voidtreckerexpress

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Who: Two idiots (Inigo and Tidus)
When: Grasshopper 14
Where: ~~Inside a cheeseburger~~ Tidus' room, and then.. well, idk, somewhere. Probably. You'll hear them.
What: Inigo made a promise to Taiki and he's intending to live up to it.
Warnings: None. Only the secondhand embarrassment you get when you read this.

Okay, so technically his promise to Taiki doesn't mean as much anymore now Gyousou is back. He can't exactly yell at the train about why it'd take Gyousou away if the man is now back with Taiki.

But he's still going to do it. Especially since it's already been the second time that Gyousou disappeared from the train, and if there's a way, then Inigo would really prefer to make sure it doesn't happen again. He can't quite take the way Taiki always looks so heartbroken whenever it happens. And sure, there's a big chance nothing will come from this, but sometimes yelling about your grievances might be a good thing? Maybe?

Who knows, Inigo doesn't practice self care. He sure doesn't know!

But he knows someone who's way too good at complaining. And who's just.. too powerful. Someone needs to stop Tidus. But not today, because today Inigo sure could use his help. And hopefully the other is a little more well-rested now it's not directly after the mission anymore?

So.. once more, Tidus will hear banging on the door to his room.

"Tidus! Tidus, it's me again! Erm, this time.. it's slightly less pressing? But I still need your help! Pretty please?"

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Argh! Tidus thinks he's weird, doesn't he. He totally thinks he's weird. Come on, Inigo, why couldn't you control yourself just for one dang minute! It's so hard to keep his cheeks from burning and making all of this awkwardness worse, but Inigo manages.. That's a lot of pent up stress and guilt that he's going to have to try and process later though.

As in when he isn't right in front of the other like right now.

"No, he's.. he's still pretty sick. Though at least it's not getting worse.."

Then again, it hasn't been too long since the mission yet. Maybe these things just take a while? Usually you don't get entirely better in just a day or two if you're pretty sick, right? Inigo shoves the worry down the best he can.

".. What about you though? Are you feeling a bit better too? I-- I meant it when I said I could just do it by myself, if that's better.."

The news about Taiki shifts Tidus's concerns and emotions, sinking away any embarrassment at the...well, technically good news, but the reminder of why Taiki was even like that, what Tidus didn't do that he could have. If he knew, if Taiki had just told him...

His gaze drops with all that, but lifts at Inigo's hesitance. Tidus pausing before shaking his head.

"I wanna help. Taiki..." His mouth lines hard, switching back into a frown that releases with a sigh. "I owe it to him. Just--where're we going? I need a drink."

Hopefully he can get that before going or doing whatever Inigo wants him to. He won't bother to ask what it is--either Inigo will tell him at some point, or something will clue him in, right?

There's a slight moment where Inigo just stares at Tidus, as if trying to gage how genuine his acceptance is. (Inigo, stop projecting, not everyone is a dumbass like you who will shove every inch of wellbeing aside for other people's sakes, okay.)

But then he nods, gesturing for Tidus to come along. With others he might have grabbed their hand or arm and dragged them, but after that embarrassing impulsive hug from a moment ago, he really doesn't feel like that.

"Let's get you something to drink first then." They can stop by the kitchen. After all, while they're walking like this, they have some time to discuss what Inigo called the other out for in the first place.

"But.. I know this might sound strange, but I promised Taiki that we'd harass the train to find out why it keeps taking away lord Gyousou. He disappeared during the mission, as we both know, but it wasn't even the first time it's happened. And considering Taiki and lord Gyousou's.." His voice trails off, like he's trying to find the right word for it, but doesn't seem sure, ".. bond," vague enough to describe something Inigo isn't quite sure of the details of, "it is very difficult for Taiki whenever he disappears. It would be good if we could find some way to prevent it from happening, or to mitigate its effects."

Tidus listens, walking by Inigo's side better than he had the last time they were together, in the fact that he doesn't need the support of his frame. He knows what Inigo means about that bond--the way he witnessed how despondent Taiki was first hand, even if he isn't the most liveliest of guys in the first place. There was no calm to him like there usually is: just an emptiness, a deep grief that surrounded him always, in even the small downward turn of his lips.

But how could they get any answers from the train? Taiki knew how that went last time, but Tidus doesn't need to think much to remember himself-

"The only person I know who can talk to the train is a girl called Nita. We talked a little about it. She..."

