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His nephew's impertinence was irritating but at risk of threatening the ire of his brother and sister-in-law again, this time Vangelis ignored the statement kept his attention on the crowds of people clamouring to get a better look at the royal family as they converged on the central dais with the intention of beginning the event formally (despite many in the crowd having been in attendance already for hours yet).
It was not unusual that several members of the Thanasi family came to join them. Despite Dion being a Kotas in name and in upbringing - not to mention that, from birth, a male only ever belonged to one House and was not legally and formally a part of any other - when it came to the royal line, Houses like to show the blood connection they held to any of the immediate family members if they could. It was entirely common for the wife of a prince's family to be seen in attendance alongside their in-laws if they thought it would progress fame and rank.
When they were joined at the dais by the graceful and darkly beautiful Thea, Vangelis was careful to keep his gaze away from his nephew's aunt. As his brother and sister-in-law fussed over the boy, the crown prince turned to address and greet his mother who was already in attendance and seated on the second throne seat at the back of the dais. Not an old woman by a long measure, Queen Yanni stood to greet her royal children in a way that was both appropriate to the formality of the event and familiar enough to show the close-knit feeling of the family.
His attentions were only distracted from such greetings when he heard Thea's full-bodied and a little husky voice comment on where Dion had inherited his energy from. Unable to resist, his gaze flickered towards her face, hearing a comment that might have, at one time, been attributed to a different situation had events four years ago worked out differently. Powerless against the way his stare met the woman's for a moment, Vangelis was quick to correct it and looked away, his reply low.
"The energy is Kotas. The lack of restraint, Thanasi."
Before anyone could reply to such a statement, the Queen was gesturing to Vangelis to move towards the front of the dais and openly declare the Anthesteria begun.
With little feeling and a calm expression on his face, Vangelis was quick to obey the encouragement, wanting to disappoint neither his House or his matriarch and stepped towards the front of the raised section of staging, raising his arms toward the crowd. As quiet slowly fell over the people in the central plateia (it could hardly be called silence with so many in attendance) – Vangelis called out in a voice as projecting as his years being an army commander had trained him.
“May all children over the age of four this year approach to receive their blessing.”
The words range out, loud and proud, across the heads of those watching and there was a quick scurrying, as small children with flowers encircling their heads scrambled through the crowds: some accompanied by their parents, others racing ahead of them, until there was a long line of four year olds filed up against the front of the stage in line with Vangelis’ knees.
Turning, the crown prince gestured to his nephew and the Eliades children to join at the end of the line. They would receive blessings formally and as a part of all the other children, as was tradition…
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Jul 29, 2019 23:38:54 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Jul 29, 2019 23:38:54 GMT
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His nephew's impertinence was irritating but at risk of threatening the ire of his brother and sister-in-law again, this time Vangelis ignored the statement kept his attention on the crowds of people clamouring to get a better look at the royal family as they converged on the central dais with the intention of beginning the event formally (despite many in the crowd having been in attendance already for hours yet).
It was not unusual that several members of the Thanasi family came to join them. Despite Dion being a Kotas in name and in upbringing - not to mention that, from birth, a male only ever belonged to one House and was not legally and formally a part of any other - when it came to the royal line, Houses like to show the blood connection they held to any of the immediate family members if they could. It was entirely common for the wife of a prince's family to be seen in attendance alongside their in-laws if they thought it would progress fame and rank.
When they were joined at the dais by the graceful and darkly beautiful Thea, Vangelis was careful to keep his gaze away from his nephew's aunt. As his brother and sister-in-law fussed over the boy, the crown prince turned to address and greet his mother who was already in attendance and seated on the second throne seat at the back of the dais. Not an old woman by a long measure, Queen Yanni stood to greet her royal children in a way that was both appropriate to the formality of the event and familiar enough to show the close-knit feeling of the family.
His attentions were only distracted from such greetings when he heard Thea's full-bodied and a little husky voice comment on where Dion had inherited his energy from. Unable to resist, his gaze flickered towards her face, hearing a comment that might have, at one time, been attributed to a different situation had events four years ago worked out differently. Powerless against the way his stare met the woman's for a moment, Vangelis was quick to correct it and looked away, his reply low.
"The energy is Kotas. The lack of restraint, Thanasi."
Before anyone could reply to such a statement, the Queen was gesturing to Vangelis to move towards the front of the dais and openly declare the Anthesteria begun.
With little feeling and a calm expression on his face, Vangelis was quick to obey the encouragement, wanting to disappoint neither his House or his matriarch and stepped towards the front of the raised section of staging, raising his arms toward the crowd. As quiet slowly fell over the people in the central plateia (it could hardly be called silence with so many in attendance) – Vangelis called out in a voice as projecting as his years being an army commander had trained him.
“May all children over the age of four this year approach to receive their blessing.”
The words range out, loud and proud, across the heads of those watching and there was a quick scurrying, as small children with flowers encircling their heads scrambled through the crowds: some accompanied by their parents, others racing ahead of them, until there was a long line of four year olds filed up against the front of the stage in line with Vangelis’ knees.
Turning, the crown prince gestured to his nephew and the Eliades children to join at the end of the line. They would receive blessings formally and as a part of all the other children, as was tradition…
His nephew's impertinence was irritating but at risk of threatening the ire of his brother and sister-in-law again, this time Vangelis ignored the statement kept his attention on the crowds of people clamouring to get a better look at the royal family as they converged on the central dais with the intention of beginning the event formally (despite many in the crowd having been in attendance already for hours yet).
It was not unusual that several members of the Thanasi family came to join them. Despite Dion being a Kotas in name and in upbringing - not to mention that, from birth, a male only ever belonged to one House and was not legally and formally a part of any other - when it came to the royal line, Houses like to show the blood connection they held to any of the immediate family members if they could. It was entirely common for the wife of a prince's family to be seen in attendance alongside their in-laws if they thought it would progress fame and rank.
When they were joined at the dais by the graceful and darkly beautiful Thea, Vangelis was careful to keep his gaze away from his nephew's aunt. As his brother and sister-in-law fussed over the boy, the crown prince turned to address and greet his mother who was already in attendance and seated on the second throne seat at the back of the dais. Not an old woman by a long measure, Queen Yanni stood to greet her royal children in a way that was both appropriate to the formality of the event and familiar enough to show the close-knit feeling of the family.
His attentions were only distracted from such greetings when he heard Thea's full-bodied and a little husky voice comment on where Dion had inherited his energy from. Unable to resist, his gaze flickered towards her face, hearing a comment that might have, at one time, been attributed to a different situation had events four years ago worked out differently. Powerless against the way his stare met the woman's for a moment, Vangelis was quick to correct it and looked away, his reply low.
"The energy is Kotas. The lack of restraint, Thanasi."
Before anyone could reply to such a statement, the Queen was gesturing to Vangelis to move towards the front of the dais and openly declare the Anthesteria begun.
With little feeling and a calm expression on his face, Vangelis was quick to obey the encouragement, wanting to disappoint neither his House or his matriarch and stepped towards the front of the raised section of staging, raising his arms toward the crowd. As quiet slowly fell over the people in the central plateia (it could hardly be called silence with so many in attendance) – Vangelis called out in a voice as projecting as his years being an army commander had trained him.
“May all children over the age of four this year approach to receive their blessing.”
The words range out, loud and proud, across the heads of those watching and there was a quick scurrying, as small children with flowers encircling their heads scrambled through the crowds: some accompanied by their parents, others racing ahead of them, until there was a long line of four year olds filed up against the front of the stage in line with Vangelis’ knees.
Turning, the crown prince gestured to his nephew and the Eliades children to join at the end of the line. They would receive blessings formally and as a part of all the other children, as was tradition…
On the shoulders of his father, the four-year-old Babis thought himself to be taller than the giants and titans that filled his stories and games. His small fingers curled around locks of Photis’s hair as his head quickly swiveled back and forth in excitement as the Eliades family ascended the platform. Babis was hardly aware of this action though as the movement and cheeriness of the crowd were more enticing to the child. This much was clear by how his moss-green eyes followed the brightest colors within the crowd beneath the platform. It only took a moment for them to lock onto what was easily the most eye-catching fabric of them all; a chiton that was pale yellow with gold flecks that glimmered with the sunlight as the person moved about.
Enthralled by the sparkling threads, Babis’s eyes followed them as they moved through the crowd and disappeared to a spot that was out of the boy’s line of sight. Still determined to keep an eye on the shimmering fabric, Babis leaned forward on his father’s shoulders. However, he moved just a bit too far for his barely aligned center of gravity to keep him steady. He didn’t realize this though and he was equally oblivious to the danger thanks to his young age. So as he was tilting backward, Babis was only startled out of his train of thought by a pair of steady hands wrapping around his waist, catching him before he could fall off of Photis’s shoulders.
“ Easy there, big man.” A gruff voice said with the hint of a smile as he was lifted off of Photis’s shoulders by the uncle who had caught him. Mikael was hardly the touchy-feely type, especially with squirming children, so it wasn’t all that surprising that the man immediately set the child down and lightly nudged him to go over to his father. Babis hardly cared though and refused to move over the other man. He loved his uncle Mikael, going far beyond what was expected from the familial bond they shared. Instead, Babis practically idolized the man, much to the chagrin of every adult in the Eliades family -- Mikael included. But then again, what four-year-old wouldn’t want to be like their cool uncle who got to explore the world as Babis had been lead to believe. He was always clamoring for stories of his uncle’s adventures and more often than not the child’s games surrounded what he had been told. Little did Babis know that they were all mostly a farce to hide the more distasteful details of his uncle’s escapades. A child didn’t need to know about the gambling rings the man frequented, after all.
“ Where’s your crown?” Babis asked with all the sincerity a four-year-old could muster as he pointed at his uncle’s head. It hadn’t fully dawned on him yet that only children had them. Photis laughed at the boy though, reaching out for the child as the man’s brother glared at Photis. Getting the hint fairly quickly, Photis answered Babis’s question for Mikael by saying, “ Uncle Mikael is too old for one, remember? Only boys and girls who turn four this year gets them.” Babis nodded in understanding as he knew that Mikael was far older than he was… though, by how much he didn’t quite know, but that was hardly the point.
“ That’s not fair.” Babis said with a childish pout. It was clear that the child thought that everyone should have one, even though his language skills were not developed enough to convey this properly. Photis understood though and humored the boy by suggesting, “ Well when Dion gets here, you can tell his family that there should be more.”
Before Babis could respond, however, a large cheer went up in the crowd as the Royal family finally arrived at the event. As the elder members of the Eliades family respectfully greeted the Kotases as they made their way over to the platform, Babis instead bounced back and forth on his heels, trying to peer above the crowd of people to find his friend, Dion. When he caught sight of the other boy being celebrated that day, Babis returned the wave with one of his own as he turned to his identical twin brother Aras. “ Look, there’s Dion!” He said loudly, trying to speak above the crowd as he continued to wave excitedly at the other four-year-old.
However, the gleeful grin on the child’s face instantly disappeared as the crown prince joined those on the platform. The mere sight of Vangelis was enough to make Babis cower out of fear, instantly moving to hide behind his father. It wasn’t all that surprising that Babis would react in such away. Vangelis was an imposing man to other adults, he was downright monstrous to a child with his cold glare and unyielding sternness. It was safe to say that Vang was the only person that could take this rambunctious child and make him behave for a few minutes.
And to think that if the fates had weaved their tapestry just a bit differently, Babis could have been the child of the one man he feared the most. It was truly lucky that his mother had been more charmed by Photis than this man of stone before them.
Photis though took this fear as shyness and attempted to nudge the boy forward to say hello to the royal family, but Babis refused to move from his spot from behind his father’s legs, firmly clutching to the draping fabric of his chiton. “ Come on, Babis. Don’t you want to speak to them?” Photis quietly muttered as he pried the child’s fingers off and lightly encouraged him to say hello at least. With the firm grasp of the boy’s hands, Photis was able to move the quaking boy in front of him, taking away his hiding spot.
“ Say hello,” Photis said, stooping down to the child’s level for a moment as he attempted to reassure the boy. Knowing that he didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, Babis said with a shaky voice, “ Hello.” His wide-eyed gaze never strayed from Vangelis, especially when he spoke again as he mimicked what his father had said earlier. “ There s’ould be more crowns.” The pronunciation was a bit jumbled, but he had managed to repeat the whole gist of it. Before his father should shush him though, Babis managed to also croak out, “ Papa said to ask you for crowns. Uncle Mik wants one, but he’s old.”
Photis quickly tried to shush him as the child had made the mistake of not specifying the fact he was speaking of flower crowns. But Babis was a stubborn child and his fear was temporarily quashed by his effort to get his uncle a flower crown. The poor boy was completely unaware that at first glance his statements could look like Babis had somehow learned of Mikael wanting an actual crown. Hopefully, the stern man would be able to fill in the blanks without causing a scene.
Oh, kids say the darndest things.
Except before he could get an answer, the kids were summoned forward for the blessing. Before taking a step forward, he glanced over to both Aras and Dion, already knowing at such a young age that they were meant to go first to receive such things due to their higher rank than the little Colchian lord. Still he bounced on his feet, eagerly awaiting his turn like all the others.
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On the shoulders of his father, the four-year-old Babis thought himself to be taller than the giants and titans that filled his stories and games. His small fingers curled around locks of Photis’s hair as his head quickly swiveled back and forth in excitement as the Eliades family ascended the platform. Babis was hardly aware of this action though as the movement and cheeriness of the crowd were more enticing to the child. This much was clear by how his moss-green eyes followed the brightest colors within the crowd beneath the platform. It only took a moment for them to lock onto what was easily the most eye-catching fabric of them all; a chiton that was pale yellow with gold flecks that glimmered with the sunlight as the person moved about.
Enthralled by the sparkling threads, Babis’s eyes followed them as they moved through the crowd and disappeared to a spot that was out of the boy’s line of sight. Still determined to keep an eye on the shimmering fabric, Babis leaned forward on his father’s shoulders. However, he moved just a bit too far for his barely aligned center of gravity to keep him steady. He didn’t realize this though and he was equally oblivious to the danger thanks to his young age. So as he was tilting backward, Babis was only startled out of his train of thought by a pair of steady hands wrapping around his waist, catching him before he could fall off of Photis’s shoulders.
“ Easy there, big man.” A gruff voice said with the hint of a smile as he was lifted off of Photis’s shoulders by the uncle who had caught him. Mikael was hardly the touchy-feely type, especially with squirming children, so it wasn’t all that surprising that the man immediately set the child down and lightly nudged him to go over to his father. Babis hardly cared though and refused to move over the other man. He loved his uncle Mikael, going far beyond what was expected from the familial bond they shared. Instead, Babis practically idolized the man, much to the chagrin of every adult in the Eliades family -- Mikael included. But then again, what four-year-old wouldn’t want to be like their cool uncle who got to explore the world as Babis had been lead to believe. He was always clamoring for stories of his uncle’s adventures and more often than not the child’s games surrounded what he had been told. Little did Babis know that they were all mostly a farce to hide the more distasteful details of his uncle’s escapades. A child didn’t need to know about the gambling rings the man frequented, after all.
