Work Text:
“And that’s why we need you there, Nefer!”
Ugh, what?
Nefer is pulled out of her thoughts by Lauma’s concerned voice and a pair of hands obstructing the view she was so fascinated with. She doesn’t know how long she had been spacing out, but since Lauma has apparently finished, it must have been quite a while. Disappointed, Nefer lets her gaze wander upwards to a pleading, frost-blue eye.
Lauma is looking at her, expecting an answer. Too bad Nefer has been too distracted to properly listen to her persuasive speech the rest of the random Nod-Krai-rescue team had asked her to deliver. The Moonchanter has so many other interesting features after all.
Seated on the other side of her desk Lauma frowns, the hopeful look vanishing from her face. Nefer can see from the subtle narrowing of her only visible eye that she has caught on.
“Were you even listening, Nefer?”
Nefer leans back in her seat and crosses her arms in front of her chest, hoping to mask her faux-pas.
“I didn’t have to. My answer will be no, regardless of which heart-wrenching story you tell me.”
Lauma knocking at the door of the Curatorium had been a foreseeable occurrence that had to happen sooner rather than later. With the Traveller and their companions planning to fight against Rerir, Nefer has been waiting for someone to barge into her office and ask for her help. Free of charge, of course.
Nefer observes how Lauma drops her hands into her lap, defeated. Apparently, her plan to convince the head of the Curatorium to join forces with her team met a dead end. If only she were a bit more persistent, Nefer would surely reconsider her request.
She has always been fascinated by her, since the first time they met on Hiisi Island. The Moonchanter has a strong yet calming presence, paired with the caring voice of someone who is willing to take the pain from you and make it their own. Her simple faith in the Moon Goddess in a land as cold and cruel and Nod-Krai stems from a strong belief she is not shy standing for.
Disliking her or looking for faults is a fruitless thing. Lauma either has no faults at all or is especially good at hiding them. She is the embodiment of perfection.
Speaking of perfection…
Her antlers are just the cherry on top of a very feminine figure. The Moon Goddess' blessing must be strong if it keeps that body covered in those flimsy pieces of cloth that barely conceal anything. It was Lauma’s state of undress that had been on her mind right before she had pulled Nefer from her musings.
“Is there nothing I can offer you to convince you to help us?”
In her last attempt to win Nefer over, Lauma is clasping her hands in front of her chest as if sending a prayer to her Goddess to please let Nefer change her mind. The look she gives her can melt even the thickest ice in the Snezhnayan mountains, but Nefer is more concerned that the cloth covering her breasts will tear with the added pressure from her hands. She cannot help but zero in on her chest and, as if Lauma knows of the turmoil inside of her, she comes even closer to give her a better view.
Oh, I sure know a thing or two, my little deer.
Nefer is known for the perfect, emotionless mask she wears during business negotiations, but right now, she is sure her face can be read like an open book. She knows she is blushing, if the heat on her cheeks is enough proof of that, and hopes Lauma doesn’t notice. But the Moonchanter seems to only have eyes for the Rerir-problem at hand.
“No need to be so dramatic, Lauma. That look doesn’t suit your pretty face.”
Nefer is trying hard to get her emotions and facial features under control. She is best at it, if she can hide them under a veil of indifference and mild insults.
“I will see what I can do. However, remember that you all owe me not one, but at least two favors. My services don’t come cheap.”
The relief on Lauma’s face can be seen immediately and for that smile alone Nefer could tick one of the favors off her list.
She knows that in this business and in Nod-Krai in particular, it is dangerous to be attached to someone or even have a deeper relationship.
Persons can be used as much as a weapon against you as swords and bows if wielded by the right people.
This mission is no different, but the Moonchanter has always fascinated her. From the tips of her absurdly large antlers to the big heart she hides under her ample chest.
The first time they met, Lauma greeted her with her arms open and a kind smile. Nefer immediately fell for her.
And she fell hard.
🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙
If one of her clients asks Nefer if their conversations can be overheard in her open and spacious place, she always assures them that nothing leaves the Curatorium of Secret without her compliance. Keeping a check on the flow of information is one of her best skills after all, or otherwise the Curatorium would close shop within a few days.
