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[ Inigo stops.

Mostly since Tidus forced himself in his way there, sure, but even if the other hadn't.. Inigo probably still would have stopped. Because he totally freezes up at those words. Those simple words that break straight through any walls of selfdepreciation he just tried to build up.

You're hot.

You're hot.

Did Tidus just really say that? To him?! Suddenly Inigo wonders if he's still dreaming, because he definitely has had at least one dream where Tidus said those exact words to him. Words Inigo was sure the other would never say out loud for real. But he feels pretty awake right now.

He stands there, waiting, maybe figuring the dream will end. But it doesn't. They're still standing there, without Inigo waking up. ]

You.. [ He hesitates, searching for words he can't find. His throat feels dry. It's so dumb, because this isn't even a confession or anything close to it, it's just a compliment, and yet Inigo can feel himself getting more and more worked up. Is it because he was already so on edge to begin with this morning? ] C-Come on, Tidus. You.. You can't just say that.

[ His cheeks involuntarily start to colour, and Inigo awkwardly reaches up to rub the back of his head. ]

You don't even like guys! How could you tell?

[ Oh no - is he gonna cry?

Because that's a real worry as Inigo stands there silent, Tidus attempting to make faces through the silence following his reassurance as a means of furthering it. Come on, duuude, come onnnn, you can believe meeeee!

But-- but finally he's speaking, and Tidus is in rapt attention. Figuring by now that Inigo will just want to drop the subject, and therefore, Tidus will have to find another way of convincing him (he can ask other people their opinion, right? What if he asked Kitty? Nita?? Uh, who's around their age group--), except that's not the direction Inigo goes in at all. ]

Huh? [ His arm drops, at least some of the way, hand waving in that manner his hands sometimes do when he needs a prop in conversation. ] Well I have eyes... you can tell if someone looks good or not.

[ It's a rather straightforward, simple response. Isn't that just basic?? But now he's the one rubbing the back of his neck for a moment, words sticking to him. 'You don't even like guys'...

Well... ]

Anyway-- [ No, that's not really the point here. ] I've seen what you look like, y'know? Back at the springs? I say what I mean: You're a good-looking guy. I could take you 'round Zanarkand and you'd get numbers easy! Invites to hook up!

[ Because 'getting numbers' won't mean anything to Inigo alone. ]

You just need to work on this. [ He taps his head - his own head. ] Get confident! You're a great guy inside 'n' out -- you just won't let yourself see it!

[ Can you though, Tidus? Who was harping on Inigo for not being able to see the upsides to boobs before, huh?

(And then there's the whole extra messy layer of why exactly it bothers Inigo so much that Tidus would say that despite not liking guys - but of course he's not going to get into that. Now. Or ever, maybe. It's doomed, anyway. And dumb.)

Maybe it's that last thought that feels like it's pulling him further down into the swamp, making it easier for negative thoughts to rise. ]

Do you think I haven't been around Ylisse in the past? [ Since there wasn't exactly much flirting to do in their doomed future. But in the months he had to travel around by himself in the past, before he was able to meet up with the rest.. ] I actively flirted with so many girls, Tidus.

[ OUT OF NERVOUS HABIT, but. You know!! Still!! ]

And you know what? Every single one of them rejected me. I've been slapped, robbed, thrown out of taverns. Do you think that happens to actually attractive guys?

... ... ... Tough crowd.

[ It's not that Tidus doesn't feel bad. Actually, the problem is that he does feel bad, that that all sounds - terrible, and oh boy, how does any of that even happen? No wonder Inigo's so depressed about his looks. But there's something puzzling in this, whatever slither of doubt that attempts to exist snuffed out by the very obviously bigger problem here. ]

Okay, so... how do you get thrown out for flirting? [ Does this even have anything to do with flirting...? ] Did something...happen? What did you-- what got said?

[ Wait, maybe this is a good question: ] How do you flirt in Ylisse?

[ Is there something about Ylisse flirting that's the problem here??? ]

I.. don't know. The same as anywhere else?

[ Or so Inigo assumes?! He's never asked about this, but then again, whenever he flirted with girls here on the train, they gave him very similar reactions to the ones back home, so Inigo assumed that the whole flirting game was just some sort of universal constant.

