adregem | 000 - voidtreckerexpress Universal Contact Post

And waste all the hair oils you guys gave me? No way. [ He chuckles, watching Tidus work the ICP quickly. ] I think a salon kit might be more specific.

[ Suddenly, Roland's face falls into a dry expression, as he looks forward, not quite to the window out into the void, but somewhere in between the space of the wall. ]

Then again, don't take my word for it. Something tells me the train shop and I weren't meant to get along...

[ From points, to beers, to this! He's gotten rotten luck so far. ]

Don't sulk. You'll get wrinkles. [ Aha. He takes out Roland's ticket and swaps it with his own, slipping the older man's into his pocket for the meantime. Let's see... ]

Make some suggestions and see what the train does. I does! I asked for first aid, potions... and it's added a lunchbox since I've been here.

[ Yes, doesn't the future sound bright? ]

Hey, you know how big a pasta maker is? Like... flattening, slicing?

Tidus. [ He says, tone joking and light. ] Your concern for my youthfulness is touching.

[ Roland takes a sip from his mug, still engaged as Tidus makes his purchases, keeps his ticket too for safekeeping. Good. The question too, doesn't quite get him the reaction it might have before. Roland's already aware that one of Tidus's hobbies involved experimenting in the kitchen. So in demonstration, he models a mock-up of what he knows pasta makers to be; his hands making a shape with palms facing sideways and down, no bigger than a regular box. ]

Like this, usually. The machine itself does both, if I'm not mistaken. Decking out the kitchen with more tools, I see. [ And if he's getting something for pasta - ! ] I approve. If I had enough points, I'd offer to buy it myself.

[ He knows how to make One (1) Pasta Dish! Just the one!! The talent is overflowing. ]

[ Too late for that, Tidus thinks to say, but look at him be nice and not go for that easy shot while he fiddles around at the shop terminal. Attention turning to Roland and his visual demonstration when he starts to speak. ]

Hey, it's fine. Something to help with making the noodles easier, and sheets. I don't have anything else to spend these points on, so why not?

[ Except--

Except there was the conversation with Senku, their agreed upon experiment. What was he going to go for, in that? He has a few ideas, but as his mind lingers, wondering.. ]

Hey, Roland. You ever thought about buying something from your first world? [ That is- ] Family mementos?

Right. Thanks for always looking out for our amenities. It's appreciated, I can promise you that.

[ And Roland has no problems speaking on behalf of the train, even if sometimes it's a thankless job. Then again, he's more than used to being part of a job that will never give you the gratitude you crave or deserve; and that was what made it more humbling.

He's mid-sip again, tea turning cold after so many moments of forgetting he left a tea bag to seep, when Tidus asks him something completely unexpected. Roland's brows furrow slightly, repeating the question in his head. ]

The first world? Hm. [ He does eventually take that prophesized sip, but only to break his thoughts. ] Honestly, no. If it's something personal, I...

[ If everything's been vaporized, what point would there be? Could the train bypass that, get him items that he didn't think he'd ever own again? His silence only means he's never stopped to consider it; not an option, Roland afraid of breaking his own heart. ] No. Not even family mementos. The closest I've gotten to thinking about what to get from there was digital cameras, and now, a working charger for my phone.

[ Roland looks over at where Tidus stands by the terminal with a more curious gaze. ] Why do you ask? What are you doing at the shop?

I talked to Senku about buying something from home. [ He starts his explanation simple - the subject, the emotion connected it, not one to be underestimated, but he's at least been thinking about this to have some cool. ] He was pretty affected by that storm we had, and... we made a deal. To try and get something from our homes. 'Cause, you know, [ and this gets a small pause from it- ] --cause I couldn't give a good reason wouldn't work for me.

[ But Roland would know, out of anyone. If he remembered that the city, the people -- everything came from the same energy, the same required source. ]

I guess I just wondered... no reason, really. [ But then, there's no reason for him to hesitate. To be thinking about it, to have it stir about in his stomach, his heart. His head bobbing to the side, as if in indifference. ]

I should probably tell him I tried and it didn't work.

[ He listens in silence, but immediately recognizes the wavelength in which Tidus rides. A memento to remember what was once lost, what has been left behind and brought up to a reminder. If Roland thinks he might not have a chance, what more Tidus? Zanarkand, his home, or was it now Spira he's thinking of? A new home, but only because of the love he's gained there? The adventure of his young life - a dream come true, literally? What would the train take from there that could count? That could be brought into reality?

But it's not enough of a reason too, for Roland to just watch as Tidus doesn't even try. He feels like a hypocrite now, approaching that question way too wrong. Roland figures if he's in on that deal, he might as well make it easier for Tidus. Even in gaining, even in loss.

