synthneon | · CALL ME OUT (AUTUMN) ·

[ He might be the Pharaoh, but that hardly makes him the most important person in the room. A ruler can't rule by himself; at least, that's what he believes. He needs people around him with their own ideas and suggestions who can provide another perspective when needed. Even the subjects that he has been given the rule of play an important role in the kingdom.

So as far as he's concerned, while he has the title of Pharaoh, he's not any more important than anyone else.

But right here in this moment, especially when she's so close that he could practically lose himself in her presence and the subtle floral fragrance that he notices in the air when she's around, he's not thinking about anything but how he might ask her if she might consent to staying with him for a little while longer.

When her hands slip beneath his shoulders and she eases him down so that his head is pillowed in her lap, he doesn't resist. Her presence is comforting, and he can't remember the last time someone offered him comfort like this.

Even his muscles begin to unknot and relax beneath her touch. This, in its own way, is more healing than any magical spell. ]

I'm all right. [ It's not an answer to her question, but there's still a hint of stubbornness in his voice, even if most of it is covered over by the lingering weakness he still feels.

But then he smiles a small sort of smile even as he asks: ]

Is it all right if you stay? Surely you have other responsibilities besides looking after me. And- [ He pauses, looking down as if surveying himself and his current condition. ] Would you say that the worst is over?

[ It doesn't take a genius to know that it will take time for his strength to return, but what he's wondering is if he's out of the woods. At least he can speak again, although he can tell that even that requires expending energy. ]

[ She would like nothing more than to stay by his side. However, she does not expect nor hope that he might even ask. She was meant to be there only as a guide and a voice for the spirits they trapped in order to battle. One might argue she was even overstepping her boundaries by simply being being with him as she was. Still, she will remain until either he or another of his Priests dismisses her.

Her eyes drift close as her fingers continue to work down his neck, then to the back of his neck. They move down to where the neck meets the shoulders. It is a gentle motion meant to ease the tension. His answer simply makes her eyebrows raise as she continues to work. ]

I see. [ The tone suggests that she does not believe him. In fact, she is very aware that his body is not fine.

However, the words she might have said catch in her throat at his question. Her eyes open to lock onto his again. The fingers still against his skin, the others twine themselves in his hair. ]

... the mortal danger is over, yes. [ Her voice is even softer than before--barely above a whisper. Lunafreya's gaze drifts to the side. A slight pink takes to her cheeks. ] Your recovery is all that I have tasked myself with since your victory.

[ Despite herself, she quiets then. She would tell him that there is no place she would rather be. Attending to him like this, speaking while he is awake? It brings a sense of contentment but also the feeling of fulfillment to her. She has done more than her station and acted in a way that her heart cries out for. Voicing all of this, however... he may not wish to hear it. Surely the feelings she has are not returned. There must be others he would wish to be with more, perhaps even another he has needed to court until the threat of Zorc appeared...

Her gaze lowers slightly with a look of sadness crossing her features. There would be no need of her to stay once he is able to move on his own again. He and his Priests will either take her counsel to live a different way with spirit monsters or they will not. The Oracle would have no reason to linger... and what is she if not the Oracle?

The fingers that stilled begin to move again as they had. Even if her thoughts wander away from her? She has still given herself the duty of caring for him through this ordeal and she will see it through. ]

Edited 2021-11-18 03:56 (UTC)

[ For just a moment, before he responds to her properly, he lets his eyes close and take in the feeling of her fingers touching him in places that really aren't all that sensitive, but in light of everything that's happened, somehow the feel of her fingers on his skin is causing more of a reaction than he might have had normally. It's something like tingles where her fingers ghost against him, but it's not an unpleasant sensation by any means. ]

And what about the kingdom's recovery? [ That is his responsibility to see to, more so than hers or anyone else's, and from his position here, he can't even see the first steps he ought to take to achieve that.

The notion that he should be doing something, anything, to help with his kingdom's recovery has been a thought lurking in the back of his mind, and while he's felt the ripples of what could only be called distress because of his own inaction, they've stayed in the background thus far. But now that he's able to speak and think, those thoughts come more to the forefront.

