voidtreckerexpress

Entry tags:

Exploring

Who: Taiki and Open
Where: All through the train- garden, games, kitchen and standard have prompts but feel free to catch him anywhere.
When: Month Domino, Day 23
What: Taiki is finally well enough to get out of bed and start exploring this strange train he boarded a week ago.
Warnings:

The last week has been one of fever and sickness. Dreams of blood and death, mixed with other strange dreams that seemed to have been shared with those who travelled with him on this train.

But the fever had broken and the last couple of days he had been doing better. Able to sit up and move around his cabin. He felt bad for having caused both lord Gyousou and Wen Qing trouble, when they both should have been focused on resting and healing themselves.

Now he was a bit better he was feeling very confined. Apart from the walk from the platform to this cabin he had not seen the rest of the train where he now lived. So though he was still shakey on his feet he got dressed in the trousers and hoodie that had been in his bag and left the cabin quietly, holding onto the wall for support.

Garden

He instantly liked this place. There were no flowers, though there were a couple of suitcase-turned-plantpots that looked like things might grow eventually. It was peaceful though, even if the light from the void was strange.

He sat down on a bench, tired already despite only walking two carriages. He was better than he had been though, better than he should be, considering what he had done. He stared into the water and then closed his eyes, trying to take in the peace of this place.

Games

The next carriage along had board games and he paused to read a few of the titles. He hadn't ever really played any board games, though he had seen them being played before. He recognised a couple. He smiled at anyone he saw, not approaching but trying to be friendly. He knew enough to know that most the people here had had as little choice about being here than he had. He was still suspicious of this whole place, but so far people had not been cruel.

Kitchen

Carriage by carriage he walked on shaking legs, stopping now and then and siting down to rest. It was a long journey from one end of the train to the other and there was a lot to take in. Some of the places he half remembered from dreams, other peoples dreams. Strange to be stood in those places now.

He entered the kitchens and all at once stopped, recoiling slightly. Something was wrong. He felt ill, more ill. Blood, maybe just raw meat. He's never really noticed if that has any effect on him, his Taika shell protected his body from the worst of blood sickness on earth and in Tai he had never even been in the kitchens.

Still it was an altogether unpleasant feeling and he quickly left, gripping to the wall for support.

Standard Coach

He got through the first carriage but by the time he got back to the standard coach he had to sit down. He saw the bookshelf and forced himself to stay standing while he grabbed a book and sat at the nearest table.

It would give him an excuse to sit a while. People here might be as trapped as he and Lord Gyousou were but it didn't mean they could trust them. He stared at the book, only half reading it and then looked out into the void. What was it? How were they here? What had become of Tai?

None of those were questions he had answers to.

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"A nickname.."

He sounds a little surprised. After all, the other man Taiki had shown up with together didn't exactly seem like the type to use nicknames, as far as Inigo could seem. Maybe it's just that the two of them are close then?

"That's cute." Judging by his warm smile, he means that genuinely rather than in any condescending way. "I mean, I sure would not mind calling you by that nickname if you're comfortable enough with me for it!"

Granted, they've only met two times before. They don't even know much about the other. But considering all the things that dream put them through in such a short time, Inigo doesn't feel awkwardly distant with the other at all anymore.

He nodded, he didn't mind at all. Inigo had been kind to him, even when those dreams had been hurtful and terrifying and so he didn't mind what Inigo called him at all.

He heard the surprise though, he sort of gets where it is coming from. Lord Gyousou does not seem the type of man to give out nicknames and really he isn't. He is always careful to know the names of those he surrounds himself with and to use them. But Taiki doesn't know of any of his ministers or servants who Lord Gyousou calls differently than their name.

"I don't mind. I'm glad I've seen you today, I wanted to say thank you." Strange to say thank you for something that never actually happened. But that dream had been more than just an ordinary dream. Taiki knew from hearing others talk that it was a dream Inigo would remember as well as himself.

Wow. Taiki doesn't mind him using the nickname, and he wants to thank Inigo? This may just be the most succesful befriending attempt he's made so far. For as horrible as that dream was, maybe he should at least be thanking it for it leading to this.

Inigo grins. Very genuinely, but mostly kind of excited. Almost giddy. "No need to thank me!" The words flow out naturally. "If it's about the dream, then I think what I did was only natural. Who could have abandoned you in a situation like that?"

Especially when Taiki had been so gentle in that dream compared to how he kind of seemed like an angry cat before.

"I would have done the same if it hadn't been a dream-- although I would hope to actually have a sword with me if we were to ever end up in such a situation."

Taiki wished he could believed anyone would have stuck with him, would have stood there and not ran when faced with a hoard of youma. But he is no longer so innocent, he knows humans. Many are kind, good and loyal to those they care for. But others hurt and betray. Turn on each other, cast out those they see as being a problem.

To have someone stand with him when faced with such things means more than Inigo could ever know. To have someone who did not blame him or judge his tears, even if it was just a dream, was a wondrous thing.

His eyes turn wary as Inigo mentions a sword. Though when he thinks about it, it is obvious Inigo is a fighter, he looks like a fighter. "You are a warrior?"

