Chapter 98

Yamcha sits on the tiled flooring of the dark laboratory meditating whilst extreme gravity tries to crush him. He knows and can see how much Washu is hurting through this. His ineptitude to help or aid drives him to find some way in which his limited power can be of some use. Until Kagato is dealt with the woman he loves will suffer. Yamcha's mind is too unfocused to utilise the Kaioken technique. There is another technique he wants to learn, only one he can see that would have made some difference in this. Apart from that he is going to have to start developing more niche applications for his ki. He knows his weakness and limitations, he knows how this new child of Goku's shall probably overtake his own power with no effort as an infant, he needs to do something to help Washu.

Fingernails knead into his back. With a protective talisman about her neck Washu stands in the enhanced gravity, needy and desperate. She wants to distract herself with her work but she is too distracted by all this to focus on it. Her slim body is small in height. Washu is unable to keep herself properly in her adult form. Pink hair is loose and her work shirt half unbuttoned. She is not making meditation easy for Yamcha.

"Human-Saiyan matings actually have a lower successful conception chance than Human and Tuffle pairings. The regulator for my physical body's age might be ready in a few days, if it passes all the safety tests. … I only have 19 of my original ovum left frozen in storage that are still usable after all these years. I'm starting to think we might need a few more of those days off, for both our sakes. Otherwise, I don't see us being the happiest of people when we get to our wedding. You do still think we should marry, right?"

"Yeah, we still will. He ain't winning by getting us to quit. That's a risk we can both agree to, unlike a child. Once I learn Instant Transmission I'm off to see if I can find that Elder Kai to boost my strength like he did for Gohan."

"You don't need to be that strong to help me. Don't even know if it'll work like that, it's all down to latent potential which Gohan has in abundance."

"I know, I don't. My limits hit hard and fast. But, Instant Transmission is the one thing I needed to save you from Kain, so I'm getting it."

" … If I manage to keep myself as an adult will you keep me company in our bed for a bit?"

"As a multi-form, yes."

Washu sighs to herself. A multi-form of her lover is not what she wants. She wants him, to help and comfort him not to have his mind half elsewhere troubled and busy toiling away at a teleportation skill. He wants to be of help to her and she knows he is doing this for her but she will not have him beating himself up over him being human and not Saiyan. She cuddles into him from behind. Washu tells him to either fully come with her or to not come at all. Yamcha replies to give him half an hour as he is not currently in the mood for those physical activities.

"We've got an idea of a name, if we were to ever have a girl we were going to call it Pan." Videl answers as the family unit revel and rejoice in Chichi's pregnancy.

They have only known of its life having begun for a couple of hours but – during the time morning sickness allows – Chichi is on the warpath to get everything she can sorted out in anticipation. She does not have 9 months to wait until labour, she has less than 7, little over half a year, to prepare for a new child. Goten had the ease of using Gohan's hand-me-downs which will not be suitable for this first daughter of hers. Gohan's old room will have to be redecorated. Chichi thinks to herself about a name. With Gohan she left it far too late until well after he was born. Not now, now she will get a name sorted immediately since for once she knows the gender.

Goten is busy being in awe of the fact that he shall soon become a big brother like Gohan is to him whilst Gohan is a tad embarrassed that as a trainee doctor he failed to properly diagnose pregnancy in his mother due to her severe symptoms. One of Chichi's hands never strays from her stomach. The large man whom shall become a grandfather for a third time ponders on the quandary of a name for a girl. He has done it once and named his daughter and so close to 40 years later he tackles this issue again for his granddaughter. Chichi looks to her husband to see if he has any input as he should be during this wonderful time. She sternly reminds him that it has to be a girl's name and to not conflict or copy Gohan and Videl's idea for a name. In a more angry voice she tells him to take this seriously and to put more effort into naming it than he does his transformations as she will not have 'Child 3' as her name.

"What if she gets named after someone we know, like Gohan was, I don't know the names of too many women though. I mean Bulma springs to mind but Vegeta really would kill me then - and it'd be a bit weird. What if we call her after your mom? Kinda fits since Gohan's called after someone on my side of the family so now it gets balanced with your side." Goku offers his improvised thought on what they could call his third child. He sees no rush to decide it now, other than fear of his wife.

"I love it! Wonderful idea Goku. Now, my Goku, I'm just testing here but you do know the name of my mother, correct?" Chichi leans close to him. This should not be a test to him yet she thinks he should at least be able to speak the name he just suggested.

