[PS] VIP Lounge

[Bardock]

Yeah, he?d messed up again. What else was new?

He was about to indulge himself with another glass of his beloved drink when two Syntex officials stepped up to where he was seated, one grabbing him on the shoulder.

?Bardock?? he said roughly.

Bardock gave a mock smile and removed the hand from his shoulder. ?Don?t touch me.?

?Congratulations, sir, you are contestant number fourteen in this year?s Dante?s Abyss. Please come with us,? the staff announced without missing a beat, no enthusiasm in his voice.

The saiyan stood up, a smirk crossing his face. He gave a gesture of farewell to Raditzu, and grabbed his glass, motioning to the waitress. ?I?m taking this.?

By the time they arrived at the designated location, the glass was empty. Bardock gazed at the VIP lounge, a large room with numerous beds assembled inside. The Syntex guard handed him a bag labeled with his number, and the saiyan returned the bestowment by handing him his glass. ?Here, hold this.?

With that, he proceeded to find his bed. Locating number fourteen quickly, he flopped down on the end, beginning to rifle through the bag. There was a tag on the outside describing its contents: two day supply of bread and water; compass; map; scouter; weapon. This was news. He knew they were all given a scouter, but not a weapon. He was also more than upset that he was supposed to live off bread and water for two days. These people were cruel to his voracious appetite. Bar glanced inside to check exactly what his weapon was, and upon discovery, closed it up with a grin. Then he casually tossed his duffel to the side of the bed, falling backwards and tucking his hands underneath his head. Now was a good time to rest and make mental preparations. Out of curiosity, he craned his head over to see who was nearby. Sitting down on thirteen was someone who was deeply engrossed in conversation?with Goku Junior. He quickly turned the other way, not wanting to engage in another discussion with the half pint version of himself. Bardock didn?t even get a good enough look to recognize who number thirteen actually was?had he his reaction would have been a little bit different. Jerking his head the other way caused him to spy someone he did recognize on number fifteen: blonde hair, sulky, no energy signature. He raised his voice, now oblivious to the pair behind him.

?Well you look absolutely thrilled to be here,? he called over to Eighteen, only half expecting a response.


OOC: I see you. @_@

[Raditzu]

"Interesting..."

The long-haired saiya-jin was, in all actuallity, referring to the sensation he had received from being forcibly teleported to this "VIP Lounge" (as the sign over a nearby door informed him). It felt as thought someone had cracked a warm egg across his neck. The warm, sort of oozing crept down his spine, down his legs and slowly faded away as his body acclimatised itself to the room he was in. He involunatrily shivered as he cast his gaze about the surroundings. He had kindly enough been transported just in front of a bed marked '#18' and a pang shot through him as he read his designated number. Instinctively he snapped his head around, looking for the woman, but he didn't see her. His eyes came to rest on the figure of his father. With a sigh he wandered on over to him, not bothering to look in the bag that had been set aside for him.

"Heya, pops. What's... Eighteen!?"

On the bed that Bardock was standing next to lay the small frame of Android Eighteen. The long-haired saiya-jin had simply assumed that the bed was Bardock's, since he hadn't seen Eighteen from where he was standing. A wave of relief washed over him as the android flipped onto her side at the sound of his voice. Their eyes met for the first in far too long and neither could help smiling. After a moment of silence, Bardock coughed politely (or as politely as he could manage) and Rad's head turned back towards him. The long-haired saiyan blinked several times, having completely forgotten about his father's presence. Rad returned his usual grin to his face and finished the question he had started.

"What's an old man like you doing here? You're gonna bust a hip if you're not careful."

[Minoshia]

Minoshia sat down next to the card duelers, wondering how they could be playing such a trivial game so soon to the hour when they could very well meet their demise. Perhaps their goal was to relieve stress, to lessen the burden they all felt weighing down on their chests, dragging them slowly into their graves. As soon as everyone realized the inevitable nature of their venture, it would be less bearing on their souls. It mattered little to the Konat who sat among his brethren, and among strangers, he had seen the worst this universe could throw at him, another venture into the teeth of the dragon was just another walk in the fields, just another day in the park.

Men allied themselves with machines; emerald skinned warriors forced their minds to become friends with saiyan warriors. Most hated rivals became true friends. The tournament had its benefit, which was obvious. It seemed out of all the blood and chaos, bonds of peace would be formed that could never be broken. There was something to say for this. As an Advocate of both heaven and hell, Minoshia was torn inside; he ached for both destruction of all and the kind of peace that could only be found in avoiding violence. It seemed his mysterious paths had brought him to a place where he hadn't ever found himself before, sitting at a crossroads with both the wicked and the just. When he stood at the gates of the Lord, where would he fall? He had taken a good many innocent lives, he had also taken equally a many of wicked ones. His hands were stained with the blood of men and women who resided in both categories. The Prince remained stagnant; his mind so confused it refused to budge. What if there was no salvation, that would only equate to everything he ever accomplished was only in vain. It would mean he wasn't a servant of Hell, nor a warrior from the skies above, but a mere mortal on this earth, as vulnerable as the elderly cripple who bought apples at the market before The Konat ridded the world of his presence.

"It is better not to think of these things." Minoshia accidentally mumbled out loud, catching the attention of his brother and the strange Namekian mercenary. Both cast him a glance, questioning his sanity, but disregarded it as merely an accident, rather then a revelation of truth.

"You in?" The green skinned warrior stopped dealing the cards, looking at the younger Konat whose eyes ventured into the worlds beyond these constraining walls.

"I'll sit this one out." His brother threw him another glance, this time a mixture of sadness and happiness, how this could be the younger hadn't a clue, but it was there in front of him. Miracles seemed to be all around him in the smallest form. He sat staring into the crowd where his nemesis resided, his emotions blank, free of hatred. He could feel his anger pulsing, but it never reached its breaking point. There was only one truth that Minoshia was sure of anymore, only one reality he could prove. At the end of the day, The Konat Prince, of whatever allegiance, of darkness or of light, would be stained red with the blood of the just, or of the wicked. The soldier of both celestial planes would march on.