"Yes," he says easily, almost casually. It's hard to not see it as a natural part of himself when he's been fighting for his and the world's survival for years on end now. It's hard to tell if he even notices the slight wariness about the other.

"Although.." Inigo puts a hand over his heart, turning a tad dramatic. "I prefer to say that I am a lover, not a fighter."

It's mostly his way of keeping the topic light. He'd rather not turn his thoughts too much to all the messier sides of the things he had to do just to stay alive.

"Unfortunately loving isn't always enough to keep the ones important to you safe. Even though it sure would be nice if it were."

Taiki blinks at that, but a moment later there is a ghost of smile on his lips at Inigo's dramatic gesture. Inigo doesn't seem like a violent person and despite his natural aversion to anything violent, he understands that people have to fight to survive.

After all he had made that decision himself, not for his own survival, the very opposite in fact, but for a glimmer of hope for Tai. It was for that reason that his hands trembled, that he still had the remnants of fever.

Because Inigo was right, loving wasn't enough. Love wasn't enough to keep anyone safe. Hope and love couldn't save a country, couldn't save friends. Indeed love could be twisted, cause more pain than good. That Inigo knew this too brought him pain. Inigo seemed like such a kind, good person.

He nodded sadly, "It would be." His voice was barely a whisper as he stared at his hands, the smile had faded into a sad look.

Uh-oh. Taiki's reaction is pretty much the opposite of what Inigo hopes to see from anyone. He's here to try and make people feel happier, not to only remind them of more painful things. It's not a surprise to him that Taiki answers so quietly, if anything he has seen in that dream is anything to go by, but all the same.. the other shouldn't have to worry about those things here.

So before he's even really thought about it, he's already moving his hands to grab Taiki's and hold onto them once more, just like he had in the dream.

"Hey, that doesn't mean we can't make an attempt, right?" As foolish of one as it might be. Maybe it's only a nice idea, in fact. But if it's to put a smile on his friend's face, Inigo is willing to utter any dumb nice idea. "I understand some people might consider this hasty, but I can't deny that you have become important to me already. So I will try to keep you safe-- and hopefully mostly with my heart, rather than my sword."

An attempt. To make love be enough to save people. It's an impossible dream but he understands what Inigo is trying to do and he appreciates it. He doesn't know Inigo at all but he already knows he is kind and good.

Inigo continued talking and Taiki watched him, surprised by the sudden offer and words. He stared at Inigo as if he had never seen such as him before.

It was so easy to forget that people had such kindness within them. So much that there is still a hint of suspicion, what did Inigo want from this? How did he benifit?

But some people were just kind. Risai really had been doing everything to help Tai and get Lord Gyousou back. Hirose, he might have had his own reasons for helping Taiki but he would like to believe his care had been genuine. Yari had mostly found him interesting but her help had been real and welcome.

Inigo didn't seem like he wanted to hurt him or Lord Gyousou. He had stood and held his hand in that dream, despite everything. And now he was offering to protect him, with his heart rather than his sword.

Taiki wanted to cry, but it was mostly a good feeling. An unusual and strange feeling. Sharing such a dream had made him feel close to Inigo and knowing the other boy felt the same way was strange but not at all unwelcome.

All he feared was that in any promise of protection his own part was as good as void. He couldn't protect anyone. That had been proven to him again and again and he felt guilty that Inigo would offer such a thing and he could not reciprocate.
"I... I'm not very useful at protecting anyone I'm afraid." He held Inigo's hand tightly. "But I will try. And help you. If you need help. Um. If that's alright."

Edited 2020-03-06 07:32 (UTC)

Inigo feels his heart breaking a little just by hearing Taiki utter those words. Partially because the other just seems so sweet and soft by now that he should never have to say something so sad about himself, but also partially since Inigo gets it. Even though he never says it out loud, he's thought the same thing so many times. Every single time he rescued a village from bandits or monsters, only to have to put those very same villagers down a couple of weeks later when they all ended up as Risen. The more he tried to protect things in the future, the more it felt like they were only slipping away from him further and further.

It just hits too close to home. And while Inigo will of course allow himself to wade in those negative emotions for ages on end, he won't stand for hearing the same from his friends. So he shoves down any heavy emotions hearing those words may bring forth as deep down as he can, and instead smiles from ear to ear at Taiki.

"I don't think you need my permission to help me out. Shouldn't I be the one saying I'm flattered at the offer?" So that's a definite yes, he's totally okay with it. But he figures the other can maybe use just that tiny bit of an extra boost, so he adds-- "Besides.. I'm sure you are fine in your own right. Know I have total faith in you."

Taiki's hold on his hands is tight, but Inigo manages to squeeze back a little all the same.

"Do you know what would truly help me? Seeing a smile from you! You have such a cute face, it's a waste to not use it!"

It's good to know that Inigo won't mind Taiki's help. That Taiki isn't going to be an annoyance if he tries to help him out. Even if he whatever he tries doesn't work so well.

He is a bit surprised to hear that Inigo has total faith in him. He barely knows him. And even in the dream. Taiki had let him down, he hadn't been able to stop the Youma. He had known it was unlikely that he could bind one. He could feel the ouki now, sense his king, but that didn't mean he was whole once more. But it had meant putting Inigo in more danger, since he hadn't ran.

