Chapter 93

"Mihoshi!"

Kiyone's scream is cut shot by a Saiyan hand. The two criminals are in control over the two police officers. Ryoko holds Mihoshi down on the sofa so that she shall not interfere as she watches Vegeta. Scrabbling behind her and into her inventory cube, a pair of handcuffs materialise onto Vegeta's wrists and shatter as he moves unimpeded. Ryoko susurrates out that this is all to help Kaia and they should aid that effort. Kiyone attempts again. Now handcuffs are on herself. Vegeta's speed cannot be matched. He removes her headband and rests a palm on her forehead.

"Be gentle with her, Vegey. Delicate. Whatever you do has to be done to Kai-Kai … and I'm having a few second thoughts here watching you handle her like that."

The Saiyan pauses as he calculates how to invent this technique. Both he and Ryoko agreed to test ki sense as the memory. Kaia needs the knowledge of a sense she does not hold and so this is the equivalent for the unfortunate Kiyone. He fires the first weak pulse. Kiyone grimaces. He simply asks what she felt.

"Assault of a police officer. Impeding the work of an on-duty police officer-"

A second test.

"Ah! False imprisonment of two police officers. Vandalism of police equipment-"

Vegeta fine tunes based off her reaction and quickly tries two separate approaches.

"... Mental torture of a police officer. Inhumane experimentation on an unwilling citizen. Add them, Mihoshi."

Mihoshi looks to Ryoko who allows her to jot these new crimes onto their ever growing list. Vegeta removes his palm and asks her for a succinct review of any perception she has received. She shakes her head. Nothing has come through. Vegeta endeavours on. He closes his eyes. Pictures a clear mental image of his son's ki signature and attempts to package and send it into Kiyone's mind. He opens his eyes and Ryoko is staring back at him.

With a sharp movement of her hand she tugs at the torn front of her striped outfit. She wears a pained grimace and her chest is no longer contained within her outfit. Her black brassiere, that can be seen normally through the rip, hangs out on display. Ryoko flinches to the side.

"I'm so sorry."

The voice comes from an unusually emotional Kiyone. The palm of Vegeta resting on her forehead pushes her away and severs the link. Kiyone heavily falls over clutching at her head in confusion over the muddled mess within it. She seems pained and angry, sombre and enraged.

Ryoko fixes her outfit and puts her breasts back within her ruined top. The pained look is gone and instead there is small scowl of discomfort. She wraps the front of her outfit around her tighter and moves Mihoshi to be blocking the tear.

" … That was an awfully sly move. Speak your hypothesis next time." Vegeta grumbles as his eyes go to the cyan haired trickster. The count is 3 who have seen into his mind. Taken unaware by her sudden action in the midst of his attempt at reverse mind-reading the path between him and Kiyone became open and instead of sending the precise image of ki he wanted the floodgates opened to Ryoko's stimuli.

" 'I'm so sorry' ? You got your dick out wanting a reaction from me. That is a strange one I got from you. I got the technique working, whatever." A half glare comes from her predatory eyes before she leans back and stares up at the ceiling. That was a somewhat successful test in regards to the technique. It cost her. "It's for Kaia. I got it working dammit. You had an extra fucking year you ass."

The Saiyan will not hold that conversation here. He walks off back to his training room. What reaction Kiyone held to his memories around that event are her own. With his back turned as he stalks off he loudly reminds Ryoko to beware of her possibly self destructive behaviour. Laying down she mimics the technique that Vegeta did several times then teleports off into Washu's laboratory. She impatiently hovers out of the way near Kaia and Washu. Ryoko lets that thought play out in her head concerning Kiyone's empathetic reaction through Vegeta of her acting out his attack on her. He is still guilty. That was not a pleasant experiment yet it yielded a high enough reaction for it to take him off guard. There was no lust in his actions. Lust would have worked well to counteract his betrayal towards Ayeka by placing a ring on her finger.

Giddy excitement shall not be quelled. The cool white band on her hand is warming up to her body temperature now and she means for it to only be removed from her person once it is replaced by its descendant; the wedding ring. Her shield keeps blipping in and out of existence through subconscious us age of her power and want to preserve and keep this moment forever. This Saiyan has cemented a promise made to her initially by her mother. This pearl ring is a physical embodiment of his want to pursue her as his wife. Ayeka cannot stop the mirth from her face.

