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Anastasia asked the question with a bit of easy intrigue as she set herself down on a wooden stool. The sun had just ended its retreat over the horizon, the golden glow surrendering at last to the darkness of night. It'd been a productive day for the girl, who took it upon herself to sleep through the morning and well into the afternoon. It was productive, that was to say, because she was fully rested and ready to wet her throat with mead and wine, to make it parched anew with tell of stories, and cozy herself up to a gullible young (or old, she wasn't exactly picky!) man to size up as a mark.
Anastasia was free, and in that freedom she truly reveled.
"No?" she murmured, a soft gasp cast from her lips at the tragedy that was such an answer. The barkeeper seemed to hold a grin as Ana pointed at her pick, identifying a delicious Condos vintage that she'd had several times before.
"You must stay in the city then, good sir. When one travels as I have, with all of the wonders of the world just an indeterminate number of steps away... a keen eye is an asset with which all manner of mysteries can be seen."
As she twisted in her stool, she almost groaned, shaking her head.
"This simply won't do. Has anyone the desire to hear my tale? I am Anastasia of the Satyr's Flock, she who speaks for those blessed creatures that none of you have ever seen."
There was the general murmur of agreement. After all, the night was young and many wished for the diversion of song or dance or talk. All manner of men and women could let themselves be lost in tale and legend and it was Anastasia who sought to capitalize on the fact of it. She was young in the realm of bards and story weavers, but nonetheless, she heard one or two 'ahs' of recognition as she introduced herself. The grin upon her lips grew wider just as her outstretched hand was met with the goblet of wine. Behind her, the bottle rested on the bar top, and she was keen to have more as soon as it was needed.
She wet her throat once more, a soft giggle escaping her lips as she raised a hand to her chin, as if mulling over the innumerable tales that were buried in the halls of her memory.
"It has been nearly a decade since I was lost in the woods, you see. A little girl out all alone... A travesty. A tragedy! A little girl left to fend for herself. And yet! I would never be alone again. The pitter-patter of hooves in the grass. Too light to be horses, too plenty to be just a single animal. A young Anastasia, too shocked to realize what had happened, was taken in by the satyrs and raised as their own."
As if to shed a tear, the girl raised a hand to her cheek, brushing away what wasn't there before burying herself in her wine. The goblet was empty as she set it on the bartop. She motioned for the keeper to refill it as a joyous smile set upon her lips.
"The satyrs are wondrous beasts, faster than any man, beasts with the arms and face of ugly men... But their voices... their stories. They educated a much younger Anastasia with the one condition, my good friends. To spread their legend to those who cannot receive it from them. They wish to be remembered, to be drunk to, toasted about. The satyrs stir the legends of the Gods in the cauldron of time and I am here, as your servant, to recount them one by one."
Anastasia offered a bow, gesturing to a saucer on the bar top before she pivoted in place to offer a wide smile at the barkeeper,
"Will you allow me the honour, my dear? Or shall I sit down and pay you for my drink in silence?"
She waited for an answer as she turned back around to let her hazel orbs spill over the denizens of the tavern, filled with wondrous curiosity as she sought to find her mark.
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"Have you ever seen a satyr?"
Anastasia asked the question with a bit of easy intrigue as she set herself down on a wooden stool. The sun had just ended its retreat over the horizon, the golden glow surrendering at last to the darkness of night. It'd been a productive day for the girl, who took it upon herself to sleep through the morning and well into the afternoon. It was productive, that was to say, because she was fully rested and ready to wet her throat with mead and wine, to make it parched anew with tell of stories, and cozy herself up to a gullible young (or old, she wasn't exactly picky!) man to size up as a mark.
Anastasia was free, and in that freedom she truly reveled.
"No?" she murmured, a soft gasp cast from her lips at the tragedy that was such an answer. The barkeeper seemed to hold a grin as Ana pointed at her pick, identifying a delicious Condos vintage that she'd had several times before.
"You must stay in the city then, good sir. When one travels as I have, with all of the wonders of the world just an indeterminate number of steps away... a keen eye is an asset with which all manner of mysteries can be seen."
As she twisted in her stool, she almost groaned, shaking her head.
"This simply won't do. Has anyone the desire to hear my tale? I am Anastasia of the Satyr's Flock, she who speaks for those blessed creatures that none of you have ever seen."
There was the general murmur of agreement. After all, the night was young and many wished for the diversion of song or dance or talk. All manner of men and women could let themselves be lost in tale and legend and it was Anastasia who sought to capitalize on the fact of it. She was young in the realm of bards and story weavers, but nonetheless, she heard one or two 'ahs' of recognition as she introduced herself. The grin upon her lips grew wider just as her outstretched hand was met with the goblet of wine. Behind her, the bottle rested on the bar top, and she was keen to have more as soon as it was needed.
She wet her throat once more, a soft giggle escaping her lips as she raised a hand to her chin, as if mulling over the innumerable tales that were buried in the halls of her memory.
"It has been nearly a decade since I was lost in the woods, you see. A little girl out all alone... A travesty. A tragedy! A little girl left to fend for herself. And yet! I would never be alone again. The pitter-patter of hooves in the grass. Too light to be horses, too plenty to be just a single animal. A young Anastasia, too shocked to realize what had happened, was taken in by the satyrs and raised as their own."
As if to shed a tear, the girl raised a hand to her cheek, brushing away what wasn't there before burying herself in her wine. The goblet was empty as she set it on the bartop. She motioned for the keeper to refill it as a joyous smile set upon her lips.
"The satyrs are wondrous beasts, faster than any man, beasts with the arms and face of ugly men... But their voices... their stories. They educated a much younger Anastasia with the one condition, my good friends. To spread their legend to those who cannot receive it from them. They wish to be remembered, to be drunk to, toasted about. The satyrs stir the legends of the Gods in the cauldron of time and I am here, as your servant, to recount them one by one."
Anastasia offered a bow, gesturing to a saucer on the bar top before she pivoted in place to offer a wide smile at the barkeeper,
"Will you allow me the honour, my dear? Or shall I sit down and pay you for my drink in silence?"
She waited for an answer as she turned back around to let her hazel orbs spill over the denizens of the tavern, filled with wondrous curiosity as she sought to find her mark.
"Have you ever seen a satyr?"
Anastasia asked the question with a bit of easy intrigue as she set herself down on a wooden stool. The sun had just ended its retreat over the horizon, the golden glow surrendering at last to the darkness of night. It'd been a productive day for the girl, who took it upon herself to sleep through the morning and well into the afternoon. It was productive, that was to say, because she was fully rested and ready to wet her throat with mead and wine, to make it parched anew with tell of stories, and cozy herself up to a gullible young (or old, she wasn't exactly picky!) man to size up as a mark.
Anastasia was free, and in that freedom she truly reveled.
"No?" she murmured, a soft gasp cast from her lips at the tragedy that was such an answer. The barkeeper seemed to hold a grin as Ana pointed at her pick, identifying a delicious Condos vintage that she'd had several times before.
"You must stay in the city then, good sir. When one travels as I have, with all of the wonders of the world just an indeterminate number of steps away... a keen eye is an asset with which all manner of mysteries can be seen."
As she twisted in her stool, she almost groaned, shaking her head.
"This simply won't do. Has anyone the desire to hear my tale? I am Anastasia of the Satyr's Flock, she who speaks for those blessed creatures that none of you have ever seen."
There was the general murmur of agreement. After all, the night was young and many wished for the diversion of song or dance or talk. All manner of men and women could let themselves be lost in tale and legend and it was Anastasia who sought to capitalize on the fact of it. She was young in the realm of bards and story weavers, but nonetheless, she heard one or two 'ahs' of recognition as she introduced herself. The grin upon her lips grew wider just as her outstretched hand was met with the goblet of wine. Behind her, the bottle rested on the bar top, and she was keen to have more as soon as it was needed.
She wet her throat once more, a soft giggle escaping her lips as she raised a hand to her chin, as if mulling over the innumerable tales that were buried in the halls of her memory.
"It has been nearly a decade since I was lost in the woods, you see. A little girl out all alone... A travesty. A tragedy! A little girl left to fend for herself. And yet! I would never be alone again. The pitter-patter of hooves in the grass. Too light to be horses, too plenty to be just a single animal. A young Anastasia, too shocked to realize what had happened, was taken in by the satyrs and raised as their own."
As if to shed a tear, the girl raised a hand to her cheek, brushing away what wasn't there before burying herself in her wine. The goblet was empty as she set it on the bartop. She motioned for the keeper to refill it as a joyous smile set upon her lips.
"The satyrs are wondrous beasts, faster than any man, beasts with the arms and face of ugly men... But their voices... their stories. They educated a much younger Anastasia with the one condition, my good friends. To spread their legend to those who cannot receive it from them. They wish to be remembered, to be drunk to, toasted about. The satyrs stir the legends of the Gods in the cauldron of time and I am here, as your servant, to recount them one by one."
Anastasia offered a bow, gesturing to a saucer on the bar top before she pivoted in place to offer a wide smile at the barkeeper,
"Will you allow me the honour, my dear? Or shall I sit down and pay you for my drink in silence?"
She waited for an answer as she turned back around to let her hazel orbs spill over the denizens of the tavern, filled with wondrous curiosity as she sought to find her mark.
Eleni was heartbroken. Worst of all, she couldn’t even be honest about it.
She couldn’t bring herself to admit her shame to anyone, even a stranger. It was as though if she said it aloud, it would become truly inescapable. Besides, telling the truth wouldn’t change her reality. It would only earn her more pity. And she couldn’t fathom surviving that. It was difficult enough as it was.
At least now she knew that it was all pointless. She would never please her mother. Never satisfy her endless ambition nor earn her forgiveness for daring to exist. Her father and brothers would never take her seriously, never see her as more than a pretty face. She would never be worthy of love - real love. But making that transition from misery to not caring... it was proving more difficult than she hoped. She had stopped trying, that much came easily. Stopped trying to please. Ceased trying to prove herself worthy of praise or adoration. Such things were out of reach for her and not worth the effort that she had once channeled into such pursuits. But otherwise it took the influence of wine to drain her pain away.
She wanted to finally know what it was like to enjoy life. To see if she might be able to glimpse the joy she had once felt before she learned it was nothing more than facade. She had spent so long trying to meet her mother’s impossible standards, she could scarcely recall what it was like to simply have fun. So she had spent these past weeks trying to rediscover the feeling. Yet there was so much heartache that it seemed much like buried treasure that eluded her. She needed to let it all go. To shove those feelings so deep, they all but ceased to exist. Surely that was possible.
Perhaps she simply needed more wine.
Which is what had her sitting on a barstool, nursing a glass when a young woman close to her age arrived. It was hard not to roll her eyes at her ridiculous question, and she focused her own mind back on the drink before her, wondering just how many it would take to numb herself entirely. Yet the more the stranger spoke, the more of Eleni’s attention she captured. By the time she made her inquiry of the barkeep, the troubled girl had forgotten her woes entirely, if only for a moment. Instead, she lifted a hand to signal the barkeep’s attention on herself. “Her drink is on me,” she said with a nod before turning her attention to the stranger before her.
“You have a wonderful gift,” she mused softly, with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes as the sorrow crept back into her with the lull of silence. “Thank you for sharing it with the world. I can only imagine the hearts that have been eased by such levity.” Distinctly not mentioning that one such was her own - even if only for a moment.
“That we could all be so carefree. The world would be a far more wondrous place.”
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Eleni was heartbroken. Worst of all, she couldn’t even be honest about it.
She couldn’t bring herself to admit her shame to anyone, even a stranger. It was as though if she said it aloud, it would become truly inescapable. Besides, telling the truth wouldn’t change her reality. It would only earn her more pity. And she couldn’t fathom surviving that. It was difficult enough as it was.
At least now she knew that it was all pointless. She would never please her mother. Never satisfy her endless ambition nor earn her forgiveness for daring to exist. Her father and brothers would never take her seriously, never see her as more than a pretty face. She would never be worthy of love - real love. But making that transition from misery to not caring... it was proving more difficult than she hoped. She had stopped trying, that much came easily. Stopped trying to please. Ceased trying to prove herself worthy of praise or adoration. Such things were out of reach for her and not worth the effort that she had once channeled into such pursuits. But otherwise it took the influence of wine to drain her pain away.
