a man for flowers ✿ ( INIGO ) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
flatteries) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
voidtreckerexpress2020-12-11 11:10 pm
flatteries) wrote in voidtreckerexpress2020-12-11 11:10 pm
(open) my heart is about to jump out of my chest
Who: Inigo and you!
Where: The upper level of the music carriage
When: Imagination 19/20
What: Inigo thinks he's having a private dance practice moment. Thinks.
Warnings: Probably nothing, will edit if necessary.
---
(open to all)
If you happen to pass through the music carriage today - as people usually do when moving through the train - you may notice something. Either you can hear music coming from the upper floor, drawing your attention, or if you have a good heart, you may instead see an odd little creature sitting on the stairs, swaying from side to side along with the music.
If you decide to go upstairs, the creature certainly won't do anything to stop you, if you can see it. In fact, it seems to happily bounce right after you, following you up.
And upstairs the carriage is mostly empty - except for Inigo standing on the stage, dancing. The music is even more audible now. Inigo is dancing along to the beat, eyes closed, yet he doesn't seem to even come close to falling off the stage, as if he knows exactly where to place his feet. Which he probably does, considering his movements seem to be very fluid, practiced. It's a pretty captivating dance, honestly, and it's easy to just keep watching it without realising the time is passing until the song stops.
It's then that Inigo stops moving too, finally opening his eyes..
.. and therefore finally noticing that he's not alone. He lets out an absolute shriek, staring you straight in the eyes, before his foot slips and he finally ends up falling on the stage.
Temporary elegance gone. There is only a miserable little pile of Inigo on the stage now.
(closed to taiki)
Okay, okay. Maybe he just needs to get used to dancing in front of people. He danced in front of Tidus before, and that was only.. only mildly mortifying, so maybe that's what he should do. Make sure to dance in front of people he feels a bit more comfortable with.
Hence why Inigo gently dragged (read: made puppy eyes at until he gave in) Taiki along here. He said it was fine if Taiki would just sit there and paint or something, do whatever he feels like doing! It's just that Inigo has to get used to having an audience, okay! And Taiki is just about the most gentle person Inigo can think of for this sort of thing.
But thinking of that is one thing. The actual execution of this plan is another thing.
Which is why they're both here now, but rather than dancing, Inigo just sitting there on the stage, slumped over, groaning. His face is buried in his hands.
"Why is it so hard to get started when someone else is looking.." Is he whining to Taiki? To himself? Who knows.
Where: The upper level of the music carriage
When: Imagination 19/20
What: Inigo thinks he's having a private dance practice moment. Thinks.
Warnings: Probably nothing, will edit if necessary.
(open to all)
If you happen to pass through the music carriage today - as people usually do when moving through the train - you may notice something. Either you can hear music coming from the upper floor, drawing your attention, or if you have a good heart, you may instead see an odd little creature sitting on the stairs, swaying from side to side along with the music.
If you decide to go upstairs, the creature certainly won't do anything to stop you, if you can see it. In fact, it seems to happily bounce right after you, following you up.
And upstairs the carriage is mostly empty - except for Inigo standing on the stage, dancing. The music is even more audible now. Inigo is dancing along to the beat, eyes closed, yet he doesn't seem to even come close to falling off the stage, as if he knows exactly where to place his feet. Which he probably does, considering his movements seem to be very fluid, practiced. It's a pretty captivating dance, honestly, and it's easy to just keep watching it without realising the time is passing until the song stops.
It's then that Inigo stops moving too, finally opening his eyes..
.. and therefore finally noticing that he's not alone. He lets out an absolute shriek, staring you straight in the eyes, before his foot slips and he finally ends up falling on the stage.
Temporary elegance gone. There is only a miserable little pile of Inigo on the stage now.
(closed to taiki)
Okay, okay. Maybe he just needs to get used to dancing in front of people. He danced in front of Tidus before, and that was only.. only mildly mortifying, so maybe that's what he should do. Make sure to dance in front of people he feels a bit more comfortable with.
