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Her intent that day had not been to visit the other side of the Antonis manor. The morning had been spent on the other side, visiting Mateos, but while she was here, she didn’t feel like having to trek all the way back tomorrow morning. Though her aim had been something particular for the son of Lacides, there was nothing she had much to discuss with Alehandros or his wife or daughters. Still, that didn’t necessarily mean that one couldn’t drop on by anyway. After all, she still had a few of the treats she’d brought for Mateos still in the basket at her arm.
Picking up her skirts, Elysia moved in a swath of swirling dark blue skirts and white himation trailing from her shoulders across the huge courtyard and over to the door of the other side of the Antonis family. She rapped her knuckles on the door and was met with a steward who looked so much like the one at the other house, from bald head to bushy eyebrows to half scowl, that she was almost sure this was the same person. The man’s voice was high and reedy, like he was shouting and the wind was sweeping his voice away at a great distance.
”Mistress Elysia,” the steward did not bow to her, but merely inclined his head and stood out of her way, allowing her entrance to the home. She smiled at him and half held up the basket.
“Good morning. I was over with Lord Mateos and thought, why not stop here too?” she brushed a stray brown curl away from her face, bright eyes taking in the interior of the house, and then flicked her attention back to the steward, who was looking curiously at her. “Would you be so good as to tell whoever is home that I am here? I have treats.”
”Very good. This way,” the steward acted nearly identical to the other Antonis steward across the way. He extended his hand and led her through the house and into a morning room where light flooded through the windows, bathing the room in brilliant white sunlight. ”I’m afraid Lord Alehandros and Lady Sotiria are not home, but I will see about the girls.”
“Thank you,” she smiled and watched him leave the room. Like she’d done in the other house, she set her basket on a low table and moved about the room, comparing the two homes. Same family, but priorities were very different. In this house, there was more beauty to admire, whereas the one that Lord Lacides kept was stark and very evident that the military was his only true interest.
She hummed to herself, running her fingertips down the fabric of the gauzy curtains, stopping in front of statues to admire the craftsmanship, and occasionally checking her appearance in the mirror. It did not bother her that she would not be speaking to the parents. The younger set were often much more forthcoming about things than adults tended to be and whichever of the Antonis girls entered the room, Elysia had very little doubt that they wouldn’t find anything and everything to talk about. She’d make sure of it.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Her intent that day had not been to visit the other side of the Antonis manor. The morning had been spent on the other side, visiting Mateos, but while she was here, she didn’t feel like having to trek all the way back tomorrow morning. Though her aim had been something particular for the son of Lacides, there was nothing she had much to discuss with Alehandros or his wife or daughters. Still, that didn’t necessarily mean that one couldn’t drop on by anyway. After all, she still had a few of the treats she’d brought for Mateos still in the basket at her arm.
Picking up her skirts, Elysia moved in a swath of swirling dark blue skirts and white himation trailing from her shoulders across the huge courtyard and over to the door of the other side of the Antonis family. She rapped her knuckles on the door and was met with a steward who looked so much like the one at the other house, from bald head to bushy eyebrows to half scowl, that she was almost sure this was the same person. The man’s voice was high and reedy, like he was shouting and the wind was sweeping his voice away at a great distance.
”Mistress Elysia,” the steward did not bow to her, but merely inclined his head and stood out of her way, allowing her entrance to the home. She smiled at him and half held up the basket.
“Good morning. I was over with Lord Mateos and thought, why not stop here too?” she brushed a stray brown curl away from her face, bright eyes taking in the interior of the house, and then flicked her attention back to the steward, who was looking curiously at her. “Would you be so good as to tell whoever is home that I am here? I have treats.”
”Very good. This way,” the steward acted nearly identical to the other Antonis steward across the way. He extended his hand and led her through the house and into a morning room where light flooded through the windows, bathing the room in brilliant white sunlight. ”I’m afraid Lord Alehandros and Lady Sotiria are not home, but I will see about the girls.”
“Thank you,” she smiled and watched him leave the room. Like she’d done in the other house, she set her basket on a low table and moved about the room, comparing the two homes. Same family, but priorities were very different. In this house, there was more beauty to admire, whereas the one that Lord Lacides kept was stark and very evident that the military was his only true interest.
She hummed to herself, running her fingertips down the fabric of the gauzy curtains, stopping in front of statues to admire the craftsmanship, and occasionally checking her appearance in the mirror. It did not bother her that she would not be speaking to the parents. The younger set were often much more forthcoming about things than adults tended to be and whichever of the Antonis girls entered the room, Elysia had very little doubt that they wouldn’t find anything and everything to talk about. She’d make sure of it.
Her intent that day had not been to visit the other side of the Antonis manor. The morning had been spent on the other side, visiting Mateos, but while she was here, she didn’t feel like having to trek all the way back tomorrow morning. Though her aim had been something particular for the son of Lacides, there was nothing she had much to discuss with Alehandros or his wife or daughters. Still, that didn’t necessarily mean that one couldn’t drop on by anyway. After all, she still had a few of the treats she’d brought for Mateos still in the basket at her arm.
Picking up her skirts, Elysia moved in a swath of swirling dark blue skirts and white himation trailing from her shoulders across the huge courtyard and over to the door of the other side of the Antonis family. She rapped her knuckles on the door and was met with a steward who looked so much like the one at the other house, from bald head to bushy eyebrows to half scowl, that she was almost sure this was the same person. The man’s voice was high and reedy, like he was shouting and the wind was sweeping his voice away at a great distance.
”Mistress Elysia,” the steward did not bow to her, but merely inclined his head and stood out of her way, allowing her entrance to the home. She smiled at him and half held up the basket.
“Good morning. I was over with Lord Mateos and thought, why not stop here too?” she brushed a stray brown curl away from her face, bright eyes taking in the interior of the house, and then flicked her attention back to the steward, who was looking curiously at her. “Would you be so good as to tell whoever is home that I am here? I have treats.”
”Very good. This way,” the steward acted nearly identical to the other Antonis steward across the way. He extended his hand and led her through the house and into a morning room where light flooded through the windows, bathing the room in brilliant white sunlight. ”I’m afraid Lord Alehandros and Lady Sotiria are not home, but I will see about the girls.”
“Thank you,” she smiled and watched him leave the room. Like she’d done in the other house, she set her basket on a low table and moved about the room, comparing the two homes. Same family, but priorities were very different. In this house, there was more beauty to admire, whereas the one that Lord Lacides kept was stark and very evident that the military was his only true interest.
She hummed to herself, running her fingertips down the fabric of the gauzy curtains, stopping in front of statues to admire the craftsmanship, and occasionally checking her appearance in the mirror. It did not bother her that she would not be speaking to the parents. The younger set were often much more forthcoming about things than adults tended to be and whichever of the Antonis girls entered the room, Elysia had very little doubt that they wouldn’t find anything and everything to talk about. She’d make sure of it.
“Be still, Helios!”
The little Iberian lynx cocked his head and looked at his mistress for a moment, and then lifted his paw and batted the end of the ribbon again. Hebe sighed and rolled her eyes. Why couldn't he understand that she was trying to make him look pretty? She had succeeded in tying a blue ribbon below the tuft of his tail, but trying to put one on his head was proving to be frustrating. Maybe if the ribbon was shorter …
Standing up, she moved to her desk, the ribbon trailing from her hand. Helios lunged playfully at it, rumbling in content, and Hebe sighed again and wound it around her hand. Finding the small knife she kept there, she cut the ribbon in half. She tossed one half between his paws and then knelt beside him again. While he was occupied playing with the blue streamer, she tied its twin around a bit of fur on the top of his head. Finally!
“There, Helios. Now we match.” This morning, her maidservants had dressed Hebe in a pretty blue peplos embroidered all over with cream-colored swirls with accents of gold. The garment was bordered in cream embroidered in gold floral designs. The fibulae that fastened it to her shoulders were made of gold and pearls. Around her neck, she wore a gold necklace studded with pearls and matching bracelets circling her upper arms and wrists. Pearl earrings sparkled in her earlobes. Golden sandals awaited her at the door. The young girl preferred bare feet when she was alone in her room.
A sudden pounding on the door made her jump. Helios ran toward it and stood on his hind legs, his front paws flat against the surface as if he was trying to push it open. Hebe laughed and lifted him into her arms. At only two months old, he was about the size of an adult cat and easy for her to carry. She'd had him for barely two weeks and she was trying to teach him how to behave properly.
Most of the servants were wary of him, like the woman who stepped over the threshold when she called “Come in!” Her eyes never left the cub and she stayed near the door, ready to flee if Helios were to jump from Hebe's arms and bound toward her. 'You have a visitor, Lady Hebe,' the servant announced.
“Who is it?” Not many people knew that she was staying with her family for a few days instead of in the palace with Princess Emilia.
'Mistress Elysia of Aetaea.'
Hebe remembered Mistress Elysia. When she was much younger she had attended a lesson at the palace and the woman had been there. She remembered thinking how beautiful she was and wanting to grow up to look just like her. “And she asked for me?”
'No, she wishes to speak to any member of your family who is at home.'
“Oh.” Hebe had no idea where Sanasa was, but Marietta and Evi had gone to the library at the university. They had asked her if she wanted to come along out of politeness, knowing that she would decline. Poring over dusty old books full of baffling knowledge that she would never forget was no her idea of fun.
'She says she has treats,' the servant added.
Hebe's eyes lit up. “Treats! Tell her that I will join her in a few minutes.” She wanted to bring Helios with her, but even on a leash, he had a habit of getting into trouble, and he had already broken one of the statues. When he was fully trained, he would have the run of the house, but now it was best to keep him in her suite of rooms. He got plenty of exercise, as she took him on several walks a day. When he was grown, he would be able to lope beside her horse when she rode.
When she left the room, she didn't realize that the door was not closed the door all the way.
Mistress Elysia had been shone into her favorite morning room, the one with the large windows that let in the sun. They also had a lovely view of the manor grounds. “Good morning,” she said as she entered. Elysia of Aetaea was even more beautiful and sophisticated than she remembered. Hebe felt awkward as she approached her and hoped that she wouldn't accidentally bump into anything or trip over her own two feet. “I'm Hebe.” She didn't expect Elysia to remember her. The young girl had grown a lot since that long ago lesson. She was taller now, and … she hoped … prettier.
