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Who: Ozymandias + you
When: 13th
Where: Looking Glass House/Memories and/or other locations to follow up with him
What: Memsharing!
Warnings: Death, attempts at blowing up an entire city that one time. No other warnings as of now, but will add as needed!

[Strangers will see nothing and pass by Ozymandias' mirror. Much as with other strangers' mirrors, there will be nothing about the mirror that catches the eye or suggests that it even belongs to anyone. But with any sort of familiarity to Ozymandias, the frame gives way the identity of its owner near immediately. How could it not when there is a blatant depiction of himself at the top of the frame? Symbols of Upper and Lower Egypt mark the corners, his beloved wife depicted beside him. Further knowledge of him reveals more details than just this. Great structures and temples along the bottom of the frame. Ramesseum takes center stage. Monuments and depictions of his beloved gods appear interwoven with this seemingly impossible complex. Each side holds depictions of great battles, those he fought in life and those after. An archer, swordsman, and lancer stand in defiance of a brilliant sun on one side. A young man is half-turned, a sea of people reaching to him.]

[The frame itself is, of course, golden. It shimmers with precious stones for those closest to him. A small reflection of his radiant light as pharaoh.]

((ooc: these are ota as far as i'm concerned! some of the memories will have present-day ozy for your character to interact with during the memory while some are going to play out for a bit beyond what's initially posted here. i'm down for your characters interacting with the environment as much as they'd like! any questions or other requests can be pm'd to this journal or to me on plurk (

rebreather)!))

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[Ozymandias laughs again, shaking his head.]

Calling it a fairy tale does what lies between us a disservice! [Lies. Present tense. One might consider it a mistake or perhaps living in the past, but for Ozymandias, they were merely separated by death. Nothing truly ever ended.] Our love is something like those between the gods.

[Having accepted his gift, Nefertari turns her back to Ramesses. He drapes the collar around her neck and ties the cord.]

[Well, Edelgard laughs in turn, watching the happy couple. She won't argue with that. He does seem to be having an incredibly grand time, and that's good enough to call it a divine moment in her book.]

Is there a significance to the collar? Your attire is foreign to my eyes.

[Nefertari turns back to face Ramesses, fixing her hair back into place. Looking down at her self, she smooths an invisible wrinkle in her dress and rests a hand briefly on the collar before looking up at Ramesses. Ozymandias' gaze leaves Edelgard for a moment to look at the Nefertari instead.]

Do I look okay?

Wesekh do not mean much, but hers with the image of Hathor invokes the goddess' blessings upon her, [Ozymandias says, to answer Edelgard's question as the young prince doesn't seem to know what to say.] We would wear these on special occasions.

You look beautiful... [Ramesses finally manages. Nefertari smiles shyly as he takes her hand into his, almost as if he forgot she is a real, tangible person in front of him.] All of Egypt will be envious.

[That causes her to laugh, but she holds onto his hand a little tighter.]

This night was the banquet to celebrate our marriage.

It seems a happy time. I had thought it might be.

[Honestly, this is a really nice thing to see. It gives her a sense of who this man was in his past. And what kind of person he's like with those closest to him.

It's sweet, heartwarming, a sight that she's not had in years. She'd never really seen a proper display of love, not in Fodlan or in Aefenglom. It makes her wonder if perhaps the people around here were simply just broken, or...more likely, that Ozymandias was just fortunate.]

How long was your reign together?

We were married 10 years before I would become pharaoh. [Which is perhaps fortunate because no one likely would prefer their king be a teenager that was still learning and accepting all of his responsibilities.] Nefertari passed from this life to the next in Year 25 of my reign.

[Edelgard can perhaps gather from his ways of answering the question that he was less concerned about how long she was his Great Royal Wife, and how long she was simply his wife. Every moment, it would seem, was precious.]

I have held her in my arms but once since. [Nefertari places a kiss to Ramesses cheek and he clearly struggles with reigning in the giddiness of his smile at receiving her affection.] In a dream before my arrival to Aefenglom.

Let us not keep them waiting for much longer.

[Ramesses nods his agreement.]

I pray each day to see her again. Even if I am never to be granted eternal life, mere moments such as this are enough.

