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.
This had not been his first choice of places to stay, especially considering how far it seemed to lower him in status. Where Lord Stravos would have once sneered at the mere thought of frequenting a bottom of the barrel inn, here he was living out of one of their many rooms. He had paid in advance with a little extra thrown in to ensure the silence of his hosts. The last thing he truly wanted was for so many questions about his dealings to arise among both the common bown and the nobility. Questions he both did not want to answer and those he absolutely could not. Not for the sake of all of his planning and the plans to come.
His mind and the minds of his family members had been in different spectrums for a while, but that did not mean that Keikelius would not be useful to the Stravos plans to see Elias elevated to the rank of a king. For that was the end goal in all of this. Gods forbid his own scheming would cease once Elias sat upon the throne. Then, his mind would be on how exactly to buy and keep the favor of the Athenian people for Elias' sake. At least until whatever heirs he bore with his future bride were born and settled perfectly into that line of succession.
But the lord had indulged his wants on that night and sent a letter off to his wife, inviting her to seek him out in the dying light of the day. A reconciliation of sorts, though its purpose would be purely selfish. After even so short of a time away from the princess, the man found himself missing the touch of her. The lilting of her voice. The secret smile that lit her lips for him and him alone. It was selfish. And it threatened to undo all of his work away from his family up to this point.
Except Keikelius was going to allow him this night of selfishness. Discreetly, but he would enjoy it nevertheless. Holed up in the boarding room he had been living in for the last little while, he awaited the arrival of Circenia with baited breath. Because there was a chance that she would not show. There was a chance that she would recoil from the very idea of lowering herself into this stage of the city. Where the lowlives frequented and the wine was of the cheaper variety. But it made for good cover and he sipped that same cheap wine from his cup as he sat at the small table in the room, having just finished burning his previous letters between himself and his family.
If all went well, soon enough Elias would be on the throne. But only if their plans fell into more cohesive placements and plans. Tonight would not include planning, but that was fine. Keikelius was sure that Circenia would now allow him the focus anyway. The princess could be so demanding when she wanted to be.
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
This had not been his first choice of places to stay, especially considering how far it seemed to lower him in status. Where Lord Stravos would have once sneered at the mere thought of frequenting a bottom of the barrel inn, here he was living out of one of their many rooms. He had paid in advance with a little extra thrown in to ensure the silence of his hosts. The last thing he truly wanted was for so many questions about his dealings to arise among both the common bown and the nobility. Questions he both did not want to answer and those he absolutely could not. Not for the sake of all of his planning and the plans to come.
His mind and the minds of his family members had been in different spectrums for a while, but that did not mean that Keikelius would not be useful to the Stravos plans to see Elias elevated to the rank of a king. For that was the end goal in all of this. Gods forbid his own scheming would cease once Elias sat upon the throne. Then, his mind would be on how exactly to buy and keep the favor of the Athenian people for Elias' sake. At least until whatever heirs he bore with his future bride were born and settled perfectly into that line of succession.
But the lord had indulged his wants on that night and sent a letter off to his wife, inviting her to seek him out in the dying light of the day. A reconciliation of sorts, though its purpose would be purely selfish. After even so short of a time away from the princess, the man found himself missing the touch of her. The lilting of her voice. The secret smile that lit her lips for him and him alone. It was selfish. And it threatened to undo all of his work away from his family up to this point.
Except Keikelius was going to allow him this night of selfishness. Discreetly, but he would enjoy it nevertheless. Holed up in the boarding room he had been living in for the last little while, he awaited the arrival of Circenia with baited breath. Because there was a chance that she would not show. There was a chance that she would recoil from the very idea of lowering herself into this stage of the city. Where the lowlives frequented and the wine was of the cheaper variety. But it made for good cover and he sipped that same cheap wine from his cup as he sat at the small table in the room, having just finished burning his previous letters between himself and his family.
If all went well, soon enough Elias would be on the throne. But only if their plans fell into more cohesive placements and plans. Tonight would not include planning, but that was fine. Keikelius was sure that Circenia would now allow him the focus anyway. The princess could be so demanding when she wanted to be.
This had not been his first choice of places to stay, especially considering how far it seemed to lower him in status. Where Lord Stravos would have once sneered at the mere thought of frequenting a bottom of the barrel inn, here he was living out of one of their many rooms. He had paid in advance with a little extra thrown in to ensure the silence of his hosts. The last thing he truly wanted was for so many questions about his dealings to arise among both the common bown and the nobility. Questions he both did not want to answer and those he absolutely could not. Not for the sake of all of his planning and the plans to come.
