[Repercussions][Noko]

[Rensou Hiruen]

Euphoria. An absolute release as her digits braced against his chest, as her mouth met his own. She had accepted his lead, and followed with a momentary burst of passion that rivaled his own rash decision. It the single, miniscule moment when the tension between them had broken and been washed away, Rensou and Noko were all there was and ever could be. All the death and dismay faded away, and a heavy heart was unburdened in the beauty of it all~

As quickly as it had begun, it had ended – she pushed away from him, recoiling with shock as Rensou bowed his head. She made it abundantly clear with the words flowing from her lips that what they had done, she did not want. What her lips had not said, but rather did, told a different story only a second prior. . .but Rensou felt shame wash over him. The Saiyan was embarrassed for his transgression, and every word she spoke was true. She did not know him, and she was leaving. Noko rushed past him, and he let her go. . .to stop her with force would be a truly terrible thing, but the idea never occurred within the mentality. The warrior had done horrible things, but he was not a horrible person.

Those coals stared down at the city below, absent the reflection of Noko's own, and they never turned to follow her. Rensou began to speak, but his voice was weak. . .uncertain, she probably would never hear him. “Noko. . .I,” What? I'm sorry? No! “. . .please," come back, he tried to utter, but his mind was processing a thousand different things and his mouth could hardly keep up. Finally, he managed to raise the volume of his cords.

“Wait!” It was a demand, but not one delivered harshly. . .just as she had pleaded with him to help, he was begging her to stay.

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[riika]

Noko was not one for rash decisions. Everything she did was with care, with caution. She never made a big decision without weighing the consequences. At least, she had until tonight. She had accepted his offer to dinner in an angry huff. Had sat down and spoken with him, even asked for his help. She had wanted him to come along, to help her. She had wanted to know him better. She had kissed him.

And look what happened.

"Wait! She stopped suddenly, hovering in the air. His cry had met her, halting her body before she had time to think. Once more, she had responded to him automatically. She willed herself not to turn around, not to set her sight on the man. The man who had infuriated her, charmed her, had set fire to her. The man who's lips she could still feel pressed against her own. Her heart beat wildly, scared and excited all at once. She wanted to kiss him again, loose herself in the passion that she had momentarily had. But Noko couldn't. She wasn't the type to hook up with a virtual stranger. Wasn't the type to kiss one either. The two of them had not been on a date. He was doing this as apology for what had transpired at the bar last night. This morning. Noko closed her eyes, turning her mind back to that. That fire she had felt then was not of passion, but anger. She reached for that feeling, holding it close. She'd need that resolve when she faced him again.

With a sigh, Noko turned, her violet eyes alighting on his form. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She felt like they were stuck in her throat, unable to leave. What was she supposed to say to him exactly? Was she supposed to yell at him, be angry? Or hurt, and saddened? Noko didn't know. A millions of thoughts were racing through her mind, a million emotions following each one. Anger, sadness, passion, fear, excitement, longing, revulsion. She took a calming breath and uttered the only word that could slip out.

"What?"

[Rensou Hiruen]

She had stopped, turned, cast eyes upon him and Rensou lifted his to meet her own. Violet and coal, together again, but the Saiyan was still filled with shame for his rash actions and it had only been amplified by her just reaction. Noko had no idea who Rensou was, besides the revealed: he was a frequent customer at her place of occupation, had a tendency to become an unruly patron, he was the General of the Empire's forces, and he was not truly as bad as he seemed. The ex-gladiator might be considered the “resident asshole” at times, but he was most certainly not such the majority of the time. He had proven that. What he had not revealed to her, however, was whom exactly he was.

“I'm Rensou Hiruen,” he began.

“I have a son, his name is Tsuken. He is four years old,” and he smiled at the thought of his boy.

“His mother, Senja, was murdered shortly after his birth,” and the smile faded as Rensou thought back to what true evil had done to those whom he had loved.

“His caretaker, Sessa Appan, lives with me. She's fifteen. Her parents are deceased,” and the grin danced at the thought of the girl who was very much a daughter, but then flitted away – her father, Kosai, also had been killed by certain evils.

“My father, Tsuyei, mother, Kurah, and brother, Tsunei – they've all been gone since I was seven,” No tears. The face had never frowned, never betrayed true sadness: mercifully, time had scarred the losses Rensou Hiruen had endured his entire life. This man was one surrounded by tragedy, absolutely abounding in it. Thus far, he had persevered through, but the breaking point loomed ever closer. One can only withstand so much before it broke: losing self or becoming a semblance. . .