Roland clears his throat loudly, a signal for attention. Meets Tidus's eye, but keeps his face neutral. Though it's his eyes that always give him away; thinking, worrying. ]

Well, you don't know that yet. [ He smiles a little, voice kind. An upward smirk of his lips. ] I'll do it with you. I don't have the points, but pick something from home and I'll do the same. I can pay you back later when I'm replenished.

[ He stands now, pushes himself out of the seat and slides into the hallway where the terminal blinks. Doesn't look at the screen, but keeps to the proximity. ]

...I'd get my family photo album. How about you get a sphere? Or photos too? Something from Yuna, or the earrings to top of your Zanarkand Abes necklace?

[ No suggestion given is made with force; only patience, quiet and sure. One of them was bound to bite. The train moving as an unknown force, a mysterious entity that bypassed all sense. ]

It's worth a shot, at least. [ Roland offers, lightly shrugging, leaning his back against the adjacent wall. ]

[ Why did he invite himself into this position? Roland's offering surfacing a resistance to him, a reluctance at even that. Why not? Because Tidus can argue why not with real points; points that aren't about how tight the thought of anything from home makes his chest, how it cuts off his breath, makes him stop breathing. Real enough points that he can work with.

Which is stupid. He put Senku into the same position, didn't he? But people are different, so maybe it doesn't matter too much as he looks over at Roland's call for attention, turns back to the screen catching him in the light reflecting off it. Hesitating, taking the first out he finds in Roland's words.]

Well - how about I try yours then? You'll get that, I know for sure. I got that camera from the real Zanarkand! So your family album should be easy enough. [ Hmm- but, thinking about it... ] Y'think I'm gonna get it though? It didn't let me a lunchbox like Romeo owned.

Can't say that for certain either, you know? Not after what happened to me, back there. [ Can the train revive nuked countries just to grab a little memento from his house...? The mysteries are so out of their control or reach that Roland can't even guarantee a sliver of a chance. ] But like I said, it's worth trying. The train doesn't take points from you if it can't get what you need, anyway.

[ And if he got that camera - the memoris or the sphere - from the real version of his home, then by logic, it could stand that Tidus might still revive something sentimental from the Zanarkand he thought was real right? It's not something Roland is brave enough to bring up, or confident enough that he could reassure, so he keeps it to himself. For now, he'll follow this train of thought too, see if it leads there. ] What type of lunchbox was it?

A magically refilling bento that some god gave him for doing a good job cleaning! [ Bah. ] Where's a god around to do that for us when you need one?

[ But you know, he'll start typing it in anyway. Roland Crane's family photoalbum... ]

[ There's some silence that follows that answer. ]

I...can't imagine why the train would deny you of that.

[ Yes he can. But the typing does catch his eye, and he's not one to peer at it for privacy reasons but he does glance at the movement instead. ]

So. What did you end up trying to get?

Eh, I dunno. One of a kind? [ Like there isn't a magically refilling bento in some other part of existence??? Boo. But there comes a pause as the screen flashes with the text changing, and...

Tidus frowns, mouth bunching to the side before he sides. ]

Tried your album. Didn't work. [ Guh. ] Sorry. What about a charger for your cell-phone? [ Said like someone not used to the name. ] Didn't you need a dock for that?

[ Roland isn't too disappointed. He shrugs nonchalantly. ]

That's okay. I'll wait for my one point to get back to a decent amount. I'm fairly certain the train isn't that cruel to deny me a point refill. [ And if his hypothesis is to be believed, at the very least he does his work on missions...That should be enough to get him points, right? ] You just need an outlet to charge it. It's through a wire and a port.

[ Roland tilts his head to the side. ] What else are you getting?

[ He's humming, humming and humming. Thinking, before he eventually throws his hands up. ]

Can't think of anything. Guess I'll have to hang onto these. [ Hanging onto points? What a bother, right? ] Got a mini-fridge earlier, food for Gibbs... We still have supplies for missions - we just need to fill up some of the lunchboxes and drinks.

Back to the kitchen, then? That sounds like you. You already cook up a storm between the two of us, heh.

[ And just to add to the joke: ] Say, you're welcome to leave your ticket with points with me anytime. I'm pretty good at the audit, as you know.

[ Yeeeeeeeeeeah, let him handle that budget! ]

No way. [ Flat out! No hesitation!! ] Who knows what you'd buy with my points?! How about you give me your ticket? Since I'm so great with supplies.

As you know.

