The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
Pavlos had awoken with the dawn, the bright orange hues of Helios’ chariot illuminating his bedchamber from a curtain that had not been drawn properly, billowing out from the window in the morning breeze. He was usually up before the servants came in to wake him, enjoying that precious time of solitude to get his thoughts in order before he rose for the day. Stretched out on his back, he gazed out the window, thinking of his schedule. He had a morning meeting to attend, a meal with his father at some point, and of course, his daily training, which was best completed first thing in the morning.
There was a gentle knock at the door a while later that signified his time for rumination was over, and then his usual slave was entering the room, bearing a platter laden down with fresh summer fruit, various cheeses, and a scattering of olives from the trees nearby. He broke his fast at the table, taking his time about it, since he was in no rush to go anywhere as of yet; his guest would not be expected to arrive for another hour at least.
None of the rest of the family was awake yet, except perhaps his father, and that was what Pavlos liked best about early mornings: there was no chance of encountering his brother, his daughters, or his wife. His thoughts, as always, grew annoyed when any of those three crossed his mind, but he did his best to forget about them as he was dressed in a simple tunic and sandals, all practical and easy to move about in.
Once dressed, he left the room, popping the last of the olives on the platter into his mouth as he walked, careful with the pit between his teeth. The slaves he saw were busy polishing the floors, Pavlos able to see his own reflection in the marble as he briefly glanced down on his way past. His footsteps echoed in the large space, making his way outside for his daily workout under the warm light of the sun.
That warm light would soon become hot against his bare skin as he shucked his tunic, his body lightly sweating as he put it through its paces. He would have liked to have a sparring partner, but he also enjoyed the solidarity of his morning routine. He fought invisible enemies as he went through his army drills and finished off the session with a series of strength training exercises; on the tips of his toes in the grass, using only his upper body strength to propel himself upwards. Over and over, until he lost count and his breaths came in loud huffs.
Pavlos enjoyed the languor that came with a good bout of exercise, but he did not care for the sweat that accompanied such activities, making his body feel damp and sticky beneath his replaced tunic. Water on demand was a luxury that he would never not appreciate, he thought as he made his way back to his chambers where a metal tub full of cool water sat, ready to receive him as per his usual morning routine.
He bathed himself--his slaves knowing to leave him be regardless of what society dictated was proper--but permitted the boy to dress him afterwards. Pavlos' chosen attire for the day was a simple but elegant chiton in a shade of deep blue, held in place by silver fibulae. It was just formal enough for his meeting with one of the lesser nobles.
His family was beginning to stir within their rooms as he left their suite once again, slaves moving in to tend to them, and he quickened his pace so as to avoid encountering anyone, though he doubted the most irritating of them all would be anywhere close to awake yet.
Not long after he had settled into the study to receive his guest did he hear a knock at the door, one of the household slaves informing him that the noble he was to meet with had been in an accident. Something involving a cart and the man not looking where he was going that made his lips quirk up in brief, morbid amusement once he was alone again.
Oh well. Though, the question arose now of what to do with himself? It was with great reluctance that he left the study, moving to join his family as they completed their later meals. Perhaps he would get a chance to speak to his father earlier than their planned meal together, or perhaps not, if the man was busy.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Pavlos had awoken with the dawn, the bright orange hues of Helios’ chariot illuminating his bedchamber from a curtain that had not been drawn properly, billowing out from the window in the morning breeze. He was usually up before the servants came in to wake him, enjoying that precious time of solitude to get his thoughts in order before he rose for the day. Stretched out on his back, he gazed out the window, thinking of his schedule. He had a morning meeting to attend, a meal with his father at some point, and of course, his daily training, which was best completed first thing in the morning.
There was a gentle knock at the door a while later that signified his time for rumination was over, and then his usual slave was entering the room, bearing a platter laden down with fresh summer fruit, various cheeses, and a scattering of olives from the trees nearby. He broke his fast at the table, taking his time about it, since he was in no rush to go anywhere as of yet; his guest would not be expected to arrive for another hour at least.
None of the rest of the family was awake yet, except perhaps his father, and that was what Pavlos liked best about early mornings: there was no chance of encountering his brother, his daughters, or his wife. His thoughts, as always, grew annoyed when any of those three crossed his mind, but he did his best to forget about them as he was dressed in a simple tunic and sandals, all practical and easy to move about in.
Once dressed, he left the room, popping the last of the olives on the platter into his mouth as he walked, careful with the pit between his teeth. The slaves he saw were busy polishing the floors, Pavlos able to see his own reflection in the marble as he briefly glanced down on his way past. His footsteps echoed in the large space, making his way outside for his daily workout under the warm light of the sun.
That warm light would soon become hot against his bare skin as he shucked his tunic, his body lightly sweating as he put it through its paces. He would have liked to have a sparring partner, but he also enjoyed the solidarity of his morning routine. He fought invisible enemies as he went through his army drills and finished off the session with a series of strength training exercises; on the tips of his toes in the grass, using only his upper body strength to propel himself upwards. Over and over, until he lost count and his breaths came in loud huffs.
