SH: Mystery Matchmaking Mismatch

--- Ammon’s Arrival ---

You arrive at the party, Oblivious as always. Nadiya is smiling brightly, and the aroma of expensive wines, chocolates, and other good things wafts in through the doors. Nadi seems to be happy, and the tables are slowly filling with couples, some shy and awkward, others boisterous and a few already moving onto amorous lip encounters.

“Welcome, Ammon” Nadiya grins widely. “I do hope you enjoy the food and company” She throws a wink your direction, knowing the implications will be lost. She leans over, pointing at your table

    “Your table is just over there. A server will be by to find out what you would like to eat while you wait for the rest of the table” She doesn’t mention there will be just one, and that this is a date. You wouldn’t get it anyway. “I hope you enjoy their company” Her eyes are sincere and her smile bright, there’s a bit of a conniving glint there though. Her friend couldn’t be a hammer, so she’s arranged for one.

    You get to the table, place cards written on each seat. The first seat says “Ammon” in curling handwriting. You are the first one here. If you bothered to check the name at the opposite plate it would read in that fancy script

‘Adusamsi’

---   ---

When Ammon’s eyes fell upon the other place card two thoughts came to mind. One? Nadiya had made it sound like there would be more than just one other person. And when he read the name, Hm, sounds vaguely familiar. Do i know this person?

He made for an interesting sight. A lone bronze skinned man dressed in very formal and lavish robes of black and gold with a scarlet sash, lost in thought. Having been told it was a formal gathering he had adorned himself with an assortment of rings, wristlets, bangles, and a necklace or two, all of it gold. But with affections running high in the room only a scant few seemed to take notice, their attention elsewhere.

Adusamsi… Adusamsi… Ammon mentally repeated. He didn’t want to be caught in an awkward situation where someone knew him but he didn’t know them. Having lived so long such an occasion happened more often than he preferred.

“Excuse me sir?” a woman’s voice tore Ammon from his thoughts. The server.

“Hm? Oh, i’m sorry. Yes?” he replied quickly trading his stoic expression for a kinder one.

“Lost in thought?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“Haha, well anyways, while you’re waiting for your date could i get you something to drink?”

“Would you happen to have any wine available?”

“Of course. Here’s our available selection.” The waitress pulled out a small folded piece of paper, a list of drinks running from the top to the bottom. Ammon gently accepted it from her and looked it over before finally giving her an answer.

“This one, please.”

“Ooh, have an expensive taste do you?”

“It’s a nice evening, why not?”

“Haha. I’ll have that right out for you sir.” The waitress said before taking off.

Ammon watched her disappear into the crowd before returning his gaze to the place card. Nope, he still couldn’t remember the name. Maybe it really was someone he didn’t know. Wait a minute. Ammon thought. Did that waitress just say date? As in the fruit?

Ammon was quickly overwhelmed with confused thoughts despite the romantic atmosphere all around him.

---

You arrive at the party, looking fabulous as always. The hostess, a woman with deep maroon wild curls, is smiling brightly. The room is swathed in curling ribbon and luxurious cloth drapery. It smells heavenly. Nadiya, the hostess seems to be happy.

“Excellent” Nadiya grins widely. “Adusamsi, I’m afraid your work is cut out for you but at least he’s cute. Your table is over there.” She throws a wink your direction. She leans down and whispers “He’s extremely oblivious to romantic anything, so feel free to use the romantic sledgehammer. I have the utmost faith in you” Her eyes are sincere and her smile bright.

Adusamsi gave Nadiya knowing smirk. So...a little of her former specialty appeared to be known. Her eyes did shine with some amusement as she was referred to as the romantic sledgehammer. Oh my she did want this one tied up if she thought Adusamsi was the one to do it. She raised a dark eyebrow at Nadiya. She was quite proud of her ability for sex appeal but didn't realize she'd seemed to have earned a reputation. She gave the hostess a playful wink. Might as well go along with it. It was all in the spirit of fun.

Shy guys were her specialty and she didn’t know the meaning of the word, impossible. She might have her work cut out for her but what was the end result Nadiya wanted? A poor smitten puppy or for them to be a couple. Bless her. That was idealistic and well meaning but not realistic. Adusamsi glanced as the kissing couples. She could guess this was Enkidu and the holy prostitute all over again. Well then she’d turn on the charm.

