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Ever the nervous one, Melina turned to her for comfort, and Xanthippe reached out to clasp her hand. The daughter of two such formidable parents, Xan often had a hard time understanding why Melina was so meek. With the examples she had, she ought to be as bold as the cousins she envied, and yet she was not. Perhaps it the influence of such powerful parents that left their daughter scrambling in their wake, forever struggling to catch up and forever falling short. Or perhaps it was something else entirely.
Whatever it was, the handmaid wished she could wave her hand and cure it, imbue Melina with the confidence she so desperately needed. What was it that left her scared to approach her own family? Was she intimidated by the beauty and status of her cousins? Or was it something else? As far as Xanthippe was concerned, Melina was just as striking as they were, even if she lacked the poise that so often characterized the Leventi women. What was it she was so afraid of?
Precious child.
In that, she and the gods were in agreement—Melina was more precious to her than any other living creature on the planet. If the woman asked her to walk through fire, she’d do it without a second thought, and so she simply smiled. Walking up to her lady’s family was hardly such an ordeal.
“It is not about my comfort, my lady,” she replied, squeezing her mistress’s fingers before letting them drop. “If you wish for me to accompany you, then that is what I shall do.”
Before they could go anywhere, however, the foreign woman she’d noticed before was talking to them instead, earning herself another suspicious glance from hooded azure eyes. Who was this creature who did not even know why they gathered? Was she a spy, sent to keep tabs on her and her lady? After all, her timing was awfully convenient, and it didn’t seem like she’d talked to anyone else there…
Follow her. Find out what she knows.
I cannot abandon my lady.
So you would keep her in danger instead? What if she knows who you are?
You are even more paranoid than I. I will watch her, and if she does anything out of the ordinary…
New to the festival, new to Taengea, she said. Where had she come from? Why was she here? Xan stepped in a little closer to Melina, carefully selecting a roll stuffed with fruit and cheese from the array of foods laid out before them. One eye lingered on the foreigner as she took a bite, letting no detail of her (admittedly pretty) face go uncatalogued.
“We celebrate the harvest and Persephone’s return to her husband in the Underworld,” she explained in response to the woman’s question, her tone not exactly unfriendly, but not very friendly, either. Perhaps it was inappropriate for her to answer instead of Melina, but if this woman didn’t know what the festival was for, she doubted she knew all of the Grecian social niceties, either. “Are such things not observed where you came from?”
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Ever the nervous one, Melina turned to her for comfort, and Xanthippe reached out to clasp her hand. The daughter of two such formidable parents, Xan often had a hard time understanding why Melina was so meek. With the examples she had, she ought to be as bold as the cousins she envied, and yet she was not. Perhaps it the influence of such powerful parents that left their daughter scrambling in their wake, forever struggling to catch up and forever falling short. Or perhaps it was something else entirely.
Whatever it was, the handmaid wished she could wave her hand and cure it, imbue Melina with the confidence she so desperately needed. What was it that left her scared to approach her own family? Was she intimidated by the beauty and status of her cousins? Or was it something else? As far as Xanthippe was concerned, Melina was just as striking as they were, even if she lacked the poise that so often characterized the Leventi women. What was it she was so afraid of?
Precious child.
In that, she and the gods were in agreement—Melina was more precious to her than any other living creature on the planet. If the woman asked her to walk through fire, she’d do it without a second thought, and so she simply smiled. Walking up to her lady’s family was hardly such an ordeal.
“It is not about my comfort, my lady,” she replied, squeezing her mistress’s fingers before letting them drop. “If you wish for me to accompany you, then that is what I shall do.”
Before they could go anywhere, however, the foreign woman she’d noticed before was talking to them instead, earning herself another suspicious glance from hooded azure eyes. Who was this creature who did not even know why they gathered? Was she a spy, sent to keep tabs on her and her lady? After all, her timing was awfully convenient, and it didn’t seem like she’d talked to anyone else there…
Follow her. Find out what she knows.
I cannot abandon my lady.
So you would keep her in danger instead? What if she knows who you are?
You are even more paranoid than I. I will watch her, and if she does anything out of the ordinary…
New to the festival, new to Taengea, she said. Where had she come from? Why was she here? Xan stepped in a little closer to Melina, carefully selecting a roll stuffed with fruit and cheese from the array of foods laid out before them. One eye lingered on the foreigner as she took a bite, letting no detail of her (admittedly pretty) face go uncatalogued.
“We celebrate the harvest and Persephone’s return to her husband in the Underworld,” she explained in response to the woman’s question, her tone not exactly unfriendly, but not very friendly, either. Perhaps it was inappropriate for her to answer instead of Melina, but if this woman didn’t know what the festival was for, she doubted she knew all of the Grecian social niceties, either. “Are such things not observed where you came from?”
Ever the nervous one, Melina turned to her for comfort, and Xanthippe reached out to clasp her hand. The daughter of two such formidable parents, Xan often had a hard time understanding why Melina was so meek. With the examples she had, she ought to be as bold as the cousins she envied, and yet she was not. Perhaps it the influence of such powerful parents that left their daughter scrambling in their wake, forever struggling to catch up and forever falling short. Or perhaps it was something else entirely.
Whatever it was, the handmaid wished she could wave her hand and cure it, imbue Melina with the confidence she so desperately needed. What was it that left her scared to approach her own family? Was she intimidated by the beauty and status of her cousins? Or was it something else? As far as Xanthippe was concerned, Melina was just as striking as they were, even if she lacked the poise that so often characterized the Leventi women. What was it she was so afraid of?
Precious child.
In that, she and the gods were in agreement—Melina was more precious to her than any other living creature on the planet. If the woman asked her to walk through fire, she’d do it without a second thought, and so she simply smiled. Walking up to her lady’s family was hardly such an ordeal.
“It is not about my comfort, my lady,” she replied, squeezing her mistress’s fingers before letting them drop. “If you wish for me to accompany you, then that is what I shall do.”
Before they could go anywhere, however, the foreign woman she’d noticed before was talking to them instead, earning herself another suspicious glance from hooded azure eyes. Who was this creature who did not even know why they gathered? Was she a spy, sent to keep tabs on her and her lady? After all, her timing was awfully convenient, and it didn’t seem like she’d talked to anyone else there…
Follow her. Find out what she knows.
I cannot abandon my lady.
So you would keep her in danger instead? What if she knows who you are?
You are even more paranoid than I. I will watch her, and if she does anything out of the ordinary…
New to the festival, new to Taengea, she said. Where had she come from? Why was she here? Xan stepped in a little closer to Melina, carefully selecting a roll stuffed with fruit and cheese from the array of foods laid out before them. One eye lingered on the foreigner as she took a bite, letting no detail of her (admittedly pretty) face go uncatalogued.
“We celebrate the harvest and Persephone’s return to her husband in the Underworld,” she explained in response to the woman’s question, her tone not exactly unfriendly, but not very friendly, either. Perhaps it was inappropriate for her to answer instead of Melina, but if this woman didn’t know what the festival was for, she doubted she knew all of the Grecian social niceties, either. “Are such things not observed where you came from?”
Neena watched with an open expression of friendliness upon the two women. They appeared to be noble and servant in the way one adhered to the other's decisions and addressed her with a tone of respect. And yet it was clear that the one that was socially inferior was personally superior in dominance. She was more confident and more direct. The noble woman seemed sweet and unassuming by comparison.
Neena offered a little nod and casual half-shrug at the blonde's description of the event as she looked around at what was going on with the other women. Most were preparing to pay homage to the temples of Persephone and Demeter whilst others hovered together to discuss the organisation of the day's festivities.
"Right, right..." Neena murmured as if to herself. Her childhood years on a Grecian cargo ship were bringing back a limited understanding to her member. "Persephone and Hades. I remember..."
She shook her head when the servant asked her if she didn't observe such traditions where she had come from.
"I come from everywhere." She stated simply, with a bright eye and another casual shrug as he bit into the chicken leg for another spicy and slightly smoky mouthful of poultry. "I've seen just about every festival there is. So, sometimes they get muddle in my head." This last she illustrated by waving the chicken leg in circles beside her ear.
Suddenly, as if a torch had randomly caught light within her mind, Neena looked upon the other two with eyes wide with mirth and enthusiasm. The chicken leg still suspended by her ear.
"Wait! Hey!" She pointed the bone at the two of them, a little bit of chicken flesh wiggling on its ligaments. "Is this the one where you all make little bread penises?" She asked, with absolutely zero shame over the topic whatsoever. Her lips were spread wide and glistened with the spices of the meat, but not so much as her eyes that had taken on a wicked glint of mischief.
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Neena watched with an open expression of friendliness upon the two women. They appeared to be noble and servant in the way one adhered to the other's decisions and addressed her with a tone of respect. And yet it was clear that the one that was socially inferior was personally superior in dominance. She was more confident and more direct. The noble woman seemed sweet and unassuming by comparison.
Neena offered a little nod and casual half-shrug at the blonde's description of the event as she looked around at what was going on with the other women. Most were preparing to pay homage to the temples of Persephone and Demeter whilst others hovered together to discuss the organisation of the day's festivities.
"Right, right..." Neena murmured as if to herself. Her childhood years on a Grecian cargo ship were bringing back a limited understanding to her member. "Persephone and Hades. I remember..."
She shook her head when the servant asked her if she didn't observe such traditions where she had come from.
"I come from everywhere." She stated simply, with a bright eye and another casual shrug as he bit into the chicken leg for another spicy and slightly smoky mouthful of poultry. "I've seen just about every festival there is. So, sometimes they get muddle in my head." This last she illustrated by waving the chicken leg in circles beside her ear.
Suddenly, as if a torch had randomly caught light within her mind, Neena looked upon the other two with eyes wide with mirth and enthusiasm. The chicken leg still suspended by her ear.
"Wait! Hey!" She pointed the bone at the two of them, a little bit of chicken flesh wiggling on its ligaments. "Is this the one where you all make little bread penises?" She asked, with absolutely zero shame over the topic whatsoever. Her lips were spread wide and glistened with the spices of the meat, but not so much as her eyes that had taken on a wicked glint of mischief.
Neena watched with an open expression of friendliness upon the two women. They appeared to be noble and servant in the way one adhered to the other's decisions and addressed her with a tone of respect. And yet it was clear that the one that was socially inferior was personally superior in dominance. She was more confident and more direct. The noble woman seemed sweet and unassuming by comparison.
Neena offered a little nod and casual half-shrug at the blonde's description of the event as she looked around at what was going on with the other women. Most were preparing to pay homage to the temples of Persephone and Demeter whilst others hovered together to discuss the organisation of the day's festivities.
"Right, right..." Neena murmured as if to herself. Her childhood years on a Grecian cargo ship were bringing back a limited understanding to her member. "Persephone and Hades. I remember..."
She shook her head when the servant asked her if she didn't observe such traditions where she had come from.
"I come from everywhere." She stated simply, with a bright eye and another casual shrug as he bit into the chicken leg for another spicy and slightly smoky mouthful of poultry. "I've seen just about every festival there is. So, sometimes they get muddle in my head." This last she illustrated by waving the chicken leg in circles beside her ear.
Suddenly, as if a torch had randomly caught light within her mind, Neena looked upon the other two with eyes wide with mirth and enthusiasm. The chicken leg still suspended by her ear.
"Wait! Hey!" She pointed the bone at the two of them, a little bit of chicken flesh wiggling on its ligaments. "Is this the one where you all make little bread penises?" She asked, with absolutely zero shame over the topic whatsoever. Her lips were spread wide and glistened with the spices of the meat, but not so much as her eyes that had taken on a wicked glint of mischief.
It was an odd thing, yet Nana still felt somewhat conflicted upon her return to Taengea. In a better world, perhaps, the men of Colchis and Taengea would not be forced into a war with the Egyptians. Then, she would have had all the time she'd have liked to spend with her new paramour. Yet, unhappy as Nana was to part with Timaeus, she held onto the hope that that long-said proverb would prove true: that absence would make the heart grow fonder. And with the letter she entrusted to Timaeus addressed to her father, Nana knew that Georgios would not fly in the face of her wishes on this particular occasion. The next few months would only be a matter of waiting for Timaeus' return, and hoping that in the meantime he wouldn't become an expert in the art of pogonotrophy.
And as a blessing from Aphrodite seemed to settle on her shoulders, so did the weight of responsibility that came with it. As far as Nana was concerned, she was now spoken for, and as such, she could get up to none of her usual tricks of toying with lesser lords at court or secret soirées. Now, at least in public, she would have to act as the very model of propriety, a task she could never in good conscience admit she feared she would struggle with.
But, this festival offered a great opportunity for the girl. Stuck on a ship with Olympia and Selene for the past two weeks, Nana had experienced firsthand just how her two elder sisters suffered. Selene had been spurned by Prince Vangelis, and Olympia, now on seemingly good terms with Stephanos, a man Nana so obviously detested, had to part from him. Though she could not put herself in the shoes of her lovesick eldest sister, Nana certainly felt she could relate to Pia's struggle. So, riding the high of her exploits in Colchis, Nana made the decision that she would do what she could to act as a pillar of strength, or, perhaps, just avoid bringing up the man always in her mind.
So soon after landing, the ladies of Leventi found themselves thrust right back into the pomp and circumstance of Taengean court life, as the Festival of Thesmophoria called for a great deal of celebration and prayer to the goddess Demeter. Though Nana was perhaps not as diligent in her prayers as her mother, or Selene, she knew the importance of this festival, and as such, knew to dress accordingly.