His steps slow, and he looks around, a hand and forefinger raised.

"She's one of the...bottom cars. At the end."

"I know Nita," Inigo easily replies. And since it's easy to say you know someone on the train when they're all stuck in very limited space, he clarifies by adding: "We're good friends."

And yet he apparently didn't seem to have thought of just asking her for help with this already, huh? Although that has very little to do with how close Inigo feels to Nita, and instead has a lot to do with the fact that Inigo is an idiot who doesn't know how to ask others for help. It's much easier to drag Tidus around when it just feels like one of their dumb misadventures rather than actually asking him for help.

".. Do you think she'd want to help with this? I don't just want to bother her over something that might not be important to her.." Maybe it's since he's still a bit raw from his awkward moment with Tidus just now, but the insecurity manages to slip into his voice as he says it, a hand reaching up to tuck some hair behind his ear.

Oh, huh. It's true however, that's it's such an enclosed space, that it doesn't sound that strange that the pair know each other after Inigo says it. Tidus wonders briefly how the two of them did get to know each other, but that's a question for another day, with a better kind of energy than this one where he isn't sure if he's half awake or less.

"You're good friends," or so Inigo just said himself, and that's plenty reason in Tidus's mind to bother someone. "Let's just ask her. Plus, there was something Taiki said about him--Gyousou. He said that when he went, he couldn't feel him anymore. He was just gone."

He waves a hand.

"Wouldn't she want to know about that?"

Excuse you, Tidus! How can you so casually imply that it's that easy to ask something even from a good friend? Inigo is pretty sure that's not how the world works! Doesn't everyone shove down their desire to be helped until they die?

Thankfully the other presents a good argument though. One that leaves Inigo even looking surprised for a moment.

"Right." Look, Tidus, he's agreeing with you. Aren't you glad that he's finally acknowledging your genius. "She is always trying to find out more about this train and our present situation, isn't she? Perhaps that information will make her curious enough to want to ask the train about it."

Please be kind to yourself, Inigo.

Any agreement is good enough, not that Tidus was expecting any further hesitation or hand-wringing over going to Nita (then again, why was there any in the first place? It's too early for Tidus to think), so with that approval he turns to start walking, to get a move on for Nita's cabin. "Then let's see if she's in--I wanna get breakfast after this."

Tidus will push the buttons to the next cars as they come, but Inigo will have to lead the way here. Hopefully Inigo knows which car his good friend stays on.

"Then why were you in bed instead of getting food?" Because some people actually value rest and relaxation, Inigo.. A novel concept, I know.

Thankfully Inigo does at least seem to know where he's going. He wasn't exaggerating with the comment about Nita, after all. She's seen more of him than he would show to most people - even though it wasn't entirely voluntarily. So it's easy for him to remember where her cabin is, making his way back from the sixth sleeping carriage over to the fourth, knocking on the door to cabin B.

"Nita? Are you there right now? I was wondering if I could get your help with something.."

(Also, yes, Nita is not getting the same whiny-Inigo-dog-at-the-door treatment as Tidus got earlier.

Not that it matters much if she's not there, whoops.)

"'Cause I was still tired!" Is still tired, at least exhausted to some degree, but he's not going to leave that uncommented on. What is Inigo even trying to say by asking?? Does he think sleeping is being lazy...?!

And don't think the lack of energy in that doorknocking and calling goes unnoticed either, Tidus waiting on some sign of desperation to come after the second turn, and when it doesn't...

"Where's her begging and pleading?" At least he's kind and isn't loud about his complaint, but he's still normal volume, so who knows if she had been behind the door what she heard? Pfft, this guy interrupts his beauty sleep, but he'll be kind and considerate to Nita?

But, it looks and sounds like they'll be taking a trip down the other cars to find the Train Whisperer.

When that question suddenly comes after his attempt at knocking, Inigo turns to look at Tidus rather than stare at the closed door, his eyebrows raised.

"Why, I just did what was necessary to get you out of bed!" There's a slight pause where Inigo seems to realise something, and then he quickls adds to his statement-- "And I told you that it was totally fine if you wanted to keep sleeping! I would have figured it out myself if I had to, you know!"

Inigo is just outright pouting at this point.

