aefenglom | un: ozymandias

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un: ozymandias

Name: Ozymandias
Date: 8/1
Format: Video

[Ozymandias not exactly serious with this message to the network, but compared to his usual energy, he seems almost distracted despite seemingly giving the whole of his attention. He is, after all, intentional in moving the camera from himself to the soon-to-be mentioned machine in the Purramid Cafe.]

If anyone has any experience with espresso machines, I am not sure if Giorno ever completed calibrating his machine and I would appreciate someone taking a look at it. [The challenge of asking someone as particular about his coffee and espresso as Giorno to do something like that when they are also a near-hopeless perfectionist. But Ozymandias himself is not as fickle or well-versed in the specifics of the machine himself to really make a sound judgment, so he is willing to defer to someone with a little more expertise.] I am not as well-versed myself and have other matters to attend to in any case.

[The camera moves back to himself.]

You may work on it here at the cafe, or if you find that environment distracting, I shall allow you to take it elsewhere provided that you return it before the cafe closes. [Purramid Cafe keeps some late business hours to cater to more nocturnal members of society though, so it'd be a bit of a challenge to miss closing.] Either way, I shall compensate you for your time once you've completed the task to my satisfaction.

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It appears to still be whole, but you would perhaps be a better judge as to how true that is or not.

[Not knowing modern machinery all that well but still finding it fairly fascinating? Just #littleancientkingthings.]

It is my understanding that Giorno built it himself. He was proud of it and worked on it every spare moment he had at the cafe.

That's impressive given the level of technology in this place. But on to business, I can head over now if you can tell me where you cafe is and the current issue with it or the history. Like has it been used, how often in a day, has it broken down before, etc. No need to be incredibly specific, just things like if it rattled or makes a strange sound.

The Purramid Cafe is located within the entertainment district, closer to the river than the Harbor or the more adult establishments.

To my knowledge, Giorno only used it as he was testing it and it was never officially used with any of our customers. [He says officially because there were most certainly times Giorno tried to recruit customers into trying what it produced. Ozymandias had Giorno curb that little tendency a bit and stick to testing with other employees or his friends instead of potentially turning the stomachs of customers. That's not the sort of association one wants when serving food and beverages.] I never noticed any particular challenges beyond not producing what Giorno was looking for. He seemed vexed by trying to create the correct flavor profile.

Beyond that, I did not particularly involve myself with it. So, unfortunately, I cannot provide you with more information.

Your friend was barking up the wrong tree if it's the flavor profile he'd griping about. Whatever the case, I know where that cafe is. I can be there within the hour.

[Ozymandias frowns at his Watch a little, uncertain what exactly is meant by that and bothered by Giorno being categorized as a "friend." But it probably is of no fault of this stranger. They clearly did not know Giorno and would not know better about the relationship between Giorno and Ozymandias. He decides to ultimately let it be and provide no corrections.]

Very well.

[And he pockets his Watch. He has no idea who he is supposed to be looking for given this stranger's decision to utilize the text feature, but that seems to be of little consequence. He can wait long enough to set them to work and be on his way. Ozymandias occupies his time with taking some brief inventory behind the counter.]

[ He calls everyone he doesn't know friend. It's nicer than stranger and infinitely more polite than just 'you'. But regardless of whatever toes he had unwittingly stepped on he does as he says and arrives at the cafe within the promised hour, taking a moment to admire the interior and sniff the air to catch the scent of the coffee and treats they serve. ]

Hmmm, so this is what it looks like in here.

[ After taking in the interior and the aroma he heads to the counter with a small smile. ]

Hey there! I'm here about an espresso machine, it needs some work I was told.

[It seems to always be a 50/50 chance as to whether someone will address him with the formality a king deserves or if they shall speak to him in undeserved familiar tones. While not particularly fond of the latter, Ozymandias does not waste his energies in bristling at such casual ways of addressing him. So, the scrutinizing look he gives Bishop has little to do with that and more with his own royal prerogative to pass judgment to all who might find themselves before him. Perhaps especially so with something as personal as tending to the machine Giorno had constructed and worked on.]

[Ozymandias straightens, setting down his pen on the papers before him.]

There. [Ozymandias nods further down the counter towards the machine in question.] You may work on it there or move to a table if that is your preference.

[ He peeks at the machine in question then gave him a nod and smile. ]

Thanks. I won't take long.

[ At least he hopes it won't take long. Bishop decided to work right at the counter, but also took it a little further back down away from the register and where he won't bother anyone who comes in.

