Down the rabbit hole

Chapter 7 - Winery

As Raditz put on his armor, there was a knock on his door. "Moment!" called the Saiyan. He stepped into his boots and opened the door. Unexpectedly, he looked at a small captain at his door. "Captain Vino? What is the meaning of this?" Without showing emotion she addressed him "we have a mission, see you in 10 minutes at the main gate". He watched her walk away and then he began to smile. Head shaking he closed the door and thought how much her gaze sometimes resembled her father's. Tora could look this stern sometimes but never really was.

As instructed, Raditz arrived at the main gate ten minutes later. Vegeta was already there, as well as the captain along with Malbec. He had some bandages around his shoulder but otherwise he looked good. Raditz was momentarily startled by his thoughts and turned to his prince. "Vegeta, what is the mission anyway?" asked Raditz quickly. Vegeta shrugged, then they heard the last person walk up, namely Nappa.

When Nappa joined the group, the captain spoke up. "Gentlemen we have a mission, there is a gossip going around that there is information trafficking at a local vineyard. We will go there as guests and keep an eye out". The Saiyans looked at each other, was this serious? Vegeta took a step forward "so we're going to go out for the day and drink wine?" A big smile appeared on Nappa's face.

Raditz glanced briefly out of the corner of his eye at the charming lieutenant but when he saw that he was observing him he looked away. It just felt uncomfortable that Malbec was coming along, something in him wanted to rewind the time to the time before the kiss. Had he stopped it? He should have, they were men, warriors even. "Okay men in the wagon, let's go" the captain called.

Vegeta watched as the Waino's sat down on the front of the cart, the three Saiyans had to sit in the back. The cart was pulled by 4 large dogs, they were fast and the ride was bumpy. The white haired ones were clearly having fun and the lieutenant looked back at one point. He may not have been looking at Vegeta, but the prince snorted briefly in displeasure and crossed his arms. He hoped this trip was over soon.

Thirty terrible minutes later they came to ride among large fields of grape vines. Here and there Waino's were at work picking grapes. Vegeta looked forward and saw a kind of mill, a farmhouse with a large barn next to it. It was bigger than he had imagined. The wagon stopped and the Saiyans jumped out. Vino and her lieutenant were still whispering something and Vegeta's patience was starting to run out "are you two coming?"

Vino jumped out of the wagon and landed right in front of Vegeta, she smiled mischievously "wasn't the ride so pleasant my prince?" Vegeta took a step forward "don't push my buttons captain". Her amused eyes said enough and without even thinking Vegeta gave a wink. He was not a flirt, but she provoked him. And he could not have that lieutenant flirting to, it was against his pride. The group was approached by a gleeful fat woman "oh you guys come for the tour and tasting?" Vino greeted her back, Vegeta walked over to his men.

Nappa stood wide-eyed looking at the woman "did she just say tasting?" Vegeta growled "you aren't tasting anything, we are here for a specific purpose. I want you to behave". Nappa almost looked at his prince with puppy dog eyes, but Vegeta rolled his eyes and walked away. His men walked behind him and he came to stand next to the captain, he heard a little bit more about the tour and then the woman said "just follow me".

The captain very kindly said "we will see you at the starting point. I need to explain to our foreigner friends about Waino's." The woman bowed briefly and walked away, Vino turned around. "Ok men, we need to have visited as many places as possible. After the tour we split up to visit as many places as possible. Nappa you take the fields, Malbec the barn, Raditz the mill. Vegeta and I will sit on the terrace because that's where most of the talking happens". Nappa clearly wanted to say something but Vegeta was done with him, a stern look brought him back in line.