"Not that I'm not glad you came with me.. I mean, I wanted you to come pretty badly, that's why I was 'begging and pleading'! I just thought you wouldn't unless I nudged you enough.."

And with Nita it's just easier to assume she won't ignore him. Because she saw the absolute worst side of him and didn't turn away. But it's not like Inigo can add that to his explanation. Especially since he wants to believe Tidus would do the same, but.. it's so hard to process the fact that one person reacted that way to seeing it. It feels impossible to imagine another might.

Inigo's tone turned a bit more insecure at the end there, but he's quickly to pick himself back up, to cover it up with a smile. A little too hastily and obvious though. And maybe a little too eager to please Tidus.

"And-- You know what, if you want some food, then let's get that first! We can always find Nita after."

This guy... it wasn't a serious comment at all, but Inigo's got to go and defend himself all the way and more. Tidus wonders what he should think about Inigo's strong need to drag him out of bed for this--probably his concern for Taiki, that's what stands out in his mind. The fact this was for Taiki, and the way that Inigo got around the guy...

Well, if he can help the two of them be happier, right? Tidus wasn't sure how any of this was going to go, but at the very least, they were going to try.

"Nita first," he tells Inigo firmly, but not without some fondness; a pat on the shoulder given to go with it. "Then food. C'mon, let's stop hanging around an empty room."

There's no need to tease or huff about it anymore, and he'd rather they get going anyway, get this seen to than mess around. So he'll even take the lead if he has to, taking them away from the sleeper cars, and on and on...getting to the standard coach or the dining area before Tidus pauses to ask, "Did we miss her somewhere?", but they're already this far, so they might as well go all the way to the end...

...or to the kitchens anyway, so Tidus can steal a piece of cake if there's any. And there already, is...!

"Ah-- Neets!"

Fortunately enough, they can have TWO successfully completed Quests(TM) for their troubles: food, and friend!

Nita looks up from where she's been making herself a (not very complex) sandwich, noting that Tidus definitely looks like he's just woken up.

"Hey, you two. What's up?"

It's the little things that help. Like Tidus giving him that small pat on the shoulder and then taking the lead. It's much easier to just follow when he feels like he's threatened to get swallowed up by his own insecurities and worries, so he just walks after Tidus, making sure to keep out an eye in case they might spot Nita somewhere along the way.

Until they apparently just get very lucky in the kitchen.

"Nita.." There's a weird relief in Inigo's voice, though he's quick to fix that. Time to shove negative thoughts down. He sucks in a breath, and before he knows it, there's a smile on his face again. "Do you maybe have a moment for us? You can finish your food first, if you want, but there's something only you can help with."

Ohhh, sandwich. Great idea, and Tidus without a second thought is headed to the fridge like a zombie on a mission. He'll even give a TL;DR version of what Inigo is possibly trying to build up to, but why go through all that?

"Inigo wants you to talk to the train for us!"

When you can get straight into it! The cold air is welcoming to Tidus's face, though something about it and the choices, the colours, gets a yawn out of him. There's probably more details he can throw in there, but hey, that gets them started, right? Tidus is such a good friend.

Nita fetches a napkin to tuck her sandwich in for on-the go, giving Tidus an odd look as she does.

"Sure, I can help with that, no problem!"

Though 'something only you can help with' gives Nita pause as a concept ~~because isn't that what errantry is, in a way?~~, she doesn't change her answer any.

"What did you want to talk to it about, though?"

It's a good thing Tidus is here, because Inigo most definitely would have kept this whole thing up with buildup. It's just-- he knows the way Tidus does it is more efficient, but he wants to make sure to try and respect Nita's time and feelings, okay!

But that bridge has already been crossed now, so he just offers a smile at Nita's easy agreement.

"It's about Taiki and lord Gyousou. Do you know them?" It always feels like Nita knows pretty much everyone on the train, honestly, so Inigo wouldn't be surprised.. "Lord Gyousou disappeared during the mission, and it isn't even the first time he has disappeared."

He wants to add that it's.. let's say problematic for Taiki when Gyousou disappears, but it feels a little like spilling Taiki's personal business, so he doesn't.

"I know the train most likely won't tell us, but I figured it couldn't hurt to try and find out why it takes away particular people more often than others for a while like that. Or at least try to communicate to it to leave lord Gyousou alone."

Tidus is happy to let Inigo do the talking with that, searching the fridge shelves for what goodies he might be able to pick out--and is that some leftover carrot pancakes...?

