sixthiterationtexts | @Everyone | Video

Entry tags:

@Everyone | Video | UN: ReforgedWings

[The video comes on to a smiling face who, though it's not immediately obvious, is somewhere that it should not be. Which, in this case, is Seifer's bedroom. Not that anyone other than Seifer should be aware of that fact. What happened to respect of personal space? Not even kidding. But there he is, stretched out on a bed, grinning up at his watch.]

Okay, so, about time got around to this, right? Nida here, as you may well know. If you don't, well, I'm very sorry we haven't had the pleasure yet. So, why is it important that you recognize my face?

After Danny disappeared, I decided we couldn't exactly abandon the dojo. Nothing like a nice hike down from a mountain and listening to and reading all your conversations to realize just how woefully under-prepared people are for roughing it.

[A bit of laughter and a shake of his head, because he really doesn't get it. Sure, he understands on an instinctual level, but he doesn't really get it anyway.]

Basically, the dojo is still open, under new management. I think I've basically managed to round back up the old Instructors and we agree that this is something needed. I'm still looking for a replacement hand-to-hand expert to help with that, and I don't know that I have anyone to teach meditation, but we're sorta going to expand the types of classes we're teaching.

Survival 101. We're doing this. Starting this weekend there is totally going to be classes on wilderness survival. Meet up at the edge of the woods to the east at about, say, 1 pm on Saturday. We're going in and I'm starting with lessons about how to find water, how to start a fire, and how to set up an improvised shelter. Bonus points, we get to sleep in them Saturday night. Anyone with survival skills welcome to join to help show examples of survival skills.

Next week we're doing basic orienteering and how to safely climb up and down a tree so you can get yourself a good view above the tree line. Classes will be repeated every few weeks to keep our skills sharp, just in case these crazies in charge of us decide to be assholes again.

Oh, and for class this week, dress warm but do not bring blankets. I'll be bringing spares, as well as knives and some other basic tools for us to make things with. You never know when we'll get poofed off and what you'll have so this is pretty much Survival 101, but with the SeeD training style.

You know, minus the T-Rexaurs. So you're less likely to get eaten. Which is always a bonus.

[There's definitely a touch of amusement in his eyes, like he's practically inviting people to be worried about his life and how a risk of getting eaten only makes him smile]

See you all around, sooner or later.

[Is that... why is there such mischief in his eyes? Probably bad. But there he's logging off of the video, which might be worrying.]

Private to Tommy
[The scene has changed. Now Nida is on a roof, grinning like mad, his hair blowing a bit in the breeze.]

Okay. I'll tell you what? White was nice and all, and I'm impressed by all the violet stuff that is happening but orange?

Fucking Hyne orange is probably the best. I can go through walls. I got up here by jumping onto the fridge, passing through into the crawl-space above the house, and them through that onto the roof. Like, I can't even begin to tell you how cool this is. We've got to test this. Know anywhere it might be fun to sneak into? Anyone's diary you want to read? Oh, I can go 'borrow' some vodka from Sam's room. Want some? I'm going to go do that.

Private to Kamala
[Where is Nida now? Well, is it possible that he's on top of a bookshelf in the schoolhouse. How has he even managed that? Who knows.]

So, serious question, how much have you gotten out of the house lately? Yeah, I know things are tense now, but come on, you need to have some fun. Wanna help me do an impression of a playful ghost? Because I feel like you would be the perfect lookout for this thing I'm planning.

Private to Iron Bull
[One must ask how Nida's in a video, sitting on your bed, Bull. But there he is anyway, frowning up at the screen. He looks... somewhere between that certain kind of hungry Bull knows, and a bit confused.]

Hey, got a few minutes to talk, Boss? I... we need to talk.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[So very, very many knots. Damn if he didn’t want to just bask in this.]

No, I really did come by to talk. The sex was just because you looked so good.

And because it was on my mind. Because that’s what I have to talk about. The sex.

[ That makes Bull pause, and he frowns and looks down at Nida. ]

Is there something wrong? Is there something you don't like about it?

[What? No. Never! Nida rolls to look at Bull and he shakes his head.]

You’re about the best partner I’ve shared a bed with before. And frankly I suppose I could really enjoy that for a change, like revel in it. Except I can’t.

You can't?

[ Now that has Bull frowning. He had relaxed some when Nida said nothing was wrong with the sex. But now he is thinking about it, trying to figure it out. He has an inkling. Nida had been a very good mood lately... he grins. ]

What's his name?

[ He isn't entirely sure that is what is going on but close enough to ask. ]

[Good brain on those shoulders. Leaves Nida smirking.]

That is my business, Bull. But you’re not wrong. He...

