Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Requiem in Blue ❯ Chapter Two: Ki Taluk'san ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The warm, wet air of Mizukashi swam in his ears like a stagnant pool of water.  This planet reminded him very much of a steaming pot.  It sickened him.  Prince Vejiita shrugged the sweat away from the back of his neck and rolled his eyes as the Royal House was welcomed onto this cesspool of a planet.  One full month here: he swore he would not live through it.  The only thing keeping him moderately sane at this moment was the prospect of meeting and sizing up this man known as Brolli.  After a few of the nobility gave their greetings, Vejiita watched as his father turned to face him.  Vejiita-Zarshon’s voice echoed softly in the quiet hall.
“It seems as though our early arrival was unprecedented.”
The Prince snorted indignantly and crossed his solid, lean arms over his chest.  He did not reply.  The hall bustled with nervous glances and whispering admiration.  Vejiita rolled his eyes and ruffled his tail disapprovingly at two pointing and giggling Mizuka-jin females.  After turning away from them, he noticed many escorts and noblemen being motioned through the doors of the ship hangar.  The huge, electronic boom of the doors hitting the wall plunged into Vejiita and made meat out of his eardrums.  He flinched, then felt himself growl in disapproval. Very slowly, the group of noblemen parted to reveal a much larger man, so unlike the others that Vejiita wondered if he was indeed Saiya-jin.
Mizuka-jin natives were easily recognizable throughout the galaxy. Their bluish skin and fish-like noses protruded obviously from a flat, yet slightly rounded face. They stood slightly taller than the average Saiya-jin;  only a few such as his shoano Nappa were taller than Mizuka-jin.  But the Saiya-jin who now stood intertwined with a few of their richest citizens was taller than Nappa-Shoano… a giant in the eyes of any Saiya-jin.  His purple-black hair shot out from his head in typical style of his race:  outwards and down until it hit his shoulders. The piercing black of his eyes matched every member of the Royal Party and its guard, and his build could only suggest one thing; this was the Legendary, the Super Saiya-jin Brolli.
Visually Vejiita was awed, but he was eager to test his limits against such a man.  Perhaps the stay on Mizukashi would not be so monotonous after all.  Vejiita stepped forward with his father and uncrossed his arms.  The mammoth Saiya-jin approached them hurriedly and placed his palms flat against each other, then bowed his head and upper torso in greeting.
“Zarshon-kalan, ki taluk’san.”  Brolli lifted his head and made eye contact with him, then bowed his head again and repeated the phrase of welcome to the Prince.  Vejiita nodded his head sharply and examined the stance of the man before him.  Confident in every way…as it should be.  Once Brolli had stood straight and squared his shoulders, he smiled to the King.
“Welcome to Mizukashi, Highness.  We are honored by your presence.  Every citizen of Geishan has made efforts to make your stay here enjoyable.”
Vejiita’s father nodded his head slowly and smiled gruffly through his thick facial hair.
“Tagaht, Kassha’hal.  We are honored to be in your presence this night.  I’m sure our stay here on Mizukashi will be everything we expect from a leader such as you.”
Vejiita smirked again as Brolli bowed deeply, the look of pure, unadulterated pride that graced the face of so many of his own kind was plastered brightly on his face.
“Dulok tagaht, Zarshon-kalan. You honor me with such words.”  He stood again, and Vejiita saw him clench his fists as the smart-assed scowl on his face faded.  “I – fear I must apologize for my slightly late arrival.”  He turned slightly and motioned to the exit of the ship hangar.
Vejiita crossed his arms again and followed his father, squinting as he caught his first glimpses of the Governor’s Palace.  Brolli continued, “I’m afraid I wasn’t informed of your ship’s descent into Mizukashi’s atmosphere until about ten minutes ago.  And I was…unavoidably detained.”
He turned his head and smirked boyishly at the King, to which the Prince chuckled quite loudly and wondered if anyone else was aware that the man was practically bathed in the scent of a female.  Not a Saiya-jin female though.  Something else – something exotic and tempting.
The others around him responded to his chuckle as if they had been hesitant to do so before his initiation.  The King snapped his head around toward his son, giving him a look of utter disapproval.  Vejiita felt his lips twitch in further amusement.  Shakan Brolli craned his neck around to the Royal Party and smiled unabashedly, much to Vejiita’s surprise.
