Nemale Sanura
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The children--both the female babe and the panther cub--lay softly on the crib. Their breathings are synchronized--uneerily so. As one’s chest rises, the others deflate.
The mother had died upon birth; the weight of the divine birth seemingly was a burden she cannot carry without sacrificing her life. Still, her sacrifice will be honored. Her name would forever be inscribed in the record and heart of Bastet’s followers.
“Mm…”
“Growlll…”
She seems to be roused. Just like everything else she does, the panther cub follows, both of them bonded to the very depth of their soul.
“Shh, shhh. It’s alright.”
As the doula cleric cooed her back to sleep, she knew. That the child of the divine will be protected; the followers of the feline goddess will assure that.
Praise be. Praise be the daughter of Bastet.
Background
Followers of Bastet are always...unusual, to say the least, owing the wild and fickle nature of their patron goddess.
As Bastet’s child of the divine, Nemale Sanura is the embodiment of all that, and more.
Nemale was born of divine birth; initially thought to be bearing twins, when her mother brought her to this world, her supposed sibling is not a catfolk like her, but instead a panther cub brimming with celestial aura. The toll of the birth had taken her mother’s life, but as luck--or perhaps divine intervention--would have it, the doula that helped with her birth is a follower of Bastet, and she saw that Nemale’s birth to be that of Bastet’s own mediation.
A child of the divine.
Ever since then, Nemale’s life had been that of a spoiled and prized princess. Raised in the temple, in the metropolis of Per-Bastet, and being treated as Bastet’s own daughter, she and Ubaste--much like cats would--was allowed to do just about anything, with next to no repercussion. She would’ve grown into a completely unbearable personality had Ayoma Bes, the level-headed prophet of Dome of the Divine Face of Bastet and Tau Re, the temple’s head paragon and prime seer, not involved themselves in raising her and became her surrogate parents. Due to their own status, neither are easily cowed by Nemale’s circumstances compared to other acolytes and are some among the few people who can rightfully scold Nemale when need be.
Over the years, Bastet’s children of the divine grow healthily and strongly, albeit their cat-like personalities that demand to be spoiled had never really disappeared, though certainly tempered from unbearable to merely…. adorable.
---One day, rumour of treasures to be found in an underground complex beneath the Mountain of Rebirth reached the ears of the temple, and the priesthood discussed whether or not this merits further investigation. It would be most troublesome if this location is related to Set and the Dome of the Divine Face of Bastet is not involved, after all. Upon hearing this though, something inside Nemale stirred. Perhaps it is the slow life in the temple with no excitement? Or a literal divine word that materializes through her? Or maybe it is but a feline strike of curiosity. Nevertheless, she requested, no, demanded, that she be the one to go to the Tomb of the Serpent King.
However, child of Bastet she may be, but not even she can demand to strut around a dangerous tomb of certain doom. At least, not without extra layers of protection. Ayoma and Tau were then sent to accompany, protect, and if need be, drag her back.
Thus, the kitten, the old cat, and the lioness have come to face the serpent!
Idol of Jokari!
Nemale has been hard at work, spreading the name of Mama Bastet all across Jokari through her idol activities!
