deercountry | A May Arrival from the East

Entry tags:

A May Arrival from the East

Who: Goku & YOU!
What: Goku has arrived! And is sitting on the beach, staring back out at the ocean. Still naked.
When: early May
Where: on the beach!
Content Warnings:nothing yet, will mark threads as needed!

[This has been a markedly more confusing day for Goku than usual. He doesn't really remember how it all started, but he does have some hazy memories of swimming in the ocean, of being spoken to by someone in robes. They're not super clear, more like some half-remembered dream from several days ago, except he's pretty sure whatever that was actually did happen mere hours ago. He's also pretty sure that he hadn't really been himself at the time. He must have gone berserk again, because his hair is all long again at the back, except nothing bad happened; which is weird.

What Goku knows for absolute certain is that he'd been asleep on this beach, stark naked, and there was no one around when he woke up, just a bag cradled in his arms like it was the most important thing in the world. His head still feels like it's in a weird kind of fog, as if someone had taken all the contents of his mind and tossed them around in his head like a salad. Which- gross. Salads are so boring. There's never really any good meat in most salads. Maybe they're okay when you're right about to eat, like they're just something to get you ready to really chow down on something good. But how can anyone eat just the salad like it's the entire meal? That's so--

--Wait, what was he thinking about again?

He hopes one of the guys comes around soon. He's pretty sure that's why he keeps looking out at the ocean like it's bound to give him answers. His friends are okay, and they'll probably show up real soon to properly tell him what's going on. Yeah.

Goku lets out a sigh, feeling his stomach growl out a complaint as he clutches his bag tighter against his chest.]

I'm hungryy....

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Daniel. [He echoes it to himself with a nod so that he'll remember the name properly. It's a foreign name to him, so some of the sounds feel funny on his tongue, but that'll probably just help him remember it better.] Got it!

[Goku pulls the robe tight around him as he gets to his feet, shouldering the bag with ease. The promise of food has him obviously excited, but he does also look... a little conflicted about it, as his eyes keep flitting back toward the water.]

M'not super picky, so I'll eat anythin'! What's Italian food like?? I never heard o' that before.

Edited 2023-05-17 18:57 (UTC)

You've never had Italian food? [ It's not quite as surprising anymore when Daniel has been here for quite some time already - and when people have already told him they've never even heard of Italy in the first place.

But he can still put on a bit of surprise, just to keep things light. Especially since-- ]

Guess I'll have to show you.

[ -- he does notice the way the other keeps glancing away. ]

.. unless you got something else to attend to? [ Or if there's just something Goku is worried about. Because it kind of seems that way, and this is Daniel's gentle way of prying-without-seeming-like-he's-prying. ]

Nope, never! [This is obviously just exciting for him. There are practically stars in his eyes.] Are you really offerin' ta treat me?! That's super nice of you!!

[Goku's cheeks flush a little at the call out, rocking back on his heels and reaching up to scratch at his cheek.]

Um-- Not really, I guess? It just kinda feels like I gotta wait for my friends. I dunno if I'm the first one ta get here, but I don't wanna miss 'em when they show up.

[ .. oh, Goku. Something about the other's cheery childish demeanour coupled with that last part truly breaks a little bit of Daniel's heart. He knows how hard it can be to be stuck in this place without some of the people you truly care about. And while he can't guess Goku's age entirely accurately, he figures that sort of thing has got to be a little scary too when you're younger.

So his smile turns a little more softer, gentle around the edges. ]

In that case, why don't you tell me some stuff about your friends while we make our way over to my place? Maybe some of them are already here. Or it'll at least let me help you keep an eye out for them.

[It's definitely scary. And while Goku has definitely gotten better about them, he does still have some abandonment issues. Not that he thinks that his friends would have abandoned him for no reason at this point in time, but it's a fear that has deeper roots than he even knows.

Still, Daniel seems like a super nice guy. So even though he still has some lingering anxiety about his current situation, he feels like there's no harm in going along with him. Especially if it means getting fed!]

'Kay! [He smiles back, just as sunny as before. He even shoulders his backpack with ease, clearly ready to get going.] But you'll help me get back over here after, right? Just in case?

Sure, of course.

[ Goku may look young, but not young enough that Daniel wouldn't just let him be here by himself again later. He just wants to make sure the other has the proper idea about this case - and how careful one has to be here, with all the dangers - and that he's had something to eat.

