Chapter 127
Washu leads Yume from the Saiyans for them to rest, as Ryoko guesses it is her job to put the prideful family into healing tanks, Yume being promised time to speak to them when they can. Ensuring they understand a bit more of the situation with the Saiyans she explains a rough outline of events from her planet's destruction to now of what those warriors have been doing. This reassures them greatly in where they stand, and there also being another stronger Saiyan without the kill count of a Vegeta. With all that said Washu has saved the best for last. Saiyans and Jurai are fine guests, she has something more. These are who she wants here the most.
The Kuramitsus.
In truth there might be many out there she has interacted with that might share a closer relation through blood with her than the Kuramitsu lineage, they are not here though and none she cares for but these. These are the big surprise. These are her long lost family that she can call her own and they accept her. After millennia, descendants that acknowledge her.
The family themselves all present know. Being the head of the Galaxy Police they are right behind Jurai in terms of prestige. Mihoshi giving a big hug to her 'Nana' Washu is a sight that Yume never thought she would ever see until after Washu possibly had another child. It warms the heart to witness the joy this brings Washu – for most as Clay is pondering more where the Tuffle inheritance in the Kuramitsu family originates. For Yume this does however come with the bombshell that her place she expected to have as bridesmaid has been usurped. After centuries of being colleagues, rivals and friends she cannot help but express her feeling of betrayal at this new puppy of Mihoshi stealing her rightful position.
After only a short few minutes Prince Vegeta exits his healing pod for his injuries are only minor and beyond that he is just thoroughly drained and fatigued. This gives him what he expects to be his last opportunity for the day to be with Bulma and his thoughts. He slinks away to go off to her grave. Ryoko hovers about a short distance away even though he is not denying her to be near Bulma's grave. As of now there is still a formal air about the greetings and meetings. Yakage cannot be rude or impertinent in the presence of the royal family and Clay has little accord to be friendly to these complete strangers. Matters of catching up are the main talking points as the galaxy is vast and there are many separate interests and parties gathered here.
A couple of hours pass and there is still plenty of time before the hen-night proper begins, even so female guests destined for this party start to appear at Capsule Corporation. The current plans are all the female guests gather at Capsule Corporation, it is a large building with plenty enough ground and garden to facilitate them all, all the male guests and any children go to Kame Island – which will be a tight squeeze on the small beach and house – since the majority of men are powerful fighters who do not drink alcohol making it a more child friendly environment. One woman a bit unsure on proceedings with having to leave her home and trust in a few people she doesn't know and others with a poor track record arrives. Android 18 has left Krillin to look after Kame Island and Marron and prays that Roshi does not lead any debauchery into her and Krillin's room.
With hair at a perpetual length - much like a Saiyan's – due to her artificial nature her only change in appearance is a long white dress. 18 has flown herself over here promptly before any of the stag-do guests descend upon where she and Krillin live. She does hope that Washu is more on the polite side than when they first met concerning how intrusive she questioned about the way she was forcefully made into a cyborg. Due to her nature not emitting any ki signature none notice her arrival until she touches down where everyone else is gathered in the garden and awkwardly waves at all these strange faces. The air then becomes more awkward for a few people as the next set of guests to arrive are ones Yamcha has invited and Washu is uneasy about.
Needing little reason to arrive earlier since this is where she grew up as a child and she gets to see her parents, nephew and brother-in-law again, Tights exits a taxi. Her short blonde hair is styled back – which does make her appear older yet she is over 50 as Bulma's elder sister – and wears a maroon dress shirt with lines of sequins decorating it, a silky black skirt and as it is a hen-night she also has a pink feather boa around her neck. She goes straight to her parents to give them a hug and a scratch on the chin to Scratch. Trunks says she looks stupid with that feather boa as she twirls it around ready for some festivities, and she childishly sticks her tongue out at her nephew.
Out back she sees fellow blonde 18 who has to pause a moment in shock as she never knew Bulma had a sister. Queen Vegeta stews in jealousy at all these human women having the same hair colour as a transformation she does not possess as she peers out the portholes of her training room. Which is where Tights has a moment of surprise finding out that she has a new relation among the living in her brother-in-law's mother, but knowing Vegeta she gives that kettle of fish a wide berth. Tights is friendly with Yamcha since they have known each other for decades now but that same friendliness is strained with who he is engaged to. Washu is a possessive woman, holding a lot of uncertainties and worries at this important juncture in her life, and has not been in anything more than a fleeting casual relationship for longer than this planet's current epoch. She knows of the tryst that happened between Tights and Yamcha years ago.
"So Yamcha tells me your lots-of-great-grandkids are like Jaco's boss in the Galaxy Police?" She smiles at Washu as she starts light conversation over their common ground.
"Yep. Yeah, … That's them, the Kuramitsus, pride and joy, got a 78% chance there's others in their ranks related to me too." Stilted at best, Washu comes across as as the kind of scientist who never leaves her lab and does not know how to handle social situations.
Tights shifts a glance towards Yamcha at this extremely awkward woman and he gives a playful wink back to her which she giggles at and Washu sees. Yamcha's popularity around women was always the main point of pain in his relationship with Bulma, and Washu is not one who can freely speak out giving the amount of past lovers she entertained herself with through the long years of her life. Yamcha puts a hand on Tights' shoulder and looks to his fiance and snaps his fingers in front of her face to draw her out of thought.
"This really that weird for you? Old gal like you doesn't need to try this hard to act cute. Y'know even Vegeta doesn't act this awkward around me, and I went out with Bulma for a good lot of years." Yamcha teases.
