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It had taken a serious amount of begging for the brothers to keep their mouths shut.
Zanon was fairly easy. All he needed was some honest flirting and a promise to allow him to be present when Vangelis first road the horse and his lips were sealed. Silas didn’t mind appeasing the guest, and she had bet him that she would win in Mercenaries and had, so his honor and lost bet was keeping him mute. Yiannis had been too busy to care about the horses, barely giving Selene the time of day (not that she minded). And Athanasia had been so excited to get her own steed that getting her own promise was easy enough. His mother hid her amusement and had been happy to stay quiet as long as she didn’t keep the secret from him for long.
Two slaves were waiting outside the door with her, to help when the time came to show the surprise.
Selene was nervous, but it was well-hidden by her sheer excitement in the gift. It was a fine horse, one of the finest she’d ever seen. And spirited. She liked that about the beast, and if Vangelis had the time, perhaps he would enjoy the beast’s temperament as well. A part of her was itching to try and ride him herself, but she refrained because she thought that the prince may enjoy it himself. Besides, she tried to be obedient, and the gift from her uncle had been meant for him. It was his right to be the one to get the honor of making the horse his own.
Even if she was worried that he may break his other leg doing it.
The past two weeks had been amazing for Selene. Between working closely with Athanasia to learn how to ride like she could and assisting in handing out goods from the Mines, the eldest Leventi had quietly fallen in love with Midas and the people of Colchis. They were resilient and hard, yes, but they were also grateful and hardworking. They may not have trusted her, but the few that she had personally encountered had at least been cordial to her. She didn’t take offense to it but had respected their candor. If she ever came back, she hoped that she would get the chance to prove herself to them.
If.
She was set to leave in 2 days, and as quick as she had been to leave, she was now as sad to see the shores of Colchis in the distance. It would remain a fond memory, she supposed. One that she would be able to tell her family about. If nothing else, she would be able to share her adventures with fondness. And she would hope to meet the family in their own travels in the future.
Jo bumped her hip into Selene’s, reminding her that she couldn’t just stand outside of his door all day. Taking a deep breath, she knocked loudly on the door. The blue chiton she was wearing was one of her finer ones, and she was fond of the way it brought out her eyes. Still, she had adopted the habit of very little jewelry here, finding it out of place with the recent wreckage and destruction. Instead, she kept it simply to her necklace with its small pendant and the bracelet of silver and turquoise that had belonged to her grandmother. And as quickly as the sadness of leaving had overwhelmed her, it was gone, replaced with the sheer excitement of seeing his face once he saw the horse.
She was bouncing on her toes, waiting for him to permit her to enter.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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It had taken a serious amount of begging for the brothers to keep their mouths shut.
Zanon was fairly easy. All he needed was some honest flirting and a promise to allow him to be present when Vangelis first road the horse and his lips were sealed. Silas didn’t mind appeasing the guest, and she had bet him that she would win in Mercenaries and had, so his honor and lost bet was keeping him mute. Yiannis had been too busy to care about the horses, barely giving Selene the time of day (not that she minded). And Athanasia had been so excited to get her own steed that getting her own promise was easy enough. His mother hid her amusement and had been happy to stay quiet as long as she didn’t keep the secret from him for long.
Two slaves were waiting outside the door with her, to help when the time came to show the surprise.
Selene was nervous, but it was well-hidden by her sheer excitement in the gift. It was a fine horse, one of the finest she’d ever seen. And spirited. She liked that about the beast, and if Vangelis had the time, perhaps he would enjoy the beast’s temperament as well. A part of her was itching to try and ride him herself, but she refrained because she thought that the prince may enjoy it himself. Besides, she tried to be obedient, and the gift from her uncle had been meant for him. It was his right to be the one to get the honor of making the horse his own.
Even if she was worried that he may break his other leg doing it.
The past two weeks had been amazing for Selene. Between working closely with Athanasia to learn how to ride like she could and assisting in handing out goods from the Mines, the eldest Leventi had quietly fallen in love with Midas and the people of Colchis. They were resilient and hard, yes, but they were also grateful and hardworking. They may not have trusted her, but the few that she had personally encountered had at least been cordial to her. She didn’t take offense to it but had respected their candor. If she ever came back, she hoped that she would get the chance to prove herself to them.
If.
She was set to leave in 2 days, and as quick as she had been to leave, she was now as sad to see the shores of Colchis in the distance. It would remain a fond memory, she supposed. One that she would be able to tell her family about. If nothing else, she would be able to share her adventures with fondness. And she would hope to meet the family in their own travels in the future.
Jo bumped her hip into Selene’s, reminding her that she couldn’t just stand outside of his door all day. Taking a deep breath, she knocked loudly on the door. The blue chiton she was wearing was one of her finer ones, and she was fond of the way it brought out her eyes. Still, she had adopted the habit of very little jewelry here, finding it out of place with the recent wreckage and destruction. Instead, she kept it simply to her necklace with its small pendant and the bracelet of silver and turquoise that had belonged to her grandmother. And as quickly as the sadness of leaving had overwhelmed her, it was gone, replaced with the sheer excitement of seeing his face once he saw the horse.
She was bouncing on her toes, waiting for him to permit her to enter.
It had taken a serious amount of begging for the brothers to keep their mouths shut.
Zanon was fairly easy. All he needed was some honest flirting and a promise to allow him to be present when Vangelis first road the horse and his lips were sealed. Silas didn’t mind appeasing the guest, and she had bet him that she would win in Mercenaries and had, so his honor and lost bet was keeping him mute. Yiannis had been too busy to care about the horses, barely giving Selene the time of day (not that she minded). And Athanasia had been so excited to get her own steed that getting her own promise was easy enough. His mother hid her amusement and had been happy to stay quiet as long as she didn’t keep the secret from him for long.
Two slaves were waiting outside the door with her, to help when the time came to show the surprise.
Selene was nervous, but it was well-hidden by her sheer excitement in the gift. It was a fine horse, one of the finest she’d ever seen. And spirited. She liked that about the beast, and if Vangelis had the time, perhaps he would enjoy the beast’s temperament as well. A part of her was itching to try and ride him herself, but she refrained because she thought that the prince may enjoy it himself. Besides, she tried to be obedient, and the gift from her uncle had been meant for him. It was his right to be the one to get the honor of making the horse his own.
Even if she was worried that he may break his other leg doing it.
The past two weeks had been amazing for Selene. Between working closely with Athanasia to learn how to ride like she could and assisting in handing out goods from the Mines, the eldest Leventi had quietly fallen in love with Midas and the people of Colchis. They were resilient and hard, yes, but they were also grateful and hardworking. They may not have trusted her, but the few that she had personally encountered had at least been cordial to her. She didn’t take offense to it but had respected their candor. If she ever came back, she hoped that she would get the chance to prove herself to them.
If.
She was set to leave in 2 days, and as quick as she had been to leave, she was now as sad to see the shores of Colchis in the distance. It would remain a fond memory, she supposed. One that she would be able to tell her family about. If nothing else, she would be able to share her adventures with fondness. And she would hope to meet the family in their own travels in the future.
Jo bumped her hip into Selene’s, reminding her that she couldn’t just stand outside of his door all day. Taking a deep breath, she knocked loudly on the door. The blue chiton she was wearing was one of her finer ones, and she was fond of the way it brought out her eyes. Still, she had adopted the habit of very little jewelry here, finding it out of place with the recent wreckage and destruction. Instead, she kept it simply to her necklace with its small pendant and the bracelet of silver and turquoise that had belonged to her grandmother. And as quickly as the sadness of leaving had overwhelmed her, it was gone, replaced with the sheer excitement of seeing his face once he saw the horse.
She was bouncing on her toes, waiting for him to permit her to enter.
Vangelis was pleased to note that he was actually looking semi-human again.
Despite the destruction and chaos that the cave had wrought upon his city and his body (his concerns were for those two things and in that order), and the occasions it had forced him to miss (he had been pleased for the charity his family had handed out at his mother's instruction, but saddened that he had not been able to attend himself), it looked as if his body was finally starting to fight back against the after effects of the storm.
After three weeks since the accident - the first of which was still foggy in his memory and mostly filled with sleep and the more recent two far more lucid - Vangelis was finally starting to heal.
Able to stand now (albeit with all of his weight on his good leg, so that he stood a little lop-sided) and with his arm no longer in a sling (it hurt after longer periods of use but clearly it was nearly mended), Vangelis' mobility was suddenly far better.
His general appearance was a hundred times better also. The cuts and scrapes over his skin had heeled and the bloody scabs were no longer present. His bruising had gone way down to the point where only his right shoulder and thigh were still tinged greeny-blue. The rest had gone completely. The slice to his left bicep looked like it might scar but was at least now showing knitted and mended skin instead of a harsh gash in his flesh.
Assessing his appearance in a hand mirror and then moving his limbs carefully in the daily exercises he had been given by the physician (which he had obviously done three times a day, through nothing more than sheer boredom), Vangelis was determined that morning.
It was time to start living again.
Swinging his legs slowly out of bed, Vangelis began to summoning a maid to fix him a bath. He had been in his bed far too long and his skin felt clammy.
Fifteen minutes later and a lot of water on the floor - okay so getting in and out of a tub was a little tricky on the leg - Vangelis had scrubbed himself almost raw with the determination to feel awake again.
After drying himself off - which he staunchly decided to do himself, rather than be gently patted by an awkward slave - Vangelis dressed quickly in his normal attire. He tucked his large cream shirt into his brown riding pants and then looked down at his frame.
He watched the tendons and muscles in his feet flex and twist as he tested out his weight between his legs. The right one throbbed but the left was fully capable of taking extra responsibility and he was happy with the impression of equality between his shoulders. At least he didn't look lop-sided anymore.
Ordering for the bed linen to be changed, the floor to be mopped and his affects to be brought to his room, Vangelis brushed a hand through his hair and leaned in to the full length looking glass to the side of his room. His hair was a little over-long - curling at his ears and the nape of his neck - and he had a full grown, short beard. Shaving hadn't exactly been of interest to him in the last three weeks and he was surprised to see how much he looked like his father when Tython also went through a bout of facial hair.
Taking up the sharp knife and shaving supplies her had demanded with the bath tub, Vangelis set to work in removing the itchy monstrosity and within ten minutes was looking far more like himself. The hair he was less bothered by. Maybe he'd grow it out again...
By this time, his bed was remade and the servants were scurrying from the room, having left him a morning meal on the bedside table.
Vangelis moved over to the bed, his injuries more noticeable when he was in motion - there was little he could do about the limp at the moment but hopefully that would fade as he reached full recovery - and set himself down on the fresh linen.
Dragging , Vangelis ate the food provided quickly and then searched his bureau for his standard pieces of jewellery. The necklace his father had given him was there and he pulled the leather over his head so that the pendants hung down his chest, and then adopted his House ring and his leather bracelet. What he couldn't find was his signet ring - the one proclaiming him to be crown prince and he frowned. Maybe Euphemia still had it?
Determined to finally leave his room that day, perhaps that would be his first mission.
It was then, however, that there was a knock at the door. One that he had grown a little familiar with in the last two weeks.
The Lady Selene had visited him a few times on the last fourteen days. Sometimes she came with the servants who brought his meals and he had invited her to join him for the repast. Sometimes she simply came by the check on his recovery and inquire how he was. Sometimes she came by with some form of inane comment or message that Zanon had clearly given her, no doubt making it seem like the most important missive in the world so that she would pass it on herself. He could almost roll his eyes at Zanon's obvious attempts to match-make. His brother was so transparent.
He had never, however, found the lady's presence to be too frequent or too bothersome. She was a woman of dignity and propriety so she never ventured to his rooms too often and could read a room well enough that she never stayed beyond her welcome. She was an elegant lady with a calm and peaceful presence... and Vangelis had found over the last two weeks that he quite enjoyed her company.
The simplicity of her outlook on life was refreshing.
Not that Selene was in any way simple herself. She was clearly highly intelligent, thoughtful and considerate. But her sheltered world and upbringing - her simple ideals of right and wrong, etiquette and rudeness, manners and awkwardness. In Selene's world there seemed to be a way things were done and a way they were not done. And Vangelis was finding that outlook very appealing. The military side of him liked the structure, and the grey side of his psyche - the one that dealt with his violence and his "bad" actions for "good" reasons - found it grounding... a sweet reminder of humanity and what it was he worked her to protect.
As he recognised her knock, Vangelis didn't (this time) reach for any kind of weapon. Instead, he finished off his food, dusted off his fingers and wiped at his mouth to remove any bread crumbs from his beard only to remember that he didn't have one anymore.
It was only when he had finished his mouthful - and therefore his meal - that he was able to call out.
"Yeah?" He called in a thoroughly improper fashion - but he was starting to notice that Selene smiled more when he was less formal and so was happy to drop the etiquette and mannerisms if it was preferred...
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Vangelis was pleased to note that he was actually looking semi-human again.