After far too long of embracing her lover in this art gallery, almost as long as she previously spent inspecting each piece on display, she hesitantly releases. Her red eyes dart about and she quickly excuses herself and picks up her translation glasses and rushes off explaining her reason. Vegeta perambulates into the main foyer with that out of the way and the art gallery having served its purpose.

Back out in the park and in the sunlight, Ayeka leans her back against an old oak tree. In the shade she can hear her heart thumping loudly. She raises the ring on her finger and kisses it. Through masterful self control she prevented herself from engaging in any intimacy or kissing of her prince. The princess ensured that moment remained 'pure'. Ayeka fiddles nervously and excitedly with the translation glasses as she does the most important thing she knows to do. She is calling her parents to tell them of this joyous news and allow her family to share in her happiness. Unbeknown to her most of her family are already aware.

Misaki, the Queen of Jurai, answers almost immediately after the constant drone of her communicator from her mother trying to contact her. As the call engages Ayeka sends over a picture of her hand with the engagement ring upon it. Mother and daughter merrily chat for close to half an hour with Sasami happily joining in. Her emotional mother is swiftly moved to tears with just the sight of the ring. Ayeka's inhibitions over talking about her emotions are mostly removed by her joy. Half an hour they talk whilst a multi-form of a Saiyan stands motionless, meditating and freaking out the museum staff. Hurriedly upon realising the time Ayeka terminates the call with the best wishes and blessings of her mother and she walks as fast as is proper back into the museum to find her awaiting prince.

Motionless he appears more like an exhibit than a patron. Vegeta's eyes open when he senses Ayeka's returning ki. She promptly apologises for the lengthy time of her call and how rude it was to leave him as she explains that she had to tell her mother. Ayeka is cradling her hand and the ring on it. The princess then uses the correct noun for Vegeta and happily calls him her fiancé with a beaming smile on her face. He refrains from using this term back as he nods and escorts her around the remainder of the museum.

Her attention is elsewhere. She is frankly speeding past exhibits compared to her previous pace of having to read every plaque and examine every detail. The bliss on her face remains. Ayeka tries to stoke up more and more conversation with Vegeta, more interested in him and how he acts than the priceless artefacts she is viewing. In a natural history section she comes across the creatures known as oysters and clams that create pearls like the one she is wearing. They interest her in this link and how unusual it is to have jewellery made from an animal and not mined. Blazing through the rest of the museum in record time, much to the satisfaction of Vegeta, they exit the grand building and Vegeta has to remind Ayeka to check her printed plan to see what is next on the agenda.

"You're making me feel like an old man with all that exuberance and abundance of energy. Where to next?" He did not expect gifting her the engagement ring to lead to such a prolonged reaction. Vegeta has not seen her this fired up before, even Ryoko would not show this much energy. Her whizzing about the museum and almost skipping is tiring him mentally trying to keep up.

"Oh, sorry, is my-my behaviour unacceptable? It's- I just feel … I feel alive." His comment only grounds her for a moment before her elation and emotions put her on a natural high again. She is a young woman deeply in love, nothing is bringing her down. He raises an eyebrow at her and she hurriedly reaches into her sleeve for her list she thought she had memorised thoroughly. "... How would my fiancé feel about escorting me to a c-candlelit dinner? The restaurant is just on the edge of this park."

"I will never say no to food … and today I shall not say no to you." Charming her is his duty today. To make this date unforgettable for her and fulfil her want for good memories. A heavy blush is her response as she looks about to get her bearings to find which direction to walk.

A quick few steps are taken in the right direction and then Ayeka halts. She holds her arm out behind her as she nervously looks forward and blushes again. Together they set off at a brisk pace with Vegeta teasing her slightly over her current mood and aggression. He can feel the ring on the hand he is holding, it weighs heavily on him. Dinner shall serve as a good opportunity to calm her down and tell her about his training plans, and to reinforce a warning of not keeping up this behaviour when back home with Ryoko unless she wants to be assaulted.

Foreign culture is what she is indulging in today and so the exotic kind of food labelled as 'Tapas' is what is organised. Vegeta has tried this style of food before with his wife. Approaching the main door the pair notice that a good deal of the tables are taken. The waiter, a marginally overweight older gentleman, in the entranceway stops the couple and takes the name of the booking. Ayeka speaks, this is her date that she organised, and gives her surname of Jurai. The name is checked against his list and the waiter nods upon finding it and leads the two to a table for four, for size reasons, isolated and near the rear of the seating area.