[Retane]

The deck was shuffled and bridged multiple times. Nothing fancy or tricky was done as the cards were mixed and seperated as they should. The deck was placed on the bed so that the Mohekan could cut the deck. Tapion, took three fourths of the deck and made four stacks in a sqaure formation. Retane, in no clear order returned them to a single deck.

It is better not to think of these things? What could this warrior mean? What exactly is he thinking about?

The face down cards were delt.

Is he afraid of dying? Or is it killing? If it is either then perhaps he shouldnm't have come to such a tournament. Though, he was brought here so he must some what be good.

The face up cards were dealt. Tapion had the nine of GPS, or clubs, while Retane had the queen of skulls, or spades if you wanted to get technical. He checked his face down card and saw the three of red crosses, or diamonds if you still prefer. He checked Tapion to see what he wished to do.

"Hit me", came the words. The Konat received the seven of diamonds. "I'll stay." The peach skinned warrior seemed excited about this card.

The namek placed a card for himself face up. It was a two of clubs. The green fighter had fifteen. He couldn't stop until he had at least sixteen and after that he would be forced to stop. Another card was flipped revealing the ten of clubs. The Namek had busted. Tapion flipepd his face down card to reveal the two of diamonds.

"Good job. You won that one", commented the mercenary as he took the used cards and set them to his left, Tapions right. he repeated his action with the face down cards and then the face up cards. The Konat had the king of hearts, while Retane had the jack of spades. Both checed their cards eagerly hoping for a Black Jack but neither had it obviously. Retane observed he had an eight of clubs. He wouldn't be able to move but he had a good chance of winning.

"I'l stay" ,came the words of the alien. Retane nodded and showed his card. Tapion only smiled with glee as he showed the ten of spades.

"Once again, luck is with you."

Luck. Like cards, luck would be a great factor in the tournament. Retane would have to play this game well to come out on top or near the top at the very least. The emerald warrior placed the used cards in the discard pile and began to deal again.

'Please, tell me about your race and your planet."


(OOC: Cards left in the deck before next game
Hearts(actual Heart)- 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q A
Spades(Skulls- 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 K A
Clubs(GPS)- 3 4 5 6 7 8 J Q K A
Diamonds(Red Cross)- 4 5 6 8 9 10 J Q K A)

[Android-18]

?Well you look absolutely thrilled to be here,? his voice almost took her by surprise. It was merely because he somewhat reminded her of his son. She casually rolled over onto her other side to face him.

?Have you ever felt heart broken?? she asked in such a tone that was both cold and naive at the same time. He didn?t respond. ?I?ve done this dance too many times, there?s no point in getting thrilled or excited. I?d rather focus on reality.? For a moment she did take the time to look him over. She hadn?t seen the old Saiya-Jin since?well, she couldn?t remember. He looked hardly changed, and she realized she was being a little mean. With a sigh she confessed, ?I do appreciate the attempt at conversation, though, believe me. I?d just rather it was from your son, and by son I mean the one with a strange affixation with hair products and waffles.?

Speaking of the devil, she felt the prickly sensation of his ki signature blipping into range. She didn?t bother to look around, but she didn?t need to. He strolled right up to them and began engaging in a conversation with Bardock, before realizing who was lying in the bed. A stunned silence as she turned to face him. She let a meek smile warm her lips before the brute of a Saiya-Jin was back on track and finishing what he was saying to his father. Something about a hip, she didn?t really pay attention after that. ?Nice to see you too.? She said mostly to herself. In truth, perhaps she was feeling slightly thrilled, but only a little.

[Bardock]

Android Eighteen indeed responded to the sound of his voice, slowly flipping over and then almost immediately firing a question.

?Have you ever felt your heart broken??

Bardock remained stoic to the inquiry, yet it hit a little closer to home than anyone might have realized. Outwardly, he could interpret the tone of voice she used. It was almost accusing to him, yet strangely innocent. He elected not to respond. His mind was void of one in any case. ?I?ve done this dance too many times,? she continued, answering his question. ?There?s no point in getting thrilled or excited. I?d rather focus on reality.?

There was a pause, and her eyes roved around his image. Once again, he was dumbfounded for a reply. It had crossed his mind for a rematch to finish what they started in the first Dante?s Abyss, just for kicks, but it seemed to him that her heart just wouldn?t be in it. Disappointing for him, but there would be no meaning in a crossing of fists if the femme fatale didn?t put forth everything. Either way, Bardock didn?t want her just sitting there. What good would come of it? Emotional as she was, he sensed something of kindred spirit: two people searching for something that seemed just beyond reach. Her hand, however, had actually found something; he was still fumbling blindly in the dark.

She sighed. ?I do appreciate the attempt at conversation, though, believe me. I?d just rather it was from your son, and by son I mean the one with a strange affixation for hair products and waffles.?

To that, he did have a response, but it was not to be.

?Heya, Pops. What?s?Eighteen?!?

The androidess turned to the sound of the oh-so-familiar voice, completely startled. Raditzu?s ears must have been burning. Both lovers locked eyes and shared a smile, the true meaning only privy to them. Bardock felt somewhat awkward in this situation?always caught in the middle. He coughed as politely as he could to clear up the air. Raditzu seemed surprised by the noise, indicating that both of them had forgotten about his presence. Shaking it off and grinning, the longhaired saiyan readily dished out his usual commentary.

?What?s an old man like you doing here? You?re gonna bust a hip if you?re not careful.?

?I?d hate to be a disappointment,? the elder retorted, quirking an eyebrow and letting an amused smile cross his face. With that, he turned his face away, indicating that the trade-off had come to a premature close?not that another one wasn?t too far behind, anyway. He glanced over at Eighteen; the blond woman seemed lost in herself once again. The saiyan looked away. He never knew what to say to something like that, and it wasn?t really his place at the moment anyway. First impulse gave him the decision of just leaving the two to their own devices and letting them sort out their problems, but what would he go do? Find someone else to talk to? The brawler scoffed at the ludicrousness of the idea. Besides, he was sitting on his bed, his claimed property. Thus, he stayed put.

