The Results of Sins and Virtues

Yatapi barely registered that Lottus had finally spoken out loud once more. Looking over his shoulder, Yatapi made eye contact with Lottus before he stood up again. Dusting off his coat, he turned to face the Saiyan again.

Lottus’ declaration of returning to the living realm wasn’t much of a surprise, his analysis of the situation made sense in a logical way. If the living could disturb the barrier then so too could those that were dead— it was likely a more difficult procedure, but still possible. As for what Lottus intended to do, it was for him to decide, just as it was Yatapi’s decision to defy and counteract the sins of his people. “It seems we share a similar goal once again. Of course, I can imagine our methods will be different. That is simply how it is.”

Still, Yatapi thought Lottus was limiting himself to a single sad role in life, but at least the Tuffle had more context as to why. “The old adage; before creation comes destruction.” Yatapi sighed slightly, finding it depressing to let someone dig themselves a deeper hole into the pits of despair. “I think I know your answer, but are you certain that is what you want?”

In any case, Lottus thanked Yatapi for even deciding to come to the Otherworld— and he even gave a genuinely non-malicious and positive grin. Yatapi thought he had seen it all when Lottus gave an apology of all things, however, this took not only the cake, but the whole cake factory. “Mm. Silver lining I suppose...?” Yatapi wasn’t too convinced given just how fresh of a wound Rapini’s true death was even if it happened to also be a form of closure. “I hope the pair of you get that round two she mentioned. Transcending the limitations of feelings in one life to another sounds like a fascinating challenge, does it not?”

“Right, the research..” Yatapi cleared his throat and brought up a device on his wrist that displayed the data he had collected. “My current set of data shows that Destron has no physical presence here. It seems to be that any lingering effects are purely created by the psyche. I will likely return here a few times to be absolutely certain. In the meantime, should you still be here, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious or something that goes against the current conclusion would be appreciated.”

Yatapi looked at Lottus somewhat lazily. Moving forward and going beyond limits of every sort was precisely what Yatapi was getting at earlier, granted it was questioning why Lottus chose to be a reckless brute, but the Tuffle still thought as much. At least Lottus could sort of see the logic, that was a small victory.

Lottus’ mood darkened, understandably so. “Perhaps you’re right. Though I do think that if what you had together was worth what it should be worth, it will transcend even your next lives. Corny, I know.” Yatapi sighed. “Besides, to say that all that made her her is gone is not accurate. You are still here.” Yatapi spoke perhaps a bit too scientifically about the nature of emotions, and this was no different. Even though he could— or probably should have been more emotive about it, he did truly believe what he was saying, unshakingly so.

Destiny. Such a fickle concept. Not really one that Yatapi particularly cared for, it made perfect sense to him why Lottus detested it. In any case, Yatapi just let him speak now, noting the bubbling fury that the Saiyan was actually trying to contain.

Soon enough, the Saiyan would take his leave with one last cryptic message. “You know I will.” Yatapi finally responds, just before Lottus is out of earshot. For some time, Yatapi remained where he was near the gazebo, and once Lottus was out of sight he looked back to where Rapini last existed as herself. “... I’ll send him to you if I have to. He asked me to save what I can, after all. Best of luck in your next life, Rapini.” Yatapi saluted the space she once occupied, and eventually his time in this realm was over as the device used to get him here in the first place ran out of juice, forcibly taking him back to his lab in an instant.