Here is Chapter 8: I wrote this one with chapter 7, but did not get around
to putting it up till now. Wanted to catch up on the other one first.
That, plus I am very near to posting what has really kept my writing
interest lately, besides my lesser un-posted dbz ideas that is, a RK
offering. But that is not ready yet and I will plug it later (does that
crossover as well as I think it would or is it just fairly new to TV?).
Well anyway here it is.
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Chapter Eight:
********** "You say she is always like that? I could not imagine." Said Videl still a little put off by the appearance and disappearance of the elder Mrs. Briefs as they sat in a comfortable living room. As the awkwardness of the interruption began to pass the older woman returned again this time with the promised refreshments.
As the fussing and polite conversation over tea began to die down Videl began to look for a way to take her leave. As if Bulma sensed this she spoke.
"That is great mom." She concluded her mothers rant on a particular brand of cake or bakery. "I am sure that next time Videl is in town she will surely stop by there. Now it is getting late. Videl I'd imagine you won't travel tonight right?"
"I guess not but I could make it a little bit farther before dark." Began the girl before she was cut off.
"We won't hear of it you must stay here tonight. You can be on your way early tomorrow." Said Bulma firmly.
"Then she will be staying for dinner, and you can meet my darling grandson!!" Bulma's mother said with a big grin. "I must now check on dinner and your father. He has been babysitting for a while now." And just like that she was gone again.
As the two sat together, Bulma was about to ask more about the training quest. But a thought that had stuck with Videl since their wild meeting before made her ask about it.
"Ms. Briefs, Bulma, how do you do it? You are the most famous woman in the world and yet you hardly seem it. I am having a bit of trouble with my father's ill-gotten fame and I just had to ask. Is it possible to have a normal life?"
"Normal? No. But you cannot be afraid to live your life." Said Bulma as she regarded the girl and then thought about the rest of her question. "I imagine that you know about your father. From what I saw, or rather didn't see you are clearly stronger than him. But as for this latest dose of fame I suppose my friends are to blame."
"To blame?" Ask Videl, the advice not lost to her, just overpowered by the latter statement.
"They have never had any time for fame, at least not in the heroism. That plus the losses, it is hard to feel a need to be acknowledged. At least that is what I think."
"Some good can come of this, I am making friends like you because of it. To be honest I was thinking of making myself a disguise for being out in public when I met you. But what you said and a few other things have made me reconsider. Maybe I should not let the actions of others dissuade me from being myself."
"Plus you have enough super speed to outrun any sort of paparazzi. Can I ask you, do you know how fast you can go? Oh, and can you fly yet?" With the question Bulma looked concerned.
"Don't worry, when I met master Tenshinhan he flew away, I know that flying is possible. But no I have not been able to yet. But someday I will learn." Said the girl resolutely. "As for how fast. I really don't know. But I don't expect to be more than a day or two from Orange Star City."
At that comment Bulma pondered then spoke as she stood. "Come with me."
"Where to?" Asked Videl.
"My lab."
=-=-=-=
When they came to the end of a maze of hallways that Videl could not have hoped to remember they were before a great door. It stood nearly two stories tall and in the center was an advanced looking monitor/security system. With a password, handprint and retinal scan that seemed to be faster than could be possible, the great door pulled open at the center. When Videl saw the warehouse sized room before her all she could do is gawk.
"This is my big lab. I have a small one too for small projects, but we need some room for this."
"For what?" Asked Videl, still imposed by the size and advance ness of the surroundings.
"To see how you are doing." Said Bulma as she typed something into a computer on the near wall. In a matter of seconds robots had set up several devices on benches before them. Bulma picked one up; it was an eyepiece and earpiece combo, like a personal tv headset or something. She pressed a button on the side as she looked at Videl. "Interesting." She said as she made a note at the computer.
"Interesting?" Asked Videl.
"This machine measures your inherent strength. I could tell you what it is, but with no reference it would be a meaningless number. Lets just say you are many times stronger than what you would consider the strongest 'normal' human."
"Wow." What she could say to that? It certainly did convey her amazement. At the technology and her progress. She was so impressed with the both that the 'human' in place of person comment was lost on her.