A table for four should barely suit the size requirements for a meal involving a Saiyan, though Ayeka hoped when she planned that due to the smaller nature of the dishes it might be more manageable. Vegeta pulls out her seat for her which she graciously takes. A single rose accompanies a lit candle in the middle of the table. Ayeka is becoming a bit aware of her actions now she is sat down and can see other parties dining close enough. Vegeta lets out a long breath and the candle wavers violently. The menu goes untouched by him.

"You shall be glad to know that sister Sasami is well and she sends her regards. She is looking forward to returning, as I am sure you are glad also. Until then, this cooking shall have to suffice in her absence."

" … Ayeka."

"Yes? Is-is there something you need to tell me? Is it about our ring? I do not know if there are any specific types of maintenance I need to carry out for pearl. I promise to take the utmost care of it. And-an-and to have a suitable ring to offer to you, my fiancé, on the sequel to this date."

" Don't expect me to wear it, it's not suitable for training. Anyway-"

"It is hurting you more than you expected is it not?"Ayeka's voice quietens as she leans in and speaks, her concerned red eyes on the man she loves. She is not completely blinded by her emotions. Proposing to her has been a hard task for Vegeta and her actions have continued to rub it in. "We can postpone until it is a better time for yourself. I would not want a date with you being in abject pain."

"You know I would not accept that. I do not mean to ruin your moment but you should know that following this date I will be going far out of Kaia's range to train properly for a few days. A postponement will not be possible for the near future and this aid I can manage without."

"...You have told Ryoko? When you stopped multi-forming? How is she taking it?"

"I've told her a few things, that she hates the least for she can continue to abuse her teleportation to reach me unlike yourself."

"If it were not for Ryoko's … reliance I would have Kaia return sooner. Her place is not where danger is and you should not have to forfeit your home to so graciously accommodate her."

"I can vouch myself for the healthcare on offer from Washu, it is not too bad a position for her to find herself in. She was sent into my home with a purpose, whether she is aware or not, I would like to find out the why if possible to prevent any more unexpected arrivals."

"My grandmother often works with less reason than most believe. She enjoys... reactions, watching ripples from the stones she throws. That way one can never be too sure if she is acting with cunning or not, hiding her true motives behind randomness. … I-I think it might- maybe, yes it would be the proper thing for you to do. That goal can be achieved, though these glasses only hold the contact number of my parents.-"

"This prince has been burnt once through these things. Bulma caught me in my ignorance. If there are customs or procedures you expect of me then clearly explain them. You want me to talk to the rulers of Jurai, it seems unwise but I shall. Not casting doubt on yourself, I want to know of any traps before I spring them. I doubt I shall receive a warm reception from Azusa and my ignorance shall not aid it." Before Vegeta takes the plunge of contacting Ayeka's parents he allows some wariness at this familiar situation with a woman.

The abundant small dishes that make up the signature style of Tapas start arriving as Ayeka has a think on Vegeta's request. She knows what her father's response shall be towards Vegeta and doubts whether a small acceptance of Juraian culture would sway his opinion. Saiyan customs towards these matters do not exist and so like Vegeta following Earth's customs previously she supposes it makes sense for him to allow her in this. As a princess whom has been arranged to be married for a good segment of her life she has been educated thoroughly on the proper steps and procedures and the specific dates for each event in their planned relationship. However, all of that was for the marriage of two Juraians and how it applies to a foreign dignitary is not something that she has been taught. Vegeta samples some of the food as she thinks.

With a rosiness to her cheeks she answers as best as she can on the topic and answers that there are no traps nor obligations behind a simple call to her parents. Concerning their engagement it was instigated through her mother with her parent's blessing at the start and so that is already covered. Vegeta has no parents for the counter to become a factor. Engagement rings are not traditional for Jurai, it is an added bonus for herself, yet a standard gift does exist. Ayeka feels that it has already been fulfilled as she explains. Any landed family with a tree normally exchanges a plant cutting from their personal Juraian tree for the other to pot and grow alongside their own. Her own tree of Ryuoh has taken root on Earth and once again Vegeta has nothing to offer in terms of plant life. This small factor governs a lot of the power plays surrounding Juraian arranged marriage as her royal family controls the powerful first and second generation trees that shall not be easily dished out to lesser families for them to seize actual military power through.