"Ships in the night after a real bad book release or year in general to be honest. And God, Bulma would never let me forget it, as if she can talk with her taste in men. If I wanted to make a move on Yamcha I've had all of my sister's marriage and instead all I get are some half-hearted endorsements and reviews from this lug on only my main series of releases when he remembers." Her writing does not need the aid in publicity that Yamcha would give her but she feels it would only be polite. She bops him on the nose with a finger and then puts the feather boa around Washu.
"How about we don't do all the stupid stuff you did to Mihoshi when you thought she was getting in between our relationship, and instead you just relax, have fun, and get used to this weird idea that people normally have friends."
"You invited more women you dated." Washu narrows her eyes at him. She does not like being patronised.
"You read and accepted my guest list, this isn't new to you. I also invited men, they're just not gonna be here. I lied and said I loved Chichi when we first met and you're fine with her."
The genius scientist has to let it slide for she did approve all his guests before hand knowing who they all were, she just did not think she would react this adversely to them. She knows she has issues of being controlling in a relationship and does not want to start enforcing rules on Yamcha as to who he can and cannot hang out with. Washu apologises to Tights for being standoffish and goes on to resurrect that talk about the GXP and her family.
After a short chat though Tights has someone else she wants to talk to and lets Washu recover herself for the next batch of Yamcha's exes she will have to make nice with. It is not easy to walk around to where she has been told he is yet that is the reason that he is there. Tights says a soft 'hi' to Vegeta as he stands solemnly looking down at where Bulma is interred. He turns his head to see her and nods his head in basic greeting, to which she tries to joke by asking where her hug is after the last time she saw him. His tail stirs about in the air. Vegeta turns his body fully around to face her and Tights sees that his face is not as expressionless as the Saiyan would hope it be.
"So, I hear your mum's back in town, guess that's not exactly helping with you moving back in with mum and dad." These two do not often talk to the other even if they are family.
"Queen Vegeta of all Saiyans. She's less than half my age, boisterous, and I'd say even worse than I was when I first called Earth home. Not what you would think of as a mother, but for a Saiyan she acts as she does, until her mind starts to crack from all that she is having to process." The mental state of his mother is not an issue he needed piling on his plate.
"You were a royal pain when you couldn't transform like Goku could."
"I had a brother. She died giving birth to him. … Beyond that she abhors the new ways of the Saiyans, and the forgotten relic of the past she and her strength is. You wouldn't like her." Vegeta corrects Tights on the main source of pain for his mother. He might not talk about his brother but he did exist as Pranis is too keenly aware.
"I mean you know I don't particularly like you so that's not a shock. How's little brother coping with Trunks?"
"... He is managing. I don't know if he'll like being here for any extended amount of time, he's always got Goten to swan off to-"
"He can always come hang with his cool Auntie Tights when he wants."
Vegeta nods. His son goes where his son pleases, he can fly there if he wishes to pay a visit.
" Holing up in the wilderness to run and distance myself was wrong, the solitude there did not bring me whatever peace I dared on hope to find. Are you managing living by yourself?"
"I asked for a hug didn't I?"
The two come together for an embrace besides Bulma's grave. As Ryoko watches from the air she sees it lasting a strangely long amount of time given Vegeta being a member of said hug. Tights says to him that she is glad he stayed on Earth and eventually came back here. They separate and have their own moments of silence at Bulma's grave, then Tights heads back as Vegeta stands vigil. She gets a slight surprise to find the shadow of a flying person above her but Ryoko's interest quickly becomes time itself. Watching Vegeta can only go on so long before she has to prepare herself for the hen-night, and so along with a rotating cast of the Juraian and Kuramitsu family people already at Capsule Corp starting getting into gear.
Yamcha has to wait until what he guesses will be the last moment for transporting the stag-do guests from here to Kame Island. Flying and carrying them all is not going to be fun for just him and Trunks, and with Vegeta having to stay around the hen-do for Misaki they have only Goku to rely on for Instant transmission. He is not a paragon of punctuality but Chichi needs a way to get here and so hopefully she will get him into gear and not be too behind schedule.
Crates of capsules are hauled out by him as preparation for Washu to use, even though she could carry these herself or use any automaton. Setting them down he hears a woman calling out to him from around the corner of the house. On her way she gets a greeting from Mr. Briefs as most people Yamcha has known for any length of time they get to know quick enough. In the finest long red dress trailing into the grass even with her stiletto heels raising her, a white summers hat and a heavy glittering gold necklace about her neck a woman in her mid 30's with dark brown shoulder length hair and a tan from being outdoors often, waves over at him. For people on Earth she is quite the celebrity. Hercule Satan, Yamcha and even Roshi popularised the star level status of athletes and her track and field efforts bought her a good deal of limelight. From work she originally met Yamcha, during an interview about an award she won at the same time he did, and from there they bonded. Yamcha does wonders for giving her ideas on a training regime and is one she previously kept in sight for not many men in their 40s keep their high level of status in sport like he did. She however, met that hurdle of youth betraying her in her profession shortly before Yamcha's own professional downfall.
She gives him a hearty clap on the back in congratulations and a kiss on either cheek as they catch up. Bold and brash she jokes with him that all it cost him was his career to finally have some luck in love, to which he taunts her about if she is feeling any creaking in her knees yet as she is not placing where she used to anymore as a decathlete. Not oblivious to where they are though she does sombre up momentarily since this is the place where Bulma is buried and everyone knew how much Bulma meant to Yamcha even after her marriage. She offers her condolences but he shushes her as this is a time of celebration and those words should not be aimed towards him instead of the Briefs family. He turns and escorts her to introduce her to Washu.
"Yo, babe, this here's Mugi. Been my junior in sport for the past decade or more. And Mugi this is soon to be Mrs. Washu Hakbui."
"Doctor Washu Hakubi!" Yume shouts out from the distance, angry at this disrespect at her colleague and her academical achievements.