She wanted to finally know what it was like to enjoy life. To see if she might be able to glimpse the joy she had once felt before she learned it was nothing more than facade. She had spent so long trying to meet her mother’s impossible standards, she could scarcely recall what it was like to simply have fun. So she had spent these past weeks trying to rediscover the feeling. Yet there was so much heartache that it seemed much like buried treasure that eluded her. She needed to let it all go. To shove those feelings so deep, they all but ceased to exist. Surely that was possible.
Perhaps she simply needed more wine.
Which is what had her sitting on a barstool, nursing a glass when a young woman close to her age arrived. It was hard not to roll her eyes at her ridiculous question, and she focused her own mind back on the drink before her, wondering just how many it would take to numb herself entirely. Yet the more the stranger spoke, the more of Eleni’s attention she captured. By the time she made her inquiry of the barkeep, the troubled girl had forgotten her woes entirely, if only for a moment. Instead, she lifted a hand to signal the barkeep’s attention on herself. “Her drink is on me,” she said with a nod before turning her attention to the stranger before her.
“You have a wonderful gift,” she mused softly, with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes as the sorrow crept back into her with the lull of silence. “Thank you for sharing it with the world. I can only imagine the hearts that have been eased by such levity.” Distinctly not mentioning that one such was her own - even if only for a moment.
“That we could all be so carefree. The world would be a far more wondrous place.”
Eleni was heartbroken. Worst of all, she couldn’t even be honest about it.
She couldn’t bring herself to admit her shame to anyone, even a stranger. It was as though if she said it aloud, it would become truly inescapable. Besides, telling the truth wouldn’t change her reality. It would only earn her more pity. And she couldn’t fathom surviving that. It was difficult enough as it was.
At least now she knew that it was all pointless. She would never please her mother. Never satisfy her endless ambition nor earn her forgiveness for daring to exist. Her father and brothers would never take her seriously, never see her as more than a pretty face. She would never be worthy of love - real love. But making that transition from misery to not caring... it was proving more difficult than she hoped. She had stopped trying, that much came easily. Stopped trying to please. Ceased trying to prove herself worthy of praise or adoration. Such things were out of reach for her and not worth the effort that she had once channeled into such pursuits. But otherwise it took the influence of wine to drain her pain away.
She wanted to finally know what it was like to enjoy life. To see if she might be able to glimpse the joy she had once felt before she learned it was nothing more than facade. She had spent so long trying to meet her mother’s impossible standards, she could scarcely recall what it was like to simply have fun. So she had spent these past weeks trying to rediscover the feeling. Yet there was so much heartache that it seemed much like buried treasure that eluded her. She needed to let it all go. To shove those feelings so deep, they all but ceased to exist. Surely that was possible.
Perhaps she simply needed more wine.
Which is what had her sitting on a barstool, nursing a glass when a young woman close to her age arrived. It was hard not to roll her eyes at her ridiculous question, and she focused her own mind back on the drink before her, wondering just how many it would take to numb herself entirely. Yet the more the stranger spoke, the more of Eleni’s attention she captured. By the time she made her inquiry of the barkeep, the troubled girl had forgotten her woes entirely, if only for a moment. Instead, she lifted a hand to signal the barkeep’s attention on herself. “Her drink is on me,” she said with a nod before turning her attention to the stranger before her.
“You have a wonderful gift,” she mused softly, with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes as the sorrow crept back into her with the lull of silence. “Thank you for sharing it with the world. I can only imagine the hearts that have been eased by such levity.” Distinctly not mentioning that one such was her own - even if only for a moment.
“That we could all be so carefree. The world would be a far more wondrous place.”
"Her drink is on me."
Anastasia had heard the line many a time before, but rarely was it carried by the fine timbre of a female voice. No, most times, the bard Anastasia was offered drinks by men roused by her tales, or more common still, aroused by her nubile body. It was, however, all too uncommon for her to indulge men in such an honour. No, Anastasia allowed them to hang on her words, to draw in and offer her coin and wrap their arm about her shoulders, only to end with their heart full of disappointment and their coin purse quite a bit lighter.
Spend some coins on me and let me take some of what's left. Let yourselves be pulled in and revel in the presence that is me.
She relished in every bit of it, from the joyous attention to the inevitable disappointment. But, in the moment, all of that was lost in the midst of her intrigue. While Anastasia was all alone, it was all too rare to find another woman in a similar state. Often traveling in groups or with a man, meeting a beautiful creature isolated as she was...
There was a story there. However, it was Ana's place to tell the stories. Rather than ask the girl she'd just met, she began to weave her own assumptions into tale. Perhaps she was a young widow drinking away her husband's fortunes? Or, a heartbroken young lady seeking solace in fables? Or, a vivacious young woman on the prowl for a like-minded woman to take to her bed? Anastasia doubted the last story, but... a girl could dream. The smile wove wider upon her lips as she listened to the girl speak.
Melancholy.
Anastasia could see it in the smile that only took place upon half of her face. It was a tragedy, for such a lovely face to be marred with such a mark. However, never would Anastasia tell a woman to wear a smile and hide their feelings. Never would she ask the root cause of her problems. The heart of another human being was an intensely personal thing, and while she was interested, sharing such things with a stranger was asinine. Even one's deepest relations and closest friends couldn't hope to know the full magnitude of what it was to be someone they weren't.
"Your praise is much appreciated, my dear," she answered, letting her lips curl into a wider smile, intent upon raising her goblet to her lips before she shook her head.
"Oh no, this is to you. To new faces, may they all find the levity that makes the world so wonderful," she added with a low giggle. Anastasia seemed to radiate a sort of joy about her, her wide smile matching her jovial motions.
Who wouldn't be happy when they have the freedom to rise and fall as they wish? Who wouldn't love the life that they lead, rather than the life they are assigned?
Freedom was a powerful thing, and it turned Calliope of Aetaea into the phoenix, Anastasia.
"You know my name, friend. Would you care to share yours? Would you join me tonight, and find that such entertainment need not be fleeting levity, but a lasting enjoyment?"
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"Her drink is on me."
Anastasia had heard the line many a time before, but rarely was it carried by the fine timbre of a female voice. No, most times, the bard Anastasia was offered drinks by men roused by her tales, or more common still, aroused by her nubile body. It was, however, all too uncommon for her to indulge men in such an honour. No, Anastasia allowed them to hang on her words, to draw in and offer her coin and wrap their arm about her shoulders, only to end with their heart full of disappointment and their coin purse quite a bit lighter.
Spend some coins on me and let me take some of what's left. Let yourselves be pulled in and revel in the presence that is me.
She relished in every bit of it, from the joyous attention to the inevitable disappointment. But, in the moment, all of that was lost in the midst of her intrigue. While Anastasia was all alone, it was all too rare to find another woman in a similar state. Often traveling in groups or with a man, meeting a beautiful creature isolated as she was...
There was a story there. However, it was Ana's place to tell the stories. Rather than ask the girl she'd just met, she began to weave her own assumptions into tale. Perhaps she was a young widow drinking away her husband's fortunes? Or, a heartbroken young lady seeking solace in fables? Or, a vivacious young woman on the prowl for a like-minded woman to take to her bed? Anastasia doubted the last story, but... a girl could dream. The smile wove wider upon her lips as she listened to the girl speak.
Melancholy.
Anastasia could see it in the smile that only took place upon half of her face. It was a tragedy, for such a lovely face to be marred with such a mark. However, never would Anastasia tell a woman to wear a smile and hide their feelings. Never would she ask the root cause of her problems. The heart of another human being was an intensely personal thing, and while she was interested, sharing such things with a stranger was asinine. Even one's deepest relations and closest friends couldn't hope to know the full magnitude of what it was to be someone they weren't.
"Your praise is much appreciated, my dear," she answered, letting her lips curl into a wider smile, intent upon raising her goblet to her lips before she shook her head.
"Oh no, this is to you. To new faces, may they all find the levity that makes the world so wonderful," she added with a low giggle. Anastasia seemed to radiate a sort of joy about her, her wide smile matching her jovial motions.
Who wouldn't be happy when they have the freedom to rise and fall as they wish? Who wouldn't love the life that they lead, rather than the life they are assigned?
Freedom was a powerful thing, and it turned Calliope of Aetaea into the phoenix, Anastasia.
"You know my name, friend. Would you care to share yours? Would you join me tonight, and find that such entertainment need not be fleeting levity, but a lasting enjoyment?"
"Her drink is on me."
Anastasia had heard the line many a time before, but rarely was it carried by the fine timbre of a female voice. No, most times, the bard Anastasia was offered drinks by men roused by her tales, or more common still, aroused by her nubile body. It was, however, all too uncommon for her to indulge men in such an honour. No, Anastasia allowed them to hang on her words, to draw in and offer her coin and wrap their arm about her shoulders, only to end with their heart full of disappointment and their coin purse quite a bit lighter.
Spend some coins on me and let me take some of what's left. Let yourselves be pulled in and revel in the presence that is me.
She relished in every bit of it, from the joyous attention to the inevitable disappointment. But, in the moment, all of that was lost in the midst of her intrigue. While Anastasia was all alone, it was all too rare to find another woman in a similar state. Often traveling in groups or with a man, meeting a beautiful creature isolated as she was...
There was a story there. However, it was Ana's place to tell the stories. Rather than ask the girl she'd just met, she began to weave her own assumptions into tale. Perhaps she was a young widow drinking away her husband's fortunes? Or, a heartbroken young lady seeking solace in fables? Or, a vivacious young woman on the prowl for a like-minded woman to take to her bed? Anastasia doubted the last story, but... a girl could dream. The smile wove wider upon her lips as she listened to the girl speak.
Melancholy.
Anastasia could see it in the smile that only took place upon half of her face. It was a tragedy, for such a lovely face to be marred with such a mark. However, never would Anastasia tell a woman to wear a smile and hide their feelings. Never would she ask the root cause of her problems. The heart of another human being was an intensely personal thing, and while she was interested, sharing such things with a stranger was asinine. Even one's deepest relations and closest friends couldn't hope to know the full magnitude of what it was to be someone they weren't.
"Your praise is much appreciated, my dear," she answered, letting her lips curl into a wider smile, intent upon raising her goblet to her lips before she shook her head.
"Oh no, this is to you. To new faces, may they all find the levity that makes the world so wonderful," she added with a low giggle. Anastasia seemed to radiate a sort of joy about her, her wide smile matching her jovial motions.
Who wouldn't be happy when they have the freedom to rise and fall as they wish? Who wouldn't love the life that they lead, rather than the life they are assigned?
Freedom was a powerful thing, and it turned Calliope of Aetaea into the phoenix, Anastasia.
"You know my name, friend. Would you care to share yours? Would you join me tonight, and find that such entertainment need not be fleeting levity, but a lasting enjoyment?"
For a moment, Eleni dared to wonder how she must appear to the doe-eyed young woman before her. She regretted that stray though nearly instantly however. She wasn’t deluded enough to believe herself anything but beautiful, but she been told all too often that while she appeared lovely on the outside, everyone who knew her found her to be hollow within. She wondered if it was obvious to a stranger as well. Or perhaps she was less hollow now that she was filled with true misery. Much as she tried to hide it, she feared she wasn’t succeeding as much as she hoped to.
So she focused her attention away from herself and the bleak melancholy that consumed her every moment. This Ana was a curious distraction, and right now, Eleni was in no position to turn away anything that might dull the pain of betrayal and heartbreak. Wine could only do so much on its own after all. She needed to discover something more, and perhaps her answer was right in front of her.
There was something about the young bard that made Eleni lips spread a hint wider when faced with Ana’s own smile. She lifted her glass of wine in toast, finding herself amazed by the woman before her. What might it be like to know a life of such boundless joy? How had Ana managed to survive all the wretchedness the world had to offer unscathed? Or had she managed to evade it all, living a life blessed with only merriment? It was far too late for Eleni to hope to achieve the same, yet a part of her couldn’t help but wonder. She dare not ask such a question though. Partly because it seemed too intimate, but mostly because she didn’t want to explain her own sullenness.
