=== Noctia’s day

It seems that going to bed today is difficult for me, there is a reason for that. I saw a video about sleep deprivation. Frankly, I already forgot what it supposed to say about the optimal schedules, just that I got interested in the guy talking about...It was about new habits in the current generation—the human body trying to adapt to irregular conditions, or something like that. So in general, are we fine as long as we don't go beyond extreme limits? In my confusion, I found myself searching online for more.

And then, I basically lost the track of time and become an example the creator was describing. The serene wind was wheezing at Maremoda, the dim night blackened the sky, and streetlights appeared as I was looking fixated at the screen, grasping it was way past bed time. At this hour I thought the streets were empty. However, even more than during the regular hours, there people were outside, walking.

The narrow streets quickly filled with those who desired the nocturnal life. Just hearing the noises, albeit they were quiet, caused my mind to forget about my drowsiness and seek some kind of leisure to keep me going. I wasn't thinking of tomorrow. Far from that, I pondered for how long a human can stay awake. Will it be bad for my health? It probably won't, I told myself.

[Welcome my child—I greet you surprised that you are not sleeping yet. Even God had a time allocated to repose.]

[Oh it's Noctia. Good evening sleepwalker. I wonder what are you doing...don't answer, you are probably just having fun. I'm not sure what I'm doing here, though I don’t feel like hitting the sack just yet. Anyway, I guess I’m happy to see you too.]

[I understand, not all can sleep calmly, thus allow me to explain my position first. They say that night is the time of evil, as the devil appears in the mortal world and entices human souls. Hence my wisdom says that this is when we should be active, for our noble purpose. As for you my child, you mustn't be afraid of the darkness, the light of his holiness will always shine.]

[Whatever is going here is sure interesting. Say, you are not the part of those club people, aren't you? It's calm on the streets, but inside of those houses I can only see flashing lights in various colours. Ugh, I mean my head hurts just by looking at them.]

As I was walking through a tight alley, a certain priest appeared in my sight. Her eyes wide open, unlike mine which were narrowed. My lethargic steps clearly showed that I have not been in my best shape, but as for the other girl, she was looking rather lively. With my mind being somewhere between the real and the dream world, I couldn't think straight, unlike my partner who was vastly aware.

The difference between us two was stunning, it must be because her strange sleeping schedule. Alas, I order to keep me going, to stop my head from bobbing left and right, I could use the help of the owl girl who I just happened to meet. My plan is...She has to talk to me until I can no longer feel this heavy rock in my brain, and after that threshold I should be wide awake.

[Yes, please tell me how do you stay awake during the nights? I don't have a slightest idea how can people like you...*Yawn* you know, don't go to bed normally and then be fully awake...Aww, now I want coffee, this is no good at all!]

[Come down my child, the curtsey of the after-hours imply that we don't bother with our earthly desires. Say that you worry, that there is a problem you can't solve causing you to feel engrossed into fixing it at once. Now is not the time of labour, it is when you rest, isn't it? Thus whichever you decide to restore, your mind or your body, is only up to you. You understand? Our lord not only wants you to seek the path of happiness from fulfilment, but also the joy from connecting to his holy will.]

[Are you going to say that...forget it. The guy said the opposite from that. People usually have sleep deprivation due stress, but it's their physical tiredness that causes the brain to adapt to the new situation and regulate the biorhythm or something. It's hardly what you can control yourself, you just...*Yawn* Okay Noctia, now I know how you feel when we try to group up...]

[Is it so? Then that might explain why I can't change my sleep schedule. Yet I pray to God that you don't overexert yourself. Listen Oddia, it is fine if you think of yourself over me, since sometimes it is better to agree with your body and take a rest.]

Right, health and stuff, the natural way, people who can't sleep due the things that they want to do but don't have the time...All might be thanks to how we live now. Sleeping at day is not that strange nowadays, I can kinda agree with that statement. But I rather not face this fate permanently. I’m sure that just today is fine. At the very least I wonder what Noctia...

