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Vasia was not shy of tricky things as the lord so called them. She rather enjoyed to poke and prod at the edges of her understanding and that of others, to see what lay beyond the comfortable. But it appeared her company was a little wary of having offended the Gods with their idle speculation and she gave a silvery laugh, sitting back and crossing her arms as she turned her gaze upon him. “Have you given him reason to take offence my lord? I am quite certain I have not, but if such subjects make you uncomfortable then we need not discuss them. But she could give Elias of Stravos some credit, for his ongoing words were almost convicing.
For the glory of his family, she could believe more readily than for the glory of their kingdom. The Stravos were a self-serving clan, she found it difficult to beleive otherwise. And to risk their relations with their neighbours for their own gain? Well that was hardly for the better of Athenia. All of these thoughts the Antonis lady was careful to keep from her face though, giving a nod of her head and a small smile: an appreciation of the man’s answer.
“Just so” she replied, before once again taking a sip from the iced water, letting it form a natural pause in their conversation. She took the opportunity to also appreciate the sheer beauty of the young Stravos Lord, situated as he was in such a pretty spot. It was simple to see how easily some heads were turned, including some close to the woman.
Letting the fingers of one hand trail idly through the leafy fronds that curtained their little hideaway, Vasia made mention towards Elias’ real reason for visiting. He might think her a woman and not worthy of discussing his business interests with, but Vasia was in posession of a sharp mind, and her father knew it and valued it. If he did not return presently, she was more than capable of having the ongoing conversation.
And when the lord gave his swell-headed answer, the blonde only lifted her brows in a mild surprise. Elias was lucky that he did not speak such words to her father, for the man would not take kindly to the implication that his fleet had been allowed to fall into disrepair. To infer such would be to suggest the General incompetent in keeping his forces battle ready, and that would be an insult.
“Ready to wear through?! Gosh, I will insist my father fires his shipwrights and all those Officers responsible for overseeing the seaworthiness of those ships, my Lord. Thankyou for bringing that to our attentions.” She said, a touch acerbically.
But, despite the rather presumptuous pitch, she knew her father would likely not be averse to st least looking into embellishing the Athenian fleet.
“Do you have plans Of these exciting developments, my Lord? Some drawings we might see so we may decide if it is worth a trip out to your province? Or perhaps you might even deign to sail one of these vessels here for us to view?” She smiled at him. “ Whilst I am certain Lyncestia has come on leaps and bounds under your governship, my father is rather a busy man”
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Vasia was not shy of tricky things as the lord so called them. She rather enjoyed to poke and prod at the edges of her understanding and that of others, to see what lay beyond the comfortable. But it appeared her company was a little wary of having offended the Gods with their idle speculation and she gave a silvery laugh, sitting back and crossing her arms as she turned her gaze upon him. “Have you given him reason to take offence my lord? I am quite certain I have not, but if such subjects make you uncomfortable then we need not discuss them. But she could give Elias of Stravos some credit, for his ongoing words were almost convicing.
For the glory of his family, she could believe more readily than for the glory of their kingdom. The Stravos were a self-serving clan, she found it difficult to beleive otherwise. And to risk their relations with their neighbours for their own gain? Well that was hardly for the better of Athenia. All of these thoughts the Antonis lady was careful to keep from her face though, giving a nod of her head and a small smile: an appreciation of the man’s answer.
“Just so” she replied, before once again taking a sip from the iced water, letting it form a natural pause in their conversation. She took the opportunity to also appreciate the sheer beauty of the young Stravos Lord, situated as he was in such a pretty spot. It was simple to see how easily some heads were turned, including some close to the woman.
Letting the fingers of one hand trail idly through the leafy fronds that curtained their little hideaway, Vasia made mention towards Elias’ real reason for visiting. He might think her a woman and not worthy of discussing his business interests with, but Vasia was in posession of a sharp mind, and her father knew it and valued it. If he did not return presently, she was more than capable of having the ongoing conversation.
And when the lord gave his swell-headed answer, the blonde only lifted her brows in a mild surprise. Elias was lucky that he did not speak such words to her father, for the man would not take kindly to the implication that his fleet had been allowed to fall into disrepair. To infer such would be to suggest the General incompetent in keeping his forces battle ready, and that would be an insult.
“Ready to wear through?! Gosh, I will insist my father fires his shipwrights and all those Officers responsible for overseeing the seaworthiness of those ships, my Lord. Thankyou for bringing that to our attentions.” She said, a touch acerbically.
