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Nafretiri grinned back at Neena despite herself, glad the woman hadn't seemed to take offense. Maybe, if she hadn't taken offense to the idea, neither would the gods. Somehow, Neena's laughter now made Nafretiri want to laugh too, to seemingly be free with her....
She did, however, notice the woman's sudden silence when Nafretiri said that she was good with children. She smiled back when the smile returned to Neena's face, but Nafretiri was astute enough to guess what Neena's silence after her comment might mean.
"You know, you could share Aneksi..." Nafretiri offered, meaning it. "There's no word for aunt here in Egypt, so you'd be Amma, too, but we'd know." Her smile turned a little sad. "I don't have any siblings. Being an only child was always lonely, but now that I have a child of my own, somehow it's worse to me. Everybody needs that neat aunt or uncle, the one you can tell things to that you'd never dare tell your parents, you know?" She laughed. "Luckily, I had a couple of those myself. But seriously...I mean it."
She thought for a minute. "Hmm, let's go into the souk. There ought to be some street food there, with all the bazaars and markets we always have going on. What would you like? Anything special you're used to? If not, there's a vendor here with the most delectable honeyed nut recipe I've ever tasted. Some kind of exotic spice, I think. Cassia?" How had that slipped out of her mouth. Cassia was the Hebrew word for cinnamon, and as a person's name, Keziah ment the same thing. Well, she knew that Neena had already guessed she used to be Yahwist, but just any random person she happened to meet on the street probably wouldn't know what 'Cassia' meant.
Nafretiri had the sense that Neena had probably been most if not all places- at least those fairly close to each other- in the known world, and would probably have a very good idea of what her favorite foods were. There were, of course, taverns in Egypt as well, but Nafretiri preferred to stay away from those when possible, lest she run into...well, the wrong kind of crowd. Gods forbid anyone think she was a bar wench wanting more than coin to live, though Nafretiri was also aware that at least that much of her fears were probably unfounded. Priests and priestesses had ceremonial robes, and it would probably be difficult to mistake a priest or priestess for a person who was, for lack of a better word, common.
As they walked, meanwhile, the myriad smells of the different foods being cooked in the souk made even Nafretiri's stomach growl. "I guess I didn't realize it was lunchtime. Duties have a way of making time disappear." She wondered what it would be like to be Neena, who seemed to be a wanderer and could very likely have any job she wanted for a week or so at a time before just being able to move on as she pleased. Not that Nafretiri thought she would have been brave enough to do the same thing, even before Aneksi had been conceived. But it would have been nice to have been able to consider the opportunity.
At the mention of her name as they talked, Aneksi grinned up at Neena. She liked the exotic looking lady, and thought she was nice, too. And if Aneksi liked Neena, Nafretiri thought that she herself couldn't help but follow suit.
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Nafretiri grinned back at Neena despite herself, glad the woman hadn't seemed to take offense. Maybe, if she hadn't taken offense to the idea, neither would the gods. Somehow, Neena's laughter now made Nafretiri want to laugh too, to seemingly be free with her....
She did, however, notice the woman's sudden silence when Nafretiri said that she was good with children. She smiled back when the smile returned to Neena's face, but Nafretiri was astute enough to guess what Neena's silence after her comment might mean.
"You know, you could share Aneksi..." Nafretiri offered, meaning it. "There's no word for aunt here in Egypt, so you'd be Amma, too, but we'd know." Her smile turned a little sad. "I don't have any siblings. Being an only child was always lonely, but now that I have a child of my own, somehow it's worse to me. Everybody needs that neat aunt or uncle, the one you can tell things to that you'd never dare tell your parents, you know?" She laughed. "Luckily, I had a couple of those myself. But seriously...I mean it."
She thought for a minute. "Hmm, let's go into the souk. There ought to be some street food there, with all the bazaars and markets we always have going on. What would you like? Anything special you're used to? If not, there's a vendor here with the most delectable honeyed nut recipe I've ever tasted. Some kind of exotic spice, I think. Cassia?" How had that slipped out of her mouth. Cassia was the Hebrew word for cinnamon, and as a person's name, Keziah ment the same thing. Well, she knew that Neena had already guessed she used to be Yahwist, but just any random person she happened to meet on the street probably wouldn't know what 'Cassia' meant.
Nafretiri had the sense that Neena had probably been most if not all places- at least those fairly close to each other- in the known world, and would probably have a very good idea of what her favorite foods were. There were, of course, taverns in Egypt as well, but Nafretiri preferred to stay away from those when possible, lest she run into...well, the wrong kind of crowd. Gods forbid anyone think she was a bar wench wanting more than coin to live, though Nafretiri was also aware that at least that much of her fears were probably unfounded. Priests and priestesses had ceremonial robes, and it would probably be difficult to mistake a priest or priestess for a person who was, for lack of a better word, common.
