middaeg | (catch-all)

.. oh. [ It's that sentence that finally makes him able to grab some of her attention back to him. Not all of it though. She still has to occasionally glance back to the cute creature. ]

I guess I should've known, you already didn't seem like the type to be all over these cuties as pets. [ Nothing against him, it's just his image. ] Why are you trying to summon guardians?

In my world, I was capable of summoning a great army of sphinxes to protect my temple complex.

[He doesn't elaborate further, assuming that she is likely able to draw the appropriate conclusions that a) he would like to recapture some of his former abilities in whatever way is possible and b) Dorchacht has made him more deeply question the relative safety of Aefenglom. It seems unwise to not have some means of defending what he has claimed for himself. Ozymandias at least clarifies,]

I would not require an army as my dwellings here are far more modest than Ramesseum. A few would serve me well.

[ Implication B is definitely the one Asahi catches onto. Pretty easily and quickly, in fact, since she herself is well aware of the many dangers here and constantly feeling paranoid about it.

On the other hand, she didn't expect him of all people to be particularly worried. He just doesn't seem like the type. For a moment she stops patting the tiny sphinx. ]

Do you think stuff is going to go down here?

[ It almost sounds more like a question in the same way you'd ask for advice rather than her casually asking him about what's on his mind. Ozymandias seems smart, so she does attach some value to his opinion. ]

[The sphinx is a little disappointed with this turn of events, but fortunately, like most felines, it's capable of self-petting. Which is to say, it just continues rubbing itself on her hand as long as it's within reach. And if it's not, it has zero problem pulling it down to make it within reach. You will stop petting when it gives you permission to stop petting!!]

I am not a cynical person, [he says with a shake of his head and a slight laugh. He's certainly met more than a few mirrorbound who hold a doomsday expectation for nearly everything, but that is the opposite of how he views things. Worried? Him? It would be an insult for her to suggest it out loud.] I believe despite the mirrorbound's difficulties in subtlety in the matter of politics, it is unlikely for harm to befall Aefenglom in the wake of Dorchacht. Unlikely, however, does not mean impossible.

It is better to be prepared for the unlikely.

I think you're right. [ She admits. In the meantime she's totally letting the cute creature use her hand as its personal petting tool, only looking at it for a moment to gather her thoughts (and to see what it's doing), but not pulling her hand away in the slightest. It doesn't bother her either way when the sphinx is so dang cute. ]

Except it didn't feel so unlikely to me. Maybe it's since I'm not used to a world full of magic and monsters while a lot of people here seem to be, but just the presence of those things makes everything feel so volatile. Like things could explode at any moment.

[As they have been talking, Ozymandias' attention to the sphinx has not really shifted or changed, but her words now give him a little pause. With so many among the mirrorbound already used to their worlds careening towards disaster, it's easy to forget that might not be the case for all of them.]

It certainly seemed that way for a time while we were there, [Ozymandias admits. The bolder actions of the mirrorbound while entirely justified as far as trying to right the wrongs suffered by the enslaved were not what Ozymandias might have advised. He would have preferred their visit to be more careful, based in observation to determine next steps rather than rolling directly into next steps.] It is important to listen to that instinct. It allows you to exercise caution and make wiser decisions. It is more troublesome if you become numb or choose to ignore any potential signs of danger.

That is when you make mistakes.

[ She laughs, but it's without real humor. ]

At least that's not something I have to worry about.

[ If anything, she's a little too cautious in this place. But that's just a side-effect of everything here freaking her out so much. ]

Although I guess I can think of some people who do seem like that in this place. They seem to have no worries at all. [ And while Ozymandias also definitely seems more confident than Asahi feels, the fact he seems to be taking measure to defend his property does mean he is at least considering potential danger. ]

For their sake, I hope it is a facade.

[But he's skeptical if that's the case. Certainly not for everyone who seems to be approaching this world without much care. It tends to take a special individual to disguise such large anxieties from everyone else around them, and what are the odds that all of them are capable of that?]

[Ozymandias sets the sphinx kitten in his arms down into this lap.]

I did happen upon someone who expressed a preference for this world over that of their own. [He wonders if he still holds that opinion or not after Dorchacht.] I'm sure there may be a few who feel similarly. No doubt that would influence their perception of matters.

Geez.. [ She sighs, and there's almost something kind of sad in her eyes as she turns her attention back to the sphinx in front of her, stroking its head. ]

How bad must their own worlds have been if they'd prefer a super weird and creepy place like this over their own home?

[The cub leans into her pets enthusiastically, chuffing a little.]

It was a question I had myself. I can only imagine their life to be quite miserable in their own world to find this preferable.

[Ozymandias may have limited reasons to complain about their experience in this place considering he was made Witch rather than Monster, but he would still much rather be returned to Chaldea over this world if given the choice.]