But, despite the rather presumptuous pitch, she knew her father would likely not be averse to st least looking into embellishing the Athenian fleet.
“Do you have plans Of these exciting developments, my Lord? Some drawings we might see so we may decide if it is worth a trip out to your province? Or perhaps you might even deign to sail one of these vessels here for us to view?” She smiled at him. “ Whilst I am certain Lyncestia has come on leaps and bounds under your governship, my father is rather a busy man”
Vasia was not shy of tricky things as the lord so called them. She rather enjoyed to poke and prod at the edges of her understanding and that of others, to see what lay beyond the comfortable. But it appeared her company was a little wary of having offended the Gods with their idle speculation and she gave a silvery laugh, sitting back and crossing her arms as she turned her gaze upon him. “Have you given him reason to take offence my lord? I am quite certain I have not, but if such subjects make you uncomfortable then we need not discuss them. But she could give Elias of Stravos some credit, for his ongoing words were almost convicing.
For the glory of his family, she could believe more readily than for the glory of their kingdom. The Stravos were a self-serving clan, she found it difficult to beleive otherwise. And to risk their relations with their neighbours for their own gain? Well that was hardly for the better of Athenia. All of these thoughts the Antonis lady was careful to keep from her face though, giving a nod of her head and a small smile: an appreciation of the man’s answer.
“Just so” she replied, before once again taking a sip from the iced water, letting it form a natural pause in their conversation. She took the opportunity to also appreciate the sheer beauty of the young Stravos Lord, situated as he was in such a pretty spot. It was simple to see how easily some heads were turned, including some close to the woman.
Letting the fingers of one hand trail idly through the leafy fronds that curtained their little hideaway, Vasia made mention towards Elias’ real reason for visiting. He might think her a woman and not worthy of discussing his business interests with, but Vasia was in posession of a sharp mind, and her father knew it and valued it. If he did not return presently, she was more than capable of having the ongoing conversation.
And when the lord gave his swell-headed answer, the blonde only lifted her brows in a mild surprise. Elias was lucky that he did not speak such words to her father, for the man would not take kindly to the implication that his fleet had been allowed to fall into disrepair. To infer such would be to suggest the General incompetent in keeping his forces battle ready, and that would be an insult.
“Ready to wear through?! Gosh, I will insist my father fires his shipwrights and all those Officers responsible for overseeing the seaworthiness of those ships, my Lord. Thankyou for bringing that to our attentions.” She said, a touch acerbically.
But, despite the rather presumptuous pitch, she knew her father would likely not be averse to st least looking into embellishing the Athenian fleet.
“Do you have plans Of these exciting developments, my Lord? Some drawings we might see so we may decide if it is worth a trip out to your province? Or perhaps you might even deign to sail one of these vessels here for us to view?” She smiled at him. “ Whilst I am certain Lyncestia has come on leaps and bounds under your governship, my father is rather a busy man”
Vasia was not the Antonis that Elias cared to expose his soul to.
She'd asked questions of a tricky nature, but more than that, she jabbed at him again and again, clearly antagonistic in her approach with veiled politeness that only served to insult his intelligence. Vasia was, perhaps, wrongly given to an impression of invincibility in this situation. While Elias could not, and would not, do anything to the girl, the idea that she was untouchable was laughable to him. But, nonetheless, it was the purview of Elias to allow the matters to slide, to give Vasia her allowances and gauge her willingness to entertain the ideas he had in mind.
She asked and asked to be included, but then, once he posed his assertion that the Antonis were, perhaps, slacking in their care... Was that arrogance? Did Vasia of Antonis take personal pride in something she'd never been a part of? It was almost laughable, and perhaps, even pathetic to Elias of Stravos how Vasia was so sarcastic. Was that a quality her father instilled in her? The children of Alehandros of Antonis weren't (well, except for Marietta, perhaps) so direct in their contradictions of him. However, in that case, it was earned by a long time of friendship and accepted in the midst of good intentions.
Or, at least, Elias could overlook it. In this particular case, Vasia was merely mocking him, and Elias had laid people low for far less. He shrugged his shoulders noncommittally when thanked. Then, she went on to say something that was, at last, worthwhile. Vasia asked for drawings, for examples and that much, at least, he could respect. And, it was something he could provide. He had, after all, come to see someone that would realistically understand the drawings he could show.
Elias of Stravos, for a brief moment, undid the fibulae that held his chiton still. He took Vasia's gaze as he did, a chuckle escaping his lips until the fibulae loosed a sheet of papyrus, protected by a bound section of his himation from directly touching his flesh. Exceeedingly careful with the papyrus, Elias held the roll in one hand as he led Vasia onward towards a nearby table.
