Malicious Mist

The trip was quick, just a back and forth between an outer world, one Rhuba had been told had potential magic. It was too dangerous to bring Pom, so he had went alone. Unfortunately it was another dead end, the moment he landed he could tell there were no good magical smells on the planet. He stayed for just a day, hoping it would pan out something else, though after surviving the wilds on the planet and it's dangers, he found nothing interesting and headed back to Pom immediately, not wanting to miss this Earthling thing called Halloween with Pom.

The pod broke the atmosphere, the ship finally made it back to Earth. Shooting through the sky, it aimed for a section of the manor that Rhuba had deemed his space ship driveway, Pom had told him that he had needed to tell the staff that so they would not go there when he's off planet. Luckily, he listened to Pom and there wouldn't have been anyone on the empty section of his manor's property. None of that mattered when his door flung open, having been completely distracted in thoughts. As if his thoughts of Pom activated a monkey's paw, you could almost hear the curling finger... wait, no, that was the space pod's hinges being ripped off.

"W-Wha?" Rhuba wasn't surprised often, not like this anyway, but he never expected to see Pom bursting into his space pod. The bewilderment struck his face like a bat, the Pom jump scare not something he had expected.

The man he had just been thinking about now stood in front of him, well, more like Pom was holding to the door panel of the pod as he leaned in and talked to Rhuba. Having feared Pom would fall out of the pod, he leaned in to pull Pom into the ship for fear of him falling out, but was met with a surprisingly strong hug.

"Hey Pom." A choking chuckle escaped him during the hug, Pom made it hard to breathe as he squeezed, but Rhuba didn't hate the feeling one bit. "I would have much rather stayed here than went there, that's for sure." That's when it hit him again, the feeling of Pom close to him, the scent, the sight. Rhuba's body was enveloped in goose bumps, the allergic reaction took over again. Rhuba could feel his heart beat pounding, an excitement welling up in him, the feeling similar to a child getting a birthday present they've wanted all year.

Rhuba wrapped his arms around Pom, and rubbed his back gently. Rhuba was ignoring the symptoms of his allergic reaction, and instead would give in to Pom's rhythm when they would hang out. Only ever getting as bold as Pom would, though that never stopped him from asking for a hug... once in a while.

The wind whipped around them, kicking up both their hair as the Pod had begun spinning rapidly. "You're right, fun with you is much better." Rhuba enjoyed the time with Pom, and was coming to appreciate qualities about the man he had never cared about before. Pom was kind, maybe not a saint to others, but when standing next to Rhuba, he was a pure innocent schoolboy.

The pod would crash soon, Pom had destroyed the only guidance system and it had already began spiraling out of control. Grabbing Pom, holding him around the waist, he'd push off against the space pod's seat and exit the Pod. Fortunately for Rhuba his manor was in the thick of nature, so the pod crashed into the woods below, far from the manor.

"You okay, Pom?" Rhuba's smile lit up on his face, knowing the answer already. Rhuba floated gently toward the ground, having ditched the pod high into the sky.

Is this Pom? Truly?

WC:   607
TWC: 2,862

Base PL: 100,000

HP: 0%/260% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Hi-Tension (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Bulky (+10% HP) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1) | 1x Snezu

Pom squeezed him enough to make Rhuba question if this was indeed Pom. Everything about him told him it was, his smell, his energy, his voice. There was no way this wasn't Pom, but why was he acting so... different? Not that he necessarily hated how he was being, Rhuba was relishing the new kind of attention he was receiving, even if it made his allergies flare up extremely. His heart was beating so fast that he feared Pom could tell just from the closeness of the two, made worse that his head lay near it.

"What's gotten into you?" Rhuba laughed, ignoring the allergies. Pom responded by pulling him into a quick and sporadic dance in the air. "P-Pom?!" Rhuba joined in on Pom's flow, trying to match their movements, only two reasons for him playing along echoing in his mind. His fondness for the closeness with him, and not wanting to hurt Pom in the process of stopping him. Not only that, even though he was surprised at Pom's new aggressive approach, he wasn't exactly opposed.

"Only pay attention to you?" Rhuba asked, the dance having just concluded it seems. Was that what Pom wanted? Attention? Rhuba looked down at him, wishing to know what was truly going on inside that head of his. Perhaps he'd check? What could hurt? Just a little peek, right? Before Rhuba had a chance to drain Pom, his tail sent a shiver up his entire body as Pom grabbed it. "N-no. S-stop." His voice came out higher than he expected, he sounded exasperated like he had just did an extreme workout routine. Pom grabbing his tail gave him a feeling similar to a tickle, one that he wasn't prepared to deal with. The feeling consumed his body as he turned to look at the evil villain whom caused it.