One thing she does recall as a custom that Vegeta has adopted from Earth that Jurai shares is that of surnames. Vegeta Briefs is the alias he uses on this planet. Ayeka Masaki Jurai is her name with Jurai being given through her royal status and Masaki being her own family name. So close to his grief it is disrespectful to so outrightly state for him to override his own name with hers for she cannot take the family name of Briefs as it is not his to give and neither shall she be relinquishing her ties with her family. In terms of politics 'Masaki' carries weight and if she denounces her family name she will lose a lot of standing within the royal family. Quietly she explains that Jurai also shares a family name on marriage and nibbles at some patatas bravas. On the discussion of names he goes quiet and she has a think on his silence for there is only one outcome, and then she asks concerning his own given name.

"Vegeta. Lord Vegeta, both of your parents and even your planet after its invasion shared the same name. I know it serves as your forename yet does it not also represent a family name?" Ayeka asks about his family's confusing naming conventions as she eats an olive.

"Vegeta is not a family name. Saiyans do not hold concepts of family strong enough for names to be passed, their power levels themselves are the sole testament to their ancestors and bloodline. My father had it, my mother earnt it and my former planet was called it because it is a title. I'm sure in that recording of the past Queen Vegeta stated how I had not earnt my 'name'. I have no clue what she was previously called but when she became the Queen and the strongest female Saiyan she became a Vegeta. King Vegeta granted me it upon birth for my prodigal power. That weakling runt of a brother was never a Vegeta."

Many pieces are clicking into place for the Juraian Princess. She remembers that curious statement made by Vegeta's mother in the scene where Frieza had his right hand men punish both.

"...Vegeta is a title?" She queries for clarification.

"Yes, and I do not think it requires much explaining as to its meaning."

"You do not have a name?" Ayeka pauses as she asks this. If Vegeta is indeed a title then he would not have any name for himself, only a statement of Saiyan rank. People should have their own name, more than being called the equivalent of a military rank.

"I am Vegeta. I identify myself through that noun, is that not enough for it to count as a name?" The Saiyan Prince sees no reason why he would need to be called by anything else. There is no greater honour than his current title. Any other name would be lesser. He is and always has been Vegeta.

The Greatest. The Strongest. The Best. From birth he has been 'Vegeta'. He is the highest echelon of Saiyan, the product of millennia of the strongest breeding with the strongest, the most powerful newborn in Saiyan recorded history. His destiny has been set. He walks the path. His title carries with it the hopes of his father to succeed where the previous Vegeta's had failed, and he followed suite in his defeat to Frieza. The ultimate Saiyan is what he was born to be and lives to accomplish. It is a constant reminder as to what he strives to gain, to push himself further and become stronger than any other being. He takes great pride in his name. Pride in what it entails. As a Saiyan his blood dictates one path open to him and this title reinforces his drive to be resolute and unwavering. None can be stronger than a 'Vegeta'. He shall become the greatest Saiyan.

That topic gets left by Ayeka. He accepts the title as his name and it has become it, the main thing she needed to know is whether it was a pseudo surname. The implications this has on Vegeta's psyche and how he was treated as a child she ponders as she samples the different platters.

Back on track, the food gradually disappears as Ayeka meticulously outlines her knowledge on Juraian engagements for those in a prestigious family. A fair proportion of it is legal dealings and agreements between the joining families before the marriage. Vegeta in no uncertain terms reiterates that he shall not discuss a peace treaty as that is the only diplomatic agreement Jurai can take with him. Beyond the legality – which matters little to the criminal Vegeta – are the religious aspects. Ayeka is a member of the faith of Tsunami, whether the existence of the Otherworld disproves her existence or not, and cross religion or even cross denomination engagements start falling off into complicated paths. To categorise Vegeta's beliefs he is simply 'No religion', as he cannot classify as an atheist after his journeys into death. To follow a religion means believing in a higher power, and his ego denounces any power being allowed to be greater than his own. Saiyans do not take to worship.

