When Two Worlds Collide [[DreamerxMidnight]]

[ShadyPrincess]

Despite the guardsmans attempts to shield the blinding sun form her eyes, Cassia still squinted out into the Egyptian sand. This place is absolutely miserable... her mind told her, the thought mulling around in her head before she decided that she, too, was probably going to be miserable here. Her attitude had not lightened all that much since leaving the palace in Rome. At least there the sun was not so blistering - she'd nearly burnt her feet just stepping out of the chariot and onto the sand at a stop. Her toes lightly curled at the thought and she shuddered - not exactly a great start to her 'new life' in Egypt.

The girl leaned her head back against the seat of the chariot, her brown hair feathering out some around her face as the movement of the vehicle caused a breeze. Her skin was already a shade or two darker from the journey, both on sea and land, from it's original paler color. The white linen cloth that draped her body clung to parts of her that were sweating under the sun and seemed even more stark now in comparison to her skin. The jewelry she wore clanked together light with her movements, everything from bracelets to earrings to necklaces. "Almost there, Princess," one of her guardsman pointed out, the buildings of the main city finally appearing over the sand. By this time they could see, fast approaching, Egyptian soldiers and guards coming forth to escort them through the city and to the palace.

"This is very important, Cassia... You must get along with him. This is the hope that Rome, and Egypt for that matter, have been looking for. We need something to ensure that there is no war, neither Kingdom can really afford that... You are that piece," her father had told her, lovingly he probably thought. But in truth, Cassia was rather disgusted. She was no more than a mantle to show off Rome's wealth as well as a chip in a high-stakes game of truth and lie to be traded. Her fate here was not just negotiation - oh, no. She was to be married, probably by the morning, if not the afternoon of the next day. Maybe even that night, if the Pharaoh and his advisers thought it proper.

In other towed storage chariots behind them were boxes and chests of things she needed and wanted form home - fine linens and trinkets. Her wardrobe of expensively made, sown and embroidered stolas and pallas was carefully folded away in a chest, as was her beauty supplies and other necessities. With her she also brought much jewelry as well as Roman gifts for the palace from her parents and the Roman people who had been able to donate to the peace negotiation.

As they approached even closer to the Egyptian palace she ordered the guards to stop shielding her so she could see. They stopped out front, by now gathering a rather large group of people from the surrounding area to watch as their new Princess arrived. Swiftly the Egyptian guards walked up the palace stairs and in through the doors to warn the Royal Family of the impending arrival.

Putting on her most gracious of smiles and using the best faux happiness she could muster, Cassia took a hand as she stepped down from the horse-drawn chariot, her sandals hitting the hard stone of the shortly paved walkway in front of the palace.

This... Is not home... was all she could think, even as she was led up the stairs, grasping the layers of her stola to keep it from dragging, on her way to meet the Egyptian Royal Family... Soon to be her family.

 

[Midnight]

"Why does this have to happen"

The prince of egypt frowned, sitting under one of the trees in the palace overlooking the Nile. The palace was unimpressive from the outside, but inside it was a maze of beautiful gardens and pools, the prince's chambers had been built according to his own specifications, his bed under a beautiful tree and at it's side a pool of water that was fed directly from the Nile itself. The palace was open, allowing air to flow freely through the place. "My prince!" Rhen turned his head toward the voice that broke the silence of the lapping waters and the rustling of the lotuses on the water.

"What do you want?"

Rhen's voice was pure, rather relaxed, he was the son of the pharaoh, the son of Re himself, he felt betrayed however that he would be just be given away to a princess that he had never seen once in his life, not to mention, romans just weren't good looking. The prince stretched out one of his long legs, reclining a bit as he turned to look at his adviser, his nanny.

When sighed and looked at the woman, a stern frown on her lips, signaling the servant fanning him to vacate. The prince waved a bronzed hand and the servant left.

"My prince, the Roman will be arriving at any time, we need to get you at least presentable." The prince's adviser was equipped with a long silk sheet and a linen one which would make up the prince's wrap. the young man rolled his eyes and stood "Very well" He clapped and a group of servants entered the bedroom, undressing the prince and redressing him in a more acceptable manner.

When they were done he was clothed in a body wrap, though it was focused on his legs and shoulders. The silk sheet with a linen underside was wrapped around his lower body, covering up the only areas the prince needed to cover. He checked his reflection in the pool of water, doing his hair. He was a beauty, well, for a man at least. His lean athletic body was well toned by the rigors of the desert, the combat training and the dueling for sport. The young man wrapped a spare cloth around his shoulders and upper torso, . The outfit gave him a top and bottom, the top only covered his upper torso, his abdomen was showing completely. The egyptian had dark, naturally tanned skin and jet black hair, which he wore long and free, though as he went he clipped golden ornaments into those silken black locks. The prince frowned, noticing the rising dust that was the princess's caravan.