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“Be still, Helios!”
The little Iberian lynx cocked his head and looked at his mistress for a moment, and then lifted his paw and batted the end of the ribbon again. Hebe sighed and rolled her eyes. Why couldn't he understand that she was trying to make him look pretty? She had succeeded in tying a blue ribbon below the tuft of his tail, but trying to put one on his head was proving to be frustrating. Maybe if the ribbon was shorter …
Standing up, she moved to her desk, the ribbon trailing from her hand. Helios lunged playfully at it, rumbling in content, and Hebe sighed again and wound it around her hand. Finding the small knife she kept there, she cut the ribbon in half. She tossed one half between his paws and then knelt beside him again. While he was occupied playing with the blue streamer, she tied its twin around a bit of fur on the top of his head. Finally!
“There, Helios. Now we match.” This morning, her maidservants had dressed Hebe in a pretty blue peplos embroidered all over with cream-colored swirls with accents of gold. The garment was bordered in cream embroidered in gold floral designs. The fibulae that fastened it to her shoulders were made of gold and pearls. Around her neck, she wore a gold necklace studded with pearls and matching bracelets circling her upper arms and wrists. Pearl earrings sparkled in her earlobes. Golden sandals awaited her at the door. The young girl preferred bare feet when she was alone in her room.
A sudden pounding on the door made her jump. Helios ran toward it and stood on his hind legs, his front paws flat against the surface as if he was trying to push it open. Hebe laughed and lifted him into her arms. At only two months old, he was about the size of an adult cat and easy for her to carry. She'd had him for barely two weeks and she was trying to teach him how to behave properly.
Most of the servants were wary of him, like the woman who stepped over the threshold when she called “Come in!” Her eyes never left the cub and she stayed near the door, ready to flee if Helios were to jump from Hebe's arms and bound toward her. 'You have a visitor, Lady Hebe,' the servant announced.
“Who is it?” Not many people knew that she was staying with her family for a few days instead of in the palace with Princess Emilia.
'Mistress Elysia of Aetaea.'
Hebe remembered Mistress Elysia. When she was much younger she had attended a lesson at the palace and the woman had been there. She remembered thinking how beautiful she was and wanting to grow up to look just like her. “And she asked for me?”
'No, she wishes to speak to any member of your family who is at home.'
“Oh.” Hebe had no idea where Sanasa was, but Marietta and Evi had gone to the library at the university. They had asked her if she wanted to come along out of politeness, knowing that she would decline. Poring over dusty old books full of baffling knowledge that she would never forget was no her idea of fun.
'She says she has treats,' the servant added.
Hebe's eyes lit up. “Treats! Tell her that I will join her in a few minutes.” She wanted to bring Helios with her, but even on a leash, he had a habit of getting into trouble, and he had already broken one of the statues. When he was fully trained, he would have the run of the house, but now it was best to keep him in her suite of rooms. He got plenty of exercise, as she took him on several walks a day. When he was grown, he would be able to lope beside her horse when she rode.
When she left the room, she didn't realize that the door was not closed the door all the way.
Mistress Elysia had been shone into her favorite morning room, the one with the large windows that let in the sun. They also had a lovely view of the manor grounds. “Good morning,” she said as she entered. Elysia of Aetaea was even more beautiful and sophisticated than she remembered. Hebe felt awkward as she approached her and hoped that she wouldn't accidentally bump into anything or trip over her own two feet. “I'm Hebe.” She didn't expect Elysia to remember her. The young girl had grown a lot since that long ago lesson. She was taller now, and … she hoped … prettier.
“Be still, Helios!”
The little Iberian lynx cocked his head and looked at his mistress for a moment, and then lifted his paw and batted the end of the ribbon again. Hebe sighed and rolled her eyes. Why couldn't he understand that she was trying to make him look pretty? She had succeeded in tying a blue ribbon below the tuft of his tail, but trying to put one on his head was proving to be frustrating. Maybe if the ribbon was shorter …
Standing up, she moved to her desk, the ribbon trailing from her hand. Helios lunged playfully at it, rumbling in content, and Hebe sighed again and wound it around her hand. Finding the small knife she kept there, she cut the ribbon in half. She tossed one half between his paws and then knelt beside him again. While he was occupied playing with the blue streamer, she tied its twin around a bit of fur on the top of his head. Finally!
“There, Helios. Now we match.” This morning, her maidservants had dressed Hebe in a pretty blue peplos embroidered all over with cream-colored swirls with accents of gold. The garment was bordered in cream embroidered in gold floral designs. The fibulae that fastened it to her shoulders were made of gold and pearls. Around her neck, she wore a gold necklace studded with pearls and matching bracelets circling her upper arms and wrists. Pearl earrings sparkled in her earlobes. Golden sandals awaited her at the door. The young girl preferred bare feet when she was alone in her room.
A sudden pounding on the door made her jump. Helios ran toward it and stood on his hind legs, his front paws flat against the surface as if he was trying to push it open. Hebe laughed and lifted him into her arms. At only two months old, he was about the size of an adult cat and easy for her to carry. She'd had him for barely two weeks and she was trying to teach him how to behave properly.
Most of the servants were wary of him, like the woman who stepped over the threshold when she called “Come in!” Her eyes never left the cub and she stayed near the door, ready to flee if Helios were to jump from Hebe's arms and bound toward her. 'You have a visitor, Lady Hebe,' the servant announced.
“Who is it?” Not many people knew that she was staying with her family for a few days instead of in the palace with Princess Emilia.
'Mistress Elysia of Aetaea.'
Hebe remembered Mistress Elysia. When she was much younger she had attended a lesson at the palace and the woman had been there. She remembered thinking how beautiful she was and wanting to grow up to look just like her. “And she asked for me?”
'No, she wishes to speak to any member of your family who is at home.'
“Oh.” Hebe had no idea where Sanasa was, but Marietta and Evi had gone to the library at the university. They had asked her if she wanted to come along out of politeness, knowing that she would decline. Poring over dusty old books full of baffling knowledge that she would never forget was no her idea of fun.
'She says she has treats,' the servant added.
Hebe's eyes lit up. “Treats! Tell her that I will join her in a few minutes.” She wanted to bring Helios with her, but even on a leash, he had a habit of getting into trouble, and he had already broken one of the statues. When he was fully trained, he would have the run of the house, but now it was best to keep him in her suite of rooms. He got plenty of exercise, as she took him on several walks a day. When he was grown, he would be able to lope beside her horse when she rode.
When she left the room, she didn't realize that the door was not closed the door all the way.
Mistress Elysia had been shone into her favorite morning room, the one with the large windows that let in the sun. They also had a lovely view of the manor grounds. “Good morning,” she said as she entered. Elysia of Aetaea was even more beautiful and sophisticated than she remembered. Hebe felt awkward as she approached her and hoped that she wouldn't accidentally bump into anything or trip over her own two feet. “I'm Hebe.” She didn't expect Elysia to remember her. The young girl had grown a lot since that long ago lesson. She was taller now, and … she hoped … prettier.
Elysia stood with her hands clasped together in front of her, staring off through the window, her thoughts drifting to some or other pleasant memory. She smiled softly to herself. Her life was not one of perfect decisions, but her circumstances lately had turned interesting, to say the least. Pleasant though some of them had turned out to be, they were dangerous and she needed to be sure of her position. Thus, she’d come to the Antonis household.
However, when she turned around to see the small, brunette in the gorgeous gown, she blinked in surprise for a moment. It was quite clear that Hebe was alone. No father and mother with her, no elder sisters. Her smile never faltered and she stepped forward, dipping into a shallow curtsey as befitted Hebe’s rank above her but her age below her. The younger girl reintroduced herself and Elysia offered a nod in return.
She didn’t repeat her own name, because the servants had no doubt made mention of who she was. Judging by the girl’s self introduction, Elysia gathered that she likely didn’t remember her, though she remembered Lady Hebe well enough. They did not often interact but she’d seen her at a distance several times. Elysia was only one person and could not possibly interact with every single person in Athenia, though she would if she could. Her priority, though, had been to befriend or at least make close acquaintances of Hebe’s parents. It didn’t matter if mother or father took interest, though Elysia preferred the mother. If she was good enough friends with the wife, then naturally the husband’s inclinations would flow to his spouse first, and then into her own ear. From there, she would share whatever needed to be shared with her husband, Cicero. It was in this way that she and her husband gathered their information in the kingdom and the circles of the elite.
Though her preference was to speak to the movers and shakers of the family, she was not above speaking to the younger set. After all, young Lady Hebe would not be fourteen forever, and her age meant she’d hear things that others of older generations might not.
“Good morning, my lady. I must apologize for the intrusion. I was looking for your mother.” Tilting her head, she considered the girl before her and drew nearer to the kline in the room. “You don’t remember me, do you? Well it’s no matter,” she waved delicate fingers as though dismissing the very notion. “That doesn’t mean we can’t spend this afternoon getting acquainted.” Turning to the basket she brought, she drew back the cloth and gestured to the square slices of honey cake, delicate squares of baklava, and the little balls of melomakarono. “Please,” she said softly, but did not sit on the kline until bidden to do so. This wasn’t her house.
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Elysia stood with her hands clasped together in front of her, staring off through the window, her thoughts drifting to some or other pleasant memory. She smiled softly to herself. Her life was not one of perfect decisions, but her circumstances lately had turned interesting, to say the least. Pleasant though some of them had turned out to be, they were dangerous and she needed to be sure of her position. Thus, she’d come to the Antonis household.
However, when she turned around to see the small, brunette in the gorgeous gown, she blinked in surprise for a moment. It was quite clear that Hebe was alone. No father and mother with her, no elder sisters. Her smile never faltered and she stepped forward, dipping into a shallow curtsey as befitted Hebe’s rank above her but her age below her. The younger girl reintroduced herself and Elysia offered a nod in return.
