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It was too near a truth already though she had done nothing yet, that when Thea heard about the conversation she intended to have—was about to have—she was going to be furious. After all, she had been plain in her desires—or lack thereof—when she said 'I do not want to play any part in this' and it was hardly as if Nethis had forgotten; it was impossible to forget the unsurprising (but no less irritating) lack of ambition from her younger sister if only because they were sometimes so similar and could act so well in concert; it was near a waste, but she had hoped that Thea would see this for the opportunity it was, even as she did not know all the details, instead of succumbing to feelings.
Instead, those feelings had reigned within their conversation and would likely continue to do so, at least from Thea’s side of things. There was a part of Nethis that could not quite manage to wholly fault her for emotionality, but she did think a shame. Fury, which was no stretch for what might come of this, was such a waste, and Nethis was both interested and wholly willing to disregard the possibility of it; Thea had agreed to do as she said upon failure, and Nethis would hold her to that regardless of anything else.
If Thea hated her while doing so, then so be it. Nethis was going to get what she wanted of this in the form of her little sister on the throne with everything to play for if it was the last damned thing she did. After all it was only a hop, skip and a small leap from bed and bedchamber to the rest of it, most of all considering what she had already done.
Still, there was work to do yet, work that had her put herself together with care, dress in a Thanassi sort of red and brought her to the Kotas household. She rarely made an appearance here, despite Evras’ residence, seeing as she and her youngest sister has never quite managed to be on easy terms enough that a social visit could override her massive distaste for the family as a whole. Now, though, there was no choice.
Thea would not disclose this 'truth', so it was left for her to do so.
Figuring it was in her best interest to cut to the chase rather than wander and wait or let anyone assume she was here for Evars, she approached the nearest guard. "Is Vangelis here?" she asked, but without giving the man much of a moment to confirm or deny, she added, "If so, tell him I need five minutes of time." Need, not want. She wouldn't be turned away on this errand.
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It was too near a truth already though she had done nothing yet, that when Thea heard about the conversation she intended to have—was about to have—she was going to be furious. After all, she had been plain in her desires—or lack thereof—when she said 'I do not want to play any part in this' and it was hardly as if Nethis had forgotten; it was impossible to forget the unsurprising (but no less irritating) lack of ambition from her younger sister if only because they were sometimes so similar and could act so well in concert; it was near a waste, but she had hoped that Thea would see this for the opportunity it was, even as she did not know all the details, instead of succumbing to feelings.
Instead, those feelings had reigned within their conversation and would likely continue to do so, at least from Thea’s side of things. There was a part of Nethis that could not quite manage to wholly fault her for emotionality, but she did think a shame. Fury, which was no stretch for what might come of this, was such a waste, and Nethis was both interested and wholly willing to disregard the possibility of it; Thea had agreed to do as she said upon failure, and Nethis would hold her to that regardless of anything else.
If Thea hated her while doing so, then so be it. Nethis was going to get what she wanted of this in the form of her little sister on the throne with everything to play for if it was the last damned thing she did. After all it was only a hop, skip and a small leap from bed and bedchamber to the rest of it, most of all considering what she had already done.
Still, there was work to do yet, work that had her put herself together with care, dress in a Thanassi sort of red and brought her to the Kotas household. She rarely made an appearance here, despite Evras’ residence, seeing as she and her youngest sister has never quite managed to be on easy terms enough that a social visit could override her massive distaste for the family as a whole. Now, though, there was no choice.
Thea would not disclose this 'truth', so it was left for her to do so.
Figuring it was in her best interest to cut to the chase rather than wander and wait or let anyone assume she was here for Evars, she approached the nearest guard. "Is Vangelis here?" she asked, but without giving the man much of a moment to confirm or deny, she added, "If so, tell him I need five minutes of time." Need, not want. She wouldn't be turned away on this errand.
It was too near a truth already though she had done nothing yet, that when Thea heard about the conversation she intended to have—was about to have—she was going to be furious. After all, she had been plain in her desires—or lack thereof—when she said 'I do not want to play any part in this' and it was hardly as if Nethis had forgotten; it was impossible to forget the unsurprising (but no less irritating) lack of ambition from her younger sister if only because they were sometimes so similar and could act so well in concert; it was near a waste, but she had hoped that Thea would see this for the opportunity it was, even as she did not know all the details, instead of succumbing to feelings.
Instead, those feelings had reigned within their conversation and would likely continue to do so, at least from Thea’s side of things. There was a part of Nethis that could not quite manage to wholly fault her for emotionality, but she did think a shame. Fury, which was no stretch for what might come of this, was such a waste, and Nethis was both interested and wholly willing to disregard the possibility of it; Thea had agreed to do as she said upon failure, and Nethis would hold her to that regardless of anything else.
If Thea hated her while doing so, then so be it. Nethis was going to get what she wanted of this in the form of her little sister on the throne with everything to play for if it was the last damned thing she did. After all it was only a hop, skip and a small leap from bed and bedchamber to the rest of it, most of all considering what she had already done.
Still, there was work to do yet, work that had her put herself together with care, dress in a Thanassi sort of red and brought her to the Kotas household. She rarely made an appearance here, despite Evras’ residence, seeing as she and her youngest sister has never quite managed to be on easy terms enough that a social visit could override her massive distaste for the family as a whole. Now, though, there was no choice.
Thea would not disclose this 'truth', so it was left for her to do so.
Figuring it was in her best interest to cut to the chase rather than wander and wait or let anyone assume she was here for Evars, she approached the nearest guard. "Is Vangelis here?" she asked, but without giving the man much of a moment to confirm or deny, she added, "If so, tell him I need five minutes of time." Need, not want. She wouldn't be turned away on this errand.
It had taken Vangelis most of the morning to settle a boundary dispute and land and residence issue between two owners of sections of the Lower Levels. Whilst he had only journeyed for little more than ten minutes each way, the discussions held in between had made the entire process feel like a days work before the sun had even risen to its peak of noon.
Some men just didn't listen to simple reason.
Shadowed by his familiar entourage of Nike and Silanos, plus a handful of guards that he personally considered to be beyond the necessary, Vangelis rode back into the estate grounds of the Kotas manor to be confronted with a scene severely unfamiliar to him.
Whilst it was not uncommon to witness a Thanai on Kotas land - for his brother's marriage to Evras had propped open a door both sides would prefer shut, this particular Thanasi had not graced the steps of the Kotas manor - to his knowledge - since the birth of Dion.
With a frown set upon his features, Vangelis brought Phobos to heel, reducing his speed and setting his hooves hard against the paving of the courtyard before he descended from the stallion's back. Dressed in his more casual attire of loose pants and a long white tunic shirt of fine linen, Vangelis pushed back the hood of his tunic as he stepped forward to observe and hear the disagreement between the first born Thanasi and an unfortunate guard of the household.
"The Crown Prince..." The guard was saying, the emphasis on Vangelis' title clearly marking a lack of it in whatever Nethis had said already. Vangelis wasnt surprised - the woman had hardly made her disrespect for him unknown over the years. "...is away from home dealing with matters of..."
The guard's words diminished to an uncertain murmur that disintegrated all together as the image of the crown prince approaching over the Thanasi woman's should stilled his tongue.
"Lady Nethis." Vangelis greeted with a tone if restrained irritation. "Your presence is as welcome as it is frequent. What do you want with me?"
For Vangelis held no knowledge of Nethis' reason of meeting, nor consideration or concern for the audience the two help you there in the courtyard. Assuming the woman had come to blackmail her way to leniency for her father's recent actions, Vangelis was determined that he had nothing to hide and that, therefore, observers to their little chat were of no moment to him. Instead, he simply braced his feet and folded his arms across his chest, a wall of stoic solidity before the woman he would rather witness the back of, as she left the estate of his home...
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It had taken Vangelis most of the morning to settle a boundary dispute and land and residence issue between two owners of sections of the Lower Levels. Whilst he had only journeyed for little more than ten minutes each way, the discussions held in between had made the entire process feel like a days work before the sun had even risen to its peak of noon.
Some men just didn't listen to simple reason.
Shadowed by his familiar entourage of Nike and Silanos, plus a handful of guards that he personally considered to be beyond the necessary, Vangelis rode back into the estate grounds of the Kotas manor to be confronted with a scene severely unfamiliar to him.
