adregem | 000 - voidtreckerexpress Universal Contact Post

[ It should be illegal to have Roland so focused on the task of auditing something as simple as stores, but this is the reality of who he is. He chuckles and fixes up the papers, pinning them to appropriate places around the storage, shelves, and cabinets. He looks strangely in his element. ]

Not really. Since I started doing this, I've pretty much just done simple arithmetic, working backwards from every restocking cycle. [ Roland pockets his pen and crosses his arms, finished with his agenda. An eyebrow rises to his hairline in playful intrigue. ] Other things I could keep track of, huh? Well, what do you suggest? I'd be happy to help keep the general community up and running, even with these small tasks. [ LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE, NOW HE'S GOING TO ASK FOR SUGGESTIONS - ]

[ - but he makes a Face, at that one. ] Video games...? Err, not recently, no. I was probably your age or younger when I last touched a game. I know some card games. Poker, and whatnot. Board games, too. But you can imagine, I got busy real fast. [ He looks up at the ceiling, reminiscing something. ] I had plenty of toys, though. Robots, figurines...

[ Ugh, oh no, Tidus is actually going to have to think, isn't he? Not if he keeps track on this lesser nerd venture of finding something to do. His arms fold, and this seems like the perfect possible distraction tactic, though let him pause his own plans with a half-joking, half-genuine question of- ]

What, when you were older? [ Robots and toys when you were an old guy, Roland? Not that Tidus really thinks he did, but-!

Where's the fun if you can't poke fun at a guy? ]

[ He shakes his head in amusement. ~~The toys that he had kept, he kept for someone else, even if he couldn't stay around to play with him.~~ ]

Ha ha. Very funny. They were considered collectibles at that age, I'll have you know. [ He rests a hand on his hip. ]

Back then, we really only had our imaginations to play with. I guess by the time video games become popular, I just didn't really get the appeal anymore. [ Roland hums under his breath. ] I suppose you're the kind of guy who enjoys games, huh?

[ Okay, for a second there, does this guy actually collect toys at his actual age? But luckily for Roland, the thought is put aside with his own talking and the question that follows, and Tidus folds his arms (with hands each still holding an apple). ]

I enjoy them a healthy amount. Just the kind you can take or do wherever, but here, what else have you got to do? [ Auditing, if you're Roland, but that's to be changed. ] But if you really need a distraction, I know the games for you--come on.

[ He unfolds his arms again, walking towards the direction of the way out, but turning in case Roland doesn't follow him. But also, to chuck him one of those apples handed to him. Sharing is caring. ]

One of them you can play with or without people--it's a lot better than counting carrots for fun when you're bored.

[ A MAN CAN ENJOY HIS OLDIES MOVIES COLLECTION AND HIS OLD TOYS OKAY??? But Roland doesn't dally any further and catches the apple with one hand. He smirks as he follows Tidus out of the stores, to wherever he might be taking him. Probably the games car, if the conversation was any indication. ]

I don't audit the ingredients of the month. Why would I count something that comes in an exponential amount? [ SERVES YOU RIGHT TIDUS HA HA HA. That's a math joke in case you didn't get it!! But it amuses him to say it so he actually chuckles at him under his breath. ]

[ Give him a hobby please. ]

[ Roland stops Tidus as they come out into the kitchen car, staring back at the man with a tilted brow, puzzled. ]

...isn't that what you're doing?

[ You've lost him, Roland. What was that. If he's not counting what comes in and what stays, what is Roland doing....? ]

[ He flashes him The Expression again. ]

I audit the stocks that come limited or are used up most often by ratio, popularity, and frequency. For example, sugar, flour, eggs, or the limited amounts of fruits we get onboard. But if it's the ingredient of the month, there's no need to keep track of it because the train always gives more than it should, and we're expected to use as much of it as possible anyway. [ He clicks his tongue against his teeth. ] I find it borderline wasteful, but hey. Can't bite the hand that feeds you.

[ BIG BRAIN MOMENT DO YOU EVEN KNOW IT, TIDUS ]

[ Tidus stares at Roland. Stares at him, that puzzled expression fixed on him.

... he turns back around and resumes walking. ]

You were the married to your work kind of guy, weren't you.

[ Because the fact that Roland didn't seem to be joking in the slightest--and even if he were, he said way too much nerd talk there to be comfortable to a guy like Tidus!--there is nothing more obvious. ]

What do you do on your off time? Cleaning the train and paperwork?