Dressed in a vivid green chiton reminiscent of the fields of Macendia, and wearing her hair braided back and piled up onto the top of her head in a bun (more for practicality than anything else - it would not do for Tisiphone to yank on her golden curls), Nana did not skimp on the accessories. Wearing her usual Leventi pendant and olive branch cuff, Nana did not hesitate to add a few extra bangles and decorate her hair with what seemed a bouquet of flowers, tucked ever so carefully into the intricate braids that pulled her hair out of her face.
Piling out of the carriage with the rest of the Leventi entourage, Nana let out a short sigh of relief at the familiar faces she saw dotted through the crowd of women congregated for the festival. No introductions needed...Just what Nana needed after weeks of memorizing faces and names.
Instinctively sticking to the side of her dearest Pia, Nana was perfectly content to spend the entirety of the event by the new mother's side, acting as an aide, perhaps. Yet, when the Leventi women began to scatter, and Nana spotted Princess Xene making her way to Olympia, for perhaps the first time in her life, Nana understood that this was not about her. As such, she decided it was best for her to gracefully bow out from the conversation, giving Olympia's hand a quick squeeze before excusing herself with a curtsy to the Mikaelidas princess. Not wanting to be left alone, the second-youngest made the quick decision to watch over Imma, knowing just how easily her younger sister could slip out of her trained court behaviour if left unwatched for too long. If there was one thing that left Nana baffled, it was Imma.
Walking after her sister with more than just a bit of purpose, it took Nana a short time to catch up to the younger blonde, her teal chiton easy to spot in the crowd. As she neared the littlest Leventi, Nana called out her sister's name as an entreaty for her to wait a moment.
Mama would certainly appreciate her watchful eye.
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It was an odd thing, yet Nana still felt somewhat conflicted upon her return to Taengea. In a better world, perhaps, the men of Colchis and Taengea would not be forced into a war with the Egyptians. Then, she would have had all the time she'd have liked to spend with her new paramour. Yet, unhappy as Nana was to part with Timaeus, she held onto the hope that that long-said proverb would prove true: that absence would make the heart grow fonder. And with the letter she entrusted to Timaeus addressed to her father, Nana knew that Georgios would not fly in the face of her wishes on this particular occasion. The next few months would only be a matter of waiting for Timaeus' return, and hoping that in the meantime he wouldn't become an expert in the art of pogonotrophy.
And as a blessing from Aphrodite seemed to settle on her shoulders, so did the weight of responsibility that came with it. As far as Nana was concerned, she was now spoken for, and as such, she could get up to none of her usual tricks of toying with lesser lords at court or secret soirées. Now, at least in public, she would have to act as the very model of propriety, a task she could never in good conscience admit she feared she would struggle with.
But, this festival offered a great opportunity for the girl. Stuck on a ship with Olympia and Selene for the past two weeks, Nana had experienced firsthand just how her two elder sisters suffered. Selene had been spurned by Prince Vangelis, and Olympia, now on seemingly good terms with Stephanos, a man Nana so obviously detested, had to part from him. Though she could not put herself in the shoes of her lovesick eldest sister, Nana certainly felt she could relate to Pia's struggle. So, riding the high of her exploits in Colchis, Nana made the decision that she would do what she could to act as a pillar of strength, or, perhaps, just avoid bringing up the man always in her mind.
So soon after landing, the ladies of Leventi found themselves thrust right back into the pomp and circumstance of Taengean court life, as the Festival of Thesmophoria called for a great deal of celebration and prayer to the goddess Demeter. Though Nana was perhaps not as diligent in her prayers as her mother, or Selene, she knew the importance of this festival, and as such, knew to dress accordingly.
Dressed in a vivid green chiton reminiscent of the fields of Macendia, and wearing her hair braided back and piled up onto the top of her head in a bun (more for practicality than anything else - it would not do for Tisiphone to yank on her golden curls), Nana did not skimp on the accessories. Wearing her usual Leventi pendant and olive branch cuff, Nana did not hesitate to add a few extra bangles and decorate her hair with what seemed a bouquet of flowers, tucked ever so carefully into the intricate braids that pulled her hair out of her face.
Piling out of the carriage with the rest of the Leventi entourage, Nana let out a short sigh of relief at the familiar faces she saw dotted through the crowd of women congregated for the festival. No introductions needed...Just what Nana needed after weeks of memorizing faces and names.
Instinctively sticking to the side of her dearest Pia, Nana was perfectly content to spend the entirety of the event by the new mother's side, acting as an aide, perhaps. Yet, when the Leventi women began to scatter, and Nana spotted Princess Xene making her way to Olympia, for perhaps the first time in her life, Nana understood that this was not about her. As such, she decided it was best for her to gracefully bow out from the conversation, giving Olympia's hand a quick squeeze before excusing herself with a curtsy to the Mikaelidas princess. Not wanting to be left alone, the second-youngest made the quick decision to watch over Imma, knowing just how easily her younger sister could slip out of her trained court behaviour if left unwatched for too long. If there was one thing that left Nana baffled, it was Imma.
Walking after her sister with more than just a bit of purpose, it took Nana a short time to catch up to the younger blonde, her teal chiton easy to spot in the crowd. As she neared the littlest Leventi, Nana called out her sister's name as an entreaty for her to wait a moment.
Mama would certainly appreciate her watchful eye.
It was an odd thing, yet Nana still felt somewhat conflicted upon her return to Taengea. In a better world, perhaps, the men of Colchis and Taengea would not be forced into a war with the Egyptians. Then, she would have had all the time she'd have liked to spend with her new paramour. Yet, unhappy as Nana was to part with Timaeus, she held onto the hope that that long-said proverb would prove true: that absence would make the heart grow fonder. And with the letter she entrusted to Timaeus addressed to her father, Nana knew that Georgios would not fly in the face of her wishes on this particular occasion. The next few months would only be a matter of waiting for Timaeus' return, and hoping that in the meantime he wouldn't become an expert in the art of pogonotrophy.
And as a blessing from Aphrodite seemed to settle on her shoulders, so did the weight of responsibility that came with it. As far as Nana was concerned, she was now spoken for, and as such, she could get up to none of her usual tricks of toying with lesser lords at court or secret soirées. Now, at least in public, she would have to act as the very model of propriety, a task she could never in good conscience admit she feared she would struggle with.
But, this festival offered a great opportunity for the girl. Stuck on a ship with Olympia and Selene for the past two weeks, Nana had experienced firsthand just how her two elder sisters suffered. Selene had been spurned by Prince Vangelis, and Olympia, now on seemingly good terms with Stephanos, a man Nana so obviously detested, had to part from him. Though she could not put herself in the shoes of her lovesick eldest sister, Nana certainly felt she could relate to Pia's struggle. So, riding the high of her exploits in Colchis, Nana made the decision that she would do what she could to act as a pillar of strength, or, perhaps, just avoid bringing up the man always in her mind.
So soon after landing, the ladies of Leventi found themselves thrust right back into the pomp and circumstance of Taengean court life, as the Festival of Thesmophoria called for a great deal of celebration and prayer to the goddess Demeter. Though Nana was perhaps not as diligent in her prayers as her mother, or Selene, she knew the importance of this festival, and as such, knew to dress accordingly.
Dressed in a vivid green chiton reminiscent of the fields of Macendia, and wearing her hair braided back and piled up onto the top of her head in a bun (more for practicality than anything else - it would not do for Tisiphone to yank on her golden curls), Nana did not skimp on the accessories. Wearing her usual Leventi pendant and olive branch cuff, Nana did not hesitate to add a few extra bangles and decorate her hair with what seemed a bouquet of flowers, tucked ever so carefully into the intricate braids that pulled her hair out of her face.
Piling out of the carriage with the rest of the Leventi entourage, Nana let out a short sigh of relief at the familiar faces she saw dotted through the crowd of women congregated for the festival. No introductions needed...Just what Nana needed after weeks of memorizing faces and names.
Instinctively sticking to the side of her dearest Pia, Nana was perfectly content to spend the entirety of the event by the new mother's side, acting as an aide, perhaps. Yet, when the Leventi women began to scatter, and Nana spotted Princess Xene making her way to Olympia, for perhaps the first time in her life, Nana understood that this was not about her. As such, she decided it was best for her to gracefully bow out from the conversation, giving Olympia's hand a quick squeeze before excusing herself with a curtsy to the Mikaelidas princess. Not wanting to be left alone, the second-youngest made the quick decision to watch over Imma, knowing just how easily her younger sister could slip out of her trained court behaviour if left unwatched for too long. If there was one thing that left Nana baffled, it was Imma.
Walking after her sister with more than just a bit of purpose, it took Nana a short time to catch up to the younger blonde, her teal chiton easy to spot in the crowd. As she neared the littlest Leventi, Nana called out her sister's name as an entreaty for her to wait a moment.
Mama would certainly appreciate her watchful eye.
Xene's own heart was racing in her chest at the sheer excitement of seeing her sister-in-law again. It made her sad that her brother could not join them. Admittedly, she knew that he was off to war with the Colchians, and her own worry for her brother's safety had been something that had gripped her the entire time that the Colchain ships were moored in the harbor just a few days past. To now see that Olympia was back where she was supposed to be was an extreme relief for the young baroness.
"I am beyond overjoyed that you are home," Xene admitted gently, with great relief in her voice as she embraced Olympia in the one-sided hug. She had not forgotten her ladies, but for the moment, she was focused on her family. Only when the two of them pulled away from one another did Xene finally motion to both Kalliope and Cilissa, gratefully taking the goblet of wine from Cilissa and bringing it to her lips in a tentative sip. "Lady Olympia, these are my ladies, Kalliope and Cilissa. I'm sure you might remember seeing Kalliope around. Cilissa is new to my service," she said lightly, motioning Cilissa forward and then looking down into the face of her niece once more.
"She is so beautiful," she murmured softly, "Her father's daughter, through and through." Because the Mikaelidas features were not lost on her. Not in the slightest. Reaching down, she brushed Tisiphone's nose with her finger and then let the little baby hold onto her hand with a look of wonder in Xene's own blue eyes. Looking back up to Olympia, Xene found herself glancing around the space. "Perhaps we should find somewhere to sit before I am allowed to hold the little one," she said slowly, not at all hiding her anxiety at potentially holding her wrong or hurting her.
The princess was inexperienced with babies, that much was true, and she didn't want to accidentally harm her own niece. A girl that she would be overjoyed to see grow up through the years.
Leading Olympia and her ladies across the grasses, Xene was relieved to find some seating, a few chairs off to the edges of the festival that Olympia and Xene were able to settle into easily. Turning her body more toward Olympia, she looked a little apprehensive. "Can you show me how to hold her properly?" Xene asked softly.
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Xene's own heart was racing in her chest at the sheer excitement of seeing her sister-in-law again. It made her sad that her brother could not join them. Admittedly, she knew that he was off to war with the Colchians, and her own worry for her brother's safety had been something that had gripped her the entire time that the Colchain ships were moored in the harbor just a few days past. To now see that Olympia was back where she was supposed to be was an extreme relief for the young baroness.
"I am beyond overjoyed that you are home," Xene admitted gently, with great relief in her voice as she embraced Olympia in the one-sided hug. She had not forgotten her ladies, but for the moment, she was focused on her family. Only when the two of them pulled away from one another did Xene finally motion to both Kalliope and Cilissa, gratefully taking the goblet of wine from Cilissa and bringing it to her lips in a tentative sip. "Lady Olympia, these are my ladies, Kalliope and Cilissa. I'm sure you might remember seeing Kalliope around. Cilissa is new to my service," she said lightly, motioning Cilissa forward and then looking down into the face of her niece once more.
"She is so beautiful," she murmured softly, "Her father's daughter, through and through." Because the Mikaelidas features were not lost on her. Not in the slightest. Reaching down, she brushed Tisiphone's nose with her finger and then let the little baby hold onto her hand with a look of wonder in Xene's own blue eyes. Looking back up to Olympia, Xene found herself glancing around the space. "Perhaps we should find somewhere to sit before I am allowed to hold the little one," she said slowly, not at all hiding her anxiety at potentially holding her wrong or hurting her.
The princess was inexperienced with babies, that much was true, and she didn't want to accidentally harm her own niece. A girl that she would be overjoyed to see grow up through the years.
Leading Olympia and her ladies across the grasses, Xene was relieved to find some seating, a few chairs off to the edges of the festival that Olympia and Xene were able to settle into easily. Turning her body more toward Olympia, she looked a little apprehensive. "Can you show me how to hold her properly?" Xene asked softly.
Xene's own heart was racing in her chest at the sheer excitement of seeing her sister-in-law again. It made her sad that her brother could not join them. Admittedly, she knew that he was off to war with the Colchians, and her own worry for her brother's safety had been something that had gripped her the entire time that the Colchain ships were moored in the harbor just a few days past. To now see that Olympia was back where she was supposed to be was an extreme relief for the young baroness.
"I am beyond overjoyed that you are home," Xene admitted gently, with great relief in her voice as she embraced Olympia in the one-sided hug. She had not forgotten her ladies, but for the moment, she was focused on her family. Only when the two of them pulled away from one another did Xene finally motion to both Kalliope and Cilissa, gratefully taking the goblet of wine from Cilissa and bringing it to her lips in a tentative sip. "Lady Olympia, these are my ladies, Kalliope and Cilissa. I'm sure you might remember seeing Kalliope around. Cilissa is new to my service," she said lightly, motioning Cilissa forward and then looking down into the face of her niece once more.
"She is so beautiful," she murmured softly, "Her father's daughter, through and through." Because the Mikaelidas features were not lost on her. Not in the slightest. Reaching down, she brushed Tisiphone's nose with her finger and then let the little baby hold onto her hand with a look of wonder in Xene's own blue eyes. Looking back up to Olympia, Xene found herself glancing around the space. "Perhaps we should find somewhere to sit before I am allowed to hold the little one," she said slowly, not at all hiding her anxiety at potentially holding her wrong or hurting her.