“ Where’s your crown?” Babis asked with all the sincerity a four-year-old could muster as he pointed at his uncle’s head. It hadn’t fully dawned on him yet that only children had them. Photis laughed at the boy though, reaching out for the child as the man’s brother glared at Photis. Getting the hint fairly quickly, Photis answered Babis’s question for Mikael by saying, “ Uncle Mikael is too old for one, remember? Only boys and girls who turn four this year gets them.” Babis nodded in understanding as he knew that Mikael was far older than he was… though, by how much he didn’t quite know, but that was hardly the point.
“ That’s not fair.” Babis said with a childish pout. It was clear that the child thought that everyone should have one, even though his language skills were not developed enough to convey this properly. Photis understood though and humored the boy by suggesting, “ Well when Dion gets here, you can tell his family that there should be more.”
Before Babis could respond, however, a large cheer went up in the crowd as the Royal family finally arrived at the event. As the elder members of the Eliades family respectfully greeted the Kotases as they made their way over to the platform, Babis instead bounced back and forth on his heels, trying to peer above the crowd of people to find his friend, Dion. When he caught sight of the other boy being celebrated that day, Babis returned the wave with one of his own as he turned to his identical twin brother Aras. “ Look, there’s Dion!” He said loudly, trying to speak above the crowd as he continued to wave excitedly at the other four-year-old.
However, the gleeful grin on the child’s face instantly disappeared as the crown prince joined those on the platform. The mere sight of Vangelis was enough to make Babis cower out of fear, instantly moving to hide behind his father. It wasn’t all that surprising that Babis would react in such away. Vangelis was an imposing man to other adults, he was downright monstrous to a child with his cold glare and unyielding sternness. It was safe to say that Vang was the only person that could take this rambunctious child and make him behave for a few minutes.
And to think that if the fates had weaved their tapestry just a bit differently, Babis could have been the child of the one man he feared the most. It was truly lucky that his mother had been more charmed by Photis than this man of stone before them.
Photis though took this fear as shyness and attempted to nudge the boy forward to say hello to the royal family, but Babis refused to move from his spot from behind his father’s legs, firmly clutching to the draping fabric of his chiton. “ Come on, Babis. Don’t you want to speak to them?” Photis quietly muttered as he pried the child’s fingers off and lightly encouraged him to say hello at least. With the firm grasp of the boy’s hands, Photis was able to move the quaking boy in front of him, taking away his hiding spot.
“ Say hello,” Photis said, stooping down to the child’s level for a moment as he attempted to reassure the boy. Knowing that he didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, Babis said with a shaky voice, “ Hello.” His wide-eyed gaze never strayed from Vangelis, especially when he spoke again as he mimicked what his father had said earlier. “ There s’ould be more crowns.” The pronunciation was a bit jumbled, but he had managed to repeat the whole gist of it. Before his father should shush him though, Babis managed to also croak out, “ Papa said to ask you for crowns. Uncle Mik wants one, but he’s old.”
Photis quickly tried to shush him as the child had made the mistake of not specifying the fact he was speaking of flower crowns. But Babis was a stubborn child and his fear was temporarily quashed by his effort to get his uncle a flower crown. The poor boy was completely unaware that at first glance his statements could look like Babis had somehow learned of Mikael wanting an actual crown. Hopefully, the stern man would be able to fill in the blanks without causing a scene.
Oh, kids say the darndest things.
Except before he could get an answer, the kids were summoned forward for the blessing. Before taking a step forward, he glanced over to both Aras and Dion, already knowing at such a young age that they were meant to go first to receive such things due to their higher rank than the little Colchian lord. Still he bounced on his feet, eagerly awaiting his turn like all the others.
On the shoulders of his father, the four-year-old Babis thought himself to be taller than the giants and titans that filled his stories and games. His small fingers curled around locks of Photis’s hair as his head quickly swiveled back and forth in excitement as the Eliades family ascended the platform. Babis was hardly aware of this action though as the movement and cheeriness of the crowd were more enticing to the child. This much was clear by how his moss-green eyes followed the brightest colors within the crowd beneath the platform. It only took a moment for them to lock onto what was easily the most eye-catching fabric of them all; a chiton that was pale yellow with gold flecks that glimmered with the sunlight as the person moved about.
Enthralled by the sparkling threads, Babis’s eyes followed them as they moved through the crowd and disappeared to a spot that was out of the boy’s line of sight. Still determined to keep an eye on the shimmering fabric, Babis leaned forward on his father’s shoulders. However, he moved just a bit too far for his barely aligned center of gravity to keep him steady. He didn’t realize this though and he was equally oblivious to the danger thanks to his young age. So as he was tilting backward, Babis was only startled out of his train of thought by a pair of steady hands wrapping around his waist, catching him before he could fall off of Photis’s shoulders.
“ Easy there, big man.” A gruff voice said with the hint of a smile as he was lifted off of Photis’s shoulders by the uncle who had caught him. Mikael was hardly the touchy-feely type, especially with squirming children, so it wasn’t all that surprising that the man immediately set the child down and lightly nudged him to go over to his father. Babis hardly cared though and refused to move over the other man. He loved his uncle Mikael, going far beyond what was expected from the familial bond they shared. Instead, Babis practically idolized the man, much to the chagrin of every adult in the Eliades family -- Mikael included. But then again, what four-year-old wouldn’t want to be like their cool uncle who got to explore the world as Babis had been lead to believe. He was always clamoring for stories of his uncle’s adventures and more often than not the child’s games surrounded what he had been told. Little did Babis know that they were all mostly a farce to hide the more distasteful details of his uncle’s escapades. A child didn’t need to know about the gambling rings the man frequented, after all.
“ Where’s your crown?” Babis asked with all the sincerity a four-year-old could muster as he pointed at his uncle’s head. It hadn’t fully dawned on him yet that only children had them. Photis laughed at the boy though, reaching out for the child as the man’s brother glared at Photis. Getting the hint fairly quickly, Photis answered Babis’s question for Mikael by saying, “ Uncle Mikael is too old for one, remember? Only boys and girls who turn four this year gets them.” Babis nodded in understanding as he knew that Mikael was far older than he was… though, by how much he didn’t quite know, but that was hardly the point.
“ That’s not fair.” Babis said with a childish pout. It was clear that the child thought that everyone should have one, even though his language skills were not developed enough to convey this properly. Photis understood though and humored the boy by suggesting, “ Well when Dion gets here, you can tell his family that there should be more.”
Before Babis could respond, however, a large cheer went up in the crowd as the Royal family finally arrived at the event. As the elder members of the Eliades family respectfully greeted the Kotases as they made their way over to the platform, Babis instead bounced back and forth on his heels, trying to peer above the crowd of people to find his friend, Dion. When he caught sight of the other boy being celebrated that day, Babis returned the wave with one of his own as he turned to his identical twin brother Aras. “ Look, there’s Dion!” He said loudly, trying to speak above the crowd as he continued to wave excitedly at the other four-year-old.
However, the gleeful grin on the child’s face instantly disappeared as the crown prince joined those on the platform. The mere sight of Vangelis was enough to make Babis cower out of fear, instantly moving to hide behind his father. It wasn’t all that surprising that Babis would react in such away. Vangelis was an imposing man to other adults, he was downright monstrous to a child with his cold glare and unyielding sternness. It was safe to say that Vang was the only person that could take this rambunctious child and make him behave for a few minutes.
And to think that if the fates had weaved their tapestry just a bit differently, Babis could have been the child of the one man he feared the most. It was truly lucky that his mother had been more charmed by Photis than this man of stone before them.
Photis though took this fear as shyness and attempted to nudge the boy forward to say hello to the royal family, but Babis refused to move from his spot from behind his father’s legs, firmly clutching to the draping fabric of his chiton. “ Come on, Babis. Don’t you want to speak to them?” Photis quietly muttered as he pried the child’s fingers off and lightly encouraged him to say hello at least. With the firm grasp of the boy’s hands, Photis was able to move the quaking boy in front of him, taking away his hiding spot.
“ Say hello,” Photis said, stooping down to the child’s level for a moment as he attempted to reassure the boy. Knowing that he didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, Babis said with a shaky voice, “ Hello.” His wide-eyed gaze never strayed from Vangelis, especially when he spoke again as he mimicked what his father had said earlier. “ There s’ould be more crowns.” The pronunciation was a bit jumbled, but he had managed to repeat the whole gist of it. Before his father should shush him though, Babis managed to also croak out, “ Papa said to ask you for crowns. Uncle Mik wants one, but he’s old.”
Photis quickly tried to shush him as the child had made the mistake of not specifying the fact he was speaking of flower crowns. But Babis was a stubborn child and his fear was temporarily quashed by his effort to get his uncle a flower crown. The poor boy was completely unaware that at first glance his statements could look like Babis had somehow learned of Mikael wanting an actual crown. Hopefully, the stern man would be able to fill in the blanks without causing a scene.
Oh, kids say the darndest things.
Except before he could get an answer, the kids were summoned forward for the blessing. Before taking a step forward, he glanced over to both Aras and Dion, already knowing at such a young age that they were meant to go first to receive such things due to their higher rank than the little Colchian lord. Still he bounced on his feet, eagerly awaiting his turn like all the others.
“You look absolutely beautiful, darling. Just as a young princess should.”
Athanasia kept her eyes on her reflection in the mirror so that she wouldn't roll them as her maidservant placed a golden studded with rubies, emeralds, and sapphires atop her head, fastening it with combs that seemed to dig into her scalp. Her mother smiled at her indulgently and reached out to squeeze her hand. “The focus won't be on you today, Asia, but you can be sure that everyone will notice you, as lovely as you are.”
The ten-year-old princess was glad that she wouldn't be the center of attention at today's festivities. That honor belonged to her nephew Dion and her twin cousins. They could have it, as far as she was concerned. It was going to be difficult enough not to trip over the hem her new emerald green chiton, which her mother had surprised her with this morning. She should have been ecstatic to receive such a stunning gift, and she had tried her best to look enthusiastic when she thanked the Queen for it.
The silk was shot through with golden threads and was bordered with wide golden bands featuring swirling floral designs in crimson and blue. Any other girl in Colchis would have been delighted to receive it, but Athanasia wished she could wear one of her simpler gowns instead. Then maybe she would be able to blend in with the crowd and experience the festival as they did. Dressed so opulently, she would be easily recognized, and she was fairly certain that was what her mother intended.
She had also insisted that her daughter accompany her to the event instead of traveling with her brothers, sister-in-law and nephew, probably so that she could keep an eye on her and make sure that she was on her best behavior. The Queen kept her company while her hair was brushed and then parts of it braided and entwined with red, blue, and green ribbons, asking her about her lessons and the books she had read lately.
Soon they were settled into one of the royal carriages and on their way. As Athanasia gazed out the window and watched the cheering crowd, she recalled her own Anthesteria ceremony. She had been confused about the name, as it was so close to her own, and had thought that it was going to be all about her. But she'd had to share the honor with other children, although … as the only daughter of the ruling family … she had been favored as she assumed that Dion would be today.
One of the children in front of her had insulted another and she had kicked him in the shins. Her flower wreath had also fallen off several times, and had dropped to the floor as she was receiving her blessing. At least she had not tripped over her chiton, which she feared she would do today. She had liked the attention then, and had felt a strong sense of pride in herself and her family. Now she envied the children who ran beside her carriage, wishing she had the freedom that they took for granted.
After they disembarked, they were led to the dais and there Athanasia remained, sitting beside her mother and watching the other girls her age run around merrily. It seemed like forever when the rest of her family arrived. She greeted them politely and when everyone had assembled, the ceremony began. Dion and his cousins were understandably excited and she smiled as they took their places at the end of the line, just as she had done six years ago.
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Aug 10, 2019 19:17:39 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Aug 10, 2019 19:17:39 GMT
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“You look absolutely beautiful, darling. Just as a young princess should.”
Athanasia kept her eyes on her reflection in the mirror so that she wouldn't roll them as her maidservant placed a golden studded with rubies, emeralds, and sapphires atop her head, fastening it with combs that seemed to dig into her scalp. Her mother smiled at her indulgently and reached out to squeeze her hand. “The focus won't be on you today, Asia, but you can be sure that everyone will notice you, as lovely as you are.”
The ten-year-old princess was glad that she wouldn't be the center of attention at today's festivities. That honor belonged to her nephew Dion and her twin cousins. They could have it, as far as she was concerned. It was going to be difficult enough not to trip over the hem her new emerald green chiton, which her mother had surprised her with this morning. She should have been ecstatic to receive such a stunning gift, and she had tried her best to look enthusiastic when she thanked the Queen for it.
The silk was shot through with golden threads and was bordered with wide golden bands featuring swirling floral designs in crimson and blue. Any other girl in Colchis would have been delighted to receive it, but Athanasia wished she could wear one of her simpler gowns instead. Then maybe she would be able to blend in with the crowd and experience the festival as they did. Dressed so opulently, she would be easily recognized, and she was fairly certain that was what her mother intended.
She had also insisted that her daughter accompany her to the event instead of traveling with her brothers, sister-in-law and nephew, probably so that she could keep an eye on her and make sure that she was on her best behavior. The Queen kept her company while her hair was brushed and then parts of it braided and entwined with red, blue, and green ribbons, asking her about her lessons and the books she had read lately.
Soon they were settled into one of the royal carriages and on their way. As Athanasia gazed out the window and watched the cheering crowd, she recalled her own Anthesteria ceremony. She had been confused about the name, as it was so close to her own, and had thought that it was going to be all about her. But she'd had to share the honor with other children, although … as the only daughter of the ruling family … she had been favored as she assumed that Dion would be today.
One of the children in front of her had insulted another and she had kicked him in the shins. Her flower wreath had also fallen off several times, and had dropped to the floor as she was receiving her blessing. At least she had not tripped over her chiton, which she feared she would do today. She had liked the attention then, and had felt a strong sense of pride in herself and her family. Now she envied the children who ran beside her carriage, wishing she had the freedom that they took for granted.
After they disembarked, they were led to the dais and there Athanasia remained, sitting beside her mother and watching the other girls her age run around merrily. It seemed like forever when the rest of her family arrived. She greeted them politely and when everyone had assembled, the ceremony began. Dion and his cousins were understandably excited and she smiled as they took their places at the end of the line, just as she had done six years ago.
“You look absolutely beautiful, darling. Just as a young princess should.”
Athanasia kept her eyes on her reflection in the mirror so that she wouldn't roll them as her maidservant placed a golden studded with rubies, emeralds, and sapphires atop her head, fastening it with combs that seemed to dig into her scalp. Her mother smiled at her indulgently and reached out to squeeze her hand. “The focus won't be on you today, Asia, but you can be sure that everyone will notice you, as lovely as you are.”
The ten-year-old princess was glad that she wouldn't be the center of attention at today's festivities. That honor belonged to her nephew Dion and her twin cousins. They could have it, as far as she was concerned. It was going to be difficult enough not to trip over the hem her new emerald green chiton, which her mother had surprised her with this morning. She should have been ecstatic to receive such a stunning gift, and she had tried her best to look enthusiastic when she thanked the Queen for it.
The silk was shot through with golden threads and was bordered with wide golden bands featuring swirling floral designs in crimson and blue. Any other girl in Colchis would have been delighted to receive it, but Athanasia wished she could wear one of her simpler gowns instead. Then maybe she would be able to blend in with the crowd and experience the festival as they did. Dressed so opulently, she would be easily recognized, and she was fairly certain that was what her mother intended.