She didn’t repeat her own name, because the servants had no doubt made mention of who she was. Judging by the girl’s self introduction, Elysia gathered that she likely didn’t remember her, though she remembered Lady Hebe well enough. They did not often interact but she’d seen her at a distance several times. Elysia was only one person and could not possibly interact with every single person in Athenia, though she would if she could. Her priority, though, had been to befriend or at least make close acquaintances of Hebe’s parents. It didn’t matter if mother or father took interest, though Elysia preferred the mother. If she was good enough friends with the wife, then naturally the husband’s inclinations would flow to his spouse first, and then into her own ear. From there, she would share whatever needed to be shared with her husband, Cicero. It was in this way that she and her husband gathered their information in the kingdom and the circles of the elite.
Though her preference was to speak to the movers and shakers of the family, she was not above speaking to the younger set. After all, young Lady Hebe would not be fourteen forever, and her age meant she’d hear things that others of older generations might not.
“Good morning, my lady. I must apologize for the intrusion. I was looking for your mother.” Tilting her head, she considered the girl before her and drew nearer to the kline in the room. “You don’t remember me, do you? Well it’s no matter,” she waved delicate fingers as though dismissing the very notion. “That doesn’t mean we can’t spend this afternoon getting acquainted.” Turning to the basket she brought, she drew back the cloth and gestured to the square slices of honey cake, delicate squares of baklava, and the little balls of melomakarono. “Please,” she said softly, but did not sit on the kline until bidden to do so. This wasn’t her house.
Elysia stood with her hands clasped together in front of her, staring off through the window, her thoughts drifting to some or other pleasant memory. She smiled softly to herself. Her life was not one of perfect decisions, but her circumstances lately had turned interesting, to say the least. Pleasant though some of them had turned out to be, they were dangerous and she needed to be sure of her position. Thus, she’d come to the Antonis household.
However, when she turned around to see the small, brunette in the gorgeous gown, she blinked in surprise for a moment. It was quite clear that Hebe was alone. No father and mother with her, no elder sisters. Her smile never faltered and she stepped forward, dipping into a shallow curtsey as befitted Hebe’s rank above her but her age below her. The younger girl reintroduced herself and Elysia offered a nod in return.
She didn’t repeat her own name, because the servants had no doubt made mention of who she was. Judging by the girl’s self introduction, Elysia gathered that she likely didn’t remember her, though she remembered Lady Hebe well enough. They did not often interact but she’d seen her at a distance several times. Elysia was only one person and could not possibly interact with every single person in Athenia, though she would if she could. Her priority, though, had been to befriend or at least make close acquaintances of Hebe’s parents. It didn’t matter if mother or father took interest, though Elysia preferred the mother. If she was good enough friends with the wife, then naturally the husband’s inclinations would flow to his spouse first, and then into her own ear. From there, she would share whatever needed to be shared with her husband, Cicero. It was in this way that she and her husband gathered their information in the kingdom and the circles of the elite.
Though her preference was to speak to the movers and shakers of the family, she was not above speaking to the younger set. After all, young Lady Hebe would not be fourteen forever, and her age meant she’d hear things that others of older generations might not.
“Good morning, my lady. I must apologize for the intrusion. I was looking for your mother.” Tilting her head, she considered the girl before her and drew nearer to the kline in the room. “You don’t remember me, do you? Well it’s no matter,” she waved delicate fingers as though dismissing the very notion. “That doesn’t mean we can’t spend this afternoon getting acquainted.” Turning to the basket she brought, she drew back the cloth and gestured to the square slices of honey cake, delicate squares of baklava, and the little balls of melomakarono. “Please,” she said softly, but did not sit on the kline until bidden to do so. This wasn’t her house.
Mistress Elysia was very polite, giving her a small curtsy. Hebe liked when people showed her deference. It made her feel important, which was rare for the youngest of four sisters. Her siblings overshadowed her in everything, and she often felt like she would never measure up to their intelligence and grace, even though … in her not so humble opinion … she was the prettiest and most creative among them.
Someday she would grow out of her embarrassing clumsiness and she would no longer feel awkward at the court events she attended. She was usually the youngest girl there, and was probably only allowed because she was Princess Emilia's lady-in-waiting. But she was fairly popular and enjoyed socializing, even if she often put her foot in her mouth. Growing up was not easy. Sometimes, she wished she could stay a child forever, but then she would never get to fall in love. The young girl dreamed about romance a lot.
“I'm the only one of my family at home right now, but I'll tell my mother you were looking for her.” If the other woman had nefarious attentions, that would have been an invitation to take advantage of the situation, but Hebe thought it was the right thing to say. She never thought of the bad things that could happen when she was home alone, having been coddled and protected from the nastier aspects of life.
She smiled when Mistress Elysia surmised that she didn't remember her. Hebe had introduced herself because she thought that her visitor would have forgotten her. Apparently, she hadn't. Nor did she mind spending time with the youngest member of the Antonis family. This pleased Hebe and she was determined to be a gracious hostess. “I would like that very much,” she grinned.
Her eyes widened as Elysia pulled back the cloth on her basket, revealing the mouthwatering sweets within. “Please sit down,” she said, waving toward the kline. After instructing a slave to bring wine, she plopped down beside the beautiful woman, plucked a melomakarona from the basket, and popped it in her mouth. Closing her eyes, she savored the taste. Hebe had a sweet tooth and the tasty cookies were one of her favorite confections.
“I remember you well, Mistress Elysia,” she remarked after she had swallowed. “We first met six years ago at the Palati when we both attended a lesson with Queen Persephone. I was introduced to you by my cousin Vasia and then Princess Emilia fell down the stairs and I ran over to her. I can even recall what we all were wearing ….” and she proceeded to prove it, describing the outfits of everyone who had attended the lesson. “I have an amazing memory,” she added proudly. “I can even recite every word from any book I've ever read.”
Meanwhile back in Hebe's room, Helios pawed open the door and crept out, following the sound of his mistress' voice.
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Mistress Elysia was very polite, giving her a small curtsy. Hebe liked when people showed her deference. It made her feel important, which was rare for the youngest of four sisters. Her siblings overshadowed her in everything, and she often felt like she would never measure up to their intelligence and grace, even though … in her not so humble opinion … she was the prettiest and most creative among them.
Someday she would grow out of her embarrassing clumsiness and she would no longer feel awkward at the court events she attended. She was usually the youngest girl there, and was probably only allowed because she was Princess Emilia's lady-in-waiting. But she was fairly popular and enjoyed socializing, even if she often put her foot in her mouth. Growing up was not easy. Sometimes, she wished she could stay a child forever, but then she would never get to fall in love. The young girl dreamed about romance a lot.
“I'm the only one of my family at home right now, but I'll tell my mother you were looking for her.” If the other woman had nefarious attentions, that would have been an invitation to take advantage of the situation, but Hebe thought it was the right thing to say. She never thought of the bad things that could happen when she was home alone, having been coddled and protected from the nastier aspects of life.
She smiled when Mistress Elysia surmised that she didn't remember her. Hebe had introduced herself because she thought that her visitor would have forgotten her. Apparently, she hadn't. Nor did she mind spending time with the youngest member of the Antonis family. This pleased Hebe and she was determined to be a gracious hostess. “I would like that very much,” she grinned.
Her eyes widened as Elysia pulled back the cloth on her basket, revealing the mouthwatering sweets within. “Please sit down,” she said, waving toward the kline. After instructing a slave to bring wine, she plopped down beside the beautiful woman, plucked a melomakarona from the basket, and popped it in her mouth. Closing her eyes, she savored the taste. Hebe had a sweet tooth and the tasty cookies were one of her favorite confections.
“I remember you well, Mistress Elysia,” she remarked after she had swallowed. “We first met six years ago at the Palati when we both attended a lesson with Queen Persephone. I was introduced to you by my cousin Vasia and then Princess Emilia fell down the stairs and I ran over to her. I can even recall what we all were wearing ….” and she proceeded to prove it, describing the outfits of everyone who had attended the lesson. “I have an amazing memory,” she added proudly. “I can even recite every word from any book I've ever read.”
Meanwhile back in Hebe's room, Helios pawed open the door and crept out, following the sound of his mistress' voice.
Mistress Elysia was very polite, giving her a small curtsy. Hebe liked when people showed her deference. It made her feel important, which was rare for the youngest of four sisters. Her siblings overshadowed her in everything, and she often felt like she would never measure up to their intelligence and grace, even though … in her not so humble opinion … she was the prettiest and most creative among them.
Someday she would grow out of her embarrassing clumsiness and she would no longer feel awkward at the court events she attended. She was usually the youngest girl there, and was probably only allowed because she was Princess Emilia's lady-in-waiting. But she was fairly popular and enjoyed socializing, even if she often put her foot in her mouth. Growing up was not easy. Sometimes, she wished she could stay a child forever, but then she would never get to fall in love. The young girl dreamed about romance a lot.
“I'm the only one of my family at home right now, but I'll tell my mother you were looking for her.” If the other woman had nefarious attentions, that would have been an invitation to take advantage of the situation, but Hebe thought it was the right thing to say. She never thought of the bad things that could happen when she was home alone, having been coddled and protected from the nastier aspects of life.
She smiled when Mistress Elysia surmised that she didn't remember her. Hebe had introduced herself because she thought that her visitor would have forgotten her. Apparently, she hadn't. Nor did she mind spending time with the youngest member of the Antonis family. This pleased Hebe and she was determined to be a gracious hostess. “I would like that very much,” she grinned.
Her eyes widened as Elysia pulled back the cloth on her basket, revealing the mouthwatering sweets within. “Please sit down,” she said, waving toward the kline. After instructing a slave to bring wine, she plopped down beside the beautiful woman, plucked a melomakarona from the basket, and popped it in her mouth. Closing her eyes, she savored the taste. Hebe had a sweet tooth and the tasty cookies were one of her favorite confections.
“I remember you well, Mistress Elysia,” she remarked after she had swallowed. “We first met six years ago at the Palati when we both attended a lesson with Queen Persephone. I was introduced to you by my cousin Vasia and then Princess Emilia fell down the stairs and I ran over to her. I can even recall what we all were wearing ….” and she proceeded to prove it, describing the outfits of everyone who had attended the lesson. “I have an amazing memory,” she added proudly. “I can even recite every word from any book I've ever read.”