"... Yes?" He nervously answers.

"Would you mind repeating it to us then, son?" The booming voice of the Ox-King echoes his daughter's question. He should know the name of his deceased wife after all their time as a family. With this it shall make two of his grandchildren named after his deceased loved ones; his best friend and rival and his long lost wife.

"Chi- … um, c'mon it's real close to Chichi. Chi- Chichi, Chibi … I got it! Chibusa." He smiles having remembered and not having to suffer the wrath of his hormonal wife. "Chibusa, that'll be her name."

"Lovely. It's perfect. Now, Goku, I know what you're thinking. So … why should I let you train her?" She raises a questioning and angry eyebrow knowingly at her husband.

"Mom, with my sister having that much power I don't think it would be smart to leave her not knowing how to control it. That ki is dangerous and she will need to be trained in responsible usage of it. Whether from there her Saiyan heritage kicks in or not we can leave as her choice." Gohan chimes in to the defence of his father.

"Can I do it? I can train her to be strong and a Super Saiyan and how to fly just like Gohan taught me." Goten happily joins in for this cause.

"I'm glad to see you so happy, but why would she need those skills for her career?"

"You haven't chosen a career for Goten so ain't it a bit early for little Chibusa now?" The father of the child queries Chichi's decision. It might be unwise to question her but his statement is valid. He wants to train his daughter when possible and he wants to see what that potential and power holds for her.

The Ox-King stands and starts rummaging about in his room as Chichi grumbles at this logic. Her child will be safe. Goten was trained to honour his absent father and that reason is not here for her upcoming child. Things were hard enough raising Goten as it was that Chichi did not have the willpower to stress over having him become a lawyer or teacher or some other high profile job. Videl is also on the side of this girl to be trained to help tackle the male dominated world of fighting and martial arts, and she puts in the good argument that martial arts is a good way to find a boyfriend to which neither woman can deny. The rotund grandfather re-enters the room with a large grin on his face. From behind his back he takes out the old item he has found, a keepsake from years back.

"She can have your old armour. It was designed by the first Chibusa so it would make sense for the new Chibusa to have it." The bright blue and pink bikini armour is set down in the middle of the family gathering. It kept his daughter safe so as a family heirloom being passed down it can now keep his granddaughter safe.

Chichi blushes and grumbles some more to herself at her embarrassing outfit from her youth. Videl has not seen this armour before and cannot help but laugh at the thought of the overprotective mother Chichi wandering around as a girl in such a revealing costume. At this laughter Chichi leans forward and presses a button on the helmet so a laser shoots out dangerously close to the offending Videl.

The house is empty save for the two with Saiyan blood training and herself. Kaia has been whisked away by Ryoko and teleported far away to ensure safety from Vegeta's energy. Ayeka is sat up in her bed. Her carers and guardians have departed along with her friend and getting Vegeta to pause his training is only something she can do once per day. Slowly and steadily she gets onto her feet with her legs protesting at this action. She winces with every step as she makes her way to the bathroom to prepare for the day. Ayeka does not know at what time her parents shall arrive and so she has to be ready as soon as she possibly can be, and she expects it to take a longer while than normal given her current state.

After having been swiftly surprised with a teleportation from behind Kaia is given a chance to use her hands and sense where she is and what Ryoko has dressed in to impress her. Her acute hearing hears the clamour and noise of a populated area and the natives of this planet milling about close by. Ryoko seizes her wrists and before she can think of checking the surrounding Kaia's palms are forced to face towards this vagabond.

She wears the same outfit from back when Vegeta was resurrected. There is no visible lower half to this outfit, just bare legs and bare feet and whatever is underneath is left to Kaia's imagination. The light green dress covers her waist and the tops of her knees. Flying would be inadvisable both on account of her dress and the general public. A baby pink hem outlines the fabric, her shoulders are puffed up by baggy shoulder pads, a light green bow tie is about her collar above her greatly exposed cleavage for the dress purposefully does not tie together all too well across her front. A dark sash wraps about her waist in stead of her faux tail and is the only fastening beside the bow tie seemingly keeping her covered and the back of the dress forms a slight tail of a coat down to the back of her knees. This is a revealing outfit. Kaia can and is appreciating the view that she knows all too well.