Pavlos enjoyed the languor that came with a good bout of exercise, but he did not care for the sweat that accompanied such activities, making his body feel damp and sticky beneath his replaced tunic. Water on demand was a luxury that he would never not appreciate, he thought as he made his way back to his chambers where a metal tub full of cool water sat, ready to receive him as per his usual morning routine.
He bathed himself--his slaves knowing to leave him be regardless of what society dictated was proper--but permitted the boy to dress him afterwards. Pavlos' chosen attire for the day was a simple but elegant chiton in a shade of deep blue, held in place by silver fibulae. It was just formal enough for his meeting with one of the lesser nobles.
His family was beginning to stir within their rooms as he left their suite once again, slaves moving in to tend to them, and he quickened his pace so as to avoid encountering anyone, though he doubted the most irritating of them all would be anywhere close to awake yet.
Not long after he had settled into the study to receive his guest did he hear a knock at the door, one of the household slaves informing him that the noble he was to meet with had been in an accident. Something involving a cart and the man not looking where he was going that made his lips quirk up in brief, morbid amusement once he was alone again.
Oh well. Though, the question arose now of what to do with himself? It was with great reluctance that he left the study, moving to join his family as they completed their later meals. Perhaps he would get a chance to speak to his father earlier than their planned meal together, or perhaps not, if the man was busy.
Pavlos had awoken with the dawn, the bright orange hues of Helios’ chariot illuminating his bedchamber from a curtain that had not been drawn properly, billowing out from the window in the morning breeze. He was usually up before the servants came in to wake him, enjoying that precious time of solitude to get his thoughts in order before he rose for the day. Stretched out on his back, he gazed out the window, thinking of his schedule. He had a morning meeting to attend, a meal with his father at some point, and of course, his daily training, which was best completed first thing in the morning.
There was a gentle knock at the door a while later that signified his time for rumination was over, and then his usual slave was entering the room, bearing a platter laden down with fresh summer fruit, various cheeses, and a scattering of olives from the trees nearby. He broke his fast at the table, taking his time about it, since he was in no rush to go anywhere as of yet; his guest would not be expected to arrive for another hour at least.
None of the rest of the family was awake yet, except perhaps his father, and that was what Pavlos liked best about early mornings: there was no chance of encountering his brother, his daughters, or his wife. His thoughts, as always, grew annoyed when any of those three crossed his mind, but he did his best to forget about them as he was dressed in a simple tunic and sandals, all practical and easy to move about in.
Once dressed, he left the room, popping the last of the olives on the platter into his mouth as he walked, careful with the pit between his teeth. The slaves he saw were busy polishing the floors, Pavlos able to see his own reflection in the marble as he briefly glanced down on his way past. His footsteps echoed in the large space, making his way outside for his daily workout under the warm light of the sun.
That warm light would soon become hot against his bare skin as he shucked his tunic, his body lightly sweating as he put it through its paces. He would have liked to have a sparring partner, but he also enjoyed the solidarity of his morning routine. He fought invisible enemies as he went through his army drills and finished off the session with a series of strength training exercises; on the tips of his toes in the grass, using only his upper body strength to propel himself upwards. Over and over, until he lost count and his breaths came in loud huffs.
Pavlos enjoyed the languor that came with a good bout of exercise, but he did not care for the sweat that accompanied such activities, making his body feel damp and sticky beneath his replaced tunic. Water on demand was a luxury that he would never not appreciate, he thought as he made his way back to his chambers where a metal tub full of cool water sat, ready to receive him as per his usual morning routine.
He bathed himself--his slaves knowing to leave him be regardless of what society dictated was proper--but permitted the boy to dress him afterwards. Pavlos' chosen attire for the day was a simple but elegant chiton in a shade of deep blue, held in place by silver fibulae. It was just formal enough for his meeting with one of the lesser nobles.
His family was beginning to stir within their rooms as he left their suite once again, slaves moving in to tend to them, and he quickened his pace so as to avoid encountering anyone, though he doubted the most irritating of them all would be anywhere close to awake yet.
Not long after he had settled into the study to receive his guest did he hear a knock at the door, one of the household slaves informing him that the noble he was to meet with had been in an accident. Something involving a cart and the man not looking where he was going that made his lips quirk up in brief, morbid amusement once he was alone again.
Oh well. Though, the question arose now of what to do with himself? It was with great reluctance that he left the study, moving to join his family as they completed their later meals. Perhaps he would get a chance to speak to his father earlier than their planned meal together, or perhaps not, if the man was busy.
Sofia of Marikas could never quite decide how she felt about mornings. On the one hand, they were usually quieter, which meant she didn’t have to deal with Agathe’s whining or Elena and Daniil pestering her to play with them. And there was something extra nice about the way the summer sun looked peeking over the horizon. On the other hand, Sofia quite liked sleeping. For every little thrill it gave her to see Helios’s golden light, there was an equally nice sensation to be had from lying in bed with her covers twisted all around and her hair in knots (though it was far less nice when a slave had to brush out the tangles).
And so she yawned and stretched and peeked out from beneath her light covers, blinking in the daylight that had begun to creep through the windows. It was still early, but late enough that the birds had stopped their welcome chirping and all way quiet beyond her window. Sofia stretched and rose grumpily, scrunching a hand through her mussed-up hair. At the sound of her yawns a slave came in to dress her; Sofia followed the woman’s gentle guidance in surly silence. She lifted her arms or tilted her head or closed her eyes, and soon enough she was ready for a day of anything. She had no lessons today—or, at least, none that she planned to attend—so her mind began to fill with excitement as she ventured towards the main room in search of food.