Hence why Inigo gently dragged (read: made puppy eyes at until he gave in) Taiki along here. He said it was fine if Taiki would just sit there and paint or something, do whatever he feels like doing! It's just that Inigo has to get used to having an audience, okay! And Taiki is just about the most gentle person Inigo can think of for this sort of thing.
But thinking of that is one thing. The actual execution of this plan is another thing.
Which is why they're both here now, but rather than dancing, Inigo just sitting there on the stage, slumped over, groaning. His face is buried in his hands.
"Why is it so hard to get started when someone else is looking.." Is he whining to Taiki? To himself? Who knows.
no subject
But after a few steps, he seems to think better of it, and the boy stops running. Audibly so, since he stops moving entirely, so the sounds of his frantic footsteps suddenly stop entirely.
Instead it's just quiet on his part. Quiet enough for Eight to be able to hear, even if she's still moving:
"W.. Was it that bad..?"
It's hard to tell if he's speaking to her or to himself. Maybe it's the latter, since he sounds so openly vulnerable, like a kicked puppy. After all, the only reason Inigo can think of for anyone - or anything - to run away this quickly right now is that his dance was just that horrible.
no subject
Cautiously the black octopus slid out from hiding into view. Upon close scrutiny her movement is not fast at all, relying on two large tentacles to squelch over the floor and back to Inigo.
She bumps into his foot, a set of two grey eyes looking up at him. "Chuu-weemeyoo" she coos in support and worry.
no subject
But it's hard to not notice the sensation against his shoes, so he glances down, spotting the octopus as it looks up to him. For a moment Inigo looks surprised, since this certainly isn't like anything he expected to find, but then there's that cooing voice.
And that melts his heart.
Inigo sniffs, and if she can see well enough in that form, Eight may notice his eyes being more than just a little watery. It becomes more obviously when he slowly moves to squat down, being on a slightly more even level with the octopus.
"Ah.. Sorry. Were you trying to comfort me..?"
no subject
So instead she bounces near his foot in a kind of... acknowledgement? "Vee-oo!"
...how long could she keep this up?
no subject
Especially since Inigo, as he moves a hand up to wipe at his eyes, continues to speak.
"Did you.. um. Did you see a girl around? I-- I really thought I saw her for a moment there, but I wasn't sure." He had been too startled, and by the time he took a second look, Eight had already no longer been there. But maybe this octopus knows her? She did speak of her hair being able to turn into tinier creatures, right? And despite her having said she didn't want that to happen, maybe it did accidentally happen and result in this cute little octopus over here.
It's just Inigo guessing though. He can't be very sure, especially while he's this emotional.
"I hope she didn't hate my dancing either.."
no subject
She's dripping black ink and has the most serious face he had ever seen. "Your dancing can change a person's life. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen." A hand raises to rub the tears from her eyes.
And whether he is prepared for it or not, she's going to give him the inkiest hug of his life.
no subject
Inigo didn't see it coming. Especially not coupled with those words she's saying that make his face glow a bright red. It's already hard for him to accept regular compliments about his dancing, but what Eight is saying goes far above and beyond that. How does a guy even deal with that?
It takes him a moment or two before he manages to even move, but when he does, he slowly wraps his arms around her back as well to hug her in return.
And even then it takes him another moment to find his ability to speak.
".. Thank you.." Usually he'd deny the compliment, but when she made it so big and touching, it feels rude to do so. "A-And sorry."
That he didn't recognize her right away. That she had to call him an idiot.
He did catch a glimpse of those tears though, right before she went in for the hug, and so he can't help but softly add: ".. Are you okay?"
sorry for the delay -- lots of stuff happened; it's fine if you want to end it here!
"Inigo..." She whispered softly, drawing him near. "...my body doesn't have any bones. I won't get hurt by something as minor as that." Despite the fact that she hit the wall going something like 30 mph.
She pulls away, her golden eyes looking directly into his. "Why didn't you tell anybody that you can dance that well? You're... amazing."