The princess was inexperienced with babies, that much was true, and she didn't want to accidentally harm her own niece. A girl that she would be overjoyed to see grow up through the years.
Leading Olympia and her ladies across the grasses, Xene was relieved to find some seating, a few chairs off to the edges of the festival that Olympia and Xene were able to settle into easily. Turning her body more toward Olympia, she looked a little apprehensive. "Can you show me how to hold her properly?" Xene asked softly.
Curveball Lush
At the arrival of more ladies to the festivities, the fires set beneath three spitted boards are given more fuel and set to a higher flame. Now that most of the Taengean nobility are within the meadows of the celebrations it will soon be time for the gutting of the animals so that their entrails can be blessed and scattered to the Taengean fields... The smell of roasting pork becomes heavy in the air...
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
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At the arrival of more ladies to the festivities, the fires set beneath three spitted boards are given more fuel and set to a higher flame. Now that most of the Taengean nobility are within the meadows of the celebrations it will soon be time for the gutting of the animals so that their entrails can be blessed and scattered to the Taengean fields... The smell of roasting pork becomes heavy in the air...
Curveball Lush
At the arrival of more ladies to the festivities, the fires set beneath three spitted boards are given more fuel and set to a higher flame. Now that most of the Taengean nobility are within the meadows of the celebrations it will soon be time for the gutting of the animals so that their entrails can be blessed and scattered to the Taengean fields... The smell of roasting pork becomes heavy in the air...
It was something of an open secret in the palace that she had struggled in the months after her father and brother’s deaths. Her difficulty finding rest and keeping meals down had culminated in her brother’s deposition and the death of her uncle. As Gianna had finally allowed herself to hope for an end to the turmoil, war was on the horizon and her sister was to take on a barony. She had been shocked when Xene informed her, but she had not anticipated the great sadness at having to leave her lifelong home. She had spent the days since her sister’s revelation meditating on every nook and cranny in the paláti.
Xene had of course extended an invitation to share a carriage to the Thesmophoria, but Gianna had decided she needed to take a turn about the gardens to clear her head before departing for the festival. Besides, she knew how punctual Xene was and the youngest princess was in no mood to witness the festival preparations, her impatience dictated that she arrive after the event had already begun. And so she had ordered a carriage for herself and her own lady in waiting after seeing her sister off. It certainly was not the comfort and grandeur that was the Royal carriage, she thought as they bumped along the road to Epirus.
Gianna was grateful for the short length of the journey. She was not sure her chiton or spine could take much more. Stepping out of the carriage, she smoothed the wrinkles out of her cream-colored chiton and readjusted her crimson himation. Elpis reached for a loose curl and Gianna waved her off, indicating her preference for a more informal appearance regardless of her station. She took in the scene before her, drawing a breath to give her the strength to descend into the meadow and join the gathering women.
She took in the many faces that she passed, offering smiles and polite greetings where they were due. She recognized many of the women, but she also noticed several new faces, whether noble or common she could not determine. The only face that mattered in the sea of people was a face she had never dared hope she would see again. The woman’s dark curls were enough to steal the air from Gianna’s lungs. She felt simultaneously like all the strength in her body had been beaten away and as if she could run as long as the sun sat in the sky.
An audible gasp, somewhere between pain and relief, was the only warning Elpis received as the princess’s knees began to buckle. Gianna suppressed the tears that pricked the corners of her eyes, embarrassed enough about collapsing in the middle of the field. With her retainer’s assistance, she found her feet and closed the distance between herself and Olympia. “Your Majesty—” her voice barely a whisper. “Sister.” Gianna pulled the woman into a hug, forgoing propriety as she lost her battle and tears flowed freely. This was her family.
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It was something of an open secret in the palace that she had struggled in the months after her father and brother’s deaths. Her difficulty finding rest and keeping meals down had culminated in her brother’s deposition and the death of her uncle. As Gianna had finally allowed herself to hope for an end to the turmoil, war was on the horizon and her sister was to take on a barony. She had been shocked when Xene informed her, but she had not anticipated the great sadness at having to leave her lifelong home. She had spent the days since her sister’s revelation meditating on every nook and cranny in the paláti.
Xene had of course extended an invitation to share a carriage to the Thesmophoria, but Gianna had decided she needed to take a turn about the gardens to clear her head before departing for the festival. Besides, she knew how punctual Xene was and the youngest princess was in no mood to witness the festival preparations, her impatience dictated that she arrive after the event had already begun. And so she had ordered a carriage for herself and her own lady in waiting after seeing her sister off. It certainly was not the comfort and grandeur that was the Royal carriage, she thought as they bumped along the road to Epirus.
Gianna was grateful for the short length of the journey. She was not sure her chiton or spine could take much more. Stepping out of the carriage, she smoothed the wrinkles out of her cream-colored chiton and readjusted her crimson himation. Elpis reached for a loose curl and Gianna waved her off, indicating her preference for a more informal appearance regardless of her station. She took in the scene before her, drawing a breath to give her the strength to descend into the meadow and join the gathering women.
She took in the many faces that she passed, offering smiles and polite greetings where they were due. She recognized many of the women, but she also noticed several new faces, whether noble or common she could not determine. The only face that mattered in the sea of people was a face she had never dared hope she would see again. The woman’s dark curls were enough to steal the air from Gianna’s lungs. She felt simultaneously like all the strength in her body had been beaten away and as if she could run as long as the sun sat in the sky.
An audible gasp, somewhere between pain and relief, was the only warning Elpis received as the princess’s knees began to buckle. Gianna suppressed the tears that pricked the corners of her eyes, embarrassed enough about collapsing in the middle of the field. With her retainer’s assistance, she found her feet and closed the distance between herself and Olympia. “Your Majesty—” her voice barely a whisper. “Sister.” Gianna pulled the woman into a hug, forgoing propriety as she lost her battle and tears flowed freely. This was her family.
It was something of an open secret in the palace that she had struggled in the months after her father and brother’s deaths. Her difficulty finding rest and keeping meals down had culminated in her brother’s deposition and the death of her uncle. As Gianna had finally allowed herself to hope for an end to the turmoil, war was on the horizon and her sister was to take on a barony. She had been shocked when Xene informed her, but she had not anticipated the great sadness at having to leave her lifelong home. She had spent the days since her sister’s revelation meditating on every nook and cranny in the paláti.
Xene had of course extended an invitation to share a carriage to the Thesmophoria, but Gianna had decided she needed to take a turn about the gardens to clear her head before departing for the festival. Besides, she knew how punctual Xene was and the youngest princess was in no mood to witness the festival preparations, her impatience dictated that she arrive after the event had already begun. And so she had ordered a carriage for herself and her own lady in waiting after seeing her sister off. It certainly was not the comfort and grandeur that was the Royal carriage, she thought as they bumped along the road to Epirus.
Gianna was grateful for the short length of the journey. She was not sure her chiton or spine could take much more. Stepping out of the carriage, she smoothed the wrinkles out of her cream-colored chiton and readjusted her crimson himation. Elpis reached for a loose curl and Gianna waved her off, indicating her preference for a more informal appearance regardless of her station. She took in the scene before her, drawing a breath to give her the strength to descend into the meadow and join the gathering women.
She took in the many faces that she passed, offering smiles and polite greetings where they were due. She recognized many of the women, but she also noticed several new faces, whether noble or common she could not determine. The only face that mattered in the sea of people was a face she had never dared hope she would see again. The woman’s dark curls were enough to steal the air from Gianna’s lungs. She felt simultaneously like all the strength in her body had been beaten away and as if she could run as long as the sun sat in the sky.
An audible gasp, somewhere between pain and relief, was the only warning Elpis received as the princess’s knees began to buckle. Gianna suppressed the tears that pricked the corners of her eyes, embarrassed enough about collapsing in the middle of the field. With her retainer’s assistance, she found her feet and closed the distance between herself and Olympia. “Your Majesty—” her voice barely a whisper. “Sister.” Gianna pulled the woman into a hug, forgoing propriety as she lost her battle and tears flowed freely. This was her family.
I come from everywhere.
Such a vague statement, and one that did not endear the foreigner to Xan in the slightest. Who said such a thing if they weren’t hiding something? Blue eyes narrowed the slightest bit in suspicion, but the handmaid did her best to keep it under control. The woman had made no avert moves of aggression or shown any real need for suspicion. At least Xanthippe was self-aware enough to know that she had a tendency to be overly paranoid.
Paranoia is what has kept you alive this long.
That was true, at least, even if that life was one fraught with constant looking over the shoulder. But truthfully, paranoia aside, Xanthippe was just too hungry at the moment to act on her misgivings. The sudden smell of roasting pork had her stomach growling even more fiercely than before, the twitching of her nose questing for its source. Contenting herself with the stuffed roll in her hand, she bit into it with a sigh that bordered on yearning. This was all well and good, but the meat…
Momentarily lost in daydreams of roast pig, she was caught off guard by Neena’s following question about the phallic bread. Xanthippe even deigned to laugh, in spite of her reservations about the woman. She supposed it was a strange custom looking from the outside in, though she’d been raised with such traditions.
“Yes, it’s that one,” she replied with a snort, unsure why she was still bothering to answer. Perhaps it was the light-hearted air of the festival that kept her tongue so loose, or perhaps it was the sight of her beloved mistress in such good spirits. Whatever it was, Xanthippe didn’t linger long in her customary dark brooding, as she so often did. “But that will come later. After we gut the pigs.”
Polishing off the last of the roll in her hand and eyeing the other refreshments laid out before them, she snatched up a cool glass of water for herself and offered a goblet of wine to Lady Melina. Smiling whether she accepted or not, she picked up a stuffed grape leaf and bit into it to keep her mind off the aroma of the meat. But gods, it smelled so good!
All things in due time, Xanthippe. It’s not like you’ll get the first bite, anyhow.
Cocking a brow at the foreign woman who still lingered near them, she asked, “Does that mean you’ve attended the festival of Thesmophoria before, then? Where?”
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I come from everywhere.
Such a vague statement, and one that did not endear the foreigner to Xan in the slightest. Who said such a thing if they weren’t hiding something? Blue eyes narrowed the slightest bit in suspicion, but the handmaid did her best to keep it under control. The woman had made no avert moves of aggression or shown any real need for suspicion. At least Xanthippe was self-aware enough to know that she had a tendency to be overly paranoid.
Paranoia is what has kept you alive this long.
That was true, at least, even if that life was one fraught with constant looking over the shoulder. But truthfully, paranoia aside, Xanthippe was just too hungry at the moment to act on her misgivings. The sudden smell of roasting pork had her stomach growling even more fiercely than before, the twitching of her nose questing for its source. Contenting herself with the stuffed roll in her hand, she bit into it with a sigh that bordered on yearning. This was all well and good, but the meat…
Momentarily lost in daydreams of roast pig, she was caught off guard by Neena’s following question about the phallic bread. Xanthippe even deigned to laugh, in spite of her reservations about the woman. She supposed it was a strange custom looking from the outside in, though she’d been raised with such traditions.
“Yes, it’s that one,” she replied with a snort, unsure why she was still bothering to answer. Perhaps it was the light-hearted air of the festival that kept her tongue so loose, or perhaps it was the sight of her beloved mistress in such good spirits. Whatever it was, Xanthippe didn’t linger long in her customary dark brooding, as she so often did. “But that will come later. After we gut the pigs.”
Polishing off the last of the roll in her hand and eyeing the other refreshments laid out before them, she snatched up a cool glass of water for herself and offered a goblet of wine to Lady Melina. Smiling whether she accepted or not, she picked up a stuffed grape leaf and bit into it to keep her mind off the aroma of the meat. But gods, it smelled so good!
All things in due time, Xanthippe. It’s not like you’ll get the first bite, anyhow.
Cocking a brow at the foreign woman who still lingered near them, she asked, “Does that mean you’ve attended the festival of Thesmophoria before, then? Where?”
I come from everywhere.
Such a vague statement, and one that did not endear the foreigner to Xan in the slightest. Who said such a thing if they weren’t hiding something? Blue eyes narrowed the slightest bit in suspicion, but the handmaid did her best to keep it under control. The woman had made no avert moves of aggression or shown any real need for suspicion. At least Xanthippe was self-aware enough to know that she had a tendency to be overly paranoid.
Paranoia is what has kept you alive this long.
That was true, at least, even if that life was one fraught with constant looking over the shoulder. But truthfully, paranoia aside, Xanthippe was just too hungry at the moment to act on her misgivings. The sudden smell of roasting pork had her stomach growling even more fiercely than before, the twitching of her nose questing for its source. Contenting herself with the stuffed roll in her hand, she bit into it with a sigh that bordered on yearning. This was all well and good, but the meat…
Momentarily lost in daydreams of roast pig, she was caught off guard by Neena’s following question about the phallic bread. Xanthippe even deigned to laugh, in spite of her reservations about the woman. She supposed it was a strange custom looking from the outside in, though she’d been raised with such traditions.
“Yes, it’s that one,” she replied with a snort, unsure why she was still bothering to answer. Perhaps it was the light-hearted air of the festival that kept her tongue so loose, or perhaps it was the sight of her beloved mistress in such good spirits. Whatever it was, Xanthippe didn’t linger long in her customary dark brooding, as she so often did. “But that will come later. After we gut the pigs.”
Polishing off the last of the roll in her hand and eyeing the other refreshments laid out before them, she snatched up a cool glass of water for herself and offered a goblet of wine to Lady Melina. Smiling whether she accepted or not, she picked up a stuffed grape leaf and bit into it to keep her mind off the aroma of the meat. But gods, it smelled so good!
All things in due time, Xanthippe. It’s not like you’ll get the first bite, anyhow.
