[Ozymandias kisses her before giving her shoulders a gentle nudge down toward the bench in front of his vanity. Said vanity is quite full but organized well enough that it does not appear cluttered. Bottles of scrubs, lotions, and perfumes occupy one area of the vanity with a small basin and towel at the ready for the next use while makeup and its respective brushes occupy the center. To the far right of the vanity, occupying the corner is a bit of an unusual vase. A statue of the goddess Hathor sits with a wide basin in her lap. Floating within it are fragrant lotuses, pink with honey gold centers.]
I would not allow you to leave this house looking anything less than radiant.
Mhm. [She teases into the kiss despite completely trusting him in this endeavor.] Only if I may return the favor.
[Honestly his beauty collection is far greater than her own, particularly because it's more of a special occasions sort of effort for her. The blessings of natural beauty and frequent field work.
Dressed in naught but a fancy robe for the time being, she moves to sit back in the offered chair, crossing her legs and arranging herself until she's comfortable. Her tail flicking to swat against the side of his calf before settling around his ankle.]
[Ozymandias chuckles as he leans past her for a hairbrush and a few pins to start gently ensuring her hair stays out of her face while he works.]
Believe it or not, but it is not fear of your wrath that I would never attempt such a thing. It would be an impossible thing to mask your beauty.
[Ozymandias remains ever the smooth talker, but there's never a question of sincerity behind his praise. For starters, he has eyes. For another, he's laid enough claim and worship to every inch of her that there could never be a question of his appreciation for her natural beauty. He sets the brush down.]
No one shall be able to look at anyone else but you by the time I am through.
[She follows the movements of his hands out of habit, which she knows will need to cease once he starts with the makeup. Though his reaction to wrecking eyeliner might be quite an entertaining lecture. She's almost tempted, but then he might return the favor when the roles reversed.]
I believe it. I doubt that you fear my wrath, even when it's warranted. [Mostly because her wrath, while almost led to the consumption of an adopted bat-child, would not extend so far as to physically hurt Ozy. She may have grey lines and darkness in her past, but she's loyal to a fault.
While she smiles at his smooth comment, there's a bit of brushing aside that she feels is necessary.] I'm certain there have been instances. After Kijuju and during shifts both come to mind.
[But in this moment, she's freshly bathed and quite a distance from those situations.]
I am surprised that you would allow me to overshadow you so. Thank you.
The sun may be the most important of the heavenly bodies for all that it blesses us with, but even it does not occupy the sky at all times, [he says as pumps a small amount of lotion into his hand. Dipping his fingers into it, he dots her face with lotion before massaging it in there and beneath her chin, down part of her neck.] There is no problem with stepping aside to provide you with a moment to shine.
And in any case, you are deserving of it. Not merely because you are my Bonded, nor because you are so plainly Sekhmet's chosen in this place. [Ozymandias holds her face in his hands, turning it gently toward his.] You are worthy of such admiration for all that you have survived and shall do within this life, and beyond.
[Part of her wants to counter aggressively with some facts about the solar system, but honestly it would possibly go over his head. It would certainly take away from the praise and sentiment of his words, which have caused her features to soften even as she closes her eyes while he rubs the lotion on the skin. Instead, her thoughts wander to thoughts of when the sun isn't visible.] Is there a god or goddess of the moon?
[Her now feline nature only deepens the analogy. Lions slept a lot, and were often awake at night. It's gotten her into trouble on more than one occasion, distracting Ozymandias from sleep more than she should. At least she channels her zoomies into either training or more pleasurable exertions.
When he holds her face in his hands, her eyes flutter open, a little surprised at just how warm she feels, and she swallows down a tickle in her chest. He's not wrong in his words, but somehow hearing them so clearly and directly throws her off balance, striking her heart. Sheva doesn't advertise exactly what she's survived back home, but her Bonded seems to know the gravity of those trials, while not pulling at those strings too hard. It's something she appreciates.]
