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saiyuki: son goku

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WHO: Son Goku and others. Goku and Ukoku.
WHERE: Anywhere you want around the starship and then at the food court.
WHEN: January 6th
WHAT: Goku is a curious monkey trying to figure things out and make friends. Come make friends with him. Then he tries to have a nice meal and gets mercilessly bullied.
WARNINGS: Possibly violence at some point.

A.
[Goku tried to follow along with orientation, really he did. But he'd been worried and confused and they'd used a lot of long words that he'd never heard before. And some words he had heard before that apparently meant things he didn't know they'd meant. Also they spoke really fast and didn't answer his questions properly, even when he raised his hand. But, after a day or two to get his head around it and to talk to other people, Goku thinks he's gotten the important bits down.

a) He's in space, far away from Earth, floating in the middle of nowhere.

b) Sanzo, Gojyo, Hakkai and Jeep aren't nearby.

He's more concerned about the latter than the former, funnily enough. Who knows what kind of trouble the guys could get into without him there? He can't leave everything to Jeep, as sensible as the dragon is. He's gotta get back!

For now, the only thing he can think to do is explore the starship and look for answers. Maybe make some friends who can help him out- he's sure he's not the only one who wants to get back fast. People are likely to spot a curious monkey running around just about anywhere. From the medbay, to the shopping center, to the hangar, to getting lost in the black market... Goku is running down halls, peeking around corners and maybe accidentally breaking something he shouldn't have been touching and trying to hide it quickly before anyone notices.]

Hey! What are you doing? [Working on something? Trying to mind your own business? Don't mind Goku hovering by your shoulder.] Can I help?

B.

[After a day of running around and getting underfoot, Goku is understandably starving. The food court in the shopping center looks like paradise to him- so many restaurants! All so reasonably priced! Selling bananas is a dumb job but Goku's gathered enough change to buy himself a decent meal. He gets as much food as he can and spreads it out on a table, just for him!

One table.

Just for him.

On his own.

With all this food that he doesn't have to fight anyone for. With no one to scold him for spending too much or for his terrible manners. A nice, quiet meal... On his own.

Despite the crowds filling up the shopping center, Goku feels like it really is very quiet at the table. Slowly, he starts to eat some spring rolls, all the energy he'd been brimming with before suddenly fading.]

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[What breaksticks where are the breadsticks he wants breadsticks-]

But, Mio-

[Okay, fine, running now. He just follows after Mio, letting her drag him off and accidentally shoplift the hideous sunglasses still perched on his face. There's a belated "HEY, YOU KIDS!" from the store manager as they make their escape. Whoops.]

[The scene seems to blur for her. She's in the space station, bu she's in the village. The hand in her's is Goku's, but it's her sister's, and though no one actually seems to be giving chase, the villagers with their pitchforks and torches are closing in on her heels.

Her panic reaches to the point of being wild, an instinctive, animalistic need to escape escape escape. She weaves around people, eyes darting around for a place to hide. But they can't escape the village, there's a barrier, but the old god tree, maybe-- Wait, no, she's in the space station, and this isn't literal life-or-death.

There's a dim little hallway between two shops that looks like it probably leads back to some maintenance. She pulls him into there and against the wall as she struggles to catch her breath and keep her mind in the present. She's positioned them so she's practically trying to shield him, facing him an automatic protective gesture, her free hand going up briefly as if to cover his mouth before she hesitates.

Mio looks at him, blinks once, and then her expression seems to clear. He's not Mayu. Definitely not Mayu. She blinks again and looks around.

Right. Space station. Not the village.

Her free hand instead covers her mouth and she bows her head, beginning to laugh breathlessly as the adrenaline fades and her own realization of how weird and pathetic this all getting the best of her. The bruises on her throat feel like they burn.]

...I may have overreacted a little.

[No one is chasing them. Besides a few, brief glances from passers-by, no one is even looking at them. But Mio looks terrified, Goku thinks, and he has no idea why. Running alongside her, easily keeping up, Goku looks down at the tight grip she has on his hand and finally starts to realise this might not actually be about the store.

... Well, okay then. He squeezes her hand in return and keeps pace with her until she pulls them into the hallway.]

Mio- [He blinks in surprise when she tries to shield him. Then he puts his free hand on her shoulder and smiles comfortingly.] Yeah, maybe a little.

Sorry. I thought--For a minute-- [But she doesn't know how to explain herself at all. After a moment she leans her head forward until she can rest it against his shoulder and hide her face.] Sorry.

