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Her youngest daughter had been pulling away from her for years, and Circenia couldn’t deny the pain it caused her. Danae had always been a strong, willful child with a mind of her own, traits her mother proudly encouraged, but it seemed the girl held nothing but resentment for the woman who had birthed her. The more she tried to reach out to her, the more Danae pulled away, and the Stravos matriarch could take it no longer. Deprived of her own mother at a young age, she wouldn’t let the gulf between them continue to grow. Circenia would be part of her daughter’s life. Whether she liked it or not.
One knock on Danae’s door announced her presence before she swept into the room. Whether she was asleep or not, she was definitely awake now, and Circenia had plans for their day. Today, she wasn’t going to let Danae hole herself up in her room doing gods know what. They were going out, and she was just going to have to deal with it.
“Danae, we’re going to the market,” she informed her daughter as she started to rifle through the girl’s wardrobe. Selecting a crimson peplos and another in burnished gold, Circenia grabbed them both and strode over to where Danae stood. She held up the red one first, then the gold, glancing between her child and the garments with a critical eye. Nodding in satisfaction, she thrust the red one her daughter’s way. “You should wear this. Crimson really brings out your eyes.”
There would inevitably be protests, she knew, but it was far past time that Danae learned how to be a lady. No matter that she hated it, no matter that their family was in disgrace, the girl was still a daughter of the royal line of Athenia, and Circenia had indulged her boyish whims for far too long. She would never let it be said that any child of hers didn’t know how to act their station.
Moving over to the nearby table without waiting for a response, she started rifling through the small chests she found there to see if she might spot any adornments to better compliment the gown. Shaking her head in disappointment and releasing a sigh of frustration, Circenia found little that would satisfy her. While she knew her own style was far more ostentatious, it was still hard to believe her own daughter had so little of it. “I swear, it’s like a woman doesn’t even live in this room, Danae. I know I’ve bought you more jewelry than this.” The princess’s eyes narrowed suspiciously in her daughter’s direction, wondering just where it had all gotten to.
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head again. “No matter. I’m sure I have something that will suit. Come on. Start getting ready, and I’ll see what I can scrounge together for you.” The look on Circenia’s face made it clear she would accept no argument on this, no matter that her daughter was just as stubborn as she was. When she put her foot down, she put it down.
This character is currently a work in progress.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Her youngest daughter had been pulling away from her for years, and Circenia couldn’t deny the pain it caused her. Danae had always been a strong, willful child with a mind of her own, traits her mother proudly encouraged, but it seemed the girl held nothing but resentment for the woman who had birthed her. The more she tried to reach out to her, the more Danae pulled away, and the Stravos matriarch could take it no longer. Deprived of her own mother at a young age, she wouldn’t let the gulf between them continue to grow. Circenia would be part of her daughter’s life. Whether she liked it or not.
One knock on Danae’s door announced her presence before she swept into the room. Whether she was asleep or not, she was definitely awake now, and Circenia had plans for their day. Today, she wasn’t going to let Danae hole herself up in her room doing gods know what. They were going out, and she was just going to have to deal with it.
“Danae, we’re going to the market,” she informed her daughter as she started to rifle through the girl’s wardrobe. Selecting a crimson peplos and another in burnished gold, Circenia grabbed them both and strode over to where Danae stood. She held up the red one first, then the gold, glancing between her child and the garments with a critical eye. Nodding in satisfaction, she thrust the red one her daughter’s way. “You should wear this. Crimson really brings out your eyes.”
There would inevitably be protests, she knew, but it was far past time that Danae learned how to be a lady. No matter that she hated it, no matter that their family was in disgrace, the girl was still a daughter of the royal line of Athenia, and Circenia had indulged her boyish whims for far too long. She would never let it be said that any child of hers didn’t know how to act their station.
Moving over to the nearby table without waiting for a response, she started rifling through the small chests she found there to see if she might spot any adornments to better compliment the gown. Shaking her head in disappointment and releasing a sigh of frustration, Circenia found little that would satisfy her. While she knew her own style was far more ostentatious, it was still hard to believe her own daughter had so little of it. “I swear, it’s like a woman doesn’t even live in this room, Danae. I know I’ve bought you more jewelry than this.” The princess’s eyes narrowed suspiciously in her daughter’s direction, wondering just where it had all gotten to.
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head again. “No matter. I’m sure I have something that will suit. Come on. Start getting ready, and I’ll see what I can scrounge together for you.” The look on Circenia’s face made it clear she would accept no argument on this, no matter that her daughter was just as stubborn as she was. When she put her foot down, she put it down.
Her youngest daughter had been pulling away from her for years, and Circenia couldn’t deny the pain it caused her. Danae had always been a strong, willful child with a mind of her own, traits her mother proudly encouraged, but it seemed the girl held nothing but resentment for the woman who had birthed her. The more she tried to reach out to her, the more Danae pulled away, and the Stravos matriarch could take it no longer. Deprived of her own mother at a young age, she wouldn’t let the gulf between them continue to grow. Circenia would be part of her daughter’s life. Whether she liked it or not.
One knock on Danae’s door announced her presence before she swept into the room. Whether she was asleep or not, she was definitely awake now, and Circenia had plans for their day. Today, she wasn’t going to let Danae hole herself up in her room doing gods know what. They were going out, and she was just going to have to deal with it.
“Danae, we’re going to the market,” she informed her daughter as she started to rifle through the girl’s wardrobe. Selecting a crimson peplos and another in burnished gold, Circenia grabbed them both and strode over to where Danae stood. She held up the red one first, then the gold, glancing between her child and the garments with a critical eye. Nodding in satisfaction, she thrust the red one her daughter’s way. “You should wear this. Crimson really brings out your eyes.”
There would inevitably be protests, she knew, but it was far past time that Danae learned how to be a lady. No matter that she hated it, no matter that their family was in disgrace, the girl was still a daughter of the royal line of Athenia, and Circenia had indulged her boyish whims for far too long. She would never let it be said that any child of hers didn’t know how to act their station.
Moving over to the nearby table without waiting for a response, she started rifling through the small chests she found there to see if she might spot any adornments to better compliment the gown. Shaking her head in disappointment and releasing a sigh of frustration, Circenia found little that would satisfy her. While she knew her own style was far more ostentatious, it was still hard to believe her own daughter had so little of it. “I swear, it’s like a woman doesn’t even live in this room, Danae. I know I’ve bought you more jewelry than this.” The princess’s eyes narrowed suspiciously in her daughter’s direction, wondering just where it had all gotten to.
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head again. “No matter. I’m sure I have something that will suit. Come on. Start getting ready, and I’ll see what I can scrounge together for you.” The look on Circenia’s face made it clear she would accept no argument on this, no matter that her daughter was just as stubborn as she was. When she put her foot down, she put it down.
Despite what her Circenia believed, Danae did not truly resent her mother… well, she did, but it was only in an odd sort of way that the young girl barely recognized, let alone put into words. After all, Circenia herself had done nothing to warrant the cold shoulders and curt exchanges that her youngest child subjected her to. Danae would even admit as much if she was pressed on the subject before eventually storming off in a confused huff of teenage angst. Just beneath the surface, Danae loved her mother. Truly she did, even though she did not express it in the same way that she did with her father.
So, why was Danae so resistant to her mother’s attempts to establish any sort of connection with her daughter? Well, simply it was because Danae resented what her mother represented.
Circenia was a socialite. The de facto leader of the courts and gatekeeper of the gossip circuit. She was the might behind Elias’s rise to power and she did it with such effortless grace that her mere presence could strike fear into the hearts of the courtiers of Athenia. She was unapologetically ruthless and ambitious. There was no hiding from the reality in the Stravos household that the girls were meant to be exactly like her. This was where Circenia was damned in Danae’s eyes as not only could her daughter never do this, thanks to her insecurities and her tendency to want to hide her strengths, but the girls were meant to follow in their mother’s footsteps in terms of their histories too.
The matriarch had been born a Xanthos and married into the Stravos line, fully expected to give up the loyalties of her natal family for the ambitions of her husband. This was a reality expected of all girls of her status and it was a fate Danae feared more than death itself; even though that was what this was in an odd sort of way. After all, the girl knew that once she was married off, she would be expected to cast aside all her Stravos ambitions and Danae just didn’t know who she was without them fueling every decision she made in her life. Her desire to prove herself worthy of the Stravos name could be seen in everything she did from her personal ambitions for the crown to her decision to run her little financial empire. The mere fact that this will all disappear the day she became a wife… it terrified her.
It would be like losing her identity and her mother’s mere existence was a stark reminder of that fact.
Danae’s resistance to her mother’s attempts to turn her into a proper lady of the court was merely an act of self-preservation. She innately knew that as long as she scorned the life she was expected to lead, she could escape the inevitable fate waiting for her. She justified her terse words and unpleasant attitudes in other ways, of course. But at the core of it? This was what caused the rift between the mother and daughter. Circenia could try all she liked, but while this fear was within her daughter, it would be a near-impossible task to heal the mend.
But damn, was her mother going to try.
Danae was indeed awake when her the sharp rapping of her mother’s knuckles sounded at the door. She had been for hours, even though she had not ventured from the safety of her room just yet. Why? She just didn’t have a reason to. There was work that needed to be done and that certainly wasn’t going to happen if she was lounging in the courtyard, doing gods know what. It was just far easier for her to remain within her little sanctuary and focus on the tasks at hand. After all, the only reason she would need to leave was for food and she could easily send for that whenever she grew hungry.
That was her plan at least until Circenia, swept into the room; thoroughly shattering any of Danae’s hopes of getting work done this morning. The girl practically lept up from her desk at the intrusion; her eyes flashing with both surprise and annoyance as her mother made her way to the girl’s wardrobe without so much of a hello. It was only when her mother was knee-deep within the bolts of the fabric of which only a few ever saw the light of day, thanks to Danae’s more muted tastes. No doubt Circenia would see that as a waste, but the girl would be more inclined to wear what she had if it truly wasn’t all so gaudy with the bright tones and eye-catching patterns. Instead, Danae was more fond of more muted colors, save for the brights red and golds of her house.
Luckily for her, these were the fabrics that Circenia had deemed appropriate for whatever purpose had encouraged this invasion of her daughter’s privacy. She cringed though at the bright gold fabric and the way it caught the light, bouncing and reflecting throughout the room. An all too familiar bubble of anxiety rose within her at the thought of wearing such a garment that was designed to be noticed. There would be no chance of her hiding from whatever plan her mother was cooking up if the woman made her wear that. Though, granted there was no chance that Danae could hide from Circenia, to begin with. The woman was just as stubborn as she was, if not more.
“For what reason, mother?” Danae asked with an irritated tone as her mother held the fabrics up to her daughter comparing the red against the gold. Circenia seemingly heeded her no mind though as she made a decision and thrust the red one into her daughter’s arms. The girl’s annoyance was hindered for a sheer moment by the relief of the gold peplos being cast aside, sparing Danae from the bout of anxiety that would accompany the discarded one. However, this was short-lived as her mother’s next comment was directed towards Danae’s appearance and even though it was not malicious in any way, it was still enough to bring the ugly head of her insecurities rearing to the surface.
“And what is wrong with the one I am currently wearing?” She practically hissed through gritted teeth, “It should be more than suitable for the market.” The girl was practically seething as she pulled at the sleeves of her steel blue chiton. They had been rolled up thus far, signaling that the girl had worked before her mother had stormed in. The outfit was one of Danae’s favorites as not only did she have a fondness for the color, but it was simple in style and easy enough for her to style herself, giving her an independence from the ladies in waiting who wanted to sit with her and do all sorts of vapid things that Danae had neither the time or patience for entertaining.
She liked the garment she was wearing and had no intention of changing. Danae made that much clear when she put the crimson dress aside as her mother continued to search the room for accessories that the girl didn’t have. The sixteen-year-old rolled her eyes and gritted her teeth at the comments her mother made about the state of her wardrobe, even though her mother knew full well that Danae did not have a taste for such things.
Honestly, it was like Circenia only had daughters to treat them like little dolls for her entertainment. It seemed like Danae and Chara were just her mother's playthings to dress up as she pleased rather than recognizing that they were their own people with their own sense of style. After all, she was not the sort of girl who enjoyed wearing fabrics lined with golden and silver threads -- or really anything that was too flashy. (The only exception to this had been the headpieces she had been wearing since that unfortunate incident with Lukos, but that was an entirely different story.) The girl liked it when things were simple and plain. That way she didn't feel entirely out of place when her own physical insecurities took over. Her style of dress allowed for the inside to match the inside during those moments. It was harder to hide her plain face when she was dressed elaborately. If it was up to her, Danae would just burn all the fabrics in that wardrobe that were not of her own choosing. They served better uses as kindling than as things to decorate her body.
Though, of course, her mother would have exactly none of that nonsense. Not when she still stubbornly refused to acknowledge that her daughter did not take after her and her desire to physically outshine every courtier. Not when her mother still couldn't fathom the reasons why Danae was so determined to buck every social norm Circe tried to thrust upon her.
That was the real tragedy, wasn't it? If only these two equally stubborn women could allow themselves to break down the wall between them and see things from the other's perspective; things could be much different. Perhaps one day the two of them could manage it...
But that day would not be today.
“There are better ways to spend a fortune than buying glittering chains to shackle me to a loom.” Danae hissed under her breath in response to her mother’s questions. Beyond this, she said nothing in response to Circenia’s inquiries of where all the jewelry went. Instead, she defiantly matched her mother’s glare before turning back to her desk to organize the various materials tossed around. As she rerolled scrolls containing carefully calculated numbers and names of urchins, all inscribed in a shorthand that only Danae understood, her mind wandered to the location of all those jewels. Some of them had been sneakily added to the various chests in her sister’s and mother’s rooms. Some were in the possession of her ladies-in-waiting as the glittering jewels were an easy distraction for such simple minds. Others had been melted down to be traded for coin and the jewels had been sold. The money from this, of course, had been poured back into her work, giving it a far better use as a loan that she could charge interest for or as part of a bet that usually reaped fantastic rewards for her. Her mother didn’t know, of course as she would rightly throw a fit, but it wouldn’t be that hard to guess. Especially as her mother was one of the few people who were more than aware of where Danae’s interests truly lay.
When her mother told her to get herself ready for the trip, Danae did not move from the desk. The girl had been more than thoroughly annoyed with the invasion of her privacy and the somewhat degrading insinuations that her mother was making about the way she dressed and her lack of interest in anything that wasn’t business-related. After this, there was no way she was going to suffer the indignation of being treated like a doll, her mother’s plaything to dress as she pleased without any consideration for the taste of the girl before her. “I hardly see the point of doing such a thing. It seems like such a waste of effort for only visiting the market.” Danae defiantly said as she kept her back turned, digging in her heels in regards to the matter, “Surely, Chara would find more joy in such a trip.” Her tone was tense and pointed, making it clear that she did not wish to participate. Danae was not foolish enough to say such a thing aloud, not with her mother being just as willful as she. That was a sure-fire way for Danae to find her mother piling on the most uncomfortable fabrics and jewels, exploiting her child’s dislike of it all as a punishment. The girl already knew that she was toeing a certain line as it was. The last thing she needed to do was give her mother a reason to start a full out war over the trip. But she was more than willing to start a battle over it.
Circenia wanted a fight. Danae was more than happy to supply it.
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.
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Despite what her Circenia believed, Danae did not truly resent her mother… well, she did, but it was only in an odd sort of way that the young girl barely recognized, let alone put into words. After all, Circenia herself had done nothing to warrant the cold shoulders and curt exchanges that her youngest child subjected her to. Danae would even admit as much if she was pressed on the subject before eventually storming off in a confused huff of teenage angst. Just beneath the surface, Danae loved her mother. Truly she did, even though she did not express it in the same way that she did with her father.
So, why was Danae so resistant to her mother’s attempts to establish any sort of connection with her daughter? Well, simply it was because Danae resented what her mother represented.
Circenia was a socialite. The de facto leader of the courts and gatekeeper of the gossip circuit. She was the might behind Elias’s rise to power and she did it with such effortless grace that her mere presence could strike fear into the hearts of the courtiers of Athenia. She was unapologetically ruthless and ambitious. There was no hiding from the reality in the Stravos household that the girls were meant to be exactly like her. This was where Circenia was damned in Danae’s eyes as not only could her daughter never do this, thanks to her insecurities and her tendency to want to hide her strengths, but the girls were meant to follow in their mother’s footsteps in terms of their histories too.
The matriarch had been born a Xanthos and married into the Stravos line, fully expected to give up the loyalties of her natal family for the ambitions of her husband. This was a reality expected of all girls of her status and it was a fate Danae feared more than death itself; even though that was what this was in an odd sort of way. After all, the girl knew that once she was married off, she would be expected to cast aside all her Stravos ambitions and Danae just didn’t know who she was without them fueling every decision she made in her life. Her desire to prove herself worthy of the Stravos name could be seen in everything she did from her personal ambitions for the crown to her decision to run her little financial empire. The mere fact that this will all disappear the day she became a wife… it terrified her.
It would be like losing her identity and her mother’s mere existence was a stark reminder of that fact.
Danae’s resistance to her mother’s attempts to turn her into a proper lady of the court was merely an act of self-preservation. She innately knew that as long as she scorned the life she was expected to lead, she could escape the inevitable fate waiting for her. She justified her terse words and unpleasant attitudes in other ways, of course. But at the core of it? This was what caused the rift between the mother and daughter. Circenia could try all she liked, but while this fear was within her daughter, it would be a near-impossible task to heal the mend.
But damn, was her mother going to try.
Danae was indeed awake when her the sharp rapping of her mother’s knuckles sounded at the door. She had been for hours, even though she had not ventured from the safety of her room just yet. Why? She just didn’t have a reason to. There was work that needed to be done and that certainly wasn’t going to happen if she was lounging in the courtyard, doing gods know what. It was just far easier for her to remain within her little sanctuary and focus on the tasks at hand. After all, the only reason she would need to leave was for food and she could easily send for that whenever she grew hungry.
That was her plan at least until Circenia, swept into the room; thoroughly shattering any of Danae’s hopes of getting work done this morning. The girl practically lept up from her desk at the intrusion; her eyes flashing with both surprise and annoyance as her mother made her way to the girl’s wardrobe without so much of a hello. It was only when her mother was knee-deep within the bolts of the fabric of which only a few ever saw the light of day, thanks to Danae’s more muted tastes. No doubt Circenia would see that as a waste, but the girl would be more inclined to wear what she had if it truly wasn’t all so gaudy with the bright tones and eye-catching patterns. Instead, Danae was more fond of more muted colors, save for the brights red and golds of her house.
Luckily for her, these were the fabrics that Circenia had deemed appropriate for whatever purpose had encouraged this invasion of her daughter’s privacy. She cringed though at the bright gold fabric and the way it caught the light, bouncing and reflecting throughout the room. An all too familiar bubble of anxiety rose within her at the thought of wearing such a garment that was designed to be noticed. There would be no chance of her hiding from whatever plan her mother was cooking up if the woman made her wear that. Though, granted there was no chance that Danae could hide from Circenia, to begin with. The woman was just as stubborn as she was, if not more.
“For what reason, mother?” Danae asked with an irritated tone as her mother held the fabrics up to her daughter comparing the red against the gold. Circenia seemingly heeded her no mind though as she made a decision and thrust the red one into her daughter’s arms. The girl’s annoyance was hindered for a sheer moment by the relief of the gold peplos being cast aside, sparing Danae from the bout of anxiety that would accompany the discarded one. However, this was short-lived as her mother’s next comment was directed towards Danae’s appearance and even though it was not malicious in any way, it was still enough to bring the ugly head of her insecurities rearing to the surface.
“And what is wrong with the one I am currently wearing?” She practically hissed through gritted teeth, “It should be more than suitable for the market.” The girl was practically seething as she pulled at the sleeves of her steel blue chiton. They had been rolled up thus far, signaling that the girl had worked before her mother had stormed in. The outfit was one of Danae’s favorites as not only did she have a fondness for the color, but it was simple in style and easy enough for her to style herself, giving her an independence from the ladies in waiting who wanted to sit with her and do all sorts of vapid things that Danae had neither the time or patience for entertaining.
She liked the garment she was wearing and had no intention of changing. Danae made that much clear when she put the crimson dress aside as her mother continued to search the room for accessories that the girl didn’t have. The sixteen-year-old rolled her eyes and gritted her teeth at the comments her mother made about the state of her wardrobe, even though her mother knew full well that Danae did not have a taste for such things.
Honestly, it was like Circenia only had daughters to treat them like little dolls for her entertainment. It seemed like Danae and Chara were just her mother's playthings to dress up as she pleased rather than recognizing that they were their own people with their own sense of style. After all, she was not the sort of girl who enjoyed wearing fabrics lined with golden and silver threads -- or really anything that was too flashy. (The only exception to this had been the headpieces she had been wearing since that unfortunate incident with Lukos, but that was an entirely different story.) The girl liked it when things were simple and plain. That way she didn't feel entirely out of place when her own physical insecurities took over. Her style of dress allowed for the inside to match the inside during those moments. It was harder to hide her plain face when she was dressed elaborately. If it was up to her, Danae would just burn all the fabrics in that wardrobe that were not of her own choosing. They served better uses as kindling than as things to decorate her body.
Though, of course, her mother would have exactly none of that nonsense. Not when she still stubbornly refused to acknowledge that her daughter did not take after her and her desire to physically outshine every courtier. Not when her mother still couldn't fathom the reasons why Danae was so determined to buck every social norm Circe tried to thrust upon her.
