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Dragon Ball: After the End

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PoptartProdigy said:
:p Bleh.

Also, folks, been wondering something.

I some time ago came across a QM who said they'd found a thread talking about "author brands." Now, I'm a professional author and I'm familiar with the idea of having a brand -- insofar as I possess a public-facing persona and mode of behavior in addition to a style of writing which all come together to form my public identity -- but obviously and by design that brand doesn't apply here on SV. Now, as a professional my brand is constructed; as a part of my career, it's something I invested quite some effort into in order to best reflect the kind of author I want to be. It's something I reinforce through blogging, social media, and my writing. Professional authors who know their craft do this as a general rule, in fact, with rare exceptions. Whenever I act as [IDENTITY REDACTED] the writer, I am mindful of what impression I want to project given that I don't want to jeopardize my ability to profitably write, which is something I frankly love doing for a living.

But here on SV, that isn't the case. I've only just recently realized this, but here I've run into an odd intersection where I'm acting as a writer, but non-professionally in a setting where I'm nonetheless producing creative work. Internet modes of behavior apply, not my professional norm. In short, I've created an entirely new brand and haven't been tracking it. Now, as this isn't a professional context I'm not interested in developing a brand. I'm not selling you all anything, I'm just having fun online. But I admit that I'm curious, and even if I self-examine I may find different things than you've all picked up on.

So...what do you all see as my "brand" here on SV? Does this brand apply differently as an author vs. as a QM? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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I'm still new to your thread, but you've come across to me as a kind, intelligent, and involved author. The amount of effort in this quest really shows through, and your ability to hold a thematic even through changing events and quester votes speaks to a real skill in planning ahead. And you're also dedicated as shown by Jaffur's sealing. My stomach was roiling from after Dad (can't remember his name) caught back up and onwards, but I wanted to stay because of the clear effort you had put into this world. And you certainly do a good job mixing the fun in with all the tension.
 
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Oh and @PoptartProdigy the mere fact that your doing not one, but 2, intelligent and detailed quests in addition to being an author shows your dedication and enthusiasm for simply writing which is quite inspiring.
 
I doubt Jaffur will be an issue. People copy techniques all the time. The only way it could be an issue is if we made people believe we created it.

Besides, I doubt Mato has the necessary ki control for it. We found it hard and we are a genius. We should have a year at least before he is good enough to even try to replicate it.
 
[X] Write-in: Plan Communication is Key
-[X] We'll explain what small bits we've figure out, but we certainly can't replicate it yet.
-[X] Let him know we will be looking at and trying to figure out the style as well, so while we won't try to overshadow him, he won't be the only one working on it, and he might start to feel that way.
-[X] Explain our concern about if word gets to Jaffur's mother, she might try to make trouble about it. Her, or possibly other people who either agree with her, or hold Jaffur's use of that style as near-sacrosanct.
 
[X] Write-in: Plan Communication is Key
-[X] We'll explain what small bits we've figure out, but we certainly can't replicate it yet.
-[X] Let him know we will be looking at and trying to figure out the style as well, so while we won't try to overshadow him, he won't be the only one working on it, and he might start to feel that way.
-[X] Explain our concern about if word gets to Jaffur's mother, she might try to make trouble about it. Her, or possibly other people who either agree with her, or hold Jaffur's use of that style as near-sacrosanct.
 
[X] Reveal what little you've figured out (reference Jaffur's character sheet for details). Mato seems interested. Who knows? Maybe he could help you finish figuring out what this form is all about. It might be a way to help him feel special like he wants.

The first additional bit to the current plan is redundant. We're revealing that we only know a little about it so it's inherent that we haven't replicated it. The second part of CiK is in my opinion best left out. It says that we're currently studying it and the statement is framed almost as a competition, one which he will lose and negating the entire point. The third part of the plan is something we have absolutely zero proof is correct, and what evidence there is points to the exact opposite. Dandeer stopped caring entirely about our study in the style as soon as we informed her we didn't learn it from Jaffur himself, other Vegetans probably saw us and didn't seem to care, and there has been no mention in all of Dragon Ball or After the End of the concept of a sacrosanct move or style.
 
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Andres110 said:
[X] Reveal what little you've figured out (reference Jaffur's character sheet for details). Mato seems interested. Who knows? Maybe he could help you finish figuring out what this form is all about. It might be a way to help him feel special like he wants.

The first additional bit to the current plan is redundant. We're revealing that we only know a little about it so it's inherent that we haven't replicated it. The second part of CiK is in my opinion best left out. It says that we're currently studying it and the statement is framed almost as a competition, one which he will lose and negating the entire point. The third part of the plan is something we have absolutely zero proof is correct, and what evidence there is points to the exact opposite. Dandeer knew about it and didn't hold it as sacrosanct, other Vegetans probably saw us and didn't seem to care, and there has been no technique in all of Dragon Ball or After the End of the concept of a sacrosanct move or style.
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1. He's a child, he needs things spelled out.
2. Not a competition, but letting him know what to expect so he doesn't resume whining about us being better than him.
3. It didn't say anything about proof or facts. It says it's a concern. Which it is in a roundabout way, because Jaffur might give a shit when we save him.
 
Pandemonious Ivy said:
3. It didn't say anything about proof or facts. It says it's a concern. Which it is in a roundabout way, because Jaffur might give a shit when we save him.
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It's a concern that's utterly baseless and without merit. There is proof to the exact opposite of that, so there is in fact reason to stay unconcerned. Even if there was the tiniest shred of reason to suggest that it's a concern, it paints Kakara as someone who is dismissive of sacrosanctity - or some applied forms of it - and she expresses no reason for such a dismissal besides "because I want to" or "what they think is stupid."
 
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Andres110 said:
It's a concern that's utterly baseless and without merit. There is proof to the exact opposite of that, so there is in fact reason to stay unconcerned. Even if there was the tiniest shred of reason to suggest that it's a concern, it paints Kakara as someone who is dismissive of sacrosanctity - or some applied forms of it - and she expresses no reason for such a dismissal besides "because I want to" or "what they think is stupid."
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I don't think you understand how concerns work.

They don't need to have basis in hard facts. When extreme, they become phobias.

A concern is, whether it's a large and frantic one or a minor and unlikely one, something that causes one to keep an eye out for a certain occurrence.

PLUS, she's already freaked out over us practicing his technique once, and that is more than enough reasonable doubt to warrant the word concern.
 
[X] Write-in: Plan Communication is Key
-[X] We'll explain what small bits we've figure out, but we certainly can't replicate it yet.
-[X] Let him know we will be looking at and trying to figure out the style as well, so while we won't try to overshadow him, he won't be the only one working on it, and he might start to feel that way.
-[X] Explain our concern about if word gets to Jaffur's mother, she might try to make trouble about it. Her, or possibly other people who either agree with her, or hold Jaffur's use of that style as near-sacrosanct.
 
PoptartProdigy said:
You're so tired you don't even notice Lady Dandeer, watching from a window of her apartments, her face absolutely white with shock and horror.

...

And that's how you and Lady Vegeta wind up seated in the apartments of House Vegeta in the Training Hall, staring each other down in profound discomfort.

Oddly enough, you think she's even less at ease than you, and you're waiting to Instant Transmit to the other side of the planet at the first sign of a hand seal.

Eventually, she settles her shoulders and sighs. "Well, this is awkward." She stares at you. "I...wanted to talk to you about what happened the summer before last, Kakara. I wanted to ease things between us, since you seemed so unhappy at the time.

"And then I saw you managing to use Jaffur's form, a month ago."

You freeze. You hadn't realized that she was there.

She leans forward. "I didn't think I'd ever see that again, Kakara. And I would really like to know where you learned it. Did Jaffur teach you? How? When?"

You don't reply, and after a moment she subsides, rearranging her robes. "It doesn't matter. It must have been before he was Sealed, because he couldn't have gotten out, and you know better than to let him out, of course." She looks you dead in the eye. "Right?"
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PoptartProdigy said:
You straighten, feeling a flicker of annoyance at her demand. "To be blunt?" you say, tilting your head slightly back.

She bristles at your tone.

"I was trying to figure out what was involved in teaching Jaffur a style that I had never heard of or seen before -- and apparently, nobody else had either," you say, muttering the last almost to yourself. Those were frustrating hours of research. You shake your head and look at her again. "I'm not entirely sure why you have such a serious problem with this; it's not as though reverse-engineering someone's techniques is unheard of."

By the time you finish your speech, her face is red with pent-up fury. "Why you little, arrogant, self-important-" she takes a deep breath, calming down. "...impudent child." She gives you an unpleasant smirk. "I think you'll soon find out that children who speak to their elders and betters like that tend not to make many friends, Kakara."

You flush in anger, opening your mouth-

"But that's besides the point," she says, standing and crossing her arms. "You didn't learn it directly from my son? Good. I'd feared you'd found a way around the Seal, despite my efforts to make it indestructible. It is, but for a moment I was afraid I'd messed up." She sighs. "But no. You merely discovered how to perform my son's style. The style I never thought I'd have to see again..." She drifts off, and you're left choking on fury at the reminder of what she did.
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I don't like arguments where I have to rely on other people's memories when I can easily find quotes.

If this type of reaction isn't enough to evoke concern, of any sort, that more people knowing this technique would freak her out, then I don't know what would.