He was selfish, a paradox of confidence in combat and uncertainty in life, and he had greedily neglected to inform this young woman who he had wronged once again that, “. . .and that's my scouter you're still wearing,” and he pointed. Noko had undoubtedly forgotten the fact in her excitement, but it did not truly matter: Rensou could obtain another. What mattered was. . .

“Ayleen can tell you exactly where 261B Raditzu Avenue is,” and the Saiyan turned, still speaking as he began to leave, “I just wanted to. . .”

Rensou had wanted to spend more time with Noko, fearing he would be forgotten once she had found the person she sought so excitedly. Voice failed him with rising emotion, and he had yet to finish the thought as he descended to leave this wonderful person to what truly mattered.

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[riika]

Noko met his eyes, steely resolve hardening the violet orbs. She was determined not to falter, despite what he said. But, as all her plans tended to go, she faltered at the unexpected words. Noko hovered there, listening quietly.

So he had a son? A four year old. A widower for four years. His wife had been murdered, a toll on him. Noko could see it in his eyes; and in truth, she'd be worried if she didn't. He continued speaking. Of a young girl who made him smile like a father, though it too drifted away. Then came his family, though no expression flitted across his face at that. No sadness, no old happiness. Simply nothing. That more than all of them, broke her heart. Her hand flew to her ear where his scouter was indeed still located. She hadn't realized she still had it, caught up in her excitement then with their kiss. Embarrassed, she removed it, only for him to speak again. Noko hovered there for a moment, watching him turn and quietly descend. With a small voice and a burst of confidence, she spoke.

"My name is Noko Arahara. I'm twenty-five years old and the adopted daughter of Anastasia, Queen of the Duiecite," she started, her eyes darting away from him. She was nervous, her heart pounding a mile a minute and her stomach twisting up in knots.

"I was left on Nor when I was born. My mother died in childbirth and thanks to you, I'm about to meet my father for the very first time," she continued. Her voice grew a bit, confidence building.

"I'm not very good when it comes to dating, or romance, or anything like that. I don't know what to say, or what to do, and tend to run away. Especially when guys kiss me out of the blue." She gave him a tentative smile, hoping her small joke would ease some of the tension between them. Noko drifted foreword until she was before him again. Quietly, she held out the scouter for him. She was embarrassed to have had kept it on, even more so with the fact that she had been running away from him only moments before. Taking a calming breath, she gave him a bit more of a smile, holding her hands behind her back and drifting backwards after giving him the scouter.

"Thank you. For dinner, and helping me, and....everything. I....I wont be at work for a few days, but I hope you'll still come when I get back," she said. Noko wanted to get to know Rensou. He was fun, kind, and sweet. But, she had to do this. And after this latest incident, Noko realized she had to do it alone. No matter how much she wanted company.

"So...bye, for now. And thank you again, Rensou." With a smile and a small wave, Noko turned, flying off toward Raditz Ave and the family that awaited her.

[Rensou Hiruen]

Attuned ears could not help but hear Noko speak even after Rensou had admitted to selfishly bringing her into this splendid night sky when he could have helped her realize her wants much, much faster. The Saiyan had not intended to do what he had done, but what had transpired between them had been a mutual thing in the moment, and it was a spark he truly treasured. Noko Arahara, two years younger than he, was the adopted daughter of a Queen. Rensou had no reason to think her claims false, but his dark eyes opened with honest surprise.

So. . .the one she sought was her father. The man smiled at the idea that he had aided in something so wonderful, so rare. The ex-gladiator had been an integral part in aiding this woman. She came forward, slowly, gracefully. . .just a hint of nervousness about her that intensified Rensou's desires to hold her close once again, to feel her lips against his own. Instead, he accepted his scouter with a shaking hand. All shame fluttered away as she explained her reaction to sudden action, and a sheepish grin manifested. She seemed to have truly appreciated his affections in her own way, and she told him so with that quiet, gorgeous voice and splendid accent.

“You're very welcome, Noko,” he began, and certainly she had heard that.

“See you around. . .” he mused as she disappeared into the darkness below, her form occasionally illuminated by a light far below before she was finally gone. For a moment, Rensou pondered what had happened. . .but there was much time for that, now, he needed to return to his preparation for Kold. Unknown to him, he would pursue Boliko Koregutsu on the morrow as the anxious King decided it was time to set the events that were destined to occur into motion

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[Geurin]

Rensou: 7050
Noko: 7600

Someone will have daddy issues