An empty plate at the head of the large table told Sofia that someone—likely Papa or Pavlos—had come and gone. Several other plates lay around the edges. Sofia guessed the empty places were Sera and Agathe, who liked their sleep even more than she did. Trying not to pout (only brats like Agathe would pout over such a silly thing), she sat in her place, still yawning and peeking darkly out from under hair filled with loose braids. Soon enough a slave appeared bearing breakfast, including fresh cheeses atop crackers. She could hear the giggles of Daniil and Elena playing elsewhere in the house, but ate alone at the table instead, still too tired to deal with their energy.
What could she do with her day? Climbing trees was a thing of the past, especially after the mishap of a few years prior. Lessons in this heat promised to be more miserable than usual. And, truthfully, Sofia was not particularly in a mood to see anyone. The heat filling the manor was sure to be much more oppressive outside; really, the thing to do would be to find a nice couch and spend the day with a fan and a scroll or two. Sofia wrinkled her nose; that hardly sounded appealing, either. Perhaps a visit to the horses, if the afternoon grew cooler.
She barely spared an upwards glance when someone entered, registering only mild surprise that it was Pavlos. Usually he’d already eaten by this point—sometimes they sat across from each other in the early mornings and ate in silence. “’Morning,” she mumbled through a mouthful of cheese. Talking was annoying in the mornings.
And then a thought struck her. She was rarely allowed to go anywhere alone. Marikas guards flanked her at every turn, despite her best efforts to lose them; they had learned her best escape tactics long ago. But if Pavlos was with her… she could do whatever she wanted! Her expression perked up a bit as she turned to her brother. “You look like you’re bored and in need of something exciting to do, right?” Without waiting for an answer, she forged forward, “I was thinking of going to the market. For some cloth or something, you see? Well, my favorite guard hurt his foot and the rest of them irk me, all tall and brutish, so I was thinking that if you went with me, you could buy official business things and I could have a nice day outside for once.”
An almost wicked smirk crossed her face, “Don’t worry. We don’t have to tell Agathe or anyone else.” So much for not talking.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Sofia of Marikas could never quite decide how she felt about mornings. On the one hand, they were usually quieter, which meant she didn’t have to deal with Agathe’s whining or Elena and Daniil pestering her to play with them. And there was something extra nice about the way the summer sun looked peeking over the horizon. On the other hand, Sofia quite liked sleeping. For every little thrill it gave her to see Helios’s golden light, there was an equally nice sensation to be had from lying in bed with her covers twisted all around and her hair in knots (though it was far less nice when a slave had to brush out the tangles).
And so she yawned and stretched and peeked out from beneath her light covers, blinking in the daylight that had begun to creep through the windows. It was still early, but late enough that the birds had stopped their welcome chirping and all way quiet beyond her window. Sofia stretched and rose grumpily, scrunching a hand through her mussed-up hair. At the sound of her yawns a slave came in to dress her; Sofia followed the woman’s gentle guidance in surly silence. She lifted her arms or tilted her head or closed her eyes, and soon enough she was ready for a day of anything. She had no lessons today—or, at least, none that she planned to attend—so her mind began to fill with excitement as she ventured towards the main room in search of food.
An empty plate at the head of the large table told Sofia that someone—likely Papa or Pavlos—had come and gone. Several other plates lay around the edges. Sofia guessed the empty places were Sera and Agathe, who liked their sleep even more than she did. Trying not to pout (only brats like Agathe would pout over such a silly thing), she sat in her place, still yawning and peeking darkly out from under hair filled with loose braids. Soon enough a slave appeared bearing breakfast, including fresh cheeses atop crackers. She could hear the giggles of Daniil and Elena playing elsewhere in the house, but ate alone at the table instead, still too tired to deal with their energy.
What could she do with her day? Climbing trees was a thing of the past, especially after the mishap of a few years prior. Lessons in this heat promised to be more miserable than usual. And, truthfully, Sofia was not particularly in a mood to see anyone. The heat filling the manor was sure to be much more oppressive outside; really, the thing to do would be to find a nice couch and spend the day with a fan and a scroll or two. Sofia wrinkled her nose; that hardly sounded appealing, either. Perhaps a visit to the horses, if the afternoon grew cooler.
She barely spared an upwards glance when someone entered, registering only mild surprise that it was Pavlos. Usually he’d already eaten by this point—sometimes they sat across from each other in the early mornings and ate in silence. “’Morning,” she mumbled through a mouthful of cheese. Talking was annoying in the mornings.
And then a thought struck her. She was rarely allowed to go anywhere alone. Marikas guards flanked her at every turn, despite her best efforts to lose them; they had learned her best escape tactics long ago. But if Pavlos was with her… she could do whatever she wanted! Her expression perked up a bit as she turned to her brother. “You look like you’re bored and in need of something exciting to do, right?” Without waiting for an answer, she forged forward, “I was thinking of going to the market. For some cloth or something, you see? Well, my favorite guard hurt his foot and the rest of them irk me, all tall and brutish, so I was thinking that if you went with me, you could buy official business things and I could have a nice day outside for once.”