Cocking a brow at the foreign woman who still lingered near them, she asked, “Does that mean you’ve attended the festival of Thesmophoria before, then? Where?”
While only a lowly servant girl, she had somehow had the luck to have her off day fall on the day where the festival of Thesmophoria was underway. Zenais had no clue whether or not her mistress was planning on heading to the celebration for the Goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, she had always enjoyed the autumn-heralding celebration. With her meagre amount of coin earned as a tavern girl, she had rarely managed to make it to the celebrations, but now that she could earn more as a servant to the lady of Leventi household herself, Zenais finally managed to find a wagon to bring her to Epirus, where she smiled as she entered the festival in the midst of its celebrations.
That most of the menfolk were away only served to bolster Zenais's confidence in her attendance - surely that would mean lesser nobles, and as such she would not be as much in risk of running into someone she would know, right? The brunette truly intended to just enjoy the general upbeat mood, forgetting the vast amount of things she would have to learn and the stress of getting things right now that she was back within the realms of nobility.
Unlike her usual normal outfits of serviceable brown in all color and tones, Zenais had gotten a wardrobe change ever since being in the employ of Eirini. She couldn't look dowdy or plain next to her beauty, and because of that, far more color has been added to her repertoire, most of them credits to her employer herself, even more reason why the brunette was indebted to her.
In a sleeved chiton in teal, the outfit had a low cut down to just below her chest, but was tightened around the waist with a brown leather braided belt. With sleeves which fell like a waterfall around her arms, the rest of the chiton ended at her ankles, just enough that anyone looking would be able to see her leather sandals laced up her calves. She had no other jewelry adorning her, and if this was in comparision to the rest of nobility, Zenais paled greatly. But this was far more opulent then anything she's ever worn in the past ten years.
The girl did not have much to spend, but what little she had was tied to the inner sides of her chiton, a small velvet pouch of coins that she could afford for the day, with a little remaining to get a wagon to bring her back to the capitol for the night.
Having arrived just as fires were set beneath the spitted boards, her large liquid blue gaze lighted up as she found herself drifting closer to the smell of roasting pork, as the sun set and a general balmy, celebratory feel filled the air. If one tried hard enough, they could almost imagine that there was no looming war, and everyone was simply here to enjoy the camraderie and the wares from the local merchants and farmers, just an evening of fun and relaxation. Laughter floated, mingling in with the sound of chatter and good vibes, and Zenais could feel her tense muscles slowly relax as she whirled around....
.... And almost knocked into one of the many spits that was holding a roasted pork. Apparently though, just a little kick from her was enough to send the half-cooked pig falling into the pit of fire, and a loud cry went up as Zenais stared on in horror, having ruined of the three large animals being readied for dinner. "I'm so sorry!" Zenais tried, but was only met with a loud angry man demanding for her to pay - money she simply didn't have.
Biting her lip, the brunette dipped into her pockets, and reluctantly pulled out a small pouch of all she had left of her weekly salary, dropping it into the demandingly outstretched hands of the man, before quickly hurrying away, not eager to stay after the spectacle she's made of herself.
Disappearing into the crowd, the brunette melted away and headed right for the wagon to bring her back to the capitol.
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While only a lowly servant girl, she had somehow had the luck to have her off day fall on the day where the festival of Thesmophoria was underway. Zenais had no clue whether or not her mistress was planning on heading to the celebration for the Goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, she had always enjoyed the autumn-heralding celebration. With her meagre amount of coin earned as a tavern girl, she had rarely managed to make it to the celebrations, but now that she could earn more as a servant to the lady of Leventi household herself, Zenais finally managed to find a wagon to bring her to Epirus, where she smiled as she entered the festival in the midst of its celebrations.
That most of the menfolk were away only served to bolster Zenais's confidence in her attendance - surely that would mean lesser nobles, and as such she would not be as much in risk of running into someone she would know, right? The brunette truly intended to just enjoy the general upbeat mood, forgetting the vast amount of things she would have to learn and the stress of getting things right now that she was back within the realms of nobility.
Unlike her usual normal outfits of serviceable brown in all color and tones, Zenais had gotten a wardrobe change ever since being in the employ of Eirini. She couldn't look dowdy or plain next to her beauty, and because of that, far more color has been added to her repertoire, most of them credits to her employer herself, even more reason why the brunette was indebted to her.
In a sleeved chiton in teal, the outfit had a low cut down to just below her chest, but was tightened around the waist with a brown leather braided belt. With sleeves which fell like a waterfall around her arms, the rest of the chiton ended at her ankles, just enough that anyone looking would be able to see her leather sandals laced up her calves. She had no other jewelry adorning her, and if this was in comparision to the rest of nobility, Zenais paled greatly. But this was far more opulent then anything she's ever worn in the past ten years.
The girl did not have much to spend, but what little she had was tied to the inner sides of her chiton, a small velvet pouch of coins that she could afford for the day, with a little remaining to get a wagon to bring her back to the capitol for the night.
Having arrived just as fires were set beneath the spitted boards, her large liquid blue gaze lighted up as she found herself drifting closer to the smell of roasting pork, as the sun set and a general balmy, celebratory feel filled the air. If one tried hard enough, they could almost imagine that there was no looming war, and everyone was simply here to enjoy the camraderie and the wares from the local merchants and farmers, just an evening of fun and relaxation. Laughter floated, mingling in with the sound of chatter and good vibes, and Zenais could feel her tense muscles slowly relax as she whirled around....
.... And almost knocked into one of the many spits that was holding a roasted pork. Apparently though, just a little kick from her was enough to send the half-cooked pig falling into the pit of fire, and a loud cry went up as Zenais stared on in horror, having ruined of the three large animals being readied for dinner. "I'm so sorry!" Zenais tried, but was only met with a loud angry man demanding for her to pay - money she simply didn't have.
Biting her lip, the brunette dipped into her pockets, and reluctantly pulled out a small pouch of all she had left of her weekly salary, dropping it into the demandingly outstretched hands of the man, before quickly hurrying away, not eager to stay after the spectacle she's made of herself.
Disappearing into the crowd, the brunette melted away and headed right for the wagon to bring her back to the capitol.
While only a lowly servant girl, she had somehow had the luck to have her off day fall on the day where the festival of Thesmophoria was underway. Zenais had no clue whether or not her mistress was planning on heading to the celebration for the Goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, she had always enjoyed the autumn-heralding celebration. With her meagre amount of coin earned as a tavern girl, she had rarely managed to make it to the celebrations, but now that she could earn more as a servant to the lady of Leventi household herself, Zenais finally managed to find a wagon to bring her to Epirus, where she smiled as she entered the festival in the midst of its celebrations.
That most of the menfolk were away only served to bolster Zenais's confidence in her attendance - surely that would mean lesser nobles, and as such she would not be as much in risk of running into someone she would know, right? The brunette truly intended to just enjoy the general upbeat mood, forgetting the vast amount of things she would have to learn and the stress of getting things right now that she was back within the realms of nobility.
Unlike her usual normal outfits of serviceable brown in all color and tones, Zenais had gotten a wardrobe change ever since being in the employ of Eirini. She couldn't look dowdy or plain next to her beauty, and because of that, far more color has been added to her repertoire, most of them credits to her employer herself, even more reason why the brunette was indebted to her.
In a sleeved chiton in teal, the outfit had a low cut down to just below her chest, but was tightened around the waist with a brown leather braided belt. With sleeves which fell like a waterfall around her arms, the rest of the chiton ended at her ankles, just enough that anyone looking would be able to see her leather sandals laced up her calves. She had no other jewelry adorning her, and if this was in comparision to the rest of nobility, Zenais paled greatly. But this was far more opulent then anything she's ever worn in the past ten years.
The girl did not have much to spend, but what little she had was tied to the inner sides of her chiton, a small velvet pouch of coins that she could afford for the day, with a little remaining to get a wagon to bring her back to the capitol for the night.
Having arrived just as fires were set beneath the spitted boards, her large liquid blue gaze lighted up as she found herself drifting closer to the smell of roasting pork, as the sun set and a general balmy, celebratory feel filled the air. If one tried hard enough, they could almost imagine that there was no looming war, and everyone was simply here to enjoy the camraderie and the wares from the local merchants and farmers, just an evening of fun and relaxation. Laughter floated, mingling in with the sound of chatter and good vibes, and Zenais could feel her tense muscles slowly relax as she whirled around....
.... And almost knocked into one of the many spits that was holding a roasted pork. Apparently though, just a little kick from her was enough to send the half-cooked pig falling into the pit of fire, and a loud cry went up as Zenais stared on in horror, having ruined of the three large animals being readied for dinner. "I'm so sorry!" Zenais tried, but was only met with a loud angry man demanding for her to pay - money she simply didn't have.
Biting her lip, the brunette dipped into her pockets, and reluctantly pulled out a small pouch of all she had left of her weekly salary, dropping it into the demandingly outstretched hands of the man, before quickly hurrying away, not eager to stay after the spectacle she's made of herself.
Disappearing into the crowd, the brunette melted away and headed right for the wagon to bring her back to the capitol.
Like a mama watching over her cubs as always, Evelli kept an eye on each of her girls once she had given them the permission to wander. They all knew full well, a mandate since they had started following Evelli out to events as young girls, that they ahd to ensure they keep within sight of the matriarch, but as they got elder, Evelli had gotten far less stricter as to how far they could wander - still, she couldn't stop herself from checking on them.
Knowing Selene too would have her eye on her sisters, for her eldest had always been a boon to her in corraling the brood of five girl's she's got, Evelli turned to Imma at her request, and smiled indulgently at the young girl. "Of course, but don't spoil your appetite. They'll have the roasts ready soon, and it'll be blessed by Demeter herself, so we don't want to miss that." Evelli cautioned, before waving Nana over as she realized Xene had come over to speak with Olympia.
"Nana, do bring Imma over to the food stalls, would you?" Evelli murmured, frowning as she noticed her second youngest was a tad more subdued then usual. Afterall, Nana was usually the first one out - but then again, Evelli had been surprised the young one hadn't caused a fuss in attending. The Thesmophoria festival is afterall, one meant only for women, which meant Nana's favorite thing to do (men-watch) wouldn't be available to her. Did it have to do with the militant back in Colchis?
Making a mental note to ask Georgios on what else had transpired, for she remembered her husband telling her something about a missive, Evelli smiled when Nana chased after Imma, for once feeling at ease with at least the elder watching over the younger, before leading the servants to where the likeness of Demeter and her daughter Persephone had been temporarily erected.
Placing her offerings of bread and wheat at the feet of Demeter, and then pomegranate for Persephone, Evelli clasped her hands and gave a prayer for bountiful harvests, a safe autumn and winter, as well as possible safe passage and enough food for all in Taengea, before dusting off her skirts again.
By then, the smell of roasting meats had already scented the sky, a balmy cooling wind of the evening picking up and making the meadow feel even more relaxing then it was before.
Instinctively, the matriarch sought out the figure of her daughter's, ensuring the presence of Selene, Nana and Imma in turn, before seeking out Olympia. Was Theodora not planning on attending? Evelli mulled briefly over the presence of her second eldest, having not seen her at all since her wedding and return to Taengea. She missed her, and was eager to hear if she had been doing well since her wedding and coronation - but at the same time, there now existed the weird limbo between Olympia and Theodora that, as parents,both herself and Georgios wasn't entirely sure where to put themselves.
Heaving an internal sigh, the brunette finally picked up her skirts and headed over with a smile when she saw Gianna and Xene around Olympia. It still made her nervous to have Olympia out in public, but with Irakles now confirmed to be dead and no Stephanos around, technically Olympia was a Leventi and played no part in the accusations thrown at Stephanos - so her daughter was safe, Evelli had to reassure herself.
Leaving Olympia to the royal sister-in-law's of hers, instead Evelli sought out Imma and Nana. "Smell the roa-" before she could finish, a loud clang of metal cut her short, before the smell of burning meat replaced the pleasant scent of roasting pigs. Instinctively turning, Evelli turned when she saw the scene, and gave a wry smile at Nana and Imma. "Well, I do hope there's enough meat for us all. Did you get me anything to eat, girls?" the mother finished with a twinkle in her eye. She was determined for this to at least be a pleasant outing for her family after the many conflicts it has been through in the last few months.
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Like a mama watching over her cubs as always, Evelli kept an eye on each of her girls once she had given them the permission to wander. They all knew full well, a mandate since they had started following Evelli out to events as young girls, that they ahd to ensure they keep within sight of the matriarch, but as they got elder, Evelli had gotten far less stricter as to how far they could wander - still, she couldn't stop herself from checking on them.
Knowing Selene too would have her eye on her sisters, for her eldest had always been a boon to her in corraling the brood of five girl's she's got, Evelli turned to Imma at her request, and smiled indulgently at the young girl. "Of course, but don't spoil your appetite. They'll have the roasts ready soon, and it'll be blessed by Demeter herself, so we don't want to miss that." Evelli cautioned, before waving Nana over as she realized Xene had come over to speak with Olympia.
"Nana, do bring Imma over to the food stalls, would you?" Evelli murmured, frowning as she noticed her second youngest was a tad more subdued then usual. Afterall, Nana was usually the first one out - but then again, Evelli had been surprised the young one hadn't caused a fuss in attending. The Thesmophoria festival is afterall, one meant only for women, which meant Nana's favorite thing to do (men-watch) wouldn't be available to her. Did it have to do with the militant back in Colchis?
Making a mental note to ask Georgios on what else had transpired, for she remembered her husband telling her something about a missive, Evelli smiled when Nana chased after Imma, for once feeling at ease with at least the elder watching over the younger, before leading the servants to where the likeness of Demeter and her daughter Persephone had been temporarily erected.
