[Welcome to Hell City-- the Big Apple, you know, the one that doomed everyone? The place is everything it advertises on the tin: seedy yet glamorous with bright neon lights blinking rapidly for your attention and row after row of any imaginable indulgence. And here she is, the girl who denies herself nothing.]
[Bulma has shed her horrible bunny pajamas in favor of a far more flattering little number to hit the town with Vox. She's not about to say no to someone who's promised her a shopping spree-- could you imagine?? What a waste! And besides, he seems like such a nice TV man! She's really taken by her surroundings, oohing and aahing as they make their way into the heart of the city proper. A place like this almost makes a rich girl like her feel like a hick! Central City back home hardly compares to this level of flash. She spins around, taking it all in.]
Wow, I can hardly believe it! It's all so... loud! [She turns back to address Vox.] Are you used to places like this?
Obnoxious too, but that's a part of its charm. [ he walks alongside her with his arms folded behind his back, the other demons on the sidewalk looking starry-eyed in his direction as they pass. not everybody remembers him, because this is a 'new' hell and there's tens of hundreds of 'new' faces, but that's not to say nobody remembers him. 'old' demons from his hell are ecstatic to see him out and about and... seemingly normal??? how novel!!! ]
I am. This isn't too different from where I'm from. I used to have an enormous tower in the center of town; V-Tower. I think some people thought it was tacky... but it was a beacon! Hell loves its TV, especially the trashy dramas.
[It certainly is part of the charm and Bulma is awash in it! Though she still makes a concerted effort to nod at all the right parts as she walks with Vox, hands politely behind her back. Want to look as grateful as possible, of course!]
People can be so jealous of success, that's the truth! I actually used to live in a-- oh!!
[That attention is now suddenly diverted to the shop window they're passing by, a trendy little place with sneakers in the front window and sleek, futuristic dresses on demonic mannequins. It's to die for and baby is she DEAD! Bulma's eyes light up and she breaks away from their collective stride to nearly press her face to the glass, drinking it in.]
Wow, they really do have everything a girl could want, huh? [Suddenly Bulma realizes herself and stands up straighter, peeking back over her shoulder.] I mean-- wherever you want to take me! That is!
Ha! ain't that the truth. [ he is curious about where she had been going with that, but then she gets a little too distracted by a window display. he follows her over and eyes the futuristic dress that she's drinking in. he doesn't know nearly as much about fashion and trends as velvette, who he should have probably have consulted with or, better yet, dragged along on this little shopping trip, but it's a little too late for that now. ] Just about. [ vox looks from the display to bulma and then back to the display, unsure if this is the right kind of outfit, but he can tell that, based on her reaction, she really likes the outfit. ]
You really want this, huh? You know, Bulma, ...if you come work for me [ he turns to face her. ] if you work for me you can have just about anything you want. [ he might be using his hynotism on her. very lightly of course! and it's up to you if it works. but he's really only doing so, so she can imagine herself in that outfit and how amazing she'd look and how happy she'd be. ]
[As if she ever stood a chance. Bulma blinks and turns to look at him with an affirmative grin, open and wide-eyed and receptive. And it's like she's being tuned to his particular frequency, because something in her head shifts a little bit, just enough.]
Anything... I want?
[In her mind, the channel has totally switched over the future. Her future. Bulma can see it now-- a technological wiz kid and TV personality decked out in the outfit before her, making her dreams and Vox's come true at the same time. Her hair? Styled for the red carpet. Her wardrobe? Full with what you see before you. Her bank account? Don't even get her started. It's all perfect and it's all within reach.
Who needs a soul anyway? Confidently, Bulma smiles up at Vox.]
Now that you mention it, I think I'm pretty well-qualified.
mHm. [ as vox hums static jumps through the air, dancing through the nearest bunch of television sets to bring bulma's dreams to life. manifested into a literal reality she'll see her face appear on them for a couple of seconds just as she'd seen in her head, all perfectly primmed, ...and just so she doesn't miss it he's taking her shoulder and turning her to face them. ] I think so too. So [ he leans in so that he's talking in her ear. ] what do you say, Miss Bulma, why don't you come work for the Vees... specifically me. I'll take good care of you. [ his grin broadens, blood trailing down his monitor as he holds out his hand to her. ] And I'll make you... a star ⋆｡°✩
A star... [She sounds pretty star-struck herself, voice drifting dreamily along as she surveys the screens around her. It just feels right somehow, almost like she thought of it. Yes, actually, Bulma is starting to think this is her bright idea made manifest.]