“I would love to see this world through your eyes, full of wonder.” The sentiment slipped out without thought, a mere whisper on her lips before she sipped at her wine. Had she ever been so carefree and filled with amazement at everything around her? Even thinking back to the years of her childhood, she struggled to recall any such feeling. Perhaps it was just her current predicament souring her memories, but knowing all she did of her family now... she had to wonder if she had simply thought things were far better than they ever were.
“My name is Eleni,” she offered with a small smile. “Truth be told, if you could teach me that, I would be forever grateful. I’ve found my life rather lacking in enjoyment as of late. It’s what brought me here tonight in the first place. Perhaps it was fate that I met you here.” She struggled to believe in such things - after all, if her own life was the product of fate, how could she find the gods anything but cruel? Still, it was a more pleasant thought than the ones that filled her mind recently. Tonight, she just wanted to be someone else.
Someone free.
“I would gladly join you.”
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For a moment, Eleni dared to wonder how she must appear to the doe-eyed young woman before her. She regretted that stray though nearly instantly however. She wasn’t deluded enough to believe herself anything but beautiful, but she been told all too often that while she appeared lovely on the outside, everyone who knew her found her to be hollow within. She wondered if it was obvious to a stranger as well. Or perhaps she was less hollow now that she was filled with true misery. Much as she tried to hide it, she feared she wasn’t succeeding as much as she hoped to.
So she focused her attention away from herself and the bleak melancholy that consumed her every moment. This Ana was a curious distraction, and right now, Eleni was in no position to turn away anything that might dull the pain of betrayal and heartbreak. Wine could only do so much on its own after all. She needed to discover something more, and perhaps her answer was right in front of her.
There was something about the young bard that made Eleni lips spread a hint wider when faced with Ana’s own smile. She lifted her glass of wine in toast, finding herself amazed by the woman before her. What might it be like to know a life of such boundless joy? How had Ana managed to survive all the wretchedness the world had to offer unscathed? Or had she managed to evade it all, living a life blessed with only merriment? It was far too late for Eleni to hope to achieve the same, yet a part of her couldn’t help but wonder. She dare not ask such a question though. Partly because it seemed too intimate, but mostly because she didn’t want to explain her own sullenness.
“I would love to see this world through your eyes, full of wonder.” The sentiment slipped out without thought, a mere whisper on her lips before she sipped at her wine. Had she ever been so carefree and filled with amazement at everything around her? Even thinking back to the years of her childhood, she struggled to recall any such feeling. Perhaps it was just her current predicament souring her memories, but knowing all she did of her family now... she had to wonder if she had simply thought things were far better than they ever were.
“My name is Eleni,” she offered with a small smile. “Truth be told, if you could teach me that, I would be forever grateful. I’ve found my life rather lacking in enjoyment as of late. It’s what brought me here tonight in the first place. Perhaps it was fate that I met you here.” She struggled to believe in such things - after all, if her own life was the product of fate, how could she find the gods anything but cruel? Still, it was a more pleasant thought than the ones that filled her mind recently. Tonight, she just wanted to be someone else.
Someone free.
“I would gladly join you.”
For a moment, Eleni dared to wonder how she must appear to the doe-eyed young woman before her. She regretted that stray though nearly instantly however. She wasn’t deluded enough to believe herself anything but beautiful, but she been told all too often that while she appeared lovely on the outside, everyone who knew her found her to be hollow within. She wondered if it was obvious to a stranger as well. Or perhaps she was less hollow now that she was filled with true misery. Much as she tried to hide it, she feared she wasn’t succeeding as much as she hoped to.
So she focused her attention away from herself and the bleak melancholy that consumed her every moment. This Ana was a curious distraction, and right now, Eleni was in no position to turn away anything that might dull the pain of betrayal and heartbreak. Wine could only do so much on its own after all. She needed to discover something more, and perhaps her answer was right in front of her.
There was something about the young bard that made Eleni lips spread a hint wider when faced with Ana’s own smile. She lifted her glass of wine in toast, finding herself amazed by the woman before her. What might it be like to know a life of such boundless joy? How had Ana managed to survive all the wretchedness the world had to offer unscathed? Or had she managed to evade it all, living a life blessed with only merriment? It was far too late for Eleni to hope to achieve the same, yet a part of her couldn’t help but wonder. She dare not ask such a question though. Partly because it seemed too intimate, but mostly because she didn’t want to explain her own sullenness.
“I would love to see this world through your eyes, full of wonder.” The sentiment slipped out without thought, a mere whisper on her lips before she sipped at her wine. Had she ever been so carefree and filled with amazement at everything around her? Even thinking back to the years of her childhood, she struggled to recall any such feeling. Perhaps it was just her current predicament souring her memories, but knowing all she did of her family now... she had to wonder if she had simply thought things were far better than they ever were.
“My name is Eleni,” she offered with a small smile. “Truth be told, if you could teach me that, I would be forever grateful. I’ve found my life rather lacking in enjoyment as of late. It’s what brought me here tonight in the first place. Perhaps it was fate that I met you here.” She struggled to believe in such things - after all, if her own life was the product of fate, how could she find the gods anything but cruel? Still, it was a more pleasant thought than the ones that filled her mind recently. Tonight, she just wanted to be someone else.
Someone free.
“I would gladly join you.”
The world was indeed a wretched place.
Anastasia's escape from a self that wore a similar face to Eleni was so very narrow. For a woman escaped from the world of pain and into a world of wonder, the memories were still so fresh. Just a few years had passed and while the bard wore her facade well, still she possessed the scars, the deep crevices within the mind that allowed her to fill with the misery of others. To be receptive was her professional interest, but to be empathetic... that was the due course of having lived in the space.
"I would love to see this world through your eyes, full of wonder."
I see the world as full of wonder because I have seen the abyss.
The realization that the reason Ana was capable of finding such joy in life was due to the horrors... it was a bitter one, indeed. But, in the same token, she reveled in it. While she hid from the past, she took on the new colours that the world gave off and sought to explore everything. Freedom purchased by stolen jewels and beautiful lies was the freedom she wanted, the freedom she needed. But, these facts weren't told aloud. She'd drown her past in a deluge of wine and the pleasures of the flesh, hoping that every day that passed served to further douse the memories until they dissolved into nothingness.
So far, it hadn't worked. So far, Calliope still haunted her dreams and Alector her nightmares. But, it didn't matter now. She tilted her head just slightly, listening to Eleni's answer to her and she nodded in understanding. A great believer in the machinations of the Fates and the benevolent manipulation of the Gods, the bard Anastasia saw the world in blessings and gifts that sought to combat the wretchedness that Pandora had wrought into humanity. Where the jar was open and the negativity of humanity persisted, there was so much to look towards as distraction and deliverer of purpose.
"Eleni," she breathed out, letting the playful tone suffuse the three syllables spoken out. While Anastasia did not mean to sound flirtatious, the practised cadence seemed to carry a sultry nature to it that would not be dissuaded by looking into her eyes. Hazel hues held a distinct fascination in them, and she held Eleni's gaze for a moment before she tipped back her head, bringing the bronze of her goblet to her lips and allowing the sanguine fluid to pour down her throat.
A soft moan rumbled against her lips at the taste. She could never quite get over just how superior the Condos wine was to any Athenian tinctures she'd had in her life time. The watchful curating of Dionysus was apparent in every sip, and it was but another thing she could be thankful for here. Ana paused in a moment of thought before she rose to her feet in an easy motion. She took Eleni's hand in her own before she bent forward to breathe into her ear,
"Then let's enjoy ourselves, Eleni dear. Rise with me. Drink with me and let the rigors of the world fall away."
She felt her lips stretch into a grin as she tapped on the counter, ushering for the barkeeper to refill hers and Eleni's goblet.
"Have you heard of the Muses, Eleni? In my lifetime, I've been hailed among their number many a time. If it helps, let me be your muse. Forget everything else and follow me into the night," she said, tugging gently on the girl's wrist to get her to rise to her feet. If she did, Anastasia would take a step back. She swayed gently, shifting her feet beneath her as she spun in a tight circle. Then, she flung an arm around her new friend's shoulders to whisper in her ear,
"We could play a game, if you'd like."
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The world was indeed a wretched place.
Anastasia's escape from a self that wore a similar face to Eleni was so very narrow. For a woman escaped from the world of pain and into a world of wonder, the memories were still so fresh. Just a few years had passed and while the bard wore her facade well, still she possessed the scars, the deep crevices within the mind that allowed her to fill with the misery of others. To be receptive was her professional interest, but to be empathetic... that was the due course of having lived in the space.
"I would love to see this world through your eyes, full of wonder."
I see the world as full of wonder because I have seen the abyss.
The realization that the reason Ana was capable of finding such joy in life was due to the horrors... it was a bitter one, indeed. But, in the same token, she reveled in it. While she hid from the past, she took on the new colours that the world gave off and sought to explore everything. Freedom purchased by stolen jewels and beautiful lies was the freedom she wanted, the freedom she needed. But, these facts weren't told aloud. She'd drown her past in a deluge of wine and the pleasures of the flesh, hoping that every day that passed served to further douse the memories until they dissolved into nothingness.
So far, it hadn't worked. So far, Calliope still haunted her dreams and Alector her nightmares. But, it didn't matter now. She tilted her head just slightly, listening to Eleni's answer to her and she nodded in understanding. A great believer in the machinations of the Fates and the benevolent manipulation of the Gods, the bard Anastasia saw the world in blessings and gifts that sought to combat the wretchedness that Pandora had wrought into humanity. Where the jar was open and the negativity of humanity persisted, there was so much to look towards as distraction and deliverer of purpose.
"Eleni," she breathed out, letting the playful tone suffuse the three syllables spoken out. While Anastasia did not mean to sound flirtatious, the practised cadence seemed to carry a sultry nature to it that would not be dissuaded by looking into her eyes. Hazel hues held a distinct fascination in them, and she held Eleni's gaze for a moment before she tipped back her head, bringing the bronze of her goblet to her lips and allowing the sanguine fluid to pour down her throat.
A soft moan rumbled against her lips at the taste. She could never quite get over just how superior the Condos wine was to any Athenian tinctures she'd had in her life time. The watchful curating of Dionysus was apparent in every sip, and it was but another thing she could be thankful for here. Ana paused in a moment of thought before she rose to her feet in an easy motion. She took Eleni's hand in her own before she bent forward to breathe into her ear,
"Then let's enjoy ourselves, Eleni dear. Rise with me. Drink with me and let the rigors of the world fall away."
She felt her lips stretch into a grin as she tapped on the counter, ushering for the barkeeper to refill hers and Eleni's goblet.
"Have you heard of the Muses, Eleni? In my lifetime, I've been hailed among their number many a time. If it helps, let me be your muse. Forget everything else and follow me into the night," she said, tugging gently on the girl's wrist to get her to rise to her feet. If she did, Anastasia would take a step back. She swayed gently, shifting her feet beneath her as she spun in a tight circle. Then, she flung an arm around her new friend's shoulders to whisper in her ear,
"We could play a game, if you'd like."
The world was indeed a wretched place.
Anastasia's escape from a self that wore a similar face to Eleni was so very narrow. For a woman escaped from the world of pain and into a world of wonder, the memories were still so fresh. Just a few years had passed and while the bard wore her facade well, still she possessed the scars, the deep crevices within the mind that allowed her to fill with the misery of others. To be receptive was her professional interest, but to be empathetic... that was the due course of having lived in the space.
"I would love to see this world through your eyes, full of wonder."
I see the world as full of wonder because I have seen the abyss.
The realization that the reason Ana was capable of finding such joy in life was due to the horrors... it was a bitter one, indeed. But, in the same token, she reveled in it. While she hid from the past, she took on the new colours that the world gave off and sought to explore everything. Freedom purchased by stolen jewels and beautiful lies was the freedom she wanted, the freedom she needed. But, these facts weren't told aloud. She'd drown her past in a deluge of wine and the pleasures of the flesh, hoping that every day that passed served to further douse the memories until they dissolved into nothingness.
So far, it hadn't worked. So far, Calliope still haunted her dreams and Alector her nightmares. But, it didn't matter now. She tilted her head just slightly, listening to Eleni's answer to her and she nodded in understanding. A great believer in the machinations of the Fates and the benevolent manipulation of the Gods, the bard Anastasia saw the world in blessings and gifts that sought to combat the wretchedness that Pandora had wrought into humanity. Where the jar was open and the negativity of humanity persisted, there was so much to look towards as distraction and deliverer of purpose.
