8.5th...Taunt | Fourth Wall!

[misterbrief]

[Waking up as normal on the weekend as he always does, getting ready in the morning and heading out for another grueling day of training brought a surprise.

One that now, for some reason, he remembered from last year. A whole bunch of people he doesn't want to talk to but oh guess what, they're going to bug him anyway. But this year it's a little different for him. There might be quite a few irritants running amok, but he's got his eyes out this year. For more people from home. Curiosity killed the cat, so instead of training for eight to twelve hours today, he decides to cut it a little short at six and then make himself available in the village.

As always, he can be found at the Battle Dome, doing a usual training routine, and then doing more work with his sword that he's taken up to learning to fight with recently. He can be interrupted in between breaks, or during his training with his sword- but be wary, there are explosions that are rocking the entire building!

Afterwards he makes his way to Seventh Heaven to get a meal. It's far easier to spot people at a place like that, and holy cosmos does he have a ton of food in front of him. Piles and piles of it. And needless to say Vegeta is tearing through it, plates being emptied faster than you can blink. But yet, still managing to eat it somewhat gracefully. Somewhat being a relative term here.

Or, he can be found anywhere in the square in the main part of Luceti, around the Item Shop, Grocery Store, Blacksmith and Clothing Shop, among others, leaning up against a building and watching some of the crazy go down. Making notes of people he'd like to stay the heck away from just in case they pop up here later. Run in to him here, figuratively or literally, to bug him if you want.

Later in the evening, to relax he heads to the Hot Springs. Because hopefully here he can get away from the masses, because let's face it, it's given him a giant headache.

Or, create your own adventure.]

Comments

[everyonedied]

[oh shit they're really doing this Oh shit shit okay you know what? He was being an asshole back where he just was and he's being given the opportunity to release some frustration so. Why not. And it's a sparring match, he's not gonna go out of his way to hurt his father or anything.

He doesn't bother moving as he shifts to his super saiyajin form and waits. Your move, Vegeta.]

[misterbrief]

[So that's how he wants to play it. Though what surprises him is that Trunks isn't even giving him the slightest bit of trash talk, even if lighthearted. He's completely serious.

Maybe he wasn't over thinking it after all.

So he also transforms, his shortened hair taking on the familiar yellow glow and emerald eyes shining right back at Trunks.

And without another word, he takes off, flying straight at him for a rush attack. This will tell him if his suspicions are correct.]

[everyonedied]

[In a second, his arms are up, crossed in front of himself just barely in time to block the attack, heels digging into the ground as he's pushed back from it. If only for the briefest of moments, he holds his father's eyes, all his own anger and frustration staring back at him.

He bends his knees down just a hair more to get the leverage he needs for a harsh uppercut aimed for Vegeta's chin, praying it hits so he can get some distance.]

[misterbrief]

[It was him. He caught that look, and Vegeta himself is caught staring back in a sort intense bewilderment and nostalgia. So much that Trunks's uppercut almost hits him, feeling his weight shift.

He goes out to try to grab his son's arm as that uppercut narrowly misses his face.]

Enough.

[everyonedied]

[Lets the punch go its way as his legs dip down but he can't get that arm away fast enough.]

What, you're already done?

[ After a second of thought, he readies a ball of energy to let loose in his other hand if he feels the need to]

[misterbrief]

You heard me. [He's not angry. But he's firm in his response. And yeah, he sees that energy ball, but he's not horribly worried.]

I should have known it was you. The son I raised doesn't hold himself the way you do. Trunks. You don't know how long it's been since the last time I saw you.

[everyonedied]

[Well, he's not yelling nor is he acting like he's about to attack so. Stowes the energy away again and stands to his feet, but lets Vegeta keep hold of his arm. For now.]

Thought you knew from the start. How long?

[misterbrief]

[He lets go of his arm, now that he's dismissed his energy.]

I couldn't be sure. Because it's been over twenty years, at least. That baby you met, he's here too. Only now, as a grown man. The two of you are identical, and rightfully so.

...

It's good to see you again, son.

[everyonedied]

[And with that, he shifts back to his normal level, left staring at him. It's too complicated for him, still reeling and angry over finding out what kind of person his father really was but still wanting to protect him and keep him alive. And here he is, older and. A decent enough person.

But his other self...]

From the way you were talking to me thinking I was him, it sounds like everything's mostly all right.

[misterbrief]

We managed. From what it sounds like, everything isn't quite resolved yet where you're from, now is it. [He too, powers down. There's no need for the form now.]

[everyonedied]

...

No. It's not.

[Sorry, not-dad, he's not all that jovial. As far as he's concerned, you did just let his mother and baby-him almost die in a crash in favor of shouting at an android to fight you.]

[misterbrief]

[He wouldn't of been up to telling him anything about his future, but after that conversation he had with Ino, it doesn't seem like such an awful thing anymore.]

Rest assured it will be. All that effort was not in vain. Which I suppose would be clear seeing as I've mentioned how much farther I am from that time.

