Missing Heir

"Hey, weirdo, stick 'em up!" The vehement command, directed with all the threatening distaste it could muster, was aimed at a stranger to the city. Garbed in arguably garishly colored attire of whites, pinks, and trim of faux gold, they certainly stood out among the washed-out dirtied colored most denizens dressed in. A black sweatshirt toting thug pointed the tip of his serrated pocketknife at his attempted prey, mouth hidden beneath a grime-covered pull-up mask, eyes behind cheap bent sunglasses, and a mop of brownish hair peeking out from the top. He had stopped Kore in an alleyway connecting two separate streets together, patiently waiting for the right time to strike to try and earn income for the day. Judging by his occupation and attire, it wasn't hard to conclude that he was likely poor and acquired most of his wealth through petty crime. That being said...

"I've no actual money to give in the first place," The Shinjin said softly, eyes gazing upon his assailant with visible compassion. "Though if you'd like, I could arrange some food with the promise that you drop this act for as long as possible." The blade wavered, dipping down silently as the criminal was taken aback by Kore's nonplussed behavior. Grip tightening and taking a step closer, the Earthling thrust it forward a bit and attempted to make another demand: "I don't know who you are, but I'm not playing around! Quit stalling!" The responding sigh was a wistful, almost melodic sound. Kore's hands were still kept tightly clasped behind his back, body unmoving even as the threatened weapon drew near. "Is this really how you wish to go about the rest of your life? Forcibly robbing others in an alleyway just to see ends meet again? If it is, you've much to improve on. Your stance is wrong, for one."

The robber had lost most of his moxie by now, trembling a bit even as he futilely scrambled to keep some amount of perceived control over the situation. "S-shut up! I didn't want to do this, but you've left me no choice!" He lunged forward, intent on driving the metal blade into Kore's torso. The move was more likely to disable rather than kill, and it was these minor details that Kore appreciated the most. The Shinjin's body twisted eloquently, dagger meeting open air as Kore moved faster than the human could possibly keep up with. His left hand grabbed the blade by the sharp end, coated in a protective casing of pink energy as his other hand formed an open palm and delivered an alacritous strike to the robber's chest. Falling to his rear with the wind knocked from his lungs and now fully disarmed, the human cowered and threw both arms up in a pleading gesture.

"You see how quickly things can turn sour for those in such a profession? Had I the inclination, it would be you skewered on this weapon." Kore crushed the knife with a single hand, twisted metal shards and polymer plastic bits resting for a moment before they too were summarily obliterated with a quick pulse of pink Ki. "I don't want to hurt you, nor do I want anything from you. Please, consider coming to Saint Bichael's kitchen later today. It has received quite the upgrade since most had been there last, and I promise you will receive all the food and water you need." Without much else to do, the criminal nodded mutely and slunk away to the opposite side of the alley. Kore's eyes fluttered shut as he replayed the events over in his mind again. The man hadn't been the first nor likely the last the petty criminal he'd encounter today, and the thought that so many turned to crime were heartbreaking. The conditions on every planet were different, and insofar, most of Earth was well-kept, but even trying to remain objective about East City was difficult. Surely the President could and should devote more resources?

With a minor blip, Kore teleported to a new random part of the city, intent on seeing who and what else he could encounter on his trip. Arriving in the wealthier part of town encouraged the Shinjin to reroll and try elsewhere, but the sudden sense of a peculiarly strong power caused him to stay. It was coming from a nearby eatery, and while simply having high power was no crime on its own, Kore felt obligated to at least check given the status of the city. Although unaware of it, Kore's outfit, although foreign in nature, was well-kept and uniquely designed and thus passed for respectable dress. Passing into the restaurant and only catching the tail end of Tarch's ploy caused Kore's eyes to hone in on the boy. So young yet already causing trouble and surprisingly strong as well. He wasn't bluffing when he claimed to be able to take what he wanted anyway. "Do you need any help?" It was perhaps the oddest thing to say, at least to the wealthy bystanders who looked at Kore as if he had grown a second head. "You're hungry, right? I've food to spare."

Thread PL: 20,000 | TWC: 863

Tarch jumped at the sudden niceness coming from this new green skinned person. Not only did he have no idea where they came from, but having someone show kindness to this poor boy in this part of the world was so far unheard of. It was refreshing, but still startling.

“U-uh… y-yes? Yes, please.”

It was a little embarrassing in all honesty. He was supposed to be a semi-competent thief, or at least try to keep up with his sister. But a couple of days with barely any food tends to make one forget that and just accept the help. But before any of that could happen, yet another adult would make their way into Tarch’s little predicament. Why did it always seem like he stumbled onto every little ounce of trouble to be found wherever he went? This new adult, however, was a lot less gentle and polite than the previous green one.

