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The training dummy was perched up against the wall while Maximus attacked it from all angles. He guided his Xiphos towards the midsection the iron blade sinking on to the hardened wood of the dummy. Flecks of wood went flying from the sheer force that Maximus put into his strike however some of it landed on his right eye. The young man staggered back recoiling from the stinging pain from the wooden dust. Molossia was the main source for wood in Colchis their city residing in the forest. While the people of Molossia make strong hard and trees, they tend to flake and fly everywhere. It was true that many wood work does that, but most of the ire went to wood produced in Molossia.
"Agh!" Maximus immediately covered his right eye fighting off the tears forming in what Maximus was sure to be a reddened eye. He has been training since the crack of dawn, jogging around the barracks, going through his hoplite drills, wrestling against his brothers and dominating. It was a fairly typical day for Maximus with no war on the horizon the best course of action was to keep himself fresh but even that was becoming monotonous.
A soldiers worst enemy wasn't the enemy, wounds, dehydration or a glory hungry officer it was the boredom. The dreadful boredom, if one asks what was the worst thing for a soldier it would probably having nothing to do. Thinking about it was probably why Colchians fought so ferociously, all that pent up anger rage came from boredom. Maximus continued to rub his eye trying to blink the pieces of wood out. The worst part about being in the training area was that the nearest physician was 5 blocks away. Thankfully this was only a minor nuisance at least by Colchian standards. Maximus was pretty sure that Tangeans would consider a piece of wood to the eye a life threatening situation.
"Ow!" Maximus felt somewhat sharp claws digging into his side turning his head, Maximus heard the slobbering and painting of Brutus: The Hound. "Give me a break Brutus!" he laughed kneeling down and scratching the excitable Dog's ear.
Brutus was the attack hound for the Fifth Phalanx who was also there to serve as a morale boost for the soldiers. The Hound was fierce and deadly in battle with Maximus hearing that he ripped a man's throat apart with one chomp. When he was not fighting though, Brutus was a sweet Dog loved to eat and sleep and bother the Fifth Phalanx while they were training. "So boy!" Maximus smiled at Brutus. "Do you want to see Celine? I need her to look at my eye."
Like Adelpha, Celine would constantly check Maximus and Basil for injuries whenever they did anything physical. Celine especially would take a while to clean Maximus' injuries even though most of the time It wasn't that bad. He wondered sometimes why would Celine take a special interest trying to clean up so thoroughly over a small scratch. "Hey Celine!" Maximus called out. "Can you check my eye?"
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Forty two! Forty three!"
The training dummy was perched up against the wall while Maximus attacked it from all angles. He guided his Xiphos towards the midsection the iron blade sinking on to the hardened wood of the dummy. Flecks of wood went flying from the sheer force that Maximus put into his strike however some of it landed on his right eye. The young man staggered back recoiling from the stinging pain from the wooden dust. Molossia was the main source for wood in Colchis their city residing in the forest. While the people of Molossia make strong hard and trees, they tend to flake and fly everywhere. It was true that many wood work does that, but most of the ire went to wood produced in Molossia.
"Agh!" Maximus immediately covered his right eye fighting off the tears forming in what Maximus was sure to be a reddened eye. He has been training since the crack of dawn, jogging around the barracks, going through his hoplite drills, wrestling against his brothers and dominating. It was a fairly typical day for Maximus with no war on the horizon the best course of action was to keep himself fresh but even that was becoming monotonous.
A soldiers worst enemy wasn't the enemy, wounds, dehydration or a glory hungry officer it was the boredom. The dreadful boredom, if one asks what was the worst thing for a soldier it would probably having nothing to do. Thinking about it was probably why Colchians fought so ferociously, all that pent up anger rage came from boredom. Maximus continued to rub his eye trying to blink the pieces of wood out. The worst part about being in the training area was that the nearest physician was 5 blocks away. Thankfully this was only a minor nuisance at least by Colchian standards. Maximus was pretty sure that Tangeans would consider a piece of wood to the eye a life threatening situation.
"Ow!" Maximus felt somewhat sharp claws digging into his side turning his head, Maximus heard the slobbering and painting of Brutus: The Hound. "Give me a break Brutus!" he laughed kneeling down and scratching the excitable Dog's ear.
Brutus was the attack hound for the Fifth Phalanx who was also there to serve as a morale boost for the soldiers. The Hound was fierce and deadly in battle with Maximus hearing that he ripped a man's throat apart with one chomp. When he was not fighting though, Brutus was a sweet Dog loved to eat and sleep and bother the Fifth Phalanx while they were training. "So boy!" Maximus smiled at Brutus. "Do you want to see Celine? I need her to look at my eye."
Like Adelpha, Celine would constantly check Maximus and Basil for injuries whenever they did anything physical. Celine especially would take a while to clean Maximus' injuries even though most of the time It wasn't that bad. He wondered sometimes why would Celine take a special interest trying to clean up so thoroughly over a small scratch. "Hey Celine!" Maximus called out. "Can you check my eye?"
Forty two! Forty three!"
The training dummy was perched up against the wall while Maximus attacked it from all angles. He guided his Xiphos towards the midsection the iron blade sinking on to the hardened wood of the dummy. Flecks of wood went flying from the sheer force that Maximus put into his strike however some of it landed on his right eye. The young man staggered back recoiling from the stinging pain from the wooden dust. Molossia was the main source for wood in Colchis their city residing in the forest. While the people of Molossia make strong hard and trees, they tend to flake and fly everywhere. It was true that many wood work does that, but most of the ire went to wood produced in Molossia.
"Agh!" Maximus immediately covered his right eye fighting off the tears forming in what Maximus was sure to be a reddened eye. He has been training since the crack of dawn, jogging around the barracks, going through his hoplite drills, wrestling against his brothers and dominating. It was a fairly typical day for Maximus with no war on the horizon the best course of action was to keep himself fresh but even that was becoming monotonous.
A soldiers worst enemy wasn't the enemy, wounds, dehydration or a glory hungry officer it was the boredom. The dreadful boredom, if one asks what was the worst thing for a soldier it would probably having nothing to do. Thinking about it was probably why Colchians fought so ferociously, all that pent up anger rage came from boredom. Maximus continued to rub his eye trying to blink the pieces of wood out. The worst part about being in the training area was that the nearest physician was 5 blocks away. Thankfully this was only a minor nuisance at least by Colchian standards. Maximus was pretty sure that Tangeans would consider a piece of wood to the eye a life threatening situation.
"Ow!" Maximus felt somewhat sharp claws digging into his side turning his head, Maximus heard the slobbering and painting of Brutus: The Hound. "Give me a break Brutus!" he laughed kneeling down and scratching the excitable Dog's ear.
Brutus was the attack hound for the Fifth Phalanx who was also there to serve as a morale boost for the soldiers. The Hound was fierce and deadly in battle with Maximus hearing that he ripped a man's throat apart with one chomp. When he was not fighting though, Brutus was a sweet Dog loved to eat and sleep and bother the Fifth Phalanx while they were training. "So boy!" Maximus smiled at Brutus. "Do you want to see Celine? I need her to look at my eye."
Like Adelpha, Celine would constantly check Maximus and Basil for injuries whenever they did anything physical. Celine especially would take a while to clean Maximus' injuries even though most of the time It wasn't that bad. He wondered sometimes why would Celine take a special interest trying to clean up so thoroughly over a small scratch. "Hey Celine!" Maximus called out. "Can you check my eye?"
Celine stared admiringly at Maximus' abs as she watched him train. Though it was not often lately (well, not often enough, she amended in her thoughts) that she got to see Maximus train, she was always flabbergasted at herself for how it caused her to act. Though they had known each other since they were eleven, she had really only loved him for a year now, but at times like this one, it felt much longer. Sometimes- but particularly after watching him train- she wished that he seemed aware of her feelings, and then perhaps they might be able to-
Celine stopped that thought in its tracks, though it had been in her mind long enough now for it to cause her face to heat. It wasn't that Celine didn't know what having intercourse was- she'd done it a few times, but those were out of curiosity, though thank the gods her parents never found out.
With Max, though...well...the act might mean...something beyond satisfying curiosity or feeling bodily pleasure. She'd always wondered why people who slept together were sometimes called lovers. But when she thought about Max, she thought she might have an idea why.
The fairly recent rain earlier in the day had meant that the heat of her embarrassment actually felt good on her face, but it also meant Maximus might see if he came any closer, and he'd probably wonder what had caused her to get so hot in the fall air. Just as she thought this, she heard him call for her to come check his eye.
"Coming!" she called, realizing that if she got there fast enough the heat in her face could be attributed to how fast she had had to run.
And then, just as she was about to reach Maximus, she felt something huge and fuzzy bump against her chest, saw the ground coming toward her, and heard a loud, excited bark, followed by a rip as the paw-nails of the huge animal sank into her favorite sea-green chiton that she had always thought looked so nice with her eyes. She'd been secretly hoping Max would call her over all day, and now her dress was ruined! He probably hadn't noticed how the color looked compared to her eyes. She didn't know why she bothered trying; he never seemed to, but the realization that she would face him while wearing messy clothes still stung- at least for all of two seconds, until she hit the ground. Then it seemed that time stopped.
Celine felt the air leave her lungs, and while she did not completely faint, she did seem to see a few stars. Cold, wet mud seeped into the thin fabric of her chiton, and she was already shivering, but more importantly...
