Myshuno! prompt 1: "Play senet with me."

[fuzzyspork]

Prompt: "Play senet with me, father, please?" (from lauriempress)
Rating: Everyone
Word Count: 297
Notes: I've decided to do things a little differently this year. For each prompt I write, I'm also going to stage a photo for it. Mostly because I'm as out of practice with that as I am with writing! This might also slow down the process exponentially. SIGH. Anyway, this particular situation is canon and will have significance later on in my story. If I get that far. -_-
My Card

"Father, no one will play senet with me."

Raneb looked up from his work as his youngest son approached, "That is because you never lose, Imhotep. The fun in playing a game is knowing there’s a chance one might actually win."

The boy furrowed his brow, "Then I am supposed to lose on purpose just so the others can enjoy the game?"

"No, son," Raneb smiled warmly, "You win because you are better at solving puzzles and working out strategies than anyone in this house. Possibly in all of Egypt! Never hide your intelligence, but also never flaunt it. Be true to who you are because you've been given a tremendous gift by the gods and you should treat it as such."

"But the gods also favor you, father! Will you play senet with me? Please?"

Raneb tapped his finger on the paper in front of him, "I'm far too busy at the moment, son. We'll play later, after the evening meal. I promise."

Imhotep stepped up to the desk and looked at the papyrus sheets spread out in front of his father, "Another construction project?"

"Yes. The king wishes to have a special tomb built; one much grander than a simple mastaba. Something that will inspire awe and reverence, and it also must endure the ages."

Raneb turned back to the design he was working on. After just describing to Imhotep what he was supposed to accomplish, he immediately realized this wasn't it. So with a frustrated sigh he rolled up the papyrus and then put the scroll on top of a stack of other rejected ideas.

Imhotep stared at the stack of scrolls and noticed how they rested on each other, almost forming a peak. Then he gasped, "Father, I believe I have an idea…"