“Pleasures of the flesh are highly distracting.  You agree, Zarshi-kalan?”
Vejiita’s left eyebrow raised in curiosity and admiration. The man certainly knew how to address his superiors in camaraderie without pissing them off.
“Yes of course, Shakan.  Quite highly distracting.”  Vejiita felt his teeth grind together in blind anticipation of the man’s fighting power.
When Brolli turned again to speak to his father and head out of the hangar, Vejiita quickly tapped the frequency button on the side of his scouter and waited calmly for the reading to center in on Brolli.  When it was finished Vejiita smirked once again.  At rest his power level was at 400,000.   Impressive—and highly admirable for a resting read.  Vejiita’s power level topped off at about 250,000 when he was at rest, also highly impressive, and more powerful that his own father.  Immediately, Vejiita vowed to learn of Brolli’s power, to master it as he had.  The Kassha’hal… chosen one.
Once they entered the main hall, Vejiita was grudgingly taken aback by the ornate beauty of the mansion.  Its red painted stone walls stretched out into an infinity of halls and walkways, decorated by several heavily decorated doorways and archways framed in thick gold cords of metal.  At the end of the hall lay a huge doorway, opened now and bearing the fruits that hours of labor had cost.  It was adorned colorfully by the red and black banners traditional of summer celebration on Vejiita-sei.
Vejiita was impressed at the integration of Saiya-jin culture on this rather out-of-the-way industrial planet. Inside the huge room they were approaching, a mass of people--Mizuka-jin and Saiya-jin alike--were assembled, poised and gazing towards the entrance apprehensively.  Vejiita pulled at the collar of his spandex under-suit and groaned deep within his throat.  This was going to be a long evening.
Shakan Brolli turned to the Royal Party again and smiled that winning smile as they came to the entrance of the main dining hall.  He raised his heavy, powerful arms and gestured with huge hands at the doorway.
The mass of people opened to allow them entrance into the grand hall. Vejiita’s senses were momentarily overwhelmed by a variety of elaborate costumes and colorful headdresses, each one reminiscent of age-old Saiya-jin cultural riches. His nose wrinkled as incense permeated the air and caught his sense of smell off guard.
The entire room simply screamed with culture and celebration. Vejiita was slightly comforted by its familiar air, and then Shakan Brolli appeared near the front of the group again, motioning towards a large dais that was situated near the head of the room.
“Aoraná,” his voice was an uncanny combination of comfort and pleasure.  “I offer your Royal Party all the hospitality I can offer tonight.”  He gestured towards the elaborate chair on the dais.  It had a look of well-worn use about it, suggesting that the Kassha’hal used it quite often.
“Tagaht,” Vejiita-Zarshon smiled and gratefully took a seat.
The Prince grunted softly and crossed his arms once again, taking a position on the left side of his father. The Royal Guard followed suit and kept a fair distance around the dais to survey the room.  Brolli stood on the opposite side of the King,
“A question, Zarshon-kalan. I have a friend, an officer in your Elite Assault Brigade. His name is Raditsu.  Has he not accompanied you to Mizukashi?”
Vejiita-Zarshon raised a curious eyebrow to his host.
“Aash’an Raditsu will be late in joining our party on Mizukashi. He was slightly detained by matters of state. And actually after the festivities, Shakan, I hope you will allow me to discuss them with you.”
Brolli’s body seemed to tense, and the Prince clenched his fists under the rocks of his arms. He smirked again. Gods, the man’s ki was so volatile that it shifted with even the slightest mood change. Vejiita heard Brolli agree wholeheartedly with his father, and then the huge man stepped in front of them.
“There is a plentiful amount of food and drink available, Zarshon-kalan. I hope you will find it to your liking. In the meantime, I’ll introduce you to my Science & Tech Staff.”
The King’s face lit up immediately, and Vejiita felt another chuckle rise in his throat. This time he suppressed it wisely.  Brolli certainly did have this affair plotted out nicely. Was he aware already of the King’s passion for matters of science and technology? The King shifted to the front of his chair and tightened his fingers around its armrests.
“Wonderful!”  He exclaimed as his armor made a slight creaking noise against the material of the chair.  “I would enjoy that greatly.”  He rumbled like a comforting old man, though truly he was far from it.
Vejiita watched Brolli’s face change as well, but it was not delight that painted itself across the features of the Chosen One. He seemed pleased, but in a way Vejiita had yet to decipher. Brolli smiled then, a smile Vejiita found to be thoroughly mysterious and irritating.
