Chapter 14
"Castles crumbling,
thunder rumbling,
I am trying to hold oooon!"
"Who are you listening to?"
McKenzie tore off her headphones as she looked up at the pharaoh, who had just peered in from the doorway. "Oh, nobody important, a singer named Katy Perry." Any discussion of this singer was taboo in her own household- her mother considered Perry a scandalous rapscallion with a terrible taste in apparel- so McKenzie was a tad on guard. She had no idea how the young pharaoh would react to such a person or lyrics, but Katie Perry was a guilty pleasure of hers.
"May I listen?" She handed him the headphones, and watched as he listened with surprising concentration and thoughtfulness; after a while, he was humming along, barely audible. "Unusual lyrics," he finally murmured, relinquishing the headset.
"You don't like it?"
"I am unsure. I enjoy the melody and her voice is powerful, but the words are so strange. Given time, I would probably understand their symbolism. Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of the music!"
McKenzie smiled, shoving some hair roughly behind her ear. "So, how are you this evening? More nightmares, or were they better?"
The pharaoh shrugged. "I do not believe the video helped. I was unable to influence anything or anyone within the vision."
Hiding her own not insubstantial disappointment, McKenzie replied, "Well, it was only the first night, first effort. Hopefully it will work this time." Ahkmenrah smiled back. "Have you ever heard of the singer Katy Perry?"
An hour later, Teddy stumbled upon Ahkmenrah quietly settled in a corner as he made his rounds; at first he thought he was napping, but then he noticed the headphones. He looked so peaceful, he was loath to disturb him, and was about to tiptoe away when the young man stirred. Too late. "Greetings, Teddy," he smiled gently.
"Evening! What are you listening to?"
"A modern singer, a lady by the name of Katy Perry. Have you heard of her?"
"I'm afraid not. Might I?" They listened silently together for five minutes, until the song ended.
"Her words sound bizarre initially, but once one becomes accustomed to them, they carry more meaning than many of the chants I had heard," Ahkmenrah explained. What he didn't say was how much he was relating to this particular one, "Falling from Cloud 9."
"If you say so. Personally, I don't think much of this pop music, but many people your age seem enthralled by it. Who introduced you to this Ms. Perry?"
"McKenzie."
"Ah. Well, carry on then, unless you'd like to join me on my tours? It's been a long time since we talked."
Ahkmenrah eagerly put away the headphones, meticulously repacking them in the box McKenzie had given him. The president was right- it had been a month since he'd helped him in his museum duties! Teddy fought to maintain his composure as the king joined him- it had been too long. Before either knew it, they were chatting like old times. Teddy filled Ahkmenrah in on all of the latest shinanigans of museum life, from Jed and Octavius's attempts to tame a wild zebra (Jed's idea, to which the Roman general did not take kindly) to Sacagawea's attempts to teach Louis and Clark about the native plant life, to the Vikings' recent preference for disco music. "The Jumbos natives actually prefer their latest music tastes; they claim it calms those 'violent, lewd savages," Teddy concluded. Ahkmenrah chuckled; of all the combinations he'd imagined, Vikings and disco balls had not been among them. "Everyone is concerned about you, Ahk," Teddy admitted as they paused near a pillar. "They're all wondering when you'll get better. I am wondering when you'll get better. Don't try to fool me; I've seen the shadows beneath your eyes when you waken. Now speak truly: is she helping you? I'm delighted you two are finally befriending one another, but if the nightmares are still troubling you..."
"They have not faded, but I believe with time, they will." He was fibbing, Teddy could tell- Ahkmenrah always looked down and shuffled whenever he wished to avoid a topic. "Regardless, I believe McKenzie's presence is good for me."
Teddy still remembered when he had to talk Ahkmenrah into allowing her stay within their museum's walls without getting expeditiously booted out by his jackals. "I'm relieved the two of you are getting along so well, but these nightmares concern me. Whatever is causing them is disrupting you rest, and that must stop. You're not well!"
Putting his best pharaonic face forward, Ahkmenrah replied, "I assure you, McKenzie and I are doing all we can to solve my visions. Do you believe I enjoy waking up screaming every night? That I like wondering what the others must think of me?! I know something is wrong, Teddy. I know something is ailing me!" His facade cracked as he found himself for the first time raising his voice to Teddy; he wasn't shouting yet, but it was borderline. In all the time he'd known the president, he'd never once dreamed of yelling at him. Never. What was wrong with him?
Teddy looked as shocked as he felt, but he mercifully didn't detect any anger. "I-I apologize, Teddy. I did not mean...!"
"I understand, lad. I cannot imagine what you are going through, but remember no matter what challenges prevail, I'm here for you if you need to chat." Ahkmenrah nodded gratefully as they strolled on in silence.
Happy winter my lovely readers! Of course, the fact that it's winter probably doesn't make everyone happy (cold and sniffles, stay away!) but try your best to enjoy the holiday season. Yes, I'm thinking primarily of Thanksgiving, then Christmas. Let's not forget the holiday meant to celebrate being grateful for what you have, lol. Right now, I'm grateful to have been able to publish this little chapter (and guilty that I have not been able to publish sooner).
Enjoy!