''It's okay, thank you so much for trying.'' Augustine sniffled, and the bell in her hand rang awkwardly as she dried her moistened eyes. ''I think it's better this way, it gives me a little time to will myself better for tomorrow.''

''Indeed, we ought to go rest.'' Canaan lazily got up, smacking her forehead a few times as she resettled herself. ''Dawn is still a while away, let's reward ourselves with a late morning.''

Right. Sleep. After everything that happened today... Well, I need to go rest. I can't afford to be tired.

You rubbed your cheek with Seyraphal's wing one last time before letting it go. ''Say, Shigeko, would you be confident with moving the desk in our room?'' asked the druidess.

''Yeah?''

''That'll give us enough space for four people to sleep. How about it, Rey? Augustine?''

You feel the gentle prodding of her antennas caressing your face as she greets your gaze with a sincere smile.

''I'd like that.'' I've never...This isn't a slumber party, but close.

Augustine seemed too stunned to say anything. Shigeko went next to her and guided her away from the field.

''If there's noise, keep it down, yeah?'' Your mother's comment carries your parents' agreement.

I can't remember ever doing this. Sleeping with friends... Wait, no, this isn't for me. I think Augustine could use the distraction.

As you looked at your herbalist friend, she didn't give you the impression of someone a step away from crumbling. Shigeko's earlier comments seem truer by the moment: Augustine seems stuck in time, her face showing no real emotions yet barely attentive to the world around her.

--

Sleeping in your friends' room, amongst people you've grown to trust, was a medicine you dearly hoped that'd work for your sleeping trouble, and, by Mother Earth's grace, you did fall asleep a few seconds after setting your head on a pillow.

But you couldn't maintain it. In the dead of night or perhaps early morning, you awoke to a dream you couldn't remember. One that sent your body shivering with cold sweat covering your spine, while your forehead grew wet enough to make your hair stick to it.

A dream I can't remember? Stress?

Light from the lamp in your living room gently filtered into the room where all three of your friends slept peacefully. Augustine faced you in her slumber, and you had to resist the urge to caress her cheek; she looked gorgeous and vulnerable in her quiet slumber.

I don't know if it's empathy or pity...Gods, how can I help her handle this tragedy?

A familiar lethargic fatigue slowed your limbs, but there was no chasing sleep now; you know that damnably well. Getting up quietly was second nature to you, so you got up to make yourself a little more comfortable with a drink of water and a bathroom visit...

!?