"I-I'll come! Just let go of my tai-" Rhuba was interrupted by a yank that sent him into the air. He could have easily raised his energy and broke free from Pom's grip, or just flew away now, just as before, he feared harming Pom in some way. Rhuba would never do that, so unfortunately for him, for the time being, he was Pom's puppet.

The puppeteer jumped up after Rhuba who had still not came back down yet, and grabbed his tail once more and pulled him toward West City. Rhuba's face burned, his cheeks a fiery red. The weakness in his tail had been removed via training, but for some reason when Pom grabbed it, the way he did it, it was different! Frustratingly, he lost a lot of will to fight the man. Though it didn't happen often, when Pom would pull his tail, he was glad that he mattered enough to Pom for him to waste his precious time on Rhuba.

"A-Are you just going to drag me by the tail the whole way there!?" Rhuba stammered through most of his yelling, as he was dragged further toward the city in the sky by his tail. "It's Halloween, you know?! We have to do Halloween stuff!"

There's no puppet(h)eer(e)

WC:   506
TWC: 1,113

Base PL: 100,000

HP: 0%/260% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Hi-Tension (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Bulky (+10% HP) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1) | 1x Snezu

Pom whipped Rhuba around with reckless abandon, Rhuba would allow it for the most part. Perhaps he had neglected Pom too much and it had upset him? Rhuba couldn't imagine Pom thinking like similarly to himself when Pom went off and left him alone. Maybe it was true though? Pom missed him so much that he couldn't contain it anymore? It made him feel special, more so than Pom already did usually. Perhaps Pom would be overly affectionate today and shower him with compliments like he was now? Rhuba didn't feel he was cute, but for some reason Pom often did.

"What do you mean only pay attention to you?"

Rhuba felt them come to a stop briefly, and his tail felt like it had started to become free before a shiver shot through him again. Pom was... playing with his tail!? Rhuba couldn't handle the ticklish feeling anymore, and with a glowing red face, snatched his tail back from Pom and held it to his chest defensively. "No! It's my turn now." Letting go of his own tail, he quickly flew past Pom, and grabbed the middle of Pom's tail and squeezed gently. Rhuba wouldn't squeeze as tightly as Pom had, but he squeezed hard enough to try and get Pom to get upset or have a reaction like he used to.

"Halloween... is...!" Rhuba quickly glided his hand down the man's tail. "A holiday Earthlings celebrate! They worship demons and monsters today!" He said with enthusiasm, his playful anger at being dragged around overcoming his allergies. Letting go of Pom's tail with one last glide down with his right hand, he pulled out a capsule and clicked it open. Moving to in front of Pom now, still both of them in the sky, out popped two outfits, some store bought salt and pepper costumes. The costumes didn't look poorly made, but clearly were generic factory made costumes bought from a chain.

The pepper outfit was just a black pepper shaker with a big white P in the middle of the body. The top of the costume has the appearance of a mushroom cap with holes, while the body is long enough to flow down like a long skirt/dress, and comes with black leggings. The Salt shaker was exactly the same although came in white with an S in the middle.

"I thought you'd look cute in this." He said with no hesitation, though he feared physical interaction with Pom, he generally had no issues complimenting Pom casually like this. "I want salt, if that's fine?" Rhuba's eyes sparkled as he reached out to Pom with the pepper costume. "Wanna wear them while we do stuff today... y'know, like... a couple... of Earthlings?" Rhuba paused multiple times trying to think of how to word what he wanted. He wanted to hang out with Pom on this day and do this little Earthling custom, as it seemed fun from what he heard.

"There's a costume concert going on in West City too." He pointed to where they had been heading. "I wanted to go with you." He said, smiling, though his eyebrows narrowed and his smile turned into a frown. "By the way, I am not a child, don't call me a baby. That was not cool. You wouldn't like me calling you baby like that, obviously!" Rhuba said with confidence sternly nodding his head at Pom as he folded his arms over his chest in defiance.

Don't call Rhuba a baby!

WC:   548
TWC: 1,661

Base PL: 100,000

HP: 0%/260% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Hi-Tension (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Bulky (+10% HP) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1) | 1x Snezu

Pom traced his finger around Rhuba's chest, and the closeness brought back his allergies again. "You think so too?" He said, confirming the same feelings. Though he didn't hide it, it was likely the first time it was ever brought up. Rhuba clearly thought highly of Pom, higher than anyone else. "Why do you think I come to the manor?" Rhuba asked, raising his eyebrow with the question.