He's through with his examination starting from the outside making sure that they work as intended, every dial should turn, button can be pressed, and flap be opened, before moving towards the inside. Gently opening up the machine and laying them out clearly side by side after examining each one before putting back together and bringing it with him back to the counter. ]

Excuse me. I've finished checking this out. It should work as intended, all it needs is a bit more use so the parts can get adjust to the stress. If the flavor profile that - ummm what was his name? Giorno, I believe it was - was wrong it might be because of the beans he was using. It might not have been to his liking, which is understandable given the circumstances.

[As Bishop works, Ozymandias is able to complete the inventory, eventually stepping away to tend to the sphinx cubs. He refills their food bowls and replenishes their water, playing with those that try to "help" in these tasks. He is in the process of putting away their food behind the counter when Bishop completes his work and returns it to the counter. Ozymandias looks over the machine as he explains.]

I see... [Ozymandias moves over to the register, taking the payment for his service directly from the drawer and placing it in an envelope. It's a fair amount of cunes for the time he spent with it. He slides it across the counter to Bishop.] Thank you for taking a look at it. I am sure it will see plenty of use.

[ He was about to take the envelop when a different idea came to him, and he pushes the envelop back with a gentle smile. ]

That's quite alright, sir. There's no need to pay me in cunes. I'm actually just glad to be able to work on it. It's been a while since I've seen an espresso machine. They're a real luxury item back in my world.

[ He says as his tone becomes a bit more cheery and bright. Which means he's plotting something. ]

[There is nothing in the other's demeanor that would signal to Ozymandias that is he up to anything due to his lack of familiarity with him. Similarly, Ozymandias normally is the sort of person who expects things to be done for him simply because of who he is. But that is not a universal as Ozymandias is also not particularly naive, and understands that some usually wish to have something in exchange for their service.]

[And so, Ozymandias still pays it some consideration when he declines the offered payment despite the implicit acceptance earlier when he agreed to look at the machine. There's no need to pay me in cunes. It seems oddly specific phrasing. He does not reach for the envelope of cunes immediately and leaves it there in the space between them for a moment or two longer.]

If you are certain, then so be it. [He picks it up finally, moving back over to the register to replace the money from where it came.] You may have the experience as your repayment if that is your desire.

[ His smile remains unchanged but at least he seems to have gotten his attention. Now comes the next part. ]

Oh, the experience was invaluable no doubt but I was thinking the payments being along the line of something more....beneficial to the both of us.

[ If his idea pays off that is. ]

That machine you see is something of a luxury item in my world, though some treat like as a necessity. I was thinking, if you were interested, if I could get the blue prints or make a copy of the components we could go into business selling these machines. What do you think?

[Ozymandias' kneejerk response to this is a firm no. These are machines that Giorno managed to pull together, and it seems wrong to make something that holds any sentiment like that so widely and readily available among others. But Ozymandias knows better than to reach a decision based upon emotion alone or to act impulsively. So, he stifles that immediate response as his hands still in the register a moment, and he gives it a bit more thoughtful. One of his index fingers taps a moment before he shakes his head.]

No, thank you. [He puts the last of the money away and closes the drawer.] These machines go beyond luxury here, they are a rarity. While my sphinxes are the main draw of this place, the distribution of the machines among others would only stand to hurt my business, not assist in its growth.

[ He was a little disappointed by the rejection, but the answer let him know that there was more to the machine than just something that should work in a coffee shop. Although that took a bit of a back seat when he heard 'My sphinxes' and 'my business'. ]

Oh gosh! I'm so sorry! I didn't realize you were the owner, I thought you just worked here.

[ He extended hand, friendly and warm like the apologetic smile he's wearing. ]

I'm called Bishop. No hard feelings, I hope?

[Ozymandias glances at the hand that's extended toward him, but he does not take it or make any motion that would indicate he intends to return the gesture. It's less out of disdain and so much that the gesture itself still does not feel natural to him to use.]

I am the third king of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, the King of Kings and of Construction, God-King of the Sun, and the Great Ancestor that all who came after have aspired to become, Pharaoh Ozymandias. [Ozymandias introduces himself with a seriousness that indicates he's either telling the truth or is delusional. Either way, there is no sense in trying to tell him that he isn't or that it's impossible for him to be the fabled Ramesses the Great.] You may call me Ozymandias.

[He gives no direct indication of hard feelings, but that he has not opted to end the conversation then and there likely shows he's taken no offense.]

[ That is quite the resume, and it must be a real pain in the ass in normal conversation.

While he's not completely familiar with the history, he does recognize the name and his eyes go wide with amazement. ]

Ozymandias? As in Ramesses the second???

[ He withdrew his hand from surprise and he gave him a solid look up and down. ]

Wow. You, King Gilgamesh, and Enkidu makes three famous figures from history and mythology that I've met while here.

