Note: there is no agreement on the year of the Minoan eruption of the volcano on Thera/Santorini. Estimates, even with carbon-dating, vary from late 1600s BCE to mid 1400s BCE, though there is suggestion that there was an effect on Egypt's weather. But it's mostly linked with mid-to-late 16th Dynasty Egyptian time-frame.

Thoth was really skilled at Senet, and well he should be since its predecessor was draughts and he had been quite good at that. Much to Khonsu's chagrin. But, skill only went so far when the knuckle-bones did not roll just the way you wanted or needed them to in order to allot the player the opportunity to execute the strategy they wished to employ. Part luck, part skill. Thoth really enjoyed the game. As did much of Egypt, it had grown in popularity in not only the noble and Pharonic classes but with the peasants, as well.

Equally, he enjoyed sharing it with friends because there was no reason to accuse him of letting anyone win since there was so much luck and chance at play. In fact, he rather enjoyed it when he was beaten. Problem was, not many had patience for long afternoons of playing. Especially not those from outside Egypt. Hermes had not the patience for more than a single game most times before he'd regale Thoth with all the details of the things he was missing by staying in arid Egypt.

( Thoth. Isis. Set. Osiris. Egypt.... )

Ninkasi didn't sit still well. Her homeland was wonderful and she adored it, but she needed more than that. She also loved Kemet -she had friends there that were as dear as family that she had known since what felt like the dawn of time. Greece was also nice... Rome had its own appeal, but those were mostly the same sorts of people -and they were the same gods, with just a slightly different spin on things. Still... she had been itching for something new...

The Northern lands had been a pleasant surprise for her. Sure, the language had a bit of a challenge at first and a little rough to wrap her tongue around, but the people were a fun lot. There were no bizarre rules about women having to stay in the house and only the house. No forced domestication or criminalization of women who didn't want to succumb to such things. In fact, Ninkasi was finding a number of free-thinking women who joked and pressed right along with the men. It was rather refreshing.

( Also, they loved their drink. )

Aset hated it when her beloved husband roamed the world. She understood, and even agreed with, the necessity of teaching mortals the laws and morals of the gods. If Ma'at was to be upheld, the gods couldn't do it alone. During his journeys, Isis managed things in Kemet, and had already proven she was up to the task. But they were lonely times.

Asar always made up for his long trips when he returned. Besides the blissful things a husband and wife did when they were separated for long periods of time, he also regaled her with tales from the lands he visited. Some were amusing, some confusing, and some were just delightful. Upon his most recent return to Kemet, he told her a tale that was nothing short of bizarre.

( She had to see the truth of this for herself. )

Ninkasi might have had to lighten her skin a few shades and take the name Nina, but it was completely worth it. This little tavern she'd found was a gem and she didn't want to leave it for any place in the world. It was full of jovial people and good good brew. It was a different recipe and technique than she was used to, but it was so very good. She wished she could congratulate them whole-heartedly, but the small town was full of a superstitious lot, so she refrained. Instead, she learned the language. ( She even sang their songs. )

It had been a brutal trip. It was July, and it was expected to be hot, but this was beyond all anticipation. At least during the day, it was. As they crossed over into the mountains, it grew ever colder after the sunsets, and the temperature dipped below the freezing point. It was not uncommon to wake in the morning with frost on top of blankets, joints stiff from lying on the frigid ground, only to have the day warm past a point that was bearable, the air too heavy with heat to breathe. Little sleep was actually had, but it was too dangerous to try to navigate the roads at night even if it was cooler.

( The overly hot days were not much better. )