flatteries | ic ✗ inbox

You are! I'm getting it, we need to repeat moves over and over so I know what to do, then I need to know how to react to other moves too.

[ Now it's his time to be exasperated, through a sigh. ]

I know this is serious stuff, but- [ shoulders slumping! ] I have training on the regular with Piccolo too, and he's as straight as a plank is stiff.

I just figured you wouldn't be grumpy if I messed about a lil'.

[ He may sound pouty...not intentionally... ]

W-Well..

[ This is definitely how weak Inigo is to the pouting. Even when Tidus is not doing it on purpose, his heart still gets weak at the very idea that he may have been making Tidus feel bad even in the slightest. Inigo's cheeks may even be colouring slightly pink before he can catch himself. ]

O.. Of course I don't mind us having fun! I don't want to be all serious about it either! [ Which, he realises, makes his objection from a moment ago seem dumb.

But Inigo has learned. He needs to speak up about stuff when he feels it, no matter how embarrassing, before they can cause a dumb misunderstanding between him and Tidus over absolutely nothing. ]

I just.. worry about not being able to match you if you get too fancy. [ Since swordfighting techniques are all Inigo has in comparison. ]

You've killed me how many times, Inigo.

[ He knows what Inigo is like, but considering how their training sessions usually go in here? There's nothing to do than to point out the obvious here for what it is.

Please, Inigo. ]

You really don't have anything to worry about. Plus, when you start using the grav con in training more, you'll be able to match me!

[ He rests his free hand on his side, a fist. ]

You're still the guy in charge here.

I always have something to worry about. [ It's called anxiety, bro!!

But despite it sounding like a kind of pouty protest, it's really saying a lot about how far Inigo has let Tidus in that he's willing to admit as much in the first place. Regardless of tone. ]

I'm just saying.. if I get weird about all this, that's why. I'm trying not to be. I want us to have fun too! [ Because it's so easy for the two of them to have fun in the first place. It comes naturally, inbetween all the dumb dramatics about it. ] It's just been hard not to feel stupidly incompetent after the whole thing with Reno. Especially since I'm still not quite getting there with the grav-con.

[ It makes Tidus ease his position some, internally. He knows how Inigo can get, but hearing Inigo acknowledge and talk about it - it's easier to be sympathetic, being the same guy in Inigo's position. Not with his anxiety, but having to learn and struggle through it. Even Tidus needs to pull himself out of his bad habits and all. ]

You're learning though, [ Tidus starts gently. ] And it's not like you can't use it - you're just trying to do more with it than the basics. It's some military gadget, back in Light's world. It takes time.

Time we both wish we didn't have to take tripping or getting a sword to our neck or gut every ten minutes. [ He lifts his blade to tap on his shoulder. ] But we're not quitters.

[ Tidus hits the nail exactly on the head. Maybe it's the problem for both of them, even though they express - and maybe even internally feel - it in different ways. The fact that this stuff takes time, that it feels like you're fumbling for so long that you may never get it right.

And of course with Inigo that kind of thing always turns into internal personal criticism. Maybe it's just him. Maybe he'll never be good enough.

But, like Tidus also says-- ]

We're not.

[ They've already been at this training thing for a while now! Ever since they dragged themselves out of their slump for the most part. ]

It just feels like this stuff went way faster and easier when I was a kid. [ But he knows that's an experience Tidus doesn't share, so he doesn't stick with it for long. Instead he quickly speaks on. ] Though it's definitely so much better training with someone who doesn't scold you every other minute for falling flat on your face. So.. I'll try to lighten up a bit too. You can flip as much as you want, I'll adjust.

[ Maybe it's better for Tidus to learn how to do these things in his own style in the first place anyway. ]

We can mix it up. [ There, how about that? Which is what he was already suggested, but ah- This is all too serious for what was meant to be some fun! And Tidus starts hopping on his feet, getting the energy in him rolling again! ]

Don't worry too hard about it! We'll do it your way, then sometimes I'll make you put some work into it! You'll need to have answer to my tricks too - we're gonna be taking this training to the next level one day. You and me, going fast and hard!

[ Yeah!! ]

I'll try.

[ It's said with a hint of something wry, since trying to not worry about things often is a losing battle when it's Inigo who's trying.

But he means it all the same. Genuinely so. It's not like he wants this to be a dumb worrying time! He just wants to have fun with his friend and have them both improve through it!

So he lifts his sword again when he sees Tidus start ~~his idle animation~~ to bounce again, like saying he's ready again too. ]

Though it'd be pretty nice to get there and disprove the people who doubt us, right?

[ Aha-! ]

See? Don't you want to beat me to the ground when you think about it like that? Show me what you've got, Inigo! You come at me!

[ Keep him on his toes! Let's pick this up fast!! It's okay for a bro to beat you up if it's for training (the physical kind of training, and boosting his confidence). Tidus jumps back easy on his feet, still with a bounce, waiting on Inigo to come at him. Blade at the ready! ]

ic ✗ inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject