genessia | Family Meetings and discussions (Video and Action)

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Family Meetings and discussions (Video and Action)

Video--Locked to Bulla, Mai, Nappa, Seventeen, and Goku.

I want to be sure I'm not... Is there a way to check if someone's vanished, besides just asking about them on the network, or finding them ourselves? I can't 'sense' Mom or Dad.

Video---Locked to Rose Tyler and Jack Harkness."

Hi Rose, Captain Harkness,

I may have to leave Torchwood except as a consultant for hire. Mom has vanished, so I'll be taking over Capsule Corps here in Nova Corps full time. I'd still love to work with Torchwood when I can though, and keep communication lines open for business trade. Capsule Corps doesn't advertise it openly, but we do have a lab for research and testing, as well as a Gravity Room. Mostly it got used for training by Dad--but I'm sure it has other uses too.

At Holodeck'd and dealing with the loss.

Trunks actually hadn't used the Holodeck as much as Goku or others for training. Usually because he was training against someone, and the Colosseum was better for that--just in case. This time though, he didn't have any specific goals. Just needing to push himself, to exhaust himself a bit and let his mind work through things.

Some different locations programmed in--cliffs and ravines, a void-space that was designed to alternate its environment via extreme heat or cold, a place that resembled Capsule Corp's courtyard back in the 'past' world that he'd visited. Pulling opponents from the variety Goku usually used, since they had faces Trunks didn't know (as well as some familiar ones).

Pushing himself to deal with his grief, venting his anger. But he'd be open for company and talking maybe. Once he's exhausted. Maybe a training-partner before then too.

[OOC--Opponents you will NOT see him train against in Holodeck'd include: Vegeta, 17, 18, Zamasu, Goku-Black, Cell, or Nappa. Basically anyone he might actually be close to or lose his temper against...]

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[She heard him come in. Heard him approach. And wasn't so surprised when she felt a sudden weight on her shoulder. There was only a slight pause before she put the utensils down and turned to face him. Keeping her smile as warm and outwardly at ease as she could manage.]

[It was a practiced skill that tended to come in handy during moments like these.]

For you and Bulla.

[Specifically. Anyone else who wanted to partake was also welcome, but her mind was first and foremost on the siblings.]

I've already eaten, so help yourself. The soup should be almost ready too.

[He knew it was her 'practiced' smile--the kind she wore to help reassure others with no hint of how she felt. He knew why she was wearing it too. But she didn't need to around him. Squeezing her shoulder gently, then moving so his hand could find hers and lace their fingers.]

Thank you.

[It felt inadequate but what else could he say?]

I'm kind of surprised I beat her home, but at the same time--if she's like me, or our parents, she'll probably throw herself into work to distract herself.

[More softly, with another breath outward to relax.]

As much as this is hard for us...are you alright?

[Because Mai was also part of the family, was in fact good friends with Bulma as well.]

[The smile never once wavered. But it did soften. Hints of sadness in her eyes. Still, she lightly shook her head at the implication she was anything but.]

You don't have to worry about me, Trunks. Honest.

Bulma is a friend. And Vegeta...I'll always be grateful for the help he gave us in the fight against Zamasu. But...they're not dead. They've just gone back to their time.

I can live with that.

[Blinking slowly while taking another breath in and out, and then he could smile. Small, but genuine. This was Mai's strength; keeping everyone, especially him, going.]

I don't think we have a choice but to live with it.

[For all the words were negative, he sounded hopeful? Or at least content enough with it.]

It'll just be a bit more difficult, since I've been spoiled here. I mean, I'm grateful for the time we had.

[One hand moving up to rub at his neck and shoulder in awkwardness.]

Although it means less teasing for us, too.

[She remained loose in his hold. Even leaning ever so slightly into his touch. Biting back a small bout of laughter at his attempt at humor.]

Not by much; your sister is still here, after all...

[And there wasn't a soul in all of either world who could doubt she was her mother's daughter.]

Come and eat. And don't tell me you're not hungry.

[It would be a while before Bulla felt like teasing them at least. But it would likely be welcome, once she did. At first.]

I'm...not, but I think that's more psychological than anything.

[He will eat, but first Trunks stepped closer. Moving to wrap his arms around her, hugging Mai for a moment. Taking comfort from the fact she was there still.]

Thank you is so inadequate, but I'm...really really glad you're here, Mai.

