Piccolo opened his eyes, seeing she was still pacing, "What?"
"Something's not right here," replied, feeling uneasy.
"You were the one who agreed to come," he said, then grumbled, "And dragged me along."
"If all he wants is to talk to me, why go through all this pomp?" she countered, stepping behind the screen to change into the gown she'd brought, "Why not just talk?"
"Because, he's a king," Piccolo sighed, watching her walk back out.
"How does this look?" she asked after she'd tossed her hair up into a simple bun.
"Fine," he said, eyeing her leg through the high slit, "You sure that's appropriate?"
"It's a traditional gown, P-sama," she growled, sitting down at the vanity and lining her eyes with kohl, going back to her point, "Don't you think something feels . . . Weird?"
"I haven't noticed," he said, not wanting to admit that he did, "You're just paranoid."
She frowned at him, "And you're just stupid."
"No one's keeping you here you know," he said seriously, "You can just walk out."
"That would be rude," she said, then sighed, "Then again, look who I'm talking to. It's his birthday and he requested my presence. I may not be obligated, but it was damn flattering, okay."
"Why hasn't he asked you before?" he pointed out, "You've been retired for over two years. Why the interest in you now?"
She shot him a glare, "At least someone's interested in me."
He scowled, "What are you getting at?"
"Nothing," she said, getting up at the knock on the door, "Are you going with me?"
"No," he replied, "But I am going to have a look around."
"See you later then," she said coolly.
"Nozomi. . ."
She paused, looking back at him, raising a brow.
"You look . . . You look nice," he said, mentally rolling his eyes.
She smiled, getting what he meant, "Thank you."
She followed her escort to what she assumed was the dining hall, and saw it was merely a small side room with a low dining table on an ornately carved platform. The king was already seated, a cup of tea in his hands, and the escort bowed to him before leaving.
"Please, have a seat," Tao said, waving his almost dainty hand at a cushion across from him.
She removed her shoes before she stepped onto the platform, making herself comfortable. Tao snapped his fingers and the sound of a door sliding open behind her made her aware he'd put her in a very vulnerable position, but outwardly she remained stoically silent. An attendant entered with a cup and poured her tea while another followed and with a tray of food. The fact it was already plated also unnerved her, and she was beginning to become irate. Either the king was ignorant, rude, or he was really trying to poison her. She supposed she made her point when she calmly sat there as he began eating.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"A wise man never takes what is sat before him at a powerful table," she replied, "Unless everyone has taken it from the same container."
She watched him give her a sly smile and hold up his plate, "Then trade with me."
She did just that, seeing momentary shock and anger on his face. Obviously he thought his offer was enough to gain her trust, and he frowned again as she began eating. He began eating from her untouched plate and she wondered what Piccolo was doing.
x
He walked silently down the quiet hall, his senses straining as he paused at a door, slowly pushing it open. Blinking, he walked in, raising a brow as he looked warily around. It was completely empty, devoid of even a picture on the wall. He turned to leave, seeing a black robed figure blocking his way. It reached up and pulled down its hood, and his eyes flew wide.
"You!" he growled, feeling a sudden sharp pain in his arm. Looking down, he pulled a long, thin dart out of his arm with a snarl. Ready to kill, the room began swimming as he threw it to the side, not making it a step before he collapsed.
x
She took her glass of mulled wine and watched the king take a sip before she ventured one of her own, liking the mixture of spices used. The food had been delicious, but after taking his food from him, the king hadn't been keen on engaging her in much conversation. Though he did seem content on just looking at her with a gaze that she found to be calculating and predatory.
"I suppose you're beginning to wonder why it is I've brought you here," he said calmly, watching her finish her wine.
"It's crossed my mind," she said, feeling warm.
"There's been a lot of talk about you lately," he replied, seeing her cheeks were flushing, "Especially after the Tenkaichi Budokai."
"Has there," she said blankly, her glass slipping and hitting the table, her body slumping after it, "Damn you."
"There has," he continued, watching her fingers twitch, "And then I heard about your association with the Solarian Temple, and realized that some of the rumors must have an inkling of truth about how powerful you really were. So I decided to test you against my most powerful warriors."
"So you drugged me?!" she spat, glaring at him.
"I had to. You see, I knew you wouldn't willingly pit yourself to the death with my elite guard, so I decided not to give you much of a choice," he smirked.
"I do have a choice," she growled, raising her ki to burn up the drug he'd used faster, "When this wears off, I'll rip you apart."
"I see. I guessed you might react this way, so I decide to procure a small piece of insurance," he said, snapping his fingers.
She had managed to push herself up on her elbows, when the robed figure she'd seen when they arrived entered, tossing something on the table. It landed with a familiar thud, and she stared at it, growling, "What have you done with him?!"
"I've got him tucked away, his ki sealed as an added safety measure," Tao replied, "I assure you, he'll be fine. Provided you play along. If you didn't, I can't guarantee you that either of you will make it out alive."
"Fine," she snapped, wondering how this brat had been wished back with all the 'good people', "I don't have a choice."
"I'm glad you see it my way," he said, looking at the figure and giving a slight nod.
She felt a slight prick on her neck, collapsing again before her vision faded to black., the last thing she saw was Piccolo's turban lying on the table.