Lion Head Mesa زهرة ضباب mist walker

when the pair found the river, it led them home. first to the meadows lined with ripened bushes, which jawahir plucked from and shared, then across the prairie, to the steppe. it was here that they stopped to regale @Sakai with stories of akashingo, of pharaoh.

they said of pharaoh, this man is more than man, touched by sun, beloved among the fellahin.

of akashingo, the palace is immense and made of red stone. look, and you can see the mesa rise in to the sky! there can be a place for you among the people there, mist-man.

and finally when they crossed in to akashingo properly, with the light beginning to slant across the horizon, jawahir led on, braying a song for @Ramesses if he was there to receive them, and beckoned the gray cloud of a traveler beneath the arch, to where they may wait in shade.

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indeed he was.
ramesses waited in the open air throne-room with @Sayf, whispering sugared words into the beautiful ears.
pharaoh was untouched by war and uncaring of the fact that germanicus sped toward the mesa with crowfeather.
when jawahir's voice rose, he rose and sang back to the jewel. an approach. his lover was not alone. he descended elegantly to the archway, and looked upon each of the figures in turn.

It was nothing the wolf had ever seen before, so different from the lush homelands he knew long ago. As Jawahir continued their introduction of the lands and of the Pharaoh, Kai found his mind start to wander. Just what would it be like to live amongst others? To not have to talk to himself all of the time, though he would likely still talk to himself all of the time. "Your Pharaoh sounds especially intriguing to me. To be more than a man surely is impressive. I am just a humble man, no more than that, and even then I can barely handle myself sometimes." A small playful quip as Sakai searched for any sort of approval or disapproval from his partner next to him. It was always best to carefully feel out someone's sense of humor right off the bat, and he had a feeling gaging Jawahir's reaction might give him more insight on how to approach the Pharaoh... or to not approach.

As they took their position, situated under a grand arch, Sakai could faintly make out the figure of another in the distance. As the figure grew closer, Sakai couldn't help but smile in an excited way. So, there were plenty of beautiful creatures to befriend in this region. How absolutely delightful. Social awkwardness aside, the loner knew the basics and knew not to speak his turn before the Pharaoh, especially not on his lands. A slight lowering of the head was given as a thanks for allowing him to be there.

it pleased the fellahin that of all the men, pharaoh came when they called.

it was a pleasure that they knew was wholly their own; that even the woman that would be his wife did not hold such power (mostly due to never calling for him, but that was overlooked). to see him striding from the palace halls and catch the light, ah! he was beautiful, he was everything.

i bring sakai mist-walker, the introduction was flavored by jawahir's good feeling. moving swiftly from the pale man's side, snaking around pharaoh, kissing him greedily and then walking so close that their furs meshed; sayf's scent lingering between, somehow.

do you like him? the batting of lashes; who was that question meant for, the newcomer or the king? jawahir's focus was entirely on the god.

"i do."
caressed by jawahir, ramesses observed. the man was large and made of grey tones. the eyes were beautiful, the gaze perhaps even bashful as sakai looked away from the pharaoh.
"i am the Morning and the Evening Star, Blessed of Amun, He Who has Shaped the Red World. i am ramesses. you will call me pharaoh."
"he has not come to be an entertainer?" he said to jawahir, though it was more an observation. "do you come as a traveller seeking solace, or a joiner?"

The introduction of his own name by Jawahir took Sakai’s breath for a moment. Soon he would have to say something, anything, and he wasn’t sure if that something was going to be embarrassing. Pay attention to their words, don’t get side tracked. A small pep talk to himself as he watched his guide take leave from his flank for the golden Pharaoh’s side. Naturally this was to be, but a bit of jealousy tinged in his heart. Was he missing his new friend by his side? Or did he wish to nestle next to the striking man of this pack.

Ramesses. Pharaoh to him, though. He nodded to show his compliance and finally met the Pharoah’s deep gaze with his own. Kai felt a flicker of pride deep within his chest that he was approved to be in their company. 

“I come on the high remarks that Jawahir shared with me of you and your home. I’m just a wanderer who has never really been sure of where to go or who to serve.”

Sakai took a moment, pondering if he should make a play at the entertainment comment by the Pharoah.

