Ever Snow
By Seena
Author's notes:
All right, I'm completely guilty. I really got this done about a month ago, and I was going to post it, but I didn't feel like making author's notes, so I just let it sit in my folder. I'm sorry... But school's out for me, so maybe I'll get off my lazy butt and update more. I'm fighting off depression, though, so it still may be awhile... And then there's this huge trip I have for all of July, where I live at my grandparents'. They have no computer, much less the internet, so don't expect much from then. Gah, and I don't have much to say right now, either! Karimu's in the beginning of this chapter; the poor guy really doesn't get much attention. But I like him... he has the Scales... Atemu will make his appearance next chapter... this will be the first time I'm writing for him when he's not the story's villain. I actually LIKE him, now (I like almost everybody by this point, really. Even Zork!), so he won't be anything like he is in my other fanfiction. I really should update them some time, before I completely forget what they're about...
Disclaimer
Seena: I, um... own the first nineteen DVDs of Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duel Monsters, the first seven manga (the first five in English, and the sixth and seventh ones in Japanese), and three of the VHS tapes of the original first season of Yu-Gi-Oh! that was never broadcasted in the United States... but I don't actually own Yu-Gi-Oh!. What would a gaijin like me be doing owning something as wonderful and cool as that, anyway?
Ever Snow
Chapter 5: Bet-Aaraat
"Where's the Bet-Aaraat School for Healing and White Magic?" Mana asked, tugging on the high priest's cape to get his attention.
Karimu blinked at her. "…Eastern Thebes."
Mana nodded. "I know that, but WHERE?"
He frowned for a moment, thinking. "I'm not completely sure. Towards the outskirts of the city, near the Nile, I think… Why do you ask?"
"…I'm going to visit there today," she replied.
He nodded. "All right, then. I wish you luck in finding it!"
"Thank you!" she smiled, skipping off to beg for some sweets from the kitchen, to take with her.
"You're welcome," Karimu answered, waving goodbye slightly. He was about to go back to writing his report, when Mokuba came into the room, kicking a stone across the floor and muttering. The high priest smiled slightly. "If you're looking for Mana, she just left."
The young boy glared, then sighed. "No… she wouldn't want me tagging along…"
Karimu blinked. "…Why not? Are you not best friends? Did you two get into an argument…?"
Mokuba kicked his rock harder, resentment and bitterness caressing his every word. "No… but I'll bet she wants to be left alone with her boyfriend…" He practically spat the last word.
"Her… what?" Karimu almost dropped his quill in surprise. "I… did not know she had been seeing anyone! Mahaado is informed, I assume…?"
The young mage trainee shook his head. "I don't think so. But she worked extra hard this week so she could have the day off. To be with him…"
Karimu nodded slowly. "I see… How long have they been together?"
Mokuba frowned. "…Well… they're not actually together. But Mana really, REALLY likes him…"
"…And you are jealous?" The high priest smiled slightly.
The youth shot him a look somewhere between a glare and a pout, but he didn't answer. There was no need to deny what both of them knew.
Karimu studied the boy's face for a long time, leaving Mokuba's thoughts to himself for a while. Finally, he spoke again. "…What's this young man's name?"
"Ankhkare. Ankhkare Imanta…"
The lady looked her over for a moment, taking in the sight of a young girl with messy brown hair and rough hands. Yet she was dressed in noble clothing, and was as clean as could be. She sported a package tied in what appeared to be fine leather. The lady hesitated a moment. "And who might you be?"
"My name's Mana," she answered. "I'm his friend."
The secretary nodded slowly. "I see… well, the students will be breaking for lunch shortly. I'm afraid I can't permit you in the cafeteria, but you're welcome to wait in the front courtyard. Some of the students eat their lunches outside; perhaps you'll encounter your friend. Is he expecting you?"
Mana smiled slightly, remembering their last conversation. "Yeah! …Maybe not specifically today, but I promised him I'd stop by."
"I see…" she responded with a slight smile, observing the young girl's sapphire eyes shimmer slightly. "Well, then, I hope you both enjoy yourselves."
"I think we will," she replied, grinning in anticipation and excitement. "Thank you, and have a nice day!"
"You do the same," the secretary answered as she went back to filing an application for more herbs.
Mana nodded, and skipped out the door. Humming to herself, she pranced down the short hallway and turned out the door to the front courtyard. She settled for leaning against the wall under a tree. Basking in its shade, she looked to the crystal-blue sky, practically counting the seconds until she'd see Ankhkare again. Around her stirred a refreshing breeze, carrying with it the sweet scent of the earth; the tall grass of the courtyard swayed accordingly. Everything just seemed so beautiful. But even that was nothing compared to the beauty and wonder that she knew was to come.