She started to glance in the direction Nadiya directed. Her deep red lips upturned in a predatory smile as her dark intense kohl coated eyes fell on the poor lamb. He was a cutie...this would be fun. She started towards the table with all the confidence of a lead lioness. She certainly carried herself like a queen but she dressed like one too. A shawl of a deep red wrapped diagonally over her shoulder.  A head dress of small golden leaves and agate a contrast to her thick, dark curls. The dress she wore was also tied over her shoulder but it was a dark purple edged with burgundy and a white design laced up her one side emphasizing her voluptuous curves.  On her middle, tied with a white sash criss crossing, was a deep red silk meant to accentuate her tight waist. A gold ring in her nose and golden earrings, Golden and beaded chokers and necklaces of agate, anklets and bracelets and arm bands of similar materials adorned her. It might have appeared gaudy on anyone lesser but this woman definitely had the presence to pull it off. The sway of her hips, her well placed steps and those penetrating eyes were all apart of a dangerous arsenal. Adusamsi had handed her a different set of skills. The pin up of the ancient world had stopped at his table and gave him a welcoming smile.

You get to the table, placecards written on each seat. The first seat says ‘Adusamsi’ in curling handwriting. A Roman-Egyptian man is seated at the table. He’s fairly famous, being so old and the head librarian at the Crimson Scholar in Kardia. In front of his plate stands a card proclaiming proudly in that fancy script

“Ammon”

“Ammon...isn’t that semitic for secret? Strange you don’t look like Semitic.”

She had the faint smell of frankincense oil as she moved to sit. Adusamsi turned her head sideways to really get a good look at the man she’d been paired with and really observe him. She never dropped her warm smile or amused eyes. He seemed rather confused by his body language. Oh my this one had next to little experience with women. Did he even know he’d been set up? She kept her posture relaxed and easy as she sat across the table and kept eye contact with him but she made very sure to not be forceful. If he shyly glanced away...she let him and just keep her energy light and fun,

“ I am Adusamsi bat Sin-Shashipal Ben Ennaki. You may call me Adu, Samsi or Adusamsi. I really don't care. Did you already order?”

If she remembered by what Colo had taught her he was the Head Librarian and the only other larger flying sybal. It was a shame she couldn’t go anywhere at night...She’d like to have seen it but while she knew a little of him, he knew nothing of her and that was half the fun. Adusamsi had not even told Colo where she was from. She halfway expected there was more to the set up than romance. If anyone could guess this one might.

“I’m a newer arrival to what you folk call Sybal Heim so I’m dreadfully sorry if I foul up.”

---------------------------------

Perhaps a bouquet of fruits is involved. Ammon silently wondered, still confused by why the waiter had used the word 'date' earlier. As usual the librarian was so deep in thought he failed to realize someone approaching.

“Ammon... isn't that Semitic for secret? Strange, you don't look Semitic.”

Ammon's attention was once again quickly torn from his thoughts. His amber eyes quickly looking over to see the woman now accompanying him.

“Oh. No, it's Egyptian.” he replied, the kind, warm smile from earlier resurfacing. “But there was a Semitic speaking nation by the same name, so I can understand the confusion.”

So this is Adusamsi. Strange... I don't see any dates. Ammon thought while looking at his company. The waitress probably misspoke or something of the sort. However, lack of fruits aside the woman before him was very well adorned, ornate and regal clothes along with an assortment of jewelry covering her form. She was a very impressive woman, both in how she dressed and carried herself. Ammon couldn’t help but sense something regal about her. Was she royalty perhaps?

“ I am Adusamsi bat Sin-Shashipal Ben Ennaki. You may call me Adu, Samsi or Adusamsi. I really don't care. Did you already order?” she asked, taking a seat at the table

“Mihi numen est Ammon*.” the librarian replied in turn. “But I take it you already knew that.” he mused, referring to Adu's earlier question about his name. “I hope you don’t mind. I thought perhaps we could begin with some wine, hopefully you don’t find my tastes too off course.”

“I’m a newer arrival to what you folk call Sybal Heim so I’m dreadfully sorry if I foul up.”