An almost wicked smirk crossed her face, “Don’t worry. We don’t have to tell Agathe or anyone else.” So much for not talking.
Sofia of Marikas could never quite decide how she felt about mornings. On the one hand, they were usually quieter, which meant she didn’t have to deal with Agathe’s whining or Elena and Daniil pestering her to play with them. And there was something extra nice about the way the summer sun looked peeking over the horizon. On the other hand, Sofia quite liked sleeping. For every little thrill it gave her to see Helios’s golden light, there was an equally nice sensation to be had from lying in bed with her covers twisted all around and her hair in knots (though it was far less nice when a slave had to brush out the tangles).
And so she yawned and stretched and peeked out from beneath her light covers, blinking in the daylight that had begun to creep through the windows. It was still early, but late enough that the birds had stopped their welcome chirping and all way quiet beyond her window. Sofia stretched and rose grumpily, scrunching a hand through her mussed-up hair. At the sound of her yawns a slave came in to dress her; Sofia followed the woman’s gentle guidance in surly silence. She lifted her arms or tilted her head or closed her eyes, and soon enough she was ready for a day of anything. She had no lessons today—or, at least, none that she planned to attend—so her mind began to fill with excitement as she ventured towards the main room in search of food.
An empty plate at the head of the large table told Sofia that someone—likely Papa or Pavlos—had come and gone. Several other plates lay around the edges. Sofia guessed the empty places were Sera and Agathe, who liked their sleep even more than she did. Trying not to pout (only brats like Agathe would pout over such a silly thing), she sat in her place, still yawning and peeking darkly out from under hair filled with loose braids. Soon enough a slave appeared bearing breakfast, including fresh cheeses atop crackers. She could hear the giggles of Daniil and Elena playing elsewhere in the house, but ate alone at the table instead, still too tired to deal with their energy.
What could she do with her day? Climbing trees was a thing of the past, especially after the mishap of a few years prior. Lessons in this heat promised to be more miserable than usual. And, truthfully, Sofia was not particularly in a mood to see anyone. The heat filling the manor was sure to be much more oppressive outside; really, the thing to do would be to find a nice couch and spend the day with a fan and a scroll or two. Sofia wrinkled her nose; that hardly sounded appealing, either. Perhaps a visit to the horses, if the afternoon grew cooler.
She barely spared an upwards glance when someone entered, registering only mild surprise that it was Pavlos. Usually he’d already eaten by this point—sometimes they sat across from each other in the early mornings and ate in silence. “’Morning,” she mumbled through a mouthful of cheese. Talking was annoying in the mornings.
And then a thought struck her. She was rarely allowed to go anywhere alone. Marikas guards flanked her at every turn, despite her best efforts to lose them; they had learned her best escape tactics long ago. But if Pavlos was with her… she could do whatever she wanted! Her expression perked up a bit as she turned to her brother. “You look like you’re bored and in need of something exciting to do, right?” Without waiting for an answer, she forged forward, “I was thinking of going to the market. For some cloth or something, you see? Well, my favorite guard hurt his foot and the rest of them irk me, all tall and brutish, so I was thinking that if you went with me, you could buy official business things and I could have a nice day outside for once.”
An almost wicked smirk crossed her face, “Don’t worry. We don’t have to tell Agathe or anyone else.” So much for not talking.
Pavlos lowered himself into his usual seat, nodding to his sister in response to her greeting. “Yes. It is.” He replied, the thought crossing his mind to lecture her for speaking with her mouth full, before he decided against it; it was too early to start any form of argument or disagreeable conversation with his family. Besides which, Sofia was the least disagreeable of them all, besides their father.
“Don’t you have lessons today?” He asked as she mentioned going to the market, dark brow arching in disapproval as he shook his head slightly. She was trying to get out of her lessons, obviously. Or perhaps escape the house without a guard. Both, probably. “And enough cloth in that room of yours to dress the entire royal court?” He added skeptically, his other eyebrow joining the first as he waited to see what she would say to that.
“Fine.” Pavlos would concede eventually, since it was true that he had nothing better to do, and he could count the times he had spent alone with his sister on two hands, in all the years he had known her. In fact, two hands may have been generous… “My meeting was cancelled this morning. Some fool of a nobleman walked into a moving cart.” He snorted derisively. “So, given that I have nothing better to do, as you surmised, I can take you to the market. Minus the excitement, hopefully.”
He waited for her to finish her food to stand, only to look her over with disapproval when she eventually did the same. “Surely you have something better to wear than that.” He said sternly, sending her off to change into something more suitable for a public venture than her current outfit. “And do something with your hair.” He added, gesturing vaguely to the braids. If that was the latest fashion with young girls, he would not like to see it continue past the season. That hopefully taken care of, he sent a slave off to his own suite to retrieve his money purse and sword belt.
A long stint in the military had taught him it was always best to be prepared, and he trusted his life—and that of Sofia’s—in no one’s hands more than his own.
