Scene #1736: Planetary Trade Negotiations

Owner	Pose
Beli Klum	The meeting point chosen for today is a rather casual setting, probably not what one might expect as a setting to negotiate the takeover of a world. Beli has always been one to try and make things as minimally stressful as possible, though, and so a slightly rustic BBQ buffet in the middle of Urbania seems like a good option to her. She's already found a booth inside the place, though she hasn't ordered anything yet beyond a mug of hot chocolate. Somehow, she suspects she won't be the one eating much today, anyway. The rephaite is currently wearing a more casual outfit than normal. Baggy jeans, black boots, a navy blue sweater; enough to ward off the slightly chilly day outside. Her halos and wings aren't out, either. She would look almost normal, if it weren't for her near-white skin's constant glow, made all the more obvious in the dim lighting, and the vastly different colors of her eyes. For now, she waits, hands cupped around her mug, staring into its contents as she thinks on the discussion soon to begin.
Gohan	Unlike Beli, who seems to be trying to blend in somewhat, Gohan has no such thing on his mind. He is the leader of the Planet Trade Organization, after all. And so, when he arrives in the restaurant, everyone knows it. His white armor shines in the low light, the blue Saiyan Royal crest almost seeming to glow on his chest. The golden shoulders flare out, and the royal blue cape that flows behind him matches the blue of the bodysuit visible where his armor is not. White gloves and white boots complete his ensemble, and he spots Beli almost immediately. Crossing the building and ignoring the stares in his wake, he kneels in front of Beli for a moment. "Glad to see you," he says, before sliding into the booth opposite her. "Hope you don't mind the official regalia. I figured that if we were going to do this right, I should look the part." He flashes a smile. "I suppose you don't want to exchange pleasantries, but if you do, I'm game. If not, though, we should get straight to the reason why we're here." A waiter bustles over, and Gohan hands him a small metal card. "Keep the ribs coming until I say otherwise. Chances are you'll run out before I say otherwise."
Beli Klum	Beli can't help but stare in surprise at Gohan's appearance. Of course he's just as obvious as she is when he enters, but for vastly different reasons. He could fit in if he wanted to, but he's obviously arrayed himself to make sure he stands out as much as possible. Not exactly what she expected, considering the setting, but...they /are/ negotiating over something rather serious, aren't they? She blinks as he kneels in front of her, then takes a moment to shake her head. "...no, I do not mind, though...I admit, you make me feel a little underdressed. Maybe I should have worn my usual outfit." The smile she manages in return is brief, but pleasant enough. She may not be up to her usual brightness, but she at least wants to make the effort to be civil and courteous. "I do not really have a preference, to be honest. I do not have much of a reason to hate you, all things considered. You have probably guessed that I am excessively social with people who are technically enemies." She shrugs slightly, then lifts her mug to her lips, taking a slow sip of the contents before placing it on the table again with a soft sigh. "...I understand things have been troubling for you recently, but it is up to you if you wish to speak of them. I would not blame you for wanting to avoid becoming overly familiar."
Gohan	Gohan shrugs his shoulders idly. "My alternate universe father is King of the Saiyans. Not really much going on there. I've heard that in certain circles, Dad didn't die to Frieza and I became something of a hero. The world's a crazy place, you know?" He shrugs again, then rests his hands on the table. "Anyway, enough unpleasant... well, alright, that's not really fair to you I guess. Let's move on to the only order of business." He folds his hands together, offering a somber smile. "I need to know where to send my scouting fleet so I can decide what I'm going to do with my new planet." He straightens his posture a bit. "I am sorry you lost, to be honest. It was a close fight. Could've gone either way there at the end." He looks a bit sad for a moment, then resets his face. "But, we would still be negotiating a planet just the same, so..." A plate of ribs arrives, but Gohan leaves it be for the moment. "Of course, this means I have to continue my sweep of Union worlds."
