Chapter 1 - Mr. Brooding
The elevator doors split apart, leading the way directly to the conference office, an enormous room occupying the corner of the building with floor-to-ceiling windows giving views in two directions; Sixth Avenue to the east, Central Park just a few blocks north. The wall up front showcased a massive projector, it's beeping sound indicating it was beginning to switch on.
He took his time making his way in, taking a seat on one of the black leather swivel chairs on one end of the vast semi-circled table filling the center of the room. As the familiar scent of the air conditioner hit his nostrils, his attention started drifting off to the turbulent train of thoughts that had been occupying his mind quite a fair amount recently. Subconsciously he started to tap his black leather shoes on the polished white floor, failing to pay any heed to the middle-aged monotone man giving his presentation.
It had been more than a week since the news had arrived. He was perplexed as to why it even bothered him. No, I don't have any sentiments to share with that man. He meant nothing to me. I do not waste time on such idiotic things.
He forced his mind back to the present, just in time to take note of the short presentation reaching it's end. The presenter reached for his laptop, the tip-tap of his typing punctuating the low murmer of voices coming from the attendees on his right. He looked behind, taking in the new set-of-three vertical canvases on the back wall, their uninviting black and white colour fitting right in with the rest of the room.
As soon as they were free to be dismissed, he eagerly made a beeline for the door, only to be stopped mid-way by the man who had just given the presentation he hadn't absorbed a single word of.
"Mr. Prince, it is an honour for us all to have you back at Z Star. We trust you have been well", the monotone man much older than himself spoke, as the rest of the eight attendees were making their ways out.
He gave the man a courteous nod, and proceeded to exit the room.
The wintry evening cold bowled through as he stepped out of the building. He could feel the air being heavy as his lungs were filled with sharp cold when he breathed in. The bleak grey clouds overhead reflected his gloomy mood perfectly.
He was met with the view of tall buildings in an exact grid pattern, streets of upmarket stores with smooth black and glass exteriors, fancy names in fancier lettering. The kind of places with perfumed atmospheres made all the more irritating by the chitter-chatter of gossiping passerbys. Service was without a smile; fast, efficient, mechanical.
He was all too familiar with this of course, as it was the route he had to take for the past four years. On his first day back though, he was in no mood to get inside his waiting Bentley still parked outside in the open rather than the parking lot underground.
He walked over to it and took out his phone and keys, placing them neatly on top of the car roof before stepping on the frozen sidewalk and continuing his walk. Even the traffic lights were misty in the light snowfall, the red lights flickering stubbornly as cars raced inbetween.
He hardly payed any attention to it, or much of anything happening around him. He couldn't care less what was to happen to his car and keys left out in the open. He had one thing on his mind. He didn't understand it though.
How could that have happened if Frieza was dead? What am I missing here? He hadn't thought he cared about it, trying to push it away whenever it tried to find its way back. But now it was getting harder and harder, his return to Z Star brining it all back.
Only the slipping of his shoes on the frozen sidewalk brought his attention earthward once more, the need to stay upright pulling his mind back to the present. He caught sight of an illuminated sign reading 'Swyngate Town' and he suddenly wondered how far he'd wandered off.
The ubiquitous skyscrapers of Crystal Town were now replaced by lined up trees as he looked ahead. The freezing chill in the air brought crispness to the leaves, bejeweling them with frost. He walked further up and came across what seemed to be a railway station.
He heard the frozen engine kick into motion, pushing the massive red train down the beaten old track into the black. He wasn't sure if he saw correctly or if the trains really were lacking doors. That was strange. Perhaps that's how trains were these days. Not that he'd ever taken a trip down the station over at Crystal Town. Or any kind of train station for that matter.
He looked around, catching view of a mere handful of people. Some chatting between themselves, others sat quietly in the company of their smartphones. At least no irksome performed scents, he shook is head with slight relief.
Not a whole two minutes later, another train slowly came trundling down the icy black track and halted in front of him. Not having any specific plans in his mind, he found himself not thinking twice about leaping in. Come what may.
Lucien was always in a jolly mood when working partime for Red Rails. The trains only covered a handful of small peaceful towns, which meant few passengers, which as a result meant having to deal with fewer insolent people. He'd trade his weekend nights at Estehaven Railways with one of these gladly. After all, he doesn't spare his nights just to be in company of rich snobs, he thought to himself, pushing a red lock out of his view.
Seemed like he had this aisles tickets covered, the only five passengers keeping the Red Rails atmosphere as quiet and peaceful as always. The train started to move again and with his usual smile plastered on his freckled face, he started making his way to the next aisle before a shouting feminin voice stopped him short near the doorless entrance.
"My bags!"
"My bags.. dude.. a hand?"
Lucien was momentarily caught off guard as a suitcase was in his face, someone shoving it to him while running along with the train.
On instinct, he pulled the heavy suitcase in, only for it to be followed by a basket blanketed with a purple cloth, a pair of blue sport trainers, and a small brown handbag. Each item followed one by one as he placed the previous down, until finally a hand reached out to him. He gladly pulled the feminine hand into the train before catching full sight of the blue haired girl infornt of him.
