Terra had never really been to the city before! Most of her adventures took the little majin to different natural environments, trying to grow plants in different kinds of soil! After all, she wanted to be just as adept with her magic as Ayu was and, with how busy she had become over the the last couple of days, the little majin had taken it upon herself to experiment on her own! Planes, wastelands, gizards, all had been visited by Terra and so... there was only one area left to explore... on this region of the world, anyway: The concrete jungles of East City! When Terra arrived, she was OVERWHELMED almost immediately by the sheer size of.... of EVERYTHING! buildings as tall as cliffs shot up towards the sky as if to reach into the heavens, vehicles bigger than most dinosaurs rumbling down several-laned roads, roaring like hungry predators, and the people were so... diverse! Terra had never SEEN folks like this in all of her few weeks of life! Some looked like a cross between fish and human! Some were purple but, otherwise, normal-looking! Some, even, resembled saiyans but with weird hair-colors! Everywhere Terra looked, something new and exciting to see, somewhere to explore! 

    ...And like that, Terra had completely forgotten why she had come here in the first place. The little pink girl zipped from place to place like a bee searching for JUST the right flower, talking to anyone who would spare her a moment, staring at EVERYTHING ranging from the ducks in the park lake to babies in their cribs! Everything was so new... so FRESH... and Terra was just gobbling it all up! She even became aware of the hum of the city, the longer she explored it! ....Rather, the multiple hums, each overlaying on top of the other like a complex choir that made up the city's music! Coming from a place so quiet and distant from human civilization, Terra immediately picked up on the low, subtle base of the city's electrical grid, vibrating below everything else! Then there was the sound of the people walking and driving, all coming together in a louder, rumbling hum... And then... the conversations. So many people talking at once and Terra wanted to hear it all! If she listened closely, she could pick up a conversation or two at once... only for her attention to be stolen by another!

    "Wow..." She sighed in awe, the widest grin on her face! "...It all so strange... I not know what to do next..." Terra's mind was so deep in elsewhere that she didn't notice another woman stepping into her path, the little pink girl bumping into her leg! The little pink girl yelped in shock, barely catching herself before gravity took hold! 

    "Oh! Sorry, sorry!" Terra exclaimed quickly, clapping her hands together in an apologetic gesture! "I no see y.... uuuuuh?" When she looked up, Terra saw... MOMMA!? No... No, that wasn't right... Momma was BLUE... and WAY TALLER! This lady looked a lot like her momma, but she was purple, wore weird clothes, and had a WAY bigger chest! Could it be... the three of them were of the same race? Terra stared up at her wordlessly, mouth opening and closing like a gasping carp fresh out of the water! Her eyes drunk in the form of this stranger, glowing red with curiosity, trying to figure her out! ...It was only after a full minute of Terra staring did the little girl realize... that was probably rude of her to do! A soft red blush would flash across her face as Terra clasped her hands together again and bowed her head, begging for forgiveness!

    "I sorry! I never see you before! I Terra! I no mean to walk into you!"


WC: 632

    Terra beamed brightly when the stranger dismissed her apology... then a little more when she expressed concern for her wellbeing! Some might've taken offense to this, doubly if they were kids! After all, kids knew everything already! Terra, though... she saw it another way. This lady cared to see her safe, enough, at least, to ask the whereabouts of her momma and auntie! It touched her heart a little to know someone she'd just met had such a concern! 

    "Thank you, pretty lady!" Terra exclaimed happily, bowing once more! "Oh! Auntie Ayu is busy all the time now and Momma is... somewhere else...? I out exploring! I learn ALL sort of thing!" This time, it was the woman's turn to ponder, seemingly lost in thought over who Terra's parents might be and SO... Terra would take this time to look over the stranger more closely! "Pretty lady" didn't quite do the woman justice, even by a kid's standard, almost looking like a kind of princess from the stories her Momma would read to her at bedtime! She had a certain elegance to her, a gentleness in her voice that almost confirmed the image of royalty. Her fashion, too, stood out radically among the other humans, taking on an almost otherworldly quality... at least to the common t-shirts and cargo-pants that seemed popular around here! 