Meanwhile back in Hebe's room, Helios pawed open the door and crept out, following the sound of his mistress' voice.
Elysia smiled at the widening of the girl’s eyes. The way Hebe’s face lit up was like the sun, cresting a cloudbank. When Hebe bade her, she sat down and pushed the basket gently in the direction of her new companion. “Like them?” she asked. “My cook makes the best melomakarono in Athenia.” She paused and then added, “I say Athenia the city, not the country. My cousin Iris, her cook is much better at these but it is just as well. I could eat these all day long, which is, of course, why they must be shared.”
The two of them sat fairly close together on the kline and Elysia leaned back, at total ease in this child’s presence. She studied Hebe’s profile while the girl ate. Such a pretty little round face this girl had. Elysia did not feel that it would be difficult for Hebe’s parents to marry off any of their daughters, the youngest included. Her attention dropped to Hebe’s dress, and she further reflected that if Hebe grew up with as much sense of fashion as she had now, she would have no trouble at all at court.
That opinion held until Hebe, having finished her snack, declared that she actually did remember their first meeting, and began to describe it in great detail. Elysia listened to her with rapt attention at first, and then found that she’d need wine to endure the descriptions of the dresses. As Hebe spoke, Elysia filled a glass for herself, and then one for Hebe, handing it to her. She sipped her wine and didn’t hide her amazement at so accurate a recounting. What really had her eyebrows raise was when Hebe boasted that she could recite any book she’d ever read.
“Really?” Elysia sat up and set her wine on the table. “That is quite a useful skill!” One she’d have given nearly anything to have. If she had that, then she wouldn’t need her diary of secrets at home. Truly, such a thing as as useful to her as it was dangerous to have. Not that she made its existence known to anyone and everyone, but if it was discovered, or somehow linked back to her, then she and her book might very well disappear. However it was also the key to both her and her husband’s rise through society. It kept them on such good terms with everyone.
“Recite…” her eyes went to the ceiling as she thought of a book and then named it for Hebe. “It’s one of my favorites and I’ll be able to tell if you’re correct.” Let’s test this little skill of Hebe’s, Elysia thought to herself. Hebe might be one of the most useful little friends she’d ever made, if harnessed correctly.
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Elysia smiled at the widening of the girl’s eyes. The way Hebe’s face lit up was like the sun, cresting a cloudbank. When Hebe bade her, she sat down and pushed the basket gently in the direction of her new companion. “Like them?” she asked. “My cook makes the best melomakarono in Athenia.” She paused and then added, “I say Athenia the city, not the country. My cousin Iris, her cook is much better at these but it is just as well. I could eat these all day long, which is, of course, why they must be shared.”
The two of them sat fairly close together on the kline and Elysia leaned back, at total ease in this child’s presence. She studied Hebe’s profile while the girl ate. Such a pretty little round face this girl had. Elysia did not feel that it would be difficult for Hebe’s parents to marry off any of their daughters, the youngest included. Her attention dropped to Hebe’s dress, and she further reflected that if Hebe grew up with as much sense of fashion as she had now, she would have no trouble at all at court.
That opinion held until Hebe, having finished her snack, declared that she actually did remember their first meeting, and began to describe it in great detail. Elysia listened to her with rapt attention at first, and then found that she’d need wine to endure the descriptions of the dresses. As Hebe spoke, Elysia filled a glass for herself, and then one for Hebe, handing it to her. She sipped her wine and didn’t hide her amazement at so accurate a recounting. What really had her eyebrows raise was when Hebe boasted that she could recite any book she’d ever read.
“Really?” Elysia sat up and set her wine on the table. “That is quite a useful skill!” One she’d have given nearly anything to have. If she had that, then she wouldn’t need her diary of secrets at home. Truly, such a thing as as useful to her as it was dangerous to have. Not that she made its existence known to anyone and everyone, but if it was discovered, or somehow linked back to her, then she and her book might very well disappear. However it was also the key to both her and her husband’s rise through society. It kept them on such good terms with everyone.
“Recite…” her eyes went to the ceiling as she thought of a book and then named it for Hebe. “It’s one of my favorites and I’ll be able to tell if you’re correct.” Let’s test this little skill of Hebe’s, Elysia thought to herself. Hebe might be one of the most useful little friends she’d ever made, if harnessed correctly.
Elysia smiled at the widening of the girl’s eyes. The way Hebe’s face lit up was like the sun, cresting a cloudbank. When Hebe bade her, she sat down and pushed the basket gently in the direction of her new companion. “Like them?” she asked. “My cook makes the best melomakarono in Athenia.” She paused and then added, “I say Athenia the city, not the country. My cousin Iris, her cook is much better at these but it is just as well. I could eat these all day long, which is, of course, why they must be shared.”
The two of them sat fairly close together on the kline and Elysia leaned back, at total ease in this child’s presence. She studied Hebe’s profile while the girl ate. Such a pretty little round face this girl had. Elysia did not feel that it would be difficult for Hebe’s parents to marry off any of their daughters, the youngest included. Her attention dropped to Hebe’s dress, and she further reflected that if Hebe grew up with as much sense of fashion as she had now, she would have no trouble at all at court.
That opinion held until Hebe, having finished her snack, declared that she actually did remember their first meeting, and began to describe it in great detail. Elysia listened to her with rapt attention at first, and then found that she’d need wine to endure the descriptions of the dresses. As Hebe spoke, Elysia filled a glass for herself, and then one for Hebe, handing it to her. She sipped her wine and didn’t hide her amazement at so accurate a recounting. What really had her eyebrows raise was when Hebe boasted that she could recite any book she’d ever read.
“Really?” Elysia sat up and set her wine on the table. “That is quite a useful skill!” One she’d have given nearly anything to have. If she had that, then she wouldn’t need her diary of secrets at home. Truly, such a thing as as useful to her as it was dangerous to have. Not that she made its existence known to anyone and everyone, but if it was discovered, or somehow linked back to her, then she and her book might very well disappear. However it was also the key to both her and her husband’s rise through society. It kept them on such good terms with everyone.
“Recite…” her eyes went to the ceiling as she thought of a book and then named it for Hebe. “It’s one of my favorites and I’ll be able to tell if you’re correct.” Let’s test this little skill of Hebe’s, Elysia thought to herself. Hebe might be one of the most useful little friends she’d ever made, if harnessed correctly.
Hebe nodded when Mistress Elysia asked her if she liked the melomakarono, because it would have been rude to talk with her mouth full. Sometimes she did it without thinking and was scolded by her governess, or by her parents if she was at a banquet or party. For some reason, she wanted to impress her current guest, showing her that she was a well-mannered young lady as well as a gracious hostess. She was trying her best to be grown-up and mature.
“They are very good,” she said. “I think they are the best I've ever had, though our own cook's are quite tasty.” She remembered Lady Iris from the same event where she had met Mistress Elysia. They had been together, just as she had been with her cousin Vasia. She remembered feeling a bit lost at first, being the youngest girl there. But she had only been eight then, She was much more confident now.
“I could eat them all day too,” she added, popping another one into her mouth. If she had unlimited access to sweets, her body would be as round as her face. Mistress Elysia probably didn't eat a lot of cookies either, as she was quite slim.
Hebe hoped that she would be as beautiful as her visitor when she became an adult. Then all of the noble boys in Athenia and beyond would fall in love with her and she could have her pick of them. Maybe she would even attract a foreign king … a young handsome one, not an ugly old codger … and she would get to live in an exotic land and boss people around as their queen. She knew how to boss people around because Sanasa did it so often to her.
She didn't notice Elysia's boredom as she described the outfits of every woman who had attended the lesson in the Grand Hall of the Palati six years ago. Hebe took the glass of wine the woman handed her and sipped it daintily. Yes! She had impressed her guest with her eidetic memory. It had never occurred to her how many secrets she held in her head, as she was too young to realize the value of such things.
“Most of the time it is, but sometimes too much knowledge flows through my brain and gives me horrible headaches, usually when I am at my lessons.” She almost said that she hated learning, but stopped herself just before the words left her lips.
Hebe hadn't expected Mistress Elysia to ask her to recite an entire book. She was going to need a lot more cookies before she got to the end. At least it was a book she knew. “As you wish,” the young girl beamed. Standing up, she started at the beginning and repeated it word for word, and with feeling as if she was an actress in a play.
As she recited it, she pictured the book in her mind. She had just began the third page when Helios bounded in and pounced at her. How had he gotten out of her room? Had he run out when one of the slaves opened the door? Whatever had transpired, he was here now. She attempted to pick him up but the baby lynx eluded her and padded over to Elysia, sniffing at her curiously. “This is Helios,” she explained. “He was supposed to stay in my room. Do you want me to continue my recitation?”
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Hebe nodded when Mistress Elysia asked her if she liked the melomakarono, because it would have been rude to talk with her mouth full. Sometimes she did it without thinking and was scolded by her governess, or by her parents if she was at a banquet or party. For some reason, she wanted to impress her current guest, showing her that she was a well-mannered young lady as well as a gracious hostess. She was trying her best to be grown-up and mature.
“They are very good,” she said. “I think they are the best I've ever had, though our own cook's are quite tasty.” She remembered Lady Iris from the same event where she had met Mistress Elysia. They had been together, just as she had been with her cousin Vasia. She remembered feeling a bit lost at first, being the youngest girl there. But she had only been eight then, She was much more confident now.
“I could eat them all day too,” she added, popping another one into her mouth. If she had unlimited access to sweets, her body would be as round as her face. Mistress Elysia probably didn't eat a lot of cookies either, as she was quite slim.
Hebe hoped that she would be as beautiful as her visitor when she became an adult. Then all of the noble boys in Athenia and beyond would fall in love with her and she could have her pick of them. Maybe she would even attract a foreign king … a young handsome one, not an ugly old codger … and she would get to live in an exotic land and boss people around as their queen. She knew how to boss people around because Sanasa did it so often to her.
