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.. A lifestyle magazine?

[ For a moment he sounds confused, but then something about it rings a little familiar, despite Inigo not knowing the concept very well at all. Wait, didn't Tidus himself talk about that sort of thing.. Maybe..

Not that it means Inigo fully grasps it yet, especially with his mind half-occupied with the dance routine described in the magazine now. ]

What, the one with the ferrets on it? [ Since the one with the weird metal structures didn't look like anything that'd have something about fashion in it. ] Are ferrets.. lifestyle?

Can't they be? [ Tidus jokes, figuring Inigo doesn't know what he means by a lifestyle magazine, but it doesn't mean he can't have some fun! Surely, the ferret part isn't an issue here. ]

It's all about what they're into and who they're into. See? [ He holds the book, tilting it to show a full-body photoshop of a cool-looking ferret in a suit. ] This guy? They're an actor. Whoa, and look at his house!

[ Please take this, but make it ferret. ]

Doesn't it look...tiny?

[ Is tiny a good word? (maybe not) ]

[ Inigo stares at the page.

For a moment.

And then another.

And yes, he's still walking while staring! Although it means he's walking backwards now, which isn't the best idea. But at least he's not bumping into anything - yet. ]

So those kinds of magazines talk about people and their houses? [ Judging by Inigo's tone, he still doesn't seem to fully understand the appeal, as new as all of this is to him.

He pauses, like he's trying to figure out something nice to say here. So he can at least try to go along with Tidus's enthusiasm. ]

...

His suit looks nice.

[ Nailed it. ]

[ A snort. ] You think?

[ wellllll, if he takes a second look.... ]

I guess so. I've never been that into them - they're alright on other people, but they always look so stuffy. Anyway, [ anyway!!!, ] it's not just about houses. See? There's stuff about music here- [ said as he lets the pages flip through to a spread of solo ferrets and thumbnails taken from their music videos, wowie. Is that ferret Demi Lovato??

Nevertheless, Tidus lets out a small huff - a noise of astonishment. Taking glances to make sure he's not about to bump into anything, and reaching out to press the button for the door to the next carriage as it comes up. ]

I can't believe you got a magazine like this.

You can keep it if you like it so much.

[ There's no hesitation in the words. After all, if this is the kind of magazine Tidus is after, then who would Inigo be to keep it from him? He doesn't care that it was bought with his points - it's not even like the magazines are that expensive compared to other things you can get.

And hey, if there's little things that can make Tidus happy for a moment, Inigo will gladly grant him them. ]

But at least it's proof that the train does have the kind of magazines you were after! It's just too bad that it also gives us other odd random magazines. I have no idea what that other one was even about. [ The one that wasn't about ~~ferrets~~ lifestyle or dancing. ]

We can look later, [ Tidus suggests, not bothered to take a peak right now. He's about ready to close up the magazine he is invested in, the task of walking and reading not one he's going to keep up. But it doesn't stop him from asking- ]

What about the bal-let book? You see what that was about? There was a lot of...holding up your leg in some of those photos.

[ ballet more like leggey ]

[ inigo's about to give them the old razzle dazzle tbh

He's never seen ballet before, so his first response isn't much more than a tilt of his head. It's new to him too, but at least he's experienced enough with dancing in general that he can get a pretty good idea of how it's supposed to work in movement judging by the photos alone. ]

It seems pretty.. technical?

[ Is that the right word for it? Inigo has never associated it with dancing before, but it's all he can think of when he looks at these photos while walking..

(Still not bumping into a door.) ]

Like there are a lot of set steps to it. And a lot of leg stretching, yes. [ He hums. ] I wish there were more men in this..

[ And not just to oogle at, okay!! It's about feeling Seen! ]

Edited 2021-01-31 12:36 (UTC)

[ congrats on not bumping into a door, we're now inside the first floor of the games car!! magical. ]

We can take some pics of you doing ballet add them in. [ Not to be mischievous and break Inigo out into any hives, but. He holds out a hand. ] Let me take a quick read?

[ Inigo will have the book more than him in a second, once they've climbed the steps and seen if they're fortunate for the upstairs not to be used beyond the VR consoles over on the other side from where they want to be. And luckily, the carriages at long. ]

[ Oh, dude. Don't worry. You are getting that magazine.

Except rather than just normally handing it over, it's more like Inigo just straight up shoves it into Tidus's face. Not hard, and certainly not enough to hurt, but it is enough to show he's flustered.

And clearly the easiest way to get Tidus to shut up is by flinging a magazine straight into his face, right? ]

Oh, sure! Look at the pictures aaaaaaall you want! [ P-PAH. Not like he's embarrassed or anything!

Which is clearly why he's suddenly running ahead, rushing up the stairs to the upper level. Clearly because he's not flustered. Clearly because he's not trying to flee from this teaser. ]

[ Sure, the book to his face gets a small startled 'wha-!' as it bops Tidus on his delicate nose, one dropping from his hold as he catches it before that can tumble down. But even while he's picking back up magazines, Tidus laughs with arms filling, following after Inigo with total ease. Though, he's also finding it hard to focus on the these dance instructions like he wanted to...