There is a toothy grin on Ryoko's face as she watches Kaia focus on her fingers and palms deciphering the input from her gloves. If Kaia wants to look at something she cannot hide it, working out the darkness of an object takes an immense amount of concentration for her and several seconds. The diamond of exposed skin from collar to navel is ensnaring Kaia as this is not a way previous dates have dressed for her. Kaia then teasingly remarks that earlier this morning she got to see Chichi in her underwear and was quite appreciative of that view as well. To this Ryoko huffs that she is double Chichi's age and looks half, her body is in far better shape however to this Kaia has to disagree as she could not notice any signs of ageing on Chichi. Ryoko takes a step closer to Kaia's open hands. The temptation to touch is there and Ryoko is familiar with Kaia's soft hands as she memorised her body to make that sculpture. Talk of Chichi shall not be uttered here.

After a laborious peruse of her date for the day Kaia finds herself with some natural red aiding the make-up on her cheeks. Her wrists are released and she questions her surroundings with her gloves. There is no ki nearby she can sense except for that of Ryoko herself. An arm is linked with her own.

"Do keep in mind my weak constitution and recovery from two recent operations for whatever wonders you have planned for yourself." Kaia gives a warning before Ryoko gets carried away. They are in an alleyway of some description so her view of what is around her is mostly just brick and concrete walls. She makes a show of the grip being too tight for her - which it is not.

"For myself? You think I'm that selfish that this is all for me?" Feigned innocence comes from the pirate. This is a date for the two of them, not just her. She leans against Kaia.

"Precisely. Sweeping me off my feet to some exotic land may sound romantic for you yet you seem to forget my own opinions on matters like these: I am uncomfortable in unfamiliar places. ... My heart and mind also cannot help but go out in sympathy to the suffering of my dear friend." She chides back.

"Nu-uh! It's bad enough with Vegey thinking of her over me, not you too. I am a poor and delicate woman going through hard times who needs lots and love and support from you. All this trauma and stress from last night of seeing my attack and getting the news earlier of my dead friend, it's all so much and I need a nice Kai-Kai with me to play with." Ryoko moans and pouts at Kaia's play and leans in closer so their cheeks touch.

"I told Ayeka she was a fool for her choices and I shall tell you the same. It was reckless for you to view that memory when it haunts you so. And, are you taking me into account here as a person or as a plaything – a toy to occupy yourself with and get you in the mood for tomorrow with Lord Vegeta?"

"If you wanna 'get me in the mood' for Vegey then I'm ready." Her voice drops low and sultry as she breathes this insinuation into Kaia's reddening ear.

Coughing to hide her embarrassment Kaia shakes her head in declination of that dangerous offer. She might be a woman who has dated before yet that further physical step is beyond her current experience. Fingers from Ryoko trace along the nape of her neck and then twirl her small red ponytail. They have bathed together so Ryoko knows the limits she can push and she knows of the inner lust of Kaia in how she is viewed by the blind lady. Breaking the Juraian nature of her is a tempting idea for the seductive Ryoko that she only keeps in check through her deeper emotions held for Vegeta.

Kaia turns the conversation onto something else. Ryoko's outfit is revealing and with its revealing nature she questions why she did not think to bring the ever useful translation glasses with them, or money for that matter as she can spy no purse nor pockets. With their arms linked Ryoko shrugs off the question of being able to read, those glasses clash with her current outfit and she thinks she can manage fine without, and with her free hand reaches under her sash and pulls out a wad of bills. Since she spent her last penny on a gift for Vegeta this small loan comes from the aforementioned prince's unsupervised wallet. Those doubts allayed the eager rogue starts pulling on Kaia as she walks to exit this dingy alley and out into the hustle and bustle of an Earth city.

With their speed being a brisk walk Kaia has to protest they slow down to accommodate her fitness and her blindness for she takes a while to process images through her fingers whilst remaining alert to all these new sounds about her. Ryoko relents but her excitability remains as she yearns to get to the fun of their first destination. She did not teleport that far from her goal. Kaia's hands are busy scanning the scene for people in her way, walking towards her and keeping a wary view on the road and the dangerous traffic on it. Jurai mainly uses public teleporters and so these vehicles she is apprehensive of in their inherent speed and threat posed to her. Her companion notices this and swaps arms with her so that Kaia stands on the side furthest from the cars and buses, a humble thank you comes from the blind maiden. A few funny looks and stares are noticed by Kaia however she is unsure whether this is due to herself and her disability or the half-naked appearance of whom she is being escorted by. It is too much effort to work out where their pupils are facing. Brightness is hard for her to make out at all at these speeds beyond that it is day time and where large buildings are casting a shadow and in her ear she hears the cheery humming of Ryoko.

