Running in the Forest (open)

[Ohkara Minamaru]

“Cheese it is!” the waitress exclaimed with a bright and bubbly smile before turning back into the restaurant and disappearing.

”Oh-ho girl, if you think I’m one to get sick, you obviously don’t know me as well as you think you do!” she told her with a bubbly giggle of her own. Picking up the glass of water, she took a small sip, the replaced it at the table. Turning her ear to her shoulder, she slowly popped her neck both ways, and then arched her back over her chair, her tummy growling loudly as she did.

When she returned upright, she slammed her left fist onto the table and grinned, ”Let’s do this!” she exclaimed, ready for action.

It wouldn’t be long for the first of the burgers to arrive at the table, both the perfect temperature, cooked to perfection, the cheese slowly dripping down the sides, the onion, lettuce, and tomato all sliced with exact precision. There would be no need to gripe over who’s burger was bigger, as each was a mirror image of the other. And even just being basic cheeseburgers, each was one that would make any shown on television look like garbage.

“Challenge Start!” the waitress exclaimed, someone in the back pulling the string once more, a loud audible:

“Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooo~” 

Being heard once more.

With that, Ohkara gave Astra a nod, and picked up her burger, digging right in. The first bite caused the green-haired girl to let out a pleasing: ”Mmmmmmmmm~” but aside from that, she said nothing else and she plowed through the first of the burger.

“Seems we may need to pick up the pace a little!” the waitress shouted to the chefs in the back as she watched the two girls eat, then quickly turned to grab two more burgers to set on the table as soon as either finished the first.

[Astra Luxun]

Grinning to Ohkara as her stomach growled, her nose caught the scent of the burgers that were soon placed before them. "They smell wondrous!" She said, as the rope was pulled again, allowing AStra to hear the mooing which signaled the start of the competition.

Taking her first bite of her first burger, Astra's sense of taste exploded in a variety of new and stunning flavours. She felt like she was in heaven, as she opened her mouth wide. Wider then Ohkara had ever seen, and took a huge bite out of the burger, and started to chew quickly.

Even Ohkara could see Astra's tail wagging happily like a dog, as she was seemingly making quick work of burger number one. "MMmmm!" She said with her mouth full of burger goodness. She was having the time of her life!

She dripped some ketchup on her shirt, but quickly wiped it up with a finger, and licked it clean before it could stain it.

[Ohkara Minamaru]

Ohkara was much less elegant than the Saiyan woman as she eat, taking a more comical approach, her bites equally humongous, her cheeks colored in condiments. Taking very little time to chew, she plowed through the first burger, then the second, and then the third, taking no time at all to savor the flavors, regardless of how delicious they might be. No, she was not eating just to fill her tummy, she was on a mission to win this contest.

With no stopping in sight, Ohkara took a sip of her water as the fifth burger was served to her; the crowd in total awe of the two girls’ eating capabilities. Setting the cup back down, she dove right into the next burger, letting out another elated ”MmmMmmmm~” Obviously she was enjoying herself.

The woman waitress seemed to be in a somewhat chaotic state as she hectically ran back and forth from the kitchen, serving burgers, and keeping the girl’s glasses filled to the brim. Unsurprisingly, the commotion from the competition had brought quite a bit of customers into the establishment, all of which needed a waitress of their own. Luckily for the two girls, they had the most skilled dedicated only to them.

[Astra Luxun]

Watching Ohkara eat Burger into burger, Astra realized she couldnt take the time to enjoy each burger. She to started to pack away the burgers, condiments and all. This was making the waitresses work to their limits as Astra was actually keeping pace with Ohkara.

Taking the occasional sip of water, Astra ate burger after burger, licking her lips every now and then to make sure she doesnt make a mess of herself. It wasnt long until Astra was on her 12th burger, and showing no signs of slowing down.

She gave Ohkara a smile, and a muffled giggle as she finished her current burger and started on her 13th burger.

[Ohkara Minamaru]

Surprisingly to the crowd, and less to Ohkara, Astra was keeping pace with her; the two plowing through the burgers almost as quickly as they were placed in front of them. Glancing sideways to Astra, Ohkara caught sight of a smile, and a giggle. Her brilliant yellow eyes burst into flames before narrowing. Grabbing up the thirteenth burger of her own, Ohkara finished it in about three bites, digging into the next before the plate even hit the table.

There was a strong sense of determination to the girl as she devoured the burger just as quickly, setting on the next, then the next, quickly arriving at her twentieth. Taking a long drink of water, she glanced back to Astra, the stack of plates between them quickly becoming more of a wall. They’d already shattered the previous record, but Ohkara was driven to keep going until she could eat no more. The stakes were too high; she had to defend her title. Her pride was at stake here.

