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Alastor knew there was a sharp hiss in the Taengean air. The talks of scandal and the numerous deaths of princes and monarchs. The truth was a shroud of mystery, and facts were in constant flux. Alastor could spend days trying to piece together the subject, trying to figure out the new world that this created and just where his place was in it. But, that wasn't his prerogative just yet. While the young, Athenian-educated scholar wanted to take his place as a man, he was not yet obliged. There was something more important to take care of, first.
The letter surely arrived to Sara's home. He'd told her of his imminent arrival. He took one day to unpack his things, to rearrange his old room in his family home. Everything was just as he'd left it six months earlier, after a two month-long reprieve from his studies. It was worth it, to spend the long boat rides every time he came and went. To see his parents, sure. But, the most precious person outside of his family was what he really wanted to see. Sara of Vasiliadon was someone he'd spent the years coming to visit. He was fascinated by her, so taken for so long and somehow, she seemed to tolerate him. She made him laugh and smile, one of the few he really could stay around for as long as the both of them pleased.
Years ago, on another visit home, they'd found a place away from eyes in Vasiliadon. A sleepy town that was once under the watchful eye of Sara's half-brother, Lord Achilleas, the place remained their meeting place... He took the familiar steps with longer legs now, the nerves of years past long taken away. Instead, cautious anticipation that slowly unwound to true excitement. Alastor drank deeply from a wine skin, the tincture serving to calm his overly active mind. The thoughts always threatened his peace. There was enough noise to serve as the background for the negativity. What if Sara didn't get his message? What if she hated how he was dressed?
An azure chiton with a bronze fibulae at the right shoulder covered his form, tied at the waist with a leather belt. It was an Athenian garb, bought from a merchant there in his time. But, nonetheless, he thought it well enough. Fashions were so strange to him, the idea of a cut of fabric being better or more expensive while not serving any sort of functional advantage... He didn't often care for the nuances of fashion, but for her, he'd dress up. The scholar lay beneath a tree. Over the years, it seemed to become smaller and smaller, but logic dictated that it was because he grew taller. The morning shadows no longer covered the entirety of his legs, his pale, sandaled feet bathed in the sunlight.
Patiently, he'd wait for her. Excitedly, he'd think of what to say and how to say it. There was so much to talk about. The last few months of his tutelage in Athenia had brought him to the assertion that he needed to study politics. Athenian politics were very complicated, with machinations that stemmed from the very lowest of the social classes. He'd studied them intently, but couldn't quite... replicate it. But, he figured if he could not swing a sword or a hammer, that his best bet was to delve into the matters of the kingdom.
He wanted to be useful. He wanted to serve, and he'd tell Sara all of it, curious as to what she thought of it. But before all of that, they'd catch up on the smaller things. He'd hear her laugh, see her smile. He might even, if he felt daring enough, try to kiss her. The very thought brought a furious blush to his features, one that he very much hoped that Sara wouldn't see. While he waited, he'd been working on a drawing, a representation from memory of the Scholeio he'd spent years studying in. He figured, now that he'd never visit it again, that he should pay homage to it somehow. Strokes of his nib against paper kept steady by a book, Alastor thought on and on as he drew.
Why did I get here an hour early?
The simple answer was: he didn't really have anywhere else to be anyway. Not yet. But, time wore on and Alastor completed his drawing, intent on giving it to Sara.
Is it... considerate, to give Sara a picture of the place I was sent away from her to?
He questioned everything, a sense of panic building within. Should he just crumple the paper up and buy her a gift, instead?
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Everything was different, now.
Alastor knew there was a sharp hiss in the Taengean air. The talks of scandal and the numerous deaths of princes and monarchs. The truth was a shroud of mystery, and facts were in constant flux. Alastor could spend days trying to piece together the subject, trying to figure out the new world that this created and just where his place was in it. But, that wasn't his prerogative just yet. While the young, Athenian-educated scholar wanted to take his place as a man, he was not yet obliged. There was something more important to take care of, first.
The letter surely arrived to Sara's home. He'd told her of his imminent arrival. He took one day to unpack his things, to rearrange his old room in his family home. Everything was just as he'd left it six months earlier, after a two month-long reprieve from his studies. It was worth it, to spend the long boat rides every time he came and went. To see his parents, sure. But, the most precious person outside of his family was what he really wanted to see. Sara of Vasiliadon was someone he'd spent the years coming to visit. He was fascinated by her, so taken for so long and somehow, she seemed to tolerate him. She made him laugh and smile, one of the few he really could stay around for as long as the both of them pleased.
Years ago, on another visit home, they'd found a place away from eyes in Vasiliadon. A sleepy town that was once under the watchful eye of Sara's half-brother, Lord Achilleas, the place remained their meeting place... He took the familiar steps with longer legs now, the nerves of years past long taken away. Instead, cautious anticipation that slowly unwound to true excitement. Alastor drank deeply from a wine skin, the tincture serving to calm his overly active mind. The thoughts always threatened his peace. There was enough noise to serve as the background for the negativity. What if Sara didn't get his message? What if she hated how he was dressed?
An azure chiton with a bronze fibulae at the right shoulder covered his form, tied at the waist with a leather belt. It was an Athenian garb, bought from a merchant there in his time. But, nonetheless, he thought it well enough. Fashions were so strange to him, the idea of a cut of fabric being better or more expensive while not serving any sort of functional advantage... He didn't often care for the nuances of fashion, but for her, he'd dress up. The scholar lay beneath a tree. Over the years, it seemed to become smaller and smaller, but logic dictated that it was because he grew taller. The morning shadows no longer covered the entirety of his legs, his pale, sandaled feet bathed in the sunlight.
Patiently, he'd wait for her. Excitedly, he'd think of what to say and how to say it. There was so much to talk about. The last few months of his tutelage in Athenia had brought him to the assertion that he needed to study politics. Athenian politics were very complicated, with machinations that stemmed from the very lowest of the social classes. He'd studied them intently, but couldn't quite... replicate it. But, he figured if he could not swing a sword or a hammer, that his best bet was to delve into the matters of the kingdom.
He wanted to be useful. He wanted to serve, and he'd tell Sara all of it, curious as to what she thought of it. But before all of that, they'd catch up on the smaller things. He'd hear her laugh, see her smile. He might even, if he felt daring enough, try to kiss her. The very thought brought a furious blush to his features, one that he very much hoped that Sara wouldn't see. While he waited, he'd been working on a drawing, a representation from memory of the Scholeio he'd spent years studying in. He figured, now that he'd never visit it again, that he should pay homage to it somehow. Strokes of his nib against paper kept steady by a book, Alastor thought on and on as he drew.
Why did I get here an hour early?
The simple answer was: he didn't really have anywhere else to be anyway. Not yet. But, time wore on and Alastor completed his drawing, intent on giving it to Sara.
Is it... considerate, to give Sara a picture of the place I was sent away from her to?
He questioned everything, a sense of panic building within. Should he just crumple the paper up and buy her a gift, instead?
Everything was different, now.
Alastor knew there was a sharp hiss in the Taengean air. The talks of scandal and the numerous deaths of princes and monarchs. The truth was a shroud of mystery, and facts were in constant flux. Alastor could spend days trying to piece together the subject, trying to figure out the new world that this created and just where his place was in it. But, that wasn't his prerogative just yet. While the young, Athenian-educated scholar wanted to take his place as a man, he was not yet obliged. There was something more important to take care of, first.
The letter surely arrived to Sara's home. He'd told her of his imminent arrival. He took one day to unpack his things, to rearrange his old room in his family home. Everything was just as he'd left it six months earlier, after a two month-long reprieve from his studies. It was worth it, to spend the long boat rides every time he came and went. To see his parents, sure. But, the most precious person outside of his family was what he really wanted to see. Sara of Vasiliadon was someone he'd spent the years coming to visit. He was fascinated by her, so taken for so long and somehow, she seemed to tolerate him. She made him laugh and smile, one of the few he really could stay around for as long as the both of them pleased.
Years ago, on another visit home, they'd found a place away from eyes in Vasiliadon. A sleepy town that was once under the watchful eye of Sara's half-brother, Lord Achilleas, the place remained their meeting place... He took the familiar steps with longer legs now, the nerves of years past long taken away. Instead, cautious anticipation that slowly unwound to true excitement. Alastor drank deeply from a wine skin, the tincture serving to calm his overly active mind. The thoughts always threatened his peace. There was enough noise to serve as the background for the negativity. What if Sara didn't get his message? What if she hated how he was dressed?
An azure chiton with a bronze fibulae at the right shoulder covered his form, tied at the waist with a leather belt. It was an Athenian garb, bought from a merchant there in his time. But, nonetheless, he thought it well enough. Fashions were so strange to him, the idea of a cut of fabric being better or more expensive while not serving any sort of functional advantage... He didn't often care for the nuances of fashion, but for her, he'd dress up. The scholar lay beneath a tree. Over the years, it seemed to become smaller and smaller, but logic dictated that it was because he grew taller. The morning shadows no longer covered the entirety of his legs, his pale, sandaled feet bathed in the sunlight.
Patiently, he'd wait for her. Excitedly, he'd think of what to say and how to say it. There was so much to talk about. The last few months of his tutelage in Athenia had brought him to the assertion that he needed to study politics. Athenian politics were very complicated, with machinations that stemmed from the very lowest of the social classes. He'd studied them intently, but couldn't quite... replicate it. But, he figured if he could not swing a sword or a hammer, that his best bet was to delve into the matters of the kingdom.
He wanted to be useful. He wanted to serve, and he'd tell Sara all of it, curious as to what she thought of it. But before all of that, they'd catch up on the smaller things. He'd hear her laugh, see her smile. He might even, if he felt daring enough, try to kiss her. The very thought brought a furious blush to his features, one that he very much hoped that Sara wouldn't see. While he waited, he'd been working on a drawing, a representation from memory of the Scholeio he'd spent years studying in. He figured, now that he'd never visit it again, that he should pay homage to it somehow. Strokes of his nib against paper kept steady by a book, Alastor thought on and on as he drew.
Why did I get here an hour early?
The simple answer was: he didn't really have anywhere else to be anyway. Not yet. But, time wore on and Alastor completed his drawing, intent on giving it to Sara.
Is it... considerate, to give Sara a picture of the place I was sent away from her to?
He questioned everything, a sense of panic building within. Should he just crumple the paper up and buy her a gift, instead?
She had arrived in the small, sleepy town that had long been their meeting place just a little early. Euttica was her brother’s responsibility, and even though her brother held her at an arm’s length -- Sara felt safest meeting in secret here. She was certain...well, she was fairly certain that if she needed his help in any regard that Achilleas would lend it to her, or would see that his people would. She fingered the letter in her grip, as if to assure herself of its existence. She savored the muffled sound of her skin brushing against it, the memory of the letters’ contents bringing a serene smile to her face as she tried to keep an air of calm. Alastor was home. Alastor was home.
She’d told her mother that she was going to meet Achilleas today. There was certainly no way that her mother would have allowed her to go otherwise. Meeting in secret was not always the most ideal, but it was the most private. Sara had quite a few eyes on her, regardless of the fact that she was an illegitimate child and she would do nothing to bring shame onto the Mikaelidas name if she could help it. She was fiercely loyal to her family, even if they were not. She liked to believe the best of them, of everyone really, but somewhere in the darkest crevices of her heart -- she was afraid that without her father’s protection that she might become a snack for the very lions that she so dearly loved.
She turned attention to her appearance, hoping that it had fared well enough despite the journey. Her delicate hands, accustomed to pulling weeds from beds of flowers or helping the servants with their duties, pressed into the base of her neck, checking to make sure that none of her had fallen. This movement brought the letter closer to her face, brushing the scent of ink and paper to her -- along with the smells that belonged to him.
Alastor.
Her little affection for him had been something quite unexpected, really. They’d met as small children, shortly before he had gone away to Athenia for his studies. She chuckled at the memory of it now, how they’d both been sent out of his father’s shop. Him, so he would not be in the way. Her, to keep an eye on him while her mother negotiated for a special piece she wanted for Irakles. Sara tended to make fast friends, so it was no surprise at all when she’d done the same with Alastor. And she had followed through on her promises to write him, and thus...well, it was all history.
She tucked the letter away as she approached their meeting place, shaking out the material of her chiton -- it was her favorite one, the dark green a compliment to her features. Her steps were only the slightest bit hesitant, but Sara was growing more excited rather than nervous. She had not expected to see him again so soon, her aunt’s party being the last time and not very long ago at all. His visits were typically fewer and far between, so she wondered why he was home again so soon.
She came up from behind, the tree that served as the official marker looking like it had grown since the last time she had seen it. And beneath it’s shade, she could see Alastor bent over in concentration. She grinned, picking up the hem of her chiton so as not to give herself away -- stalking like the lioness she very much wanted to be. When she reached the tree, she set her hands on it’s trunk and leaned forward to look over his shoulder.
”What are you doing?” She asked, her voice smooth and level. Her eyes were twinkling with amusement, and she held her place against the tree with a satisfied smile. She looked him up and down, his finery not going unnoticed. ”Did you get all dressed up for me?” She asked, her tone only slightly teasing. If he had, she didn’t want him to feel bad.
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.
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She had arrived in the small, sleepy town that had long been their meeting place just a little early. Euttica was her brother’s responsibility, and even though her brother held her at an arm’s length -- Sara felt safest meeting in secret here. She was certain...well, she was fairly certain that if she needed his help in any regard that Achilleas would lend it to her, or would see that his people would. She fingered the letter in her grip, as if to assure herself of its existence. She savored the muffled sound of her skin brushing against it, the memory of the letters’ contents bringing a serene smile to her face as she tried to keep an air of calm. Alastor was home. Alastor was home.
She’d told her mother that she was going to meet Achilleas today. There was certainly no way that her mother would have allowed her to go otherwise. Meeting in secret was not always the most ideal, but it was the most private. Sara had quite a few eyes on her, regardless of the fact that she was an illegitimate child and she would do nothing to bring shame onto the Mikaelidas name if she could help it. She was fiercely loyal to her family, even if they were not. She liked to believe the best of them, of everyone really, but somewhere in the darkest crevices of her heart -- she was afraid that without her father’s protection that she might become a snack for the very lions that she so dearly loved.
She turned attention to her appearance, hoping that it had fared well enough despite the journey. Her delicate hands, accustomed to pulling weeds from beds of flowers or helping the servants with their duties, pressed into the base of her neck, checking to make sure that none of her had fallen. This movement brought the letter closer to her face, brushing the scent of ink and paper to her -- along with the smells that belonged to him.
Alastor.
Her little affection for him had been something quite unexpected, really. They’d met as small children, shortly before he had gone away to Athenia for his studies. She chuckled at the memory of it now, how they’d both been sent out of his father’s shop. Him, so he would not be in the way. Her, to keep an eye on him while her mother negotiated for a special piece she wanted for Irakles. Sara tended to make fast friends, so it was no surprise at all when she’d done the same with Alastor. And she had followed through on her promises to write him, and thus...well, it was all history.
She tucked the letter away as she approached their meeting place, shaking out the material of her chiton -- it was her favorite one, the dark green a compliment to her features. Her steps were only the slightest bit hesitant, but Sara was growing more excited rather than nervous. She had not expected to see him again so soon, her aunt’s party being the last time and not very long ago at all. His visits were typically fewer and far between, so she wondered why he was home again so soon.
She came up from behind, the tree that served as the official marker looking like it had grown since the last time she had seen it. And beneath it’s shade, she could see Alastor bent over in concentration. She grinned, picking up the hem of her chiton so as not to give herself away -- stalking like the lioness she very much wanted to be. When she reached the tree, she set her hands on it’s trunk and leaned forward to look over his shoulder.
”What are you doing?” She asked, her voice smooth and level. Her eyes were twinkling with amusement, and she held her place against the tree with a satisfied smile. She looked him up and down, his finery not going unnoticed. ”Did you get all dressed up for me?” She asked, her tone only slightly teasing. If he had, she didn’t want him to feel bad.
She had arrived in the small, sleepy town that had long been their meeting place just a little early. Euttica was her brother’s responsibility, and even though her brother held her at an arm’s length -- Sara felt safest meeting in secret here. She was certain...well, she was fairly certain that if she needed his help in any regard that Achilleas would lend it to her, or would see that his people would. She fingered the letter in her grip, as if to assure herself of its existence. She savored the muffled sound of her skin brushing against it, the memory of the letters’ contents bringing a serene smile to her face as she tried to keep an air of calm. Alastor was home. Alastor was home.
She’d told her mother that she was going to meet Achilleas today. There was certainly no way that her mother would have allowed her to go otherwise. Meeting in secret was not always the most ideal, but it was the most private. Sara had quite a few eyes on her, regardless of the fact that she was an illegitimate child and she would do nothing to bring shame onto the Mikaelidas name if she could help it. She was fiercely loyal to her family, even if they were not. She liked to believe the best of them, of everyone really, but somewhere in the darkest crevices of her heart -- she was afraid that without her father’s protection that she might become a snack for the very lions that she so dearly loved.