Beli Klum	"...no, not really," Beli replies on the subject of fairness, offering a slight smirk for a moment. It fades soon enough, though: the subject of relenquishing her world isn't something even she can smile about, and when the subject comes up, she keeps her gaze leveled on Gohan. Her expression is firm enough, but it takes an honest spite for her to lose any of that natural softness in her look. To the matter of her loss, she simply shrugs, her tone lowered but sturdy. "I lost. That is that. It would be silly of me not to expect that outcome." The rephaite smiles briefly, but it's not really a happy one. "In any case, my world has...several particularities. I could give you the location easily, but the fact of the matter is that we would need to discuss more than just that if we are to work out how this will be done. I need to know what you plan to do with the planet, what you seek to gain from it, how exactly you will carry that all out, and...how you plan to address the subject of separate dimensions unconnected to the planet itself. The fact of the matter is that Earth-1111 is a much more convoluted matter than Namamura." Her head tilts slightly to one side as she considers that last point. "I assume that means you do not plan to keep a single world and let it be, then? I hope you are not expecting anyone to accept another challenge like I did. Most members of the Union are not nearly as..." She frowns slightly, scouring her thoughts for the right word. "...willing to take large risks as I am."
Gohan	Gohan hardens his gaze as Beli speaks. "Of course it's more complicated. I didn't storm your planet with the intent of a takeover. We made a bet. I intend to follow the letter of the agreement. I will take possession of Earth-1111. Separate dimensions are something I'm not equipped to handle, but if invaders attempt to come from them and reclaim Earth-1111, then I will get equipped. I want the planet for its resources, or a place of possible asylum for my troops, or perhaps it just has a high market value. How's the neighborhood?" He shakes his head. "This is why I intend to send a scouting fleet, to decide what I'm going to do with it. I have yet to set eyes on this planet, so without that knowledge, I can't give you an answer." Gohan chuckles a bit at the end. "No, I don't intend to gain more planets through bets and duels. I will take them the way I did Namamura. Now that I have not only taken and defended a charge, but also won another, the Union should be adequately respectful of my strength and ambition."
Beli Klum	Beli continues watching him as he speaks, her air of calm not once wavering. Only once he's finished does she respond herself, releasing a slow, steady sigh before her own words come. "...very well, then. I will inform you of the situation in that world, but I have the feeling you will not be pleased with it. I admit, part of that was my intention in volunteering myself and the planet I came from." "Earth-1111 is approximately the same as any other Earth around the year 2000. You will find plenty of natural resources of a wide variety, and, for the most part, the human population of the planet is probably not equipped to hold off your entire race if it comes to blows. It would be a good location to set up as a resting ground for your troops, if you needed, and in the future the human population may be willing to work with that." Her frown returns. She hesitates for a few more moments before speaking again. "...I say in the future, because there is a problem with the other dimensions I mentioned." Beli releases her hold on her mug to slip her hands into her lap, a gesture that comes with the straightening of the rest of her body. "I assume you have at least heard of the concepts of Heaven and Hell. My world has something similar. Earth is little more than a battleground for Paradiso and Inferno, but they do not care about the physical resources of the planet. The only resources they care for are the souls of the humans who reside there. After death, a human soul will be transferred to either Paradiso or Inferno, depending on whether they led a virtuous life or a sinful life, and in time their souls will be purged of whatever they once were in life and converted into either an angel or a demon, or a source of greater power for the rest. To expedite this process, Paradiso and Inferno have spent centuries warring over regions of Earth. Whoever conquers a location will influence the humans there to act either virtuously or sinfully, robbing them of any capacity for free will. My actions, as I reside in Purgatorio, are to remove the influences Paradiso and Inferno create, and give humans - or what is left of them - the chance to choose how to live their lives." "All that is to say...Paradiso and Inferno will not take kindly to your presence. They loathe outside interference, and consider me an agent of chaos. If you make yourself a notable presence, they will come after you. You may try to negotiate with them if you want, but both sides are stubborn, and if any connection is made to me, they will be even less likely to work with you." The rephaite lets a tense sigh fall from her lips as she finally averts her gaze from Gohan. One hand lifts to her head, fingers combing through dark bangs. "...on the other hand. I know your efforts are strained. I have gathered from interacting with Serori and others of your kind that you are trying to gather your own people under a unified empire. Is there any possible reason you would be...willing to invest, let us say, in a planet's safety if it would be given to you, or, at least, shared with you once that is assured?"