As they walked, meanwhile, the myriad smells of the different foods being cooked in the souk made even Nafretiri's stomach growl. "I guess I didn't realize it was lunchtime. Duties have a way of making time disappear." She wondered what it would be like to be Neena, who seemed to be a wanderer and could very likely have any job she wanted for a week or so at a time before just being able to move on as she pleased. Not that Nafretiri thought she would have been brave enough to do the same thing, even before Aneksi had been conceived. But it would have been nice to have been able to consider the opportunity.
At the mention of her name as they talked, Aneksi grinned up at Neena. She liked the exotic looking lady, and thought she was nice, too. And if Aneksi liked Neena, Nafretiri thought that she herself couldn't help but follow suit.
Nafretiri grinned back at Neena despite herself, glad the woman hadn't seemed to take offense. Maybe, if she hadn't taken offense to the idea, neither would the gods. Somehow, Neena's laughter now made Nafretiri want to laugh too, to seemingly be free with her....
She did, however, notice the woman's sudden silence when Nafretiri said that she was good with children. She smiled back when the smile returned to Neena's face, but Nafretiri was astute enough to guess what Neena's silence after her comment might mean.
"You know, you could share Aneksi..." Nafretiri offered, meaning it. "There's no word for aunt here in Egypt, so you'd be Amma, too, but we'd know." Her smile turned a little sad. "I don't have any siblings. Being an only child was always lonely, but now that I have a child of my own, somehow it's worse to me. Everybody needs that neat aunt or uncle, the one you can tell things to that you'd never dare tell your parents, you know?" She laughed. "Luckily, I had a couple of those myself. But seriously...I mean it."
She thought for a minute. "Hmm, let's go into the souk. There ought to be some street food there, with all the bazaars and markets we always have going on. What would you like? Anything special you're used to? If not, there's a vendor here with the most delectable honeyed nut recipe I've ever tasted. Some kind of exotic spice, I think. Cassia?" How had that slipped out of her mouth. Cassia was the Hebrew word for cinnamon, and as a person's name, Keziah ment the same thing. Well, she knew that Neena had already guessed she used to be Yahwist, but just any random person she happened to meet on the street probably wouldn't know what 'Cassia' meant.
Nafretiri had the sense that Neena had probably been most if not all places- at least those fairly close to each other- in the known world, and would probably have a very good idea of what her favorite foods were. There were, of course, taverns in Egypt as well, but Nafretiri preferred to stay away from those when possible, lest she run into...well, the wrong kind of crowd. Gods forbid anyone think she was a bar wench wanting more than coin to live, though Nafretiri was also aware that at least that much of her fears were probably unfounded. Priests and priestesses had ceremonial robes, and it would probably be difficult to mistake a priest or priestess for a person who was, for lack of a better word, common.
As they walked, meanwhile, the myriad smells of the different foods being cooked in the souk made even Nafretiri's stomach growl. "I guess I didn't realize it was lunchtime. Duties have a way of making time disappear." She wondered what it would be like to be Neena, who seemed to be a wanderer and could very likely have any job she wanted for a week or so at a time before just being able to move on as she pleased. Not that Nafretiri thought she would have been brave enough to do the same thing, even before Aneksi had been conceived. But it would have been nice to have been able to consider the opportunity.
At the mention of her name as they talked, Aneksi grinned up at Neena. She liked the exotic looking lady, and thought she was nice, too. And if Aneksi liked Neena, Nafretiri thought that she herself couldn't help but follow suit.
Neena gave an awkward moment of laughter when this woman - a pure stranger - suggested that she become like a second mother to her daughter - a figure of model behaviour and security. The laugh wasn't harsh nor insulting but more self-deprecating over herself being the priestess' choice.
"I think that if you knew me better, priestess, you wouldn't offer such a thing." Neena shrugged her shoulders and continued walking without malice or issue over the whole topic. She just seemed dismissive of the offer itself. "I am not known for my permanency or reliability." She said, turning to walk backwards and smile at the woman to whom she spoke with that same lightness that she wore both as a personality trait but also as a shield.
Stopping so that Nafretiri came closer and reaching out to cluck a curled finger beneath Aneksi' pudgy chin and illicit giggles from the girl, Neena then carried on with a return to her natural brightness.
"Not that I can't be a friend to her whilst I am here."
For Neena meant both statements. She was happy to be friends with people; even to form bonds of friendship that would last years down the line and be committed in the sense of her feelings towards someone. But when it came to duties and responsibilities... to promises of time and effort. She could not always give them. She had tried and she had failed. And that failure was far too painful to risk allowing to happen again.
When the priestess suggested that the two of them head for the market and see what was on offer at the large and varied souk that was kept to the north of the street their traipsed, Neena was more than happy to go along with the suggestion, feeling her belly curl and turn on her. The orange she had snuck from the temple had succeeded only in reminding her belly just how hungry she was.
"I have no coin." Neena said. "So, unless you are offering to pay for the food, you'll have to wait whilst I work to gain some." She pre-warned. And sometimes it took a while to dance long enough to draw in the total cost of a decent meal...