[She perks up to a more lucid state as she makes this decision, her shoulders straightening under Vox's touch.]
I'll do it-- in front of the camera, behind the scenes, I'm your girl! [She smiles.] So where do I sign? Next to my handprints in cement?
How about both! [ he chuckles with a grin. ] I don't see why it couldn't be both, Bulma. A girl like you. I think you've got it all. [ he snaps his fingers and a golden contract appears before them. it outlines a lot, but she doesn't need to read all that. it just says that for the price of her soul he will do what he can to make her . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ star ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ! and the vees have a lot of power in hell, even if they have to start over there are still demons here that know them and their reign over technology is bound to help them re-ascend quickly. ]
Just sign here, Bulma. [ a pen appears beside the contract. ]
[Bulma preens at the praise, drinking it in and nourishing her ego even further.]
All and then some.
[Very proudly she snatches that pen, eyeing the contract reverently. Truly it feels like her own golden ticket, and isn't it? She pretends to skim it, letting her eyes glaze over the page as she imagines how good this will be for her. It must look very mature and responsible, the way she really gives it a second thought. All too eagerly, she gives up that pretense and lowers the pen to the page--]
Bulma Briefs
[No spark, no smoke, nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe a soul isn't such a big deal. As soon as it's done, set in stone, the pen dissolves from her hand. She blinks at it before turning her attention back to Vox.]
A change of plans needs a change of wardrobe, don't you think?
[Can you imagine her in a cute little reporter gettup? Think about it.... think about it.....]
[ as soon as she finishes signing the contract vox snatches it out of the air with a sharp smile. it digitizes the moment he makes contact, the 0s and 1s shooting into his face and scrolling over his display. it’s quick, but it probably looks strange, but, then again, a guy with a tv for a face is strange to begin with. ] I think you’re right. How about we go on a little shopping spree? And I’m going to have to introduce you to Velvette – another one of the Vees, the media mogul and fashionista of the group. However, I do know a thing or two about dressing sharp too.
[Bulma snaps back to her usual self at being told shes right-- and the imminent fulfillment of the promised shopping spree!!! She grins.]
Then we're a couple of peas in a pod. [She strikes a pose with a wink.] Put me in a tailored jacket and skirt set and you can watch the ratings skyrocket!
[At first it's unclear if she's here or not, total silence behind the door to the hotel room. Until there's a distant call-- "Coming!"-- muffled behind the distance. A bit of tromping around and in a flash Bulma is answering the door, at first just peeking into the hall. When she sees who it is her face lights up, a grin splitting her face. There's a bit of schmutz on her face, a smear of dirt or grease across her cheek.]
Oh, Keith! I'm so glad you're here, wow! Do you wanna come in?
Oh, now's a great time! I can show you what I've been working on-- c'mon!
[She playfully pulls him by the sleeve into her hotel room, quickly disconnecting to run ahead into the common area. The place has gadgets everywhere in various states of construction, all looking very modern and sleek. At the center of the room there's a couple of parts lying around a souped-up black motorcycle, which seems to be the current project. Even in the chaos it's clean, everything in a distinct place and well-lined up. Bulma stands amongst it with a proud smile.]
[Oh, okay... being manhandled was a thing. Sure. He managed to keep his feet, though his wings stretched just a bit to keep his balance before folding back in again, and then looked around once she let go.]
Uh, yeah. [He definitely got the picture, especially when he spotted the bike. His eyes went wide, and he immediately honed in on that, leaning in to get a closer look.] Did you build this? [Was that a combustion engine?]
With the state it was in I might as well have! [She pats the body with a confident hand.] It's Greed's, he really messed it up but it's good as new now, see? Mine are put away.
[It was a pretty impressive bike in general. Keith might be jealous (no, really... he was jealous). Don't mind him. He was just going to move around it, looking at everything he could see.]
[Keith looked up for a second at the words "heist" and "bullets", definitely wary and curious, but then she said something about capsules like it made sense, and he blinked.]
[She blinks at him a few times, processing the confusion.] Oh, you don't have any? [Bulma reaches into her back pocket and fishes out what looks like a pill case, just a bit more square. From it she fishes out a large... well, pill, it looks like. Then she tosses it onto an empty space on the floor in front of them and-- POOF-- a giant cloud of smoke that, once it thins out, reveals a green bullet-like motorcycle. Just there. Bulma does not seem shocked by this.]