She had also insisted that her daughter accompany her to the event instead of traveling with her brothers, sister-in-law and nephew, probably so that she could keep an eye on her and make sure that she was on her best behavior. The Queen kept her company while her hair was brushed and then parts of it braided and entwined with red, blue, and green ribbons, asking her about her lessons and the books she had read lately.
Soon they were settled into one of the royal carriages and on their way. As Athanasia gazed out the window and watched the cheering crowd, she recalled her own Anthesteria ceremony. She had been confused about the name, as it was so close to her own, and had thought that it was going to be all about her. But she'd had to share the honor with other children, although … as the only daughter of the ruling family … she had been favored as she assumed that Dion would be today.
One of the children in front of her had insulted another and she had kicked him in the shins. Her flower wreath had also fallen off several times, and had dropped to the floor as she was receiving her blessing. At least she had not tripped over her chiton, which she feared she would do today. She had liked the attention then, and had felt a strong sense of pride in herself and her family. Now she envied the children who ran beside her carriage, wishing she had the freedom that they took for granted.
After they disembarked, they were led to the dais and there Athanasia remained, sitting beside her mother and watching the other girls her age run around merrily. It seemed like forever when the rest of her family arrived. She greeted them politely and when everyone had assembled, the ceremony began. Dion and his cousins were understandably excited and she smiled as they took their places at the end of the line, just as she had done six years ago.
Evras smiled easily, at least she did when it came to Dion and his antics as a four-year old. Easily tickled by her young son's cheerful demeanour, the only bride to the Kotas family (for now) did not see why her husband's older brother could be so stoic to a young child, when all Dion wished was to have some fun. Laughing at the happy squeal the young offspring of hers gave when he saw his friends, reminding him to stay still as they had blessings to receive. "You can go and greet them later, alright? For now, you have to show everyone you're a big boy now." she murmured, tugging at his small outfit to straighten it before letting his hands go.
Watching as Vangelis headed towards the center of the raised stage that she now stood off a corner from, Evras saw the start of the blessing get kicked off, an event that took place every year at the same time. The sight was familiar, for she too had the very same anthestheria many moons ago, so long she could barely remember bits and pieces of. She only remembered Mihail's the most, for she had been older at his, and could recall the way her brother had been at his.
Bending a little at the knee, Evras smiled as she adjusted the flowers on her son's head, and then nudged him forward. For this, she would not go with him. He was a royal, and the very first of his generation to be born to the royal family of Colchis.
For this, he had to be by himself.
With an encouraging nudge on his shoulder, Evras shuffled closer to her husband, and murmured nervously. "He should be fine, should he not?" Afterall, what did the young child have to do? All he had to do was wait till the rest of the children received their blessings, get his turn with his eldest uncle, and then the tradition was over.
But of course, when would any event with more then ten children under ten ever go in order.
Even in line, the children quarelled, some distracted with the flowers upon their head, that the parents accompanying them looked as if they were trying to herd eels back into proper space. Blessing one child took much longer then expected when the child in question was scampering off, or wailing at the overstimulation of it all, that halfway through, Evras looked quite perplexed.
And then she looked up, and her look of perplexion melted into one of worry as she nudged her husband and motioned at the darkening, heavy sky that signalled incoming thunderstorms, and then casted a worried look at her young sister-in-law. Ten-year old Athanasia had been wary of her when she first entered the family, but over time Evras had spent enough time with the young girl to see her blossom into what Evras knew would be a beautiful princess - albeit rambunctious, given her four elder brothers. "I don't think any of us accounted for weather change."
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Aug 12, 2019 15:51:59 GMT
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Evras smiled easily, at least she did when it came to Dion and his antics as a four-year old. Easily tickled by her young son's cheerful demeanour, the only bride to the Kotas family (for now) did not see why her husband's older brother could be so stoic to a young child, when all Dion wished was to have some fun. Laughing at the happy squeal the young offspring of hers gave when he saw his friends, reminding him to stay still as they had blessings to receive. "You can go and greet them later, alright? For now, you have to show everyone you're a big boy now." she murmured, tugging at his small outfit to straighten it before letting his hands go.
Watching as Vangelis headed towards the center of the raised stage that she now stood off a corner from, Evras saw the start of the blessing get kicked off, an event that took place every year at the same time. The sight was familiar, for she too had the very same anthestheria many moons ago, so long she could barely remember bits and pieces of. She only remembered Mihail's the most, for she had been older at his, and could recall the way her brother had been at his.
Bending a little at the knee, Evras smiled as she adjusted the flowers on her son's head, and then nudged him forward. For this, she would not go with him. He was a royal, and the very first of his generation to be born to the royal family of Colchis.
For this, he had to be by himself.
With an encouraging nudge on his shoulder, Evras shuffled closer to her husband, and murmured nervously. "He should be fine, should he not?" Afterall, what did the young child have to do? All he had to do was wait till the rest of the children received their blessings, get his turn with his eldest uncle, and then the tradition was over.
But of course, when would any event with more then ten children under ten ever go in order.
Even in line, the children quarelled, some distracted with the flowers upon their head, that the parents accompanying them looked as if they were trying to herd eels back into proper space. Blessing one child took much longer then expected when the child in question was scampering off, or wailing at the overstimulation of it all, that halfway through, Evras looked quite perplexed.
And then she looked up, and her look of perplexion melted into one of worry as she nudged her husband and motioned at the darkening, heavy sky that signalled incoming thunderstorms, and then casted a worried look at her young sister-in-law. Ten-year old Athanasia had been wary of her when she first entered the family, but over time Evras had spent enough time with the young girl to see her blossom into what Evras knew would be a beautiful princess - albeit rambunctious, given her four elder brothers. "I don't think any of us accounted for weather change."
Evras smiled easily, at least she did when it came to Dion and his antics as a four-year old. Easily tickled by her young son's cheerful demeanour, the only bride to the Kotas family (for now) did not see why her husband's older brother could be so stoic to a young child, when all Dion wished was to have some fun. Laughing at the happy squeal the young offspring of hers gave when he saw his friends, reminding him to stay still as they had blessings to receive. "You can go and greet them later, alright? For now, you have to show everyone you're a big boy now." she murmured, tugging at his small outfit to straighten it before letting his hands go.
Watching as Vangelis headed towards the center of the raised stage that she now stood off a corner from, Evras saw the start of the blessing get kicked off, an event that took place every year at the same time. The sight was familiar, for she too had the very same anthestheria many moons ago, so long she could barely remember bits and pieces of. She only remembered Mihail's the most, for she had been older at his, and could recall the way her brother had been at his.
Bending a little at the knee, Evras smiled as she adjusted the flowers on her son's head, and then nudged him forward. For this, she would not go with him. He was a royal, and the very first of his generation to be born to the royal family of Colchis.
For this, he had to be by himself.
With an encouraging nudge on his shoulder, Evras shuffled closer to her husband, and murmured nervously. "He should be fine, should he not?" Afterall, what did the young child have to do? All he had to do was wait till the rest of the children received their blessings, get his turn with his eldest uncle, and then the tradition was over.
But of course, when would any event with more then ten children under ten ever go in order.
Even in line, the children quarelled, some distracted with the flowers upon their head, that the parents accompanying them looked as if they were trying to herd eels back into proper space. Blessing one child took much longer then expected when the child in question was scampering off, or wailing at the overstimulation of it all, that halfway through, Evras looked quite perplexed.
And then she looked up, and her look of perplexion melted into one of worry as she nudged her husband and motioned at the darkening, heavy sky that signalled incoming thunderstorms, and then casted a worried look at her young sister-in-law. Ten-year old Athanasia had been wary of her when she first entered the family, but over time Evras had spent enough time with the young girl to see her blossom into what Evras knew would be a beautiful princess - albeit rambunctious, given her four elder brothers. "I don't think any of us accounted for weather change."
Thea's eyes drifted over the flower-crowned heads of the children, almost purposefully, as if to keep her stare from lingering on the Kotas family for too long - or at least the Crown Prince. There was a history of tension between their families, an expected coolness that had been thawed only ever so slightly with the marriage of Evras and Zanon and the birth of Dion. At least, it was seen as such. Beneath the surface, there were unspoken elements that lingered beneath the surface over the years, far out of thought and quietly hidden away, yet the memories were not prone to fading completely.
Her comment had been entirely intended for her brother, Mihail, a moment to indulge his teenaged petty humor. After all, her fondness for her brother was well known, and Nethis was known to quietly chide her for enabling his rather petulant nature with such coddling. If he were to be a man, he would not need his sisters to attend on him and his turbulent emotions for the rest of his life. Still, Thea could not help it. Mihail's disdain for festival crowds and events was well-known, and it was always her desire to provide him with at least a touch of amusement to make things less tragic and miserable in his eyes.
However, as she murmured the words, she made the mistake of allowing her eyes to wander across the dias until they met with Vangelis' gaze, where they stopped.
All at once, her ribcage felt too small, as if compressing her lungs and her heart as their eyes lingered a moment too long. Even so, that moment was fleeting. Four years had been a long time, yet not long enough for this connection to fade, though no one would be any wiser for the composure the two of them had maintained over the years.
The Crown Prince looked away first, allowing Thea to silently release the breath she had held. At his words, her eyes lingered on his countenance for a moment longer before offering a non-commital hum as a reaction, more for Mihail than for herself. Pressing her lips into a thin line to prevent any hint of a reaction, she lifted her wine goblet to her lips as he walked away to begin the ceremony, though she forgot to take a sip as she found herself tangled in the web of her thoughts for a moment more.
Quickly, though, she had the insight to change the conversation, lest Mihail find an opportunity to turn sour.
"That is a lovely gift for Dion," she stated, removing the goblet from her lips a hair too quickly as she shifted the subject, "I am certain he will be thrilled for you to teach him everything you know." If there was one thing she knew about her youngest brother, it was that a good ego-stroking could work wonders on his mood.
"That is...if Zeus will allow you to offer it to him today," she said, as her eyes glanced upward to the darkening sky. The King of the Gods had yet to let his bolts fly, though if the slight cooling of the air held any indication, it would not be long.
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Aug 16, 2019 18:16:40 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Aug 16, 2019 18:16:40 GMT
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Thea's eyes drifted over the flower-crowned heads of the children, almost purposefully, as if to keep her stare from lingering on the Kotas family for too long - or at least the Crown Prince. There was a history of tension between their families, an expected coolness that had been thawed only ever so slightly with the marriage of Evras and Zanon and the birth of Dion. At least, it was seen as such. Beneath the surface, there were unspoken elements that lingered beneath the surface over the years, far out of thought and quietly hidden away, yet the memories were not prone to fading completely.
Her comment had been entirely intended for her brother, Mihail, a moment to indulge his teenaged petty humor. After all, her fondness for her brother was well known, and Nethis was known to quietly chide her for enabling his rather petulant nature with such coddling. If he were to be a man, he would not need his sisters to attend on him and his turbulent emotions for the rest of his life. Still, Thea could not help it. Mihail's disdain for festival crowds and events was well-known, and it was always her desire to provide him with at least a touch of amusement to make things less tragic and miserable in his eyes.
However, as she murmured the words, she made the mistake of allowing her eyes to wander across the dias until they met with Vangelis' gaze, where they stopped.
All at once, her ribcage felt too small, as if compressing her lungs and her heart as their eyes lingered a moment too long. Even so, that moment was fleeting. Four years had been a long time, yet not long enough for this connection to fade, though no one would be any wiser for the composure the two of them had maintained over the years.
The Crown Prince looked away first, allowing Thea to silently release the breath she had held. At his words, her eyes lingered on his countenance for a moment longer before offering a non-commital hum as a reaction, more for Mihail than for herself. Pressing her lips into a thin line to prevent any hint of a reaction, she lifted her wine goblet to her lips as he walked away to begin the ceremony, though she forgot to take a sip as she found herself tangled in the web of her thoughts for a moment more.
Quickly, though, she had the insight to change the conversation, lest Mihail find an opportunity to turn sour.
"That is a lovely gift for Dion," she stated, removing the goblet from her lips a hair too quickly as she shifted the subject, "I am certain he will be thrilled for you to teach him everything you know." If there was one thing she knew about her youngest brother, it was that a good ego-stroking could work wonders on his mood.
"That is...if Zeus will allow you to offer it to him today," she said, as her eyes glanced upward to the darkening sky. The King of the Gods had yet to let his bolts fly, though if the slight cooling of the air held any indication, it would not be long.
Thea's eyes drifted over the flower-crowned heads of the children, almost purposefully, as if to keep her stare from lingering on the Kotas family for too long - or at least the Crown Prince. There was a history of tension between their families, an expected coolness that had been thawed only ever so slightly with the marriage of Evras and Zanon and the birth of Dion. At least, it was seen as such. Beneath the surface, there were unspoken elements that lingered beneath the surface over the years, far out of thought and quietly hidden away, yet the memories were not prone to fading completely.
Her comment had been entirely intended for her brother, Mihail, a moment to indulge his teenaged petty humor. After all, her fondness for her brother was well known, and Nethis was known to quietly chide her for enabling his rather petulant nature with such coddling. If he were to be a man, he would not need his sisters to attend on him and his turbulent emotions for the rest of his life. Still, Thea could not help it. Mihail's disdain for festival crowds and events was well-known, and it was always her desire to provide him with at least a touch of amusement to make things less tragic and miserable in his eyes.
However, as she murmured the words, she made the mistake of allowing her eyes to wander across the dias until they met with Vangelis' gaze, where they stopped.
All at once, her ribcage felt too small, as if compressing her lungs and her heart as their eyes lingered a moment too long. Even so, that moment was fleeting. Four years had been a long time, yet not long enough for this connection to fade, though no one would be any wiser for the composure the two of them had maintained over the years.
The Crown Prince looked away first, allowing Thea to silently release the breath she had held. At his words, her eyes lingered on his countenance for a moment longer before offering a non-commital hum as a reaction, more for Mihail than for herself. Pressing her lips into a thin line to prevent any hint of a reaction, she lifted her wine goblet to her lips as he walked away to begin the ceremony, though she forgot to take a sip as she found herself tangled in the web of her thoughts for a moment more.
Quickly, though, she had the insight to change the conversation, lest Mihail find an opportunity to turn sour.
"That is a lovely gift for Dion," she stated, removing the goblet from her lips a hair too quickly as she shifted the subject, "I am certain he will be thrilled for you to teach him everything you know." If there was one thing she knew about her youngest brother, it was that a good ego-stroking could work wonders on his mood.
"That is...if Zeus will allow you to offer it to him today," she said, as her eyes glanced upward to the darkening sky. The King of the Gods had yet to let his bolts fly, though if the slight cooling of the air held any indication, it would not be long.
The night of festivities was successful. From having the dog beg for food, to straight up stealing from stalls (or even from the hands of unsuspecting attendants), Aedea made quite a bounty that filled her belly and made her heart happy. Something she loved about civilization was the wonderful food they had… to the point in which she even named her hounds after food.
The priestess that was no doubt looking for her was nowhere to be seen, just as she liked. Her grease-stained face sported a smile white as how her robes used to be, and her dog Apple was walking as glad as her. The sight of people celebrating was invigorating, even if they gave the ragged girl some odd looks – which she ignored. The music, sounds, smells, lights… it was all so wonderful. While she sometimes yearned for the wilderness, these festivities were something she could get behind.
But as she walked, she turned to check on Apple and saw her wandering off. A bit exasperated – how dared she not follow the alpha!? – she followed her to nug her towards her, until she saw what she was going towards.
