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Lauma had deemed Jahoda quite capable of ensuring Nefer made it home safely , but after all that had happened during the battle , the moonchanter couldn’t seem to keep her mind off of the Curatorium owner. The day had been long for them all , and there was still work to be done , but for now , most of that could wait. Lauma made her way to the enclave , ensuring her people were safe at the frostmoon scions. It was the moonchanters duty after all. The night drew in fast , but instead of settling down for the night , Lauma couldn’t help but find herself drawn to Nasha town to check in on an old friend.
She’d spent more time in Nasha Town in recent weeks than she had over the past few years added together , though passing through the streets at night was far more unsettling than her sanctuary on Hiisi island.
The door to the Curatorium was unlocked , Jahoda perhaps had forgotten to lock it , though Lauma was glad she was able to slip in without potentially disturbing Nefer. Lauma wasn’t sure what she was expecting from this visit , but upon entering she could immediately sense that something was wrong.
The moonchanter passed through Nefer’s reception area , and followed the sounds of the vipers' pained cries.
❝ Jahoda - ❞ she was cut off immediately by the young girl.
❝ oh lady Lauma , I’m so glad you’re here ❞ , she both looked and sounded panicked , beads of sweat pooled on her forehead. ❝ I don’t know what to do , sh-she was fine on the way back , and then boss laid down to rest , and I was in the other room trying to figure out where to start with filing - that’s not important , but then she screamed for me , and I - I’m not used to seeing anyone like this - let alone boss Nef ! I’ve tried everything but she’s not responding to me , I don’t know what to do ❞. The girl had nearly worked herself into tears just explaining.
❝ I’m here now , let me see if I can help , go and make yourself some tea and eat something , you’ve had a long day too ❞ , the moonchanter addressed the Curatorium employee softly. She was still young , still learning , and with all they’d learnt about Nefer today and the sacrifice she’d made , Lauma suspected the night would be long.
Lauma closed the bedroom door , Nefer’s room was lavishly decorated with what she could only assume were Sumerian trinkets , but she didn’t stop to look around , Lauma was by Nefer’s side in an instant , the woman was hyperventilating and crying out , no wonder Jahoda also seemed in such a state.
❝ Nefer , it’s Lauma , can you hear me ❞ the moonchanter was gentle , reaching for one of Nefer’s hands that was tightly balled around the blankets covering her. ❝ I need you to try and breathe for me Nefer , I know you’re probably feeling a lot of intense things right now , but I need you to breathe ❞.
Lauma didn’t notice a reaction at first , but after a few moments , Nefer clung to the hand that had been so tenderly tracing patterns on the back of her own hand. ❝ I’m here , it’s Lauma , I’m not going anywhere ❞ , the moonchanter seemed to repeat three or four times , along with reminders to breathe.
Nefer was trying.
Trying to control the waves of emotions that were surging through her wave after wave. She’d been stuck in a nightmare that kickstarted her trauma response. She wasn’t one to fall apart , but today had been too much.
❝ L-Lauma … ❞ she choked out in between breaths , still holding firmly onto the others hand.
❝ I’m here , don’t try to speak yet , just focus on taking some deep breaths , I’m not going anywhere remember ❞.
The moonchanters kind words were starting to break through , Nefer after a few shaky attempts was able to take a deeper breath , and then another and another. Her body was trembling , but she was so warm.
❝ there you go ❞ , Lauma encoraged. She reached over to the nightstand with her free hand to pick up a glass of water , it was full so she assumed Jahoda had put it there while Nefer rested. ❝ can you take some small sips of this water for me ❞ , Lauma gently placed the glass to the others lips , so she could feel the glass. Nefer’s eyes would need time to recover , even if she opened them now , she wouldn’t be able to see yet , and that alone was traumatic.
Nefer drank , she breathed , and soon Lauma noticed some of the tension release , not once did either of them pull their hand away.
❝ it - it was just a nightmare ❞ , Nefer finally spoke , her voice raspy from crying. ❝ you didn’t have to … take care of me ❞.