"It would be utterly foolish for me to come both unannounced and unprepared, my lady. I would hope that your opinion of me is better than that," he commented with a chuckle. He let none of the anger show in his voice, his shoulders shrugged as he placed the rolled parchment on the table before at last he re-fitted the fibulae in place. The himation, however, he'd set on the table. If Vasia decided to motion for a slave to take it away, he'd not stop her. Instead, he took one final sip from his goblet of kykeon before using it and the bottle itself as a means of holding the scroll flat on the table.
"The previous generation of triemes are narrow. The soldiers, when confined within for several days or weeks, can grow sick due to the lacking ventilation below the decks. There are wider slits here, and they are greater in number without compromising the hull. To lower the amount of ships needed, at least from my understanding, the fleets currently pack the triemes like a net full of fish, with little room for movement. The soldiers hardly sleep and it's ill-suited for any kind of military effort," he pointed out.
Elias of Stravos gestured to the dimensions of the hull, then for the woman's reference he placed his fingers a distance apart that encompassed two-thirds of the length of the hull.
"With so much more space, while one could never claim that soldiers would be or expect to be comfortable, it is unlikely for them to actively become injured in their efforts to move back and forth as the slaves row beneath the decks," he began. Then, Elias gestured to the duo of masts.
"I'll not bore you with the most intricate of details, for even your great father would find himself ill with the specifications and their purposes. But, the masts are fitted with higher quality linens, which of course, could be outfitted to the current fleet. However, in addition to that bit of addition, the masts are thicker and less prone to snapping under the force of the winds that threaten our men at sea. The upper decks are, as alluded to earlier, are wider. But, they are also more open to allow soldiers to train and converse in larger groups without finding themselves so pressed for space."
He looked to Vasia of Antonis, his lips curved into a smile before he added,
"It's not to say that your ships are ill-equipped or ill maintained. But, these fleets need to be re-fitted every decade at the very least. And, it is not just my professional interest, but my moral obligation to ensure that the fleet is as top-of-the-line as it could possibly be."
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Vasia was not the Antonis that Elias cared to expose his soul to.
She'd asked questions of a tricky nature, but more than that, she jabbed at him again and again, clearly antagonistic in her approach with veiled politeness that only served to insult his intelligence. Vasia was, perhaps, wrongly given to an impression of invincibility in this situation. While Elias could not, and would not, do anything to the girl, the idea that she was untouchable was laughable to him. But, nonetheless, it was the purview of Elias to allow the matters to slide, to give Vasia her allowances and gauge her willingness to entertain the ideas he had in mind.
She asked and asked to be included, but then, once he posed his assertion that the Antonis were, perhaps, slacking in their care... Was that arrogance? Did Vasia of Antonis take personal pride in something she'd never been a part of? It was almost laughable, and perhaps, even pathetic to Elias of Stravos how Vasia was so sarcastic. Was that a quality her father instilled in her? The children of Alehandros of Antonis weren't (well, except for Marietta, perhaps) so direct in their contradictions of him. However, in that case, it was earned by a long time of friendship and accepted in the midst of good intentions.
Or, at least, Elias could overlook it. In this particular case, Vasia was merely mocking him, and Elias had laid people low for far less. He shrugged his shoulders noncommittally when thanked. Then, she went on to say something that was, at last, worthwhile. Vasia asked for drawings, for examples and that much, at least, he could respect. And, it was something he could provide. He had, after all, come to see someone that would realistically understand the drawings he could show.
Elias of Stravos, for a brief moment, undid the fibulae that held his chiton still. He took Vasia's gaze as he did, a chuckle escaping his lips until the fibulae loosed a sheet of papyrus, protected by a bound section of his himation from directly touching his flesh. Exceeedingly careful with the papyrus, Elias held the roll in one hand as he led Vasia onward towards a nearby table.
"It would be utterly foolish for me to come both unannounced and unprepared, my lady. I would hope that your opinion of me is better than that," he commented with a chuckle. He let none of the anger show in his voice, his shoulders shrugged as he placed the rolled parchment on the table before at last he re-fitted the fibulae in place. The himation, however, he'd set on the table. If Vasia decided to motion for a slave to take it away, he'd not stop her. Instead, he took one final sip from his goblet of kykeon before using it and the bottle itself as a means of holding the scroll flat on the table.