A puppy! A human puppy!
She couldn’t get how adorable humans were when they were puppies. She didn’t remember being that cute when she was one herself… but to be honest, if dogs could be adorable when young, why humans couldn’t also be? So she gladly followed her hound as she sniffed the young child curiously…
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The night of festivities was successful. From having the dog beg for food, to straight up stealing from stalls (or even from the hands of unsuspecting attendants), Aedea made quite a bounty that filled her belly and made her heart happy. Something she loved about civilization was the wonderful food they had… to the point in which she even named her hounds after food.
The priestess that was no doubt looking for her was nowhere to be seen, just as she liked. Her grease-stained face sported a smile white as how her robes used to be, and her dog Apple was walking as glad as her. The sight of people celebrating was invigorating, even if they gave the ragged girl some odd looks – which she ignored. The music, sounds, smells, lights… it was all so wonderful. While she sometimes yearned for the wilderness, these festivities were something she could get behind.
But as she walked, she turned to check on Apple and saw her wandering off. A bit exasperated – how dared she not follow the alpha!? – she followed her to nug her towards her, until she saw what she was going towards.
A puppy! A human puppy!
She couldn’t get how adorable humans were when they were puppies. She didn’t remember being that cute when she was one herself… but to be honest, if dogs could be adorable when young, why humans couldn’t also be? So she gladly followed her hound as she sniffed the young child curiously…
The night of festivities was successful. From having the dog beg for food, to straight up stealing from stalls (or even from the hands of unsuspecting attendants), Aedea made quite a bounty that filled her belly and made her heart happy. Something she loved about civilization was the wonderful food they had… to the point in which she even named her hounds after food.
The priestess that was no doubt looking for her was nowhere to be seen, just as she liked. Her grease-stained face sported a smile white as how her robes used to be, and her dog Apple was walking as glad as her. The sight of people celebrating was invigorating, even if they gave the ragged girl some odd looks – which she ignored. The music, sounds, smells, lights… it was all so wonderful. While she sometimes yearned for the wilderness, these festivities were something she could get behind.
But as she walked, she turned to check on Apple and saw her wandering off. A bit exasperated – how dared she not follow the alpha!? – she followed her to nug her towards her, until she saw what she was going towards.
A puppy! A human puppy!
She couldn’t get how adorable humans were when they were puppies. She didn’t remember being that cute when she was one herself… but to be honest, if dogs could be adorable when young, why humans couldn’t also be? So she gladly followed her hound as she sniffed the young child curiously…
When the children jumped forward with eagerness, it was almost laugh worthy how several of them careened to a just as eager stop when they witnessed exactly who it was delivering unto them their blessings. Whilst many of them, at the age of four, would not have wholly heard or understood the tales of Vangelis already successive conquests in the Northern Lands, least of all the gory and frightening details, it also wasn't a surprise that he was intimidating to the children regardless.
As one of the tallest men in Colchis - and likely one of the largest of beings most of the children would have ever seen - not to mention the broad shoulders and muscles that went with it, Vangelis could have managed to come across as a friendly giant if he was to crack a smile or stoop down to the level of the children. Simply squatting on his heels, despite the informality of the posture, would have likely eased many of their concerns.
But Vangelis was neither good with children, nor a man who approved of pandering or condoning weaknesses and fears. Ergo, he did nothing to alleviate the potential fear that his frame and presence would create within each of the small four-year olds.
Dion was the only one left mildly unaffected, simply because Vangelis was his uncle and had heard the man spoken off not in hushed whispers or fearful tones, but in the warm and nostalgic style that was only attached to his siblings and family.
When the young Eliades boy - or one of them at least - was bold enough to speak up to Vangelis, he initially frowned. The first statement the child made was a little unorthodox and smacked of hidden desires for royal inheritance but the kid was also four years old. Vangelis might not be good with children, but he was fully aware that most of what came out of their mouth was either nonsense or so planted in their own irrational logic that when it was finally expressed in words it became nonsense to all those who weren't in the know of the notions' backstories.
The child's next words clarified a little more what he meant and Vangelis realised the error. He was about to open his mouth and respond, when his mother called to him from behind and he realised it was time to start the ceremony, leaving the Eliades' child's queries unanswered.
Instead, he turned to the line - Dion the furthest to Vangelis' right and first to be approached - and then worked his way along it, offering the blessings that were expected of him as part of the royal family and a relative connection to the Gods through his regality.
The process was simple - for each of the four-year-old children who wore a garland of flowers on their head, Vangelis presented a golden chalice of wine, from which they were to take a sip. Then they were presented with a round, silver coin and an apple in memory of the day. The apple was to be consumed by sundown and the silver coin kept forever, supposedly bad luck to use it in a purchase or sell to another. After a sip of wine was taken and the apple and coin bestowed, Vangelis placed the flat of his palm on the crown of the child's head. The entire process was repeated for each child who was in line.
When he reached Babis, he spoke the words of blessing but also added his own on the end.
"Tell your uncle that he had a crown when he was your age and to ask for a second is greedy." He said.
By the time Vangelis was reaching the end of the line, he had already noted the impending storm approaching and as the last child was blessed, several thick and heavy droplets pelted down onto his shoulders, hitting the leather of his bracers with a thick pud.
Officially, with a few curt words and thanks to the people of Midas, Queen Yanni announced the presentation of the children to be over and for all to enjoy the rest of their day, despite the fact that everyone present was glancing nervously at the sky and expecting to have to run for cover at any moment...
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Aug 27, 2019 21:01:06 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Aug 27, 2019 21:01:06 GMT
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When the children jumped forward with eagerness, it was almost laugh worthy how several of them careened to a just as eager stop when they witnessed exactly who it was delivering unto them their blessings. Whilst many of them, at the age of four, would not have wholly heard or understood the tales of Vangelis already successive conquests in the Northern Lands, least of all the gory and frightening details, it also wasn't a surprise that he was intimidating to the children regardless.
As one of the tallest men in Colchis - and likely one of the largest of beings most of the children would have ever seen - not to mention the broad shoulders and muscles that went with it, Vangelis could have managed to come across as a friendly giant if he was to crack a smile or stoop down to the level of the children. Simply squatting on his heels, despite the informality of the posture, would have likely eased many of their concerns.
But Vangelis was neither good with children, nor a man who approved of pandering or condoning weaknesses and fears. Ergo, he did nothing to alleviate the potential fear that his frame and presence would create within each of the small four-year olds.
Dion was the only one left mildly unaffected, simply because Vangelis was his uncle and had heard the man spoken off not in hushed whispers or fearful tones, but in the warm and nostalgic style that was only attached to his siblings and family.
When the young Eliades boy - or one of them at least - was bold enough to speak up to Vangelis, he initially frowned. The first statement the child made was a little unorthodox and smacked of hidden desires for royal inheritance but the kid was also four years old. Vangelis might not be good with children, but he was fully aware that most of what came out of their mouth was either nonsense or so planted in their own irrational logic that when it was finally expressed in words it became nonsense to all those who weren't in the know of the notions' backstories.
The child's next words clarified a little more what he meant and Vangelis realised the error. He was about to open his mouth and respond, when his mother called to him from behind and he realised it was time to start the ceremony, leaving the Eliades' child's queries unanswered.
Instead, he turned to the line - Dion the furthest to Vangelis' right and first to be approached - and then worked his way along it, offering the blessings that were expected of him as part of the royal family and a relative connection to the Gods through his regality.
The process was simple - for each of the four-year-old children who wore a garland of flowers on their head, Vangelis presented a golden chalice of wine, from which they were to take a sip. Then they were presented with a round, silver coin and an apple in memory of the day. The apple was to be consumed by sundown and the silver coin kept forever, supposedly bad luck to use it in a purchase or sell to another. After a sip of wine was taken and the apple and coin bestowed, Vangelis placed the flat of his palm on the crown of the child's head. The entire process was repeated for each child who was in line.
When he reached Babis, he spoke the words of blessing but also added his own on the end.
"Tell your uncle that he had a crown when he was your age and to ask for a second is greedy." He said.
By the time Vangelis was reaching the end of the line, he had already noted the impending storm approaching and as the last child was blessed, several thick and heavy droplets pelted down onto his shoulders, hitting the leather of his bracers with a thick pud.
Officially, with a few curt words and thanks to the people of Midas, Queen Yanni announced the presentation of the children to be over and for all to enjoy the rest of their day, despite the fact that everyone present was glancing nervously at the sky and expecting to have to run for cover at any moment...
When the children jumped forward with eagerness, it was almost laugh worthy how several of them careened to a just as eager stop when they witnessed exactly who it was delivering unto them their blessings. Whilst many of them, at the age of four, would not have wholly heard or understood the tales of Vangelis already successive conquests in the Northern Lands, least of all the gory and frightening details, it also wasn't a surprise that he was intimidating to the children regardless.
As one of the tallest men in Colchis - and likely one of the largest of beings most of the children would have ever seen - not to mention the broad shoulders and muscles that went with it, Vangelis could have managed to come across as a friendly giant if he was to crack a smile or stoop down to the level of the children. Simply squatting on his heels, despite the informality of the posture, would have likely eased many of their concerns.
But Vangelis was neither good with children, nor a man who approved of pandering or condoning weaknesses and fears. Ergo, he did nothing to alleviate the potential fear that his frame and presence would create within each of the small four-year olds.
Dion was the only one left mildly unaffected, simply because Vangelis was his uncle and had heard the man spoken off not in hushed whispers or fearful tones, but in the warm and nostalgic style that was only attached to his siblings and family.
When the young Eliades boy - or one of them at least - was bold enough to speak up to Vangelis, he initially frowned. The first statement the child made was a little unorthodox and smacked of hidden desires for royal inheritance but the kid was also four years old. Vangelis might not be good with children, but he was fully aware that most of what came out of their mouth was either nonsense or so planted in their own irrational logic that when it was finally expressed in words it became nonsense to all those who weren't in the know of the notions' backstories.
The child's next words clarified a little more what he meant and Vangelis realised the error. He was about to open his mouth and respond, when his mother called to him from behind and he realised it was time to start the ceremony, leaving the Eliades' child's queries unanswered.
Instead, he turned to the line - Dion the furthest to Vangelis' right and first to be approached - and then worked his way along it, offering the blessings that were expected of him as part of the royal family and a relative connection to the Gods through his regality.
The process was simple - for each of the four-year-old children who wore a garland of flowers on their head, Vangelis presented a golden chalice of wine, from which they were to take a sip. Then they were presented with a round, silver coin and an apple in memory of the day. The apple was to be consumed by sundown and the silver coin kept forever, supposedly bad luck to use it in a purchase or sell to another. After a sip of wine was taken and the apple and coin bestowed, Vangelis placed the flat of his palm on the crown of the child's head. The entire process was repeated for each child who was in line.
When he reached Babis, he spoke the words of blessing but also added his own on the end.
"Tell your uncle that he had a crown when he was your age and to ask for a second is greedy." He said.
By the time Vangelis was reaching the end of the line, he had already noted the impending storm approaching and as the last child was blessed, several thick and heavy droplets pelted down onto his shoulders, hitting the leather of his bracers with a thick pud.
Officially, with a few curt words and thanks to the people of Midas, Queen Yanni announced the presentation of the children to be over and for all to enjoy the rest of their day, despite the fact that everyone present was glancing nervously at the sky and expecting to have to run for cover at any moment...
Curveball Anthesteria
As the clouds darken and the heavens fill with thunder, the rain starts at first in large and imposing drops from the sky. Within minutes the Gods offer up their answer to the festivities and rain pours down in pounding sheets that soak all through to the bone faster than the eye can blink. All are left to run for cover in their own directions as a flash from above threatens lightning...
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As the clouds darken and the heavens fill with thunder, the rain starts at first in large and imposing drops from the sky. Within minutes the Gods offer up their answer to the festivities and rain pours down in pounding sheets that soak all through to the bone faster than the eye can blink. All are left to run for cover in their own directions as a flash from above threatens lightning...
Curveball Anthesteria
As the clouds darken and the heavens fill with thunder, the rain starts at first in large and imposing drops from the sky. Within minutes the Gods offer up their answer to the festivities and rain pours down in pounding sheets that soak all through to the bone faster than the eye can blink. All are left to run for cover in their own directions as a flash from above threatens lightning...
Thea watched patiently and placidly as the children were aligned for their blessings. Her gazed flicked between the line of children and the Crown Prince, a strange mixture of thoughts in her mind seeming to at once blend and expel themselves from one another, like oil and vinegar.
Four years ago, their lives could have been changed entirely. One of the children that stood on the dias could have been theirs, and the crown that sat upon Evras' head could have been hers. In fact, it had not been long after the fright that Evras and Zanon had seemed to fulfill whatever unknown prophecy that nearly befell herself and Vangelis.
One way or another, Houses Kotas and Thanasi were linked.
Broken from her thought as a drop of rain landed squarely on her nose, her khol-rimmed eyes shot up to the clouds above, just for another droplet to land on her shoulder. After that, the rain fell with more frequency. As good fortune would have it, though, Prince Vangelis had just finished the blessing of their shared nephew, Dion as a loud clap of thunder even managed to produce a slightly out-of-character gasp from her lips.
As Queen Yanni dismissed the crowd, a second clap of thunder, coupled with close and almost blinding lightning caused the crowd to release an almost collective exclamation. In that moment, Thea's hand had found Mihail's shoulder, gripping it tightly a moment as she offered a guiding push towards the steps that led down the dias.
Their carriage would not be ready as of yet, as they had prepared to spend much of the afternoon at the festivities. Any attempt to weave through the crowd towards the carriages at this point would have been for nothing, as everyone seemed to scatter towards the four winds.
Speaking of the winds, they had picked up the the point of attempting to tug at the thing layers of her chiton as she tried to descend the stairs gracefully and hurriedly. Once she lifted her eyes, they widened as she glanced around and saw Mihail nowhere in sight, likely having dashed towards some cover. Most of the nearest places were already packed like caught fish in shipping crates, squirming and shouting.
It would do no good for her to try to worm her way into such a fix, especially when those citizens could have been anyone. She was not paranoid as many a noble lady, but she was wiser than to go and press her skin against anyone.
By now the rain had completely soaked her chiton through, and streams of water that cascaded from her hair and down her face had begun to smear the khol from her lids into her eyes, stinging slightly and making it difficult to see. Though it was far from graceful, Thea broke into a hurried dash as another flash of light and clap of thunder seemed to echo within her ribcage.
With the main areas of shelter seemingly occupied, Thea turned down a side street that flanked one of the smaller meetinghouses in town, one that prided itself with alcoves along each side, creating a covering for statues of famous founding members, some who had served centuries before. Some alcoves stood all but empty, awaiting the new faces and figures that would fill the future's legacy.
Once tucked within the rounded alcove, Thea caught herself with her hand, unpinning one shoulder of her himation from beneath her arm and revealing the rather lightly colored chiton it had hidden. Immediately, she took the himation to her face to try to clear her eyes, noting what must have been a rather unattractive smearing of khol. Trying again, she attempted to wipe all of it away with the soaked fabric. The wind that whipped sheets of rain along the side of the building seemed to create small waves in the river of water across the cobblestones. It also whipped in flurry through the alcove, attempting to unstick a few errant strands of hair from the sides of her face as it did so.