An escape room is what Ryoko has cheekily decided upon to be the first place her and Kaia can have some fun at. Standing outside the building decorated to appear older than it really is and built in a Tudor style with white walls, large wooden beams and a thatched roof with a tall and defunct chimney. All the windows between the dark wooden beams have thick shutters that are ominously closed, the doorway appears narrow with large brass knockers attached and it is an imposing facade save for Kaia liking the stark contrast or white to dark wood that she can easily distinguish. Ryoko tells her where they are and Kaia frowns underneath her blindfold. An event where you get locked in a room and have to solve puzzles and clues to escape is a nice intellectual and team-based pursuit in theory yet she can see clear holes in this plan. First off neither of them can read without the translation glasses Ryoko purposefully did not bring. Secondly, she is blind and finding visual clues though not impossible is harder for her with her gloves. The big problem she sees is that the nature of this is it being a locked room and Ryoko having a strong aversion to bondage of any kind – whether she can phase of teleport out of the room notwithstanding. She voices her concerns and halfway through Ryoko starts shushing her and leading her inside for the fun to begin.

Banging on the door for entry, a costumed worker creaks the door open and there is a confusion in his eyes at the vivid women on his doorstep before the act resumes. The doorman is a young man in his twenties with dark brown hair slicked backwards, of fairly slim build and his hazel eyes are finding trouble averting from the open window of Ryoko's outfit barely containing her braless chest. He wears a plain dark jacket that appears well worn with twin rows of large metal button up the front, a similarly coloured dark doublet, white woollen hose, buckled shoes and a fairly mucky and small ruff about his throat. The whole ensemble has a look of being well worn and of having been patched and fixed on several occasions. He continues his act and deeply bows to these guests and welcomes them into this 'house'. Ryoko flutters her long eyelashes at her admirer but professionalism prevails as he instead goes to help the obviously blind woman traverse the step and entranceway. This help however is not needed and nor does the grateful yet independent Kaia accept it.

A tale is woven and the stage for this event is set as the pretend butler slowly leads them through an ill-sized and over decorated foyer crowded by a stairway, bookshelves and a large metallic lighting fixture. Ryoko is not properly listening as the actor sets the scene unlike Kaia who does have a penchant for details. The interior décor is mostly lost on Kaia, she is occupied checking her surroundings, counting her steps against the bare wooden flooring and investigating this alien as she listens to the fictitious words he speaks. So far for a date she can credit Ryoko for this being unique. The worker talks of the master of the house having gone missing from his study after returning from a far flung and exotic hunting trip where he was not as he was upon his return. Many strange items were returned and a companion brought back with him vanished shortly before the master himself disappeared. This is all background told before to other parties and Kaia does quite like this for the whole foreignness of the setting.

The acting butler stops near a pair of doors as practicality spoils some of the fun. With this activity revolving solely around being locked in one location and trying to escape he points out to the two women 'powder rooms' for their use if they are so inclined. Kaia suspects it is for the best that she visits prior to being trapped in a room for however long they are and a look is given to both of them by the man as she stops a grinning Ryoko from following. This worker then in as polite a way as he can muster states that acts of 'frivolity' are frowned upon on this estate as haste is a must in the search for the master's location. Ryoko is not particularly listening to this either. Orders can be told to her and orders shall be disobeyed. Following Kaia's short bathroom break the butler continues his job leading them down a dark and cramped candlelit corridor where all noise from outside and from elsewhere in the house appears to cease. He opens a door to the master's study area and says that he shall serve them drinks and condiments once prepared. They step in and the door automatically swings shut with a loud bang. The doorknob on both sides of the door drop off to ensure entrapment.

"Kaia, I think we might need to read for this." Ryoko cheekily states with a wide smile on her face.

"... You are not going to be helpful through this are you?" Kaia sighs to herself, there goes the element of team work. If this is supposed to be a joke about how they have to solve the clues blind then she is not seeing the humour in it.

