flatteries: (it sort of sounds like you leaving)
a man for flowers ✿ ( INIGO ) ([personal profile] flatteries) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-10-05 11:05 pm

(open)

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.)
adregem: (don't ask questions.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-11-02 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
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?"
blitzcheer: (sry gtg)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-02 03:43 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
adregem: (an inkling of a plan.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-11-03 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
blitzcheer: (blitz it babe)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-03 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
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!
adregem: (Default)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-11-04 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
'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.
blitzcheer: (ur not me mam)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-04 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
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.)
adregem: (Default)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-11-05 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
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?
blitzcheer: (water five four up)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-05 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
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!
adregem: (i'm staying here with you evan.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-11-08 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
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.
blitzcheer: (who asked you!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-08 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
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.
adregem: (Default)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-11-09 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
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?"
blitzcheer: (who asked you!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-16 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"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?
adregem: (just looking around~)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-11-19 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Roland shakes his head gently, afraid to throw the braid and flowers off. Incredulous almost, but he remembers that Inigo is often worried about what he thinks, what his friends might think really, of the things he does for them no matter how intimate or thoughtful.

"Not at all." He answers, looking up at him with his arms uncrossed now, resting against his lap instead. "I just want to see it. I don't want your hard work to go to waste! Besides..." How does he say this without sounding too strange? He mulls over the words but decides that there's little point in hesitating about things. He's already allowed him - no, wanted him - to do up his hair like this, flowers strung across black strands, standing out like dots of color on a dark canvas.

"...I want to remember it. I always remember the things I see. That's why."

A simple enough explanation, but if all else fails, he'll pull up one of the cameras for work purposes. He can print it and delete it later.
blitzcheer: (chatter chatter)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-19 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Roland brings out the camera, and Tidus then remembers: the one of his own he has, forgotten in the bustle of everything the month has been so far.

"Wait, use this-"

Which, it doesn't look like much when it first appears; Tidus bringing up his Arms hand and in the dust of fading gold, out appears... a bar. A slip of plastic-like material, some kind of controller, for those aware of what they are. It was one of Tidus's orders, and from his side, it looks like he's tapping a thumb. But then, a 'screen' comes up: holographic and with a blue tint, making it closer to the size of a handheld-tablet, the edges becoming defined and opaque. Despite the transparent quality it gives off, they can't see whatever Tidus can, but-

"Camera-... record..."

He shuffles out from his seat, getting up and coming to where he can get the best view of Roland. "Rol, keep still- I'll go around." Pulling on the bottom bar that he's holding, and making the entire screen size wider, fuller; the 'camera' only needing a second or so to adjust.

Don't mind him now just slowly hovering this device behing Roland's head...catching some of Inigo's too, but only because he's by the guy. And then Tidus will come back around, leaning down on the table. "Replay that?"

--And the image captured starts playing, starting from when Tidus got up, only the lightest blue tint to the colouring. Otherwise, it's as real as any video captured. On the bottom of the bar, now visible the few buttons necessary, arrow keys and a small indent in the middle showing where it can be clicked back in and made smaller.
adregem: (i'm staying here with you evan.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-11-22 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Roland takes the instruction obediently, and doesn't move a muscle, not even a twitch of the mouth. But his eyes follow the device Tidus brings out, and his brows can't help but furrow in curiosity. What was it? Something from home? Spira? No, possibly Zanarkand. The process is quite quick though; it's not like Tidus was taking a long video, just capturing enough so Roland can see Inigo's handiwork. As it's revealed to them both, he looks closely at the moving holograph, the blue quite easy on the eyes actually. He hums, and reaches a finger to touch one of the buttons.

It zooms in closer to the braid, and eventually, he breaks out into a smile.

"...Can you print this? Inigo, you did such a good job. You're a natural at things like this. I'm always so impressed." And Roland isn't trying to talk him up just for the sake of it, either. He's keen on the attention to detail, even the way Inigo weaves flowers in and where they should go to make a pattern. He thinks about what to do before he commits to the act, and in his art, it shines most of all.

"Thank you. My only regret is that I'll eventually have to untie it. Which is why I'm wondering if it can be immortalized on print?" To this, he addresses it to Tidus, just a tinge hopeful it can be done. Magic technology, please help him never to forget memories like this, where one day his mind may fail him...
blitzcheer: (chatter chatter)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-22 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Print it? That gets Tidus making a face.

"You're...gonna need to ask someone else about that. I can save it, anyway- buy you a frame so you can keep it and whatever else you want!" So he offers, but then, considering what a hassle 'buying' is around here- "Orr... I'll let you borrow this when you want. How about taking a picture with your camera?"

However, Tidus does turn to Inigo now, leaning in a little to get his arms comfortable and where he can access the holographic screen. "See this, Inigo? If I do this-"

He puts his fingers on the solidified surface, spreads his fore- and middle finger, much like a tablet would allow to work; causing a flower they've pause the video on to be enlarged. The quality exact, as if a person were leaning into that exact flower right now, the strands of Roland's hair.

"You do this, and you can see closer!"

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