Blending In
16

". . .so Greg handed the baster to me and said, 'if you're such a turkey expert, YOU cook it!'"
An explosion of laughter.
Lians chimed in, "You preparing any kind of food is a disaster waiting to happen. I do recall a time when you burned that herb paste - "
"Hey, I was distracted by him!" Tonk pointed to Dende.
"Me?!"
They all burst out laughing again.
At the moment the three Nameks were congregated at a picnic table, enjoying tall glasses of ice water. Lians made the request to rest after mentioning his old bones weren't quite what they used to be, so Tonk had herded them over to the table where few people were gathered.
Tonkeshin heard Lians place his glass carefully on the tabletop. The elder Namek sighed, "Dear me! It truly feels like old times when we all sit together like this. Even if the surroundings are a little chaotic."
"Earth does take some getting used to," said Dende. "It's nowhere near as peaceful as Namek. Many more people, and they're all so different."
"You should see the place where I work! Some days it's so crazy I wonder how long I have before my head explodes." Tonk added with a grin.
"It must not be too much for you to handle, m'boy." Lians' rough voice was faraway, dreamy. His long nails scraped gently across the tabletop and tinkled against his water glass. Those long, claw-like nails, extending at least an inch beyond his fingertips, were what used to make children so afraid of Lians. In his youth they must've been a force to fear. At least Tonk thought so.
"Of course," the elder went on, "once I taught you to use the cane, there wasn't anything you wouldn't try."
Tonk lowered his head and grinned. "I have only you to thank for that. You're the one who opened the world to me."
"I remember how everybody was afraid of you, Lians." Dende brought up exactly what Tonk was thinking about. He took a long sip of his drink. "Every time someone trampled your garden, you'd make them re-till it."
Old Lians laughed. A harsh, watery sound that startled gasps from a table nearby. "And I still do, boy! It is my belief that teaching hard work at a young age helps children become harder workers when they reach adulthood.
"I was working the fields at age ten and engaging in skirmishes at thirteen. By twenty I was training fighters. Nail was my best student. And then my eyesight started going."
"You trained Nail?" Tonk and Dende both leaned forward.
"He never told me." Tonk continued alone, curiously. "So why didn't you train me to fight?"
"Me? Hah-hah! I would have never kept up with the likes of you at my age. Not with this arthritis. 'Tis why I passed my knowledge on to others. And I'm sure we'll find out just how well Nail did when we see you fight later."
Dende chuckled. He plopped his empty glass on the tabletop and grunted. Probably stretching. "You should see him, Lians. He's wearing clothing identical to Nail's."
"Ah. . .I felt I should honor him, so I wore his vest instead of my own." Tonk touched the vest reverently, a soft smile touching his lips. "I wish he could be here to see me fight."
Silence, as brief as a sigh.
"Oh, I'm sure that wherever he is, Tonkeshin, Nail will be watching." Dende's tenor voice carried a smile. It sounded as if he knew something Tonk didn't. "He'll see you. Somehow. Some way."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll find out soon enough, m'boy." Lians exhaled forcefully and heaved himself to his feet. It took considerable effort for him to get up, but he seemed fine once he'd attained a vertical base. "Come, we should get moving. I have a feeling that Tonkeshin will need to join the other fighters very soon."
"Yeah, Piccolo said he'd like to have me back by then."
Dende's feet thumped softly on the ground and came around the table. He nudged the bench aside, "Hm, it looks like they're already starting to gather. I guess they went faster on the punching machines than we first anticipated."
Lians' long wooden cane rumbled hollowly against the uneven pavement. Tonkeshin felt the elder's cool hand grasp his elbow. Pointed nails lightly touching his skin.
"Too bad. Perhaps we can visit the shops later," Lians gave Tonk's arm a gentle squeeze. "Come, m'boy, we'll walk you to where you belong."
"Maybe they'll let you in with me."
"I wouldn't count on it, Tonkeshin," said the elder, "But we can always ask, right?"
"True, come on." Dende's voice moved gradually away, light and pleasant as ever. "Follow me, I'll take you to Piccolo."
A small inkling of dismay formed alongside the excitement bubbling in Tonkeshin's mind. He'd hoped to get more time with Lians and Dende before he had to leave them. Oh well, there was always later on.
So, in following Dende, Tonkeshin and Lians became one giant cane-swinging machine. One cane made of aluminum tubing and the other pure wood. Sharp taps created harmony with hollow plunks and scrapes. A duet against the general roar in the background - hardly noticed over the happy chatter and laughter going on between the three.