She turned attention to her appearance, hoping that it had fared well enough despite the journey. Her delicate hands, accustomed to pulling weeds from beds of flowers or helping the servants with their duties, pressed into the base of her neck, checking to make sure that none of her had fallen. This movement brought the letter closer to her face, brushing the scent of ink and paper to her -- along with the smells that belonged to him.
Alastor.
Her little affection for him had been something quite unexpected, really. They’d met as small children, shortly before he had gone away to Athenia for his studies. She chuckled at the memory of it now, how they’d both been sent out of his father’s shop. Him, so he would not be in the way. Her, to keep an eye on him while her mother negotiated for a special piece she wanted for Irakles. Sara tended to make fast friends, so it was no surprise at all when she’d done the same with Alastor. And she had followed through on her promises to write him, and thus...well, it was all history.
She tucked the letter away as she approached their meeting place, shaking out the material of her chiton -- it was her favorite one, the dark green a compliment to her features. Her steps were only the slightest bit hesitant, but Sara was growing more excited rather than nervous. She had not expected to see him again so soon, her aunt’s party being the last time and not very long ago at all. His visits were typically fewer and far between, so she wondered why he was home again so soon.
She came up from behind, the tree that served as the official marker looking like it had grown since the last time she had seen it. And beneath it’s shade, she could see Alastor bent over in concentration. She grinned, picking up the hem of her chiton so as not to give herself away -- stalking like the lioness she very much wanted to be. When she reached the tree, she set her hands on it’s trunk and leaned forward to look over his shoulder.
”What are you doing?” She asked, her voice smooth and level. Her eyes were twinkling with amusement, and she held her place against the tree with a satisfied smile. She looked him up and down, his finery not going unnoticed. ”Did you get all dressed up for me?” She asked, her tone only slightly teasing. If he had, she didn’t want him to feel bad.
Secrecy did not lend well to Alastor of Vasiliadon. More honest than was, perhaps, good for someone in his position, he found the dance between fiction and reality among his many struggles. People always set the young man on edge, the nebulous nature of the human psyche a factor that was increasingly difficult to predict. Or was it more difficult to predict now that he was inclined to pay more attention? The debate was rife within Alastor as he considered it, the idea distracting him from the drawing, and the nerves. A meandering into the pseudo-philosophy of his own existence was more than enough to drift his attention to the comfortable thoughts that isolated him from the world.
So, when she approached, shifting between the movements of his nib and the thoughts in his head, he did not hear her. His fingers worked the nib along the sheet, abandoning the idea of throwing it aside. He'd have to be more stalwart in his convictions, stop questioning his ideas and his intentions if he ever intended to move forward. The world passed him by up until her voice broke through the aether of silence, and the start caused Alastor to jump up and strike the back of his head against the bark of the tree he was leaned up against. A groan of displeasure escaped his lips, his features twisted up in a wince of pain that closed his eyes.
He didn't see Sara yet, but he knew, of course, that she was there. That voice was unmistakable, and despite the flickering pain that bloomed against his skull, he felt the tick within his chest increase. A pulse waxed further and further as she posed her question, the flush obvious upon his features as he paused in thought. While her voice seemed forgiving in tone, the quiet chastisement in her words wasn't missed. He'd worn similar garbs all throughout his time in Athenia, and while he'd chosen this particular one for this day, it wasn't as though he'd dressed so well as to stand out. He looked a wandering scholar, or at least, he hoped he did.
Maybe I just look like some stuffy book nerd?
The question haunted him. Being thought poorly of often didn't phase Alastor too terribly, but the idea of those thoughts belonging to Sara certainly caused the stress to bundle within him. He merely shrugged his shoulders, a soft laughter accompanying his words as he said,
"It's just something I'd wear a lot in Athenia. I think it's very distinguished."
He offered the words with a growing smile, for despite his trepidation, there was no ignoring Sara or keeping her at an arm's length for long. The girl caused a stir within him that he wasn't accustomed to. He shifted in place, offering her some room on the trunk of the tree to rest her back and sit next to him if she so wished to.
"As to what I was doing... it was just a quick drawing. It's the place that kept me away for so long. The scholeio of Athenia. At least, the fairest representation I could make given my limited experience in artistry."
He'd hold the drawing at both ends to spread the sheet apart for Sara to look at if she chose to.
"It's so good to see you again, Sara. You know... I won't have to say sorrowful goodbyes anymore."
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.
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Secrecy did not lend well to Alastor of Vasiliadon. More honest than was, perhaps, good for someone in his position, he found the dance between fiction and reality among his many struggles. People always set the young man on edge, the nebulous nature of the human psyche a factor that was increasingly difficult to predict. Or was it more difficult to predict now that he was inclined to pay more attention? The debate was rife within Alastor as he considered it, the idea distracting him from the drawing, and the nerves. A meandering into the pseudo-philosophy of his own existence was more than enough to drift his attention to the comfortable thoughts that isolated him from the world.
So, when she approached, shifting between the movements of his nib and the thoughts in his head, he did not hear her. His fingers worked the nib along the sheet, abandoning the idea of throwing it aside. He'd have to be more stalwart in his convictions, stop questioning his ideas and his intentions if he ever intended to move forward. The world passed him by up until her voice broke through the aether of silence, and the start caused Alastor to jump up and strike the back of his head against the bark of the tree he was leaned up against. A groan of displeasure escaped his lips, his features twisted up in a wince of pain that closed his eyes.
He didn't see Sara yet, but he knew, of course, that she was there. That voice was unmistakable, and despite the flickering pain that bloomed against his skull, he felt the tick within his chest increase. A pulse waxed further and further as she posed her question, the flush obvious upon his features as he paused in thought. While her voice seemed forgiving in tone, the quiet chastisement in her words wasn't missed. He'd worn similar garbs all throughout his time in Athenia, and while he'd chosen this particular one for this day, it wasn't as though he'd dressed so well as to stand out. He looked a wandering scholar, or at least, he hoped he did.
Maybe I just look like some stuffy book nerd?
The question haunted him. Being thought poorly of often didn't phase Alastor too terribly, but the idea of those thoughts belonging to Sara certainly caused the stress to bundle within him. He merely shrugged his shoulders, a soft laughter accompanying his words as he said,
"It's just something I'd wear a lot in Athenia. I think it's very distinguished."
He offered the words with a growing smile, for despite his trepidation, there was no ignoring Sara or keeping her at an arm's length for long. The girl caused a stir within him that he wasn't accustomed to. He shifted in place, offering her some room on the trunk of the tree to rest her back and sit next to him if she so wished to.
"As to what I was doing... it was just a quick drawing. It's the place that kept me away for so long. The scholeio of Athenia. At least, the fairest representation I could make given my limited experience in artistry."
He'd hold the drawing at both ends to spread the sheet apart for Sara to look at if she chose to.
"It's so good to see you again, Sara. You know... I won't have to say sorrowful goodbyes anymore."
Secrecy did not lend well to Alastor of Vasiliadon. More honest than was, perhaps, good for someone in his position, he found the dance between fiction and reality among his many struggles. People always set the young man on edge, the nebulous nature of the human psyche a factor that was increasingly difficult to predict. Or was it more difficult to predict now that he was inclined to pay more attention? The debate was rife within Alastor as he considered it, the idea distracting him from the drawing, and the nerves. A meandering into the pseudo-philosophy of his own existence was more than enough to drift his attention to the comfortable thoughts that isolated him from the world.
So, when she approached, shifting between the movements of his nib and the thoughts in his head, he did not hear her. His fingers worked the nib along the sheet, abandoning the idea of throwing it aside. He'd have to be more stalwart in his convictions, stop questioning his ideas and his intentions if he ever intended to move forward. The world passed him by up until her voice broke through the aether of silence, and the start caused Alastor to jump up and strike the back of his head against the bark of the tree he was leaned up against. A groan of displeasure escaped his lips, his features twisted up in a wince of pain that closed his eyes.
He didn't see Sara yet, but he knew, of course, that she was there. That voice was unmistakable, and despite the flickering pain that bloomed against his skull, he felt the tick within his chest increase. A pulse waxed further and further as she posed her question, the flush obvious upon his features as he paused in thought. While her voice seemed forgiving in tone, the quiet chastisement in her words wasn't missed. He'd worn similar garbs all throughout his time in Athenia, and while he'd chosen this particular one for this day, it wasn't as though he'd dressed so well as to stand out. He looked a wandering scholar, or at least, he hoped he did.
Maybe I just look like some stuffy book nerd?
The question haunted him. Being thought poorly of often didn't phase Alastor too terribly, but the idea of those thoughts belonging to Sara certainly caused the stress to bundle within him. He merely shrugged his shoulders, a soft laughter accompanying his words as he said,
"It's just something I'd wear a lot in Athenia. I think it's very distinguished."
He offered the words with a growing smile, for despite his trepidation, there was no ignoring Sara or keeping her at an arm's length for long. The girl caused a stir within him that he wasn't accustomed to. He shifted in place, offering her some room on the trunk of the tree to rest her back and sit next to him if she so wished to.
"As to what I was doing... it was just a quick drawing. It's the place that kept me away for so long. The scholeio of Athenia. At least, the fairest representation I could make given my limited experience in artistry."
He'd hold the drawing at both ends to spread the sheet apart for Sara to look at if she chose to.
"It's so good to see you again, Sara. You know... I won't have to say sorrowful goodbyes anymore."
She winced as she realized she had startled him, his head making a rather loud thunk against the tree’s trunk. Her expression fell, becoming concerned when he groaned and she could not stop herself from leaning forward and putting her fingers gingerly in his hair.
”Sorry...sorry.” She said sheepishly, her fingers gentle as they probed his head to make sure there was nothing too serious going on because she had decided to play a little trick on him. When her need was satisfied, she pulled her hands back -- blue gaze still a little concerned as it flickered up and down his countenance, worried that he might be upset with her already. But it did not seem so at all, but he laughed softly and she thought that for now, all seemed to be forgiven. The bark of the tree was biting into her palms, so she pulled back so that she stood under her own power once more.
“It's just something I'd wear a lot in Athenia. I think it's very distinguished.”
She rocked back on her heels, tucking her hands nervously behind her back and into the soft folds of her chiton. The movement caused the letter to crinkle near her chest, and she blushed at the sound. She did not want him to know that she kept it so close to her heart.
”Oh I agree.” She said, nodding her head so that her dark curls bobbed with the movement. ”I think it suits you very well. But you always look nice. I just wanted...” She trailed off, unsure of how to convey what it was that she wanted to say. Sometimes she felt a little odd giving him such open compliments, but he seemed to enjoy them and it was as natural as breathing, a second nature to her. She raised her brows as he offered her a place beside him, shuffling over to make room.
She grinned, quickly moving to make herself comfortable -- and that meant zero personal space for him. She pulled up her knees, wrapping her arms around them as he held up the drawing for her to see. She studied it, smiling softly. ”How is it that you’re so talented in so many ways?” She asked wryly. Her shoulder and hip were pressed against his, and it was only the fact that she was holding her knees that kept her hand from wandering into his lap or up onto the paper that he showed her.
”It’s really not fair at all,” She teased, turning to look at him. ”You got a little bit of everything. Right blessed by the gods, you are.” Her hand went to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Tasia would have died to see her younger sister being so close to a boy. Sara had never had much of an interest in boys save for Alastor. Her young heart was unsure of its feelings, the mutual attraction that she had towards men and women -- and what any of it would mean now that she was getting to an age where she would soon be marriable. She’d been garnering interest lately, her figure having started to take shape early in the spring and now -- well, there was certainly a chaste beauty about her.
His next words made her pause, warmth flooding her cheeks and a quickening pace to her pulse -- and then it all clicked inside her brain. Her lips parted, and she blinked at him -- shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe it. ”You..” Her words were strangled, as she tried to process the truth of what he was telling her. He had been away in Athenia for eight years, with no end in sight. She had never held onto hope that he might return to Taengea permanently, if only because he seemed to enjoy Athenia so much. Not only that, but she had suspected he might meet a girl there given that was where he spent so much of her life. Joy filled her face, and she squealed in delight as she threw her arms around him with abandon.
”Oh Alastor, that’s wonderful news!” She said, crushing them together. Her head had ducked to rest under his chin, and she embraced him tightly. ”Oh I can’t believe that you’re home for good.” She pulled back after a moment, studying him intently. ”That is what you mean, isn’t it? That you are staying?”
Once she had that confirmation, she went in for another embrace -- laughing even as she crushed his last letter between them. She’d just thought he was home for a visit, nothing more. She had not expected this in the slightest.
”I have to admit that I’m surprised.” She said, finally pulling back again -- her fingers reluctantly letting him go. ”I suppose that I thought you would stay in Athenia forever. It makes me...wonder..” She found that she was averting her gaze, shy about her next question. ”What brings you back to Taengea so permanently?”
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She winced as she realized she had startled him, his head making a rather loud thunk against the tree’s trunk. Her expression fell, becoming concerned when he groaned and she could not stop herself from leaning forward and putting her fingers gingerly in his hair.
”Sorry...sorry.” She said sheepishly, her fingers gentle as they probed his head to make sure there was nothing too serious going on because she had decided to play a little trick on him. When her need was satisfied, she pulled her hands back -- blue gaze still a little concerned as it flickered up and down his countenance, worried that he might be upset with her already. But it did not seem so at all, but he laughed softly and she thought that for now, all seemed to be forgiven. The bark of the tree was biting into her palms, so she pulled back so that she stood under her own power once more.
“It's just something I'd wear a lot in Athenia. I think it's very distinguished.”
She rocked back on her heels, tucking her hands nervously behind her back and into the soft folds of her chiton. The movement caused the letter to crinkle near her chest, and she blushed at the sound. She did not want him to know that she kept it so close to her heart.
”Oh I agree.” She said, nodding her head so that her dark curls bobbed with the movement. ”I think it suits you very well. But you always look nice. I just wanted...” She trailed off, unsure of how to convey what it was that she wanted to say. Sometimes she felt a little odd giving him such open compliments, but he seemed to enjoy them and it was as natural as breathing, a second nature to her. She raised her brows as he offered her a place beside him, shuffling over to make room.
She grinned, quickly moving to make herself comfortable -- and that meant zero personal space for him. She pulled up her knees, wrapping her arms around them as he held up the drawing for her to see. She studied it, smiling softly. ”How is it that you’re so talented in so many ways?” She asked wryly. Her shoulder and hip were pressed against his, and it was only the fact that she was holding her knees that kept her hand from wandering into his lap or up onto the paper that he showed her.
”It’s really not fair at all,” She teased, turning to look at him. ”You got a little bit of everything. Right blessed by the gods, you are.” Her hand went to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Tasia would have died to see her younger sister being so close to a boy. Sara had never had much of an interest in boys save for Alastor. Her young heart was unsure of its feelings, the mutual attraction that she had towards men and women -- and what any of it would mean now that she was getting to an age where she would soon be marriable. She’d been garnering interest lately, her figure having started to take shape early in the spring and now -- well, there was certainly a chaste beauty about her.
His next words made her pause, warmth flooding her cheeks and a quickening pace to her pulse -- and then it all clicked inside her brain. Her lips parted, and she blinked at him -- shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe it. ”You..” Her words were strangled, as she tried to process the truth of what he was telling her. He had been away in Athenia for eight years, with no end in sight. She had never held onto hope that he might return to Taengea permanently, if only because he seemed to enjoy Athenia so much. Not only that, but she had suspected he might meet a girl there given that was where he spent so much of her life. Joy filled her face, and she squealed in delight as she threw her arms around him with abandon.
”Oh Alastor, that’s wonderful news!” She said, crushing them together. Her head had ducked to rest under his chin, and she embraced him tightly. ”Oh I can’t believe that you’re home for good.” She pulled back after a moment, studying him intently. ”That is what you mean, isn’t it? That you are staying?”
Once she had that confirmation, she went in for another embrace -- laughing even as she crushed his last letter between them. She’d just thought he was home for a visit, nothing more. She had not expected this in the slightest.
”I have to admit that I’m surprised.” She said, finally pulling back again -- her fingers reluctantly letting him go. ”I suppose that I thought you would stay in Athenia forever. It makes me...wonder..” She found that she was averting her gaze, shy about her next question. ”What brings you back to Taengea so permanently?”
She winced as she realized she had startled him, his head making a rather loud thunk against the tree’s trunk. Her expression fell, becoming concerned when he groaned and she could not stop herself from leaning forward and putting her fingers gingerly in his hair.
