A Good Night of Drawing and Bonding(Nailah)

[Nebet]

The night was young, a soft spring breeze floating in the air. Young 13 old Nebet walked along the grounds, her long hair floating in the breeze. She was headed for the gardens, sketchbook in hand. Nebet loved to draw, and as she walked along the grounds, she looked up at the moon and smiled. She loved the night, the darkness, the mystery alluring to her. Her anklet that she always wore clattered on the ground as her bare feet made its way in the direction of the garden.
Nebet sighed softly and smiled a bit when she entered the gardens. She had bitten her lower lip when the guards near the entrance had stood at attention. She could never get used to the fact she had been born royalty. But this exited her mind when she walked into the garden and froze. It was beautiful, and she smiled more as she made her way in some more. She inhaled the scent of flowers, and finally stopped in front of a small garden of Egyptian Blooms. Taking her pencil out of her notebook, she sat and began to sketch.
It was all so beautiful and as she made her rough sketch she could not help loving the fact that she was alone and drawing. Nebet never got into trouble, and never wanted to get into trouble. She had recieved permission to be able to come out here this late to draw the flowers and in return she planned on giving her mom a sketch she made of her sisters in their chambers. Nebet had made that drawing with the two girls smiling. Her oldest sister had been sitting, and her middle sister had been standing on her right side and in back. The girls had been smiling, and Nebet smiled a little to herself as she worked.

[Nailah]

Nailah had gone to bed early this day, having been exhausted from the days activities. She had been talking to the viziers and general about some issues that were happening, possible uprisings in the south.. it was frustrating to her, it had seemed so easy to her father and now she was having such a time... She knew it was because the people were unsure of what was happening, as there had been no public crowning or festival in honor of the new Pharaoh, and it made people nervous. Nailah just wasn't sure how to approach the situation, and had been discussing it with the advisers. There had been nothing set, so she had done nothing. But she knew that she had to comfort the people, and soon.

And so, with all this rolling through her head.. she could not sleep at all.

So she decided a stroll in the garden would work quite well. She left her room and headed straight there, avoiding anyone she saw on the way. She didn't want to talk right now... she just needed time to think.

She watched as the guards bowed to her at the entrance, nodding to them as she exited the palace and entered the gardens, taking a deep breath of the beautiful smells that were there. She loved this place, and it was definitely a favorite place to be.

She spotted her youngest sister and grinned, she hadn't seen her all day.. the three of them were so close, it would be nice to spend some time with her sister.

"Nebet!" She smiled as she hurried over to her, and plopped down beside her, facing her. She noticed the sketchpad and smiled, looking at her sister's face. "You're out kind of late."

[Nebet]

Nebet looked up when she heard her sisters voice. A small grin broke out on her own face as she said,"Nailah, sister. How are you?" She smiled quietly before she held her sketchpad out to her sister, her eyes looking up at the moon. Being a geberally quiet girl, Nebet was as sweet as they came. That was unless someone thought her quiet nature was just her being a snob. Then they didn't like her. Nebet looked at her sister again and waited for her to say something, finally asking,"so do you like? And you never got to see the one I plan on giving mother of you and sister. Would you like to see it?" Nebet adored her sisters, looking up to them.
Everyone in the city knew how different the girls were. Nebet was quiet and shy and different from the other two girls as the day was from the night. But they were really close, the other two girls very protective over Nebet. And Nebet did not hate their protectiveness. She actually wanted to get older so she could protect her sisters. They meant so much to each other. Nebet pulled out of her thoughts when she realized she had been dazing, and gave her sister an apoligetic smile. Nailah did worry Nebet sometimes, cause of her having to help their mother. She worried that it would end up hurting her dear sister in one way or another.

[Nailah]

Nailah smiled at her sister. "I'm doing well, Nebet. A little tired from today, but I couldn't really sleep.. I guess I'm just nervous..." And of course Nebet knew why, she knew that Nailah had taken on a lot of duties... and they were already starting to wear on her. Her father was amazing, but she was worried she wouldn't live up to his expectations.

Nailah took the sketchpad from Nebet as she handed it to her, looking down at it with a smile on her face. Her sister was an amazing artist, and she was super excited to see any of her work. And this did not disappoint, either. It was beautiful.