Despite the destruction and chaos that the cave had wrought upon his city and his body (his concerns were for those two things and in that order), and the occasions it had forced him to miss (he had been pleased for the charity his family had handed out at his mother's instruction, but saddened that he had not been able to attend himself), it looked as if his body was finally starting to fight back against the after effects of the storm.
After three weeks since the accident - the first of which was still foggy in his memory and mostly filled with sleep and the more recent two far more lucid - Vangelis was finally starting to heal.
Able to stand now (albeit with all of his weight on his good leg, so that he stood a little lop-sided) and with his arm no longer in a sling (it hurt after longer periods of use but clearly it was nearly mended), Vangelis' mobility was suddenly far better.
His general appearance was a hundred times better also. The cuts and scrapes over his skin had heeled and the bloody scabs were no longer present. His bruising had gone way down to the point where only his right shoulder and thigh were still tinged greeny-blue. The rest had gone completely. The slice to his left bicep looked like it might scar but was at least now showing knitted and mended skin instead of a harsh gash in his flesh.
Assessing his appearance in a hand mirror and then moving his limbs carefully in the daily exercises he had been given by the physician (which he had obviously done three times a day, through nothing more than sheer boredom), Vangelis was determined that morning.
It was time to start living again.
Swinging his legs slowly out of bed, Vangelis began to summoning a maid to fix him a bath. He had been in his bed far too long and his skin felt clammy.
Fifteen minutes later and a lot of water on the floor - okay so getting in and out of a tub was a little tricky on the leg - Vangelis had scrubbed himself almost raw with the determination to feel awake again.
After drying himself off - which he staunchly decided to do himself, rather than be gently patted by an awkward slave - Vangelis dressed quickly in his normal attire. He tucked his large cream shirt into his brown riding pants and then looked down at his frame.
He watched the tendons and muscles in his feet flex and twist as he tested out his weight between his legs. The right one throbbed but the left was fully capable of taking extra responsibility and he was happy with the impression of equality between his shoulders. At least he didn't look lop-sided anymore.
Ordering for the bed linen to be changed, the floor to be mopped and his affects to be brought to his room, Vangelis brushed a hand through his hair and leaned in to the full length looking glass to the side of his room. His hair was a little over-long - curling at his ears and the nape of his neck - and he had a full grown, short beard. Shaving hadn't exactly been of interest to him in the last three weeks and he was surprised to see how much he looked like his father when Tython also went through a bout of facial hair.
Taking up the sharp knife and shaving supplies her had demanded with the bath tub, Vangelis set to work in removing the itchy monstrosity and within ten minutes was looking far more like himself. The hair he was less bothered by. Maybe he'd grow it out again...
By this time, his bed was remade and the servants were scurrying from the room, having left him a morning meal on the bedside table.
Vangelis moved over to the bed, his injuries more noticeable when he was in motion - there was little he could do about the limp at the moment but hopefully that would fade as he reached full recovery - and set himself down on the fresh linen.
Dragging , Vangelis ate the food provided quickly and then searched his bureau for his standard pieces of jewellery. The necklace his father had given him was there and he pulled the leather over his head so that the pendants hung down his chest, and then adopted his House ring and his leather bracelet. What he couldn't find was his signet ring - the one proclaiming him to be crown prince and he frowned. Maybe Euphemia still had it?
Determined to finally leave his room that day, perhaps that would be his first mission.
It was then, however, that there was a knock at the door. One that he had grown a little familiar with in the last two weeks.
The Lady Selene had visited him a few times on the last fourteen days. Sometimes she came with the servants who brought his meals and he had invited her to join him for the repast. Sometimes she simply came by the check on his recovery and inquire how he was. Sometimes she came by with some form of inane comment or message that Zanon had clearly given her, no doubt making it seem like the most important missive in the world so that she would pass it on herself. He could almost roll his eyes at Zanon's obvious attempts to match-make. His brother was so transparent.
He had never, however, found the lady's presence to be too frequent or too bothersome. She was a woman of dignity and propriety so she never ventured to his rooms too often and could read a room well enough that she never stayed beyond her welcome. She was an elegant lady with a calm and peaceful presence... and Vangelis had found over the last two weeks that he quite enjoyed her company.
The simplicity of her outlook on life was refreshing.
Not that Selene was in any way simple herself. She was clearly highly intelligent, thoughtful and considerate. But her sheltered world and upbringing - her simple ideals of right and wrong, etiquette and rudeness, manners and awkwardness. In Selene's world there seemed to be a way things were done and a way they were not done. And Vangelis was finding that outlook very appealing. The military side of him liked the structure, and the grey side of his psyche - the one that dealt with his violence and his "bad" actions for "good" reasons - found it grounding... a sweet reminder of humanity and what it was he worked her to protect.
As he recognised her knock, Vangelis didn't (this time) reach for any kind of weapon. Instead, he finished off his food, dusted off his fingers and wiped at his mouth to remove any bread crumbs from his beard only to remember that he didn't have one anymore.
It was only when he had finished his mouthful - and therefore his meal - that he was able to call out.
"Yeah?" He called in a thoroughly improper fashion - but he was starting to notice that Selene smiled more when he was less formal and so was happy to drop the etiquette and mannerisms if it was preferred...
Vangelis was pleased to note that he was actually looking semi-human again.
Despite the destruction and chaos that the cave had wrought upon his city and his body (his concerns were for those two things and in that order), and the occasions it had forced him to miss (he had been pleased for the charity his family had handed out at his mother's instruction, but saddened that he had not been able to attend himself), it looked as if his body was finally starting to fight back against the after effects of the storm.
After three weeks since the accident - the first of which was still foggy in his memory and mostly filled with sleep and the more recent two far more lucid - Vangelis was finally starting to heal.
Able to stand now (albeit with all of his weight on his good leg, so that he stood a little lop-sided) and with his arm no longer in a sling (it hurt after longer periods of use but clearly it was nearly mended), Vangelis' mobility was suddenly far better.
His general appearance was a hundred times better also. The cuts and scrapes over his skin had heeled and the bloody scabs were no longer present. His bruising had gone way down to the point where only his right shoulder and thigh were still tinged greeny-blue. The rest had gone completely. The slice to his left bicep looked like it might scar but was at least now showing knitted and mended skin instead of a harsh gash in his flesh.
Assessing his appearance in a hand mirror and then moving his limbs carefully in the daily exercises he had been given by the physician (which he had obviously done three times a day, through nothing more than sheer boredom), Vangelis was determined that morning.
It was time to start living again.
Swinging his legs slowly out of bed, Vangelis began to summoning a maid to fix him a bath. He had been in his bed far too long and his skin felt clammy.
Fifteen minutes later and a lot of water on the floor - okay so getting in and out of a tub was a little tricky on the leg - Vangelis had scrubbed himself almost raw with the determination to feel awake again.
After drying himself off - which he staunchly decided to do himself, rather than be gently patted by an awkward slave - Vangelis dressed quickly in his normal attire. He tucked his large cream shirt into his brown riding pants and then looked down at his frame.
He watched the tendons and muscles in his feet flex and twist as he tested out his weight between his legs. The right one throbbed but the left was fully capable of taking extra responsibility and he was happy with the impression of equality between his shoulders. At least he didn't look lop-sided anymore.
Ordering for the bed linen to be changed, the floor to be mopped and his affects to be brought to his room, Vangelis brushed a hand through his hair and leaned in to the full length looking glass to the side of his room. His hair was a little over-long - curling at his ears and the nape of his neck - and he had a full grown, short beard. Shaving hadn't exactly been of interest to him in the last three weeks and he was surprised to see how much he looked like his father when Tython also went through a bout of facial hair.
Taking up the sharp knife and shaving supplies her had demanded with the bath tub, Vangelis set to work in removing the itchy monstrosity and within ten minutes was looking far more like himself. The hair he was less bothered by. Maybe he'd grow it out again...
By this time, his bed was remade and the servants were scurrying from the room, having left him a morning meal on the bedside table.
Vangelis moved over to the bed, his injuries more noticeable when he was in motion - there was little he could do about the limp at the moment but hopefully that would fade as he reached full recovery - and set himself down on the fresh linen.
Dragging , Vangelis ate the food provided quickly and then searched his bureau for his standard pieces of jewellery. The necklace his father had given him was there and he pulled the leather over his head so that the pendants hung down his chest, and then adopted his House ring and his leather bracelet. What he couldn't find was his signet ring - the one proclaiming him to be crown prince and he frowned. Maybe Euphemia still had it?
Determined to finally leave his room that day, perhaps that would be his first mission.
It was then, however, that there was a knock at the door. One that he had grown a little familiar with in the last two weeks.
The Lady Selene had visited him a few times on the last fourteen days. Sometimes she came with the servants who brought his meals and he had invited her to join him for the repast. Sometimes she simply came by the check on his recovery and inquire how he was. Sometimes she came by with some form of inane comment or message that Zanon had clearly given her, no doubt making it seem like the most important missive in the world so that she would pass it on herself. He could almost roll his eyes at Zanon's obvious attempts to match-make. His brother was so transparent.
He had never, however, found the lady's presence to be too frequent or too bothersome. She was a woman of dignity and propriety so she never ventured to his rooms too often and could read a room well enough that she never stayed beyond her welcome. She was an elegant lady with a calm and peaceful presence... and Vangelis had found over the last two weeks that he quite enjoyed her company.
The simplicity of her outlook on life was refreshing.
Not that Selene was in any way simple herself. She was clearly highly intelligent, thoughtful and considerate. But her sheltered world and upbringing - her simple ideals of right and wrong, etiquette and rudeness, manners and awkwardness. In Selene's world there seemed to be a way things were done and a way they were not done. And Vangelis was finding that outlook very appealing. The military side of him liked the structure, and the grey side of his psyche - the one that dealt with his violence and his "bad" actions for "good" reasons - found it grounding... a sweet reminder of humanity and what it was he worked her to protect.
As he recognised her knock, Vangelis didn't (this time) reach for any kind of weapon. Instead, he finished off his food, dusted off his fingers and wiped at his mouth to remove any bread crumbs from his beard only to remember that he didn't have one anymore.
It was only when he had finished his mouthful - and therefore his meal - that he was able to call out.
"Yeah?" He called in a thoroughly improper fashion - but he was starting to notice that Selene smiled more when he was less formal and so was happy to drop the etiquette and mannerisms if it was preferred...
Selene had found Vangelis to be just as refreshing.
Her life, while black and white in the traditional roles of men and women, had been sheltered. Her days were spent in frivolous activities that may have been wholly her own but they had seemed far too silly now. Life on Taengea was far different now, but with a similar feel. Her gilded cage had been opened, and she was changed for good.
Still, the foundation of her views was still the same. Selene still found joy in some of the simplest activities and didn’t seem to mind when plans changed. A change in plans simply meant that she had a new adventure to navigate. The unexpected trip to Colchis had only cemented that joy in her mind. If she hadn’t been open to the idea of staying, she wouldn’t ever have done the things she did or made the connections she had.
Her letters to Emilia weighed a bit on her mind, but the Leventi mostly blamed that on how young she was. The girl hadn’t seen known much of the world, nor had she spent an extraordinary amount of time around men who had been in battle. Now, after the events of the Circus, she could understand why they were the way they were. And she was determined, especially with Vangelis, to make him see past the horrors of war and to enjoy life.
The horse, she had reasoned was a good start.
She laughed at his response, allowing the door to be opened as she breezed into the room. In the process of bobbing into a quick curtsy, she stopped about halfway through. And blinked. She had expected him to still be in bed, to have to request that someone help him dress so that she could simply bring him over to the window to see outside. The last thing she had expected was to see him fully dressed, looking so handsome and well on his way to healing. Her cheeks flushed a bit as the formality of her curtsy was all but forgotten, as she was staring.
Damn, but he was dashing.
From the doorway, Jo cleared her throat, causing Selene to shake her head a bit. And she laughed. “Excuse me, I’m looking for Prince Vangelis? Dark hair, beard, lost a battle with a mine shaft? Have you seen him? He should be in bed...” She made a bit of a show, moving around the room as if she was looking for him-- moving curtains, looking out windows, checking underneath the bed. In truth, one of her favorite pastimes, while she had been here, was trying to make him smile and laugh. Emilia had noted that he rarely smiled, which only made Selene wish to do it further. Teasing him gently, alone like this, was easy. His guard was down when they were alone, and she seemed to have a knack for it. She finally came back to the table, plucking one of the last grapes from his plate, enjoying the sweetness. “Since he’s not around…”
She sank into the chair across from him, grinning, “You’ve bathed, shaved and dressed this morning. I don’t think I remember the last time I’ve seen you in so much.” In the two weeks, she had learned to be a bit more casual around him. He was a blunt person, matter of fact and honest. And while it had taken a few days for her to set aside her natural habits, Selene had made a point to be a bit more personal when they were alone. They both knew their stations, both knew their place, but when they were not in front of others, they were able to be able to relax those parts of themselves and enjoy their time together. She had taken to treating him like she would any of her friends.