In truth there is little Ayeka can think of that does apply to her situation. Even basic ideas surrounding romantic events she has far surpassed. Her intimacies with this prince have gone beyond what the designated timeline for romance in an engagement dictate – and especially with her falling asleep on his person. She does manage to detail that the average engagement on Jurai for someone of their stature is around 2 years. Ayeka makes sure to fully emphasise this point so that Vegeta knows she shall not rush or hurry him to get over Bulma, plenty of time exists for her within this given window to make good on the promise this white ring signifies.

Together the two royals leave the restaurant having dined and paid, with Ayeka having sampled a few morsels she deemed too spicy for her sensitive palate and Vegeta having offered little to the conversation and staring in thought and listening for the most. Immediately outside Vegeta asks for the translation glasses to attempt to contact Lady Seto now that he is as informed as he can be about his current entanglement. Ayeka removes the translation glasses and offers a warning to Vegeta about Seto's attitude, domineering personality and her view on Saiyans, and that she does not want unnecessary rifts to be created within her family so he should remain as polite as possible. He takes the glasses. Vegeta spends a minute working out how to use them with Ayeka not wasting her breath asking if he needs help with them. The call begins to ring.

Following half a minute of ringing the call is answered by its intended recipient and not by any other member of the Juraian royal family. Only the audio of the call is taken, the video part of the call is rejected, and Vegeta can only tell through the end of the ringing. No greeting comes from the other end. He can just make out the sound of steady breaths. Vegeta proclaims his identity and asks whether he is speaking with Lady Seto. The response he hears is a long inhalation followed by a deep sigh. Vegeta asks again. He checks at the translation glasses to ensure the microphone on his end is indeed active. It is. His audio is transmitting fine. He is being purposefully ignored. A vein pulses on his forehead. He asks why Kaia Jhun has been sent to be trapped in his house. The prince then growls that if she is looking for an apology to come from him over the killing of her parents then she shall not find it and terminates the call. He hands the glasses back over to the awaiting princess who winces at his anger and nods her head in agreement that the Devil Princess of Jurai is indeed the kind of woman who would dare to give him the silent treatment. She offers that she shall try to get an answer later.

That has put a dampener on the mood. Ayeka watches Vegeta internalise his anger before she asks if she should try calling herself right now instead of later. He declines and instead tries to keep what momentum they have and asks if there is anything remaining on the date she has planned. For this she does not require to check. Ayeka is well aware of the finale she has planned. The demure princess nods and takes a step towards him. She offers her hand and says that Instant Transmission will be required to reach there. Vegeta takes her hand and raises the fore and middle finger of his other hand to his forehead as he asks where he shall chauffeur her to.

"... I have made specialised arrangements for our evening at-a-at that beautiful botanical garden we visited on our last outing together." Ayeka speaks as a blush enters her face. She knows what she has prepared for the two of them there and it is making her heart race.

From the Saiyan she gets a raised eyebrow out of curiosity, then a curt nod and the two vanish to reappear at the entranceway to the well pruned botanical garden by the zoo. But for a few lights around the paths and the stars in the sky the garden is in darkness. Night reigns here and Vegeta can see little reason to visit a place for its natural beauty when it cannot be observed in the obscuring darkness. He looks down at the princess who disengages and releases his hand. She appears to be steeling her nerves for something as she motions right down one of the paths that leads into a dense copse of varying trees. Vegeta walks, taking the lead, at a confident pace. He cannot guess what Ayeka has planned at this certain place at this time of day.

Rounding a corner he sees the preparations of Ayeka. At the centre of this copse of trees lies an opening with an almost complete perimeter of ponds topped with lilly pads. A lone stone bridge cross the small ponds to a central island housing a great willow tree. The many vine-like branches of the tree hang limp around its personal island. Interwoven with each branch are fairy lights. Small bulbs of light blue and gold weave down every large bough and illuminate this solitary tree. At the foot of the tree and away from a few protruding roots is a white blanket set upon the lawn. A few leaves have drifted onto it. On the blanket is a small music system with an inbuilt stereo system.

Croaks come from the lilly pads and far off an owl hoots. Ayeka nervously steps out onto the narrow bridge and only now does she offer her hand back to her prince. This is a secret and private area she had arranged just for the two of them. Vegeta steps forward and accepts the maiden's hand. She smiles and goes to lead him under the lit up branches with a hurried step.

"I-I-I got this idea with a little inspiration from my friend Ryoko, the one aid she gave to me. She insisted that-that you are a good partner for d-dancing. I- is- would you do me the honour?"