?So, are the three of us going to go on a rampage?? Bardock inquired, inferring to their previous trepidations.

[Raditzu]

"Nice to see you too."

Raditzu barely caught the words as he spoke to his father. As Bardock had finished his off-hand retort Rad was finishing his mental hari-kari. That was bloody brilliant. Instead of even saying hi to your lover, why not give your old man a pat on the back. No really... that's brilliant. There was a brief pause between the three warriors, neither of them really having any idea what to say. It looked as though 18 was still pouting, Raditzu was kicking himself and Bar was just kind of looking around. Though it really had only been a few seconds, they seemed to stretch on forever to Raditzu. Twice he opened his mouth to say something and twice nothing came. Had Bardock been anyone but Bardock, Raditzu would have kissed him for breaking the silence. Rad's head snapped towards his father at speeds normally reserved for mortal enemies.

"So, are the three of us going to go on a rampage??

"Are you kidding, we're going to rip these guys apart," Rad waved his arm towards the rest of the room as he spoke. Frankly, Bardock could have said anything and Rad would have given the same response. He was a little preoccupied. "Isn't that right, babe?"

The androidess rolled onto her side and glance at Rad for a moment. She pursed her lips, then glanced around at the various competitors that had been chosen to participate thus far. "Looks like it." She rolled back onto her stomach.

Another silence fell between the three. This was going swimmingly, if Rad said so himself. If only they were already where ever they were going and there was killing to be had. That would certainly help untie the knot that was forming in the stomach of the long-haired wonder. Rad's eyes darted back and forth, looking for something to start up a conversation with. Just about anything would have done, really. It was about then that Rad noticed the majority of his personal belongings were missing. His tail fidgeted about his waist, feeling for any of the various pouches and pockets he used to carry his items and capsules, but nothing was there. Until that moment, Rad hadn't even noticed that his scouter had been removed from its rightful place over his left eye. Rad scanned both Bardock and 18 for their belongings, but it looked as though both of them were given the once-over as well.

"They give everyone the same items, for this thing," mentioned Bardock. Having followed both Rad's tail and eye movements, it wasn't hard for the soldier to guess what was going through his son's mind. "As if it'll matter. Gadgets don't make you a winner."

"That supposed to be fatherly advice?" Rad raised an eyebrow at Bar.

The older saiyan merely grunted in response. "They put everyone's stuff in a bag on your bed." The pureblood hooked his thumb towards the bag sitting behind him on his own bed. "They even gave everyone a random weapon of some kind to use. Apparently they're all different. Or something like that."

Craning his neck, Raditzu could see the bag sitting on his bed, still chalk full of all kinds of playthings. Though he wasn't particularly interested in spreading everything out just yet, he thought a cursory glance might be in order. In quick succesion, Rad had crossed back towards his bed, rifled through his bag and withdrawn a scouter with a wide grin. As he strode back towards Bardock and Eighteen he fixed the small device onto his eye with a content sigh. He grinned at Bardock and point at it.

"Just doesn't feel right without it."

"Ha. I hear ya."

Instead of standing awkwardly between Eighteen and Bardock, Rad took a seat at the edge of Eighteen's bed, so he was facing his father. He rested his hand gently against her back, causing what felt to be a mild twich. Rad looked over to 18 briefly, though she did not return his gaze. She seemed content to simply lay there. At some future point in time, when they were alone, Rad would have to ask her what they had been up to. Whether Eighteen knew it or not, he had just gone an entire year without seeing her, and that was far more strenuous than he had immagined. Fortunately, he was completely unable to express this. It wouldn't be any fun if it were easy, now would it? In a voice smaller than he had intended, Rad told 18 I missed you, though he wasn't sure if she had heard him. She didn't react.

"So, pops, got any brilliant ideas for this little shin-dig?" Rad looked around as he asked that question. "By the way... they have anything to eat around here?"

[Hellfighter 17]

OOC: I?m going over to meet the ?new? Bra. =o

?Well then,? retaliated Thirteen, frustrated with the rest of the group?s lack of caring. ?Any other suggestions?? he asked, lying down onto the bed. Seventeen rolled his eyes at the fellow android, thinking he was a bit too dramatic. The rest of the group began into conversation again, but the hell fighter decided to stay out of it this time; he was becoming bored with the introductions and catching up.

He looked towards the entrance and saw two people walk in. The first, a male with black hair, appearing to be a saiya-jin with battleworn eyes, and the second was a woman, The female didn?t have that battle-scarred look to her that most other saiyans wore, but she seem to be a fighter. Her face and well-developed upper chest gave it away that she was a woman, but her impurity-free face said she was still young.

He thought the woman looked familiar, especially with the turquoise hair. Deciding that it would be more enjoyable to find out who she was than it would be to just stand around, he began to walk towards the female. The saiyan and the blue-haired woman started a conversation just a little bit before he got there, but Seventeen decided to cut in, anyway. ?Hello,? he broke in, summoning gazes from the both of them. He turned to the princess?s confused face. ?You look awfully familiar?who are you?? The woman looked to Reijin and then back at the humanoid.

?I?m. . .Bra,? she said, raising an eyebrow.

?Really?! What happened to you?? he questioned, looking up and down her body once more.

?Uhh,? she began, weary of answering. ?Who are you??

The hell fighter?s eyes widened, surprised at this. ?I?, Seventeen?don?t you remember?? The girl looked at him blankly. ?We last saw each in the hospital on Friend or Foe II.?

?I remember Friend or Foe, but some things are still a bit hazy.?

?Well,? began Seventeen, trying to force back a grin, but horrible failing. ?Maybe this will jog your memory!? He extended his right foot, giving him the chance to be slightly behind the female, and while doing so he grabbed the back of her bra, pulled back, and released. Her head immediately jerked up and back, nearly hitting Seventeen?she was sorry she missed.