He stood and waited for his sister to return from changing, the slave boy having run off and returned already, in an admittedly impressive amount of time. Belting his kopis sword in place, he walked outside to wait by the carriage that was being prepared for their departure. It was going to be a very hot day, clearly, Aeolus resting under the might of Helios without the slightest bit of relief for the poor mortals walking around below.
“There you are.” Pavlos said when Sofia had finally rejoined him, opening the carriage door and climbing inside on his own. By Hades, was it hot inside! He would have liked to suggest traveling by horse, since at least they would have a breeze, but the whole affair would be hideously inappropriate and he had the Marikas name to worry about, as much as he disliked doing things for appearance’s sake. Noblemen, and especially royalty, took carriages whenever they went anywhere, and so must he.
“That is better.” He gave her new outfit a vague nod of approval as the driver closed the door behind them (which made it even hotter, unfortunately) and they were off to the market.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Pavlos lowered himself into his usual seat, nodding to his sister in response to her greeting. “Yes. It is.” He replied, the thought crossing his mind to lecture her for speaking with her mouth full, before he decided against it; it was too early to start any form of argument or disagreeable conversation with his family. Besides which, Sofia was the least disagreeable of them all, besides their father.
“Don’t you have lessons today?” He asked as she mentioned going to the market, dark brow arching in disapproval as he shook his head slightly. She was trying to get out of her lessons, obviously. Or perhaps escape the house without a guard. Both, probably. “And enough cloth in that room of yours to dress the entire royal court?” He added skeptically, his other eyebrow joining the first as he waited to see what she would say to that.
“Fine.” Pavlos would concede eventually, since it was true that he had nothing better to do, and he could count the times he had spent alone with his sister on two hands, in all the years he had known her. In fact, two hands may have been generous… “My meeting was cancelled this morning. Some fool of a nobleman walked into a moving cart.” He snorted derisively. “So, given that I have nothing better to do, as you surmised, I can take you to the market. Minus the excitement, hopefully.”
He waited for her to finish her food to stand, only to look her over with disapproval when she eventually did the same. “Surely you have something better to wear than that.” He said sternly, sending her off to change into something more suitable for a public venture than her current outfit. “And do something with your hair.” He added, gesturing vaguely to the braids. If that was the latest fashion with young girls, he would not like to see it continue past the season. That hopefully taken care of, he sent a slave off to his own suite to retrieve his money purse and sword belt.
A long stint in the military had taught him it was always best to be prepared, and he trusted his life—and that of Sofia’s—in no one’s hands more than his own.
He stood and waited for his sister to return from changing, the slave boy having run off and returned already, in an admittedly impressive amount of time. Belting his kopis sword in place, he walked outside to wait by the carriage that was being prepared for their departure. It was going to be a very hot day, clearly, Aeolus resting under the might of Helios without the slightest bit of relief for the poor mortals walking around below.
“There you are.” Pavlos said when Sofia had finally rejoined him, opening the carriage door and climbing inside on his own. By Hades, was it hot inside! He would have liked to suggest traveling by horse, since at least they would have a breeze, but the whole affair would be hideously inappropriate and he had the Marikas name to worry about, as much as he disliked doing things for appearance’s sake. Noblemen, and especially royalty, took carriages whenever they went anywhere, and so must he.
“That is better.” He gave her new outfit a vague nod of approval as the driver closed the door behind them (which made it even hotter, unfortunately) and they were off to the market.
Pavlos lowered himself into his usual seat, nodding to his sister in response to her greeting. “Yes. It is.” He replied, the thought crossing his mind to lecture her for speaking with her mouth full, before he decided against it; it was too early to start any form of argument or disagreeable conversation with his family. Besides which, Sofia was the least disagreeable of them all, besides their father.
“Don’t you have lessons today?” He asked as she mentioned going to the market, dark brow arching in disapproval as he shook his head slightly. She was trying to get out of her lessons, obviously. Or perhaps escape the house without a guard. Both, probably. “And enough cloth in that room of yours to dress the entire royal court?” He added skeptically, his other eyebrow joining the first as he waited to see what she would say to that.
“Fine.” Pavlos would concede eventually, since it was true that he had nothing better to do, and he could count the times he had spent alone with his sister on two hands, in all the years he had known her. In fact, two hands may have been generous… “My meeting was cancelled this morning. Some fool of a nobleman walked into a moving cart.” He snorted derisively. “So, given that I have nothing better to do, as you surmised, I can take you to the market. Minus the excitement, hopefully.”
He waited for her to finish her food to stand, only to look her over with disapproval when she eventually did the same. “Surely you have something better to wear than that.” He said sternly, sending her off to change into something more suitable for a public venture than her current outfit. “And do something with your hair.” He added, gesturing vaguely to the braids. If that was the latest fashion with young girls, he would not like to see it continue past the season. That hopefully taken care of, he sent a slave off to his own suite to retrieve his money purse and sword belt.
A long stint in the military had taught him it was always best to be prepared, and he trusted his life—and that of Sofia’s—in no one’s hands more than his own.
He stood and waited for his sister to return from changing, the slave boy having run off and returned already, in an admittedly impressive amount of time. Belting his kopis sword in place, he walked outside to wait by the carriage that was being prepared for their departure. It was going to be a very hot day, clearly, Aeolus resting under the might of Helios without the slightest bit of relief for the poor mortals walking around below.
