Chapter 4:
Hatshepsut stared into the desert from her gold and turquoise throne. The slave girls fanned her with palm reeds from the river, trying to keep the wavering heat from creating beads of moisture at her temple, ruining the kajal around her eyes. She snapped and another palace slave slipped some dates into her hand. She ate and drank from the jeweled wine goblet as she surveyed the building across the sand. Only 9 years into my reign and so much progress has been made. Just then the hall doors opened as one of her favorite advisors swept in and knelt deeply at the end of the room.
"Pharaoh Maatkare, I have here the plans for the new monument."
Hatshepsut stood and called,"Approach, Counselor Senenmut. Have you also the designs for the Djeser-djeseru? It is my wish that construction begin immediately."
"Of course, majesty. I have spoken with the traders from the East and they have our requested materials. Enough jade and pearlstone for the entire inscription wall."
"Excellent. You have done well. I will not have my tributes be made a mockery because they look like a pauper's home." She walked to the columns with her crook and flail in hand, her chest swelled with pride as she looked across the expanse. "Look at my work, Senenmut. Look how pleased the Gods are with my rule. The people of Egypt are living in the peace and glory of Amun, Lord of Thebes.
"Yes, majesty. you are truly a gift sent to this land by most generous Gods. Djeser-djeseru, the holiest of holy places, will be your legacy." Senenmut shook slightly as he stared at the ornately laid floor tiles. "Perhaps, I might suggest to the great Pharaoh Maatkare, that the monuments to the Goddess Mut be delayed. Surely the God Amun is more-"
Hatshepsut flashed her black eyes to the advisor."Hold your tongue and be silent before the Great Goddess Mut destroys you." Her voice rumbled in ferocious authority. "Your Pharaoh commands that the most high mother goddess, Mut, be praised for her generosity to the Kingdom of Egypt." Hatshepsut's blackened fingers waved to the skies, causing storm clouds to darken and roll towards the city. "She has saved many lives by avoiding war and pestilence. The people must be reminded that it may be to Amun that we give thanks for prosperity. But it is to Mut, that we give thanks for life. And it is for 'Maat', the harmony of all Egypt, that I make this decree. Do you dishonor your land Egypt and her Pharaoh now by questioning this?"
"Of course not, great Pharaoh Maatkare."
The skies cleared and Hatshepsut's fingers returned to her sides."Then let it be written. Let it be done."
Eve gasped and nearly flung herself out of bed as the words echoed in her head. Her words. She rubbed her aching neck and closed her eyes, trying to hang onto the dream. She remembered Senenmut. He had been a close...friend? It was different in those days. In order to accomplish what she wanted, she had to act strong and powerful, a leader...a god. When he had questioned the monuments to Mut, he didn't know that he was speaking to the very god that he was discrediting. Her brother Amun was powerful, but Mut had seen the Pharaohs before her spill so much blood, the blood of their children, just to get more land, more power. She had to step in.
It was so easy to birth into Hatshepsut and await her time to rule. She stopped waging war and focused on the trade economy and rebuilding the destruction of the old kings. But the world wasn't so keen to that type of leadership anymore. Not since so many men had abused their power. Eve cringed as she thought of the people in the camps. If only she hadn't been so naive. So many lives could have been spared. So many children.
Eve looked at the clock and saw that it was almost a quarter after 5 AM. She started to get ready to run with Logan again. When she had met him the day before, he had said that her training schedule just needed to focus on muscle conditioning and stamina, both of which he could work with her on their runs in the woods. Today was Sunday and she was looking forward to spending more time with him. Ever since she had learned about his mutation, she found herself more comfortable around him. He wasn't as fragile as the others. He was strangely similar to someone else she had felt comfortable with, another beast of a man who didn't need protecting.
Friday's staff meeting had gone well. Not only did she meet the other 3 professors, Warren, Kurt, and Doug, but she was able to get a feel for her class load and start on ideas for her curriculum. History had been shared by Kurt and Cyclops, but they weren't able to go into real depth. It was only 2 weeks into the school year and so she could basically start anew with the 3 classes she would have. One for the 12 and under children which would focus on basic early modern history. One for the 13 to 16 year olds which would go into depth on the Medieval and Renaissance period, with crossover to Doug's classes. Cypher taught languages at the school and because of his gift of tongues, he could teach any language that the students were interested in. It usually was French, Spanish, or German, but the occasional student would ask him for private lessons in Mandarin or Arabic and he was happy to oblige. The last class would be 17 years and up and would dive into Ancient World History, her favorite.
