DBL - Pancake and Shroom

[2019-06-27 19:08] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] walked through the wooded pathways of the Void Forest with careful and deliberate steps, she wasn't watching where she was going, but her eyes weren't occupied by a phone screen this time as she wandered through, instead they were fixated on a holographic display projected from a small old-timey watch that she pointed this way and that, clicking the button down. The watch itself only seemed to display images of the things she was pointing it at, but the keen eye would catch the subtle differences in these images, as they were actually recordings of events that occurred roughly an hour before the current time, marking this item as a temporal artifact.

Pan wasn't trying to figure out what the birds were up to an hour ago though, rather she was looking for a specific anomaly that occurred with this particular item, but to find out more about that anomaly, she had to find the site of an old battle, and in the vastness of the void forest when the land beneath regenerated the damage done to it, that was easier said than done, but she had a general idea of the region she needed to be in, it was just a matter of scanning for the right clues.


[2019-06-27 19:20] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Wrong place, wrong time, all right for me. Sorry not sorry, folks."[/color] Unhinged grin! His tongue poked from the corner of his mouth, ruby eyes settled on the fallen bodies of.. oh.. a family from West City went camping in the Void Forest, by the looks of it.

Cooler spilled, capsule tent shredded, the fire spread out from its pit a bit and lit the area it reached beyond. At least it hadn't reached the trees. Keep eyes could tell that the bodies of the fallen were still breathing, however few would note.... [b]nobody was home![/b]

Five people laying there, bodies physical shells.

[color=brown]"Oh no ya don't.."[/color] Chains of power looped about the five souls that struggled in grip, only for Shroom to yank them back. [color=brown]"Soulistic Cycle!"[/color] One by one they became tethered to the ground, tethered to the plane of existence before one swipe of his scythe released a technicolor wave of energy. [color=brown]"Be borne! Grim Reaper Soldiers!"[/color] One to five, a black-violet glow overtook each lit form and transformed them. In moments, soldiers of masks and robes stood, stripped of individuality aside from height matching the fallen humans seemingly slumbering humans. Eventually their bodies would die off, as such happens with time.


[2019-06-27 19:30] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] perked her head up as she heard a voice in the distance, a familiar one at that. With a grimace, Pan clicked the watch shut and put it away in one of her belt pouches, and turned in the direction of the voice...she could just avoid it and continue onwards, but if Pan had correctly identified the voice, it might be important to see what he was up to.

Carefully the young hybrid suppressed her ki as low as it would go and extended her own senses out at the same time, hunching down low and stalking through the woods as quick as she could without making too much noise, moving from tree to tree until she could see the scene ahead of her through the brush. It didn't take a magic watch to see what was going on here, that demon standing over bodies in a ruined campsite, with five of his terrible creations standing before him, Pan scowled for multiple reasons, first and foremost was obviously rage at the demon's actions and the fact she was already too late to do anything, but second of all what kind of idiots went out camping in the Void Forest anyways?! This place was already dangerous enough without the demons running around! Third of course, wasn't really from a place of anger, more conflict, after all this very same demon committing this atrocity also ended up saving her life not that long ago, but this was different from the situation with Fu, this was something that was purely and objectively [b]wrong.[/b]


[2019-06-27 19:38] [user]Shroom[/user]: He reached out a hand, almost playfully ruffling the hood of his newly created warrior spawn of magic. [color=brown]"Now settle."[/color] Shroom wore a pleased smile, nodding approvingly as one at a time, all five soldiers sunk downward to their knees before him.

[color=brown]"You reeeeally shouldn't be sneakin' around when I'm on the hunt, Pancake. C'mon out."[/color] How did he know? From the shadows multiple soldiers were on the prowl while Shroom replenished ranks. The moment Pan stepped foot to his hunting grounds, she was watched. Watched with a watch. So much watching.

[color=brown]"'Sup babe?"[/color]


[2019-06-27 19:43] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] [sub]"Mother fu...darnit."[/sub] Pan looked over her shoulder as the soldiers that tracked her appeared, it wasn't fair that they didn't carry scents she could detect! Holding that scowl Pan stepped out into the open, tense but in a neutral stance as she looked the demon in the eyes, this was one person she refused to back down from.

