![Newbie Guide](https://i.imgur.com/Uy7hIlu.png")
Post by Dion on Dec 19, 2022 11:54:24 GMT -5
Warm, miry water slathered dry, chapped lips as a blazing midday sun shone relentlessly on the back of a shadowy, huddled figure. Ragged hood loosely lying on top of sweaty, matted black hair, the fatigued wayfarer looked up from their dwindling water supply- the now noticeably lighter canteen hanging slackly from shaky hands as they moved to escape the burn of the afternoon heat wave.
Mirages of heat waves now filling his vision, the young Saiyan vagrant weaved through the nigh-endless desert dunes that blotted the landscape for miles around him, with nothing but the buzz of the staggering heat and his somehow still audible breath accompanying him. The monotony of it all threatened to be the end of him before anything else.
Ironic, considering the silence was once a solace Dion clutched so tightly to him at one point.
Now, the cacophony of quietude that filled his senses was what tortured him to no end.
It had been, what, several months at this point? Since the young man had escaped from the clutches of Kabe's crewmates following their near-death encounter high above the city skyline of the ruined metropolis that aimed to stoke the flame of ambition shared by all those who dared to step within the abandoned municipality's limits. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet he could remember it like it was yesterday- the wounds Dion sustained, both mental and physical, wearing their weight on him like reinforced steel cable.
The chase that came quickly after Dion's initial escape pushed the already taxed young man's strength and sanity beyond what he had thought possible- the Berri forest at least acting well enough to help conceal his presence from the Jörmungandr flying overhead but doing much less to help in hiding him from the ground forces that were simultaneously in pursuit. Every step, every crack of a fallen leaf or branch, every shout or yell that echoed across the landscape barely being enough fuel to force the fragile fighter forward- until he finally found a wayward ditch of dirt and mud to hide within as Kabe's forces passed. Blindly diving straight in, Dion prayed that the muddied pile of earth and muck would be enough to hide his sorry person in its entirety from his hunter's prying eyes.
It took several hours for Dion to feel comfortable enough to start moving again. Dirt and grime caked upon his features as he stumbled to his feet and began to move onward once again. Where he wasn't exactly sure, but he knew he needed to get away.
He couldn't face anyone, much less someone like Amara or Zhalla in his current condition- not with what he's done and what he's failed to atone for. So, he did what had worked once in the past before, and something that he seemed the most capable of doing.
And he ran.
He ran, and ran, and ran until he could no longer. Eventually, his efforts found him standing once more in front of the very ship he took to get to Plant, and soon enough he was across the stars anew.
Was he a coward for choosing this path? Perhaps. Was the guilt he felt palpable enough to be equal to the sickness that now clouded his vision to such a heightened degree? But of course.
But how could he come back to them? To any one of them?
He couldn't. Not in this state. Not with what's been left in his wake.
So, Dion found himself all alone for the second time in his life, with nothing but the blinking stars across the cosmos acting as his guide as he sent himself deep into the empty nothingness before him.
And for once, he didn't care where he went.
-------
A heavy sigh filled the currently cold, arid desert air as Dion wiped the remaining sweat off of his brow. Night had come quickly, and the problem of making passable lodgings now reared its ugly head into view.
Putting into consideration his present backdrop, however, finding material to make a campsite was much easier said than done. Not to say it was impossible- the young man wouldn't have made it this far if he hadn't encountered examples to the contrary after all out in this seemingly lifeless desert wasteland. But it was going to be quite the hurdle to overcome.
Even so, he's been through worse, and Dion was sure he could tough out another hour or two flying about for some sticks, or branches, or something.
Taking flight, legs shaking slightly from the weight as he crouched down to help propel himself upwards, Dion's eyes closed but for a moment, the blackness encompassing his vision comforting him for a few scarce moments before opening up to the world around him once again.
A world that, even now, he didn't know much about. When he had shot off into the distant cosmos lightyears away from the place of his birth, Dion was genuinely unconcerned with where he'd end up. Leaving all of what would become of him to fate herself, the wounded warrior met unconsciousness' warm embrace as his ship soared deep into the vacuum of space, aimless, directionless, and unsure.
Eventually, Dion was shaken awake by the shambling of the ship's entry into some foreign atmosphere, and after an unceremonious crash landing, he found himself sitting in a sandy crater amongst a seemingly barren wasteland.
