An afternoon escape [Barates]

[Barates Aster]

“That is not important, I am not interested in harming your family, Barates Aster of Crete, besides…I am sure you have made plenty of friends here who are just as vulnerable. So many of you mortals are so delightfully skittish. Though I admit it is not without good reason; there are more…temperamental deities than me out there, after all. Even here in Egypt.”

The sinister look the god cast-however abrupt it was-did little to settle Barates’ unease, but as the god broke away into boyish laughter Barates decided it was best to keep quiet, lest the god take his refusal to let him allow his family as a hint of challenge. Still, when the god dropped his voice, Barates couldn’t help but give a derisive snort. “Good luck there.” he murmured beneath his breath in Greek, “Not many take to slaves.” Oddly enough, it was that statement that abated the young man’s nervousness, though Barates still couldn’t help but flinch when the god’s hand rested on his arm reassuringly. Eyes traveling to the limb of their own accord, Barates cocked his head to the side slightly- a puzzled look on his face. The god’s touch hadn’t felt particularly godlike-not much different than a normal hand, and Barates lips quirked slightly in interest.

“Eh, temperamental deities everywhere-Egyptians seem to panicky. Make sacrifice and gods generally happy. Unless you offend.” Waving his hand flippantly in the air, bravery somewhat restored with the new interest at hand, Barates blinked as Set spoke once more.

“…So! Barates. What are your plans for the evening? Where do you live?”

Attention diverted for the moment, Barates expression blanked, before he gave an awkward smile. “…no plans.” he murmured, looking away-which was true unless one counted running back to the palace to make sure he wasn’t whipped for being tardy when the overseer came to check in on the slaves, “Live in palace.” However strange Barates found the god’s presence, he’d rather keep the fact he was slave a secret. Of course, he’d only need to turn around for the youth to see the prominent brand on his back. Leaning subconsciously back again to press his spine against the tall reeds to hopefully prevent just that, Barates glanced away before he perked up, this time in an attempt to change the conversation, however unseemly it was for him to ask of a god’s plans. “What you? Your plans? You have godly duties sure? You powerful god, right?”

[Set]

Set tilted his head at the boy's muttered Greek, but did not question him about it. He only eyed Barates with a faintly amused Mona Lisa smile. His features were overtaken by boyish laughter again at what the foreigner had to say about Egyptians and their gods. "You make it sound like we're so easily appeased." His silvery eyes glinted. "Not all of us are so content with sacrifices," he added quietly. Sacrifices were a form of worship that boosted his power like any other, but they were not what most appealed to Set. Besides the utmost devotion expressed by priests and more avid followers, it took factors other than worship to get on the god's good side; Barates, for instance, could barely identify which god Set was, but he and other foreigners who may not even believe in the Egyptian gods easily won Set's favor just by being new and different than the people he saw every day. Anyone special enough to catch his eye could win his favor - even if they didn't want it.

He blinked, peering at Barates interestedly at mention of the palace. "The palace?" He parroted. "But you are not a royal," he scoffed somewhat, though his amused smile was not too harshly mocking. His smile then spread as pieces quickly came together in his mind. "You are a slave, aren't you, Barates Aster of Crete?" He purred. The god did not look offended at Barates' lack of full honesty, nor disgusted that he had been conversing with a slave all this time. "But don't worry," he was sure to add, before the boy grew too panicked that he had been found out. Set reached up to gently take the youth's jaw in his hand, then tilting his face back and forth as if to examine it, all the while maintaining his amused smile. "I don't mind..." He continued softly. "Some gods favor the Pharaoh and show preference for... higher classes of people... But, honestly, it makes little difference to me. I'm not like other gods." His volume had dropped not to a whisper but to a rather intimate level nonetheless, as if he was sharing some scandalous bedroom secret.

His tone quickly returned to normal at Barates' questioning - which he thought was rather brazen of the foreigner all of a sudden, but this only struck his fancy all the more. Set's tolerance for disrespect was not unlike most other deities', but, on the other hand, he was more easily amused by a mortal's show of nonchalance or even defiance, too. He chuckled a little. "Oh, yes. I have my list of divine duties. But I am busiest at night. And time is... different.. for gods, anyways," he said rather vaguely. There was no good way to explain how time functioned for an ageless being who worked in many different realms and planes of existence; it wasn't something Set was going to bother with. The point was, he spent a lot of time 'at work', so to speak, but still had all the time in the world - metaphorically - to do as he pleased just as well.