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Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Selene had found Vangelis to be just as refreshing.
Her life, while black and white in the traditional roles of men and women, had been sheltered. Her days were spent in frivolous activities that may have been wholly her own but they had seemed far too silly now. Life on Taengea was far different now, but with a similar feel. Her gilded cage had been opened, and she was changed for good.
Still, the foundation of her views was still the same. Selene still found joy in some of the simplest activities and didn’t seem to mind when plans changed. A change in plans simply meant that she had a new adventure to navigate. The unexpected trip to Colchis had only cemented that joy in her mind. If she hadn’t been open to the idea of staying, she wouldn’t ever have done the things she did or made the connections she had.
Her letters to Emilia weighed a bit on her mind, but the Leventi mostly blamed that on how young she was. The girl hadn’t seen known much of the world, nor had she spent an extraordinary amount of time around men who had been in battle. Now, after the events of the Circus, she could understand why they were the way they were. And she was determined, especially with Vangelis, to make him see past the horrors of war and to enjoy life.
The horse, she had reasoned was a good start.
She laughed at his response, allowing the door to be opened as she breezed into the room. In the process of bobbing into a quick curtsy, she stopped about halfway through. And blinked. She had expected him to still be in bed, to have to request that someone help him dress so that she could simply bring him over to the window to see outside. The last thing she had expected was to see him fully dressed, looking so handsome and well on his way to healing. Her cheeks flushed a bit as the formality of her curtsy was all but forgotten, as she was staring.
Damn, but he was dashing.
From the doorway, Jo cleared her throat, causing Selene to shake her head a bit. And she laughed. “Excuse me, I’m looking for Prince Vangelis? Dark hair, beard, lost a battle with a mine shaft? Have you seen him? He should be in bed...” She made a bit of a show, moving around the room as if she was looking for him-- moving curtains, looking out windows, checking underneath the bed. In truth, one of her favorite pastimes, while she had been here, was trying to make him smile and laugh. Emilia had noted that he rarely smiled, which only made Selene wish to do it further. Teasing him gently, alone like this, was easy. His guard was down when they were alone, and she seemed to have a knack for it. She finally came back to the table, plucking one of the last grapes from his plate, enjoying the sweetness. “Since he’s not around…”
She sank into the chair across from him, grinning, “You’ve bathed, shaved and dressed this morning. I don’t think I remember the last time I’ve seen you in so much.” In the two weeks, she had learned to be a bit more casual around him. He was a blunt person, matter of fact and honest. And while it had taken a few days for her to set aside her natural habits, Selene had made a point to be a bit more personal when they were alone. They both knew their stations, both knew their place, but when they were not in front of others, they were able to be able to relax those parts of themselves and enjoy their time together. She had taken to treating him like she would any of her friends.
Selene had found Vangelis to be just as refreshing.
Her life, while black and white in the traditional roles of men and women, had been sheltered. Her days were spent in frivolous activities that may have been wholly her own but they had seemed far too silly now. Life on Taengea was far different now, but with a similar feel. Her gilded cage had been opened, and she was changed for good.
Still, the foundation of her views was still the same. Selene still found joy in some of the simplest activities and didn’t seem to mind when plans changed. A change in plans simply meant that she had a new adventure to navigate. The unexpected trip to Colchis had only cemented that joy in her mind. If she hadn’t been open to the idea of staying, she wouldn’t ever have done the things she did or made the connections she had.
Her letters to Emilia weighed a bit on her mind, but the Leventi mostly blamed that on how young she was. The girl hadn’t seen known much of the world, nor had she spent an extraordinary amount of time around men who had been in battle. Now, after the events of the Circus, she could understand why they were the way they were. And she was determined, especially with Vangelis, to make him see past the horrors of war and to enjoy life.
The horse, she had reasoned was a good start.
She laughed at his response, allowing the door to be opened as she breezed into the room. In the process of bobbing into a quick curtsy, she stopped about halfway through. And blinked. She had expected him to still be in bed, to have to request that someone help him dress so that she could simply bring him over to the window to see outside. The last thing she had expected was to see him fully dressed, looking so handsome and well on his way to healing. Her cheeks flushed a bit as the formality of her curtsy was all but forgotten, as she was staring.
Damn, but he was dashing.
From the doorway, Jo cleared her throat, causing Selene to shake her head a bit. And she laughed. “Excuse me, I’m looking for Prince Vangelis? Dark hair, beard, lost a battle with a mine shaft? Have you seen him? He should be in bed...” She made a bit of a show, moving around the room as if she was looking for him-- moving curtains, looking out windows, checking underneath the bed. In truth, one of her favorite pastimes, while she had been here, was trying to make him smile and laugh. Emilia had noted that he rarely smiled, which only made Selene wish to do it further. Teasing him gently, alone like this, was easy. His guard was down when they were alone, and she seemed to have a knack for it. She finally came back to the table, plucking one of the last grapes from his plate, enjoying the sweetness. “Since he’s not around…”
She sank into the chair across from him, grinning, “You’ve bathed, shaved and dressed this morning. I don’t think I remember the last time I’ve seen you in so much.” In the two weeks, she had learned to be a bit more casual around him. He was a blunt person, matter of fact and honest. And while it had taken a few days for her to set aside her natural habits, Selene had made a point to be a bit more personal when they were alone. They both knew their stations, both knew their place, but when they were not in front of others, they were able to be able to relax those parts of themselves and enjoy their time together. She had taken to treating him like she would any of her friends.
"Ha. Ha." Vangelis offered her without laughter but with a great deal of humour in his tone, as she searched the room comedicly for his former self. He liked that she was becoming less formal with him now - more open to talking with him as she might naturally do. Vangelis hated stuffy formality at the best of times but it was particularly nice to discover in Selene's case because of what it revealed.
A lot of "noble types" that Vangelis had encountered, when encouraged to be more themselves, seemed to have no idea how to go about such a request. They had literally grown up with such etiquette and practices drilled into them that they didn't have a personality of their own.
With regards to Selene, this was certainly not the case. She was bright, witty and - Vangelis was pleased to discover - actually quite funny, in a sweet kind of way.
He had occasionally found himself wondering how she was getting on with his brothers at the dinner table on the evenings she hadn't spent with him. The Kotas family humour could be surprisingly vulgar at times (as was natural in a family that cultivated so much testosterone) but he could imagine his mother giving Selene sidelong glances of affinity across the table. Taengean women, it would seem, were made from similar cloth.
As the lady plucked a leftover grape from his plate, he glanced away so as not to watch her lips as she took it into her mouth and closed her eyes at the sweetest. While he now considered the woman to be his friend he was still a man after all. And some things were just too tempting to watch.
"I'm so sorry to disappoint you with the fact that I have clothes on." he commented with a raised eyebrow, teasing her in return...
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"Ha. Ha." Vangelis offered her without laughter but with a great deal of humour in his tone, as she searched the room comedicly for his former self. He liked that she was becoming less formal with him now - more open to talking with him as she might naturally do. Vangelis hated stuffy formality at the best of times but it was particularly nice to discover in Selene's case because of what it revealed.
A lot of "noble types" that Vangelis had encountered, when encouraged to be more themselves, seemed to have no idea how to go about such a request. They had literally grown up with such etiquette and practices drilled into them that they didn't have a personality of their own.
With regards to Selene, this was certainly not the case. She was bright, witty and - Vangelis was pleased to discover - actually quite funny, in a sweet kind of way.
He had occasionally found himself wondering how she was getting on with his brothers at the dinner table on the evenings she hadn't spent with him. The Kotas family humour could be surprisingly vulgar at times (as was natural in a family that cultivated so much testosterone) but he could imagine his mother giving Selene sidelong glances of affinity across the table. Taengean women, it would seem, were made from similar cloth.
As the lady plucked a leftover grape from his plate, he glanced away so as not to watch her lips as she took it into her mouth and closed her eyes at the sweetest. While he now considered the woman to be his friend he was still a man after all. And some things were just too tempting to watch.
"I'm so sorry to disappoint you with the fact that I have clothes on." he commented with a raised eyebrow, teasing her in return...
"Ha. Ha." Vangelis offered her without laughter but with a great deal of humour in his tone, as she searched the room comedicly for his former self. He liked that she was becoming less formal with him now - more open to talking with him as she might naturally do. Vangelis hated stuffy formality at the best of times but it was particularly nice to discover in Selene's case because of what it revealed.
A lot of "noble types" that Vangelis had encountered, when encouraged to be more themselves, seemed to have no idea how to go about such a request. They had literally grown up with such etiquette and practices drilled into them that they didn't have a personality of their own.
With regards to Selene, this was certainly not the case. She was bright, witty and - Vangelis was pleased to discover - actually quite funny, in a sweet kind of way.
He had occasionally found himself wondering how she was getting on with his brothers at the dinner table on the evenings she hadn't spent with him. The Kotas family humour could be surprisingly vulgar at times (as was natural in a family that cultivated so much testosterone) but he could imagine his mother giving Selene sidelong glances of affinity across the table. Taengean women, it would seem, were made from similar cloth.
As the lady plucked a leftover grape from his plate, he glanced away so as not to watch her lips as she took it into her mouth and closed her eyes at the sweetest. While he now considered the woman to be his friend he was still a man after all. And some things were just too tempting to watch.
"I'm so sorry to disappoint you with the fact that I have clothes on." he commented with a raised eyebrow, teasing her in return...
Selene wasn’t sarcastic, but that didn’t mean she still couldn’t be. Her teasing joke had done exactly what she had hoped it would-- it had brought him a bit of amusement. While she had never had such an extensive injury as he had, the Leventi had been tossed from a horse when she had been but 16 years old. The horse, spooked by a snake, chose to run over her in its escape from danger. With broken ribs (which seemed to be her only injuries), she had spent almost 2 weeks stuck in bed (due to an overprotective father). And in those two weeks, anything that could have taken her mind off the boredom and pain was a welcome reprieve.
So she tried her best to offer him the same kind of amusement. Whether it was his stoic sarcasm or just a smile, the guarded man wasn’t made of stone. He found amusement in the day to day things, and she had found pleasure in finding out just what made him happy. Because if he was happy, he wasn’t focused on the pain of his injuries.
They had spent a few nights, most improper, playing Mercenaries to help keep his mind active. In the beginning, she’d sat on his bed with the small table across his laps. As he healed, they moved to the small table in which he was sitting at now. And while she was fairly good at it, he beat her every time. She hadn’t minded, because he was ever the commanding general and always seemed to miss the conquering moves that she could have made. But, in his natural way of leading, he made sure that she learned from her mistakes.
But even then, he still was undefeated in their battles.
She smiled at him, leaning against the table. “I shall live, I suppose.” She wondered if he could tell that she had been hiding a secret, could tell that there was something that she hadn’t told him yet. But it didn’t matter, because she was going to show him. “This is better anyway.” She pushed herself off of the table. “Now, my uncle has sent you a gift in thank you for your hospitality these past few weeks. He has no clue as to your injury, but has asked me to make sure you receive said gift.” She was obviously giddy now, her face bright with excitement. “And since I only have tomorrow before I leave, I thought I may show you now.”
Her hands reached out to him, clasping the one of the table fondly. “Unless you have other plans?” She asked, wondering if he had dressed for something specific, or if he was just tired of being stuck in his bed. “I have waited almost a week to show you, I can patiently wait a few more hours if you have other plans.” She gave his hand a squeeze. This would be a new side of her, one he had yet to see. She was lively, excited and a bit uncontainable.
This was the side she reserved for those she considered her closest friends.
And, after the past 2 weeks, Selene was happy to consider him a friend.
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Selene wasn’t sarcastic, but that didn’t mean she still couldn’t be. Her teasing joke had done exactly what she had hoped it would-- it had brought him a bit of amusement. While she had never had such an extensive injury as he had, the Leventi had been tossed from a horse when she had been but 16 years old. The horse, spooked by a snake, chose to run over her in its escape from danger. With broken ribs (which seemed to be her only injuries), she had spent almost 2 weeks stuck in bed (due to an overprotective father). And in those two weeks, anything that could have taken her mind off the boredom and pain was a welcome reprieve.
So she tried her best to offer him the same kind of amusement. Whether it was his stoic sarcasm or just a smile, the guarded man wasn’t made of stone. He found amusement in the day to day things, and she had found pleasure in finding out just what made him happy. Because if he was happy, he wasn’t focused on the pain of his injuries.
They had spent a few nights, most improper, playing Mercenaries to help keep his mind active. In the beginning, she’d sat on his bed with the small table across his laps. As he healed, they moved to the small table in which he was sitting at now. And while she was fairly good at it, he beat her every time. She hadn’t minded, because he was ever the commanding general and always seemed to miss the conquering moves that she could have made. But, in his natural way of leading, he made sure that she learned from her mistakes.
