voidtreckerexpress

Entry tags:

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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

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!"

How is he supposed to resist puppy eyes, then suddenly Tidus patting him on the arm telling him to loosen up? It's insane. He's never been in this position before, and all he can do now is try not to look so uncomfortable. It's not that he is, but it's new, so he's finding a place to adjust. How much of himself - what parts of himself - should be out in the open? Should they even see? Or what will matter? Certainly this wasn't it. Hobbies pushed so far back in his past that the only time he indulged in them again was when he accepted his fate in a brand new world, where his body could afford the energy of a younger life. Playing pretend, writing more, going on missions that seemed lifted from movies...

He nods quietly, and at least the smile he attempts is genuine, if not a little reserved. Can't really turn that switch off, but Roland isn't lying when he said how touched he was with all their gifts. The blanket, the oils, the cufflinks and now a new gift from the terminal. One they could do together. New. All so new.

"I'll...try. Thank you. I mean it. I am happy. I didn't wake up today expecting to be the recipient of all this." He turns to Inigo then, his smile falling just a tad. Not denying him that closer proximity, but the pushback is natural, he isn't even aware of the deflection as it rolls off his tongue.

"That's just not a question that's asked often of me. Or it was never really important. I'm just a regular guy." Besides, after gifting them both their new friends, bound to each other's hearts...Yes, they know enough, actually. Stories shared in privacy, but among the three of them, he has revealed more than he's ever had to even back in the kingdom. He shakes his head. The braid loosens behind him.

"I hear you, though. Making this together will be fun. I promise. I still remember exactly how to do it, even after all these years. If we get the right model from the shop." That at least, earns a bit more pep in his step. Smile growing wider, showing more cheer.

How to take the stiff out of an old guy, huh? Tidus sees it, understands it, even if he's sure it's not something he's seen before: a man having to deal with their habits, what they know and trying to break out of it, but not knowing what that is or means. Auron wasn't that kind of guy. Or was he? His memories of that particular stiff always a blur with time, of grumpy moods and proving himself better than whatever the man was thinking behind those shades.

So that even when his smile lacks that genuine quality Tidus knows he's seen on the man before, he doesn't take it to heart. Doesn't think to push a second time, accepting the answers they're given.

"I get it. You'll go away and sort out all these congested feelings you're experiencing in private." Said with all the youthful sass that's required of a man experiencing emotional diarrhoea. "But hey, right model or wrong, long as you two can put it together, that's the fun part! And talking about how much cooler the robots you grew up with were compared to this."

Heheh!

Look, he gets what Tidus is doing here. And it's a good thing to, but just-- Inigo turns his gaze away from Roland so he can look at Tidus, idly waving his arm in the other teen's direction as if he's trying to lightly bat him. Unfortunately Tidus is just out of reach, which makes Inigo just look like he's flailing.

He's also mouthing 'don't call it congested feelings!' but considering that's way too elaborate a message to get across without using his actual outdoor voice, there's probably little chance of that part getting transmitted.

"Yes, yes, it is going to be fun!" Inigo has no idea if the actual model building is going to be any fun for him. He's never tried. But spending time with Roland, maybe even getting to see the guy thoroughly enjoy something? That's worth just about anything. "Besides.. look, we're regular guys too!"

He gestures towards himself and then to Tidus with an arm. Sure, all of them may be a bit more than regular - a president, a prince, a sports star - but does any of that really matter when none of them may ever return to it? Inigo doubts he and Tidus ever think about each other's status or fame when they nearly start a food fight during dinner over something dumb and inconsequential, anyway.

"Are you saying you don't care about what we find interesting or fun? It's the same for us when it comes to you!"

AND YES, THAT'S AN 'US'. Don't you DARE betray him on this one, bro, he's trying to give his dad some more self esteem!

'Congested...? Heh. That's new.' Roland doesn't take it to offense. In fact, that's when he manages to smile. A real one this time.

He'll never admit it out loud, but it's when they act this way that gets him to shed a bit of the defenses he naturally puts up. They're only there because of need, anyway. Always had to be the guy making the shots, thinking of the greater good. Making sure everyone was accounted for, especially in his own home...Though that came in varying degrees of success. No better feeling in the world to do it, too: to look out for them all. But the personal sacrifice it came with, well. A small price to pay.

Yet as always, Tidus and Inigo managed to pry it out of him. The idea that he could just be without the reservations. To know him genuinely, and for Roland to be allowed to do the same with them. He's been on the train for some time now, not as long as his previous adventure yet, but he's still unused to their openness. He likes the feeling that comes with it, though. He won't deny himself that.

Their sentiments breach far enough that Roland actually opens and closes his mouth like a gaping fish when Inigo says something about not caring about them, what they like. "No, wait. That's not true!" Quick to the defense, that's definitely not what he meant! "I like knowing about the things you enjoy. Both of you." Roland looks to the right, looks to the left, appeals with his eyes gleaming under low light.

