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animalgirl225 · 2 years

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Raya x Namaari story time again! It's another long one; it combines several ideas I had, so it took a bit to mesh them all together into a coherent story lol. Because of the length, this one deserves a title. Enjoy!

Includes mild fluff, deep conversation, and themes of anger, guilt, forgiveness, and comfort.

Partially inspired by this art (specifically the first pic) by @teabeeart that I love so much and think is too cute

and also this art by @5hio

Ao3 link!

Finding Forgiveness ___________________

Intent to escape the bustle of the day, Raya led Namaari down the now-familiar path to one of her favorite spots outside the main center of Heart. The forested trail was lightly used; as far as Raya knew, she was the only one aware of this hidden overlook. The trail opened up, and the girls stepped into the small clearing above a steep cliff. The rock arch of Heart loomed on the horizon, lit brightly by the early afternoon sun. Noise from the city drifted farther and more loudly over the rolling hills than usual. It was the second anniversary of the defeat of the Druun, and Heart was hosting the celebration this year. People from all the tribes had flooded the city, and a cheery buzz filled the air at all times save for the deepest hours of the night. But despite all the of camps that had sprung up in the fields and hills around Heart, this small clearing remained a secret.

Namaari settled down against the trunk of a large dragonberry tree and spread her knees apart to make room for Raya to join her. Raya settled into the space between her legs and leaned back against her, placing her arms over Namaari's legs and resting her wrists loosely on Namaari's knees. Namaari wrapped her arms around Raya's shoulders and gently pressed her chin into her hair. Sitting companionably together, the two spoke little as they savored the warm afternoon breeze. Raya loved these quiet moments with Namaari. She cherished every chance to get to know her fellow young warrior a little better, and sometimes the best understanding came from the fewest words. She closed her eyes and breathed in the sweet scent of the berries that filled the rustling branches above them.

A stick snapped somewhere off to their left, and Raya felt Namaari jump and tense against her. Despite her doubt it was a threat, she felt a small thrill knowing that Namaari was always so ready to protect her. But it also made Raya somewhat sad that her friend struggled to truly calm down during the day, and was always ready for a fight. That's why she liked to bring Namaari out here, away from the bustle of the city and the stresses that came with being the heirs to their tribes. It seemed to be one of the few places her friend could truly relax and be herself, not the warrior princess she had to be in front of her people.

"Relax, dep la; nothing out here will hurt us anymore. It might even be a dragon," Raya said, leaning her head back against Namaari's chest and rubbing her leg soothingly. After their return, the dragons had spread all across Kumandra, but Sisu and her siblings had chosen to live in the forests around Heart. Both girls looked to their left as a large purple dragon joined them in the clearing.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite dynamic duo," Pranee said in her surprisingly deep, musical voice. "I wondered who else knew about this lovely spot."

"Hello, Praneedatu" Namaari said. Raya was amused by her friend's formal use of the honorific suffix, even after two years of knowing the dragon.

"How many times have I asked, please just call me Pranee," the dragon said with a smile. She walked over to sit on her haunches beside the girls, reaching up into the tree to snag a bundle of berries. "Taking a break from the festivities?" Pranee asked genially as she popped a few berries off their stem and tossed them into her mouth.

"It's so nice to see everyone, but it does get a bit overwhelming," Raya said as a swell of distant laughter echoed from the city. Pranee chuckled. With her ability to shift into human form, Pranee seemed to understand better than most dragons how exhausting interacting with people could be. She was very down to earth and often provided a listening ear for the girls. Raya knew she'd been a confidant of Namaari's in the past, helping the young woman with her struggle to come to terms with the accident two years ago and the guilt she'd carried ever since. Raya suspected she may have even gotten advice on their relationship from the kindly dragon. Whatever advice she'd been given, it had been spot on, Raya thought as Namaari played absent-mindedly with Raya's braids.