[ Useless paperwork. Man, maybe he really would be good for the council. That's the type of work ethic of those people, isn't it? Well, Roland was an adviser in a kingdom. But he doesn't know how that can keep a guy occupied for all the free time they have... ]

...

[ It's not that Roland takes offense to that, but it does hit him in those soft spots he won't ever ever show. Evan had a nicer way of putting it, wondering why he would stay up late or skip dinners at the hall, but this isn't wrong either. The pause barely lasts all of five seconds before he answers, a shrug to accompany his reply. ]

Well, the work never stopped. Guess it just wore me out.

[ He follows his lead, apple firm in his grip. Roland polishes it off on his shirt before taking a large crispy bite. Of course, he swallows before he answers. ]

My off time? On this train? Do we even have off times? [ Roland takes another bite, smaller this time. ] Kidding aside, I...write and I read. I go around the cars checking on things, visit the library to know more about our situation. Try to piece things together. You never know when that might come in handy.

[ Aren't his not!hobbies the best?

He enjoys movies. Why hasn't he gone to the cinema car yet? ]

[ Tidus has his back to him, can't take note of any reactions, and isn't looking for any in the tone of the voice he replies with. The games car isn't too far, but the slim pathways they have to walk to get through lead Tidus to try and keep an eye on where he's going, whoever might in front. Walking and talking is far easier. ]

See, that isn't really off time. And if you wanna play mystery solver, why not do it with other people? There's Nita -- she's talked to the train. She'd be good for you to talk with sometime too.

[ Maybe. It couldn't hurt, but also, he's quick to slip in after a beat: ]

But later. You still need real hobbies. We shouldn't forget we're all here against our choice, but you need to...relax. Switch off! [ Actually-- ] Didn't I tell you to do that before?

[ There's a light playfulness to it, a quick turn of his head that doesn't look at Roland, but gives the idea of the point he's trying to make. Tidus stops speaking as they move between the spaces of the cars, the humming that seems to sound in the void around them. ]

[ Roland's spoken to Nita before, but he wasn't aware that she spoke to the train already. He files that immediately as something to look up later, after everyone's a little bit more rested. For now, he follows Tidus diligently, taking bite after bite until his teeth reach the core of the apple. ]

'Real' hobbies? Ouch. Are you calling me boring, Tidus?

[ He smirks, matching that quirkiness with his own brand of humor. Roland was - is - married to his work, that much is true. His curiosity is piqued the closer they get to the games car, a place he's only visited once with Yugi when he was still new to the train. ]

I said I read. That counts, y'know.

[ Burn? ]

[ Tidus is slower at the apple, for no other reason than feeling slower in usual in general. It doesn't make his pace sluggish--though it feels it, to him--but there's a disinterest being carried in him. Not as much now however, with this simple goal of supplying someone with a better distraction than.

Auditing. ]

Yeah. You read numbers and to find out the secrets of the train. [ Said in the dull tone it deserves. ] You gotta have more than that. Geez, I really do need to get people into more sports, don't I.

[ Ah, but he's not in the mood for playing any himself, and they've passed through the gymnasium now. But he can sigh about it to himself, a task for later. ]

I used to follow sports news and results... or just whatever was happening in the city. I'm not that big into fantasy stories. [ Which most of the books seemed to be...or about trains. Whatever. ] It was more fun goofing off and reading about whatever on this network that connected you to bunch of different stories about other things. And you could watch videos, like the stuff in the cinema car. Or listen to music.

That'd be fun to have around...but I dunno if a magical kidnapping train's gonna let us have access to a thing like that.

[ A thing also known as the internet. ]

[ After having his own version of a hellscape nightmare plague his mind, depriving him of restful sleep, Roland can understand why one would normally behave a little more listless than usual. Perhaps Tidus hasn't yet shaken off all that he experienced from the mission, and that was fine. So Roland doesn't question it, why the apple he went for is still untouched, why there's a certain dryness to his tone that's uncharacteristic of how he usually sounds. These thoughts are quickly replaced by the realization that Tidus describing...social media.