[If he hadn't noticed, there are several guns mounted on the wall as one might display some nice vases or family photos. Very modern and sleek interior design. Is she... a gun otaku? no she's just weird]
But there's more-- check this out.
[Opening a little hatch under the ignition, Bulma flips a switch and the bike's panels re-configure, essentially climbing on top of themselves until the bike is vertical, the seat now facing outward in the center. Bulma hops to attention, not climbing on but pointing around.]
You lean against the seat and plant your feet here. [Gesturing to the area formerly known as the fender skirt.] It's got 3 modes: bike, bipedal and trike. An all-arounder!
[Nah. He was more focused on the bike when he first walked in, but they probably did register somewhere in the back of his mind... like, if asked to draw the room, he'd probably put them in and wonder about it at that point.
Plus, he's more of a knife and sword guy himself.]
Mor- [Woaahhh... the idea of something transforming wasn't the impressive part. The impressive part was that she built it herself in such a small package. The Lions were huge, so there was space in them for all those moving parts, but this... Keith was fairly certain that the mechanics needed for that being shoved into a smaller package was way more impressive.]
Three modes? [The Lions only had two... Being five separate Lions, and then coming together to make one giant humanoid.] And it fits in that tiny pill thing? [Guess who doesn't know about Pokémon, either.]
What? Are you saying... you don't have capsules where you're from? [She holds the capsule case to her chest-- aghast! Then, nearly scrambling, she pops it open and scrounges around for an empty capsule. There! She holds it out to Keith.] Here, take one! I'd be totally lost without mine!
Easy! Here-- [She casually takes hold of Keith's hand, pressing the top of the capsule in his palm with her own thumb.] You press it like this and just. Throw it! [She takes a step back to make way, standing beside Keith.] Go on, try it on my bike.
See, I told you! Easy as pie! [Bulma bends down to pick up the capsule and tosses it back into the air. With another "POOF" the bike is back in its place, good as new.] It's the same to open 'em back up.
[She places the empty capsule delicately in his palm, lingering tastefully. If magazines have taught her anything it's that touching is a sure way to signal that you're into someone. Well, for someone typical, probably. Not applicable to Keiths.]
[Granted, prolonged and unexpected physical contact kind of set Keith on edge at times... silly magazine articles... but he was slowly getting used to the idea. That was probably the Foster Care in him influencing his reactions...
Either way, he was still legit thankful for the cool capsule thing. He gave her a somewhat sheepish and surprisingly shy small smile.]
Thanks.
[For a moment, he almost forgot about their little motorcycle date challenge from the other day...]
[And she forgets basically everything when she sees him smile like that. She's a flirt until she sees something that reminds her why she earnestly was drawn to that person, then she gets all bashful. Putting her hands behind her back, Bulma looks at her shoes and laughs awkwardly.]
No problem! Any time!
[Shoegazing does trigger a memory, though, and she snaps back to attention.]
Did you, um... [Oh she sounds too eager and is shy enough to recognize that. Bulma swallows.] Did you still wanna race me? I've got a few bikes in here. [Wiggles the capsule tin for emphasis]
[Blink blink. Why was she suddenly shy? Keith didn't immediately make the connection, but he eyed that capsule case, wondering just how many of them had bikes... "a few"?
But the prospect of racing definitely had his attention, and the cute little smile turned into a smirk of challenge.]
Alright! [Eagerness back in full force, she opens the case towards him. With a clawed finger she points to two capsules in the bottom row with pink bands across their middles.] These ones here are motorcycles. [Then, with a sly grin:] If you're feeling lucky you can pick one and I'll take the other. Whadya say, hm?
[He tucked the capsule she'd given him into one of his pockets. He wasn't afraid of a risk, that was for sure. He eyed the two capsules for a moment, and grabbed the one on the right.]
[She waves him over, tucking the other capsule into her pocket and heading for the door. It's a hop skip and a jump over to one of the more covert alleyways around Hell Hotel (that is, one where imps aren't bumping and grinding). Day's given way to night quicker than she thought but hey-- that's mood lighting, baby! And as good a place as any to burn some rubber.]
So. [Bulma stands in the center of the alleyway, playfully tossing her capsule into the air and catching it again.] What happens if I win, huh?