[Barates Aster]

Brow furrowing at the thought that gods wouldn’t be pleased by just sacrifices, Barates wrinkled his nose. “Greek gods like sacrifices-not too many though. If they get too happy you get raped by bull or eagle. That why not worship Zeus. He not very good with people.” About to continue more on just what Greek gods did when they were pleased (not all of them good), Barates stopped midsentence as the god peered at him in interest, before Set scoffed, no doubt reacting to Barates’ mention of the palace.

It was when the youth spoke of his rank in society though, that caused the Greek’s face to whiten, and though he attempted to scowl- berating himself for being so easily cowed-Barates all but froze at the god took his jaw in hand, turning it ever which way and that, however gently the action might have been done. Heart hammering against his chest, Barates narrowed his eyes, refusing to let his anxiety show. Set’s face was still locked in an amused smile, but for all the Greek knew that could be a farce. Gods were hard to predict after all, one of the reasons they were gods. Face paling further and then reddening as the god’s voice dropped to a near scandalous tone, Barates spluttered for words. A defense-a rebuttal, he didn’t really know and what ended up popping out of his mouth was none of these things at all. “That obvious?” Ah. That…that wasn’t what he had meant to say. Flinching despite himself as his foot figuratively met his mouth, Barates glanced away, hoping that perhaps avoiding eye contact would make the god ignore his statement.

As awkward as he felt, Barates couldn’t help but look back towards the red headed youth, eyes curious as the god answered his question. Really, he hadn’t expected the god to actually reply. In fact, Barates would admit that he was expecting a fist to the face or at least an eternity of karmic backlash.

Eyes moving to the sky of their own accord at the god’s mention of being busiest at night, Barates cocked his head to the side, momentarily sidetracked. “At night?” he murmured, catching sight of the sun, that though low, still indicated it was in the late afternoon. Staring at it a moment longer though his eyes burned slightly from the prolonged exposure, Barates paused before he blinked, face reddening as he realized the god still had a hold on his jaw. Not daring to move a hand to push the god away-who knew if he might take offense at that?!-Barates settled for awkwardly clearing his throat. “Ah. Could…could you let go of face now? Might be slave but not horse.”

[Set]

He made another laugh more akin to a giggle. "Oh, my." He murmured with a mischievous smile. "I have heard of Zeus... and his... sexual endeavors." His grin held more laughter at bay. "But not the bull or eagle part." At this he couldn't help chuckling. "Us Egyptian gods are... a little more behaved than that. Most of the time." He grinned playfully at Barates - though it was hard to tell just how much of what he said was teasing and how much was honesty. His silvery eyes flitted over the boy's face like a cat eyeing a potential meal.

The god smiled again at the small comment the foreigner managed to choke out. Barates certainly seemed to be pushing his luck, yet Set only continued to be amused. He tilted his head at his toy's request. "You're braver than you present yourself, Barates Aster of Crete." He slowly let go of the youth, still with amusement etched into his pale features and especially shining in his eyes.

[Barates Aster]

“Not hard to be more behaved then that.” Snorting derisively beneath his breath, Barates found himself smiling, echoing the god’s playful grin, “Most of time is better than no time.” Blinking as the god’s eyes glittered over his face in an almost predatory manner, Barates narrowed his eyes before he smiled, one brow rising archly above the other. "Slave won't make good endeavor. Not advise it-very bony and not very comfortable to sleep against."

The Greek’s anxiety was all but gone now, though he still kept a slight air of caution. As the god finally released his face, Barates heaved a small sigh of relief before he snorted and laughed- the first time that night. “Ha! Not brave. Stupid more like. Surprised you haven’t…” pausing for a moment as he struggled for words, Barates frowned before he shrugged, “…smote? Killed? …me…yet.” Looking contemplative for a moment, Barates glanced down, mouth pursed into a thoughtful frown as he muttered beneath his breath. “I really should watch mouth more.....”

[Set]

Challenge flickered through the god's eyes again. "If you say so." He said softly. His face lit up, then. "So boldly you speak! I rather enjoy it," he purred. "It's not often I get to have conversations such as this. So many other gods... and royals, too... are terribly uptight." His gaze drifted over the river, which had begun to glitter in the steadily dropping sunlight. But he laughed and nodded at Barates' verdict. "Hahaha... Yes... You won't make a very good slave should you speak so brazenly to everyone." He paused. "I suppose I am a bad influence. Especially being the first Egyptian deity you have met, is that correct?" He studied the youth interestedly.