But even then, he still was undefeated in their battles.
She smiled at him, leaning against the table. “I shall live, I suppose.” She wondered if he could tell that she had been hiding a secret, could tell that there was something that she hadn’t told him yet. But it didn’t matter, because she was going to show him. “This is better anyway.” She pushed herself off of the table. “Now, my uncle has sent you a gift in thank you for your hospitality these past few weeks. He has no clue as to your injury, but has asked me to make sure you receive said gift.” She was obviously giddy now, her face bright with excitement. “And since I only have tomorrow before I leave, I thought I may show you now.”
Her hands reached out to him, clasping the one of the table fondly. “Unless you have other plans?” She asked, wondering if he had dressed for something specific, or if he was just tired of being stuck in his bed. “I have waited almost a week to show you, I can patiently wait a few more hours if you have other plans.” She gave his hand a squeeze. This would be a new side of her, one he had yet to see. She was lively, excited and a bit uncontainable.
This was the side she reserved for those she considered her closest friends.
And, after the past 2 weeks, Selene was happy to consider him a friend.
Selene wasn’t sarcastic, but that didn’t mean she still couldn’t be. Her teasing joke had done exactly what she had hoped it would-- it had brought him a bit of amusement. While she had never had such an extensive injury as he had, the Leventi had been tossed from a horse when she had been but 16 years old. The horse, spooked by a snake, chose to run over her in its escape from danger. With broken ribs (which seemed to be her only injuries), she had spent almost 2 weeks stuck in bed (due to an overprotective father). And in those two weeks, anything that could have taken her mind off the boredom and pain was a welcome reprieve.
So she tried her best to offer him the same kind of amusement. Whether it was his stoic sarcasm or just a smile, the guarded man wasn’t made of stone. He found amusement in the day to day things, and she had found pleasure in finding out just what made him happy. Because if he was happy, he wasn’t focused on the pain of his injuries.
They had spent a few nights, most improper, playing Mercenaries to help keep his mind active. In the beginning, she’d sat on his bed with the small table across his laps. As he healed, they moved to the small table in which he was sitting at now. And while she was fairly good at it, he beat her every time. She hadn’t minded, because he was ever the commanding general and always seemed to miss the conquering moves that she could have made. But, in his natural way of leading, he made sure that she learned from her mistakes.
But even then, he still was undefeated in their battles.
She smiled at him, leaning against the table. “I shall live, I suppose.” She wondered if he could tell that she had been hiding a secret, could tell that there was something that she hadn’t told him yet. But it didn’t matter, because she was going to show him. “This is better anyway.” She pushed herself off of the table. “Now, my uncle has sent you a gift in thank you for your hospitality these past few weeks. He has no clue as to your injury, but has asked me to make sure you receive said gift.” She was obviously giddy now, her face bright with excitement. “And since I only have tomorrow before I leave, I thought I may show you now.”
Her hands reached out to him, clasping the one of the table fondly. “Unless you have other plans?” She asked, wondering if he had dressed for something specific, or if he was just tired of being stuck in his bed. “I have waited almost a week to show you, I can patiently wait a few more hours if you have other plans.” She gave his hand a squeeze. This would be a new side of her, one he had yet to see. She was lively, excited and a bit uncontainable.
This was the side she reserved for those she considered her closest friends.
And, after the past 2 weeks, Selene was happy to consider him a friend.
Vangelis had not seen Selene with such energy. She had always been bright and alert in their conversations - never had he ever seen her sleepy or lethargic - but also never this... giddy before.
Which, of course, meant that any original plans he might have had for the day (which he didn't, despite a momentary thought that he would track down Euphemia and find his signet ring) would have immediately been through to the wind. For to make the calm and collected Lady Selene this excited, this "gift" must have been something truly special.
And Vangelis didn't do well with not being in the know.
To that effect he stood up, using the table to brace himself with both hands and rise to his feet without putting too much weight on his bad leg.
"With the way you present it, Lady Selene-" He told her, "- I can hardly refuse." He waved a hand before him and towards the door in order to encourage her. Partly because he didn't know where they were going and partly because, if he was going to be forced to limp like an invalid, he would prefer to do it behind her. "Please lead the way..."
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Vangelis had not seen Selene with such energy. She had always been bright and alert in their conversations - never had he ever seen her sleepy or lethargic - but also never this... giddy before.
Which, of course, meant that any original plans he might have had for the day (which he didn't, despite a momentary thought that he would track down Euphemia and find his signet ring) would have immediately been through to the wind. For to make the calm and collected Lady Selene this excited, this "gift" must have been something truly special.
And Vangelis didn't do well with not being in the know.
To that effect he stood up, using the table to brace himself with both hands and rise to his feet without putting too much weight on his bad leg.
"With the way you present it, Lady Selene-" He told her, "- I can hardly refuse." He waved a hand before him and towards the door in order to encourage her. Partly because he didn't know where they were going and partly because, if he was going to be forced to limp like an invalid, he would prefer to do it behind her. "Please lead the way..."
Vangelis had not seen Selene with such energy. She had always been bright and alert in their conversations - never had he ever seen her sleepy or lethargic - but also never this... giddy before.
Which, of course, meant that any original plans he might have had for the day (which he didn't, despite a momentary thought that he would track down Euphemia and find his signet ring) would have immediately been through to the wind. For to make the calm and collected Lady Selene this excited, this "gift" must have been something truly special.
And Vangelis didn't do well with not being in the know.
To that effect he stood up, using the table to brace himself with both hands and rise to his feet without putting too much weight on his bad leg.
"With the way you present it, Lady Selene-" He told her, "- I can hardly refuse." He waved a hand before him and towards the door in order to encourage her. Partly because he didn't know where they were going and partly because, if he was going to be forced to limp like an invalid, he would prefer to do it behind her. "Please lead the way..."
She couldn’t help as she clapped her hands together excitedly.
As she stepped through the hall, Jo handed her a cane, to which she in turn, handed to Vang. If he was going to insist on walking (which she had been certain he would do), she was at least going to give him some assistance in the matter. And if he wasn’t going to allow the slaves to help, at least the cane would allow him a bit of self-sufficiency and dignity to do so on his own.
Selene had picked up quickly that he was a proud man, one who didn’t like to be broken. She tried not to dwell on his obvious stubbornness and pride, allowing him to limp behind. Luckily for them, it was not far from the courtyard. And, because she was most thoughtful, a chair had been set out for him. “You sit, I shall be right back.” And she was off, meeting the stable hand around the corner with the beast.
Taking the reins from him, Selene gave the horse a gentle nuzzle (which, like its soon to be master, was ignored) and brought him around the corner, into plain view of the Prince. The horse tugged against the reins, not enjoying that he was being led at all. But in her expertise, she didn’t budge, and he didn’t seem to mind following as much as he let on.
He really was one of the finest horses she’d ever seen. Tall, muscular and proud-- he was not like the racehorses the other families preferred. This beast was obviously meant to be a warhorse. Was meant to carry a man into battle and stay with him until the very end. And Selene would be happy to know that if he chose to ride him into battle, that Vangelis would have a piece of the Leventi family with him.
A part of her with him.
She brought the horse as close as she dared, not wanting his excitement to further injure the prince. “Your gift, Prince Vangelis.” Her smile was bright, “Captured from a wild breed of horses, my uncle has gifted him to you, and has left you the honor of breaking him to a saddle.” At the sound of 'saddle', as if the horse knew what it meant, he was up on his hind legs, appeared ready to crush the petite girl. But her experience shined as she turned her attention back to the horse. Her grip on his reins had been firm as she yanked it back down, glaring at his response. The two appeared to have a battle of wits, which Selene won the moment he was back on all fours, front foot stomping impatiently.
“I know you cannot ride him yet, but once you are, he is yours to do what you wish.” She was back to her gentle nature, a hand on his snot to show that she hadn’t lost her faith in the horse. “He will serve you well.”
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She couldn’t help as she clapped her hands together excitedly.
As she stepped through the hall, Jo handed her a cane, to which she in turn, handed to Vang. If he was going to insist on walking (which she had been certain he would do), she was at least going to give him some assistance in the matter. And if he wasn’t going to allow the slaves to help, at least the cane would allow him a bit of self-sufficiency and dignity to do so on his own.
Selene had picked up quickly that he was a proud man, one who didn’t like to be broken. She tried not to dwell on his obvious stubbornness and pride, allowing him to limp behind. Luckily for them, it was not far from the courtyard. And, because she was most thoughtful, a chair had been set out for him. “You sit, I shall be right back.” And she was off, meeting the stable hand around the corner with the beast.
Taking the reins from him, Selene gave the horse a gentle nuzzle (which, like its soon to be master, was ignored) and brought him around the corner, into plain view of the Prince. The horse tugged against the reins, not enjoying that he was being led at all. But in her expertise, she didn’t budge, and he didn’t seem to mind following as much as he let on.
He really was one of the finest horses she’d ever seen. Tall, muscular and proud-- he was not like the racehorses the other families preferred. This beast was obviously meant to be a warhorse. Was meant to carry a man into battle and stay with him until the very end. And Selene would be happy to know that if he chose to ride him into battle, that Vangelis would have a piece of the Leventi family with him.
A part of her with him.
She brought the horse as close as she dared, not wanting his excitement to further injure the prince. “Your gift, Prince Vangelis.” Her smile was bright, “Captured from a wild breed of horses, my uncle has gifted him to you, and has left you the honor of breaking him to a saddle.” At the sound of 'saddle', as if the horse knew what it meant, he was up on his hind legs, appeared ready to crush the petite girl. But her experience shined as she turned her attention back to the horse. Her grip on his reins had been firm as she yanked it back down, glaring at his response. The two appeared to have a battle of wits, which Selene won the moment he was back on all fours, front foot stomping impatiently.
“I know you cannot ride him yet, but once you are, he is yours to do what you wish.” She was back to her gentle nature, a hand on his snot to show that she hadn’t lost her faith in the horse. “He will serve you well.”
She couldn’t help as she clapped her hands together excitedly.
As she stepped through the hall, Jo handed her a cane, to which she in turn, handed to Vang. If he was going to insist on walking (which she had been certain he would do), she was at least going to give him some assistance in the matter. And if he wasn’t going to allow the slaves to help, at least the cane would allow him a bit of self-sufficiency and dignity to do so on his own.
Selene had picked up quickly that he was a proud man, one who didn’t like to be broken. She tried not to dwell on his obvious stubbornness and pride, allowing him to limp behind. Luckily for them, it was not far from the courtyard. And, because she was most thoughtful, a chair had been set out for him. “You sit, I shall be right back.” And she was off, meeting the stable hand around the corner with the beast.
Taking the reins from him, Selene gave the horse a gentle nuzzle (which, like its soon to be master, was ignored) and brought him around the corner, into plain view of the Prince. The horse tugged against the reins, not enjoying that he was being led at all. But in her expertise, she didn’t budge, and he didn’t seem to mind following as much as he let on.
He really was one of the finest horses she’d ever seen. Tall, muscular and proud-- he was not like the racehorses the other families preferred. This beast was obviously meant to be a warhorse. Was meant to carry a man into battle and stay with him until the very end. And Selene would be happy to know that if he chose to ride him into battle, that Vangelis would have a piece of the Leventi family with him.
A part of her with him.
She brought the horse as close as she dared, not wanting his excitement to further injure the prince. “Your gift, Prince Vangelis.” Her smile was bright, “Captured from a wild breed of horses, my uncle has gifted him to you, and has left you the honor of breaking him to a saddle.” At the sound of 'saddle', as if the horse knew what it meant, he was up on his hind legs, appeared ready to crush the petite girl. But her experience shined as she turned her attention back to the horse. Her grip on his reins had been firm as she yanked it back down, glaring at his response. The two appeared to have a battle of wits, which Selene won the moment he was back on all fours, front foot stomping impatiently.
“I know you cannot ride him yet, but once you are, he is yours to do what you wish.” She was back to her gentle nature, a hand on his snot to show that she hadn’t lost her faith in the horse. “He will serve you well.”
Vangelis followed behind Selene and smiled a little as he was given the cane she had thoughtfully provided.
"This is very kind of you, my Lady, but if I use this I shall look like Lord Dionysios." He muttered with a wrinkling of his nose and the setting aside of the cane against the frame of his bedroom door. Instead, he preferred to walk the halls under his own steam, his legs screaming but his arm only painful as he used it to help brace himself down the corridors of his family home - his palm out against the walls as he walked.
The only true test of his fitness came with the stairs down to the ground floor. As he had been bedridden for several weeks, it had no occurred to anyone to have him sleep in a ground floor room - not even himself. As such, it was a bit of a painful venture attempting his way down them. And he was thankful both for Selene's patience in waiting for his slow descent, but also her silence as she made no comment on his hobbling progress.