[Just thinking about Billy has him smiling. A sort of smile he hasn’t worn around Billy before. Soft and warm and hopeful.]

He’s everything we were never allowed to be, Bull. He’s soft and sweet and so kind. He never had to be raised as a weapon. He never gave himself to the cold life of a spy or a sword for hire. Or an assassin. He’s... everything I wish I could be.

And the idea of not living up to the sort of man that would be worthy of him hurts. I want to live up to that. And sleeping around won’t do it.

[After a moment he bites his lip. Because he is considering saying something. Fuck it. Who but Bull could he EVER admit this next part to?]

I always saw sex as a way of being seen. Of proving someone out there wants me. That someone can hold affection for me for a time. And he manages that just with a smile. How do people like that even exist?

Edited 2019-02-17 08:31 (UTC)

[ Bull listenes to him, smiling as he does so. Then he pulls Nida into a hug and kisses him on the forehead. ]
He sounds like a good guy, as long as he never looks down on you for the way you were raised.

[ Bull almost regrets that their relationship has been so sexual when Nida says the next thing. What Nida had needed hadn't been the sex but rather someone to show him they cared. But honestly, he had been using Nida as much as Nida had used him. ]

You're worth plenty of affection, Nida. And not just in bed. [ And Bull plans to prove that to you now, as your friend. ]

But that also rules out most of the people I know, so who is it?

Don’t get me wrong, Boss. This falls through and you’ll like as not have me back here, just about begging to be tied up and left pleading for you, pretty as you like it. And no affection is needed.

But I don’t think either of us need to worry about that happening. Because I have faith he won’t let me down like that.

[Dont mind him, he’s just stroking Bull’s hip because he can. Clearly no affection here. Or maybe just a ton of it for his ‘Boss’ who has never treated him like a kid. Who hasn’t thought less of him because he got caught up in how Nida should have gotten to be this or that or grow up normal. Always made it easier. Almost makes Nida regret that they didn’t really talk.

Can’t imagine Bull would make the same time now, with the lack of sex to drive it. The closest they ever got to a real conversation before this was when Dorian disappeared.]

The who doesn’t matter. Just that I care about him. Though the going cold turkey on this is going to be brutal. I think he’s probably a ‘take it slow’ kind of guy. Never been involved with one of those before.

Edited 2019-02-17 08:57 (UTC)

[ Bull chuckles ] Those can be worth it when you finally get to it though. Just a lot of... well getting to know your own hands.

And the who matters to me, Nida. I want to know you're with someone who'll be good for you, someone I can keep an eye on. And you know what I was, do you really want me to go digging to try to find out who he is on my own?

[ Bull's hand slides down to settle around Nida's waist, still holding him close. Heck, if this is the last of them getting to cuddle like this he's going to take advantage. Because if this other guy isn't going to be ok with it, Bull better keep his hands to himself to not fuck things up for Nida. ]

Does he know about us fucking? You need me to keep my mouth shut about that? I mean at all. Some people feel intimidated when they know who their partners have been with.

[Someone eh can keep an... No. That is not okay.]

Bull, you’ve never doubted my ability to take care of myself. Surely that hasn’t changed. If anyone is going to watch him it will be me. The very fact that I am considering the idea of a relationship is proof enough that he is good for me. That he knows who and what I am and doesn’t hate me for it.

[Dont worry. He has allotted a full fifteen minutes to cuddling up to Bull. See, they can enjoy this one last goodbye before it’s all professional discussions of the swath when they run into each other every now and then. ]

I don’t think he does. And as whatever he and I are is still to be decided, it doesn’t matter. But I think only Desmond and Zevran know. From me at least. I expect he wouldn’t be surprised that I was getting laid somewhere but it will be fine. Thanks for the concern.

Desmond knows we're fucking? Does he seem interested?

[ Because yeah, Bull's been eyeing the guy. But that is beside the point, they have more important things to discuss. He considers what Nida said. He is right, Bull doesn't consider him any less capable, or able to take care of himself. But seing that happy smile on his face makes a nice warm feeling spread through Bull, he wants to make sure that smile never fades. ]

Alright, I trust you. Just don't let him hurt you. Don't be so in love with him you become blind. Alright?

Down boy. [He chuckles at Bull’s attentiveness.] Barking up the wrong tree. Trust me, I spent a bit of time trying to get him into bed. He is with that Lucy lady.

[Oh, Bull should definitely go and make that clear to Billy. Nida just doesn’t see why Bull should. He can’t really see his path to caring if he gets broken. He already is in many ways. And Billy could so easily shatter what delicate balance he has cobbled together for himself.]

I have no intention of breaking more than I already have, Boss.

This your first time in love Nida?

