flatteries | ic ✗ inbox

[ Any remark Inigo can make about blitzball or passions is immediately silenced by that slap on his ass.

If his face wasn't red already, then it sure would have been now. Especially since Inigo is absolutely missing the context of that being a bro thing. It happens more often in the world of sports, after all, and sports weren't too much of a thing in Ylisse even before there started being very little time for fun stuff.

So when he turns around to face Tidus, he looks momentarily like he's about to question the other's sanity..

.. but there's no way that won't end up embarrassing him in the end. He knows it. So Inigo instead quickly tugs off his hoodie, pulling it over his head and tossing it onto the bunk. The lack of hoodie hanging over the top of his pants also shows off better how they rest on his hips with the belt, while Inigo in the meantime grabs the black croptop, starting to put it on. ]

Did you also have to put on this much for every game? [ May as well ask to prevent any awkward silence.. ]

What?

[ That's the question that meets Inigo's incredulity, challenging him in the smile and the humoured look Tidus wears. Maybe it is about sports - or it's more to do with their earlier conversation, this guy who can't see his own good qualities (and good looks).

How about all of the above. Tidus isn't deterred anyway, giving Inigo room to finish the dressing for himself, leaning against the side of the bunk bed. ]

Didn't have anything to tie at the back, but... just about. [ He reckons, watching Inigo, arms resting comfortably at his chest. ] The team outfit has some sleeves, a top and pants, but my star uniform had about as many parts. Swim pants, overalls, the jacket. Less dangly parts than you, but they'd get all over the place in a pool.

[ By the looks of it, Inigo's outfit had more going on with all the trimmings included. But it was about the same, taking on and off. ]

Star uniform?

[ He repeats the words, as if trying them out may magically explain to him what they mean. Sure, there's an obvious meaning to the usage of the word 'star', but for all Inigo knows, it could have some sort of special meaning within the world of blitzball. He only knows what Tidus has ever told him before it, after all. ]

Is that a special uniform? Since you were extra important? [ He tugs the black top all the way down, running his hands across his stomach somewhat awkwardly, brushing up against the now visible scars that run along it. Thankfully the top does cover up most of his biggest one, but still..

Thankfully he manages to talk on all the same as he turns to grab the jacket. ]

So it was extra fancy?

Sure was! [ Leaning like this with his weight on his arm, Tidus lets his feet cross over too, one over the other. ] Everything's judged in blitzball - the whole team, the players. How well you play and don't. It's usually fielders like me who get the most attention, but you hear about goalkeepers getting a special outfit for the year if they did real well. They don't see as much in the game as the rest of the players.

[ Since he might need to remind Inigo about that. Please remember all the blitzball positions, bro. ]

My first year went great, so I got to be front man of the team! Everyone's outfits had somethin' a lil' different to them, but it was the same idea, you know? Mine, all I needed was the team colours and logo, but the design was up to me!

...and the designer. [ Heh. ] But I got to decide from a few sketches. We went for a look based on the old outfits the team used to wear years ago.

[ Back when his old man played -- but no reason to specify that. ]

[ A lot of these concepts are absolutely wild to a sports newbie like Inigo. But some others he can imagine. Like Tidus being the front man of his team. That suits him. Inigo couldn't ever imagine the other just being someone in the background, especially with something he loves so much. Tidus just is the type who stands out.

(Especially compared to Inigo, but look, he is trying to not make this a self-depreciating thing. It's just about how great Tidus is.)

He's putting on the jacket now, though he seems to realise it's held together with the golden decorative clasp in front - and trying to get that to close is rather difficult. Give him a few moments here to fiddle while he talks. ]

So were there-- [ Portraits, Inigo almost says, but then remembers that other worlds don't work that way, so.. ] --images of you all over the place in that outfit?

[ His smile lifts. ]

You wanna ask the train to grab you one? [ Heheh. He shifts enough from where he's leaning, just enough to grab one of the sleeves that Inigo still has to put on, to tell which side is which. Do these rows of coins go on the outside or in...? ]

Teams get their pictures taken all the time. You get promo jobs and then pictures by the press - kinda like a...people who spread news. [ That was a fair and easy description, right? ] But you have people who take photos of celebrities too, who don't do the talking or writing.

You remember the magazine with the ferrets? Like that.

[ Oh--! His eyes light up. ]

You should let me take pictures of you too! With you dressed up! For memories of your first time in it.