The girls were chatting amicably with Pranee when a light fog entered the clearing despite the warm day, and another violet dragon joined them on the overlook. Now it was Raya's turn to become tense. Jagan had proven more difficult to get along with than the rest of Sisu's siblings. The five dragons had held a council a few days after their return, and with Sisu's support, the two young women had recounted the events of that fateful day and explained why the dragons had needed to heal their sister. The dragons had listened carefully to the story and asked several difficult questions. In the end, they had decided it was a tragic accident caused by miscommunication and had forgiven the girls. But Jagan was stubborn. He adored his older sister, and was taking longer than the other dragons to understand and forgive the events that had led to Sisu's death. Raya placed her hands protectively on Namaari's knees.

"Hello Jagan," she said lightly. "Greetings, everyone." Jagan replied as he surveyed the small group. "Preparing for tonight's events?" He asked. "Soon enough," Raya answered. "We're just taking a break from all the crowds." Namaari continued. Jagan looked sideways at the girls. "Yes, as tribe heirs, it must be hard to escape sometimes. Especially from an event reminding you of your transgressions from the past," he said with a hint of poorly veiled spite.

Behind her, Raya felt Namaari's head dip in shame. She had never argued Jagan's accusations, still plagued by guilt over the accident in Fang. But Raya was angry. The sly comment was uncalled for. She felt Namaari had long since made up for that day, and none of the other dragons still harbored animosity towards her. Raya had also admitted her part in the tragedy, but Jagan had been nothing but civil towards her. Namaari's difficulty in overcoming her guilt certainly was not helped by continuing to be reminded so harshly of that day, especially by a revered dragon. Raya's hands tightened on Namaari's knees and a retort formed on her lips.

"Peace, Jagan. That's enough." Pranee chided. "Perhaps you should go get ready for the ceremony tonight. You smell like river mud and fish." Grumbling in the ancient language of the dragons, Jagan turned away and stalked off through the trees. The female dragon watched as her younger brother's tail disappeared into his cloud of fog.

"I apologize for my brother," Pranee said with a sigh. "He has always been very fond of Sisu, and is still young in our years. He's enjoyed causing trouble ever since he was a pup. He's finding the circumstances of our return a little more difficult to forgive then the rest of us."

"I don't blame him," Namaari said softly, her words heavy with sadness. Raya's heart ached for her friend's struggle and she leaned her head back against her chest, hugging Namaari's arms tighter around her shoulders.

"Namaari, we've been through this," Pranee replied gently and with an air of unshakable patience. "All the rest of the dragons have forgiven you for what happened. We understand it was an accident, a mistake born from desperation and misunderstanding. It's high time for you to forgive yourself. If you continue to hold this shame in your heart, it'll poison happier memories and drive you to despair."

Raya rubbed her friend's arm, agreeing wholeheartedly with the dragon's wise words. "Now, I'll leave you two in your peace." Pranee said, stretching and giving her indigo mane a shake before rising to leave. "I also have some preparation to do for tonight."

"Thank you, Pranee." Raya said for the both of them. "We'll see you in a little bit." Pranee dipped her head, lightly brushing Namaari's hair with her snout. "I'll see you soon, my friends." The girls watched as Pranee left the clearing. "She's right, you know." Raya said quietly. "You've got to let it go. I hate to see you beat yourself up like this, so long after it's happened and been forgiven."

Namaari sighed. "It was just so terrible. I still have nightmares. Seeing her fall like that, her glow going dark, knowing that I was the one responsible for killing our last hope. If only I hadn't- " Namaari's voice broke. "Hey." Raya sat up and turned to face her friend. "Look at me, dep la." Namaari hesitated, then their brown eyes met. Raya gently took Namaari's chin in her hands and wiped away a tear with her thumb. "I know now that you would never have fired if I didn't hit your hand. What happened wasn't only on you. Besides, it wasn't our last hope. Everything worked out in the end, and that's what we have to hold on to. We'll ruin ourselves if we keep living in the past, turning our mistakes over and over until we're lost in them."

Raya leaned forward and pulled her friend into a long, tight hug. Namaari heaved a shuddering sigh that seemed to come from her toes. Raya wished she could hold her longer, but the shadows were growing long. "Come on, let's get back." Raya stood up and offered Namaari her hand. Pulling her to her feet, Raya put her arm through Namaari's as they walked back into the forest. It was a long process, but Raya hoped that with help from herself and the dragons, Namaari would soon forgive herself as everyone else had.

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