”Sorry...sorry.” She said sheepishly, her fingers gentle as they probed his head to make sure there was nothing too serious going on because she had decided to play a little trick on him. When her need was satisfied, she pulled her hands back -- blue gaze still a little concerned as it flickered up and down his countenance, worried that he might be upset with her already. But it did not seem so at all, but he laughed softly and she thought that for now, all seemed to be forgiven. The bark of the tree was biting into her palms, so she pulled back so that she stood under her own power once more.
“It's just something I'd wear a lot in Athenia. I think it's very distinguished.”
She rocked back on her heels, tucking her hands nervously behind her back and into the soft folds of her chiton. The movement caused the letter to crinkle near her chest, and she blushed at the sound. She did not want him to know that she kept it so close to her heart.
”Oh I agree.” She said, nodding her head so that her dark curls bobbed with the movement. ”I think it suits you very well. But you always look nice. I just wanted...” She trailed off, unsure of how to convey what it was that she wanted to say. Sometimes she felt a little odd giving him such open compliments, but he seemed to enjoy them and it was as natural as breathing, a second nature to her. She raised her brows as he offered her a place beside him, shuffling over to make room.
She grinned, quickly moving to make herself comfortable -- and that meant zero personal space for him. She pulled up her knees, wrapping her arms around them as he held up the drawing for her to see. She studied it, smiling softly. ”How is it that you’re so talented in so many ways?” She asked wryly. Her shoulder and hip were pressed against his, and it was only the fact that she was holding her knees that kept her hand from wandering into his lap or up onto the paper that he showed her.
”It’s really not fair at all,” She teased, turning to look at him. ”You got a little bit of everything. Right blessed by the gods, you are.” Her hand went to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Tasia would have died to see her younger sister being so close to a boy. Sara had never had much of an interest in boys save for Alastor. Her young heart was unsure of its feelings, the mutual attraction that she had towards men and women -- and what any of it would mean now that she was getting to an age where she would soon be marriable. She’d been garnering interest lately, her figure having started to take shape early in the spring and now -- well, there was certainly a chaste beauty about her.
His next words made her pause, warmth flooding her cheeks and a quickening pace to her pulse -- and then it all clicked inside her brain. Her lips parted, and she blinked at him -- shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe it. ”You..” Her words were strangled, as she tried to process the truth of what he was telling her. He had been away in Athenia for eight years, with no end in sight. She had never held onto hope that he might return to Taengea permanently, if only because he seemed to enjoy Athenia so much. Not only that, but she had suspected he might meet a girl there given that was where he spent so much of her life. Joy filled her face, and she squealed in delight as she threw her arms around him with abandon.
”Oh Alastor, that’s wonderful news!” She said, crushing them together. Her head had ducked to rest under his chin, and she embraced him tightly. ”Oh I can’t believe that you’re home for good.” She pulled back after a moment, studying him intently. ”That is what you mean, isn’t it? That you are staying?”
Once she had that confirmation, she went in for another embrace -- laughing even as she crushed his last letter between them. She’d just thought he was home for a visit, nothing more. She had not expected this in the slightest.
”I have to admit that I’m surprised.” She said, finally pulling back again -- her fingers reluctantly letting him go. ”I suppose that I thought you would stay in Athenia forever. It makes me...wonder..” She found that she was averting her gaze, shy about her next question. ”What brings you back to Taengea so permanently?”
Alastor had always been a tad frail, and as he grew into a man the quality never quite went away. He'd grown stronger, and taller, and no longer did he fatigue going about the day as he might've in his youth. Athenia did wonders for him, in his mind. He'd flourished into a man capable of reason, even if he held numerous fears and anxieties that drove him away from that. So, when he hit his head, Alastor wasn't so sensitive to pain as to cry out or hold it against her. He felt the throbbing pain, dull and persistent, against his flesh. Then, he winced as her fingertips shifted along his scalp, checking for the injury that wasn't quite there.
Alastor was fine, and he was over the pain right away. There shouldn't be anything to mar this precious day stolen away from the world. Euttica was their sanctuary in her brother's former backyard. It was quite the thought to imagine that the last time that Alastor had visited Euttica, the kingdom's now-king was its baron. The world had changed in oh so many ways, but there was no change to how the young man felt in the presence of Sara.
In her company, the smaller things just seemed... far away. People seemed less scary with her around, something proven by the fact that he'd gone to that party with her in his last visit. It just wouldn't do to mention the fact that he'd been stoned out of his mind during the whole thing. In Sara's company, there was, really, only her.
"Oh I agree," she began, moving right along to praising his choice in attire. Alastor did try to dress well, but... he simply didn't have the adornments the 'other half' could afford. He didn't need it. His family lived well, and uncomfortable trinkets that chafed at the skin had nothing to offer him. Surely, he didn't always look nice? Was she exaggerating things, trying to appease him? But... that was what other people did. Other people could be disingenuous, they could tell lies... Sara? He trusted her implicitly and it was that trust that flared the blush upon his features, a goofy laugh escaping his lips, only for them to move on.
Talented, not fair... Blessed by the gods...
Wait, what? Alastor had so many detriments, so many things to work through that held him back from being... more. This couldn't be right. An admittedly neat scrawl of a place he knew from another land... that wasn't a talent.
"It's just a representation. Nothing artistic, probably not even to scale. But, I called a place that looks a lot like this my second home for all these years."
Alastor handed Sara the drawing, only to realize just how close they were to each other. Sara had made that effort, to press herself to his shoulder. The proximity was... nice.
"I'm not blessed by anyone," he countered, a chuckle on his lips.
"The King and Queen... they're rumoured to be blessed. Born and raised lucky, aren't they? People like me... lucky to be born," he mused, a low chuckle on his lips. The conversation moved on and they got to what Alastor was hoping to see on her face. Years and years passed away, the ocean between Alastor and the girl he'd fancied so much... Could he get himself to tell the truth to her? He wasn't sure how to, or when to... It would need to be here, right? He needed to be strong and brave and just... take the dive.
But, there was a time for that later. First, he told her the facts, that he had come back from Athenia and was ready to rejoin the world. He could see it on her face, how the joy seemed to light up her features in a way that no one else seemed to replicate. Zenatos and his folks were pleased that he'd completed his studies, and offered him back his room and life... but this unbridled joy seemed beyond them. The grin was infectious and Alastor laughed aloud, a joyous thing as she ducked her head to press beneath his chin.
An arm snaked around Sara's shoulders to pull her into the embrace she sought after. Then, he'd tell her the truth. He'd kept a secret from her, and there was a twinge of guilt that he needed to release.
"The thought did cross my mind at one point, to stay longer. But that thought was well over a year ago. The past six months or so I've been wrapping up studies, tying off my commitments and arranging for my return to Taengea. Athenia is a wonderful place, but... it isn't home."
Alastor pressed his lips to the crown of Sara's head, a gesture he might've been too embarrassed to do if she'd not drawn so close. But their continued proximity, perhaps, served to embolden him. He continued on, his smile growing wider still,
"I've spent enough time away. I want to make my life in Vasiliadon. In Taengea. I couldn't possibly follow through on the thought of never seeing you again."
Was that... smooth? Cheesy? A bit sad?
Self-doubt flourished in the midst of Alastor's admissions.
"It's a bit silly..."
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Check out their information page here.
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Alastor had always been a tad frail, and as he grew into a man the quality never quite went away. He'd grown stronger, and taller, and no longer did he fatigue going about the day as he might've in his youth. Athenia did wonders for him, in his mind. He'd flourished into a man capable of reason, even if he held numerous fears and anxieties that drove him away from that. So, when he hit his head, Alastor wasn't so sensitive to pain as to cry out or hold it against her. He felt the throbbing pain, dull and persistent, against his flesh. Then, he winced as her fingertips shifted along his scalp, checking for the injury that wasn't quite there.
Alastor was fine, and he was over the pain right away. There shouldn't be anything to mar this precious day stolen away from the world. Euttica was their sanctuary in her brother's former backyard. It was quite the thought to imagine that the last time that Alastor had visited Euttica, the kingdom's now-king was its baron. The world had changed in oh so many ways, but there was no change to how the young man felt in the presence of Sara.
In her company, the smaller things just seemed... far away. People seemed less scary with her around, something proven by the fact that he'd gone to that party with her in his last visit. It just wouldn't do to mention the fact that he'd been stoned out of his mind during the whole thing. In Sara's company, there was, really, only her.
"Oh I agree," she began, moving right along to praising his choice in attire. Alastor did try to dress well, but... he simply didn't have the adornments the 'other half' could afford. He didn't need it. His family lived well, and uncomfortable trinkets that chafed at the skin had nothing to offer him. Surely, he didn't always look nice? Was she exaggerating things, trying to appease him? But... that was what other people did. Other people could be disingenuous, they could tell lies... Sara? He trusted her implicitly and it was that trust that flared the blush upon his features, a goofy laugh escaping his lips, only for them to move on.
Talented, not fair... Blessed by the gods...
Wait, what? Alastor had so many detriments, so many things to work through that held him back from being... more. This couldn't be right. An admittedly neat scrawl of a place he knew from another land... that wasn't a talent.
"It's just a representation. Nothing artistic, probably not even to scale. But, I called a place that looks a lot like this my second home for all these years."
Alastor handed Sara the drawing, only to realize just how close they were to each other. Sara had made that effort, to press herself to his shoulder. The proximity was... nice.
"I'm not blessed by anyone," he countered, a chuckle on his lips.
"The King and Queen... they're rumoured to be blessed. Born and raised lucky, aren't they? People like me... lucky to be born," he mused, a low chuckle on his lips. The conversation moved on and they got to what Alastor was hoping to see on her face. Years and years passed away, the ocean between Alastor and the girl he'd fancied so much... Could he get himself to tell the truth to her? He wasn't sure how to, or when to... It would need to be here, right? He needed to be strong and brave and just... take the dive.
But, there was a time for that later. First, he told her the facts, that he had come back from Athenia and was ready to rejoin the world. He could see it on her face, how the joy seemed to light up her features in a way that no one else seemed to replicate. Zenatos and his folks were pleased that he'd completed his studies, and offered him back his room and life... but this unbridled joy seemed beyond them. The grin was infectious and Alastor laughed aloud, a joyous thing as she ducked her head to press beneath his chin.
An arm snaked around Sara's shoulders to pull her into the embrace she sought after. Then, he'd tell her the truth. He'd kept a secret from her, and there was a twinge of guilt that he needed to release.
"The thought did cross my mind at one point, to stay longer. But that thought was well over a year ago. The past six months or so I've been wrapping up studies, tying off my commitments and arranging for my return to Taengea. Athenia is a wonderful place, but... it isn't home."
Alastor pressed his lips to the crown of Sara's head, a gesture he might've been too embarrassed to do if she'd not drawn so close. But their continued proximity, perhaps, served to embolden him. He continued on, his smile growing wider still,
"I've spent enough time away. I want to make my life in Vasiliadon. In Taengea. I couldn't possibly follow through on the thought of never seeing you again."
Was that... smooth? Cheesy? A bit sad?
Self-doubt flourished in the midst of Alastor's admissions.
"It's a bit silly..."
Alastor had always been a tad frail, and as he grew into a man the quality never quite went away. He'd grown stronger, and taller, and no longer did he fatigue going about the day as he might've in his youth. Athenia did wonders for him, in his mind. He'd flourished into a man capable of reason, even if he held numerous fears and anxieties that drove him away from that. So, when he hit his head, Alastor wasn't so sensitive to pain as to cry out or hold it against her. He felt the throbbing pain, dull and persistent, against his flesh. Then, he winced as her fingertips shifted along his scalp, checking for the injury that wasn't quite there.
Alastor was fine, and he was over the pain right away. There shouldn't be anything to mar this precious day stolen away from the world. Euttica was their sanctuary in her brother's former backyard. It was quite the thought to imagine that the last time that Alastor had visited Euttica, the kingdom's now-king was its baron. The world had changed in oh so many ways, but there was no change to how the young man felt in the presence of Sara.
In her company, the smaller things just seemed... far away. People seemed less scary with her around, something proven by the fact that he'd gone to that party with her in his last visit. It just wouldn't do to mention the fact that he'd been stoned out of his mind during the whole thing. In Sara's company, there was, really, only her.
"Oh I agree," she began, moving right along to praising his choice in attire. Alastor did try to dress well, but... he simply didn't have the adornments the 'other half' could afford. He didn't need it. His family lived well, and uncomfortable trinkets that chafed at the skin had nothing to offer him. Surely, he didn't always look nice? Was she exaggerating things, trying to appease him? But... that was what other people did. Other people could be disingenuous, they could tell lies... Sara? He trusted her implicitly and it was that trust that flared the blush upon his features, a goofy laugh escaping his lips, only for them to move on.
Talented, not fair... Blessed by the gods...
Wait, what? Alastor had so many detriments, so many things to work through that held him back from being... more. This couldn't be right. An admittedly neat scrawl of a place he knew from another land... that wasn't a talent.
"It's just a representation. Nothing artistic, probably not even to scale. But, I called a place that looks a lot like this my second home for all these years."
Alastor handed Sara the drawing, only to realize just how close they were to each other. Sara had made that effort, to press herself to his shoulder. The proximity was... nice.
"I'm not blessed by anyone," he countered, a chuckle on his lips.
"The King and Queen... they're rumoured to be blessed. Born and raised lucky, aren't they? People like me... lucky to be born," he mused, a low chuckle on his lips. The conversation moved on and they got to what Alastor was hoping to see on her face. Years and years passed away, the ocean between Alastor and the girl he'd fancied so much... Could he get himself to tell the truth to her? He wasn't sure how to, or when to... It would need to be here, right? He needed to be strong and brave and just... take the dive.
But, there was a time for that later. First, he told her the facts, that he had come back from Athenia and was ready to rejoin the world. He could see it on her face, how the joy seemed to light up her features in a way that no one else seemed to replicate. Zenatos and his folks were pleased that he'd completed his studies, and offered him back his room and life... but this unbridled joy seemed beyond them. The grin was infectious and Alastor laughed aloud, a joyous thing as she ducked her head to press beneath his chin.
An arm snaked around Sara's shoulders to pull her into the embrace she sought after. Then, he'd tell her the truth. He'd kept a secret from her, and there was a twinge of guilt that he needed to release.
"The thought did cross my mind at one point, to stay longer. But that thought was well over a year ago. The past six months or so I've been wrapping up studies, tying off my commitments and arranging for my return to Taengea. Athenia is a wonderful place, but... it isn't home."
Alastor pressed his lips to the crown of Sara's head, a gesture he might've been too embarrassed to do if she'd not drawn so close. But their continued proximity, perhaps, served to embolden him. He continued on, his smile growing wider still,
"I've spent enough time away. I want to make my life in Vasiliadon. In Taengea. I couldn't possibly follow through on the thought of never seeing you again."
Was that... smooth? Cheesy? A bit sad?
Self-doubt flourished in the midst of Alastor's admissions.
"It's a bit silly..."
He was always so quick to put himself down, one of the qualities that she wished he would lose about himself. She wished that he could see himself as she saw him, and take confidence in his abilities. She understood what he meant about being lucky to be born. Perhaps he didn’t see it, but she too was one of those lucky to be born. A bastard daughter, mostly claimed though never legitimized in the eyes of society. She wasn’t sure that being declared legitimate would have mattered, she seemed to bear the weight of her parents sins. It was a particularly tough burden to bear, seeing as she did not judge those around her based on the actions of others. To be held to the wrongdoings of her parents was cruel, but she had learned to hold it all inside and pretend like it didn’t bother her.
She did like to hear his laugh, no matter how forced it seemed to be. She wondered when she had realized that she was irrevocably in love with the boy becoming a man before her eyes. His frame growing leaner and taller, towering over her now when the height difference had once been much smaller. Her fingers curled gently around his drawing, setting it to the side with a tender care so that it would not risk being crushed.
His laughter at her joy only made her warm all the more, as if she had submerged herself in a hot spring. His arm was around her shoulders, pulling her in close, and she felt her heart flutter like a stone sent skipping across a lake. He was home, and she could hardly believe her ears to hear him say the words. He had been planning this for months? She counted the time in her head, thinking that...he had been planning this even before she had seen him last in Teleos at her aunt’s party.
”You never said anything?” She said, her tone only slightly accusatory. ”Why didn’t you tell me?”
Something pressed against her head, and she could feel his breath shuffling her hair. Were those his lips? She wondered, immediately flooded with heat and embarrassment at the idea. Her pulse quickened, her heartbeat ticking up as the idea of it planted itself in her mind’s eye. She found that her fingers were curling possessively into the fine material of his clothes, reflexively as if she did not wish to let go of her fantasy.
I couldn’t possibly follow through on the thought of never seeing you again.
Her breath caught, and she pulled back to look him in the face -- needing to see the truth in his eyes. He had chosen to leave Athenia and return, at least in part, because of her?
