voidtreckernet | video; horseshoe 28

[ Roland looks sheepish, holding up the Higgledy Cookbook in hand, still flipping through the pages. His own higgledy resting against his shoulder, silent but swaying against invisible wind. ]

Gah. I'm sorry, pup. I should have taken into account you'd want to feed Jumblie when I bought her from the store. [ Besides that - Rare Ingredients - was going to be a challenge anyway. ] In Evermore, we only ever fed the higgledies when we needed them to get stronger.

[ But it's okay, he got schooled! Feed them as friends, not just as fighting pets! They came from your heart, after all. Tied to you, protecting you. ] Let me help you get what you need, okay?

[ Compared to Roland's sheepishness, Inigo seems to be all smiles. He quickly shakes his head when he replies. ]

No, it's fine! [ He won't be having any sorry-s from you, mister!! Better keep those to yourself! ] I'll be able to handle it. I just need to figure out what she likes first, since the book just saying that it has to be rare is so vague.

[ Especially in a place where things from different worlds all seem to come together. ]

I'd feed her my flowers from other worlds to see if she'd consider that rare, but I would actually be kind of bummed to lose those..

[ He reads the page again and hums. Meanwhile, Bambosh, who seems to be quite chipper about things usually, does a higgledy sigh and shakes his head in what looks like disappointment??? SORRY HE CAN'T SPEAK HIGGLEDY, HUH!! ]

To be honest, it's not that it's vague per se. [ Big brain moment. ] It's just that how it defines a Rare Ingredient is based off of what's rare in the second world. [ But there had to be a workaround right? ] Hm.

[ He turns the page. ] Then don't feed her those. Let's find this out for sure. I don't want to make your life difficult all because I didn't think things through...

[ Meanwhile, Bambosh is flaring up even though Roland isn't noticing him. Suddenly staring into the ICP, into Inigo's own eyes, like he's trying to catch that attention. How strange. ]

[ At first Inigo doesn't catch on. Sure, he notices Bambosh doing all sorts of stuff, but Inigo is mostly just amused by it, figuring it's some higgledy antics. Yes, buddy, it sure must be rough that Roland can't understand you, huh?

But he's listening to what Roland is saying instead, about to reply to the man, before realising that Bambosh isn't just playing around. ]

.. uh, Roland? I think you're ignoring your higglebuddy. [ He's pointing it out very gently though. Not even teasing! ] Did you want to say something, Bambosh?

My higglebuddy?

[ He cranes his next to the side, but Bambosh makes a motion like he's frustrated. A sharp string of hiiiiigs~ piggles! come out of him, before he jumps and...disappears. To Roland's slight shock, eyes wide as he looks around where they sit. Nothing. Bambosh is nowhere to be found. ]

W-What the?

[ ...Except he is somewhere to be found, and that somewhere is right outside where Inigo is, wherever it is, if he can teleport there, or if he has to wait outside of a door that can't be ported to. He'll wave his tiny hands in the air, waving for attention, and even throws his higgledy voice to Inigo who he knows can understand him. ]

'Young traveler! I like you quite a lot, so I will tell you what my friend likes too! Come see me, come brave the trip!'

[ Meanwhile, Roland is stuck where he is, book forgotten, standing around to check where his higgledy went. Not that he's panicking, reaching out his heartstrings to find him...Eventually sighing and sitting back down with a frown on his face. ]

Looks like he's coming to you, pup. Do you see him anywhere near you?

[ Bambosh won't have to wait too long to get the attention he wants. At the first sign of the higgledy being nearby, Inigo is glancing over in his direction, his lips curling up into a smile at the sight of Bambosh.

Though before going after the higgledy, he figures he should help out poor confused Roland first, huh. ]

Yes, he's here. I think he's trying to explain what Jumblie would like to eat.

[ He turns his gaze away from the ICP, back over to Bambosh, so he can make it clear to the higgledy that he's speaking to him. ]

Hey, Bambosh, you shouldn't disappear that suddenly around Roland, you'll make him much too worried about you! [ It's no real scolding though, not with the smile on Inigo's lips. ] Can you tell me where we're going so Roland can come too? It'd be a little sad to leave him out of this, right?

[ Bambosh makes a dismissive noise - no big deal! almost - and reappears even closer to Inigo, not quite bridging that gap but enough to be heard louder. ]

'I will return to Dear Soul, that is my promise! First, I will visit you and tell you what you like to know! Higgle pig!' [ Feisty. As for the said 'dear one,'...? Roland's just watching along, not really hearing anything else but Inigo speak. ]

Heh. I'm not too worried. They usually go where they please when I'm not holding on to them. [ Freedom is important for these critters, each with differing personalities. But he does wish he's fluent enough to be part of the conversation here. Bad enough he just watched Evan talk to them, recruiting higgledies left and right as if asking regular people to be a citizen in his kingdom. At the very least, Bambosh reacts to Roland's desire to help Inigo, even with a task as simple as this. ] So? What's he saying about our dear Jumblie's preferred diet?

