Maria approached one of the slaves. She had no idea what the creature was. It looked like a catfish. Still, the catfish woman was wearing jewellery, so Maria decided to give her the respect she gave all her customers.
"Good afternoon ma'am," she smiled. The woman looked at her.
"Maria-sama?" she asked.
"Please, don't call me that," Maria insisted. "I may be your boss, but there's people above me. I'm just like you." she said. "And I bet you're like me. You know a bargain when you see one, right?"
"Er... I guess." the woman shrugged.
"Well..." Maria stepped back so her customer could see the jewellery. "All this jewellery, It's all for sale."
"All of it?!" the woman seemed surprised. Maria nodded.
"Yep. Except For these earrings." she pointed to the golden balls dangling from her ears. "The rest is yours for the best price you could ask for." she looked at the woman. "By the way, what do I call you?"
"Zia." the catfish replied.
"Well, Zia, can I interest you in anything? Necklaces, rings? Bangles, bracelets, earrings?" she lifted up a bit of her skirt. She wore light purple sandals, and about five foot bangles. She also wore at least one toe ring on each toe of both feet. "And foot accessories."

Zia seemed interested.
"How much is that ring?" she pointed to a silver ring on one of Maria's index fingers. It had a sapphire stone on it.
"Good choice," Maria complimented. "This is 40z."
"Forty..?" Zia mumbled. She looked at Maria. "Thirty?"
"Thirty five." Maria offered.
"Alright." Zia pulled some money out of her pocket. Maria took the ring off, and handed it to her.
"Pleasure doing business with you." she smiled, putting away the money Zia had given her. Zia seemed a little shocked, but thought it best to not say anything. After all, Maria was her boss.
"What've you been doing anyway?" Maria asked.
"I'm a cleaner." Zia told her.
"On this ship? Must take you a while. How many of you are there?" Maria questioned.
"About ten of us." Zia answered. For a moment, she forgot that Maria was her boss. "It's a tiring job. I'd do anything for a break."
"So have one." Maria shrugged. Zia was about to roll her eyes and say that the person in charge wouldn't approve, when she remembered that Maria was in charge.
"Really?" she beamed.
"Sure. Frieza won't mind if you just have a little break." Maria assured her.
"He would, miss. You don't know him like I do." Zia warned.
"Alright." Maria smirked. "When I get to know him better, you can work your heart out. But until then, have a rest."
"T - Thank you, miss!" Zia couldn't believe what she was hearing. With an attitude like that, how had Maria managed to survive two days here? Still, Maria was insisting, so Zia decided to follow her orders. "I'll have a break."
"Good. See ya." Maria smiled, and walked away.

She hummed to herself as she walked down the corridor. She passed a young saiyan on the way. The saiyans were a race she'd met before - and been in trouble with. Still, this guy was on her side.
"Keep up the good work." she said as she walked past, pushing a 10z note into the man's armour. The saiyan stopped, and turned around to look at the person who had just tipped him. Wasn't she his boss?
He picked up the note, and looked at it. He looked back at Maria, who had just walked past without looking back, looked back at the note; shrugged, and continued down the corridor.

Maria looked around. She'd learnt the ship by now. It was big, but it hadn't taken her long. Probably because she was a traveller, and she'd been in a few scraps in the past. She'd had to plan escape routes in prison twice before - on two different planets, of course. She wasn't stupid enough to hang around when people were looking for her. She'd worked in some pretty big places, too. Then she'd run away after a few weeks because her employer had found out that she was nicking stuff as well as working. She did that on every planet she went on. Earned a living by working for money, and selling things she'd nicked from the place she worked. It was a dodgy business, but at least it was exciting. She loved the game she played. It wouldn't suit her to do anything else. Besides, she got to see other planets a lot.
But... what was she going to do here? Maria was really unsure of that. Normally, she'd hang about for a bit, earning money off Frieza while stealing things. But... Frieza hadn't just given her a job. He'd spared her life. That planet she had been on, she was the only survivor. True, it wasn't her home planet. She'd only been there a week. But it didn't change the fact that she could've been killed with the rest of them.
"I know," she smiled. "I won't steal anything. I'll just hang around for a bit and leave." still... it would seem kinda weird to just stay and leave for no reason.... ah, she'd think of something.

