Author's Note: Yu-Gi-Oh! belongs to Takahashi Kazuki. The festival featured in this story is an actual festival that was celebrated in Ancient Egypt around the New Year. Special thanks to Spirithorse for giving me the idea to set this before Atemu was Pharaoh. Enjoy!
Bad Romance
So…BORED!
Slender, toned legs swung back and forth underneath the long, wooden table set in the center of the small chamber where Pharaoh Akunumkanon and his High Priests sat discussing several different matters of state. The owner of the wayward legs was now deemed old enough to attend the meetings so he could learn what happened during them and what kind of wise decisions would be required of him once he wore the golden winged crown that now graced his father's head. While the young prince was usually attentive during his lessons and excelled at them, he found the reports on the Nile floods and how much grain was stored in silos far too tedious that he wished he could be out learning more sword play with the captain of the guard or even learning magic with Mahad and Mana.
Boredom was certainly a dangerous state for young Atemu to be in, for that was when he got into the most mischief. As each minute passed and the meeting progressed with the same dull topics, the swinging of Atemu's legs became more vigorous and adventurous. He had started out with little movements that barely extended his knee to sweeping motions that led to the complete lengthening of his legs. No one seemed to notice his lithe form bobbing up and down in his chair to the rhythm of his legs, and that just egged the prince on. He was able to get away with full leg sways about two or three times before he ended up kicking High Priest Seto in the shins.
Atemu widened his eyes briefly in shock when he felt the contact and looked warily toward the youngest of his father's advisors and wielder of the Sennen Rod. Seto's head snapped from focusing on the Pharaoh to glaring at the Prince with his icy blue eyes. Atemu was usually not one to quail at such a look from the Priest, who was only a few years older than he, but Seto was in a position to snitch on him. Atemu immediately stilled his legs and looked apologetically down at the table. Even though he knew he was in the wrong, he still didn't want to admit it to Seto. Instead of saying anything, Seto merely returned his gaze to the Pharaoh.
That was a close one. Father would be so disappointed if he knew I was not in the least interested in this business.
"This brings me to the subject of Hathor's Feast Day," Akunumkanon stated. Atemu perked his head and ears in interest. Now, this was something he was looking forward to! "The festival is to take place in seven days. The red ochre [1] beer is said to be almost complete."
"Yes, Pharaoh. Over the next few days, the beer will be poured into the large urns for the people to drink from and will be placed in storehouses around the city," Akunadin reported.
"The ritual for the blessing of the beer as well as the ritual in Hathor's Temple [2] are set and written here for your approval," Seto stated as he slid a scroll of papyrus toward the Pharaoh.
Akunumkanon took the scroll and nodded in thanks toward Seto. He unrolled it and skimmed through it, humming in pleasure. "Yes…this will do. It is incredibly reverent and worthy of our fair goddess Hathor. Thank you for your diligence, Seto."
Seto beamed from the praise and sat back in his chair triumphantly. Atemu attempted to begin to make a face toward Seto, one that was unworthy of a mature prince, but he was cut short by his father resuming his speech on the festival. He was now explaining what Seto had devised for the religious part of the festival. While Atemu was usually interested in the rituals that took place in the temple, he was more excited about what else occurred during this festival.
The feast day of the goddess Hathor was known as the Festival of Drunkenness. Everyone all around Egypt drank red ochre tinted beer until they became so drunk, they were not themselves. They would celebrate long into the night until they passed out. The next day, a select few chosen to remain sober awoke the slumbering ones, by banging on drums, in order for them to pray to the goddess for another year of continued protection and thank her for letting humanity survive another year.
The myth of Hathor was one of Atemu's favorites. The story went that as Re aged, humankind had considered replacing him. When he heard of their plans, he became angry and decided to destroy humankind for their evil thoughts. He sent his daughter, Hathor, to destroy humankind. Hathor was also angry at hearing the news, and she transformed into the fierce lioness Sekhmet. On her way to Earth, Re changed his mind. It was too late to recall the vengeful goddess, so Re decided to trick her. He combined beer with red ochre and placed large urns where the goddess would arrive. When she came to Egypt, she discovered the urns and mistaking it for human blood began to consume all the contents of the urns. Sekhmet became so drunk that she passed out and transformed back into Hathor, thus saving humanity. Atemu loved that such a simple trick could be played on one of the mighty gods.