[Near the doorstep of Bulma's repair cafe is a gift from Husk! It appears to be a large suitcase filled with high-end tools. On top of the gift is a note that says "If you ever feel like you're in an emotional crisis again, I can always lend an ear."]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
for technicaldifficulties
[Bulma has shed her horrible bunny pajamas in favor of a far more flattering little number to hit the town with Vox. She's not about to say no to someone who's promised her a shopping spree-- could you imagine?? What a waste! And besides, he seems like such a nice TV man! She's really taken by her surroundings, oohing and aahing as they make their way into the heart of the city proper. A place like this almost makes a rich girl like her feel like a hick! Central City back home hardly compares to this level of flash. She spins around, taking it all in.]
Wow, I can hardly believe it! It's all so... loud! [She turns back to address Vox.] Are you used to places like this?
Re: for technicaldifficulties
I am. This isn't too different from where I'm from. I used to have an enormous tower in the center of town; V-Tower. I think some people thought it was tacky... but it was a beacon! Hell loves its TV, especially the trashy dramas.
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People can be so jealous of success, that's the truth! I actually used to live in a-- oh!!
[That attention is now suddenly diverted to the shop window they're passing by, a trendy little place with sneakers in the front window and sleek, futuristic dresses on demonic mannequins. It's to die for and baby is she DEAD! Bulma's eyes light up and she breaks away from their collective stride to nearly press her face to the glass, drinking it in.]
Wow, they really do have everything a girl could want, huh? [Suddenly Bulma realizes herself and stands up straighter, peeking back over her shoulder.] I mean-- wherever you want to take me! That is!
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You really want this, huh? You know, Bulma, ...if you come work for me [ he turns to face her. ] if you work for me you can have just about anything you want. [ he might be using his hynotism on her. very lightly of course! and it's up to you if it works. but he's really only doing so, so she can imagine herself in that outfit and how amazing she'd look and how happy she'd be. ]
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Anything... I want?
[In her mind, the channel has totally switched over the future. Her future. Bulma can see it now-- a technological wiz kid and TV personality decked out in the outfit before her, making her dreams and Vox's come true at the same time. Her hair? Styled for the red carpet. Her wardrobe? Full with what you see before you. Her bank account? Don't even get her started. It's all perfect and it's all within reach.
Who needs a soul anyway? Confidently, Bulma smiles up at Vox.]
Now that you mention it, I think I'm pretty well-qualified.
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[She perks up to a more lucid state as she makes this decision, her shoulders straightening under Vox's touch.]
I'll do it-- in front of the camera, behind the scenes, I'm your girl! [She smiles.] So where do I sign? Next to my handprints in cement?
[With her soul, even?]
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Just sign here, Bulma. [ a pen appears beside the contract. ]
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All and then some.
[Very proudly she snatches that pen, eyeing the contract reverently. Truly it feels like her own golden ticket, and isn't it? She pretends to skim it, letting her eyes glaze over the page as she imagines how good this will be for her. It must look very mature and responsible, the way she really gives it a second thought. All too eagerly, she gives up that pretense and lowers the pen to the page--]
Bulma Briefs
[No spark, no smoke, nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe a soul isn't such a big deal. As soon as it's done, set in stone, the pen dissolves from her hand. She blinks at it before turning her attention back to Vox.]
A change of plans needs a change of wardrobe, don't you think?
[Can you imagine her in a cute little reporter gettup? Think about it.... think about it.....]
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Then we're a couple of peas in a pod. [She strikes a pose with a wink.] Put me in a tailored jacket and skirt set and you can watch the ratings skyrocket!
hey bitch (shhh pretend I didn’t drop the ball)
text
COUNT ME IN 🎉🎉
thanks for putting me on the no-kill list LOL. who's this that didn't make the cut? spill!
[READ: tell me about your murderous intent]
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Okay, this was the right place. Would she be here? Keith wasn't sure, but... well, he was here now, so he might as well knock, right?
He lifted his hand... knock knock!]
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Oh, Keith! I'm so glad you're here, wow! Do you wanna come in?
[A cute boy! In her room!! Dreams do come true!]
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[He rubbed the back of his neck. Clearly he'd caught her while she was working.]
Is now a good time?
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[She playfully pulls him by the sleeve into her hotel room, quickly disconnecting to run ahead into the common area. The place has gadgets everywhere in various states of construction, all looking very modern and sleek. At the center of the room there's a couple of parts lying around a souped-up black motorcycle, which seems to be the current project. Even in the chaos it's clean, everything in a distinct place and well-lined up. Bulma stands amongst it with a proud smile.]
Not as clean as I want but you get the picture.
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Uh, yeah. [He definitely got the picture, especially when he spotted the bike. His eyes went wide, and he immediately honed in on that, leaning in to get a closer look.] Did you build this? [Was that a combustion engine?]