“Oh? Well i wouldn’t worry too much about it, the people here are kind for the most part and though some find it strange the customs here are easy to fall into after some time.” he reassured her.

On the inside though Ammon was relieved to hear she was a newer citizen. That meant they hadn’t met yet, most likely, thus making him certain he was clear of the situation he was fearing from earlier.

“So Adu, if you don’t mind me asking where are you from?” Ammon asked in an effort to make light conversation.

*Latin for, “My name is Ammon”

---

“Oh. No, it's Egyptian.” he replied, , the kind, warm smile from earlier resurfacing. “But there was a Semitic speaking nation by the same name, so I can understand the confusion.”

He was friendly and polite as he returned her smile and relaxed. He spoke of a semitic people called Ammon and she could quickly guess that was long after her time for all she could recall close to such a name were Amorites. She could imagine that could be in the future. Afterall Assyrians and Babylonians had sprung up suddenly.

“Egyptian?” she let a little of her surprise creep into her voice. She let her eyes wander over him more freely taking in the cut of his chin, the shape of his jaw and head. She looked into his eyes and over his nose regarding what might be Eygptian features as she might have known them. After all the royal ass from Qatna had been half. She slowly nodded, “Yes, I can see a little. Your nose, chin and eyes but your jaw is stronger and the ears and forehead are a little off. Overall though a very pleasing face but too gentle.”

She made her observation then, he very politely gave his full name is a very non-Egyptian manner in a language again she didn’t recognize but it seemed familiar somehow. Silly there was no way it could be. Whatever time he’d come from seemed long after hers and it seemed Egyptians had survived the tide.

“Oh? Well i wouldn’t worry too much about it, the people here are kind for the most part and though some find it strange the customs here are easy to fall into after some time.” he reassured her.

She was always trying to place what she learned in such ways to her understanding in a timeline. That way she might understand how the world seemed to have evolved in terms of civilization. So far it seemed civilization had lost its teeth and beards. She never lost that charming smile but she was watching him and getting a feel for him. Adusamsi was genuinely hoping for the challenge of getting beyond that exterior. She liked mentally seeing what armor people liked to hold up and was curious if anyone could see hers.

“Wine...I’m sure it will be delicious.” she said at last and leaned back. A librarian was supposed to be similar to a scribe and Adusamsi believed she knew what would get this young man to be a little more animated. “How about you guess? Can you guess by just looking at me what I am? No one else has been able to yet. It’s a little challenge.” She leaned in and rested her elbows on the table. Her chin rested on the back of her hands that were laced together. She gave him a challenging little smirk with a glint in her eyes, revealing a little of that shrewd mind.

--------------------------

Ammon’s smile grew a little warmer as the two spoke, though it was only because he was glad at how well things seemed to be going. He had walked into this event blind thanks to Nadiya. However, whatever worries he had were quickly vanishing.

“How about you guess?”

Ammon’s brow slightly raised in curiosity when he heard those words.

“Can you guess by just looking at me what I am? No one else has been able to yet. It’s a little challenge.”

“A challenge is it?” Ammon replied without losing face. “Well, I suppose I could give it a try.”

“Alright, so, If I had to hazard a guess I’d say you’re probably from the middle east, along the Euphrates river to be specific.” he told her. However, though he said it was a guess it was anything but. Adusamsi knew what the semitic language was as Ammon could tell from their initial meeting and given her looks along with the way she dressed he could roughly narrow it down to the middle east. But Adusamsi was also familiar with Egypt, a country that has roots as far back as 3000 BC and in that time the big name kingdoms in the middle east were built along the Euphrates river. Babylonians, Akkadians, Sumerians, and others were all possibilities.

“However, if i had to pick a particular kingdom i’d probably have to say you’re from-”

“Sorry i took so long!” The waitress interrupted. She had finally returned, a basket of bread and grapes in hand along with a dark bottle of wine.

“I see your date showed up.” she told Ammon.

Nope, not a slip of the tongue. Ammon thought. Why does she keep bringing up that fruit? The waitress set the basket on the table along with the wine, fishing two round glasses out and placing them on the table.

    “Don’t drink too much now. The old stuff is usually the strongest. I’ll be right back to take your orders.” she finished before vanishing into the crowd again. Ammon watched the strange girl disappear then returned his attention to Adusamsi.

