Summary: More of Pan's thoughts on Trunks before Friday finally comes around. Dinner leads to an interesting decision on Pan's part.
Chapter 3: Dinner and a Decision
The week went by slowly at first and I found myself grasping for something, anything to pass the time. The ennui was especially overpowering at work, so I decided to focus my energies on discovering as much as I could about the dinner on Friday. Who was going to attend, what business was to be discussed, I needed to be well informed in order to sound remotely intelligent amongst all those corporate bigwigs. The last thing I needed was to upset Trunks, heavens knows he didn't need anything else aggravating him.
While on my intensive search, I came upon several interesting accounts of Trunks' odd behavior. Stemming back several months, he had been having very notable relationship difficulties, usually resulting in public outbursts. A bit appalled by the extent and details of some of the stories, I ceased my search, content with the information I had gathered already. It would have to be enough.
But these things had gotten my mind stirring. How in the world would Trunks react to me?
It had been nearly five years since we last saw each other, and while personally I didn't think I had changed all that much, it was quite apparent he had.
I must admit though, the slight changes I had undergone in that time may seem drastic in comparison to that young girl who traveled across the galaxy. After five years of an office job, I had grown accustomed to dressing and presenting myself in a more feminine manner. But in my leisure time, I still preferred jeans and t-shirts. I still had a love of fighting and training; despite the fact my career put some serious constraints on the time I could devote to them. Yes, in spite of the apparent overt changes, I was still the same old Pan.
The same couldn't be said for Trunks though. I should have made a better effort to keep in contact with Trunks; we had been close throughout my high school and college years. I would often stop by at Capsule Corp. when I needed a break from my roommate, my studies, or just felt like being lazy. He would always be up to keep me entertained. But that all changed after I graduated. I found myself with far too much work to goof off with him, and my long hours left me exhausted. I just didn't have time for him anymore. Only after a recent promotion were my hours cut back, allowing me much more free time to do as I pleased. But the damage was done. Too wrapped up in my own life, I had forgotten about Trunks and all those good times we had together.
Maybe it was my fault we had lost touch. But then again, he did have a phone and two legs, not to even mention the ability to fly. What stopped him from contacting me?
Probably the same thing that had stopped me. Our jobs.
That is what we get to have to work for a living. We can't all live off of tournament money like my grandparents did; fighting wasn't my entire life, merely a part of it.
Speaking of which, there was work that needed to be done. There was no more time to let my thoughts wander.
Kept busy by a sudden onslaught of paperwork, Friday was here in the blink of an eye.
I dressed carefully and a bit nervously. I had to present myself properly, making sure not a hair was out of place. Admiring myself in a full-length mirror, I nodded in satisfaction at the result.
A fast and furious drive got me to Capsule Corp. on time. I quickly encapsulated my car and strode over the expansive lawn.
But loud noises originating from inside the building stopped me in my tracks. Bulma's voice sure could carry and I winced when an unexpectedly shrill remark rang through the air.
Nearing the door, the argument was audible and deciding prudence would be wise in this situation, I listened for a moment.
"Trunks! You will listen to every word I say. I do not want anymore of those displays you seem so fond of as late. You can't just think about yourself in these matters, the future of Capsule Corporation is at stake and I will not have your childish behavior bring it down!"
I stepped back quickly, surprised at the venom in Bulma's words.
"Are you even paying attention to me? Damnit Trunks! Vegeta make him listen."
Vegeta merely growled a short response. "Listen to your mother."
"Whatever. Mom, could you please shut up? I've heard all of this before and I'm not surprised you value your little company more than me. But don't worry Mother, I'll be that good little boy you so want tonight."
I trembled noticeably as I reached for the doorbell. This was not what I had wanted to walk in on. With a small burst of confidence, I made my presence known.
"That should be your date, Trunks. Remember what I said, I don't want you upsetting her at all. Now go get the door."
"I'll be sure not to upset whatever little bitch you decided to set me up with. Hrmph!" His voice just dripped with sarcasm.
The front door swung wide open, and there I stood face to face with him.
"Well at least she found a pretty one and nothing seems fake. I hope you didn't set your expectations too high, I sure didn't."
Taken aback by Trunks' harsh words, I realized he didn't recognize me at all. There could be no other explanation for his actions.
I spoke meekly. "May I come in?"
"Sure, why not?" He just stood to the side and stared at something beyond the window while I passed by.
I wandered into the living room to find Bulma standing, with Vegeta not far behind.
Facing the older woman, I asked, "You didn't tell him who his date was?"
Bulma was about to answer when Trunks interrupted her. "And why would I need to know who my date was?"
Aggravated by her son's aloofness, she turned to him. "Trunks, I am honestly surprised you don't recognize who your date is. Maybe then you'd treat her with more of the respect she deserves."
The look in his eyes seriously questioned his mother's statement.
"I suppose introductions are in order then. Trunks, meet your lovely date, Pan."
"P-pan?" He glanced at me curiously, not quite sure what to make of me. "You look different." And quickly, all surprise and emotion disappeared from his face.
"Well two had better get going, the limo should be here any minute."
We rode over in silence. He kept staring out the window, the way someone does when they have a lot on their mind and don't want to be bothered. He occasionally glanced over at me, but just as I would attempt to strike up a conversation, he would turn away.
In my opinion, the dinner went reasonably well. Trunks remained quiet, except when spoken to. That left the bulk of the social conversation on my part and I seemed to have charmed his business partners. I wowed them with my take on the recent ups and downs of the economy and the prospective future of the technologies market. I beamed, proud of proving myself to these stodgy corporate types that I wasn't just another pretty face. But not all aspects were so positive. What did unnerve me a bit was the way Trunks glanced over at me during dinner. I caught him in the act several times, but when I would attempt to make eye contact, he would look the other way. His behavior left me quiet puzzled. I didn't get it at first. But after careful consideration and observation, the answer revealed itself to me in a burst of enlightenment. It seemed poor Trunks had a very hard time reconciling the woman that stood before him and the little rambunctious Pan he used to know.
Before I knew it, the dinner was over and we bade farewell to our dining companions. It was obvious that in spite of Trunks' silence that evening, he radiated an almost tangible aura of misery. And being the type of person that I am, I couldn't stand an old friend suffering like that. It was time to take some actions.
I broke the uncomfortable silence in the limo. "Are you doing anything tomorrow night?"
He glanced my way and shook his head. "Why do you want to know?"
"Trunks, it'd take a blind man not to notice how miserable you've been tonight. And from what I've heard, it's been this way for a while. So tomorrow night, I am going to pick you up at eight o'clock, we are going to dinner and then going out for drinks afterwards. You are going to have a good time, even if I have to beat the fun into your bloody carcass." I spoke so forcefully; all he could do was blink.
Shaking himself out of his initial surprise, he started to chuckle; the first sign of positive emotion I saw in him all night.
The limo stopped, having reached its final destination. I still awaited his response so I nudged him a little more.
"Well Trunks? What is your answer? Refusing the strongest woman in the world isn't the wisest idea you know." I folded my arms and gave him my most menacing stare.
He stepped out of the car and turned around to face me.
"Okay," he said quietly. "I will see you tomorrow. Goodnight Pan." And with that, he walked away.
"Goodnight Trunks," I whispered quietly to myself.
