Paloma makes the decision to enter a secret dangerous life as an assassin in Memphis, to save her family and beloved village from poverty and starvation, there she falls for another assassin of Memphis. Little does she know who he really is.
I'm going to the temple of Tefnut today. The goddess of rain and moisture. I've gone there every so often since I've been here, as well as a few of the other temples.
The last thing I want to do at a desperate time like this, is neglect my faith, or respect for the Gods.
I'm bringing an offering of blood from the kill I did yesterday. It's not much, only a small capsule. And if anyone at the shrine looks at me skeptically, then they don't understand the stakes and quality of life it takes, to resort to offerings so valuable.
I walk there with my bag. It's quite a walk away from my apartment. It's out of the city. Most temples are, except for the most important ones.
I love the Tefnut temple though, it may even be my favourite. It's in an oasis, surrounded by crystal water and vegetation.
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I walk slowly. And try to appreciate my senses, despite the world around me. It's hard to be peaceful and mindful in this environment. At least for me. Perhaps if I was more extroverted, the city would make me feel everything I want to feel.
I think of my mother and father and younger brothers. My grandmother...
I hope the money I send them is at least making the village's situation easier.
When I'm finally out of the city, my brain feels more at ease instantly. There's a few others walking to and from temples out of the city today, I hope their offerings will be enough to earn Tefnut's mercy, and that she gives us rain.
Ramses
When I saw her walk past me this morning, I couldn't believe it. Seeing someone who's not a stranger in this big city, is so rare. Yet there she was.
And against my better judgement, I've decided to follow her. If not to talk to her, than because I just want to know what she gets up to, when she's not draped in black, with blood on her hands, or coming to my throne and making me aware of the struggle of her country.
She's wearing a cream dress, carrying a big white heavy bag, that I wish I could carry for her.
When we left the city walls, I realised that she's probably going to a temple, and when she turned right, I realised it's probably the temple of Tefnut. The goddess that's on everyone's minds during this drought.
When we get to the temple, she goes inside, and I don't. I sit on a wall outside the entrance. And roll a joint. I have a small bag of everything I need in my pocket. I use one of the torches at the temple entrance to light it. And then I sit and wait for her.
She takes her time. Which I can't help but respect. Strong and patient faith, is so hard to find these days. I wonder what else she's asking of Tefnut, aside from rain.
I start to feel the effects of what I'm smoking. The sun beats down on me, and waiting is tedious. But somehow, the combination of substance and the distant presence of this new woman, makes it so bearable. I finish smoking and pull the material back up to cover my face. I look down at my feet with my head in my hands.
Until I see a shadow over them. I look up. It's her. My face is covered but she recognises me.
She scoffs. "It is you! I thought so..."
I don't know what to say. And I'm sure she can tell by my red eyes that she won't get a reply.
"Did you follow me?"
I don't know if it's better to lie or tell the truth. The truth is strange, maybe even creepy. But lying — lying is no good either.
I stand up, now we're no longer face to face. "I've been meaning to come here, and when I saw you on your way here, I saw it as a good opportunity."
She doesn't seem as serious and practical as she usually does. Her face is calmer, her aura too.
"Well have you gone inside yet?" She asks.
I shake my head. She looks into my eyes and I see a slight smile form on her lips.
"Go inside..." she whispers. I must look ridiculous, not moving, hardly talking. I'm too high to know what exactly to do.
She goes inside and I follow her. The air is significantly cooler in here. The water makes it fresh and the statue of Tefnut...looks a lot like Paloma.
She places her hand on my back. "Speak to her."
I walk over to the statue and sit on my knees. I have nothing else to offer except...
I take all of it out of my pocket and throw it into the empty well under the statue.
"I haven't spoken to you in a while," I mutter under my breath "but there is so much I should be saying...maybe this drought is because of me."
I glance back at Paloma, but she's not looking at me, she's playing with the cold water in her hands. I smile and then turn my head back towards Tefnut.
"I'm sure you can see, all that I want to say. You probably already know what I want. Because she's in the temple with me," I close my eyes "please...give us rain, and give me her."
I stand up and walk towards Paloma. She smiles when she sees me. Shit.
We walk out of the temple, and slowly back to the city.
"What did you offer her?" She asks.
I don't know how to answer. "Something valuable..."
"Valuable like gold?"
I glance at her.
"Or valuable like weed?"
I stop in my tracks and look at her. How did she know?
She looks at me and laughs slightly. It's the first time I've seen and heard her laugh, and now I'll be figuring out how to get her to laugh all the time.
We walk slowly together. "Just because I'm a country girl, doesn't mean I'm naive."
"I've never thought that of you..."
"Oh, well...people here usually do."
I want to tell her, that if people her really see her like that, then they're the naive ones. They're blind.
How can they not see how deep and determined and caring this soul is from the first meeting? I know I did.
