Art Trade Pt. 1 Mirai TrunksxOC 'Dust'

As if the outside wasn't dangerous enough, then they'd had to show up.

Vynessa pulled on her sun hat as she headed down the street, glancing first one way, and then the other. Then she laughed at herself. It had been such a macabre and yet necessary habit while the androids had been there, and had gotten so ingrained in people's everyday routines that they still did it, even now that they were gone.

The news had been quite a bit different, as a result, was broadcast only twice a day from an "undisclosed location," and whenever there'd been footage of the two killing, she couldn't help but think back to old videos of people who went tornado chasing to let weather stations know about ones not on the radar. Risking their own lives to help others (and probably getting insane adrenaline highs as a result). But being a reporter in the city had always had its own share of chance.

And now that they were gone...things were shifting once again. Humans really could survive anything, couldn't they?

As she took a few steps, she took a deep breath. You're okay, she thought, They're gone. Nothing's going to get you out here. They're not going to come out and straight up murder you. They're not here anymore.

"Vynessa, what are you doing out so early?"

"I'm going to work, what else would I be doing? And you sound like my mother," she said, turning around. "I might ask you the same thing, you know."

"Patrol, what else?"

"What are you, Batman?"

"Very funny, Vynessa. What does that make you, then?"

There was an awkward pause, and after a moment's laughter they both relaxed.

"How are things looking over at Capsule Corp?"

"Better," Trunks said, "Much better. Mom's not used to having so much to do. You wouldn't believe how much coffee she's drinking anymore...and it's funny, she always told me she got upset with her father for smoking as much as he did, and now here she is doing the same thing!"

"I think after all she's had to lose she has to destress somehow," Vynessa added with a smile. "Tell me something, what were you doing in South City? Your mother told me you'd spent a few days there. Have someone special there?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that," he replied with a laugh, "Who has time? No, I was just taking care of a bug problem."

"A bug problem. You can't seriously expect me to believe that you've taken up pest control?" Vynessa said, brushing a wisp of white hair out of her face.

"Well, people are moving back into old buildings. Sometimes the building isn't salvageable. So down it goes." He avoided her curious gaze at that. "A job is a job. Saves money on demolition. But enough about me. What are you up to?"

"Why have you taken such an interest in what I do?" she looked over to him.

"What, I can't be concerned about my mother's employee?"

"You aren't that concerned about any of her others." She laughed as they neared Capsule Corp.

"Well, that, and...there's been a bit of gang trouble in the city lately. I can't be around all the time, but I am right now, and, well...I'd prefer that no one else have to get hurt. At least on my watch."

"You can't save the whole world from everything, Trunks. No matter how much you might want to."

"Someone's sure sounding philosophical. Have you been having a go at the deep-thoughts section of the library?"

"Comic books, actually." Vynessa smiled, took off her sun hat as they walked into Capsule Corp, and headed for the lab.

He was still following her.

"Thought you had patrol? Your mother's not going to pay you for babysitting her assistant."

She couldn't help but laugh when Trunks' face reddened. He looked so perfectly flustered.

"Look, I was heading here anyway. I wasn't just following you around for no good reason, you know!" he said quickly. "Alright?"

"No?" she smiled a bit weakly. "I feel hurt."

"Make up your mind on what you want," he muttered as he turned away.

"I swear...he makes no sense..." Vynessa shook her head and entered the lab, cringing slightly when she flicked on the overhead light.

"Vynessa! You're here! Good, good."

"Why's everyone so surprised that I came to work today?"

"I'm surprised when anyone shows up," Bulma replied, "Now, here's a list of what I need." She handed over a small tablet with a word processor open.

"Why do you need all this stuff? Don't you have it already?" It wasn't engineering supplies, or electronics, or anything like that. It all looked like medical things. Medication, if some of the weird names were right, IV bags...needles...was she stocking up for something?

"I just want you to check if we do have it. I'd look on the computer myself but my hands are covered in grease."

"What're you working on, anyway?"

"Just some project of my father's."

Vynessa couldn't be more confused as she walked over to the desk and started checking through the inventory program. "It's...probably not my place, but...you don't look so great. Are you sleeping alright?"

"I don't think I did sleep last night. You know, you worry about me almost as much as Trunks does. It's..."

"Just looking out for my bank account, boss," she said quietly. "Okay...I can't do that. Sorry, I was trying to make a joke, and..."

"It's fine. And I'm fine, and when you leave today you can tell Trunks that."

"...why would I see him on my way out?"

"Oh, I don't know," came the reply, accompanied by a wry smile.