”Alastor…” She said, her voice barely a whisper. It had no need to be any louder, for how close they were. She was inches from him, every detail of him quite clear. Her tone held a slight wonder to it, and she briefly...briefly considered if she should tell him of her feelings.
It’s a bit silly.
She shook her head, the movement vehement. ”It’s not silly unless you think it is so and I hope...I hope that it's not silly to you.” She paused for a breath, gathering all of the courage that she had within her soul. She could not wait for him any longer, so without a warning -- she brought her hand up from his clothes and to his face, turning it to press her lips tenderly to his. The kiss was chaste, although it lingered for a moment too long to be called brief. "It's not silly...to me."
If her heart had been racing before, now it was flying. When she pulled back, her cheeks were the brightest shade of pink. Oh gods, she thought with sudden terror. What if that wasn’t what he had meant at all? What if she’d just done something horribly wrong. She started to pull her hand back, to bring it up to her burning cheeks. She was torn between looking at his face for a reaction and not being able to for fear that she would see something she didn’t like.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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He was always so quick to put himself down, one of the qualities that she wished he would lose about himself. She wished that he could see himself as she saw him, and take confidence in his abilities. She understood what he meant about being lucky to be born. Perhaps he didn’t see it, but she too was one of those lucky to be born. A bastard daughter, mostly claimed though never legitimized in the eyes of society. She wasn’t sure that being declared legitimate would have mattered, she seemed to bear the weight of her parents sins. It was a particularly tough burden to bear, seeing as she did not judge those around her based on the actions of others. To be held to the wrongdoings of her parents was cruel, but she had learned to hold it all inside and pretend like it didn’t bother her.
She did like to hear his laugh, no matter how forced it seemed to be. She wondered when she had realized that she was irrevocably in love with the boy becoming a man before her eyes. His frame growing leaner and taller, towering over her now when the height difference had once been much smaller. Her fingers curled gently around his drawing, setting it to the side with a tender care so that it would not risk being crushed.
His laughter at her joy only made her warm all the more, as if she had submerged herself in a hot spring. His arm was around her shoulders, pulling her in close, and she felt her heart flutter like a stone sent skipping across a lake. He was home, and she could hardly believe her ears to hear him say the words. He had been planning this for months? She counted the time in her head, thinking that...he had been planning this even before she had seen him last in Teleos at her aunt’s party.
”You never said anything?” She said, her tone only slightly accusatory. ”Why didn’t you tell me?”
Something pressed against her head, and she could feel his breath shuffling her hair. Were those his lips? She wondered, immediately flooded with heat and embarrassment at the idea. Her pulse quickened, her heartbeat ticking up as the idea of it planted itself in her mind’s eye. She found that her fingers were curling possessively into the fine material of his clothes, reflexively as if she did not wish to let go of her fantasy.
I couldn’t possibly follow through on the thought of never seeing you again.
Her breath caught, and she pulled back to look him in the face -- needing to see the truth in his eyes. He had chosen to leave Athenia and return, at least in part, because of her?
”Alastor…” She said, her voice barely a whisper. It had no need to be any louder, for how close they were. She was inches from him, every detail of him quite clear. Her tone held a slight wonder to it, and she briefly...briefly considered if she should tell him of her feelings.
It’s a bit silly.
She shook her head, the movement vehement. ”It’s not silly unless you think it is so and I hope...I hope that it's not silly to you.” She paused for a breath, gathering all of the courage that she had within her soul. She could not wait for him any longer, so without a warning -- she brought her hand up from his clothes and to his face, turning it to press her lips tenderly to his. The kiss was chaste, although it lingered for a moment too long to be called brief. "It's not silly...to me."
If her heart had been racing before, now it was flying. When she pulled back, her cheeks were the brightest shade of pink. Oh gods, she thought with sudden terror. What if that wasn’t what he had meant at all? What if she’d just done something horribly wrong. She started to pull her hand back, to bring it up to her burning cheeks. She was torn between looking at his face for a reaction and not being able to for fear that she would see something she didn’t like.
He was always so quick to put himself down, one of the qualities that she wished he would lose about himself. She wished that he could see himself as she saw him, and take confidence in his abilities. She understood what he meant about being lucky to be born. Perhaps he didn’t see it, but she too was one of those lucky to be born. A bastard daughter, mostly claimed though never legitimized in the eyes of society. She wasn’t sure that being declared legitimate would have mattered, she seemed to bear the weight of her parents sins. It was a particularly tough burden to bear, seeing as she did not judge those around her based on the actions of others. To be held to the wrongdoings of her parents was cruel, but she had learned to hold it all inside and pretend like it didn’t bother her.
She did like to hear his laugh, no matter how forced it seemed to be. She wondered when she had realized that she was irrevocably in love with the boy becoming a man before her eyes. His frame growing leaner and taller, towering over her now when the height difference had once been much smaller. Her fingers curled gently around his drawing, setting it to the side with a tender care so that it would not risk being crushed.
His laughter at her joy only made her warm all the more, as if she had submerged herself in a hot spring. His arm was around her shoulders, pulling her in close, and she felt her heart flutter like a stone sent skipping across a lake. He was home, and she could hardly believe her ears to hear him say the words. He had been planning this for months? She counted the time in her head, thinking that...he had been planning this even before she had seen him last in Teleos at her aunt’s party.
”You never said anything?” She said, her tone only slightly accusatory. ”Why didn’t you tell me?”
Something pressed against her head, and she could feel his breath shuffling her hair. Were those his lips? She wondered, immediately flooded with heat and embarrassment at the idea. Her pulse quickened, her heartbeat ticking up as the idea of it planted itself in her mind’s eye. She found that her fingers were curling possessively into the fine material of his clothes, reflexively as if she did not wish to let go of her fantasy.
I couldn’t possibly follow through on the thought of never seeing you again.
Her breath caught, and she pulled back to look him in the face -- needing to see the truth in his eyes. He had chosen to leave Athenia and return, at least in part, because of her?
”Alastor…” She said, her voice barely a whisper. It had no need to be any louder, for how close they were. She was inches from him, every detail of him quite clear. Her tone held a slight wonder to it, and she briefly...briefly considered if she should tell him of her feelings.
It’s a bit silly.
She shook her head, the movement vehement. ”It’s not silly unless you think it is so and I hope...I hope that it's not silly to you.” She paused for a breath, gathering all of the courage that she had within her soul. She could not wait for him any longer, so without a warning -- she brought her hand up from his clothes and to his face, turning it to press her lips tenderly to his. The kiss was chaste, although it lingered for a moment too long to be called brief. "It's not silly...to me."
If her heart had been racing before, now it was flying. When she pulled back, her cheeks were the brightest shade of pink. Oh gods, she thought with sudden terror. What if that wasn’t what he had meant at all? What if she’d just done something horribly wrong. She started to pull her hand back, to bring it up to her burning cheeks. She was torn between looking at his face for a reaction and not being able to for fear that she would see something she didn’t like.
People were the bane of Alastor of Vasiliadon.
He was well aware of the skill set he'd garnered in his time in Athenia. Born with the capacity to remember almost everything he read or saw, he was particularly adept at absorbing information. It made his education far easier than it should've been, and allowed him to delve into a wide variety of schools of thought and the sciences. It wasn't that Alastor lacked confidence in his own abilities. He lacked confidence in his ability to express them. Social cues were difficult to grasp. They were not predictable nor fueled by any sort of logical conventions... in short, Alastor was completely lost in them.
He tried, to understand. He truly did, but his mind ventured towards logic, invalidating the nuance of emotion. Adept enough at understanding his own, he lacked the capacity to notice things. Fixing this fatal flaw in his judgment was the primary motivation for soliciting the Master Informer for a position beneath him. He wanted to learn more, but this was a sort of learning he couldn't have in Athenia. Or, he could, but there was no reason for it. It was time to return home, and delve into the matters of the kingdom. Politics existed in both kingdoms, and so, he moved on.
And in his first few days back in Taengea, already he was being challenged in his assertion of understanding much of anything at all. People were, as always, his bane. He suffered in his ignorance, his inability to adapt, he was perceived as aloof, or ignored altogether. He considered himself forgettable, even when the girl beside him seemed so intent on remembering him. The dawning comprehension on Sara's face wasn't missed, but the question she posed had him wondering...
I figured it'd be better to not give it away...
His reasoning was flawless, he thought. It wasn't useful for her to know the truth. She'd spend unnecessary time dwelling on the fact, the days might drag on longer, and it wasn't like he could be there to help her through it. Admitting that truth only stood to hurt her, even if the hurt was channeled through a sense of excitement. Plus, there was another reason...
"I wasn't entirely sure if I could return right away. I had a job as a scribe, unfulfilled commitments academically. I kept myself busy in Athenia, and it wasn't so simple to just disentangle myself. Besides, telling you then wouldn't have meant anything," he reasoned to her at last.
The sort of initiative that came with pressing his lips to the crown of her head was a good first step, in Alastor's opinion. Their conversation moved on, and he couldn't quite be sure about whether that was the correct course of action. But, did that even matter anymore? In the space of just a couple of moments, their proximity felt tighter still, from the simple kiss he'd place, they'd moved on, Alastor demeaning himself again without really meaning to. But, was that disrespecting her, as well? Surely, it wasn't silly to want to see her again, to not want to leave her anymore. He lamented his poor word choice up until he saw her shake her head so vehemently.
Then, she spoke. Her words widened his eyes. Weak in the sphere of social convention, there was no missing the way she brought her hand up to his face. She tuned his head and shifted forward. His eyes were wide, watching as she drew closer until she pressed her lips to his own. Immediately, the flustered heat rose throughout, the arm that had settled about her shoulders sifting within the tresses of her hair.
This is a kiss...!
Of course, he knew it all along, but the reality of it, the fact that this simple act not only confirmed his own feelings, the elation within him at her seizing this moment, the miniscule feeling of shame in him not being the one to do it... But, it also served to confirm hers. This was no pity kiss given by some girl at a festival seeing him all alone. This was something else entirely.
Once they parted their lips, Alastor took a shaky breath, his shoulders rising and falling with the motion. His eyes had fallen shut and he couldn't quite understand when it happened. But, when they re-opened, he found her flustered state and... it was the same as his own. She even looked a bit surprised at her own gall, but... not conflicted? Expressions were hard to read, but Sara's were always just a bit easier.
There was a wide, dazed sort of smile that broke the moment. Alastor leaned his back into the tree for a moment before he pressed forward to take one such kiss for himself. His lips entangled with hers for a briefer moment than her own effort, but when he pulled back, he said,
"You're right. It wasn't silly. I'd missed you, been elated to see you, and missed you again and again for eight years. But, none of it was silly. I... you mean so much to me, and words... they just can't explain it."
I love you.
Three words he'd tried to say to her ever since they began to mean something to him.
I love you.
Three words that he needed to tell her.
"I flub lu."
Three words that completely failed to come out in succession. Alastor's tongue felt fat in his mouth, his words slurred as the flush on his face grew redder still. He might've gone aflame with the embarrassment that heated his ears and ruined the moment.
What the fuck did I just say?
Alastor was an idiot.
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.
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People were the bane of Alastor of Vasiliadon.
He was well aware of the skill set he'd garnered in his time in Athenia. Born with the capacity to remember almost everything he read or saw, he was particularly adept at absorbing information. It made his education far easier than it should've been, and allowed him to delve into a wide variety of schools of thought and the sciences. It wasn't that Alastor lacked confidence in his own abilities. He lacked confidence in his ability to express them. Social cues were difficult to grasp. They were not predictable nor fueled by any sort of logical conventions... in short, Alastor was completely lost in them.
He tried, to understand. He truly did, but his mind ventured towards logic, invalidating the nuance of emotion. Adept enough at understanding his own, he lacked the capacity to notice things. Fixing this fatal flaw in his judgment was the primary motivation for soliciting the Master Informer for a position beneath him. He wanted to learn more, but this was a sort of learning he couldn't have in Athenia. Or, he could, but there was no reason for it. It was time to return home, and delve into the matters of the kingdom. Politics existed in both kingdoms, and so, he moved on.
And in his first few days back in Taengea, already he was being challenged in his assertion of understanding much of anything at all. People were, as always, his bane. He suffered in his ignorance, his inability to adapt, he was perceived as aloof, or ignored altogether. He considered himself forgettable, even when the girl beside him seemed so intent on remembering him. The dawning comprehension on Sara's face wasn't missed, but the question she posed had him wondering...
I figured it'd be better to not give it away...
His reasoning was flawless, he thought. It wasn't useful for her to know the truth. She'd spend unnecessary time dwelling on the fact, the days might drag on longer, and it wasn't like he could be there to help her through it. Admitting that truth only stood to hurt her, even if the hurt was channeled through a sense of excitement. Plus, there was another reason...
"I wasn't entirely sure if I could return right away. I had a job as a scribe, unfulfilled commitments academically. I kept myself busy in Athenia, and it wasn't so simple to just disentangle myself. Besides, telling you then wouldn't have meant anything," he reasoned to her at last.
The sort of initiative that came with pressing his lips to the crown of her head was a good first step, in Alastor's opinion. Their conversation moved on, and he couldn't quite be sure about whether that was the correct course of action. But, did that even matter anymore? In the space of just a couple of moments, their proximity felt tighter still, from the simple kiss he'd place, they'd moved on, Alastor demeaning himself again without really meaning to. But, was that disrespecting her, as well? Surely, it wasn't silly to want to see her again, to not want to leave her anymore. He lamented his poor word choice up until he saw her shake her head so vehemently.
Then, she spoke. Her words widened his eyes. Weak in the sphere of social convention, there was no missing the way she brought her hand up to his face. She tuned his head and shifted forward. His eyes were wide, watching as she drew closer until she pressed her lips to his own. Immediately, the flustered heat rose throughout, the arm that had settled about her shoulders sifting within the tresses of her hair.
This is a kiss...!
Of course, he knew it all along, but the reality of it, the fact that this simple act not only confirmed his own feelings, the elation within him at her seizing this moment, the miniscule feeling of shame in him not being the one to do it... But, it also served to confirm hers. This was no pity kiss given by some girl at a festival seeing him all alone. This was something else entirely.
Once they parted their lips, Alastor took a shaky breath, his shoulders rising and falling with the motion. His eyes had fallen shut and he couldn't quite understand when it happened. But, when they re-opened, he found her flustered state and... it was the same as his own. She even looked a bit surprised at her own gall, but... not conflicted? Expressions were hard to read, but Sara's were always just a bit easier.
There was a wide, dazed sort of smile that broke the moment. Alastor leaned his back into the tree for a moment before he pressed forward to take one such kiss for himself. His lips entangled with hers for a briefer moment than her own effort, but when he pulled back, he said,
"You're right. It wasn't silly. I'd missed you, been elated to see you, and missed you again and again for eight years. But, none of it was silly. I... you mean so much to me, and words... they just can't explain it."
I love you.
Three words he'd tried to say to her ever since they began to mean something to him.
I love you.
Three words that he needed to tell her.
"I flub lu."
Three words that completely failed to come out in succession. Alastor's tongue felt fat in his mouth, his words slurred as the flush on his face grew redder still. He might've gone aflame with the embarrassment that heated his ears and ruined the moment.
What the fuck did I just say?
Alastor was an idiot.
People were the bane of Alastor of Vasiliadon.
He was well aware of the skill set he'd garnered in his time in Athenia. Born with the capacity to remember almost everything he read or saw, he was particularly adept at absorbing information. It made his education far easier than it should've been, and allowed him to delve into a wide variety of schools of thought and the sciences. It wasn't that Alastor lacked confidence in his own abilities. He lacked confidence in his ability to express them. Social cues were difficult to grasp. They were not predictable nor fueled by any sort of logical conventions... in short, Alastor was completely lost in them.
He tried, to understand. He truly did, but his mind ventured towards logic, invalidating the nuance of emotion. Adept enough at understanding his own, he lacked the capacity to notice things. Fixing this fatal flaw in his judgment was the primary motivation for soliciting the Master Informer for a position beneath him. He wanted to learn more, but this was a sort of learning he couldn't have in Athenia. Or, he could, but there was no reason for it. It was time to return home, and delve into the matters of the kingdom. Politics existed in both kingdoms, and so, he moved on.
And in his first few days back in Taengea, already he was being challenged in his assertion of understanding much of anything at all. People were, as always, his bane. He suffered in his ignorance, his inability to adapt, he was perceived as aloof, or ignored altogether. He considered himself forgettable, even when the girl beside him seemed so intent on remembering him. The dawning comprehension on Sara's face wasn't missed, but the question she posed had him wondering...
I figured it'd be better to not give it away...