[Edelgard nods solemnly. Thirty Five years though, that's a good long time to be with someone. A time he was clearly happy.]

I will hope for you to see her again, and to hold her.

[It's. An easy thing to say, in the wake of seeing him so happy. She's not sure how it would work, but she is sure that she'd like to see someone she respects smiling so brightly.]

...Tell me of her? Besides being beautiful, what was she like?

[As the two teenagers move to leave the room, Ozymandias follows behind them. For now, the pair are not speaking, likely out of nerves. Although the hardest part of negotiating what is to be exchanged as they combine their households has been done and they certainly get along well enough, affection already beginning to blossom between them, this is their first time being presented together as a married couple. There is bound to be a bit of nerves.]

[He chuckles.]

Yes, it would be a mistake to merely call her beautiful. Some might mistake that as being her only trait as she was always humble perhaps even to a fault. [That somewhat shy way of accepting his praise that they've seen in this memory did not differ much from their later years. All that really changed was Ozymandias being less clumsy with his words and Nefertari not being quite as surprised that he would offer her such praise.] Most would perhaps overlook her, but Nefertari was very intelligent. Although I had plenty of advisers throughout my lifetime, she was bested by only a few. Our peace treaty with the Hittites would have been impossible were it not for her.

[He laughs again.]

And she was quite difficult to beat at Senet. The first time we played, I made the foolish mistake of thinking I ought to take it easy and let her win. By the time I realized how skilled she was, I couldn't salvage the game back to my favor and she scolded me for it.

[Another boy with white hair and violet eyes, a year or two younger than Ramesses and Nefertari join the pair in the hallway. Despite the obvious differences in his pale complexions and features relative to Ramesses, he is dressed nearly as finely. He seems about to elbow Ramesses when he sidles up next to him, but thinks better of it when he sees that Nefertari still is holding his hand. Ozymandias is courteous enough to name the boy for Edelgard: Moses.]

I was beginning to think you two were lost. Mother told me to leave you two be, but they're waiting for you to start things.

Oh, so we should walk slower? [Ramesses gives a gentle tug to Nefertari's hand to get her to walk a slower pace beside him.] That should make for a grander entrance, right?

[Nefertari giggles, nodding in agreement.]

We want people to remember this night forever, so I think it is wise to take our time, and treat this with the seriousness it deserves, [she says, Moses shaking his head, although not the least bit aggravated with Ramesses or Nefertari. If anything, he seems pleased that already they seem a good match.]

[Following along, Edelgard takes in the compliments and praise lavished upon the Lady Ozymandias. It's interesting hearing someone talk about their wife, yes, and truthfully she wouldn't have guessed all of this by looking at the young woman. But then, she was a teenager. Much of what her guide is explaining is meaningless. Senat? Hittites? But that's all derailed by the arrival of Moses.]

Your brother, then?

[He hadn't mentioned a brother, but then she hadn't really asked.]

Looks like an idyllic setting for a wedding, all in all.

The Nile delivered him to our mother as an infant. Pharaoh permitted she raise him as my brother, [Ozymandias says with a nod to confirm the relationship, but leaves it at that. His relationship with his brother remains complicated and thus, far too much to explain to one who is not familiar with their story.]

[The trio ahead of Ozymandias and Edelgard share a few more jokes with one another before resuming their earlier pace. The closer they get to the hall, the louder the sounds of people speaking and the scents of food begin to waft.]

I am not certain what banquets in your world are like, but I believe you will find this impressive.

How interesting.

[No she has no idea what Moses's story is like, of course. She doesn't really feel too interested in pressing since, honestly based on this it seems the two get along well. No sign of a great tragedy, anyway. It's like they truly are family.]

Banquets are familiar enough in Fodlan, though it's been years since I felt it proper to attend one. [War and all.]

Whatever food is there smells wonderful. It must have taken a great deal of work to prepare but I imagine royal weddings call for a lot of pomp and circumstance.

We had many reasons to celebrate. You wouldn't know it from looking at the Egypt of my memory, but the kingdom was close to falling just before my grandfather's predecessor ascended to the throne. This Egypt is one that was finally beginning to truly recover.