"Do you want me to use my full titles and suffixes, Yume? Or can you not remember them all since you only have so few after your name? I've been a Dr. for a while, I can be a Mrs. when I feel like now." Washu chides her own junior and then looks back at Mugi, smiling and shaking her hand. "You're a bit of an interesting one. Out of all the close 'friends' he's invited Ms. Mugi you get to be the sole young lady he's got here that he hasn't dated."
"Ha, that is just like Yamcha. I mean, you see where we are, if you didn't expect him to have a few, or several, old flames this dog stays good buddies with maybe the hen night might not be at what technically is a headquarters for a world-wide monopoly."
"Eh, it's more for Vegeta and convenience that we're here." Yamcha was not the one having the say on where her hen-night would be. With Jurai, the large amount of people, and having to entertain regular earthlings this place is just easy since she can access it straight out of her lab.
"Oh is Vegeta back in town? Think I've actually only spoke to him once the few times I've been here. So the strange thing is like on the invite it had a big list of words not to say and other guests I guess to your wedding and big words highlighting the fact they're aliens? Like Vegeta and you for one?" As Washu's guests were warned of the threats of Saiyans, Yamcha's guests had prior warning to the aliens that simply cannot be hidden given the motley crew gathered. Mugi is looking at Washu to spot anything but to her Washu is just a woman taller and older than her with no signs of being from another world.
"It's only fair you get some heads-up about it. I've only been on this planet about 2 months, species is Tuffle not that it means much to you-"
"Wait. 2 months and this is the date? Oh my God Yamcha I thought you learnt your lesson when you scare off so many nice girls by moving too damn fast. You're fine with this?" The issue with aliens is forgotten as Mugi is more shocked that Yamcha has not changed his ways at all. He shrugs as it has all worked out fine with this and Washu is a pretty fast mover herself in terms of starting their relationship.
"I've grown so very bored of waiting for someone to marry me so yeah I don't care too much, he kinda proposed after a big fight we had as I might not have been the best girlfriend prior. I set this date. Not much of a reason why today, just gave me enough time to get all preparations complete as my mind wasn't changing. I got myself a lovely toy boy and I'm making sure he doesn't have the time to run."
"I know you ain't keen on age-gaps Mugi, but this one here is about 20,442 years."
"Dear. No. I told you there were calendar revisions and restructuring, gaps for leap time and relativistic time alterations. Get my age right. That was over 178 years off." Washu acts in mock anger at him not getting exactly right her astronomically large age, a number she is not oft to say without rounding.
"And you memorised every score I got when in the Taitans for some reason but still cannot explain to me the rules of baseball. … Right well, anyway, I hear more people we gotta say hi to so Mugi you can pick this up with Little Washu later and y'see right there? Her, blonde hair, came 2nd in the last world tournament-"
"Better than you ever did." Mugi can tell when she is being palmed off and after all these bombshells being dropped she needs to get a hit in back at Yamcha.
"Shush, play nice. See her? She's actually a robot, go have fun." Yamcha points her towards 18.
Android 18 hearing this and not looking at Yamcha holds up a middle finger in his direction. It is quite rude to even refer to her by that term but to just use her as some kind of distraction would give her reason to be more vocal about this if not for not wanting to spoil this party. Mugi goes along and approaches her, not going to pry on whatever this robot thing is but more interested in her getting to the finals of a world tournament against Mr. Satan. It meant little to 18 who only used it as a platform to blackmail Satan into paying her to throw the match. With Videl's notoriety and 18's positioning in the tournament Mugi says that it is good for them as women to have broken in so far into what normally is a male dominated event. When asked on what she has done, Mugi has her pride of having set the world record in 110m hurdles 6 years ago and it still being unchallenged.
"And you got all your wealth from doing that in what time?" 18 asks out of curiosity.
"... Oh no. You can go faster than me, right?" Mugi clicks on to the fact that if 18 is cybernetically enhanced her pride and joy of a world record is not safe from being broken. "It's, uh, 11.35s."
"Seconds? Hell yeah I can top that. If my daughter ever needs a bit more cash then maybe I know where to get some easy money." With the next world tournament most likely having Buu participate to save Satan the same fate of her extorting money from him, 18 smiles at this new avenue of income.
"Can you fly like Yamcha?"
"I can, yeah. You know about him flying and that martial art stuff?"
"Please, what do you think that guy does the first time he tries to hit on a girl. So do you just hover with magic spirit energy or do you get rockets out of your feet as you'll be disqualified for those." Mugi tries to find some technicality to save her world record from being obliterated. 18 sighs and then hovers off the ground for a few seconds before touching down to demonstrate.
" … I'm not a damn robot. After the wedding I will hit Yamcha. Just don't go there, I don't get any strange mechanical parts coming out of me, just some – cyborg I think's the name. I said I got a daughter, she isn't adopted, that's how human I am." The true details are beyond her, it is not as if she has read her own blueprints nor really wants to. 18 leaves it as that, she is an enhanced human.
Next to arrive is a woman with dark blue wavy hair and a kind smile. Despite this, as she arrives Dr. Briefs has to pass a metal detecting wand over her and check her clutch bag just in case. She is not a violent person yet trouble arises if precautions are not met. Launch apologises for this inconvenience as she sorts out the red ribbon tied up in her hair and then playfully makes a show of needing to sneeze. Once she meets the equally bubbly and ribbon wearing Mihoshi they basically enter their own little world talking to each other. This one Washu knows has no past with Yamcha, though he has admitted to having flirted with Launch heavily to nudge Tien into being more proactive. Not before too long Mihoshi's mother also joins in the chat whilst Yamcha hopes Goku arrives soon before Launch finds a gun to shoot.