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Neena gave an awkward moment of laughter when this woman - a pure stranger - suggested that she become like a second mother to her daughter - a figure of model behaviour and security. The laugh wasn't harsh nor insulting but more self-deprecating over herself being the priestess' choice.
"I think that if you knew me better, priestess, you wouldn't offer such a thing." Neena shrugged her shoulders and continued walking without malice or issue over the whole topic. She just seemed dismissive of the offer itself. "I am not known for my permanency or reliability." She said, turning to walk backwards and smile at the woman to whom she spoke with that same lightness that she wore both as a personality trait but also as a shield.
Stopping so that Nafretiri came closer and reaching out to cluck a curled finger beneath Aneksi' pudgy chin and illicit giggles from the girl, Neena then carried on with a return to her natural brightness.
"Not that I can't be a friend to her whilst I am here."
For Neena meant both statements. She was happy to be friends with people; even to form bonds of friendship that would last years down the line and be committed in the sense of her feelings towards someone. But when it came to duties and responsibilities... to promises of time and effort. She could not always give them. She had tried and she had failed. And that failure was far too painful to risk allowing to happen again.
When the priestess suggested that the two of them head for the market and see what was on offer at the large and varied souk that was kept to the north of the street their traipsed, Neena was more than happy to go along with the suggestion, feeling her belly curl and turn on her. The orange she had snuck from the temple had succeeded only in reminding her belly just how hungry she was.
"I have no coin." Neena said. "So, unless you are offering to pay for the food, you'll have to wait whilst I work to gain some." She pre-warned. And sometimes it took a while to dance long enough to draw in the total cost of a decent meal...
Neena gave an awkward moment of laughter when this woman - a pure stranger - suggested that she become like a second mother to her daughter - a figure of model behaviour and security. The laugh wasn't harsh nor insulting but more self-deprecating over herself being the priestess' choice.
"I think that if you knew me better, priestess, you wouldn't offer such a thing." Neena shrugged her shoulders and continued walking without malice or issue over the whole topic. She just seemed dismissive of the offer itself. "I am not known for my permanency or reliability." She said, turning to walk backwards and smile at the woman to whom she spoke with that same lightness that she wore both as a personality trait but also as a shield.
Stopping so that Nafretiri came closer and reaching out to cluck a curled finger beneath Aneksi' pudgy chin and illicit giggles from the girl, Neena then carried on with a return to her natural brightness.
"Not that I can't be a friend to her whilst I am here."
For Neena meant both statements. She was happy to be friends with people; even to form bonds of friendship that would last years down the line and be committed in the sense of her feelings towards someone. But when it came to duties and responsibilities... to promises of time and effort. She could not always give them. She had tried and she had failed. And that failure was far too painful to risk allowing to happen again.
When the priestess suggested that the two of them head for the market and see what was on offer at the large and varied souk that was kept to the north of the street their traipsed, Neena was more than happy to go along with the suggestion, feeling her belly curl and turn on her. The orange she had snuck from the temple had succeeded only in reminding her belly just how hungry she was.
"I have no coin." Neena said. "So, unless you are offering to pay for the food, you'll have to wait whilst I work to gain some." She pre-warned. And sometimes it took a while to dance long enough to draw in the total cost of a decent meal...
Nafretiri smiled a little sadly and perhaps also somewhat ironically. "I can understand... about perhaps knowing someone better, that is. But you see, I don't really know anyone. Not anyone I've felt comfortable getting close to. People, even my fellow priestesses, have their...assumptions about myself and my daughter." she said with a little sigh.
She smiled at her daughter, though, watching as she giggled when Neena tickled her chin. Really, she should be hearing her daughter laugh a lot more. It was a shame temples were such solemn places, where quiet often seemed to be required. It was really no place for a child to be growing up, at least in that sense.
Nafretiri smiled reassuringly when Neena said she had no coin. "I've got some. It's temple policy to keep some money from the offerings- provided we are fortunate enough to obtain it. But if we do, what we keep goes to those in need." And Neena must definitely be in need if she had tried to steal that orange, Nafretiri thought sadly.
"I know what it is to be in need," she said softly, putting her hand on her belly almost involuntarily, as if that would help her remember better the time when she was pregnant and alone. But after a minute, she tried to turn their conversation to happier things.
"Now, tell me, what would you like? Tabouli? Falafel? Some kind of meat, if we can?" Aneksi giggled again as both her mother's stomach and her own growled almost simultaneously. Nafretiri couldn't help a rare enough full-on grin. "All of the above?" She was talking to Neena, of course, but her daughter's laughter brought her some joy. Perhaps her life could regain a semblance of normalcy after all.
Walking towards an area where many vendors were selling freshly prepared food, Nafretiri had almost decided what she herself would like when she realized she had forgotten something, "Wine or beer to drink?" she asked Neena.
