They were descending once again, and Pache could feel the way Zarbon's piercing eyes shift to her once more. She could only guess that he was subtly judging her for how she stammered in front of Frieza after specifically being warned to behave herself. Then again, it seemed all of these monsters were only finding a sense of entertainment out of the way she struggled under their intimidating presences. She evaded his glance, peering at nothing more than her own reflection in the lift.
"What does he mean socialize me?" She finally asked to break the silence, letting her ringed eyes slowly ease back in his direction through the layer of white bangs accurately keeping her gaze hidden.
"It is just as he says," Zarbon cryptically replied, though upon seeing the way she whirred around to huffedly look at him, he turned away to mask his amusement before continuing. "Socialization is one of the cornerstones of working in an organized group. Team morale and whatnot."
She kept her skeptical gaze even after hearing that very bare response. Somehow she doubted that was all there was to it, and as he stepped from the lift, she quickly hurried behind him. She tried to walk at least somewhat at his side through the hallway, so that she wouldn't have to raise her voice too much in order to get her words across and avoid prying ears. "I don't really expect a group like this to worry about morale..."
"We aren't savages," The blue skin male quietly scoffed under his breath, "What an ill opinion you have."
"That's not what I mean," She sputtered to correct, only to deflate to the tune of his chuckle. She felt her cheek swell with a touch of air. Poking and prodding at Dodoria was always so easy - he had such an awful temper as it was and treasured his seniority so much that it took nothing to get him riled up; that was always fun. People like Zarbon, however - it seemed like she was always on the victim end of their interactions, and it made it hard to even talk properly, let alone mess with him. "With your line of work - Team morale? That hardly even sounds right."
"I never said it was without a more...efficient purpose," he clarified. Once they reached the door to a room, rather than enter, he turned around, folding his arms as he looked down at her. "Socialization holds a great benefit to us; it inspires competition. So long as you are under Frieza's command, you are aiming to be the best."
Pache's tail stiffened slightly, though she quickly attempted to lower it and hook it loosely around her thigh. Of course she was aiming to be the best - though she thought that was just her own little objective to capitalize on her freedom... never did she expect that she now had to deal with a whole ship of people that were aiming to become Frieza's favorite little soldier. "So I could become more pivotal than you?"
Zarbon's chuckle was now not hidden nor was it slight - it was open and clear but with far much more of a mocking feeling. "No. To do that, you would have to exceed my strength. Aim smaller."
She should have passed up the opportunity to be petty for a quick laugh, "So stronger than Dodoria, got it," but she just couldn't help it.
It appeared this gave a positive response, as Zarbon seemed quite thoroughly entertained. Either way, he placed his hand down atop her shoulder, waiting for the moment that the automatic doors of the nearby room opened. At the very appearance of this higher up, the whole room went still and quiet, giving Pache the opportunity to see just what she was going into.
It... was sort of like a break room. There were tables, vending machines, and what looked like a place for food, too. On top of that, there were tons of people lining the tables, seeming to discussing things, talking each other up, playing games and oerall just having a decent time. Her eyes scanned every inch of the room, and she could feel the weight of nerves crashing down on her. She had been with them for a little while, here on this ship, but for the first little while, they were keeping her isolated to give her nutrition and boost her strength. Then as soon as she was well enough, she was off from place to place with the top henchmen, she assumed, to break her in.
This place..? With so many people? She hadn't seen this many 'comrades' since... well... she couldn't remember. Not to mention with Zarbon standing there, it was like every pair of eyes in the room were fixated. Her needle-like fangs buried into her lip, furrowing her brow deeply and accidentally seeming to scowl at them all.
Zarbon left them with a very simple demand and message as he removed his hand from her shoulder, "Socialize her." Didn't it sound like he was passing the buck? Frieza told him to do that, not to leave her alone and tell these strangers to. That didn't stop him from leaving though, and with Pache awkwardly standing in the spotlight like an strange space deer, she couldn't object.
The silence lingered as Zarbon left, though as the mood lightened, -even slightly-, the heavy quiet began to evolve into the exchanging of quiet whispers. It wasn't the same as solely eyeing the new kid... instead, it seemed more like sizing up competition. She was small, less than threatening in appearance alone, an the way she stood like the weight of the world was crushing her, she definitely didn't seem like much to be concerned about. That was probably why the conversations gradually returned to normal.
Within the crowds, Pache could see the numerous soldiers of all different shapes and sizes, most likely from all different planets and backgrounds, just as she was. She eased into the room, quietly and carefully, looking on either side of her as she did so. Everyone was looking, leering, scoffing, glaring, and so on, but for some reason the less than warm welcome Pache received slowly began to boil a determination within her. She ground her teeth lightly against her tongue, sizing up to say something in her defense to the callous whispers, but just as she opened her mouth, a much stronger, more assertive female voice boomed out.
"He said SOCIALIZE her, you knuckleheads."