At this point Yamcha dips into Washu's laboratory to quickly have a shower - Trunks and 18 should be able to prevent most of the lead flying if Launch sneezes. Washu stands by Yume and is answering whatever questions the inquisitive genius has about the people around her and this planet. She has fun keeping her lips sealed concerning the dragonballs though. Yume then questions about this tradition of a honeymoon that Washu is indulging in. Her friend gives few details as she does not want people tracking her down during it but concedes she will try and tear herself away from her work for a few days to enjoy being a wife. Yume then asks what if someone here needs a super genius to help them during that time – hinting at Kagato but abiding by Washu's wish of not outright discussing him. Washu raises an eyebrow and looks down at her short friend and straight up asks her if she is trying to usurp her place and lab during her short holiday. The furry eared scientists grins, to which Washu non-committally shrugs since Yume has had free access to her laboratory many times prior when working together.
Whilst her mother locks up her car and reverts it into a capsule, a young girl of 9 years old with straight black hair and a frilly and light purple dress on skips on ahead against her mother's warning. This big garden is fun for playing in and she has seen it on television a few times in the last year. She finds him and runs up and hugs at his waist, proclaiming happily 'Got you Uncle Yamcha'. Startled, the man turns and looks down. He is tall, physically fit with long black hair, yet unbeknownst to the girl this is the crown prince of the Juraian Empire. Yosho smiles down at her and says that Yamcha has gone inside for a moment. The girl stands confused and blinks then looks about. With Sasami waiting for her mother she decides to fill in for Misaki and goes and hugs this equally aged and sized girl.
"That's quite a reaction. Documenting your wedding is going to be such a laugh. Is this doubt I see? Something the great number 2 genius Washu doesn't know? If your own descendants are too hard to keep track of, then is this 'Uncle' really just an 'Uncle' – in the friend of a family way." With Washu going rigid at that name, Yume delights in this fun. She gets her holo-top out and takes a short recording of the scene to immortalise this look on Washu's face.
"I know what that child's birth certificate says in terms of parentage." A quiet answer comes from Washu.
"You had a child with a past lover. There was not much truth on his birth certificate either. It is a poor show for the great Washu how irrational your fear is here, and how hypocritical your standards are for this relationship. Or is it more that as your age has slowed your mind pettiness fills where intellect once was, your Mikumo did not call you 'Auntie'."
A hand rests on the girl's head as the mother catches up. With a shock of half-permed red hair, a lip-sticked smile on a freckled face, a purple top under a white cardigan and a black pencil skirt, she is friendly in apologising to Yosho for her daughter running up and mistaking him. Compared to the Juraians she is not that tall, taller than the average woman but not by any large margin, and most other women here being athletes or very slender she is neither having little time to exercise between her job and motherhood. In no means is she of an unhealthy weight she is just of a buxom figure in comparison to the peers around her.
Yosho does not mind since he has 2 younger sisters himself, one of which is next to him hugging the girl. She introduces herself as Kombu, and her daughter Tchaba. The girl says she wants to find Uncle Yamcha so that they can fly in the sky. Sasami says that she knows lots of other people who can carry them whilst they fly, even her sister Ayeka. Since Yosho does not know a lot about Earth or its people he asks Kombu if she is Yamcha's sister – as that would explain Tchaba's usage of the word Uncle. She smiles and shakes her head. She is a friend of Yamcha's currently and something more in the past.
"'Sup, I'm back. She bites less than you do, you can say hi without me." Yamcha prods Washu in the small of the back.
He gets a nervous and awkward look from Washu. Children are her bane and greatest desire and she does not know what she would do with the knowledge if Yamcha did have a secret child out there with one or more of his past lovers. Yamcha can read her expression easily enough and looks over to Mihoshi and waves at her, to which she waves back calling him 'Granpappy Yamcha'. That should prove enough of a point concerning glass houses and throwing rocks – none of which he likes the idea of any being cast near Kombu for he knows she is in no doubt over her own child's father. With someone shouting for Yamcha – even with that being of a different relation that does confuse both Mugi and Kombu when they hear it – Tchaba notices that the 'Uncle' she was looking for is here.
Yamcha picks up the girl with one hand as she runs up to him and holds her up high. She asks to be flown about and Yamcha says when they go to the cool tropical island where the guys and kids have their party they can fly about as much as they want without her mum watching. Kombu walks up saying that she heard that, for she has set rules before concerning Yamcha and the height off the floor she will allow her child. Looking between the 2 women she does not know, one being child-side with furry ears, and the other a woman close to Yamcha's age, beautiful with long pink hair and more importantly the size of chest that Yamcha prefers, Kombu deduces which one is more likely to be Yamcha's betrothed.
"Only guy I know who would offer child-care services during his own stag-do. I hope you're not going through all this bother just for Tchaba's sake." Kombu notes the strange allowance of children to normally adult oriented parties.
Yamcha waves it off as no bother. Too many people he knows now have kids – like Goku and Krillin – that this just makes things easier to manage for his guests. He bops Tchaba up and down on his hand which elicits giggles. Kombu turns to Washu and introduces herself and asks how much Yamcha has told her of her. As much as Washu adores the sight of Yamcha acting fatherly in any manner she does know a few things about Kombu but nothing she has really directly asked of Yamcha so she cannot say without revealing all her shady research behind his back. She smiles back and says that Yamcha has told her how close they are – which is true. By her side Yume feels the need to do some mischief and asks when it was that Yamcha and Kombu dated.
"That's easy to remember. That was the same year Tchaba was born, 9 years ago when that scary thing on TV about the Cell games was going on." Kombu has fun with her own mischief back, answering in as misleading a way as she can. She goes on. "Then it was nearly every 2 years after that we get lonely and give it another go, sometimes."
"How long is the pregnancy of humans?" Yume asks. She feels what Kombu said is leading her on more than anything.
