Chapter 111
The Juraian honour detail are suspicious and wary of the powerful Namek within their midst. One show of power is all they needed. To ensure none of them acted rashly and to prove how powerful an alliance with Namek shall be the leader of the honour guards had a playful exchange with Piccolo. That leader being Misaki he has nothing to fear from her power. When he dodges nothing hits him, when he stopped dodging all she could do was ineffectually throw him about for strikes did nothing. He is purposefully keeping his ki at moderately low levels in case any scouters are being used as outing his Super Saiyan levels of power is not wise and also will more than likely detonate the scouter and injure the user. Strangely enough his height is not too noteworthy as Juraians are equally as tall as Namekians for the most part.
Taking the rear he follows the procession of other guards to accompany his charge of Ayeka. Either side of the princess are her half brother Yosho and mother Funaho to provide their valuable assistance here and to make the journey appear more official than the whims of a young woman. By Piccolo's side is a man he has recently been introduced to. A man who holds a position few envy; Lady Seto's husband. A man of equal stature and build as Azusa, an elder Juraian older than the emperor though still junior to his wife, his face bears the weathering and wear of a man who has been in power and high office for millennia, with tired and stern eyes of a dark red almost verging on black. His dark green hair is pulled back into a bushy ponytail and a fair portion of his lower face is completely concealed by large and formidable mutton chops. Unlike most Juraian officials he does not wear a cape or flowing robes. Dark hakama rise to a navy cummerbund adorned with gold buttons on its left hand side. Over the top of a lilac yukata and above the cummerbund is a partial cream bodice. His right shoulder has two wide brown bands going over and attaching front and back of the bodice making a partial shoulder pad. The right has one narrow orange band up and over it connecting to a navy covering over that right hand sleeve.
His first words to Piccolo are of apology over his wife's actions in using Namek in her plans to which Piccolo can only reply that it is for the best that the planet New Namek has the protection of Jurai on its side and if the dragonballs are ever abused then killing Porunga to cease that is no hassle. Utsutsumi does not believe his wife shall be one to abuse Namek's dragonballs, for one there is little she has to wish for after toiling at her work for thousands of years and second it is a path with little fun along the way to be had for Seto. He personally thanks Piccolo for the hand he played in the fight against Frieza. To that Piccolo can only say he did little to save his own planet with the strength he had then. As they walk on Piccolo looks across at the older Juraian and questions him how he has such faith in the 'Demon King Piccolo' in protecting his family when he barely knows anything about Jurai and is doing this as a favour to an even bigger killer. Utsutsumi smiles and shrugs.
"You're here now, trust you or not. By no means do I aim to be naïve yet my time with Seto has taught me the uselessness in worrying over things beyond my control. … The trees do not quake or shed leaves at your presence. For a 'Demon King' the Goddess Tsunami has taken a liking to you in allowing you to tread her holy soil. My dear Seto speaks fondly of the Nameks and their connection to their gardens."
At the front of the group are the Juraian royals, with Funaho making a teasing and disparaging comment that she hopes at some age any of her children will stop worrying her so. She is unsure on this method that Ayeka has chosen and has voiced her concern over it. The fair princess may believe her actions to be just and built on a want for enlightenment to pass correct judgement yet Funaho all the same warns her of what she sees this action to be. She is on the trail for excuses. To find a thread of hope to explain Vegeta to her or to stitch together to hide away his actions. Funaho knows of Ayeka's choices and the lead up surrounding it, as much as has been disclosed by her family and Washu, and she disagrees firmly with Ayeka's viewpoint on it all.
The Prince of Saiyans' sin within Kagato's trap was not for comforting Ryoko or whatever promises he might have tried to fulfil with her – disregarding Funaho and Ayeka's opposing views on polygamy – his evil was his allowance of what his mother the Queen did. Goku refused to fight the army of simulated Tuffles, Vegeta could not quell the drums of war even under the guise of protecting his aggressive mother. Prince Vegeta is a smart man who himself has done many horrendous evils. He knew perfectly well what his mother's intentions were with the grandchildren of Washu and let it happen. Ayeka does not hear this. Killing of simulations she has seen time after time from Vegeta, the faces put on them are tricks of Kagato mean to deceive them and sow discord between Jurai and Saiyan and Tuffle, his brutal actions were done knowing that no living thing was harmed by what he did and even then he limited himself and did not give in to the savage Saiyan warrior his blood craves him to transform into. All Ayeka cares of is his actions to the real individual in there. To the actions towards the one that is not her.