One: his original world had technology. Two: Evermore had technology. ]

There's...a tablet called a Leafbook, from where I come from. I could try asking for it on the onboard shop. See if it can get some entertainment. [ It might be a fat chance - what, did the Voidtrecker have wireless tech? - but it sounds like a nice gift to give Tidus, seeing as how many favors Roland already owes him anyway. ] Other than that, heh. I can't help you out with sports. We had tons of sports when I was President, but truth be told, I never really followed any teams or news. Got invited to inaugural games, first pitches, but that was mostly it. [ And this is the first time Roland openly tells anyone else on the train that he used to be king, that before being an advisor to one, he was once the leader of his own nation too. Is. ]

Is that your goal, today? Gonna get an old man a new, cool, sports hobby? [ ....he says that really cringey for some reason.... ]

Edited 2020-07-27 15:27 (UTC)

Uggh. Do you have to try 'n' be old?

[ Please stop being intentionally cringey, Roland, it's not fair for the actual hip young and cool Tidus who doesn't get called 'Mister' by a ten year old kid! ]

No, no sports, my head isn't in it today, [ he admits, since there's no shame in it. It's been a day since they got back from the mission, and there's a certain level of focus and movement he doesn't want to be involved in. ] A video game. It's called VR. It's upstairs.

[ Which as they come to the end door of medical, go through the small gap between cars and Tidus waits on the other side of for Roland, there is indeed a set of stairs waiting to the side as they come in, usually easy to ignore if you weren't looking to stick around in the car. Tidus tilts his head towards them and then goes on, skipping some of the upper steps with his feet hitting the upper landing with a thud.

On this end on the room, there's space; a nearby rope barricade that keeps separate the larger gaming pieces that can be seen off to the side--jenga, connect four, big enough to stand up and play with--and the screens and controllers that sit against the nearby wall. ]

We put on a headset, and there's a few games we can go for. There's one with a sword and shield, magic and all that--we'll do that one. I know most of the layout of the game.

[ Because the other he's remembering is a racing game, and Tidus really doesn't want to deal with that in his eyes right now. What he wants to do is go over to the set-up and take one of the floor cushions, plopping down with a small sigh, his apple in his lap. ]

[ He doesn't entertain his quip since it gathered the intended reaction. It was almost funny to poke at his buttons this way, but Roland can't ignore what he says, can't risk letting someone he's promised to look out for get troubled beyond relief. He quietly follows him up the stairs, marveling at the amount of games he had left unexplored. With his arms crossed over his chest, apple core discarded on the way to the cab, he listens intently to the instructions, and follows Tidus' lead on all accounts. ]

A game with a sword, a shield, and some magic. Art imitates life, indeed.

[ He doesn't quite plop down as heavily. He takes his time, folds his legs over the other and sits in a similar fashion, and whatever is handed to him he studies carefully, one eyebrow quirked up and a finger under his chin. It was technology that looked similar to what he saw back home and in Broadleaf, but if Tidus knew him any better than he did before, Roland and tech weren't exactly a match made in heaven. ]

Alright. So how do you play? What are the rules, and how do we win?

[ He figures the best way to take Tidus' mind off of things, whatever it may be, is to play, literally, with his plan to give Roland a new hobby. It also may please him to know that Roland, for all his tactical advice and strategist specializations, is currently fumbling with the set-up that took Tidus seconds to put on. Wires are jumbled, the controller is upside-down...he's figuring it out piece by piece, which might be a bit too slow on the uptake for someone who's already used to gaming. ]

[ Tidus has more than enough experience dealing with people from lesser technological worlds, that when he hands Roland the gear, the headset and controller, and then soon spots the guy fiddling with it like there's a hidden mechanism to open it up to the candy inside, Tidus puts down his own bits and bobs and reaches over-- ] You hold it like this, both hands- wait with that one, [ he says in indication to the headgear, knowing he should explain this one part at a time.

So, perhaps surprisingly, it doesn't bother him or make him impatient the way Roland is acting. He wouldn't mind asking him about the Leafbook thing or whatever later either, but for now- ]

'kay, so this thing. [ Holding up the controller. ] Everything you can press on that stands out does a different action. This is for moving- [ that would be the stick- ] and these are going to be for fighting, ducking, other actions. I'll let you know once we get in the game.

First though, I need you to not press anything 'til I tell you. But you gotta put this on your head. [ Now the odd headpiece come into play, and Tidus picking up his own. ] It'll let you see the game like you're in it. We're gonna see a different screen first to get into the game. It's called a menu. You'll get it when you see it.

