2132/Experience And Enthusiasm

Experience And Enthusiasm
Date of Scene:	30 April 2015
Location:	Reptilon <Rep>
Synopsis:	Cory meets with Kakarot in order to get a handle on the situation that faces him. Kakarot gives Cory some life advice.
Cast of Characters:	723, 768
Tinyplot:	A Wish for the Future

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Kakarot (723) has posed:
Kakarot is, once again, sitting upon a glacial cliff. It's like he has barely moved from when Cory saw him last. He sits there, meditating on the top of the cliff as the frigid winds blow, attempting to wear down the King of the Saiyans. It's hard to tell which one will give out first. He doesn't even seem to notice the thick layers of ice forming over him.

Cory (768) has posed:
    Although she's bundled up a little bit - deciding to wear a jacket over her turtle school gi - Cory's outfit hasn't changed much from earlier. She swoops in from the skies, perhaps easily sensed long before she arrives.

    The slim Saiyan girl enters a series of somersaults before landing a few hops away from Kakarot - she's not about to up and invade his personal space.

    But seeing him like that, all covered in snow and ice, gets her face all clenched up with disbelief... "Didn't expect you to agree so readily." There's gratefulness in her tone if not choice of words.

    With a hop she's seated herself a comfortable distance from the Saiyan emperor.

    "From one world to the next, everything seems so screwy and even wrong. In one world we get wiped out by Frieza... in others it's Frieza who gets blown to smithereens. But... 'Neo' Saiyan?"

Kakarot (723) has posed:
When Cory arrives, there is a low hum of ki, the ice crackling and blowing off of him like he suddenly became red-hot. Perhaps he did.

"There is very little time left for talking." Is Kakarot's response, as he watches Cory for several moments. "Memories are all a Saiyan leaves behind themselves. Memories and destruction. Memories for you, destruction for the enemies of our people."

He goes quiet for a moment, and then closes his eyes. "Our people, the Neo-Saiyans, have grown out of the old Saiyan Empire be necessity. It is a representation of our efforts to find a new path, because the one we were on would have inevitably led to our destruction. My father, Bardock, freed our people from the influence of Frieza. I inherited his title and his burden. The survival of our people and the path he laid down are the reasons why I exist, and the reasons why I am doing what I am doing now. Our people must continue to grow and evole into the pinnacle of what a warrior race can accomplish. Strength of body, mind, and spirit. All of these are important. No longer can we simply lose ourselves in the glories of combat, but we need a new goal."

Cory (768) has posed:
    That brings out a wince. Cory shudders in place at the phrasing, folding bother arms over her stomach. "Believe it or not, I know some people who had a similar idea. Focusing on those qualities and not just letting loose! Best advice I've had to think about."

    Something just let the wind out of her sails though. "You're talking like a dead man though, and you even have the legendary power on your side! ... I got here too late. Everyone else but me knows what's going on... where are you thinking we should go?"

    She's confused, alright.

Kakarot (723) has posed:
"Supremacy of combat is no longer enough. We need to develop a culture, our own science, achieve more and greater things. We will be an example to all other races through our excellence. We will protect those who choose to join us, and strike down those who threaten us. It was a great vision. However..."

There is a shake of the head. "Something we learned with Frieza is that there is always a greater power. I never wanted to see our people suffer like they had under Frieza again. Never to be chained, never to bow uner the whims of tyrants."

Kakarot looks up. "Even with the legendary power, how does one face infinite foes? The worst thing that could have happened has happened: We encountered those greater powers before we were ready. If we had time we could have faced them as equals. But this Union, this Confederacy..." Kakarot shakes his head.

"Their demands were simple. Join them, bend knee to them and swear allegience... or die."

Cory (768) has posed:
    Cory's face screws up. "... For my world, our race was doing stuff like that. Too late now though... everything's gone. Don't understand it too well but I mean... EVERYTHING. The whole world, the Universe, everything's somehow just GONE and only my sister and I remain. That's what I thought... until the Multiverse. ... Was hoping things would be different for our kind elsewhere but this sounds just as bad. I don't get it though... BOTH of them are pissed?!" Her shoulders sag.

    "Aren't there neutral peoples around? Urgh, politics... you say we need more of that but it's never been a talent of mine."

    Is that apology in her tone?

    This Saiyan is at least unusually civilized.

Kakarot (723) has posed:
There is a low sigh of regret. "Even the universe itself conspires against us, it seems. The loss of your universe is regrettable. I would have liked to see it."

