1229/Saiyan Politics 101

Saiyan Politics 101
Date of Scene:	29 December 2014
Location:	Earth-4555 <DBZ>
Synopsis:	Serori and Taylita have their after-Christmas get-together rudely interrupted by SAIYAN POLITICS.
Cast of Characters:	37, 180, 663

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Serori (37) has posed:
"I can't promise I won't ever have to take innocent lives again if it means preventing a more devastating loss, but I /can/ promise not to repeat the senseless actions I took on Stark's Earth. In the course of conducting myself as a Confederate, I will have no part in plotting or executing an attack against innocent civilians." She pauses, takes a quick breath, and continues to the harder part. "As someone who may be in position to lead the renewed Saiyan Empire, I will help to lead our people to a more honorable future. We will do what it takes to earn strength and to keep it, and while this may lead us into acts of war, and while we may conquer other worlds and peoples -- we will do so without needless genocide."

Serori stands up, then, turning her head in the direction of Vegeta's approaching power signature, her eyes squinting. Quickly, she adds: "I'm glossing over the details, and I can't account for every single scenario imaginable, but I am promising to you that I will be /better/. By /your/ standards. In exchange for this promise -- this compromise, really -- all you need to do is hear out Vegeta. Who is here, now, so that should be easy enough to get over with."

She gives Taylita a /look/, and then prowls her way back down the corridor to the ship's exit ramp. Vegeta's greeted with an upraised hand and a quiet, "Yo."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita listens to all of this promise, and finds it pretty reasonable. She is about ready to agree to her side of the compromise when she hears what it is. She blinks, then hmphs softly and crosses her arms. "Just hear him out, right?" she says before following Serori to the hatch, which opens outward and extends a gangplank.

     Taylita fixes Vegeta with a cold gaze. "Vegeta." she says before stepping out of the ship. She's dressed...well, Vegeta would probably consider it pretty ridiculous. A warm santa hat, a tight black shirt that barely extends past her chest, and a pair of tan overalls that leaves much of her belly and back exposed. And heavy boots, the kind meant to prevent slipping. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Vegeta (663) has posed:
Vegeta scrunches his nose when he has to look -up- at her, but his eyes do linger a bit while scanning over her outfit, before they meet her own. "Well, you certainly are a saiyan in many ways." he states as he gets a good look at her, apparently not really bothering to before. "Though those eyes and that hair color are rather strange." he further notes, then crosses his arms. "Regardless. Once we have a planet for the Saiyan Empire, I intend to offer you, Gohan, and Raditz the three highest positions under myself and Serori. You will essentially be presidents over your own territory, in a position that I will call Warlord."

He head sinks down again, focusing on her exposed belly, then back up to her face again. "You will be able to create your own laws and decrees, and rule over the people within your territory. But you will be subject to your rulings being challenged, and the people under you challenging for your position. There are still details to work out, but that is what I'm offering you. A chance to shape your people despite the fact that I disagree with the whole of what you are, other than that body of yours."

Serori (37) has posed:
Serori snorts at the staring and the compliments, and slips around behind Taylita to stand close to her other side, hand remaining on the red-head's opposite hip. There isn't anything for her to say right off, especially since Vegeta gets right into it, but she does add the following after he's finished: "Maybe tell her more about what you want to /do/ with your Empire. Taylita is not the same kind of saiyan we are; her upbringing has not left her with much in the way of racial loyalty. You need to be more convincing if you expect her to follow you."

She cocks another curious look up at Taylita, and, seeing the expression on her face, shrugs in apology. "Like I said...all that's required is that you hear him out."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita smirks lightly as Vegeta looks her over. But, the way her arms cross over her chest and her tail curls about behind her show she is not likely to just accept the offer. As Serori steps over to her, Taylita looks to Serori, then back at Vegeta. "I don't mean to insult you guys, but from what I know of our people back then, we were pretty much gauranteed to be destroyed. We followed without questioning, seeking only glory in battle and giving no thought to who or what was destroyed along the way. We were little better than muggers. Of course, that was under the PTO, which you've said you have not interest in anymore. So...what exactly is your goal? Other than restoring our people, I mean. Do you intend to raise an empire of murderous thugs of the same type that followed Frieza? Are you going to try and take over the Multiverse? Or, do you just want the title of Prince of Saiyans while your people go about their business and you go about yours?"