That was the real tragedy, wasn't it? If only these two equally stubborn women could allow themselves to break down the wall between them and see things from the other's perspective; things could be much different. Perhaps one day the two of them could manage it...
But that day would not be today.
“There are better ways to spend a fortune than buying glittering chains to shackle me to a loom.” Danae hissed under her breath in response to her mother’s questions. Beyond this, she said nothing in response to Circenia’s inquiries of where all the jewelry went. Instead, she defiantly matched her mother’s glare before turning back to her desk to organize the various materials tossed around. As she rerolled scrolls containing carefully calculated numbers and names of urchins, all inscribed in a shorthand that only Danae understood, her mind wandered to the location of all those jewels. Some of them had been sneakily added to the various chests in her sister’s and mother’s rooms. Some were in the possession of her ladies-in-waiting as the glittering jewels were an easy distraction for such simple minds. Others had been melted down to be traded for coin and the jewels had been sold. The money from this, of course, had been poured back into her work, giving it a far better use as a loan that she could charge interest for or as part of a bet that usually reaped fantastic rewards for her. Her mother didn’t know, of course as she would rightly throw a fit, but it wouldn’t be that hard to guess. Especially as her mother was one of the few people who were more than aware of where Danae’s interests truly lay.
When her mother told her to get herself ready for the trip, Danae did not move from the desk. The girl had been more than thoroughly annoyed with the invasion of her privacy and the somewhat degrading insinuations that her mother was making about the way she dressed and her lack of interest in anything that wasn’t business-related. After this, there was no way she was going to suffer the indignation of being treated like a doll, her mother’s plaything to dress as she pleased without any consideration for the taste of the girl before her. “I hardly see the point of doing such a thing. It seems like such a waste of effort for only visiting the market.” Danae defiantly said as she kept her back turned, digging in her heels in regards to the matter, “Surely, Chara would find more joy in such a trip.” Her tone was tense and pointed, making it clear that she did not wish to participate. Danae was not foolish enough to say such a thing aloud, not with her mother being just as willful as she. That was a sure-fire way for Danae to find her mother piling on the most uncomfortable fabrics and jewels, exploiting her child’s dislike of it all as a punishment. The girl already knew that she was toeing a certain line as it was. The last thing she needed to do was give her mother a reason to start a full out war over the trip. But she was more than willing to start a battle over it.
Circenia wanted a fight. Danae was more than happy to supply it.
Despite what her Circenia believed, Danae did not truly resent her mother… well, she did, but it was only in an odd sort of way that the young girl barely recognized, let alone put into words. After all, Circenia herself had done nothing to warrant the cold shoulders and curt exchanges that her youngest child subjected her to. Danae would even admit as much if she was pressed on the subject before eventually storming off in a confused huff of teenage angst. Just beneath the surface, Danae loved her mother. Truly she did, even though she did not express it in the same way that she did with her father.
So, why was Danae so resistant to her mother’s attempts to establish any sort of connection with her daughter? Well, simply it was because Danae resented what her mother represented.
Circenia was a socialite. The de facto leader of the courts and gatekeeper of the gossip circuit. She was the might behind Elias’s rise to power and she did it with such effortless grace that her mere presence could strike fear into the hearts of the courtiers of Athenia. She was unapologetically ruthless and ambitious. There was no hiding from the reality in the Stravos household that the girls were meant to be exactly like her. This was where Circenia was damned in Danae’s eyes as not only could her daughter never do this, thanks to her insecurities and her tendency to want to hide her strengths, but the girls were meant to follow in their mother’s footsteps in terms of their histories too.
The matriarch had been born a Xanthos and married into the Stravos line, fully expected to give up the loyalties of her natal family for the ambitions of her husband. This was a reality expected of all girls of her status and it was a fate Danae feared more than death itself; even though that was what this was in an odd sort of way. After all, the girl knew that once she was married off, she would be expected to cast aside all her Stravos ambitions and Danae just didn’t know who she was without them fueling every decision she made in her life. Her desire to prove herself worthy of the Stravos name could be seen in everything she did from her personal ambitions for the crown to her decision to run her little financial empire. The mere fact that this will all disappear the day she became a wife… it terrified her.
It would be like losing her identity and her mother’s mere existence was a stark reminder of that fact.
Danae’s resistance to her mother’s attempts to turn her into a proper lady of the court was merely an act of self-preservation. She innately knew that as long as she scorned the life she was expected to lead, she could escape the inevitable fate waiting for her. She justified her terse words and unpleasant attitudes in other ways, of course. But at the core of it? This was what caused the rift between the mother and daughter. Circenia could try all she liked, but while this fear was within her daughter, it would be a near-impossible task to heal the mend.
But damn, was her mother going to try.
Danae was indeed awake when her the sharp rapping of her mother’s knuckles sounded at the door. She had been for hours, even though she had not ventured from the safety of her room just yet. Why? She just didn’t have a reason to. There was work that needed to be done and that certainly wasn’t going to happen if she was lounging in the courtyard, doing gods know what. It was just far easier for her to remain within her little sanctuary and focus on the tasks at hand. After all, the only reason she would need to leave was for food and she could easily send for that whenever she grew hungry.
That was her plan at least until Circenia, swept into the room; thoroughly shattering any of Danae’s hopes of getting work done this morning. The girl practically lept up from her desk at the intrusion; her eyes flashing with both surprise and annoyance as her mother made her way to the girl’s wardrobe without so much of a hello. It was only when her mother was knee-deep within the bolts of the fabric of which only a few ever saw the light of day, thanks to Danae’s more muted tastes. No doubt Circenia would see that as a waste, but the girl would be more inclined to wear what she had if it truly wasn’t all so gaudy with the bright tones and eye-catching patterns. Instead, Danae was more fond of more muted colors, save for the brights red and golds of her house.
Luckily for her, these were the fabrics that Circenia had deemed appropriate for whatever purpose had encouraged this invasion of her daughter’s privacy. She cringed though at the bright gold fabric and the way it caught the light, bouncing and reflecting throughout the room. An all too familiar bubble of anxiety rose within her at the thought of wearing such a garment that was designed to be noticed. There would be no chance of her hiding from whatever plan her mother was cooking up if the woman made her wear that. Though, granted there was no chance that Danae could hide from Circenia, to begin with. The woman was just as stubborn as she was, if not more.
“For what reason, mother?” Danae asked with an irritated tone as her mother held the fabrics up to her daughter comparing the red against the gold. Circenia seemingly heeded her no mind though as she made a decision and thrust the red one into her daughter’s arms. The girl’s annoyance was hindered for a sheer moment by the relief of the gold peplos being cast aside, sparing Danae from the bout of anxiety that would accompany the discarded one. However, this was short-lived as her mother’s next comment was directed towards Danae’s appearance and even though it was not malicious in any way, it was still enough to bring the ugly head of her insecurities rearing to the surface.
“And what is wrong with the one I am currently wearing?” She practically hissed through gritted teeth, “It should be more than suitable for the market.” The girl was practically seething as she pulled at the sleeves of her steel blue chiton. They had been rolled up thus far, signaling that the girl had worked before her mother had stormed in. The outfit was one of Danae’s favorites as not only did she have a fondness for the color, but it was simple in style and easy enough for her to style herself, giving her an independence from the ladies in waiting who wanted to sit with her and do all sorts of vapid things that Danae had neither the time or patience for entertaining.
She liked the garment she was wearing and had no intention of changing. Danae made that much clear when she put the crimson dress aside as her mother continued to search the room for accessories that the girl didn’t have. The sixteen-year-old rolled her eyes and gritted her teeth at the comments her mother made about the state of her wardrobe, even though her mother knew full well that Danae did not have a taste for such things.
Honestly, it was like Circenia only had daughters to treat them like little dolls for her entertainment. It seemed like Danae and Chara were just her mother's playthings to dress up as she pleased rather than recognizing that they were their own people with their own sense of style. After all, she was not the sort of girl who enjoyed wearing fabrics lined with golden and silver threads -- or really anything that was too flashy. (The only exception to this had been the headpieces she had been wearing since that unfortunate incident with Lukos, but that was an entirely different story.) The girl liked it when things were simple and plain. That way she didn't feel entirely out of place when her own physical insecurities took over. Her style of dress allowed for the inside to match the inside during those moments. It was harder to hide her plain face when she was dressed elaborately. If it was up to her, Danae would just burn all the fabrics in that wardrobe that were not of her own choosing. They served better uses as kindling than as things to decorate her body.
Though, of course, her mother would have exactly none of that nonsense. Not when she still stubbornly refused to acknowledge that her daughter did not take after her and her desire to physically outshine every courtier. Not when her mother still couldn't fathom the reasons why Danae was so determined to buck every social norm Circe tried to thrust upon her.
That was the real tragedy, wasn't it? If only these two equally stubborn women could allow themselves to break down the wall between them and see things from the other's perspective; things could be much different. Perhaps one day the two of them could manage it...
But that day would not be today.
“There are better ways to spend a fortune than buying glittering chains to shackle me to a loom.” Danae hissed under her breath in response to her mother’s questions. Beyond this, she said nothing in response to Circenia’s inquiries of where all the jewelry went. Instead, she defiantly matched her mother’s glare before turning back to her desk to organize the various materials tossed around. As she rerolled scrolls containing carefully calculated numbers and names of urchins, all inscribed in a shorthand that only Danae understood, her mind wandered to the location of all those jewels. Some of them had been sneakily added to the various chests in her sister’s and mother’s rooms. Some were in the possession of her ladies-in-waiting as the glittering jewels were an easy distraction for such simple minds. Others had been melted down to be traded for coin and the jewels had been sold. The money from this, of course, had been poured back into her work, giving it a far better use as a loan that she could charge interest for or as part of a bet that usually reaped fantastic rewards for her. Her mother didn’t know, of course as she would rightly throw a fit, but it wouldn’t be that hard to guess. Especially as her mother was one of the few people who were more than aware of where Danae’s interests truly lay.
When her mother told her to get herself ready for the trip, Danae did not move from the desk. The girl had been more than thoroughly annoyed with the invasion of her privacy and the somewhat degrading insinuations that her mother was making about the way she dressed and her lack of interest in anything that wasn’t business-related. After this, there was no way she was going to suffer the indignation of being treated like a doll, her mother’s plaything to dress as she pleased without any consideration for the taste of the girl before her. “I hardly see the point of doing such a thing. It seems like such a waste of effort for only visiting the market.” Danae defiantly said as she kept her back turned, digging in her heels in regards to the matter, “Surely, Chara would find more joy in such a trip.” Her tone was tense and pointed, making it clear that she did not wish to participate. Danae was not foolish enough to say such a thing aloud, not with her mother being just as willful as she. That was a sure-fire way for Danae to find her mother piling on the most uncomfortable fabrics and jewels, exploiting her child’s dislike of it all as a punishment. The girl already knew that she was toeing a certain line as it was. The last thing she needed to do was give her mother a reason to start a full out war over the trip. But she was more than willing to start a battle over it.
Circenia wanted a fight. Danae was more than happy to supply it.
“Why must you always question me?” Circenia’s voice was short and clipped, gracing her daughter with a sidelong glare. “I am your mother. If I say we are going to the market, you should just accept we are going to the market. Have some respect for the woman who brought you into this world.”
Never mind that Circenia herself never would have blindly obeyed her own parents. In fact, she’d been nearly as willful as Danae (if not more so), though this, she would never admit to her youngest child. No need to give her any further excuses for her behavior. She was stubborn enough, as it was. Granted, Circenia’s interests had been far more attuned to what a woman’s should be. The same could not be said for her daughter.
“If you must know, we will be escorting the young Princess Emilia so that she may spend some time outside of the Palati,” Circenia explained. “I convinced your brother to let her go out, but only on the stipulation that someone in the family would take her. We can’t let people think she’s a prisoner in her own home. She needs to be seen.”
Crystalline eyes rolled when Danae insisted Chara would be a better choice. “You’re right, she probably would be. Chara, at least, knows how and when to keep a civil tongue in her head. You, on the other hand…” She raised a brow, fixing her daughter in her stare. “You must make amends with your cousin, at least for the time being. She is in our care now, and we can’t mishandle her. Threaten her if you must, but keep those threats subtle. Learn to fight with words, Danae. A single word can make or break a nation. Don’t forget that.”
Picking up the peplos her daughter had discarded, Circenia thrust it at her again. “And that’s why you should change. We’re sending a message, Danae. Every little thing we do is scrutinized right now, and we have to use that to our advantage, not to our detriment. We need our countrymen to see that House Stravos is strong, united, and capable. That we will protect Athenia, unlike our dear Xanthos cousins. Even subtle things like displaying our colors will be noted. Our position is precarious, child, especially while your brother sits in the Palati all day and leaves others to do the work for him. We have to put in the effort that he won’t, so that we can still come out ahead.” It was rare to hear the woman speak so bitterly of her son, the golden boy who’d always held her heart in such a vicelike grip, but his recent actions—or lack thereof—threatened to put them right back where they’d been at the beginning of all of this mess. Circenia could not let that happen. “If he will not step up, then we must. We can’t let it all crumble now.”
The princess herself was stunning in a golden chiton, embellished with a scarlet peplos over top. Ebony hair was set in elaborate braids that framed her proud, high-boned face, ruby and garnet jewelry decorating her ears, throat, and fingers. Circenia never left the archontiko looking anything less than immaculate, and she was going to make sure her daughter did the same. There were enough rumors going around about her family. She would do her very best to ensure they came out ahead of any others.
“So please. Just humor me, will you?” she took on a more cajoling tone, her face softening as she gazed on her youngest. It was rare that she ever posed anything as a request rather than an order, hoping to appeal to her daughter’s sensibilities. If nothing else, Circenia knew Danae cared for the honor of their house, even if she didn’t care for her honor as a woman. “I am giving you something attainable that you can do to help the family. I don’t think it’s an unreasonable thing to ask for.”
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“Why must you always question me?” Circenia’s voice was short and clipped, gracing her daughter with a sidelong glare. “I am your mother. If I say we are going to the market, you should just accept we are going to the market. Have some respect for the woman who brought you into this world.”
Never mind that Circenia herself never would have blindly obeyed her own parents. In fact, she’d been nearly as willful as Danae (if not more so), though this, she would never admit to her youngest child. No need to give her any further excuses for her behavior. She was stubborn enough, as it was. Granted, Circenia’s interests had been far more attuned to what a woman’s should be. The same could not be said for her daughter.
“If you must know, we will be escorting the young Princess Emilia so that she may spend some time outside of the Palati,” Circenia explained. “I convinced your brother to let her go out, but only on the stipulation that someone in the family would take her. We can’t let people think she’s a prisoner in her own home. She needs to be seen.”
Crystalline eyes rolled when Danae insisted Chara would be a better choice. “You’re right, she probably would be. Chara, at least, knows how and when to keep a civil tongue in her head. You, on the other hand…” She raised a brow, fixing her daughter in her stare. “You must make amends with your cousin, at least for the time being. She is in our care now, and we can’t mishandle her. Threaten her if you must, but keep those threats subtle. Learn to fight with words, Danae. A single word can make or break a nation. Don’t forget that.”
Picking up the peplos her daughter had discarded, Circenia thrust it at her again. “And that’s why you should change. We’re sending a message, Danae. Every little thing we do is scrutinized right now, and we have to use that to our advantage, not to our detriment. We need our countrymen to see that House Stravos is strong, united, and capable. That we will protect Athenia, unlike our dear Xanthos cousins. Even subtle things like displaying our colors will be noted. Our position is precarious, child, especially while your brother sits in the Palati all day and leaves others to do the work for him. We have to put in the effort that he won’t, so that we can still come out ahead.” It was rare to hear the woman speak so bitterly of her son, the golden boy who’d always held her heart in such a vicelike grip, but his recent actions—or lack thereof—threatened to put them right back where they’d been at the beginning of all of this mess. Circenia could not let that happen. “If he will not step up, then we must. We can’t let it all crumble now.”
The princess herself was stunning in a golden chiton, embellished with a scarlet peplos over top. Ebony hair was set in elaborate braids that framed her proud, high-boned face, ruby and garnet jewelry decorating her ears, throat, and fingers. Circenia never left the archontiko looking anything less than immaculate, and she was going to make sure her daughter did the same. There were enough rumors going around about her family. She would do her very best to ensure they came out ahead of any others.
“So please. Just humor me, will you?” she took on a more cajoling tone, her face softening as she gazed on her youngest. It was rare that she ever posed anything as a request rather than an order, hoping to appeal to her daughter’s sensibilities. If nothing else, Circenia knew Danae cared for the honor of their house, even if she didn’t care for her honor as a woman. “I am giving you something attainable that you can do to help the family. I don’t think it’s an unreasonable thing to ask for.”
“Why must you always question me?” Circenia’s voice was short and clipped, gracing her daughter with a sidelong glare. “I am your mother. If I say we are going to the market, you should just accept we are going to the market. Have some respect for the woman who brought you into this world.”
Never mind that Circenia herself never would have blindly obeyed her own parents. In fact, she’d been nearly as willful as Danae (if not more so), though this, she would never admit to her youngest child. No need to give her any further excuses for her behavior. She was stubborn enough, as it was. Granted, Circenia’s interests had been far more attuned to what a woman’s should be. The same could not be said for her daughter.
“If you must know, we will be escorting the young Princess Emilia so that she may spend some time outside of the Palati,” Circenia explained. “I convinced your brother to let her go out, but only on the stipulation that someone in the family would take her. We can’t let people think she’s a prisoner in her own home. She needs to be seen.”
Crystalline eyes rolled when Danae insisted Chara would be a better choice. “You’re right, she probably would be. Chara, at least, knows how and when to keep a civil tongue in her head. You, on the other hand…” She raised a brow, fixing her daughter in her stare. “You must make amends with your cousin, at least for the time being. She is in our care now, and we can’t mishandle her. Threaten her if you must, but keep those threats subtle. Learn to fight with words, Danae. A single word can make or break a nation. Don’t forget that.”
Picking up the peplos her daughter had discarded, Circenia thrust it at her again. “And that’s why you should change. We’re sending a message, Danae. Every little thing we do is scrutinized right now, and we have to use that to our advantage, not to our detriment. We need our countrymen to see that House Stravos is strong, united, and capable. That we will protect Athenia, unlike our dear Xanthos cousins. Even subtle things like displaying our colors will be noted. Our position is precarious, child, especially while your brother sits in the Palati all day and leaves others to do the work for him. We have to put in the effort that he won’t, so that we can still come out ahead.” It was rare to hear the woman speak so bitterly of her son, the golden boy who’d always held her heart in such a vicelike grip, but his recent actions—or lack thereof—threatened to put them right back where they’d been at the beginning of all of this mess. Circenia could not let that happen. “If he will not step up, then we must. We can’t let it all crumble now.”
The princess herself was stunning in a golden chiton, embellished with a scarlet peplos over top. Ebony hair was set in elaborate braids that framed her proud, high-boned face, ruby and garnet jewelry decorating her ears, throat, and fingers. Circenia never left the archontiko looking anything less than immaculate, and she was going to make sure her daughter did the same. There were enough rumors going around about her family. She would do her very best to ensure they came out ahead of any others.
“So please. Just humor me, will you?” she took on a more cajoling tone, her face softening as she gazed on her youngest. It was rare that she ever posed anything as a request rather than an order, hoping to appeal to her daughter’s sensibilities. If nothing else, Circenia knew Danae cared for the honor of their house, even if she didn’t care for her honor as a woman. “I am giving you something attainable that you can do to help the family. I don’t think it’s an unreasonable thing to ask for.”
When Circenia chastized her daughter for having the audacity to not blindly take her mothers orders at face value, Danae was wise enough to not respond to her mother’s harsh words. It was not an easy thing for the carbon copy of the Xanthos woman to do, especially as Danae had some very choice words in regards to how Danae was not some sort of baby doll that could be dragged about how Circenia pleased. The youngest Stravos was not an extension of her mother, no matter how frustratingly similar the pair might be. She was her own person and if she saw fit, she had every right to question her mother when the older woman’s plans conflicted with her own; and she’d certainly be damned if she’d let Circenia continue to lord the labor she went through sixteen years ago over Danae’s head like it happened yesterday.
However, the younger Stravos could tell that her mother was beginning to reach the roof of her patience. One more snarky comment from the girl might result in a rather painful slap. So, not wishing to be marred by the various rings the woman was wearing, Danae kept her mouth shut. Nothing stopped her from glaring at the woman though as Circenia moved about the room; messing with the one space that Danae considered her sanctuary. Her fingers twitched as her mother dove through all the fabrics and jewels, creating a mess of the order that Danae had everything in.
She absolutely hated it when her mother did this sort of thing. There was no reason why her mother couldn’t have knocked and asked to come in, instead of barging in on her daughter’s privacy like it wouldn’t set the reclusive teen off. Honestly, why was her mother always so shocked to see Danae bring out her claws whenever Circenia did this? Was she expecting her equally stubborn child to be appreciative when subjected to such a humiliating invasion like this?
Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head when Circenia told her that the whole point of her coming in here was to prepare for a trip to the market with Emilia, of all people. “ No,” Danae responded with an incredulous laugh as if this was all just one big joke that her mother had cooked up for her daughter, “ If you need someone to parade her around like we’re all nothing more than show animals, then you and Chara will do a perfectly fine job of that. I’d rather be strangled than spend a moment with that boy-crazed fool.” Danae’s opinion of Emilia was not a secret within the Stravos household. The two girls were oil and water when it came to their personalities, but the need for the anchors to play nice with the swans was enough to keep the children in line for sixteen years. Now that the Xanthos’s were basically out of power, Danae saw no need to pretend that she liked Emilia any more. She was done with the useless, vapid chatter about what fabrics made the prettiest dresses and which nobleman the princess had a crush on this week. Danae had better things to do and her patience for such topics was wearing thin. She didn’t care if spending an hour with Emilia would guarantee her everything she’s ever wanted; Danae refused to play nice with the girl anymore.
