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.
“How many times has someone asked you to come away with them?”
Carefully pouring a second glass of wine, Euterpe looked up with an absent sound at the man’s question. It took her a moment to realize what he’d asked, and when she did, she smiled. “Many times,” she replied, gingerly balancing both goblets as she carried them over to the bed. “More times than I can count now, I think.”
Her laughter was warm and rich, rich as the cloying liquid that clung to each of their tongues. Settling back on the bed, the priestess tucked herself in close to Alec, a longtime client and one she even considered a friend. His arm wrapped around her without thinking, draping across her waist as he took a sip of his wine. “Do you think you ever would?”
“Why? Are you going to ask me too, hm?” Euterpe teased him with a lopsided smile, an affectionate hand roaming over his beard while he returned her smile.
“Don’t think I wouldn’t if I didn’t already know the answer,” he teased in return, though they both knew that was a lie. Somehow, Euterpe doubted his wife would appreciate such a sentiment. “But no, I mean it. If the right person came along, would you leave the priesthood for them?”
The look on her face was pensive, swirling the wine in her glass as she thought over her answer. “I don’t know,” she finally said, hazel eyes glancing up to meet his with a smile. She went on to explain, “It’s a more complicated question than you might think. Love, of course, is what drew me to the priesthood in the first place. I, of anyone, understand the power and influence that love has in a person’s life. I’ve fallen in love countless times, and each time it was different. Sometimes it was powerful and intense, overwhelming in its intensity. Other times, it was a calm and gentle thing, tame yet uplifting all the same. No matter how many times it happens, it’s never the same experience.”
Taking another swallow of her wine, she glanced at him again to ensure he was still listening. Nodding, he indicated for her to keep talking, his fingers casually running down the length of her side. Chuckling, she continued, “Yet, no matter how many times I fall in love, it still does not compare to the love I have for my work. Any time I’ve questioned whether or not the love I felt for someone was enough to make me leave it behind, the answer has always been a resounding no.”
Euterpe’s head tilted thoughtfully to the side. “But, as one who exalts love, as one who holds such a powerful reverence for what it can do… in theory, if I answered that question with a yes instead, perhaps I would leave. All those who come to me, I tell them to follow their hearts. If I did not do the same, what would that make me?”
Alec nodded again at her response, digesting her words with a sip of his wine. “Is there a reason you could not have both?” he asked, the hand on her waist drifting upward to run through her hair. “Why must there be a choice?”
“A prostitute, however sacred, is not typically the best candidate for marriage,” she answered with a snort of amusement. “I give my love freely and without reservation to any and all who ask it. I lay with men and women, young and old, rich and poor without shame. Yes, I lay with them for money, but it’s more than that to me. Many who seek my services yearn for a genuine connection, an experience they just won’t get in a common brothel. And unlike so many who work in those common brothels, I truly enjoy it. It gives me purpose and a positive influence in other people’s lives. While many may doubt and naysay it, I know what I do makes a difference. I’ve seen it firsthand, and I’m just not willing to sacrifice that to be at the behest of only one man. I’ve always been clear about that for any who would seek further favor from me. If that is something they cannot cope with, then they are free to leave.” Her smile was somewhat sad when she added, “Eventually, they always do.”
The man’s head rested atop Euterpe’s, pulling her in closer at that look on her face. He hadn’t meant to upset her with his questioning—his only motive was curiosity. “I’m sorry, Euterpe. That sounds very lonely.”
Shaking her head, she twisted slightly so that she could kiss his cheek. “On the contrary, Alec. I am the furthest thing from lonely.” Her smile lost its bit of melancholy, nuzzling lightly against his cheek. “Love takes many courses, but marriage isn’t always one of them. And I am fine with that. I cannot imagine anything in this world more fulfilling than what I already do.”
It was true; Euterpe did find immense joy in how she lived her life. As with anything, there would always be down sides; after all, no one’s life was perfect. But the priestess never experienced a moment of doubt that her feet were on the right path. Her heart was full, her soul was at ease, and she wanted for naught. What more could she ever ask for?