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Nafretiri smiled a little sadly and perhaps also somewhat ironically. "I can understand... about perhaps knowing someone better, that is. But you see, I don't really know anyone. Not anyone I've felt comfortable getting close to. People, even my fellow priestesses, have their...assumptions about myself and my daughter." she said with a little sigh.
She smiled at her daughter, though, watching as she giggled when Neena tickled her chin. Really, she should be hearing her daughter laugh a lot more. It was a shame temples were such solemn places, where quiet often seemed to be required. It was really no place for a child to be growing up, at least in that sense.
Nafretiri smiled reassuringly when Neena said she had no coin. "I've got some. It's temple policy to keep some money from the offerings- provided we are fortunate enough to obtain it. But if we do, what we keep goes to those in need." And Neena must definitely be in need if she had tried to steal that orange, Nafretiri thought sadly.
"I know what it is to be in need," she said softly, putting her hand on her belly almost involuntarily, as if that would help her remember better the time when she was pregnant and alone. But after a minute, she tried to turn their conversation to happier things.
"Now, tell me, what would you like? Tabouli? Falafel? Some kind of meat, if we can?" Aneksi giggled again as both her mother's stomach and her own growled almost simultaneously. Nafretiri couldn't help a rare enough full-on grin. "All of the above?" She was talking to Neena, of course, but her daughter's laughter brought her some joy. Perhaps her life could regain a semblance of normalcy after all.
Walking towards an area where many vendors were selling freshly prepared food, Nafretiri had almost decided what she herself would like when she realized she had forgotten something, "Wine or beer to drink?" she asked Neena.
Nafretiri smiled a little sadly and perhaps also somewhat ironically. "I can understand... about perhaps knowing someone better, that is. But you see, I don't really know anyone. Not anyone I've felt comfortable getting close to. People, even my fellow priestesses, have their...assumptions about myself and my daughter." she said with a little sigh.
She smiled at her daughter, though, watching as she giggled when Neena tickled her chin. Really, she should be hearing her daughter laugh a lot more. It was a shame temples were such solemn places, where quiet often seemed to be required. It was really no place for a child to be growing up, at least in that sense.
Nafretiri smiled reassuringly when Neena said she had no coin. "I've got some. It's temple policy to keep some money from the offerings- provided we are fortunate enough to obtain it. But if we do, what we keep goes to those in need." And Neena must definitely be in need if she had tried to steal that orange, Nafretiri thought sadly.
"I know what it is to be in need," she said softly, putting her hand on her belly almost involuntarily, as if that would help her remember better the time when she was pregnant and alone. But after a minute, she tried to turn their conversation to happier things.
"Now, tell me, what would you like? Tabouli? Falafel? Some kind of meat, if we can?" Aneksi giggled again as both her mother's stomach and her own growled almost simultaneously. Nafretiri couldn't help a rare enough full-on grin. "All of the above?" She was talking to Neena, of course, but her daughter's laughter brought her some joy. Perhaps her life could regain a semblance of normalcy after all.
Walking towards an area where many vendors were selling freshly prepared food, Nafretiri had almost decided what she herself would like when she realized she had forgotten something, "Wine or beer to drink?" she asked Neena.
There was a moment upon Neena's face as the priestess before her commented on the way the offerings worked to the temple. There was a similar sort of arrangement in Judea that she had seen in action, monitored and executed by the council houses of each city. She knew that several nations across the known world put in policies and plans to help those that required an additional hand - a piece of food or a coin of gold. And it usually went through the more religious side of the community - the sharmans, the temples, the political states ruled by their religious beliefs... It rarely went through the legal means. Which she had always found curious.
But when the young woman before her, who offered her such aid in a manner that Neena knew to be nothing more than a kindly offer of compassion, Neena felt her hackles rise a little and the smile on her face dim just for a moment.
She did not consider herself to be 'in need' and she did not enjoy the idea that others might think her to be so. Whilst Neena had never been one to be egotistical in the past, one could not spend six years as the wife to a king of his people and not adopt at least a natural mentality of capability - of effectiveness. Only to be proven, in Neena's case, by the years of living alone and on the streets of whatever kingdom she came to call her own that day.
So, to have this priestess see her situation as unfortunate - as a state in which philanthropy and care needed to be given via an extended hand - was, in an odd sort of way, unsettling.
Especially considering the fact that Neena did not see her own circumstances as any such thing. For she was not in need, at a loss or struggling to secure her own future. She did not need the helping hand or generous spirit of another and only accepted such things if it was given willingly, not through the eyes of a required charity.
Instead, Neena saw her life as one of freedom and liberation. Open and clear of all responsibilities and duties and under her own machinations. If she needed food, she could earn the money to get it on her own terms and without an employer. If she sought entertainment, drink or frivolity, she could seek out such company for herself in the many taverns and bars that existed in the world. And always - always - if she wanted to leave somewhere, she could do so under the steam of her own two feet. She was beholden to no-one and nothing. She was in no way in need or a source for charity.