As far as he knew, he seemed to be one of the more active gods around. He enjoyed humans more than most other deities, perhaps - had more patience with them too, obviously, at least under the right circumstances. He made a fine impression on royals, certainly, or anyone he was attempting to intimidate right off the bat; utilizing his true form, and dressing up and all that. It was probably easier to treat him on more equal ground when he wasn't over seven feet tall with glowing red eyes, dressed not unlike a Pharaoh no less.

"Besides," he added. "If I was truly angry with you, I would not just kill you. That would be too boring." His tone was an unsettling blend of playful and ominous.

[Barates Aster]

“At least you enjoy. Nobles…not so much.” Head tilting back as he stared at the sun again, eyes lazily slitted, Barates snickered. The god was still a bit close for comfort, and he couldn’t really move from where he had inadvertently pinned himself up against the reeds but he found the god’s company interesting, curious even now that the anxiety had passed. As a slave, not most of his conversations tended to be variations of orders and random shouts for him to move out of the way. Any sort of intelligent conversation as welcoming, and a teasing conversation even more so. It was…Barates’ lips twitched, it was almost like he was back in Greece. “Not born slave. Hard to break habit.” Being forced to watch one’s tongue was a new thing for Barates- sailors very rarely had to watch their mouths, and soldiers only in the presence of their commanders.

“Ha! First deity!” Nodding his head, Barates grinned, pausing for a moment to watch a crocodile swim past with some interest before he continued, with an abashed smile, “First deity ever met-Egyptian or Greek. Greek tend to be-“ pausing as he fumbled for words, the Greek frowned, one hand moving to scratch at his head before he gave a perplexed grumble, “…subtle? Hard to see? Ehh, not as visible-unless make pleased. Or unhappy. Or are gods betting.”

Trailing off into thought-an unfortunate habit of his Barates grumbled beneath his breath for a moment before he blinked, tuning in as the god’s tone took on a strange blend of playful and ominous-a kind teasing sort of threat. Though one brow arched, Barates’ face whitened slightly before quickly regaining its normal pallor as the Greek man grinned, “To boring to kill? Eh, that uplifting. Try not to make angry then.” Peering down, he couldn’t help but realize how short the god was, and from his experience- or at least the tales there of, the gods had always appeared rather tall. Ominous even and the god’s crocodile form had been majestic and everything else between.

Though he opened his mouth to remark, Barates quickly shut it with a snap-comfortable as he was in the god’s prescence now, somehow he thought bringing up his height-or lack thereof-wasn’t the most intelligent of things. And well, he had already pushed his luck quite far and even humans had little things that set them off.

Hippos, for instance, Barates thought as he eyed a small pod grazing at the reeds on the opposite bank. For all the Greek knew, the god’s height could be Barates’ hippos..and my, that was an odd thought indeed.

Face twisting comically as he lost himself in thought-a habit he really should break-Barates wrinkled his nose. Now he couldn’t get the picture of the god comparing his height to a hippo out of his mind.

[Set]

Set tilted his head interestedly when Barates admitted to not always being a slave. "Oh?" But he did not press any further on the matter. He realized it may have been a personal one - which, rest assured, did not normally keep the god at bay - but it was also a conversation he decided he could save for another time.

He nodded knowingly at the ways of Greek gods. "We work that way here sometimes, too. Depends on the mood... and context, I think." He gestured across his boyish form. "In this form, unless upon closer inspection, I could be taken as only a foreigner, no?" Upon closer inspection, after all, his eyes had that ethereal shine to them, and even after long periods in the sun his flawless, pale skin went untouched. "And if I choose, the common eye doesn't even see that much..." No matter his form, Set was capable of toning down his noticeably - not literally going invisible, but rather pushing his presence from onlookers' or passerby's minds. "However, gods more frequently appear to royals in person, or otherwise visit at least in their dreams. And our forms then are not so unassuming." He cast a Mona Lisa smile up at Barates.

He watched the foreigner's lips part to speak, only to abruptly shut, and then the boy's face gradually sift through different expressions. Amusement crept into the god's features again. "What thought plays over your face, Barates Aster of Crete?" His tone was not without teasing.

[Barates Aster]

Watching curiously as the god gestured across his youth-like frame, Barates’ brow quirked in interest, eyes widening minutely before he quickly forced them to narrow again. To tell the truth, the fact that this was not the god’s true from didn’t surprise the Greek in the slightest. Particularly since he’d seen the images carved onto the walls in the palace as well as some of the temples. Those depicted Set as a beast with a head that…well…Barates brow furrowed. A head that he couldn’t really describe. Tuning out slightly as he tried to find words to exactly describe what he thought the god’s head resembled if the pictures were any indication, the Greek blinked as he caught the god’s Mona Lisa smile. Returning it with a less mysterious grin (subtle after all, was not a prominent word in the Greek’s vocabulary), Barates flushed as youth queried about the thoughts playing in his head.