She spoke softly as she looked back up at her sister. "It is amazing, Nebet. Very beautiful." She handed the pad back to her, and smiled, leaning against her. She was just glad to b e close to her sister right now, and needed the little bit of comfort her sister provided her at the moment. She missed her father greatly, and knew that Nebet did as well.

"Are you doing OK, Nebet?" She figured she'd ask... she knew that she had had a hard time with their father's death, like Nailah herself did.. and she wanted to be there for her sisters.

[Nebet]

Nebet nodded her head as she looked at her sister, worry and sadness replacing the smile. She cared deeply for her sister, and she looked at her as she said,"I wish I could do something, sister. You took on such a heavy burden and it worries me that you don't sleep as well." Of course Nebet had not been sleeping well either. She had felt pain and sadness when their father had passed away, excluding herself after the burying of their father and retreating to her chambers. She had refused food and did not but paint and draw. She had also cried alot in that time. She had even gone so far as to shy away from her dear sisters, not wanting contact from them as she mourned. Her heart was broken cause she had seen him as a great and wise pharoh, that he was invincible. Until he had passed she had figured him to be a superhero, protecting his children and ruling a great nation.
She was pleased when her sister complimented her work. She smiled quietly and said softly,"it isn't that great. I work hard, but the petals always turn out wrong. She realised that she had said that and thought she might have humbled herself, but she knew she needed more work. She felt like she needed to work more to make her drawings more lifelike, not realizing she was already a genuis at the arts. Her sister always complained when she humble herself for her arts, andshe looked down as her sier brought up their father.
"I have been ok. I have been going over my sketches of father from him sitting on the throne and even when he was out here last." Nebet felt tears prick behind her eyes as she remembered the last time her father had brought them out and into the garden. She fought them, though. She did not want to admit the fact that she did not have as much time with him as her sisters did, and it made her envy them. She loved her sisters, even adored them. They had become her protectors after he had passed, even going so far as to force her to eat when she refused. She looked up at the moon, and smiled a bit sadly when her dear sister leaned on her. She let her, and wrapped an arm around her sister in a loving sibling embrace.

[Nailah]

Nailah nodded her head slightly as Nebet spoke, knowing that her sister worried about her. The whole family did, probably the whole country would if they knew about her and her dilemma. Unfortunately, she probably needed to find a husband and soon. It would help her secure her throne, if she wed a noble or someone like that. She knew her father had been working on finding someone to marry her, but she wasn't sure who or anything, she hadn't been informed of anything yet. She wondered if her mother knew..

She frowned at Nebet as she spoke about her drawings, saying that they weren't that good. "Nebet!" She didn't really yell, but she wanted to get her attention. "You are amazing, and we all know that.. you do too.. you just don't want to admit it." She stuck her tongue out at her sister and giggled, nudging her gently with her shoulder.

Nailah sighed and nodded slightly as Nebet spoke of their father, wishing their father had not passed on, but knowing at the same time it was necessary. It kept the cycle going, it was just strange.. and Nailah knew this, of all the wives he had.. he had no sons to take the throne. Her mother had born him three daughters, and there was nothing more than that.

She felt Nebet's arm around her and moved closer to her, hugging her as well. She was most definitely still in mourning, it hadn't been so long.. not at all, but she still missed him terribly. It was hard sometimes, even to wander through the palace.. because she missed his voice so much.

"I miss him so much, Nebet."

[Nebet]

Nebet looked at her sister as she thought. She wondered what she was thinking about. Nebet had worried over her for a bit now, worried that her sister taking the throne would help, but she did not want her to take a husband she did not love dearly. She also wanted her sister to be happy as she looked at the moon again. She bit her lower lip gently as she closed her eyes and wondered who her father had planned for Nailah. She knew it was someone who would keep the line strong, but she also knew he would have to be something special for his daughter.
Nebet laughed softly and returned the gesture. She missed playing with her sister like this, and she looked at Nailah and said,"fine, I am the greatest artist ever." she looked at her sister, knowing she would realize she was teasing her and said,"better?" She smiled as she looked at her sister relax. She had worried over her ever since their father had passed away. It had been most difficult for her sister she believe, since she had known him the longest. She realized her sister knew she would take the pain and the responsiblities from her sister if only for one day so she could relax.
Nebet sighed softly as she felt tears prick. No she was not going to cry. So she sucked it up and answered her sister,"I do too, dear sister. I do too." She looked out over the garden and n smiled softly as she asked,"you remember that last day he brought us out here?"

