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It was good to see that Khaemtir’s tutelary took the invasion of privacy in stride, but in Radaam’s opinion, she was too accommodating. It would be a cold noon in Photep before Toruk learned to [i]ask[/i] before he acted, and while his little forays were usually harmless, he needed to learn he couldn’t carry on however he pleased in the Pyramids of Heka like he could at Udebtekhat. 

Snakes couldn’t quite emote, but Radaam couldn’t miss the smug twinkle in Toruk’s eye at the hippo’s comparatively gentle chastising. [color=437D99]“Zahra has you spoiled,”[/color] Radaam muttered, releasing the viper to slither back up his arm and under his cloak. 

He looked back up as Ishara spoke to Khaemtir like an old friend, nodding in acknowledgement to her greeting. Radaam could feel Toruk’s pleased squirming at the mention of her tutelary - or lack thereof - and while he didn’t share the viper’s vanity, he was just as surprised. He was pretty sure Khaemtir referred to Ishara as a ‘prodigy’ of Pesedjet, hadn’t he? Radaam had imagined the vaunted students of Pesedjet to excel in every way, and now to learn a ‘prodigy’ among them had been outdone by… well, him, left him even more confused than before. Sure, he was a bit ahead of his class at Udebtekhat, but he’d been led to believe Pesedjet was on a completely different plane. 

Khaemtir spoke before Radaam could inquire further, and he realized the boy must have misunderstood him. That he’d call one of the most anticipated events of the year ‘reasonably sized’ sounded strange enough, but was he really not even a little awed at his acceptance itself? Actually, maybe not; it only later occurred to Radaam that a boy of his status might really not be surprised. As a graduate of Pesedjet with a family in high standing, he may very well have expected to be summoned by the best of the best. 

That wasn’t much comfort as Khaemtir continued on about a world he didn’t recognize, though he had to admit some amusement at the ‘curse of aristocracy’. Radaam wasn’t ignorant enough to think that wealth did away with all problems, but he couldn’t help but inwardly smirk at the idea of aristocrats trudging through a hard day of talking and eating only to go home to talk and eat some more. 

Khaemtir left to meet their new master, and Radaam was ready to follow when a tug on his cloak stole his attention. He turned to see Zahra, apparently having slipped their parents and looking uncharacteristically shyly up at him, though by the look of it the meek facade was just about ready to crack.

Crossing his arms, Radaam raised an eyebrow at her. [color=437D99]“And just what do you want?”[/color]

Zahra’s expression contorted as she tried valiantly to hold her look, but in seconds her little battle was lost and her face split back into a smile. [color=6AB1D3]“Can I take Toruk to see the banquet? Please?”[/color] she asked eagerly, bouncing on the balls of her feet with her hands twined in front of her. 

Radaam shook his head in mock disappointment. [color=437D99]“You’re not even going to congratulate me first?”[/color]

[color=6AB1D3]“I congratulated you at home!”[/color] Zahra protested, though a laugh came soon after. [color=6AB1D3]“Da said if we repeat ourselves too much it’ll all go to your head.”[/color] 

Raising an eyebrow, Radaam had to concede to a grin. [color=437D99]“You should keep that in mind when you’re pampering Toruk,”[/color] he gently chastised, though he did oblige, outstretching his arm and allowing Toruk to slither readily onto Zahra’s. He’d admit he wasn’t sure about setting the viper loose on the banquet, but he was pretty attached to Zahra (as creatures were to those who fed them treats) and given how quickly he’d started causing trouble, maybe it was wise to have him a bit farther away from the Magi when they met. At any rate, he could summon him back if he needed him. 

Zahra lit up, holding her arm out excitedly and giving a very pleased Toruk a kiss on the head. [color=6AB1D3]“Thank you thank you thank you!”[/color] she squealed, throwing her arms around Radaam’s waist before taking off back into the crowd. [color=6AB1D3]“I promise I won’t let him steal anything!”[/color]

Radaam’s smile turned pained at the sound of that, but he chose to believe she was exaggerating and instead turned to face the dais, eager to see how Magus Dagon handled Khaemtir before he approached himself.  
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