Yet, none of these thoughts entered into her expression. Only her eyes, which she kept downcast and focused on the little babe that Nafretiri held in her arms. Instead, she quickly pushed such notions aside and replied to the woman with a simple and bright smile of thanks and understanding.
"Treat us to something if you wish to." Neena stated. "But I assure you I'm neither needy nor incapable." Her tone was not seething, nor chastising. It was purely amused and light. "You're saving me only time and ensuring an earlier meal for the three of us."
With another cluck beneath Aneksi's chin as the little youth gurgled and her belly called out for food at the same time as her mother's, Neena turned on her flip-flopped heel and, with a flashing smile over her shoulder and the wave of her arm, headed onwards towards the noise and smells of the nearby market.
Finding the central hub of trade was easy enough. Every corner of the open space was crammed with stalls, goods and the haggles that attempted to pry one from the other. The Egyptians that swam with the tide of movement - the only way to break through the teeming crowds - glanced at her and her foreign colouring but said nothing. Despite the xenophobia of the Egyptian people, they were far too engrossed in finding their preferred breads, cloth and sales.
Looking around, her broad nose wrinkling softly as she sniffed the air, she looked over at her new friend as they were forced to stand close to one another and Naf suggested options for food. Neena sniffed again, harder this time, so that her inhale was heard over the bustling noise of the crowds of traders and buyers.
"I want whatever that smell is..." She stated with determination, her mouth already salivating over the herbs and spices that she could sense mingling in the air. Reaching out, she took a handful of Nafretiri's cloak and pulled her several steps forward and into the swarm of bodies, against the tide of motion - for that was the only way Neena knew how to live. "Come on! We're following my nose!" She insisted, carving out a path for herself.
When the other woman of their party called out about drinks, Neena shook her head. "Food first!" She called back to her, her targeted focus ensuring that they moved through the crowd unscathed, despite calls and jeers of discontent that their upstream marching was causing. "We'll worry about drink when our stomachs are happy!"
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Apr 20, 2020 16:16:33 GMT
Posted In If Needs Must on Apr 20, 2020 16:16:33 GMT
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There was a moment upon Neena's face as the priestess before her commented on the way the offerings worked to the temple. There was a similar sort of arrangement in Judea that she had seen in action, monitored and executed by the council houses of each city. She knew that several nations across the known world put in policies and plans to help those that required an additional hand - a piece of food or a coin of gold. And it usually went through the more religious side of the community - the sharmans, the temples, the political states ruled by their religious beliefs... It rarely went through the legal means. Which she had always found curious.
But when the young woman before her, who offered her such aid in a manner that Neena knew to be nothing more than a kindly offer of compassion, Neena felt her hackles rise a little and the smile on her face dim just for a moment.
She did not consider herself to be 'in need' and she did not enjoy the idea that others might think her to be so. Whilst Neena had never been one to be egotistical in the past, one could not spend six years as the wife to a king of his people and not adopt at least a natural mentality of capability - of effectiveness. Only to be proven, in Neena's case, by the years of living alone and on the streets of whatever kingdom she came to call her own that day.
So, to have this priestess see her situation as unfortunate - as a state in which philanthropy and care needed to be given via an extended hand - was, in an odd sort of way, unsettling.
Especially considering the fact that Neena did not see her own circumstances as any such thing. For she was not in need, at a loss or struggling to secure her own future. She did not need the helping hand or generous spirit of another and only accepted such things if it was given willingly, not through the eyes of a required charity.
Instead, Neena saw her life as one of freedom and liberation. Open and clear of all responsibilities and duties and under her own machinations. If she needed food, she could earn the money to get it on her own terms and without an employer. If she sought entertainment, drink or frivolity, she could seek out such company for herself in the many taverns and bars that existed in the world. And always - always - if she wanted to leave somewhere, she could do so under the steam of her own two feet. She was beholden to no-one and nothing. She was in no way in need or a source for charity.
Yet, none of these thoughts entered into her expression. Only her eyes, which she kept downcast and focused on the little babe that Nafretiri held in her arms. Instead, she quickly pushed such notions aside and replied to the woman with a simple and bright smile of thanks and understanding.
"Treat us to something if you wish to." Neena stated. "But I assure you I'm neither needy nor incapable." Her tone was not seething, nor chastising. It was purely amused and light. "You're saving me only time and ensuring an earlier meal for the three of us."
With another cluck beneath Aneksi's chin as the little youth gurgled and her belly called out for food at the same time as her mother's, Neena turned on her flip-flopped heel and, with a flashing smile over her shoulder and the wave of her arm, headed onwards towards the noise and smells of the nearby market.
Finding the central hub of trade was easy enough. Every corner of the open space was crammed with stalls, goods and the haggles that attempted to pry one from the other. The Egyptians that swam with the tide of movement - the only way to break through the teeming crowds - glanced at her and her foreign colouring but said nothing. Despite the xenophobia of the Egyptian people, they were far too engrossed in finding their preferred breads, cloth and sales.