[ It's that question, no matter how heheh-ingly asked, that gets Inigo to raise his gaze from the clasp he's still fiddling with, instead smiling over at Tidus for a moment. ]

Yes, I want to see you in it! I bet you're positively radiating!

[ The moment he's done saying it, he goes right back to trying to figure out this jacket while Tidus is explaining. An explanation that's thankfully adjusted to Inigo's level, so he more or less gets it. It's not like images of his dad back home were all that uncommon.. (Thanks, Frederick.)

But then Tidus keeps going, and the moment it looks like Inigo is about to hook his jacket closed, he lets out a yelp at the sudden suggestion, completely missing and letting go of the jacket. It just hangs open now. ]

W-Wait! No! You can't just take pictures of me! That's.. That's evidence! [ Just the thought along seems to make Inigo grow a little pale in the face. ]

[ ...that's sweet. An honest reply that would ease the cheeky curve of his smile into something more sincere, touched.

('Positively radiating'. What a thing to say!)

Tidus takes the few steps over to Inigo, with the yelp and -- well, mainly to help with that jacket still not done up. Stopping in front of the other guy and taking the hook in his hand, the sleeve settled back onto the bed while he figures out how this clasp is supposed to work. ]

Evidence just for me. And maybe Rol, if you feel nice?

[ Ah, this is how it goes. He clicks the bond into place, but he doesn't hurry to move his hands away, or the rest of him. ]

You want to see how you look in this too, don't you? See how you move in it? I can help! Just between us - you and me.

[ A beat, and he tips his head. ]

Well, the higgledies too.

[ There's no escaping them. ]

[ There's never escaping the higgledies.

They're not the main problem here though, thankfully. The main problem is actual other people seeing it. Or maybe even Inigo himself seeing it. What if he sees himself from another person's perspective and realises he looks ridiculous? The fear bubbles up in his heart before he even considers the potential upsides. ]

I.. I don't know..

[ It's less fiery of a protest than a moment ago, but Inigo still doesn't exactly look enthusiastic about the idea.

Instead it makes his cheeks glow pink. And Tidus being so close to him right now, with those hands still on him, so close to the bare skin of his stomach? It sure doesn't help. It's like Inigo is heating up on the inside, bit by bit. ]

It feels so.. permanent. [ And it's something Inigo isn't used to, being able to capture moments like that. Painting portraits sure takes a much longer time, after all. ] What if me wearing the full thing looks weird, and then it's captured forever like that?

If it's a bad photo, we'll delete it. [ The hand on Inigo turns into a fist, playfully knocking the side of his arm.

Isn't that an undramatic a solution, Inigo. ]

You can do that. We'll take a few, then keep the ones we like! And we will like some, [ he adds with a confident emphasis, face inching in closer to Inigo's for just a second before he pulls back - a few steps, even. ]

You're looking good right now, Inigo. And I bet you'd be surprised about how you look in motion, y'know? You never get to see yourself dancing.

[ And wouldn't Inigo want to see that? Wouldn't it be more important than seeing yourself playing blitzball? As long as you score, it doesn't matter how good you do or don't look in the moment. ]

[ That almost sounds more like a threat than encouragement.

But Inigo knows Tidus well enough to know he means it in an encouraging way. That Tidus has always been encouraging about this, even when Inigo doesn't know how to be. When he doesn't know how to find the slightest shred of confidence in his dancing. ]

Well, let's just.. let's finish putting it on first.

[ It's a decision they can always make later. Because Inigo knows he has to finish putting this all on now, or he's going to get colder and colder feet with all these other thoughts to contemplate. ]

Here, um.. [ He bends down to pick up the shoes, starting to put them on one by one. ] I just need to figure out how I'm supposed to put on those sleeves.

[ Is it time to back off and let Inigo think about it/build himself up to it? Tidus can take the hint, and as Inigo works at the shoes, he picks up one of the sleeves himself. Turning it to make the coins face a certain way, holding it so it all hangs by gravity. ]

I'll help you out. I think I know how.

[ But he'll wait to say any more until Inigo's done with the shoes, since he wants his full attention when he leans, gesturing to an arm. ] Give me that one- and hold it out-

[ And he can help to slide it into place, until Inigo's fingers bump into the fabric and ring. Fiddling with that...! ]

Your middle finger-?

[ It looks like it?? Try it out, bro. ]

[ At Tidus's suggestion, Inigo immediately acts. Moving his fingers a little, trying to stick his middle finger through the ring..