At the meeting she had learned everyone's subject matter in case she wanted to match her content with their lessons. Warren taught 3 sections of mathematics and trigonometry, Hank taught 2 sections each of Chemistry and Anatomy, and Storm was able to combine Geology and Geography into 2 sections. The Professor taught one class each of Ethics, Philosophy and Advanced Biology, while Scott took the Beginner Biology class as well as Life Skills. Jean taught 1 section of physics to the advanced students and 1 section of geometry to the beginner students. Kurt taught 3 sections of Literature and Writing, while also working with Cyper on creating a Drama program. Logan was the head of campus security and taught multiple classes in physical education and defense training.
She had also met a few of her future students on Friday evening. She had been eating dinner in the dining hall around 6 PM-ish with Jean and Storm. They were talking about this bar that they wanted to go to next weekend. Eve was a little unsure as she wasn't a big drinker, but she did love to dance. In all the cultures she had lived in, dancing was a universal. It didn't matter how your body moved or what music played, when Eve danced she felt free. She didn't have to worry about anything but that moment and letting loose.
As they solidified their plans, two younger women walked over to their table. "Mind if we sit with y'all?" the taller one drawled sweetly. "Of course," smiled Eve. "I'm Marie or Rogue, if ya' like. This here's Jubilee," she said pointing to the shorter, pixie haired girl.
"Gosh, you're gorgeous!" spouted Jubilee, tactlessly. "You can't be a teacher, right? But I guess they probably wouldn't be too keen on a mutant as a model would they." She started eating her salad, oblivious to Eve's blushing and nervous foot wiggling.
"Actually, yes. I am a new History teacher here. You may call me Professor Mutentaret," said Eve, hoping to establish some kind of formality with her students.
"Mutentaret? What kind of name is that? No, I mean your real name," Jubilee whined.
Eve mumbled something about Mutentaret being quite a sophisticated name in Ancient Egypt and said, "My first name is Eve…"
"No, your REAL name. You know, like Storm and Rogue. Unless you don't have one but I don't see why you wouldn't with eyes so bizarre like that."
"Jubilee!" cried Rogue, "Quit antagonizing her. You haven't even had class yet and here you are making her uncomfortable." Rogue lay one of her gloved hands on Eve's, "You'll get used to Jubilee, Professor. She doesn't mean any harm, she just ain't got no filter."
"That's quite alright, Marie. I have quite a few brothers and sisters who are the same way," said Eve, chuckling to herself. "And my code name is Pharaoh, Jubilee. But as I said, you may call me Professor Mutentaret."
"Mind if I call you ma chere, petite amie?" said Remy smoothly as he sat down at the table across from Eve. Eve noticed how Rogue looked away from Remy, a bit hurt by the obvious disrespect from her former beau. Eve decided to shut him down for good.
"Mr. LeBeau, though you are charming and good-hearted, I am not, nor will I ever be your "chere." Might I suggest that you start addressing me as Professor, as well? I certainly schooled you at cards last night." Eve's eyebrows raised in conviction, as the rest of the ladies snickered and Remy looked a little abashed.
"Remy understands, Professor. But don't be forgettin' that favor you owe me."
"Favors?" said a tall, well-muscled guy. "You mean like that dance you owe me, Rogue?" He reached over to Eve as he sat down, "I'm Piotr or Collossus. Nice to meet you, Prof."
Rogue smiled genuinely at him, but there was a twinkle in her eye as she glanced quickly at Remy. "Piotr, I told you that we had to wait until the right opportunity. I can't very well dance with no music, can I?"
"We're going to go to that new club, Rhapsody, next Friday. You guys should come. They just stamp hands for underagers, so you'll still be able to get in," Jean said excitedly. She liked going out as there were so few chances to dress up.
Jubilee shrieked. "Oh my god! Yes! I just bought the best, most kick-ass dress. Perfect!"
Piotr leaned over to Rogue and whispered, "You could wear anything and look great, Marie." It seemed only Remy and Eve had heard him and Eve watched as her assumptions about Remy were confirmed. He glared in jealousy at the two of them.
Just then, Logan and Scott walked over with their trays of food. "What are we talking about?" asked Logan, as he stuffed his face with double helpings of Shepherd's pie. Ororo grinned,"Oh nothing, you'd be interested in. As I recall, dancing at the clubs wasn't really a hobby of yours. But we're all gonna go out next Friday."
"Everyone's goin'?" Logan asked casually, while stealing a glance at Eve.
"Yes, we just convinced Eve so that she celebrate her first week teaching." Logan shrugged, "I s'ppose I could be persuaded to get out of this dusty ol' house for a night."
Jubilee looked shocked, "Well, well, well, what's turned ol' grumpy claws into the dancing queen?"
Logan rolled his eyes and growled at her, "Even grumpy claws gets bored sometimes."
Eve had giggled at Logan's retort and met his eyes. They were an icy-blue and sparkled as he looked back at her, risking a grin before pretending to scowl again.
As Eve finished getting ready to meet Logan outside, she found herself getting a little anxious to see those eyes again.