The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
The carriage bumped a little as one of their wheels hit a rut in the road and Fotios frowned. Being practically born on the back of a horse - as all Leventis were - he had no issue in adjusting his weight on the seat of the open carriage so that he wouldn't slide all over at the jostling motion. Yet, he was annoyed that he had had to at all. Noting that his daughter had had to do the same, Fotios only bothered to verbalise his thoughts for her benefit.
"I'll speak with Varonos Estevan about these roads." He told her. They would need some tending to and Estevan had more than enough residents on his land to have them all tend to the paths and streets for a day and see them smoothed out with sand and stone. It would be a hindrance, not only to the wealthy that travelled them aboard carriages but also those that transported the valuable Leventi horses down these roadways. A hole or divot in the road could stumble an animal and turn it lame and worthless far too easily.
The daughter in question whom he spoke to was his middle child. Almost precisely half way between her tenth and eleventh years, Melina was small and dainty for her age and showed no sign of altering that as the years passed. She was fine in feature like her father but did not possess the seductive femininity of her mother. Instead, she was like a fine piece of pottery or the glass work he had heard of in foreign kingdoms. Sweet and elegant but lacking in impact or significance of appearance. Despite her young age, Fotios knew that his wife was already worrying about the chances of such a creature attracting a leman when she became of age. For who would look twice that their second born when her cousins were already drawing notice and the praise of godly blessings?
But Melina's appearance was not the subject for their outing that day. Nor was it the reason Fotios had given to her earlier that morning in a direct instruction that was not to be disobeyed.
Regardless of whatever plans his child had had that day, with servant, mother or friend, Fotios had made it clear at the table during morning repast that he was journeying to Argothia that day and would be expecting her presence along with him. He had claimed that an inspection of the estate and their accounts was needed and that he wanted to see to such a thing personally. And that Melina would accompany him so as to learn at his side.
Such a reason was neither a lie nor an excuse but it was also not the primary purpose for the trip.
For the last six months, Melina had flatly refused to ride. After an incident that involved a wild stallion and an apprentice stable hand that hadn't gotten out from under his hooves in time, the young girl was lost to hysterics and fits if she was so much as encouraged to get on the back of a horse. Inevitably it ended with her running to hide behind the skirts of her mother or disappearing inside of her chambers in the manor and refusing to be summoned from them for the rest of the day.
And whilst his wife had often coaxed that the trauma would pass and that Melina would grow out of such reactions, Fotios was not a patient man when it came to his offspring and the impressions and talents that they should possess, simply because they were his. As such, enough was enough.
In commandeering Melina for the day and taking her to Argothia - where they held a vast stable of well-trained horses - Fotios was removing all manner of excuse and hiding place from his daughter and would not leave the province until his child behaved like a Leventi. With confidence and elegance. And from the back of a horse.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
The carriage bumped a little as one of their wheels hit a rut in the road and Fotios frowned. Being practically born on the back of a horse - as all Leventis were - he had no issue in adjusting his weight on the seat of the open carriage so that he wouldn't slide all over at the jostling motion. Yet, he was annoyed that he had had to at all. Noting that his daughter had had to do the same, Fotios only bothered to verbalise his thoughts for her benefit.
"I'll speak with Varonos Estevan about these roads." He told her. They would need some tending to and Estevan had more than enough residents on his land to have them all tend to the paths and streets for a day and see them smoothed out with sand and stone. It would be a hindrance, not only to the wealthy that travelled them aboard carriages but also those that transported the valuable Leventi horses down these roadways. A hole or divot in the road could stumble an animal and turn it lame and worthless far too easily.
The daughter in question whom he spoke to was his middle child. Almost precisely half way between her tenth and eleventh years, Melina was small and dainty for her age and showed no sign of altering that as the years passed. She was fine in feature like her father but did not possess the seductive femininity of her mother. Instead, she was like a fine piece of pottery or the glass work he had heard of in foreign kingdoms. Sweet and elegant but lacking in impact or significance of appearance. Despite her young age, Fotios knew that his wife was already worrying about the chances of such a creature attracting a leman when she became of age. For who would look twice that their second born when her cousins were already drawing notice and the praise of godly blessings?
But Melina's appearance was not the subject for their outing that day. Nor was it the reason Fotios had given to her earlier that morning in a direct instruction that was not to be disobeyed.
Regardless of whatever plans his child had had that day, with servant, mother or friend, Fotios had made it clear at the table during morning repast that he was journeying to Argothia that day and would be expecting her presence along with him. He had claimed that an inspection of the estate and their accounts was needed and that he wanted to see to such a thing personally. And that Melina would accompany him so as to learn at his side.
Such a reason was neither a lie nor an excuse but it was also not the primary purpose for the trip.
For the last six months, Melina had flatly refused to ride. After an incident that involved a wild stallion and an apprentice stable hand that hadn't gotten out from under his hooves in time, the young girl was lost to hysterics and fits if she was so much as encouraged to get on the back of a horse. Inevitably it ended with her running to hide behind the skirts of her mother or disappearing inside of her chambers in the manor and refusing to be summoned from them for the rest of the day.
