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[ 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. ]

Here-

[ Tidus moves over to the bunk beds, pushing aside the now empty suitcase and sitting on down, patting the open space next to him. ]

Sit down, I'll show you from here. Give you the basics so you can do this whenever you want to. [ Who knows, he might be able to turn Inigo into a picture-taking fanatic!!

When Inigo joins Tidus, he'll find that the both of them are now the view from the camera's 'screen', twitching with how well Tidus holds it, each small movement on display - just like if he were holding a mirror. He points to symbols on the lower side. ]

See these? You don't want to worry about most of them... 'cept this [ pointing to one! ] and this. [ and pointing to another! ]

So the way the screen is now, it'll take a picture of whatever's on this side, like you and me. And if I press this one over here...

[ He's going to get both of their faces into frame, even if he needs to tilt his head against Inigo's. Presses it, and...

click! The screen freezes for a second or two on the visual captured, then shifting down to the lower corner as a thumbnail as a quick preview.

Satisfied, Tidus then holds out the camera again for Inigo to take ~~this time~~. ]

Okay? Your turn!

[ Thank Naga it's not his first time taking a selfie - he remembers that time they did it together with Roland, after all.

It means that he's got one part of this own. He knows what is happening, at the very least. But even with Tidus's explanation, it still feels like a lot to take in when it comes to how exactly this is happening.

But he does take the camera. He is going to try! ]

Alright, so.. this symbol, and this symbol.. [ He studies it, leaning in a little closer with his face, like any Old Person does when trying to view the screen of a piece of technology. ] They're still the same..

[ Yes, Inigo, generally those settings tend to stick after taking a photo. Ssh, don't tell him, he feels like he's being really smart right now.

He leans back. ]

And then I just press.. this one?

[ Granted, right now all that's on the 'viewfinder's' screen is Inigo's face. Or more accurately, his face from the lowest possible angle, which means it's mostly just chin.

And approximately half of Tidus's, like some sort of afterthought. Or a ghost haunting the picture.

(At least he seems distracted from his outfit for a moment. There's no more fidgeting for the moment.) ]

[ What a great picture. ]

You can. What you see here - [ he makes a circular motion towards the screen ] - is gonna be the picture you take. So what's here when you press that symbol [ relevant point!! ] is gonna be what you get.

[ That's pretty clear, right? He nods his head, tipping it to the side to do so. ]

Press it as many times as you want. It doesn't matter how many times you do, so just go for it.

[ Don't overthink it, bro!! ]

Okay.

[ That is, indeed, not too hard to understand. In fact, Inigo even realises that he doesn't like this picture enough to take it, which clearly means he will have to change the image.

But rather than moving around the device like any person would, Inigo thinks he is the problem here.

So he's moving. Getting up, then moving so that rather than sitting on the bunk, he's lying on it. Flat on his stomach. Looking like a worm as he stares at the image on the screen, trying to judge it. ]

.. I think it's better this way? [ That's not quite a statement, with that question mark there at the end. But he needs input from the selfie expert! ]

Edited 2021-02-21 21:43 (UTC)

[ .............

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...Take the picture?

[ he'll

he'll know what inigo's doing when he sees the picture, right. right. ]

[ Hah, oh Tidus. You absolute fool.

The ways of Inigo's medieval mind are incomprehensible. Because he takes it, and then shows the picture off to Tidus, smiling. ]

Look, now there's less chin! [ Because moving his head all the way down was clearly the solution here, right. Rather than just.. moving the device up a little.

At least Inigo seems happy. ]

[ Inigo does seem happy. As goofy as it was to get there, Tidus huffs into the small smile, saying, ] There sure is [ as he comes down to flop next to Inigo. Some of the way, anyway - just to get on his level.

The picture has gone to the side by then, a small icon if they want to access the photo album. But it's returned back into camera mode, and Tidus touches the side of the screen, just to make it move. ]

You can get the picture you want too if you move the camera itself. See? Lift it up and try and get the both of us on the screen.

