I WILL WAIT FOR YOU
If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life. – Oscar Wilde
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball or any of the Dragonball characters, concepts or settings.
Authors notes: Over one year later; I'm back, I think. Hiya! Sorry for the prolonged absence. I doubt any of you remember this story, but if you do, then hello fellow dinosaur. To everyone else, this story isn't my usual sort of work, but just an enjoyable side-project - a story that I couldn't get out of my head. Don't expect regular updates (if you don't believe me, re-read that first line.) Enjoy! -authors_fingers@hotmail.com
Chapter Nine: Moralia
"Its nice to meet you, Pan" Mowg replied eagerly. "What brings you to Moralia? Are you here for the markets?"
Pan knitted her eyebrows slightly. "I'm here to, uh, stock up."
"Well you've come to the right place. Moralia has been a galactic trading post for sixteen semis. The miners of Agul first colonised it in a period they designated 61. You can still find some of the settlements around if you know where to look. The markets have moved a long way inland. Some seven or eight semis ago there was a change in tidal patterns which forced the markets away from the shores. Of course now that has all settled down, but the markets are too well established to move. Personally I would love to go shopping along the waters edge, but you just try convincing the council of that - I know how hard it is because I've tried. Anyway, as I'm sure you are wondering, the reason for the change in tidal patterns is currently unknown. There was little local astronomical measurement done at the time, so all we have to go on is current orbitals and the residual tilt of the various moons. You see that hill all the way over beyond Lestle - that's the one with the two peaks, see the higher one has a bit of snow still scattered on it - yeah, just behind there is a place called Lavagh. It's the home of one of my friends who is working on the problem. He's got a pretty neat observatory set up there too. You know what? He'd love to meet you. I wasn't going to see him until this afternoon, but I don't think he'd mind. Where did you say you were from?"
Pan felt exhausted for Mowg, because his brief history of the planet clearly hadn't exhausted him. His tirade of information all appeared to scratch the surface of a very long and typical story. The passion that his words were dipped in gave it an interesting twist though and in a momentary lapse of concentration bought on by the strange sensation that he had enveloped her in she almost considered meeting this unnamed friend. However, at that moment, in her head Trunks smiled at her; warmth crept out from deep down in the dark haunts of her mind. It re-awoke her old pain and she searched her brain for a reasonably polite, but firm excuse. The truth seemed to be as good as any other lie - all equally incredible. "Sorry, I can't. I really am only here for a quick stop."
"Oh." If Mowg was disappointed he certainly didn't show it. "Well, if you are ever interested in any of my work I'll be around here. I'm working just a few kruns north of here. I'm hoping to find evidence of early Minson civilisation. You see, I have this theory…" For the first time since they met, Mowg suddenly seemed self-conscious and slightly depressed. "You probably don't care. Anyway, the markets are that way," he told her, waving her hand in a fairly nondescript direction. "And sorry for the using Sarayan measurements, but you never told me where you're from, so I can't do the conversion. But have a nice trip. I hope you find what you need."
"Thanks Mowg. I appreciate your help." Pan offered a weak smile, knowing it was to be little consolation for Mowg. His agreement with this notion was indicated by his next move, which was to turn about and leave. Mannix, who had been quietly grazing about his feet trotted after him.
As Pan watched the pair leave, she felt a strong pull in her gut. She found it hard to know whether it was her heart reminding her of how lonely she was in the world now, or if it was her mind realising that a friend could be useful in times ahead, or if maybe it was just a human reaction to another's hurt feelings. Whatever the cause of the increasingly strong twitch, she called out to him, "Mowg, I'm from a planet called Earth."
Her words had a stronger effect than she had anticipated. Mowg stopped very suddenly and she saw muscles under his lose clothing clench slightly. After only a second he turned around. Pan could have sworn she saw a look of surprise wiped off his face in the last second before he faced her. "Really?!" he exclaimed. His tiring enthusiasm returning. "That's amazing." For a second he furrowed his brown so strongly Pan wondered if he had learnt the expression off a caricature. As he broke the display he asked, "Would you like me to show you the way to the market? I'd really love to talk to you."
The strong reaction had Pan a little worried, but remembering the feeling that had engulfed her when he left she nodded her head slightly, before adding, "As long as we walk fast."
"You've got it!" Mowg replied.
***
Trunks lay on his bed staring at the crumbling tiles on the roof, without seeing a single one. The last thing he could remember was a blinding light followed by his father's desperate yells…and the sounds of a battle, raging…without him. He squeezed his eyes shut. Sarah had filled in a few gaps, but she had missed the part where he and his friends has fought…Trunks racked his brain. Every thought in his head was loosely connected - most of his memory had been knocked right off every brain cell. He remembered fighting, but not what he was fighting.
The one thing he could remember was Pan. His head had taken a fair beating, but his heart was still beating strong and that's where he had kept his thoughts of her. At least she is not dead, he thought to himself, although he had no idea how he knew that. The alternative was unthinkable though, so the issue became how and not if he would find her.
The cracks in the tiles came into his vision, his determination to find Pan breaking his reverie, but he was still weak and lay in mediation, trying to heal. It wasn't long before the cracks merged back into Pan's smiling face and Trunks drifted off into a slightly more peaceful slumber.
But in his peaceful sleep, he still sensed he was alone. The real rest would not come until he had found Pan.
***
"So what's your big interest in Earth?" Pan asked, trying to sound casual, although a touch of suspicion edged past her guard.