"Ican'tbreathe." What should have been a whole sentence was somehow expressed in only one word.
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Celine stared admiringly at Maximus' abs as she watched him train. Though it was not often lately (well, not often enough, she amended in her thoughts) that she got to see Maximus train, she was always flabbergasted at herself for how it caused her to act. Though they had known each other since they were eleven, she had really only loved him for a year now, but at times like this one, it felt much longer. Sometimes- but particularly after watching him train- she wished that he seemed aware of her feelings, and then perhaps they might be able to-
Celine stopped that thought in its tracks, though it had been in her mind long enough now for it to cause her face to heat. It wasn't that Celine didn't know what having intercourse was- she'd done it a few times, but those were out of curiosity, though thank the gods her parents never found out.
With Max, though...well...the act might mean...something beyond satisfying curiosity or feeling bodily pleasure. She'd always wondered why people who slept together were sometimes called lovers. But when she thought about Max, she thought she might have an idea why.
The fairly recent rain earlier in the day had meant that the heat of her embarrassment actually felt good on her face, but it also meant Maximus might see if he came any closer, and he'd probably wonder what had caused her to get so hot in the fall air. Just as she thought this, she heard him call for her to come check his eye.
"Coming!" she called, realizing that if she got there fast enough the heat in her face could be attributed to how fast she had had to run.
And then, just as she was about to reach Maximus, she felt something huge and fuzzy bump against her chest, saw the ground coming toward her, and heard a loud, excited bark, followed by a rip as the paw-nails of the huge animal sank into her favorite sea-green chiton that she had always thought looked so nice with her eyes. She'd been secretly hoping Max would call her over all day, and now her dress was ruined! He probably hadn't noticed how the color looked compared to her eyes. She didn't know why she bothered trying; he never seemed to, but the realization that she would face him while wearing messy clothes still stung- at least for all of two seconds, until she hit the ground. Then it seemed that time stopped.
Celine felt the air leave her lungs, and while she did not completely faint, she did seem to see a few stars. Cold, wet mud seeped into the thin fabric of her chiton, and she was already shivering, but more importantly...
"Ican'tbreathe." What should have been a whole sentence was somehow expressed in only one word.
Celine stared admiringly at Maximus' abs as she watched him train. Though it was not often lately (well, not often enough, she amended in her thoughts) that she got to see Maximus train, she was always flabbergasted at herself for how it caused her to act. Though they had known each other since they were eleven, she had really only loved him for a year now, but at times like this one, it felt much longer. Sometimes- but particularly after watching him train- she wished that he seemed aware of her feelings, and then perhaps they might be able to-
Celine stopped that thought in its tracks, though it had been in her mind long enough now for it to cause her face to heat. It wasn't that Celine didn't know what having intercourse was- she'd done it a few times, but those were out of curiosity, though thank the gods her parents never found out.
With Max, though...well...the act might mean...something beyond satisfying curiosity or feeling bodily pleasure. She'd always wondered why people who slept together were sometimes called lovers. But when she thought about Max, she thought she might have an idea why.
The fairly recent rain earlier in the day had meant that the heat of her embarrassment actually felt good on her face, but it also meant Maximus might see if he came any closer, and he'd probably wonder what had caused her to get so hot in the fall air. Just as she thought this, she heard him call for her to come check his eye.
"Coming!" she called, realizing that if she got there fast enough the heat in her face could be attributed to how fast she had had to run.
And then, just as she was about to reach Maximus, she felt something huge and fuzzy bump against her chest, saw the ground coming toward her, and heard a loud, excited bark, followed by a rip as the paw-nails of the huge animal sank into her favorite sea-green chiton that she had always thought looked so nice with her eyes. She'd been secretly hoping Max would call her over all day, and now her dress was ruined! He probably hadn't noticed how the color looked compared to her eyes. She didn't know why she bothered trying; he never seemed to, but the realization that she would face him while wearing messy clothes still stung- at least for all of two seconds, until she hit the ground. Then it seemed that time stopped.
Celine felt the air leave her lungs, and while she did not completely faint, she did seem to see a few stars. Cold, wet mud seeped into the thin fabric of her chiton, and she was already shivering, but more importantly...
"Ican'tbreathe." What should have been a whole sentence was somehow expressed in only one word.
Beads of sweat began forming all over Maximus' body it was a hot day and the young man had to get rid of his shirt because he spent hours training and was drenched in sweat. Maximus didn't want to wipe the sweat off him embracing the beads of sweat old and new trying to cool him down. He learned that sweat was the body naturally trying to cool them off. It was also a sign of good old hard work, to Maximus being covered in sweat was immensely satisfying. Of course he had to be conscious to wipe himself whenever civilians come around. There were many in Colchis that despise sweaty people often calling it repugnant bah! What they call repugnant Maximus calls it the stench of hard work and accomplishment. After all the citizens were parts of cog which makes Colchis function.
Why do they not respect that Maximus has no idea, then again Celine did say that they just don't like the smell. Celine didn't come see Maximus train until a few hours ago, the young woman came with some water and an Apple for Maximus to consume while he was taking a break from training. Good old Celine always thinking of him, the young man was indebted to Celine for being his cheerleader during the tournament when they were eleven. Celine didn't know it, but Maximus was very grateful that he didn't have to go out there and compete alone.
Maximus was lost in thought that he did not notice Brutus rushing past him excitedly tackling Celine to the ground and nibbling on her green dress. "Oh no!" Maximus quickly sheathed his sword rushing to Brutus. The Hound loved seeing new guest however he must've thought that they were doing a training exercise where an attack dog attacks a charging enemy. The wagging tail on Brutus though suggests otherwise.
"BRUTUS!" Maximus roared. "NO! GET OFF CELINE!"
The young man hit the Hound around the head causing him to whine a bit before getting off Celine and retreating. Maximus shook his head and immediately helped Celine up noticing the mud, dirt and obviously tattered dress. It was green which perfectly matched her eyes, Celine and Adelpha were fond of dresses and Maximus and Basil would be bored out of their minds while they spent hours comparing their chitons. "CELINE!" Maximus helped the young woman to her feet while frantically wiping the dirt off her dress but sadly most of it stayed.
"Are you okay?!" Maximus panicked unable to know what to do. His good friend got tackled by a Dog and he can't help but feel that he was responsible for it. Maximus then wrapped his arms around Celine pulling her into a hug when he noticed that she was shivering a bit. "I'm so sorry," he said whispering in her ear. "I'll make it up to you I promise!"
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Beads of sweat began forming all over Maximus' body it was a hot day and the young man had to get rid of his shirt because he spent hours training and was drenched in sweat. Maximus didn't want to wipe the sweat off him embracing the beads of sweat old and new trying to cool him down. He learned that sweat was the body naturally trying to cool them off. It was also a sign of good old hard work, to Maximus being covered in sweat was immensely satisfying. Of course he had to be conscious to wipe himself whenever civilians come around. There were many in Colchis that despise sweaty people often calling it repugnant bah! What they call repugnant Maximus calls it the stench of hard work and accomplishment. After all the citizens were parts of cog which makes Colchis function.
Why do they not respect that Maximus has no idea, then again Celine did say that they just don't like the smell. Celine didn't come see Maximus train until a few hours ago, the young woman came with some water and an Apple for Maximus to consume while he was taking a break from training. Good old Celine always thinking of him, the young man was indebted to Celine for being his cheerleader during the tournament when they were eleven. Celine didn't know it, but Maximus was very grateful that he didn't have to go out there and compete alone.
Maximus was lost in thought that he did not notice Brutus rushing past him excitedly tackling Celine to the ground and nibbling on her green dress. "Oh no!" Maximus quickly sheathed his sword rushing to Brutus. The Hound loved seeing new guest however he must've thought that they were doing a training exercise where an attack dog attacks a charging enemy. The wagging tail on Brutus though suggests otherwise.
"BRUTUS!" Maximus roared. "NO! GET OFF CELINE!"
The young man hit the Hound around the head causing him to whine a bit before getting off Celine and retreating. Maximus shook his head and immediately helped Celine up noticing the mud, dirt and obviously tattered dress. It was green which perfectly matched her eyes, Celine and Adelpha were fond of dresses and Maximus and Basil would be bored out of their minds while they spent hours comparing their chitons. "CELINE!" Maximus helped the young woman to her feet while frantically wiping the dirt off her dress but sadly most of it stayed.
"Are you okay?!" Maximus panicked unable to know what to do. His good friend got tackled by a Dog and he can't help but feel that he was responsible for it. Maximus then wrapped his arms around Celine pulling her into a hug when he noticed that she was shivering a bit. "I'm so sorry," he said whispering in her ear. "I'll make it up to you I promise!"
Beads of sweat began forming all over Maximus' body it was a hot day and the young man had to get rid of his shirt because he spent hours training and was drenched in sweat. Maximus didn't want to wipe the sweat off him embracing the beads of sweat old and new trying to cool him down. He learned that sweat was the body naturally trying to cool them off. It was also a sign of good old hard work, to Maximus being covered in sweat was immensely satisfying. Of course he had to be conscious to wipe himself whenever civilians come around. There were many in Colchis that despise sweaty people often calling it repugnant bah! What they call repugnant Maximus calls it the stench of hard work and accomplishment. After all the citizens were parts of cog which makes Colchis function.
