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Well, I showed up in Catfish.. Then there was Domino, then Egret.. I'm pretty sure Fiddlesticks was the one after that.

[ Inigo speaks slowly, like he has to think about it as he's trying to figure it out as well. He's even let the higgledy back down on the ground so he can count on his soil-covered fingers as he speaks. ]

So that means three months less than me. [ If his calculations are right. Inigo definitely isn't 100% sure, but close to it! ] That's nine months then. Also a pretty long time, huh?

[ He shakes his head. ] Though it's so strange to think that we didn't know each other for those first three months! In fact, I'm pretty sure Taiki didn't show up either until.. um.. maybe the latter half of Domino..? So that means it was just me for about a month or two.

[ Time for the little higgledy to join its companions. Which are probably the ones now dealing with the flowers - if dealing with them means playing around them, using them as hiding spots or dancing meet-up spots. ]

Nine and ten months knowing me and Taiki, huh? Lucky guy! [ Heheh. It's still strange to think about. He feels the length of time, but it's odd, too. Both too long and longer than he thinks about. Though, it isn't anything new for him to bring up. ]

I don't even know how long I was in Spira for, you know? Not this long. [ How many months, even? ] We were always travelling and seeing something, so even though it was shorter... we got a lot more done.

[ And why he always feels like they could be doing more, he's sure. His mouth tugs on one side, a thoughtful pinch to his brow. ]

When you think about it, after nine months... other than the missions we've been on, what do we really know? We know about the old crew, their world got wiped out, and there's other worlds getting wiped out - whole systems of them! But we still don't know what's causing it - or how the train even chooses us.

[ He points a thumb at himself. ]

I learned a lot more about Spira and even myself in less time back home!

[ When he got to be the main character!! ]

[ Inigo gets it. That it's where a lot of Tidus's frustration with the train comes from. If Inigo knows anything about the other, it's that Tidus is a guy of action. He wants to do stuff. And while they do some good on the train, it's true that they're very much stuck when it comes to other things.

Regardless, he still smiles. The energy in the conversation is still relatively good, and Inigo isn't going to drag it down.

.. though he does joke: ]

Too bad you can't be the main character in every story, huh? [ Just kidding, bro. ]

But.. yeah. It can be really frustrating, but.. sometimes things just progress really slowly, no matter how much you try your best. [ Inigo is still smiling, but it might be obvious that he's speaking from experience, just going by his tone. Even though he doesn't give a concrete example, he's clearly talking about how little they got done in their apocalyptic future, even though they worked day in and day out. ]

Maybe you got lucky in Spira. Not that you didn't work hard.. I know you did. [ Tidus is - if nothing else - like a rocket that shoots straight at a target when it finds one, no matter what has to be done for it along the way. ] But maybe there was a clearer way to find things out there. Or a clearer path to a goal.

[ What do you mean this isn't his story, bro??

But Inigo's reply does strike a note in Tidus. Makes him realise, or acknowledge better in himself, that this has always been Inigo's life: fighting to survive, only being able to act in response to what everything around him does than being able to make a significant change. Not before he got to use Naga's gate. Not until the time he was taken away from another possibility.

Because Inigo reminds him in the reflection, experience abundance. It makes him feel a little bad, reminds Tidus to be humble once in a while. But while his gaze does cast aside briefly, he looks again at Inigo with a smile too. One soft and sincere. ]

Yeah. Not everyone gets so lucky. [ And he'll admit to his luck- their luck- despite all the fears and apprehension and way they went forward, blinded by what that way even was. Mouth pressing, acknowledgement settling in him. ]

It's good I have you around - help keep me sane. You...know how to live life. I was just swept up in everything; even in Spira, I never lived Spira. I was outside it. Even now... it's hard thinking of this as a life, you know?

But... it really is, for a lot of people.

[ It's all there is, for some people.

It's dumb, he realises. To think like that, while people get engaged, form familial relationships with one another around him all the time. ]

[ Inigo imagines that it'd be easy for some people to easily get offended at the things Tidus is speaking right now. Because it's pretty obvious to Inigo that this is a life to people. The way people get married here, as if they aren't afraid of being pulled apart by the train's whims, or by lost tethers.

But he isn't offended by the words at all. Because they feel so distinctly Tidus. Tidus, who wrestles with his existence and what it means, with the way it's currently tied so tightly to the train, to his SCA. ]

I don't know. [ Inigo says, ducking his head to stare at the flowers in the flowerbed, a faint smile on his face. It's not him humbling himself - for once - as much as he thinks there deserves to be some nuance to this. ] To me, you seem like the one who knows how to live life.

Sure, I know how to roll with the punches. [ As long as said punches don't involve people leaving, anyway. ] With monotony. With circumstances that don't improve easily.

[ .. sheesh, it sounds really depressing when he puts it like that, huh? ]

But you're the one who's always talking about having fun. I didn't know how to deal with movies, or games, or any fun stuff coming my way. Because that was never part of my life. But you're the one who's been teaching me that. [ Even if it sometimes involves.. a bit of force and dragging.. but sometimes that's just necessary with Inigo, apparently. ]

So maybe there's a bit more equivalent exchange going on here than you'd think.

