Chapter 5 – A bottle of Booze
Vino turned to her daughter. Vegeta and the others looked at the white-haired woman. "Lilly, I'm sorry" the lady whispered. Lilly was holding Trunks his arm tightly and continued to stare at the box "Mom, that bottle is not supposed to be here. Uncle supposed to have that bottle. I don't want that responsibility, you promised." Vino looked at the box again "I'm not going to ask that of you dear." Vegeta grabbed Vino`s wrist "what is this nonsense?"
Furious, Vino tried to pull away from his grip. "You think everything is nonsense, this is the wine for the inauguration of our high priestess. A ritual that must be done, without high priestess we have no connection with the afterlife and much more" Vegeta let the woman go; suspicious he kept looking, for a moment he looked at Bulma who was looking at Lilly.
Vegeta followed his wife's gaze and sighed "You took the wine? But didn't tell your daughter this?" Vino shook no "this wine is worth more than anything. Only Malbec and I know about this, he has a fake bottle with him and told everybody he took it. A diversion of course. Until we find someone who can undergo the ritual".
Snipp's eyes were as big as saucers and glared at the box "how much is the bottle of booze worth?" But Bulma smacked the squirrel on the head. "I don't think you need to hear numbers, but you knew there was some smuggling going on, you were very scared when I mentioned Jaco." Snipp rubbed his head "of course, I am a smuggler and we have been smuggling stuff with this team for two years."
The lady sighed "it was our best cover, hopping from planet to planet with a fast ship. Looking for a stranded Waino who can become a priestess. Until Lilly suddenly picked up Beerus his energy." Vegeta shot a glance at Vino "the energy of gods cannot be felt." Everyone looked at Lilly, but she was gone, Trunks stood there alone holding a book. He was still staring at the sky. Vino took a step forward "Lilly was blessed with a gift at her birth."
The prince of the Saiyans crossed his arms "another one of your fairy tales. Girl was born blind and can feel ki, there is nothing more than that." Trunks looked at his father "Ki from humans and animals I understand, but seeing your surroundings through ki is a whole other level." Vino came to stand at Trunks side "and besides that, she can be a ghost and I challenge you Vegeta find my daughter now. No scouter can pick her up on her power level."
With his eyes closed, Vegeta concentrated, but indeed he felt no ki. "This doesn't say anything now; she just has it really low." Vino shook no "no, Vegeta, she is at her peak of her power right now she is angry. If you find her just fight her and you see". Leaning on her walking cane Vino wobbled away, Snipp wanted to grab the box but Bulma was ahead of him "I'll just store this safely". Angry Snipp hopped after Vino.
The family that remained behind looked at each other questioningly. Bulma was the first to say something "Honey I think you should look for Lilly, the weather is getting bad." Trunks turned to his father "I'll come to". But Vegeta had made up his mind "No son, I'll go alone, you stay with your mother. I'm going to see how great this wonder child is." At high speed Vegeta flew into the air and away.
Bulma held the box tightly "what a drama all over a bottle of wine." Trunks also looked at the box "poor Lilly, she was terrified when she saw it uh felt it." Together mother and son walked back to their house, Bulma looked at her son "why do you think that might be? But I think I know how we can get our answer, follow me".
Inside the house Bulma pulled over a drawer from a cabinet "let's ask a certain angel". Startled, Trunks looked at his mother "do you think that's a good idea. And what if Beerus finds out they lied about the last wine?" Bulma hesitated for a moment, was her son right? Was she putting others in danger with this? She could also wait until Vegeta was back, have another conversation? Bulma shook her head "I know what to ask, it's all going to be fine Trunks."
Sighing, Bulma placed some kind of communication device on the table, a few seconds later they were greeted by a cheerful Whis. Bulma looked at Trunks for a moment and began to ask her question "Whis dear, can you tell us about high priestesses of planet Wain?" The angel tilted his head for a moment "what an unusual question but ok. Each generation on planet Wain has a highest priestess they are a bridge between this universe and the next. You have a guardian on earth, first Kami now Dende. On Wain they have a new one every generation but this takes a lot of energy so they have to live very sober and alone".
Bulma crossed her arms "And how do you become a high priestess?" She didn't want to let it be known that she knew there was something about wine, that wasn't her secret to share. But still she needed to know. Whis tapped his finger against his chin, clearly thinking. Then he had it "oh yes, there is a ritual, with three people. They share a bottle of wine, holy wine with a terrible taste. The two people rattle off a spell, giving power to the chosen one who becomes the priestess. With which she can then be the bridge, make soil fertile, and become extremely strong as a guardian should be."