     She does seem to at least be listening to the proposal.

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"It's simple. -I- plan to spread the Saiyan Empire and create a system where, if you're powerful enough, you can assert your ideals. But every ruling I make won't necessarily affect your territory. You could fight me, you don't have to -win-, but you can fight me and show me just how strongly you're willing to resist, and how much you're willing to sacrifice for your people. It's primitive but I am beyond sneaky treachery." Vegeta holds his hand out to her, as if making some royal gesture to note his sincerity.

"You will fight for your people to resist ideas that do not fit your vision, and then you'll go back to them with far more respect, your beliefs intact. The same will hold true for the other territories. We will all be warriors, but we will be diverse warriors, and not in a position to be truly taken over and destroyed again." He lowers his hand to cross them again, his expression very serious as he speaks, frowning as usual. "Serori and I will create laws and decrees that we believe will benefit our people, we'll take over other territories, we'll make our people stronger because strength will mean influence. But there is a beauty in my idea, you see..."

He motions to Taylita, and continues. "You could very well change the way the system works in your territory. You could create some weakling voting system and hold elections. I will resist when you propose it, but again, we will fight and you will show that you want it, and as long as you don't fight me half-heartedly, you will get it. These saiyans are ancient, they have only been under the influence of our culture for a very short time. They could easily find that they enjoy your way more, I doubt it but they could. I am giving you an opportunity to prove the strength of your ideals."

Serori (37) has posed:
Serori remains quiet. Though standing by Taylita's side, she keeps her attention fixed on Vegeta, watching him like she's sizing him up. Every time he speaks to his ideals, he falls under her intense scrutiny, it seems -- like she either expects him to be deceitful, or to be otherwise flawed in some way. So far, she's not caught him making many mistakes, but that doesn't mean she won't stop waiting for his weaknesses to be revealed. She is a predator, and possesses predatory thinking; Vegeta no doubt understands.

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita listens to all of this with a level gaze. When the hand is held out, it is noticed but otherwise ignored. "And, what if I decide I want your position as Prince of Saiyans? Since, you know, I'm against the whole aggressive expansion empire idea. I don't kill for personal gain, and I definitely do not kill people who have not done anything to make themselves an enemy. The way you showed up and attacked those people from whatever planet that was? That's the kind of thing I object to, and I won't follow a leader who thinks that sort of thing is an acceptable standard. Weak life is still life, and life should not so easily be thrown away. Those who cannot fight can contribute in other ways. They are the ones that make the ships, the armor, the food. They are the ones who truly make an empire strong. To turn our backs on the weak is to accept another kind of weakness. Raging fury can only get a warrior so far. Without proper support, a warrior cannot reach his full potential."

     Taylita shakes her head. "If you cannot recognize this, and further recognize that meaningless destruction brings our people ever closer to our own destruction, then I will not accept your rule. I will form another saiyan society if I have to. One where we are not slaves to our bloodlust, but rulers of it."

     Taylita pauses there, then considers. "It might help you understand if I tell you about Corlan, the world where I was raised. Assuming you are interested."

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"The royal positions can be challenged for if there is overwhelming support for the challenger amongst our people. This rule is only in place so that if some random moron gets lucky, our entire society doesn't go to hell over night. The positions are, after all, there to protect the integrity of our people and -your- autonomy." Vegeta states as he uses a hell of a lot of big words for a saiyan.

"If you don't want your people to go to war, then fight me personally for that right when the time comes. If you want to stay on the continent I give you and never expand to another planet, your loss and your decision. Though I can't say for sure how saiyans following you will react if you don't allow them to fight, so I trust you'll give them an outlet." He suddenly sits down and crosses his legs, getting comfortable. "I cannot agree not to aggressively expand my empire. But, as your prince, I can agree to try my best not to commit unnecessary genocide. I will -try-, I cannot promise you anything, but I will try because I want all of my people together, I do not want any of you left out."

He stares up at her, then nods. "Go ahead, maybe it'll involve an explanation for why you have red hair and green eyes."