[If she heard the first part, she seemed to pay it little heed. Returning the embrace whole-heartedly. There weren't even any signs of blush this time; no matter the status of their relationship, she had felt comfortable enough at such gestures, especially if they were done in private.]

I'm just thankful I could be here for you.

[She gave him a little more time before gradually pulling back, but only to reach for his hand and start to guide him towards the kitchen.]

I'll fix you up a plate.

[They'd definitely become more comfortable, at least in private, than they had been. Of course, they still weren't nearly as physically affectionate as many would assume. Neither seemed in that great a rush, a demonic-influenced make-out-session aside...

He could get his own plate, but honestly? As she lead the way, he let her and just sat down nearby as well. No real desire to be as independent right then, when it had already been a busy and long day for him. Slumping down too, even if he followed Mai's movements with his eyes.]

I feel like I'm always leaning on you. I just hope I'm there for you as much. You're so used to taking care of everyone else, Mai...

[She was well aware he was watching her. Ever move she made. Even when her back was to him. Not deliberately, of course, and certainly with no intention beyond wanting to focus on the plate in front of her. It filled up rather quickly, especially with the small bowl of soup taking up more than a quarter. In between the several sandwiches surrounding it.]

[For that reason alone, he might miss the subtle expression on her face at the comment. A sombre smile, eyes closing for a fleeting moment before she turned back around to face him, brightened once more.]

Habit, really.

I suppose I'm just used to...everyone else needing to be taken care of. Protecting. It gives me a purpose in life. One much better than being a person they needed protecting from.

[Maybe it was something in her posture, or the pause, or her tone. Whatever it was, Trunks tilted his head, meeting her gaze seriously.]

Are you happy though? I mean, happy-enough anyways.

[Darnit--he didn't mean to sound this awkward.]

...I really just want you to be happy too, to be a good partner for you.

[It was a fair question, if...a bit weighted in significance. Particularly for them. Which was why she paused long enough to give it some careful consideration before deciding upon her response]

You'd know if I wasn't happy, Trunks.

You know me well enough for that.

[It did bring the first genuine smile, even if it was small, that he'd worn all day. A rare one too; contented enough--and only seen with Mai.

I wanted to be sure. And it's okay if you aren't sometimes. I just...want you reasonably happy and content.

[Admitted with a hint of shyness, but no less genuine.]

We're partners.

[His inflection on the word meant he didn't just mean battle-partners. Friends, and more, in addition to having each other's back and supporting each other.]

[It was almost amusing to hear him use the term with such affection now. Given how long they'd once used it as an "excuse."]

[For that reason, he might catch her shoulders briefly shake with a chuckle before she turned back around, balancing the meal she'd prepared for him carefully in her hands. A second plate was still on the counter. Also containing a sandwich and bowl. But before then, she would have to place the first one down. Which she did. Directly in front of him.]

And as your partner, it's my job to make sure you keep up your strength.

[Spoken with no small amount of humor. In a very this is familiar, isn't it? tone.]

[It is so very familiar in a way, and yet completely different. They're not arguing over shares of the food. Or how it's more important for one or the other to have the most of the extremely limited rationed food.

The humor isn't lost on him either. Leaning up in a moment of daring to kiss her cheek quickly. Quiet thanks and appreciation and affection and love, shown openly and with only a hint of blushing in the aftermath.]

[Similarly, Mai's own cheeks flushed at the simple display of affection. She thought she would have gotten used to it by now, but particularly after that little demonic influence event...well...]

[She covered it up by retrieving her own meal, and coming to sit beside him. In that moment, there was little need for words. They had food. They had each other. Neither of them had been taken.]

[Her change and said demonic influence, had not been entirely bad. Embarrassing in its way though. Neither had been immune to the subtle temptation even if they'd remained in fairly good control compared to what could've happened. If nothing else it had been a reminder of how strongly they felt for each other. Despite taking their relationship at a slower pace than many would suspect; it worked for them though.

Much like it did right then, with the companionable silence and company. Taking solace in the relative normalcy that had been discovered and gained in the past year-plus. Trunks let himself breathe out and relax a bit, not necessarily because he was happy--but he was safe. Safe enough to let himself relax his guard, with Mai there. To let on how tiring the day had been emotionally and mentally.

With regular meals, Trunks had started to emulate the other saiyans more with his eating. Mostly in the size of his appetite, although he kept his manners and still ate more slowly. It seemed that even if he hadn't felt hungry earlier, his stomach had other ideas. It was reassuring in a way.

