intrigued all at once – her previous composure abandoned as her tail twitched with excitement.
“I would be overjoyed! Food is… Oh, how to describe it.” She chuckled face almost flushed. “A delight over the realms; hardly, can I say I’ve found anything unworthy of the experience!” As the moment calmed and Ticoga expressed that he required time before accepting her offer, Zriracha would listen carefully, knowing there was more to it. His life with the fleet sounded harsh and difficult; her smile falling just so into one of concern as he repeated that he felt as if he had merely changed hands.
When all was said, and he had finished with a promise to come to her when he had felt sufficiently emancipated, Zriracha crossed her arms and smirked, “If ever you require my help, at any time, you need only call for me. I make my home upon Earth, should you ever decide to visit. Unbalance is ever changing, my friend-” Her eyes flared once more, “-that is why we must ever be vigilant. Chaos guide you, Ticoga,” She spoke in finality to him, watching as he continued in a contemplative stride.
It was almost time for the meeting with Flip Fortuna.
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