Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Pseudo Ferocity ❯ Pancakes and Waffles ( Chapter 18 )
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of the character appearing in the manga or television show. Nor am I making any profit off of this story.
Author's Notes: Okay, I'm really sorry about the long wait, I know it's been about a month and I feel really awful. I have my reasons, however. Exams, extreme sickness, job search (I FINALLY found one!), and the visit of a friend I haven't seen in 4 years have all teamed up against Pseudo Ferocity. Hopefully I'll be able to get things back on track some time soon, and thanks for your patience.
*Special thanks to Kat8125 and Bulma Peacecraft for beta-ing*
18: Pancakes and Waffles
"All right, Vegeta, I want you to move in real slowly, and remember, you're completely confused. You're supposed to be dead but you aren't. Keep that thought in your brain as we shoot this scene." Max ordered, between sips from a cup of steaming coffee. It was his fifth cup…The one thing the director hated about his job was the early mornings.
Vegeta nodded, thinking carefully about Max's directions. You're supposed to be dead, but you're not, he thought, shouldn't be too hard…I experienced this back on Namek. He stretched his arms out, loosening his muscles as Max went about preparing everyone for the scene. Early mornings were no problem for Vegeta, as he was usually up at the crack of dawn to train anyway. He hadn't really slept all that well the previous night, however, and his body ached as a result. A dip in his Jacuzzi tub back at the apartment would have been heavenly at that moment, but unfortunately, he was stuck on a movie set out in the middle of nowhere.
Bulma had been watching him very closely all morning, ever since she had arrived at the set. Vegeta assumed she knew how angry he would be with her, because she hadn't really attempted to approach him yet. It was a good thing too; he was still seething on the inside and probably would have exploded had she attempted to talk to him. Unfortunately for him, however, they were scheduled to shoot a scene together later that afternoon. Nothing at all racy, just the initial meeting of Dominic and Aria, which would require that he be very polite and nice to her in front of the camera.
Of course, there was nothing requiring him to make an effort otherwise, and he didn't intend to.
"Okay everybody! Scene 23, 'Meet Luke' take one!" Max called, and Vegeta quickly took his place.
"Well hello there, Dominic. Fine day we're having, wouldn't you say?" The actor's name was Richard Martins, and he spoke with a heavy British accent.
"Wha…What's going on?" Vegeta croaked, a heavy noose around his neck. "Who are you?" He looked around, a confused and frightened look on his face, at the crowd of people, all frozen in their angry screams. He and Richard stood beneath the gallows, on a raised platform in the middle of a mob of peasants, stopped in time.
"Oh, I suppose you could say we're in a kind of limbo." Richard smiled, revealing crooked, yellow teeth that had taken the makeup crew an hour to create that morning.
"The people…" Vegeta made a move to reach out to one of the still forms, caught in a scream, but with the noose still around his neck, he choked and coughed. "They're all…"
"Stopped, yes. It wouldn't do to have them mobbing us while we talk, would it?"
"But I don't understand…"
"Of course you don't, Dominic, my boy. Nobody ever understands at first. That's why this is such a good deal." Richard let out a cackling sort of chuckle, before a violent cough wracked his body. "Now listen here, the King has framed you, yes?" Vegeta nodded, "Yes, he has, and you are probably wanting to get your revenge, no?"
"I'd kill him if I could." Came the growled reply.
"Ahhh, good. Now, I have a little proposition to make you. I will grant you life…well, a damned good impersonation of it, at least, until you are able to exact your revenge. Do we have a deal?"
"What's in it for you?"
"All you have to do is grant me a little favor."
"What is it?"
"Oh, Aria's life has a price now, does it? You would refuse the chance to avenge her death? Dominic, I didn't think you were so selfish. Perhaps I made a mistake in coming here."
"Fine, fine! I'll do it! Anything, I'll do it!" Vegeta called out, desperately.
"So we have a deal then?"
"Yes."
"I shall be seeing you then." Richard said, turning away from Vegeta.
"When?"