[Violet]

So the Kid absorbed a guy named Dunham, huh? Well?that certainly explained a lot. She thought through the drunken haze. She had known of a Dunham back on Earth, he was a famous director, but his works was something she wasn?t something she preferred. It did, however, explain his ability to engage coherent conversation, and perhaps that air of refinement he possessed, the small lump of his chin was held sternly, the look in his deep onyx eyes something no child should ever have.

These majins were certainly a strange lot, the first she had met of them was the portly Majin Buu back when she was with Xero Tolerance. He had been her best friend for a short while, and then, he just disappeared off the radar. Nothing.

Xero Tolerance had been her first clan, before Civil Unrest. She hadn?t been in their ranks for long, and the only real relation she made was with the pudgy majin. She had to wonder if the other two knew about him. A conversation for another time, she thought. Her head hurt too much for her to start on tthat story.

Sleep was definitely going to be a trip tonight, and the morning was one prospect she didn?t look forward to. The woman hadn?t had a hangover in years, but with as much as she drank tonight, the possibility wasn?t discounted.

The one she felt the most sorry for was poor Super Buu; the majin had seen better days, none in recent history that she could recall, but she had to wonder. At least Kid was handling it better than they were. If one didn?t pay enough attention, you would think he was as sober as a horse.

After Sixteen, Puar and Seventeen left, the trio was left to themselves. Super Buu leaned back against the tree, trying hard to pretend he hadn?t been affected by the liquor.

?It?s a little late for that, Buu.?

He looked up at her, confused. ?A little late for what??

?You?re drunk, you dolt.? Kid Buu piped up, getting to his feet and brushing the loose tendrils of grass off his rear.

?Am not!?

?Are. Too.? Violet argued, pushing her face closer to him. Arguing obvious shit was something she was good at, and it got her too fired up to think clearly. Even in this state, the rubber golem could smash the life out of her, if he felt like it, that is.

?AM! NOT!? Super threw back with venom. His face flushed red, as if he were going to explode.

Violet sighed, and prepared to fire back, but was interrupted.

?Violet Uzamaki, Super Buu, and Kid Buu.? The voice made her bolt upright, becoming suddenly aware of her state of undress. Snatching the shirt she had stuffed in her back pocket, she pulled it over her head and fixed it in place, then turned towards the voice.

The man was a foot taller than her, as most people were, dressed in black slacks and a bland white dress shirt, buttoned neatly up to his neck. His hair was short, black, smoothed back away from his face. Professionalism wafted off of him like a stinky gym sock. In one hand, he held a plastic clipboard, in the other, a pen was poised above it, ready to check off their names.

?We are they.? Kid Buu offered, his voice calm, neutral. Point for him.

?Good. You have been accepted into the VIP section. This means that you three will be participating in Dante?s Abyss 2006. Congratulations.?

There was a rush of happiness through the trio, it wasn?t an all out hugfest, but the slaps of their palms in high fives was all the celebration they needed. Perhaps a Bacardi or two when they finally got to their destination would finish their exuberance.

?If you would be so kind as to follow me, I will show you to where you need to go.? The man spun on his highly polished heel and walked on, not looking back to see if they were following or not.

?It?s about damn time.? Super Buu muttered, rising clumsily to his feet. Before he could fall, Violet and Kid Buu rushed up to him, balancing the Majin awkwardly on their shoulders as they led him towards the game official.

A large, silver plated ship loomed in the distance, a stone path lined with vendors pocking along the way caught Violet?s attention. Assorted foods, drinks, materials, and such were on display for her widened eyes to feed from, until, just a few hundred meters from the ship itself, she stopped. Moving away from her party, she approached one stand, and hanging from a hook by a steel hanger was the most beautiful suit she had ever laid her eyes on.

It was a one piece suit, leather, with silver buckles and loops and snaps decorating the length. The full sized sleeves would reach to her wrists, the lower portion accented with a row of seven or eight silver cuffs filing up to the elbow, where it branched off to silver chains snaking around the upper arm to hook into a metal holder on the shoulder. The chest portion was open in the center, laced up the center with a leather thong held in place with silver brackets, to match the sides of the pants, the same motif was used.

Before the drool could seep from the corners of her mouth, Super Buu?s groaning cut through. ?Come on, fleshbag, let?s move!?

?Mama?wants?? She cooed to herself. Before she realized it, her hand snaked back to her pocket to pull out her wallet, and her fingers dug within its small pouch to fish out a wad of Zeni.


OOC: My purchase will be continued in the shop thread, and the rest of this will be finished up by either KB or SB.

[Banned Dana]

The small group began to break out into chatter once again, leaving Thirteen cast to the side. Figuring that they had some more catching up to do, the droid knew that it was in his best interest to just listen in. As he watched the cluster of contestants converse, the machine-hybrid noticed that his fellow humanoid seemed less interested in the conversing and more interesting in two people that had just made their way through the door. Releasing his gaze from the hell fighter, the bio-android shot his gaze over to these new strangers, one male and the other female. For a brief moment, Thirteen thought that he recognized the male stranger, but all he could make out was that he was a Sayajin.

Jerking around and walking away from the group, hell fighter left the small alliance, heading straight for the newly arrived Sayajin and his companion. As he walked, a few people gave the android strange glares and stares, though he was completely oblivious to them. Finding his way up to the couple, Seventeen stopped and interrupted the two.

Feeling awkward for just sitting there, Thirteen shifted in the bed, sitting up onto the edge. The chattering group was still going at it, talking about events that happened in the past and what could happen in the game. Sighing, he stood up and that?s when he heard a violent snap. Turning around quickly, he saw hell fighter almost lose his head. The look that was spread across the woman?s face looked almost as if she were ready to kill the humanoid. Figuring this was a good time to step in, he hastened his way over to the trio. Waving as he approached, Thirteen extended his hand to Bra, who just seemed too pissed to return the sentiment. Nodding his head and dropping his hand, the droid took a quick look at the Sayajin?s face. A look of pure animosity bore into his very soul, perhaps they did know each other after all.

?Ok,? spoke the woman. ?So who are you??