Serori (37) has posed:
Serori steps away from Taylita's side, at that point. For a moment or two, she disappears inside the ship again, only to reappear a moment later behind Vegeta. It's the laziest use of Instant Transmission -- saving her the trouble of walking /back/ to the field after leaving it -- but it does return her in time to hear Taylita's stories about Corlan. Another package of beef jerky is in her hand, and she tears it open to chew on the smoked meat after sitting back-to-back on the ground, her shoulder blades making light contact with Vegeta's.

Her incredible calm during this entire discussion is maintained. Don't mistake it for boredom, however; she doesn't miss a single syllable.

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita blinks in surprise as Vegeta says he will try not to genocide. Unnecessarily. Gonna have to define that. But, this is much more promising than she thought it would be. She looks at Serori, giving her a sort of 'Is he serious?' look, before she turns back to Vegeta and relaxes a bit. "Gotta say, I wasn't expecting you to be...you know...reasonable. And I do want our people to be strong. I've never said we shouldn't fight. Fighting is great! But, making enemies when we could make allies is foolish. As my master on Corlan used to say 'there is always someone stronger'."

     She pauses a moment, then hmms. "My question is, why does it have to be war in order for our people to stay strong? There are plenty of ways to fight. The WMAT is a good example. We fight, we give our all, and it is all for glory and honor. Yet, no one dies. And no one thinks less of us for not killing our opponent. Such contests would give our people plenty of outlets for their aggression while maintaining or increasing their strength. There are even technologies to allow for full warfare exercises."

     "And, as for our expansion, I wouldn't object to that so much if we didn't displace or destroy the native population. Diversity brings strength, and incorporating a world and its people into an empire is more advantageous in the end than wiping out the people."

     Taylita blinks as Serori disappears, then scratches her head. "Uh...right. Where I came from. Well, my hibernation pod crashed on Corlan. I had been dispatched as a baby, like lots of saiyan children I'm told. I'm not sure if Corlan is where I was supposed to land, but my pod was damaged so I always figured it wasn't the target. And, with the damage, it never broadcasted the moon image it was supposed to. So, I was found, a mostly defenseless baby. The Corlanians that found me took me in, but had never seen a creature like me. I was raised like a pet until I developed enough that they recognized I was a sentient like them. Then, they raised me as their...podling, as they called it."

     "But, I am a saiyan, and so as I grew my aggression became more apparent, and I became more dangerous what with my natural fighting abilities. So, I was sent to a Corlanian monastery to learn control. Despite the prejudice I faced from the other students, my master always treated me well, as did my surrogate parents. It was the Corlanian sun-power techniques that gave me this tanned skin and these green eyes. My body had to adjust to the different energies the Corlanians used in their techniques. Not just ki, but solar energy. And, once I learned to control my temper and both energies, I found that I was stronger than I had ever been before. Not necessarily in raw power, but I was better able to think clearly and maintain discipline in a battle, which gave me an edge over those who depended only on their muscles."

     Taylita's gaze fixes on Vegeta. "Then, a PTO scout patrol came to investigate the planet, apparently detecting my pod's signals. They tried to take me back to Frieza, and attempted to destroy my parents' home in the process." She hmphs. "I destroyed them, then took their ship. I learned about our people and Frieza, and how Frieza had destroyed us simply for being too good at the very thing he wanted us to do. Saiyans would have been spared if we hadn't followed such a person, and if we hadn't chosen such a path of destruction. Not to mention, sending children out to destroy worlds is barbaric. So, I decided if that is what a saiyan is - an uncaring, ruthless barbarian - that I didn't want to be one."

     Taylita takes a deep breath, then lets it out. "So far though, only you, Vegeta, have proven to be the kind of saiyan that I believed our people were. You and those who follow you."

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"So that explains your prodigious manipulation of ki. Despite me being more powerful than you, you disrupted my Big Bang Attack. I was educated and practiced incredibly fine ki control, a skill I rarely demonstrate unless absolutely necessary. I knew there was more to you than normal, hence my interest." Vegeta, however, does demonstrate. He holds a hand out, and rather than create an energy ball, he actually lifts a large rock without showing any apparent energy manipulation. Then he spreads his fingers and it splits into force pieces like a blade's been driven through it.