"Were it so Lady Seto in her wisdom saw to let go of her own daughter but 20 years earlier then you would understand our views better than the sheltered end of the war you were raised in." Funaho states to her step-daughter.
"My raising was a choice that you were a part of and saw no prior want to let me see the realities beyond the palace walls. And if my age were to be but 20 years more then I would have only been exchanged off to some other suitor by now or … or not have helped my brother by escaping our engagement." Ayeka responds curtly.
The procession halts as Funaho stops and looks at Ayeka. With a serious face she shakes her head in disappointment.
" You are not Lady Seto, you are not Queen Misaki, you have only just stopped being Little Ayeka. Do not take such tone of voice with your mother. One month with criminals and killers and you are forgetting yourself. You have left yourself far too open to the Saiyan ideologies and far too accepting of Vegeta in your blinded state that you have want now to mirror their lack of respect for their elders. A single 'holiday' – as you call it - and your elopement with the most dangerous man in existence is bringing Jurai to its knees. I ask not of much; but speak to your mother and your Queen as you should." Without raising her voice she reprimands her daughter. She is being firm in regards to the anger issues and lack of emotional control that plague Ayeka during certain stimuli – namely a Saiyan.
"Mother, I-"
"Save your excuses till after I have seen that you can behave as the Crown Princess of Jurai, whilst you entertain your brother's fiance Haruna later on today and gratefully congratulate her on how she helped the Juraian Royal Family – and yourself. And remember to bear in mind how she shall be ascending to a higher station in Juraian politics than yourself currently." Excuses over apologies are frequent from Ayeka when she is shamed over a wrong she has done. Funaho shall have Ayeka save her breath and save face by not trying to explain away her actions.
Funaho nods her head at Ayeka and she responds with a nod of her own. Yosho winces. It is partly his fault for his mother's mood. She is not the keenest on his actions towards Airi, nor Airi's towards her son. For now Haruna takes precedent, that in itself a stressful act of organising the engagement and the bureaucracy behind the scenes of having Haruna adopted into one of the branches of the Masaki house so she can be eligible for marriage with a prince – much like herself. The bundle of happiness and carefree energy that normally revitalises her during harder times has been lacking for there is a sour note over her sister-in-law Misaki. That and Lady Seto resurrecting the Queen of Saiyans has thrown more than one spanner in the works. Ayeka is obedient in being quiet and her thoughts turn inwards. She has not met Haruna yet. She is thankful for her existence in aiding her escaping betrothal to Yosho however vanity and pride dictate her to also view Haruna with a negative light. Ayeka has become all too familiar with jealousy and a man's attention being on another woman. Haruna is the other woman that her previous fiance was having an affair with behind her back. An emotion she presumes Haruna shall not share with her even towards Airi due to Ayeka's aberrant views towards polygamy.
The congregation marches steadily towards the first renovated barracks. Charities for veterans and those effected by the war are the goal for Ayeka. Many are sponsored by the state which she represents and a generous donation to their cause gets her welcomed and earns her information that she seeks. None of the older Juraian royals are put in a good mood by their surroundings. Yosho served in the military during that dark time and has his fair share of stories and adventures. Utsutsumi was too old to be employed in active duty against Frieza, though that is not to say that somewhere deeper in his past he has not seen combat. Funaho is no fighter yet as Queen during that period she felt the full weight and toll of Frieza's might on her people and on her Emperor that she herself was not enough to comfort. The novelty of Piccolo does garner interest from the veterans. His tale of his home planet being destroyed is sadly all too familiar. Details as to the fighting on Namek he cannot give out.
