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Ordinarily, one might have assumed that Mihail enjoyed attending court. It was, theoretically, right up his alley. There was an appeal to mingling with others who shared his social class, and satisfaction in the possibility of being admired, but such things were difficult to enjoy when his family name was so often slandered with suspicion. As far as he had noticed over the years, even when the Thanasi family had done little wrong, they were still treated with mistrust and derision, and it did little but fuel his own distaste for the rest of the world. Mihail craved the appreciation of others; attention and glory and everything inbetween, but it was difficult to achieve such fame when his family was degraded continuously through no fault of his own.
Still, he had no real choice but attend court whenever it was in session, and to be seen with the rest of the Thanasi brood when they were formally presenting themselves. This particular day was no exception to the rule, and he had been dragged to the Dikastírio with a petulant pout on his face and his brows furrowed into an irritable wrinkle. If Father had been present (and thank the gods he was, instead, trapped on bedrest in his chambers), he would have told Mihail to act less like a child, but similar comments from any of his sisters were somewhat less efficient, and he was unwilling to quell his attitude if the entirety of Colchis seemed intent on seeing the family as villainous anyhow. Instead, he had drifted away from the group as soon as royal introductions were over, keen to see if he could pick up anything interesting from those present.
Mihail had always been a calumniator, though he could not help it. It was far easier to degrade others than find ways to promote himself - particularly when he did not see himself in need of any improvement - and there was amusement in subjecting others to the kind of slander his family name had always suffered. A few carefully selected words here and there did not go amiss, and there was no need to verify facts behind them so long as they were believable, although Mihail did prefer to base his fabricated claims on loose evidence discovered by others to add to that alleged credibility. Lady Harmonia may well have been seen flirting with a younger man who was most certainly not her husband, and who knew if Lord Arastos was indeed as idiotic with his small wealth as specific individuals claimed? It didn't matter.
But even sowing dissent among the unsuspecting populace grew dull after a while, and Mihail soon found himself gravitating away from the main gaggle of lords and ladies, which went relatively unnoticed for once, given that he had opted to dress in navy blue for once, over his more typical red (even if he still decorated his arms with silver snakey cuffs and hadn't taken off any of his noticeably familial rings). A little gossip was entertaining, but his mind had drifted to that ever-present yet often-hidden craving for unpleasantness. Something more tangible than the possibility of looking forward to the results of his rumour-spreading. And look, wasn't there an opportunity waiting for him, hiding in a corner by herself, looking sad and pathetic and right up his alley.
"Are we a little friendless?" he queried, approaching and dropping a hand to his hip, finding purchase beneath the line of his belt (and it was a cute new belt too, a silver chain designed to resemble a snake). His lips curved into an amused smirk, tongue flickering out for a split second to run over his upper lip as if in an indication of his amusement. "I suppose it makes sense. No one wants to talk to a pitiful little girl hiding away in a corner."
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Ordinarily, one might have assumed that Mihail enjoyed attending court. It was, theoretically, right up his alley. There was an appeal to mingling with others who shared his social class, and satisfaction in the possibility of being admired, but such things were difficult to enjoy when his family name was so often slandered with suspicion. As far as he had noticed over the years, even when the Thanasi family had done little wrong, they were still treated with mistrust and derision, and it did little but fuel his own distaste for the rest of the world. Mihail craved the appreciation of others; attention and glory and everything inbetween, but it was difficult to achieve such fame when his family was degraded continuously through no fault of his own.
Still, he had no real choice but attend court whenever it was in session, and to be seen with the rest of the Thanasi brood when they were formally presenting themselves. This particular day was no exception to the rule, and he had been dragged to the Dikastírio with a petulant pout on his face and his brows furrowed into an irritable wrinkle. If Father had been present (and thank the gods he was, instead, trapped on bedrest in his chambers), he would have told Mihail to act less like a child, but similar comments from any of his sisters were somewhat less efficient, and he was unwilling to quell his attitude if the entirety of Colchis seemed intent on seeing the family as villainous anyhow. Instead, he had drifted away from the group as soon as royal introductions were over, keen to see if he could pick up anything interesting from those present.
Mihail had always been a calumniator, though he could not help it. It was far easier to degrade others than find ways to promote himself - particularly when he did not see himself in need of any improvement - and there was amusement in subjecting others to the kind of slander his family name had always suffered. A few carefully selected words here and there did not go amiss, and there was no need to verify facts behind them so long as they were believable, although Mihail did prefer to base his fabricated claims on loose evidence discovered by others to add to that alleged credibility. Lady Harmonia may well have been seen flirting with a younger man who was most certainly not her husband, and who knew if Lord Arastos was indeed as idiotic with his small wealth as specific individuals claimed? It didn't matter.
But even sowing dissent among the unsuspecting populace grew dull after a while, and Mihail soon found himself gravitating away from the main gaggle of lords and ladies, which went relatively unnoticed for once, given that he had opted to dress in navy blue for once, over his more typical red (even if he still decorated his arms with silver snakey cuffs and hadn't taken off any of his noticeably familial rings). A little gossip was entertaining, but his mind had drifted to that ever-present yet often-hidden craving for unpleasantness. Something more tangible than the possibility of looking forward to the results of his rumour-spreading. And look, wasn't there an opportunity waiting for him, hiding in a corner by herself, looking sad and pathetic and right up his alley.
"Are we a little friendless?" he queried, approaching and dropping a hand to his hip, finding purchase beneath the line of his belt (and it was a cute new belt too, a silver chain designed to resemble a snake). His lips curved into an amused smirk, tongue flickering out for a split second to run over his upper lip as if in an indication of his amusement. "I suppose it makes sense. No one wants to talk to a pitiful little girl hiding away in a corner."
Ordinarily, one might have assumed that Mihail enjoyed attending court. It was, theoretically, right up his alley. There was an appeal to mingling with others who shared his social class, and satisfaction in the possibility of being admired, but such things were difficult to enjoy when his family name was so often slandered with suspicion. As far as he had noticed over the years, even when the Thanasi family had done little wrong, they were still treated with mistrust and derision, and it did little but fuel his own distaste for the rest of the world. Mihail craved the appreciation of others; attention and glory and everything inbetween, but it was difficult to achieve such fame when his family was degraded continuously through no fault of his own.
Still, he had no real choice but attend court whenever it was in session, and to be seen with the rest of the Thanasi brood when they were formally presenting themselves. This particular day was no exception to the rule, and he had been dragged to the Dikastírio with a petulant pout on his face and his brows furrowed into an irritable wrinkle. If Father had been present (and thank the gods he was, instead, trapped on bedrest in his chambers), he would have told Mihail to act less like a child, but similar comments from any of his sisters were somewhat less efficient, and he was unwilling to quell his attitude if the entirety of Colchis seemed intent on seeing the family as villainous anyhow. Instead, he had drifted away from the group as soon as royal introductions were over, keen to see if he could pick up anything interesting from those present.