    "She very pretty lady..." Terra mused under her breath, wondering if she would grow up to look like her one day... Before she could get lost in her own dreams too deeply, the purple majin would realize she had left Terra hanging all this time and introduced herself! Terra cocked her head and grinned oddly at the name.

    "Moi...re..." Terra mumbled, allowing the name to roll off her tongue. "...It pretty name! Pretty name for pretty lady!" She flashed Moire a big smile, folding her arms lightly behind her back! "You no say sorry, I no say sorry! We no do nothing bad! Everybody happy!" She would then ask what Terra's name was and the little pink girl would grin, spreading her arms wide over her head as if reaching up to give Moire a hug!

    "I Terra! Nice to meetcha!" She exclaimed! "I not have cool name like you, but it okay! I be cool like you one day!" The little pink majin practically radiated sunshine as if she were the star itself. She couldn't help it! Between all the mysteries of the city and meeting this new purple majin, Terra was NOTHING but smiles! Smiles... and curiosity! She wanted to know more about this woman, to hear her story, maybe help her if she needed it! Like she had observed before, she had seen NOBODY like herself whenever she went traveling except for her mother! This was new, this was... special. For all she knew, Moire could've been her long-lost sister!

    "Wanna know aboutcha!" Terra stated flat-out! "I never see lotsa people like me around! It nice to see more!"


WC: 497
TWC: 1129

    "Really!?" Terra beamed, looking down at herself, then up at Moire. "You think so?" She couldn't believe it! Only a few minutes into meeting this majin princess-like-figure and already she well on her way to adopting her brand of "cool!" Oh, the images of Terra growing up one day, having her own pretty, eccentric dress, maybe meeting another young majin out there as she toured the human cities! Oh, how she could dream... DREAMS, however, WERE FOR SLEEPY-HEADS! She could do that later! What was REALLY important here... Was Moire's story! ...Or rather, the lack of it! Terra's eyes widened in wonder as the woman explained her amnesia, that she assumed she had lost it given her arrival on Earth but was making a comeback thanks to a kindly stranger! Flare, she was called, and she was even getting some good training out of it! 

   *...A Princess who remember nothing...* Terra thought to herself, the little majin viewing the elder with an aura of mystery to compliment her beauty. *Wow...*

    "I sorry you forget everything..." Terra mumbled, realizing how scary that could be. In fact, she was nothing if not impressed with how well Moire seemed to be taking it! Were it her, the little pink majin woulda been TERRIFIED, surrounded by strangers without knowing who she was or who she belonged with... Moire spoke of something so frightening as if it were simply a matter of fact, a minor pitfall in the path that was her life. The little girl was blown away by her strength of will, her solidity of character and Terra was now listening with great interest. Moire would explain how she came to the city, seeking to improve her physical might through training and the use of weights!

"Hmmm. Think I saw store back that way that has those..." Terra mused, wiggling a hand vaguely down the street. "...Go down that way a ways! You find it! You smart!" Terra beamed... then her smile fell, her mind catching on Moire's loss of memory. She couldnt' help but imagine a world where she had lost her own, forgetting her Momma, her Auntie, all of them disappearing into a world where they were just strangers... While she didn't doubt they would get along, perhaps restarting their old lives together all over again, Terra couldn't help but imagine it all to be so...

    "...Lonely..." Terra blinked, realizing the word had escaped her lips. She blushed softly in embarrassment... before looking up to lock eyes with Moire again. She was so strong but... was she really that strong all the way inside? "...It lonely, I think..." Terra clarified, clutching at her dress anxiously. "...Everyone you love... forgot. Everyone who love you... not know where you are... It scary thing... I not know what I do if I forgot Auntie and Momma..."

WC: 472
TWC: 1601

    Terra just didn't know what to say in the face of Moire's response. Was it really so simple for someone to accept that everything that happened to them up until NOW is... gone...? Did it really work to just... take things in stride until your memories come back...? To Terra... such a world-view was almost impossible to imagine, a world where she could wake up with nothing... and just go about her day.

