Burning Nile Scene 02 - In the Crocodile's Jaws

Ipwet takes a look around the surrounding streets and spots a small child hiding in the darkness of an alleyway directly across from the temple entrance. As soon as their eyes meet she sees the kid, looks to be a 7 year old boy, get a frightened look on his face at being spotted by an adult. Before he has a chance to dart she makes the universal hand signal all street urchins use to greet each other; she takes her right hand and brings it up to her left shoulder then subtly wags her first two fingers. She then makes her way over into the alley as non-threatening as possible, which is a conscious effort on her part.

Ipwet's normal demeanor softens somewhat as she bends down and speaks to the child more like a harsh but caring teacher. "You can't rely on strangers to keep you alive, the only one you can count on is yourself. Remember that. Now, I'll teach how to never go hungry again if you can answer a few questions for me. Watch me carefully."

Without waiting for a response Ipwet casually strolls back into the main road and approaches another farmer's cart traveling in the opposite direction. As she passes the donkey leading the cart she subtly pinches its rear end, causing it to get agitated and riled up. As the cart's owner rushes up to calm the beast down, Ipwet nonchalantly rolls a turnip off the cart and into her pocket. She returns to the child in the alleyway, tossing the vegetable in one hand with a sly smile. "Do we have a deal?"

Ipwet leans in and speaks low, buying into the girl's 'secret meeting'. "You seem like a smart girl. A smart girl who notices things. How long have the acolytes left Sobek's temple empty? And have you noticed anyone going in or coming out recently?"

"Really, when did she come by? And do you remember specifically what this priestess said the horrible stuff was and who did it?"

Adom gives the old man a hard look. The cloth the man has is surely fit for a priest of Adom's station, the perfume is strong and will help mask the powerful odor of death inside, and the incense is precisely the right type... but as ever, the price reflects the quality. There is a moment where he is tempted to balk, but he does not give the man the satisfaction. No one would ever have reason to say of Adom that he does not deserve and demand the best, even when it pains him.

Forcing a smile, he carefully holds his purse so it will not become apparent how empty this transaction is making it. With feigned casualness, he counts out the exact asking price, without haggling, and hands the coins to the man, who snatches them up greedily. Typical. Careful not to show his disgust, he wraps up the small vial of perfume and the incense in the cloth and returns to the foot of the temple stairs. There, he slices the cloth into four even pieces, laying them out before him, and sits on his knees awaiting the others, contemplating what words to lift up toward Anubis, and Sobek.