Mihail had always been a calumniator, though he could not help it. It was far easier to degrade others than find ways to promote himself - particularly when he did not see himself in need of any improvement - and there was amusement in subjecting others to the kind of slander his family name had always suffered. A few carefully selected words here and there did not go amiss, and there was no need to verify facts behind them so long as they were believable, although Mihail did prefer to base his fabricated claims on loose evidence discovered by others to add to that alleged credibility. Lady Harmonia may well have been seen flirting with a younger man who was most certainly not her husband, and who knew if Lord Arastos was indeed as idiotic with his small wealth as specific individuals claimed? It didn't matter.
But even sowing dissent among the unsuspecting populace grew dull after a while, and Mihail soon found himself gravitating away from the main gaggle of lords and ladies, which went relatively unnoticed for once, given that he had opted to dress in navy blue for once, over his more typical red (even if he still decorated his arms with silver snakey cuffs and hadn't taken off any of his noticeably familial rings). A little gossip was entertaining, but his mind had drifted to that ever-present yet often-hidden craving for unpleasantness. Something more tangible than the possibility of looking forward to the results of his rumour-spreading. And look, wasn't there an opportunity waiting for him, hiding in a corner by herself, looking sad and pathetic and right up his alley.
"Are we a little friendless?" he queried, approaching and dropping a hand to his hip, finding purchase beneath the line of his belt (and it was a cute new belt too, a silver chain designed to resemble a snake). His lips curved into an amused smirk, tongue flickering out for a split second to run over his upper lip as if in an indication of his amusement. "I suppose it makes sense. No one wants to talk to a pitiful little girl hiding away in a corner."
Court was still new to Essa. Honestly, it was something she did her best to avoid when she could. It still overwhelmed her. There were so many people, and a simple conversation could have a dozen different meanings. Words were Essa’s domain, it was true, but her shyness and insecurities hindered her in crowds. One on one, she could keep her wits about her.
She hated to feel like a child or pup, following at the heels of her family members. She could never bring herself to linger with any of them for very long. They put her at ease, but she felt so inconsequential next to them. She didn’t carry the weight of her royal cousins nor possess the political savvy of her mother or sister. No one was interested in seeking her out nor in hearing her thoughts. They looked down on her - she could feel it in even their glances.
They thought she was too soft, and that that meant she was stupid as well. She was quiet, so obviously that meant she was simply empty-headed.
If nothing else, she did not struggle to look the part of a lady of the court. She wore a deep green peplos over her cream colored chiton. Her jewelry was of gold and emeralds, dripping from her belt, neck and ears. Even the chains woven into her dark hair bore the precious gemstone. Her hair was braided and twisted into a complex updo, only a few curled tendrils left loose to hang enticingly around her face.
She wanted to look beautiful enough to catch someone’s eye. She wanted to be swept off her feet by a smitten man. Yet, she found herself keeping to the fringes of the crowd, watching rather than participating, tucked into a corner.
When at last she was approached, it was only irritation that filled her rather than excitement. Mihail of Thanasi. Their families were mortal enemies for all intents. Not to mention she recognized the dark glint in his eyes and the smirk that played at his lips. He was not interested in discussion - he was regarding her as prey.
Her arms crossed defensively in front of her as he spoke, not even pretending to insult her with the usual court subtlety. She wanted to squirm beneath his gaze, but she forced herself to stand tall and still. “What does that make you then, I wonder. Surely I’d be beneath your notice if you were not just as pitiful and friendless.” She flashed him an insincere smile. “Perhaps with that in mind, you might wish to amend your statement.”
She rolled her eyes before turning her gaze back to the crowd, instinctively picking out the familiar faces of her family. “I stepped away to find a moment of quiet, thank you very much. A moment that you are very much spoiling.”
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Court was still new to Essa. Honestly, it was something she did her best to avoid when she could. It still overwhelmed her. There were so many people, and a simple conversation could have a dozen different meanings. Words were Essa’s domain, it was true, but her shyness and insecurities hindered her in crowds. One on one, she could keep her wits about her.
She hated to feel like a child or pup, following at the heels of her family members. She could never bring herself to linger with any of them for very long. They put her at ease, but she felt so inconsequential next to them. She didn’t carry the weight of her royal cousins nor possess the political savvy of her mother or sister. No one was interested in seeking her out nor in hearing her thoughts. They looked down on her - she could feel it in even their glances.
They thought she was too soft, and that that meant she was stupid as well. She was quiet, so obviously that meant she was simply empty-headed.
If nothing else, she did not struggle to look the part of a lady of the court. She wore a deep green peplos over her cream colored chiton. Her jewelry was of gold and emeralds, dripping from her belt, neck and ears. Even the chains woven into her dark hair bore the precious gemstone. Her hair was braided and twisted into a complex updo, only a few curled tendrils left loose to hang enticingly around her face.
She wanted to look beautiful enough to catch someone’s eye. She wanted to be swept off her feet by a smitten man. Yet, she found herself keeping to the fringes of the crowd, watching rather than participating, tucked into a corner.
When at last she was approached, it was only irritation that filled her rather than excitement. Mihail of Thanasi. Their families were mortal enemies for all intents. Not to mention she recognized the dark glint in his eyes and the smirk that played at his lips. He was not interested in discussion - he was regarding her as prey.
Her arms crossed defensively in front of her as he spoke, not even pretending to insult her with the usual court subtlety. She wanted to squirm beneath his gaze, but she forced herself to stand tall and still. “What does that make you then, I wonder. Surely I’d be beneath your notice if you were not just as pitiful and friendless.” She flashed him an insincere smile. “Perhaps with that in mind, you might wish to amend your statement.”
She rolled her eyes before turning her gaze back to the crowd, instinctively picking out the familiar faces of her family. “I stepped away to find a moment of quiet, thank you very much. A moment that you are very much spoiling.”
Court was still new to Essa. Honestly, it was something she did her best to avoid when she could. It still overwhelmed her. There were so many people, and a simple conversation could have a dozen different meanings. Words were Essa’s domain, it was true, but her shyness and insecurities hindered her in crowds. One on one, she could keep her wits about her.
She hated to feel like a child or pup, following at the heels of her family members. She could never bring herself to linger with any of them for very long. They put her at ease, but she felt so inconsequential next to them. She didn’t carry the weight of her royal cousins nor possess the political savvy of her mother or sister. No one was interested in seeking her out nor in hearing her thoughts. They looked down on her - she could feel it in even their glances.
They thought she was too soft, and that that meant she was stupid as well. She was quiet, so obviously that meant she was simply empty-headed.
If nothing else, she did not struggle to look the part of a lady of the court. She wore a deep green peplos over her cream colored chiton. Her jewelry was of gold and emeralds, dripping from her belt, neck and ears. Even the chains woven into her dark hair bore the precious gemstone. Her hair was braided and twisted into a complex updo, only a few curled tendrils left loose to hang enticingly around her face.
She wanted to look beautiful enough to catch someone’s eye. She wanted to be swept off her feet by a smitten man. Yet, she found herself keeping to the fringes of the crowd, watching rather than participating, tucked into a corner.
When at last she was approached, it was only irritation that filled her rather than excitement. Mihail of Thanasi. Their families were mortal enemies for all intents. Not to mention she recognized the dark glint in his eyes and the smirk that played at his lips. He was not interested in discussion - he was regarding her as prey.