Why do they not respect that Maximus has no idea, then again Celine did say that they just don't like the smell. Celine didn't come see Maximus train until a few hours ago, the young woman came with some water and an Apple for Maximus to consume while he was taking a break from training. Good old Celine always thinking of him, the young man was indebted to Celine for being his cheerleader during the tournament when they were eleven. Celine didn't know it, but Maximus was very grateful that he didn't have to go out there and compete alone.
Maximus was lost in thought that he did not notice Brutus rushing past him excitedly tackling Celine to the ground and nibbling on her green dress. "Oh no!" Maximus quickly sheathed his sword rushing to Brutus. The Hound loved seeing new guest however he must've thought that they were doing a training exercise where an attack dog attacks a charging enemy. The wagging tail on Brutus though suggests otherwise.
"BRUTUS!" Maximus roared. "NO! GET OFF CELINE!"
The young man hit the Hound around the head causing him to whine a bit before getting off Celine and retreating. Maximus shook his head and immediately helped Celine up noticing the mud, dirt and obviously tattered dress. It was green which perfectly matched her eyes, Celine and Adelpha were fond of dresses and Maximus and Basil would be bored out of their minds while they spent hours comparing their chitons. "CELINE!" Maximus helped the young woman to her feet while frantically wiping the dirt off her dress but sadly most of it stayed.
"Are you okay?!" Maximus panicked unable to know what to do. His good friend got tackled by a Dog and he can't help but feel that he was responsible for it. Maximus then wrapped his arms around Celine pulling her into a hug when he noticed that she was shivering a bit. "I'm so sorry," he said whispering in her ear. "I'll make it up to you I promise!"
"Ican'tbreathe," she said again. "Hurts...." Time seemed to start again, but only slowly. She swore she could literally feel her head turning in circles. She felt him pull her against his chest, but she was too woozy for a minute to really notice that he was holding her, and only felt her head hit his firm, warm chest. She clung to his neck. Despite her dislike of being touched by strangers, he wasn't one, and when her lungs hurt she didn't need to be by herself. If she'd had the breath, she would have said, Please don't leave me alone.... But she didn't have the breath, and she could only pray with all her mental strength that he would remember how easily she got winded and wheezy.
She would probably be so cold when she was finally able to get up, but for now, his warmth seemed to shield her, though in a sense she also felt disgusting and a little worried, wondering if the fact that he was sweating would make her cold from his sweat touching her body.
She'd often warned Max that some people didn't like the smell of those who were sweating, but she could care less, other than the fact that sweat felt cold. He smelled so...masculine. and it made her feel safe. Still, she knew she should probably get up eventually, though she still felt too disoriented to do so at the moment.
Still, she managed a smile, though it was still only tentative and more than a little sheepish.
"You know I like your dog. But I also think he doesn't know his own strength." Celine didn't have the breath to laugh yet, but there was a smile in her voice nonetheless. "I should be all right...I think. But I can't go home like this...." She wasn't only talking about how much it hurt to breathe, though there was still a bit of pain. Part of her dress was shredded. and that might cause her family to think the worst, no matter what explanation she gave to them.
"What are we going to do?" she wondered, before she suddenly came back to herself and remembered what she was supposed to be helping him with, amazed to find that she was still snuggled against his chest. "Sorry. I didn't mean to make it about me." Celine was the one with the breathing problems, but a possibly injured eye was important, too. "Where did you get hit?" she asked, though her head still pounded a little as she raised it.
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"Ican'tbreathe," she said again. "Hurts...." Time seemed to start again, but only slowly. She swore she could literally feel her head turning in circles. She felt him pull her against his chest, but she was too woozy for a minute to really notice that he was holding her, and only felt her head hit his firm, warm chest. She clung to his neck. Despite her dislike of being touched by strangers, he wasn't one, and when her lungs hurt she didn't need to be by herself. If she'd had the breath, she would have said, Please don't leave me alone.... But she didn't have the breath, and she could only pray with all her mental strength that he would remember how easily she got winded and wheezy.
She would probably be so cold when she was finally able to get up, but for now, his warmth seemed to shield her, though in a sense she also felt disgusting and a little worried, wondering if the fact that he was sweating would make her cold from his sweat touching her body.
She'd often warned Max that some people didn't like the smell of those who were sweating, but she could care less, other than the fact that sweat felt cold. He smelled so...masculine. and it made her feel safe. Still, she knew she should probably get up eventually, though she still felt too disoriented to do so at the moment.
Still, she managed a smile, though it was still only tentative and more than a little sheepish.
"You know I like your dog. But I also think he doesn't know his own strength." Celine didn't have the breath to laugh yet, but there was a smile in her voice nonetheless. "I should be all right...I think. But I can't go home like this...." She wasn't only talking about how much it hurt to breathe, though there was still a bit of pain. Part of her dress was shredded. and that might cause her family to think the worst, no matter what explanation she gave to them.
"What are we going to do?" she wondered, before she suddenly came back to herself and remembered what she was supposed to be helping him with, amazed to find that she was still snuggled against his chest. "Sorry. I didn't mean to make it about me." Celine was the one with the breathing problems, but a possibly injured eye was important, too. "Where did you get hit?" she asked, though her head still pounded a little as she raised it.
"Ican'tbreathe," she said again. "Hurts...." Time seemed to start again, but only slowly. She swore she could literally feel her head turning in circles. She felt him pull her against his chest, but she was too woozy for a minute to really notice that he was holding her, and only felt her head hit his firm, warm chest. She clung to his neck. Despite her dislike of being touched by strangers, he wasn't one, and when her lungs hurt she didn't need to be by herself. If she'd had the breath, she would have said, Please don't leave me alone.... But she didn't have the breath, and she could only pray with all her mental strength that he would remember how easily she got winded and wheezy.
She would probably be so cold when she was finally able to get up, but for now, his warmth seemed to shield her, though in a sense she also felt disgusting and a little worried, wondering if the fact that he was sweating would make her cold from his sweat touching her body.
She'd often warned Max that some people didn't like the smell of those who were sweating, but she could care less, other than the fact that sweat felt cold. He smelled so...masculine. and it made her feel safe. Still, she knew she should probably get up eventually, though she still felt too disoriented to do so at the moment.
Still, she managed a smile, though it was still only tentative and more than a little sheepish.
"You know I like your dog. But I also think he doesn't know his own strength." Celine didn't have the breath to laugh yet, but there was a smile in her voice nonetheless. "I should be all right...I think. But I can't go home like this...." She wasn't only talking about how much it hurt to breathe, though there was still a bit of pain. Part of her dress was shredded. and that might cause her family to think the worst, no matter what explanation she gave to them.
"What are we going to do?" she wondered, before she suddenly came back to herself and remembered what she was supposed to be helping him with, amazed to find that she was still snuggled against his chest. "Sorry. I didn't mean to make it about me." Celine was the one with the breathing problems, but a possibly injured eye was important, too. "Where did you get hit?" she asked, though her head still pounded a little as she raised it.
Seeing Celine struggling to breathe threw Maximus into a panic, externally he maintained his composure but he was panicking on the inside. Since Maximus knew her, Celine had a breathing problem. Physicians according to Celine that she was born with miniature lungs, which prevented her from doing some extraneous activities. "Celine," Maximus said his voice shaky. "Look at me and breathe normally."
This usually worked whenever Celine had her breathing problems resurfaced. Either Maximus, Basil or Adelpha would hug her tight and tell her to look into their eyes. Another method was to expose her to steam which was part of the reason why Celine lived next to steamy areas. Sadly since they were in the barracks the nearest steam room was miles away but there was a physician. "Well," Maximus stared at Brutus who was wearing his: I'm sorry look. "Brutus can get a little too excited when it comes to strangers he also has trouble not knowing whether we're practicing or not."
The young man sighed. "Since you were running, he thought we were doing a live training exercise," he said looking at Celine's dress. It was a mess reduced to tatters, it felt thin as well making Maximus wonder if the dress would drop leaving Celine naked.
"That would be a problem," he thought. "This is all my fault."
Celine was distressed at the fact that her Chiton was torn to shreds It was probably one of her favorites, then again she had so many favorite dresses that Maximus lost track in which one was her actual favorite. "I'll live Celine," Maximus said noticing her breathing was slowing down to normal levels. "I'm more worried about you and oh Ares your dress!"
Maximus shook his head as let her go. "It's a mess!" Maximus lamented. "Oh great! This is my fault this happened! I'm going to buy a new one!"
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Seeing Celine struggling to breathe threw Maximus into a panic, externally he maintained his composure but he was panicking on the inside. Since Maximus knew her, Celine had a breathing problem. Physicians according to Celine that she was born with miniature lungs, which prevented her from doing some extraneous activities. "Celine," Maximus said his voice shaky. "Look at me and breathe normally."
This usually worked whenever Celine had her breathing problems resurfaced. Either Maximus, Basil or Adelpha would hug her tight and tell her to look into their eyes. Another method was to expose her to steam which was part of the reason why Celine lived next to steamy areas. Sadly since they were in the barracks the nearest steam room was miles away but there was a physician. "Well," Maximus stared at Brutus who was wearing his: I'm sorry look. "Brutus can get a little too excited when it comes to strangers he also has trouble not knowing whether we're practicing or not."
The young man sighed. "Since you were running, he thought we were doing a live training exercise," he said looking at Celine's dress. It was a mess reduced to tatters, it felt thin as well making Maximus wonder if the dress would drop leaving Celine naked.