"The previous generation of triemes are narrow. The soldiers, when confined within for several days or weeks, can grow sick due to the lacking ventilation below the decks. There are wider slits here, and they are greater in number without compromising the hull. To lower the amount of ships needed, at least from my understanding, the fleets currently pack the triemes like a net full of fish, with little room for movement. The soldiers hardly sleep and it's ill-suited for any kind of military effort," he pointed out.
Elias of Stravos gestured to the dimensions of the hull, then for the woman's reference he placed his fingers a distance apart that encompassed two-thirds of the length of the hull.
"With so much more space, while one could never claim that soldiers would be or expect to be comfortable, it is unlikely for them to actively become injured in their efforts to move back and forth as the slaves row beneath the decks," he began. Then, Elias gestured to the duo of masts.
"I'll not bore you with the most intricate of details, for even your great father would find himself ill with the specifications and their purposes. But, the masts are fitted with higher quality linens, which of course, could be outfitted to the current fleet. However, in addition to that bit of addition, the masts are thicker and less prone to snapping under the force of the winds that threaten our men at sea. The upper decks are, as alluded to earlier, are wider. But, they are also more open to allow soldiers to train and converse in larger groups without finding themselves so pressed for space."
He looked to Vasia of Antonis, his lips curved into a smile before he added,
"It's not to say that your ships are ill-equipped or ill maintained. But, these fleets need to be re-fitted every decade at the very least. And, it is not just my professional interest, but my moral obligation to ensure that the fleet is as top-of-the-line as it could possibly be."
Vasia was not the Antonis that Elias cared to expose his soul to.
She'd asked questions of a tricky nature, but more than that, she jabbed at him again and again, clearly antagonistic in her approach with veiled politeness that only served to insult his intelligence. Vasia was, perhaps, wrongly given to an impression of invincibility in this situation. While Elias could not, and would not, do anything to the girl, the idea that she was untouchable was laughable to him. But, nonetheless, it was the purview of Elias to allow the matters to slide, to give Vasia her allowances and gauge her willingness to entertain the ideas he had in mind.
She asked and asked to be included, but then, once he posed his assertion that the Antonis were, perhaps, slacking in their care... Was that arrogance? Did Vasia of Antonis take personal pride in something she'd never been a part of? It was almost laughable, and perhaps, even pathetic to Elias of Stravos how Vasia was so sarcastic. Was that a quality her father instilled in her? The children of Alehandros of Antonis weren't (well, except for Marietta, perhaps) so direct in their contradictions of him. However, in that case, it was earned by a long time of friendship and accepted in the midst of good intentions.
Or, at least, Elias could overlook it. In this particular case, Vasia was merely mocking him, and Elias had laid people low for far less. He shrugged his shoulders noncommittally when thanked. Then, she went on to say something that was, at last, worthwhile. Vasia asked for drawings, for examples and that much, at least, he could respect. And, it was something he could provide. He had, after all, come to see someone that would realistically understand the drawings he could show.
Elias of Stravos, for a brief moment, undid the fibulae that held his chiton still. He took Vasia's gaze as he did, a chuckle escaping his lips until the fibulae loosed a sheet of papyrus, protected by a bound section of his himation from directly touching his flesh. Exceeedingly careful with the papyrus, Elias held the roll in one hand as he led Vasia onward towards a nearby table.
"It would be utterly foolish for me to come both unannounced and unprepared, my lady. I would hope that your opinion of me is better than that," he commented with a chuckle. He let none of the anger show in his voice, his shoulders shrugged as he placed the rolled parchment on the table before at last he re-fitted the fibulae in place. The himation, however, he'd set on the table. If Vasia decided to motion for a slave to take it away, he'd not stop her. Instead, he took one final sip from his goblet of kykeon before using it and the bottle itself as a means of holding the scroll flat on the table.
"The previous generation of triemes are narrow. The soldiers, when confined within for several days or weeks, can grow sick due to the lacking ventilation below the decks. There are wider slits here, and they are greater in number without compromising the hull. To lower the amount of ships needed, at least from my understanding, the fleets currently pack the triemes like a net full of fish, with little room for movement. The soldiers hardly sleep and it's ill-suited for any kind of military effort," he pointed out.
Elias of Stravos gestured to the dimensions of the hull, then for the woman's reference he placed his fingers a distance apart that encompassed two-thirds of the length of the hull.
"With so much more space, while one could never claim that soldiers would be or expect to be comfortable, it is unlikely for them to actively become injured in their efforts to move back and forth as the slaves row beneath the decks," he began. Then, Elias gestured to the duo of masts.
