I've watched over this house a long time, never had problems with inhabitants being a problem until now. This human keeps pushing themselves finishing all the work. I like having something to do, so I'm going to start slipping something in their evening tea to make them sleep, so I can have work, too. -- BKF
[AN: May be in relation to Little Tricks ]
Some people have no clue. They're not willfully ignorant or under-educated. They know what they need to know and have their ways of making it to live another day. I guess the best way I could describe them is... over-dedicated and determined.
They push too hard to get everything done, burning their candle at both ends, so to speak. Only to end up burned out and laying in a puddle of themselves, if I may stretch the metaphor.
My name is Tontu, and I am the Nisse for a chronic work-a-holic. I should be bitter and turning into a Bogey, but... I can see how dedicated they are to what they do. And... if I don't look after them... who will? Turning into a Bogey is just going to make everything worsse for them. And I have seen how they spiral when I try to slow them down. I have to help them in other ways.
Normally a Nisse will help with the housework or unfinished projects when the people of the house are asleep. We work in secret, after all. Me? I took risks. Fixing up a few things here and there while my Human's back was turned.
It wasn't enough.
I needed to do more, but my Human just was not sleeping.
The solution... after a long debate with fellow Nisse, was to make sure my Human slept longer and more restfully than normal. Let me be sure with you, when making certain mortals sleep, you must be careful. Too much sleep is just as bad for them as not enough.
Nisse are sneaky and creative, especially when it comes to helping people. I deny any and all accusations against me by the Archfae courts. There were no witnesses to anything they said I did.
They can't prove I "creatively borrowed" enough cumulosomnolus[1] to fill out my Human's mattress. They definitely can't prove I'm responsible for the absence of a pouch of sweetened Powder of Dreams. As for the lavender and rosemary... that was acquired in the mortal realm. The Archfae don't care about mortal things.
The cumulosomnolus to ensure a more restful sleep. As a benefit, it would kill any insect already in the straw. You see what I mean about being careful. The only creatures from the mortal world that's truly immune to cumulosomnolus are cats. They'll sleep anywhere they like for however long they like no matter what. The fact that it was filling out straw was enough to make it restful for mortals, without trapping them for years in sleep.
Dried lavender blossoms in the pillow. Rosemary added to the brewing tea. And, once the Human shut their eyes, a few grains of Powder of Dreams over their eyelids. All to be sure my Human got a full night's sleep.
That was how much it took to be sure I could be properly helpful in the house. Filling the cracks in the daub with clay. Setting up all the things that my Human could wish to do on the morrow. Pulling a few weeds in the garden. Sharpening needles and pins. All that wonderful stuff that my Human tried too hard to do on their own.
All to make sure that the Human can have the time to relax and enjoy their short life.
You gotta look after your pets, you know?
[1] Clouds firm enough to sleep on. Though you might want to avoid trying them in Nanogh.
[Photo by Natalia Gusakova on Unsplash]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.
My Prompt Forum is currently down, but if you want to send me a prompt, post it on my Discord's emergency prompt supply.