"Eleni," she breathed out, letting the playful tone suffuse the three syllables spoken out. While Anastasia did not mean to sound flirtatious, the practised cadence seemed to carry a sultry nature to it that would not be dissuaded by looking into her eyes. Hazel hues held a distinct fascination in them, and she held Eleni's gaze for a moment before she tipped back her head, bringing the bronze of her goblet to her lips and allowing the sanguine fluid to pour down her throat.
A soft moan rumbled against her lips at the taste. She could never quite get over just how superior the Condos wine was to any Athenian tinctures she'd had in her life time. The watchful curating of Dionysus was apparent in every sip, and it was but another thing she could be thankful for here. Ana paused in a moment of thought before she rose to her feet in an easy motion. She took Eleni's hand in her own before she bent forward to breathe into her ear,
"Then let's enjoy ourselves, Eleni dear. Rise with me. Drink with me and let the rigors of the world fall away."
She felt her lips stretch into a grin as she tapped on the counter, ushering for the barkeeper to refill hers and Eleni's goblet.
"Have you heard of the Muses, Eleni? In my lifetime, I've been hailed among their number many a time. If it helps, let me be your muse. Forget everything else and follow me into the night," she said, tugging gently on the girl's wrist to get her to rise to her feet. If she did, Anastasia would take a step back. She swayed gently, shifting her feet beneath her as she spun in a tight circle. Then, she flung an arm around her new friend's shoulders to whisper in her ear,
"We could play a game, if you'd like."
Her eyes widened slightly at the way her name sounded on the bard’s lips. How had she believed that Myron had ever loved her when a stranger said her name with more affection than he ever had? How had she ever fallen for his lies? She hastily pushed those thoughts away. He didn’t matter anymore. He was history. She had come here to forget him, not dwell on the memories of her stupidity. As for Ana, well, of course, she was a bard by trade - the way she spoke was literally her job. Still, that didn’t stop the young woman’s pale skin from suddenly flushing.
Eleni quickly followed suit, swallowing down her wine in an effort to regain her composure, even if she was unsure just what it was that had truly flustered her. The rich flavor of the wine was enough to ease her nerves, closing her eyes as she savored the flavor. Her eyes opened slightly as she heard her companion’s soft moan of enjoyment. She couldn’t help the small smile that spread across her lips. After all, her family’s life revolved around wine. There was a degree of pride in knowing that Tangean vineyards produced the best in all Greece.
She placed her now empty goblet aside, watching the young bard carefully, wondering just what was going through her mind. Her eyes widened slightly as she suddenly stood, grasping at Eleni’s hand. For a moment she could simply stare, transfixed at the woman before her who seemed like some sort of dream made flesh. “Can it really be so simple?” she asked softly, a trace of fear in her voice. Afraid she would fail at something else, prove a further disappointment. Perhaps her mother and lover were right about her. Yet if she couldn’t even succeed at being the shallow, worthless person they described... what did that leave her?
A light tug brought the heartbroken girl to her feet, breaking her free of the dark thoughts that had begun to ensnare her once more. She listened as the bard spoke of the Muses and reiterated her offer - forget all else and follow her to inspiration. A smile came unbidden to her lips as she watched the bard twirl in a tight circle.
Somehow, Ana had a way of spreading joy that surely had to be divine in nature.
“Yes.” The word fell from her lips in a whisper so soft, she almost wasn’t sure she had spoken aloud. She had no idea what the night might hold, but she couldn’t deny this offer. It was exactly what she needed - what she had prayed for. Perhaps Ana was a goddess in disguise, or a divine-touched soul sent to do the works of the Gods. It mattered not. This might be her only opportunity to bring light back into her life.
“Yes,” she repeated, her voice stronger now, more sure. “I will follow you. Teach me to forget, to be free.” The more she spoke, the more she felt her heart lighten and her smile finally seemed to reach her eyes.
“A game? How do we play?”
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Her eyes widened slightly at the way her name sounded on the bard’s lips. How had she believed that Myron had ever loved her when a stranger said her name with more affection than he ever had? How had she ever fallen for his lies? She hastily pushed those thoughts away. He didn’t matter anymore. He was history. She had come here to forget him, not dwell on the memories of her stupidity. As for Ana, well, of course, she was a bard by trade - the way she spoke was literally her job. Still, that didn’t stop the young woman’s pale skin from suddenly flushing.
Eleni quickly followed suit, swallowing down her wine in an effort to regain her composure, even if she was unsure just what it was that had truly flustered her. The rich flavor of the wine was enough to ease her nerves, closing her eyes as she savored the flavor. Her eyes opened slightly as she heard her companion’s soft moan of enjoyment. She couldn’t help the small smile that spread across her lips. After all, her family’s life revolved around wine. There was a degree of pride in knowing that Tangean vineyards produced the best in all Greece.
She placed her now empty goblet aside, watching the young bard carefully, wondering just what was going through her mind. Her eyes widened slightly as she suddenly stood, grasping at Eleni’s hand. For a moment she could simply stare, transfixed at the woman before her who seemed like some sort of dream made flesh. “Can it really be so simple?” she asked softly, a trace of fear in her voice. Afraid she would fail at something else, prove a further disappointment. Perhaps her mother and lover were right about her. Yet if she couldn’t even succeed at being the shallow, worthless person they described... what did that leave her?
A light tug brought the heartbroken girl to her feet, breaking her free of the dark thoughts that had begun to ensnare her once more. She listened as the bard spoke of the Muses and reiterated her offer - forget all else and follow her to inspiration. A smile came unbidden to her lips as she watched the bard twirl in a tight circle.
Somehow, Ana had a way of spreading joy that surely had to be divine in nature.
“Yes.” The word fell from her lips in a whisper so soft, she almost wasn’t sure she had spoken aloud. She had no idea what the night might hold, but she couldn’t deny this offer. It was exactly what she needed - what she had prayed for. Perhaps Ana was a goddess in disguise, or a divine-touched soul sent to do the works of the Gods. It mattered not. This might be her only opportunity to bring light back into her life.
“Yes,” she repeated, her voice stronger now, more sure. “I will follow you. Teach me to forget, to be free.” The more she spoke, the more she felt her heart lighten and her smile finally seemed to reach her eyes.
“A game? How do we play?”
Her eyes widened slightly at the way her name sounded on the bard’s lips. How had she believed that Myron had ever loved her when a stranger said her name with more affection than he ever had? How had she ever fallen for his lies? She hastily pushed those thoughts away. He didn’t matter anymore. He was history. She had come here to forget him, not dwell on the memories of her stupidity. As for Ana, well, of course, she was a bard by trade - the way she spoke was literally her job. Still, that didn’t stop the young woman’s pale skin from suddenly flushing.
Eleni quickly followed suit, swallowing down her wine in an effort to regain her composure, even if she was unsure just what it was that had truly flustered her. The rich flavor of the wine was enough to ease her nerves, closing her eyes as she savored the flavor. Her eyes opened slightly as she heard her companion’s soft moan of enjoyment. She couldn’t help the small smile that spread across her lips. After all, her family’s life revolved around wine. There was a degree of pride in knowing that Tangean vineyards produced the best in all Greece.
She placed her now empty goblet aside, watching the young bard carefully, wondering just what was going through her mind. Her eyes widened slightly as she suddenly stood, grasping at Eleni’s hand. For a moment she could simply stare, transfixed at the woman before her who seemed like some sort of dream made flesh. “Can it really be so simple?” she asked softly, a trace of fear in her voice. Afraid she would fail at something else, prove a further disappointment. Perhaps her mother and lover were right about her. Yet if she couldn’t even succeed at being the shallow, worthless person they described... what did that leave her?
A light tug brought the heartbroken girl to her feet, breaking her free of the dark thoughts that had begun to ensnare her once more. She listened as the bard spoke of the Muses and reiterated her offer - forget all else and follow her to inspiration. A smile came unbidden to her lips as she watched the bard twirl in a tight circle.
Somehow, Ana had a way of spreading joy that surely had to be divine in nature.
“Yes.” The word fell from her lips in a whisper so soft, she almost wasn’t sure she had spoken aloud. She had no idea what the night might hold, but she couldn’t deny this offer. It was exactly what she needed - what she had prayed for. Perhaps Ana was a goddess in disguise, or a divine-touched soul sent to do the works of the Gods. It mattered not. This might be her only opportunity to bring light back into her life.
“Yes,” she repeated, her voice stronger now, more sure. “I will follow you. Teach me to forget, to be free.” The more she spoke, the more she felt her heart lighten and her smile finally seemed to reach her eyes.
“A game? How do we play?”
The shift in Eleni's expression was such an endearing thing. It was quite obvious that something weighed on the girl, something that, perhaps, Anastasia could help her with. Was it not very long ago that Euterpe of Midas had brought her back from the abyss? While it scarcely seemed that Eleni was so far gone, Anastasia was distinctly aware of that somberness in her expression, in how she flushed at the pronunciation of her name... clearly there was something on Eleni's mind and it was Anastasia's prerogative to cleanse her palate for her.
It was a decadent thing, seeing Eleni catch her expression, attempt to put herself back together. While the facade was something Ana could respect, she'd seen the pain in her eyes and in the tone of her voice, and then, when that low moan parted Ana's lips, she saw the smile begin to swell. She reveled in it, the simplicity of it all. The subtle shift in expression, then the movement of her eyes anew when Anastasia rose and took hold of her hand. The bard couldn't help but find herself magnetized, both by the young woman who she held a burgeoning attraction for and the wandered soul that she couldn't help but find some sort of kinship with.
Suffering is its own sort of lesson. But overcoming it is the reward, she mused as the soft question escaped Eleni's lips. She seemed less and less capable of keeping her facade, unable to keep the question from being posed with that atrocious fear in her voice. How Ana wanted to embrace her... but that would be an irrevocable invitation that would cause division rather than foster what she wanted for Eleni. Freedom was the sweeter reward than the clash of lips and the brush of flesh. Here, she sought for Eleni to learn something that Anastasia herself learned.
And it was a struggle to keep that lesson in her heart. Still, she awoke from nightmares that plagued her. Still, she shied away from men that would seek to truly know her. She kept smiles on the faces of the world yet kept half of it at arm's distance, fear the hypocrisy that she sought to remove from Eleni while harbouring it in herself. But, she let the thoughts wither away, sensing the burgeoning strength in Eleni's voice and the reverie that seemed to embolden her. Then, she agreed and asked Ana to teach her, bringing a grin to the bard's lips as she answered,
"We're going to play a drinking game, my dear. The terms are very simple, and the consequences as like."
She turned away from Eleni for just a moment. She surveyed her surroundings, a cozy tavern with staying rooms in the upper level. Anastasia wasn't yet sold on whether she'd stay here another night or she'd wander over to another place. The night made for easiest travel within Vasiliadon. At least, for those who didn't fear for their safety. Time and the constant worship of Hermes through movement honed Anastasia into a capable athlete, and trouble was simple enough for her to dodge. It aided in her more nefarious pursuits, as well. She chuckled at the thought of being robbed for the briefest of moments before returning to what was truly important.
"A game of tells, if you will. Between you and I," she mused. Then, she pressed just slightly forward. She let fingers brush along the ends of Eleni's lovely blonde tresses before she said,
"We'll press one another to show any sort of reaction. Laughter is the most obvious one. Whomever loses has to drain their drink and buy the next round. Does that sound acceptable?"
Anastasia's lips curved into a polite smile as her hand dipped, poking playfully at the other girl's kneecap before she spun and set herself back into her chair.
"Or, we could leave and try to find some fun on the town, hm? Does lovely Eleni like a night time walk?"
Truly, the bard wasn't fussed. It'd be amusing to tease the young woman and try to draw further smiles from her, but she could do that anywhere.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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The shift in Eleni's expression was such an endearing thing. It was quite obvious that something weighed on the girl, something that, perhaps, Anastasia could help her with. Was it not very long ago that Euterpe of Midas had brought her back from the abyss? While it scarcely seemed that Eleni was so far gone, Anastasia was distinctly aware of that somberness in her expression, in how she flushed at the pronunciation of her name... clearly there was something on Eleni's mind and it was Anastasia's prerogative to cleanse her palate for her.