He blinked at the request, not even sure what to take from that. But Inigo was so nice, if all he wanted was a smile then Taiki could do that. Nervously he smiled, it felt like a long time since he had last done so. But he found even just the motion lifted his spirits a little.

He honestly isn't too sure how Taiki will react. Or if he'll even try to fulfull the request at all. It has nothing to do with Inigo doubting Taiki as much as it's just the fact that he's said the same thing to so many people, only to get brushed off.. Despite his outward optimism, it's really hard to believe some people might actually listen to it.

So he's only more surprised when Taiki actually smiles. Sure, it's a little nervously, but that's definitely a smile. If anything, the edge of nerves just makes it even cuter. Something about just seeing it alone already feels precious. Like a rare opportunity.

".. I was right." Inigo smiles too, but a little softer now. "You really have the cutest smile. Don't hide it from the world so much."

Taiki blushed slightly but kept smiling for a moment before it faded. He would try though, to smile more for Inigo, if it was something that would make him happy. It was a small thing after all so Taiki wouldn't deny him it.

He's not sure what to say though, he's really not that used to conversation. He's definitely not used to compliments. "Um... Thank you." He whispered, "You have a nice smile too."

"Well, of course I do!"

That makes the smile go right back to big and bombastic again..

"I mean, it's evident the moment you see this amazing smile, isn't it? All the ladies in the whole country back home swooned at the very sight of it!" He only wishes, but somehow he manages to say it confidently anyway. "Anywhere you'd go, you would hear people talk about the great Inigo the Invicible's smile! Although it seems it has yet to catch on here on the train."

That makes him smile again, it is short lived but amused. Inigo has a lot of confidence, it is a little overwhelming. More so that someone with such confidence would be spending the time talking to him. But Taiki was glad he was, Inigo seemed like a nice person, gentle despite his brightness.

"Um... Maybe it will. Eventually. How long have you been here?"

"Me?" He sucks in a breath and then lets it out again with a small noise, like it takes a lot of effort to think about that. With everything that goes on in this place, it kind of feels longer than it's probably been..

"Two months, I think? Maybe a little less than that. Although putting it that way, it really does seem like a miracle that not a single lady here has fallen for me yet. They must be too intimidated.."

Almost no one is intimidated by you, Inigo. You're only overwhelming poor Taiki!

"Perhaps..." Inigo was quite intimidating. At least to Taiki. He imagined he must be to some others as well.

"Two months is a long time..."

A very long time to be stuck here. Anything could happen back in Tai in that time.

At least there's one thing to be said for Inigo. For as vain as he can seem sometimes - as vain as his act can get, more like - he can be really attentive to others when he tries.

So he does notice that Taiki probably doesn't just seem to be thinking about Inigo when he speaks those latter words.

".. Are you worried?"

Taiki seems like it, but Inigo can't be sure. Taiki always seems kind of worried, after all.

"Yes." He nodded, looking up at Inigo. "I'm very worried."

What would happen? If Taiki and Lord Gyousou had just randomly disappeared from under Asen's nose then Asen would be furious. There had been so many people in the palace, what would happen to them? What about Yari? Risai?

Just thinking about it makes him want to cry. But he won't. Because tears don't help. They won't help find a way back.

So he was right on the mark. And really, who could blame Taiki for worrying? Inigo doesn't think the stakes for him missing from his world are all that high - his friend would worry, probably, which would suck, but he's sure that he's not exactly the most vital link in saving the world. They'll manage without him.

Maybe Taiki's circumstances are much more dire though, judging by that dream.

But while Inigo can't be sure if they'll ever find a way back home, let alone finding one soon, but there's no way he would ever spread negativity to others. He just smiles at Taiki in a way he hopes is encouraging.

"We'll find a way back. I'll make this train ride straight to where you come from myself if I have to!" You and what army, Inigo... "I know it's hard to not worry if you're worried, but believe me, everything will turn out alright somehow."

Taiki looked up at him, eyes filling with tears before he blinked them away quickly, embarrassed. Inigo probably thinks him an idiot already, they might have just met but Inigo has been nicer to him than... almost anybody in as long as he can remember and he deserves better than Taiki's tears.

He's not so naive to believe that Inigo can honestly make the train ride back to Tai, or even that everything would turn out alright. But something in Inigo's nature lifted his spirits. It's been a long time since anyone had told him things would turn out alright.

He nodded, not quite able to speak.

It's hard to tell whether or not he notices those tears before they're already gone. If Inigo did notice, he sure doesn't mention anything about it. Instead he just smiles at Taiki, knowing the other understood despite the lack of a verbal reply.

It's probably for the better to not linger on the topic for too long before he actually makes the other cry though, so..

"Come on, let's go find some place to hang out that's not anywhere near the kitchen, alright?"

"Alright." He nodded, grateful for the shift in coversation, so he doesn't cry in front of Inigo. And for going further away from the kitchen. He's not feeling as ill now but still, more distance is better.

"Thank you, Inigo."

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Exploring

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does this sound like a good place to wrap this one?

yep!