“Then I guarantee you will be pleased with my staff, Zarshon-kalan. They are among the best in the galaxy.”
The King nodded sharply, a look of positive apprehension on his face, and watched as Shakan Brolli bowed respectfully and turned to leave. Vejiita felt a humming ball of excitement overtake his body for a brief second or two, and he stepped forward a bit.
“Kassha’hal?” His voice rang out despite the massive amount of noise that was stuffing the crowded hall like cotton.
Brolli’s body tensed violently, and Vejiita wondered if anyone else had noticed. The Prince’s voice was a mixture of amusement and subtle repartee.  It was a voice not easily ignored. Brolli stopped his footsteps and turned back to face the Royal Party. Vejiita-Zarshi’s coal black eyes studied him from the short distance they stood apart and bore into him like a probing vessel.
“Zarshi-kalan?” He asked.  Vejiita noticed his attempt to make his tone seem equally as intimidating.
The Prince stepped forward some more; his much smaller form seemed to be the frame of a giant simply from the way in which he carried himself. Vejiita-Zarshi crossed his arms and smirked, letting his tail uncoil from its position around his waist.  It ruffled and shook ever so slightly. A few Saiya-jin who were close enough to see it, and those who now stood around the King with wide eyes, gasped softly and brought hands to their open mouths. It was an open challenge, and every Saiya-jin present knew it.   Vejiita tilted his chin up a bit and smiled.
“Your resting read is most impressive. I am interested to see just how powerful you are in your most ascended state. Will you show me, Kassha’hal, after the festivities are over and we have ample time to test our limits?”
Vejiita felt his body surge with his genetic predisposition for finding pleasure in a fight; as well as the great curiosity he held in regards to this anomaly of a Saiya-jin.  Brolli suddenly let his own tail uncoil from his waist and ruffled it in the same manner as the Prince’s had a moment earlier. The Saiya-jin around them began to smile and point conspicuously.
“It would honor me greatly, Zarshi-kalan.”
Vejiita-Zarshi pressed his fist to his chest in ritual action and then held an outstretched palm towards Brolli. The governor smiled broadly and repeated the action.
“Denshak, kuwaitta.” The Prince stated clearly and without hesitation, the deep and heavy tones of his voice echoing in the hushed hall.
“Dentalak, kuwaitta.” He accepted, and the two clutched each other’s hands into a fist. Vejiita locked eyes with Brolli as he felt the amount of strength in the other man’s grip.  Gods, he’s even flaunting his power during the challenge!  What a cocky bastard!  Brolli smiled once more, bowed deeply and turned on his heel to exit the main hall.  Vejiita’s eyes followed his movements with unyielding intensity.

Bulma placed one palm against the other and bowed gracefully until she was ninety degrees parallel with the floor. When she rose again to face the group of Mizuka-jin scientists before her, she recited clearly and loudly:
“Kiis taluk’san, Zarshon-kalan.”
The aliens before her repeated the phrase with distinct accuracy. The Mizuka-jin were known for their above average abilities with foreign language. Bulma allowed herself a smile as she admired her skills of instruction.  No one really knew just how brilliant she was, not even Brolli.  And it was a good thing, she thought.  It meant that he gave her more slack on an invisible leash, so to speak.
But those thoughts were pushed out of her mind as she caught another Saiya-jin walking by their preparing group.  The tailed warriors looked very much like human beings, save for their immeasurable strength, oddly thick hair and furry appendages. She had found pleasure in three of their race so far, and had succeeded in making them grovel at her feet.  It was as it should be; it was her small victory against these vicious beasts, who had invaded and destroyed her planet without a whit of respect for their galactic treaties.
Happy wasn’t truly the word to define Bulma’s life after the destruction of Chikyuu and her subsequent enslavement.  But perhaps, in the few months it had taken her to enter her first master’s house, amusing would have been a more appropriate word. Her first lover had been the head of a science ward on board the Saiya-jin slaver ship, Mahelka.  After convincing him that she was of more use in the science wing than in the pleasure slave confines, she had been well on her way to making a name for herself among her captors rather than a reputation for sexual prowess.