"Oh, after you are dead, of course." He laughed, and then continued, "but you mustn't worry yourself. Just let your body choke, and I shall take care of your soul."
"I have no choice then, but to trust you…but before you leave, tell me who you are!"
"Oh, you can call me…Luke."
"Aaaand, CUT!" Max yelled. "That was marvelous boys! But I'd like to try it again, Richard, I want you to exude more evil. Well, not exactly evil I suppose…well wait, yes, I do mean evil…or do I? Oh, you know what I mean! From the top, people! Take two!"
"So…you uh, want some breakfast or something?" Caleb asked, nudging Bruce in the side. "I mean, if you're hungry or anything."
"Just a bit more time," Bruce sighed contentedly as he snuggled up to the warm body beside him. "I just want to cuddle a bit longer."
"Okay." Caleb smiled, wrapping himself and the designer more tightly into the blankets. "We'll cuddle as long as you want." He closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth of Bruce's body against his own. It was a positively heavenly feeling, and he didn't relish the idea of giving it up any time soon.
"Maybe we could have pancakes…" Bruce mumbled, "Or waffles. I love waffles."
"Maybe we could have both."
"Now Vegeta, you're mystified by this beautiful little creature." Max called from his director's chair. "You've never seen anything so lovely, and you want her. You need to have her!"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it." The Saiyan growled back, hardly in the mood to admit that he really was mystified by her, even through his anger. He really couldn't help it, she had some sort of power over him and he could not struggle free of it…admittedly, there was a tiny part of him that did not want to be freed at all. Vegeta, of course, tried to ignore that part. It didn't seem to be working.
He watched her, subtly, out of the corner of his eye. She was adjusting the bust of her dress; her large, full breasts were nearly spilling out the top and he couldn't help but to look.
She caught him.
He turned quickly away, absolutely mortified by the fact. He was not supposed to be peeping at her! He was supposed to be angry with her!
Bulma giggled to herself, still fiddling with her dress. The bustier was a big pain in the ass, but it was worth it to get such a reaction out of Vegeta. One may even say she was attempting to get a rise out of him…
"Okay everybody on set!" Max's voice rang out over the din of mumbled conversations and scurried preparations. "Places people! Quickly now please!" Once everyone had moved and was properly in place, he stood for a moment, surveying the scene. Bulma and Kenneth Drey, the actor who played the role of the King, were seated in elaborate thrones, side by side on a raised dais. The ornate doors on the other side of the throne room set had been opened for Vegeta's entrance with Mira Salsey, who played Dominic's wife Miranda Satayn. "Bulma, I want your hands clasped on your lap…try to look more shy and innocent. Yes, that's it. Remember, you're the new young wife of a King, and you're about to meet more people who will compare you to the first wife."
"Okay," she said, obediently folding her hands in her lap. She bent her neck a little, averting her eyes to the ground.
"Ahh, that's very good. Now Kenneth, sit up a little straighter, puff yourself up. You hate Dominic Satayn. You hated his father, and his father before him. You're a very proud man, a King, and not hesitant to lord your power over him."
"Sounds good." Kenneth nodded, straightening his back and puffing out his chest.
"And Vegeta," Max turned toward the doors, "You dislike the King just as much, but you're attempting to hide it. Mira, remember not to stand to close to Vegeta; Miranda is still livid about catching Dominic with the chamber maid."
"Got it." Mira chirped, grateful to step away from the Saiyan. In truth, he made her a little uneasy and she was glad that their characters, in spite of their marriage, were not particularly close.
"All right then, let's get going!" Max clapped, not bothering to wait for a response from Vegeta. He knew it would never come.
The camera was rolling, the lights were on, and Bulma was struggling to do as she had been told. Her eyes traveled up though, of their own volition, and widened as they settled upon Vegeta. She felt her cheeks begin to heat up and tried to look away but couldn't seem to force herself.
"Oooh, that's good Bulma!" Max shouted, knowing the sound could be edited out later. "Love at first sight; you can't keep your eyes off of him! I absolutely adore the blush. Very nice touch!"