    “Moment of truth.” he mused, taking the bottle of wine, uncorking it with a POP! And pouring himself and Adusamsi a glass.

---

Euphrates...the magic of this land translated for her. So that’s what they called Purattu. Her nose crinkled as it sounded similar to the Elamite name for it.  Well that made sense. They were powerful but still they were north of the Idiqlat*. Did she really want to know what had become of her people? Adusamsi was not sure and was slightly waiting for him to finish his guess when the waitress came. Well that was disappointing. He’d been so close! She hoped he would finish his guess because he’d earned his reputation and that intrigued her.

What was also intriguing was the faint flicker of a frown when the waitress said date. Not an annoyed frown just...confused? Probably. He seemed rather oblivious of the men and women entangled in the romantic mood of this festivity and he seemed rather clueless as to why each couple seemed paired. Oh...yes this was going too well. He seemed perfectly comfortable but perhaps that’s exactly where she needed him to be...for now. She smiled, a little bit to herself in wry amusement. Nadiya could not have paired a more opposite couple. Adusamsi who was one sort of intelligence and Ammon who she was beginning to guess was the other sort. Yes, this was going to be fun. Her smile was becoming quite cattish.

“Indeed.” she chuckled. “Let’s see what is more to your tastes. I’m curious.”

They said it was the old stuff. Good thing for her, she was an old fashioned gal. It was such an odd feeling for her. She was something in between ancient and young. She was much younger than most of Sybal Heim’s residents and yet she remembered a time beyond their time. She didn’t like how much she was feeling that tonight. Oh gods let this be strong and hard. She missed how real wine tasted. Adusamsi took a sip and tested the taste.

*Akkadian for, ‘The Tigris River’

---------------

Ammon took a small sip from his glass, but left it at that. The waitress was right, this wine was potent. He’d have to be careful not to drink too much, less the alcohol get the better of him.

“Mm, I can see why they had this in reserve.” Ammon said setting his glass down and trading it for a slice of bread from the basket.

    “But anyways, where was I? No wait, i remember now. If i had to pick a particular kingdom i’d say you’re probably Assyrian, or Akkadian, maybe even babylonian.” It was another educated guess. Those were a few of the big name empires around the area of the time and though they were few in number Sybal Heim had citizens from each of those kingdoms. Their features lined up with Adusamsi’s, but Ammon still couldn’t pin down where exactly, after all, they had only just met.

“Am I wrong? The librarian asked her when she took a drink. He was certainly confident with his answer, but he couldn’t shake a few nagging suspicions. Perhaps if he knew from when she was he’d be able to give a more certain answer. At the very least she was making pleasant company.

---

OH that was strong. It was good! A little more like the wine she'd grown used to at the palace. She was simply reveling in it before swallowing and smiling happily. She sort of did a happy little bounce and was so pleased when he continued and she laughed softly. She set her glass down and started to clap.

“Ooooh so close and partly right. That is the closest anyone has ever gotten.” Adusamsi smiled mischievously and popped a grape in her mouth and gave him a wink.

“I suppose that comes with your work. Funny I had strived for a similar employment in my own time but...well I don't think I would've been very good at all now.”

She popped in another grape, “Fate is fickle. What about you? Where are you from? Don't simply say Egypt. You spoke something quite different. I can't guess because I already know you are from a time far in the future from mine.” She sat with her leg cross over the one and flicked her foot just slightly. She gave him an appraising look that might be hard for him to read. Adusamsi knew to start off soft and not make him uncomfortable. She wasn't used to a man not regarding her as a body though. Usually they cared very little she had any sort of intellect.

-----------------------

Partly? That was interesting, perhaps she was half blooded or maybe she was a victim of war. Ammon resolved to find out later if he could.

“Well, being a scholar certainly has its benefits. Especially when you’ve been in the field as long as I have.” he told her musingly, the wink going unnoticed for what its intentions might have been.

“Fate is fickle. What about you? Where are you from? Don't simply say Egypt. You spoke something quite different. I can't guess because I already know you are from a time far in the future from mine.”

