" I guess the phrase 'drop dead gorgeous' is quite applicable to your appearance, is that what you want or do you need to be indulged with more flattery?"
"More." Ryoko's feline eyes are locked on Vegeta as a very wide grin spreads across her cheeks. She makes a point of messing with her mostly straightened hair before placing her hands on her hips. Her hungry grin grows as it is fed by the compliments of Vegeta. For the time being he belongs to her and she is making sure right from the start he knows that and knows how much she intends to abuse her position. His words are by no means unadulterated soliloquies of how overwhelmed he is by her ravishing beauty, but getting him to say words concerning him liking her body is still something she can and is savouring to a large extent.
" And I quite like your get up, very prim and proper, though of course I do prefer your nice skin tight training outfits. When you said best I want you to know this ain't it, I'm gonna leave that to your imagination for now, no point spoiling that on our first date … Just for you I also re-thought my footwear, my little Vegey." Ryoko's grin splits open as she chuckles to herself, she is feeling very giddy and excited. Her toes curl about within her simple black slip on shoes as Vegeta looks down her long exposed leg and at the items she brought up. He knows she is mocking his diminutive height and how if she did indeed wear any boots with a heel then she might start getting close to becoming taller than his erect spikes of hair. The Saiyan sends her a look showing that he is not amused by her insulting him right off the bat. With a last chuckle she dismissively waves her hand at him before stepping up closer to him and offering her arm out to him. He extends his own arm and links it with her, Ryoko pulls closer to him and looks him dead in the eye.
" You're thinking about your wife aren't you? I'm not blind, it's not too much to ask that you don't think of other women when in my company is it? I mean your multi-form with copycat over there not withstanding, well I wouldn't be complaining if you did forget about her as well but try and focus on what you have and not what you did have, for both our sakes." Ryoko hugs tight to his arm whilst not breaking eye contact with him. She pokes his chest with her free arm and lets it linger there. If he thought that she would not suspect his feelings to drift off towards his lost lover then he underestimated her, and by the look in his eyes she knows that she is correct. She smirks at him knowingly, even as this reminder of how strong a hold his deceased wife still has on him causes a little ache within her chest.
" What I have, huh?" Vegeta brings a scarred hand up to the one poking him. What Ryoko is saying is a lot easier said then done. He did not think that any of his underlying emotions were showing on his face but apparently when Ryoko wants to be perceptive she is shockingly keen. She wraps her fingers around his hand and brings it close to her own chest as she turns her point towards herself and her plunging neck line.
"Yep, what you have, which just so happens to be me. Lucky you. And what I have is a date with you, so forget about Bulma for a few crazy hours and have some fun with me. Neither of us will regret it, and trust me, Vegey, this kinda thing will help you deal with her." She earnestly smiles at him as she releases his hand and goes to stand arm in arm by his side. That is all she has to say for now on the matter, she doesn't really want to be talking about it when instead she could be on her date with Vegeta, so unless he brings it up, which she highly doubts he will, their little talk is done. Ryoko looks across at him, his eyes still on her, and he slowly nods his head at her. Just as she feared it is actually taking a good deal of effort for Vegeta to indulge this want of hers, it almost makes her feel guilty over her whole want for this date in the first place. Almost. She has not lost sight of what this day is for Vegeta and what has a chance of occurring later on. If her gamble succeeds and the Saiyan succumbs to her charms then her rival will have no option but to remove herself and then the only thing standing between her and her happy ending is a ghost that will fade away in time.
The Sun in the sky vanishes and cold blackness descends around them but for the far off dim incandescent glow of a dying street lamp. Ryoko's grip on Vegeta subconsciously tightens as they appear on this dim lit street. He looks across to her as her glimmering and feline eyes dart about this night-time city he has brought them to and then she sarcastically huffs out the word 'great' under her breath. The immediate tension that filled her when the light was taken from her is gradually seeping out of her now she can see the few lights illuminating this street and feels the warmth of Vegeta at her side. Suspiciously she turns her gaze onto Vegeta and inspects his stoic face. Ryoko sees that he was not doing this to purposefully evoke her phobia, or judge her on her reaction, even still she reprimands him, calling him a naughty boy for not warning her. He shrewdly meets her glare and with a smirk on his face answers with 'surprise'. Rolling her eyes, she asks him why they are here and where they are going. He nods his head forwards, she says that's not really an answer and he begins to walk.