Her hands scan the scene as best they can with Ryoko's attempts for attention. This is a large study, the room being at least 10 metres by 10 metres, and so as to not make the game too easy it is heavily decorated and furnished in abundance. Instead of looking in detail she gets drawn like a moth to a bright light by her gloves. A sturdy stone fireplace is lit and the dancing flames intrigue her in their motion and how much light they give off – Ryoko explains to her what she is sensing. With the fireplace being on the far wall from the door they entered on either side both walls are line with bookcases and shelves with two ladders propped up to aid in reaching higher shelves. Animal and dinosaur heads are mounted as trophies above the fireplace and a mantelpiece above it is adorned with many varieties of trinkets and bits and bobs that Kaia does not recognise. Chairs, tables, desks and rugs litter the main floor. Ryoko seats herself and lounges down comfortably on a large and well cushioned sofa with the openings of her outfit becoming precarious for Kaia's viewing.

"I've broken into and out of security tighter than this, I'm doing this so special Kai-Kai can show off to me and have fun solving puzzles with her new gloves."

"So is this date all boiling down to training for me as well? I fear for what Lord Vegeta's proximity is doing to your sense of romance if both you and Ayeka think of training as an enjoyable pastime."

"Well ya say no to the other pastime I want to do." A dirty giggle comes from the lounging rogue and she licks her lips whilst Kaia continues to examine this strange room.

"A-a-and I-I shall continue to fervently decline unless- … no, no unless, giving you hope like that would be as cruel as Lord Vegeta's actions." Stammering, she adamantly stomps her foot to emphasise that she is not willing to lose her virginity to Ryoko's play with her. Kaia is turning as beet red as her hair and her focus on her hands is lessening. In a locked room now with only Ryoko there is little escape from this conversation.

"Unless I love you properly? Unless I try and marry you? Is it things like that you were gonna say? Pre-marital's gotta be on the table, I know you Kai-Kai, you can't hold out that long before your lusty nature wants a piece." Amused coos from Ryoko taunt the blind woman. Ryoko purposefully shifts in position so that the acute ears of Kaia can hear the rustling of her clothes.

"Slander! I- I'm not lusty. I am a proud lady of Jurai. On my family's honour I would never fall into such depraved intimacy."

"What a whopper of a lie. You already have. That little line of sex is not that far away after our loving baths together and all our time cuddling and how you touch me. I mean, I do keep telling you so you know my ears are sensitive, you know I can get aroused through them and yet all the time you keep trying to touch them under some guise of punishment – you do know what touching my ears equates to. Should I touch you in similar places when you misbehave?" Now behind her prey, Ryoko rests her head on Kaia's shoulder and her arms hug her from behind and gently stroke this maiden. Kaia's breathing is quickening.

"... I have a bad heart, too risky." She quietly mumbles this half excuse to end this advance on her.

Ryoko playfully yields with a tickling blow into Kaia's own ears and starts wandering about the room when a burst of raps come from the single door. The actor butler has returned and speaks of his alarm and shock at the door being immovable. More basis for the event is explained to them, hints dropped about where to look and details about the room they are in. This means that the promised drinks and snacks cannot arrive which disappoints Ryoko. Kaia tells Ryoko to go and fetch the translation glasses so they can do this or she shall not be in a good mood for this date. A multi-form of Ryoko splits off and complies with a grumbling complaint about how bossy all Juraians are and how kind she is that she never gives direct orders for Kaia to comply with, yet.

Relaxing in soothing and warm bath waters Ayeka floats and loosens up the knots that are her muscles and joints. Gentle swimming is painful and aches are present yet it is doing wonders for reinvigorating her mobility. Splashes follow alongside her. A lonely Ryo-Ohki doggy paddles next to the only woman in the house and meows as she plays with the Juraian Princess. The cabbit is interested in one specific part of Ayeka that is new to her and keeps trying to make her way over to the white thing however Ayeka proves protective of it even in her weakened state. Her engagement ring shall not leave her finger now that it is back on and the thief trained cabbit shall not nibble on it. She has by now realised her failure in yesterday's date in not gifting her own ring to her prince. Her only opportunity remains as now when Ryoko is away and her family have not returned, tomorrow is Ryoko's date and acting then will be inconceivably rude and spiteful. For that to happen she has to be able to get down the stairs and find the right moment to interrupt his training.