The very last time I saw you, you'd came back to tell us that you freed your time from the terrors that plagued the planet. I didn't show it then, but I was pleased to hear it. As if it were even a question that you'd gained enough strength to destroy those sorry ingrates.

[everyonedied]

[And it's his turn to be dumbfounded. That was... the Vegeta-equivalent of saying he was proud of Trunks. But then he remembers yeah, it's Vegeta and he's got himself mentally on guard again]

I-- that's good to hear. That everyone's okay.

... Did I happen to say how long it took me?

[misterbrief]

To obliterate them? I don't remember, but it couldn't of lasted any longer than ten minutes. Unless you're referring to how long it took you to gain that kind of power. That took much, much longer.

[QUALITY TIME IN THE HYPERBOLIC TIME CHAMBER ARE YOU PUMPED TRUNKS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO SUCK]

[everyonedied]

Of course it did.

[Actually he sounds pretty defeated by that notion. Of course it takes him forever to get the power he'd need.]

I guess I'll find out when I catch up to the timeline...

You didn't have any trouble after that, did you?

[misterbrief]

[He stays silent for a moment. He's alright with letting Trunks know about their victory against the androids and Cell, but he is not okay with telling him about Buu, or anything after that.]

Nothing you need concern yourself with. I've lived this long, so I think that's proof enough that everything turned out just fine.

[everyonedied]

[Well. Even if it takes him a long time to do it, it's good to know the androids will be gone for good in both timelines. That alone is enough to make him smile a little.

He gives Vegeta some thought, watching him and taking everything so far into account.]

You're different.

[Wait no that came out wrong duh of course he's different, he's further in the future than Trunks was]

I mean-- Before, there's. No way you would've felt like telling me any of this.

[misterbrief]

Let's just say a lot of things have happened between your time and my own. I've had quite a bit of time to figure a few things out. Some were harder than others.

[He pauses, choosing his words carefully.]

Trunks. What exactly has happened in your time? What was the last thing you remember before waking up here?

[everyonedied]

[That gets a glare from Trunks, the same one he had during the one-hit-sparring-match. But he tries to tone it down. Just a little. Itty bitty glare.]

Dr. Gero crashed the ship mom was driving with-- your son. And you just stood there, yelling for the android to come back.

[Hi his name is Trunks and he is a bitter pissbaby does his anger make more sense now dad.]

[misterbrief]

[Yeah, he sort of stares right back, sort of understanding a little better why Trunks would be so upset with him. He knows he did that, and why he did that, and he's not going to apologize for it- but he's not completely proud of it anymore.

He doesn't really have an answer for that either. He stands silently, not knowing what to tell him. He's almost sorry he asked now. He knew someone would save Bulma and his son. But even if there hadn't been he still wouldn't of bothered. Not back then.

Sorry Trunks, your dad can't answer you because he's got nothing to say that's going to make this any better. He doesn't have an excuse and he knows it.]

[everyonedied]

[Yeah, someone saved them all right. Just. Your son saving himself.

He keeps his eyes glued to his father, not daring to look away, not wanting to give him any moment he could even think to come up with an excuse or brush it off. When he realizes there is no answer coming, he sighs, looks down at his feet]

Yeah.

[misterbrief]

[He feels like he needs to leave. Just walk out and fly out to the mountains and brood for a little while. But he can't do that, can he? He'd just be proving to Trunks that he really doesn't give a single care in the world for him or Bulma, and that is so far from the truth now.

He doesn't want to be a coward in front of his son like this. And hell, if he can hug Bulla as much as he does now, he can at least tell Trunks he cares. In the most Vegeta way possible.]

I've no excuses for that. Things are different, now. I know you've no reason to believe that but it's the truth.

[everyonedied]

[He could be an absolute child about this. Really, seriously wants to, just rub Vegeta's face in it, remind him what he was like. He is just 18 after all.

But then again that's not what his mother would want, is it? And it's not what Trunks wants in the end, either. The fact of the matter is he could tell things had changed, however long it took between the Vegeta he was just with and the one standing in front of him.]

I can tell. You're still standing here, so that's counting for something.

[You also aren't yelling or calling him a liar or stupid, so hey. Lots of positives all around, really.]

[misterbrief]

[Just don't give him a reason to yell or call you names, because he is not above that.]

Because beforehand I'd of just left without a word more, isn't that right? I almost did. But I don't think I'd be a very good father if I just walked out on my son like that.

[everyonedied]

[what.

what.


He stares at Vegeta, wide-eyed in disbelief. He just called Trunks his 'son'. Not the prime timeline Trunks he raised, the one Vegeta thought before he was.

Him.

The Trunks Vegeta was talking to right now. Knowing full-well who he is and where he came from and how Vegeta knows Trunks remembers him.

Deep breath.

It's only what he's wanted to hear for. ... Well, ever. And now that he's said it, Trunks is having the worst time believing it. Maybe best not to bring attention to it. Too easy a thing to lose, considering who it's coming from. He takes another breath and nods.]

I could tell you wanted to.

[Breathe.]

For what it's worth... Thank you... for not. Leaving.