The woman?s voice seemed stern, almost as if she were on the brink of being pissy, though it seemed as if she had a good reason to do so. Wondering what exactly had transpired between the humanoid and woman, Thirteen figured intervening would only do them all some good, but then again, the Sayajin hadn?t stepped in, which was definitely a good sign.

?The name is Thirteen,? smiled the butterscotch toned humanoid. ?As I?m sure you can tell, I?m an android and you are??

Rolling her eyes at the artificial being, the woman turned to Hellfighter and placed a finger in the air, aimed directly at his nose. The mechanical hybrid didn?t seem the least bit worried. Not wanting there to be any pre-game violence, Thirteen tried to interject, but was shut up by the woman, who turned back around and finally gave her introduction.

?I?m Bra.? the woman spoke with hesitation, as if trying to probe the droid for his reasoning for wanting to know her name. ?That?s pretty much all you need to know for now, droid. Now you, Hellfighter, do it again and I swear...?

?Well, it?s a pleasure to meet you ma?am.? Interrupted Thirteen. ?So. What brings you to Dante?s Abyss? Fame, fortune, lust of the kill??

The princess gave Thirteen a look that could plug fear into the strongest of warriors. Realizing he had over stepped a boundary, though unsure as to which one, he found himself searching for any way to escape the gaze. Taking a quick step backwards and placing his hands in front of his body, he decided to extinguish the animosity.

?You?ll have to excuse me ma?am.? explained the droid. ?I?m new to this whole, polite and non-hostile communication bit, it?s not exactly my forte.?

This calmed it down a bit, though Thirteen wasn?t exactly sure how much. Turning towards his alliance mate, he smiled, then gave a look of, ?that was close? to the black haired humanoid. Once again, the machine-hybrid decided that he would just watch and listen into the conversation and only talk if talked to, though if they hit something that he knew about, perhaps he would lend his own thoughts, but until then, his lips were sealed.

[Orion]

After a fair while of silence from the group, Trunks' goldfish mind started to wander. He looked around, basically ignoring anything the group said or did as he examined the contestants. A rather large number of people had filed into the V.I.P room while the halfling was distracted by his new alliance. His ki sense went wild, surveying the many different species nearby. Among them were saiyans, a few nameks, humans, others that lacked a ki signature, and other races the prince had never seen before.

His attention returned to the group again. He was getting bored and didn't see the need to stand when he didn't have to.

"Excuse me," Trunks politely said before walking over to his bed. He dropped lazily onto the bed next to his bag that still rested there. Putting his hands behind his head, he stared at the sterile white ceiling, trying to figure out where, in the course of recent events, he had gone wrong to end up there. Things were just going randomly, like most events in his life. That was, until he ran into Cell. Trunks still didn't have a tissue sample of that bio-engineered excellence yet, and that was the whole reason he was with HellFighter in the first place. Now because he followed him halfway across the galaxy, he was, more than likely, facing his own mortality.

What would happen to him if he died? Being a fusion, would Trunks Unified split? Would there be two Trunks existing in the afterlife? Or would he stay fused? More to the point, what did Trunks want?

He sat upright in bed, trying to shake the sick feeling in his stomach. It faded away somewhat, but the worry stayed anchored. Despite being as powerful as he was, barely ever losing a fight, he never thought about death. He was never forced to, although he risked it every battle. To be confronted with such uncertainty... he was slightly unnerved.

Trunks grabbed his bag and started going through it again. Perhaps he could find something that would give him greater hope for his survival. After a few minutes of rummaging, there was nothing that did. Sighing, he threw the bag against the pillow and stared over at his group.

He smirked a little. At least he had a powerful group of warriors that planned to support him as long as he did so for them. That rose his spirits a little, knowing that he wasn't going into this alone.

Trunks turned towards the door to see if anyone else he knew was entering the room when his eyes focused upon an extremely attractive young female. She looked about the half breed's age, maybe slightly younger, with an ample bosom and long, teal hair. Both Thirteen and Seventeen were standing around her. Seems they wasted no time, Trunks thought jealously. Perhaps a light round of flirting would help boost his confidence.

Putting on his best nonchalant face, the saiyan prince strutted over to the group, completely ignoring the two male androids and focusing upon his target.

"Hey baby," Trunks rolled off smoothly from his tongue, "what's a hot thing like you doing in a place like this?"

"Yeah, very funny Trunks," Bra replied, rolling her eyes.

"Bra?!" Trunks almost yelled, his face turning white. "You're Bra?!"

Bra's eyes widened. "Oh my god, you weren't just-- no you weren't-- eww!"

Trunks' face turned bright red. "No, no no no no no! I was... just kidding! Yeah, just kidding!" He made a sharp ninety degree turn. "I have to go now!" The lavender haired teenager power walked away, almost breaking into a run.

[Bra]

Bra shrugged off whatever the two androids had been saying. She was absolutely fuming; thoughts of torture and murder rushing through her broken mind. Each time she reached a point where she could justify imprinting her fist on the Hell Fighter?s face, the uglier of the two androids would insert himself into the exchange, effectively making himself another target which the princess had yet to capitalize on.

?You?ll have to excuse me, ma?am. I?m new to this whole ?polite and non-hostile communication? bit, it?s not exactly my forte.? spoke Android Thirteen, as though the phrase would make up for his blundering.

?Yeah...? Bra turned away from the two, glaring at Reijin for the briefest of moments. The instant she turned back, the saiyan knew what she was up to and already he moved to intervene. The cyan haired warrior sent a vicious punch hurtling straight for the raven haired machine?s nose, but her arm was restrained by Reijin only millimeters from connecting.

The teenaged member of royalty fought against his grip, wrapping her free hand into a fist and preparing to throw that one as well, before she was interrupted by the seasoned warrior?s stern words.

?You don?t want to disqualify yourself over this!!? he growled, locking eyes with the hybrid. ?Save your fight. You know you?ll need it.?

Bra hissed angrily at Reijin, unable to break his grip. Her anger boiled hotter now, mostly because she knew he was right, and there was nothing at all she could do about it. Instead, she ceased her struggling and cast a deadly gaze upon the android who had enraged her so.