[Moses moves ahead of the couple, taking each of their free hands. Ozymandias looks at the three of them with something that seems to float between longing and regret. Edelgard doesn't know, but Ozymandias remembers the thoughts the Ramesses of memory had in that moment. The expectations and hopes that someday, when it was his turn to rule, that it should be the three of them together. In some ways, it remains a dream. Impossible and set aside because of its impossibility, but... It's one that lingered so long in his heart in his youth that it's difficult to completely cast aside.]

I will see both of you in there.

[Moses lets go of their hands and heads into the hall before them. Ramesses smiles after his brother before turning to Nefertari, who doesn't take her eyes off Ramesses. He raises an eyebrow when he realizes how much her gaze is lingering on him.]

What is it?

[Nefertari begins to shake her head, her jewelry making soft sounds with the motion, but stops short. She turns towards him, holding his hand now in both of hers.]

I was thinking... I don't think I would need to ask the gods for anything else if the rest of our days are like this one.

[It may be a wish spoken out of the unrealistic expectations of youth, but it is sincere. There is still a great deal of unknown ahead of them, but Nefertari already nurtures a hope that each day shall be better than the last and their lives together should know happiness.]

[A part of her hopes that one day these two will arrive in Aefenglom, though it may be a cursed existence. It's clear that Ozymandias values and holds them close to his heart, and that is something everyone should have the chance at here. Much like seeing Byleth had been this way for her.]

...This is truly moving. I feel almost bad for intruding upon the memory. But love is a thing I've seen few examples of, so I shan't apologize.

[She turns a smile on the true Ozymandias.]

I hope to speak as sweetly to my loved ones, one day.

Edited 2020-04-21 05:21 (UTC)

[Ramesses has an equally unrealistic, youthful promise in return to Nefertari’s hopes. His words likewise do not lack sincerity.]

Then I shall make it so.

[It’s fortunate that Edelgard does not apologize for witnessing this. Ozymandias wouldn’t have accepted any sort of apology. Although Moses remains a complicated figure in his past, he is still his brother and dearest friend. And Nefertari? There is not a day that goes by that he does not think of her. There is no reason he should ever wish to conceal her or his love for her.]

One day? Have you a reason not to?

[Aside from potential distance, of course. It is a bit difficult to speak kindly to those who are not within Aefenglom.]

Ah...

[Well, this is complicated. She had not expected to be called on it, even a little. But she supposes that it can't hurt to open up, just a bit. She's seen his past, and it's not as though she lacks the words but merely the timing.]

...The timing is poor, I am afraid. Here in Aefenglom, the person I am closest to are both here, but I am also close to one of my Bonded from another world. Byleth has only recently arrived, and in the six months we were apart, Corrin...became my lover.

I do not wish to drive a wedge between Corrin and Byleth by appearing to choose. So I am trying to avoid choosing a side and picking one. They both understand, as...it's not really the proper time for furthering the relationship I have with Byleth, and Corrin is eventually going to have to return to her home.

[She sighs.]

...Truth be told, I simply don't want to give up what I have with either, and I simply want to enjoy both of their company because I love them both in different ways.

Edited 2020-04-28 21:11 (UTC)

[It's not as though the concept of jealousy among one's lovers is a foreign concept for Ozymandias. Although his household was harmonious, he is not a fool and knows he was fortunate. All throughout human history in his world there are jealous spouses and lovers, unhappy even when it is expected that they should not have the object of their affection to themselves or displeased with their place within or outside of a household.]

[But he cannot actually tell from what Edelgard shares if that is the case between Byleth and Corrin or not.]

Forgive me if this is overstepping, but I'm not entirely certain I understand the problem. [Ozymandias does not move to follow his younger self and young bride towards the banquet, letting them get out of their view for the moment.] You seem quite confident in your feelings despite the unique complications that exist in your relationship with each. And from what you've said, it seems that each is aware of their and the other's importance to you. There does not appear to be any danger of one overshadowing the other.

What is it then that gives you cause to believe something must be sacrificed be it their relationship with each other or what you have with one of them to express how you feel?

It's not overstepping.

[She's quick to offer that reassurance. She's just confused. This kind of thing is completely alien to her, if she is being completely honest. This is difficult, and she hasn't even truly considered what exactly could be possible. She just knows that she loves both of them, differently, and doesn't have a clue how to say that to both of them.