But he still sounds a little unsure as he says it. ]

That time I got throw out, I was talking with a girl who worked at the tavern about her cooking skills, and then I called her smoking hot-- you know, as a fun little wordplay joke! [ He sounds so genuinely innocent as he says it too, like Inigo doesn't realise his problem may be coming on a little too hard, since it's not like he actually means the flirting in the first place.

Please, he wouldn't recognize a hot girl if one was dancing naked right in front of him.

Inigo brushes a hand through his hair. ] .. But I suppose she didn't quite appreciate it as much.

...A little too strong? Poor timing?

[ It sounds like something funny to say as a joke in Tidus's head, but did Inigo say it like that? It's not an event they can really dissect now, when it's been months since then. But oh, geez.

This is making him recall another time, isn't it. ]

Is this like how you flirted with Cassie? Maaybe the problem is... your technique. Your delivery? [ He's lowered his arm down by now, folding them instead with a quizzical jut of his lower lip. ]

It's got nothing to do with your looks, that's for sure.

[ Ah.

That time.

It's more than a little awkward just to think back on it, but at least Inigo is honest enough to nod and admit that his poor, poor attempt to flirt with Cassie is exactly like the kind of stuff he does back home as well. And he does recall Tidus trying to lecture him about it back then as well-- though that sure got out of hand real quick. ]

Are you sure? I just.. thought everyone said it that way. [ It's not like he's trying to flirt in some special way! ] Then again, Gerome could say absolutely nothing and girls still fall all over him. At that point it gets hard to believe that there isn't something wrong with you, you know.

[ Like his looks. Or maybe his personality.

Or just. You know. Both. ]

Some girls love the mysterious, silent type. [ By the sounds of it, Tidus isn't perturbed by Inigo's contrasting resignation. And he knows this might be a touchy point, but he's going to make it, giving Inigo a light tap on the shoulder. Voice lowering smooth and meaningful. ]

And I know things got funny at the end, but didn't you get engaged? Had a boyfriend? [ A beat passes, and he pats Inigo on both shoulders. ] Look, what you need is a win. And I'd be willing to take you out to the town and show you what people are missing, but the train doesn't help that. [ If only they could leave for a night out-! ]

But we're going to do something to help you with this funk. First - that dance outfit.

[ It is a touchy point. But maybe a little less touchy by now. If anything still hurts, it's more the way that it ended than the fact that it ended, so it's mostly that mention of things getting funny at the end - they sure did - that makes Inigo's gaze drop.

But he doesn't allow himself to wallow in it. Not this once.

So he speaks up again, raising his gaze. ]

Right.

[ The dance outfit. Just think about that right now. There's a movement of his arm, his hand on Tidus's shoulder for a brief moment before dropping down, briefly grazing the side of the other's arm. Like a quick way of saying 'thanks', because the way Tidus tries to uplift him never goes unnoticed by Inigo, regardless of how succesful its results are. ]

.. Though it's going to be kind of hard for me to grab that with you blocking the way. [ It's said casually, like an attempt at returning to something a little lighter. ]

[ He sounds a small 'oh?', playful in its delivery, then steps aside with his arms gesturing towards the open doorway like a butler giving way for the good sir to go first, head bowing for the act.

Please, Princes of Ylisse first. It's just the dressing car to get through until the luggage, where the outfit will hopefully be waiting.

Tidus will keep quiet for now - it's time for him to be on his best behaviour! ]

[ Maybe them being quiet is the only possible way for these boys to ever actually make their way over to the luggage carriage.

And indeed, it seems to work. Inigo walks ahead - with a definite kind of "oh, you" smile thrown Tidus's way as he passes the other - and they easily make it through the dressing carriage until they arrive at luggage.

There seem to be.. quite a lot of packages here. Seems like everyone has had quite the shopping spree between the last platform and this one, huh. ]

I think we're going to have to work together to find anything in here. [ To conquer this ORDERED GOODS PILE. ] If you start on that side, I'll start here. Did you just order those books, or are we looking for more? I'm pretty sure I just got that sword and the dancing outfit.