Don't mind if he does!

So out Tidus comes with a small plate of pancakes than anything for a sandwich, looking around to remember where the microwave is before his ears perk up to the ongoing conversation. He tears off a piece of pancake.

"Oh yeah, plus, when Gyousou was gone, Taiki didn't feel him anywhere. They have some kind of connection that lets them sense each other wherever. Did you know about that when people--poof?"

And he pops the pancake piece in his mouth, and takes the food over to the microwave. La de da...

Nita first frowns, brows furrowing, before nodding to Tidus' question.

"Yeah; we had Darth Vader on this train for the first two weeks or so when I arrived - Taiki and Lord Gyousou too. But before he walked off, no one could sense him."

And his Force presence was... considerable.

"You want me to go ask now, then?"

She takes a non-napkin bite of her wrapped sandwich, considering. Bobo?

/I have asked pertaining to whether the train can tell the difference between those 'disappearing' only to leave at a platform, versus those that are set to return eventually,/ the silent voice at the back of her mind replies.

/There was no response, but that is normal./

Nita sighs. "People have asked related questions before," she says aloud, for the boys' benefit. "Though it can't hurt to get more specific in the asking."

Inigo is more than happy to let Tidus have that food he wanted so badly. He's not grabbing anything himself, but that's pretty typical, isn't it.. Though even if he were hungry, he's much too focused on this conversation now to really care about it.

"I'm not too surprised people have asked it before." There's something a little resigned about Inigo's expression as he says it. He gets it. Inigo hardly checks the roster, but he's done it in some special cases just to see the name having turned golden. He knows the desperation.

He thinks of Yuki walking off the platform, not looking back at him. His stomach turns.

He forces himself to smile.

"But it's like you say-- it can't hurt! I want to at least have tried for Taiki's sake. As long as it's not a bother to you, Nita."

The food buzzing around in the microwave, a soft light coming from inside that shows the plate and food on a slow spin, Tidus looks back to the pair, eyes flitting between them.

"What's a uh, Darth Vader?"

...look it sounded like something either important or that the both of them already know, so he's curious.

why was Tidus brought here again.

Nita confirming that no, it's not a bother to me gets briefly sidetracked by Tidus' interjection.

"... He was a specific kind of magic user. And a powerful one. I think Misa's the only one here still on who's from his world, though."

If she'd read that 'Corellian strawberries' label right, anyway.

"So, should we get going? We can eat as we walk," she suggests.

Inigo almost gives Tidus a look after that last part Nita says. Almost! It's just so tempting to give him a, 'yeah, we can eat as we walk, Tidus' look considering this whole situation, but Inigo wouldn't feel right doing so when he's the one who dragged the other along ~~for emotional support~~ in the first place.

"Sounds like a good idea to me. Come on, let's go." Even as he says that though, he'll let Nita take the lead. She's clearly the expert here when it comes to talking to the train, and.. well, let's face it, Inigo sucks at ever taking the lead in the first place. Instead he looks at Tidus for a moment as they start to leave the kitchen and adds: "You know, I almost forget how short you've been here until you ask those kinds of things."

Which is a good thing! Tidus feels like such a normal part of his life by now, it's almost hard to imagine there were months on this train without him..

Oh. Walking and eating? Momentarily distracted by the answer to his question--or really, the name Darth Vader; what kind of name was Darth Vader?--, there's a small light of recognition at the hint in Nita's suggestion. Tidus spins back to the microwave, popping open the door with the press of a button, the barely warmed food coming out and held in his hand.

Ow. Actually, let's not hold it at the centre and grab it at the side...

"You haven't said hi to the train in a while, right?" Tidus manages to slip in before the remark from Inigo comes out, his already started pancake being folded in half so he can eat it easier. But he pauses before he takes a bite, looking at Inigo curiously.

"Was Darth a big deal or something?" he asks, then a note lower, "Want one?", nudging towards him the plate of pancakes while he chews his started one.

"I... don't think so, actually," Nita admits, preventing herself from taking another bite as she considers.

"I should keep it regular, though."

She hides her smile in her sandwich as Tidus offers Inigo a pancake, before starting them all up the remaining carriages before Stores.

"And it's more that Darth Vader's story is known on a bunch of worlds; most people from certain Earths would recognize him on sight."

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