voidtreckerexpress

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Who: Inigo, Tidus (aka the two shared braincells duo) and you!
Where: The standard coach
When: Horseshoe 17
What: Inigo and Tidus are handing out free stuff because Tidus is the train's official sugar daddy.
Warnings: Probably nothing, will edit if necessary.

---

Hey guys, forget about that public breakdown the other day. Today Inigo is on the ICP with a big smile, seeming as cheerful as ever. It's fine. It's cool.

"Good day, everyone! Tidus and I brought some things back with us from Irivar to share with everyone. So why not come over to the standard coach and see if there's anything you'd like to take with you, hm? We have quite the selection! Oh, and.. erm, Taiki, Roland, Bryn and Della.. If you could make sure to come see us, we'd appreciate it! Otherwise I might have to send Ti--"

Before Inigo can even finish the sentence, there's an offscreen obviously very Tidus-y voice calling out, "Inigo! Ask for Sakura too!"

Inigo huffs, turning his gaze to the off screen source. "I was getting to that!" (No he wasn't.) Apparently he accidentally pulled his ticket off the ICP as he starts moving away from it too, because the feed just cuts out. Just come get some sweet stuff.

---

Their set-up in the standard car is a simple, if messy, one. They have a few of their offered freebies on the same table they occupy, each guy facing the other, sat by the wall. From the immediate front, fragrant bags sit no bigger than a palm, a variety of scents better to tell when held to the nose. Whetstones sit stacked mostly on top of one another, and then a cluster of hair ribbons and circular hair ties behind them. Behind the bags are a few scent oils--basically, perfumes, if not very big. There's a few to choose from, but...

...not as many as there are the soaps, which take up a half of the table in their choice. It's like a lush shop here of choice, different colours and sizes.

And Inigo and Tidus? Sit there, either playing cards or fiddling through the paper craft book available from the art supplies where the old library used to be.

A chalkboard sits balanced, with the words 'FREE 2 TAKE' written in big letters. In case you missed the public announcement.

1:
Come up, and have a look. Ask about what they've got.

2:
Or while you're here, maybe you can help Tidus, who pipes up to ask-

"Hey, quick question. How long 'til you're comfortable hugging someone?"

(ooc: as a note, all threads on this will be threeways! please enjoy trying to handle both teens at once. you can't seperate them.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

- but Roland stares at the bottles of hair oil and perfume by the desk; remembers the braid in his hair and the ribbon that holds it in place. The blanket he chose, something special that not a lot of people can say they received from both teens. The flower cufflinks that glimmer under dim light, its box still open.

He sighs to himself and takes the high road. There's a wry smirk on his lips as he tilts his neck a little dramatically to the side, a wide birth that allows Inigo and Tidus the exchange of ticket.

"Guess it's Inigo to the rescue."

Without anyone to stop him, Tidus takes it and lets out a sigh. Pulling back off from the table, holding it to his chest. He's putting his all into this, even glancing up at Inigo after with a soft smile.

"Thanks, Inigo..."

Can you hear how heartfelt that is? Touched? The smile even widening as seconds go by, and a thought occurs to Tidus. He shuffles himself out from the booth, pausing with a hand on the edge of the table.

"Wait here. I'll be a second."

And there he goes................over to the shop terminal.

Inigo is so weak.

So very, very weak.

Apparently you can be a prince and live through an awful zombie apocalypse for years and still be unable to say 'no' to someone when they show you some softness. Because the way Inigo is looking at Tidus when the other gives him that soft smile and those touched words is nothing short of dazed. A blush may even slowly be creeping up his cheeks. Just for that expression on his bro's face, Tidus can take just about anything from him. Sure, take his ticket. Take his points. Just take his heart right out of his chest, it's fine! It's cool! HE DOESN'T NEED IT, BRO, HERE, TAKE IT--

He does manage to snap himself slightly out of it by the time Tidus heads out of the booth. Only partially, since Inigo sure seems very unconcerned as to where Tidus is going with that ticket. Instead he stares over at Roland, cheeks still rosy, near-stars in his eyes.

"I did well, right, father?!"

