Lion Head Mesa moneo

backdated to may 19, evening

germanicus asked after @Sokha. the sun had set. he was soon to retire to bed.

but the light was not all gone upon the horizon.

a servant escorted him to the noblewoman's rooms. he waited politely in the hallway for her to emerge.

While she had heard of Mereo's arrival, Sokha had yet to meet any one of the soldiers to come. The sandy woman's interest was piqued the moment she had been informed that their commander had called upon her.

The slim figure drew along the corridor leading to her bedchamber. It was there the commander stood, patiently waiting for her. 

With a nod, Sokha dismissed the fellahin before bringing a gaze upward to the man. I greet you, Imperator of Mereo. The title had struck her ear before. She was a keen listener. To what do I owe the pleasure? Quietly sitting, Sokha waited with a calm, settled gaze for the man to speak. 

she invited him inside. germanicus hesitated only a moment before entering. he did not know her role and so expected her to attempt a seduction. 

this was the pleasure-house of a pharaoh after all. 

he did not yet sit.

"as you may know, mereo arrived to aid akashingo with its investigation. i am interviewing members of the palace. is this a good time for me to do the same here, lady sokha?"

Carefully; respectfully, the woman's gaze trailed the Imperator, noting the tension within him.

Offering him a small, polite smile, Sokha chuffed. You need not feel discomfort here in my chambers, Imperator. I am a mazoi, not a fellahin. Please, sit. The tension radiating from your aura may come as a disturbance, should you stand there much longer.

Hoping that the man would accept her invitation, she focused then on his words.

I have heard talk of the investigations, yes. Feel free to ask whatever you would like. Although she had grown tired, another hour wouldn't be of harm to keep awake. She could sleep whenever this was done with, but for now, she needed to be able to answer what he would ask with proper and honest words.

an air of tension? was this how discipline appeared to denizens of the palace? he took a seat all the same. perhaps he was uncomfortable in certain rooms since his marriage.

"thank you. i will ask you first how long you have been in akashingo, and from where you came before. and then you may tell me the role of a mazoi, if you do not mind, domina."

There were portions of the question that were simple, while others would grant a slight response.

I have not been here long... I arrived sometime close to when the winter season was coming to an end. As for where I came from... well, my original home is far from these wilds. You could say I came from nowhere. At least, that's what I tell myself. I roamed for a month or two before happening upon the mesa where the Pharaoh so graciously took me in and offered me a place here.

The Imperator wished to know the responsibilities of a mazoi. Did he not know? Perhaps being off elsewhere, the roles of the palace were new to him.

As a mazoi, I offer my presence, diligence, and entertainment whenever the Pharaoh asks it of me. Sometimes we speak, and others, I will dance and sing for him. 

it seemed the mazoi were some other tier of entertainer. of course ramesses had made them into vessels for his pleasure as well. he wondered if this was the aforementioned woman that pharaoh meant to elevate.

the fact she described herself as coming from 'nowhere' silently raised her in his suspicions. who could say she had not been sent to destabilize akashingo and seduce the weak egyptian, putting her own lineage into royal esteem?

"did you spend much time with the queen?"

Sokha shook her head slowly, innocently. That is what she was. Innocent. Right?

I never held a private audience with the Queen. The only time I ever saw her was when she brought her children before all of Akashingo. As I imagine, her children kept her quite busied. Even if she hadn't been busy, what reason would Sokha have to indulge in her presence anyway? She had joined Ramesses per his invitation, thus, he was the only she had eyes for. 

germanicus nodded as if making a mental note.

"you are not egyptian are you, lady sokha?" he asked, knowing the answer but probing all the same.

The answer to this question should have been simple and obvious, but she would not say this. She had agreed to answer what he asked, and so she would.

You are correct, I am not. My people originate from somewhere in the southern portion of Asia. As I had formerly stated, the place I once called home is far from us. I do not speak of it now. This is my home. And it always would be.

there was an edge here and there was a refusal.

germanicus retreated from the subject with a small nod of acceptance.

"do you have any suspicions of your own, lady sokha?"

Gaze diving down towards her feet, the woman blinked, ear twitching.

I cannot say that I do. I have not been here long, thus, I am not familiar with many faces. As for those I have, most have been rather kind and gracious. None of which seem to be capable of such a heinous crime — but then again, a traitor can come from even the kindest appearing souls. Once the words had slipped, Sokha regretted them slightly. Absentmindedly, she had given the Imperator a reason to hold suspicion towards her, if he had not already. But they were true words. She knew this, as she'd seen it firsthand. 

I apologize if I am not of much help... However, if there is a way you believe I could change that, I would gladly lend a hand in your search.

he smiled grimly. "that will not be necessary, lady sokha. you are in mourning."

did she speak of herself? she certainly was innocent. elegant. poised. she would not bring suspicion in any one else's book. ut it was germanicus doing the notation.

"if you think of anything else, i stay near the open-air throne chamber, in a small room off a small hallway to the left."

he stood to his paws and dipped his head politely before venturing from the apartments of his top suspect.

Ears falling sideways a bit, Sokha sighed, nodding per his request.

In said case, I will come to you immediately. I wish you well on your continued search. She spoke softly, seeing him off with a dainty smile.