After some back and forth and a commitment to give a delicious meal as a thank you, they ended the conversation with Whis. Mother and son looked at each other. Trunks stammered "what if Lilly is the chosen one. Whis said they have to live alone." Bulma brought her hand to her heart "I get that she kept away from Lilly, that doesn't seem like a fate you want for your child." Bulma closed her eyes for a moment "I'm going to take a rest; this is just too much for me." And the blue haired woman walked to the bedroom.
Vegeta flew through a now-emerging thunderstorm. He tried to find the girl's ki, but it read traceless. But then he saw something standing on a mountain, among the lightning. Vegeta didn't know if it was a coincidence or if she had made herself be found. But even closer he could not feel her, was Vino right after all? Vegeta came to stand next to the girl "Your mother said you were at your strongest now? I don't believe her, I feel no energy nothing, what is this?"
Tearful eyes looked straight ahead, Lilly clenched her fists. She was clearly furious but there was nothing to feel. Without warning she charged at Vegeta, he blocked her unexpected move but was blown backwards. The Saiyan prince who was always out for a good fight unleashed his energy and lashed out at the blind girl. An almost dance-like fight resulted. Even though Vegeta was stronger, he had quite some trouble with the unexpected speed and power increase of the girl.
It was as if she was sucking the energy out of him. Even though Vegeta got stronger every power up she kept following him. It was a bizarre fight. Still not saying a word, she was focused and agile. Vegeta wondered how on earth they had lost the war with Lilly there. But then in mid-air Lilly suddenly seemed to faint, as if her energy had run out. Quickly he caught her before she hit the ground, Vegeta flew into a cave because he couldn`t fly safely in this weather.
Shit where do I start, my head is a roller coaster. So I went to Vegeta to question him about why he flirts with me. It came down to, yes it started because I am a Saiyan. But this was not his reason, he didn't know the reason except I was entertaining. What the fuck does that mean? Really! His confusing answer made me so angry; I started a fight because I hate this person. But this only seemed to amuse him. And then it happened without me even noticing. He pressed me against the wall and pressed his lips against mine. We kissed! Oh my god, his lips moved dominantly like the man he is, but were also sweet and soft. Our tails around each other's bodies, it was so thrilling. No idea how long we stood there, his masculine scent and body heat numbed all my senses. Once, in a drunken rush, I had kissed Malbec, but it didn't come close to this kiss. Vegeta's eyes also seemed softer when we were together. My heart is still pounding, have I fallen in love? No, yes! Yes, shit. Why him!
Bulma sat in the kitchen, a large cup of tea in front of her. Looking anxious, Vino came through the door and looked at the woman at the dinner table. Softly she asked "are they back yet?" Bulma shook no "No, but believe me, Vegeta will not come home without your daughter." Bulma stood up and grabbed a cup from the kitchen cupboard, not much later the two women sat silently facing each other with a large cup of tea.
Vino played with a necklace as she watched the bad weather outside. Bulma looked at her worriedly "Vino? Can I ask you something?" Without looking at her, the white-haired woman whispered "yes, please ask." Bulma sighed "first of all you should know that I am sorry about this afternoon I." But Bulma was cut off "it's okay, you don't have to apologize. I come rolling into your life with all this drama and baggage." The women looked at each other. Bulma cleared her throat "do you still love my husband?" With wide eyes, Vino looked at Bulma.
She drifted her gaze back to the window and took a sip of tea. "Of course, But not the way you think. V was my first crush, my first real kiss and my first ok you know. We fought; we loved but in the end we lost each other in own struggles." Bulma took a sip of her tea "and now?" Vino looked at the woman across from her "V can never match my husband. Juro was my rock. My husband knew how to deal with my Saiyan side while I am still a Waino." Together, the ladies stared out the window again.
Vegeta was sitting on the floor of the cave; Lilly was lying with her head on his lap. The prince stared at the lightning that shot down uncontrollably outside. Soft groans came from the girl on his lap, fatherly Vegeta looked at her. Somehow she reminded him of the old Vino, she always seemed so composed but sometimes she broke and then she was an untamed force.
Slowly, the girl regained consciousness and grabbed her head. A lightning struck almost next to the cave and from fright she straightened up. "Welcome back" said Vegeta. Lilly looked upset at the prince's direction "oh shit" was all she mumbled. Vegeta crossed his arms "what was that just out there?" Lilly sat up cross-legged "that's kind of self-protection my mom says. If I get angry or scared then this can happen. I don't remember it".
