Hollllyyyy Mackeral! How long has it been since I last updated? Bad, bad, Indi. (Smacks self on back of hand.) Talk about your bad case of writer's block. I must have written something like ten chapters for later on in the story, but I can't write one stinking bridging chapter to join them all! Yeesh!
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To Me
Ch 7: Habitat
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I think I ought to go to bed
It's getting dark inside my head
I've been working now, all night long,
Trying to find that impossible song.
I think I ought to go to bed, and call it a day.
(I'm So Tired – Kevin Ayers)
Anysis was snapped back to the present by the sound of someone clearing their throat. She rose off the couch and turned, but as soon as she set eyes on the man before her, she almost had to sit back down. She gasped. :Why did I choose these clothes for him?:
Vegeta was dressed in long, loose black pants and a sleeveless red gi top with a line of white symbols down the right hand side. He stood in his trademark arms-crossed-smirk-on-face pose. His father had worn the same outfit on the day she had left. It was the last time she saw him alive.
:Vegeta…:
"What is it woman? You look like you've seen a ghost."
:For a moment there, I did.:
She smiled meekly. "My foot's fallen asleep and I just got a rush of pins'n'needles." She hoped that he believed her weak attempt at a lie.
He glanced down at the sofa and back up at her.
"Whatever." Vegeta turned and stalked over to the kitchen area.
Anysis looked down and was surprised to find her white-knuckled hand holding onto the chair's arm as if her life depended on it.
"Where's my dinner?"
Her head snapped up. "Huh?"
"My food. Where is it?"
"Oh."
She strode into the kitchen, forgetting to feign a slight limp, which she was sure Vegeta noticed though he said nothing about it, and sat down at an empty table.
"You never told me what you wanted, so tonight it's random." Anysis held up an open hand. "Pick a number from one to five."
"Ugh. These games again."
She glared at him.
"One."
:Typical.:
She folded her thumb into her palm and back out again, causing a small purple bubble of light to form. It hovered over to the centre of the table and then burst, leaving the table laden with dishes of steaming food.
"Roast beef with vegetables and all the trimmings of course."
Vegeta's eyes bulged and he practically drooled as the mouth-watering feast before him assaulted his senses. A place was set for him opposite the woman with pristine white crockery and sparkling silver utensils just begging to be used. He grinned.
:I could get used to this.:
"Well, dig in."
She didn't have to tell him twice. By the time she finished her plate, Vegeta had gone through four and was on his fifth. Anysis wasn't surprised. :Ah, Saiyans and the bottomless pits they call stomachs.: She leant her head in her hand and watched him eat, a sense of nostalgia enveloping her. :So familiar.:
Upon sensing that he had an audience, Vegeta froze mid-shovel and looked up at her.
Anysis smiled. "I can't believe someone can eat so fast and yet be so… particular. I don't think you've dropped a crumb, but I suppose it is expected of you…"
He said nothing but continued clearing his plate. A few moments later, he leant back from the table, finally satisfied. Anysis quirked an eyebrow.
"I hope you have some room left for dessert."
"Dessert?" :Oh yes. That human ritual of a sweet meal after dinner.:
"Yeah. Only a simple one this time." She clicked her fingers and the table was re-laid, this time with a single bowl in front of each of them and a jug full of some creamy yellow liquid.
"This is 'Cenamor Foeht Srewolf' or, 'Heart of the Flower'. It's a delicacy, and my favourite."
Vegeta looked down at his bowl. The golden cake-thing was shaped like a flower and smelt a bit like one too. He seriously wondered if he would be able to stomach it.
"It's a type of pudding-cake made from various nut meals and berries, with a liquid centre of Hiath flower syrup. In the pitcher is a type of savoury custard that will cut down the sweetness of the cake. I know you don't like anything overly sweet."
He frowned. It unnerved him to know that she knew such things about him. :Where did she get her information? What is her source?:
They ate in silence, Vegeta slyly watching the woman as she obviously enjoyed her dessert. He rather liked it himself, but drowned in the custard. The table was again cleared and she rose from her chair grinning.
"Now for the fun part. Showing you around this place."
"I've already seen it."
His tone did not discourage her. "Just like you 'saw' the bathroom?"
He snorted.
"Firstly, the kitchen. You don't need to concern yourself with the fridge and pantry. I'll take care of it. Oh, that reminds me." She reached into the top pocket of her jeans and pulled out a small object. "Here, this is for you."
She tossed it to him and he caught it effortlessly. It was a ring made of white stone that was engraved with his name followed by some characters he assumed was from the woman's language.
"Put it on."
He looked up at her. "Are you insane? I get a ring from a strange woman and she expects me to wear it? How do I know that it's not part of your mating ritual? Or part of some plot to trap me into marrying you?"
Anysis' eyes widened from the shock of what Vegeta had just implied and then she threw back her head and laughed.
"Oh Vegeta, while I am of age and you are a fine suitor, I just don't think it would be appropriate for us to do either of the deeds you just mentioned." She laughed again. "Besides, you would know for sure if I attempted them."
She was sure Vegeta's cheeks took on a pale pink tint at her last comment, but aside from a slightly raised eyebrow, he made no response.
"Well fine." She folded her arms and pouted. "I guess you don't want a little bit of my power for your own."