[ 101 Video Games. ]

[ The controls look intuitive enough. The grip on the device are ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in his hands, so when he's instructed, it doesn't take him too long to adjust and follow accordingly. When all is said and done, he looks...a little too serious still, shoulders stiff and straight, his brows furrowing to the center as if he's waiting for a big surprise to come popping out. Every instruction is memorized in a snap, as Roland nods in comprehension, fingers moving in time with Tidus' pointers, memorizing it by action. This was not the games of his youth, no marbles, arcade sticks, and clunky buttons lining up coins waiting for your turn on the machine. ]

Got it. Won't press a thing.

[ The...visor? Helmet? Headset...was strange. Despite his visage, not a wrinkle or blemish on his skin, it looks foreign on Roland, like he's not meant to be playing games on magic trains to try and get himself back on track, get a new hobby, a suggestion from...a friend. Yet here he is, willing himself to enjoy something that seems more of a fit for Evan and Tani. Why not? He lets go little by little, slotting the piece against his eyes and sitting still, unused to the sensory deprivation of not being able to see or hear clearly. ]

I'm guessing this is going to be one heck of an immersive experience if we have to cover our eyes for it...Okay, I'm ready - [ He smirks, though if Tidus already has his visor on, he probably won't see it anyway. ] - captain.

[ There's no getting a stiff to relax with the snap of one's fingers (not that Tidus tried that), so he's not worried about how Roland looks or appears, more than he seems to be listening and following him. Which he is, and fortunately, without too many questions either.

But Tidus does catch the question, to make sure the headset looks right on Roland, before slipping on his own. ]

Right! Don't worry, I'm a pretty fair captain!

[ Maybe. Who knows. Regardless, Tidus presses a button, and through the visor a menu appears for a list of games, visible through both their headset. Tidus picks the first, 'Knight Quest', and a cartoon opening begins to play showing the ideal of a knight--multiple knights even, but similar in their style of outfit--as they travel through forest and fortress to reach the evil wizard atop a giant tower.

So much for Tidus keeping away from the fantasy stories.

Once that's over, the actual title screen appears, and Tidus selects into Campaign Mode, which leads to... a character creator! ]

Alright, now I need you to press a button. Can you press-- [ wait, let him--Roland will feel a bump on his shoulder, and then a hand over his fumbling at the controller. ]

Can you press this one?

[ He thinks he has his finger over the right button...! ]

[ The flurry of images, colors, and sounds jolt him to be much more aware than he bargained for. Roland instinctively grips harder at the controller as his eyes attempt to keep up with what is being displayed in the headpiece, his own head tilting from left to right as the landscape moves in the directions he chooses. It was a fascinating, almost nauseating experience. And they haven't even begun to play yet. ]

Heh. This is...kind of cute. [ Will would probably watch cartoons like this...He loves storybooks. ]

[ The word 'campaign' has a different meaning for mister president, but he is overly prepared for whatever lies ahead in this game. He looks down, forgetting that he has a headpiece on, and then feels out the buttons as Tidus' own fingers grasp the right controls. ]

Oh, hold on, let me try and -

[ He...presses the wrong button. It takes them out of Campaign Mode and into Options. ]

Tell me the button, I'll press it. Sorry.

[ He momentarily pulls the headpiece up so he can glance at the interface, trying to memorize it. ]

This is the problem with VR...

[ It's a mumbling, and Tidus pulls up his own headpiece with a sigh as he actually uses his eyes meant for seeing to look across at Roland's controller, tapping the right button. ]

This one. It'll be awkward at first, but you'll need to press the buttons it shows you when we go back in. Don't worry how long you're taking. It's better than carrot counting.

[ Yes he said that before and he's saying it again, so what. But with it said, Tidus slips back on his VR headset to get them back to the character creator screen.

And should Roland hit the right button this time, a second idling figure to be dressed and designed should join the screen with Tidus's to be made fabulous. ]

Just because I'm good at counting doesn't mean you have to discredit the effective system we've got going at the stores, Tidus. [ His chiding comes across as light banter, a joke, with his fingers finally finding the right button and there he goes. He lets out an audible "wow" as his eyes feast on a...person. On the screen. His main character. He experiments with the buttons, moving the cursor around for options. ]

Alright, so we have to get them ready for the adventure first, right? Heh. Good. It's true to life. You've always got to dress to impress.