His reasoning was flawless, he thought. It wasn't useful for her to know the truth. She'd spend unnecessary time dwelling on the fact, the days might drag on longer, and it wasn't like he could be there to help her through it. Admitting that truth only stood to hurt her, even if the hurt was channeled through a sense of excitement. Plus, there was another reason...
"I wasn't entirely sure if I could return right away. I had a job as a scribe, unfulfilled commitments academically. I kept myself busy in Athenia, and it wasn't so simple to just disentangle myself. Besides, telling you then wouldn't have meant anything," he reasoned to her at last.
The sort of initiative that came with pressing his lips to the crown of her head was a good first step, in Alastor's opinion. Their conversation moved on, and he couldn't quite be sure about whether that was the correct course of action. But, did that even matter anymore? In the space of just a couple of moments, their proximity felt tighter still, from the simple kiss he'd place, they'd moved on, Alastor demeaning himself again without really meaning to. But, was that disrespecting her, as well? Surely, it wasn't silly to want to see her again, to not want to leave her anymore. He lamented his poor word choice up until he saw her shake her head so vehemently.
Then, she spoke. Her words widened his eyes. Weak in the sphere of social convention, there was no missing the way she brought her hand up to his face. She tuned his head and shifted forward. His eyes were wide, watching as she drew closer until she pressed her lips to his own. Immediately, the flustered heat rose throughout, the arm that had settled about her shoulders sifting within the tresses of her hair.
This is a kiss...!
Of course, he knew it all along, but the reality of it, the fact that this simple act not only confirmed his own feelings, the elation within him at her seizing this moment, the miniscule feeling of shame in him not being the one to do it... But, it also served to confirm hers. This was no pity kiss given by some girl at a festival seeing him all alone. This was something else entirely.
Once they parted their lips, Alastor took a shaky breath, his shoulders rising and falling with the motion. His eyes had fallen shut and he couldn't quite understand when it happened. But, when they re-opened, he found her flustered state and... it was the same as his own. She even looked a bit surprised at her own gall, but... not conflicted? Expressions were hard to read, but Sara's were always just a bit easier.
There was a wide, dazed sort of smile that broke the moment. Alastor leaned his back into the tree for a moment before he pressed forward to take one such kiss for himself. His lips entangled with hers for a briefer moment than her own effort, but when he pulled back, he said,
"You're right. It wasn't silly. I'd missed you, been elated to see you, and missed you again and again for eight years. But, none of it was silly. I... you mean so much to me, and words... they just can't explain it."
I love you.
Three words he'd tried to say to her ever since they began to mean something to him.
I love you.
Three words that he needed to tell her.
"I flub lu."
Three words that completely failed to come out in succession. Alastor's tongue felt fat in his mouth, his words slurred as the flush on his face grew redder still. He might've gone aflame with the embarrassment that heated his ears and ruined the moment.
What the fuck did I just say?
Alastor was an idiot.
She decided that she simply must know what was going across his face, to see if she had just absolutely ruined their friendship with a surge of youthful passion. Her cheeks, stained with pink, were blazing with heat and she found that he looked much the same as she did.
Sara started to open her mouth to speak, but closed it again because she would not apologize for what she had done. She would not take it back, even if it had not been something that he wanted. He smiled, the wide thing making it hard to breathe, the pair of them sitting back against the tree as she tried to collect the thoughts that had scattered.
She was not prepared when he suddenly came back towards her, and took a kiss of his own. His fingers were in her hair and she felt the zing of lightning strike through her, as if his touch were electric. His kiss was much briefer, as she had not even the time to open her eyes before he was speaking. Her heart was a bird or perhaps a butterfly in her chest, fluttering with wild abandon. She reached to put her hands on him again, finding the material of his clothes because it seemed the safest thing to reach for.
You mean so much to me
I flub lu
She blinked, confused for a moment as she tried to understand what he’d meant. She could not help the small laugh that fell from her lips, simultaneously amused and bewildered. He loved her?! He turned red, the color clear as day on his face. She reached for his hand with her free one, curling their fingers together. She quickly pecked him on the lips again, before drawing their fingers up to her lips.
”I flub lu, too.” She said. She had never imagined that she would say such serious words at fifteen years old. Some days she hardly felt old enough to wander unattended, but here she was declaring love to a young man that she’d known since childhood. All of his years in Athenia seemed to mean nothing to her now, because she was certain that he was worth waiting for. She would have waited a hundred more years, but now she did not have to. And he had said that he loved her.
Her breath was shaky, and she drew his hand up to her cheek so he could feel how warm they were. She squeezed his fingers, as if trying to be sure that he was real and that she had not just dreamed all of what had transpired. ”I’ve wanted to say that for a long time it feels like.” She admitted. ”I was just...afraid that you didn’t feel the same way about me.” It was true.
At least in the last six months or more, she had often thought about her feelings for Alastor of Vasiliadon. Her mother was never going to approve, with her mind on the upward climb that her daughters could do. Meena wanted her daughters to marry up and into nobility, securing their places in the society with advantageous marriages. Alastor was not such a marriage. He was like her, a lateral move instead of an upward one. None of that mattered to Sara however, she wanted more than anything to marry for love.
She giggled, the sound girlish and young. ”I...would like it very much if you would kiss me again.” She said, glancing up at him from beneath her lashes. Her dark hair was messy around her shoulders, but she didn’t mind at all. She just wanted more time with him, especially now. It seemed like it was never enough.
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.
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She decided that she simply must know what was going across his face, to see if she had just absolutely ruined their friendship with a surge of youthful passion. Her cheeks, stained with pink, were blazing with heat and she found that he looked much the same as she did.
Sara started to open her mouth to speak, but closed it again because she would not apologize for what she had done. She would not take it back, even if it had not been something that he wanted. He smiled, the wide thing making it hard to breathe, the pair of them sitting back against the tree as she tried to collect the thoughts that had scattered.
She was not prepared when he suddenly came back towards her, and took a kiss of his own. His fingers were in her hair and she felt the zing of lightning strike through her, as if his touch were electric. His kiss was much briefer, as she had not even the time to open her eyes before he was speaking. Her heart was a bird or perhaps a butterfly in her chest, fluttering with wild abandon. She reached to put her hands on him again, finding the material of his clothes because it seemed the safest thing to reach for.
You mean so much to me
I flub lu
She blinked, confused for a moment as she tried to understand what he’d meant. She could not help the small laugh that fell from her lips, simultaneously amused and bewildered. He loved her?! He turned red, the color clear as day on his face. She reached for his hand with her free one, curling their fingers together. She quickly pecked him on the lips again, before drawing their fingers up to her lips.
”I flub lu, too.” She said. She had never imagined that she would say such serious words at fifteen years old. Some days she hardly felt old enough to wander unattended, but here she was declaring love to a young man that she’d known since childhood. All of his years in Athenia seemed to mean nothing to her now, because she was certain that he was worth waiting for. She would have waited a hundred more years, but now she did not have to. And he had said that he loved her.
Her breath was shaky, and she drew his hand up to her cheek so he could feel how warm they were. She squeezed his fingers, as if trying to be sure that he was real and that she had not just dreamed all of what had transpired. ”I’ve wanted to say that for a long time it feels like.” She admitted. ”I was just...afraid that you didn’t feel the same way about me.” It was true.
At least in the last six months or more, she had often thought about her feelings for Alastor of Vasiliadon. Her mother was never going to approve, with her mind on the upward climb that her daughters could do. Meena wanted her daughters to marry up and into nobility, securing their places in the society with advantageous marriages. Alastor was not such a marriage. He was like her, a lateral move instead of an upward one. None of that mattered to Sara however, she wanted more than anything to marry for love.
She giggled, the sound girlish and young. ”I...would like it very much if you would kiss me again.” She said, glancing up at him from beneath her lashes. Her dark hair was messy around her shoulders, but she didn’t mind at all. She just wanted more time with him, especially now. It seemed like it was never enough.
She decided that she simply must know what was going across his face, to see if she had just absolutely ruined their friendship with a surge of youthful passion. Her cheeks, stained with pink, were blazing with heat and she found that he looked much the same as she did.
Sara started to open her mouth to speak, but closed it again because she would not apologize for what she had done. She would not take it back, even if it had not been something that he wanted. He smiled, the wide thing making it hard to breathe, the pair of them sitting back against the tree as she tried to collect the thoughts that had scattered.
She was not prepared when he suddenly came back towards her, and took a kiss of his own. His fingers were in her hair and she felt the zing of lightning strike through her, as if his touch were electric. His kiss was much briefer, as she had not even the time to open her eyes before he was speaking. Her heart was a bird or perhaps a butterfly in her chest, fluttering with wild abandon. She reached to put her hands on him again, finding the material of his clothes because it seemed the safest thing to reach for.
You mean so much to me
I flub lu
She blinked, confused for a moment as she tried to understand what he’d meant. She could not help the small laugh that fell from her lips, simultaneously amused and bewildered. He loved her?! He turned red, the color clear as day on his face. She reached for his hand with her free one, curling their fingers together. She quickly pecked him on the lips again, before drawing their fingers up to her lips.
”I flub lu, too.” She said. She had never imagined that she would say such serious words at fifteen years old. Some days she hardly felt old enough to wander unattended, but here she was declaring love to a young man that she’d known since childhood. All of his years in Athenia seemed to mean nothing to her now, because she was certain that he was worth waiting for. She would have waited a hundred more years, but now she did not have to. And he had said that he loved her.
Her breath was shaky, and she drew his hand up to her cheek so he could feel how warm they were. She squeezed his fingers, as if trying to be sure that he was real and that she had not just dreamed all of what had transpired. ”I’ve wanted to say that for a long time it feels like.” She admitted. ”I was just...afraid that you didn’t feel the same way about me.” It was true.
At least in the last six months or more, she had often thought about her feelings for Alastor of Vasiliadon. Her mother was never going to approve, with her mind on the upward climb that her daughters could do. Meena wanted her daughters to marry up and into nobility, securing their places in the society with advantageous marriages. Alastor was not such a marriage. He was like her, a lateral move instead of an upward one. None of that mattered to Sara however, she wanted more than anything to marry for love.
She giggled, the sound girlish and young. ”I...would like it very much if you would kiss me again.” She said, glancing up at him from beneath her lashes. Her dark hair was messy around her shoulders, but she didn’t mind at all. She just wanted more time with him, especially now. It seemed like it was never enough.
"I flub lu, too."
There was a maelstrom within Alastor as he heard those words. He'd caught every shift of expression, from the sort of confusion that dawned on Sara from the terribly worded confession he gave to the dawning comprehension as she reached to his face and brought her lips to his once again. The flush upon Alastor's featured deepened further still, a crimson bloom that welled from the base of his neck to his ears. Humiliation was a terrible thing. In all of the times he'd been embarrassed in his life, never had it seemed so... significant. He needed to be strong in this moment, stalwart and admit to the girl he cared so deeply for how he felt. And when he did... it was a disaster.
Even when she reciprocated those feelings, the feeling of humiliation seemed to supersede the moment. He had to have heard it wrong. There was no way that she could possibly...
Then she kept speaking.
"I wanted to say that for a long time..."
She squeezed his fingers as if grounding herself in the moment. He'd known Sara for so long and yet... was he just getting to know her? Shaky breath, moving his hand up... He felt the warmth of the flush there, too. Everything, piece by piece, fell into place and the dawning comprehension, or rather, the acceptance of it, became clear. Alastor found his lips curved into a smile, a shaky laugh escaping his lips as he nodded in understanding. He'd been home for only a short time, but the preparation for this moment seemed eternal. He remembered crossed out words in young letters, admitting feelings he didn't understand. Then, he remembered his last visit, when he desperately wanted to say the words but didn't from a mixture of addled brains and inopportune moments.
Now was the right time. The only time that counted if Alastor wanted to admit his feelings, and it was done. There was no taking it back and as she went on, as the girlish giggle escaped her lips and she asked him to kiss her again. The confidence waxed within Alastor, the understanding that she wouldn't draw back or gasp in horror at what he'd done.
You shouldn't be so fearful, he thought to himself.
But, it was his nature. Feelings were difficult and vulnerable. They were powerful things that could twist his mind and soul, causing reactions in the body itself that sought to turn his intentions away from him. Alastor felt the tick within his chest, at last, stabilize and he drew nearer to Sara without speaking, without acknowledging her words. Could a kiss serve to truly exemplify what he felt? Such a simple thing? But, he wouldn't refuse her.
He couldn't.
Alastor pressed closer to Sara once again. His arm looped about her waist, drawing their chests together as, for a brief moment, he drew his resolve. His forehead pressed to hers as a breath filled his lungs, the sort of hesitation born no longer from fear, but the sort of giddy nervousness that he wasn't entirely familiar or comfortable with.
Alastor pressed his lips to Sara's once again, pulling her tightly against his willowy frame. He felt the embarrassment flutter away as he held them there, for a far longer moment than any of the kisses they'd shared before. More than words, more than a smile, he wanted to broadcast his feelings for her as his fingertips trailed along her back, fiddling with the fabric of her chiton just as he pulled away with a shaky breath.
"How... how was that?" he asked her, the smile growing wider still as a sort of dazed acceptance of everything seemed to foster within him.
"Let's go for a walk," he said, once she'd had the time to answer.
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"I flub lu, too."
There was a maelstrom within Alastor as he heard those words. He'd caught every shift of expression, from the sort of confusion that dawned on Sara from the terribly worded confession he gave to the dawning comprehension as she reached to his face and brought her lips to his once again. The flush upon Alastor's featured deepened further still, a crimson bloom that welled from the base of his neck to his ears. Humiliation was a terrible thing. In all of the times he'd been embarrassed in his life, never had it seemed so... significant. He needed to be strong in this moment, stalwart and admit to the girl he cared so deeply for how he felt. And when he did... it was a disaster.
Even when she reciprocated those feelings, the feeling of humiliation seemed to supersede the moment. He had to have heard it wrong. There was no way that she could possibly...
Then she kept speaking.
"I wanted to say that for a long time..."
She squeezed his fingers as if grounding herself in the moment. He'd known Sara for so long and yet... was he just getting to know her? Shaky breath, moving his hand up... He felt the warmth of the flush there, too. Everything, piece by piece, fell into place and the dawning comprehension, or rather, the acceptance of it, became clear. Alastor found his lips curved into a smile, a shaky laugh escaping his lips as he nodded in understanding. He'd been home for only a short time, but the preparation for this moment seemed eternal. He remembered crossed out words in young letters, admitting feelings he didn't understand. Then, he remembered his last visit, when he desperately wanted to say the words but didn't from a mixture of addled brains and inopportune moments.
Now was the right time. The only time that counted if Alastor wanted to admit his feelings, and it was done. There was no taking it back and as she went on, as the girlish giggle escaped her lips and she asked him to kiss her again. The confidence waxed within Alastor, the understanding that she wouldn't draw back or gasp in horror at what he'd done.
You shouldn't be so fearful, he thought to himself.
But, it was his nature. Feelings were difficult and vulnerable. They were powerful things that could twist his mind and soul, causing reactions in the body itself that sought to turn his intentions away from him. Alastor felt the tick within his chest, at last, stabilize and he drew nearer to Sara without speaking, without acknowledging her words. Could a kiss serve to truly exemplify what he felt? Such a simple thing? But, he wouldn't refuse her.
He couldn't.
Alastor pressed closer to Sara once again. His arm looped about her waist, drawing their chests together as, for a brief moment, he drew his resolve. His forehead pressed to hers as a breath filled his lungs, the sort of hesitation born no longer from fear, but the sort of giddy nervousness that he wasn't entirely familiar or comfortable with.
Alastor pressed his lips to Sara's once again, pulling her tightly against his willowy frame. He felt the embarrassment flutter away as he held them there, for a far longer moment than any of the kisses they'd shared before. More than words, more than a smile, he wanted to broadcast his feelings for her as his fingertips trailed along her back, fiddling with the fabric of her chiton just as he pulled away with a shaky breath.
"How... how was that?" he asked her, the smile growing wider still as a sort of dazed acceptance of everything seemed to foster within him.
"Let's go for a walk," he said, once she'd had the time to answer.
"I flub lu, too."
There was a maelstrom within Alastor as he heard those words. He'd caught every shift of expression, from the sort of confusion that dawned on Sara from the terribly worded confession he gave to the dawning comprehension as she reached to his face and brought her lips to his once again. The flush upon Alastor's featured deepened further still, a crimson bloom that welled from the base of his neck to his ears. Humiliation was a terrible thing. In all of the times he'd been embarrassed in his life, never had it seemed so... significant. He needed to be strong in this moment, stalwart and admit to the girl he cared so deeply for how he felt. And when he did... it was a disaster.
Even when she reciprocated those feelings, the feeling of humiliation seemed to supersede the moment. He had to have heard it wrong. There was no way that she could possibly...
Then she kept speaking.
"I wanted to say that for a long time..."