[ Can't forget that part! ]

Well, we could buy some Voidtrecker merchandise. Make you the train spokesperson. I'd say that's a good endorsement deal for supplying us so generously.

[ He smiles wider, maybe even convincing him for that ticket with hundreds of points left...? Ah, it was a joke of course. But there is something else from what he said. Roland pushes himself off of the wall and walks to the other end of the narrow hallway where he sat previously, resuming his spot though only half-sat now. ]

Hey, I've got another favor to ask you. Just a small one. [ A not-so-serious ask, but a favor is a favor. ]

[ Buy some Voidtrecker merchandise - way to not convince him to put his ticket in your hands, mister president! A good thing it's now secure in his pocket, removed for the time being from the shop terminal. ...maybe he'll come back later to think on a personal memento. ]

What's up? [ But he's following Roland over as he speaks, not taking a seat but leaning on the edge of the seat. His arms folding comfortably, eyes on Roland curiously. ]

[ ...You still have his ticket too, huh!! But Roland won't bother for it now, instead summoning Bambosh with a glow of his chest and out comes the sprite, happily jumping about and making a wave motion with his arms and body. A high-pitched greeting to Tidus - 'Young sojourner! You're heart is ablaze even today, I see!' - before he settles next to Roland on the table, sat with tiny legs dangling off to the edge. Right in between them, where Tidus sits too. ]

Can you ask him what he prefers to eat? I'm lost. I really don't know what else to feed him that he really likes. I tried the obvious route, but he didn't appreciate it. [ He rubs the back of his neck, apologetic in tone. He really did try, Tidus! He even got the cookbook to help, but that didn't cover the high higgledy essentials. ] Whaddya say? I'll order it next platform, for certain this time.

[ let's see if Tidus can run off with it.

Bambosh gets a 'Sup' for his greeting, fingers raising from a hand, but not too much. He listens to Roland without too much reaction at first - what Bambosh likes to eat? sure, that's a good thing to find out - but raises a brow by the end of it. ]

What's the obvious? [ For a higgledy? Especially when Inigo's trying to figure out what 'Rare' is. But he turns his gaze from Roland to Bambosh. ]

So, you know what he's asking, right? What're you craving, firestarter?

[ Please don't, there's nothing there for you.

Roland looks completely serious as he answers that first bit - because who could blame him? It was a logical conclusion! Plus, most fire higgledies seemed to gravitate towards it anyway! ]

Hot peppers.

[ When Roland shares this bit of information, Bambosh deflates and sighs in only a way his kind can. Roland hears it and makes a face, embarrassed but also, don't be dramatic! He could only work with what he's got!! ]

[ Bambosh shakes its head, too big for the rest of his body, and starts jumping up and down in a rhythm. Approaches Tidus by hopping on his forearm resting by the table. ]

'Hiiig! Young sojourner, your spirit is good and brave! Will you tell the Dear Soul that peppers are not delicious to me? I want ore! Piggle! Piig! Plenty of good, delicious, ore!'

[ It almost feels like he's being told on. Roland's expression morphs into an amused one, albeit on the drier side.

Tattle! ]

[ And watch as Tidus nods at Bambosh, backing his head away some to give him all the room for both their dramatics. ]

Mm-hm, mm-hm.

[ Like overplaying how much Bambosh is telling him by the sounds Tidus makes! ]

I'll get you a bag of that, and it'll be here by the end of the month. [ Spoken sympathetically. This poor, mistreated higgledy! ] No more Roland trying to poke you boring, unfun peppers.

[ He raises his free hand, holding it up, nearly as big as Bambosh's head and crown, but- ]

Gimme a high five. [ He'll make a forward motion with his hand if the higgledy needs it to understand what Tidus wants him to do! ]

[ The red higgledy does indeed deliver that said high five and even twirls in the air before its tiny paw reaches Tidus's palm. Roland just stares on, but when nothing happens after this little display, Tidus unusually quiet...He shifts his eyes and turns to face him a little more. ]

Hey. [ Excuse me. EXCUSE ME!! ] Tidus. [ Please stop ignoring him?? ] What did he say? What does he want to eat? Come on, stop fooling around.

Hm? [ Oh, is grandpa talking? ] Right, right- hey, Bambosh, come for a ride with me.

[ He's already on his arm, so let Tidus raise it, tip his head and say 'On the top side!' to get a companion on his shoulder. Lead the two of them over to the shopping terminal... and poor pappy Rol all alone. 😢

And Tidus can do his potential crimes with Bambosh over here too in this privacy, whispering- 'So, y'think we should tell him what you like, or keep him on his toes? There's none of that stuff onboard.' ]

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