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Another full moon shone brightly across the sky in nod krai. Illuminating the Nasha town buildings , and reflecting off of the serene waters that surrounded Hisii island.
The moon was a symbol for the frostmoon scions. False or not , their moonchanter took it upon herself to hold their monthly ceremony anyway. It was tradition , and something her people believed in. Bringing them calm , and the peace , but for Lauma , the full moon weighed on her in more ways than just responsibility.
The ceremony had ended hours ago , and still the moonlight failed to waver. The increase in Kuuvahki that flowed through the island was felt by many , but no one felt it with the intensity that Lauma did. The usual ebb and flow was gone , albeit just for a night , but with no reprieve , the moon’s power laid heavy on the head who bore the crown.
There was a quiet knock at Nefer’s door , far too late into the evening for it to be any commissioner. Yet Nefer was standing and making her way to the door before the second knock came.
❝ the curatoriam is closed- ❞ the venom in her tone dying out as soon as she’d seen who exactly was standing at her door. ❝ Lau- lady moonchanter ❞. She corrected , taking in the sight of the taller woman.
Lauma stood framed in silver , it was as though she was carrying the full weight of the moon herself. Nefer was quietly assessing. She knew it was the full moon , she knew more than most the pain that Lauma would be suffering right now.
❝ I’m sorry to intrude ❞ , the moonchanter finally spoke , weak and flat. Still donned in her ceremonial robes , her antlers full and gleaming in the Moonlight donned in jewels for the occasion. ❝ it’s just , I’ve found myself without any medicine , and the kuuvahki’s strength is slightly lesser here in Nasha town ❞.
Nefer noticed the way Lauma couldn’t meet her eyes. The way that she knew the moonchanter felt bad for asking this kind of personal favour. Yet , Nefer wouldn’t see Lauma suffer more than she had to. A fondness gripped at her heart , Nefer may never fully understand the magnitude of Lauma’s faith , but she too was once a believer of hope.
The curatoriums owner stepped aside without a word , allowing the other to enter. Lauma’s lips curved into a thankful smile as she ducked under the entryway. With her antlers at full size , that only added to her already towering height.
❝ let me pour you some tea , I’ve just steeped a fresh pot ❞.
❝ thank you Nefer , for your hospitality ❞.
Nefer passed a cup of Inazuman tea , a calming blend that Nefer usually drank before trying to settle down to sleep. She couldn’t help but notice the way Lauma’s hands shook as she took the cup , or that there were new bandages on her hand.
❝ tell me one thing moonchanter ❞ Nefer’s brow rose as she sat oposite her.
❝ hmm ❞ Lauma hummed in response.
❝ I heard about a young girl making a miraculous recovery this afternoon from an illness that had deteriorated over night. You wouldn’t perhaps know anything about that would you ? ❞
Of course Nefer already knew.
And Lauma knew SHE knew.
❝ it was necessary ❞ Lauma spoke softly.
Nefer pinched the bridge of her nose. ❝ you’re bleeding through your wrappings ❞.
❝ it will clot … eventually ❞.
❝ not good enough ❞. Nefer rose with a sigh , crossing the room to retrieve her first aid kit from behind the counter. Not that she’d ever really needed it for herself , and mainly kept it for Jahoda’s benefit. ❝ let me see ❞ , Nefer sat next to Lauma now , taking the tea cup and placing it on the table.
❝ you need not fuss Nefer , I’m fine ❞ Lauma argued weakly.
❝ then let me look anyway ❞ , Nefer pressed.
Lauma sighed before giving her a small nod , the action costing her greatly , as a new wave of sensitivity surged through her skull. Nefer was careful in undoing her wrappings , the cloth spotted with the moonchanters silver blood. Beneath it were clean but angry fresh lines.
❝ this if it were anyone but you , this would have needed stitches ❞. Nefer frowned.
❝ I heal faster than most , I knew it’d be okay ❞ Lauma offered.
Nefer remained silent , taking a cotton ball dipped in salve and gently cleaning the wound further , wiping away the newer dried blood.
Lauma hissed at the contact but tried her hardest to remain still.
❝ yes it hurts ❞ Nefer’s voice was flat and unamused. ❝ consequences for carving constellations into yourself ❞.
❝ it’s tradition ❞. Spoken through gritted teeth.
❝ and the healing ? On the SAME day ? ❞ Nefer’s voice rose.