The woman slowly rose up, hooking her fingers in against the chairs of a few of the other men. She was tall, exceptionally tall, with a deep complexion, and a dark, rich brown shade. The thing that stood out, aside from her height, and her naturally intimidating demeanor, was definitely the large tail she boasted behind her. It was rough, and seemed to connect in bumps, like that of a -space- scorpion. She glowered down at the lot of them, waiting as if daring for anyone to speak up against her or speak in general with anything but agreement.
"Then go ahead, since you're so adamant," And...of course, it was Cui. He was so arrogant that he tended to throw his mouth around in any situation, honestly, whether it involved him or not. He was so confident in his strength and capability that he felt himself entitled to speak where he desired. In this case, however, he was merely greeted an uprooting jerk of his chair that sent him spilling into the floor.
"Anybody else?" The woman inquired, though the room by this point was so sparked with laughter, that it wasn't like they would be heard anyhow.
Pache opened her mouth - but she found no words coming out. She wanted to say something, ask something, or at least figure out what kind of mood or relationship allowed them all to behave this way... was it normal..? Before she had the chance to say anything - again - she was abruptly finding herself seated at one of the rounded tables among a few other males.
They took one look at her awed expression and wide eyes, and assuming the cause, took it upon themselves to quell her.
"That's Tamarind," One of the shorter ones began, snickering quietly under his breath, "whatever you were gonna say - don't. She's one ugly woman when you get on her bad side."
The man was delivered a swift elbow nudge, a quiet mutter in tow, "Don't say that out loud, you fool."
By this point, Pache's head should have been appropriately disconnected from her neck by how far it was tilting to the side. She was unbelievably confused, and their banter did little more than drive her home further to that end. "What's...going on..?" She uttered in quiet.
Another, as one would have it, more rational member seemed to take up the explanation from there, "Depends on what you're asking."
Finally given the moment to speak her mind, she cautiously took in her surroundings again; some o them were still looking at her, and some others were already wrapped back up in their conversations. That Tamarind girl, contrary to what she had just rattled everyone for, was sitting alone, seeming to look over a few things in silence. "What is... all of this?"
"Socializing," Came the response again, as the rational male plopped his chin in his hand. "Here on this ship, you're only good when you're better than the guy sitting next to you."
"So... competition... for survival..?" That was the only thing that made sense to her. If Frieza wasn't too keen on having them around, they would be disposed of, plucked off the ship, and sent to deep space. None of them had much value outside of a toy or prisonor... or...contracted servant - as in her case, she assumed.
"Survival?" The rational man actually seemed... taken aback? Though he was abruptly interrupted by the loud one from before, "If you die, you die. Favor doesn't have too much to do with that." He rubbed at his chin, a crooked grin spreading across his face as he hummed in wonder, "But the favor does come with some nice perks. Prizes, recognition, lighter jobs, and command power to throw away-"
"He's assuming, 'cause he's never been on that level before," One of the female members added. She sprawled her long nails across the table, making an imaginary shape, then pressing her nail against the center, "At the top, we have Lord Frieza, because of course we do." She dragged her nail down, and even the light gloss against the tabletop triggered the sound of carving, "Then we have the henchmen. The handsome one, and the lump." Pache caught a couple of the other soldier rolling their eyes to this comment, though when she went to confirm she was speaking of 'Zarbon and Dodoria', the men briskly shaking their heads to warrant her silence caused her to quickly close her mouth.
"From there, it's a little more muddled. Cui was up there for a time, 'til Tamarind came along, but let him tell it, he's still a shoe-in for Frieza's next favorite. The stronger you are, the better you perform, and the more useful you are to Lord Frieza. Then he gives you little incentives to keep up the good work - incentives everybody wants. Constant competition; everybody wants the bragging rights and the perks."
Pache slowly nodded her head, slowly beginning to comprehend this. She was still somewhat surprised that they could all exist in the same space in such a carefree manner under those circumstances. With this sort of contest, one would assume the tension would be rampant, or people would be aiming to eliminate the competition... though at the very least, it gave her certainty that Frieza wouldn't simply discard her. Not to mention what had happened when they arrived... apparently he's down men now, so it only further assured her a place.
"I'm in it for the authority," One of the men huffed, "Let's see 'em push me around when I'm calling the shots."
"Authority - whatever - you lose that one you lose favor," The loud mouthed one spoke up, "I want something more permanent." A discolored blush streaked itself across his face, his expression becoming questionable at best and sleazy at worst while his crooked grin twitched up further. "Prizes - prizes. Frieza gives away little gifts from conquest, and riches aren't always the only thing on the list. Y'think he's givin' away that woman from the raid?"
"If he doesn't kill her first," The woman soldier piped up, "She took out a chunk of the fleet, and she didn't seem interested in stepping down."
"Wha- He wouldn't kill her - he should just gift her out, I'll make her happy!" The two of them hooked their arms around each other, their questionable expressions now growing more an more concerning as they cackled together like perverted idiots, forcing the rational man beside them to grow exasperated, and the woman to simply utter a dry, "You fools are disgusting."
"Us?" The loudmouth perked up incredulously, pointing a wayward finger, "Tell the new guy - what are you trying to get out of the deal, Cheri?"