It was just not going to happen.
When her mother tried to reprimand her daughter again for her smart words and biting tone, Danae found it to be impossible to hold her tongue as she had done a moment ago. “ And would you rather I be just as vapid as her as well? Wasting my time with useless pursuits such as boys and fabrics?” Danae never reacted well to comparisons to her elder sister. Not when Chara was the source of Danae’s insecurities and was held as this impossible standard that her younger sister was expected to aspire to. Well, Danae wanted nothing to do with the life that Chara was leading. She didn’t want to be some little court strumpet who was nearly thirty and still unmarried. What did her sister have to show for it as well? A few notches in her bedpost? Why on earth would Danae want that for herself? There were far more valuable hobbies for the girl to take up. Ones that actually helped the family.
Could their precious Chara say as much?
She rolled her eyes at the insinuation that Danae had to make amends with Emilia. Not a chance in hell would that ever happen. As far as Danae was concerned that bridge was long ago burned; along with this whole notion that Danae should learn to use gossip and subtle phrases as weapons. Those were useless to her. Not when she found it far more fruitful to use the coin her coffers as her tools of choice. It could take months to get a man’s loyalty when the promise of a heavy purse could buy his loyalty in seconds. Gossip was an utterly useless craft to Danae and her mother knew that this was how she saw things. So even she should have known that her pleading was falling onto deaf ears.
This continued when her mother tried to use Danae’s loyalty to her own house against her so that she might do what the older woman wanted. However, it royally backfired on the Stravos matriarch as the mention of Elias doing absolutely nothing in the Palati only stoked the raging fire within her. “ Then stop wasting your time with me and make him be a leader. Go to the palati not to collect to Emilia, but instead to march into his chambers and drag him to the council room by his ear, if you must.” Her voice was steadily rising with the rage within her. How dare they allow Elias to laze about when she was being dragged around Athenia as some sort of rag doll to show off how ‘united’ they were. It was a damn waste of their time if they were trying to patch over the flaws in an already crumbling wall.
However, when her mother switched tactics and softened her tone from the demands that Danae had come to hate to a request of all things. This forced the angry girl to give pause for a moment and simmer down somewhat. Don’t be fooled. Danae wanted absolutely nothing to do with this plan of her mother’s. Pleas to do it for her family or for Elias fell onto deaf ears because the same standards were not being held to Circenia’s precious baby boy. She didn’t care for any reasoning that had to do with him. She never would as long as he was still the useless clod that he was… however, she was a businesswoman at heart. She could find different reasoning to attend.
“ Either way, you’re going to make me go.” Danae quietly said, almost in defeat. Before her mother could gloat in her victory, the girl moved in to secure something that she wanted out of this. “ But, you can’t make me play nice. You could threaten me, slap me, do whatever you like, but if I don’t want to be friendly with Emilia, I won’t do it. You know I won’t. Unless… of course, there’s something in it for me.”
What she was about to ask for might be a lot, but Danae was sure that it was more than a fair price to pay for what Circenia wanted from her. “ I will pretend to be Emilia’s best friend and Elias’s biggest fan from this day until the end of my days if you help me convince Father to let me take part in maritime business.” What Danae was asking for was a chance to take part in the family business formally. She wanted to move away from the shady dealings that depended on urchins and start taking part in trading in a formal part. Even if all she was in charge of was a skiff and the half a dozen goods that could fit in the bottom of the boat; Danae wanted to be in the more lucrative dealings. Not only would it fill her coffers, but it would once and for all prove to her parents that she was the better choice for Stravos heir. Her father had stopped her thus far because of her gender, but everyone knew that he couldn’t deny Circenia anything. He would be more receptive to it if Circe was the champion on her behalf.
But there was still a chance that he would say no, so Danae needed a safety net to make her sure that her mother really fought on her behalf. She didn’t want to damn herself forever for Circe to barely try, so she through a caveat in for her mother to consider, “ If he still says no after you ask, then I want four hundred drachmas instead for my compliance.” Before her mother could complain too much, Danae also hastily added, “ That’s how revenue that I would have had over the next few months, but lost because of us losing our nobility. I need to recoup it and reinvest it quickly so I don’t go broke. I give a portion of my earnings to father so it goes to helping the family as well.” Hopefully, her logic was sound and her mother would have no doubts if she didn’t agree to the deal, Danae would act out like there was no tomorrow…
But even with that in mind would she agree?
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When Circenia chastized her daughter for having the audacity to not blindly take her mothers orders at face value, Danae was wise enough to not respond to her mother’s harsh words. It was not an easy thing for the carbon copy of the Xanthos woman to do, especially as Danae had some very choice words in regards to how Danae was not some sort of baby doll that could be dragged about how Circenia pleased. The youngest Stravos was not an extension of her mother, no matter how frustratingly similar the pair might be. She was her own person and if she saw fit, she had every right to question her mother when the older woman’s plans conflicted with her own; and she’d certainly be damned if she’d let Circenia continue to lord the labor she went through sixteen years ago over Danae’s head like it happened yesterday.
However, the younger Stravos could tell that her mother was beginning to reach the roof of her patience. One more snarky comment from the girl might result in a rather painful slap. So, not wishing to be marred by the various rings the woman was wearing, Danae kept her mouth shut. Nothing stopped her from glaring at the woman though as Circenia moved about the room; messing with the one space that Danae considered her sanctuary. Her fingers twitched as her mother dove through all the fabrics and jewels, creating a mess of the order that Danae had everything in.
She absolutely hated it when her mother did this sort of thing. There was no reason why her mother couldn’t have knocked and asked to come in, instead of barging in on her daughter’s privacy like it wouldn’t set the reclusive teen off. Honestly, why was her mother always so shocked to see Danae bring out her claws whenever Circenia did this? Was she expecting her equally stubborn child to be appreciative when subjected to such a humiliating invasion like this?
Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head when Circenia told her that the whole point of her coming in here was to prepare for a trip to the market with Emilia, of all people. “ No,” Danae responded with an incredulous laugh as if this was all just one big joke that her mother had cooked up for her daughter, “ If you need someone to parade her around like we’re all nothing more than show animals, then you and Chara will do a perfectly fine job of that. I’d rather be strangled than spend a moment with that boy-crazed fool.” Danae’s opinion of Emilia was not a secret within the Stravos household. The two girls were oil and water when it came to their personalities, but the need for the anchors to play nice with the swans was enough to keep the children in line for sixteen years. Now that the Xanthos’s were basically out of power, Danae saw no need to pretend that she liked Emilia any more. She was done with the useless, vapid chatter about what fabrics made the prettiest dresses and which nobleman the princess had a crush on this week. Danae had better things to do and her patience for such topics was wearing thin. She didn’t care if spending an hour with Emilia would guarantee her everything she’s ever wanted; Danae refused to play nice with the girl anymore.
It was just not going to happen.
When her mother tried to reprimand her daughter again for her smart words and biting tone, Danae found it to be impossible to hold her tongue as she had done a moment ago. “ And would you rather I be just as vapid as her as well? Wasting my time with useless pursuits such as boys and fabrics?” Danae never reacted well to comparisons to her elder sister. Not when Chara was the source of Danae’s insecurities and was held as this impossible standard that her younger sister was expected to aspire to. Well, Danae wanted nothing to do with the life that Chara was leading. She didn’t want to be some little court strumpet who was nearly thirty and still unmarried. What did her sister have to show for it as well? A few notches in her bedpost? Why on earth would Danae want that for herself? There were far more valuable hobbies for the girl to take up. Ones that actually helped the family.
Could their precious Chara say as much?
She rolled her eyes at the insinuation that Danae had to make amends with Emilia. Not a chance in hell would that ever happen. As far as Danae was concerned that bridge was long ago burned; along with this whole notion that Danae should learn to use gossip and subtle phrases as weapons. Those were useless to her. Not when she found it far more fruitful to use the coin her coffers as her tools of choice. It could take months to get a man’s loyalty when the promise of a heavy purse could buy his loyalty in seconds. Gossip was an utterly useless craft to Danae and her mother knew that this was how she saw things. So even she should have known that her pleading was falling onto deaf ears.
This continued when her mother tried to use Danae’s loyalty to her own house against her so that she might do what the older woman wanted. However, it royally backfired on the Stravos matriarch as the mention of Elias doing absolutely nothing in the Palati only stoked the raging fire within her. “ Then stop wasting your time with me and make him be a leader. Go to the palati not to collect to Emilia, but instead to march into his chambers and drag him to the council room by his ear, if you must.” Her voice was steadily rising with the rage within her. How dare they allow Elias to laze about when she was being dragged around Athenia as some sort of rag doll to show off how ‘united’ they were. It was a damn waste of their time if they were trying to patch over the flaws in an already crumbling wall.
However, when her mother switched tactics and softened her tone from the demands that Danae had come to hate to a request of all things. This forced the angry girl to give pause for a moment and simmer down somewhat. Don’t be fooled. Danae wanted absolutely nothing to do with this plan of her mother’s. Pleas to do it for her family or for Elias fell onto deaf ears because the same standards were not being held to Circenia’s precious baby boy. She didn’t care for any reasoning that had to do with him. She never would as long as he was still the useless clod that he was… however, she was a businesswoman at heart. She could find different reasoning to attend.
“ Either way, you’re going to make me go.” Danae quietly said, almost in defeat. Before her mother could gloat in her victory, the girl moved in to secure something that she wanted out of this. “ But, you can’t make me play nice. You could threaten me, slap me, do whatever you like, but if I don’t want to be friendly with Emilia, I won’t do it. You know I won’t. Unless… of course, there’s something in it for me.”
What she was about to ask for might be a lot, but Danae was sure that it was more than a fair price to pay for what Circenia wanted from her. “ I will pretend to be Emilia’s best friend and Elias’s biggest fan from this day until the end of my days if you help me convince Father to let me take part in maritime business.” What Danae was asking for was a chance to take part in the family business formally. She wanted to move away from the shady dealings that depended on urchins and start taking part in trading in a formal part. Even if all she was in charge of was a skiff and the half a dozen goods that could fit in the bottom of the boat; Danae wanted to be in the more lucrative dealings. Not only would it fill her coffers, but it would once and for all prove to her parents that she was the better choice for Stravos heir. Her father had stopped her thus far because of her gender, but everyone knew that he couldn’t deny Circenia anything. He would be more receptive to it if Circe was the champion on her behalf.
But there was still a chance that he would say no, so Danae needed a safety net to make her sure that her mother really fought on her behalf. She didn’t want to damn herself forever for Circe to barely try, so she through a caveat in for her mother to consider, “ If he still says no after you ask, then I want four hundred drachmas instead for my compliance.” Before her mother could complain too much, Danae also hastily added, “ That’s how revenue that I would have had over the next few months, but lost because of us losing our nobility. I need to recoup it and reinvest it quickly so I don’t go broke. I give a portion of my earnings to father so it goes to helping the family as well.” Hopefully, her logic was sound and her mother would have no doubts if she didn’t agree to the deal, Danae would act out like there was no tomorrow…
But even with that in mind would she agree?
When Circenia chastized her daughter for having the audacity to not blindly take her mothers orders at face value, Danae was wise enough to not respond to her mother’s harsh words. It was not an easy thing for the carbon copy of the Xanthos woman to do, especially as Danae had some very choice words in regards to how Danae was not some sort of baby doll that could be dragged about how Circenia pleased. The youngest Stravos was not an extension of her mother, no matter how frustratingly similar the pair might be. She was her own person and if she saw fit, she had every right to question her mother when the older woman’s plans conflicted with her own; and she’d certainly be damned if she’d let Circenia continue to lord the labor she went through sixteen years ago over Danae’s head like it happened yesterday.
However, the younger Stravos could tell that her mother was beginning to reach the roof of her patience. One more snarky comment from the girl might result in a rather painful slap. So, not wishing to be marred by the various rings the woman was wearing, Danae kept her mouth shut. Nothing stopped her from glaring at the woman though as Circenia moved about the room; messing with the one space that Danae considered her sanctuary. Her fingers twitched as her mother dove through all the fabrics and jewels, creating a mess of the order that Danae had everything in.
She absolutely hated it when her mother did this sort of thing. There was no reason why her mother couldn’t have knocked and asked to come in, instead of barging in on her daughter’s privacy like it wouldn’t set the reclusive teen off. Honestly, why was her mother always so shocked to see Danae bring out her claws whenever Circenia did this? Was she expecting her equally stubborn child to be appreciative when subjected to such a humiliating invasion like this?
Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head when Circenia told her that the whole point of her coming in here was to prepare for a trip to the market with Emilia, of all people. “ No,” Danae responded with an incredulous laugh as if this was all just one big joke that her mother had cooked up for her daughter, “ If you need someone to parade her around like we’re all nothing more than show animals, then you and Chara will do a perfectly fine job of that. I’d rather be strangled than spend a moment with that boy-crazed fool.” Danae’s opinion of Emilia was not a secret within the Stravos household. The two girls were oil and water when it came to their personalities, but the need for the anchors to play nice with the swans was enough to keep the children in line for sixteen years. Now that the Xanthos’s were basically out of power, Danae saw no need to pretend that she liked Emilia any more. She was done with the useless, vapid chatter about what fabrics made the prettiest dresses and which nobleman the princess had a crush on this week. Danae had better things to do and her patience for such topics was wearing thin. She didn’t care if spending an hour with Emilia would guarantee her everything she’s ever wanted; Danae refused to play nice with the girl anymore.
It was just not going to happen.
When her mother tried to reprimand her daughter again for her smart words and biting tone, Danae found it to be impossible to hold her tongue as she had done a moment ago. “ And would you rather I be just as vapid as her as well? Wasting my time with useless pursuits such as boys and fabrics?” Danae never reacted well to comparisons to her elder sister. Not when Chara was the source of Danae’s insecurities and was held as this impossible standard that her younger sister was expected to aspire to. Well, Danae wanted nothing to do with the life that Chara was leading. She didn’t want to be some little court strumpet who was nearly thirty and still unmarried. What did her sister have to show for it as well? A few notches in her bedpost? Why on earth would Danae want that for herself? There were far more valuable hobbies for the girl to take up. Ones that actually helped the family.
Could their precious Chara say as much?
She rolled her eyes at the insinuation that Danae had to make amends with Emilia. Not a chance in hell would that ever happen. As far as Danae was concerned that bridge was long ago burned; along with this whole notion that Danae should learn to use gossip and subtle phrases as weapons. Those were useless to her. Not when she found it far more fruitful to use the coin her coffers as her tools of choice. It could take months to get a man’s loyalty when the promise of a heavy purse could buy his loyalty in seconds. Gossip was an utterly useless craft to Danae and her mother knew that this was how she saw things. So even she should have known that her pleading was falling onto deaf ears.
This continued when her mother tried to use Danae’s loyalty to her own house against her so that she might do what the older woman wanted. However, it royally backfired on the Stravos matriarch as the mention of Elias doing absolutely nothing in the Palati only stoked the raging fire within her. “ Then stop wasting your time with me and make him be a leader. Go to the palati not to collect to Emilia, but instead to march into his chambers and drag him to the council room by his ear, if you must.” Her voice was steadily rising with the rage within her. How dare they allow Elias to laze about when she was being dragged around Athenia as some sort of rag doll to show off how ‘united’ they were. It was a damn waste of their time if they were trying to patch over the flaws in an already crumbling wall.
However, when her mother switched tactics and softened her tone from the demands that Danae had come to hate to a request of all things. This forced the angry girl to give pause for a moment and simmer down somewhat. Don’t be fooled. Danae wanted absolutely nothing to do with this plan of her mother’s. Pleas to do it for her family or for Elias fell onto deaf ears because the same standards were not being held to Circenia’s precious baby boy. She didn’t care for any reasoning that had to do with him. She never would as long as he was still the useless clod that he was… however, she was a businesswoman at heart. She could find different reasoning to attend.
“ Either way, you’re going to make me go.” Danae quietly said, almost in defeat. Before her mother could gloat in her victory, the girl moved in to secure something that she wanted out of this. “ But, you can’t make me play nice. You could threaten me, slap me, do whatever you like, but if I don’t want to be friendly with Emilia, I won’t do it. You know I won’t. Unless… of course, there’s something in it for me.”
What she was about to ask for might be a lot, but Danae was sure that it was more than a fair price to pay for what Circenia wanted from her. “ I will pretend to be Emilia’s best friend and Elias’s biggest fan from this day until the end of my days if you help me convince Father to let me take part in maritime business.” What Danae was asking for was a chance to take part in the family business formally. She wanted to move away from the shady dealings that depended on urchins and start taking part in trading in a formal part. Even if all she was in charge of was a skiff and the half a dozen goods that could fit in the bottom of the boat; Danae wanted to be in the more lucrative dealings. Not only would it fill her coffers, but it would once and for all prove to her parents that she was the better choice for Stravos heir. Her father had stopped her thus far because of her gender, but everyone knew that he couldn’t deny Circenia anything. He would be more receptive to it if Circe was the champion on her behalf.
But there was still a chance that he would say no, so Danae needed a safety net to make her sure that her mother really fought on her behalf. She didn’t want to damn herself forever for Circe to barely try, so she through a caveat in for her mother to consider, “ If he still says no after you ask, then I want four hundred drachmas instead for my compliance.” Before her mother could complain too much, Danae also hastily added, “ That’s how revenue that I would have had over the next few months, but lost because of us losing our nobility. I need to recoup it and reinvest it quickly so I don’t go broke. I give a portion of my earnings to father so it goes to helping the family as well.” Hopefully, her logic was sound and her mother would have no doubts if she didn’t agree to the deal, Danae would act out like there was no tomorrow…
But even with that in mind would she agree?
Slowly, Circenia took a deep breath and counted backwards from ten in her head. She should have known Danae wouldn’t simply comply without a fight, but this? It took everything in the princess’s power not to drag her daughter by the meager hair on her head and toss her out onto the street. The Stravos matriarch knew she and her husband had spoiled their children, but to think that their youngest thought she could make her own demands, could bark her own orders…
She had half a mind to throw her to the dogs and see how well she did on her own, without the wealth and power of the Stravos name behind her.
“Surely you must have come under some sudden affliction to dare to speak to me like this,” Circenia finally responded, her voice dangerously low and even. “There can be no other explanation for why a sixteen-year-old child suddenly thinks she has the right to so blatantly disobey and disrespect her mother.”
The princess turned a cold gaze on her daughter, her expression never changing. “We have given you everything, Danae. The roof over your head, the food on your table, the very clothes on your back… all you have is because your father and I have allowed it.” Holding up a hand before she could argue, she went on, “And yes, that includes your business ventures. How many other noble daughters do you think have the permission or even the access to such lucrative endeavors that you do? It is because your father has allowed it, in spite of my protestations against it. You want me to fight on your behalf so you can have more?” She scoffed and shook her head. “At this rate, I will be in his ear convincing him to take it all from you if you keep up the way you are now.”
Her eyes never left her daughter’s, daring her to say another word while simultaneously advising her silence. “You think you can get what you want through blackmail? While your father struggles to maintain the meager funds we have now? You are sorely mistaken, girl.” There was a small, small part of her that was impressed by the girl’s moxie, but that part was quickly overshadowed by the rage that loomed over it. Danae could blackmail whoever she liked whenever she wanted, as far as Circenia was concerned, but her family? Heresy.
“Now. You want to throw terms at me? Threaten to get what you want? Here’s my counteroffer.” She took a step closer to her daughter, looking down at her with a raised brow and fire melting the ice in her eyes. “You go with me to the market. You make nice with your cousin. You act with the honor and dignity that comes with your family’s name. You do all these things, and I won’t convince your father to cut all your business ties. I won’t marry you off to the ugliest lord that comes asking. And I won’t lock you out of the archontiko for the next month. How does that sound?”
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Slowly, Circenia took a deep breath and counted backwards from ten in her head. She should have known Danae wouldn’t simply comply without a fight, but this? It took everything in the princess’s power not to drag her daughter by the meager hair on her head and toss her out onto the street. The Stravos matriarch knew she and her husband had spoiled their children, but to think that their youngest thought she could make her own demands, could bark her own orders…
She had half a mind to throw her to the dogs and see how well she did on her own, without the wealth and power of the Stravos name behind her.
“Surely you must have come under some sudden affliction to dare to speak to me like this,” Circenia finally responded, her voice dangerously low and even. “There can be no other explanation for why a sixteen-year-old child suddenly thinks she has the right to so blatantly disobey and disrespect her mother.”
The princess turned a cold gaze on her daughter, her expression never changing. “We have given you everything, Danae. The roof over your head, the food on your table, the very clothes on your back… all you have is because your father and I have allowed it.” Holding up a hand before she could argue, she went on, “And yes, that includes your business ventures. How many other noble daughters do you think have the permission or even the access to such lucrative endeavors that you do? It is because your father has allowed it, in spite of my protestations against it. You want me to fight on your behalf so you can have more?” She scoffed and shook her head. “At this rate, I will be in his ear convincing him to take it all from you if you keep up the way you are now.”