[ It's been a struggle, over and over. Remembering his emotions watching the replays of his old matches; the life he wouldn't be able to return to, the life it didn't feel like he had now. Nothing to look forward to, nothing to strive for. Living each day like the last, but even that wasn't satisfying. Even if it was the truth of his situation - of everyone's.

He hums, short, a fond sound nonetheless. ]

I like the sound of that. [ The two of them, relying on each other. Supporting one another in their weaknesses, gaining from their strengths. His gaze drifts to the flowers. ]

You're the only guy who could take the time to grow flowers - out of the two of us. [ A remark, on that apparent strength. Patience. A grin widening, tone softened by a jovial humour to not let this be - or stay - as serious as it is: ] But I like the end result! Mmmm...

Maybe I should grow something too?

[ It's an abrupt thought, gaze lifting on Inigo, a sort of 'why not? should I?' expression in it. Should he learn to be more patient? Appreciate time?

But it's half-hearted, simply said in the moment. ]

No way!

[ But Inigo says it in such a jolly way that it's an obvious joke, mirth twinkling in his eyes. And if that tone and expression weren't enough to betray his intentions, then the next thing he says sure helps with it. ]

Are you trying to take my unique things away from me, huh? If you're going to do dance workouts and grow flowers, then that means I'll have to become a professional blitzball player, and I don't think I'm quite ready for that life. [ (He'd never survive that, and he knows it.)

But there's a smile on his lips all the same as he grows a little more serious again, adding: ]

But.. you know, if you ever want to try growing some, I don't mind helping. I can't promise it's going to be a quick process though.

[ There's some surprise initially, but then Tidus ends up laughing as Inigo goes on, tickled softly by the protest. Eyeing then the flowers that Inigo had been tending to before Tidus distracted him, considering himself in Inigo's same place.

Did he really want to grow anything? There wasn't a real spark of interest in him. But, if he was doing it with Inigo... ]

Okay - so long as you help me! [ And, his smiling pinching higher: ] I kind of like the idea of getting plants, and you growing them. You're the flower guy here.

[ Is this cheating? But it sounds like fun to Tidus!! ]

But let's get a fruit! If I'm picking, I'd wanna grow something to eat.

[ (something that inigo is definitely going to get left with taking care of) ]

Hey, how about we find if there's anything in one of Roland's books that sounds tasty? Then you can surprise him with some too.

[ It might not necessarily be cheating, but it sure sounds like a whole lot of work that Inigo will be getting thrown into his lap through Tidus's choice...

But is Inigo complaining? Not really. It's not like he isn't looking out for the plants here that aren't even his own from time to time, if one plant is looking particularly miserable.. so it's not like he minds this idea either, especially if it might bring Tidus some joy. That part feels more important than anything else. ]

You mean something from Earth?

[ That's the place that Roland is from called, right? The entire world, rather than just Aremica itself. ]

Sure. Do you think the fruits from there could be so different from what we're used to though? I mean.. fruit is fruit! [ How different could otherworldly fruit be?!

It's a thought Inigo might come to regret. ]

There's got to be something! [ After all! ] You guys don't have chocobos - and Roland's world doesn't either. He got a book on Earth animals and there wasn't a single chocobo in there.

Why would fruit be any different? [ Or in this case, not different? But Tidus's brain is already thinking on. ] We could see about food in Ylisse too... or how about we get flowers? Flowers from Ylisse. That's way more like you!

[ Is he entirely letting his mind go all over with ideas? Yes, he's gotten lost in the best representations of Inigo on the train (despite fruity being sufficient, too). ]

[ Tidus is being so good here.

A truly sweet, considerate young man, trying to be good for his bestie.

But considering the very first thing Tidus mentions, and the connection Inigo's brain makes - despite what the other says only a moment later - there's only one thing Inigo can ask, staring at Tidus with the most baffled and potentially frightened look in his eyes. ]

Is there.. chocobo fruit in Spira..?

[ Tidus stares at Inigo, expression frozen in what it was before he spoke. Quiet.

One second.

Two.

His gaze lifts, thinking. ]

...There's gysahl greens...?

[ does that

count? ]

[ That answer absolutely does not help Inigo. He doesn't recognize the name at all, and now he might be thinking back on that terrifying chocobo encounter he had back when they were trapped in that illusionary maze, and trying to imagine.. that.. as a fruit..?

.. But.. green..?

Inigo is starting to look more baffled by the minute. Mayday, mayday, his brain is getting fried..! ]

What's a gysahl? [ BRO, THE TRANSLATOR ISN'T WORKING. H-HELP, BRO! ]

[ What's a gysahl? Receive for that question a puzzled brow, eyes looking to the left, to the right, but there's no answers coming on this guy's face. The answer out of his mouth is just as unsure: ]

Uh... the greens are leafs? So I guess the gysahl's a plant...? [ He makes a motion, waving his hand forward. ] Chocobos eat them, so you feed them them. I dunno anything about the plant - but the gysahl has to be some kind of vegetable or something, right?

