Monsters Without

Resting her head on the bar as she patiently awaited her drink, Zuqetta's attention would be piqued by the sound of screaming from afar. Not wanted to pry, she hadn't bothered opening her senses to who might have been around, but realized it might have been some unlucky bloke dealing with a much stronger adversary. The scream of pain had caused her to laugh a bit, recalling how Vennel wouldn't hold back with her either as they trained all those years ago. It was a pleasantly nostalgic moment, such was how Saiyans were after all; and soon enough, with the delivery of her desired berri juice, the girl of the hour would arrive.

"Ah! Jaggy-!" Zuqeetta would initially chime, excited to see her friend before suddenly seizing up at the sight before her, "Jaggy? Why're you-?" she'd question in a much less cheerful tone, unsure as to why Jagaimo would be crying.

Tears of joy at seeing an old friend? No, the expression on her face certainly didn't say that. Zuqetta listened as Jagaimo spoke, her chest becoming tight as she tried to make sense of her words. Her berri juice remained untouched as the air suddenly felt heavy, whatever appetite Zuqetta had suddenly lost as a strange dread filled her being. She'd have followed her? What did that even mean? Talk of lies and manipulation?? Zuqetta was becoming more and more confused, they'd had tons of fun in the past, hadn't they? They talked together, eaten together, enjoyed a fun fight in front of tons of spectators, so what was all this talk of deception?

"Jaggy, I don't understand, what's wrong?" Zuqetta would ask cautiously, "I... I didn't manipulate you, did it?" Zuqetta questioned, trying to piece together what Jagaimo might have been referring to, "Especially not in front of the plant, if you mean the challenge, everyone got to see how cool you were!" she'd say a bit more excitedly, her face brightening as she recalled the moment she orchestrated her own defeat at the hands of Amara and Jagaimo's combination attack.

Zuqetta flinched as Jagaimo raised her voice, trying her best to piece together the meaning behind her friends words and understand exactly what had gone wrong. The way Jagaimo spoke and moved, the expression on her had and subtle gestures all made it clear just how upset she was. There was a clear rage in her eyes, coupled with a deeper pain Zuqetta could only barely notice. As Jagaimo approached, Zuqetta would quickly slide off of the stool she sat in, shaking her head slightly as if disagreeing with Jagaimo's words, but struggling to come up with words of her own to counter with. "N-no-" she'd whisper beneath her breath, Not the whole thing... she'd think, worried to voice it lest she incur further misunderstanding.

Jagaimo's rage would lessen as she asked a curious question; Zuqetta would look up at her friend, quickly realizing the meaning behind her question as Jagaimo would make a comment that stung Zuqetta's pride. "No!" She'd exclaim firmly, "I'm not the type to try garnering sympathy from others! I AM facing you as I truly am!" she'd yell with a slight quiver in her voice, her brow narrowed as she refused to be told otherwise.

She hadn't accounted for her change in appearance when she'd decided to pay a visit to her friend. While she wanted full well to maintain her resolution, the realization that lies were indeed made not once, but twice began to weigh on her. She couldn't well speak against Jagaimo in that regard knowing that both the form she took on Namek and the form she took when she made her challenge for the throne were both false. Her actions as well were no better, flaunting wealth and power in the form of her possessions and massive fleet, faking an invasion to gain the attention of all those in Sadala, and action that even led to Amara rushing to the capital back then.

Zuqetta could barely keep her thoughts on the matter together as she tried to make sense of it all, from her perspective all these things had been necessary and even good at the time, but how could she possibly explain such a thing? Even she had begun to understand the consequences of her past actions, but it had been much too little too late for many...