Her arms crossed defensively in front of her as he spoke, not even pretending to insult her with the usual court subtlety. She wanted to squirm beneath his gaze, but she forced herself to stand tall and still. “What does that make you then, I wonder. Surely I’d be beneath your notice if you were not just as pitiful and friendless.” She flashed him an insincere smile. “Perhaps with that in mind, you might wish to amend your statement.”
She rolled her eyes before turning her gaze back to the crowd, instinctively picking out the familiar faces of her family. “I stepped away to find a moment of quiet, thank you very much. A moment that you are very much spoiling.”
Mihail had not expected a rebuttal of any kind. Typically, he thought little of the Drakos family, and not singularly because of the inherent distaste which existed between their families. There was something about the youngest daughter of the group that fuelled his arrogance and filled him with a certainty that she would be quiet when he needed someone to hurt. Essa was mousey and, although he did not underestimate her intelligence - he did not intend to be considered a hypocrite after so often complaining when others minimised his own - he never thought her much of a threat. In his mind, she was perfect.
The rejoinder threw him, but Mihail took the opportunity of her looking away a moment to recoup his desired attitude, face shifting carefully back into a neutral expression from the flicker of surprise which had crossed it only a moment before. "I do not need friends," he answered, thinking the statement entirely accurate. Aside from Draco and those in his immediate family, there was nobody he thought of as a friend, and he had no trouble with that fact. It made many matters easier. "I prefer not to fill my life with unnecessary distractions - they divert my attention from the significant."
After all, Mihail had so much to worry about in his life that he could not fill the spare moments with petty friendships that were doomed to fail. He only had those that would prove useful in some way, and anything else was but a waste of time. If others thought that sad, then he did not care, because unless the stray thoughts of others seemed a genuine threat to him or his family, then they barely mattered.
The youngest Thanasi leaned in a little closer, bending to match her height a bit better, the almost half-foot difference between them easy to fill. Whether or not he was spoiling a moment she had sought to amplify her experience in the court did not matter, he did not care. There was only satisfaction in making her more uncomfortable, and he relished that. After all, it was precisely what he had sought out to do when he had first sauntered over to her.
"There are no 'moments of quiet' in the court. If you wish to sit in silence, then you might as well run back home, because this is not a place for silly children to hide away and hope that no one shall see them." The way she had turned her gaze towards the crowd had implied nervousness, and, in his eyes, weakness. Nethis would never have allowed him to duck awkwardly away into dark corners until she had realised the value of having her youngest brother scouting the secrets of others, though he doubted that was the Drakos way. "Surely you do not want to make the rest of your family appear weak and pathetic because you are too shy to interact with a few poor nobles? Or is that perhaps the truth behind the seemingly mighty Dynasteía Drakos?"
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Mihail had not expected a rebuttal of any kind. Typically, he thought little of the Drakos family, and not singularly because of the inherent distaste which existed between their families. There was something about the youngest daughter of the group that fuelled his arrogance and filled him with a certainty that she would be quiet when he needed someone to hurt. Essa was mousey and, although he did not underestimate her intelligence - he did not intend to be considered a hypocrite after so often complaining when others minimised his own - he never thought her much of a threat. In his mind, she was perfect.
The rejoinder threw him, but Mihail took the opportunity of her looking away a moment to recoup his desired attitude, face shifting carefully back into a neutral expression from the flicker of surprise which had crossed it only a moment before. "I do not need friends," he answered, thinking the statement entirely accurate. Aside from Draco and those in his immediate family, there was nobody he thought of as a friend, and he had no trouble with that fact. It made many matters easier. "I prefer not to fill my life with unnecessary distractions - they divert my attention from the significant."
After all, Mihail had so much to worry about in his life that he could not fill the spare moments with petty friendships that were doomed to fail. He only had those that would prove useful in some way, and anything else was but a waste of time. If others thought that sad, then he did not care, because unless the stray thoughts of others seemed a genuine threat to him or his family, then they barely mattered.
The youngest Thanasi leaned in a little closer, bending to match her height a bit better, the almost half-foot difference between them easy to fill. Whether or not he was spoiling a moment she had sought to amplify her experience in the court did not matter, he did not care. There was only satisfaction in making her more uncomfortable, and he relished that. After all, it was precisely what he had sought out to do when he had first sauntered over to her.
"There are no 'moments of quiet' in the court. If you wish to sit in silence, then you might as well run back home, because this is not a place for silly children to hide away and hope that no one shall see them." The way she had turned her gaze towards the crowd had implied nervousness, and, in his eyes, weakness. Nethis would never have allowed him to duck awkwardly away into dark corners until she had realised the value of having her youngest brother scouting the secrets of others, though he doubted that was the Drakos way. "Surely you do not want to make the rest of your family appear weak and pathetic because you are too shy to interact with a few poor nobles? Or is that perhaps the truth behind the seemingly mighty Dynasteía Drakos?"
Mihail had not expected a rebuttal of any kind. Typically, he thought little of the Drakos family, and not singularly because of the inherent distaste which existed between their families. There was something about the youngest daughter of the group that fuelled his arrogance and filled him with a certainty that she would be quiet when he needed someone to hurt. Essa was mousey and, although he did not underestimate her intelligence - he did not intend to be considered a hypocrite after so often complaining when others minimised his own - he never thought her much of a threat. In his mind, she was perfect.
The rejoinder threw him, but Mihail took the opportunity of her looking away a moment to recoup his desired attitude, face shifting carefully back into a neutral expression from the flicker of surprise which had crossed it only a moment before. "I do not need friends," he answered, thinking the statement entirely accurate. Aside from Draco and those in his immediate family, there was nobody he thought of as a friend, and he had no trouble with that fact. It made many matters easier. "I prefer not to fill my life with unnecessary distractions - they divert my attention from the significant."
After all, Mihail had so much to worry about in his life that he could not fill the spare moments with petty friendships that were doomed to fail. He only had those that would prove useful in some way, and anything else was but a waste of time. If others thought that sad, then he did not care, because unless the stray thoughts of others seemed a genuine threat to him or his family, then they barely mattered.
The youngest Thanasi leaned in a little closer, bending to match her height a bit better, the almost half-foot difference between them easy to fill. Whether or not he was spoiling a moment she had sought to amplify her experience in the court did not matter, he did not care. There was only satisfaction in making her more uncomfortable, and he relished that. After all, it was precisely what he had sought out to do when he had first sauntered over to her.
"There are no 'moments of quiet' in the court. If you wish to sit in silence, then you might as well run back home, because this is not a place for silly children to hide away and hope that no one shall see them." The way she had turned her gaze towards the crowd had implied nervousness, and, in his eyes, weakness. Nethis would never have allowed him to duck awkwardly away into dark corners until she had realised the value of having her youngest brother scouting the secrets of others, though he doubted that was the Drakos way. "Surely you do not want to make the rest of your family appear weak and pathetic because you are too shy to interact with a few poor nobles? Or is that perhaps the truth behind the seemingly mighty Dynasteía Drakos?"
Regrettably, the young Drakos missed the faltering of his expression. It would have surprised her to know she had unsettled him, even if only for an instant. It was more than any - including herself - would have thought her capable of. Only when he spoke again did she look back at him, eyes narrowed slightly.