.. you know, that's a pretty cute name to call Roland.

[ It almost sounds like he's teasing Roland by specifically mentioning that out loud but then not saying what Bambosh is calling him.. But this is Inigo we're talking about. Rather than intentional teasing, he's just being a little oblivious, not quite realising initially that Roland can't follow the whole conversation here.

Though the knowledge seems to kick in enough a moment later for him to turn back to the screen and give Roland a smile. ]

He wants me to come to him so he can tell me. Hang in there for a second, alright? [ Inigo disappears off screen for a moment since he's moving over to be closer to Bambosh - even kind enough to squat down in front of the higgledy so he isn't looming over the poor thing. ]

Well, here I am. Thank you for coming over all this way to tell me it, it's very sweet of you. But I already knew you're a sweet little guy!

Huh? What's a cute name to call me?

[ Listen, not once has Roland ever heard these creatures speak to him, all he hears is 'hiiig! piggle!' all day every day. So when Inigo mentions it, Roland just furrows his brows in wonder. But it's not too huge of a deal, and he definitely doesn't mind that Bambosh is the one talking to Inigo directly now. A higgledy is a much better source of information than him and his silly book! He's no higgledy cook, after all. ] Let me know what he says, when he's done.

[ You twin teens better NOT make it a running gag to leave him out of higgle-versations!! Speaking of such, when Inigo crouches down, Bambosh jumps up in the air and in a burst of light, settles on top of his head. There he stands, like some sort of hero conquering the rock, but really he's just excited. A connection to Roland, or because he's already an outgoing one to begin with, one can never truly know. He starts communicating in the space of their hearts. ]

'Higgle! Young traveler, have you grown brave enough to fight against the dreaded insects of the wood?' [ Way to remind him, Bambosh. But he goes on! ] 'Piggle, I would like to tell you that my friend, she likes to eat things that are not usual to eat! Hiig! Salt that looks like stars, or rare sap and treats! The more precious, the more delicious! Hiiiiig.~'

[ Does that even make sense? Bambosh sure hopes so. Don't mind Roland now, he's just...doing his thing, touching his hair absentmindedly. ]

[ Ugh, Bambosh standing on his head! Why are these tiny things so cute, huh, Inigo loves them all and their varied higgle-personalities. He doesn't seem to mind the higgledy conquering him like he's some sort of mountain at all, instead easily smiling.

There's a slight laugh and a quick, ] Let's not talk about those things ever again, alright.. [ Before Inigo shuts up to listen. If Bambosh is about to impart some wisdom upon him, then he'll make sure to absorb it all!

So he listens. He'd nod along, but he doesn't want the tiny guy to fall off!

Speaking of falling off.. There's a slight 'hold on' as he stands up to walk back over towards the ICP, taking Bambosh right along with him, like they're a two man circus act. Teen With Higgledy Balancing On His Head. ]

Alright, there. Now I can tell Roland too. Wouldn't want to leave your dear friend out of the conversation, right? [ See, Inigo may be a teen, but he's a good teen! He can only imagine how hard it must be for Roland to be left out of all of this - if Inigo was the only one who couldn't understand these cuties, he'd sure feel bad! ] Bambosh is saying that Jumblie likes eating things that are unusual to eat. Like.. um, star-shaped salt? Is that something they have over where you were, Roland?

[ See, now Roland can be an interpretator in his own way. They all have a role in this conversation. ]

Do you know anything else she likes, Bambosh? I'm not sure what out of the things on the train would be seen as a 'rare' treat, you know? It's all new and rare to me..

[ Bambosh appreciates this circus act, he will have Inigo know! So much so that he begins hopping around, light enough that the movement doesn't put pressure on Inigo at all. You can't stop this now, Roland.

At the call, Roland stands to attention and nods, letting Inigo proceed. A thoughtful hum coming from his direction at the mention of 'star-shaped salt'...but this is immediately run through the book in his hand, the sound of pages flipping the only thing to be heard for a short time. His eyes widen slightly in recognition, a smile forming on his face as if the answer had been there all along. ]

Of course. [ Roland nods again, reading the paragraph. It's not a page he would have bookmarked on higgledies, more like a footnote in the resource, but that's why Bambosh had to help him out, huh? ] There are items like that in Evermore. They're so rare that when we see them out on expeditions, we hardly ever even use it to cook with. It's in our Stores for safe-keeping, just for higgledies to eat. [ It makes sense. 'Rare' meant so rare that if they consumed it, it'd be almost impossible to get it back unless you went out of your way. Bambosh says the same to Inigo, high-pitched sounds vibrating out of him. ]

'Higgle piggle! The Dear Soul has finally understood! She likes to eat things just like that - salts that you can't find anywhere else, food and treats hidden from plain sight! Young traveler, she will like you even more!'