Despite still being unable to utilize much of his full strength, the extent of his injuries being more longstanding than once thought, Dion was able to tear his way through the remains of his ship and to the dust bowl beyond- being greeted by the harrowing heat of the blindingly bright sun above him. Thankfully, despite being both impulsive and perhaps a little stupid at times, Dion always came prepared for when things went south.
And so, with a pack of meager emergency essentials strapped around his waist, the havoc-inclined Haddock made his way off into the arid unknown, shambling his way beneath the sight of the hostile-looking sun high above.
...A sun that he now wished cast its warmth and glow upon his person. The nights always prove to be just as cold as the days are hot and seeing as Dion still had nothing but rags for clothing, it went without saying that they were the biggest obstacles he faced out in the waste.
Shivering, the young man could feel his very teeth chattering against each other in a clamorous crashing of enamel on enamel, arms folded together tightly as his feet struggled to keep himself upright on the ever-shifting sands below him.
He was so, so tired. Dion's eyes could barely focus forward without his eyelids nearly drawing to a complete close. The aches and pains from prior battles now roaring back in their ugly totality, the agony finally forcing the normally more fortuitous fighter to his knees.
Heavy panting filled the otherwise empty desert air as Dion's vision began to blur, the inky blackness that had frayed around his peripheral vision now beginning to overtake his sight completely. With one final choking gasp, Dion fell to his side in the sand, labored exhalation being the last thing he could muster the effort to do as he sunk into oblivion's embrace once more.
The stars above dissolved into the darkness along with him.
-------
The sounds of careful, yet hurried movement stirred the slumbering Saiyan to consciousness. The foreign yet familiar tune roused in him both surprise and apprehension, his blurry vision attempting to survey his surroundings for the source.
From what he could tell, Dion was currently being kept in a sandstone hut of some sort- an abode that offered up a strong sense of nostalgia as he readjusted his position on the crude, mattress-like surface that held him up presently. The distinct scent of food and sweat filled his nostrils as Dion laid his eyes on the source of all the ruckus, the young man's expression shifting from one of curiosity to one of heightened surprise.
A figure, perceptively feminine, sat a few feet away from where he was laid, her face turned away from him as she focused on the task in front of her- said task being the boiling of what he could only assume was a soup or stew, bubbling audibly as the stranger continued to stir rhythmically over, over, and over again. Straightening his posture in hopes of getting a better view of his newfound savior (or captor), Dion's strained effort forced a gentle grunt out from him, causing the woman to snap her head back toward his presence.
Skin the color of freshly brewed bourbon, and with eyes that reflected the fire-gold glow of dawn, the lady's expression brightened as soon as she discerned Dion's return to consciousness being a successful one.
Standing up, she swiftly approached the bewildered bartender with a reassuring smile on her face, kneeling next to him as she spoke in a low, inquisitive tone, "I know you must have many questions, but, firstly I must ask- how are you feeling at the moment?"
Momentarily misplacing his vocal cords, Dion took a few seconds to contemplate a response before speedily replying in a slightly sheepish voice, "I-I'm not feeling too bad, actually, thank you. I've felt much worse, anyways, heh."
A somewhat curious yet all the more concerned expression now blooming onto the woman's features, Dion attempted to wave away her growing unease, laughing nervously as he tried (terribly) to backtrack in his next response, stating, "Really though, I'm feeling perfectly fine. I-I really must thank you-"
"No need to, stranger. You didn't seem in the greatest of spots when I first found you, so I did what any decent person would've, really."
"W-where, er, how did you find me anyways then, if I may ask? Last thing I recall was blacking out in the middle of all the nothingness trying to look for someplace to make camp..."
An even more curious, yet simultaneously amused expression came upon the woman's brow as Dion said this, her gaze shooting over to the corner of the room for a second before looking back at him, replying in a slightly beguiled voice, "My, my, you really must not be from here then, are you..?"
"I-I mean, yes, but, what gave it away?"
"Well, besides the whole, 'wandering the wastes by ones lonesome', your pack of supplies didn't exactly scream 'experienced desert-goer' either."
Pausing, Dion took a moment to look in the direction she had, realizing that his meagre pack of supplies was sat in that very corner. A light flush appearing on his face, the stammering Saiyan struggled to come up with an explanation, a reaction that made the lady giggle a bit- her laugh filling the air with an invigorating energy to it. It was, a refreshing change of pace, considering the atmosphere and attitude that clung onto Dion like a parasite.