[Astra Luxun]

Continuing to eat more and more burgers, she noticed that the burgers were starting to slow down as she managed to reach her 20th burger.

her stomach started to make gurgling sounds, and not the kind that was signify that Astra was still hungry. She was started to feel herself filling up now even as she continued to chow down burgers. Until finally, her 25th burger had arrived.

Taking a deep breath, Astra started to bite into her 25th burger as she felt her stomach be so full. She reached down, unbuttoned the top of her tight jeans, letting her stomach have some more breathing room as she polished off her 25th burger.

[Ohkara Minamaru]

Ohkara too noticed the burgers beginning to slow, nevertheless she continued, this was nothing, she was someone that could close out an all-you-can-eat buffet- still, there was no denying that these burgers were on a completely different level than the casual noodles and sushi. From the corner of her eye she saw Astra unbuttoning her pants. ”This is it!” she thought, ”I have her now!”

It was then that the twenty-fifth burger was served, and she took hold of it, digging in just as she had the previous. It was equally delicious, and she was quick to finish it, showing no signs of stopping- if it was just an act or not, was fit to be seen.

The waitress ran to the back to gather two more burgers, but when she returned, and the two had finished, she was empty-handed, “Umm… I’m sorry…” she said in a somewhat quite tone, “T-this has never happened before…” her fingers twiddled in her lap as she looked the two over, “Um… We seem to have run out of meat…”

Ohkara’s eyes widened and she turned to the woman, ”Wait… What?” she asked, both dumbfounded and awestruck.

Her reaction seemed to bring the life back into the waitress, who perked up, stepping forward to address the crowd, “Yes, its true! It seemed these two women have run our restaurant out of beef! As such, we much regretfully draw this contest to a close!”

”W-what does that mean for us?” Ohkara asked, shooting an unsure look Astra’s way. Would they have to pay? Did that mean neither of them got a special on the menu!

“Please, do not fret!” the woman reassured them with a bright smile, regardless of looking like she just pulled a double-shift with no breaks, “Our chefs will be offering both of you a permanent place on the menu! And…” She rounded the table, ducking her head to the girls ears, “And our chefs have agreed if you promise to never attempt this challenge again, we’ll cover the bill for you, and give you one meal on the menu free of charge whenever you come back.” Again her unsure look returned as she held out her hands to shake on the offer, “Deal?”

Ohkara glanced back to Astra, pondering things for a second, then took the woman’s hand, ”Throw a milkshake on top the offer and you have yourself a deal!” she exclaimed with a burst of laughter. This was definitely an unexpected turn.

The waitress let out a laugh of her own and nodded, extending her hand back to Astra, “Deal?” she echoed, making sure that both the girls were on the same page.

[Astra Luxun]

Finishing her last burger, Astra was also surprised that they had run out of meat. She wasnt sure how to react to that, but she was thankful she didnt lose to Ohkara.

She wasnt really worried when she found out they didnt have to pay, as long as they didnt try to challenge eachother in the way they had again. But, they would get a free meal every now and then, AND they both got to have their own item on the menu. A great way to end the contest, where almost everyone won.

"The deal is most wonderful! Ill gladly accept it, on one condition." Astra said, as she took the womans hand. She then used her free hand to grab her small pouch of golden coins, and dumped out quite a few of the coins into the waitress's hand. "...And that condition is that you, and this establishment accept this as to recover from the contest." She said wit ha bright smile.

But as Ohkara might be able to see that gold coins were not the only thing to spill out of the bag. But a photograph had slipped out, and fell to the floor, but the photo was upside down when it fell and wedged against Ohkaras foot. If she were to pick it up and look at it.... Ohkara would actually see a family photo! When Astra was younger, along with her mother and father. While they wouldnt look any older then their counterparts in the current time line, it was unmistakable. The Photo with Astra, also had Ethar and Celeh in it! In Royal Garbs, which looked like they were woven by something super natural. Celehs hair was actually a bit longer in the photo then it was now, her figure was more womanly with a more shapely figure and Ethar actually had a Mustache!

[Ohkara Minamaru]

The waitress smiled at Astra’s gratious offer, bowing her head, “Although I don’t believe its necessary, we accept,” raising her head, she pulled in close to the girls and let out a small giggle, “we haven’t been this busy in ages. You two really know how to ring in a crowd.”

Ohkara let out a laugh, giving Astra a pat on the back and rising to her feet, ”That’s just what cute girls like us do!~”

Just as she was about to step away, Ohkara noticed a piece of paper near her foot. Taking a slow knee, she carefully retrieved the paper, and handed it to Astra. ”I think you dropped this…” she told her, casting a glance over what she’d realize was a photo. Her eyes widened, and she quickly pulled it back, looking it over, ”OH MY GOD!” she huffed, a look of disbelief to her face, ”IS THAT ETHAR!?”