[ Here, he'll move his head in closer to Inigo's to make it easier, eyes up at the screen to use it as a way to look at Inigo indirectly. heyyy bro ]

[ wassaaaaaaaaaaap, bro.

Inigo's eyes grow a little wider at the revelation, and he does start moving around the camera, watching as the image moves right along with it.. No matter how many movies he's seen in the cinema carriage at this point - mostly thanks to Tidus, mind you - this will always be spectacular to him. Unreal.

He finally manages to settle on a good angle after a few moments, moving his head even closer to Tidus's by leaning against it (and thankfully avoiding just bumping his head hard against Tidus's) and smiling. ]

There!

[ Apparently the other's earlier gestures did at least teach him how to see the full picture - clicking the tiny thumbnail so it grows larger on the screen. ]

.. I like this one. [ Inigo taps the screen, right against the tip of his nose on the screen. ] It's cute. We look happy.

[ And much less worried about your current outfit, huh, Inigo? ]

We're hanging halfway off the bed.

[ At least, Tidus is. But it's a funny thing to him, the good face they're making while laid back on a bed, feet on the floor - butt hanging off. That might be what makes it a good picture.

It's going to be fun to look back on in the future.

He taps at the screen, taking the picture away and putting the camera back on. ]

Time for a dumb face now. You gotta have one pic like that!

[ You know, you gotta!! The rules of taking photos!!

And as such, Tidus puffs out his cheeks, squinting -- making the face of a pufferfish for a second before deflating. ]

See? Like that! Dare ya.

[ Usually Inigo would question if this really is some rule of photos. Or something people do at all. If it's not just Tidus is making up on the spot to prank him.

But the mood is too good to question it. Or to whine, or to complain, or to do anything of the sort. Instead Inigo just smiles when Tidus speaks up. ]

Hey, do you think the same tricks people use on you work on me? [ HE'S NOT HYPER-COMPETITIVE, OKAY.

And yet. And yet Inigo is still going right along with it. Putting his fingers underneath his eyes, and tugging down the skin there, while moving up his upper lip and move with the muscles to give him a bit of a piggy nose going on.

There's only one problem here, and it's got nothing to do with Inigo thinking he looks ridiculous. ]

.. I don't have hands left to take the picture with. [ The horror. ]

[ There you go, there's the spirit, Inigo! Tidus watches as he works at his face with both the hands, a scoff leaving him as he sees the issue -- ] Good thinking, there, [ --but he picks up the problem from his stomach. Here, let him get this angled above them just right... ]

Hey. Is this any different from your regular face? [ GOT YA, BRO!!! Cheeky comments aside, Tidus draws out a pleasant 'bliiitz!', puffs out his cheeks and rolls back his eyes for the quickest thrown together dumb face he can make to join his bro in solidarity, and click! goes the device.

The image keeps for a second, then goes into the corner like the others. But Tidus presses it back into full screen.

behold

their beautiful faces ]

[ Ah.

Gorgeous.

Though Inigo doesn't seem as worried about someone seeing this.. amazing picture. Maybe he already wasted his whole picture worrying fit on the potential one with his entire outfit earlier, and it's robbed him of any ability to really care now.

He lets out a snort all the same when he sees the image. ]

Do they really take pictures like this where you're from?

Sure, if you want to. You can take pictures of anything. I just wanted you to get used to it, that's all.

[ He tilts his face towards Inigo, a hum of a laugh against his lips, before turning back to the tablet-like camera, swiping off to the photo and going back to one of the previous ones. ]

Everyone thinks they look funny in photos. But who cares? Even funny ones make you think of the time you took 'em. [ He'll need some time to show him that, won't he?

But a thought pops into his mind, and he starts flicking back on the photos, to before Inigo's. It doesn't take long to land on a certain photo, from a certain day.

And, maybe a little smugly, holding it up above their heads. ]

Remember?

[ The smile on Inigo's face is saying everything already before he even verbally answers. ]

I remember. [ And that is a precious picture. It's so nice to see the three of them looking so happy, considering everything they've been through in their respective homes. More than anything, no matter what happens with them here - Inigo hopes they can stay like that. Happy. That's all he wishes for.