Standing within the tree's encompassing drooping branches she turns and bashfully asks her fiancée. She has been looking forward to this since she learnt of Ryoko's time spent dancing with him, and how she says he smiled and enjoyed it. Dancing however entails a certain level of physicality that she hopes shall not push her boundaries too much as she is unsure of how Vegeta dances.

The Saiyan nods. With one hand already joined with hers he approaches and puts his other hand upon her slim waist. Ayeka quickly stiffens and takes a hurried step back. She takes his spare hand with hers. Hand to hand they shall be joined, touching of her hip is not in Juraian fashion.

"My idea might originate from that pirate, however … our manner of dance is separate. My classical education has- I only know how to dance for ceremony and not raucous partying like she will. I-I have not danced with a man before." She explains her reluctance at his hand being on her lower half. How he danced with Ryoko is not how she expects to dance here.

"Take the lead then. Show me how it is done on Jurai." He can feel the slight sweat on her palms at the simple act of being held like this with his face before her own.

Ayeka nervously smiles and then excuses herself for the music does need to be started before they begin to dance. The portable music player she has borrowed from Washu and as such it is not limited to terrestrial music. She has already indulged in some of this planet's art today and so instead she shall enjoy her own home's art. The volume is set fairly low so that any conversation will be easy to hear. She presses play and the Juraian music begins as she takes Vegeta's hands again.

Paired bass string instruments begin a mellow tune with one sounding more open and resonant than the other. An accompaniment of reeded woodwind instruments accompany the main pair in a higher key. The stately pace of the music gives Ayeka plenty of time for her motions. She does not have the Dutch courage of alcohol in her bloodstream to aid her now in her performance as she did when singing to him, she is acutely aware of what she is doing and how he is keenly watching her every move to learn and mirror it in turn. Her face holds a deep blush. Underneath the false stars entwined in the tree she dances with her prince. His fingers wedded with hers. His ring upon her finger.

Over a dozen bars of the andante Juraian music pass between any piece of footwork from Ayeka. She remains rooted to the same spot for the most part, which Vegeta guesses is easier for her considering her restrictive robes. Her arms are her main source of motion. Long and graceful movements arcing between and around the two. Vegeta spots that her waist remains still and does not sway with the tempo. In a similar fashion he spies that her upper body and chest are only moving a minimal amount, though from the look on her face he deduces this to be nerves and feeling on display if she were to move her chest.

Ayeka lets go of Vegeta's left hand and the flowing motions of that hand continue by itself. Her movements hesitate and fall out of sync with the rhythm of the slow paced concerto. Red eyes hold embarrassment as she speeds up to catch back up. The constant gaze of Vegeta is making her too self aware. Performing like this with him is eating away at her courage.

"It must have taken a bit of effort to plan this, do not let it go to waste through your fears and use some of that effort here. Do I need to take that ring off and put it back on to re-energise you?" He goads her in a low voice. Vegeta steps back away from Ayeka and separates.

She timidly stands there frowning and brushes at her violet hair with her now freed hand. Vegeta is a man of binaries, you are either doing your best or it is irrelevant. Ayeka cannot help but look down and fiddle with her mentioned engagement ring. It is true that at that time she was unstoppable and could have gaily danced with more abandon. She is trying. Ayeka steps forward to him again and takes one of his hands to resume the dance as the mellow song progresses. A minor increase in the energy of her dance is about all that occurs. She moves her head and upper body more in relation to the dance, however Vegeta finds her using her head as an excuse for her to avert her eyes from him. The first piece of music finishes and she steps back and performs a curtsy. Vegeta crosses his arms.

"That … was a poor show on my part. I normally don't- I did a disservice to this dance in my rendition and to yourself." Ayeka apologises. Judgement from Vegeta exists, and worse so does comparison to Ryoko. Ayeka shall succeed in this. She shall not be bested in dance as she was in singing. "I can do better. I shall do better."

"If you want I could lead the dance instead." The prince stokes her motivation.

"No, I – I shall lead."

"Are you sure you are not just frightened of where I might take the dance?" Vegeta walks around the princess, circling her. His confident and aloof words taunting her. He stops when behind her. "Are you frightened of where the dance might take you? Behave yourself princess."