[ He wore a three-piece suit to a fake hearing in Goldpaw, of course he'd say this. Roland is slow in the controls but he gains some momentum when his hands get used to the placement of the buttons. He takes his sweet, sweet time, making sure his character Looks The Part of the adventurer, oddly detailed as far as the game will allow him to be.

Like really oddly detailed. Making sure the clothes were right, the colors complimented each other. Hair coiffed just right. ]

Let's see...That wouldn't be very practical. How about this...?

[ Once Roland has been added to the screen, Tidus starts fiddling with his own character, deciding the type of build and hair before moving on after onto clothes. He's the type to make his character as close to he is, so of course he's got muscles and looks absolutely like the perfect guy out of a teenage girl's--or boy's--magazine.

But for the time he takes on style, somehow, it's Roland that takes even longer. And when he hears what he hears- ]

Dooon't you take forever thinking 'bout what's practical, gramps. It's all aesthetics! Only thing that matters for that is the class you pick. This down here.

[ One of the last options to be chosen, that also picks your weapon. The main default is a sword and shield, but then there's a staff, bow and arrows, magic-

Tidus settles on archer, just because. ]

[ He actually sounds mildly offended at that. ]

Hey, don't discount the power of looking the part!

[ But he does take his cue since Tidus was finished way before he even got to weigh the options of having a different hair color. He rushes his character selection, and ends up with...a rather typical looking hero, a little rough around the edges, but has a regal feel to it, your standard young adventurer. His character is tall with bright blonde hair and sky blue eyes. ]

These games are so detailed. We used to just do all of this manually, y'know. Read them in choose-your-own-adventure storybooks, play as figurines on a board...Heh. Technology sure is something.

[ He cycles through all the classes. He sees Tidus' archer, and hums in thought. His first instinct is to pick sword and shield, but since this was a fantasy roleplaying game, he decided to live out a different class instead. He clicks on the Magician. ]

There. [ The loading screen pops up. ] ...I hope I get a broom to ride on, this time. [ ???? ]

What tech did you have where you're from? [ Tidus asks as the wonders of technology is admired, since it's small but interesting curiosity to figure out: how many people had little to no tech in their worlds, what level of it did they have? Not many people ever seemed to have Zanarkand's level, but, well...

That other comment is going to get a far more puzzled thing, however. ]

What?

[ what?? did he hear you right old man, does Tidus want to know. ]

Tech where I'm from? [ Or tech where I was born? He leaves it ambiguous for now. ] It's a lot like this, I suppose. I had the Leafbook in Evermore, and it was connected wirelessly to other devices so I could keep track of everyone around the world. I used to own a tablet too, back in the day, but I used it mostly for...official duties. [ AKA Tidus' favorite word, work! All in all, Roland isn't tech-deprived at the least, but he's never been like Tani and Bracken who took to technology like fishes in water.

If his own hacked online journal was of any indication. He's still bitter about that. ]

There's a country called Broadleaf, allied with Evermore. They're probably a bit more hi-tech and sci-fi than my own world. Maybe I'll get to show you what I mean, if we see it in that picture book?

[ The loading screen is finally done, and their characters render at last. He smiles - they look really good! And for the first time since Tidus asked him to play the VR console, Roland feels a bit excited. So much so that a bit of his elderly facade breaks by just a tiny bit, and his excitement bleeds into his follow-up. ]

A broom. Y'know, witches and wizards in those stories fly around on brooms, casting spells and curses. I used to think with all the magic in Evermore, I'd get one delivered to me. Turns out they still used boats and airships, just like back home. Color me disappointed.

000 - voidtreckerexpress Universal Contact Post

he'd miss it if roland stopped >8)

n-no!!

its okay tidus you got roland syndrome'd and now you can't live without a sermon 1x a day

pass he does not need that in his life

a-are you saying you don't need your uncle anymore :C

uncle needs a shed and a train set hobby to be distracted by

A SHED???? IS HE A MURDERER

roland is icly murdering tidus so yes

ok w0W way to call him out, kid!!!!

JUST CALLING IT AS HE SEES IT

respect the elderly, u delinquent jock >8(

make him, man!!!

does your girlfriend know how r00d you are !!!

she loves him faults and all /sparkles

ree are you really going to make roland play VR, im in STITCHES

YOU BET IT, OLD MAN.

"HI WELCOME BACK TO OUR CHANNEL TODAY I'M TEACHING A BOOMER HOW TO VIDEO GAME"

this can only go well

famous last words i see

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