Gohan	Gohan closes his eyes. "So," he says after Beli's explanation, "That's your game, huh? I didn't win a planet, I won a battleground. You do realize that, given what you've told me, the easiest way for me to take what I want is the unadulterated genocide of an entire planet's population? And it's not something my organization hasn't done before. Hell, I have a protocol for exactly this situation! I send in ground forces and eliminate every living person in every sector until the only ones remaining are my troops. We call it the Frieza Method these days." He closes his eyes. "You leave me in a tight spot. On the one hand, I should walk away from this right now. It's too much of a headache to deal with nominally, and it's easier just to let you keep it and keep doing what it is you do. However, I think there's more to it than that." Gohan balls his hands into fists, then relaxes them again. "Maybe you want me to help you destroy both Inferno and Paradiso? I'm a warrior, in charge of a warmongering organization. This would benefit you without helping me at all until both of them are burned to the ground, after which I could take control of what's mine. Is that what you're after, Beli Klum?" Gohan snickers. "Or maybe that was your plan all along, to get me to abandon my pursuit by telling me all this only after my win. I could see that too. But the joke's on you. I can fight a war. I can't take over Paradiso and Inferno without some upgraded ships, but if they come to Earth, I can certain make sure they don't make it back." He crosses his arms across his chest. "I have no need to keep orbits above Namamura. If I move the bulk of my fleet to Earth-1111 and set them in orbit, I think I can create and easily defensable position." He smiles a bit serenely. "Fine. I can dedicate resources to this on a trial basis. I'll still take it. Heaven nor Hell is ready for the might of my ambition."
Beli Klum	Beli lets a tense sigh huff from her nose as Gohan speaks. It's not something she hasn't already considered, in fairness. She's heard enough about the Planetary Trade Organization to have some idea of their usual operations, not including what she's already experienced in Namamura. "...my plan was formulated from the place of mind of a leader, not someone intending to be an ally. I wanted to regain Namamura, but the price of loss was too steep to offer anyone else's world. I, meanwhile, did not have as much to lose." Her gaze shifts back to him again. "If it is any consolation, you have proven to be much more admirable than I at first expected." She sits back in her seat, then, folding her arms over her chest and considering his words. "Yes. My plan was to gain the benefit of your assistance in a war that I have involved myself in. I do not, however, intend to leave you without compensation for that assistance. There are eight leaders in both Paradiso and Inferno, and killing them removes all of their minions as well. The Union and I have already defeated four of them. That leaves only eight total for you to assist with, if you find yourself willing. They are powerful entities, but they have proven that they are not incapable of being defeated by us. If you are willing to cut off the heads of eight snakes to push forward the process, then I will give you whatever you need." Beli takes a moment to sip more of her drink, setting it back down on the table once she's done. "I told you about Purgatorio. That is all I need to free the humans of my world. Their souls reside there, and in time, they are purged of their influence and given the freedom of independent choice. I had hoped to move them back onto Earth once Inferno and Paradiso are eliminated, but if you feel that the only compensation for your efforts is free reign of the entire planet, then I will only ask you to spare the lake that serves as Purgatorio's entrance. I would ask if you are willing to grant the planet as a shared location for both of us to make use of equally, but I can understand if you find yourself unwilling to do so. I do not know where else I can put them when this war is over, but...I will adapt, as I have been." She looks at him for a moment, thoughtful over her next choice of words. "...I have no intention of helping you in the war of the Union and the Confederacy. But, between us, I would be willing to contribute to the growth of this...saiyan empire you all are trying to build. I will be honest, I thought Serori was the only one of your race that was at all reasonable, but...you have shown that you are a better person than you may let on, Gohan. While I cannot sacrifice the task I have taken upon myself, I now wish to make this worthwhile for you, in some way."