Did this have something to do with what happened in the forest...?
oh ssh, i love eight, i'd backtag with you into forever!
It's tempting to lie, or to at least avoid the question. But the hug, the emotions, even on her part - they all make it so much harder. He couldn't dodge this question without feeling way too guilty towards her now.
"I.. I just don't think it's that amazing. My mother was so much better than I was.. I still have far to go before I can reach her level." It's the truth, and he almost sounds a little resigned as he says it. Like it's hard for him to talk about this, but he's trying, even if it's happening shyly. "And I'm just worried people would make fun of me for it.. I-I mean, not everyone's as nice as you're being right now, you know..?"
;w;
"Then she must be amazing too! Your dancing could change someone's..." She bit her lip. She knew what she needed to do, but did she have the courage to go through with it...?
Yes. This was too important for him. It was too important for her. She was not going to let her fear discourage her now. "Come with me. I need to show you something."
She needed her phone.
no subject
But that doesn't mean he doesn't notice what she's telling him here.
".. show me?"
Inigo has no idea what she wants to show him. Not even when judging by what she said right before it. Could change someone's.. What?
"U-Um, of course." He still seems a little shy, but he's willing to go along with whatever this is. Eight wouldn't betray him after being so nice about all this. "I'll come. What is it..?"
Look at this obedient puppy. Ready to follow her just about anywhere.
no subject
"It is the beginning of everything." A hand reached and clasped his hand to lead. She only gave him enough time to bring his higgledy along. Once it was secure, she tugs him to follow. She was initially scared at the idea of sharing this part of herself to him, but now that her legs were moving there was a glisten in her eyes as she lead him down the stairs and into the hall. Why had she never thought to do this before? It seemed so obvious to her. Inigo was a friend, and friends share these things with each other, right?
no subject
Talk about cryptic. And also vaguely omnious. But Inigo trusts Eight, so he knows that he's not heading off towards anything dangerous or even bad. Instead it just has to be something important if she wants to show him it at a moment like this of all times. He's got to have a little faith in his friend, right?
Besides, Jumblie sits on his free arm, so snugly held against his chest. Her warmth and light makes his anxiety fold back at least a little bit as they walk, Inigo just letting herself be dragged right along by her.
At least he's getting a vague idea of where they're headed once they enter the halls of the many sleeper carriages.
"Is it in your room..?" Where else would they be going if they're headed in this direction, right?
no subject
She doesn't even wait for Inigo to ask what she's looking for when she's on the thing, scrolling through the apps and moving past all of the most recent files and pictures. "Ah...!" There it was. One final touch of the screen and...
She positions the phone for Inigo to see. It appears to be a... concert of some kind? Only in the center there appears to be less of a show and more of a battle of epic proportions. In the foreground, the tops of tentacle hair moves in front, frantic energy in the air. The fight continues, and suddenly as another fist gets deflected into the giant machine the beat begins to pick up. The screens roll static when two figures appear. The audience explodes in rhythm of the music, the lights, explosion, and spectacle.
Eight smiles as she sees this, and even begins to hum the song, though she's not aware she's doing so.
As the fight progresses, the smaller figure gains the upper hand, which causes further cheers. The camera waves as it's owner appears to be caught up in the same wave of energy and emotion. "Private 88," a voice barely breaks past the noise. "Private 88!" The hand is jostled and a serious looking woman is glaring at the owner of the camera. "MIMI!"
"Y-Yes, Sir?!" Eight's voice comes out from the phone.
The black-haired octoling shoots daggers into the phone before pointing at the arena. "Get your hood out of your ass and go down there! Your king needs you!"
"R-Right!" The phone is turned off and the video is silent.
Should Inigo ever look at Eight during any of this, he would find that she is completely enraptured by the sight. A soft smile on her face and a distant look in her eye.
no subject
The sight of the performance is still a little new to Inigo too. Coming from such a low-technology world as Ylisse, it almost feels like an overload to have that kind of music, and the lights-- the spectacle is almost too overwhelming to him, though he keeps watching, slowly trying to take it in. At least he's already used to the way modern music sounds, thanks to the music selection available on the train.
