The Katas Champion 2 (Open)

“Yeehaw!” Gastro bellowed, hands on hips hips, a huge grin spread across his face.

Hikaru leaned just a smidge away from him and the volume of his shout. She straightened a moment later and wrinkled her brow in the Hikaru equivalent of a quizzical look.

“Well, golf is a human game! And that's a thing humans say!” Gastro explained.

Hikaru gave him the tiniest of frowns. That seemed utterly ridiculous but she didn’t know enough of her own culture to argue. So she turned away from him and cast her gaze out at the floating golf course. She hadn’t joined Gastro for last year’s tournament. It had been short notice at the time and she had previous obligations. But this year Gastro had made sure she had plenty of time to block off the date.

“C’mon! We can sign up over there,” he clapped his huge hand down on Hikaru’s shoulder, nearly covering her entire shoulder with his palm.

Hikaru craned her head to look up at the giant of a Namekian, “..............we?”

Gastro smiled sweetly at her, “Why do you think I taught you how to play and have been practicing with you the past few months?”

If possible, Hikaru’s flat expression flattened even further.

Gastro let out a bellow of a laugh and dragged her over to the sign in line.

Gastro beamed as the Namekian ahead of them turned to speak to them. Gastro was a friendly fellow to say the least, what some would call a “social butterfly”.

“Yes! I enjoy participating regularly, but this here is Hikaru’s first time in the competition,” Gastro smiled fondly at the woman who stood at his side.

Hikaru gave a nod of greeting to the Namekian that had spoken to them. She was the wall flower to Gastro’s social butterfly. Hikaru could sense the thrum of power coming from this warrior. He was a powerful warrior, double her weighted power level… Even if she couldn’t read his power level it was still obvious in the way he stood. The way he held himself. This was a season warrior.

The shield he carried was also a big give away of course.

Gastro, however, was not a warrior. He couldn’t sense the man’s ki, or the power in his stance. If he noted the shield, it was only in passing. No, for Gastro it was all about this friendly competition. An event he look forward to all year.

Gastro extended his gargantuan hand in greeting, “My name is Gastro, brother. What is yours?”

Word Count: 204
Total Word Count:434

Power Level: 39,145
Weighted Power Level: 9,786


Ooc: Sorry these posts are so short? I think its cause I'm rapid fire posting everywhere. Please forgive me -u-/

Gastro beamed brightly at Jhelks when he gave his name. He was glad to make a new acquaintance. Things might have been different if he knew the true nature of Jhelks’s clan, but in this moment they were just two brother Namekians here to enjoy a friendly competition. He was oblivious and trusting. He couldn’t even begin to imagine that Jhelks could possibly be of the Dark Clan. Members of the Dark Clan were aggressive barbarians attacking innocents weren’t they? Nothing like this polite brother before him, surely.

Hikaru was naive too, in her own way. But she at least was a little more observant than Gastro. She saw the strength in Jhelks’s bearing alone, much less his power level. He had discipline beyond the average Namekian warrior. But she had no immediate inclination to peg him as an enemy. Merely a powerful new acquaintance of note.

When Jhelks commented on ‘beginner’s luck’ Hikaru gave a small shrug of her shoulders. She doubted she would do well. Not because of any sense of modesty or low confidence, but because in her time practicing with her giant friend she felt she had no particular talent for it. She could imitate Gastro’s form and the motions of striking the ball. But she lacked the nuance of control and the strategy of it all eluded her. With Gastro’s advice she was a fairly decent shot, but left to her own devices she was subpar at best. But it made Gastro happy to have someone else to play with besides his partner, so Hikaru obliged him.

Hikaru took Jhelks’s hand in a firm shake of her own and cocked her head at his words. She didn’t quite catch his meaning. She assumed he was referencing how they were both warriors. Afterall that seemed to be the only thing they had in common at first glance.

“Well, sure,” Gastro nodded enthusiastically when Jhelks asked them to join him for the competition, “The more the merrier! I was lucky Hikaru agreed to join me, my partner, Pado, he couldn’t come today. I’d love to have another friend along for the ride. Right, Hikaru?”

