Chapter Text
Lauma took a deep breath as she packed away the last of her things. She already had the apartment lined up across town. Closer to the College she had begged to go to. Even if it meant that she had to agree to study what her parents wanted her to, it was the first big decision she had made for her adult life. Now she was ready to make her next one.
Turning to face her mom, Lauma with all the courage she could muster stated “Mother, I'm… moving out.”
Lauma watched as her mom’s face twisted in anger, “You don’t think- What do you mean? Me and your father- We. Moon's above Lauma why do you always do this, ruining everything we have set up for you?”
Lauma had been prepared for this. Clearing her throat Lauma spoke up, “Mom, I am only going to be across town. I just need to be able to grow on my own for a while. It won't be forever, just this last year of my degree.”
Even though she was prepared, Lauma was still nervous about her moms reaction. Lauma had told herself that she was going to go through with this no matter what, that she was an adult and could make her own choices. Though Lauma couldn't help but feel nervous at her mother's sceptical look.
“Fine. But you have to keep me and your father updated on what you are doing.” By this her mom meant that they were expecting a call every few days at the minimum, where Lauma would explain everything that she had done down to the minute.
“Of course Mom.”
Lauma could tell her mom was still upset, but at least it had been less of a fight than she had expected it to be. She had expected screaming and crying, expecting her mom to stand in her doorway demanding her not to move out, that she was still her baby girl, that her life was perfectly planned out and she was ruining it again. It had always been like this, it was surprising that for once it wasn't a fight.
Lauma was meant to be the next high priestess of the Frost Moon Scions; it had been an honor the women in her family carried out for generations. Just like her their lives were planned out to the smallest detail, just like them Lauma was meant to marry a nice young man, and just like them she was meant to pass the title of high priestess on to her own daughter. Lauma couldn’t stop the shiver that shook her at the thought of putting another poor soul through what she had been enduring her entire life.
This is why she was moving out. She needed the time to be herself, grow into her own person. Be finally free to be who she wanted to be, date who she wanted, and try to live on her own without her parents spoon feeding her luxury. Even if her margins would be tight and she would have to give up a lot of the things she was used to, it was a small price to pay to finally be herself. She could finally go on a date with someone who wasn't a stuffy boy that her parents set her up with. Her parents knew she was gay, it was an open secret. Lauma could still remember the day she realized that she was gay. Lauma had been in middle school and a girl a grade or two above her caught Lauma’s eye. She was quiet and soft spoken, though her hair was dyed pink on the ends. They were friendly with each other though being a few grades apart they rarely interacted. Then Lauma found out the girl sang and Lauma was head over heels. When the realization finally hit her that this isn’t how she was meant to be feeling, it hit her like a truck. Lauma was at the dinner table when she broke down sobbing and when she had finally stuttered out her words between sobs, her parents didn’t handle it well. After a night of screaming and crying Lauma tried to bring it up as little as possible. She avoided the girl as much as she could and went on dates with boys from rich and affluent families. Now that’s Lauma’s 23, almost done with her degree, and never dated let alone kiss anyone she wanted the room to bring a woman over to her own place. Without the looming threat of her parents' disapproval.
Lauma went though the check list in her brain as she moved the last of her boxes into the tiny rented car she was using to move. Lauma had her lease signed, 2 and a half months of rent saved up, and a small librarian job near her school lined up. She was going to be fine. Even with her parents looming over her shoulders the entire time she was packing and shooting her disappointed glares at every opportunity, Lauma was ready.
Saying her final goodbyes to her parents, Lauma finally drove off. Feeling the tension leave her body, Lauma could feel the excitement slowly wash over her as she made the half hour drive to her new apartment.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .*:☆ﾟ.───
The sun had already risen by the time Lauma had finished unpacking all her things. The place was small, a second floor studio apartment with just enough room for her bed, desk, and a small kitchen. Flattened boxes were currently strewn everywhere and Lauma was still sweaty from dragging her mattress up the stairs. Looking out the window she could see people start to trickle onto the streets. The amount of people that were walking down the road at 4:30 in the morning was the same as the most people she had ever seen on the streets of the Hiisi district. It made Lauma so excited to see how many people actually lived here, and that she now counted herself among those people.
