sixthiterationtexts | UN: Former Pilot

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UN: Former Pilot | Open Text

Having a bit of a problem getting to sleep, and I don't have access to the old methods of dealing with it here. Unless sleep powder is still a thing and people are hiding it.

Anyway, basically what I'm looking for is any remedies or advice people might have for getting to sleep. Or possibly a sparring partner to at least exhaust me to the point of passing out.

Or bedtime stories. There's no books, but bedtime stories are nice, good way to learn about other people's worlds and all that.

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I'm familiar with the concept, but never seen it.

Hobbies? What exactly are those? Are those things that don't involve weapons training or learning how to fly things? There is something like that? Oh wow!

[Oh dear, honest sarcasm.]

[The sudden appearance of sarcasm is unexpected but entirely delightful, and there's a laugh in Billy's voice he can't quite suppress, even as he tries to keep playing it straight (hah).]

I know, it's a crazy idea, right?? I totally didn't believe in them at first, thought they had to be fictional. But I swear to you, hand to God, they are 100% real. I can show you.

[Too bad Billy doesn't say that. Because frankly Nida would love to say 'you can't play it straight if you never were.']

I'd like that. In fact, it would probably be good for my mental health to have one of these 'Hobbies.' Is that how you even pronounce it? I'm just miming you.

[He wouldn't even be sure what to do with that, but he'd definitely appreciate it. Maybe wake up Tommy with his laughing, honestly. There's always other times.]

It definitely would be. And yeah, you almost got it. The 'o' is a short sound, here, like this. Hob-bies.

[He's definitely laughing now.]

Also known in some universes as recreational activities. Like dancing. Or embroidery. Or board games. Magic tricks, the non-magic kind. I used to be super into those when I was a kid. We should try a few of them out, make sure we find you a good one.

[Honestly, after the things Nida's told Billy and the things Billy's implied himself, well, they could both use a laugh.]

And here I would have thought dancing was business, given it was something I was trained in. I mean...

Well, in my world the closest I got to recreational was card games. Triple Triad. Which of course I don't have here and I don't have the art skills or supplies to replicate. But yeah, I wouldn't mind trying out some of these Hoob-bies of yours.

It's only business if you're doing it for business. You might have learned it for work, but if we dance, it's going to be just for fun.

[There's a mock sternness to the words, but the smile is still there underneath it.]

Card games are cool. I'm not really an artist, but maybe we can figure something out using a different kind of deck? I know people have cards here.

[It's worth a shot, anyway.]

So, we should hang out sometime. Try out some 'hoob-bies' together. I know there's a lot of work that needs to be done before winter, but you still gotta take a break occasionally, right?

I suppose it depends on the deck. If it's one of those decks with 52 cards, four suits and what not, it's not enough cards to work with. But I'll figure something out.

[Hang out? That's... that's an idea. It's almost strange to think about interactions beyond talking like this. The guy is a stranger and yet...]

Yeah. We should. I can probably fit you into my busy schedule of walking around in circles and offending wood spirits or whatever.

Hmm. Yeah, the ones I've seen are those decks. Bummer. But maybe someone will have some ideas.

[Maybe it is a little strange, and they are sort of strangers, but then they've spent a good bit of time already talking about their worlds, where they're from, what they do. It's a place to start, at least, and Billy's grin is audible.]

I don't know, sounds like you're booked solid. I wouldn't wanna come between you and your wood chopping regimen or communing with nature or anything.

Don't forget the working out to make sure that I'm ready for when I can finally get a staff back in my hands. I'm not going to lose my fighting trim just to commune with nature.

[Because that's a fun thing too, keeping yourself fit. Which reminds him he needs to go into the woods to look for nice saplings for practice staffs.]

Nah, workouts are definitely important. You fight with a staff? [A little perk of interest, there.] I used one for a little while. I mean, I wasn't really trained or anything, and it was more of a focus for my magic after a while, but...

[But hey, still. It's a thing maybe he could learn from Nida.]

[Well that was unexpected. Most people were... well, even where he was from they could be dismissive of Nida's weapons of choice. Didn't matter that he was versatile and could improvise weapons better. But yeah, there's a smile in his voice too.]