This would not likely be pleasant. Prince Rhenan frowned and sighed lightly to himself, a presence behind him and a hand on his shoulder signaling the presence of his father, the pharaoh "You are doing Egypt an honor my son" The prince took a deep breath and waited, his plan was to wait until the princess got to the steps before greeting her. When waited a moment, fidgeting before walking calmly to the grand staircase that lead to the palace

"Welcome to Egypt!" The prince flashed a small smile, though he was blinded by the evening sun, he wasn't disappointed when he could see, the princess, or at least who he hoped would be the princess was not bad looking at all. the prince gave a slight smile "Hot isn't it?"

 

[ShadyPrincess]

Cassia and her guards had barely gotten to the flat landing in front of the palace before she was greeted by, who she believed, must have been the Egyptian Prince. For a second she was taken aback by his beauty and her eyes scanned his features before she mustered one of the more genuine smiles she'd had since the beginning of the trip. "Thank you for... Having me here," she said and nodded her head lightly. Some of the trinkets in her hair moved around and her curls bounced as she nodded. Lightly pinned up with a thin gold-leaf crown that sparkled in the overhead Egyptian sun, her hair looked a bit lighter here than it might normally.

She finally let go of the fabric to her stola and it effortlessly bounced back to place. The length of the fabric was just a bit above the ground, almost making it as if she glided when she walked. "Quite hot... We obviously have sun in Rome as well, but it is never this hot," she said and nodded her head lightly, looking around. Her hand maiden stood quietly next to her and she was flanked by a guard on either side as well. She teetered nervously on her heels for a second before finally taking a good look at the palace. Well, as good a look as she could get without being blinded.

"It looks magnificent," she said and nodded her head lightly. "Might we go inside? I'd be honored to meet your father and your mother... Perhaps we could get out of the sun as well," and almost immediately the guards seemed to bring their shields over her head to try to keep the sun from her. She let out a lightly exasperated sigh before waving them off, more used to the rays already. Cassia looked him over again and nearly blushed - men in Rome generally wore much more than what he was wearing. Then again, glancing around here, she figured it was her dress attire that didn't fit in - and it might be contributing to why she was so hot.

 

[Midnight]

The prince looked down at the princess, bus brows raising and a light chuckle reaching his lips, yeah, not bad looking at all, though she needed to learn to relax from the looks of it. The prince smiled generously "Re shines greatest in these lands, though to the south in the red lands things are far more dangerous, at least by the river it is cool" The prince rolled his eyes lightly before lifting his hand "come on then" The princess had paused to resettle her crown before approaching him, her guards following suit with the shields. trying to protect her from the sun itself.

"Come in, come in" The prince waved to the female, indicating to go inside the palace. Immediately inside there was a change of temperature, designed to shield it's inhabitants from the sun as well as to channel a breeze into every room. The prince gestured, grimacing "My father you mean, my mother died giving birth to me." The prince frowned but regained his composure quickly. "But let's get out of the sun." The prince stepped into the shade of the palace "

"One of the first things you are going to have to do is get some new clothes." the prince started, smiling a bit "I know the view of modesty where you come from is different from here, and the sun is going to burn your skin for the first few weeks, but wearing THAT much clothing will get you killed by the heat." the prince smiled, Romans were very modest people, he had seen romans wear layers of clothing in the city despite how hot it was, and it stunned him that even a princess would cover that much of herself.

Most servants did not wear tops, even the female ones. Rhen himself was only wearing one out of vanity, to look pretty. The prince showed the roman the way into the throne room, a long hall where his father sat, his headdress on and his brows painted, he was a spitting image of Osiris himself. "Welcome to egypt" The king spoke with a slightly jovial tone "It is good to know that I have a new family member living here now"

 

[ShadyPrincess]

Cassia happily followed him inside, gliding along the heavy stone floor, not making a sound. As they passed into the shadow of the palace she could almost hear the sigh of relief from all of her guardsmen as the temperature seemed to drop many degrees. Still they kept their composure, though her handmaiden seemed to drop her shoulders lightly in relief. Smiling lightly until he mentioned his mother, she frowned slightly. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that," she said quietly, biting her lip softly. Seeing that he hadn't really held it against her, she sighed quietly and followed him inside.

Seeing the slave women walking around with next to no clothes on she glanced away, her lightly tanned cheeks blushing. When he spoke she looked up, nodding in acknowledgment. "I appreciate that. We'll have to see what we can come up with," she said quietly. Cassia had little intention of fully giving up her modesty if it was without a top that she was expected to walk around in. She knew she had to compromise, but that was a bit hefty. Perhaps, she thought, they could make thin dresses or something. She'd have a talk with the tailor...

Finally Cassia stopped when the Prince did, glancing upward. She almost seemed breathless for a minute before she bowed her head to the Pharaoh. "I'm honored to be here... Thank you so much for allowing me to live here in your beautiful palace," she said and swallowed back, resisting the urge to bite her own tongue. She was still not keen on being here, though she seemed less opposed than before. Then again, she had met her future husband for all of five minutes now and had somehow seen more of him than she'd seen of any other man in her life.

"I appreciate your kindness," she said and lightly bowed her head, a little less than last time and as she rose, all of her guardsman did too. The guards would go home tomorrow, back to Rome and for a second she wished she could stow away with them. Glancing at the Prince, however, she knew that wasn't about to happen.