Reconnection [OPEN to everyone!]

From the crowd, he could hear half-whispered exchanges. Some of them disagreed with his statement -and with reason; Tambo could never hope to change deeply ingrained mindsets with words alone-. Instead, it would have to be through action. He did not dare imagine what trials would await the Namekian people after the passing of their leader, but now that the torch had been collectively passed down to all of them, it was their duty to walk that long night and seek change for themselves.

He was rejoined by Tabor, who conveniently just came back from their latest travel. Spreading the word of Porunga wherever he went and share a bit of his craftsmanship along the way. “These are hard times, Tabor,” he said, in a low tone. “Grand Elder Guru has passed away recently while you were off-world. I have come to pay my respects and call for change, in the hope of uniting our people once more. The in-fighting is wearing on all sides…and I feel some disturbance. Through meditation, I felt shifts in the balance of the universe. Perhaps you bring news of other planets?” The advantage someone like Tabor had was that it gave them an outlook on things happening elsewhere in the universe and the chance to have a Namekian’s perspective on it. Other beings also brought news of outside worlds, but differences in culture meant they had differing opinions on matters such as war or conquest.

In the meantime, the young Nero had shown up, weaving through the crowd to join him as well as Tabor in the center. The older Namekian gave the young one a fatherly smile. “I hope your mother and your brothers are doing fine, young Nero. Thank you for coming over here, I’m sure the Grand Elder himself appreciates your kindness from the Great Beyond.”

His attention switched over to another dragon clan Namekian, calling for prudence when it came to dealing with the Mazoku. Perhaps it was there that the misunderstanding came from; a willingness to think that violence would be the only outcome, even if unprompted. He spoke to Shakuhachi, looking firmly into his eyes. “I am well aware that a lot of our brothers have perished due to petty quarrels, and may Porunga guide their souls in the otherworld… This is precisely why it all needs to stop. Do you believe the Mazoku would resort to violence for nothing? While I certainly do not condone their actions nor would I let them perpetrate violence against anyone that lives on this planet, we have a part to play in all of this as well. This cycle of hatred works in both directions. Maybe I am wrong in thinking this, but I believe it is a goal worth pursuing, to end this meaningless conflict and the violence it brings upon us.”

Amongst the crowd, he noticed a figure he had never seen before. A humanoid one, bearing a tail, much like the young Nero’s, one of Zukha’s adopted child. Outside opinions were always welcome as he had learned from Zukha’s children a valuable lesson, once. The different perspectives offered different angles to problems and believing one’s opinion was the best by virtue of their race was just a pitfall waiting for you to fall in. He asked for his fellow Namekians to move a little to the side, making Pracross in clear view of everyone. “You, stranger. Would you be so kind as to offer a piece of your mind on this matter? We can stand to learn from your view on this situation.”

Moments later, there was another voice resounding. One that brought the very perspective they were talking about. Cello, a child born alone in the Northern Scar, one whose life suffered from the tensions rising between the clans, spoke his word, harshly. Though Tambo felt the raw pain of the Namekian behind his words, he also sensed the people around being progressively more irritated with this air heavy with reprimands. There was a lot to unpack here and like volatile fire, things began to escalate as whispers buzzed in the background, some of the crowd hurling insults towards Cello. Nero was the first to act on the situation, drawing his weapon and the attention to himself, calling for everyone to understand that the Mazoku had come to mourn their loss alongside them and prompting them to reflect on their actions and words. Amidst the commotion, the Dragonsmith closed his eyes and not willing to let the situation escalate further, he opened them again and after a deep breath, invited everyone to be quiet.

“SILENCE!...” he said, his voice booming in the crowd. Not a hint of violence could be felt in his tone, though its authority was very much present. As the buzzing subsided, he continued, his tone having returned to normal. “…All of you. Have you all forgotten where you stand at this very moment?” He didn’t aim his words at anyone in particular. Rather, he spoke to every person present. “Let us not desecrate the memory of our Grand Elder by giving in to anger.”

He picked up his hammer and pointed it towards Cello, before placing it on the ground before him, both hands on the handle. “You are free to speak your mind here, Cello, but you have to realize the role you’ve taken upon yourself by coming here. You are an emissary of the Mazoku clan at this time, a representative of their voice. As such, it would be wise to mind your words as to not get everyone else needlessly riled up. I am willing to see past your rancor, justified as it may be, but I would much rather work towards understanding the situation of the Mazoku and discuss ways to help the standing among all of us than point fingers.”

