llama 16, video + action

[blitzcheer]

[ Hello, ICP video. There's a Tidus sitting on the computer chair in the standard coach when the image pops up, waving up a hand to the screen. ]

Hey, 'sup everyone! I got some stuff from the last mission with Inigo and Dennis that we wanna share with the rest of the train. Some computer tablets, VR glasses, goggles - hey Seto! You can do somethin' with those, right? - and some clothes and whatever else we could get our hands on.

Nothin' like books or music or food. Sorry! But if you like lamps or fans, we got those. [ Ahahaha. ] Oh yeah, and some first aid kits too, if any of the teams want 'em for supplies. And speaking of, Jane told me about these bacta bandages thingies they use where she's from. Like some kind of healing...gel you can sit over wounds? Uh, I got a book on it for an easier time understanding the stuff.

Annnyway, [ moving alooong, ] there's something I wanted to talk about with the last mission and those illusions. I know there's people who know how to work with tech or magic, usually one or the other... well, I don't know anything about making things, but I know there's a lot you can do with the right tools and know-how. And there was some magic and gear that could push back on the illusions. Like a bracer I have, and one of the spells on the manadrives!

I was talkin' with Q'uila - she's a blacksmith that works with enchanting. And I know there's this big chunky book on magic and magitek in the library. Uhh, I've never read it [ because NO THANKS ] but I didn't know if we could... do something? To help with these missions? Create some kinda...I don't know, big barriers when we turn them on, that don't need magic folk casting them! Put our heads and resources together and make somethin' cool!

[ Cool magitek science junk!! ]

A-anyway! [ Because he realises he's really reaching here-! ] If anyone's interested, I'm fine if you wanna check out the bracer that helped with the illusions - even if you need to take it apart. And I know Senku's been checking out the manadrives - that has a magic barrier spell too, and Light got manuals on the things. And I got some other gems and protection gear from my world too! If it'll help. Never know, right?

'kay, well - see you!

[ ACTION: standard coach ]

[ And for those of you who come into the standard coach, either because of the message or just because you were passing through, Tidus has taken up a table with a bunch of...everything on the table. Tablets, pens, folded clothes in different sizes, cute toys and ...cubes?.

And Tidus is sat taking up an entire booth couch, legs folded and playing a handheld game.

Let's play shop. ]

Comments

[blitzcheer]

[ Ah, it's time for a good ol' whine. Tidus can understand, throwing the guy a sympathetic look (even if he can't see from his sulking position). ]

Want me to ask the spider if she can make a cloak that'll turn you invisible? Then you can dance even if the room's packed with people!

[ Is this a helpful idea, bro. ]

[flatteries]

[ Now this is a true bro gesture.

Offering to talk to a girl for his sake. ]

Wouldn't that fall off during dancing though? Or get in the way?

[ He pauses for a moment before he shakes his head and sits up again. ]

Maybe I just have to mostly give up on it until I'm off the train. I mean, it's not like you can play blitzball here either. [ So it's not like Inigo is the only one who'd be deprived of his hobby. ]

[blitzcheer]

That doesn't mean you shouldn't dance! You should - I want you to! If it's about the cost of the room, I'll pay with you. It can be a special occasion - every other day, or whatever you want, you spend half a day in there and get it all out! Dance the day away!

[ Because Tidus isn't taking not dance for an answer. Inigo, doing it only when he's 'off the train'?

Like Inigo ever gets the time to then, and when's the next time they'll be off the train and not on a mission? ]

[flatteries]

Isn't it ridiculous though?

[ He now looks over at Tidus, a complicated mix of emotions in his eyes. ]

Having to pay just to be able to do what you like. It's not even as if I couldn't pay by myself.. [ Though there's other things that make that problematic, like the fact that Inigo really hates spending points on himself - and that's exactly what paying for one of those rooms for hire to dance would be. ] It's just that the idea of it is.. so dumb. It's not exactly like it's easy for me to dance to begin with.

[ Let alone with these barriers in the way. ]

[blitzcheer]

The whole car is stupid. [ To be very frank. ] What's the point of charging us? And more than a couple of points at that? Unless there's drinks in those fridges or food in the bedrooms, what's special about them? Do they clean themselves?

[ Guess they'll be finding out soon - at least about the hire meeting room. ]

But... if there's something you want to do, you should do it. You can always complain, even if it ends up being useless. That's what I'm doing now. I'm complaining every day just to use up this train's stupid power! You should let it know what you think too, Inigo!

[ Listen to Tidus get more passionate. He's about near ready to make a fist, Inigo!! ]

[flatteries]

[ Inigo releases another sigh. ]

I'll write it a message. [ Not like it can hurt. The only thing it'd be wasting if nothing happens is his time, and it's not like that's exactly a precious commodity while being stuck in a place like this. ]

Though I doubt it's going to listen.