"That would be a problem," he thought. "This is all my fault."
Celine was distressed at the fact that her Chiton was torn to shreds It was probably one of her favorites, then again she had so many favorite dresses that Maximus lost track in which one was her actual favorite. "I'll live Celine," Maximus said noticing her breathing was slowing down to normal levels. "I'm more worried about you and oh Ares your dress!"
Maximus shook his head as let her go. "It's a mess!" Maximus lamented. "Oh great! This is my fault this happened! I'm going to buy a new one!"
Seeing Celine struggling to breathe threw Maximus into a panic, externally he maintained his composure but he was panicking on the inside. Since Maximus knew her, Celine had a breathing problem. Physicians according to Celine that she was born with miniature lungs, which prevented her from doing some extraneous activities. "Celine," Maximus said his voice shaky. "Look at me and breathe normally."
This usually worked whenever Celine had her breathing problems resurfaced. Either Maximus, Basil or Adelpha would hug her tight and tell her to look into their eyes. Another method was to expose her to steam which was part of the reason why Celine lived next to steamy areas. Sadly since they were in the barracks the nearest steam room was miles away but there was a physician. "Well," Maximus stared at Brutus who was wearing his: I'm sorry look. "Brutus can get a little too excited when it comes to strangers he also has trouble not knowing whether we're practicing or not."
The young man sighed. "Since you were running, he thought we were doing a live training exercise," he said looking at Celine's dress. It was a mess reduced to tatters, it felt thin as well making Maximus wonder if the dress would drop leaving Celine naked.
"That would be a problem," he thought. "This is all my fault."
Celine was distressed at the fact that her Chiton was torn to shreds It was probably one of her favorites, then again she had so many favorite dresses that Maximus lost track in which one was her actual favorite. "I'll live Celine," Maximus said noticing her breathing was slowing down to normal levels. "I'm more worried about you and oh Ares your dress!"
Maximus shook his head as let her go. "It's a mess!" Maximus lamented. "Oh great! This is my fault this happened! I'm going to buy a new one!"
Celine smiled a little at Brutus' forlorn look. When she got the energy again, she'd be sure to pet him. Other than his bulk, which always seemed it meant that he was getting in someone's way or knocking someone down, he really was a nice dog. Sometimes she wished her family would have been able to have a pet, but before the fire, her father had been traveling too often, and being the daughter of someone who worked for Taengea's Master Informer meant that Celine herself had to make various court appearances. Sometimes it still did mean that, though the court of Colchis had never exactly felt like home. If Celine had tried as much as possible to carve out a life for herself here in Colchis, and had somewhat succeeded otherwise, court still seemed to remind her that Colchis was not her original home.
"I-I didn't mean to- to..." She was still blushing madly, though her lungs had nearly stopped hurting. "Some court fixture that makes me. Thinking of others- or their opinions- before yourself is practically a requirement there, all the time." Not to mention at home with Rhais.... she didn't add, though he probably knew her so well by now that he might be able to sense she was thinking of that, too. Sometimes it did frustrate her that her dreams were seemingly always being pushed aside, but given her father's position and her sister's deafness, what could she do? Besides, in a way, she still had some of her dreams come true. She hadn't been able to go to the Scholeio like her mother had, but her mother had been the one to teach her about painting.
Max was half right- she did seem to have a lot of 'favorite' chitons. but she wore that one when she planned on seeing him most often because she thought he would notice how it brought out her eyes...
Oh well.
"Hermes," she muttered in agreement with his assessment, looking down at her torn dress. None but her closest friends knew Hermes was the patron she'd felt drawn to the most- not Hestia or Hera- for perhaps the more demure girls- or Artemis or Athena or Aphrodite. She gave them their due veneration, of course, particularly Athena, for there could often be wisdom in the written word. But the god of messages was her favorite.
A male patron for a young woman, but a messenger for a woman who liked to read. Somehow, both things suited her, though she was aware that even men would perhaps be shocked that a woman would choose a god, not a goddess, as her patron.
Send a message to my family that it's not my fault and I'm all right- considering being tackled by a behemoth, anyway. She considered Max's offer to buy a new dress for her to wear home. True, he probably carried money everywhere- most men, regardless of age, often did, when in public. Still... how would she explain a man buying her a dress? Especially when it seemed he didn't feel about her the way she did about him.She hesitated briefly. "My father will pay you back," she suddenly realized with a smile as the last of the doubt faded away. "When he hears what happened, he'll be glad you helped. Poor Brutus, though!" Taking the deepest breath she could and rising to her feet, Celine patted her knee. "Come here. Brutus. Slowly, please," she added, though she was unsure the dog would understand. When he would reach her, Celine would rub the dog's massive head. "It's okay, I'm not mad." She scratched the dog’s ears, then turned back to Max.
“Do you need to report to anyone that you’re leaving before we go?"
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Celine smiled a little at Brutus' forlorn look. When she got the energy again, she'd be sure to pet him. Other than his bulk, which always seemed it meant that he was getting in someone's way or knocking someone down, he really was a nice dog. Sometimes she wished her family would have been able to have a pet, but before the fire, her father had been traveling too often, and being the daughter of someone who worked for Taengea's Master Informer meant that Celine herself had to make various court appearances. Sometimes it still did mean that, though the court of Colchis had never exactly felt like home. If Celine had tried as much as possible to carve out a life for herself here in Colchis, and had somewhat succeeded otherwise, court still seemed to remind her that Colchis was not her original home.
"I-I didn't mean to- to..." She was still blushing madly, though her lungs had nearly stopped hurting. "Some court fixture that makes me. Thinking of others- or their opinions- before yourself is practically a requirement there, all the time." Not to mention at home with Rhais.... she didn't add, though he probably knew her so well by now that he might be able to sense she was thinking of that, too. Sometimes it did frustrate her that her dreams were seemingly always being pushed aside, but given her father's position and her sister's deafness, what could she do? Besides, in a way, she still had some of her dreams come true. She hadn't been able to go to the Scholeio like her mother had, but her mother had been the one to teach her about painting.
Max was half right- she did seem to have a lot of 'favorite' chitons. but she wore that one when she planned on seeing him most often because she thought he would notice how it brought out her eyes...
Oh well.
"Hermes," she muttered in agreement with his assessment, looking down at her torn dress. None but her closest friends knew Hermes was the patron she'd felt drawn to the most- not Hestia or Hera- for perhaps the more demure girls- or Artemis or Athena or Aphrodite. She gave them their due veneration, of course, particularly Athena, for there could often be wisdom in the written word. But the god of messages was her favorite.
A male patron for a young woman, but a messenger for a woman who liked to read. Somehow, both things suited her, though she was aware that even men would perhaps be shocked that a woman would choose a god, not a goddess, as her patron.
Send a message to my family that it's not my fault and I'm all right- considering being tackled by a behemoth, anyway. She considered Max's offer to buy a new dress for her to wear home. True, he probably carried money everywhere- most men, regardless of age, often did, when in public. Still... how would she explain a man buying her a dress? Especially when it seemed he didn't feel about her the way she did about him.She hesitated briefly. "My father will pay you back," she suddenly realized with a smile as the last of the doubt faded away. "When he hears what happened, he'll be glad you helped. Poor Brutus, though!" Taking the deepest breath she could and rising to her feet, Celine patted her knee. "Come here. Brutus. Slowly, please," she added, though she was unsure the dog would understand. When he would reach her, Celine would rub the dog's massive head. "It's okay, I'm not mad." She scratched the dog’s ears, then turned back to Max.
“Do you need to report to anyone that you’re leaving before we go?"
Celine smiled a little at Brutus' forlorn look. When she got the energy again, she'd be sure to pet him. Other than his bulk, which always seemed it meant that he was getting in someone's way or knocking someone down, he really was a nice dog. Sometimes she wished her family would have been able to have a pet, but before the fire, her father had been traveling too often, and being the daughter of someone who worked for Taengea's Master Informer meant that Celine herself had to make various court appearances. Sometimes it still did mean that, though the court of Colchis had never exactly felt like home. If Celine had tried as much as possible to carve out a life for herself here in Colchis, and had somewhat succeeded otherwise, court still seemed to remind her that Colchis was not her original home.
"I-I didn't mean to- to..." She was still blushing madly, though her lungs had nearly stopped hurting. "Some court fixture that makes me. Thinking of others- or their opinions- before yourself is practically a requirement there, all the time." Not to mention at home with Rhais.... she didn't add, though he probably knew her so well by now that he might be able to sense she was thinking of that, too. Sometimes it did frustrate her that her dreams were seemingly always being pushed aside, but given her father's position and her sister's deafness, what could she do? Besides, in a way, she still had some of her dreams come true. She hadn't been able to go to the Scholeio like her mother had, but her mother had been the one to teach her about painting.
Max was half right- she did seem to have a lot of 'favorite' chitons. but she wore that one when she planned on seeing him most often because she thought he would notice how it brought out her eyes...
Oh well.
"Hermes," she muttered in agreement with his assessment, looking down at her torn dress. None but her closest friends knew Hermes was the patron she'd felt drawn to the most- not Hestia or Hera- for perhaps the more demure girls- or Artemis or Athena or Aphrodite. She gave them their due veneration, of course, particularly Athena, for there could often be wisdom in the written word. But the god of messages was her favorite.
