Just a Collection of Egyptian Citizens

So everyone is aware, I am in my early-30s I'm always open for asks, @s or DMs for RPs or really any kind of interaction! Also feel free to use anything I write as a starter to interact with my Egyptian guys too! Part of TAOCC, run by Mod Gryphon/Vian

[desert-denizens]

Many people call the hot desert sands of Egypt their home, but here you can talk to four of them!

[Character Info and Boundaries below cut!]

Faiza

Cheetah Lady (she/her)

Lesbian married to Latifa

She is 34 and her birthday is October 6th

One of the Pharaoh's guards, she tends to take more of a scout/messenger role. Prefers using a bow or other ranged weaponry.

Has an adopted brother who is a farmer.

Covered head to toe in short fur. She has a handful of scars, but the fur and her clothes hide most of them. It's hard to see in her ref, but her hair is braided.

Latifa

Hippo Lady (she/her)

Lesbian married to Faiza

She is 33 and her birthday is June 12th

She's a midwife, but has nursing training too.

Surprisingly strong, and can be very fierce when protecting children or anyone in trouble.

She is naturally bald, but she enjoys wearing wigs in different styles and colors.

Nen

Nubian Goat Man (he/him)

Aroace

He's 48 and his birthday is November 28th

One of the Pharaoh's guards, he tends to have a tanky fighting style, using armor, shields, and heavy weapons like his mace-axe.

Heavily scarred, missing his right pinky and ring finger, left horn broken, and left ear torn. Is starting to get joint pain, but right now just takes some painkillers and continues on with his day.

Does leather working on the side. Started as a way to maintain his equipment. Other guards sometimes pay him to repair their armor/belts/scabbards/etc. He taught himself how to do more decorative forms of leather work too, with plans to open a market stall when he retires from the guard.

The back of his ears and the markings on his head are fuzzy.

Tefibi

Baladi Dog Person (he/they)

Pansexual, and single

They're 19 and his birthday is March 20th

New recruit to the Pharaoh's guard. Hasn't really found their fighting style or preferred weapon, but he's plucky and determined.

Born in the game, their parents live in one of the remote Egyptian settlements and work as farmers [maybe jasmine sheep shepherds?].

He is covered head to toe in short fur. He has a couple of minor scars but their fur hides them.

Tags:

#The Scout Talks - Faiza Posts

#The Midwife Talks - Latifa Posts

#The Veteran Talks - Nen Posts

#The Recruit Talks - Tefibi Posts

#The Mod Talks - Mod Posts

Other Stuff:

Playlist is mostly just Egyptian/desert-themed instrumentals, but I like playing it when doing Egypt based stuff, so I'll put it here.

Boundaries and Other Things:

-Anyone coming into my askbox/messages with racism, LGBTQA+phobia, ableism, and any other hate speech will be blocked and reported. I have zero tolerance for such things. Obviously, RPing this stuff is different, but I would like to be warned via DM/ask before the RP ask with hate speech is sent.

-Any suggestive asks will be deleted, unless they are from people who have my permission to send such asks. I get very uncomfortable when people I don't know well send me that sort of stuff, especially since I do not know how old they are.

-I'm kinda slow with replies, so please be patient with me. I can also be a bit forgetful sometimes, especially if I’ve got a lot going on. So, if I haven’t responded to something after about a day, feel free to send a gentle reminder via my askbox or messages.

-If you want me to respond to something, please use @desert-denizens, so I can easily find it. You don’t have to tag me when answering asks I have sent, I tag myself in most messages I send!

-For those of you using anon to talk to me, please say who you are in your asks, so I know who I am talking to. I can be fairly oblivious to things like writing patterns, and so I probably won’t know who you are unless you outright tell me.

-If I do anything wrong, or I’ve upset you in any way, please let me know. I struggle with social things, so sometimes I make mistakes, but I always strive to learn from my mistakes and get better!

-I'm not used to using trigger/content warnings, though I do try and tag some things. If you need me to tag a specific trigger, please let me know, and I'll be particularly careful to tag it.