Placing her offerings of bread and wheat at the feet of Demeter, and then pomegranate for Persephone, Evelli clasped her hands and gave a prayer for bountiful harvests, a safe autumn and winter, as well as possible safe passage and enough food for all in Taengea, before dusting off her skirts again.
By then, the smell of roasting meats had already scented the sky, a balmy cooling wind of the evening picking up and making the meadow feel even more relaxing then it was before.
Instinctively, the matriarch sought out the figure of her daughter's, ensuring the presence of Selene, Nana and Imma in turn, before seeking out Olympia. Was Theodora not planning on attending? Evelli mulled briefly over the presence of her second eldest, having not seen her at all since her wedding and return to Taengea. She missed her, and was eager to hear if she had been doing well since her wedding and coronation - but at the same time, there now existed the weird limbo between Olympia and Theodora that, as parents,both herself and Georgios wasn't entirely sure where to put themselves.
Heaving an internal sigh, the brunette finally picked up her skirts and headed over with a smile when she saw Gianna and Xene around Olympia. It still made her nervous to have Olympia out in public, but with Irakles now confirmed to be dead and no Stephanos around, technically Olympia was a Leventi and played no part in the accusations thrown at Stephanos - so her daughter was safe, Evelli had to reassure herself.
Leaving Olympia to the royal sister-in-law's of hers, instead Evelli sought out Imma and Nana. "Smell the roa-" before she could finish, a loud clang of metal cut her short, before the smell of burning meat replaced the pleasant scent of roasting pigs. Instinctively turning, Evelli turned when she saw the scene, and gave a wry smile at Nana and Imma. "Well, I do hope there's enough meat for us all. Did you get me anything to eat, girls?" the mother finished with a twinkle in her eye. She was determined for this to at least be a pleasant outing for her family after the many conflicts it has been through in the last few months.
Like a mama watching over her cubs as always, Evelli kept an eye on each of her girls once she had given them the permission to wander. They all knew full well, a mandate since they had started following Evelli out to events as young girls, that they ahd to ensure they keep within sight of the matriarch, but as they got elder, Evelli had gotten far less stricter as to how far they could wander - still, she couldn't stop herself from checking on them.
Knowing Selene too would have her eye on her sisters, for her eldest had always been a boon to her in corraling the brood of five girl's she's got, Evelli turned to Imma at her request, and smiled indulgently at the young girl. "Of course, but don't spoil your appetite. They'll have the roasts ready soon, and it'll be blessed by Demeter herself, so we don't want to miss that." Evelli cautioned, before waving Nana over as she realized Xene had come over to speak with Olympia.
"Nana, do bring Imma over to the food stalls, would you?" Evelli murmured, frowning as she noticed her second youngest was a tad more subdued then usual. Afterall, Nana was usually the first one out - but then again, Evelli had been surprised the young one hadn't caused a fuss in attending. The Thesmophoria festival is afterall, one meant only for women, which meant Nana's favorite thing to do (men-watch) wouldn't be available to her. Did it have to do with the militant back in Colchis?
Making a mental note to ask Georgios on what else had transpired, for she remembered her husband telling her something about a missive, Evelli smiled when Nana chased after Imma, for once feeling at ease with at least the elder watching over the younger, before leading the servants to where the likeness of Demeter and her daughter Persephone had been temporarily erected.
Placing her offerings of bread and wheat at the feet of Demeter, and then pomegranate for Persephone, Evelli clasped her hands and gave a prayer for bountiful harvests, a safe autumn and winter, as well as possible safe passage and enough food for all in Taengea, before dusting off her skirts again.
By then, the smell of roasting meats had already scented the sky, a balmy cooling wind of the evening picking up and making the meadow feel even more relaxing then it was before.
Instinctively, the matriarch sought out the figure of her daughter's, ensuring the presence of Selene, Nana and Imma in turn, before seeking out Olympia. Was Theodora not planning on attending? Evelli mulled briefly over the presence of her second eldest, having not seen her at all since her wedding and return to Taengea. She missed her, and was eager to hear if she had been doing well since her wedding and coronation - but at the same time, there now existed the weird limbo between Olympia and Theodora that, as parents,both herself and Georgios wasn't entirely sure where to put themselves.
Heaving an internal sigh, the brunette finally picked up her skirts and headed over with a smile when she saw Gianna and Xene around Olympia. It still made her nervous to have Olympia out in public, but with Irakles now confirmed to be dead and no Stephanos around, technically Olympia was a Leventi and played no part in the accusations thrown at Stephanos - so her daughter was safe, Evelli had to reassure herself.
Leaving Olympia to the royal sister-in-law's of hers, instead Evelli sought out Imma and Nana. "Smell the roa-" before she could finish, a loud clang of metal cut her short, before the smell of burning meat replaced the pleasant scent of roasting pigs. Instinctively turning, Evelli turned when she saw the scene, and gave a wry smile at Nana and Imma. "Well, I do hope there's enough meat for us all. Did you get me anything to eat, girls?" the mother finished with a twinkle in her eye. She was determined for this to at least be a pleasant outing for her family after the many conflicts it has been through in the last few months.
Neena wasn't at all off-put by the maid's clear distaste for her. She wasn't an idiot and she was an easy people-reader. She knew that this blondie was disapproving of her... well, possibly her entire existence. The way she looked at her without a drop of warmth in her gaze and frowned whenever she said something that didn't sit right with her. They were all dead giveaways of antagonism.
But Neena was the sort that was born with a naturally thick skin. Whether it was something she inherited from parents or something she just had the genetic propensity to develop as she aged, she would never know. All she knew was, that you couldn't please everyone in the world. Not everyone would love and adore you. And that strangers were, more often than not, fearful of newcomers. Humans didn't like change and change was exactly what was being offered when someone new came into your life and wanted a piece of your time and interest. Neena got that. Which meant that she never held such hostility against... well, anyone. She just rolled with it. However people wanted to be. They could be that way. She would continue to treat them with friendly respect and engagement and if they softened then great. If not, no harm, no foul.
In this one, Neena noticed a natural relaxing. It was the reaction that Neena got from a lot of people. It was hard to stay hostile against one that only ever smiled and seemed to find the lightness and joy in everything. People just couldn't stay mad in the face of happiness. That was the observation that Neena had always made anyway.
So, when the woman started to smile a little and even snorted in something that might have been a little laugh over her description of the event, Neena saw it as a triumph of her own attitudes. Whether it was truly the air of the festival or the high spirits of the girl's mistress as she thought, Neena would never know or care. Instead, she was just pleased to see a thawing in the frozen tundra of unwelcome detachment that this female seemed to wear as a natural cloak.
When the blondie informed her that the bread penises would come later and the gutting of pigs was first, Neena felt her mouth water. Never one to fast or refrain from eating any kind of food, she loved all of it and couldn't wait to taste the traditional meat that the woman described. Had she been uncoordinated to have her mouth open in that moment, she might have even supported a globule of drool down to the floor in a long string. Roasting pork sounded delicious and it smelled delicious as the scent of that drying, curling pig skin now drifted over the crowd.
Frowning suddenly, Neena realised that she could already smell roasting pigs but there had been live pigs kept in a pen to the west that she had noticed. She instantly realised that she had made an assumption that was a mistake and she flickered a finger between the squealing animals not far away and the delicious smell coming in the other direction.
"Ooooh. Okay, so we eat those once and we gut those ones. Gotcha." Man, this festival really liked pig.
Conversation moved on to asking how Neena - with her dark skin and her clearly foreign roots - even knew of the festival and the traditions within it. Neena smiled around the bite she had just taken of a little breaded thing with paste in it that turned out to be peppery. She shook her head to confirm that she had never been to a Thesmophoria before, her tongue licking at her lips and her hand coming up to hold over her mouth as she risked dropping crumbs.
"Nope. I only heard about it from a Grecian friend. He was male but he had all these outlandish ideas of what the Thesmophoria was about. He was a bit of a lush so the whole bread penises thing really grew on him." She laughed over her old friends stupidity. Then she took another bite of her breaded thing before speaking with a mouth full, pushing the mass into her cheek. "Oh man, if you're hungry you should really try these ones - they're delicious." The advice came from the fact that she had seen Xanthippe taking several pieces from the food stand as if she were starved.
Swallowing her mouthful, Neena looked around the crowds that all seemed content for now just to shmooze. She sniffed at that succulent roasting smell again and looked to the lady of the pair with her priority question...
"So... when do we eat pig?" She didn't address the girl with a serious title or respectful address but she also didn't speak in a manner that was rude - just friendly. Her dropping of formality might have been permissible by some just for the true joy and innocence in her tone.
The Lady Melina seemed to be just such a person and looked around herself to seek the answer.
'Soon, I believe.' She said, prompting Neena to finish off her breaded thingie and clap her hands in excitement, drawing the attention of some of the people nearest her.
Ignoring the odd looks, Neena pointed towards a group that clustered around a newborn.
"They look pretty rich and well-to-do. Are they the ones that decide when we get to eat?"
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Neena wasn't at all off-put by the maid's clear distaste for her. She wasn't an idiot and she was an easy people-reader. She knew that this blondie was disapproving of her... well, possibly her entire existence. The way she looked at her without a drop of warmth in her gaze and frowned whenever she said something that didn't sit right with her. They were all dead giveaways of antagonism.
But Neena was the sort that was born with a naturally thick skin. Whether it was something she inherited from parents or something she just had the genetic propensity to develop as she aged, she would never know. All she knew was, that you couldn't please everyone in the world. Not everyone would love and adore you. And that strangers were, more often than not, fearful of newcomers. Humans didn't like change and change was exactly what was being offered when someone new came into your life and wanted a piece of your time and interest. Neena got that. Which meant that she never held such hostility against... well, anyone. She just rolled with it. However people wanted to be. They could be that way. She would continue to treat them with friendly respect and engagement and if they softened then great. If not, no harm, no foul.
In this one, Neena noticed a natural relaxing. It was the reaction that Neena got from a lot of people. It was hard to stay hostile against one that only ever smiled and seemed to find the lightness and joy in everything. People just couldn't stay mad in the face of happiness. That was the observation that Neena had always made anyway.
So, when the woman started to smile a little and even snorted in something that might have been a little laugh over her description of the event, Neena saw it as a triumph of her own attitudes. Whether it was truly the air of the festival or the high spirits of the girl's mistress as she thought, Neena would never know or care. Instead, she was just pleased to see a thawing in the frozen tundra of unwelcome detachment that this female seemed to wear as a natural cloak.
When the blondie informed her that the bread penises would come later and the gutting of pigs was first, Neena felt her mouth water. Never one to fast or refrain from eating any kind of food, she loved all of it and couldn't wait to taste the traditional meat that the woman described. Had she been uncoordinated to have her mouth open in that moment, she might have even supported a globule of drool down to the floor in a long string. Roasting pork sounded delicious and it smelled delicious as the scent of that drying, curling pig skin now drifted over the crowd.
Frowning suddenly, Neena realised that she could already smell roasting pigs but there had been live pigs kept in a pen to the west that she had noticed. She instantly realised that she had made an assumption that was a mistake and she flickered a finger between the squealing animals not far away and the delicious smell coming in the other direction.
"Ooooh. Okay, so we eat those once and we gut those ones. Gotcha." Man, this festival really liked pig.
Conversation moved on to asking how Neena - with her dark skin and her clearly foreign roots - even knew of the festival and the traditions within it. Neena smiled around the bite she had just taken of a little breaded thing with paste in it that turned out to be peppery. She shook her head to confirm that she had never been to a Thesmophoria before, her tongue licking at her lips and her hand coming up to hold over her mouth as she risked dropping crumbs.
"Nope. I only heard about it from a Grecian friend. He was male but he had all these outlandish ideas of what the Thesmophoria was about. He was a bit of a lush so the whole bread penises thing really grew on him." She laughed over her old friends stupidity. Then she took another bite of her breaded thing before speaking with a mouth full, pushing the mass into her cheek. "Oh man, if you're hungry you should really try these ones - they're delicious." The advice came from the fact that she had seen Xanthippe taking several pieces from the food stand as if she were starved.
Swallowing her mouthful, Neena looked around the crowds that all seemed content for now just to shmooze. She sniffed at that succulent roasting smell again and looked to the lady of the pair with her priority question...
"So... when do we eat pig?" She didn't address the girl with a serious title or respectful address but she also didn't speak in a manner that was rude - just friendly. Her dropping of formality might have been permissible by some just for the true joy and innocence in her tone.
The Lady Melina seemed to be just such a person and looked around herself to seek the answer.
'Soon, I believe.' She said, prompting Neena to finish off her breaded thingie and clap her hands in excitement, drawing the attention of some of the people nearest her.
Ignoring the odd looks, Neena pointed towards a group that clustered around a newborn.
"They look pretty rich and well-to-do. Are they the ones that decide when we get to eat?"
Neena wasn't at all off-put by the maid's clear distaste for her. She wasn't an idiot and she was an easy people-reader. She knew that this blondie was disapproving of her... well, possibly her entire existence. The way she looked at her without a drop of warmth in her gaze and frowned whenever she said something that didn't sit right with her. They were all dead giveaways of antagonism.
But Neena was the sort that was born with a naturally thick skin. Whether it was something she inherited from parents or something she just had the genetic propensity to develop as she aged, she would never know. All she knew was, that you couldn't please everyone in the world. Not everyone would love and adore you. And that strangers were, more often than not, fearful of newcomers. Humans didn't like change and change was exactly what was being offered when someone new came into your life and wanted a piece of your time and interest. Neena got that. Which meant that she never held such hostility against... well, anyone. She just rolled with it. However people wanted to be. They could be that way. She would continue to treat them with friendly respect and engagement and if they softened then great. If not, no harm, no foul.