❝ Nefer ❞ Lauma’s tone was soft , ❝ please don’t shut me out , you hide behind so many walls , so may secrets ❞ she quite literally makes a living out of it. ❝ but it’s okay to need someone , to need comfort , especially after today ❞.
❝ tsk comfort ? ❞ Nefer leaned back against the headboard of her bed. ❝ needing comfort is a weakness ❞. She could not allow Lauma in … could she ?
❝ you’re vulnerable right now ❞ , it’s not weak to need people.
❝ I am not vulnerable Lauma , I’m fine , I don’t need your comfort , or jahoda’s - fussing ❞.
❝ if you didn’t need my comfort , or even just my presence , then why are you still holding my hand ❞. Lauma still didn’t let go , but she was surprised that even after pointing it out , Nefer too kept her hand in place. ❝ Nefer , I’ve known you for a long time , I know that you seek control because it makes you feel safe , and after seeing the chaos you grew up in , it makes sense , it does , but right now , you don’t need to be in control , so please , let me shoulder the burden with you , even if it’s just for tonight ❞.
Nefer , who was usually quick-witted to respond , said nothing , and Lauma let there be silence for a while. Nefer needed to process , she needed a moment to just be , and Lauma would never deny her that. Their hands stayed intertwined , the Moonchanter had a feeling she’d somewhat gotten through to the other - even if it was just a little bit.
❝ Lauma ❞ Nefer’s voice was smaller now , and filled with fear.
❝ yes , Nefer ❞.
❝ I - I’m frightened ❞. Her head bowed , though she couldn’t really hide , Nefer wanted to shrink into nothing.
❝ can you tell me , why you’re frightened ? ❞ , the moonchanter could hazard a guess , but she wanted Nefer to vocalise her fears , feeling vulnerable was uncomfortable , but if Nefer avoided it at all costs , they wouldn’t make any progress.
Nefer turned her head away , not that the viper could face Lauma anyway. It seemed maybe Jahoda’s handy work was responsible for the haphazard bandages across Nefer’s eyes.
Nefer answered in a very soft tone. ❝ I don’t regret my sacrifice , perhaps it’s what I deserve for all I’ve done in my past , but what if I don’t get my sight back ❞.
❝ Nefer ❞ Lauma reached out , placing a hand on the other's shoulder , her thumb tenderly rubbing the bare skin. ❝ you will see again , my blood , well you’re aware of it’s usefulness ❞. The moonchanter shook her head. ❝ perhaps I should have come back with you from the start ❞.
That had the other questioning , ❝ why are you here , Lauma ? ❞ perhaps Jahoda had called for her , maybe the girl felt far out of her depth. Nefer wouldn’t blame her if she had.
❝ I ❞ , she sighed , ❝ had a feeling in my core , I tried to push it aside , but after my duties had been completed and it was still there pulling at me , I figured there would be no harm in checking in , and from what I walked in on , I’m glad I did ❞.
Nefer sighed back , biting her lower lip. ❝ ah - yes , I’m uh , sorry you had to witness my weakness ❞.
❝ let’s not go back to that , Nefer please ❞ , she’d repeat herself until she was blue in the face if she had to. ❝ if you don’t mind me asking , what was your nightmare about? ❞. Lauma felt Nefer shiver at the question , but maybe talking about it would help.
❝ what you saw , from my past ? that was part of it , another , being held by Rerir’s power , those hands all over me. Except , I was a alone and I didn’t get free ❞. They simply consumed her. ❝ and then waking up , with my sight gone , I couldn’t see , I couldn’t .. ❞.
❝ oh , Nefer .. ❞ , Lauma’s heart felt pained for the woman beside her.
Nefer lurched forward slightly , ❝ Jahoda ? Where is she ? ❞.
❝ shh , sit back , Jahoda’s fine. I told her to get herself some tea and something to eat , I’m sure Ashru is keeping her company ❞. Lauma knew that Nefer would always have a soft spot for Jahoda , no matter how it looked like she treated her. The curatorium owner cared for her employee. ❝ can I get you anything , Nefer ?❞.