“Vegeta?” Tarch thought for a moment. Aunt Tanga had mentioned that his mom was from a planet by that name. “W-well I don’t know about… I uh! I m-mean I’ve never been there s-so… yeah.” The anxiety was already starting to creep up on the shy saiyan child. Oddly enough, this person seemed to think that Saiyans could only ever exist on their home planet. Rude, but for a pre-teen, it actually made sense. Why a full-grown adult felt that way was a mystery, though.

“Shin what?” He had no idea what a shinjin was to begin with. “I-I’m only h-half saiyan. I’m not r-really that far from home. Just over in West City.” No, just the other side of the planet.

“Aren’t you far from Jerk-town?” Got him. In a very hushed whisper that hopefully no one else could hear. “I j-just want some food. A-And I’m trying not to steal as much.” That wasn’t a total lie. Tarch wanted to cut back on his thievery on his own. Give him a partner in crime and it was fair game.

Tarch turned to face the nicer adult. “U-uh speaking of which, thank you… sir? Ma’am?” Come to think of it, it was hard to tell if this so-called shinjin was a boy or girl. Kind of reminded him of Fend in that regard. “What did that r-rude guy mean by Shin Gin though?” Out of all the alien races Tarch read about back home, Shinjin didn’t make the list.

WC: 414

"I have no intention of taking anything, do not worry. We could probably see about cleaning it instead if that would make you feel better?" The masked man had strangely changed his tune a bit, Kore giving him a side-eyed glance. Apparently, his distaste for Saiyans was aimed more at those residing on Planet Plant over the species in general. Still, the sudden display of warmth seemed almost disingenuous, and while Kore couldn't particularly say for sure that it was fake, it certainly didn't sit right. His case wasn't helped when midway through talking to Tarch, attention was turned towards Kore as his discriminatory remarks reached a full peak once again. It was clear he had some sort of bad experience with Shinjin before, though given how rare they were in the mortal realms, it certainly couldn't have been extensive.

"My apologies, but did you just not make a mistake in judgment based on appearances alone that was rectified moments later, sir? I am like and know every other Shinjin just as much as you are like every other member of your species, or how this child is like every other Saiyan. To answer you directly, no, I don't know who Ward is, and they certainly hold no authority over me." Trying to disavow Tarch from ever interacting with Shinjin based on this man's one experience with Ward seemed pre-emptive at best. "With that in mind, you're free to do as you wish," The words were once again directed at Tarch with a bit of a softer tone. "If you'd feel more comfortable with his assistance over mine, then I shall let the matter rest."

Though the Saiyan did ask a rather odd question. Kore's head tilted slightly, a small knot of worry forming on his face: "No, I was in the area and came to investigate based on your power, not because I knew there would be someone here at this time. Why is that? Are you being followed by someone?"

“I-I mean you both seem o-okay to me. So I think you sh-should stay Mister or Missus Shin-Jin.” Indeed, neither aliens showed themselves to be bad people, so why would he not let the Shinjin stay with him? The Shinjin in question also let him know that while his power alerted him to his presence, he wasn’t sent by anyone.

“Guess I’m not, then. That’s good… I-I think.” No, it really wasn’t. He knew that, too. If someone had been following him, then that would mean someone was looking for him. In turn, if someone was looking for him, then that meant someone back home cared about him. What a refreshing feeling that would be. Unless this was an irate Tanga wanting to keep track of her favorite DNA pool. But he probably didn’t even get that honor. That was likely Virus, who Tarch had yet to meet. Thank goodness too, since from what he heard the large mutant bug was terrifying.

Speaking of scary things though, the bouncer from before came to finish chasing Tarch away. The young hybrid jumped, unsure if he should perhaps hide behind either of the two adults. Luckily, it seemed as though this Mr. R had some high connections. Tarch wasted no time rushing over to the nearest table and making short work of the breadbasket in the center.

“Fank you fur!” 'Thank you, sir!' His chomping came to a halt as soon as the runaway heard about R’s reason for being here in the first place. Someone apparently brought here in search of a kidnapped young man. While the boy wasn’t known for random acts of kindness, hearing of a potentially missing young person struck a chord with another missing person. Besides, he had to pay back Mr. R for helping him now.

“Umm... Mister R, sir.” Tarch’s stutters seemed to lessen as his resolve stiffened. “Can I maybe help too? I’m small and fast. A-and pretty strong. I can also sense people REALLY well. I mean… I uh… I need to pay you back for the help, anyway!” To further prove his point of payment, Tarch would refuse to order anything at least until R gave him an answer. Of course putting a hungry saiyan in the vicinity of free food meant a feast was inevitable, especially with said saiyan being a very hungry child.

WC: 402