It is not every day that the leaders of the empire that you fought for descend upon the charity organisation you are a member of. However for all the pleasantries of royals visiting there is the counter point that these royals represent the state that sent them to war and their presence here is proof of their suffering. These are the men and women sent to war that were lucky enough to return against Frieza's forces. Only Yosho gains a majority of an exemption from this for his own active presence upon the battlefield, and Ayeka full exemption due to her being the child touted as the symbol of peace and regeneration of Jurai that they fought for and won. She is the symbol of Jurai victory. With that said, she cannot very well ask them straight up about what horrors plague their nights and what deeply personal sufferings they go through due to their service. Those are the facts she needs to know to understand Vegeta.
Outside of a boutique shop that stretches and expands further back than its quaint facade would have you believe is a struggling Saiyan. He sees the items on display in the windows. Those promised things on the mannequins. Their blank heads keep taking on a certain face. In high probability this is where his late wife's dress did come from. The most prestigious shop he could find that would be open during their jet lagged reference of day. Ryoko stands behind him with a hand resting on his back. She gives him his moment of passing grief and lowers her head solemnly.
He steps forward before she can give him a push. Vegeta pushes open the door and steps in without hesitation, his moment of weakness gone. Holding the door open he looks back to Ryoko who smiles at him and nods. A bell above the door jingles as it swings to a close. The entrance-way is upmarket and high class though treads the line to not err into extravagance, its image is one of comfort and homeliness and it works hard to keep it. There is no desk nor reception. They stand in the equivalent of a posh mansion's hallway. Ryoko is confused by the lack of shop-like aspects to this shop. Not due to the quiet tinklings of a bell come two women through opposing doors to the high street Ryoko and Vegeta entered from.
"Welcome, - Mr. Briefs, oh what a pleasant surprise, we thought you'd be dropping by in half an hour's time." An anthropomorphic wolf woman greets him in an amicable fashion, adding a slight wag of her tail.
The wolf woman has dark grey fur with speckles of a lighter grey along her front and hazel eyes. Oddly enough neither shop assistant is dressed as is the norm for their role. The she-wolf has on a dark red wine coloured dress that flows about what for a human would be their ankles but for her is the beginning of the toes on her paws, and likewise there are no shoes on her paws. It is a simple and elegant affair that mirrors Vegeta in having a hole in the rear to free her bushy tail. The other shop assistant is a human female in her late 20's – the wolf's age being unknown to either alien – and she has on a more casual outfit of a blue shirt, a navy blouse and dark coloured jeans. Her auburn hair is loose about her shoulders and she greets Vegeta also as he is an expected customer and known to be among the wealthiest men on the planet.
Next the assistants look to the woman accompanying Vegeta whom is their business they presume. As they approach they scan over her body with their eyes, taking internal rough measurements and pondering on her unique sense of style. Ryoko looks to Vegeta for a clue on what she should do here. This is wedding dress shopping, exactly what she wanted, but she was expecting more of the vibe of a normal clothes shop than this. With Vegeta's first wedding being a surprise to him it is an unwise choice to look to him for guidance on this. He nods at the women and introduces Ryoko, who awkwardly waves and says hi to the assistants who in term greet her back and give their names: the wolf being Cilantro and the human Shiso.
Friendly small talk begins between the women as they try and build rapport with their customer and learn more about her. They themselves do not give much back in terms of personal information however they do sate Ryoko's curiosity in informing her about the shop. They lead their guests on out to where they came from and into what looks like a lavishly furnished living room with carpets, table, sofa, bookcases – everything to make it look the part yet no personal touches since no one does live here. Ryoko is informed that this is a place to get ready, chat, unwind and relax as they do not want stressed out customers and know how important it is to manage their customer's emotional well-being. Looking at Vegeta they also inform this is the place the party of the bride-to-be can wait, not speaking the obvious that the groom does not normally come on this visit more-so the bridesmaids. A set of oak double doors with brass doorknobs lead on to the main attraction, the changing areas and the main showroom of dresses. Ryoko is quiet. Being called bride-to-be by strangers is weird.
"Well, don't keep us in the shadows, tell us, when is the big day then?" Shiso asks as if they are friends – rather than trying to gauge the season the wedding shall be and what their inventory holds for then.