However, the past few days have proven that her walls, even though being built of thick metal and stone, are not as soundproof as she had always assumed.
Sitting on the plush couch in the rear part of her office and tucked away from the entrance, Nefer can still make out the faintest sounds from the city outside.
Someone is passing by the door, the slight limp and heavy clanking sound in their steps revealing that the person has a metallic limb, which narrows the possible owners down to two people in Nasha Town. Mora is exchanged at the Voynich Guild and by the pleased sound of their voices both buyer and seller have made a good deal. It is the overly exaggerated way of their faked laughing that has Nefer perking up, knowing well that some shady business was made.
She wonders if spies press their ears against her door sometimes, trying to get a whiff of the secrets she speaks about in the Curatorium. She herself has other ways to get what she wants, but she can imagine that Jahoda has resorted to this kind of gathering intel more times than she wants to admit to.
Speaking of her employee.
“Jahoda, the kettle!”
A loud whistling sound can be heard from the small kitchen where Jahoda disappeared not too long ago to prepare some tea. Nefer flinches slightly at the piercing sound hurting her ears. With her lack of sight they have become oversensitive at the moment.
“Got it, Boss!”
The whistling dies shortly after and Jahoda’s unsuccessfully suppressed curses as she handles the boiling water can be heard from the kitchen.
Nefer, grateful for the silence, smiles as she imagines how Jahoda struggles with such a simple task as making tea. Next time she would have to show her where the oven mitt is. But for now, the girl is doing more than enough to help her out.
Since the fight against Rerir a couple of days ago, Jahoda has not left her boss’ side. She has helped her with work and everyday tasks regardless of how simple they may be.
“Lauma said you need rest and should not strain your eyes. Trust me, you can let me handle everything, Boss.” Jahoda had said, giving Nefer a thumbs up and a confident smile.
Despite a broken teacup and an inkwell spilled over important documents Nefer had not yet had the chance to inspect, Jahoda has been doing her absolute best to help her out.
She might be so invested because she hopes she can get a little bonus out of it. She might be right this time.
In her lap, Ashru stirs in his sleep. The cat has been exceptionally clingy and Nefer has spent her days petting and snuggling the little creature nonstop. She is not sure if he knows something is wrong with her or if he is just taking advantage of his owner, who is confined to mostly sitting around all day.
Regardless, Nefer is happy to oblige and give her hands something to do and lets her fingers wander to Ashru’s little head to pet him behind the ears. She is rewarded with low, gentle purrs in return.
“Boss Nef, tea is ready!” Jahoda announces as she returns from the kitchen. “The cup is right in front of you on the table. But wait a little, it's piping hot.”
“Thank you, Jahoda. You have been of great help.” Nefer says, continuing to pet Ashru. “Actually, why don’t -”
Knock, knock, knock.
Ashru perks up and dashes towards the front door and Nefer knows immediately who is standing outside. Only a few selected people have earned Ashru’s unreserved trust and Lauma is one of them.
Calm and steady footsteps accompanied by frantic, smaller ones come closer until Jahoda announces their guest.
“Boss Nef, Lauma is here to check on you.” Jahoda is a bit too happy for Nefer’s liking and Ashru meows too, where he is likely cradled in Lauma’s arms. “Oh, I’ll get you some tea too. I’ll be back in a minute. And please have a seat!”
“Thank you, Jahoda.” Lauma says, while she puts Ashru down and takes a seat in front of Nefer.
“What brings you here again, Lauma?” It bothers Nefer that she cannot see Lauma’s expression when the Moonchanter doesn’t answer her right away. She had been at the Curatorium only yesterday and had determined that her eyes were healing nicely. For her to come the long way from Hiisi Island to Nasha Town, when she is certainly busy with the affairs of the Frostmoon Scions…very unusual.
“I simply wanted to know how you are doing, Nefer. I…worry about you.”
“I am fine. As you said yesterday, a couple more days of rest and my eyes should be as good as new. Or are you worrying your little head that I might not follow through with your instructions?”
From the kitchen, Jahoda cannot help herself but pipe in.
“Boss Nef has been on her best behavior. She has not been working and has kept her eyes shut the whole time.”