She squeezed his fingers as if grounding herself in the moment. He'd known Sara for so long and yet... was he just getting to know her? Shaky breath, moving his hand up... He felt the warmth of the flush there, too. Everything, piece by piece, fell into place and the dawning comprehension, or rather, the acceptance of it, became clear. Alastor found his lips curved into a smile, a shaky laugh escaping his lips as he nodded in understanding. He'd been home for only a short time, but the preparation for this moment seemed eternal. He remembered crossed out words in young letters, admitting feelings he didn't understand. Then, he remembered his last visit, when he desperately wanted to say the words but didn't from a mixture of addled brains and inopportune moments.
Now was the right time. The only time that counted if Alastor wanted to admit his feelings, and it was done. There was no taking it back and as she went on, as the girlish giggle escaped her lips and she asked him to kiss her again. The confidence waxed within Alastor, the understanding that she wouldn't draw back or gasp in horror at what he'd done.
You shouldn't be so fearful, he thought to himself.
But, it was his nature. Feelings were difficult and vulnerable. They were powerful things that could twist his mind and soul, causing reactions in the body itself that sought to turn his intentions away from him. Alastor felt the tick within his chest, at last, stabilize and he drew nearer to Sara without speaking, without acknowledging her words. Could a kiss serve to truly exemplify what he felt? Such a simple thing? But, he wouldn't refuse her.
He couldn't.
Alastor pressed closer to Sara once again. His arm looped about her waist, drawing their chests together as, for a brief moment, he drew his resolve. His forehead pressed to hers as a breath filled his lungs, the sort of hesitation born no longer from fear, but the sort of giddy nervousness that he wasn't entirely familiar or comfortable with.
Alastor pressed his lips to Sara's once again, pulling her tightly against his willowy frame. He felt the embarrassment flutter away as he held them there, for a far longer moment than any of the kisses they'd shared before. More than words, more than a smile, he wanted to broadcast his feelings for her as his fingertips trailed along her back, fiddling with the fabric of her chiton just as he pulled away with a shaky breath.
"How... how was that?" he asked her, the smile growing wider still as a sort of dazed acceptance of everything seemed to foster within him.
"Let's go for a walk," he said, once she'd had the time to answer.
Loving Alastor was something that had come as easy as breathing, and it seemed to happen just as naturally. She could not remember exactly when it had started, when the lines between friendship and crush had blurred as if washed over like a wave on a beach. And certainly, some part of her was sure that she was dreaming because there was no way that she was living in the current moment but that was why she had taken his hand, to assure herself that he was real. That this was real. Her skin was prickling with heat despite the cooler autumn air and her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a vortex.
He smiled and laughed, his breathing just as shaky as her own. It was just nerves, wasn’t it? He wouldn’t laugh at her, would he? She was hesitant to ask him for more, but maybe it was just more proof that she needed. That didn’t stop the embarrassingly pink blush that seemed to be a new permanent part of her appearance. It traveled across her cheeks and up onto her ears, especially when his arm slipped low to ensnare her. Her breath caught, not quite ready for the sudden drop of her stomach as her nerves fluttered like spring butterflies -- certainly out of place in autumn.
He had not said anything, so she had not been expecting him to move. His arm around her waist drew her closer and slightly up until her chest was pressing to his. Her thoughts scattered on the wind. She had never been so close with a man before, not in this manner, and the mere thought of it caused her heart to skitter and jump wildly. She had been close to a woman like this before, she thought suddenly -- but even that had been so brief and chaste that it hardly seemed to compare. She had liked the servant girl but she didn’t love her, not like she loved the one holding her right now.
She pressed in, her blue eyes locking on his for a moment before she had to drop them because of her shyness. He pressed their foreheads together, both of them seeming to need a moment. When his lips touched hers, they were soft although his grip was stronger. She had not realized that Alastor was quite that strong, pulling her tightly against him. Could pulling books off of shelves really make him strong like that? The letter tucked away in her bust crinkled noisily and she hoped he wasn’t paying attention to that. Her eyes had closed, her hands snaking their way from his clothes up into his hair. She let herself play with his hair, something she had wanted to do for a while.
This kiss went on longer than the last few, and she warmed at the idea of a long bout of kissing. She opened her mouth to invite him to play, her tongue teasing against his lips as she had learned to do. There was something to be said for kissing women, they certainly knew how to do it. His fingers playing with the material of her chiton at her back was driving her just a little crazy, caught between the nervousness that came with being with someone new and the familiarity of having done things like this before. She surged upward, just about ready to throw her leg over and straddle him as she had let her little fling do to her, but then he was pulling back and leaving her breathless. Her mind cleared as fresh air, mostly free from the dizzying intoxication, was sucked in through her nose.
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, her fingers still in his hair and she could hear the smile in his voice.
How...how was that? He wanted to know.
”Wonderful.” She answered, letting her fingers sweep down to where his hair met his neck. She pressed her lips to his cheek, half hoping to draw him into more but he pulled further back, asking to go for a walk instead. She nodded, hesitant to let him go but once his grip on her loosened then she did just that. She cleared her throat as she adjusted her garments, just slightly ruffled from the kissing. This was her favorite spot in all of Taengea, she decided, rising to her feet carefully and dusting herself off.
She swayed awkwardly on her feet, hearing the crinkle of his letter as she turned away for a moment to try to settle herself down. She was warmer than before, and just the tiniest bit flustered. Sara reached down to tuck the drawing of his school, forgotten until just now, up against the tree’s trunk so that it would be safe.
When she felt settled enough, she gestured for him to lead the way -- unsure of where he wanted to walk. She could feel an awkwardness creeping in now as their relationship shifted from friendship to...well...she did not quite know what he was to her now. A boy she had kissed? Was there something beyond that that wasn’t officially courting? She pondered it, tempted to ask -- and perhaps if he was not the object of such a question, then she might have.
She cleared her throat again, glancing everywhere but at him as she fumbled for something normal to talk about. ”S-so.” She felt flustered. She didn’t stammer, yet here she was nervous and stuttering. ”Since you’re back in Taengea now….what will you be doing? Do you have work lined up or are you going to study here now...o-or?”
This character is currently a work in progress.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Loving Alastor was something that had come as easy as breathing, and it seemed to happen just as naturally. She could not remember exactly when it had started, when the lines between friendship and crush had blurred as if washed over like a wave on a beach. And certainly, some part of her was sure that she was dreaming because there was no way that she was living in the current moment but that was why she had taken his hand, to assure herself that he was real. That this was real. Her skin was prickling with heat despite the cooler autumn air and her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a vortex.
He smiled and laughed, his breathing just as shaky as her own. It was just nerves, wasn’t it? He wouldn’t laugh at her, would he? She was hesitant to ask him for more, but maybe it was just more proof that she needed. That didn’t stop the embarrassingly pink blush that seemed to be a new permanent part of her appearance. It traveled across her cheeks and up onto her ears, especially when his arm slipped low to ensnare her. Her breath caught, not quite ready for the sudden drop of her stomach as her nerves fluttered like spring butterflies -- certainly out of place in autumn.
He had not said anything, so she had not been expecting him to move. His arm around her waist drew her closer and slightly up until her chest was pressing to his. Her thoughts scattered on the wind. She had never been so close with a man before, not in this manner, and the mere thought of it caused her heart to skitter and jump wildly. She had been close to a woman like this before, she thought suddenly -- but even that had been so brief and chaste that it hardly seemed to compare. She had liked the servant girl but she didn’t love her, not like she loved the one holding her right now.
She pressed in, her blue eyes locking on his for a moment before she had to drop them because of her shyness. He pressed their foreheads together, both of them seeming to need a moment. When his lips touched hers, they were soft although his grip was stronger. She had not realized that Alastor was quite that strong, pulling her tightly against him. Could pulling books off of shelves really make him strong like that? The letter tucked away in her bust crinkled noisily and she hoped he wasn’t paying attention to that. Her eyes had closed, her hands snaking their way from his clothes up into his hair. She let herself play with his hair, something she had wanted to do for a while.
This kiss went on longer than the last few, and she warmed at the idea of a long bout of kissing. She opened her mouth to invite him to play, her tongue teasing against his lips as she had learned to do. There was something to be said for kissing women, they certainly knew how to do it. His fingers playing with the material of her chiton at her back was driving her just a little crazy, caught between the nervousness that came with being with someone new and the familiarity of having done things like this before. She surged upward, just about ready to throw her leg over and straddle him as she had let her little fling do to her, but then he was pulling back and leaving her breathless. Her mind cleared as fresh air, mostly free from the dizzying intoxication, was sucked in through her nose.
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, her fingers still in his hair and she could hear the smile in his voice.
How...how was that? He wanted to know.
”Wonderful.” She answered, letting her fingers sweep down to where his hair met his neck. She pressed her lips to his cheek, half hoping to draw him into more but he pulled further back, asking to go for a walk instead. She nodded, hesitant to let him go but once his grip on her loosened then she did just that. She cleared her throat as she adjusted her garments, just slightly ruffled from the kissing. This was her favorite spot in all of Taengea, she decided, rising to her feet carefully and dusting herself off.
She swayed awkwardly on her feet, hearing the crinkle of his letter as she turned away for a moment to try to settle herself down. She was warmer than before, and just the tiniest bit flustered. Sara reached down to tuck the drawing of his school, forgotten until just now, up against the tree’s trunk so that it would be safe.
When she felt settled enough, she gestured for him to lead the way -- unsure of where he wanted to walk. She could feel an awkwardness creeping in now as their relationship shifted from friendship to...well...she did not quite know what he was to her now. A boy she had kissed? Was there something beyond that that wasn’t officially courting? She pondered it, tempted to ask -- and perhaps if he was not the object of such a question, then she might have.
She cleared her throat again, glancing everywhere but at him as she fumbled for something normal to talk about. ”S-so.” She felt flustered. She didn’t stammer, yet here she was nervous and stuttering. ”Since you’re back in Taengea now….what will you be doing? Do you have work lined up or are you going to study here now...o-or?”
Loving Alastor was something that had come as easy as breathing, and it seemed to happen just as naturally. She could not remember exactly when it had started, when the lines between friendship and crush had blurred as if washed over like a wave on a beach. And certainly, some part of her was sure that she was dreaming because there was no way that she was living in the current moment but that was why she had taken his hand, to assure herself that he was real. That this was real. Her skin was prickling with heat despite the cooler autumn air and her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a vortex.
He smiled and laughed, his breathing just as shaky as her own. It was just nerves, wasn’t it? He wouldn’t laugh at her, would he? She was hesitant to ask him for more, but maybe it was just more proof that she needed. That didn’t stop the embarrassingly pink blush that seemed to be a new permanent part of her appearance. It traveled across her cheeks and up onto her ears, especially when his arm slipped low to ensnare her. Her breath caught, not quite ready for the sudden drop of her stomach as her nerves fluttered like spring butterflies -- certainly out of place in autumn.
He had not said anything, so she had not been expecting him to move. His arm around her waist drew her closer and slightly up until her chest was pressing to his. Her thoughts scattered on the wind. She had never been so close with a man before, not in this manner, and the mere thought of it caused her heart to skitter and jump wildly. She had been close to a woman like this before, she thought suddenly -- but even that had been so brief and chaste that it hardly seemed to compare. She had liked the servant girl but she didn’t love her, not like she loved the one holding her right now.
She pressed in, her blue eyes locking on his for a moment before she had to drop them because of her shyness. He pressed their foreheads together, both of them seeming to need a moment. When his lips touched hers, they were soft although his grip was stronger. She had not realized that Alastor was quite that strong, pulling her tightly against him. Could pulling books off of shelves really make him strong like that? The letter tucked away in her bust crinkled noisily and she hoped he wasn’t paying attention to that. Her eyes had closed, her hands snaking their way from his clothes up into his hair. She let herself play with his hair, something she had wanted to do for a while.
This kiss went on longer than the last few, and she warmed at the idea of a long bout of kissing. She opened her mouth to invite him to play, her tongue teasing against his lips as she had learned to do. There was something to be said for kissing women, they certainly knew how to do it. His fingers playing with the material of her chiton at her back was driving her just a little crazy, caught between the nervousness that came with being with someone new and the familiarity of having done things like this before. She surged upward, just about ready to throw her leg over and straddle him as she had let her little fling do to her, but then he was pulling back and leaving her breathless. Her mind cleared as fresh air, mostly free from the dizzying intoxication, was sucked in through her nose.
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, her fingers still in his hair and she could hear the smile in his voice.
How...how was that? He wanted to know.
”Wonderful.” She answered, letting her fingers sweep down to where his hair met his neck. She pressed her lips to his cheek, half hoping to draw him into more but he pulled further back, asking to go for a walk instead. She nodded, hesitant to let him go but once his grip on her loosened then she did just that. She cleared her throat as she adjusted her garments, just slightly ruffled from the kissing. This was her favorite spot in all of Taengea, she decided, rising to her feet carefully and dusting herself off.
She swayed awkwardly on her feet, hearing the crinkle of his letter as she turned away for a moment to try to settle herself down. She was warmer than before, and just the tiniest bit flustered. Sara reached down to tuck the drawing of his school, forgotten until just now, up against the tree’s trunk so that it would be safe.
When she felt settled enough, she gestured for him to lead the way -- unsure of where he wanted to walk. She could feel an awkwardness creeping in now as their relationship shifted from friendship to...well...she did not quite know what he was to her now. A boy she had kissed? Was there something beyond that that wasn’t officially courting? She pondered it, tempted to ask -- and perhaps if he was not the object of such a question, then she might have.
She cleared her throat again, glancing everywhere but at him as she fumbled for something normal to talk about. ”S-so.” She felt flustered. She didn’t stammer, yet here she was nervous and stuttering. ”Since you’re back in Taengea now….what will you be doing? Do you have work lined up or are you going to study here now...o-or?”
Love wasn't something that Alastor did or ever thought would've been as significant as it turned out to be. But, nevertheless, it surface in so many parts of his life. Rather than making a life for himself in Athenia, he elected to return home because of it. Athenia was not owed anything by the young scholar, but nor had it earned any sort of disregard. The decision, while it was weighed logically, wasn't one he ever thought would go any other way. Taengea was his home, and not because of its city walls or the people in power. It was his home because of Sara, because of Zenatos and their parents.
It was his home because he needed it to be.
Keeping within Athenia was a fantasy, a paradise of studies that only lasted for as long as the money his parents gave out did. He'd grown into a well-educated young man, and going further, delving into crafts that did not interest him and studies that would've served no purpose. Academia had its limits, and while Alastor retained nearly everything, he also came to realize that this life was not for him forever. He was not a lecturer, or a boy destined to remain a scribe eternally. Being forever at the behest of paper and the written wasn't his dream.
He wanted significance, but not for himself. He needed to repay his parents for their sacrifice in giving him what he had. Sara's question, while it was perhaps, chatter for the sake of it, was a deep question that had the boy thinking of his future here. It got him, for even a little while, away from the nervousness of the situation, from the fallout of their shared confession. Thinking about love was a dangerous thing, especially with Sara. The needle needed to be threaded carefully there, even if he wanted to hold her publicly, to kiss her, and in some eventuality, give her a life away from her mother. It was... complicated, the feelings he felt. But he reckoned it was a normal thing.
Is it normal to be in love with people above your station?
Was Sara above his station? Exactly what were they signing up for, pursuing this? It was easier to delve into the idle chatter.
"I... I might have something up in the air. I spoke to Lord Achilleas about possible opportunities when I was here last."
More secrets, more things he hid from her. Going to her brother had been a smart move, even if he accidentally name-dropped the girl in the midst of it. Not his smartest move.
"Times are... tumultuous at best. While I hear back from him, I'll be pursuing other leads. But, the time for studying is past, I think."
Thank the Gods for that.
Alastor wanted to make his impact on the world, and it was time for him to see just how that could happen. The scholar draped an arm about the woman's waist, drawing her nearer to him once he'd looked around to see no prying eyes. The need to be careful never quite escaped him.
"I've always wondered if maybe, someday, I'd like to live here, you know," he said, motioning around them.
The Gentle Giant. Euttica earned its reputation well, because even the self-sabotaging mind of Alastor found calm within its boundaries.
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.
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Love wasn't something that Alastor did or ever thought would've been as significant as it turned out to be. But, nevertheless, it surface in so many parts of his life. Rather than making a life for himself in Athenia, he elected to return home because of it. Athenia was not owed anything by the young scholar, but nor had it earned any sort of disregard. The decision, while it was weighed logically, wasn't one he ever thought would go any other way. Taengea was his home, and not because of its city walls or the people in power. It was his home because of Sara, because of Zenatos and their parents.
It was his home because he needed it to be.
