Thank you for the reviews/faves/follows everyone. I managed to get this done so I'm happy with that. Stuff happens but you'll just have to see what exactly. But what I will say is that things will get escalated. So hope you guys enjoy it!
Chapter 29 Nature and Nurture
(…)
He was in denial. Yes, he was angry… But Cell knew to keep his strength in check. He used a considerable amount of power but he was certain he didn't use enough to kill her. She couldn't be dead. There was no way that could be possible. He couldn't possibly take such a risk and squander the time and dedication he placed into training her. That was unacceptable. She was too valuable of an investment to discard so recklessly. Her training and growth was nowhere near complete.
But here she was, limp and lifeless in his arms. She was completely unresponsive to the shaking and words he spoke. Cixi couldn't be dead and yet it appeared more and more like it with each second that went by.
Cobalt was disturbed by this development. He heard the way Cell hit Cixi and he literally cringed at it. The way her head twisted as well was just another sign. There was no way that she could've survived something like that. To the little bio-android, it was clear that his creator lost his temper, lashed out and then ended up accidentally killing her. There was no coming back from something like that.
The blue creature was confused as well. Cell seemed unable to accept that she was actually deceased. Cobalt was perplexed by his mannerisms and could only watch on in morbid curiosity. He had no idea why he was reacting the way he was. He knew Cell placed value on her because of her circumstances. But this was still too bizarre for him to comprehend.
"I didn't hit that hard!" Cell vented. He seemed to be arguing with himself more than anything else. "Did I really not have enough control over my own power?! No, that's impossible! I have perfect control!"
His frustration and panic was increasing. Her eyes were becoming clouded and increasingly lackluster. If he wasn't supporting her, she would be laying on the ground in a disgraceful heap. The way that she emptily gazed back at him, staring yet seeing nothing, unsettled him. Her eyes didn't move, didn't twitch nor did she blink. He was looking into young but dead eyes.
"Enough games, enough jokes! Wake up, you little brat!"
Cobalt flinched. He kept his distance, not wanting to get too close and have Cell lash out at him. He didn't want to end up being the other dead child. There was something about watching this whole fiasco play out that disturbed him. One part of him wanted to just fly off and forget that he even saw anything but another section wanted to remain. He wanted to look away but he couldn't.
Then he felt something.
The Cell Junior's eyes grew large and his mouth opened up in surprise. His focus shifted from his father to his sister. It was very faint and it was hardly there but he could sense a tiny ember of energy. Cixi was still alive but barely. She must've lost all feeling and motion in her body due to the injury and she was completely helpless.
It must've been pure dumb luck or her toughness that enabled her to hardly weather the blow. Cobalt was certain she was killed but here she was, clinging to what little life was left in her. With this realization, he saw that she was tougher than what she appeared. He had to give her that. He had to grant her some respect.
"Dad, she's alive!" he said. He dared to take a few steps closer. "Try to sense her!"
Cell visibly jumped when Cobalt's voice rang out. He turned his head, facing the small fighter.
"She's alive?" Cell repeated.
"Just listen to me," Cobalt demanded. "Feel her energy! I sensed it. It's hardly there but she's still alive. Her life force hasn't gone out completely!"
Cell did exactly as his progeny urged. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He couldn't let his panic get the better of him. That would just be undignified.
He focused and searched. Exactly as Cobalt described, he found the same thing. It was minimal and hardly even there but there was still a shred of life in her. She was hanging by a thread. At any moment, that miniscule thread could break.
Now he was presented with another dilemma altogether. She was alive yet her life could fail at any second fate saw fit. The Senzu bean crops had all been destroyed. The Dragon Balls were gone. The Namekian healers and their race as a whole had been driven into extinction by his own hands. Any technology that the fragmentary remnants of Frieza's army had most likely wouldn't work and it was entirely possibly she'd be dead before he could even get a hold of such equipment. And there was no way he would stoop so low as to force Bulma to step in. Besides, the detestable woman was a scientist, not an extremely skilled doctor.
Cell was at a loss as to what to do. He liked to think he had an answer or solution to everything. Any obstacle could be overcome with enough wit or strength. But this… This was something he had no idea how to navigate.
"Well, do you sense it?" Cobalt pressed.
"Yes, yes, I do!" Cell hastily replied.
"What do we do?"
"I…I don't know."