A few people caught her eye as Lauma studied the streets outside her window. A blond girl wearing a beanie with what almost looked like bat ears on top walked by, darting her head around every corner and checking every alley. A little bit later a young woman with blue hair tied into twin buns and wearing ear buds hauled a massive stack of paper down the street. The last person that caught her eye though was a woman that Lauma could only truly describe as gorgeous. She had shoulder length black hair with green highlights that matched her eyes. Even though the weather was frigid, especially this early in the morning, the woman was wearing a sleeveless shirt, a skirt that Lauma could bet money on that the woman could not bend over in, and sheer black tights. With her only protection from Nod Krai's piercing cold being a thin button up that slipped down to her elbows.
Lauma could feel her face start to burn. Quickly she averted her gaze from the window, busying herself by mindlessly shifting things around on her desk. Trying to cleanse her mind of any thought of what she just saw, Lauma started going through the mental check list of things she needed to do to get fully settled into her new apartment. After failing to get her mind off the woman she just saw Lauma hear her stomach growl at her. She hadn’t eaten since the previous morning mostly due to nerves. So getting herself fed was now top priority and what she was going to use to distract herself. Lauma quickly looked up at the nearest grocery store, threw on an overcoat and some boots and braced herself for the Streets of Nasha town.
Luckily for Lauma the streets weren’t too busy yet allowing Lauma to meander through the streets at her own pace. The colorful and bright storefront awed her, windows filled with colorful trinkets, neon signs that pulsed and danced in the dim morning light, wild displays being set up in windows. All of it was so different to the cookie cutter shops that Lauma grew around. Even getting groceries was new and exciting for her, even if she felt silly about it. She could buy and eat whatever she wanted. Her parents rarely kept anything that could vaguely be seen as unhealthy far away from Lauma. So out of curiosity she threw a few packets of instant noodles and packaged sweets into her basket along with her usual groceries. Eager to try them when she got home.
Lauma decided to walk a different way home so she could explore the area she now would call home. With her bags in hand Lauma started exploring. Stopping when in a dimly lit corner by a beat up looking door, there was a sign. It was shaped like a cat and its lights were twinkling in the shadows, and written in gold it said “Curatorium of Secrets”. Lauma was entranced, so like a moth to a flame Lauma wandered into the admittedly pretty sketchy alley to look at what secrets may be held inside this little shop of secrets.
The inside was in stark contrast to the outside. Teal curtains hung from floor to ceiling opening up to reveal shelves of goods. In the far back there were even some yellow couches that lent to the cozy vibe of the shop. On a raised platform sat the front desk, stacked with obviously precious stock, and behind it to Lauma's surprise was the woman that had gotten all flustered from earlier! She was leaning forward with her elbows on the counter. Her button up was slid down as far as it could go. In front of her was a plain looking customer,who was flushed bright red. The woman pouted, “Are you sure you won't take 5,000 for this? It's truly a deal for something of this quality.” Leaning even closer to the flustered customer whispering something to the customer that Lauma couldn't quite make out from where she was standing. After that the customer with a very red face nodded, and without a word they took their Mora and walked out.
“Ah. It's a pawn shop.” Lauma thought. There wasn't a pawn shop on Hiisi but Lauma had watched shows from Natlan and Monstat that featured them. Lauma would bet the reason that there wasn't one was the fact that if anyone in Hiisi needed to pawn something they would want to do so far from the prying eyes of the Hiisi island elite.
As soon as the customer was out the door the woman turned around, losing any of the facade she had just been wearing and slapped a sticker that read 30,000 mora on the pawned item. “Oh and what is this? Someone like you can't be from this side of town. Come from Hiisi Island to pawn something darling?”
Lauma startled away from her thoughts at the smooth sound of the woman's voice. Feeling the embarrassment creeping across her face, Lauma attempted her best at a reply, “Oh!” No, your sign caught my attention. I am just exploring, not looking to pawn anything at the moment.”