[As for me my child, it matters not whenever my health would have been finer with normal hours of sleep. The reason is...At this dark and barely visible part of the cycle, many are struggling to survive, still in the chains, rattling their cages. Our church calls it the night shift, but we all know it as unpaid after-hours. It is up to us to find those lost sheep and...]

[I get it. You are running a charity for people who are multitasking between the worlds, yes? How could they be even allowed? Maybe, they are working from home, so the boss would not bother them. Perhaps they just don't care, that would be an addiction. Whichever is the case, why do you think they would bother listening to the preaching of a pastor? Honestly...ugh my head...]

[Be careful my child, you must find a good place where you can rest, if necessary. I require not your help or your companionship. If you worry about me, then think not about all those lost lambs that are in need of our help, for there is no gain in hurting self.]

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

[I'm not doing this in spite of myself—I really want to know more about you...or something? I am not that sure any more, I guess I just can't sleep and I'm rambling now. Whatever, I'm going with you to see if I am really crazy or just too lazy. Whatever that meant doesn’t try to stop me okay? I'm perfectly fine and you seem to be having too much fun, you know that?]

Despite my drowsy state and short-eye vision, I could sense how the priest girl was hiding her giggle being her two joined hands. She is such a sport herself, going good things to others, without necessarily expecting a reward. Even during this dark night time, her hand reached out for me and gently connected with my fingers, and as we started to walk, she did small soft steps, just for me.

Staying as her companion, we passed many stores and places which were open only during these hours. I couldn't think all too well, looking like I visited one too many of them myself. But for Noctia, she was going towards a very certain direction, without haste. After she opened the slightly ajar door, I only narrowly saw the signboard of this establishment. It had to do something with angels.

[Why are you here again? We told you that we don't discuss religion here, you know? Get your evangelic butt trouble someone else.]

[Today I came here as just a visitor. As you can see, this child will accompany me and behave as she should. Worry not...]

[You said that last time, or what is a week ago? Who knows, I'm not letting you pass tonight, the crowd is getting crammed.]

[Pretty please, mister, I only want to share my last slice of bread with those in need. I rather if others will have it, even though I haven’t eaten in so many days...*growl*]

Using her voice filled with coaxing cuteness, impossible to resist teary puppy eyes looking upwards, tiny body that wobbled a bit, kneeling down to the rocky ground feeble legs, and her innocent smile behind her praying hands she induced a reaction from the bouncer. It was as a heavenly being with six pairs of pure white wings have descended from heavens and came rushing to aid the little cleric. There was no helping it, I was too taken by that spell and become awaken by the sheer aura that caused adoration to escape my lips.

[Oh my gosh, this is so cut...I mean Noctia, I going to help, okay? Here, how about I go inside and take her as my partner. Ahem...You won't have anything against that, right mister? Uhm...that didn't go well, but I tried...do I still get permission?]

[You two con artists, seriously did you girls learn this trick from? Yet, I can't say no. Your type does bring other consumers in...]

[Wait really? What about her? I guess I will take responsibility and everything...I just hope it's not worse that hunting.]

[You two know each other well? I will take a note of it. Anyway listen madam, if you are at the age when you lose your cutesy voice, then you are old enough for this club. Keep her hoot down and you might be my next favourite costumer. Do anything abnormal and...]

I understand, dammit! Don't treat me like a child just because I look small, though it seems that my grab totally went over his head. As we entered through the small opening, down the stairs, we arrived at the “shoes off” mat. Luckily I don’t wear any...So as pure feet of the nun became shoeless, I pushed the fuzzy curtain away a bit, catching a glimpse of an entirely different, concealed world. It was both comforting and complex.

Filled to the brim with a fuzzy mass of pillows, this entire place looked like a giant bedroom, with flashy neon lights and strange music. Quite reluctantly, I lead my escort to a corner filled with the least patrons. They all were playing some online video games on tablets. Some I suppose were at work as they were sitting idly, with only their eyes moving left and right. The name “Angel's last wings” is sure...

[Excuse us...]

Yet, compared to most people inside, my fashion was totally okay—most of the folks here generally wore simple rugs. Unlike Noctia, I could kinda fit in. Usually it is the other way around—Wing Sisters are the ones that fit the image of an adventurer while I look like some homeless person. Anyway...just as we went through the entrance, all eyes were on me and her, despite that I tried not to draw attention. They looked concerned.