"She's not from your home planet?" Maria stopped dead when she heard voices. She pressed her back against the wall, listening to the conversation that was going on round the corner.
"I don't know, sir." Zarbon's voice replied. "She says she doesn't have a home planet, but she must have been born somewhere."
"If she doesn't have a home, where's she been living?" Frieza's voice asked.
"She told me she was a traveller. Going from planet to planet. I supposed she stays in hotels or such." Zarbon presumed.
"Well, you can get so much stuff from them." Maria smirked.
"Well..." Frieza began. "She seems alright, but I don't want to take risks. Zarbon, she may be of your race but I don't trust her yet. I want you to find out more information. Her birthplace, her history - and see if you can find anything to back up her words."
"You think she might be a spy?" Zarbon asked.
"Maybe - or a thief." Frieza said.
"Aww, now what makes you think that?" Maria thought with a smirk.
"A thief?" Zarbon repeated. Maria's eyes widened as she remembered that he knew she'd stolen most of her jewellery. Would he grass her up? She hoped not. If he did, there was no way Frieza would trust her enough to let her stay.

She listened to them, not daring to miss a word.
"Yes." Frieza confirmed. "Well, someone like her usually doesn't earn enough to buy all that expensive jewellery. And she sold you that bracelet cheap, didn't she?"
"Well, I suppose..." Zarbon mumbled.
"Don't you think it's a bit suspicious how she can afford to do that? Unless she didn't pay for the bracelet in the first place." Frieza suggested.
"Please, Zarbon... don't tell him..." Maria prayed.
"Do you think she'll steal from us?" Zarbon asked. Maria breathed a sigh of relief. It didn't sound like he'd say anything.
"I don't know. It's your job to find out, Zarbon." Frieza replied. "Understood?"
"Yes sir." Zarbon nodded.
"Good. Tell me everything." Frieza ordered. Maria could hear his footsteps moving away - luckily he wasn't coming towards her. She waited for a few seconds, and went round the corner.

Zarbon was standing there, watching Frieza walk away. Maria looked at Frieza, and then at the expression on Zarbon's face. It was a dreamy gaze. Maria smirked.
"Well, I have to agree with you there. He's easy on the eyes."
"Huh?!" Zarbon gasped and spun around to look at her. His eyes were wide. "Where did you come from?!"
"You've started doing your research already? Frieza'll be pleased about that, right?"
"Wha? Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?!" Zarbon demanded. "Yeah, but don't say it like that," Maria replied. "I was just passing and happened to hear you two."
"You have some nerve!" Zarbon growled.
"So does Frieza! He doesn't trust me!" Maria protested.
"And he has good reason to! You ARE a thief!" Zarbon argued.
"I don't recall saying I wasn't." Maria smirked. "Anyway, why didn't you grass me up? Is it because you didn't want to tell him you bought a stolen bracelet?"
"Partly." Zarbon admitted.

His eyes widened when something flew into his mind. He reddened. "What do you mean he's easy on the eyes?!" he demanded.
"He's cute. Don't you agree?" Maria asked. "So... I guess he is your type. Too bad," she sighed, and brightened up again. "Still, there's plenty more fish in the sea. Is Frieza your type or mine?"
"I don't know!!" Zarbon exclaimed. "And anyway, I'm not like that!!"
"Oh, really? You just have lazy eyes then?" Maria asked.
"No! I was just - anyway, it's none of your business! But just for the record, I'm not!" Zarbon protested.
"Well," Maria put her hand on her hip, and smiled at him. "If you're really not like that, you won't mind taking a cute girl out to dinner."
"What?!" Zarbon's jaw dropped.
"Well," Maria challenged. "Are you going to ask me out? Or am I not your type?"
"Er..." Zarbon looked at her. What was he meant to do? She wasn't his type, but he preferred to keep that a secret - especially from an annoying bigmouth like her. He wouldn't like to go out with her anyway, even he wasn't "like "that". But... she wouldn't be convinced any other way.
"Well... it is just one date..." he thought. Zarbon sighed. "Fine. I'll take you out."
"Hm. That isn't how you're supposed to ask a girl out," Maria replied. "But I'll let it slip."
"You're too kind." Zarbon said sarcastically. Maria just smiled.
"I'll be in my room. Pick me up when we land, okay?" with that, she walked past him. Zarbon watched her leave, and groaned. Why didn't he just leave her on that planet?