❝ no ❞ she replied , leaning back down. ❝ I’m just tired ❞.
❝ would you like me to leave , so you can rest ? I can go if you’d like - ❞.
❝ no ❞.
❝ no ? you don’t want to sleep ? ❞.
❝ no Lauma. I don’t want you to leave ❞.
It was spoken so softly , but with a hint of urgency in her tone , and Lauma understood. Nefer was frightened about which dreams would meet her once she slept.
❝ i understand ❞ she nodded , not that the other could see. ❝ in that case , let me send Jahoda home , bare with me for two minutes ❞. She gave the other’s hand a reassuring squeeze , before slipping away to the reception.
❝ Jahoda , whenever you’re finished up , feel free to head home , thought I ask you personally not yo leave it too late , the streets become more dangerous after dark but I’m sure you’re already aware of that ❞ , the moonchanter offered the young girl a smile , only to be met with a look of confusion.
❝ I can’t leave ! What about boss Nef , she can’t be alone ? ❞.
❝ ah , miss Nefer has asked me to stay with her , for tonight at least , however depending on how she is feeling and how much rest she’s able to get , I may stay for a few days ❞.
❝ did - did I do something wrong ? ❞.
❝ no Jahoda , you were doing just fine , but you have also been through a lot today , and Nefer is unable to work right now , for obvious reasons. ❞ Lauma smiled once again , giving Ashru a pet on the head. ❝ feel free to stop by tomorrow okay ? ❞
❝ okay , thank you Lauma , I was - a little out of my depth when you arrived ❞.
❝ it’s been a tough day for everyone , you go home and get your rest ❞.
❝ I will ❞ , Jahoda smiled back , feeling some sense of relief that Lauma would be the one staying to look after the Boss.
Lauma slipped back into Nefer’s room with a fresh jug of water ; she couldn’t help but notice the smaller woman flinch as the door opened. ❝ it’s just me Nefer ❞. Lauma set the jug down.
❝ I’m sorry , it’s a lot to get used to ❞ , especially without warning.
❝ you’ve no need to apologise ❞. While Lauma couldn’t even imagine what Nefer was feeling , she could empathise with the fear of the unknown. ❝ are you ready to sleep ? ❞.
❝ I - uh ❞ her body was tense. ❝ could you - no never mind ❞. She carefully adjusted herself so she was laying down , head slightly raised by the pillows.
❝ you can ask me anything Nefer , you don’t need to be afraid of embarrassing yourself in front of me ❞.
Nefer let there be silence for a long moment. Her skin was flushed enough , without feeling weak for the question she was itching to ask.
❝ Lauma ❞.
❝ yes , Nefer ❞.
❝ did you mean when you said needing comfort wasn’t a weakness ❞.
❝ I meant it , you Nefer , are not weak for needing comfort ❞. The moonchanter reassured , making an effort to seem personal to Nefer.
❝ could you uh .. lay with me ❞. Nefer’s heart sped up even asking that.
And Lauma knew how much inner strength it had taken for the other to vocalise her needs. ❝ of course , I’ll stay with you all night if you want me too ❞.
❝ please ❞ it came out almost frantic , like Lauma’s offer had an expiration date.
Lauma set back the blanket , climbing in next to Nefer , but she could do better than simply laying next to her.
❝ Nefer , would you like me to hold you ? ❞.
A pause , and then a whispered ❝ please ❞ could be heard.
The moonchanter helped Nefer get comfortable in her arms , in truth Lauma had never seen the curatorium’s owner look so small. She was curled up close to Lauma’s side , she could hear the moonchanters heart beat.
❝ if you have any bad thoughts , or uncomfortable dreams , I’ll be right here , just rest while you can Nefer , I’ve got you. You’re safe now ❞.
Safe now.
Nefer didn’t need to reply. Instead she let sleep take her under with the knowledge that at least for one night , she was protected.