Looking around, her broad nose wrinkling softly as she sniffed the air, she looked over at her new friend as they were forced to stand close to one another and Naf suggested options for food. Neena sniffed again, harder this time, so that her inhale was heard over the bustling noise of the crowds of traders and buyers.
"I want whatever that smell is..." She stated with determination, her mouth already salivating over the herbs and spices that she could sense mingling in the air. Reaching out, she took a handful of Nafretiri's cloak and pulled her several steps forward and into the swarm of bodies, against the tide of motion - for that was the only way Neena knew how to live. "Come on! We're following my nose!" She insisted, carving out a path for herself.
When the other woman of their party called out about drinks, Neena shook her head. "Food first!" She called back to her, her targeted focus ensuring that they moved through the crowd unscathed, despite calls and jeers of discontent that their upstream marching was causing. "We'll worry about drink when our stomachs are happy!"
There was a moment upon Neena's face as the priestess before her commented on the way the offerings worked to the temple. There was a similar sort of arrangement in Judea that she had seen in action, monitored and executed by the council houses of each city. She knew that several nations across the known world put in policies and plans to help those that required an additional hand - a piece of food or a coin of gold. And it usually went through the more religious side of the community - the sharmans, the temples, the political states ruled by their religious beliefs... It rarely went through the legal means. Which she had always found curious.
But when the young woman before her, who offered her such aid in a manner that Neena knew to be nothing more than a kindly offer of compassion, Neena felt her hackles rise a little and the smile on her face dim just for a moment.
She did not consider herself to be 'in need' and she did not enjoy the idea that others might think her to be so. Whilst Neena had never been one to be egotistical in the past, one could not spend six years as the wife to a king of his people and not adopt at least a natural mentality of capability - of effectiveness. Only to be proven, in Neena's case, by the years of living alone and on the streets of whatever kingdom she came to call her own that day.
So, to have this priestess see her situation as unfortunate - as a state in which philanthropy and care needed to be given via an extended hand - was, in an odd sort of way, unsettling.
Especially considering the fact that Neena did not see her own circumstances as any such thing. For she was not in need, at a loss or struggling to secure her own future. She did not need the helping hand or generous spirit of another and only accepted such things if it was given willingly, not through the eyes of a required charity.
Instead, Neena saw her life as one of freedom and liberation. Open and clear of all responsibilities and duties and under her own machinations. If she needed food, she could earn the money to get it on her own terms and without an employer. If she sought entertainment, drink or frivolity, she could seek out such company for herself in the many taverns and bars that existed in the world. And always - always - if she wanted to leave somewhere, she could do so under the steam of her own two feet. She was beholden to no-one and nothing. She was in no way in need or a source for charity.
Yet, none of these thoughts entered into her expression. Only her eyes, which she kept downcast and focused on the little babe that Nafretiri held in her arms. Instead, she quickly pushed such notions aside and replied to the woman with a simple and bright smile of thanks and understanding.
"Treat us to something if you wish to." Neena stated. "But I assure you I'm neither needy nor incapable." Her tone was not seething, nor chastising. It was purely amused and light. "You're saving me only time and ensuring an earlier meal for the three of us."
With another cluck beneath Aneksi's chin as the little youth gurgled and her belly called out for food at the same time as her mother's, Neena turned on her flip-flopped heel and, with a flashing smile over her shoulder and the wave of her arm, headed onwards towards the noise and smells of the nearby market.
Finding the central hub of trade was easy enough. Every corner of the open space was crammed with stalls, goods and the haggles that attempted to pry one from the other. The Egyptians that swam with the tide of movement - the only way to break through the teeming crowds - glanced at her and her foreign colouring but said nothing. Despite the xenophobia of the Egyptian people, they were far too engrossed in finding their preferred breads, cloth and sales.
Looking around, her broad nose wrinkling softly as she sniffed the air, she looked over at her new friend as they were forced to stand close to one another and Naf suggested options for food. Neena sniffed again, harder this time, so that her inhale was heard over the bustling noise of the crowds of traders and buyers.
"I want whatever that smell is..." She stated with determination, her mouth already salivating over the herbs and spices that she could sense mingling in the air. Reaching out, she took a handful of Nafretiri's cloak and pulled her several steps forward and into the swarm of bodies, against the tide of motion - for that was the only way Neena knew how to live. "Come on! We're following my nose!" She insisted, carving out a path for herself.
When the other woman of their party called out about drinks, Neena shook her head. "Food first!" She called back to her, her targeted focus ensuring that they moved through the crowd unscathed, despite calls and jeers of discontent that their upstream marching was causing. "We'll worry about drink when our stomachs are happy!"
