Lord Marimba [Challenge]

While Daucus was being minded by Nero’s mother Zukha, the Saiyan had some free time— less than before his son was born, but still free time all the same. He had patrolled various areas of Namek in that time, and eventually came to the Northern Scar just as Marimba’s message reached him. It was an interesting development. Last time, Marimba didn’t seem like he considered himself worthy; and said that he didn’t need to be king to uplift the Mazoku or obtain any glory that he sought. So what changed?

Aside from being curious as to why Marimba was doing this, Nero also needed to observe and watch over the proceedings for multiple reasons. To that end, the Guru made his way to Kyotei fortress with his mystical transportation ability, fading away into leaves from where he was as a tree began to grow within the throne room— in a way that looked like it could naturally grow there until it broke open and Nero stepped out, the tree then faded away afterward as if it was never even there at all.

When he emerged, he noted those that had gathered at first, giving the general crowd a polite bow. Others soon filed in bit by bit, and it was not until things were underway that some of hell broke loose.

Cabasa, passionately outspoken and loud as she always was, spoke her heart and mind wholly and honestly. Nero was already proud of how far she had come in such a short time freely and on her own terms but the risk she took just now proved more than ever that she had become something greater than ‘Cabasa, Daughter of the extinct clan from a distant star’. Nero didn’t need to speak on this matter as a whole just yet, as a lot of what Cabasa had brought up were trials and questions for Marimba to answer.

Another person made their presence known shortly after, giving Marimba a look that Nero found suspicious. As this man spoke, Nero got the sense that whoever he was, he was insufferably egotistical, not to mention blatantly racist.

Nero stepped forward and stood by Cabasa’s side in a protective manner as she was threatened. “You will do no such thing.” Nero spoke calmly, but with an authority that the crowd understood him to have— the Guru was not to be trifled with. “Sit down, shut your mouth, and let Marimba answer her of his own will.”

Interestingly, Nero wasn’t alone in coming to the defense of Cabasa. Nasu had arrived as well, also on her side. Did they know each other too?

There was a Namekian that approached too, and it took Nero a second but he realized that he knew this man. “... Cello?” The last time Nero saw him, they had grieved the prior Guru together alongside other denizens of Namek with Tambo to guide them, and at that time too, there was a bigot trying to stir up trouble. Beyond that, Nero had heard that Cello fought to defend Dend Capital alongside some old friends around that time. “Good to know you’re alive, but where’ve you been?”

Still, Cello seemed slightly different, but much more measured and mature than last Nero saw him, perhaps he had grown in his own way with his own adventures. It was something to touch on later, rather than during this situation “Actually nevermind, it isn’t important, we can talk another time.”

Shortly after that, another development occurred. Some partial cyborg had crashed the party, and he was spouting as much nonsense as the other guy did about Cabasa. “Hah!” Nero laughed. “Well, that’s a load of shit, actually. I’ve spoken with Ticoga directly on multiple occasions, and I know for a fact that he would not authorize such a claim to Mazoku land out of the blue. He would only authorize a counter targeting the specific individuals that choose to harm or threaten his people.” Shaking his head, Nero sighed. “So whoever you are, you’re acting of your own accord, and throwing another leader into the mud. Not a smart move.”

Speaking of Ticoga though, now there were two things to potentially message or warn him about. Nero knew that Ticoga wasn’t especially fond of telepathy, but this was an emergency and Nero hadn’t yet formulated a technique to instead privately send highly encrypted psychic waves to Ticoga’s scouter.

So, telepathy would have to do. Reaching out to Ticoga’s mind, Nero ‘knocked on the door’ so to speak, a politeness that he was taught to exhibit. If Ticoga didn’t immediately answer, Nero could always ‘leave the message at the door’ for him. ’Heyyyy, Ticoga. Sorry for reaching out like this but there’s been a bit of a situation out here. In particular there are two things you should know about; some suspicious individuals. One claims that you and your people are a disease that must be cleansed from reality, so treat him as you will— Nero additionally transmitted what the man saying so had looked like to Ticoga. ’— and there’s some nutjob claiming to be part of the Empire, and he’s here to take over the Mazoku lands. I don’t believe you sent him, in fact I highly doubt it. Either way, he’s getting his ass kicked.’ Nero also transmitted what the invading cyborg looked like to Ticoga. ’Anyway uh, hope this message finds you well, it’d be nice to meet again under better circumstances.’

With the combined intervention of Nero, Nasu and Cello, Cabasa was free to vacate the premises unharmed. Marimba wasn’t the happiest of fellows with the accusations put upon him being a proud individual— the annoyance that the Namekian showed in his expression wasn’t surprising to Nero at least. Still, if he wanted to ascend to the role he wanted to claim, his past was part of what he had to face.

Cello clarified that he had apparently been sealed away, though Nero didn’t understand why anyone would do that. “I can’t imagine that was a comfortable experience, but again, at least you’re alive.”

To the threat that showed itself, Marimba reacted swiftly; primarily in the defense of the present elders. Nero used the opportunity given to focus on what he deemed most important— defending the people of Namek. Wasting no time, the Guru summoned his mystic might to conjure multitudes of his own duplicates to reach the crowd within the sanctum in order to use his connection with the roots of the universe to transport them all to safety before moving on to those that were outside on the castle grounds.

No matter the case, Namek wasn’t the type of planet that would roll over and let itself be beaten and bullied.

Nero briefly looked over to Nasu, and almost could have sworn that he had felt a presence near the man, but not much else besides that it wasn’t malicious. It was just another thing to ask Nasu about later, Nero supposed.
 
Speaking of Nasu, he reached out to Nero and telepathically to discuss the situation. Nero responded to Nasu and also telepathically included Zhalla in this. ’Gonna be real with you, this shockingly isn’t the most awkward situation I’ve had to manage, but at least Cabasa is no longer in danger. I wouldn’t say that Marimba is a paragon of virtue by any means, and has trouble opening up emotionally so that he can grow more as a person— but there is a spark of potential in him. His first reaction to that half-metal punk over there was to become a defensive wall for others, for instance.’ Nero rolled his shoulders and surveyed the situation further. ’It would be best if we are ready to truly throw down at a moment’s notice. Odds are we are gonna want to at least send that cyborg back to the manufacturing line. You two with me?’