Her eyes never left her daughter’s, daring her to say another word while simultaneously advising her silence. “You think you can get what you want through blackmail? While your father struggles to maintain the meager funds we have now? You are sorely mistaken, girl.” There was a small, small part of her that was impressed by the girl’s moxie, but that part was quickly overshadowed by the rage that loomed over it. Danae could blackmail whoever she liked whenever she wanted, as far as Circenia was concerned, but her family? Heresy.
“Now. You want to throw terms at me? Threaten to get what you want? Here’s my counteroffer.” She took a step closer to her daughter, looking down at her with a raised brow and fire melting the ice in her eyes. “You go with me to the market. You make nice with your cousin. You act with the honor and dignity that comes with your family’s name. You do all these things, and I won’t convince your father to cut all your business ties. I won’t marry you off to the ugliest lord that comes asking. And I won’t lock you out of the archontiko for the next month. How does that sound?”
Slowly, Circenia took a deep breath and counted backwards from ten in her head. She should have known Danae wouldn’t simply comply without a fight, but this? It took everything in the princess’s power not to drag her daughter by the meager hair on her head and toss her out onto the street. The Stravos matriarch knew she and her husband had spoiled their children, but to think that their youngest thought she could make her own demands, could bark her own orders…
She had half a mind to throw her to the dogs and see how well she did on her own, without the wealth and power of the Stravos name behind her.
“Surely you must have come under some sudden affliction to dare to speak to me like this,” Circenia finally responded, her voice dangerously low and even. “There can be no other explanation for why a sixteen-year-old child suddenly thinks she has the right to so blatantly disobey and disrespect her mother.”
The princess turned a cold gaze on her daughter, her expression never changing. “We have given you everything, Danae. The roof over your head, the food on your table, the very clothes on your back… all you have is because your father and I have allowed it.” Holding up a hand before she could argue, she went on, “And yes, that includes your business ventures. How many other noble daughters do you think have the permission or even the access to such lucrative endeavors that you do? It is because your father has allowed it, in spite of my protestations against it. You want me to fight on your behalf so you can have more?” She scoffed and shook her head. “At this rate, I will be in his ear convincing him to take it all from you if you keep up the way you are now.”
Her eyes never left her daughter’s, daring her to say another word while simultaneously advising her silence. “You think you can get what you want through blackmail? While your father struggles to maintain the meager funds we have now? You are sorely mistaken, girl.” There was a small, small part of her that was impressed by the girl’s moxie, but that part was quickly overshadowed by the rage that loomed over it. Danae could blackmail whoever she liked whenever she wanted, as far as Circenia was concerned, but her family? Heresy.
“Now. You want to throw terms at me? Threaten to get what you want? Here’s my counteroffer.” She took a step closer to her daughter, looking down at her with a raised brow and fire melting the ice in her eyes. “You go with me to the market. You make nice with your cousin. You act with the honor and dignity that comes with your family’s name. You do all these things, and I won’t convince your father to cut all your business ties. I won’t marry you off to the ugliest lord that comes asking. And I won’t lock you out of the archontiko for the next month. How does that sound?”
Danae had no idea what had compelled her to speak to her mother like that in the first place, but whatever it was… Circenia had thoroughly killed it with her own tirade against the girl. Zeus, Kronos, and Rhea. The youngest Stravos had thought that she had seen her mother irate in the past, but it was nothing like this. Slamming doors and broken plates seemed to dull in comparison to the sheer red anger pouring off of Circenia as she hissed at the disrespectful girl.
The sixteen-year-old had crossed the final line.
If Circenia intended to put the fear of the gods into her daughter, it worked. Although it wasn’t obvious from the hardened stare Danae shot back at the Stravos matriarch (as her inherited pride demanded that she remain defiant to the last) there were little signs that betrayed the panic behind Danae’s eyes. Not only were her green orbs wider than they had been a moment before, but if Circe looked closely she might have seen how Danae’s leg inched behind her as if her body was preparing to sprint from the room and hide somewhere the woman could never find her. Not to mention there was a sudden, slight sheen to her palms as they trembled behind her back. She was clearly terrified of the rage her mother was displaying. Why shouldn’t she be? This was the first time in all of the sixteen-years she’s spent being exactly like her own mother that Circenia had truly lost it.
The girl didn’t know what she should do to protect her own neck. She wasn’t going to apologize. There wasn’t a chance in Hades of that happening. Not when Danae still had Circenia’s own iron will fortifying the girl. She also knew that continuing to argue wasn’t an option as well. That would likely lead to her mother breaking her own rule of never lifting a hand to her children. (Which was truly a shame as Danae had some choice words about her daughters not being her mother’s plaything to drag around behind her like a child.) She knew that she was outmatched. Circenia was bigger and had complete power over the girl. She could do anything she liked to Danae and the girl couldn’t so much as lift a finger against her. So, that only left one option.
Give in.
But if Circe thought for a moment that it wouldn’t be on her daughter’s terms, she had another thing coming.
“ Fine.” The girl muttered through gritted teeth as she locked her gaze with the woman. Her face was as cold as a stone and if anything, the way Danae’s lip curled back in the slightest form of a snarl as she unwillingly conceded… oh if looks could kill, Circenia would drop dead on the floor with the stare that Danae had her mother locked in. The anger rolling off the girl was almost palatable in the bedchamber; matching her mother in every respect. Perhaps it was because Danae had never seen who Circenia used to be when she was her daughter’s age, but the Stravos girl couldn’t see how similar the two were as they faced off. Though, maybe her mother would?
Either way, the standoff ended with one growled statement from Danae, “ Please leave me.” The words were so harsh and cold that the young girl couldn’t help, but take some sick satisfaction from giving what almost sounded like a command to her mother. That slight bit of power sent a thrilling rush through Danae, but it was quickly undermined by her reasoning for wanting to kick her mother out. “ I’m not changing in front of others.”
As her blunt words echoed through the room, Danae crossed the space to where that blasted red dress sat waiting for her. A hand brushed over the fabric as she waited for her mother to leave the chamber. The girl knew that the chances of her mother actually listening were fairly slim, but it seemed that Danae’s well-known insecurities played into her favor. The Stravos girl was notoriously unlike other girls at the court where she rejected the idea of having ladies-in-waiting following her every move. She had long ago established her own routine of getting ready on her own. Her deeply-rooted insecurities had made it excruciatingly painful for her to allow anyone to partake in her beauty routine as it felt like every flaw was on full display for those tending to her to laugh at.
Her mother would not be an exception.
“ I will meet you in the courtyard when I’m done.” She finally said with a tense tone to her voice, trying to bite back her anger as she made it clear to the older woman that if she wanted to Danae to do what Circe wanted, she was going to have to concede on letting the girl ready herself. The youngest Stravos girl was convinced that her mother would not listen, but to her surprise, the woman left the girl to her own devices. Her reasons for doing so? Danae didn’t know. Danae didn’t care. Her mother could rot in Hades as far as she was concerned.
This leftover anger was what encouraged Danae to spit at the door once she heard it close behind the woman. It was disgusting and improper in every sense of the word, but Zeus did it feel good.
If only she could lob one at her mother…
---
One of the perks of Danae doing everything herself was that the girl did not take nearly as much time as Chara would when it came to preparing for a trip outside of the Archontiko. Within twenty minutes, Danae slipped out of her room in the garish red ensemble her mother had selected. Even though the whole getup was the colors of the house she loved fiercely, she hated the outfit. It was too gaudy for her tastes and made it impossible for her to blend into the background of whatever event this was as she would have preferred to have done. But then again, why would Circenia care about Danae’s preferences? Her mother didn’t give a damn about what her own personal doll wanted. Playthings weren’t supposed to have thoughts and feelings, were they?
Clearly, the brief period apart had done nothing to cool her temper. That much was made clear to Circenia as her daughter practically swept past her and towards the carriage waiting for the Stravos women.
Quickly stepping in the carriage, Danae knew that she was probably going to get it from Circenia, but she didn’t care. Her own raging hormones that made her more inclined to anger had Danae firmly over it. Her mother could preach and preach all she wanted, but Danae just didn’t care. She would go and she would play nice with Emilia, but if her mother thought that she was going to hear a single kind word in her direction that day she was sorely mistaken. Just as how Danae had crossed a line, Circenia had with her threats as well. There was now a clear rift between the women and it was unlikely that it would be resolved in the time it would take to get to the palati…
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Danae had no idea what had compelled her to speak to her mother like that in the first place, but whatever it was… Circenia had thoroughly killed it with her own tirade against the girl. Zeus, Kronos, and Rhea. The youngest Stravos had thought that she had seen her mother irate in the past, but it was nothing like this. Slamming doors and broken plates seemed to dull in comparison to the sheer red anger pouring off of Circenia as she hissed at the disrespectful girl.
The sixteen-year-old had crossed the final line.
If Circenia intended to put the fear of the gods into her daughter, it worked. Although it wasn’t obvious from the hardened stare Danae shot back at the Stravos matriarch (as her inherited pride demanded that she remain defiant to the last) there were little signs that betrayed the panic behind Danae’s eyes. Not only were her green orbs wider than they had been a moment before, but if Circe looked closely she might have seen how Danae’s leg inched behind her as if her body was preparing to sprint from the room and hide somewhere the woman could never find her. Not to mention there was a sudden, slight sheen to her palms as they trembled behind her back. She was clearly terrified of the rage her mother was displaying. Why shouldn’t she be? This was the first time in all of the sixteen-years she’s spent being exactly like her own mother that Circenia had truly lost it.
The girl didn’t know what she should do to protect her own neck. She wasn’t going to apologize. There wasn’t a chance in Hades of that happening. Not when Danae still had Circenia’s own iron will fortifying the girl. She also knew that continuing to argue wasn’t an option as well. That would likely lead to her mother breaking her own rule of never lifting a hand to her children. (Which was truly a shame as Danae had some choice words about her daughters not being her mother’s plaything to drag around behind her like a child.) She knew that she was outmatched. Circenia was bigger and had complete power over the girl. She could do anything she liked to Danae and the girl couldn’t so much as lift a finger against her. So, that only left one option.
Give in.
But if Circe thought for a moment that it wouldn’t be on her daughter’s terms, she had another thing coming.
“ Fine.” The girl muttered through gritted teeth as she locked her gaze with the woman. Her face was as cold as a stone and if anything, the way Danae’s lip curled back in the slightest form of a snarl as she unwillingly conceded… oh if looks could kill, Circenia would drop dead on the floor with the stare that Danae had her mother locked in. The anger rolling off the girl was almost palatable in the bedchamber; matching her mother in every respect. Perhaps it was because Danae had never seen who Circenia used to be when she was her daughter’s age, but the Stravos girl couldn’t see how similar the two were as they faced off. Though, maybe her mother would?
Either way, the standoff ended with one growled statement from Danae, “ Please leave me.” The words were so harsh and cold that the young girl couldn’t help, but take some sick satisfaction from giving what almost sounded like a command to her mother. That slight bit of power sent a thrilling rush through Danae, but it was quickly undermined by her reasoning for wanting to kick her mother out. “ I’m not changing in front of others.”
As her blunt words echoed through the room, Danae crossed the space to where that blasted red dress sat waiting for her. A hand brushed over the fabric as she waited for her mother to leave the chamber. The girl knew that the chances of her mother actually listening were fairly slim, but it seemed that Danae’s well-known insecurities played into her favor. The Stravos girl was notoriously unlike other girls at the court where she rejected the idea of having ladies-in-waiting following her every move. She had long ago established her own routine of getting ready on her own. Her deeply-rooted insecurities had made it excruciatingly painful for her to allow anyone to partake in her beauty routine as it felt like every flaw was on full display for those tending to her to laugh at.
Her mother would not be an exception.
“ I will meet you in the courtyard when I’m done.” She finally said with a tense tone to her voice, trying to bite back her anger as she made it clear to the older woman that if she wanted to Danae to do what Circe wanted, she was going to have to concede on letting the girl ready herself. The youngest Stravos girl was convinced that her mother would not listen, but to her surprise, the woman left the girl to her own devices. Her reasons for doing so? Danae didn’t know. Danae didn’t care. Her mother could rot in Hades as far as she was concerned.
This leftover anger was what encouraged Danae to spit at the door once she heard it close behind the woman. It was disgusting and improper in every sense of the word, but Zeus did it feel good.
If only she could lob one at her mother…
---
One of the perks of Danae doing everything herself was that the girl did not take nearly as much time as Chara would when it came to preparing for a trip outside of the Archontiko. Within twenty minutes, Danae slipped out of her room in the garish red ensemble her mother had selected. Even though the whole getup was the colors of the house she loved fiercely, she hated the outfit. It was too gaudy for her tastes and made it impossible for her to blend into the background of whatever event this was as she would have preferred to have done. But then again, why would Circenia care about Danae’s preferences? Her mother didn’t give a damn about what her own personal doll wanted. Playthings weren’t supposed to have thoughts and feelings, were they?
Clearly, the brief period apart had done nothing to cool her temper. That much was made clear to Circenia as her daughter practically swept past her and towards the carriage waiting for the Stravos women.
Quickly stepping in the carriage, Danae knew that she was probably going to get it from Circenia, but she didn’t care. Her own raging hormones that made her more inclined to anger had Danae firmly over it. Her mother could preach and preach all she wanted, but Danae just didn’t care. She would go and she would play nice with Emilia, but if her mother thought that she was going to hear a single kind word in her direction that day she was sorely mistaken. Just as how Danae had crossed a line, Circenia had with her threats as well. There was now a clear rift between the women and it was unlikely that it would be resolved in the time it would take to get to the palati…
Danae had no idea what had compelled her to speak to her mother like that in the first place, but whatever it was… Circenia had thoroughly killed it with her own tirade against the girl. Zeus, Kronos, and Rhea. The youngest Stravos had thought that she had seen her mother irate in the past, but it was nothing like this. Slamming doors and broken plates seemed to dull in comparison to the sheer red anger pouring off of Circenia as she hissed at the disrespectful girl.
The sixteen-year-old had crossed the final line.
If Circenia intended to put the fear of the gods into her daughter, it worked. Although it wasn’t obvious from the hardened stare Danae shot back at the Stravos matriarch (as her inherited pride demanded that she remain defiant to the last) there were little signs that betrayed the panic behind Danae’s eyes. Not only were her green orbs wider than they had been a moment before, but if Circe looked closely she might have seen how Danae’s leg inched behind her as if her body was preparing to sprint from the room and hide somewhere the woman could never find her. Not to mention there was a sudden, slight sheen to her palms as they trembled behind her back. She was clearly terrified of the rage her mother was displaying. Why shouldn’t she be? This was the first time in all of the sixteen-years she’s spent being exactly like her own mother that Circenia had truly lost it.
The girl didn’t know what she should do to protect her own neck. She wasn’t going to apologize. There wasn’t a chance in Hades of that happening. Not when Danae still had Circenia’s own iron will fortifying the girl. She also knew that continuing to argue wasn’t an option as well. That would likely lead to her mother breaking her own rule of never lifting a hand to her children. (Which was truly a shame as Danae had some choice words about her daughters not being her mother’s plaything to drag around behind her like a child.) She knew that she was outmatched. Circenia was bigger and had complete power over the girl. She could do anything she liked to Danae and the girl couldn’t so much as lift a finger against her. So, that only left one option.
Give in.
But if Circe thought for a moment that it wouldn’t be on her daughter’s terms, she had another thing coming.
“ Fine.” The girl muttered through gritted teeth as she locked her gaze with the woman. Her face was as cold as a stone and if anything, the way Danae’s lip curled back in the slightest form of a snarl as she unwillingly conceded… oh if looks could kill, Circenia would drop dead on the floor with the stare that Danae had her mother locked in. The anger rolling off the girl was almost palatable in the bedchamber; matching her mother in every respect. Perhaps it was because Danae had never seen who Circenia used to be when she was her daughter’s age, but the Stravos girl couldn’t see how similar the two were as they faced off. Though, maybe her mother would?
Either way, the standoff ended with one growled statement from Danae, “ Please leave me.” The words were so harsh and cold that the young girl couldn’t help, but take some sick satisfaction from giving what almost sounded like a command to her mother. That slight bit of power sent a thrilling rush through Danae, but it was quickly undermined by her reasoning for wanting to kick her mother out. “ I’m not changing in front of others.”
As her blunt words echoed through the room, Danae crossed the space to where that blasted red dress sat waiting for her. A hand brushed over the fabric as she waited for her mother to leave the chamber. The girl knew that the chances of her mother actually listening were fairly slim, but it seemed that Danae’s well-known insecurities played into her favor. The Stravos girl was notoriously unlike other girls at the court where she rejected the idea of having ladies-in-waiting following her every move. She had long ago established her own routine of getting ready on her own. Her deeply-rooted insecurities had made it excruciatingly painful for her to allow anyone to partake in her beauty routine as it felt like every flaw was on full display for those tending to her to laugh at.
Her mother would not be an exception.
“ I will meet you in the courtyard when I’m done.” She finally said with a tense tone to her voice, trying to bite back her anger as she made it clear to the older woman that if she wanted to Danae to do what Circe wanted, she was going to have to concede on letting the girl ready herself. The youngest Stravos girl was convinced that her mother would not listen, but to her surprise, the woman left the girl to her own devices. Her reasons for doing so? Danae didn’t know. Danae didn’t care. Her mother could rot in Hades as far as she was concerned.
This leftover anger was what encouraged Danae to spit at the door once she heard it close behind the woman. It was disgusting and improper in every sense of the word, but Zeus did it feel good.
If only she could lob one at her mother…
---
One of the perks of Danae doing everything herself was that the girl did not take nearly as much time as Chara would when it came to preparing for a trip outside of the Archontiko. Within twenty minutes, Danae slipped out of her room in the garish red ensemble her mother had selected. Even though the whole getup was the colors of the house she loved fiercely, she hated the outfit. It was too gaudy for her tastes and made it impossible for her to blend into the background of whatever event this was as she would have preferred to have done. But then again, why would Circenia care about Danae’s preferences? Her mother didn’t give a damn about what her own personal doll wanted. Playthings weren’t supposed to have thoughts and feelings, were they?
Clearly, the brief period apart had done nothing to cool her temper. That much was made clear to Circenia as her daughter practically swept past her and towards the carriage waiting for the Stravos women.
Quickly stepping in the carriage, Danae knew that she was probably going to get it from Circenia, but she didn’t care. Her own raging hormones that made her more inclined to anger had Danae firmly over it. Her mother could preach and preach all she wanted, but Danae just didn’t care. She would go and she would play nice with Emilia, but if her mother thought that she was going to hear a single kind word in her direction that day she was sorely mistaken. Just as how Danae had crossed a line, Circenia had with her threats as well. There was now a clear rift between the women and it was unlikely that it would be resolved in the time it would take to get to the palati…
Fine.
That single word and the searing look that followed it were Danae’s expression of defeat, however angry the girl might be. Circenia’s gaze was hard and steady as her daughter finally conceded, though it was obvious the willful child was chomping at the bit. The Stravos matriarch was sure if she could read Danae’s thoughts that they’d be full of nothing but poison and anger, but such was the way of teenagers. Rebellion was built into them all, and it did not surprise her that a child of her blood would be the same.
That didn’t mean she accepted it, however. Far from it.
The princess liked to think she was good mother. A bit impatient perhaps and a little more meddlesome that her children liked, but she had doted on them their whole lives. Anything that was within her power to provide, she did, and she did her utmost to make sure her brood never wanted for anything. They were spoiled, it was true, but they were strong. And in the world they lived in… that’s what mattered.
With that strength came a certain amount of testing boundaries, and none of her children tested their boundaries like Danae. Her youngest fought her at every turn, even on simple things, and it made Circenia want to pull every last strand of hair from her head. Why could she not see that the things she did, she did for the girl’s own good? Every move she made, every decision, every judgment she enacted was for the advancement and betterment of her offspring, no matter what they thought. Why couldn’t Danae see that? No matter that she was the same way at Danae’s age, she chose to ignore that fact and instead simmer in her own anger. Some day, the girl would learn and understand. Perhaps she’d even thank her.
Noting the panic behind her child’s eyes, the twitchy movements that betrayed her desire for flight, Circenia conceded when Danae asserted that she would change alone. All she offered was a curt nod, stepping back from the room and pausing in the doorway. “You have half an hour,” she told her child, tone blunt and brooking no argument. “If you are not ready by then, I’ll be back to fetch you, whether you like it or not.” Without another word and without waiting for her daughter’s response, the princess turned on her heel and walked out, heading back to her own chamber to put the finishing touches on her own ensemble.
---
The princess sat in the carriage as she watched her daughter approach, the jerkiness of her movements and hard set of her face showing that Danae’s anger had not cooled any in their time apart. Ah, well, Circenia hadn’t truly expected it would. So long as she did her part in the day ahead, it didn’t matter if the girl was angry with her. She’d get over it in time. Such was the fire of adolescence.
“You look lovely,” Circenia told Danae as she climbed in, though she got no reply. That was no more than she expected, and she did little more than shrug it off. Again, she’d get over it. No use in giving in to her temper tantrum any more than she already had.
“Sulk all you like, Danae,” the princess finally said after a few minutes of silence, just as they were pulling up to the palati. “You can stay mad at me forever if you want, so long as you do what we came for today. If you don’t, know that what happened earlier will seem like child’s play. I will make good on every single one of my threats if you push me, and that is not an exaggeration.” Her cool gaze lingered pointedly on her daughter, emphasizing her warning. “Tread lightly.”
Once the carriage stopped, Circenia smiled and gestured to the man who approached. “Fetch Princess Emilia,” she ordered, straightening a little in her seat. “Inform her that her aunt and cousin are here to fetch her to the market as promised. We’ll wait at her leisure.”