Smiling sheepishly, the woman brushed a bit of her hair backward with a free hand, saying in an apologetic tone, "Sorry, I don't mean to make light of your situation. Some dry humor usually helps to cheer me up, so I just thought.."
Offering her a reassuring smile, Dion patted her on the wrist, saying in the warm, friendly tone that had become part of what he was known for, "Don't worry, I'm, not as soft as I might seem, eheh. Plus, if you didn't mean well, you'd have left me back in the wastes where I laid, so I suppose a little teasing here and there is the least I can allow you to do, yknow?"
"I've had other people say much worse in my company."
A somber expression accompanied the following words, past visions of a blonde magic-user flashing in his mind before a gentle touch on the upper arm brought him back to reality once more. Turning to face the woman again, her expression now bore entirely the look of an extremely perturbed individual.
"I sense such heavy sorrow just, radiating off of you...might I ask-"
"I'd rather not."
A leaden silence hung in the air following the swift and somewhat cold response from the normally more agreeable bartender, the wounds left from all he had been through in the last few months having left their mark substantially on both the Saiyan's mind and body.
Exhaling, the woman seemed intent on moving past their momentary hiccup, placing both of her hands in her lap as she then extended one hand toward Dion in greeting, saying in a revitalized voice, "Well, at the very least, might I ask your name to begin with? Mine is Talia, Talia Acacia."
Also wanting to not screw up the first bit of social interaction he's had in Kami knows how long, Dion took Talia's hand in earnest, shaking with a gentle yet assured motion as he replied in a similarly re-energized tone, "My name's Dion, Dion Hofferson- it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Talia."
"Talia's just fine."
"Sorry, force of habit."
"Is apologizing profusely another?"
"...Y-yeah."
Another giggle. Was he always this comedic?
Thankfully, there would be no need for Dion to try and capitalize, as Talia was already making her way back to the awaiting kettle in the back of the hut with a follow up of her own.
Starting the stirring process all over again, she spoke in a leisurely tone, a relaxed atmosphere falling upon the two as she said, "To answer your previous question, I just so happened to be on a small scavenging expedition when I came across your unconscious self. I was looking for some herbs to help put the finishing touches on this stew you see here, and I came back with much more than I bargained for."
Now fully engrossed once more, the shackles of social anxiety seemed to fall right off of the Saiyan, his mind feeding more and more into the curiosity that now beckoned him forward into the conversation.
"So there are things able to be scavenged out there? I kept looking and looking, but, it seemed only sand was there to greet me everywhere I looked..."
Mirages of heat waves now filling his vision, the young Saiyan vagrant weaved through the nigh-endless desert dunes that blotted the landscape for miles around him, with nothing but the buzz of the staggering heat and his somehow still audible breath accompanying him. The monotony of it all threatened to be the end of him before anything else.
Ironic, considering the silence was once a solace Dion clutched so tightly to him at one point.
Now, the cacophony of quietude that filled his senses was what tortured him to no end.
It had been, what, several months at this point? Since the young man had escaped from the clutches of Kabe's crewmates following their near-death encounter high above the city skyline of the ruined metropolis that aimed to stoke the flame of ambition shared by all those who dared to step within the abandoned municipality's limits. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet he could remember it like it was yesterday- the wounds Dion sustained, both mental and physical, wearing their weight on him like reinforced steel cable.
The chase that came quickly after Dion's initial escape pushed the already taxed young man's strength and sanity beyond what he had thought possible- the Berri forest at least acting well enough to help conceal his presence from the Jörmungandr flying overhead but doing much less to help in hiding him from the ground forces that were simultaneously in pursuit. Every step, every crack of a fallen leaf or branch, every shout or yell that echoed across the landscape barely being enough fuel to force the fragile fighter forward- until he finally found a wayward ditch of dirt and mud to hide within as Kabe's forces passed. Blindly diving straight in, Dion prayed that the muddied pile of earth and muck would be enough to hide his sorry person in its entirety from his hunter's prying eyes.
It took several hours for Dion to feel comfortable enough to start moving again. Dirt and grime caked upon his features as he stumbled to his feet and began to move onward once again. Where he wasn't exactly sure, but he knew he needed to get away.
He couldn't face anyone, much less someone like Amara or Zhalla in his current condition- not with what he's done and what he's failed to atone for. So, he did what had worked once in the past before, and something that he seemed the most capable of doing.
And he ran.
