Hibiscus

 Like most girls of her age and affluence, Neith was enchanted with the idea of romance.

 Though, she had never seriously considered the more earthy aspects of what was romantic love— she had not even shown a great deal of interest in the mechanics of such business before, being much more enamored with bugs than the opposite sex.

 Now it consumes her every waking thought. She had… imaginings. Often times it was of Charmion. He’d kiss the back of her neck and behind her ear and whisper something that’d make her smile, and so tenderly draw her against his chest. She’d glance behind and the face would change…

 “Momma?” Neith calls, skirting jungle plants until she finds golden @Toula in the deep shade.

“Mother,” she breathes, half in awe of her grace. She approaches Pharaoh with an affectionate graze of nose to cheek and settles alongside her. “Mother, what is it like to be married?”

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 “hmm, no, it is not large enough—but this area will do for an area to lounge. we should place some furs upon the earth, and move some stones, perhaps, to surround and separate the space…” the idea that The Oasis might perhaps become home had eased into her mind comfortably. this was the first place The Gods had brought them, after all—it would not bode well to overlook it! there was plenty of it to discover, though for now she studied the more verdant areas in the hopes that she might find something like Muat-Riya, with Eset nestled in its very center.
 her daughter approaches, and her own attendants are wise to bow. she nods to them to permit them to begin to take care of the things she had mentioned, one lingering in the event she herself had any needs.
 the question is not one she expected to hear, then and there! but it is comforting to hear it being asked—that her daughter dreamt of things still, and wondered, amidst all the change that they had endured. Toula leans against her golden girl, kissing her temple gently.
 she was quiet for only a moment, a small smile blooming on her lips while she thought. and then Toula said, “I think I shall tell you a story,” a bemused smile coming forth as she pretends to consider that… before she nods, in a way to say, hm, yes, I shall! “I had always wanted to be a wife. it was the one thing that I knew I wanted, for my family and for myself. I had no dreams of becoming Akashingo’s Queen or even Pharaoh when I was young—I had two brothers, and two sisters, all older than me! in my first dreams, I imagined I would become wife to some prince meant to be king, or perhaps a king already!, that would strengthen Akashingo’s own claim. love would come, surely,” she was a girl again then, back in those days where she wondered if she might marry a foreign prince. she became so enamored by the idea she learned every language that she could!
 “but the Gods had different plans for me—no less important. marriage became an immediate duty—but I was ready! my Hebsut, @Eset, aided me greatly… in the same ways I shall aid you, my darling girl,” another gentle kiss to her brow! for Toula had no mother, nor sisters left—but Merneith would never know the lack! “many were put before me, for Akashingo and for my paw. but, and do not tell your father this or it shall go to his head!” oh, he knew it already, surely she had already told him so! “but the moment I saw your father, I saw my destiny. perhaps I saw you, as I see him now in your own eyes,” how she loved her daughters gaze! her voice was warm, filled with all of her adoration for her daughter and husband.
 “duty is frightening. for even though I knew what I felt, and what I had seen, it had little place in what my choice must be. there were other men who also had much to offer Akashingo. armies, riches, trade,” she paused, for dramatic effect, and said, “but your father is as blessed by the Gods as I, for he offered our kingdom much and more. and, he promised to me an army,” a triumphant smile here, and a little laugh. “it is important to know your own worth within your marriage, my darling—and that your husband treat you as such. and so for me, marriage has been… beautiful. wonderful. a waking dream,” she can see her husband in her minds-eye now. “and when you work together, love together—it yields the most beautiful gifts. you and your siblings, to name my favorites of them,”
 a paw frames the face of her little girl, growing so swiftly!, and sweeps over it in a gentle caress. “why has marriage come to your mind this hour?” she wonders, curious!

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