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Everything came with a cost, and Nefer knew that. No matter what you gave, even if you gave with kindness. Something would always be taken in return, so she shouldn’t feel surprised at this right? But the burning agony that radiated from her eyes only got worse, cementing her surprise and changing out for panic. Panic, she hadn’t felt that in a long time. The pain only got worse, she felt herself falling to her knees. A desperate sound coming out of her throat, a plea, a cry. She didn’t know anymore, she felt hands on her, trying to bring her back up. The familiar scent of moonlight and earth hit her, Lauma. She Knew it was her, could distantly hear her panicked words as she gently took Nefer's face into her hands and turned her head to look at her. But Nefer was far too gone into this unfamiliar pain, the liquid she knew was blood slipping from her eyes, the only thing keeping her mentally there was that agony.
“Nef–Nefer!” The words cut through her barely put together consciousness, she felt her head be turned by Lauma’s gentle hands. Forcing where her eyes would usually be to face Lauma’s, the distress in her voice was uncomfortable to Nefer. She never liked hearing her moonchanter sound this distressed by anything, and to have it be because of Nefer caused a small pit in her stomach. Her moonchanter? When did she start thinking of Lauma as hers? In the haze of pain Nefer’s mind lingered on, she tried to comfort Lauma but all that came out of her mouth was a strangled sound of pain, she tried again only for a sob to escape her. The fear she had been temporarily distracted from came back at full force, the words escaping her in a desperate manner that was foreign to even her. “Lau–Lauma, my eyes. He took my sight Lauma-” Nefef sobbed uncontrollably, clawing at the skin and fabric that was under her hands.
“I know, i know just please- stay still Nefer I can heal you if you would just please stay still.” Lauma’s voice cut through the air, slightly panicked but firm. Her grip was firm but gentle as she forced Nefer head up slightly, she heard the sound of something sharp. A knife, her mind supplied through the haze that threatened to take her away. Nefer’s breathing sped up as she realized what Lauma was about to do, she tried moving her head away– which now felt strangely heavy. But to no avail as Lauma grabbed her face again and held it in place, and before she could speak the feeling of a warm liquid hit her eyes, it was blood. Lauma’s blood, which was known for its healing properties, she didn't want Lauma to use her blood on her, she wasn’t worth it. The burning sensation of the blood hit her immediately, somehow it affected her more than losing her sight in the beginning. Nefer felt her body slumping down, the blood loss and exhaustion of everything finally taking her consciousness, her last thought was Lauma– as always. She wondered why Lauma would even want to use her blood on Nefer, was she really worth it?
POV switch to Lauma.
She watched as Nefer finally passed out, her chest squeezed with a familiar emotion- fear. After the battle she knew something was wrong, she had felt it in her gut. Only for it to be confirmed when she saw Nefer, bleeding from her eyes and stumbling towards the sound of people, it felt like she herself had lost something as she rushed towards her. Calling her name as she got closer, hands trembling as she scanned her body for other injuries. The sound of Nefer’s pain was a dagger of its own hitting her, the barely contained sob of pain before the silence as Nefer gazed emptily into the distance. Dissociating from the situation even as Lauma kept calling her name to gain her attention, her thoughts only spiraled further as Nefer suddenly started sobbing again–voice trembling and desperate as she cried about the loss of her sight. Lauma knew internally that there was a chance that not even her blood could heal Nefer’s sight but she wanted to try, she had to. She couldn’t let her Nefer suffer forever just because she decided to help for once, Lauma tried getting her to still so she could use her blood using her hands to prop her into the position to receive her blood directly into her eyes. She grabbed the dagger she always held on her person, ignoring the other voices of who she assumed to be the traveler and the others coming to see what was happening–and slit the side of her wrist, using her other hand to keep Nefer’s head still as she dripped the blood onto her bleeding eyes. She could only pray to Kuutar that it would be enough to combat the abyssal power that Rerir has used and return her sight, as she let the blood fall into Nefer’s eyes she started planning internally- if she kept giving small amounts of blood through an elongated period of time there was a chance it could actually work. She could only hope that Nefer would allow herself help, she had given so much to help in a fight that she had originally planned on avoiding.
