The year was 680. And Fotios had not been Master Informer of Taengea for many years. Instead, he had dedicated the rest of his life to his family name and to his House, taking over the role as Head from his father years before. The new Informer, however, was a man of great principle. Someone who gathered information in an orderly fashion. He was efficient, his eyes and ears well-spread and he kept the king information to a perfectly reasonable level. Fotios has tentacles that spread deeper. As such, it was not uncommon for some of his more like-minded acquaintances to almost permanently consider him to be the Master Informer still and forever, regardless of formal or official titles.

There was, after all, little in Taengea - if anything - that Fotios was not aware of. He was also fairly clued up on the events of kingdoms abroad. To understand that within your walls, you had to understand the world beyond them.

Invited to attend upon Lord Dionysios and Lady Nethis that evening, Fotios was greeted at the gates of the Thanasi homestead in the capital of Midas by a house slave. Surrendering the reins of his steed and permitting the steward who approached from the front doors to relieve him of a basket of fruits and wine that he had brought as a greeting gift, Fotios was free of hand and light of step as he reached the main foyer of the household.

Dressed, as usual, in slim riding pants, boots laced to his knees displaying the craftsmanship he could afford to attire his feet with, and a military garb tunic in fine linen, Fotios had offered a touch of formality in the addition of a chlamys that he wore in deepest purple. A contrast to the grey of the rest of his clothes. His hair a little overlong and grooves in the locks indicating his hands to have pushed it back from his face a few times on his journey, Fotios looked little different eight years ago than he does in present time, with the exception of a few striations yet to be creased at the corners of his eyes.

Bowed to with great respect by the steward, Fotios was informed that the family were waiting for him in one of their living space chambers. With a nod of assertion, Fotios followed the man down a few corridors until he was directed into an open chamber very similar to some of his own back home but darker in furnishings.

Instead of mahogany and cherrywood panelling with softer colours marred into the walls, the Thanasi used the darker, blacker grains of their native lands and any exposed brick or clay had been washed in a deep brown or red. Large windows would permit light to see by during the day but currently, at the edge of dusk, the curtains were pulled across the open spaces and brackets and candles were alight on every surface. The atmosphere was smoky, cloying and decadent.

Fotios felt the corner of his mouth turn up in interest. While different from his own home he did not find himself to be uncomfortable here.

"Lord Fotios..." Dionysios stated, breaking the silence.

When the Lord Head of the Thanasi House stood to greet him, Fotios returned the gesture, grasping his wrist and shaking it with firm acknowledgement. With the look of familiarity in Dionysios' eyes - for he and Fotios had been in communications for some years, Fotios felt comfortable removing his chlamys and standing simply in his basic clothes - a man who likely seemed more shadow than human in his grey attire, brown hair and unobtrusive frame. The only thing that seemed to stand out about him was the sharpness in his light eyes as they swept quickly across the room, to land on the other occupant.

Seated with all the decorum and poise of a woman of good breeding, Fotios noted the waiflike frame, the black hair and pale skin. Huge eyes stared at him with judgement and assessment.

Despite not having visited Colchis in four years and having not seen her on his last patronage to the kingdom at all... Fotios was able to recognise the Lady Nethis; regardless of the years since his last glance of her that had turned her from child to woman.

Placing a hand to the left side of his chest and bowing to the woman with all grace and respect, Fotios glanced back up at her from his lowered position before he smiled again upon his straightening.

"My Lady..." He greeted simply.

His gaze trailed over the woman; willowy, thin, but entirely elegant. like a deer or African gazelle. Her eyes were expressive and lined in kohl for effect. He wore a flattering white chiton and a pendant of simple fade.

"The years have been not but kind." He told her, before her father asked him regarding his journey and he was forced to submit to pleasantries and assure him that his ride from the Leventi stay house had been quick and the boat ride from Taengea uneventful.