A male patron for a young woman, but a messenger for a woman who liked to read. Somehow, both things suited her, though she was aware that even men would perhaps be shocked that a woman would choose a god, not a goddess, as her patron.
Send a message to my family that it's not my fault and I'm all right- considering being tackled by a behemoth, anyway. She considered Max's offer to buy a new dress for her to wear home. True, he probably carried money everywhere- most men, regardless of age, often did, when in public. Still... how would she explain a man buying her a dress? Especially when it seemed he didn't feel about her the way she did about him.She hesitated briefly. "My father will pay you back," she suddenly realized with a smile as the last of the doubt faded away. "When he hears what happened, he'll be glad you helped. Poor Brutus, though!" Taking the deepest breath she could and rising to her feet, Celine patted her knee. "Come here. Brutus. Slowly, please," she added, though she was unsure the dog would understand. When he would reach her, Celine would rub the dog's massive head. "It's okay, I'm not mad." She scratched the dog’s ears, then turned back to Max.
“Do you need to report to anyone that you’re leaving before we go?"
Oh Celine, like Adelpha Celine was always selfless and empathetic. It most likely the reason why the two women shared a close bond, Maximus shook his head when Celine was blushing trying to apologize for prioritizing him over her own health. "Celine," Maximus smiled placing his hand over her slender shoulder. "You know that I care about you," he said. "You're too busy worrying about me, Basil and Adelpha over yourself. It's great that you're selfless and I love you for that but sometimes you have to take of yourself before you take of others."
Maximus didn't want to lose any one of his friends yet of all of them, Celine was the one who would probably overexert herself helping people. "I'd say it's less about court etiquette," the young man said. "And more about yourself Celine, admittedly I don't much about how politics work but I do know you. You've been trying to protect people when we first met sometimes it's best to stay calm and let others protect you."
He the smiled. "You're a good person Celine," he said turning around and seeing Brutus lumber over to Maximus and Celine still appearing as though someone took his toy bone away from him. "Listen," Maximus groaned watching Celine walk ahead to pet him. "I don't think he deserves-"
Of course Celine pet Brutus and Hound wagged his tail while licking Celine's wrists. "You know he's just going to tackle you again," Maximus said rolling his eyes. "He sees that as granting permission to tackle and fill your face with slobber. Given that you were hyperventilating, I would highly suggest letting Brutus go."
Brutus is a friendly Dog when he's not ripping a man alive during battle may be he too friendly which is something Maximus found a bit odd considering that he was trained from birth to be a War Dog. Then again Maximus has been training since he was a child to become a legendary soldier so perhaps Dogs and Humans have more in common than what was thought by the Sophists. Celine offered to have her father pay him back which caused Maximus to frown. "It's okay Celine," Maximus said going over to the wooden bench ahead and putting on his shirt. "It was my fault that your dress was ruined and I will make sure that I will buy you a new one."
The young man smiled placing on his shirt. "On my honor," he said. "And no I don't need to report to my superiors we don't really do anything between deployments anyway but I have to be back by sundown."
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Oh Celine, like Adelpha Celine was always selfless and empathetic. It most likely the reason why the two women shared a close bond, Maximus shook his head when Celine was blushing trying to apologize for prioritizing him over her own health. "Celine," Maximus smiled placing his hand over her slender shoulder. "You know that I care about you," he said. "You're too busy worrying about me, Basil and Adelpha over yourself. It's great that you're selfless and I love you for that but sometimes you have to take of yourself before you take of others."
Maximus didn't want to lose any one of his friends yet of all of them, Celine was the one who would probably overexert herself helping people. "I'd say it's less about court etiquette," the young man said. "And more about yourself Celine, admittedly I don't much about how politics work but I do know you. You've been trying to protect people when we first met sometimes it's best to stay calm and let others protect you."
He the smiled. "You're a good person Celine," he said turning around and seeing Brutus lumber over to Maximus and Celine still appearing as though someone took his toy bone away from him. "Listen," Maximus groaned watching Celine walk ahead to pet him. "I don't think he deserves-"
Of course Celine pet Brutus and Hound wagged his tail while licking Celine's wrists. "You know he's just going to tackle you again," Maximus said rolling his eyes. "He sees that as granting permission to tackle and fill your face with slobber. Given that you were hyperventilating, I would highly suggest letting Brutus go."
Brutus is a friendly Dog when he's not ripping a man alive during battle may be he too friendly which is something Maximus found a bit odd considering that he was trained from birth to be a War Dog. Then again Maximus has been training since he was a child to become a legendary soldier so perhaps Dogs and Humans have more in common than what was thought by the Sophists. Celine offered to have her father pay him back which caused Maximus to frown. "It's okay Celine," Maximus said going over to the wooden bench ahead and putting on his shirt. "It was my fault that your dress was ruined and I will make sure that I will buy you a new one."
The young man smiled placing on his shirt. "On my honor," he said. "And no I don't need to report to my superiors we don't really do anything between deployments anyway but I have to be back by sundown."
Oh Celine, like Adelpha Celine was always selfless and empathetic. It most likely the reason why the two women shared a close bond, Maximus shook his head when Celine was blushing trying to apologize for prioritizing him over her own health. "Celine," Maximus smiled placing his hand over her slender shoulder. "You know that I care about you," he said. "You're too busy worrying about me, Basil and Adelpha over yourself. It's great that you're selfless and I love you for that but sometimes you have to take of yourself before you take of others."
Maximus didn't want to lose any one of his friends yet of all of them, Celine was the one who would probably overexert herself helping people. "I'd say it's less about court etiquette," the young man said. "And more about yourself Celine, admittedly I don't much about how politics work but I do know you. You've been trying to protect people when we first met sometimes it's best to stay calm and let others protect you."
He the smiled. "You're a good person Celine," he said turning around and seeing Brutus lumber over to Maximus and Celine still appearing as though someone took his toy bone away from him. "Listen," Maximus groaned watching Celine walk ahead to pet him. "I don't think he deserves-"
Of course Celine pet Brutus and Hound wagged his tail while licking Celine's wrists. "You know he's just going to tackle you again," Maximus said rolling his eyes. "He sees that as granting permission to tackle and fill your face with slobber. Given that you were hyperventilating, I would highly suggest letting Brutus go."
Brutus is a friendly Dog when he's not ripping a man alive during battle may be he too friendly which is something Maximus found a bit odd considering that he was trained from birth to be a War Dog. Then again Maximus has been training since he was a child to become a legendary soldier so perhaps Dogs and Humans have more in common than what was thought by the Sophists. Celine offered to have her father pay him back which caused Maximus to frown. "It's okay Celine," Maximus said going over to the wooden bench ahead and putting on his shirt. "It was my fault that your dress was ruined and I will make sure that I will buy you a new one."
The young man smiled placing on his shirt. "On my honor," he said. "And no I don't need to report to my superiors we don't really do anything between deployments anyway but I have to be back by sundown."
Celine was comforted by Max's words that she was a good person, and she even understood that to an extent she couldn't help others when she herself wasn't in the best shape- physically or mentally. Sometimes, though, it was perhaps harder than it need be to take care of herself. Max didn't have to be a representative of another country- except as a soldier, but somehow that must be different- from her experience as her father's daughter- or deal with court. Still, his words did her heart and soul good, especially when he said that he loved her for being selfless.
At least he'd said he loved her, even if it didn't sound like he meant it the way she often wanted him to. It was something.
"You're right- I at least want to protect everyone too much- perhaps even you," she said with a reflective smile, remembering how he'd kissed her hand at the tournament when they were eleven. At least he'd seemed to think her belief in him at the time had had power- and maybe it indeed had. "Even then, when we'd known each other for all of three minutes, and you didn't know how much I'd lost- then. It's still hard- to have lost that feeling of safety. I think it will always be something I'll miss knowing I once had," she admitted quietly.
But now she needed to stop reminiscing about her tragic past or she'd never enjoy the sudden unexpected extra time she'd now have with Max today. For that, at least, she was grateful to Brutus, too, even though the excitable dog had knocked the wind out of her. Silly, bothersome, wonderful animal!
When he told her he needed to be back by sundown, she nodded in acceptance, though she was still walking on air. "That's fine."
Any amount of time I get with you is wonderful.... she thought dreamily.
"Where should we- oh, silly me! The market." She managed a soft giggle that on anyone else might perhaps have sounded like they were foolish- but it was how she always laughed after a loss of air in her lungs. On days like today, she started to worry about herself, just a little more than usual. This strange combination of eros and phileo that she had thus far felt only for Maximus of Laconia was turning her into an absolute fool- but so, perhaps, was the recent attack of her breathing problem. Well, she had a feeling he'd take care of her for now. Just for the rest of today.
It was enough.
"Shall we carry on, then?" She smiled and started on the pathway leading away from the barracks.
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Celine was comforted by Max's words that she was a good person, and she even understood that to an extent she couldn't help others when she herself wasn't in the best shape- physically or mentally. Sometimes, though, it was perhaps harder than it need be to take care of herself. Max didn't have to be a representative of another country- except as a soldier, but somehow that must be different- from her experience as her father's daughter- or deal with court. Still, his words did her heart and soul good, especially when he said that he loved her for being selfless.
At least he'd said he loved her, even if it didn't sound like he meant it the way she often wanted him to. It was something.