In this one, Neena noticed a natural relaxing. It was the reaction that Neena got from a lot of people. It was hard to stay hostile against one that only ever smiled and seemed to find the lightness and joy in everything. People just couldn't stay mad in the face of happiness. That was the observation that Neena had always made anyway.
So, when the woman started to smile a little and even snorted in something that might have been a little laugh over her description of the event, Neena saw it as a triumph of her own attitudes. Whether it was truly the air of the festival or the high spirits of the girl's mistress as she thought, Neena would never know or care. Instead, she was just pleased to see a thawing in the frozen tundra of unwelcome detachment that this female seemed to wear as a natural cloak.
When the blondie informed her that the bread penises would come later and the gutting of pigs was first, Neena felt her mouth water. Never one to fast or refrain from eating any kind of food, she loved all of it and couldn't wait to taste the traditional meat that the woman described. Had she been uncoordinated to have her mouth open in that moment, she might have even supported a globule of drool down to the floor in a long string. Roasting pork sounded delicious and it smelled delicious as the scent of that drying, curling pig skin now drifted over the crowd.
Frowning suddenly, Neena realised that she could already smell roasting pigs but there had been live pigs kept in a pen to the west that she had noticed. She instantly realised that she had made an assumption that was a mistake and she flickered a finger between the squealing animals not far away and the delicious smell coming in the other direction.
"Ooooh. Okay, so we eat those once and we gut those ones. Gotcha." Man, this festival really liked pig.
Conversation moved on to asking how Neena - with her dark skin and her clearly foreign roots - even knew of the festival and the traditions within it. Neena smiled around the bite she had just taken of a little breaded thing with paste in it that turned out to be peppery. She shook her head to confirm that she had never been to a Thesmophoria before, her tongue licking at her lips and her hand coming up to hold over her mouth as she risked dropping crumbs.
"Nope. I only heard about it from a Grecian friend. He was male but he had all these outlandish ideas of what the Thesmophoria was about. He was a bit of a lush so the whole bread penises thing really grew on him." She laughed over her old friends stupidity. Then she took another bite of her breaded thing before speaking with a mouth full, pushing the mass into her cheek. "Oh man, if you're hungry you should really try these ones - they're delicious." The advice came from the fact that she had seen Xanthippe taking several pieces from the food stand as if she were starved.
Swallowing her mouthful, Neena looked around the crowds that all seemed content for now just to shmooze. She sniffed at that succulent roasting smell again and looked to the lady of the pair with her priority question...
"So... when do we eat pig?" She didn't address the girl with a serious title or respectful address but she also didn't speak in a manner that was rude - just friendly. Her dropping of formality might have been permissible by some just for the true joy and innocence in her tone.
The Lady Melina seemed to be just such a person and looked around herself to seek the answer.
'Soon, I believe.' She said, prompting Neena to finish off her breaded thingie and clap her hands in excitement, drawing the attention of some of the people nearest her.
Ignoring the odd looks, Neena pointed towards a group that clustered around a newborn.
"They look pretty rich and well-to-do. Are they the ones that decide when we get to eat?"
Kalliope had been quiet for most of the festival, having never experienced one without her sight before. She was beyond grateful that her lady was there to assist her and prevent her from getting lost in the crowd. The sounds were overwhelming the more people that arrived. Turning her head as she relied on Lady Xene to guide her feet, Kalliope listened to all the conversations around her. Being blind somehow amplified her hearing to where she was very good at picking out conversations.
Though Kalli did bow when faced to the queen in greetings. "I am sorry my lady for being so quiet, everything is quite overwhelming, to be honest." And honest, she was, with Lady Xene. Kalliope was known for her fierce loyalty, and Xene had earned it among also being considered a friend. She did not elaborate further, knowing that Lady Xene would know what she meant, and followed over to where she was guided to sit. There she sat, listening to everyone around her, pleasantries filled the air as people spoke of the goddesses and greeting one another, the occasional tone of the conversations hinted at undercurrents of aggression but none were directed at her lady. Hearing talk of bread penises almost made Kalliope snort in a very unladylike fashion. The fire crackle in the distance but not close enough to feel it warm her. That thought made her think her friend, thinking that she will call him Apollo from then on since he was so warm when he was near. For a moment, Kalliope was distracted, the sound of a loud clang bringing her back to the now as the scent of burnt meat filled her nose.
It was then that she heard a comment about the rich and deciding when to eat that had Kalliope turning her head in that direction, wondering if they meant the little group she was in. She was no one special, but her companions were royals, so it was possible.
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Check out their information page here.
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Kalliope had been quiet for most of the festival, having never experienced one without her sight before. She was beyond grateful that her lady was there to assist her and prevent her from getting lost in the crowd. The sounds were overwhelming the more people that arrived. Turning her head as she relied on Lady Xene to guide her feet, Kalliope listened to all the conversations around her. Being blind somehow amplified her hearing to where she was very good at picking out conversations.
Though Kalli did bow when faced to the queen in greetings. "I am sorry my lady for being so quiet, everything is quite overwhelming, to be honest." And honest, she was, with Lady Xene. Kalliope was known for her fierce loyalty, and Xene had earned it among also being considered a friend. She did not elaborate further, knowing that Lady Xene would know what she meant, and followed over to where she was guided to sit. There she sat, listening to everyone around her, pleasantries filled the air as people spoke of the goddesses and greeting one another, the occasional tone of the conversations hinted at undercurrents of aggression but none were directed at her lady. Hearing talk of bread penises almost made Kalliope snort in a very unladylike fashion. The fire crackle in the distance but not close enough to feel it warm her. That thought made her think her friend, thinking that she will call him Apollo from then on since he was so warm when he was near. For a moment, Kalliope was distracted, the sound of a loud clang bringing her back to the now as the scent of burnt meat filled her nose.
It was then that she heard a comment about the rich and deciding when to eat that had Kalliope turning her head in that direction, wondering if they meant the little group she was in. She was no one special, but her companions were royals, so it was possible.
Kalliope had been quiet for most of the festival, having never experienced one without her sight before. She was beyond grateful that her lady was there to assist her and prevent her from getting lost in the crowd. The sounds were overwhelming the more people that arrived. Turning her head as she relied on Lady Xene to guide her feet, Kalliope listened to all the conversations around her. Being blind somehow amplified her hearing to where she was very good at picking out conversations.
Though Kalli did bow when faced to the queen in greetings. "I am sorry my lady for being so quiet, everything is quite overwhelming, to be honest." And honest, she was, with Lady Xene. Kalliope was known for her fierce loyalty, and Xene had earned it among also being considered a friend. She did not elaborate further, knowing that Lady Xene would know what she meant, and followed over to where she was guided to sit. There she sat, listening to everyone around her, pleasantries filled the air as people spoke of the goddesses and greeting one another, the occasional tone of the conversations hinted at undercurrents of aggression but none were directed at her lady. Hearing talk of bread penises almost made Kalliope snort in a very unladylike fashion. The fire crackle in the distance but not close enough to feel it warm her. That thought made her think her friend, thinking that she will call him Apollo from then on since he was so warm when he was near. For a moment, Kalliope was distracted, the sound of a loud clang bringing her back to the now as the scent of burnt meat filled her nose.
It was then that she heard a comment about the rich and deciding when to eat that had Kalliope turning her head in that direction, wondering if they meant the little group she was in. She was no one special, but her companions were royals, so it was possible.
Pork was all well and good, but Imma adored seafood the most. There were food stalls at almost every festivity that sold fish in many forms. She knew the significance of this celebration and what was expected of her, but she could still gorge on seafood and have plenty room left for the ritually roasted meat. Her mother was taking care of the offerings, and there was no reason to accompany her unless she specifically requested it.
Instead, she gave Imma permission to go to the food stalls. “Thank you, Mother!” she exclaimed. “I promise I won’t eat too much!” Flashing her a grateful smile, the young blonde followed the delectable scent of seafood, weaving her way through groups of women conversing together or simply strolling around. When she heard her name called in her sister’s voice, she stopped and waited for Nana to catch up. Was she hungry too or had their mother asked her to watch her? Imma didn’t feel like she needed a babysitter, but she was happy to share her culinary adventure with Nana.
“Come on!” she said, grabbing her sister’s hand and pulling her along. “I don’t want everything to be gone before we get there!” On one occasion, she had wanted a crab and cheese pastry but one of the people in line in front of her had taken the last one. Since then, she had worried that all her favorites wold be sold out before she got there, hence her hurry.
Luckily, there were only a few women buying food from the stalls. Most of them were probably waiting for the roasts. Not everyone had an appetite as large as hers. The majority of girls her age had already reached their adult size and shape, but Imma was a late bloomer and her body was still growing and changing, which was one of the reasons she was always hungry. She was also quite energetic and rarely sat still.
She ordered a crab and cheese pastry, several skewers of grilled spiced fish, a generous serving of raw oysters, and some crunchy battered shrimp along with a glass of fruit juice to wash it down with. Imma didn’t pay any attention to what Nana ordered or whether she ate at all, so lost was she in the enjoyment of her personal feast. The fragrance of roasting pork competed with the smell of seafood and she inhaled appreciatively. “Mmmmm, that smells good,” she remarked to Nana, watching as their mother headed in their direction.
Imma jumped at the clanging of metal. Wrinkling her nose at the scent of burning meat, she grimaced. “I think one of the pigs fell into its pit. If there’s not enough, there is plenty here, Mother. Would you like me to order some of my favorites for you? The seafood here is some of the best I’ve ever tasted!” She grinned at her sister. "Isn't it, Nana?"
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Pork was all well and good, but Imma adored seafood the most. There were food stalls at almost every festivity that sold fish in many forms. She knew the significance of this celebration and what was expected of her, but she could still gorge on seafood and have plenty room left for the ritually roasted meat. Her mother was taking care of the offerings, and there was no reason to accompany her unless she specifically requested it.
Instead, she gave Imma permission to go to the food stalls. “Thank you, Mother!” she exclaimed. “I promise I won’t eat too much!” Flashing her a grateful smile, the young blonde followed the delectable scent of seafood, weaving her way through groups of women conversing together or simply strolling around. When she heard her name called in her sister’s voice, she stopped and waited for Nana to catch up. Was she hungry too or had their mother asked her to watch her? Imma didn’t feel like she needed a babysitter, but she was happy to share her culinary adventure with Nana.
“Come on!” she said, grabbing her sister’s hand and pulling her along. “I don’t want everything to be gone before we get there!” On one occasion, she had wanted a crab and cheese pastry but one of the people in line in front of her had taken the last one. Since then, she had worried that all her favorites wold be sold out before she got there, hence her hurry.
Luckily, there were only a few women buying food from the stalls. Most of them were probably waiting for the roasts. Not everyone had an appetite as large as hers. The majority of girls her age had already reached their adult size and shape, but Imma was a late bloomer and her body was still growing and changing, which was one of the reasons she was always hungry. She was also quite energetic and rarely sat still.
She ordered a crab and cheese pastry, several skewers of grilled spiced fish, a generous serving of raw oysters, and some crunchy battered shrimp along with a glass of fruit juice to wash it down with. Imma didn’t pay any attention to what Nana ordered or whether she ate at all, so lost was she in the enjoyment of her personal feast. The fragrance of roasting pork competed with the smell of seafood and she inhaled appreciatively. “Mmmmm, that smells good,” she remarked to Nana, watching as their mother headed in their direction.
Imma jumped at the clanging of metal. Wrinkling her nose at the scent of burning meat, she grimaced. “I think one of the pigs fell into its pit. If there’s not enough, there is plenty here, Mother. Would you like me to order some of my favorites for you? The seafood here is some of the best I’ve ever tasted!” She grinned at her sister. "Isn't it, Nana?"
Pork was all well and good, but Imma adored seafood the most. There were food stalls at almost every festivity that sold fish in many forms. She knew the significance of this celebration and what was expected of her, but she could still gorge on seafood and have plenty room left for the ritually roasted meat. Her mother was taking care of the offerings, and there was no reason to accompany her unless she specifically requested it.
Instead, she gave Imma permission to go to the food stalls. “Thank you, Mother!” she exclaimed. “I promise I won’t eat too much!” Flashing her a grateful smile, the young blonde followed the delectable scent of seafood, weaving her way through groups of women conversing together or simply strolling around. When she heard her name called in her sister’s voice, she stopped and waited for Nana to catch up. Was she hungry too or had their mother asked her to watch her? Imma didn’t feel like she needed a babysitter, but she was happy to share her culinary adventure with Nana.
“Come on!” she said, grabbing her sister’s hand and pulling her along. “I don’t want everything to be gone before we get there!” On one occasion, she had wanted a crab and cheese pastry but one of the people in line in front of her had taken the last one. Since then, she had worried that all her favorites wold be sold out before she got there, hence her hurry.
Luckily, there were only a few women buying food from the stalls. Most of them were probably waiting for the roasts. Not everyone had an appetite as large as hers. The majority of girls her age had already reached their adult size and shape, but Imma was a late bloomer and her body was still growing and changing, which was one of the reasons she was always hungry. She was also quite energetic and rarely sat still.
She ordered a crab and cheese pastry, several skewers of grilled spiced fish, a generous serving of raw oysters, and some crunchy battered shrimp along with a glass of fruit juice to wash it down with. Imma didn’t pay any attention to what Nana ordered or whether she ate at all, so lost was she in the enjoyment of her personal feast. The fragrance of roasting pork competed with the smell of seafood and she inhaled appreciatively. “Mmmmm, that smells good,” she remarked to Nana, watching as their mother headed in their direction.