He placed his hand on Nero’s shoulder, bowing his head a little. “My apologies for raising my voice there. You did right to stand against all those hurling insults at Cello. Although, in your case as well, I would advise against acting rashly when de-escalating a situation. Though your heart is right, sometimes harsh and impulsive actions might give some a wrong idea and only fuel their anger.”

He returned his attention towards Cello.

“I understand treatment against the Mazoku have been unfair and discrimination against them has only been generalized throughout the years. However, I must also remind you that less than a hundred years ago, the Mazoku drew the first blood against their brothers which led to the banishment in the Northern Scar. As to why that happened, this is the part I want to learn about and comprehend.”

Tambo felt the shift in the people’s opinion when Shakuhachi began talking. A great orator, the younger Dragon Clan Namekian had a way to give the people what they wanted. A clear solution to a problem and a target to focus their hatred upon. The now-deceased Guru, because of his lack of initiative against the Mazoku, caused this belong anger amongst the populace. The underlying message made it clear that the Dragon Clan and Warrior Clan were the “true” good people in all of this. Their existence was legitimized because of their faith and birthright because that had earned their place on this planet…whereas it wasn’t the case for the Mazoku.

This is where Tambo’s opinion diverged. Instead of blaming their predecessor for not acting, Tambo wished to see why he had chosen not to act. Was there something he wanted his children to see? A missing piece of a puzzle of some sort. A thought had begun budding in the forge master during his meditations. Perhaps this was the culmination of what Guru wanted to show the Namekian people. Instead of using words, he wanted them to realize this one thing: the Namekian people weren’t unified at all and knew so little about each other that it led to discrimination and hatred.

His death was the catalyst that served to make the point clear and it was now their goal to reconnect the burned bridges. It was hard, it required introspection and above all, admitting that one’s point of view might have been flawed. Instead, Shakuhachi had chosen to vilify the Mazoku, making them the target, the enemy to defeat. To others, it would make far too much sense. To get rid of the Mazoku -of these evil Namekians- was an immediate, easy solution to a complicated problem… but it did not solve anything.

And whatever Tambo could say about it would be his opinion alone, against all those who, silently or verbally agreed with Shakuhachi. Tambo closed his eyes as the Dragon Clansmen began pointing fingers at the outsiders, claiming they were not welcome and then at his fellow people for daring leave the planet? People like Tabor were envoys who brought news of the situation in the universe. He had just said so himself! How would they know of the brewing conflicts otherwise? Nonsensical! That person was not thinking straight anymore. Did he wish for war? But that young Saiyan over there had just told them that his planet was a war-torn world full of atrocities. At that moment, Tambo found the young Pracross much wiser than his fellow clansman. Was it what he wished upon the Namekian people?

Cello’s anger wasn’t unjustified and therefore, Tambo did not act on it. The crowd, however, became louder as the Mazoku spoke, trying to silence him. A specific part of his speech did manage to get his full attention when he spoke of the reason that caused the initial divide. Knowledge? What kind of knowledge? When he wanted to ask further about this, he stopped himself, realizing that now might not be the best time. His words could be taken as blasphemy in this sacred place and it would give far too many reasons for the others to seek harm upon him.

He let both Cello and Nero speak their minds without interrupting and when they had said their piece, opened his eyes back again. Lifting his hammer towards Shakuhachi, he added. “I stand by these two. Your words reek of violence and contempt. Are these the ways of the Dragon Clan you were taught? You call for our people to be isolated and xenophobic. Namek is our home, but confining our people here makes it seem like a prison. You disgrace its name! As this young Saiyan said…” he pointed to Pracross with his free hand. “Their race is at war with another because of lack of understanding. Doesn’t that look similar to what we are going through? Would you NOT take the opportunity to be WISER and opt for talking instead of violence? You do not seek unity, you seek domination. This, I cannot condone.”

No matter if the people turned against him, no matter if he was shunned for it, Tambo would never walk away from his faith or from the people of Namek as a whole for personal gain. His hammer began glowing with a golden color as his aura manifested, the same golden energy sliding against his ash-gray skin and welling up in the air. Soon, the entire area around them began glowing with brilliant sparkles, and a golden magical rain began pouring, washing the anger away instead of the physical world around them. The people around who were open-minded could feel at ease under this effect, its soothing warmth on their skin offering them peace. The older namekian’s eyes began glowing with that same golden color, making it clear it was his doing.

“You should reflect on your words, brother, witness the violence behind them and try to justify it when other means can be achieved for the benefit of all. I will make it clear on this day, in front of you all. I will not tolerate violence amongst each other in my presence. If that makes me your enemy, then so be it! But now and forever, my arms remain open to you and I pray for you to see the light beyond the darkness, brother.”