"You're right- I at least want to protect everyone too much- perhaps even you," she said with a reflective smile, remembering how he'd kissed her hand at the tournament when they were eleven. At least he'd seemed to think her belief in him at the time had had power- and maybe it indeed had. "Even then, when we'd known each other for all of three minutes, and you didn't know how much I'd lost- then. It's still hard- to have lost that feeling of safety. I think it will always be something I'll miss knowing I once had," she admitted quietly.
But now she needed to stop reminiscing about her tragic past or she'd never enjoy the sudden unexpected extra time she'd now have with Max today. For that, at least, she was grateful to Brutus, too, even though the excitable dog had knocked the wind out of her. Silly, bothersome, wonderful animal!
When he told her he needed to be back by sundown, she nodded in acceptance, though she was still walking on air. "That's fine."
Any amount of time I get with you is wonderful.... she thought dreamily.
"Where should we- oh, silly me! The market." She managed a soft giggle that on anyone else might perhaps have sounded like they were foolish- but it was how she always laughed after a loss of air in her lungs. On days like today, she started to worry about herself, just a little more than usual. This strange combination of eros and phileo that she had thus far felt only for Maximus of Laconia was turning her into an absolute fool- but so, perhaps, was the recent attack of her breathing problem. Well, she had a feeling he'd take care of her for now. Just for the rest of today.
It was enough.
"Shall we carry on, then?" She smiled and started on the pathway leading away from the barracks.
Celine was comforted by Max's words that she was a good person, and she even understood that to an extent she couldn't help others when she herself wasn't in the best shape- physically or mentally. Sometimes, though, it was perhaps harder than it need be to take care of herself. Max didn't have to be a representative of another country- except as a soldier, but somehow that must be different- from her experience as her father's daughter- or deal with court. Still, his words did her heart and soul good, especially when he said that he loved her for being selfless.
At least he'd said he loved her, even if it didn't sound like he meant it the way she often wanted him to. It was something.
"You're right- I at least want to protect everyone too much- perhaps even you," she said with a reflective smile, remembering how he'd kissed her hand at the tournament when they were eleven. At least he'd seemed to think her belief in him at the time had had power- and maybe it indeed had. "Even then, when we'd known each other for all of three minutes, and you didn't know how much I'd lost- then. It's still hard- to have lost that feeling of safety. I think it will always be something I'll miss knowing I once had," she admitted quietly.
But now she needed to stop reminiscing about her tragic past or she'd never enjoy the sudden unexpected extra time she'd now have with Max today. For that, at least, she was grateful to Brutus, too, even though the excitable dog had knocked the wind out of her. Silly, bothersome, wonderful animal!
When he told her he needed to be back by sundown, she nodded in acceptance, though she was still walking on air. "That's fine."
Any amount of time I get with you is wonderful.... she thought dreamily.
"Where should we- oh, silly me! The market." She managed a soft giggle that on anyone else might perhaps have sounded like they were foolish- but it was how she always laughed after a loss of air in her lungs. On days like today, she started to worry about herself, just a little more than usual. This strange combination of eros and phileo that she had thus far felt only for Maximus of Laconia was turning her into an absolute fool- but so, perhaps, was the recent attack of her breathing problem. Well, she had a feeling he'd take care of her for now. Just for the rest of today.
It was enough.
"Shall we carry on, then?" She smiled and started on the pathway leading away from the barracks.
Maximus had met Celine's family many times, they were friendly and accommodating with Celine's father sharing many stories about his time as an ambassador for Tangea. As much as Maximus doesn't think much about Tangea feeling that it was a too relaxed for his taste, Celine and her family often travel around negotiating deals with other Kingdoms. What impressed Maximus the most about Celine's family was how tight knit they were. They were all very close even by Greek standards with Celine sharing a close bond with her youngest sister: Rhais. Celine was very protective of her Rhais given that the family endured a tragic fire.
Celine didn't talk about it much and Maximus, Adelpha and Basil did not press her on it. It was a painful time for her family and Celine still carried the scars today. It was through Celine, that Maximus learned that pain wasn't always physical. Perhaps Ares Is trying to test citizens to endure trauma as well as soldiers? "Celine," Maximus gave his friend a bright smile. "I'm a soldier of the Fifth Phalanx," he said. "Been one for almost a year, I'm a man now and I can take care of myself."
The young man paused he was almost a man. Maximus was still a virgin not having sex for fearing destroying a woman's womb due to his curse and the fact that he wasn't battle tested some Maximus was eager to do having trained to become a soldier most of his life. "But I find it wonderful," Maximus said. "That you're still looking out for me just try to take care of yourself every once in a while so you can be the best you can be when you're caring for others especially Rhais."
Maximus remembered Rhais to be a playful individual though it takes time for her to open up. Given her trauma with the fire, Maximus didn't blame her for feeling uncomfortable around other people. Still once she opened up to Maximus, Rhais was one of the sweetest girls in Colchis. Just as sweet as Celine. "Right," Maximus said adjusting his shirt. "Brutus!" the young man turned around to see the Hound staring at them. "Stay here and don't get into trouble."
The Dog barked in response causing Maximus to frown. "That Dog is gonna cause another ruckus," he shrugged to Celine. "But hey he won't be my problem anymore."
Maximus winked at Celine as he began walking out from the Barracks. "So Celine," Maximus said placing his hands behind his back. "It'll be sometime before we reach the marketplace. I've been there loads of times watching traveling merchants come in and out."
"I even solved a mystery with the beautiful Nethis of Thanasi Maximus thought. "But that's a story that I'll tell Celine later, there were so many twists and turns."
"Trust me Celine," Maximus said. "People say that Colchis can't attract merchants due to our blunt nature. It's tripe! The Agora is bursting with diversity and with diversity comes many different clothing!"
The young man scratched his chin. "I know a few people from the lands afar that can create some good Chitons," he said. "They charge cheap as well! So what kind of dress you're interested in?"
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Maximus had met Celine's family many times, they were friendly and accommodating with Celine's father sharing many stories about his time as an ambassador for Tangea. As much as Maximus doesn't think much about Tangea feeling that it was a too relaxed for his taste, Celine and her family often travel around negotiating deals with other Kingdoms. What impressed Maximus the most about Celine's family was how tight knit they were. They were all very close even by Greek standards with Celine sharing a close bond with her youngest sister: Rhais. Celine was very protective of her Rhais given that the family endured a tragic fire.
Celine didn't talk about it much and Maximus, Adelpha and Basil did not press her on it. It was a painful time for her family and Celine still carried the scars today. It was through Celine, that Maximus learned that pain wasn't always physical. Perhaps Ares Is trying to test citizens to endure trauma as well as soldiers? "Celine," Maximus gave his friend a bright smile. "I'm a soldier of the Fifth Phalanx," he said. "Been one for almost a year, I'm a man now and I can take care of myself."
The young man paused he was almost a man. Maximus was still a virgin not having sex for fearing destroying a woman's womb due to his curse and the fact that he wasn't battle tested some Maximus was eager to do having trained to become a soldier most of his life. "But I find it wonderful," Maximus said. "That you're still looking out for me just try to take care of yourself every once in a while so you can be the best you can be when you're caring for others especially Rhais."
Maximus remembered Rhais to be a playful individual though it takes time for her to open up. Given her trauma with the fire, Maximus didn't blame her for feeling uncomfortable around other people. Still once she opened up to Maximus, Rhais was one of the sweetest girls in Colchis. Just as sweet as Celine. "Right," Maximus said adjusting his shirt. "Brutus!" the young man turned around to see the Hound staring at them. "Stay here and don't get into trouble."
The Dog barked in response causing Maximus to frown. "That Dog is gonna cause another ruckus," he shrugged to Celine. "But hey he won't be my problem anymore."
Maximus winked at Celine as he began walking out from the Barracks. "So Celine," Maximus said placing his hands behind his back. "It'll be sometime before we reach the marketplace. I've been there loads of times watching traveling merchants come in and out."
"I even solved a mystery with the beautiful Nethis of Thanasi Maximus thought. "But that's a story that I'll tell Celine later, there were so many twists and turns."
"Trust me Celine," Maximus said. "People say that Colchis can't attract merchants due to our blunt nature. It's tripe! The Agora is bursting with diversity and with diversity comes many different clothing!"
The young man scratched his chin. "I know a few people from the lands afar that can create some good Chitons," he said. "They charge cheap as well! So what kind of dress you're interested in?"
Maximus had met Celine's family many times, they were friendly and accommodating with Celine's father sharing many stories about his time as an ambassador for Tangea. As much as Maximus doesn't think much about Tangea feeling that it was a too relaxed for his taste, Celine and her family often travel around negotiating deals with other Kingdoms. What impressed Maximus the most about Celine's family was how tight knit they were. They were all very close even by Greek standards with Celine sharing a close bond with her youngest sister: Rhais. Celine was very protective of her Rhais given that the family endured a tragic fire.
Celine didn't talk about it much and Maximus, Adelpha and Basil did not press her on it. It was a painful time for her family and Celine still carried the scars today. It was through Celine, that Maximus learned that pain wasn't always physical. Perhaps Ares Is trying to test citizens to endure trauma as well as soldiers? "Celine," Maximus gave his friend a bright smile. "I'm a soldier of the Fifth Phalanx," he said. "Been one for almost a year, I'm a man now and I can take care of myself."