Especially considering she has PTSD related to things involving her son and husband.
 
[X] Reveal what little you've figured out (reference Jaffur's character sheet for details). Mato seems interested. Who knows? Maybe he could help you finish figuring out what this form is all about. It might be a way to help him feel special like he wants
 
[X] Write-in: Plan Communication is Key
-[X] We'll explain what small bits we've figure out, but we certainly can't replicate it yet.
-[X] Let him know we will be looking at and trying to figure out the style as well, so while we won't try to overshadow him, he won't be the only one working on it, and he might start to feel that way.
-[X] Explain our concern about if word gets to Jaffur's mother, she might try to make trouble about it. Her, or possibly other people who either agree with her, or hold Jaffur's use of that style as near-sacrosanct.
 
[X] Reveal what little you've figured out (reference Jaffur's character sheet for details). Mato seems interested. Who knows? Maybe he could help you finish figuring out what this form is all about. It might be a way to help him feel special like he wants.
 
[X] Reveal what little you've figured out (reference Jaffur's character sheet for details). Mato seems interested. Who knows? Maybe he could help you finish figuring out what this form is all about. It might be a way to help him feel special like he wants.

Pandemonious Ivy said:
--We intend to learn the style too, so that might make him feel as if we're trying to overshadow him again.
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Look....it means he has an opportunity to teach US something for a change.
He'd love it.

At least unless we sour it by just simply assuming we'd be better than him when we get around to it and telling him so.
 
[X] Reveal what little you've figured out (reference Jaffur's character sheet for details). Mato seems interested. Who knows? Maybe he could help you finish figuring out what this form is all about. It might be a way to help him feel special like he wants.
 
If the kid wants to be strong and special he can continue his Great Ape training to include kaio-ken and get himself in the Super-Saiyan realm completely legally. Considering that that is the exact thing Berra has based his entire training around studying and combating it would also give them a good chance to bond.
 
Since I don't have a lot of time, I'll try to be brief:

Communication is Key is a pretty good plan, one that I'd even be willing to vote for in most circumstances, but that middle sub-vote is really killing it for me. I mean, while I'm all for apologies, this sub-vote would almost definitely work contrarywise to what we would trying to be doing: giving our brother something to make him feel special.

Let me explain: if we were talking to an adult, or even a teenager, I would have no problem with the plan as it stands; it's well thought out and logically a good proposal... in which lies the problem: The younger the child, the less likely they are to care about logic.

The first and last sub-votes I have no problem with. Tell him we don't know much but that we'll tell him what we can? That's ideal. Warn him that people might take offense to this, using Dandeer as an example? Well that's just good sense.

Tell him that we'll be researching this also and that we can't do anything about overshadowing him? Probably not a good idea to help him get over the "you're always overshadowing me" thing.

And before anyone jumps down my throat with "that's not what the vote says" tripe, I'll just remind you we're talking to an eight year old kid who already feels like we're taking everything. To him, the admission that we're not trying to overshadow him more than likely means jack diddly squat. He'll probably just take the admission that we're not trying as absolute proof that we're sure we are going to.

And besides, why the heck are we trying to tell him to go run his own, concurrent research on this? Wouldn't it be better if he was working with us on this, not against us?

With that in mind, I present an alternate vote:

[X] Write In: Plan Make Allies, Not Rivals
-[X] Tell him that we don't know much, but that we'll tell him what we've discovered so far.
-[X] Warn him that we're going to have to keep this a secret: if certain people found out, (use Dandeer for an example) there could be trouble.
-[X] Explain that we haven't made much progress ourselves on this, and invite him to help us figure out more of Jaffur's style.
--[X] If it looks like he is still hesitant or unconvinced, point out that because we are relatively busy we won't be able to take the lead on this. It will pretty much be his project. We will help when and if we can, but first and foremost the responsibility for working this out will be his.

See it's pretty much the same thing in the long run, but the wording changes the tone behind it. Instead of (functionally) throwing scraps at Mako and saying "catch me if you can," we're inviting him into a conspiracy. (That does seem to be becoming something of a trademark for Kakara, doesn't it?) It says "we couldn't do this alone, we could use your help." It says "you are important." And most of all, it gives him a chance to shine... something that he desperately needs if he's ever going to get over his jealousy of us.

At least, that's what I think.

Okay so I fail at being brief, sue me.
 
ElleonXan said:
See it's pretty much the same thing in the long run, but the wording changes the tone behind it. Instead of (functionally) throwing scraps at Mako and saying "catch me if you can," we're inviting him into a conspiracy. (That does seem to be becoming something of a trademark for Kakara, doesn't it?)
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"Dragon Ball: After the End; BE the Shadowruns!" :rofl:
 
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