"I want to learn how much you know. Despite the side you're on, I've decided that teaching you would be in the best interests of our people." But, ki and fighting aside, he crosses his arms and watches her. "You have to understand that I was raised -under- Frieza's rule. My father taught me to embody what it meant to be a saiyan, but I've realized that the aspects of being a saiyan that Frieza created... I've wanted to force those things out. I slip, obviously, I find it difficult, a struggle..."

He finally starts to rise back to his feet, then reaches out to place his hand on her shoulder. "That is why I want all of you. Serori at my side to help me rule, you, Gohan, and Raditz governing our people, showing them ways other than mine. It keeps me strong, it keeps -all- of us strong. It shows me and others that we have to constantly evolve, and while we remain warriors, become -more- than what Frieza wanted us to be. I don't simply want a saiyan who was raised like you, I -need- a saiyan who was."

He turns his back to her, and walks a few feet away until his back is to Serori as well. "For these reasons, I will agree to your terms. We will make each other stronger, we will create an empire that we can be proud of. I will take control of civilizations rather than simply destroy or remove their people for slavery. But know that I will always be a creature of war and battle. We will have enemies, and there -will- be people we must destroy. But, -within- our empire, you have the power to try and make things go in a way that favors your ideals. Outside of our empire, all you can do is fight against us. So I hope that after all of this, you can see what it is that I want to do."

Serori (37) has posed:
"I have a theory about you and your upbringing, and how it's affected your ability to achieve Super Saiyan." Serori's voice sounds a bit distant since it's aimed away from Taylita, but her words are still audible enough to land. "While I don't think you loathe yourself, I think you're afraid of becoming one of those 'barbarians' you so disdain, and that this fear prevents you from reaching those higher tiers of power." Serori lifts up her hand to convey a shrug, or a gesture of helplessness. "It could also be this 'discipline' you've learned from the Corlans. The Super Saiyan state is wild, passionate, and unfettered. I only achieved it because my hatred for Loki and my grief over your perceived death let me feel something I'd never felt before. That /feeling/ is what pushed me to transform."

"That said, your lack of transformation is not necessarily the hindrance some saiyans may perceive it to be. The other half of my theory about you is that you've tapped some other kind of potential which doesn't rely on anything like transformation. Your discipline, your methodology -- these may have guided you to a new route for power our people never envisioned." Serori lowers her hand and turns her head, casting a gleaming black eye past her shoulder to give Taylita a speculative look. "The more I've thought about it, the more I've thought your teachings could benefit saiyans who lack the ferocity required for Super Saiyan. It's the ultimate expression of our kind's power, alongside oozaru, but it is not the /only/ possibility. Perhaps as a Warlord, your guidance could shape a new generation of different but still powerful saiyans. Variety could be good for us."

She looks away, and goes back to her jerky, taking another chewy bite. "And saiyans were violent long before Frieza ever showed up, you know. The Saiyan-Tuffle War predated his arrival by years. You're right that he's had a lasting influence, however -- an entire generation of us were forged by his domineering principles. Myself, Vegeta, Raditz -- as children, all we knew was Frieza's way. Vegeta wants to change that."

Standing up, she looks first at Vegeta's back, then turns around to shrug at Taylita. "I don't know what happened to Vegeta in exile, but apparently having his smug ego kicked in by Gohan rewired him, or enlightened him. Having to shape some real stubborn saiyans to his ideals probably tested his patience to its limits, too. I don't trust him entirely yet, but I'm coming around, mostly because he's doing something that none of us have been able to do before."

She pushes her hand into her hair, and shakes it out, letting out an uneasy sigh at the same time. "He's giving us a chance to work together, and to see what comes of it. He's winning our trust, because he found his strength outside the Confederate-Union War, and because he's moved past whatever desires he had for revenge." She makes another reluctant kind of sound, and pulls a face. "It's partly why I've made the promise to you I just did, Taylita. To become Queen -- certain things have to change."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita listens to all of this, looking more and more conflicted. "It...this plan, it sounds like it might work, but..." She looks at the back of Vegeta's head, then at Serori. "...there is still the issue of your past crimes. I can't follow either of you until you have atoned for those crimes. I would be content with a believable sign of remorse, or at least recognition that what you did was wrong. Serori already showed that. So, I just have to believe you have changed. And, that will take time. Trust is earned, not given. If I see that you are serious about this, I may accept your offer."