She didn't notice Elysia's boredom as she described the outfits of every woman who had attended the lesson in the Grand Hall of the Palati six years ago. Hebe took the glass of wine the woman handed her and sipped it daintily. Yes! She had impressed her guest with her eidetic memory. It had never occurred to her how many secrets she held in her head, as she was too young to realize the value of such things.
“Most of the time it is, but sometimes too much knowledge flows through my brain and gives me horrible headaches, usually when I am at my lessons.” She almost said that she hated learning, but stopped herself just before the words left her lips.
Hebe hadn't expected Mistress Elysia to ask her to recite an entire book. She was going to need a lot more cookies before she got to the end. At least it was a book she knew. “As you wish,” the young girl beamed. Standing up, she started at the beginning and repeated it word for word, and with feeling as if she was an actress in a play.
As she recited it, she pictured the book in her mind. She had just began the third page when Helios bounded in and pounced at her. How had he gotten out of her room? Had he run out when one of the slaves opened the door? Whatever had transpired, he was here now. She attempted to pick him up but the baby lynx eluded her and padded over to Elysia, sniffing at her curiously. “This is Helios,” she explained. “He was supposed to stay in my room. Do you want me to continue my recitation?”
Hebe nodded when Mistress Elysia asked her if she liked the melomakarono, because it would have been rude to talk with her mouth full. Sometimes she did it without thinking and was scolded by her governess, or by her parents if she was at a banquet or party. For some reason, she wanted to impress her current guest, showing her that she was a well-mannered young lady as well as a gracious hostess. She was trying her best to be grown-up and mature.
“They are very good,” she said. “I think they are the best I've ever had, though our own cook's are quite tasty.” She remembered Lady Iris from the same event where she had met Mistress Elysia. They had been together, just as she had been with her cousin Vasia. She remembered feeling a bit lost at first, being the youngest girl there. But she had only been eight then, She was much more confident now.
“I could eat them all day too,” she added, popping another one into her mouth. If she had unlimited access to sweets, her body would be as round as her face. Mistress Elysia probably didn't eat a lot of cookies either, as she was quite slim.
Hebe hoped that she would be as beautiful as her visitor when she became an adult. Then all of the noble boys in Athenia and beyond would fall in love with her and she could have her pick of them. Maybe she would even attract a foreign king … a young handsome one, not an ugly old codger … and she would get to live in an exotic land and boss people around as their queen. She knew how to boss people around because Sanasa did it so often to her.
She didn't notice Elysia's boredom as she described the outfits of every woman who had attended the lesson in the Grand Hall of the Palati six years ago. Hebe took the glass of wine the woman handed her and sipped it daintily. Yes! She had impressed her guest with her eidetic memory. It had never occurred to her how many secrets she held in her head, as she was too young to realize the value of such things.
“Most of the time it is, but sometimes too much knowledge flows through my brain and gives me horrible headaches, usually when I am at my lessons.” She almost said that she hated learning, but stopped herself just before the words left her lips.
Hebe hadn't expected Mistress Elysia to ask her to recite an entire book. She was going to need a lot more cookies before she got to the end. At least it was a book she knew. “As you wish,” the young girl beamed. Standing up, she started at the beginning and repeated it word for word, and with feeling as if she was an actress in a play.
As she recited it, she pictured the book in her mind. She had just began the third page when Helios bounded in and pounced at her. How had he gotten out of her room? Had he run out when one of the slaves opened the door? Whatever had transpired, he was here now. She attempted to pick him up but the baby lynx eluded her and padded over to Elysia, sniffing at her curiously. “This is Helios,” she explained. “He was supposed to stay in my room. Do you want me to continue my recitation?”
If anyone had asked Elysia to describe Lady Hebe, she’d have used the words ‘enchanting’ and ‘bright little thing’. There was a certain awkwardness about the younger girl that could not be denied, but this was nothing to be held against her. It was borne from inexperience and nerves; things Elysia herself had had at one time. Now, through life’s natural trials and her own sense of self, she’d buried anxiety deep within the wells of her soul. Life was too short to continuously question how she was received by other people. She wanted to be seen as elegant and graceful, and so went to the necessary lengths to appear that way. Mistress Elysia was a firm believer in having the willpower to see something through to the end. Which was how she intended to continue this meeting.
That Lady Hebe not only hadn’t lied about her ability to recite, but was, in fact, doing it perfectly now, had Elysia amazed. Such a skill...her thoughts drifted away from the cadence of the girl’s voice. She was now forming connections for the lady, girls that she needed introduced to. Boys she needed introduced to. Suitable ones, obviously. Elysia might have been after everyone’s secrets but she hardly wanted Athenia’s elite to descend into utter chaos, nor did she mean this girl any harm. No direct harm, at any rate. There was nothing that she could do if the information gained here came back to haunt the girl later.
She leaned forward, taking her eyes off Hebe for the merest second to reach for one of the smallest of the desserts, only to look up and find “A lion?” Her eyes were round and she raised her eyebrows. There were rumors, of course, of big cats being brought to Athenia but a cub? Here? “My lady, oh, hello,” she picked her feet up off the floor and brought them gently underneath her to get away from the lion cub, but she’d underestimated his curious nature. The bow on the lion cub’s head did nothing to endear the animal to Elysia. Yes, it was cute. But she wasn’t seeing the baby he was now. She was picturing the fully grown, mature lion he would be. The huge, terrifying lion.
“This is Helios. He was supposed to stay in my room. Do you want me to continue my recitation?”
Elysia did not spare a glance for Lady Hebe. She was gently taking the end of her dress away from Helios’s paw, trying to get the claw out of the material without further damage. “My darling, if you can recite whilst-” she stopped, sitting upright, eyes watering, nose twitching. “Oh dear.” Elysia pressed her fingertips right beneath her nose and held her breath, but there was nothing for it. Her diaphragm expanded, contracted, and then, “Achoo!” she sneezed as elegantly as anyone could, but she felt another one come on immediately after.
“Oh, I am mortifi-Achoo!-ed,” Elysia stood on the kline in order to get away from the animal and she lifted her nose in the air, blinking away the sudden watering of her eyes. “I’m allergic to cats, you see,” she explained before sneezing again.
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If anyone had asked Elysia to describe Lady Hebe, she’d have used the words ‘enchanting’ and ‘bright little thing’. There was a certain awkwardness about the younger girl that could not be denied, but this was nothing to be held against her. It was borne from inexperience and nerves; things Elysia herself had had at one time. Now, through life’s natural trials and her own sense of self, she’d buried anxiety deep within the wells of her soul. Life was too short to continuously question how she was received by other people. She wanted to be seen as elegant and graceful, and so went to the necessary lengths to appear that way. Mistress Elysia was a firm believer in having the willpower to see something through to the end. Which was how she intended to continue this meeting.
That Lady Hebe not only hadn’t lied about her ability to recite, but was, in fact, doing it perfectly now, had Elysia amazed. Such a skill...her thoughts drifted away from the cadence of the girl’s voice. She was now forming connections for the lady, girls that she needed introduced to. Boys she needed introduced to. Suitable ones, obviously. Elysia might have been after everyone’s secrets but she hardly wanted Athenia’s elite to descend into utter chaos, nor did she mean this girl any harm. No direct harm, at any rate. There was nothing that she could do if the information gained here came back to haunt the girl later.
She leaned forward, taking her eyes off Hebe for the merest second to reach for one of the smallest of the desserts, only to look up and find “A lion?” Her eyes were round and she raised her eyebrows. There were rumors, of course, of big cats being brought to Athenia but a cub? Here? “My lady, oh, hello,” she picked her feet up off the floor and brought them gently underneath her to get away from the lion cub, but she’d underestimated his curious nature. The bow on the lion cub’s head did nothing to endear the animal to Elysia. Yes, it was cute. But she wasn’t seeing the baby he was now. She was picturing the fully grown, mature lion he would be. The huge, terrifying lion.
“This is Helios. He was supposed to stay in my room. Do you want me to continue my recitation?”
Elysia did not spare a glance for Lady Hebe. She was gently taking the end of her dress away from Helios’s paw, trying to get the claw out of the material without further damage. “My darling, if you can recite whilst-” she stopped, sitting upright, eyes watering, nose twitching. “Oh dear.” Elysia pressed her fingertips right beneath her nose and held her breath, but there was nothing for it. Her diaphragm expanded, contracted, and then, “Achoo!” she sneezed as elegantly as anyone could, but she felt another one come on immediately after.
“Oh, I am mortifi-Achoo!-ed,” Elysia stood on the kline in order to get away from the animal and she lifted her nose in the air, blinking away the sudden watering of her eyes. “I’m allergic to cats, you see,” she explained before sneezing again.
If anyone had asked Elysia to describe Lady Hebe, she’d have used the words ‘enchanting’ and ‘bright little thing’. There was a certain awkwardness about the younger girl that could not be denied, but this was nothing to be held against her. It was borne from inexperience and nerves; things Elysia herself had had at one time. Now, through life’s natural trials and her own sense of self, she’d buried anxiety deep within the wells of her soul. Life was too short to continuously question how she was received by other people. She wanted to be seen as elegant and graceful, and so went to the necessary lengths to appear that way. Mistress Elysia was a firm believer in having the willpower to see something through to the end. Which was how she intended to continue this meeting.
That Lady Hebe not only hadn’t lied about her ability to recite, but was, in fact, doing it perfectly now, had Elysia amazed. Such a skill...her thoughts drifted away from the cadence of the girl’s voice. She was now forming connections for the lady, girls that she needed introduced to. Boys she needed introduced to. Suitable ones, obviously. Elysia might have been after everyone’s secrets but she hardly wanted Athenia’s elite to descend into utter chaos, nor did she mean this girl any harm. No direct harm, at any rate. There was nothing that she could do if the information gained here came back to haunt the girl later.
She leaned forward, taking her eyes off Hebe for the merest second to reach for one of the smallest of the desserts, only to look up and find “A lion?” Her eyes were round and she raised her eyebrows. There were rumors, of course, of big cats being brought to Athenia but a cub? Here? “My lady, oh, hello,” she picked her feet up off the floor and brought them gently underneath her to get away from the lion cub, but she’d underestimated his curious nature. The bow on the lion cub’s head did nothing to endear the animal to Elysia. Yes, it was cute. But she wasn’t seeing the baby he was now. She was picturing the fully grown, mature lion he would be. The huge, terrifying lion.