[ Or it'll put it on the voting list. Even worse.

Inigo has seen how little people here on the train seem to care for stuff like pools or the fine arts. (Dancing is a fine art, right.) ]

You'd think that after all this time it'd at least listen to people who've been stuck here for months and months.

[blitzcheer]

Yeahh, I know. [ He lets go of a breath. ] It does what it wants, and we're left grovelling. Being kidnapped sucks.

[ why can't it be an easier time?? ]

I still say there's got to be a good time for using the upstairs music room for you and your dancing. How often do people go up there anyway? Except for that piano, or meetings...

You tried going in there early in the day?

[flatteries]

No, I-- I can usually find a few moments there when there's no one else around.

[ That's not really the problem. Hence why Inigo did go dancing before the mission - it's not totally impossible to sneak over there and get some dancing in.

But it's still not ideal. ]

I just constantly worry about someone walking in on me though. And I'm.. [ He pauses, expression almost kind of pained before he continues. ] I'm not fully letting that stop me from dancing.

[ Since he's still doing it sometimes. ]

But it doesn't make me feel secure enough to actually put on that outfit. That's just asking too much from my nerves.

[blitzcheer]

I guess so... [ It all comes back to the outfit after all, than dancing alone - but there's plenty to grumble at regardless, when trying to just be yourself and be comfortable.

Tidus leans against the back of the seating, offering a small smile after a moment. ]

But you really don't look bad in it. Maybe you should find another time to wear it, even if it's just by yourself. Make it feel less daunting, you know?

[ And, he knows that Inigo will get flustered, but after a beat: ] ...I would say you should show it off to the guys on your birthday, just to prove yourself! But...

[ Well. ]

[flatteries]

.. you might as well be telling me to die.

[ No, actually. It's worse than that. Because Inigo would rather face sure death in battle than wear that outfit in front of that many people at once.

Sweet Naga, the very idea alone is enough to turn his face red in this moment. ]

Most of the guys don't even know me as well as you or Taiki do! It'd just be weird.

[blitzcheer]

Yeah, but they're our friends! We trust them enough, you know? I know none of them would make fun of you. It's like a group of handpicked guys who you know you can trust!

[ Help with that shyness of Inigo's!! Show him it's not as bad as he thinks it is! ]

I'd wear something too - but I don't know what'd be the same as your dance outfit. And I can't fit into that.

[ Their body types aren't largely different, but you know. It's fitted to Inigo, not him. ]

[flatteries]

[ He's about to protest, but realises it'll probably fall on deaf ears with Tidus. Not that the way the other is infinitely supportive is bad, necessarily, but.. it's also a little hard on a soul as shy as Inigo's.

He doesn't have the energy within him to further protest - even though it's not like he's going to wear it - so he just stays quiet for a moment before speaking up, glancing at Jumblie, still riding her kitty roomba, as if it's never going to get old to her. ]

That's because there's nothing out there you could wear that would make you feel as awkward as I do when I wear that. [ Inigo is pretty sure of that. ] I'm not like you, Tidus. You're a confident guy. I'm just a shy guy who's doing his best.

[blitzcheer]

I get it.

[ He does, at the end of it, the expression he wears soft, sympathetic. He gives a playful punch to Inigo's shoulder, a show of support. ]

Can't blame a guy for attempt fifty-two of getting his pal feeling as confident as he should be, can you?

[ Even if it might be awkward, get awkward for Inigo. ]

But okay. No cool dancing outfit talk. I get it! [ He looks back to the table, giving one of the lamps a lazy poke. ]

Maybe I'll just have to get an outfit of my own.

[ Eheh. ]

[flatteries]

[ While he does move back a little after being punched, it's obvious that it's just him going along with it rather than actually being hurt by it. ]

I'm already trying to be a bit more confident!

[ But it's a steep, steep ladder. Then again, if Tidus hadn't encouraged him at all, he probably never would have danced here on the train. Not even sneaking in the brief moments of it he can now.

He releases a breath. ]

What outfit would you even get though? You don't dance.

[blitzcheer]

[ Okay, okay, turn away the conversation from Inigo so the topic doesn't prod and make the guy sore. Good thing he said what he did then- ]

I can learn! There was a few dance movies where I thought the dancing was cool. [ ... cool to him. ] I'm not gonna be doing that ball-let, but there's different dances. I just need to find the one for me, and a cool outfit to go with it!

[ aha. ] And the right music. I'll see if I can find a couple of names. Names of dances.

[ ...and he actually looks like he's thinking about it, or making a good act about it. A good kind of dance with a lot of moving. That doesn't describe many dances!! ]

[flatteries]

...

[ There's a pause, and then there's something mumbled. It's mostly audible, even if it might be interrupted by a single 'meow'. ]

But the kind of outfit that'd suit a dance you'd like won't go with mine..