"Cool huh? But that is not the point. It is just for my speed estimate chart."
"What to you mean?" Asked Videl intrigued at this until now unknown technology.
"Well power to speed is a correlation not a direct relationship. Though ideally it is. You don't ever want your speed or your power to differentiate from this ideal." Instructed Bulma as she pointed up to the large monitor full of numbers and terms than meant nothing to Videl. Seeing the lost look on the girls face Bulma continued. "In any case lets put you on the speed track here. Between my son and the troubles of the world, I have not gotten anyone to give me updated speed data since the last big jump in power and speed." Marveled the scientist as she led the girl to the door a giant glass tunnel.
"What do I do?" Asked Videl eager to help the world's most famous scientist.
"Three laps, as fast as you can. Ideally you should make the second at full speed." Instructed Bulma as she went to yet another console and began to prepare.
Videl stepped into the giant glass track and noted that the design and airflow seemed to be made to combat claustrophobia. She strode to the starting line stretched and stood ready to run. "Ready when you are."
"Go when you are ready." Came the voice over the intercom.
And then in something of a blur, the test was over. Videl came out rather winded at sprinting full speed.
"Wow you should have no trouble making it home tomorrow." Said Bulma clearly impressed.
"Tomorrow. How fast did I get up to?" Asked the stunned girl.
"Never mind the numbers. You will only get faster as you keep training, but don't worry about escaping undue attention." Said the woman. It was quite clear she was proud of her young new friends progress. "My it's getting late, I have to rescue my dad from my boy. Would you like to meet him?"
"Yes, I'd love to." Said Videl earnestly.
And so a few minutes later Videl met the young, not quite toddler named Trunks. She immediately took a liking to the boy, his cute imitation of his father, his striking purple hair. He was quite the remarkable child. And the boy smiled at her from the beginning, and even more so when she played with him, making him laugh with funny faces and sounds that anyone who might have known Videl would have been shocked to see. But Bulma looked on with pride and a smile at the children before her. For as strong and mature as Videl was she was still a girl, and was enjoying herself very much.
When the time came to end the playing Bulma picked up her son and headed to dinner with Videl. It was then she commented on the wonderful scene she had watched until the meal was ready. "You really are good with kids."
"I had no idea it was like that. But more so just playing with him was the first time I had fun, real fun in a long time. All the nonsense with my father, and the related sadness, and then the training had me forgetting what just having fun like that was like anymore." Commented Videl. "You all have been so nice, I will be sad to go tomorrow, perhaps I could visit sometime later."
"Of course we'd love to have you. Maybe you could even baby-sit for me?" Said Bulma happily, but she had a feeling the next time the girl would call, something would be rather different.
"Maybe. But now I have to worry about my training." Said Videl introspectively.
"I meant to ask you about your training before." Started Bulma again, only to be interrupted again.
"BULMA! Dinner is ready! How much longer must I wait?" Came Vegeta's powerful commanding voice. It sounded mean and unsympathetic but the fact that he was waiting for her to eat spoke volumes. And she smiled as they hurried to the dining room and had a giant feast of a meal.
Videl gaped at Bulma's husband eating. "Is that even possible?"
"Doing the things you are learning to do requires energy. Have you not noticed your appetite increasing as well?"
"Yeah a little." Said Videl still in shock.
"Well it is relative to strength. Look on Vegeta's meal as representative of how much energy he burns, an example of his true strength." Instructed Bulma.
"But if he eats that much more, and needs that much more energy. Is he that much stronger?"
"Absolutely." Said Vegeta proudly, pausing his repast just enough to speak, before continuing.
"Amazing." Gasped Videl.
"You have no idea." Said Bulma thoughtfully.
And so the evening and morning passed as normally as it could as a guest of the richest woman in the world and her kooky family. Said family and Videl had gathered outside just after lunch of the giant domed building to see her off. She had meant to leave in the morning but it was so nice to be with such a group of loving people, in their own way, and she felt so welcome.
"Bye Videl, good luck with your training. I hope you find what you are looking for." Said Bulma hopeful for her, though sad and the parting company.