Ryoko stands still stunned. Her eyes are wide. She has no clue what to say. Being hard pressed enough to get the concrete time frame of the end of the tournament for a decision is an accomplishment in itself that for her supposed wedding she does not have the faintest when. Ayeka might know for Juraians how long engagements normally last but not her. On the spot and embarrassed over not knowing this or having even given it a thought with how standoffish Vegeta can be on this subject she blushes and acts more timid than is her norm. The assistants do not push the question.
"... It's Feb 14th. I- I, then's the day, I get married on this big lug's birthday."
A large blush begins to consume Ryoko's face as she tries to fiercely look at Vegeta daring him to defy her over this. The Saiyan Prince seats himself on a sofa and meets her gaze and observes her back. Someone has been reading Ayeka's diary to learn his birthday. Ryoko is quickly trying to recall what Ayeka also jotted down around that page concerning Earth's calendar yet her mind is going into overdrive. A squeal of delight comes from the attendants.
"Wow, Valentine's day, aren't you a lucky girl-"
"No, Vegeta's day – his birthday and he gets the best gift … me." Ryoko does not know Earth's culture and nor did Ayeka write about the romantic holiday that Vegeta shares his birthday with as she stammers out a false correction to the women.
The Saiyan Prince continues watching her. Half a year separates now from then which shall be plenty of time following the tournament for whatever with that time frame for Ryoko. The shop workers however are not dull and so the wolf woman coyly asks her if this is a decided upon and concrete date. Ryoko nods aggressively and states it is either that date or no date. Cilantro accepts this though the nerves of her customer are still a bit suspect. Follow up questions involve an indoor or outdoor event as with winter they can provide more suitable clothing to keep Ryoko warm and protected from the elements. This pirate does not suffer the cold and will not compromise on her dress.
More questions fly at her in concern of her wants or any other plans she has; which she has none as this is all hastily improvised on her part. The nerves of Ryoko and her glances towards Vegeta though soon begin to die down. Excitement and giddiness soon overwhelm them and her embarrassed flush begins to become a lovely womanly glow. The women she did not have to converse with at Vegeta's house are now here. She can bounce ideas off them and learn as she quickly spills out she does not know much about weddings and needs help about a lot. This is exactly the reason why they have their shop appear in this non-businesslike fashion and why they behave this way; to aid and help the customer and their emotions, to distance them from the business of the weddings and have this be more a celebration and ease them into what can be a trying time. One thing Ryoko is loud and proud and obstinate over is that she has to, at all costs, wear a white dress, pure white and with this glowers at Vegeta and sticks her tongue out at him. The prince is silent in this as her dress is her call and not his, apart from one thing she has not said.
"Before you take her away, I have one request of my own. Ryoko has a prominent scar down her back, hard to miss, harder still to conceal, so don't. I shall have no effort to hide what is a part of her she should not have to hide."
Shiso and Cilantro look at the bride-to-be concerning this more unusual of requests and whether they should honour it – they have had many bizarre requests but so far none for purposefully displaying a scar. Ryoko nods and says if it appeals to him she will. Yet, she does not turn to look at him as she replies. This is uncomfortable for her. As nice as it is that Vegeta is actively participating in this and wanting her to look in a way that is attractive for him as a Saiyan she is reluctant over this scar he has recently opened in both means. By the wedding it shall be fine, and she still has her hair to go over most of her back.
With that Ryoko gets escorted out of the room with Shiso with a teasing remark to Vegeta to not get too impatient. The short end of the stick has been drawn by Cilantro as she stands attentive in the room to supervise Vegeta. Leaving a customer to roam about unwatched is not smart with the many expensive decorations they have on display, even if she does not like her chances against a man such as Vegeta even with her teeth and claws. Vegeta cares little for the company. Cilantro knows how long and arduous a task of finding 'the one' dress can be and she does not want to stand in silence for that long awkwardly with Vegeta, for she does know of this man.
"Your family has not been in the public eye for some time. I don't know if now of all times is the right time to say it but I am sorry for your loss, Bulma was a great woman that many in the fashion industry envied and admired. Is your son faring well?"
The eyes of a Saiyan fall on her. For a half a minute he silently glares at her.
" … I would not be remarrying as quick as I am if I thought my son was not struggling." To others he knows only a year has passed, he feeds her a line so that she does not think lesser of his marriage with Bulma by him moving on as rapidly as he is endeavouring to.
