An afternoon escape [Barates]

[Set]

"For your sake and theirs, I will personally ensure scorpions steer clear of your feet." The god cast a mischievous smile.

His gaze turned ahead at the palace firelight. "I've always thought it the other way around." He said quietly. "I thought the trip seemed too short." He smiled up at Barates. "I would have liked to talk with you for longer; it's not often I spare the time for lengthier conversations... Especially in regards to mortals." He glanced at the foreigner again and quickly raised a finger before the boy uttered a reply. "However, don't get the idea you've eaten up my time," he said in an almost scolding tone, maintaining his smile. "It's just difficult to hold my attention for very long, that's all." As they approached the palace, Set stopped to hang back in the shadows, though the firelight that reached him dimmed the glow of his eyes. He turned toward Barates to gently take the youth's chin in his hand again. "And you have managed to do so, Barates Aster of Crete." He let his hand drift back to his side before the foreigner could chide him about being a slave and not a horse again.

His hand raised then to sift through his vivid hair absently. "... I should get going. Divine duties and all. You are probably weary from your work today, anyways." The god's half-hearted smile suggested he did not look forward to his 'divine duties'. "This exchange was most enjoyable. I hope we can talk again when the opportunity arises." His yellow eyes looked thoughtful for a moment. A slave in the palace could make for a useful friend... Much more discreet than the royals, who were harder to manipulate because the other gods kept such close eyes on them.

[Barates Aster]

Laughing easily despite his anxiety at the god’s statement of personally ensuring his feet would stay clear of scorpions, Barates shot Set a thankful grin. “Appreciate.” he drawled out, “Rather not get stung-bit? And like scorpions-not want to kill.” Running one hand across his shoulder as he stared towards the flickering lights of the fire, the stars somewhat dimmed from the lamplight’s closeness, Barates glanced back at the god from the corner of his eye, perking up visibly as Set smiled up at him.

“Eh? Other way around? Huh. Always find time spent with people like very long. Enjoy it. Suppose though…it could seem short….” looking away again as he trailed off thoughtfully, Barates frowned before he scratched his head. “Huh. Never thought about that way. Wonder why that is.” Catching himself before he began mumbling under his breath in thought, Barates eyes quickly towards Set at the mention of the god’s duties. About to open his mouth to splutter an apology- while he wasn’t pronen to spouting apologies, Set was a god and what use did a mortal have for taking up a god’s time; before he shut it, going cross eyed as Set gently grabbed his chin. However before he could rebuke the god for treating him like a good again, Set released his grip, letting his hand drop back towards his side.

Rubbing the spot where the god’s hand had lingered with a befuddled expression, Barates opened his mouth and then closed it, flushing as he realized the god had just complimented him. “Eh, glad to be of good company!” Flinching as his voice came out an excited yell, Barates quickly slapped his palm over his mouth before he added in a more inside tone, “You nice company too-glad to have spent time! Very interesting god. Make-make good first impression!” Smiling guilelessly, Barates gave a broad grin before he blinked, smile faltering slightly as the god mentioned his divine duties.

Speaking about Set’s night time chore seemed to get the god somewhat ansty, still, Barates grit his jaw. “Eh, slightly tired. Not much. Good company makes awake? Er…not…ah. But-but good luck, fun-fighting snake thing? Not that need it…eh…” Trailing off awkwardly as his attempt to wish the god well failed spectacularly, Barates sighed before he shook his head and amended lamely, “Eh, if want, will talk with you again? You very interesting. Besides-want to learn more about gods. And…” he trailed off slightly before scratching his chin and peering at the god from the corner of his eye with a somewhat awkward grin, “…w-will help if need it. Not that gods need help er…eh…” Fumbling for words again, Barates finally settled on dropping his head and scratching at the nape of his neck with an awkward smile, “Eh, yes.” All too aware of the fact that his garbled statement did little to clear up his words, Barates finally stepped away from the god, pausing for a moment before he settled on a deep bow. Just leaving after all, didn’t feel right.

Straightening and combating the red hue quickly coming over his face-bowing in public like that wasn’t exactly common of him, Barates gave one last awkward smile before he stepped back, moving closer towards the flickering lamplight but not making a move to leave completely just yet. He’d wait until the god left first for that after all, however companionable Set might have been Barates at least knew you never turned your back on a god.

A few myths from back home had taught him that.