nutkrusher | Post-VT PSL, Trunks

It's been a year since they left the train. She's missed him a lot - and everyone close to her damn well knows it. But she hasn't just sit around pining for him in the intervening months. She's trained to further master the use of her new gifts - and to pass as many of them onto others as she can. Earthrealm will continue to need defenders, after all, both in the Special Forces and outside of them.

Mind, the debriefing after her return was a bitch and a half. They had a hard enough time accepting the whole being-able-to-fly-just-by-learning-how bit.

But things had gotten a lot better after that. She'd made Commander, for one. She'd also led a mission to take out the Great Cathedral of the Netherrealm without suffering a single casualty. Meanwhile, Jacqui and her fine band of misfits and nerds in the Tech Unit claimed to be making progress in the field of interrealm communication and transport.

She should've figured the peace wouldn't last. Turns out Kronika had a problem with how unbalanced things had gotten. And when the Mistress of Time has a problem, everyone has a problem. Now past and present have collided, old folks are running into their younger selves, and old baddies who should've stayed dead are back alive again.

It's easy for the being who sculpted the sands of time to stay one step ahead of her enemies. But Cassie's newfound power hadn't been part of her design. The fight has been long, and not without losses, but they've gutted it out - victory is in sight. Kronika is now cornered, surrounded within her Hourglass Chamber by the realms' greatest heroes, who now have her all-important crown in their possession. But Kronika and her daughter Cetrion are not beaten yet - and defeating the former is more easily talked about than accomplished.

Cassie's body erupts with green light as she looses a Shadow Kick against the corrupted nature goddess. It's now or never - this one's for all the realms.

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It took longer than he'd have guessed. Although when he thought about it, Trunks knew he shouldn't have been surprised. Just from knowing his mom and his sister, he should've guessed.

Of course, despite the bags--as soon as he can, they were ducking out of sight and he was pulling out one of his spare capsules. Into the storage crate the bags went and then on to the next store. He let Cassie lead the way.

Cassie still hasn't stopped smiling. She slows to pull up side by side with him and peck him on the cheek.

"You did great, babe," she says. "You look great, too. Eugene might have the wrong impression that you're a himbo, though."

Beat.

"Not that there's anything wrong with keeping one of those around."

Trunks was doing his best not to blush. "What's a Himbo?"

"A male bimbo," Cassie says. "Y'know, like a dumb, polite handsome guy who ends up as a trophy for a rich girl. But you're not dumb."

Beat.

"I do find it hard to resist showing you off, though."

Trunks snorted, unsure if he should be insulted or if he cared. "I mean, what did he expect me to talk about with him? Really?"

"I know," Cassie says. "First impressions and all that. He couldn't possibly know what your story is. Or that your mom could probably buy that whole store."

She slows a little as they approach the next shop.

"Speaking of expensive things, I probably won't quite be able to match the suit I got you on the train. But I will go Italian if I can."

"You really need to talk about this kind of thing with my mom or sister." Trunks said with a hint of sheepish grin. "I mean, what I brought isn't just because we were in desperate straits. "

Giving a little laugh, he squeezed her hand. "Honestly, I'm glad you're having fun playing dress up with me. Not much I have to do except keep from blushing."

"Well, that and look cute," Cassie says. "Not that that's hard for you."

She winks, waiting for the inevitable blush before holding his hand still more tightly.

"I hope I get to meet your mom soon. Your version of her, I mean."

How could she still do that? Just make him blush so easily. Which he did, and huffed a sigh at her grumpily.

But he squeezed her hand back all the same.

"You will." Trunks promised.

It's either down to talent or Trunks being an easy mark. Cassie would go with a little from column A and a little from column B.

Here they enter the store together. Although Cassie's been known to rock a tux on occasion, she is for obvious reasons not as immediately familiar with the staff here as she had been at the last place.

She is, however, able to flag someone down rather quickly to begin taking his measurements.

Trunks was going to bet a particular weakness to Cassie AND talent, for his continued blushing. Trunks was lead off, over to the mirror by the salesperson so the tailor could start taking measurements. The salesperson came back to Cassie. "What kind of occasion are we shopping for Ms.?"

If Cassie wanted to make him blush even harder, she knows a couple of answers that would do the trick. Instead, she answers more or less truthfully.

"The occasion of wanting something nice to wear. My dad's Johnny Cage, so you don't have to hold back."

"Of course Ms. Cage. We have some suits that will work for a variety of occasions, like movie premiere red-carpet-casual and more. How many suits would you both be looking for? Any colors we should avoid?" The Salesperson, wearing a very nice suit of his own lead her over towards where the tailor was taking measurements.

Said Tailor, in a suit without the jacket, was slightly starry-eyed while he took measurements. Yes, this was Hollywood--they encountered stars a lot. Perhaps this was a young up and comer? Todd (the tailor) wouldn't mind seeing the young man he was taking measurements for in an action movie.

Trunks was doing his best to not tense up. And to not blush, even though he was clearly uncomfortable.

Cassie nods. "Movie premiere sounds good."

She pauses, making note of the tailor subtly eyeing up Trunks - and giving him a little eye back.

"Or a dinner date. The kind where you want to get photographed at it. We might be going on one of those."

Trunks threw a grateful look her way, although Todd had the grace to look slightly abashed. Just one more measurement, and then Todd was stepping back. "We will still need you to try on a suit or two, to get an idea of fit before tailoring."

The salesman nodded, taking a look at the tailor's notes, went to fetch some product.

Cassie looks at Trunks and continues to smile reassuringly as they bring the product in. Well, partially reassuringly - part of it is that she's looking forward to seeing him in a suit again.

On the bright side, at least Trunks will have a little time alone in the changing room.

Having some room to breathe was nice. He had at least 3 suits, with 5 different shirts to try on. Two three-piece suits, one suit jacket and slacks. Trunks tried to pick a combination that looked like it went together and changed.

After each outfit, he once more came out to be looked over.

Cassie nods and smiles, offering feedback - most of it positive. She and the salesperson (and to a lesser extent, Trunks himself) eventually reach a consensus on something bluish-grey with a four-figure price tag, with a brand name Trunks surely won't remember if he's not looking at the label.

But soon they'll be leaving the store with the suit wrapped up and, as soon as they're out of sight, packed into capsule storage.

She pulls up shoulder to shoulder with him and turns her head to kiss him on the cheek.

"You did great. You hungry? I know a few places we could get a bite and enjoy the sun."

Trunks blushes a tiny bit at the kiss, but twines their fingers together. "Food sounds good, honestly. At least I don't feel like I'm in danger of embarrassing myself then." He was used to different situations, and still found being around people outside of a battle a bit hard to do. "I really do appreciate this, you know that right?"

Cassie's smile grows softer and warmer, tinged with not a little relief. "Good. I had a feeling you would, but I was also hoping it wasn't a little too much."

She kisses him again.

"Now, let's get to the cafe, shall we? Place I'm thinking of has some killer appetizers to start with."

Post-VT PSL, Trunks

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