10th Taunt | Video (Backdated to July 1st)

[misterbrief]

[He's not going to beat around the bush. When the video pops on, it's clear Vegeta is in his workout clothing, in the Battle Dome, and looking HORRIBLY ANGRY because SOMEONE has been pranking him for the past week with Justin Beiber.]

Alright, I'm only going to say this once. Whoever the prankster is that continues to play that hideous music during my training sessions is going to pay with their life. When I find you, I'm going to rip both of those arms of yours right out of their sockets.

And if any one of you know who it is, you had best tell me now. I might even consider letting you get out of this scot-free if you turn in the clown that continues to elude me.

[And with that, he slams the journal shut in anger. He'll check it again later that night, when he's cooled down a bit.]

Comments

[thelittlemacthatcould]

I know you're real pissed off, sir, but jus'... y'don' gotta beat 'em up. [He's really hoping Vegeta is all talk here, a whole lot of hot air.] We gotta try t'work t'gether in a place like this, 'cause we're all we got.

[misterbrief]

What nonsense is that? Of course I have to teach that little punk a lesson. What, were you worried that I would kill them?

[HE'S THOUGHT ABOUT KILLING THEM but he knows better than that now, thankfully.]

[thelittlemacthatcould]

No!

[A beat.]

...Well, I mean-- [He rubs at the back of his neck, glancing aside apologetically.] With you bein' so mad and sayin' you'd be makin' somebody pay with their life, it'd be hard for anybody not to be a lil' freaked out. Even as a joke that ain't real funny.

[misterbrief]

Good, because it wasn't meant as a joke. I was dead serious.

[He sets a straight gaze at Mac, eyes narrowing slightly to help get the seriousness of his statement across. Even though no, he probably wouldn't kill them...but he doesn't feel the need to tell Mac that.]

[thelittlemacthatcould]

What? [He regards the screen blankly before shaking his head.] Look -- all this guy did is play a lil' music, right? You might not a' liked it much but he didn't go makin' your life a livin' hell...

[This isn't his business, he knows. But a death threat's been made public and he doesn't understand how someone could find something to laugh about when this guy seems intent on beating the prankster to a bloody pulp.]

[misterbrief]

Anyone who interrupts me like that will pay the price. I've got a job to do and when little jokes like that keep me from effectively getting any work done, they've crossed a line.

But don't worry. I've got an idea to take care of business, so don't you worry that little head of yours.

[thelittlemacthatcould]

[He knits his brows.]

What's that supposed to mean?

[Great. If anything, now he has reason to worry even more.]

[misterbrief]

[He just smiles maliciously.]

Didn't I just say not to worry about it?

[thelittlemacthatcould]

Yeah, well you ain't doin' a real good job makin' me not worry. [What's up with that smirk anyway?]

[misterbrief]

Yes, I see that. There isn't something else you're worried about, is there?

[thelittlemacthatcould]

Whaddya mean? [Like what? He's not sure he likes where this is going.]

[misterbrief]

I don't know, you seem to be sweating a bit over there. There isn't...something you need to tell me, is there?

[LIKE WHO DID IT]

[thelittlemacthatcould]

It's hot in here! [There's the faint, tinny death-rattles of a table fan just off-screen.] Iunno, what am I supposed to say?

[Wait a second--] Hey... you're not sayin' y'think I pulled that prank on you, are you?

[misterbrief]

I'm not ruling anything out. [He gives his best, most intimidating smile that he can muster at Mac.]

[thelittlemacthatcould]

[My, grandma, what big teeth you have!]

What? [He rears back.] But -- I didn't do it!

[misterbrief]

No? You're not making for a very convincing case at the moment.

[He peers at Mac. Did you do it, Mac? Did you?]

[thelittlemacthatcould]

[Damn--! More frustrating than knowing he's innocent in all this is having no solid evidence to prove it. He barely bites back a heated remark on the tip of his tongue suspecting it'll probably give Vegeta more reason to point fingers.]

Look, sir, I ain't never met you an' I don' even know when you're at the battledome. When I go I'm there to train, not to bother other people.

[misterbrief]

[He peers at Mac. Yeah, he's probably telling the truth. He's got his own list of suspects. But.]

If you give me the name of the one who bribed you into it, your punishment will be far less severe than what I've got planned for them.

[thelittlemacthatcould]

Nobody bribed me 'cause I didn't do nothin', I swear! That's all I gotta say... if y'don' like it, I'm sorry, but it's the truth.

[misterbrief]

[He just smiles back at Mac.]

Alright then. I believe you. [Only because someone just confessed.]

I must thank you, without your help I would have never been able to get a confession.

[thelittlemacthatcould]

Wait, what? [He blurts out, feeling a sharp, sick twist in his gut.] From who?

[misterbrief]

Why, none other than Vash the Stampede. He was so concerned for your safety that he finally decided to speak up and save your hide.

[thelittlemacthatcould]

Vash... [He repeats under his breath, his stunned, wide-eyed gaze turning inward. His chest tightens at the thought of someone he didn't even know looking to protect him, an act of kindness rarely if ever experienced back home. And someone who now had to suffer God knows how.]

This whole thing you been doin' with me... [He frowns, struggling to understand.] ...was jus' to put pressure on 'im?

[misterbrief]

That's right. Now, I didn't know it was him, but, I can always count on the soft-hearted to screw up.

[He sets back, looking very content with himself.]

[thelittlemacthatcould]

[That look of pure self-satisfaction is all too familiar, cutting close to the bone, and Mac fights to tamp down the anger that isn't already darkening his expression and leaking into his voice.]

Y'got what you wanted -- now leave Vash alone.