[Nailah]

The things that were on Nebet's mind were definitely on her own mind, especially the husband issue. She was super nervous about that, but knew that for her country, she would do anything it took to take care of it.

She grinned as Nebet stuck her tongue out at her also, giggling softly again. "You are!" She agreed, nodding her head. She believed it, definitely. Her sister was amazing, this was true.

She was glad to be resting against her when she asked the next question. She sagged a bit and slowly nodded her head. Their father had been sick for a while, and in his final days he wanted the three sisters in the garden with him while he rested there. He wanted to be outside, and Nailah was right at his side, as she had been the entire time he was sick.

"He was so sick..." She sighed. Neither the physicians nor the priests could fix it, or even figure out what was the matter with him.

[Nebet]

Nebet smiled softly at her sister. She knew her sister would do what was right for Egypt. Her sister was important to her, someone she had been able to talk to since she was very young herself. She bit her lower lip, eyes looking up and into the great sky as she said a silent prayer for her sister to have the strength to the gods. She felt a deep sadness for her sister, but knew she would do the right thing for their country in the end. She gave voice to this by saying,"I have great hope in the gods that you will choose the right person for the country."
Laughing softly she looked at her sister when she agreed with her. She felt a little better, loving the praise her sister gave her for her arts. It always pleased her when she was being praised for doing something right and she looked away again as she said,"would you like to see the picture I drew of you and our dear sister?" She let her eyes wander around the garden as she softly sighed. She felt like she belonged here as she closed her eyes, taking a deep breathe of the gardens flowery scents.
When her sister slumped and recalled the memory, she felt the tears prick again. She fought them off again as she said,"I remember what he said to us as well." She knew she would never forget her fathers loving words. She remembered her eldest sister always being by his side and she said,"did father ever talk about me? I havent been around as long as you and I feel like he might have been sad that I could not see him as much as you." She looked at her sister again as she waited for a reply.

[Nailah]

Nailah had most definitely prayed to the gods as well, wanting someone to help her rule - not just to take over the country and have her just be by their side. She was her father's daughter, after all. Nailah looked at her sister as she wished the best for her and smiled at her, glad that her sister was behind her all the way.

She nodded when she spoke of the picture of her and their sister, smiling again. "I'd love to see it, Nebet."

She looked away from her when she spoke of their father again, sighing gently as she looked up to the sky. She missed him so much, and he was such a good Pharaoh... "I do too." He wanted them to be strong, because he knew that he did not have much time left. He comforted them, but it was never enough. It was sad that the country was left without a leader, but.. well, she would deal with it and become the Pharaoh they needed.

She just had to figure out how..

She looked at her sister again as she asked about their father again, frowning slightly. "Of course he talked about you! He talked about your drawings all the time, Nebet..." She smiled at her sister, hugging her a bit from the side. "He loved us all, and this country.." And that was why Nailah couldn't let him down.

[Nebet]

Nebet smiled softly and went througj the drawings she had with her. She always carried this drawing and another drawing of their father around. In her fathers drawing, he was asleep, his eyes gentle as he laid on his stomache. She had wanted a picture of him, but she had not been able to get one with how busy he was. She had watched him sleep as she drew him, and she sighed softly at the memory. She felt tears sting behind her eyes and she closed them. She would not show her sister her tears. She was not going to put her sister under more stress than she already was. Nebet found the picture and pulled it out. She offered her sister a soft and sad smile as she handed it to her and said,"I was going to give that to our mother for the pharohs chambers. I know father is gone, but I still want for there to be something of my hand of us to be put in there. I can feel his spirit sometimes dear sister. He is someone who gave me a muse and now that he is gone, even in death he still helps." She had told this to no one, not even her mother. She had felt her fathers presence at times, directing her hand as she went and gotten a painting made or played a song. He had been her muse and now to this day he still was, even beyond death. She had not told anyone this, because she was worried that her sisters would think her a freak. She loved to be praised, but hated to be reprimanded.
When her sister told her that their father talked about her drawings all the time, she smiled through tears. Her quiet voice trembled as she said,"he did? He talked about my arts?" She felt a tear fall and hit her wrist as she felt her sister lean into her. She was a 13 year old princess who had lost her father. It hurt her heart to know she could never see his smiling face again.