He ran, and ran, and ran until he could no longer. Eventually, his efforts found him standing once more in front of the very ship he took to get to Plant, and soon enough he was across the stars anew.
Was he a coward for choosing this path? Perhaps. Was the guilt he felt palpable enough to be equal to the sickness that now clouded his vision to such a heightened degree? But of course.
But how could he come back to them? To any one of them?
He couldn't. Not in this state. Not with what's been left in his wake.
So, Dion found himself all alone for the second time in his life, with nothing but the blinking stars across the cosmos acting as his guide as he sent himself deep into the empty nothingness before him.
And for once, he didn't care where he went.
-------
A heavy sigh filled the currently cold, arid desert air as Dion wiped the remaining sweat off of his brow. Night had come quickly, and the problem of making passable lodgings now reared its ugly head into view.
Putting into consideration his present backdrop, however, finding material to make a campsite was much easier said than done. Not to say it was impossible- the young man wouldn't have made it this far if he hadn't encountered examples to the contrary after all out in this seemingly lifeless desert wasteland. But it was going to be quite the hurdle to overcome.
Even so, he's been through worse, and Dion was sure he could tough out another hour or two flying about for some sticks, or branches, or something.
Taking flight, legs shaking slightly from the weight as he crouched down to help propel himself upwards, Dion's eyes closed but for a moment, the blackness encompassing his vision comforting him for a few scarce moments before opening up to the world around him once again.
A world that, even now, he didn't know much about. When he had shot off into the distant cosmos lightyears away from the place of his birth, Dion was genuinely unconcerned with where he'd end up. Leaving all of what would become of him to fate herself, the wounded warrior met unconsciousness' warm embrace as his ship soared deep into the vacuum of space, aimless, directionless, and unsure.
Eventually, Dion was shaken awake by the shambling of the ship's entry into some foreign atmosphere, and after an unceremonious crash landing, he found himself sitting in a sandy crater amongst a seemingly barren wasteland.
Despite still being unable to utilize much of his full strength, the extent of his injuries being more longstanding than once thought, Dion was able to tear his way through the remains of his ship and to the dust bowl beyond- being greeted by the harrowing heat of the blindingly bright sun above him. Thankfully, despite being both impulsive and perhaps a little stupid at times, Dion always came prepared for when things went south.
And so, with a pack of meager emergency essentials strapped around his waist, the havoc-inclined Haddock made his way off into the arid unknown, shambling his way beneath the sight of the hostile-looking sun high above.
...A sun that he now wished cast its warmth and glow upon his person. The nights always prove to be just as cold as the days are hot and seeing as Dion still had nothing but rags for clothing, it went without saying that they were the biggest obstacles he faced out in the waste.
Shivering, the young man could feel his very teeth chattering against each other in a clamorous crashing of enamel on enamel, arms folded together tightly as his feet struggled to keep himself upright on the ever-shifting sands below him.
He was so, so tired. Dion's eyes could barely focus forward without his eyelids nearly drawing to a complete close. The aches and pains from prior battles now roaring back in their ugly totality, the agony finally forcing the normally more fortuitous fighter to his knees.
Heavy panting filled the otherwise empty desert air as Dion's vision began to blur, the inky blackness that had frayed around his peripheral vision now beginning to overtake his sight completely. With one final choking gasp, Dion fell to his side in the sand, labored exhalation being the last thing he could muster the effort to do as he sunk into oblivion's embrace once more.
The stars above dissolved into the darkness along with him.
-------
The sounds of careful, yet hurried movement stirred the slumbering Saiyan to consciousness. The foreign yet familiar tune roused in him both surprise and apprehension, his blurry vision attempting to survey his surroundings for the source.
From what he could tell, Dion was currently being kept in a sandstone hut of some sort- an abode that offered up a strong sense of nostalgia as he readjusted his position on the crude, mattress-like surface that held him up presently. The distinct scent of food and sweat filled his nostrils as Dion laid his eyes on the source of all the ruckus, the young man's expression shifting from one of curiosity to one of heightened surprise.
A figure, perceptively feminine, sat a few feet away from where he was laid, her face turned away from him as she focused on the task in front of her- said task being the boiling of what he could only assume was a soup or stew, bubbling audibly as the stranger continued to stir rhythmically over, over, and over again. Straightening his posture in hopes of getting a better view of his newfound savior (or captor), Dion's strained effort forced a gentle grunt out from him, causing the woman to snap her head back toward his presence.