Some of the woman's facade came back when she spoke again, “Well, welcome to my Curatorium of Secrets. My name is Nefer, the curator of this curatorium. May I have your name, dear customer?”
Lamua turned her head slightly away to avoid making eye contact with Nefer and to let her long bangs cover her pink cheeks. “My name is Lauma.”
“Oh?! What is the daughter of the Frostmoon's High Priestess doing in a place like this.” Lauma froze, it makes sense that at least someone would recognize her or her name even though she would rather avoid the topic at all cost. What was she even meant to say? Lauma stood there spluttering, not able to string together a single coherent sentence. Nefer's gaze was unrelenting though, curiosity oozing out of her as she waited for Lauma to answer her. Which only resulted in Lauma getting more flustered and tripping over her words more.
To Lauma's saving grace the door of the Curatorium slammed open and the blonde girl that Lauma had also seen wandering the streets ran in. “BOSS! LOOK WHAT-” The girl cut herself off as soon as she spotted Lauma standing in the middle of the curatorium actively melting. “Oh, a customer. Sorry, didn't expect anyone this early in the morning.”
“Jahoda, many people prefer to pawn their things when the town sleeps, as to avoid prying eyes. You need to learn things like this if you wish to continue at the Curatorium, my dear employee.”
With all the anxiety that Lauma had ever seen in one person, the girl shouted, “Right! Right. I'll make sure to keep that in mind from now on.” Then all in one short breath while holding her hands together in front of her face Jahoda said, “Pleaseforgivemeboss!”
“You're forgiven… this time. Now where were we?” Nefer said smoothly, turning back to face Lauma. It was like a light switch got flipped. Nefer had gone from dark and scary back to lightheartedly flirting with Lauma.
With Nefer’s full attention back on Lauma she had to quickly find a way to avoid going back to what they had just been talking about. “Oh. Uhm, nothing of importance.”
“Are you sure-” Nefer pried in a teasing tone. Curiosity painted all over her face.
“Yes, yes I’m sure. I should be heading home now though. You have quite the nice establishment, sorry for the inconvenience.” Lauma hurried to pick up her things and move towards the door as fast as she could before she internally combusted.
“It's not a problem for a beauty like you. Come back soon.” Nefer purred, leaning over her counter to gently waving goodbye. Lauma turned away hoping to save at least a scrap of her dignity and not embarrass herself in front of Nefer. “Of course, I will see you around another time.”
Lauma quickly rushed back to her apartment, haphazardly throwing her groceries in her tiny fridge and sunk to the floor. Maybe it was the all nighter she had pulled but Lauma could feel herself spiralling. She did not think in the slightest that she would ever end up running into the hot woman she saw out her window. Talking to her was an entirely different story, Lauma had no idea how she didn't devolve into a silent blushing mess, though she got really close at points but something about Nefer made her want to keep talking. Lauma wanted to go back already and just talk to the woman again. Something about Nefer made Lauma want to spill her guts out and open her heart for Nefer to examine.
Maybe. Lauma had another crush. After years of stopping them out. Killing them before Lauma even gave the idea any merit. Though now that she was far enough from her parents' strings, maybe just maybe she could entertain the idea. Lauma could admit to herself that she found Nefer attractive. That during the short conversation they had Lauma had been a flustered mess. Could Lauma interpret Nefer's actions as flirty? Was that something she did with everyone? Lauma didn't exactly know, she could really only hope that maybe she was a little bit special.
Though in the back of her mind she could hear the whispers of her parents. Telling her, “It's just a phase. You just need to meet the right young man.” It made her want to tear out her hair. Pull their voices out of her brain.
Lauma felt the start of tears stinging her eyes. She just wanted to try, try and find someone to love. It was why she had left. Risked everything to live out here on her own. She was done with men, done trying to find the right cookie cutter husband that her parents would be happy with. Lauma wanted to try flaming the fire that was starting to burn in her chest. Even if there was no way that Nefer liked her back, Lauma wanted to try. Because deep down something in Lauma told her that she had a chance. That this little crush was worth pursuing. That she should go back and at least talk to Nefer again.
Before Lauma knew it she passed out on her half made bed, brain filled with thoughts of Nefer.