Pache's head tilted now to the other side, a visible question mark above her clueless little head. "Money..? Power..?" She parroted back - seeing as that seemed to be the most likely options, and she apparently had no interest in gifts. Though the girl caught the men elbowing each other as if trying to draw attention to what the woman, Cheri, was about to say.
"I just wanna get close to that handsome man," She began, dragging her nails down her glossy red cheeks as her lips now also curved up into a questionable smirk.
Oh. She wanted close to Zarbon. Pache peered up in thought - it didn't seem entirely outlandish. She suppose that one could classify him as being reasonably attractive, and she had already made a note of him being handsome beforehand. She lifted the drink that one of them had passed her, peering into the cup and smelling it idly before taking a sip-
"The only downside is having to be next to that blue lump, Zarbon-"
Pache's eyes widened, and immediately she nearly spewed the contents. Her cheeks tried feebly to keep any from coming out as she shifted her head away, eyes brimming tears from strain. "Hah!?"
Laughter erupted again, her eyes turning back. Despite the pain in her chest and throat she crammed down the drink, her mouth falling agape, "S-sorry wait. You mean Lord Frieza..?"
"No!" Cheri huffed in response, "That round, strong thick hunk of man, Dodoria."
"Is that a joke?" Pache accidentally sputtered out, forcing the table to commence in a collective howl amidst the table, and effectively drawing the attention of others who seemed to immediately know the drill.
"And she's got the nerve to call us disgusting," The other man quietly muttered, trying to keep his snickering under wraps.
"He's an acquired taste," Cheri clarified, flustered and annoyed by their judgmental remarks. She seemed to be handling her rage decently well, but as their laughing reached peak, she gripped Pache's abandoned drink, chucking it down the way at the orangey-skinned male, "SHUT YER YAP, LOQUA!"
Pache placed her hands against her cheeks. She felt maybe she was finally about to start regaining color in her face after that most unanticipated shock. "Gross-" She still managed to murmur in silent, though catching the ears of the other soldiers that repeated their quiet cackling despite Cheri's enraged retaliation.
"What do you want, girl?" The man deemed Loqua inquired, causing her to look away with a clear hesitation. To not die, be discarded, or be shoved into some unbearable cave to live out her days - that would be nice. Instead, she peered back with her somewhat still distrustful eyes, "I dunno," She casually responded.
"She's still gotta loosen up," Cheri began, plopping her chin back in her hand, "Give it a little, kid, you'll work your way in."
Pache's lips quivered with an urge to speak that the hesitance in her body immediately forebode. However, hesitantly, she parted her lips, letting a quiet, "Thanks," slip out. It wasn't as bad as she thought it'd be... though she was sure with her lingering pessimism from such negative experiences that there was a chance it could all get worse. Talking like this - interacting like this. It wasn't something she found herself used to yet. It was strange. Yet... perhaps familiar in an explicable way.
"Mm..!" Abruptly, she stood up, something appearing to dawn on her as she looked down to the other soldiers sitting around the table. "I'll be right back!" They seemed to be casually accepting, shrugging or waving her off to let her do whatever she pleased, and in that moment, she moved to the door. She waited a moment for the automatic door to peel itself back for her to poke outside, and when she did, she caught sight of Zarbon still leaning agianst the wall just outside, his eyes closed and a contemplative expression overtaking his features.
"You didn't leave then," Pache remarked, her suspicions having momentarily been proven correct.
"Of course not," He scoffed quietly, "Lord Frieza gave me the order to take you to socialize. If I abandoned that quest, I would be defying him."
Pache could very easily see the difference... Zarbon spoke on terms of a strong and unshakable loyalty, maybe out of fear, intimidation, or whatever it may have been. The others instead seemed to look for incentive or gratification. Was that just how things were, or did it just come from being in his employ for a long time..?
Either way, she cleared that thought from her head. That wasn't what she wanted to ask. She exited fully from the room, peeping around and coming to stand in front of him directly. "What was that thing that I was supposed to see? Was this it? A room full of other people?"
"It's important to socialize with your fellow grunts," Oh, that condescending tone. He didn't have to do that, but he did it anyway! He really did just love getting under her skin, didn't he? "But no," he began again, "that was an obligatory step to settling in. What you're to see is different-"
Her mouth immediately opened to pose a question about what it entailed,
"Though I won't be explaining, so don't ask,"
and it immediately shut in response. Her look grew bland as his contrarily boasted with amusement, and he waved her off idly. "Go play," He spoke so arrogantly once more, speaking as for her to go back in and socialize more. Against her will to act out a touch, she quietly obeyed an returned for now, but her curiosity raged on even more than before.
A/N: That was like a really long and unexpected break. Now between my wisdom tooth being pulled soon and some of the stuff I'm doing with Deviantart, I hope I'll be able to post frequently. ;w; Thank you, if there are any of you left that are still reading, I'll do my best to try to keep up again. I just get side-tracked sometimes and lose motivation other times LOL.