.. and it works. Inigo pulls back his arm, moves it up a little to look at the way the odd sleeve-glove-thing fits on his arm. And it's perfect, like it was made for him. It sticks in place, even when he moves his arm up and down. The only thing moving is the decorative fabric hanging near his elbow.

He holds out his other arm, figuring Tidus will help him with that one too. ]

.. It's kind of strange that the train knows all our sizes, right? [ Because while Inigo is not exactly muscled, he's also not entirely built like your average girl. Not to mention that this outfit is different from his mother's. Like it's custom made. ]

It's not the worse thing about it. [ Weird? Probably. Does Tidus care? Not if it doesn't mean he's getting clothes he can't wear because they're too big or small. He picks up the last sleeve to help Inigo into it, sliding it up until the end of it needs to be straightened, the finger fitted into the ring. ]

Hmm... how's that feel? It doesn't look twisted.

[ Does it?? It's pretty hard to tell when pulling it up, but it doesn't look off where Tidus is standing. How do they feel to move in, bro?? ]

[ He pulls his arm back once the thing is fully on it. Staring down at it - from where it sits on his finger, trailing all the way up to his upper arm. The sensation isn't totally foreign, since Inigo did wear fingerless gloves back home as part of his usual outfit while he was out there fighting, but this feels.. different. He wonders if it's the fabric, or the design..

Is it the totally bare shoulders? ]

Um, well, I.. I think it's on right..

[ That's the easier question to answer here. Just a factual answer.

His hand travels up, feeling his shoulders, then the fabric of his top. Looking down at himself, even though it's hard to get a full feel for how the outfit looks while he's the one wearing it.

And so his gaze travels back to Tidus, his eyes nervously seeking out the other's. ]

This-- This is the complete thing, right? How.. [ That pregnant pause. He's absolutely terrified of the answer, even though he knows there's no way Tidus would actively dunk on him, let alone at a moment like this. ] How does it look..?

[ 'This is the complete thing, right?'

There's a quick check, spotting if there wasn't something small that he missed in the corners or sides of the suitcase. But no, nothing; so Tidus can look back to Inigo, in all his dressed up glory, taking a retreating a step or two as he's asked about appearances.

Fists rests on his sides, eyes starting from Inigo's face and trailing down; taking in the entire ensemble, how it rests over the skin over the guy who's probably about to start fidgeting in it. A smile spreads across Tidus's lips breaking out wide, no matter what look Inigo might have him meet with as he looks back up. ]

You look amazing. You do, man! [ He throws open his arms, fingers spreading too. ] This is a total outfit! You need to see yourself, move in it!

[ Is Inigo going to complain if he brings out his camera? Does he even remember what it looks like? Tidus thinks he has it, turning to face the bathtub as if this somehow is better as his hands come together, and poof comes the fancy slip of technology, popping open with the press of a button.

Don't mind hiiiiim.... ]

[ Tidus is lucky today. Because Inigo is definitely nervously fidgeting while Tidus is looking at him, and that nervousness stays with him even as Tidus is turning around to summon forth his equipment to make photos with.

And that means Inigo isn't busy with paying attention to what Tidus is doing at all. No siree. He's too focused on himself right now, awkwardly moving and fidgeting as he's trying to get used to the outfit, plucking at the sleeves and trying to pull the bottom of his jacket down as if it may cover him a bit more.

(Of course it doesn't budge an inch.)

And while Tidus's suspicious movements are completely unnoticed and forgotten, Inigo apparently hasn't fully forgotten his presence in general. Mostly since he can't help but at least still ask.. ]

Really? Y.. You're not just being nice, right?

[ Go ahead, bro.

This is the moment to sneak that picture in. ]

[ Please, as if Tidus is going to go and be too sneaky about this. There just isn't the room for that, and it doesn't enter Tidus's mind. But Inigo really can't see himself, and where could he in this train but the dressing car? A dressing car Inigo would rather die than walk to, when people are going to be actively passing through for the luggage car. ]

You look ready to take the stage. [ Seriously, with all those droopy parts hanging on him. Tidus manages to get the screen out and put onto camera mode, and with a tap, he turns back to face Inigo, the device flipped in his hands. ]

Okay? Have a look- can you? I can't get you all in there, but there's most of you!

[ Acting like a mirror the size of a folder, the future-tech camera reflects Inigo in the flesh, to as down as above his knees. But everything else is in view: his reactions, his figure, the camera kept in place where Tidus holds it from one corner on top and at the bottom.

look bro, it's you! ]

[ TIDUS!!