"I carried Tchaba in my tummy for a bit over 9 months." A slight frown appears on Kombu's brow at this strange question, she paid far less attention to the notice about aliens being at this party.
"And how many months does this planet's year have?"
"It's … it's 12. Are you alright? Have you been drinking?" She grows concerned for Yume's lack of basic understanding of the planet she is on and wonders if she is either blind drunk or hit her head.
"Drinking has never gotten me to a state I would forget such basic facts if I already knew them and I am as alright as can be whilst still acclimatising to this planet. Point is that Yamcha is not the father of Tchaba though is he, even if the limited data you have provided shows a window of opportunity."
"If he were then my girl would not be calling him 'Uncle'. In a way for some of her life he has been a kind of father figure I guess, not too much early on but then again neither was Tchaba too fond of him as a baby. But no, Tchaba's father is not present, that flame was dying out a bit before the sparkle in my eye become little Tchaba, and he is not a fan of Yamcha – rival sports team nonsense. And you haven't said who you are yet."
"I am Yume, the great, the magnificent and the number 1 genius in the galaxy that is not a thrall to Jurai!"
"I'm sorry, you look oh so young, is that- is that who you really are or are you playing some games here?" Kombu is not naïve enough to believe some outlandish claim like that off the bat and Yume could pass for an adolescent with her stature. She means no offence but she would rather not be made a fool of by calling this stranger some weird imaginary name.
Her balloon of hot air and gusto burst and Yume visibly sulks at her introduction being rebuked. Washu sniggers at this. Her emerald eyes still keep a watch on Kombu. Kombu is not just someone Yamcha dated, but someone Kombu pursued herself and has gotten back together with on a semi-regular basis – making her besides Bulma one of Yamcha's longest on and off girlfriends. Washu will have to investigate why their relationships drift apart and ensure there is no drifting back together. The elder scientist brushes back her pink hair, revealing the streaks of silver amongst it, and details her own age and Yume's and their species so that Kombu should not assume that Yume is a child because she could pass for a human child. Kombu politely apologises.
She then looks to Yamcha, raises eyebrows at him, and he puts Tchaba back down on the ground with a cheeky comment he would get attacked by Washu if he were to pick her up now. Kombu rolls her eyes and says that flight always makes her queasy. She points at Yamcha and asks him why he was called 'grandfather' just now. He points to his side at Washu, says her large age and then points to Mihoshi and says she is not going to remember the amount of 'greats' she has to say. Kombu slowly nods in understanding as Yamcha is now becoming a step-figure within a family – not to too great a surprise as it was never that off putting an idea when they were together. Tchaba laughs at him being a grandfather and old now, and her mother instead looks about the lawn. 20,000 years and a bloodline of descendants is making for not as crowded a gathering as should be even if a new generation happened only every other millennia. Grandfather is not the place you often start as a step-parent.
"Not everyone gets to live to 20,000 like I have." Washu can see what Kombu is thinking and answers in the most tactical way she can to describe the dying of her descendants and why her Mikumo is not present. She could go on, but not now, not here. Kombu does not know exactly what to say in response to that.
"Do you work in a museum like mummy? That's where I see all things that are really old like thousands of years and it'd be more interesting if the old stuff was just a person who could talk." Tchaba does not pick up on the subtext of Washu's words and instead tries to make sense of that large number for an age since she the time she hears those numbers is about ancient history.
The child gets shushed by her mother for the insensitive and quite rude question regarding Washu's age. Washu humours the little girl however since she has worked for several museums throughout her life, curated a few, researched within them, exhibited her work within, had old relics she lost procured by them and also modelled within a few for that exact reason of being a window into aeons past. Tchaba is wowed by this thinking this is some perfect coincidence since her mother works in a museum and that this person is important enough to have been in a museum as an artefact.
Training has tired her out and there is growing noise from outside. It is only right that people who know Washu should also know of her. Queen Vegeta leaves her training room earlier than Washu had hoped and rests leaning against the frame of its door looking out. With just ki sense she can tell that no-one of a substantial power level is here – having no way to know how strong the hidden energy of Android 18 is. She sees the small girl and wonders who their parent is even with Kombu stood over her and holding her for that does not mean anything to a Saiyan as parents are not normally with or by their own children.
Off to the side she spies a new comer. This is far too many people to gather in one place for her Saiyan sensibilities, and this is just the women. Until she sees Chichi about she feels secure in her own place as dominant female at this location. Her eyes spot an item this new woman picks up and leans upon and she dashes over immediately. Standing out of her own car a woman named Sen likewise has her car transform into a capsule to pocket it and then rests her arms onto a metal crutch. A foot knocks against the crutch.
Sen is a woman of colour, in her late 30's, tall and standing at over 6 foot with her dark hair braided back and falling down to her waist. She is taken aback by this small and muscular woman with her before she has even announced her arrival and the tail this woman has is quite peculiar, but worst of all is the almost hateful glare being sent her way. The woman knocks her foot against the crutch again and asks what this is for. Sen's life unknowingly hanging in the balance depending on how she answers this. The truth is she got into a road collision a couple of months ago when cycling and whilst she undergoes physiotherapy for nerve damage to her leg she has a crutch.
The fact that this is not congenital nor some birth defect but a wound sustained is the saving grace she needs to stave off a Saiyan Queen looking to rid genetic deformities from her vicinity. She nods at this, Queen Vegeta scoffs at a mere car being able to handicap her to such extent, and then she grabs at Sen's available arm and starts pulling her away – bemusing Sen further. Only by grace of her long legs does she have any chance of keeping up with Queen Vegeta's power walk with her in tow whilst hobbling along. Once in sight Yamcha calls over to Sen as to whether she made a new friend to remind Queen Vegeta of his strength and the Saiyan carries on regardless and brings Sen into her training room of all places. She gets the healing tank out and starts lifting Sen into it so her legs dangle in and tells her to stay there for a few minutes.