    ...Terra paused after that thought, quietly KICKING herself for such a thought. She had no idea how Moire came to this conclusion, what kind of crazy things she'd gone through! It was possible she had spent WEEKS just coming to terms with her new situation until she arrived at this solution! ...Maybe she was still hurting inside and didn't want to show it... It could have been any of these... or none of these. Either way, Terra couldn't help but feel like she was being unfair to her new friend... JUDGEMENTAL even... for thinking that losing something so important was easy for her. Terra would sigh and push her uncertainty down for later... When her Auntie got home, maybe they could talk about this more... Maybe her momma would have some insight into Moire's amnesia... She seemed to know everything! Putting her smile back on, Terra would watch as Moire would demonstrate just WHAT She'd been able to accomplish in the meantime, her left arm SWELLING with an INSTANT surge of muscle, the right releasing a cloud of steam as if from a kettle before a modest magical orb manifested hovering over her palm! Terra's eyes WIDENED in shock, her senses, while unrefined and unable to detect energy keenly, WERE SIDE-SWIPED by Moire's sudden explosion in power!

    "OH! WOW!" Terra exclaimed, clapping her hands in applause as she oggled Moire's arm with child-like fascination! Cautiously, Terra would reach out, lightly running her fingers over Moire's muscle-bound arm! "Wow..." She whispered, blinking her wide, glowing eyes rapidly, processing the change. "...It so tough... You so strong, Pretty Moire..." She would then turn to the right hand as Moire addressed it herself, commenting that she was more attuned with her magic than her brawn. Terra nodded knowingly before reaching out for the sphere as well, closing her eyes as she let a tiny bit of her own magic flow from her fingers. Little pink bolts of energy zapped from Terra's fingertips like static shocks into the ball, mixing her own magic with Moire's in a gentle collaboration of power! If the older majin allowed it, Terra's light pink magic would mix with hers, the two swirling together before the sphere opened up, folding outward like a flower! Slowly, the shape would shed its glowing, energy-like shell, revealing a small daisy-like flower resting in Moire's hand! 

    "For you!" Terra proclaimed, beaming up at her new friend! "Pretty flower for Pretty Moire! It not ever wilt either! It magic!" She winked playfully... But that laughter soon died as the thought of Moire's loneliness popped up again. Terra would blink as she felt the woman's hand come to rest on her shoulder, the purple majin assuring her that ALL was well. What mattered was what she did with her time now... rather than lament over the past! Terra blinked... considering this outlook... then smiled shakily. Her heart still ached for Moire, a wonderful, kind lady who had her whole past stolen from her... But the fact she didn't let that hurt her too much... inspired the little girl... She nodded... then grinned and nodded more as Moire beckoned Terra to TREASURE her family!

    "YEAH!" Terra proclaimed... before stepping in and wrapping her arms around Moire's waist. She hugged Moire tightly, resting her face against her belly for a time. "You family now too!" She grinned up at Moire, her new adopted... friend! Friends were family, right? Terra saw it that way. They were the people you could go to when you had nobody else, the people you trusted with things you couldn't tell your momma as they would trust you. Moire may be a new friend... but Terra treasured her NO LESS! Moire, now that they were on the topic of family, would inquire just what her Momma and Auntie were like! Terra paused, not expecting this question, stepping back and giving Moire her space.

    "Um..." The little girl mused, tapping her chin with her finger. "...Momma is... Tall. She tall and blue and pretty! She REALLY strong too, stronger than ANYONE! She... She..." Terra took a moment... thinking... "...She very busy... She come home more tired and mad... but she love us lots... it just... nobody wanna have fun with her... She say they scared of her... I not know why, though... She nicest lady!"

    "Auntie Ayu takes care of me and momma! She green! Pretty! Nice! She make all sort of nice thing! Plants, food, she teach me lots!" Terra beamed, thinking of her idol. "Wanna be just like her when I grow up! Wanna take care of EVERYONE!" She spread her arms wide as if encompassing the world, her sanguine eyes glowing with excitement and pride in her Auntie. "...Just wish... she not so sad all the time..."