“There you are.” Pavlos said when Sofia had finally rejoined him, opening the carriage door and climbing inside on his own. By Hades, was it hot inside! He would have liked to suggest traveling by horse, since at least they would have a breeze, but the whole affair would be hideously inappropriate and he had the Marikas name to worry about, as much as he disliked doing things for appearance’s sake. Noblemen, and especially royalty, took carriages whenever they went anywhere, and so must he.
“That is better.” He gave her new outfit a vague nod of approval as the driver closed the door behind them (which made it even hotter, unfortunately) and they were off to the market.
It was a sign of just how desperate for fun Sofia was that it amused her to watch Pavlos’s face changed as he softened to her request. She met his inquiry about her lessons with nothing more than blank eyes and a smile, and shrugged helplessly with regard to her nearly infinite supply of cloth. There was no point in responding—he already knew what her game was, anyway, and incriminating herself might stop the changing feeling in his eyes. Pavlos was a bit of a wild card, though not literally. As far as she knew, her oldest brother had never done a wild thing in his life! But she had to admit that, while he was old and maybe a bit grumpy, she didn’t really know enough about him to predict his answers.
Which only made it extra exciting when he agreed to accompany her! She giggled a bit at his story—really, who could be that foolish?—and grinned appreciatively. Sofia made quick work of finishing her little meal. Food could wait, after all, now was the time for adventure! Standing at the same time as Pavlos, she opened her mouth to cheer, not planning on restraining her excitement, “Thank y—.” Pale green eyes narrowed darkly. Sofia visibly deflated. How dare he tell her to change her clothes? And her hair! No matter that she did probably look like an urchin who hadn’t found a place to sleep last night, it was the injustice of it all.
Sofia considered her options. She could fight back in protest—after all, her dress wasn’t so bad. In fact, she quite liked it. She could refuse altogether and leave Pavlos bored and alone (but then she would be bored and alone, too). Or… “Fine,” she copied his less than enthusiastic tone and stomped all the way upstairs to change. She settled on a nice silk peplos Raf had found for her, admiring the shimmering green and adding just a few gold bangles to her wrists to compliment it. Sera always said she’d like bangles eventually, but Sofia thought they were annoying. Too much clanging made it hard to sneak away. She removed a few of the little braids that had seemed to irk Pavlos but left in enough that any noble girls they passed would be appreciative. Best to stay on her brother’s good side, at least until they got home.
Climbing into the carriage after Pavlos, she plopped herself down on the seat, her excitement coming back in full force. “I’m glad you like it,” she said, perhaps a bit too sweetly, and stared out at the passing trees and houses. They arrived a short time later and Sofia was out before the driver could open the door for her, eyes already casting about for the most interesting stalls.
“Look!” she exclaimed, not waiting for Pavlos to follow before she wove through the thin crowd to the shop that had caught her eye. Behind the glass were fascinating arrays of all sorts of trinkets; little metal boxes and dolls, strange instruments and glistening jewelry. The display could have looked cheap or junky, but each item was placed in such a way that it stood out. Still, it wasn’t long before Sofia had stopped staring and moved on to the next shop, and the next. Buying things wasn’t the fun part of an outing; it was the stimulation of seeing new things and new people, the little thrill in each little something Sofia laid eyes on. Pavlos was nearly forgotten in her wake, until…
“Look,” she said again, her voice breathless this time, not even sure if her brother was in earshot. The shop window displayed several heads carved from a dark wood, with fake hair woven from tiny strips of fabric or some other material. But neither the heads nor the hair were what caught her eye. No, in each of the wigs, some decoration was artfully scattered. Painted fabric flowers, real flowers, clips, or tiny silver or gold hoops. It was fashion like Sofia had never seen it, and she was awed. “Aren’t they wonderful, Pav?”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
It was a sign of just how desperate for fun Sofia was that it amused her to watch Pavlos’s face changed as he softened to her request. She met his inquiry about her lessons with nothing more than blank eyes and a smile, and shrugged helplessly with regard to her nearly infinite supply of cloth. There was no point in responding—he already knew what her game was, anyway, and incriminating herself might stop the changing feeling in his eyes. Pavlos was a bit of a wild card, though not literally. As far as she knew, her oldest brother had never done a wild thing in his life! But she had to admit that, while he was old and maybe a bit grumpy, she didn’t really know enough about him to predict his answers.
Which only made it extra exciting when he agreed to accompany her! She giggled a bit at his story—really, who could be that foolish?—and grinned appreciatively. Sofia made quick work of finishing her little meal. Food could wait, after all, now was the time for adventure! Standing at the same time as Pavlos, she opened her mouth to cheer, not planning on restraining her excitement, “Thank y—.” Pale green eyes narrowed darkly. Sofia visibly deflated. How dare he tell her to change her clothes? And her hair! No matter that she did probably look like an urchin who hadn’t found a place to sleep last night, it was the injustice of it all.