“This is Helios. He was supposed to stay in my room. Do you want me to continue my recitation?”
Elysia did not spare a glance for Lady Hebe. She was gently taking the end of her dress away from Helios’s paw, trying to get the claw out of the material without further damage. “My darling, if you can recite whilst-” she stopped, sitting upright, eyes watering, nose twitching. “Oh dear.” Elysia pressed her fingertips right beneath her nose and held her breath, but there was nothing for it. Her diaphragm expanded, contracted, and then, “Achoo!” she sneezed as elegantly as anyone could, but she felt another one come on immediately after.
“Oh, I am mortifi-Achoo!-ed,” Elysia stood on the kline in order to get away from the animal and she lifted her nose in the air, blinking away the sudden watering of her eyes. “I’m allergic to cats, you see,” she explained before sneezing again.
Hebe was trying to make the book she was reciting interesting for Mistress Elysia by acting it out. Some people droned on and on in a borng monotone voice, like one of her tutors. She always had to fight to keep her eyes open when he was giving a lecture. Tuning out the low buzz was easy, but of course, she didn’t learn anything that way. Later she memorized the reading material he always gave her so that she could answer his questions correctly. She was reciting then too, for it was rare that she actually understood everything she memorized.
Whether she was boring her guest or not, the entrance of Helios certainly got her attention. Hebe doubted that she was the only person in Athenia who owned a wild cat. Her parents hadn’t said they’d had trouble procuring it. You could buy almost anything if you had enough money and if exotic felines had been illegal or even discouraged, she wouldn’t have received the cub on her birthday. Mistress Elysia was definitely surprised by the playful little lynx. And maybe a bit scared? She tucked her feet beneath her as if afraid Helios might try to eat them.
Before Hebe could reach him, he pawed at Mistress Elysia’s dark blue chiton, which she pulled away from him. He then sniffed at the sweets she had brought, shaking his head as if in disgust. “No, Helios,” she scolded him. “That isn’t what lynxes eat.” He had already been fed twice today. The slaves were terrified of him and left the bowls of meat Hebe asked for on the floor outside her bedroom door. He had gotten out once and caused havoc in the kitchens trying to steal some raw meat. Hebe knew that he couldn’t be hungry again, since his last meal had only been an hour ago.
She had just grabbed his golden collar when she heard Mistress Elysia sneeze. Glancing up sharply, she saw that her guest’s eyes were watering and she sneezed again. She was allergic to cats? How horrible! And how insensitive Hebe was for not making certain that her door was completely closed! She had been so excited to have a visitor of her very own that she had been careless. Now Mistress Elysia would never want to visit her again. She might even hold this incident against the Antonis family. Somehow she had to make this right.
“I’m sorry,’ she said. “I must have left the door ajar. I’ll have him removed immediately.” A slave entered the room at that moment. The servants knew everything that went on in the manor, and one of them must have seen what had happened and sent the slave who liked taking care of the cub to fetch him. The woman picked him up in her arms, cooing to him in her own language, and carried him out of the room.
Hebe held up her hand to help Elysia down. “Please forgive me, Mistress Elysia. It’s my own fault he escaped. Is there anything I can do to help, anything I can get for you?”
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Hebe was trying to make the book she was reciting interesting for Mistress Elysia by acting it out. Some people droned on and on in a borng monotone voice, like one of her tutors. She always had to fight to keep her eyes open when he was giving a lecture. Tuning out the low buzz was easy, but of course, she didn’t learn anything that way. Later she memorized the reading material he always gave her so that she could answer his questions correctly. She was reciting then too, for it was rare that she actually understood everything she memorized.
Whether she was boring her guest or not, the entrance of Helios certainly got her attention. Hebe doubted that she was the only person in Athenia who owned a wild cat. Her parents hadn’t said they’d had trouble procuring it. You could buy almost anything if you had enough money and if exotic felines had been illegal or even discouraged, she wouldn’t have received the cub on her birthday. Mistress Elysia was definitely surprised by the playful little lynx. And maybe a bit scared? She tucked her feet beneath her as if afraid Helios might try to eat them.
Before Hebe could reach him, he pawed at Mistress Elysia’s dark blue chiton, which she pulled away from him. He then sniffed at the sweets she had brought, shaking his head as if in disgust. “No, Helios,” she scolded him. “That isn’t what lynxes eat.” He had already been fed twice today. The slaves were terrified of him and left the bowls of meat Hebe asked for on the floor outside her bedroom door. He had gotten out once and caused havoc in the kitchens trying to steal some raw meat. Hebe knew that he couldn’t be hungry again, since his last meal had only been an hour ago.
She had just grabbed his golden collar when she heard Mistress Elysia sneeze. Glancing up sharply, she saw that her guest’s eyes were watering and she sneezed again. She was allergic to cats? How horrible! And how insensitive Hebe was for not making certain that her door was completely closed! She had been so excited to have a visitor of her very own that she had been careless. Now Mistress Elysia would never want to visit her again. She might even hold this incident against the Antonis family. Somehow she had to make this right.
“I’m sorry,’ she said. “I must have left the door ajar. I’ll have him removed immediately.” A slave entered the room at that moment. The servants knew everything that went on in the manor, and one of them must have seen what had happened and sent the slave who liked taking care of the cub to fetch him. The woman picked him up in her arms, cooing to him in her own language, and carried him out of the room.
Hebe held up her hand to help Elysia down. “Please forgive me, Mistress Elysia. It’s my own fault he escaped. Is there anything I can do to help, anything I can get for you?”
Hebe was trying to make the book she was reciting interesting for Mistress Elysia by acting it out. Some people droned on and on in a borng monotone voice, like one of her tutors. She always had to fight to keep her eyes open when he was giving a lecture. Tuning out the low buzz was easy, but of course, she didn’t learn anything that way. Later she memorized the reading material he always gave her so that she could answer his questions correctly. She was reciting then too, for it was rare that she actually understood everything she memorized.
Whether she was boring her guest or not, the entrance of Helios certainly got her attention. Hebe doubted that she was the only person in Athenia who owned a wild cat. Her parents hadn’t said they’d had trouble procuring it. You could buy almost anything if you had enough money and if exotic felines had been illegal or even discouraged, she wouldn’t have received the cub on her birthday. Mistress Elysia was definitely surprised by the playful little lynx. And maybe a bit scared? She tucked her feet beneath her as if afraid Helios might try to eat them.
Before Hebe could reach him, he pawed at Mistress Elysia’s dark blue chiton, which she pulled away from him. He then sniffed at the sweets she had brought, shaking his head as if in disgust. “No, Helios,” she scolded him. “That isn’t what lynxes eat.” He had already been fed twice today. The slaves were terrified of him and left the bowls of meat Hebe asked for on the floor outside her bedroom door. He had gotten out once and caused havoc in the kitchens trying to steal some raw meat. Hebe knew that he couldn’t be hungry again, since his last meal had only been an hour ago.
She had just grabbed his golden collar when she heard Mistress Elysia sneeze. Glancing up sharply, she saw that her guest’s eyes were watering and she sneezed again. She was allergic to cats? How horrible! And how insensitive Hebe was for not making certain that her door was completely closed! She had been so excited to have a visitor of her very own that she had been careless. Now Mistress Elysia would never want to visit her again. She might even hold this incident against the Antonis family. Somehow she had to make this right.
“I’m sorry,’ she said. “I must have left the door ajar. I’ll have him removed immediately.” A slave entered the room at that moment. The servants knew everything that went on in the manor, and one of them must have seen what had happened and sent the slave who liked taking care of the cub to fetch him. The woman picked him up in her arms, cooing to him in her own language, and carried him out of the room.
Hebe held up her hand to help Elysia down. “Please forgive me, Mistress Elysia. It’s my own fault he escaped. Is there anything I can do to help, anything I can get for you?”
Elysia felt a little silly standing on the kline, one sandal on the cushions, one squishing a delicately embroidered pillow. Her hand balanced on the couch’s back, keeping herself steady as she sneezed for a third time. All she kept thinking to herself was don’t look foolish, don’t look foolish and yet, that was an impossible demand of herself. If there was an elegant way to sneeze, she was doing it, but even with the dainty ‘achoo’s’ and the delicate ‘excuse me’s’, her eyes were red rimmed, the tip of her nose pink, and her expression eternally poised to delve into another fit of sneezing. She, of course, was not the only woman in Athenia who could not own or be around cats, but there weren’t many people who had baby lions out and about to assault guests. This was definitely going in her diary. Can’t visit this house without advanced warning, which was a shame.
Lady Hebe sounded miserably sorry and Elysia would have liked to smile, give some sort of vague assurance that all was well, and step down off the couch. But, at that moment, she sneezed again, so hard this time that a pin fell straight out of her hair and pinged on the floor. Elysia watched it roll but another sneeze and the watery film over her eyes made her lose sight of the pin. It was a long silver one with a pearl attached at the head. She had several of those in her hair to keep her updo in place and now a long brown tendril curled down her back, free at last.
“It’s no matter,” she finally managed to lie once the servant was in the room. Elysia sniffed bravely as the servant hefted the cat up and out. “I’m fine,” she assured the young lady, though her voice was thick and now nasally. Lady Hebe very kindly offered her a hand down and Elysia didn’t hesitate to accept. She took hold of the younger girl’s hand and stepped down to the safety of the floor.
“Please forgive me, Mistress Elysia. It’s my own fault he escaped. Is there anything I can do to help, anything I can get for you?”
“Lady Hebe,” Elysia dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief withdrawn from a silk purse on her arm. “You are kindness itself. Your mother must be quite the hostess if she’s trained you so well.” Dusting off her skirts, she eyed the fur on her gown. That was a problem for the servants to see to though, and so she wasn’t too concerned. Dabbing at her nose, she put the handkerchief away only to draw it back out again as her eyes watered once more.