And whilst his wife had often coaxed that the trauma would pass and that Melina would grow out of such reactions, Fotios was not a patient man when it came to his offspring and the impressions and talents that they should possess, simply because they were his. As such, enough was enough.
In commandeering Melina for the day and taking her to Argothia - where they held a vast stable of well-trained horses - Fotios was removing all manner of excuse and hiding place from his daughter and would not leave the province until his child behaved like a Leventi. With confidence and elegance. And from the back of a horse.
The carriage bumped a little as one of their wheels hit a rut in the road and Fotios frowned. Being practically born on the back of a horse - as all Leventis were - he had no issue in adjusting his weight on the seat of the open carriage so that he wouldn't slide all over at the jostling motion. Yet, he was annoyed that he had had to at all. Noting that his daughter had had to do the same, Fotios only bothered to verbalise his thoughts for her benefit.
"I'll speak with Varonos Estevan about these roads." He told her. They would need some tending to and Estevan had more than enough residents on his land to have them all tend to the paths and streets for a day and see them smoothed out with sand and stone. It would be a hindrance, not only to the wealthy that travelled them aboard carriages but also those that transported the valuable Leventi horses down these roadways. A hole or divot in the road could stumble an animal and turn it lame and worthless far too easily.
The daughter in question whom he spoke to was his middle child. Almost precisely half way between her tenth and eleventh years, Melina was small and dainty for her age and showed no sign of altering that as the years passed. She was fine in feature like her father but did not possess the seductive femininity of her mother. Instead, she was like a fine piece of pottery or the glass work he had heard of in foreign kingdoms. Sweet and elegant but lacking in impact or significance of appearance. Despite her young age, Fotios knew that his wife was already worrying about the chances of such a creature attracting a leman when she became of age. For who would look twice that their second born when her cousins were already drawing notice and the praise of godly blessings?
But Melina's appearance was not the subject for their outing that day. Nor was it the reason Fotios had given to her earlier that morning in a direct instruction that was not to be disobeyed.
Regardless of whatever plans his child had had that day, with servant, mother or friend, Fotios had made it clear at the table during morning repast that he was journeying to Argothia that day and would be expecting her presence along with him. He had claimed that an inspection of the estate and their accounts was needed and that he wanted to see to such a thing personally. And that Melina would accompany him so as to learn at his side.
Such a reason was neither a lie nor an excuse but it was also not the primary purpose for the trip.
For the last six months, Melina had flatly refused to ride. After an incident that involved a wild stallion and an apprentice stable hand that hadn't gotten out from under his hooves in time, the young girl was lost to hysterics and fits if she was so much as encouraged to get on the back of a horse. Inevitably it ended with her running to hide behind the skirts of her mother or disappearing inside of her chambers in the manor and refusing to be summoned from them for the rest of the day.
And whilst his wife had often coaxed that the trauma would pass and that Melina would grow out of such reactions, Fotios was not a patient man when it came to his offspring and the impressions and talents that they should possess, simply because they were his. As such, enough was enough.
In commandeering Melina for the day and taking her to Argothia - where they held a vast stable of well-trained horses - Fotios was removing all manner of excuse and hiding place from his daughter and would not leave the province until his child behaved like a Leventi. With confidence and elegance. And from the back of a horse.
Telling her father no was out of the question. And yet, that was the only words Melina wished to tell him. No, father. I can’t do this. I won’t do this. The child was afraid. Her heart was pounding, her mouth was dry, and all she had wanted to do was cry the entire time she sat in this carriage ride.
Instead, she was quiet. She dared not say a word. She did not let her father know just how petrified she felt at the thought that he was bringing her to the stables and expected her to ride a horse. Melina was at a crossroads. On one hand, the thought of disappointing her father caused her heart to squeeze. She wanted more than anything to please him. Even as a child, the thought of failing him was crushing to her, especially when she worked so hard. But on the other hand, horses were… terrifying. They were like the monsters she read in her stories, only they were real. That sight of that poor stable hand made Melina’s stomach ill and her breath catch. She had been hysterics, crying for hours after that day. Since then even the thought of riding a horse brought a cold sweat to the girl.
It’s one simple word, Melina. No. You can do it. No.
“It should be fixed, father. I agree,” Melina nodded. Her hands sat upon the lap and she gripped the fabric of her clothes, knuckles white from how tight her grasp was. Would she have to ride on roads like these? What if the horse stumbled on a hole and knocked her off? What if her head cracked on the ground and she bled and her last, dying thoughts were: Am I even a Leventi?
Melina shook her head and sighed under her breath. She forced her fingers to loosen, flexing them to return circulation back to her hand. She had to calm herself. This would only be worse if her fear was completely apparent, wouldn’t it be? As if it isn’t already. She thought bitterly.
Melina just had to figure out a way out of this. Surely there had to be some solution that would please her father and not force her on top of the beast? Her father didn’t want her hurt, right? Melina would absolutely fall. She was clumsy enough walking on steady ground, let alone on the back of a horse. She’d break her leg or her arm or… worse. He must know that.
