Down and out, and out of luck, we're spinning but the needle's stuck
The echo of their footsteps bounced between high stone walls and lingered among the hidden rafters. Row upon row of shelves filled with knowledge spread out all around, and it had once been her dream to read it all. To learn every language and lost letter system, to understand the world of the past in an intimate way. As a child, she had slipped inside the Atheneum on hot and sunny days to lie among this wealth of treasure, sunburned cheek pressed against the cool stone floor while she dreamed of legends, myth and adventure.
Back then, she didn't know about the secret shrine. It had come as a surprise to her, to find it hidden in plain sight, and for a long time it bothered her to think that it sat there. Right at the center of her haven. This time, it was simply the closest shrine she could think of where a conversation might be held entirely in private. At this hour the halls lay dark and quiet, abandoned by visitors - save for herself and Amun.
Upon finding the right shelf, Maea pulled it open and took a step back. Fumbling for Amun's hand, she tried her best not to let her misgivings show as she took in the obsidian sphere and the dusty objects. His presence was truly the only reason why she hadn't turned around and left a hundred times over.
It didn't matter much that this was her own choice. She was still scared.
"I don't know what to say," she admitted nervously, voice a mere hush so that the echo of it wouldn't spread.
Back then, she didn't know about the secret shrine. It had come as a surprise to her, to find it hidden in plain sight, and for a long time it bothered her to think that it sat there. Right at the center of her haven. This time, it was simply the closest shrine she could think of where a conversation might be held entirely in private. At this hour the halls lay dark and quiet, abandoned by visitors - save for herself and Amun.
Upon finding the right shelf, Maea pulled it open and took a step back. Fumbling for Amun's hand, she tried her best not to let her misgivings show as she took in the obsidian sphere and the dusty objects. His presence was truly the only reason why she hadn't turned around and left a hundred times over.
It didn't matter much that this was her own choice. She was still scared.
"I don't know what to say," she admitted nervously, voice a mere hush so that the echo of it wouldn't spread.
Maea
