An afternoon escape [Barates]

[Set]

Set shrugged, a small smile lingering about his lips. "Hn... I will keep that in mind. Though, perhaps it's better my true face is depicted more... vaguely." He paused, thinking with a rather serious look before he smiled again. "... Then it has all the more impact when seen in person." He added. Though there was truth in his words, somehow they did not seem fully sincere, like he had added them on so Barates would not get any other ideas about what he meant by his initial statement.

He eyed the boy up and down as if to make a point of the youth's slender form, not without a teasing smile, but nodded. "If you say so." In a god's eyes, there were no humans capable of truly taking care of themselves - but Set found it cute when some of them had the idea they could, so long as they didn't acquire the notion they didn't even need the gods' help. That was an argument quickly and decisively disproven. Set eyed the boy again when Barates tripped, arching a brow and grinning at the color that poured into the foreigner's cheeks. "I will enjoy watching your endeavors to protect me... or any marauders who cross my path." He purred, stepping aside a little more so as to walk alongside his newfound companion.

[Barates Aster]

Looking down inquisitively as he brushed some more sand out his kilt and attempted to regain his dignity from his previous stumble, Barates cocked his head to the side, eyes bright with curiosity. “Better vague?” he parroted, head tilting further as the god’s normally smiling features gained a serious look. Face brightening, Barates blinked, “Eh? Then scary? Ah!” Clapping his fist into his palm, Barates grinned. “Want to shock then?” Not bother to wait for the god’s reply, the Greek stumbled through the reeds he had just tripped through, muttering a few curses beneath his breath as he continued speaking, “Haha- might want to see true form then. But will probably burst into flames. Rather not have that.”

Indeed he’d rather not-after all, Barates was far too aware of what happened when a mortal saw the true form of a god-or at least a Greek one. The tale of the birth Dionysus had been instilled into him as a child-even if his parents weren’t worshippers of Zeus they were well aware of the caution within the tale. To see a god’s true from was paramount to death- they were far too much for mortal eyes to behold, and though Barates recalled that Set had mentioned something about showing his true form to royals and priests, Barates could easily figure that out. After all, the pharaohs weren’t mortal were they? And neither were their descendents.

Demi-gods, if he remembered correctly-sons of Horus. That had to be why they were immune to spontaneously combusting.

Nodding his head to himself as if to accentuate the conclusion he had come up with in his mind, Barates paused before he scowled, glancing at Set from over his shoulder only to yelp as a wayward reed smacked him full on in the face. Rubbing his afflicted chin with a indignant frown, Barates narrowed his eyes before he turned back towards Set. “Was soldier before slave just so know. Do know how to protect self just not….” Barates trailed off, directing a dirty look towards the reeds loathsomely blocking his path, “…not…not from reeds.” Barely more than a mutter, the spluttered retort was hardly audible and Barates hoped that Set had not caught it and quickly cleared his throat to change the course of the conversation.

“Marauders bad here? Have never come ‘cross one before. Not since came to Egypt.” Tone bright with curiosity as he pushed the last of the reeds out of the way with a slightly smug grin as it provided little resistance, Barates held the mass back with an arm, leaving a way for the god to go through only to pause as he realized that as a god, Set could probably easily magic them away or dispose of them with something equally err…godlike. Face reddening slightly, Barates fidgeted but he didn’t move his hand and still left the pathway open.

God or not, it was the thought that counted…right?

[Set]

The god maintained his smile as Barates seemed to get the picture, so to speak, though his lips pressed into a thin line. He stopped suddenly however, turning to the foreigner, when the boy suggested he might burst into flames at Set's true form. The god narrowed his increasingly amber eyes, which still held their ethereal shine, leering up into Barates' face. "I don't know if it's that bad, Barates Aster of Crete." His words took on an unusually icy tone. The hard look in his eyes did not match his lingering smile, making his expression only eerie. Finally, the foreigner seemed to have said something that did not graze Set's funny bone, as Set did not understand the reference to Greek deities. The god knew his true face was frightening, and frequently took advantage of it and even pride in it, but in truth he was quite bitter mortals did not look upon him as handsome like the beautiful hawk or cat or cow faces. Even a crocodile face possessed more beauty than Set's, as it was not quite as... macabre. Just as he had said, Set was different than other gods, and no clearer was this made than in his beastial form - a creature not of the animal kingdom or even of the human realm at all, but someplace much darker.