His mind and the minds of his family members had been in different spectrums for a while, but that did not mean that Keikelius would not be useful to the Stravos plans to see Elias elevated to the rank of a king. For that was the end goal in all of this. Gods forbid his own scheming would cease once Elias sat upon the throne. Then, his mind would be on how exactly to buy and keep the favor of the Athenian people for Elias' sake. At least until whatever heirs he bore with his future bride were born and settled perfectly into that line of succession.
But the lord had indulged his wants on that night and sent a letter off to his wife, inviting her to seek him out in the dying light of the day. A reconciliation of sorts, though its purpose would be purely selfish. After even so short of a time away from the princess, the man found himself missing the touch of her. The lilting of her voice. The secret smile that lit her lips for him and him alone. It was selfish. And it threatened to undo all of his work away from his family up to this point.
Except Keikelius was going to allow him this night of selfishness. Discreetly, but he would enjoy it nevertheless. Holed up in the boarding room he had been living in for the last little while, he awaited the arrival of Circenia with baited breath. Because there was a chance that she would not show. There was a chance that she would recoil from the very idea of lowering herself into this stage of the city. Where the lowlives frequented and the wine was of the cheaper variety. But it made for good cover and he sipped that same cheap wine from his cup as he sat at the small table in the room, having just finished burning his previous letters between himself and his family.
If all went well, soon enough Elias would be on the throne. But only if their plans fell into more cohesive placements and plans. Tonight would not include planning, but that was fine. Keikelius was sure that Circenia would now allow him the focus anyway. The princess could be so demanding when she wanted to be.
Circenia of Stravos clutched her husband’s letter in a trembling hand, devouring its words again and again as the dusky fingers of twilight started to paint the sky. Keikelius wanted to meet with her. Tonight. At a dirty tavern in the outer circle of the city. While the accommodations weren’t particularly ideal, and after her encounter with Cicero had left her wary of travelling into the lower parts of the city again… How could she say no?
In thirty years of marriage, the princess and her husband had never endured such a long separation (even if it wasn’t truly so long, all things considered). While the pair had quite the reputation for cruelty and callousness, all of that melted away when they were together. There was no doubt they brought out the best parts of each other, and this forced estrangement was bringing out the worst in Circenia. Twice over the past week alone, she had verbally assaulted a servant into tears and forced them from the house. Her sleeping patterns were erratic, often remaining awake into the early hours of the morning, while she laid alone in her cold, empty bed. Every day saw more and more wine consumed, a shorter temper, and a sharper hand. With her son and her husband away from her, the Stravos matriarch was steadily falling into a dark despair.
So, when she received the letter penned in her husband’s achingly familiar hand, she trembled not with fear, but with excitement. The chance to see Keikelius again up close, to feel his arms around her and hear his deep rumble of a voice murmuring in her ear… gods, but how could she resist? Undoubtedly, it was a dangerous risk, but it was a risk she was willing to take. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could endure this.
Swathed in a dark cloak of charcoal wool and an equally drab chiton of ash grey, Circenia ventured out of the archontiko with a knife hidden beneath her skirt. Forgoing cosmetics, jewelry, and any fancy coifing of her hair, Circenia left behind her ostentatious sense of fashion in favor of plain obscurity. Without all the accompanying accoutrement that screamed of her royalty, there were few who would recognize her outside of Keikelius himself. While she would have loved to go to him decked out like a queen, she knew that was nothing more than foolish vanity. They were already playing a dangerous game. There was no need to raise the stakes even higher.
The princess made the walk down into the lower parts of the city without even a guard accompanying her; while her solitude was risky, she judged it far riskier to bring any unnecessary attention to herself. Besides, the fewer people who knew about this liaison, the better. No need to take the chance for loose lips.
Arriving at the tavern her husband described in the letter, Circenia stopped outside, straightened her shoulders, and took a deep breath. Nerves were quickly starting to gather, a foolish response that she always thought herself above. Why was she nervous? This was her husband, for the gods’ sakes. This wasn’t some illicit affair, even if it was shrouded in shadows and secrecy. Yes, they had been apart for some time now, but that didn’t change anything. Nothing could ever stand in the way of what they had. Not even the potential crumbling of a kingdom.