"Out for a walk." Pan said tersely, glancing to the bodies laid around, she noticed they were still breathing, but Pan could put five and five together between the bodies and the newly created soldiers, she couldn't say what exactly was wrong with them, but she was ready to assume they were as good as dead.


[2019-06-27 19:51] [user]Shroom[/user]: While Pan was all.. standing her ground and looking him in the eyes, Shroom just gave a casual yawn and stretch of free arm. [color=brown]"Neat watch. I got a lil' somethin' somethin'."[/color] Left arm held up, a finger tugged down his wrist wrappings to reveal a gold and silver band with skull clasp face. A.. another watch? It looks like a watch.

Ruby gaze narrowed at Pan's terseness, squinting before peering back at the bodies, his new soldiers, then back at her. Shroom straightened, head tilting to the left and he seemed... expectant? [color=brown]"Well?"[/color]


[2019-06-27 19:54] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] 's hand idly went to the pouch that held her watch in it, further proving she had absolutely no poker face in these kind of situations, her eyes glanced at Shroom's watch, she wondered if it was meant to be something similar, if so why did Fu give her this one? Or was it just a regular watch? Shroom did seem like the kind of guy to carry and old skull watch like that and think it was cool...

Pan's scowl just deepened. "Well what?"


[2019-06-27 19:58] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"I'm waaaaitin'.."[/color]

Shroom's nose wrinkled, hand gesturing to his kneeling soldiers, then the fallen people. [color=brown]"You're not goin' to hero all over me? Aww c'mon, go for it. Might surprise ya."[/color]
[2019-06-27 20:02] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] crossed her arms. "Clearly you've heard it all before, what difference would a lecture from me make? Not like I know the magic words to make you stop killing people."


[2019-06-27 20:08] [user]Shroom[/user]: A scoff, hand going to chest and black nailed fingers spread. [color=brown][i]"Why I never!"[/i][/color]

[color=brown]"Here I give ya a free shot of verbal heroism and you know one lil' magic word and you're all nope? Damn. You got cold, Pancake. 'Sides, I didn't kill 'em. Still breathin'."[/color] Thumb jerk at the rise and fall of the mortal chests. [color=brown]"Time will though."[/color]


[2019-06-27 20:13] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] looked off to the side, shifting her stance a bit. "Oh I'm sorry, was I supposed to say 'Pretty please stop ripping people's souls out?' Or maybe I was supposed to get all angry and rush you and let you dance around me for a bit so you could have an entertaining evening. No point now, they're as good as dead, but it'll be that much more satisfying when someone does finally take you down."


[2019-06-27 20:24] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Eeesh someone's all emo."[/color] Nose wrinkled, Shroom snorted.

[b]SHHHNNNK![/b]

His scythe didn't seem to move. But he had. Proof of this was the sudden shredding of Grim Reaper Soldier forms behind him, each one seemingly sliced in half in a solid blow as they had knelt in obedient wait. The single utterance of a grim, subtle [sub][color=brown]"Release..."[/color][/sub]

Five plush lights of cloud-like form, souls, shot back to their respective shells. Backs arched, breath taken, they writhed a moment before seemingly passed out entirely. Shroom just stared at Pan, grim-faced. [color=brown]"Things like that mar and fracture your soul, leave imprints. Don't do that, babe. The moment you give up, you've lost anyway at your own fault and it'll haunt ya for your own 'tude. If you give it your all, you got no regrets. No what-if's. Live it up. Have some passion. Don't get all.. ergh.. [b][i]numb[/i][/b]."[/color]


[2019-06-27 20:31] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] flinched when that scythe swiped, she couldn't help herself, but she refocused quickly enough to witness the five souls returning to their owners, the girl's face twisting up in confusion. Pan's mouth dropped open, but she didn't exactly know how to respond to that.