“Lady Hebe, I don’t suppose you will hold it against me to excuse myself this afternoon? I will leave the basket for you and return another day to fetch it? A frightful headache is coming on-” she sneezed again. “And I suppose I shall have to lay down once I am home.”
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Elysia felt a little silly standing on the kline, one sandal on the cushions, one squishing a delicately embroidered pillow. Her hand balanced on the couch’s back, keeping herself steady as she sneezed for a third time. All she kept thinking to herself was don’t look foolish, don’t look foolish and yet, that was an impossible demand of herself. If there was an elegant way to sneeze, she was doing it, but even with the dainty ‘achoo’s’ and the delicate ‘excuse me’s’, her eyes were red rimmed, the tip of her nose pink, and her expression eternally poised to delve into another fit of sneezing. She, of course, was not the only woman in Athenia who could not own or be around cats, but there weren’t many people who had baby lions out and about to assault guests. This was definitely going in her diary. Can’t visit this house without advanced warning, which was a shame.
Lady Hebe sounded miserably sorry and Elysia would have liked to smile, give some sort of vague assurance that all was well, and step down off the couch. But, at that moment, she sneezed again, so hard this time that a pin fell straight out of her hair and pinged on the floor. Elysia watched it roll but another sneeze and the watery film over her eyes made her lose sight of the pin. It was a long silver one with a pearl attached at the head. She had several of those in her hair to keep her updo in place and now a long brown tendril curled down her back, free at last.
“It’s no matter,” she finally managed to lie once the servant was in the room. Elysia sniffed bravely as the servant hefted the cat up and out. “I’m fine,” she assured the young lady, though her voice was thick and now nasally. Lady Hebe very kindly offered her a hand down and Elysia didn’t hesitate to accept. She took hold of the younger girl’s hand and stepped down to the safety of the floor.
“Please forgive me, Mistress Elysia. It’s my own fault he escaped. Is there anything I can do to help, anything I can get for you?”
“Lady Hebe,” Elysia dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief withdrawn from a silk purse on her arm. “You are kindness itself. Your mother must be quite the hostess if she’s trained you so well.” Dusting off her skirts, she eyed the fur on her gown. That was a problem for the servants to see to though, and so she wasn’t too concerned. Dabbing at her nose, she put the handkerchief away only to draw it back out again as her eyes watered once more.
“Lady Hebe, I don’t suppose you will hold it against me to excuse myself this afternoon? I will leave the basket for you and return another day to fetch it? A frightful headache is coming on-” she sneezed again. “And I suppose I shall have to lay down once I am home.”
Elysia felt a little silly standing on the kline, one sandal on the cushions, one squishing a delicately embroidered pillow. Her hand balanced on the couch’s back, keeping herself steady as she sneezed for a third time. All she kept thinking to herself was don’t look foolish, don’t look foolish and yet, that was an impossible demand of herself. If there was an elegant way to sneeze, she was doing it, but even with the dainty ‘achoo’s’ and the delicate ‘excuse me’s’, her eyes were red rimmed, the tip of her nose pink, and her expression eternally poised to delve into another fit of sneezing. She, of course, was not the only woman in Athenia who could not own or be around cats, but there weren’t many people who had baby lions out and about to assault guests. This was definitely going in her diary. Can’t visit this house without advanced warning, which was a shame.
Lady Hebe sounded miserably sorry and Elysia would have liked to smile, give some sort of vague assurance that all was well, and step down off the couch. But, at that moment, she sneezed again, so hard this time that a pin fell straight out of her hair and pinged on the floor. Elysia watched it roll but another sneeze and the watery film over her eyes made her lose sight of the pin. It was a long silver one with a pearl attached at the head. She had several of those in her hair to keep her updo in place and now a long brown tendril curled down her back, free at last.
“It’s no matter,” she finally managed to lie once the servant was in the room. Elysia sniffed bravely as the servant hefted the cat up and out. “I’m fine,” she assured the young lady, though her voice was thick and now nasally. Lady Hebe very kindly offered her a hand down and Elysia didn’t hesitate to accept. She took hold of the younger girl’s hand and stepped down to the safety of the floor.
“Please forgive me, Mistress Elysia. It’s my own fault he escaped. Is there anything I can do to help, anything I can get for you?”
“Lady Hebe,” Elysia dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief withdrawn from a silk purse on her arm. “You are kindness itself. Your mother must be quite the hostess if she’s trained you so well.” Dusting off her skirts, she eyed the fur on her gown. That was a problem for the servants to see to though, and so she wasn’t too concerned. Dabbing at her nose, she put the handkerchief away only to draw it back out again as her eyes watered once more.
“Lady Hebe, I don’t suppose you will hold it against me to excuse myself this afternoon? I will leave the basket for you and return another day to fetch it? A frightful headache is coming on-” she sneezed again. “And I suppose I shall have to lay down once I am home.”
Hebe bit her lip, not knowing what to do. Mistress Elysia looked miserable, standing on the kline and sneezing. Her eyes were red and watering and her nose was turning pink. The fourteen-year-old didn’t know much about allergies, but she was glad she didn’t have any, especially not to animals. It would be hard to take care of them when they were hurt and calm them when they panicked if she was sneezing all the time.
A hairpin flew from Mistress Elysia’s coiffure and clinked as it hit the floor. Hebe took note of where it had landed so that she could retrieve it later. Her visitor claimed that she was okay, but she didn’t sound like it. Hopefully, she wouldn’t faint. She looked a bit better after the servant took Helios away, and she took Hebe’s hand and stepped off the couch. The young girl watched as she pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes and nose. If she had only checked to make sure the door to her rooms was shut, they’d still be enjoying sweets and each other’s company.
She had wanted so badly to make a good impression on her and instead she had unintentionally harmed her. If she doesn’t hate me forever, I’ll be lucky. Her spirits rose when Mistress Elysia complimented her mother on training her well, but plummeted again when she thought of the scolding she was going to get if her parents found out about this. They might even take Helios away from her because they thought she wasn’t responsible enough to take care of an exotic pet. Maybe she wasn’t. I am responsible enough, she told herself. It was just an accident and I’ll make sure it never happens again. Even my older sisters make mistakes occasionally. To her knowledge, though, they had never made a social error as severe as this one. “Thank you,” she said in a quiet and apologetic voice.
Of course Mistress Elysia wanted to leave right away. She did look like she needed to lie down. “I understand,” Hebe said, walking over to where the hairpin lay and bending down to pick it up. It was silver with a pearl at the end, very pretty, and the youngest Antonis girl was glad it had not been lost. Carrying it carefully, she handed it to the woman. “I’m sorry," she repeated, "more than I can ever say. If you don’t want to return, I can have a servant send it back to you.” If she told her to take the basket now, she would seem ungrateful, and though her appetite had disappeared, it would return soon enough. She had never been able to resist sweets. Even if she hid it in her room, her parents were still going to find out that she’d had a visitor.
But they didn’t have to know all that had ocurred. “Can we keep this between ourselves. Mistress Elysia?” she asked, peering at the woman sheepishly. “My parents will kill me if they find out that I was careless and Helios slipped out of my room."
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Hebe bit her lip, not knowing what to do. Mistress Elysia looked miserable, standing on the kline and sneezing. Her eyes were red and watering and her nose was turning pink. The fourteen-year-old didn’t know much about allergies, but she was glad she didn’t have any, especially not to animals. It would be hard to take care of them when they were hurt and calm them when they panicked if she was sneezing all the time.
A hairpin flew from Mistress Elysia’s coiffure and clinked as it hit the floor. Hebe took note of where it had landed so that she could retrieve it later. Her visitor claimed that she was okay, but she didn’t sound like it. Hopefully, she wouldn’t faint. She looked a bit better after the servant took Helios away, and she took Hebe’s hand and stepped off the couch. The young girl watched as she pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes and nose. If she had only checked to make sure the door to her rooms was shut, they’d still be enjoying sweets and each other’s company.
She had wanted so badly to make a good impression on her and instead she had unintentionally harmed her. If she doesn’t hate me forever, I’ll be lucky. Her spirits rose when Mistress Elysia complimented her mother on training her well, but plummeted again when she thought of the scolding she was going to get if her parents found out about this. They might even take Helios away from her because they thought she wasn’t responsible enough to take care of an exotic pet. Maybe she wasn’t. I am responsible enough, she told herself. It was just an accident and I’ll make sure it never happens again. Even my older sisters make mistakes occasionally. To her knowledge, though, they had never made a social error as severe as this one. “Thank you,” she said in a quiet and apologetic voice.
Of course Mistress Elysia wanted to leave right away. She did look like she needed to lie down. “I understand,” Hebe said, walking over to where the hairpin lay and bending down to pick it up. It was silver with a pearl at the end, very pretty, and the youngest Antonis girl was glad it had not been lost. Carrying it carefully, she handed it to the woman. “I’m sorry," she repeated, "more than I can ever say. If you don’t want to return, I can have a servant send it back to you.” If she told her to take the basket now, she would seem ungrateful, and though her appetite had disappeared, it would return soon enough. She had never been able to resist sweets. Even if she hid it in her room, her parents were still going to find out that she’d had a visitor.
But they didn’t have to know all that had ocurred. “Can we keep this between ourselves. Mistress Elysia?” she asked, peering at the woman sheepishly. “My parents will kill me if they find out that I was careless and Helios slipped out of my room."
Hebe bit her lip, not knowing what to do. Mistress Elysia looked miserable, standing on the kline and sneezing. Her eyes were red and watering and her nose was turning pink. The fourteen-year-old didn’t know much about allergies, but she was glad she didn’t have any, especially not to animals. It would be hard to take care of them when they were hurt and calm them when they panicked if she was sneezing all the time.
A hairpin flew from Mistress Elysia’s coiffure and clinked as it hit the floor. Hebe took note of where it had landed so that she could retrieve it later. Her visitor claimed that she was okay, but she didn’t sound like it. Hopefully, she wouldn’t faint. She looked a bit better after the servant took Helios away, and she took Hebe’s hand and stepped off the couch. The young girl watched as she pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes and nose. If she had only checked to make sure the door to her rooms was shut, they’d still be enjoying sweets and each other’s company.
