Chapter Four: Aftershocks

"Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us."

The moment that Bulma and Chichi could steal away, they did so, quietly hiding from the various giggles and exclamations of the other ladies in the house. Chichi sat comfortably on her bed, brushing her long, dark hair. Her small smile made Bulma's face brighten. The former was very much able to finally voice her opinions on the very much admired, Mr. Son.

"He's what every man ought to be!" She leaned against the soft pillows by the head rest. "He's sensible, lively, good natured, quite humorous. With such a temper at ease, I fear he shall have every young girl in the village very much in love with him."

"Ah, yes, and he is also terribly handsome, which every young man ought to be and so seldom are." They both fell into a slight lapse of giggles, neither able to stop for a few minutes. "So his wonderful character is complete. I see nothing that cannot be trusted."

Chichi sat up, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders. "I was quite flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I never would've wished in a million years to be paid such attention."

"Did you not," Bulma reeled, head cocking to the side. "I most certainly did. I gather that this is one of the major differences between us— compliments always take you by surprise. Any praise given to you is no shock to me. Of course he should ask you again! Anybody could see that you are prettier than any other girl in the room, and to him it must've been multiplied! He certainly has made a fine impression I think. Yes, I give you permission to like him, you have definitely liked a stupider person!"

"Oh, Bulma! How cruel, haha!"

"You are very willing, as you know, to like people. You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of any human being in my entire life."

The raven-haired woman tossed a pillow to her younger sister, both settling down in each other's company. "I suppose I do not like to be so hasty in my opinion of a person. But you do know that I have a great tendency to speak my mind when I see right or wrong."

"How true this is! And this makes me wonder at you, dearest Chichi. You'll be much too blind to ever notice anyone's true character, as you will always be looking for the good in him. Once you've finally found the good in that person, they will have done you a great wrong. No matter, this is why you have me!

"So, you like his sisters do you? I'm sure their manners are not at all like his."

"Mm, at first, no. But after talking with them for a while, they are very pleasing ladies. Miss Son is to live with her brother and keep up his house. And I am much mistaken if we will not find a very charming neighbor in her as well."

Bulma listened in contemplative silence. She remained unconvinced of their hospitable ways. Their behavior and manners at the ball were enough to allow Bulma to continue on with the same impression she had first been given. They were pleased with themselves, and knew enough of their status to feel secure in not having to please anyone else.

No, Bulma would continue to go on thinking of them exactly as she had before.

Vegeta hated all forms of stupidity, really he did. And while standing in the lovely drawing room of Mt. Paozu's finest room, he deemed that nearly all "country folks" were, in fact, stupid. That, and they just didn't know when to shut up. With a small 'humph', he stood by the window, glaring out onto the defenseless forests.

"And so none of the country ladies could impress you, Mr. Ouji? Not even the famous Miss Briefs's?" asked Miss Son. Goku stood up, poking at a burning log in the fireplace. "What are you talking about? I've never met with such pleasant ladies before in my life!"

"Oh, I believe they're quite nice, even if their society lacks much of what we're used to," replied his sister, taking her seat by their other sister.

Goku sighed, looking helplessly to Vegeta for help. "Well, I won't think ill of the eldest Miss Briefs. She is quite the lady, right Vegeta?"

Mr. Ouji blinked once before turning around to face his best friend. "She smiles too much." The ladies let out a laugh, before Miss Son spoke up again. "Miss Briefs is a nice girl, despite her mother and sisters. What a rude bunch they are!" Goku shrugged, not really minding what was said about the mother. Despite the fact that he liked to be friends and agreeable with one and all, he knew that there was no way to save her from the criticism of his sisters.

Indeed, the rest of the Briefs' were doomed to the ill favors of his household.

Gulping, Mr. Son walked out of the room, determined to find something good about that family. Vegeta, however, watched him carefully. If he didn't know any better, he would figure his friend to be dangerously close to falling in love.

"Dammit," he muttered, following out of the room as well.

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A/N: Sorry about the length all! I was brought to the light by a lovely reviewer about the fact that my dialogue in this fic is waaaaaaay too copied from the book. The last half of this chapter was written after that review, so I've decided to yes, use the book as a reference, but use my own words and dialogue to get this fic moving. It'll prolly be a while till I get the next chapter out, but maybe tomorrow I can try, as I will watch the A&E version of the movie tonight.

Thanks for all the reviews,

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and a great thanks to all who reviewed my other fics! Y'all are soooooo awesome!

Till next time, Ja Ne!

Pearl