Whilst it was not uncommon to witness a Thanai on Kotas land - for his brother's marriage to Evras had propped open a door both sides would prefer shut, this particular Thanasi had not graced the steps of the Kotas manor - to his knowledge - since the birth of Dion.
With a frown set upon his features, Vangelis brought Phobos to heel, reducing his speed and setting his hooves hard against the paving of the courtyard before he descended from the stallion's back. Dressed in his more casual attire of loose pants and a long white tunic shirt of fine linen, Vangelis pushed back the hood of his tunic as he stepped forward to observe and hear the disagreement between the first born Thanasi and an unfortunate guard of the household.
"The Crown Prince..." The guard was saying, the emphasis on Vangelis' title clearly marking a lack of it in whatever Nethis had said already. Vangelis wasnt surprised - the woman had hardly made her disrespect for him unknown over the years. "...is away from home dealing with matters of..."
The guard's words diminished to an uncertain murmur that disintegrated all together as the image of the crown prince approaching over the Thanasi woman's should stilled his tongue.
"Lady Nethis." Vangelis greeted with a tone if restrained irritation. "Your presence is as welcome as it is frequent. What do you want with me?"
For Vangelis held no knowledge of Nethis' reason of meeting, nor consideration or concern for the audience the two help you there in the courtyard. Assuming the woman had come to blackmail her way to leniency for her father's recent actions, Vangelis was determined that he had nothing to hide and that, therefore, observers to their little chat were of no moment to him. Instead, he simply braced his feet and folded his arms across his chest, a wall of stoic solidity before the woman he would rather witness the back of, as she left the estate of his home...
It had taken Vangelis most of the morning to settle a boundary dispute and land and residence issue between two owners of sections of the Lower Levels. Whilst he had only journeyed for little more than ten minutes each way, the discussions held in between had made the entire process feel like a days work before the sun had even risen to its peak of noon.
Some men just didn't listen to simple reason.
Shadowed by his familiar entourage of Nike and Silanos, plus a handful of guards that he personally considered to be beyond the necessary, Vangelis rode back into the estate grounds of the Kotas manor to be confronted with a scene severely unfamiliar to him.
Whilst it was not uncommon to witness a Thanai on Kotas land - for his brother's marriage to Evras had propped open a door both sides would prefer shut, this particular Thanasi had not graced the steps of the Kotas manor - to his knowledge - since the birth of Dion.
With a frown set upon his features, Vangelis brought Phobos to heel, reducing his speed and setting his hooves hard against the paving of the courtyard before he descended from the stallion's back. Dressed in his more casual attire of loose pants and a long white tunic shirt of fine linen, Vangelis pushed back the hood of his tunic as he stepped forward to observe and hear the disagreement between the first born Thanasi and an unfortunate guard of the household.
"The Crown Prince..." The guard was saying, the emphasis on Vangelis' title clearly marking a lack of it in whatever Nethis had said already. Vangelis wasnt surprised - the woman had hardly made her disrespect for him unknown over the years. "...is away from home dealing with matters of..."
The guard's words diminished to an uncertain murmur that disintegrated all together as the image of the crown prince approaching over the Thanasi woman's should stilled his tongue.
"Lady Nethis." Vangelis greeted with a tone if restrained irritation. "Your presence is as welcome as it is frequent. What do you want with me?"
For Vangelis held no knowledge of Nethis' reason of meeting, nor consideration or concern for the audience the two help you there in the courtyard. Assuming the woman had come to blackmail her way to leniency for her father's recent actions, Vangelis was determined that he had nothing to hide and that, therefore, observers to their little chat were of no moment to him. Instead, he simply braced his feet and folded his arms across his chest, a wall of stoic solidity before the woman he would rather witness the back of, as she left the estate of his home...
Nethis supposed she wasn't exactly surprised to hear he was elsewhere. This had been a factor of consideration, one she had tried to accommodate for, but the truth was, the longer she thought about it, the more impossible any accommodation seemed.
She had no idea what Vangelis’ daily schedule was like, hardly cared to find out and was somewhat unsure sure she easily could if she felt otherwise. Considering Dionysios’ recent actions, if anyone were smart, that would be the sort of information denied her. As such, it seemed easier to simply accept that he would either be there when she came to call or she would have to see to it that he knew she wanted him and go from there.
She was about to cut the guard off as he elaborated unasked—she hardly cared what Vangelis was doing, she only cared that he wasn't here—and give him a reply to establish the secondary of her aims (namely in making Vangelis aware she sought him), when hoofbeats entering the courtyard overtook his voice. At that, she half turned, more curious than expectant and in a Gods gifted bit of fortune, the guard trailed off as the topic of their discussion appeared in the flesh.
Nethis turned more fully to face him then, forgetting about the guard altogether as soon as he was out of her sight. This was probably a blessing for the man in that it spared him a reply more cutting than he probably deserved (though then again perhaps not since he had marked her disrespect and taken it upon himself to actually correct her as if he had that right) but that was neither here nor there.
The only people that mattered were Vangelis and her in this.
However, the sharp reply lingered, meaning it took a lot more effort than it otherwise would have to tolerate Vangelis and his behavior. It was effort she quickly found, cognizant of the moment and the importance of it, but it deserved to be marked no less.
"Crown Prince Vangelis," Nethis murmured, a returned greeting, inclining her head slightly. As ever, the title sat uneasy on her tongue, considering she disliked him and regularly offered him in particular as little respect as she could get away with. Still, regardless of what she previously said to the guard—or more importantly how she said it—she was mostly disinterested in antagonizing him so directly right now.
He, however, obviously felt differently with his tone and what followed the greeting. For the sake of bigger things and with her temper already well mastered, she merely raised brows briefly as if to say, really? and ignored the insult altogether. "A few moments of your time, if you would." Her gaze slid behind him to his company for a brief moment, before she settled her attention back on him and added, "Perhaps somewhere more private?"
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Nethis supposed she wasn't exactly surprised to hear he was elsewhere. This had been a factor of consideration, one she had tried to accommodate for, but the truth was, the longer she thought about it, the more impossible any accommodation seemed.
She had no idea what Vangelis’ daily schedule was like, hardly cared to find out and was somewhat unsure sure she easily could if she felt otherwise. Considering Dionysios’ recent actions, if anyone were smart, that would be the sort of information denied her. As such, it seemed easier to simply accept that he would either be there when she came to call or she would have to see to it that he knew she wanted him and go from there.
She was about to cut the guard off as he elaborated unasked—she hardly cared what Vangelis was doing, she only cared that he wasn't here—and give him a reply to establish the secondary of her aims (namely in making Vangelis aware she sought him), when hoofbeats entering the courtyard overtook his voice. At that, she half turned, more curious than expectant and in a Gods gifted bit of fortune, the guard trailed off as the topic of their discussion appeared in the flesh.
Nethis turned more fully to face him then, forgetting about the guard altogether as soon as he was out of her sight. This was probably a blessing for the man in that it spared him a reply more cutting than he probably deserved (though then again perhaps not since he had marked her disrespect and taken it upon himself to actually correct her as if he had that right) but that was neither here nor there.
The only people that mattered were Vangelis and her in this.
However, the sharp reply lingered, meaning it took a lot more effort than it otherwise would have to tolerate Vangelis and his behavior. It was effort she quickly found, cognizant of the moment and the importance of it, but it deserved to be marked no less.
"Crown Prince Vangelis," Nethis murmured, a returned greeting, inclining her head slightly. As ever, the title sat uneasy on her tongue, considering she disliked him and regularly offered him in particular as little respect as she could get away with. Still, regardless of what she previously said to the guard—or more importantly how she said it—she was mostly disinterested in antagonizing him so directly right now.
He, however, obviously felt differently with his tone and what followed the greeting. For the sake of bigger things and with her temper already well mastered, she merely raised brows briefly as if to say, really? and ignored the insult altogether. "A few moments of your time, if you would." Her gaze slid behind him to his company for a brief moment, before she settled her attention back on him and added, "Perhaps somewhere more private?"
Nethis supposed she wasn't exactly surprised to hear he was elsewhere. This had been a factor of consideration, one she had tried to accommodate for, but the truth was, the longer she thought about it, the more impossible any accommodation seemed.
She had no idea what Vangelis’ daily schedule was like, hardly cared to find out and was somewhat unsure sure she easily could if she felt otherwise. Considering Dionysios’ recent actions, if anyone were smart, that would be the sort of information denied her. As such, it seemed easier to simply accept that he would either be there when she came to call or she would have to see to it that he knew she wanted him and go from there.