Within less than a few minutes of walking and after turning a corner, Vegeta comes to a stop and Ryoko starts looking at this building she has been led to. It is a seemingly very posh and upmarket restaurant, most of its lights are turned off and so only due to her exceptional night vision can she make out the rough interior. Darkly panelled wood flooring makes up the majority of the view for most of the very solid and lavish looking chairs and tables within appear to be moved and stacked against the walls decorated with several paintings she does not care for. The place looks basically deserted and closed for the night, the few rays of light spilling from the kitchen in the back tell her otherwise as does a quick glance at the door which is not locked.
" I know you always bark on about being a Saiyan but does that really mean you have to think about food all the time?" Ryoko relinquishes her hold on him as she crosses her arms and steps in between him and the building. She raises an eyebrow at him, her expectations for this date have just substantially lowered if he thinks taking her out for a meal will sate all her hungers. Vegeta thought she would react as such but she has not yet seen the brilliance of his plan, and won't for some time, he humours her little spout of indignation.
" If you don't like it then you can always wait outside."
" And you will wait outside with me. Though I guess a restaurant's a restaurant, you're not getting high marks for originality here but there's no-one else in, it looks like it'll serve some nice grub so I'll allow it. Though I really hope that there's more than just this, you wouldn't disappoint a lady now now would ya?" Looking over her shoulder at the high class establishment and then back to her date, she holds out her hand to him which he takes and then proceeds to knock on the door before pushing it open.
The two of them step through into the restaurant with Vegeta reaching into a back pocket of his trousers as they hear motion from the kitchen. Having fished out his wallet and looking at its contents he waits a few seconds before his identification card materialises in his hand after being brought over by his other self currently looking at a map of a zoo. Multi-form is still new to him and wrapping his head around the intricacies of no longer being a singular being are proving hard for him to grasp, he takes note that duplication of his body does not mean any of his possessions duplicate bar the clothing of the original. Ryoko nosily peers over at the card in his hand which he turns to show her. The first thing she says about it is that it doesn't look fake to her. He replies that it is as real as money can buy and as soon as the door to the staff area opens they both silence their discussion into how since he is an alien his identification is a forgery. A well groomed middle aged woman of short build and dark hair quickly walks up to them, introducing herself as the head waitress and after Vegeta flashes his I.D card to her and declares that he has a booking under the name of Mr. Briefs the waitress apologises to both of them for the wait. Ryoko cocks her head at this unfamiliar name but goes with it as they both get led through the ill-lit establishment and towards the single small circular table set in the centre of the large room. One single candle burns besides a slim vase holding a rose. Ryoko would prefer the lighting system to be turned on or at least more candles but being with Vegeta silences her.
The head waitress gets excused by Vegeta as he goes to pull out Ryoko's chair before she does it and then seats himself. Sat down ready for a romantic dinner for two with Vegeta, Ryoko starts glancing about the restaurant he chose. Since no-one was about on the streets she feels it safe to assume that the tidied away furniture and lack of other patrons is not due to any failings on the restaurant's part.
"Yes, I booked this entire restaurant to stay open well beyond its opening hours for us." Vegeta answers her unasked question and she smiles back at him, enjoying this response. She is beginning to retract her earlier thoughts about this date. A whole restaurant for the two of them, him and her and no-one else bar some unobtrusive staff to serve them.
"Wow, I kinda like this splashing of cash for me. Never been treated like this before, I could get used to it very quick, I guess there are a few perks to being Mr. Vegeta Briefs."
" For now it is. Once my son comes of legal age the majority of this wealth will no longer be mine, but I am sure income is something neither of us really worries about." They both knowingly smirk at each other as he hints at their ability to take what they want when they want, currency is an item they technically have no use for. Ryoko enjoys being spoilt but she doesn't care at all that his money will disappear some day, being spoilt in other more affectionate ways are what she desires more.