By the time he was down the flight that led straight out to the courtyard, Vangelis was breathing heavily and could feel sweat beading between his shoulder blades, but he refused to show any discomfort on his face. Instead, he stood straight again and made limping steps out into the courtyard behind the beautiful blonde.
When he noted that she had provided him with a chair, set carefully on the cobbles of the courtyard, Vangelis's pride was determined to ignore it and simply brace himself against a wall somewhere, but after the stairs he felt the need to remove the weight from his right leg entirely and so sank into the seat thankfully, pushing his shame at his own weakness to the back of his mind.
When the Lady Selene told him to wait and disappeared, looking as eager was Dion when he had something to show his uncle, Vangelis nodded his head politely and waited.
Yet he didn't have long to wait.
At was only moments between the woman disappearing down the side of the stables and then reappearing with a flapping leading rein in her hand - the creature at the other end, clearly spirited.
And then the woman drew out into the courtyard a creature of sheer beauty and magnificence.
The stallion was black. Not the dull sort of charcoal that many creatures were, or marred by spots or strips of white or other colours. This one was fully pitch, its hair and skin shining so strongly it was almost white in the sunlight. With long, untrimmed mane and tail in the same vibrant black and eyes of the darkest shadow, the creature was the colour of Hades. Its body firm, muscled and strongly defined, it was clearly a powerful animal - a war horse at its finest.
And spirited too.
When the Lady Selene mentioned that he hadn't yet been broken, he was unsurprised, given his behaviour against her and the leading rein. And it was in that moment that the stallion broke up onto its hind legs looking monstrous before the little blonde that held him fast.
While Vangelis knew of the Leventi reputation, knew of Selene's reputation, and experience in horses, the male coding in his body had him leaning forward and ready to push out of his seat, determined to between the woman and the uncontrollable animal. Yet, within moments, his movements were stilled by the lady controlling the beast almost without effort.
Quietly impressed, Vangelis pushed up from the seat anyway and took a few steps towards the creature.
Raising a hand to his muzzle for the stallion to sniff out his scent and not be startled further than he needed to, he waited until the creature pressed his own snort to the palm of Vangelis' hand.
"He is most impressive." Vangelis said to Selene as he softly scratched the animal's nose and met his gaze head on. "But I feel as if I have been given two gifts from your family this visit. One in the form of such a magnificent warhorse and the other in the pleasure of your company." He tore his gaze from the stallion's as he stepped nervously and looked to Selene with a soft and small smile. "I can assure you and your uncle that one was not needed in thanks for the other."
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Vangelis followed behind Selene and smiled a little as he was given the cane she had thoughtfully provided.
"This is very kind of you, my Lady, but if I use this I shall look like Lord Dionysios." He muttered with a wrinkling of his nose and the setting aside of the cane against the frame of his bedroom door. Instead, he preferred to walk the halls under his own steam, his legs screaming but his arm only painful as he used it to help brace himself down the corridors of his family home - his palm out against the walls as he walked.
The only true test of his fitness came with the stairs down to the ground floor. As he had been bedridden for several weeks, it had no occurred to anyone to have him sleep in a ground floor room - not even himself. As such, it was a bit of a painful venture attempting his way down them. And he was thankful both for Selene's patience in waiting for his slow descent, but also her silence as she made no comment on his hobbling progress.
By the time he was down the flight that led straight out to the courtyard, Vangelis was breathing heavily and could feel sweat beading between his shoulder blades, but he refused to show any discomfort on his face. Instead, he stood straight again and made limping steps out into the courtyard behind the beautiful blonde.
When he noted that she had provided him with a chair, set carefully on the cobbles of the courtyard, Vangelis's pride was determined to ignore it and simply brace himself against a wall somewhere, but after the stairs he felt the need to remove the weight from his right leg entirely and so sank into the seat thankfully, pushing his shame at his own weakness to the back of his mind.
When the Lady Selene told him to wait and disappeared, looking as eager was Dion when he had something to show his uncle, Vangelis nodded his head politely and waited.
Yet he didn't have long to wait.
At was only moments between the woman disappearing down the side of the stables and then reappearing with a flapping leading rein in her hand - the creature at the other end, clearly spirited.
And then the woman drew out into the courtyard a creature of sheer beauty and magnificence.
The stallion was black. Not the dull sort of charcoal that many creatures were, or marred by spots or strips of white or other colours. This one was fully pitch, its hair and skin shining so strongly it was almost white in the sunlight. With long, untrimmed mane and tail in the same vibrant black and eyes of the darkest shadow, the creature was the colour of Hades. Its body firm, muscled and strongly defined, it was clearly a powerful animal - a war horse at its finest.
And spirited too.
When the Lady Selene mentioned that he hadn't yet been broken, he was unsurprised, given his behaviour against her and the leading rein. And it was in that moment that the stallion broke up onto its hind legs looking monstrous before the little blonde that held him fast.
While Vangelis knew of the Leventi reputation, knew of Selene's reputation, and experience in horses, the male coding in his body had him leaning forward and ready to push out of his seat, determined to between the woman and the uncontrollable animal. Yet, within moments, his movements were stilled by the lady controlling the beast almost without effort.
Quietly impressed, Vangelis pushed up from the seat anyway and took a few steps towards the creature.
Raising a hand to his muzzle for the stallion to sniff out his scent and not be startled further than he needed to, he waited until the creature pressed his own snort to the palm of Vangelis' hand.
"He is most impressive." Vangelis said to Selene as he softly scratched the animal's nose and met his gaze head on. "But I feel as if I have been given two gifts from your family this visit. One in the form of such a magnificent warhorse and the other in the pleasure of your company." He tore his gaze from the stallion's as he stepped nervously and looked to Selene with a soft and small smile. "I can assure you and your uncle that one was not needed in thanks for the other."
Vangelis followed behind Selene and smiled a little as he was given the cane she had thoughtfully provided.
"This is very kind of you, my Lady, but if I use this I shall look like Lord Dionysios." He muttered with a wrinkling of his nose and the setting aside of the cane against the frame of his bedroom door. Instead, he preferred to walk the halls under his own steam, his legs screaming but his arm only painful as he used it to help brace himself down the corridors of his family home - his palm out against the walls as he walked.
The only true test of his fitness came with the stairs down to the ground floor. As he had been bedridden for several weeks, it had no occurred to anyone to have him sleep in a ground floor room - not even himself. As such, it was a bit of a painful venture attempting his way down them. And he was thankful both for Selene's patience in waiting for his slow descent, but also her silence as she made no comment on his hobbling progress.
By the time he was down the flight that led straight out to the courtyard, Vangelis was breathing heavily and could feel sweat beading between his shoulder blades, but he refused to show any discomfort on his face. Instead, he stood straight again and made limping steps out into the courtyard behind the beautiful blonde.
When he noted that she had provided him with a chair, set carefully on the cobbles of the courtyard, Vangelis's pride was determined to ignore it and simply brace himself against a wall somewhere, but after the stairs he felt the need to remove the weight from his right leg entirely and so sank into the seat thankfully, pushing his shame at his own weakness to the back of his mind.
When the Lady Selene told him to wait and disappeared, looking as eager was Dion when he had something to show his uncle, Vangelis nodded his head politely and waited.
Yet he didn't have long to wait.
At was only moments between the woman disappearing down the side of the stables and then reappearing with a flapping leading rein in her hand - the creature at the other end, clearly spirited.
And then the woman drew out into the courtyard a creature of sheer beauty and magnificence.
The stallion was black. Not the dull sort of charcoal that many creatures were, or marred by spots or strips of white or other colours. This one was fully pitch, its hair and skin shining so strongly it was almost white in the sunlight. With long, untrimmed mane and tail in the same vibrant black and eyes of the darkest shadow, the creature was the colour of Hades. Its body firm, muscled and strongly defined, it was clearly a powerful animal - a war horse at its finest.
And spirited too.
When the Lady Selene mentioned that he hadn't yet been broken, he was unsurprised, given his behaviour against her and the leading rein. And it was in that moment that the stallion broke up onto its hind legs looking monstrous before the little blonde that held him fast.
While Vangelis knew of the Leventi reputation, knew of Selene's reputation, and experience in horses, the male coding in his body had him leaning forward and ready to push out of his seat, determined to between the woman and the uncontrollable animal. Yet, within moments, his movements were stilled by the lady controlling the beast almost without effort.
Quietly impressed, Vangelis pushed up from the seat anyway and took a few steps towards the creature.
Raising a hand to his muzzle for the stallion to sniff out his scent and not be startled further than he needed to, he waited until the creature pressed his own snort to the palm of Vangelis' hand.
"He is most impressive." Vangelis said to Selene as he softly scratched the animal's nose and met his gaze head on. "But I feel as if I have been given two gifts from your family this visit. One in the form of such a magnificent warhorse and the other in the pleasure of your company." He tore his gaze from the stallion's as he stepped nervously and looked to Selene with a soft and small smile. "I can assure you and your uncle that one was not needed in thanks for the other."
If this visit had taught her anything about men, it was that they were all very hard-headed. Zanon had refused to let her just get away with a verbal update, insisted that she stay in the home and decided to facilitate every opportunity for her to visit Vangelis while she was there. And the crowned prince was always thinking of his pride. As far as Selene was concerned, he could have worn a pink chiton and she still would have thought him a good man. Part of her upbringing had been to make every effort to consider the needs of those around her and to make them happen. And, at every turn, he had refused to allow himself to let her think of him in that way.
Since she was in front, he didn't see her eye roll, because even though she had hoped he would use it, there had been very little expectation that he actually would let himself be seen with a cane.
Good lord, men, and their pride.
She hadn't expected him to be in the chair when she came around the corner but had certainly been glad that he was. Because if he'd been standing, waiting for her to come around the corner, he may have met the wrath of the midnight beast and reinjured himself, worse than before. It hadn't taken her very long to regain control of the horse and he was on his feet, introducing himself to the newest addition to the stables. She was going to instruct him on the specific care they had put in place for the black stallion since he had taken up residence in their stables, but he spoke first.
Her cheeks flushed as he addressed the gift. Still, she smiled at him, her eyes meeting his as well. While she was slightly taken back by his words, she knew him well enough that she could handle her embarrassment. "Well, I don't think you would have said the same thing, that first day." She reminded him playfully, her own hand resting on the beast's neck. "I thought that you might require more, for putting up with my constant formality." She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face, absolutely pleased that he seemed to truly like the horse. "I will keep that between you and I then, for I'm sure my uncle may think otherwise."
Because of the horse's unpredictability, she maintained the reins. The last thing she needed was the horse to bolt and for him to be dragged along with it. "So you like him then? Your sister has made the white filly her own. It took a lot of convincing to keep this a secret. But I had wanted to show you myself. He is yours, and you may think of him as a gift from me. As a thank you for making sure that my time here was pleasant and for not having me sent to the gallows for a late night visit or two." Her hand moved on top of his, gentle as she gave it a squeeze. By now, he would have learned of her open affection, of her inability to truly hide her emotions when she was amongst friends. "I must admit, I am sad to leave." She said, her hand returning back to take a firmer hold on the horse's lead. "If you have broken him by the next time you are in Taegnea, I must insist you bring him with you. I don't think there would be a finer sight in the world then you a top him." Her ears pinkened, knowing that her statement was bold.
"Although I'm sure that Zanon would disagree." The younger brother would probably prefer to see him tossed from the horse, flat on his back.
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If this visit had taught her anything about men, it was that they were all very hard-headed. Zanon had refused to let her just get away with a verbal update, insisted that she stay in the home and decided to facilitate every opportunity for her to visit Vangelis while she was there. And the crowned prince was always thinking of his pride. As far as Selene was concerned, he could have worn a pink chiton and she still would have thought him a good man. Part of her upbringing had been to make every effort to consider the needs of those around her and to make them happen. And, at every turn, he had refused to allow himself to let her think of him in that way.
Since she was in front, he didn't see her eye roll, because even though she had hoped he would use it, there had been very little expectation that he actually would let himself be seen with a cane.
Good lord, men, and their pride.
She hadn't expected him to be in the chair when she came around the corner but had certainly been glad that he was. Because if he'd been standing, waiting for her to come around the corner, he may have met the wrath of the midnight beast and reinjured himself, worse than before. It hadn't taken her very long to regain control of the horse and he was on his feet, introducing himself to the newest addition to the stables. She was going to instruct him on the specific care they had put in place for the black stallion since he had taken up residence in their stables, but he spoke first.
Her cheeks flushed as he addressed the gift. Still, she smiled at him, her eyes meeting his as well. While she was slightly taken back by his words, she knew him well enough that she could handle her embarrassment. "Well, I don't think you would have said the same thing, that first day." She reminded him playfully, her own hand resting on the beast's neck. "I thought that you might require more, for putting up with my constant formality." She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face, absolutely pleased that he seemed to truly like the horse. "I will keep that between you and I then, for I'm sure my uncle may think otherwise."
