genessia | [CLOSED] Out of all the past confusion

Entry tags:

[CLOSED] Out of all the past confusion | Out of all the common spite

Who: Trunks & Mai
What: First Date
When: Mid-July
Where: Genessia Shooting Range (...no, really), followed by dinner at The Garden Bistro in Attleton, and then capping off the night with a visit to the Sky Gardens in Nova City.
Warnings: none

[Mai couldn't recall the last time she'd had the opportunity to dress for a date.]

[At the very least, Trunks had given her a brief summary of his plans for the evening. Enough that she knew mobility would be necessary. Comfort. Clothing she could bear while walking during the warmer sunlight hours. That would allow her to breathe through the humidity of the late evening. Recalling a love of fashion from her previous "life", she settled on a grey, short-sleeved sweater dress and thin leggings. Black boots. Minimal makeup, focusing mainly on her eyes. A small bag to carry her communicator and some money.]

[She knew she wouldn't have to wait long, considering they lived in the same apartment. So she sat on her bed, facing the mirror on the opposite wall, and finished brushing her long hair. The door left ajar so he knew he was welcome to enter at his leisure. Just like before.]

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[Another pause on her end. Not as long as the last one, though. More like the duration of a casual contemplation than any wary hesitation.]

I think that would be lovely.

There are so many places I haven't really stopped to visit yet. Maybe I should make a list.

We should both make a list.

[His smile is still shy, but at least he's not blushing as hard.]

I'm...hoping this'll be the first of many dates with you, after all. Not just a one-time thing.

[A turn or two, and a winding road--it wouldn't be long before they reached the restaurant.]

[Even closed eyes could keep away the light shade of pink that burned her cheeks at that. She shifted in her seat, taking note in the back of her mind that the car was veering a bit sharper to each side ever so often, and hid any awkwardness with a light chuckle.]

Maybe you should wait until the end of this date before deciding whether or not you want another one.

[She made sure to keep her tone casual, so he would know she was joking.]

[...mostly.]

Oh I want another one as long as you do too.

[She could hear the hint of smirk easily.]

But I can definitely wait. Besides, we're almost there anyways. Best to focus on this bistro this time, as well as my dinner-companion.

[Also teasing, but it was true as a moment later he was pulling into the parking area.]

[She sat up as she felt the shift in movement, a slow down and turn signaling Trunks was pulling in somewhere. A quick once-over of the area showed he had found someplace that seemed decently popular, but not overly crowded. There were still a few spots in the lot left vacant, and very little in the way of a crowd by the front door.]

You know, I've heard about this place, but I've never found an excuse to come here before now.

[A little more upscale than your casual diner, it was definitely the type of eatery to come with somebody.]

[As before, parking wasn't much of an issue--Trunks only pulled into a spot so it'd be easier for others. He was planning to re-encapsulate the car once more anyways, and carry it with them.]

I hadn't either, but I've heard good things. My nose backs up those good things too. Besides, it's not the kind of place I'd feel comfortable checking out on my own.

[Much better to check it out with company, especially Mai's company, in his mind.]

[Inclined to agree, Mai gave a nod. Their train of thought was further validated when they entered and saw very little in the way of single seating. Most of the tables, in fact, looked to be set for either couples or groups of four. There was one larger table in the back area--a corner booth that, at a glance, looked to hold maybe ten--but every current occupant looked to be half of a pair.]

[The hostess who greeted them was friendly, needing only to glance at the seating chart before bringing them to a window seat. The room itself was softly lit, but there were still arteficial candles flickering in the middle of the table. Menus were presented, and with the promise that a server would see to them soon, she left them to their selections.]

[Mai picked up the menu and began scanning her choices.]

Any recommendations?

Whatever you want. Seriously.

[Hiding slightly behind his menu, mostly because he was blushing again.]

I've...only looked at the menu here before, when I was scouting locations. I have yet to try anything here, but you know I'm not picky.

[He hadn't been picky even before they'd had to deal with whatever rations they could find. A moment's pause while he looked over the menu, then speaking softly once more.]

We can take leftovers home if we want, or share...or...Idunno.

[Definitely hiding behind his menu in shyness.]

[There was something sweet about how shy he was acting around her. It ironically fueled her courage just a bit more, and she sat up at the idea of 'sharing' with a smile.]

I think that's a wonderful idea.

Why don't we each pick something, and then we'll share it? This way, we both get to try two separate dishes.

[The shyness was very likely because he was overthinking-things... Because Trunks really did want them to have a good time, but being 'normal' was still such a new thing in his experience. Give him another moment, and then he was tentatively lowering the menu and trying to ignore that his face still felt slightly pink.]

I was...thinking I'd just get like a classic lasagna, unless you wanted to get something classic, and I can get something more unusual.

[Because sharing was definitely a good idea. Both for trying new things, but also because of the familiarity. Given how they'd shared rations before.]

[She made a point of looking at the menu and not him, although it was difficult to hide the way her eyes lit up at the thought of lasagna.]