[ Is he thinking that he might be able to wear the outfit as long as he isn't the only one in a dance outfit.

Maybe. ]

[blitzcheer]

Huh? [ Inigooo? Tidus leans some forward, dropping his hands to sit in his half-lap, one leg hanging off the seat. ]

We can make a dance! Why don't we mix it up? You do your cool flowy dancing, and I can do a dance-- like this-

[ Behold, Inigo: Tidus doing an upper torso jig, attempting to display a dance he has no idea what he's doing. ]

You do your dance, I break into mine? You can do everything with a dance!

[flatteries]

[ Let it be said that Inigo doesn't laugh at it. He's being strong. He knows how difficult it can be to dance in front of someone, there's no way he's going to mock Tidus for it! Even if Tidus is just.. jiggling a bit. Like pudding. ]

Because I'm worried that mine will look odd in comparison!

[ Though this is a pit Tidus has - partially - dug for himself, since-- ]

Since apparently it's not.. cool to people from worlds like yours. [ UGH, HE'LL HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT DOESN'T LOOK LAME TO OTHERWORLDLY PEOPLE THEN... ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Thank u for the show of restraint, Inigo. But here Tidus is, blinking in confusion at what Inigo does end up saying. ]

Not cool? Huh? [ Wait, how would Inigo know-? ] Wait, who told you that? When?

[ Who even? Is Inigo conflating his world and someone else's here? ]

[flatteries]

Because you said you wanted to do the dances from the movies, and not the kind of dancing I do.

[ Even if he did call it cool a moment ago, there's something about putting it in this line of thought that still directly hits Inigo in the insecurities. After all, if there's anything he's worried about more than anything, it's his dancing, so of course he's going to be overly fussy at a moment like this.

Hence why he doesn't even sound huffy. This doesn't hit his annoyed huffy buttons, it just hits his sad insecure buttons. He mostly just looks uncomfortable. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ oh? --ohhhhhhhhh.

It's time for the hands to come onto Inigo's shoulders, whether a bro is looking at him or not! ]

Inigo, there's nothing wrong with the kind of dancing you like or you do. That's not what I meant at all! I just don't know the name of dances they did back home! It was just...dancing! I never thought about it!

[ please!! it's his dumb stupid mouth as always, Inigo! ]

I think it'd be cool to mix up some dance moves though! You with your grace-moving and sweeps? I think- [ and the thought hits him suddenly, a reminder to his noggin', ] -they used to do dance workouts for the kind I'm thinking of. I bet I could get something and we could even both do it! For exercise!

[flatteries]

[ A bro is not looking at Tidus.

.. until those hands come down on his shoulders, that is. It seems to be enough to draw his attention towards the other, even though Inigo's cheeks are still a little pink with embarrassment and awkwardness. ]

Dance workouts..?

[ At least that idea seems to draw him back out of his shell a little bit. Even if he's very much giving Tidus puppy dog eyes right now. Not even on purpose either - no, it's just what happens when he tries to have some cautionary hope after feeling insecure. ]

I guess those sound like they'd be kind of fun to do together.. And if we say we're just working out, no one will think we're strange, right?

[blitzcheer]

[ Puppy dog eyes, meet super positive smiling face beam of confidence!! ]

Only if they're no fun. Dance workouts are normal, they're a cardio exercise! All kinds of people did it back in Zanarkand. I did running, swimming and weights, but that was my workout for blitzball.

[ Different workouts for different people. ]

We can even invite other people to join. If I remember...you could get a holo-instructor and you follow their moves to the music installed. And something about recording dances? I'll have to see what I can look up, [ he waves a hand, ] but it'll be perfect for you!

Man, I should've thought of this before your birthday!

[flatteries]

W-Well!

[ Look at Inigo, quickly starting to sputter. Not at this entire idea, mind you, since he is still very much hopefully excited about that..

No, it's a tiny detail. ]

Let's try it out together first before involving other people! [ P-Please! Even if he likes the idea, he's not sure just yet if he will be capable of doing this much around other people without feeling like Death. ] B-But if it ends up not being so bad, then we could do it with more people, sure.. Maybe Dennis would like it.. or Sizhui.

[ He's mostly not thinking of Taiki because Taiki isn't really the working out type. ]

[blitzcheer]

Sure! I need to get the stuff first! [ But think BIG, INGIO!! ] Hey, maybe we can swing the idea to Seto too with all this gear here.

[ Meaning the classes. ]

Work out games would be totally cool! With a bunch of music we can use...! I bet we could even rope Taiki into doing it with us once in a while!

[ Taiki, who is totally against physical activities.

BUT MAYBE JUST ONCE A WEEK...! ]

Just to try it out. For some fun, you know? Though, I bet Taiki would be more of a yoga guy.