So preoccupied with the god walking toward her, she barely even heard him.
"Now Vegeta, you're watching Aria secretly out of the corner of your eye, that's good! Walk tall now, Dominic is prideful. Yes, you're doing well. Mira, remember you're still angry at Dominic!" Wordlessly, Mira adjusted her positioning, sneering a little in order to suit her character's mood.
"Greetings, Lord Dominic Satayn, and Lady Miranda Satayn, and welcome to my home." Kenneth spoke with a flourish of his hand, though his words were audibly forced. Max smiled; everything was going perfectly so far.
"Thank you, your Majesty." Vegeta's words were equally cold as he bowed low to the King. Beside him, Mira dipped into a graceful curtsey. "We are most honored to be in attendance at this celebration of your…" he paused, giving Bulma the once over with his eyes, "enchanting new bride." A sultry smile spread across Vegeta's face as he met the Queen's eyes. Bulma's blush deepened.
Seeing the display, Kenneth's jaw tightened, and his posture became quite rigid. "We are most pleased you are here to join in the festivities. I'm sure your wife" he stressed the word, "will get along famously with my lovely little queen." Bulma flinched, immediately taking her eyes away from the magnificent sight before her.
"I'm sure we will, my lord." She spoke quietly, in a subdued tone, almost as if she were afraid of the King. She made a point to look disappointed as well, in reaction to the news that the man before her was married.
"Naturally. Now, I'm sure the Lord and Lady Satayn are tired from their trip, and would be most grateful for a chance to settle in and freshen up. Terrence," he summoned a servant with a wave of his hand, "Show our guests to their chambers." The actor nodded.
"This way please," he said to Vegeta and Mira, who followed him out the door and off of the set. Another set of servants closed the heavy doors behind them.
"Aria, listen to me now, and listen to me well," Kenneth said sternly, turning toward Bulma, "You are to stay away from Dominic Satayn, is that understood?"
"Y…Yes my Lord. Of course." She responded, refusing to meet the King's eyes.
"AAAND, CUT!" Max yelled. "People, that was absolutely fantastic! I don't think we need to do it again, but I'll look over the tape, and then we'll know for sure. For now, everybody take a break!"
Bulma sighed with relief. She had been so sure she would mess up, but it looked as if she had pulled off her first scene wonderfully…though she made a mental note to go speak with Marille about the cut of her dresses. She didn't want to spend the whole time terrified that she would suddenly pop out of her top in front of the crew, especially if the camera was rolling. She didn't want to end up exposed on the internet or anything like that.
Hoisting herself out of the throne, she scanned the milling crowd for Vegeta, but the familiar spikes of raven hair could not be found. She heaved a disappointed sigh; he must have left the set in a hurry, to avoid her…it was what he had been doing every since she had arrived. "That dumb bastard," she huffed, no real anger in her voice, "I'm here because he's here, so the least he could do is say 'hi' or something. Well, if he thinks he's getting away from me that easily, he's got another thing coming!" She set off toward Vegeta's trailer, vowing not to let anything interfere with her path of travel.
"Bulma!" Max called "I need to talk to you a moment!"
"No, can't talk now." She muttered, and kept walking right past the director, who cast her a puzzled look.
"But it's about-"
"No, can't talk now." She repeated, this time more forcefully, and kept going. Max just watched her go.
Knocking on Vegeta's trailer door proved to be a useless venture; nobody answered, so Bulma opened the door and let herself in. The tiny space was fairly neat, though she noticed a rather large crack in the table, and wondered what had made Vegeta so angry that he had gotten physical. Nothing else was damaged, so she assumed it had been a momentary fit, which relieved her. She hated to think that the Saiyan's rage was so out of control that he would smash up his own trailer.