     That rock trick was pretty impressive, and Taylita's eyes widen just a bit. Then, Serori speaks up. "So, I might be a new kind of saiyan, huh? Unable to acheive Super Saiyan..." Taylita thinks a few moments. "If that is true, I should face you when you some day while you are Super Saiyan. Gotta keep getting stronger, after all." she says, grinning a bit.

Vegeta (663) has posed:
"Not trusting me should give you even -more- reason to accept my offer. Because accepting my offer will give you at least an opportunity to affect what I do with this empire." Vegeta points out as he finally turns around, letting out a small sigh. "I have no intention of lying and saying I feel some sort of remorse. If my past actions lead you to believe that this empire won't lead anywhere good, then it should give you every reason to join it. Like it or not, these are your people. If you allow someone that you do not trust to rule them when you were given the opportunity to -help- rule them, then that is entirely your choice."

He begins to float, as if to signal that this meeting is ending. "My regret is taking over the Earth and being a tyrant like Frieza, a being who filled me with fear and hopelessness to the point of having to swallow my pride and disgust. That I was in any way like him is something that drives many of my current actions. But we do not live in a fairytale world. I will not embody your ideals. Only you can do that. Take the opportunity or leave it." That's when he simply rockets into the sky, leaving her with his words to mull over with Serori.

Serori (37) has posed:
Serori holds another strip of jerky between her teeth as she watches Vegeta rocket away. "He's so dramatic sometimes," she sighs, then looks back to Taylita. "The way he says it, it's like you have no choice at all, isn't it? Just remember he's not the only one prepared to rule. He's acting like hot shit /now/, but if you think I'm going to let /his/ vision be the only thing giving my people /definition/ -- " She scoffs, and glares after the distant speck Vegeta's become.

And then she curses, and throws her jerky down, and goes so far as to stomp on it, because a /very/ unpleasant realization's just struck her, and it's enough to snap her temper in two. "/DAMMIT/. He's been /manipulating/ me -- !"

Another angry huff follows, but her glare becomes a non-plussed look as she cocks her fist against her hip. Her temper dies as quickly as it'd taken over; whatever thoughts calm her aren't shared. "Aahhh, Taylita...what do you think you're going to do?"

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita watches Vegeta fly away. She seems completely unsure of what to do. Then, Serori curses and throws down her jerky. "What? How do you mean?" Taylita says, seeming confused. "I mean...I'm not surprised, but how did he manipulate you?" she asks.

     "As for what I will do...I dunno. I want to believe him, but...as I told him, I'll have to see proof. And, if that is an act, he won't be able to maintain it in the heat of battle. He'll slip up, then I'll have the ammo I need to take him down with his own words." She walks over to Serori, then pats her on the shoulder.

Serori (37) has posed:
Serori kind of waves the topic away. "He has put me in the position of being unable to refuse him, but I think it's as much my own doing. He knows very well I won't sit idly by while he drives the saiyan people into ruin. I have too much of an eye on our future. The trouble I see with our arrangement is that I may not often be in the position to control and constrain /him/, even if I agree to be his Queen. Aah -- but -- I suppose the benefit available to me will be as you said. If we are unified against him, he will not be able to do anything except keep his word, or he loses his title. Again."

She shrugs and frowns up at the sky, before leaning a bit into Taylita's side. "We need to teach you to master your oozaru. It will be a valuable and respectable tool for you to utilize in your rulership of any saiyans who join you."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     "If I even accept the position as 'warlord'. You already know how I feel about that title." Taylita says. She slips an arm around Serori's shoulders and gives a squeeze. "Yeah, I do need to master that form. If only so I don't accidentally go Oozaru on someone." she says, then releases Serori. "I'd be alright with you teaching me. You seem like you're actually trying to change."

Serori (37) has posed:
"My first duty is to the Confederacy. That hasn't changed, and won't. It means we'll be at odds again soon enough." Serori pauses, then adds: "But it'll be nice to have a common purpose in leading our people. I have a lot on my mind; I should probably head back home. You can keep the jerky, Taylita. I'll see you later."

With that, she offers up a faint smile. When she rockets away, she's gone in seconds.