Imma jumped at the clanging of metal. Wrinkling her nose at the scent of burning meat, she grimaced. “I think one of the pigs fell into its pit. If there’s not enough, there is plenty here, Mother. Would you like me to order some of my favorites for you? The seafood here is some of the best I’ve ever tasted!” She grinned at her sister. "Isn't it, Nana?"
Theo had spent the better part of her morning feeling ill.
She was not quite sure what the cause of it could be; perhaps nerves caused by the day’s upcoming events, or maybe the aftermath of her latest nightmare. It seemed every night she spent alone in her bed, she found herself tossing and turning without a moment of peace; dreaming of horrific, muddled things that never quite made sense once she had woken from them. Still, it left her feeling restless more often than not, and the resulting dark circles beneath her eyes she found to be rather unbecoming of a queen.
When it came time to prepare for her departure, she made sure to have her handmaiden apply a little extra makeup than what she usually wore; enough to easily cover the dark circles, and a bit of powder to add some colour to her cheeks, as she found she had been looking just a bit pale as of late. The finishing touch was a small amount of dark liner around her eyes to make the colour of them pop against her fair skin - and finally, she was satisfied.
Theo had opted for a rich, navy blue chiton for the day, with a lighter, periwinkle himation pinned into place with gold fibulae. Attached to the fabric of her outfit, close to her heart, there was a small golden pin depicting the Mikaelidas insignia - a way of keeping Achilleas near, however simple it may have been. Her dark hair was bound up into an elaborate braided bun at the back of her head, a few loose locks curling lazily about her face.
She had chosen to wear a smaller, simpler crown than the one that had been given to her at her coronation; it rested atop her chestnut tresses comfortably, more so than the larger one she had worn at that event. It was crafted of spun gold, to match the fibulae holding her silk outfit in place, and inlaid with too many tiny diamonds and sapphires to count. For a moment, she managed to forget the uneasy way her stomach was twisting itself into knots, enjoying the way the crown glittered and sparkled in the early morning light that filled her quarters as she turned to admire her reflection in the mirror.
Of course, she could not linger too long before she was summoned to leave. Despite the fact that she was in absolutely no mood to celebrate much of anything, Theo knew she had a duty as Queen of Taengea to attend the Thesmophoria festival. She could only be grateful that it was, at the very least, not a terribly long journey to reach the location where it was being held!
She had not been under the impression she was arriving late; certainly, not a single person had suggested such a thing to her while she readied herself for her departure. Yet, when they reached the festival, Theo found that it was already packed with people, and, what’s more, the air was already thick with the smell of roasting pig. For only a split second, she was half-convinced she might be sick at the overwhelming aroma of it - but, through some sort of sheer willpower alone, she managed to smother the nausea. What an uproar that could cause; the Queen vomiting immediately upon her arrival to the festival!
Although, now that she was here, she simply did not know what to do with herself at the moment. She had absolutely no desire to seek out something to eat; her stomach was far too unsettled for even an attempt at food, but that seemed to be what everyone was flocking towards just then.
Was she supposed to have her arrival announced? Make a speech? Nobody had mentioned anything of the sort to her, so she supposed not; although her morning had been spent feeling so absolutely sick to her stomach that she now wondered if she may have missed something important.
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Theo had spent the better part of her morning feeling ill.
She was not quite sure what the cause of it could be; perhaps nerves caused by the day’s upcoming events, or maybe the aftermath of her latest nightmare. It seemed every night she spent alone in her bed, she found herself tossing and turning without a moment of peace; dreaming of horrific, muddled things that never quite made sense once she had woken from them. Still, it left her feeling restless more often than not, and the resulting dark circles beneath her eyes she found to be rather unbecoming of a queen.
When it came time to prepare for her departure, she made sure to have her handmaiden apply a little extra makeup than what she usually wore; enough to easily cover the dark circles, and a bit of powder to add some colour to her cheeks, as she found she had been looking just a bit pale as of late. The finishing touch was a small amount of dark liner around her eyes to make the colour of them pop against her fair skin - and finally, she was satisfied.
Theo had opted for a rich, navy blue chiton for the day, with a lighter, periwinkle himation pinned into place with gold fibulae. Attached to the fabric of her outfit, close to her heart, there was a small golden pin depicting the Mikaelidas insignia - a way of keeping Achilleas near, however simple it may have been. Her dark hair was bound up into an elaborate braided bun at the back of her head, a few loose locks curling lazily about her face.
She had chosen to wear a smaller, simpler crown than the one that had been given to her at her coronation; it rested atop her chestnut tresses comfortably, more so than the larger one she had worn at that event. It was crafted of spun gold, to match the fibulae holding her silk outfit in place, and inlaid with too many tiny diamonds and sapphires to count. For a moment, she managed to forget the uneasy way her stomach was twisting itself into knots, enjoying the way the crown glittered and sparkled in the early morning light that filled her quarters as she turned to admire her reflection in the mirror.
Of course, she could not linger too long before she was summoned to leave. Despite the fact that she was in absolutely no mood to celebrate much of anything, Theo knew she had a duty as Queen of Taengea to attend the Thesmophoria festival. She could only be grateful that it was, at the very least, not a terribly long journey to reach the location where it was being held!
She had not been under the impression she was arriving late; certainly, not a single person had suggested such a thing to her while she readied herself for her departure. Yet, when they reached the festival, Theo found that it was already packed with people, and, what’s more, the air was already thick with the smell of roasting pig. For only a split second, she was half-convinced she might be sick at the overwhelming aroma of it - but, through some sort of sheer willpower alone, she managed to smother the nausea. What an uproar that could cause; the Queen vomiting immediately upon her arrival to the festival!
Although, now that she was here, she simply did not know what to do with herself at the moment. She had absolutely no desire to seek out something to eat; her stomach was far too unsettled for even an attempt at food, but that seemed to be what everyone was flocking towards just then.
Was she supposed to have her arrival announced? Make a speech? Nobody had mentioned anything of the sort to her, so she supposed not; although her morning had been spent feeling so absolutely sick to her stomach that she now wondered if she may have missed something important.
Theo had spent the better part of her morning feeling ill.
She was not quite sure what the cause of it could be; perhaps nerves caused by the day’s upcoming events, or maybe the aftermath of her latest nightmare. It seemed every night she spent alone in her bed, she found herself tossing and turning without a moment of peace; dreaming of horrific, muddled things that never quite made sense once she had woken from them. Still, it left her feeling restless more often than not, and the resulting dark circles beneath her eyes she found to be rather unbecoming of a queen.
When it came time to prepare for her departure, she made sure to have her handmaiden apply a little extra makeup than what she usually wore; enough to easily cover the dark circles, and a bit of powder to add some colour to her cheeks, as she found she had been looking just a bit pale as of late. The finishing touch was a small amount of dark liner around her eyes to make the colour of them pop against her fair skin - and finally, she was satisfied.
Theo had opted for a rich, navy blue chiton for the day, with a lighter, periwinkle himation pinned into place with gold fibulae. Attached to the fabric of her outfit, close to her heart, there was a small golden pin depicting the Mikaelidas insignia - a way of keeping Achilleas near, however simple it may have been. Her dark hair was bound up into an elaborate braided bun at the back of her head, a few loose locks curling lazily about her face.
She had chosen to wear a smaller, simpler crown than the one that had been given to her at her coronation; it rested atop her chestnut tresses comfortably, more so than the larger one she had worn at that event. It was crafted of spun gold, to match the fibulae holding her silk outfit in place, and inlaid with too many tiny diamonds and sapphires to count. For a moment, she managed to forget the uneasy way her stomach was twisting itself into knots, enjoying the way the crown glittered and sparkled in the early morning light that filled her quarters as she turned to admire her reflection in the mirror.
Of course, she could not linger too long before she was summoned to leave. Despite the fact that she was in absolutely no mood to celebrate much of anything, Theo knew she had a duty as Queen of Taengea to attend the Thesmophoria festival. She could only be grateful that it was, at the very least, not a terribly long journey to reach the location where it was being held!
She had not been under the impression she was arriving late; certainly, not a single person had suggested such a thing to her while she readied herself for her departure. Yet, when they reached the festival, Theo found that it was already packed with people, and, what’s more, the air was already thick with the smell of roasting pig. For only a split second, she was half-convinced she might be sick at the overwhelming aroma of it - but, through some sort of sheer willpower alone, she managed to smother the nausea. What an uproar that could cause; the Queen vomiting immediately upon her arrival to the festival!
Although, now that she was here, she simply did not know what to do with herself at the moment. She had absolutely no desire to seek out something to eat; her stomach was far too unsettled for even an attempt at food, but that seemed to be what everyone was flocking towards just then.
Was she supposed to have her arrival announced? Make a speech? Nobody had mentioned anything of the sort to her, so she supposed not; although her morning had been spent feeling so absolutely sick to her stomach that she now wondered if she may have missed something important.
Xanthippe listened to Neena’s explanation of her knowledge with a noncommittal sound, far more concerned now with the aroma of cooking meat. It was like the Bedoan read her hungry mind, suggesting one of the vittles she herself was indulging in. The handmaid had a brief moment of concern that perhaps the foreign woman had poisoned them, but she quickly shrugged it off. Would she really dare such a thing at such a prominent festival? Not even Xan was crazy enough to attempt that. Then again, one never knew…
No. It was fine. She was just being paranoid again, and she could recognize that. Plucking one of the confections from the food stand, she bit into it with a sigh. The woman was right. This was delicious. Nodding emphatically to show her approval, she scarfed it down in record time and grabbed another. The cooks had truly outdone themselves this year—that or she was just starving. Perhaps a bit of both.
Neena asked the very question that was at the forefront of Xanthippe’s mind, turning eagerly to hear Lady Melina’s answer. When would they get to eat pig? The maid could hardly bear the smell any more, her mouth watering almost to the point of indecency. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever smelled anything so appetizing in her life, and with each moment that passed, she was regretting more and more not eating breakfast that morning.
Unfortunately, her mistress’s answer left much to be desired, a response without any certainty. ‘Soon’ wasn’t soon enough, and her gaze lingered longingly on the nearby roasting pits. There was a bit of tumult surrounding them, and she frowned when she realized what the problem was. One of Lady Eirini’s maids had knocked one of the pigs into the pit! There was a mild horror on her face as she looked at the lost sow, hoping there was still enough to feed them all. Granted, there were those who hadn’t even been slaughtered yet, but that would be an even longer wait…
Her attention drifted again, this time to catch the arrival of the Queen. Xanthippe straightened slightly, her interest piqued at the way Theodora seemed to keep herself separated from the crowd. How peculiar that she didn’t immediately join the rest of her family so eagerly partaking of the festival’s refreshments. Did she even look a little paler than usual? Interesting…
Turning back to Melina and Neena, she shrugged it off for the moment. They were mentioning food again, the foreign woman gesturing to the group surrounding Princess Xene and suggesting they might be the ones in charge of when they ate. “Yes, my lady, maybe we should join them,” she encouraged her mistress with a smile. “You did mention you wished to speak with them further.”
And besides, the closer she could get to these self-important ladies, the better. After all, what was the point of coming to an event like this if she couldn’t get something useful out of it…
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Xanthippe listened to Neena’s explanation of her knowledge with a noncommittal sound, far more concerned now with the aroma of cooking meat. It was like the Bedoan read her hungry mind, suggesting one of the vittles she herself was indulging in. The handmaid had a brief moment of concern that perhaps the foreign woman had poisoned them, but she quickly shrugged it off. Would she really dare such a thing at such a prominent festival? Not even Xan was crazy enough to attempt that. Then again, one never knew…
No. It was fine. She was just being paranoid again, and she could recognize that. Plucking one of the confections from the food stand, she bit into it with a sigh. The woman was right. This was delicious. Nodding emphatically to show her approval, she scarfed it down in record time and grabbed another. The cooks had truly outdone themselves this year—that or she was just starving. Perhaps a bit of both.
Neena asked the very question that was at the forefront of Xanthippe’s mind, turning eagerly to hear Lady Melina’s answer. When would they get to eat pig? The maid could hardly bear the smell any more, her mouth watering almost to the point of indecency. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever smelled anything so appetizing in her life, and with each moment that passed, she was regretting more and more not eating breakfast that morning.
Unfortunately, her mistress’s answer left much to be desired, a response without any certainty. ‘Soon’ wasn’t soon enough, and her gaze lingered longingly on the nearby roasting pits. There was a bit of tumult surrounding them, and she frowned when she realized what the problem was. One of Lady Eirini’s maids had knocked one of the pigs into the pit! There was a mild horror on her face as she looked at the lost sow, hoping there was still enough to feed them all. Granted, there were those who hadn’t even been slaughtered yet, but that would be an even longer wait…
Her attention drifted again, this time to catch the arrival of the Queen. Xanthippe straightened slightly, her interest piqued at the way Theodora seemed to keep herself separated from the crowd. How peculiar that she didn’t immediately join the rest of her family so eagerly partaking of the festival’s refreshments. Did she even look a little paler than usual? Interesting…
Turning back to Melina and Neena, she shrugged it off for the moment. They were mentioning food again, the foreign woman gesturing to the group surrounding Princess Xene and suggesting they might be the ones in charge of when they ate. “Yes, my lady, maybe we should join them,” she encouraged her mistress with a smile. “You did mention you wished to speak with them further.”
And besides, the closer she could get to these self-important ladies, the better. After all, what was the point of coming to an event like this if she couldn’t get something useful out of it…
Xanthippe listened to Neena’s explanation of her knowledge with a noncommittal sound, far more concerned now with the aroma of cooking meat. It was like the Bedoan read her hungry mind, suggesting one of the vittles she herself was indulging in. The handmaid had a brief moment of concern that perhaps the foreign woman had poisoned them, but she quickly shrugged it off. Would she really dare such a thing at such a prominent festival? Not even Xan was crazy enough to attempt that. Then again, one never knew…
No. It was fine. She was just being paranoid again, and she could recognize that. Plucking one of the confections from the food stand, she bit into it with a sigh. The woman was right. This was delicious. Nodding emphatically to show her approval, she scarfed it down in record time and grabbed another. The cooks had truly outdone themselves this year—that or she was just starving. Perhaps a bit of both.