Pan wanted to bite back with something, be enraged, maybe even rant about the things she'd had to endure she'd gotten here, she certainly had enough pent up emotion about all that stuff still..but in the end Pan just seemed to deflate a bit, looking back up at Shroom with all that anger having evaporated away. [sub]"Thank you."[/sub]
[2019-06-27 20:37] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Don't go breakin'. Specs wouldn't understand it. He'd try to fix ya and mess ya up more. It's not somethin' he can science." [/color]


He began to walk, pausing by Pan with a glance back at the bodies. [color=brown]"Might wanna vacate, babe. C'mon. They'll be relatively fine but you don't wanna be here when they come to. Let's get."[/color] Onward! He did however hold up a hand to the leering soldiers of the shadows, fingers snapping. That was enough to send them recalling themselves to the awaiting darkness and off the prowl.
[2019-06-27 20:41] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] hesitated as Shroom passed her, a furtive glance of her own back at the people, but she had to acknowledge he was right and moved to follow. "He's 'scienced' me enough as is." Pan walked to keep pace with the demon, but pointedly kept enough distance between them to be out scythe range, she still wasn't sure how to feel about this demon in particular, or demons in general for that matter, and this only threw another wrench in the workings of her mind.


[2019-06-27 20:56] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Oh he'll do it more. That's Specs for ya. He don't get the whole [b]mush factor[/b] that drives hearts. He's startin' to see it though. Sure, you can science the nature of a soul and the passion that drives 'em buuuut only if you got grips on that stuff. He's still in discovery mode, makin' theories and all."[/color] A pause as he glanced aside and noticed Pan lagging. Scythe over his shoulder, Shroom eyed her a bit and jogged his chin. [color=brown]"Keep up. My Squirt has smaller legs than you and she keeps up just fine. I ain't pickin' you up for the carry."[/color]


[2019-06-27 21:00] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] frowned, like she'd even let him carry him, but more was the fact she was reminded of a certain capsule on her person...

"I'm not gonna lose track of you." Pan stated simply. "Where are you taking me anyways?" Pan went on to ask, since on the topic of Fu she had little else to say, she hadn't quite made up her mind on the demon boy just yet and she doubted she'd like what she'd hear if she started talking about him more with Shroom.


[2019-06-27 21:37] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Away from that lot wakin' up."[/color] And somewhere.. [i]else.[/i] The area seemed to shift and writhe as if they walked right into a rift of distortions. Teleporting. Portals. Shroom hated it and scowled, as the world seemed to swallow up the demon and Saiyan in a hue of red and pink crackles, magenta webwork everywhere. Where they crossed out was certainly not the Void Forest! But it didn't seem.. dark... It certainly didn't hold that same vibe as the overall territory of the Dark Empire, [i]certainly not that Fortress.[/i]

Green grass under foot, pink sky with.. why is there a river in the sky? Blue swirls and white peaks flowed overhead of their own accord, seemingly with clouds puffed within. Large stationary orbs of color reminiscent of Otherworld and Hell. Lush greenery was everywhere. Colorful flowers. Lots of birds chirping. [b]Life.[/b] It was a vast contrast to Pan's current company! Some sort of tiny area of a meadow is where they stepped out but looking too far beyond, vision blurred and the horizon distorted beyond sight. Logs posed and set about a burnt out fire pit with some stone seating showcased some sort of little gathering area and right there is where Shroom perched to a boulder, crouched and hunkered with scythe resting over shoulders.

Behind them, a squared off door of red-violet remained open. [color=brown]"When a soul is returned and the physical form wakes, it goes into survival mode. Shock to the system. Primal, driven on pure feels. Hangin' around there would have got us both attacked but they won't go after each other. Took 'em down at diff times. They'll spring back at diff times. Pops will be first. It'll just be some nightmare chalked up to somethin' they ate or whatever."[/color]


[2019-06-27 21:45] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] paused as she noticed the world around her distorting, shifting, making her stomach seem to flip over itself before reality asserted itself again and Pan stumbled, looking around at this new and utterly unexpected locale. "Where...? What is this place?" Pan was both caught up in the wonder of this pristine pocket of life and color, but suspicion tempered her expectations, half expecting this all to shift into some dark hellscape the moment she blinked like some kind of massive venus flytrap. [sub]Pan really didn't like the idea of being the fly in that situation.[/sub]

Turning her attention back to Shroom, Pan couldn't help but frown again, something about Shroom just killed her desire to smile at anything. "So was the catch and release for my benefit or are you just out there keeping your senses sharp by traumatizing entire families?"