Because of the horse's unpredictability, she maintained the reins. The last thing she needed was the horse to bolt and for him to be dragged along with it. "So you like him then? Your sister has made the white filly her own. It took a lot of convincing to keep this a secret. But I had wanted to show you myself. He is yours, and you may think of him as a gift from me. As a thank you for making sure that my time here was pleasant and for not having me sent to the gallows for a late night visit or two." Her hand moved on top of his, gentle as she gave it a squeeze. By now, he would have learned of her open affection, of her inability to truly hide her emotions when she was amongst friends. "I must admit, I am sad to leave." She said, her hand returning back to take a firmer hold on the horse's lead. "If you have broken him by the next time you are in Taegnea, I must insist you bring him with you. I don't think there would be a finer sight in the world then you a top him." Her ears pinkened, knowing that her statement was bold.
"Although I'm sure that Zanon would disagree." The younger brother would probably prefer to see him tossed from the horse, flat on his back.
If this visit had taught her anything about men, it was that they were all very hard-headed. Zanon had refused to let her just get away with a verbal update, insisted that she stay in the home and decided to facilitate every opportunity for her to visit Vangelis while she was there. And the crowned prince was always thinking of his pride. As far as Selene was concerned, he could have worn a pink chiton and she still would have thought him a good man. Part of her upbringing had been to make every effort to consider the needs of those around her and to make them happen. And, at every turn, he had refused to allow himself to let her think of him in that way.
Since she was in front, he didn't see her eye roll, because even though she had hoped he would use it, there had been very little expectation that he actually would let himself be seen with a cane.
Good lord, men, and their pride.
She hadn't expected him to be in the chair when she came around the corner but had certainly been glad that he was. Because if he'd been standing, waiting for her to come around the corner, he may have met the wrath of the midnight beast and reinjured himself, worse than before. It hadn't taken her very long to regain control of the horse and he was on his feet, introducing himself to the newest addition to the stables. She was going to instruct him on the specific care they had put in place for the black stallion since he had taken up residence in their stables, but he spoke first.
Her cheeks flushed as he addressed the gift. Still, she smiled at him, her eyes meeting his as well. While she was slightly taken back by his words, she knew him well enough that she could handle her embarrassment. "Well, I don't think you would have said the same thing, that first day." She reminded him playfully, her own hand resting on the beast's neck. "I thought that you might require more, for putting up with my constant formality." She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face, absolutely pleased that he seemed to truly like the horse. "I will keep that between you and I then, for I'm sure my uncle may think otherwise."
Because of the horse's unpredictability, she maintained the reins. The last thing she needed was the horse to bolt and for him to be dragged along with it. "So you like him then? Your sister has made the white filly her own. It took a lot of convincing to keep this a secret. But I had wanted to show you myself. He is yours, and you may think of him as a gift from me. As a thank you for making sure that my time here was pleasant and for not having me sent to the gallows for a late night visit or two." Her hand moved on top of his, gentle as she gave it a squeeze. By now, he would have learned of her open affection, of her inability to truly hide her emotions when she was amongst friends. "I must admit, I am sad to leave." She said, her hand returning back to take a firmer hold on the horse's lead. "If you have broken him by the next time you are in Taegnea, I must insist you bring him with you. I don't think there would be a finer sight in the world then you a top him." Her ears pinkened, knowing that her statement was bold.
"Although I'm sure that Zanon would disagree." The younger brother would probably prefer to see him tossed from the horse, flat on his back.
Vangelis was somehow pleased that his comments had brought a colour to the Lady Selene's cheeks. It seemed... sweet to him that the woman - who was so beyond beautiful and had been heralded as blessed by Aphrodite for many years - would still take flattering with a blushing cheek and a self-conscious drop of her gaze. Vangelis was surprised to find that he found such actions endearing.
When the woman confirmed whether or not he liked the horse, Vangelis could not help but nod, his large hand resting the bridge of the creature’s face. His large hand, tan and strong with his bones and tendons clearly defined, felt the warm of the animal and the tips of his long fingers scratched and rubbed at its forelock.
Vangelis found himself looking the creature in the eye and, upon the animal blinding first, then turned his attentions to the lady beside it.
"He's magnificent, my Lady. A true example of the Leventi's skill and equestrian craft." He told her with a warm curve to the edge of his lips.
Then a strange moment happened.
As he was smiling a little (as much as he ever did) and she grinned back at him, the touch of colour still in her cheeks and her eyes bright... Selene complimented his enjoyment of the horse and insisted that he see the stallion as a gift from herself personally. One that she would wish to see him atop of... The words were perfectly innocent... perfectly polite... and yet they seemed to weave a cocoon of intimacy around them.
The idea that she had provided him with that which he might ride into battle - that which might save his life in a million given situations. That every time he went riding, he would have a souvenir of her and her presence with him.
Whether it was the sunshine he had been kept away from for the last three weeks or that cocoon of privacy, Vangelis wasn't sure, but he felt his skin grow warm and his breath deepen.
For a moment, he felt the overwhelming desire to be closer, to lean in towards Selene; the make that atmospheric intimacy one of physical reality. It was an abstract desire but one simply that prompted him to sway forwards a little. To let his shoulders come forward and his head to dip, as if he were leaning into her...
The instinctive draw was simultaneously sweet and strong, and yet she broke it with mention of his brother.
The second Zanon and his lack of desire to see him mastering the beast dropped from her lips, the spell seemed broken and Vangelis blinked before straightening and looking back at the horse, a guffaw of laughter punching from his chest.
"I'm perfectly certain that would be his opinion on the matter, yes." He told her, before addressing something else she had said. "And by all means, my Lady..." He told her. "You would be welcomed back here with open arms whenever and if-ever you decide to return to Colchis. Your efforts at our charity last week have cementing you as a friend to the Kotas family and while I am likely to not be present on other visits, I'm sure my family would welcome you as I would." He told her with true sincerity.
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Vangelis was somehow pleased that his comments had brought a colour to the Lady Selene's cheeks. It seemed... sweet to him that the woman - who was so beyond beautiful and had been heralded as blessed by Aphrodite for many years - would still take flattering with a blushing cheek and a self-conscious drop of her gaze. Vangelis was surprised to find that he found such actions endearing.
When the woman confirmed whether or not he liked the horse, Vangelis could not help but nod, his large hand resting the bridge of the creature’s face. His large hand, tan and strong with his bones and tendons clearly defined, felt the warm of the animal and the tips of his long fingers scratched and rubbed at its forelock.
Vangelis found himself looking the creature in the eye and, upon the animal blinding first, then turned his attentions to the lady beside it.
"He's magnificent, my Lady. A true example of the Leventi's skill and equestrian craft." He told her with a warm curve to the edge of his lips.
Then a strange moment happened.
As he was smiling a little (as much as he ever did) and she grinned back at him, the touch of colour still in her cheeks and her eyes bright... Selene complimented his enjoyment of the horse and insisted that he see the stallion as a gift from herself personally. One that she would wish to see him atop of... The words were perfectly innocent... perfectly polite... and yet they seemed to weave a cocoon of intimacy around them.
The idea that she had provided him with that which he might ride into battle - that which might save his life in a million given situations. That every time he went riding, he would have a souvenir of her and her presence with him.
Whether it was the sunshine he had been kept away from for the last three weeks or that cocoon of privacy, Vangelis wasn't sure, but he felt his skin grow warm and his breath deepen.
For a moment, he felt the overwhelming desire to be closer, to lean in towards Selene; the make that atmospheric intimacy one of physical reality. It was an abstract desire but one simply that prompted him to sway forwards a little. To let his shoulders come forward and his head to dip, as if he were leaning into her...
The instinctive draw was simultaneously sweet and strong, and yet she broke it with mention of his brother.
The second Zanon and his lack of desire to see him mastering the beast dropped from her lips, the spell seemed broken and Vangelis blinked before straightening and looking back at the horse, a guffaw of laughter punching from his chest.
"I'm perfectly certain that would be his opinion on the matter, yes." He told her, before addressing something else she had said. "And by all means, my Lady..." He told her. "You would be welcomed back here with open arms whenever and if-ever you decide to return to Colchis. Your efforts at our charity last week have cementing you as a friend to the Kotas family and while I am likely to not be present on other visits, I'm sure my family would welcome you as I would." He told her with true sincerity.
Vangelis was somehow pleased that his comments had brought a colour to the Lady Selene's cheeks. It seemed... sweet to him that the woman - who was so beyond beautiful and had been heralded as blessed by Aphrodite for many years - would still take flattering with a blushing cheek and a self-conscious drop of her gaze. Vangelis was surprised to find that he found such actions endearing.
When the woman confirmed whether or not he liked the horse, Vangelis could not help but nod, his large hand resting the bridge of the creature’s face. His large hand, tan and strong with his bones and tendons clearly defined, felt the warm of the animal and the tips of his long fingers scratched and rubbed at its forelock.
Vangelis found himself looking the creature in the eye and, upon the animal blinding first, then turned his attentions to the lady beside it.
"He's magnificent, my Lady. A true example of the Leventi's skill and equestrian craft." He told her with a warm curve to the edge of his lips.
Then a strange moment happened.
As he was smiling a little (as much as he ever did) and she grinned back at him, the touch of colour still in her cheeks and her eyes bright... Selene complimented his enjoyment of the horse and insisted that he see the stallion as a gift from herself personally. One that she would wish to see him atop of... The words were perfectly innocent... perfectly polite... and yet they seemed to weave a cocoon of intimacy around them.
The idea that she had provided him with that which he might ride into battle - that which might save his life in a million given situations. That every time he went riding, he would have a souvenir of her and her presence with him.
Whether it was the sunshine he had been kept away from for the last three weeks or that cocoon of privacy, Vangelis wasn't sure, but he felt his skin grow warm and his breath deepen.
For a moment, he felt the overwhelming desire to be closer, to lean in towards Selene; the make that atmospheric intimacy one of physical reality. It was an abstract desire but one simply that prompted him to sway forwards a little. To let his shoulders come forward and his head to dip, as if he were leaning into her...
The instinctive draw was simultaneously sweet and strong, and yet she broke it with mention of his brother.
The second Zanon and his lack of desire to see him mastering the beast dropped from her lips, the spell seemed broken and Vangelis blinked before straightening and looking back at the horse, a guffaw of laughter punching from his chest.
"I'm perfectly certain that would be his opinion on the matter, yes." He told her, before addressing something else she had said. "And by all means, my Lady..." He told her. "You would be welcomed back here with open arms whenever and if-ever you decide to return to Colchis. Your efforts at our charity last week have cementing you as a friend to the Kotas family and while I am likely to not be present on other visits, I'm sure my family would welcome you as I would." He told her with true sincerity.
People who complimented her specifically on her looks were usually after something from her. A glance, a chance for a few moments alone, or a kind word from her father or uncle-- they were never directed at her. They assumed that she was just a pretty face. A means to and end. And, she had been raised to believe it as well, that her worth was in the sum total of the man she married. But while her mother and uncles focused on her worth was a woman, it seemed her father had taken the time to nurture her worth as a human. And she had learned here that one was far greater than the other.
Watching the women of the Kotas family has proved just that.
So his comment, thanking her for who she was and not what she looked like, was far more humbling. Vangelis was a blunt judge of character, and she was pleased to hear that he found her to be more than just a pretty face. That she had value beyond her blessed beauty and that he was thankful for that. The pink in her cheeks had been in recognition of that.
Selene smiled, her pleasure in his acceptance of the gift apparent. It wasn’t that she thought that he wouldn’t like it. It was more that she had been worried that he would think that the gift had an ulterior motive. And while her uncle had made it apparent that it did in his letter, she believed otherwise personally. Besides, she burned the letter after she read it. Knowing her uncle, the tone of the letter had been clear to her.
She couldn’t think about it further; the way he was looking at her was making it impossible to think about much at all. His eyes turned intense, focused on her in a way she’d never seen from him. He was a stoic man, one who could normally keep any underlying emotion in check. But she could have sworn that he was leaning into her, head dipping down towards her. As quickly as she was sure it was happening, it was gone.
She blinked. Her imagination was running wild.
Cheeks still pink, her smile faltered, ever so slightly. Her return to Taengea meant that she was going to have to face the new reality of the kingdom. A world where her sister was Queen and where no amount of money could bring safety and security. The marriage of Theo would be right around the corner. And then, she was sure the focus would shift to her. She’d always thought, deep down, that she would have been promised to the crowned prince, and his death had sent her own future into a tailspin. She was sure that her parents were scrambling to look at previous offers to find a suitable match. And that as soon as the wedding was done, she would find herself engaged and settled shortly after.
Any trips in the future would be with her husband, she was sure.
Still, she tried not to let what felt like a dismal prospect diminish his offer. She waved her hand, “Please, it was just a bit of wine and a few kind words.” It wasn’t as if she had done more than that. What had he heard of her involvement with the charity? “But I will keep the offer in mind, and I do hope to be able to return. It’s more likely that you will come to Taegnea, so I must insist that you call upon me in the country. Perhaps I can give you a taste of Taengea’s horses, and maybe give you something you can enjoy for yourself, Prince Vangelis. There is nothing more exhilarating than a race on the beach.”