It chilled her, being soaked all the way through the skin and now without the front of her himation covering the chiton beneath. Still wiping at her face to try to dry herself in some fashion, she sensed rather than saw another figure run into the alcove with her, and though she made a slight gasp at having company when at first she had none, her composure held, barring her widened gaze at her companion...
...Crown Prince Vangelis.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Thea watched patiently and placidly as the children were aligned for their blessings. Her gazed flicked between the line of children and the Crown Prince, a strange mixture of thoughts in her mind seeming to at once blend and expel themselves from one another, like oil and vinegar.
Four years ago, their lives could have been changed entirely. One of the children that stood on the dias could have been theirs, and the crown that sat upon Evras' head could have been hers. In fact, it had not been long after the fright that Evras and Zanon had seemed to fulfill whatever unknown prophecy that nearly befell herself and Vangelis.
One way or another, Houses Kotas and Thanasi were linked.
Broken from her thought as a drop of rain landed squarely on her nose, her khol-rimmed eyes shot up to the clouds above, just for another droplet to land on her shoulder. After that, the rain fell with more frequency. As good fortune would have it, though, Prince Vangelis had just finished the blessing of their shared nephew, Dion as a loud clap of thunder even managed to produce a slightly out-of-character gasp from her lips.
As Queen Yanni dismissed the crowd, a second clap of thunder, coupled with close and almost blinding lightning caused the crowd to release an almost collective exclamation. In that moment, Thea's hand had found Mihail's shoulder, gripping it tightly a moment as she offered a guiding push towards the steps that led down the dias.
Their carriage would not be ready as of yet, as they had prepared to spend much of the afternoon at the festivities. Any attempt to weave through the crowd towards the carriages at this point would have been for nothing, as everyone seemed to scatter towards the four winds.
Speaking of the winds, they had picked up the the point of attempting to tug at the thing layers of her chiton as she tried to descend the stairs gracefully and hurriedly. Once she lifted her eyes, they widened as she glanced around and saw Mihail nowhere in sight, likely having dashed towards some cover. Most of the nearest places were already packed like caught fish in shipping crates, squirming and shouting.
It would do no good for her to try to worm her way into such a fix, especially when those citizens could have been anyone. She was not paranoid as many a noble lady, but she was wiser than to go and press her skin against anyone.
By now the rain had completely soaked her chiton through, and streams of water that cascaded from her hair and down her face had begun to smear the khol from her lids into her eyes, stinging slightly and making it difficult to see. Though it was far from graceful, Thea broke into a hurried dash as another flash of light and clap of thunder seemed to echo within her ribcage.
With the main areas of shelter seemingly occupied, Thea turned down a side street that flanked one of the smaller meetinghouses in town, one that prided itself with alcoves along each side, creating a covering for statues of famous founding members, some who had served centuries before. Some alcoves stood all but empty, awaiting the new faces and figures that would fill the future's legacy.
Once tucked within the rounded alcove, Thea caught herself with her hand, unpinning one shoulder of her himation from beneath her arm and revealing the rather lightly colored chiton it had hidden. Immediately, she took the himation to her face to try to clear her eyes, noting what must have been a rather unattractive smearing of khol. Trying again, she attempted to wipe all of it away with the soaked fabric. The wind that whipped sheets of rain along the side of the building seemed to create small waves in the river of water across the cobblestones. It also whipped in flurry through the alcove, attempting to unstick a few errant strands of hair from the sides of her face as it did so.
It chilled her, being soaked all the way through the skin and now without the front of her himation covering the chiton beneath. Still wiping at her face to try to dry herself in some fashion, she sensed rather than saw another figure run into the alcove with her, and though she made a slight gasp at having company when at first she had none, her composure held, barring her widened gaze at her companion...
...Crown Prince Vangelis.
Thea watched patiently and placidly as the children were aligned for their blessings. Her gazed flicked between the line of children and the Crown Prince, a strange mixture of thoughts in her mind seeming to at once blend and expel themselves from one another, like oil and vinegar.
Four years ago, their lives could have been changed entirely. One of the children that stood on the dias could have been theirs, and the crown that sat upon Evras' head could have been hers. In fact, it had not been long after the fright that Evras and Zanon had seemed to fulfill whatever unknown prophecy that nearly befell herself and Vangelis.
One way or another, Houses Kotas and Thanasi were linked.
Broken from her thought as a drop of rain landed squarely on her nose, her khol-rimmed eyes shot up to the clouds above, just for another droplet to land on her shoulder. After that, the rain fell with more frequency. As good fortune would have it, though, Prince Vangelis had just finished the blessing of their shared nephew, Dion as a loud clap of thunder even managed to produce a slightly out-of-character gasp from her lips.
As Queen Yanni dismissed the crowd, a second clap of thunder, coupled with close and almost blinding lightning caused the crowd to release an almost collective exclamation. In that moment, Thea's hand had found Mihail's shoulder, gripping it tightly a moment as she offered a guiding push towards the steps that led down the dias.
Their carriage would not be ready as of yet, as they had prepared to spend much of the afternoon at the festivities. Any attempt to weave through the crowd towards the carriages at this point would have been for nothing, as everyone seemed to scatter towards the four winds.
Speaking of the winds, they had picked up the the point of attempting to tug at the thing layers of her chiton as she tried to descend the stairs gracefully and hurriedly. Once she lifted her eyes, they widened as she glanced around and saw Mihail nowhere in sight, likely having dashed towards some cover. Most of the nearest places were already packed like caught fish in shipping crates, squirming and shouting.
It would do no good for her to try to worm her way into such a fix, especially when those citizens could have been anyone. She was not paranoid as many a noble lady, but she was wiser than to go and press her skin against anyone.
By now the rain had completely soaked her chiton through, and streams of water that cascaded from her hair and down her face had begun to smear the khol from her lids into her eyes, stinging slightly and making it difficult to see. Though it was far from graceful, Thea broke into a hurried dash as another flash of light and clap of thunder seemed to echo within her ribcage.
With the main areas of shelter seemingly occupied, Thea turned down a side street that flanked one of the smaller meetinghouses in town, one that prided itself with alcoves along each side, creating a covering for statues of famous founding members, some who had served centuries before. Some alcoves stood all but empty, awaiting the new faces and figures that would fill the future's legacy.
Once tucked within the rounded alcove, Thea caught herself with her hand, unpinning one shoulder of her himation from beneath her arm and revealing the rather lightly colored chiton it had hidden. Immediately, she took the himation to her face to try to clear her eyes, noting what must have been a rather unattractive smearing of khol. Trying again, she attempted to wipe all of it away with the soaked fabric. The wind that whipped sheets of rain along the side of the building seemed to create small waves in the river of water across the cobblestones. It also whipped in flurry through the alcove, attempting to unstick a few errant strands of hair from the sides of her face as it did so.
It chilled her, being soaked all the way through the skin and now without the front of her himation covering the chiton beneath. Still wiping at her face to try to dry herself in some fashion, she sensed rather than saw another figure run into the alcove with her, and though she made a slight gasp at having company when at first she had none, her composure held, barring her widened gaze at her companion...
...Crown Prince Vangelis.
Vangelis could hardly have been said to move with panic. His actions were quick and decisive but despite being quick, they were enacted with a deliberateness, a sense of assurance that spoke not of panicked hastiness but simply effective speed.
As soon as the clouds above decided to open and rain down their burden of thunderous rain, Vangelis was quick to dive a step forward towards the line of children that had tied the edge of the dais in order to receive their blessings and pluck his nephew up beneath each arm. Instead of being shoved and pushed in the scared fray that the young ones immediately descended into, Dion was scooped out of the way, spun to Vangelis' rear and the rest of his family and then handed immediately into the waiting hands of his father who had moved forward to do just as Vangelis had but had been positioned several feet further back as a starting point.
Dion was held as nephew and then son, as Vangelis transferred him into the hold of his father and then the little family of three walked quickly away from the dais, seeking the cover of the large administration building behind the stage. Given their rank as royals, the doors were opened and offered as a means of sanctuary from the storm. Noting that his mother was now safe and in the dry and that his siblings would likely head in that direction also, Vangelis turned to look out over the courtyard and witness the hurried paces and trips and falls of the peerage.
It wasn't that the Colchian people feared thunder and lightning. It wasn't that all were frightened of the great power of Zeus. The chaos that had erupted was more to do with there being too many people in a single location. When standing immobile and witnessing a ceremony, there was no problem. But it only too one person to jump and attempt to run from thunder to have everyone else jostled, jerked and sent fretting to and fro. People's feet were stepped on, shoulders were bashed, a few people fell and caused a little congestion of issues.
Vangelis waded into the choppy oceans of people and did what he could. Some he directed, some he caught as they fell. A small child he picked up and handed almost immediately to a distraught lady who had been searching for him. He scooped up a basket from the floor that someone was about to trip over. Whatever he could do to ensure that people left the open space for somewhere dry without turning a little rain into more of a fiasco than it needed to be, he did.
By the time the open courtyard was thin on the ground with human bodies, Vangelis was entirely soaked through to the skin, with ebony hair now slicked to his scalp and his damn chiton like a second skin. Despite the material having been navy when he left the Kotas manor that morning it was now as black as his hair.
Plucking at the cold and disgusting touch of the fabric against his chest and thighs, Vangelis turned and sought shelter for himself, so that he might dry off or at least not get any worse (though he wasn't sure that was possible). The last thing he needed to do was get sick.
Finding himself through is escapades of help, in one of the side streets from the courtyard, a large building offered alcoves along its edges, several of which were already occupied. He headed quickly for an empty one, his sandals sloshing water over the cobblestones as he walked. From the angle he approached his intended hide out, Vangelis was unable to see that someone already occupied it. With their back against one side of the alcove, the opening appeared empty and Vangelis quickly stepped himself inside.
Turning, he was surprised to note the Lady Thea, suddenly presenting herself as almost uncomfortably close but in a situation where, to walk away and find an alternative shelter would have appeared thoroughly rude - and odd... and the last thing either of them wanted was any of the nobility or their servants to witness an unusual level of hostility between Vangelis and Thea (despite familial distaste), and pry into it to seek an answer as to why.
Ergo, Vangelis was left standing as he had intended, with company he had not expected, in the alcove of the meeting house.
Reaching up, Vangelis pushed his soaking hair back from his face, the locks slicking to his head and neck on the way as move water fell into his face, clumping together the black lashes that rimmed his blue eyes and dripping from the dip in his chin. He noted that Thea had suffered likewise, with her hair in ragged locks and dark smears beneath her eyes and a little on her cheeks where she had clearly attempted to clean her face.
Looking at her, after the thoughts and glances of the ceremony they had each just suffered through, Vangelis found himself unable to say anything. Whether formal and insipid, or thought-provoking and meaningful, it didn't matter. His tongue remained silent. Instead, he simply swallowed, the column of his neck dipping with the action, and his jaw splayed just in front of the ears, as he clicked his jaw and grit his teeth in the awkward quiet that continued between them. A silence interrupted only by the high-pitched hammering of the rain upon the city streets.
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Sept 8, 2019 11:18:18 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Sept 8, 2019 11:18:18 GMT
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Vangelis could hardly have been said to move with panic. His actions were quick and decisive but despite being quick, they were enacted with a deliberateness, a sense of assurance that spoke not of panicked hastiness but simply effective speed.
As soon as the clouds above decided to open and rain down their burden of thunderous rain, Vangelis was quick to dive a step forward towards the line of children that had tied the edge of the dais in order to receive their blessings and pluck his nephew up beneath each arm. Instead of being shoved and pushed in the scared fray that the young ones immediately descended into, Dion was scooped out of the way, spun to Vangelis' rear and the rest of his family and then handed immediately into the waiting hands of his father who had moved forward to do just as Vangelis had but had been positioned several feet further back as a starting point.
Dion was held as nephew and then son, as Vangelis transferred him into the hold of his father and then the little family of three walked quickly away from the dais, seeking the cover of the large administration building behind the stage. Given their rank as royals, the doors were opened and offered as a means of sanctuary from the storm. Noting that his mother was now safe and in the dry and that his siblings would likely head in that direction also, Vangelis turned to look out over the courtyard and witness the hurried paces and trips and falls of the peerage.
It wasn't that the Colchian people feared thunder and lightning. It wasn't that all were frightened of the great power of Zeus. The chaos that had erupted was more to do with there being too many people in a single location. When standing immobile and witnessing a ceremony, there was no problem. But it only too one person to jump and attempt to run from thunder to have everyone else jostled, jerked and sent fretting to and fro. People's feet were stepped on, shoulders were bashed, a few people fell and caused a little congestion of issues.
Vangelis waded into the choppy oceans of people and did what he could. Some he directed, some he caught as they fell. A small child he picked up and handed almost immediately to a distraught lady who had been searching for him. He scooped up a basket from the floor that someone was about to trip over. Whatever he could do to ensure that people left the open space for somewhere dry without turning a little rain into more of a fiasco than it needed to be, he did.
By the time the open courtyard was thin on the ground with human bodies, Vangelis was entirely soaked through to the skin, with ebony hair now slicked to his scalp and his damn chiton like a second skin. Despite the material having been navy when he left the Kotas manor that morning it was now as black as his hair.
Plucking at the cold and disgusting touch of the fabric against his chest and thighs, Vangelis turned and sought shelter for himself, so that he might dry off or at least not get any worse (though he wasn't sure that was possible). The last thing he needed to do was get sick.
Finding himself through is escapades of help, in one of the side streets from the courtyard, a large building offered alcoves along its edges, several of which were already occupied. He headed quickly for an empty one, his sandals sloshing water over the cobblestones as he walked. From the angle he approached his intended hide out, Vangelis was unable to see that someone already occupied it. With their back against one side of the alcove, the opening appeared empty and Vangelis quickly stepped himself inside.
Turning, he was surprised to note the Lady Thea, suddenly presenting herself as almost uncomfortably close but in a situation where, to walk away and find an alternative shelter would have appeared thoroughly rude - and odd... and the last thing either of them wanted was any of the nobility or their servants to witness an unusual level of hostility between Vangelis and Thea (despite familial distaste), and pry into it to seek an answer as to why.
Ergo, Vangelis was left standing as he had intended, with company he had not expected, in the alcove of the meeting house.
Reaching up, Vangelis pushed his soaking hair back from his face, the locks slicking to his head and neck on the way as move water fell into his face, clumping together the black lashes that rimmed his blue eyes and dripping from the dip in his chin. He noted that Thea had suffered likewise, with her hair in ragged locks and dark smears beneath her eyes and a little on her cheeks where she had clearly attempted to clean her face.
Looking at her, after the thoughts and glances of the ceremony they had each just suffered through, Vangelis found himself unable to say anything. Whether formal and insipid, or thought-provoking and meaningful, it didn't matter. His tongue remained silent. Instead, he simply swallowed, the column of his neck dipping with the action, and his jaw splayed just in front of the ears, as he clicked his jaw and grit his teeth in the awkward quiet that continued between them. A silence interrupted only by the high-pitched hammering of the rain upon the city streets.
Vangelis could hardly have been said to move with panic. His actions were quick and decisive but despite being quick, they were enacted with a deliberateness, a sense of assurance that spoke not of panicked hastiness but simply effective speed.