The waitress returns handing each of them a menu, which Ryoko accepts but makes no move to open or look at, and then asks them if they would care for anything to drink whilst they decide on their order. Ryoko asks for a bottle of their finest sake, the waitress asks whether this is a bottle to be shared at which point Vegeta speaks up and says water is fine for him. She leaves them to go fetch their drinks as Ryoko eyes Vegeta.
"So here we are on a high class, fancy-ass date, and even now you still won't let your hair down and drink with me? Can Saiyans not handle their booze?"
"I wouldn't know, I have never drunk alcohol." Vegeta does not like the smell of it, the effects of it nor does he see any reason why he would want to consume alcohol and thus he has not drunk it. Ryoko's eyes open wide though at this response. She sees him as a man of the world, a traveller and killer with years of experience under his belt, much like herself, so to hear him so plainly state that he has never touched a proper drink is really confusing her. Even Ayeka has drunk alcohol, and not trying to compare her own excessive drinking habits to that of most people she is sure that he is the unusual one for never having touched a drop.
"Wait, what? Never? Are you that much of a health freak you won't touch it, 'cos if you are then you need to rethink your diet."
"Asides from me not wanting to consume alcohol, it would be a potentially fatal move for me to do so."
"Oh ... yeah that makes sense now. You're running away today because you'll be losing control when you get all lusty so I can see why you being drunk would not be good. I've seen plenty of aggressive and violent drunks in my time yet you would easily take the cake, and last thing anyone needs is you starting up a fight. More sake for me then." Ryoko nods now in understanding, him mentioning danger makes it crystal clear to her his underlying reasoning beyond he cannot train whilst under the influence. She can accept this and thinking on it never having to deal with a drunken Vegeta sounds OK with her. The drinks arrive and Ryoko's sake is open and poured for her whilst Vegeta gets a bog standard glass of water with ice cubes tinkling about in it.
The waitress who even Vegeta is nearly beating in height when sat down queries as to whether they have decided on what they would like to order. She clicks a pen as she pulls it and a small notepad out of her pocket and Ryoko instantly turns to look expectantly at Vegeta. He knows she cannot read the language of Earth and has once before ordered for her at a restaurant and so she lets him do it again for her, waiting eagerly to hear what he has to say.
"Woman, you shall bring us the most aromatic and spiciest dishes you sell, quantity is not an issue so do not hold back, and yes I am willing to pay for and eat it all." Vegeta sends her off with a dismissive hand and she slowly wanders back to the kitchens with a very puzzled look to her face and a single question mark written on her notepad. He takes a sip of his water and sees a very large grin stretching across Ryoko's face.
"You just earned yourself a lot of points then. Tell me, why spicy as well?" Resting her chin in her hands as she sultrily gazes at him, she asks for his reasoning. She wants to know how well he does or at least thinks he knows her.
"A meal is pretty boring for someone who cannot taste the food and hence this should make it appeal as much as possible to your other senses. You think when I'm exercising my brain shuts down?"
"Oh Vegey, so you think about me often then? That is very, very nice to hear." Her smile widens at him admitting to her being on his mind whilst he trains. Saying that he does spend the vast majority of his life in there it does make sense that unless he is being pushed to his absolute limit then he can let his mind wander and contemplate. He is trying to elevate this meal to something she can properly enjoy and it makes her feel all warm and fuzzy at this unwarranted consideration towards her.
"I think about a lot of things when training, I have the time. Anyway, I know you enjoy alcohol so much purely down to the reason that it has secondary effects that you can feel, you can feel the warmth of it as well as the inebriation can't you?"
"Yep. So you're guessing I might be able to feel the heat of spice as well then … I actually can't feel spice that much. Maybe a tiny amount if it is strong but before it becomes worthwhile I'll normally have my stomach complaining about it, I'm game to try it out though. I mean, y'know, I can sense the physical temperature of the foods, my mouth still has nerves just no taste-buds. You tried though. You put thought into this, thought into making me happy. That makes me happy." Ryoko blows him a kiss and then kicks her legs out under the table. Vegeta nods at this section of his plan not working out properly and rules out spice from his mind as some delicacy he can use for her. However, the secondary intended effects of using spicy foods have certainly worked as a grinning Ryoko starts adventuring about with her legs under the table until her feet touch his. She kicks off her shoes. He raises an eyebrow at her and she just continues staring back at him with a smile on her face as she messes about with his feet and lower legs with her own. Ryoko giggles, thoroughly enjoying herself playing footsie with Vegeta, even if he isn't playing back he still isn't telling her to stop. Suddenly he clears his throat and pins both her feet under his own as this form of amusement was confidently encroaching on regions higher up his leg than he will allow.
