Lion Head Mesa (ap) so, sixth eevee. which one?

what was a wedding party without rowdiness? shoko’s duty had been tested already: he made his way back from the disposal of reyes, gaze searching for @Ramesses so he might silently infer the pharaoh’s command had been done. 

he did not see the gilded-shouldered sunking among the merry. perhaps the pharaoh had retired to quieter chambers, or perhaps he was nestled thick in the throng of attendees. shoko kept an eye about him as he made his rounds through the crowd, remaining ever present but a fly on the wall versus a beast of public attention.

ramesses was pleased to see the mercenary returning.
the royal approached in his own time. fellahin trailed him like glowing pearls.
"have you found akashingo to be capable of meeting your price, mazoi?" ramesses chuckled but his eyes were watchful, waiting.

while shoko watched the crowd ramesses approached, a wave of trailing fellahin at his back. shoko’s gaze turned to the high pharaoh, careful to avoid the king’s lapis gaze. 

he’d yet to taste the true prizes of akashingo, truth be told — his time had been busy, and busy men rarely had time to stray. more than capable. shoko supplied; there were many riches here and some could even be extended to a hired hand like him. but more important: friend of yours, i take it? shoko queried, motioning to the outskirts where reyes had been escorted his leave.

ramesses laughed haughtily.
"a man of brecheliant. peasants cannot always hold richer drink." his face held a cruel and golden glint. "his woman, teya. she is here. perhaps somewhere below the mesa."
"she too may be amenable to company."
there was much to be tasted in akashingo, and a mercenary must glut before they committed themselves.

shoko didn't know who or what brecheliant was, but he certainly agreed the man from such lands did not hold a candle to his own liver. a small smile was shared with the pharaoh - their gift was not the gift of many.

he was left carefully picking his words as the topic panned evenly to a woman: teya. while it was not worded as an order, shoko was wise enough to understand the implication. "i can be good company." he replied evenly, ready to do ramesses' bidding. while it had never been said to him, shoko suspected the godking's patience was a thin river, and his generosity thinner still -- it was best he stayed on the plush oasis side, versus facing an interminable drought.

at attention, shoko waited for any other command or wish - ready to scurry down the halls to teya the moment he was excused.

ramesses smiled pleasantly. shoko was not a man who needed explanation. unlike arsenio, of course; he thought uncharitably of the great red beast who followed his wife about. 
with shoko and teya occupied down below, ramesses felt as though he might truly avenge himself upon the embarassment of the scarlet man.
"what do you know of the roman, germanicus?" pharaoh inquired, waving away his fellahin with a warm look and a sway of his plume. he settled beside the mazoi.