Commissions

Raynard/Laudna

(A trade for my good friend Avian.) 

Rain falling on glass windowpanes and wooden roof tiles. A cricket, sounding lonely as he sang from a far corner. The soft whistling of a late-night summer breeze as it brought the rain shower to your door. 

These sounds should have been relaxing. Aided by your lingering exhaustion, they should have allowed you the quiet rest you so needed, should have helped sing you to sleep long before now. And yet, you still couldn't sleep. You tossed and turned in your cot, exhaustively trying to find a position that didn't make you feel restless and uncomfortable, but you only succeeded in tangling the blankets and tiring yourself out further. 

"Raynard, are you alright?" Through the dim gloom, you saw a gaunt figure approaching. Her black hair was piled messily on top of her head, and she wore a simple nightshirt and a comforting smile. The sight of her made you feel instantly better, but your anxious fatigue still lingered. 

"...can't sleep," you replied simply. You were too tired and frustrated to comment further. 

Laudna settled herself on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on your back. Her touch was cold, but to you it felt warm and comforting. "I'm sorry. What can I do?" 

"What can you do?" You repeated back to her, feeling more relaxed simply by her motherly presence. "Stay here, I guess. If...if that's okay." You buried your face more deeply into your pillow, trying to calm your breathing. 

"Of course I'll stay." She ran her fingers through your hair, consolatory. "Would you like another blanket?" 

You smiled to yourself. This was just like Laudna--always worrying after you, trying in her own awkward way to offer you peace and serenity in a world that often simply felt like too much. "Another blanket...no, thank you. I'm"--you yawned hugely--"I'm okay." 

Laudna rearranged the blanket more tightly around you, clearly still worried about the midnight chill. Once satisfied, she turned her gaze toward the window, where the twin moons cast gentle light through the rainclouds. 

"Goodnight, Raynard." You could hear the smile in her voice as she gently stroked your back, eliciting another yawn. "Sleep well." 

You nodded into your pillow and began to drift off to the sounds of the rainshower and the warmth of this new company.