Can You Hear Me, Satan City? [Open]

SPOILER: Click to show

Power Level: 10,325
Word Count: 792

The music’s ending chords – her song’s ending growls – marked what would the end of her public performance. It was a little saddening, to be honest, that it would come to such a close already. But, then again, Endivia had at the very least enjoyed herself to a degree far greater than normal. To feel such adrenaline in her veins was almost an alien sensation despite its familiarities. Performing on such a scale was ecstasy in one of its finest forms and under no circumstances would she have passed up the opportunity if it was opened to her again in the future. With a confident smile upon her face, surrounded by the untold energies of an excited audience, ‘Chicory’ was back in business!

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you, Satan City!” she announced, somewhat breathless but otherwise composed: “It’s been a pleasure to play again!”

Seems like I might have to build up a bigger playlist for next time… Hopping down from the makeshift stage that was the marble borders of the park’s fountain, the Saiyaness revelled in the success of her latest display of musical and now lyrical prowess. Tohnari, the ebon guitar which she now secured upon her back, still seemed to quiver with excitement as the last vestiges of channelled Ki dissipated into the surroundings. Now she was faced with an entirely different quandary, but one she was not all too unfamiliar with. A youth approached her, an individual of decent height and perhaps still of schooling age.

^{“C- Can I have your autograph?”}

“Huh? Sure,” she replied. It was nothing short of strange to be asked such a question. Even in what might have been considered the prime of her musical career, Endivia had never been too fond of the ideology of certain fans. Nonetheless, the human ritual of receiving signed merchandise – or even just having a star etch their name upon something as mundane as a tee-shirt – had progressively grown upon her. It was not exactly very kind to say no to an adoring fan. While any other Saiyajin might have done so, this musical mademoiselle could not help but submit to custom and graciousness. Offered a pen and notebook by the teenage rebel, she quickly scribbled her chosen stage name upon the open page, taking a moment to give her own handwriting a rather awkward look. For someone with such dexterity, her calligraphy was nothing short of caffeinated spider scrawl.

Hey! At least it was legible!

About six signatures later, the crowds had dispersed. The older audiences likely had work to attend or groceries to shop for, whilst the younger end of the audience probably had school – or at least the more reputable students did. Fortunately, this meant that the guitarist now had some freedom in what she did. The issue, however, was what to do next? Even if the people of the park had taken a new shine to her presence, humanity and its accompanying races were still a little disdainful for those who came from Vegeta. Maybe her efforts would help to further salve those injuries in the long run?

^{“Well, if I’m not the only Saiyan here,” she muttered:
“I might as well go and see what he’s doing here…?”}

Dark eyes quickly sought out the man whose brief outburst had threatened to interrupt her performance. Soon, her gaze settled upon a triumvirate of bizarre individuals. Amongst them was a fellow Saiyajin, but he was not the only abnormality. Whilst the one girl might have seemed an otherwise normal Zoanthrope, the third individual was nothing short of peculiar. A woman’s body coupled with the features of a snake was not something Chicory had encountered before and, while her knowledge of certain sapient aliens was somewhat diverse, this one stood out among the crowds. Her taupe tail wove itself around the guitar’s shoulder strap like some sort of sash as she approached with nonchalance in her gait.

This kind of curiosity’s going to get me into more trouble, someday… Halting just a couple of yards from the strange arrangement, Endivia gently cleared her throat. Her focus quickly shifted from one to the other, reading each individual based on little more than their general mannerisms. Admittedly, the only one who was remotely open like a book was the male, but that was more due to the fact that he shared her racial blood. Everything about his appearance suggested that of a typical proud Saiyan warrior, from his gruff expressions to his stance. Kami knows she had seen enough of that to be able to recognise it with just a simple glance. Even so, she had not approached in order to be confrontational. Her wrath was something few provoked.

^{“What’s up?” she asked, casual and cool…}

SPOILER: Click to show

<sup>Levlidian, Jormungandr, Hinawa - Back in action!

Endivia (eebc1d)
Levlidian (e64219)
Generic Person (eeeeee)</sup>

SPOILER: Click to show

Power Level: 10,325
Word Count: 658

“Well, well,” came a somewhat cocky answer. “The star of the day draws to our little conversation.”

So he’s arrogant and patronising? Go figure… Somewhat discomforted by the presence of a fellow Saiyan – a male one nonetheless – Endivia provided him little in the way of attention. To be frank, she was likely applying far too many a stereotype to the scar-faced space warrior, for which she felt a small ounce of guilt. Branding all of her kinfolk in the same manner was nothing short of hypocritical, given her own so far semi-successful attempt at breaking away from their racial normalcy. Even so, her archetypal assessment was quickly clarified to be unsurprisingly accurate when the Saiyajin – ‘Levlidian’ – asked her the age old question.

^{“Why?” the entertainer asked, eyeing the presented palm:
“My name’s Chicory – my real name’s Endivia.”}

Surrendering to common courtesy, she accepted the man’s grip. Though comparatively short and stocky, Levlidian was as powerfully built as any average warrior from the world of Vegeta. His muscles were toned and bulged slightly with every motion, but clearly held a latent power deep within the core of his frame. On the taller side, the dark-haired demoiselle actually stood a bit above him, but her physique was something of a contrast. Lither, sleeker, the typical strength of a Saiyan seemed to be somewhat lacking, but looks alone were oft hard to judge by. It was the strength of her returned handshake that would be the decisive factor, though she purposely refrained from maintaining contact for any longer than she might have deemed necessary.

“Remember what I told you about women and guys who are way too impatient?” uttered the second individual, giving the rather forward fellow a possibly sharp nudge to the side. This was the girl with a distinctly more Earthling look to her, though her own introductions were preceded by those of the most unique of all present. Serpentine, scaly of skin and yet somehow graceful and elegant in appearance, the third woman stepped forth and offered her own short but certain hello.

^{“Greetings, I am Jormungandr,” she said:
“I enjoyed your music.”}

“Thanks!” Practically beaming at this strange soul’s honesty, Chicory struggled somewhat to avoid seeming a little too prideful about her performance. To have had such an enthralled audience at her beck and call had done wonders for her confidence, but an unusual individual presenting such simple words had a far more profound effect upon her state of mind. The closest comparison to Saiyan pride that she exhibited, the Saiyaness adopted something of a sturdier and stronger stance, expressing with body language that which she did not really feel the need to with words. Quite simply, she deemed herself the best at what she did.

“Isn’t too often that I see someone that’s better than me, actually,” added the other. This girl, whose name was Hinawa, presented something of an air of confidence different to that of Levlidian’s own arrogant presentation. Her words alone suggested a lot about who she was, and the simple fact that she currently shared a conversation with a fellow lover of music was far more enticing to the taupe-tailed traveller than any test of strength. Appreciation of music was one thing, but being able to share in the passion of it was an entirely different matter.

“I haven’t thought about it. I used to play a lot more regularly, but then other issues got in the way,” she answered. A part of her could not help but cast her dark eyes briefly towards the man of her own blood, remembering the fact that it was men like him whose actions had formed the glass ceiling on her way to stardom. Looking back to Miss Hyoukai, she winked: “Either way, I’m back in business – almost. I don’t think you’ll have to wait long before I hit the stage again. All I need to do is find a bit more inspiration, I guess…”

SPOILER: Click to show

<sup>--

Endivia (eebc1d)
Levlidian (e64219)
Hinawa (2adfdf)
Jormungandr (df2a7a)
Generic Person (eeeeee)</sup>