It was a decadent thing, seeing Eleni catch her expression, attempt to put herself back together. While the facade was something Ana could respect, she'd seen the pain in her eyes and in the tone of her voice, and then, when that low moan parted Ana's lips, she saw the smile begin to swell. She reveled in it, the simplicity of it all. The subtle shift in expression, then the movement of her eyes anew when Anastasia rose and took hold of her hand. The bard couldn't help but find herself magnetized, both by the young woman who she held a burgeoning attraction for and the wandered soul that she couldn't help but find some sort of kinship with.
Suffering is its own sort of lesson. But overcoming it is the reward, she mused as the soft question escaped Eleni's lips. She seemed less and less capable of keeping her facade, unable to keep the question from being posed with that atrocious fear in her voice. How Ana wanted to embrace her... but that would be an irrevocable invitation that would cause division rather than foster what she wanted for Eleni. Freedom was the sweeter reward than the clash of lips and the brush of flesh. Here, she sought for Eleni to learn something that Anastasia herself learned.
And it was a struggle to keep that lesson in her heart. Still, she awoke from nightmares that plagued her. Still, she shied away from men that would seek to truly know her. She kept smiles on the faces of the world yet kept half of it at arm's distance, fear the hypocrisy that she sought to remove from Eleni while harbouring it in herself. But, she let the thoughts wither away, sensing the burgeoning strength in Eleni's voice and the reverie that seemed to embolden her. Then, she agreed and asked Ana to teach her, bringing a grin to the bard's lips as she answered,
"We're going to play a drinking game, my dear. The terms are very simple, and the consequences as like."
She turned away from Eleni for just a moment. She surveyed her surroundings, a cozy tavern with staying rooms in the upper level. Anastasia wasn't yet sold on whether she'd stay here another night or she'd wander over to another place. The night made for easiest travel within Vasiliadon. At least, for those who didn't fear for their safety. Time and the constant worship of Hermes through movement honed Anastasia into a capable athlete, and trouble was simple enough for her to dodge. It aided in her more nefarious pursuits, as well. She chuckled at the thought of being robbed for the briefest of moments before returning to what was truly important.
"A game of tells, if you will. Between you and I," she mused. Then, she pressed just slightly forward. She let fingers brush along the ends of Eleni's lovely blonde tresses before she said,
"We'll press one another to show any sort of reaction. Laughter is the most obvious one. Whomever loses has to drain their drink and buy the next round. Does that sound acceptable?"
Anastasia's lips curved into a polite smile as her hand dipped, poking playfully at the other girl's kneecap before she spun and set herself back into her chair.
"Or, we could leave and try to find some fun on the town, hm? Does lovely Eleni like a night time walk?"
Truly, the bard wasn't fussed. It'd be amusing to tease the young woman and try to draw further smiles from her, but she could do that anywhere.
The shift in Eleni's expression was such an endearing thing. It was quite obvious that something weighed on the girl, something that, perhaps, Anastasia could help her with. Was it not very long ago that Euterpe of Midas had brought her back from the abyss? While it scarcely seemed that Eleni was so far gone, Anastasia was distinctly aware of that somberness in her expression, in how she flushed at the pronunciation of her name... clearly there was something on Eleni's mind and it was Anastasia's prerogative to cleanse her palate for her.
It was a decadent thing, seeing Eleni catch her expression, attempt to put herself back together. While the facade was something Ana could respect, she'd seen the pain in her eyes and in the tone of her voice, and then, when that low moan parted Ana's lips, she saw the smile begin to swell. She reveled in it, the simplicity of it all. The subtle shift in expression, then the movement of her eyes anew when Anastasia rose and took hold of her hand. The bard couldn't help but find herself magnetized, both by the young woman who she held a burgeoning attraction for and the wandered soul that she couldn't help but find some sort of kinship with.
Suffering is its own sort of lesson. But overcoming it is the reward, she mused as the soft question escaped Eleni's lips. She seemed less and less capable of keeping her facade, unable to keep the question from being posed with that atrocious fear in her voice. How Ana wanted to embrace her... but that would be an irrevocable invitation that would cause division rather than foster what she wanted for Eleni. Freedom was the sweeter reward than the clash of lips and the brush of flesh. Here, she sought for Eleni to learn something that Anastasia herself learned.
And it was a struggle to keep that lesson in her heart. Still, she awoke from nightmares that plagued her. Still, she shied away from men that would seek to truly know her. She kept smiles on the faces of the world yet kept half of it at arm's distance, fear the hypocrisy that she sought to remove from Eleni while harbouring it in herself. But, she let the thoughts wither away, sensing the burgeoning strength in Eleni's voice and the reverie that seemed to embolden her. Then, she agreed and asked Ana to teach her, bringing a grin to the bard's lips as she answered,
"We're going to play a drinking game, my dear. The terms are very simple, and the consequences as like."
She turned away from Eleni for just a moment. She surveyed her surroundings, a cozy tavern with staying rooms in the upper level. Anastasia wasn't yet sold on whether she'd stay here another night or she'd wander over to another place. The night made for easiest travel within Vasiliadon. At least, for those who didn't fear for their safety. Time and the constant worship of Hermes through movement honed Anastasia into a capable athlete, and trouble was simple enough for her to dodge. It aided in her more nefarious pursuits, as well. She chuckled at the thought of being robbed for the briefest of moments before returning to what was truly important.
"A game of tells, if you will. Between you and I," she mused. Then, she pressed just slightly forward. She let fingers brush along the ends of Eleni's lovely blonde tresses before she said,
"We'll press one another to show any sort of reaction. Laughter is the most obvious one. Whomever loses has to drain their drink and buy the next round. Does that sound acceptable?"
Anastasia's lips curved into a polite smile as her hand dipped, poking playfully at the other girl's kneecap before she spun and set herself back into her chair.
"Or, we could leave and try to find some fun on the town, hm? Does lovely Eleni like a night time walk?"
Truly, the bard wasn't fussed. It'd be amusing to tease the young woman and try to draw further smiles from her, but she could do that anywhere.
Eleni truly had no idea what the bard might have in mind for her, but truth be told, the details mattered little. Anything had to be better than sitting here, drowning her sorrows, reliving the moments that destroyed her heart and feeling sorry for herself. No matter how crazy or out of her comfort zone it might be, surely it would be worth it. If only so she could feel something more than the shadow that seemed to cling to her every moment.
Perhaps she would finally feel as though she could breathe again.
Whatever the case, this Anastasia seemed to have the secret figured out, and at this point, Eleni would give anything for even a night free and numb to the burden of these terrible emotions. Her eyebrows raised as she mentioned a drinking game. She had drank plenty in her youth - after all, wine was her family’s business - but never had it been a game before.
She found herself unconsciously leaning forward, closer to the bard, eyes wide with curiosity. How would such a game work? She listened eagerly, blushing a little as the beautiful young woman reached out to lightly touch her blonde curls. She nodded without thinking, eager to play the game. But as she finally processed the words, her brow creased slightly. Clearly the goal was to avoid reaction, but there was one thing that puzzled her still. “Press each other how?” she blurted out.
It was the silliest thing really. Lovely was such a simple, polite compliment. Yet that someone had been kind enough to use it to describe her made her flush and bow her head with a small shake. “Well yes, I do, but later. I want to play the game,” she insisted. She had never done anything like this before, which only made it all the more appealing. Perhaps it might somehow be the secret she needed to break free from her melancholy. Her expression was determined, if perhaps with just a tiny hint of nerves beneath.
“So how do we begin?”
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Eleni truly had no idea what the bard might have in mind for her, but truth be told, the details mattered little. Anything had to be better than sitting here, drowning her sorrows, reliving the moments that destroyed her heart and feeling sorry for herself. No matter how crazy or out of her comfort zone it might be, surely it would be worth it. If only so she could feel something more than the shadow that seemed to cling to her every moment.
Perhaps she would finally feel as though she could breathe again.
Whatever the case, this Anastasia seemed to have the secret figured out, and at this point, Eleni would give anything for even a night free and numb to the burden of these terrible emotions. Her eyebrows raised as she mentioned a drinking game. She had drank plenty in her youth - after all, wine was her family’s business - but never had it been a game before.
She found herself unconsciously leaning forward, closer to the bard, eyes wide with curiosity. How would such a game work? She listened eagerly, blushing a little as the beautiful young woman reached out to lightly touch her blonde curls. She nodded without thinking, eager to play the game. But as she finally processed the words, her brow creased slightly. Clearly the goal was to avoid reaction, but there was one thing that puzzled her still. “Press each other how?” she blurted out.
It was the silliest thing really. Lovely was such a simple, polite compliment. Yet that someone had been kind enough to use it to describe her made her flush and bow her head with a small shake. “Well yes, I do, but later. I want to play the game,” she insisted. She had never done anything like this before, which only made it all the more appealing. Perhaps it might somehow be the secret she needed to break free from her melancholy. Her expression was determined, if perhaps with just a tiny hint of nerves beneath.
“So how do we begin?”
Eleni truly had no idea what the bard might have in mind for her, but truth be told, the details mattered little. Anything had to be better than sitting here, drowning her sorrows, reliving the moments that destroyed her heart and feeling sorry for herself. No matter how crazy or out of her comfort zone it might be, surely it would be worth it. If only so she could feel something more than the shadow that seemed to cling to her every moment.
Perhaps she would finally feel as though she could breathe again.
Whatever the case, this Anastasia seemed to have the secret figured out, and at this point, Eleni would give anything for even a night free and numb to the burden of these terrible emotions. Her eyebrows raised as she mentioned a drinking game. She had drank plenty in her youth - after all, wine was her family’s business - but never had it been a game before.
She found herself unconsciously leaning forward, closer to the bard, eyes wide with curiosity. How would such a game work? She listened eagerly, blushing a little as the beautiful young woman reached out to lightly touch her blonde curls. She nodded without thinking, eager to play the game. But as she finally processed the words, her brow creased slightly. Clearly the goal was to avoid reaction, but there was one thing that puzzled her still. “Press each other how?” she blurted out.
It was the silliest thing really. Lovely was such a simple, polite compliment. Yet that someone had been kind enough to use it to describe her made her flush and bow her head with a small shake. “Well yes, I do, but later. I want to play the game,” she insisted. She had never done anything like this before, which only made it all the more appealing. Perhaps it might somehow be the secret she needed to break free from her melancholy. Her expression was determined, if perhaps with just a tiny hint of nerves beneath.
“So how do we begin?”
The curiosity in Eleni's eyes was exactly what Anastasia was after in her. To replace the distant, deadened gaze, the sort of untold misery that lived within the girl. So many people seemed to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Mortals could not and should not bear the weight that only a God-like being such as Atlas was capable of holding. It was a terrible thing, how emotions could age someone, could render their souls hollow and hunch their backs. Anastasia, while she hid from her own world, felt the liberation of that weight. Life, for her, was not without its problems, but nevertheless, it also did not need to be so miserable. Happiness was Ana's to pursue, it was for Eleni to pursue, and she'd try to keep the smile upon her features.
The blush set upon her features was an amusing thing, a curiosity that she sought to satisfy further still. She posed her question, blurting it out without thought and an 'ah' of satisfaction escaped her lips. She reveled in it... it was perhaps the closest that Anastasia could reach to a sadistic nature. She was so gleeful in Eleni's reactions, and certainly, her insistence to play the game would be met with nothing but acquiescence. Anastasia allowed one last, vibrant smile to cast upon her lips. She shifted again in her chair, leaning forward to brush her lips ever so gently against Eleni's ear. The motion, while innately flirtatious, was not entirely intended to be seductive.