?That wasn?t funny.? she finally declared, her eyes smoldering. It wasn?t the action that had angered her, it was just the irrational embarrassment she felt because of the action.

?Yes it-? Seventeen?s retort was cut down by yet another interruption.

?Hey baby,? came a voice as a newcomer came into view. Bra?s visage immediately soften upon recognition of her brother, whom she hadn?t seen in a time longer than she could remember. ?What?s a hot thing like you doing in a place like this??

?Yeah, very funny, Trunks.? the princess retorted, rolling her eyes in frustration. It seemed odd she would reply this way; she had no idea if her brother actually recognized her, though, perhaps she simply took it for granted.

?Bra?!? the lavender haired halfling exclaimed, a sense of terror clearly evident in his tone of voice. ?You?re Bra?!?

The younger of the two hybrids didn?t quite realize what had just happened until she brooded upon it for a moment. The instant the realization struck her, however, the color drained from her face, and her eyes grew wide with surprise and disgust.

?Oh my Go- You weren?t just- No, you weren?t- Eww!!? she shrieked, stepping away from her sibling.

?No, no no no no no! I was... just kidding! Yeah! Just kidding!? Trunks declared as he spun on his heel. ?I have to go now!? he added, walking away as fast as he could while trying to maintain an inconspicuous image - not that his bright, red face and awkward movements would belie his attempts.

Bra?s own face had grown a similar shade of crimson, becoming almost deep enough to match her clothes. She shook her head in disbelief, running her fingers through her hair while trying to think of any way at all to defuse the awkward situation.

?So...? Seventeen began. ?You really don?t remember me, huh??

The heiress nearly succumbed to her innate rage once again, but stopped herself short, suddenly becoming aware that this was the android?s way of changing the subject; something she couldn?t possibly thank him enough for. Perhaps he wasn?t as much of an idiot as she thought he was.

?Um, you said your name was-? still overly flustered, Bra could hardly speak, let alone string words together to form proper sentences.

?Hell Fighter Seventeen.? he repeated, using his thumb to point to himself, as though the girl might have needed help with the introduction.

?Right. No, I can?t... uh...? the demi saiyan sank to her knees, leaning against the wall for support. ?No, Seventeen. I can?t remember anything. I?m,? she climbed to her feet, keeping her gaze on the floor. ?I?m... sorry.?

Bra trudged away, doing her best to vanish behind the crowd. She quickly stumbled across her designated bed and sat down on the edge, taking hold of her assigned backpack. Inside, she found food, water, equipment; all the bare essentials, in addition to several objects she couldn?t quite identify, as well as a sheet of paper.

Ignoring the bag for the time being, the halfling placed her head upon her pillow, threading her hands underneath it and lacing her fingers together. She had nothing more than a ceiling to stare at, but at the very least, she could depend on the ceiling to avoid doing something to further shock or confuse her. She hoped.

Bra frowned disconcertingly. She?d all but completely ignored Thirteen throughout the ridiculous exchange they all were forced to endure. The half-blooded noble resolved to make up for that in the future, but for now she wished to simply leave everyone alone; if they really needed something of her, they would come to her.

OOC: You're such a bitch, Trunks.

[Kami]

Kami watched Trunks as he made his way over to the attractive young girl, whom he now realized was Bra through the shenanigans of the purple haired sayjin. He couldn't help but laugh as the form of Trunks quickly bobbed away back to his bed to avoid any further embarassment.

Kami walked towards the now ever increasing group around Bra, but did not enter their social circle. He managed to make eye contact with the now "more grown up" Bra and gave her a smile out of the corner of his mouth and a slow nod of the head. She smiled back and resumed talking to her new fan club.

The old Namek was glad to see a friendly face, and knew he might need to speak with her later. He hoped he didn't run into her on bad terms during the tournament, and if worse came to worse he might simply just tell her to turn around and pretend like she didn't find him. He hoped it didn't come down to anything like that, he'd almost prefer to simply yielding to Bra if they were the last two left in the tournament. He hung on the word "almost" in his head. She'd want a good fight, and there are ways in which it could end that wouldn't get anyone killed, even if it was only temporary. In some way he prefered he wind up fighting someone he knows in the very end.

I'll make it to the very end this time too...

He saw Trunks twidiling his thumbs back on his bed. Kami went to sit down on his own, but thought he'd go continue chatting with the ADD sayjin kid.

"So, you have a game plan for this or am I going to have to do all the work?"

Trunks sat up, a little confused.

Kami slapped him on the back, "You young people...you're all too serious." He laughed again, seemingly in high spirits. It was never any fun to sit in a room full of brooding fighters. Might as well ease the tension and throw a few of the more paranoid ones off with some laughs.

Trunks scratched his head and laughed too. "Yeah well..." Kami pointed at Bra and Trunks nodded.

"I know," he said, "She's sure grown up fast."

OOC: Now I'm talking to Trunks. I don't care who joins up.

EDIT: I started writing before Bra posted, lets just pretend it fits in and works! WE CAN DO IT!

[Burter Jr]

THE SHIP HAS TAKEN OFF. PLAYERS WILL BE TAKEN ASIDE AND GIVEN ONE LAST RUN-DOWN OF THE RULES. FEEL FREE TO ROLEPLAY THIS OUT

[Orion]

"Yeah," Trunks nodded in agreement, desperately seeking not to bring up what just happened, and what he thought Kami probably saw too. "I didn't think it was that long since I'd seen her."

"Time's a funny thing," the elder Namek replied. "It slips away faster the older you get."

Trunks looked at the wrinkled face of Earth's guardian and smiled. Although he could barely remember Kami, with only basic memories of his reign as Kamikorro Daimoun, there was something incredibly settling about the Namekian's presence. He gave off an aura that calmed the half breed down. Perhaps it was due to his abrupt friendliness, but whatever it was, he was glad Kami was there.

"So," Trunks resumed, his rare mental slips gone, "how are you feeling about this whole thing?"