Coming back from the kitchen and placing another steaming cup of tea on the table, Jahoda, now with her hands free, vents about the last days as she throws them up in the air.
“Boss Nef has not lifted a finger and I have been keeping the Curatorium up and running. I do all the important stuff like taking assignments, gathering intel, sorting the files - it’s so much work if you have to do everything on your own.” She ticks her tasks off her fingers of her mechanical arm one by one. “And of course I have to keep this place clean and feed Ashru too. I really need a break!”
Not taking offense at Jahoda's whining - the girl had done her very best to help her out with everything she had asked her to do - Nefer raises her hand to silence her rambling. Jahoda clamps her mouth shut immediately, expecting a scolding or even worse a cut of her paycheck, but this time Nefer doesn’t look as if she wants to bite her head off, even with her eyes closed.
“Why don’t you take the afternoon off, Jahoda? We do not expect any customers and Aino and Ineffa should be in town to stock up on supplies. Go mingle and - “
Nefer’s generous offer is cut off when Jahoda slams into her side, forgetting her manners for a moment and hugging her boss around her shoulders.
“Boss Nef, you are the best!”
Before she can react to the lack of personal space, Jahoda is already bolting towards the exit, not taking a chance that her boss may change her mind again.
“Jahoda sure is a lively one.” Lauma chuckles when she hears the front door close with a bang.
“Sometimes a bit overboard, but I will not complain. She’s diligent when it comes to work.”
Reaching for her cup of tea, Nefer finds it right in front of her as Jahoda had said. She takes a few sips, but the unpleasant feeling that her every move is being watched doesn’t leave her.
Being robbed of her sight, if only temporary, is really the worst punishment for her. She heavily relies on it to squeeze the last bit of information out of other people. The information they usually do not want others to know.
She’d pay a hefty sum right now to be able to open her eyes and see Lauma’s expression, her posture and her downcast eyes which always speak volumes.
“I can feel your eyes on me, Moonchanter. If you have something to say, you’ll have to use your mouth. My perception is rather limited at the moment.”
Nefer feels like being studied and observed the same way she herself would when looking for useful information. Being on the receiving end sure is strange and she’d rather reverse their roles again sooner than later.
A sigh is all Nefer hears from the other side of the table, before Lauma rises from the couch. Then the soft cushions to Nefers right dip with the newly added weight as the Moonchanter settles beside her.
“Why must you always be like this?”
“Like what?”
Nefer already knows the answer, but asks anyway. Greedy, cold, dismissive - those are the words the people use behind her back when they think she cannot hear them. But, being a master of her craft, she knows even the hushed rumours people only speak in the dead of the night behind closed doors.
“Nefer, please. I want to help you.”
Warm hands pry the cup of tea from her grasp and Nefer unconsciously tries to lean away from Lauma who is the closest she has ever been. Not even using her healing magic right after the battle against Rerir had required her to come this close.
“I told you already, I’m fine.”
Lauma sighs again. It pains Nefer to be the cause of her worries, but she won’t allow Lauma to use her magic again. Her eyes will heal just fine. It will only take a few days longer.
“May I at least use my powers to check on you?”
A hand, warm and soft, touches her knee, asking for permission and Nefer freezes. She could say no and Lauma would remove her hand and probably go back to Hiisi Island immediately.
But her touch is a pleasant, warm weight and Nefer somehow doesn’t want this moment to end. She lays her own hand over Lauma’s, squeezing it slightly, and nods in consent.
“I’ll bring my hand in front of your eyes. Please don’t move.”
Nefer can feel the Moonchanter’s magic flow into her immediately. The feeling is not unpleasant, yet it lacks Lauma’s usual warmth that is part of her personality. It reminds her more of the cold, barren landscape where the Frostmoon Scions live, but she cannot analyse the feeling any longer as Lauma has already finished.
“How is the verdict, doctor? Am I going to live?”
Lauma, who hasn’t moved her hand from Nefer’s knee during her examination, tightens her grasp slightly. “It would be better if I gave you another round of healing. Your eyes would greatly benefit from it.”
“Yesterday you said they were healing just fine. What changed?”
“Nothing. It’s just…you could open them a couple of days earlier and you will be able to adjust much better.”