Roland holds back a sigh, but can't manage even that at this point, staring at Tidus's little scheme. Why else would he want Inigo's ticket? Why would anyone on this train - malicious intentions aside - want another passenger's prized possession? The breath that comes out of Roland's mouth is masked as a light chuckle, though it's more wry than anything. He busies himself with the items on the table, opening up another bottle of scents that's brought close to his nose. This one smells of sharp citrus.

"Sure you did." He answers casually, too casually. "You definitely saved Tidus...some points." The last part of his sentence is muttered, a lower volume in the hopes that it comes across as inaudible. Roland clears his throat and glances to the side, up at Inigo with a strange looking smile.

And from the end of the aisle, Tidus strolls back to the both of them, a slim book in hand. Humming to himself a random quiet tune, posture at ease. He gives them a "Yo", no weariness or any other ailments that suffered his features before, and drops the magazine on the table where Inigo can see it.

"Thanks, pal. Here, I got this for you! It's something to do with dance."

With that, he slips himself back into the booth. All lively, all casual. Saved by Inigo's kindness.

Should Roland look his way, he'll not change his expression much -- just a tip of the head, a kind of 'What?', if the man wants him to explain what just happened. Do you think he knows why Inigo went through it with? It's Inigo. Live with it.

Inigo definitely misses the muttered part.

There's no other explanation for the happy smile on his face as he leans back into his seat. He did well. That's all he needs to know. Roland is proud of him, and Tidus looked so soft and happy - isn't that all Inigo needs in his life?

Until that magazine suddenly ends up right in front of him, and Inigo stares at it with wide eyes.

He's not picking it up yet though, which means Roland should also be able to get a real good look at it.

Inigo, in the meantime, is busy with the twenty questions that immediately start flooding his mind, though the only thing he ends up managing to express while giving Tidus a baffled look is a--

"Why?!"

Roland only shakes his head in mock exasperation for their antics, but lacks any kind of fight or actual frustration at the action. He doesn't necessarily approve of using Inigo's points without asking for it - in fact, Tidus did deceive Inigo's pure, innocent heart that's always been weak to those who need his help! - but today was, again, Not That Day for Roland. Happy just with the company to keep, and the gesture of gift-giving well-thought out and kind. And if Inigo was to lend points to anyone on this train, of course one of them had to be Tidus. There were worse offenses to be had, he thinks.

Though his attention is somewhat removed from his pile of scents and oils when the item bought is plopped down on the table for all to see. See, indeed. Roland's face lights up in recognition. After Inigo exclaims loudly, Roland is already taking a closer look at the material. Ballet, eh?

With all the innocence a man like him could muster, with the braid in his hair and some flower petals stranded through his locks, Roland looks to Inigo smiling, and says, "Hey, this is a good purchase! I'm glad you're keeping up with your passions." He sets it back down and nods approvingly. Truly, now! Nice one, Tidus! ~~Just ask next time!!~~

Why a why?? Isn't it obvious? Tidus is about to speak up when Roland gets to it first, and so he turns to him, oblivious to anything wrong or troubling here. Seeing the positives in it too, and again about to speak--

But then he interrupts himself, looking back to Inigo with some concern.

"It wasn't bad, was it? You seemed pretty happy about that last magazine, so I thought you'd like this too."

At least, he took the purchase as having some value to Inigo, but now he isn't sure if 'positive' is the right emotion to put to it. Would this just make Inigo think of his mother too much? And that wasn't the point.

This is not a typical reaction for Inigo. Especially not at Roland of all people. Tidus would be more the type to react to the old man this way than Inigo ever would be, and yet as his embarrassment at seeing the magazine gets dialled up to eleven with the words Roland says, all Inigo can think is ugh. Ugh. UUUUGH. Why this, dad! Why embarrass him, huh? It's as if he can feel Jumblie warming up his face, but no, she's not even out right now, that's just his dumb blush!!

He grabs the magazine in order to be able to hide his face behind it, pondering how socially acceptable it would be to just stay like this. It seems like the better solution at this point.

But then Tidus speaks up.

And Inigo's heart would break if he'd lie in the face of the other's genuine concern, just for the sake of his own embarrassment.