" That's … I sense quite a bit of nerves and anxiety between you and Ryoko. Is all well, if you do not mind me prying."
"I do mind you prying." He faces directly forwards and looks not at her. She got an answer and any more is greater than he shall give.
"Apologies, but our job here is to aid in the bride having the perfect wedding."
"What concern is it of yours? Is it not better for business if more marriages fail so that more weddings have to happen?"
" Our business fares well enough on the quality of its service alone that we can afford to strive for perfection and maintain our not so humble reputation." Cilantro waives off his cold logic and unethical means of generating profit. Then she stands for a minute with Vegeta not responding or engaging in any talk with her at all. From what she recalls of this celebrity she knew he was a distant and stoic person who kept to herself yet she can only wonder if grief is causing him to draw deeper into himself. "14th February is an expectedly busy day for us. Lots of pretty and well laundered presents waiting for many of our friends, so can I confirm with you on the date your betrothed gave as she did seem to hold uncertainty over it."
"You need only concern yourself that if a dress from here is of her choosing." A gruff response tries to cease the conversation.
"Sir, your reluctance to answer is not building my confidence. I know it is a heavily personal matter-"
"Whatever date she says I can arrange. All I require from you is the d-dress, I could buy all that fit her if need be."
"Is … just the one dress all that is required by Ms. Ryoko? We do provide packages and such for deals on matching bridesmaid dresses and the like."
" … I'm taking from your sly insinuation that my presence here as the groom is the offender here. The sole party with her having no other accompanying cohort?"
Vegeta has never taken any care or interest to learn much about this side of Earth's culture – he was already married by the time he had any want to learn of Earth and by then he had no reason. From the suspicions this wolf holds towards the status of their relationship he derives that his being here is noteworthy and Ryoko having no cohorts is almost unheard of. Even if Ryoko had any she would call a friend at hand, or even on this planet, he very much doubts she would allow them to intrude open this holy of holies – her date with Vegeta. Cilantro does not want to openly come out and ask where Ryoko's friends are and why she seems to almost holds some fear towards Vegeta when talk of a scar came about. She nods and says that they provide enough seats for a large bridal party and most brides stick to the superstition that it is unlucky to be seen in their dress before the big day. That makes some sense to Vegeta, Bulma might have once told him something like that but he does not think he had a want to listen or remember it.
Looking at this place and from what little he researched in planning and reserving this time slot at the shop Vegeta guesses that he cannot simply throw more money at this problem. Ignoring her is not an issue for himself. Her being ignored and talking to her colleague and then having Ryoko be asked the questions instead is an issue for himself. One woman has flown off his planet, if this date devolves into a disaster due to him not being able to placate one wolf he would rather not think where that would leave him. His reputation in the public eye though reflects upon his deceased wife. Vegeta shall have to talk this problem out. He stands.
"Did Bulma purchase from this store about 10 years ago?"
"I was not working here then, and though I could check the records it might take some time. Dresses from our little slice of town here will be stitched with a label that has our cute logo on it so if the dress is still in your possession you could check it."
"You never saw pictures or articles on Bulma's marriage to myself did you? It was a private affair, family only, I myself was barely aware of it until it was too late … Do you catch my drift?"
"I think I might. Hopefully Ms. Ryoko's nerves will cool once she has tried a few different outfits. In the meantime there is a small selection of men's apparel we cater for. Even if you do not fancy buying one, you can always try one on yourself and not let the lucky woman have all the fun."
There is no need for her to engage this confrontational man any further at the moment. He has made his point that his previous marriage was not standard and had a minimum guest count to excuse Ryoko's lack of bridesmaids here. Anything further she says he might take as an insult to his deceased wife and that shall not be good for her or this store's reputation. She instead changes the topic to something that shall help to pass the time.