She was about to cut the guard off as he elaborated unasked—she hardly cared what Vangelis was doing, she only cared that he wasn't here—and give him a reply to establish the secondary of her aims (namely in making Vangelis aware she sought him), when hoofbeats entering the courtyard overtook his voice. At that, she half turned, more curious than expectant and in a Gods gifted bit of fortune, the guard trailed off as the topic of their discussion appeared in the flesh.
Nethis turned more fully to face him then, forgetting about the guard altogether as soon as he was out of her sight. This was probably a blessing for the man in that it spared him a reply more cutting than he probably deserved (though then again perhaps not since he had marked her disrespect and taken it upon himself to actually correct her as if he had that right) but that was neither here nor there.
The only people that mattered were Vangelis and her in this.
However, the sharp reply lingered, meaning it took a lot more effort than it otherwise would have to tolerate Vangelis and his behavior. It was effort she quickly found, cognizant of the moment and the importance of it, but it deserved to be marked no less.
"Crown Prince Vangelis," Nethis murmured, a returned greeting, inclining her head slightly. As ever, the title sat uneasy on her tongue, considering she disliked him and regularly offered him in particular as little respect as she could get away with. Still, regardless of what she previously said to the guard—or more importantly how she said it—she was mostly disinterested in antagonizing him so directly right now.
He, however, obviously felt differently with his tone and what followed the greeting. For the sake of bigger things and with her temper already well mastered, she merely raised brows briefly as if to say, really? and ignored the insult altogether. "A few moments of your time, if you would." Her gaze slid behind him to his company for a brief moment, before she settled her attention back on him and added, "Perhaps somewhere more private?"
If Nethis thought herself likely to be permitted entry into his home - a home that contained a father and sister that her patriarch had almost murdered, not to mention his own self who had nearly been taken to the River Styx via poison (and who was better with poison than the supposedly great Nethis of Thanasi?) then she was an idiot. And Vangelis knew well that the eldest Thanasi daughter was a lot of things... But unintelligent was not one of them. Which meant that she would have hardly been surprised at his response to her request for privacy.
Instead of allowing her inside the estate and manor, Vangelis looked over his shoulder towards his retinue, a brow raised in consideration.
"Commander Nike, escort the guard to the stables. And see to it that Lord Silanos tends to duties the likes of which I might assign to yourself." Translation: combat training that would have Silanos flat on his back and unable to breathe from exhaustion.
The prince then turned to the guards upon the door and, with a quick order to ensure that they were to assess and mark the perimeter, they were sent running from the scene. Within minutes all living creatures on four legs or two had been removed from the open courtyard before his home, besides the two of them. Antagonistic rivals facing off just a few feet from one another. Each with a stubborn streak a furlong wide.
Vangelis's weight shifted more to one leg than to the other and his head tilted in a mark of impatient query. His lips were set in a hard line, the hinge of his jaw flickering with defiance as his teeth clenched over his distaste for the current company.
"You'll understand that this is the closest to privacy that you'll be given by me, Nethis." His tone of resigned and almost... Tired of the games he knew the eldest Thanasi to be famous for. But it was also hard and unyielding. It dropped all formality, called out the woman behind the curtain of courtier game play and cut through the mask of deception. He wasn't about to play whatever game she was engineering. "Now, what do you want?"
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If Nethis thought herself likely to be permitted entry into his home - a home that contained a father and sister that her patriarch had almost murdered, not to mention his own self who had nearly been taken to the River Styx via poison (and who was better with poison than the supposedly great Nethis of Thanasi?) then she was an idiot. And Vangelis knew well that the eldest Thanasi daughter was a lot of things... But unintelligent was not one of them. Which meant that she would have hardly been surprised at his response to her request for privacy.
Instead of allowing her inside the estate and manor, Vangelis looked over his shoulder towards his retinue, a brow raised in consideration.
"Commander Nike, escort the guard to the stables. And see to it that Lord Silanos tends to duties the likes of which I might assign to yourself." Translation: combat training that would have Silanos flat on his back and unable to breathe from exhaustion.
The prince then turned to the guards upon the door and, with a quick order to ensure that they were to assess and mark the perimeter, they were sent running from the scene. Within minutes all living creatures on four legs or two had been removed from the open courtyard before his home, besides the two of them. Antagonistic rivals facing off just a few feet from one another. Each with a stubborn streak a furlong wide.
Vangelis's weight shifted more to one leg than to the other and his head tilted in a mark of impatient query. His lips were set in a hard line, the hinge of his jaw flickering with defiance as his teeth clenched over his distaste for the current company.
"You'll understand that this is the closest to privacy that you'll be given by me, Nethis." His tone of resigned and almost... Tired of the games he knew the eldest Thanasi to be famous for. But it was also hard and unyielding. It dropped all formality, called out the woman behind the curtain of courtier game play and cut through the mask of deception. He wasn't about to play whatever game she was engineering. "Now, what do you want?"
If Nethis thought herself likely to be permitted entry into his home - a home that contained a father and sister that her patriarch had almost murdered, not to mention his own self who had nearly been taken to the River Styx via poison (and who was better with poison than the supposedly great Nethis of Thanasi?) then she was an idiot. And Vangelis knew well that the eldest Thanasi daughter was a lot of things... But unintelligent was not one of them. Which meant that she would have hardly been surprised at his response to her request for privacy.
Instead of allowing her inside the estate and manor, Vangelis looked over his shoulder towards his retinue, a brow raised in consideration.
"Commander Nike, escort the guard to the stables. And see to it that Lord Silanos tends to duties the likes of which I might assign to yourself." Translation: combat training that would have Silanos flat on his back and unable to breathe from exhaustion.
The prince then turned to the guards upon the door and, with a quick order to ensure that they were to assess and mark the perimeter, they were sent running from the scene. Within minutes all living creatures on four legs or two had been removed from the open courtyard before his home, besides the two of them. Antagonistic rivals facing off just a few feet from one another. Each with a stubborn streak a furlong wide.
Vangelis's weight shifted more to one leg than to the other and his head tilted in a mark of impatient query. His lips were set in a hard line, the hinge of his jaw flickering with defiance as his teeth clenched over his distaste for the current company.
"You'll understand that this is the closest to privacy that you'll be given by me, Nethis." His tone of resigned and almost... Tired of the games he knew the eldest Thanasi to be famous for. But it was also hard and unyielding. It dropped all formality, called out the woman behind the curtain of courtier game play and cut through the mask of deception. He wasn't about to play whatever game she was engineering. "Now, what do you want?"
There was a beat, a shimmer of a moment where Nethis thought he might actually deny her wholly, even as she had phrased the demand as a request with something that might have resembled deference. It would be a petty choice, no doubt, and Vangelis had no reputation for that (no, that was a piece to her own reputation) but the dislike between them was nearly palpable and such a thing sometimes motivated uncharacteristic choices.
Instead, he took her request and something that echoed his form of pettiness and twisted them both into something else. He gave an order to his company and further ones to the guards and Nethis could only laugh, head shaking slightly as she watched the world around them answer to the desires of Vangelis of Kotas, a prince so caught between obligation to hear her out and what was likely stubborn desire not to give in or be easily manipulated that he granted her request and threw it in her face all in one.
Genuinely, it was a pity she held a sweeping distaste for his house and that he made himself so easy to hate in a thousand other ways; she actually rather liked that he was more a match for her than most, that he could think on his feet and make something of it that could not be called clumsy. The admiration was begrudging given, of course, but still there.
His jaw was clenched, and every bit of his demeanor displayed his distaste, but she merely reveled in that. The opposite of love was not hate, it was apathy and she did not care if he hated her so long as he felt something.
Perhaps that was why she countered his demeanor with a continuation of her newly found ease, with something that hinted at satisfaction for the game and enjoyment at his solution. "I do," she granted without bothering to hide her smile, “Forgive me my amusement. You credit me far more than I deserve today, and while I appreciate it, I do hope you see how comical it is."
Shocking as it was, she sincerely meant that. She was probably supposed to be offended by all of this, but frankly, it was an acknowledgment that she was dangerous, and she chose to see the power in that.
And as for the comment about credit and humor, what she meant was this; they both knew if she really wanted in, she could have just said she wanted to see Evras and Dion, which was a more facile manipulation. If that was the game, why involve Vangelis at all?
