In truth, Noir doesn’t even really know who Ruby is - well, sort of. After rolling the name around in his head a few times, it certainly rings a bell, but only vaguely, like information he heard secondhand. It might have been on TV while he was staying at the Pokemon Center for the night, or maybe from conversations other people were having that he wasn’t directly a part of, but still close enough to overhear. Either way, it doesn’t really matter - Ruby approached him while he was internally panicking and saved him the trouble of having to navigate his chaotic surroundings all on his own by offering to show him around, so as far as he’s concerned, Ruby’s all right in his book, even if he seems a little standoffish.
With that being said, his sudden shift in demeanor into something much more outgoing has him a bit taken aback, shown in the way his eyes blink and widen just slightly. This is a completely different attitude than the previous one and has him feeling a bit confused, wondering if he just imagined how closed off Ruby was before, but he doesn’t want to be rude by inquiring about it aloud, and even if he did, he isn’t sure how someone brings something like that up to another person. So, he decides not to dwell on it too much, especially seeing as, regardless of what the truth is there, Ruby is doing him a kindness right now.
So, he smiles, ease further washing over him at the prospect of getting out of his crowd for a little while, at least until the event properly starts, and also at the chance to explore the city a bit like he’s wanted to, swayed by his own natural curiosity.
“Yeah, it seems like it’s a pretty big thing,” Noir concurs. He kinda had an idea of what he was getting into when he initially received the invitation, knowing that it was likely to be an event where a lot of people came, and that initially made him hesitant because he didn’t have anyone to bring with him, but ultimately, he decided that he should probably be polite and show up anyway. Even knowing that, though, didn’t prepare him for the actual turnout, and he found himself being overwhelmed pretty quickly.
Which is why whenever Ruby begins listing off a few places that Slateport has to offer, he knows immediately where he wants to go.
“The museum sounds nice,” he concludes once Ruby’s done, partially because a museum sounds like a much more appropriate atmosphere for him to decompress, “It’s probably a lot quieter, right?” He’s definitely interested in seeing all of the city at some point during his stay, but for the moment, he just needs to get away from large groups of people meandering about all over the place around him. And of course he does genuinely like museums, too, but that’s more of a plus and not really the main reason for his initial choice.
“ if all goes well, it’ll be a yearly event, or so i heard. gives people something to look forward to, yeah ? “ branding shoveled down the throats of the willing participant alongside food and drink and entertainment for the eyes. a massive crowd for ruby to entrance with him and his pokemon - to know such an opportunity would have brought him to his knees in pure gratitude as a rising star leaves a bittersweet taste in his mouth ; undoubtedly, he has made it in this world, but no longer is the wool pulled over his eyes.
no longer is he yuuki akayama, aspiring coordinator with a friendly and outgoing demeanor that warms up the heart, he’s ruby the idol, who’s kindness can be bestowed upon you for a price. but shed no pity upon his lost youth, for he has no intentions to break out of the golden handcuffs that shackle his future. it’s a laughable display deserving of mockery, but the only scorn he receives is from himself, for better or for worse.
“ good choice ! yeah, it will be. follow me, it’s a short walk. “
he pushes through the crowds to find a less populated area, slipping through the venues with a surprising level of ease, all the while making sure noir hadn’t been lost in the hordes. the museum, perhaps thankfully, was overall empty, filled simply by the workers at the reception desk alongside an elderly man taking his time to inspect the first floor. ruby is quick to place down the entrance fee for both of them, a sigh of relief escaping him involuntarily now that he’s sure the calamity of life was calmed, at least just for now. his phone is preemptively turned on silent, though he isn’t looking forward to the surplus of missed calls and the heart attack he’ll be giving his manager, sure that ruby was attacked or kidnapped or what have you - poor girl, of all the people in his industry, she’s the one he’s fondest of, though she more than overbearing.
“ i guess this is our most popular museum - hoenn’s, i mean. the artwork here is really beautiful and there’s some famous pieces, so i totally understand. “ a hum through closed lips. “ though to be honest, i prefer the oceanic museum. when i was younger, there was a guy sitting outside there who’d be working on making ship in a bottles and let me watch. “ the feeling of peace and the distant sound of water, intricacies made to look so easy, a pure display of a man and his passion, trapped in a world where, for just a moment, there was no burden besides his hobby. “ though, i guess that doesn’t have to do much with the museum, haha. “
