Post-VT PSL, Trunks

[nutkrusher]

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.

Comments

Re: On the Town

[light_of_willpower]

"I mean, I'm not..." Trunks started, hands linked as they entered. "I'm not that nervous. It's just still a little overwhelming, to be around so many people."

She really didn't have to buy him clothes--but it was an argument he couldn't win. And Trunks knew it. He'd very much appreciated the quiet days, and in between catching up, he'd asked her for more info on her world. What were the usual customs? How should he act?

Most of all he'd taken solace just laying with her in his arms again.

[nutkrusher]

It had been like the days on the train, where she'd been able to wake up next to him every morning - except better. They had more privacy, more space. And now, more things to see. Which, for a social person, like Cassie, is important.

She holds his hand just a little more firmly.

"Well, you don't have to worry about it. I'm the shopping master, so you won't need to say anything to anybody else unless you feel like it. It'll be just like the shop on Irivar. Only with a lot more money to throw around, and about 700 more years of scientific advancement."

[light_of_willpower]

"So I get to just play 'doll' then?" Trunks raised an eyebrow, with a slow smile. He was teasing her.

[nutkrusher]

"Yup," Cassie says. "Unless you object to me playing dressup with you."

[light_of_willpower]

"I'll let you know when it gets to be too much." With that smile remaining, and another squeeze of their joined hands. "Lead on Cassie."

[nutkrusher]

"Alright, first things first," Cassie says. "We're gonna start with stuff just for casually walking around town in. But good, designer shit for casually walking around town in."

As they enter the first store (which Trunks should be able to tell even despite not knowing the name is quite hip and high-end), a salesperson walks up to greet them - rather less formally than one might expect.

"Cassie Cage! I haven't seen you in a minute! Momma's been keeping you busy, huh?"

"Hi, Eugene," she says, smiling. "Something like that. I'm actually here to buy for him today."

Eugene's focus turns to Trunks, clearly appraising him.

Cassie is quick to keep the conversation moving, however - ready to guide him through.

"Just starting basic, though," she says. "Jeans, crew shirts - the fundamentals."

He nods. "Right this way."

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks knows enough to at least recognize how high-end the place is, even if not how hip. He let's Cassie lead him though, and his impression is confirmed when a salesperson walks right up to Cassie. When the man's attention turns to appraise him, Trunks ducks his head a little in shyness.

[nutkrusher]

Cassie knows his waist measurement well enough, and Eugene is experienced and trained enough to be able to eyeball a basic fit on sight, so he'll at least be spared having his measurements taken. (For now, that is).

They're able to pick out a selection rather quickly, and will soon be left to guide Trunks to the fitting room.

"Well, how about we have a look?"

[light_of_willpower]

They just kept bringing him clothes! Which, to be fair, Trunks took with him to the dressing room. Glad when it was indeed a small room, and also that Cassie waited outside. He honestly hadn't been sure if she'd follow or not. Because if she had, she'd have done it just to make him blush, and she does like doing that.

And he was blushing now, damnit. Spying himself in the mirror. A small huff, and he turned, starting to change.

A few different options, coming out each time for approval or opinions; trying hard not to blush each time.

It would be clear that Bulma and Bulla had gotten all the fashion sense in the family. Not that Trunks was as bad as Vegeta, with his always worn armor and spandex. It was more he just...couldn't seem to tell what looked 'well put together' as an outfit.

[nutkrusher]

Thankfully(?), he isn't the judge of that this time. He has two very gracious assistants willing to offer their feedback. This shirt goes well with these jeans, this one doesn't, although maybe it does with this jacket? Okay, no, take it back, try this one.

As he ducks off to change outfits, Eugene's curiosity will occasionally get the better of him. Thankfully, Cassie's got some answers prepared about where they met (the gym) and where he's from (rural Saskatchewan). Hopefully Trunks remembers them too. (More hopefully, he won't ever be asked).

Cassie makes a mental note to reward him for his patience here. She's already telling him he looks great.

[light_of_willpower]

Fortunately, anything that really clashed (like say, with his hair) was tossed out entirely. Soon they had what Trunks considered a more than adequate--almost too big--a pile of clothes. He was quieter, but handled it all patiently.

[nutkrusher]

Cassie is smiling warmly and broadly by the time they're finished. She's honestly proud of him - and naturally pleased with how good he looks in nice clothes.

They'll be taking all of it, of course. Cassie's got a credit card and a movie star dad who's in a good mood right now. There's nothing that can't be acquired with those two things.

[light_of_willpower]

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.

[nutkrusher]

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."

[light_of_willpower]

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

[nutkrusher]

"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."

[light_of_willpower]

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?"

[nutkrusher]

"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."

[light_of_willpower]

"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."

[nutkrusher]

"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."

[light_of_willpower]

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.

[nutkrusher]

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.

[light_of_willpower]

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.?"

[nutkrusher]

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."

[light_of_willpower]

"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.