He trusts Tidus enough to know he won't go against his word, so Roland chuckles and...doesn't prolong it anymore. Truth be told, this wasn't the first thing he wanted to buy for Tidus the moment he got the chance to check the shop; check his points replenished from last month. He recalls a distinct pair of earrings that would have completed his merchandise, the necklace with the emblem of his team on his person constantly. But after Irivar, after everything, Roland's instincts drew back. It wouldn't have been right. He couldn't predict at all what it might have made him think; it might have been an added weight that he couldn't bear to place upon him now.
The partial story of Zanarkand reminded Roland of something else instead, and maybe in the end it was the right move to make. A gift that would remind Tidus not of the ghosts or the fears, or the guilt and trauma; but one completely new. One from a friend who pledged to stay by his side.
Roland faces forward and touches his hand to his chest, eyes drifting shut. The Arms Band begins to thrum as he takes it from the hammerspace, his body glowing with a brilliant blue light, almost like a prism. It is warm, comforting, and at the proximity they're sharing shoulder to shoulder, Tidus may feel it too. His final gift rests now on his lap, and Roland is pleased to see it when the hammerspace closes up again. He gestures his head to the side; a jerking motion, swift and sure. Towards his companion, waiting.
"You can open your eyes now, Tidus."
He'll feel the presence, first. He doesn't have to reach out. When the darkness behind his lids fade, and he adjusts back to the car's overhead light, Tidus will find it staring up at him in wonder. It is made of water, bubbles floating up against the top of his head, its crown made to resemble grand fins, astounding corals, gems of the deep blue sea.
Roland speaks not before long.
"Meet Hibber-Gibber the Hopeful." He says, still smiling, watching it begin to approach, sensing Tidus from its own nexus of ancient magic. "A high higgledy. And it's yours, now. If you'll allow it."
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The partial story of Zanarkand reminded Roland of something else instead, and maybe in the end it was the right move to make. A gift that would remind Tidus not of the ghosts or the fears, or the guilt and trauma; but one completely new. One from a friend who pledged to stay by his side.
Roland faces forward and touches his hand to his chest, eyes drifting shut. The Arms Band begins to thrum as he takes it from the hammerspace, his body glowing with a brilliant blue light, almost like a prism. It is warm, comforting, and at the proximity they're sharing shoulder to shoulder, Tidus may feel it too. His final gift rests now on his lap, and Roland is pleased to see it when the hammerspace closes up again. He gestures his head to the side; a jerking motion, swift and sure. Towards his companion, waiting.
"You can open your eyes now, Tidus."
He'll feel the presence, first. He doesn't have to reach out. When the darkness behind his lids fade, and he adjusts back to the car's overhead light, Tidus will find it staring up at him in wonder. It is made of water, bubbles floating up against the top of his head, its crown made to resemble grand fins, astounding corals, gems of the deep blue sea.
Roland speaks not before long.
"Meet Hibber-Gibber the Hopeful." He says, still smiling, watching it begin to approach, sensing Tidus from its own nexus of ancient magic. "A high higgledy. And it's yours, now. If you'll allow it."
Hiiiig! Piggle!