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With the state it was in I might as well have! [She pats the body with a confident hand.] It's Greed's, he really messed it up but it's good as new now, see? Mine are put away.
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[It was a pretty impressive bike in general. Keith might be jealous (no, really... he was jealous). Don't mind him. He was just going to move around it, looking at everything he could see.]
How'd you get it in and out of the hotel?
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[She brushes that off immediately, totally unimportant. Anyway! Bulma glances over at Keith, unsure why this is a question.]
With capsules, silly, how else?
[She hasn't actually shown this to anyone yet and thus doesn't know it's. Exclusive tech to her world.]
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Cap...sules...?
[Sorry, Bulma. That's a new one for Keith.]
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This is one of my bikes. Pretty cool, huh?
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It made so much sense, but was still utterly shocking to see actually happen.
Give him a second to process... okay. He walked over, circling the bike like he was looking for how it might fold up or something, and then...]
You have guns on it?
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[If he hadn't noticed, there are several guns mounted on the wall as one might display some nice vases or family photos. Very modern and sleek interior design. Is she... a gun otaku?
no she's just weird]But there's more-- check this out.
[Opening a little hatch under the ignition, Bulma flips a switch and the bike's panels re-configure, essentially climbing on top of themselves until the bike is vertical, the seat now facing outward in the center. Bulma hops to attention, not climbing on but pointing around.]
You lean against the seat and plant your feet here. [Gesturing to the area formerly known as the fender skirt.] It's got 3 modes: bike, bipedal and trike. An all-arounder!
[Her voice is dripping with excitement.]
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Plus, he's more of a knife and sword guy himself.]
Mor- [Woaahhh... the idea of something transforming wasn't the impressive part. The impressive part was that she built it herself in such a small package. The Lions were huge, so there was space in them for all those moving parts, but this... Keith was fairly certain that the mechanics needed for that being shoved into a smaller package was way more impressive.]
Three modes? [The Lions only had two... Being five separate Lions, and then coming together to make one giant humanoid.] And it fits in that tiny pill thing? [Guess who doesn't know about Pokémon, either.]
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How does it work?
[Because how the heck did something so big get into something so tiny??]
Like... How do you put things in it?
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POOF!]
Well, shit.
[Seriously. What else do you say to that?]
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[She places the empty capsule delicately in his palm, lingering tastefully. If magazines have taught her anything it's that touching is a sure way to signal that you're into someone. Well, for someone typical, probably. Not applicable to Keiths.]
Take it as a gift!
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[Granted, prolonged and unexpected physical contact kind of set Keith on edge at times... silly magazine articles... but he was slowly getting used to the idea. That was probably the Foster Care in him influencing his reactions...
Either way, he was still legit thankful for the cool capsule thing. He gave her a somewhat sheepish and surprisingly shy small smile.]
Thanks.
[For a moment, he almost forgot about their little motorcycle date challenge from the other day...]
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No problem! Any time!
[Shoegazing does trigger a memory, though, and she snaps back to attention.]
Did you, um... [Oh she sounds too eager and is shy enough to recognize that. Bulma swallows.] Did you still wanna race me? I've got a few bikes in here. [Wiggles the capsule tin for emphasis]
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But the prospect of racing definitely had his attention, and the cute little smile turned into a smirk of challenge.]
Heck yeah.
[He couldn't turn an offer like that down...]
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Alright! [Eagerness back in full force, she opens the case towards him. With a clawed finger she points to two capsules in the bottom row with pink bands across their middles.] These ones here are motorcycles. [Then, with a sly grin:] If you're feeling lucky you can pick one and I'll take the other. Whadya say, hm?
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Okay... so we'll open these outside?
[It seemed kind of silly to do that in here...]
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[She waves him over, tucking the other capsule into her pocket and heading for the door. It's a hop skip and a jump over to one of the more covert alleyways around Hell Hotel (that is, one where imps aren't bumping and grinding). Day's given way to night quicker than she thought but hey-- that's mood lighting, baby! And as good a place as any to burn some rubber.]
So. [Bulma stands in the center of the alleyway, playfully tossing her capsule into the air and catching it again.] What happens if I win, huh?
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Right, the stakes.]
Uh... Hm. I hadn't thought about that.
[He was used to racing for money, but hadn't done it in several years now...]
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[Keith wasn't sure.
He hit the button and tossed the capsule he had picked, wondering what the bike he grabbed was going to look like.]
merry chrysler