So he slowly drops the magazine back on the table, even with his face still so red that it threatens to colour his hair purple.

"N-No, it's just bad, it's just.." What can he even say that isn't lying, yet also not admitting to something really embarrassing either?! "I-It was unexpected. But-- I'll read it. All of it. I promise."

Ugh, he's dying! But he's not done yet! Inigo quickly turns his face towards Roland, ready to get this CLEAR MISUNDERSTANDING out of this world as soon as possible. "Tidus got me one of these about dancing before. Or.. well, it was more coincidental that time, but.. still. It's kind of nice. Since my mother loved dancing so much."

You hear that, Roland!! It was just his mom!! Don't get any weird ideas about him wanting to dance, dad!!

Edited 2020-10-26 21:15 (UTC)

...That was some reaction. But the surprising thing to Roland is that Inigo seems more upset at what Tidus bought and not the act of buying something using his ticket without permission. He's begun to touch the tip of the braid now, momentarily forgetting that Inigo's asked him not to bother with it until he's given off his seal of approval.

It's also the matter of how Inigo is reacting. The magazine about ballet, about dance, and then now as he rushes to explain to Roland with a fiery gaze about how this is his mother's hobby. It softens his expression somewhat. He remembers that Inigo preferred dancing over sword fighting lessons, which is why Lucina and Inigo swapped places during their classes. But that only meant Inigo himself was fond of dancing to some level, since he made the easy choice to switch with his sister.

"I see."

It's quite clear then, that Inigo might have some lingering shyness holding him back. So, in his reading of the room, Roland just nods and withholds his own insight on the matter - that Inigo actually does quite enjoy dancing, partly due to the influence of Olivia, but also just as he is. The worst thing that could happen was he accidentally pushes the hobby so far back Inigo won't even think to pursue it out of fear.

Roland gently throws the braid back against his shoulder and resumes to busy himself with his new gifts on the table. The smile on his face, light and easy.

"Well, I hope you learn something new about dancing after reading this. We're no dancers ourselves," And yes, he is speaking on both of your behalves, Tidus! "But our ears are always open if you want to talk about it." Or, if you want an audience. Cough.

...how more obvious about being shy can you get than hiding your face behind a magazine? Really, Inigo? Really? What is this?

Which is what Tidus is wondering, and it's actually reminding him of the time that he got Inigo the first magazine. Wasn't he a lil' weird about it then? Now he's just...really weird. Odd. That he's starting to wonder if the dancing thing was actually to do with his mother or--more. Did he actually stumble upon Inigo's hidden kink? Does he have a thing for dancers? ...Maybe he'll have to ask the guy in private sometime, without Roland there with them.

So, while Roland offers his ears, Tidus gives a shrug, acts noncommittal in his own approach.

"Some people have hobbies they like to keep to themselves. S'not a big deal. Didn't you tell me you used to be into figurines and putting them together? You ever hear 'bout that for a hobby in your world, Inigo?"

Look, look at this flawless moving the subject away from Inigo. Dang, he's such a bro!!

A true bro. Although Inigo also has some true bro sentiment left in him. Because of course he'll gladly take the topic change, but-- he just wanted to make sure to add this, or he knows he'll regret not having said it in defense of his bro!

"I'm sure Tidus isn't a bad dancer at all! Just look at the way he can flip so easily!" Look, Roland, he'd defend your dancing abilities too, but he also did so before when you tried to put yourself down over it, okay.. And he doesn't want to put too much attention back on the whole dancing thing. Not when Tidus is giving him an easy out.

Besides, he does seem rather genuine curious as he repeats: "Figurines? What are those?" Are they unconvering a rare Roland hobby?!

Roland would have happily added to that conversation - seeing that blitzball move out of water was still something he remembers about Tidus's athleticism - but the flow of it moves out of dancing and straight into something unexpected. Roland blinks up at Tidus, then holds back making a face. Of course he would remember something like that.

"Figurines are like small dolls, Inigo. But they're usually made of stronger material, so they can stand on your shelf and have cool poses." He shrugs lightly, though all the explanations about it come smoothly. A memory of the past, and he would be remiss if he didn't admit even if it was just to himself how fondly he thinks of that part of his life. He wonders if either of them would be interested in something similar, had they experienced the same sort of childhood...