Gastro gave Hikaru soft jab with his elbow and she gave a hum of assent. Gastro seemed to have made it a personal mission to expand Hikaru’s social circle and manners. Not only was he glad to make a new friend for himself, but he hoped that Jhelks and Hikaru might hit it off as well. Sure, maybe he was being pushy but it was for Hikaru’s own good.

Gastro continued chatting amicably while providing his and Hikaru’s information for registry and taking their own numbers, “An elder, huh? I’m ashamed to say I sometimes forget that the elders are brothers too. It just feels as though they’re old and wise, so they aren’t meant for things like the championship or other such social events…”

Gastro straightened up and rubbed his cleft chin thoughtfully, “I should make sure to remember that. Thank you, Jhelks.”

“Mollau is an elder… and he is my best friend,” Hikaru spoke quietly from Gastro’s elbow. To which the large Namekian let out an insulted harrumph.

“Oh! I see how it is!” Gastro crossed his arms dramatically, “Mollau is your best friend!”

Hikaru blinked at Gastro nonplussed, “Yes?”

“Do you hear this Jhelks? I’ve been snubbed,” Gastro turned to the smaller Namekian, bringing him into his little theatrical game, “Isn’t she terrible? I’m sure she’d rather just fly off to the hole, and leave me behind. You’ll stay with me, won’t you?”

Hikaru’s brow creased ever so slightly, truly not following Gastro’s little game, “I could carry you to the hole if you want to fly…?”

“Pfft!” Gastro couldn’t keep a straight face any longer. Hikaru was missing his point entirely, and the idea of her carrying him was just too funny (even though she could easily), “Never mind, Hikaru. I am teasing you!”

He ruffled the soft blue tufts of her hair, something he rather enjoyed doing, “Let’s walk Jhelks. It's a lovely day and I never mastered flying.”

Gastro pocketed his hands in his brown smock, taking long strides to the floating runway. Hikaru felt utterly confused. The big Namekian had that effect on her. He enjoyed sweeping her up in his pace and jovial nature. She didn’t mind it, however, in fact… she might even like it just a bit.

Hikaru looked towards Jhelks and gave him a small shrug as if to say, ‘I guess we’re walking?’ Before she followed after Gastro.

Along the way Gastro kept up a majority of the conversation, occasionally prompting Hikaru to join in until they actually reached the hole. At which point Gastro asked Hikaru to go and get some of their supplies, since he and she hadn’t brought their own balls or tees. As soon as she wandered off Gastro's exuberance and energetic nature grew soft, and then he spoke more quietly.

“I apologize for being so overbearing, Jhelks,” he nodded towards Hikaru, “That girl left to her own devices would never go out and socialize. She’s never really known friendship.”

It seemed his loud and boisterous nature was just partly for show, “Thank you for joining us today. I appreciate your company. I hope that we can all get along…”

Gastro gave Jhelks another soft nod before returning to his broad grin, wide stance, and hands on his hips. He roared out in a playful tone for Hikaru to hurry it up. To which the human began jogging back at a light pace to oblige him.

Word Count: 524
Total Word Count: 1,398

Power Level: 39,145
Weighted Power Level: 9,786

Hikaru was looking at Gastro’s wide back, still wondering a bit at him when Jhelk pulled up besides her and spoke quietly about her having a good impact on Gastro’s life. The human blinked in surprise at her new acquaintance. It was such a surprising and genuine statement, she was caught completely off guard. It was a good thing Jhelks didn’t wait for a reply. She didn’t have one. Hikaru was just left fumbling after the two Namekians.

The group pulled up to the floating isle bearing hole 6 and separated briefly while Hikaru fetched supplies for her and Gastro. Gastro privately explained his motivations to Jhelks, and when the man commented on how Gastro was showing Hikaru true friendship, the hug Namekian couldn’t help but beam brightly. He clapped an appreciative hand on Jhelks’s shoulder and gave him a warm little shake.

“Thank you, brother,” Gastro stepped back to give Jhelks the room needed to set up his swing and practice, “And I agree, Hikaru is quite interesting. I just can’t leave her alone.”

