Welcome

"Besides, I would be a fool no to recognize one who was the Great Pharaoh once. I spent many years as a Tomb Keeper within Egypt's underground pathways. I suppose that is why I tend to be more sincere than some."

"....That was a very long time ago, and much has changed," she said, voice soft, eyes lowering for a moment as she thought about what he said. "Why are you here now?"

"Everything checks out just fine, please, enjoy your evening." He said, stepping aside to allow her entry and dipping his head in a respectful manner. "If you run into any trouble, please don't hesitate to tell me. I'll gladly take care of it for you."

She took her ID and sighed softly. "I am sorry for snapping, thank you. It has been a long day...But I will let you know if any trouble finds me." Atem nodded. "You are...Different from other guards I have seen. I appreciate your sincerity."

"No need to get snappy, I'm only doing my job...Besides, you don't look a day over eighteen."

"Your job?" She huffed softly, arms crossed. "A day over eighteen...A pleasant thought of being that young still but very incorrect."

He sighed, frazzled and frustrated. “I’m just looking for somewhere to live. Atlantis is a little sunk,” he grunted. “I don’t have some diabolical scheme. I barely have a driver’s license at this point.” He had money, oh he had a lot of money but that was different.  

Naimah again babbled for her Baba and Atem shifted her to her other hip. “I’m sure Timaeus is going to enjoy hearing you are back. If you have not already met up with him yourself.” She said, though there was still a clip to her tone. She hadn’t relaxed completely, but it was better than before at least.

Then came a pause, another question, soft, “What is your daughter’s name, if I may ask?” 

Clearing her throat softly, she kept herself from reminiscing. “Do you have any little ones of your own?”

John Banville, The Sea (via alleyspat)

“Oh put your magic down.” He ordered. “I might have the means of hurting you but I lack the intention.” His magic was becoming defensive at all the prodding and he himself didn’t much appreciate it. “I was walking through the park. I was trying to make my way home to my nice quiet bed where people don’t yell at me.”

Only now did Atem take her eyes from the man before her and coo softly to her child. “It is alright my little one, We’ll go find Timaeus soon.” She murmured before looking back at Dartz. She looked at him for a long moment, judging whether or not he might be telling the truth and slowly, she let her magic down slightly. “I meant why are you here in this city.” She clarified, her the harshness had faded from her voice. Whether it was for her childs sake or not was impossible to tell.

Most of the memories she had from when she had been Yami were fragments, things that took a little while to piece together, things that many times only came out clear enough in dreams. But the green of the Orichalcos was hard to forget. “Naimah,” she said, trying to keep the alarm out of her voice as she stood and scooped her daughter up quickly, holding her protectively as she stared Dartz down, her tone hardening, she had no problem calling up the shadows if she needed, but she didn’t want to scare Naimah either. “What are you doing here?”

His heart sank and throwing his hands up he showed them to be empty and stationary by his sides. It was about as ‘I’m unarmed’ as he could get without taking his pants off. “I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met properly,” he began calmly. “Or perhaps versions of us have met but I don’t know you personally.” He tried to clarify that fact outright. Seemed even in another universe he was unpopular.  

“We’ll see Baba soon, little one,” and then her tone hardened again, looking Dartz up and down, her own magic was feeling out for his, her arms itching and she was glad she was wearing a coat so he could not see the pattern of feathers threatening to appear on her skin. “Why are you here?”

“It is always nice to see a new face,” she smiled and nodded in greeting. “Welcome to my home, my name is Atem.” How she did like visitors, it was always nice meeting new people and making new friends. “What can I do for you?” One had to be a good host, after all.

“A curse, then?” he asked suddenly and then snapped his mouth shut again before softly adding, “Forgive me, that is a very…sudden thing to ask. Ah, come inside - - the tea is already brewing, Ma–” he paused, brows furrowing, “by what title do I call you?” the mage finally asked. 

“It was my own choice to stay like this, for my daughter.” Though she tilted her head at his question. “Title? Oh I do not think I need or deserve one here. This place...Has no need for a King or Queen now, not in this time. So I have been living quietly as just Atem. Though, there are many with my face around and it must be difficult to tell us apart. Some have nicknamed me Queenie, despite my insistence,” she chuckled. 

“Tea sounds great.”