"I'll not bore you with the most intricate of details, for even your great father would find himself ill with the specifications and their purposes. But, the masts are fitted with higher quality linens, which of course, could be outfitted to the current fleet. However, in addition to that bit of addition, the masts are thicker and less prone to snapping under the force of the winds that threaten our men at sea. The upper decks are, as alluded to earlier, are wider. But, they are also more open to allow soldiers to train and converse in larger groups without finding themselves so pressed for space."
He looked to Vasia of Antonis, his lips curved into a smile before he added,
"It's not to say that your ships are ill-equipped or ill maintained. But, these fleets need to be re-fitted every decade at the very least. And, it is not just my professional interest, but my moral obligation to ensure that the fleet is as top-of-the-line as it could possibly be."
Vasia was not known for holding her tongue, and something about the Stravos Lord’s implication that the Antonis ships might be in disrepair had rubbed the wrong way. She mellowed though, as Lord Elias produced some parchment from somewhere beneath his himation. She kept her expression deliberately still and impassive as he did so, unsure if he was expecting her to swoon at the notion of his removing the fibulae, or if he were just seeking applause for having had the foresight to bring plans of whatever it was he was trying to sell. She granted him neither.
There was a smile as if to discount his suggestion that she thought he would be foolish enough to do anything different. It was difficult for one to set aside preconceptions of one whose foolishness had nearly cost their own family everything, but Vasia thought perhaps she had ruffled his feathers enough. Besides, she was interested now, to see what advancements the Lord’s shipbuilders were offering, and when he laid out the scroll, the blonde woman looked at it carefully, a slight furrow of concentration appearing between fine brows as she took in both what she saw and what the Stravos Lord spoke of.
“And have you any of these ships built yet, my Lord?” she inquired, turning a clear blue gaze upon the younger man. “It would be good to be able to see one in actuality, though these drawings are helpful too.”
Whilst Vasia could by no means claim to be an expert, it was naive of Elias to consider her uneducated or uninvolved in her family’s line of business. As a woman, she might not be positioned to take a public role in such matters, but Lacides had ever indulged his daughter’s curiosity and often welcomed her opinion on the matters that they would discuss late into the night, where candles burnt low and wine flowed freely. Sometimes, Vasia wondered if he did not engage her so because such hours otherwise allowed him to become maudlin, but even if that were so, it was time well spent. And it left her well positioned to make the offer that she did next.
“If you do not mind, Lord Elias, I would be interested in showing these to my father.” She tapped the plans with one slender finger “ If it is not too much of an imposition for you to leave them, then I will discuss with him and either he or I shall come back to you. Or, if you do not wish to leave them - thought I assure you they will be quite safe - then perhaps we might arrange an actual appointment for you to present them to the General? Or to Lord Mateos”
She left the choice for the Lord Stravos to make. Whatever interest she had in understanding a little more of the young man and his motivations, it was superseded by ensuring the family’s interests were best represented, and she knew that the plans the man offered up deserved at least some further scrutiny and discussion. Athenia’s fleets were the strongest in the Grecian Kingdoms, and they should remain so.
Either way, whatever Lord Elias deemed as his preference, Vasia turned toward him and folded her hands loosely before her. “I am glad your moral obligation brought you out here today anyway my Lord. Apologies that you did not find my father as you wished, but you have my thanks for providing a diversion this afternoon and I am certain he will take your options under consideration.”
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Vasia was not known for holding her tongue, and something about the Stravos Lord’s implication that the Antonis ships might be in disrepair had rubbed the wrong way. She mellowed though, as Lord Elias produced some parchment from somewhere beneath his himation. She kept her expression deliberately still and impassive as he did so, unsure if he was expecting her to swoon at the notion of his removing the fibulae, or if he were just seeking applause for having had the foresight to bring plans of whatever it was he was trying to sell. She granted him neither.
There was a smile as if to discount his suggestion that she thought he would be foolish enough to do anything different. It was difficult for one to set aside preconceptions of one whose foolishness had nearly cost their own family everything, but Vasia thought perhaps she had ruffled his feathers enough. Besides, she was interested now, to see what advancements the Lord’s shipbuilders were offering, and when he laid out the scroll, the blonde woman looked at it carefully, a slight furrow of concentration appearing between fine brows as she took in both what she saw and what the Stravos Lord spoke of.
“And have you any of these ships built yet, my Lord?” she inquired, turning a clear blue gaze upon the younger man. “It would be good to be able to see one in actuality, though these drawings are helpful too.”