Face reddening to a shade that would put even the most vibrant of pomegranates to shame, Barates coughed slightly. Telling the god he was imagining him comparing his height to a hippo didn’t seem like the greatest of ideas. Still, there was no point in lying. And the god had asked. So, with the fool-hardy bluntness that had gotten him stuck in his current niche in life in the first place, Barates opened his mouth. “My…my apologies. You are not tall in er…this…body. Imagining you comparing height to hippo.” Barely loud enough to hear, the Greek’s voice was little more than a mutter as the slave’s blush spread beyond his cheeks and onto his ears, reaching even past his neck until the top of his chest was a ruddy shade of tomato red. Wishing to bury his head beneath the sand like an ostrich and about to try his luck with the crocodiles, Barates gulped. Not content to let it lie less the god get insulted-and really, Barates figured he would, the Greek added a bit more firmly as he tried pushing his luck with the reeds again (if only to avoid the sheer mortification spiraling its way though his body right now), “if any consolation, think you would win.”

[Set]

The foreigner's relentless blushing only made Set all the more curious - and his smile pool into a grin.... which proceeded to fade somewhat once Barates confessed just what had been going through his mind. Blinking once, the god turned to gaze out at the hippos some ways down the river, studying them for a moment. When he looked back at Barates, the boy had turned a shade not unlike Set's hair. The god tilted his head, his grin spilling back over his lips despite his efforts to restrain it if only for the sake of further unnerving his toy. "I don't know," he answered thoughtfully. "There are some very large hippos." He nodded in the direction of the beasts. "And with mouths like those, a big enough one could probably eat me whole in this form if it wanted." He couldn't help laughing at the notion.

"I could be taller, if you find my current height.. distracting?" He cast a mischievous smile. "But you may not find my face quite so pretty, then." He gazed up at Barates as if daring him for an invitation to change into true form. Though the thought crossed his mind, giving the foreigner any more of a scare than he already had in one day might prove too much for the boy. Still, the idea made him smile.

[Barates Aster]

The moment the god’s smile faded, Barates’s heart plummeted and the vibrant blush that had been on his face wafted between horrific shades of white and vibrant shades of red. Biting his lip and torn between begging apologies or standing by his description-the god had asked after all, Barates’ face ended up in a strange mix of horrified, embarrassed and stubborn, mouth half open and eyes comically wide. Jaw slowly snapping shut as Set tilted his head to glance towards the direction of the hippos, Barates chanced a weak smile- noting that the god’s ever present grin had seemed to return. “Eh, sure you could take.”

Flinching despite himself as the god laughed at the very notion, Barates’ eyes darted back and forth, the Greek flinching back at the god’s mischievous smile. Laughing weakly, though the sound grew stronger as his curiosity was piqued, Barates blinked though he still shied away from the red headed youth out of sheer mortification. “Make yourself taller? How?” Eyes narrowing to peer curiously at Set with out realizing that the god was gazing up at him, Barates cocked his head to the side, mouth pursed in curiosity before he blinked and met the god’s eyes again. Face quickly reddening again-which, Barates told himself firmly, was because of the sun not his own inability to hide his emotions in the true Greek fashion, the slave shuffled awkwardly in place. How to react to that? It was true that Set’s face was indeed pretty (at least in this form), but really, Barates was well aware that gods were vain creatures were their forms were concerned. Well, at least most of them were and well, Set seemed to belong in that category- the vain one that is. Gnawing at his lip nervously, Barates all but cursed as curiosity finally won over common sense once again. “F-form can’t be that bad. Not like you have a er…” trailing off slightly as he vaguely remembered that hippos might have been one of Set’s patron animals if what the priests said was true, the Greek coughed before amended lamely, “….bee’s head….” pausing for a moment, the Greek grimaced before he looked towards Set nervously, “….you not have bee’s head right?”

[Set]

Set was also confident he could 'take' a hippopotamus. Not that he would ever have to unless confronted by another deity, as the animals were part of his domain in Egypt. But he faced a much fiercer creature every night without too much trouble.

