Were Bagoas aware, he might protest being deemed strange; though on the other hand, when one feels like a fish out of water, perhaps one truly is.

Every day he bathes, scraping off the dust of his new living arrangement; every day he coats skin and hair in a light layer of almond oil to keep both supple and pleasing to the eye. Every day he applies kohl to his eyes and eyebrows...and yet, it would seem, no habit is quite enough to be rid of the ache.

Being so far from home, not even the sprinkling of rosewater helps.

Perhaps vanity is a curse, after all, in such a place as this. But no matter: at least he can enjoy the beauty of the city, wherever he finds it.