“That was latin, and to be fair I am partially Egyptian, but i was raised in the Roman Empire for the most part. I… did a lot of travelling a few years before coming here.” As he spoke memories both pleasant and painful resurfaced. Running around Regulus’ courtyard as a child as well as having rocks thrown at him on the streets when he was homeless among others. Ammon subconsciously touched the scar on his cheek, his smile fading as he reminisced. He didn’t like thinking too much about the past, it always brought up painful memories.

“But now you have me curious, if i was close where are you from?” he asked, the encroaching stoicness vanishing. The evening was young and he had no intention of bitter memories ruining it for him.

---

Adusamsi noticed how his eyes went dark as he made a mention of his traveling but she was adept enough to know what that meant. She didn't like seeing those eyes as it came to close to home for her. They all had things they wanted to forget. How he talked his scar made her subconsciously touch her nose ring. She kept it to hide the ugly scar there that spoke of her slavery. But as he grew curious and that stoicism vanishing she was more inclined to be open at least a little but she still remained evasive to a straight answer. If there were others from her time in this city she would never trust them.

Her time was one of upheaval and violence.

“It would ruin the guess if I just told you...where I am from has remained in constant motion while never quite leaving its roots. At least three great empires have held it and yet the people endure. It looks out on the mountains to the east, the river to the south, the plains to the north and beyond the trees, the sea is in the west.”

Her eyes flashed for a moment as she remembered her beautiful city and it brought anger. Zimri Lim….may a thousand hounds in Sheol tear his flesh from his bones for eternity. She remembered her beautiful sons and hoped they were safe…

“I personally don't mind telling you I'm Akkadian and Sumerian in stock. The Sumerian side comes from Ur. I've never been there but it’s supposed to be a grand place. “ She continued smiling and seemed rather nonchalant as she popped in another grape and took a drink. Adusamsi was reclined back in her chair and enjoying the wine. Inwardly she hid how bitter that last statement felt. Fairly confident he'd miss that. Practical emotional intelligence was not his strong suit and just as well. She didn't like being read like a book. Adusamsi for all her bluster was a very guarded individual.

---------------------

“I suppose it would.” Ammon replied taking his chin in hand, thinking.

    However, she just gave out a lot of useful information just now, her hints clearing up plenty of suspicions. where I am from has remained in constant motion while never quite leaving its roots. At least three great empires have held it and yet the people endure… that sounded a lot like a city state to Ammon. It looks out on the mountains to the east, the river to the south, the plains to the north and beyond the trees, the sea is in the west... He wasn’t as confident as he was with the last phrase but he narrowed his focus to the cities he knew of in the northern area of the Euphrates river.

“I personally don't mind telling you I'm Akkadian and Sumerian in stock. The Sumerian side comes from Ur. I've never been there but it’s supposed to be a grand place. “

Now THAT was helpful, especially the fact she was partially akkadian. The akkadians, as Ammons knew lasted till about 2100 bc give or take a century and although their bloodlines might’ve gone on to last longer that still gave the librarian the much needed timeline he needed. So he was looking for a place, a city state perhaps, at least 2000 years old with akkadian, sumerian, and some other influence (perhaps more) located along the northern euphrates river. Ammon could only think of two cities that fit that description well, Terqa and Mari, and even then he wasn’t entirely sure… if only he had a map in front of him.

Deep in thought Ammon held his chin, locking his amber eyes with Adusamsi’s dark brown. If it was one of those two cities he had a 50/50 chance of getting it right.

“Could it be…” He began, letting go of his chin, “...that you’re from Mari?” he maintained his gaze and waited for an answer. It was a guess, but one he was betting on nonetheless.

---

Adusamsi watched him as the gears were turning in his head. Before she might’ve been alarmed someone might really knew where she was from but slowly it turned from fear to a fun game. As far as she knew she had no enemies in the city from her time. She'd never met anyone from her time to start with. Some wasn't as afraid anymore. She waited until he seemed to settle on his and she leaned forward in anticipation.

“Could it be…” He began, letting go of his chin, “...that you’re from Mari?” he maintained his gaze and waited for an answer. It was a guess, but one he was betting on nonetheless.

-----------------------

Adusamsi laughed and grabbed his hands in pure delight and gave them a congratulatory squeeze.

“Congratulations. You are the first person in all of this city to guess correctly. Yes, I am Mariote. But remember…”

She drew one finger to her dark lips in a hush.