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People who complimented her specifically on her looks were usually after something from her. A glance, a chance for a few moments alone, or a kind word from her father or uncle-- they were never directed at her. They assumed that she was just a pretty face. A means to and end. And, she had been raised to believe it as well, that her worth was in the sum total of the man she married. But while her mother and uncles focused on her worth was a woman, it seemed her father had taken the time to nurture her worth as a human. And she had learned here that one was far greater than the other.
Watching the women of the Kotas family has proved just that.
So his comment, thanking her for who she was and not what she looked like, was far more humbling. Vangelis was a blunt judge of character, and she was pleased to hear that he found her to be more than just a pretty face. That she had value beyond her blessed beauty and that he was thankful for that. The pink in her cheeks had been in recognition of that.
Selene smiled, her pleasure in his acceptance of the gift apparent. It wasn’t that she thought that he wouldn’t like it. It was more that she had been worried that he would think that the gift had an ulterior motive. And while her uncle had made it apparent that it did in his letter, she believed otherwise personally. Besides, she burned the letter after she read it. Knowing her uncle, the tone of the letter had been clear to her.
She couldn’t think about it further; the way he was looking at her was making it impossible to think about much at all. His eyes turned intense, focused on her in a way she’d never seen from him. He was a stoic man, one who could normally keep any underlying emotion in check. But she could have sworn that he was leaning into her, head dipping down towards her. As quickly as she was sure it was happening, it was gone.
She blinked. Her imagination was running wild.
Cheeks still pink, her smile faltered, ever so slightly. Her return to Taengea meant that she was going to have to face the new reality of the kingdom. A world where her sister was Queen and where no amount of money could bring safety and security. The marriage of Theo would be right around the corner. And then, she was sure the focus would shift to her. She’d always thought, deep down, that she would have been promised to the crowned prince, and his death had sent her own future into a tailspin. She was sure that her parents were scrambling to look at previous offers to find a suitable match. And that as soon as the wedding was done, she would find herself engaged and settled shortly after.
Any trips in the future would be with her husband, she was sure.
Still, she tried not to let what felt like a dismal prospect diminish his offer. She waved her hand, “Please, it was just a bit of wine and a few kind words.” It wasn’t as if she had done more than that. What had he heard of her involvement with the charity? “But I will keep the offer in mind, and I do hope to be able to return. It’s more likely that you will come to Taegnea, so I must insist that you call upon me in the country. Perhaps I can give you a taste of Taengea’s horses, and maybe give you something you can enjoy for yourself, Prince Vangelis. There is nothing more exhilarating than a race on the beach.”
People who complimented her specifically on her looks were usually after something from her. A glance, a chance for a few moments alone, or a kind word from her father or uncle-- they were never directed at her. They assumed that she was just a pretty face. A means to and end. And, she had been raised to believe it as well, that her worth was in the sum total of the man she married. But while her mother and uncles focused on her worth was a woman, it seemed her father had taken the time to nurture her worth as a human. And she had learned here that one was far greater than the other.
Watching the women of the Kotas family has proved just that.
So his comment, thanking her for who she was and not what she looked like, was far more humbling. Vangelis was a blunt judge of character, and she was pleased to hear that he found her to be more than just a pretty face. That she had value beyond her blessed beauty and that he was thankful for that. The pink in her cheeks had been in recognition of that.
Selene smiled, her pleasure in his acceptance of the gift apparent. It wasn’t that she thought that he wouldn’t like it. It was more that she had been worried that he would think that the gift had an ulterior motive. And while her uncle had made it apparent that it did in his letter, she believed otherwise personally. Besides, she burned the letter after she read it. Knowing her uncle, the tone of the letter had been clear to her.
She couldn’t think about it further; the way he was looking at her was making it impossible to think about much at all. His eyes turned intense, focused on her in a way she’d never seen from him. He was a stoic man, one who could normally keep any underlying emotion in check. But she could have sworn that he was leaning into her, head dipping down towards her. As quickly as she was sure it was happening, it was gone.
She blinked. Her imagination was running wild.
Cheeks still pink, her smile faltered, ever so slightly. Her return to Taengea meant that she was going to have to face the new reality of the kingdom. A world where her sister was Queen and where no amount of money could bring safety and security. The marriage of Theo would be right around the corner. And then, she was sure the focus would shift to her. She’d always thought, deep down, that she would have been promised to the crowned prince, and his death had sent her own future into a tailspin. She was sure that her parents were scrambling to look at previous offers to find a suitable match. And that as soon as the wedding was done, she would find herself engaged and settled shortly after.
Any trips in the future would be with her husband, she was sure.
Still, she tried not to let what felt like a dismal prospect diminish his offer. She waved her hand, “Please, it was just a bit of wine and a few kind words.” It wasn’t as if she had done more than that. What had he heard of her involvement with the charity? “But I will keep the offer in mind, and I do hope to be able to return. It’s more likely that you will come to Taegnea, so I must insist that you call upon me in the country. Perhaps I can give you a taste of Taengea’s horses, and maybe give you something you can enjoy for yourself, Prince Vangelis. There is nothing more exhilarating than a race on the beach.”
Vangelis was petting the animal, getting use to his scent and his hands. While he was a crown prince who had never mucked out a stables before - such tasks were carried out by those his family employed - that didn't mean he didn't understand horses. Rubbing the creature down the neck is seemed like the combination of his hands one side and her leading rein on the other was keeping the creature calm - at least for now.
"I do not thank people for their gifts or words, my Lady..." He told her absently before looking her way again. "I thank them for the kindness of heart that would spur them to offer anything at all." His brow darkened and he turned away again, as if he didn't wish her to see his thoughts within his eyes. "I try to never take kindness for granted. I have seen too much of what happens when it is lost."
Determined to move the conversation forward and glad when she did so indeed, speaking of her homeland Vangelis nodded politely, his head at an angle and his tone demure.
"A race, my Lady?" He said with a small smile. "I feel I should not hold up to a Leventi's skill upon the back of one of your creatures, but I could endeavour to make it a challenge worth your time..."
His eyes flickered to the horse, and his expression turned thoughtful.
"Then again, if I am going to manage that... I should get practice in while I can..."
And before she could say anything, he quickly hop-limped his way around to the side of the unsaddled horse and rested his hands on the creatures back, clearly intending to mount the beast bare-backed and without aid.
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Vangelis was petting the animal, getting use to his scent and his hands. While he was a crown prince who had never mucked out a stables before - such tasks were carried out by those his family employed - that didn't mean he didn't understand horses. Rubbing the creature down the neck is seemed like the combination of his hands one side and her leading rein on the other was keeping the creature calm - at least for now.
"I do not thank people for their gifts or words, my Lady..." He told her absently before looking her way again. "I thank them for the kindness of heart that would spur them to offer anything at all." His brow darkened and he turned away again, as if he didn't wish her to see his thoughts within his eyes. "I try to never take kindness for granted. I have seen too much of what happens when it is lost."
Determined to move the conversation forward and glad when she did so indeed, speaking of her homeland Vangelis nodded politely, his head at an angle and his tone demure.
"A race, my Lady?" He said with a small smile. "I feel I should not hold up to a Leventi's skill upon the back of one of your creatures, but I could endeavour to make it a challenge worth your time..."
His eyes flickered to the horse, and his expression turned thoughtful.
"Then again, if I am going to manage that... I should get practice in while I can..."
And before she could say anything, he quickly hop-limped his way around to the side of the unsaddled horse and rested his hands on the creatures back, clearly intending to mount the beast bare-backed and without aid.
Vangelis was petting the animal, getting use to his scent and his hands. While he was a crown prince who had never mucked out a stables before - such tasks were carried out by those his family employed - that didn't mean he didn't understand horses. Rubbing the creature down the neck is seemed like the combination of his hands one side and her leading rein on the other was keeping the creature calm - at least for now.
"I do not thank people for their gifts or words, my Lady..." He told her absently before looking her way again. "I thank them for the kindness of heart that would spur them to offer anything at all." His brow darkened and he turned away again, as if he didn't wish her to see his thoughts within his eyes. "I try to never take kindness for granted. I have seen too much of what happens when it is lost."
Determined to move the conversation forward and glad when she did so indeed, speaking of her homeland Vangelis nodded politely, his head at an angle and his tone demure.
"A race, my Lady?" He said with a small smile. "I feel I should not hold up to a Leventi's skill upon the back of one of your creatures, but I could endeavour to make it a challenge worth your time..."
His eyes flickered to the horse, and his expression turned thoughtful.
"Then again, if I am going to manage that... I should get practice in while I can..."
And before she could say anything, he quickly hop-limped his way around to the side of the unsaddled horse and rested his hands on the creatures back, clearly intending to mount the beast bare-backed and without aid.
Selene was learning more and more about him, and she found herself truly enjoying his company. Emilia’s words, that he was terrifying and deadly, may have been true to someone of her youth, but for the elder noble, he was far beyond his reputation. And while he may have been deadly on the battlefield, he was kind and considerate and honest in person. And she found it to be refreshing.
He looked beyond her looks and almost demanded that she do the same.
“It was my pleasure to be there. To be able to feel useful, after weeks of feeling helpless?” She said to him, her eyes never leaving his as she spoke. “It was good to be able to assist those in need.” She was beginning to see what he meant with taking kindness for granted. Even if all she had to compare it to was the dangers of the Circus, she had seen up close and personal how dark the world could be. And she was sure that she never wanted to see it that way again. Every moment was something worth treasuring.
Moments like this, with a friend. This moment was one she would carry with her until she no longer drew breath.
Her eyebrow raised gently, “I would never allow a guest to lose, prince, and I’m slightly insulted that you would suggest it.” Hace face feigned offense, but the tone of her voice was light and playful. “ However, after the first race was complete, my skill will no longer allow for proper decorum. And I would be wrong to say that I would recommend a bet on the visitor, in that case.” She let out a soft laugh, knowing that her sister would have warned her about her pride if she’d heard her. “I never lose the second race, your highness.”
It was as if he was asking for her to push him out of the way. And, had he not been recently healing, she may have allowed the horse to put him flat on his back. But, since her first concern was the injury and his obvious lack of understanding in the wild horse, Selene moved to the opposite side. Although the beast was tall, she was quick to lift herself onto the horse to prevent him from doing so.
And, like she expected, the horse proceeded to lift his front legs off the ground, quickly tossing her off the rear and onto the flat of her bake. The black beast didn’t seem angry about it, only stepping forward a bit to get out of her way. She let out an unladylike moan from the ground, lying there for a moment, looking up at him. “I should have let you just attempt it, Vangelis.” She said with another moan. The drop had taken away her breath, her words airy.
It wasn’t the first time she’d found herself looking up at the sky after attempting to ride an unexpecting horse. And she was certain it wouldn’t be the last. “You are just like a foul-headed filly. On your feet all of a few moments and already thinking you can jump a fence.” She groaned again, pushing herself up so she was sitting on the ground, her glare at him obviously playful.
He would get his own chance, once he was better, to be tossed to the ground by a horse who had no desire to be ridden.
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Selene was learning more and more about him, and she found herself truly enjoying his company. Emilia’s words, that he was terrifying and deadly, may have been true to someone of her youth, but for the elder noble, he was far beyond his reputation. And while he may have been deadly on the battlefield, he was kind and considerate and honest in person. And she found it to be refreshing.
He looked beyond her looks and almost demanded that she do the same.
“It was my pleasure to be there. To be able to feel useful, after weeks of feeling helpless?” She said to him, her eyes never leaving his as she spoke. “It was good to be able to assist those in need.” She was beginning to see what he meant with taking kindness for granted. Even if all she had to compare it to was the dangers of the Circus, she had seen up close and personal how dark the world could be. And she was sure that she never wanted to see it that way again. Every moment was something worth treasuring.
Moments like this, with a friend. This moment was one she would carry with her until she no longer drew breath.
Her eyebrow raised gently, “I would never allow a guest to lose, prince, and I’m slightly insulted that you would suggest it.” Hace face feigned offense, but the tone of her voice was light and playful. “ However, after the first race was complete, my skill will no longer allow for proper decorum. And I would be wrong to say that I would recommend a bet on the visitor, in that case.” She let out a soft laugh, knowing that her sister would have warned her about her pride if she’d heard her. “I never lose the second race, your highness.”
It was as if he was asking for her to push him out of the way. And, had he not been recently healing, she may have allowed the horse to put him flat on his back. But, since her first concern was the injury and his obvious lack of understanding in the wild horse, Selene moved to the opposite side. Although the beast was tall, she was quick to lift herself onto the horse to prevent him from doing so.