Somewhere worse than a place that forcibly turns people into something else against their will..

[ Sure, she could imagine some scenarios. But they're so dark that she doesn't even want to think about them when there's such a tiny cute critter in front of her. ]

I don't even want to imagine it. My own world is so normal and peaceful compared to this place.

In truth, my world is nearing its potential end. At least as far as humanity is concerned.

[Ozymandias does not say this gravely, rather instead his tone is similar to the way one would discuss passing mild showers on a day with otherwise fair weather. It's possible to mistake that for a lack of investment -- he has, after all, been dead for quite a while, so if his investment in the future is a little low... -- but it's more confidence than anything else. He hadn't been entirely certain about his Master at first, but even if time continues to pass without him there, Ozymandias has confidence that humanity will still be there whenever he's able to return.]

[It seems once again, he has no business trying to play at the hero, but such is the will of the gods.]

But I still hope to return, and hopefully with my abilities rightfully restored to me in some form or fashion.

[ For a second Asahi is quiet, trying to take in that statement. It's a very wild contrast with her own world - and even this world, for all its shortcomings, at the very least doesn't seem like it's on the brink of total annihilation just yet. So the thought of a world nearing its end is.. a lot.

And yet his tone seems so calm. Maybe it's to be expected with everything she's seen from him so far, but still.. ]

Are you thinking of turning things around before that end can come? [ Asahi does figure confidence must be the reason behind his tone. He's always seen confident about pretty much everything before, who's to say he wouldn't feel that way even in the face of a potential apocalypse? ]

I am unable to obtain that eternal life as I was promised, but regardless, my duty does not change. A pharaoh is to protect his people in life and to protect the world's people after death.

[Ozymandias does not speak of this altogether plainly even if there's no doubt of its veracity as fact to him. Try as he might to contain much of it, there is always a part of him that is wistful for his promised eternal life.]

Not every battle, of course, is worthy of my direct participation, but I do not hesitate for the sake of the world.

[ Not worthy of his direct participation, huh. Yeah, that sounds about like what Asahi was expecting. But despite the ego smeared all over that statement, it's not like his intent behind it is bad, so Asahi doesn't seem to mind a whole bunch.

Instead she just lightly jokes: ]

Well, thanks for thinking of us normal people too.

[ Even if she's not from the same world as him, she's sure there must be plenty of regular humans like her around who can't do much to stop some apocalypse. ]

I know that you jest, but do not mistake acknowledgment of my station as condescension towards those I rule over.

[Ozymandias chuckles quietly, shaking his head.]

To some extent, my subjects are like my children. I will always, in the end, do what I can to protect them and do so especially when they are truly incapable of doing so for themselves. But if I do not allow them to struggle and fight for themselves, they will never grow. If they do not grow, what hope do they have of surviving?

[Ozymandias means this quite seriously despite his smile. While some of the other older kings view themselves as only models for the people to follow or expects that the people will serve them with no expectation of nothing in return, Ozymandias sees the relationship as somewhat mutual. Their devotion towards him allows him to guide them to greatness.]

[His smile shifts into more of a grin.]

But I still also have my pride as a warrior and I was that before I was even officially named the successor to my father's throne. If there is no glory to be had, what is the point?

[He is both joking and not really joking.]

As expected, rulers back then really were different compared to the modern kind of government I know back home. [ Despite passionate speeches, she can't imagine any of those people high up truly care about the people the same way Ozymandias seems to from the way he's talking now. Heck, being a teenager and not too concerned with politics yet, Asahi doesn't even feel any bond at all with them. Unlike the mutual bond he seems to describe with his own people.

Still, since he's also grinning and slightly joking, it's also said lightly. ]

I guess it's good that you seem so capable and responsible though. I'm not sure if the succession is always father to son where you're from, but it'd suck to have someone on the throne who only got there because of who his parents were. Someone with that high of a position should truly care about their people and be honest and upfront with them.

[ Which Ozymandias seems to be. It kind of makes her feel his subjects must be pretty lucky. ]

If that is how you feel, [he says with a laugh,] then it is my grandfather, Ramesses I, that you ought to admire.

My grandfather earned the trust and friendship of Pharaoh Horemheb during his time as a soldier. He served Pharaoh Horemheb so well as Vizier that Horemheb declared him his successor despite his age. [As Ozymandias speaks of his grandfather, his expression shifts once more. While it's not as though he loses all humor and becomes serious and severe, even now when it is so long after his own reign, Ozymandias clearly still holds a great deal of admiration. The reason why likely becomes apparent as he continues.] It is the vision that Horemheb and my grandfather held for Egypt's restoration that guided my father's rule as well as my own.

[As much blatant pride as Ozymandias holds for his own accomplishments, they do not exist in a vacuum for even him. It is a legacy.]

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