Still, he couldn't help an amused smile at Barates' spite for the reeds in his way. It was a good thing the foreigner was not a soldier of Egypt, as there could very well be too many reeds between him and the enemy; he would be vanquished before laying hand or blade on them.

His gaze shifted away thoughtfully. "Hn...." Gears turned in the god's eyes until something appeared to click into place, and he continued. "... Sort of. There are plenty, that is for certain. Royals, perhaps even other gods, may try to reassure you differently, but many criminals have come out of the darkest depths of Egypt." His tone made a subtle change. "However... I don't always look down on them as others might. In many an instance, a so-called marauder is a victim of circumstance. Frequently they are raised in a place where they know no differently, or otherwise in conditions which force their hand to be one stained with blood and stolen goods." Pity weaved through his words, though it was faint. The god stepped through the path Barates made in the reeds without paying any mind to the boy's uncertainty. If his companion was going to make a path for him, there was no need to make his own via godly abilities - and he did appreciate the gesture with a small smile.

[Barates Aster]

Smile faltering in confusion at the sound of the god’s icy voice, Barates quickly took a step back, nearly releasing the grip he had on the reeds. “Eh? Why-why mad? Mean-mean no offense. Just humans-er-mortals die when see God’s true form. Every Greek know this.” Brow furrowed, Barates shook his head, eyes wide. “….pharaoh’s and pharaoh’s descendant’s safe-sons of Horus so not mortal, right? But-but regular mortals die. Burst into flames. Can’t take splendor of god’s form-and…” Speech becoming more broken as he tried to somehow convey what he had meant, the Greeks’ hold tightened on the reeds in his hands as his teeth bit into his lip. “Not want to die-still only young.”

Trailing off as the god’s gaze shifted away, Barates cut himself off with a snap of his jaw, fighting the urge to retort something he’d likely regret later-mostly centered on how it was public knowledge that regular mortals died when faced with a god’s truest of forms along with some version of 'duh'. Looking a mixture of sulky and apologetic, Barates looked up as Set began speaking again. “Plenty?” Head cocking curiously despite himself, Barates leaned forward slightly, readjusting his grip on the reeds as the god’s voice took on a pitying tone. Gazing at the red headed youth thoughtfully, Barates frowned. “Nobles not try to help poor? Nobles rich-surely can help. Do so in Crete…” cutting himself off, Barates paused, mulling over his words. Despite the kindness of some of the nobles back in his home land, there were still poor people and those who had taken to thieving and killing in order to make their way in life. “…well, some do. Not make everything better but surely help.” Releasing his hold on the reeds as the god stepped through, and returning the small smile with an awkward one of his own, Barates fell in step beside him, bare feet digging into the hot sand that led away from the Nile.

[Set]

Set tilted his head slightly, giving a soft sight as if out of weary impatience. "Such splendor sounds exciting," though his tone did not sound excited in the least. "But you may be happy to hear, the true forms of the Egyptian gods have no such effect. Perhaps Greek gods' true forms don't, either, in reality. Maybe they only make those who see their true forms burst into flames to maintain such an illusion of splendor." The word was spoken with mocking, and his smile wove its way back across his lips. This smile soon grew in amusement. "Maybe they're really very ugly, but kill any mortal who sees them so that no one may know." He grinned up at Barates teasingly, his face taking on a fox-like expression again.

He shrugged at the suggestion of the rich helping the poor. "Not often. Those of less wealth and lower class are frequently looked down on in Egypt. Those who are very poor do not work... And Egypt frowns on those who don't work. Sometimes the royals try to help... Or a noble happens to be kind-hearted. Occasionally a god may show favor on an especially devoted citizen, no matter their wealth. But many of the upper class, I think, would rather wipe out the poor than help them - like scrubbing Egypt clean of filth. I admit it might help the crime." His gaze was distant. But he shook his head, then, smiling faintly. "But I rather like the poor. So many interesting characters develop out of dire situations." He looked up at Barates with a particular, albeit somewhat mischievous, shine in his eyes. "I like interesting characters."