After impressing many members of the Elite Guard with her knowledge of high tech weaponry, they had agreed to keep her confined to the science divisions on Vejiita-sei. To her chagrin, she was still to be kept as a slave.  But after being separated from her first master, the second had not come very far behind. As she had still remained a slave after her stationing on Vejiita-sei, her services were still required of for any and all of her superiors.
Bulma had met Raditsu on Chikyuu, his squad being responsible for the destruction of her home, her lab, all her existence.  But she had not seen him since that day until a squad under his command had been performing a mere safety inspection in the science buildings, planet side on Vejiita-sei.  They were there for the expressed purpose of stopping the kind of thing she was doing.
That night, in her bunk cell, she had finished putting together notes for construction of a plasma rifle that would most assuredly be able to blow the brains out of any Saiya-jin’s thick skull, regardless of his “ki” reading, energy they harnessed, called “jal’a”.  After the squad officers had discovered her work, the Captain Raditsu had been summoned. She still remembered the look on his face to this day as he gazed at her; standing in the corner of her cell and glaring at them as if none of them could have killed her…none of them.
He bought her then, purchased her as his own house slave and given her everything in his power to give someone with her status.  Aash’an Raditsu had not been unkind, if she was being fair, and her decision to become his lover had not been imprudent.  He was skilled in that area, and being a bit more intelligent than most Saiya-jin he had also allowed her more stimulating conversation because he knew it pleased her.  He’d taught her all she knew about Saiya-jin history, culture and semantics.  She smiled to herself, remembering the first night she’d come to him privately…  
In truth, that evening, she had realized that since she lacked the physical power and prowess of the Saiya-jin scumbags, then she would have to learn to defeat them using her mind—the only instrument she knew she could display confidence in.  But since the blockheaded warriors are not aware of much else besides a fight, a good fuck, and a good slaughter—of those three things Bulma knew she could manipulate them using the second.
It was amusing, truly, to see how ridiculously supple and compliant a male Saiya-jin warrior could become under the gentle touch of a woman’s fingers. It made her wonder why the females of their kind did not use it to their advantage more often. Perhaps they did not understand how to utilize it.  It was obvious that the females were just as aggressive and savage as their male counterparts. She had learned that the hard way even before meeting Raditsu.
She still remembered the day he’d admitted to being in love with her, and how she had laughed in his face…  Bulma would not soon forget the hurt in the big warrior’s eyes, and the swell of triumph that had so unexpectedly filled her heart.
Raditsu’s next assignment after that had been to inspect recent activity on the planet Mizukashi, a humid planet in the far eastern reaches of the Videon Galaxy. The King wished to know how the governorship was faring; given the fact that Mizukashi had always been a chore to manage in the past. His offhanded comment about going had piqued her curiosity, and when she’d shown interest in studying the technology of the Mizuka-jin, his face had suddenly become slack with realization of what he must do. Bulma had seen it then; the desperate realization that a vulnerability to his powerful façade had no place in his home, and the need to be rid of her mocking lips once and for all.
It thrilled her, excited her, and she knew now that she must do all in her power to never again be taken down by another of his kind—even if it meant giving up everything in body that she had been taught never to give so easily.
It had been hell on Vejiita-sei after leaving the science division, and since she had then been given permission to accompany her master to Mizukashi, she had said farewell to the Saiya-jin home world once and for all. It amused her that, even on the three-day journey to Mizukashi, Raditsu had twice come practically on his hands and knees to her bed…his lovemaking more and more awkward as each night passed
Once on Mizukashi, she quickly realized that the people there were more interested in technology than the average Chikyuu-jin had been.  She knew then that it had to be her new home, whether she had to go down fighting or not.
Meeting Brolli was the start of her ascent to pure freedom.  Bulma could still feel his eyes on her when she turned her back on him just as she had felt them the very first time he’d seen her. And she had to admire the balls the warrior had; even after discovering that she belonged to another, he was no less persistent in capturing her affections.
After three days of constant pursuit, inconspicuous touches and whispers, she had willingly--and most gladly--accepted the invitation to his bed. And besides, knowing these monkeys tendency to wither against the body of a woman they were sleeping with, she had been hopeful that the same sequence of events, which had transpired during her affair with Raditsu, would certainly occur in this one.
