Ficlet Series (ES21)

The Taiyou campus was quickly becoming as extravagant as any Ancient Egyptian palace, as the school committee all worked together to beautify the school. The hallways were newly gilded, the hieroglyphics upon them shining as brightly as the day they had been engraved, and all manner of flora and fabric found themselves draped over the gym. Even the school baths were purified, filled with fragrant goats milk and oils, new Persian rugs scattered around its periphery. This extra care was to be expected, as it was time for the Opet, and the traditional Taiyou festivities would last one week and culminate in the annual ball.

Of course, as things never did go smoothly, they had run into an unexpected problem.

"Please, Harao," and the school's president clamored to keep up with Harao's cushioned chariot, held aloft by four strapping boys and carrying not only Harao but a few of his concubines as well. "It's tradition!"

"Thou can not possibly expect one to make such a choice- tis impossible!" Harao near-shrieked, his arms and hands gesturing in histrionic motions. "T'would cause a riot among one's concubines!"

Harao looked affectionately at his cute collection of girls, who in returned sighed and smiled hopefully at him. Ah, but life was good.

"But, Harao," the principal continued, "it's tradition for the pharaoh to choose a queen for the ball... if they don't share the first dance, misfortune is sure to fall on our school!"

Harao rolled his eyes... really, some people were so superstitious. "Fine, fine, one will make a choice if one must."

He gestured for his henchmen to put him down, and then pointed at the door at the far end of the room. "The next person who crosseth through that threshold shall be one's queen."

There was a clamor as the girls near Harao got up and started running towards the door, and the principal could see girls who had no doubt overheard the conversation come running from the other side as well. He hoped there wouldn't be an accident... but then, in the next second, the light from the hallway was blocked off as an overly large body stepped into the doorframe, and several girls bounced off a strong, solid chest as Harao's favorite lackey stepped into the room.

"Harao. Football practice."

"There," Harao said decisively, a smile on his lips, "Banba shall be one's queen at the ball."

Then, turning to Banba, Harao lifted his arms into the air. "Carry me."

Inwardly Banba sighed, but he stepped forward to lift Harao into his arms... besides, there were worse things then having Harao clinging to him like this. He wasn't sure what was going on, but from the way Harao's concubines were glaring at him, he didn't have a good feeling about it.

.end.