"I-" She began again, hesitating as she struggled to think of a response, "But you fought me?" she'd say in a confused manner before shaking her head; was this really the best she could come up with? Her friend was clearly hurt by past actions, but Zuqetta found herself unable to empathize, and thus unable to understand. Her eyes darted back to Jagaimo and away again nervously as she swallowed with a dry throat; her tail would rise, coiling around her waist defensively as she attempted to speak again, "I... I'm sor-" Zuqetta would begin, trembling slightly as she focused on Jagaimo's previous remarks; she hadn't understood the "change" Jagaimo mentioned, but thinking more deeply on the challenge for the throne began to make things much more clear, "-I didn't... that is, I mean-"

Her breathing increased as she tried to speak, the simplicity of saying the truth being a greater challenge for her than any fight. Jagaimo wasn't wrong, everything had been an act, the choices she made all done so on a whim at most, but never had she believed her friend to had been so harmed by it. Was there even anything she could say that wouldn't make things worse? The truth seemed just as bad as the lies she'd told back then, but as Zuqetta struggled to speak she would remember the words she made to Zerori. She'd promised to tell the truth from now on, even if it harmed the friendship she believed she had with Jagaimo, she would resolve herself to keep that promise.

Her body still shook, but with a deep breath she'd look up towards Jagaimo with an expression both worried and confident. "I... didn't take into consideration how you'd feel. I wanted to make you look cool in front of everyone... I was selfish, and I was a liar." she'd admit, furrowing her brow as her eyes watered, "And I was a coward... Taori was missing, and I wanted someone on the throne. I said I'd do it, but then when Amara and I spoke telepathically, she gave me options, and I chose to be a coward and gave it all up." she'd continue, gritting her teeth in regret to the choice she'd made back then.

She held a hand close to her chest as she spoke, feeling a pain as though she were being stabbed by a thousand needles, a pain which only increased as she took notice of Jagaimo's tail curling around her own leg. Zuqetta did her best to contain her emotions, feeling as though she were getting the hiccups but specifically in her heart somehow. Regardless of the pain, she refused to let it overtake her, as far as she was concerned she didn't deserve to display such pain. While she'd lived her life fast and loose, Jagaimo had suffered because of those actions, just as many others had.

"I didn't mean to let you down, I..." her clenched fist tightened against her chest as her breathing increased, "Don't blame Amara though, I didn't plan it with her!" she'd say firmly, "She didn't know anything until the final moment! I was the one that chickened out, I was the one that made the mess... I don't know if it matters, but I was... different back then... and I'm different now." she felt like saying more, but what more could be said that wouldn't already sound like rambling and excuses? From how it seemed, her lies had reached a point that even being here in her true form had caused further mistrust in Jagaimo, so how could anything she said to explain herself have not simply seemed like a continuation of a long lie?

Jagaimo seemed hesitant to speak, allowing a brief and ominous silence to fall between the two as she became lost in thought. Such silence like a hook buried deep within her chest, tugging slowly, pulling on feelings of anxiety and doubt. What as going on right now? Why was she so upset? Zuqetta had been so happy to see her friend again, but so far, nothing had gone as she imagined, and then... Jagaimo would speak...

The first words she would say would prompt an immediate reaction from Zuqetta, but what was it? Was it anger? Hate? There were people she hated, and Jagaimo wasn't one of them, and she'd been angry plenty of times, but now didn't feel like all those other times. Her skin tingled and felt hot, she could feel her brow furrow as the bridge of her nose tightened. She wanted to speak out against her immediately, she wanted to ask exactly how this was the first honest thing she'd said, but something stopped her. That same tug in her chest, that same hook, but what it pulled on now wasn't something that Zuqetta knew.

Then, Jagaimo approached; Zuqetta would tense up, was she about to be struck? Possibly. Would she have deserved it? Also possibly, her sister had struck her in their first meeting after she'd left her behind after all, so if Jagaimo felt that bad or worse, then a sudden strike to the face was always a possibility. Zuqetta would stand her ground however, just as she did with Zerori, yet no strike was to come. Jagaimo had merely moved passed her and around the bar, a surprise to be sure, but Zuqetta's guard wouldn't lower, and Jagaimo would continue to speak.

Jagaimo placed a couple of glasses on the bar while taking out a rather fancy bottle. Alcohol maybe? Would now have been a good time to tell the girl that she didn't like alcohol? Likely not, especially not with what she was explaining. "I didn-" Zuqetta muttered, shutting her mouth immediately rather than countering what her friend was saying. Hearing it from Jagaimo's perspective, the challenge they'd participated in truly seemed like a hellish farce. What could Zuqetta have possibly have said in opposition to it however? What could be said that wouldn't have merely been an excuse?