Nafretiri smiled at the way Neena seemed to regard Aneksi, though she took Neena's comment about 'saving only time' for some kind of rebuke and felt duly chastened as she blushed. She understood that not everyone liked to be regarded as being in need, but she had grown used to accepting life for the way it was, though she still dreamed of some other things for herself regardless. In a way, she wished she could be what she regarded as proud, though she understood that Neena might not see it that way. But being a former slave had seemed to suck any pride right out of Nafretiri, though even at home, as Rivkah, with the way her mother had treated her, it appeared to be debatable whether or not Nafretiri had ever had any pride in the first place. Lost in her own thoughts, Nafretiri almost didn’t hear Neena say she wanted whatever it was she happened to smell, and then the smell permeated her own senses as well.
“Mmm, I think that’s lamb stew! It’s one of my favorites as well.” Even back home, Nafretiri’s mouth had always watered whenever she smelled lamb stew cooking. She did miss that, sometimes. For all that her mother had seemed to dislike her, Lael had been a sensational cook, even though to some, a traditional Jewish diet might have seemed more than a little bland.
Paying for two bowls and sharing hers with Aneksi, Nafretiri also bought some flatbread to complete their meal. “I always think the herbs in the broth make the bread taste so good!” she explained, and despite herself, Nafretiri couldn’t help feeling a little excited. If going out for food with someone else made her feel this confident, who knew what else she might accomplish sooner rather than later? Maybe the outside world wasn’t quite as scary as she still imagined at times that it could be. “Maybe it’s not so bad as long as I’m not alone…” she commented more to herself than to Neena. But she couldn’t resist adding a heartfelt “Thank you.”
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Nafretiri smiled at the way Neena seemed to regard Aneksi, though she took Neena's comment about 'saving only time' for some kind of rebuke and felt duly chastened as she blushed. She understood that not everyone liked to be regarded as being in need, but she had grown used to accepting life for the way it was, though she still dreamed of some other things for herself regardless. In a way, she wished she could be what she regarded as proud, though she understood that Neena might not see it that way. But being a former slave had seemed to suck any pride right out of Nafretiri, though even at home, as Rivkah, with the way her mother had treated her, it appeared to be debatable whether or not Nafretiri had ever had any pride in the first place. Lost in her own thoughts, Nafretiri almost didn’t hear Neena say she wanted whatever it was she happened to smell, and then the smell permeated her own senses as well.
“Mmm, I think that’s lamb stew! It’s one of my favorites as well.” Even back home, Nafretiri’s mouth had always watered whenever she smelled lamb stew cooking. She did miss that, sometimes. For all that her mother had seemed to dislike her, Lael had been a sensational cook, even though to some, a traditional Jewish diet might have seemed more than a little bland.
Paying for two bowls and sharing hers with Aneksi, Nafretiri also bought some flatbread to complete their meal. “I always think the herbs in the broth make the bread taste so good!” she explained, and despite herself, Nafretiri couldn’t help feeling a little excited. If going out for food with someone else made her feel this confident, who knew what else she might accomplish sooner rather than later? Maybe the outside world wasn’t quite as scary as she still imagined at times that it could be. “Maybe it’s not so bad as long as I’m not alone…” she commented more to herself than to Neena. But she couldn’t resist adding a heartfelt “Thank you.”
Nafretiri smiled at the way Neena seemed to regard Aneksi, though she took Neena's comment about 'saving only time' for some kind of rebuke and felt duly chastened as she blushed. She understood that not everyone liked to be regarded as being in need, but she had grown used to accepting life for the way it was, though she still dreamed of some other things for herself regardless. In a way, she wished she could be what she regarded as proud, though she understood that Neena might not see it that way. But being a former slave had seemed to suck any pride right out of Nafretiri, though even at home, as Rivkah, with the way her mother had treated her, it appeared to be debatable whether or not Nafretiri had ever had any pride in the first place. Lost in her own thoughts, Nafretiri almost didn’t hear Neena say she wanted whatever it was she happened to smell, and then the smell permeated her own senses as well.
“Mmm, I think that’s lamb stew! It’s one of my favorites as well.” Even back home, Nafretiri’s mouth had always watered whenever she smelled lamb stew cooking. She did miss that, sometimes. For all that her mother had seemed to dislike her, Lael had been a sensational cook, even though to some, a traditional Jewish diet might have seemed more than a little bland.
Paying for two bowls and sharing hers with Aneksi, Nafretiri also bought some flatbread to complete their meal. “I always think the herbs in the broth make the bread taste so good!” she explained, and despite herself, Nafretiri couldn’t help feeling a little excited. If going out for food with someone else made her feel this confident, who knew what else she might accomplish sooner rather than later? Maybe the outside world wasn’t quite as scary as she still imagined at times that it could be. “Maybe it’s not so bad as long as I’m not alone…” she commented more to herself than to Neena. But she couldn’t resist adding a heartfelt “Thank you.”