Vegeta acknowledges her ceasefire in questioning and in response he waves his tail in the air. Cilantro makes a sound of acknowledgement and in response also moves her own tail, this she understands well. She nods and reassures that they do cater for tails – even if to a lesser extent than she personally would prefer – and with a spin of her dress she reaches behind her for a measuring tape. The Saiyan Prince stands for this serf to measure him as he humours her so as to maybe earn favour from Ryoko. Inside and outside leg, hip, waist, ankle and then as a final touch she delicately measures the girth of his tail. At this point she queries his design choice of the DIY look to the hole in the rear of his trousers as opposed to standard trousers for those with tails. He shrugs. Cilantro does smile and says how she wishes her tail could be as handy as Vegeta's is as he naturally wraps it about as a belt.
After getting her own measurements taken, and having deliberated a short while on partially undressing for this strange woman with her then being able to see her scar, Ryoko is pleased by the harmless flattery that comes her way about her body. One niggling doubt she has to shake is asked as Ryoko whispers conspiratorially to Shiso as she asks whether or not her breasts are beginning to sag. She is relieved to hear a negative about this and that doubt is gone – this is the womanly body that Vegeta prefers after all. A word of warning is given to Shiso concerning Ryoko's delicate ears.
The changing room is expansive with a multitude of full length mirrors along different walls and on either side of the large room the lighting is of a different hue and intensity. Splitting the room in the middle is an elongated cabinet not of clothes but of many capsule containers. Their inventory is greater than can be contained easily in this room without creasing their clothes.
"So white, with nothing specific to cover your back, a veil that will not interfere with your ears, it to not be overly sexualised yet you still want to show off your beauty but focus more on elegance, not to be too similar of the mermaid style dress that Bulma wore and … to try and stick close to a classic and traditional white wedding dress. Those are all your wants?"
"Yeah … I mean I guess, kinda also has to work without heels 'cos Vegey's short and it annoys him when I wear heels on purpose to be taller than him. … Um, I-I have – it's a silly thing, I don't know if you can – so, right, Vegey likes using his tail as a belt and it's real nice when he wraps it about me, so like something for that."
"Belt loops wide enough for a tail on a wedding dress? Yes, that is quite a cute picture it creates, though we really are going to have a little search to see what exists for this. Belts aren't a main trend in our dresses. If the modifications are not too intrusive some small belt loops can always be added to whatever dress you like when it gets tailored to fit you perfectly."
Even with the near inexhaustible supply and variety of dresses they have for sale Shiso predicts that this shall not be an easy customer to please. Having seen her avant garde appearance on the way in she suspects she might have unique design choices however an empty belt for a dress is a new one.
"Oh yeah, like last thing: it has to make me look better than a princess." Ryoko nods in affirmation at this important request. No matter if her rivalry will not exist when she gets married she cannot be outdone by Ayeka at any point at all.
Shiso does not understand what is being asked. She nods and agrees she shall look better than any princess as she walks over to browse for the right selection of capsules required. As she is doing so and trying to find where more Ryoko's size that fit the majority of what she asks might be stored within she gets asked another question. The pirate is interested in money. Her greed moves her tongue. She wants to know the price of the dresses and the most expensive ones they have. Shiso pauses to recall the information and coyly gives it. The enormously large numbers thrill Ryoko. She giggles at how Vegeta can spoil her like this. Getting a few hanging rails out Shiso uses the capsules and a range of 100 dresses are hung ready for Ryoko to browse. With but 100 of the thousands they own Ryoko is instantly overwhelmed.
Her heart flutters as she looks at all the dresses hung out before her eyes just for her, and just for her to wear on her wedding day. Ryoko strokes the fabric of the closest dress and holds it. Feline eyes begin to mist over as her emotions overcome her.
"Never thought I'd get to wear one of these, 'cept as a joke." She says longingly looking at the dresses. She wipes at her face with her shawl, dabbing away the moisture growing in her eyes and threatening her makeup.
Shiso pats her on the shoulder and reassures and calms her. A big grin spreads across Ryoko's face as she reaches out and haphazardly plonks a veil on her head, smiling at the friendly assistant. Shiso sorts out the veil. Ryoko jokes she will be here a long, long time to pick a dress.
An hour later Ryoko has 5 dresses she likes the look of and has selected to try on. She nods, pleased at her choices, and with glee exclaims she is ready to put them on. Shiso stops her. At the cost of a delay this experience can be elevated to the next level as they can make her up professionally to match her choice of dresses. Being pampered to look more beautiful is not a choice Ryoko has to deliberate over.