"I have nothing but hope. Every person I meet on this trip has been so nice and hospitable. I have made wonderful friends like you and that is enough evidence for my cause so far." Said Videl, honestly encouraged by these famous people leading normal lives.
"You are too kind, take care! Say bye-bye Trunks." Cooed Bulma.
"Bye-Bye Bidel!" Said the young boy.
At that Videl gave them both big hugs and said goodbye. Then in a flash of speed she was gone.
As she ran, in a blur past unsuspecting people she thought again about leading a normal life. 'If father is so addicted to fame I say let him have it. But it is surely not for me. If my absence has not made that clear to everyone already I will just have to try harder. I will use my new gift of speed to avoid such fame while still continuing my quest to help people.' She resolved, as she continued her quest east, to find this young master of the secret advanced martial arts she sought.
That night as she camped out, the great decision of whether to stop at home first or not occurred to her. She could be to Orange Star City or Mt. Paozu by mid morning the next day. But would she even be able to see her father? Should she bother? When she resolved to keep trying she figured she could at least call the man and tell her she was coming. She thought as she played with buttons on her cell phone. 'Will I need an appointment to talk to him?' She wondered to herself as she called his private number.
After a quick explanation of her training mission her father was actually very glad to hear from her.
"So you can be here tomorrow afternoon? At three?" Asked Mr. Satan excitedly.
"I suppose. Why?" Asked Videl suspiciously.
"No reason, really. Ok it is a surprise. Just try to be here by three. We live in the mayor's mansion now ok? See you then sweetheart!" He said quickly if not completely phony-sounding as he hung up.
'I wonder what he needs me to sell now? Well, will have to see tomorrow, but first sleep.' Thought Videl as she marveled at the stars in the country. It was this moment that she unconsciously decided that she would settle out in the country, someday. Not for the peace of being out of the limelight, but this chance to see the serenity and stillness of nature, a calm and peaceful life.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
End Notes: Honestly as I write this I am deciding the smaller details. I may have the broad ideas done but with room to work. So I did not mean to do a mini swerve on the Videl haircut issue. But it seemed she was doing it for all the wrong reasons, and the way it was done was too cute to not transplant later on. Oh yeah one little teaser for next time, Videl will make it to good old 439 next chapter.
=-=-=-=-==-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Chapter Eight:
********** "You say she is always like that? I could not imagine." Said Videl still a little put off by the appearance and disappearance of the elder Mrs. Briefs as they sat in a comfortable living room. As the awkwardness of the interruption began to pass the older woman returned again this time with the promised refreshments.
As the fussing and polite conversation over tea began to die down Videl began to look for a way to take her leave. As if Bulma sensed this she spoke.
"That is great mom." She concluded her mothers rant on a particular brand of cake or bakery. "I am sure that next time Videl is in town she will surely stop by there. Now it is getting late. Videl I'd imagine you won't travel tonight right?"
"I guess not but I could make it a little bit farther before dark." Began the girl before she was cut off.
"We won't hear of it you must stay here tonight. You can be on your way early tomorrow." Said Bulma firmly.
"Then she will be staying for dinner, and you can meet my darling grandson!!" Bulma's mother said with a big grin. "I must now check on dinner and your father. He has been babysitting for a while now." And just like that she was gone again.
As the two sat together, Bulma was about to ask more about the training quest. But a thought that had stuck with Videl since their wild meeting before made her ask about it.
"Ms. Briefs, Bulma, how do you do it? You are the most famous woman in the world and yet you hardly seem it. I am having a bit of trouble with my father's ill-gotten fame and I just had to ask. Is it possible to have a normal life?"
"Normal? No. But you cannot be afraid to live your life." Said Bulma as she regarded the girl and then thought about the rest of her question. "I imagine that you know about your father. From what I saw, or rather didn't see you are clearly stronger than him. But as for this latest dose of fame I suppose my friends are to blame."
"To blame?" Ask Videl, the advice not lost to her, just overpowered by the latter statement.
"They have never had any time for fame, at least not in the heroism. That plus the losses, it is hard to feel a need to be acknowledged. At least that is what I think."