“That does make sense. Snakes are hardly known for their affection.” She did her best to make her voice cold, but the young woman was too sincere for her own good. Instead, a hint of melancholy, perhaps even empathy, leaked into her voice. She understood what it was to be lonely. It was hard for her not to wonder if perhaps he was truly alone by choice. After all, the Thanasi weren’t the most embraced of the houses.
Her eyes widened slightly as he spoke of distractions. The way he phrased it was meant to be dismissive and yet, she could see some truth in it. She hated the disingenuous nature of court- it was part of why she held so much discomfort at such events. Without a real connection, what was even the point? “And what is it that I’ve done to earn such significance?”
She was skeptical of him, yet she caught herself wondering if perhaps she had judged him too quickly.
That swiftly faded as he leaned in, hovering over her too close for comfort. She found the urge to try to squirm away or shrink in on herself. His words were harsh enough to make her flinch anyway. Her eyes closed and she recoiled further against the wall. Until he dared use her to insult her house. That had her eyes open, flashing with a hint of fire as she suddenly stood tall, staring defiantly at him.
“Dynasteía Drakos is mighty. There is nothing false about the fierceness of the dragons of Drakos.” Her voice was a hiss, but held more power behind it than anything she’d said thus far. “I may be young and still finding my place here, but I am neither weak nor a silly child.”
At this she stepped forward slightly in a way that she felt ought to force him to take a step back or else be even more uncomfortably close. “Perhaps the better question is why you feel the need to squash anyone smaller than you? Perhaps it is not the youngest of Drakos who is the weak, silly child. After all, a man doesn’t feel the need to indulge in such cowardice.” She paused, her eyes surveying Mihail from head to toe and back again. Her expression clearly said she was not impressed.
“So clearly its a boy standing before me now. A silly, weak, pathetic one at that.”
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Regrettably, the young Drakos missed the faltering of his expression. It would have surprised her to know she had unsettled him, even if only for an instant. It was more than any - including herself - would have thought her capable of. Only when he spoke again did she look back at him, eyes narrowed slightly.
“That does make sense. Snakes are hardly known for their affection.” She did her best to make her voice cold, but the young woman was too sincere for her own good. Instead, a hint of melancholy, perhaps even empathy, leaked into her voice. She understood what it was to be lonely. It was hard for her not to wonder if perhaps he was truly alone by choice. After all, the Thanasi weren’t the most embraced of the houses.
Her eyes widened slightly as he spoke of distractions. The way he phrased it was meant to be dismissive and yet, she could see some truth in it. She hated the disingenuous nature of court- it was part of why she held so much discomfort at such events. Without a real connection, what was even the point? “And what is it that I’ve done to earn such significance?”
She was skeptical of him, yet she caught herself wondering if perhaps she had judged him too quickly.
That swiftly faded as he leaned in, hovering over her too close for comfort. She found the urge to try to squirm away or shrink in on herself. His words were harsh enough to make her flinch anyway. Her eyes closed and she recoiled further against the wall. Until he dared use her to insult her house. That had her eyes open, flashing with a hint of fire as she suddenly stood tall, staring defiantly at him.
“Dynasteía Drakos is mighty. There is nothing false about the fierceness of the dragons of Drakos.” Her voice was a hiss, but held more power behind it than anything she’d said thus far. “I may be young and still finding my place here, but I am neither weak nor a silly child.”
At this she stepped forward slightly in a way that she felt ought to force him to take a step back or else be even more uncomfortably close. “Perhaps the better question is why you feel the need to squash anyone smaller than you? Perhaps it is not the youngest of Drakos who is the weak, silly child. After all, a man doesn’t feel the need to indulge in such cowardice.” She paused, her eyes surveying Mihail from head to toe and back again. Her expression clearly said she was not impressed.
“So clearly its a boy standing before me now. A silly, weak, pathetic one at that.”
Regrettably, the young Drakos missed the faltering of his expression. It would have surprised her to know she had unsettled him, even if only for an instant. It was more than any - including herself - would have thought her capable of. Only when he spoke again did she look back at him, eyes narrowed slightly.
“That does make sense. Snakes are hardly known for their affection.” She did her best to make her voice cold, but the young woman was too sincere for her own good. Instead, a hint of melancholy, perhaps even empathy, leaked into her voice. She understood what it was to be lonely. It was hard for her not to wonder if perhaps he was truly alone by choice. After all, the Thanasi weren’t the most embraced of the houses.
Her eyes widened slightly as he spoke of distractions. The way he phrased it was meant to be dismissive and yet, she could see some truth in it. She hated the disingenuous nature of court- it was part of why she held so much discomfort at such events. Without a real connection, what was even the point? “And what is it that I’ve done to earn such significance?”
She was skeptical of him, yet she caught herself wondering if perhaps she had judged him too quickly.
That swiftly faded as he leaned in, hovering over her too close for comfort. She found the urge to try to squirm away or shrink in on herself. His words were harsh enough to make her flinch anyway. Her eyes closed and she recoiled further against the wall. Until he dared use her to insult her house. That had her eyes open, flashing with a hint of fire as she suddenly stood tall, staring defiantly at him.
“Dynasteía Drakos is mighty. There is nothing false about the fierceness of the dragons of Drakos.” Her voice was a hiss, but held more power behind it than anything she’d said thus far. “I may be young and still finding my place here, but I am neither weak nor a silly child.”
At this she stepped forward slightly in a way that she felt ought to force him to take a step back or else be even more uncomfortably close. “Perhaps the better question is why you feel the need to squash anyone smaller than you? Perhaps it is not the youngest of Drakos who is the weak, silly child. After all, a man doesn’t feel the need to indulge in such cowardice.” She paused, her eyes surveying Mihail from head to toe and back again. Her expression clearly said she was not impressed.
“So clearly its a boy standing before me now. A silly, weak, pathetic one at that.”
What had she done, other than appear so thoroughly helpless that Mihail could not resist turning her into a target? He liked the vulnerable, for there was rarely anybody else: even when he had been much smaller, the other lords of similar age to him had always huddled elsewhere and whispered because he was too feminine or too strange or too Thanasi, and he had been forced to learn to use his words as the only weapon he had (aside from the bow which was not exactly acceptable to take into court). He could not now resist preying on the weak when the opportunity presented itself, and here it had shamelessly done so.
Now, she was fighting back, and he liked that. There was fun in playing with someone when they were willing to succumb to his words and let him have his way, but when they outwardly appeared as small as this, it often became twice as entertaining if they mustered up enough courage to counter his words, as Essa was doing now. He was still surprised by the firmness of her words, stepping back as she moved forwards, brow furrowed into a frown that stemmed more from surprise than discomfort, though his lips were still curved into an amused smirk at the complaints.
"A man?" he questioned, thinking it pathetic that the girl would attempt to use that as her primary insult, when the claim that he was not a real man was one of the most commonly circulated among the noble houses of Colchis, and it was, at least, partially correct. Mihail had no desire to be a man, and he cared not when others called him otherwise - nowhere near as much as he once had. "You are a child that has mistakenly been permitted to wander into court, and you think you have any right to call me a boy?"