[2019-06-27 22:01] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"My place. Kinda a work in progress." [/color]

He stretched back, setting the bottom of his scythe to wedge the ground so he could just lean to the shaft, arms crossing behind his head. Shroom squinted at Pan again. [color=brown]"Your benefit, I guess. You can't be goin' all numb. Specs won't get it, when you hit that low of lows and outright give up. Stuff you do or say still makes an impact, just like stuff you don't do or say. And would ya rather I take an entire family or leave lone survivors to crumble and be picked apart by their losses or consumed by their whole.. revenge stuff? I know you'd rather none-o-the-above buuuut some times that ain't no option." [/color]He snarled some, not at Pan, but glanced away scratching and tugging at the gray cowl about his neck.

[color=brown]"Speakin' of options..."[/color] Yet another squint, crimson eyes taking on a slight, glowing highlight. [color=brown]"You get into it with us, you come at me, [i]got it?[/i] Gravy would delight in wipin' you out and you ain't even match for Putine. Salsa might.. miiight give you a knockout pass, but not if his honor's at stake. [i]You. Come. At. Me.[/i] I got better at the whole... holdin' back thing. Too many breakables around."[/color]


[2019-06-27 22:08] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] had enough gawking and moved to hop onto a seat, [sub]still not entirely convinced the place wasn't going to turn evil all around her, especially after she found out it's place Shroom made.[/sub] "Hmph, odd for you to say considering you nearly took my head off the first time we ever met, but I get it, things are different now."

Pan crossed her legs and set her elbows on her knees, then chin in her hands. "Numb...heh, guess I never thought about it but I am getting a bit jaded for my age aren't I? I mean not unusual for my family, my dad was fighting for the fate of the earth when he was five, and my mom helped bust criminals in highschool." Looking at Shroom, Pan seemed to become a bit thoughtful, but just as quickly gave a shake of her head to dismiss whatever passed through it.


[2019-06-27 22:28] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Huh? When was that?.. You mean the West City stuff?"[/color] Head tilt.

Shroom suddenly leaned forward, hand outstretched at Pan, in her face! [sub]With half of a sub sandwich in offering. Complete with ham, bacon, tomato, salami, lettuce, mayo, mustard, five cheese layers. He's got the other half in his other hand.[/sub] [b]Nomph![/b] Bite taken. [i]Munchmunchmunch.[/i]

[color=brown]"Too young for that. You mortals don't exactly have a lot of time and every lil' thing affects you. Specs is gunna realize that. Your soul isn't experienced enough to get jaded, so snap out of that. That's your head gettin' at you, not your heart. The older you mortals get, the more you forget to listen inward, not outward. Do you. [i]You do you.[/i] That's what sets each soul apart. Don't become one of the expendable. You become that, you get taken out. Like you become some experiment? [i]Some subject?[/i] Your subject of interest as a friend decreases. [i]You lose that value.[/i] [b]Don't become expendable.[/b] The moment you lose yourself, is the moment your soul starts to fade as the heart darkens and numbs. [i]You forget to live.[/i] It becomes  just about survival 'til death. That ain't no fun. [i]That's what you were showin' me back there.[/i] Don't do that, Pancake. You do you, be in the moment and have no regrets. Be worthy of Specs' friendship, babe. We don't attach ourselves all willy nilly. It matters. It impacts. Don't lose that spark, or you'll leave Fu in the dark. I won't like that none."[/color] [i]Munchmunchmunch[/i]


[2019-06-27 22:39] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] leaned back a bit at the sudden lurch of his hand. Pan politely raised a hand of her own to decline. [sub]It wasn't because she didn't trust him though, she just knew if she kickstarted her appetite right now it'd be bugging her until she got home.[/sub] "I had a helmet on at the time, but yeah, the time with the giant monsters."