"You're late." Piccolo's raspy voice greeted Tonkeshin when he finally arrived at the predetermined wall. He didn't acknowledge the other two at all, or if he did it was merely a nod.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I lost track of time." Tonk smiled sheepishly, "Piccolo, I'd like you to meet Lians. He's the elder who taught me how to use a cane and manage in everyday life."
Brief silence.
"We've met before." The elder said cryptically.
Tonk felt Lians' hand move from his arm and over to Piccolo. The hand returned a moment later.
This is strange, didn't Piccolo say he was born here on Earth? What in the world is going on? Hm, maybe they met when we were all wished to Earth. That seems logical, but it's still weird. . .
Dende remained politely quiet until everyone else stopped speaking. Then he said, "Hey Piccolo? Do you think they'll let us watch the preliminaries?"
"No. Only competitors are allowed within the walls of the preliminary area." Piccolo answered. His voice directed itself at Tonkeshin next, "And we should get going."
Tonk turned to Dende and Lians. Mild disappointment tarnished his usually smooth voice, "Sorry guys, I really thought they'd let you in with me. I guess you'll have to sit in the audience and wait for the Tournament to start."
He felt a wrinkled hand settle on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Dende will lead me to his Earthly friends and we'll enjoy the matches from up there." The hand squeezed affectionately, "Good luck, m'boy! Keep your head up and stay focused!"
"Will do!" Tonk laughed and gave Lians' hand a pat. "Cheer loud so I'll 'see' you when I enter the arena, okay?"
Lians chortled heartily at that. "I surely will."
"We both will," added Dende, his voice carrying a wide smile. "I can't wait to see you in action!"
"Me either! Bye you two, see you soon." Tonk lifted his hand in a wave.
The hand lifted off Tonkeshin's shoulder. Soft, woody clicks moved away and faded into the surrounding crowd.
Tonkeshin stayed facing the sound until he couldn't detect it anymore. Still smiling softly. Having Lians there made the Tournament all the more worth it. Not only would he be proving to himself that he was a great fighter, he would be proving it to everyone else watching.
"Are you finished? We have to go." Piccolo's cold tone suggested he'd become strictly business.
Tonk spun towards the other Namek's voice, instinctively grabbing his shoulder to locate his arm. His hand encountered heavy padding covered in luxurious folds of thick cloth. Of course, weights! It was a mantle with a cape! With the rustling mystery solved, Tonk let his hand drop down over a tight, muscle-bound arm that reminded him of a serpent about to strike. He gently grasped Piccolo's elbow. The rough, leathery skin had little give under his fingertips.
Wow, Greg was right, Piccolo DID make him look like a twig. Then again, he wasn't wearing weights. His muscles weren't in perpetual flexion.
No wonder he's always a little sweaty. Tonk couldn't help but smile, nose twitching at Piccolo's dusty scent. Piccolo was in top shape. It'd be a great match if they wound up battling each other.
"I'm ready. You don't mind if I hold your arm, do you? Less chance of us getting separated that way."
He grunted, "Hold on tight."
Piccolo started forward at a brisk pace. So fast that Tonk had to take a few skipping steps make up for the sudden movement. He choked up on his cane and followed the other Namek through a throng of people, past some concession stands and around a corner. The crowd sounded quite willing to part and let them by.
Next thing he knew they were inside a large building. People milled around while others shouted instructions through crackly megaphones. A chaotic mess of smells, sounds and sensations.
Tonkeshin was glad he had Piccolo there to guide him around. He'd get lost for sure in all this confusion!
"There are fifteen rings set up with fifteen fighters per ring. Whoever beats everyone else in their ring continues to Tournament. Only fifteen fighters, not counting Mr. Satan, will go on to the actual matches.
"When you draw lots you'll get a number and a letter. The officials will pair up names on a board and the matches will begin."
"Fifteen people for fifteen rings?" Tonkeshin blinked, "A lot must've gotten past the punching machine."
"Indeed. This will weed out those who just got lucky."
Tonk listened impatiently to Piccolo's explanation. Growing excitement made standing still almost impossible. He bent one leg, then the other, shifting his weight from foot to foot. It gradually accelerated until he was bouncing from heel to toe after each shift - a series of movements Greg teasingly nicknamed his 'Happy Dance'.
An article of Piccolo's clothing rustled. "Do you have to use the restroom again?"
Tonk paused in mid-hop, grinning and a little embarrassed, "No, actually, I can't seem to stand still when I'm this excited. Sorry if my jiggling bothers you."
Piccolo snorted. He sounded mildly annoyed. "Try stretching instead, it doesn't look as silly."
". . .good idea!"