-And most importantly, everyone have fun, be kind to yourselves, take breaks if you need them, and keep being awesome! <3

[desert-denizens]

*As the end of the war turned from being weeks ago to months ago, Latifa found that the help she'd been giving the doctors at the Pharaoh’s Temple was needed less and less. It had been its own kind of joy, watching the patients she had been looking after recover from their wounds and be able to leave the medical tents. Today the last of the patients in the remaining temporary tent were finally given the all clear to go home, and while she had offered to help pack up the beds and equipment no longer needed, she’d been waved off by the temple workers with a reassurance that they had everything covered and a grateful thanks for all the help she’d already given.*

*As the hippo-lady walked back home, she couldn’t help but start planning about what she’d do next. Obviously she'd return to doing her midwifery, she just had to get back into that whole mindset after everything. Treating wounded soldiers was very different to looking after pregnant mothers and their newborn babies. Ah, but she missed it a lot, it would be nice to get back to it.*

*It doesn’t take too long to get to her house, and as she opens the door she’s greeted by the surprising but not unwelcome smell of something sweet being baked. Curious, she makes her way to the kitchen to see her wife crouched in front of the oven, nervously staring through the glass front at whatever is baking inside. She knows better than to suddenly say something when Faiza was so focused, that would too easily startle her, instead she pulls out one of the chairs from the kitchen table, purposely letting it drag a little to make a sound loud enough to alert Faiza she’s there without making her jump. One of the cheetah-lady’s ears immediately swivels in her direction, before she stands and turns around to face Latifa as she drapes her shawl over the chair.*

Y-you’re home early, is everything okay, Lati?

Mmhm, it’s all good, love, the nurses just don’t need volunteers any more so I didn’t have to stay long.

Oh, that’s great news! Things are really going to start going back to normal now, huh?

*Faiza smiles at the news, the first smile in a while that isn’t tinged with worry or sadness. Smiling back, Latifa goes over to her wife and gives her a gentle kiss on the cheek before pulling back.*

It does seem like it. But, how’ve you been today, Faiz? Your breathing seemed good when I got up this morning, you’ve not been struggling at all?

Oh…

*Her smile fades a moment as her hand goes up to touch her side where Latifa knows the stab scar is.*

It’s been better… Only got a little out of breath once, and that was my fault… I, uh, I walked into town and forgot to go slow.

*And then it brightens again.*

But it wasn’t for long, and it didn’t really hurt at all. Just had to sit down for a bit to recover, and I was fine once I slowed down more.

That’s definitely progress! Won't be long until you're fit as a fiddle again too! Did you go to get ingredients? You don’t normally bake.

*At the reminder that she was baking, Faiza gives out a little gasp, and goes back to crouching in front of the oven.*

You know it doesn’t need you to keep watching it, love, it’ll be fine.

I know… I just… y’know…

*With a nod and a soft hum Latifa strokes Faiza’s ears, and Faiza leans against her with a purr, her anxieties melting away with the touch.*

I just don’t want to ruin it… it was supposed to be a surprise…

Oh? What’s the occasion?

You don’t…

*Faiza tilts her head to look up at Lati with confusion, and gets to her feet again. She rummages through a bag that’s been left on the counter, and then holds out a box to her wife. Latifa takes it, seemingly confused, before opening it to reveal a new brooch, a golden shen ring encircling some kind of orange gemstone, and beneath it a receipt for a booked spa session for two.*

Happy Birthday, Lati! I hope they're both okay…

Oh Faiz, this is really lovely of you, thank you. I can’t believe I forgot…

You’ve been busy. And focusing too much on making sure everyone else is okay. Let’s focus on making sure you’re okay and happy now, yeah?

*Faiza punctuates that question with a kiss, and as she pulls back Latifa giggles and nods.*

You spoil me, Faiz.

You deserve it.

[pharaoh-friend]

Thank you, I will! Byeeee!

*They wave an enthusiastic goodbye, and then continue on through the market.*

-@desert-denizens

Memphis smiles and waves at them as they go, and then sighs, sitting back down at his table and grumbling. He wishes every interaction went like that...

[pharaoh-friend]

*Tef just smiles back.*

Of course, it's the truth! Anyway, have a good rest of your day, Memphis, yeah!

-@desert-denizens

Y-You too!!!!!

[pharaoh-friend]

Thank you!

*He carefully puts the figure in the bag and wraps it up to keep it protected before putting it into his coin purse.*

They’re really, really lovely! It’s so impressive that you sculpted and painted them! I’ll definitely have to come buy some more for myself once I have a place to put them!

-@desert-denizens

T...Thank you... hehe...

He blushes at all of the praise.

[pharaoh-friend]

*Tefibi smiles back, tail wagging furiously as he hands over the money.*

Do you have anything to wrap it up in to keep it safe? I’m happy to pay for that too if I need to! Oh and I’m Tefibi! It’s really nice to meet you Memphis!

-@desert-denizens

Um!! Let me seeee...