Cobalt approached and sat down on the dry earth next to Cell. He eyed Cixi up, trying to envision himself in her situation.
The thought of being totally immobile, helpless, perhaps even imprisoned in one's own body was a nightmare to him. Truthfully, Cobalt wondered if he even wanted to live if he was forced to remain like that. He was comforted by the fact that his body would regenerate any wound, no matter how grievous or dire it was. But if he was robbed of that wonderful ability, he knew how much more vulnerable he'd be.
"Do we put her out of her misery?" he asked.
"No," Cell remarked. "She's not dead."
"But you broke her neck! She's lucky to be alive!"
"Listen to me, I know what I did, so shut up!" Cell seethed at Cobalt. "She's alive. That means she still has a chance."
"Then what are we going to do? We might have to go to Earth and ask the woman…"
"Don't even joke about that! You're lucky I can't strangle you right now! If I wasn't holding your sister, I would be doing that right now! I will never ask her for help! Besides, she knows nothing about medical traumas like this! Her expertise is with tinkering and machining… It's like asking a hair stylist to draw blueprints for a spaceship!"
Cobalt wanted to argue with him but he knew it'd most likely warrant his death. In his eyes, Bulma was the best shot at Cixi having a chance of recovery. He wasn't exactly sure what she could do but from what he could recall of his inherited memories, Bulma was the most intelligent person on Earth that was still alive. It was better to present the problem to her rather than do nothing and let Cixi linger on the fine line of life and death that could vanish at any moment.
It felt so strange. Although he felt nothing but animosity towards her up until very recently, Cobalt felt his views on her changing. He developed a grudging respect for her. She was a fighter and she had potential so the Junior felt obligated to give her credit for that. Perhaps she wasn't exactly like him or his father but she held her own and had promise. That weird, altered state she managed to achieve earlier was another thing that helped to open his eyes.
He wanted to see her grow. He wanted to fight with her again. He wanted to get stronger with her.
"If you won't take her, will you let me ask her for help?" Cobalt asked, deciding to take a chance.
"How stupid are you?" Cell spat. "When I say, 'no', I mean 'no'! You're as dense and as stubborn as Cixi! You will not take her to that blue-haired harpy! If she suspects who she is, she'll try sabotage our efforts and end up killing your sister! Don't be an idiot!"
"At least I'm coming up with an idea!"
"Don't you dare start this with me right now! I'm trying to think of something but you keep coming up with these asinine plots! Shut your mouth and let me think!"
Reluctantly, Cobalt obeyed his father. He only lowered his head and averted his gaze. He'd have to bite his tongue and he hated it.
No Dragon Balls. No Senzu beans… Those little beans were handy. And in this vital moment, he wished he hadn't destroyed Kami's Lookout and subsequently the crop that was being tended to. He truly regretted it. If that crop hadn't been exterminated, he could've used it to restore Cixi.
There wasn't much time. He was loath to travel, let alone even move, for fear of her actually dying. He didn't want to risk even the slightest or seemingly harmless move. She was teetering above a precipice and he knew it all too well. This was a risk Cell refused to take.
"What does it take?" he asked himself. "What do I have to do? I can't let ten years of patience, diligence and effort get thrown away! I refuse! I'm not going to waste it all. I can't let it happen. I cannot let her die. I can't trust anyone else with her life. I'll drag her out of death's hands myself if I have to… Wait… Wait, that's it!"
A triumphant look slowly started to form on his face. Cell smiled, content with the idea that occurred to him. He only hoped it would work because there was no other option.
"Cobalt, I need you to do something," he said, shifting his attention to the more able-bodied offspring.
"What is it?" Cobalt replied, genuinely curious. He could see the hope in Cell's eyes and it made him even more adamant to know what was going on.
"I need you to use Instant Transmission and go to Earth. I need you to gather supplies and food. Bring it all back here when you're done."
"Did you think of an idea?"
"Namekian DNA is incorporated into my design. Many of them are healers… I'm not a healer at all but I suppose now is the opportune time to try this out. I don't have a choice."
Cobalt was shocked by his insinuation. Cell had already put her in this pitiable state and now he was going to try to pull her out of it? Fighting was what he was engineered for. Doctor Gero had no intention to make him have any sort of healing capabilities. This could only end in disaster.
But Cobalt decided to trust him and not argue. Cell wasn't willing to try anything else but this. This had to be done.