"...Okay. We'll build the model figure. I'll let Inigo decide if he wants to keep doing it or not. Then maybe I can...help either of you out with your hobbies. Yeah, sounds fair. Right?" He sits back, and the braid in his hair loosens even more with the motions he's made. Flowers falling to his lap, but some remaining stuck against thicker strands. Roland Crane, the president weak to the influence of stubborn yet incredibly well-meaning teenagers, siting in his own defeat.

Woowwww look at Tidus ignore the mouthing going on over there. Can't stop him, Inigo! He's just telling the truth!!

And he's having fun, sure that Roland isn't going to take that remark personally when Tidus has probably said worse. Plus, they're all friends here. And it's telling when Roland smiles than add further to his emotional clog up.

Look, Tidus will even behave and not make any noticeable gestures or show of disagreement regarding his feelings towards the old man. That brief look up at the roof of the car doesn't count, he was just flexing his eyeballs.

"Sure, you can help me." What with? But it doesn't take Tidus long to think, watching those tiny flowers scatter on Roland's shirt. "How about being target practice? That's me covered! Inigo?"

See, if he passes the offer onto Inigo, he can't cry about making Roland his victim. Of something. (He can, but it's the effort that counts.)

STOP ROLLING YOUR EYES AND PRETENDING THAT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOUNG MAN.

Truthfully, there's a lot to be exasperated about here. There's Inigo's hard work on Roland's hair going to waste on the one hand, and then there's Tidus making the absolute dumbest suggestion possible on how to spend time together involving his hobby.

But for once Inigo's impulsive instinct to react like a drama queen seems to just give up. Is it really worth it when the mood is so good, when Roland is finally smiling like that? It's not like he'll get anywhere by getting all pouty about it anyway. (Wow, if only that was a realisation he could have more often. Just imagine.)

"Well, I'm still not sure if I have any hobbies to begin with.." There's still a lot he's trying out! But that's exactly why he's not sure in the first place. And yes, there's dancing, but he's not going to bring up dancing. He's taking this one to his grave, thanks. "But you don't need to help me out with anything. Just spending time with either of you is enough for me, regardless of what we do."

Yes, look, Tidus! He's even throwing sap your way as well, despite you acting like a toddler!!

He has enough sense to start collecting the fallen flowers from his hair, making sure not a single petal touches the floor. They're cradled gently in one palm, and it's this and listening to both of them chat which immediately occupy his mind. Their banter making him realize that his initial thoughts on what it feels like to be in between them is still correct to this day. He's lived a solid life so far - a full, busy life - but how much of it was already on the job? How much of his actual passions was he able to pursue before the stark reality crashed in? Before he had to evolve as a young senator, a newly-wed husband, then without much preparation...a father to an infant son.

Tidus's words ring in his ears - you're not that guy, not here, not on this train. They're meant to be uplifting, freeing. Just like Tidus, who earns himself a pointed look when his hobby is to have Roland stand in as a training dummy; or Inigo who's trying his best to discover new facets of himself, one thing at a time. Can he do the same? Is he allowed to? Is this permission they're granting him, getting him gifts, listening to him, caring about the small things even when they don't seem to be too relevant to why they were even brought together?

The model figurine excites him. Is he allowed that feeling, too?

He stays quiet for the most part, until Inigo finishes speaking and the flowers that fell from his hair are all salvaged. Somehow. He'll offer it back to Inigo with a sheepish look - or as sheepish as Roland can be - with an apology under his breath. If he would still be willing to do it, he'd sit there and wait. Won't move this time!

"Whatever the case...I'll make sure to be available for when you want to do something new. Or find new avenues to have fun. I promise." He nods, but the motion is small. Soft Roland was weird, if only because it's so alien to see. But how could he repress this when the gifts in front of him, the gestures offered to him, are probably some of the nicest things he's ever received in kindness for as long as he can remember?

But Tidus loves that dumb pouty face, when will he get the chance to poke its cheeks again??

Except, look at Tidus instead be the aloof one here in not taking the offer seriously. Not that it bothers Tidus too much, rather willing to hear what Inigo has to say, to give himself more time to think of anything. But anything they could do for him, he's already dragged them into anyway. Though the sports games haven't been as often as before, he'll never shy away from asking for their participation there.

"You can always get him to help you with the paper decorations. Wasn't that Glor's idea anyway?" So therefore, it's partially Roland's idea-slash-responsibility too, right? "We'll think of something. Put you to work. Since you like people bossing you around."

not kinkshaming. Just trying to not be so serious about it to keep Roland all gooey and soft!

Geez, Roland. This moment feels very much like those times when Inigo had to drag him away from his work to get him to eat dinner or do something other than spend his entire day in the library. There's something about Roland that has the same emotion too. Something softer, maybe borderline sulky, unsure.

Though this time it's softer. Maybe even happier. And Inigo will take that - enough so that after a slight shake of his head he takes the flowers and starts redoing the parts of the braid that came undone, putting the flowers back in as well while he listens to Tidus.

"Do you think he doesn't work enough yet, Tidus?" There's some humor in Inigo's voice, since. Come on, bro. They both know how much of a workaholic Roland is, it's so obvious. It's practically a thetorical question. "I just want to see him have fun!"

