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Asima was quite for a moment, before standing. "He needs to meet you, anyway, if you will be staying here for tonight, and if Sarah is to come with me to Arabia." Her voice was slightly pained. Nemiah still thought slaves had no feelings, and she didn't know if Nemiah tended to show a temper with others. She stuck her head out once of the room, glancing about. The servant she'd sent to see if he was busy still hadn't returned. She glanced at another, "Go get the Pharaoh, if he isn't busy, tell him his sister would like to see him, let him know where I am." She returned to the two, and plopped unto the cushions once more. "He's much different than our father." She muttered after a moment. |
"Really? Is he worse?" Sarah questioned unenthusiastically.
"Sarah, please don't do this" Luke groaned, "you're going to get yourself into trouble" |
"Don't talk like that, okay?!" Asima snapped, "I'm trying to show you that I know I was wrong for thinking that way! That I am trying to do better! Nemiah just thought I could command you to come with me, but I didn't want to do that, alright?" She took a deep breath, before speaking a bit calmer. "He doesn't think like I do now, but he will. He's much better than father, and he's learning." |
Sarah stood, "Have you seen the state of living for my people? Have you tasted the food they are forced to live with while you quench your every thirst with whatever pleases you most?! They are slaves, held against their will and abused daily to profit some supposedly 'greater' empire of people!" the woman bore down upon Asima with a fierce anger in her eyes, "Nothing has changed between when I escaped and when I returned, other than those who now lay dead because of lack of food, water and decency! You saw only half of it with your brief stay there, you have not watched people you love and care for die of injuries or diseases that could have been prevented, if only they had access to half these luxuries here! Spending this time with them again has only made me realize how much pain I had once forgot."
Luke had fallen silent now, he seemed unwilling to try and calm Sarah for the truth of her words, but at the same time he did not want to encourage her further. That's when the door creaked all the way open, Nemiah had just arrived moments ago and likely heard every word. He was silent, watching as Sarah vented and then slowly realized he wasn't far behind her. The girl startled a bit, but anxiously stood her ground before the speechless Pharaoh. |
"And what will it take to make you realize I'm trying to change that?" Asima said, after Sarah had finished venting. "It's not something that could be changed overnight, though. And a lot of people have to change their way of thinking. Politics are hard to work with." Quickly, Asima stood and moved to her brother, touching his arm gently. She didn't think Nemiah would lose his temper. "This is Sarah and Luke, the slaves you said I could free..." |
Sarah was quiet as she stared at the royal pair, Luke seemed to not know whether he should fully bow or grab his sister and run.
Nemiah turned to Asima after a moment, "Sorry I took so long. Why did you want me here Asima?" he asked, for the moment ignoring what he just heard. |
"It's fine." The princess responded nervously. "I know you're busy...I wanted you to know who they are...I offered them the guest rooms until they could get on their feet, since Sarah will be helping me so much. I just wanted you to meet them, is all...I hope I didn't take you from anything important?" |
"I was just bidding Mesa goodnight, it's fine" Nemiah replied, "Is everything going alright here?"
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Asima nodded. "Yes. We're just...having a difference of opinion is all. How is Mesa? Is she still here, or would you like to join us for a bite to eat?" She asked, though mostly just to be polite. |
"She left" the pharaoh glanced towards Sarah briefly, "No thank you, I'll be going to bed soon I think. Goodnight Asima" he turned to leave.
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"...g-goodnight, Nemiah." Asima responded, biting her bottom lip. She couldn't tell if her brother was angry or not. After a moment, she turned back to the siblings, lowering unto the pillows and rubbing her temple gently. "Would you like anything else? Or, when you're finished, would you like me to show you to the guest room?" |
"A-are you sure it's alright for us to stay here?" Luke asked, glancing at his rather silent sister, "I understand if there's a problem..."
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"He said I could do what I needed to. So, as long as you wish to stay here, you will." Asima replied simply, lifting her head proudly. "I just don't know how he took the rant...So, Luke, how old are you?" |
"Twenty two" Luke replied after a moment, he sat down on the pillows and partook in some more food. Sarah settled down next to him.
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Asima fell silent after nodding, and staring at the food. She wasn't sure what else to say, to be honest, and she felt exhausted. The princess didn't want to do what Malum seemed to wish of her. |
"Perhaps we should all just go to bed" Sarah stated with a frown as she got back to her feet.
Luke shoved a few more morsels in his mouth before nodding in agreement. |
Asima nodded and stood, "I'm sorry your first time here was a bit better, but I'll talk to Nemiah..." She led the way to the guest rooms, gyesturing inside. "If you need anything, feel free to ask the servants. Or me. Enjoy"
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Sarah went to her room without much of a nod to Asima, but Luke turned back to the princess with an apologetic look on his face, "Hey, I'm sorry about her. She can be... difficult sometimes. Are you alright?"
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Asima smiled at Luke and nodded, "Yes, thank you. There's just a lot on my plate right now, and I'm trying to make up for my past words to her. Let me know if you need anything..." She gave the male a wave, before moving off to her own room. How exhausting. But, Asima was sure Sarah would be a big help, for Malum if not for her. (If you wanna skip till morning that's cool...) |
Luke nodded and headed off to the large and exceedingly more comfortable bed than his own. He certainly wasn't used to all these rich things, but he wasn't one to pass up such temporary blessings.
That night, blurs of dreams passed through Asima's mind, but by morning the images had slipped away into the new sunlight. |
Asima awoke dissapointed. She wanted to see Malum, question him. And beg him. And the gods seemed to have turned a blind eye to her wants or desires. Or whether or not she was breaking inside. She spent most of the morning in her room, not wanting to eat. It was selfish of her to think so, but why did this have to be on her shoulders. She wished it could be anyone else. Finally, Asima left, wanting to locate Sarah. May as well tell her what was going on, though she would not let Sarah know that she'd have to fight one of the twins, or that Malum was gone, maybe forever. Or that he'd told her this in her dreams. She'd need to watch her words carefully. |
The servants directed Asima towards the hall that lead out into a balcony, overlooking the garden. She was leaning against the railing, seeming to have her gaze drifted into the distance.
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The princess hesitated before moving next to her. "Thank you, for helping me, though you don't like me." |
"Hm?" she startled a bit but soon settled down again, "oh... I'm not doing it for you anyway. Malum seems to like us working together for some reason, doesn't he then?"
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Asima fidgeted, looking over the railing. "Actually, you were my idea. Malum didn't ask for you in this, but I'll need help to find what he wants." |
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