And, like she expected, the horse proceeded to lift his front legs off the ground, quickly tossing her off the rear and onto the flat of her bake. The black beast didn’t seem angry about it, only stepping forward a bit to get out of her way. She let out an unladylike moan from the ground, lying there for a moment, looking up at him. “I should have let you just attempt it, Vangelis.” She said with another moan. The drop had taken away her breath, her words airy.
It wasn’t the first time she’d found herself looking up at the sky after attempting to ride an unexpecting horse. And she was certain it wouldn’t be the last. “You are just like a foul-headed filly. On your feet all of a few moments and already thinking you can jump a fence.” She groaned again, pushing herself up so she was sitting on the ground, her glare at him obviously playful.
He would get his own chance, once he was better, to be tossed to the ground by a horse who had no desire to be ridden.
Selene was learning more and more about him, and she found herself truly enjoying his company. Emilia’s words, that he was terrifying and deadly, may have been true to someone of her youth, but for the elder noble, he was far beyond his reputation. And while he may have been deadly on the battlefield, he was kind and considerate and honest in person. And she found it to be refreshing.
He looked beyond her looks and almost demanded that she do the same.
“It was my pleasure to be there. To be able to feel useful, after weeks of feeling helpless?” She said to him, her eyes never leaving his as she spoke. “It was good to be able to assist those in need.” She was beginning to see what he meant with taking kindness for granted. Even if all she had to compare it to was the dangers of the Circus, she had seen up close and personal how dark the world could be. And she was sure that she never wanted to see it that way again. Every moment was something worth treasuring.
Moments like this, with a friend. This moment was one she would carry with her until she no longer drew breath.
Her eyebrow raised gently, “I would never allow a guest to lose, prince, and I’m slightly insulted that you would suggest it.” Hace face feigned offense, but the tone of her voice was light and playful. “ However, after the first race was complete, my skill will no longer allow for proper decorum. And I would be wrong to say that I would recommend a bet on the visitor, in that case.” She let out a soft laugh, knowing that her sister would have warned her about her pride if she’d heard her. “I never lose the second race, your highness.”
It was as if he was asking for her to push him out of the way. And, had he not been recently healing, she may have allowed the horse to put him flat on his back. But, since her first concern was the injury and his obvious lack of understanding in the wild horse, Selene moved to the opposite side. Although the beast was tall, she was quick to lift herself onto the horse to prevent him from doing so.
And, like she expected, the horse proceeded to lift his front legs off the ground, quickly tossing her off the rear and onto the flat of her bake. The black beast didn’t seem angry about it, only stepping forward a bit to get out of her way. She let out an unladylike moan from the ground, lying there for a moment, looking up at him. “I should have let you just attempt it, Vangelis.” She said with another moan. The drop had taken away her breath, her words airy.
It wasn’t the first time she’d found herself looking up at the sky after attempting to ride an unexpecting horse. And she was certain it wouldn’t be the last. “You are just like a foul-headed filly. On your feet all of a few moments and already thinking you can jump a fence.” She groaned again, pushing herself up so she was sitting on the ground, her glare at him obviously playful.
He would get his own chance, once he was better, to be tossed to the ground by a horse who had no desire to be ridden.
Vangelis was about to stop the woman but she moved too quickly. Used to being able to stop people physically and not with words he didn't think to speak out as she jumped up onto the horse and was quickly deposited off of it again. Vangelis rushed to try and grab her but his damn leg wouldn't move fast enough and he failed to catch her as she fell with a thump onto the hard earth of the courtyard.
"Selene!" Vangelis yelled, throwing up his arms and sending the animal racing away into the paddock (it was fenced so there was no concerns of it running off) in order to make sure he didn't trample the woman. He then rushed as quickly as he could to her side.
"I was joking!" He told her, bracing his good leg and holding out his hands to her, in order to help her up. "That creature is too bold for me to ride injured."
Vangelis was horrendously embarrassed and felt guilt seep through every facial feature.
"I was..." He looked for the words to explain himself as he helped pull her to her feet. He tugged at the edges of her skirts and shook our the fabric, attempting to clean it off from dust and muck. "Trying to get a rise out of you apparently..." He gave an exasperated expression that was clearly aimed at himself rather than her, as he moved his hands from her skirts to her bare arms, the backs of his knuckles brushing away a left that had stuck to her shoulder and then his fingers gripping her upper arms slightly to ensure there was no damage.
He reached up to shake out some of her golden locks, watching as the sunlight caught the brightest strands and letting the grainy residue of the earth shake free of them. His movements seemed to descend into slow motion as he held one of the locks, a curl at its end... the soft silk of the stands catching on the callouses of his fingers.
He paused there looking at her...
"Clearly humour isn't my strong suit." He murmured, almost to himself as he played with her hair, his eyes finding hers, as the atmosphere turned thick.
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Vangelis was about to stop the woman but she moved too quickly. Used to being able to stop people physically and not with words he didn't think to speak out as she jumped up onto the horse and was quickly deposited off of it again. Vangelis rushed to try and grab her but his damn leg wouldn't move fast enough and he failed to catch her as she fell with a thump onto the hard earth of the courtyard.
"Selene!" Vangelis yelled, throwing up his arms and sending the animal racing away into the paddock (it was fenced so there was no concerns of it running off) in order to make sure he didn't trample the woman. He then rushed as quickly as he could to her side.
"I was joking!" He told her, bracing his good leg and holding out his hands to her, in order to help her up. "That creature is too bold for me to ride injured."
Vangelis was horrendously embarrassed and felt guilt seep through every facial feature.
"I was..." He looked for the words to explain himself as he helped pull her to her feet. He tugged at the edges of her skirts and shook our the fabric, attempting to clean it off from dust and muck. "Trying to get a rise out of you apparently..." He gave an exasperated expression that was clearly aimed at himself rather than her, as he moved his hands from her skirts to her bare arms, the backs of his knuckles brushing away a left that had stuck to her shoulder and then his fingers gripping her upper arms slightly to ensure there was no damage.
He reached up to shake out some of her golden locks, watching as the sunlight caught the brightest strands and letting the grainy residue of the earth shake free of them. His movements seemed to descend into slow motion as he held one of the locks, a curl at its end... the soft silk of the stands catching on the callouses of his fingers.
He paused there looking at her...
"Clearly humour isn't my strong suit." He murmured, almost to himself as he played with her hair, his eyes finding hers, as the atmosphere turned thick.
Vangelis was about to stop the woman but she moved too quickly. Used to being able to stop people physically and not with words he didn't think to speak out as she jumped up onto the horse and was quickly deposited off of it again. Vangelis rushed to try and grab her but his damn leg wouldn't move fast enough and he failed to catch her as she fell with a thump onto the hard earth of the courtyard.
"Selene!" Vangelis yelled, throwing up his arms and sending the animal racing away into the paddock (it was fenced so there was no concerns of it running off) in order to make sure he didn't trample the woman. He then rushed as quickly as he could to her side.
"I was joking!" He told her, bracing his good leg and holding out his hands to her, in order to help her up. "That creature is too bold for me to ride injured."
Vangelis was horrendously embarrassed and felt guilt seep through every facial feature.
"I was..." He looked for the words to explain himself as he helped pull her to her feet. He tugged at the edges of her skirts and shook our the fabric, attempting to clean it off from dust and muck. "Trying to get a rise out of you apparently..." He gave an exasperated expression that was clearly aimed at himself rather than her, as he moved his hands from her skirts to her bare arms, the backs of his knuckles brushing away a left that had stuck to her shoulder and then his fingers gripping her upper arms slightly to ensure there was no damage.
He reached up to shake out some of her golden locks, watching as the sunlight caught the brightest strands and letting the grainy residue of the earth shake free of them. His movements seemed to descend into slow motion as he held one of the locks, a curl at its end... the soft silk of the stands catching on the callouses of his fingers.
He paused there looking at her...
"Clearly humour isn't my strong suit." He murmured, almost to himself as he played with her hair, his eyes finding hers, as the atmosphere turned thick.
She couldn’t help it. She laughed. Even though it hurt a bit, she was laughing. Because the concern on his face was genuine, and she had fallen from horses enough that not even her pride was wounded at this point.
So she laughed.
“I did not know you knew how to joke.” Her eyes were bright as he helped her to her feet, allowing him to fuss over the condition of her skirts. His hand had been warm in hers, and she was sad how quickly the contact had come and gone. She watched his concerns, watched him try to get her back to the perfect condition she had been in prior. She was still laughing and she cautiously checked for broken bones, satisfied that she found none, her eyes met his. “The horse got the rise, and the better of both of us. If I’ve learned anything about you in the past few weeks, it is that you are a man of your word.” She watched as he picked a few stems out of her hair, enjoying this side of him.
As his hand moved to her curls, her own came up to rest on his cheek. “Fear not, both my bones and my pride are intact.” Trying to reassure him that she was okay.
And suddenly, something stopped.
Her own ocean eyes must have been a storm of emotions, for she found herself trying to read his and coming up short. Selene found herself gently rubbing the pad of his cheek absentmindedly, caught in the same spell he seemed to be in. Her smile softened as her hand moved from his cheek, “Maybe save those types of jokes for when you haven’t spent the past week trying to prove to me that you are capable? After that walk, unaided, I would have believed you to take on half the world.” But the need to touch him was overwhelming, and her hand came back to his, squeezing it. “I’m fine, Vangelis. I promise. Horses are predictably unpredictable. And it was worth it to make sure you didn’t do anything stupid.” She smiled, her thumb gently making patterns on the back of his hand.
It was obvious that she didn’t realize she was doing it. Because once she did, her cheeks would have flushed with embarrassment. “I didn’t realize you knew how to tease.”
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She couldn’t help it. She laughed. Even though it hurt a bit, she was laughing. Because the concern on his face was genuine, and she had fallen from horses enough that not even her pride was wounded at this point.
So she laughed.
“I did not know you knew how to joke.” Her eyes were bright as he helped her to her feet, allowing him to fuss over the condition of her skirts. His hand had been warm in hers, and she was sad how quickly the contact had come and gone. She watched his concerns, watched him try to get her back to the perfect condition she had been in prior. She was still laughing and she cautiously checked for broken bones, satisfied that she found none, her eyes met his. “The horse got the rise, and the better of both of us. If I’ve learned anything about you in the past few weeks, it is that you are a man of your word.” She watched as he picked a few stems out of her hair, enjoying this side of him.
As his hand moved to her curls, her own came up to rest on his cheek. “Fear not, both my bones and my pride are intact.” Trying to reassure him that she was okay.
And suddenly, something stopped.
Her own ocean eyes must have been a storm of emotions, for she found herself trying to read his and coming up short. Selene found herself gently rubbing the pad of his cheek absentmindedly, caught in the same spell he seemed to be in. Her smile softened as her hand moved from his cheek, “Maybe save those types of jokes for when you haven’t spent the past week trying to prove to me that you are capable? After that walk, unaided, I would have believed you to take on half the world.” But the need to touch him was overwhelming, and her hand came back to his, squeezing it. “I’m fine, Vangelis. I promise. Horses are predictably unpredictable. And it was worth it to make sure you didn’t do anything stupid.” She smiled, her thumb gently making patterns on the back of his hand.
It was obvious that she didn’t realize she was doing it. Because once she did, her cheeks would have flushed with embarrassment. “I didn’t realize you knew how to tease.”
She couldn’t help it. She laughed. Even though it hurt a bit, she was laughing. Because the concern on his face was genuine, and she had fallen from horses enough that not even her pride was wounded at this point.
So she laughed.
“I did not know you knew how to joke.” Her eyes were bright as he helped her to her feet, allowing him to fuss over the condition of her skirts. His hand had been warm in hers, and she was sad how quickly the contact had come and gone. She watched his concerns, watched him try to get her back to the perfect condition she had been in prior. She was still laughing and she cautiously checked for broken bones, satisfied that she found none, her eyes met his. “The horse got the rise, and the better of both of us. If I’ve learned anything about you in the past few weeks, it is that you are a man of your word.” She watched as he picked a few stems out of her hair, enjoying this side of him.
As his hand moved to her curls, her own came up to rest on his cheek. “Fear not, both my bones and my pride are intact.” Trying to reassure him that she was okay.
And suddenly, something stopped.
Her own ocean eyes must have been a storm of emotions, for she found herself trying to read his and coming up short. Selene found herself gently rubbing the pad of his cheek absentmindedly, caught in the same spell he seemed to be in. Her smile softened as her hand moved from his cheek, “Maybe save those types of jokes for when you haven’t spent the past week trying to prove to me that you are capable? After that walk, unaided, I would have believed you to take on half the world.” But the need to touch him was overwhelming, and her hand came back to his, squeezing it. “I’m fine, Vangelis. I promise. Horses are predictably unpredictable. And it was worth it to make sure you didn’t do anything stupid.” She smiled, her thumb gently making patterns on the back of his hand.
It was obvious that she didn’t realize she was doing it. Because once she did, her cheeks would have flushed with embarrassment. “I didn’t realize you knew how to tease.”