Sofia considered her options. She could fight back in protest—after all, her dress wasn’t so bad. In fact, she quite liked it. She could refuse altogether and leave Pavlos bored and alone (but then she would be bored and alone, too). Or… “Fine,” she copied his less than enthusiastic tone and stomped all the way upstairs to change. She settled on a nice silk peplos Raf had found for her, admiring the shimmering green and adding just a few gold bangles to her wrists to compliment it. Sera always said she’d like bangles eventually, but Sofia thought they were annoying. Too much clanging made it hard to sneak away. She removed a few of the little braids that had seemed to irk Pavlos but left in enough that any noble girls they passed would be appreciative. Best to stay on her brother’s good side, at least until they got home.
Climbing into the carriage after Pavlos, she plopped herself down on the seat, her excitement coming back in full force. “I’m glad you like it,” she said, perhaps a bit too sweetly, and stared out at the passing trees and houses. They arrived a short time later and Sofia was out before the driver could open the door for her, eyes already casting about for the most interesting stalls.
“Look!” she exclaimed, not waiting for Pavlos to follow before she wove through the thin crowd to the shop that had caught her eye. Behind the glass were fascinating arrays of all sorts of trinkets; little metal boxes and dolls, strange instruments and glistening jewelry. The display could have looked cheap or junky, but each item was placed in such a way that it stood out. Still, it wasn’t long before Sofia had stopped staring and moved on to the next shop, and the next. Buying things wasn’t the fun part of an outing; it was the stimulation of seeing new things and new people, the little thrill in each little something Sofia laid eyes on. Pavlos was nearly forgotten in her wake, until…
“Look,” she said again, her voice breathless this time, not even sure if her brother was in earshot. The shop window displayed several heads carved from a dark wood, with fake hair woven from tiny strips of fabric or some other material. But neither the heads nor the hair were what caught her eye. No, in each of the wigs, some decoration was artfully scattered. Painted fabric flowers, real flowers, clips, or tiny silver or gold hoops. It was fashion like Sofia had never seen it, and she was awed. “Aren’t they wonderful, Pav?”
It was a sign of just how desperate for fun Sofia was that it amused her to watch Pavlos’s face changed as he softened to her request. She met his inquiry about her lessons with nothing more than blank eyes and a smile, and shrugged helplessly with regard to her nearly infinite supply of cloth. There was no point in responding—he already knew what her game was, anyway, and incriminating herself might stop the changing feeling in his eyes. Pavlos was a bit of a wild card, though not literally. As far as she knew, her oldest brother had never done a wild thing in his life! But she had to admit that, while he was old and maybe a bit grumpy, she didn’t really know enough about him to predict his answers.
Which only made it extra exciting when he agreed to accompany her! She giggled a bit at his story—really, who could be that foolish?—and grinned appreciatively. Sofia made quick work of finishing her little meal. Food could wait, after all, now was the time for adventure! Standing at the same time as Pavlos, she opened her mouth to cheer, not planning on restraining her excitement, “Thank y—.” Pale green eyes narrowed darkly. Sofia visibly deflated. How dare he tell her to change her clothes? And her hair! No matter that she did probably look like an urchin who hadn’t found a place to sleep last night, it was the injustice of it all.
Sofia considered her options. She could fight back in protest—after all, her dress wasn’t so bad. In fact, she quite liked it. She could refuse altogether and leave Pavlos bored and alone (but then she would be bored and alone, too). Or… “Fine,” she copied his less than enthusiastic tone and stomped all the way upstairs to change. She settled on a nice silk peplos Raf had found for her, admiring the shimmering green and adding just a few gold bangles to her wrists to compliment it. Sera always said she’d like bangles eventually, but Sofia thought they were annoying. Too much clanging made it hard to sneak away. She removed a few of the little braids that had seemed to irk Pavlos but left in enough that any noble girls they passed would be appreciative. Best to stay on her brother’s good side, at least until they got home.
Climbing into the carriage after Pavlos, she plopped herself down on the seat, her excitement coming back in full force. “I’m glad you like it,” she said, perhaps a bit too sweetly, and stared out at the passing trees and houses. They arrived a short time later and Sofia was out before the driver could open the door for her, eyes already casting about for the most interesting stalls.
“Look!” she exclaimed, not waiting for Pavlos to follow before she wove through the thin crowd to the shop that had caught her eye. Behind the glass were fascinating arrays of all sorts of trinkets; little metal boxes and dolls, strange instruments and glistening jewelry. The display could have looked cheap or junky, but each item was placed in such a way that it stood out. Still, it wasn’t long before Sofia had stopped staring and moved on to the next shop, and the next. Buying things wasn’t the fun part of an outing; it was the stimulation of seeing new things and new people, the little thrill in each little something Sofia laid eyes on. Pavlos was nearly forgotten in her wake, until…
“Look,” she said again, her voice breathless this time, not even sure if her brother was in earshot. The shop window displayed several heads carved from a dark wood, with fake hair woven from tiny strips of fabric or some other material. But neither the heads nor the hair were what caught her eye. No, in each of the wigs, some decoration was artfully scattered. Painted fabric flowers, real flowers, clips, or tiny silver or gold hoops. It was fashion like Sofia had never seen it, and she was awed. “Aren’t they wonderful, Pav?”