[Nailah]

Nailah took the picture from Nebet with a smile, looking down at it as she clutched it in her hands. It was beautiful, and it made her smile even wider. She was so happy that her sister found herself in this, because it really delighted her.

She looked at Nebet as she spoke, nodding as she talked about their father. "I am glad that he is still with you Nebet, I hope that when I need him he will be with me as well." There were many hard decisions in the eldest princesses life that were coming up so fast.

She looked at Nebet as she spoke about her drawings, noticing that she was crying. Nailah frowned and pulled her closer, hugging her tightly. "Yes, he did Nebet. He was very impressed with your skill." And Nailah felt the same as her sister, she missed her father.. and she was sad he wouldn't be there for his future grandchildren. She had known their grandfather, not for long but enough that she could remember him. She missed them both.

[Nebet]

Nebet smiled softly as her sister looked at the drawing. Her blue eyes watched her sister marvel over the details of their hair, the way the shading fit them just right. Her soft smile remained as she looked up and into the sky. She closed her eyes, envisioning her father there and with them, his arms wrapped around the sisters. She finally opened them again as her sister spoke, listening to he talk about their father being with her when she needed it. Nebet nodded as she said,"I am sure he will be with you. I know he will be, because he loved his three little girls." She offered her sister the softest of smiles before she let the tears fall from knowing he had talked about her arts.
Nebet leaned into her sister, burying her face in her sisters shoulder. She missed him dearly and as she xried, she tried to speak around it. "I...miss.....him....so......much," she sobbed. She remembered her sisters crying very hard when it was time to say goodbye. Nebet had tried not to cry, though she had shed some tears. She was gentle, but she was also very shy. She had prefferred to hide behind her sisters, instead of having to look at their father as he lay there, and to avoid the crowd. She finally let go, however as her sister held her and sobbed her 13 year old heart out. She needed her sister now more than ever, but being the girl she was, she didn't want her sister to be stressed.

[Nailah]

Nailah nodded softly as Nebet spoke of their father again, saying that he would be with her. She hoped that was true, she definitely needed help with all that was happening. But she believed it as well, that he would be there for her in spirit.

She felt Nebet bury her head in her shoulder, hugging her tightly. She was sad that Nebet was crying and could feel tears of her own beginning to form. She didn't want to cry, she had cried enough... and now she needed to be strong. For her sister, and for the nation.

She was getting rather tired, however.. and these emotions weren't helping any either. She hugged her sister a little tighter, wishing that she didn't have to go through this, that none of them did. But she knew too, eventually everyone died.. and their father was with the Gods now.

"Nebet.. perhaps we should go to bed... Want to stay in my room with me? We can have a sleep over."

[Nebet]

Nebet cried softly as she buried her head in her sisters shoulder. She believed with all of her heart that their father was with them in times of great need. She knew her sister would know he was there when a difficult decision would arise, and that he would help guide her down the right path. But she missed him so badly that it ached. Her small body shook a bit from the sobs, but soon enough they sunsided.
Nebet gave a little hiccup, and finally looked at her dear sister. She did not want to lose her, nor their other sister. She loved them greatly and if she lost them, it would hurt greatly. She smiled softly finally and said,"I really hope he is with you when you need him. I really do." She gave her sister a tearstained kiss on the cheek, then let her head fall back on her sisters shoulder. She closed her eyes and gave a big yawn as she suddenly stretched. It was late, and she was tired as well.
When Nailah asked if she wanted to sleep with her in her chambers, she gave a wet smile and said,"oh, I would love that dear sister. I would love to have a sleepover." She kept a soft smile on her face and realized she did not want to have to go back to her own chambers tonight. She felt as if the many pictures of their father she had drawn would make the ache and hollow feeling in her chest worse. She tucked a piece of her long white hair behind her ear and then looked again at Nailah, her oldest sister, and soon to be ruler of Egypt. She had a great respect for her, and she smiled softly again as she waited for a reply.