Just as Tonkeshin bent over to stretch his legs, someone shouted into a megaphone, "We will begin drawing lots now. Please come forward when your name is called and draw your number."
Soft, compliant noises.
The official began calling out names. Each name was punctuated by footsteps and rustling.
"Darkstar. . .Igor. . .Strawberry. . .Clover. . .Oruko. . .Redclaw. . .Daiquiri. . ."
The name calling droned on and on. Tonk became so busy with his stretches that he almost didn't hear them call out his name.
"Tonkeshin. . .Tonkeshin. . .Tonkeshin?"
"Oh! That's me, I'm here!" Tonk jumped up and rushed forward to go draw his number. He was surprised to discover the man holding the little box was waiting right in front of him. . .he would've crashed right into the poor man if Piccolo hadn't grabbed his shoulder to stop him.
"Here you are," the official droned. Not the least bit startled.
A little embarrassed, Tonkeshin located the box with his fingertips and plunged his hand in. He dug around for a while before producing a single folded piece. Automatically he unfolded it and let the official read it for him.
"You have A, two." The official moved back to his original position. "Ma Junior."
Piccolo moved away to draw his number. His return was as quiet as his retreat. "B, six. Your ring is on the left by the door, mine is on the right."
"Thanks. What about Pan and Vegeta?"
"She drew E, five. Vegeta hasn't drawn yet."
"Lobo. . .Uno. . .Trunks. . .Elastico. . ."
"Elastico? What kind of a name is that?" Asked Tonk for the sake of making conversation. Anything was better than standing around. He half-feared his excitement would burn up all his energy before the matches got started.
"Because he's a contortionist." Piccolo replied from a little ways ahead.
"Oh." He quirked a brow. "Hm, sounds like a lot of people are using aliases for this. I don't see why though."
A soft snort, "Because they don't want news people finding their real names and addresses."
"You don't have an address."
"No, but I'm not hard to spot in a crowd, either."
"Tyrano. . .Anthony. . .Mutilator. . .Brutus. . .Organza. . .Umbra. . .Razorman. . .Ishiro. . .Nosfartu. . .Exin. . ."
Tonk tilted his head towards Piccolo's voice. It was hard to hear him over the muttering going on all around. The official was still calling names when he said, "Ahh, that makes sense."
"Starburst. . .Ebony. . .Vegeta. . .Exploder. . .Nathan. . ."
Some of those aliases sounded pretty funny. Tonkeshin had to bury his hand in his palm to avoid chuckling out loud. Exploder? Mutilator? They were trying too hard.
"F, five. Hmph, I'll crush them all." Vegeta muttered as he walked by. Tonkeshin suppressed a sneer.
". . .and Goten! Safe to say that's E, fourteen." A new official's voice came from near the far end of the room. Tonk recognized that forceful tenor tone, it was the Announcer who kept a steady commentary for all the big matches!
"And there you have it, we've got a full board!"
Everyone cheered.
Tonk turned his head so he could hear the man better. An excited smile curled his lips gently upwards. "Who will be my first opponent, Piccolo?"
"You have. . ." The other Namek shifted to look, then returned, "Lobo, the large, oafish wolfman in a loincloth."
The grin on Tonkeshin's face became mischievous. He knew his fangs were showing. "Good, I was hoping for the chance to shut him up. He thinks he'll win this Tournament, but I'm going to send him home disappointed."
Piccolo actually chuckled at that, "Tonkeshin, only you, myself, Vegeta, Trunks, Goten and Pan have a chance in this. The rest are just warm ups to us. Trust me. You won't even break a sweat."
"That's - "
Stomping footsteps interrupted Tonk's sentence. He turned to the source and wrinkled his nose. Whoever it was, they hadn't bathed in weeks!
"Hey, blind bean!" came a growly voice that spewed rotten breath, "Are you the punk called Tonkeshin?"
"I was the last time I checked. So you must be Lobo. Yes, I remember your voice from the locker room." Tonkeshin faced Lobo with both hands on the handle of his cane and grinned.
Obnoxious laughter. "I'm going to pound you flat into the ground, you little green wimp! I can't believe I got matched up with a helpless blind dweeb. How stupid!"
"Oh Lobo, Lobo, Lobo. . .you have no idea what you're getting yourself into, do you?" Tonk half-closed his eyes in mock boredom. He made a dismissive gesture with one hand. "Run along now, you'll see how helpless I am in a few minutes."
Lobo smashed his fist into his palm. Then Tonk felt the breeze of his fist coming. He didn't move. The fist stopped inches from his nose. He heard Lobo's raucous laughter, then the sound of his footsteps clomping away. He shook his head.