"I hope it works," the Junior said. He stood up, extended his left pointer and middle finger and rested them against his forehead. "What sort of supplies do you want me to get?"
"Whatever might be useful," Cell answered. "Canteens to hold water, pillows, blankets, bandages… I don't know! Take some creative liberties, find supplies and come back. And bring food. She might not be able to do much of anything but if she is to recover all the more quickly and successfully, she needs sustenance. Now, go!"
Cobalt didn't need to be told twice. He nodded and focused. He envisioned Earth in his mind and tried to sense the planet's energy. It was quite far away and he'd have to make a few pitstops at other, closer planets in order to finally get to his destination. In the end of it, he needed to get there.
A minute later, the blue creature teleported away, leaving his family behind.
Cell took a deep breath. As carefully and as gently as possible, he rested a hand behind her neck. In all his days, he never envisioned he'd resort to something like this. He was a mighty fighter and conqueror and he fulfilled that role for years. He never would've predicted he'd be pulling a stunt like this. Apparently, not even he was above desperation and time.
With his other hand, he finally shut her eyelids. He couldn't stand those eyes looking at him anymore. He needed to focus and devote his attention to healing if he was to have any success with this. That energy he had used to kill individuals and evaporate entire planets would have to be used for this delicate procedure.
This would be a test he needed to pass. There was no room for error. But he also had to be patient.
He closed his eyes and directed his energy to the hand that cradled her neck. He had no idea how long it would take but he would do what he could. Now that his mind was set to it, there was no backing down. He was going to correct this mistake no matter what.
(Kaze residence – morning)
"I know I miss having electrical toasters but roasting some bread over a fire is a good way to make toast."
Orey chuckled at Tori's statement. She nodded in agreement and continued to wash the dishes. Even doing something as simple and menial as washing the dishes was an activity she had no idea she missed until this moment. It had been years since she last did this task. It felt like it was a pastime from a bygone era. She remembered how she hated being tasked with this chore when she was a child. Now she found herself relishing it. Perhaps she was pathetic.
It made her feel normal. It made her feel like she was back in Daisyville. It made her pretend she was still a kindergarten teacher and a happily married woman.
"I've got no issue with roasting or grilling anything anymore," Orey said. "I've become quite the grill master and bush cook over the years."
"You have to anymore, dear," Tori remarked. The old woman was drying off the dishes Orey had finished cleaning. "But I know what you mean. I've been forced to become a better cook when this all happened."
"What food do you miss the most that you never have now?"
Tori hummed thoughtfully and mulled it over. She had to admit, she wasn't expecting a question like that. But it was nice to think about.
"Chocolate chip cookies," the older female chuckled. "I had a packet of chocolate chips I hoarded away for three years before little Lark got into the packaging and ate it all. I planned on making special batches of those cookies once or twice a year. But my little granddaughter didn't care. She just wanted to eat chocolate again."
Orey laughed at the mental image. She could only imagine the dread and rage Tori must've felt over Lark sabotaging her culinary plans.
"I do miss chocolate," Orey said. "I haven't had a candy bar in years. But I think the food I miss the most is pizza. And an extra cheesy one at that."
"My grandson misses that a lot too," Tori added. "It's funny how nowadays people don't wish to hit the lottery, win a brand-new sports car, vacation at a fancy resort or what have you. People wish to have chocolate again, maybe drink a crisp, bubbly bottle of soda… Y'know… Things that we took for granted or could so easily acquire once upon a time. Now they're almost impossible to get."
"I know what you mean. But I'm very grateful, Tori, I really am. I'm very grateful that you allowed me to stay here. I can't remember the last time someone was so kind to me. And I can't remember the last time I had toast and scrambled eggs."
"There's no need to thank me. It's just another day for me, Orey. I enjoy this. I like helping people and I'm not afraid to let someone stay for a while. Now that you've rediscovered your father, I want you to stay as long as you like. Cixi can meet her grandfather and I know Basil wants to see her at long last."
Honestly, Orey had no idea how her daughter would exactly react to the thought of meeting her long-lost grandparent. She truly wanted her father and her daughter to meet and form a bond. But there was the ever-present threat and elephant in the room. Basil actively wanted to be a part of her and Cixi's life. She wanted to welcome him in and make up for all the lost time. But neither could she risk endangering his life as well.