He casts a glance at her, wishing that all he had to think about was how he could strive to keep her with him, going as far as to ask her to do so. It's something he desires, and he opens his mouth to finally give voice to it. ]

Lunafreya, I- [ His words abruptly break off, and one hand moves to grip his chest as if something there is suddenly causing trouble. His breaths also sound strained as if he has to fight to even draw just one.

Now, his gaze snaps to hers, but even if he could put into words a request for help, it doesn't seem to him (even in his sudden alarmed state) that there's very much she could do, if his guess about what is happening is correct. ]

For now, those that remain of your court are seeing to affairs. Although, I know you would rather be with them for the sake of your people.

[ She must remind herself of that small fact. Her duty has brought her to this kingdom and her duty it should remain. Feelings, no matter how deep or how powerful, have no place in the court and certainly in politics. These moments where she might be Lunafreya and he Atem will certainly not continue past this time.

Her attention moves back to him as be speaks her full name and not her title. Then, that spike of fear and panic surges through her as he grabs his chest. She wastes no time in turning so she is at his side, still sitting in order for him to remain in her lap. Her hands move to his chest, fingers gently working under his hand to lay flat against his skin.

Eyes drift shut as she reaches our with her senses. What is causing him this sudden pain? A wound she can ease into healing? Something that lurks inside that she might comfort? ]

Edited 2021-11-20 04:05 (UTC)

[ Even as he's fighting against the feeling that a weight has settled on his chest, stifling his ability to breathe or even speak, he's shaking his head. What he wants more than anything is to rise and meet with the priests and other advisors while still having her there standing beside him. What he wishes is for duty and desire to meet halfway so that he can be Pharaoh while still having her with him to offer guidance and support when he needs it. And if he dared to ask for more, for her to love him, he would take that too, if she wished to give it.

It's only too true that they're able to just be themselves inside these walls, but when they go outside, all of that changes and they have to fall back into their respective roles.

The struggle between what he wants and what he feels he must do continues to pull on him, and that only contributes to his distress. It's not anything that can be healed as she did previously, and not a physical wound that's broken open, but something intangible and far more difficult to reach.

His fingers tighten against his chest, and inadvertently against her hands, as if trying desperately to wrench away the emotional upset that's threatening to suffocate him. But it can't be dislodged that way, however hard he tries.

It's a storm he'll have to ride out, if he can only call on the strength he needs for it. ]

[ Her eyebrows knit together. There are no wounds that have reopened; no new damage that might cause such a reaction from him. What hurts him must be of emotions or the mind then. A frown touches her face as she looks down at him once more. They are not wounds or troubles she can heal.

Comfort, however, she can most certainly give.

The hand on his chest turns to hold his. She hesitates for only a moment before sliding her fingers between his -- stopping halfway in case he should wish to pull his hand away. Her head lowers to press a kiss to his forehead once more. Perhaps the notions are too bold and too familiar... but she can think of nothing else to help ease the surge of emotions in him. ]

You are Pharaoh, my dear. You represent Egypt in all her facets. If the land and people must recover... so must you. After you sleep I will send for your Priests.

Edited 2021-11-20 10:42 (UTC)

[ Even as he tries to fight against the current of his emotions, he's chastising himself for this weakness. He must find a way to calm himself, because this reaction is unbecoming for a ruler, and he can only imagine what Lunafreya herself must be thinking, even though she's only continued to offer comfort and reassurance, not judgment.

If this is how I represent Egypt, then no one should look at me. The internal response to her words bursts into the forefront of his mind, even as a counter-argument to that forms itself in protest. He won't be like this forever, or at least, he hopes that he won't. What he needs to do is give himself time to recover, as she's been saying all along, and then he can rise and resume his position as Egypt's Pharaoh.

But rather than calm settling in again, his agitation only seems to increase. This panicked reaction seems like foolishness even as it takes further hold of him, and if he could glare at himself with disgust, he would.

If she weren't there in the room with him, he'd just let his eyes travel up to the ceiling and remain there, staring at it while trying to find some way to calm himself. But she is present, and she's what he fixes his gaze on.

Even so, it feels like an eternity passes before his breathing finally evens out and returns to a more normal rate, and the tension that overtook him gives way, leaving him feeling as though all his bones have melted and he can do no more than simply lie there.