With a nod, the man left to do as he was ordered, leaving mother and daughter in uncomfortable silence as they waited for Emilia. What a day this is going to be…
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Fine.
That single word and the searing look that followed it were Danae’s expression of defeat, however angry the girl might be. Circenia’s gaze was hard and steady as her daughter finally conceded, though it was obvious the willful child was chomping at the bit. The Stravos matriarch was sure if she could read Danae’s thoughts that they’d be full of nothing but poison and anger, but such was the way of teenagers. Rebellion was built into them all, and it did not surprise her that a child of her blood would be the same.
That didn’t mean she accepted it, however. Far from it.
The princess liked to think she was good mother. A bit impatient perhaps and a little more meddlesome that her children liked, but she had doted on them their whole lives. Anything that was within her power to provide, she did, and she did her utmost to make sure her brood never wanted for anything. They were spoiled, it was true, but they were strong. And in the world they lived in… that’s what mattered.
With that strength came a certain amount of testing boundaries, and none of her children tested their boundaries like Danae. Her youngest fought her at every turn, even on simple things, and it made Circenia want to pull every last strand of hair from her head. Why could she not see that the things she did, she did for the girl’s own good? Every move she made, every decision, every judgment she enacted was for the advancement and betterment of her offspring, no matter what they thought. Why couldn’t Danae see that? No matter that she was the same way at Danae’s age, she chose to ignore that fact and instead simmer in her own anger. Some day, the girl would learn and understand. Perhaps she’d even thank her.
Noting the panic behind her child’s eyes, the twitchy movements that betrayed her desire for flight, Circenia conceded when Danae asserted that she would change alone. All she offered was a curt nod, stepping back from the room and pausing in the doorway. “You have half an hour,” she told her child, tone blunt and brooking no argument. “If you are not ready by then, I’ll be back to fetch you, whether you like it or not.” Without another word and without waiting for her daughter’s response, the princess turned on her heel and walked out, heading back to her own chamber to put the finishing touches on her own ensemble.
---
The princess sat in the carriage as she watched her daughter approach, the jerkiness of her movements and hard set of her face showing that Danae’s anger had not cooled any in their time apart. Ah, well, Circenia hadn’t truly expected it would. So long as she did her part in the day ahead, it didn’t matter if the girl was angry with her. She’d get over it in time. Such was the fire of adolescence.
“You look lovely,” Circenia told Danae as she climbed in, though she got no reply. That was no more than she expected, and she did little more than shrug it off. Again, she’d get over it. No use in giving in to her temper tantrum any more than she already had.
“Sulk all you like, Danae,” the princess finally said after a few minutes of silence, just as they were pulling up to the palati. “You can stay mad at me forever if you want, so long as you do what we came for today. If you don’t, know that what happened earlier will seem like child’s play. I will make good on every single one of my threats if you push me, and that is not an exaggeration.” Her cool gaze lingered pointedly on her daughter, emphasizing her warning. “Tread lightly.”
Once the carriage stopped, Circenia smiled and gestured to the man who approached. “Fetch Princess Emilia,” she ordered, straightening a little in her seat. “Inform her that her aunt and cousin are here to fetch her to the market as promised. We’ll wait at her leisure.”
With a nod, the man left to do as he was ordered, leaving mother and daughter in uncomfortable silence as they waited for Emilia. What a day this is going to be…
Fine.
That single word and the searing look that followed it were Danae’s expression of defeat, however angry the girl might be. Circenia’s gaze was hard and steady as her daughter finally conceded, though it was obvious the willful child was chomping at the bit. The Stravos matriarch was sure if she could read Danae’s thoughts that they’d be full of nothing but poison and anger, but such was the way of teenagers. Rebellion was built into them all, and it did not surprise her that a child of her blood would be the same.
That didn’t mean she accepted it, however. Far from it.
The princess liked to think she was good mother. A bit impatient perhaps and a little more meddlesome that her children liked, but she had doted on them their whole lives. Anything that was within her power to provide, she did, and she did her utmost to make sure her brood never wanted for anything. They were spoiled, it was true, but they were strong. And in the world they lived in… that’s what mattered.
With that strength came a certain amount of testing boundaries, and none of her children tested their boundaries like Danae. Her youngest fought her at every turn, even on simple things, and it made Circenia want to pull every last strand of hair from her head. Why could she not see that the things she did, she did for the girl’s own good? Every move she made, every decision, every judgment she enacted was for the advancement and betterment of her offspring, no matter what they thought. Why couldn’t Danae see that? No matter that she was the same way at Danae’s age, she chose to ignore that fact and instead simmer in her own anger. Some day, the girl would learn and understand. Perhaps she’d even thank her.
Noting the panic behind her child’s eyes, the twitchy movements that betrayed her desire for flight, Circenia conceded when Danae asserted that she would change alone. All she offered was a curt nod, stepping back from the room and pausing in the doorway. “You have half an hour,” she told her child, tone blunt and brooking no argument. “If you are not ready by then, I’ll be back to fetch you, whether you like it or not.” Without another word and without waiting for her daughter’s response, the princess turned on her heel and walked out, heading back to her own chamber to put the finishing touches on her own ensemble.
---
The princess sat in the carriage as she watched her daughter approach, the jerkiness of her movements and hard set of her face showing that Danae’s anger had not cooled any in their time apart. Ah, well, Circenia hadn’t truly expected it would. So long as she did her part in the day ahead, it didn’t matter if the girl was angry with her. She’d get over it in time. Such was the fire of adolescence.
“You look lovely,” Circenia told Danae as she climbed in, though she got no reply. That was no more than she expected, and she did little more than shrug it off. Again, she’d get over it. No use in giving in to her temper tantrum any more than she already had.
“Sulk all you like, Danae,” the princess finally said after a few minutes of silence, just as they were pulling up to the palati. “You can stay mad at me forever if you want, so long as you do what we came for today. If you don’t, know that what happened earlier will seem like child’s play. I will make good on every single one of my threats if you push me, and that is not an exaggeration.” Her cool gaze lingered pointedly on her daughter, emphasizing her warning. “Tread lightly.”
Once the carriage stopped, Circenia smiled and gestured to the man who approached. “Fetch Princess Emilia,” she ordered, straightening a little in her seat. “Inform her that her aunt and cousin are here to fetch her to the market as promised. We’ll wait at her leisure.”
With a nod, the man left to do as he was ordered, leaving mother and daughter in uncomfortable silence as they waited for Emilia. What a day this is going to be…
She had been hankering to go out for a long time, and after a month indoors with only her window the outlet to see skies and hear the bird's sing, Emilia was more then happy when Elias had informed her Circenia and Danae would be escorting her to the market. She was getting a little tired of her current dresses, and the chance to go and get some new baubles, silks, and even drop a message to the royal seamstress to come over on certain days of the week was proving exhilirating for her.
Dressed carefully in her teal chiton of the finest silk, the dress was chinched at the waist with a golden braided rope belt, and the two golden fibulae's over her shoulders were in the shape of a swan's wing, and only fastened enough to ensure the outfit was held securely over her shoulders, leaving the rest of the glimmering material along with the undergarment of white to mix together and flow down her arms like a waterfall. The cut was decent, for Emilia had never been allowed to wear ostentatious outfits under Minas's watch, and she didn't want to mar her father's memory.
As such, Emilia instead trussed her hair up, ensuring her maids curled each brunette lock till it was just right, and then using pins to secure the circlet of golden ivy leaves atop her head, just as the servants of the palati gently informed the princess her aunt and cousin has arrived.
Was she glad they were accompanying her? In a way. Without them, she doubted Elias would've allowed her out, especially since she has yet to find a new bodyguard after her last entourage had been slayed in the attack. He stressed on her safety, and with no one around to tell her otherwise, Emilia believed him. He had come intending to help her, did he not? Emilia was not adept at handling matters on how to run a country, and watching Elias work seemed to her that at least the young lord knew what certain words meant. So she allowed and trusted him to do so, even if she was supposed to be the heiress in Persephone's absence.
In her golden slippers, her steps were tentative, and her smile uncertain when she was finally escorted to the carriage with two guards and maids, bowing her head respectfully to her aunt, and then flashing a hopeful smile at Danae. "Thank you for bringing me out today, Aunt Circenia, Danae." she murmured, getting on with assistance from the footmen. Settling in a seat next to Circenia, the doors closed behind her, but it wasn't till the carriage started rumbling before she continued."I do hope this hasn't taken much out of your busy day."
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She had been hankering to go out for a long time, and after a month indoors with only her window the outlet to see skies and hear the bird's sing, Emilia was more then happy when Elias had informed her Circenia and Danae would be escorting her to the market. She was getting a little tired of her current dresses, and the chance to go and get some new baubles, silks, and even drop a message to the royal seamstress to come over on certain days of the week was proving exhilirating for her.
Dressed carefully in her teal chiton of the finest silk, the dress was chinched at the waist with a golden braided rope belt, and the two golden fibulae's over her shoulders were in the shape of a swan's wing, and only fastened enough to ensure the outfit was held securely over her shoulders, leaving the rest of the glimmering material along with the undergarment of white to mix together and flow down her arms like a waterfall. The cut was decent, for Emilia had never been allowed to wear ostentatious outfits under Minas's watch, and she didn't want to mar her father's memory.
As such, Emilia instead trussed her hair up, ensuring her maids curled each brunette lock till it was just right, and then using pins to secure the circlet of golden ivy leaves atop her head, just as the servants of the palati gently informed the princess her aunt and cousin has arrived.
Was she glad they were accompanying her? In a way. Without them, she doubted Elias would've allowed her out, especially since she has yet to find a new bodyguard after her last entourage had been slayed in the attack. He stressed on her safety, and with no one around to tell her otherwise, Emilia believed him. He had come intending to help her, did he not? Emilia was not adept at handling matters on how to run a country, and watching Elias work seemed to her that at least the young lord knew what certain words meant. So she allowed and trusted him to do so, even if she was supposed to be the heiress in Persephone's absence.
In her golden slippers, her steps were tentative, and her smile uncertain when she was finally escorted to the carriage with two guards and maids, bowing her head respectfully to her aunt, and then flashing a hopeful smile at Danae. "Thank you for bringing me out today, Aunt Circenia, Danae." she murmured, getting on with assistance from the footmen. Settling in a seat next to Circenia, the doors closed behind her, but it wasn't till the carriage started rumbling before she continued."I do hope this hasn't taken much out of your busy day."
She had been hankering to go out for a long time, and after a month indoors with only her window the outlet to see skies and hear the bird's sing, Emilia was more then happy when Elias had informed her Circenia and Danae would be escorting her to the market. She was getting a little tired of her current dresses, and the chance to go and get some new baubles, silks, and even drop a message to the royal seamstress to come over on certain days of the week was proving exhilirating for her.
Dressed carefully in her teal chiton of the finest silk, the dress was chinched at the waist with a golden braided rope belt, and the two golden fibulae's over her shoulders were in the shape of a swan's wing, and only fastened enough to ensure the outfit was held securely over her shoulders, leaving the rest of the glimmering material along with the undergarment of white to mix together and flow down her arms like a waterfall. The cut was decent, for Emilia had never been allowed to wear ostentatious outfits under Minas's watch, and she didn't want to mar her father's memory.
As such, Emilia instead trussed her hair up, ensuring her maids curled each brunette lock till it was just right, and then using pins to secure the circlet of golden ivy leaves atop her head, just as the servants of the palati gently informed the princess her aunt and cousin has arrived.
Was she glad they were accompanying her? In a way. Without them, she doubted Elias would've allowed her out, especially since she has yet to find a new bodyguard after her last entourage had been slayed in the attack. He stressed on her safety, and with no one around to tell her otherwise, Emilia believed him. He had come intending to help her, did he not? Emilia was not adept at handling matters on how to run a country, and watching Elias work seemed to her that at least the young lord knew what certain words meant. So she allowed and trusted him to do so, even if she was supposed to be the heiress in Persephone's absence.
In her golden slippers, her steps were tentative, and her smile uncertain when she was finally escorted to the carriage with two guards and maids, bowing her head respectfully to her aunt, and then flashing a hopeful smile at Danae. "Thank you for bringing me out today, Aunt Circenia, Danae." she murmured, getting on with assistance from the footmen. Settling in a seat next to Circenia, the doors closed behind her, but it wasn't till the carriage started rumbling before she continued."I do hope this hasn't taken much out of your busy day."
When Circenia finally broke the heavy silence that had settled over the carriage, Danae was not that surprised by the fact that her mother’s words were just as harsh as they had been before. The sixteen-year-old wanted to take the words as an invitation to continue their earlier argument, this time with a few choice words about where she could shove this whole notion of Danae being some little porcelain doll that Circe could dress up and march around without complaint. It was infuriating and insulting to the young girl who honestly felt as if she had better things to do than be Princess Emiia’s arm candy. Didn’t the woman realize that treating her daughter like this would only push the sixteen-year-old further and further away from her? That this sort of treatment and ‘do it because I told you so’ philosophy would only cause Danae to resent her more? Especially as Danae knew that the threats were empty. Keikelius would never cast her out and god forbid if her precious Elias lost one of the pawns he could push around the political chessboard that Athenia had become. It was just all hot air.
However, Danae held her tongue for once and just stared at her mother blankly before turning to look out the window without any sort of acknowledgment that the woman had spoken at all. It took every ounce of her inner grit to give the woman such a blase reaction to what the woman had to say as the continued threats and lack of regard for Danae’s opinion on the matter made the girl want to scream until her mother’s ears bled. That would only be the start of getting rid of all the frustrations she had with this family out of her, but she knew that was probably what her mother wanted. Circenia was used to commanding a room and being the center of attention. Purposefully being ignored was more likely to dig under the woman’s skin and there wasn’t a single thing that Circe could do about it as Danae was not being outwardly aggressive to her mother.
All of this didn’t stop Danae from murmuring quietly under her breath when Circenia turned to the guards that approached so that they might fetch the princess. “Love you too mom.” The hissed statement was barely audible but carried all the excess malice that Danae needed to release if she didn’t want to scare poor Emilia off with the levels of anger that were radiating off her. If anything, her words were a release valve, allowing the girl to rid herself of some of the excess steam that was building up within her. It was unlikely that Circenia overheard, but even if she did, it would be best to just allow the teen to sulk… especially as the Princess was quickly approaching the carriage.
Being able to release that small amount of anger was enough to keep Danae semi-pulled together when the Princess climbed into the vehicle and settled in next to her mother. The younger woman forced a slight smile onto her face when the Xanthos girl looked her way, but otherwise, it was blank with the quiet anger that was still broiling within her. If anything, Emilia might interpret her expression as bored or disinterested which was typical for the two of them. Danae was not exactly the closest cousin to the Princess as their own desires and interests varied so wildly. Hopefully, Emilia wouldn’t take notice of how tense things were in the carriage as it rumbled towards the market. If she could just be oblivious to Danae’s anger long enough for everyone to get out of the carriage, the girl would have an easier time pretending to be happy.
“Not at all.” Danae said flatly, trying to avoid shooting her mother a pointed glare as she took part in the small chatter. As much as Danae was loathed to admit it, the naive and bubbly nature of Emilia was working to naturally diffuse the tension in the carriage, making it easier for Danae to partake in the conversation with a notably lighter tone. “Is there anything, in particular, you want to look for at the market Emilia?” Even though it was clear that the anger was starting to fade, it was still there just lurking beneath the surface. Danae wouldn’t be surprised if her mother commandeered the conversation at this point to keep Emilia from noticing the slightly pointed edge to Danae’s tone. Though, the princess’s naivety did not mean that she was stupid. Not by a long shot.
So, would the princess catch on to the fact that things were seemingly not perfect in this well-polished family?
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When Circenia finally broke the heavy silence that had settled over the carriage, Danae was not that surprised by the fact that her mother’s words were just as harsh as they had been before. The sixteen-year-old wanted to take the words as an invitation to continue their earlier argument, this time with a few choice words about where she could shove this whole notion of Danae being some little porcelain doll that Circe could dress up and march around without complaint. It was infuriating and insulting to the young girl who honestly felt as if she had better things to do than be Princess Emiia’s arm candy. Didn’t the woman realize that treating her daughter like this would only push the sixteen-year-old further and further away from her? That this sort of treatment and ‘do it because I told you so’ philosophy would only cause Danae to resent her more? Especially as Danae knew that the threats were empty. Keikelius would never cast her out and god forbid if her precious Elias lost one of the pawns he could push around the political chessboard that Athenia had become. It was just all hot air.
However, Danae held her tongue for once and just stared at her mother blankly before turning to look out the window without any sort of acknowledgment that the woman had spoken at all. It took every ounce of her inner grit to give the woman such a blase reaction to what the woman had to say as the continued threats and lack of regard for Danae’s opinion on the matter made the girl want to scream until her mother’s ears bled. That would only be the start of getting rid of all the frustrations she had with this family out of her, but she knew that was probably what her mother wanted. Circenia was used to commanding a room and being the center of attention. Purposefully being ignored was more likely to dig under the woman’s skin and there wasn’t a single thing that Circe could do about it as Danae was not being outwardly aggressive to her mother.
All of this didn’t stop Danae from murmuring quietly under her breath when Circenia turned to the guards that approached so that they might fetch the princess. “Love you too mom.” The hissed statement was barely audible but carried all the excess malice that Danae needed to release if she didn’t want to scare poor Emilia off with the levels of anger that were radiating off her. If anything, her words were a release valve, allowing the girl to rid herself of some of the excess steam that was building up within her. It was unlikely that Circenia overheard, but even if she did, it would be best to just allow the teen to sulk… especially as the Princess was quickly approaching the carriage.
Being able to release that small amount of anger was enough to keep Danae semi-pulled together when the Princess climbed into the vehicle and settled in next to her mother. The younger woman forced a slight smile onto her face when the Xanthos girl looked her way, but otherwise, it was blank with the quiet anger that was still broiling within her. If anything, Emilia might interpret her expression as bored or disinterested which was typical for the two of them. Danae was not exactly the closest cousin to the Princess as their own desires and interests varied so wildly. Hopefully, Emilia wouldn’t take notice of how tense things were in the carriage as it rumbled towards the market. If she could just be oblivious to Danae’s anger long enough for everyone to get out of the carriage, the girl would have an easier time pretending to be happy.
“Not at all.” Danae said flatly, trying to avoid shooting her mother a pointed glare as she took part in the small chatter. As much as Danae was loathed to admit it, the naive and bubbly nature of Emilia was working to naturally diffuse the tension in the carriage, making it easier for Danae to partake in the conversation with a notably lighter tone. “Is there anything, in particular, you want to look for at the market Emilia?” Even though it was clear that the anger was starting to fade, it was still there just lurking beneath the surface. Danae wouldn’t be surprised if her mother commandeered the conversation at this point to keep Emilia from noticing the slightly pointed edge to Danae’s tone. Though, the princess’s naivety did not mean that she was stupid. Not by a long shot.
So, would the princess catch on to the fact that things were seemingly not perfect in this well-polished family?
When Circenia finally broke the heavy silence that had settled over the carriage, Danae was not that surprised by the fact that her mother’s words were just as harsh as they had been before. The sixteen-year-old wanted to take the words as an invitation to continue their earlier argument, this time with a few choice words about where she could shove this whole notion of Danae being some little porcelain doll that Circe could dress up and march around without complaint. It was infuriating and insulting to the young girl who honestly felt as if she had better things to do than be Princess Emiia’s arm candy. Didn’t the woman realize that treating her daughter like this would only push the sixteen-year-old further and further away from her? That this sort of treatment and ‘do it because I told you so’ philosophy would only cause Danae to resent her more? Especially as Danae knew that the threats were empty. Keikelius would never cast her out and god forbid if her precious Elias lost one of the pawns he could push around the political chessboard that Athenia had become. It was just all hot air.
However, Danae held her tongue for once and just stared at her mother blankly before turning to look out the window without any sort of acknowledgment that the woman had spoken at all. It took every ounce of her inner grit to give the woman such a blase reaction to what the woman had to say as the continued threats and lack of regard for Danae’s opinion on the matter made the girl want to scream until her mother’s ears bled. That would only be the start of getting rid of all the frustrations she had with this family out of her, but she knew that was probably what her mother wanted. Circenia was used to commanding a room and being the center of attention. Purposefully being ignored was more likely to dig under the woman’s skin and there wasn’t a single thing that Circe could do about it as Danae was not being outwardly aggressive to her mother.
All of this didn’t stop Danae from murmuring quietly under her breath when Circenia turned to the guards that approached so that they might fetch the princess. “Love you too mom.” The hissed statement was barely audible but carried all the excess malice that Danae needed to release if she didn’t want to scare poor Emilia off with the levels of anger that were radiating off her. If anything, her words were a release valve, allowing the girl to rid herself of some of the excess steam that was building up within her. It was unlikely that Circenia overheard, but even if she did, it would be best to just allow the teen to sulk… especially as the Princess was quickly approaching the carriage.
Being able to release that small amount of anger was enough to keep Danae semi-pulled together when the Princess climbed into the vehicle and settled in next to her mother. The younger woman forced a slight smile onto her face when the Xanthos girl looked her way, but otherwise, it was blank with the quiet anger that was still broiling within her. If anything, Emilia might interpret her expression as bored or disinterested which was typical for the two of them. Danae was not exactly the closest cousin to the Princess as their own desires and interests varied so wildly. Hopefully, Emilia wouldn’t take notice of how tense things were in the carriage as it rumbled towards the market. If she could just be oblivious to Danae’s anger long enough for everyone to get out of the carriage, the girl would have an easier time pretending to be happy.
