"Really now? You couldn’t have said something before I traipsed all over this gods forsaken sandbox? As if I don’t have better things to do than babysit a would be goddess with an over inflated, and quite frankly undeserved, ego?”

The Goddess stiffened, her fingers curling so that her nails dug into the palm of her hands at the hostility that poured off in waves from Amunette. So this was how it was going to be? An offer was made and declined. It should have been over without any ‘hurt’ feelings. Right now the two of them should have been making small talk over shopping and falafel, but it was clear that Amunette was spoiling for a fight, and quite possibly had been for quite some time. Odd, considering how Sharay had not detected such animosity earlier.

True to her own nature, Sharay could feel her body tingle, her hands burning as her own chaotic energy flowed throughout her, fully prepared to deal with Amunette. A sudden twinge in her subconscious, this nagging at the back of her brain that forced her to calm, insisted she lower her hands was what kept Sharay from acting. Irritated at such a change of heart, her jaw muscles working and she finally unclenched her teeth as clarity and composure were willed into her being to alleviate the agitation that brewed, though Sharay was not quite sure that was of her own doing.

Sharay had quite honestly expected better from the girl, but had come to realize that though Amunette was the counterpart to Valorius, the two were as different as night and day as the girl boasted none of the attributes Valorius could rightfully claim as a member of a royal house. Silence and a watchful eye on the red head would be her weapon of choice...for now.

Onyx orbs narrowed into mere slits as Sharay watched with morbid fascination while Amunette seemed to be struggling with herself, but was more startling was that the violence she had come to expect had finally shown itself, but it was not directly fueled by the Goddess, not entirely.

The change in eye color was not necessary to discern that before her stood not Amunette, but Ameerah transformed in mind and spirit if not exactly body. Sharay had enough memories of Ameerah from her brief but titillating stay in Valorius’ mental prison to recognize her. She had been far too distracted during her resurrection to take full notice of Ameerah then, but truly it was nothing like seeing the girl in person. Something had triggered what Sharay had assumed was the dormant presence of Ameerah to claw her way to the surface where Amunette had presently been pulling the strings. Whatever it was that opened the cage that contained the beast, and most likely it was Sharay’s presence, it was now Ameerah’s wrath and rage that opposed Sharay as Amunette had checked out either temporary or permanently.

So this was the ‘mongrel’ spoken of so fondly, this crass and petty creature who thought quite pathetically really, that after existing for millennia a few insulting words coupled with what she assumed was a death threat would cause Sharay to cower before her, to tuck her tail between her legs and run as fast as her shapely legs could carry her? Heavens no. And over what, one might ask, or rather whom? Sharay fought the smile that ached to stretch the corners of her mouth. Jealousy, as far as Sharay was concerned, was a wasted emotion, but Ameerah seemed to feed on it which explained the savage, if not pointless, attacks toward the Goddess.

Impressed by her own restraint, but ultimately knowing any reaction was unnecessary, Sharay watched as the girl continued to fight with herself as both presences struggled for dominance in the body. Sharay was a tad disappointed to see that Ameerah had proven stronger for now and remained in control, effectively silencing the far more civilized Amunette. Sharay thought it disgraceful and shook her head some as Ameerah delivered her parting shot before disappearing into the shadows. Exactly how was Ameerah, Amunette or whatever she was calling herself these days capable of remaining as Padishah, as a leader of men and women in Heruin, if she couldn’t control her own instability? Sharay knew first hand that unstable beings, highly volatile ones such as Ameerah/Amunette, tended eventually to destroy themselves or others. Valorius had his work cut out for him concerning his counterpart.

Sharay heard the explosion before she saw it and turned toward the direction of where the house would have been. In the distance, the Goddess could see the flames and the smoke they produced. She sighed once more as the destruction of structure was only the beginning of Ameerah’s revenge. It wasn’t the little pissing contest or the ruination of the house that disturbed Sharay, but the knowledge that Valorius was acutely aware each and every moment that had come to pass and had been the moment Ameerah made her appearance. It was the only reason she had not reacted, the only reason she endured the tirade. The only reason she was allowing Valorius to handle this situation concerning Ameerah in her stead.

Ameerah had falsely assumed and boasted that it was she who should be thanking Valorius for having her life spared. The deranged Padishah couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Gathering herself, Sharay’s hand sliced through the air creating a rift. “So much for southern hospitality,” she murmured, bemused by it all. Not particularly fond of using portals unless they directly led to Chaos, Sharay had finally had enough of this little island paradise and decided to continue with her original plan instead of heeding Ameerah’s ‘warning’. She stepped through the portal and found herself in the heart of the Marrakash Marketplace which was busy as usual with citizens scampering about, shouting out to everyone and anyone the value of their goods they hoped to sell. The heady scents of different foods filled the air, and Goddess found it amusing that the mortals were so busy in their daily activities that not a single one had noticed Sharay appearing out of thin air.

Sharay strolled through the marketplace, her head turning to glance at one item or another, scanning each and every face she came across, but whatever enjoyment she could and should have partook in was lost as her thoughts drifted toward Valorius and the impending confrontation with Ameerah. Sharay however, did not run to him. Did not offer her assistance. If Valorius needed her, he knew where to find her.