"Really, I simply came to tell you that you need to talk to Thea." Framing it this way was a deliberate choice; she knew he would never believe her if she simply presented her manipulation as facts easily given. "She is. . . denying you perhaps not so happy news you ought to hear."
She could have said more, perhaps she should have, but there was some part of this that had to play to his expectations same as she had played to Thea’s with her conditional demand; if she simply came out with the whole of it eagerly rather than with her typical cagey behavior, she sincerely doubted he would regard even the premise as truth and she needed him to believe. She only hoped she wasn't wrong in believing he would ask for more information rather than simply disappearing to find out for himself. She did so want to tell him all of it.
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There was a beat, a shimmer of a moment where Nethis thought he might actually deny her wholly, even as she had phrased the demand as a request with something that might have resembled deference. It would be a petty choice, no doubt, and Vangelis had no reputation for that (no, that was a piece to her own reputation) but the dislike between them was nearly palpable and such a thing sometimes motivated uncharacteristic choices.
Instead, he took her request and something that echoed his form of pettiness and twisted them both into something else. He gave an order to his company and further ones to the guards and Nethis could only laugh, head shaking slightly as she watched the world around them answer to the desires of Vangelis of Kotas, a prince so caught between obligation to hear her out and what was likely stubborn desire not to give in or be easily manipulated that he granted her request and threw it in her face all in one.
Genuinely, it was a pity she held a sweeping distaste for his house and that he made himself so easy to hate in a thousand other ways; she actually rather liked that he was more a match for her than most, that he could think on his feet and make something of it that could not be called clumsy. The admiration was begrudging given, of course, but still there.
His jaw was clenched, and every bit of his demeanor displayed his distaste, but she merely reveled in that. The opposite of love was not hate, it was apathy and she did not care if he hated her so long as he felt something.
Perhaps that was why she countered his demeanor with a continuation of her newly found ease, with something that hinted at satisfaction for the game and enjoyment at his solution. "I do," she granted without bothering to hide her smile, “Forgive me my amusement. You credit me far more than I deserve today, and while I appreciate it, I do hope you see how comical it is."
Shocking as it was, she sincerely meant that. She was probably supposed to be offended by all of this, but frankly, it was an acknowledgment that she was dangerous, and she chose to see the power in that.
And as for the comment about credit and humor, what she meant was this; they both knew if she really wanted in, she could have just said she wanted to see Evras and Dion, which was a more facile manipulation. If that was the game, why involve Vangelis at all?
"Really, I simply came to tell you that you need to talk to Thea." Framing it this way was a deliberate choice; she knew he would never believe her if she simply presented her manipulation as facts easily given. "She is. . . denying you perhaps not so happy news you ought to hear."
She could have said more, perhaps she should have, but there was some part of this that had to play to his expectations same as she had played to Thea’s with her conditional demand; if she simply came out with the whole of it eagerly rather than with her typical cagey behavior, she sincerely doubted he would regard even the premise as truth and she needed him to believe. She only hoped she wasn't wrong in believing he would ask for more information rather than simply disappearing to find out for himself. She did so want to tell him all of it.
There was a beat, a shimmer of a moment where Nethis thought he might actually deny her wholly, even as she had phrased the demand as a request with something that might have resembled deference. It would be a petty choice, no doubt, and Vangelis had no reputation for that (no, that was a piece to her own reputation) but the dislike between them was nearly palpable and such a thing sometimes motivated uncharacteristic choices.
Instead, he took her request and something that echoed his form of pettiness and twisted them both into something else. He gave an order to his company and further ones to the guards and Nethis could only laugh, head shaking slightly as she watched the world around them answer to the desires of Vangelis of Kotas, a prince so caught between obligation to hear her out and what was likely stubborn desire not to give in or be easily manipulated that he granted her request and threw it in her face all in one.
Genuinely, it was a pity she held a sweeping distaste for his house and that he made himself so easy to hate in a thousand other ways; she actually rather liked that he was more a match for her than most, that he could think on his feet and make something of it that could not be called clumsy. The admiration was begrudging given, of course, but still there.
His jaw was clenched, and every bit of his demeanor displayed his distaste, but she merely reveled in that. The opposite of love was not hate, it was apathy and she did not care if he hated her so long as he felt something.
Perhaps that was why she countered his demeanor with a continuation of her newly found ease, with something that hinted at satisfaction for the game and enjoyment at his solution. "I do," she granted without bothering to hide her smile, “Forgive me my amusement. You credit me far more than I deserve today, and while I appreciate it, I do hope you see how comical it is."
Shocking as it was, she sincerely meant that. She was probably supposed to be offended by all of this, but frankly, it was an acknowledgment that she was dangerous, and she chose to see the power in that.
And as for the comment about credit and humor, what she meant was this; they both knew if she really wanted in, she could have just said she wanted to see Evras and Dion, which was a more facile manipulation. If that was the game, why involve Vangelis at all?
"Really, I simply came to tell you that you need to talk to Thea." Framing it this way was a deliberate choice; she knew he would never believe her if she simply presented her manipulation as facts easily given. "She is. . . denying you perhaps not so happy news you ought to hear."
She could have said more, perhaps she should have, but there was some part of this that had to play to his expectations same as she had played to Thea’s with her conditional demand; if she simply came out with the whole of it eagerly rather than with her typical cagey behavior, she sincerely doubted he would regard even the premise as truth and she needed him to believe. She only hoped she wasn't wrong in believing he would ask for more information rather than simply disappearing to find out for himself. She did so want to tell him all of it.
Vangelis was not in the mood to deal with this woman. Whilst there had always been elements of Nethis that had made him far more wary of her than anyone else in her family - including her father at times - the respect that some might interpret in that was tapered by all the facets of her personality he did not offer time or energy in pandering to.
For every moment in which she was intelligent and sharply cunning, there was another in which she was petty and belligerent. For each time she proved her ambition and tactical skill in achieving it, he was immediately reminded of her maliciousness and her lack of compassion. Her stubborn and determined spirit, her unyielding devotion to her House, her way of inspiring and demanding respect, power and authority with every turn of her head... It was all warranting of the awe he might hold for others that possessed the same traits if they did not also house cruelty, apathy, arrogance and a way of looking at the people of the world only as tools and never creatures of feeling.
Whilst there were elements of Nethis that were note worthy and even things he might have admired given the chance, they were quashed by her trivial and petty games of selfish power. Narcissistic habits of life that Vangelis could never accept nor waste his time upon.
Ergo, the first few sentences of her little speech were met with stony silence. He barely blinked as she suggested the humour in the situation and tried to turn their little interaction into a polite chit chat. His expression never changed, never flinched. His body never shifted from its position of begrudging and waning patience.
Not even when Thea's name was mentioned did Vangelis so much as twitch an eyelid. It had, after all, been many years that he and Thea had continued on their physical arrangement of convenience and he had mastered long ago how to never react in a manner to give them away. Right now, he feigned an expression of boredom, as if he knew not why this was at all significant to him.
Though feigning wasn't entirely deliberate for genuinely Vangelis knew not the point of Nethis' visit. As far as he was concerned and aware, Nethis knew nothing of her sister's connection to the first Kotas prince and any happenstance in Thea's life was entirely her own business. He wasn't interested in being led around by the nose through Nethis' little clues.
"I haven't the time for your twisted, little word games, Nethis." Vangelis snarled, his eyes already darting to the door of the manor, making it clear that he intended to leave her standing there alone in a few seconds if her next answer wasn't a direct one. "I have no interest in your sister's achievements in life and suggest you either make yourself plain, or leave."
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Vangelis was not in the mood to deal with this woman. Whilst there had always been elements of Nethis that had made him far more wary of her than anyone else in her family - including her father at times - the respect that some might interpret in that was tapered by all the facets of her personality he did not offer time or energy in pandering to.
For every moment in which she was intelligent and sharply cunning, there was another in which she was petty and belligerent. For each time she proved her ambition and tactical skill in achieving it, he was immediately reminded of her maliciousness and her lack of compassion. Her stubborn and determined spirit, her unyielding devotion to her House, her way of inspiring and demanding respect, power and authority with every turn of her head... It was all warranting of the awe he might hold for others that possessed the same traits if they did not also house cruelty, apathy, arrogance and a way of looking at the people of the world only as tools and never creatures of feeling.