An intense rush of renewed excitement washed over her when she saw the door on the other side of the courtyard swing open. A gaggle of young students in pale blue robes emerged; although Ankhkare was not with them, Mana's heart started to beat faster. The realization swept over her suddenly – he was close, so close! They were practically breathing the same air, and all that separated them were a few embellished stone walls… She almost panicked out of sheer excitement – she would see him again soon!
Kneeling down by the courtyard's spring and attempting to make out her vague reflection as she ran her fingers through her hair, a sudden wave of fear broke over her. What if he doesn't want to see me…? What if he's busy, or wants to only stay with his other friends? What if I'm just an embarrassment to him? A thousand more similar thoughts flooded through her mind.
Mana reached down and splashed the fresh, cool water against her face, letting her anxiety wash away with any sand or dust that might have accumulated in her pores since she left the palace. He said he'd look forward to it. He wouldn't lie… And I have all day if now's not a good time. …And in the worst-case scenario… at least I'll see him again…
She smiled nervously as she stood once more, brushing off her tunic and straightening it once more. By this time, there were quite a few groups of students lunching; some sat at the tables towards the end of courtyard, while others camped on the grass. Some of the older students just leaned against the fence alongside the road as they held their meals and chatted – but there was no sign of Ankhkare.
After five more minutes, when Mana was considering asking one of the others to do her a favour by going inside and asking Ankhkare to come out, she sensed something… change. Whether it was from instinct, magic, coincidence, or an invisible bond that was already forming between them – she could feel it when he walked through the door. The young priestess' breath caught in her throat slightly as he entered, walking alongside another student; they were engaged in intense conversation.
Mana hesitated for a moment, then gripped her parcel tighter before taking a determined step forward. Yet, once she began moving, she found it hard not to run – her heart beat even faster, and she was eager to be beside him once more. She finally settled for skipping – a happy medium between walking and running.
"…do you expect to survive?" she heard the young, very dark-skinned man ask Ankhkare as she got within earshot.
He laughed slightly in response. "I don't plan on never charging. I do need to live… And so do other people. Life is such a precious thing… Oh!" His eyes met Mana's, and he smiled. "Hello!"
She couldn't help but smile back, absently running her fingers through her chocolate-brown hair once more. The man with Ankhkare glanced between them, then sighed. "I'll see you after the evening exam, Imanta. For the record, I think you're crazy."
"Then, when you learn to fix insanity, perhaps you can try to heal me!" Ankhkare laughed and waved goodbye slightly as his classmate walked away. The pale-skinned man then turned back to Mana. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon! …Did you come all the way out here just to see me or something?"
Mana laughed and blushed slightly. "Well… yeah, sort of… but I wanted to."
Ankhkare blinked, then smiled slightly. "I see… Let's sit down and eat, then. I already had a small lunch inside; I'm not usually a heavy eater mid-day, since I have a large breakfast. Lunchtime is half over, anyway, and I'll have to get back to class, but do you want to picnic until then?"
Mana could hardly contain her happiness – he wanted to be with her! "SURE!" she grinned, skipping over to a nearby tree and sitting down underneath it. Ankhkare followed her example, smiling a little at her enthusiasm. She smiled back happily, and set her parcel down between them. "…It's not much, but I brought a snack for us…"
The white mage smiled slightly, reaching out to begin to undo the package. "Thank you… did you make it yourself?"
She laughed and shook her head. "No… I got it from the kitchens. It's actually leftover breakfast," Mana grinned, enjoying the healer's smile in return.
He laughed, then blinked as he finished unwrapping the parcel. "…'Atayif bi-l-mukassarat? You eat this for breakfast?"
Mana shrugged and nodded. "I did this morning, yeah. We sometimes have a bit of dessert for breakfast. It makes the whole day seem better!"
Ankhkare laughed slightly. "That's true… Your family must be very wealthy, to afford so much sugar and luxury!"
At this, Mana sobered. "I… wouldn't know…"
The young man blinked at her sudden mood change. "…What is it, if you don't mind me asking…?"
Mana bit her lip and looked down. "…I don't know my family. They're all gone…"
Ankhkare blinked and bit his lip. "…I'm sorry. I didn't know…" He gently placed his hand over hers in condolence.
At this, she considerably brightened. "It's okay. Besides, Master Mahaado is a wonderful father to me."