[Barates Aster]

Frowning at the lack of excitement in the god’s voice, Barates scowled at the slight against his gods only to blink curiously as Set mentioned the true forms of Egyptian gods had no such effect. “Not burst into flames?!” He parroted, as if the very idea in of itself was ludicrous only to stare at the god from the corner of his eye with a sulky look. “Not so. Hephaestus ugly. Still causes you to burst into flames on true form. Aphrodite pretty…or…at least human form is….gods get jealous when see pretty human so perhaps…” trailing off uncertainly as his attempt to preserve his gods’ dignity failed spectacularly, Barates scratched at his chin and he gave an awkward grin towards Set. “C-could be true. Gods…gods vain.” Shrugging as if that was all the answer he needed, Barates grinned, faith in his gods restored as he directed an inquisitive look towards Set coupled with a somewhat teasing smile. “Haha, if not burst into flames might have to prove!” Grinning broadly without realizing that he had just challenged the god to show him his true form, Barates shook his head before he looked down in interest.

“Sometimes like that in Crete. But not always. But err ‘scrubbing Egypt clean of filth’ probably not work. People get mad, revolt. Easy enough.” Waving his head as if the topic of a revolt from the lower classes were not a great thing, Barates shrugged, only to redden as the god looked up at him with a mischievous shine in his amber eyes. Trying to meet the gaze only to fail, the Greek glanced away awkwardly. “Haha, interesting characters good, suppose? Not interesting self.” Barates continued idly, dodging a skittering bug with some disdain as the background of Thebes and of the palace beyond loomed in the distance, “Stupid more like. Ah! But you interesting! Never spoke to god before. Very good…” floundering as he searched for a word Barates’ features brightened and he grinned, directing a broad smile down towards Set, “...first impression!” Pausing for a moment, Barates blinked before he grinned again as he continued, “…if Egyptian would surely worship you! Haha!”

[Set]

He took in the foreign names hungrily, making note to practice saying them later. Aphrodite he had heard of, but not the first deity mentioned. He chuckled somewhat at the idea of gods getting envious of human beauty. Set may have envied the prettier gods from time to time, but he had never seen a mortal beautiful enough to garner jealousy. It sounded silly to him. Humans were not something to feel threatened by.

The god peered up at Barates, arching a brow. "Another time, I think." He smiled. The initial excitement of meeting someone new appeared to have settled now, so Set's demeanor was much calmer and more relaxed. He seemed to be somewhat detached, however, as if his mind was beginning to wander elsewhere. The more the daylight drained from the sky at the steadily setting sun, the less and less silver Set's eyes became. They maintained their ethereal shine but appeared distinctly different in tint, though so far they were a dull gold more than the vivid yellow they would turn upon sunset. He laughed. "You are obviously interesting enough to hold my attention, Barates Aster of Crete." He smiled at being reassured he had made a good first impression. "Just don't get too relaxed. I told you, I am not like other gods."

His face grew slightly more solemn, then, and after a minute he stopped. He turned to place a hand on Barates' chest and gaze up at him rather intimately. "I am keenly aware there is a difference between belief and worship, Barates. You have made it clear you worship the deities of your homeland, but tell me.... would you worship me, as well, or would your Greek gods... grow jealous?" A mischievous smile flickered over his lips, and his eyes narrowed somewhat as if he might take the Greek gods' possession of Barates as a challenge. Still, his expression softened and he shook his head a little. "Please do not feel pressured by my presence and our pleasant exchange this afternoon," a hint of a challenge lingered in his gaze. "I understand if your vain, Greek deities would not approve of me." He flashed another playful smile.

