"What the hell do ya think it is?"
"You think I'm aware? I haven't got a clue."
The tiny Roman Solider and the minuscule Westerner stared up at the statue, puzzled as to what it could possibly be. The strange artifact sat before them, placed in the section along with the other brass and marble statues, many of them alive and walking about, heads turned in awe at the statue just as the miniature men did. Though, Taweret was still and silent, un-moving without a word. She was quite large compared to the two, small men, as was everything in actuality. Though, this deity confused them greatly, most likely due to the mixes of species in this goddess, making it hard for them to pinpoint what exactly she was.
"It looks kinda like an alligator..." Jed stated, observing it carefully with an intense stare upon the object. He tilted his head quizzically, squinting at the darned thing. Octavius nodded in agreement with him, just as unsure of what it could be as Jed was. "Or, maybe a hippo..? Can't tell."
"It does resemble both of those creatures… But what of the…" Octavius nearly blushed mid-sentence as he struggled to speak. "….The breasts?" he choked out, earning a sudden chuckle from Jedediah.
"Those look pretty damn human to me." Came Jed's laughter as Octavius regained himself, huffing a breath of annoyance out, clearly quite embarrassed.
"This is not a laughing matter, my friend. We don't know what this is!" Octavius recoiled, sputtering with a crimson blush staining his cheeks, something he was unaware his tiny plastic form was capable of up until this point.
Jedediah was nearly bent over in laughter and giggle fits at his companion's flushed face. "Oh, c'mon! It's not like you haven't seen em' before!" he said, his chuckling dying down as he stood upright, slapping Octavius gently on the arm. Octavius avoided eye contact at that, turning his head away from Jed, resulting in a questionable stare from the blonde. Jed's expression changed from confusion, then a smile perked at the corners of his lips. "Hold on, wait- Have you not-"
"It's not important!" Octavius snapped at him, only earning another grin from Jed. Octavius turned back to him, a pout present on his lips. "…It's not like there are any females in my army!"
Hoots of laughter came from Jed once more, and he found himself wiping joyful tears from his eyes. The grin on his face was priceless in every way imaginable, while Octavius stewed in his embarrassment.
"Don't worry your pretty face over that," Jedediah said softly to him, laying a gentle and caring hand on his shoulder. "You'll find someone." Octavius looked back at him with longing eyes and genuine smile on his lips.
"Maybe you'll get some action with her!" Jed chuckled, motioning his head towards the statue. Octavius let his head fall and a laugh build from his throat, giggles bursting from both of them.
As they continued to joke among themselves, the rest of the museum was lively around them as well. Hardly any of them were aware of the new addition yet, the two, tiny men having been the first to discover Taweret while roaming together. There were still many parts of the museum they hadn't seen, even for being alive and active for so long. Their small feet couldn't carry them too far, but it proved far enough to help them discover the new oddity in their home.
Over their tiny laughs came the sound of horse's hooves beating on the hard floor. The chestnut stallion approached the statue, both Jedediah and Octavius turning to face their friend, who they knew to be Teddy, as he was one of the only members of the museum who rode horseback. Teddy gave them a wide grin as his steed walked closer before halting to a stop, huffing lightly. Teddy watched their tiny waves of hello and friendly greetings before his attention was caught by the artifact. "Now what's this?" he questioned, staring intently at Taweret.
Jed and Octavius shrugged simultaneously back at Teddy. "Ain't got a clue. She's not movin' either." Jed sighed, hoping for a more exciting evening over the one he was currently experiencing.
This only perked more curiosity and confusion from Teddy. His jaw clenched in his wonder and curiosity as he stepped off his horse, patting Texas lightly as he did. He walked towards them, looking closely at the statue. His head filled with worry and concern as to why a creature in the museum wasn't alive.
"Do you think she's alright?" he questioned.
"Dunno, she hasn't moved at all." Jed answered, turning to look back at him. Teddy's worry grew with each passing second. In all his years in the museum, he had never seen a creature that hadn't come to life at night. The only instances where an object didn't become animated was if it were clothing or jewelry, or maybe a vase. This statue didn't fall under those categories. She appeared animal-like, meaning she should have been able to walk, talk, and come to life.
"That's quite strange..." Teddy stated, eyes intently focused on the statue. There was slight fear treading in his voice, as he was unaware if this situation was a positive or negative one. The museum was always welcome to new additions, though having one odd inhabitant not alive like the rest of them was peculiarly strange, and mildly concerning. Jed and Octavius didn't think much of it, but it certainly made Teddy wonder if the statue was simply just shy, or possibly a danger ready to strike.