[She sighs deeply. How embarrassing. After she's collected herself, she slowly uncurls her fingers and slides her hand away, stepping back. Mio's eyes search over him, trying to figure out what to say now, and after a moment she runs had through her hair, looking at his diadem again, then his face, then quickly away.]

...Um, about before, trying to touch your-- [Mio points at her forehead to indicate the diadem, not sure what to call it.] Sorry. If I hadn't done that this wouldn't have happened.

[Goku tenses up when Mio leans forward, inexplicably flustered and blushing. That's! Really close! Still, he keeps his hold on her and squeezes her shoulder gently. He doesn't know why she's upset, but if he can help somehow, he wants to.]

Uh- [he clears his throat briefly before he responds.] It's okay. I kinda... overreacted too.

[Should he explain? It's always been the Sanzo Party's general policy to avoid mentioning that they're youkai unless they're actually asked, or if it gets too obvious to deny. But Mio's nice, and she doesn't even really know what a youkai is anyway. Now his hand is free, he slowly goes to point at the headband.]

My diadem- it's a power limiter. I can't take it off.

[Well, he can but...]

Yeah, I, uh-- [Mio looks suddenly embarrassed herself; while she was sure she was going to bring it up, because it was rather rude to invade someone's memories and be silent about it, she hadn't thought of how. This sort of saves her some trouble.]

I know. I mean-- I figured. [Power limiter makes sense though when she remembers the terrifying amount of energy from her--his?--memory. She shakes her head.] Sometimes when I touch things I can... see things. Memories or things like that.

[She speaks slowly, watching him warily for an averse reaction.] It wasn't anything bad. [WELL.] I mean, not really. [This isn't going well, but then she's never really had to explain this sort of thing before either. Her tone is reluctant] But I did see... you. Without it. And a couple other things.

You saw me? [That's really weird. He guesses it makes sense if she's got weird spirit powers, though he's never met a telepath or anyone like that before. If Mio says she can then- ... Goku jolts when he realises what Mio is actually saying.]

When?! I mean- what did you see?

[Though, what does it matter. If she saw him without his limiter, it's all bad. Goku only remembers brief flashes of his various times without his limiter (he barely remembers the incident she saw at all- it was so long ago and he was just a kid) but he's seen the aftermath. Mio's just trying to be nice. Goku vividly remembers Gojyo and Hakkai smiling and acting like everything was fine, even though Sanzo was missing and Hakkai was still hurt. Everyone was always so nice and worried about him, even though he's the one hurting people.]

[Mio crosses her arms over her chest, thinking about it and how to explain] Well... One part, you were in a cage or some kind of cell. You were pretty young... It was cold and dark--there was a bird? [She's pretty sure she doesn't have to go into details for these, since they're his memories and all.] But then this guy showed up and the bars disappeared. There was sun again.

[Her tone grows a bit wistful; in all she'd consider that a pretty good memory if only for the ending.] The other you were still pretty young-- I guess it wasn't that far after the first one. You were-- [She doesn't want to be mean, but she won't lie either] It was pretty scary. I've never felt power like that before. The closest, I guess, was-- [The hellish abyss, maybe, and even that didn't compare. She shakes her head, cutting herself off, and continues elsewhere] But that guy was there again. He chanted something and the thing around his shoulders like exploded? [Okay not really but--] He put the diadem thing back on you and you passed out.

...There was a lot of destruction. [Mio is quiet for a moment, trying to figure out what to say.] But, it's not like you're like that all the time. So... [SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT?? She doesn't know what to say here to be reassuring]

[The first memory is a good one, entirely because of the ending. Goku smiles again when she describes it, remembering that feeling of light and warmth rushing over him all at once. And all because of-] Sanzo. He found me.

[He wants to stay with that memory for a little longer. It's important to remember, especially now. But Mio is still talking.] ... I don't really remember that other time, but it sounds- ["pretty scary"] about right. Sanzo's really strong. That's what usually happens when it comes off.

[His limiter breaks or comes off, he wrecks shop for a little while, Sanzo or someone else gets him back under control. It's best when it's Sanzo.]

But yeah, I'm not... normally like that, I think... [But it's still him. He's not worrying about it, so much, but it's still the truth.]

[She feels like this is one of those Defining Moments. There are a few ways someone could react to this entire situation, and the weight of the consequences of each, as she quickly runs through scenarios in her head, weighs heavily on her.

She doesn't know Goku that well. This is only their second conversation, after all, but in the end the amount of time they have or have not spent together feels insignificant. Goku's proven already to be kind and open. Maybe she'd hesitate to really describe him as 'pure'= pure-hearted? Maybe, something like that. Saying he's innocent would almost sound more like an insult. But he's honest, and warm.

