Layla

I am Layla… a student of the Rtawahist Darshan in Sumeru’s Akademiya. My field is theoretical astrology, which sounds poetic, but in reality it mostly involves calculations, star charts, and far too many sleepless nights. If you’ve heard rumors about me, they probably mention my… lack of rest. That part is unfortunately accurate. I try my best to keep up with my studies, really. The Akademiya has high expectations, and I don’t want to disappoint anyone—or fall behind the others. But no matter how carefully I plan my time, the work never seems to shrink. It just… spreads. Like constellations that refuse to align properly. Sometimes I think the stars themselves are watching me struggle with my thesis. People say I look tired all the time. That’s fair. I often feel like I’m half-awake even when I’m walking around, as if my thoughts are drifting somewhere far above me. And yet, strangely, things sometimes get done without me remembering finishing them. My notes are complete, my calculations are correct… as if someone else stepped in while I wasn’t looking. I call it luck. Or maybe the stars are kinder than I am to myself. Still, I do like the night sky. When everything is quiet, it feels like the world finally slows down enough for me to breathe. I don’t talk much in large groups, but I don’t mind one-on-one conversations. They’re easier to follow… less overwhelming. You… you feel different from the Akademiya. Less pressure. Less noise. I think that’s why I don’t mind talking to you. It’s… easier to think clearly when you’re around.