Appropriately chastised by the annoyed voice in the back of her head, Circenia entered the tavern, crystalline eyes searching the room for any sign of her husband. At last, her gaze rested on another shrouded figure in the back of the room, a shape that was so poignantly familiar, it made her heart ache. Her lungs froze for a long moment as she simply looked at him. She wanted to run to him, to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him until neither of them could breathe or speak. Of course, she could do no such thing; discretion was of the utmost importance in a meeting like this. But gods… she would have given anything in that moment to let go of all inhibition and simply behave as a woman in love.
Instead, she held herself with a steady decorum as she approached, taking the seat across from him without waiting for an invitation. Lowering her hood so that he might look upon her face, the princess’s lips curled into a slow smile. Rather than jumping across the table into his arms, she simply placed her hand on top of his with a shuddering sigh.
“Keikelius,” she breathed in a trembling whisper, her eyes raking over his face as she desperately re-memorized every single line, every carved feature. A quick glance around them assured her no one was watching, bringing his hand to her mouth as she pressed a kiss to his palm. Closing her eyes for a moment as she held his fingers to her cheek, she finally sighed and released him. “Gods, but how I have missed you.”
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
Circenia of Stravos clutched her husband’s letter in a trembling hand, devouring its words again and again as the dusky fingers of twilight started to paint the sky. Keikelius wanted to meet with her. Tonight. At a dirty tavern in the outer circle of the city. While the accommodations weren’t particularly ideal, and after her encounter with Cicero had left her wary of travelling into the lower parts of the city again… How could she say no?
In thirty years of marriage, the princess and her husband had never endured such a long separation (even if it wasn’t truly so long, all things considered). While the pair had quite the reputation for cruelty and callousness, all of that melted away when they were together. There was no doubt they brought out the best parts of each other, and this forced estrangement was bringing out the worst in Circenia. Twice over the past week alone, she had verbally assaulted a servant into tears and forced them from the house. Her sleeping patterns were erratic, often remaining awake into the early hours of the morning, while she laid alone in her cold, empty bed. Every day saw more and more wine consumed, a shorter temper, and a sharper hand. With her son and her husband away from her, the Stravos matriarch was steadily falling into a dark despair.
So, when she received the letter penned in her husband’s achingly familiar hand, she trembled not with fear, but with excitement. The chance to see Keikelius again up close, to feel his arms around her and hear his deep rumble of a voice murmuring in her ear… gods, but how could she resist? Undoubtedly, it was a dangerous risk, but it was a risk she was willing to take. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could endure this.
Swathed in a dark cloak of charcoal wool and an equally drab chiton of ash grey, Circenia ventured out of the archontiko with a knife hidden beneath her skirt. Forgoing cosmetics, jewelry, and any fancy coifing of her hair, Circenia left behind her ostentatious sense of fashion in favor of plain obscurity. Without all the accompanying accoutrement that screamed of her royalty, there were few who would recognize her outside of Keikelius himself. While she would have loved to go to him decked out like a queen, she knew that was nothing more than foolish vanity. They were already playing a dangerous game. There was no need to raise the stakes even higher.
The princess made the walk down into the lower parts of the city without even a guard accompanying her; while her solitude was risky, she judged it far riskier to bring any unnecessary attention to herself. Besides, the fewer people who knew about this liaison, the better. No need to take the chance for loose lips.
Arriving at the tavern her husband described in the letter, Circenia stopped outside, straightened her shoulders, and took a deep breath. Nerves were quickly starting to gather, a foolish response that she always thought herself above. Why was she nervous? This was her husband, for the gods’ sakes. This wasn’t some illicit affair, even if it was shrouded in shadows and secrecy. Yes, they had been apart for some time now, but that didn’t change anything. Nothing could ever stand in the way of what they had. Not even the potential crumbling of a kingdom.
Appropriately chastised by the annoyed voice in the back of her head, Circenia entered the tavern, crystalline eyes searching the room for any sign of her husband. At last, her gaze rested on another shrouded figure in the back of the room, a shape that was so poignantly familiar, it made her heart ache. Her lungs froze for a long moment as she simply looked at him. She wanted to run to him, to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him until neither of them could breathe or speak. Of course, she could do no such thing; discretion was of the utmost importance in a meeting like this. But gods… she would have given anything in that moment to let go of all inhibition and simply behave as a woman in love.
