So here's Chapter 2. Not much to say otherwise. If you like it, read it. If you don't, go away.

If anyone were to look at high priest Mahado, it would always appear that the man had somewhere of great consequence to be, the way he carried himself, marching through the corridors of the palace, eyes focused on the path in front of him, barely glancing at anyone who passed by him.

Truthfully, this was not so. In fact, most times Mahado had absolutely nowhere in particular to be. Especially not when Mana was always skipping her lessons, and dragging Atem along with her. And when his leader was not there to give him orders, then Mahado had nothing to do. Most of his time was occupied with wandering the palace, making sure that the palace was secure from intruders, making sure the guards were keeping their post (really pointless, considering no one dared try to slack off on his watch), and trying to find out where Mana had snuck off to just to give himself something to do!

As he entered the courtyard to look for his apprentice there next, he noticed someone else he knew instead: Isis.

She was sitting on one of the fountains, her hand drifting in the warm waters. Her headdress was missing, and her raven hair drifted over her shoulders in a beautiful cascade. She had her face downcast, yet he was able to see her blue eyes looking entranced by something he could not see from where he was. Taking a moment to appreciate how lovely she looked, Mahado steeled his nerves and walked over to her.

"Good morning, Isis." he greeted, trying not to sound so enthusiastic about simply bumping into her. Isis calmly looked up at him, nodding her head slightly.

"Good to see you Mahado." she replied, her voice not betraying her calm demeanor. If Mahado didn't know better, he would say that she had predicted his coming over to her. He didn't doubt it; there really was no way for her to control just what the Necklace showed her.

"Isis, would you mind...?" he began, but Isis quickly interrupted him.

"Your apprentice is on the other side of the palace, and the Pharaoh is with her. You might want to hurry over there before they leave for the horse stables." she told him.

"Uh..." Mahado muttered, unable to respond to her. Though it wasn't the first time he had experienced her visions firsthand, it always took him by surprise whenever she would give him information that anyone else wouldn't have known.

"That was what you wanted from me, wasn't it?" she asked, her tone earnest. "To know where Mana was?" This response drew even more surprise from Mahad.

"Well... I was wondering where she was." He muttered, more to himself than her. "Truthfully, though, I wanted to know if I could join you."

She seemed surprised by his answer, her blue eyes giving away her shock clearly. "You do?" she asked.

He chuckled a little. "Is there a reason I should not?" he questioned, choosing to sit beside her before she could give another response.

Noticing their close proximity, and the fact that their hands were nearly touching, she blushed and looked away. "No, just... seems that is all that has been happening lately; people being more concerned with the Necklace, that is." She focused her attention back to the fountain, where her hand was resting against the petals of a water lily. "Ever since Atem took the throne, it's been that way."

Mahado was surprised by this. Surely this wasn't the case; he had spoken to Isis just a few days ago... when he suspected that Atem would try to run away from a diplomatic meeting and wanted to ask Isis how it could be prevented. And now he felt like garbage.

"I'm sorry." he said, hoping she would look at him, but her gaze remained focused on the water lily.

She shook her head. "It is not your fault." she said. "It is expected after the recent events." she was referring to Akhenamkhanen's passing and Atem's ascension to the throne, of course. "My powers of precognition bear a great responsibility along with them, and it is my duty to foresee any threats against Egypt." she heaved a sigh. "Perhaps I am too sensitive."

"But you shouldn't perceive that as a bad thing." Mahado stated. "You should want to feel appreciated for what you have to offer, other than what the Necklace does."

Isis laughed bitterly. "I would hate to be selfish; after all, I am only a servant, albeit an overly decorated one." Mahado subconsciously looked at her Necklace and bangled wrists when she said this.

"Everyone deserves to be appreciated." while saying this, he put his hand in the water, twisting his fingers around one of the water lilies. "Even flowers serve a purpose." The both glanced down to the specimen cradled by his fingers.

She sighed. "They give the world beauty." she lamented.

Mahado smiled. "And so do you."

Isis gasped, turning her now dark red face to him. Realizing the reason for her shock, Mahad blushed as well and turned away from her. "I-I'm sorry, Isis!" he stuttered. "I didn't mean it that way, I swear!"

He didn't notice with his back turned to her, but Isis's lips had turned into a wide smile, though she was still embarrassed. "Th-thank you, Mahado. I appreciate it, and everything really." He only nodded bashfully. He had always thought that she was beautiful, he just never thought he would have the nerve to tell her. At least she didn't over-think it like he assumed she would. Calming down, he turned back to her. She had turned away from him again, her eyes were focused on something else. On impulse, Mahad took the lily still in his hand out of the fountain and with his other hand pulled back Isis's hair. She gasped in surprise, but did not protest, so he continued his work and tied the flower into her hair so that it would not fall out. He had had plenty of practice with Mana when she was younger and always demanding that he do it for her. When he was done, she turned around so that he could see his work, and he was very pleased with the result. The flower complimented her eyes perfectly, and he had pushed her hair all onto her left shoulder. She was a vision in her own right. He couldn't stop the smile on his face if he tried.

"You should wear your hair like this more often." he said with a light laugh. "I prefer it this way to your headdress." she blushed and looked away, but he didn't take her modesty into consideration.

"Mahado..." she started, but was unable to find her words after this. Mahado shook his head and stood up.

"I think that I should go find Mana now, before she gets herself into any..." before he could finish his sentence, a loud bang vibrated through the entire courtyard, and to the left of the two priest a flash a multiple bright lights could be seen by all.

"...too late." he mumbled, before raising his voice so that Isis could hear. "As I was saying, I think that I should go find Mana now, because she is in very big trouble!"

Isis smiled. "Alright. And thank you for sitting with me." she added.

"Not at all." he replied. "It was a pleasure. If you ever want to talk in the future, find me and we can talk as much as you want." Once he saw her nod of approval, he bowed and exited the courtyard, leaving a still flustered priestess behind.

~Q.N~

Later that evening, Isis was preparing for bed in her chambers. As she sat down to brush out her hair, her fingers came up to the water lily still in her hair. Smiling, she put down the brush, choosing to keep the flower in her hair for the night.

To Egypt, the water lily had always been sacred. It was an ageless symbol of rebirth, and it would always mean something a little bit more to Isis from now on.

Hope you enjoyed it!

R&R at your leisure!