There is a fair amount of attention facing towards the commotion around this training room and the peculiarity of Queen Vegeta letting someone inside it and then strangely trying to heal a guest. Queen Vegeta leaves Sen to sit paddling in the healing tank with a 1 sentence brusque explanation as she then chucks the crutch out like trash. Mugi sidles up to Yamcha and has to ask a basic 'what'. Yamcha can say what is going on, but he is unsure of the why. Once a couple of minutes have elapsed Queen Vegeta plucks Sen out of the healing tank and ignores her comments about being damp and Sen also forgets those complaints as her leg operates fine now with no pain or discomfort. She is thanked for her kindness and generosity which only serves to befuddle Queen Vegeta and have her frown. She walks away to leave Sen, uncaring any more with that done. Seeing weakness is repulsive, she saw something disgusting and got rig of it so she did not have to look at it anymore. Queen Vegeta acted out of selfishness and she is not fond of everyone now viewing her as some altruistic nurse.
A slight snarl on her face stops anyone from attempting to tease or mock her as Queen Vegeta prowls out into the garden filling up with guests. The one woman who will always challenge her is not put off by the outwards aggression, for it is her party after all, and Washu calls out for Queen Vegeta to maybe dress in something a bit fancier than sweaty training gear. Clothes she owns are for training only or the one black dress bought for her to wear to visit Bulma's grave. Queen Vegeta is not keen on the garish outfits the other women about are wearing, she needs something fit for a warrior and unfortunately when she was kicked out of Goku's house she did not manage to steal Chichi's bikini armour to flaunt around in. Without a word she stalks off into Capsule Corporation whilst Yamcha goes over to the happy, but still confused, Sen.
"So you know the warnings about Vegeta – don't look directly in the eyes, no sudden movements or running away – basically treating him like there's a large predator in the room. -"
"You've not told me that. I've not been here to Capsule Corp before …" Sen awkwardly has to stop Yamcha as this is not information that is ringing any bells for her.
"Ah, oh, right. Well …" Yamcha does a short laugh to hide him trying to think of what to say. He bends down and starts using a small charge of ki to heat Sen's damp trousers. "I'm just that selfless I guess, that I've gone outta my way so many times to warn all the lovely ladies of the social monstrosity that is a Vegeta. So, like, that woman is Vegeta's mother, also called Vegeta, also outta her damn mind like he is. Any questions just throw them at Mrs. Briefs, my soon-to-be missus Washu – one with the pink hair – or there'll be a woman floating about here with silvery-bluey hair and long ears called Ryoko. Main thing though, absolutely never call them or use the word beginning with 'm' for the little animals that love bananas and swing in trees."
"... Why, what, like most people here would get quite pissed off if you called them that. That's really rude, and not something that'll crop up in general conversation." Slightly miffed that he feels he has to warn her of racially insulting someone she is piling a list of questions as there also seems to be a old man with a robot eye and some strange half cat half rabbit creature scampering besides some children.
"Hey, not saying you would, I just do have to get that warning out there – peace of mind 'n' all. Swear I did ask for you to swing by this place when we were hooking up– what, 5-6 months ago now – I usually give warnings about Vegeta before that."
"I think what you said was 'coast is clear', 'no Vegeta living there', and then I wasn't comfortable coming all the way over here to see that grave so I think you went here and later we met up …" She fills in the gaps. As sweet as it was he trusted her enough to want to bring her here it was not a place she felt she wanted to go, not on the limited time she has during weekends she could meet up with Yamcha.
"Right, yeah that makes sense now. So welcome to Capsule Corp then, I should be going, waiting on one last mate to rock up here so I can shift these dudes from whatever fun you gals'll be having. Have fun, you look great, lovely to see you again, and tease the hell out of Washu, it's hilarious to do."
He stands having dried off her baggy white trousers with side splits running down their length apart from at the waist and hem, flashes a wink and smile at her and counts his blessings Sen is a fairly level headed person as Washu would not have been so calm about him mistaking her for another woman. She hooks a finger in the collar of his shirt to stop him from scurrying off away from her.
"Not so fast now. Congratulations, Yamcha, wish you the best in your marriage."
With that she release him and he thanks her for those heart felt words. She cautions him not to go radio silent for a month like he just has done and that even if he is married she expects the nice brunches they get together for can keep going ahead. He nods and agrees that sometime after his honeymoon and things have calmed down he will check for a good date for people. Yamcha then heads off to find Trunks as they can both sense that Goku's ki is decreasing so his training should be wrapping up. Sen sees Kombu waving her over with Mugi and Washu nearby, those 2 are the few she knows here so she goes over making a motion to go for her missing crutch and then having a nice realisation she can do without that now.
Whilst Yamcha and Trunks gather up the kids and the men that will be going to Kame Island, Vegeta stands in the middle of the garden awaiting his ward to return. Minutes elapse as Yamcha begins to question what could be taking Goku so long. During this time, out from the doorway under Vegeta's stairs waltzes Videl since if she has a shortcut here she might as well make use of it. Mugi is keen to socialise with Videl since they are both professional athletes and why should she not network when she can.
Looking as friendly as an aflame grizzly bear, the one person who does not care for his intimidating aura goes to stand near him since he is the only company worth keeping. His mother has raided his wardrobe. Queen Vegeta is shorter than he and making do. Wearing armour off of Washu's designs is not going to fly when she is already tolerating Washu's life to continue. Whether clothes are feminine or masculine is not a concern of Saiyans, what does matter to her are that these are clothes fitting of a Saiyan elite since they are good enough for her son to wear. Battered jeans that he never had the care to throw out have their hem rolled up and a prehensile tail as a belt keeps it about her slimmer waist. A red vest and short and sleeveless denim jacket she wears and if she could find a cape she would be wearing one. About her frowning eyes she has slathered a a large brush of red akin to the eyes of an Oozaru, the other women have cosmetics on their face and so not wanting a Saiyan royal to appear lesser than them this is her attempt at make-up. Vegeta points to 18 and informs Queen Vegeta who she is and that the true strongest woman on the planet is there, and he gains his solitude again.