"So Ryoko, you can wear earrings?" A few minutes having passed since Ryoko had her game ended, Vegeta breaks the silence and her intent stare with the first thing he can think of. Their food is still being cooked so they have plenty of time to pass so striking up some small talk seems a step in the right direction. Ryoko cocks her head to the side, looking at him. One of her hands goes to an earring and messes with it as she looks at Vegeta as if to question whether he was referring to these or not.
"Hmm? Well, sort of. My ears are very sensitive, but not all over. I suppose my earlobes are only as sensitive as yours, which is not that much, but, I do have another issue with earrings. Which is … ?"
" Your healing." Vegeta remembers she mentioned her regenerative factor before he died, he has not seen it and doubts it is anywhere near the level of regeneration some of his foes had. He can however understand how healing would make earrings a difficult piece of jewellery for her. Ryoko nods at his correct answer.
"Bingo. Piercings don't stay around for long with me, and frankly it ain't worth shoving a needle through my ear each time I want to wear something pretty so that's why all the earrings you bought me were clip-ons."
With that said, the topic reaches a natural end. Vegeta goes silent again and sniffs at the air to ascertain how close the food is to being served, and the answer is not very. If Vegeta really wanted to continue a discussion about earrings then the only place he could take it next would be his potarra fusion with Goku. He will not talk about that and thus he sits there quietly thinking of another, hopefully more fruitful, topic to discuss to while away the minutes. Ryoko fidgets in her seat and leans forward closer to him. Her golden eyes dart about before they lock onto his face, an inquisitive expression on her face. She is curious about something, but she knows asking is going to be a delicate issue and bring up things she might rather want to be left unsaid. Damning all that though she goes for it and asks anyway.
" Vegeta, I know this kind of goes against what I said earlier, but I want to know something about you. … Was Bulma your first?" No flirtatious gleams or lustful glimmers are in her eyes as she outright asks him about the wife he still loves. She doesn't know if he will answer this, he doesn't normally like discussing these things but now is a good a time as any since he cannot run off. Vegeta takes a few deep breaths and sits back in his seat. The question came out of left field for him, he was not prepared for a question concerning how he lost his virginity. His pitch black pupils stare at her for a while as he debates internally his response or whether he should even give one.
" … Yes. … Yes she was." He says it. She gets her answer. He feels no shame about it, he just has no interest talking about these subjects and is suspicious as to where Ryoko will try and direct this conversation. Vegeta decides he will take the lead the next time she asks him a question and so avoid any unwanted probing into his love life.
" How old were you then?" Ryoko fires off her follow up, she basically knew Bulma to be the first woman Vegeta was with but she just wants to know more about this side of him and so asks anyway. This question of age she realises is something she will have to do some mental arithmetic for since her concept of a year is much shorter than his. She watches as his eyes flicker away towards the door to the kitchen. He will find no escape from her question coming from there.
" I see what you are getting at. Look Ryoko, it might be close to that time but do not push me into an open discussion about that, you won't get that information about me. … I will however say that I was 33, and of course yours was when you were younger than that, much younger. The Juraian boy who sold you out was your first. "
Ryoko stays motionless for a few seconds before dropping her head into her hands and making a discomforted groan. Vegeta has made his dislike of the conversation clear and has turned it back on her in such a way that she now regrets asking it. She doesn't even bother trying to work out what his 33 years equates to in her terms. He has made a very good educated guess about her past and she does not like it. It is not something she wants him of all people finding out, saying or her to talk to about it.