Instead, she held herself with a steady decorum as she approached, taking the seat across from him without waiting for an invitation. Lowering her hood so that he might look upon her face, the princess’s lips curled into a slow smile. Rather than jumping across the table into his arms, she simply placed her hand on top of his with a shuddering sigh.
“Keikelius,” she breathed in a trembling whisper, her eyes raking over his face as she desperately re-memorized every single line, every carved feature. A quick glance around them assured her no one was watching, bringing his hand to her mouth as she pressed a kiss to his palm. Closing her eyes for a moment as she held his fingers to her cheek, she finally sighed and released him. “Gods, but how I have missed you.”
Circenia of Stravos clutched her husband’s letter in a trembling hand, devouring its words again and again as the dusky fingers of twilight started to paint the sky. Keikelius wanted to meet with her. Tonight. At a dirty tavern in the outer circle of the city. While the accommodations weren’t particularly ideal, and after her encounter with Cicero had left her wary of travelling into the lower parts of the city again… How could she say no?
In thirty years of marriage, the princess and her husband had never endured such a long separation (even if it wasn’t truly so long, all things considered). While the pair had quite the reputation for cruelty and callousness, all of that melted away when they were together. There was no doubt they brought out the best parts of each other, and this forced estrangement was bringing out the worst in Circenia. Twice over the past week alone, she had verbally assaulted a servant into tears and forced them from the house. Her sleeping patterns were erratic, often remaining awake into the early hours of the morning, while she laid alone in her cold, empty bed. Every day saw more and more wine consumed, a shorter temper, and a sharper hand. With her son and her husband away from her, the Stravos matriarch was steadily falling into a dark despair.
So, when she received the letter penned in her husband’s achingly familiar hand, she trembled not with fear, but with excitement. The chance to see Keikelius again up close, to feel his arms around her and hear his deep rumble of a voice murmuring in her ear… gods, but how could she resist? Undoubtedly, it was a dangerous risk, but it was a risk she was willing to take. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could endure this.
Swathed in a dark cloak of charcoal wool and an equally drab chiton of ash grey, Circenia ventured out of the archontiko with a knife hidden beneath her skirt. Forgoing cosmetics, jewelry, and any fancy coifing of her hair, Circenia left behind her ostentatious sense of fashion in favor of plain obscurity. Without all the accompanying accoutrement that screamed of her royalty, there were few who would recognize her outside of Keikelius himself. While she would have loved to go to him decked out like a queen, she knew that was nothing more than foolish vanity. They were already playing a dangerous game. There was no need to raise the stakes even higher.
The princess made the walk down into the lower parts of the city without even a guard accompanying her; while her solitude was risky, she judged it far riskier to bring any unnecessary attention to herself. Besides, the fewer people who knew about this liaison, the better. No need to take the chance for loose lips.
Arriving at the tavern her husband described in the letter, Circenia stopped outside, straightened her shoulders, and took a deep breath. Nerves were quickly starting to gather, a foolish response that she always thought herself above. Why was she nervous? This was her husband, for the gods’ sakes. This wasn’t some illicit affair, even if it was shrouded in shadows and secrecy. Yes, they had been apart for some time now, but that didn’t change anything. Nothing could ever stand in the way of what they had. Not even the potential crumbling of a kingdom.
Appropriately chastised by the annoyed voice in the back of her head, Circenia entered the tavern, crystalline eyes searching the room for any sign of her husband. At last, her gaze rested on another shrouded figure in the back of the room, a shape that was so poignantly familiar, it made her heart ache. Her lungs froze for a long moment as she simply looked at him. She wanted to run to him, to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him until neither of them could breathe or speak. Of course, she could do no such thing; discretion was of the utmost importance in a meeting like this. But gods… she would have given anything in that moment to let go of all inhibition and simply behave as a woman in love.
Instead, she held herself with a steady decorum as she approached, taking the seat across from him without waiting for an invitation. Lowering her hood so that he might look upon her face, the princess’s lips curled into a slow smile. Rather than jumping across the table into his arms, she simply placed her hand on top of his with a shuddering sigh.
“Keikelius,” she breathed in a trembling whisper, her eyes raking over his face as she desperately re-memorized every single line, every carved feature. A quick glance around them assured her no one was watching, bringing his hand to her mouth as she pressed a kiss to his palm. Closing her eyes for a moment as she held his fingers to her cheek, she finally sighed and released him. “Gods, but how I have missed you.”