Gohan	Gohan leans back. A war within a war. He wasn't really that surprised, especially with his evil dad running around doing essentially the same thing. He places his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling as Beli gives him the rundown of the situation. "You want me to slay eight beings of incredible power, or aid in such. I'm not above helping out with this problem. I hate seeing people suffer. Why do you think I evacuated Namamura? I'm not a tyrant that goes around slaying masses willy-nilly. I'm doing a job, and often times things don't end up so bad for those I conquer." He says this almost as though he's talking to himself. "I'll tell you what. I'll let you keep Earth after the war if you give me control of both Paradiso and Inferno. They will both be empty when we finish off the leaders, right? And you'll have control of all the souls on Earth to give them free will. Surely armies of the scope of Heaven and Hell have some interesting things I can use, right? Or will those realms cease to exist without their leaders?"
Beli Klum	"Saying that you were a fundamental aspect of the downfall of Heaven and Hell will surely be an impressive point for your reputation, as well." Beli smiles a little bit at that, though she's quick to return to a more businesslike demeanor. "I cannot say with certainty that Paradiso and Inferno will remain if all the angels and demons are defeated. There is still much of my world that I do not know. However, to the best of my knowledge, they will still exist as empty shells. What exactly you will gain from them varies, depending on the circle of each domain. They are, like their residents, embodiments of the virtues and sins attributed to them. Most of what the realms use in their war is brought on by those residents, but there will surely be interesting things you can make use of from both. I have journeyed to each one over the decades; I will be able to show you what you can gain from them, if you will accept a long tour after all is said and done." She has to admit, this has gone better than she expected. The thought goes unvoiced, but she does let a slow sigh of relief to fall from her before she speaks again. "...that should be fair, then. If you want to take a cursory scout over the planet to examine what is there, and possibly see some of the battles ahead of time, neither afterlife should pay much attention to a small scouting group. Eight of the circles have already been cleared, as well; while it is more...risky, I could take you to them to give you a few minutes to examine what is present." Beli stares at him for a moment more. When her voice comes next, it's with a soft note of gratitude. "...thank you, Gohan."
Gohan	Gohan chuckles. "Adding afterlife conqueror to my resume is a tempting prospect. Alright. I'll help you. But I do this for the rewards I aim to get and not out of any sort of charity. Make sure your allies understand that just because I'm helping you all here doesn't mean I'm not going to strike at their holdings." He smirks, crossing his arms and standing up. "I'll have a scouting party there when I can spare the forces. And, yes, I'd like a tour of the areas you can get me into. I'm used to surprises, but it sounds like I can avoid it this time and that's refreshing." He smiles again. He didn't even touch his ribs, and the waiter hands him his card back. "Outside of the public and just between us? I think you're doing an admirable thing and I'm glad I can help in some way. But that doesn't leave this restaurant, alright? I'll contact you when I have my forces freed up."
Beli Klum	"Of course," Beli replies, nodding as she rises from her seat as well. A more honest smile curves her lips as she looks to Gohan. "Keep in touch with me, then, when you are able. I will make arrangements as soon as I can, and hopefully we can both be satisfied with the results." She doesn't seem certain of how to take that compliment. She blinks, but after a moment, her smile returns, bringing with it a soft, ringing laugh. "...of course, Gohan. Thank you. That will never leave this restaurant, lest someone think you are growing soft." Another nod is given, and she holds her hand out to shake his. Her handshake isn't exactly strong by any means, but her slender frame can still give some firmness to the gesture. "Good luck, until then. I will speak to you soon." While he leaves, Beli decides to linger for a while longer, taking a seat back in the booth. Her hot chocolate hasn't been finished, after all...and there's a perfectly good plate of ribs that shouldn't go to waste. She smiles, informing the waiter of her decision, and spends some time in satisfied, relieved silence.