“Why don’t we stop by now, father?” The child bit her lip. “You could… talk to him about the roads and I could watch you work. It would be really interesting! And you know how quiet I am, I won’t even be noticed…” Honestly, that affair sounded dreadfully boring. And then Melina might have to speak to the children of the house, and without Xan or her sisters around Melina would just be worried about saying something wrong and making a fool of herself. But that, at least, was a common consequence of her actions. It was something she was used to. Horses on the other hand… well, it was the greater of two evils.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Telling her father no was out of the question. And yet, that was the only words Melina wished to tell him. No, father. I can’t do this. I won’t do this. The child was afraid. Her heart was pounding, her mouth was dry, and all she had wanted to do was cry the entire time she sat in this carriage ride.
Instead, she was quiet. She dared not say a word. She did not let her father know just how petrified she felt at the thought that he was bringing her to the stables and expected her to ride a horse. Melina was at a crossroads. On one hand, the thought of disappointing her father caused her heart to squeeze. She wanted more than anything to please him. Even as a child, the thought of failing him was crushing to her, especially when she worked so hard. But on the other hand, horses were… terrifying. They were like the monsters she read in her stories, only they were real. That sight of that poor stable hand made Melina’s stomach ill and her breath catch. She had been hysterics, crying for hours after that day. Since then even the thought of riding a horse brought a cold sweat to the girl.
It’s one simple word, Melina. No. You can do it. No.
“It should be fixed, father. I agree,” Melina nodded. Her hands sat upon the lap and she gripped the fabric of her clothes, knuckles white from how tight her grasp was. Would she have to ride on roads like these? What if the horse stumbled on a hole and knocked her off? What if her head cracked on the ground and she bled and her last, dying thoughts were: Am I even a Leventi?
Melina shook her head and sighed under her breath. She forced her fingers to loosen, flexing them to return circulation back to her hand. She had to calm herself. This would only be worse if her fear was completely apparent, wouldn’t it be? As if it isn’t already. She thought bitterly.
Melina just had to figure out a way out of this. Surely there had to be some solution that would please her father and not force her on top of the beast? Her father didn’t want her hurt, right? Melina would absolutely fall. She was clumsy enough walking on steady ground, let alone on the back of a horse. She’d break her leg or her arm or… worse. He must know that.
“Why don’t we stop by now, father?” The child bit her lip. “You could… talk to him about the roads and I could watch you work. It would be really interesting! And you know how quiet I am, I won’t even be noticed…” Honestly, that affair sounded dreadfully boring. And then Melina might have to speak to the children of the house, and without Xan or her sisters around Melina would just be worried about saying something wrong and making a fool of herself. But that, at least, was a common consequence of her actions. It was something she was used to. Horses on the other hand… well, it was the greater of two evils.
Telling her father no was out of the question. And yet, that was the only words Melina wished to tell him. No, father. I can’t do this. I won’t do this. The child was afraid. Her heart was pounding, her mouth was dry, and all she had wanted to do was cry the entire time she sat in this carriage ride.
Instead, she was quiet. She dared not say a word. She did not let her father know just how petrified she felt at the thought that he was bringing her to the stables and expected her to ride a horse. Melina was at a crossroads. On one hand, the thought of disappointing her father caused her heart to squeeze. She wanted more than anything to please him. Even as a child, the thought of failing him was crushing to her, especially when she worked so hard. But on the other hand, horses were… terrifying. They were like the monsters she read in her stories, only they were real. That sight of that poor stable hand made Melina’s stomach ill and her breath catch. She had been hysterics, crying for hours after that day. Since then even the thought of riding a horse brought a cold sweat to the girl.
It’s one simple word, Melina. No. You can do it. No.
“It should be fixed, father. I agree,” Melina nodded. Her hands sat upon the lap and she gripped the fabric of her clothes, knuckles white from how tight her grasp was. Would she have to ride on roads like these? What if the horse stumbled on a hole and knocked her off? What if her head cracked on the ground and she bled and her last, dying thoughts were: Am I even a Leventi?
Melina shook her head and sighed under her breath. She forced her fingers to loosen, flexing them to return circulation back to her hand. She had to calm herself. This would only be worse if her fear was completely apparent, wouldn’t it be? As if it isn’t already. She thought bitterly.
Melina just had to figure out a way out of this. Surely there had to be some solution that would please her father and not force her on top of the beast? Her father didn’t want her hurt, right? Melina would absolutely fall. She was clumsy enough walking on steady ground, let alone on the back of a horse. She’d break her leg or her arm or… worse. He must know that.
“Why don’t we stop by now, father?” The child bit her lip. “You could… talk to him about the roads and I could watch you work. It would be really interesting! And you know how quiet I am, I won’t even be noticed…” Honestly, that affair sounded dreadfully boring. And then Melina might have to speak to the children of the house, and without Xan or her sisters around Melina would just be worried about saying something wrong and making a fool of herself. But that, at least, was a common consequence of her actions. It was something she was used to. Horses on the other hand… well, it was the greater of two evils.