"Piccolo?"
"On your right."
Tonk grinned, facing him. "I'm really going to enjoy embarrassing that guy."
"Heh."
"Will competitors number one and two come to ring A, please?"
"There you go." said Piccolo, "Hey, Tonkeshin?"
He turned in mid-step, "Yeah?"
"Go easy on the poor fool. I don't think he can afford any more brain damage." Amusement showed through in Piccolo's voice.
"Oh, all right, I'll be gentle." Tonk laughed and headed towards the ring. Cane gently tapping against cement and other people's feet. He could already hear Lobo breathing heavily up ahead.
Tonk was about to step onto the fighting floor when the Announcer grabbed his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, but you can't take that into the ring," a hand gently grasped the cane.
"Oh! Sorry," Tonkeshin folded his cane and handed it to the man, "Mind holding it for me then?"
"Sure."
"Thanks" Feeling in front of him, Tonk touched the cold stone floor and vaulted himself upwards. It wasn't hard to locate Lobo - he just followed the awful smell. Good grief, the guy probably rolled in raw sewage!
"Ready to cry, green man?"
Tonk faced Lobo's voice. "I'm not the one that'll be crying when this is over."
A long pause. Ages. Eternities. Everybody stopped talking. The air thickened with tension.
"Fighters, begin!"
Lobo stomped his feet, making the ring vibrate.
Tonk just stood there. Would he have to get this going or did Lobo plan on attacking first?
"Aw, what's wrong, don't have the balls to make a move?"
A smirk tilted Tonk's mouth upwards, "Yeah, I'm petrified." He beckoned his opponent forward with one finger, "Come on, big, bad wolf, impress me."
More silence. The scrape of Lobo's feet on the floor. He didn't do a very good job of sneaking. Tonk could hear his every move without even concentrating. He stared blankly ahead, waiting.
This is pitiful. Greg can sneak around better than this guy! Tonk thought with mild disappointment. He was hoping for a challenge.
"Down you go, sissy!"
The scraping stopped. Tonkeshin heard Lobo's breathing pause. He felt the breeze of an oncoming punch.
And grinned.
"You're slow!" Tonk casually pivoted away from the punch. He shoved the heel of his hand straight up into Lobo's exposed snout. The attack had hardly any power and it still sent the wolf-man cartwheeling into the wall behind the ring.
Ka-SMACK!
Tonkeshin heard Lobo slide down and land with a soft plop. Sniffling followed. It turned into all-out bawling.
"I want my mommy!" The sound retreated towards the door and faded into the distance. One could barely hear it over the laughter all around the ring.
Tonk just stood there, a drop of sweat dripping off the side of his head. The Announcer named him the winner of that round and returned his cane to him.
So much for that fight. It didn't even touch the excitement and energy rippling all through Tonk's body. Something akin to dying of thirst and only being allowed to drink one drop of water.
A pair of tiny hands tugged his pant leg when he stepped off the fighting floor. "Hehehe! You made the big wolfie cry! That was really funny! Hehehe!"
"I think he deserved what he got for being so arrogant and misjudging me." Tonkeshin knelt to Pan's level and picked her up. He poked her tummy gently, grinning when she squirmed. "Your opponent will make the same mistake with you."
"I've got to fight Uno. He's my size, but he's FAT!"
That made Tonk laugh. Right then he heard Piccolo being called into the ring. People were gathering to watch.
"C'mon, let's go watch Piccolo knock his opponent for a loop."
"Okay! But can I ride piggyback?"
"Sure! Climb on over." Tonk bent forward so Pan could scuttle onto his back. He felt her tiny legs curl around his waist, her arms encircling his neck. A quick upward heft had her in just the right spot. "Good to go?"
"Yup!" Her little body trembled with just as much excitement as Tonkeshin felt.
"Cool," Tonk thrust his cane forward and headed towards Piccolo's ring.

Author's note: Aww, aren't they cute? chuckles I have a pun going, but did you catch it? Look again at the first letter of the names of the fighters being called to draw lots. They spell out the names of characters I RP with on a pretty regular basis. It's my own little tribute to the characters and the brilliant minds behind them. They know who they are. grins and flashes a peace sign. Oh, and if I had to choose a voice actor for Lians, it'd be Edward Asner. . .same guy who did Hudson on the Gargoyles cartoon.

It's not definite yet, but I may end up going on hiatus for awhile. My brother wants to take the computer in to be checked out and see if he can get something replaced or upgraded. Dunno when it'll be, but I may wind up being without a computer for awhile. Just letting you all know in advance in case the tech guy takes forever when he gets it.