" … I really, really wish that weren't true. … Dammit, I – I don't want to talk about that mistake, it wasn't worth it, he wasn't worth it. … Vegey, do … do you think that I'm slutty?" Remembering back to her youth and misadventures before she was imprisoned is not something she cares for, least of all for the scumbag who betrayed her. At that time he was the only one she had by her side and then she suddenly lost decades of her life rotting in a cell thanks to his greed. If that Juraian is not dead already she will make it so if she ever sees him again. With the conversation also turning onto her love life and her mood sinking to one regretful of some of her mistakes she asks a poignant thought that normally she wouldn't even consider. Being seen through so easily and having Vegeta state it like that has got to her. She is aware that some men do not like women who have been with other men, and this discussion is making her worry if Vegeta is one of those men.
" Worrying about your previous promiscuity?" Vegeta sees he has pushed her buttons so that her enthusiasm to talk has dwindled significantly. He doesn't react to her admittance, he can cheer her up easily later on, he knows how, but he wants to make sure that the intimate times he spent with Bulma do not get discussed.
"Don't say it like that, not you. It – it wasn't that much, OK? Just, well you know my age, and my drinking, so every once in a blue moon … . I was just wondering if you perhaps don't like women who have experience."
"You are extremely open and forwards concerning sexual relations and actions with me, however all that attention has only been fixated on me. I would say you have a high drive towards such kinds of actions and I can guess why yet because you do not chase multiple partners or meaningless relationships anymore I would say currently you do not have a slutty disposition. You only want me." He gives her a succinct summary of his opinion on the matter and feels it should prove satisfactory for her, his negative response to her question should alleviate some of her negativity. Ryoko doesn't take it as well as he thought she would though. Taking her head out of her hands she glares at him with some anger showing on her face. She does not like this, or the way he is talking derogatorily about her.
" Thanks, I guess. You didn't have to add all that currently stuff, if you find my past with other men distasteful say it to my face and don't insult me so backhandedly." A leg lunges out and kicks him under the table as she scowls, he might be saying he doesn't think she is a slut but the keyword was now and that he said she was in the past. She might have asked the question but he is not going to answer like that when they are on a date. He will say things outright to her, not slyly wheedle insults among his sentences.
"I honestly do not care for whatever you did with other men before you met me. My wife had a previous partner before me and a long history with him yet I did not hold her not being a virgin against either her or Yamcha. I have told you many times my interest in that is very low, bar my season. So to answer your question, no, I do not think it distasteful in the slightest." Vegeta gives her the answer she wants now in a form more to her liking. He was tempted to apathetically shrug due to his indifference but that would be a stupid move on his part which she would take offence at.
For a few seconds Ryoko sits there before she nods her head at him. That is what she wanted to hear, that is one small worry taken care of and it makes her marginally happy to know he will not hold her past against her. An awkward air still hangs over their table though thanks to her line of questioning and Vegeta's blunt responses. Ryoko takes a large gulp of her sake and messes with her unusually neat hair. He will not win her silence that easily. She asks him if they are going somewhere else after their meal and he nods and says she is guaranteed to enjoy it and have fun there. Ryoko's smile reappears. He might have insulted her but she is going to get her payback, and try to not let it sour the mood any further as well.
" … So, 33? No-one took a shining to my Vegey before that, colour me shocked." Grinning, she goes to nurse her glass of sake as she mockingly returns to the conversation he tried to end. Focusing on a different aspect that doesn't involve his wife she assumes he will not put up as much resistance in talking about this. The Saiyan sat across from her shakes his head at her tenacity towards pushing the discussion back to his love life. She goads him on with a 'well?'.
" Of course some did, or tried to. The pathetic beggars trying to win their life with their body or other services. As a Saiyan I always chose the pleasure of the kill over their menial offers, or I falsely led them with feigned interest for a sweeter kill."
"I guessed as much." Ryoko nods to herself, she has been there and witnessed that for herself, people about to die are always the most generous. His phrase of feigned interest strikes a nerve with her. Never has Vegeta really feigned any interest in wanting her and so it sparks some jealously that even some of his victims might have had something she has not, but then again she would not want it to be feigned when she could be having the real thing. His nostrils twitch as the smell of food wafts his way, Ryoko wonders if she will see that hunger directed towards her late on this date. Even with him being a multi-form the prospect of food is improving Vegeta's mood, he now directs a small amount of teasing her way.
"That hardly surprises me when during our first meeting it wouldn't have been too much of a stretch to categorise you with them. Trying to appeal to me after learning you could not touch me and that I had knowledge on your target."
