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Ramses
Adopting a child like that, out of nowhere! Has Bastet lost her mind? Although it is a very noble act, we can't just take in street rats from everywhere! I nodded, though. Perhaps it would ease her mind, knowing she had that child in our household, and she will stop pestering me about getting married.
It isn't that I don't want to get married to Bastet, otherwise I wouldn't have kept her around. I love the woman. But the time doesn't feel right. With her always leaving to spy and such, when would she have time to be a proper wife?
I saw Amun.
I'd grown accustomed to him; he'd come check on us, or take Bastet, so now was my time to pretend like I didn't notice if we wanted to keep up the act. She nodded sternly to him, put down the child(instead, taking her hand), and walked toward the palace Nefertiti resigned in.
Sanaa
A man walked up behind Khekeret-nisut Bastet. He seemed very suspicious; just looking at him, I didn't even want him around me. "Bastet. The Queen wants an audience with you." He said. Ugh. His very voice made my skin crawl, but she nodded. She put me down, and I nearly held on for dear life, but I controlled myself and took content in holding her hand. She started walking behind him. "Sanaa, you can't tell anyone about what you're about to hear, except Ramses, alright?" she said, almost rehearsed. She was still pretty, even when she wasn't happy, with dark skin so unlike Egyptians, a black braid that ran down her back, a gold headband with a cobra head extending from her forehead, which enhanced her beauty. Khekeret-nisut Bastet seemed nice enough to stay with; I'd just have to wait it out. I nodded up at her, and we went into a dark, cold corridor. "Where are we?" I whispered. She put one finger up to her lips. At the end of the hallway, a light shone. We were led into a huge room, filled with servants, and the Queen Dowager herself sitting on a throne. As soon as we got there, Khekeret-nisut Baset got down on her knees and bowed, beckoning me to do the same. "Yes, your Majesty?" she asked, almost cold. Nefertiti gave a smile that was likewise. "Bastet, would you like to tell me about your progress?" she asked. "Could I get her more presentable please? She shouldn't be in your presence if she doesn't look proper. Would you mind if we talked in the bathhouse?" Proper? I thought I was doing okay compared to other kids without homes.
"If you would like. Where did you find…that thing?" Nefertiti asked. I almost glared at her, but Khekeret-nisut Bastet gave a look, pleadingly, saying just ignore it. That's the exact reaction she's trying to get. So I stopped glaring, and started lying.
"Khekeret-nisut Bastet found me on the streets, Your Highness." I said.
"Khekeret-nisut? If I recall, Bastet is not yet married." She said tauntingly as she led us toward the bathhouse. When we got there, Khekeret-nisut Bastet took off my rags and hitched up her skirt to get in the water with me.
"Yes, we haven't gotten married yet, but I believe the title is suiting." she winked at me. "But you should just call me Bastet, Sanaa." I nodded.
"Bastet, you're getting your clothing wet. I could have bathed myself." But she continued using a clean rag to wash me with an aromatic soap.
"Pssh, this thing? It'll be fine, I'll just dry it out when we get home."
"Bastet, now, the reason for my calling, please?" Nefertiti said, annoyed.
"Of course. Ramses is considering a civilian revolt again, but I don't think he'll act on it."
"That silly idea again. The citizens would be too afraid to actually rise up."
"Yes. I don't think he's actually all there, sometimes, if you know what I mean." Bastet said, laughing as she gave me one last round of soap. Why was she saying such mean things about Ramses? He seemed like a nice enough man.
"Yes, yes. Well, is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" Bastet dried me in a towel.
"No, nothing more. Would you happen to have any clothing for her?"
"From the Queen when she was a little girl, yes." She snapped a servant. "Girl, go get clothing from Ankhesenamun's room." And she was so cruel to her servants? The woman promptly returned with a dress I personally thought was too much, but put it on anyway.
"See?" Bastet said, smiling. "Look at you. You're beautiful." I looked away, and could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks. "Now, I'm sorry to cut this visit short, but Ramses and Baset are waiting outside. Thank you for the dress, and the bathhouse."
Bastet took my hand, and we went walked back.
"Yes, well, remember to come again next week." She said. I nearly shivered.
"I'm sorry to say I'll be on a trip." Bastet didn't sound very sorry at all. She bowed again, and walked away quickly, the wet hem of her dress flying behind her. I waited until we were all the way outside.
"Bastet?"
"Yes?"
"Why'd you tell the Queen those things about Ramses?"
Bastet
I checked in my peripheral vision if we were being watched. Seeing know one, I quickly explained the whole situation.
"You can't tell anyone about this, alright?" she nodded reassuringly and we caught up to Ramses. He smiled, acting like he didn't see a thing, and put his hand around my waist, bringing me closer.
"What did you say?" he whispered.
"That you were thinking of the civilian thing again." I replied. He sighed, and let go of me, returning to regular speech.
"We'll have to come up with something else soon.
"Of course. But right now, I'd like to get everything together with the trip and Sanaa." He nodded. We continued to shop for about a half hour, then returned back to the estate.
--
I only had to work with Sanaa for three days.
The child had serious potential already; now she's ready for our trip, and has nearly surpassed me in four days!
I've been helping her with dancing, and even taught her how to play the flute a bit. Our musician on staff, Horus, will also be accompanying us, and Baset as well. She is actually an exceptional dancer, and we could use more.
I put down my flute, walked over to Sanaa, and bent down and hugged her.
"You're doing great!"
"She has shown a lot of potential." Horus said, raising a dark eyebrow. Baset hit him.
"Please! She doesn't just have potential, she's amazing, and you know it!" she said, smiling.
"It's not like I meant it like that Baset, I just meant she was doing well."
"You're just trying to cover it up!" I sighed. Baset really knew how to get into it with Horus.
"Come on." I said. "Time for bed." we walked in quickly, as Baset and Horus's shouts echoed through the dark starry night.
I tucked her in quickly, kissing her forehead as her eyes closed. "Good night." I whispered. I walked back to the room I stayed in with Ramses.
"Ramses?"
"What?" he answered. I'd been thinking about this for the whole week, but still hesitated.
"Couldn't we get married when I come back?"
"Why? We have plenty of time."
"Just because we have time doesn't mean we have to take as long as possible, Ramses." I replied, trying to smile halfheartedly to convince him.
"I don't want to yet."
"Ugh!" I screamed. "Have you once thought of what I might like to do?"
"I just don't want to get married right now Bastet!" he shouted. I glared at him.
"Fine. We better not act like a married couple then." I stomped out angrily.
"Come on, Bastet! I said 'yet'. It's not that we won't get married, but just not right now."
I ignored him and walked back to Sanaa's room.
"Sanaa?" I whispered.
"Yes?"
"You're still awake?"
"Yes."
"Do you mind if I come in here to sleep?"
"Okay." I climbed in bed with the small child.
"How about if we go earlier, Sanaa? We could go before dawn." She smiled.
"That would be great! We would get to watch the sunset." I laughed.
"Then go tell Horus and Baset that." She got up quickly and ran out the door.
Ramses
I stood in the doorway, watching the two of them sleep. Bastet looked as calm and innocent as the child cuddled up beside her. She was so beautiful….I wish I could make her happy.
"I doubt the outcome would be too bad if you just asked the girl to marry you." I heard Horus whisper.
"It's complicated, Horus." I sighed. "It's not the right time, I can feel we'll be penalized if we wed right now.
"Is that just an excuse to put it off until tomorrow?"
"Of course not. I'm incredibly ready for Bastet to be my wife."
"Then what's holding you back?"
A/N: Thanks everyone! I just got a review the other day and remembered I needed to post, so many thanks to everyone who reviews and subscribes!
DD: Thanks for the advice, I definitely plan to make the plot more complex.
nosie: Ooc? Sorry, I have NO idea what that means, but I'm gonna try to make Ramses better anyways!