Tense Arrivals (Nero/Zhalla/Inv)

With some time to have a break between the events in the Trial of Peace, Nero had taken to the streets of Dend Capital seeking a place to procure some fruit juice. Sure, he knew of practically every single cafe, juice bar and little assorted fruit refreshment stand that ever existed out here, but it was always a treat when a new one of these emerged.

This time, it was a Dragonfruit stand, with its wares sourced from Arcose. The ones operating the stall were two young Arcosians, supervised by an older one and a local Namekian to assist them. “Oh sweet, I haven’t had something like this in a while!” Nero gave an impressed whistle and ordered the largest size of juice that the stall offered, requesting that it have some extras added, like carbonation sugars, lemon zest and raspberry cream. The two youths took the order and processed payment with the assistance of the Namekian while the older Arcosian made the order itself— and it was a speedy service too! They didn’t have a long line because they were just so efficient!

Nero was soon on his way again, delicious beverage in hand, sipping it through a straw. Eventually he had wandered near the area that most new arrivals came from, having stopped just two steps shy of a gruff looking Namekian and a pair of strangers. He heard the building tension a bit ago, and chose to lean in between the two before they caused a ruckus. “Hey, whats the issue?” Nero looked between the Namekian, the angered youth and the older woman. “You’re not being a judgemental dick, are you?” Nero raised his brow at the Namekian, who thus far has said nothing at all in response to the young lady. Patiently sipping on his drink, Nero waited for the situation to be explained.

Or for the situation to explode, whichever came first.

As stone-faced and stoic as the Namekian seemed to be, Nero was certain they didn’t act in a malicious way. Some people were just stern like that on the surface, and he wasn’t going to get on their case for it. If anything, the Namekian did offer a good point. “True, but it only stays that way if you don’t teach others. The enemy of ignorance is an open mind.” This was wisdom offered to all present, though it was likely that if given enough time to think anyone here could come to that conclusion.

Ultimately, together, the once-crunched sapling was restored in a united effort of those with minds more open than they might even personally admit. Both the newcomer and the Namekian may have had their reasons not to heed Nero’s call to action, but those reasons seemed to be negligible when compared to whatever reasons they had in choosing to listen. “See? This is what an open mind that is willing to step back and learn something new can achieve.”

Nero examined the healed Ajisa sproutling; it was quite the interesting swirl of colours it now had. Other than that, it was completely normal. With graceful telekinesis, Nero reached out to the plant, lifting it out of the ground carefully alongside some soil for it to sustain itself— and Namek’s soil was exceptional at offering this to what grew in it for sure! Nero looked over to the Namekian that helped heal the plant and gave a nod. “I’ll find a place for it, I thank you for your kindness.” With that, everyone else was free to return to what they were doing. “Lets get a move on, yeah?” He suggested to the newcomers and Zhalla.

Eventually the general conversation was steered to why these two newcomers were visiting. Magic? Made sense, Namek had magic in abundance. “You’ve come to the right planet, that much is certain. You’ve seen some of that magic at work already too. What do you think, Zerori, Zriracha?” Nero inquired, motioning to the healed Ajisa sproutling. The tournament, since Zhalla had mentioned it, was another point of interest. “Hm? I suppose it may be related to the one on Arcose, but my focus is here either way.” Nero would catch up on those events later probably, once they had concluded since he had no reason to worry about a tournament he wasn’t even participating in. “We’ve recently finished our top sixteen rounds, top eight is up next.” As for if Nero and Zhalla got the chance to be fighting each other in it, well... “Nah, not yet. Only shot we’ve got at that is if we both reach the finals.” Was he disappointed? Kind of, but only because Zhalla was fun to have a match with. Plus, fighting her in the finals would be a whole lot more fun than at any other stage of the tournament.

Zerori was of course still curious about the magic used on the Ajisa. Nero responded calmly in contrast to her increasing eagerness for knowledge. “Oh, it’s pronounced ‘Ajisa’ but you’ve almost got it. Anyway, short answer? Magic.” Nero snickered. “Longer more specific answer? Healing and restoration is a pretty common practice here, most anyone here can manage it at a more basic level. The Dragon Clan however, they’re the best at it out of all of us.” Of course, he decided to not mention the extent of his own power and the feats he has performed, a classic Nero modesty moment.