"Ah, this," Kami replied, dismissing the competition for a lot less than what Trunks did, "I've done this before. It's just random killing. Not much to it, really."

"I suppose you're pretty confident because you're so strong," Trunks responded. "I can feel the power you've repressing."

"Huh, you can sense that?" Kami asked. He ruffled the purple hair on the prince's head. "Yeah, you're just like your father."

Trunks smirked. "Speaking of him, have you seen him around here? If he caught wind of a tournament like this, I'm sure he'd want to join."

"Can't say I have," Kami answered. "But if he did hear about it, you can bet your bottom dollar he's around."

"Uh, Kami," Trunks started uncertainly, "I'm kinda... scared."

"Scared?" Kami repeated, looking at him. "Why?"

"Well, you know," Trunks said with avoidance. "There's only gonna be one winner in this, you know... despite all the stuff I've been in, I'm ... kinda afraid of death."

"You weren't afraid on the Lookout when you first fused," Kami mentioned. Trunks' gaze became serious. "You still weren't afraid when you were up there fighting with Koola. Why is this any different?"

"Because," Trunks said, as if it were a reason, "because those times... I was fighting for a greater cause, you know? A reason. I was fighting for other people, so they could keep their way of life. Here... here I'm just fighting because I'm fighting. There's no honour here."

"Hmmm." Kami dwelled on Trunks' anxiety for a moment. "Obviously, death's something we've gotta face here. But don't worry about it so much. You're strong, right? I'm sure you're stronger than half the people here." Trunks' countenace softened a little. "Besides, I'll hang around ya as soon as I find where you are. How's that sound?" The Namekian brought out an open hand.

Trunks looked to the ground with a smile, feeling foolish to have thought the detrimental thoughts he did. He took Kami's hand, shaking it. "Thanks."

Suddenly, the whole room started to shake. Most people were put off balance by the impromptu quake, but stayed upright.

"Guess the ship's taking off," Kami noted.

OOC: Hope I rped Kami all right.

[Old Captain Silver]

Silver walked into a room that held many fighters and many beds. The orange haired human did not care how he got there or anything else. He had heard someone say he was number 31 however and it soon became clear that it was the man?s bed number.

On the bed was a bag which held essentials like a map and other stuff. However, the only thing the trench coat wearing man was interested in was his weapon. He took everything out until only a spoon was left.

Is that yer weapon? Tarnoc asked. You gotta be blinken kiddin.

I can use this, was all Silver replied with.

The orange haired man sat on his bed, scanning his silver eyes over the competition, the spoon held length ways in his teeth. It would be fun to kill and to die in this game. Silver did not bother to go meet or talk to people even though he recognized a few of the fighters. He would be killing some of these people so there was no need to get to know them. It would only make it harder to kill.

This is my kinda game, Tarnoc cut into Silver?s thoughts.

Great, now the boy?ll never be able to stop killing, thanks to you, Jyuken said to Tarnoc.

Don?t even start it, jack asses, Silver snapped. I have no time for your shit right now.

Silver scanned the fighters again and this time, some stuck out. There was a male wearing a cap that had the letters RR on it. He also spotted two females; one with long blonde hair, and another with violet looking hair. A sinister smile spread over the orange haired warrior?s mouth.

I will enjoy killing those two, he thought.

What the hell? Jyuken screamed. Look what you?ve done Tarnoc.

It waent me pal, the barbarian replied. Something else is going on here.

I just want to win, Silver cut in. And to do so, I?ll have to learn to love what I am doing to win. This will be fun!

Taking only his white gloves off, he stuck them into a pocket in his coat and then lay on the bed. He started to stare at nothing in particular and did not move an inch. The orange haired man known as Silver was now ready to slaughter in order to win.

[Kami]

The room rattle fiercly, but nobody fell down that Kami could spot. He was glad that he'd bumped into Trunks here, especially since it had been so long since he had last seen him. He waited another moment as the shaking gradually lessened and then got up off the bed. "I'll be back." Trunks nodded, but stayed on the bed, his anxiety seeming to have hold of him for the moment. Kami gave him a firm pat of the shoulder, "You're going to be fine, trust me."

He took a good look around the room, scanning the power levels around him. A couple stuck out to him, they were familiar and very large. Wow...he's really been training hard...and where does all that damn hair come from? Maybe I should ask him sometime if we aren't trying to kill one another... Kami rubbed his bald head, nobody knowing exactly why but himself. There were others which were familiar

The elder Namekian strolled over to where Bra was, now a little more alone than she had been before. It seemed to him that she wasn't activly seeking people out, but then again it didn't look like she really had to at this point. He came up to her, arms outstretched, "Look at you kiddo!"

She hadn't really been paying attention to the Namek's approach and was a little suprised to see him. She remembered what a ferocious fighter Kami could be, and was almost startled to see him so happy go lucky. She blushed a little bit before speaking. "Hey Kami! good to see you too." The ship jostled once again as it rocketed off to its destination. She knew he was well prepared mentally, and simply wasn't letting it show on his face. It wasn't so much out of character as it was a strategey, and it seemed to be working. Either it would give away nothing about him, or give away the wrong impression. She always knew he was a craft old man.

OOC: Trunks: Yeah, that was fine. It's all gravy. Now Kami is talking to Bra.

[Dave]

Just like that Goten was gone, just as fast as they started talking. The Namek shrugged and started to head for the main lobby, until someone abruptly yelled from behind him.

?Uh?Piccolo? Is there a Piccolo anywhere in the park??

Piccolo walked up to the man and sort of gave him a sign that he was Piccolo. The employee looked at him in a weird way.

The Namek sighed.

?My name is Piccolo? he told the short chubby man. The man smiled.

?Alright then, you have been selected as the number forty-first fighter to participate in the tournament on Dante?s Island.? said the employee.

?Okay, now what?? asked the Namek.