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
“How many times has someone asked you to come away with them?”
Carefully pouring a second glass of wine, Euterpe looked up with an absent sound at the man’s question. It took her a moment to realize what he’d asked, and when she did, she smiled. “Many times,” she replied, gingerly balancing both goblets as she carried them over to the bed. “More times than I can count now, I think.”
Her laughter was warm and rich, rich as the cloying liquid that clung to each of their tongues. Settling back on the bed, the priestess tucked herself in close to Alec, a longtime client and one she even considered a friend. His arm wrapped around her without thinking, draping across her waist as he took a sip of his wine. “Do you think you ever would?”
“Why? Are you going to ask me too, hm?” Euterpe teased him with a lopsided smile, an affectionate hand roaming over his beard while he returned her smile.
“Don’t think I wouldn’t if I didn’t already know the answer,” he teased in return, though they both knew that was a lie. Somehow, Euterpe doubted his wife would appreciate such a sentiment. “But no, I mean it. If the right person came along, would you leave the priesthood for them?”
The look on her face was pensive, swirling the wine in her glass as she thought over her answer. “I don’t know,” she finally said, hazel eyes glancing up to meet his with a smile. She went on to explain, “It’s a more complicated question than you might think. Love, of course, is what drew me to the priesthood in the first place. I, of anyone, understand the power and influence that love has in a person’s life. I’ve fallen in love countless times, and each time it was different. Sometimes it was powerful and intense, overwhelming in its intensity. Other times, it was a calm and gentle thing, tame yet uplifting all the same. No matter how many times it happens, it’s never the same experience.”
Taking another swallow of her wine, she glanced at him again to ensure he was still listening. Nodding, he indicated for her to keep talking, his fingers casually running down the length of her side. Chuckling, she continued, “Yet, no matter how many times I fall in love, it still does not compare to the love I have for my work. Any time I’ve questioned whether or not the love I felt for someone was enough to make me leave it behind, the answer has always been a resounding no.”
Euterpe’s head tilted thoughtfully to the side. “But, as one who exalts love, as one who holds such a powerful reverence for what it can do… in theory, if I answered that question with a yes instead, perhaps I would leave. All those who come to me, I tell them to follow their hearts. If I did not do the same, what would that make me?”
Alec nodded again at her response, digesting her words with a sip of his wine. “Is there a reason you could not have both?” he asked, the hand on her waist drifting upward to run through her hair. “Why must there be a choice?”
“A prostitute, however sacred, is not typically the best candidate for marriage,” she answered with a snort of amusement. “I give my love freely and without reservation to any and all who ask it. I lay with men and women, young and old, rich and poor without shame. Yes, I lay with them for money, but it’s more than that to me. Many who seek my services yearn for a genuine connection, an experience they just won’t get in a common brothel. And unlike so many who work in those common brothels, I truly enjoy it. It gives me purpose and a positive influence in other people’s lives. While many may doubt and naysay it, I know what I do makes a difference. I’ve seen it firsthand, and I’m just not willing to sacrifice that to be at the behest of only one man. I’ve always been clear about that for any who would seek further favor from me. If that is something they cannot cope with, then they are free to leave.” Her smile was somewhat sad when she added, “Eventually, they always do.”
The man’s head rested atop Euterpe’s, pulling her in closer at that look on her face. He hadn’t meant to upset her with his questioning—his only motive was curiosity. “I’m sorry, Euterpe. That sounds very lonely.”
Shaking her head, she twisted slightly so that she could kiss his cheek. “On the contrary, Alec. I am the furthest thing from lonely.” Her smile lost its bit of melancholy, nuzzling lightly against his cheek. “Love takes many courses, but marriage isn’t always one of them. And I am fine with that. I cannot imagine anything in this world more fulfilling than what I already do.”
It was true; Euterpe did find immense joy in how she lived her life. As with anything, there would always be down sides; after all, no one’s life was perfect. But the priestess never experienced a moment of doubt that her feet were on the right path. Her heart was full, her soul was at ease, and she wanted for naught. What more could she ever ask for?
