Remember Back When

Setekh remained silent, a towering figure of calm amidst the group's rising tension. The tremor reverberated through his frame, but he stood unwavering, a symbol of strength. His molten eyes flickered with interest as Talyssa laughed. He wondered what other sounds she could make, with that sweet chime, and the delicate curve of her waist that led into her hips.

As she instructed the group to close their eyes, Setekh's gaze sharpened slightly, observing the shift in the group's demeanor. Their initial unease gave way to tentative trust. How easily she swayed them. Perhaps... She was a creature to be studied, so that he might mirror her interactions. It had been long since he last did so... When the earth shuddered violently again, he noted those who faltered, their eyes snapping open in fear, while Talyssa remained resolute, eyes closed, embodying her own lesson. Such a beautiful woman. Like Amunet herself, complete with gold adornments and hidden knowledge all the same.

Setekh's thoughts turned inward. His daughter, Absinth. He remembered the first time they dissected a small animal together, how her hands were steady and her eyes gleamed with curiosity. He recalled the afternoons they spent devising ways to manipulate others for their amusement, laughing together at their victims' confusion. He saw her as an extension of himself, meticulously grooming her to carry on his legacy of manipulation and control. He took pride in how quickly she learned, convinced that she was the only one who truly understood him. These memories, dark and twisted, were the ones he cherished most, believing they solidified their unique connection. But she had left him. She cursed him.


Setekh remained unmoving, his molten eyes fixed on Talyssa as her words spread throughout the group. Inwardly he was analyzing her, comparing her to the scholars of his homeland. Her speech on memory stirred something deep within him -- those memories of Absinth, of their twisted bond, surfaced with vivid clarity. He could almost feel her small jaws next to his, her steady grip on the knife as he guided her movements, the shared laughter at their dark games.

As Talyssa's gaze met his, he felt a strange recognition of sorts. She spoke of memories shaping identities, guiding actions, and defining lives.

Her final words lingered in the air, and Setekh let them settle into his consciousness. Then he would approach her, a dazzling smile on his face. "You speak very well on these topics, am I free to ask where you gained your knowledge? And perhaps, what is your most cherished memory?"