V.E.: Hello again, my faithful readers! Last time I saw you guys here it was Seto's chapter. Well, we're back to Kisara now and there's been some time passing. You know I have to this because if I didn't this story would just take too long.
Also in response to Cecelia's review, Kisara will become a lot more confidant and play more of a role in court and Egypt further down the line. Trust me, it builds up the plot. Second, Seto's character is different because his circumstances of growing up is different. Ancient Egypt Seto and Modern Japan Seto may look identical aside from the tan, but there are key differences in their personalities.
Now, to the spa! Well, not for me. I'm just referencing the fact that Kisara is currently getting a…you know what, you'll see soon.
Disclaimer: I have an awesome idea that you all love, though aside from a few OCs I don't really own much. I'm glad you all read my writing though.
The smell of incense faintly pervaded the room, but there was still enough of a scent to cause a person to relax. Such was the state of mind of our pale haired princess while some of the other young ladies of the group were engaged in conversation.
"So my Father got me a new pair of earrings last week. Check them out."
A couple of gasps of appreciation rang around the room as they saw the items in question while Kisara simply nodded and 'hmmed' in agreement. She was much too relaxed by the back massage to really pay that much attention.
"They're gorgeous Bahiti!"
The voice said earrings belonged to seemed to preen at this praise.
"I know. They're even better than that wonderful dress he got me last year."
One of the girls of the discussion finally noticed the only person missing as it turned the attention towards the princess.
"Princess Kisara, what do you think?"
Said pale haired princess sat up groggily from the small table she had been reclining on to find the four young ladies around her age looking at her with piercing eyes.
Between the similar white clothes for the massage, masterly crafted black wigs, kohl accented eyes, and assorted golden jewelry; it would have been very hard for any newcomer to remember who was who. But Kisara had spent over a year so it was easy to spot the minute differences (good thing as two of them were younger and older sister).
The girl with the lovely golden earrings to show off named Bahiti had her black wig go to her shoulders and very sharp feline features. The next girl was Ain who had her wig braided and had a figure that was much more round and full (code name with the inner ladies for 'Fatter', but Kisara didn't really use it). Ain's sister Yaminah shared similar features though less round and she had a small beauty mark near her nose on the left side of the face. Nabirye was the last with her wig the shortest, thick eyebrows to compliment a very pleasing nose, and had a strange tint of green in her left eye that her right lacked.
Kisara recovered quickly as she stifled off a yawn and made her apologies. She took a look at the sizable earrings with a nod, although privately wondering how anyone could wear such big and heavy earrings.
"Sorry Bahiti, I dozed off a little. They look lovely though."
The girls nodded in acknowledgement, Bahiti taking no offense.
"It's alright Princess, I believe everyone has been guilty of doing that."
Yaminah nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah, didn't I do it last week when your had the musicians come into play for us?"
The group nodded in confirmation, their own murmurs confessing their own times.
"You did."
"It's so relaxing, it can't be helped."
"At least you didn't do it in public. I almost died of embarrassment!"
Nabirye also sat up, rolling her neck to get any kinks remaining in her neck and also effortlessly showcasing her beauty.
"Well, I don't know about you girls, but that was fabulous. Thanks for setting this up, Princess."
The three other smiled and also thanked Kisara, Ain giving the biggest smile.
"Yeah, anything beats sitting at home and hear our brothers argue on who is cheating in dice."
Yaminah nodded in agreement with her sister.
"Here, here."
Kisara kept a cool smile on her face as she accepted their thanks. Right after her coronation, Nephthys set up a meeting with the young ladies of court her age. Once again, it was another test as Kisara could remember the priestess' exact words on it.
"One day, these girls will be the wives of some very influential players of court. Besides, being a princess means having to get along with anyone. Even people you may not like at first or at all."
That first time meeting with them, Kisara was struck with terror and had no idea what to do. It took all of three minutes for them to stop gushing over her looks (most of which Kisara was pretty certain was pure flattery) and the next part of the conversation for Kisara to seize on an idea.
If there was anything the ladies of court loved, it was beauty treatments and pretty things. As princess, Kisara would often arrange the servants to get the treatments ready and also for some merchants to be brought to the place with their latest items of clothing, wigs, and jewelry. Once or twice, she even had Kiya fetch something from the Royal Treasury, to be immediately sent back after the girls went home.
