Chapter 2: First Impressions
Notes: Fair = A Kai's apprentice/student.
It aches.
It aches so much and I don't know why.
Tears?
Never.
I'm over that.
I'm over all of it.
At least... I should be.
It was so long ago and yet, I still remember.
That word haunts me. It's four letters circle my subconscious like a never ending storm of haze and dullness. I can't shake it, but at the same time I can't share it with anyone. It is a story I wish upon not even my most equally matched archrivals or my worst of enemies that I despise with all my soul.
It aches.
However, I can't bring myself to face it.
Not alone at least.
That time is long gone.
:-:
"It's called a planet." The Kai told him.
"But, it's so round! You'd think a place capable of housing such complex beings would have edges to it."
Whiz laughed at how naive he was, yet he possessed so much potential. "Indeed. However, that's just how the universe functions. Sometimes, there is no real explanation."
The young fair laughed in a childish cocky manner. "That's stupid."
"Perhaps to you, young one." Whiz patted him lightly on his head. "However, when you age to a certain point, you too will appreciate the universes ways."
He crosses his little arms and pouted. "No way!"
Whiz sighed. He didn't get angry with the little one for his stubbornness. It'd be a waste of energy in his eyes. Besides, talking about the valuable lessons of the universe as opposed to scolding him seemed more effective in the long run.
"You have a meeting today. I expect you to be on your best behavior for the Kai's of the First Universe, for they are among the wisest beings and I believe you'll meet someone who can teach you a thing or two about appreciating the universe for what it is. Be it this one, or any other of the twelve." Whiz explained, trying his best to make it understandable for the young fair.
He scoffed. "Was it their idea to make twelve universes?"
"Yes." Whiz confirmed. "And what a marvelous idea it was. Spreading things out so they're not clustered and taking up space."
"But why twelve?" Beerus complained, slight curiosity grazing his tone.
Whiz chuckled and motioned for him to grab his staff. "Only time will answer that question. Now come."
:-:
"Ah, Whiz! It's been much too long!" The Grand Kai of the First Universe approached him, bowing respectfully. He had the same style of clothing the Kai's back in the Seventh Universe did, accept there were color differences. Instead of light blue, dark blue, and red, the colors were white, green, and magenta. The Grand Kai looked rather old compared to most Kai's of other universes, being that the First Universe was the oldest.
"Yes, Barron. It has been some time, hasn't it?" He bowed back.
Barron noticed the young fair standing behind Whiz, seeming a bit shy. He grinned, motioning to the little one with his staff. "Your fair I presume?"
Whiz nodded. "Indeed."
Barron laughed. "You sure didn't waste your time choosing! And from one of the youthful universes as well? Who would have guessed?"
"I assure you, Barron. Choosing him was no mistake. He is the one. He may seem stubborn at first, but he listens - a quality most I attempted to mentor lacked." Whiz explained.
The shy fair still stood behind his mentor. "Who is this guy, Whiz?"
The Multiverse Kai abruptly turned. "Watch your addresses, Beerus!" He scolded. If there was one thing that Kai's valued, it was respect for others of high ranks including themselves.
The young fair's ears lowered. "Sorry, Kai sir." His voice evaporating to a whisper in defeat.
Barron chuckled. He walked over to place a hand on Beerus's shoulder. The youngster flinched at the contact and backed away.
Whiz's posture faltered. "Forgive him, Barron. He knows not of respect just yet."
Barron smiled. "No haste necessary, my friend."
With that, they walked up to the Grand Kai's temple entrance. It resembled that of an Earth pyramid with four pillars on each side. The planet was the same look as all Kai's in all universes. Luscious green grass and cool water bodies all over, life plentiful.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself here, Beerus! Someone is waiting to meet you as we speak. In fact, they're a fair just like you." Barron explained.
Beerus raised a brow. "There are other fairs?"
"Indeed. What? You thought you were the only one?" Whiz glanced at his apprentice, who sighed.
"No. I suppose I thought that at first, though."