Wandering the streets was more than common for Neena. She was used to not knowing where her next meal came from and where she might sleep that night. Apparently, whilst she hadn't suggested it specifically, such a way of living was unimaginable for the Egyptian priestess. Neena could tell from the pure curiosity and engagement she offered when approaching each new element of the street life they came across - the entertainment, the homeless, the food, the smells...
Neena supposed that had something to do with being a mother. She didn't doubt that once you had someone else to look after and another person to be responsible for - for whom their life depended on you and your choices... it was harder to just accept what came as it came. If Neena was ever wrong and she didn't get the food that she had hoped for, she simply went to sleep that night hungry. And she was the only one to suffer for her choices.
You couldn't do that if you were a mother.
And perhaps that was one of the reasons that Neena hadn't been able to go through with the promise that she had made to those she cared for back in the gesin. Why she hadn't been able to tie her life to such duties and concerns permanently. She just loved the knowledge that she could do whatever she wanted when she wanted and bedamned of the consequences.
When Naf suggested the lamb stew that she could smell, Neena offered a simple rise of one of her shoulders and the nodding of her head in encouragement. And once the two of them had bowls of steaming stew to eat outside the vendor's place of work, she tucked in heartily, realising how hungry she truly was. She swallowed quickly but, in the last few mouthfuls, remembered to enjoy the taste of the salts and herbs that were mixed in. What was the point of eating after all, if you weren't gonna enjoy?
And when Naf turned to her with a smile and a heartfelt 'Thank-you.' Neena was once more reminded of why she lived the life that she did. She gave the girl a wink and grinned over her last few mouthfuls of her meal, adding another to the mental list she kept in her head of the friends she had collected across the kingdoms.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Wandering the streets was more than common for Neena. She was used to not knowing where her next meal came from and where she might sleep that night. Apparently, whilst she hadn't suggested it specifically, such a way of living was unimaginable for the Egyptian priestess. Neena could tell from the pure curiosity and engagement she offered when approaching each new element of the street life they came across - the entertainment, the homeless, the food, the smells...
Neena supposed that had something to do with being a mother. She didn't doubt that once you had someone else to look after and another person to be responsible for - for whom their life depended on you and your choices... it was harder to just accept what came as it came. If Neena was ever wrong and she didn't get the food that she had hoped for, she simply went to sleep that night hungry. And she was the only one to suffer for her choices.
You couldn't do that if you were a mother.
And perhaps that was one of the reasons that Neena hadn't been able to go through with the promise that she had made to those she cared for back in the gesin. Why she hadn't been able to tie her life to such duties and concerns permanently. She just loved the knowledge that she could do whatever she wanted when she wanted and bedamned of the consequences.
When Naf suggested the lamb stew that she could smell, Neena offered a simple rise of one of her shoulders and the nodding of her head in encouragement. And once the two of them had bowls of steaming stew to eat outside the vendor's place of work, she tucked in heartily, realising how hungry she truly was. She swallowed quickly but, in the last few mouthfuls, remembered to enjoy the taste of the salts and herbs that were mixed in. What was the point of eating after all, if you weren't gonna enjoy?
And when Naf turned to her with a smile and a heartfelt 'Thank-you.' Neena was once more reminded of why she lived the life that she did. She gave the girl a wink and grinned over her last few mouthfuls of her meal, adding another to the mental list she kept in her head of the friends she had collected across the kingdoms.
Wandering the streets was more than common for Neena. She was used to not knowing where her next meal came from and where she might sleep that night. Apparently, whilst she hadn't suggested it specifically, such a way of living was unimaginable for the Egyptian priestess. Neena could tell from the pure curiosity and engagement she offered when approaching each new element of the street life they came across - the entertainment, the homeless, the food, the smells...
Neena supposed that had something to do with being a mother. She didn't doubt that once you had someone else to look after and another person to be responsible for - for whom their life depended on you and your choices... it was harder to just accept what came as it came. If Neena was ever wrong and she didn't get the food that she had hoped for, she simply went to sleep that night hungry. And she was the only one to suffer for her choices.
You couldn't do that if you were a mother.
And perhaps that was one of the reasons that Neena hadn't been able to go through with the promise that she had made to those she cared for back in the gesin. Why she hadn't been able to tie her life to such duties and concerns permanently. She just loved the knowledge that she could do whatever she wanted when she wanted and bedamned of the consequences.
When Naf suggested the lamb stew that she could smell, Neena offered a simple rise of one of her shoulders and the nodding of her head in encouragement. And once the two of them had bowls of steaming stew to eat outside the vendor's place of work, she tucked in heartily, realising how hungry she truly was. She swallowed quickly but, in the last few mouthfuls, remembered to enjoy the taste of the salts and herbs that were mixed in. What was the point of eating after all, if you weren't gonna enjoy?
And when Naf turned to her with a smile and a heartfelt 'Thank-you.' Neena was once more reminded of why she lived the life that she did. She gave the girl a wink and grinned over her last few mouthfuls of her meal, adding another to the mental list she kept in her head of the friends she had collected across the kingdoms.