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

[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.

Yes, that is actually it. I'm terrible at communicating. Plus he's terrible at listening.

It... Seifer's from my world, and he went through a lot. Honestly I think it would be good for him if he knew you better, but that isn't here or there. I told you about the Time Compression and non-existence and skimmed over a lot of the bad that led up to that. I'm from a bit more than a year after that. I've had time to adjust. He's... i don't know, a week or a month tops?

And I don't know how to talk to him. I like Rin and all, and I was no more close to her back home than I was to him. But Seifer and I grew up together. We were never close, but he's pretty much the only one who gets it. What it was like to be raised like we were. To not be wanted.

I don't know how to explain that to him. That I am not watching out for him because Squall would want it. Or not just because of that. Not anymore.

[Look, there's Nida nervously running his fingers through his hair again, and it's back to a mess.]

It also doesn't help that we didn't interact much in the past and bad shit happened. It feels like the only time we really communicate is when we're beating each other up.

[Billy listens intently, nodding as Nida goes along explaining. He doesn't interrupt, just lets him talk, building the picture. So Nida and Seifer both were part of the program, both raised to be soldiers; something went awry along the way, and Seifer's here from just after the mess with the Sorceress. The phrase 'not wanted' makes him frown, an expression of compassion in his eyes, but he still doesn't interrupt.

Finally, at the end, Billy takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, running a hand through his own hair as he resists the weird urge to fix Nida's. This is a video, and yet the urge to fix and to comfort is still strong.]

It sounds like you guys need a project. Something you can work on together, start learning how to talk to each other without punching. Maybe something for Rinoa? You guys are both friends with her, right?

Hey, punching is fun. Especially with me being Green. We can't hurt each other. Which should be a cool power for you too.

Anyway that... might work. Except we don't really have skills, you know? Well, no, he's working at the forge now.

I'm the one that's not doing anything. But I'll think about it. Thanks Billy. You're just amazing. Also, your hair is messed up there.

You figured out how to make yours work?

[That definitely gets his attention.]

You are doing things, Nida. You're teaching me how to defend myself, and you're gonna teach me what you've figured out about our power, right? That's something. More than anyone else has done. We'll figure out a way to make this work together. It's what friends do, right?

[He makes a face at Nida as he shakes his head, fluffy hair falling back into place, mostly.]

That's basically just the state of things these days, guess I should just accept it, ugh. Are you gonna come over for dinner, too, or just show up in my bedroom after dark?

I was on potato peeling and cutting duty at the Inn the other day. It just... kicked in. Seifer and I have been making serious use of it in sparring. If I want it, it's there. And yeah, of course I'll teach you how to use it. Really important part of self protection. But it also means we might be able to take training a bit heavier. And I definitely know it's our power because Bull's also green and I know he has this too.

[Bully. He tries to move quickly on from that thought because... Well, something tell s him that Bull won't be down for their 'exercises' for a bit.]

Why Billy, that's not the fun way to put it. When you say it like that you make it sound like I'm either coming over to meet your family, or that I'm slipping into your room like a shadow to seduce you.

[He's being playful from the smile, but... Well, that's a strange thing going on in his stomach like it's flip-flopping.]

Weird. From the way Frank was talking about it the other day, I thought it was supposed to take something more extreme than potato peeling to activate it, like being chased by a crazed badger. [What, those things are terrifying, especially when they can tear trees up by the roots.] But it's good it's something defense-heavy. I bruise easily.

[That last bit is a joke, more or less, as evidenced by the grin he gives the screen, ignoring the weird somersault his heart does in his chest at Nida's words. It's dumb, just ignore it, Billy. He's just teasing.]

I think you've already met Tommy, and Wanda isn't supposed to come by tonight, so I think that's a no on the family thing, and haven't we already established you aren't trying to seduce me here?

I still don't what a badger is. Is it bigger than a table?

[Wait. Wanda? Nida pauses. And stares.]

Wanda. Brown hair, green eyes, about my height?

[Sorry, he's lost the seduction comment because of the implication that the woman is related to him.]

They're not that big, about the size of a mediumish dog, but apparently some of the badgers here have super-strength, and let me tell you, that is not something you want to see coming at you throwing trees left and right.

[He trails off towards the end, though, distracted by the look on Nida's face and his question, a little perplexed until he remembers: that's right, he hasn't really...explained the rest of his family situation to Nida.]

Yeah, that's her. So you do know her?

I danced with her at the party. She passed on some good advice someone had passed on to her.

How would she figure in to 'family dinner' thing? I thought you said you had three brothers.

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

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