As soon as the clouds above decided to open and rain down their burden of thunderous rain, Vangelis was quick to dive a step forward towards the line of children that had tied the edge of the dais in order to receive their blessings and pluck his nephew up beneath each arm. Instead of being shoved and pushed in the scared fray that the young ones immediately descended into, Dion was scooped out of the way, spun to Vangelis' rear and the rest of his family and then handed immediately into the waiting hands of his father who had moved forward to do just as Vangelis had but had been positioned several feet further back as a starting point.
Dion was held as nephew and then son, as Vangelis transferred him into the hold of his father and then the little family of three walked quickly away from the dais, seeking the cover of the large administration building behind the stage. Given their rank as royals, the doors were opened and offered as a means of sanctuary from the storm. Noting that his mother was now safe and in the dry and that his siblings would likely head in that direction also, Vangelis turned to look out over the courtyard and witness the hurried paces and trips and falls of the peerage.
It wasn't that the Colchian people feared thunder and lightning. It wasn't that all were frightened of the great power of Zeus. The chaos that had erupted was more to do with there being too many people in a single location. When standing immobile and witnessing a ceremony, there was no problem. But it only too one person to jump and attempt to run from thunder to have everyone else jostled, jerked and sent fretting to and fro. People's feet were stepped on, shoulders were bashed, a few people fell and caused a little congestion of issues.
Vangelis waded into the choppy oceans of people and did what he could. Some he directed, some he caught as they fell. A small child he picked up and handed almost immediately to a distraught lady who had been searching for him. He scooped up a basket from the floor that someone was about to trip over. Whatever he could do to ensure that people left the open space for somewhere dry without turning a little rain into more of a fiasco than it needed to be, he did.
By the time the open courtyard was thin on the ground with human bodies, Vangelis was entirely soaked through to the skin, with ebony hair now slicked to his scalp and his damn chiton like a second skin. Despite the material having been navy when he left the Kotas manor that morning it was now as black as his hair.
Plucking at the cold and disgusting touch of the fabric against his chest and thighs, Vangelis turned and sought shelter for himself, so that he might dry off or at least not get any worse (though he wasn't sure that was possible). The last thing he needed to do was get sick.
Finding himself through is escapades of help, in one of the side streets from the courtyard, a large building offered alcoves along its edges, several of which were already occupied. He headed quickly for an empty one, his sandals sloshing water over the cobblestones as he walked. From the angle he approached his intended hide out, Vangelis was unable to see that someone already occupied it. With their back against one side of the alcove, the opening appeared empty and Vangelis quickly stepped himself inside.
Turning, he was surprised to note the Lady Thea, suddenly presenting herself as almost uncomfortably close but in a situation where, to walk away and find an alternative shelter would have appeared thoroughly rude - and odd... and the last thing either of them wanted was any of the nobility or their servants to witness an unusual level of hostility between Vangelis and Thea (despite familial distaste), and pry into it to seek an answer as to why.
Ergo, Vangelis was left standing as he had intended, with company he had not expected, in the alcove of the meeting house.
Reaching up, Vangelis pushed his soaking hair back from his face, the locks slicking to his head and neck on the way as move water fell into his face, clumping together the black lashes that rimmed his blue eyes and dripping from the dip in his chin. He noted that Thea had suffered likewise, with her hair in ragged locks and dark smears beneath her eyes and a little on her cheeks where she had clearly attempted to clean her face.
Looking at her, after the thoughts and glances of the ceremony they had each just suffered through, Vangelis found himself unable to say anything. Whether formal and insipid, or thought-provoking and meaningful, it didn't matter. His tongue remained silent. Instead, he simply swallowed, the column of his neck dipping with the action, and his jaw splayed just in front of the ears, as he clicked his jaw and grit his teeth in the awkward quiet that continued between them. A silence interrupted only by the high-pitched hammering of the rain upon the city streets.
Athanasia found herself standing next to Evras as the ceremony began. She barely managed to stifle a chuckle when she saw how some of the children reacted to Vangelis. Perhaps if she didn't know him so well, she would be a bit wary of him too.
She remembered the first time they met when she was six years old and she had marched right up to him and accused him of trying to hurt her friend. He had seemed quite frightened then, but she had been too indignant to notice. When he told him who he was, they had gotten along quite well. They were not extremely close, even now, but he was always kind to her and sometimes helped her improve her skill with a bow.
These children had nothing to fear from him, but maybe if he smiled, they might be less afraid. Her father had presided over her own ceremony. Some of the others had been in awe of him because he was King, but she couldn't remember any of them acting like Dion's companions were doing now. Oh well, they would survive and look back on this day with amusement when they were her age.
Evras brought her attention to the darkening sky and the princess looked up. “Maybe Zeus is going to bless the festivities” she replied, believing that he would wait to unleash his fury until the last child had been blessed and the royal family was back in their carriages. A few droplets of rain splashed upon her as her mother closed the ceremony, she couldn't resist sticking out her tongue and trying to catch a few.
And then the rain came down in full force, accompanied by thunder and a magnificent bolt of lightening. Athanasia stepped off the dais, following her family toward the administration building, stopping for a moment to twirl around in the downpour. She didn't care that she would be soaked to the skin when she reached the shelter. The silk of her chiton would dry quickly enough and she enjoyed the way the rain felt as it pelted down on her.
Someone jostled her and she stumbled forward into the panicking crowd. Athanasia tried to move toward the administration building but she was carried along with the tide of humanity that rushed away from the courtyard. Nobody seemed to notice that the princess was in their midst, despite the glittering of her tiara every time Zeus cast one one of his lightening bolts from the heavens.
Finally she was able to break free, but she had no idea where she was. It was difficult to see anything in the gray haze of the pouring rain. The administration building was nowhere in sight and her heart began to pound frantically as she realized that she was lost. There were buildings all around her, but none that offered a dry place to rest. Another group of people came hurrying toward her, and Athanasia flattened herself against the nearest structure so that she wouldn't be swept up in yet another crowd.
What do I do now? she asked herself. Stay where I'm at or try to find my way back? What she wanted to do was burst into tears as she berated herself for her stupidity. She should have never stopped to play in the rain. The princess was afraid to stop anyone to ask for directions because she might be recognized. How could she know if the person she asked would be respectable or not? She didn't want to be kidnapped and held for ransom ... or even worse ... killed.
Terrified and miserable in the rain that she had only recently thought delightful, the drenched princess began to shiver with cold and fright, her back still pressed up against the smooth stone of a building that offered her no respite from the storm.
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Sept 16, 2019 19:55:06 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Sept 16, 2019 19:55:06 GMT
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Athanasia found herself standing next to Evras as the ceremony began. She barely managed to stifle a chuckle when she saw how some of the children reacted to Vangelis. Perhaps if she didn't know him so well, she would be a bit wary of him too.
She remembered the first time they met when she was six years old and she had marched right up to him and accused him of trying to hurt her friend. He had seemed quite frightened then, but she had been too indignant to notice. When he told him who he was, they had gotten along quite well. They were not extremely close, even now, but he was always kind to her and sometimes helped her improve her skill with a bow.
These children had nothing to fear from him, but maybe if he smiled, they might be less afraid. Her father had presided over her own ceremony. Some of the others had been in awe of him because he was King, but she couldn't remember any of them acting like Dion's companions were doing now. Oh well, they would survive and look back on this day with amusement when they were her age.
Evras brought her attention to the darkening sky and the princess looked up. “Maybe Zeus is going to bless the festivities” she replied, believing that he would wait to unleash his fury until the last child had been blessed and the royal family was back in their carriages. A few droplets of rain splashed upon her as her mother closed the ceremony, she couldn't resist sticking out her tongue and trying to catch a few.
And then the rain came down in full force, accompanied by thunder and a magnificent bolt of lightening. Athanasia stepped off the dais, following her family toward the administration building, stopping for a moment to twirl around in the downpour. She didn't care that she would be soaked to the skin when she reached the shelter. The silk of her chiton would dry quickly enough and she enjoyed the way the rain felt as it pelted down on her.
Someone jostled her and she stumbled forward into the panicking crowd. Athanasia tried to move toward the administration building but she was carried along with the tide of humanity that rushed away from the courtyard. Nobody seemed to notice that the princess was in their midst, despite the glittering of her tiara every time Zeus cast one one of his lightening bolts from the heavens.
Finally she was able to break free, but she had no idea where she was. It was difficult to see anything in the gray haze of the pouring rain. The administration building was nowhere in sight and her heart began to pound frantically as she realized that she was lost. There were buildings all around her, but none that offered a dry place to rest. Another group of people came hurrying toward her, and Athanasia flattened herself against the nearest structure so that she wouldn't be swept up in yet another crowd.
What do I do now? she asked herself. Stay where I'm at or try to find my way back? What she wanted to do was burst into tears as she berated herself for her stupidity. She should have never stopped to play in the rain. The princess was afraid to stop anyone to ask for directions because she might be recognized. How could she know if the person she asked would be respectable or not? She didn't want to be kidnapped and held for ransom ... or even worse ... killed.
Terrified and miserable in the rain that she had only recently thought delightful, the drenched princess began to shiver with cold and fright, her back still pressed up against the smooth stone of a building that offered her no respite from the storm.
Athanasia found herself standing next to Evras as the ceremony began. She barely managed to stifle a chuckle when she saw how some of the children reacted to Vangelis. Perhaps if she didn't know him so well, she would be a bit wary of him too.
She remembered the first time they met when she was six years old and she had marched right up to him and accused him of trying to hurt her friend. He had seemed quite frightened then, but she had been too indignant to notice. When he told him who he was, they had gotten along quite well. They were not extremely close, even now, but he was always kind to her and sometimes helped her improve her skill with a bow.
These children had nothing to fear from him, but maybe if he smiled, they might be less afraid. Her father had presided over her own ceremony. Some of the others had been in awe of him because he was King, but she couldn't remember any of them acting like Dion's companions were doing now. Oh well, they would survive and look back on this day with amusement when they were her age.
Evras brought her attention to the darkening sky and the princess looked up. “Maybe Zeus is going to bless the festivities” she replied, believing that he would wait to unleash his fury until the last child had been blessed and the royal family was back in their carriages. A few droplets of rain splashed upon her as her mother closed the ceremony, she couldn't resist sticking out her tongue and trying to catch a few.
And then the rain came down in full force, accompanied by thunder and a magnificent bolt of lightening. Athanasia stepped off the dais, following her family toward the administration building, stopping for a moment to twirl around in the downpour. She didn't care that she would be soaked to the skin when she reached the shelter. The silk of her chiton would dry quickly enough and she enjoyed the way the rain felt as it pelted down on her.
Someone jostled her and she stumbled forward into the panicking crowd. Athanasia tried to move toward the administration building but she was carried along with the tide of humanity that rushed away from the courtyard. Nobody seemed to notice that the princess was in their midst, despite the glittering of her tiara every time Zeus cast one one of his lightening bolts from the heavens.
Finally she was able to break free, but she had no idea where she was. It was difficult to see anything in the gray haze of the pouring rain. The administration building was nowhere in sight and her heart began to pound frantically as she realized that she was lost. There were buildings all around her, but none that offered a dry place to rest. Another group of people came hurrying toward her, and Athanasia flattened herself against the nearest structure so that she wouldn't be swept up in yet another crowd.
What do I do now? she asked herself. Stay where I'm at or try to find my way back? What she wanted to do was burst into tears as she berated herself for her stupidity. She should have never stopped to play in the rain. The princess was afraid to stop anyone to ask for directions because she might be recognized. How could she know if the person she asked would be respectable or not? She didn't want to be kidnapped and held for ransom ... or even worse ... killed.
Terrified and miserable in the rain that she had only recently thought delightful, the drenched princess began to shiver with cold and fright, her back still pressed up against the smooth stone of a building that offered her no respite from the storm.
The blessing ended just as Zeus made his presence known, large and heavy droplets that promised to come fast and heavy if people did not take cover soon. Evras's worried gazes were often to the sky, as she watched Dion standing with the rest of the children who were just blessed - but before they had any warning at all, the skies fell open and rain came down soaking anyone quicker then they could imagine.
Evras's first instinct was to head for Dion, and she released her hold on Zanon's arm to head to her son, picking her feet up to hurry against the crowds heading for cover, not even noticing how they jostled the young princess who only had eyes for her only son.
But she did not account for her malady of late to come and hit her out of the blue. Over the last few months, Evras has had spells of dizziness whenever she got out of bed too quickly, or seemingly from nowhere at all. Not wanting to worry her husband, nor cause a ruckus in a house that was still new to her, she had no raised a question, especially when it did not show great danger or disruption to her daily life. Since it happened irregularly, Evras had dismissed it and merely went about her daily life, the only sign being of her heading to bed slightly earlier then her usual time, or maybe asking her servants to prepare a tincture or two.
When one particularly hard shove pushed her off balance however, the dark-haired female's eyes swam, and she found her feet slipping on the granite floor made slippery from the rain. She felt the ground get snatched from beneath her, and the next thing she knew, Evras felt gravity welcoming the side of her hip to the slippery, wet floor, the rest of her arms sprawled in an ungainly manner all across the ground amongst the walking feet of the people who wanted to escape the sudden rain.
Yet what took over her mind at that very moment wasn't that she could get stepped on at any given moment. In fact, it was the fact that the impact had travelled all the way to a sudden sharp pain to her abdomen that had Evras cry out, before her instinct made her curl into herself, hugging her middle with a groan. The pain was atypical,not the kind that came from a fall, and reverberated from her abdomen all the way to the back - the kind that reminded Evras of how it felt when the day had come for her to give birth to Dion.
And the alarm bells went off in her head.
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Sept 21, 2019 10:49:07 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Sept 21, 2019 10:49:07 GMT
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The blessing ended just as Zeus made his presence known, large and heavy droplets that promised to come fast and heavy if people did not take cover soon. Evras's worried gazes were often to the sky, as she watched Dion standing with the rest of the children who were just blessed - but before they had any warning at all, the skies fell open and rain came down soaking anyone quicker then they could imagine.
Evras's first instinct was to head for Dion, and she released her hold on Zanon's arm to head to her son, picking her feet up to hurry against the crowds heading for cover, not even noticing how they jostled the young princess who only had eyes for her only son.
But she did not account for her malady of late to come and hit her out of the blue. Over the last few months, Evras has had spells of dizziness whenever she got out of bed too quickly, or seemingly from nowhere at all. Not wanting to worry her husband, nor cause a ruckus in a house that was still new to her, she had no raised a question, especially when it did not show great danger or disruption to her daily life. Since it happened irregularly, Evras had dismissed it and merely went about her daily life, the only sign being of her heading to bed slightly earlier then her usual time, or maybe asking her servants to prepare a tincture or two.
When one particularly hard shove pushed her off balance however, the dark-haired female's eyes swam, and she found her feet slipping on the granite floor made slippery from the rain. She felt the ground get snatched from beneath her, and the next thing she knew, Evras felt gravity welcoming the side of her hip to the slippery, wet floor, the rest of her arms sprawled in an ungainly manner all across the ground amongst the walking feet of the people who wanted to escape the sudden rain.
Yet what took over her mind at that very moment wasn't that she could get stepped on at any given moment. In fact, it was the fact that the impact had travelled all the way to a sudden sharp pain to her abdomen that had Evras cry out, before her instinct made her curl into herself, hugging her middle with a groan. The pain was atypical,not the kind that came from a fall, and reverberated from her abdomen all the way to the back - the kind that reminded Evras of how it felt when the day had come for her to give birth to Dion.
And the alarm bells went off in her head.