Already, Orey was mentally preparing to barter and plead with Cell to leave him be. She had a sinking feeling that he would find out about her surviving parent. And she sensed he would possibly use him as a bargaining chip the same way he did with Tomo. It sickened and frightened her but she knew what he was capable of. She knew how unscrupulous and vile Cell could be. There was simply no way that she would let him take Basil's life. Now matter what, he had to survive.
"Sooner or later, they will meet," Orey said, playing it off. She no longer wanted to speak of this matter. "Well, since we're almost done with these dishes, what else do we have to do this morning?"
"Oh, there's always something to do here," Tori smirked. Once she finished drying the dishes, she placed them in a cupboard. "But Sleet is such a handy young man and he already takes care of most of the chores! He's so strong and fast, no one can keep up with him! But he doesn't like milking the goats and cows… We can do that for him."
"That should be interesting, I've never done that before. Don't you worry about them kicking you or them not cooperating?"
"Most of them are good, calm girls and appreciate getting relieved like that. Trust me, it'll be alright."
Sleet listened in on their conversation. It was unremarkable and trivial but it helped him to understand these Earthlings a bit better. A small smile was on his face when they spoke of him. He was only happy that they were comfortable with his presence.
After they continued to discuss animal husbandry, he lost interest. As silently as possible, he moved away from the open kitchen window. He kept low and remained undercover until he rounded around the corner of the Tori's home.
Indeed, he was already done with most of the morning tasks. Firewood was cut and stacked, eggs were collected, the smokehouse was secured, water was drawn from the well and the sheep were relocated to another pasture. Now he found his hands empty and idle. Anymore, it was becoming a dangerous combination.
His thoughts turned to The Blessed. His eyes narrowed into a scrutinizing stare at nothing as he considered them. They were easily the most deplorable and dangerous Earthlings. They butchered mercilessly in some futile effort to please their heartless deity. They were blindly devoted and with the way they spoke and acted, in his eyes, they seemed lesser.
While they were run out of the area thanks to Basil and his comrades, the fact that they were still out there bothered him. The young frost demon was perturbed by the knowledge that these freaks, that these heathens, were running around free and most likely plotting more evil. He heard some of their number was slain when they crossed into the Woodsmen's territory but most of them escaped. Then those survivors had come into this area and attempted to offer up Lark.
It was his private belief that he and Cixi had dealt with them too kindly. They merely rescued their captive, shamed the leader and gave them a stern warning. In his eyes, they deserved far worse. He could only imagine how many people they had killed and offered over the years. He simply couldn't understand how and why these individuals would resort to joining this frightening cult. It was beyond him. And to him, it was simply unforgivable.
"How're you doing there, Sleet?"
Sleet bristled at the voice. He cursed himself softly, feeling foolish for letting himself get too embroiled in his thoughts. He didn't sense this person until they addressed him.
"Basil," Sleet acknowledged. He gave him a polite nod and held his ground as the older male approached. "I'm well. And you?"
"Could be better, could be worse," Basil replied.
"I know the feeling." This was rather opportune and he didn't even realize it until that instant. Now he was happy to see him. "I hope you don't mind if I ask you a thing or two?"
"Not at all! What can I help you with? I'll try to answer the best that I can."
"What can you tell me about those cultists that worship Cell?"
Basil wrinkled his nose in distaste. He folded his arms across his chest and eyed Sleet curiously.
"What do you need to know about that ilk?" he asked.
"Anything you can tell me," Sleet answered.
"You pretty much answered your own question, kid. They're obsessed with Cell and make sacrifices to him. They don't care who you are or how old you are. You're fair game and they'll offer you up."
"I've heard they wandered into your territory."
"Yup. We attacked them and drove them out. We're peaceful and we don't want any of their kind in our woods. We don't really care for Cell either so anyone who worships him is especially not welcome."
"You did the right thing."
"We killed some of them but a lot of them got away. We chased after them for a little bit but we drew back. We stick to our woods, that's our turf and we know how to fight in it and protect it for that matter. Not only that, we didn't want to risk losing one of our fellows to those folks."
"They're nomadic? Or do they have an area they stick around to?"
"From what I've learned over the years, they're wanderers. They don't stick around in one place for too long because they tend to make a lot of enemies. They're already banned from most colonies and settlements and most people won't even bother with warning shots. It's more of a "shoot on sight" policy with those folks."