Her eyes study his face, mapping the differences between the younger boy in her vision and the old one that stands before her. That 'other him' would probably look different too, more angular and far scarier. Mio would, at least, never want to meet him. But he was still Goku.

There's a soft scoff.] 'I think,' he says. Please. [A dismissive wave of her hand. He's not like that at all, under normal circumstances! That she can claim with confidence. After a moment she rests her hands on her hips and considers her words again, before reaching out to place her palms on either side of his face, making sure he won't look away.]

We're friends. [This is also said with a firm confidence.] And that means accepting that part of you too. So don't be so worried or whatever, okay? 'No take-backs' on friendship, remember?

...Besides. You weren't that scary. You were pretty cute when you were a kid, even like that-- all that babyfat. [She squishes his cheeks now and gives a mock-pout, pretending to be disappointed] What happened?

Edited 2017-01-10 22:43 (UTC)

[He's still wearing the stupid sunglasses. He should probably take them off, Goku thinks as Mio studies his face. They're having a Moment, after all, though he's not sure what kind yet. Scoffing is familiar and makes his lips twitch into a smile despite the seriousness of the situation. When Mio puts her hands on his cheeks, she dislodges the glasses and they stick out awkwardly from his face. At least it means she can actually see his eyes now.]

We're friends. [He responds quietly, reaffirming that. He wouldn't blame her for panicking and calling him a monster, if she really saw a vision of the Seiten Taisei. She could at least be mad at him for not saying he was youkai when they were talking about it. Mio really is nice. This whole anomaly, space-kidnapping thing is a huge mess, but at least he got to meet-

The glasses fall off his face completely when she starts squishing him and he flails his arms about wildly.] Hey! Mi-ooh! Stop it! Nothin' happened! What're ya doin'? Cut it out!

[Girls are so weird.]

[Mio laughs brightly, continuing to squish his face a little more. Friends, yeah. It felt good to acknowledge and have it be acknowledged in return; even Mayu would've liked Goku, she thinks.

At some later time Mio will realize that Goku actually is a youkai (or something), but her mental picture of a youkai still doesn't match with what Goku or his other half looks like. SO for now, the details of it go over her head.

She drops her arms back to her side and watches him with a light smile before she glances out towards the shopping center again, vaguely uneasy.] I think my shopping is done for the day... I'm never going to be able to go back to that store. [Life is hard. Mio sort of laughs helplessly and shrugs as if to say 'oh well.']

[Goku continues to flail and wrinkle his nose during the squishing. What the hell!! He has done nothing to deserve this!! When she lets go he calms down and pouts at her.]

I just wanna get food... I'm so hungry!

[After this day of mind reading and theft. He pauses and then ducks down to pick the sunglasses off up the floor. Still kneeling, he holds them up to Mio with a playful grin.]

At least you got these, right?

I guess I could buy you something with the money I was going to use on a cute outfit... [Or she could save it but who needs that logic. Besides, it's not like she'd spend a fortune! How much can one guy eat?

Haha... ha...

She takes a step back to give him some room when he suddenly kneels down, and then wrinkles her nose at the offered sunglasses.] No way! Those would look even worse on me. You're stuck with them now. [Wait.

Wait.

Oh no. Now they definitely couldn't go back, she turned him into a criminal. HIS PURE GOOD LIFE IS OVER FOREVER, RUINED IN THIS MOMENT... she is the eve having tempted him into Sin and the peace is Over Forever. She can already hear police sirens in her mind and the words CRIMINAL RECORD stamped on his folder Or something.

Mio looks briefly concerned and then sighs, shaking her head] I can't believe on top of everything we stole the ugliest sunglasses in the store. This wasn't worth the criminal record. [Don't let this fool you, inwardly she is Deeply Distressed]

Really? Then let's go get lunch! It'll be great!

[It's fine, Mio, he's killed people. Even without Seiten Taisei related incidents, he's killed so many people. There are wanted signs with his face on them in youkai towns. Petty theft was inevitable. Goku looks at the glasses, wrinkles his nose and then balances them on top of his head where they get lost in his hair.]

Do you think they'll be that mad? It's just one pair of sunglasses.

[Why does he feel her wallet already crying? Weird. She makes a 'lead the way' gesture. The food court shouldn't really be far.]

Maybe not, but... Probably best to avoid the place just in case. No one's been arrested here as far as I know of, but who knows how well they'd actually treat us. We're the outsiders here. [Huzzah pessimism!]

