Two Eyes Cenote Python

For whatever reason, that evening the hebsut felt it would be particularly wise to impress the minute lump of a neb. So she’d prepared the limestone console in the grand dining hall, the one generally reserved only for Pharaoh, Consort, and their most esteemed guests. She’d scrubbed the plinth so meticulously that it shone like the high cumulus clouds of summer, and set an ornate centerpiece; branches of green tamarisk woven with fresh blue lilies.

She found she tired quicker. Twice she broke from her toil to take a shoulder against the walls.

“You make me lazy, nunu,” she whispered to them with a furtive smile. She didn’t think she minded.

Eventually the room was set, table laid, low lights cast and drapes of spotted feline hides piled high for lounging. The scullery prepared goat’s milk and wild quail. Now all that was left was for @Gucci to be escorted into the hall to dine.

tink tink tink

ah want all'a them fella-heen informed ah want no stingy portions.

tink tink tink

you got your free time but mah beddin' need be aired out mornin', n evenin'.

tink tink tink

first thang next morn', get me one a-them soak-pools ready fer some relaxin'.

tink

tha's all, @Charmion , go have your rest now.

with a twitch of curled tail gucci dismissed his servant.

-

the scents emanating from down the hall were most pleasuring for gucci's nostrils as he pranced on, tink tink of his collar with each bouncy step. how rejuvenating proper treatment was! in fact, why not open with that?

how rejuvenatin'! as if pushing open a double door gucci entered the dining room, grin on face and tail swaying over his fattened backside, only slightly slimmed by travel rations.

mah mah, hebsut, y'ain't got temperance when it comes tah spoilin' guests.

the table's setting wasn't quite visible to the tiny man until he'd climbed onto his seating, making a delighted little gasp to see everything so neatly laid out.

hebsut, if ah died now, ah'd like mahself laid out on this here surface. ya heal this weary man! he jested, laying a paw across his heart for emphasis.

He is such a peculiarity. She finds it difficult to look anywhere other than the glassy round eyes protruding from that tiny skull. His accent is strange and his prose theatrical, enough to merit a look of genuine amusement from the hebsut as she descends into the furs directly across from him.

“Such high praise, my Lord. Your reputation for finery precedes you. I hope Muat-riya will continue to satisfy your standards of luxury for the duration of your visit.” A head bows curtly. The coy is moved by the acclaim and feels a rush of pride heat her cheeks. It is a wonder to be Lady of such a fortress; to dine with guests of great importance and made privy to their thoughts. But Eset does not forget her place, quick to redirect the conversation by offering her paw to the wee neb. Upon it lays a broad lotus leaf topped with several magenta dollops.

“May I interest you in a drink, Lord Gucci? It is called spike, fermented here in the palace.”

he'd rested fluffed cheek on a paw, said paw's elbow on the table, smiling and politely wagging at the lady of the palace.

ah expect naw less fram it n' y'self.

at the offered drink, gucci showed a proper amount of scrutiny, carefully sniffing - the scent enough to make his brain jolt.

with a laugh, he gently placed either paw to the hebsut's, gently pushing her away.

kindest thanks, but ah take poorly tah drink! have y'know, weddin-a last wife o' pharaoh ramesses, ah got sah - pardon me - sah shitfaced, ah ended up dancin' n' singin wi' our current pharaoh - who, mind ya, was then a toddler.

with a chuckle he relaxed back onto his seating, briefly reminiscing. guests, chatter, spectacle... were that the night makono took her brother's birthright with blood and boldness?

gucci dispersed the memories with a wave.

never mind all-a then, focusin' on th' now! see, there's bit o' reason ah'd stopped 'ere afore th' mesa, n' why ah plan on stayin' - but first, why dontcha tell how our pharaoh fares? ah left sometime mid-spring.

“And here I had you pegged as the straight-laced sort,” one brow lifts, the tease put a twinkle in her amber eyes. She rather liked the mental imagery of the squat gentleman capering hand-in-hand with their young Pharaoh. No doubt the same height as well! Eset laughs and sets the wine aside as the fellahin serve both vessels of riverwater flavored with mint.

She is aware of a tingling on her skin. Any other time she would have taken it for the change in late summer weather, but now she knew it was them stirring within her. Her fur bristles warmly. As the neb sidles forward to inquire of Toula, she straightens at the plinth and beholds his willful little smile.

“Then perhaps I am the first to inform you that Pharaoh is married and pregnant. She and Semer-wati are expecting any day now. She is healthy, and so happy.” So much had transpired in the seasons that passed; Toula’s courtship, her coronation, the arrival and subsequent disappearance of a beloved royal sister. And though many whispers threw doubt upon her chosen consort, the hebsut had seen her majesty’s happiness and so counted him also among their blessings.

Eset, too, had scarcely known such contentedness as the past few weeks. She takes a sip of water and pulls back to study Gucci through serenely hooded eyes.

“I imagine our Great One will be overjoyed to reunite with a neb of whom she shares such fond memories.”