Pan looked away, frowning. She didn't consider herself expendable, nor did she feel like she was losing touch, if anything she felt more alive than ever after her last 'true' battle, she'd been training with a renewed vigor and had even gotten to see some old friends pop up around the place too, but...she did have to admit, there was a pervasive bleakness to being in the Nexus combined with the fact that the hits had started coming and had yet to stop as far as dealing with danger and consequences ever since she'd gotten here. That brief fight in West City had been the first real thing she'd done in the place even. "I'm not going to give up, if thats what you're worried about. I've still got a lot of unfinished business before I let this story of mine end. Still, since you seem to be an expert on the topic...what sort of scars does dying and coming back leave on your soul?"


[2019-06-27 22:54] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Oh, yeah. I swung you into that other Pan, the annoyin' one. Told Galen I'd hold back. Kept my word. You weren't in [i]any real danger[/i]."[/color]

His sub-half was gone soon enough and the other half was munched upon just the same. [color=brown]"I want somethin' dead, it's gunna die."[/color]

Ruby gaze seemed to be studying her, even as he leaned back to enjoy his meal break. Shroom got into too much of a habit of carrying two of everything on him or at ready. [color=brown]"It's not about just your story. Those around you. The moment you get so complacent with lettin' others perish 'cause you feel [i]why bother?[/i] is when you start to lose yourself. That's what happens to you goodies. Don't do that. As for the scars.. kekeke.. Insanity can be one of 'em.. but it comes down to the nature of the soul, the cultivation of the life and the essence of one's being as well as the imprint of death. Souls are as fragile as they are strong."[/color]


[2019-06-27 23:03] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] tilted her head to one side, it was actually pretty interesting to hear about it. "Depends on where and how you hit 'em. Like a gemstone." Pan sat back a bit. "Well I don't feel insane, but I guess insane people never actually do. Still, it's hard not to be complacent sometimes, still was halfway convinced I was dead just from being spotted, let alone if I went into some big speech, didn't want to give you the satisfaction of getting to do that annoying little laugh before you offed me. I mean charging after someone you know if stronger than you just because some people you didn't even know died, brave sure but pretty stupid too, empathy has to have a line somewhere right?" Pan looked at Shroom, shaking her head. "Odd question to ask the person who was doing the killing, then again even odder to be lectured about not letting you get away with it by [b]you[/b]."


[2019-06-27 23:42] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"If ya feel that way, you give it your all. If you go in thinkin' you'll lose, you'll lose. You go in thinkin' you got a chance, you've got a chance. That's how you can tap beyond what you know." [/color]

He glanced upwards then, squinting to the sky. [color=brown]"Empathy... Tch, weird thing. My Squirt is full of that. I still don't get it."[/color] Shrug! The remainder of sub was munched down, fingers licked before cleansing napkin was snapped into existence. Then he wiped his hands and mouth off.

[color=brown]"Pancake, you're Specs' claim. [i]His friend.[/i] Now you're a'ight for a mortal as is I guess, but Specs don't just let just anyone get close to him or get close to just anyone. You matter to my nephew, [i]you matter to me.[/i]  You make Fu feel good. That's all that matters. We got this weird unspoken thing about lookin' after each other's claims. You mortals are fragile things. Point is.. One day Specs will outlive ya. You'll be just some memory. Somethin' he can have, but can't keep and can't ever recreate. So you gotta be the best Pancake."[/color] Shroom's face again contorted with pain, another snarl as fingers clawed some at his cowl and he ducked his chin down. Golden metal glinted from between the fabric with small violet sparks. As it faded some, his other hand reached up, rubbing at the four jagged claw-like lines across his cheek with a small growl. [color=brown]"I think I might understand some of that empathy stuff.. Maybe... I did some stupid shit, and I mean [b]stupid shit.[/b] Totes lackin' the logic... but I'd do it again so long as it got the same result, 'cause it mattered to me. It's so mush."[/color]


[2019-06-27 23:49] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] couldn't help but smirk, at least until the point where Pan saw his pained expression with her eyes snapping towards that sparking metal object, flashbacks to Fu's crown coming to her as she frowned thoughtfully. "I can't say I get that whole 'claim' thing, but maybe in the same way you don't get the whole 'empathy' thing. Two different kinds of living trying to consolidate." A furtive glance towards the area where she got that brief glimpse of that metal object. "Seems like your boss doesn't want you trying to understand it much though..."