It surprised Bulma how quickly Raditsu had given her up.  But then again, not so much really. The man was afraid of her, and what she had done to his superiority, and she was curious even now as to whether or not he had come to Mizukashi tonight with the Royal Party. For two years she had lived on Mizukashi. Worked there to give the natives every piece of knowledge she could give…utilize her skills as much as she could given her circumstances. And for nearly two years she had been Brolli’s lover:  his free lover.
It was exciting in many ways, only not the most obvious. True, he was not lacking when it came to matters of lovemaking; he was handsome, cut like stone and passionately addicted to making a woman scream his name. But, as she had planned from the beginning, it had gotten to the point now that he no longer held domination in the bedroom, or in both of their minds. And when he tried, she was quick to cut him down.
There were times when she felt sorry for the man, for he was certainly the most compassionate Saiya-jin warrior she had ever met. And once she had learned that this had been the man practically worshipped by all of his people as the Super-Saiya-jin, the Kassha’hal, the Chosen One, it had been a shock to understand why he had been so very easy to tame.
She knew she had regrettably grown a soft spot for the overgrown lug…  But in each instance of feeling any sort of emotion towards him, Bulma shoved it away and burned it as she would have burned leaves in the autumn on Chikyuu. Perhaps the time was drawing near for once and for all.
The Mizuka-jin before her were smiling, talking with themselves as they waited for the Governor to summon them into the hall. Bulma’s face lit up with pretentious pride as the doors to the hall opened and the guards saluted Brolli as he exited the crowded hall.  The look of pride was also painted on his handsome face, and she noticed how his tail had just found its place back around his powerful waist. Once he was close enough to speak, he grinned.
“I hope you’re as anxious to meet the King as he is to meet you,” he sneered playfully into the heady atmosphere. Bulma raised her eyebrows and shrugged gently.  Of course I’m anxious to meet the King of the Apes!
“Oh, I’m dying of excitement, Shakan!” She practically sang the words in reply as he stood close enough to her that she could feel the scent of virile power on his body. It aroused her unexpectedly. She shook her head as he spoke again, this time into her ear.
“I’m sure he’s never seen a division leader quite as lovely as you are.  Make a good impression for me, would you love?” His hand closed around her backside discreetly, and then one finger trailed its way up to her waist and rested on the small of her bare back.
She had since changed into a shimmering sky blue gown that complimented her coloring quite nicely. It was no secret that she looked absolutely ravishing, but Bulma intended to torment as many Saiya-jin males as possible this evening, perhaps even Brolli… Until she could torment him in his own bedroom of course. Bulma smirked beautifully and raised her eyes to meet his with deadly accuracy. She wanted to laugh at how submissive he seemed underneath his powerful body.
“I always make good impressions, Shakan.”  She murmured the words as close to his face as she possibly could.  Brolli smiled in return, his lips twisted in a way only she could have understood. He chuckled softly.
“I won’t disagree with you, Lady.”  He paused and stepped away from her, then glanced back towards the group of scientists and techno-wizards that stood, ready for instruction. His eyes rested on her again, and she did nothing but survey his body. He motioned toward the hall.  “Shall we?”
Bulma nodded her head slowly and raised one eyebrow, indicating that she was indeed ready. Turning to the Mizuka-jin behind her, she smiled warmly and raised her hand, telling them in their native language that it was time. Brolli had scolded her about that many times before, saying that Saiyago should most certainly be the only language spoken in his palace, but she granted the blue-skinned aliens the grace of being able to hear their native language at least once a day.  She knew she would give anything to hear her language at this very moment.
Then, they were slowly led into the hall. Bulma was greeted on their way to the dais by many people she was acquainted with, and she smiled with all the grace and poise of a professional salesperson on her home planet. In truth, friends were a commodity to her nowadays. She had very few, and the friends she did have were not close to her in any sense of the word. She could not afford attachments, not when she had dedicated half of this life to becoming the calloused and impenetrable woman she was now.
There was a distinct aroma filling the hall tonight, and Bulma wondered briefly if her favorite Mizuka-jin dish would be served. She strode confidently behind her lover, awkwardness a foreign word to her these days.
Their affair was not a secret. Since Brolli had granted her freedom and made her science division leader, it wasn’t as if their affections towards one another needed to be kept secret for any reason. In fact, it was widely accepted and Bulma was constantly assaulted with a barrage of questioning as to when the Governor would take her as his mate.  But Bulma was aware that Brolli, even if he were to ask, would be damned to hell forever before watching the look on her face the moment he wrapped her wrists in his tail and bit her neck. She would be able to do nothing but laugh in contented victory.