"Any house that requires a child to confirm its fierceness is far from great." Mihail spoke matter-of-factly, as if he was used to repeating this very phrase. Nethis had drummed it into him plenty of times in the past to remind him not to brag too obviously about their family, for they were already in Greece's bad graces. "I know full well the might of Dynasteía Thanasi, and I feel no need to remind strangers randomly. Perhaps, for once, your house should look upon mine when deciding how best to act." His eyebrow flicked upwards. "A pity your sister and mother are not by your side to protect you and defend your family name. At least I can always trust my sisters to be there when I need them. It must be pitiful to be so undesired by your own flesh and blood."
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What had she done, other than appear so thoroughly helpless that Mihail could not resist turning her into a target? He liked the vulnerable, for there was rarely anybody else: even when he had been much smaller, the other lords of similar age to him had always huddled elsewhere and whispered because he was too feminine or too strange or too Thanasi, and he had been forced to learn to use his words as the only weapon he had (aside from the bow which was not exactly acceptable to take into court). He could not now resist preying on the weak when the opportunity presented itself, and here it had shamelessly done so.
Now, she was fighting back, and he liked that. There was fun in playing with someone when they were willing to succumb to his words and let him have his way, but when they outwardly appeared as small as this, it often became twice as entertaining if they mustered up enough courage to counter his words, as Essa was doing now. He was still surprised by the firmness of her words, stepping back as she moved forwards, brow furrowed into a frown that stemmed more from surprise than discomfort, though his lips were still curved into an amused smirk at the complaints.
"A man?" he questioned, thinking it pathetic that the girl would attempt to use that as her primary insult, when the claim that he was not a real man was one of the most commonly circulated among the noble houses of Colchis, and it was, at least, partially correct. Mihail had no desire to be a man, and he cared not when others called him otherwise - nowhere near as much as he once had. "You are a child that has mistakenly been permitted to wander into court, and you think you have any right to call me a boy?"
"Any house that requires a child to confirm its fierceness is far from great." Mihail spoke matter-of-factly, as if he was used to repeating this very phrase. Nethis had drummed it into him plenty of times in the past to remind him not to brag too obviously about their family, for they were already in Greece's bad graces. "I know full well the might of Dynasteía Thanasi, and I feel no need to remind strangers randomly. Perhaps, for once, your house should look upon mine when deciding how best to act." His eyebrow flicked upwards. "A pity your sister and mother are not by your side to protect you and defend your family name. At least I can always trust my sisters to be there when I need them. It must be pitiful to be so undesired by your own flesh and blood."
What had she done, other than appear so thoroughly helpless that Mihail could not resist turning her into a target? He liked the vulnerable, for there was rarely anybody else: even when he had been much smaller, the other lords of similar age to him had always huddled elsewhere and whispered because he was too feminine or too strange or too Thanasi, and he had been forced to learn to use his words as the only weapon he had (aside from the bow which was not exactly acceptable to take into court). He could not now resist preying on the weak when the opportunity presented itself, and here it had shamelessly done so.
Now, she was fighting back, and he liked that. There was fun in playing with someone when they were willing to succumb to his words and let him have his way, but when they outwardly appeared as small as this, it often became twice as entertaining if they mustered up enough courage to counter his words, as Essa was doing now. He was still surprised by the firmness of her words, stepping back as she moved forwards, brow furrowed into a frown that stemmed more from surprise than discomfort, though his lips were still curved into an amused smirk at the complaints.
"A man?" he questioned, thinking it pathetic that the girl would attempt to use that as her primary insult, when the claim that he was not a real man was one of the most commonly circulated among the noble houses of Colchis, and it was, at least, partially correct. Mihail had no desire to be a man, and he cared not when others called him otherwise - nowhere near as much as he once had. "You are a child that has mistakenly been permitted to wander into court, and you think you have any right to call me a boy?"
"Any house that requires a child to confirm its fierceness is far from great." Mihail spoke matter-of-factly, as if he was used to repeating this very phrase. Nethis had drummed it into him plenty of times in the past to remind him not to brag too obviously about their family, for they were already in Greece's bad graces. "I know full well the might of Dynasteía Thanasi, and I feel no need to remind strangers randomly. Perhaps, for once, your house should look upon mine when deciding how best to act." His eyebrow flicked upwards. "A pity your sister and mother are not by your side to protect you and defend your family name. At least I can always trust my sisters to be there when I need them. It must be pitiful to be so undesired by your own flesh and blood."
“I think that I have seen boys far younger than you act with twice as much dignity and poise,” she responded, a hint of heat in her voice. “I was raised to speak the truth, and I will not pretend that you are acting as anything more than a child trying to push others down into the dirt for your own amusement. Any respectable man of noble birth would be ashamed to be so weak as to depend on the misery of others to feel strong.”
Usually she wouldn’t resort to such words. Her instinct was always kindness. Yet something about Mihail’s words seemed to push at every one of her raw nerves. “Your logic seems flawed. If Drakos is so weak, how is it that we are respected and trusted while your house is... well, tolerated seems a generous term for it really.” She gave him a look of pure irritation. “Besides, I might not count you a friend, but let’s not pretend that our family trees aren’t intermingled. We are hardly strangers.” Of course, he just had to keep talking. Every word seemed to hammer home the truths she was constantly reminded of.
She was soft. She was weak. She was a disappointment. She was too dependent. Too meek. Too proper. Too ordinary.
Too different.
Essa would not give him the satisfaction of her tears. “Your opinion means nothing to me. There is nothing to protect or defend me from but the irritation of your voice.” She pursed her lips together. “That would be like needing an army to rid me of a gnat. Hardly worth the effort.” Essa calmly looked over him again, finding her temper rising enough to add some bite to her words. “Of course, you must be used to that. Your own father feels as much, does he not? And your brother as well. Your sisters... well, at least there was someone to take pity upon you.”
It was cruel. She knew it. She would surely regret it, but she was only human and she could only take so much. If he wanted to hurt her so badly, then he had better be prepared to suffer the same. The words rolled off her tongue with ease and there was ice in her gaze. For the first time in her life, perhaps she finally even resembled her mother.
“Perhaps your insults are better designed for a mirror than for me, dear cousin.”
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“I think that I have seen boys far younger than you act with twice as much dignity and poise,” she responded, a hint of heat in her voice. “I was raised to speak the truth, and I will not pretend that you are acting as anything more than a child trying to push others down into the dirt for your own amusement. Any respectable man of noble birth would be ashamed to be so weak as to depend on the misery of others to feel strong.”
Usually she wouldn’t resort to such words. Her instinct was always kindness. Yet something about Mihail’s words seemed to push at every one of her raw nerves. “Your logic seems flawed. If Drakos is so weak, how is it that we are respected and trusted while your house is... well, tolerated seems a generous term for it really.” She gave him a look of pure irritation. “Besides, I might not count you a friend, but let’s not pretend that our family trees aren’t intermingled. We are hardly strangers.” Of course, he just had to keep talking. Every word seemed to hammer home the truths she was constantly reminded of.
She was soft. She was weak. She was a disappointment. She was too dependent. Too meek. Too proper. Too ordinary.
Too different.