Though she had to admit it was pleasant to be around girls her age, she couldn't help but feel like sighing sometimes with most of the girls' single track minds with makeup and clothes. The only exception was Nabirye, but Kisara treaded very carefully with her. She reminded her very much of Nephthys, cool but calculating under any situation.
Kiya caught the princess' eyes from across the room, shooting a sympathetic look as she began cleaning up the oils that had been used for the girls' massages. The young servant girl really was a relief to Kisara, it was nice to have someone listen to what you had to say about everything and know that she wouldn't repeat it. Her talks with Kisara kept her up to date with news outside the palace. Only Kiya could hear her playfully mock the ladies in the privacy of Kisara's room.
Kisara also gave the young girl a warm look and was about to get up from the table as the dark skinned Femi entered the room with a distinct bow towards the princess.
"Forgive me, your highness. Lady Nephthys has requested your presence in her room."
Kisara managed a half groan as she really got up this time and went to change out of her robe, Kiya hurrying over with the pristine rich white dress that had been today's choice. Once the dress was on, Kisara turned to the other girls with a look of regret.
"Sorry girls, I have to go."
They all nodded as they also sat up, Bahiti speaking for them all.
"We know, still must be a pain to answer her all the time."
Yaminah's nod seemed to contain some fear to it.
"Yeah, Lady Nephthys is pretty intimidating."
Kisara shrugged to that as the mouse servant girl began on her jewelry, including her silver blue jeweled crown and the lovely silver drops of earrings (her ears had been pierced shortly after the coronation just as Akila and Dendera had promised). After she addressed her peers, she turned her head towards Femi.
"You get used to it. By any chance, did Lady Nephthys tell me what this was about?"
Femi shook her head, still inclined in a small bow.
"I am sorry Princess, but she did not."
She connected the dots of what was unsaid. Nothing she let anyone here or who might be eavesdropping know.
As soon as her dressing was done, she shook off some of her soreness and took a look at herself, admiring the solid silver belt of hers as she straightened herself up for the walk before Kiya held a hand to stop the Princess.
"Wait my lady, we still have to do the shoes."
Kisara double took back to slip the very fine sandals onto her perfectly smooth feet (an incredible feat comparing how hard and rough they had been when Kisara had entered the palace.)
Once that was done however, she walked past the open space where Femi had come from to the door that covered the room. Femi was not too far behind her as Kisara took the all familiar trek to Nephthys' room.
Going through the halls again, Kisara was reminded of all the times she had been intimidated by the size of the palace after becoming an official princess and therefore open to practically every part of the palace. Now it was pretty familiar to her as she had explored the halls much while playing with Atem along with Mana and Mahad.
Soon enough, the two came to the Egyptian priestess' room as Kisara did her usual knock. It was soon answered from within.
"You can come in."
She did so and the opening of the door to greet the sight of Nephthys pacing around rather anxiously.
The richness who had been called whether she should take a few steps back as Nephthys seemed to be muttering something undecipherable to herself.
"Um, Lady Nephthys?"
That seemed to bring the older woman back to reality as refocused her attention on Kisara.
"Oh, Kisara. How was today's beauty treatment?"
She answered as she went further into the room and closer to her teacher.
"Relaxing, I fell asleep towards the end. Is there a reason you called me out of there?"
Nephthys seemed still before smiling.
"And here I thought you didn't enjoy those treatments."
She felt a small blush of hotness, but kept her ground in front of her teacher.
"You know I do it because it's the best way to talk to those girls. Now what's this all about?"
Nephthys remembered to take a breath in before she began talking.
"Do you remember when I told you about my niece Isis all those months ago?"
She nodded warily, not knowing where this was going.
"Yes."
Nephthys continued on in an excited manner.
"Well, I just got a letter from my brother in law. It seems he's finally giving into my reasoning and is sending Isis here to court for her formally training to begin. She's to arrive within less than month."
Kisara's smile was genuine for her teacher.
"That's great!"
Her teacher nodded in happiness.
"I know. It will be so good to see her again. Of course this means we won't meet much anymore for me to teach you, but apparently Vizier Shimon eagerly volunteered to take my place."