“Not at all.” Danae said flatly, trying to avoid shooting her mother a pointed glare as she took part in the small chatter. As much as Danae was loathed to admit it, the naive and bubbly nature of Emilia was working to naturally diffuse the tension in the carriage, making it easier for Danae to partake in the conversation with a notably lighter tone. “Is there anything, in particular, you want to look for at the market Emilia?” Even though it was clear that the anger was starting to fade, it was still there just lurking beneath the surface. Danae wouldn’t be surprised if her mother commandeered the conversation at this point to keep Emilia from noticing the slightly pointed edge to Danae’s tone. Though, the princess’s naivety did not mean that she was stupid. Not by a long shot.
So, would the princess catch on to the fact that things were seemingly not perfect in this well-polished family?
Circenia pasted a sunny smile on her face as Emilia approached the carriage, nodding politely when the girl stepped in. “Your Highness,” she greeted the young princess with seeming warmth, her smile widening. “You’re looking splendid today, my dear! That color suits you.” Shaking her head at the girl’s worry of interrupting their day, she assured her, “It is no trouble at all. A trip to the market is always a welcome diversion, wouldn’t you agree?”
As cheerful as she presented herself, the princess held little regard for her niece, viewing her as barely more than a pawn to be discarded when she no longer served her purpose. As it stood now with Persephone missing in action, Emilia was their closest link to the throne, and therefore immensely valuable. If that meant keeping her happy with amicable visits and trips to the market, then that’s what she would do. No matter how little interest these excursions held. Nor how much distaste she had for the Xanthos brats.
Now, if only Danae could understand that, as well.
Gods willing, Emilia would not notice the tension in the carriage that seemed to crackle across Circenia’s skin. The last thing the Stravos needed today was for another fight to erupt, not when their meal ticket sat right between them. They were here to keep the girl in line, not to scare her off. Hopefully, her daughter would prove to be as good an actress as the mother—provided the mother did not lose her composure, as well.
Luckily for them all, the swan’s presence seemed to diffuse some of the hostility between the two anchors, Circenia slowly relaxing in her seat as the carriage set into motion. Danae was even playing friendly, and had she not still been so angry with her youngest child, she might have even smiled at her. If things carried on this way for the remainder of their afternoon, it would be like a gift from the gods themselves.
“How do things fare in the palati?” she asked Emilia as the carriage rambled along, her face devoid of anything but polite interest. “I trust my son’s presence has been helpful? He’s done his utmost to keep me informed, but you know how men are.” A teasing smile graced her lips as if to say, Look, we’re just like you. Hopefully, it was as convincing as she meant for it to be. “Is there anything else we can do for you? Any special treats we might procure? You know you have but to ask.”
The ride continued for only a few minutes longer before the carriage stopped, the driver stepping down to open the door and hand the ladies out. Allowing the younger women to disembark before she accepted the man’s help, she instructed him to linger nearby so they might find him easily for their return. Nodding as she dismissed him, Circenia turned to face her daughter and niece.
Focusing her attention on Emilia, Circenia gestured around them. “Well, Your Highness? What would you like to look at first?”
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Circenia pasted a sunny smile on her face as Emilia approached the carriage, nodding politely when the girl stepped in. “Your Highness,” she greeted the young princess with seeming warmth, her smile widening. “You’re looking splendid today, my dear! That color suits you.” Shaking her head at the girl’s worry of interrupting their day, she assured her, “It is no trouble at all. A trip to the market is always a welcome diversion, wouldn’t you agree?”
As cheerful as she presented herself, the princess held little regard for her niece, viewing her as barely more than a pawn to be discarded when she no longer served her purpose. As it stood now with Persephone missing in action, Emilia was their closest link to the throne, and therefore immensely valuable. If that meant keeping her happy with amicable visits and trips to the market, then that’s what she would do. No matter how little interest these excursions held. Nor how much distaste she had for the Xanthos brats.
Now, if only Danae could understand that, as well.
Gods willing, Emilia would not notice the tension in the carriage that seemed to crackle across Circenia’s skin. The last thing the Stravos needed today was for another fight to erupt, not when their meal ticket sat right between them. They were here to keep the girl in line, not to scare her off. Hopefully, her daughter would prove to be as good an actress as the mother—provided the mother did not lose her composure, as well.
Luckily for them all, the swan’s presence seemed to diffuse some of the hostility between the two anchors, Circenia slowly relaxing in her seat as the carriage set into motion. Danae was even playing friendly, and had she not still been so angry with her youngest child, she might have even smiled at her. If things carried on this way for the remainder of their afternoon, it would be like a gift from the gods themselves.
“How do things fare in the palati?” she asked Emilia as the carriage rambled along, her face devoid of anything but polite interest. “I trust my son’s presence has been helpful? He’s done his utmost to keep me informed, but you know how men are.” A teasing smile graced her lips as if to say, Look, we’re just like you. Hopefully, it was as convincing as she meant for it to be. “Is there anything else we can do for you? Any special treats we might procure? You know you have but to ask.”
The ride continued for only a few minutes longer before the carriage stopped, the driver stepping down to open the door and hand the ladies out. Allowing the younger women to disembark before she accepted the man’s help, she instructed him to linger nearby so they might find him easily for their return. Nodding as she dismissed him, Circenia turned to face her daughter and niece.
Focusing her attention on Emilia, Circenia gestured around them. “Well, Your Highness? What would you like to look at first?”
Circenia pasted a sunny smile on her face as Emilia approached the carriage, nodding politely when the girl stepped in. “Your Highness,” she greeted the young princess with seeming warmth, her smile widening. “You’re looking splendid today, my dear! That color suits you.” Shaking her head at the girl’s worry of interrupting their day, she assured her, “It is no trouble at all. A trip to the market is always a welcome diversion, wouldn’t you agree?”
As cheerful as she presented herself, the princess held little regard for her niece, viewing her as barely more than a pawn to be discarded when she no longer served her purpose. As it stood now with Persephone missing in action, Emilia was their closest link to the throne, and therefore immensely valuable. If that meant keeping her happy with amicable visits and trips to the market, then that’s what she would do. No matter how little interest these excursions held. Nor how much distaste she had for the Xanthos brats.
Now, if only Danae could understand that, as well.
Gods willing, Emilia would not notice the tension in the carriage that seemed to crackle across Circenia’s skin. The last thing the Stravos needed today was for another fight to erupt, not when their meal ticket sat right between them. They were here to keep the girl in line, not to scare her off. Hopefully, her daughter would prove to be as good an actress as the mother—provided the mother did not lose her composure, as well.
Luckily for them all, the swan’s presence seemed to diffuse some of the hostility between the two anchors, Circenia slowly relaxing in her seat as the carriage set into motion. Danae was even playing friendly, and had she not still been so angry with her youngest child, she might have even smiled at her. If things carried on this way for the remainder of their afternoon, it would be like a gift from the gods themselves.
“How do things fare in the palati?” she asked Emilia as the carriage rambled along, her face devoid of anything but polite interest. “I trust my son’s presence has been helpful? He’s done his utmost to keep me informed, but you know how men are.” A teasing smile graced her lips as if to say, Look, we’re just like you. Hopefully, it was as convincing as she meant for it to be. “Is there anything else we can do for you? Any special treats we might procure? You know you have but to ask.”
The ride continued for only a few minutes longer before the carriage stopped, the driver stepping down to open the door and hand the ladies out. Allowing the younger women to disembark before she accepted the man’s help, she instructed him to linger nearby so they might find him easily for their return. Nodding as she dismissed him, Circenia turned to face her daughter and niece.
Focusing her attention on Emilia, Circenia gestured around them. “Well, Your Highness? What would you like to look at first?”
Emilia internally winced at Danae's flat response, her smile to her aunt's greeting falling a little, but decided to take it in a stride as the footmen closed the doors to their carriage and the vehicle rumbled along towards the markets - a feeling Emilia had not felt in awhile, it felt almost foreign to her. It was amazing how much one could feel after being told to stay in a room by herself for almost a month. Even the sun on her skin felt warmer, far more welcoming then she last remembered.
Turning to Danae as she spoke, the princess managed a happy smile, one that was but a ghost of her past smiles, but something nonetheless even as she responded. "Not particularly, although I do hope some of the merchants from Lands Afar had come in - I do love the network material from Egypt, it helps a great deal in accentuating some materials I have unused back in the palati and the colors- Oh, sorry. I'm sure you won't want to hear me prattle on about textures and material." she murmured, in an abashed tone that was quite unlike her. Yet her month in solitude had made Emilia reflect on alot of things, most of all in her interests. Were they right when they called her airheaded because all she liked was clothes and jewelry?
Biting her bottom lip, the brunette quickly turned to Circenia when she spoke, hoping the topic could be changed. "As well as they could I'm sure, Aunt Circenia." Emilia said, although a little hesitant in her tone. "I'll be honest, I have not left my bedchambers much. Elias has mentioned to me he found it unsafe, so I... simply stayed put. But I think his presence has helped, yes." She tried to sound convincing, she really did. But truthfully? Emilia had no clue what was going on. She never really had a head for politics, and when the advisors had come asking her for her opinion on what they should do when Persephone could not be located, she turned to the closest person around she thought could do some help - and just so happen, that person was Elias.
Shaking her head at her aunt's kind offer, Emilia's smile held alittle more genuinety in it as the carriage stopped, and the sounds of the busy market filled the carriage as the driver offered a hand to help them down.
Eagerly, Emilia started forward, taking the proffered hand to step onto firm ground, and instinctively took a deep breath in. While she had a small window in her room, nothing was quite like the intermingling scents of a market filled with people shouting, merchant's peddling their wares... just life in general, that Emilia thrived in. Holding the corners of her chiton, the brunette turned to Circenia, and pursed her lips, before spying a merchant with brightly colored material on display.
Without even another word, Emilia gravitated towards the brightly dyed material like a butterfly to a flower, her eyes wide as she tuned out whatever Circenia and Danae were saying to each other, too caught by the idea of new cloth to procure.
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Emilia internally winced at Danae's flat response, her smile to her aunt's greeting falling a little, but decided to take it in a stride as the footmen closed the doors to their carriage and the vehicle rumbled along towards the markets - a feeling Emilia had not felt in awhile, it felt almost foreign to her. It was amazing how much one could feel after being told to stay in a room by herself for almost a month. Even the sun on her skin felt warmer, far more welcoming then she last remembered.
Turning to Danae as she spoke, the princess managed a happy smile, one that was but a ghost of her past smiles, but something nonetheless even as she responded. "Not particularly, although I do hope some of the merchants from Lands Afar had come in - I do love the network material from Egypt, it helps a great deal in accentuating some materials I have unused back in the palati and the colors- Oh, sorry. I'm sure you won't want to hear me prattle on about textures and material." she murmured, in an abashed tone that was quite unlike her. Yet her month in solitude had made Emilia reflect on alot of things, most of all in her interests. Were they right when they called her airheaded because all she liked was clothes and jewelry?
Biting her bottom lip, the brunette quickly turned to Circenia when she spoke, hoping the topic could be changed. "As well as they could I'm sure, Aunt Circenia." Emilia said, although a little hesitant in her tone. "I'll be honest, I have not left my bedchambers much. Elias has mentioned to me he found it unsafe, so I... simply stayed put. But I think his presence has helped, yes." She tried to sound convincing, she really did. But truthfully? Emilia had no clue what was going on. She never really had a head for politics, and when the advisors had come asking her for her opinion on what they should do when Persephone could not be located, she turned to the closest person around she thought could do some help - and just so happen, that person was Elias.
Shaking her head at her aunt's kind offer, Emilia's smile held alittle more genuinety in it as the carriage stopped, and the sounds of the busy market filled the carriage as the driver offered a hand to help them down.
Eagerly, Emilia started forward, taking the proffered hand to step onto firm ground, and instinctively took a deep breath in. While she had a small window in her room, nothing was quite like the intermingling scents of a market filled with people shouting, merchant's peddling their wares... just life in general, that Emilia thrived in. Holding the corners of her chiton, the brunette turned to Circenia, and pursed her lips, before spying a merchant with brightly colored material on display.
Without even another word, Emilia gravitated towards the brightly dyed material like a butterfly to a flower, her eyes wide as she tuned out whatever Circenia and Danae were saying to each other, too caught by the idea of new cloth to procure.
Emilia internally winced at Danae's flat response, her smile to her aunt's greeting falling a little, but decided to take it in a stride as the footmen closed the doors to their carriage and the vehicle rumbled along towards the markets - a feeling Emilia had not felt in awhile, it felt almost foreign to her. It was amazing how much one could feel after being told to stay in a room by herself for almost a month. Even the sun on her skin felt warmer, far more welcoming then she last remembered.
Turning to Danae as she spoke, the princess managed a happy smile, one that was but a ghost of her past smiles, but something nonetheless even as she responded. "Not particularly, although I do hope some of the merchants from Lands Afar had come in - I do love the network material from Egypt, it helps a great deal in accentuating some materials I have unused back in the palati and the colors- Oh, sorry. I'm sure you won't want to hear me prattle on about textures and material." she murmured, in an abashed tone that was quite unlike her. Yet her month in solitude had made Emilia reflect on alot of things, most of all in her interests. Were they right when they called her airheaded because all she liked was clothes and jewelry?
Biting her bottom lip, the brunette quickly turned to Circenia when she spoke, hoping the topic could be changed. "As well as they could I'm sure, Aunt Circenia." Emilia said, although a little hesitant in her tone. "I'll be honest, I have not left my bedchambers much. Elias has mentioned to me he found it unsafe, so I... simply stayed put. But I think his presence has helped, yes." She tried to sound convincing, she really did. But truthfully? Emilia had no clue what was going on. She never really had a head for politics, and when the advisors had come asking her for her opinion on what they should do when Persephone could not be located, she turned to the closest person around she thought could do some help - and just so happen, that person was Elias.
Shaking her head at her aunt's kind offer, Emilia's smile held alittle more genuinety in it as the carriage stopped, and the sounds of the busy market filled the carriage as the driver offered a hand to help them down.
Eagerly, Emilia started forward, taking the proffered hand to step onto firm ground, and instinctively took a deep breath in. While she had a small window in her room, nothing was quite like the intermingling scents of a market filled with people shouting, merchant's peddling their wares... just life in general, that Emilia thrived in. Holding the corners of her chiton, the brunette turned to Circenia, and pursed her lips, before spying a merchant with brightly colored material on display.
Without even another word, Emilia gravitated towards the brightly dyed material like a butterfly to a flower, her eyes wide as she tuned out whatever Circenia and Danae were saying to each other, too caught by the idea of new cloth to procure.
Even though Emilia seemed to be an effective meat shield between the explosive forces that were the Stravos women, there was little that could be done to abate the anger that weighed heavy in their hearts. That was more than apparent to Danae when all three of them piled out of the carriage and filed into the open-air market. There was a very visible distance between the daughter and mother duo as the younger girl made a point to stand on the opposite side of Emilia as the older woman clambered out of the carriage. Circenia had succeeded in dragging the girl here and if she had to play nice under the threat of duress, she would, but if her mother had any sort of notion of this being a bonding experience for the Stravos women, she had another thing coming. Danae had every intention of keeping this distance between them for the entirety of this miserable experience.
Which, of course, seemed to only get worse when Emilia ran off. The young princess seemed to immediately gravitate to a small stall that carried a variety of fine fabrics of bright vibrant colors. The sixteen-year-old internally groaned at the sight of where she had gone. Based on the conversation in the carriage, Emilia would want to stay at this sort of stall for the whole of their venture into the city or at least hop between the stalls that were like it. Needless to say, Danae was less than thrilled at this prospect. Even though she did have an eye for luxury products like any girls of their social standing would, the young anchor never understood the point of fiddling over one bolt of fabric for fifteen minutes. After all, it wasn’t like the color or material was suddenly going to change in front of them.
That was probably where half of her frustration for such market trips came from, regardless of who she was traveling with as she simply didn’t have the attention span for the things that girls her age were supposed to take an interest in. If Emilia had wandered to the trading scales or abacuses? That would be an entirely different story.
However, Danae could fake a smile for a few moments and play nice in order to avoid being hissed at by her mother. So, just as soon as Emilia wandered off, the Anchor Agoreas was hot on her heels. The young girl peered over Emilia’s shoulders at the selections and waited for her mother to eventually wander over and strike up some sort of conversation with the Princess and save Danae the pain of needing to even pretend to take an interest in such things… Or least that was her line of thought before something interesting caught the young girl’s eyes. Emilia was far too awestruck by the prospect of being let outside her rooms for the first time to take note of what Danae noticed in an instant. The fabrics that were being peddled as luxury goods were not as high quality as the merchant was making them seem.
With the full bolt on the table, Danae’s eyes instantly drifted to the stray strings peeking out from the center and how the color seemed to be the slightest bit off-color in comparison to the rest of the fabric. When the merchant was far too busy tripping over himself to tend to the princess and try to sell her a variety of useless things, Danae took the quick opportunity to thumb through the rest of the bolt. The vibrant colors in the fabric underneath told the girl all she needed to know. This bunch of cloth was not only poorly woven, but also severely sun-damaged, but was presented in such an ornate way that if Danae hadn’t been so disinterested in the man’s sales pitch she might not have taken notice.
“Princess Emilia?” Danae said, with the first hint of kindness and genuine concern that she had shown all day to either lady as the discovery had chased all thoughts of her frustration from her mind, “I would not buy anything from here. Look” She let the damaged fabric speak for itself as Danae showed her the true condition of what was on sale. This clearly was not the sort of thing that ladies like themselves should be adorning themselves with and not even the naive princess would be able to ignore that. “Come, we should find another stall. We can’t trust the quality of the rest of the fabrics if this is what’s on display.” Her tone was soft as she motioned the girl away from the swindler who was flushed red with embarrassment? Anger? Danae didn’t know. Nor did she care. No merchant should be foolish enough to have less than perfect products on display when the Stravos carriage rolled into the marketplace. Danae may not have had an eye for fabrics, but she certainly did for shifty business practices and she made a mental note to send some of her urchins later to find out more about the man who just lost such a high profile customer. He might be of some use to her…
But that was neither here or now. As the two girls made their way over to the next stall, with Circenia likely right on her heels with something to say about what had just occurred, a stray thought wandered into Danae’s mind that might help the Princess feel more comfortable and keep the raging bull that was her mother off of her case for however long this torture would last. After all, if Danae was behaving, her mother couldn’t really be publicly frustrated with her, right?
"Emilia, you mentioned having unused materials at the palati," Danae noted, making reference to the conversation that had occurred within the carriage, "Have you been able to work on anything recently? Or should we focus on restocking your supplies today?" It was idle chit chat, but quite frankly Danae would be willing to discuss anything if it kept her mother off of her back for a few hours.
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Even though Emilia seemed to be an effective meat shield between the explosive forces that were the Stravos women, there was little that could be done to abate the anger that weighed heavy in their hearts. That was more than apparent to Danae when all three of them piled out of the carriage and filed into the open-air market. There was a very visible distance between the daughter and mother duo as the younger girl made a point to stand on the opposite side of Emilia as the older woman clambered out of the carriage. Circenia had succeeded in dragging the girl here and if she had to play nice under the threat of duress, she would, but if her mother had any sort of notion of this being a bonding experience for the Stravos women, she had another thing coming. Danae had every intention of keeping this distance between them for the entirety of this miserable experience.
Which, of course, seemed to only get worse when Emilia ran off. The young princess seemed to immediately gravitate to a small stall that carried a variety of fine fabrics of bright vibrant colors. The sixteen-year-old internally groaned at the sight of where she had gone. Based on the conversation in the carriage, Emilia would want to stay at this sort of stall for the whole of their venture into the city or at least hop between the stalls that were like it. Needless to say, Danae was less than thrilled at this prospect. Even though she did have an eye for luxury products like any girls of their social standing would, the young anchor never understood the point of fiddling over one bolt of fabric for fifteen minutes. After all, it wasn’t like the color or material was suddenly going to change in front of them.
That was probably where half of her frustration for such market trips came from, regardless of who she was traveling with as she simply didn’t have the attention span for the things that girls her age were supposed to take an interest in. If Emilia had wandered to the trading scales or abacuses? That would be an entirely different story.
However, Danae could fake a smile for a few moments and play nice in order to avoid being hissed at by her mother. So, just as soon as Emilia wandered off, the Anchor Agoreas was hot on her heels. The young girl peered over Emilia’s shoulders at the selections and waited for her mother to eventually wander over and strike up some sort of conversation with the Princess and save Danae the pain of needing to even pretend to take an interest in such things… Or least that was her line of thought before something interesting caught the young girl’s eyes. Emilia was far too awestruck by the prospect of being let outside her rooms for the first time to take note of what Danae noticed in an instant. The fabrics that were being peddled as luxury goods were not as high quality as the merchant was making them seem.
With the full bolt on the table, Danae’s eyes instantly drifted to the stray strings peeking out from the center and how the color seemed to be the slightest bit off-color in comparison to the rest of the fabric. When the merchant was far too busy tripping over himself to tend to the princess and try to sell her a variety of useless things, Danae took the quick opportunity to thumb through the rest of the bolt. The vibrant colors in the fabric underneath told the girl all she needed to know. This bunch of cloth was not only poorly woven, but also severely sun-damaged, but was presented in such an ornate way that if Danae hadn’t been so disinterested in the man’s sales pitch she might not have taken notice.