Bringing him back over to the beach after that shouldn't be a problem.

So he just gestures for the other to follow him before starting to move in the direction of town. He figures he just has to bring them over to the nearest lantern, so they'll be quick to get over to the dojo. ]

I get that it's hard when your friends aren't here. My wife and kids aren't in this place either.

[ And while that fact actually does bother him quite a bit, Daniel manages to tell it a little more lightly than that, not wanting to burden anyone else with his feelings. It's mostly just to show Goku that he can relate, after all. ]

[Goku follows along easily, holding onto the straps of his backpack as they walk. For a little there he finds himself just watching the way his feet sink into the sand with every step, enjoying the sensation like it's something new and fascinating. But his ears are open, so when Daniel mentions a wife and kids he looks back up with big eyes.]

You got a wife and kids??

[He somehow sounds both surprised and impressed by this. After all, Goku's social circle is incredibly small and it's rare for him to meet someone who hasn't lost one or the other. Not in the way this place has made them lose people, anyway.]

Are they nice??

[ .. huh.

Sure, a bit of surprise is possible, but.. this much surprise? Over a fact that - to Daniel - feels so simple? A whole ton of middle aged guys like him have wives and kids where he comes from, and it sure makes him wonder for a moment inside of his mind what Goku's world must be like if this fact is so surprising to him.

Probably nothing good, Daniel figures, and he finds it more tactful to not ask. Especially when Goku is still so new. ]

Yeah, they're great. [ He smiles as he says it. It's painful to think of them, but Daniel is the king of repression, so.. ] My wife's the fiercest woman you'd find anywhere, and my kids are really adorable. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better wife or kids anywhere.

[For Daniel's sake, it's probably better that he doesn't ask. For Goku, that's just normal.]

Whoooaaa...

[He just kind of stares for a second, trying to imagine what this fierce woman must look like. Daniel's human, so his wife and kids must be human, too, which definitely means he has to tone down the way "fierce" translates in his head. He's certainly met lots of nice moms with cute kids at least, so that part he can imagine pretty easily. It makes him smile, reaching up to thumb at his nose with a little chuckle.]

That sounds real nice! [Oh, but they're not here, are they--] Sorry they're not here with ya. But you're a real good guy, so I bet you've got lotsa friends around here, too!

[ Daniel lets out a breath - it almost sounds a little like a laugh, or something halfway there. ]

Sure. I have a whole lot of kids I'm looking out for here, for one. [ And since he gets that that sort of thing might sound a little strange to a newcomer, he makes a vague handgesture with one of his hands before adding: ] I'm a karate teacher.

[ Hence the looking out for kids. It happens when said kids turn out to be your students. ]

.. though I guess I'll get to teach you something right now too. You see that thing over there?

[ Daniel gestures at the lantern hanging off one of the nearby buildings, which they're slowly heading towards. ]

[Goku blinks.] Ka-ra-te...?? Oh! That's fightin', right?! [His face has suddenly lit up with excitement.] You teach kids how to fight?!

[The word is only vaguely familiar to him, and he's honestly not even sure where he heard it before. Just some passing comment somewhere, maybe, and it had managed to stick in his memory because it was martial arts. Fighting. And that's one of the few things Goku's really good at.

He does follow the line of Daniel's gesture though, taking note of the lantern that they're clearly heading toward. He's not sure what's so special about it, so when he looks back at Daniel he just looks confused.]

Yeah?? That's a light, ain't it??

Right on both counts.

[ The fighting thing, yes, and also the lantern. Daniel knows that's just what it looks like, after all - and without a good gauge as to just how supernatural (or not) Goku's world is, Daniel isn't quite sure what he'd assume upon seeing a lantern.

Seems like he's just assuming the normal thing. ]

But these things are special here. You can use them to move through the city without having to walk all the way across the streets. There's one over at my house too, so we can get from that one there straight to my house. [ Wouldn't want to keep poor Goku hungry for too long, after all. ]

[His eyes go real big, shining with excitement.] So they're like magic lights?!

[That's about all he says before he's running the rest of the way there, basically leaving Daniel in his dust. Goku stops when he gets there, just kind of bouncing on the balls of his feet while he waits for his new companion to catch up.

And when he does--]

Hey, hey, so how does it work?! You said there's food at your house, right?? Issat where your fightin' school is, too?? Can I see you fight?! Are you strong?!

[ Oh god, Goku.