She immediately stiffens and her cheeks redden at his insinuation. Ayeka vehemently shakes her head denying that possibility of her desires leading her astray. Dance is a physical activity, and that is the only physicality that shall occur. She turns and pouts at Vegeta for his teasing of her.

"I require no lecture on behaviour from an exhibitionist."

"No, all you need is the view." The top two buttons of his shirt are undone. Vegeta smirks as Ayeka fumbles in any counter.

Ayeka faces away from Vegeta and the temptation he is laying for her. She clears her throat, pats her cheeks and then gives her rebuttal to her prince; she begins dancing by herself. A chuckle comes from behind her. Ayeka continues on through the memorised patterns and steps for half of this song uninterrupted and making a conscious effort to not turn and check on Vegeta. Hands then enclose over her own. Ayeka turns with a start. Vegeta simply continues following on the dance how she was as she stands perturbed. The princess calls this uncouth for him to be positioned behind her. Vegeta spins Ayeka so she faces him. He notices her jaw move and hears a gnash of teeth. She turns her head to the side and firmly states that she is the one to lead the dance and not him so he should refrain from such actions as spinning her unless prompted.

By the end of the third song Ayeka is smiling and has adjusted, making no errors and dancing to her full potential. Grace is ever present in her movements. Vegeta takes a good deal more steps with his feet than she does which she makes sure to reign in. Her feet move only when necessary. The prince comments on the stillness of her from the waist down. She simply responds with the basic philosophy of Juraian formal dance: 'the trunk is a support for the boughs to move around'. Vegeta curls his tail into the air between them and raises a questioning eyebrow, she quickly remarks that Juraian dance does not include tails and for him to maintain it as a belt. As he does so he lifts Ayeka up. She stubbornly complains that she is leading the dance and for him to stop trying to usurp her. A telltale barrier of blue flickers around the two. The shield instead of protecting her from him encapsulates both.

"...You really want me to try Earth's form of dance, do you not? I shall not be swayed." Ayeka resists against his advances to get her to submit.

"I find it fair. For all you try and taint my Saiyan heritage it is only right I get the chance to infiltrate your loyalties to Jurai. Relationships are about both give and take." His gravelly voice whispering into her ears issues his right to challenge her in this. She pulls her head back from him.

"I congratulate you whole-heartedly on turning my head from my brother and onto y-yourself, against the wants of Jurai. Maybe if you were to showcase me what this planet performs for a dance then I can determine if it is appropriate for myself or not." The play continues as Ayeka jests back at how he has already aided her standing against Juraian culture. She smiles, professing her emotions and teases Vegeta about his advances into changing the dance and leadership to him. The princess again releases one hand to allow that to move and dance separate to him.

"Humiliation of me is what you want. I will not be some fool dancing in solitude for you to gawk at the view I know you want. Once started, you are quite an aggressive huntress." Vegeta reaches out and seizes her free hand and slowly weds his fingers with hers. He gives a slight nod of respect towards her for her continuation of this conversation. She looks to the side disguising it as part of the dance.

"I know not of what you speak. I am doing nothing of the sort. As a Princess of Jurai I am dancing in the appropriate manner. You say it would humiliate you to perform Earth's dance so it leaves me little reason to be persuaded by yourself and suffer equal humiliation."

" … So when does my proposal to yourself earn me a sweet kiss from your fair lips. I can see you fighting the urge." The prince's face temptingly leans in close to her own as he pushes against her limits. Her eyes are fixated on him as he grins. He hears the faint clack of teeth within her mouth and watches as she then bites her lower lip to disable herself from being able to kiss him.

"A-actions of affection are not rewards to be earnt. I-I find no difficulty in controlling my l... my love for you. … Lord Vegeta, this date shall not be ruined in the same manner as the last. You know why I invited you on these dates with myself."

"This time there is only you to consider, there is no reckless Ryoko to protect from herself. I assure you the plans I have currently involve no harm or distress unto yourself. And repeating a failed plan would be a sign of idiocy the likes of which only Kakarot knows. So, are you trying to utilise the same self control I struggled with during my season? What were to happen if I do kiss you? Would it not be ungrateful and cold to not respond likewise, my princess?"

"N-no it would not. You are misbehaving yourself, Lord Vegeta, and I would quite like it if you would cease trying to-. Nowhere on my itinerary is there a place for you to act in an improper manner towards myself. Did you not listen to my explanation of Juraian proposals? … I did not list you teasing and trying to s-seduce me with a kiss after a successful proposal." She stubbornly shakes her head in declination of his advances and girlishly pouts. Her red eyes accidentally fall to the open section of his shirt before hurriedly glancing off to the surrounding lights.