“That's our little secret. You really are quite a bit more intelligent than most men I've encountered. This requires something special. I do hope they have at least some Mesopotamian cuisine. Otherwise we can settle for lamb. Do you like lamb?” She looked for the server and raised a hand to signal. A real meal was not bread sticks and grapes. Adusamsi had a real appetite.

---------------

Ammon was taken by surprise when the overjoyed woman grabbed his hands. But the expression quickly turned into a reciprocating grin and chuckle.

    “Congratulations. You are the first person in all of this city to guess correctly. Yes, I am Mariote. But remember…”

    She drew one finger to her dark lips in a hush.

    “That's our little secret.”

“Of course, of course.” He reassured her. It wouldn’t be the first secret he’s held onto and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

    “You really are quite a bit more intelligent than most men I've encountered.”

    “Well to be fair, i have a bit more books than most men.” Ammon chuckled.

    “This requires something special. I do hope they have at least some Mesopotamian cuisine. Otherwise we can settle for lamb. Do you like lamb?”

    Ammon nodded, still smiling from Adusamsi’s reaction at his answer. Of course he wasn’t a terribly picky eater, he’s had a lot of time to sample foods from all sorts of places from all sorts of times. Lamb would be more than fine if Adusamsi wanted it.

    As if on cue the high spirited waitress appeared from the crowd, a notebook in one hand and a pencil in the other.

    “Are you two ready to order?” She asked with a smile.

---

    “Well to be fair, i have a bit more books than most men.” Ammon chuckled.

That was actually very funny and it was good to see him joke a little. She laughed a bit as she was usually quite the opposite. She didn’t eschew conventional relationships...just...she didn’t know what a real relationship was between a man and a woman. Her experience was solely tied to her past profession. The waitress came quickly though so Adusamsi turned her attention to him.

“Yes, if it’s possible roasted lamb with date syrup, a side of mulberries, figs and pears, unleavened bread, a small tray of pistachios. If you are unable to do the date syrup then roasted with garlic, salt and leek is fine too. Then again it could be fun to surprise me. So you know what. Instead I’m just ordering roasted lamb and I want to see what your chef can create from that. I have no allergies. Do you?”

She waited for Ammon to answer. And nodded to it before continuing,

“Alright with that in mind. Off you go and tell them to simply enjoy creating us a fantastic meal! I’m counting on you.”

Adusamsi sent the waitress off with a chuckle and that good natured smile of hers before returning her merry attention to Ammon.

For the first time in a long time she felt genuinely animated and it was strange to her but she enjoyed it. Perhaps she really had wanted someone to guess all this time. Strange since she resisted discovery but it actually made her happy that he’d guessed right. Women. She was one and she didn’t understand it herself.

“Having access to so much reading is a luxury. I used to get one of the palace scribes to sneak me tablets occasionally. Surrounded by some thirty other little girls gossiping, I didn’t really care if Shamala gained weight. I would have preferred to have read about Enmerkar or the Mari-Elba wars. Now I get to discover things like bath houses and fried meat on a stick! Though I learned the hard way you don’t eat seven of those at once.”

She grimaced at the very thought as she was leaned in quite interested in what he might’ve learned about the city or from his books. Adusamsi had an avid curiosity and despite herself was showing she actually had a very keen mind thirsty after years of being denied knowledge of a substantial nature.

---------------------

    Date Syrup. There was that word again, but this time it definitely sounded like she was referring to the fruit. However, before he could think too much about it she was already asking him a question.

    “I have no allergies. Do you?”

    “Oh, no.” Ammon answered gently shaking his head.

    “Alright with that in mind. Off you go and tell them to simply enjoy creating us a fantastic meal! I’m counting on you.”

    “Ma’am, yes ma'am!” The waitress saluted before marching off into the crowd.

    “Having access to so much reading is a luxury. I used to get one of the palace scribes to sneak me tablets occasionally. Surrounded by some thirty other little girls gossiping, I didn’t really care if Shamala gained weight. I would have preferred to have read about Enmerkar or the Mari-Elba wars. Now I get to discover things like bathhouses and fried meat on a stick! Though I learned the hard way you don’t eat seven of those at once.”