He rifles around under the stand, before pulling out a small brown paper bag, like a goodie bag, with green dots on it.

Here you go!! No need for extra pay, haha...

And!! And! It's really nice to meet you too!!! I'm glad you like my work!!! Really glad!!!

[pharaoh-friend]

*Tefibi has very little idea whether that price is too little or too much, he doesn’t have much experience with buying art. He stares down at the little sheep trying to decide if he can afford to buy it or not. But it would be a nice little thing to send back home from the big city, something to add to his da’s collection of sheep knick-knacks.* 

*They set it back down on the stall, but only so they can pull out their coin purse and count out the correct amount of money.*

It really is very, very lovely! I’d love to buy it, Memphis! It is Memphis, right?

-@desert-denizens

Yes!! It is!!!! That's great!!! Thank you!!!!

[pharaoh-friend]

*He carefully picks the little sheep and looks it over.*

It’s so cute! Da would love this… How much are they?

-@desert-denizens

He taps a small sign on the small shelf countertop of the stand, taped onto the wood firmly. It has Memphis's name and individual prices on it. That sheep is... 1,600 Egyptian pounds.

...

Kinda underpriced...

[pharaoh-friend]

Really! Oh, wow, you’re really good at it! They look really nice!

*They reach to pick up a figure of a jasmine sheep, and then hesitate before touching it.*

Oh uh, can I?

-@desert-denizens

Yes!! Of course!

[pharaoh-friend]

*Tefibi looks back up at Memphis as he speaks, and tilts his head a little as he sees him set down the brush and half painted swan.*

Hi there! Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt you or nothing. Did you paint all of these?

-@desert-denizens

Sure did!! And sculpted them!!!

[pharaoh-friend]

*It’s a pretty nice day in the market, and a certain dogperson wanders around it. They seem excited, their eyes lit up with wonder, their tail wagging enthusiastically, it’s almost like they aren’t used to seeing so many different stalls selling so many different things. He weaves back and forth across the street, stopping at each vendor to stare curiously at their wares and occasionally ask questions if they aren’t busy with other customers, before moving on to another.*

*The next stall he steps up to is one covered in little figures, and he lets out a little excited gasp as he looks down at them.*

-@desert-denizens

The stand worker is there, painting on a small fold-out table that fits in the stand itself, seemingly working on a statue of a beautiful swan with golden wings that reach to the sky. It's halfway finished, with only one wing done, and its black eye without glossy finish like the rest of the figures displayed in a big circle all around him.

Ah!!! Hii!!!

Hihihi! Sorry, sorry- just one second-

The playful jackal boy rushes to set down his brush in a messy palette nearby, standing up from the stool he works on and properly looking at the customer in front of him, a proud (and, on his own, excited) glint in his eye as he sees the wares he's done so much to perfect.

[prideful-khopesh]

*It doesn’t take long for Husam to make it back to the barracks room. It’s starting to look pretty empty, at least half of the cots that had been set up are no longer here. He nods at the handful of guards that look over at him as he walks in, before heading over to Tefibi.*

Hey, Tef. I see this place is startin’ ta get cleared out, huh? Uh, were ya still needin’ a place ta crash?

*The dogperson awkwardly scratches at the fur on their arm as their ears lower slightly, a sad worried look settles on their face like they’re expecting Husam to take back his earlier offer.*

Oh… yeah. But I can stay at an inn while I’m looking for a house. It ain’t a-

No point wastin' ya money Tef. Couch is still available and you’re welcome ta it. Or hell, ‘m gonna be headin’ outta Egypt for a bit, so ya can use the bed while I’m gone if ya’d like.

*Tef’s ears perk back up and his tail wags a little, before they tilt their head confused that Husam is leaving.*

R-really? Where’re you going?

Place called Candleton. I ain’t sure when I’ll be back, but you’re welcome ta stay at ma place for as long as ya need.

*Husam rummages in his coin purse before pulling out a shiny key and offering it to Tef.*

Got it cut earlier today. I’m gonna sleep here tonight, but I can show you where ma hut is tomorrow. If ya ain’t on duty that is.

*Tefibi hesitates, before taking the key.*

I am, but it’s an afternoon and evening shift.

Cool, we can head over in the mornin’ then, and we can take Nen’s stuff too.

So, you… you ain’t mad at me about what happened after the party?

*Husam tenses slightly but shakes his head.*

No, bud, I ain’t. Like I said, it happens sometimes. I, uh… I need ta think ‘bout some things but, I ain’t mad at ya. You’re still ma friend, okay? That ain’t changed, and it ain’t gonna change.