But no, his attention is coming back. A quick eye searching the area that Inigo's picked, seeing if it's nice and crowded by the blocks before lifting up the book. ]

Still up for this?

[ Heh. ]

[ UGH.

Why can't he quit you, Tidus. Why.

Because it's quiet in the upper level of the car, thankfully no one happening to linger there just this once, as if they were out to specifically block their activities. And Inigo can't deny that he's curious enough about the routine to want to try it out, even though Tidus is just acting so heh about it.

He holds out a hand.

Looking so pouty. ]

Give me the magazine.

[ YES, HE'LL DO IT, YOU FOOL. Stop looking so smug about it! ]

You're cute when you pout.

[ Tidus can't help himself, passing over the magazine as he makes the jest, the victor in this moment. Studying the area to find a place that he can stand amongst the jumbo pieces and give Inigo room (and somewhere to sit that isn't the floor--no go).

But have fun, bro. Is it okay if he's standing, arms folding, waiting and watching in (gleeful) anticipation? Because he is. ]

[ It's so not okay.

But Inigo is slowly realising this is just the reality he has to accept. The one he has to live with. The one where Tidus is standing there and looking at him like that. It makes his heart pound inside of his chest, much too shy for this, as he fumbles with finding a good spot to put up the magazine, since he can't really dance and hold it at the same time.

With how much his hands shake with worry, it takes a few times before it's finally standing upright, leaning against something, but Inigo manages it. He takes a few steps backwards, testing to see if he can still see the schematic steps from that distance.

It's a little shakey, but then he starts moving. It's a pretty simple sequence, probably included for beginners - thankfully. Something that looks a little like this. And since the level isn't too high, it's not too hard for someone use to dancing like Inigo to follow the instructions off the bat to form a pretty fluid dance. ]

This is so odd.. It's nothing like anything I've ever done before. [ He mumbles.

Mostly to himself. Because apparently - for the best, in this case! - he's gotten so caught up in the dance that he hardly notices Tidus's presence anymore for a moment. ]

[ This dancing is so not for him.

It's so... delicate. Oddly so. There's no better way that Tidus can describe it to himself as he watches the motions that Inigo makes, from the way he holds his legs, points out his toes and waves out hands and arms. It's a little clumsy in some movements, but nobody is expecting perfection from a style neither of them knew about ten minutes ago.

The dance doesn't have to be for him. The better question is, is if it's for Inigo. ]

You wanna try again, see how it feels a second go? [ He offers the suggestion, no tease or other inflection in his voice. It seems the most reasonable route to go: get a better feel for it, judge it with a few more practices. ]

[ Inigo jumps a little bit, like the way Tidus speaks up suddenly reminds him that he isn't alone here in the room. His cheeks are a little pink because of it as he glances between Tidus and the magazine. ]

I.. um. I'll try it again sometime later.

[ When no one is watching. Because he sure feels ridiculous trying to adjust to this whole new way of dancing right in front of someone else's salad, and that feeling is so overwhelming that it keeps him from being able to even do as much as form an opinion on the dance.

Look, bro, just let him get off scott free this time. Especially since he's being honest - to a point where he has to grab the magazine and hold it in front of the lower half of his face to cover up the blush - when he speaks up. ]

It's a little much right now.

[ When you're trying to ~~drag screaming and yelling~~ nudge a guy out of his comfort zone, you can forget just how shy he can actually be. This is that moment, with half of Inigo's face guarded by a magazine showing a ballerina in the stages of the dance he just did.

Tidus submits this time, a tiny breath giving way to a smile. ]

Okay.

[ With that said, he walks over to Inigo, coming to a stop before him. And after a second, Tidus opens his arms - and makes a gesture with a hand for Inigo to come in. It's time for this, bro. Just less pointing, and more finger flapping.

One hug is your reward. Just don't let him crush the book against your face, and Tidus will wrap his arms around him, being sincere about the offer. Saying after- ]

You did good.

[ Although Inigo should be able to see it coming the moment Tidus steps closer towards him, he's too caught up in his own flustered feelings to really consider what's about to happen.

Which means he only realises this is a hug until Tidus opens his arms like that. Inigo peeks at him from half behind the magazine - almost comically so, especially with that shy look in his eyes, like a baby animal - but then quickly lowers the book once the arms start wrapping around him.

And then he immediately melts into the hug. This definitely isn't a brohug. Inigo is feeling way too soft for that now, which means this is definitely the warmest and coziest of hugs, especially when Inigo moves his arms - trying to angle the magazine in such a way that it won't get all crumpled up - to hug Tidus in turn.

.. maybe dancing in front of someone else isn't so bad when he gets a hug as a reward for it. ]

T-Thanks. [ A beat. ] Sorry for still being.. you know. [ You know. ] Like this about it.

[ It's just hard to conquer when he's been shy all his life, and when this - more than anything - drags that back up. ]

I'm trying to be better.

You're fine, you're doing good. I'm really proud of you, man!