Whilst Vasia could by no means claim to be an expert, it was naive of Elias to consider her uneducated or uninvolved in her family’s line of business. As a woman, she might not be positioned to take a public role in such matters, but Lacides had ever indulged his daughter’s curiosity and often welcomed her opinion on the matters that they would discuss late into the night, where candles burnt low and wine flowed freely. Sometimes, Vasia wondered if he did not engage her so because such hours otherwise allowed him to become maudlin, but even if that were so, it was time well spent. And it left her well positioned to make the offer that she did next.
“If you do not mind, Lord Elias, I would be interested in showing these to my father.” She tapped the plans with one slender finger “ If it is not too much of an imposition for you to leave them, then I will discuss with him and either he or I shall come back to you. Or, if you do not wish to leave them - thought I assure you they will be quite safe - then perhaps we might arrange an actual appointment for you to present them to the General? Or to Lord Mateos”
She left the choice for the Lord Stravos to make. Whatever interest she had in understanding a little more of the young man and his motivations, it was superseded by ensuring the family’s interests were best represented, and she knew that the plans the man offered up deserved at least some further scrutiny and discussion. Athenia’s fleets were the strongest in the Grecian Kingdoms, and they should remain so.
Either way, whatever Lord Elias deemed as his preference, Vasia turned toward him and folded her hands loosely before her. “I am glad your moral obligation brought you out here today anyway my Lord. Apologies that you did not find my father as you wished, but you have my thanks for providing a diversion this afternoon and I am certain he will take your options under consideration.”
Vasia was not known for holding her tongue, and something about the Stravos Lord’s implication that the Antonis ships might be in disrepair had rubbed the wrong way. She mellowed though, as Lord Elias produced some parchment from somewhere beneath his himation. She kept her expression deliberately still and impassive as he did so, unsure if he was expecting her to swoon at the notion of his removing the fibulae, or if he were just seeking applause for having had the foresight to bring plans of whatever it was he was trying to sell. She granted him neither.
There was a smile as if to discount his suggestion that she thought he would be foolish enough to do anything different. It was difficult for one to set aside preconceptions of one whose foolishness had nearly cost their own family everything, but Vasia thought perhaps she had ruffled his feathers enough. Besides, she was interested now, to see what advancements the Lord’s shipbuilders were offering, and when he laid out the scroll, the blonde woman looked at it carefully, a slight furrow of concentration appearing between fine brows as she took in both what she saw and what the Stravos Lord spoke of.
“And have you any of these ships built yet, my Lord?” she inquired, turning a clear blue gaze upon the younger man. “It would be good to be able to see one in actuality, though these drawings are helpful too.”
Whilst Vasia could by no means claim to be an expert, it was naive of Elias to consider her uneducated or uninvolved in her family’s line of business. As a woman, she might not be positioned to take a public role in such matters, but Lacides had ever indulged his daughter’s curiosity and often welcomed her opinion on the matters that they would discuss late into the night, where candles burnt low and wine flowed freely. Sometimes, Vasia wondered if he did not engage her so because such hours otherwise allowed him to become maudlin, but even if that were so, it was time well spent. And it left her well positioned to make the offer that she did next.
“If you do not mind, Lord Elias, I would be interested in showing these to my father.” She tapped the plans with one slender finger “ If it is not too much of an imposition for you to leave them, then I will discuss with him and either he or I shall come back to you. Or, if you do not wish to leave them - thought I assure you they will be quite safe - then perhaps we might arrange an actual appointment for you to present them to the General? Or to Lord Mateos”
She left the choice for the Lord Stravos to make. Whatever interest she had in understanding a little more of the young man and his motivations, it was superseded by ensuring the family’s interests were best represented, and she knew that the plans the man offered up deserved at least some further scrutiny and discussion. Athenia’s fleets were the strongest in the Grecian Kingdoms, and they should remain so.
Either way, whatever Lord Elias deemed as his preference, Vasia turned toward him and folded her hands loosely before her. “I am glad your moral obligation brought you out here today anyway my Lord. Apologies that you did not find my father as you wished, but you have my thanks for providing a diversion this afternoon and I am certain he will take your options under consideration.”
Elias did not require Vasia's good graces, interest, or applause. While he may have sought any of the three when he had first arrived and found that her father was not present, the course of their time together rendered it unnecessary for him to make the effort at capturing her intrigue. No, he had his objective, to give her an objective analysis of something he knew for a fact that her father needed. There were no shipwrights in Athenia that could match the craftsmanship of a Stravos hand. Not for the fact that others did not hold talent, but for the fact that any who dared venture into the business independently was simply overrun by the brutalizing tactics of someone with far greater prestige and funds than they.