Jagaimo's continued explanation on served to worsen the gut-wrenching feeling Zuqetta already had. Her tail tightened ever more firmly around her waist, she could feel herself shaking as her throat dried, causing her to swallow nervously. Unconsciously, Zuqetta lifted her left hand up, grabbing hold of her right arm as she struggled to maintain eye contact with the one before her. What was she saying? The Oozaru form harmed her? She was mindless? A weapon? Impossible, it simply couldn't be possible... could it? No, there was no way it was true... right? Zuqetta thought of her own Oozaru form, she thought of the control she hand, the power she held. Sure, it'd taken years of hellish training, but she figured the lack of control she once had, had merely been due to her being a child at the time. Her father beat the control into her, so surely... surely, what Jagaimo was saying, just couldn't...

Then, a point of conflict for Zuqetta.

Safe in a bubble? Wealth? Power? What was she going on about?? Was this about the revelation of her Noble Clan? But they didn't provide for her... and what power she had as she grew, was cultivated solely for the sake of replacing her father on the battlefield. She couldn't deny that she had more fortunate beginnings that others, but with every pro there was a con, and the mere thought that Jagaimo was considering the beginnings that Zuqetta had to endure to be a fortunate blessing left the woman heated. Yet, surprisingly, rather than lash out, Zuqetta would grit her teeth and bear it. Don't, don'tdon'tdon't... just for once in your life, just shut up and listen... just... listen. It took all of her resolve to hold back, to not be the same immature brat she'd been with so many others in the past. It seemed her recent time of self reflection paid off, she'd found the strength to continue listening without interruption, and the reveal would be all the more heart breaking.

What came next, had all felt so fast...

The telepathic reveal only served to harm Jagaimo more, but what would draw Zuqetta back to reality once more was the moment Jagaimo threw her glass, shattering it against the far wall. Zuqetta had never know Jagaimo's feelings had run so deep; Zuqetta had spent her whole time treating things as a game, but it wasn't a game, these moments of life they participated in, while Zuqetta relegated them to mere "events", in truth, this was life, these moments had meaning and purpose to others, to people like Jagaimo, and the actions Zuqetta had taken had caused far more harm than she could have ever realized.

Zuqetta's brow remained furrowed, but her expression equal parts anxious and worried at best. Jagaimo's action mere moments ago were familiar, but Zuqetta couldn't quite place why. She couldn't recall ever having such a fight with her friend before, nor would she have wished to have ever done so, so why was this minor situation so... scary? Was it because of the feeling of failure Jagaimo was mentioning? Was it because of how Jagaimo denied her choice in the labeling herself a coward for her actions? Zuqetta froze as Jagaimo had moved around once more, her tail tightening to the point that it made her stomach ache. Her face was likely red and she was sure tears had begun to form, but she refused to cry; she didn't deserve to cry when her friend was the one in true pain, she needed to remain strong so the two could talk this through!

She was happy to hear Jagaimo mention having no qualms against Amara, even if coupled with that fact came biting words. But then, Jagaimo turned, and something became clear.

As tears ran down Jagaimo's face, Zuqetta knew what it was that she could be afraid of. There were plenty of things actually, and what she felt now certainly wasn't the reason for the action she'd taken during that challenge. To Zuqetta however, right now in the moment, was the thing she feared the most... that she could lose her friend.

Zuqetta wanted to remain strong, she wanted to be the bigger person that comforted others, she'd even used her magic to become such a person. Yet, how could she possibly comfort another when she herself had never experienced such comfort before? Jagaimo's arms were spread wide, and she'd made her intentions clear, causing Zuqetta's heart to clench tight from a plethora of emotion. Was this a trap? Was Jagaimo planning to snap her neck when she least expected it? Maybe she would attempt to crush her spine? It didn't matter, if this was her fate then Zuqetta would accept it.