The young man paused he was almost a man. Maximus was still a virgin not having sex for fearing destroying a woman's womb due to his curse and the fact that he wasn't battle tested some Maximus was eager to do having trained to become a soldier most of his life. "But I find it wonderful," Maximus said. "That you're still looking out for me just try to take care of yourself every once in a while so you can be the best you can be when you're caring for others especially Rhais."
Maximus remembered Rhais to be a playful individual though it takes time for her to open up. Given her trauma with the fire, Maximus didn't blame her for feeling uncomfortable around other people. Still once she opened up to Maximus, Rhais was one of the sweetest girls in Colchis. Just as sweet as Celine. "Right," Maximus said adjusting his shirt. "Brutus!" the young man turned around to see the Hound staring at them. "Stay here and don't get into trouble."
The Dog barked in response causing Maximus to frown. "That Dog is gonna cause another ruckus," he shrugged to Celine. "But hey he won't be my problem anymore."
Maximus winked at Celine as he began walking out from the Barracks. "So Celine," Maximus said placing his hands behind his back. "It'll be sometime before we reach the marketplace. I've been there loads of times watching traveling merchants come in and out."
"I even solved a mystery with the beautiful Nethis of Thanasi Maximus thought. "But that's a story that I'll tell Celine later, there were so many twists and turns."
"Trust me Celine," Maximus said. "People say that Colchis can't attract merchants due to our blunt nature. It's tripe! The Agora is bursting with diversity and with diversity comes many different clothing!"
The young man scratched his chin. "I know a few people from the lands afar that can create some good Chitons," he said. "They charge cheap as well! So what kind of dress you're interested in?"
Celine let out another breathy giggle, the way she always laughed after an attack on her lungs, when she could laugh at all. "You're right. Of course Colchis attracts merchants- probably better than Taengea, in its own way, because we might need certain things more." Sometimes Celine almost felt like she wasn't a Taengean by birth anymore, she had integrated so well here. "Adelpha and I have found some interesting things in the marketplace for sure. But... hmmm." What kind of dress did she want, indeed? "Well, I suppose anything that might be appropriate for court, for a start, but I really don't know, otherwise." It wasn't that Celine didn't love fashion- she did. But the dress she was wearing now- when it was new- had been for him as much as for herself, even if she didn't admit it aloud. She wondered if he had ever noticed how the filmy sea-green color made her hazel-brown eyes turn blue, or how the folds in the material accentuated her chest when she arranged it a certain way. But she was too embarrassed over the whole incident to ask him about such things now, and besides that, it wasn't as if he would be seeing her in this dress ever again....
She could have cried, but she knew it likely wouldn't have done any good. He'd likely think she was crying over the dress, and even she thought a ruined dress was a stupid thing to cry over, even though she would really have been crying because he probably hadn't noticed how she looked in it. Besides, it had been her fault Brutus ripped the dress, because she'd been the one running so Max wouldn't notice that her cheeks had reddened from staring at his bare abs....
She deserved every bit of torment she was feeling right now. She was the one holding back feelings for a man who probably didn't care one way or the other how a certain dress accentuated any woman's features, let alone hers. Max was a very focused soldier, who didn't seem to Celine to notice anyone in the way she would have liked to be noticed by him .
You're just friends. If you become more than that, it will just hurt worse when it ends, anyway. Why bother with someone who doesn't appear to notice you?
That's what her head was saying, but her heart was breaking inside.
The heart has its own reasons for doing things, and the mind doesn't understand them, she thought with a sigh, half frustrated and half resigned.
"I'm still sorry about all this," she said with a tentative smile, fully aware that she was probably inconveniencing him. "Hopefully, we've both learned our lessons," she said, giggling again, making light of the situation by putting herself in the same category with Brutus the Hound. "And as for me- no more running in the barracks when I come to watch you train!"
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Celine let out another breathy giggle, the way she always laughed after an attack on her lungs, when she could laugh at all. "You're right. Of course Colchis attracts merchants- probably better than Taengea, in its own way, because we might need certain things more." Sometimes Celine almost felt like she wasn't a Taengean by birth anymore, she had integrated so well here. "Adelpha and I have found some interesting things in the marketplace for sure. But... hmmm." What kind of dress did she want, indeed? "Well, I suppose anything that might be appropriate for court, for a start, but I really don't know, otherwise." It wasn't that Celine didn't love fashion- she did. But the dress she was wearing now- when it was new- had been for him as much as for herself, even if she didn't admit it aloud. She wondered if he had ever noticed how the filmy sea-green color made her hazel-brown eyes turn blue, or how the folds in the material accentuated her chest when she arranged it a certain way. But she was too embarrassed over the whole incident to ask him about such things now, and besides that, it wasn't as if he would be seeing her in this dress ever again....
She could have cried, but she knew it likely wouldn't have done any good. He'd likely think she was crying over the dress, and even she thought a ruined dress was a stupid thing to cry over, even though she would really have been crying because he probably hadn't noticed how she looked in it. Besides, it had been her fault Brutus ripped the dress, because she'd been the one running so Max wouldn't notice that her cheeks had reddened from staring at his bare abs....
She deserved every bit of torment she was feeling right now. She was the one holding back feelings for a man who probably didn't care one way or the other how a certain dress accentuated any woman's features, let alone hers. Max was a very focused soldier, who didn't seem to Celine to notice anyone in the way she would have liked to be noticed by him .
You're just friends. If you become more than that, it will just hurt worse when it ends, anyway. Why bother with someone who doesn't appear to notice you?
That's what her head was saying, but her heart was breaking inside.
The heart has its own reasons for doing things, and the mind doesn't understand them, she thought with a sigh, half frustrated and half resigned.
"I'm still sorry about all this," she said with a tentative smile, fully aware that she was probably inconveniencing him. "Hopefully, we've both learned our lessons," she said, giggling again, making light of the situation by putting herself in the same category with Brutus the Hound. "And as for me- no more running in the barracks when I come to watch you train!"
Celine let out another breathy giggle, the way she always laughed after an attack on her lungs, when she could laugh at all. "You're right. Of course Colchis attracts merchants- probably better than Taengea, in its own way, because we might need certain things more." Sometimes Celine almost felt like she wasn't a Taengean by birth anymore, she had integrated so well here. "Adelpha and I have found some interesting things in the marketplace for sure. But... hmmm." What kind of dress did she want, indeed? "Well, I suppose anything that might be appropriate for court, for a start, but I really don't know, otherwise." It wasn't that Celine didn't love fashion- she did. But the dress she was wearing now- when it was new- had been for him as much as for herself, even if she didn't admit it aloud. She wondered if he had ever noticed how the filmy sea-green color made her hazel-brown eyes turn blue, or how the folds in the material accentuated her chest when she arranged it a certain way. But she was too embarrassed over the whole incident to ask him about such things now, and besides that, it wasn't as if he would be seeing her in this dress ever again....
She could have cried, but she knew it likely wouldn't have done any good. He'd likely think she was crying over the dress, and even she thought a ruined dress was a stupid thing to cry over, even though she would really have been crying because he probably hadn't noticed how she looked in it. Besides, it had been her fault Brutus ripped the dress, because she'd been the one running so Max wouldn't notice that her cheeks had reddened from staring at his bare abs....
She deserved every bit of torment she was feeling right now. She was the one holding back feelings for a man who probably didn't care one way or the other how a certain dress accentuated any woman's features, let alone hers. Max was a very focused soldier, who didn't seem to Celine to notice anyone in the way she would have liked to be noticed by him .
You're just friends. If you become more than that, it will just hurt worse when it ends, anyway. Why bother with someone who doesn't appear to notice you?
That's what her head was saying, but her heart was breaking inside.
The heart has its own reasons for doing things, and the mind doesn't understand them, she thought with a sigh, half frustrated and half resigned.
"I'm still sorry about all this," she said with a tentative smile, fully aware that she was probably inconveniencing him. "Hopefully, we've both learned our lessons," she said, giggling again, making light of the situation by putting herself in the same category with Brutus the Hound. "And as for me- no more running in the barracks when I come to watch you train!"
The young man smiled at Celine "don't worry!" he said as he held on to her. "You're fine! Seriously it's not often I get visitors in the barracks, it can be so boring being with my brothers all the time!" It was typical Celine always worried about everyone else but herself. She is hyperventilating and is apologizing for circumstances that are beyond either of their control. Then again, Brutus really needs to learn when to discipline himself whenever there are guests around. The hardest thing to train an attack Dog is to discern from friend and an enemy.
Holding on to Celine, Maximus looked around the shop for any signs of dresses that Celine can wear. The young man sighed, fighting and tactics were what he was best at. Fashion? Well that was a realm that was foreign to him it was like looking at rock that fell from the sky. Alien and unfamiliar to hardened soldier like Maximus. "I have a quick question," Maximus asked as he held on to Celine. "What kind of chitons do people wear at courts? I've never participated in one so this is all strange to me."
Maximus wasn't one for politics, he was aware the same politics are the one determines whether or not he will go to war, the young man tried his best to distance himself from the day to day activities from it. Celine knew a great deal of politics and how negotiations worked due to her father's work. He had been bringing her to courts when she got older. "I mean do you want something fancy?" Maximus asked. "Conservative?"
He sighed feeling lost, this was not his comfort zone he was asking a woman what she wanted to wear and it was embarrassing. If anything, it was just as humiliating than being forced to do 100 pushups because the drill instructor didn't like him.