Kisara smiled as a small giggle broke out behind her lips. Vizier Shimon had taken a liking to the bright and inquisitive young princess and she had could say that he was perhaps the closest thing she had to a grandfather.
Also, since the Millennium Key priest was also prominently responsible for teaching her adoptive bother Atem so it was possible the two would be paired together for those sessions.
"It's alright."
"Now that's said, there is something I have to ask you Kisara. This is the first time Isis will come to court and I was hoping you could maybe show her the ropes as well. I can help her in the overall court, but could you introduce her to the other girls?"
That gave Kisara some pause. It wasn't that she distrusted Lady Nephthys, she just had no idea what Isis was like at all. While she may have warmed up to the ladies of court, she had no idea how to approach this stranger her age.
She forced those concerns down, knowing she would have to do this.
And who knows? She could be really nice.
"Of course."
Her teacher sighed in some relief.
"Well, that's one thing working out."
Kisara took the moment to ask the recurring question that appeared a few times a month.
"Any news on Master Khalid?"
That took a few degrees off the Millennium Necklace keeper's mood.
"None whatsoever. His letters are brief and secretive, barely explaining anything. It's great to know he's found an apprentice, but why can't he just bring him to court. Somehow, Khalid got it in his head to train the boy himself in the far off temple he found him at. He doesn't mention a thing about the boy himself."
She tried to soothe the semi rant that was coming on to her teacher.
"Maybe we should just let him be, Master Khalid probably knows what he's doing. If you're so curious, can't you try and see something with your Necklace?"
Nephthys sighed at that.
"Kisara, the Millennium Necklace does not see when on command. I can meditate to hopefully increase my chances of having a vision, but I am ultimately dependent on this Item."
Kisara shrugged.
"Then you'll just have to wait then. Still I have to admit, I'm quite curious about this new apprentice of his. I wonder what he's like."
Her teacher nodded in the same sentiment.
"So do I Kisara, so do I."
Kiya popped her head above Kisara's seated one, finished with running the traditional comb through before bed.
"Done! Is there anything else you would like me to do before I leave you alone for the night?"
Kisara shook her head before remembering to ask inquire of Kiya.
"Not really. Oh, how's your family?"
Kiya's face was smiling though a little bit grim.
"Pretty good, but everyone's a bit worried at the moment. There have been rumors of a sickness in some of the outer farming towns. It's pretty far away at the moment, but there's always the chance it will come to the capital."
Kisara's eyes narrowed in thought, losing herself to what was in her mind.
"I see."
A few moments later, Kiya cleared her throat which brought the young princess back to reality. She immediately apologized.
"Forgive me Kisara, I just get a little concerned when you do that."
Kisara sighed. If there was one thing Kiya couldn't really do for Kisara, was be able to talk about things she was learning about. She was a servant and therefore not on the same level of learning as her.
If she wanted intelligent conversation, she would have to find Mahad. Often times if the two ended up alone while Mana and Atem were doing something a bit more energetic than the two of them really liked, they would often find themselves talking about any number of things. From magic to Atem and Mahad's past friendship to pranks Mana had played, Kisara had seen what a quiet thoughtful person Mahad could be.
The vision she had seen that day of her Dragon between and a Magician hovered in the background, but had yet to be really addressed in any conversation.
She loved Atem, he was her brother, but most of the time he had an interest in things that excited him. He wasn't the type to settle down and discuss things at a length. Though she honestly couldn't blame that on him, he was still very much a young child. It was natural his curiosity would get the better of him.
She apologized to the girl, her shiny black hair covered by her signature rich pink head scarf.
"I apologize for worrying you, Kiya. That will be all."
Kiya bowed her head at that.
"See you in the morning, Kisara."
With that, the mouse like girl quickly exited the Nile scene painted room with a quickness many wouldn't see. Kisara simply smiled in amusement before getting up to stretch. Her nightclothes were already on (not much different from when she was learning to be a princess) and she took her time to look at the scenes on her wall again. No matter how many times she looked at it, the scene of the banks of the river Nile with all the animals, fish, and lotus flowers never failed to take her breath away.