Without a moments hesitation, Zuqetta would rush into the arms of her friend, losing her strength to hold back her tears. Her arms would wrap wide around her friend, clutching tightly to her back. Her guard completely dropped, even her tail loosening from her waist an hanging freely. Through her mind were so many things she wanted to say, so many explanations she wanted to give, but for now, there was only one thing Zuqetta could muster through her own foolish sobbing.

"I'm sorry, I swear to you, I'm so sorry!"

It was a strange feeling, strange, but nice; there had never been a moment in which Zuqetta had shared her emotions with another so openly, and yet now here she was, crying in another persons arms. The further she'd ever gotten to sharing how she truly felt with others had been when she spoke honestly with either Zriracha or Lilith, but even then she'd never imagined displaying such weakness before them; it just wasn't the "Saiyan Way". So why now was she so willing to appear so weak? So fragile? Was it due to the regret she felt? Was it because of how fondly she thought of Jagaimo? Never once thinking of her as anything less than her best friend? Zuqetta could have come up with any number of reasons and excuses, but perhaps she'd never truly know the reason.

She felt a warmth in her chest, one that only grew as the embrace lingered and her sobs slowly faded. She hoped Jagaimo could truly accept her apology, her words alluded to as much, but Zuqetta had plenty of experience in masking her words with colorful lies. Eventually the embrace would come to an end, with Jagaimo being the one to separate the two. As she looked up towards the older woman, she wanted to breathe a sigh of relief that things appeared to be stabilizing, but was still a fluster of emotions. Her chest would occasionally bounce as she stifled further sobs, almost as if she was hiccuping; in truth she felt a bit embarrassed, flustering further as she stared up into the woman's eyes. The lingering gaze caused a cracking smile to force its way onto Zuqetta's face, but Jagaimo's words of wisdom would quickly help to calm Zuqetta down, as would the surprise of a sudden slap across her face.

Before Zuqetta could say a word in response she'd been struck, it hadn't hurt too much, but the surprise would have Zuqetta staring at Jagaimo with a wide eyed expression, before she was suddenly met with yet another slap. She'd quickly bring her hand up to her cheek, the second slap hurting just a bit more, likely because she was now much more aware than before. She took notice of the small gestures Jagaimo took as she tensed up, but rather than be met with retaliation, Jagaimo would find herself met with quite the opposite.

A grin would stretch across Zuqetta's face as she gave a small chuckle, rubbing her face before laughing a bit harder. "Heheheh, the last person ta use physical violence while tryin' ta teach me stuff died in a fire!" She'd say in attempt to sound joking, before quickly continuing on as she realized the morbidness to her words, "You're right, I never really understood that before. I'm... slowly understanding, and trying to do better." She'd explain, her voice steadily gaining confidence as she spoke, "It doesn't excuse how I acted back then though, I should have placed more trust in you, and in so many others... I should have talked about what was on my mind, heh then maybe you coulda slapped the sense inta me back then." she'd say, lowering her hand from her cheek as she finally gave that sigh of relief.

She'd rub at her eyes and cheeks, wiping away what tears might have remained as she took a deep breath and attempted to steel herself further. She hardly cared about her own reputation too much at this point, but it wouldn't do to make herself appear worse than she already did, especially with what she felt she had to say next. As she took a step back from Jagaimo, glancing around her bar until her gaze lingered on the shattered glass, Zuqetta found herself hesitating yet again rather than saying what had to be said.

"You broke your glass-" she'd say nearly as a whisper, before shaking her head and giving herself a firm slap to both her cheeks. Her face was hurting a bit more than necessary at this point, but she found the resolve to speak proper and would return her gaze to Jagaimo once again. "Jaggy, could... would you help me make a decision?" she'd ask plainly, offering Jagaimo the chance to even hearing Zuqetta out should that have been the woman's desire, "To be honest, it's... about our kingdom... again." She'd explain, becoming less confident as she spoke, now knowing how Jagaimo felt about the previous ordeal regarding the throne. Zuqetta found her gaze unconsciously averting with a bit of shame while her voice quivered slightly; she bring her left arm up across her center, rubbing at her elbow while her tail twitched behind her restlessly.