Bulma stepped inside and looked around a little, peeking into the bed, and even opening up the tiny bathroom, but Vegeta was nowhere to be found. His script was lying open on the table, however, and chancing a look, she found that it had been left on the scene they had practiced together, under Max's trickery. The bedroom scene…She wondered if it had been playing over and over in his head, as it had been in hers…and hoped it had.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" A voice asked, and Bulma nearly jumped out of her skin, far too nervous to turn around and face the owner of the trailer. She remained silent. "I asked you a question woman! Do you intend to answer, or are you just going to stand there and sweat all day?" He asked, knowing she was embarrassed to have been caught snooping, and afraid of what he might do to her.
"I'm…I'm sorry Vegeta." She finally turned to face him, "I was just looking for you, and the door was unlocked so I thought you might be in here and just didn't want to answer when I knocked."
"Well I'm right here. What do you want?" He eyed her coldly, reaching past her to snap the heavy script shut.
"I…thought maybe we could…practice our lines together for the next scene." Bulma sputtered, thinking quickly. Suddenly, the idea of berating him for his rudeness didn't seem to be the best idea. "It's sort of a close scene you know…and it might be kind of awkward if we haven't really been through it before."
He eyed her body, rigid posture and uncertain expression. She hadn't come to read lines, but it was a good idea nevertheless, and it would be beneficial…he didn't particularly like the idea of embarrassing himself on the set. More so, however, the woman seemed intensely uncomfortable, and he relished the idea of causing her a little discomfort. "Fine." He shrugged nonchalantly, as if he had not thought about it in those terms. "I suppose you need all the help you can get, if you're to avoid embarrassing yourself, and the rest of us, with your pitiful acting skills."
"Why thank you, oh benevolent master…" Bulma shot back dryly. "Let's just practice the stupid scene, okay?"
"Which one did you have in mind?"
"It starts on page 46…it's the first private meeting between Dominic and Aria." She watched him flip to the page. "I've been having a problem with this one. I was practicing the other day while Marille hemmed up one of my gowns. She said I had all the emotion of dead tuna." Vegeta smirked at that.
"Okay, let's see," he cleared his throat, "My dear lady, I am much surprised to meet you here. I had heard King Malcolm forbade you to see me," he smiled wolfishly at Bulma, settling himself into character, "though I must admit, I've no idea why."
"Sir, he seems to think you intend to seduce me."
"Me? Why, I'm an innocent little lamb!"
"Or a wolf in sheep's clothing." Bulma shot back, settling herself beside Vegeta, pretending the couch was the garden bench where the scene was to take place.
"Tell me, do you intend to follow his orders?"
"Whose orders?"
"The King's orders, to keep a distance from me."
"I must admit, Lord Satayn, the prospect of keeping myself away seems somehow…disheartening. Would you wish me far away?"
"Nay, my lady, I wish you closer." Vegeta's voice was soft and tender as he leant toward her. "I wish you so close as to melt into you." His hand reached up to stroke her cheek, gently pulling her face toward his.
"Sir," she gasped, "this is not wise." Their lips danced so close, he could feel her breathing grow shallow.
"Matters of the heart are never wise." He replied, closing the gap between them, pressing his lips to hers. She let out a tiny moan and opened her mouth to him, twisting her tongue with his as she reached up to tangle her hands in his spiked mane. His hand slid down from her cheek, over the soft curve of her breast and down to settle on her back, pulling her body closer to his.
Vegeta moaned deeply in his throat, pushing his lips more forcefully against Bulma's soft plush mouth. He wanted her, badly. Oh so badly…No! No, he couldn't! He was supposed to be angry with her! But she was so warm and soft and pretty and…NO! He ripped his mouth from hers and untangled her arms from around him. "No," he said, "That's enough. You should leave now."
Okay folks, that's it for this chapter. Again, sorry about the long wait. If you'd like to be on the mailing list, please send a BLANK email to cat_girl_26-subscribe@topica.com or you can email my hotmail address, specifying that you would like to be on the update list, and I'll manually send you an invite.
Mp3 of the Day: Finger Eleven, "Good Times" I just heard this song like, 2 days ago, and it's been stuck in my head for that time period…except I don't know the words, so I just keep making up weird ones.