His eyes narrowed. :Power? Her power?:
"How about the ability to make your own food whenever you like, whatever you like? Or even new clothes for training? Something to entertain yourself? Only small things mind you, like a book or game…" She trailed off when his expression didn't change. She closed her eyes and grit her teeth in frustration. :Stubborn little…:
The low growling sound that emanated from her throat got his attention though. He shivered as he desperately tried not to answer her with a call of his own; absolutely certain that his expression was one of pure lust.
Suddenly blood red eyes were looking at him from her ferally grinning face. ~Keep making her mad, my forcible one, and I can come out to play. I will answer your call…~ Her voice chuckled in his mind, and then was gone as her eyes became blue once again.
:What is she?:
"Uh, are you okay Vegeta? You look a bit pale… maybe you should have a lie down."
His slightly shocked expression turned into one of mild disgust.
"Don't coddle me, woman. I know my limits. I'm fine."
She rolled her eyes. "Forgive me for caring."
"Hmph."
"Are you going to put the ring on, or not?"
He stared at her.
"Well, when you're starving and I'm not around to make you anything, you'll only have yourself to blame." Anysis sighed and rubbed her temples. "I'm not going to argue with you anymore. Making this place bearable has left me drained." She stepped around the table and headed towards the bathroom. "A nice long soak and a good rest are what I need." She said, more to herself than to him. Her voice floated over from the other side of the living area. "Hold on to the ring, Vegeta. You may use it yet. And show yourself around. I give up."
With that, the bathroom closed with an audible click.
Vegeta smirked. :I win this round. But how to get her back for the 'cold tiles' comment?: An evil smile crept onto his face as he calculated his revenge. :Walk in on her. Perfect.:
He sat staring at the kitchen to give her time to well and truly let her guard down. Like the bathroom, all the fittings were now stainless steel, while the bench tops were a glassy blue. He decided that he didn't mind what he had seen so far. :At least it's not pink.:
Figuring it was time, he stood and headed towards the bathroom, taking note of the new additions along the way. The couches were oversized and soft-looking with navy blue upholstery and cream cushions, while the coffee table in between was made of a beautifully carved slab of hardwood. Her strange box stood as a centrepiece. Again the desire to touch it washed over him.
:She'd never know.: But if she did, it would spoil his perfect plan for revenge. :There'll be other opportunities.:
There were two rooms in front of him. The one on the left, he knew to be bathroom, but the other was completely new to him. As he got closer, he noticed the giant flower carved into the wooden door. :Must be the woman's room.: He was outside the bathroom door now, and he could hear the sound of water as she moved around. :Perfect.:
He swung the door open and strode into the room, a smirk on his face. He was greeted with silence. No screams, no gasping. In fact, he couldn't even see the woman. The smirk disappeared. :What the…?:
Vegeta could sense her ki in the bath in front of him, but couldn't see her under the mass of bubbles. :Must be underwater.: He crossed his arms and stood over the bath, careful not to cast a shadow over the water, thus alerting her to his presence. :She'll have to come up for air sometime, and then…:
His smirk was fading after standing still for over 5 minutes. Her ki was strong, so she wasn't unconscious. :Can she breathe underwater?:
An arm burst out from the bubbles, causing Vegeta to almost jump out of his skin. It was swiftly followed by another, then a head and shoulders, all apparently made of water. The form kept rising from the tub until it stood on top the water. He could tell it was female due to the curves and build, but apart from that, it had no clear outline or features.
She put her right hand palm down in front of her and sword rose from the bath, also made of water. When the sword was in her hand, she turned and looked at Vegeta, apparently noticing him for the first time. She lifted her left arm and made a fist, then opened it. A bubble floated out of her palm and over to Vegeta. Peering into the bubble, he could see some writing.
=Vegeta, so not a good time.=
"On the contrary, I think it's a perfect opportunity to explain some of my own 'rules'."
The bubble burst and another floated over to take its place. =No, really. Get out.=
He smirked. "Make me."
She formed another bubble and was about to release it when the room suddenly got incredibly cold. It burst in her hand as she turned to face the far wall, on Vegeta's left. A strange white mist began to form before her and took on the shape of a male, also with a sword. A bright silver cord formed between them, attached to each figure's midsection. At its appearance, the woman swung her blade at the cord, aiming to sever it. The male blocked her and continued to protect the cord as she tried to attack it.
Vegeta was fixed to the spot. He couldn't look away as they battled each other, the water and the mist wraith.
:What is going on here?:
With each of her failed attempts, the male moved closer, forcing her to step back until she was at the edge of the bathwater. The woman was trapped. With nowhere left to go, she lowered her sword and the male moved closer again. Only slightly more than arm's length from her, he reached up to touch her 'face'. As his hand travelled toward her, she raised her sword once again.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed. :His guard is not down. What is she doing?: He watched in disbelief as the woman turned the sword on herself. In an act of desperation, she drove the blade through her own midsection, thus severing the cord from its source. The man was flung back across the room and disappeared into nothingness, while the woman became ice and shattered into a million pieces.
The scream that followed brought him to his knees.
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Okay, so you're thinking 'what the heck is going on in this story?'. Well, Anysis has got some 'splaining to do that should answer some (not all, that would ruin the mystery) of your questions. In the next chapter:
To Me Chapter 8: Unfold