Tchaba and Sasami get watched by Queen Vegeta as she approaches 18. The children are too carefree, too loud without cause and no merit to what they are doing. Her maternal instincts want her to go and bash some sense into their heads, however since they are not Saiyan she decides they are not worth her spending effort upon. 18 is not thrilled at having Queen Vegeta noticing her, nor does she enjoy the punch to the back of her skull as a greeting to her. The loud and proud Saiyan royal announces herself and her title and her desire to be the strongest female and strongest warrior to the apathetic android. All 18 responds with is that she is not going to fight unless she gets something worthwhile from it. 18's feet then leave the ground as Queen Vegeta asserts what dominance she can by lifting 18 by the back of her neck. Floating to save herself the effort of hanging there, 18 rotates about to look at Queen Vegeta and flies herself downwards to land with far more force than Queen Vegeta can contend with lifting.
"Your eye shadow's atrocious and sloppy and seriously you need to neaten up those split-ends, that outfit also 25 years out of date."
"The great Queen Vegeta is not interested in the advice of some repulsive smooth-skinned, skin and bones female. Your false power you did not strive to attain, I shall crush it under my royal heel."
"Really can't tell if you're calling me ugly there or not. Piece of advice for you, blondes have more fun." 18 pulls away Queen Vegeta's hand from her with ease as she mocks the need for a Super Saiyan to tackle her artificial power. 18 does not release her grip on Queen Vegeta's hand, she tightens her hold and bends her wrist back. "I'm not going to play nice here. You annoy me and I won't give chances or talk it out like Chichi might. I don't care that I'm the strongest woman, but you want to act insecure then please know that all we see here is some small yappy mutt barking up at something it should not be making angry. It's not impressive, it's laughable. Go play second fiddle with your son and carry on that great Vegeta tradition."
Anger has Queen Vegeta tense her free arm and form a fist. This insult against herself and her bloodline and her title of Vegeta shall feast on her knuckles. She was compared to a beast again. Those that do that have to perish. Easy to read what she is going to do, 18 pre-emptively takes her other hand and places it over Queen Vegeta's face. Her fingers hold on along her cheekbones and hairline. The Saiyan goes to bring her attack to bear faster. 18 brings back her middle finger and taps it down on Queen Vegeta's forehead. The sound of the impact rings out and the Saiyan's body quakes. 18 lets go of Queen Vegeta and steps back away from the now blind and late swing at her. She turns about done here and leaves Queen Vegeta to collapse backwards with no grace.
Yakage makes an attempt to go up and see if she is alright as a purple barrier materialises around her. Injuring and stunning the Saiyan does not reduce her threat to Juraians. The stunned Queen gips and forcefully blinks against her eyes that refuse to see straight. Blurred vision and a pounding headache leave her reeling. Finding the floor to support herself is bizarrely difficult and any attempt to push herself up she collapses with absolutely nil sense of working balance. The ground churns up beneath her as she pushes to stand with her strength and getting to her knees is her best stable position she can accomplish. Vegeta then sends the barrier upwards into the clouds. When his mother can break free of it then she can return, until then he will remove her from the party and stop whatever vitriol was about to spill from her lips.
Tights, Clay, Yakage, and Mugi, Sen and Kombu look both at 18 and to the sky, and to the engaged couple at this attempted brawl at a party. 18 is not paying it any mind. She was acting in defence and until someone puts Queen Vegeta out of action this behaviour will just continue. Washu is quick to give it all the OK and that now that it is out of the Saiyan's system it should be perfectly fine – though actually she is OK with the disruption for her entertainment of seeing Queen Vegeta on her arse. How much this comforts the guests about an outbreak of violence varies from person to person. Kombu especially is keeping Tchaba close now and looking in accusation at Yamcha.
Before Queen Vegeta can regain her senses or escape the imprisonment of her son, the late as ever Goku turns up after that fun has ended. He brings with him Goten, Ox-King, Chichi and a worn out Misaki. The Juraian Empress' shadow becomes that of a Saiyan as Vegeta takes his place as guard both of her and guard from her. Yamcha jogs up asking where he has been as they have a lot of guys to transport over and Goku can only roll his eyes and point with his thumb to his missus. The raven-black hair of Chichi has returned. It is tied up loosely in low side ponytail and her hair is visibly damp. Having resigned herself to her natural colour taking too long to grow back in she splurged some of the new influx of cash they have to buy hair dye and has been rushed in getting ready following this last minute change to her appearance. She wears a dress appearing like a more formal variant of what she had on when participating in the world tournament and achieving her own engagement. She glares back at Goku for she only had to do this due to his prank in the first place.
Sasami is second quickest to get to her mother, beaten only by Vegeta, and wraps her arms about her waist in what time she can before they are separated again. Yamcha and Goku begin rounding up all men to be transported to Kami island and that is when a few of the women notice that one man is not budging at all. A literal fox amongst the hens gets some funny looks and Mugi has to ask why Vegeta is not leaving what is still his home but also the hen party venue. Those not aware of Misaki or the implication of the large black arm she has are given a brief explanation from Utsutsumi about his daughter and that at the moment Vegeta is serving as her bodyguard.