The change is not too great in her appearance over what touch-ups and revamps to her makeup can be done with the fairly modest but sultry dark eyed look she is opting for. Navy eyeshadow is adding to help exemplify her eyes and complement her golden irises. A small touch of shine to her lips, faint hints of sparkle on her skin. Her hair on the other hand gets properly managed for once in what feels like forever for Ryoko. Straighteners, curlers, hair clips and hair spray all join forces to tackle her slightly tamed maned. Though not sounding that appealing to Ryoko she does like what miracle has been performed on her unruly hair. A fancy fishtail is the hairdo of choice. One long and luscious loose braid of hair falls gently down the centre of her as a few streams and tresses add to it from either side, her hair far straighter and well behaved to allow a braid to exist without looking messy. Behind the braid her cyan hair spills in what look to be perfect natural curls. Gentle waves provide the backdrop for the fish tail. Silky and smooth to the the touch, a few decorative hair pins with pearls embellish and speckle her head of hair with the white colouration she yearns for. Her side-locks hang heavily curled before her ears. Her fringe on the right hand side is left as is, whilst the left is meticulously brushed and half pinned to the side so it still partially hangs over her face together as one band of hair.
Ryoko looks on in disbelief at how vast her appearance has altered. No longer does she resemble the rough and tumble cruel pirate voyaging through space from bar to bar. Now even the likes of Juraian royalty she looks the part to be company with. She looks beautiful and she feels beautiful. Ryoko fiddles with her side-locks, poses and observes her reflection with vanity and pride. Even now she hopes that her most radiant can draw some reaction from her prince, that this zenith of beauty can charm him into succumbing bit by bit to her love. In her joy she thanks Shiso with her crude way of talking and a strong hug. Shiso struggles for breath as she reminds Ryoko to not cry and spoil her makeup.
The first chosen dress is held before Ryoko. She looks at it warily, almost as if it were sacred. Smiling as she takes hold of it she jokes that she does not think her underwear matches for this dress. She begins to undress with Shiso there for assistance is required in getting the dress on and making rudimentary adjustments where necessary. Shiso is professional in this task of dressing Ryoko as the rogue is not used to having someone dress her and wants to get it on herself. The scar on her back gets seen. It is a nasty thing that Shiso cannot help but look at. Ryoko coldly jests that she can touch it if she wants, it is old and states that Vegeta did not give that to her but the first man in her life who cared for her did.
Quarter of an hour it takes for the dress to be carefully put on, a few pins inserted to hold it to Ryoko's shape and size correctly and raise the hem since she specified no heels. A standard veil is placed upon her head and lowered over her face – with care taken around her ears. Shiso reaches for another capsule and pops it open to retrieve a bouquet of white and gentle pink roses, lily of the valleys and light cream and baby blue hydrangeas. The satin wrapped flowers are passed into Ryoko's hands. She grips them a bit too firmly as Shiso watches Ryoko's hands tremble. Shiso gently holds them and reassures her. Ryoko's eyes are firmly closed and have been since the dress went on her. Nerves bite away at her. Calm words are spoken to her as Shiso does some finishing touches. She then squeezes Ryoko's hands and steps back saying she is done.
Cilantro is called in by her colleague and the wolf woman has a great look of relief and exhaustion on her face. Vegeta dressed himself within a matter of seconds and then all this time an awkward silence as she stands there has worn her down. She gives a weary wave to her friend and colleague and lets out a quiet sigh so as maybe Ryoko will not hear. Ryoko is too caught up with herself to pay attention to anything else. Cilantro smiles looking at this bride to be, a pleasant depart from the frigid man sat with an unapproachable silence. Together they both tell Ryoko she can open her eyes.