Essa would not give him the satisfaction of her tears. “Your opinion means nothing to me. There is nothing to protect or defend me from but the irritation of your voice.” She pursed her lips together. “That would be like needing an army to rid me of a gnat. Hardly worth the effort.” Essa calmly looked over him again, finding her temper rising enough to add some bite to her words. “Of course, you must be used to that. Your own father feels as much, does he not? And your brother as well. Your sisters... well, at least there was someone to take pity upon you.”
It was cruel. She knew it. She would surely regret it, but she was only human and she could only take so much. If he wanted to hurt her so badly, then he had better be prepared to suffer the same. The words rolled off her tongue with ease and there was ice in her gaze. For the first time in her life, perhaps she finally even resembled her mother.
“Perhaps your insults are better designed for a mirror than for me, dear cousin.”
“I think that I have seen boys far younger than you act with twice as much dignity and poise,” she responded, a hint of heat in her voice. “I was raised to speak the truth, and I will not pretend that you are acting as anything more than a child trying to push others down into the dirt for your own amusement. Any respectable man of noble birth would be ashamed to be so weak as to depend on the misery of others to feel strong.”
Usually she wouldn’t resort to such words. Her instinct was always kindness. Yet something about Mihail’s words seemed to push at every one of her raw nerves. “Your logic seems flawed. If Drakos is so weak, how is it that we are respected and trusted while your house is... well, tolerated seems a generous term for it really.” She gave him a look of pure irritation. “Besides, I might not count you a friend, but let’s not pretend that our family trees aren’t intermingled. We are hardly strangers.” Of course, he just had to keep talking. Every word seemed to hammer home the truths she was constantly reminded of.
She was soft. She was weak. She was a disappointment. She was too dependent. Too meek. Too proper. Too ordinary.
Too different.
Essa would not give him the satisfaction of her tears. “Your opinion means nothing to me. There is nothing to protect or defend me from but the irritation of your voice.” She pursed her lips together. “That would be like needing an army to rid me of a gnat. Hardly worth the effort.” Essa calmly looked over him again, finding her temper rising enough to add some bite to her words. “Of course, you must be used to that. Your own father feels as much, does he not? And your brother as well. Your sisters... well, at least there was someone to take pity upon you.”
It was cruel. She knew it. She would surely regret it, but she was only human and she could only take so much. If he wanted to hurt her so badly, then he had better be prepared to suffer the same. The words rolled off her tongue with ease and there was ice in her gaze. For the first time in her life, perhaps she finally even resembled her mother.
“Perhaps your insults are better designed for a mirror than for me, dear cousin.”
Upon crossing to this corner of the room, Mihail had been under the impression that his words would not be countered and, more importantly, that the counters would not hurt. Instead, he was surprised to find that the youngest member of House Drakos had a fair amount of bite to her bark. He frowned, finding that choosing a valid rebuttal was becoming progressively more complex as more words were thrown between them. Still, he mentally shook out the concerns, running his tongue over his upper lip to buy himself a moment before he answered.
“You think I desire that my family be trusted?” he huffed in response, as if the comment had much offended him. “We may not be respected, nor are we trusted by the common individual, but we are feared, and that is far more significant. None would dare harm us, for they fear the consequence, and only a fool would choose to break our trust. There is nothing more powerful.” Nethis, at least, had assured him of that fact on several occasions, though Mihail supposed he did not entirely accept the claim as much as he pretended: he had feared Mother, to an extent, and that had only made him crave her death.
They may well have been related – she was his first cousin once removed, or something else equally complicated as tended to exist in the royal houses of all these nations – but that did not mean he was forced to treat her with kindness. If so, then perhaps all of Mihail’s familial relationships were incorrect, for he had never done well with Mother or Father or Dysius, and, as Essa pointed out, his sisters certainly felt pity for him. It was always pity or disregard or dislike, and he had loathed the fact.
Mihail felt his fists clench naturally in response to the words, as if he could not resist the action, pretty nails digging so hard into his skin that he was confident there would be a mark leftover afterwards. He could deal with that problem later. “Th-the relationships between my family members is none of your concern,” he answered, the stutter both unintentional and unwanted. He was irritated now, and rather than crave an easy target, he was in the mood for vengeance.
“Say all you desire,” he tried once more, tone half-wavering as he attempted to find the perfect words, not entirely sure in himself. “I cannot be harmed by the stupid comments of some pathetic child. You are nothing to me, and you shall never be more than that to anybody, only some bargaining chip to someday be married away to the most powerful name.” Mihail did not usually enjoy resorting to comments on gender for his arguments, so confident was he that they were all of equal standing, but there were moments when little else would do. “I am a lord, and that one fact shall guide me further than you could ever imagine, through no effort of my own. I can change the world with a few rightly placed words, and you shall do nothing no matter how hard you try.” The leftmost corner of his mouth twitched upwards in amusement, pleased with himself for finding something which satisfied him enough. “Do tell me: how does your insignificance make you feel?”
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Upon crossing to this corner of the room, Mihail had been under the impression that his words would not be countered and, more importantly, that the counters would not hurt. Instead, he was surprised to find that the youngest member of House Drakos had a fair amount of bite to her bark. He frowned, finding that choosing a valid rebuttal was becoming progressively more complex as more words were thrown between them. Still, he mentally shook out the concerns, running his tongue over his upper lip to buy himself a moment before he answered.
“You think I desire that my family be trusted?” he huffed in response, as if the comment had much offended him. “We may not be respected, nor are we trusted by the common individual, but we are feared, and that is far more significant. None would dare harm us, for they fear the consequence, and only a fool would choose to break our trust. There is nothing more powerful.” Nethis, at least, had assured him of that fact on several occasions, though Mihail supposed he did not entirely accept the claim as much as he pretended: he had feared Mother, to an extent, and that had only made him crave her death.
They may well have been related – she was his first cousin once removed, or something else equally complicated as tended to exist in the royal houses of all these nations – but that did not mean he was forced to treat her with kindness. If so, then perhaps all of Mihail’s familial relationships were incorrect, for he had never done well with Mother or Father or Dysius, and, as Essa pointed out, his sisters certainly felt pity for him. It was always pity or disregard or dislike, and he had loathed the fact.
Mihail felt his fists clench naturally in response to the words, as if he could not resist the action, pretty nails digging so hard into his skin that he was confident there would be a mark leftover afterwards. He could deal with that problem later. “Th-the relationships between my family members is none of your concern,” he answered, the stutter both unintentional and unwanted. He was irritated now, and rather than crave an easy target, he was in the mood for vengeance.
“Say all you desire,” he tried once more, tone half-wavering as he attempted to find the perfect words, not entirely sure in himself. “I cannot be harmed by the stupid comments of some pathetic child. You are nothing to me, and you shall never be more than that to anybody, only some bargaining chip to someday be married away to the most powerful name.” Mihail did not usually enjoy resorting to comments on gender for his arguments, so confident was he that they were all of equal standing, but there were moments when little else would do. “I am a lord, and that one fact shall guide me further than you could ever imagine, through no effort of my own. I can change the world with a few rightly placed words, and you shall do nothing no matter how hard you try.” The leftmost corner of his mouth twitched upwards in amusement, pleased with himself for finding something which satisfied him enough. “Do tell me: how does your insignificance make you feel?”