[ Inigo laughs. ]

Well, I'm trying to get her to like me, anyway! [ He's making sure that the part of what he's saying to Bambosh that can only be understood by hearing both sides of the conversation is kept brief though. Inigo's delicately trying to balance things here. ]

But I guess I understand now. Though it would have been easier if her taste was a little less picky.. [ Because this definitely sounds like something he's going to have to try and order, if he can't find a good substitute on the train. Maybe he'll be able to pick something up in the worlds they visit..?

Inigo seems to think for a moment, but then shrugs off the thought. It's always something he can consider later.

Besides, he hasn't forgotten about Roland's question from earlier. ]

Hey, Roland. Did you know Bambosh calls you Dear Soul? It's really cute. You two seem like you're becoming good friends!

[ Bambosh says something in the midst of that, but Jumblie too pipes up from where she is - in his heartspace or manifested out in the open with her hat and her petaled collar - reassuring Inigo that there's no trying needed. She already does like him, quite a lot! ]

[ Roland pipes up from his reading and offers an inquisitive look across the ICP. ] He calls me what now? [ Dear...Soul? He closes his book and plants his finger under his chin. ] Huh. I wonder why? Is that what they call you and Tidus too?

[ J-- Jumblie!

This is no time to get all gooey though, not when Roland is asking him a question. But Inigo may be briefly pressing a hand to his heart - the place where he always feels Jumblie the most, even when she's not inside of him at any given moment. Her rays of sunshine always seem to reach there.

But he turns back to the screen soon enough, still delicately balancing Bambosh on his head. ]

Um, it depends? They also call us 'young traveler' a lot. But, you know, you're not really..

[ Young. Is that insulting to say? Inigo will just cautiously leave that sentence to trail off.. ]

Jumblie also likes calling my friends 'dear friend'. Maybe Bambosh just likes you?

[ He nods as if he's heard that before. ]

Yeah, they call Evan that too. I have to tell you about higgledy stones some other time. [ Roland shrugs once. It's fine. It's not something he hasn't heard from you two before!!! ] Well, you can ask him but I guess it's nice to know I'm...dear to him? I know I haven't been feeding him right either. So I'm glad you're getting just what you need for Jumblie. She'll be happy.

[ Not having the privilege of Aunty Martha, higgledy extraordinaire, was just the curse Roland had to live with. ]

Haven't you figured out what he likes to eat? [ He looked up what Jumblie liked in that book he had, right? But maybe not all higgledies are in there? ] Do you need me to ask him?

[ Inigo will gladly help play higgledy translator! Little does he know about Tidus's antics with that already. ]

I can't imagine how much harder it must be if you can't directly hear what he's telling you. So just tell me if you ever need my help, alright? I want you and Bambosh to be able to become super great friends, just like me and Jumblie! [ And hey, with Bambosh still balancing on his head, he can practically let Roland and Bambosh know that at the same time now he's saying it. ]

[ Roland's expression turns dry for a second. ] Tidus asked. Guess what? He wont' tell me what Bambosh said. [ A sigh, but the thought is well-meaning since he went ahead and placed an order of this mystery food anyway, so it's not a weighted sigh to begin with. ] His antics. Can't win, yknow?

[ But of course Inigo would want Roland to be best friends with his higgledies. Bambosh seems to agree too, but is more stirred by his own independent emotion than that of Roland's. Squealing high and jumping up and down Inigo's head, still with perfect balance. ] I will. Thank you, pup. I'll try not to bother my human higgledy translator as much as I can, heh. [ Though now that that's mentioned...He wonders if he could actually - ]

Inigo, do you think you can ask him? Ask Bambosh why he calls me that? I'm a little curious when it's so different from young traveler.

[ Yeah, that is.. entirely unsurprising to hear. That sounds like exactly the kind of thing Tidus would do as a prank. But he also knows Roland well enough at this point to know that sigh doesn't mean he's genuinely annoyed with Tidus over it, so things seem to be the same as ever between those two.

Besides, he can help now! Especially since Inigo doesn't feel the desire to play pranks on Roland - or, well, at least not to that point. ]

Of course! [ He smiles, unbothered. It's a little weird to talk to the little guy while he can't see Bambosh while he's up there, but.. ] Bambosh, would you mind telling me why you call Roland that? I think it's cute, but it seems Roland is curious about it!

[ He won't trust the Twin Teens when they come together, even if their pranks on Roland are more or less done out of affection!! Can't keep his guard down, and they're definitely keeping him alert in the best way possible!