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The young man smiled at Celine "don't worry!" he said as he held on to her. "You're fine! Seriously it's not often I get visitors in the barracks, it can be so boring being with my brothers all the time!" It was typical Celine always worried about everyone else but herself. She is hyperventilating and is apologizing for circumstances that are beyond either of their control. Then again, Brutus really needs to learn when to discipline himself whenever there are guests around. The hardest thing to train an attack Dog is to discern from friend and an enemy.
Holding on to Celine, Maximus looked around the shop for any signs of dresses that Celine can wear. The young man sighed, fighting and tactics were what he was best at. Fashion? Well that was a realm that was foreign to him it was like looking at rock that fell from the sky. Alien and unfamiliar to hardened soldier like Maximus. "I have a quick question," Maximus asked as he held on to Celine. "What kind of chitons do people wear at courts? I've never participated in one so this is all strange to me."
Maximus wasn't one for politics, he was aware the same politics are the one determines whether or not he will go to war, the young man tried his best to distance himself from the day to day activities from it. Celine knew a great deal of politics and how negotiations worked due to her father's work. He had been bringing her to courts when she got older. "I mean do you want something fancy?" Maximus asked. "Conservative?"
He sighed feeling lost, this was not his comfort zone he was asking a woman what she wanted to wear and it was embarrassing. If anything, it was just as humiliating than being forced to do 100 pushups because the drill instructor didn't like him.
The young man smiled at Celine "don't worry!" he said as he held on to her. "You're fine! Seriously it's not often I get visitors in the barracks, it can be so boring being with my brothers all the time!" It was typical Celine always worried about everyone else but herself. She is hyperventilating and is apologizing for circumstances that are beyond either of their control. Then again, Brutus really needs to learn when to discipline himself whenever there are guests around. The hardest thing to train an attack Dog is to discern from friend and an enemy.
Holding on to Celine, Maximus looked around the shop for any signs of dresses that Celine can wear. The young man sighed, fighting and tactics were what he was best at. Fashion? Well that was a realm that was foreign to him it was like looking at rock that fell from the sky. Alien and unfamiliar to hardened soldier like Maximus. "I have a quick question," Maximus asked as he held on to Celine. "What kind of chitons do people wear at courts? I've never participated in one so this is all strange to me."
Maximus wasn't one for politics, he was aware the same politics are the one determines whether or not he will go to war, the young man tried his best to distance himself from the day to day activities from it. Celine knew a great deal of politics and how negotiations worked due to her father's work. He had been bringing her to courts when she got older. "I mean do you want something fancy?" Maximus asked. "Conservative?"
He sighed feeling lost, this was not his comfort zone he was asking a woman what she wanted to wear and it was embarrassing. If anything, it was just as humiliating than being forced to do 100 pushups because the drill instructor didn't like him.
She never wanted him to let her go. Not ever, even when as they walked along, her breathing eased as long as they walked at a sedate enough pace.
His arm was so gentle around her shoulders, the heat seeping into the small of her back. Somehow it felt intimate to have him warm her like this, more intimate than anything had ever felt, because this year she knew she loved him, unlike last year when she couldn't figure out what had gotten into her. It wasn't so much that she was surprised she'd fallen for him, when she thought about it. It was only that she hadn't realized just exactly what falling in love was in the first place until last year. When they'd met, Celine and Max had been so young, only eleven, though near their twelfth birthdays.
But now she was a woman in love, and even though he never seemed to notice the way she stared at him admiringly, it was enough today to have him warming her with his own body heat. She had a feeling he;d probably try to make an effort to keep her warm until her dress- what was left of it, she thought wryly- was dry, or at least close to it. She would almost never care if she got a new dress if it meant he might possibly keep his arm around her forever. But all too soon, they were at the market, though she was still blessedly warmed by his hand. She sighed happily, if almost unknowingly, and almost didn't hear- or care- what he said.
"Mmm..." she murmured. "Thank you for keeping me warm, by the way. Um, well, as for court, they, that is, most of the others, seem to wear wool ones, as seems to be traditional. But I don't like them, unless it's winter, and sometimes not even then, in a hot room full of people. I'm more likely to wear a linen chlamys if I can find a suitable one. One having color would be nice, but not too much- not for me, but for what seems to be the style of the court, though at banquets, everyone seems to be willing to be a little...flashier." If Celine were honest, there wasn't much she liked about court, but at least she knew something about how to dress, even if it wasn't always her personal style.
She smiled softly, hoping to ease the sting of what seemed to be embarrassment she could see in his face. "Honestly, though? That was one of my favorites, but anything you can find will be all right. Thank you for asking, though." It meant a lot that he would ask, and presumably, for a moment, put his own embarrassment to the side. It was what friends should do, but Celine was always in awe when it happened to her, almost as if she were surprised someone would care about her opinion in the least.She didn't say it, of course, but she thought that was another reason why she loved him. He usually read her so well, and when he didn't, he made an effort to check with her.
I love you, Maximus of Laconia, for so many reasons. she thought dreamily.
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She never wanted him to let her go. Not ever, even when as they walked along, her breathing eased as long as they walked at a sedate enough pace.
His arm was so gentle around her shoulders, the heat seeping into the small of her back. Somehow it felt intimate to have him warm her like this, more intimate than anything had ever felt, because this year she knew she loved him, unlike last year when she couldn't figure out what had gotten into her. It wasn't so much that she was surprised she'd fallen for him, when she thought about it. It was only that she hadn't realized just exactly what falling in love was in the first place until last year. When they'd met, Celine and Max had been so young, only eleven, though near their twelfth birthdays.
But now she was a woman in love, and even though he never seemed to notice the way she stared at him admiringly, it was enough today to have him warming her with his own body heat. She had a feeling he;d probably try to make an effort to keep her warm until her dress- what was left of it, she thought wryly- was dry, or at least close to it. She would almost never care if she got a new dress if it meant he might possibly keep his arm around her forever. But all too soon, they were at the market, though she was still blessedly warmed by his hand. She sighed happily, if almost unknowingly, and almost didn't hear- or care- what he said.
"Mmm..." she murmured. "Thank you for keeping me warm, by the way. Um, well, as for court, they, that is, most of the others, seem to wear wool ones, as seems to be traditional. But I don't like them, unless it's winter, and sometimes not even then, in a hot room full of people. I'm more likely to wear a linen chlamys if I can find a suitable one. One having color would be nice, but not too much- not for me, but for what seems to be the style of the court, though at banquets, everyone seems to be willing to be a little...flashier." If Celine were honest, there wasn't much she liked about court, but at least she knew something about how to dress, even if it wasn't always her personal style.
She smiled softly, hoping to ease the sting of what seemed to be embarrassment she could see in his face. "Honestly, though? That was one of my favorites, but anything you can find will be all right. Thank you for asking, though." It meant a lot that he would ask, and presumably, for a moment, put his own embarrassment to the side. It was what friends should do, but Celine was always in awe when it happened to her, almost as if she were surprised someone would care about her opinion in the least.She didn't say it, of course, but she thought that was another reason why she loved him. He usually read her so well, and when he didn't, he made an effort to check with her.
I love you, Maximus of Laconia, for so many reasons. she thought dreamily.
She never wanted him to let her go. Not ever, even when as they walked along, her breathing eased as long as they walked at a sedate enough pace.
His arm was so gentle around her shoulders, the heat seeping into the small of her back. Somehow it felt intimate to have him warm her like this, more intimate than anything had ever felt, because this year she knew she loved him, unlike last year when she couldn't figure out what had gotten into her. It wasn't so much that she was surprised she'd fallen for him, when she thought about it. It was only that she hadn't realized just exactly what falling in love was in the first place until last year. When they'd met, Celine and Max had been so young, only eleven, though near their twelfth birthdays.
But now she was a woman in love, and even though he never seemed to notice the way she stared at him admiringly, it was enough today to have him warming her with his own body heat. She had a feeling he;d probably try to make an effort to keep her warm until her dress- what was left of it, she thought wryly- was dry, or at least close to it. She would almost never care if she got a new dress if it meant he might possibly keep his arm around her forever. But all too soon, they were at the market, though she was still blessedly warmed by his hand. She sighed happily, if almost unknowingly, and almost didn't hear- or care- what he said.
"Mmm..." she murmured. "Thank you for keeping me warm, by the way. Um, well, as for court, they, that is, most of the others, seem to wear wool ones, as seems to be traditional. But I don't like them, unless it's winter, and sometimes not even then, in a hot room full of people. I'm more likely to wear a linen chlamys if I can find a suitable one. One having color would be nice, but not too much- not for me, but for what seems to be the style of the court, though at banquets, everyone seems to be willing to be a little...flashier." If Celine were honest, there wasn't much she liked about court, but at least she knew something about how to dress, even if it wasn't always her personal style.
She smiled softly, hoping to ease the sting of what seemed to be embarrassment she could see in his face. "Honestly, though? That was one of my favorites, but anything you can find will be all right. Thank you for asking, though." It meant a lot that he would ask, and presumably, for a moment, put his own embarrassment to the side. It was what friends should do, but Celine was always in awe when it happened to her, almost as if she were surprised someone would care about her opinion in the least.She didn't say it, of course, but she thought that was another reason why she loved him. He usually read her so well, and when he didn't, he made an effort to check with her.
I love you, Maximus of Laconia, for so many reasons. she thought dreamily.