Stolen Hearts Chapter Ten
Approximately an hour later Vegeta returned looking rather flustered, but with a smile still to give.
'A smile for Galatea', Bulma though bitterly. She was surprised at it and quickly reprimanded herself. Galatea had wrought more smiles from her in the past hour then one had in her entire existence. It was simply something her presence demanded.
Bulma was in fact beginning to think she was going mad, first Vegeta now this prophetess who seemed to see into her soul. Was her face just having spasms? This was all very unnerving indeed.
She took a deep breath and a gulp of her tea, unfortunately at the same time so she ended up spluttering like a fountain and feeling very much like a fool.
"Oh dear, are you in that much of a hurry to have the healing potion? It will be ready in a few moments child, patience," Galatea said with a knowing smile.
Vegeta simply gazed at her with amused eyes, and she felt her face warm under his eyes. 'He must think I'm pathetic, this whole venture was only out of pity, look how glum he seems since he came back from that chore on my behalf. What a whiny child I am indeed,' she groaned inwardly. She scolded her weak mental state and immediately decided to harden herself. Since when did she care what others thought? No more prissy princess, she'd show them. She'd show them all.
"I'm going to find some food. Its almost evening and I haven't had anything all day and I'm starving," Vegeta stated with the accompanied agreement of his loud growling stomach that even made Bulma let out a small laugh.
"Child, you have a beautiful laugh, though it is weak from disuse. Don't you dare let it disappear entirely," Galatea said with warmness, "Go dear Vegeta, and don't forget to bring us back something now."
"I'm sure it will be quite a surprise for the Princess, for she has never had any of our kind of food," he replied mischievously.
"Oh no, I don't like the sound of that," Bulma said with a frown, pictures of large writhing worms came unpleasantly to mind.
"Don't mind him Bulma, that's just his way. You must pardon his rashness sometimes," Galatea said and Vegeta exited the tent with a wave and a roll of his eyes, "Here, drink this and be well."
Bulma did as she was directed and instantly felt relief and warmth as the liquid ran through her. She could feel it in her veins and watched in awe as her cuts and bruises disappeared along with the pain, leaving only a tingling sensation.
"This is true magic," Bulma gaped running her hands along her skin, "You are the greatest healer I have ever seen! I would be a fool to call myself a magic user in front of you."
"No child, you give me too much credit," Galatea answered waving it off, "It is simply the lore of Mother Nature, She gives us all we will ever need, it is simply whether we have a mind to see it or not, I'd like to call it ordinary miracles. If you want to see real magic watch this," she said as she outstretched her hand mumbling something and Bulma outfit was repaired without one single rip left. Galatea laughed at Bulma's wide eyes.
"Go outside child, youth like you should never be inside for so long. Test your new bone, the fresh air is a wonderful healer as well."
Bulma nodded and professed her thanks once again before she was shooed out into the light of the dying day.
She felt awkward and extremely out of place as she watched the people hurry by, too busy with their own tasks to take much notice of her. She was worried to step out into the flurry, yet she was fascinated by it. She stood observing the different creatures and listened to pieces of conversations, trying to guess what their life might be like.
There was a large she-wolf arguing with a tiny gnome, making an amusing scene. The wolf could have swallowed the gnome whole, but she simply gnashed her teeth as the gnome hurried to finish making something.
'I bet he is making her lovely winter sweaters for her wolf pups who love playing in the snow but always catch a frightful cold. The gnome loves working with his hands and creating something new, and has enough pride in his work to even stand a giant wolf down,' Bulma mused.
She watched intently and saw the gnome attach a device to the wolf's ear. It seems as though her hearing wasn't what it used to be and the gnome was making her a hearing aide. They weren't fighting at all, they simply had to talk loudly to be understood.
"It seems I was quite off," Bulma said to herself with a smile.
"What is a lovely young thing like you doing out here by yourself?" a voice inquired.
Bulma turned to see an impossibly old gnarled Fey man grinning at her through thick glasses.
"I know I'm not quite the stud I used to be, but I reckon I still can show a gal a good ole time," he said giving her a smile that sported a few missing teeth. Bulma couldn't help but laugh at his ridiculous proposition.
"I'm sure you could kind sir."
"Heh, you know I'm a celebrity? Yup, sure am. I helped found this town here, yes I did. Worked like there was no tomorer."