“Princess Emilia?” Danae said, with the first hint of kindness and genuine concern that she had shown all day to either lady as the discovery had chased all thoughts of her frustration from her mind, “I would not buy anything from here. Look” She let the damaged fabric speak for itself as Danae showed her the true condition of what was on sale. This clearly was not the sort of thing that ladies like themselves should be adorning themselves with and not even the naive princess would be able to ignore that. “Come, we should find another stall. We can’t trust the quality of the rest of the fabrics if this is what’s on display.” Her tone was soft as she motioned the girl away from the swindler who was flushed red with embarrassment? Anger? Danae didn’t know. Nor did she care. No merchant should be foolish enough to have less than perfect products on display when the Stravos carriage rolled into the marketplace. Danae may not have had an eye for fabrics, but she certainly did for shifty business practices and she made a mental note to send some of her urchins later to find out more about the man who just lost such a high profile customer. He might be of some use to her…
But that was neither here or now. As the two girls made their way over to the next stall, with Circenia likely right on her heels with something to say about what had just occurred, a stray thought wandered into Danae’s mind that might help the Princess feel more comfortable and keep the raging bull that was her mother off of her case for however long this torture would last. After all, if Danae was behaving, her mother couldn’t really be publicly frustrated with her, right?
"Emilia, you mentioned having unused materials at the palati," Danae noted, making reference to the conversation that had occurred within the carriage, "Have you been able to work on anything recently? Or should we focus on restocking your supplies today?" It was idle chit chat, but quite frankly Danae would be willing to discuss anything if it kept her mother off of her back for a few hours.
Even though Emilia seemed to be an effective meat shield between the explosive forces that were the Stravos women, there was little that could be done to abate the anger that weighed heavy in their hearts. That was more than apparent to Danae when all three of them piled out of the carriage and filed into the open-air market. There was a very visible distance between the daughter and mother duo as the younger girl made a point to stand on the opposite side of Emilia as the older woman clambered out of the carriage. Circenia had succeeded in dragging the girl here and if she had to play nice under the threat of duress, she would, but if her mother had any sort of notion of this being a bonding experience for the Stravos women, she had another thing coming. Danae had every intention of keeping this distance between them for the entirety of this miserable experience.
Which, of course, seemed to only get worse when Emilia ran off. The young princess seemed to immediately gravitate to a small stall that carried a variety of fine fabrics of bright vibrant colors. The sixteen-year-old internally groaned at the sight of where she had gone. Based on the conversation in the carriage, Emilia would want to stay at this sort of stall for the whole of their venture into the city or at least hop between the stalls that were like it. Needless to say, Danae was less than thrilled at this prospect. Even though she did have an eye for luxury products like any girls of their social standing would, the young anchor never understood the point of fiddling over one bolt of fabric for fifteen minutes. After all, it wasn’t like the color or material was suddenly going to change in front of them.
That was probably where half of her frustration for such market trips came from, regardless of who she was traveling with as she simply didn’t have the attention span for the things that girls her age were supposed to take an interest in. If Emilia had wandered to the trading scales or abacuses? That would be an entirely different story.
However, Danae could fake a smile for a few moments and play nice in order to avoid being hissed at by her mother. So, just as soon as Emilia wandered off, the Anchor Agoreas was hot on her heels. The young girl peered over Emilia’s shoulders at the selections and waited for her mother to eventually wander over and strike up some sort of conversation with the Princess and save Danae the pain of needing to even pretend to take an interest in such things… Or least that was her line of thought before something interesting caught the young girl’s eyes. Emilia was far too awestruck by the prospect of being let outside her rooms for the first time to take note of what Danae noticed in an instant. The fabrics that were being peddled as luxury goods were not as high quality as the merchant was making them seem.
With the full bolt on the table, Danae’s eyes instantly drifted to the stray strings peeking out from the center and how the color seemed to be the slightest bit off-color in comparison to the rest of the fabric. When the merchant was far too busy tripping over himself to tend to the princess and try to sell her a variety of useless things, Danae took the quick opportunity to thumb through the rest of the bolt. The vibrant colors in the fabric underneath told the girl all she needed to know. This bunch of cloth was not only poorly woven, but also severely sun-damaged, but was presented in such an ornate way that if Danae hadn’t been so disinterested in the man’s sales pitch she might not have taken notice.
“Princess Emilia?” Danae said, with the first hint of kindness and genuine concern that she had shown all day to either lady as the discovery had chased all thoughts of her frustration from her mind, “I would not buy anything from here. Look” She let the damaged fabric speak for itself as Danae showed her the true condition of what was on sale. This clearly was not the sort of thing that ladies like themselves should be adorning themselves with and not even the naive princess would be able to ignore that. “Come, we should find another stall. We can’t trust the quality of the rest of the fabrics if this is what’s on display.” Her tone was soft as she motioned the girl away from the swindler who was flushed red with embarrassment? Anger? Danae didn’t know. Nor did she care. No merchant should be foolish enough to have less than perfect products on display when the Stravos carriage rolled into the marketplace. Danae may not have had an eye for fabrics, but she certainly did for shifty business practices and she made a mental note to send some of her urchins later to find out more about the man who just lost such a high profile customer. He might be of some use to her…
But that was neither here or now. As the two girls made their way over to the next stall, with Circenia likely right on her heels with something to say about what had just occurred, a stray thought wandered into Danae’s mind that might help the Princess feel more comfortable and keep the raging bull that was her mother off of her case for however long this torture would last. After all, if Danae was behaving, her mother couldn’t really be publicly frustrated with her, right?
"Emilia, you mentioned having unused materials at the palati," Danae noted, making reference to the conversation that had occurred within the carriage, "Have you been able to work on anything recently? Or should we focus on restocking your supplies today?" It was idle chit chat, but quite frankly Danae would be willing to discuss anything if it kept her mother off of her back for a few hours.
Nearly as soon as Emilia was on the ground, she was off into the marketplace, Danae hot on her heels behind her. It was quite obvious her daughter was avoiding her, and in that moment, she didn’t particularly care. Circenia of Stravos had raised three children. She was quite familiar with the ways of teenage hormones.
Rather than making a comment or asking any further questions, Circenia simply drifted behind her daughter and niece, following them over to a stand peddling brightly colored fabrics. Her fingers drifted through various bolts of silk and linen with half-hearted interest. While the man so passionately hawked his wares, like her daughter, the princess could tell the fabric was not of the quality he tried to claim. There was no chance of her purchasing any for herself; after all, her tastes were much finer than this.
Before she could say anything, Danae was piping up, warning Emilia about the poor quality of the merchant’s goods. Circenia even hazarded a smile, a reluctant pride filling her at her youngest’s finely tuned eye. She knew the girl had a head for business ventures, but she also knew of her passionate hatred for such womanly endeavors. She never would have expected the girl to recognize such shoddy craftmanship with fabric, of all things.
Turning her gaze on the merchant as the two girls drifted toward another vendor, she lifted a brow. While he stumbled over himself with poorly woven excuses, she shook her head. “My daughter is right, you know,” she commented, holding up a length of silk to point out the frayed edges. “If you are going to sell such poor materials, do not try to gouge their prices. Would it not be a shame if the Master of Trade heard about this poor excuse for a storefront, hm?”
“M-my apologies, Your Highness,” the man stammered out, making a show of sifting through his wares. “I’ll be certain to re-evaluate my inventory, p-princess. F-forgive me.”
Circenia made a noncommittal sound in the back of her throat as the merchant hastened to bow, rolling her eyes and taking her leave. Somehow, she doubted she’d be seeing this man in the marketplace any time soon. No doubt he’d start selling elsewhere.
Walking away from the stand to catch back up with Danae and Emilia, she came up just in time to hear her child’s polite inquiry of the young princess. So far, so good, and Circenia was even begrudgingly impressed with the youngest Stravos’s demeanor. She hadn’t thought it would be possible for Danae to separate her earlier anger and reluctance from her duty now, but apparently, she’d been wrong. Perhaps some of the girl’s lessons stuck even better than she thought. Or perhaps she had simply managed to put the fear of the gods into her daughter. The princess thought it likely to be a combination of both.
“Yes, Your Highness, what have you been working on?” she added her voice to Danae’s, turning an indulgent smile on her niece. “A new gown, maybe? A new himation? Perhaps when we return to the Palati, you’d like to show us?”
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Nearly as soon as Emilia was on the ground, she was off into the marketplace, Danae hot on her heels behind her. It was quite obvious her daughter was avoiding her, and in that moment, she didn’t particularly care. Circenia of Stravos had raised three children. She was quite familiar with the ways of teenage hormones.
Rather than making a comment or asking any further questions, Circenia simply drifted behind her daughter and niece, following them over to a stand peddling brightly colored fabrics. Her fingers drifted through various bolts of silk and linen with half-hearted interest. While the man so passionately hawked his wares, like her daughter, the princess could tell the fabric was not of the quality he tried to claim. There was no chance of her purchasing any for herself; after all, her tastes were much finer than this.
Before she could say anything, Danae was piping up, warning Emilia about the poor quality of the merchant’s goods. Circenia even hazarded a smile, a reluctant pride filling her at her youngest’s finely tuned eye. She knew the girl had a head for business ventures, but she also knew of her passionate hatred for such womanly endeavors. She never would have expected the girl to recognize such shoddy craftmanship with fabric, of all things.
Turning her gaze on the merchant as the two girls drifted toward another vendor, she lifted a brow. While he stumbled over himself with poorly woven excuses, she shook her head. “My daughter is right, you know,” she commented, holding up a length of silk to point out the frayed edges. “If you are going to sell such poor materials, do not try to gouge their prices. Would it not be a shame if the Master of Trade heard about this poor excuse for a storefront, hm?”
“M-my apologies, Your Highness,” the man stammered out, making a show of sifting through his wares. “I’ll be certain to re-evaluate my inventory, p-princess. F-forgive me.”
Circenia made a noncommittal sound in the back of her throat as the merchant hastened to bow, rolling her eyes and taking her leave. Somehow, she doubted she’d be seeing this man in the marketplace any time soon. No doubt he’d start selling elsewhere.
Walking away from the stand to catch back up with Danae and Emilia, she came up just in time to hear her child’s polite inquiry of the young princess. So far, so good, and Circenia was even begrudgingly impressed with the youngest Stravos’s demeanor. She hadn’t thought it would be possible for Danae to separate her earlier anger and reluctance from her duty now, but apparently, she’d been wrong. Perhaps some of the girl’s lessons stuck even better than she thought. Or perhaps she had simply managed to put the fear of the gods into her daughter. The princess thought it likely to be a combination of both.
“Yes, Your Highness, what have you been working on?” she added her voice to Danae’s, turning an indulgent smile on her niece. “A new gown, maybe? A new himation? Perhaps when we return to the Palati, you’d like to show us?”
Nearly as soon as Emilia was on the ground, she was off into the marketplace, Danae hot on her heels behind her. It was quite obvious her daughter was avoiding her, and in that moment, she didn’t particularly care. Circenia of Stravos had raised three children. She was quite familiar with the ways of teenage hormones.
Rather than making a comment or asking any further questions, Circenia simply drifted behind her daughter and niece, following them over to a stand peddling brightly colored fabrics. Her fingers drifted through various bolts of silk and linen with half-hearted interest. While the man so passionately hawked his wares, like her daughter, the princess could tell the fabric was not of the quality he tried to claim. There was no chance of her purchasing any for herself; after all, her tastes were much finer than this.
Before she could say anything, Danae was piping up, warning Emilia about the poor quality of the merchant’s goods. Circenia even hazarded a smile, a reluctant pride filling her at her youngest’s finely tuned eye. She knew the girl had a head for business ventures, but she also knew of her passionate hatred for such womanly endeavors. She never would have expected the girl to recognize such shoddy craftmanship with fabric, of all things.
Turning her gaze on the merchant as the two girls drifted toward another vendor, she lifted a brow. While he stumbled over himself with poorly woven excuses, she shook her head. “My daughter is right, you know,” she commented, holding up a length of silk to point out the frayed edges. “If you are going to sell such poor materials, do not try to gouge their prices. Would it not be a shame if the Master of Trade heard about this poor excuse for a storefront, hm?”
“M-my apologies, Your Highness,” the man stammered out, making a show of sifting through his wares. “I’ll be certain to re-evaluate my inventory, p-princess. F-forgive me.”
Circenia made a noncommittal sound in the back of her throat as the merchant hastened to bow, rolling her eyes and taking her leave. Somehow, she doubted she’d be seeing this man in the marketplace any time soon. No doubt he’d start selling elsewhere.
Walking away from the stand to catch back up with Danae and Emilia, she came up just in time to hear her child’s polite inquiry of the young princess. So far, so good, and Circenia was even begrudgingly impressed with the youngest Stravos’s demeanor. She hadn’t thought it would be possible for Danae to separate her earlier anger and reluctance from her duty now, but apparently, she’d been wrong. Perhaps some of the girl’s lessons stuck even better than she thought. Or perhaps she had simply managed to put the fear of the gods into her daughter. The princess thought it likely to be a combination of both.
“Yes, Your Highness, what have you been working on?” she added her voice to Danae’s, turning an indulgent smile on her niece. “A new gown, maybe? A new himation? Perhaps when we return to the Palati, you’d like to show us?”
While she hadn't been expecting Danae of all people to come running to keep close to her, Emilia barely noticed as her smile grew whilst she thumbed through the material, eagerly listening to the sales pitch by the obviously overjoyed merchant. It wasn't everyday that one's stall was chosen as patronage by the royals themselves, especially of late when Emilia had been scarce from the market herself.
Eagerly engrossing herself in the conversation with the merchants, Emilia almost didn't notice the brewing animosity between the mother and daughter pair who accompanied her to the market - but in honesty, she probably wouldn't recognize it even if she did pay attention. Emilia's own relationship with Persephone had always been close, where Persephone would dote over the younger sister she had like she was a surrogate mother to Emilia. And in many ways she was, for her sister was the closest mother-figure she had what with Lucille's passing at an age where Emilia could barely recall.
But what had gotten Emilia's attention when Danae addressed her wasn't the name, but the odd tone in which Danae used on her - her cousin had never been nice to her. Cordial would be the best word to describe the relationship between the two, so when the Stravos had an unusually concerned tone, the brunette instinctively turned to look, and then frowned when Danae pointed out the frayed material. Of course, fine material also frayed when they cut, but not to the extent that Emilia's eyes saw, especially the faded way in which the colors had degenerated under the many days they were displayed under the sun. It simply meant the dyes used were not of the quality the merchant purported himself to be.
A flash of hurt passed her eyes, another instance where Emilia found herself easily lied to, but it was more evidence presented to her face on how gullible she could be. Was that why Persephone had left and not returned for her, because she was simply a burden for her sister upon the death of their father?
Quietly following Danae as her cousin pulled her away, the brunette fell oddly quiet, her excitement to shop suddenly dampened by the stark reminder of how easily lied to she could be. How could she hone an ability to never be lied to again? It seemd impossible, as if she would need a blessing from a God - but it was her sister who was blessed with beauty and smarts, not her, no matter how much she prayed to the Gods.
Quickly looking up when Danae addressed her, the young princess turned as Circenia joined the conversation as her aunt drew up behind them. Doing her best to shake off the sudden melancholy that came over her, Emilia smiled the best she could as she thought of the network and foreign shades of gold and orange brought over from Egypt.
"Mostly network that could be worn over our chitons to give it a pop of accent and color. I was thinking of going for the exotic look, although I'm not sure if it'll be well accepted in court." she murmured with a hint of uncertainty. "I've also started work on jewelry myself - look!" A hint of her earlier excitement returning, Emilia pulled up the edge of her chiton to display the anklet she had crafted with rings of gold and bronze wires looped together. It surrounded her ankle, and one long strand ran down the top of her feet, attached to a ring worn on her middle toe, with faceted cut emeralds catching the light as she twisted her ankle a little to show it off. "It took me a long time, but I think it'd make us going barefoot look even nicer. Don't you think?" she asked Danae with a grin, her eyes surveying the remainding merchants. "Do you think there would be somewhere I could buy some materials to make more accessories around here? I usually only patronize stalls of materials and fabric..."
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While she hadn't been expecting Danae of all people to come running to keep close to her, Emilia barely noticed as her smile grew whilst she thumbed through the material, eagerly listening to the sales pitch by the obviously overjoyed merchant. It wasn't everyday that one's stall was chosen as patronage by the royals themselves, especially of late when Emilia had been scarce from the market herself.
Eagerly engrossing herself in the conversation with the merchants, Emilia almost didn't notice the brewing animosity between the mother and daughter pair who accompanied her to the market - but in honesty, she probably wouldn't recognize it even if she did pay attention. Emilia's own relationship with Persephone had always been close, where Persephone would dote over the younger sister she had like she was a surrogate mother to Emilia. And in many ways she was, for her sister was the closest mother-figure she had what with Lucille's passing at an age where Emilia could barely recall.
But what had gotten Emilia's attention when Danae addressed her wasn't the name, but the odd tone in which Danae used on her - her cousin had never been nice to her. Cordial would be the best word to describe the relationship between the two, so when the Stravos had an unusually concerned tone, the brunette instinctively turned to look, and then frowned when Danae pointed out the frayed material. Of course, fine material also frayed when they cut, but not to the extent that Emilia's eyes saw, especially the faded way in which the colors had degenerated under the many days they were displayed under the sun. It simply meant the dyes used were not of the quality the merchant purported himself to be.
A flash of hurt passed her eyes, another instance where Emilia found herself easily lied to, but it was more evidence presented to her face on how gullible she could be. Was that why Persephone had left and not returned for her, because she was simply a burden for her sister upon the death of their father?
Quietly following Danae as her cousin pulled her away, the brunette fell oddly quiet, her excitement to shop suddenly dampened by the stark reminder of how easily lied to she could be. How could she hone an ability to never be lied to again? It seemd impossible, as if she would need a blessing from a God - but it was her sister who was blessed with beauty and smarts, not her, no matter how much she prayed to the Gods.
Quickly looking up when Danae addressed her, the young princess turned as Circenia joined the conversation as her aunt drew up behind them. Doing her best to shake off the sudden melancholy that came over her, Emilia smiled the best she could as she thought of the network and foreign shades of gold and orange brought over from Egypt.
"Mostly network that could be worn over our chitons to give it a pop of accent and color. I was thinking of going for the exotic look, although I'm not sure if it'll be well accepted in court." she murmured with a hint of uncertainty. "I've also started work on jewelry myself - look!" A hint of her earlier excitement returning, Emilia pulled up the edge of her chiton to display the anklet she had crafted with rings of gold and bronze wires looped together. It surrounded her ankle, and one long strand ran down the top of her feet, attached to a ring worn on her middle toe, with faceted cut emeralds catching the light as she twisted her ankle a little to show it off. "It took me a long time, but I think it'd make us going barefoot look even nicer. Don't you think?" she asked Danae with a grin, her eyes surveying the remainding merchants. "Do you think there would be somewhere I could buy some materials to make more accessories around here? I usually only patronize stalls of materials and fabric..."
While she hadn't been expecting Danae of all people to come running to keep close to her, Emilia barely noticed as her smile grew whilst she thumbed through the material, eagerly listening to the sales pitch by the obviously overjoyed merchant. It wasn't everyday that one's stall was chosen as patronage by the royals themselves, especially of late when Emilia had been scarce from the market herself.
Eagerly engrossing herself in the conversation with the merchants, Emilia almost didn't notice the brewing animosity between the mother and daughter pair who accompanied her to the market - but in honesty, she probably wouldn't recognize it even if she did pay attention. Emilia's own relationship with Persephone had always been close, where Persephone would dote over the younger sister she had like she was a surrogate mother to Emilia. And in many ways she was, for her sister was the closest mother-figure she had what with Lucille's passing at an age where Emilia could barely recall.
But what had gotten Emilia's attention when Danae addressed her wasn't the name, but the odd tone in which Danae used on her - her cousin had never been nice to her. Cordial would be the best word to describe the relationship between the two, so when the Stravos had an unusually concerned tone, the brunette instinctively turned to look, and then frowned when Danae pointed out the frayed material. Of course, fine material also frayed when they cut, but not to the extent that Emilia's eyes saw, especially the faded way in which the colors had degenerated under the many days they were displayed under the sun. It simply meant the dyes used were not of the quality the merchant purported himself to be.
A flash of hurt passed her eyes, another instance where Emilia found herself easily lied to, but it was more evidence presented to her face on how gullible she could be. Was that why Persephone had left and not returned for her, because she was simply a burden for her sister upon the death of their father?
Quietly following Danae as her cousin pulled her away, the brunette fell oddly quiet, her excitement to shop suddenly dampened by the stark reminder of how easily lied to she could be. How could she hone an ability to never be lied to again? It seemd impossible, as if she would need a blessing from a God - but it was her sister who was blessed with beauty and smarts, not her, no matter how much she prayed to the Gods.
Quickly looking up when Danae addressed her, the young princess turned as Circenia joined the conversation as her aunt drew up behind them. Doing her best to shake off the sudden melancholy that came over her, Emilia smiled the best she could as she thought of the network and foreign shades of gold and orange brought over from Egypt.
"Mostly network that could be worn over our chitons to give it a pop of accent and color. I was thinking of going for the exotic look, although I'm not sure if it'll be well accepted in court." she murmured with a hint of uncertainty. "I've also started work on jewelry myself - look!" A hint of her earlier excitement returning, Emilia pulled up the edge of her chiton to display the anklet she had crafted with rings of gold and bronze wires looped together. It surrounded her ankle, and one long strand ran down the top of her feet, attached to a ring worn on her middle toe, with faceted cut emeralds catching the light as she twisted her ankle a little to show it off. "It took me a long time, but I think it'd make us going barefoot look even nicer. Don't you think?" she asked Danae with a grin, her eyes surveying the remainding merchants. "Do you think there would be somewhere I could buy some materials to make more accessories around here? I usually only patronize stalls of materials and fabric..."