Besides, he was looking forward to being able to drink himself stupid this year. He was finally old enough, being sixteen, to be able to drink that much and do…well, whatever else the people did after having too much alcohol. Atemu couldn't wipe the grin off of his face as he thought about all the fun he could have in seven days.
"We now need to pick the lucky few who will abstain and wake the others in the morning," Siamun cut in.
"Yes. I would like my son to be one of those chosen," Akunumkanon stated.
Atemu sat up in his chair so fast that he slid it backwards on the floor, making a scraping noise. Everyone at the table glanced at him. Atemu wanted to cry out, to tell his father no, but he knew it would be inappropriate for him to do so in front of the other high priests. Still, the injustice of being picked to stay sober! He knew if he didn't speak up now, he was going to miss his chance to change his father's mind. Atemu opened his mouth to speak, but his father jumped in.
"This is not open for discussion," he said, eyeing Atemu with a warning glance.
Atemu felt deflated. He slumped in his chair, knowing his father meant it. He crossed his arms, not caring that he was not being the model prince most of the high priests knew him as. Seto smirked, knowing that Atemu was finally showing his true colors to the others. It was nice to be able to tell them "I told you so" after they had spent so much time exalting Akunumkanon for raising the perfect son.
The meeting concluded with the rest of the chosen ones being selected, but Atemu couldn't care less. He was indignant; wallowing in his anger at being denied the excitement he had been looking forward to since he knew what the festival entailed at the age of ten. It was the one day of the year when he could do what he wished without retribution. Well, within reason, of course. Now, it was being snatched away from him for no apparent reason! Atemu couldn't wait for the others to leave so he could discuss this whole situation with Akunumkanon.
As soon as Akunadin, the last of the high priests, left the room, Atemu rose from his chair and faced his father in fury. "Why?"
Akunumkanon sighed, knowing this firestorm was coming. "Atemu, I told you this was not up for discussion."
"I do not understand why I cannot participate! I am old enough!"
"You will have many years to preside over this festival, if the gods will it, Atemu."
"What If they do not will it? Then you would have denied me the chance to fully participate in the worship of a very powerful goddess!" Atemu knew his father couldn't argue this point.
There was a brief pause before Akunumkanon spoke once more. "My father did not let me participate in that way until I was Pharaoh. I was angry as you were, but now I have come to see the wisdom of his choice."
"Why? So I can learn all the rituals? I already know the rituals! I could do them in my sleep! "
Akunumkanon stood as well, becoming agitated with his son. "It is so your reputation is protected. I do not want you coming to the throne in disgrace!"
Atemu was momentarily silenced by the implications of his father's words. His mouth opened in shock for a moment before he pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes into slits. "What?" he started out quietly. "You think I am going to do something I will regret?"
"Everyone does, Atemu! "
"But I have more sense than that! I can control myself!" Atemu said, pleading.
"The final answer is no, Atemu. That is the end of the discussion," Akunumkanon stated firmly as he swept past his irate son.
Atemu spun around to watch his father leave. "You think so little of me that it is disgusting! I will prove you wrong, father! I am not going to bang some drum while everyone else is having fun!"
There was no response except for the sound of retreating footsteps on the sandstone floor. Atemu was so incensed he wanted to break something. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, there was nothing available that would be easy to break with a simple flick of the wrist; however, Atemu really needed to expel this destructive energy. He looked at the chair he had vacated just a few moments before and decided to land a round kick to one of the legs.
Big mistake.
Atemu's shin made contact with the wooden leg, and he yelped in pain. Bouncing on his left leg, he bent his right leg up to rub his sore shin. Atemu let out a string of curse words in rapid succession before placing his foot down on the floor and gingerly putting weight on it. As he did so, he heard a chuckle. He whirled around to see Seto standing in the doorway.
"What do you want?" Atemu asked.
"Nothing. Just watching your true self come out," Seto replied softly with a smirk.
"Well, at least you are not being banned from having a good time," Atemu glowered as he brushed past the high priest.
Atemu was beyond annoyed. Seto wasn't usually one to rub something like this in Atemu's face. He was meant to be one of Atemu's high priests when he ascended the throne, so Seto was respectful, even loyal. There was a great amount of esteem between the two. So, this uncharacteristic moment of teasing stung. Atemu needed some support, and there was only one person who would sympathize with him. He decided to seek out Mana. She was his age and always agreed with him.