Upon crossing to this corner of the room, Mihail had been under the impression that his words would not be countered and, more importantly, that the counters would not hurt. Instead, he was surprised to find that the youngest member of House Drakos had a fair amount of bite to her bark. He frowned, finding that choosing a valid rebuttal was becoming progressively more complex as more words were thrown between them. Still, he mentally shook out the concerns, running his tongue over his upper lip to buy himself a moment before he answered.
“You think I desire that my family be trusted?” he huffed in response, as if the comment had much offended him. “We may not be respected, nor are we trusted by the common individual, but we are feared, and that is far more significant. None would dare harm us, for they fear the consequence, and only a fool would choose to break our trust. There is nothing more powerful.” Nethis, at least, had assured him of that fact on several occasions, though Mihail supposed he did not entirely accept the claim as much as he pretended: he had feared Mother, to an extent, and that had only made him crave her death.
They may well have been related – she was his first cousin once removed, or something else equally complicated as tended to exist in the royal houses of all these nations – but that did not mean he was forced to treat her with kindness. If so, then perhaps all of Mihail’s familial relationships were incorrect, for he had never done well with Mother or Father or Dysius, and, as Essa pointed out, his sisters certainly felt pity for him. It was always pity or disregard or dislike, and he had loathed the fact.
Mihail felt his fists clench naturally in response to the words, as if he could not resist the action, pretty nails digging so hard into his skin that he was confident there would be a mark leftover afterwards. He could deal with that problem later. “Th-the relationships between my family members is none of your concern,” he answered, the stutter both unintentional and unwanted. He was irritated now, and rather than crave an easy target, he was in the mood for vengeance.
“Say all you desire,” he tried once more, tone half-wavering as he attempted to find the perfect words, not entirely sure in himself. “I cannot be harmed by the stupid comments of some pathetic child. You are nothing to me, and you shall never be more than that to anybody, only some bargaining chip to someday be married away to the most powerful name.” Mihail did not usually enjoy resorting to comments on gender for his arguments, so confident was he that they were all of equal standing, but there were moments when little else would do. “I am a lord, and that one fact shall guide me further than you could ever imagine, through no effort of my own. I can change the world with a few rightly placed words, and you shall do nothing no matter how hard you try.” The leftmost corner of his mouth twitched upwards in amusement, pleased with himself for finding something which satisfied him enough. “Do tell me: how does your insignificance make you feel?”
Essa’s eyes widened as he huffed about how the way his family was feared was more meaningful than being trusted or respected. Her whispered reply came unbidden as a flicker of sorrow moved across her features. “What a sad way to live.” It was innovative in a sense. Twisting the negativity to find some sort of benefit. As someone who always sought out the silver lining, Essa could appreciate that. But still, it had to be such a lonely existence.
Family was complicated. Much as she loved her mother and sister, she knew that those closest were the ones with the ability to hurt one the most. Her mother could cut her to ribbons with a simple statement. The royal families were all related in some fashion, but Thanasi had never felt warm nor welcoming. Except for Evras. Essa adored her cousin’s wife, and that was reason enough to wish that Mihail could have been a friend perhaps. She could understand why he would be cruel to her - she likely deserved it, for she knew she was a failure of a courtier. But to insult her family... she couldn’t abide that.
The stutter that appeared as he responded to her next remark surprised her. Had she truly managed to deal a hint of his own venom back at him? She tried to keep the surprise from her face, even if she was unable to project the smugness that he deserved. Instead she gave a small shrug. “Anyone could see that fact for themselves if they paid even the slightest bit of attention. I suppose you’re fortunate that most in attendance are far too self-absorbed to see such things.”
Her eyebrow raised as he spoke of how she was insignificant, leaning heavily on the gender difference between them. She couldn’t explain it, but she could feel that this was a weaker attempt than his barbs before. “My mother wields more power than a second son ever will,” she said with a honeyed smile. “You speak as though we are so different, yet no one in your family takes you any more seriously than they would me. And why would they? You’re not the heir. You’re the one who gets the table scraps as an afterthought.” She shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips.
“You’re right about one thing though. You will be permitted places few women ever are, entirely on the merit of others. You need accomplish nothing, and that is just as well, for its all that is expected of you.” Her smile grew a little wider. “It is true, that I may never be credited for such world-changing choices. But I will have the ear of a powerful man someday, and that is far from insignificant, as you well know.”
Her smile turned joyful then. “So much to look forward to still. Well, for one of us at least.”
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Essa’s eyes widened as he huffed about how the way his family was feared was more meaningful than being trusted or respected. Her whispered reply came unbidden as a flicker of sorrow moved across her features. “What a sad way to live.” It was innovative in a sense. Twisting the negativity to find some sort of benefit. As someone who always sought out the silver lining, Essa could appreciate that. But still, it had to be such a lonely existence.
Family was complicated. Much as she loved her mother and sister, she knew that those closest were the ones with the ability to hurt one the most. Her mother could cut her to ribbons with a simple statement. The royal families were all related in some fashion, but Thanasi had never felt warm nor welcoming. Except for Evras. Essa adored her cousin’s wife, and that was reason enough to wish that Mihail could have been a friend perhaps. She could understand why he would be cruel to her - she likely deserved it, for she knew she was a failure of a courtier. But to insult her family... she couldn’t abide that.
The stutter that appeared as he responded to her next remark surprised her. Had she truly managed to deal a hint of his own venom back at him? She tried to keep the surprise from her face, even if she was unable to project the smugness that he deserved. Instead she gave a small shrug. “Anyone could see that fact for themselves if they paid even the slightest bit of attention. I suppose you’re fortunate that most in attendance are far too self-absorbed to see such things.”
Her eyebrow raised as he spoke of how she was insignificant, leaning heavily on the gender difference between them. She couldn’t explain it, but she could feel that this was a weaker attempt than his barbs before. “My mother wields more power than a second son ever will,” she said with a honeyed smile. “You speak as though we are so different, yet no one in your family takes you any more seriously than they would me. And why would they? You’re not the heir. You’re the one who gets the table scraps as an afterthought.” She shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips.
“You’re right about one thing though. You will be permitted places few women ever are, entirely on the merit of others. You need accomplish nothing, and that is just as well, for its all that is expected of you.” Her smile grew a little wider. “It is true, that I may never be credited for such world-changing choices. But I will have the ear of a powerful man someday, and that is far from insignificant, as you well know.”
Her smile turned joyful then. “So much to look forward to still. Well, for one of us at least.”
Essa’s eyes widened as he huffed about how the way his family was feared was more meaningful than being trusted or respected. Her whispered reply came unbidden as a flicker of sorrow moved across her features. “What a sad way to live.” It was innovative in a sense. Twisting the negativity to find some sort of benefit. As someone who always sought out the silver lining, Essa could appreciate that. But still, it had to be such a lonely existence.
Family was complicated. Much as she loved her mother and sister, she knew that those closest were the ones with the ability to hurt one the most. Her mother could cut her to ribbons with a simple statement. The royal families were all related in some fashion, but Thanasi had never felt warm nor welcoming. Except for Evras. Essa adored her cousin’s wife, and that was reason enough to wish that Mihail could have been a friend perhaps. She could understand why he would be cruel to her - she likely deserved it, for she knew she was a failure of a courtier. But to insult her family... she couldn’t abide that.