In this anarchic world, they were considered the lowest of the low. Even amongst the thieves and brigands that weren't afraid to raid and sabotage fellow survivors, the Blessed were seen as animals. Sleet was pleased that at least the Earthlings were aware of their threat and weren't afraid to defend themselves against the cultists. They had their priorities properly organized.
"And they've been around for as long as Cell has?" Sleet pressed.
"People first found out about them on the anniversary of the Cell Games," said Basil. "A friend of mind talked to a traveler who stumbled across the scene of a…sacrifice. Apparently, they slaughtered an entire family. They were a man, woman, their two kids, the man's brother and the woman's aunt. The traveler had been trekking with them for a few months but parted ways with the family about two weeks earlier. So he recognized their bodies when he found them…"
An entire family had been butchered to celebrate the anniversary of the deity's victory. Lark was to be the victim for the most recent one but luckily he and Cixi had intervened and prevented that at the last minute. One could only grimly speculate how many fellow survivors they had slain in the name of devotion and adoration.
"After I heard about that account," Basil went on, "we came across other folks over the years who shared similar stories. Some of these people managed to evade them or had seen their grim handiwork. Y'know, we already got one overpowered freak to worry about. And now we have to worry about his personal fan club."
"What about the woman with the tattoos?" Sleet asked. Personally, he wished Cixi snapped her neck instead of her wrist. "How could she organize and carry out these horrible things? What do you know about her?"
"Nothing, other than the fact she's called The Painted and she's the ringleader. She's obsessed with Cell. I've heard some people claim she's in love with him. Don't know how that's possible…"
"So, you would say they pose a threat to what little people are left?"
"Absolutely. That's why most folks try to kill them as soon as they see them. Rumors go around that they usually stick around places that most people don't go to. They stay away from populated areas until it's getting close to the anniversary. Then they start looking for offerings."
This was more than enough validation. He already perceived they were a legitimate and nefarious threat but upon hearing about this from an Earthling was further cementing. They needed to be dealt with. They had terrorized their fellow Earthlings far longer than necessary. Earth had enough problems and the scourge of these devotees didn't need to be one of them.
"Thank you, Basil," Sleet nodded his horned head at him. "Thanks for answering my questions. I wanted to ask you because I didn't want to ask Tori and her family about them. I'm sure they want to forget about the Blessed since Lark was almost killed by that cult."
"What's on your mind?" Basil cut in.
Sleet only looked back at the older Earthling. He suspected Basil knew what he wanted to do. Truthfully, he didn't care if he figured it out or not. All Sleet knew was that he had to complete this task.
"Tell Tori I had to go off and do some training," he said. "I have to work on some things and I have an errand list that needs done."
"Go do what you have to," Basil nodded. "I know I will appreciate it. All of Cell's enemies will be appreciative for that matter."
Sleet didn't admit it outright but they understood each other. They were on the same page. Basil gave his blessing and that was good enough for the Arcosian lad.
(the island)
Cobalt had envisioned the planet and then the island within his mind. It was handy to be a miniature copy of Cell and contain all his abilities and memories for that matter. He never even visited Earth but he was quickly able to locate the world and then teleport to the droplet of land where his progenitor mainly lurked.
Of course, he masked his power before he could draw too close to the planet. He was more than aware that there were bigger and more powerful fish on the planet who would be more than willing to kill him. It'd be like ringing a dinner bell. The last thing he wanted to do was pick a fight and lose valuable time or end up dead for that matter. The Junior suppressed his strength down to his minimal level and moved about in great stealth and secrecy.
He wasn't thinking per say when he arrived at the island. So, when he quickly sensed that Orey wasn't there, it was a little surprising. But the Cell Junior couldn't afford to stop and ponder over the matter much. He had a task to accomplish and he didn't want to delay it. Although Cell was occupied with this grand, new idea, Cobalt didn't want to push his luck.
"I sense she's far off," he noticed. He knelt down and scooped up a few coconuts into his arms. "She's on the mainland somewhere. I'm not sure if he knows exactly what's going on… I shouldn't say anything unless if he asks."
Once he collected the coconuts, he hurried into the beach shack. He quickly located a well weathered and worn sack but it was still in good and sturdy enough condition. The tiny bio-android opened it up and promptly deposited the bounty into it.