Hikaru returned in time to watch Jhelks’s ball sail beautifully through the air and land relatively close to the hole in his first go. Gastro let out a low impressed whistle.

“We’ll need that luck to compete with you!” he guffawed and then set up his tee next. He didn’t do as much warming up as Jhelks. And he paid the price for it, as his strike wasn’t quite strong enough. It landed quite a ways before the hole. But at least he hadn’t over shot it.

“Hm,” Hikaru cocked her head at Gastro’s shot. He was usually much better than that. Was it nerves? He most definitely wasn’t the type to throw a match. Well, either way it was her turn.

Hikaru spun the golf club in her hand, a quick little twirl, and then stepped up to her mark. She set up her tee and then lined up her shot. The human went down her mental checklist that Gastro had taught her about the proper technique for a strong swing. Then she struck launching the ball through the air. It sailed in a trajectory similar to Jhelks’s shot, and landed with a soft thunk on the blue rolling just past the hole, but not over shooting off the course.

Gastro literally jumped in the air, he was so excited for Hikaru’s shot. He had been the one to teach her, so he couldn’t help but be immensely proud. He grabbed Hikaru’s shoulders and shook her excitedly. It looked rather ridiculous with Hikaru just bobbing there with her straight face.

Word Count: 454
Total Word Count: 1,852

Power Level: 39,145
Weighted Power Level: 9,786

“We’ll see, brother,” Gastro gave a big booming laugh when Jhells warned that he also had his faults, “But I have a feeling you’ll go very far in this tournament. How long have you been playing?”

Gastro rubbed his large and cleft chin as he asked the question out of mild curiosity. He had played for quite some time, but only as a hobby. He didn’t compete competitively often. It actually was a bit ambitious of him to enter in the Katas Champion competition, but he still did. Nothing ventured nothing gained, right?

Jhelks mentioned that Gastro should stretch his shoulders, and he nodded in agreement. He set about stretching them out. He began with this left arm, spinning it in a windmill circle.

As for the human, she watched her ball sail through the air with a critical eye, and then was surprised at it landing so near the hole. She had practiced much with Gastro (at his insistence), but she hadn't developed THAT much skill. Hikaru was about average at best. Maybe there was something behind that ‘beginner’s luck’ afterall…

“Hm,” Hikaru hummed in acknowledgement to Jhelks’s comment, and Gastro covertly nudged her foot with his own, a subtle reminder, “Thank you…”

The trio made their way through the rolling blue hills floating through the sky peaceably. Gastro hummed jauntily with the golf bag they had rented slung over his massive shoulder as if it were little more than a woman’s handbag. Hikaru herself had kept her club with her instead of returning it to the bag with Gastro. She casually propped it over her shoulder. She just wanted something to carry like the two Namekians.

Once at Gastro’s ball, he passed the bag to Hikaru and selected his next club for his shot. He lined up and heard Jhelks’s comment about asking Gastro and Hikaru to correct any mistakes they might spot in his form.

“Now why would we help the competition,” Gastro looked over his shoulder at his two friends, very obviously teasing Jhelks.

He returned his focus back to the ball and, after a few test swings, swept the ball up with his club and launched it towards the hole that was his goal. This time it seemed Gastro was more true to form the ball landing perfectly on the blue and rolling into a respectable distance from the hole. He pumped his fist in victory! He could definitely land a putt from that point.

“It seemed the shoulder stretching help, eh?” He grinned to his friends and then slipped his club back into the golf bag Hikaru held for him.

Word Count: 445
Total Word Count:2,297

Power Level: 39,145
Weighted Power Level: 9,786

“It’s good of you to not force her, but SOME one needs to teach her manners. You’d think she was raised by beasts,” Gastro grunted, but he was grinning still and affectionately rumpling Hikaru’s mop of hair aggressively.

Hikaru closed one eye and was pushed a little bit to the side by the strength of Gastro’s affectionate gesture. She hardly seemed to mind, taking the big man’s enthusiasm in the same stride as she had been this whole adventure. What she didn’t take in stride, however, was Jhelks comment on how she might think he was ugly, “No, I don’t.” There was actually a touch of dismay in her tone. Just the barest amount, but considering how flat Hikaru usually was, it was still unexpected.