The stutter that appeared as he responded to her next remark surprised her. Had she truly managed to deal a hint of his own venom back at him? She tried to keep the surprise from her face, even if she was unable to project the smugness that he deserved. Instead she gave a small shrug. “Anyone could see that fact for themselves if they paid even the slightest bit of attention. I suppose you’re fortunate that most in attendance are far too self-absorbed to see such things.”
Her eyebrow raised as he spoke of how she was insignificant, leaning heavily on the gender difference between them. She couldn’t explain it, but she could feel that this was a weaker attempt than his barbs before. “My mother wields more power than a second son ever will,” she said with a honeyed smile. “You speak as though we are so different, yet no one in your family takes you any more seriously than they would me. And why would they? You’re not the heir. You’re the one who gets the table scraps as an afterthought.” She shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips.
“You’re right about one thing though. You will be permitted places few women ever are, entirely on the merit of others. You need accomplish nothing, and that is just as well, for its all that is expected of you.” Her smile grew a little wider. “It is true, that I may never be credited for such world-changing choices. But I will have the ear of a powerful man someday, and that is far from insignificant, as you well know.”
Her smile turned joyful then. “So much to look forward to still. Well, for one of us at least.”
"I do not wish to be the heir," Mihail objected, in a tone he thought might have come across as far too hurried. A rush made it seem underthought, as though he had shouted it out in response to her words out of nothing more than fear that she had hit onto something which might truly hurt his feelings. That would not have been so far from the truth. He had always thought he would be better suited as the heir to his father's name, but it was not to be. No matter. He could make his own life without the title of Thanasi head. "I can do far more in my position than an heir ever could. I have none of the expectations, and nothing more than the ability to build my own image. I am not an afterthought."
At least, he was not an afterthought any longer. He was quite certain he was the favourite of his sisters, and that since Mother had passed, they had raised him themselves. They must have liked him more than Dysius, because he had always latched onto Father's side instead and not been spared the same consideration. Mihail was gladly coddled, and he did not believe he would have enjoyed the same life had he been born the first of the Thanasi sons and favoured by their mother. He would never have felt pushed to succeed in his own accord.
It was unlucky, then, that as certainly as she had hit on a matter about which Mihail was rather certain, Essa found one which drew back his ire. The frown that had graced his features darkened, and he turned back to the defensive, knowing full well that lack of accomplishment was likely that which he feared more than anything. Failure would not become his legacy.
He bit his lip for a second, searching for the words and attempting to dampen the light stammer that was threatening to emerge once more. "I can do whatever I desire. I am the finest archer in all of Greece. I am a philosopher. I am a Thanasi, and will have the world." Of that, he was more than a little confident. No matter what it took, Mihail was absolutely certain that he would have it all. "You may whisper to whoever you wish, but no one shall listen. Some insipid little girl whining to her husband? As though he should ever care." Gods, the Thanasi would never usually have undervalued a woman so clearly, but he was glad that her gender at least provided him with an easy fall back for his insults. It was a valuable cover for the few ways she'd managed to cut through his disdain.
"Perhaps if you desire that your future words to have any meaning, you may benefit from learning to speak to another. If you cannot even hurt me, then how can you be so certain your words will have the power to turn your husband's head?"
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"I do not wish to be the heir," Mihail objected, in a tone he thought might have come across as far too hurried. A rush made it seem underthought, as though he had shouted it out in response to her words out of nothing more than fear that she had hit onto something which might truly hurt his feelings. That would not have been so far from the truth. He had always thought he would be better suited as the heir to his father's name, but it was not to be. No matter. He could make his own life without the title of Thanasi head. "I can do far more in my position than an heir ever could. I have none of the expectations, and nothing more than the ability to build my own image. I am not an afterthought."
At least, he was not an afterthought any longer. He was quite certain he was the favourite of his sisters, and that since Mother had passed, they had raised him themselves. They must have liked him more than Dysius, because he had always latched onto Father's side instead and not been spared the same consideration. Mihail was gladly coddled, and he did not believe he would have enjoyed the same life had he been born the first of the Thanasi sons and favoured by their mother. He would never have felt pushed to succeed in his own accord.
It was unlucky, then, that as certainly as she had hit on a matter about which Mihail was rather certain, Essa found one which drew back his ire. The frown that had graced his features darkened, and he turned back to the defensive, knowing full well that lack of accomplishment was likely that which he feared more than anything. Failure would not become his legacy.
He bit his lip for a second, searching for the words and attempting to dampen the light stammer that was threatening to emerge once more. "I can do whatever I desire. I am the finest archer in all of Greece. I am a philosopher. I am a Thanasi, and will have the world." Of that, he was more than a little confident. No matter what it took, Mihail was absolutely certain that he would have it all. "You may whisper to whoever you wish, but no one shall listen. Some insipid little girl whining to her husband? As though he should ever care." Gods, the Thanasi would never usually have undervalued a woman so clearly, but he was glad that her gender at least provided him with an easy fall back for his insults. It was a valuable cover for the few ways she'd managed to cut through his disdain.
"Perhaps if you desire that your future words to have any meaning, you may benefit from learning to speak to another. If you cannot even hurt me, then how can you be so certain your words will have the power to turn your husband's head?"
"I do not wish to be the heir," Mihail objected, in a tone he thought might have come across as far too hurried. A rush made it seem underthought, as though he had shouted it out in response to her words out of nothing more than fear that she had hit onto something which might truly hurt his feelings. That would not have been so far from the truth. He had always thought he would be better suited as the heir to his father's name, but it was not to be. No matter. He could make his own life without the title of Thanasi head. "I can do far more in my position than an heir ever could. I have none of the expectations, and nothing more than the ability to build my own image. I am not an afterthought."
At least, he was not an afterthought any longer. He was quite certain he was the favourite of his sisters, and that since Mother had passed, they had raised him themselves. They must have liked him more than Dysius, because he had always latched onto Father's side instead and not been spared the same consideration. Mihail was gladly coddled, and he did not believe he would have enjoyed the same life had he been born the first of the Thanasi sons and favoured by their mother. He would never have felt pushed to succeed in his own accord.
It was unlucky, then, that as certainly as she had hit on a matter about which Mihail was rather certain, Essa found one which drew back his ire. The frown that had graced his features darkened, and he turned back to the defensive, knowing full well that lack of accomplishment was likely that which he feared more than anything. Failure would not become his legacy.
He bit his lip for a second, searching for the words and attempting to dampen the light stammer that was threatening to emerge once more. "I can do whatever I desire. I am the finest archer in all of Greece. I am a philosopher. I am a Thanasi, and will have the world." Of that, he was more than a little confident. No matter what it took, Mihail was absolutely certain that he would have it all. "You may whisper to whoever you wish, but no one shall listen. Some insipid little girl whining to her husband? As though he should ever care." Gods, the Thanasi would never usually have undervalued a woman so clearly, but he was glad that her gender at least provided him with an easy fall back for his insults. It was a valuable cover for the few ways she'd managed to cut through his disdain.
"Perhaps if you desire that your future words to have any meaning, you may benefit from learning to speak to another. If you cannot even hurt me, then how can you be so certain your words will have the power to turn your husband's head?"