Whilst there were elements of Nethis that were note worthy and even things he might have admired given the chance, they were quashed by her trivial and petty games of selfish power. Narcissistic habits of life that Vangelis could never accept nor waste his time upon.
Ergo, the first few sentences of her little speech were met with stony silence. He barely blinked as she suggested the humour in the situation and tried to turn their little interaction into a polite chit chat. His expression never changed, never flinched. His body never shifted from its position of begrudging and waning patience.
Not even when Thea's name was mentioned did Vangelis so much as twitch an eyelid. It had, after all, been many years that he and Thea had continued on their physical arrangement of convenience and he had mastered long ago how to never react in a manner to give them away. Right now, he feigned an expression of boredom, as if he knew not why this was at all significant to him.
Though feigning wasn't entirely deliberate for genuinely Vangelis knew not the point of Nethis' visit. As far as he was concerned and aware, Nethis knew nothing of her sister's connection to the first Kotas prince and any happenstance in Thea's life was entirely her own business. He wasn't interested in being led around by the nose through Nethis' little clues.
"I haven't the time for your twisted, little word games, Nethis." Vangelis snarled, his eyes already darting to the door of the manor, making it clear that he intended to leave her standing there alone in a few seconds if her next answer wasn't a direct one. "I have no interest in your sister's achievements in life and suggest you either make yourself plain, or leave."
Vangelis was not in the mood to deal with this woman. Whilst there had always been elements of Nethis that had made him far more wary of her than anyone else in her family - including her father at times - the respect that some might interpret in that was tapered by all the facets of her personality he did not offer time or energy in pandering to.
For every moment in which she was intelligent and sharply cunning, there was another in which she was petty and belligerent. For each time she proved her ambition and tactical skill in achieving it, he was immediately reminded of her maliciousness and her lack of compassion. Her stubborn and determined spirit, her unyielding devotion to her House, her way of inspiring and demanding respect, power and authority with every turn of her head... It was all warranting of the awe he might hold for others that possessed the same traits if they did not also house cruelty, apathy, arrogance and a way of looking at the people of the world only as tools and never creatures of feeling.
Whilst there were elements of Nethis that were note worthy and even things he might have admired given the chance, they were quashed by her trivial and petty games of selfish power. Narcissistic habits of life that Vangelis could never accept nor waste his time upon.
Ergo, the first few sentences of her little speech were met with stony silence. He barely blinked as she suggested the humour in the situation and tried to turn their little interaction into a polite chit chat. His expression never changed, never flinched. His body never shifted from its position of begrudging and waning patience.
Not even when Thea's name was mentioned did Vangelis so much as twitch an eyelid. It had, after all, been many years that he and Thea had continued on their physical arrangement of convenience and he had mastered long ago how to never react in a manner to give them away. Right now, he feigned an expression of boredom, as if he knew not why this was at all significant to him.
Though feigning wasn't entirely deliberate for genuinely Vangelis knew not the point of Nethis' visit. As far as he was concerned and aware, Nethis knew nothing of her sister's connection to the first Kotas prince and any happenstance in Thea's life was entirely her own business. He wasn't interested in being led around by the nose through Nethis' little clues.
"I haven't the time for your twisted, little word games, Nethis." Vangelis snarled, his eyes already darting to the door of the manor, making it clear that he intended to leave her standing there alone in a few seconds if her next answer wasn't a direct one. "I have no interest in your sister's achievements in life and suggest you either make yourself plain, or leave."
His stony reply to her genuine amusement numbered among the reasons as to why Nethis found him so easy to hate. For everything she might have admired in him, he also had no sense of humor where it mattered most, and here stood an example. If the moment were less precarious she might have spoken to that, but as it turned out, her other contributions did the work for her, snapping him from indifference to temper.
“Oh,” Nethis murmured, word half lost to quiet laughter at his outburst; this was probably the wrong response in that if she didn't cease quickly, he would follow through on the threat that quickly followed his angry response, but how could she not enjoy knowing that she had successfully pushed his buttons a little?
Sometimes, it really was all about the small pleasures in life and this was one of them.
"Temper, Vangelis," she chided, unable to help herself, eyes filled with merriment rather than fear of any sort. There was nothing to fear from him really even as he snapped at her and threatened. He was too principled to hurt her for words, annoying as he might find them, if not too principled to do it at all.
Still, it was time to lay all the cards on the table, because she would lose him if she did anything else, which was hardly the point; it would be difficult to see things advance or make sure he believed the situation if he didn't even hear the whole truth of it for no other reason than her pettiness.
Yes, she was petty but ultimately cunning and manipulation would win out over that every time.
"You know, I did think bedding her, and more than once no less, would at least beget polite interest in her life instead of boredom even with your obvious distaste for me." There was an element to this that was still a shot in the dark in the form of ‘more than once’ but judging by how dense Vangelis was acting—which she thought was more stubbornness for her sake than anything else—she really did think it would be fine.
After all, Thea had not said so explicitly, but there was also an element to this in what never had been said: that it was a one time mistake, that it never should have happened, that she was a fool for bedding him in the first place. Nethis was many things, but slow wasn't one of them; between the lack of such sentiment and the true care that had displayed itself upon saving him from her poison, she was reasonably sure her suspicion was correct. It had been more than once and knowing Thea and the way she clung to habit, likely a lot longer than just recently.
That suspicion burned, if only because it deepened the betrayal, but she was willing to leave that alone so long as her plans were adhered to.
"But fine, if you would like me to be blunt and crass about it, you two fucked several weeks ago and she is now with child." She paused, but only long enough to let the news linger a moment, maybe sink in, in the barest sense. "To her credit, she did try to be rid of it, but the child took and she insists you need not know. Something about no one wanting to repeat the situation with Evras and Zanon." She frowned slightly then. "I might have agreed since it is an unfortunate repetition, but I dislike the idea of my sister being made to carry a child that will have the reputation of a bastard to a Thanasi Witch simply so as to not inconvenience you." She did not bother to hide the venom that accompanied the last word, but she paused to give him—and herself—a moment to recover from all this. Then she quietly asked, "Is that plain enough, Vangelis?"
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His stony reply to her genuine amusement numbered among the reasons as to why Nethis found him so easy to hate. For everything she might have admired in him, he also had no sense of humor where it mattered most, and here stood an example. If the moment were less precarious she might have spoken to that, but as it turned out, her other contributions did the work for her, snapping him from indifference to temper.
“Oh,” Nethis murmured, word half lost to quiet laughter at his outburst; this was probably the wrong response in that if she didn't cease quickly, he would follow through on the threat that quickly followed his angry response, but how could she not enjoy knowing that she had successfully pushed his buttons a little?
Sometimes, it really was all about the small pleasures in life and this was one of them.
"Temper, Vangelis," she chided, unable to help herself, eyes filled with merriment rather than fear of any sort. There was nothing to fear from him really even as he snapped at her and threatened. He was too principled to hurt her for words, annoying as he might find them, if not too principled to do it at all.
Still, it was time to lay all the cards on the table, because she would lose him if she did anything else, which was hardly the point; it would be difficult to see things advance or make sure he believed the situation if he didn't even hear the whole truth of it for no other reason than her pettiness.
Yes, she was petty but ultimately cunning and manipulation would win out over that every time.
"You know, I did think bedding her, and more than once no less, would at least beget polite interest in her life instead of boredom even with your obvious distaste for me." There was an element to this that was still a shot in the dark in the form of ‘more than once’ but judging by how dense Vangelis was acting—which she thought was more stubbornness for her sake than anything else—she really did think it would be fine.
After all, Thea had not said so explicitly, but there was also an element to this in what never had been said: that it was a one time mistake, that it never should have happened, that she was a fool for bedding him in the first place. Nethis was many things, but slow wasn't one of them; between the lack of such sentiment and the true care that had displayed itself upon saving him from her poison, she was reasonably sure her suspicion was correct. It had been more than once and knowing Thea and the way she clung to habit, likely a lot longer than just recently.
That suspicion burned, if only because it deepened the betrayal, but she was willing to leave that alone so long as her plans were adhered to.
"But fine, if you would like me to be blunt and crass about it, you two fucked several weeks ago and she is now with child." She paused, but only long enough to let the news linger a moment, maybe sink in, in the barest sense. "To her credit, she did try to be rid of it, but the child took and she insists you need not know. Something about no one wanting to repeat the situation with Evras and Zanon." She frowned slightly then. "I might have agreed since it is an unfortunate repetition, but I dislike the idea of my sister being made to carry a child that will have the reputation of a bastard to a Thanasi Witch simply so as to not inconvenience you." She did not bother to hide the venom that accompanied the last word, but she paused to give him—and herself—a moment to recover from all this. Then she quietly asked, "Is that plain enough, Vangelis?"
