Berter Beginnings: A Ginyu Force Outlook

By Son Rhandi

Part 15

"Hmm… You need a name. What would be good name for a Ridre Dino like you? …How about Satchoryu?"

The Ridre Dino snorted in displeasure and shook its head.

"Alright. How does Sempersan sound to you?"

Again, the Ridre Dino snorted and stamped its feet.

"……Forget it. We can worry about giving you a name later. I don't even know where I'm supposed to go…" Reaching back, Berter pulled out a folded piece of parchment. "…Map says 35 lengths due northwest, so let's go, dinosaur."

With an excited bark, the Ridre Dino galloped swiftly in the desired direction. About an hour or so later…

"Well, I guess she's here already."

The royal blue Ridre Dino tied to a nearby post was the giveaway. Dismounting, Berter approached the wooden dwelling. It wasn't much to look at. A few planks of plywood nailed together to form a living quarter and a thatched roof thrown together in a non-impressive fashion. There was definitely room for improvement, but all that could be worried about later. Right now, he had to hold his concerns of getting through the rest of his days with the unpleasant female called his mate.

"So this is my fate… being stuck with a female who's as friendly as a Razher dino and just as quick to bite my head off…" Sighing, Berter dragged his feet to cottage entrance, head hung low. So low, in fact, that he did not notice the door as it swung open at a most inopportune time, smacking him square in the face. Poking her head outside the door, the female wondered what it was she had hit. The muffled cries of the male Tokage delivered her answer.

"Oh, so you're finally here," said Neizu, regardless of knowing what she had caused.

"Aren't you going to apologize?!" Berter snarled while rubbing the bridge of his muzzle.

"For what reason? It was the door that hit you. Tell it to apologize."

Berter placed a hand atop his head. Is she deliberately going out of her way just to be rude to me..? "And I've not even been here five minutes…"

Walking past him with her nose in the air, Neizu proceeded to tending to her Ridre dino. "Are you going to make yourself useful, or are you just going to stand there all day?"

Although rather annoyed by her at this point, the male held his tongue and remained polite. "What is it you would have me do?"

"Excuse me."

The two turned around to find a green-haired blue-skinned humanoid along with an unknown Tokage escort on a Ridre dino.

"Are you Berter of Kyôrusan?" The humanoid asked.

"Aye, that I am. Do you want something from me?"

"Here." The Azureman approached him and handed him a scroll of parchment. "You are familiar with the name 'Freeza,' aren't you?" The Tokage nodded. "Since you placed first in your region," the Azureman continued. "You are to see Lord Freeza in the Flatlands at ten minutes past the 4th hour tomorrow. An escort will come here for you then."

"Um… Alright…"

The Azureman nodded and bowed slightly. "Good day, then."

Berter placed a hand behind his head. "That was odd…. Anyway, continuing our little discussion—"

The female hissed an interruption. "As I was saying, do what you will; hunt, fish, whatever you want. Just stay from my space."

Harsh words from a harsh woman. Shaking his head, Berter quietly slunk away to do his own thing, not giving his hostile spouse a second glance.

The area in which the Tokage resided contained some of the lushest vegetation in that region of the Plateaus. As first-ranking champions of the Plateaus, they naturally received the best plot of land. But even the best of lands can have its share of dangers. The bush of the surrounding area was exceptionally thick. This meant a nice variety of animals to hunt for the resident Tokage. On the other hand, this also meant a number of predatory animals could find there way to the house and lands. There was no guarantee that some animal wouldn't wander onto their territory, but such a thing comes with sharing the land with untamed creatures.

"Unbelievable…" A familiar Tokage grumbled as he devoured a fish's head then threw the orts into the water. "The thought that one could be so…. so…. insensitive…Grrrrrr!!" He clinched his fists, then exhaled deeply. "No, no. I must persevere. It's just the first day, and we're both adjusting. But still……she doesn't have to be so harsh with me."

Falling back, Berter sighed. …But still, I can't help but wonder if everything will work out between us…

Meanwhile, in the nearby flatlands…

"Master Freeza," Zarbon said. "I've just received a transmission from Ginyu on Rabenda."

"Oh?" Freeza responded, still keeping his back turned. "So, he decided to stop there, after all?"

"Yes, sir." Probably paying off his debts, or undoubtedly making more… "The significance of it was that they'd be departing from Rabenda shortly, and expected arrival time at Hachuurui is estimated to be on the 4th hour, Plateau Standard Time."

"Very good. I assume that everything is all set, Mister Zarbon?"

"Yes, sire. The routes are clear and all four candidates will arrive as scheduled."

Things had remained particularly quiet for the rest of the day, but that passed quickly as the skies turned to dusk…

"What?!! I can deal with keeping from your space, but now you're telling me I can't even sleep in the same room as you?! Ridiculous!!"

"Well, what were you expecting? I don't know what you might try! You're a man, and men get ideas!!"

Berter fell over with a huge blush slapped across his face. "What am I to do, then? Sleep outside with the Ridre Dinos?!"

A slow silence crept in. Finally, Neizu reached a verdict. "…Alright. You are free to sleep in the same room…"

The male sighed exasperatedly. "Many thanks…" Perhaps this meant she was finally cutting him a little slack.

"…but not in the same bed."

Or perhaps not. "Then where am I to retire?!" He yelled, his patience thinning more and more with each second.

"On the floor would be your only alternative. There are extra sheets and a mat in the sideboard there. Take those and sleep peacefully."

"…..Fine… The floor it is, then…."

Persevere. It's only the first day, after all.