The blessing ended just as Zeus made his presence known, large and heavy droplets that promised to come fast and heavy if people did not take cover soon. Evras's worried gazes were often to the sky, as she watched Dion standing with the rest of the children who were just blessed - but before they had any warning at all, the skies fell open and rain came down soaking anyone quicker then they could imagine.
Evras's first instinct was to head for Dion, and she released her hold on Zanon's arm to head to her son, picking her feet up to hurry against the crowds heading for cover, not even noticing how they jostled the young princess who only had eyes for her only son.
But she did not account for her malady of late to come and hit her out of the blue. Over the last few months, Evras has had spells of dizziness whenever she got out of bed too quickly, or seemingly from nowhere at all. Not wanting to worry her husband, nor cause a ruckus in a house that was still new to her, she had no raised a question, especially when it did not show great danger or disruption to her daily life. Since it happened irregularly, Evras had dismissed it and merely went about her daily life, the only sign being of her heading to bed slightly earlier then her usual time, or maybe asking her servants to prepare a tincture or two.
When one particularly hard shove pushed her off balance however, the dark-haired female's eyes swam, and she found her feet slipping on the granite floor made slippery from the rain. She felt the ground get snatched from beneath her, and the next thing she knew, Evras felt gravity welcoming the side of her hip to the slippery, wet floor, the rest of her arms sprawled in an ungainly manner all across the ground amongst the walking feet of the people who wanted to escape the sudden rain.
Yet what took over her mind at that very moment wasn't that she could get stepped on at any given moment. In fact, it was the fact that the impact had travelled all the way to a sudden sharp pain to her abdomen that had Evras cry out, before her instinct made her curl into herself, hugging her middle with a groan. The pain was atypical,not the kind that came from a fall, and reverberated from her abdomen all the way to the back - the kind that reminded Evras of how it felt when the day had come for her to give birth to Dion.
And the alarm bells went off in her head.
Skylla had never attended Anthesteria when she had reached the age of four. Her father hadn't cared enough to give her even a glance and she had never once left the island she had been born on until he was dead. Though her half-Egyptian mother had done her best to weave a flower crown to adorn her tiny head and given her her first sip of wine under the instruction of one of the older women on the island. Billa had wanted Skylla to grow up under the Greek pantheon and had taken extreme care to try and inject whatever teachings she could manage without ever believing in the gods herself.
The young student had spent years listening to her mother praying to the Egyptian gods, something else that Sophos had ignored. There had been no true shrine on the island, and the only temple had been an abandoned temple to Ares that none of the islanders had been keen on venturing close to. Skylla and the other children had been less afraid of the old stone architecture, though as she had grown, she had avoided the temple out of some acceptance of a small bit of superstition.
When Lysander had instructed her that they were to attend the festivities in order to welcome in spring as well as the young Kotas boy who could one day wear the crown of Colchis upon his tiny head, Skylla didn't argue. She had never been to one of the festivals in the city, having only recently started her training. The reading lessons were tiresome but useful, though the young woman found herself grateful for a bit of a break from the training.
Lysander's form of healing was quite different from Skylla's own. Her mother had taught her daughter what she knew, but most of her emphasis had been in midwifing and using what few herbs that they had been able to find on the island. She'd already learned more with the famous Physician in less than a year than she had with her mother in her entire life. It was why she had stayed as long as she had and had no intention of leaving now that she had a direction to take her life. Healing was one she was both familiar and comfortable with even among huge crowds of Midas. Not a fan of people in general, she at least was able to put on a sweet face to get her job done.
That had to count for something, right?
She and Lysander attended for the ceremony, mulling about with the crowds of people. Skylla couldn't remember telling Lysander that she had never been to the festival when she was young, so when the strange enigma of a man disappeared and came back with one of the delicate flower crowns and set it upon her head, she couldn't help but look at him strangely. Nor could she help the heating of her cheeks at the slight embarrassment of what she might have been saying when they were drunk and shooting the shit with one another when the sun set.
Lysander wasn't her favorite person despite being her mentor. But for as strange as he was, he was at least kind and attentive. Something wholly unfamiliar to the young pirate's daughter. Chewing on her bottom lip, Skylla had turned back to the ceremony with keen interest, unsure of how she was supposed to feel right then. "It's going to rain," Lysander said very quietly from beside her, his hand ghosting against her lower back as if to try and usher her away. Skylla's gaze had lifted to the sky, her expression turning morose at the potential for being soaked by a cold rain. It was not such an unfamiliar feeling. Rain often hit the island she had been born on. But here, it was not as polite nor proper to walk about in a soaked gown.
And nearly as soon as Lysander spoke the words, the sky opened up and began to rain down upon them in sheets. Skylla squealed, turning and pushing against Lysander's chest so that they might find an alcove to hide beneath and escape the rain. The man's chest rumbled in laughter and Skylla thought of punching him for just a moment. But it was the crowd running away from the rain and the one woman, clearly a woman of royal lineage just based on the clothing she wore, that ran toward the young Kotas child that was drawing her attention.
Internally, she wondered what the lady was doing, pushing against the crowd in order to get to her child. But seeing her slip and fall, hitting the marble floor rather hard, had Skylla pulling away from Lysander and darting right in the direction of her. "Stop, get back!" Skylla snarled in a voice she hadn't used in over a year while people tried to scramble over the princess. The water threatened to make her slip and her dark blue gown was soaked through in moments, but Skylla sunk down beside Evras without a second thought. Reaching her hands down, they ghosted toward her hip, though Skylla didn't touch her yet. "Are you alright?" she asked with a furrowed brow. "I'm a healer," she then noted to explain her concern.
Lysander was at her back as well, the popular physician already looking Evras over with a critical eye. "My princess, are you well?" he asked over Skylla, making the female healer glance back at him with a bit of a prickly expression.
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Sept 21, 2019 12:37:29 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Sept 21, 2019 12:37:29 GMT
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Skylla had never attended Anthesteria when she had reached the age of four. Her father hadn't cared enough to give her even a glance and she had never once left the island she had been born on until he was dead. Though her half-Egyptian mother had done her best to weave a flower crown to adorn her tiny head and given her her first sip of wine under the instruction of one of the older women on the island. Billa had wanted Skylla to grow up under the Greek pantheon and had taken extreme care to try and inject whatever teachings she could manage without ever believing in the gods herself.
The young student had spent years listening to her mother praying to the Egyptian gods, something else that Sophos had ignored. There had been no true shrine on the island, and the only temple had been an abandoned temple to Ares that none of the islanders had been keen on venturing close to. Skylla and the other children had been less afraid of the old stone architecture, though as she had grown, she had avoided the temple out of some acceptance of a small bit of superstition.
When Lysander had instructed her that they were to attend the festivities in order to welcome in spring as well as the young Kotas boy who could one day wear the crown of Colchis upon his tiny head, Skylla didn't argue. She had never been to one of the festivals in the city, having only recently started her training. The reading lessons were tiresome but useful, though the young woman found herself grateful for a bit of a break from the training.
Lysander's form of healing was quite different from Skylla's own. Her mother had taught her daughter what she knew, but most of her emphasis had been in midwifing and using what few herbs that they had been able to find on the island. She'd already learned more with the famous Physician in less than a year than she had with her mother in her entire life. It was why she had stayed as long as she had and had no intention of leaving now that she had a direction to take her life. Healing was one she was both familiar and comfortable with even among huge crowds of Midas. Not a fan of people in general, she at least was able to put on a sweet face to get her job done.
That had to count for something, right?
She and Lysander attended for the ceremony, mulling about with the crowds of people. Skylla couldn't remember telling Lysander that she had never been to the festival when she was young, so when the strange enigma of a man disappeared and came back with one of the delicate flower crowns and set it upon her head, she couldn't help but look at him strangely. Nor could she help the heating of her cheeks at the slight embarrassment of what she might have been saying when they were drunk and shooting the shit with one another when the sun set.
Lysander wasn't her favorite person despite being her mentor. But for as strange as he was, he was at least kind and attentive. Something wholly unfamiliar to the young pirate's daughter. Chewing on her bottom lip, Skylla had turned back to the ceremony with keen interest, unsure of how she was supposed to feel right then. "It's going to rain," Lysander said very quietly from beside her, his hand ghosting against her lower back as if to try and usher her away. Skylla's gaze had lifted to the sky, her expression turning morose at the potential for being soaked by a cold rain. It was not such an unfamiliar feeling. Rain often hit the island she had been born on. But here, it was not as polite nor proper to walk about in a soaked gown.
And nearly as soon as Lysander spoke the words, the sky opened up and began to rain down upon them in sheets. Skylla squealed, turning and pushing against Lysander's chest so that they might find an alcove to hide beneath and escape the rain. The man's chest rumbled in laughter and Skylla thought of punching him for just a moment. But it was the crowd running away from the rain and the one woman, clearly a woman of royal lineage just based on the clothing she wore, that ran toward the young Kotas child that was drawing her attention.
Internally, she wondered what the lady was doing, pushing against the crowd in order to get to her child. But seeing her slip and fall, hitting the marble floor rather hard, had Skylla pulling away from Lysander and darting right in the direction of her. "Stop, get back!" Skylla snarled in a voice she hadn't used in over a year while people tried to scramble over the princess. The water threatened to make her slip and her dark blue gown was soaked through in moments, but Skylla sunk down beside Evras without a second thought. Reaching her hands down, they ghosted toward her hip, though Skylla didn't touch her yet. "Are you alright?" she asked with a furrowed brow. "I'm a healer," she then noted to explain her concern.
Lysander was at her back as well, the popular physician already looking Evras over with a critical eye. "My princess, are you well?" he asked over Skylla, making the female healer glance back at him with a bit of a prickly expression.
Skylla had never attended Anthesteria when she had reached the age of four. Her father hadn't cared enough to give her even a glance and she had never once left the island she had been born on until he was dead. Though her half-Egyptian mother had done her best to weave a flower crown to adorn her tiny head and given her her first sip of wine under the instruction of one of the older women on the island. Billa had wanted Skylla to grow up under the Greek pantheon and had taken extreme care to try and inject whatever teachings she could manage without ever believing in the gods herself.
The young student had spent years listening to her mother praying to the Egyptian gods, something else that Sophos had ignored. There had been no true shrine on the island, and the only temple had been an abandoned temple to Ares that none of the islanders had been keen on venturing close to. Skylla and the other children had been less afraid of the old stone architecture, though as she had grown, she had avoided the temple out of some acceptance of a small bit of superstition.
When Lysander had instructed her that they were to attend the festivities in order to welcome in spring as well as the young Kotas boy who could one day wear the crown of Colchis upon his tiny head, Skylla didn't argue. She had never been to one of the festivals in the city, having only recently started her training. The reading lessons were tiresome but useful, though the young woman found herself grateful for a bit of a break from the training.
Lysander's form of healing was quite different from Skylla's own. Her mother had taught her daughter what she knew, but most of her emphasis had been in midwifing and using what few herbs that they had been able to find on the island. She'd already learned more with the famous Physician in less than a year than she had with her mother in her entire life. It was why she had stayed as long as she had and had no intention of leaving now that she had a direction to take her life. Healing was one she was both familiar and comfortable with even among huge crowds of Midas. Not a fan of people in general, she at least was able to put on a sweet face to get her job done.
That had to count for something, right?
She and Lysander attended for the ceremony, mulling about with the crowds of people. Skylla couldn't remember telling Lysander that she had never been to the festival when she was young, so when the strange enigma of a man disappeared and came back with one of the delicate flower crowns and set it upon her head, she couldn't help but look at him strangely. Nor could she help the heating of her cheeks at the slight embarrassment of what she might have been saying when they were drunk and shooting the shit with one another when the sun set.
Lysander wasn't her favorite person despite being her mentor. But for as strange as he was, he was at least kind and attentive. Something wholly unfamiliar to the young pirate's daughter. Chewing on her bottom lip, Skylla had turned back to the ceremony with keen interest, unsure of how she was supposed to feel right then. "It's going to rain," Lysander said very quietly from beside her, his hand ghosting against her lower back as if to try and usher her away. Skylla's gaze had lifted to the sky, her expression turning morose at the potential for being soaked by a cold rain. It was not such an unfamiliar feeling. Rain often hit the island she had been born on. But here, it was not as polite nor proper to walk about in a soaked gown.
And nearly as soon as Lysander spoke the words, the sky opened up and began to rain down upon them in sheets. Skylla squealed, turning and pushing against Lysander's chest so that they might find an alcove to hide beneath and escape the rain. The man's chest rumbled in laughter and Skylla thought of punching him for just a moment. But it was the crowd running away from the rain and the one woman, clearly a woman of royal lineage just based on the clothing she wore, that ran toward the young Kotas child that was drawing her attention.
Internally, she wondered what the lady was doing, pushing against the crowd in order to get to her child. But seeing her slip and fall, hitting the marble floor rather hard, had Skylla pulling away from Lysander and darting right in the direction of her. "Stop, get back!" Skylla snarled in a voice she hadn't used in over a year while people tried to scramble over the princess. The water threatened to make her slip and her dark blue gown was soaked through in moments, but Skylla sunk down beside Evras without a second thought. Reaching her hands down, they ghosted toward her hip, though Skylla didn't touch her yet. "Are you alright?" she asked with a furrowed brow. "I'm a healer," she then noted to explain her concern.
Lysander was at her back as well, the popular physician already looking Evras over with a critical eye. "My princess, are you well?" he asked over Skylla, making the female healer glance back at him with a bit of a prickly expression.
If the adults thought that the allure of a blessing from the Crown Prince would be enough incentive to keep the children still for more than a few moments, they were sorely mistaken. Truly, they should have known better to trust a bunch of four-year-olds with such a task, especially with the likes of Babis of Eliades in their midst.
Once Vangelis called for the children to line up and seeing Dion scamper off by himself, without any sort of adult supervision, the Eliades family felt obligated to follow suit; trusting that their firm instructions for Aras to hold onto Babis’s hand the whole time would not be ignored. It was almost like they didn’t know their younger son. After all, Babis had always been a fidgety child and a rule breaker. He was never content with being told what to do or how to behave. Granted, the child would try, but his curiosity and neverending reserve of energy would always win out in the end. At least when he was with his family, the behavior could be counteracted in some fashion like how his father had lifted him onto his shoulders when they first arrived. Whatever method, it needed a firm hand and already established need for Babis to listen.
Aras had neither of these things.
The younger twin had dropped the elder’s grasp before they had even gotten into line behind Dion and no matter how the quieter one fussed, Babis had no interest in indulging him. He was far too excited after all to listen to his brother’s whining and repeated reminders that mother and father had told them to stand together. It was all white noise to the boy. It would take the fear of god to keep Babis still and in place, which was something his brother certainly did not have. So, as the boys made their way through the line and not so patiently waiting their turn to be blessed by Vang, Babis was fidgeting. It was clear that he was way too energetic to have been set loose on his own as he bounced from foot to foot and flicked Aras when the other boy wasn’t looking. It was a miracle that Babis was even able to keep himself in line long enough to receive the blessing from Vang. He nodded at the Prince’s words, determined to relay the message to his uncle.
However, if Babis had anything to do with it, that wouldn’t be done until much later as soon as Vangelis moved onto the next child, Photis stepped forward to collect his son. Knowing full well that he would be expected to stand still for the rest of the children, Babis decided right before his father was able to grasp his hand that he was not going to do that.