"Yamcha, who or what are going to be at this 'child friendly' party that are dangerous like half the people here seem to be?" Kombu did trust Yamcha with her child however all these revelations have that trust being strained and waning. She wants to know before handing over her darling girl.
"It's gonna be fine. I'll be there, Trunks and Goten and the other kids will play with her, your remember Puar he's there, got a dog there, a turtle. All harmless. My baseball buddies are all good men. Mr. Satan'll be there and that'll be great fun for Tchaba. With Vegeta here, and other Vegeta, there's like no scary people left – I mean I don't really know Washu's friends but they're just dudes and scientists. Scariest people there are Satan's friend Buu – you've seen him on T.V., basically a big kid himself – and tall, green guy Piccolo but he's surprisingly good with kids and normally just likes to be silent on his own."
"Tall, green and called Piccolo. Funny that, it's as if there is a large wing in my museum dedicated to a war in the past about all that Piccolo business." Working in a museum has Yamcha playing off the evil of Piccolo backfire in his face.
"But … but, Great Saiyaman is a mate of mine. Nothing can go wrong if he's there. Got me there, Roshi, Tien, Goku, Satan, I mean these are all winners of the big tournament no-one stronger than us guys there." Yamcha flashes her an award winning smile and is thankful no-one knows about the dangers of Buu. His eyes look to the other mothers of children that are entrusting the Kame island party to see if he can get any to vouch for him as Kombu can be resolute and stubborn.
An old man walks over scratching his greyed moustache. His smile is mostly hidden by his heavy facial hair and glasses as he bends down to look at Tchaba – the girl confused why her mother is all serious. Dr. Briefs takes out a small notepad of paper and pen and jots down a phone number then rips off a small sheet and hands it over to Tchaba. He warmly tells her when she wants she can either with him or by herself use Roshi's phone to call back here if she wants. It takes a bit more effort for Dr. Briefs to stand back up after leaning down but he says most men there are fathers themselves and know how to keep an eye on wayward children. He has had to deal with daughters far too keen to get aboard spaceships so can empathise with her worry.
The cautious blessing of Kombu is given for Tchaba as she goes to join the rest of the group headed for Kame Island. 18 saunters up and says if anything goes wrong she will blame her husband there as he should be in charge. Then everyone there suddenly vanishes. A small whimper comes from Kombu not expecting the immediate teleportation of her child, till Chichi explains with a sigh that her unreliable husband has that technique so he is making himself useful for once. Mugi chunters to herself how unfair teleportation is for her sporting achievements. She cannot win any race if they do not even have to run it.
With all but one man gone a space pirate floats down next to Misaki and seats herself on Vegeta's shoulders and marks her territory. This lone male is hers and no matter how drunk or rowdy anyone gets in this party she will ensure they know that Vegeta is being guarded by her. Ryoko looks down and tells Vegeta that she thinks his mother has passed out from the concussion and he looks back blankly as if that is supposed to matter in any way to him. Misaki turns to face Vegeta and queries if his mother is alright or needs checking upon. He coldly replies that Queen Vegeta was plainly asking for a fight and got one, she will survive and hopeful a concussion will keep her quieter.
Misaki then excuses herself and reaches forward behind Vegeta's head and with her Juraian hand flattens out and adjusts Ryoko's dress that is not leaving much to the imagination with how she is astride the Saiyan. The pirate muses that there is no point flashing her underwear if the only one who cannot see them is Vegeta. There is a slight blush to Ryoko's face however. This black and form fitting dress with a red diagonal line decorating it with a length side split down one leg is the same she wore on her dancing date with Vegeta before the red eyes took over. Her hair is not in a ponytail, instead it is more that she has made a point to emphasise and increase its volume and wild nature. Vegeta half threatens Ryoko that he could just as easily make her his seat, she jokes back that he would miss her legs if she stopped doing this. He would prefer that her legs on the contrary missed him for as she adjusts her position a knee finds his jaw.
He guesses that they still have a good several minutes until his mother has any chance of finding the strength to find her freedom and rejoin the hen-night and until then there is but one woman not yet ready for this night. Misaki looks towards Vegeta's wooden and previously lake-side house and at where the dimensionally sealed bathroom is that she can use. She asks whether Vegeta would mind if they made a stop in her room so she could get clothes for her to change into for the evening and then escort her to outside the bathroom. Vegeta states that he is guarding and following her, she can go wherever without his permission. Ryoko is not going to remain sat on Vegeta – and not when going indoors and being forced to phase her head to not hit the ceiling – and so as she dismounts her royal steed's shoulders she spies the attention of a red robot upon her.
"You not going off with that Clay? Why're you here?" Ryoko floats over and asks this mechanoid she does not trust, suspicious of why it stays here.
"I am not the only being of mechanical nature here. The invite to Dr. Washu Hakubi's pre-wedding party stipulated that the guest in question had a free choice concerning which event they joined. I have been made aware that 2 other persons that do not fit in the binary gender system that this traditional event of Earth dictates made their own choosing so with that as did I. My presence was not required by Dr. Clay." Zero explains. Both Buu and Piccolo being asexual beings chose the stag-do due to the guests that would be there and their own portrayal of their identity aligning more towards the male gender – aliases of themselves being Demon King Piccolo and Mister Buu.
"Here to keep perving on me? Or does Clay want eyes on both parties to spy on the Saiyans he wants dead?"
"It is beneficial towards Dr. Clay that observations of both Dr. Washu Hakubi and the other guests gathered here are surveyed by myself in his stead. And, due to my recent mimicry of yourself, the most prominent personality and bank of memories for me to access is female which aligns myself to staying here."
"Delete my memories from your hard drive. Only my Vegey gets to know what goes on in my head."
"The one you call 'Vegey' is a major point of interest within these memories and emotions copied from yourself. Would it be possible-"
"Delete them. Go away. Copy someone else."