She loved her room, it was the one place where she didn't have to have the jewelry or the makeup on (which she was starting to use more). It was just like any person's room, the one place she could be totally and utterly herself.
A few moments of calm peace later, she sighed and made her ways towards her bed. She was about to lift away the covers and jump right in before being stopped by a small series of knocks at her door.
She turned her head back towards her door.
"Kiya, is that you?"
A smaller, but still just as familiar voice.
"No, it's me. Can I come in?"
Kisara relaxed moderately.
"Sure, Mana."
The door opened slowly to reveal the petite magician girl in her nightclothes as well, looking nervous as she shut the door behind her. Over time, she had come to see the little girl as something of a cross between a younger sister and friend. Often bursting with energy and sunshine to Kisara's calm and peaceful demeanor, the young girl was surprisingly subdued as she stood near the door.
Kisara inquired at her presence.
"Is everything okay?"
Mana wiped one of her eyes, still tired but not that much.
"I had a bad dream. Do you mind if I stay with you? Mahad keeps telling me I can't keep sleeping with him every time I have a nightmare and the last time I was found sleeping with Prince Master Aknadin got really mad."
Kisara couldn't help the giggle escaping her lips as she remembered the time Atem and her were found in the same bed after that lightning storm. It didn't surprise her to hear Master Aknadin react that way, who she still had something of a mixed opinion of him that more often than not turned negative.
She slide into bed and patted the covers.
"Of course you can stay."
At that, Mana eagerly bounded towards the bed, bouncing as hit it which surprised Kisara, but not for long as the two girls shared a quiet laugh. Kisara settled herself back as Mana inched closer to Kisara, as the covers were pulled over them.
After a few quiet minutes of Mana trying to close her eyes and Kisara only semi closing hers, Kisara's blue eyes opened to find Mana's emerald green eyes staring back at her.
"Can't sleep?"
A sad smile was there as Mana shook her head.
"Nope."
Kisara thought for a moment before she asked.
"Mana, do you want to talk about your nightmare? It might help."
Mana's face seemed thoughtful for a moment before she spoke, taking Kisara for surprise.
"Kisara, do you remember your parents?"
That stunned Kisara and it took her a few moments to answer.
"No, not really. I was just a baby when I was found by Amma. Why do you ask?"
Mana's face was rather pensive as she answered.
"I don't really remember much about my parents, mostly just fuzzy images. The woman who took care of me before I came to court never mentioned them either. But sometimes when I really think about it, the feeling is really warm….and kind of sad."
"Is that what you dreamed about?"
Mana shifted.
"Kind of. I don't really remember it all."
Kisara smiled, cheering up the young girl's face.
"Still, I'm kind of jealous of you. At least you have something."
Mana scrunched up her face, obviously bringing up memories.
"I only remember a few things. I remember that my mom had my eyes and she sang nicely."
"And what about your dad?"
Mana's face brightened a little at that.
"I remember laughing, that he used to pick me up and swing me around. It's funny, sometimes when I'm with Mahad, he kind of reminds me of that even though he almost never laughs. He has a similar warmth."
Kisara's face softened in remembrance.
"That reminds me a lot of how I felt around my Amma."
Mana's face stared at her princess with curiosity.
"What was she like? Your Amma."
Kiara thought about that for a moment.
"Kind, gentle, and strong in her own way."
Mana laughed at that while Kisara inquired.
"What's so funny?"
"Well, your Amma…sounds a lot like you."
Kisara momentarily froze at that before she smiled.
"Yeah, I guess I am a little like that."
Mana inched closer to Kisara's arms.
"Hey Kisara?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't ever change."
Kisara smiled as she hugged the little girl close to her.
"I can't make any promises, but I will definitely try."
Mana hugged the older girl tightly, a content and somewhat sleepy smile on her face.
"Good."
V.E.: Finally, done.
Well, I'm setting up Isis and something else. And let me just tell you, Isis is probably going to be the most difficult relationship to develop for Kisara, after Seto (who won't be making his appearance for a couple more years now). Let's just say, there are going to be some kinks.
I'll also try and get some appearances of Shada and Karim if I can manage it.
Please review as it keeps me happy, keeps updates coming, and therefore keeps all of you happy.
Until next time, I'm Valkyrie Elysia…and I need to get bed now.