Is this how all Egyptians apply makeup? Or did I just get... [She smirks.] Lucky?
[Ozymandias does not provide her with an answer to her questions about her treatment, nor does he reflect back her smirk. His smile to her is a bit softer than that.]
Djehuty. Though much like myself, you would perhaps know him better by his name in Greek: Thoth, [he says, answering her other question instead as he begins priming her face.] He is among the wisest of the gods, providing us with writing, mathematics, science, and magic. He serves as counselor and secretary to Ra, and he records the outcome of one's heart being weighed.
[While perhaps not as flashy as some of the others within the Egyptian pantheon as he had the tendency to use his mind over anything else, there's clearly very little ability to overstate Thoth's importance when nearly every sort of academic advancement could be credited to him.]
There is also Khonsu, the son of Amun and Mut. He watches over those who travel at night, and aids in the creation of life.
[It's a bit of a careful balancing act. On the one hand, Ozymandias has no need to mask or shy away from his affection toward her. On the other, he knows that Sheva tends to be a bit avoidant. And so while he does not feed into her usual attempts to distract (were he to do that, they might never make it to the masquerade), nor does he draw any further attention to the motivations behind his words either. He simply treats it as though she may draw whatever conclusions she likes about it, and leaves it there. So, it is a conversation about his gods instead of rising to her obvious bait.]
[His sidestep of her one question does not escape her notice, but he's perhaps wiser than her to avoid answering it. There's an underlying tendency that Sheva has to sabotage close relationships as a method of perceived self-preservation. It's not planned, but it happens. Good thing her Bond has age and wisdom (for the most part) on his side.
She is, however, quite interested in his culture and the ancient religion that's still very much a point of practice for Ozymandias, so she listens while falling victim to the pleasant feel of him preparing her skin for cosmetics. His voice has a soothing quality to it, even without their connection, and she finds her eyes fluttering somewhat closed before closing entirely. This way, he can prime her eyes for what she hopes will be an exquisite Look.
The stories he tells are fascinating, and she has to remind herself that they are his truth. They are reality, not fiction. So, she makes certain to choose her commentary carefully, so as not to offend.]
Guardians of the night, and to their eternal night. [Sheva pauses, frowning as she feels maybe that's not the est way to say it.] Except your afterlife is... More complicated than simply an underworld, correct?
[The touch of his fingertips against her eyelids is gentle as he primes her eyes.]
One undergoes a journey upon departing from the land of the living. [Ozymandias moves on from the primer to begin applying foundation with a brush.] After you have passed from this life, priests complete the spells and rituals necessary to open the path to Duat. Our bodies are purified and our senses are reawakened through wepet-er. Without this, we would be doomed to nothingness.
To put it into terms that might be easier for you to understand, your physical body holds both ka, your vital essence, and your ba, or your own consciousness. When you die, it is your ka that leaves your body. Wepet-er reunites your ba with your ka and you awaken as akh.
[If Sheva ever wondered why the ancient Egyptians placed so much emphasis on preserving their bodies, this likely cleared it up for her. Without the physical body being cared for appropriately, there was no hope of regaining one's consciousness in the afterlife.]
From there, one begins their journey. The essence of the journey is the same, but my own would differ from yours. Given that I am Pharaoh, I would be granted a solar barge, but my perils would be greater as my responsibility in maintaining order against chaos and darkness is far greater.
We are not alone, however. The prayers and offerings of those we left behind are what sustain us and protect us from the creatures that would harm us. [Having finished with applying her foundation on her face, he has Sheva tilt her head just a bit further to blend it beneath her jaw and along her neck.] By the dawn, we would reach the Hall of Ma'at. There your birth does not matter. Ammut devours the sinful hearts of those who did not live their lives in accordance to ma'at without exception.