“I can wait a couple of days.” Nefer lets go of Lauma’s hand and crosses her arms in front of her chest. She reclines on the couch to bring some distance between herself and the other woman.
“But why not? Healing you doesn’t take long and you’d be -”
“No!”
“But, Nefer…”
Nefer can feel Lauma getting closer, feels the cushions shift beside her and Lauma’s breath softly caressing her arm. Through her closed eyelids she can see the glow of her antlers getting brighter and brighter.
Nefer reacts without thinking. Backed into a corner in her own home by the most caring person of Nod-Krai, her brain stops functioning. She lashes out, claws digging into soft flesh to keep the other woman from getting closer.
“I don’t want you to hurt yourself because of me!”
The silence is deafening. Only the beating of her own heart and her labored breathing reach Nefer's ears. She is dimly aware that her right hand is holding onto something, gripping hard, but only when Lauma puts her hand over her own does she let go of the Moonchanter's upper arm. Only then does Nefer realize her mistake.
She balls her fists as if trying to hide her claws - she hurt her again - but Lauma is quick to pry them open and clasp her hand in hers.
“So, this is the reason why you don’t want my help?”
Being curious about what the commotion was all about, Ashru jumps onto the table and meows, not giving Nefer the chance to answer. He is clearly unhappy that his favorite humans are not getting along.
“I'm sorry Ashru, did we scare you?”
How Lauma is able to decipher so much from a single sound Ashru makes is a mystery to Nefer. She is relieved though, that he was able to break the silence. His accessories clink together when the Moonchanter pets him to calm him down.
“How long did you know?” Lauma asks after another heartbeat.
“You think it is your biggest secret, but I have known for a long time how those miracle healings work. It's my job after all.”
“Thank you for keeping it to yourself.” Lauma sounds genuinely grateful, but Nefer’s mind is occupied with something else entirely. Her fingers can still feel the ghost of the soft flesh they just grabbed.
“Did…did I hurt you?” She couldn’t bear the thought of injuring the Moonchanter while insisting she’d not use her magic because she’d hurt herself in the process. “I’m…really sorry.”
“Only a few light scratches. They will heal quickly. But, more importantly…”
Lauma’s antlers begin to glow as her magic starts flowing into them again. She lets go of Nefer’s hand in favor of cupping her cheek in one of hers. Her touch is warm and comforting and Nefer cannot help herself but lean into it. If the Moonchanter notices, she doesn’t comment on it.
“...let me help you. I know that I’m being a bit selfish, but it would be a shame if you have to keep your eyes closed any longer.”
Beside them, Ashru makes a sound as if he is agreeing with Lauma, only to be shushed by a seemingly flustered Moonchanter. “Ashru, you’re not helping!”
Nefer doesn’t understand a single word the cat said, but the situation is so absurd that she lets out a laugh. Hearing the mighty Lauma stumble over her words while berating a cat is a first-timer for her. Oh, how she longs to see the expression she makes. Is she perhaps…blushing?
“Nefer, please. I promise it will only be a small cut and - “
A single raised finger, loosely held in the direction of Lauma’s face, stops the Moonchanter’s pleas. “Seeing as you keep insisting - and you will probably rope Jahoda into this as well when she returns - I will allow it. But please, only as much as necessary.”
I can’t stand to see you suffer. Especially not for me.
Satisfied to have convinced the other woman, Lauma doesn’t waste time with words anymore. She only hears Lauma say I will start now, followed by her hiss of pain as the blade slides through the flesh of her palm. Nefer’s heart constricts knowing she is causing it, but her mind becomes blissfully blank as soon as the Moonchanter’s magic overwhelms her senses.
Again cool magic flows into her, but it is the warm feeling of Lauma’s hand in hers that keeps her grounded in the present. And when she opens her eyes afterwards, the first thing she sees are not the white droplets scattered on the floor, but Lauma’s bright smile which she loves so much.
You are not the only one being selfish here.
🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙
With the Moonprayer Night upon them, the last meeting at the Curatorium ends. Jahoda rushes to the door, shouting something over her shoulder which sounds like I’ll bring some catfood too, before she disappears around the corner with Aino and Ineffa.