Well, there was one really good side to it. At least this was a chance for him to get that information Frieza wanted.

*later*

"Finally." Frieza mumbled when he felt the ship land.
"How long until your business meeting, sir?" Zarbon asked.
"Not until tomorrow, but I want to rest for a bit before the meeting. And I want to explore this planet - I heard it's pretty valuable." Frieza told him.
"Are you going to buy it, sir?" Zarbon inquired.
"Maybe." Frieza replied.
"Er... you don't need me here, do you?" Zarbon reddened. How was he meant to tell Frieza he had a date with someone Frieza didn't even trust?!
"Why?" Frieza looked at him.
"Only... I... er... I'm taking Maria out for a while.... just to get something to eat..." Zarbon could feel his face burning. Frieza noticed this too, and smirked.
"You mean you've asked her out on a date?"
"Only I you don't mind...?" Zarbon replied. "Please mind, please mind." he prayed silently.
"Of course not. This is a perfect opportunity for you to get some background information on her." Frieza said. He chuckled. "As long as you come back wearing your underwear.
"Lord Frieza!" Zarbon went even redder. Frieza just laughed.
"Just kidding. Go on, take her out - but don't come back too late. I don't want you falling asleep when I take you to that meeting."
"I won't come back late." Zarbon promised, and thought to himself. "No, really, I won't come back late."
He left the room.

Zarbon made his way down the corridor. Where would he take her? This was a planet he'd never been to before. No. Zarbon shook his head. There was bound to be a restaurant somewhere, right? He stopped outside Maria's room, and stood there for a while. Why was he doing this? It was Maria! He didn't even like her that much. Zarbon groaned. Why didn't he just leave her on that planet? Why?!
"This'll be the only date she'll get." he promised himself. There was no way she was going out with HIM again!

He swallowed, and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Maria's voice replied. Zarbon opened the door. Maria was standing there. She'd changed her hairstyle. It was no longer tied back, it just hung loosely. Her hair looked kind of wavy when it was like that. Probably because of those plaits, Zarbon thought.
"So, you came?" Maria smiled.
"This is a one off, alright?" Zarbon warned. "I'm never taking you out again!"
"Don't speak too soon. You might like my company." Maria smirked.
"I doubt that." Zarbon told her. Maria rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, come on." she said. They both left the room.

Zarbon walked quickly, eager to get this over with.
"Hey! Slow down!" Maria scolded. "You're supposed to be walking beside me, not away from me."
"So walk faster." Zarbon told her.
"Zarbon!" Maria growled. She picked up speed, and almost had to jog to keep up with him. "Go at a normal pace!"
"This is normal for me." Zarbon replied.
"So how come you've been walking at a slower speed for the past two days?" Maria challenged.
"Er..." Zarbon struggled to think of anything. "My leg's been hurting?"
"Mmm hmm." Maria looked at him. "You may not like dating cute girls, but you could at least make an effort."
"I could, but I won't." Zarbon refused to give in. She couldn't tell HIM how to behave! Who did she think she was?!
"If you don't slow down, I won't give you any of the information you're meant to be getting." Maria smirked. She had him there.

Zarbon sighed.
"Fine." he slowed down.
"Thank you ~*~" Maria smiled sweetly at him.
"Do you know how annoying you are?" Zarbon growled.
"Perhaps you're the one that needs to sort themselves out. You have an attitude problem." Maria argued.
"Well if you think I'm that bad, why do you insist on going out with me?" Zarbon asked.
"Because you're cute." Maria replied. "And it's been ages since I went out with anyone on a real date."
"Flattering." Zarbon rolled his eyes. "And I told you, I'm more handsome than cute."
"You love yourself." Maria accused.
"What's wrong with having a bit of pride?" Zarbon asked.
"Nothing, but you have much more than a bit of pride." Maria told him.
"I never asked to be good looking. It came naturally." Zarbon shrugged. Maria shook her head.
"You have an answer for everything."
"You too." Zarbon mumbled.
"Well it's not a bad thing." Maria reasoned.
"It is in your case." Zarbon replied.
"Just for that, you can't kiss me goodnight." Maria smirked.
"As if!" Zarbon exclaimed. "I'm way out of your league, nomad."
"We'll see about that..." Maria muttered.