❝ the child couldn’t wait.. ❞ Lauma’s heart sank a little further. ❝ you’re scolding me ? ❞.
❝ for your own stupidity … yes ❞. Though Nefer wouldn’t want to see a child die , they had other methods in place.
❝ maybe coming here wasn’t a good idea ❞ she pulled her now unwrapped hand away from Nefer and rolled down her sleeve. She could deal with it back at the enclave. ❝ I’ll leave you to it ❞. She said , raising before Nefer could respond.
She managed one step before the entire room tilted.
Nefer saw it happen. The fear flashed across the moonchanters face , the spike in her breathing , the colour draining from her already pale face.
❝ Lauma ! - ❞.
The name left her before she could stop it.
Hanging in the air between them , both women froze.
Nefer , not since they were last romantically involved , had used her name. In all that time.
It was always Miss or Lady Moonchanter. Titles that kept things from being personal. Never just Lauma.
Lauma’s fingers twitched at her sides as she tried to take another step.
Instead , her knees gave out.
Nefer crossed the space between them in two strides , catching her before she could hit the floor. Lauma’s weight collapsed forward , her head resting heavily on Nefer’s shoulder.
❝ the moon is too loud tonight ❞ Lauma whimpered , her mind foggy and antlers a glowing reminder.
❝ I can tell ❞ Nefer whispered. This part of Lauma’s life was always something she struggled to understand. She gave too much of herself away only to suffer the consequences later. She held Lauma’s weight , guiding her towards her own private chambers.
❝ you shouldn’t have come here alone , what if you’d collapsed on the way here ❞ Nefer scolded her again.
Lauma gave a small breathy laugh. ❝ it almost sounds like you care ❞.
I never stopped.
Is what Nefer thought about saying , but instead the words ❝ you over chanted and performed a healing ritual extremely close together ❞. Nefer eased Lauma down onto her bed. Allowing the moonchanter to pause for a few breaths before encouraging her to lay back against Nefer’s pillows.
Lauma’s breathing was shallow , her body clearly weakened , and in pain from the moonlight and kuuvahki raging a torrent around her.
❝ stay awake ❞. Nefer instructed , clicking her tongue as she went to retrieve the first aid kit once again. Needing a moment to clear her own mind , and upon returning she dressed Lauma’s wounds in silence.
❝ I’ll figure out how to get you some more medicine in the morning , unfortunately as I have no need for it , I don’t keep additional supplies ❞. Nefer finally spoke.
Lauma’s eyes fell upon her , ❝ thank you ❞ it was weak , but she meant it. ❝ I don’t usually run out , it - it was a careless mistake ❞. That unfortunately fell on the night she needed it most. ❝ being here , away from the island , is helping a little ❞.
Nefer set Lauma’s wrapped arm down , and hesitantly reached for the base of one of Lauma’s antlers. It was hot. She could feel the pulse there , but tension where scalp met branch.
Lauma whimpered again but didn’t pull away.
❝ Lauma ❞. Nefer said softly , meaning it this time as she gently let her fingers fall into a familiar massaging rhythm. An old memory they both shared , Nefer would often try to relieve Lauma of any pain.
❝ you called me that before ❞ Lauma looked at her.
❝ yes. I did ❞. Nefer answered back.
❝ I thought I imagined it , it’s nice … to hear it from you again ❞. After so long , after having created a professional distance.
For a while neither of them spoke. Nefer continued her massage , offering relief in the only way she knew how as Lauma’s head lay against perfectly positioned pillows , the darkness of Nefer’s room allowing her a break from the force of the moon.
Nefer stopped for a moment , cupping the moonchanters face. ❝ you’re exhausted Lauma , please don’t fight against the sleep that’s calling you ❞.
❝ have I not overstayed my welcome enough ? ❞ lauma pushed.
Nefer gave a low huff , and began removing ceremonial jewels , placing them one by one on the dresser. ❝ does everything have to be transactional with you ? I thought that was my expertise ❞. Once all of Lauma’s sacred jewels were removed , perhaps even a fraction light , Nefer returned her hand to massaging sensitive branches. ❝ is it too far of a stretch to believe that I’d simply want to take care of an old fri- you ❞. Friend ? maybe , it was unclear and rude to assume.
Lauma’s body had already begun to sag further under the gentle touch , not having it in her to fight.
❝ sleep Lauma , I’ll be here ❞.