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Galahad still found the day and night cycle weird. The nether never had anything like it. There was always a constant warm glow and people did things on their own schedules. It was quite humorous and odd at first to see everyone doing things around the same time frame. Everyone ate breakfast after waking up to the rising sun or around that time, and then had another meal when the sun was high and centered. In between these most performed tasks that could fall under work or entertainment. The last meal happened just before the sun set, and once it was over most people slept.
Obviously there were a few exceptions to this communal schedule, specifically Rae in particular but Rae was particular himself and didn’t count in the mass average over all. Plus it was clear he was outside the norm’ with how often he would find others dragging him off to bed or forcing him to eat after scolding him for not doing such things.
Galahad was used to always some sort of hustle and bustle around the Nether. Some people would be waking up as others went to bed and others it would be middle of schedule. There was no day or night, no set time frames. Some people ran on short bursts of wake and sleep while others went what would be considered multiple days here awake or asleep. Obviously you lined up schedules with people you worked alongside with but it also meant everyone had shifts and something was always happening instead of work hours and rest hours. This had the benefit of never leaving the city undefended since on average about half of the population would be awake at all times. How foreen this new concept of time seemed.
He had questioned Seven who also didn’t fully comprehend the regular scheduling of the Overworlders but considering he was a robot and didn’t require most human necessities that made sense. Rae had given him the answer of ‘Time is a Lie’ whatever that meant as he muttered about resets, memories and age, and Galahad had snuck out after a minute of rambling that he didn’t understand. Athena, another Nether born who he hoped would understand had grown up in the overworld so all of this just made sense to them. They had tried to help explain it and while he now understood the pattern thanks to their explanation he still didn’t understand exactly why. Yes everyone needs to sleep but why do it at night? It was so pretty with the stars and the moon. How could anyone sleep through it? Plus he glanced at people stargazing often enough so why wasn’t it just common to have shifted about routines?
Galahad once again found himself strolling without purpose beneath the star speckled sky. He occasionally glanced down ahead of him to make sure he wasn’t wandering into danger or anything but for the most part his head remained craned back watching the twinkling light show. He must not have glanced around for awhile though because he bumped into Will who was mirroring what he was doing; head tilted back, admiring the sky.
“Sorry!” They both had gasped. They laughed at it after a second.
“Admiring the stars too?” Will asked once the laughter had died down.
“Ya, they’re so pretty. I don’t understand how anyone can sleep through it,” Galahad exclaimed.
“You and me both,” Will agreed.
“We’re both going to get into trouble one day staring up at the stars,” Galahad chuckled.
“Ya I suppose that’s inevitable. Hey, wanna go back to our blanket for now? It’s safe enough there,” Will suggested.
“That sounds good,” Galahad agreed. The two held hands as they walked to the spot. Galahad wasn’t sure when that had become custom but he wasn’t complaining, it was just their thing now he supposed. Will’s hand felt nice in his too, cold, a nice difference from the Nether’s constant heat.
It was only a short walk but they took longer than needed just enjoying the fresh night air and picking flowers. Both Galahad and Will had a small bouquet of cornflowers by the time they reached the blanket.
“Peaceful isn’t it,” Will sighed as he slumped down on the blanket.
“Ya, it really is,” Galahad agreed. It was one of his favorite things about the Overworld. Everything seemed so peaceful. Obviously there were still mobs but compared to his fiery homeland the Overworld could be considered paradise. Here crickets chirped quietly while grass and flowers swayed back and forth in the slight breeze. Fireflies intimidated shooting stars as they fluttered about. Best of all there was so much colour, the lively greens and cyans, bold yellows and deep purples among others were outstanding compared to the dull red of netherack and sickly blue of warped forests.
Galahad heard a subtle click and glanced over to see that Will had removed his mask. Despite seeing him mask less before it still took him by surprise every time. Will’s cheeks were dusted with a light red, highlighting the white freckles that dotted them, a small scar ran across the bridge of his nose and his green eyes reflected the stars above. He hummed quietly as he leaned back on his elbows. How he removed the mask and propped himself up like that without letting go of Galahad’s hand was a mystery.
Galahad tried to copy the position of elbows back behind his shoulder blades for support to lean on but he clearly didn’t do it right as he fell backwards onto his back.
“Oof,” he laughed.
“Real graceful, Mr. Knight,” Will teased. Galahad elbowed him back before settling into his position on the ground. Will joined him after a minute, lowering himself down too. They began pointing out the constellations they had made up last time and then making new ones when they ran out or couldn’t remember more. Galahad would have stayed like this forever if the sky allowed it but he knew sooner or later the sun would rise on a new dawn, another day. The crescent moon slowly waltzed across the sky, dancing behind the few wispy clouds signaling the passage of time. Galahad couldn’t find it in himself to care. He was happy right there, right then.
“That one’s the enchanted clock Luce gave Rae,” Will pointed out, “And that one is Seven’s memory chip.”
Will had a lot of stories to tell now that he remembered and Galahad was more than happy to listen. It seemed fascinating all the adventures and tales Will had to talk about. And after all Galahad had all the time in the world didn’t he. He zoned out to the sound of Will talking, letting his brain take in and process all the information while he enjoyed the stars and his surroundings. It really was peaceful.
Galahad awoke the next morning. He realized he was still outside on the blanket but he somehow had gotten a pillow. That pillow turned out to be Will’s shoulder. The other was still asleep but would likely wake soon. The sun was rising, painting the sky in pastels and a warm breeze blew. Galahad must have fallen asleep sometime last night. But with how comfortable and peaceful that moment was he finally understood how people could fall asleep at night. The stars above and another nearby. That was all that mattered at the time.