Finally! The tail grab worked, and he finally got his payback! It was glorious! Pom had been so cute in his reactions that it made Rhuba not even care about what had happened earlier anymore, and had regained his earlier excitement again. "Yeah! I don't know why! I thought that too. I mean I think the monsters are really cool, myself though, y'know?" Rhuba smiled as he spoke, getting lost in his love for stories. "Earthlings are scared of them though... So I don't get it... but you know I like dressing up!" He laughed to himself, implying his love of shapeshifting.

Looking down at his costume, with how the new Pom was, he seemed more... aggressive, and for some reason, judgmental in a way? Only caring if Halloween gave him entertainment at all? Rhuba had never heard Pom talk like that. Again, he sniffed the air briefly, and felt the energy, it was all the same. There was no way it wasn't Pom. The new Pom made him question the costume, running his hand over the fabric and feeling the quality made him realize it was not anywhere near good enough for a gift for Pom.

Pom started to lay into the costume himself though, as Rhuba raised his gaze from his own costume. Caught off guard by the negativity, he backed away very slightly, his face in pure surprise as he spoke. Stupid clothes? Pom would leave if it was boring? Snapping out of it with a question, his eyes losing a bit of light that sparkled before. "Yeah. You're very cute." He didn't notice the hoarseness in his voice.

The quality of the costume wasn't the best, true, and Pom let Rhuba know immediately. Rhuba felt a pain in his chest, he was aware that Pom might not have liked the idea of wearing costume, but he never expected him to talk about it like that. Squeezing his costume tightly, his eyes felt tense, as if tears would release at any moment.

A smile slid across his lips as he blinked away the feelings. "You're right. I just wanted to see if you wanted to wear that lame costume. It was just a joke!" He threw the salt costume to the ground, it would tumble to the pastures below. Snapping his fingers, he gave himself his Swordless Ronin attire, empty scabbard and all.

Pointing his hand at Pom, he'd snap his fingers again. The pepper costume would be pulled off and thrown below as well, using his magic. Once Pom was free of the costume, a vortex of magic would swirl around the man starting from below. Once the swirling magic would dissipate, Pom would be wearing over his normal clothes, a full cowboy outfit.

The clothes formed of authentic fabrics rather than plastic/cloth alternatives. Starting from the head, Pom now wore a well worn wide-brimmed brown felt hat, sitting low and pushed forward a bit over his forehead to cast a shadow over his face. On his face a very realistic looking pull away mustache and beard matching Pom's hair color and texture, able to be removed by Pom by just pulling on it. A cigar that has a specific amount of puffs before the magic that sustains it runs out. A brown poncho that covers just his left side is worn over a faded blue denim work shirt, with a collar. Pom's legs now sport brown trousers that looks aged and rugged with time. On his feet now cowboy boots with pointed toes and large heels made with thick leather. On his hip now a leather belt that holds his holstered and working six-shooter, bullets and all.

Though as he finished conjuring the magical clothing, Pom finished talking, or at least finished his thought. Threatening Rhuba with no longer calling him nice things... "NO!" Rhuba yelled loudly, hoarse again. "I don't want you to stop..." Rhuba looked away, glancing one way then another an awkward feeling crossing his chest, taking root. Pom stops calling him nice things? Then he'd just say mean things to him? Rhuba never imagined Pom doing that, but after this change... well, maybe it was more possible than he imagined? "Please don't... baby?" Rhuba spoke softly and quietly, his embarrassed expression complimented by his bright red face. If he played along with Pom, maybe he'd stop being so mean about things?

Pom was right, the outfits were bad, but he... thought that it was okay to indulge in these things as long as it was with Pom? It was always fun with Pom, if it wasn't fun at first, they'd make it fun like they always did. Right?

Pom's a baby now...?

WC:   846
TWC: 2,507

Base PL: 100,000

HP: 0%/260% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Hi-Tension (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Bulky (+10% HP) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1) | 1x Snezu

The outfit for Pom was... amazing. Rhuba had no idea how good it would look on Pom, and Rhuba's face burned bright as his chest beat hard and quickly from the scene before his eyes. Pom looked cute in the pepper outfit, he didn't lie about that. This was... different. For some reason, it wasn't a cuteness, it was bigger, stronger, a different feeling. "You look amazing." The words just left his mouth, after being lost in all of Pom's glory, his eyes regaining that sparkle he lost moments ago.

Rhuba had heard what Pom was referring to when it came to Earthlings using pet names, though he thought that they were insults rather than good names. Why would anyone want to be called a child? Perhaps it was about their innocence and cuteness? Well, if that was the case, of course Pom was a baby. "I heard they like being scared, yeah. Didn't think they worshipped it though..." Rhuba tapped his chin as he thought about it.

