Lion Head Mesa EL KATB ꬸ

It had been some time since Satsuki, the child, had been placed before a congregation and made to dance; these first steps across the limestone stage set before these strangers, and this is what crosses her mind. She has always known how to carry herself as a dancer — but now it is with a queen's stride that Satsu closes the distance.

She stands beside the beacon of a man as he proclaims his titles, as he names her, as he bestows upon her layers of importance that feel weightless; she does not know the importance of these phrases he declares or this person he has deemed her to be.

Satsu has heard these names and these words before. She has known this was coming, has planned for it. Yet having Ramesses here now, declaring this before a court of loyal mazoi and dutiful fellahin, even a collection of rivals and potential allies, all of it begins to feel a touch overwhelming.

The show would go on. Puny Satsu, standing proudly beside this man who claimed to be blessed by the sun itself; she had chosen this life for herself. She had decided to become a queen and to take Ramesses as her husband; it was not the way of her people or a choice by her father, but that did not matter. She made her own way.

The time for vows would quickly be upon them — but for now Satsu stared wholly upon Ramesses as if he were the only being in all of creation.