"Are you kidding me?! Earth's beginnings are fascinating. The inhabitants moved so quickly. Maybe I don't fully agree with the direction they moved in, but one must admit that they did it well. I think you can forgive someone for punching you in the face if they do it with style."
"Do you want to test that theory?" Pan asked, unsure of why she was relaxing so much so fast.
Mowg grinned and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Maybe not…not that you couldn't do it with style or anything, but you seem kind of strong and all, for a girl and Mannix doesn't like it when people show aggression towards me."
Pan looked down at the creature that was still following them, his short legs pumping to keep up with her pace. She found it hard to believe that it could pose any real threat to the weakest of animals, however, kept the thought unvoiced.
Mowg continued. "Anyway, my favourite part of Earth's history is the development of civilisation in Mesopotamia. When you look at the geography of the area it's no wonder that it developed the way it did, so I suppose its not so exciting in that respect. What interests me is how much you can rely on that predicability. The people colonising the area picked up on every possible advantage that could be gained and every threat posed by the environment. I guess that's all evident by the different settlement patterns along the Tigris and the Euphrates. The Tigris so violent and unpredictable leading to a hardened community - I can easily liken it to the miners who came here to unwind."
Pan smiled politely, no longer really listening. She just let the enthusiasm wash over her, enjoying the sensation. All he seemed to need was the occasional nod and "Mmmhmm" to keep him going. She was comforted by the fact that she was asked to surrender very little information. After realising that it was pure interest that kept him going she ceased to be frustrated by his endless speaking and simply appreciated the new constant. It did occur to her that there could be a reason this area was so void of intelligent life -- and she could well be walking next to it.
It wasn't long before they did start to come across beings of various forms. Some smiled, or performed what Pan interpreted as their cultural equivalent, but most stared directly ahead, refusing to make eye contact with any other traveller. From the appearance of some of those who passed her on the dirt track, it dawned on her that Moralia may not be the beauteous and wholesome planet that Mowg had described to her. While this did not concern her too greatly, it did raise further suspicions about Mowg's intentions and she began to wish she had simply allowed herself to live with his hurt feelings on her conscience. Furthermore, she presumed herself able to defend herself against the general villains of the Universe, but did not see the point in taking an unnecessary risk. She resolved to lose Mowg at the earliest convenience and leave the planet that night.
***
The markets were the one thing that turned out as Mowg had promised. Busy, crammed with hundreds of different life forms and noisier than Trunks and Goten after they had knocked back a few beers. From every angle shouts and colour attacked Pan's senses. Music cracked, slapped, pounded and twanged beneath the voices. Smells, both the familiar and unfamiliar, drowned her nose and for some time she was unable to distinguish between the different sources, instead smelling only one hot and earthy aroma of the Marketplace of Moralia.
Mowg carried on talking, but no longer could she focus on his voice. His eyes communicated the same excitement though. Pan didn't notice that his discussion had led into a more practical stream until he lightly took hold of her arm.
Pan threw Mowg's hand off, out of reaction as she quickly explained, her cheeks reddening.
"It's OK. I know this place is a bit overwhelming at first. I was just asking what sort of supplies you were after."
Pan thought for a moment. "Fresh food mostly. But I could do with a good drink too."
"Food….right…" He raised his eyebrows, sceptical.
"What, you're going to tell me that in a place this big you can't buy fresh food." Pan asked, incredulous.
"No." He hastily corrected, "I mean, there is just a LOT of food for sale here, you might need to be more specific."
"Well alright then, some fresh fruit."
"To the best fruit stall in the market!" Mowg exclaimed loudly, gallantly pointed over her shoulder, his other hand on his hip. He was however ignored by all those surrounding him - all clearly used to such claims.
Pan had to admit that he moved through the crowd with great style and ease. It would have been easy to get left behind, but she justified grabbing onto his shirt to stay with him by the fact that she would probably never find her way back to the original path without him. After that he would become more expendable.
An abrupt stop broke her thoughts and she looked up to see Mowg browsing various fruits, few of which she recognised. He held up what looked like a small orange. "You should get some of these - they contain natural preservatives which mean you could store them on your ship for weeks and they'd still be fresh."
Pan shrugged, "Mmmkay."
She barely got the word out before he started again. "Oh and you simply have to try one of these. You'd be lucky to find something like this on Earth. Here, try one."
Pan looked over at the stall's owner who clearly disapproved of the idea. "Don't you think we should pay for it first."
Mowg noticed her line of vision but did not come to a similar conclusion. "Don't worry about it. You're going to pay aren't you? How much money do you have anyway?" As he spoke he passed her the bright pink cucumber that he had held.
She took a small nibble. It was juicy and soft like a peach, with a rich and creamy flavour not unlike coffee. "Just get me enough for a couple of days, I'm sure I'll have enough zenni to pay for it. Make sure you get a few more of these though, they're great." She had taken another large bite as she spoke and now a slight trail of light pink juice crept from the corner of her lips.
The instant the words were out of her mouth she knew that it was a mistake. She swallowed her mouthful, the food falling heavily to the pit of her stomach like a rock. The stall owner's glare increased into a complete glower and several people around her stared at her with varied reactions. Mowg just grimaced nervously and raised his eyebrows slightly. "Uh, Pan, they don't take zenni here. You're going to need some real money."
Pan broke out into a blush and could have sworn she felt sweat break. "Oh, well I, err…"
Mowg chuckled, amused by her embarrassment. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Lets just say you owe me one."
Behind his final words Pan could hear the smug ring of 'Checkmate'.
***
Please review! I would like to know if I've picked this story back up okay.
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