"I watched a lot of shows and movies back then. When they came out with toys and merchandise, I was always asking my mom to buy them for me, if we could afford it." Whatever apprehensions he had initially have been replaced with a quiet smile and a tilt of his head to look at the light above them in nostalgia. "I felt really proud of myself for putting together big figurines. Anyway." Roland shakes his head in dismissal; he was just a kid then.

Roland with figurines that sit on your shelf and hold cool poses. Tidus is absolutely smiling at the explanation, and picturing it: a 98 year old Roland with a kid's bedroom of pew pew figures. Because that's totally what reality is.

"Aw, getting shy?" His tease is light though, once Roland comes to his end. He flits a look between the two, and decides to ask by the random spontaneity that takes over him sometimes, "Inigo - if Roland remembered the name of a really big one, would you wanna help him put it together? How about it? You wanna give it a go?"

It's more than just about teasing Roland, leaning into his seat and waiting on Inigo's thoughts, though they might take a moment. Could Inigo imagine it? But it's about the fun of it, both of them getting to enjoy something. Something new for one, something old for the other.

Thinking about it.. Maybe it's a bit hypocritical of Inigo of all people to think so, considering he isn't exactly forthcoming with all details about himself either, but he can't help but think it does feel like it's not often that Roland shares something about himself like this. It makes the boy pay immediate attention, hanging onto every word he says - like the rarity of this grain of information means he has to treasure it even more than he usually would.

It's nice information, anyway. Learning about something Roland likes. Something surprising. He was into dolls, huh.. Does he still like them? The smile on his face seems to indicate as much.

So despite Inigo still not having the most clear idea about figurines in his head, he nods and smiles all the same when Tidus offers up that suggestion.

"Of course! As long as he thinks it'd be fun. We can both help him though, right?"

The idea that Tidus may have meant this as a bonding kind of thing for the two of them is apparently going over his head entirely.. But can you really say no to this warm, inviting smile, Tidus?

"I'd offer to buy it as long as we don't need a whole lot more supplies, since I have plenty of points, but I'm fairly sure we don't have anything like that in Ylisse, or even outside of the halidom.."

He takes a cursory glance at Tidus, then at Inigo from an angled spot behind him, suddenly the flowers and braid in his hair forgotten. He crosses his arms tighter against his chest, gaze held low all of a sudden. For anyone else, it may just look like a defense mechanism; but at this stage, up close, and knowing what they do, Roland seems exactly as Tidus says: shy.

Or at the very least, unused to it now. A hobby once forgotten, something small that didn't deserve such time on a place like a void train saving worlds! He shakes his head.

"All right, let's slow it down." He chides. "That's not something we should be prioritizing for the train. Save your points, Inigo. You may need an important purchase in the future." Which is sound advice, but also self-deprecating if only for the clarity that Roland doesn't quite think his passions deserve someone else spending for it on his behalf. If he wants it, surely, he can save up for it.

Not that he's thinking of it. He'll look away, or close his eyes, whichever will grant him some sense of grace from what he just said. How could he tell them that? Now he can't get the image of building model figures with them out of his head. Or with Inigo, though he has a feeling Tidus will at least provide the peanut gallery, in itself amusing to imagine.

Nope, not thinking about it. Too juvenile. Useless for the mission at hand. Not the job. Not the call of duty.

"Booriiiiing! Look at him, telling us what to do with our points! Inigo? Ticket?"

Because from that display, Tidus's mind is made up fairly quickly, half up from his seat in the booth and waiting for the ticket returned to be handed back. Is it his need to be contrarian to Roland that spurs him on, or a sixth sense for the old man that inspires him? Call it a mixture of both, that Roland's argument wasn't good enough - that having them explore new hobbies (and especially Inigo) has been one of Tidus's many side-goals, and needs a better reason to be dropped.

"What Inigo needs is to live his life. He's helped put points into the train already, and so have you." If Roland thinks he's the only guy who can chide here, he's sorely mistaken!