Pom made the distance between them quickly and pulled Rhuba into him. Being manhandled by Pom was not on his bingo card, but if this is what it was like without hitting a bingo, he hoped he never did. "You like it?" Rhuba was proud of it, a replica of The Swordless Ronin, an old timey Samurai movie he watched countless times on Hurtless, only having found the originals recently on Earth. The movies he had watched were poor imitations re-shot on his planet for a local audience, it paled in comparison to the original.

The compliments Pom paid Rhuba caused his ego to skyrocket, enjoying the attention Pom was showering him with currently.

"I wore it-" Pom was now off again, having not stopped for Rhuba's words, dragging him a long to the city. The city itself was fully embracing the Halloween festivities, the buildings, people, everything all dressed up for the occasion. Rhuba's proximity to Pom, and his new confusing look caused Rhuba the most intense bout of allergies he had experienced. Rhuba didn't know where to shift his body, or if he should also touch Pom or not, so he stayed in a semi-stiff pose as he was guided along with Pom.

Being out of his element was something that caused him great distress, he shouldn't be the one dragged along like this! What could he do? Pom was directing everything and was possibly going to be mean to him again at any moment. Though perhaps it wouldn't matter, the distraction of the concert that Pom now dragged him to might alleviate some of that. How wrong he would be.

They landed in the middle of the concert, luckily hurting no one in the process. Though their landing caused a small commotion before things settled back down quickly. Loud music pierced Rhuba's ears as he tried to listen to what Pom was saying, he couldn't tell exactly what he had said. Did he say hairy arm? "I don't mind your hairy arms!" Rhuba shouted over the music at Pom. Rhuba had no idea what Pom was talking about, his arms didn't seem hairy at all. By this time his cheeks finally stopped burning, the red glow slowly faded from his face. The music was pleasing to Rhuba's ears, as he preferred the fast based techno that this Halloween outside rave played at the venue.

"Hey big man, how about you and I get out of here and go create a time paradox." A man dressed in a robot outfit grabbed Rhuba by the arm, having just now seen the Saiyan in the crowd. "Baby, look, this man said he can time travel." Rhuba turned to Pom, the man still holding onto his arm. Rhuba didn't mind the Earthling touching him, no allergies, nothing. Just making it more obvious to Rhuba that he was allergic to just Pom. Life just couldn't let him be happy, he had to be allergic to the one person he wanted to be around the most.

WC:   652
TWC: 3,159

Base PL: 100,000

HP: 0%/260% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Hi-Tension (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Bulky (+10% HP) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1) | 1x Snezu

Pom rushed over with a vigor he hadn't seen before. For some reason he was very upset, only able to tell based on how his tail was acting. He'd been around Pom enough to be able to tell the extreme emotions based on the swing of his tail. Perhaps the music was too loud for him? Pom forced himself between Rhuba and the robot man away, apologizing to the man for stepping on his feet. Pom seemed to be flustered given that he wasn't usually that clumsy, confusing Rhuba even further.

"Wait, Pom, you can time travel too?" Pom was going to create a future with him? How many people could fucking time travel? Rhuba watched as Pom shoved the man, the scene ended in Pom grabbing his hand, and concert goers avoided Pom's tail, the now angrily swinging weapon that looked to take out anyone in it's way.

Pom shooed the man away from them, something Rhuba had never truly seen Pom do before. Everything today was becoming another day of firsts with Pom, something that hadn't happened this much since they met. Rhuba finally understood after Pom told him the man was just pretending. "Oh, so it was like acting," something Rhuba knew a lot about coincidentally.

Rhuba hadn't much attention to his surroundings, but as Pom asked him if he was having a good time, he finally took the moment to take in the concert. A multitude of colors lit up the sky in beams, the music changing the colors on the beat. Rhuba could feel his body want to move with the beat, music was something he enjoyed but didn't partake in enjoying as much as he liked.

Rhuba again came to the realization of Pom's closeness and could feel Pom was holding his hand, the allergic reaction hitting Rhuba again. This time he wondered why his allergies only started affecting him once he became aware of Pom's presence rather than it happening regardless of his awareness. Perhaps he just wasn't paying attention and was feeling it the entire time? As if to distract him, Pom had added another compliment to his statement, creating another pet name for him. Handsome? Rhuba thought about it, his gaze lowering to Pom's gaze. He was handsome himself, maybe he did not know?

"I'd love to dance with you, handsome babe." Rhuba said with great confidence in his words. At least he tried.

