sixthiterationtexts | OTA Video | UN: FormerPilot | & Private Video @Seifer and @Rinoa

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OTA Video | UN: FormerPilot | & Private Video @Seifer and @Rinoa

[The video starts on a young man that looks a bit tired, but if you know Nida you know that's probably status quo. At least he knows how to easily position his arm to get himself framed well now that the video's started. And, if you were one of those already lucky ~~or maybe unlucky~~ enough to know him, his nervousness is evident in how he runs his right hand through his hair, his main nervous tick.]

Hey, Nida here. Uh, so I've been trying to figure out how to approach this for a week or so now, since the 'party' thing that happened. And while I've been through this device and a lot of different filtering options, I can't seem to find one that will, sight unseen, just filter to young adults.

So to start, if you're over, let's go with around twenty-two, years of age, you can probably disregard this message. Sorry, this thing is entirely about being younger here and so not really looking for as much feedback from adults that adult-ier than that.

[He has the decency to cringe at that word choice. 'Adult-ier'. Yeah, he half expects grief from those 'adultier' people for even making this, but hey, he's had a number of people give him hard looks because they were judging what it was to be a young adult with his experience so, to quote his boss, 'Whatever'.]

So, for any of those younger folk who haven't just shut me off by this point because my entire thing has been lame so far, I've got a proposition. I mean, at the New Year's Eve thing I noticed there are a lot more of us that I'd really, I don't know, anticipated? Which isn't an issue of course. And I imagine that for people from backgrounds where socializing and school and frequent releases of new movies [a small pause because really the guy looks half puzzled at that idea] was really a thing, it can be lonely here. Especially without people your age to talk to.

Especially with how sometimes the adults here get very awkward over our life experiences because I know I've heard that expressed sometimes.

Anyway, what I've been thinking is that we're here, and maybe we should figure out what to do with that fact? I'm not saying we make a young people club. Just, you know, network. Not electronic network, more the whole 'make connections with other people' network. Maybe meet up sometimes, or at least know who other people our age are, know there are maybe couches to crash on when you need to get away from situations, or someone to listen when you've got to talk, or just to share backgrounds without the inherent 'those life experiences are too big for someone your age' worried looks the older people get.

So, well, to sum up. Because basically I seem to be rambling and I normally only manage that when I'm having discussions of things like magic.

We're young. They're not as young. Sometimes that makes tension. So let's make friends who are young? If that appeals just, chat up here for right now? We can maybe talk about having a meet up later this month if people want that. Like that knitting group or whatever but for hanging out.

[He knows Rin wouldn't mind using the house for that. Seifer he'll... maybe bribe to be cool with it? Worst comes to worst schoolhouse. Or see if Billy and Tommy could host?

Look at this guy, looking more awkward at the end than he ever did at the start. Clearly a strange mixture of the nervous high school, or college really, nerd and a really built jock. And he looks like this whole process was like pulling teeth. But he does manage something like a smile because he figures that's the best way to end this.]

I'm shutting up now. Okay.

[There's a very quiet, under the breath curse that can't easily be made out, but clearly Seifer or Rinoa would know it's him cursing Hyne.]

Private Video to Seifer and Rinoa

[Clearly starts back up only seconds after the last one ended, and he looks even more awkward if that is possible. Of course it is because the video is still pointed in the direction of his head. But said head is currently face down, hidden by the fact of being pressed against their kitchen table. And his voice is only somewhat muffled as he speaks.]

I mean, all of this isn't a stupid idea, right? You can't tell me you two don't get the judgmental looks whenever we bring up anything about life back home. I guess it might not be as always bad on you, Rinoa, cause you had something vaguely resembling a non-mercenary life, I suppose. But I've heard Billy [the first time he's actually used the name of the guy he talks about sometimes at meals with them to fill quiet gaps] mention how someone called 'Captain America' would give him grief for heroing and stuff, and I know Kamala was reaching out to try and talk to people when her birthday was coming up about what it's like to be older.