[00:01] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Kekeke.. Oh ya got no idea. Prior to the stunt I pulled tossin' you and Specs out, I got [i]grounded[/i] from our last lil' meet up. Waltzin' over to Kanba's territory all injured was stupid a'ight, then havin' to tank shit from you and Goku over Squirt..."[/color] He shook his head, trailing off a little bit with some grumbles. It took a moment of closed eyes and steady breath for him to roll his shoulders and get past that bite at his neck. [color=brown]"That's why talkin' to you is important right now, Pancake. You gotta steer clear of 'em other Demon Gods. Like I said, come at me. And if you find yourself in someone's clutches.. Do. Not. Mention. Robel. Fu's babe is off limits in topic with 'em, got it? They grill, you chill."[/color]


[00:09] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] [sub]couldn't help but shiver a bit at the mention of the demon secretary, did it just get two degrees colder all the sudden?[/sub] "Y'know I don't think I ever said I was sorry for taking a pot shot at you like that, one the whole 'fight or flight' reflex kicks in it can be easy to forget a few of the variables in play..." Pan thought it was a lame excuse, but it was the truth really, in that moment of panic where she started to run back then, she'd stopped seeing the kid there entirely and had just honed in on Shroom. "Speaking of actually..." Pan reached to her side and popped open a pouch, pulling out a simple looking capsule and holding it out to Shroom. "Your boss gave this to me, and told me give it to you...but I actually recommend you don't open it. Had Chronoa take a look at it, told me something bad was in there, and the thing he told me to tell you about it...kinda seems like he's trying to play you. Personally I'd just chuck it into the void."


[00:23] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Eh?.."[/color] She was.. [b][i]apologizing?.. [/i][/b]

The confusion was evident with a tilt of head, ruby eyes squinting. [color=brown]"Huh.."[/color] Thrown off for a moment, Shroom cleared his throat and snerked. [color=brown]"You, I could understand attackin'. How you bounced my trap spell off, I've got no clue. Plan was to trade ya for Fu. Goku goin' at my niece though.."[/color] Teeth grit and he seethed, enough so that the scarlet of his eyes went aglow and took over in a mighty pulse.

It took a moment for it to blink away and that capsule was.. eyed. [color=brown]"...Huh... Yanno, it's not that him doin' this catches me off.. but that you're tellin' me. Specs warned me too.. but you ain't got no reason for this. Ol' Bossman probably sweetened the deal for ya too.."[/color] Capsule taken between two fingers, Shroom eyed it, glowering with it brought up barely an inch from his nose. [color=brown]"He say what it's for? Why would I even want this? What'd he tell you?.. Ol' Bossman likes to play games... likes a show.."[/color]


[00:33] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] rubbed the back of her head. "Y'know the funny thing is...Fu was with me in my pocket the whole time, he's the one who bounced your spell off." She didn't think there was any harm in telling him now after all was said and done, or at least she shoped there wasn't. The other question though...there might be some harm in telling him. "He did say I would be safe from some plan he had going on if I did, but thats not why I'm giving it to you, I'm giving it to you and telling you all this because...well, I don't care who's on who's side, trying to do something bad to someone under your command, when you're supposed to be taking care of them and when they give you their loyalty...well that's just low, and Chronoa assured me that whatever is in that thing is meant to hurt, real bad." Pan once again debated relaying what she was told, but if she didn't he'd likely just grill her over it, and if she stayed tight lipped he might doubt the whole story and open it anyways. Full honesty then. "Well, he told me to tell you that whatever's in that capsule is supposed to help you get your Squirt back. I don't know if I believe that, or even if it's not technically a lie theres probably some twist to it that will make it the exact opposite of what you really wanted, that guy...ugh, theres bad vibes and then theres [b]him[/b], I'd seriously get rid of that thing."