But for now, he waits quietly as Inigo addresses their little buddy. He hopes to reach an understanding with them apart from their time in battle. ]

[ Bambosh at the ready, reappears in front of Inigo in a flash of light, falling gently and safely down to the nearest surface he can find. If only to wave at Inigo in gesture, a small arm in the air, his winged headpiece bobbing in time to the licks of his flame. The 'hig' squealing from him is loud, enough for Roland to know they're speaking now. ]

'Young traveler, that is because he is a soul that is dear! Hiiigle! Dear, like special, a dear that has not been seen in a long time!' [ Is that confusing? Bambosh is a fired up now, so he won't let it simmer for too long without more. But now, he'll start to dance, a cute jig where he jumps up and down. ]

'Like your soul, piggle, connected to a Special God! His dear soul is connected to, to someone who must be saved! A soulmate, young traveler! Higgle piiiig! He is dear because he is one who has a soulmate!'

.. huh?

[ That explanation makes Inigo look surprised. It's not quite like what he expected. He thought he'd just hear about how important Roland is to Bambosh, or how they're good friends or something, but instead..

Inigo's confusion is probably even weirder to watch for Roland, who has no idea what Bambosh is talking about in the first place.

He's not even sure whether or not to bring it up. What if Roland didn't want him to know? But then again, lying about it would mean Bambosh knows he's lying, which is also not good..

Inigo frowns a little before deciding to just be honest by the time he looks over at the screen of the ICP again. ]

Um.. he's saying that he's calling you that because you have a soulmate. [ The slightest, awkward pause, as he's waiting to see what Roland's reaction is. ] .. Do you?

Oh. So, that's why.

[ If Inigo expected a grander reaction, or maybe a more shocked one, it doesn't come. In fact, the opposite happens and Roland almost just sounds like he overheard someone tell him what the weather would be like today.

Though he also now just realizes he's not told Inigo about that part about him either. Roland nods. ]

I do. He's in the second world.

[ ...He just smiles. ]

Thanks, Inigo. That explains a lot. I appreciate you asking for me.

[ WHAT IS UP WITH THAT CALM SMILE.

No, for real, what's up with it. Because Inigo didn't expect such a casual reply to such a wild, wild statement. ]

Well.. Yeah, no problem.. [ But even as he says that, he sounds absent-minded, still obviously very distracted by this whole sudden soulmate deal.

Should he ask? Would it be weird? Roland is still smiling now, and he doesn't want to ruin that..

Glancing over at Bambosh, it's easy to feel a bit more courageous though. ]

Is that just a normal thing between your world and that second world? [ Considering the casualness Roland uses to talk about it. ]

[ Said fire spirite just sits there, nice and cozy, on top of Inigo's head. Don't mind him, dude!

Roland meanwhile, seemingly distracted, turns back to the ICP and offers him a shake of his head. ]

I'm led to believe that no, it isn't normal. I think it used to be? Ah, but...Hold on. I think it's better to switch up the channel. Give me a sec, pup.

[ Roland tinkers around with the ICP for a few seconds, before it clicks and buzzes through the other end. Now, he's turned their correspondence into a closed channel. ]

There. Better.

[ He's a little bit more confident now, sharing what he knows through a private comms line. And honestly, it's not that it's a big deal. There are days when he forgets the other's existence, until he recalls the last few months of his adventure. Inigo should know though, since he also thought it important enough to ask the higgledy living in his heart. ]

Long story short, Evan's bedtime stories seem to suggest that having a soulmate was a more normal occurrence back in the day. In my world, we've heard of no such thing, though. But it exists. And I got the luck of the draw, heh. [ Roland rubs the back of his neck. ] Wish we could have met in better circumstances, but it is what it is I'm afraid.

[ Vague, but Roland isn't lying. He's grown a bit softer around the idea of him, after everything that's happened. ]

[ It's a good thing Roland knows how to private these things, because Inigo sure doesn't know how to only direct your messages to only one ICP, rather than broadcast them for the entire train to hear..

Granted, he also wasn't aware to begin with that this was such a private topic. ]

We haven't heard of anything like that where I come from either..

[ Inigo mostly says it since he figures it might help explain his surprise about it a bit better. It's the first time he's heard of it being a real, actual thing, rather than just a metaphorical one. ]

But, um.. [ His voice trails off for a moment. There are so many things he could ask. So many things he wants to ask. But he's not sure what he can or can't thread on, especially with how secretive Roland tends to be about things. If he hadn't brought this up before, he probably had a good reason for it. ]

.. Is it.. weird? Having a soulmate? What is it like? Could they show up here on the train too?

video; horseshoe 28

video

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2 | < private >

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)