Atemu knew Mana would be wherever Mahad was, and Atemu had a pretty good feeling that Mahad was in the room used for magic classes. Atemu made his way toward the northeast corner of the palace, trying to maintain a dignified pace to hide his emotional upset. He finally arrived in the small room with high ceilings. The alabaster walls were alive with colorful paintings of sorcerers that came before them chanting incantations and casting spells. Atemu peered around the room and found twenty-year old Mahad in the center, deep in meditation. Mahad sat unmoving on the hard floor. He was the only magic student who could stand the floor for as long as he wanted. Atemu smiled at him and saw to the right sat Mana, watching Mahad in wonder.
"Pst!" Atemu hissed.
Mana looked up and with an excited squeal, she scrambled from her seated position and bounded across the floor to Atemu's side. "Atemu! I thought you would never get out of that meeting!"
"Me neither. It was so boring, except for when they discussed Hathor's feast day."
"I am so excited for that! I can finally join in with everyone else!"
Atemu's eyes widened. "You mean…you…you are not going to be beating on a drum?"
Mana peered at him curiously. "Of course not! Why? Are you?"
Atemu could feel hot tears of defeat fill his eyes, but he wasn't about to cry. It would be unseemly for a crown prince to be seen crying in front of others. He just didn't answer and turned his gaze toward the still silent Mahad. Mana gasped and with a little hesitation put her arms around Atemu to try to comfort him.
"I am so sorry, Atemu!"
"Me too," Atemu choked out.
"Mana, remove your arms from the prince. That is not allowed from someone of your station."
Mana squeaked at being caught and immediately removed her arms from Atemu. Both teens looked toward the voice and saw Mahad's aqua eyes staring back at them.
"Master! I thought you were meditating!"
"I was until you started talking," Mahad said pointedly, but in a gentle tone.
"I am sorry, Master! It will not happen again!"
Mahad smiled one of his rare smiles and returned his gaze to the sulking prince. "Mana will be watched closely by myself and the other future high priests. Nothing will befall her, my prince."
"I thank you for that, but if Pharaoh allows that for Mana, I do not see why he cannot allow the same for me," he said coldly.
Mahad shrugged. "I cannot say. I am sorry if this distresses you, but there is always next year."
"Unless my father is still alive," Atemu grumbled.
Atemu didn't wish his father ill. He loved his father, except for right now. He hated his father for preventing him from having a moment of freedom from a constrained, packed schedule. Atemu sighed, feeling tired from the boundless fury he had worked up for almost half an hour. He waved good-bye to his friends and trekked the way he came to his bedchamber. At least he could sulk and take a nap as well. He was so lost in his thoughts that he barely noticed another boy in the corridor, washing the floor. Atemu ran into the boy and fell forward, landing with his legs sprawled across the boy's back. Atemu winced as he felt the full impact of hitting stone, knowing he would probably have a few good abrasions on his forearms and chest.
He looked back and saw the boy was staring at him with wide eyes. A moment passed before the boy scrambled into a bow and began apologizing profusely for being in the young prince's way. Atemu gathered himself up; feeling like the world wasn't going his way today before addressing the slave.
"It is fine. No harm done. I should have looked where I was going."
The boy seemed surprised by Atemu's kindness and dared to look up. Atemu gasped in surprise, noting the familiar violet eyes staring back at him. So…it is you. Atemu had been watching this young man from a distance for weeks now, after he first caught sight of him in the throne room. Atemu knew very little about him other than he was the same age as him. All Atemu knew was that for whatever reason, he was incredibly attracted to the man bowing before him.
"Are you hurt?" Atemu asked.
The young man shook his head, his blonde bangs waving along with the movement. "I am fine, my prince."
"What is your name?" Atemu asked.
"Yugi," the young man replied softly.
"Your Highness!" Atemu looked up and saw the Captain of the Guard approaching him. "It is time for your sword play lesson!"
Atemu sighed. He looked down at Yugi who had gone back to scrubbing the floor. Atemu took note of the light blush that dusted the young man's cheeks and he smiled before joining the Captain of the Guard for his next lesson. He suddenly felt his anger dissipate as he thought about the young man that had been invading his thoughts over the past few weeks.
Yugi…
[1] Red ochre is a liquid derived from a type of clay. It was also used for medicinal purposes in ancient times.