As Bulma neared the dais, she surveyed the Royal Party briefly. The Elite guards were gathered around the King, but she was surprised to find that Raditsu was not among them. But then again, should she be surprised? Knowing the amount of fear he possessed in his heart when it came to her, perhaps the thought of seeing her again had forced him to take an alternate course. She smirked before letting her eyes roam the party further. The King was a fairly small man, not close to Brolli’s standards by any stretch of the imagination, but he was intimidating in stance, in form. Maybe it was the facial hair too, she mused, giggling silently to herself.
Bulma’s eyes then came to rest on the one standing beside the King’s seat. Her eyes widened for a moment, and then she snapped them back into place. He looked similar to the King, yet obviously younger, and more…more…
She stopped ogling as his eyes came to rest on her. She tore her eyes away and attempted to study him further with peripheral vision. The fact that he was shorter than Brolli did nothing to deter from his attractive nature. The piercing gaze of his eyes was still on her, no doubt attempting the same study she was with him. The spandex most of the party before her wore was in stark contrast to the traditional uniform Brolli was adorned in. He’d been elaborately dressed from the moment she saw him, and she later discovered it was because of the reverence his people held for him. His loose-fitting pants and bare chest were all she had ever seen him in. The simple yet beautiful jewelry that decorated his neck, head and wrists were all in compliance with the reverence…and it was attractive, granted.
But the tight material that clung to the soldiers and the man she was now ogling was attractive on another level. The straining muscles of the warrior’s legs and arms seemed to tense and relax with every passing second. Bulma admitted the sight was appealing, and she forced herself to keep from making eye contact with the man who was still studying her with as much, if not more intensity than before.
When Brolli stopped at the dais he stepped aside, giving her full view of the Elite warriors before her, and she took a deep breath.  She felt nervous for the first time in years. After Brolli introduced them, she methodically followed suit as the Mizuka-jin behind her bowed the way she had taught them, and spoke aloud:
“Kiis taluk’san, Zarshon-kalan.”
When she raised her eyes to the party again, she could see the man next to the King smirking almost indignantly, but with some measure of curiosity and respect. Bulma took that second of opportunity to smile back briefly.  Brolli motioned to her individually.
“I present to you, Zarshon-kalan, Shal’ba Bulma. She is a Saiya-jin citizen, though foreign, and head of my science division.  She runs it quite efficiently, as my personal opinion, Sire.”
Bulma lowered her eyes only for a moment to catch Brolli winking at her, and she returned the gesture. Then, her eyes rose again to see the King gazing at her curiously and intently. It seemed he was amused by the fact that a scientific woman, and an alien, would be so beautiful, let alone in the high-ups of his own society. She flashed him her most winning smile as Brolli spoke again, “Lady Bulma, I present to you Vejiita-Zarshon, and his son Vejiita-Zarshi.”
Bulma fought to keep her eyes from widening as she realized that the man she’d been so obviously ogling had been the Prince himself. She suppressed her own nervous laughter as she stepped up onto the dais and bowed gracefully.
“Vejiita-Zarshon, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I hear you’re quite fond of matters of science and technology. I’m sure you will find our program here on Mizukashi highly interesting.” Again she smiled and did not break eye contact with the man until he spoke finally:
“I think I will, Lady Bulma, very much indeed.”  Bulma smiled wittily and raised an eyebrow until the King motioned to his son, the sexy man in spandex. She turned to face him as the King spoke an introduction, “My son, Vejiita…”
Bulma drew her lips together in a smile so very seductive and cunning that a god would not have been able to contain himself. She saw the Prince raise his own eyebrow and tighten his arms across his broad chest. She bowed to him.
“Vejiita-Zarshi…a pleasure to meet you as well.” The words played on her lips like a joke, and she knew he was the only one who could tell.  Perhaps not even Brolli could sense it.
She straightened her back and carefully chose her next actions. When she saw Brolli out of the corner of her eye, he was grazing her with his eyes from her head to her toes, a look of total disapproval on his face.  But not in regards to presentation, of course.  Bulma felt the hot eyes of each man on the dais dig into her with dizzying intensity, and she reveled in it.
How feeble these ‘warriors’ are…really. Bulma crossed her hands over the front of her dress and glanced over at the Prince.  How very interesting this evening was going to be.