"So you can make sure I order the right thing by giving me some names for what you call these D-I-Y figures, or I can put a bunch of words in at random."

Whose side are you on, Inigo?

Although Tidus may be wording the whole thing slightly differently than Inigo himself would, it's as if their hearts are one in intention at this very moment. Because Inigo can see what's happening here, clear as day. It takes a self-depreciator to know one, after all, and Inigo knows that Roland is pushing his own passions and happiness out of the way for the greater good.

And he won't stand for that.

So for once he completely ignores Roland's advice, instead handing over his ticket to Tidus without hesitation once more, though this time a little more intentional for its purpose.

(Though he makes a bit of a face as Tidus mentions his name - bro, did you really have to add that? This is about Roland! This isn't the moment for betrayal!)

It changes nothing about the fact that his ticket is now securely in Tidus's hands though.

"Come on, Roland. I'm making an important purchase right now." Besides, even though he's not sure how he's doing it, he seems to be earning points pretty steadily.. so surely that'll keep up. If there really will be something important in the future, then that can be a problem for Future-Inigo. "You know there's nothing more important to me than things that make the people I care about happy! So come on, tell us which one you want."

Inigo's gaze shifts from Roland to Tidus, giving the latter a knowing smile. It's kind of fun to be on the same side of this for once.

"I know Tidus never takes a no, but I'm not taking one either this time!"

Edited 2020-10-30 21:35 (UTC)

When the two of them are so in sync like this, living up to Roland's personal moniker, even his steely resolve melts before such combined might. From one side, Tidus and his boisterous, well-meaning assertion. The other; Inigo in full unconditional support, suddenly uncaring if Roland is trying to dissuade him where he would usually listen. But it's clear that they're just trying to explore new hobbies, sharing what they know and like with one another such that it can be done as a team. Inigo vocalizes it well - it's just about making each other happy, where they can. How could he go against that?

It's enough of a convincing argument from both of them that the additional nag dies on Roland's tongue: that "putting in points" for the train might not be the point of service, of doing the job. But that's just the Roland in him talking, and for that he's learned his lesson well.

So as Inigo hands Tidus his ticket again, and he's put to the lecture of just telling them what specific figurines he's got in mind, Roland decides to just go for it. The worst part was not only getting the wrong toy, but wasting the points they're so willing to give. He's silent only for a short while, contemplating the name, the brand, before he pipes up, a hand rubbing the back of his neck while he watches Tidus type.

"...MadNuG models." He says, his voice losing a bit of his usual steadiness. Like he's not sure if this was really going to work, of if it's going to happen. And in the first place, would someone like Inigo even like to do this with him, might find it too boring...Gah. He shakes his head and starts spelling out the name, letter for letter. Saying where to capitalize too, something important for the brand.

"They're not to scale, and every robot is made to assemble and paint so you've got some wiggle room to decorate it as you want. Even if it's not the same type of robot you see on the show." He turns to Inigo then. "Not to scale just means they're not giant. They're small, like this." Roland angles his hand perpendicular to the table by some inches, indicating how big the model would be. Thinking it might help him, of course. Robots didn't exist in Ylisse. What about Zanarkand? Gah.

"We don't need to capitalise," comes predictably and sulkily from Tidus's mouth, not even sure he believes Roland when he says it's actually important, but - he'll do it anyway, properly, just this once. Just for Roland, even if he's all the way over there and Tidus is technically free from his judgment where he is.

He's just such a nice guy!!

"What's the show? You tried looking it up in the cinema?" It's easy for the order to go in, and once he's done -- success. Tidus smiles at the screen and then pulls the ticket back out, turning to the pair in show of their result. Coming back over, giving Inigo a pat on the shoulder in comradery as he once again returns the ticket back. Commenting cheerfully, "At this rate, we won't have time for the mission next month!"

Give Inigo an inch and he'll take a mile. Or, well, maybe not a full mile, but he can't help but at least take a bit more when Tidus hands back his ticket and gives him a pat on the shoulder like that. Using one hand to stuff his ticket back into a pocket leaves the other free to clasp Tidus's hand for a moment, brightly smiling up at the other from his seated position. He's still just pretty excited about how much fun it is to team up with the force of nature called Tidus.