It's clear there needs to be some way for young adults and late teens people to have the sort of... possible social interactions, right? Even Garden got that, and I know how we were raised was weird. Just feels so much like I'm casting doom on myself because I'm on the older end of the range I made up, and I spend a lot of time trying to get some of the 'adultier' [he groans because what a stupid word he used, fuck Seifer's not going to let that go] to not make me feel actively like I have to prove myself. Literally had to fight a guy. I'll explain that over dinner but...

Shiva's Tits, how do you delete stupid off the Internet guys?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You don't buy it, really? I mean, that's probably at least a little good, arrogance is totally unsexy, but I mean. Come on.

[The look Billy gives Nida is equal parts mock suspicion and dubious amusement.]

I don't think you'd lie to me about anything important. Does that count?

[Well, Nida's smiling at Billy now, genuinely. What he says next is teasing, and he doens't mind it.]

Wow, I'm sorta hurt there, Billy. You think I'd lie to you about unimportant things?

Mmm, outright lying, maybe not. But I think you'd definitely fudge things a little if you thought it would make me feel better about myself. Although I take it back. You would totally lie if you were trying to keep a secret to surprise me.

[He might be grinning a little, too.]

Too egotistical? Or just enough?

Yes, I would keep a secret for your sake, if it was a gift.

[Less playful, his smile softens and he almost looks serious.]

I'm not lying about your looks. Back home I would have tried to seduce you by now.

[Billy looks surprised at that, a laugh startled out of him.]

And then you probably would have died of laughter. I don't think anyone's ever actually tried to seduce me. Probably for the best, I am so not seduction material, unless you find flailing and tripping over words and also shoelaces attractive. I'm a disaster. You could do so much better.

I swear on my life, I'm not joking. I would have. But I admit, I'd probably laugh over tripping over shoelaces.

[Who needs 'better' with a seduction?]

Don't worry, Billy, I won't make you self conscious by trying to get you out of your clothes outside of when you're overheated from workout.

Mind if I come over sometime soon? My housemates are being weird.

And you would totally be justified. You don't wanna know how many times that one's happened.

[For a dancer, Billy definitely has his share of uncoordinated moments.]

You're a true pal. And of course, what kind of friend would I be if I said no? We still don't have power, but we've got plenty of candles and the heat's working. How are they being weird?

You know, for a dancer, that isn't the best. Don't worry, combat skills teach you far better situational awareness. You might stop doing that. I'll try and help.

[Now Nida looks uncomfortable. How can he explain that Rinoa thinks he has a crush on Billy, which is clearly completely ridiculous? They're friends. This is just friendship and he's being a good friend.]

Maybe I'm bored with electricity. Maybe I want to camp out with my friend. Maybe I just don't like how silly they are being.

[Okay, he can clearly tell Nida looks uncomfortable, so he won't push, but for his part Billy just looks completely bemused.]

I would've thought it's too early in winter for cabin fever to set in. But yeah, obviously you can come over any time. You can even stay, if you want. I'm sorry they're being silly.

I could try and talk to Rinoa about it, if it's really bothering you.

[This is the genuinely earnest offer of a friend who has no idea.]

[Nida's eyes go huge at the suggestion of Billy talking to Rinoa. Half a second of panic.]

No. Nope. Don't do that. It's really okay. We're fine. Rinoa and I are totally cool. So what do are we talking about tonight? End of Episode Three right? Right. So maybe tonight I can just come over and listen in person and sleep on the floor.

[He is even more confused but ok, Nida, whatever you need, buddy.]

Uh, yeah. Yeah, you can totally do that. We can make it a thing. We can pull the cushions off the couch, make something more comfortable to sleep on, I can get some popcorn from Frank so you can get the full movie night experience? I mean, there's no cherry icees, but we can make do.

I'm more than capable of being happy on the floor Billy. I've slept on forest floors before. I'm okay.

So long as I've got you and a good story, I don't need popcorn.

[He doesn't even realize how sappy that sounds]

[Totally not sappy, just...nice. Yes. Just nice things friends say, and he's grinning at the words anyway.]

You can, yeah, but I'll feel better if I give you something better than a forest floor to sleep on. Less likely to give you splinters or make you catch a cold. So you'll humor me, right?