[ When isn't the luggage carriage a chaotic mess? Usually Tidus's chaotic mess, and he's already got his eyes peeled for his own name on the different parcels and boxes sitting around, even before Inigo's suggestion. But he gives a quick 'sure!' to it anyway, attentive enough to see where Inigo's directing him to go, and being a good ~~boy~~ pal. ]

I got- three books? But two of 'em should a bundle. [ Should be. ] They better be. I paid 25 points for both of the sets! But the other's just a single book. You can have a look if you find that one.

[ And if Inigo really wants to read a book. ]

A sword shouldn't be hard to find. [ Just a long, narrow vertical box. ...if it's in a box. ] Hey, uh, I should have a bag too, probably. I got some clothes too.

[ Will it be in a bag? Probably. (Actually, it's going to be a suitcase.) But he's really looking for that sword now, certain it's going to be the easiest to spot. ]

[ Who knew Tidus's sudden declaration about Inigo being hot would just wipe the fact he mentioned a few moments earlier that he bought clothes straight up from Inigo's mind..

But he nods, taking it all in. Making a mental list. Right, so a sword, some books, and a bunch of clothes. Inigo moves in the direction of the pile of suitcases and other packages, starting to look through them. ]

.. Did a lot of people order clothes or something? [ Inigo moves a few suitcases to the side as he speaks to take a look at the ones under it. ] A lot of these are really light. Like there's hardly anything in them.

Should we take a look?

[ Eheh. But he's far from serious, ignoring anything that doesn't have his or Inigo's name on it. ] I only got clothes because you did! Can you believe it charges sixty points for one outfit? [ Sixty? Eighty? Something that's too much. ] You better wear this thing out for the cost... aha!

[ His voice began to trail there, until the accomplished exclamation. There, all wrapped up nicely is something fairly vertical, hard to miss up on one of the upper shelves. Tidus holds it in both hands, giving it a quick turn. ... and there's something odd about its shape, but there's no mistaking Inigo's name.

He walks over to him, holding out the package. ]

One fancy sword for Inigo.

That's one thing down.

[ He takes it from Tidus, and although he knows he should really look for the rest of their things first, Inigo can't quite resist unwrapping it on the spot. Revealed from underneath the wrappings is a rather odd-looking sword - the blade all curved and angled like a lightning bolt.

Apparently it's the right one though, since Inigo smiles a little in recognition. Man, it's been a long time since he's held a sword from back home, even if it's not his usual. ]

Well, at least the train didn't ruin this one. [ Considering how creatively it interprets request sometimes. ] I'll have to try this one out with Jumblie sometime soon.

[ But right now they have more to do though, so Inigo makes the sword vanish into his Arms Band for the moment.

But as he turns back to looking through the packages, he can't quite resist asking: ]

What kind of clothes did you even get?

[ ...You know, given some of the swords back in Spira, can he really say anything? He sorta wants to, but he holds back for now, knowing they had a few more things to go. Three lots of books, two separate bundles of clothing... ]

Nothing special - I looked through the catalogue the train has. Some clothes for training in, some jackets, shirts and that. Got some shoes with it all too.

[ He looks over, just for a second. ]

You can have a pair if they fit. What size shoe are you?

[ Inigo looks away from the suitcases he was looking at, instead glancing over at Tidus.

For a moment he seems to contemplate the question, but then he just raises his foot, as if to show it off to Tidus.

This. This is his shoe size. You really think a medieval place like Ylisse had shoe sizes? Of course not. It's just about what fits you. ]

[ .............. ]

...I'll let you try them on. [ There. He fixed it. He solved the problem, no need to thank them!

--but oh, wait, is this here...? Tidus picks up a small suitcase, light in weight. Mouth opening to call Inigo's name.

...

And then Tidus reconsiders, kneeling down and setting it flat down. He starts unzipping it quuuuueitly to take a peek inside, not opening the lid up fully. Ohhhh, is this a tiny jacket? Kinda hard to see like this.... but oh, there's some shiny material in here.... ]

[ See, at first he doesn't realise that Tidus has found the treasure.

Because the moment Tidus solves their problem with his magical solution, Inigo has already gone back to looking through everything. He's not even looking at Tidus, which means the other has all the time in the world to take a peek into the small suitcase he's found.