There is another pause. "Neutrality is an illusion. It is only another side, the same as the others. You know of Vegeta, I assume. He seeks to claim the title of King of all Saiyans. He seeks my throne. Colonel Serori, works alongside him to claim my people for the Confederacy. Taylita of the Union sought to do the same and was struck down."

He shakes his head. "You have your own talents. You will develop them over time. Do not be afraid. Seek out challenges and overcome them. Your vision will become clearer over time."

He shakes his head. "Stark of the Union is dead. I seek to kill a member of the Confederacy. Both organizations wish me to be destroyed, so I am doing what I have to in order to preserve my people while remaining true to my principles."

Cory (768) has posed:
    "Heh. You talk like my dad a little!" Cory grins briefly, but it dwindles. The crushing negativity in Kakarot's explanation is getting to her. Behind her, Cory's tail twitches restlessly.

    "Kinda surprised to hear the Union's in this conquering business." There's a grunt but she unfolds her arms and puts both hands on her knees instead.

    "Don't care how much power Vegeta has, that guy's too pigheaded to lead anything anywhere good. Even I know that." Comes a grumpy mutter next. "Met another version of him who talks about the same. Guy's so stuffed full of pride there's no room left for thinking!" Well that's an exaggeration, but...

    "... well I'd better be honest. The group I'm with allied with the Union for reasons completely unrelated to this - it's an effort to bring back the worlds that were lost when time broke. And I hate seeing our people in a bind! But..." She clenches a fist angrily. "What can I do about this? Gahhhh..."

Kakarot (723) has posed:
"What can you do?"

Kakarot looks up, straight at Cory, watching her intently. "You are still at the beginning of your journey. The first thing you need to do is survive. Don't worry about this situation. It is not your battle. If you take the field against me... I will understand. But do not hesitate to save yourself. The Multiverse has demanded that a King become a Monster for their amusement, and a Monster does not have a choice on when it can be kind or gentle."

He then turns his gaze out to that frozen wasteland. "The second thing you need to do is to learn your true purpose, and dedicate yourself wholly to it. Perhaps restoring your lost worlds is it. Perhaps it is something else. It is not always obvious. Your dedication to that purpose will give you clarity and strength. You will suffer greatly for it. But that is our path."

He goes silent for another moment. "And the third thing... Keep an open mind. The more you learn, the better equipped you will be to face those challenges. Inspiration can come from unexpected directions."

Cory (768) has posed:
    Cory makes a face. "Right now the only thing I can do is fix time. Without a past I'm not sure how much time I have left. I'm only here because the Supreme Kai of Time's trying her best to hold everything left together. But..." She shrugs, then rubs at her head. "Time is confusing. Don't ask ME how she's doing that."

    Then she barks a bit angrily at Kakarot, "Listen to you though, so dead-set on seeing this through even if it leads to your destruction. Is fighting a losing battle the only option?Where does that leave everyone?" And by everyone she definitely means the Saiyans.

    All the anger dissipates instantly though. She flips to her feet, tail wrapping around her waist while she folds her arms sulkily. Inhale... exhale...

    "... Thanks. Being so supportive of me when you're faced with a mess like this... I hardly deserve it." For a bit she just stands there frowning... then shivers again.

    It's COLD out here!

Kakarot (723) has posed:
There is a nod. "You have to survive. If repairing those universes is what will accomplish that, do it. Let nothing stand in your way. The rest will follow if you look for it."

Kakarot sighs, closing his eyes again as Cory calls him out on his chosen path. "I was a dead man the moment the Multiverse decided I was an impediment to them carving up my empire and using its people as warrior-slaves. I am doing this to guarantee the future of my people in the best way I can. There is a man who holds that future, but he does not know it yet. He will protect them as I have. When the time comes, you will know."

It is at this point that Kakarot stands, finally, and smiles thinly as he offers a hand to Cory. "You spent the time to question and look for answers when others would scream and demand from me. Don't lose that. It'll serve you well."

Cory (768) has posed:
    "Don't need to tell me that." Cory grins, once again showing that go-get-em spirit! But as before it's tamped down by the current mood. "Like I'm letting a thing like time breaking do in me and my sister!" She raises a fist for emphasis... then blinks at the extended hand. Blink, blink.%R    She slowly sprouts a smile... then brings the first down and instead grasps Kakarot's hand with it.

    "if I get any ideas I'll tell you! Gonna try and talk to some other people and figure out what they thiey're doing. After losing everything in one world a disaster like this in another's the LAST thing I wanna see! ... 'til then I'll hope you're right..."