This certainly isn't helping Daniel's perception of the other being so young.. But then again, it's the kind of youth that Daniel is always so endeared by, so he just laughs even when Goku runs off. It's thankfully safe enough on the streets right now that the man isn't too worried about it, just taking his time to catch up with the 'kid'.

Even if he's getting an absolute waterfall of words aimed right at him, huh. It's a good thing this cute excited behaviour is just putting Daniel in a good mood, a smile on the man's lips as he watches Goku ramble. ]

Yes, there's food at my house, and yes, my house is attached to the dojo. [ Look at him answering so calmly, like Goku isn't firing off questions at light speed. ] And I can give you a demonstration, but-- after you eat.

[ Taking care of a kid comes first, okay!! Daniel is too dad to not insist Goku eats first. ]

But how about I show you how these lanterns work first, huh? So we can get there in the first place?

[ Can Goku calm down enough to listen for a few seconds? C-Can he? ]

[That's just how Goku is. For better or worse, he's always been the kid of the group, has always related more to the younger kids they've met on the road than most others... It's probably something that comes with the territory of having no memories of what his younger years were like. As far as he can tell, he might have been born into the body of a ten year old. Who knows?

Either way, he's doing his best to rein in all this excess energy he has at the moment. At least long enough to pay attention to how Daniel answers his rapid fire questions... Even though he definitely still has more that are dying to spill out of his mouth.]

'Kay! Soooo what do we do first? Do we just tell it that you wanna go home an' it goes WHOOSH an' then you're back at your dojo-house??

You just have to think of the place if you've been there before.

[ Which Goku obviously hasn't - but that can be helped, Daniel figures, as he holds out his hand towards the other. ]

Just hold onto me, alright? [ Sure, Goku looks like he might be at the age where he thinks holding hands with an adult is No Longer Cool, but on the other hand, the other seems cheery enough for Daniel to believe he might not mind after all. ] I'll touch it for the both of us. It's instant, so there's nothing to be scared of. You don't really feel anything.

Whoa... Really?

[His head tilts curiously for a second, just considering. He's never seen magic like this before. Then again, there's lots of things in the world he's never seen before, so that's not surprising. Just curious.

Daniel's right on the money about the hand-holding. His first immediate thought is definitely "Ew, holding hands" but that's immediately shaken off by the fact that he's being led somewhere and probably needs it. So he just smiles a little brighter, taking Daniel's offered hand while he uses the other to adjust the bag strap on his shoulder.]

M'not scared! We just don't have stuff like this where I'm from... I think.

[ Well, at least that's something his and Goku's worlds apparently have in common.. Daniel just takes it in with a nod, and then a small smile aimed at the boy, just for a last reassurement before Daniel reaches out to touch the lamp.

He was right with his description though. It only takes a moment, as if in a flash they're suddenly standing somewhere else. When Daniel pulls back his hand from the lamp and lets go of Goku's hand with his other hand, they're nowhere near the beach anymore. Instead they're standing in front of a house. It mostly looks to be in the same style as the other houses in Trench, but there's a few small touches that give it a bit more of a Japanese atmosphere, like the gate that seems to lead to a fenced off area in the back. Windchimes hanging in front of the windows make a very soft sound float through the air. ]

There we go.

[ Daniel is already moving to open up the front door, moving to the side so Goku can follow him inside.

Though if Goku does so, he'll immediately find himself being greeted by a small ball of fluff sprinting over at him. It seems to be a creature looking very much like a chow-chow puppy, happily bouncing at Goku's feet and begging for attention.

Daniel himself doesn't seem too surprised by it, instead just letting out an amused huff of air. ]

Really? Already? You can't make every single guest we get here pet you, you know.

[ Does this deter the puppy-like creature?

Absolutely not. He's still begging for those sweet, sweet pets. ]

[To say that the sudden change of scenery in the blink of an eye comes to Goku as a surprise would be an understatement. The suddenness of it all makes him jump in alarm, looking around him wildly as though looking for someone who'd just suddenly punched him in the face. It takes a second for him to even register that they've arrived at Daniel's house, and when he does he gapes up at it with wide eyes.]

This is your dojo-house??? So coooool...

[He bounds after Daniel excitedly, a big smile on his face that only grows when he sees the puppy running his way. He's more than happy to drop to his knees to welcome the bundle of furry joy, laughing as he gives him all the pets and behind-the-ear scritches in the world.]