Perhaps there are provincial hicks who escape my notice, but in the end, their existence is trivial. They can repair my ships, but no one but the Stravos will hold the power to create fleets for very long.
It took a substantial amount of influence to be in the position Elias was in. It didn't hurt, of course, that the clout he held was embellished by the idea that his rise to power was growing more and more likely. Soon enough, the Antonis would have no one to turn to that wasn't operating under him, and when all roads led to Elias of Stravos... well, it was, truly, Athenia that benefited from it. Once the schematic was pinned down, he knew he had Vasia's attention in full. Gone was the witless banter and the attempts to draw his ire. Instead, she asked a constructive question, one that had nothing to do with his 'soul' or a sarcastic inquiry into the nature of the fleets under her father's command.
Elias' thoughts clung to the notion that Vasia of Antonis confused the general's influence for her own ability to speak out in defiance. It would be an admirable trait if she was attractive enough to the lord to merit it. But all intrigue had withered away and he treated Vasia as he would any potential patron he did not personally like, with iced respect that denoted none of the feelings he held for them. After all, business could be jovial, with wit and play shared between patronage and servicier. Or, it could be cold, mechanical and in retrospect, simple.
'It would be good to be ablev to see one of these in actuality...' she mused, having asked him the ridiculous question of whether he had come to sell her father a ship that didn't exist. Already, Elias of Stravos had his inclination to do this. With or without the general's approval, for in his position, he could force the matter. But, it cost him nothing to arrive and attempt to sell it as good will rather than an administrative command that might show others the signs of a conflicting interest. No, this was the least dramatic route to getting what he wanted. And when Vasia of Antonis at last seemed to come around to his line of thought, his lips curved into a tight smile.
"But, of course. There are additional copies at my shipyards. These are already in production, with a dozen of them available for purchase as early as tomorrow. There are more nearing completion and others still that will be ready before the month passes. It is my belief that keeping my workers busy keeps their mind from more sorrowful things."
He need not elaborate on the matter, and the last words that Vasia spoke even brought a hint of laughter to the man's expression. He shrugged his shoulders at her gratitude, however genuine it was, and offered her a small bow before he said,
"I'll keep hands out for you to send an answer in my direction. Whomever wishes to provide an answer is fine with me. I hope that we can come to an agreement that benefits all of Athenia. Thank you, Lady Vasia, for the kykeon and the ever-so-pleasant company."
Once they were done and Elias' need to be in the Archontiko Antonis was completed, he made his due exit. Part of him wondered if Lady Evi was around and of the mind to abscond with him. After suffering the presence of her cousin's inane banter, something altogether more pleasurable suited his tastes just nicely.
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Elias did not require Vasia's good graces, interest, or applause. While he may have sought any of the three when he had first arrived and found that her father was not present, the course of their time together rendered it unnecessary for him to make the effort at capturing her intrigue. No, he had his objective, to give her an objective analysis of something he knew for a fact that her father needed. There were no shipwrights in Athenia that could match the craftsmanship of a Stravos hand. Not for the fact that others did not hold talent, but for the fact that any who dared venture into the business independently was simply overrun by the brutalizing tactics of someone with far greater prestige and funds than they.
Perhaps there are provincial hicks who escape my notice, but in the end, their existence is trivial. They can repair my ships, but no one but the Stravos will hold the power to create fleets for very long.
It took a substantial amount of influence to be in the position Elias was in. It didn't hurt, of course, that the clout he held was embellished by the idea that his rise to power was growing more and more likely. Soon enough, the Antonis would have no one to turn to that wasn't operating under him, and when all roads led to Elias of Stravos... well, it was, truly, Athenia that benefited from it. Once the schematic was pinned down, he knew he had Vasia's attention in full. Gone was the witless banter and the attempts to draw his ire. Instead, she asked a constructive question, one that had nothing to do with his 'soul' or a sarcastic inquiry into the nature of the fleets under her father's command.
Elias' thoughts clung to the notion that Vasia of Antonis confused the general's influence for her own ability to speak out in defiance. It would be an admirable trait if she was attractive enough to the lord to merit it. But all intrigue had withered away and he treated Vasia as he would any potential patron he did not personally like, with iced respect that denoted none of the feelings he held for them. After all, business could be jovial, with wit and play shared between patronage and servicier. Or, it could be cold, mechanical and in retrospect, simple.