"Not once have I actually succeeded in missing a train! Thank the lord for not messing up my perfect record!", she exclaimed while still panting, though with a wide grin on her pinkish pale face. The unusual colour of her wavy shoulder-length ponytail matched perfectly with her huge blue eyes, their glint reminding Lucien of a Disney character. Not that he remembered one with this colouring, though the colourful pinkish red scarf on top of her white coat fit right in.
"I've boarded the train, you may let go of my hand now", she said playfully.
Lucien noticed their hands still entangled and dropped hers instantly with a blush crossing his face, but saw that she just laughed along, making her way to her appointed aisle ahead.
"Seriously, I think I'm linked to trains somehow! They won't ever leave without me"
"You know, I love traveling on trains, they're like my second home! I've been in countless before, maybe even this one too some years ago"
"I don't understand how some people dispise the window seat. Like are you kidding me? What's the point if you don't see the scenery outside?"
She followed one enthusiastic line after the other as Lucien was on her heels, carrying her surplus luggage while she dragged along her blue suitcase. He thought to warn her what a reckless act that was, and the fact that she was lucky these trains started as slow as they did, but the girl made no gaps between her speech for him to fill in.
Reaching her seat, Lucien placed her things on the top deck. He thought his was a jolly mood until he came across this girl, he found himself smiling as he made his way back to the aisle he had abandoned earlier.
After perfecting the placement of her luggage, she glanced down to find her seat. And usual, the seats were arranged in the form of pairs; two rectangular seats facing eachother. She saw the number 62, finding an occupant already seated.
She cleared her voice, "Excuse me, this is seat 62.. my seat.", she said
A man.. or young man looked up to her, no reaction coming from him. His pitch black eyes simply stared at her blankly. He had a defined windows peak, supporting unusually spiky black hair almost in the shape of a perfect flame, reminding her of Goku's. He didn't look much older than herself she guessed, though he was wearing what seemed to be a very formal white button-up shirt, paired with black trousers and seemingly expensive black leather shoes. She had to wonder how he'd managed to survive this weather wearing simply that. Assuming he was deaf, she begun getting her message across in sign language.
Her sign language skills must have been limited as the six and two she traced with her finger in the air didnt seem to get her anywhere. No reaction from him at all. He looked out the window, before finally getting up and placing himself on the seat opposite her.
"Thanks!"
No response. He simply looked out the window again, now to his right, giving her a clear view of his side profile. He had a sharp face, she thought to herself.
Maybe he was mute. Looking out the window herself, she started to ramble on again.
"Can you believe some people actually find winter depressing? Not me, all I can think about is snowfighting! Even my dad says cold is good if you are warm inside, just the same as we love ice in summertime. Wouldn't you agree?"
"You know, college isn't as bad as I would've thought. I mean I'm not the kinda girl to get all giddy about parties, but science on the other hand, hooo"
"See my house is all the way to Estehaven, yepp it's a great distance from this area, this train doesn't even go directly to it, but is it really so bad to enjoy the adventures life throws at you? Even on this train I've got a mad number of stops before I change, I'm even wearing my night shirt underneath this coat!" she giggled
"Say, are you from around here or are you on some adventure seeking journey yourself? I wouldn't have taken you for a local"
The mysterious young man in question suddenly got up and casually made his way up the aisle.
He needed some quiet, some darn quiet to contemplate his thoughts. After all that thinking, one thing was clear; he was going to get to the bottom of it. He wasn't going to spare whoever did this, be it Frieza himself brought back from the dead! Someone was going to pay.
Up ahead was an open entrance, the sound of the train in motion pulling him towards it. He looked out and then up at the milky moon which looked like an ornament hung in the night sky, the fresh air refreshing and pleasant on his nostrils. Then he heard the same idiotic blue woman's voice, though now it was hard to make out what she was saying as her words were mumbled by the moving train. But that didn't stop her hands moving with her speech and her face from being full of expressions.
He finally stepped away from the entrance, and she stopped moving her mouth for a second. A whole second before she begun again, her words now audible.
"So you are mute? ...or just the shy type? ..or perhaps just rude", she crossed her arms.
"Ticket please", a voice came from behind them, the same ginger clown he'd seen carry the girls things.
"Yeah mine's back at my seat", said the girl.
"And yours sir?"
"I don't have one", he truthfully said.
After she presented her own ticket to the kind man, he sat down next to them, beginning to question the flame-haired mystery man but of course, to no avail. He simply remained brooding, not the least bothered by any of this.
Being her usual helpful self, she thought nothing wrong in stepping in to help Mr. Brooding, "You see, his plan was quite last minute... with no time to buy a ticket.. but see the train seems quite empty, how bout you... make the ticket now?", she forced her teeth out in an attempt to persuade.
"Which stop are you headed to?", he looked to Mr. Brooding.
No response.
"Last stop.. Pryngate Town?", she filled in.
The ticket man then glanced back at her.
"Actually what happened was that... a tragedy has occurred.. it is a.. sad time for him... sooo... Pryngate Town?", she smiled with a thumbs up. When she recieved no response, she continued, "So uhm.. are you convinced or should I go on?"
