[ To be told that Liem wants to know his mind ( his feelings, not just his intellect ) ought not to be as staggering as it is to a god. They ought to expect such wistful sentiment from those who flock to them, but Set does not; he has not, in many years, been near to anyone who had wanted to be a confidante to him. Not since he and Isis had broken so thoroughly from one another.

Beneath Liem's fingers, Set's Shard burns with his innate heat ( a child favored by Ra; feral goddess above all ) and Meridian's light. He has risen far, devoted himself to accepting that to get what he wants, he must use those who would also use him. To embrace the body of faith and cornerstone of power that was the Church, and draw Liem into its orbit as well. Like a sacrifice, to prove himself. ( He can never trust his own intentions anymore; he hadn't been able to for a long while, even before offering up his altruism. ) ]

— my sister cursed us.

[ He blurts it, sudden and feverish. Beginning in the middle, where he ought to begin at the start. ]

I am not supposed to obtain what I want. I believe that means... what I want most, but I feel its influence everywhere. In every step I take to get back to Egypt and my son, or to grow closer to you.

[ His Shard seems to flutter with nervous energy. A terribly fragile god, this one. One who takes Liem's hands and presses them down, lower and lower until he can feel the cool spread of those fingers upon his bare thighs. A bold offering from a god who is actually a bit of a prude. Who turns as red as his hair. This is a different sort of intimacy, after all! ( It is honest, not a mask worn by him or a pursuit to numb his mind. ) ]

I do want... something, though.