But something he says also clicks..]

...It's...just not something that is done, I suppose. In Fodlan, such relationships are between two people. And I would...hesitate...to enter into a relationship with the two of them because of that, I suppose. But talking about it? I suppose there is nothing stopping me from it save tradition.

[She sighs.]

...And perhaps having no idea how to actually say that I have feelings for both of them.

[Ozymandias huffs a laugh as it becomes clear the barrier really lies within Edelgard's mind more than anything else. That is a much simpler problem to resolve than the alternative even if it might take a bit of courage on her part.]

You just said as much to me unless I've somehow misunderstood. [He shakes his head slightly.] If it is not your way to speak in poetry, there is no need to begin trying for their sake. There is nothing wrong with speaking plainly and directly. If it is not your custom to have multiple consorts and concubines, it is perhaps even all the better that you speak plainly to avoid any confusion.

[He hums thoughtfully as there is an uproarious sound of celebration from the room that the teenagers disappeared into.]

Regardless of how it is said, I believe it should be. If not for your own sake to unburden yourself of these anxieties of what to do or say, then certainly for theirs. Every moment you have with them, they should know how precious they are to you.

If you love them as you say, then they are worthy of it.

That...might be the wisest thing I've heard in a long time.

[They should know how precious they are to you... is exactly something that she's thought, but it's difficult for her to think in those terms. Ozymandias is right though, they do deserve to know. They should feel loved. And she should support them as they've supported her.

She shakes her head, straightening up.]

...That is very, very sound advice. Thank you for that. I...should not be so reticent, and I have done them a disservice by not being as forthright as I should be.

That changes, this evening.

Excellent!

[Ozymandias laughs as sounds of the applause in the other room yields gradually to the sounds of music. For a time, it is just the sound of strings, wind, and percussion, but a woman's voice begins shortly after. There's probably no surprise there that a royal family would go all out with their entertainment.]

Then what say you to enjoying some of this banquet as a celebration of your own love?

[Edelgard looks to the doorway, smiles, and nods her agreement.]

...I think that sounds lovely. Thank you, Ozymandias. Please lead the way.

[That sounds a perfect way to pass the rest of this evening, until this dream fades.]

[And lead the way he does.]

[The banquet hall itself is as opulent as one would expect from a palace, but its extravagance is likely overshadowed by the people occupying the hall. The royal family are easy to spot, their table and chairs being placed higher than the rest of the hall. They, of course, are in the best position to watch the dancers. The dancers themselves are clearly well-trained, but there is still an unbridled joy to their movements. It's probably difficult to tell how much of that is accurate or simply Ozymandias' fondness for Nefertari coloring the memory (because Ramesses is paying attention to the dancers' performance, but he is also blatantly stealing glances at Nefertari and his smile grows just a bit wider each time their eyes manage to meet), or if the difference even truly matters.]

[Servants busy themselves already with bringing food and wine to the tables. There is an assortment of meats, bread, and vegetables being placed on each. Those seated closer to the royal family are served sooner than those seated further to the back, but none seem to mind it as everyone attends to the evening's entertainment. In addition to the food and drink, servants also bring about woven collars, similar to those worn by the royal family and those of higher birth. However, these vibrant collars do not glitter and shine in the light as they are made from freshly cut flowers. Ozymandias grabs one from a passing servant and presents it to Edelgard before allowing her to explore and partake in this banquet as she pleases for as long as she is able to remain in this memory of his.]

It is a shame you will not be able to keep this as a souvenir, but while you are here...

[You can't come underdressed to a party!]

[Edelgard gratefully follows, moving along into the party and sticking close. The whole thing is a fair bit ostentatious by Adrestian standards, but she appreciates the sight all the same. Her people's culture is more reserved and severe, and this feels more like a Dagdan celebration, but when in Egypt...

She takes the offered collar with a smile and slips it around her neck. It...suits her.]

Thank you, Ozymandias. This is a good dream. Perhaps one of the most pleasant I've had in this strange city.

[Bobbing her head, she makes to slip free and explore.]

I'll see you back in the real world.

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