Neena asked the very question that was at the forefront of Xanthippe’s mind, turning eagerly to hear Lady Melina’s answer. When would they get to eat pig? The maid could hardly bear the smell any more, her mouth watering almost to the point of indecency. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever smelled anything so appetizing in her life, and with each moment that passed, she was regretting more and more not eating breakfast that morning.
Unfortunately, her mistress’s answer left much to be desired, a response without any certainty. ‘Soon’ wasn’t soon enough, and her gaze lingered longingly on the nearby roasting pits. There was a bit of tumult surrounding them, and she frowned when she realized what the problem was. One of Lady Eirini’s maids had knocked one of the pigs into the pit! There was a mild horror on her face as she looked at the lost sow, hoping there was still enough to feed them all. Granted, there were those who hadn’t even been slaughtered yet, but that would be an even longer wait…
Her attention drifted again, this time to catch the arrival of the Queen. Xanthippe straightened slightly, her interest piqued at the way Theodora seemed to keep herself separated from the crowd. How peculiar that she didn’t immediately join the rest of her family so eagerly partaking of the festival’s refreshments. Did she even look a little paler than usual? Interesting…
Turning back to Melina and Neena, she shrugged it off for the moment. They were mentioning food again, the foreign woman gesturing to the group surrounding Princess Xene and suggesting they might be the ones in charge of when they ate. “Yes, my lady, maybe we should join them,” she encouraged her mistress with a smile. “You did mention you wished to speak with them further.”
And besides, the closer she could get to these self-important ladies, the better. After all, what was the point of coming to an event like this if she couldn’t get something useful out of it…
If she could have held onto Xene for longer she would have. The women had been at odds in the beginning, neither of her husband’s sisters had been thrilled at the start with the choice of wife he had made, but the growing belly and trouble that the young royals had faced had drawn her and Xene closer together and it was a relief that she could not properly express to be with her again. Here at least was someone who seemed to see and understand her position, who wanted her back on the throne, wanted Stephanos to come home. It was difficult to keep back the tears that were threatening, she had to remind herself that she had to be a queen today, if not in name then at least demeanor, and she smiled as she bit them back.
The ladies that were introduced each got her full attention for a moment, and Olympia gave them each a smile and nod of her head. She needed all of the support that could be curried for Stephanos’ return, no matter who it came from, and friends that her sister in law already trusted were a welcome introduction.
“Of course, Lady Kalliope I am pleased to see you again. And Lady Cilissa, welcome to court. Thank you for caring for my sister.”
Looking back down to Tisiphone as she grabbed for her aunt’s finger, Pia couldn’t help the pride in her expression as Xene noted the similarities between father and daughter. The more people noticed and spoke of it the better for them all, it was proof that this Mikaelidas princess was legitimate, and a healthy continuance of the family line that signaled the first of many that could come. She followed the princess to the chairs, settling in her own before giving a nod and a soft laugh. The apprehension in her sister-in-law’s eyes was clear and she shifted her daughter gently in her arms to make it easier to pass her over to her aunt.
“Don’t be afraid, she is far less fragile than you fear. Support her head this way, and here you are..” Pia adjusted Xene’s arms to receive the babe in her swaddling, ensuring she was not held in a cradle that she might expect to be fed, and was able to both look up at her aunt and around her at the many colors and people and noises that would grab her attention. Relinquishing her supportive hold, she brushed her thumb across Tisiphone’s forehead gently in a reassurance that she was still close by, a hand coming to her heart at the sight of them together.
The sound of the gasp drew her attention away and she caught sight of Gianna just as the young woman sank down. Standing and closing the distance as Elpis helped the younger woman up, Olympia was quick to pull her into an embrace to keep her upright. The tears that she had been holding back once again threatened to break free as she felt them rolling down Gianna’s cheeks and falling onto her chiton. With the soft hushing of a woman who was well accustomed to soothing tears by now, Olympia pulled back to press a kiss to the girl’s forehead before pulling her back into a tight embrace. With both of Stephanos’ sisters around her now she felt like they were finally home, finally had a fighting chance.
“Gianna, it is so good to see you. Come, meet your niece.” Lifting a hand to brush the tears from the princess’ cheeks, Pia smiled broadly and kept her arm wrapped around her waist as she brought her to Xene’s side. “Gianna, meet Tisiphone. Your brother sends his love, he will be home as soon as he can be.”
It was a moment that should have been nothing but warm and safe, sheltered with her husband’s family and the love they had for the newest family member, she should have felt nothing but joy. Something in the air had a foul stench though, and she felt her stomach turn over as the air brought the scent of roast pig her way once again. It was her turn now to sink to her knees in the field, nausea gripping her as she fought down the bile that threatened. A hand over her mouth and lips pressed into a tight line paired with skin that was suddenly white and clammy, paler than even her usual milky complexion. A million thoughts and fears rushed through her. The last time she had felt this way was when she had been just quick with Tisiphone. But she could not be with child again, not while she was nursing stil, there had to be another reason for the violent reaction her body had given.
A possible reason presented itself in the form of Theodora. Perhaps she had caught sight of her betraying sister before and simply not registered. The agony of losing her place to someone she trusted had caused a physical reaction. That had to be it. It could not be that she was pregnant. There was no way. Shoving down all thoughts and fears for the moment, she slowly stood once again, trembling as she made her way to her feet.
“Have they treated you well? Achilleas and his family?” Pia found she could not bring herself to say her sister’s name out loud, not yet. She was leaning heavily on the chair that held Xene and Tisiphone, trying to keep herself upright and appearing strong even as she looked for her mother or Selene for support.
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If she could have held onto Xene for longer she would have. The women had been at odds in the beginning, neither of her husband’s sisters had been thrilled at the start with the choice of wife he had made, but the growing belly and trouble that the young royals had faced had drawn her and Xene closer together and it was a relief that she could not properly express to be with her again. Here at least was someone who seemed to see and understand her position, who wanted her back on the throne, wanted Stephanos to come home. It was difficult to keep back the tears that were threatening, she had to remind herself that she had to be a queen today, if not in name then at least demeanor, and she smiled as she bit them back.
The ladies that were introduced each got her full attention for a moment, and Olympia gave them each a smile and nod of her head. She needed all of the support that could be curried for Stephanos’ return, no matter who it came from, and friends that her sister in law already trusted were a welcome introduction.
“Of course, Lady Kalliope I am pleased to see you again. And Lady Cilissa, welcome to court. Thank you for caring for my sister.”
Looking back down to Tisiphone as she grabbed for her aunt’s finger, Pia couldn’t help the pride in her expression as Xene noted the similarities between father and daughter. The more people noticed and spoke of it the better for them all, it was proof that this Mikaelidas princess was legitimate, and a healthy continuance of the family line that signaled the first of many that could come. She followed the princess to the chairs, settling in her own before giving a nod and a soft laugh. The apprehension in her sister-in-law’s eyes was clear and she shifted her daughter gently in her arms to make it easier to pass her over to her aunt.
“Don’t be afraid, she is far less fragile than you fear. Support her head this way, and here you are..” Pia adjusted Xene’s arms to receive the babe in her swaddling, ensuring she was not held in a cradle that she might expect to be fed, and was able to both look up at her aunt and around her at the many colors and people and noises that would grab her attention. Relinquishing her supportive hold, she brushed her thumb across Tisiphone’s forehead gently in a reassurance that she was still close by, a hand coming to her heart at the sight of them together.
The sound of the gasp drew her attention away and she caught sight of Gianna just as the young woman sank down. Standing and closing the distance as Elpis helped the younger woman up, Olympia was quick to pull her into an embrace to keep her upright. The tears that she had been holding back once again threatened to break free as she felt them rolling down Gianna’s cheeks and falling onto her chiton. With the soft hushing of a woman who was well accustomed to soothing tears by now, Olympia pulled back to press a kiss to the girl’s forehead before pulling her back into a tight embrace. With both of Stephanos’ sisters around her now she felt like they were finally home, finally had a fighting chance.
“Gianna, it is so good to see you. Come, meet your niece.” Lifting a hand to brush the tears from the princess’ cheeks, Pia smiled broadly and kept her arm wrapped around her waist as she brought her to Xene’s side. “Gianna, meet Tisiphone. Your brother sends his love, he will be home as soon as he can be.”
It was a moment that should have been nothing but warm and safe, sheltered with her husband’s family and the love they had for the newest family member, she should have felt nothing but joy. Something in the air had a foul stench though, and she felt her stomach turn over as the air brought the scent of roast pig her way once again. It was her turn now to sink to her knees in the field, nausea gripping her as she fought down the bile that threatened. A hand over her mouth and lips pressed into a tight line paired with skin that was suddenly white and clammy, paler than even her usual milky complexion. A million thoughts and fears rushed through her. The last time she had felt this way was when she had been just quick with Tisiphone. But she could not be with child again, not while she was nursing stil, there had to be another reason for the violent reaction her body had given.
A possible reason presented itself in the form of Theodora. Perhaps she had caught sight of her betraying sister before and simply not registered. The agony of losing her place to someone she trusted had caused a physical reaction. That had to be it. It could not be that she was pregnant. There was no way. Shoving down all thoughts and fears for the moment, she slowly stood once again, trembling as she made her way to her feet.
“Have they treated you well? Achilleas and his family?” Pia found she could not bring herself to say her sister’s name out loud, not yet. She was leaning heavily on the chair that held Xene and Tisiphone, trying to keep herself upright and appearing strong even as she looked for her mother or Selene for support.
If she could have held onto Xene for longer she would have. The women had been at odds in the beginning, neither of her husband’s sisters had been thrilled at the start with the choice of wife he had made, but the growing belly and trouble that the young royals had faced had drawn her and Xene closer together and it was a relief that she could not properly express to be with her again. Here at least was someone who seemed to see and understand her position, who wanted her back on the throne, wanted Stephanos to come home. It was difficult to keep back the tears that were threatening, she had to remind herself that she had to be a queen today, if not in name then at least demeanor, and she smiled as she bit them back.
The ladies that were introduced each got her full attention for a moment, and Olympia gave them each a smile and nod of her head. She needed all of the support that could be curried for Stephanos’ return, no matter who it came from, and friends that her sister in law already trusted were a welcome introduction.
“Of course, Lady Kalliope I am pleased to see you again. And Lady Cilissa, welcome to court. Thank you for caring for my sister.”
Looking back down to Tisiphone as she grabbed for her aunt’s finger, Pia couldn’t help the pride in her expression as Xene noted the similarities between father and daughter. The more people noticed and spoke of it the better for them all, it was proof that this Mikaelidas princess was legitimate, and a healthy continuance of the family line that signaled the first of many that could come. She followed the princess to the chairs, settling in her own before giving a nod and a soft laugh. The apprehension in her sister-in-law’s eyes was clear and she shifted her daughter gently in her arms to make it easier to pass her over to her aunt.
“Don’t be afraid, she is far less fragile than you fear. Support her head this way, and here you are..” Pia adjusted Xene’s arms to receive the babe in her swaddling, ensuring she was not held in a cradle that she might expect to be fed, and was able to both look up at her aunt and around her at the many colors and people and noises that would grab her attention. Relinquishing her supportive hold, she brushed her thumb across Tisiphone’s forehead gently in a reassurance that she was still close by, a hand coming to her heart at the sight of them together.
The sound of the gasp drew her attention away and she caught sight of Gianna just as the young woman sank down. Standing and closing the distance as Elpis helped the younger woman up, Olympia was quick to pull her into an embrace to keep her upright. The tears that she had been holding back once again threatened to break free as she felt them rolling down Gianna’s cheeks and falling onto her chiton. With the soft hushing of a woman who was well accustomed to soothing tears by now, Olympia pulled back to press a kiss to the girl’s forehead before pulling her back into a tight embrace. With both of Stephanos’ sisters around her now she felt like they were finally home, finally had a fighting chance.
“Gianna, it is so good to see you. Come, meet your niece.” Lifting a hand to brush the tears from the princess’ cheeks, Pia smiled broadly and kept her arm wrapped around her waist as she brought her to Xene’s side. “Gianna, meet Tisiphone. Your brother sends his love, he will be home as soon as he can be.”
It was a moment that should have been nothing but warm and safe, sheltered with her husband’s family and the love they had for the newest family member, she should have felt nothing but joy. Something in the air had a foul stench though, and she felt her stomach turn over as the air brought the scent of roast pig her way once again. It was her turn now to sink to her knees in the field, nausea gripping her as she fought down the bile that threatened. A hand over her mouth and lips pressed into a tight line paired with skin that was suddenly white and clammy, paler than even her usual milky complexion. A million thoughts and fears rushed through her. The last time she had felt this way was when she had been just quick with Tisiphone. But she could not be with child again, not while she was nursing stil, there had to be another reason for the violent reaction her body had given.
A possible reason presented itself in the form of Theodora. Perhaps she had caught sight of her betraying sister before and simply not registered. The agony of losing her place to someone she trusted had caused a physical reaction. That had to be it. It could not be that she was pregnant. There was no way. Shoving down all thoughts and fears for the moment, she slowly stood once again, trembling as she made her way to her feet.
“Have they treated you well? Achilleas and his family?” Pia found she could not bring herself to say her sister’s name out loud, not yet. She was leaning heavily on the chair that held Xene and Tisiphone, trying to keep herself upright and appearing strong even as she looked for her mother or Selene for support.