Unexpected Factors (Private)

'Why did I come here? Why did I come now?'

Zuqetta seemed the most oblivious of those around when it came to the so-called ZTV reporter, if there was any more oblivious than she, it'd have been the literal child that Yakito had begun ushering away from those trying to do their jobs. While the reporter engaged briefly with Cheri, Zuqetta would turn her attention to Yakito and the new little guest in their presence, who seemed to have their gaze a fixed onto her tail. "Hehe, Yaki!? I didn't know you were a mom!" Zuqetta would whisper, teasing with a faux surprise, "Who's this curious lil bundle?" she'd ask, her tail pulling out from behind the chair and coiling only once around the child, the tip of which would loom above her, flicking playfully.

The girl seemed keen to play, and Zuqetta was more than happy to indulge; Chibi on the other hand would look towards Mitama suspiciously, quickly vacating Zuqetta's lap to keep their distance. While Zuqetta might have been otherwise distracted, Shivvz, the Arcosian beside her, wasn't. He'd kept the appearances one might've expected from an Arcosian of esteem, but with this reporter, his brow had tensed. He couldn't sense energy, but he knew something was off with this boy, and as the boy began to speak, this would become clear to everyone involved.

The boy introduced himself as Kronos, then as Aspara Arti, remarking on the origins of his name; Zuqetta however, wouldn't be able to make any notable connections as her attention returned to him. She hadn't yet noticed how tense the situation had become, her soft smile remaining as she listened to the reporter. Being a mix of Tuffle and Saiyan was no oddity to her, as such was what the previous Saiyan Queen, Amara was; whether this was public knowledge or something kept strictly to her dossier however was unknown to Zuqetta, who'd only learned it in passing via the intel gathering of Dreadspawn.

"Is... this normal for a journalist question?" Zuqetta would whisper to Shivvz, receiving no respond from him as he cautiously rose form his seat, positioning himself at a nearer angle to guard Zuqetta.

Even Zuqetta could understand that there wasn't a question at all in this rant Kronos had gone on; her expression became one of pity and sympathy as tears began to flow from the boy. His words had since been directed towards Zuqetta herself, but she certainly wasn't here to receive questions! She could hardly understand a word of what Kronos went on about, having never witnessed such oppression; she wondered if Amara suffered the same in her youth, but there was no point in questioning such a thing now.

She had much to respond with, finally getting the jist of what Kronos was saying, but she refused to interrupt. As Kronos went on, it became clear that words meant nothing to him, what he wanted was a fight. In the past, it would have been considered "very Saiyan", having met individuals like Sin however, Zuqetta knew that this was simply how a person was, regardless of if they were Saiyan or Tuffle. Kronos made his demand, his declaration, but Zuqetta couldn't hardly see any sense in it. Did he want revenge? Had she personally wronged him? Killed his parents? She felt bad for him, but considering his age and how recently she'd taken the thrown, Zuqetta questioned just what stake she had in this, if any at all.

She'd take a breath, remaining calm and uncoiling her tail from the small child before then standing from her seat.

"Shivvz, Yakito, please escort those in attendance from the venue; get them to safety." she'd request, her gaze locked onto Kronos.

"Understood."

There was no hesitation in Shivvz response, the Arcosian quickly making his way to direct the crowd; any control of Tuffle law enforcement would be up to Cheri to handle. Zuqetta's gaze shifted briefly to the Chancellor, this was her city, and Zuqetta had no intention of fighting in these wall, especially not after all the battles Hatchi had already endured. She thought of letting the Chancellor take the lead in this matter, but would instead interject, seeing as Kronos had issued a challenge in very much the Saiyan tradition.

"Kronos-?" she'd say, shaking her head as she returned her attention to the boy, "No, Aspara, was it? I know not who you are, nor of your plight. As you requested, I won't give words of sympathy; instead, I'll meet this challenge you've issued, but I have questions." she'd begin, her tail sweeping the ground behind her sharply as she cocked her head slightly, her gaze narrowing with skepticism and caution, "I've no doubt in the oppression you've faced, but I'll make clear that I neither see you as a monster nor Tuffles as lesser. Already the borders of Sadala have been open since I took the throne, and we've seen cooperation between our two people for the betterment of Plant, you have no right to determine how I feel on the matter regarding our peoples."

Her gaze narrowed, her old confrontational habit was picking up, so she would quickly push the topic forward.

"But as for your challenge, I see no honor in the manner in which you've issued it. You would challenge both Cheri and I at once, yet demand we hold back. As a warrior, I would fight you myself, but to my knowledge, though she defended her people during Taori's invasion, such was done in self defense. The Tuffles have a military, but they're no warriors seeking fight after fight." Zuqetta's tone became biting; she'd hoped not to insult the Chancellor with her interpretation of the Tuffles, but her intention was more so on taking Kronos' full attention, "Adding to that, whether I fight you myself or the two of us fight you together, to demand we hold back? It would be dishonorable not to bring my all to bear against my opponent, the warriors afterlife is not for those who mock their opponents strength. While I can refrain from enhancing my power further, I would fight you as I am, holding nothing of my current power back-" she'd declare, her tail smacking the ground, "-but not here, not in a location in which those uninvolved could see themselves harmed by our actions. So I implore you, if it's a fight you want, I'll give it to you. For now however, stand down, and lets find a more suitable venue for the duel..."

Whether her words would get through to the boy was anyone's guess, though considering how he had previously spoken of authority, Zuqetta questioned a bit too late if it was right to speak with her more royal mannerisms. Kronos had already mentioned being around the same age, perhaps she should have spoken to him more like a peer? A friend? Rather than like a Monarch issuing a proclamation... It was too late to worry about that, her words had already been said. Her gaze flickered to Cheri, she hoped the Chancellor had a better way of handling the situation that didn't involve violence; maybe she had experience dealing with welps! If not, hopefully she at least had a contingency for if Kronos refused to comply with changing the fighting location, whatever the case, the ball was now in their court.