"Some good can come of this, I am making friends like you because of it. To be honest I was thinking of making myself a disguise for being out in public when I met you. But what you said and a few other things have made me reconsider. Maybe I should not let the actions of others dissuade me from being myself."
"Plus you have enough super speed to outrun any sort of paparazzi. Can I ask you, do you know how fast you can go? Oh, and can you fly yet?" With the question Bulma looked concerned.
"Don't worry, when I met master Tenshinhan he flew away, I know that flying is possible. But no I have not been able to yet. But someday I will learn." Said the girl resolutely. "As for how fast. I really don't know. But I don't expect to be more than a day or two from Orange Star City."
At that comment Bulma pondered then spoke as she stood. "Come with me."
"Where to?" Asked Videl.
"My lab."
=-=-=-=
When they came to the end of a maze of hallways that Videl could not have hoped to remember they were before a great door. It stood nearly two stories tall and in the center was an advanced looking monitor/security system. With a password, handprint and retinal scan that seemed to be faster than could be possible, the great door pulled open at the center. When Videl saw the warehouse sized room before her all she could do is gawk.
"This is my big lab. I have a small one too for small projects, but we need some room for this."
"For what?" Asked Videl, still imposed by the size and advance ness of the surroundings.
"To see how you are doing." Said Bulma as she typed something into a computer on the near wall. In a matter of seconds robots had set up several devices on benches before them. Bulma picked one up; it was an eyepiece and earpiece combo, like a personal tv headset or something. She pressed a button on the side as she looked at Videl. "Interesting." She said as she made a note at the computer.
"Interesting?" Asked Videl.
"This machine measures your inherent strength. I could tell you what it is, but with no reference it would be a meaningless number. Lets just say you are many times stronger than what you would consider the strongest 'normal' human."
"Wow." What she could say to that? It certainly did convey her amazement. At the technology and her progress. She was so impressed with the both that the 'human' in place of person comment was lost on her.
"Cool huh? But that is not the point. It is just for my speed estimate chart."
"What to you mean?" Asked Videl intrigued at this until now unknown technology.
"Well power to speed is a correlation not a direct relationship. Though ideally it is. You don't ever want your speed or your power to differentiate from this ideal." Instructed Bulma as she pointed up to the large monitor full of numbers and terms than meant nothing to Videl. Seeing the lost look on the girls face Bulma continued. "In any case lets put you on the speed track here. Between my son and the troubles of the world, I have not gotten anyone to give me updated speed data since the last big jump in power and speed." Marveled the scientist as she led the girl to the door a giant glass tunnel.
"What do I do?" Asked Videl eager to help the world's most famous scientist.
"Three laps, as fast as you can. Ideally you should make the second at full speed." Instructed Bulma as she went to yet another console and began to prepare.
Videl stepped into the giant glass track and noted that the design and airflow seemed to be made to combat claustrophobia. She strode to the starting line stretched and stood ready to run. "Ready when you are."
"Go when you are ready." Came the voice over the intercom.
And then in something of a blur, the test was over. Videl came out rather winded at sprinting full speed.
"Wow you should have no trouble making it home tomorrow." Said Bulma clearly impressed.
"Tomorrow. How fast did I get up to?" Asked the stunned girl.
"Never mind the numbers. You will only get faster as you keep training, but don't worry about escaping undue attention." Said the woman. It was quite clear she was proud of her young new friends progress. "My it's getting late, I have to rescue my dad from my boy. Would you like to meet him?"
"Yes, I'd love to." Said Videl earnestly.
And so a few minutes later Videl met the young, not quite toddler named Trunks. She immediately took a liking to the boy, his cute imitation of his father, his striking purple hair. He was quite the remarkable child. And the boy smiled at her from the beginning, and even more so when she played with him, making him laugh with funny faces and sounds that anyone who might have known Videl would have been shocked to see. But Bulma looked on with pride and a smile at the children before her. For as strong and mature as Videl was she was still a girl, and was enjoying herself very much.
When the time came to end the playing Bulma picked up her son and headed to dinner with Videl. It was then she commented on the wonderful scene she had watched until the meal was ready. "You really are good with kids."