The carriage had hardly stopped before his hyper-active sister was climbing out, and barreling down the street, calling over her shoulder for him to follow. Pavlos took his time removing himself from their transportation, following after Sofia with an exhausted sigh. The pair had been out all of five minutes, and he already wanted to return home, thinking this entire thing was a waste of time. Still, there was something pleasing to him to see the smile that Sofia brazenly showed off to the world, that convinced him to see this trip out. After finally catching up to her, he spoke in a low voice, "Can you at least pretend that you are from noble standing?"He attempts to lift up her hand into the ready crook of his right arm, keeping her away from the street. "Only peasant children run about in such a manner, squealing at the top of their lungs."
After regaining his posture, he finally turns his gaze towards the baubles she had been so excited about, cool gaze scanning over the shiny objects with critique. "They are acceptable,"He admitted, returning his attention back to his youthful sibling, lifting a curious brow. "...would you like to purchase any of them?"He again turned his eyes back to the trinkets through the glass plane. He had no issues allowing her to spend however much she wished on her whims. What did they have wealth for, if not to use it? Of course they would not go overboard, but enough that she would be satisfied of course. Being exposed to the ridiculous heat like this was quickly dampening his mood, not that it had been very cheery to begin with, but now if anyone so much as gave he or his sister a sideways glance, he was prepared to start a duel."If you are not going to buy anything from here, then let us move along." He said pointedly, a bead of sweat starting to trail down from his hairline to the bottom of his chin. Pavlos casually rested his free hand on the pommel of his sword, his jaw clenching with a harsh snap, Hades balls, it was hot.Perhaps this one shop was enough to please his young sibling, and he could quickly usher the pair of them home before the Marikas family lost two of its members to heat exposure. Then who would hold them together? Raf? Pavlos would rather they all die before that happened.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
The carriage had hardly stopped before his hyper-active sister was climbing out, and barreling down the street, calling over her shoulder for him to follow. Pavlos took his time removing himself from their transportation, following after Sofia with an exhausted sigh. The pair had been out all of five minutes, and he already wanted to return home, thinking this entire thing was a waste of time. Still, there was something pleasing to him to see the smile that Sofia brazenly showed off to the world, that convinced him to see this trip out. After finally catching up to her, he spoke in a low voice, "Can you at least pretend that you are from noble standing?"He attempts to lift up her hand into the ready crook of his right arm, keeping her away from the street. "Only peasant children run about in such a manner, squealing at the top of their lungs."
After regaining his posture, he finally turns his gaze towards the baubles she had been so excited about, cool gaze scanning over the shiny objects with critique. "They are acceptable,"He admitted, returning his attention back to his youthful sibling, lifting a curious brow. "...would you like to purchase any of them?"He again turned his eyes back to the trinkets through the glass plane. He had no issues allowing her to spend however much she wished on her whims. What did they have wealth for, if not to use it? Of course they would not go overboard, but enough that she would be satisfied of course. Being exposed to the ridiculous heat like this was quickly dampening his mood, not that it had been very cheery to begin with, but now if anyone so much as gave he or his sister a sideways glance, he was prepared to start a duel."If you are not going to buy anything from here, then let us move along." He said pointedly, a bead of sweat starting to trail down from his hairline to the bottom of his chin. Pavlos casually rested his free hand on the pommel of his sword, his jaw clenching with a harsh snap, Hades balls, it was hot.Perhaps this one shop was enough to please his young sibling, and he could quickly usher the pair of them home before the Marikas family lost two of its members to heat exposure. Then who would hold them together? Raf? Pavlos would rather they all die before that happened.
The carriage had hardly stopped before his hyper-active sister was climbing out, and barreling down the street, calling over her shoulder for him to follow. Pavlos took his time removing himself from their transportation, following after Sofia with an exhausted sigh. The pair had been out all of five minutes, and he already wanted to return home, thinking this entire thing was a waste of time. Still, there was something pleasing to him to see the smile that Sofia brazenly showed off to the world, that convinced him to see this trip out. After finally catching up to her, he spoke in a low voice, "Can you at least pretend that you are from noble standing?"He attempts to lift up her hand into the ready crook of his right arm, keeping her away from the street. "Only peasant children run about in such a manner, squealing at the top of their lungs."
After regaining his posture, he finally turns his gaze towards the baubles she had been so excited about, cool gaze scanning over the shiny objects with critique. "They are acceptable,"He admitted, returning his attention back to his youthful sibling, lifting a curious brow. "...would you like to purchase any of them?"He again turned his eyes back to the trinkets through the glass plane. He had no issues allowing her to spend however much she wished on her whims. What did they have wealth for, if not to use it? Of course they would not go overboard, but enough that she would be satisfied of course. Being exposed to the ridiculous heat like this was quickly dampening his mood, not that it had been very cheery to begin with, but now if anyone so much as gave he or his sister a sideways glance, he was prepared to start a duel."If you are not going to buy anything from here, then let us move along." He said pointedly, a bead of sweat starting to trail down from his hairline to the bottom of his chin. Pavlos casually rested his free hand on the pommel of his sword, his jaw clenching with a harsh snap, Hades balls, it was hot.Perhaps this one shop was enough to please his young sibling, and he could quickly usher the pair of them home before the Marikas family lost two of its members to heat exposure. Then who would hold them together? Raf? Pavlos would rather they all die before that happened.