[ And that is the only reason he can believe him. Any other time, Bishop would have just thought him to be a coo coo. ]

Wow...Ah...I guess I owe you even more apologies. I've seen your statues but...[ He's awestruck, but also doesn't want to say that the stone carvings look nothing like him. Not to mention his body on display at the Egyptian Museum. He'll just hope he takes the lack of words and the wide eyed grin on his face as awe. ]

[At the mention of the King of Heroes and his dear friend, Ozymandias considers Bishop a little further, momentarily distracted from the implicit praise being lauded upon him to assess the significance of that. Ultimately, he decides it is relatively meaningless. Gilgamesh never mentioned him prior to his departure and he cannot recall a time that Enkidu might have brought him up. Meeting the other Heroic Spirits is not quite the same thing as keeping their company.]

[He thinks nothing of the way Bishop trails off. Whether it is because of his own sense of self-importance or simply because of his earlier distraction, Ozymandias doesn't make any assumptions that he should not look as whatever the Ramesses of Bishop's world appears.]

I understand. You are not the first to find themselves rendered speechless. Why should any from the modern era have any hope to find themselves in my great presence? It is a privilege that not many even among those of my own lifetime ever experienced.

I would imagine not.

[ Just another figure a certain someone he knows will go absolutely ga-ga over. ]

I have to say though, the last place I'd expect to meet the great Ozymandias is in a cafe. What made you decide to start? [ A beat. ] Not that Egyptian coffee isn't great, just...curious.

[ More like bizarre. ]

Is it not obvious?
[Ozymandias huffs a laugh, loud and boisterous and more like his usual self. He folds his arms, leaning against the back counter in a manner that exudes his casual confidence; Ozymandias needn't put in any effort into the intensity of his presence. He simply is. It seems that moving the conversation further away from his recent loss has reinvigorated something within him, and the title of a Sun King seems especially appropriate with the light and warmth in his smile.]

You know of my name, of my legacy, then surely you must know of my investment in my people. What I did was always for their benefit, and this is much the same.

Every culture and era in humanity's history has their place to gather, and it requires very little study to know that cafes are the preference of the modern era. So many among the Mirrorbound find such locations to be staples of their daily lives within their own worlds. To these people, they do not acknowledge me as their king, but I still hold my responsibilities as Pharaoh. So, it only makes sense that I should take it upon myself to create such a place. This is a place for those who wish to to gather, but also to share with one another.

[Hence why there are nights for studying magic or for Monsters only. And there is still the bulletin board near the entrance where (with permission) there are postings for local information and businesses.]

[He nods in the direction of a small gathering of the sphinx cubs, a pair of them currently wrestling for one of the higher ledges on the tree at the center of the cafe.]

I have also observed the ways in which my sphinxes have raised the spirits of those in need of it in the past. It seemed only reasonable then that a place that should serve as a place of community should also provide its patrons with comfort. They also serve as a testament to the strength of Egypt and of my divinity. As much as this world has changed my form, it cannot rob me of that.

[ He listens quietly, absorbing his logic and reasoning while eyes following the direction he indicates while Ozymandias spoke. It made a lot of sense, but Bishop was after all, not a king. Such responsibilities is still beyond him but not beyond his understanding of the intent. ]

I see. It's very similar then to the modern day Egypt that I know. Coffee shops and cafes they're not just a place to get a caffeine fix, it's a lifestyle from what I understand. In Cairo, people went to cafes to meet people regardless of social status, race, and all that. It was, I guess, a place to be human.

[ And that was a necessity back in his world. ]

To think a Pharaoh from a time long long before cafes were even a thing, to think of such a concept...- [ He dipped his to the side and smiled. ] - Well, it's amazing but I suppose that's just a testament to your greatness, your highness.

[He laughs again, clearly pleased at the recognition to his greatness.]

Of course! It is easy to perhaps assume someone such as myself may be out of touch whether it is because of the era I lived in or the luxuries I enjoyed throughout my life. But had I been so self-centered, surely my name would have faded from history rather than receive the continued celebration and reverence that it does among Egypt's populace.

I suppose that makes a lot of sense, your majesty. Truly, you are one of the greatest to have lived.

[ Ozymandias. A surprising amount of modern day Eqypt's defenses are inspired by him, Bishop's modern day Egypt at least. He doubts that he would have thought of the end of the world during his time, but he's starting to get the idea that maybe all of the lectures and briefings about him and his foresight wasn't exaggerated. At the very least, he thinks that being acquainted with him and getting on his good sight might turn out in his favor some time down the road. ]

Well, I'm am well and truly grateful to have had the pleasure of assisting you with this. Please, if there's anything else I can help you with in the future, don't hesitate to call.

[Ozymandias hums his approval.]

I shall keep you in mind. Please, feel free to order something should you so desire. [As he steps away, he adds,] On the house for your service today.

[It seems Pharaoh is in a giving mood in the end.]

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