[Ozymandias does not speak of any of this with fear though. Even the thought of having to fight one's way to Anubis and Thoth for their heart to be weighed does not seem such a terrible or frightening thing to him. Had he been able to take such a journey, Ozymandias is confident that the love of his people would have protected him in such a glorious battle. As for the weighing of his heart...? Well, one might consider it to be arrogance on Ozymandias' part that he does not appear to hold any anxiety over such a prospect. But really, it is a matter of being at peace with whatever the outcome might have been. Ozymandias did all that he could to uphold ma'at, and though he certainly made mistakes, he never stopped seeking redemption and undoing the harms he caused. It was, after a certain point, simply beyond his control.]
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before the masquerade
Date: 2020-11-28 02:59 am (UTC)[Ozymandias kisses her before giving her shoulders a gentle nudge down toward the bench in front of his vanity. Said vanity is quite full but organized well enough that it does not appear cluttered. Bottles of scrubs, lotions, and perfumes occupy one area of the vanity with a small basin and towel at the ready for the next use while makeup and its respective brushes occupy the center. To the far right of the vanity, occupying the corner is a bit of an unusual vase. A statue of the goddess Hathor sits with a wide basin in her lap. Floating within it are fragrant lotuses, pink with honey gold centers.]
I would not allow you to leave this house looking anything less than radiant.
Re: before the masquerade
Date: 2020-11-28 06:51 am (UTC)[Honestly his beauty collection is far greater than her own, particularly because it's more of a special occasions sort of effort for her. The blessings of natural beauty and frequent field work.
Dressed in naught but a fancy robe for the time being, she moves to sit back in the offered chair, crossing her legs and arranging herself until she's comfortable. Her tail flicking to swat against the side of his calf before settling around his ankle.]
You know better than to attempt such a thing.
no subject
Date: 2020-11-29 01:56 pm (UTC)Believe it or not, but it is not fear of your wrath that I would never attempt such a thing. It would be an impossible thing to mask your beauty.
[Ozymandias remains ever the smooth talker, but there's never a question of sincerity behind his praise. For starters, he has eyes. For another, he's laid enough claim and worship to every inch of her that there could never be a question of his appreciation for her natural beauty. He sets the brush down.]
No one shall be able to look at anyone else but you by the time I am through.
no subject
Date: 2020-11-29 07:21 pm (UTC)I believe it. I doubt that you fear my wrath, even when it's warranted. [Mostly because her wrath, while almost led to the consumption of an adopted bat-child, would not extend so far as to physically hurt Ozy. She may have grey lines and darkness in her past, but she's loyal to a fault.
While she smiles at his smooth comment, there's a bit of brushing aside that she feels is necessary.] I'm certain there have been instances. After Kijuju and during shifts both come to mind.
[But in this moment, she's freshly bathed and quite a distance from those situations.]
I am surprised that you would allow me to overshadow you so. Thank you.
no subject
Date: 2020-12-01 02:57 am (UTC)And in any case, you are deserving of it. Not merely because you are my Bonded, nor because you are so plainly Sekhmet's chosen in this place. [Ozymandias holds her face in his hands, turning it gently toward his.] You are worthy of such admiration for all that you have survived and shall do within this life, and beyond.
[He kisses the top of her head.]
no subject
Date: 2020-12-05 03:25 am (UTC)[Her now feline nature only deepens the analogy. Lions slept a lot, and were often awake at night. It's gotten her into trouble on more than one occasion, distracting Ozymandias from sleep more than she should. At least she channels her zoomies into either training or more pleasurable exertions.
When he holds her face in his hands, her eyes flutter open, a little surprised at just how warm she feels, and she swallows down a tickle in her chest. He's not wrong in his words, but somehow hearing them so clearly and directly throws her off balance, striking her heart. Sheva doesn't advertise exactly what she's survived back home, but her Bonded seems to know the gravity of those trials, while not pulling at those strings too hard. It's something she appreciates.]