Squirming away from the man, Babis darted off the stage and back towards the crowd of other kids. An exasperated cry of his name came from behind him, but it was quickly drowned out by the thunder. As the rain came pouring down with it, Babis merely laughed as others panicked to get the little ones out of the rain. In the confusion, Babis too was swept up by the hands of a strange adult, who deposited him underneath the cover of a merchant’s stand on the edge of the courtyard he and the other half dozen unaccompanied children that had been rescued from the crowd could wait for their parents to find them again.
The rain came down upon the courtyard mercilessly, finally discouraging Babis from running away again. So, instead of kicking up much of a fuss, the boy sat down on the cobblestone and waited for the sheets of rain to abate. For a moment, it looked as if Babis was about to be bored out of his mind once more, but luckily for him, that changed the moment another wild child decided to take shelter beneath the merchant’s stall and their companion decided to greet little Babis with a wet, slobbery kiss.
The Eliades boy squealed in delight as the dog barreled on top of him, licking at a spot on the boy’s cheeks where he had made a mess of his food earlier. His hands reached out to the sides of the beast, grabbing wildly as he tried to push the dog off. Being only four, he didn’t know the danger that strange dogs could present, but it was clear from the rapidly wagging tail that this one meant no harm to him. He had just managed to get the beast off of him (amid a fit of giggles, of course) when a soaking wet mop of red hair came into view and approached the pair of oversized pups.
“ Is this your dog?” Babis asked as the strange woman approached. It was an easy assumption for the child to make and it was seemingly confirmed by the dog turning to the woman in equal glee that he had shown for Babis. What was harder for the boy to explain away was how strange this lady was with a wide-eyed stare and weird decision to sniff the boy, like she was almost a dog herself. Babis didn’t know what to make of it and for a moment, pulled back in confusion. However, the moment didn’t last long as once glance at the dog set Babis at ease as he reached out for the pup again as question after question came tumbling from his mouth. “ What’s its name? Can it do tricks? How old is it?” A wide grin crossed his face, perfectly pleased that despite the rain he was having a great time now that there was a puppy involved.
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Sept 22, 2019 6:48:52 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Sept 22, 2019 6:48:52 GMT
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If the adults thought that the allure of a blessing from the Crown Prince would be enough incentive to keep the children still for more than a few moments, they were sorely mistaken. Truly, they should have known better to trust a bunch of four-year-olds with such a task, especially with the likes of Babis of Eliades in their midst.
Once Vangelis called for the children to line up and seeing Dion scamper off by himself, without any sort of adult supervision, the Eliades family felt obligated to follow suit; trusting that their firm instructions for Aras to hold onto Babis’s hand the whole time would not be ignored. It was almost like they didn’t know their younger son. After all, Babis had always been a fidgety child and a rule breaker. He was never content with being told what to do or how to behave. Granted, the child would try, but his curiosity and neverending reserve of energy would always win out in the end. At least when he was with his family, the behavior could be counteracted in some fashion like how his father had lifted him onto his shoulders when they first arrived. Whatever method, it needed a firm hand and already established need for Babis to listen.
Aras had neither of these things.
The younger twin had dropped the elder’s grasp before they had even gotten into line behind Dion and no matter how the quieter one fussed, Babis had no interest in indulging him. He was far too excited after all to listen to his brother’s whining and repeated reminders that mother and father had told them to stand together. It was all white noise to the boy. It would take the fear of god to keep Babis still and in place, which was something his brother certainly did not have. So, as the boys made their way through the line and not so patiently waiting their turn to be blessed by Vang, Babis was fidgeting. It was clear that he was way too energetic to have been set loose on his own as he bounced from foot to foot and flicked Aras when the other boy wasn’t looking. It was a miracle that Babis was even able to keep himself in line long enough to receive the blessing from Vang. He nodded at the Prince’s words, determined to relay the message to his uncle.
However, if Babis had anything to do with it, that wouldn’t be done until much later as soon as Vangelis moved onto the next child, Photis stepped forward to collect his son. Knowing full well that he would be expected to stand still for the rest of the children, Babis decided right before his father was able to grasp his hand that he was not going to do that.
Squirming away from the man, Babis darted off the stage and back towards the crowd of other kids. An exasperated cry of his name came from behind him, but it was quickly drowned out by the thunder. As the rain came pouring down with it, Babis merely laughed as others panicked to get the little ones out of the rain. In the confusion, Babis too was swept up by the hands of a strange adult, who deposited him underneath the cover of a merchant’s stand on the edge of the courtyard he and the other half dozen unaccompanied children that had been rescued from the crowd could wait for their parents to find them again.
The rain came down upon the courtyard mercilessly, finally discouraging Babis from running away again. So, instead of kicking up much of a fuss, the boy sat down on the cobblestone and waited for the sheets of rain to abate. For a moment, it looked as if Babis was about to be bored out of his mind once more, but luckily for him, that changed the moment another wild child decided to take shelter beneath the merchant’s stall and their companion decided to greet little Babis with a wet, slobbery kiss.
The Eliades boy squealed in delight as the dog barreled on top of him, licking at a spot on the boy’s cheeks where he had made a mess of his food earlier. His hands reached out to the sides of the beast, grabbing wildly as he tried to push the dog off. Being only four, he didn’t know the danger that strange dogs could present, but it was clear from the rapidly wagging tail that this one meant no harm to him. He had just managed to get the beast off of him (amid a fit of giggles, of course) when a soaking wet mop of red hair came into view and approached the pair of oversized pups.
“ Is this your dog?” Babis asked as the strange woman approached. It was an easy assumption for the child to make and it was seemingly confirmed by the dog turning to the woman in equal glee that he had shown for Babis. What was harder for the boy to explain away was how strange this lady was with a wide-eyed stare and weird decision to sniff the boy, like she was almost a dog herself. Babis didn’t know what to make of it and for a moment, pulled back in confusion. However, the moment didn’t last long as once glance at the dog set Babis at ease as he reached out for the pup again as question after question came tumbling from his mouth. “ What’s its name? Can it do tricks? How old is it?” A wide grin crossed his face, perfectly pleased that despite the rain he was having a great time now that there was a puppy involved.
If the adults thought that the allure of a blessing from the Crown Prince would be enough incentive to keep the children still for more than a few moments, they were sorely mistaken. Truly, they should have known better to trust a bunch of four-year-olds with such a task, especially with the likes of Babis of Eliades in their midst.
Once Vangelis called for the children to line up and seeing Dion scamper off by himself, without any sort of adult supervision, the Eliades family felt obligated to follow suit; trusting that their firm instructions for Aras to hold onto Babis’s hand the whole time would not be ignored. It was almost like they didn’t know their younger son. After all, Babis had always been a fidgety child and a rule breaker. He was never content with being told what to do or how to behave. Granted, the child would try, but his curiosity and neverending reserve of energy would always win out in the end. At least when he was with his family, the behavior could be counteracted in some fashion like how his father had lifted him onto his shoulders when they first arrived. Whatever method, it needed a firm hand and already established need for Babis to listen.
Aras had neither of these things.
The younger twin had dropped the elder’s grasp before they had even gotten into line behind Dion and no matter how the quieter one fussed, Babis had no interest in indulging him. He was far too excited after all to listen to his brother’s whining and repeated reminders that mother and father had told them to stand together. It was all white noise to the boy. It would take the fear of god to keep Babis still and in place, which was something his brother certainly did not have. So, as the boys made their way through the line and not so patiently waiting their turn to be blessed by Vang, Babis was fidgeting. It was clear that he was way too energetic to have been set loose on his own as he bounced from foot to foot and flicked Aras when the other boy wasn’t looking. It was a miracle that Babis was even able to keep himself in line long enough to receive the blessing from Vang. He nodded at the Prince’s words, determined to relay the message to his uncle.
However, if Babis had anything to do with it, that wouldn’t be done until much later as soon as Vangelis moved onto the next child, Photis stepped forward to collect his son. Knowing full well that he would be expected to stand still for the rest of the children, Babis decided right before his father was able to grasp his hand that he was not going to do that.
Squirming away from the man, Babis darted off the stage and back towards the crowd of other kids. An exasperated cry of his name came from behind him, but it was quickly drowned out by the thunder. As the rain came pouring down with it, Babis merely laughed as others panicked to get the little ones out of the rain. In the confusion, Babis too was swept up by the hands of a strange adult, who deposited him underneath the cover of a merchant’s stand on the edge of the courtyard he and the other half dozen unaccompanied children that had been rescued from the crowd could wait for their parents to find them again.
The rain came down upon the courtyard mercilessly, finally discouraging Babis from running away again. So, instead of kicking up much of a fuss, the boy sat down on the cobblestone and waited for the sheets of rain to abate. For a moment, it looked as if Babis was about to be bored out of his mind once more, but luckily for him, that changed the moment another wild child decided to take shelter beneath the merchant’s stall and their companion decided to greet little Babis with a wet, slobbery kiss.
The Eliades boy squealed in delight as the dog barreled on top of him, licking at a spot on the boy’s cheeks where he had made a mess of his food earlier. His hands reached out to the sides of the beast, grabbing wildly as he tried to push the dog off. Being only four, he didn’t know the danger that strange dogs could present, but it was clear from the rapidly wagging tail that this one meant no harm to him. He had just managed to get the beast off of him (amid a fit of giggles, of course) when a soaking wet mop of red hair came into view and approached the pair of oversized pups.
“ Is this your dog?” Babis asked as the strange woman approached. It was an easy assumption for the child to make and it was seemingly confirmed by the dog turning to the woman in equal glee that he had shown for Babis. What was harder for the boy to explain away was how strange this lady was with a wide-eyed stare and weird decision to sniff the boy, like she was almost a dog herself. Babis didn’t know what to make of it and for a moment, pulled back in confusion. However, the moment didn’t last long as once glance at the dog set Babis at ease as he reached out for the pup again as question after question came tumbling from his mouth. “ What’s its name? Can it do tricks? How old is it?” A wide grin crossed his face, perfectly pleased that despite the rain he was having a great time now that there was a puppy involved.
Allowing the day and people to pass around him, he smiled and nodded, accepting congratulations and blessings for the growth of his son, Zanon moved through the day with little effort. He stood with Evras as Dion lined up with the others, chuckling at the combined antics of so many four year olds. As much as he enjoyed watching his son grow and the games of the little ones, he was eager for more.
He'd been searching for hints that Evras might give him reason to hope that soon their family might grow by one. While he had suspicions nothing had been confirmed and it was part of the reason he stuck so close to her side. It was one of his joys, getting the chance to help Dion grow and learn and discover new things every day. He was looking forward to the boy's military training, if the cleverness he exhibited carried over he could make as good a strategist as his father and brothers.
With an arm around his wife's waist, he beamed with pride as his brother blessed Dion, the gathering clouds in the sky barely a concern until lightning flickered across his gaze. As if that was all the warning they would get, the sky suddenly opened and before he could stop her Evras was running away. In the sudden panic that ensued he lost sight of her through the sheets of rain, calling after her and trying to find her in the crowd of people who were fleeing. He knew Vangelis would look after his son, it was his wife he feared for most.
Within moments his tunic was stuck to his skin and his hair was plastered back, but that mattered nothing when he saw Evras on the ground with a look of agony on her face. The woman knelt by her side barely registered as he reached for her, hitting the ground hard himself as his knees took the force in a manner that would leave them bruised for days. If she'd been pushed to the ground or tripped he would find the one responsible and make their lives a misery. Shooting a glance to the other two who remained, he caught the tail end of the explanation that they were healers and their presence no longer prickled him quite as much as it had before.
"Come, out of the rain."
Zanon reached to catch Evras up in his arms but paused as he tucked his grip under her knees and around her back, looking to the woman with the knowledge of a man who had seen much at war.
"Is it safe to move her?"
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Sept 24, 2019 0:48:04 GMT
Posted In Anthesteria on Sept 24, 2019 0:48:04 GMT
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Allowing the day and people to pass around him, he smiled and nodded, accepting congratulations and blessings for the growth of his son, Zanon moved through the day with little effort. He stood with Evras as Dion lined up with the others, chuckling at the combined antics of so many four year olds. As much as he enjoyed watching his son grow and the games of the little ones, he was eager for more.
He'd been searching for hints that Evras might give him reason to hope that soon their family might grow by one. While he had suspicions nothing had been confirmed and it was part of the reason he stuck so close to her side. It was one of his joys, getting the chance to help Dion grow and learn and discover new things every day. He was looking forward to the boy's military training, if the cleverness he exhibited carried over he could make as good a strategist as his father and brothers.
With an arm around his wife's waist, he beamed with pride as his brother blessed Dion, the gathering clouds in the sky barely a concern until lightning flickered across his gaze. As if that was all the warning they would get, the sky suddenly opened and before he could stop her Evras was running away. In the sudden panic that ensued he lost sight of her through the sheets of rain, calling after her and trying to find her in the crowd of people who were fleeing. He knew Vangelis would look after his son, it was his wife he feared for most.
Within moments his tunic was stuck to his skin and his hair was plastered back, but that mattered nothing when he saw Evras on the ground with a look of agony on her face. The woman knelt by her side barely registered as he reached for her, hitting the ground hard himself as his knees took the force in a manner that would leave them bruised for days. If she'd been pushed to the ground or tripped he would find the one responsible and make their lives a misery. Shooting a glance to the other two who remained, he caught the tail end of the explanation that they were healers and their presence no longer prickled him quite as much as it had before.
"Come, out of the rain."
Zanon reached to catch Evras up in his arms but paused as he tucked his grip under her knees and around her back, looking to the woman with the knowledge of a man who had seen much at war.
"Is it safe to move her?"
Allowing the day and people to pass around him, he smiled and nodded, accepting congratulations and blessings for the growth of his son, Zanon moved through the day with little effort. He stood with Evras as Dion lined up with the others, chuckling at the combined antics of so many four year olds. As much as he enjoyed watching his son grow and the games of the little ones, he was eager for more.
He'd been searching for hints that Evras might give him reason to hope that soon their family might grow by one. While he had suspicions nothing had been confirmed and it was part of the reason he stuck so close to her side. It was one of his joys, getting the chance to help Dion grow and learn and discover new things every day. He was looking forward to the boy's military training, if the cleverness he exhibited carried over he could make as good a strategist as his father and brothers.
With an arm around his wife's waist, he beamed with pride as his brother blessed Dion, the gathering clouds in the sky barely a concern until lightning flickered across his gaze. As if that was all the warning they would get, the sky suddenly opened and before he could stop her Evras was running away. In the sudden panic that ensued he lost sight of her through the sheets of rain, calling after her and trying to find her in the crowd of people who were fleeing. He knew Vangelis would look after his son, it was his wife he feared for most.
Within moments his tunic was stuck to his skin and his hair was plastered back, but that mattered nothing when he saw Evras on the ground with a look of agony on her face. The woman knelt by her side barely registered as he reached for her, hitting the ground hard himself as his knees took the force in a manner that would leave them bruised for days. If she'd been pushed to the ground or tripped he would find the one responsible and make their lives a misery. Shooting a glance to the other two who remained, he caught the tail end of the explanation that they were healers and their presence no longer prickled him quite as much as it had before.
"Come, out of the rain."
Zanon reached to catch Evras up in his arms but paused as he tucked his grip under her knees and around her back, looking to the woman with the knowledge of a man who had seen much at war.