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Post by Set on May 23, 2012 17:51:44 GMT -5
A beast roughly the size of a lion had appeared in the gardens. Though it lay peacefully on the path in the shade of a small persea tree, its presence came as an unpleasant surprise to the servant who discovered it, who quickly dashed off to inform the nearest royal he could find. This was not an invading monster to be slain, but a god lounging in one of his most comfortable - and notorious - forms.
With its almost emaciated figure, skeletal muzzle, and red eyes that were like jewels in the daylight and glowing embers at night, the Typhonic Beast was an eerie sight to behold, all the more unnerving when it appeared in a larger size. But Set's lax posture did not speak of threat in the least. He lay upright, with his paws in perfect form beneath him, and his forked tail curled neatly about his hips. His long, thin, squared ears were perked into the air, swiveling this way and that curiously. His gaze drifted. Eventually he gave a great yawn not unlike a lounging lion, jaws spreading a formidable number of degrees and displaying erratically arranged, pointed teeth - and a black, serpentine tongue.
Most of ancient Egypt favored the male gender. Set, however, was never one to fall into the majority; he liked the idea of Nailah's rising to the throne if only because he knew the noble Puer would be gathering so much more support... and the notion of a female ruler intrigued him. Regardless of many others' uncertainty, he knew Nailah would make a good ruler, too, once she warmed up to it. She was the daughter of the Pharaoh, after all. It was in her blood to rule more than it was in Puer's. And after picking out certain - more or less unwitting - 'participants' across the classes of Egypt, Set was confident he had formulated a plan that would win Nailah her people's support.
Set had informed the princess Nailah in a dream they would be meeting. He hoped she took the dream to heart; she should be alerted of his appearance in the palace gardens soon, at any rate, so he waited there patiently for her.
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Post by Nailah on May 23, 2012 22:32:55 GMT -5
Nailah awoke that morning with a gasp, unsure of exactly what had happened. She was nervous, because if it had meant what she thought, she was going to be meeting a God... The very idea had her shaking slightly, it was an amazing thought and an honor of course, but at the same time frightened her. Why would he want to see her?
She dressed that morning, wearing her normal clothing. She didnt want to seem too fancy, but not too relaxed either... if this was going to happen.
Soon after that she headed towards the gardens, only to be stopped by a a servant who was running away from the gardens. He spoke quickly, stumbling over his words. "My lady... there's.. something. Animal!" He froze, remembering to bow. Stiffly doing so and jerking upright before he calmed down enough to speak. "There's something in the garden..."
Nailah nodded, and cut him off. "It's all right. I'm going there now." He began to protest, but Nailah walked away, leaving him sputtering and running off to find more help.
She entered the garden slowly and quietly, spotting Set after only a moment. A soft gasp escaped her, and she bowed slightly, standing up again. "Set.." She whispered the name softly, overcome with awe. She didn't know what to do.
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Post by Set on May 23, 2012 23:52:13 GMT -5
The creature's ears turned toward the garden's entrance at the princess's arrival. He quickly stood - but by the time he was on his feet, the god was no longer a ghastly, canine-esque beast, but a man of unusually large stature... albeit with the creature's head in place of a human one, complete with a dark headdress that covered Set's vivid red hair. His pale frame was coated in the utmost royal attire and shining gold and jeweled adornments.
He made a subtle bow out of courtesy. "Good morning, Princess Nailah." In his natural form as opposed to his human form, his voice carried a strange kind of echo to it, as if more than one entity was talking. "It is a pleasure to meet you face to face," he said softly. "I wanted to let you know personally I support your rise to the throne. I know that noble, Puer, has been winning over much of Egypt..." He turned to pace toward his right, as it was respectful to only face royals with the left side. His wrapped tail, lying low behind him, swayed gently with each step. He turned to glance at Nailah, a smile playing across his long, thin muzzle. "However, I have a plan to win your kingdom's favor. With your permission, I will aid in bringing this plan to fruition - and I can guarantee that if successful, it will give you a formidable boost in popularity. Together, we will give Puer a real run for his money." The god grinned, flashing white, pointed teeth that glinted in the morning light.
"Are you interested, Princess?"
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Post by Nailah on May 29, 2012 20:51:46 GMT -5
Nailah watched in awe as the creature shifted, becoming a man instead.. though his head was still there, not a man at all.
She watched as he bowed, and wanted to protest. She was not sure why he did so, but decided against saying anything. She really did not want to insult him at all. A smile crossed her face as he spoke, it was amazing to be in his presence. Of course, she had always believed in the gods.. but to see one in front of her was amazing.
Her eyes widened as he pledged his support to her for the throne, nodding slightly as he spoke of Puer, she knew that he was getting plenty of support - even from people whom she thought were really behind her.
When he spoke again, saying he had a plan, her face brightened and she nodded. "I am very interested, Set. This is my father's kingdom, and I do not want to let him down." She smiled, shifting from foot to foot in happiness. It was truly amazing, and she knew that he could help her.
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Post by Set on May 30, 2012 2:44:49 GMT -5
The god grinned further, an eerie sight on his toothy, canine-esque muzzle. His tail gave a subtle swish. "I am happy to hear it." His ruby eyes took on as endearing a look as they were capable.
He took no more time to begin but for a pause to glance about and be sure they were alone. "Surely, you have heard of the white-haired tomb robber, Amonsef? A thief out of the blue who suddenly appeared in the public eye after successfully stealing from two royals' tombs - all by himself, too. A great offense against Egypt... against its authorities, you, and us gods. I'm sure the royal guards have been fuming. I know the kingdom is.... People of every class want his head." He spoke lightly, as if they were discussing the weather. "Perhaps a thief capable of breaking into a tomb with such ease is also capable of breaking into the palace." He cast Nailah a glance that almost seemed more excited than in any way alarmed.
He stepped closer toward her. "And what if he did, Princess?" He asked in a somewhat hushed tone. "In fact.... What if he broke into the palace with my help?" The god's mischievous smile suggested there was more to the question than what it sounded like. "I have watched Amonsef. He is still wrapping his head around what he is capable of; the palace is still too brazen a goal for him to consider. But with a little divine encouragement, a personal promise from me to get him in safely... Well, with a god at your back, you would be up for almost anything, would you not?"
He moved off again to pace slowly. "As I was saying... What if he broke into the palace with my help? And what if, unbeknownst to him, you and your very best guards were waiting in the wings for his arrival? What if you are more or less directly responsible for the capture of this ruthless criminal, who after violating two royal tombs became so bold as to attempt to steal from the royal palace itself? People of all classes want his head, Princess," he echoed. "You would be a heroine in the eyes of your kingdom. You will have by all means earned your right to the throne." Set grinned, obviously proud of his scheme.
"Of course," he added. "I would promise you no one would be seriously harmed in the marauder's entry into the palace. And we would orchestrate his capture so he would have no notion it was a setup. Then no one would need to know I was involved with his capture but for you and myself... You and you alone would be in the spotlight. And Puer wouldn't have a prayer." He gazed down at Nailah, ruby eyes shining as he awaited her response to the plan.
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