To seduce this woman would not serve to lighten the load on her soul. Regardless of Anastasia's own feelings on the matter, she abstained, but kept close enough to toy with her ever so slightly. Cool breath brushed along Eleni's neck as she whispered in her ear,
"I will begin a countdown, take the time to school your expression. That lovely smile of yours, while a dazzling sight, will serve only to disqualify you," she warned. Then, Anastasia counted slowly, from five down to one, each utterance drawing her further away from Eleni until their gazes met from the short distance away. The last second had Anastasia winking at the woman before she said,
"I'll make the first move," she said. Then, she fell silent. Her expression kept to poised neutrality, though her gaze was fixed directly upon Eleni. A hand shifted from her own lap, catching Eleni by the knee as slowly, the gentle caress of her fingertips crawled along the woman's thigh. Little by little, it played higher, the touch playful but never drawing too high as to cross a line she set for herself. The nails danced along her skin, those hazel eyes intent upon Eleni, as if boring deep within her, mirth laden within them if one ventured far enough into that gaze. Then, she drew back her hand. Whether or not Eleni drew a reaction, the woman leaned back. She raised both of her hands, before setting them on the table.
The chuckle threatened to break past her lips, but she abstained, offering a polite nod in Eleni's direction before she finally answered,
"We press each other however it occurs to you to do so. The only rule is that you cannot smile, laugh or make any sort of expression. Tell jokes, touch... sounds. Try to scare me, astound me, amuse me... But whatever you do, it cannot involve your face."
Game on, lovely lady.
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The curiosity in Eleni's eyes was exactly what Anastasia was after in her. To replace the distant, deadened gaze, the sort of untold misery that lived within the girl. So many people seemed to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Mortals could not and should not bear the weight that only a God-like being such as Atlas was capable of holding. It was a terrible thing, how emotions could age someone, could render their souls hollow and hunch their backs. Anastasia, while she hid from her own world, felt the liberation of that weight. Life, for her, was not without its problems, but nevertheless, it also did not need to be so miserable. Happiness was Ana's to pursue, it was for Eleni to pursue, and she'd try to keep the smile upon her features.
The blush set upon her features was an amusing thing, a curiosity that she sought to satisfy further still. She posed her question, blurting it out without thought and an 'ah' of satisfaction escaped her lips. She reveled in it... it was perhaps the closest that Anastasia could reach to a sadistic nature. She was so gleeful in Eleni's reactions, and certainly, her insistence to play the game would be met with nothing but acquiescence. Anastasia allowed one last, vibrant smile to cast upon her lips. She shifted again in her chair, leaning forward to brush her lips ever so gently against Eleni's ear. The motion, while innately flirtatious, was not entirely intended to be seductive.
To seduce this woman would not serve to lighten the load on her soul. Regardless of Anastasia's own feelings on the matter, she abstained, but kept close enough to toy with her ever so slightly. Cool breath brushed along Eleni's neck as she whispered in her ear,
"I will begin a countdown, take the time to school your expression. That lovely smile of yours, while a dazzling sight, will serve only to disqualify you," she warned. Then, Anastasia counted slowly, from five down to one, each utterance drawing her further away from Eleni until their gazes met from the short distance away. The last second had Anastasia winking at the woman before she said,
"I'll make the first move," she said. Then, she fell silent. Her expression kept to poised neutrality, though her gaze was fixed directly upon Eleni. A hand shifted from her own lap, catching Eleni by the knee as slowly, the gentle caress of her fingertips crawled along the woman's thigh. Little by little, it played higher, the touch playful but never drawing too high as to cross a line she set for herself. The nails danced along her skin, those hazel eyes intent upon Eleni, as if boring deep within her, mirth laden within them if one ventured far enough into that gaze. Then, she drew back her hand. Whether or not Eleni drew a reaction, the woman leaned back. She raised both of her hands, before setting them on the table.
The chuckle threatened to break past her lips, but she abstained, offering a polite nod in Eleni's direction before she finally answered,
"We press each other however it occurs to you to do so. The only rule is that you cannot smile, laugh or make any sort of expression. Tell jokes, touch... sounds. Try to scare me, astound me, amuse me... But whatever you do, it cannot involve your face."
Game on, lovely lady.
The curiosity in Eleni's eyes was exactly what Anastasia was after in her. To replace the distant, deadened gaze, the sort of untold misery that lived within the girl. So many people seemed to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Mortals could not and should not bear the weight that only a God-like being such as Atlas was capable of holding. It was a terrible thing, how emotions could age someone, could render their souls hollow and hunch their backs. Anastasia, while she hid from her own world, felt the liberation of that weight. Life, for her, was not without its problems, but nevertheless, it also did not need to be so miserable. Happiness was Ana's to pursue, it was for Eleni to pursue, and she'd try to keep the smile upon her features.
The blush set upon her features was an amusing thing, a curiosity that she sought to satisfy further still. She posed her question, blurting it out without thought and an 'ah' of satisfaction escaped her lips. She reveled in it... it was perhaps the closest that Anastasia could reach to a sadistic nature. She was so gleeful in Eleni's reactions, and certainly, her insistence to play the game would be met with nothing but acquiescence. Anastasia allowed one last, vibrant smile to cast upon her lips. She shifted again in her chair, leaning forward to brush her lips ever so gently against Eleni's ear. The motion, while innately flirtatious, was not entirely intended to be seductive.
To seduce this woman would not serve to lighten the load on her soul. Regardless of Anastasia's own feelings on the matter, she abstained, but kept close enough to toy with her ever so slightly. Cool breath brushed along Eleni's neck as she whispered in her ear,
"I will begin a countdown, take the time to school your expression. That lovely smile of yours, while a dazzling sight, will serve only to disqualify you," she warned. Then, Anastasia counted slowly, from five down to one, each utterance drawing her further away from Eleni until their gazes met from the short distance away. The last second had Anastasia winking at the woman before she said,
"I'll make the first move," she said. Then, she fell silent. Her expression kept to poised neutrality, though her gaze was fixed directly upon Eleni. A hand shifted from her own lap, catching Eleni by the knee as slowly, the gentle caress of her fingertips crawled along the woman's thigh. Little by little, it played higher, the touch playful but never drawing too high as to cross a line she set for herself. The nails danced along her skin, those hazel eyes intent upon Eleni, as if boring deep within her, mirth laden within them if one ventured far enough into that gaze. Then, she drew back her hand. Whether or not Eleni drew a reaction, the woman leaned back. She raised both of her hands, before setting them on the table.
The chuckle threatened to break past her lips, but she abstained, offering a polite nod in Eleni's direction before she finally answered,
"We press each other however it occurs to you to do so. The only rule is that you cannot smile, laugh or make any sort of expression. Tell jokes, touch... sounds. Try to scare me, astound me, amuse me... But whatever you do, it cannot involve your face."
Game on, lovely lady.
Eleni was hanging on to every word the bard said. It sounded simple enough, yet the way the other woman spoke made it seem like the most thrilling thing. If nothing more, it was enough that her heartache had already been forgotten for a fleeting moment. This was a far better distraction than wallowing in a bottle of wine.
She nodded along as Anastasia spoke. It seemed easy enough. Smiles were so difficult anymore, though they came easier in the bard’s presence. As she began to count, Eleni closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, relaxing her face in the process, trying to cement the most neutral expression possible. Eleni opened her eyes just in time to see Anastasia wink at her.
Nodding once more, she acknowledged the bard’s declaration. At first, it seemed as though she must be missing whatever it was that Anastasia was doing, but then she felt it, a soft hand resting at her bare knee, exposed from the slit of her peplos. Her breath hitched in her throat, and though her eyes widened slightly, she was too stunned to react any further, especially as her hand slowly moved higher.
Just when she was about to break, sputtering some sort of command to halt, Anastasia pulled away, saving her.
Eleni swallowed hard as she nodded her understanding. She licked her lips as her mind raced to think of an angle of attack. Trying to scare her wouldn’t work - it would be too obviously fake. And she was so confident, it seemed impossible that she would be uncomfortable with any touch. Unless... perhaps she might be ticklish? Her eldest brother was perhaps the most serious person she had ever met, and yet, even he was helpless against tickling. If only she had a feather handy.
Alas, she would have to make do with a gentle touch instead. “That sounds easy enough,” she murmured as she leaned forward, trailing her fingernails with a featherlight touch along the woman’s inner arm. All the while, her eyes were fixed on the dazzling bard, looking for any glimmer of reaction.
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Eleni was hanging on to every word the bard said. It sounded simple enough, yet the way the other woman spoke made it seem like the most thrilling thing. If nothing more, it was enough that her heartache had already been forgotten for a fleeting moment. This was a far better distraction than wallowing in a bottle of wine.
She nodded along as Anastasia spoke. It seemed easy enough. Smiles were so difficult anymore, though they came easier in the bard’s presence. As she began to count, Eleni closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, relaxing her face in the process, trying to cement the most neutral expression possible. Eleni opened her eyes just in time to see Anastasia wink at her.
Nodding once more, she acknowledged the bard’s declaration. At first, it seemed as though she must be missing whatever it was that Anastasia was doing, but then she felt it, a soft hand resting at her bare knee, exposed from the slit of her peplos. Her breath hitched in her throat, and though her eyes widened slightly, she was too stunned to react any further, especially as her hand slowly moved higher.
Just when she was about to break, sputtering some sort of command to halt, Anastasia pulled away, saving her.
Eleni swallowed hard as she nodded her understanding. She licked her lips as her mind raced to think of an angle of attack. Trying to scare her wouldn’t work - it would be too obviously fake. And she was so confident, it seemed impossible that she would be uncomfortable with any touch. Unless... perhaps she might be ticklish? Her eldest brother was perhaps the most serious person she had ever met, and yet, even he was helpless against tickling. If only she had a feather handy.
Alas, she would have to make do with a gentle touch instead. “That sounds easy enough,” she murmured as she leaned forward, trailing her fingernails with a featherlight touch along the woman’s inner arm. All the while, her eyes were fixed on the dazzling bard, looking for any glimmer of reaction.
Eleni was hanging on to every word the bard said. It sounded simple enough, yet the way the other woman spoke made it seem like the most thrilling thing. If nothing more, it was enough that her heartache had already been forgotten for a fleeting moment. This was a far better distraction than wallowing in a bottle of wine.
She nodded along as Anastasia spoke. It seemed easy enough. Smiles were so difficult anymore, though they came easier in the bard’s presence. As she began to count, Eleni closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, relaxing her face in the process, trying to cement the most neutral expression possible. Eleni opened her eyes just in time to see Anastasia wink at her.
Nodding once more, she acknowledged the bard’s declaration. At first, it seemed as though she must be missing whatever it was that Anastasia was doing, but then she felt it, a soft hand resting at her bare knee, exposed from the slit of her peplos. Her breath hitched in her throat, and though her eyes widened slightly, she was too stunned to react any further, especially as her hand slowly moved higher.
Just when she was about to break, sputtering some sort of command to halt, Anastasia pulled away, saving her.
Eleni swallowed hard as she nodded her understanding. She licked her lips as her mind raced to think of an angle of attack. Trying to scare her wouldn’t work - it would be too obviously fake. And she was so confident, it seemed impossible that she would be uncomfortable with any touch. Unless... perhaps she might be ticklish? Her eldest brother was perhaps the most serious person she had ever met, and yet, even he was helpless against tickling. If only she had a feather handy.
Alas, she would have to make do with a gentle touch instead. “That sounds easy enough,” she murmured as she leaned forward, trailing her fingernails with a featherlight touch along the woman’s inner arm. All the while, her eyes were fixed on the dazzling bard, looking for any glimmer of reaction.
Anastasia didn't want the game to end too soon. For her to claim victory over Eleni in a single exchange was to end their game early without so much as the opportunity to drive the woman further and further away from the sort of despair she was hiding behind her pretty face. She'd tried and failex to hide it, to obscure the emotions she felt and then... almost like some sort of joke, Ana asked her to put on a straight face. But, the reasoning was very different. Turning the woman's struggle for normalcy into a game was a means by which to forget, to draw her farther and farther away from the source of it, whatever it was.
Never ask about someone's problems. If they want the truth to come out, they'll say it on their own.
Anastasia was not a priestess, or a saviour. Her business was misdirection and deceit, layered upon the silver tongue of a practised storyteller. She relied on every bit of knowledge she picked up, about people, about the nature of their feelings... and she sought to turn their woes into joy. It was a purpose she found fulfillment in, and every person, be they patron, mark, or friend, was treated as if they were the only person who existed. Right now, Eleni was the sole recipient of Ana's emotions, especially as her fingers played along her lower thigh and pulled back to save her from defeat.