[ There's nothing half-assed here, from the tight embrace of Tidus's arms around Inigo's shoulders, the sincerity in his words. A happiness in his chest ready to soothe the apologies and insecurities that leave Inigo's lips. ]

You've come a long way, you know? Before you wouldn't dance, and now - you even let me watch. [ Sometimes. ] You're getting better all the time.

[ He pats him on one of his shoulders, a tickled hum behind his mouth. ]

You're amazing.

[ It's like directly basking in the rays of the sun after having been suffering a downpour. Tidus's words are so, so bright in the face of the dark thoughts that haunt his own mind.

You're amazing.

Words he can't find himself agreeing with in any way, but he doesn't want to refute them. Not right now, with Tidus's arms around him, with his cheeks burning. The support overwhelming. ]

Well, that's thanks to you supporting me too.

[ It's not a total deflection of the compliment, but he just wants to give credit where it's due! Would he even have started to dance on the train if Tidus hadn't encouraged him to?

Inigo doesn't move out of the hug, but he does pull his head back enough so he can look at the other. His expression shy - but with a small smile slowly breaking through. ]

It's kind of hard to feel like I can't do it when you're telling me so much that I can.

Oh yeah? So my nagging's getting through.

[ He can joke back himself, his arms loosening to allow Inigo that room to move, but they're still hanging comfortably around his shoulders, allowing Tidus the space the grin a full face back at Inigo. ]

But I can't take all the credit, all of this is still you. And you listening to me! [ But, more importantly- ] One day, you're gonna dance as proud as you should.

[ Because he can dance well, Tidus will fight that - but even so, he still needs that extra nudge. That belief in himself, to make him shine all the more. ]

That day still feels kind of far off.

[ Since he can hardly dance in front of even one person without feeling all flustered about it. But Inigo knows that this kind of improvement doesn't come all at once. That it comes with small steps. And that it doesn't help that the very first hill is the hardest for him to get over, considering what exactly makes him nervous and shy about it in the first place. ]

But-- I won't give up. I'll keep trying. [ Even when it's hard.

Inigo lingers for a moment, but then finally fully steps back, letting Tidus's arms drop off him. ]

You can keep the ferret magazine with you for now if you want. [ If he wants to read lifestyle-y things! ] You know, as a reward for being my #1 supporter.

[ His arms fall back down to his sides, an empty feeling in the space of where Inigo just was, though Tidus takes a step back too to match his. Eyes glancing over to where he deposited the magazines, nearly forgotten completely that he doesn't remember for a second what Inigo's speaking about. But he sat them by one of the oversized chess pieces, when he realised he'd need his arms and hands to give one (1) bro a hug. As a treat.

But his thoughts might be elsewhere, that mind of his doing its own thing as he slips a look at Inigo, smile widening in a mischievous, unspoken secret. ] Hey, [ he says as if for attention, then he moves himself, as if getting in position.

And then he gets on his tippy toes, and starts to lift out his arms....wherever they feel the most comfortable and balanced, as he slowly raises his other leg back - his hold wavering for it, and a hop made as small careful noises leave him ('ahhh.... hah! mmmm-'), trying to do his best ballet pose.

Tidus looks at Inigo, small 'hm? hm?'s for his approval, while he wobbles, trying to get his limbs to stay in place.

look, inigo

look

he can be a ballerina too...!!!! ]

[ That little 'hey' does instantly get Inigo's full attention.

Not that it means he realises what Tidus is doing. Especially not at first. The initial look he throws his friend's way is more curious than anything, but then it slowly shifts into baffled when Tidus starts moving his arms and legs like that. What is this? Some sort of game of charades? Is he supposed to interpret this? Because that may take a while, just saying.

Maybe it's the wobbling that finally makes things click in Inigo's mind. Oh. Oh, that's what Tidus is doing here!

It finally makes a smile appear on Inigo's face, and he puts down the dance magazine to step over towards Tidus with empty hands. Intentionally so, since it means he can put his hands on Tidus's arms, gently guiding them to a slightly different position. ]

I think it looked more like this.

[ His hands linger, and he smiles from up close now. ]

Think you can manage to stay this way?

How long? My leg's already cryin' to come down.

[ He won't lie, he's not that prideful, this pose is hard to hold. He's an agile guy, but he's less about holding poses standing still than he is putting his weight on his hands.

But Tidus might try to hold it for a few more seconds if that's what Inigo's asking, face turned to meet his, waiting on his answer. ]

You make this look easier than it is!

[ Inigo sure wasn't trembling as much as he is right now...! ]

I could say the same about you when you're in the water, you know.

[ When Tidus is just swimming around like a fish, when Inigo has barely reached "can move by himself in the water without immediately drowning" levels so far.

And though Inigo does move his hand from Tidus's arms to the leg to help hold it up, it's easy to feel here just how much Tidus is shaking from trying to hold the pose. So Inigo's hand doesn't linger long there before he drops it. ]

But it's fine, just let it go! You have nothing to prove here, do you? [ Famous last words when said to someone who is notoriously easily challenged, Inigo. ]

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that "life style" with that colours and font is cracking me up so bad

i saw it and had to

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