[Barates Aster]

“Another time?” Blinking at the god’s words, Barates frowned in confusion before he slowly reddened. Oh. “Y-yes, another time.” Coughing slightly in an attempt to cover up the fact that he hadn’t meant anything by his words, Barates bit his lip as he caught sight of Set’s eyes. Though he had noticed they were changing before, they were now a dull gold with hardly any silver present. Stumbling slightly as he tried to stop himself from staring, Barates flushed anew as Set laughed. “Er…thanks?” The embarrassed look on the Greek’s face quickly took an amused tone before he snorted. “Try not to.” Shaking his head lightly, Barates smiled. Ha, as if he could get to relaxed around a god. He was comfortable to be sure, but there was still the overwhelming feeling that he was in the presence of something far greater then himself.

Tuning out his surroundings slightly, Barates was unable to hide the yelp-because it was surely not a squeak, thank you very much-that escaped from his throat and stopped dead in his tracks, hazel eyes nearly the size of dinner plates as Set placed his hand on his chest. The red hue that was slowly beginning to leave his body quickly renewed itself, spreading itself across his ears and down his neck as the Greek spluttered for words, unable to look away from the god’s rather intimate gaze. Whatever thought's left in the slave's head quickly left him as his sense decided to abandon house- this touch felt slightly different than when Set had grabbed his jaw-only to return after a few failed attempts at speech. Still red as a tomato and quickly growing redder by the second-which, mind you, was because of the sun as he was not embarrassed at all for your information-Barates cleared his throat and placed his hands around the god’s wrist to move his hands away only to freeze mid motion as Barates stopped, eyes wide.

Crud. He-he couldn’t push the god away. That’d be rude and oh dear sweet Hermes he was still holding his wrist. Quickly releasing his hands to let his arms fall awkwardly by his side, Barates gulped, thoroughly flushed now as tried to look away-missing Set’s expression soften as he er...marveled in the blinding beauty of the setting sun. Eyes watering from the prolonged exposure, Barates coughed, doing his best to retain what little dignity he had. “G-g-g-gods’ get j-j-jealous. C-c-can’t?” Struggling for words as he tried to keep his wits about him, Barates paused before he finally looked at Set again, gulping as he caught sight of the god’s playful smile. “Not p-pressured,” he continued, before in an attempt to soften the blow, he smiled weakly, forgetting momentarily about Set’s hand on his chest, “Take more to worship god then just nice meeting. Need….” Biting his lip as his brow furrowed in thought, Barates slowly shook his head, “Need more than that. Need….ah….how to put….need…” wincing as he kept repeating himself, Barates finally sighed and lowed his head in defeat for a lost cause before he continued, “…take more than nice meeting and single day with god to change. Faith cannot just start.” Eyes beseeching as he looked towards the god with an uncertain expression, Barates shrugged. “If worship just because you ask, makes less. Be-be bad. H-have to feel...?”

[Set]

Set studied the youth. He watched Barates hand as it latched onto his wrist, paused, and rather hastily fell away. His gaze glued itself to where his hand met mortal skin. "Feel..." He echoed distantly. His hand slowly trailed down Barates' chest, fingertips grazing to about his bellybutton. After what could have been a small eternity, Set finally withdrew his hand. His face had fallen solemn again, but an unusually tentative smile crept back into the corners of his lips as his gaze lifted to meet Barates' once more. "I understand." A thoughtful pause. "... Needless to say, there would be many benefits. And you would not have to work as hard as the average Egyptian to earn them, either, because you are so delightfully interesting," he smiled playfully, giving the boy a short prod in the chest. The god's tone was not without a hint of teasing, but sincere, too.

He nodded, turning to continue walking. "I will give you time. You are free to follow me whenever you feel you are ready to do so. I won't push you." But his voice was a purr - not suggesting dishonesty, per se, but that Set might find a way to persuade Barates nonetheless.

[Barates Aster]

Flinching as Set trailed his finger down his chest, the tips of his fingers just grazing the skin near his belly button, Barates gulped and could only sigh in embarrassed relief as the god finally removed his hand. Taking a cautious step back to rub at the place where the god’s hand had been just a moment prior, Barates blinked, catching sight of the tentative smile on the god’s lips only to yelp in response as Set prodded his chest. Frowning as he rubbed at the afflicted area with a scowl, Barates slowly nodded his head. Teasing though the god’s voice might have been, there was sincerity there too and Barates couldn’t find anything else to say.

