But here she comes stalking toward them, listing off every title Anubis ever held and sounding every bit like a modern human calling their child by first and middle names to indicate how deeply in trouble they are. ))
[Noooo, what is she doing here?? He doesn't want to leave already!
Horus is already shrinking back and looking frantically for an escape route, hands up in a gesture of innocent surrender. Anubis keeps opening his mouth to try and explain but Nephthys never gives him a chance. Heads are turning all around the lobby and people have started to gather from nearby rooms to see what's caused the drama.
(( A hiss at Horus as he looks desperately for escape.
Lucas (foolishly) steps in front of them, hands also up in innocence, though less out of fear of Nephthys and more just trying to calm the situation. Something something causing a scene. He sucks in a breath and opens his mouth only to be be cut off by Nephthys's icy stare. ))
Those without mouths should not speak.
((Oh. No wonder they're afraid of her. Lucas shrinks back, nudging Anubis to the front since she obviously only wants to hear from him. ))
[This will be a life-making moment for Anubis, he suddenly knows, if he can answer in just the right way. Whining, hanging his head, pleading for understanding - those will only lead him to the same trap he's festered in for so long. Complete, overwhelming, stifling safety.
He needs to believe in himself if he's going to convince anyone else to believe in him.
So Anubis squares his shoulders and lifts his head and speaks in the calmest, quietest tone he can muster. His voice may tremble here and there, but his gaze is clear and strong.]
Kebechet is watching over Duat and Apis is guarding the scales. The underworld's in good, capable hands. I couldn't go any longer without seeing what was happening up here for myself. And I got here safely. [Didn't I?? he wants to add petulantly, but he resists the urge.] Horus is my best friend. Osiris is my father. I can't... I won't be left out of this anymore.
(( Nephthys notices the change instantly. He’s dug deep for an iota of confidence in the face of her angry concern and found it. Impressive. Perhaps, it’s her fault in part for always coddling him in her way. Keeping him out of danger and uniformed. Most of her fiery temper cools, though all the concern remains. However, there is a glowing pride. She closes the rest of the space between them to pull Anubis into a fierce embrace. ))
[Horus, who has gone from terrified to completely touched by the scene in front of him - that's his boy!! - holds a finger to his lips to shush Lucas indignantly. In a very low whisper, he explains:]
It's not the proudest moment for our family, okay? And "brother" makes it sound like we have the same mom too, so Anubis prefers "cousin" to honor his mom.
[Never mind that his mom being his dad's sister too... just never mind all that.]
(( Funny how he's quick to judge the priest for skirting his vows (he may not have done anything to blatantly break them, but he sure is going against the spirit of them!) but he doesn't even bat an eye at very complicated family relations. A lot of major figures in the faith he's from (both real and fictional) had what modern people would consider very questionable relationships with family members, too.
He's actually more than a little impressed with Horus's explanation. And he does, in fact, lower his voice. ))
[While they're working all that out, Anubis looks totally stunned when he's finally released from Nephthys's embrace. His cheeks are red with pride, though, and a cautious smile seems determined to tug the corners of his lips upward.]
(( It takes a bit before she lets Anubis go. Of course she's still worried about him being here, being involved in this. But... She cups his cheeks in both hands, all but beaming at him in her pride. ))
Only a very little. You've made sure everything that's your responsibility is looked after. You've come to make sure your family is alright. I would feel better if you weren't involved in any of this, my sweet boy.
[Anubis's smile back at his mother could only be called beaming.]
I won't give you any reason to be sad, Mom, I promise. I'll be so careful and only take on what I can handle. I know I'm not big and tough like Horus and Sobek or smart like Osiris.
[She's right, of course. She's got a way of being right all the time, which makes the faith she's now showing in him that much more important.]
Then I just promise to do my best. [That's when the realization really hits that she's not just sending him right back home. Something major has changed here, and she's letting it change even though she's so worried for him. Throwing his arms back around her, he exclaims for everyone in the lobby to hear:] I love you so much, Mom!
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ANUBIS, LORD OF THE SACRED LAND!
(( Did it just get significantly colder? Brrr!
But here she comes stalking toward them, listing off every title Anubis ever held and sounding every bit like a modern human calling their child by first and middle names to indicate how deeply in trouble they are. ))
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Horus is already shrinking back and looking frantically for an escape route, hands up in a gesture of innocent surrender. Anubis keeps opening his mouth to try and explain but Nephthys never gives him a chance. Heads are turning all around the lobby and people have started to gather from nearby rooms to see what's caused the drama.
Lucas, your move?]
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(( A hiss at Horus as he looks desperately for escape.
Lucas (foolishly) steps in front of them, hands also up in innocence, though less out of fear of Nephthys and more just trying to calm the situation. Something something causing a scene. He sucks in a breath and opens his mouth only to be be cut off by Nephthys's icy stare. ))
Those without mouths should not speak.
(( Oh. No wonder they're afraid of her. Lucas shrinks back, nudging Anubis to the front since she obviously only wants to hear from him. ))
What are you doing here?!
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He needs to believe in himself if he's going to convince anyone else to believe in him.
So Anubis squares his shoulders and lifts his head and speaks in the calmest, quietest tone he can muster. His voice may tremble here and there, but his gaze is clear and strong.]
Kebechet is watching over Duat and Apis is guarding the scales. The underworld's in good, capable hands. I couldn't go any longer without seeing what was happening up here for myself. And I got here safely. [Didn't I?? he wants to add petulantly, but he resists the urge.] Horus is my best friend. Osiris is my father. I can't... I won't be left out of this anymore.
1/2
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Wait… You’re brothers? Why’d you say you’re cousins???
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It's not the proudest moment for our family, okay? And "brother" makes it sound like we have the same mom too, so Anubis prefers "cousin" to honor his mom.
[Never mind that his mom being his dad's sister too... just never mind all that.]
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He's actually more than a little impressed with Horus's explanation. And he does, in fact, lower his voice. ))
Good for him. Really. Very filial.
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You're not mad?
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Only a very little. You've made sure everything that's your responsibility is looked after. You've come to make sure your family is alright. I would feel better if you weren't involved in any of this, my sweet boy.
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I won't give you any reason to be sad, Mom, I promise. I'll be so careful and only take on what I can handle. I know I'm not big and tough like Horus and Sobek or smart like Osiris.
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I know you’ll do your best, but you also mustn’t make promises you don’t know if you’ll be able to keep.
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Then I just promise to do my best. [That's when the realization really hits that she's not just sending him right back home. Something major has changed here, and she's letting it change even though she's so worried for him. Throwing his arms back around her, he exclaims for everyone in the lobby to hear:] I love you so much, Mom!
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(( The renewed affection takes her by surprise, though she does squeeze him tight after a beat. ))
Sweet child, you are my whole heart.