'It would be good to be ablev to see one of these in actuality...' she mused, having asked him the ridiculous question of whether he had come to sell her father a ship that didn't exist. Already, Elias of Stravos had his inclination to do this. With or without the general's approval, for in his position, he could force the matter. But, it cost him nothing to arrive and attempt to sell it as good will rather than an administrative command that might show others the signs of a conflicting interest. No, this was the least dramatic route to getting what he wanted. And when Vasia of Antonis at last seemed to come around to his line of thought, his lips curved into a tight smile.
"But, of course. There are additional copies at my shipyards. These are already in production, with a dozen of them available for purchase as early as tomorrow. There are more nearing completion and others still that will be ready before the month passes. It is my belief that keeping my workers busy keeps their mind from more sorrowful things."
He need not elaborate on the matter, and the last words that Vasia spoke even brought a hint of laughter to the man's expression. He shrugged his shoulders at her gratitude, however genuine it was, and offered her a small bow before he said,
"I'll keep hands out for you to send an answer in my direction. Whomever wishes to provide an answer is fine with me. I hope that we can come to an agreement that benefits all of Athenia. Thank you, Lady Vasia, for the kykeon and the ever-so-pleasant company."
Once they were done and Elias' need to be in the Archontiko Antonis was completed, he made his due exit. Part of him wondered if Lady Evi was around and of the mind to abscond with him. After suffering the presence of her cousin's inane banter, something altogether more pleasurable suited his tastes just nicely.
Elias did not require Vasia's good graces, interest, or applause. While he may have sought any of the three when he had first arrived and found that her father was not present, the course of their time together rendered it unnecessary for him to make the effort at capturing her intrigue. No, he had his objective, to give her an objective analysis of something he knew for a fact that her father needed. There were no shipwrights in Athenia that could match the craftsmanship of a Stravos hand. Not for the fact that others did not hold talent, but for the fact that any who dared venture into the business independently was simply overrun by the brutalizing tactics of someone with far greater prestige and funds than they.
Perhaps there are provincial hicks who escape my notice, but in the end, their existence is trivial. They can repair my ships, but no one but the Stravos will hold the power to create fleets for very long.
It took a substantial amount of influence to be in the position Elias was in. It didn't hurt, of course, that the clout he held was embellished by the idea that his rise to power was growing more and more likely. Soon enough, the Antonis would have no one to turn to that wasn't operating under him, and when all roads led to Elias of Stravos... well, it was, truly, Athenia that benefited from it. Once the schematic was pinned down, he knew he had Vasia's attention in full. Gone was the witless banter and the attempts to draw his ire. Instead, she asked a constructive question, one that had nothing to do with his 'soul' or a sarcastic inquiry into the nature of the fleets under her father's command.
Elias' thoughts clung to the notion that Vasia of Antonis confused the general's influence for her own ability to speak out in defiance. It would be an admirable trait if she was attractive enough to the lord to merit it. But all intrigue had withered away and he treated Vasia as he would any potential patron he did not personally like, with iced respect that denoted none of the feelings he held for them. After all, business could be jovial, with wit and play shared between patronage and servicier. Or, it could be cold, mechanical and in retrospect, simple.
'It would be good to be ablev to see one of these in actuality...' she mused, having asked him the ridiculous question of whether he had come to sell her father a ship that didn't exist. Already, Elias of Stravos had his inclination to do this. With or without the general's approval, for in his position, he could force the matter. But, it cost him nothing to arrive and attempt to sell it as good will rather than an administrative command that might show others the signs of a conflicting interest. No, this was the least dramatic route to getting what he wanted. And when Vasia of Antonis at last seemed to come around to his line of thought, his lips curved into a tight smile.
"But, of course. There are additional copies at my shipyards. These are already in production, with a dozen of them available for purchase as early as tomorrow. There are more nearing completion and others still that will be ready before the month passes. It is my belief that keeping my workers busy keeps their mind from more sorrowful things."
He need not elaborate on the matter, and the last words that Vasia spoke even brought a hint of laughter to the man's expression. He shrugged his shoulders at her gratitude, however genuine it was, and offered her a small bow before he said,
"I'll keep hands out for you to send an answer in my direction. Whomever wishes to provide an answer is fine with me. I hope that we can come to an agreement that benefits all of Athenia. Thank you, Lady Vasia, for the kykeon and the ever-so-pleasant company."
Once they were done and Elias' need to be in the Archontiko Antonis was completed, he made his due exit. Part of him wondered if Lady Evi was around and of the mind to abscond with him. After suffering the presence of her cousin's inane banter, something altogether more pleasurable suited his tastes just nicely.