Settling for an awkward hum as he continued after Set, though at a space where he’d easily be able to tell if the god was going to get touchy-feely again, the Greek man blinked before he grinned despite himself. “Thank you for time.” he laughed before continuing blithely, “If decide to worship, you will be first to know.”

Going quiet as he dug his feet into the hot sand, Barates paused, his eyes darting over the shimmering landscape as the sun bore down. The shadows in the sky were quickly darkening, and darting a quick look towards Set, Barates couldn’t help but bite his lip. It was close to night now, and what little light left in the sky was quickly departing. Hadn’t…hadn’t the god said he was busiest at night?

He…he didn’t seem pressed for time. Keeping his thoughts to himself for once, Barates glanced away awkwardly before his eyes narrowed, catching something in the distance. What-what was that? Marauders? Head craning towards the sight curiously, Barates frowned before he shook his head. No-just traders leaving the city.

Still, he couldn’t help but snort at his own jumpiness. One touch from the god and a mere mention of marauders and he was flinching at everything like a skittish woman. It was…Barates scowled, rather sad to say the least. Kicking up a bit of sand more harshly than he’d intended, Barates blinked before he grinned thoughts skittering away from him, unable to deal with the minor silence. “You said marauders frequent right? You met one?” Eyes bright with interest, the Greek tilted his head to the side inquisitively. Though he wasn't one to normally enjoy the idea of thieves and murderers, the god had piqued his interest. Not that, Barates added in his mind, he approved of the practice.

[Set]

Set was far from uncomfortable in the silence that crept in while they walked. His gaze flitted to Barates' face now and then, studying the expressions that drifted across it not without some amount of amusement. He decided one of the things he liked about this human was that he was not as reserved as many others. Despite being a slave, even, he was far from... domesticated, so to speak. He was still distinctly foreign, and expressive. His spirit had not yet been weaned out of him, and Set quite enjoyed it.

But his mind began to wander, until by the time Barates spoke up again, the god blinked, pulled somewhat abruptly from his thoughts. "Yes," he answered after a moment. His increasingly golden eyes gained a distant look, as if sifting through his memories. "... Only a few. Others, 'met' isn't quite the appropriate word, haha..." He chuckled. "I know many more humans than I've met." The god smiled mischievously. He eyed the electricity in the foreigner's face for a minute. "Why do you ask? Have you encountered any?" His gaze gained its own interested spark, a hint of his previous zeal flickering through his features.

[Barates Aster]

Eyes shining with interest at the idea of new information, Barates nodded his head in tune with the god’s words. “Ah- make sense. God’s can’t meet every worshiper and you probably have many.” Tone brightening as he managed to spout of a full sentence without managing to garble it in some way, Barates laughed before he shook his head, waving his hands in tandem. “Never met any marauders- but only heard. Most not want to attack envoy full of soldiers and as slave, not much picking.” Still grinning despite the sharp pang he felt as he mentioned his own status, Barates shrugged. “Just curious really. Only encounter pirates-er, marauders on water-when travel and that only when trading. Not very good pirates-easy to beat.” Snorting at the thought of the would be takers he had once encountered, Barates shook his head with a reminiscent smile.

“Tried to take ship down with only rope and traders from Crete very tough.” Gesturing slightly at his corded muscles on his arms, however thin they might be, Barates laughed. “Pirates end up losing in end. But no…never met true marauder. And…” he continued thoughtfully as he scratched at his nose, “don’t really think want to. Not much like for murderers or thieves-not honorable. Should only thieve as last resort and should never….should never murder. Not for fun or money. Only kill for country or to save other life.” Hardly caring that he was preaching his views to the god, Barates shrugged before he continued bluntly with shameless grin that spoke of his nosier qualities, “Curious about them still though-Just not approve.”