I'm a polearm specialist, qualified in training in it too. If you want I could help you learn a bit. See, wouldn't even have to mess up my schedule for that.

Oh, but there is one disadvantage. I mean, you've got to be able to handle spending time around a sometimes half-dressed guy who knows his way around a shaft.

Yeah, that would be cool, I'd love to--

[Okay. The rest of that sentence does catch him off-guard. He isn't a perv, honest to god, but some things just...it's probably unintentional, right? Definitely not the kind of joke he thinks it is. Right. So there's just a slight hiccup before he answers, a little laugh in his voice.]

I mean, that sounds pretty terrible, but uh, I think I could handle it.

[Well, the hesitation answers the earlier question mark for Nida. Definitely somewhere on the scale.]

I'm sure you could. Once I actually get something made In the mean time, if you're ever interested, the place to start tends to be with basic physical workouts. Working on stances, on strengthening the core and arms, things that can be started early and as a lovely coincidence, tend to leave you healthier.

And if you don't have that much stamina, tired at the end of the day. Can help with the nightmares.

[Very far towards one end of that scale, honestly, it's not going to take him very long to figure that out once they actually hang out. But for now, there's actually some warmth in Billy's voice, an appreciation for the offer.]

I'm definitely interested. My stamina's okay, but honestly anything that might help with the nightmares would be a big bonus.

[Because they suck, and he hasn't had one yet here maybe, but that's not a situation that's gonna last forever.]

We could trade. I'll teach you some new dancing, and you can teach me your way of fighting?

Well, that sounds like a deal. We'll need to figure out a good time for that. And we'll not go overboard like my training was and do multiple sessions in a day. Just tell me when is good for you and we'll see if we can't find a place. Maybe that Danny guy would let me use some space there.

Right now I pretty much just practice in my basement so as to not bother my roommates.

Yeah, I mean you've got that busy schedule to work around. I'm actually pretty flexible. I mean--most of my days are either spent in the library cramming foraging info into my brain, or working on winter prep with Frank and Kamala, or with my brother at home. So, basically any time you wanna call me.

[A yawn catches him by surprise, judging by the noise from the other end and the faintly questioning sound at the end of it.]

Man, here you are asking people to help you get to sleep, and I'm just keeping you up half the night. I guess I got distracted.

[Now Nida was trying not to chuckle at word choice. Flexible, huh? But his amusement slacked off at the yawn. Probably better to let the guy rest.]

Actually, it sounds like I'm better at wearing you out. Perhaps you should get some sleep, Billy. I don't want to get in trouble with your brother for keeping you up late. I would be considered a bad influence then. It just wouldn't be right.

We can make plans another time. I'm a patient sort of guy like that.

Hey, I'll have you know I have pulled plenty of all-nighters in my day. I mean, usually playing online games, but still. [There's no small amount of rue in his voice, though.] I just haven't been sleeping all that well lately. It's going around. I guess you've got a pretty soothing voice to listen to.

I could always try again with that bedtime story sometime. If you want?

[A soothing voice? Nida smiles at that idea.]

Thanks for the compliment. Which isn't to say yours isn't soothing itself. I've quite enjoyed it.

I wouldn't say know. I suppose I should start walking home anyway.

Well, I mean, I can at least keep you company while you do that. Be kinda rude if I just let you walk home alone in the dark, right? We can figure out what story I'm going to tell you. What are your thoughts on evil empires, hopeful rebellions, family reunions, sassy robots, space wizards and epic duels?

Why you’re quite the gentleman, walking me home. Are all of those individual options or in one lump sum? Because if you have a story with all of that, I am completely down with it. Especially as I am he child of members of a hopeful rebellion against an evil empire I have helped fight space-time witches and I am down for epic duels.

Hey, you aren't the only gentleman in town, buddy.

[There's that laugh again in Billy's voice, and he quickly warms to his story.]

Then you're going to love this story. I'll tell you the first part while you're walking home, then the next time you can't sleep, just call me and I'll keep going. Deal? Okay, so. This is how it starts:

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

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UN: Former Pilot | Open Text

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