As her mother loitered behind to share a few stern words with the man, Danae had her own thoughts about the merchant that had tried to swindle the princess. Despite the sour taste in her mouth left by his blatant dishonesty, the youngest Stravos had to admit that the man had an excellent sales pitch. Emilia had been lured in easily enough and the girl was fairly certain that the same may have happened to her as well if she didn’t have such an abhorrence to shopping for such materials. As Danae was already disinterested before he even spoke, it had been easier for her to pull away from the charming lull of his words and recognize the shoddy quality for what it was. Had she been like other girls her age, she may have fallen for it too. She might not hold much respect for the way he conducted his business, but even she had to recognize that the man did have a bit of a talent for giving a sales pitch. Even though the girl did not know if the frayed fabric came from either the hard times that had fallen upon Athenia or if they were signs of coveting a high-profit margin, but now the Stravos had a certain interest in finding out. After all, her father had taught her to never let such an opportunity for a quick investment with a feasibly high turn around pass her by.
Of course, that all depended on the merchant falling on unfortunate times and not anything else. She couldn’t do anything here with her mother’s eye boring into her, but maybe once this dreaded day was over, she could send an urchin or two to find out more about this merchant. Maybe with a little help, he could be quite a threat within this rather competitive market…
However, that was neither here nor now. There was a different, more infuriating, goal that Danae needed to focus on. Princess Emilia still needed to find some pretty fabrics that were of suitable quality for a royal to wear. Even though the Stravos girl thought that she was about as useful an archer in a swordsmanship contest when it came to this subject, she didn’t have much of a choice than to help the Xanthos on her mission as silly as it was. Really, Danae did not see the whole point in spending hours upon hours searching for materials to be used in a dress that would be worn once before being put away for years upon years. It was nothing short of wasteful in her opinion, but alas Danae wasn’t exactly free to voice such opinions on Emilia’s pastimes. Not when she was a member of the court, meaning she was socially expected to take an interest in such things, but also not while her mother was practically breathing down her neck, searching for any sort of infraction to justify the rage the Stravoses both held boiling beneath the surface. All she could do at this moment was keep her face pointedly neutral as the two settled into an uneasy silence. It was nearly impossible for her to smile given how frustrating this day was turning out to be.
Glancing at her cousin though, Danae was quick to notice how crestfallen the Princess had become as the girls searched for another stall that would have what Emilia was looking for. The Stravos had no idea what exactly was going through the Princess’s mind, but she could guess that it had something to do with the merchant deceiving her. After all, there really wasn’t anything else that could cause such a happy, bubbly girl to lose that bright spark in a matter of moments. It also didn’t seem all that unreasonable to Danae that such a thing might upset her as she knew that Emilia could be a bit more emotional than other girls; she was just the sort who was keen to wear her heart on her sleeve and struggle to keep her emotions behind the courtly mask all nobles were expected to don at all times. Danae and Emilia were almost alike in this sense as it was something that the Stravos girl struggled with too.
Maybe that’s what spurred a momentary flicker of compassion to cross the younger girl’s face as she watched her cousin quietly get upset over what happened. Or perhaps it was her desire to curry favor with her mother so the fiasco from this morning would be simply forgotten. Either way, regardless of the reason, it was enough to encourage Danae to say quietly to the girl as she forced the smallest smile to cross her face as she said, “He may have been a bit of a crook, but he did have a good sales pitch… Maybe he should give up the life of a merchant and become an actor instead.” It was a rather poor attempt at cracking a joke, especially as Danae was not naturally funny enough to make it work, but at least the girl tried. Who knows? Maybe Princess Emilia would find the imagery of some wrinkled, old liar with rather interestingly shaped mustache being on stage amusing. All Danae could really hope for was that it at least cheered the girl up a little bit so that she would not be blamed for the Princess’s poor mood when her mother did finally wander over.
It didn’t seem that Danae needed to worry about that too much though as soon as Circenia joined the two girls and elaborated on her daughter’s question, the Princess perked right up. The sixteen-year-old listened intently to what the girl had to say about network and accents, but she didn’t really absorb any of it. Why would she? Color matching and garment designs were not her forte. She could already tell that this was a conversation she would likely be tuning out -- until, of course, Emilia surprised her by drawing her attention back in by displaying the jewelry on her feet. In truth, Danae was a little surprised to see the sheer amount of handiwork that the Princess possessed as her own preconceived notions about the girl made it seem rather impossible that she was capable of anything outside of fawning over makeup and dresses. However, she was pleasantly proven wrong and she couldn’t hide that glimmer of admiration in her eyes as she looked over the basic metalwork that the princess had done. When Emilia questioned Danae about her thoughts on it, she was quick to answer back with, “Yes, it looks… well, wonderful,” Her tone carried a certain level of curiosity that just normally wasn’t present in conversations between the two cousins, showing that she had a genuine interest in the topic at hand, “And you didn’t get help from a blacksmith or jeweler? You made it yourself?”
The naturally business inclined girl couldn’t help, but let her mind wander at all the possibilities such a talent could produce… but Danae was quick to shake these out of her mind. Even though Emilia clearly had a talent for this handicraft, there was no way that the Stravos girl could feasibly get the girl onboard to a point that she could sell the stuff that the Princess was making. She doubted that Emilia never seemed to be the type who would make things outside of her own interests and curiosity. Plus not to mention the majority of the profit that would come with such a product would have to come from the association it would have with the princess and there was no way Emilia would ever sign off on that -- but alas, a girl could dream, couldn’t she?
Either way, the point was moot when Emilia turned to Danae and asked if she knew of somewhere that she could find the materials needed to make more. For a moment Danae was silent, unsure if she should answer the Princess. After all, she did know of someone. There was a merchant on her roster that specialized in selling metals for jewelry and other things, but she had to admit that this wasn’t the sort of thing that Danae should reasonably take an interest in. What was she supposed to say if Emilia questioned this connection? Or her mother did, intending to embarrass her by putting her on the spot? The only feasible excuse would be that she also had an interest in making jewelry, but that was such a blatant lie. It would almost be like her adamantly claiming that she was a natural blonde. She could lie and pretend that she didn’t, but that would mean hours of endless torture as they all wandered the markets searching for a stall that Danae knew was on the other side of the city square. As much as she didn’t want to even have to hint at her secret, she really did not want to spend a whole lot longer roaming the city with her cousin than she had to.
So, that was why Danae gave the girl a small nod and said as neutrally as she could, “I think so… I’m not certain, but I think there are stalls like that over near where they sell scrolls. I can lead us there, but it is on the other side of everything…” She trailed off at the end, glancing over at her mother who may not approve of such an adventure to the other side of the city market. After all, it was fairly crowded today and the people were growing restless from the lack of produce coming in from the provinces. This section of the market was safe as the arrival of both the Princess and the Stravos women ensured that there were guards teeming absolutely everywhere… but was Circenia okay with taking a bit of a risk by moving everyone to the other side of the market? It would make both girls happy not only by giving Emilia access to the jeweler’s supplies that she was looking for but let Danae wander a bit to the stalls she’d like to frequent…
What would it be? A possibly pleasant afternoon or guaranteed safety? Danae wasn’t sure which way things would go as she waited for her mother to give her verdict.
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As her mother loitered behind to share a few stern words with the man, Danae had her own thoughts about the merchant that had tried to swindle the princess. Despite the sour taste in her mouth left by his blatant dishonesty, the youngest Stravos had to admit that the man had an excellent sales pitch. Emilia had been lured in easily enough and the girl was fairly certain that the same may have happened to her as well if she didn’t have such an abhorrence to shopping for such materials. As Danae was already disinterested before he even spoke, it had been easier for her to pull away from the charming lull of his words and recognize the shoddy quality for what it was. Had she been like other girls her age, she may have fallen for it too. She might not hold much respect for the way he conducted his business, but even she had to recognize that the man did have a bit of a talent for giving a sales pitch. Even though the girl did not know if the frayed fabric came from either the hard times that had fallen upon Athenia or if they were signs of coveting a high-profit margin, but now the Stravos had a certain interest in finding out. After all, her father had taught her to never let such an opportunity for a quick investment with a feasibly high turn around pass her by.
Of course, that all depended on the merchant falling on unfortunate times and not anything else. She couldn’t do anything here with her mother’s eye boring into her, but maybe once this dreaded day was over, she could send an urchin or two to find out more about this merchant. Maybe with a little help, he could be quite a threat within this rather competitive market…
However, that was neither here nor now. There was a different, more infuriating, goal that Danae needed to focus on. Princess Emilia still needed to find some pretty fabrics that were of suitable quality for a royal to wear. Even though the Stravos girl thought that she was about as useful an archer in a swordsmanship contest when it came to this subject, she didn’t have much of a choice than to help the Xanthos on her mission as silly as it was. Really, Danae did not see the whole point in spending hours upon hours searching for materials to be used in a dress that would be worn once before being put away for years upon years. It was nothing short of wasteful in her opinion, but alas Danae wasn’t exactly free to voice such opinions on Emilia’s pastimes. Not when she was a member of the court, meaning she was socially expected to take an interest in such things, but also not while her mother was practically breathing down her neck, searching for any sort of infraction to justify the rage the Stravoses both held boiling beneath the surface. All she could do at this moment was keep her face pointedly neutral as the two settled into an uneasy silence. It was nearly impossible for her to smile given how frustrating this day was turning out to be.
Glancing at her cousin though, Danae was quick to notice how crestfallen the Princess had become as the girls searched for another stall that would have what Emilia was looking for. The Stravos had no idea what exactly was going through the Princess’s mind, but she could guess that it had something to do with the merchant deceiving her. After all, there really wasn’t anything else that could cause such a happy, bubbly girl to lose that bright spark in a matter of moments. It also didn’t seem all that unreasonable to Danae that such a thing might upset her as she knew that Emilia could be a bit more emotional than other girls; she was just the sort who was keen to wear her heart on her sleeve and struggle to keep her emotions behind the courtly mask all nobles were expected to don at all times. Danae and Emilia were almost alike in this sense as it was something that the Stravos girl struggled with too.
Maybe that’s what spurred a momentary flicker of compassion to cross the younger girl’s face as she watched her cousin quietly get upset over what happened. Or perhaps it was her desire to curry favor with her mother so the fiasco from this morning would be simply forgotten. Either way, regardless of the reason, it was enough to encourage Danae to say quietly to the girl as she forced the smallest smile to cross her face as she said, “He may have been a bit of a crook, but he did have a good sales pitch… Maybe he should give up the life of a merchant and become an actor instead.” It was a rather poor attempt at cracking a joke, especially as Danae was not naturally funny enough to make it work, but at least the girl tried. Who knows? Maybe Princess Emilia would find the imagery of some wrinkled, old liar with rather interestingly shaped mustache being on stage amusing. All Danae could really hope for was that it at least cheered the girl up a little bit so that she would not be blamed for the Princess’s poor mood when her mother did finally wander over.
It didn’t seem that Danae needed to worry about that too much though as soon as Circenia joined the two girls and elaborated on her daughter’s question, the Princess perked right up. The sixteen-year-old listened intently to what the girl had to say about network and accents, but she didn’t really absorb any of it. Why would she? Color matching and garment designs were not her forte. She could already tell that this was a conversation she would likely be tuning out -- until, of course, Emilia surprised her by drawing her attention back in by displaying the jewelry on her feet. In truth, Danae was a little surprised to see the sheer amount of handiwork that the Princess possessed as her own preconceived notions about the girl made it seem rather impossible that she was capable of anything outside of fawning over makeup and dresses. However, she was pleasantly proven wrong and she couldn’t hide that glimmer of admiration in her eyes as she looked over the basic metalwork that the princess had done. When Emilia questioned Danae about her thoughts on it, she was quick to answer back with, “Yes, it looks… well, wonderful,” Her tone carried a certain level of curiosity that just normally wasn’t present in conversations between the two cousins, showing that she had a genuine interest in the topic at hand, “And you didn’t get help from a blacksmith or jeweler? You made it yourself?”
The naturally business inclined girl couldn’t help, but let her mind wander at all the possibilities such a talent could produce… but Danae was quick to shake these out of her mind. Even though Emilia clearly had a talent for this handicraft, there was no way that the Stravos girl could feasibly get the girl onboard to a point that she could sell the stuff that the Princess was making. She doubted that Emilia never seemed to be the type who would make things outside of her own interests and curiosity. Plus not to mention the majority of the profit that would come with such a product would have to come from the association it would have with the princess and there was no way Emilia would ever sign off on that -- but alas, a girl could dream, couldn’t she?
Either way, the point was moot when Emilia turned to Danae and asked if she knew of somewhere that she could find the materials needed to make more. For a moment Danae was silent, unsure if she should answer the Princess. After all, she did know of someone. There was a merchant on her roster that specialized in selling metals for jewelry and other things, but she had to admit that this wasn’t the sort of thing that Danae should reasonably take an interest in. What was she supposed to say if Emilia questioned this connection? Or her mother did, intending to embarrass her by putting her on the spot? The only feasible excuse would be that she also had an interest in making jewelry, but that was such a blatant lie. It would almost be like her adamantly claiming that she was a natural blonde. She could lie and pretend that she didn’t, but that would mean hours of endless torture as they all wandered the markets searching for a stall that Danae knew was on the other side of the city square. As much as she didn’t want to even have to hint at her secret, she really did not want to spend a whole lot longer roaming the city with her cousin than she had to.
So, that was why Danae gave the girl a small nod and said as neutrally as she could, “I think so… I’m not certain, but I think there are stalls like that over near where they sell scrolls. I can lead us there, but it is on the other side of everything…” She trailed off at the end, glancing over at her mother who may not approve of such an adventure to the other side of the city market. After all, it was fairly crowded today and the people were growing restless from the lack of produce coming in from the provinces. This section of the market was safe as the arrival of both the Princess and the Stravos women ensured that there were guards teeming absolutely everywhere… but was Circenia okay with taking a bit of a risk by moving everyone to the other side of the market? It would make both girls happy not only by giving Emilia access to the jeweler’s supplies that she was looking for but let Danae wander a bit to the stalls she’d like to frequent…
What would it be? A possibly pleasant afternoon or guaranteed safety? Danae wasn’t sure which way things would go as she waited for her mother to give her verdict.
As her mother loitered behind to share a few stern words with the man, Danae had her own thoughts about the merchant that had tried to swindle the princess. Despite the sour taste in her mouth left by his blatant dishonesty, the youngest Stravos had to admit that the man had an excellent sales pitch. Emilia had been lured in easily enough and the girl was fairly certain that the same may have happened to her as well if she didn’t have such an abhorrence to shopping for such materials. As Danae was already disinterested before he even spoke, it had been easier for her to pull away from the charming lull of his words and recognize the shoddy quality for what it was. Had she been like other girls her age, she may have fallen for it too. She might not hold much respect for the way he conducted his business, but even she had to recognize that the man did have a bit of a talent for giving a sales pitch. Even though the girl did not know if the frayed fabric came from either the hard times that had fallen upon Athenia or if they were signs of coveting a high-profit margin, but now the Stravos had a certain interest in finding out. After all, her father had taught her to never let such an opportunity for a quick investment with a feasibly high turn around pass her by.
Of course, that all depended on the merchant falling on unfortunate times and not anything else. She couldn’t do anything here with her mother’s eye boring into her, but maybe once this dreaded day was over, she could send an urchin or two to find out more about this merchant. Maybe with a little help, he could be quite a threat within this rather competitive market…
However, that was neither here nor now. There was a different, more infuriating, goal that Danae needed to focus on. Princess Emilia still needed to find some pretty fabrics that were of suitable quality for a royal to wear. Even though the Stravos girl thought that she was about as useful an archer in a swordsmanship contest when it came to this subject, she didn’t have much of a choice than to help the Xanthos on her mission as silly as it was. Really, Danae did not see the whole point in spending hours upon hours searching for materials to be used in a dress that would be worn once before being put away for years upon years. It was nothing short of wasteful in her opinion, but alas Danae wasn’t exactly free to voice such opinions on Emilia’s pastimes. Not when she was a member of the court, meaning she was socially expected to take an interest in such things, but also not while her mother was practically breathing down her neck, searching for any sort of infraction to justify the rage the Stravoses both held boiling beneath the surface. All she could do at this moment was keep her face pointedly neutral as the two settled into an uneasy silence. It was nearly impossible for her to smile given how frustrating this day was turning out to be.
Glancing at her cousin though, Danae was quick to notice how crestfallen the Princess had become as the girls searched for another stall that would have what Emilia was looking for. The Stravos had no idea what exactly was going through the Princess’s mind, but she could guess that it had something to do with the merchant deceiving her. After all, there really wasn’t anything else that could cause such a happy, bubbly girl to lose that bright spark in a matter of moments. It also didn’t seem all that unreasonable to Danae that such a thing might upset her as she knew that Emilia could be a bit more emotional than other girls; she was just the sort who was keen to wear her heart on her sleeve and struggle to keep her emotions behind the courtly mask all nobles were expected to don at all times. Danae and Emilia were almost alike in this sense as it was something that the Stravos girl struggled with too.
Maybe that’s what spurred a momentary flicker of compassion to cross the younger girl’s face as she watched her cousin quietly get upset over what happened. Or perhaps it was her desire to curry favor with her mother so the fiasco from this morning would be simply forgotten. Either way, regardless of the reason, it was enough to encourage Danae to say quietly to the girl as she forced the smallest smile to cross her face as she said, “He may have been a bit of a crook, but he did have a good sales pitch… Maybe he should give up the life of a merchant and become an actor instead.” It was a rather poor attempt at cracking a joke, especially as Danae was not naturally funny enough to make it work, but at least the girl tried. Who knows? Maybe Princess Emilia would find the imagery of some wrinkled, old liar with rather interestingly shaped mustache being on stage amusing. All Danae could really hope for was that it at least cheered the girl up a little bit so that she would not be blamed for the Princess’s poor mood when her mother did finally wander over.
It didn’t seem that Danae needed to worry about that too much though as soon as Circenia joined the two girls and elaborated on her daughter’s question, the Princess perked right up. The sixteen-year-old listened intently to what the girl had to say about network and accents, but she didn’t really absorb any of it. Why would she? Color matching and garment designs were not her forte. She could already tell that this was a conversation she would likely be tuning out -- until, of course, Emilia surprised her by drawing her attention back in by displaying the jewelry on her feet. In truth, Danae was a little surprised to see the sheer amount of handiwork that the Princess possessed as her own preconceived notions about the girl made it seem rather impossible that she was capable of anything outside of fawning over makeup and dresses. However, she was pleasantly proven wrong and she couldn’t hide that glimmer of admiration in her eyes as she looked over the basic metalwork that the princess had done. When Emilia questioned Danae about her thoughts on it, she was quick to answer back with, “Yes, it looks… well, wonderful,” Her tone carried a certain level of curiosity that just normally wasn’t present in conversations between the two cousins, showing that she had a genuine interest in the topic at hand, “And you didn’t get help from a blacksmith or jeweler? You made it yourself?”
The naturally business inclined girl couldn’t help, but let her mind wander at all the possibilities such a talent could produce… but Danae was quick to shake these out of her mind. Even though Emilia clearly had a talent for this handicraft, there was no way that the Stravos girl could feasibly get the girl onboard to a point that she could sell the stuff that the Princess was making. She doubted that Emilia never seemed to be the type who would make things outside of her own interests and curiosity. Plus not to mention the majority of the profit that would come with such a product would have to come from the association it would have with the princess and there was no way Emilia would ever sign off on that -- but alas, a girl could dream, couldn’t she?
Either way, the point was moot when Emilia turned to Danae and asked if she knew of somewhere that she could find the materials needed to make more. For a moment Danae was silent, unsure if she should answer the Princess. After all, she did know of someone. There was a merchant on her roster that specialized in selling metals for jewelry and other things, but she had to admit that this wasn’t the sort of thing that Danae should reasonably take an interest in. What was she supposed to say if Emilia questioned this connection? Or her mother did, intending to embarrass her by putting her on the spot? The only feasible excuse would be that she also had an interest in making jewelry, but that was such a blatant lie. It would almost be like her adamantly claiming that she was a natural blonde. She could lie and pretend that she didn’t, but that would mean hours of endless torture as they all wandered the markets searching for a stall that Danae knew was on the other side of the city square. As much as she didn’t want to even have to hint at her secret, she really did not want to spend a whole lot longer roaming the city with her cousin than she had to.
So, that was why Danae gave the girl a small nod and said as neutrally as she could, “I think so… I’m not certain, but I think there are stalls like that over near where they sell scrolls. I can lead us there, but it is on the other side of everything…” She trailed off at the end, glancing over at her mother who may not approve of such an adventure to the other side of the city market. After all, it was fairly crowded today and the people were growing restless from the lack of produce coming in from the provinces. This section of the market was safe as the arrival of both the Princess and the Stravos women ensured that there were guards teeming absolutely everywhere… but was Circenia okay with taking a bit of a risk by moving everyone to the other side of the market? It would make both girls happy not only by giving Emilia access to the jeweler’s supplies that she was looking for but let Danae wander a bit to the stalls she’d like to frequent…
What would it be? A possibly pleasant afternoon or guaranteed safety? Danae wasn’t sure which way things would go as she waited for her mother to give her verdict.