They finally got outside. The ship had landed a few feet away from town. Zarbon and Maria headed for the shops. When they got there, they looked around. There weren't many shops actually. It was mostly just a lot of stalls selling all kinds of things. A smile spread across Maria's face.
"Wow... this place is perfect!" she exclaimed.
"I'm assuming you mean it's easy for a pickpocket like you to steal things." Zarbon said.
"Pretty much ^_^" Maria replied. "But come on, I'm starving. Why don't you take your date to a restaurant?"
"Don't call yourself that." Zarbon ordered, and began to lead her through the crowd. He looked around as he walked. Finally, he saw a restaurant.
"Here." he said, and approached it. They went inside. Maria looked around. The walls were made of silver marble. The floor was the same. The tables and chairs were limestone.
"This place must be worth a bit." she commented.
"Don't steal anything." Zarbon ordered.
"Don't worry," Maria smirked. "I'm done for today."
"What do you mea - AAH!!" Zarbon gasped when he looked at her.
She was wearing a small, and very full backpack. She also had a lot of jewellery on her.
"You were pick pocketing?!" he exclaimed.
"Ssh! Keep your voice down!" Maria scolded. Zarbon looked around. Nobody in the restaurant had heard him. He frowned at her.
"How could you steal on our date?!" he growled.
"I thought you ere never keen to go out in the first place?" Maria replied.
"I wasn't! But if you're coming out with me you could at least keep your hands to yourself!" Zarbon lectured.
"I didn't think you'd be so ashamed," Maria admitted. "Sorry."
"How did you get that backpack anyway? Surely the person you stole it off noticed?"
"They did - when I was gone. I took it off a stall. The stall's owner was talking to someone. It's his own fault, he shouldn't let his guard down." Maria shrugged. "I could do with a bag, anyway."
"I would've thought someone like you would have something to carry other people's things in." Zarbon said.
"I did - but I sold it." Maria replied. "I needed the money."
"Hm." Zarbon wasn't impressed.

"Good evening," a man approached them. Maria looked at him. He looked like one of Zia's race. Maybe this was her home planet?
"A table for two, please." Zarbon ordered.
"Right this way, sir." the man led them to an empty table in the corner of the room. He handed them each a menu, and walked away.
"I suppose I'm paying." Zarbon mumbled.
"Don't worry, I'll get something cheap." Maria promised. Zarbon sighed.
"Hey," Maria looked at him. "Do you think that guy would be interested in buying -"
"Don't even think about it." Zarbon growled.
"I was just kidding." Maria defended herself.
"Well don't." Zarbon said sternly. Maria stuck her tongue out at him.

*later*

Zarbon decided to start with that research. He looked at her.
"So where were you born?" he asked.
"Where were you born?" Maria replied.
"I asked you first." Zarbon growled.
"And I asked you second." Maria answered back. "But I'm a lady, so my question comes first."
"Well I'm more important than you." Zarbon argued.
"I'm your date."
"I saved your life."
"I....." Maria tried to think of something to beat that. She couldn't.
"Touché." she sighed. "Okay, I was born on Zacrimania. Now you tell me where you were born."
"Zacrimania." Zarbon replied. Maria smiled hopefully.
"North Zacra?"
"No. I was born in the south." Zarbon told her.
"Oh..." Maria seemed a little disappointed.
"Why did you leave Zacrimania?" Zarbon asked.
"Why did you?" Maria smirked.