[00:56] [user]Shroom[/user]: [color=brown]"Fu bounced..."[/color] Shroom glanced aside... [color=brown]"So Specs heard and saw it all.."[/color]

Rubbing the back of his neck, Shroom glared at that capsule all the more as he listened. [color=brown]"Nah, I'll play his game.. to a point. He wanted me to have it.... ...I'll take it and give it to him. Probs some loyalty test. See, this is why you can't say nothin' about Robel. Ol' Bossman.. he might understand the babe stuff buuuut.. claim is.. [i]a weakness[/i]."[/color] Pan's words on doing harm to others under command did get her a squint, again. [color=brown]"There ain't nothin' like cuttin' down an obedient soldier, but that's the expendable lot. So long as they ain't expendable, that's what matters... It's the special ones that actually matter. Like 'em people in the woods.. [i]they were expendable to you.[/i] Like you said, you didn't know 'em, I was stronger. [i]It wasn't worth it to you.[/i] They were expendable to me too. Difference is, that stuff has impact to you 'cause you ain't like me." [/color]Glaring at that capsule, Shroom sneered, tucking it away into his vest. [color=brown]"He's countin' on me goin' after Squirt buuuuut I dunno where she is and kept it that way. Thanks Pancake."[/color]


[01:06] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] nods her head and says nothing more, not wanting to let anything slip about where the Squirt in question was or whether or not she knew anything about it. In regards to those people in the woods...she had to admit he had a point. "No one [b]should[/b] be expendable...but you're right, in that moment the logical part of my mind took over, prioritized safety over all else. Even over things like empathy, or rage, anything emotional really. Mortal minds...we're terrible at perspective y'know, anything that occurs outside our little sphere of experience seems so impossibly far away it never even crosses our mind until it's staring us in the face. Even just five lives can be hard to grasp when they aren't your own life, it all just becomes numbers after a certain point, but...guess thats just part of why being selfless is always the harder choice in the long run. Thing is, nobody is going to be perfect at it, even people like my grandpa, everyone talks about what a great hero and pure heart he is, but he makes mistakes too, I bet he didn't even notice the kid there that night, got too riled up with that big saiyan dude there and just didn't even think to look...but the important part about trying to be 'good' is that you keep trying, even after you fail, learn from your mistakes and do better the next time." Pan blinked softly and glanced at Shroom, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, you got me thinking out loud."


[01:29] [user]Shroom[/user]: Such a bored expression as Pan [b]rambled[/b]. It was like listening to Putine at one of her tea parties gabbing about dolls. Fu and science was more of interest. [color=brown]"Yuh.. huh..."[/color]

[color=brown]"You prattle on like my Squirt. Total [b]mush[/b]."[/color] He rose to his feet with a roll of shoulders, scythe plucked up to laze across them and gaze looming at Pan. [color=brown]"Aaaaanyways, I been gone long enough and should head back before Muscle Head gets sent out to play fetch again. I'll tell Salsa you're a no touchy. But no guarantees. Like I said, you come at me if you gotta and we get into it. I look out for Fu's claims. He's [i]my claim[/i] after all."[/color] Shroom snickered, tongue hanging from the corner of his mouth and brows giving a waggle under bandana. Suddenly he jumped back, scythe tearing to reality and rip sucking him inward. Still.. Pan's way out, that doorway of a portal, remained open and would take her to the Koi Koi River.


[01:36] *[user]Pan Unleashed[/user] pouted at Shroom, he could have just interrupted her stream of consciousness. "Right..." Pan didn't really know what to say, a thanks, a goodbye? Pan actually settled into a smirk. "I'm not gonna be this weak forever y'know, one these days you'll be asking [b]me[/b] to go easy on [b]you[/b], and don't you forget it!" The hybrid got up as the demon disappeared, smiling to herself...then out of curiosity she pulled out her watch and checked the place he'd just been standing before he pulled his vanishing trick, humming a bit at what she saw before putting the thing away and turning to go, through the door of queasiness before getting dropped back at the river. She could have gone back to her hunt but...she got what she needed already out of that, and more. Pan flew up into the sky, taking a brief detour to subtly peek in on the campsite of that family, noting how they seemed to be cleaning up the ruined remains and getting on with their lives, that was something that helped to know. Pan diverted for West City, it was time to head home, maybe if those beef tips were defrosted she could surprise her dad with some kabobs for herself and him...