Now he's practically talking like Roland isn't even here. Like it's just the teens having a discussion without the adult present. As if Roland isn't trapped by the fact that his hair is quite literally in Inigo's hands at the moment.

"Something to make him let loose a little. And I don't think paper flowers may be what does that."

He doesn't know what's come over him. But the words spilling out of his lips feels right, feels like he's supposed to answer this way even if in any other occasion, Roland would have kept his honesty to himself. He chooses not to fight it. With these two, it's hard to do so anyway; and it's not like he wants to either.

"Well, if it means spending that time together, I'd hardly count it as work." Roland says, feeling the comfort of Inigo's hands working through his hair again. This time for sure, he knows the braid will stick and he'll proudly wear it up for the rest of the train day. Besides, work is for Roland to enjoy, alone, on his lonesome. Isolated from the rest, where his persona shifts into an entirely different man. But putting up flowers, building models, ball games or anything else they might think of...He decides this is an invitation that's his for the taking. And in that spirit, he even adds, perhaps more for his benefit than either of them -

"Besides. I...I think it's nice that I can do this on the train." With people around him. With them, and not just co-workers. People who care. Who he has shared his story with, his pain. And vice versa, trusting him to understand. "So, let's do it." He smiles again. For a second there, it almost seems like he wasn't really old, not at all.

~~sounds sus, last line.~~

"Ohhhhhhh," comes the lilt of someone very mature. "Hear that, Inigo? Wouldn't dream of doing anything else than spending time with you, my boy."

His grin is mischievous, sly, but fun most of all; tone barely faking that of a middle-aged man before Tidus scoffs into a near-chuckle, brightening up all over again. He's not just here to tease, after all.

"You should listen to him! It's called having fun trying out new things with people you like. I'll give ol' Rol here a pass with paper flowers. But I think we need to get a new book," he adds in thought. "One with more complicated flowers. Most of what's in the book Webmind got's pretty basic stuff. I bet you could be making fancier."

So much faith in our dear Inigo.

Argh, this is too much. Somewhere between Tidus teasingly pointing out the fatherly implications in what Roland says - though he doesn't think that was aimed at just him here, bro, he's sure Roland would want to play sports with Tidus and do anything he enjoys as well - and Roland's actual words, so soft and happy, Inigo can feel his face start to colour slightly. It's just.. it feels precious. If this train is giving someone like Roland a second chance, someone so consistently hard-working, thrown around from one world to another, then at least that's one good thing about all this.

Inigo is still going to ignore Tidus's initial teasing for the good of his own heart though, instead working on putting the flowers back into the braid, leaving it looking very much like this.

Then he moves from behind Roland to instead sit next to him again. Close enough that he can lean a bit against the other. Inigo is trying to not get full on gooey with Tidus present, afraid of further teasing, but it's hard under the current circumstances.

"Well, if you think it'd be fun, then of course you can help me." He does give Roland a smile at that, though with a slightly shy edge to it - an edge that doesn't disappear as he turns his head towards Tidus. "And I.. I guess I wouldn't mind giving more complicated ones a try. I can't back down on a challenge when it's coming from you, can I?"

Look, he's just trying to find a less sappy way to say 'thanks for your faith in me, bro'!!

He feels the braid secured, and when Inigo joins him again by the chair, Roland can't help but itch to see how it turned out. It's a slow budding excitement that bubbles up from the pit of his stomach, even as both of them begin to speak. Not that Roland wasn't listening, but while his eyes land on one teen, then the other, following the conversation on finding the next hobby the three of them could indulge in for fun's sake, his fingers are already moving on their own accord.

It's not vanity, he argues. He just likes knowing how he looks at all times, and this was mixed with a tinge of fondness that makes it more compelling to carefully, subtly, reach behind him. Touches the pads of his fingertips against the smooth grooves and swirls of the braid, and it feels so much more complicated than the fishtail he expected.

Eventually, when Inigo finishes speaking, Roland finds that he can't ignore the feeling any longer. Pausing for a moment, a quick shift in subject just to put this one to rest - that's all he was doing really! - he clears his throat and turns to either of them in quick succession. The pause that follows this sound may have sounded awkward...because he realizes too late what he's about to ask. Gah. He's this far in!

"Say, uh. You wouldn't happen to have a mirror in your kit with the comb, would you?"

"Nope!" comes Tidus's pleased answer to Inigo, glad for the cooperation. And that's another project on the list -- which at this rate Tidus is going to have to make for them, so they can keep everything straight!

But it wasn't bad, this. Encouraging the both of them into hobbies, seeing what they liked, what they didn't. Learning more about Roland, and even Tidus having a place in getting to enjoy it all. Watching the 'subtle' way that Roland fusses with himself, likely not realising that way that his face looks right now. Makes Tidus wonder without having to think hard, what kind of man was Roland usually?

(How would his own father get about flowers in his hair, done up so intimately? His father so proud, but not one to care about what anyone thought--)

"We buy everything but a mirror," Tidus laughs, a tilted brow above one eye as he thinks. "What about one of the toilets? Their mirrors?"

Unless Inigo actually had one?

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