Still, it wasn't until he'd finished there was one quarter of a sandwich left from the pile on his plate before he broke the silence.]

It's...You can say no, obviously. But I wondered--

[Taking up that quarter-sandwich, and starting to sop up what was left of the soup in his bowl as a partial distraction.]

--you know how we've fallen asleep on the couch before? Just when we're both tired, and enjoying the company? Could...Would you be okay with sharing a bed that way?

[Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't---nope. There's the blush. Not able to meet her eyes, and aware of how awkward he felt now.]

I mean, I really just want the comfort, the reassurance more than anything else.

[It really was that innocent in his mind, for now. Having Mai right there in his arms would help keep at least some of the nightmares from being worse. Really, that he was worried about separation anxiety-induced nightmares was embarrassing.]

[Really, there was no reason for her to feel so sheepishly embarrassed at such a request. Innocent as it was, in the privacy of their home with no one around to hear...]

[...and yet, she still very nearly choked on her sandwich mid-bite. A few seconds of coughing and a healthy gulp of her drink later, and her face was red for more than one reason.]

Trunks...I...

[Completely graceful reaction aside, she allowed herself a slow breath and several heartbeat's pause before her expression melting into a warm smile. Granted, those heartbeats were significantly closer together in their pulses than usual.]

...of course. If that's what you really want.

[Peeking at her from behind his bangs, with his head down at first, then looking at her with concern as she coughed. Only a hint of red remained, focused on her and making sure she was okay. Still watching with concern, and then her smile brought an answering one from him.]

I mean, I would--but I also don't want you uncomfortable. I just...know we're better together, and having you nearby and with me is a comfort. More than just being able to sense your energy.

[Okay, there he is ducking his head again.]

Honestly, Bulla kind of made it unnecessary with suggesting a house for everyone, but I had been thinking about talking with you. About if we wanted to get our own place before...

[Her face was still a bit flushed, though at that point it was more the momentary lack of air than any lingering embarrassment. If anything, her expression softened at the confession.]

A place of our own does sound nice, but...I know how much being around your family and friends means to you. I wouldn't want to take you away from them.

[Realistically, even moving into their own place wouldn't be separating them for long at a time. She knew that. It was more the sentimentality of getting to still live with the little sister he'd never otherwise have known. And now Goku and Broly. Fellow Saiyans.]

You wouldn't be, if we had our own place. I'm more than capable of visiting.

[Because it was important she be happy too.]

It's a nice change, most of the time, to live with people compared to how I grew up... But I also want you happy, and I want us happy. Taking it all at our own pace, teasing aside.

[She allowed herself a small chuckle at that, reaching over to give his fingers a light squeeze. Instigating such a gesture on her own, rather than waiting for him.]

You're forgetting. I'm used to remaining close to friends and family as well. Being around them does make me happy.

[Curling and lacing his fingers with hers after the squeeze, contentment obvious in his eyes and the soft smile at the gesture. A heartbeat and then he's laughing softly at himself.]

I really shouldn't worry, because I know you're more than capable of making sure you're heard--just the rest of us in this house are so loud, I want to make sure you don't get overshadowed or forgotten.

[There was more than a touch of irony to his words...though, the more she silently thought on it, the more she realized...that was actually something he might not have necessarily known. Or consider the possibility of.]

I was never worried about things like that. Pilaf was always the one who preferred to stand in the sunlight. Before you knew me...I was pretty content with living in his shadow. Or I wouldn't have stayed with him for as long as I did.

[He'd only really learned, since arriving here, that yes--she was the same Mai essentially he'd met a younger version of in the other timeline. Which meant that version of Mai, and Shu and Pilaf, might also be de-aged thanks to a wish gone awry. That was a thought for another time though.

The younger Mai he remembered certainly hadn't seemed to be as much in Pilaf's shadow, even though she and Shu had followed his lead. The trio had seemed either inseparable, or he'd encountered young Mai on her own.]

And now? Like I said, I know you can make yourself heard easily, but I still don't want you to feel left out, or like you have to compete to get yourself heard.

I'd hardly call it a competition.

[Her smile was back in full force. Only this time, it didn't seem quite so put-on. In fact, if anything, she seemed amused by something.]

You were always the quiet one between the two of us. Keeping to yourself. Only ever really working alongside me and Bulma on a regular basis. And look at you now.

Family Meetings and discussions (Video and Action)

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