He was doubtful. From what he could gather from the memories that he had inherited, Cell had no healing capabilities. Personally, he believed it was a desperate and foolish thing. Cell was a fighter and destroyer. Preserving and nurturing were not meant to be incorporated into his design. This grand idea of his father's was going to end in failure and defeat.
Cobalt was still astonished Cixi managed to barely survive this broken neck that left her totally helpless and teetering above the brink of death. He had miscalculated his sister's tenacity and resilience. But it was his belief that she couldn't be saved. Cell had no idea what to do exactly and would probably end up finishing her off for good. In his mind, it was probably best to put her out of her misery and not let her suffer more than she already had.
He was instructed to bring whatever was deemed helpful enough to ensure her recovery. Cobalt had no idea what he meant by that but he'd at least collect some of the things Cell commanded him to retrieve. He was the delivery boy and he wasn't going to abandon that role.
He gathered up the quilt and pillow, shoving them into the sack. Then he folded up the simple cot, intending to transport that as well. Everything was fair game and liable to be whisked away to the planetary wastes of Desolus.
"If she dies, I don't want to be around when it happens," he thought.
Admittedly, the scariest thing he had witnessed in his young and very new life wasn't the moment when Cixi incinerated the top half of his body. It wasn't when he saw her shatter Cell's jaw. It was when he saw Cell react the way he did to thinking Cixi was gone. That was something he wasn't going to forget. That was something burned into his memory forever.
It perplexed him. He didn't know why Cell acted so desperate and…scared. None of it made sense to him. Maybe it was because he was afraid of wasting all that time and progress he invested in her. Maybe he feared the fruits of his labor turning to rot. But he also recalled how afraid Cell was when he was losing to Gohan all those years ago. The bio-android was not above experiencing terror like any other being.
Maybe he wasn't truly perfect after all.
There was no telling what might happen if Cixi did succumb to her injury. All Cobalt knew was that he was going to disguise his energy and hide. He was intentionally created to be weaker and he knew that if Cell attacked him, he knew there was no chance that he'd survive. The more he dwelt on the subject, the more he caught himself hoping that Cixi would pull through.
Cobalt threw a few other miscellaneous objects he found into the bag such as spare clothes, a few canteens filled with rainwater, a decade old can of peaches, a small cooler and flashlight. He knew that some of these items were probably pointless but he wanted to at least bring some semi-useful things if supplies were already scarce.
After deeming he collected everything useful in the structure, Cobalt exited. He held the folded up cot under one arm and had the bag slung over his shoulder. Briefly, he surveyed his surrounding, trying to see if he could locate anything else that he could bring back to Desolus.
All he could see were palm trees, sand and sea.
He knew that his mission was urgent. But he wasn't satisfied with what he gathered. The island was indeed small and its resources were finite. If he wanted to find more items, he had to move along.
For a split second, he thought about going to fetch Bulma. But he quickly decided against it, knowing that even if Cell gave him permission to bring her to Desolus, there was simply no way it would happen. Cobalt was on his own and he knew Goten and Trunks would effortlessly kill him. And even if he managed to defeat them through some freak stroke of luck, Bulma would never accompany him. He needed her alive and he knew she would fight and resist and make things difficult. She would never willingly help Cell especially after she killed her family and longtime friends. The blue-haired genius would never forgive him for the pain he put her through and the destruction he reaped upon the world.
Finding a doctor was also out of the question. He couldn't fly around the globe and ask every single Earthling he crossed paths with and ask if they knew a doctor or if they were one. They would scream and runaway, attack him or outright refuse to listen to what he had to say. Aside from his different color and his much smaller size, he did indeed look exactly like Cell. Not many would be willing to assist him for that association alone. He'd be wasting valuable time and he wasn't going to be keeping his creator waiting.
Cobalt released the items he held onto. Then he levitated up into the air and looked directly north. He could sense that the greatest concentration of Earthlings and Orey was in that direction. Although he could see in the dark quite well, the sun was sinking faster into the west. There was probably only three hours left of daylight. He preferred to have as much light as possible if he was going to try to find any valuable items.
Making up his mind, Cobalt rocketed off towards the north. If he was going to go that direction, perhaps he'd pry into Orey's whereabouts as well. While he was familiar with her due to her connection with Cell, he was still curious about her. He wanted to see her for himself.