Lightning struck the mountain; Lilly flinched in fear for a moment. Vegeta looked out and then back at the girl "were you scared or was it self-protection? What's with that bottle of wine?" Lilly huddled closer to the prince, as if a little girl was seeking protection from a parent. She pulled up her knees "I thought that bottle was with Uncle Malbec. Mother had told me he will look for someone who could do the job of priestess, but everyone knows I am the only one left." Vegeta uncomfortably put an arm around her.
With a deep sigh, Vegeta closed his eyes for a brief moment "what if you don't do that task? What if no one does?" A tear slid down the girl's cheek "then we won't have a bridge to the hereafter and we won't be able to fertilize land to make new wine". A chuckle escaped the warrior "guess that wine has caused enough trouble, doesn't seem like a loss to me". Lilly sat up straight "no! We gave our last bottle to Beerus, but there are more who want the wine. We make the wine for the gods; I don't like to witness what they do when they find out it's gone."
With interest the prince looked at the girl "what gods are you talking about? Isn't Beerus the only one?" Lilly stood up and rubbed her arms warm "Oh no, there are three. Beerus god of destruction, Rera god of creation and then there is Tepo god of the mortals". Vegeta stood up and went to stand next to the blind girl "those last two don't sound so bad to me." Again a lightning struck close by and Vegeta grabbed Lilly`s arm.
Trembling, Lilly moved closer to the prince "oh they are the worst; Beerus visited us, partied with us and protected us. Those other two only want one thing, wine. Like an addict they roared over our planet, and if they wake up and don't get their addiction, what will they do instead?"
Vegeta thought back to the planet Wain, he could suddenly remember Nappa. That sucker had gotten hooked on that wine too. And when he had his fill and they refused him more he went berserk. It took years for the thirst to be out of his system. That wine was not made for everyone. And indeed, what if gods reacted the way Nappa did. Or worse?
Slowly the thunderstorm moved on, Vegeta released the girl. "Lilly? When will the other gods wake up?" Vegeta couldn't believe he was asking this, but Vino was right about her daughter. Lilly closed her eyes "Rera is already awake, it won't be long until the thirst is going to call." Vegeta balled his fists "and what's the other plan besides giving them wine that is not there?" Lilly remained silent.
I haven't written for a while, life here is so hectic. We were on a mission together with a strange group (Ginyu Force, they are so weird). No idea which is worse this group of clowns or the Saiyans. We have been away for three months, but Vegeta and his men are also on a mission. So after that kiss we didn't see each other. My heart is missing him, my head not so much. Somehow I was curious if that same feeling of a few months was still there. Oh write more on that later, knock on the door. I think it is Malbec.
The two women walked from the kitchen onto the terrace. The sun was beginning to shine again. Trunks also came charging out with Snipp pulled behind him by his collar. Angrily Vino called out "hey, what are you doing with Snipp". Trunks threw Snipp to the ground "will you tell your captain or should I?" Snipp stood up again "hey kid, I was just looking up what that bottle of booze would do on the black market." Vino hit Snipp on the head with her cane "idiot!"
Then two figures also landed with the group. They were Vegeta and Lilly. Everyone was quiet; this is where they stood a few hours ago. Vino turned angrily to Snipp "get the ship ready, we're leaving." But her order was contradicted by her own daughter "no mother, summon Malbec. The ritual must be done, Rera is awake." Vegeta walked over to his wife and looked at her with concern; she put her hand on his upper arm. A nod was enough to get the couple back on a page.
Bulma stepped up to speak "are you sure? I mean" Bulma was cut off by Vino "it has to be done. I'm so sorry my sweet Lilly." Lilly shook her head and walked away. Trunks ran after her, Vino flew away and Snipp carried out his assignment to call Malbec. Vegeta put an arm around his Bulma "do you still have a way to talk to Whis? We might need some help." Bulma looked surprised at her husband and put her head on his shoulder for a moment "come inside with me."
As they walked into the living room Bulma turned to her husband. "We have to stop this ritual. If Lilly becomes high priestess she must live a lonely life." Vegeta looked worried "but without the ritual no new wine can be made, and an wine addicted god is awoken. And I don't want to know what damage a god can do if it doesn't get what it wants". Bulma sighed "I'm going to call Whis right away".