Atem stood leaning over the balcony of his palace as the crisp chill night air covered his kingdom. He was fully bathed, rubbed in Egyptian musk oils, and dressed in new attire in anticipation of tonight's festivities. He wore a white shendyt or kilt that covered his waist and ended at his knees. He wore a golden tank top that was so well stitched, embedded in golden stones it looked like it was painted on his mocha coffee muscular lean chest. He wore golden sandals and was wrapped in a white cape and had golden earrings hanging from his ears. Since regaining his own body in the afterlife, Atem has regained his original form before losing his life to Zorc in his first life as Pharoah, He regained his natural dark skin tone which made it easier for him to wear more exotic colorful expensive clothes like silk or see-through bodysuits. When it came to fashion, he was considered a clothing designer's dream in his society, he was worshiped by men and women for his exotic handsome looks. He was slim but he was naturally toned and has gained muscle since being in the afterlife once he resumed his warrior training though he lived in paradise and among people who came to the afterlife passing the Fields of Reed every Egyptian guard, royal court member, and military member must always prepare for the inevitable even in the afterlife. Atem enjoyed his warrior training and remembered it being his favorite activity in his upbringing to becoming a royal.
Atem also took on some form of productive labor such has helping workers with masonry, and pottery making which his guardians initially detested him partaking in since it was considered not worthy of a king. Atem did not care and persuaded his guardians and family members that in the modern world partaking in heavy labor is seen as a noble and respected form of self-sufficiency. He remembered his aibou doing labor while working for his grandfather around the game shop. He was disturbed seeing Yugi lift up boxes bigger than his small frame but Yugi always told him that labor in the modern world is seen as a form of independence and strength among men.
Though Yugi did not have a natural inclination towards sports or fighting, it did not mean that he did not lack the endurance for labor and the gift of athleticism. His aibou was very deceiving in his physical abilities, Atem has seen Yugi demonstrate leaps and flips while he played fight with Jounchhi and Honda. He has seen Yugi do a somersault during one of their adventures together and he has seen Yugi be able to create fire while camping. What shocked Atem the most was seeing Yugi be able to fix a leaky drain pipe under the kitchen sink when his grandfather was away on business. Atem took so much pride in Yugi's self sufficiency that he always used that memory to remember the gift of having physical labor skills as Pharoah. When Atem was bestowed the lifestyle of his royal heritage in the afterlife he always remembered to himself to never forget the working people and to always take pride in being able to work, have self-sufficient skills, and be among them. On certain working days he would always ride his horse and help out the working people with their physical labor tasks.
His youthful appearance, booming godly baritone voice, and smooth cool exterior made him a wonder of admiration among his people. His father was not considered exceedingly handsome like his son but as Pharoah, he was worshiped by his people for his wisdom and nobility. When Seth was a Pharoah he was worshiped for high intelligence and during his reign as Pharoah his intelligence was considered a primary reason why Egypt was successfully rebuilt after Zorc's destruction. He was considered a respected Pharoah among the people but not loved the way Atem's father was loved, for Seth was known for his deep ruthlessness to get whatever he wanted and some people in royal court believed him to carry an inferiority complex to Atem cause of Atem's noble sacrifice was seen as a legend of the gods through Egyptian history. Atem never had a long reign since he prematurely lost his life to Zorc but in the afterlife, his legend grew of his saga being the only Pharoah to be in the mortal modern world and defend that world once again from Zorc. While fully dressed and adorned in nice ancient Egyptian attire, Atem was hesitant to truly leave his bedroom and stay looking at the stars thinking about his aibou. He has gotten used to the daily ritual of the festivities and he is still emotionally exhausted from his confrontation with Seth earlier that afternoon.
Two beautiful young ladies both wearing white dresses and big curly wigs entered his room, approaching the balcony where he resided looking at the beautiful stars. They bowed, kept their heads down and eyes closed."Our Divine Pharoah". Atem turned around but did not look at the ladies he is so used to their faces and the daily bugle call." It is time for the festivities and we have the dinner set up for you.The ladies said in unison.
"Thank you ladies"he replied. He walked into his room and held out his arms to the two ladies and they intertwined their arms over his elbow. Atem escorted them out his room and into the banquet hall. It was an elaborate set up in that his bedroom was on the fourth floor the highest floor in the palace and he had his own wing in the palace, and his own servants who were considered the highest rank when it came to the ranking of the palace servants whereas the guardians shared the third floor.
He had his own servants which meant that were given the duty to serve only the Pharoah. In the afterlife, servants were well-ranked you had palace servants and the labor working-class servants. The became the servants of the Pharoah often the servants were considered working class servants but treated with the highest respect they were seen as conduits to builders of the kingdom, and without the servants there would be no empire to sustain. The labor servants were exempted from working 15 hours and were given 7 hours of labor, in the afterlife there was no concept of greed or profit since everything had been provided for them for their blessings of living a decent life in the mortal world. The blessings made it easy for them to easily sustain the fruits of their labor since they were in paradise afterlife.
Atem with his female servants walked down the first floor to the elaborate banquet hall. It was extravagant adorned with a long dining halls in ancient Egypt were settings for more than good company, a special or serious occasion, and plentiful delicious food. The Pharoah's upper-class rank often attended the banquets but Atem has tried to break up tradition by allowing artisans and merchants to be allowed among the upper classes. His ultimate goal is to have the servants fully have their own banquets in the palace.
They also served as venues for entertainment, a prominent component of banquets. Banquet guests reveled in entertainment provided by acrobats, dancers, jugglers, and vocalists. Music of all varieties completed the ambiance of these events, with musicians playing instruments such as drums and the harp. Entertainment was usually available to keep people happy as their feasts were still being prepared. Atem enjoyed the banquets for the first three hours then when the entertainment of dancers was brought in that is when the festivities turned towards certain adult after-hours he wanted to avoid. His eldest advisors Shimon and Shada took the most pleasure in the festivities, as well as his scribes. Since being in the afterlife, Atem has seen the after-hours entertainment but he has never let the passion overtaken his senses. He finds his women and men attractive but he never finds the temptation to bed them which is what Shimon and even his father have wished for him to do since he is the Divine Grandeur. Atem has admitted to wanting to bed someone but unfortunately, the individual he desires is out of reach since all other individuals won't be able to stir the primal sexual god powers within him except for his special sweet one living in the mortal world. To Atem, one glance at his young one is enough to satisfy all his sexual desires. His aibou can satisfy him just him smiling at him.
Karim one of Atem's advisors announced his entrance in the dining hall with the musicians in the background playing calming flute music, everybody was at the table standing waiting for him to arrive including his father, mother, Mahad, Isis, and Seth who wors his signature priest garb. As soon as he entered everyone bowed their heads as he walked into that banquet hall with his two ladies on each arm. His seat was at the end of the table with the shiny golden chair which was higher than the other guests' seats which were colored bronze. Atem reached the end of the table and bowed to his two servants.
"Thank you all distinguished guests for attending, keep your heads bowed and hand over hearts for we must pray honored guests".His adviser Shimon took over and recitated the daily prayer. Atem bowed his head and put his right hand over his heart and his left hand over the center of his temple. It was his godhood prayer to the gods to provide feast and also comfort to his people.
Shimon recited the prayer for a good three minutes, it was the daily routine that everyone was used to, and took pride in their daily worship of the gods. When Shimon ended his prayer he bowed to his majesty which Atem acknowledged "Thank you Shimon" Atem said, "Now my honored guests, let's feast, enjoy, and be merry for the gods give you paradise.
Our Divine Grandeur! Everyone at the dining table said in unison raising their wine glasses and sitting to their chairs.
The music played in the background with the musicians playing flute and the harp. Atem sat down and looked at the table with his guests to make sure everyone was content. He was at the end of the table and had a good distance away from his other guests for it was proper for Pharoah to have as much space as a sign of respect to show comfort to him. Atem is used to formalities, he has no problem eating without talking but it is not considered proper as Pharoah he is considered a host unless he allows another person to take over his host, the way he is feeling he is tempted to appoint his father.
The servants came in carrying trays of food and placing it gracefully on the table. There was an array assortment of food from bread, grilled meats, steamed fish, vegetables, fruits, and various starches. Everyone took to eating from their plates, happily enjoying their food. Atem's favorite was always the Falfel as well as the grilled herbed lamb withbamyawhich is a stew with okra, the okra vegetable became one of his favorites while being in the afterlife. Reaching 45 minutes into the dining festivities, Atem took his fork and tapped it against his wine goblet to give his guests the signal.
"Honored guestshe said with his booming powerful voice. The guests immediately quieted down, Atem's voice was so melodic, smooth, and powerful that it could even make laughing hyenas quiet. "I hope you have been enjoying your feast and enjoying the comfort of paradise for we are in appreciation tonight to have our honored members at royal court back with us from the mortal world, Please guests raise your glasses in honor of Seth's return."
"Praises Priest Seth welcome back!Everyone said in unison.
Seth stood up he was two chairs away from Atem. He bowed his head to everyone."It is good to be back my dear friends!".His royal court members knew his mission and were not surprised to see him in his vessel's body. Priest Seth had a darker bronzed skin tone but his vessel was paler in comparison, it did not alarm anyone. Atem kept his composure in being a good sport to Seth in light of the situation but he was still disappointed. Seth continued"I am happy to be back in paradise and among our divine Pharoah, the modern mortal world which I have taken is a place of excitement but I am blessed with the support of my court and our wonderful majesty." "I will be here for two days and I must return back, my vessel is a valued busy individual with certain desires and temptations he must fulfill"while Seth glanced at Atem with a fast wink.
Atem saw this little jest from Seth and did not appreciate it. If there is one thing Atem did not like about his cousin it was his off-color jesting at his expense. He can tolerate jesting from Mana and Shimon but not Seth, he entrusted this man's safety over his aibou he had no time to play around with him. It got Atem to think once again about his aibou and Seto Kaiba's wanton desires for Yugi who Seth was using as a jesting joke, Atem took no humor in this, his heart was starting to feel heavy, certain visuals creep into to his mind and he was feeling a little out of sorts.
Atem was starting to tire of the festivity and the evening was still young. He was ready to part himself, one night away should be enough. Atem signaled to one of his servants standing behind him to ask for his father's presence who was four chairs away. The servant bowed to the former Pharoah and sent out the request. His father gladly came over this his son, bowing before him, even though Atem was his son he also had to also see him as the Divine Grandeur the gods had told him.
"My Divine Grandeur"Akammamon said gratefully"How may I help you my son?"
"Father would be so kind as to contine to host this festivity for I am not keen on continuing on as host."
"Are you unwell my son"
"I am in decent health, just exhausted and need some solitude",
"Please tell me son, what bothers, you even though you are Divine Grandeur you are still my son and you can talk to me"
"I am not in the spirit of conversation unfortunately my dear father, I may feel in better spirits in the morning, but this evening has robbed me short of energy. I would love it if you would take over in my absence.
"Of course my son, anything you wish, do you need me to accompany you or do you need me to fetch anyone?
"No I am alright, thank you father, I must retire myself."As soon as Atem rose up from his seat, everyone stopped their conservations and instant silence came over the room looking at Atem.
Atem waved down his hand"It is alright my guests, I am just retiring to my chambers prematurely".
"Pharoah are you alright"?!,Isis asked,
"Yes, I am, please continue to entertain yourselves, I am fine, our grand Akammamon will continue hosting".
Atem bowed towards his guests and awkwardly walked himself out of the dining hall without his female servants.
Everyone looked at each other puzzled and concerned, their divine leader seemed out of spirits tonight.
Shimon rushed to Akammamon's side quietly asking him questions"Akammamon is our Divine Grandeur alright?"
"He said that he was okay, but I know my son, something is pulling at his heart today" He looked at Seth who seemed concerned and was wondering if he knew something that was impacting Atem's disturbance tonight.
"May I send him refreshments or better yet nice beautiful ladies to his bed sire"Shimon asked.
"I don't know if sending a beautiful woman can help his spirit tonight, but I do think he needs someone to calm his nerves. Akammamon knew the perfect person."and asked Shimon to do this favor for him.