Let's see what you can do, my dear.
She goaded the woman into her ploy, the grin she wanted to brandish hidden away by the very rules of her game. Fingertips trailed along Ana's inner arm, the same sort of feather light touch... albeit far more appropriate to their setting. Ana fought the tickling urge within her, those hazel eyes set upon the woman without a hint of breaking up until...
Concede the first round. Let her get comfortable, she mused, just as the soft giggles shook her shoulder and her free hand enclosed over Eleni's wrist.
"Ahahahaha! Oh, stop, stop!" she protested, bright eyes flashing with mirth before she huffed ever so slightly at the indignation of her 'defeat.'
"It looks like the first round is yours," she said, hailing the bartender to their table. She claimed Eleni's goblet, pouring it into her own tankard and quickly, effectively draining it to the end. The burn rested on her tongue before she covered her mouth in a playful, if demure, little show.
"Two more, please," she'd say when someone came to their service. Wine poured and Ana politely waited for the bartender to skitter away before she moved closer still to Eleni. Her breath was heavy with the wine she'd drank so quickly, her soft laughter pulled from her lips before...
"One... Two... Three... Hide it away again," she said, just as the poised neutrality resurfaced. Anastasia's hands skittered along Eleni's forearms, feather light fingertips trickling higher and higher before both arms closed around hers in an embrace.
Closer and closer, she brought her face to Eleni's, as if intent on claiming a kiss from the girl. But, she stopped just short, their proximity making the smell of the liquor on her tongue impossible to avoid. She drew back just enough to make eye contact with the woman before she winked at Eleni once more.
"I prefer the look of a smile on your face, dear Eleni. Show it to meee," she begged, a hint of sultriness cast in her tone as the intoxication infiltrated her facade just a bit.
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Anastasia didn't want the game to end too soon. For her to claim victory over Eleni in a single exchange was to end their game early without so much as the opportunity to drive the woman further and further away from the sort of despair she was hiding behind her pretty face. She'd tried and failex to hide it, to obscure the emotions she felt and then... almost like some sort of joke, Ana asked her to put on a straight face. But, the reasoning was very different. Turning the woman's struggle for normalcy into a game was a means by which to forget, to draw her farther and farther away from the source of it, whatever it was.
Never ask about someone's problems. If they want the truth to come out, they'll say it on their own.
Anastasia was not a priestess, or a saviour. Her business was misdirection and deceit, layered upon the silver tongue of a practised storyteller. She relied on every bit of knowledge she picked up, about people, about the nature of their feelings... and she sought to turn their woes into joy. It was a purpose she found fulfillment in, and every person, be they patron, mark, or friend, was treated as if they were the only person who existed. Right now, Eleni was the sole recipient of Ana's emotions, especially as her fingers played along her lower thigh and pulled back to save her from defeat.
Let's see what you can do, my dear.
She goaded the woman into her ploy, the grin she wanted to brandish hidden away by the very rules of her game. Fingertips trailed along Ana's inner arm, the same sort of feather light touch... albeit far more appropriate to their setting. Ana fought the tickling urge within her, those hazel eyes set upon the woman without a hint of breaking up until...
Concede the first round. Let her get comfortable, she mused, just as the soft giggles shook her shoulder and her free hand enclosed over Eleni's wrist.
"Ahahahaha! Oh, stop, stop!" she protested, bright eyes flashing with mirth before she huffed ever so slightly at the indignation of her 'defeat.'
"It looks like the first round is yours," she said, hailing the bartender to their table. She claimed Eleni's goblet, pouring it into her own tankard and quickly, effectively draining it to the end. The burn rested on her tongue before she covered her mouth in a playful, if demure, little show.
"Two more, please," she'd say when someone came to their service. Wine poured and Ana politely waited for the bartender to skitter away before she moved closer still to Eleni. Her breath was heavy with the wine she'd drank so quickly, her soft laughter pulled from her lips before...
"One... Two... Three... Hide it away again," she said, just as the poised neutrality resurfaced. Anastasia's hands skittered along Eleni's forearms, feather light fingertips trickling higher and higher before both arms closed around hers in an embrace.
Closer and closer, she brought her face to Eleni's, as if intent on claiming a kiss from the girl. But, she stopped just short, their proximity making the smell of the liquor on her tongue impossible to avoid. She drew back just enough to make eye contact with the woman before she winked at Eleni once more.
"I prefer the look of a smile on your face, dear Eleni. Show it to meee," she begged, a hint of sultriness cast in her tone as the intoxication infiltrated her facade just a bit.
Anastasia didn't want the game to end too soon. For her to claim victory over Eleni in a single exchange was to end their game early without so much as the opportunity to drive the woman further and further away from the sort of despair she was hiding behind her pretty face. She'd tried and failex to hide it, to obscure the emotions she felt and then... almost like some sort of joke, Ana asked her to put on a straight face. But, the reasoning was very different. Turning the woman's struggle for normalcy into a game was a means by which to forget, to draw her farther and farther away from the source of it, whatever it was.
Never ask about someone's problems. If they want the truth to come out, they'll say it on their own.
Anastasia was not a priestess, or a saviour. Her business was misdirection and deceit, layered upon the silver tongue of a practised storyteller. She relied on every bit of knowledge she picked up, about people, about the nature of their feelings... and she sought to turn their woes into joy. It was a purpose she found fulfillment in, and every person, be they patron, mark, or friend, was treated as if they were the only person who existed. Right now, Eleni was the sole recipient of Ana's emotions, especially as her fingers played along her lower thigh and pulled back to save her from defeat.
Let's see what you can do, my dear.
She goaded the woman into her ploy, the grin she wanted to brandish hidden away by the very rules of her game. Fingertips trailed along Ana's inner arm, the same sort of feather light touch... albeit far more appropriate to their setting. Ana fought the tickling urge within her, those hazel eyes set upon the woman without a hint of breaking up until...
Concede the first round. Let her get comfortable, she mused, just as the soft giggles shook her shoulder and her free hand enclosed over Eleni's wrist.
"Ahahahaha! Oh, stop, stop!" she protested, bright eyes flashing with mirth before she huffed ever so slightly at the indignation of her 'defeat.'
"It looks like the first round is yours," she said, hailing the bartender to their table. She claimed Eleni's goblet, pouring it into her own tankard and quickly, effectively draining it to the end. The burn rested on her tongue before she covered her mouth in a playful, if demure, little show.
"Two more, please," she'd say when someone came to their service. Wine poured and Ana politely waited for the bartender to skitter away before she moved closer still to Eleni. Her breath was heavy with the wine she'd drank so quickly, her soft laughter pulled from her lips before...
"One... Two... Three... Hide it away again," she said, just as the poised neutrality resurfaced. Anastasia's hands skittered along Eleni's forearms, feather light fingertips trickling higher and higher before both arms closed around hers in an embrace.
Closer and closer, she brought her face to Eleni's, as if intent on claiming a kiss from the girl. But, she stopped just short, their proximity making the smell of the liquor on her tongue impossible to avoid. She drew back just enough to make eye contact with the woman before she winked at Eleni once more.
"I prefer the look of a smile on your face, dear Eleni. Show it to meee," she begged, a hint of sultriness cast in her tone as the intoxication infiltrated her facade just a bit.
Eleni couldn’t seem to breathe herself as she made her attempt. It seemed so ridiculous. To think that one so poised as this woman might lose her composure so easily to a simple innocent touch. The young woman knew she was wildly out of her depth, yet there was something so enchanting about the bard that kept her from refusing. After all, surely losing this little game couldn’t be worse than the wallowing she had been doing before.
And then suddenly she burst into laughter, begging for it to cease. Eleni’s eyes widened in disbelief at the sound. Surely it couldn’t be? Yet then the magnificent woman huffed, obviously disappointed in her loss. She watched in shock as the dark-haired woman emptied her tankard. It didn’t make sense, but she wasn’t going to look too closely. She didn’t want to see a performance - she wanted to believe.
A small smile spread across her lips, gradually growing warmer and sweeter. She ducked her head a little, as if embarrassed by her triumph. “I didn’t think that would work!” she confessed as they waited for the drinks. Yet some part of her knew it wouldn’t be so easy to repeat. Her eyes met Anastasia’s once more before closing with a deep breath, her expression fading to blank. When she opened again, the woman was looking at her intently.
Her fingertips slid up Eleni’s bare arms. She carefully avoided reaction, though as the slight woman’s arms closed around her in an embrace, that became a struggle. She pressed her tongue against the back of her teeth, fighting every instinct. She drew closer still and Eleni thought for certain she was going to kiss her. For a moment, her heart seemed to freeze mid-beat as she struggled to prepare herself.
Only the bard stopped just shy, pulling back to meet her eyes and tease instead. The scent of wine was heavy on her breath, and something about that dissolved the merchant’s daughter into giggles despite her best efforts. But there was a lightness to her laughter, one that she hadn’t felt since he’d stolen her innocence and her hope. In fact, he couldn’t have been farther from her mind in that moment.
“Very well, very well, you win!” she conceded as her laughter half faded. Reaching for the tankard before her, she drained it with a practiced grace. One of the benefits of being daughter of a wine merchant was that she was no stranger to the drink. Still, a warm, heady rush moved through her as she set the vessel back on the bar. “That was impressive. Both you and the wine,” she added with another soft giggle, a hand lifting to her mouth.
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Eleni couldn’t seem to breathe herself as she made her attempt. It seemed so ridiculous. To think that one so poised as this woman might lose her composure so easily to a simple innocent touch. The young woman knew she was wildly out of her depth, yet there was something so enchanting about the bard that kept her from refusing. After all, surely losing this little game couldn’t be worse than the wallowing she had been doing before.
And then suddenly she burst into laughter, begging for it to cease. Eleni’s eyes widened in disbelief at the sound. Surely it couldn’t be? Yet then the magnificent woman huffed, obviously disappointed in her loss. She watched in shock as the dark-haired woman emptied her tankard. It didn’t make sense, but she wasn’t going to look too closely. She didn’t want to see a performance - she wanted to believe.
A small smile spread across her lips, gradually growing warmer and sweeter. She ducked her head a little, as if embarrassed by her triumph. “I didn’t think that would work!” she confessed as they waited for the drinks. Yet some part of her knew it wouldn’t be so easy to repeat. Her eyes met Anastasia’s once more before closing with a deep breath, her expression fading to blank. When she opened again, the woman was looking at her intently.
Her fingertips slid up Eleni’s bare arms. She carefully avoided reaction, though as the slight woman’s arms closed around her in an embrace, that became a struggle. She pressed her tongue against the back of her teeth, fighting every instinct. She drew closer still and Eleni thought for certain she was going to kiss her. For a moment, her heart seemed to freeze mid-beat as she struggled to prepare herself.
Only the bard stopped just shy, pulling back to meet her eyes and tease instead. The scent of wine was heavy on her breath, and something about that dissolved the merchant’s daughter into giggles despite her best efforts. But there was a lightness to her laughter, one that she hadn’t felt since he’d stolen her innocence and her hope. In fact, he couldn’t have been farther from her mind in that moment.
“Very well, very well, you win!” she conceded as her laughter half faded. Reaching for the tankard before her, she drained it with a practiced grace. One of the benefits of being daughter of a wine merchant was that she was no stranger to the drink. Still, a warm, heady rush moved through her as she set the vessel back on the bar. “That was impressive. Both you and the wine,” she added with another soft giggle, a hand lifting to her mouth.
Eleni couldn’t seem to breathe herself as she made her attempt. It seemed so ridiculous. To think that one so poised as this woman might lose her composure so easily to a simple innocent touch. The young woman knew she was wildly out of her depth, yet there was something so enchanting about the bard that kept her from refusing. After all, surely losing this little game couldn’t be worse than the wallowing she had been doing before.
And then suddenly she burst into laughter, begging for it to cease. Eleni’s eyes widened in disbelief at the sound. Surely it couldn’t be? Yet then the magnificent woman huffed, obviously disappointed in her loss. She watched in shock as the dark-haired woman emptied her tankard. It didn’t make sense, but she wasn’t going to look too closely. She didn’t want to see a performance - she wanted to believe.
