[PS] Bar/Theatre/Arcade

[Bra]

Re-materializing after having your very molecular structure torn to shreds and pieced together by a precise series of digital instruments absolutely sucked. Just like every other time she?d used one of the insidious machines, Bra was left with a raging headache, whose jackhammer strikes could fell even the strongest building.

Maybe it had to do with her distrust of the machinery. It was a derivative of several Capsule Corporation?s scientific breakthroughs, but even so; if it were to ever fail or operate incorrectly, it could either kill someone in transport or cause them to outright cease to exist, perhaps even worse than that.

Regardless, she was in the sprawling compound that was the Dante?s Abyss waiting area. She wasn?t sure if it was in orbit, or hidden somewhere on a planet, since this year?s location hadn?t yet been divulged to her.

The cyan haired heiress stalked between gaps in the throng of warriors who had gathered, and caught sight of a sign suspended from the ceiling a fair distance into the lobby. It offered locations for the warriors to visit, including helpful arrows to point everyone in the right directions, much like the signs often seen in airports.

One interesting sign read ?Bar, Theater, and Arcade.? Bra flashed a smirk; bars were a hotbed for idiocy and over-inflated egos. It would be fun to silence a few blowhards before the competition began. A little fear would do them good.

Marching up a set of stairs, the slender halfling found herself at the bar?s entrance. Pushing open the door, she walked in just in time to see a drunken, blond mountain of a man laid low from a brutal punch to the jaw.

The man standing over him was even larger - the perfect target. Gliding through the crowd, and attracting a few looks from several competitors along the way, the empress placed herself just in front of the towering aggressor.

?You think you?re pretty tough, eh?? Bra spoke with the slightest hint of venom behind her words. A sinister smirk played across her visage as the warrior guffawed at the comment.

?I jus? dropped that punk bitch. Yeah, I guess I am pretty tough.? he retorted.

?Be careful!! He- He-? cried the waitress.

?Shut up, slut!!? retorted the monstrous barfly. That comment struck a nerve. The hybrid reached out, gently brushing her fingertips along the warrior?s bicep, before driving her knee deep into his gut, doubling him over as the air in his lungs rushed out of his filthy mouth.

?She didn?t do anything to you, you worthless piece of shit.? Bra icily declared, before bringing her elbow down on the man?s back, slamming him into the floor. She spat on the fallen fighter, and then turned her attention on the blond man.

?Picked the wrong fight, I guess?? the teal haired princess inquired, extending her hand to the recovering bodybuilder. The man obliged, putting his own hand in her grip. Bra hauled him to his feet, and on wobbly legs, the blond warrior refused to fall back down.

?He did it to protect me, actually.? the waitress interjected, offering the man a smile of thanks before returning to her duties. The saiyan-human cross cringed at the smell emanating from the man she?d just helped up; he was very obviously drunk.

?I figured you just picked a fight you couldn?t win. I guess he sucker-punched you, huh?? Bra wondered aloud. ?Well, I was going to drop you along with him, but... well, you?re lucky you were trying to do the right thing. Even if you suck at it.?

?I?m... not drunk.? the man finally managed to retorted, slurring his speech as he spoke. Evidently the rest of the conversation had completely gone over his head, which was fine. The princess didn?t take an immediate dislike to the man, and he had displayed traits of nobility.

?I?ll bet. What?s your name, hm?? Bra suddenly demanded. The blond fighter nearly recoiled at the comment, but suddenly his composure came rushing back to him, snapping him out of his stupor, if not for but a moment.

?I am Olibu. And you are...??

?Bra.? the half-blood replied, short and cutting, as if to say ?don?t even think about making fun of my name.? Either Olibu picked up the hint, or didn?t have any reason to make fun, because his expression didn?t change in the slightest.

?Well... Bra. Do you drink?? he kindly asked, taking a seat and extending his hand as a gesture for the girl to sit down as well. The teal haired fighter complied, though she made her response with an obvious degree of hesitation.

?I, uh... not really. What?s... good?? inquired the princess as her cheeks flushed, matching the color of her clothes.

?Not much of a drinker, huh? Well, can I order something for you to try?? Olibu suddenly demanded. Bra nodded, mumbling her response inaudibly. ?Excuse me!? the muscle-bound blond waved down a waitress. ?Can I get a whiskey double and... I guess a... spiced rum and coke for the lady. Not too much rum, though.?

?Uh, yeah, sure.? replied the barmaid with a smile, before heading off to fill the order. The halfling silently wondered just what the hell Olibu had ordered for her, but she most certainly wasn?t going to act like she didn?t know. Instead, she waited for him to change the subject.