one. [vidya | action]

[yourlastdance]

Well hello, City. [Inigo is seated at a table at an outdoor café, the device propped against a salt shaker. He gives the screen a smile and a tiny salute.] I do hope I’m using this thing correctly, otherwise I’m about to feel at least ten degrees of stupid in the very near future. But it pains me to imagine such a pretty girl would steer me false! Even if she did seem a bit preoccupied…I don’t necessarily object to brisk treatment, mind, but the details are everything.

[ TEA BREAK. This tea is delish.]

Now, where was I?

[Pause. Pauuuuuuuse.]

Ah! My name is Inigo. It isn’t often that I find myself whisked away to strange new lands with nary a warning- and by often I mean mostly never, and by mostly I just mean never. Unless time travel counts.

Regardless! [Gosh, this tea is so great.] I could use some company, and there must be a lovely lass out there who wouldn’t mind a cup of tea with old Inigo?

Comments

action;

[yourlastdance]

[Oh. Erm. He really didn't intend for her to take a tumble into the fountain- even if she managed to stop herself just in time. And he didn't consider the fact that her reaction to a sudden surprise might have been brandishing Falchion and slashing away. WHOOPS. He jumps to his feet and holds up his hands- MEA CULPA SWEET LADY.]

I'm fine, I'm perfectly fine! No need to fret! Or- be angry. With me. You aren't angry with me, are you?

action;

[exaltate]

[ Yes, she's angry. Very angry. But she's also reminding herself that Inigo is a faithful ally and quite good in battle and definitely a valuable asset she probably shouldn't drown/choke/maim/disembowel/strangle/etc. ...tempting options they may be.

Instead, she quickly collects herself and stands up, hoping no one else saw that. Aside from Inigo and all. ]

What were you thinking sneaking up on me like that? I could have mistaken you for an enemy and struck you. Can't you control your antics for once? At least, while we are in unknown territory. I don't want to have to pull you out of trouble when we don't know what we are up against, yet.

[ She gives him an exasperated look before pausing and picking up her device again. ]

Exactly...how were you able to free yourself from the box anyway? Or was it a magic trick all along? It's time you start explaining yourself.

action; orz sorry for my wonky coding up there

[yourlastdance]

[THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR MAIMING CHECKLIST, LUCINA. THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Sure Inigo saw everything but he won't tell a soul. He'll take the memory of this day to the grave with him. (But if he slips and mentions it to one of the Shepherds should their paths cross again soon, surely that's the same as keeping it a secret. They're all comrades! --Is what he never said to himself when his comrades caught him dancing. THAT'S DIFFERENT THOUGH.)

At the very least, he has the grace to appear sheepish.]

Forgive me- my poor attempt at a surprise backfired in quite the spectacular fashion. Consider my antics controlled!

[Ahhh, and now is the moment of truth where everything is revealed. Sighing, he gestures toward her device.] May I?

action; IT'S OKAY. I'VE DONE WORSE. FAR WORSE.

[exaltate]

[ She doesn't expect him to keep his word, but she has no time to argue with him. It won't help them get out any quicker if she's busy pointing out everything that's wrong with that statement. ]

A simple greeting would have sufficed, but I am grateful you appear well and in good spirits.

[ Then again, when is Inigo ever ruffled by anything. She finally holds her device out to him, wondering what he will do with it. ]

Have you been here long?

action; brofist, bro

[yourlastdance]

[Geez, Lucina, maybe he's turned over a new leaf. SO QUICK TO JUDGE!!!! Even if that judgment is correct.]

Oh, you know me. I'm always in good spirits!

[Spoken as he pockets his own device and starts fiddling with hers. He only received a rudimentary training session with them, as it were, so it takes him a little bit to realize the settings were already correct and he just threw them off. UGH.]

Not more than a few hours, I think? I've never been much of a timekeeper.

[AHA!!!! THERE IT GOES. (He'll never remember how he fixed it.) Turning the device around, he points the screen at her.]

Look! You're inside the box!

action;

[exaltate]

[ Oh. She is in the box. Her eyes widen as she takes a closer look, wondering how she even got there. That shouldn't be possible, should it?? Is it a trick of mirrors?

She holds the device away from her face before bringing it closer, utterly fascinated. ]

How is this possible? What kind of magic would transfer images like this? I have never seen anything like it.

[ She closes one eye and then the other before looking cross-eyed at her image. She then remembers Inigo is watching this.

Woops, time to look dignified again! ]

I mean- ...it is remarkable. So before, you saw me as trapped in the box while we were apart?

action;

[yourlastdance]

[Sorry, kiddo, it's a little too late for the Dignified Face. Damage has already been done. Inigo's laughing and sort of trying not to, which only makes him laugh more. He'll...get it out of his system...

Eventually.]

action;

[exaltate]

[ GOD INIGO. Can't you just let her embarrass herself in peace for once?

Her eyes narrow before she pushes the device away and tries to scrape what's left of her dignity off the ground. ]

Seeing as you refuse to answer my questions, I will go ask someone else. We can reconvene later after exploring the area and taking account of who our enemies are.

action;

[yourlastdance]

Sorry- Lucina wait! [He shoots out a hand to grasp her sleeve, making a valiant attempt to compose himself in the process.] You just looked so adorable...how long has it been since I've seen that sort of expression on your face? Have I ever seen it?

[Erm. Maybe teasing her now isn't in his best interests. Time for a little bit of seriousness as damage control.]

The truth is, I asked the girls at the cafe to show me how to use my box. I'm by no means an aficionado, but I think I understand the basic concept. It transmits sounds and images to other people's boxes...they're all linked somehow. For all that he can be a bit insufferable and he's a complete straightedge, it's a shame Laurent isn't around to make a hypothesis.

action;

[exaltate]

[ She can feel her face warming slightly, though it's less out of flattery and more ...wanting to crawl into a ditch right about now. However, a warrior never runs from battle!! ]

It's an expression I don't plan on making again. Please, let us not mention it again.

[ But she listens attentively to Inigo's explanation, relieved he's finally taking her seriously. ]

...You mean to say it is a box used to communicate? I can see the advantages it would have when soldiers are spread apart on the battlefield. They can trade ideas on formation without having to move.

action;

[yourlastdance]

[BUT BUT BUT-]

Oh, if you insist.

[He'll mention it again later. For now, he nods affirmation.]

Exactly! Can you imagine how useful these would've been before we- [Time traveled. Before the future went to hell, etc. etc. He chews on the inside of his cheek and then grins brightly.] I wonder if we might be able to sneak these out with us when we find our exit?

action;

[exaltate]

We shouldn't take them. They're not ours.

[ They didn't rightfully pay for them, but at the same time... ]

Then again, if no one else has claim to them... I don't see why we should leave them to go to waste here. Imagine what we could do with such a powerful tool in our possession.