He does manage to give her hand a weak squeeze so that she at least knows he's still there with her. ]

[ Her head tilts down to press her forehead to his. There, she remains, fingers fully enclosing around his hand to squeeze his in return. Her eyes fall shut even as he keeps his gaze on her. She feels as if he should not look at her in such a human state. She is meant to be the Oracle, something neigh otherworldly and an example to strive to be.

Perhaps he is only seeking the affection she gives so readily because he is injured. She tells herself this over and over in her mind as to not to be attached to this moment. Regardless, she finds herself doing just the opposite. She would press him closer, kiss him, tell him stories of her homeland and her family. She would simply be with him.... if she felt it was her place.

Instead she remains as she is with her fingers gently sliding up and down his own to bring him some form of comfort with her forehead pressed to his. ]

[ He might be injured, and his injuries and the vulnerable state of mind and heart that they're causing might, in turn, be causing him to seek out her comfort and affection. But beyond all that, he genuinely wishes that they could be together; if not always, then as often as they can manage. That longing only adds to the chaos churning inside him, but perhaps paradoxically, his breathing begins to slow, returning to a more normal pace.

The tension in his muscles also begins to lessen, and while waves of tiredness and weakness sweep over him again, the hold he has on her hand stays as firm as he can manage to make it.

It seems that now is the time for him to try his voice again. He has much he wants to say to her, but what leaves him is not what he intended but is no less heartfelt. ]

Thank you.

There is no need to thank me.

[ Even if it was not her duty to heal and to serve her fellow man? She would have done all she could have to save him. She cares for him -- dare she even say loves him. Such a thing cannot be, she has convinced herself. There would be no benefit to his kingdom to be involved with the Oracle. Beyond that, she is certain he only seeks comfort and nothing more at the moment.

Her hand squeezes his again. ]

Rest so that you might return to the place you yearn to be and those you wish to be with.

[ Those that remain. Many were lost in the battle with Zorc. ]

[ He lets his instincts direct him now, and he tries to push himself just a fraction more upright than he's been thus far, but he also tries not to overdue it, lest he worry her once again. ]

Oh, but there is. Would I still be here if not for your assistance?

[ He shakes his head as if to say he's certain he would not. ]

What if I count you as one of those I wish to be with? [ Too forward? Perhaps. But that's something he's willing to risk. ]

[ She falls quiet at his statement. Perhaps he would, perhaps he would not. That is far from her to say or judge. It would seem his gods still wish him to remain among the living for now. She would presume that if they had other designs in mind that no amount of her willpower or magic would keep him with them. ]

I suppose not.

[ Lunafreya has never been one to draw attention to herself or her deeds. She does the duty she has been tasked with and will see it to her utmost. What more can she do beyond that? What more can she seek to wish for? While there have not been many Oracles before her, she strives to live up to the example set by them.

His admittance, however, catches her from her thoughts. Her head raises from his by a fraction and her eyes widen. No--surely, he could not mean it in a way she wishes to receive it. She plays a role in his court and that should surely be all... ]

I... [ a pause to gather herself. ] Would find myself rather fortunate and undeserving of such a notion.

[ Perhaps he is incorrect in believing that the outcome would have been much worse if not for her, but if that is the case, then this is one instance where he has no problems being wrong.

He gives her a smile that he hopes is reassuring, even though it is still a little bit diminished. ]

Why is that? I see no reason why you should not deserve such a thing.

[ Propriety is one thing, but there are times when he has resolved to simply ignore propriety and follow his desires wherever they lead. ]

· CALL ME OUT (AUTUMN) ·

🎃 AUTUMN

meanwhile atem's like, how can I keep her around longer?

i mean he could ask but....

oh he might very well do that..... eventually. when I'm finished being mean to him...

D: Luna will protect her man

don't mind him, he's just going to glue himself to her side for a little while. forget propriety

she likes that ~~ also sneaks this in

good~ he likes it too

these two just need to cuddle and kiss and get on with it

at least they're slowly moving in the right direction

might be doing better than their counterparts?

they certainly seem to be!

i'm shocked and yet thrilled at the same time, go guys go ;~;

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