But after a few moments, Inigo pipes up. ]

Oh, Tidus! I think I found your set of--

[ He looks over in Tidus's direction and pauses. ]

.. what do you have there? [ You can tell by Inigo's sheer tone that he already knows the answer to that question. Considering how Tidus seems to be hunching over it like he's Gollum or something. ]

NOTHING.

[ SLAM. Actually, neither the slapping of his hands on the suitcase lid or his reply comes first but both at once. Heat rising in his face that he doesn't turn to look at Inigo with.

J-just.

Let him...

...sliiiddee this suitcase away from both himself and Inigo.

Then, give him a moment. ]

S-so -- found anything?

[ Please ignore the higher note than usual he's speaking with. ]

[ ?

Inigo raises his eyebrows, moving over so he's a little closer to where Tidus is. Even though the suitcase is definitely still on the other side from him, he can still see it. And see his name on it.

If it wasn't already obvious a moment ago what was happening here, it would have been now. ]

Come on. [ At least he doesn't sound angry. If anything, Inigo lets out a very slight laugh. ] Are you seriously embarrassed just because you're trying to cover up that you found it?

[ Stop peeeeeking, Inigo!!!!

And please, just let him stay crouched here pretending he can ignore Inigo and this embarrassing situation. Is it his fault he seriously can't lie very well...?!! And now he has to fess up...because he sure can't lie himself out of this new scenario.

ugh

ugghhh ]

...I thought you'd try taking it and hiding it 'til you were all dressed up. [ Mumble grumble grumble. Embarrassment tingling through his shoulders, Tidus still now has the good sense to swing the suitcase from one side to the other by the handle. ]

I couldn't see much anyway.

[ So he didn't even do anything weird in the end! That's how that works! ]

It's okay.

[ It's not as if Inigo can blame Tidus for thinking that when Inigo is constantly throwing fits about the idea of dancing, let alone this dancing outfit.

But oddly enough, the exact fact that Tidus is the one who's a bit more shy and flustered right now makes it easier for Inigo to be a bit less so for once. Just enough to reach out while he's also squatting down, gently putting his hand on top of Tidus's to take the suitcase from him.

Not to hide it though. No, instead he puts it in front of them. He smiles sidelong at Tidus. ] Here, let's have a look together instead.

[ And after casting a very quick and careful glance over at the door to make sure no one is walking in, Inigo just opens up the suitcase, so they can both see the outfit in it.

And that sight does finally manage to bring some colour to his face. It does remind him a little of his mother's outfit, but.. different. Unique. It's not like any dancer outfit he's seen before. ]

Oh. .. Oh. That's.. um..

[ How is he supposed to even put words to this? ]

[ Oh.

It's the colours that catch Tidus's eye first: attractive all together, or from what he thinks he can tell. But when everything is inside this tiny suitcase, it's not very easy to experience the outfit, is it? At least.... Tidus isn't completely sure what they're looking at.

But he thinks that does look like a jacket...! ]

You... [ The word comes out low, nowhere to go as he examines the area around him. Thinking, before he gets a bright idea and drags one of the other suitcases next to Inigo's, and then explains to Inigo what he's doing before he thinks to grab another. ]

Let's set it out on the suitcases so you can see it better! You want to?

[ He doesn't very well just want to put Inigo's new clothes on the floor, after all! ]

Oh.. Y-Yes, sure.

[ Inigo definitely would have protested the idea more if the precious clothes were being put out on the floor, but thankfully Tidus had a good idea here. And that leaves his only possible protest being that he doesn't want to show Tidus - and that isn't true. Even with all his fluster about the whole deal, he wants to share this with Tidus right now, in exchange for all his support.

So while the other gathers more suitcases, Inigo carefully starts taking the pieces of the outfit out of the one in front of them, one by one. First the pants - the part that made him think the most of his mother's outfit. Then the golden belt, the jacket that Tidus was eyeing, then a black top--

Ah, wait. That one's rather short, isn't it? Wouldn't his stomach be entirely exposed? Isn't there some piece of the outfit that covers that up?

There's more yet to be taken out of the suitcase, but it's the top that has Inigo fixated for a moment, staring at it as he holds it. ]

I'm, erm.. I'm slowly starting to feel like I may have to train up my body some before wearing this.

[ Why can't he have an all-abs stomach rather than the flat, but relatively not too defined one he has, huh? Especially with his dumb scars on there. ]

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