“How many times has someone asked you to come away with them?”
Carefully pouring a second glass of wine, Euterpe looked up with an absent sound at the man’s question. It took her a moment to realize what he’d asked, and when she did, she smiled. “Many times,” she replied, gingerly balancing both goblets as she carried them over to the bed. “More times than I can count now, I think.”
Her laughter was warm and rich, rich as the cloying liquid that clung to each of their tongues. Settling back on the bed, the priestess tucked herself in close to Alec, a longtime client and one she even considered a friend. His arm wrapped around her without thinking, draping across her waist as he took a sip of his wine. “Do you think you ever would?”
“Why? Are you going to ask me too, hm?” Euterpe teased him with a lopsided smile, an affectionate hand roaming over his beard while he returned her smile.
“Don’t think I wouldn’t if I didn’t already know the answer,” he teased in return, though they both knew that was a lie. Somehow, Euterpe doubted his wife would appreciate such a sentiment. “But no, I mean it. If the right person came along, would you leave the priesthood for them?”
The look on her face was pensive, swirling the wine in her glass as she thought over her answer. “I don’t know,” she finally said, hazel eyes glancing up to meet his with a smile. She went on to explain, “It’s a more complicated question than you might think. Love, of course, is what drew me to the priesthood in the first place. I, of anyone, understand the power and influence that love has in a person’s life. I’ve fallen in love countless times, and each time it was different. Sometimes it was powerful and intense, overwhelming in its intensity. Other times, it was a calm and gentle thing, tame yet uplifting all the same. No matter how many times it happens, it’s never the same experience.”
Taking another swallow of her wine, she glanced at him again to ensure he was still listening. Nodding, he indicated for her to keep talking, his fingers casually running down the length of her side. Chuckling, she continued, “Yet, no matter how many times I fall in love, it still does not compare to the love I have for my work. Any time I’ve questioned whether or not the love I felt for someone was enough to make me leave it behind, the answer has always been a resounding no.”
Euterpe’s head tilted thoughtfully to the side. “But, as one who exalts love, as one who holds such a powerful reverence for what it can do… in theory, if I answered that question with a yes instead, perhaps I would leave. All those who come to me, I tell them to follow their hearts. If I did not do the same, what would that make me?”
Alec nodded again at her response, digesting her words with a sip of his wine. “Is there a reason you could not have both?” he asked, the hand on her waist drifting upward to run through her hair. “Why must there be a choice?”
“A prostitute, however sacred, is not typically the best candidate for marriage,” she answered with a snort of amusement. “I give my love freely and without reservation to any and all who ask it. I lay with men and women, young and old, rich and poor without shame. Yes, I lay with them for money, but it’s more than that to me. Many who seek my services yearn for a genuine connection, an experience they just won’t get in a common brothel. And unlike so many who work in those common brothels, I truly enjoy it. It gives me purpose and a positive influence in other people’s lives. While many may doubt and naysay it, I know what I do makes a difference. I’ve seen it firsthand, and I’m just not willing to sacrifice that to be at the behest of only one man. I’ve always been clear about that for any who would seek further favor from me. If that is something they cannot cope with, then they are free to leave.” Her smile was somewhat sad when she added, “Eventually, they always do.”
The man’s head rested atop Euterpe’s, pulling her in closer at that look on her face. He hadn’t meant to upset her with his questioning—his only motive was curiosity. “I’m sorry, Euterpe. That sounds very lonely.”
Shaking her head, she twisted slightly so that she could kiss his cheek. “On the contrary, Alec. I am the furthest thing from lonely.” Her smile lost its bit of melancholy, nuzzling lightly against his cheek. “Love takes many courses, but marriage isn’t always one of them. And I am fine with that. I cannot imagine anything in this world more fulfilling than what I already do.”
It was true; Euterpe did find immense joy in how she lived her life. As with anything, there would always be down sides; after all, no one’s life was perfect. But the priestess never experienced a moment of doubt that her feet were on the right path. Her heart was full, her soul was at ease, and she wanted for naught. What more could she ever ask for?