“Pardon my over hearing of it but, I have been told I’m quite entertaining. Surely not to disappoint.” He couldn’t help himself, it was right there and could be taken so many ways. Sakai offered a sweet smile to the two in hopes they would accept his playful nature.

while jawahir listened, their eyes were for pharaoh only.

it wasn't until sakai spoke up about entertainment that the courtesan smiled to him, then looked briefly back to ramesses, as if to share an inside joke. the mirth was held back from becoming laughter; they could share in it later.

they moved to separate from pharaoh slowly, to prance towards sakai again and draw as close to the silver man as to the god; pressing the top of their head against his chin and throat, as a cat might, before drawing against their side and tilting their lips to one ear.

that is not what he asks. i can teach you later, boy. purring words to the man, then jawahir sighed and wove to the other side of him, so that they could face pharaoh with a warm, knowing look.

i am sure there can be a place made for him, daystar.

the purl from the tall man caught ramesses' desirous attention. "i do not think you will disappoint me either," ramesses grinned back in his smooth voice.
a fond look to jawahir. such an endless parade of gifts.
"you look strong, sakai. what skills have you collected on your journeys?" 
a test now, the pharaoh prodding the proverbial edges of the other.
"perhaps you should know the hospitality of akashingo before you agree to stay."

Sakai took note of their positive reaction to his jest, and felt a rumble of content begin deep within his chest. This was only intensified as the spritely coyote pranced back to his side, slipping under his chin and rubbing against his breast bone. However, just in this brief encounter, the admiration the full bodied male had for the Pharaoh before him was intense and he did not show his dainty escort more attention then a tilt of his head to better let them whisper in his ear. 

"I look forward to it." His reply to Jawahir was soft but eager. Pale eyes took in the shinning man before him once more as his case was made by the courtesan. A case well made, as Ramesses voiced his vote of confidence. One step closer to something he never knew he wanted. Of course, he would have to prove himself worthy.

"Having lived on my own for so long, I would say I am an above average hunter. You see, I had no help readily available but I could not live off of only small prey. If it is ever a feast you desire, I can provide with little disturbance to your subordinates' duties." 

"With great hunting, comes great stealth and observation." The man paused for a moment to allow this information to fully sink in, as there was a whole other meaning that he hesitated to say bluntly. Painting yourself as a potential spy was certainly not... couth. 

"And of course, I always enjoy immersing myself into the culture of a foreign land."

as sakai spoke his attention was upon pharaoh rather than the courtesan.
it was uncommon for the coyote to lose the attention of their target but not unheard of; it did not bring ire to them, only an appreciable glance between the men, and a subtle, seething possessiveness as they looked upon ramesses.

akashingo could use this wolf. sakai was a self-proclaimed hunter but he would be served by the fellahin, who roamed the steppe and kept the storehouse full. there were other uses for such violence though, and jawahir watched ramesses with care now, wondering if he would see it.
of course he would; he saw all, he was a god.

jawahir remained silent, pulling themselves away from sakai to go and administer affection to the lord; teeth at his cheek, kisses at his neck, while the pair conversed.

sakai rose in estimation when he did not put his eyes upon jawahir.
the spice of the gleaming creature encircled him now; he paused a moment to catch the satin ear and breathe in the scent of the soft ruff.
"akashingo began when myself and queen satsu knew we were not marked to fight and to die in another's war. we knew that we were more. this is a place where talent and skill does not go without reward."
his lazuli eyes rested on the knowing face of sakai. he knew that words hung unspoken between he and the man.
"come below."
with that the ivory ruler turned and strode toward the path that wended down below the mesa. sayf was drawn to his side, plied with kisses. soft laughter would float back to the ears of jawahir and the hunter.

Sakai felt a tug at the corner of his mouth as Jawahir left his side to take place next to the Pharaoh. Affection was something the once loner never took for granted. When it got lonely on his travels, he found that he enjoyed company of all kinds. The man was not picky, unless the company was an absolute bore.

He knew the burden of being forced to partake in a feud that had nothing to do with him. Kai was not always a loner, there was a time when he upheld the principals of another man. A man that was less than desirable as a leader. Kai nodded as the two shared an understanding. Rebellious in nature, he now knew that Pharaoh held a similar spirit.

Kai did as he was told and followed the two down a path, leading to a future unknown. The excitement was palpable within his chest and his tail swung at ease but with a quick tempo.