[ Because Bull's been there. He's had his heart broken. Not so much by romantic love but he has loved. ]

She's lucky then, he is one heck of a good looking guy. But she's not bad either.

Ugh, can we go back to the part where I am insanely gay and don’t want to talk about the attractiveness of women?

[Just no please. The idea of Bull in bed with Desmond? Hot as hell. With Lucy? Excuse him while he bleached his brain.]

L-love? [Woah, surely that is jumping be gun just a bit, right? And yet... Nida smiles and is actually embarrassed enough by that to lean his face into Bull’s bare chest to hide it.]

I’ve never even dated before. It’s always just been hookups or sex partners before. I barely even understand the appeal of it all. But for Billy I want to try. I want to get it right

[Such tenderness on a name he hadn’t intended to say.]

[ Bull definatly notices the name but he doesn't mention it. He can dig more later. Now is for something far more important. He reaches down to cup Nida's face and make him look up at him. ]

Nida. I care about you. I don't think you're any less capable, you're one of the finest soldiers I've had the pleasure to serve with. But this, falling for someone like this, this is a different kind of adventure. And if you've never done it before... I don't want you getting hurt. I want to keep seeing that smile on your face and hear the way you care about him.

But more than that I don't want to lose you. Sometimes when we fall for people they try to change us, don't. Don't forget who you are. Compromise is a two-way thing. Alright? And don't forget I have your back.

[Wait... what?]

Bull, are... are we friends?

[Because if so when did that happen? He looks so confused. Feels so vulnerabl right now and he doesn’t know why. . Billy wouldn’t do that to him anyway, right?]

I’m the monster, Bull. Not him. He’s the one people should worry about.

Edited 2019-02-17 17:11 (UTC)

You're not any more of a monster than I am, Nida. And when it comes to this? This is a battlefield we don't know. And you know as well as I do that you play it safe until you know the lay of the land.

And you are damn right we are friends. What did you think we are? That this is just sex? I said I wanted friends with benefits, and I meant that, all of it.

[He wasn't playing it as safe with Billy as he could. He wanted this too much. Cared too much about how he felt.]

People keep saying that. I don't think people give me credit for what I am.

But... I guess I didn't understand what you meant. It... I had an arrangement back in my world, with another SeeD. For us it meant sex but also training together, combat lessons, he taught me the sword. It wasn't, well, it wasn't whatever this is.

I thought this was something separate from you being the Boss. I didn't...

[More and more Nida's left wondering if he really understands how people work.]

I'd care about you and want you safe even if we weren't fucking Nida. That just meant we spent more time together and I got to know you better.

[ He takes a breath. ]

We're friends Nida, that is what this is. Friends means having each others back and keeping an eye out for each other.

[That... wasn't how he expected this going. At all. How is this... Wow.]

Oh. I didn't... I'm sorry I didn't understand this. Here I've been messing this up right from the start.

[Well fuck. Only figuring it out as he is letting it go. What an idiot.]

[ Bull shakes his head. ]

I should have been clearer, it is not your fault at all.

So, tell me more about this boy? How long has be been here?

[No. Nida should just be less stupid about this stuff.]

Longer than I have. He is... almost relieved to be here I think. His power back home is a bit intense. He makes us sort of seem useless by comparison. Which means a hell of a lot of emotional weight on his shoulders. And his ex-boyfriend is an asshole I will punch if I ever see him.

[What? He is allowed to have biased feelings about that.]

Just let me know when so I can come watch. I am all for punching asshole ex-boyfriends.

[ Bull chuckles and gives Nida another squeeze before he rolls to get up. The longer he is staying here hugging the other man, the higher the chance he is going to get hard again. ]

Well, he isn't here, so there shouldn't be a need for it. I wouldn't want to upset him anyway.

[Bull isn't the only one who probably shouldn't stay here like this. With a sigh he rolls to his feet as well.]

I should probably wash before I go see him. He was the next stop actually. I was going to tell you I couldn't do this anymore. Looks like I was SO good at that.

Yeah, you smell of sex. I happen to like that smell on a man but he might not.

[ Bull gives him a warm smile. ]

I always got your back, besides you're on patrol with me tomorrow.

I like that smell on a man too, but there is only so much I can get away with trying to win his heart.

[Well, Nida's smiling too as he pushes to his feet. That works for him.]

Yeah. See you in the morning. I better make sure I have time tonight to manage preparing for survival lessons. I'm going to see if I can't teach people here something about how to take care of themselves, building shelter and the like.

You know, if anyone shows up. People here are so flighty.

[Wait, maybe that's just him.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

@Everyone | Video | UN: ReforgedWings

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW

Re: Warning: Mentions of sex, NSFW