Why was trying to bring this up with Jagaimo feeling so much more difficult than with everyone else she'd talk too!? That was her whole point in coming here!!

Zuqetta couldn't help but to feel nervous, giggling a bit even as Jagaimo reacted to what had yet to be said. There was so much to unpack, so much misunderstanding and so much more that Zuqetta had wanted to tell Jagaimo about. She'd bring her arms behind her back, taking hold of her wrist with one arm in a rather casual manner; turning to continue facing Jagaimo as the woman walked along her bar. Her tail would sway about playfully, an easy tell to how comfortable Zuqetta was now after that good cry. With so much to address however, Zuqetta decided to simply start from the top.

"Well, firstly that uh... hehe, that big buff me, it wasn't exactly not me, but still wasn't ME-me-" she'd begin, though worried that her explanation would be taken the wrong way, she'd quickly begin to clarify, "It was probably pretty obvious, but I wasn't in a good headspace back then. That big form, I used magic to create it, my-" she'd hesitate, face a tinge of red with embarrassment, "-Saiyan Queen transformation." Thinking of it more, Zuqetta wished she had a word to tie to the utterly humiliating feeling she felt; she'd come to learn one, but this wouldn't be for some time.

"I based it on someone I knew, or... well I didn't know them, but I've seen them and they looked strong." she'd explain, "I wanted people to take me seriously, not just look at my real self and scoff... I know I misused that form though, and I'm sorry." she'd say, thinking of her actions specifically against Jagaimo in the previous battle, "I... well, my dad spent years beating me into shape, forcing me into the Oozaru form so I could control it. I didn't know that... others couldn't-" she'd explain hesitantly, her gaze averting from Jagaimo's as she spoke, "-then, you and Amara came at me... everyone was so mean to you, I just wanted them to see you the way I did. I wanted them to know you were strong, and cool..." she'd admit, her voice cracking a bit as she held her emotions in check, "I- that is, the way I went about it was wrong... I see that now. I never meant to make you feel manipulated like that..."

She since moved over towards the bar with Jagaimo; she clutched the berri juice in her hand, but had yet to take a drink. The mood was beginning to feel heavy for her; she gave Jagaimo a moment to process what she'd said, but would keep the conversation going so she could get to the true matter at hand.

She'd shake her head, now choosing to address Jagaimo's previous remark while explaining her own intentions. "I don't want that-" she'd begin, her brow furrowing as she spoke, "Strong? Sure. Skilled warriors? Absolutely!" she'd remark, "But vicious? Replaceable? No, I'm sick of such things constantly being said." she'd say firmly, "By outsiders, by some of our own. People look at the stereotype of the few and see it as all Saiyans as a whole!" she'd spit, thinking angrily of Gandigan, "But we're not savages, we're not uncaring! We have families, same as anyone! We have technology, and yeah maybe we not all as incredible with tech as Tuffles or Arcosians, but we're not completely stupid and incapable! Our ancestors had their own ships when they came to Plant! Some species out their haven't even started planetary travel!" she'd ramble, feeling a bit heated, but it would lead her to the main topic at hand.

"Jaggy... I want to go for the throne again." she'd say plainly, quickly speaking up again in case Jagaimo had reservations, "Not like last time though! I wanna do it properly this time, as myself." she'd continue, shooting Jagaimo a determined gaze, "I've been going around learnin' stuff, learnin' about Planet Sadala, past leaders, leadership of other planets. I'm trying to learn how to become a TRUE leader, not just use a transformation ta look like one." she'd explain with a resolute tone, "I even have a meetup I'm gonna go to on Konats soon, and I intend ta go meet with others like the Emperor of Arcose to broaden my views and understanding further."