[You are new? I see you are with Noctia. Your name little girl?]

[Wait, who are you? I'm just...Oddia.]

[Sure, you like my advice? Don’t preach about God. If you want, feel free to butt in here.]

[Why would I even...Forget it. Don’t mind me...]

A very random person has told me that. It wasn't a keeper or someone working here, since she was dressed in casual clothes, but were very bossy about their little spot. I was kinda confused to what I should answer so I just parked my rear down.

It was quite compact, but cosy sitting in the middle of unknown strangers. Since the place didn't have actual tables, we had to rest in so called pillow nests. The centre spot of them hosted space for a large, round and fuzzy kotastu, with a blanket was made with different materials stitched together. Like others, I had my legs stretched under it.

[So is this your first time? It’s a nice place.]

[Yea I understand, but it’s a bit cramped don’t you think?]

[Nonsense you silly~ Here, sit down.]

The girl next to me gestured at her lap out of all of places. I was stunned while everyone else looked normal. Quite understandably, that made me felt a little bit out of place, like I was missing some important information. At the same time, my head naturally was losing the sense of awareness so I must have done something unconsciously. Before I could come to my senses...

[There there...you’re a good little girl.]

[Are you petting me? What? I’m sorry! I think I dozed off or something. Ugh...]

[Don’t worry, this is what we call being a lap loli around here. Isn’t it nice? I can tell you’re really enjoying this ehehe~ I’m also having fun, so don’t be afraid and behave like if I was your friend or a big sister, if you prefer that.]

I wanted to say something, but I felt too awkward to even voice myself through the mix of embarrassment, confusion and tiredness. Eventually I had regained my senses and started talking with Noctia. Only she could tell me more about the appeal of a place like this. That is...if she didn’t bring me here in order to stealthy take screenshots when I was being...

[So what is the big deal? I can understand why people enjoy this strange closeness and the warmth...but as far as I recall you also come here to talk about faith and whatnot. Noctia, the guy said you can't do that...Well technically you are the one that is giving me the trip, thus how about we just enjoy our night? You and me...]

[You flatter me my child, even more that I would expect to. I see though I have some explaining to do, thus hear me.]

All this time we used a whispering tone, sitting on opposite sides of one another, because others appeared to be sleeping.

[I come here not just to preach, I try to help those people during their time in need.]

[That at least I can understand, but what about your reputation? Did you cause a ruckus and they...]

[Not at all, I was simply asking for donations for the church you see, so that those with more could gift to the poor. Although I did establish my good will from the start, everyone had a different idea about my suggestion. I forgive them. Yet, if this is what God desires me to persevere through, I lack the audacity to do anything but to try to save those...]

[They seem to be playing nice, even if they are whales from the looks of it. Still, I think you are taking it too serious. Helping others in a way is not worth it, take our captain for example. She is constantly causing trouble for us non-stop. Have I not tried everything, along with Corona? Have you not tried talking with her? Can even God can tell her to shut...]

At the moment a bad word was about to be voiced, I noticed that the more I kept talking about Jielby, the louder my voice became. Instead of a word, I retracted my breath and yawned instead. That alone caused a chain reaction in the room, and all of a sudden...Well we were all lacking sleep, to say the least. Strange how easily you can relate to perfect strangers at this time of the day.

Eventually others also started to talk about their things, and some of the stories were really interesting. Factory workers, desk slaves, people who became free souls out of their own volition, all of them had to pay the cost of their queer lifestyles. I don't regret it, even though I eventually had to pay for Noctia as well, since she did that adorable, beguiling face again.

In return I learned that she is quite busy during the after-hours, for that and other reasons. As a servant of God at nights, her evangelising motor is really impressive, as well as her nocturnal energy, which is unlike mine since I almost dozed off couple of times. Luckily she walked me back to her church, where I dropped dead on the bed. And the next day, I awoke in a white silk nightgown, complete with an angelic mobcap...That was her trap all along? Did she take screenshots when I was soundly sleeping? Dammit!