She had wanted so badly to make a good impression on her and instead she had unintentionally harmed her. If she doesn’t hate me forever, I’ll be lucky. Her spirits rose when Mistress Elysia complimented her mother on training her well, but plummeted again when she thought of the scolding she was going to get if her parents found out about this. They might even take Helios away from her because they thought she wasn’t responsible enough to take care of an exotic pet. Maybe she wasn’t. I am responsible enough, she told herself. It was just an accident and I’ll make sure it never happens again. Even my older sisters make mistakes occasionally. To her knowledge, though, they had never made a social error as severe as this one. “Thank you,” she said in a quiet and apologetic voice.
Of course Mistress Elysia wanted to leave right away. She did look like she needed to lie down. “I understand,” Hebe said, walking over to where the hairpin lay and bending down to pick it up. It was silver with a pearl at the end, very pretty, and the youngest Antonis girl was glad it had not been lost. Carrying it carefully, she handed it to the woman. “I’m sorry," she repeated, "more than I can ever say. If you don’t want to return, I can have a servant send it back to you.” If she told her to take the basket now, she would seem ungrateful, and though her appetite had disappeared, it would return soon enough. She had never been able to resist sweets. Even if she hid it in her room, her parents were still going to find out that she’d had a visitor.
But they didn’t have to know all that had ocurred. “Can we keep this between ourselves. Mistress Elysia?” she asked, peering at the woman sheepishly. “My parents will kill me if they find out that I was careless and Helios slipped out of my room."
Of all the things that could have happened to her today, Elysia would have said a sudden storm or perhaps even being murdered was far more likely than being accosted by a baby lynx and finding herself standing in complete disregard for propriety upon a host’s kline. With Hebe’s kind offer of a hand, and Elysia feeling a tad more proper, she continued to dab at her eyes and sniff as delicately as anyone could do when their sinuses were working to continuously flush out the offending allergy. She barely noticed, right at first, Hebe handing her the hairpin but once she did, she smiled at the girl, actually touched by her guileless sweetness.
“Thank you,” she said thickly and sniffed again. The pin she put somewhere in her hair, more to store the pin than to hold up any escaping tendrils of hair. Her headache pulsed behind her eyes and she didn’t know why she ever reacted this strongly to cats, but she definitely did. The thought of the walk home was...horrendous but though Elysia may look delicate, with her careful application of makeup, her demure dresses, and her carefully sculpted figure, she was most definitely not. She was made of stronger stock and despite a headache and a wish to avoid something unpleasant, she would not faint on the way home. Lady Hebe mentioned a servant returning the basket later and Elysia nodded, having expected that.
“Can we keep this between ourselves. Mistress Elysia? My parents will kill me if they find out that I was careless and Helios slipped out of my room.” Lady Hebe’s shy request had Elysia peering at her from around the handkerchief. In this request, Lady Hebe had just gifted her with something Elysia valued in this line of work she did for her own amusement and her husband’s sake: power. By betraying that she could get in trouble because of Helios, that meant that Elysia was the one with the control in the situation. Lady Hebe would, in theory, do things or divulge information in order to stay out of perceived trouble. Of course, Elysia had no wish to harm this girl in any way, but that didn’t mean she was above using their new friendship to gain knowledge she wouldn’t otherwise have. It was the entire point of today’s visit and she had it now.
“Lady Hebe.” The lilting kindness in her voice, the smile upon her features lighting them up with an affectionate radiance between friends betrayed nothing but satisfaction. “I would never dream of letting them know. This is our secret. Friends have lots of those.” But Elysia’s ability to keep this up wasn’t infinite and she had to sneeze into the handkerchief again. The trigger was gone but the reaction remained and she gave Lady Hebe a blind pat on the arm, a bow, and left the room.
Zeus above! she thought to herself once she was outside of the home and in fresh air. My head is killing me… And she walked the entire way home, forgetting for the moment Lady Hebe, the basket, and anything else as she sank into bed. But once there, she opened her eyes again and groaned. She had to write down this encounter before she forgot details. Out of bed she dragged herself, rubbing her still running nose and went to her wardrobe to remove her little black diary from the wardrobe’s false bottom.
Into it went Hebe’s little secret and Elysia’s encounter with the animal. Of course this was small beans to Elysia. Hardly anything to matter at all but it mattered to Hebe, which made it valuable. That done, she hid the diary again and crawled back into bed to wait out this migraine. She hated cats. All cats.
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Of all the things that could have happened to her today, Elysia would have said a sudden storm or perhaps even being murdered was far more likely than being accosted by a baby lynx and finding herself standing in complete disregard for propriety upon a host’s kline. With Hebe’s kind offer of a hand, and Elysia feeling a tad more proper, she continued to dab at her eyes and sniff as delicately as anyone could do when their sinuses were working to continuously flush out the offending allergy. She barely noticed, right at first, Hebe handing her the hairpin but once she did, she smiled at the girl, actually touched by her guileless sweetness.
“Thank you,” she said thickly and sniffed again. The pin she put somewhere in her hair, more to store the pin than to hold up any escaping tendrils of hair. Her headache pulsed behind her eyes and she didn’t know why she ever reacted this strongly to cats, but she definitely did. The thought of the walk home was...horrendous but though Elysia may look delicate, with her careful application of makeup, her demure dresses, and her carefully sculpted figure, she was most definitely not. She was made of stronger stock and despite a headache and a wish to avoid something unpleasant, she would not faint on the way home. Lady Hebe mentioned a servant returning the basket later and Elysia nodded, having expected that.
“Can we keep this between ourselves. Mistress Elysia? My parents will kill me if they find out that I was careless and Helios slipped out of my room.” Lady Hebe’s shy request had Elysia peering at her from around the handkerchief. In this request, Lady Hebe had just gifted her with something Elysia valued in this line of work she did for her own amusement and her husband’s sake: power. By betraying that she could get in trouble because of Helios, that meant that Elysia was the one with the control in the situation. Lady Hebe would, in theory, do things or divulge information in order to stay out of perceived trouble. Of course, Elysia had no wish to harm this girl in any way, but that didn’t mean she was above using their new friendship to gain knowledge she wouldn’t otherwise have. It was the entire point of today’s visit and she had it now.
“Lady Hebe.” The lilting kindness in her voice, the smile upon her features lighting them up with an affectionate radiance between friends betrayed nothing but satisfaction. “I would never dream of letting them know. This is our secret. Friends have lots of those.” But Elysia’s ability to keep this up wasn’t infinite and she had to sneeze into the handkerchief again. The trigger was gone but the reaction remained and she gave Lady Hebe a blind pat on the arm, a bow, and left the room.
Zeus above! she thought to herself once she was outside of the home and in fresh air. My head is killing me… And she walked the entire way home, forgetting for the moment Lady Hebe, the basket, and anything else as she sank into bed. But once there, she opened her eyes again and groaned. She had to write down this encounter before she forgot details. Out of bed she dragged herself, rubbing her still running nose and went to her wardrobe to remove her little black diary from the wardrobe’s false bottom.
Into it went Hebe’s little secret and Elysia’s encounter with the animal. Of course this was small beans to Elysia. Hardly anything to matter at all but it mattered to Hebe, which made it valuable. That done, she hid the diary again and crawled back into bed to wait out this migraine. She hated cats. All cats.
Of all the things that could have happened to her today, Elysia would have said a sudden storm or perhaps even being murdered was far more likely than being accosted by a baby lynx and finding herself standing in complete disregard for propriety upon a host’s kline. With Hebe’s kind offer of a hand, and Elysia feeling a tad more proper, she continued to dab at her eyes and sniff as delicately as anyone could do when their sinuses were working to continuously flush out the offending allergy. She barely noticed, right at first, Hebe handing her the hairpin but once she did, she smiled at the girl, actually touched by her guileless sweetness.
“Thank you,” she said thickly and sniffed again. The pin she put somewhere in her hair, more to store the pin than to hold up any escaping tendrils of hair. Her headache pulsed behind her eyes and she didn’t know why she ever reacted this strongly to cats, but she definitely did. The thought of the walk home was...horrendous but though Elysia may look delicate, with her careful application of makeup, her demure dresses, and her carefully sculpted figure, she was most definitely not. She was made of stronger stock and despite a headache and a wish to avoid something unpleasant, she would not faint on the way home. Lady Hebe mentioned a servant returning the basket later and Elysia nodded, having expected that.
“Can we keep this between ourselves. Mistress Elysia? My parents will kill me if they find out that I was careless and Helios slipped out of my room.” Lady Hebe’s shy request had Elysia peering at her from around the handkerchief. In this request, Lady Hebe had just gifted her with something Elysia valued in this line of work she did for her own amusement and her husband’s sake: power. By betraying that she could get in trouble because of Helios, that meant that Elysia was the one with the control in the situation. Lady Hebe would, in theory, do things or divulge information in order to stay out of perceived trouble. Of course, Elysia had no wish to harm this girl in any way, but that didn’t mean she was above using their new friendship to gain knowledge she wouldn’t otherwise have. It was the entire point of today’s visit and she had it now.
“Lady Hebe.” The lilting kindness in her voice, the smile upon her features lighting them up with an affectionate radiance between friends betrayed nothing but satisfaction. “I would never dream of letting them know. This is our secret. Friends have lots of those.” But Elysia’s ability to keep this up wasn’t infinite and she had to sneeze into the handkerchief again. The trigger was gone but the reaction remained and she gave Lady Hebe a blind pat on the arm, a bow, and left the room.
Zeus above! she thought to herself once she was outside of the home and in fresh air. My head is killing me… And she walked the entire way home, forgetting for the moment Lady Hebe, the basket, and anything else as she sank into bed. But once there, she opened her eyes again and groaned. She had to write down this encounter before she forgot details. Out of bed she dragged herself, rubbing her still running nose and went to her wardrobe to remove her little black diary from the wardrobe’s false bottom.
Into it went Hebe’s little secret and Elysia’s encounter with the animal. Of course this was small beans to Elysia. Hardly anything to matter at all but it mattered to Hebe, which made it valuable. That done, she hid the diary again and crawled back into bed to wait out this migraine. She hated cats. All cats.