Though he turns his gaze towards Roland later - and yes, fine, he'll even slowly let go of Tidus's hand! There, bro, you can have it back, it's all yours again - with a bit of a curious stare. He may not have understood half of that with how much contextual information he's missing due to being from medieval times, but..

"They're usually big?"

Sure, he knows Orisa is big, but he wouldn't call her giant. If not just since that's rude to do to a.. lady(??).

"Then what do they do in that show?" Learn important lessons about friendship?

He has been through countless world summits, meetings with dignitaries, world leaders, sharing tea and shaking hands with the heads of state for as long as he can remember...Yet it's the innocent prodding of two teenagers that has gotten him to clam up unexpectedly, feeling himself sweat from the line of questioning. His arms crossed tightly against his chest has never been more secure than it was now.

And it's not like he's trying to clam up for the sake of it - just that he's unsure of how to approach it even on his own. He hasn't had time to think about his past like this for decades. His favorite show? The one that came naturally to him when asked for merchandise...how did he feel about it? How would he feel now? Thoughts that were usually reserved for himself, his own introspection, now being tugged out.

Roland just takes a little longer to answer than he usually would; the only sign that he's slowly trying to at least answer candidly, honestly.

"...The show was called MaDnuG Armor X." He watches the two of them get settled back into place before he adds more. "In the show, the robots there are as big as castles. Buildings. Tall and imposing. And they would separate into other parts so the good guys had to unite as one to save the day." (Not a stretch to say this might be where his little kid self got the idea of making peace by coming together as a singular force. But that was speculation for another time.)

Roland glances between Tidus and Inigo again, then back to the gifts. He uncurls his arms away from his body if only to lean his elbows back on the table, sounding very much in debt. "Thank you." He says once more, this time for the additional order. Suddenly, turning to Inigo too, looking the picture of worried.

"Building these models can get time consuming and a little boring if you're not used to it. I promise I won't feel bad if you want to stop at any time and just go do something else. Okay?"

Tidus lets Inigo keep it for a while, but thanks for letting him have it back! Not that he needs it immediately for anything, but it's nice to have all of one's limbs (sus, we know). But he's watching Roland as he sits himself back down, comfortable, half-interested in the conversation in what he assumes to be an easy one. A talk about a favourite TV show growing up -- what difficulty can there be in a subject like that?

He expects embarrassment at worse, but nothing that'd be worth changing subjects or requiring reassurance. But the way that Roland sits as if ... Tidus can't quite pin it - being interrogated? Needing to give an alibi? So stiff and emotionless, keeping himself in check. All proper. Has Roland gotten like this about anything?

(Like, maybe that time he was dumb about his leg wound.)

"Nope." He speaks up after Roland's reassurance, like he has any authority in this. "Inigo's helping you, from start to finish. Then you can decide if you never make one again." And he knows he doesn't need to be this bossy, but, with a smile on his face, Tidus leans against the table to pat Roland on the arm.

"Relax! It's okay, we know you were a kid once. Loosen up, be proud of it. That's a cute show." His grin widens as he says it. "Look more happy about it!"

About this - about everything. Smile, Rol!! Whatever it is making him look so... tight.

Usually Inigo would be giving Tidus a whole lot more grief for just deciding to sign him up without asking him - whether serious grief or just joking, teasing grief since the opportunity lends itself to it.

But right now he is too distracted by Roland too. It's not too strange to Inigo by now, the way Roland tries to shove them away slightly. He's thinking about it even as Tidus speaks, encouraging the older guy. Inigo doesn't really understand the cute show nuance, not being used to children's entertainment, but-- Tidus does sound like he's on the right track, so Inigo nods, smiles a bit.

"Yes, we like hearing about the things you're interested in."

Or was interested in, whichever. Roland talks so little about himself unless you pry it out that every bit that does come out feels more important.

He may also be scooting just a tad closer to Roland, just so he can give him a full serving of the puppy eyes. Bask in them, old man. "If anything, you should be telling us more! Come on, Roland, we hardly ever get to hear anything about you!"

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