Crossroads

Chapter 11

The next day Goku entered the Prince's room before anyone else, a little before seven am, but Vegeta was still locked away in his room. Goku noticed, and was grateful, that the Prince had the foresight to pick his glass and their ties up off the floor from the night before so the other two wouldn't suspect anything had gone on, because that's the last thing he needs right now (or perhaps it's the last thing Vegeta needs), but he didn't dare dwell on it, and figured he'd never see that tie again, which was fine with him. He did notice, though, that the cup Vegeta broke was still sitting on the counter, and he sighed as he went to clean it up, and thought about their kiss, and not for the first time that morning.

When Leno and Emeri arrived shortly after, and Vegeta finally came out of his room he wore the same scowl on his face as always and he didn't hide his annoyance each time Leno opened his mouth. Leno, however, ignored his Highness' looks of irritation and insisted upon going over their itinerary. Again.

Goku was very unimpressed with their daily routine here thus far, and he couldn't believe that any of them were happy with it, either. Emeri was still and quiet most of the time, only fussing with Vegeta's needs, and Leno was serious and direct, only focused on the Prince's meetings.

The whole day went by pretty much the same as yesterday, except they travelled farther out, in another private jet, to go meet some of Earth's Royalty in one place, and then off they went to meet some more high class people in another area entirely.

Leno urged the Prince quite a bit when it came to him befriending these new acquaintances, and Emeri found what use for herself she could, but more than anything she sat quietly, smiled along, and looked pretty. Goku, according to his instructions, watched everyone closely, and stepped in a few times whenever he saw that the Prince looked a little less pleased with whoever was trying to take up his time, but it seemed, as the day and night wore on, that Vegeta was growing more than a little irritated.

Earth customs were strange to them, everyone wanted to shake hands, and some of the men would kiss the women on the cheek, and it was clear Vegeta wasn't used to such formalities and refused to participate in them more than once, regardless of how the men complimented the women, even to the point of disrespect, and how the women flung themselves at the Prince.

The Earthlings offered them tea and cakes and rolls with bread and butter, and coffee with cream and sugar, and fruits and other delicacies, which was all very good, but not custom to the Prince's likes and he grew tired of constantly being offered something to eat or drink.

When it came time for dinner, the humans drank quite a bit more than they should and went on and on about how expensive and well-aged their wine was, growing louder in their chatter, and more easily amused by the hour, and they laughed at things Vegeta didn't know he should be finding amusing. He held conversation just fine, but his brow showed, to Goku and the other's at least, a quiet belief of ineptitude in these new friendships and a disdain at forming such relationships.

The Humans made a great fuss about their wardrobes and their jewelry, and their possessions of art and the history behind their homes and their lineage. None of that impressed Vegeta, for he had all of the above, but he didn't believe in flaunting it, and he knew they were powerless without their money. Behind their façade of geniality and proper manners, Goku despised their pompous attitudes towards himself, Leno, and Emeri, and felt less at home in their castles and mansions than he did in Vegeta's home.

Still, Vegeta smirked at them and was as engaging as he would allow himself to become, and although to them it may seem he was receiving them well, to Leno, Emeri, and Goku, they could see that he wasn't finding them nearly as extraordinary or interesting as they found him.