*NOTE: This is being republished, sorry, I had to edit some things and hopefully fix a problem with the table of context. If it didn't fix that, just know this chapter comes after News.*

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The blue-haired woman stood from her seat, soon stepping into the kitchen. She stood there for a moment as she thought, her gaze drifting over to the fridge; eyes narrowing on the appliance. She had all the food prepared, all the desserts and appetizers were ready in the freezer. Now all she had to do was decorate the house, set up the food in an ornate design when the time was right, then wait.  
Bulma turned around to face the rest of the room: it was a medium sized kitchen attached to a rather large living room. The kitchen didn't need decorating, as no one would really go in there, so the woman was more focused on the living room. It had to be perfect before the guests got here. It had to be perfect for her announcement...

She made her way over to the decorations and observed her supplies, having more than enough for the entire house. Plain streamers as well as multicoloured ones to hang up, bright yet fancy tablecloths, she had bought plastic cups and plates just in case, and a few other things that she didn't pay too much mind to. While shopping the woman hadn't really focused on anything - she didn't even make a list - and instead just piled random items into the cart that she thought would be useful. Of course, the decorations mattered, just not as much as the speech she had to give. That was the real focus of this event, and she couldn't screw it up.
The décor was just part of it- to lighten the blow, so to speak. She figured that if she made an announcement like this at a party then the consequences wouldn't be as bad surely, though that thought was more towards the rest of her friends than one in particular. He wasn't even considered, really. Not because Bulma didn't think of him, but because she didn't care enough to think of how he would react to this. And there was some part of her that wanted him to throw a fit over it, just to make it easier.

The blue-haired woman pulled the streamers from the box, silently debating on which colour to use the most of. On one hand, brighter happier colours such as the yellows and pinks she had picked would definitely soften the blow, and it would be terribly ironic. On the other hand, though, the darker colours she had picked like the blues and purples might have given away the vibe and didn't look very lively. Eventually, she settled on using the yellow and the blue ones for most of the theme, as it was the perfect mix of the two emotions she was going for. The other colours were placed back in the box for later use.
Next finding a stool or step ladder of some sort, she began to hang them up; all whilst humming and joking to herself about her speech. It took some time to get it just right, and she had to step back on look at the placement more times than she cared to count just to see where she needed to fix, but the end result was worth it. Just with the streamers the place looked more like a ballroom than a living room! But that didn't mean the decorating was over, it was far from it. She still needed to put the tablecloths on, as well as completely decorate the dining room and get the seating arrangements down. On top of the she still needed to get dressed!
In the dining room she would use the same colours as before, plus a lilac purple-ish colour to match the tablecloth she had picked for the room. The seats had the same type of lilac-y fabric to complete the set, and the rest was the usual dark brown wooded chairs that she had in her home already. The lighting was elegant, as she had intended, and it gave off this bright yet solemn vibe that really just brought everything together.  Though, there was something oddly missing still. But what could that be? She had the streamers, and the lights, the seating and the tables set up. It was time for the food yet, so that wasn't a factor she had to consider. It was a moment longer before she gasped and snapped her fingers; the center piece! 

She would have to make one, as she didn't think of that when she was shopping. But what center piece would look good with this? She could go with the classic choice of flowers, and even though it was a bit cliché it definitely fit with her chosen theme, and she did have some left over fake-flowers from a past party a few years ago. With that in mind, she would still have to find them in one of the storage rooms or closets.

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"No, not here..." Bulma mumbled under her breath, carefully placing a small box full of photos in frames and other little trinkets back on the floor. Currently, she was digging through one of the closets on the first floor of her home, hoping to find those fake-flowers she was searching for. Though so far all she had found were memories from the past, mostly of her childhood as well as some old photos of her with Goku and the rest of the little friend group.
Most of them were put away for storage, but some were put away to make room. Or, in the case of a few pictures, put away to be thrown out later. To be pushed aside without care. To be moved on from. To be forgotten, once and for all...
Those pictures, the ones meant to be left to rot, had a separate box. A smaller box, made of cardboard, still holding a lot of space for items similar in the future. Only one or two photos were currently inside the small box, that and a broken picture frame. That box was put up on one of the top shelves and had been pushed back against the wall, seemingly to be hidden away. Just as they should have been.
She only glared at those photos, feeling only disdain towards those memories. Ignoring the slight sorrow the pictures were quickly tossed back into the box, which itself was tossed back to it's place in the corner on the top shelf in the back. With a clank and a clatter, the small box landed on it's side against the wall, tossed aside once again.
It was a moment longer before Bulma turned away, looking at the opposite side of the closet now. She took a step towards the shelf, lifting a hand to push a box to the side so that she could then carefully move a vase. As she squinted, observing the items, she spotted a single fake-flower. A rose, to be exact, sitting perfectly placed behind the boxes and vase. But that wasn't the strangest thing about it, what was more odd was the colour of the petals: a deep, almost midnight purple.
It was gently lifted, the faux petals and leaves shifting together. It was held up, being examined carefully and scrutinizingly with a gaze of life with a deep coldness hidden beneath. The flower seemed to almost recoil under the new light; but that wasn't true. It wasn't alive, it was a fake-flower with not a speck of life other than maybe the dust the covered it's surface.

"This one'll stand out," Bulma smiled at her own words, "It's perfect for a part of a centerpiece. Now I just need to find a few more.."

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She dusted her hands and took a couple steps back to admire her work. The centerpiece consisted of a few other fake-flowers that she had found around, then the rose in the middle. It sat peacefully amongst the rest of the decor, fitting with the theme yet standing alone with it's beauty. It was perfect.
Her eyes eventually drifted over to the clock, watching as it ticked to the new time. "Oh, how perfect." She commented, smiling as she turned to walk to the kitchen. It was nearing the time the party was to start, which meant she had to get the food set up in an ornate manner. Something regal, yet not too showy.

As she set the foods in place, turning them from one position to another to test the look, foot steps rang out excitedly.
"Hey, mom!" Trunks greeted, smiling enthusiastically as he looked around. "Woah, this place looks great! Is the party starting soon?"
Bulma turned and nodded, "yup, very soon actually. Speaking of; can you go fetch your father for me?"
It was quiet for a moment, then Trunks nodded hesitantly, "Yeah, sure can." With that, he dashed away and back up the stairs towards his father's room. Bulma smiled sweetly as she watched her son, then swiftly turned back to her decorating, wanting to make sure everything was absolutely flawless.
And, just as she took a step back to observe, a knock came from the door. Letting her know that her guests had arrived, and, that the party was about to begin.

...And, with the party, came the announcement...