She opens her eyes slowly and gasps when she sees her reflection. After a minute of looking and spinning around and being flattered by the staff she cannot help but wear a slight look of consternation. Ryoko is hesitant. It looks beautiful, she looks gorgeous. Yet something niggles at her. Everything matches, it all looks as she said, except one part. Underneath all the glamour, all the jewels and fancy material, beneath the dress and the makeup lies the problem. The wild orphan hiding under a mane of hair, the destroyed husk of her jailed young self, the uncaring and uncouth alcoholic mercenary roving from strange bars to stranger beds, and to the heartbroken and abused woman returning from an ill-advised trip to see Vegeta. Skin tanned and rough to hide being bleached by darkness for decades, sharp canines in a wise mouth that will make even a sailor blush, wild eyes always holding a hint of danger. The dress is what she wants. Ryoko just cannot see herself in it, no matter the pose nor bouquet, veil up or down.
"Hey, is this what you wanted, or have we made a silly mistake with your request?" Cilantro delicately asks seeing Ryoko looking less than enthused.
" … I don't know, it's – no this is what I asked but, but like is it normal for most people to-to be able to see themselves as some normal 'n' happy bride?" Her concerns are voiced and the women hear those second and third thoughts loud and clear.
A glance is exchanged between Cilantro and Shiso. It is not their place to judge the relationships of others but those are worrying words. There is no easy answer to Ryoko's fears. Shiso looks across to Cilantro to take this one as they might both be in the same profession only one of them has walked down the aisle themselves. Cilantro strokes at the edges of the dress, though carefully for being a wolf she knows most brides do not want shed dog fur on their precious dresses, and she carefully asks how long Ryoko and Vegeta have been in a relationship and planning for marriage – whether they might be rushing and Ryoko needing some time to give it a good think before taking the plunge. Ryoko flinches at the probing question she cannot truthfully answer.
"... I need this." A quiet response comes from Ryoko.
"No, dear, that's not what you should be saying. No-one should 'need' a wedding. You must 'want' one. Why? Why do you feel pressured into this?"
"It ain't faith and it ain't a baby if that's what you're trying to get at. I just- I just need this OK? … This is our nice date that I made him promise to take me on, make up for his … mistakes. If I don't get this – I want this so that I can be as happy as he was when he got hitched."
"Ryoko, you can feel special, you can feel wanted, and you can feel loved regardless of being married or not. He's here waiting for you, he wants to give you this big day. That's what matters, that state of the relationship and your feelings for the other, not whether you've got a legal document and a Mrs. in front of your name. It's fine. You don't have to rush this."
"I want to be married though. I'm an idiot all I do is rush things so I should be fine with this. When I grew up I never believed I would get to live that life, the happy married couple and settle down and all that, I never thought I could get it. My Vegey showed me I can be like him, and I want to get what he had, what she- It's just things are really hard with his grief. I want to make him happy, like he was with his wife."
"... OK. Do you want to try another dress on?"
Ryoko nods and lets that conversation get shut down. She almost mentioned Ayeka, that would complicate matters and these strangers have no need to know. Vegeta would not like to see such a thing as a dress making her weak and scared after all the fuss she put up. Maybe there is a chance the next dress can change her mind. The shop assistants are left wanting over Ryoko's voiced reasons. To put it bluntly the relationship sounds strained and stressed. Whether it is the grief of Bulma's passing or some highly personal matter of Ryoko's they know not to currently push any further and see if continuing on will cheer her up.
By the time of the third dress matters have not improved. More non-traditional attire, even possibly masculine styled outfits are offered to see if a new and distincter look that perhaps shall suit her style better would work to help her see herself in the dress. Ryoko is resolute. She wants to be capable of doing this. She innately desires to be able to be 'the bride' and not have to compromise. Her being stubborn is not making it easy. The fact that she can so easily see Ayeka wearing such gowns with no difficulty blows bellows onto her growing frustration with herself and her self doubt. It would be no issue for a princess groomed for marriage since a young age. Her fears that this street urchin turned common criminal cannot walk the path that offers her light and love gnaw away at her. Ryoko cannot give in that this does not suit her.
With an annoyed growl and snarl she lowers the veil of this dress and begins marching off. Shiso calls after her and Ryoko responds that she needs another opinion on this, another opinion that matters. The warning of bad luck she ignores for at this point she cannot see how any worse luck can factor into this. Hoisting up the front of her dress she kicks open the door leading back to the main room. She sees a broad back turned to her and she hurls the bouquet at his back. It hits him - not necessary for gaining his attention – and she barks his name and for him to look at her.