    “Well if you’d like maybe i could show you around the Crimson Scholar sometime.” Ammon offered politely. “With all the cultures in the city there are tablets, scrolls, tapestries, tomes, and other such things available to the citizens here. And they exist in both quality and quantity, I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll like. The bath houses aren’t bad either, granted a lot of people are afraid to go because they practice mixed bathing.”

    Having been raised roman public bathing was a regular thing for him, even here in the city he still attended the baths regularly. He didn’t really mind the company of others, other men never really bothered him, but it seemed whenever women shared the baths with him they were…. Flustered. Ammon could never figure out why, he always just chalked it up to clashing cultures.

---

    Adusamsi had been watching Ammon closely especially when he brought up the books and baths. The truth was she found herself intrigued and troubled at once by him as he both raised her inward alarms and brought down the one shield she had. She'd always been able to keep people at a certain emotional distance using her sexuality or boldness. Yet this man was so oblivious and kind at once that she didn't feel like she wanted to unnerve him. Nadiya wanted Adusamsi to use her wiles on him but that too would feel...wrong. She'd noticed how he'd seemed confused when she approached, when the same look of confusion and recognition flickered over his features as she said the word ‘date’ and that shadow that past over his eyes when he touched his scarred cheek. There was something genuine and innocent despite how old he was supposed to be...and hurting. Adusamsi’s life had been short but in no way kind. She kept moving trying not to remember her babies...that were all taken away. Yet for once...Adusamsi, the more she watched this man...did not know what to do. For someone like her that was very rare.

    So intrigued as she was with the sad, quiet man she could only go forward. Could someone really exist that unaware of others? She answered carefully but with her usual vibrant smile.

    “I would love to know when is my time in relation to this...and what happened after. Thank you...and if you need help in various Semitic dialects, Babylonian, Assyrian, Akkadian or Sumerian knowledges. I don't mind helping. I was born in the trade of frankincense so I was schooled in various cultural and linguistic practices to be competent in the trade. As for baths, if I may be forward. I may have a hypothesis on why certain people seem afraid of the mixed baths. In my culture it was quite common to see a woman in broad daylight with bared breasts. I imagine in yours similarly anatomy is simply anatomy. In Older cultures the human form is naturalized. However I have observed in many latter cultures that the exposed form is supposed to be sacred and only observed by one’s lover. Therefore because they have not normalized exposure they cannot separate the sexual nature of the human bare form. They see breasts, penises or vaginas they are thinking sex. They feel exposed around men or women because they simply have not been able to differentiate the context of the act of sex from being naked. It is a cultural thing but also a subconscious feeling because of that lack of exposure. I wish I had known that back then. I might of made a young man very uncomfortable with my openness.”

She chuckled awkwardly, “Some things can not be taught by books but experience.”

    -------------------------

Ammon nodded knowingly, listening as she spoke. Those last few words especially held a lot of truth.

“Well you're more than welcome to stop by anytime you'd like and like I said earlier we have no shortage of reading material. However, on the other note i get the feeling you may be right. I've never really thought about it like that, but that does make quite a bit of sense. Most of the people here are from younger cultures after all.” thoughts of various other citizens, Deyri, Edwin, Amynta, Steins, Minister Tristine, and others floated into his mind. He had been here for so long and now the vast majority of the city was younger than him. It was a reoccurring thought but he still didn't know how to feel about it.

“Speaking of the other citizens how have you been getting along? I take it by now you're well acquainted with your minister.”

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She smiled at him sweetly as she thought of little Colo. Her presence becoming more matronly and protective. Unlike her earlier approach, her eyes softened and she glanced down and touched her side gingerly thinking of how she met the lad. In her short time in the city he particularly held some importance to her.

“Colo...he’s a responsible and good lad.” her voice holding a degree of warmth and admiration. “I don’t think I would’ve made it far without him.” very true for his larger sybal had subdued hers….and kept that under reign. She would’ve been sent to Kardia already if not for him… “I work for him in the Seele Licensing Branch. He’s an adorable minister and it allows me to stay within the ministry housing...so I prefer it.”