"I had no idea it was like that. But more so just playing with him was the first time I had fun, real fun in a long time. All the nonsense with my father, and the related sadness, and then the training had me forgetting what just having fun like that was like anymore." Commented Videl. "You all have been so nice, I will be sad to go tomorrow, perhaps I could visit sometime later."
"Of course we'd love to have you. Maybe you could even baby-sit for me?" Said Bulma happily, but she had a feeling the next time the girl would call, something would be rather different.
"Maybe. But now I have to worry about my training." Said Videl introspectively.
"I meant to ask you about your training before." Started Bulma again, only to be interrupted again.
"BULMA! Dinner is ready! How much longer must I wait?" Came Vegeta's powerful commanding voice. It sounded mean and unsympathetic but the fact that he was waiting for her to eat spoke volumes. And she smiled as they hurried to the dining room and had a giant feast of a meal.
Videl gaped at Bulma's husband eating. "Is that even possible?"
"Doing the things you are learning to do requires energy. Have you not noticed your appetite increasing as well?"
"Yeah a little." Said Videl still in shock.
"Well it is relative to strength. Look on Vegeta's meal as representative of how much energy he burns, an example of his true strength." Instructed Bulma.
"But if he eats that much more, and needs that much more energy. Is he that much stronger?"
"Absolutely." Said Vegeta proudly, pausing his repast just enough to speak, before continuing.
"Amazing." Gasped Videl.
"You have no idea." Said Bulma thoughtfully.
And so the evening and morning passed as normally as it could as a guest of the richest woman in the world and her kooky family. Said family and Videl had gathered outside just after lunch of the giant domed building to see her off. She had meant to leave in the morning but it was so nice to be with such a group of loving people, in their own way, and she felt so welcome.
"Bye Videl, good luck with your training. I hope you find what you are looking for." Said Bulma hopeful for her, though sad and the parting company.
"I have nothing but hope. Every person I meet on this trip has been so nice and hospitable. I have made wonderful friends like you and that is enough evidence for my cause so far." Said Videl, honestly encouraged by these famous people leading normal lives.
"You are too kind, take care! Say bye-bye Trunks." Cooed Bulma.
"Bye-Bye Bidel!" Said the young boy.
At that Videl gave them both big hugs and said goodbye. Then in a flash of speed she was gone.
As she ran, in a blur past unsuspecting people she thought again about leading a normal life. 'If father is so addicted to fame I say let him have it. But it is surely not for me. If my absence has not made that clear to everyone already I will just have to try harder. I will use my new gift of speed to avoid such fame while still continuing my quest to help people.' She resolved, as she continued her quest east, to find this young master of the secret advanced martial arts she sought.
That night as she camped out, the great decision of whether to stop at home first or not occurred to her. She could be to Orange Star City or Mt. Paozu by mid morning the next day. But would she even be able to see her father? Should she bother? When she resolved to keep trying she figured she could at least call the man and tell her she was coming. She thought as she played with buttons on her cell phone. 'Will I need an appointment to talk to him?' She wondered to herself as she called his private number.
After a quick explanation of her training mission her father was actually very glad to hear from her.
"So you can be here tomorrow afternoon? At three?" Asked Mr. Satan excitedly.
"I suppose. Why?" Asked Videl suspiciously.
"No reason, really. Ok it is a surprise. Just try to be here by three. We live in the mayor's mansion now ok? See you then sweetheart!" He said quickly if not completely phony-sounding as he hung up.
'I wonder what he needs me to sell now? Well, will have to see tomorrow, but first sleep.' Thought Videl as she marveled at the stars in the country. It was this moment that she unconsciously decided that she would settle out in the country, someday. Not for the peace of being out of the limelight, but this chance to see the serenity and stillness of nature, a calm and peaceful life.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
End Notes: Honestly as I write this I am deciding the smaller details. I may have the broad ideas done but with room to work. So I did not mean to do a mini swerve on the Videl haircut issue. But it seemed she was doing it for all the wrong reasons, and the way it was done was too cute to not transplant later on. Oh yeah one little teaser for next time, Videl will make it to good old 439 next chapter.
