06-02-2008, 06:30 AM
The first sounds of life began to echo along the environment, the island of Dante awakening at last as the sun showed its sleepy face. What remaining hours were left of darkness dwindled away, revealing a sweeping landscape filled with hidden warriors waiting to spring out at a moment’s notice. No longer having a need of it, Bardock doused the makeshift campfire in dirt, so as not to create any more plumes of smoke than had already been puffed from the flames.
His injured side of his face began to itch, and subconsciously, the saiya-jin scratched at it. The dirty fingernails tore open the freshly-sealed wound, and blood began to dribble down his jawline. Violet made a face, clearly discontent with just leaving the missing ear be. Bardock paid her concerns no mind. Losing an ear was not nearly as bad as losing an eye, so he was much more fortunate this go-around. If that pitchfork prong had found a different mark a few more inches the other direction, things would be a different story. That was the last the bruiser concerned himself with what could have been. He had received his battle wounds, he would bear them proudly, and he would move on to the next contender.
The saiya-jin whipped out his paper map, the new danger zones having already been marked off. He stood quietly in contemplation, plotting their next move.
Violet edged next to him, and leaned over to observe where his finger was tracing along the cartograph. She jabbed an index on a nearby square. “We should go here,” she suggested, tapping on the coordinates.
“Why’s that?” Bardock demanded curiously.
“That’s the best location,” she explained, and began to point out all of the advantages.
Bardock folded up the map and placed it back in his bag. Her argument seemed to hold water, and any location was good enough for him really. It didn’t matter where you were when you killed someone. Whatever place was the same as another when it came down to that. Consciously, Violet scuttled away, realizing she’d gotten close again. The roughneck wasn’t too bothered by it. Not even the warmth of her closeness could distract him right now.
“Let’s roll,” he confirmed. The powerful duo sped off through the sloped territory, keeping their pace steady and even.
“Get this,” Bardock called out, barking out a directive. “If either of us dies, we both go back to Earth and meet at the ship.”
Violet paused a moment before responding, her earlier uncertainties arising. “Does that mean you’re coming with me?”
“Your shit’s still there,” the man answered, not really a definitive reply. “And if the time comes, if you don’t come at me, I will kill you.”
He would do it. He would do it even if she didn’t fight back. Just like he had done with Hasky so long ago. She was only as good to him here as the weight she pulled, regardless of their recent history. The saiya-jin was set in his ways, and wasn’t about to change now.
Bardock kept his eyes peeled, scanning the immediate area as they scurried along. The effeminate announcer had brought something to everyone’s attention. This year, they were dropping random weapons, the first one being a sniper rifle. A firearm of that caliber was worth something, especially if others flocked at the chance of getting it, which meant a guaranteed fight. The saiya-jin mused the concept over. He could find a fight whenever he wanted this way, and if he was good enough, he’d walk away with something dandy. Ultimately, Bardock decided to bide his time. He was a hunter, and a hunter let opportunity meet preparation.
However, thinking of something, the fighter added aloud, “Keep your guard up. By now almost everyone’s allied up and the chance to pick off strays is pretty much gone. Everyone will be moving.”
Violet grinned, shooting the brawler a confident look. “Believe it or not, I have played this game before.”
Bardock cracked a side-smile as they leaped across a small ravine. He only hoped she could deliver.
His injured side of his face began to itch, and subconsciously, the saiya-jin scratched at it. The dirty fingernails tore open the freshly-sealed wound, and blood began to dribble down his jawline. Violet made a face, clearly discontent with just leaving the missing ear be. Bardock paid her concerns no mind. Losing an ear was not nearly as bad as losing an eye, so he was much more fortunate this go-around. If that pitchfork prong had found a different mark a few more inches the other direction, things would be a different story. That was the last the bruiser concerned himself with what could have been. He had received his battle wounds, he would bear them proudly, and he would move on to the next contender.
The saiya-jin whipped out his paper map, the new danger zones having already been marked off. He stood quietly in contemplation, plotting their next move.
Violet edged next to him, and leaned over to observe where his finger was tracing along the cartograph. She jabbed an index on a nearby square. “We should go here,” she suggested, tapping on the coordinates.
“Why’s that?” Bardock demanded curiously.
“That’s the best location,” she explained, and began to point out all of the advantages.
Bardock folded up the map and placed it back in his bag. Her argument seemed to hold water, and any location was good enough for him really. It didn’t matter where you were when you killed someone. Whatever place was the same as another when it came down to that. Consciously, Violet scuttled away, realizing she’d gotten close again. The roughneck wasn’t too bothered by it. Not even the warmth of her closeness could distract him right now.
“Let’s roll,” he confirmed. The powerful duo sped off through the sloped territory, keeping their pace steady and even.
“Get this,” Bardock called out, barking out a directive. “If either of us dies, we both go back to Earth and meet at the ship.”
Violet paused a moment before responding, her earlier uncertainties arising. “Does that mean you’re coming with me?”
“Your shit’s still there,” the man answered, not really a definitive reply. “And if the time comes, if you don’t come at me, I will kill you.”
He would do it. He would do it even if she didn’t fight back. Just like he had done with Hasky so long ago. She was only as good to him here as the weight she pulled, regardless of their recent history. The saiya-jin was set in his ways, and wasn’t about to change now.
Bardock kept his eyes peeled, scanning the immediate area as they scurried along. The effeminate announcer had brought something to everyone’s attention. This year, they were dropping random weapons, the first one being a sniper rifle. A firearm of that caliber was worth something, especially if others flocked at the chance of getting it, which meant a guaranteed fight. The saiya-jin mused the concept over. He could find a fight whenever he wanted this way, and if he was good enough, he’d walk away with something dandy. Ultimately, Bardock decided to bide his time. He was a hunter, and a hunter let opportunity meet preparation.
However, thinking of something, the fighter added aloud, “Keep your guard up. By now almost everyone’s allied up and the chance to pick off strays is pretty much gone. Everyone will be moving.”
Violet grinned, shooting the brawler a confident look. “Believe it or not, I have played this game before.”
Bardock cracked a side-smile as they leaped across a small ravine. He only hoped she could deliver.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
_=Pass you by, it's all in this life you have
Pass you by, good-bye to you=_
Pass you by, good-bye to you=_