Zarbon groaned.
"If you must know, I got a job as a henchman, working for one of Frieza's contacts. Then, I was hired as Frieza right-hand-man. Now answer my question." he ordered.
"Is Frieza that much older than you?" Maria asked.
"What?" Zarbon looked at her. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Just curious." Maria shrugged.
"He's about five years older - but his race ages slower than ours so he's probably a couple of years younger than me." Zarbon told her. "Anyway, will you just answer the question."
"How do you know I'm not lying?" Maria challenged.
"I can tell." Zarbon replied.
"... Well..." Maria began. "I guess I just really liked travelling... I'd... I'd heard stories of other planets and races... so... I just wanted to see them."
"Liar." Zarbon accused.
"It's true!" Maria protested.
"You were hesitating, and the expression on your face wasn't doing you any favours," Zarbon told her."

Maria looked at the ground.
"Well... I'd rather not talk about that." she admitted. "It's something I don't want people to know about."
"What are you," Zarbon put his hand on his hip and said boldly: "Maria the Mysterious?" he mocked, and smirked.
"Zarbon!" Maria growled. "That wasn't funny!"
"I thought it was." Zarbon shrugged. "Anyway, are you going to tell me about your past or not?"
"No." Maria refused.
"Surely you're exaggerating." Zarbon said. "It can't be that THAT secret."
"It is." Maria replied.
"Fine then." Zarbon mumbled. He wondered what it could be. Someone like her must've told a few lies in the past - no, a LOT of lies. So she must know how to look truthful. Her past was obviously distracting her.
Maybe she'd committed a crime on their home planet. That was probably why she wouldn't tell him. It was Zarbon's home planet she'd offended. She was probably banned from it, Zarbon thought.

"So... tell me about yourself." Maria said. "Any hobbies? Interests?" she narrowed her eyes at him. "And you can't talk about your looks."
"I don't see why not. It's a good a topic as any." Zarbon replied. Well... at least he could talk about himself.
"I already know how much you adore yourself." Maria told him. "You must have other interests."
"Jewellery." Zarbon shrugged.
"What sort of jewelry?" Maria questioned.
"You're not going to try to sell me any, are you?" Zarbon asked suspiciously. Maria giggled, and shook her head.
"No. I really want to know."
"Well..." Zarbon began. "Anything, really. Most things look good on me."
"Mmm-hmm." Maria said. "How old are you?" she asked.
"Are you going to ask how much I weigh next?" Zarbon replied.
"Tell me." Maria ordered.
"If you have to know, I'm twenty five." Zarbon told her.
"Two years older than me." Maria stated.

She became more interested in him.
"Any family?" she asked.
"Yes..." Zarbon answered. "A brother and father. They're working for another planet. King Yoa or something."
"Your mother's... a spirit?" Maria said.
"I suppose you could call it that." Zarbon shrugged.
"How old's your brother? What's his name?" Maria asked.
"Froya. He's fourteen." Zarbon told her.
"What's your favourite colour?"
"Pale green." Zarbon said.
"Because of your own skin?" Maria rolled her eyes.
"It might not be!" Zarbon protested.
"Give me another reason." Maria demanded.
"...... I just like it. No particular reason." Zarbon told her. "It's because of your skin." Maria stated. Zarbon decided to give up fighting her. After all, he did kinda like his skin colour.
"When's your birthday?" Maria asked.
"5th March." Zarbon told her.
"Pisces..." Maria mumbled. He wasn't much like his horoscope.

She looked at him, wanting to know more. Man, she hadn't been out with someone in a long time! She's never been so interested in anyone before! Maybe it was because Zarbon was of her race. All the other guys she'd been out with had been aliens. Cute, fun aliens, but aliens.
"How old were you when you started working?"
"Hmm..." Zarbon thought back. "I started training when I was about seven... got my first job with one of Frieza's contacts when I was about thirteen... and..." when was it...? Oh, right. "I started working for Frieza when I was nineteen or so."
"You started work at a young age." Maria commented.
"What?" Zarbon looked at her. "Didn't you know that males on our home planet are expected to start work when they turn thirteen?"
"I... haven't spent much time on Zacrimania..." Maria admitted. "It's just my birthplace, really..."
"But your parents must've been zacrimanian. Didn't they teach you anything?" Zarbon was surprised that one of his race knew so little about the zacrimanian way of life.
"Yeah... my parents were zacrimanian..." Maria mumbled. "But, my history's not that important. I want to know more about you."
"Well..." Zarbon began to talk about himself again.