But then again, his own enjoyment or lack thereof isn't important. What's much more important to him is the look in Eight's eyes as she stares at it, the way she's humming along. So purely and genuinely enjoying it.
".. you liked watching performances like this back home?" He speaks up, though a little quietly, like he doesn't want to startle her out of her mood.
no subject
"I didn't use to. This was my first." She smiled, rewinding it to the point of a small person fighting a giant two-fisted robot mech. "This changed everything."
She paused, her tentacles drifting over her eyes. "I used to be a soldier, with no thought of anything outside my world. We were taught--are taught--that the outside world was not for us. That we just needed each other and that the Octarian society was all there needed to be."
Click. The two idols jump back on the screen, their energy is infectious. It made Eight smile. "I saw this and the scaled dropped from my eyes. I knew that what I was told was a lie. I had a glimpse of a world I didn't know existed. That I didn't know that I wanted to be a part of. Before I watched them all, I was certain of everything. After, I was certain of nothing, because I knew there weas so much more."
"And I felt the same way when I watched you dance."
no subject
And Inigo's performance - of all things - reminded her of it. She felt the same way, watching that.
Before he realises what he's doing, or what's going on, Inigo can feel his eyes growing watery. A moment later the tears start rolling down his cheeks, and he clasps a hand in front of his mouth.
"I.. I don't know what to say.." He mumbles, as the tears continue. But he quickly shakes his head. It reminded her or something so important. Something that changed her life. "I don't think I'm worth that honour at all, but-- but thank you. I'm glad if I could make you feel that way.."
no subject
Her hand reached for his cheek, a thumb gently rubbing against his face. "You needn't be so surprised. Were you not enjoying yourself? Was that not an expression from within? That was you. That was your dance. That was your heart."
Her hand lowered and her smile droops. "I didn't have a right to... glimpse what you did not want to freely share, but... having seen it... I needed you to know what it meant for me. I needed you to know how special it was. And... should you be brave enough to share it again, I would be... delighted."
no subject
It's the first thing he says, quickly following up on her words. A small shake of his head is added to the statement. The last thing he wants to do is have Eight apologize for intruding when it meant so much to her. When she appreciated it that much.
"I'm just.. being a big baby about all of this. I'm just really shy about my dancing.." Even now. Honestly, as much as he wants to tell her to just come watch always if she enjoys it that much, he can already feel the nerves pricking at his skin at the very idea of always being watched while dancing. It's too much. "B-But if you really would like to see it again sometime so badly, I.. I could try to be a little braver about it. I wouldn't want to deprive you of something so important to you."
no subject
"You are being you." She smiled, trying to be encouraging. "I won't ask you to dance for me if you don't want to. Something that makes you happy shouldn't make you feel scared. We all have to find our own ways to be the person that we want to be and to have the courage to be that person."
Which was... not something that she could do for him. It was something that he needed to find for himself. She knew that, but oh how she wished she could give him the confidence.
no subject
She's right. She's so right. And Inigo now knows that it comes from experience. That Eight really had to change who she was, once she realised that her core identity, the one thing she was always told to think of herself as, wasn't the only thing out there in the world. She had the courage to try and change.
.. so who would he be to not at least make some effort?
That makes Inigo shake his head.
"No, I.." He rubs away the few remaining tears she didn't catch earlier. "I know what I want to be. And I-- I know I have to try to be braver about it, so I want to be." Even though it's hard. Even though it's terrifying.
If he doesn't try, it'll never get better.
"Maybe I won't be able to deal with having an audience all the time, but.. um.. j-just come watch me sometimes. Please. Even if it's rarely. If I really want to be a dancer, I.. I need to get used to having an audience. I want to get used to it, somehow."
no subject
"I think, like the concert I saw two years ago, you have a dance that can change someone's life." When he felt brave enough.