The motley crew assembled next at Jhelks’s ball, Hikaru standing aside quietly, while Gastro took a wide stance, hands on hips. He chortled at Jhelks’s comment about it not being fun without a challenge, but otherwise remained silent. He didn’t wish to interrupt anyone’s concentration while they took their turn. It was just rude, and he’d be a hypocrite after trying to teach Hikaru manners!

The smaller Namekian’s putt was so smooth, however, that Gastro doubted that even if he had been banging pots and pans he would have distracted Jhelks! He clapped happily as Jhelks fetched his ball, “Bravo!”

The big Namekian selected a suitable putter for Hikaru, she still didn’t have a very good sense for which clubs to use in which situations, then he stepped back besides Jhelks to let her focus completely on her shot. She was going to need all the focus she could muster. Gastro leaned his huge body down towards Jhelks so that he could whisper covertly.

“Putting is Hikaru’s weakness. She has an excellent drive, but her blue game is terrible,” he wasn’t bad mouthing Hikaru merely explaining. Hikaru had the strength and good judgement for some excellent shots. But she seemed to not grasp the nuances and control of putting. If anything she actually would put too much power behind her strikes and often over shoot the hole. It was one of the few time Gastro actually got to see Hikaru visibly frustrated… and it was more than just a little bit hilarious.

Hikaru stepped up to her golf ball and took a few practice swings. Her grip too tight, the swings too tall. No matter how many times Gastro told her to be gentle she just never seemed to have a proper sense of strength. And over shooting just felt less frustrating than under shooting. It was like the ball was mocking her when it rolled up short.

With a firm swing Hikaru clipped the ball towards the hole where it swept right passed it and arced to the left. At least the ball did end up closer to the hold than farther away. Hikaru would take it. She straightened and looked back at Jhelks and Gastro. The larger man had one of his hands fisted over his mouth, as if he were pondering something or focusing intently. Hikaru knew he was just trying to covertly hide his amused smile at her poor shot.

“That's alright, you’ll get it on the next shot. We can’t all par 2 like Jhelks here,” Gastro gave Hikaru a big thumbs up as she replaced her club. Hikaru deigned not to give him an answer, whether because she had nothing to say, or was pointedly ignoring him was difficult to discern…

Gastro grabbed a putter for himself this time and left the bag in Hikaru’s custody. He made broad steps towards his own ball, obviously confident. He hardly had to test his swing before he just tapped the ball in a smooth arc to the hole where it clinked unceremoniously home. Gastro turned around, and gave a bow, “Par 2.”

“We can’t all have a Par 2 like Jhelks, here,” Hikaru quoted Gastro’s earlier comment not even 5 minutes ago. If one didn’t know any better, they might say that Hikaru’s usually quiet tone was just a bit on the dry side…

Gastro fished out his ball with a wry grin and no comment before stepping aside and letting Hikaru step up to her own ball with a putter. Gastro hooked their shared golf bag over his broad shoulder, preparing to move on as soon as Hikaru completed her shot. Which hopefully she completed in one shot.

Hikaru took several more test swings this time. She forced her grip to be looser, and after almost a minute of lining up her shot Hikaru putted firmly towards her goal. It almost looked like she had hit it too hard again. But the ball lined straight up into the hole, not rolling over it, or bouncing out. Hikaru nodded satisfied at the shot, and turned to Gastro her stance almost saying ‘There, see? I did it.’

Gastro clapped for her just as he did for Jhelks, “Par 3! Good job! Keep that up Hikaru! No bogeys this game, alright?”

Hikaru nodded firmly and then picked up her own ball and returning to her two green compatriots. She kept a hold of her putter still, and let Gastro gather their things.

“Lead the way, brother,” Gastro said with a gesture for Jhelks to take said lead.

Word Count: 909
Total Word Count: 3,206

Power Level: 39,145
Weighted Power Level: 9,786