You got a dog, too!! [Pointing out the obvious a little there, but Goku just can't help being excited.] I tried t'keep a dog before but all th' monks got mad an' made me give him away. You're so lucky!!

[ The little creature seems to gladly soak up all of the attention it's getting over here. The dog may even lick Goku's face a little bit in excitement, mirroring Goku's own energy. ]

Ah, well..

[ .. Daniel wonders if he should tell the kid about Omens.

Probably a little too overwhelming for now. It can wait until Goku is at least eating, or maybe even later, Daniel figures. It's not like the assumption that the creature is a dog is necessarily wrong, after all, it's just that it's also definitely part of Daniel..

So he shakes his head, letting it go for now. ]

You like dogs? [ There, that's easier for now. Not to mention that the talk about monks makes Goku's fascination with people having families a lot more clear. Maybe he just grew up in a temple. Makes sense to Daniel. ] You can take him along to the kitchen if you want, he loves being carried.

[ And the dog is certainly small enough that it's very easy to do. ]

[Daniel isn't... completely off in that assumption. Goku's upbringing is far, far from anything normal. Even by his world's standards.

He can't help but laugh, tickled by the way the dog laps at his face. It doesn't take a whole lot of convincing him to just scoop the little guy up into his arms, happy to hold onto him as he gets back up onto his feet. The beaming grin on Goku's face is about as childlike as it can get, eyes practically shining.]

I like lotsa animals! But me an' my friends are always travelin' everywhere, so I'm not allowed to keep a pet. Hopefully they'll let me when we're done, though!

[Goku raises his head slightly, sniffing at the air for a second. There's an unfamiliar, but delicious scent on the air. It makes him perk up even more.]

Whoa, somethin' smells good! The kitchen's this way?

[And he's off before Daniel can even say anything. Even from where they are, through doors and the cabinets and what else have you, Goku can smell it.]

[ .. there the boy goes, huh.

Thankfully Goku's nose is definitely right, and he's heading right towards the kitchen, Daniel following him and the Omen contently sitting in Goku's arms after having been picked up. The puppy-like being isn't even struggling or anything, just enjoying getting the attention.. or half the attention, anyway, now Goku is distracted by the food. ]

Yeah, here we are.

[ The house isn't too big, so it doesn't take long for them to enter the kitchen. Daniel gestures at the dinner table, as if he's telling Goku to go ahead and sit down. ]

I was thinking about making you something, but something tells me I'm better off reheating some leftovers. [ There's something faintly teasing in Daniel's smile as he says it. Like he's joking that Goku truly couldn't wait any longer for food than leftovers reheating time. If even that. He's being a little too excited for food. ] You could have some of last night's pasta, if you want.

[Even distracted as he is, Goku still has a hand on the dog's head, absently scritching behind his ears while he bounces excitedly around the kitchen. The whole room smells delicious, the cabinets likely more well-stocked than most other kitchens he's been allowed into. It's practically making Goku drool with anticipation.]

Mmmmm, it smells soooo good in here!!

[Which is why he isn't sitting down just yet. He keeps his eyes trained on Daniel, beaming at him. The older man may be teasing him, but it's nothing Goku hasn't heard before. Plus... it's true.]

I'm sooo super ultra hungry- So I can have pasta! What is it?? Is it good?? Will it take long to heat up??

It'll take longer if you don't sit down.

[ Okay, at least that's an obvious joke, judging by the way the ends of Daniel's lips curl up as he's saying it. He even lightly shakes his head in the sort of way a parent does who's seen a lot..

His own kids were pretty wild too when they were younger, so he gets it. But he's at least moving to grab the bowl of pasta leftovers, even bothering to move it so he can show it to Goku. ]

But this is pasta. It's basically just a specific style of noodles. [ At least he's learned more people are familiar with those, so it feels like the easiest comparison to make.. ] Trust me, it's really good. I'm basically an expert when it comes to Italian food.

Ah--

[Even as gentle and playful as that teasing is, Goku picks up on it quickly. He hurries to sit down, still cuddling the puppy in his arms. He only shifts very slightly to see the contents of the container when Daniel shows it to him, craning his neck and sniffing curiously at the air to smell it.

Yep. That's definitely something delicious that he could smell from down the hall.]

Oh, I know lotsa noodles! I've never seen this kind before. Is that sauce on it?? It looks sooooo good!

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