Her expression softened, feeling a bit sorrowful as she recalled something, something she intended to tell Zuci and Jagaimo both. "I fought with Taori... not a bad fight, just a fist fight." she'd explain, looking rather unsatisfied, "I lost, but he taught me how to use a rather... scary power. It uses a lot of hate and rage to both activate and maintain. I'll master that power before my challenge, so I won't need ta use such emotions to use that power." she'd explain, before looking back up to Jagaimo with a more hopeful expression, "But, maybe I won't hafta use it at all!" she'd exclaim, her tail flicking about excitedly, "Cause I don't intend ta just take the throne and start doin' things all by myself! I think, us having a single voice be the constant word of law for the Saiyans to follow has been one of the things leadin' to how crappy things have been!" she'd explain, leaning against the bar a bit more enthusiastically.

She'd finally decided to take a drink of her berri juice, downing it quickly, licking her lips at the delectable sweetness. "Ah! Jaggy, I wanna make a council! And I wanted you to be a part of it! That way, rather than just me making all the major decision of the Saiyans, it could be voted on by our council members! The decisions of out people could actually be decided by representatives of the people!" she'd say, hoping she'd been clear enough with the explanation, "And I don't wanna stop there! You mentioned Planet Sadala before yeah? Well, what if the Saiyans could return to their true home? What if we could take our people back to Planet Sadala!" Zuqetta would finally stop, allowing Jagaimo to process everything that'd been said. It was clear she was rather excited about the ideas, as childish as it all may have seemed; her eyes were wide and bright, a far cry from the woman with a sharp, deceptive gaze that Jagaimo had once fought.

"Heheh, well I do have an idea for a speech-" she'd remark with a mischievous laugh, "-but I think I'll do a little more "winging it" as they say, show off a bit of myself rather than simply play a part, ya know?" she'd say rather pleasantly, deciding to finally calm a bit and take a nice long sip from her berri juice. She purred with delight at its sweetness, her tail swaying happily behind her; her expression softening as she thought more intently on Jagaimo's words.

"No secret machinations, no manipulated situations, no hidden agendas or grand schemes and plans. When I go, I'll put my strength on full display; I'll commit myself entirely as the rulers before our generation have." she'd explain, closing her eyes for a moment before looking up towards Jagaimo with a serious expression, "But I want to make it clear then and there, the moment before and after I claim the role, that I intend to change things. That I intend to break tradition immediately after following it, even if it scores me a ton of enemies from the traditionalists..." she'd say firmly, frowning a tad as her gaze averted slightly, "And... I'm sorry for not backing you up last time. I realize that what I want to do now is no different than what you tried to do before... I won't make the same mistake twice!" she'd finish firmly, her tail beating against the floor in a show of confidence as she spoke.

At the moment, Zuqetta would have been more than happy to talk about what she'd been preparing up to this point. From her travels to her studies, as well as what her idea for the Saiyan Council would entail. Rather than any of that however, Jagaimo had a different interest, an interest that seemed to change the young woman's entire mood, Sadala. From her expression to her subtle motions, it was clear this was a rather interesting topic for Jagaimo; the interest made Zuqetta giggle a bit, but she'd happily share what she knew.

"Honestly, it's not like I didn't know that Saiyan's weren't from Plant, but I never knew a thing about the Saiyan home world until recently. Sadala though? And then the old king that came here named our city after the planet? Our naming conventions suck!" She'd say with a slight blush, her tail twitching in agitation as she recalled the names of her first few drones, "In any case, the information I have came from a Saiyan I met on Earth, so take that for what ya will. But I have coordinates I wanna investigate, as well as some pretty detailed books not just of the ancient past, but of the events seen through the eyes of a man who escaped the planet during its final days."

Zuqetta was the opposite of Jagaimo's hesitancy and delicacy when it came to the subject; nonchalant, bold with her words. She may have come across as rude, though would insist she didn't intend to if asked. The home world of Sadala was an interesting concept, but until she'd investigated and seen the place with her own eyes, she wouldn't allow herself to be swayed by a dream. Perhaps it was a bad idea, perhaps she'd spread herself thin trying, but she'd claim the throne and solidify her rule on Plant AND work towards reclaiming the lost Planet Sadala. While the latter was certainly the bigger desire she held, she knew such a thing would take time; the Vegeta Region of Plant was a squalor, reclaiming Sadala didn't mean they Saiyans had to continue living in such terrible conditions here on Plant while they waited.