[Set]

The god laughed, nodding at the explanation that Barates was slim pickings for marauders. Though, occasionally, there were criminals who were in it purely for the blood, not so much the coin - but they were a rare breed, and even then, Set was sure Barates would not be their first choice of victim. Not much of a challenge.

His eyes lit up somewhat at mention of pirates. "Pirates! How exciting. I've heard of them. The idea of living out on the sea fascinates me. Certainly not my thing. Marauders have it tough enough on land… It amazes me they ever get by on water." He nodded again as Barates continued, chuckling a little. "True marauder indeed. I trust you understand some of the marauders here are far more formidable than the pirates you've encountered." His tone sounded like a warning, yet there was an electric look in his features of restrained excitement that did not match his foreboding voice in the least. "I think there's a fair share of good and bad marauders, as strange as that may sound." His gaze was thoughtful as it eyed the path ahead. "Some are the vile, greedy things the common tale makes them out to be... Others steal only to live, or... began that way, at least. The road to a life of crime is by all means a downhill one."

Now that the sun had sank beneath the horizon and night was progressing over the sky, Set's eyes were distinctly yellow, and in the growing darkness even seemed to give off a faint glow. It made for a much eerier appearance than the beautiful, shimmering look of his eyes in daylight.

[Barates Aster]

“Eh? Water much easier than land. Only trouble when run out of food. Or meet storm.” Oblivious to the fact that his words were hardly reassuring, Barates shrugged as his face took on a more wistful tone. “Much more freer on water. No cares, no worries except for keeping ship afloat and making it to next destination .Even then, can catch fish-always something to do on ship. On land, not so much.”

Plodding along, Barates tilted his head at the god’s words-his lips quirking into a frown at Set’s foreboding tone. Still, whatever his unease with the almost audible warning, he couldn’t help but be curious. “Formidable? How so?” Still tilting his head curiously, Barates blinked before he straightened and wrinkled his nose. “Good-bad. Still rather not meet one. Not unless forced to. Or no other choice.”

Waving his hand fleetingly in the air as if to dispel the very idea, Barates paused before he eyed Set curiously. Though he had noticed the god’s eyes steadily growing more and more gold, now they seemed a molten yellow-like candle light or something equally bright and even with his limited vision in the night, Barates could catch the color. Curiosity piqued, he unconsciously leaning forward and the down to get a better look. “How eyes get like that? God trait? It very strange.” Blanching quickly, he hurriedly moved to fix his words. “I-in nice way though. Strange…strange in nice way. Er....like....like cobra. Or s-scorpion. Pretty but...strange? In-in scary way?” Oh dear Hermes that sounded even worse. Really, what if the god didn't like scorpions? Or cobras? Oh well-at least he hadn't compared him to a cow. Face quickly blanching again before flushing slightly, Barates cursed at himself beneath his breath in Greek before he hurriedly sped up his pace, no longer plodding behind the god like he had been previously. One thing was for sure, the slave told himself, he really needed to learn how to control his mouth.

Somehow though, he didn’t think it was going to be any time soon.

[Set]

Set arched a brow. "Hm? Well... The good marauders here - the formidable ones, I mean - are as cunning as they are violent. They are stealthy like cats, able to disappear in the darkness but just as well blend into a crowd in daylight. Some of them work in packs with the efficiency of wolves... Others are more solitary predators, but a force to be reckoned with nonetheless. There are those after money, those after blood, those after fame, and still others seeking any combination of the three." He spoke with the kind of reverence as if speaking of a legendary creature. "They are not easy to beat like your pirates. They are wired to survive no matter the cost, and they let nothing and no one get in their way." He cast a Cheshire grin, teeth shining in the growing darkness.

The god glanced at Barates at mention of his eyes. He smiled. "I thought you might say something," he purred. "Most gods' eyes are unique in some way. Changes in color are not uncommon." He didn't seem intent on explaining any further, but did grin as the foreigner stumbled over his words. "I like strange." He answered lightly. "You seem to be a fan yourself." He eyed Barates up and down with a mischievous smile, thinking back on how the boy had even caught his attention in the first place - staring with childlike wonder at an enormous crocodile that was inching closer.