Keeping within Athenia was a fantasy, a paradise of studies that only lasted for as long as the money his parents gave out did. He'd grown into a well-educated young man, and going further, delving into crafts that did not interest him and studies that would've served no purpose. Academia had its limits, and while Alastor retained nearly everything, he also came to realize that this life was not for him forever. He was not a lecturer, or a boy destined to remain a scribe eternally. Being forever at the behest of paper and the written wasn't his dream.
He wanted significance, but not for himself. He needed to repay his parents for their sacrifice in giving him what he had. Sara's question, while it was perhaps, chatter for the sake of it, was a deep question that had the boy thinking of his future here. It got him, for even a little while, away from the nervousness of the situation, from the fallout of their shared confession. Thinking about love was a dangerous thing, especially with Sara. The needle needed to be threaded carefully there, even if he wanted to hold her publicly, to kiss her, and in some eventuality, give her a life away from her mother. It was... complicated, the feelings he felt. But he reckoned it was a normal thing.
Is it normal to be in love with people above your station?
Was Sara above his station? Exactly what were they signing up for, pursuing this? It was easier to delve into the idle chatter.
"I... I might have something up in the air. I spoke to Lord Achilleas about possible opportunities when I was here last."
More secrets, more things he hid from her. Going to her brother had been a smart move, even if he accidentally name-dropped the girl in the midst of it. Not his smartest move.
"Times are... tumultuous at best. While I hear back from him, I'll be pursuing other leads. But, the time for studying is past, I think."
Thank the Gods for that.
Alastor wanted to make his impact on the world, and it was time for him to see just how that could happen. The scholar draped an arm about the woman's waist, drawing her nearer to him once he'd looked around to see no prying eyes. The need to be careful never quite escaped him.
"I've always wondered if maybe, someday, I'd like to live here, you know," he said, motioning around them.
The Gentle Giant. Euttica earned its reputation well, because even the self-sabotaging mind of Alastor found calm within its boundaries.
Love wasn't something that Alastor did or ever thought would've been as significant as it turned out to be. But, nevertheless, it surface in so many parts of his life. Rather than making a life for himself in Athenia, he elected to return home because of it. Athenia was not owed anything by the young scholar, but nor had it earned any sort of disregard. The decision, while it was weighed logically, wasn't one he ever thought would go any other way. Taengea was his home, and not because of its city walls or the people in power. It was his home because of Sara, because of Zenatos and their parents.
It was his home because he needed it to be.
Keeping within Athenia was a fantasy, a paradise of studies that only lasted for as long as the money his parents gave out did. He'd grown into a well-educated young man, and going further, delving into crafts that did not interest him and studies that would've served no purpose. Academia had its limits, and while Alastor retained nearly everything, he also came to realize that this life was not for him forever. He was not a lecturer, or a boy destined to remain a scribe eternally. Being forever at the behest of paper and the written wasn't his dream.
He wanted significance, but not for himself. He needed to repay his parents for their sacrifice in giving him what he had. Sara's question, while it was perhaps, chatter for the sake of it, was a deep question that had the boy thinking of his future here. It got him, for even a little while, away from the nervousness of the situation, from the fallout of their shared confession. Thinking about love was a dangerous thing, especially with Sara. The needle needed to be threaded carefully there, even if he wanted to hold her publicly, to kiss her, and in some eventuality, give her a life away from her mother. It was... complicated, the feelings he felt. But he reckoned it was a normal thing.
Is it normal to be in love with people above your station?
Was Sara above his station? Exactly what were they signing up for, pursuing this? It was easier to delve into the idle chatter.
"I... I might have something up in the air. I spoke to Lord Achilleas about possible opportunities when I was here last."
More secrets, more things he hid from her. Going to her brother had been a smart move, even if he accidentally name-dropped the girl in the midst of it. Not his smartest move.
"Times are... tumultuous at best. While I hear back from him, I'll be pursuing other leads. But, the time for studying is past, I think."
Thank the Gods for that.
Alastor wanted to make his impact on the world, and it was time for him to see just how that could happen. The scholar draped an arm about the woman's waist, drawing her nearer to him once he'd looked around to see no prying eyes. The need to be careful never quite escaped him.
"I've always wondered if maybe, someday, I'd like to live here, you know," he said, motioning around them.
The Gentle Giant. Euttica earned its reputation well, because even the self-sabotaging mind of Alastor found calm within its boundaries.
His extended silence concerned her, and she had the horrible thought that maybe...just maybe he already regretted what had transpired between them. Her vision swung between him and the scenery while waiting, her own mind starting to drift into the realities of what had occurred between them. What did it all mean? Did it have to mean anything? It was young love, certainly, but...could it ever be more? He was common-born and she was nothing more than a bastard. The rules of her life could shift at any moment, everything that she was was swinging on a pendulum that was dependent on the life and benevolence of her father.
When he did finally answer, she found her steps had faltered and a bewildered expression slapped across her face. Her blue gaze was bright, albeit confused as she considered him. He’d met with Achilleas? The mention of her brother was surprising to say the least. The pair of them had used Euttica, and the easy excuse of her brother’s presence in the province, as a meeting place for the last couple of years.
Meena had never really questioned the idea, thankfully, and preferred to stick close to Irakles’ side. Tasia had often expressed her interest in visiting Achilleas in Euttica, but Sara had always been discreet about her departure plans. Thus far, it had worked.
She had had no idea that the pair had met, however. She might have thought to warn Alastor because the eldest Mikadelas son was not exactly...well, the warm and fuzzy sort. His actions could not be called unkind, but there was a stiff formalness to him and she had some idea of how that encounter probably went. Her own encounters with Achilleas were...odd at best.
When Alastor’s arm found her waist, she felt the flutter of butterflies in her stomach, the way her heart dipped down to her toes before coming back up again -- like a child’s toy. ”You didn’t tell me about that.” She said in a small voice, looking...a little oddly betrayed by the revelation. Her head was tipped back, dark tresses falling down her back -- his letter poking her just beneath her first rib. She tried to think of the last time that he had been home. Months ago, months.
Of course, Achilleas wouldn’t have mentioned it to her -- he barely spoke to her as it were and she was fairly sure that he did not know anything about Alastor. Imma of Leventi perhaps knew the most about Sara’s little crush, but she had mostly kept him to herself out of caution. If anyone in her immediate family knew, she had not been the one to tell them. But Alastor had purposefully kept that information from her, even though they were friends.
She looked away, finding herself pulling back -- trying to shake the trouble that had settled itself on her face. It was such a small thing, yet it bothered her like a thorn in her palm. Why wouldn’t he have said something? Granted, it was all part of his plans to return to Taengea so perhaps he hadn’t wanted to disappoint her.
Euttica is a beautiful place to live.” She agreed, pushing away the strange feelings that were swirling in her head. ”Achilleas would be lucky to have you. I wish that I could put in a good word, but...well…” She gave a quiet, hard laugh. ”He and I...he’s…” She put her hands up, gesturing as if they were a scale being tipped in either direction. ”I don’t think he likes me. It’s always been strange between us.”
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His extended silence concerned her, and she had the horrible thought that maybe...just maybe he already regretted what had transpired between them. Her vision swung between him and the scenery while waiting, her own mind starting to drift into the realities of what had occurred between them. What did it all mean? Did it have to mean anything? It was young love, certainly, but...could it ever be more? He was common-born and she was nothing more than a bastard. The rules of her life could shift at any moment, everything that she was was swinging on a pendulum that was dependent on the life and benevolence of her father.
When he did finally answer, she found her steps had faltered and a bewildered expression slapped across her face. Her blue gaze was bright, albeit confused as she considered him. He’d met with Achilleas? The mention of her brother was surprising to say the least. The pair of them had used Euttica, and the easy excuse of her brother’s presence in the province, as a meeting place for the last couple of years.
Meena had never really questioned the idea, thankfully, and preferred to stick close to Irakles’ side. Tasia had often expressed her interest in visiting Achilleas in Euttica, but Sara had always been discreet about her departure plans. Thus far, it had worked.
She had had no idea that the pair had met, however. She might have thought to warn Alastor because the eldest Mikadelas son was not exactly...well, the warm and fuzzy sort. His actions could not be called unkind, but there was a stiff formalness to him and she had some idea of how that encounter probably went. Her own encounters with Achilleas were...odd at best.
When Alastor’s arm found her waist, she felt the flutter of butterflies in her stomach, the way her heart dipped down to her toes before coming back up again -- like a child’s toy. ”You didn’t tell me about that.” She said in a small voice, looking...a little oddly betrayed by the revelation. Her head was tipped back, dark tresses falling down her back -- his letter poking her just beneath her first rib. She tried to think of the last time that he had been home. Months ago, months.
Of course, Achilleas wouldn’t have mentioned it to her -- he barely spoke to her as it were and she was fairly sure that he did not know anything about Alastor. Imma of Leventi perhaps knew the most about Sara’s little crush, but she had mostly kept him to herself out of caution. If anyone in her immediate family knew, she had not been the one to tell them. But Alastor had purposefully kept that information from her, even though they were friends.
She looked away, finding herself pulling back -- trying to shake the trouble that had settled itself on her face. It was such a small thing, yet it bothered her like a thorn in her palm. Why wouldn’t he have said something? Granted, it was all part of his plans to return to Taengea so perhaps he hadn’t wanted to disappoint her.
Euttica is a beautiful place to live.” She agreed, pushing away the strange feelings that were swirling in her head. ”Achilleas would be lucky to have you. I wish that I could put in a good word, but...well…” She gave a quiet, hard laugh. ”He and I...he’s…” She put her hands up, gesturing as if they were a scale being tipped in either direction. ”I don’t think he likes me. It’s always been strange between us.”
His extended silence concerned her, and she had the horrible thought that maybe...just maybe he already regretted what had transpired between them. Her vision swung between him and the scenery while waiting, her own mind starting to drift into the realities of what had occurred between them. What did it all mean? Did it have to mean anything? It was young love, certainly, but...could it ever be more? He was common-born and she was nothing more than a bastard. The rules of her life could shift at any moment, everything that she was was swinging on a pendulum that was dependent on the life and benevolence of her father.
When he did finally answer, she found her steps had faltered and a bewildered expression slapped across her face. Her blue gaze was bright, albeit confused as she considered him. He’d met with Achilleas? The mention of her brother was surprising to say the least. The pair of them had used Euttica, and the easy excuse of her brother’s presence in the province, as a meeting place for the last couple of years.
Meena had never really questioned the idea, thankfully, and preferred to stick close to Irakles’ side. Tasia had often expressed her interest in visiting Achilleas in Euttica, but Sara had always been discreet about her departure plans. Thus far, it had worked.
She had had no idea that the pair had met, however. She might have thought to warn Alastor because the eldest Mikadelas son was not exactly...well, the warm and fuzzy sort. His actions could not be called unkind, but there was a stiff formalness to him and she had some idea of how that encounter probably went. Her own encounters with Achilleas were...odd at best.
When Alastor’s arm found her waist, she felt the flutter of butterflies in her stomach, the way her heart dipped down to her toes before coming back up again -- like a child’s toy. ”You didn’t tell me about that.” She said in a small voice, looking...a little oddly betrayed by the revelation. Her head was tipped back, dark tresses falling down her back -- his letter poking her just beneath her first rib. She tried to think of the last time that he had been home. Months ago, months.
Of course, Achilleas wouldn’t have mentioned it to her -- he barely spoke to her as it were and she was fairly sure that he did not know anything about Alastor. Imma of Leventi perhaps knew the most about Sara’s little crush, but she had mostly kept him to herself out of caution. If anyone in her immediate family knew, she had not been the one to tell them. But Alastor had purposefully kept that information from her, even though they were friends.
She looked away, finding herself pulling back -- trying to shake the trouble that had settled itself on her face. It was such a small thing, yet it bothered her like a thorn in her palm. Why wouldn’t he have said something? Granted, it was all part of his plans to return to Taengea so perhaps he hadn’t wanted to disappoint her.
Euttica is a beautiful place to live.” She agreed, pushing away the strange feelings that were swirling in her head. ”Achilleas would be lucky to have you. I wish that I could put in a good word, but...well…” She gave a quiet, hard laugh. ”He and I...he’s…” She put her hands up, gesturing as if they were a scale being tipped in either direction. ”I don’t think he likes me. It’s always been strange between us.”
The future wasn't so easy to talk about. With the fact that he'd had to deal with the rigors of traveling between Taengea and Athenia several times and the fact that being idle wasn't suited to his, for lack of a better word, ambitions... perhaps it simply didn't occur to him that Sara should be apprised to this.
Especially after how Lord Achilleas reacted to the somewhat accidental slip of the tongue that was bringing Sara up in that meeting. Clearly, Achilleas had some hangups about Sara, and further exposing her to it before he left for Athenia again would've been... unwise. But, the conventions of the logical probably wouldn't appeal to Sara, particularly when she put that expression on her face about it all.
Alastor remained silent for a moment, but... before he could stop himself his lips parted to speak. The silence was deadening in those moment. She seemed deep in thought about it, and her visible conflict about the revelation wasn't what he wanted out of this. They'd just gotten done admitting something deeper between them, so the worst thing he could do was hurt her feelings about something else, right? But, the silence broke before he could really do anything about it.
The laugh she let out seemed fake, as if she was trying to dismiss it and repress what she was feeling about it all. Then...
"I wish that I could put in a good word, but... well..."
Should I tell her?
Was affirming this the right call? Would it be worse to keep more secrets, especially when she already knew he'd talked to her brother?
"Uh, you did come up while we were talking," he blurted out before he could stop himself. Alastor nearly raised his hand to his mouth, but decided to move into the skid. Alastor considered himself pretty good at keeping a lid on things, but once that lid was removed, to simply... stop was difficult. He'd need to be more careful, especially once Achilleas' steward did send for him. He'd already written a letter to the man. It was just a matter of time.
"It was sort of an accident. I told him I knew you and well, he wasn't pleased that I brought it up. I managed to um... salvage something out of the meeting, but it might be why I didn't tell you in the first place? I didn't want to drudge something up and then have to leave?"
He wasn't sure how else to tell it. He hadn't wanted to in the first place! Maybe it was better to walk around wearing a muzzle, for all the silly things the boy might say otherwise.
Or is it just with Sara that I'm so incredibly stupid?
The heat that was 'I flub lu' still burned his cheeks. Alastor would be mortified about how this all turned out for weeks to come, he was certain of it.
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The future wasn't so easy to talk about. With the fact that he'd had to deal with the rigors of traveling between Taengea and Athenia several times and the fact that being idle wasn't suited to his, for lack of a better word, ambitions... perhaps it simply didn't occur to him that Sara should be apprised to this.
Especially after how Lord Achilleas reacted to the somewhat accidental slip of the tongue that was bringing Sara up in that meeting. Clearly, Achilleas had some hangups about Sara, and further exposing her to it before he left for Athenia again would've been... unwise. But, the conventions of the logical probably wouldn't appeal to Sara, particularly when she put that expression on her face about it all.
Alastor remained silent for a moment, but... before he could stop himself his lips parted to speak. The silence was deadening in those moment. She seemed deep in thought about it, and her visible conflict about the revelation wasn't what he wanted out of this. They'd just gotten done admitting something deeper between them, so the worst thing he could do was hurt her feelings about something else, right? But, the silence broke before he could really do anything about it.
The laugh she let out seemed fake, as if she was trying to dismiss it and repress what she was feeling about it all. Then...
"I wish that I could put in a good word, but... well..."
Should I tell her?
Was affirming this the right call? Would it be worse to keep more secrets, especially when she already knew he'd talked to her brother?
"Uh, you did come up while we were talking," he blurted out before he could stop himself. Alastor nearly raised his hand to his mouth, but decided to move into the skid. Alastor considered himself pretty good at keeping a lid on things, but once that lid was removed, to simply... stop was difficult. He'd need to be more careful, especially once Achilleas' steward did send for him. He'd already written a letter to the man. It was just a matter of time.
"It was sort of an accident. I told him I knew you and well, he wasn't pleased that I brought it up. I managed to um... salvage something out of the meeting, but it might be why I didn't tell you in the first place? I didn't want to drudge something up and then have to leave?"
He wasn't sure how else to tell it. He hadn't wanted to in the first place! Maybe it was better to walk around wearing a muzzle, for all the silly things the boy might say otherwise.
Or is it just with Sara that I'm so incredibly stupid?
The heat that was 'I flub lu' still burned his cheeks. Alastor would be mortified about how this all turned out for weeks to come, he was certain of it.
The future wasn't so easy to talk about. With the fact that he'd had to deal with the rigors of traveling between Taengea and Athenia several times and the fact that being idle wasn't suited to his, for lack of a better word, ambitions... perhaps it simply didn't occur to him that Sara should be apprised to this.