Yeah, I'll humor you. I think that's what friends do. You'll have to tell me.

[He frowns for half a second, serious face time.]

We don't always have to talk about movies, you know. We can talk about anything you want.

I mean, I think so.

[Billy's smile fades just a little, something more thoughtful at the serious look on Nida's face.]

I know. I mean...I like talking about movies with you, but it's not the only thing I like talking about. You listen, even if I go off on weird tangents. I just like talking to you.

Do you wanna talk about something different?

It's just... something you said that night. When we were out in the garden. You're having a lot of problems sleeping, right? You can call me any time when that happens and talk to me. Doesn't matter if it's about movies or not. You know?

[That smile fades entirely now, Billy looking seriously at Nida for a long moment, chewing on his lower lip thoughtfully.]

Yeah. I do know. And, I mean, I kind of do, sometimes. You know, the nights I call after all the lights are out, when I just sort of wander off on tangents instead of actually telling a story. I just...don't want to think about things, especially some of the stuff from home, and I feel better, just rambling at you. You're easy to talk to, no matter what we're talking about.

It can happen more. I'm here for you. Hyne, if you just need someone to be there, tell me. And leave your bedroom window unlocked.

[He has not evaluated your house for the easiest ways to break in. Without waking Tommy. Nope.]

I mean, if you don't talk about it sometimes maybe you'll go all Anakin on me. And I don't want to have to be Obi-Wan not realizing his apprentice is like, ten kinds of messed up and in a serious need of a hug. Jedis need more hugs.

My bedroom window's always unlocked for you.

[He should probably sound a little less sentimental when he says that, right? But also, it is super sweet, in a way he should probably consider creepy but really doesn't. The opposite, in fact.]

You are not wrong. Jedi always need more hugs. I'm not a space wizard, but I guess I could use some more, too.

What about you? You still feeling like you did on new year's? Because it still goes both ways, you know.

[Well now Nida's smiling for real. Thanks, because the last thing he wants to have to do is jimmy the lock on the window while trying to climb in through it, okay? Besides, the shortest route to Billy at night is out through his own bedroom window, across a field, and in through Billy's.]

You're a warlock that's been to space, so I think you count as a Jedi.

[Feeling like New Years? Nida's expression falls at the reminder. That helpless look? Yeah. Yeah, he still feels the same.]

I'm... trying. Including trying to talk to Seifer and be a friend to him. And it's not going well.

[If it were anybody else, Billy would be irritated with the word use, but this is Nida, who comes from a different universe, and also isn't familiar with the differences. Everyone gets one, right, Spider-Man?]

Actually, I'm a witch, if you want to use words like that. Warlock means oath-breaker, not a term I like using. I try to keep my promises.

[He doesn't sound mad, at least. It's just giving Nida a heads up, and also a sympathetic look.]

You guys have kind of a complicated history?

[If it helps, it means different things where he's from.]

Wait, what?

[He looks horrified that he even said it.]

On my world it's actually a term for guys that have a certain class of Limit Magics. I didn't... Okay. You're a witch. I'm sorry.

And... Complicated doesn't cover it. It's not my story to tell, though. I'd tell you, I would Billy, but I'm trying to find something like good with him. Which he deserves. He used the last of his birthday pancake supplies to... To give me my first birthday-cake-like thing since... Well, in a really long time.

Nida, it's fine, really. You didn't know, now you do. I'm not offended.

[It is nice that he looks horrified at the realization, though. So many people just don't get it.]

That was really nice of him. So, I mean, if he did that it can't be all bad, right? You don't give up birthday pancakes for someone you hate.

I know, right? I mean, I gave him my gloves for his birthday. He really likes Rin’s peakitten Julia. But he didn’t have a pair of gloves so he could interact with her more.

I mean, my fingers are cold, but that doesn’t matter as much.

[That's also a nice thing to do that didn't have to be done. Billy makes a note to head to Frank's today to ask about borrowing some yarn to make Nida new ones, as soon as he's done with his current project.]

So he helped make you a birthday cake, and you gave him your gloves, but things are still not great? Are you guys just...having problems communicating? You can tell me to butt out, if you want, just maybe I can help.

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