Right, yeah, okay…

*Tef gives Husam a shaky smile, and Husam gives a genuine and kinda stupid looking grin back, before lightly knocking his shoulder into Tef’s. Tef can’t help but laugh at it, and what fears they still had disappear as they give Husam a playful shove back.*

Well, I’m absolutely knackered from all the cleanin’ and 𓋴𓉔𓇋𓏏 I had ta do today. I’m gonna go ta bed.

Good night Husam.

Night Tef.

[prideful-khopesh]

*As the two guards leave the party, they make a quick diversion towards the kitchens. It’s clear they’re attempting to be stealthy, but they’re doing a very bad job of it, stumbling, giggling, and not-so-subtly shushing each other. The kitchen staff that are still working choose to look the other way, chuckling quietly at the antics.*

*The two manage to complete their little raid, only losing half of their prize to the floor as they wrap a plate of baklava in tin foil. And with the mission a success they retreat back to the barracks for a well-earned sleep.*

*When Husam wakes up it’s to a warm fuzzy body cuddled next to him, a head pillowed on his chest. He tenses for a moment, worried that he’d taken things a bit too far last night. But he relaxes when he opens his eye to see not a stranger in his bed, but a still dressed Tefibi. This is a little awkward but fine.*

*Husam gently taps Tef on their back to wake them up, and the younger man squints his eyes open.*

Couldn’t make it ta your own cot last night then Tef?

You’re in my one.

*Husam sits up just enough to have a glance around the room, Tef whining in protest at the movement. Some of the cots around them are also occupied by guards sleeping off hangovers, though his one is empty save for Hafizah dozing next to a covered plate.*

Oh, 𓋴𓉔𓇋𓏏, you’re right.

*He flops back down and Tefibi makes himself comfortable against him again. Husam sighs a little at it, but before he can say anything Tef whimpers.*

My head hurts…

*Husam can’t help but chuckle.*

Yeah, hangovers, the penalty for havin’ a good time. Is it just a headache?

*Tef nods with another little whine.*

That ain’t too bad then. Hopefully that means ya ain’t gonna throw up on me.

*Another chuckle and Husam gently pats Tef’s back again.*

I can get ya a painkiller if ya let me up.

Do I have to? You’re comfy and warm.

I’d prefer it, ain't a big fan of bein' cuddled...

Oh… Oh!

*Tef suddenly sits up blushing bright red. And then clutches at his head as the movement makes his headache worse. Husam sits up more carefully.*

Take it slow. You’ll make yourself worse if ya move like that.

‘M sorry, didn’t mean to make you uncomfor-

It’s okay, 𓋴𓉔𓇋𓏏 like this happens after drinkin’, it don’t really mean anythin’.

O-oh…

*Husam notes the disappointment in Tef’s voice, and as he leaves the room to get painkillers and water, he murmurs under his breath.*

اثنان في يومين. كيف تمكنت من فعل هذا بحق الجحيم؟

*Well now he really needs to sit down and think about how he’s going to explain things to both Essam and Tefibi. He just hopes he isn’t going to ruin the friendships he has with both of them by doing so.*

[wishes-and-gold]

Yeah, see ya, catgirl.

Byeee, it was nice to meet you!

*Tef waves while Husam just nods a goodbye, and then the pair start making their way through the crowd.*

-@prideful-khopesh

Bas waves happily. Friends!!

[wishes-and-gold]

Luck? Now what’re we gonna need tha’ fer, ‘ey?

*Husam snickers and helps Tef to their feet.*

Ya enjoy the res’ o’ the party, Bas.

-@prideful-khopesh

”See ya!”

[wishes-and-gold]

Yeah. And I guess there’s lotsa people ‘round. Someone’ll help if she gets in trouble.

Mmhm, mmhm.

*Husam looks down at Tef’s sleepy smile and chuckles.*

Ya look like ya gonna fall asleep any second now, Tef. C’mon let’s ge' ya ta bed, yeah?

M’kay..

-@prideful-khopesh

”Heh- good luck, both of ya.”

[wishes-and-gold]

*With a groan he slumps back into his chair. The Temple’s big she could have gone anywhere and with no clue why she ran off it would be hard to find her in it. Tef pats Husam’s knee comfortingly.*

I’m sure she’ll be fine!

'Ere's hopin'.

-@prideful-khopesh

”…Herneith can take care of herself, at least usually.”