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“That certainly sounds like Colo.” Ammon chuckled. “Though you may want to be careful calling him adorable. That youthful face hides a well trained mind.” Then again Colo was the youngest of the ministers Ammon thought, but even then after a century of sybal life the child had an impressive ability to perform the role. Other ministers began floating into mind, Tristine, Necalli, and the ministers of times long past. Ministers had come and gone in the years Ammon had lived here and at this point he was far older than any of the current ones. He began wondering if he would ever again see a minister appear older than himself when a speaker took the floor.

“Ladies and gentlemen. If I may have your attention please, in a few moments we will be clearing away a few of the tables to make room for the dancing portion of the evening’s festivities.”

The room grew a little louder as conversation took hold of everyone. Men asking blushing women to dance, women grabbing men by the hands asking them to dance with them, it seemed the majority of the room was eager to get on their feet.

It was during this moment that Ammon and adusamsi’ waitress returned, a platter of lamb raised in her right hand.

“So you two,” she began while placing the platter on the table. “Will you be dancing tonight?” she asked, performing a little twirl at the word dancing.

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Adusamsi got a little grin as dancing she believed was just what this little lamb needed. “Ammon, dance with me. Let’s work up an appetite!” She stood up and moved around the table. She reached around and grabbed him by the hand with a giggle and ran, dragging him involuntarily to the dance floor. The music was flowing, the band was lively and the energy was right. True, she had no nasty intentions with him but she did love to have fun and she wanted to dance with him. Nothing got the blood going and someone hungry and out of their shell like a good dance.

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Before Ammon could say anything he quickly found himself being dragged onto the open dance floor. He couldn’t recall having something like this happen to him. It wasn’t that he was unaccustomed to dancing, many women have asked him to dance, but Adusamsi skipped the question and went straight for the dancefloor, Ammon in hand.

Of course they weren’t the only ones, the open floor was quickly filling as couples moved in wherever they could. Men and women of all ages and cultures.

“You know how to dance?” Ammon asked if only because he was at a loss of anything else to say. As he moved in front of Adusamsi the music seemed to start up on que.

( Something to listen to )

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“Never with a man. I always danced for a man. This will be my first time dancing with anyone. If anyone dared approach anyone like me in my past they’d be torn apart by wild bulls.”

She giggled and got him to the dance floor and looked at a couple who seemed to be doing something new. Her eyes lit up. She got an exuberant smile as she watched their movements like an excited child. She’d never danced to this odd tune in her life in such a fashion but it looked so lovely and fun! Adusamsi had always been more intelligent in body language and emotional cues so she sensed Ammon was a little at loss and gave him a warm and assuring smile.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fun, trust me. Have you ever danced before?” She winked and wrapped an arm over his waist placed his hand on her shoulder. Her other took his hand and she started to lead him in the box minding his feet and simply by watching did believe she knew what to do. She was a bit embarrassed her chest made a waltz just a tiny bit awkward.

“Isn’t it marvelous we get to learn all these new ways of dancing and music than we ever did in our own times. Do things we never could before and meet people we’d never have met. That’s what is so much fun. Experiencing all the history and cultures that came after my own personally.” She was grinning and enjoying the moment with all the wonder and excitement of a foal out to pasture for the first time.

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    “Never with a man. I always danced for a man. This will be my first time dancing with anyone. If anyone dared approach anyone like me in my past they’d be torn apart by wild bulls.” Adu answered. Ammon kept his smile but inside he wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. Just what kind of life did this woman live before coming here?

    “Don’t worry. It’ll be fun, trust me. Have you ever danced before?”

    “I have, though nothing too fancy.” But that answer was a lie even Ammon wasn’t aware of.

     The librarian didn’t just dance, he danced extremely well. Having procured a seat among Sybal heim’s nobles Ammon was a regular at formal events, not too unlike this one. And after a millenia of moving around the dancefloor he had few rivals. But for the time being he steadily followed Adusamsi’s lead, matching her paces surprisingly well. Even her chest didn’t seem to throw Ammon off, despite the occasional bump.

    “Isn’t it marvelous we get to learn all these new ways of dancing and music than we ever did in our own times. Do things we never could before and meet people we’d never have met. That’s what is so much fun. Experiencing all the history and cultures that came after my own personally.”

    “Very marvelous.” Ammon smiled. “To witness how the world and its people have grown throughout the years, their cultures, their diversity, it’s an amazing thing. All the more when you see them all come together here. I doubt you’d find a more incredible city.”

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