His stony reply to her genuine amusement numbered among the reasons as to why Nethis found him so easy to hate. For everything she might have admired in him, he also had no sense of humor where it mattered most, and here stood an example. If the moment were less precarious she might have spoken to that, but as it turned out, her other contributions did the work for her, snapping him from indifference to temper.
“Oh,” Nethis murmured, word half lost to quiet laughter at his outburst; this was probably the wrong response in that if she didn't cease quickly, he would follow through on the threat that quickly followed his angry response, but how could she not enjoy knowing that she had successfully pushed his buttons a little?
Sometimes, it really was all about the small pleasures in life and this was one of them.
"Temper, Vangelis," she chided, unable to help herself, eyes filled with merriment rather than fear of any sort. There was nothing to fear from him really even as he snapped at her and threatened. He was too principled to hurt her for words, annoying as he might find them, if not too principled to do it at all.
Still, it was time to lay all the cards on the table, because she would lose him if she did anything else, which was hardly the point; it would be difficult to see things advance or make sure he believed the situation if he didn't even hear the whole truth of it for no other reason than her pettiness.
Yes, she was petty but ultimately cunning and manipulation would win out over that every time.
"You know, I did think bedding her, and more than once no less, would at least beget polite interest in her life instead of boredom even with your obvious distaste for me." There was an element to this that was still a shot in the dark in the form of ‘more than once’ but judging by how dense Vangelis was acting—which she thought was more stubbornness for her sake than anything else—she really did think it would be fine.
After all, Thea had not said so explicitly, but there was also an element to this in what never had been said: that it was a one time mistake, that it never should have happened, that she was a fool for bedding him in the first place. Nethis was many things, but slow wasn't one of them; between the lack of such sentiment and the true care that had displayed itself upon saving him from her poison, she was reasonably sure her suspicion was correct. It had been more than once and knowing Thea and the way she clung to habit, likely a lot longer than just recently.
That suspicion burned, if only because it deepened the betrayal, but she was willing to leave that alone so long as her plans were adhered to.
"But fine, if you would like me to be blunt and crass about it, you two fucked several weeks ago and she is now with child." She paused, but only long enough to let the news linger a moment, maybe sink in, in the barest sense. "To her credit, she did try to be rid of it, but the child took and she insists you need not know. Something about no one wanting to repeat the situation with Evras and Zanon." She frowned slightly then. "I might have agreed since it is an unfortunate repetition, but I dislike the idea of my sister being made to carry a child that will have the reputation of a bastard to a Thanasi Witch simply so as to not inconvenience you." She did not bother to hide the venom that accompanied the last word, but she paused to give him—and herself—a moment to recover from all this. Then she quietly asked, "Is that plain enough, Vangelis?"
Retaining his stoic expression and physical composure as Nethis clucked her tongue at him like he was a boy stealing apples, Vangelis knew from her amusement that all she wished for was to witness his emotions; see him dance on a string upon her words and whims. Therefore, he maintained his physical declaration of his own reputation as the Stone Prince and gave her no such satisfaction, as she warning him of his temper.
Vangelis was a seasoned military leader. And you learned to pick your battles as the ones worthy of your time, resources and men.
As Nethis made it plain enough that she knew of his relationship with her sister, Vangelis saw no necessary purpose nor means in denying it. Given the family history of contempt, distrust and distance - a chasm far larger than between the royal houses that Kotas princes had not married into - there was no logical means for Nethis to come to such a conclusion other than outright evidence. If she was coming to him now with such accusations, then it meant that she was entirely certain of her facts. For even Nethis would not be brazen enough to throw such notions at the heir to the throne without solid proof. Ergo, there was little point in denying something upon which she was so certain, nor attempting to cover or make excuses for that which she already knew.
Instead, Vangelis' arms formed a tighter fold across his chest and his features took on an expression of exasperation. Whilst he would not deny his sexual connection with Thea, he also wasn't about to condone the advice to be more attentive to the interests of her life. He and Thea had had an arrangement. And one that had stood for many years. They were not a couple and they did not interfere with the other's life. There was no conditions of information, no demands to betray family. The two of them were good together in bed. That was the extent of what either of them were looking for in the other. And as that arrangement had worked for them, and was now over and done with thanks to his engagement to Selene, he held zero patience and interest over Nethis' opinion (of all people) on how he might perform his duties to Thea in a more chivalrous manner.
With only the rise of a single brow - a silent comment that if she had nothing new to inform him of then why on Gods' earth was she here on his family's doorstep - he prompted her to continue. But the words that followed were not what he had expected...
'...and she is now with child.'
Vangelis spent most of his life at war, surrounded by ill-educated and vulgar soldiers. Crass language was hardly a novelty nor offence to him. Yet, the last part of Nethis' declaration triggered a reaction similar to that of insult far more than her blunt beginning could offend him. Torn between the natural inclinations of barking an exhale of laughter at the ridiculousness of it, or defensively declaring her words to be untruth, Vangelis did neither and held true to his reputation. His body remained rigid and his expression turned only slightly from exasperation to disbelief. It was a subtle difference that was clearly a prelude to ordering Nethis to leave and take her petty mind games elsewhere. His arms even uncoiled and his gaze turned elsewhere when she paused, giving him the moment to absorb, reject and then begin to gesture towards the open gates of the courtyard. His lips had parted in a command for her to leave his sight when Nethis spoke up again, clearly noting his lack of belief and stepping in to fill the lie with more believable details.
'To her credit, she did try to be rid of it...'
Vangelis' arm stilled half way to a dismissal, his lips drawing closed and his brow lowering into a scowl dark enough to scare the most battle-hardened of men. For now Nethis was going too far in her lies.
Firstly, Thea was a woman skilled in the ways to avoid pregnancy. Else, why had they managed for so long without the production of a child? Their narrow escape after the first time they had come together had turned the both of them equally adverse to the idea of parentage. Thea had been certain to avoid any future such fears. And Vangelis had long ago trusted her to ensure such things. On top of this...Vangelis did not believe that, were something to have then - unlikely - gone wrong with such proclivities, Thea would not immediately tell him. And she certainly wouldn't have sought to kill a child already set by the Gods to survive...
...would she?
'...but the child took and she insists you need not know. Something about no one wanting to repeat the situation with Evras and Zanon.'
'Something about...' Nethis did not deal in 'something about's. She was never uncertain, nor did she toy with idle gossip. If she heard something, she checked it. If she checked it, she knew it. Which meant her attempts at nonchalance were just that - an attempt. An attempt to sound blasé and toy with his reactions. Something she would never risk doing from a position of weakness. It would be too great a bluff. Too easily disproved. No... She only chose these words and toyed with the delivery because she knew that they would land with a sense of factual truth in his ears. For he and Thea had discussed his brother and wife. And he had at one point accused her of similar machinations and ambitions. She had proven him wrong...
Was she still trying to prove him wrong? Hold true to their bargain?
Were Nethis' words therefore true?
For why else would the first born daughter of Dionysios break a decade old habit of never venturing to Kotas land in order to deliver this news with such feigned innocence and compassion. Behind it all, Vangelis could sense her enjoyment in all of this. And why wouldn't she be enjoying such a missive if the truth of it secured another of her sisters set to birth an heir to the Colchis throne? The last hold out between the crown and the wearing of it by Thanasi blood would be disintegrated.
Vangelis' scowl assessed Nethis' face looking for hints of deception but found nothing. She stood with utter calm and a confidence that was almost aggressive in its defiance. Whether what she said was true or not... vangelis felt a hollowing in his chest... It was clear that she believed it.
"Get out."
The words left Vangelis in a deep and deadly command that punch from his lips and into the air between them. His body had turned tense and his arm now rose to complete the gesture of dismissal.
"Get off my lands and take your lies with you."
For not Cerberus himself would ever drag from Vangelis his slow and developing belief in Nethis' taunts. Least not in her company...
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Retaining his stoic expression and physical composure as Nethis clucked her tongue at him like he was a boy stealing apples, Vangelis knew from her amusement that all she wished for was to witness his emotions; see him dance on a string upon her words and whims. Therefore, he maintained his physical declaration of his own reputation as the Stone Prince and gave her no such satisfaction, as she warning him of his temper.