Cramp seizes her. Muscles scream out as her side screams in agony. Swimming in her state, even lightly, is inadvisable and more consequences for her poor date choice surface as her bruised body struggles to remain on the surface. Pain makes her stiff actions frantic and weak as the waters around her put her in danger and cause her to cough. Ryo-Ohki sees this as a game as she splashes about too. Her legs are not working properly, cramp debilitating her movements, and due to her slender frame she is not adept at naturally floating in water. Ayeka's ki is flickering, shields are too much of a stretch for her to conjure and her concentration is shot in attempting to fly out of the water.

Bath water enters her mouth and nose. An exhausted body is not fit for struggling against her cramp and the large pools are far too wide to reach a safe side. Ryo-Ohki is becoming inquisitive towards the distress and swimming underwater herself to the princess. One ill-timed gasp of breath floods her lungs. They burn in protest.

Brown and cream crystalline spikes explode out from the bath and break tiles. Water pores off the hardened shards and a constant meowing comes from the pink sphere sat in the centre of the mass. Ryo-Ohki clanks her spaceship form to one side and causes more destruction as she tips. A princess rolls off of one of her prongs and onto the floor. The spikes detract and a cabbit lands and bounces over to the one she rescued and urgently meows as she scampers about and nudges the unmoving woman.

Ayeka gets rolled onto her side. Ki floods into her. A hand sticks into her mouth and moves her tongue to clear her airway. Crisp dryness enters the air as heat pervades it. He feels for the right nerve cluster and sharply pokes it to cause her diaphragm to contract as she begins to cough and splutter he hits against her back. With her emptying her lungs a towel then is draped over her form. Ryo-Ohki protectively jumps onto her and seats herself down on the towel.

"I know you take hygiene seriously but refrain from any more respiratory enemas. Breathe. And you'll get some carrots for your part, Ryo-Ohki." The gruff voice of Vegeta speaks out from over her.

Her mouth and nose get tickled and licked by Ryo-Ohki checking that Ayeka is OK as the princess continues to cough and wheeze. She reaches for the towel on her and hurriedly holds it tight to her. Her red eyes blearily open and she is grateful to both see that her prince has saved her and that he has wrapped a hand towel about his face so he does not see her nudity. A groan comes from her as all that coughing and nearly drowning has not helped her devastated body and she weakly moves her face to the side to get away from Ryo-Ohki's attention.

"Thank … you. Thank you. I- ..." Ayeka breathes heavily and interrupts herself. "-I guess I took too much … from your training yesterday and overextended myself in my swimming. … You saved me."

"Indulging in your white knight fantasy again?"

"A princess holds no vices she indulges in, nor does she find enjoyment in asphyxiation. … I try and tell you to rest and so I think I shall heed my own advice."

"I am opposed to you resting where you are whilst sodden and becoming ill again, when you can, dry yourself and relax wherever until Jurai arrives. You'll need your energy."

With a sharp whistle he gets Ryo-Ohki's attention to follow him for the reward of food and the cabbit's ears perk up and she bounds off to follow the fast pace of Vegeta. On the wet tiles Ayeka breathes the humid air of the bath and coughs a few more times. Giving a ring at such a time when she is in this pathetic state would not go over well – even with the romantic connotations of him rescuing her.

"And, Ayeka, don't think trying to drown again will get yourself a kiss of life from this prince's lips." Vegeta leaves with this last mocking remark.

Kaia asks Ryoko to repeat the verse from the book she is holding again, hearing it she nods and rotates the wall mounted candlestick a quarter turn to the right, waits a second, and then a following complete rotation to the right. It clicks. Gears whir behind the scenes and an ominous creaking comes from a bookcase as it shudders. The entire bookcase revolves upwards about its middle so it is parallel to the ground and locks in position. Below is revealed a dark crawl-space. This section has been solved. Kaia smiles with her hands on her hips at this accomplishment. Ryoko looks at the cramped tunnel with no light in it.

"Age before beauty." Kaia chirps, paying back Ryoko for her lack of helpfulness in this whole endeavour.

The rascally rogue crouches down and peers down the black shaft. There is a cool breeze coming from wherever it leads. The whole objective of this event she chose is to escape though volunteering to enter this dingy crawl-space is not an option winning her over. She turns and looks at Kaia with puppy-dog eyes and a quivering lip trying to emphasise her fear and have her take mercy on her. Kaia's gloves are facing elsewhere as her hands are on her hips and so her pleads fall on deaf ears.