*later*

They stopped outside Maria's bedroom door.
"Goodnight." Zarbon said, half - glad it was over. The other half wanted to know why Maria was so withdrawn when it came to her past. There was definitely something wrong there - and Zarbon felt that he really needed to find out what. Frieza needed to know what was with that woman.
But... that was the smaller half of Zarbon.
"Charming." Maria replied sarcastically. "It wasn't that bad, right?" she said. "I thought it was nice."
"I suppose it wasn't as bad as I'd expected..." Zarbon admitted.
"Was that because we were talking about you?" Maria asked.
"I can't help it if you find me interesting." Zarbon reasoned. In other words, yes.
Maria knew what he meant, too. She didn't seem to mind that much, though.
"Goodnight, Zarbon." she smiled. She really wanted to kiss him goodnight, but she knew he wouldn't let her. So she let him leave, and went into her room.

Zarbon breathed a sigh of relief as he walked down the corridor. "That wasn't so bad." he thought. "At least the conversation was interesting."
Zarbon knocked on a door he eventually came to.
"Who is it?" Frieza voice asked.
"Zarbon, sir." Zarbon replied.
"Come in." the door opened. Zarbon stepped inside. He wished Frieza could've been in any other room. This one always made him feel like he was blushing. It was Frieza's bedroom.
"I thought you'd be back earlier." Frieza commented. "It's half past ten."
"Half past ten?!" Zarbon gasped. "I've been out for two hours?!" he shook his head. "But... it's still light outside."
"Don't be such a fool." Frieza scolded. "The days on this planet are thirty hours long."
"Oh..." Zarbon felt so embarrassed. He should've figured out that the days were longer. How long had he been in this business?!

"Did you get a background check on that girl like I asked you?" Frieza asked.
"Yes sir." Zarbon nodded. "She and I are from the same planet."
"Do you know her?" Frieza questioned.
"No. She's from the north, I'm from the south." Zarbon told him.
"What else?" Frieza looked at him.
"Well... from what I can gather... she's been travelling all her life. She wouldn't tell me much about her past. It seemed like it was a pretty sensitive subject..." Zarbon replied.
"A crime, perhaps?" Frieza guessed.
"I couldn't tell. But she hasn't been on Zacrimania long. She said she was just born there. But she didn't tell me anything else."
"Hmm..." Frieza sat down. "Try to get more information -" he said, and frowned. "And another thing, tell her that if she keep paying slaves and giving them time off she'll be fired!"
"She's doing what?" Zarbon gasped.
"Treating them like they're one of us. Time off. Money. She isn't even strict with them. She's friendly." Frieza told him. "If she carries on they'll get it into their heads that they can just walk all over us. Have a word with her."
"I will." Zarbon promised. With that, he left the room.

He decided to talk to Maria tomorrow. He might as well just rest now. Another five hours 'til midnight, and they needed to be up early tomorrow. What time was that meeting...? Zarbon wondered as he headed for his own room. Ah yes. He remembered now. Two in the morning.

Zarbon entered his room, and lay down on the bed. He didn't feel that tired, so he just lay there for a while. His thoughts were keeping him awake. What was with that Maria? Just what exactly had happened to her? He hoped she'd tell him. Frieza would start getting impatient soon. And as cute as he was when he was angry, he was also scary - and perfectly capable of killing everybody in sight if he wanted to. Zarbon sighed. He'd have to take Maria out again, right? Or... maybe he could just talk to he more often. They were staying for a little bit more after Frieza had had the meeting. Zarbon could talk to her then, maybe take her off the ship or something. And he could always talk to her on the way home. Neither of them left the ship for too long.
Yeah. He'd take her out. Not on a date, just outside. Maybe she'd talk to him if they were alone. There was bound to be a clearing around here someplace. It wasn't the most advanced of planets. Zarbon smiled, satisfied with his plans.