Is this how all Egyptians apply makeup? Or did I just get... [She smirks.] Lucky?
no subject
Date: 2020-12-05 04:43 am (UTC)Djehuty. Though much like myself, you would perhaps know him better by his name in Greek: Thoth, [he says, answering her other question instead as he begins priming her face.] He is among the wisest of the gods, providing us with writing, mathematics, science, and magic. He serves as counselor and secretary to Ra, and he records the outcome of one's heart being weighed.
[While perhaps not as flashy as some of the others within the Egyptian pantheon as he had the tendency to use his mind over anything else, there's clearly very little ability to overstate Thoth's importance when nearly every sort of academic advancement could be credited to him.]
There is also Khonsu, the son of Amun and Mut. He watches over those who travel at night, and aids in the creation of life.
[It's a bit of a careful balancing act. On the one hand, Ozymandias has no need to mask or shy away from his affection toward her. On the other, he knows that Sheva tends to be a bit avoidant. And so while he does not feed into her usual attempts to distract (were he to do that, they might never make it to the masquerade), nor does he draw any further attention to the motivations behind his words either. He simply treats it as though she may draw whatever conclusions she likes about it, and leaves it there. So, it is a conversation about his gods instead of rising to her obvious bait.]
no subject
Date: 2020-12-20 05:27 pm (UTC)She is, however, quite interested in his culture and the ancient religion that's still very much a point of practice for Ozymandias, so she listens while falling victim to the pleasant feel of him preparing her skin for cosmetics. His voice has a soothing quality to it, even without their connection, and she finds her eyes fluttering somewhat closed before closing entirely. This way, he can prime her eyes for what she hopes will be an exquisite Look.
The stories he tells are fascinating, and she has to remind herself that they are his truth. They are reality, not fiction. So, she makes certain to choose her commentary carefully, so as not to offend.]
Guardians of the night, and to their eternal night. [Sheva pauses, frowning as she feels maybe that's not the est way to say it.] Except your afterlife is... More complicated than simply an underworld, correct?
no subject
Date: 2020-12-25 12:27 am (UTC)One undergoes a journey upon departing from the land of the living. [Ozymandias moves on from the primer to begin applying foundation with a brush.] After you have passed from this life, priests complete the spells and rituals necessary to open the path to Duat. Our bodies are purified and our senses are reawakened through wepet-er. Without this, we would be doomed to nothingness.
To put it into terms that might be easier for you to understand, your physical body holds both ka, your vital essence, and your ba, or your own consciousness. When you die, it is your ka that leaves your body. Wepet-er reunites your ba with your ka and you awaken as akh.
[If Sheva ever wondered why the ancient Egyptians placed so much emphasis on preserving their bodies, this likely cleared it up for her. Without the physical body being cared for appropriately, there was no hope of regaining one's consciousness in the afterlife.]
From there, one begins their journey. The essence of the journey is the same, but my own would differ from yours. Given that I am Pharaoh, I would be granted a solar barge, but my perils would be greater as my responsibility in maintaining order against chaos and darkness is far greater.
We are not alone, however. The prayers and offerings of those we left behind are what sustain us and protect us from the creatures that would harm us. [Having finished with applying her foundation on her face, he has Sheva tilt her head just a bit further to blend it beneath her jaw and along her neck.] By the dawn, we would reach the Hall of Ma'at. There your birth does not matter. Ammut devours the sinful hearts of those who did not live their lives in accordance to ma'at without exception.
[Ozymandias does not speak of any of this with fear though. Even the thought of having to fight one's way to Anubis and Thoth for their heart to be weighed does not seem such a terrible or frightening thing to him. Had he been able to take such a journey, Ozymandias is confident that the love of his people would have protected him in such a glorious battle. As for the weighing of his heart...? Well, one might consider it to be arrogance on Ozymandias' part that he does not appear to hold any anxiety over such a prospect. But really, it is a matter of being at peace with whatever the outcome might have been. Ozymandias did all that he could to uphold ma'at, and though he certainly made mistakes, he never stopped seeking redemption and undoing the harms he caused. It was, after a certain point, simply beyond his control.]