"Seduce? Is that what I am doing to you? Is Ayeka feeling seduced by my attention on her, on her movements, on her face? Neither did you list proposal allowing for you to fall asleep on my lap, which you have done twice now need I remind you."

"... I am still thinking on my- on our-our future. What role do you see best fitting my qualities?"

A line is drawn and a surrender has been offered. Ayeka shall talk about something else now, on her future, and not on her past mistakes that shame her. A confident chuckle from Vegeta causes her to blush further remembering her short nap and long sleep on-top of him. She ends his game of teasing her. The dancing continues on for half a minute without a word said and then Vegeta feeds her what she wants. He lists her positives and her skills although points out a few blank spots such as him never having seen her in a position of leadership and so unable to comment on how suited she is to it. Her ears burn at his honest flattery. As to what role, he does not know what roles are available within Juraian society though she has the intellect and aptitude to take her wherever she wants to aim and tells her so. Ayeka is very pleased with his words. In this he is succeeding far more in tempting her than his previous efforts.

"Ryoko is left in charge of Kaia, I shall leave you in charge of ensuring my son behaves when he is not training with me. Two days, can you manage?" Vegeta rounds off his lip service by giving her this responsibility.

Ayeka is grateful for his trust and faith in her. There is apprehension within her at this role, he has proposed to her today and now she is tasked with caring for his child, it begins to take on a heavy and real tone for her. Trunks is an easy enough child to look after since he has his father's independence. She thanks him. The princess then pauses.

"Upon your return … I feel it would be prudent if we got your commitments to myself out of the way prior to my parent's return to escort Kaia home. I … I know this might be a hard ask, however it is important to myself. This-this second date of mine I will ask of you that it be spent in a way that will help me understand you better. A day of training. … It is not my wisest choice, I understand it shall not be too enjoyable for me, yet I feel as though I need this taste to truly get to grips with the hardships you eternally toil through. Could you do this for me?"

Ayeka asks for a date suited more to Vegeta's tastes than her own, one dedicated to her learning of her prince through a small sample of his daily life. She is hesitant in asking as she knows full well what this will entail; fatigue, shouting, extreme physical activity, physical intimacy with Vegeta and a deal of pain. He spends his whole life training, Ayeka wants to understand this Herculean task he sets himself first hand. A seriousness enters Vegeta's eyes. Training is no joke for him. He does not let up, he does not go easy on people. If she trains with him she shall encounter pain she is unfamiliar with or forfeit her date part way through. The intimacy they share training shall hold no romantic undertones.

"You do understand where the bruises and scars on my son originate from?" Vegeta makes sure it is clear that injuries and wounds will occur through sparring. His punches are pulled to a non-fatal extent when training, that is it. She shall suffer by his hand at this and he does not want it coming back to bite him by fulfilling her own request.

"Yes. I do. Be that as it may, Miss Washu can aid in any injuries I expect to receive." She slowly nods, accepting this inevitability.

"Has this request got anything to do with Ryoko's ability to enter my training room?"

" … I want to walk a day in your shoes." Her answer evades any notion of jealousy prompting this choice.

"You cannot lift my shoes. I shall awaken you on my return at the time I normally begin training. If within the two days of my leave you change your mind then be that as it may. If not, I do hope you will not hold my methods of training against me for you have asked for this to be brought upon yourself."

The warning is spoken and Ayeka nods in agreement in this. She has her second date planned. This day has been activities to her taste, the other shall not. She has two days to prepare and steel herself to training under Vegeta. Ayeka smiles at him in reassurance of her decision. Vegeta's mind is mulling more over the fact that this planned date shall occupy his training room. His multi-form shall have to train elsewhere.

Dancing under starlight continues until a dozen songs have been played. Ayeka steps back as silence ensues and curtsies to her dancing and romantic partner. With a smile she thanks him for today, her fingers fiddling with the white ring, and offers a hand out to be taken back. He bows his head and congratulates her on the success of the first date that she has planned. Vegeta teleports her back home and quickly collapses his training room into a capsule and vanishes off into the night to begin his uninterrupted few days of training.