Vangelis was a seasoned military leader. And you learned to pick your battles as the ones worthy of your time, resources and men.
As Nethis made it plain enough that she knew of his relationship with her sister, Vangelis saw no necessary purpose nor means in denying it. Given the family history of contempt, distrust and distance - a chasm far larger than between the royal houses that Kotas princes had not married into - there was no logical means for Nethis to come to such a conclusion other than outright evidence. If she was coming to him now with such accusations, then it meant that she was entirely certain of her facts. For even Nethis would not be brazen enough to throw such notions at the heir to the throne without solid proof. Ergo, there was little point in denying something upon which she was so certain, nor attempting to cover or make excuses for that which she already knew.
Instead, Vangelis' arms formed a tighter fold across his chest and his features took on an expression of exasperation. Whilst he would not deny his sexual connection with Thea, he also wasn't about to condone the advice to be more attentive to the interests of her life. He and Thea had had an arrangement. And one that had stood for many years. They were not a couple and they did not interfere with the other's life. There was no conditions of information, no demands to betray family. The two of them were good together in bed. That was the extent of what either of them were looking for in the other. And as that arrangement had worked for them, and was now over and done with thanks to his engagement to Selene, he held zero patience and interest over Nethis' opinion (of all people) on how he might perform his duties to Thea in a more chivalrous manner.
With only the rise of a single brow - a silent comment that if she had nothing new to inform him of then why on Gods' earth was she here on his family's doorstep - he prompted her to continue. But the words that followed were not what he had expected...
'...and she is now with child.'
Vangelis spent most of his life at war, surrounded by ill-educated and vulgar soldiers. Crass language was hardly a novelty nor offence to him. Yet, the last part of Nethis' declaration triggered a reaction similar to that of insult far more than her blunt beginning could offend him. Torn between the natural inclinations of barking an exhale of laughter at the ridiculousness of it, or defensively declaring her words to be untruth, Vangelis did neither and held true to his reputation. His body remained rigid and his expression turned only slightly from exasperation to disbelief. It was a subtle difference that was clearly a prelude to ordering Nethis to leave and take her petty mind games elsewhere. His arms even uncoiled and his gaze turned elsewhere when she paused, giving him the moment to absorb, reject and then begin to gesture towards the open gates of the courtyard. His lips had parted in a command for her to leave his sight when Nethis spoke up again, clearly noting his lack of belief and stepping in to fill the lie with more believable details.
'To her credit, she did try to be rid of it...'
Vangelis' arm stilled half way to a dismissal, his lips drawing closed and his brow lowering into a scowl dark enough to scare the most battle-hardened of men. For now Nethis was going too far in her lies.
Firstly, Thea was a woman skilled in the ways to avoid pregnancy. Else, why had they managed for so long without the production of a child? Their narrow escape after the first time they had come together had turned the both of them equally adverse to the idea of parentage. Thea had been certain to avoid any future such fears. And Vangelis had long ago trusted her to ensure such things. On top of this...Vangelis did not believe that, were something to have then - unlikely - gone wrong with such proclivities, Thea would not immediately tell him. And she certainly wouldn't have sought to kill a child already set by the Gods to survive...
...would she?
'...but the child took and she insists you need not know. Something about no one wanting to repeat the situation with Evras and Zanon.'
'Something about...' Nethis did not deal in 'something about's. She was never uncertain, nor did she toy with idle gossip. If she heard something, she checked it. If she checked it, she knew it. Which meant her attempts at nonchalance were just that - an attempt. An attempt to sound blasé and toy with his reactions. Something she would never risk doing from a position of weakness. It would be too great a bluff. Too easily disproved. No... She only chose these words and toyed with the delivery because she knew that they would land with a sense of factual truth in his ears. For he and Thea had discussed his brother and wife. And he had at one point accused her of similar machinations and ambitions. She had proven him wrong...
Was she still trying to prove him wrong? Hold true to their bargain?
Were Nethis' words therefore true?
For why else would the first born daughter of Dionysios break a decade old habit of never venturing to Kotas land in order to deliver this news with such feigned innocence and compassion. Behind it all, Vangelis could sense her enjoyment in all of this. And why wouldn't she be enjoying such a missive if the truth of it secured another of her sisters set to birth an heir to the Colchis throne? The last hold out between the crown and the wearing of it by Thanasi blood would be disintegrated.
Vangelis' scowl assessed Nethis' face looking for hints of deception but found nothing. She stood with utter calm and a confidence that was almost aggressive in its defiance. Whether what she said was true or not... vangelis felt a hollowing in his chest... It was clear that she believed it.
"Get out."
The words left Vangelis in a deep and deadly command that punch from his lips and into the air between them. His body had turned tense and his arm now rose to complete the gesture of dismissal.
"Get off my lands and take your lies with you."
For not Cerberus himself would ever drag from Vangelis his slow and developing belief in Nethis' taunts. Least not in her company...
Retaining his stoic expression and physical composure as Nethis clucked her tongue at him like he was a boy stealing apples, Vangelis knew from her amusement that all she wished for was to witness his emotions; see him dance on a string upon her words and whims. Therefore, he maintained his physical declaration of his own reputation as the Stone Prince and gave her no such satisfaction, as she warning him of his temper.
Vangelis was a seasoned military leader. And you learned to pick your battles as the ones worthy of your time, resources and men.
As Nethis made it plain enough that she knew of his relationship with her sister, Vangelis saw no necessary purpose nor means in denying it. Given the family history of contempt, distrust and distance - a chasm far larger than between the royal houses that Kotas princes had not married into - there was no logical means for Nethis to come to such a conclusion other than outright evidence. If she was coming to him now with such accusations, then it meant that she was entirely certain of her facts. For even Nethis would not be brazen enough to throw such notions at the heir to the throne without solid proof. Ergo, there was little point in denying something upon which she was so certain, nor attempting to cover or make excuses for that which she already knew.
Instead, Vangelis' arms formed a tighter fold across his chest and his features took on an expression of exasperation. Whilst he would not deny his sexual connection with Thea, he also wasn't about to condone the advice to be more attentive to the interests of her life. He and Thea had had an arrangement. And one that had stood for many years. They were not a couple and they did not interfere with the other's life. There was no conditions of information, no demands to betray family. The two of them were good together in bed. That was the extent of what either of them were looking for in the other. And as that arrangement had worked for them, and was now over and done with thanks to his engagement to Selene, he held zero patience and interest over Nethis' opinion (of all people) on how he might perform his duties to Thea in a more chivalrous manner.
With only the rise of a single brow - a silent comment that if she had nothing new to inform him of then why on Gods' earth was she here on his family's doorstep - he prompted her to continue. But the words that followed were not what he had expected...
'...and she is now with child.'
Vangelis spent most of his life at war, surrounded by ill-educated and vulgar soldiers. Crass language was hardly a novelty nor offence to him. Yet, the last part of Nethis' declaration triggered a reaction similar to that of insult far more than her blunt beginning could offend him. Torn between the natural inclinations of barking an exhale of laughter at the ridiculousness of it, or defensively declaring her words to be untruth, Vangelis did neither and held true to his reputation. His body remained rigid and his expression turned only slightly from exasperation to disbelief. It was a subtle difference that was clearly a prelude to ordering Nethis to leave and take her petty mind games elsewhere. His arms even uncoiled and his gaze turned elsewhere when she paused, giving him the moment to absorb, reject and then begin to gesture towards the open gates of the courtyard. His lips had parted in a command for her to leave his sight when Nethis spoke up again, clearly noting his lack of belief and stepping in to fill the lie with more believable details.
'To her credit, she did try to be rid of it...'
Vangelis' arm stilled half way to a dismissal, his lips drawing closed and his brow lowering into a scowl dark enough to scare the most battle-hardened of men. For now Nethis was going too far in her lies.
Firstly, Thea was a woman skilled in the ways to avoid pregnancy. Else, why had they managed for so long without the production of a child? Their narrow escape after the first time they had come together had turned the both of them equally adverse to the idea of parentage. Thea had been certain to avoid any future such fears. And Vangelis had long ago trusted her to ensure such things. On top of this...Vangelis did not believe that, were something to have then - unlikely - gone wrong with such proclivities, Thea would not immediately tell him. And she certainly wouldn't have sought to kill a child already set by the Gods to survive...