"And how do you like the tomorrow now that it has come?" Bulma said with a smile but the old man was interrupted before he could answer.
"Galar are you putting the moves on my girl again you slick cat?" Vegeta's voice cut in.
"Ooooh, I see. Your girl Vegeta? Swear I hadn't a clue."
"You can say that again, now hurry along, or you will miss your gambling with the other 'founders'," Vegeta said with a laugh.
"Young whipper-snappers don't show respect no more," Galar mumbled good- naturedly as he shambled off.
"Your girl, huh?" Bulma questioned with a raised eyebrow in threat.
"Well that was just the quickest way to get him to leave, I figured," he answered unconvincingly with a forced cough and a smirk as he handed her some unintelligible meat product in an attempt to change the subject.
"It's Centicore. They have been getting out of control lately, so the meat is cheap, but it's good."
Bulma's lip arched in disgust and skepticism, "I don't believe you. You eat it first."
"Fine!" he said and took a large handful and crammed in unceremoniously into his mouth.
"Ugh, like I could trust you barbarian taste in the matter," she jested and took a small bite. It was spicy and warm and..delicious! But then again, hunger is the best spice.
"Seems someone isn't as picky as she sounds, or..proper," he said, trying to decide if her should be appalled or amused as she shoveled food into her mouth at a rate to challenge the most vulgar of men.
"Tastes just like chicken," she said through bites.
"Isn't that trite."
"You mean true."
"I wouldn't know."
They both laughed, for no particular reason, other then they could.
"You know if someone had told me yesterday that I'd be sitting here in some rustic town eating Centicore like it was the best thing in the world with a maraudering Elf, I would have called them mad then kicked them for saying such an offense."
"Well I guess things have a way of turning out different from what we expect."
"By the gods I hope so, because I do not expect anything good nor do I trust it."
"Maybe fate resents the fact that one would think they had it figured out."
"Perhaps.."
"I have something for you Princess," Vegeta said sheepishly as he pulled out the most gorgeous necklace that must have ever existed. The most gorgeous jewel that is, the jewel on the simple chain was ..breathtaking. It seemed to be some large diamond, but Bulma got the feeling it was far more precious. It seemed to almost shine with an inner light; it flickered and sparkled with different colors when you turned it. Light seemed changed when it reflected on its countless faceted surfaces, it seemed to take the light and change it into thousands of glints of rainbow.
"Oh heavens alight, its beautiful Vegeta. Where did you find such a remarkable treasure and why are you bestowing such an honor upon me? I should seem dull and ugly next to its radiance."
"I don't know what honor is in a jewel, but all I know is that I think that jewel was made in the heavens for you, for you are the only one who is as, if not more, resplendent then it and can keep its brilliance in check. And I do owe you a necklace for the one I um..borrowed, plus I have no use for such a thing. I came across it in my um..borrowing, and always kept if for some reason." He looked away in embarrassment, cursing his little emotional outburst, and wishing he didn't keep trying to ruin his life.
Bulma beamed with indeed rivaling beauty as he placed it around her elegant neck, regardless of how confused it made her feel because of who was bestowing it.
"A thousand thanks to you sir, I do not deserve such a gift, but I shall never take it off."
"Quite the contrary, and who said it was a gift? Don't go thinking I'm soft or anything, this is simply business," he said with a soft smile that made it seem he meant just the opposite.
What was that? What was that warm feeling inside her, this absence of sorrow? Was she happy in this moment? Was this happiness right here before her? It had been so long she felt like a confused traveler in a foreign land. It was amazing how they were back here again, even though she was so angry earlier. It was like they were meant to feel like this and their stubborn distrustful actions just kept getting in the way of what was natural.
The sun finished the last rays of its lingering goodbye and the moon rose in its awful majesty over the silver tree tops. Through the air drifted strains of remote and exotic music.
"Ah, the nightly festivities have begun. Would you like to attend dear Princess? I'm sure it will be quite the experience," Vegeta said in a non- committal voice, beautifully modulated, as he stared off indifferently towards the music.
Bulma mulled over his beauty in the paleness of the moon for a moment before answering truthfully.
"I've had so many new experiences today; I suppose it couldn't hurt to add one more to the list. I must test my new ankle anyway."
"Yes you must test your ankle," Vegeta agreed, hiding his smile at the well placed excuse and led the way through the dark.
AN:...fun stuff next chapter, see ya then, thanks for reading!