WC: 869
TWC: 2470

    Terra grinned as the tall Majin accepted her flower. As of now, their friendship was CONFIRMED, written down and stored away in the vault of friendship! Moire, as far as Terra was concerned, Moire would be her friend forever! She leaned into Moire's hug eagerly, soaking in the affection like a sponge would a puddle! Being hugged HAD to be one of the nicest things in the world... The warmth of another person, the gentleness of their touch... knowing you made them happy... It was all to Terra as sweet as any lolipop or chocolate piece! Above everything, she wanted her new friend to be happy. She wanted Moire to wake up tomorrow knowing she had a friend to go see. It was only fair! After Moire lost her past, at least Terra could be there in her future! 

    Back to the darker side of their interaction, though, Moire would inquire WHAT about Ayu made her so sad... and at that, Terra had to think... Ayu never... really said anything to Terra... at least, regarding that. Even though what she was feeling was often plain on her face, the source of these feelings was something she always tried to keep hidden. ...Then, Terra remembered something. One morning, while she and Ayu were cooking dinner, she saw her Auntie staring out the window, a worried expression on her face. They had been waiting for momma to come home for some time... and Ayu looked like she was THIS close to crying... You could see it around the eyes, in the way her throat moved when she swallowed, the way she breathed...

    ...She was so worried... and Terra didn't know why...

    "...Think... It have something to do with momma..." Terra said slowly, her expression changing from thoughtful... to worried. "...I not know why... She the strongest there is! She no get hurt by ANYTHING! I see big rock fall on her and it break before it hurt! So... Why she so scared...? Sad...? What she know I don't know?" Terra looked up at Moire as if looking for answers... then down at her feet as if they would have some too.

    "...I not know... I... I kinda scared too... It scary not knowing thing... when people not tell you thing..."


WC: 378
TWC: 2848

    Moire would place her hands on Terra's shoulders, explaining to her one facet of growing up: You become separated from the ones you love... and you begin to worry about them. Terra frowned... uncertain if this was supposed to calm her... or drive that stake of anxiousness in a little bit deeper! Was being an adult really so hard...? Was that what awaited Terra, and kids like her, when time eventually made her grow up? Slowly, the little pink majin was starting to understand how scary the world could be... From Terra's experience, adults really didn't like showing how they feel... not if what they were feeling is bad. Ayu would hide her fear the moment she realized Terra was observing her. Her momma would often push her frustrations inside whenever she was around. Were they feeling this way because... they were lonely and worried...? 

    ...And if that were the case... Why wouldn't they just be honest and help each other? What more could they be afraid of? What could be worse than being lonely and scared...? Terra found herself staring at her shoes, uncertain of what to do now. On the one hand, she could just... go home and try to be the best she could be for her family. On the other... she could go out on adventures and try her best to help everyone else... One would cause stress to the people she knew, no doubt... Would Auntie Ayu stare out the window, waiting for her to come home as she did with Momma...? The other would leave everyone else, the other adults and who knows what else, to be left to that terrible feeling of anxiety and worry... Momma made no effort to hide the truth that the world could be a scary place sometimes... Terra... wanted to change that... Nobody should feel that way, afraid that something might happen to the people they love! 

    ...Moire would take this moment to remind Terra that this was why she needed to hold onto her loved ones: They cared about her... and she cared about them. In a way, the only path Terra knew for sure would amount to anything was to cling to what and whom she held dear. The little girl sighed shakily, the weight of the conversation pressing down hard on her heart. She knew that Moire was probably right... but all of those other people... 

    "Well... YOU someone I care about now too!" Terra declared before reaching up and taking Moire's hand! "You no have to be alone again! You have me! And... I have you!" Terra smiled warmly up at the taller majin. "You give me lots to think about, Pretty Moire... Maybe... Maybe I go home and see if Auntie is back yet... Maybe you come with me sometime!" Terra would gently press Moire's hand to her cheek, nuzzling it just a bit... before stepping back, hopping her way down the road again! "I see you later, Moire! Make friends! Be happy too!" ...And like that, if Moire didn't stop her, Terra would disappear into the crowd, heading back home.

EXIT

WC: 518
TWC: 3366