Lauma was snapped out of her thoughts as she heard the voice of Flins behind her, “Lady Lauma, how can I be of assistance?” His words were calm, but she could hear the concern in his voice. She turned to him and schooled her face into something more calm and composed. “I need help taking her back, not to the curatorium, but to the frostmoon scions. I can treat her better there.” Her voice came out surprisingly even despite the emotion that was built up in her throat, as the words left her the others went into action. Even though they were injured as well, Varka ended up picking Nefer up as Flins helped Lauma herself up. As soon as she stood she became aware of the blood that stained her clothes, causing the fabric to be heavier than normal. Her eyes drifted to her own hand, the wound was almost closed already as her healing was significantly heightened. She was about to take a step when the usually bright Jahoda spoke up for the first time in quite a few minutes. “Will Boss Nefer,, make it?” Her words were small, like the thought of Nefer not surviving would come true if spoken out loud, “She’ll survive, I’ll make sure of it. I promise you.” Lauma spoke softly, leaning down slightly to give Jahoda a comforting touch on the face.
She hesitated for a split second before grabbing Jahoda’s hand gently and guiding her as they started to move. They were headed back, alive but wounded. And that was all that Lauma could ask for, they walked in relative silence– all wanting to get back faster so they could receive healing and take a break, the sky slowly changed as they got closer to the Scions land. A reprieve from the sky of where they had fought Rerir, a dark thing that reeked of abyssal power. Lauma was immediately hit by the sounds of animals speaking, some worried about Lauma’s state and some commented on the others. All the words jumbled as they talked over each other, birds and other animals got close before scurrying away as they continued walking. She knew that the state of them all was a concern, but her mind wasn’t focused on them. Her mind was on Nefer, her eyes watching her unconscious body in Varka’s arms. She didn’t move once, a sign of how truly exhausted she was and a rare weakness that she had never shown around other people. Lauma’s brow furrowed as she noticed the sweat building up on Nefer’s forehead, she knew it was from the blood she had given her. It did have a tendency to leave someone with fever and high temperature while it healed, she let out a silent sigh and kept walking. Occasionally checking to make sure that Jahoda was still holding her hand and checking to make sure everyone was still with each other and able to walk. Hopefully they would arrive soon, as they all needed rest and medical attention.
As the terrain slowly smoothed out into the path created by many others, the weight on Lauma’s chest lifted. The sight of her home only proved to be a beacon of hope, they managed to speed up with the last of their extra energy and arrive at the Scions place. Their arrival caused many of Lauma’s people to gather in concern, eyes either wide or narrowed with tension and barely hidden worry. “We will need medical care for the majority of us, take care of the others. I need to care for Lady Nefer.” Lauma’s voice came out firm, she took Nefer from Varka’s arms with practiced ease, carrying her away to a specific home without looking back– the other would be fine now. She opened the door and shut it with her leg, putting Nefer down on her bed gently before standing up once more to go find herds and other ointments to help with Nefer’s injuries. Making sure to prepare a cold cloth for her fever that had been slowly rising, she sat next to Nefer as she gently moved her into a more comfortable position, hands moving in a familiar pattern as she applied ointment to the gashes on her body. Though she was unconscious Lauma didn’t want her to be in any more pain, as she finished bandaging the wounds she sighed softly. Getting up and grabbing the cloth and water she had prepared earlier, she laid it onto Nefer’s forehead and left a soft kiss on her cheek– what she didn’t know wouldn't hurt her, right?
She left the bedroom and went to clean herself up, the blood washed off her skin with ease. The water a soothing feeling, the tightness in her chest finally dissipated. Everyone was safe, everyone was alive. That was all she needed to know as she changed into clean clothes, she internally debated checking in on the others knowing it was her duty. But some part of her was too exhausted to even think about it, she was sure the others would get it. Or at least she hoped. She sat down on her bed, checking Nefer’s temperature absentmindedly. It was still too high for her comfort, she’d have to routinely check her throughout the night. She never minded, she never minded caring for Nefer, no matter what state she was in. Lauma laid down next to her, making sure Nefer was comfortable in her arms before letting out an exhale, closing her eyes slowly as the events of the day caught up to her.
“If you can’t rise for the rest of us, do it for love.” Although she was fading into sleep she couldn’t help but whisper out her one ask of Nefer, knowing Nefer would never hear it. It was a question, a plea. Something raw and pure, she knew she’d never admit it anywhere else. Her breathing evened out as sleep dragged her into its embrace, in her last moments of consciousness she could only think of how grateful she was that Nefer was alive. Even if she was injured and even if she never regained her sight, she would treasure Nefer closely to her heart. No matter what happened she would be there, it was a promise she would never break. There was something special between the both of them that Lauma knew wouldn’t be addressed for a long time, but she was more than willing to wait. After all she had waited all those years for Nefer to trust her, she could wait. She would always wait, even if it took years. Nefer was worth it, and she’d make sure she knew it.