"What can I say, you impressed me. You caught my spaceship before it hit the ground like it was nothing, you had power so why wouldn't I, I think you're the only one who wasn't gay that my pretence actually failed on. Naughty Vegey for hurting my pride as a woman. And I do mean pretence, going back to my past I just want it out there that like you said 'falsely leading' can yield some good rewards, so, yeah. But now I love you so it doesn't matter, you read my mind so you know my feelings to be true, read them again if you dare."
"If I ever doubted your affection for me then I would not have agreed to go on a date with you. You might think yourself a good actress but you are not that good."
" I'll have you know I am a very good actress when I want to be, you just don't appreciate the art for what it is. I choose not to fool you with it, not because I can't but because I want you to fall for me and not some lie. Vegey, do you even know why I fell for you? Have you ever wondered about it?"
"I am Vegeta, prince of all Saiyans, what more of a reason does any woman need."
To end it off Ryoko wags her finger at Vegeta, telling him that his answer is incorrect. The back and forth between them comes to a close as both smirk at the other and the kitchen doors open with the head waitress emerging expertly balancing several steaming plates of food as she carefully makes her way over. As the meals are set down before them Ryoko takes a hearty sniff of the air and grins at the marvellous mishmash of fragrances and aromas. The waitress excuses herself saying that if they require anything to call her and as she begins walking off Ryoko turns her attention to Vegeta and reaches across to his hand, pre-emptively preventing him from picking up his cutlery.
"Vegey dear, you are gonna behave yourself now. No eating like a Saiyan and showing me up now, we are going to eat as a couple." Laying down this rule for him, she retracts her hand and with less energy and enthusiasm he goes to start eating the meal before him. Eating this slow is unnatural for him and when he looks up from his plate to voice his complaint he sees Ryoko there with her eyes closed and her mouth wide open. He sees her game and understands now what she meant by eat as a couple. Scooping up some food on his fork he reaches across and indulges her by placing it in her mouth, her lips close and she smiles sweetly at him as she begins chewing. He then has a fork laden with food heading his way as Ryoko takes her turn in this game. A Saiyan never refuses food and so he takes it. For several minutes they continue in this fashion. The portions Vegeta relinquishes to Ryoko start to decrease in size before too long and whilst feeding Ryoko he begins using his knife to shovel more food into his own mouth. His multiform is gaining no real nourishment from this and neither is his main self, yet his instincts concerning food override how unnecessary his actions are.
" I wish we could do this every meal. This is nice. Best meal I've ever had." Ryoko voices her contentment. Enjoying this moment of sharing with Vegeta, she sends her exploratory feet back out to pick up her game of footsie again and accepts more food from him.
" I aim to please." Vegeta makes it his purpose now to avoid her roaming legs from finding their mark. He sips from his water, finishing off the glass, and sees a puzzled look on his date's face. Ryoko appears to be in thought over his words. She lets out a sound of musing whilst her eyes curiously inspect his face.
" You do, do you? Interesting, Vegey. I wonder how much you actually do care about pleasing me, how much do you want to make me happy?" This is a pertinent matter to her, whether he intended his words to carry that much meaning or not Ryoko still wants an answer. Of course she knows not to expect too much from him, he still cares for his wife and his aversion towards emotional display makes it all the more difficult to read what he is thinking. He finishes off the plate set in front of him before taking the food she holds out to him. Playfully she tries to pull it back yet his speed and want for food renders the fork's escape from him fruitless.
" Now that would be telling, just be assured that whenever I intend to do something I always carry it out to the best of my ability and so this will be the best date you have ever been on."
"I don't know about that, if this date really is gonna be the best and leave me with no disappointments then that means you and I have to visit a hotel room. Spend some wonderful quality time together getting to know each other very well and let me see that side of you before you go." Enjoying his confidence in being able to please her, she pushes the reason she wanted this date in the first place, to get him to give in to her and become hers. Slyly smiling at him as she leaves that suggestion hanging ominously in the air, Ryoko chuckles to herself. Vegeta exhales a sigh at having to tread this ground again, he has told her and warned her that will not happen. She rests her feet on his kneecaps as he has an idea of trying to dissuade her wants in a different manner she is more likely to accept.