Suddenly her tone shifted, and she burst into laughter, ”Holy crap! He looks like such a dork with a mustache!” she howled, shaking her head, ”I never took him for the kind of guy that could even grow facial hair!” Perhaps to Astra, this would seem a bit rude, but such was the nature of the relationship between the two. To Ohkara, he was like a brother- the kind that she could pick on without feeling bad.

Regaining her composure, she smiled, studying the picture a bit more closely, ”And Celeh,” she added with a small whistle, ”She still looks smokin’!~” Finally passing the picture back to the brunette, Ohkara let out a small laugh, ”Man, to think those two are an item in your timeline!” she commented, shaking her head, ”It’s just so bizarre!”

Recalling the Saiyan’s reaction towards the Noran at his Birthday, Ohkara shook her head. Perhaps her little talk with Celeh had done more than she realized, or maybe nothing at all. All she knew is that it was really weird- something she had never saw coming.

[Astra Luxun]

Astra was a bit nervous when she saw that Ohkara had picked up the photo and looked at it.

She couldnt help but giggle a bit to at Ohkara's reaction to seeing Ethar in the future. "Well, when he didn't have facial hair, people kept saying that he didnt seem mature enough to rule over 14 billion beings, and when gave my mother half of his life force, his age started to catch up with him a bit." She replied, as she smiled as Ohkara made a comment about her mother, she nodded. "OF course, and she would of actually stayed that way for about another 110 years, had both my father and mother not died due to the war with the Acroasians." She said, as her tone slowly became riddled with sadness as some painful memories were brought back to her.

But then Ohkara made a comment about her parents being an item in her time. This made her confused as she asked "Bizzare? How so? Do they not get along now?"

[Ohkara Minamaru]

”Wait a minute!” Ohkara exclaimed with wide eyes, raising a hand, ”Died due to war? Acrosians?” Her whole world started spinning, and she had to grab for the table to steady herself, ”W-what? H-how?” she gasped, it was obvious that this news was too much for her.

Her right hand shot for the chair, and she pulled it out quickly planting her bottom in it. Her hand caressed her stomach, and her face twisted into a grimace, ”No. There’s no way that could be-“ she started, but that was simply false skepticism. It made so much sense. That was the reason Astra had found herself here. She was to change the future.

Tears pooled at the corners of the girl’s eyes, quickly running down her cheeks, and puddling on the wooden deck below her. She tried to take a deep breath to compose herself, but was struggling, ”H-how?” she echoed, unable to form any other thoughts. She was now a mess, the news of losing not one, but two of her closest friends just too much to handle at once. Where was she when this happened? Why wasn’t she there to help? Had she watched them meet their fate? Her mind was exploding. This was the reason that Ohkara avoided knowing things about the future. Still, now that she knew, maybe she too could help change it.

Her hand balled into a fist, her energy rising at her feet, cycloning around them. Free hand gently brushing the tears from her face, she stood back up, and snatched Astra’s hand, pulling her off the deck and back towards the forest nearby. She was in no state to be near the city. She had questions. She wanted to scream. And most of all, she wanted to hit something.

[Astra Luxun]

Astra could see that Ohkara was very upset by the news of her friends future death. She took Astra's hand and started to lead her back towards the forest. She knew Ohkara had a crap ton of questions for the girl, and some she probably didnt have the answers for.

"Yeah, After my father became the High king, he opened up Nor to other planets for trade, to make alliances, and to open our own resources to those who needed them the most. For many years, it was actually really good for everyone. Our magic helped so many others, but the Acrosians saw our magic as a weapon that would allow them to take over the Galaxy. My father lead our army of Mystic Knights against them, and he went after their leader in order to end the war quickly. But...." She started to say, but the painful memories were too much to allow her to continue.

"Im...Im sorry... When...when they fought... My father did everything he possibly could to defeat their emperor, but in the end, he ended up being fatally wounded after winning the fight.... And.... after he died...my mother died of a broken heart....." She said as her words broke up between her sobbing and sniffles.

[Ohkara Minamaru]

As they reached the forest, Ohkara released the girls hand, heading a bit further into the plains in front of them. There was a small clearing that the trees seemed to encompass, and there was an undeniable peacefulness about the area- one that would be short lived. Ohkara listened to the girl’s words, her energy flaring up even more around her feet before devouring her completely in toxic-green flames. Striding over to a nearby tree of great stature, Ohkara placed a hand on it, gently running her fingers down the bark, more tears falling from her sparkling yellow eyes.