Nefer sinks into her couch, happy that her role consisted only in opening her chest full of savings instead of running errands or setting up a stall. She has been roped into much more than she had originally signed up to in the last weeks. And without proper compensation too.
Beside her, Lauma seems to be meditating. With her eyes closed and her stiff posture she looks like one of the many statues scattered around Hiisi Island. Affected by the upcoming Moonprayer Night, her antlers have grown even larger, glowing brightly in the dim light of the Curatorium.
Nefer could stare forever. Lauma’s connection to the moon seems to enhance her beauty even more and with her shining antlers she looks like a godlike being. However, the day was eventful and when Nefer closes her eyes for a moment she can feel them burning with exhaustion. They are still a bit sensitive, even though Lauma assured her they are fully healed.
Speaking of her little doe…
Nefer cracks one eye open when she hears strange sounds coming from the other woman, only to find Lauma hunched over with her hands supporting her head. Soft, strangled noises leave her mouth as she tries to keep quiet, but Nefer’s ears have been especially sensitive lately and suddenly she is on high alert.
“Lauma, what’s wrong?” Nefer shuffles closer to the Moonchanter’s side, arm coming around her shoulders to support her. Instead of answering Lauma groans, fingers digging into her scalp as if fighting an invisible force. A soft whimper escapes her, before she can talk.
“Moonprayer Night…my antlers. It hurts.”
As if responding, the light emanating from Lauma’s antlers pulses. If Nefer deduced her broken words correctly, the upcoming Moonprayer Night affects the growth of her antlers, causing pain and discomfort.
That must be a hell of a headache.
“I’ll be right back. It will get better soon.” Although reluctant to leave the other woman alone on the large couch, Nefer quickly slips into the small kitchen to get a glass of water and some medicine. Being prone to headaches herself due to her workload - and probably her unhealthy posture while sitting at the desk all day - painkillers are always stocked. Hopefully, they have the same effect on a moon-kissed deer as they have on stressed Sumerian desertfolk.
When she slips beside her again, Lauma is resting her head on the back of the couch with her eyes closed. Her brows are furrowed, but she doesn’t look like someone is driving her ceremonial knife into her head anymore. Nefer places a hand on her shoulder to get her attention.
“Here, these will help with the pain.” As soon as the glass of water touches Lauma’s hand, she takes it into hers, no persuasion necessary. In a blink of an eye she has swallowed the painkillers, forcing her eyes open for a moment to send a grateful look to the other woman.
“Why don’t you lay down for a bit?”
“No…too much to prepare. Columbina, she…deserves a home.” Lauma’s words are no more than a whisper, but her determination for the Moon Goddess is as strong as ever. Even if it means sacrificing her own health. Sometimes she can be as stubborn as the Ibis’ she always complains about.
“Resting my head helps.” More or less unconsciously, Lauma’s head lolls to the side until it comes to rest on the other woman’s shoulder. Nefer gives her a knowing look and tilts her head to make room for her big antlers, but otherwise doesn’t move. Lauma on the other hand snuggles even closer.
“This is nice.”
It would be nicer, if she weren’t in pain, but Nefer is certainly not complaining. At least, in this position Lauma doesn’t notice the blush on her face. They stay like this for so long that Nefer has her emotions under control again. She suspects Lauma has fallen asleep on her, but when she can see her fidget with the hem of her dress she knows she’s awake.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, a little.”
“I’m glad.”
Knowing the medication helps, lifts a weight from Nefer’s heart she didn’t realize was there. Her heart does skip a beat or two, when she hears Lauma’s next words.
“Can we do this again sometime?” Lauma’s hand now rests on Nefer’s thigh, pleasant and warm and Nefer is quick to cover it with her own, marveling at how easily her fingers slip between Lauma’s. She could get used to that.
“But only without your ginormous antlers interfering.”
“I can’t promise you that.”
Lauma chuckles and raises her head from Nefer’s shoulder, looking more like herself than the pain-riddled version from before. Looking directly at the other woman, she gives Nefer a genuine smile that glows for totally different reasons than her antlers.
“I guess I just have to distract you, so you won’t notice them.”
And then Lauma leans in until their lips meet and Nefer…she falls for her all over again.