"Kai-Kai it's all dark and scary-"

"And just as dark and even scarier for myself. That is why the big and strong Ryoko can go first to help me through-"

"Is this so you can see up my skirt when I'm crawling through?" She cheekily giggles as Ryoko attempts to embarrass Kaia into conceding to going first. Her hands cover the bottom of her outfit and watches Kaia awkwardly shift.

"Preposterous. Those false accusations shall not earn you a pass at exploring this next room. And, by the by, I have no need of foul schemes like that when all I have to do is wait until you intrude upon my next bath... Stop dilly dallying and go on, you have the translation glasses to check for clues on the way in case of traps."

"Y'know sometimes I hear just a bit too much Ayeka from your mouth for me to like."

"Hands and knees Ryoko, be a good girl now." Kaia takes an authoritative tone to annoy Ryoko further. She points to the ground.

"... I might brand you with my name before you leave. Burnt skin does have such a wonderful texture for you to try feeling." Orders like that from Juraians make her taste bile, Ryoko's predatory eyes narrow on the blind woman as she lowly growls out to press her dominance.

"You wonder why I won't engage in any further activities with yourself when your pretty face spews such heartbreaking threats against one of your poor and few friends." Her arms sternly cross her chest and Kaia simply turns about to face away from Ryoko. The pirate who seeks her out for attention and affection shall find none of it if she believes she can talk to her like that. She dolls out the worst punishment she can be shunning her.

"Just kiddin'-"

"Jokes can hold as much insult and violence as any other form of speech. Do not speak of any threat towards myself even in jest." Kaia remains strict and facing away from Ryoko until she hears some complaining grumbles and shuffling.

Red light emanates from the tunnel opening as a pouting Ryoko pretends to crawl and instead lazily levitates through and out into this second room. The gloom prevails and so her small flares orbiting her remain. Not wanting to be alone she calls to Kaia to follow and hopes the grudge is not continued so she will not have to do this by herself with her date shunning her in a different room. Several precise and detailed questions come from the opposing section of the tunnel. Kaia needs facts. It is not practical for her to crawl on her hands and knees without information, she requires her gloves to sense around her yet when crawling they can only sense the floor. Ryoko estimates and tells her the distance, direction and of a few bumps and bends in the narrow passage.

After a long minute of careful crawling Kaia stands when she finishes counting the distance and senses Ryoko's energy next to her. Her hands perform sweeping motions to get the general layout and then her arms are pinned to her side as Ryoko hugs her and apologises – though Kaia is in some doubt to the sincerity. Kaia sighs. This room is dark and Ryoko is craving for her to help with her fears. Still in a stern voice she asks if Ryoko has reflected on her actions and manner of speech, that although might be appropriate for conversation with Vegeta are not acceptable for herself. More enthusiastic apologies come from Ryoko as she tries to win Kaia back over and Kaia pays attention to where Ryoko is touching.

"... You are not sorry. I fear I should listen to my good friend Ayeka more about your behaviour. I am sad to say that I do believe it to be possible that you would 'brand' me as you say given little reason." With disappointment Kaia delivers her verdict. This woman embracing her is violent with even the short history of a month consisting of a long list of evil acts. Given Ryoko's mental state it is within the realm of possibility that the same as she snaps and attacks others she could find herself on the receiving end. The hug gets tighter and Ryoko adamantly shakes her head.

"That's why I have you and my Vegey to make me better-"

"Did Lord Vegeta stop you from maiming Ayeka before? If not … then I do not see how his continued presence would prevent the same from befalling myself." Kaia interrupts Ryoko's excuses. Ryoko is the one whom shall change her own behaviour, not some external influence.

"Are- are you breaking up with me?" A soft mewl comes from the pirate. Kaia can tell the emotional blackmail for what it is. Kaia is also unsure of what there is to break up in this casual relationship.

"No. No, you are the cruel one not myself. I am drawing a line in the sand. Know the boundaries Ryoko, and do not overstep them. Not all discipline from Juraians is some final sentencing to a cell, you hate being disciplined but you do not aid yourself with your senseless words and acts, you despise rules and actively break them yet you have to learn that relationships have rules. You break those and the other is not in the wrong for calling you out on it."

"... Impulse comes at a cost. Meanie Kaia, I know that and this date is supposed to be fun for us not some lesson." She nods her head. Ryoko understands the lesson and has paid many times for her rash decision making. She nuzzles against Kaia's cheeks.

