rìoghalachd

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He smiled to himself, knowing that his shadow was close beside him.

When they reached the heart of the oasis, he summoned a fellahin to request an audience with @Toula.

Settling to wait, he drew the small woman close. It was an offer of comfort, for surely the bustling crowd of workers and soldiers was an discomforting sight.

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 she permitted them an audience, free for the moment after discussing plans with another that expertises in architecture. discovering one place that would become the throne room had been a wonder, and now it was being cleansed—it would take time, but it would be beautiful!
 fellahin guided them before her, where she was formally announced. her gemstone gaze beheld the golden-eyed girl cloaked in colors of the nightsky and stone-clad earth; she was a waif of a girl, petite and pretty! Toula, dressed then in the furs of a fennec fox draping over her shoulders, looked to the Mazoi for an explanation of who he had brought to her. she remained warm in her bearing, curious as to who this might be!

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He bowed his head at the pharoah's entrance, but did not relinquish his hold of the woman.

“This is Selkie, divine one. I found her among the pass, a short distance from the border. She bears the wish to stay here with us.” With me. But he could not say that aloud. It was too forthright, and not yet intended for divine ears.

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 she did not miss the way in which he held her! part protectiveness, surely, but also as though she were one he wished to possess. he had not asked for her hand, however, and the lovely one he spoke for did not speak with her own desires.
 now she looks to the one he had brought, regarding her still with warmth. “Selkie—what is it that you excel in? are you a noblewoman? are you a woman of service?” though her bearing hardly boasted the former, Toula had the power to elevate her—but the differences in class might keep her from the warrior! it was in this way Toula sought to learn of Selkie—her heart, her ambitions—the things that she herself might enjoy!

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He can be cameo from here, unless otherwise addressed.

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The women spoke, and he remained silent. Still. A sentry, armed and waiting. Nothing would occurr between them, he did not imagine. But should someone who was not welcome come to disturb them, he would be ready to defend both.

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 Pharaoh listened to the darkfurred woman, her gemstone gaze remaining upon her. a woman made for pretty things—and there was nothing at all Toula found wrong with this. someone who had faith in their femininity, and saw strength in it—not weakness.
 Toula saw then who Selkie might perhaps be. now, she sought to discern truth from selfmade fantasy. “all here are meant for pretty things. Akashingo is a place that ever appreciates the finest of things. even those that serve find themselves wealthy,” for Toula was a benevolent and grateful Pharaoh. “what would you like for yourself, I ask again? you could become a lady of my court—but one day, as my lady, you may need to marry another to aid in building alliances. you might have your pick of who this could be, you would not be robbed of that choice—but your station would be such that there are expectations upon you. or perhaps you prefer to teach, in whatever your skillset might be! you can marry whom you prefer, from Mazoi to Sesh to Hem—even a perfect stranger. there is privilege in becoming a Neb—but your beauty could be your own to use, should you wish,”
 women were granted fewer freedoms in life—but Toula sought to offer her more, by granting her then her autonomy.

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 if there were any internal battle to be had within, it could not be seen—it was a good thing, she felt, should the other decide a more political path! ah, and the time between her offering and the decision made felt blessedly brief, for it seemed at the very least Toula had empowered her enough to voice her truth!
 “I would,” she answered, “it is within my power to grant you this—and as that is your wish, it shall be done. you are now Nebet—a lady within my court,” Toula smiled warmly, and looks to the Mazoi with appreciation in her gaze before she once more regards the newest Nebet. “come—walk with me. tell me all of yourself you wish to share,” she invited, moving now to guide all present deeper into her Oasis.

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