Skin the color of freshly brewed bourbon, and with eyes that reflected the fire-gold glow of dawn, the lady's expression brightened as soon as she discerned Dion's return to consciousness being a successful one.
Standing up, she swiftly approached the bewildered bartender with a reassuring smile on her face, kneeling next to him as she spoke in a low, inquisitive tone, "I know you must have many questions, but, firstly I must ask- how are you feeling at the moment?"
Momentarily misplacing his vocal cords, Dion took a few seconds to contemplate a response before speedily replying in a slightly sheepish voice, "I-I'm not feeling too bad, actually, thank you. I've felt much worse, anyways, heh."
A somewhat curious yet all the more concerned expression now blooming onto the woman's features, Dion attempted to wave away her growing unease, laughing nervously as he tried (terribly) to backtrack in his next response, stating, "Really though, I'm feeling perfectly fine. I-I really must thank you-"
"No need to, stranger. You didn't seem in the greatest of spots when I first found you, so I did what any decent person would've, really."
"W-where, er, how did you find me anyways then, if I may ask? Last thing I recall was blacking out in the middle of all the nothingness trying to look for someplace to make camp..."
An even more curious, yet simultaneously amused expression came upon the woman's brow as Dion said this, her gaze shooting over to the corner of the room for a second before looking back at him, replying in a slightly beguiled voice, "My, my, you really must not be from here then, are you..?"
"I-I mean, yes, but, what gave it away?"
"Well, besides the whole, 'wandering the wastes by ones lonesome', your pack of supplies didn't exactly scream 'experienced desert-goer' either."
Pausing, Dion took a moment to look in the direction she had, realizing that his meagre pack of supplies was sat in that very corner. A light flush appearing on his face, the stammering Saiyan struggled to come up with an explanation, a reaction that made the lady giggle a bit- her laugh filling the air with an invigorating energy to it. It was, a refreshing change of pace, considering the atmosphere and attitude that clung onto Dion like a parasite.
Smiling sheepishly, the woman brushed a bit of her hair backward with a free hand, saying in an apologetic tone, "Sorry, I don't mean to make light of your situation. Some dry humor usually helps to cheer me up, so I just thought.."
Offering her a reassuring smile, Dion patted her on the wrist, saying in the warm, friendly tone that had become part of what he was known for, "Don't worry, I'm, not as soft as I might seem, eheh. Plus, if you didn't mean well, you'd have left me back in the wastes where I laid, so I suppose a little teasing here and there is the least I can allow you to do, yknow?"
"I've had other people say much worse in my company."
A somber expression accompanied the following words, past visions of a blonde magic-user flashing in his mind before a gentle touch on the upper arm brought him back to reality once more. Turning to face the woman again, her expression now bore entirely the look of an extremely perturbed individual.
"I sense such heavy sorrow just, radiating off of you...might I ask-"
"I'd rather not."
A leaden silence hung in the air following the swift and somewhat cold response from the normally more agreeable bartender, the wounds left from all he had been through in the last few months having left their mark substantially on both the Saiyan's mind and body.
Exhaling, the woman seemed intent on moving past their momentary hiccup, placing both of her hands in her lap as she then extended one hand toward Dion in greeting, saying in a revitalized voice, "Well, at the very least, might I ask your name to begin with? Mine is Talia, Talia Acacia."
Also wanting to not screw up the first bit of social interaction he's had in Kami knows how long, Dion took Talia's hand in earnest, shaking with a gentle yet assured motion as he replied in a similarly re-energized tone, "My name's Dion, Dion Hofferson- it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Talia."
"Talia's just fine."
"Sorry, force of habit."
"Is apologizing profusely another?"
"...Y-yeah."
Another giggle. Was he always this comedic?
Thankfully, there would be no need for Dion to try and capitalize, as Talia was already making her way back to the awaiting kettle in the back of the hut with a follow up of her own.
Starting the stirring process all over again, she spoke in a leisurely tone, a relaxed atmosphere falling upon the two as she said, "To answer your previous question, I just so happened to be on a small scavenging expedition when I came across your unconscious self. I was looking for some herbs to help put the finishing touches on this stew you see here, and I came back with much more than I bargained for."
Now fully engrossed once more, the shackles of social anxiety seemed to fall right off of the Saiyan, his mind feeding more and more into the curiosity that now beckoned him forward into the conversation.
"So there are things able to be scavenged out there? I kept looking and looking, but, it seemed only sand was there to greet me everywhere I looked..."