The next line Pom gave him caused him to pause before thinking for a moment, his tail unfurling from his waist. "I am amazed every time I'm with you!" Rhuba cocked his head, squeezing Pom's hand gently as he spoke. Rhuba's gaze met Pom's once more, the Saiyan wishing he had brought a map, for he was now lost. "Wanna dance now, babe?" Rhuba leaned into Pom and spoke softly into his right ear, before backing away slightly from Pom and began to dance by himself. Not wanting to wait for Pom to join in, he grabbed both of Pom's hands, and held them out in front of him and began dancing with Pom to the music, swaying their arms in a rhythm as he danced. Luckily, the song rotation had switched to something a bit slower and rhythmic while still high energy.

Rhuba casually danced, improvising the movements based on other dances he's learned over the years. Fitting his dance moves to how those around him were dancing as well, trying to dance in a way Pom could feel invited to join. The lights, music, people, it melted away Rhuba's thoughts of allergies, even though both of them were touching so closely.

Handsome baby?

WC:   581
TWC: 3,740

Base PL: 100,000

HP: 0%/260% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Hi-Tension (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Bulky (+10% HP) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1) | 1x Snezu

"Come on!" Rhuba kept dancing, this time, letting go of Pom's hands just briefly, moving into a solo dance for just a few seconds before ending it by moving closer to Pom, his tail wrapped around the man's waist and spun him, catching him after just a single spin. "I've never danced with anyone before. It was always in the mirror. Hah!" Rhuba smiled, happy that he finally was able to dance with someone else. Having seen so many moves, he had become infatuated with imitating anything he liked. The fancy movements the dancers did in dance scenes, they were amazing, fluid, caused him to want to practice them in his prison, his little corner with a mirror.

Though unfortunately, the dance didn't quite fit with the music. "Hey, babe? Did I tell you about the new magic I've been practicing?" Rhuba asked, his tail still comfortably curled around the man's waist, keeping him close. Swaying with him again, using his tail to tug Pom lightly in the right direction with him, his right hand instinctually went to Pom's hips. His left hand found Pom's and pulled it to their side, holding it out, just as he's seen in the movies. Staring down at his Dragon, no allergies, just an excited sparkle twinkling in his eyes.

Rhuba snapped his right hand's fingers, down at Pom's waist, the sound of the snap lost to the cacophony of concert sounds around them. The music blared over the speakers, chatter and shouts could be heard as others danced and yelled at each other to hear over the music. Though, a bubble surrounded the two, one that could not be disturbed by average Earthlings.

Rhuba chuckled as a concertgoer walked into the newly formed semi-invisible bubble, hitting their head hard. Perhaps thinking it was their drunken stupor, they carried on elsewhere. Before Rhuba glances back at Pom, the corner of his eye catches a brief mist roll in, washing over the concert entirely. The mist smacked against the barrier, unable to pierce it. Thinking it some effect the Earthlings have for the concert, he continued his little dance with Pom.

The sounds of the world around them seems to fade, the cacophony of the concert dimming to a distant hum. As gravity pulls the air closer together, it creates a dense bubble that disperses the sound away from them. Rhuba supplies them breathable air through a slow constant magical release of oxygen.

"I can hear the music differently now. I can see it." Rhuba's eyes glowed briefly before slight sparks streamed out of them, electromagnetic currents visible to his eyes now. Adjusting the balance of the gravity around them, the music slowly entered the bubble. Not as loud this time, so he could take. "I wanted to show you when I could do something pretty cool, but I don't think I can find anything yet..." Rhuba looked a bit disappointed, his tail still wrapped around Pom. Each slight movement that moved his eyes in space lit up in red sparks, coming from his

Rhuba could feel pounding on the magical barrier, causing him to turn and notice a group of people angrily banging on the barrier. They looked angry, a few of them had red bumps on their forehead, a few holding their nose. Oh, perhaps putting up a barrier was a bad idea in the middle of a crowded concert? Especially if it was hard to see, since it was nearly invisible. At this point, those outside could tell the bubble was around Rhuba and Pom, assuming them clearly as the culprits, right?

No, something else was wrong. Strange, he swore moments ago right after he put up the barrier, a heavy mist rolled in. Looking further behind the ones that were hitting his barrier, there were Earthlings in full fist fights in the crowd, wailing on each other. Was this Earthling concerts are? "Pom? What's going on out there?" He asked, as more people came to the barrier to strike at it angrily. They were shouting something, though Rhuba couldn't tell what the sound was. Instinctively he pulled Pom close to him, danger senses going off, the sparks from his eyes petering out.

Hey, babe, is this The Purge^TM?

WC:   685
TWC: 4,425

Base PL: 100,000

HP: 0%/260% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Hi-Tension (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Bulky (+10% HP) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1) | 1x Snezu