”You stupid…” she growled, there was a mixture of emotions about her as she stared at the thick tree trunk. Her hand balled into a fist, and struck the tree, making the leaves on its limbs rustle, and shower her from above, ”Stupid…” her hand struck the tree again, showering her with even more leaves, ”Stupid man!” she roared, striking the tree a third time, this time completely severing the trunk from its roots, causing it to topple backwards.

Staring at the fallen tree, she bit her lip and wiped away a few tears, blood now a light trickle from her mouth, ”How could you do something so selfish?” she asked the sky, ”Leave you wife, your child…” with a sniffle, she punched at the fallen tree, the trunk exploding under her fist, ”Me!” Obviously Ethar’s intentions had not been selfish, but he had to have known if he needed help, she’d have been there in a heartbeat for him.

Collapsing to her knees, she let out a howl, crying once more; a cry that she was not proud of, something she’d never let anyone see her do before, ”You stupid son’of’a’bitch!” she wailed, slamming a fist into the ground, her erupting aura fizzling out.

Still, there was time to correct things. There was time to make sure this never happened. Taking a deep, but struggled breath, Ohkara composed herself the best she could, wiping the tears from her eyes yet again, and slowly getting to her feet. With a few slow steps, she cleared the gap between her and the brunette. Opening her arms, she’d wrap them around the girl’s waist, and pull her close to her, nuzzling her with her cheek, ”I’m so sorry, Astra…” she whispered as she embraced her. She knew the feeling of losing a father, and she knew how that had to make her feel.

Pulling her face away, she gave the girl a weak smile, tears still in the corners of her sparking orbs, ”I’m with you. We can change this together.”

[Astra Luxun]

Astra was pretty spooked when she saw Ohkara burst into tears, and started to take her sadness and anger out on the innocent tree infront of her. She could understand how Ohkara was feeling, but it was more apparent that their feelings for eachother were older then she thought. Over 40 years apart in time, and Ohkara still loved Ethar as a very close friend.

This made Astra cry more tears up until Ohkara got up to her feet, and hugged Astra. The brunette hugged her in return, and rested her head on Ohkara. Reaching up and patting the back of her head, Astra replied "Thank you Ohkara..." as Ohkara gave her a weak smile.

"The only thing we have to change, from what I know, is the outcome of the war, or prevent it from ever happening. But the Acrosian Empire wont make itself known for quite a few years here, but until then, YOU have to make sure my father and mother in this time do end up together... or else I could be erased from history, and all this crap starts all over again." She said as she wiped her own tears away. The very idea of having to go through everything again was not a pleasing idea. She had already messed up her timeline enough as it is, and didnt want the final outcome to be the one she didnt want to happen.

"My...my father is supposedly supposed to return home soon for my Grandmothers funeral... He hasnt told me all of the details, but that is where He and my mother first started to stay together. I-I think thats where things started..."

[Ohkara Minamaru]

Ohkara pulled away from Astra at her words, a look of surprise overtaking her, ”W-wait a minute…” she said with a weak sniffle, backing away from the girl by a few steps, ”M-make sure they get together?” she asked. Her hands gave a dismissive wave, before she dropped them into her lap, twiddling her fingers nervously. Her cheeks flushed a bright pink as she eyed the girl asking so much of her.

”I… Uh… I can’t…” she told her, shaking her head, ”Celeh doesn’t even like Ethar… At least from what I gathered… I’ve only seen the two together once, but it was… well… it was pretty intense…” she told her, ”Celeh is… Well… I mean… The Celeh you know is much different than the one I know…”

Ohkara was more than nervous now, having offered her services only to decline, ”I’m not a match-maker… I can’t just push the will of others upon my friends… it’s not my place…” Again, she was reassured in her first thought of needing to stay uninvolved with the likes of knowing the future. There was a reason she trusted her gut.

”You’re grandmother’s funeral?” she asked with risen brow, ”Ethar hasn’t said anything about his mother passing away…” she was sure that if this was something the Noran was aware of, he would have told her, ”Wait just a minute! Are you telling me that he doesn’t know she’s dead!?” Her eyes widened, and she took yet another step backwards, only to stumble and fall on her rump, ”No. No, this is too much!” she exclaimed, raising her hands to her head, ”I-I can’t do this, Astra!” she moaned, closing her eyes and shaking her head, ”Knowing the future is too much! I don’t even know what to do anymore!”

Was she just supposed to keep this information from her friend? No; she had to tell him, didn’t she? That was the right thing to do, right? But if she did, just how much would that screw things up? Would Ethar even believe her if she did? But knowing something so personal, and keeping it from him felt so wrong! She was conflicted as her mind began to race again, tears once more rolling down her cheeks. What had she gotten herself into? Her stomach was churning, she felt like she was going to puke, and the world was spinning once more. This was all too much.