"You are making a rookie mistake, Ryoko. A hotel room should never be part of the plan for a first date. After that, what is there to look forward to on the subsequent ones?" This is definitely an angle he has not attempted before. He knows that within the next two months she is sure to ask him many times for more dates which, if he wants to make any progress towards his decision, some of them he will probably agree to. This way he saves some hassle, he hopes, and judging by the widening toothy grin on Ryoko's face his plan seems to have worked. Her thoughts have definitely been sidetracked off his mating season and onto this tantalising prospect of more dates with him and this insinuation of more happening within them. She squeezes his kneecaps with her toes and giggles merrily.
"You've gone and said it now. I'll hold you to those words. A promise of more dates with you and escalation, you are quite the charmer when you feel like it. Charm me some more."
"I prefer to keep your ego within manageable levels." As Ryoko leans in close wanting to hear more words along those lines, Vegeta moves his legs so her feet fall from his knees. There is a limit to what he will feed her and he does not need her getting full of herself because then she is guaranteed to push the issue of his mating season even more so later on. Finding and maintaining this balance with her is not the easiest of things. Vegeta moves a new plate in-front of him and begins eating it as Ryoko crosses her arms, pretending to be offended by him saying she has a large ego.
"Says the guy who goes 'I am the prince of all Saiyans so I don't even care why you love me'. How about we get your ego in check as well? Make things more manageable for me."
" I am afraid that won't happen, ever. This prince has his pride, and I am the one in control of this situation."
"Really? Sorry hun but you ain't in control of me, nowhere close, and you never will be. I mean, for a start who is the one here doing my bidding of taking me out on a lovely date, maybe I'm the one in control here." Ryoko sticks her tongue out and then opens her mouth wide like a baby bird begging for food to emphasise her point. She nearly begins to splutter and choke as instead of feeding her Vegeta instead decides to pour some sake down her throat much to her surprise. Careful not to cough it up or make a mess she covers her mouth and swallows her drink. Scowling over at him she pouts in an exaggerated manner and gives him another light kick under the table.
For another half an hour they stay at the table finishing off the food at the slow pace Ryoko insists on, spending their time idly talking or continuing their argument about who is in control of the other. After the last morsel has been eaten, long since Ryoko got full and set down her cutlery, they sit for a couple of minutes for their food to digest before Vegeta loudly clicks his fingers to summon the head-waitress. Appearing quite tired by the late hours, she comes out and begins to clear their plates away as Vegeta asks for the bill. As a joke he asks if Ryoko is going to pay her share and she ignores him, pretending she did not hear his jest. When the bill arrives Vegeta pulls his wallet out and counts out the notes for this very expensive meal with the additional cost of renting out the restaurant after business hours. Ryoko takes a few of the notes for herself without asking even though she has no pockets or bag to store them in, they disappear all the same. Asking if she is ready, Ryoko smiles up at Vegeta as he pulls her chair out and helps her up. She slips her shoes back on, weds her fingers with Vegeta's and together they walk out of the restaurant.
"Hope you are up for a walk, at our current speed it will take us close to 20 minutes to reach our next destination." As soon as they leave, the Saiyan has already begun leading the way onto their next destination. Hearing him say that they have a good deal of walking ahead of them down the dark streets Ryoko tugs at Vegeta's arm to get him to stop so she can discuss how that is not something she wants to do.
"I am all for more time with you but y'see I don't have to walk there at all. We could fly, we could wait and then you teleport us, or what I think to be the best idea would be if you carried me in your arms to wherever the hell we're going."
" Did I say there were multiple options? You got this date, now you are walking." Vegeta shuts down all attempts at negotiation, he has a plan and a rough schedule to stick to and this is part of it. He definitely will not carry her. Ryoko stops him from starting walking again, there is a main issue he might be overlooking, so she reminds him of it.
"At night?"
"Yes, at night." He has not forgotten her phobia of the darkness, more importantly he has not forgotten her saying she will try and overcome it. Seeing as she has hit a brick wall of stubbornness, Ryoko lets out a loud huff before allowing herself to be led off by Vegeta, telling him he better make it worth it. He scratches at the base of his spine.