"Maybe there's something wrong with Ahkmenrah's Tablet?" Octavius suggested hopefully, looking to Teddy, awaiting his thoughts on the matter.
"If so, shouldn't we all be lifeless?" Came the reply. Teddy appeared to sound more wary now, stiffening as he watched the statue for any sign of life or movement.
Both Jed and Octavius nodded, uncomfortably unsure about the new addition to their home. It should have been coming to life! They couldn't grasp why it wasn't, and were all starting to become fearful of what it could possibly mean, their doubts and ideas flowing through their heads.
Though, before anyone could mutter another word, they all heard the rough sound of marble scraping against marble, causing them to all glance up at where the sound originated. The statue. Her head was turned slightly, and she was staring directly at them, examining them as they had all done just moments ago. Her grey, stone eyes turned quickly, flipping between the three of them, looking at each for a brief second before looking at the next, like a remote switching through television commercials.
"Hello!" Teddy greeted, attempting to sound as friendly as possible to her. So far, she didn't seem to be a threat to them. She hadn't made any attacks yet, and was simply observing. But still, he was cautious, hands ready to reach for his weapons at all times. He couldn't be too careful, now could he?
Taweret didn't respond, only continuing her stare at them. She focused on Teddy specifically, squinting her eyes at him, almost as if she was trying to figure him out and dissect him. It was quite eerie to him, striking fear in his heart. Taweret then suddenly directed her attention away from Teddy, head snapping towards the entrance of the room. Her stone eyes were wide, seemingly filled with some form of shock. Teddy, Octavius, and Jedediah appeared ready to question what exactly she was looking at when an odd glow of blue formed in her eyes, starting as a minuscule dot, then eventually filling all of her eyes in a deep, sapphire glow.
With concerned and intensely concerned expressions plastered upon their faces, they backed away from the statue slightly. Jed and Octavius moved back slowly, tiptoeing carefully with frightened ease, hoping dearly that they wouldn't attract her terrifying, icy, stare. As much as they both despised to admit in their pride, they were petrified of this creature. She was strange, moving slowly with an established creep and slither in the way she rotated her head. Oh, and her eyes. Her eyes. They almost seemed to dig into them, searching and prying everything from their minds and twisting and churning their insides in her silent, yet deadly stare. Normally of course, something bigger or larger than them wouldn't alter their bravery or willingness to fight… Not even Rexy. Though, of course, they knew Rexy meant no harm to them. Perhaps the newness of Taweret was what made them back away from her in fear of what would unfold next. Taweret was something they had never seen before, a creature that chose to stay still in the night… This left them at loss of what to do now that something had perked her attention.
Even Teddy stood completely still as they anticipated her next move. Although, he had the slightest curiosity to discover what was so incredibly interesting to her and what her gaze was settling on at the moment. He turned his head slowly, eyes locked onto the statue until he was absolutely sure she wouldn't turn back to him. Now looking at the entrance to the room, he recognized one of the many inhabitants of the museum. It was his Egyptian acquaintance, Ahkmenrah. Teddy supposed that he was wandering around the museum, as did most of them did anyways. Ahkmenrah always seemed to pause and admire, seeing the greater good in life. It was simply one of the quirks he had noted about the young Pharaoh. Ahk just appeared to have a way with words, Teddy knowing this from observing him briefly when he could. Teddy could never think badly of him. Well, no one could. Ahkmenrah was one of the most peaceful men Teddy had ever met.
Though, even if it was quite normal for Ahkmenrah to be patrolling the hallways, something seemed a little off. Something odd and strange had crept into Ahk's gaze, perhaps shock. Teddy couldn't place the expression in the Pharaoh's eyes as he had never seen it before.
"Are you alright, boy?" Teddy asked, bringing the attention of Jed and Octavius. Now they too noticed Ahkmenrah purely standing in the entrance.
No one seemed to notice what had captured Ahkmenrah's gaze. He was locked in a stare with the now active statue. Her eyes were still glowing a sparkling blue as she narrowed her eyes at him. Slowly, she raised her arms, holding them in a motion towards the Pharaoh. Suddenly, the same sapphire glow appeared in her hands, swirling and forming in wisps of blue mist in the air. This seemed to make Ahk lose any and all control of himself, all life dying out of his eyes as he stepped forward towards the statue, the wisps of sapphire forming in his eyes as well, swallowing his irises entirely.
The three men watched in wonder, uncertainty, and dread as Ahkmenrah seemed to be controlled by Taweret as he approached her, his gaze seeming lifeless in a form of trance. Moving closer and closer to her, in seconds right beside the statue, close enough to reach our and touch her shining surface.
And that's exactly what he did.