[Follows her, soon Mio will be destitute and broke. But it's for a good cause: feeding a bottomless pit.]

I guess people can freak out about that sort of thing some times.

[Used to people being nervous about "outsiders", at least. Though usually once people recognise Sanzo they get a warm welcome.]

But you won't know until you give people a chance!

[It'll be worth it to see the sunshine smile, maybe. It'll sustain her in the cold, hungry days to come.

Mio side-eyes him, frowning in mild concern] You just always look on the bright side of things, huh. Someone's gonna take advantage of that one day, you know.

[She's seen that he's more than capable of taking care of himself in a fight, but she's kind of getting concerned about his ability to function in daily life.]

You're so optimistic.

[He can always give her a discount on bananas.]

You think so? [Reflects on his life, as he remembers it, so far... He can't think of a thing!] ... It's been fine though! Nothing bad's happened because of that!

[Apart from occasionally getting drugged and kidnapped but that's fine, it's fine. He's still in one piece and not in the stomach of a vulture.]

Why do you always think something bad's gonna happen?

[Goku................

Mio looks away, pretending to be suddenly interested in figuring out what food destination to head to. She pulls her bag higher up on her shoulder again, the camera obscura inside suddenly feeling like a lead weight.]

Dunno. [She mumbles, but it's not really an answer.] Because most of the time, it does happen. It's better to be prepared for it than to keep thinking, 'oh it'll be alright, we'll make it out of here, everything will work out' or whatever and then be caught completely off guard.

[Mio pauses a moment and runs a hand through her hair, sighing deeply and looking a bit sheepish. Oops she's made the conversation all serious and depressing again]

[She has a talent for that.

Goku eyes Mio for a moment before responding.] It's not like I don't know that bad stuff happens some times. I've seen it. [He's experienced it, as Mio saw a glimpse of. He wasn't in the cave for a health spa.] Sometimes you're fighting and you give it all you've got and you lose anyway. Sometimes you get the shit beaten out of you and look real pathetic. It's embarrassing.

But if you go into a fight expectin' to lose, that's what's gonna happen. How can you win when you've already beaten yourself up?

[Too bad there's no tribbles for her to shove in his face this time around.

No one likes feeling terrible or defeated or lost so isn't it better to just avoid the circumstances that would lead to it in the first place? Apparently not to Goku.]

That's easy to say when you have a chance of winning... [She's being grumpy for the sake of it now, but she's distinctly aware that this might lead to an argument she doesn't want to have or trying to explain things she's not sure how to. She reaches up and rubs absently at her throat, than wanders over to bump her shoulder against Goku's playfully]

Well. Someone has to be a ray of sunshine around here. [It's a noncommittal sort of answer and she tries to smile, shrugging]

[Avoiding it is also losing, Mio. Goku's a shounen character trapped in a josei manga, this is the only way he knows how to live.]

Saying stuff like that's what gives you no chance... [But fine, he doesn't want to argue either, really. He'll just prove his point to her some other time when they actually have someone to fight! Goku also forces a smile, is much better at it than Mio, and takes her hand when she bumps into him.]

Come on, I can smell doughnuts!

[She's survivor horror, she didn't sign up for this shonen life!!

She looks down quickly at their clasped hands, surprised, and feels her face grow hot. Should she say something?? He seems fine with it, is she the only one who feels awkward about it? If she says anything then it really will be awkward and-- Well. Okay. It's not bad, she supposes. It's just holding hands. Lots of people did that! She held hands with her sister all the time!

...This situation wasn't comparable to that much at all, but Mio hesitates only a moment longer before giving his hand a light squeeze and following in the direction of doughnuts. There's no use fighting things like this if Goku's involved. She already has a feeling like she'll give in every time.] I wonder if space doughnuts are any different than normal ones...

[Look she doesn't know, okay. And at least Goku and his giant appetite that Mio's wallet is about to bear witness to will give her a god excuse not to get much for herself. Something something watching her weight etc.] I guess we can get a dozen to share or something. [That's enough, right??]

[It's a little awkward, but Mio is the one who started them on the physical contact stage of their relationship. Goku just wanted her to look a little less sad and- well, it seems to have worked. Embarrassed is better than sad, right? Not that Goku notices, focused much more intently on following his nose now.]

Yeah! Uh, you don't want too many, right? Maybe we should get two! [Two... dozen doughnuts... Please stop Goku.] I think they're... this way!

[Turns right at an intersection in the mall, dragging Mio along with him.]

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