The god arched a brow, still smiling. "You just witnessed me change from a giant crocodile into a relatively small boy. It surprises you I could grow taller?" He replied. He watched the boy shift anxiously in place, and though he looked only amused, Set did finally take a step back to allow the youth at least a little more space. The excitement had gradually waned from his face so he appeared calm now, albeit entertained nonetheless. He stared out at the river with a contemplative look and a smile hovering over his features, and laughed at Barates' struggle for words. "No," he answered lightly. "But I'm not sure the paintings done of my true face quite do it justice." He said rather vaguely. He glanced at Barates again, and the challenge had faded from his eyes, though he still looked like he may have been toying with the idea of showing the foreigner in person.

[Barates Aster]

Flinching at the god’s inquiry, Barates glanced away, a sheepish look on his face. “Eh, just…shouldn’t be surprised,” he admitted, scratching at his chin with an awkward wince before he turned to peer at the god from the corner of his eye, curios and abashed at the same time, “but…but forms not fixed in size?” To tell the truth, the idea that the god could change forms was not altogether surprising, but size, at least in Barates’ opinion tended to be locked to one specific state in each form. The idea that the god could perhaps change size at will made him more inquisitive than anything else.

“Good. Pictures show you without bee's head but can never be too sure.” Heaving a sigh in relief as the god answered his belated question regarding his head, Barates bit at his lip, noting with an odd mixture of thankfulness and confusion that the god had given him some space. Arms jerking slightly as he resisted the urge to take a discreet sniff of his arms in order to test his scent at the god’s decision to give him some personal space, Barates sincerely hoped he didn’t smell. Pushing thoughts of his body odor or lack thereof to the back of his mind, Barates tilted his head, eyes brightening with inquisitive curiosity and though he leaned forward despite himself, he made no move to close the renewed space between them. “Painters not do it justice? What mean-they not good? Or…” the Greek continued with a smile and a teasing note to his voice that he hoped wasn’t out of line, “…much better in person?”

[Set]

The god tilted his head somewhat. "Depends on the form," he answered, gazing off across the Nile again. He smiled and laughed when Barates seemed content about never having to face the head of a bee. Set was rather tempted to suggest bees were also part of his domain, or that he could take the form of one if he wished, just to again unnerve the poor thing. The foreigner was so excitingly brave while also so nervous and uncertain... It was a fun combination. This was a toy Set would be sure to get back to.

He shrugged then, sighing softly. "They do alright." He chuckled, but it was a rather ominous sound. "Better..." He parroted thoughtfully. "... You could say that." It would probably depend on one's definition of 'better'. Clearer, certainly - but also much more frightening. He smiled up at Barates mischievously.

His silvery eyes had begun to take on a faintly amber hue as the sun sank lower toward the horizon and the daylight grew more dispersed between dark shadows cast across the land. "... Do you need to get back to the palace? I could escort you if you like. We might pity the thief who dares attack us on the way," he laughed, raising a brow.

[Barates Aster]

Blinking curiously at the god’s response, Barates tilted his head as he brushed a bit of wayward sand off of his kilt while giving the garment a discreet tug upwards as it began to dip a bit low. He’d have to tighten the knot binding it around his waist later- but for now he’d just have to make do with the looseness of the white cloth. “Ah. Makes sense.” Despite his answer, the Greek’s brow was still furrowed slightly in confusion, but he made no further inquiries.

Glancing towards the setting sun with an expression that, while not quite yet nervous was at least a little uneasy, Barates grinned as the god chuckled, however ominous the sound was. “Eh, Painters can’t always get right! Ah-but if you want good painter-drawer-artist?” Stumbling a moment as he tried to figure out the word, Barates pursed his lips before he waved his hand through the air, hoping the god would get the point, “Artist-youngest princess very good. Drew me—very real. If ask, surely draw you.” Nodding his head to enunciate his point, the Greek slave glanced at the sun again-hardly realizing the god’s eyes had changed shade as well before he slowly nodded his head, previous cheer disappearing slightly but not entirely. “Urgh-nearly forgot ‘bout that.”

“Eh, can escort if you want.” Still looking towards the sun, the Greek paused before he narrowed his eyes, and directed a somewhat indignant glare towards the god. Lips pursed in an expression that was most certainly a scowl and clearly not a pout, Barates added bluntly, “Not a woman who needs protection though. Can take care of self.” Manliness preserved, the slave paused for a moment before his expression smoothed some and he added, a bit awkwardly, “But can accompany if want. Will….” Barates grinned teasingly as he stepped away from the reeds his back was currently pressed against, the grin on his lips faltering slightly as he tripped over one caught around his foot. Righting himself with a flush, Barates coughed for a moment before he continued, “…will make sure no thieves attack god. If only to save thieves.”