His gaze flickers from the picture on the screen towards Tidus. ]

.. I think I can take a picture now. Of.. you know. [ He gestures downwards at his outfit. ] It's a little less scary now.

[ Sometimes all it takes is having some dumb, dumb fun with your bro to take the frightening sting out of something. ]

[ Tidus meets the face opposite his, the two of them parted only by their shoulders pressed together. Eyes flickering to follow the gesture he sees out of his periphery, though he already knows what Inigo means. His smile pressing wider, emphasising his one-word reply. ]

Good.

[ Good.

He sits up with the camera being put on his lap, a hand up on the framing of the bed above for balance, to mind his head. ]

You don't want me to go first? I can show you all the poses I did for the photoshoots.

[ In a joking example, he puts fists on his waist, puffs up his chest and lifts his chin. Hey, hey?? ]

Sure. You seem pretty eager. [ The last part being a gentle tease, obviously. Even though Inigo knows Tidus is doing it possibly to keep up the current mood, or to help make Inigo feel even more comfortable - which is why he actually accepts the offer, not worrying about whether or not he may feel more apprehensive about it again in a few moments.

Right now he just needs to do stuff. It seems to be working out for him better the less he thinks.

So Inigo sits up, grabbing the device off Tidus's lap so the other can get up to pose. ]

So what's your first pose, mister famous blitzball player I'm going to put in a magazine? [ That's how magazines work, right? With.. photoshoots..? He's learning! ]

Well well well! Let me show you how a star player shows his stuff!

[ It's said as Tidus gets up and takes his place, S'reee's bathtub behind him, his hands back on his sides in a show of confidence. He may be playing it up a little (or a lot), but he figures that'll be better for Inigo than being stuffy about it - and who wants to be unfun, anyway?

He lifts up his arms band hand, paused in a cupping shape. ]

First, we need the perfect prop.

[ And what else but -- tada: his blitzball in a puff of gold dust. Tidus raises it with his fingers, gets it spinning on one easy. Oh yeah, look at this sweet move! Interrupted only once he's satisfied, nudging it up into the air and grabbing it in his hand proper.

Tidus moves it, resting it inside the crook of his arm, the back of his wrist on his hip. His chin raises, and he brushes his hair back once to ruffle it up some before putting it where it was. ]

Oh yeah! Looking good, huh?

[ YEAH, DUDE. YOU'RE REALLY LOOKING GOOD, THAT'S THE WHOLE PROBLEM HERE.

Thankfully the good and kind of joking mood keeps Inigo from getting fully distracted by ~~just how much of a gay panic he has for Tidus 24/7~~ how good Tidus looks. Instead he just tries to focus on how nice it is to see Tidus like this. It feels like the other is in his natural habitat. All confident, posing so easily, like this is just routine for him. Yet never losing his energy.

He raises the device, even getting up to try and find a good angle to take the picture from. ]

Is that hair part a special picture trick you've learned? [ Inigo means 'photoshoot' more than 'picture' here, but it's hard when you don't know modern lingo, yet still want to lightly tease your friend with how he can make himself look good so naturally. ]

The girls love seeing guys do that! [ why yes, let him share all his cool-posing secrets. ] They have these video ads - you know, like what's on in the cinema, selling products. And you get people who do this - [ running his hand through his hair again ] or pose like this.

[ This secondary this takes some more fiddling, putting a foot up on the side of S'reee's bathtub and hanging his arm off the knee, his other hand pocketed into his trouser pocket. Cool guy pose. ]

You gotta learn what your good angles are too. With an outfit like that, you should try something like...

[ He's eyeing Inigo up and down, then places the blitzball onto the bed, forgetting about the fake photoshoot here. Then, getting a vague idea, he turns his body into a side profile; a hand resting comfortably on his side again, back arching just to bring out his chest some, the other arm risen and the hand of it doing...

something. Tidus is wiggling that. ]

Mmm, just make a cool face, this won't matter. [ flappy flappy hand. ] You just wanna do this to see how the hangy parts look.

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