Kaia kisses the presented cheek of Ryoko softly. "Next time I ask you to get on your knees do not protest. I do not like being so harsh with you, however my thoughts do linger on how meaningless this date is in the grand scheme of things and so some bitterness arises in myself. I know, Ryoko, you only plan to date me seriously if all your multitude of plans with Vegeta fail. I'm your safety net, your rebound, someone for you to end up with so you are not alone and just that – I don't like that kind of thinking or description of myself. Having fun with you is fine though you stringing me along is as bad as Lord Vegeta's actions. Ryoko, I want you to think on your emotions. Think on how little my presence has swayed your love towards Lord Vegeta and then think on how your presence might have swayed his from Bulma."

Tension enters Ryoko's embrace. That last sentence cuts deep. An apt comparison has been made. Ryoko frowns, she does not like that thought about how little she has changed Vegeta's emotions but this comparison of a love to a love is as close as it can be for her to understand and to understand Kaia's position in this. At this point Kaia briefly reciprocates the hug and then taps for Ryoko to release her so that she can look around this new room. Ryoko tries for a kiss of her own and Kaia denies it. Pouting, she releases Kaia and sullenly stalks off into a corner of the room with more red flares orbiting her.

Low level lighting does not impede the functionality of Kaia's improved gloves and so she can make out this room clearly without the use of Ryoko's glowing spheres. This is not as spacious as the previous study. Little more than a cellar she can barely take a few steps in either direction before being greeted by hard dry stone wall. There is a table, a few shelves, a trunk and a muddled mess of items in the corner. Luckily for Ryoko the first step of this puzzle room is to activate the oil lantern on the desk. With lighting now present Ryoko becomes active and helps Kaia in continuing to solve this mystery and find where the passages lead and where the master of the house has vanished off to. One clue on a letter stuck on the bottom of the desk gives them pause for thought as it references terrestrial knowledge that they do not hold, trial and error sees them through that.

Following an extra hour and 2 adjoining rooms they emerge victorious. Ryoko tells Kaia how many rungs are on the ladder as she climbs out and lifts the trapdoor to immediately outside the study they first entered. The whole plot ended up revolving around a cursed artefact, the companion from the foreign land being some protector of it stealing it away to take it back home and the corrupting influences of the artefact descending the master of the house into madness as he sets off to retrieve his artefact by any means. Ryoko slides the translation glasses down her cleavage now that they have served their purpose. A short briefing is held with the relived butler and with that done this section of the date is complete.

From all that standing up, crawling about and working out puzzles Kaia is ready for a rest. Arm in arm, Ryoko leads her off down the street at a relaxed pace and has a fun idea to annoy Kaia with. She asks her date if she is hungry and would like to stop for some lunch and to this Kaia nods and Ryoko leads them to a small diner she has spotted out of the corner of her eyes. Since she has the translation glasses and shall not use them she strips away Kaia's independence in being able to order any food herself. They sit down in a secluded booth within the diner and Ryoko silently orders by pointing at the menu in such a way that Kaia cannot sense with her gloves. Kaia wants to know. Ryoko plays it coy and teases the mystery. This game then concludes as two plates are set before them. Ryoko grins. She moves the cutlery far away from Kaia.

"Now the gloves come off. As a Juraian dignitary here to serve as an ambassador to this planet it would be rude of you to insult their culture and not eat this meal with your hands, as is intended." A pleased purr comes from Ryoko as she toys with Kaia.

Burgers are the food of choice. Though cutlery can be used, Ryoko is having fun enforcing a hands only policy on the woman who sees through her hands. Kaia observers the meat between two buns of bread steaming on the plate before her with her gloves. The escape room was not a single occurrence, it appears this whole date is ironically themed around her disability with Ryoko taking joy in mercilessly teasing her. Kaia takes a serviette and secures it to the front of her outfit. Her gloves remain on.

"W-would it not be possible instead if it were your hands used instead?" A timid alternative is offered by a rosy cheeked Kaia. For her this embarrassing public act is preferential compared to removing her gloves in a foreign environment she does not know. Ryoko is not the only woman here who enjoys affection and being pampered.

Feline eyes light up and a toothy grin smiles back at her. Ryoko shall accept this change to her plan. She might have ordered two separate burgers for them however another change to this plan can occur now. The burger in front of her she picks up and takes a bite out of, chews, swallows and now turns it around on approach to Kaia with her gloved hands watching. Kaia moves back in her seat initially and then opens her mouth.