That sounds perfect, actually.

I was thinking of ordering that special salad. The one with the candied nuts and sprinkled cheeses and strips of meat. That should mix perfectly with a lasagna.

[There was a quick scan of the menu again when she mentioned her choice, with his smile becoming more obvious. Then meeting her eyes again, and nodding.]

It should. Plus we can order something else if we want too. Leftovers don't last long in my family.

So either the classic lasagna or the Eggplant based variant?

Eggplant.

[The answer came almost without thought, fully allowing her eagerness to get the better of her.]

[The eagerness just made him brighten a bit more. Even if a 'traditional' date didn't involve dinner, he'd have included it. Something that still had meaning to them both, and it could be solely for pleasure and enjoyment that they shared. Not for survival.]

Eggplant it is then. Also--

[A pause, and perhaps a hint of blush--but he wasn't hiding behind his menu again.]

Are we ordering anything to drink besides water?

[Not that he figured either of them would drink enough to get even a little tipsy, if they did.]

[This time, Mai's head did dip downward. Although her expression was less one of sheer embarrassment and more...almost like someone who'd been caught doing something she shouldn't, despite the fact that she was well ~~beyond~~ within her legal rights.]

...I was considering a glass of wine, actually.

[Her reaction brought a soft chuckle, although the hint of blush remained.]

I doubt a glass of wine is enough to get you anywhere near buzzed or tipsy. Especially if you have food with it.

[Maybe teasing just a bit too.]

Do we want red, white, pink, or a glass of each?

[She smirked a bit at his suggestion, wondering in the back of her mind if it was even a good idea to mix wines, before deciding--]

A glass of each. Since we're trying new things tonight.

[Because, after all, what could be the harm?]

[Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. They have been getting far more regular meals than before they'd been 'kidnapped'. They'd be having dinner as well. HOPEFULLY she was also far from concerned about him letting anything happen to her (or doing anything to her while under the influence); because he wouldn't let either of those scenarios happen.]

Glass of each it is then. Ready to order?

[Because he's looking around and ready to signal their waiter, if said waiter is not already on the way.]

I think so, yes.

[The waiter approached, and after receiving confirmation that they were both ready and without further questions, began to jot down the order. Mai went first, requesting the salad and two of the wines they'd discussed--the red and the white.]

[Trunks continued, ordering water for them both too, as well as the Eggplant lasagna. And when that came out, please bring a glass of pink-blush wine as well. Menus taken, the waiter headed off to put their orders in.

Leaving them both alone once more--with Trunks offering a shy smile, and unsure of just what if anything, to talk about.]

[There was only a moment in an otherwise mildly tense silence when the bus boy stopped over to provide them with a small basket of bread and butter, along with two glasses of water, before venturing off once more to his next task.]

[This, at least, provided Mai with an excusable pause as she allowed herself a healthy sip of her water before placing the glass back down and turning to Trunks.]

...would you believe I'm not actually sure what to say right now?

[She admitted sheepishly, but with a good-natured chuckle. The irony was not lost to her, as she was always the one in the past who had words for him. Typically of comfort, but always deliberate and at ease.]

Yes.

[An instant response, and some embarrassment at the promptness, and relief too.]

I mean, it's...I just...I'm not sure what to say either. You already know me, so know I'm happy so I can't really say that I'm glad you're here with me--it's obvious. But I also think, from what I can tell, you're happy too? Or at least, that you'd tell me if you weren't enjoying yourself.

[Nerves and shyness are horrible.]

Of course I'm happy.

[And it was only because Trunks seemed mostly sure of that, questioning tone aside, that her smile didn't fade. There was still a minute trace of tenseness on her part, but it could easily have been attributed to the awkward situation.]

I've always been happy whenever we get to spend time together. [Outside of battle, of course.] Almost since the day we met.

[His eyes widened a bit, and blush threatened to return. He'd known she enjoyed spending time around him, and his mother before. They'd met through rebuilding efforts, and then grown closer as things had gotten worse... Bonding over little joys and big sorrows and everything in between.

But the idea that she'd been happy spending time with him for that long---that was clearly a new concept. The surprise of it, and simple sudden pleasure of it, was naked to see in his eyes and expression.]

M-m-me too.

[Quietly, almost inaudibly, eyes down in shyness.]

I...didn't really have many friends growing up---at least, not in my timeline.

[Her lips pressed together in the few seconds of silence that followed.]

...I know.

[Not that it was something he spoke of much, if ever. But...in the year's time they fought, she had rarely seen him interact with others on a regular basis besides herself and Bulma. Casual acquaintances, yes, and there was no denying a degree of innate charm to his personality--she recalled some of the older aunties at the shelter appreciating him for just that--but he was still incredibly withdrawn to the point of timidness.]

To be truthful...I didn't really, either. [Likewise, a rare moment in which she divulged something from her past. Even if it wasn't about...] Before you, there were maybe two others I was close to. And I lost them both. Years before we met.

[CLOSED] Out of all the past confusion | Out of all the common spite

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