She thought she caught a slight smile cross the redhead's face.
After he eventually handed her the new ticket and walked away, she looked back at Mr. Brooding, a grin plastered on her face.
"So what's the deal really? Don't tell me you're on drugs or something", she asked cheekily.
He instantly looked up then.
"Look if you're going through some tough times, you can share with a stranger on a train. Trust me, all my friends come to me for advice, I solve problems on a daily basis. ...Come on, spill it out, what's your problem?", she persisted, her smile not faltering.
"YOU are my problem!" he blurted out before thinking better of it. "You keep on talking! Don't you see that I am not interested in your life! I don't care if you like winter or college or goddamned trains!", he yelled.
She was momentarily shocked, eyes wide and mouth slightly open. Well, at least she got him to speak. And what a raspy voice he had, she couldn't help herself notice. She could see he palmed his face shortly, looking a tad bit regretful of the outburst.
"Listen-"
"Oh fret not, I totally get it. You're just cranky about something in your life, so you got cranky at me and started saying shit for no reason" she cut him short.
Now it was his turn to return a bewildered face. No reason?
"But hey it's totally fine. I mean normally I'd get pretty mad and give you a piece of my mind but not much can bother me today. Ask me why? BECAUSE I've just finished college and I'm finally headed home!", she begun full of excitement. "And I'm full of new ideas for some inventions. It's been a while since dad and I worked on one of those, and I can't wait to be back with everyone, now that all my friends will be visiting too for pre-Christmas parties", she mused.
And just like that, somewhere between her stories, eventually he fell asleep.
She woke up in what seemed to be the middle of the night. With her massive coat gone, she was now dressed in her night suit which consisted of a white soft teddy shirt with matching teddy pants, perfect for the weather. She reached out for her handbag to get hold of a water bottle. Taking big gulps, she looked out the window, darkness being the only thing she was able see. Or perhaps she was still half asleep to notice much. What she suddenly did notice was that the train was at a stop, which would be a normal occurrence expect she didn't see a brooding flame-haired man when she looked in front of her. The seat was empty.
Definitely half asleep, she lazily walked her way up the aisle, just in time to see Mr. Brooding leap off the train. What? We haven't reached Pryngate yet, the sun has yet to even make an appearance!
Confused, curious, and suddenly alert, she rushed to the entrance, yelling after the figure walking into the dimly lit station, "Hey! Mister! Where are you going?"
As the train begun to move, the ticket man from before came beside her. "What's his name?", he asked as he took in the scene.
Not fully taking note of his presence, she continued her own yelling, focused solely on the figure walking away, "Oh! Mr. Brooding! The train is leaving!"
"Mr. Brooding?", the man beside her asked in mild bewilderment, before joining her in yelling the aforementioned name.
Before thinking it through, she took a leap out the train and found herself running off into the distance. "HELLO?! Didn't you hear?", she called after him.
"Ma'am where are you going? The train is moving!", she heard the ticket man yell behind her.
Determined, she continued running without turning around, finding the culprit sitting calmly on a bench further up on the side of the station. "Come on! The train is leaving! What are you doing?!", she said between breaths, panting.
He shut his eyes in what seemed to be frustration or irritation, likely both. His body made no sign to move.
"Oh go rot in hell!", she managed to get out her mouth before turning around and running her way back to the moving train. She sprinted as fast as she could with all her might, almost making it to one of the open entrances of the train before she collided with something heavy, making her fall off to the ground. Getting up instantly, she noticed she was in a puddle of tomatoes, an angry woman next to the fallen pile fuming at her as she tried to get away but was caught by the wrist, "You stupid girl! Who do you think you are, trying to sabotage my tomatoes! Go fall in someone else's veggies!"
Only one immediate mission on her mind, she yanked her hand out of the angry woman's grasp in a matter of seconds, accelerating as fast as she could.
But she was a tad bit too late. Most of the train had moved its way into the darkness, the final quarter following after. She continued running after it before it was too far gone. And she was left panting, her hands on her knees.
Even after the train left, the sound of pulsing locomotives pounded through the night, until the the deep booms of it's powerful thrusts quietened down to gentle beats. Mist swirled gently across the now empty track, covering in the wispy blanket until it was pitch quiet and she found herself standing alone. All her things gone with the train.
Authors note: If you've reached this far then yaayy! Thank you for reading. This is my first time ever writing fan fiction, or anything serious for that matter. I was inspired to write this after watching a foreign movie by Imitiaz Ali. I'm still an amateur, so your comments/reviews would be much helpful and appreciated! :) Constructive critism is also very welcome. Hopefully it'll be constructive enough to help me improve rather than just cry XD
Hope you liked this chapter. It had to be a bit slow because I was setting everything up but hopefully it only picks up from here :) I intentionally refrained from using he protagonists' names while mentioning them as they have yet to introduce themselves, but hopefully you got who's who by the descriptions. That's why Lucien was also given other basic titles when being referred to by other characters who don't know his name. I hope that makes sense and is not just a thing in my head HAHAH.
Chapter 2 should be out soon, hopefully you'll stick around :)