?Now, you go to the VIP Lounge where all the other selected fighters go.? he said as his fatness on his face juggled. The man signaled for Piccolo to follow him, he led the jade warrior to the main lobby and walked him up to a door that was blocked by a gate. The pudgy man removed the lock and opened the gate. Piccolo walked through the gate and up to the door, he opened it and walked into the large room and looked around. There were already a lot of fighters here; everyone was doing something. He saw that there were forty-four beds. He was fighter number forty-one, he looked for his bed and once he spotted it he walked up to it and opened the bag he got from the pudgy employee.

He reached into the bag and pulled out a small piece of paper and read it.

Two-day supply of bread.
Two-day supply of water
Compass
Map
Scouter
Random Weapon

?That?s it!?? Piccolo was kind of mad that all they gave him to eat was bread and plain water. He closed his bag and put it on his pillow of his bed, he looked around to see if he spotted anyone he knew.

?Well, Trunks has lavender hair, so he?s not to hard to spot out.?

Piccolo remembered what Goten said and started looking around the room for someone with lavender hair. Bingo. There he stood, with semi-long lavender hair.

?Could that be Trunks?? the Namek asked himself. Suddenly the ship jerked and made Piccolos bag almost fall off his bed, luckily he had good reflexes and caught it.

[Reijin]

Reijin felt a bit pushed into a corner as a multitude of warriors came forth to speak with Bra and completely took no notice of him. That was completely fine on his end, as he preferred to simply observe.

A few times he'd had to interrupt various conflicts that had been pushed onto Bra, although he knew that she could handle herself, in order to prevent her from being eliminated. Apparently he was not the only person to try to psyche out his opponents in the beginning. Good strategy.

One of the androids that had approached, the one named 13, was vaguely familiar. After a moment of contemplation, he realized that it was one of the fighters that had attacked Vejita. He made a note to let Bra know about this later.

After another moment, he saw Trunks approach. Leaning back against a wall, he blended perfectly into the shadows and allowed the crowd to converge around him so as to blur the lines a bit. He was more than amused by how the situation turned out, to say the least. A very flustered Bra finally left the prescence of the other Android, a nearly identical clone to the one that he'd fought with on Kala. She walked over to a bed and sat down on it, needing a moment to herself.

Reijin grimaced at the situation, knowing that she'd need some time to settle on her thoughts, and let her go, walking over to the Prince Trunks just as he passed by the old Namekian known as Kami. He nodded Kami's way in recognition from their dune buggy ride on Kala, but recieved no response.

After a moment, he found himself face to face with Trunks. Trunks was laying on his back, staring at the ceiling, seemingly trying to figure out something troubling for himself. Reijin tried to decide the best course of action to pursue. Finally he settled on what he'd say.

"Hello, Trunks. I see you are having no luck witth the ladies," he said smirking. Trunks bolted upright and an angry looked crossed his face. "Or have you only tried your sister?"

The lavendar haired Saiyan halfling tightened his fist and fought to restrain himself. "Murderer... What the HELL are you doing talking to my sister? You stay the fuck a-" Reijin suddenly threw his arm over Trunks' should and spun him around, throwing his arm extravagently into the air so as to bring attention to them.

"Trunks, Trunks, Trunks... How long have we known each other?" Before Trunks could respond, Reijin continued very loudly. "What's happened in the past is simply the past, and simply business. You should learn to live and continue living, and stop living in the past." Turning to place both hands on Trunks' shoulders, he gave a menacingly venomous grin. "Although I can't expect one as temporally misplaced as yourself to have any alternative, wouldn't you agree?"

Trunks immediately slapped Reijin's hands away from his shoulders but the Saiyan dug his fingers in as a reminder of their past meeting in which Trunks had done similar. "I have no personal issue with you, fool." His voice was now a vicious low. These words were for the Prince alone. "Don't think so highly of yourself to believe that I am on good terms with your father and sister as a means of replacing you. Our fight is one that happened in the past, and I have no reason to continue with you. If you insist on continuing this little rivalry, then that is your choice, or else you can grow up, stop being a human, and quit crying over it!"

Trunks fumed for a moment, and finally repressed himself from striking the raven haired counterpart. "We'll meet on Dante." Those words were the silence breaker that had surrounded them as two wolves in the midst of sheep, unknown to the others around them. The halfbreed's teeth bared themselves in what appeared to be a smile, although Reijin knew differently, and his hand made its way to Reijin's own to attempt the same pressure grab that Reijin had used to force Trunks to release himself before.

Reijin simply let go, and Trunks turned immediately, seeking to grace himself with being as far from the murderer's prescense as possible. Like a cathedral gargoyle, Reijin's face remained placid and as malleable as granite. Finally, he ceased watching Trunks leave, and turned to walk back to Kami and Bra.

[Jewtastic]

Murasaki blinked. One minute he had been sitting upon a tree, the nest he was within a room. Forty-three other fighters were in the room. A few were playing cards, others sleeping, even more still talking amongst them selves. The ninja looked over, the only bed that was left, number 42.

Hey?at least I wasn't last. He headed over towards his bed, plopping down upon it. He looked to the right side, a bag lay there. It was green, two black straps were sown on. He picked it up, unzipping it as he dropped it down on his stomach. He took out a folded piece of paper, obviously a map. Some bread, water that seemed to be enough for a day or two, if he conserved his drinking habbits. A small round metal object with a needle always pointing north?.A compass?that?s right. And two other small devices.


He looked at them both, knowing full well one was the weapon, the other was a scouter. Having never seen a scouter, or the other object we was hesitant to remove either from the bag. His eyes scanned the room, several fighters, had nothing on, a few had a piece of metal, some with a blue screen, some red and even more with a green screen. The ninja looked back down again. Recognizing the blue screened item in his bag he gripped it with his fingers and pulled it from the bag.

He placed it on his head like the others, this had to be the scouter. Looking back down in the bag he stared at his weapon. It was obvious enough how to don such an item but its power was a mystery. Oh well, better served to find out when you?re alone, on the island. He placed the bread and water back in the bag, followed by the compass. Looking down again at the folded up piece of paper Murasaki lifted it from his bed and unfolded it. This was the first chance he had gotten to look at the map, much less time then the others, but he was going to spend as much of it as he could studying his terrain.