Especially after how Lord Achilleas reacted to the somewhat accidental slip of the tongue that was bringing Sara up in that meeting. Clearly, Achilleas had some hangups about Sara, and further exposing her to it before he left for Athenia again would've been... unwise. But, the conventions of the logical probably wouldn't appeal to Sara, particularly when she put that expression on her face about it all.
Alastor remained silent for a moment, but... before he could stop himself his lips parted to speak. The silence was deadening in those moment. She seemed deep in thought about it, and her visible conflict about the revelation wasn't what he wanted out of this. They'd just gotten done admitting something deeper between them, so the worst thing he could do was hurt her feelings about something else, right? But, the silence broke before he could really do anything about it.
The laugh she let out seemed fake, as if she was trying to dismiss it and repress what she was feeling about it all. Then...
"I wish that I could put in a good word, but... well..."
Should I tell her?
Was affirming this the right call? Would it be worse to keep more secrets, especially when she already knew he'd talked to her brother?
"Uh, you did come up while we were talking," he blurted out before he could stop himself. Alastor nearly raised his hand to his mouth, but decided to move into the skid. Alastor considered himself pretty good at keeping a lid on things, but once that lid was removed, to simply... stop was difficult. He'd need to be more careful, especially once Achilleas' steward did send for him. He'd already written a letter to the man. It was just a matter of time.
"It was sort of an accident. I told him I knew you and well, he wasn't pleased that I brought it up. I managed to um... salvage something out of the meeting, but it might be why I didn't tell you in the first place? I didn't want to drudge something up and then have to leave?"
He wasn't sure how else to tell it. He hadn't wanted to in the first place! Maybe it was better to walk around wearing a muzzle, for all the silly things the boy might say otherwise.
Or is it just with Sara that I'm so incredibly stupid?
The heat that was 'I flub lu' still burned his cheeks. Alastor would be mortified about how this all turned out for weeks to come, he was certain of it.
She kept walking, although her pace was slow. Walking was just a distraction, something to do while her mind ran off much more quickly. Warmth still splayed across her cheeks, even with the sinking feeling starting to grow in the pit of her belly. She had no idea that Alastor had been here. What else could he be hiding? Would he hide things from her? She would have thought it so trivial, but what if there was something else?
“Uh, you did come up while we were talking,”
She blinked, surprised to hear that come out of his mouth. If she had known about his visit in the first place, she might have warned him about Achilleas’ lukewarm feelings about his half-sister. Certainly, there had been moments between them when things had been almost civil, other moments where she’d dared to hope for a closer relationship with the eldest Mikaelidas like she had with Emilios. Those moments were precious things to her, the things she chose to dwell on whenever he treated her a little too coolly or when she’d blended too far into the background within her family’s dynamics.
She cringed when Alastor said that her brother had been less than pleased to have her brought up. Her features twisted briefly in familiar pain, but she shook it away. She’d just admitted to loving the boy in front of her not even ten minutes ago. She did not want to feel sad about Achilleas or angry that Alastor had not told her of his plans. Sara brought her hand up to her neck, her fingers brushing beneath her hair as she laughed -- the sound still strangled.
”I’m sorry.” She said, her expression going sheepish. She was simultaneously apologizing for the fact that her name had not been a good thing, and for being upset that he hadn't told her. She was still a little miffed about it, but now that she knew his reasoning...she supposed it made sense. Still, she would have liked to know. ”I...I know you only had good intentions.” Her shoulders lifted with the easy motion of a shrug, but they felt as if the world was weighing on them. Her free hand, the one not pressed to her neck, reached for his and laced their fingers together. ”Come on, let’s go into town.” She said, determined to change this narrative from something heavy into light.
”I want to walk about the town with you.” She said, squeezing his fingers. Her blue gaze danced, sparkling like the sunlight bouncing off of the waves of the sea. ”I know of a couple of places that we could go that aren’t too crowded. We have to celebrate your return home, of course.” She smiled, the expression warming her features and chasing away the chills of reality, of withheld truths and familial strains.
Euttica was small, but she was fairly certain that they would not run into Achilleas. She was not even sure he was within the province today. They had often used Euttica as their meeting place which meant they were both quite familiar with the province. Sara had dressed plainly enough to pass for one of the townspeople, the dark green chiton was certainly not going to draw anyone’s notice. Not really, and if for some gods forsaken reason did...no one knew her. She was just another faceless girl, with an equally faceless boy.
”We can be careful.” She promised. ”It’ll be fun.”
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She kept walking, although her pace was slow. Walking was just a distraction, something to do while her mind ran off much more quickly. Warmth still splayed across her cheeks, even with the sinking feeling starting to grow in the pit of her belly. She had no idea that Alastor had been here. What else could he be hiding? Would he hide things from her? She would have thought it so trivial, but what if there was something else?
“Uh, you did come up while we were talking,”
She blinked, surprised to hear that come out of his mouth. If she had known about his visit in the first place, she might have warned him about Achilleas’ lukewarm feelings about his half-sister. Certainly, there had been moments between them when things had been almost civil, other moments where she’d dared to hope for a closer relationship with the eldest Mikaelidas like she had with Emilios. Those moments were precious things to her, the things she chose to dwell on whenever he treated her a little too coolly or when she’d blended too far into the background within her family’s dynamics.
She cringed when Alastor said that her brother had been less than pleased to have her brought up. Her features twisted briefly in familiar pain, but she shook it away. She’d just admitted to loving the boy in front of her not even ten minutes ago. She did not want to feel sad about Achilleas or angry that Alastor had not told her of his plans. Sara brought her hand up to her neck, her fingers brushing beneath her hair as she laughed -- the sound still strangled.
”I’m sorry.” She said, her expression going sheepish. She was simultaneously apologizing for the fact that her name had not been a good thing, and for being upset that he hadn't told her. She was still a little miffed about it, but now that she knew his reasoning...she supposed it made sense. Still, she would have liked to know. ”I...I know you only had good intentions.” Her shoulders lifted with the easy motion of a shrug, but they felt as if the world was weighing on them. Her free hand, the one not pressed to her neck, reached for his and laced their fingers together. ”Come on, let’s go into town.” She said, determined to change this narrative from something heavy into light.
”I want to walk about the town with you.” She said, squeezing his fingers. Her blue gaze danced, sparkling like the sunlight bouncing off of the waves of the sea. ”I know of a couple of places that we could go that aren’t too crowded. We have to celebrate your return home, of course.” She smiled, the expression warming her features and chasing away the chills of reality, of withheld truths and familial strains.
Euttica was small, but she was fairly certain that they would not run into Achilleas. She was not even sure he was within the province today. They had often used Euttica as their meeting place which meant they were both quite familiar with the province. Sara had dressed plainly enough to pass for one of the townspeople, the dark green chiton was certainly not going to draw anyone’s notice. Not really, and if for some gods forsaken reason did...no one knew her. She was just another faceless girl, with an equally faceless boy.
”We can be careful.” She promised. ”It’ll be fun.”
She kept walking, although her pace was slow. Walking was just a distraction, something to do while her mind ran off much more quickly. Warmth still splayed across her cheeks, even with the sinking feeling starting to grow in the pit of her belly. She had no idea that Alastor had been here. What else could he be hiding? Would he hide things from her? She would have thought it so trivial, but what if there was something else?
“Uh, you did come up while we were talking,”
She blinked, surprised to hear that come out of his mouth. If she had known about his visit in the first place, she might have warned him about Achilleas’ lukewarm feelings about his half-sister. Certainly, there had been moments between them when things had been almost civil, other moments where she’d dared to hope for a closer relationship with the eldest Mikaelidas like she had with Emilios. Those moments were precious things to her, the things she chose to dwell on whenever he treated her a little too coolly or when she’d blended too far into the background within her family’s dynamics.
She cringed when Alastor said that her brother had been less than pleased to have her brought up. Her features twisted briefly in familiar pain, but she shook it away. She’d just admitted to loving the boy in front of her not even ten minutes ago. She did not want to feel sad about Achilleas or angry that Alastor had not told her of his plans. Sara brought her hand up to her neck, her fingers brushing beneath her hair as she laughed -- the sound still strangled.
”I’m sorry.” She said, her expression going sheepish. She was simultaneously apologizing for the fact that her name had not been a good thing, and for being upset that he hadn't told her. She was still a little miffed about it, but now that she knew his reasoning...she supposed it made sense. Still, she would have liked to know. ”I...I know you only had good intentions.” Her shoulders lifted with the easy motion of a shrug, but they felt as if the world was weighing on them. Her free hand, the one not pressed to her neck, reached for his and laced their fingers together. ”Come on, let’s go into town.” She said, determined to change this narrative from something heavy into light.
”I want to walk about the town with you.” She said, squeezing his fingers. Her blue gaze danced, sparkling like the sunlight bouncing off of the waves of the sea. ”I know of a couple of places that we could go that aren’t too crowded. We have to celebrate your return home, of course.” She smiled, the expression warming her features and chasing away the chills of reality, of withheld truths and familial strains.
Euttica was small, but she was fairly certain that they would not run into Achilleas. She was not even sure he was within the province today. They had often used Euttica as their meeting place which meant they were both quite familiar with the province. Sara had dressed plainly enough to pass for one of the townspeople, the dark green chiton was certainly not going to draw anyone’s notice. Not really, and if for some gods forsaken reason did...no one knew her. She was just another faceless girl, with an equally faceless boy.
”We can be careful.” She promised. ”It’ll be fun.”
The machinations that Alastor had were by no means organized. The boy's mind was a layered thing, weaving the possibilities of any push, any effort he makes. While he could predict things quite accurately, he was but a boy, inexperienced in the tact and self-control needed to act on those predictions with impunity. He needed to learn in a way that the Scholeio in Athenia could not give him. Personal experience, life experience.
My life of learning is not yet over, but it's turned a new page.
That's what he had to come back for. There was the sinking feeling in his chest as he perused a library of books. Interest was waning in the realm of academia and the return to home, to the life he'd left behind. As Alastor and Sara went forward in their conversation, he noticed that she cringed at his admission.
He wanted to be honest with her, regardless of what might flit across her features. What they admitted to one another, it was a start. His... their feelings were let out for both of them to truly know. He felt the moisture between his fingers and against his palm, as it creased against his fringe. He'd grown tense and he couldn't identify when, or how, it had happened. Her laughter came out coked, a sheepish expression set upon her features. Why did she apologize for his deceptions?
"I always planned to tell you... I just... wanted everything to be..."
He didn't know where he was going with this, his gaze downcast up until she reached for his hand. Fingers laced together so effortlessly, the shift in tone apparent as she posed her suggestion.
Walk the town... together?
Was it different now, doing that versus doing this before? Would they hold hands? It was fortunate for Alastor that he was some town bumpkin whose father worked the smithy... but Sara? She was more than that... she was the daughter of a prince and the sister of the lord, even if she didn't share his name. Was this safe for her? He considered her, even as he so selfishly wanted to listen to her suggestions...
No. Let's do it, he thought, nodding his head as she mentioned being careful. Alastor could do that. In the few visits they'd taken to Euttica, they'd been that way. They could do it again and again, strolling in secrecy as they took in only one another. The world could be left behind, particularly...
We both know the way, he assured himself. He grew bolder and bolder as he had something to latch to, a hope, an idea... Sara had her way of bringing a smile to his lips, and most of the time, all it took was her own aqnd the gentle affections she gave him. Hesitantly, he dipped, meeting her features with his own. His forehead brushed against her own as he pressed a chaste kiss to the girl's lips, an arm looping about her waist in a languid effort to draw them closer once again.
"Once before, before we go into town," he said, meeting that curve of her lips with his own. His worries melted away, as wax beneath the flame.What Sara did for him, more than anything else, it seemed, was make him comfortable in his own skin.
We can be careful, he agreed, before he took her hand. He raised it gently, pressing his lips to the girl's wrist before he let one last gaze meet the frothing tide and the sheen of sunlight that reflected off from it.
"Let's go."
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The machinations that Alastor had were by no means organized. The boy's mind was a layered thing, weaving the possibilities of any push, any effort he makes. While he could predict things quite accurately, he was but a boy, inexperienced in the tact and self-control needed to act on those predictions with impunity. He needed to learn in a way that the Scholeio in Athenia could not give him. Personal experience, life experience.
My life of learning is not yet over, but it's turned a new page.
That's what he had to come back for. There was the sinking feeling in his chest as he perused a library of books. Interest was waning in the realm of academia and the return to home, to the life he'd left behind. As Alastor and Sara went forward in their conversation, he noticed that she cringed at his admission.
He wanted to be honest with her, regardless of what might flit across her features. What they admitted to one another, it was a start. His... their feelings were let out for both of them to truly know. He felt the moisture between his fingers and against his palm, as it creased against his fringe. He'd grown tense and he couldn't identify when, or how, it had happened. Her laughter came out coked, a sheepish expression set upon her features. Why did she apologize for his deceptions?
"I always planned to tell you... I just... wanted everything to be..."
He didn't know where he was going with this, his gaze downcast up until she reached for his hand. Fingers laced together so effortlessly, the shift in tone apparent as she posed her suggestion.
Walk the town... together?
Was it different now, doing that versus doing this before? Would they hold hands? It was fortunate for Alastor that he was some town bumpkin whose father worked the smithy... but Sara? She was more than that... she was the daughter of a prince and the sister of the lord, even if she didn't share his name. Was this safe for her? He considered her, even as he so selfishly wanted to listen to her suggestions...
No. Let's do it, he thought, nodding his head as she mentioned being careful. Alastor could do that. In the few visits they'd taken to Euttica, they'd been that way. They could do it again and again, strolling in secrecy as they took in only one another. The world could be left behind, particularly...
We both know the way, he assured himself. He grew bolder and bolder as he had something to latch to, a hope, an idea... Sara had her way of bringing a smile to his lips, and most of the time, all it took was her own aqnd the gentle affections she gave him. Hesitantly, he dipped, meeting her features with his own. His forehead brushed against her own as he pressed a chaste kiss to the girl's lips, an arm looping about her waist in a languid effort to draw them closer once again.
"Once before, before we go into town," he said, meeting that curve of her lips with his own. His worries melted away, as wax beneath the flame.What Sara did for him, more than anything else, it seemed, was make him comfortable in his own skin.
We can be careful, he agreed, before he took her hand. He raised it gently, pressing his lips to the girl's wrist before he let one last gaze meet the frothing tide and the sheen of sunlight that reflected off from it.
"Let's go."
The machinations that Alastor had were by no means organized. The boy's mind was a layered thing, weaving the possibilities of any push, any effort he makes. While he could predict things quite accurately, he was but a boy, inexperienced in the tact and self-control needed to act on those predictions with impunity. He needed to learn in a way that the Scholeio in Athenia could not give him. Personal experience, life experience.
My life of learning is not yet over, but it's turned a new page.
That's what he had to come back for. There was the sinking feeling in his chest as he perused a library of books. Interest was waning in the realm of academia and the return to home, to the life he'd left behind. As Alastor and Sara went forward in their conversation, he noticed that she cringed at his admission.
He wanted to be honest with her, regardless of what might flit across her features. What they admitted to one another, it was a start. His... their feelings were let out for both of them to truly know. He felt the moisture between his fingers and against his palm, as it creased against his fringe. He'd grown tense and he couldn't identify when, or how, it had happened. Her laughter came out coked, a sheepish expression set upon her features. Why did she apologize for his deceptions?
"I always planned to tell you... I just... wanted everything to be..."
He didn't know where he was going with this, his gaze downcast up until she reached for his hand. Fingers laced together so effortlessly, the shift in tone apparent as she posed her suggestion.
Walk the town... together?
Was it different now, doing that versus doing this before? Would they hold hands? It was fortunate for Alastor that he was some town bumpkin whose father worked the smithy... but Sara? She was more than that... she was the daughter of a prince and the sister of the lord, even if she didn't share his name. Was this safe for her? He considered her, even as he so selfishly wanted to listen to her suggestions...
No. Let's do it, he thought, nodding his head as she mentioned being careful. Alastor could do that. In the few visits they'd taken to Euttica, they'd been that way. They could do it again and again, strolling in secrecy as they took in only one another. The world could be left behind, particularly...
We both know the way, he assured himself. He grew bolder and bolder as he had something to latch to, a hope, an idea... Sara had her way of bringing a smile to his lips, and most of the time, all it took was her own aqnd the gentle affections she gave him. Hesitantly, he dipped, meeting her features with his own. His forehead brushed against her own as he pressed a chaste kiss to the girl's lips, an arm looping about her waist in a languid effort to draw them closer once again.
"Once before, before we go into town," he said, meeting that curve of her lips with his own. His worries melted away, as wax beneath the flame.What Sara did for him, more than anything else, it seemed, was make him comfortable in his own skin.
We can be careful, he agreed, before he took her hand. He raised it gently, pressing his lips to the girl's wrist before he let one last gaze meet the frothing tide and the sheen of sunlight that reflected off from it.