He started to nod, but then blinked. "…Mahaado? The high priest of the palace and the head of the royal guard?"
Mana grinned. "Yeah, him! He let me have today off so I could come visit, because I've worked overtime since my birthday."
Ankhkare's eyes widened slightly, almost unable to believe her. "Really…? Then… are you…?"
Mana nodded proudly. "His apprentice, and future black mage and high priestess of the Pharaoh's court."
He shook his head, stunned. "…I had no idea! You live at the palace, then?"
She nodded. "That's right!"
He laughed slightly in amazement, taking a bit of the golden dessert. "Then it's no wonder this tastes so good – it's food fit for the Pharaoh!"
A bell ringing from within the great stone walls of the Bet-Aaraat school cut the young girl's laughter and answer short. Over the clamour, Ankhkare struggled to be heard: "I have to go; lunchtime is over now!"
Mana nodded, tying up the remainder of the dessert carefully, but waiting for the resounding tones of the bell to fade before replying. "All right! You can keep the leftovers." Before he could protest, she quickly added, "I can get lots more back at the palace."
Ankhkare nodded slightly and stood up; he brushed himself off and took the package. "That's true enough. Thank you, then!"
She smiled up at him. "You're welcome!"
Ankhkare smiled back and offered her his hand to help her up. The little priestess took it, blushing as she got to her feet. "…Listen, if you need any help with your fight, tell me. I'll do whatever you need…"
He blinked. "…Fight? What fight?"
Mana blinked back. "…The one you were talking about with that other student, when you came out. I kind of overheard… You know, about survival, and charging, and peoples' lives on the line…?"
Ankhkare blinked again, then started to laugh. "No, no! We weren't talking about a battle! We were discussing my healing policies. I spend a lot of my off-time in town, practicing what I've learned in school… So not only do I get extra experience, but I help people who need it, too."
She grinned. "Wow, that's so great! So that's what you were up to when we first bumped into each other!"
He nodded, grinning back. "Right! But…" – his smile faded slightly – "I'm afraid I'm a bit ostracized because of it. I heal a lot of slaves and servants and peasants, who can't afford to pay for themselves, so I don't charge them any money."
Mana looked up at him, her bright eyes twinkling with renewed respect and admiration for him. "You heal them for free?! That's so wonderful and sweet and noble!"
Ankhkare laughed and blushed slightly, but shook his head. "Thank you, though I'm only doing the right thing. A poor person has just as much of a right to live as a rich person does. After all, we're all people…"
"Right," Mana agreed, then smiled and added, "Because life is such a precious thing…"
Ankhkare laughed. "Exactly."
The white mage strode away down the path back to the nearest courtyard entrance, then turned back to her just before he reached the door. "…Students have the nighttime off, after dinner-hour. I have a huge evening exam, so I probably won't have enough energy left to go healing… But that doesn't mean that we can't still go to town, if you want to."
Mana's eyes widened and her jaw dropped in astonished disbelief. After a few seconds of shock, she managed to stutter, "R-REALLY…?!"
He laughed slightly at her stunned expression and nodded. "Sure! You're fun to spend time with, and you deserve more than fifteen minutes when you worked so hard to get the day off to see me, no?"
His smile practically melted her. She shook her head in amazement, a grin slowly spreading across her face. "…It would be the greatest thing ever! THANK YOU! …As long as you're not just doing it out of pity?"
Ankhkare laughed and shook his head. "No, I'm not, don't worry. I'll see you later, then!"
The young black mage grinned happily and waved. "Okay! Bye!" She watched him wave back before going inside with the last of the students from the courtyard.
Mana turned to go, too, smiling as brightly as the sun. Looking to the sky and basking in the warmth of Ra's blessed rays, she let out a contented sigh… Then, unable to contain her growing bliss and excitement any more, she let out a loud whoop and began dancing around happily. Some of the students in the hallways looked on with amusement through the window-holes as they snickered at her; people on the street looked over the fence and stopped and stared.
But Mana was oblivious to it all, for there was only one thing that mattered: Ankhkare wants to spend more time with me!Translations
Bet-Aaraat: "House of Uraeus". [The uraeus is the cobra on Ankhkare's hat; it's a protective symbol. The uraeus was said to spit fire at approaching enemies.]
Atayif bi-l-mukassarat: Atayif with mixed nuts. [Atayif is a round pastry kind of like a pancake, though it's a bit smaller and thicker.] It's an Egyptian dessert, and it's really good. I'll gladly e-mail the recipe to anyone interested, or I'll post it in next chapter's notes if enough people ask about it.