[ Right??? Or it could even be a fruit plant!! ]

You don't even know what it is?!

[ Granted, it's pretty normal for Tidus to not know. Like he said, it's not like he spent a whole lot of time in Spira, when said time might have been shorter than all the time he's spent on the train now. And he had better things to do there than to learn all about chocobos, most likely.

And yet this is Inigo, who doesn't think of those nuances, and instead just jumps straight into the overdramatic reaction. ]

I thought you loved those weird chickens! [ DUDE. ]

We just had the greens! [ Comes Tidus protest, and a very reasonable one, thank you!! ] I didn't ask what they were from! We never had 'em for that long.

[ It's not Tidus's fault he didn't know he wasn't going to get a bollocking from a prince in the future about them!! ]

Well - how about I order them! Then we can grow them and find out!

[ Yeah!! ]

[ Inigo grows silent at that last suggestion - which thankfully means that he's no longer hassling Tidus about that point.

Not for the moment, at least.

He's too busy considering this plan, and then says: ]

Alright. I guess we can. [ He's kind of curious now, anyway. Inigo has absolutely no idea what to expect. But surely growing it can't be that hard, right..? ] Even though there's no chocobos here to feed it to.

[ Thank Naga. ]

.. can people eat it too? [ Time to shove it straight into Tidus's face once it's been grown. ]

[ Can people eat leafs???????? ]

I dunno - I never tried. [ Why would he eat chocobo food...! But at least he figures- ] We can give them to the rabbits to eat.

[ Because rabbits like greens. It's totally safe to shove random plant bits at animals, nothing can go wrong. ]

[ And so Tidus accidentally caused a huge rabbit massacre on the train. ]

.. I guess that works. [ But Inigo is way too dumb to contest an idea like that. He's seen the rabbits eat just.. general green stuff, clearly that means they can eat it when it comes from other worlds too! ]

Just as long as we don't get any of those actual chickens here on the train. [ His tone takes on a quality that might be intended as serious, but instead just ends up sounding entirely overdramatic as he looks at Tidus - as usually happens with Inigo. ] Seriously. I'll scream.

[ Somehow, considering how often Inigo refers to them as such, Tidus doesn't make the connection instantly that chickens = chocobos, wondering for a second if he was worried about feeding the greens to the chickens he missed being on the train (did Jingyi finally get some??).

But no, he's being fussy about the existence of chocobos again, and his puzzled expression changes to one more sulky, exasperated, unamused. His gaze somewhere other than Inigo, until it returns to his face. ]

I'm going to buy one.

[ Is this a decided voice? A voice of spite?? Time to perish, Inigo. ]

No, you're not!

[ Maybe Inigo should know better. Because of course Tidus - of all people - would take that sort of thing as a challenge if presented just the right way. So perhaps reverse psychology would work much better, taking the fun out of all of this by not going along with it, or by pretending to not be worked up because of it..

But then again, Inigo is terrible at not responding like an impulsive idiot around Tidus, hence why the words leave his mouth before he's even really had time to consider them.

.. thankfully it seems that Inigo does know to provide a logical reason for his answer too, rather than just keeping it at a childish yes-no competition level. ]

You don't even have any space to keep one of those things around here!

Our room, [ comes his defiant answer, nevermind where logic or reason comes into that. It may not be a childish yes-no competition, but it's close to it, with Tidus thinking on his feet. ]

I'll take it for walks in the garden! And play in the sports gym! [ Hah!!

Watch as he even defiantly folds his arms. ]

I think it sounds like a great idea!

[ Tidus is putting entirely too much thought into this plan he's suddenly making up on the spot.

.. or at least, Inigo thinks he's making it up on the spot? Oh no, what if Tidus has been imagining a secret chocobo plan all this time? Terrifying. ]

Where are you going to fit it in our room? We can hardly even stand next to the bed in the first place! I don't want a face of chicken butt in the morning!

[ That's way too cruel a fate. ]

Well - it'll be a baby, so it can sleep with us! [ Ta-da! ] And we'll find some kind of...potty tray. Those're a thing, right? Right next to the door.

[ Watch him make gestures of scooting something over near to the door. Just like that! ]

I kinda like this idea. [ Y'know...! ] You'd get to see a chocobo, and we can ride it once it grows up.

[ In fifty years. ]

[ There's so much to say here. So much to complain about. And you know it's bad when Inigo starts complaining about something being added to their bed, rather than it being taken away from the bed.

But no, none of the complaints leave Inigo's mouth. Because instead he's much too distracted by something else, much like how the idea of those weird greens took up his entire brain capacity before.

It's why he just stares at Tidus as he slowly says: ]

They.. use a toilet..?

[ BRO, HE DIDN'T USE A TOILET BEFORE!

AND HE'S A HUMAN BEING. ]

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