Human. [Pine-ing pt2]
Can be read as stand alone but is a second part to This
Cross posted on ao3
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"Bill, Could you be human?"
Ford blustered out, his face growing hot at what he said. Him and Bill were having there usual discussions in his mind scape while his body rested somewhere in his house.
Their conversation had veered to Bills existence as a demon. His ability to be physical but also here, whatever the astral projection ghost even were.
But there was his question, somewhat self indulgent in a way. Obvious if he wanted to he could. This was Bill we're talking about. Bill chuckled, not in a cruel way, amused.
"Oh Fordsy I could, but not in a way you'd think"
He pondered for a moment, "Do you have a set form or do you get to choose how you look. I do apologize if this is too, personal? I just can't help my curiosities."
"Not at all sixer, its well- how bout I show you. Easier and you get a show."
His ghost floated away from the usual mental coffee table they sat at. His body folding out like paper origami to make a human shape. Rapidly becoming more life like. The yellow hue paling to a humanish tone. Sharp features, if Ford had to put a face to him. The eyes and nose were reminiscent of that of Nikola Tesla.
Though picking up on facial features were tough. It was like his face were blurred despite being so close. Wiping his glasses to make sure a finger print wasn't block view. But the blur follow Bill's face as he moved.
"Pretty nice model don't ya think Fordsy?"
He leaned on his shoulder about an inch or so taller. His voice too had a less echoy and ethereal sound. Much more human. It had a slight twang to it almost. His mind was stuttering a response.
"Oh don't get all flustered, I know I look great and all. But this is what we're working toward. That portal is the only thing keeping this from becoming real boney flesh!"
"Boney flesh?" He half laughed, out of all the words he'd describe skin, boney would not be his top pick.
"Been a while since I've been in a body, you can't blame me!" He put his hands up in mock defense, sauntering to sit across Ford again.
"You've had a body before?" He asked rather intrigued.
"Operated might be a better word. A deal or two of knowledge in exchange for a vessel goes a long way. Speaking of," He threw his astral tea cup to the side it disappearing. He leaned on the table.
"I've been thinking, you been working hard, you understand the plan. How would a deal, partnership even, to help this portal go faster? You work and I help you in you head here and there, and then while your mortal self takes a rest I man the ship and write some calculations. And so on."
Ford thought for a second, why would he ever turn down such an offer.
"Bill I see that as an excellent idea, just think of how much more we could get done!" The prospect of not only being able to help him faster but that he thought ford was worthy enough to do *This* was boggling.
"Sounds like a deal," he out reached a hand sealing it.
He burst awake, in his body abruptly. Usually his after his meetings he woke slowly. But he felt different, more fluid. Then he heard him.
"How bout a test run?" His voice was sitting next to him.
"Sounds great-" he felt his mouth go numb partially or rather the lack of feeling it. Similar to when his wisdom teeth were taken out. He could feel just faintly, and some parts felt overly sensitive.
"Are you? Are you also here?" He still *felt* like himself mentally, he prayed he didn't do something to mess it up.
"Think of me as a co-pilot right now," his left arm waved at himself. It was beyond describing having a sensation so familiar disappear. To see your own body move without it being you.
"Incredible," he murmured reaching out to his own hand. Bill slapped his hand away and shook his finger.
"Nuh uh," he scolded "you take a rest and I'll show you how much I can get done in a body."
Ford took the figurative step back and felt his body become detached. His mind slipped into a deep sleep. His body working hard as his muse wrote calculations he could only dream of making in that time.