...would she?
'...but the child took and she insists you need not know. Something about no one wanting to repeat the situation with Evras and Zanon.'
'Something about...' Nethis did not deal in 'something about's. She was never uncertain, nor did she toy with idle gossip. If she heard something, she checked it. If she checked it, she knew it. Which meant her attempts at nonchalance were just that - an attempt. An attempt to sound blasé and toy with his reactions. Something she would never risk doing from a position of weakness. It would be too great a bluff. Too easily disproved. No... She only chose these words and toyed with the delivery because she knew that they would land with a sense of factual truth in his ears. For he and Thea had discussed his brother and wife. And he had at one point accused her of similar machinations and ambitions. She had proven him wrong...
Was she still trying to prove him wrong? Hold true to their bargain?
Were Nethis' words therefore true?
For why else would the first born daughter of Dionysios break a decade old habit of never venturing to Kotas land in order to deliver this news with such feigned innocence and compassion. Behind it all, Vangelis could sense her enjoyment in all of this. And why wouldn't she be enjoying such a missive if the truth of it secured another of her sisters set to birth an heir to the Colchis throne? The last hold out between the crown and the wearing of it by Thanasi blood would be disintegrated.
Vangelis' scowl assessed Nethis' face looking for hints of deception but found nothing. She stood with utter calm and a confidence that was almost aggressive in its defiance. Whether what she said was true or not... vangelis felt a hollowing in his chest... It was clear that she believed it.
"Get out."
The words left Vangelis in a deep and deadly command that punch from his lips and into the air between them. His body had turned tense and his arm now rose to complete the gesture of dismissal.
"Get off my lands and take your lies with you."
For not Cerberus himself would ever drag from Vangelis his slow and developing belief in Nethis' taunts. Least not in her company...
There was such a tableau in this final moment. Here stood Vangelis all cold anger with a scowl and tense muscles and Nethis to his contrast, stance relaxed and directly attentive to her counterpart, expression a match but marred by an open low-level delight in his reaction.
She had to give him credit, he tried so hard to be the Stone Prince as his reputation held once she took advantage of the barest sight of anything that could be called something else and he succeeded fairly far into her explanation. She imagined a contributing part of his stoicism was an attempt to reason through this, trying to pick apart everything she said, but she had chosen her words carefully; he might not quite believe anything or everything, but she knew he was going to have a hard time discounting all of it
Of course, Vangelis’ problem was that in this particular situation Nethis held the ultimate card. He could do anything he liked, act any which way; the truth—and it was the truth as long as she said it was and Thea thought it was—was going to change everything whether or not he was inclined to believe her. That was the magic of children, wasn’t it? They made everything so very, very real.
It was part of what made this whole thing so wonderful... at least for her.
She could have been displeased with his answer to her explanation in that it was as minimal as possible, but really, she expected no less from him. His frustration was more telling anyway, in that she figured he had come to the conclusion this might all be true.
As such the accusation that all of this was lies that earned him a disappointed glance and a sigh. It could be posturing, it was hardly beyond him considering the circumstances, but it was no less irritating to find herself here. Still, she thought it in her best interest to at least make a step, in a literal fashion, toward obeying his demand that she leave, so she did so in the singular, consequentially bringing her closer to Vangelis rather than farther from him by simple virtue of positioning.
She paused here, deciding she was disinterested in giving him the last word so easily.
“I know my reputation, but more importantly, I know you know it too, and I came regardless.” Here, playing into her reputation, but plainly seemed the best last thing to do, if only to shove him in the direction of Thea who would do the rest of her work for her in terms of being a far more honest broker in all this. “For once Vangelis, like it otherwise I am being honest and when you come to realize that, know you are already forgiven your rudeness.”
It was a spiteful choice in parting, wrapped up in a pretty tone and near saccharine—albeit condescending—words, which was almost impressive considering how rude he had been. Almost. Still, she no longer chose to linger after this, realizing it would do no good. If he had more to say he was going to have to say it to her back because her work here was done.
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There was such a tableau in this final moment. Here stood Vangelis all cold anger with a scowl and tense muscles and Nethis to his contrast, stance relaxed and directly attentive to her counterpart, expression a match but marred by an open low-level delight in his reaction.
She had to give him credit, he tried so hard to be the Stone Prince as his reputation held once she took advantage of the barest sight of anything that could be called something else and he succeeded fairly far into her explanation. She imagined a contributing part of his stoicism was an attempt to reason through this, trying to pick apart everything she said, but she had chosen her words carefully; he might not quite believe anything or everything, but she knew he was going to have a hard time discounting all of it
Of course, Vangelis’ problem was that in this particular situation Nethis held the ultimate card. He could do anything he liked, act any which way; the truth—and it was the truth as long as she said it was and Thea thought it was—was going to change everything whether or not he was inclined to believe her. That was the magic of children, wasn’t it? They made everything so very, very real.
It was part of what made this whole thing so wonderful... at least for her.
She could have been displeased with his answer to her explanation in that it was as minimal as possible, but really, she expected no less from him. His frustration was more telling anyway, in that she figured he had come to the conclusion this might all be true.
As such the accusation that all of this was lies that earned him a disappointed glance and a sigh. It could be posturing, it was hardly beyond him considering the circumstances, but it was no less irritating to find herself here. Still, she thought it in her best interest to at least make a step, in a literal fashion, toward obeying his demand that she leave, so she did so in the singular, consequentially bringing her closer to Vangelis rather than farther from him by simple virtue of positioning.
She paused here, deciding she was disinterested in giving him the last word so easily.
“I know my reputation, but more importantly, I know you know it too, and I came regardless.” Here, playing into her reputation, but plainly seemed the best last thing to do, if only to shove him in the direction of Thea who would do the rest of her work for her in terms of being a far more honest broker in all this. “For once Vangelis, like it otherwise I am being honest and when you come to realize that, know you are already forgiven your rudeness.”
It was a spiteful choice in parting, wrapped up in a pretty tone and near saccharine—albeit condescending—words, which was almost impressive considering how rude he had been. Almost. Still, she no longer chose to linger after this, realizing it would do no good. If he had more to say he was going to have to say it to her back because her work here was done.
There was such a tableau in this final moment. Here stood Vangelis all cold anger with a scowl and tense muscles and Nethis to his contrast, stance relaxed and directly attentive to her counterpart, expression a match but marred by an open low-level delight in his reaction.
She had to give him credit, he tried so hard to be the Stone Prince as his reputation held once she took advantage of the barest sight of anything that could be called something else and he succeeded fairly far into her explanation. She imagined a contributing part of his stoicism was an attempt to reason through this, trying to pick apart everything she said, but she had chosen her words carefully; he might not quite believe anything or everything, but she knew he was going to have a hard time discounting all of it
Of course, Vangelis’ problem was that in this particular situation Nethis held the ultimate card. He could do anything he liked, act any which way; the truth—and it was the truth as long as she said it was and Thea thought it was—was going to change everything whether or not he was inclined to believe her. That was the magic of children, wasn’t it? They made everything so very, very real.
It was part of what made this whole thing so wonderful... at least for her.
She could have been displeased with his answer to her explanation in that it was as minimal as possible, but really, she expected no less from him. His frustration was more telling anyway, in that she figured he had come to the conclusion this might all be true.
As such the accusation that all of this was lies that earned him a disappointed glance and a sigh. It could be posturing, it was hardly beyond him considering the circumstances, but it was no less irritating to find herself here. Still, she thought it in her best interest to at least make a step, in a literal fashion, toward obeying his demand that she leave, so she did so in the singular, consequentially bringing her closer to Vangelis rather than farther from him by simple virtue of positioning.
She paused here, deciding she was disinterested in giving him the last word so easily.
“I know my reputation, but more importantly, I know you know it too, and I came regardless.” Here, playing into her reputation, but plainly seemed the best last thing to do, if only to shove him in the direction of Thea who would do the rest of her work for her in terms of being a far more honest broker in all this. “For once Vangelis, like it otherwise I am being honest and when you come to realize that, know you are already forgiven your rudeness.”
It was a spiteful choice in parting, wrapped up in a pretty tone and near saccharine—albeit condescending—words, which was almost impressive considering how rude he had been. Almost. Still, she no longer chose to linger after this, realizing it would do no good. If he had more to say he was going to have to say it to her back because her work here was done.