The Grand Kai turned and smiled down at the youngster, still surprised at how oblivious he could be. "Well, you'll enjoy your time with this universes' fair, I assure you."
:-:
The room had a large table in it with thirteen chairs circling around. At a filled meeting, all of the Grand Kai's from each universe would take a seat to discuss and report events and recent occurrences. However, for this meeting in particular, Whiz and Barron had agreed it would be best for Beerus to understand the ways of the universe through someone his age, but much more opened minded.
Beerus sat beside his mentor, and the Grand Kai and his apprentice on opposite sides of the table. Barron gestured to the dark red skinned and white haired girl.
"Whiz, Beerus, this is my apprentice, Noreen." He said, the girl bowed respectfully after she's been addressed.
"It's an honor to meet the two of you." She said, voice soft like silk.
Whiz had bowed in return; however, Beerus simply stared at the fair. She had an interesting look, no doubt, and horns - blue with orange streaks running horizontally from base to tip. Her eyes were yellow with slit purple pupils. She was smiling slightly, so Beerus could almost make out two fangs on either side of her mouth. She wore the same attire as the Grand Kai, accept the sleeves and pants were cut to knee and elbow joints.
She was... unique looking to say the least.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sting of Whizs' hand as it came down hard on the backside if his head. That quickly snapped him out if it, and he bowed to the Grand Kai and his apprentice. He heard Noreen giggle at his faulty behavior.
'Why I oughta...' He thought. Laughing at someone else faltering, huh? No way he'll let anyone get away with that. If there was one thing Beerus hated, it was when Whiz chuckled when Beerus failed to do something correctly. Noreen doing the same was just as antagonizing, if not more. However, he pushed the violent thought out of his head to avoid getting another whack from his mentor.
"My apologies. He is normally much more behaved than this." Whiz apologized for him, bowing once more.
The Grand Kai smiled sympathetically. "You need not panic for each of your apprentices faults, my friend. Did you assume I came across Noreen respectful as she is now?"
Whiz sighed. "I suppose not, Barron."
The whole time their mentors were discussing stay over plans, the two fairs marveled in comparing how they differed from one another in appearances. They did this, of course, by stealing glances every now and then during the duration of the conversation, but soaked in each other's looks for impressions nonetheless.
"So, it's settled then." Whiz smiled, turning to Beerus who looked up at him curiously. "You are to spend the next century here with Barron and Noreen in hopes of furthering your knowledge as a fair. Understood?"
Beerus nodded. He didn't like this decision, but obligated anyways. His mentor had so far always proven to be right. This should be no exception.
They bid each other farewell, and Whiz disappeared back to the Seventh Universe.
Noreen turned to Beerus, a grin settling on her lips. "So I guess this makes us roommates." She said, her grin widening at Beerus's bewildered expression.
He nodded, having nothing to say.
He'd never... left his mentors side before. It had always been the two of them. Learning and exploring the knowledge of the multiverse together as teacher and student.
In one way, he wanted to scream his disapproval, demanding for Barron to send him back to Whiz. Yet, in another way, he wanted to stay and learn not only more about the twelve universes, but also learn more about Barron's apprentice, Noreen.
"Yes. I suppose it does." He finally mustered up a response.
"Well now Beerus, Noreen will show you to your quarters." Barron gestured down the hallway outside the meeting room.
"Yes, Barron." She bowed, taking Beerus's hand - he appeared to be frozen where he stood.
As soon as the physical contact was made, he jerked away, staring at Noreen as if she was a creature he'd never seen before in all his life, which in a way she was.
"What are you doing?"
She giggled. "Showing you to your room, silly! We really need to work on that attention spans of yours, mister!" She held a finger at him, moving it up and down in a playfully scolding manner.
Beerus, yet again having no response, bowed to the Grand Kai, and followed this unique fair down the hall.
'This is so weird. So alien.' He thought.
Noreen's smile never faded. 'This is gonna be fun!'
To Be Continued...