Who knows if this is a better or worse scenario than a sneaky photo. Because it being admitted to so easily, shown to Inigo so easily, just makes him flustered. His jaw immediately drops before he even fully takes a good look at himself - just the idea that him looking like this is reflected into anything right now is already too much of the poor boy, giving the reflection that looks back at him rather red cheeks in this moment. ]

I... I...

[ What does he even say. He looks like his brain just broke down, and for a moment or two all he can do is stammer before finding even the simplest of words. ]

I can see... [ That's a total non-answer, isn't it. But it seems that Inigo's brain truly can't think up anything better, since he's just standing there, frozen. Unable to do anything.

But at the very least it also means he's entirely unable to look away from the view, so Tidus's effort isn't going to waste here. It may just take a few more moments before it's fully appreciated. ]

[ gotchaaa brooo

If they're being honest, this is a lot less flustering and whining than Tidus was expecting, with the whining being his name and what a terrible brotrayal he has/is committing. But a stunned Inigo is a lot better, and so Tidus holds the camera in place, so Inigo can continue to see the view from it. ]

Well? [ Wellll? ] You look ready to put on a performance, dont'cha think?

[ Please feel free to continue to admire yourself a while longer, Inigo, it's ok. Tidus can wait! ]

I.. I suppose. [ At least he's slowly trying to find his voice again, no matter how hard it feels to say much of anything at all while staring at that reflection. Inigo isn't very much used to viewing himself like this at all, let alone in the outfit he is currently wearing.

But it's not like he wants Tidus to have to stand there and just endure the silence, so he continues. ]

It really does look similar to the kind of outfit dancers wear in Ylisse.. [ He pauses, finally managing to glance away from the view for a moment - just long enough for him to seem like he's thinking about something, the blush on his cheeks crawling up on his face. ] I wonder what mother would have thought if she saw me like this..

If she was a smart lady, she'd be proud.

[ No doubt, and Tidus hopes it, that she's the kind of mother that Inigo can look back on more fondly than his father; that there's good memories left behind by time.

And he's going to try one more time, as coaxing as a guy can be. A lilt in his voice as he does: ]

Sure you don't want me to take a photo to keep? It's going to take a lot of work taking on and off. You'll be able to see the outfit better too when the picture isn't moving.

[ Tidus really is too coaxing.

Because Inigo wants to say no. Because it feels terrifying, and while there are plenty of terrifying things he can face head on, anything remotely related to dancing or his own - lack of - self worth aren't among them. Because he knows he will be so nervous, knowing that there's a permanent image of him out there, looking like this. What if the train messes with Tidus's device somehow, showing it off to everyone? He wouldn't be able to live on this train anymore.

And yet he doesn't say no the moment he hears the question.

Because Tidus keeps providing arguments for it, and says it in that tone, and Inigo can't help but think of all the supportive things his friend has said at this point, piling up until it's a pyramid of compliments Inigo is precariously balancing on top of. ]

M-Maybe one? [ He slowly says, trying to gather all his courage. ] Ugh-- I know this is stupid.

[ The way he's acting about it. It almost feels childish.

Inigo put his hands on his upper arms, like he's trying to cover himself. (Or give himself a hug.) ]

I'm just so nervous right now.

You've got nothing to worry about! [ How many times has Tidus said those words? How many times has he been assured that Inigo can't help it in turn, but the answer never stopping him from trying to make Inigo believe the truth as he knows it?

He wants to go over and give the guy a hand on the shoulder when he's as wrapped up in himself as that. But Tidus's hands are full, and he makes the decision to get this done with. What if...

Aha! Nevermind his hands being full, or maybe in a second or so. Tidus lifts the camera device in his hands, nodding his head. ]

What about if I go first? I'll strike some poses - [ Some, of which he's copying now: one with his hand on his hip and with a knee slightly bent, another from an angle showing him from the side. ] - you take the pics, and then you go next!

[ Yeah!! Won't that be less scary? ]

[ Whether it's actually less scary or not in the end is yet to be determined. Inigo isn't convinced, for one.

But he's desperate enough that he's willing to try anything at this point. So stops hugging himself like that, all curled up, and instead holds out his hands in Tidus's direction, silently asking for the device. (While trying real hard to not think too much about Tidus posing, thanks..!!)

Though that does leave one problem that - this time - has nothing to do with Inigo's current outfit. ]

.. Okay, just.. How do I take.. "the pics"? [ he's trying. ]

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject