Lion Head Mesa just take it easy on yourself

aw but maybe @Rashepses ?

how to repay someone who saved your life?

it's a question that racharra asks herself as her furs are laid out to her by fellahin. the addax was already a gift, and one from Pharoah, so it absolutely must not go.
her savior wasn't the fanciful type — an elk skin would do, but what value is there in a gift that was common? she doubted it would be worn though. perhaps it would be smarter to pick the most comfortable bed.

yet no pelt caught her eye. 
even if she gave him all of her furs and coats and gems now and in the future would it ever repay what he'd done for her: he'd saved her life! aided her back to her feet! he is the only reason she could stand in these palace 

how can she repay judah?
how can she repay toula?

“Pharaoh has been grieving your disappearing act, Nebet,” came the rough thrum of Semer-wati’s voice.

Bold was this coddled girl to return her face to the palace after giving not so much as a single word of warning to her escorts nor message to the palace. Her unexplained absence had sent Toula into grief, and the royal would brook no slight to the honor of his wife.

Suspicion narrowed his sun-tint eyes as they dragged crudely across her form. There were only a handful of reasons a girl would have to sneak off. “Have you allowed yourself to be spoiled?”

torn was racharra's attention by the distinct voice of rashepses. her brows tense, itching to knit but she restrains herself. her own golden hues meet directly with his.
..i heard. i did not think she would.. i've already apologized to her. with the flick of a wrist she dismisses the fellahin, her plans disturbed by the consort's presence alone.

of course not. she all but scoffs at the accusation. i left for the moontribes to begin arrangements for suitors. perhaps i was too haste, too brash, but i didn't falter from my duties.
but i did not let a man touch me; i have not been spoiled. though now she reconsiders it.

“The Erpa-ha was to arrange your travels. You were not to go unescorted,” the consort reproached, teeth baring their distaste.

“Your place in my wife’s court is as a noble lady. Every action you make is reflected back on Pharaoh’s reign. You insult her benevolence and are then arrogant enough to mock her feeling. You have made your character known, Nebet. But if you have no desire to conduct yourself with proper etiquette, at least have the care to do so for your Pharaoh.”

Toula was burning her efforts with this imitation daughter, and for whatever reason saw value in doing so. Semer-wati did not.

his teeth make themselves known to her as a snarl, but racharra remains firm.

you assume too much of me, Semer-wati.. she speaks through the pressure that built in her crown. moonglow has agreed to send a suitor. i did not stain the Pharoah's name, i did not behave out of line beyond leaving and returning unaccompanied. but i left and returned with results, with success. what more could be asked of her now? her eyes glare him down, waiting for his answer.

“Trust I assume nothing of you, Nebet,” he sneered. His eyes raked over her.

“You will marry this suitor,” the king bid his command; a final chance for the entitled girl with abandoned prospects to prove honorable to the crown.

He stood back then turned, wasting no more of his words on her.

you do not have the final say on my decision. as racharra straightens, so does her voice. and so do her eyes sharpen.

Pharoah decided that i can choose, and only Pharoah may take that right away — you are not Pharoah. her own teeth make themselves known through her grimace. how dare he.

Rashepses halted mid-stride, tossing only the edge of a dark jaw over his shoulder.

“It is unwise to cross your god, Nebet,” purled a warning. His lips coiled into a blackened smile, then he carried off down the red hallway and slipped into the shadows.

lmk if ud like one more response or to archive, ty v much for threading <3

then it's good that you aren't. it's as she turns her back that she realizes the pounding of her heart and the lump in her throat.

but she does not look at him again, dipping her head to play focused. the sound of his stride sent echos rippling through the palace walls, and only once the ripples weaken does the nebet check to see if he is gone.

what has she done?