A small smile spread across her lips, gradually growing warmer and sweeter. She ducked her head a little, as if embarrassed by her triumph. “I didn’t think that would work!” she confessed as they waited for the drinks. Yet some part of her knew it wouldn’t be so easy to repeat. Her eyes met Anastasia’s once more before closing with a deep breath, her expression fading to blank. When she opened again, the woman was looking at her intently.
Her fingertips slid up Eleni’s bare arms. She carefully avoided reaction, though as the slight woman’s arms closed around her in an embrace, that became a struggle. She pressed her tongue against the back of her teeth, fighting every instinct. She drew closer still and Eleni thought for certain she was going to kiss her. For a moment, her heart seemed to freeze mid-beat as she struggled to prepare herself.
Only the bard stopped just shy, pulling back to meet her eyes and tease instead. The scent of wine was heavy on her breath, and something about that dissolved the merchant’s daughter into giggles despite her best efforts. But there was a lightness to her laughter, one that she hadn’t felt since he’d stolen her innocence and her hope. In fact, he couldn’t have been farther from her mind in that moment.
“Very well, very well, you win!” she conceded as her laughter half faded. Reaching for the tankard before her, she drained it with a practiced grace. One of the benefits of being daughter of a wine merchant was that she was no stranger to the drink. Still, a warm, heady rush moved through her as she set the vessel back on the bar. “That was impressive. Both you and the wine,” she added with another soft giggle, a hand lifting to her mouth.
It was beyond Anastasia's ability to control herself to deny the lascivious nature buried within her. Always threatening to break the surface, and never quite punished for the tendency, Anastasia reveled in little teasing games, even as it became more and more obvious that Eleni wasn't as inclined as others might be to receive them. Rather, the game seemed to serve a different purpose, her intended purpose. Every time Anastasia drew closer, Eleni seemed to find colour in her features again.
Little by little, she seemed to relax, letting delightful giggles escape her lips and it was then that the bard recognized that she was helping her. There was that easy grin settled upon the nymph's own expression, as this round of their game ended and Anastasia was allowed to mould her expression as well. An easy smile accompanied with her leaning forward, a languid movement wrapping her arm around Eleni's shoulders, just as Anastasia shifted seats so that the table between them was off to the side.
A chaste, warm embrace, with fingertips sifting into the hairs at Eleni's nape, she placed a gentle kiss on Eleni's cheek just as she said,
"There you are."
A simple, but profound statement, for the nymph saw a very different person than the one she'd arrived with. A stunning visage with a delighted expression, sipping down wine like the most experienced of tavern brawlers. Anastasia felt a glimmer of colour catch upon her features, as that giggle followed the uttered praise and Eleni pressed her hand to her mouth. Ana felt a chuckle rumble within her throat, as she took hold of their shared pitcher to fill goblet and tankard alike.
"Is that so, Eleni? I find you fascinating, if I'm allowed to say that."
The soft curve at her lips widened further, as she set down her goblet and decided to point out the obvious.
"We're locked at a single point a piece. We could break the tie, Eleni, or we can admit equal skill. How about we have that walk?" she suggested. Warmth flowed through Anastasia, stirred within her by the combination of intrigue and wine. To stay still would be a crime, but one she'd partake in if Eleni wanted to complete their game.
"A couple of ladies on the town, we take a pitcher between us and see where we end up?" she mused.
The words weren't intended to sound flirtatious, but perhaps, the intoxicated bard couldn't help her tone. A glimmer of heat radiated from her gaze as it met Eleni's.
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It was beyond Anastasia's ability to control herself to deny the lascivious nature buried within her. Always threatening to break the surface, and never quite punished for the tendency, Anastasia reveled in little teasing games, even as it became more and more obvious that Eleni wasn't as inclined as others might be to receive them. Rather, the game seemed to serve a different purpose, her intended purpose. Every time Anastasia drew closer, Eleni seemed to find colour in her features again.
Little by little, she seemed to relax, letting delightful giggles escape her lips and it was then that the bard recognized that she was helping her. There was that easy grin settled upon the nymph's own expression, as this round of their game ended and Anastasia was allowed to mould her expression as well. An easy smile accompanied with her leaning forward, a languid movement wrapping her arm around Eleni's shoulders, just as Anastasia shifted seats so that the table between them was off to the side.
A chaste, warm embrace, with fingertips sifting into the hairs at Eleni's nape, she placed a gentle kiss on Eleni's cheek just as she said,
"There you are."
A simple, but profound statement, for the nymph saw a very different person than the one she'd arrived with. A stunning visage with a delighted expression, sipping down wine like the most experienced of tavern brawlers. Anastasia felt a glimmer of colour catch upon her features, as that giggle followed the uttered praise and Eleni pressed her hand to her mouth. Ana felt a chuckle rumble within her throat, as she took hold of their shared pitcher to fill goblet and tankard alike.
"Is that so, Eleni? I find you fascinating, if I'm allowed to say that."
The soft curve at her lips widened further, as she set down her goblet and decided to point out the obvious.
"We're locked at a single point a piece. We could break the tie, Eleni, or we can admit equal skill. How about we have that walk?" she suggested. Warmth flowed through Anastasia, stirred within her by the combination of intrigue and wine. To stay still would be a crime, but one she'd partake in if Eleni wanted to complete their game.
"A couple of ladies on the town, we take a pitcher between us and see where we end up?" she mused.
The words weren't intended to sound flirtatious, but perhaps, the intoxicated bard couldn't help her tone. A glimmer of heat radiated from her gaze as it met Eleni's.
It was beyond Anastasia's ability to control herself to deny the lascivious nature buried within her. Always threatening to break the surface, and never quite punished for the tendency, Anastasia reveled in little teasing games, even as it became more and more obvious that Eleni wasn't as inclined as others might be to receive them. Rather, the game seemed to serve a different purpose, her intended purpose. Every time Anastasia drew closer, Eleni seemed to find colour in her features again.
Little by little, she seemed to relax, letting delightful giggles escape her lips and it was then that the bard recognized that she was helping her. There was that easy grin settled upon the nymph's own expression, as this round of their game ended and Anastasia was allowed to mould her expression as well. An easy smile accompanied with her leaning forward, a languid movement wrapping her arm around Eleni's shoulders, just as Anastasia shifted seats so that the table between them was off to the side.
A chaste, warm embrace, with fingertips sifting into the hairs at Eleni's nape, she placed a gentle kiss on Eleni's cheek just as she said,
"There you are."
A simple, but profound statement, for the nymph saw a very different person than the one she'd arrived with. A stunning visage with a delighted expression, sipping down wine like the most experienced of tavern brawlers. Anastasia felt a glimmer of colour catch upon her features, as that giggle followed the uttered praise and Eleni pressed her hand to her mouth. Ana felt a chuckle rumble within her throat, as she took hold of their shared pitcher to fill goblet and tankard alike.
"Is that so, Eleni? I find you fascinating, if I'm allowed to say that."
The soft curve at her lips widened further, as she set down her goblet and decided to point out the obvious.
"We're locked at a single point a piece. We could break the tie, Eleni, or we can admit equal skill. How about we have that walk?" she suggested. Warmth flowed through Anastasia, stirred within her by the combination of intrigue and wine. To stay still would be a crime, but one she'd partake in if Eleni wanted to complete their game.
"A couple of ladies on the town, we take a pitcher between us and see where we end up?" she mused.
The words weren't intended to sound flirtatious, but perhaps, the intoxicated bard couldn't help her tone. A glimmer of heat radiated from her gaze as it met Eleni's.
Eleni was still young and naive. Enough so that the bard’s teasing touches easily flustered her. On the bright side, it was difficult to wallow in her heartbreak when in the face of such teasing and merriment. Even as her giggles faded, she didn’t realize the extent of the change the little game had brought over her. Not until Ana embraced her and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
’There you are.’
Such a simple statement and yet... it stunned Eleni nonetheless. Somehow this perfect stranger had seen through her entirely. Something that even her own family hadn’t managed. She’d seen past this cocoon of misery that enveloped her to something not quite the girl she’d once been, but beyond this broken mess she had become.
The bard’s words had her blushing again. “I can’t imagine why,” she answered bashfully, dipping her head. After all, there was nothing interesting about her. She was just a simple merchant girl. One who wasn’t good enough for her family, for love... “I’m certain you are infinitely more interesting.”
Eleni pursed her lips considering the other woman’s suggestion. She was certain that she would lose if they continued their contest. The bard was clearly far bolder than she was. But there was a degree of mischief that seemed to lurk beneath the words. Eleni had spent her life trying to meet her mother’s impossible standards. Hypocritical though they were. There was no doubt that her mother wouldn’t approve of such things... but for once, that knowledge only spurred her forward.
“Sounds perfect,” she agreed, a spark of rebellion in her blue eyes. “Anything could happen.” She had no concept of how those words might be interpreted, but for once, the sentiment rang true. The limitations of a broken heart and spirit didn’t seem to exist any longer this night. Taengea was nothing if not full of possibilities and for the first time in her memory, they all felt accessible to Eleni.
“After you!” she exclaimed with a giggle as she stood to her feet.
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Eleni was still young and naive. Enough so that the bard’s teasing touches easily flustered her. On the bright side, it was difficult to wallow in her heartbreak when in the face of such teasing and merriment. Even as her giggles faded, she didn’t realize the extent of the change the little game had brought over her. Not until Ana embraced her and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
’There you are.’
Such a simple statement and yet... it stunned Eleni nonetheless. Somehow this perfect stranger had seen through her entirely. Something that even her own family hadn’t managed. She’d seen past this cocoon of misery that enveloped her to something not quite the girl she’d once been, but beyond this broken mess she had become.
The bard’s words had her blushing again. “I can’t imagine why,” she answered bashfully, dipping her head. After all, there was nothing interesting about her. She was just a simple merchant girl. One who wasn’t good enough for her family, for love... “I’m certain you are infinitely more interesting.”
Eleni pursed her lips considering the other woman’s suggestion. She was certain that she would lose if they continued their contest. The bard was clearly far bolder than she was. But there was a degree of mischief that seemed to lurk beneath the words. Eleni had spent her life trying to meet her mother’s impossible standards. Hypocritical though they were. There was no doubt that her mother wouldn’t approve of such things... but for once, that knowledge only spurred her forward.
“Sounds perfect,” she agreed, a spark of rebellion in her blue eyes. “Anything could happen.” She had no concept of how those words might be interpreted, but for once, the sentiment rang true. The limitations of a broken heart and spirit didn’t seem to exist any longer this night. Taengea was nothing if not full of possibilities and for the first time in her memory, they all felt accessible to Eleni.
“After you!” she exclaimed with a giggle as she stood to her feet.
Eleni was still young and naive. Enough so that the bard’s teasing touches easily flustered her. On the bright side, it was difficult to wallow in her heartbreak when in the face of such teasing and merriment. Even as her giggles faded, she didn’t realize the extent of the change the little game had brought over her. Not until Ana embraced her and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
’There you are.’
Such a simple statement and yet... it stunned Eleni nonetheless. Somehow this perfect stranger had seen through her entirely. Something that even her own family hadn’t managed. She’d seen past this cocoon of misery that enveloped her to something not quite the girl she’d once been, but beyond this broken mess she had become.
The bard’s words had her blushing again. “I can’t imagine why,” she answered bashfully, dipping her head. After all, there was nothing interesting about her. She was just a simple merchant girl. One who wasn’t good enough for her family, for love... “I’m certain you are infinitely more interesting.”
Eleni pursed her lips considering the other woman’s suggestion. She was certain that she would lose if they continued their contest. The bard was clearly far bolder than she was. But there was a degree of mischief that seemed to lurk beneath the words. Eleni had spent her life trying to meet her mother’s impossible standards. Hypocritical though they were. There was no doubt that her mother wouldn’t approve of such things... but for once, that knowledge only spurred her forward.
“Sounds perfect,” she agreed, a spark of rebellion in her blue eyes. “Anything could happen.” She had no concept of how those words might be interpreted, but for once, the sentiment rang true. The limitations of a broken heart and spirit didn’t seem to exist any longer this night. Taengea was nothing if not full of possibilities and for the first time in her memory, they all felt accessible to Eleni.
“After you!” she exclaimed with a giggle as she stood to her feet.
